OF THE FALLOW DEERE, commonly called a Bucke and a Doe.
THere are some beastes (saith Pliny) which nature hath fra∣med to haue hornes grow out of their head, like fingers out of a hand, and for that cause they are called Platicerotae:* such is this vulgar fallow Deere, being therefore called ceruus palmatas, that is a palmed Hart, by reason of the similitude the horne hath with the hand and fingers. The Germaines call this beast Dam, and Damlin, and Damhirtz. The Italians [ 50] Daino, and Danio; the French, Dain, and Daim. The Spani∣ards Gamo, and Cortza; the Craecians vulgarly at this daie Agrimi, and Platogna, and Aristole Prox: The Latines Da∣ma,* and Damula, becuse (ae manu) that is, it quickly flyeth from the hand of man, hauing no other defence but her heeles; and the female proca, and the Polonians Lanij. It is a com∣mon beast in most countries, being as corpulent as a Hart, but in quantity resembleth more a Roe, except in colour.
Page 114*The males haue hornes which they loose yearely, but the females none at al: their co∣lour diuers, but most commonly branded, or sandie on the backe, like the furrow of a new plowed fielde, hauing a black strake downe all along the backe, a taile almost as long as a Calues, their bellies and sides spotted with white, which spots they loose in their old age, and the females doe especially vary in colour, being sometimes all white, and therefore like vnto Goats, except in their haire which is shorter. The horns of this beast are carried about euery where to be seene, and therefore this is also likely to be the same beast which Aristotle called Hippelaphus as some would haue it; yet I rather thinke that Hippelaphus was like to that rare seene horsse which Francis the first of that name king of France, had pre∣sented vnto him for a gift:* which was engendred of a horse and a Hart, and therefore can [ 10] haue no other name then Hippelaphus, signifieng a Horsse-hart.
In the blood of these kind of Deere are not strings or Fibres, wherefore it doth not con∣geale as other doth,* and this is assigned to be one cause of their fearefull nature; they are also saide to haue no gall: in their hornes they differ not much from a Hartes (except in quantity) and for their other parts they much resemble a Roe-bucke: their flesh is good for nourishment, but their blood doth increase aboue measure melancholy, which cau∣sed Hiera to write thus of it, after his discourse of the Roe.
The dung or fime of this Beast mingled with oyle of Myrtles, increaseth haire, and a¦mendeth [ 30] those which are corrupt.* If the tongue heereof be perfumed vnder a leech or ticke that sticketh in the throat of man or beast, it causeth the leech to fall off presently; and the pouder of such a tongue helpeth in a Fistula, some of the late writers do prescribe the fat of a moul, of a Deere, and of a Beare mingled togither to rub the head withall for increase of memory.
Of the second kind of Deere the ROE-BVCKE.
THere is so great difference among writers about the name of this beast, that [ 40] it is a difficult and hard matter to set downe certainely, in the prime and origi∣nal tongues, the true and perfect denomination thereof, yet I will endeauour to goe as neere the marke as can be, by laying togither all the probabilities that I find in other,* or obserue by my selfe. To be∣gin
The Graecians Dorcas as the Septuagints do euery where translate, which Strabo ter∣meth corruptly Zorces, also Dorx Kemas, Nebrous, and vulgarly at this day Zarkadi; and [ 40] Dorcalis Dorcadion, for a little Roe. The Latines do also vse the worde Dorcas in common with the Graecians, and beside caprea and capreolus for a little Goat, for I do not thinke that any learned man, can finde any difference betwixt caprea and capreolus,* except in age and quantity. The reason of these two latter names is, because of the likenesse it hath with a Goat, for Goats as we shal shew in their description haue many kinds distinguished from one another in resemblaunce, but in the hornes a Roe doth rather resemble a Hart, for the female haue no hornes at all.
These beasts are most plentifull in Affricke, beyond the Sea of carthage, but they are of another kind then those which Aristotle denied to be in Affrica: there are also in Egypt,* & in Germany, and in the Heluetian Alpes. Likewise in catadupa beyond Nilus, in Arabia, in Spaine, and in Lycia: and it is to be obserued that the Lycian Roes doe neuer goe [ 50] ouer the Syrian Mountaines. Aelianus doth deliuer these thinges of the Lybian Roes, which for the colour and parts of their body may seeme to belong to all. They (saith hee) are of an admirable velocity or swiftnes, but yet inferiour to the Lybian horses, their belly is parted with blacke strakes and drops, and the other parts of their body are of a red yel∣lowish colour, they haue long feet, but longer eares, their eies blacke, and their horns are an ornament to their heads.
Page 116Their swiftnesse doth not onely appeare vpon the earth but also vpon the Waters, for with their feet they cut the waters when they swim as with oares; and therefore they loue the lakes & strong streames, breaking the floods to come by fresh pasture, as sweet rushes and Bul-rushes. Their hornes grow onely vpon the males, and are set with sixe or seauen braunches,* but the females haue none, and therfore also they differ in horne from the fal∣low-deere: so as they cannot be called Platycerotae, for their Hornes are not palmed like a hand,* and although they be branchy, yet are they shorter: they differ not much from the common Deere, but in their horne: and whereas the hornes of other beastes are hollow toward the roote, whereunto entreth a certaine bony substance, the hornes of these (as also of the vulgar Bucke and the Elke) are solide, without any such emptinesse; onely, they [ 10] are full of pores.* It hath also beene beleeued, that a Roe doth not change her hornes, be∣cause they are neuer found; whereas in truth, they fall off yearly as doth a Harts, but they hide them, to the intent they should not be found.
It hath likewise beene thought, a Roe was called in Greeke Dorcas, because of the quick∣nes of hir sight,* and that she can see as perfectly in the night as in the day; and not onely for her selfe, but the learned Physitians haue obserued, a certaine viscous humour about hir bowels, which being taken forth and annoynted vpon a mans eies, which are darke, heauy,* and neere blind, it hath the same effect to quiken his eie-sight. It is also said of them that they neuer winke, no not when they sleepe, for which conceit, their blood is prescri∣bed for them that are pur-blind. The taile of this beast is shorter and lesser then is the fal∣low-Deeres,* [ 20] insomuch as it is doubtfull whether it be a taile or not.
*They keepe for the most part in the Mountaines among the rocks, being very swift, and when they are pursued by Dogs, (Martiall saith) they hang vpon the rocks by their horns to deceiue the dogs, after a strange manner ready to fall and kill themselues, and yet haue no harme, whether the Dogs dare not approch as appeareth in this Epigram:
*Aelianus saith, that the Cynoprosopy, men with Dogs faces liue vpon the flesh of Roes and Bugles, in the wildernesse of Egypt: and also it is vsuall to conclude them in Parks, [ 30] for they wil agree very naturally with Hares and Swine; wherfore in the Lordship which Varro bought of Piso, it was seene how at the sound of a Trumpet, both Roes and Boares, would come to their vsuall places for meate: and although they bee naturally very wilde, yet will they quickly grow tame and familiar to the hand of man, for Blondus did nourish many at Rome. Being wilde they are hunted with Dogs, shot with Guns, taken in nets,* but this falleth out sildome, because they liue most among the rocks.
They are most easily taken in the woods. When they are chased, they desire to run a∣gainst the wind, because the coldnesse of the aire refresheth them in their course, and therefore they which hunt them place their Dogs with the wind, for sometimes against the hunters minds,* do what t•ey can to the contrary, she taketh hir course that way: but [ 40] Harts when they heare the barkings of Dogs, run with the wind, that the sauor of their feet may passe away with them. They are often takē by the counterfaiting of their voice, which the hunter doth by taking a leafe and hissing vpon it.
*They are very good meate (as Philostratus affirmeth) and that the Indians dresse at their feasts whole Lyons and Roes for their ghests to eate, and the Sophists in their banket which is described by Athaeneus, had Roes therein: and therefore Fiera preferreth it before the fallow-deere, alledging the agreement that is betwixt it and the body of man, being dressed according to Art.
And therefore also affirmeth, that it excelleth all wilde beastes whatsoeuer, being not [ 50] onely fitte for nourishment but for the sicke, as for them that haue the Chollicke, or the falling euill, or the Timpanie, and therefore they are best at a yeare olde or vnder. Likewise, their broath with Pepper, Loueage, seede of Rue, Parsley, Hony, Mustardseed and Oyle;* and for sauce to the meate they take Pepper, Rue, Hony melted, and an onyon: sometime also they seeth the hanches or hippes, and make Pasties of the sides and ribbes. Page 117 It is a Beast full of feare, and therefore the flesh thereof although it be very dry;* yet will it engender some melancholy; of the feare Martiall saith thus:
They feare also the Wolfes, whereof came the prouerbe,* that first of all the Roes wil [ 10] be ioyned to the Wolfes, to expresse an incredible matter. They haue also beene vsed for Sacrifice to Diana, for the Saphriae Women in Patras, did lay vpon hir great altar whole Harts, Bores, Roes and other beasts aliue: and the Coptitae did eate the Males;* but religiously worshipped the females, not daring to eate them,* because they beleeued that Isis loued them dearely.
