The historie of foure-footed beastes Describing the true and liuely figure of euery beast, with a discourse of their seuerall names, conditions, kindes, vertues (both naturall and medicinall) countries of their breed, their loue and hate to mankinde, and the wonderfull worke of God in their creation, preseruation, and destruction. Necessary for all diuines and students, because the story of euery beast is amplified with narrations out of Scriptures, fathers, phylosophers, physitians, and poets: wherein are declared diuers hyerogliphicks, emblems, epigrams, and other good histories, collected out of all the volumes of Conradus Gesner, and all other writers to this present day. By Edward Topsell.

OF THE DOGGE In generall.

A Dogge is called in Haebrew Keleb, and Lamas according to Munster: in Caldee Kalba; in Arabique Kalbe, in Persia Sag;* 1.1 The Saracens Kep or Kolph: the Graecians Kuon because of his loue to man, and vulgarly at this day Skilos and Skule: the [ 30] Medians Spaco, the Germanes Hund, the Italians Cane; The French Chien, the Spaniardes Perro or cauendo, because his barking is as lowd as an Artificiall song; also Catellus, the Il∣lyrians Pes or Pas, and the Latines Canis.

There is no region or countrey in the world,* 1.2 where these are not bred in some store, as shall be declared afterwarde in the particular discourse of euery kind of Dogges. For as shall be manifested more at large, there are Dogges very great, some for hunting, some for Warre and defence, some for the Bore, Bull, or Bear, some for the Hare, Cony, or Hedge-hog: againe some are smal∣ler which are called Hounds, Braches, Beagles, Shepheardes Dogges, House-curres, Spagnels both for the Water and Land: and some foysting Dogges for the pleasure of [ 40] the rich.

In the first place there are to be handled the nature of Dogges in generall,* 1.3 wherein they agree, and their common properties of nature, such as are not destroyed in the de∣stinction of kindes, but remaine like infallible and invariable truths in euery kinde and country of the world. To begin with that which is outward, it is to be obserued that Dogs are generally rough,* 1.4 and their haire indifferently long (which in winter they loose euery yeare) is a signe of a good constitution; but if it grow ouer long, the mangie scab will fol∣low: the outward proportion of the head altereth as the kind altereth, being sometime like a Lyon, sometime like a Hedge-hog, some long with a broad snowt, and sometime with a piked snowt, but the braine decreaseth and increaseth with the moon, there is no com∣missure [ 50] or seame in his scull (like as is in a mans) but it is a continued bone without sepe∣ration inward or out-ward.

The best Dogs haue flat Nostrils, yet round, solide, and blunt, the mouth is long and slit, their teeth like saws, as it is in fishes and Serpents: those which are cald Canyne before,* 1.5 are only changed, as it also falleth out in a Lyon, & these they loose or change both males

[illustration]

[ 10] [ 20] and females in the fourth moneth of their age: about which time, they haue new ones come forth to thrust off their old, by their teeth is their age discerned, for while they are white and sharpe, it assureth the youth of a Dogge, but when they grow blackish or dus∣ky, [ 30] they betoken the elder age.

* 1.6The breast of a Dogge is narrow and piked, his ventricle small and narrow, for which cause he neuer easeth his bodily excrements without paine, his bowels are like a Lyons: He hath a long spleene like a man, and a Hogge: his yard and stones hange outward be∣tweene his hinder legges, a base natured curre striketh his taile betwixt his legges, his fore-legges bend like the armes of a man, and he vseth them in stead of Armes, hauing fiue distinct fingers,* 1.7 commonly called clawes vpon each foote before, and foure vpon each foot behind, which also haue straight nailes vpon them, and that which hangeth higher vpon the leg is crooked.

* 1.8The females, because they bring forth many whelpes at a time, haue vnderneath their [ 40] bellies great paps, with many speanes to sucke at, in a double ranke or row on both sides, and the generous bitches haue xii. other but x: They beare their young within their belly next to the midriffe, their fime is dry like a wolfes, & therby his temperament is known to be hot and dry, considered in it selfe, but compared with others it varieth, for to a mans, it is dry;* 1.9 to an Emmets, it is moist: Againe, in respect of a man it is hot, in respect of a Lyon it is cold.

* 1.10The louder and shriller voice of a Dogge, is called barking, the lower and stiller, is cal∣led whining, or fawning: It was a monstrous thing, that a Dogge should speake, and a ser∣pent barke, as it is beleeued in antiquity both came to passe, when Tarquinius was driuen out of his kingdome. It is not causelesse that the barking of Dogges, hath attributed vnto [ 50] it diuers qualities, as for a man to dreame of the same, presageth some treasonable harme by enemies,* 1.11 so likewise if they fawne and claw vpon a man.

Among the precedent tokens of Caesars death, they set downe in certaine verses, the howling voices of Owles, the weeping drops of the Iuory tree, & the continuall barkings of Dogges, as followeth:

Tristia nulle lotis stygius dedit omnia bubo. mille locis lachrymauit ebur. Inque foro circunque domos & templa deorum Nocturno vl••lasse canes ferunt: &c.

The Egyptians signifie these thinges by a Dog, a Scribe, a Prophet, a splene, smelling, lau∣ghing, and neezing. A Scribe, because as the Dog is silent more then he barketh,* 1.12 so must a perfect Scribe meditate more then he speaketh: for to barke at euery one were to plea∣sure none, and to speake continually, were a signe of madnes: Againe, a Prophet because a Dogge doth most eagerly behold, and admire constantly all holy actions, and so ought [ 10] the eies and eares of a Prophet be attendant vpon heauenly things. The Spleene because a Dogge hath little or no spleene, and thereof commeth his madnes and death; whereof also it commeth that the seruants which haue the charge of Dogges, being with them in their sicknes and latter end, for the most part prooue splenaticke. Smelling, neezing, and Laughing, because the spleenaticke can doe none of all these, but of this more after∣ward.

The voice of a Dogge, is by the learned, interpreted a rayling and angry speech: wher∣of commeth that Canina facundia among Authors, for rayling eloquence. It is the na∣ture of a Dogge when he maketh water, to holde vp his legge, if he be aboue six moneths old, or haue bene at procreation, the females doe it for the most part sitting,* 1.13 yet some of [ 20] the genereous spirits do also hold vp their legges. They euer smell to the hinder partes of one another, peraduenture thereby, they discerne their seuerall kind and disposition of each other in their owne natures: After they haue ran a course,* 1.14 they releeue themselues by tumbling and rowling too and fro: when they lie downe they turne round in a circle, two or three times togither, which they do for no other cause, but that they may the more commodiously lie round, and from the wind.

They sleepe as doth a man, and therein dreame very often,* 1.15 as may appeare by their of∣ten barking in their sleepe: but it must be diligently regarded of them that loue to keepe Dogges, that they permit them not to sleepe much, especially after their meat when they are young, for as they are very whot, so in their sleepe doth their heate draw much paine into their stomach and ventrickle. The time of their copulation is for the most part at a [ 30] yeare old, yet the females will lust after it at eight months old,* 1.16 howbeit they are not to be suffered, because it weakeneth their bodies, and dulleth in them all generosity: therefore, after one yeare they may safely be suffered to come together, and not before: Neither is it materiall, whether in Summer or Winter, but it is best in the beginning of the spring, but with this caution, that Whelpes of a litter or of one and the same Bitch, be neuer suffered to couple; for nature reioyseth more in variety.

For then they grow salt and begin to be proud; yet in ancient time,* 1.17 for the more enno∣bling of their race of Dogges, they did not suffer them to engender till the Male were foure yeare old, and the female three: for then would the Whelpes prooue more stronge and liuely. By hunting, labour, and trauaile, the males are made more fit for generation, [ 40] and they prooue best which haue their sires of equall age. They are not suffered to engen∣der all their life longe, but vntill ten and twelue yeare old, or rather eight in the male and sixe in the female. Yet there haue beene founde which in one and other sexe,* 1.18 haue con∣tinued in procreation till they were twentye yeare olde, but this exceeded▪ all naturall rea∣son. When they begin to be proud if you giue them leauen mingled with milke and salt, they will not straye and range abroade: at the time of their copulation, they cleaue to∣gither for a certaine space as if theyr hinder partes were glewed,* 1.19 and so they are filled at one time. They beare their young the fifth part of the yeare, that is about two monthes and odde daies, but this reconing is not generall, for some kinds beare their young three monthes, and some more. They bring forth many at a time sometime fiue, seuen, nine, or [ 50] twelue; for so many celles hath the female in her wombe.

