A description of the nature of four-footed beasts with their figures en[graven in brass] / written in Latin by Dr. John Johnston ; translated into English by J.P.

AN APPENDIX PETER CASTELLUS OF ROME His discovery of the Sweet Hyaena, the Dam of the Zibeth, commonly called the Civet-cat.

CHAPTER I.

IT is well knowen how needfull serious, mature, and long deliberation is in the accurate search after difficult matters; and that the more judicious, and rationall any one is the easier is it for him to un∣lock secrets, to bring to light hidden things, and to climbe otherwise in accessible heights. Whence it is, that when inquiry is made: Whether the Hyaena of old be knowen to us, or no; and on the other side, Whether the fruitfull Zibeth were known to the ancients, or no;* 1.1 it seems hard to many to resolve. We had need search diligently, relying more in judgement, and reason then sense to perfect our wished disco∣very. Wherefore we take our rise from the manifold names of this beast,* 1.2 namely, Civetta, or S••vetta, whence Zibeth, and Civet-cat, and Weesel, and Zapetion, and Cadopleptus, we stile it the Odoriferous Hyaena.

Zibeth is an Arabique name,* 1.3 read in divers significations. Zebet is a sweet-sented A••galia administred in Physick to staunch blood, and against shedding-hair. It is called Saderva in Persian language; it is a black thing, wherewith they dy cloath in Haaman, or a black juice, an ingredient into sweet medicines. Rasis calls it S••••dra,* 1.4 and Scedegura; others, Severa. The Arabians, Galia, and Algalia, whence the com∣positions Gallia Moschata, Gallia Alephan∣gina, and Sebellina, &c. so that a sweet pit is,* 1.5 called by some the Arabian Beasts sweat. Sera∣pions Galia, is the juice of an herb, Zebeth, when the beast first obtained the name Z••bet, and corruptly Civette.* 1.6 Zelet Allahar is sea-fome, and not unfitly applied figuratively to this, Z••beth being taken when the beast is angry, and fomes.

He may be like a wild Cat in head, other∣wise very unlike. Others call it a Cat; we rather the Sweet-Hyaena.

CHAPTER II. Whether the Civetta be the ancient Pard, or Panther, or no.

ARistotle demands,* 1.7 why other beasts yeeld not a sweet sent as well as the Pardal, or Panther, that thereby en∣tices other beasts to him; no other, or rarely, but hee, senting sweet, unles by chance, having eat some sweet thing,* 1.8 unlesse it is, that man is weaker of sent then other creatures, and knows not sents. Pliny saids, all beasts are strangely allured by this sent, but frighted by the mishapen head, which hee therefore hides. Aristotle saith, the Panther knows, that he smells so sweet; when he wants meat, he skulks in fruitfull or leavy shady thickets; then fawns, and goats,* 1.9 &c. invited by his fragrant sent draw neare, and become a prey to him. The Panther, and Tiger have a pecu∣liar kind of spots; the Panther hath small spots like egges set in white: But they are mistaken, who take him for the Civetta. Some deny the Panthers senting sweetly,* 1.10 onely beasts follow him, but men smell no such sweetnes in him. But, to say truth, diverse beasts void sweet dung, that Aristotle, and his Scholler Theo∣phrastus knew not off; as the Cordylus re∣sembling the Crocodile, but lesse,* 1.11 and living onely on land on sweet flowers; he is sought after for his sweet guts, called Crocodilea, or for his dung. Also wilde-yellow Mice, (that our boys play withall, called Sorcimoscaroli) voids dung like Musk. And so of some Ser∣pents: And of the greater Weezel, that kills great Hens, (called Marter Martorella, and Fo∣vina) and of some Baboons.* 1.12 The excrement of the Gezella is a Musk. And some insects hand∣led smell sweet, as the flower Dipcas, or Greeke-Musk. So that many beasts, beside the Panther, send forth fragrant smell, and the Zibeth among the rest. To let passe that needles quarrell, between Cardan and Scaliger, above the smell of beasts, and natures essayes in their generation.

Some thinke the Zivet to be Plinies Chaum,* 1.13 in French Raphium, like a Wolf, spotted like the Panther, that Pompey shewed at Rome; but there is no mention of the sent. Nor is the Civetta, headed like the Wolf, and they differ also in the spots. Perhaps Thoe is put for Chao; the Hart-wolf, and seems to be our Civet. But of the Thoe, Philes hath composed Greek verses, the summe whereof is: How shamefast is the Thoe, if hee but see a man; How true a friend is he to man,* 1.14 aiding him, if any beast assault him. The Thoe comes of an Hyaena, and a Wolf.