Of these Beasts came the Islands Capreae beyond Surrentum into Campania, where Ti∣berius had a famous Castle, and was ennobled by his presence; but since the decay there∣of, it is now celebrated for the multitude of quailes that are found therein.*
The remedies or medicines comming from this Beast are these: first, the flesh of them eaten, is good against all paines in the small guts, for it dryeth and stayeth the belly. Pliny [ 20] affirmeth, that the teeth of a Dragon tyed to the sinnewes of a Hart in a Roes skinne, and wore about ones necke, maketh a man to be grations to his superiors, and them to be fa∣uorable and pitifull to him in all his supply cations: And if the white flesh in the brest of an Hiaena, and seuen haires thereof with the genitall of a Hart, betyed in a piece of a Roes skinne, and hanged about a Womans necke, it maketh that her wombe shall suffer no a∣bortements; but these things are triuiall, and not to be beleeued but at pleasure. I know that the taile of a Dragon tyed to the Nerues of a Hart in a Roes skinne, the sewet of a Roe with Goose-grease, the marrow of a Hart and an onyon, with Rozen & running lime, doe wonderfully help the falling euill, (if it be made into a plaister.)
Sextus saith, that if one giue the braine of a Roe drawen or pressed through a ring to [ 30] an infant, it will preserue him for euer from the falling sicknesse and apparitians. The Li∣uer of a Roe sod in salt Water, and the eyes of a purblind man held ouer the fume or reak thereof, are cured of their blindnesse: and some seeth it in a little cup, and annoynt the eies with the scumme or froth comming from it. The same liuer being burned to poul∣der, and the dust cast on a man bleeding, staieth the yssue or fluxe. The gall of this beast mixed with Wine, and the meale of Lupines the waight of a groate, and Hony, take away the spots of the face & the same gal mixed with water, helpeth a sun-burned face, and frec∣kles: The same with Hony Atticke, taketh away the dimnes from the eies, & with the iuyce of a gourd annoynted vpon the eie browes, causeth that where the haire hath beene pul∣led off, that it neuer shal grow againe; and this gall is alway the better for the age thereof, [ 40] and as Hypocrates did prescribe, it must be kept in a siluer pipe or boxe.
For the tingling of the eares, take with this gall the Oyle of Roses, with the iuyce of an Onyon beaten together, and instilled warme into the eares for a present remedy: so also, with the oyle of Roses onely, it helpeth the payne in the teeth, and with the hony at∣ticke, all swellings and paines in the iawes or chappes, putting thereto Myrrhe, saffron,* and Pepper. The same gall with a little hoggs-bread, and the poulder of burnt Alumme with Anyse seede, made into a suppository, procureth loosenes, if the party haue not the Hemerrhoides.
Also the gaull taken with hony and the iuyce of Eglantine,* cureth the exulceration of the virile member by annoynting it. The Spleene being drunke, helpeth windinesse, and [ 50] the melt is commended against the chollicke and the biting of serpents.
Against the laundise they take the dung of a Roe dryed and sifted, and drinke it in wine:* the same also so drunke, cureth the Ague: and bycause the Roe-bucke doth wonderfully loue his female, there be some that affirme, that if a woman eate the bladder of a Roe, it will likewise make her husband to loue her exceedingly.
OF THE FIRST KIND OF TRAGE∣laphus which may be called a Deere-goate.
*THere is another kind so like a Deere (although conceiued of a Bucke-Goate and a female Hart) that I cannot but expresse the figure and briefe narration thereof in this place.* It is like a Deere (except the beard and the bristles growing about the shoulders) and Pliny affirmeth that they are found about the riuer Phasis, in Arabia and Arachotae, which is a Citty of India so called of Arachotus a riuer issuing from Caucasus which the [ 50] Graecians call Tragelaphos,* and the Germans ein Brandhirse, and some thinke this beast to be mentioned by the name of Ako in Deut. 14. This doubtles is the same beast which Aristo∣tle calleth Hippelaphus, because he attributeth the selfe same things to it that Pliny ascribeth to this, both for the beard, the bristles, and deepe haire about the shoulders, which hang∣eth downe like the mane of a horse.
Page 119The similitude both in proportion and quantity holdeth with a Hart in the feete which are clouen, and that the female thereof doth want hornes. The hornes of the male are like the hornes of a Roe. Therefore howsoeuer some haue imagined that there is no such Beast to be found in the world, they are rather to be pittied then confuted, for it is not to be doubted, that neither the auncients nor other euer haue seene all the diuers and mar∣uailous shapes of Beastes, which are to be found in many remote and far distant places of the world, especially in Arabia and India, where are many desarts; and therefore the rea∣son why they affirme this, is because they neuer saw any such, and so it is to be vnderstood: for the rare pictures of these beasts called in ancient time Canathra,* whereupon children were [ 10] carried in Pageants and shewes, gaue them occasion to think that these were but mens de∣uises, and that God neuer ordained such creatures. Georgius Fabritius which sent me this Picture, doth among other thinges write vnto me very probably that this kinde is onely distinguished from other informe, name, and strength, and not in kind: and this being more strange and lesse knowne among men, was called by the Graecians Tragelaphus, be∣ing greater then the vulgar Deere, deeper haired, and blacker in colour,* and this (saith he) is taken in the ridings or forrests of Misena, bordering vppon Bohemia, and the com∣mon sort of hunters hold opinion, that by reason it loueth to lie where Coles are made,* and in their dust, feeding vpon such grasse as groweth in those places, that therefore the Germanes call it Brandhtrze, and so the Foxes which resemble them in colour, are called [ 20] Brandfusche.
It is for certaine that these are greater and stronger then Harts,* their vpper part of the backe being blacke, and the neather neere the belly not White (as in a Hart) but rather blackish; but about his genitals very blacke. I haue seene the hornes to haue seauen spires or braunches, growing out of one of them, being palmed at the top. These are like to those which are called Achaeines in Greeke, by reason of their paine and sorrow: and Kummerer in Germane, by cause they liue in continuall sorrow for their young ones, while they are not able to runne out of their dennes, belike fearing by some instinct of nature,* least their tender and weake age, should betray them to the hunters, before they be able to runne [ 30] away.
THE FIGVRE OF ANOTHER Tragelaphus or Deere-goate, expressed by BELLONIVS.
THere is another Tragelaphus (saith he) whereof I finde no name among the French: it wanteth a beard,* and the Haire thereof resembleth an Ibex-goate (whose description follow∣eth afterward among Goates:) the hornes heereof are like a Goats, but more crooked and bending, compassing be∣hinde [ 40] as a Rammes doe, which he neuer looseth. His face, Nose, and eares, are like a sheepes, the skinne of his Cods being very thicke and hanging downe. His Legs are white like a sheepes, his taile white; his haires are so long about his necke and stomacke, that you would thinke it were bearded. His haire on the shoulders and brest blacke, and it hath two gray spots on his flanks on ei∣ther side: the Nostriles are blacke, the beake or face White; so also is the belly beneath, but the description heereof seemeth rather to agree with a Pygargus, or Musmon, of which I shall speake afterward.
[ 50] I doe rather approue the relation of another of this kinde, which was sent vnto me by that most learned English Physition Iohn Cay, which as he writeth vnto me, was brought in the yeare 1561. out of the Countrey of Mauritania, which was clouen-footed and liueth for the most part in the Mountaine partes of that Countrey, being in quantity betwixt a fallow-deere and a Hart, the body more like a Hart, and the side branded and hanging downe: a shorter and thicke necke, the colour in the Winter blacke, and red, set one with Page 120
Either sexe loose euery yeare their hoofes, and Harts doe their Hornes, that nature may shew their resemblance in their feet to a Hart, as he doth in their head to a Goat. His eare is short like a Goats, but his eie, genitall, stones, and taile, like a Harts, though som∣what shorter. The hornes like a Rammes, crooked and distinguished in the middle, by a blacke line all their length, which is two Roman feete and one finger, and in compasse at the roote, one foot, one palme, and a halfe, standing one from another, where they dif∣fer most not aboue one foote, three palmes, one finger and a halfe. The rugged circles going about them, toward the top are bunchy, and toward the bottom or roote they are low, with beaten notches or impressions. [ 50]
*They are not at the top distant one point from another, aboue one foote and a palme. The length of their face, from the Crowne to the tip of the Nose, one foote, and three fingers: the breadth in the forehead where it is broadest, two palmes and one finger.
The height of this beast not aboue three foote and a halfe, except where his mane stand∣eth, and the whole length heere of from the crown of the head to the taile is foure feet and a halfe and two fingers.
Page 121It hath onely teeth beneath on the neather chap, and those in number not aboue sixe, neither did I obserue any defect in them. It cheweth the cud like other clouen-footed beasts. The Nostrils are blacke, from whom the vpper lip is deuided by a long perpen∣dicular line. It is a gentle, pleasant and wanton beast, in the disposition,* rather resembling a Goate then a Hart, desiring the steepest and slipperyest places whereon it leapeth, and from whence (it is reptored) that it doth cast downe it selfe headlong vpon the hornes na∣turally, that by them it may breake the violence of his fall or leape, and then stayeth his body vpon the sore-knees.
