frame. For first and formost, the Oke and the oliue tree beare such mutual rancor and malice (as [unspec G] it were) and are so stiffely bent to war one with another, that if a man replant one of these trees in the trench or hole from whence the other was taken vp, it wil surely die. Also, if an Oke be set neare vnto a walnut-tree, it wil not liue. The Colewort and the Vine hate one another to the very death; in such sort, that if a Vine stand neare vnto it, a man shall sensibly perceiue the same to shrinke away and recule backward from it: and yet this wort, which maketh the Vine thus to retire and flie, if it chance to grow ouer-against Origan or Cyclamine, will soone wither and die. Moreouer, it is commonly said, That trees in the forrest fully grown, which haue stood ma∣ny a yeare, and namely such as are ready to be fallen and laid along for timber, proue harder to be hewed, and sooner wax dry, if a man touch them with his hand before hee set the edge of the axe to their butt. And some say, that pack-horses, asses, and other labouring beasts which haue Apples and such like fruit aload, wil quickly shrinke and complaine vnder their burden, yea, & [unspec H] presently run all to sweat (carry they but a very few to speak of) vnlesse the said fruit, wherewith they are to be charged, be first shewed vnto them. Asses finde great contentment and good by feeding vpon Fenel-geant or Ferula plants: and yet to horses, garrons, & other beasts of cariage and draught, they are present poison, if they eat them: which is the cause that the Asse is a beast consecrated vnto the god Bacchus, as well as the foresaid plant Ferula. Ouer and besides (see the admirable operation in Nature) the very insensible and liuelesse creatures, yea, the least that be, meet euery one of them with some contrary thing or other, which is their bane and poison: for as our cooks know well enough, the inner bark of the Linden tree sliued thin into broad flakes and fine boulted floure together, doe drink and suck vp the salt of viands, ouermuch poudered, and make it fresh again. Likewise, salt giueth a good rellish to any meat that is ouer sweet, and [unspec I] tempereth those that haue a lushious and wallowish tast. If water be nitrous, brackish, & bitter, put some fried barly meale into it, within two houres and lesse it will be so well amended and sweet, that a man may drink thereof: and this is the reason that the said Barly meale is put ordi∣narily in those strainers and bags through which wines do passe, that thereby they may be refi∣ned and drawn the sooner. Of the same operation also and effect there is a kind of chalke in the Island of Rhodes: and our clay here in Italy will do as much. Thus you see what enmity & dis∣cord there is in some things. Contrariwise, we may obserue in others, how wonderfully they ac∣cord and agree together: for pitch will dissolue, spread, and be drawne out with oile, being both as they are of a fatty nature; oile alone will incorporat and mingle well with lime; & they hate water, the one as well as the other. Gums are sooner dissolued and more easily tempered with [unspec K] vineger than with any thing els; & ink with water: besides an infinit number of other such, that I shall haue occasion to write of continually in their due places. And indeed, this is the very ground and foundation of all our Physick. For (to say a truth) Nature ordained at the first such things and none but such, for to be the remedies of our diseases, which we feed & liue daily vp∣on; euen those which are soon found and as soon prepared, which be ready at hand, common e∣uery where, and cost vs little or nothing at all. But afterwards the world grew to be so full of de∣ceit and cousenage, that some fine wits and nimble heads deuised to set vp Apothecary shops, promising and bearing vs in hand, that euery man might buy his life and health there for mony. Then anon a sort of compositions, mixtures, and confections were set on foot; then there was no talk but of strange and intricat receits, and these were bruited abroad for the only medicines, of [unspec L] wonderfull and vnspeakable operations. So that now adaies wee vse no other drugs but those that come from Arabia and India. And if a man aile neuer so little, or haue the least push or wheale about him, he must haue some costly Physick forsooth for it: & a plaster that came from as far as the red sea: whereas in truth, the right remedies appropriat for euery maladie, be no o∣ther than such as the poorest man that is feedeth vpon euerie night ordinarily at his supper. But if we went no farther than to the garden for medicines, and sought after herbs, shrubs, and plants only, for to cure our sicknesse, or maintain our health, certes there were not a baser occu∣pation in the world than the profession of Physick, and Physitians would be nought set by: but will you haue the truth? To this passe are we come, the old world we haue bidden farewell vnto: the antient manners and rites of Rome citie are dead and gone: our state is growne so much in greatnesse, as there is no goodnesse left. Our victories and conquests be these, and nothing else, [unspec M] which haue vanquished & subdued vs: for subiect we must acknowledge our selues to strangers and forraine Nations, solong as Physicke (one of their Arts) is able to command our comman∣ders,