Albertus relateth that he saw a Bitch of the Mastiue kind, which brought forth at three litters fifty Whelpes, that is nineteene at the first, eighteene at the second, and thirteene at the third: but somtime she bringeth forth but one, which is a good argument to proue that she is filled at the first lyming. They are purged of their mensturous fluxes seauen or

foureteene daies before they grow proud, and againe, at their time of littering; at other times they suffer none.

The first they cast forth of their Wombe is commonly a Male, which resembleth the father,* 1.20 the other Males and females as it happeneth, (but it is accounted a prodigious thing to litter all males or all females) wherein nature yeeldeth an excellent argument of diuine prouidence, for the first borne of all kindes hath more resemblance of the fa∣ther then of the mother. They are also Whelped blind, and so remaine for nine or ten dayes,* 1.21 bycause through their multitude they cannot bee perfected in the Dammes Bellye, which doeth not happen to Beastes which beare single, as sheepe and Goates. [ 10] They vse to carry them vp and downe in their mouthes till they be seuen dayes old but not afterward, they haue milke about fiue daies before theyr littering. It is not good to preserue the first or second litter, but the third: and after they haue littered it is good to giue the Bitch Whay and Barly bread, for that will comfort her and encrease her milke; and in some places they take Goates milke and seeth in it broken bones of meate, where∣by they conceiue that the Damme and Whelpes are much battered for that nutriment: there is not any great regard of the nourishment of Dogges, for they will eate much and that often and diuers things, except Dogges flesh, for that cannot be so dressed and pre∣pared by the art of man,* 1.22 but they finde it out by their nose and auoide it. It is good to let the Whelpes sucke two monthes before they be weaned, and that of their owne Damme, for it is not so good for them to sucke another, and in the meane time exercise them to [ 20] meate, as milke, Whay, Bread, and flesh; also from the spring vntill the Sunne entreth Cancer, at which time it is good to let them grow leane according to the verses of Neme∣sian.

Consuetam minuisse saginam Prosuerit, tenuesque magis retinere cibatus, Ne grauts articulos deprauet pondere molles Nam tum membrorum nexus nodosque relaxant. And afterward when they are sixe months old amend their diet againe that they may grow strong. Tunc rursus miscere sero Cerealia dona Conueniet, fortemque dari de frugibus escam. [ 30]

* 1.23They will not eate bucke-mast wherewithall Hogges grow fat, for that breedeth in them the paine of the head.* 1.24 By eating the excrements of men they incurre many diseases: they are made drunke by the Herbe Oenutt••as Crowes bee, they cannot endure Wine, but bread sopped in Wine they deuoure, dryed flesh & bread in Milke is their safest foode, if Cummin bee now and then mixed in their bread, they are not much troubled with wind in their bellyes. If you put a little Oyle in their Water to drinke or lappe, they will proue more able and swift to runne. If he refuse and loath his meate, take a little whot bread and giue it him before meat,* 1.25 or dip broune bread in vineger and so presse or squise the liquor thereof into his nose, and it wil ease him.

There is much a doe to chose a Whelpe vnder the Damme that will proue the best in [ 40] the litter.* 1.26 Some obserue that which seeth last, and take that for the best; other remoue the Whelpes from the kennell and lay them seuerall and apart one from the other, then watch they which of them the Bitch first taketh and carrieth into her kennell againe, and that they take for the best, or else that which vomitteth last of all. Some againe giue for a certaine rule to know the best, that the same which waigheth least while it sucketh will proue best according to the verses of Nemesian.

Pondere nam catuli poteris prependere vires Corporibusque leues, grauibus prenoscere cursu.

But this is certaine that the lighter whelpe wil proue the swifter, and the heauier will bee the stronger: Other make this experiment, first they compasse in the Puppies [ 50] in the absence of the Damme with a little circle of small sticks apt to burne, and stinking rags,* 1.27 then set they them on fire about the whelps, and that puppy which leapeth ouer first, they take for the best, & that which cōmeth out last they condemne for the worst. Assoone as the bitch hath littered it is good to chuse them you meane to preserue, & to cast away the refuse, keepe them blacke, or broun, or of one colour; for the spotted are not to be

accounted of. And thus much of the outward partes and the choice of Dogges. The manifolde attributes of Dogges amonge all Writers, doe decipher vnto vs their particular nature; as that they are called sharpe, bitter, fierce, subtill, sounding, bold,* 1.28 cared for attention, affable, swift, speedy, Clamorous, wilde, faithfull, horrible, rough, fasting, cruell, vngentle, vncleane, hurtfull, biting, filthy, smelling, sent-follower, watch∣full, madde, hoarse, and quicke-nosed; beside many such other both among the Greekes and Latines. And likewise you shall reade of many perticular Dogges, and their names appellatiue, both in Greeke and Latine, which may be remembred also in this place, to shew what reconing all ages haue made of this beast: for it is necessary, that as soone as [ 10] he beginneth to feede he presently receiue a name, such are these, of twoe sillables or more, as Scylax, Spoude, Alke, Rome, Lacon, Acalanthis, Agre, Labros, Hylactor, Alleus, Argus (one of Vlisses Dogs) Asbolus, Augeas, Aura, Bria, Polis, Bremon, Katnon, Can••••che, Happarus, Charon, Chorax, Harpia, Lycitas, Chiron, Lycisca, Arcas, Dromas, Gnome, Eba, Hybris, Hyleus, Maira, Melampus, Orne, Lethargos, Nape; beside infinite other among the ancients: but among the later writers, Turcus, Niphus, Falco, Ragonia, Serpens, Ichtia, Pi∣laster, Leo, Lupus, Stella, Fulgur, Bellina, Rubinum, Satinus, and Furia: so that euery Nation, and almost euery man hath a proper and peculiar name for his Dog, as well as for his Oxe.

There is not any creature without reason, more louing to his Maister,* 1.29 nor more ser∣uiceable [ 20] (as shall appeare afterward) then is a Dogge induring many stripes patiently at the hands of his maister, and vsing no other meanes to pacifie his displeasure, then humi∣liation, prostration, assentation, and after beating, turneth a reuenge into a more feruent and whot loue. In their rage they will set vpon all strangers,* 1.30 yet heerein appeareth their Noble spirit, for if any fall, or sit downe on the ground & cast away his weapon, they bite him not; taking that declining for submissiue pacification. They meete their maister with reuerence and ioy, crouching or bending a little, (like shamefast and modest persons:) and although they know none but their maister and familiars, yet will they help any man against another Wilde beast. They remember voyces, and obey their leaders hissing or whisling.

There was a Dogge in Venice which had beene three yeares from his Maister,* 1.31 yet [ 30] knew him againe in the Market place; discerning him from thousands of people present; he remembreth any man which giueth him meat: when he fauneth vpon a man he wring∣eth his sknne in the forehead. The Dogge which is broad faced like a Lyon,* 1.32 is most full of stomach and courage; yet the tongue or skinne of an Hyaena (by naturall instinct) ma∣keth him runne away: sometimes they will agree with Wolues, for they haue engendered togither, and as the lute-strings made of a Wolfe and a Lambe cannot agree in musicke, but one of them will break, so also will a Dogs and a lambes.

Aelianus thinketh that Dogges haue reason,* 1.33 & vse logick in their hunting for they will cast about for the game, as a disputant doth for the truth, as if they should say either the Hare is gone on the left hand, or on the right hand, or straight forward, but not on the [ 40] left or right hand and therefore straight forward. Whereupon he runneth foorth right after the true and infallible fooote-steps of the Hare. There was a Dogge in Affrica in a ship, which in the absence of the Mariners came to a pitcher of oyle to eate some of it, and the mouth of the pot being too narrow for his head to enter in (because the pot was not full) he deuised to cast flint stones into the vessel, whereby the Oyle rose to the top of the pitcher and so he eate thereof his fill, giuing euident testimony thereby, that he discerned by nature, that heauy thinges will sinke downe, and light thinges will rise vp and flye aloft.

There is a Nation of people in Ethiopia (called Nubae) which haue a Dogge in such ad∣mirable estimation, that they giue vnto him the honor of their King;* 1.34 for they haue no o∣ther [ 50] king but he. If he faune, they take him for well pleased; if he barke or fly vpon them, they take him for angry: and by his gestures and moouings they coniecture his meaning, for the gouerment of their state: giuing as ready obedience to his significations, as they can to any liuely speaking Prince of the world: for which cause, the Egyptians also picture a Dogge with a kings robe, to signifie a magistrate. Those people of Egypt also, obserue

in their religious processions, and gesticulations, dumble-idle-gods, to carry about with them two Dogs, one Hawke, and one Ibis, and these they cal foure leters: by the two Dogs, they signifie the two Hoemishpheres which continually watch and goe ouer our heads; by the Hawke, the sunne; for the Hawke is a whot creature, and liueth vpon destruction: by the Ibis, the face of the Moone; for they compare the blacke feathers in this bird to hir darke part, and the white to her light: Other by the Dogges, do vnderstand the two Tro∣picks, which are (as it were the two porters of the sunne for the South and North; by the Hawke, they vnderstand the equinoctiall or burning line, because she flyeth high: by the Ibis, the Zodiacke: and indeede those painters which could moste aritificially decipher a [ 10] Dog (as Nicias) were greatly reuerenced among the Egyptians.