It will runne apace, but it is most excellent in leaping, for by leaping it ascendeth the highest Mountaines and rockes. The females are greater then the males, but not in [ 10] Horne or Haire, it eateth Grasse, Oates, Cheas•ill, Hay, and Bread, they bring forth twinnes euery time: and this we call in England a Barbary-Deere. Thus farre Doctor Cay.
[ 40] OF THE HART AND HINDE.
THe male of this beast is called in Haebrew Ajal Deut. 14.* and the Arabians doe also retaine that word in their translati∣ons, the Persians cal him Geuazen, the Septuagints Elaphos, the Graecians at this day Laphe Pelaphe, and Saint Ierom for the Latins Ceruus, the Chaldees Aielah, the Italians Ceruo, the Spaniards Cieruo, the French Cerf, the Germans Hirtz of Hirs and Hirsch, the Plimmings Hert, the Polonians Ge∣len, [ 50] the Illirians Ielijelij. The female or Hinde likewise ter∣med in Haebrew Aial, and sometime Alia and Aielet,* the Latines and Italians Cerua, the Spaniards, Cierua the Ger∣mans Hinde and Hindin, and the Germans more speciallye Hin and Wilprecht, the French Biche, and the Polonians Lanij. The young faunes or calfes of this Beast they call in La∣tine Hinnuli, the Graecians Anebros, the Haebrewes Ofer, the Germans Hindcalb.*
Page 122Also it is not to be forgotten, that they haue diuers other names to dinstinguish their yeares and countries, as for example: when they begin to haue hornes, which appeare in the second yeare of their age like Bodkins without braunches, which are in Latine called Subulae,* they are also cald Subulones for the similitude they haue with bodkins, and the Ger∣mans cal such an one Spirzhirtz which, in English is called a Spittard, and the Italians cor∣biati, but the french haue no proper name for this beast that I can learn vntil he be a three yearing, and then they call him (ein Gabler) which in Latine are called Furcarij. And indeed I was once of this opinion that these Subulones were only two-yearing Harts, [ 10] vntil I consulted with a Sauoyen of Segusium,* who did assure me from the mouths of men traind vp in hunting wild beasts from their youth, that there are a kind of Subulones which they call also Brocardi with straight and vnforked hornes except one branch, in the moun∣taine of Iura neare the lake Lemanus, and that these also do liue among other Hartes, for there was seene neere a monastry called the Roman Monasterie by certaine hunters, in the yeare 1553. a vulgar Hart with branched hornes, and his female, and likewise with a Su∣bulon or Brocarde, which when in pursuit he was constrained to leape from rocke to rock, to get to the Water, he brake his legge and so was taken. These Brocards are as great in quantity as other vulgar Hartes,* but their bodies are leaner and they swifter in course.
*They haue but one braunch growing out of the stem of their horne, which is not big∣ger then a mans finger, and for this cause in the rutting time, when they ioyne with their [ 20] females, they easily ouercome the vulgar Hart, with his branched and forked hornes. The hunters call this Brocard the shield-bearer to the residue, for by him they are deliuerd be∣ing hunted: for whereas it is the nature of the vulgar Hart, to get into ditches, and hide himselfe in hollow places when he heareth the hounds, this beast neuer coueteth any se∣cret place to couer himselfe, but runneth stil in the sight of dogs, who leaue the other that hide themselues, because they keepe this on foot: and so when the hunters are passed by the lurking harts, they returne back againe, being safe both from nets and dogs, while the poore Brocard is chased vnto death.
These being old, are also known by their teeth and horns, for they neuer change them, [ 30] but it is questionable whether they haue any hinds or females, although my Authour in∣formeth me, that he heareth ther be also hinds with horns like these, being not aboue one finger long; which if it be true, it is not improbable that these are the femals of that kind, wherunto I yeeld more easily, because the vulgar hinds wil not admit copulation with the Brocard, except they be constraind, and as it were rauished against their wil, from whence it commeth that they are so rare and seldom bred: their flesh is much sweeter then the vul∣gar harts.
The reason why I call this Burgundian hart or Subulon A∣namynta, is because it not onely wanteth the manifolde braunches of vulgar Hartes, but that also which is called Amynta.
Page 123There are another sort of Harts called Achaini bred in Creet neere Achaea,* whereas in all other partes of creet there are no Harts, wherof it is affirmed by Gaza that there was one of them which had a bough of greene Iuy growing in his hornes, it was coniectured that when it was young, some sprig of that Iuy was taken in a slifter of the horne,* which by reason of some nourishment it found in the horn naturall to that tree being like a rockye substance, it there grew to more perfection. These are also called Spathenae, although that terme be also giuen vnto vulgar Harts to signifie their full age, yet some are of opinion that this Achaenie Hart was but an inuention or figment made in bred, for there was in an∣tient time a kind of loafe called Achaines in the likenesse of a Hart.
[ 10] I receiued also of that learned man Iohn
Harts are bred in most countries,* but the auncients do celebrate and preferre those of Britaine before other, where they are of diuers colours both white and blacke, as Pausanias affirmeth. In Oedor a region of Asia, toward the Northerne Ocaean, they ride vpon Harts; likewise there are •arts in Scythia: and the people cald Me∣ditae which are subiect to the kings of Tar∣taria, [ 30] make their Harts so tame, that they also ride vppon them: there are none in creet except in the region of the cydonites▪ there are also in the woods of Helvetia, but not so many as in time past because De∣mocraties do not nourish game and plea∣sures like vnto Monarchies, and therefore they are daily killed by the vulgar sort, there being no law against it.
The Harts of Hellespont, and about Arginussa haue one of their eares slit or cut asunder,* by nature in their dams belly, and therefore they neuer go ouer the Mountaines into o∣ther [ 40] regions: as indeed it is the property of all Harts to loue,) their natiue soiles aboue all other places. There is a citty called Dora in Assiria, neere the banks of Euphrates, where are many flockes of Harts, of whom many times some are slaine with Darts, and others as they swim away to their accustomed solitudes are oppressed in the water by the weight of Oares, and so taken. They are for the most part sand-coloured, and intermingled with some white spots, especially the Hinds and their calues, and sometimes milk-white,* which happeneth vnto them by some defect in their nourishment before they be calued: and for natural imbecillity, so haue I seen white Bears, Hares, Quailes, Partridges, and Swallows.
When Appolonius and his Colleagues trauelled by Paraca a citty of India, they sudden∣ly heard a noise like the sound of a pipe, and while they looked about to see what it signifi∣ed, [ 50] they perceiued that it was the pipe of a keeper or Forrester, which gouerned a whole flocke of white Harts: such an one was the was the hart of Sertorius that Noble Captain, whereby he led his army, as they were perswaded by it, who affirmed that it was a Spanish Prophet or wizard giuen to him by a certain Lusitanian whom he took in an Island of Por∣tugall; saying moreouer that she was inspired by Diana, and that shee had authority from Page 124 that Goddesse to admonish him, and make the harts of his souldiors cleaue fast vnto him, and therefore if at any time he miscaried in his proceedings, he could easily pacifie them from mutinies, in saying; that his hart set him vppon that enterprize, so putting off the fault cunningly from himselfe to the beast for feare of defection, wherfore also these wer vsed in the Bacchanals of Cracouia, and their flesh being softer, is peculiarly termed by the French Venaison.* These do excell all other in the beauty of hornes, which are very high, yet grow they not to their bones or skalps, but to their skin, branching forth into many spieres, being solide throughout, and as hard as stones, and fall off once euery yeare, but if they remaine abroad in the aire, where some wind and raine fall vpon them, so as now they are wet, and anon dry againe, they grow as light as any vanishing or softer substance [ 10] as I haue proued by experience, finding some which haue bin lost by them in the woods: wherefore I gather that they are of an earthly matter concrete and hardned with a strong heat made like vnto bones. It must be vnderstood that the males onely are horned, and yet haue they small benefite by them, because (as I saide) they growe but within theyr skin, and these also they loose euery yeare in the spring time At one yeare old they haue nothing but small bunches, as it were significations of their hornes to come growing on their head; at two yeares old they appeare more perfectly but straight and simple; at three yeares they grow forked into two spieres, at foure into three, and so increase euery yeare in their branches till they be six, and aboue that time you cannot certainly discerne their age by their heade, for their hornes or spieres grow not more in number although their [ 20] years make them greater in quantity: yet the old Harts do want these two branches which the Graecians call Amynterai, and the Latines Adminicula, because they first come forth: and I haue heard that there were Harts horns in an Apothicaries shop of Antwerp, which had euerie one fifteene branches vpon one stem, which if it be true, it goeth beyond al ex∣perience. Euery yeare in the month of Aprill they loose their hornes, and so hauing lost them,* they hide themselues in the day time, inhabiting the shadowy places, to auoide the annoyance of flies, and feed onely during that time in the night. Their new hornes come forth like bunches at the first, and afterward by the encrease of the Suns heate, they grow more hard, couered with a rough skinne, which the hunters for honours sake call a Vel∣uet head, and as that skinne dryeth, they daily try the strength of their new heade vppon [ 30] trees, which not only scrapeth off the roughnes, but by the pain they feel in rubbing them, they are taught how long to forbear the company of their fellows; for at last when in their chafing or fretting of their new horne against a tree, they can no more feele any smart or greefe in them, they take it for high time to forsake their solitary dwellings, and return a∣gaine to their former condition, like one that is supplied with new arms, after the loosing of his old. The tender and new hornes the Germans call Morchi and Kolben: these being ta∣ken from the beast are accounted among great noble men a delicate dish of meat. Cyprius is said to haue a Hart with foure hornes,* which was called Nicocreos, and by him dedicated to Apollo, which I do therefore remember in this place, because it is seldome seene that a Hart can bear naturally aboue two horns. Authors do generallie affirm, that when a Hart [ 40] hath lost his hornes, he hideth them in some secret place, because he vnderstandeth some secret vertues, are contained in them, which mankind seeketh for, and therefore he either enuying the good of other, or fearing least they bewray him heereafter to hunters, taketh the best care and prouidence his discretion can affoorde, that they neuer come to the han¦dling of men. When the people asked Apollo what they shoulde doe with Procles their Tyrant, the Oracle answerd that he should go to that place where Harts cast their horns: whereby it was gathered, that he should be slaine and buried in the earth, and this caused the prouerbe: Vbi cerui abijciunt cornua, to signifie a desperate busines: yet could it not be agreed, whether the Hart make more account of his right horne or his left, and therefore Aristotle affirmeth,* that the left horne is neuer found; and Pliny, that the right horn is ne∣uer [ 50] found.
