commonly continueth 30 daies, namely from the rising of the Dolphin starre, vnto the day be∣fore [unspec A] the Nones of Ianuarie: howbeit some there be that go to fellow in Autumne. Certes in those countries where the people liue altogether of milke, they order the matter so, that their kine calue at all times, so as they are not without their food of fresh milke all the yeare long. Bulls willingly leape not aboue two kine at most in one day. Boeufes alone of all liuing Crea∣tures can grase going backeward, and verily among the Gamarants they neuer feed otherwise. Kine liue not aboue 15 yeares at the vtmost: bulls and oxen come to 20: they be at their •…•…ll strength when they are 5 yeres old. It is said that they will grow fat if they be bathed with lot water, or if a man slit their hide, and with a reed or pipe blow wind betweene the flesh and the skin, euen into their intrals. Kine, Buls, and Oxen are not to be despised as vnkindely, although they look but ilfauoredly, and be not so faire to the eie; for in the Alpes the least of bodie are [unspec B] the best milch kine: and the best laboring oxen are they which are yoked by the head, and not the neck. In Syria they haue no dewlaps at all hanging vnder the necke, but bunches standing vp on their backs in stead thereof. They of Caria also, a country of Asia, are ilfauored to sight, hauing betweene their neckes and shoulders a tumor or swelling hanging ouer; besides, their horns are loose, and as it were out of joint; and yet by report they are passing good of deed, and labor most stoutly. Furthermore, it is generally held for certain, that the black or white in this kind are simply the worst for work, and condemned. Buls haue lesser and thinner horns than ei∣ther Kine or Oxen. The best time to bring the Oxe or Bull to the yoke, and make him draw, is at 3 yeres of age; after, it is too late; and before, with the soonest. A yong Stere is soonest trai∣ned and taught to draw, if he be coupled in one yoke with another that hath bin wrought al∣readie, and beaten to his work: for this beast is our companion, and labors together with vs, in [unspec C] earing and plowing the ground: and so highly regarded was the Oxe in old time of our fore∣fathers, that we find it registred vpon record, That a certain Roman was judicially endited, ac∣cused, and condemned by the people of Rome, for that (to satisfie the minde of a wanton mini∣on and catamite of his, who said he had not eaten any tripes all the while he was in the Coun∣trie) he had killed an Oxe, yea although he was his one; and for this fact was banished, as if he had slain his Grangier, or Bailif of his husbandry. Buls are known to be of a good kind & cou∣ragious, by their fierce and grim countenance, for they alwaies looke crabbed and frowning; their eares are ouergrowne with stiffe haires, and their hornes so standing, as if they were euer disposed and ready to fight: but all his threatning and menaces appeare in his fore-feet; with [unspec D] them he giues warning, and as he is more and more angry, he bestirs himselfe now with the one foot, thenwith another, in course and by turnes, stamping and pawing with them against the ground, raising and flinging the dust about him aloft into the aire: and of all other beasts, hee alone after this maner inchafeth himselfe, and giues an edge vnto his anger. I my self haue seen them fight one with another for the mastrie: I haue seen them, being turned and swong round about in their fal, caught vp with the horns of others, and yet rise again & recouer themselues: I haue seene them lying along to be raised aloft from the ground; and when they haue run all amain with full pace, gallopping in their chariots, yet staid and stood still when they should, as if the charioters had caused them to rest. The Thessalians were they who deuised with praun∣cing horse to ride gallop close to the Buls head to take them by the horne, wryth their neckes down and so kil them. The first that exhibited this pleasant shew to the people at Rome was [unspec E] Caesar Dictator. The Bull yeeldeth the principal and most sumptuous sacrifice of all other vnto the gods, and therewith are they best pleased. This beast alone, of all that are long tailed, when it first comes into the world, hath not the taile of the full measure and perfect length as others, but it growes stil, till it reach down to the very heels, and touch the ground. And hereupon it is, that in chusing calues for sacrifice, those are allowed for good and sufficient, whose taile rea∣cheth to the joint of the haugh or gambrill: for if it be shorter, they will not be receiued & ac∣cepted of the gods. This also is noted by experience, that calues so little, that they be brought on mens shoulders to the altars to be killed, lightly are not sufficient to appease the gods. Nei∣ther are they pacified & well pleased with a beast that is lame or maimed; nor with that which is not appropriat vnto them, but to some other gods; ne yet with it that r•…•…cules from the altar, [unspec F] and is loth to come to it. In the prodigies that we reade of antient times, we find very oft, that Kine and Oxen haue spoken: vpon report of which strange token, the Senat was euer wont to as∣semble in some open place abroad, and not to sit either in hall or chamber.