CHAPTER III. Whether the Hyaena was knovven of old.

BEllonius saith,* 1.15 yea; though the ancients observed not the sweet excrement of the Civetta; see thence the shape is the same with the old Hyaena,* 1.16 of the colour of the Wolf, but shaggier, and long∣mained, with black spots, two under the eyes, the feet black-haired; thighs spotted, the tail very long, black above, with white spots be∣neath; on the neck, and ridge of the back black-haired, which, when he is angry, start up as Swines bristles: whence the fish Glanis is called an Hyaena. Besides all old writers call the Hyaena a wilde Savage beast, that the Panthers strangely dread, and dare not stand its, but fly, nor dare come near a piece of the skin; nay, hang up the skins over against each other,* 1.17 the Panthers hair falls off. Diverse write of this enmity, and that the Civet-cat is untameable. The best reason is, that the Hyaena of old is said* 1.18 (as by Ovid, and Pliny) yearely to change sex, and to gender with a male; which though it be false, and disavowed. By Aristotles yet there is a vessell in the Hyae∣nam, that makes the heedles think it Epicene, or double-sexed. He is genitaled as wolves, and dogs; and that other passage is but for the ex∣crements. And there is female Hyaena, and under the tail of both is a streake, but it is seen more in the males, which are oftner taken then the females.

On the other side,* 1.19 Scaliger derides those that think the Hyaena, and Zivet to be the same, and many others confute that opinion; many things being said of the Hyaena, that fit not our Civet-cat. As first, a hard skinne, and a main, and neck, that are not the Civetta. Besides that there is no gum in the mouth, and but one tooth, or one bone all along, shutting like a box, but the Zivet hath many teeth.

And some write, that the Hyaena fains a mans voyce, and learns Shepheards names, to entrap them; and imitates mans vomiting, to entice and catch dogs. But none of these are, as yet observed in the tamest Civet-cat. But Bellonius might easily confute all this: saying that those things are falsely ascribed to the Hyaena, as the stifnes of neck to the Lion by Aristotle; and that Solinus speaks not of the Hyaena, but of the Crocuta, gendred between the Hyaena, and Lionesse. That those passages are rather to be admired, then beleeved, as de∣nied and confuted by some writers, and in silence passed by others.* 1.20 Adde, that the Hyaena is so far from being untameable, that Nicolus Ancisa, Marques of Mantuaes bastard son, carried one on his shoulders. And a Flo∣rentine Consul at Alexandria,* 1.21 had a Civet-cat, that tooke man by the nose, eares, and lips, without harm, playing with them. But these are but toies, for this is by nature wilde, but may be tamed, especially the female.

And for that above the mane,* 1.22 Bellonius might probably answere, that the Hyaena is as big as a Wolf, yet but two handfulls high, and the mane is longer then the other hair, and may hang to the ground; as wee see in Swine, the bristles on the back are longer then other hair; and so in our Civetta you may say, why then did not Aristotle rather liken the Hyaenaes mane to the Swines bristled crest, then the Horses mane: I answere, that perhaps he took his description from some Indian Authour, that had seen a Horse, but not a Swine; for it is not certain, that such Swine as ours are in India; so that Aristotle changed not his expres∣sion about the mane. Besides Scaliger gathers out of Aristotle,* 1.23 that the place of the genitalls of the Hyaena, and Civet is diverse. And Faber findes a contradiction in Scaliger, Ex. 217. Cardan. p. 7. But truth is, either Aristotle was deceived by a false relation, or some fault is in the text; or he is not to be understood literally, and strictly; but thus it may be taken, that the Hyaena hath a streak behind, but no passage, but the Civet hath two passages, and hollows; one wherein the Civet is gathered. But Busbequius saith, hee saw two Hyaenaes at Constantinople, a litle lower, but as long as a wolf, skind like the wolf, but rougher haired, thicker, and spotted with black; the head huge, close to the back-bone, without turning-joynts, that without turning the whole body about, they could not looke behinde them: and that in Galatia are very many, found easily out by their gathering of carcasse-bones, mens, and others, to their den. And Jo. Leo saith,* 1.24 he hath hands like a man, and delights much in humane carcasses, that he digs out of their graves; that they are but silly, and are enticed out of their holes by singing, or a drum, which they love to listen too, and so are killed. Yet it is doubtfull, whether this be the right Hyaena, having no mane, nor genitals, nor qualities ascribed of old to them, as if it were a mischievous, and subtile beast; that in Africa destroyes many wilde Asses;* 1.25 cer∣tain males domineering over flocks of fe∣males, jealous of corrivals, guarding their fe∣males great with young; guelding their male-brood with their teeth, seeking out the females haunt, big with young, and being extremely lustfull. Herein like our Civetta, whose Civet makes not themselves onely prove to lust, but mankind also, if annointed with it. Referre hither Philes his Greek verses of the propertie of beasts, and of the Hyaena, no way agreeing to the Zibet-cat; (Chap. 43. of the Land, and Sea-Hyaena) the summe is, that the Hyaena changes Sexes, finding a man asleep, puts the right hand to his nostrils, to make his sleep sounder, lays the earth that was under his head on his throat, and with embraces throttles him sleeping. And the finnes of a Sea-Hyaenaes right-side with a touch, provoke sleep, stupifie, and bring terrible dreams. The Hyaena de∣ceives, and devours dogs, amazing them with