This difference may be reconciled with ease, for right and left are so tearmed for three causes, or three manner of waies. First, properly in all creatures, according to the begin∣ning of motion. Secondlie, for similitude or likenesse, as the right and left side of Ima∣ges, statues, &c. Thirdly, improperly when the right side of one thing standeth a∣gainst the left side of another, being opposite, as when two men stande face to face, Page 125 and by this reason may the left horne of Aristotle, and the right horne of Pliny signifie all one thing: but we know that the hornes of harts are found yearly both in fields & woods.
The wilde Harts of Sarmatia neere Turky, haue the greatest hornes of all other,* for it hath bene proued that one paire of them haue waighed forty poundes Troy weight and aboue: and there they loose their hornes in March, neither do they fall off together, but first one, and then the other, and after ther first falling, it is manifest that a certaine worm getteth on them and maketh vppon them many circles and little furrowes whereby the roote or basis being weakened, the horne groweth very white in that place,* and yet not without some apperaunce of blood remaining which cleaueth to it, from the first falling off: for, when the head of this Beast is disarmed, there yssueth blood from the scul, and in [ 10] appearance the naked place is like a wound, and yet it is wonderful to marke, that within 3. daies the same is heald and filed with the blood which congealeth in that place first to a sinnue, and afterward to a hard bone, so as in August at the farthest,* the hornes are per∣fect, and therefore the Egyptians to describe a long-liued-man, picture a Hart loosinge his hornes euery yeare and new comming in their place. If any man be desirous to know the reasons, why onely beasts of this kind loose their hornes in this maner, I wil not spare my paines to set downe the best which Authors haue rendred for this woonder of na∣ture.
First, because of the matter whereof they consist, for it is dry and earthy like the sub∣stance of green leaues, which fal off yearly, wanting glewing or holding moisture to con∣tinue [ 20] them; and for this cause the horne of a hart cannot be bent. Secondly, from the place they grow vpon, for they are not rooted vpon the scull, but onely within the skin. 3. from their efficient cause, for they are hardned both with the heat of summer and cold of winter, by meanes whereof the pores to receiue their nourishing liquor, are vtterly shut vp and stopped, so as of necessity their natiue heat dyeth: which falleth not out in other Beasts whose hornes are for the most part hollow, and fitted for longer continuance, but these are of lesser, and the new bunches swelling vp toward the spring, do thrust off the old hornes, being holpe either by the boughes of trees, by the weight of the horns, or by the willing excussion of the beast that beareth them. Democritus and other (as Gillius and Aelia∣nus) giue other reasons, but because they seeme to be far fetched, I wil omit them.* Yet by [ 30] the waie it is to be noted, that if a hart be libbed or gelded when he is yong he neuer bea∣reth hornes, or verie smal ones, and if his horns be vpon him at the time of gelding, they neuer waxe lesse, or greater, or fall off. The hinds neuer beare hornes at all, as some haue affirmd, but I rather beleeue Caesar, Maximilian, and Zenodotus, who affirm vpon their kno¦ledge that hinds in some countries haue hornes like the males: as likewise it is obserued in the Elephants of India, and for this cause the Poets expressed the hinde which nourished Telephus with hornes, and that which Hercules tooke with Golden hornes, and it is for cer∣taine, that in Ethyopia and Lybia, both sexes haue hornes.
The face of this beast is fleshy, his Nostrils flat, and his necke very long; his eares,* some greater, and some smaller, but in the mount Elaphus and Hellespont, they are slit. It is obser∣ued, [ 40] that when a Hart pricketh vp his eares he windeth sharpe, very far and sure, and dis∣couereth all treachery against him, but if they hange downe and wag, he perceiueth no danger. By their teeth is their age discerned, and they haue foure on both sides,* where∣with they grind theyr meate, and besides two other much greater in the male then in the female, and they bend downward to bite withal.* All these beasts haue worms in their heads bred vnderneath their tongue in a hollow place, where the neck-bone is ioyned to the heade, which are not bigger then such as Flyes blow in rotten flesh. They are ingendred together one with another, and they are in number twenty, as some would haue it, but I was giuen to vnderstand by one that sawe a heade of this beast dissected, wherein were many more Wormes, and not contained in one place, but spreade all ouer the [ 50] head.
The breast is by the Frenchmen called peculiarly Hampan, his blood is not like other beastes, for it hath no Fibres or small veines in it, and therefore it is hardly congealed. His heart is very great, as it so falleth out in all fearefull beasts, hauing in it a bone like a a crosse as shall be afterward manifested. His belly is not of one fashion as it falleth out in all other which chew the cud.
Page 126He hath no gall, which is one cause of the length of his life, and therefore also are his bowels so bitter that the Dogges will not touch them, except they be very fat. The A∣chaian Harts are said to haue their gall in their tailes, and other say that Harts haue a gal in their eares.* The Harts of Briletum and Tharne haue their raines Quadrupled or foure-fould. The genitall part is all neruy, the taile small, and the Hinde hath vdders betwixt her thighes with foure speanes like a cow.* Both male and female are woonderfully swift and subtile as shall be shewed in the discourse of their hunting. They are also apt and cunning to swim, although in their swimming they see no land, yet doe they wind it by their noses. They chew the cud like other beasts. It is reported that when a Hart is stung [ 10] by a Serpent, that by eating Elaphoscum: (that is, as some call it Harts eye, others Hart-thorne, or grace of God, others wilde Ditany,) it presently cureth the wound and expel∣leth the poyson; the same vertue they attribute to Polypodye, against the wound of a Dart.
*Hauing thus entered into mention of their foode, it is to be farther obserued, that the males of this kind will eat Dwall or night-shade which is also called Deathes-hearbe, and they also loue aboue all other food wilde Elder, so as in the Summer time they keepe for the most part in those places where these plantes grow, eating the leaues onely, and not the boughes or sprigs:* but the Hind will eat neither of both, except when she beareth a male in her belly, and then also by secret instinct of nature, she feedeth like a male. They will also eate Serpents, but whether for hatred to them, or for medicine they receiue by them, it is questionable. A Hart by his nose draweth a Serpent out of her hole, and there¦fore [ 20] the Gramarians deriued Elaphos a Hart, from Elanein tous opheis, that is, of driuing a∣way Serpents.
I cannot assent to the opinion of Aelianus, that affirmeth the Serpents follow the breath of a Hart like some Philtre or amorous cup; for seeing that all Authors hold an hostility in natures betwixt them, it is not probable that the Serpent loueth the breath of a beast, vnto whose whole body he is an enemy, with a perpetuall antipathy. And if any reply, that the warme breath of a Hart is acceptable to the cold Serpent, and that therefore she fol∣loweth it, as a Dogge creepeth to the fire, or as other beasts the beames of the Sunne, I will not greatly gaine-say it, seeing by that meanes it is most cleare, that the breath doeth [ 30] not by any secret force, or vertue, extract and draw her out of the Denne, but rather, the concomitant quality of heate, which is not from the secret fire in the bones of the Hartes throat (as Pliny hath taught) but rather from her ordinary expiration, inspiration, and re∣spiration. For it cannot be, that seeing al the parts of a Serpent are opposite to a Hart, that there should be any loue to that which killeth her.
For my opinion I thinke that the manner of the Harts drawing the Serpent out of her Den is not as Aelianus and Pliny affirmeth, by sending into the caue a warme breath which burneth and scorcheth the beast out of her den, but rather when the Hart hath found the Serpents nest, she draweth the aire by secret and violent attraction out from the Serpent, who to saue her life followeth the ayre out of her den, as when a vessell is broched or ven∣ted, the wine followeth the flying ayre, and as a cupping-glasse draweth blood out of a [ 40] Scarified place of the body: so the Serpent is drawne vnwillingly to follow her destroi∣er, and not willingly as Aelianus affirmeth.
