The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latine and compared with the French. by Th: Johnson

CHAP. XXXIX. Of the Unicornes Horne.

THere are very many at this day who thinke themselves excellently well armed against poyson and all contagion, if they be provided with some powder of Unicornes horne, or some infusion made therewith. There∣fore I have thought it good to examine more diligently how much truth this inveterate, and grounded opinion hath. The better to performe this taske, I will propound three heads, whereto I will direct my whole discourse. The first shall be of the signification of this word Unicorn. The second, whether there be any such thing really and truely so called, or whether it bee not rather imaginary; like as the Chymera and Tragelaphus? The third, whether that which is sayd to be the horne of such a beast, hath any force or faculty against poysons? For the first, that is, the name, it is somewhat more obscure what the word (being Licorne) in French may * 1.1 signifie, than what the Latine or Greek word is. For the French name is further from the word and signification; but it is so clear and manifest, that this word Unicornis a∣mongst the Latines signifieth a beast having but one horn, as it is vulgarly known, the same thing is meant by the Greek word Monoceros. But now for the second, I thinke * 1.2 that beast that is vulgarly called & taken for an Unicorn, is rather a thing imaginary than really in the world. I am chiefly enduced to beleeve thus, by these conjectures. Because of those who have travelled over the world, there is not one that professeth that ever he did see that creature. Certainly the Romans conquering the world, & be∣ing most diligent searchers after all things which were rare and so excellent, if any where in any corner of the world, this beast could have been found, they would have found it out, and engraven it upon their coynes, or Armes, as they did Crocodiles, Elephants, Eagles, Panthers, Lyons, Tygers, and other creatures unknowne to these countryes. For these that have written of the Unicorn, either that they have heard, or that hath been delivered by tradition, or what they in their owne mindes and fan∣cies have conceived, you shall scarce finde two that agree together, either in the de∣scription of the body, or in the nature and condition of her. Pliny writes, that Uni∣cornes * 1.3 are for the fashion of their bodies like to an horse; that is, as Cardane inter∣prets it, of the bignesse of a horse, with the head of an Hart, the feet of an Elephant, the taile of a Boare, with one black horne in the midst of his forehead, of the length of two cubits. Munster, who (as Mathiolus jests) never saw Unicornes besides pain∣ted * 1.4 ones, doth on the contrary affirme them not to be of the bignesse of an horse, but of an hind calfe of three moneths old, not with feet like an Elephant, but cleft like those of goats, with an horne not only of two, but oft times of three cubits long, of a weazell colour, with a necke not very long, nor very hairy, but having few and short haires hanging to the one side of the necke, the legs are leane and small, the buttocks high, but very hairy. Cardane diss••nting from both these, writes, that hee hath an horne in the midst of his forehead, but that it is onely the length of three

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fingers. Andrew I hevet mentions an Unicorne seene by a certaine Turkish Sang∣jach, which was of the bignesse of a Bull of five or sixe moneths old, and had one * 1.5 horne, but that not in the midst of the forehead, but upon the top of the crowne of the head; he was legg'd and footed like an Asse, but longer haired, and had eares not much unlike the Rangifer, a beast not unknowne in the subpolare or northern coun∣tries.

Thus various therefore is the report concerning the shape of this Beast. Neither is there lesse difference concerning her nature and conditions. For Pliny writes that the Unicorne is a most fierce beast, and hath a great bellowing voice, and that shee cannot therefore be taken alive. Cardane renders a reason of this fiercenesse, Because (saith he) it inhabits the desarts of Aethiopia, a region squalide, and filthy, abounding with toads and such like venemous creatures. Others on the contrary affirme her to bee of a most milde, amiable, and gentle nature of all others, unlesse one purposely offend her, or use her too harshly; for seeing shee feeds not by stooping her head to the ground, because shee is hindered therefrom by the length of her horne, she must necessarily feed upon the fruit that hangeth upon trees; out of cratches or mans hand she fearlesly and harmelesly takes all manner of fruits, herbs, sheaves of corn, apples, peares, oranges and pulse. And herein they have proceeded so farre, that they feign they will love Virgins, entised by their beauty, so that stayed in the contemplation of them, and allured by their entisements, they by this meanes are often taken by hunters. In this opinion is Lewes Vartoman, who denies that Unicornes are wild * 1.6 or fierce; for he saith that he saw two, which were sent out of Aethiopia to the Sul∣tan, who kept them shut up in Pennes, in Mecha, a city of Arabia foelix, renowned by the Sepulcher of Mahomet. Thevet travailing thither, tels that he diligently en∣quired of the inhabitants, what their opinion was of such a beast, yet could he never heare any tidings thereof. Whence it is easie to discerne, that such beasts have nei∣ther beene in our, nor in Vartomans times. The so great variety of dissenting opini∣ons, easily induceth me to beleeve that this word, Unicorne, is not the proper name of any beast in the world, and that it is a thing onely feigned by Painters, and Wri∣ters of naturall things, to delight the readers and beholders. For as there is but one right way, but many by-waies and windings, so the speech of truth is but one, and that alwaies simple and like it selfe; but that of a lye is divers, and which may easily refell it selfe, by the repugnancie and incongruity of opinions, if one should say no∣thing. What therefore (will some say) of what creatures are these hornes, which we see wholly different from others, if they be not of Unicorns? Thevet thinks them no∣thing * 1.7 else than Elephants bones turned and made into the fashion that wee see them; for thus in the Eastern countreies, some crafty merchants and cunning companions turne, hollow, and being softened, draw to what length they please the teeth of the fish Roharde, which lives in the ••ed and Aethiopian Sea, and being so handled, they sell them for Unicornes horne. Verily that which is termed Unicornes horne being burnt, sends forth a smell like to Ivory. Now Cardanus affirmes that the teeth and bones of Elephants made soft by art, may bee drawne forth, and brought into what forme you please, like as Oxe bones are. For what is there in the world which the thirsting desire of gold will not make men to adulterate and counterfeit? But it * 1.8 is time that we come to the third scope. Grant there be Unicornes, must it therefore follow that their hornes must be of such efficacy against poysons? If we judge by e∣vents, and the experience of things, I can protest thus much, that I have often made tryall thereof, yet could I never find any good successe in the use thereof against poi∣sons, in such as I have had in cure. If the matter must bee tryed by witnesses and au∣thorities, a great part of the Physicians of better note have long since bid it adieu, and have detracted from the divine and admirable vertues for which it formerly was so much desired. And this they have done, moved thereto by many just, but two espe∣ciall reasons. The first is of Rondeletius, who in this case affirmes that horns are endu∣ed * 1.9 with no taste nor smell; and therefore have no effect in physicke, unlesse it bee to dry. Neither (saith hee) am I ignorant that such as have them, much predicate their worth, so to make the greater benefit and gaine by them, as of the shavings or scra∣pings of Unicornes horne, which they sell for the weight in gold, as that which is