The like folly (or impious beastlinesse) was that of Galba, who forsooke the presidents of his predecessors in stamping their coine with their owne image, and imprinted there∣upon his sealing ring,* 1.35 left him by his forefathers, wherein was engrauen, a dog bending vpon his female. I know not for what cause, the starre in the midst of heauen whereunto the sunne commeth about the Calends of Iuly, was tearmed Canis (a Dogge) and the whole time of the appearance of that starre, which is about thirty daies, should bee called Dog daies; but onely because then the heate of the Sunne dooth torment the bodyes of men twice so much as at other times: whereupon they attribute that to the starre (which they call Sirius) which rather is to be attributed to the Sun during that time euery yeare.

Others fable,* 1.36 that there is another starre close to him (called Orion,) who was an excel∣lent [ 20] hunter, and after his death was placed among the starres, and the starre Canis beside him was his hunting dogge: but by this starre called of the Egyptians Solachin, and of the Graecians Astrocynon,* 1.37 commeth that Egyptian Cynicke yeare which is accomplished but once in a 1460. yeares. Vnto this starre were offered many sacrifices of Dogges in auncient time whereof there can be no cause in the World, as Ouid well noteth in these verses:

Pro cane sidereo canis hic imponitur arae: Et quare fiat nil nisi nomen habet.

As among the Carians, whereupon came the prouerbe of Caricum Sacrificium, for they sacrified a Dog in stead of a Goate,* 1.38 and the young Puppyes or Whelpes were also ac∣counted [ 30] among the most auaileable sacrifices, for the pacifing of their idoll Gods.

The Romans and Graecians had also a custom to sacrifice a Dog in their Lycaan and Lupercall feastes, which were kept for the honor of Pan, who defended their flocks from the Wolfe,* 1.39 and this was performed in February yearely, either because that the Dogs were enimies to Wolues, or else for that by their barking, they draw them away in the night time from their Citty: or else, because they reckoned that a dogge was a pleasing beast to Pan, who was the keeper of Goats: so also the Graecians did offer a dog to Hecata who hath three heads, one of a Horse, another of a dogge, and the third head in the midst of a wilde man: and the Romans to Genetha, for the safe custody and welfare of all their houshold affayres. [ 40]

Their houshold Gods (called Lares) were pictured and declared to the people sitting in Dogs-skinnes, and Dogges sitting beside them, eyther because they thereby signified their duty to defend the house and houshold, or else as Dogges are terrors to theeues and euill beasts, so these by their assistance were the punishers of wicked and euill persons: or rather that these Lares were wicked spirits pryeng into the affayres of euery priuate hou∣shold,* 1.40 whom God vsed as executioners of his wrathful displeasure, vpon godlesse men.

There were Dogges sacred in the Temple of Aesculapius, because he was nourished by their milke; and Iupiter himselfe was called Cynegetes, that is, a Dogge-leader; because he taught the Arcadians first of all to hunt away noysome beasts by the helpe of Dogges: so also they sacrificed a Dogge to Mars, because of the boldnesse of that creature. To con∣clude, [ 50] such was the vnmemorable vanity of the Heathens in theyr goddes and sacrifices, as it rather deserueth perpetuall obliuion then remembrance,* 1.41 for they ioyned the shapes of men and Beastes togither (saith Arnobius) to make Goddes Omnigenumque deum mon∣stra & latrator Anubis, such were theyr Cynocephali, Ophiocephali, Anubis, Hecata, that is as much to say, as halfe men, halfe Dogges, halfe Serpents, but generally all Monsters:

and for the many imaginary virtues the ancients haue dreamed to be in Dogs, they also in many places haue giuen vnto them solemne funerals in their hallowed Coemiteries, & af∣ter they were dead, they ceased not to magnifie them, as Alexander,* 1.42 which built a City for the honor of a Dog.

All this notwithstanding, many learned and wise men in al ages haue rekconed a Dogge but a base and an impudent creature, for the Flamen Dialis of Iupiter in Rome, was com∣maunded to abstaine from touching of Dogges, for the same reason, that they were pro∣hibited & not permitted to enter into the castle of Athens & Isle of Delos, bycause of their publique and shamelesse copulation: and also, that no man might be terrified by their [ 10] presence from supplication in the temples. The foolishnesse of a Dogge appeareth in this, that when a stone or other thing is cast at him, he followeth the stone and neglect∣eth the hand that threw it, according to the saying of the Poet:* 1.43

Arripit vt lapidem catulus, morsuque fatigat, Nec precussori mutua damna facit. Sic plerique sinunt reros clabier hostes, Et quos nulla grauant noxia dente petant.

Likewise men of impudent wits, shamlesse behauiors in taking and eating meat, were called Cynicks; for which cause Athenaeus speaketh vnto Cynicks in this sort: You do not O Cynici leade abstinent and frugall liues but resemble Dogges: and whereas this foure-footed beast differeth from other creatures in foure things,* 1.44 you only follow him in his vi∣ler [ 20] and baser qualities, that is, in barking and license of railing, in voracity and nudity, without all commendation of men.

The impudency of a Dogge is eminent in all cases to be vnderstood,* 1.45 for which cause that audatious Aristogiton sonne of Cidimachus was called a Dogge, and the furies of an∣cient time were figured by blacke Dogges, and a Dog was called Erinnis: Cerberus him∣selfe with his three heads signified the multiplicity of Diuels, that is, a Lyons, a Wolfes, and a fawning Dogges, one for the earth, another for the Water, and the thirde for the aire: for which cause Hercules in slaying Cerberus, is said, to haue ouercome all temptati∣on, vice, and wickednesse, for so did his three heads signifie: other by the three heads, vn∣derstand, the three times; by the Lyon, the time present; by the wolfe, the time past; and [ 30] by the fawning Dog, the time to come.

It is deliuered by authors, that the roote of Oliander, or else a Dogs tooth bound a∣bout the arme, do restraine the fury and rage of a Dogge: also there is a certain litle bone in the left side of a Toade (called Apocynon) for the vertue it hath in it against the violence of a Dogge: It is reported by Pliny, that if a liue Rat be put into the pottage of Dogges, after they haue eaten thereof they will neuer barke any more, and Aelianus affirmeth so much of the Weasils taile, cut off from him aliue, and carried about a man: also if one carry about him a Dogges hart, or Lyuer,* 1.46 or the skinne wherin Puppies lye in their dams belly (called the Secundine) the like effect or operation is attributed to them against the violence of dogs.

[ 40] There is a little blacke stone in Nylus about the bignesse of a Beane, at first sight whereof a dog wil run away. Such as these I saw at Lyons in France, which they called Sea-beanes,* 1.47 and they prescribed them to be hanged about a Nurses necke to encrease her milke: but to conclude the discourse of the basenesse of a Dogge, those two prouerbes of holy Scrip∣ture, one of our Sauiour Mat. 7. Giue not that which is holy to Dogs; and the other of Saint Peter 2. Epistle Cap. 2. the Dogge is returned to the vomit, doe sufficiently conuince, that they are emblems of vile, cursed, rayling, and filthy men;* 1.48 which esteeme not holy things, but eate vp againe their owne vomits.

The skinnes of Dogges are dressed for gloues, and close Bootes, the which are vsed by such as haue vlcerous and swelling Legges or Limbes, for by them the aflicted place re∣ceiueth [ 50] a double reliefe; first, it resisteth the influent humors, and secondly,* 1.49 it is not exas∣perated with Woollen. The Turkes colour their Dogs tailes withred, and it is a custom of Hunters to take Dogges and tie them in the Woods vnto trees by their stones, for by crying they prouoke the Panther to come vnto them.