Vnto this opinion both Oribasius in his commentaries vpon the Aphorismes of Hip∣pocrates and Gumterius his restorer do ioyntly agree: but the Serpent being thus drawne forth, addeth greater force to her poyson, whereupon the prouerbiall admonition did a∣rise. Cane ne incideris in serpentem, cum extracta a latebris anhelitu cerui, effugerit, tum enim propter,* iracundiam vehementius ei venenum est, that is, Beware thou meete not with a Ser∣pent drawn out of her hole by the breth of a Hart, for at that time by reason of her wrath, her poison is more vehement. After this selfe same manner doe the sea-Rams, drawe the [ 50] Sea-calfes hid in the Subterranean Rocks, for by smelling they preuent the ayr that should come vnto them for refrigeration.
*There is many times strange conflicts betwixt the Hart and the Serpent, thus drawne forth, for the Serpent seeing her aduersary lifteth her necke aboue the ground, and grash∣eth at the Hart with her teeth, breathing out very bitter hissings: on the contrary, the Hart deriding the vaine endeuour of his weake aduersary, readier to fight then powerfull Page 127 to harme him, suffereth him to embrace both his necke and Legges with his long and thin body, but at an instant teareth it into an hundred pieces. But the most strange combats are betwixt the Harts and Serpents of Libia, where the hatred is deeper; and the Serpents watch the Hart when he lyeth a sleepe on the ground, and being a multitude of them, set vpon him together, fastening their poysonfull teeth in euery part of his skinne; some on his necke and breast; some on his sides and backe, some on his Legges, and some hange vpon his priuy parts, biting him with mortall rage, to ouerthrow their foe.
The poore Hart being thus oppressed with a multitude, and pricked with venemous pains assayeth to runne away, but all in vaine, their cold earthy bodyes and winding tailes, both ouercharge his strength, and hinder his pace: he then in a rage with his teeth, feete, [ 10] and horne assaileth his enemies, whose speares are already entred into his body, tearing some of them in pieces, and beating other asunder: they neuer the lesse (like men) know∣ing that now they must dye rather then giue ouer and yeald to their pittilesse enemy, cleaue fast, and keepe the hold of their teeth vpon his body, although their other partes be mortally wounded, and nothing left but their heades, and therefore will dye together with their foe, seeing if they were asunder no compassion can delay or mitigate their natu∣rall vnappeaseable hatred.
The Hart thus hauing eased himselfe by the slaughter of some, (like an Elephant) at the sight of their blood, be stirreth himselfe more busily in the eager battaile, and therfore treadeth some vnder foote in the blood of their fellowes, others he pursueth with tooth [ 20] and horne, vntill he see them all destroyed: and whereas the heads hang fast in his skinne, for auoyding and pulling them forth, (by a deuine naturall instinct) he flieth or runneth to the Waters, where he findeth sea-crabs, and of them he maketh a medicine, whereby he shaketh off the Serpents heades, cureth their woundes, and auoideth all their poyson; this valiant courage is in Harts against Serpents, wheras they are naturally affraid of Hares and Conies, and will not fight with them.
It is no lesse strange that Harts will eate Serpents; but the reason is,* for medicine and cure; for sometimes the pores of his body are dulled and shut vp; sometimes the worms of his belly doe asend into the roofe of his mouth, while he cheweth his cud, and there cleaue fast: for remedy whereof the Hart thus affected, runneth about to seeke for Ser∣pents, [ 30] for his deuouring of a Serpent, is a cure of this Malady.*
Pliny saith, that when the Hart is olde, and preceiueth that his strength decayeth, his haire change, and his hornes drye aboue custome, that then for the renewing of his strength, he first deuoureth a Serpent, and afterward runneth to some Fountaine of wa∣ter and there drinketh, which causeth an alteration in the whole body; both changing the haire and horne: and the Writer of the Glosse vppon the 42. Psalme, which begin∣neth, Like as the Hart desireth the Water springes so longeth my soule after God; confirmeth this opinion.
Vincentius Belluacensis affirmeth, that Harts eate Serpents, for to cure the dimnesse of their eye-sight. But for the ending of this question, we must consider that there are two [ 40] kinds of Harts; one which by the drawing forth of a Serpent out of her hole,* doth pre∣sently kill her by stamping hir vnder feet, this eateth that Serpent, and runneth to spring∣ing Water, after that he feeleth the poyson to make his body swell, and then by drinking doth vomit forth the poyson, and in the meane time looseth both haire and horne; yet the Monkes of Mesaen affirme, that the Hart thus poysoned doeth onely couer her body in the cold water and not drinke thereof, for that were exitiall vnto her, but she sen∣deth forth certaine teares, which are turned into a stone (called Bezahar) of which shal be more said heereafter. The other kind of Harts when hee findeth a Serpent, killeth it, and doeth not eate it, and immediately after the victory returneth to feede in the Moun∣taines. [ 50]
Harts are opposed by Wolues,* for many Wolues together doth ouercome a Hart and therefore it is but a fable of Strabo, that the Wolues and harts liue tame together in the Woodes of the Veneti. These kind of Wolues are called Thoes, and they especially feare these Wolues when they haue lost their hornes, and feede onely in the night season,* which caused Ouid to write thus;
They are afraid also of the first and second kinde of Eagles, for with their winges they raise much dust about the Harts,* and then they being halfe blind, the Eagles pal out their eies, or else so beate their feathers about their faces, that they hinder their sight, and cause them to fall downe headlong from the Mountaines:* they feare also the ganning of Foxes, and the Lynxes doe likewise lye in waite to hurt them. These are aboue al other fourefoo∣ted Beastes both ingenious and fearefull, who although they haue large hornes, yet their defence against other foure-footed Beastes is to runne away: For this cause, in auncient [ 10] time a fugitiue Boy or seruant was called a Hart, and if he ran away twice, Cantharion, which Cantharion was a Spartan fugitiue, that first ran to the enemy, and afterward from them came backe againe to Sparta.* And Martiall thus descibeth Alchaeus, who being o∣uercome by Phillip King of Macedon ran away like a Hart:
*The Epithets expressing the qualities of this Beast are many: as nimble, or agile, win∣ged, or swift-paced, ful of yeares, quick-footed, horned, wandering, fearefull, flying, fugitiue,* light, wood-hunter, wilde, and liuely. There are of them very audations, for they will set vpon men as they trauaile through the Woods: and it is obserued, that the wrath∣full Hart hath few bunches on his horne, neither is it so long as others, but bunched at [ 20] the roote,* yet all of them being pressed with dogs or other wilde beasts, will flye vnto a man for succor.
It is reported by Phillip Melauchton, that in Locha (a towne of Saxony) there was a Hart, which before rutting time would euery yeare leape ouer the Walles, and runne ouer rocks and Mountaines,* and yet returne home againe, vntill the time that Duke Fredericke dyed, and then the Hart went forth but neuer returned againe. The male when he feeleth himselfe fat, liueth solitary and secret, because he knoweth the weight of his body will easi∣ly betray him to the hunters if he be hunted and pursued. The female commonly calueth neere the high wayes, of purpose to auoyde noysome beasts to her young one, who doe more auoide the sight of man then her selfe. Also it is reported, that Mithredates had a [ 30] Bull,* a Horsse, and a Hart, for his guard beside men, who would not be bribed to suffer Traytors to kill him being a sleepe. Moreouer it is saide of Ptolaemeus Philadelphe, that ha∣uing a hinde calfe giuen vnto him, he brought it vp so familiarly tame, and accustomed it to words,* that at length it seemed to vnderstand the Greeke language: And Aelianus af∣firmeth as much of the harts of India, for that language.
When they are wounded with a Dart, and hauing gotten it out of their body by eating Dittany, they most carefully avoide the Sun-beames, least they shine vppon the greene wound, for then it will hardly be cured: but aboue al other arguments of their vndestan∣ding, none is more firme and euident, then their swimming; for the harts of Amanus, Li∣banus,* and Carmell (Mountaines of Siria) when they are to swim ouer the Sea, to the fruit∣full [ 40] greene fieldes of Ciprus, they come downe to the Sea-shore, and there they tarry til they perceiue a prosperous Winde, and a calme Water; which happening, the Captaine or leader of them doth first of all enter into the Water, and so the next followeth, laying his head vpon the Captaines buttockes,* and so consequently all the residue resting their heads vpon the president. In the hindmost are the youngest and weakest, that so the violence of the flouds being broken by the stronger which goe before, the more infirme which follow may passe with lesse difficulty. Thus saile they along without star or compasse to direct them, except their owne sence of smelling, vsing their Legs for oares, and their broade hornes for sailes. And if the formost be weary, then slippeth he backe to rest his head vpon the hindmost, and so likewise the second and third, as they feele themselues [ 50] enfeebled, vntill they arriue at the happy port of good pasture; where growing stronger like beastes fall to fighting for rule and gouernment, but when the combat doth shew the victor and strongest,* the residue do euer after yeeld obedience to him. In like sort doe the Harts of Epirus swimme to Corcyra, and of Cilicia to the Island Curiadactes.