the shadow by Moon-shine. Aelian relates the like, l. 6. c. 14. and l. 15. de An. c. 14. other fabulous things; as about the Hyaenaes hornes, which P. Cillius hath past over in his trans∣lation; and Gesner confuted as ridiculous. However many things noted in the Hyaena, are found in the Civetta.

CHAPTER IV. Vnder what kinde of Beasts the Civetta is to be reckoned.

SInce it is cleare by what hath been said, that it is neither the ancient Panther, nor Plinies Chaus, nor the true Hyaena, wee may now fitly inquire, to what kind it is to be referred.* 1.26 It seemes to many to be a wilde Cat; and indeed in face it resembles one, ha∣ving such long hairs on the beard, and three long ones on the cheek▪ as the cat hath, other∣wise they are nothing alike, not in skinne; for the Cats is smooth, the Civets rough, the hair very long, and thick, nor nayle, for the Cats claws are crooked, the Civets blunts, nor geni∣talls, nor shape;* 1.27 this being liker a dog, or wolf, then a car, being long, not round-mouthed. It is wilde, sharp-toothed, but unlike a cat, greater oft then a Fox, unlike in head, neck, feet, and other parts; long-snouted as a Badger, long-bodied, the jaws below white, and the beard, the feet black, the belly-sides bright, the back dark-ash with black spots, and toothed more like a dog, then a cat. I indeed referre it to the Hyaenaes, and these to the generall kinde, comprehending Wolves, Dogs, Foxes, and other beasts that prey on flesh. Now there are diverse kinds of Hyaenaes.

The Thoes is genered between the Hyaena,* 1.28 and the Wolf. But I say there is a sweet Hyae∣na, and one that hath no sent. The sweet one is either the Arabian, and Eastern, or the Western,* 1.29 and American one. The other sort is, that the ancients write off, which perhaps is also twofold, since that Busbequius writes of wants many markes, described of old, and seems to be an Arabian Wolf.

But the sweet Hyaenaes, Arabian, and Ame∣rican breed, Zibeth, or Civet; but differ some∣what in shape.

The American hath a slender-copped head,* 1.30 liker a dogs then a cats, reddish. Ringlets are about the eyes, that are not fierce, nor great, but whitish. The head ash-coloured, with scarce any hairs on the beard, the neck longer then the Tigers, or Catpards, beautifull with black, and white wreaths, like bracelets paint∣ed; from the head to the back on the neck are such coloured streaks; and another on the back from the neck to the tail, blackish, and hairy. Handsomly set off toward the tail by the streak with blackish, round, ovall spots in order on a bright ash-colour. The uppermost nearer the backe are greater, the middlemost lesse, the lowest by little, and little lessening to nothing. The tale streakt, and so party-coloured, and long, under the tail are visibly three passages, whereof one is the Civet-bag; the middlemost seems greatest. But the African sweet Hyae∣na, our Civetta is liker a wolf then a cat; long-headed, sharp-muzzled, toothed as a dog; two handfulls high, as I who dissected it, found it; and as long from the shoulders to the tail, and the tail as long as the whole body, the neck above half a palm long. The beast seeme to stoop. The length of the head was double to the breeth. On the beard, and cheeks grew hard hairs, white and long as on Cats; the muzzle bald, nostrills blackish, black spots un∣der the eyes, the eyes glistring, and reddish.