It is not to be doubted but that the flesh of dogges, is vsed for meate in many places

although the opinion of Rasis be true and consonant to reason, that all deuouring Crea∣tures, as Dogges, Foxes, and Wolues; haue no good flesh for meate, bycause they en∣gender melancholy; and yet Galen thinketh, that it is like to the flesh of a Hare, especial∣ly young Whelpes were held amonge the Romanes a delicate meate, and were vsed by their priestes; and amonge Whelpes they attrybuted most vertue to their flesh which were eaten before they did see,* 1.50 for by them came no euill humor at al, as is often set down in Plautus.* 1.51

Peter Martir and Scaliger doe affirme, of Cozumella, and Lucatana, and other Islands of the new World, that the people there doe eate a kind of Dogge which cannot barke: [ 10] These Dogges are vile to looke vpon like young Kyds. The inhabitants of Corsica, which are fierce, angry, Wilde, cruell, audatious, dissemblers, actiue and strong, do also seede vpon Dogges both wilde and tame: and it is thought that their meate is a little furthe∣rance to their inclination, for such is the naturall disposition of Dogs: and Sciltbergerus, in the booke of peregrinations affirmeth also, that the Tartarians in Ibissibur doe after the same manner feede vpon the flesh of Dogges: from hence it commeth, that men resem∣ling a Dog in a plaine forhead and narrow, are said to be foolish; in a smooth and stretched out, flatterers; those which haue great voyces like a Ban-dog, are strong; they which raile much (like often barking Dogges) are of a doggish, angry, disposition. He which hath a great head like a Dog is witty;* 1.52 hee which hath a little head like an Asses is blockish, they which haue fiery eyes like Dogs, are impudent and shamelesse: Thinne lips with narrow [ 20] folding corners, in Dogs is a token of generosity, and in men of magnanimity: they whose lippes hange ouer their canine teeth, are also adiudged raylers, and virulent spea∣kers: and as Carnarius obserueth, vaine glorious braggarts. A wide mouth, betokeneth a cruell, madde, and wicked disposition; a sharpe nose, an angry mind: as a round, blunt, and solide Nose, signifieth a Lyons stomach and worthinesse. A sharpe chin, vaine bab∣ling and wantonnesse; they which are small in their girting steade about their Ioynes, doe much loue hunting.

Stobaeus in his wicked discourse or dispraise of women affirmeth, that the curst, sharp, smart, curious, daynty, clamorous, implacable and wanton-rowling-eyed Women, were deriued from Dogges: and Hesiode to amend the matter saith, when Iupiter had fashio∣ned [ 30] man out of the earth, he commaunded Mercury to infuse into him a Canine minde, and a clamorous inclination: but the Prouerbe of Salomon Cap. 30. concludeth the excel∣lency of a Dog saying: There be three things which goe pleasantly, and the fourth ordereth his pace aright: The Lyon, which is the strongest among Beastes, and feareth not the sight of any bo∣dy:* 1.53 a hunting Dog strong in his loynes, a Goate, and a King against whom there is no rysing vp: by all which is deciphered a good King; for the Lyon ryseth not against beastes, except he be prouoked; the Dog riseth not against his frends, but wilde beasts; and the he-Goat goeth before his flocke like a guide and keeper.

OF THE GREY-HOVND, [ 40] with a naration of all strong and great hunting DOGGES.

AMong the diuers kinds of hunting Dogs, the Grey-hound or Graecian Dog,* 1.54 called Thereuticos or Elatica (by reason of his swiftnesse,) strength, and sagacity to follow and deuoure wilde beastes of great stature, deserueth the first place; for such are the conditions of this Dog, as Plato hath obserued, [ 50] that he is reasonably sented to finde out, speedy and quicke of foote to follow, and fierce and strong to take and ouer∣come: and yet silent comming vpon his pery at vnawares, according to the obseruation of Gratius;

Siccanis illa suos taciturna superuenit hostes.

Like to the Dogs of Acarnania which set vpon their game by stealth. Of these are the grea∣test dogs of the world, which in this place are briefely to be remembred.

[illustration]

[ 10] [ 20]

These haue large bodies little heads, beaked noses, but flat, broad faces aboue their eies,* 1.55 long necks but great next to their bodies, fiery eies, broad backs, and most generous sto∣macks, both against al wild beasts & men also. Their rage is so great against their prey, that sometimes for wrath they loose their eie-sight. They will not onely set vpon Buls, Boars,* 1.56 [ 30] and such like beastes, but also vpon Lyons, which Mantuan noteth in this verse;

Et Truculentus Helor certare leonibus audens.

The greatest dogs of this kind are in India, Scithia, and Hircania,* 1.57 and among the Scithians they ioine them with Asses in yoake for ordinary labour. The Dogs of India are concei∣ued by Tigres, for the Indians wil take diuers femals or Bitches, and fasten them to trees in woods where Tygres abide: wherunto the greedy rauening Tiger commeth,* 1.58 and instant∣ly deuoureth some one or two of them, if his lust do not restrain him, & then being so filled with meate (which thing Tygers sildome meete withal) presently he burneth in lust and so lymeth the liuing Bitches, who are apt to conceiue by him: which being performd he reti∣reth to some secret place, & in the meane time the Indians take away the Bitches, of whom come these valourous dogs, which retain the stomack and courage of their father, but the [ 40] shape & proportion of their mother, yet do they not keepe any of the first or second litter for feare of their Tygrian stomacks, but make them away and reserue the third litter.

Of this kind were the Dogs giuen to Alexander by the King of Albania,* 1.59 when he was going into India, and presented by an Indian, whom Alexander admired, and being desi∣rous to try what vertue was contained in so great a body,* 1.60 caused a Boare and a Hart to be turned out to him, and when he would not so much as stir at them, he turned Beares vnto him, which likewise he disdained and rose not from his kennel; wherewithal the king being moued, commaunded the heauy and dul beast (for so he termed him) to be hanged vp: his keeper the Indian informed the king that the dog respected not such beasts, but if he would [ 50] turne out vnto him a Lyon, he should see what he would do.

Immediatly a Lyon was put vnto him, at the first sight whereof he rose with speede (as if neuer before hee saw his match or aduersary worthy his strength) and bristling at him, made force vpon him and the Lyon likewise at the Dogge, but at the last, the Dogge tooke the Chappes or snowt of the Lyon into his mouth, where he held him by maine strength vntill hee strangled him, doe the Lyon what he could to the contrary,

the King desirous to saue the Lyons life, willed the Dogge shoulde be pulled off, but the labour of men and all their strength was too litle to loosen those irefull and deepe biting teeth which he had fastened. Then the Indian infourmed the King that except some vio∣lence were done vnto the Dog to put him to extreame paine, he would sooner die then let goe his holde; whereupon it was commaunded to cut off a piece of the Dogges taile, but the Dog would not remoue his teeth for that hurt: then one of his legges were likwise se∣uered from his body, whereat the Dogge seemed not apalled; after that another legge, and so consequently all foure, whereby the truncke of his body fell to the grounde, still holding the Lyons snowt within his mouth, and like the spirit of some malicious man chu∣sing [ 10] rather to die then spare his enimie. At the last, it was commaunded to cut his heade from his body, all which the angry beast indured, and so left his bodiles head hanging fast to the Lyons iawes: whereat the king was wonderfully mooued, and sorrowfully repented his rashnes in destroying a beast of so noble spirite, which could not be daunted with the presence of the king of beasts: chusing rather to leaue his life then departe from the true strength and magnanimity of mind. Which thing the Indian perceiuing in the K. to mi∣tigate the Kings sorrowe, presented vnto him foure other Dogges of the same quantity and nature, by the gift whereof he put away his passion, and receiued rewarde with such a recompence as well beseemed the dignity of such a King, and also the quality of such a present.

Pliny reporteth also that one of these did fight with singular courage and policy with [ 20] an Elephant: and hauing got holde on his side, neuer left till he ouerthrewe the beast and perished vnderneath him. These Dogges growe to an exceeding greate stature, and the next vnto them are the Albanian Dogs. The Arcadian Dogs are said to be generated of Li∣ons.* 1.61 In Canaria one of the fortunate Ilands, their Dogs are of exceeding stature.

The Dogs of Creete are called Diaponi, and fight with wilde Boares: the Dogs of Epirus called Chaonides of a Citie Chaon, are wonderfully great and fierce; they are likewise called Molosssi, of the people of Epirus so termed, these are fayned to be deriued of the Dog of Cephalus,* 1.62 the first Greyhound whome stories mention: and the Poe••s say, that this Grey∣hound of Cephalus, was first of all fashioned by Vulcax in Monesian brasse, and when he liked his proportion, he also quickned him with a soule, and gaue him to Iupiter for a guift, who [ 30] gaue him away againe to Europa, she also to Minos, Minos to Procris, and Procris gaue it to Cephalus: his nature was so resistable, that he ouertook all that he hunted, like the Teume∣sian Foxe. Therefore Iupiter to auoid confusion, turned both the incomprehensible beasts into stones. This Moloskus or Molossus Dog, is also framed to attend the folds of Sheepe, and doth defend them from Wolues and theeues, whereof Virgill writeth thus:

Veloces Spartae catulos acremque Molossum Pasce fero pingui nunquam custo dibus illis Nocturum stabulis, furem incursusque luporum Aut imparatos a Tergo horrebis Iberos.