They are deceiued with musicke, for they so loue that harmony, that they forbeare Page 129 their foode to follow it. Also it is amazed at any strange sight, for if a hunter come be∣hinde a Horse or a Bullocke, laying ouer his backe his bowe and arrowes, they stand sta∣ring vpon the new-formed Beast, vntill the Dart do end their liues.*
At the time of their lust or rutting, they are aboue measure fierce, fighting naturally for the female, and sometimes wounding one another to death; and this falleth out most commonly in the latter end of August, at which time Arcturus riseth with the sunne,* and then it is most naturall for the Hindes to conceiue. In some places in October their lust ariseth, and also in May; and then whereas at other times the Males liue apart from the Females, they goe about like lasciuious wooers, seeking the company of their femals, [ 10] as it were at the Market of Venus.
The Males in their raging desired lust, haue a peculiar voyce,* which the French call by a feigned word Reere, and the Germans Brulen, and the Latins tearm Rancere; and the Beastes so affected Ololygones. When they find they Females, the are receiued with feare, then in short space one male will couer many females, continuing in this carnall appetite a month or two: their females doe sildome admit copulation,* being heerein like vnto Cowes, by reason of the rigour of the males genitall: and therefore they sinke downe on their Buttockes when they feele the genitall seede, as it hath beene often obserued in tame Harts, and if they can the females runne away, the males striuing to holde them backe with their forefeete: but surely heerin they differ from all other:* it cannot wel be said that they are couered standing, lying, or going, (but rather running) for so are they filled with [ 20] greatest celerity.
When one month or sixe Weekes of their rutting is past, they grow tame againe, lay∣ing aside all fiercenesse and returne to their solitary places, digging euery one of them by himselfe a seuerall hole or Ditch, wherein they lie, to aswage the stronge sauour of their lust, for they stinke like Goates, and their face beginneth to Waxe blacker then at other times; and in those places they liue, vntill some shewers distill from the Cloudes; after which, they returne to their Pasture againe, and liue in flockes together as be∣fore.
The female being thus filled, neuer keepeth company with the male againe vntill her burthen be deliuered, which is, eyght months; for so long doeth she beare her young:* [ 30] before her Caluing, she purgeth hir selfe by eating Seselis, or Siler of the Mountaine; and whereas she neuer purgeth vntill that time, then she emptieth hir selfe of pituitous and flegmatike humors.
Then goe they to the places neere the high waies, and there they cast forth their calfe, (for the causes aforesaide) being more afraide of Wilde Beastes then men, whom she can auoide by flying: which when they haue seene, they goe and eate the Seselis aforesaide, and the skinne which commeth forth of their owne Wombe couering the young one,* finding in it some notable medicine, which the Graecians cal Chorion, and not the herbe Arum, and this she doth before she lye downe to giue her young one sucke, (as Pliny af∣firmeth.)
[ 40] They bring forth but one, or very sildome twaine, which they lodge in a stable fit for them of their owne making, either in some rocke, or other bushye inaccessible place;* co∣uering them, and if they be stubborne and wilde, beating them with their feete vntill they lye close and contented. Oftentimes she leadeth forth her young, teaching it to runne and leape ouer Bushes, stones, and small shrubs, against the time of danger;* and so con∣tinueth all the Summer time, while their owne strength is most aboundant: but in the Winter time, they leaue and forsake them, bycause all Harts are feeble in the Wynter season.
They liue very long, as by experience hath beene often mentioned;* not only because they haue no gall (as the Dolphin hath none) but for other causes: also some affirme, that [ 50] a Rauen will liue nine ages of a man, and a Hart foure ages of a Rauen: whereunto Virgill agreeth in these verses;
But it is confessed of all, that Harts liue a very long life: for Pliny affirmeth, that an hundred yeares after the death of Alexander Magnus, there were certain taken aliue which had about their Neckes Golden Collars,* with an inscription that they were put on by Alexander.
In Calabria (once called Iapygia and Peucetia) there was a coller taken off from the necke of a Hart by Agathocles King of Sicily,* which was couered with the flesh & fat of the Hart; and there was writen vpon it, Diomedes Dianae: whereby it was coniectured, that it was put on by him before the siege of Troy: for which cause, the King brought the same and did offer it vp in the Temple of Iupiter.
The like was in Arcadia, when Arcesilaus dwelt in Lycosura; for he confidently affirmed, [ 20] that he saw an old sacred Hind,* which was dedicated to Diana, hauing this inscription in hir Coller: Nebros eoon ealoon ota es Ilcon en Agapenor. When Agapenor was in Troy, then was I a young calfe taken. By which it appeareth, that a Hart liueth longer then an Elephant, for indeede as they liue long before they grow to any perfection, their youth and weak∣nesse cleauing fast vnto them,* so is it giuen to them to haue a longer life, for continuance in ripenesse and strength of yeares.
*These Beastes are neuer annoyed with feuers, because their flesh allayeth all aduenti∣tiall and extraordinary heate. If he eate Spiders he instantly dyeth thereof, except he eate also Wilde Iuy or Sea-crabs. Likewise, Nauew-gentill and Oleander, kill the Hart. When a Hart is in his chase,* he is greatly pained in his bowels, by reason that the skynne [ 30] wherein they lie is very thin and weake, and apt to be broken with any smal stroke; and for this cause he often stayeth to ease himselfe.
There is a kind of thorne called cactus, wherewithall if a young one be pricked in his legs, his bones will neuer make Pipes: Besides, these Beastes are annoyed with Scabs and yt∣ches in their head and skinne, termed by the French by a peculiar name (Froyer) I wil not stand vpon the idle conceite of Albertus, that waspes and Emmets breed in the heades of Harts,* for he mistaketh them for the wormes before mentioned.
The skinnes of this beast are vsed for garments in some Countries, and in most pla∣ces for the bottoms of Cushions, and therefore they chase such as are killed in the sum∣mer time, when they are fat and most spotted; and the same hauing their haire pulled [ 40] from them, are vsed for Breeches, Buskins, and gloues. Likewise Pliny and Sextus af∣firmed,* that if a man sleepe on the ground hauing vppon him a Harts skinne, Serpents neuer anoy him: wherof Serenus mado this verse: Aut tu ceruina per nocttem in pelle qui∣escis: and the bones of young ones are applied for making of Pipes. It is reported, that the blood of Harts burned together with herbe-dragon, or chanes, orgament, and mastick haue the same power to draw Serpents out of their holes, which the Harts haue be∣ing aliue: and if there be put vnto it wilde Pellitory, it will also distract and dissipate them againe.
The marrow of a Hart hath the same power against Serpents, by oynment or perfu∣med vpon coales; and Nicander prescribeth a certaine oynment to be made of the flesh [ 50] of Serpents,* of the marrow of a Hart, and Oyles of Roses, against the bitings of Serpents. The fat of a Hart hath the like effects that the marrow hath. Achilles that Noble souldier, was said neuer to haue tasted of Milke, but to be nourished with the marrow of Harts, by Chiro, as is affirmed by Varinus and Etymologus. The like operation hath the tooth (as Se∣renus saith) Aut genere ex ipso dentem portabtis amicum: If the the seede of a young Hinde-calfe, Page 131 be drunke with veniger, it suffereth no poyson of Serpentes to enter into the body that day.
The perfume of the horne driueth away Serpents and noysome flyes, especially from the young Calues, or from horses if Womens haire be added thereunto,* with the hoofe of the Hart. And if men drinke in pots wherein are wrought Harts hornes, it will weaken all force of venom. The Magicians haue also deuised, that if the fat of a Dragons hart be bound vp in the skinne of a Roe, with the Nerues of a Hart, it promiseth victory to him that beareth it on his shoulder, and that if the teeth be so bound in a Roes skinne, it ma∣keth ones Maister, Lord, or all superior powers, exorable and appeased toward their [ 10] seruants and suitors. Orpheus in his booke of stones, commaundeth a husband to carry a∣bout him a Harts horne, if he will liue in amity and concord with his wife: to conclude, they also adde another figment to make men inuincible.
The head and taile of a Dragon, with the haires of a Lyon taken from betweene the browes, and his marrow, the froath or white-mouth of a victorious Horse, the nailes of a Dogge, and the Nerues of a Hart and a Roe, bound vp altogether in a Harts skin: and this is as true as the wagging of a Dogges taile doth signifie a tempest. To leaue these tri∣fles scarce worthy to be rehearsed, but onely to shew the vanity of men, giuen ouer to lying deuises; let vs come to the other naturall and medicinall properties not as yet touched.
[ 20] The flesh of these Beastes in their rutting time smelleth strongly like a Goats,* the which thing is by Blondus attributed also to the flesh of the females with young, I know not how truely; but I am sure that I haue knowne certaine Noble women, which euery morning did eate this flesh, and during the time they did so, they neuer were troubled with Ague: and this vertue they holde the stronger, if the Beast in dying, haue receiued but one wound.