But Columna saw at Fabers,* 1.31 saw one with chesnuts-brown eyes, mixt with yellow, and dull, heavy, and down cast. But out of the eyes of our dead one, were pulled gems as big as a drie peas, round, and angeled, like christall, which I yet keepe; which confirme mee in na∣ming it an Hyaena, since others speak of such in the Hyaenaes eyes,* 1.32 that put under a mans tongue make him prophesie; (if you will be∣leeve it) I say not these are true gems, for they hold their firmues, and cristalline transpa∣rancy, but two, or three dayes, and then grow dimme, and are cut into bits three, or foure like snails-shells. Some have indeed put the question, why Cats, Hyaenaes and Bats, see clearly by night. Besides the Civets-eares are little, round, and haired as a Badgers. The body is whitish, and ash as a wolves, sprinkled with black spots, the feet but little, and short, and black-haired; foure toes on a foot, and a small thumb inward, as on a cat. The nails, as the dogs, black, short, thick, and blunt, not as claws. Next under the tayl is the excrement-passage; then the testicles, then the Civet-bag, &c. In the figure wee have printed all accurately, according to their naturall pro∣portion. The Civet-bag lies between the genitall, and stones, which are large, these I cut out, and found them sentles, the seed-vessells were very thick; below was a small bladder. The whole genitall is hide within the body, as in cats, while the beast is quiet, onely a kernell seen; but in the carcasse it hangs quite out. The hair of the whole body is long, rough, bristled, as a Boars, and on the neck, and by the back∣bone black, very long, and stiffer, which starts upright, as on the Swine, when the beast is angry. The tail is very long, and pretty hairy, reaching to the ground, and marked with va∣rious spots.

Hence we conclude these to be Hyaenaes. Perhaps the Bever may be referred to this kinde, it having about the same place a blad∣der, which opened, a kinde of a hony-moi∣sture drops out.

CHAPTER V. Where the Hyaenaes are bred.

HErodotus,* 1.33 Pliny, and Solinus write that many of them are bred in Africa. But our sweet Hyaena is called the Syrian Cat; they are brought out of Syria.* 1.34 Some are sent from Spain. The Por∣tugees bring them out of the Indies. A Litua∣nian Apothecary sent a Zibet-bag, and an Elcks-hoof to Rome to Henry Convinus, writing that they were the fruits of his country; so that I guesse they are bred also in those cold Regions.

The American Zibeth is bred in many parts there,* 1.35 as also in East-India in Bengala, Ceilan, Sumatra, Java the greater, and lesse, in Mali∣put, and elsewhere.

And in new Spain, in Quatemala, Campege, Nikaragua, Vera Crux, Florida, and the great Isle S. Dominick, or Hispaniola, Cuba, Ma∣talino, Guadalupa, and elsewhere.

In Peru is plenty, in Paraguay, Tucamam Chiraguanas, S. Crux de la Sierra, Yungas, Andes, Chiachiapojas, Quizos, Timana, Novo Regno, and in all the Provinces bordering on the great river Maraguon, which are almost numberlesse hereabout reaching two thousand leagues. Many more of them are in Brasil, where the Civet trade is driven. They abound also in Guinee, in the Provinces of Loango, Congo, Manicongo, about the rivers of An∣gola, even to Cafres, and to the Cape of good Hope, especially on the high, and vast moun∣tains there,* 1.36 called the Craggy-spears, and on part of the hills of Gafres, called the Torea, or of the Moon, where so much Algalia is.

CHAPTER VI. Of the Zibeth-vessell, or Civet-bag.