These hauing taken holde, will hardly be taken off againe, like the Indians and Prasian [ 40] Dogs, for which cause they are called incommodestici, that is, modi nescij such as knowe no meane, which caused Horace to giue counsell to keepe them tied vp saying.

Teneant acres tora molossos.

The people of Epirus doe vse to buy these Dogges when they die, and of this kind were the Dogges of Scylla,* 1.63 Nicomedes, and Eupolides. The Hircanian Dogges are the same with the Indian. The Poeonian, Persian, and Median, are called Syntheroi, that is companions, bost of hunting, and fighting, as Gratius writeth:

Indocilis dat proelia medus.

The Dogges of Locus and Lacaene are also very great and fight with Bores. There are also a kind of people called Cynamolgi,* 1.64 neere India, so called because for one halfe of the [ 50] yeare they liue vpon the milke of great Dogges, which they keepe to defend their Coun∣trey from the great oppression of Wilde cattell,* 1.65 which descend from the Woodes and Mountaines of India vnto them yearely, from the Summer solstice to the middle of Wynter, in great numbers of swarmes like Bees returning home to their Hiues and Hony-combes; These cattell set vpon the people and destroy them with their Hornes,

except their Dogges be present with them, which are of great stomach and strength, that they easily teare the Wilde cattell in pieces, and then the people take such as be good for meate to themselues, and leaue the other to their dogges to feed vpon:* 1.66 the residue of the yeare they not onely hunt with these Dogs, but also milke the females drinking it vp like the milke of sheepe or Goats. These great dogs haue also deuoured men, for when the seruant of Diogenes the Cynike ranne away from his maister, beinge taken againe and brought to Delphos, for his punishment he was torne in pieces by Dogs.* 1.67 Euripedes also is said to be slaine by dogs, whereupon came the prouerb C••••os Dike, a Dogs reuenge: for King Archelaus had a certain dog which ran away from him into Thracia, and the Thracians [ 10] (as their manner was) offered the same Dog in sacrifice, the King hearing thereof,* 1.68 laied a punishment vpon them for that offence, that by a certaine day they should pay a talent; the people breaking day, suborned Evripides the Poet (who was a great fauorite of the Kings) to mediate for them, for the release of that fine; wherunto the king yealded: after∣ward as the said king returned from hunting, his dogs stragling abroad, met with Euripedes and tore him in pieces, as if they sought reuenge on him, for being bribed against their fellow which was slaine by the Thracians. But concerning the death of this man, it is more probable that the dogs which killed him, were set on by Aridaeus and Cratenas, two Thessa∣lian poets his emulatours & corriuals in poetry, which for the aduancement of their own credit, cared not in most sauage and Barbarous manner, to make away a better man then [ 20] themselues. There were also other famous men which perished by Dogges, as Actaeon, Thrasus, and Linus; of Thrassus Onid writeth thus;

Praedaque sis illis quibus est laconia Delos Aute diem Raptonon ade unda Thraso.

And of Linus and Actaeon in this manner;

Quique verecunda speculantem membra Dianae, Quique Crotopiaden diripuere Linum.

Lucian that scoffing Apostata, who was first a Christian and afterward endeauored all his wit to raile at christian religion, euen as he lacerated and rent his first profession, so was he rent in pieces by dogs; and Heraclitus the Phylosopher of Athens, hauing beene long sick and vnder the hands of Physitians, he oftentimes anointed his body with Bugils-sewet, & [ 30] on a day hauing so annoynted himselfe, lying abroad sleeping in the sun, the dogs came,* 1.69 and for the desire of the fat tore his body in pieces. I cannot heere forget that memora∣ble story of two christian Martyres, Gorgonius and Dorotheus, which were put to death vn∣der Diocletian in the ninth persecution, and when they were dead,* 1.70 their carkases were cast vnto hungry dogs of this kind, kept for such purposes, yet would not the dogges once so much as stir at them, or come neere to touch them; & because we may iudge that the ra∣uening nature of these creatures was restrained by diuine power, we also read that when Benignus the Martyr, by the commaundement of Aurelian, was also throwen aliue to be deuoured of these dogs, he escaped as free from their teeth, as once Daniell did from the Lyons den. I may also adde vnto these the dogs of Alania and Illiria, called Mastini, who [ 40] haue their vpper lips hang ouer their neather, and looke fierce like Lyons, whom they re∣semble in necke, eies, face, colour, and nailes; falling vpon Beares, and Boares, like that which Anthologius speaketh off, that leaped into the sea after a Dolphin, and so perished; or that called Lidia, slaine by a Boare; whose epitaph Martiall made as followeth:

Amphitheatrales inter nutrita magistros Lydia dicebar, domino fidissima dextro Nec qui Dictaea Cephalum de gente secutus. Non me longa dies, nec inutilis abstulit aetas. Fulminea spumantis apri sum dente perempta, Nec quaerar inferras quamuis cito rapta per vmbras. [ 50] Venatrix siluis aspera, blanda domi Qui non Erigones mallet habere Caenem Lucifera pariter venit ad aestra deae Qualia Dulychio fata fuere cani Quantus erat Calydon aut Erymanthe tuus, Non potui fato nobiliore mori.

There be in France certaine great Dogs (called Auges) which are brought out of great Brittaine,* 1.71 to kill their Beares, Wolues, and wilde Boares; these are singularly swift and strong, and their leaders, the better to arme them against the teeth of other beasts, couer some of their parts with thicke cloutes, and their neckes with broad collars, or else made of Badgers skins. In Gallia Narbon, they call them Limier, and the Polonians call all great made Dogs for the Wolfe and such like beastes, (Vislij:) and peculiarly for the Beare and Bore, Charzij, for Hares and foule, Pobicdnizcij, and Dogs of a middle scantling bee∣twixt the first and the second psij.

Grey-hounds are the least of these kinds, and yet as swift and fierce as any of the residue, [ 10] refusing no kind of Beast, if he be turnd vp thereunto, except the porcupine, who casteth her sharp pens into the mouth of al dogs.* 1.72 The best Grey-hound hath a long body, strong and reasonable great, a neate sharpe head, and splendent eyes, a long mouth, and sharp teeth; little eares and thin gristles in them, a streight neck, and a broad and strong brest, his forelegs straight and short, his hinder legs long and straight, broad shoulders, round ribs, fleshy buttockes, but not fat, a long taile, strong and full of sinnewes, which Nemesi∣an describeth elegantly in these verses.

—Sit cruribus altis Costarum sub fine decenter prona carinam: Renibus ampla satis validis diductaque coras Sit Rigidis multamque gerat sub pectore lato [ 20] Quae sensim rursus sicca se colligat aluo; Cuique nimis molles fluitent in cursibus aures Elige tunc cursu facitem facilem facilem{que} recursis Dum superant vires, dum loeto flore iuuentus.

Of this kind, that is alway the best to be chosen among the whelps, which way gheth ligh∣test: for it will be soonest at the game, and so hang vpon the greater beasts hindering their swiftnes,* 1.73 vntill the stronger and heauier dogs come to helpe: and therefore besides the markes or necessary good parts in a Grey-hound already spoken of, it is requisite that he haue large sides, & a broad midriffe or filme about his hart, that so he may take his breath [ 30] in and out more easily: a small belly, for if it be great it will hinder his speedy course, like∣wise his legs haue long, thin, and soft haires, and these must the hunter leade on the left hand if he be a foot,* 1.74 and on the right hand if he be on horsebacke.

* 1.75The best time to try them, and traine them to their game is at twelue months old, how∣beit some hunt them at ten months if they be males, and at 8. monthes if they be females, yet is it surest not to straine them or permit them to run any long course till they be 20. moneths old, according to the old verse,

Libera tunc primum consuescant colla ligari: Iam cum bis denos phoebe repauerit ortus, Sed paruos vallis spatio septoue nouelli nec cursus virtute parem &c. [ 40]

Keepe them also in the leame or slip while they are abroad vntill they see their course, I meane the Hare or Deere,* 1.76 & losen not a yong Dog, til the game haue ben on foot a good season, least if he be greedy of the prey he straine his lim still they breake. When the Hare is taken, deuide some part thereof among your Dogges, that so they may be prouoked to speed by the sweetnes of the flesh.