The flesh is tender, especially if the beast were libbed before his hornes grew:* yet is not the iuyce of that flesh very wholesome, and therefore Galen aduiseth men to abstaine as much from Harts flesh, as from Asses, for it engendereth melancholy, yet is it better in Summer then in Winter. Simeon Sethi speaking of the whot Countries, forbiddeth to eate them in Summer, because then they eate Serpents and so are venemous; which fal∣leth [ 30] not out in colder Nations, and therefore assigneth them rather to be eaten in Winter time, because the concoctiue powers are more stronger through plenty of inward heate, but withall admonisheth, that no man vse to eate much of them, for it will breede palsies and trembling in mans body, begetting grosse humors, which stop the Melt and Lyuer: and Auicenne proueth, that by eating heereof men incur the quartane Ague; wherefore it is good to pouder them with salt before the dressing, and then seasoned with pepper & other things, knowne to euery ordinary cooke and woman, they make of them pasties in most nations.
The Hart and braine of a hare or Cony haue the power of triacle for expelling of e∣uill humors, but the liuer is intollerable in foode: the hornes being young are meate for [ 40] Princes, especially because they auoide poyson. It was a cruell thing of King Ferdinand, that caused the young ones to be cut out of the Dams belly and baked in pastils, for his Li∣quorous Epicureall appetite.
The whole nature and disposition of euery part of this beast, is against poison and ve∣nemous things (as before recited.*) His blood stayeth the loosenesse of the belly and all fluxes, especially fryed with oyle, and the inferior parts annoynted therewith, and being drunke in Wine it is good against poysoned woundes, and all intoxications.
The marrow of this beast is most approueable aboue other, and is vsed for sweete o∣dour, against the gout, and heate of men in consumptions, and all outward paines and [ 50] weakenesse, as Serenus comprised in one sentence saying:
The gall of a Bull, Oyle of bayes, Butter, and this marrow, by annoynting, cureth paine in the knees and loynes and other euils in the seate of a man, in the hipps, and in the belly when it is costiue: It procureth flowers of Women, cureth the goute, pimples in ones face, and ringwormes. Absyrtus prescribeth it to be giuen in sweete Wine with waxe, vnto a horse for an old cough proceeding of cold, after purging and heating, by hold∣ing the Horsses tounge in ones hand while the medicine is thrust downe his throat. [ 10]
The same in sheeps Milke with rubricke and soft Pitch, drunke euery day or eaten to your meate, helpeth the ptisicke, and obstructions. Anatolius approued, beane meale sifted and sod with Harts marrow to be giuen to a horse which stalleth blood,* for three daies together. Also mingled with the poulder of Oyster-shels, it cureth kibes and chil∣blanes. A woman perfumed with the haires of this beast, is preserued from abortements; and the same perfume helpeth the difficulty of vrine, and little pieces cut off from the hide with a pummise put in wine, and rubbing the body, helpeth the holy-fire. The pouder of the bones burned, is an antidote against the falling euill▪ and the dispersing of the melt; and the bones beaten to poulder, stayeth the fluxe of the belly.
It were endlesse to describe al the vertues ascribed to the horne; and therefore I will content my selfe with the recital of few. Pliny and Solinus preferre the right horne, Aristo∣tle [ 20] the left, and the spires or tops are more medicinable then the hard and solide stemme, but the hornes found in the Woodes lost by the beastes and growne light are good for nothing. The other haue their vses both raw and burned, which may be these that fol∣low.
Take the horne and cut it into smal pieces, then put it into an earthen pot annoyn∣ted within with durt, and so set it in a furnace vntill it become White, then wash it like a minerall and it will helpe the runnings and vlcers in the eies: and the same also keepeth the teeth white, and the gums sound. The young hornes while they be soft being eaten, are an antidote against henbane, and other poysonfull herbes. The right horne hid by [ 30] the Hart in the earth is good against the poyson of Toades.* The Harts horne hath po∣wer to dry vp all humors,* and therefore it is vsed in eie salues: and Orpheus promiseth to a bald man haire on his head againe, if he annoynt it with oyle and poulder of this horne: likewise the same with the seede of blacke mirtle,* Butter and Oyle, restraineth the falling away of the haire being annoynted vpon the head after it is newly shauen: with vi∣neger it killeth ringwormes.* The same burned in the sunne, and afterward the face being rubbed and washed therwith thrice together, taketh away pimples-spots out of the face: the poulder drunke in wine or annoynted on the head killeth lice and nits: the same with vineger,* wine, or oyle of roses, annoynted vpon the forehead, easeth the head-ache if it proceede of cold.
*A perfume made of this horne with Castoreum, and lime, or Brimstone, causeth a dead [ 40] child strangled in his mothers wombe to come forth; If the horne be taken raw and rub∣bed vpon the gums, keepeth the cheekes from all annoyance of the tooth-ache, and faste∣neth the loose teeth, as Sereneus said:
Galen prescribeth the poulder of this horne for the Iaundise, and for him that spitteth bloody matter, and to stay vomit being taken in a reere Egge. It comforteth also a rheu∣matike stomach, and it is tryed to cure the Kinges euill: it pacifieth the melt, dryeth the Spleene, driueth all kind of Wormes out of the belly, being drunke with Hony, and ea∣seth [ 50] the chollyck, expelleth away mothes, helpeth the strangury, & the paine in the blad∣der, staieth fluxes in women both whit and red: being mingled with barly meale, water, & twigs of Cedar: beside many other such properties.
The teares of this beast after she hath beene hunted with a Serpent, are turned into a a stone (called Belzahard, or Bezahar) of which we haue spoken before: and being thus transubstantiated doe cure all manner of venom (as Auenzoar, and Cardinall Ponzetti Page 133 affirme) after many trials, and Serenus also expresseth in this distichon:
This bone is in the left side of the Hart, vpon which, the Spleene moueth and sendeth forth her excrements by vapours, which by reason of their drines are there turned into a bone, and being firste of all of the substaunce of the Hartes bloode; and it is good [ 20] against the trembling of the Hart, and the Haemorrhoides, but this bone cannot bee found in any, except he be killed betwixt the middle of August and the twelfth of Sep∣tember.*
The skinny seed of the hind-Calfe, is aboue all other commended against poison, and the bitings of Serpents and of mad Dogges; likewise it stayeth al fluxes of blood, and spit∣ting of blood, and egestion of blood: & it being eaten with Beets and Lentils, is profita∣ble against the paine of the belly. The genitall part and stones, are wholsome (being taken in wine) against all bitings of Vipers, Adders, and Snakes, and the same vertue hath the na∣turall seed supped vp in a rere Egge.
The genitall hath also a vertue to encrease lust in euery creature, it being either dryed and drunke; or else bounde fast to their priuy parts. Likewise being washed in water, [ 30] and afterward dried to pouder, and so drunk, helpeth the chollick, and the difficulty of making water, if you put it into a little Triacle.
The dung of Harts cureth the dropsie, especially of a Subulon or young Hart: the v∣rine easeth the paine in the Spleene, the wind in the ventricle and bowels, and infvsed in∣to the eares, healeth their vlcers. In the tip of the taile lieth poyson, which being drunke, causeth extasie and death, if it be not holpe by a vomit made of Butter, Annise, and oyle of Sesamine, or as Cardinall Ponzettus saith, that the Harts eie is an Antidote to this euill: It may be knowne by a yellowish-greene-colour, and therefore it is called the gall, for nature hath appointed that place to receiue all the venome of the whole Bo∣die.*
[ 40] I should heere end the discourse of this beast, after the method already obserued in the precedents: but seeing the manner of the taking heereof (being a sport for princes) hath yet bin touched but very little, it shall not be tedious vnto me, to abstaine from the ne∣cessary relation of the subsequent stories, for the delightfull narration of the hunting of the Hart: to the end that as the former treatise hath but taught how to know a Birde in a bush, that which insueth may declare the seueral waies of catching and bringing the same to hand.
This is a beast standing amazed at euery strange sight, euen at the hunters bow and Ar∣rowe, comming behind a stalking Horsse (as is already declared▪) and moreouer, like as [ 50] the Roes are deceiued by the hissing of a leafe in the mouth of the hunter, so also is this Beast, for while she harkeneth to a straunge noyse, imitating the cry of a Hind-Calfe, and proceeding from one man, shee receiueth a deadly stroke by the other: so also if they heare any musicall pipings, they stand still to their owne destruction: for which cause the Page 134 Egyptians decipher a man ouerthrowne by slattery, by painting a Hart taken by musick: and Varro relateth vpon his own knowledge,* that when he supped in his Lordship bought of M. Piso, the Pastour or Forrester after supper, tooke but a Harpe in his hande, and at the sound thereof, at innumerable flocke of Harts, Boares, and other fourefooted beasts came about their Cabanet, being drawne thither onely by the Musicke; insomuch as he thought he had beene in the Romane Circus or Theater, beholding the playing spectacles of all the Affrican beasts, when the aedilian Officers haue their huntings: The like is also reported by Aelianus, sauing that he addeth, that no toyle or engine is so assured or vna∣uoidable to draw these beasts within a laborinth as is musicke, whereby the Hunter get∣teth as it were the Hart by the eare, for if through attention he hold downe his eares as he [ 10] doth in musicke, he distrusteth no harme, but if once he prick vp his eares as he common∣ly doth, being chased by men and dogges, an infinite labour will not be sufficient to ouer take and compasse him.* It is reported that they are much terified with the sight of red fea∣thers, which thing is affirmed by Ausonius in these verses:
And Ouid also saying:
And Lucan also:
Of which thing the Hunters make an aduantage, for when they haue found the beast, they set their nettes where they imagine the beast will flie, and then one of them sheweth to the beast on the other side,* the red feathers hanging on a rope, which scarreth them in hast into the Hunters nettes, as S. Ierom testifieth in one of his dialogues saying: Et pa∣uidorum more ceruorum, dum vanos pennarum euitatis volatus fortissimis retibus implicamini. And you sayth he (speaking to the Luceferian heretickes) runne away from the vaine sha∣king of feathers, like the fearefull Harts, while in the meane time you are inclapsed in vn∣auoidable and inextricable nets. And this caused Seneca to write, that the babe feareth a shadow,* and wilde beasts a red feather. [ 30]
Many times the young Calfe is the cause of the taking of his damme: for the Hunter early in the morning before day light, watcheth the Hinde where shee layeth her young one, vntill she goe and refresh her selfe with pasture; when he hath seene this, then doeth he let loose his Dogs, and maketh to the place where the Hinde Calfe was lefte by his mo∣ther.