ZIbeth is gathered only out of one small part of the beast, we shall see whence. It is a foul mistake, that the Gazella voids Civet,* 1.37 as dung; nor comes it out the genitalls, but it lies thereabout. To let passe Columna his discourse of the testicles (Epist. 1. ad Fabrum.) It is clear, that the Civet in the males lies between the Geni∣tall,* 1.38 and the stones. The testicles are conspi∣cuous in the males, and tane out, but ly hid within the females. In these between the anus, and the secrets are swellings, are bagges framed by nature, wherein by little and little the Zi∣beth is gathered, and thence voided. And being but two, the unexperienced may mistake them for testicles, and some that have seen the beast often, much more those who never saw it afore; so hath Columna mistaken. The Zi∣beth part at first sight seemes a feminine passe, having a long streak, and thick lips, which feels as bigge as a small egge, gristly it is, and some∣what hard, which, if you open with your fin∣gers a little, there shew themselves two very long holes like nostrills, hollow underneath, where are the seats of the Zibeth. These vessells if you squeese out with your fingers they open themselves wide, and shew the hol∣lownesse, which may well hold an almond kernell; in these bags is no pore, and no passage appears, but it being cut, I found a hardish body as big as an egge, feeling griftly, divided into two bags, as big as two Spanish olives, and those not at all grisly, but fleshy, stuffed with small, white, hard kernels, much harder then the stones; distinct they were those bags, but joyned with thin skins, or films, and the inner was common to both bags, which I keep still by me dried, which sent yet strongly of Civet, when the stone dried smell not all. And (which is strange) the beast being spent by a dropsy, and all the bowells putrified, and it stinking un∣sufferably as it was cut all over, only the Zi∣beth vessell sented wonderfully, and yet holds its fragrancy.

CHAPTER VII. Of the Beaver.

SInce the History of the Castor, Fiber, or Beaver conduceth much to the know∣ledge of the kind, and quality of the sweet Hyaena; we say that the Beaver, both Hee, & Shee have in their privities certain receptacles, whereout, through the small bones, an hony moysture flows, which the Beaver useth to lick. The males have besides their testicles shut within under the skin so, as you cannot touch them,* 1.39 as swine have. Rondeletius saith such bumps are also in Hares, whence the vulgar bruit of their double sex, and he writes the like of the Moschus, and the Beaver, that this hath two such swellings in the groyn, each in his thin skin as big as a Goose-egge, between which are the privities. These swel∣lings sweat out a fat moysture, which he licks, and sucks out, and after annoints therewith all his bodies as far as he can reach. These are not testicles, for they are there besides, and these have no passage to convey, are send forth wa∣ter. That liquour at first is like oyl, after it is of the colour of hony, and as thick. The like is in the Hare (saith he) and the Moschus, whence a sweet substance flows. Nor are they to be heard, who take these swellings, for inflamed pushes, or hote matter from the navell. That the swelling is like a kernell, or testicle they know, who sophisticate musk, making it up round in such a shape, and calling it the Moschus-stone. But we know that the testicles ly so, that you cannot take them thence, and the beast live. So that many beasts, as the Hyaena, Zibeth,* 1.40 Castor, and Hare, and others carry sweet moysture in bags about the groyn, as among fishes, the Cuttle, the Calamary, and the purple fish.

We grant the Moschus to be a strange In∣dian

beast in Pegu, frequent with the Tum∣basci, not unlike a shee-goat, great-bodied, cal∣led the Dorcas Moschus, the Indian Gazella; the wild Goat-Moschus, out of whose under∣jaw stick tushes, as in swiny, but when the tell, that when he hath lust, his navell swells, and apostumates; and he then refrains food, and walloweth on the ground, and delights in the tickling in rubbing the swelling against stones, and tree-stumps, and breaks it, and thence comes true musk, and that the same loft on stones, and trees is by the sun, and air per∣fected, and all ill in it disperst, and that this is the best musk. That the beast killed, the hun∣ters, cut a piece off, with the skin, squeeze out the blood, gather it, dry it, keep it in bottles made of the skin of the same beast, or dry the blood, and put off to chapmen that stuffe for pure musk, &c. However it be these are by these mens relations of a like nature, and the musk comes not from an apostume in the Moschus, but out of a peculiar part determi∣ned by nature.

CHAPTER VIII. VVhat the Zibeth is.