* 1.77The Lacedemon grey-hound was the best breed, they were first bred of a Fox and a dog, and therefore they were called Alopecides, these admit copulation in the eight moneth of their age, and sometime in the sixt, and so continuing bearing as long as they liue, bea∣ring their burthen the sixth part of a yeare, that is, about sixty daies, one or two more or lesse, and they better conceiue and are more apt to procreation while they are kept in la∣bor,* 1.78 [ 50] then when they lie idle without hunting, & these Lacedemon Dogs differ in one thing from all other Dogges whatsoeuer, for wheras the male outliueth in vulgar dogges of all countries the female, in these the female out-liueth the male, yet the male performeth his labour with more alacrity, although the female haue the sharper sence of smel∣ling.

The noblest kind of dogs for the Hare keep home, vnlesse they be led abroad, and sil∣dome barke: they are the best which haue the longest neckes, for which cause,* 1.79 they vse this artificiall inuention to stretch their neckes; they dig a deep hole in the earth, wherein they set the Grey-hounds meat, who being hungry thrusteth downe his head to take it, but finding it to be past his reach, stretcheth his neck aboue the measure of nature, by cu∣stome wherof, his necke is very much lengthned. Other place the Grey-hound in a ditch,* 1.80 and his meat aboue him, and so he teacheth vpward, which is more probable. It is the pro∣perty of these Dogs to be angry with the lesser barking Curs, and they will not run after euery trifling beast, by secret instinct of nature, discerning what kind of beast is worthy or [ 10] vnworthy of their labor, disdaining to meddle with a little or vile creature.* 1.81 They are nori∣shed with the same that the smaller hunting dogs are, and it is better to feede them with milk then whay. There are of this kind called Veltri, and in Italian Veltro, which haue bene procreated by a Dog and Leopard, and they are accounted the swiftest of all other. The grey-hounds which are most in request among the Germans are called Windspill, alluding to compare their swiftnes with the wind, the same are also called Turkischwind and H••tz∣hund, and Falco a Falcon, is a common name whereby they call these Dogges. The French make most account of such as are bred in the mountaines of Dalmatia, or in any other mountains, especially of Turkey, for such haue hard feet, long eares, and bristle tayles. There are in England and Scotland, two kind of hunting dogs, and no where else in al the [ 20] world; the first kind they call in Scotland Ane Rache, and this is a foot smelling creature, both of wilde beasts, Birds, and Fishes also, which he hid among the Rockes, the female hereof in England is called a Brache. The second kind is called in Scotland a Sluth-hound, being a little greater then the hunting hound, and in colour for the most part browne, or sandy-spotted. The sence of smelling is so quicke in these, that they can follow the foote∣steps of theeus, and pursue them with violence vntill they ouertake them; and if the theef take the water, they cast in themselues also, and swim to the other side, where they find out againe afresh their former labor, vntill they find the thing they seeke for: for this is com∣mon in the borders of England and Scotland, where the people were wont to liue much vpon theft, and if the dog brought his leader vnto any house, where they may not be suf∣fred to come in, they take it for granted, that there is both the stollen goods and the theef [ 30] also hidden.

THE HVNTING HOVND OF Scotland called Rache, and in En∣glish a HOVND.

[illustration]

[ 40] [ 50]

THE SLVTH-HOVND OF Scotland, called in Germany a Schlatthund.

[illustration]

[ 10] [ 20]

THE ENGLISH BLOVD-HOVNDE.

[illustration]

[ 30] [ 40]

WE are to discourse of lesser hunting Dogs in particular, as we finde them remembred in any Histories and descriptions, Poets or other Authors, according to the seuerall Countries of their breede and education; and first for the Brittish Dogges, their nature and [ 50] qualities heereafter you shall haue in a seuerall discourse by it selfe. The blood-hounde differeth nothing in quality from the Scottish Sluth hound, sauing they are greater in quantity and not alway one and the same colour, for among them they are sometime red, san∣ded, blacke, white, spotted, and of such colour as are other hounds, but most common∣ly browne or red.

The vertue of smelling called in Latine Sagacitas, is attributed to these as to the for∣mer hunting Hound, of whom we will first of all discourse, and for the qualities of this sence which maketh the Beast admirable, Plautus seemeth to be of opinion, that it re∣ceiued this title from some Magitians or sage wisards (called Sagae) for this he saith;* 1.82 spea∣king of this beast: Canem hanc esse quidem Magis par fuit: nasum aedepoll sagax habet: It is also attributed to Mise, not for smelling, but for the sence of their palate or tast; and also to Geese: In a Dogge it is that sence which searcheth out and descryeth the roustes, fourmes, and lodgings of Wilde Beasts, as appeareth in this verse of Liuius Andro∣nicus:

[ 10] —Cumprimis fida canum vis Dirige odoriesquos ad certa cubilia canes.

And for this cause it hath his proper Epithets as Odora canum vise, promissa canum vis, & naribus acres, & vtilis: Pincianus called this kind Plaudi, for so did Festus before him, and the Germans, Spurhund, and Leidthund, Iaghund, because their eares are long, thin, and hanging down, and they differ not from vulgar dogs in any other outward proportion, ex∣cept onely in their cry or barking voice.

The nature of these is, being set on by the voice and Words of their leader, to cast a∣bout for the sitting of the Beast, and so hauing found it, with continuall cry to follow after it till it be wearied, without changing for any other, so that sometime the hunters them∣selues [ 20] take vp the beast, at least wise the hounds sildome faile to kil it. They sildome barke,* 1.83 except in their hunting chase; and then they follow their game throgh woods, thickets, thornes, and other difficult places, being alway obedient and attentiue to their leaders voice, so as they may not goe forward when he forbiddeth, nor yet remayne neere to the Hunters, whereunto they are framed by Art and discipline, rather then by any natu∣rall instinct.

The White Houndes are said to be the quickest-sented and surest nosed, and there∣fore best for the Hare: the blacke ones for the Boare, and the red ones for the Hart and Roe: but heereunto I cannot agree, because their colour (especially of the two later) are too like the game they hunt, although there can be nothing certaine collected of their co∣lour, yet is the blacke hound harder and better able to endure cold, then the other which [ 30] is white. In Italy they make account of the spotted one, especially white and yellowish, for they are quicker nosed: they must be kept tyed vp till they hunt, yet so as they be let loose now and then a little to ease their bellies, for it is necessary that their kennell be kept sweete and dry.

It is questionable how to discerne a hound of excellent sence, yet (as Blondus saith) the square and flat Nose is the best signe and index thereof: likewise a small head,* 1.84 hauing all his Legs of equall length, his brest not deeper then the belly, and his backe plaine to his taile, his eies quicke, his eares long hanging, but sometime stand vp: his taile nimble, and the beake of his Nose alway to the earth, and especially such as are most silent or bark least.

[ 40] There are some of that nature, who when they haue found the beast they will stand still vntill their Hunter come, to whom in silence by their face, eie, and taile,* 1.85 they shew their game. Now you are to obserue, the diuers and variable disposition of Houndes in their findidg out the beast: some, when they haue found the footesteps goe forward without any voice or other shew of eare or taile. Againe, another sort when they haue found the footings of the beast, pricke vp their eare a little, but either barke or wag their tailes; o∣ther will wag their taile but not moue their eares, other again wring their faces and draw their skins through ouer much intention, (like sorrowfull persons) and so follow the sent holding the taile immoueable.

There be some againe which do none of these, but wander vp and down, barking about [ 50] the surest markes, and confounding their own foot steps with the beastes they hunt, or else forsake the way, and so runne backe againe to the first heade; but when they see the Hare, they tremble and are affraid, not daring to come neare her, except she runne away first: these with the other, which hinder the cunning labors of their colleagues, trusting to their feet, and running before their betters, deface the best marke, or else hunt coun∣ter

(as they terme it) take vp any false scent for the truth, or which is more reprehensible, neuer forsake the high waies, and yet haue not learned to hold their peace: vnto these al∣so you may adde, those which cannot discerne the footings or prickings of the Hare, yet will they runne speedily when they see her, or else at the beginning set forth very hot, and afterward tyre, and giue ouer lazily; all these are not to be admitted into the kennell of good hounds.

But the good and aproued hounds on the contrary, when they haue found the Hare, make shew therof to the hunter, by running more speedily, and with gesture of head, eyes, ears, and taile, winding to the Hares muse, neuer giue ouer prosecution with a gallant noise, no not returning to their leaders, least they loose aduantage: these haue good and hard feet, [ 10] and are of stately stomacks, not giuing ouer for any hate, and feare not the rockes or other mountaine places, as the Poet expresseth:

Quae laus prima canum? quibus est audacia praeceps: Quae nunc elatis rimantur naribus auras: Et perdunt clamore feram, domiunque vocando Insequitur tumulosque ••anis camposque per omnes. Venandi sagax virtus viresque sequendi, Et nunc demisso quaerunt vestigia rostro. Increpitant quem si collatis effugit armis, Noster in arte labor positus, spes omnius in illa &c. [ 20]

And therefore also it is good oftentimes to lead the hounds to the mountaines for exer∣cise of their feet, when you haue no Hare or other beast.