The seely Calfe lyeth immoueable as if hee were fastened to the earth, and so neuer stirring, but bleating and braying suffereth himselfe to bee taken, except there be rainie weather, for the impatience of colde and wette will cause him to shift for himselfe: which if it fall out, the Dogges are at hand to ouertake him, and so being taken is committed to the keeper of the nettes. [ 40]
The Hinde both hearing & seeing the thr•ldome of her pore sonne, commeth to re∣lieue him without dread of hounde or Hunter, but all in vaine, for with his darte hee also possesseth himselfe of her▪ but if the Calfe be greater and so bee able to runne with the damme among the heardes, they are most hard to be taken, for in that age they runne ve∣ry fast, and the feare of Dogges increaseth their agilitie, insomuch as to take them among the heards is impossible euery one fighting for them.
But the only way is to single one out of them from the flock and so follow him vntill he be weary, for although he be very nimble, yet by reason of his tender age, his limbes are not able to continue long. The elder Harts are t•ken in snares and gins laid in ditches and couered with leaues, whereby the feet of this beast are snared in wood; this kind is de∣described [ 50] by Zenophon and Pollux, and is called in Greeke Podestrabe, in Latine Pedica, of which also the Poets make mention, as Virgil:
But heerin the subtility of this beast appeareth,* that when he is hunted he runneth for the most part to the high waies, that so the sauour of his steps may be put out by the trea∣dings of men, and he auoid the prosecution of the Hound. Their swiftnes is so great, that in the Champaigne and plaine fields they regard not Dogges, for which cause in Fraunce [ 20] they poyson Arrowes with an hearbe called Zenicum or Toca, and it is a kinde of Aconite or Wolfe-bane, which hath power to corrupt and destroy agility of body, and to stay ce∣lerity, and for their hunting in France by Dogs, it is most excellently described by Budae∣us and Robertus Stephanus in his French dictionary.
This wild, deceitfull and subtill beast, (say they) by windings and turnings do often de∣ceiue their hunter, as the Harts of Meandros flying frō the terrible cry of Dianaes hounds, wherefore the prudent hunter must frame his Dogges, as Pithagoras did his Schollers, (Lu•ers qui ne parlent point) with words of Art, to set them on, and take them off againe at his pleasure; wherefore he must first of all compasse in the beast, (En son giste) in her own lodging, and so raise her vp in the fight of the dogs, that so they may neuer loose her [ 30] footing.
Neither must they set vppon euery one, either of the heard, or that wandereth solitary alone, nor yet a little one, but partly by aspect or sight, and partly by their footings in the soft earth, and also by their dung (Les fumees) they iudge of their game, for a good wood∣man must not sticke to gather vp the Deeres excrement or soile, and keepe them (la trom∣pe) in his hunting horne: such things must the kinges huntsmen and forresters obserue, as also the quantity of his bed or lodging when they find it, being thus informed of their game then (Discoupler les chieus) they take off their Dogge couplings, and some on hors∣back, other on foot follow the cry with greatest art, obseruation, and speed, remembring and preuenting (Cerf ruze) the subtile turninges, and headinges, of the Hart, straining with all dexterity to leape hedge, pale, ditch, and rocks; neither fearing thornes, woods, [ 40] downe-hils, but prouiding a fresh horsse in case their first tire, (Cheuaux de relatis) and leaping on him with speede, vntill he see (vn grand cerf l'escuyer du grand cerf) the great Hart hauing ten speeres on his hornes, and his little squier-hart to attend him, which the Dogs once perceiuing, onely follow the great Hart, taking for a prohibition to followe anio other.
The Dogges are animated by the winding of horns, and voices of the hunters, like sol∣diours to a battell by the voice of a trumpet and other instruments: but sometimes the crafty great beast sendeth forth his little squire to be sacrificed to the Dogs and hunters instead of himselfe, lying close in the meane time, then must the retreat be sounded, and (Rompre le chieus) the dogs be broken off and taken in (Le limter) that is, leame againe vn∣till [ 50] they be brought to the fairer game, who ariseth in feare and rage, betaking himselfe to his surest legges, being pursued with all the cries of hunters, ringing and ecchoing betwixt heauen and earth, dismaying him with the continuall noyse in his eares, no lesse dreadefull and fearefull then the voyce of a passing bell to a sicke man, Page 136 or the sight of the executioner to a condemned caitife, yet still he striueth vntill wearied and breathlesse, he be forced to offer vp his blood and flesh to the rage of al the obseruant pedissequants of the hunting goddesse Diana.
The vulgar sort call an olde Hart a subtile and cunning Beast, but the nobles call him (cerf sage) a wise Hart, who to auoide all his enemies runneth into the greatest heards, and so bringeth a cloud of error vpon the Dogges, to keepe them from any further pro∣secution: Sometime also beating of some of the heard into his owne footsteps, that so he may more easily escape and procure a laborinth to the Dogges, and then after a little while he betaketh himselfe to his heeles againe, running still with the wind, not onely for refrigeration, but because he may the more easily heare the voice of his pursuers, whe∣ther [ 10] they be far or neere.
At last, being (for all this) found out againe by the obseruance of the hunters, and skill of the Dogges, he flyeth into the heardes of Cattell, as Kye, Oxen, or Sheepe, leaping vpon an Oxe, and laying his body or the fore-part thereof vpon him, as a ryder vpon a Horsse, that so touching the earth onely with his hinder hoofes, to leaue a very small or no sent at all behind for the Hounds to discerne.
The chiefe huntsman or seargeant of the houndes vnto Lewes the twelfth, called (lo grand veneur) affirmed, that on a time they hauing a Hart in chase, suddenly the houndes fell at a fault, so as the beast was out of sight, and not a Dog would once stirre his foote; whereat all the hunters were amazed, like as in some iugling Appollonian trick, as though [ 20] the hart had cleane forsaken the earth, and with the wings of some foule had bene flewne away; or as if the earth had opened her mouth to receiue him into her protection, and had closed againe ouer her heade, or else some Witchcraft had cast a miste before the Dogges and hunters eyes: At last by casting about (as it is vsuall in such cases) they founde the fraud of the horned beast, which is worth the memory.
There was a great whit-thorne which grew in a shadowie steepe place as high as a tree, and was inuironed with other small shrubs about it, into the which the said hart leapt, and there stood aloft the boughes spreading from one another, and there he remained, whe∣ther because he could not get off againe, or else for that he was stifled in that place, but surely he was there thrust thorough and so dyed, and so had they all rather perish anye [ 30] other way then by the teeth and tearing in pieces of angry and greedy Hounds.
Yet their maner is, that when they see themselues euery where intercepted, to make force at him with their hornes that commeth first vnto him, except he be preuented by some sword or speare; which being done, the hunter with his horn soundeth the fal of the beast, and then euery one approcheth, luring with triumph for such a conquest, of whom the skilfullest openeth the beast, giuing vnto the hounds such parts as belongeth to them, for their incouragement against another time; and for that purpose the hunters dippe bread in the skinne and blood of the beast, to giue vnto the hounds their ful satisfaction: and many such other things may the reader desirous of this knowledge finde in the Au∣thors aforesaide, to whome I will commende him rather, then spend more time in this [ 40] busines, better manifested by experience, then by any written document, yet I woulde wish men to be sparing in this exercise, seeing it hath beene sildome found that a man gi∣uen to hunting, but he perished in his pleasure as Actaeon did by his owne Dogges: and therefore Alciatus doth fitly compare togither hunters and receiuers of theeus and rob∣bers, calling them new Actaeons; who after they had receiued horns, must be destroyed by their owne Dogges which they haue nourished. The best vse of these beastes is to keep them tame as in Heluetia, where they hunt seldom, and to make good vse of them for no∣rishment rather then for sport, as it is reported of a holy man, who kept a hind so famili∣ar with him▪ that in the wildernes he liued vpon her milke.
Concluding this discourse with the words of the poet, for the instruction of Dogs to [ 50] this pastime and the practise of the beasts.