ALl not agreed about the matter of this sweet called Zibeth,* 1.41 and Zibet, and Zapetion, and Algalia, and Civet, and by severall writers severally. Cardan is justly taxed by Scaliger for calling it seed, that diffected the beast,* 1.42 know better, nor assent I to those think it sweat, because (say they) it is most gathered from the beast, when tired, vexed, and sweating, and also under the hippes, armes,* 1.43 neck and tail, for then all that sweat should be sweet; unlesse you call it sweat, be∣cause it sweats out of a glistly, spongy part through invisible pores into the bags, but then it is not simply sweat, but the sweat of the Zi∣beth part,* 1.44 nor do those that call it excrement descend to a description of the particular na∣ture of it; for there is excrement profitable, as seed-milk; and uselesse, as snot, sweat, filth, &c. Corruption this is not, there being no sore. I take it to be an excrement proper to that ker∣nelly substance of the foresayed bags, that breeds by its innate, proper power such a thing, as the stomack makes chyle, the liver blood, breasts milke, testicles feed, ears, ear-wax, the cuttle fish inke, the viper poyson in the teeth, and the like, as the Beaver, and Moschus, &c. breed on hony, sweet excrement. But I dare not determine, whether it be usefull, or useles to the sweet part, or the breeder. But we may guesse, that it is unprofitable to the beast, it seeming burdensome to it, whereof it would case it self, and the female, when tame, seems to delight, that the Civet with an eare-pick should be taken out of her. On the other side the sweetnesse of the sent, shews it is no pre∣ternaturall rottennes, but an exact concoction, and natures master-piece; and it puts forth it self naturally and copiously after that part hath concocted it, as milk, &c. Usefull no question it is, nature gave not those bags such a vertue to breed such a sweet in vain. But to what purpose? Seed begets milk-nourshes; whereto serves this? whether to provoke the beast to generation; as wee find Musk awakes lust, and the Castors-hony; or whether to al∣lure other beasts to him; as was said of the Panther. Wee shall praise his wit, who shall suggest other, or better reasons.

CHAPTER IX. Of the collecting, and electing of Civet.

WHen the vessels are full of Civet,* 1.45 the beast it self is unquiet, and seeks to disburthen it self. The eagernes of it seemes to swell, vex, and prick, and provoke evacuation; and the tame ones take delight to have the bags emptied with an eare-picker. The Blacks, or Moors,* 1.46 search after old, and dry stumps of trees, and mark the large and oyly spots, and take thence a round substance cleaving there as big or small as a chesnuts, they let it boyl out in water, and take that swimmes, being fat, and oyly, and pour it into clean pots, and keep it for their use, and this is the purest Civet. For on thoes trees the beast rubs, and leaves it, when the bags are full, and urge him. And keep them tame in a cellar, when the Civet abounds in the bags, it troubles them, and they cannot stand still, but run up, and down, and rub against the walles, to ease themselves of it, and so it is lost. The servants of D. Barnardine of Corduba fetch the Civet out thus:* 1.47 One drew the chain, wherein the Zibet was tied, another held the hind-legs, a third chased the bagges, and with a large ear-pick fetched the Civet clean out, scraping on all sides, then wiped the short-hair of both bags with cotton wool; and after six times fifty emptying the bags they gather Civet enough to full a chesnut-shell. In sum∣mer it is moyster, and every two dayes in warme weather they gathered half an ounce, but in winter they got it scarce once a week, nor so much, the female yeelded lesse, but without striving.

The Civet seems fat, and ••nctunous, and swims at top in water, and serves it self from all other things; it is as hony, or butter, it is thinner in summer, at first gathering, but after thickens. I fetched out of a dead one above two drams of Civet, whitish, and fast as hony. Scaliger &c. likens it to black sope, but he saw only the out∣side, and that old. Some say, the fresh is ugly, and stinking, and after comes to smell sweet, contrary to amber,* 1.48 and musk, which are the newer the better. Donatus (out of Eremi. l. 1. Antidotary, c. 10.) saith the stayler is best, and of a Lion, and palish colour, fat, thin, thickning in time, being laid on a paper, and chased

melts,* 1.49 and dissolves, which distinguishes it from the adulterate, false Civet. It is said the Civet of the male is whitish, that of the female Lion-coloured at first after a weak, but white also at first gathering. An ounce of the females is worth four of the males. They mix six ounces of this with one of that, and so it is perfect; the males alone is little worth.

It is many wayes sophisticated,* 1.50 as mixed with butter, or the soft pulp of larger raisins, or Zibbibus, and with rank fat, or butter, or cheese, put a little in a silver spoon on embers with those foresaid things, it renders them sweet like it.* 1.51 The sweetest Civet is right, and best. It is said that the right, if put into seething water, flotes at top, and all heterogeneous stuffe sinkes from it; but we have found in some the rank butter, so that it seems the separation is not so perfect. The best Civet gains a colour, as a dusky web, but at the bottome waxes white; the sophisti∣cate is of the same colour at bottome, and top. It is to be kept only in glasse.

CHAPTER X. Of the use, and power of Civet.