singular good against poysons and wormes, which things I thinke Harts-horne and Ivory doe no lesse effectually performe; which is the cause why for the same disease, and with the like successe, I prescribe Ivory to such as are poor, and Unicornes horn to the rich, as that they so much desire. This is the opinion of Rondeletius, who with∣out any difference was wont for Unicornes horne to prescribe not onely Harts-horn or Ivory, but also the bones of Horses and Dogges, and the stones of Myrabalanes. Another reason is, that whatsoever resists poyson is cordiall, that is, fit to strengthen the heart, which is chiefly assailed by poysons; but nothing is convenient to streng∣then the heart, unlesse it bee by laudible blood or spirit, which two are onely famili∣ar to the heart, as being the work-house of the arterious blood and vitall spirits. For all things are preserved by their like, as they are destroyed by their contraries; for all things that generate, generate things like themselves. But Unicornes horne, as it conteines no smell, so neither hath it any aëry parts, but is wholly earthy and dry; neither can it bee converted into blood by the digestive faculty, for as it is without juice, so is it without flesh. For as it cannot bee turned into Chylus, so neither is it fit to become Chymus (that is) juice or blood. Therefore it is joyned to the heart by no similitude nor familiarity. Furthermore, there is not a word in Hippocrates and Ga∣len concerning the Unicornes horne, who notwithstanding have in so many places commended Harts-horne. Therefore D. Chapelaine, the chiefe Physitian of King Charles the ninth, often used to say, that hee would very willingly take away that custome of dipping a piece of Unicorns horn in the Kings cup, but that he knew that opinion to be so deeply ingrafted in the minds of men, that he feared, that it would scarce be impugned by reason. Besides (he said) if such a superstitious medicine do no good, so certainely it doth no harme, unlesse it be to their estates that buy it with gold, or else by accident, because Princes, whilst they rely more than is fitting upon the magnified vertues of this horne, neglect to arme themselves against poys••••s by other more convenient meanes, so that Death oft-times takes them at unawares. When as upon a time I enquired of Lewes Duret the Kings Physitian and Professor (by reason of the great opinion that all learned men justly had of his learning and judgement) what he thought of this horne. He answered, that he attributed no facul∣ties thereto: for the confirmation whereof he rendred the second reason I have for∣merly given, but more largely and elegantly; neither feared he to affirme it aloud, & in plain words to his auditory of learned men, comming from all parts to hear him. But if at any time (orecome by the fault of the times & place) he prescrib'd this horn, that he did it for no other entent, than to help faintings or sownings that happen by * 1.10 the abundance of serous humors, floating in the orifice of the ventricle, which makes men ill disposed, because this mixed with other things endued with the like faculty, hath power to drinke up the waterish humidity by its earthy drinesse. But some will reply, that neither the Lemnian, nor Armenian earth, have any juice in them, neither any smell, nor aëry spirit. It is granted, neither truely are such things truely and pro∣perly called cordiall, but onely by event and accident, for that by the excellent astrictive faculty they have, and stopping the passages of the vessels, they hinder the poyson from entring into the heart. This is my opinion of Unicornes horne, which if any doe not approve of, hee shall doe mee a favour, if for the publike good, hee shall freely oppose his; but in the interim take this in good part which I have done.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What the name imports.
• * 1.2

  That there is no such beast as an Unicorne.
• * 1.3

  Lib. 8. cap. ••1.
• * 1.4

  Munsters opini∣on concerning Unicornes.
• * 1.5

  Tom. 1. lib. 5. Cap. 5. cosmogr.
• * 1.6

  vartomans ••p••n••on of the nature of the Unicorne.
• * 1.7

  What the ordi∣nary Unicorns hornes are.
• * 1.8

  The Unicornes horne is not ef∣fectuall against poyson.
• * 1.9

  Lib. depo••der. cap. 19 Hornes and bones not ef∣fectuall unlesse to dry.
• * 1.10

  In what cases good.