And whereas the nature of this Hare is, sometimes to leape and make headings, some∣time to tread sof••ly without any great impression in the earth, or sometimes to lie downe and euer to leape or iumpe out and in to hir owne forme or sitting, the poore hound is so much the more busied and troubled to retaine the small sauour of her footings which she leaueth behind her: for this cause also it is to be noted, that the hound must be holpe no•• onely with the voyce,* 1.86 eye, and hand of the hunter, but also with a seasonable time, for in frosty weather the sauour congealeth and freezeth with the earth, so as you cannot hunt with any certainty vntil a thaw thereof, or till the sunne arise. [ 30]

Likewise if raine fall betwixt the going of the Hare and the hunting time, you cannot hunt till the water be dryed vp, for the drops disperse the scent of the Hare and the drye weather recollecteth it againe. The Summer time also is not for hunting, by reason the heate of the earth consumeth the sauour, and the night being then but short, the Hare trauaileth but little, feeding onely in the euening and morning. Likewise the fragrancy of euery greene herbe yeeldeth such a sauour, as doth not a little obliterate and ouersway the sauour of the beast: and therefore Aristotle in his wonders, sheweth that in Aetna in the summer time, there are such plenty of sweete smelling flowers especially of violets, which ouercome the Nostrils of the houndes, so as in vaine they follow the Hare. The best time therefore for hun••ing with these hounds is the Autumne or fall of the leafe, by∣cause [ 40] that then the odours of herbs are weakned, and the earth barer then at other times. The best manner to teach these hounds,* 1.87 is to take a liue Hare and trayle her after you vp∣on the earth, now one way, now another; and so hauing drawen it a conuenient space hide it in the earth; afterward set forth your hound neere the traile, who taking the winde run∣neth to and fro•• through Woods, fields, pastures, path-wayes, and hedges, vntill he finde which way the Hare is gon, but with a soft and gentle pace, vntill at length comming neer the lodged Hare, he mendeth his pace and bestirreth himselfe more speedily, leaping vpon his prey like some serpent, or as an arrow shot out of a bow, and so tearing it in pei∣ces or killing it with ioy, loadeth himselfe with his conquest and bringeth it to his maister with triumph, who must receiue both dog and it, with all tokens of loue into his owne bo∣some, [ 50] which thing caused Nemesian to write thus;

Quia freta si Morinum dubio refluentia ponto O quanta est merces & quantum impendia supra Protinus, haec vna est catulis iactura Britannis Veloces, nostrique orbis venatibus aptos.

There are diuers Country Dogges like vnto these, as the Geloni and Gnosij,* 1.88 which cau∣sed Ouid to reckon and cal Ichnobates one of Actaeons Dogs Gnosius: whom Oppianus com∣pareth to the Polipus fish, which smelling in the waters the leaues of Oliues, by the sent is drawne to the land to eate them. The Spanish Dogs whome the French call Espagneulx, haue long eares, but not like a Braches, and by their noses hunt both Hares and Conies, they are not rough but smooth haired. The Tuscan Dogs are commended by Nemesian, notwithstanding, they are not beautifull to looke vpon, hauing a deepe shaggy haire, yet is their game not vnpleasant.

Soepe Canum forma est illis licet obsita villo, Haud tamen in iucunda dabunt tibi munera praeda. [ 10] Atque etiam leporum secreta cubilia monstrant, Quin et Tuscorum non est extrema voluptas.

The Vmbrian Dogge is sharpe nosed, but fearefull of his sporte, as Gratius expresseth.

Aut exigit Vmber: nare sagax e calle feras, At fugit aduersus idem quos efferent hostes Tanta foret virtus; & tantum vellet in armis.

The Aetolian Dogs haue also excellent smelling Noses, and are not slow or fearefull, whom Gratius expresseth as followeth:

Aetola quaecunque canis de stirpe malignum: Seu frustra ruinis properat furor et tamen illud [ 20] Mirum quam celeres & quantum nare merentur: Et clangore citat, quos nondum conspicit apros, officium, &c.

The French Dogges are deriued or propagated of the Dogges of great Brittaine, and are swift and quike sented, but not all, for they haue of diuers kindes as Gratius expresseth in these words:

Magnaque diuersos extollit gloria celtas.

They are very swift and not sharp nosed, wherefore they are mingled in generation with the Vmbrian Dogges, and therefore he celebrateth in many verses, the praise of the first Hunter (as he taketh him.) Hagno Baeonius and his Dog Metagon: and afterward the Dog Petronius, but it may be, that by Metagon, he meaneth the dogs of Lybia, because there is [ 30] a Citty of that name: and by Petronius the dogs of Italy, for Petronia is a riuer that falleth into Tiber.

The Gramarians cal a Dog engendered of a hound and an ordinary French Dog, Verta∣gus a tumbler: bycause he setteth himselfe to hunting, and bringeth his pray to his mai∣ster, whereupon Martiall made this Distichon:

Non sibi, sed domino venatur vertagus acer Illaesum leporem qui tibi dente feret.

Such be also other smelling Dogges, called in the German tongue (Lochhundle) that is Terriors or Beagles: these will set vpon Foxes and Badgers in the earth, and by biting expell them out of their Denns; whereof Aristotle reporteth a wonder, that one of them [ 40] followed a Foxe vnder the ground in Boeotia, and there made so great anoyse by barking, that the hunters went also into the caue, where they saw many strange things which they related to the chiefe magistrate.

[illustration]

The water Spagnell.

[ 50]

Vnto all these smelling Dogs, I may also adde the water Spagnell, called in French Bar∣beti, and in Germany (Wasserhund:) who is taught by his maister to seeke for thinges that are lost, (by words and tokens) and if he meet any person that hath taken them vp, he cea∣seth not to bay at him, and follow him til he appeare in his maisters presence. These also will take water-foule, and hunt Otters and Beauers (although houndes also will doe the same and watch the stroke of a gunn when the fouler shooteth, and instantly run into the water for the dead fowle, which they bring to their Maister. They vse to sneare their hin∣der parts, that so they may be the lesse annoyed in swimming; whose figure is in the bot∣tome of the former page described.

[illustration]

I may heere also adde the Land-spani∣ell, [ 10] attending a Hawke, who hath no proper name in English, except from the foule he hunteth; for which cause the French cal them dogs of the quails, and the Germaines Vogel-hund, a fowle hound, although all birdes little feare Dogs except the Bustard, who hath a heauy body, and is not able to fly farre: yet are these taught by Falconers to retriue & raise Partridges, for they first [ 20] take them into the fields & shew them Partriges, whom after they haue sauoured twice or thrice, by custome they remember, and being vncoupled will bestirre themselues into all corners to finde them, being after a while very proud of emploiment, and very vnderstanding in their game: they are for the most part white or spotted, with red or blacke: the Pollonians call them (Pobicuitzij) & a poet describeth them thus:* 1.89

Nare sagax alius, campisque vndisque volucres Quaerit & aduncus huc indefessus & illinc Discurrit.

Of the mixt kind of Dogs called in English Mangrels or Mongrels. [ 30]

THose we call Mangrels which though they be on both sides, propagated by Dogges, yet are they not of one kind: for as once doggs coupled with Asses, Leopards, Lyons, Tigres, Apes, or any such beasts, according to the old verse;

Cani congeneres lupus, vulpes, Hyaena Tygris

So now it is ordinary for the greyhound to couple with the mastiue, the hound with the Grey-hound, the mastiue with the Shepherds dog, and the shepherds dog with anie other cur or Beagle, of these kinds we will now speak in order. And [ 40] it is not to be omitted that this comixtion of kinds haue bin inuented by hunters for the amendment of some natural fault or defect they found in the Monophyli, that is, one single kind, and so heereby they added some qualities to their kind which they wanted before either in strength of body, or craft of wit: for they deriue both of these from their sires,* 1.90 wherfore Oppianus declareth that in the Commixtion of dogs, the ancients coupled together these kinds, the Arcadians with the Eleians, the Cretensians with the Paeonians, the Carians, with the Thracians, the Lacedemonians with the Tyrrhenian, the Sarmatian with the Iberian, & the Gallican dogs with the Vmbrian, because they want the quicke sence of smelling: according to these verses:

Quondam inconsultis mater dabit vmbrica Gallis [ 50] Sensum agilem, traxere animos de parte Gelonae Hyrcano, & vanae tantum Calydoniae linguae Exibit vitium patre emendata Molosso

These dogs so generated are peculiarly termed in Greeke Hybris and Hybrida as Porphy∣rius writeth. The French Wolues were wont to haue a dog for their captain or leader, and it is ordinary for wolues & dogs to couple together as by experience it hath bin obserued:

And it is certaine that mastiue dogs had their first beginning from this copulation, wher∣fore Virgill calleth one of these dogs Lycisa,

Referensque lupumtoruo ore Lycisca.