IT hath a double use, the Druggists regard only the sent, Physitians the vertue. Drug∣gists say a little Civet overcomes many sents in compositions, so that you shall smell only that simple pounder of Civet, is made of Sugar-candy,* 1.52 and Civet beaten together to pouder, which is kept in a glasse-viol close shut. Some take eg-shells washt, and dried, and bruize them to a fine powder,* 1.53 and in each ounce put three caracts of Civet; a caract weight four grains; or they take two ounce weight of prepared eg-shells, infusing them in Rose-water, musked ten, or twelve dayes, they dry, crumble, sears them, put an ounce of refined sugar to them, then put embers into a brasse mortor, till it be so hote, as you can en∣dure to handle it, then wipe it, and put in the eg-dust, smooth it with the pestle, put to it four caracts of Civet, mingling it by degrees with the pestle end annointed, the spaced of an houre, then keep it in glasse close shut, and sprinkle the pouder on whitened sheets, shirts, and other garments.

Some take the best ordinary sope,* 1.54 slice it small, dry it in the sun, or shade ten dayes, bruize, searse it, then add Civet-pouder, and ball it with Rose-water.

Of Civet also are made oyls, ointments, and perfumes.

The skin of the belly is souverain in all cold greefs.* 1.55 A bit of it worne on the stomack strengthens it. The Guinee, and Brasil Blacks eat the flesh, though it be unsavoury, and hard of digestion to make them lusty. The Hyaenaes skin is also good against the bite of a dog. In Candy a ship-wracked Barbarian being driven on shoar, that being elderly, and maintained on the publick purse, related that a piece of the Hyaenaes skin tied in a cloath, and bound about the left arme helped against bites, cramp, &c.* 1.56 It is said, shoos made of a Sea∣calfs, or rather of an Hyaenaes skin, drives away the foot-gout. It is good against the bite of a mad dog, if bound on. It is past beleef that the Phocas, and Hyaenaes skin make thun∣der proof, and that they carry them about in ships to that end. Surely Avicen knew Civet liavour under the name of Galia, and Algalia, which was not Gallia Moschata, for he speaks of simple medicines, not compounds. And Algalia is not Serapions Sederva, which is a cold juice of an herb, and astringent, as Acacia. Besides the vertue is the same of Civet, with Avicens Algalia, as to soften hard impostumes, and dissolved in Ben-oyl, or Keiri, and droped in, eases a sore ear; the sent helps epilepsy, en∣livens, and asswages the cold soda; in toxicates the brain in wine; the sent cheers the heart, and in suppositories is good for the mother, and against phlegma, and provoke terms, cleanses the mother, helps conception. So that Civet, Algalia, and Galia are all one, for all is but an Arabique article.

Some count Civet hot, and moyst, others dry,* 1.57 some, a kin to Musk; but Avicen holds Musk hote, and dry in the second degree. But if it be a sweat, the Hyaena being very hote beasts, and that abounding in hot weather; and when the beast is heated by anger, or motion, it must needs be chollerick, hot, and dry, and of a disgestive nature.

But there is no certainty,* 1.58 because none know the tast of it. In all sweat is some salt, and when the beast sweats, the Civet hath some eagernes in it. It is certainely hot, dry, and harsh. Besides, sweat disgests, and allays swel∣ligns, as Algalia. But Castor Durantes his medicine for the matrix, seeme to be made of the genitals.* 1.59 Lay but Civet on the hollow of the navell, it turns the mother. It is used also against the stoppings of the womb, and barrennes. Read Red, à Castro l. 2. de mor. mul. c. 1. The shape of it in the beast, speaks for what parts it is good. How it helps generation, Roder. à Fonseca consult. 10. shews. And many write how usefull it is against all womb-griefs. Briefly, it easest the Collick.

Wee read nothing in our late writers of oyl of the gall and fat of the Civet-cat,* 1.60 but among the ancients of the Hyaena, as in Galen de comp. med. loc. c. 7. &c. Aelian. H. A. l. 6. c. 46. writes, that the gall kills the Ibis. Galen, that the Hyaenaes fat breeds hair, it being thin, and pearcing to the roots of the hair. The same doth the whole Hyaena,* 1.61 boyled in oyl, as the Fox. There are many vertues in Fox-oyl, all which are found in Hyaenas-oyl. The live Hyaena boyld in oyl, makes a discussory oyl, excellent for the joynt-gout.

CHAPTER XI. Of the bones of the Civet-cat.

IT remains now to treat of the Sceleton of this beast prepared by mee, which condu∣ceth much to the discovery of it's nature; to know the place, seat, and posture of the bones, and to see wherein it agrees with, or differs from the Dogs, Wolse, Fox, Cat, and other beasts.

When in all other beasts the number of the turning-joynts of the back-bone is not the same, in our sweet Hyaena were reckoned 49. but in the Sow, and Hedge-hogge but foure, in the Horse, and Camels fifteen, six in the neck, as in Dogs; in the breast twelf, after the usuall way; seven others on the back, as in the Dog. But the Hedge-hogge hath eight; the Cony ten. Finally the tayl consists of foure and twenty small bones. In a Dog I told but fifteen. In the jaws were six sharp cutters on each side, but very small, as in the Cat-pard, and in Dogs.

Next stand the dog-teeth, in bignesse, and shape as the dogs: Then grinders on either side six; the first whereof next the grinders, but small, as the last, saving one, is the greatest of all. The shape of the whole seemed to re∣semble a dog, and such kind of beasts nearest. And so much briefly of the Anatomy. Let the reader excuse us, that wee give no ac∣count of the inwards, since such was the stink of the putrified bowells, that the offence so nau-seated, and turned the stomacks of my schollers then present, in D^r. Dominick Pana∣rolus, who cut it up, and also in the by standers, that it scarce suffered us to make that speedy dissection.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.2

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.3

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.4

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.5

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.7

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.8

  Theophr. l. 6. de caus. Pla••t. c. 5. Plin. l. 8. c. 16. Arist. H. A. l. 9. c. 11.
• * 1.9

  Aeli. H. A. l. 5. c. 40. Plin.
• * 1.10

  Gesner.
• * 1.11

  Plin. l. 28.
• * 1.12

  Renod. M••t. Med. l. 3. c. 15. S••al. Ex. 211. p. 2.
• * 1.13

  Dale∣camp. Plin. l. 8. c. 19.
• * 1.14

  Hero∣dotus l. 4.
• * 1.15

  Obser. l. 2. c. 20.
• * 1.16

  Arist.
• * 1.17

  Plin. l. 28. c. 6.
• * 1.18

  Aeli. l. 6. c. 22. Cardan. 10. de subt. fer. Arist. de g••n. ani. l. 3. c. 6. Et K. A. l. 6. c. 132.
• * 1.19

  Exer. 117. p. 7. Gesner. Busbeq. Clusius. Arist. Solin. Aelian.
• * 1.20

  Scal. Ex. 211. p. 2.
• * 1.21

  Bellon.
• * 1.22

  Arist. H. A. l. 8. c. 5.
• * 1.23

  In l. 15. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Ovid. Faber.
• * 1.24

  Nova 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.25

  Plin. l. 8. c. 3••.
• * 1.26

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.27

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.28

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.29

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.30

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.31

  B••llon.
• * 1.32

  P••in. H. A. l. 37. c. 10. Albert. de lap. Alex. 1. Probl. 6.
• * 1.33

  L. 4.
• * 1.34

  Scal.
• * 1.35

  I. Faber.
• * 1.36

  Fragorae. Cuspides.
• * 1.37

  Riolan. Patholog. c. 11. Renod.
• * 1.38

  Alex. Bened.
• * 1.39

  Dios••••. l. de Amph•••• c. 8.
• * 1.40

  Plin. l •• c. 3.
• * 1.41

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.42

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c.
• * 1.43

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Greg.
• * 1.44

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.45

  How to¦gather it.
• * 1.46

  Faber out of Father Greg.
• * 1.47

  F. Co∣lumna.
• * 1.48

  Amatus. Quadra∣mius.
• * 1.49

  Id. de. Theriaca. c. 11.
• * 1.50

  How so∣phistica∣ted.
• * 1.51

  Right.
• * 1.52

  Alexius Rosellus.
• * 1.53

  Powder.
• * 1.54

  Sope.
• * 1.55

  The ver∣tues. F. Gre∣gory in Faber. Scribon. Larg. c. 171.
• * 1.56

  Mar••el. Empir. c. 36. Aetius ••erm. 2 c. 162. Noni••s c. 259. Avicea. l. 2. c. 326.
• * 1.57

  The Temper. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 &••
• * 1.58

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.59

  Rucil. Matth. Renod.
• * 1.60

  〈…〉〈…〉 Medi∣cochin.
• * 1.61

  Aetius ••er. 2. c. 164.