The dogs which are bred of Thoes, are commended for their rare qualities and vnder∣standing parts in the time of warres, by Hagnon Boeotius in these verses;

Hic & semiferam thoum de sanguine prolem Seu norit voces, Seu Nudi ad pignora martis Ee subiere ascu, & paruis domuere lacertis vulpina specie.

[ 10] The Dogges of Hircania doe of themselues runne into the Woods, (like adulterers) and seeke out the Tygres to engender with them, which thing Gratius remembreth ele∣gantly in many verses:

—Vltroque grauis succedere Tigrini Ausa canis, maiore tulit de sanguine fortum Excutiet silua magnus pugnator adepta:

In the ranke of these Mangrels, I may adde in the next place those Dogges,* 1.91 called by the the Graecians Symmaschi, and Somatophylakes, because they attend vpon men in their tra∣uelles and labors to defend them, and are taught to fight for them, both against men and other beastes; wherein they are as ready both to take knowledge of violence offered to [ 20] their maister, and also to reuenge or hinder it, as a reasonable creature can be. These are called of the Latines Canes socij defensores, sociable dogs; of which there be two sorts, the first, is lesser, beeing of rough and long curled haire, his head couered with long haire,* 1.92 of a pleasant and tractable disposition, neuer going far from his maister, such was the Dog of Tobit, and the Dog of Codrus the Poet, called Chiron, where of Iuuenall maketh menti∣on; whose beneuolence and ready mind toward their keepers and norishers may appear by this story of Colophonius.

Vpon a season he with a Seruant, and a Dog,* 1.93 went to a certaine Mart to buy merchan∣dise, and as they trauailed, his Seruant which caried the purse, diuerted a little out of the way, to performe the worke of nature, and the dog followed him: which being done, hee forgat to take vp the purse of mony that had fallen from him to the ground in that place, [ 30] and so departed; the dog seeing the pursse, lay downe beside it and stirred not a foot; af∣terward the mayster and man went forward, missing their dog, and not their money, vn∣till they came to their mart or faire, and then for want of money were constrained to re∣returne backe againe without doing any farther thing: wherfore they resolued to go back againe the same way they came, to see if they could heare of their mony, and at last when they came to the place where the Seruant had left the pursse, there they found both Dog and monie togither the poore cur scarceable to see or stand for hunger: when he saw his maister and the seruant come vnto him, hee remoued from the earth, but life not able to tary any longer in his bodie, at one and the same time in the presence of his friendes and norishers he also died, and tooke of them both his last farewell, through the faithfull cu∣stodie [ 40] of their forgotten goods; for which it is apparant, that one part of their faithful dis∣position is, to keepe their nourishers goods committed vnto them, as shall be afterwarde more at large manifested.

Their watchfull care ouer their maisters may appeare also by these stories following,* 1.94 for the dogs of Xantippus followed their maister to the ship, at what time he was forewar∣ned by the Oracle to depart out of Athens, by reason of the Persians war in Greece, and so they sailed with him to Salamine; and as they sailed, by the waie he commanded one of them to be cast into the sea, who continued swimming after the ship vntill hee died, for which cause his maister buried him.

[ 50] When Galon the Syracusan, in his sleepe had a fearefull dreame that hee was strucken with fire from heauen, and with impression of feare, cryed out very lamentably;* 1.95 his dog lying beside him, and thinking that some perill or theefe was doing violence to his mai∣ster, he presentlie leaped vp to the bed, and with scratching and barking awaked him, and so was he deliuered from a horrible feare▪ by the barking of his Dogge.

The Tyrians which haue the best and the first purple in the world, are said in Historie to

haue it by the first occasion of Hercules dog. Hercules falling in loue with a Nimph called Tyro, and trauelling toward her with his dog, he saw the purple fish creeping vpon a stone, the hungry dog caught the fish to eat it, and hauing deuoured it, his lippes were all dyed or coloured with the same: when the virgin Nymph saw that colour vpon the dogs lips, she denied the loue of Hercules, except he could bring her a garment of that colour, wher∣upon the valiant man knowing by what occasion the dogges lips receiued such a tincture, went and gathered all the purple fishes and Wormes hee coulde finde, and pressing their blood out of them, therewithall coloured a garment and gaue it to the Nymphe; for re∣ward whereof, he possessed the virgin, being by this meanes the first inuentor of the Phoe∣nissian [ 10] tincture.

Among these are to be remembred those louing Dogges, who either haue fought for their maisters and so defended them,* 1.96 or else declared them that murdered their keepers, or that which is more admirable, leaped into the burning fires which consumed the dead bodies of their norishers. Such an one was the dog of Caluus, who being slaine in a cer∣taine ciuill warre at Rome, and his enemies comming about him to cut off his head, his poore dog interposed his body betwixt the blowes, and would not suffer any foe once to touch his maisters carcasse, vntill by more then six hundred souldiors the dog was cut in pieces, so liuing and dying a most faithfull companion and thankefull friend to him that fed him.

The like was in a dog of Darius the last king of the Persians, after he was slain by Besus & [ 20] Narbazanes in the battell against Alexander, and so did the dog of Silanion fight for his Maister against theeues,* 1.97 and when he was slaine, hee departed not from the body, but kept it warily from Dogs, Birds or wilde Beasts, sitting vpon his priuy parts, and couering them vntill the Roman captaines came and buryed it.

* 1.98But most admirable was the loue of a certaine dog to his maister punished with death for the fact against Germanicus. Among other this dog would neuer go from the prison, and afterward when his maisters dead bodie was broght in the presence of many Romans, the cur vttered most lamentable and sorrowful cries; for which cause one of the compa∣ny threw vnto him some meat, to see if that would stoppe his mouth, and procure silence but the poore dog tooke vp the meat and caried it to his maisters mouth, not without the [ 30] singular passion of the beholders: at last the body was taken vp and cast into the riuer Ti∣ber, the poore dog leaped in after it, and endeauored by all the meanes his weaknes could afford, to keep it from sinking, in the presence of an inumerable multitude, which without teares could not looke vpon the louing care of this brute beast.

The dogs of Gelon, Hieron, Lysimachus, Pyrrhus king of Epirus, Polus the Tragoedian, and Theodorus, leaped into the burning fires which consumed their maisters dead bodies. Nicias a certaine hunter going abroad in the woods, chaunced to fall into a heape of bur∣ning coales, hauing no helpe about him but his dogs, there he perished, yet they ranne to the high waies and ceased not with barking and apprehending the garments of passen∣gers, to shew vnto them some direfull euent: and at last one of the trauailers followed the [ 40] dogs, and came to the place where they saw the man consumed, and by that coniectured the whole story. The like did the dogs of Marius Caesarinus, for by their howling they pro∣cured company to draw him out of a deepe Caue, whereinto he was fallen on horse-back, and had there perished (being alone) except his hounds had released him. But that dogs will also bewray the murtherers of their friends and maisters, these stories following, may euidently manifest.* 1.99

As King Pyrrhus by chance trauailed in his countrey, he found a dog keeping a deade corps,* 1.100 and he perceiued that the dog was almost pined, by tarrying about the body with out all food, wherefore taking pittie on the beast, he caused the body to be interred, and [ 50] by giuing the dog his belly full of meat, he drew him to loue him, and so led him awaie: afterward as Pyrrhus mustred his souldiours, and euery one appeared in his presence, the dog also being beside him, he saw the murtherers of his maister, and so not containing himselfe with voice, tooth, and naile, he set vppon them: the king suspecting that which followd, examined them if euer they had seen or known that dog, they denied it, but the k. not satisfied, charged them that surely they were the murtherers of the dogs maister, (for

the dog all this while remained fierce against them) and neuer barked before their appea∣rance, at the last their guilty consciences brake forth at their mouthes and tongues end, and so confessed the whole matter.

The like was of two French Merchants which trauailed togither,* 1.101 and when they came into a certaine wood, one of them rose against the other for desire of his money, and so slew him and buried him. His dog would not depart from the place, but filled the woodes with howlings and cries; the murtherer went forwarde in his iourney, the people and in∣habitants neer the said wood, came and found both the murdered corps and also the dog which they tooke vp and nourished til the faire was done and the merchants returned, at [ 10] which time they watched the high waies hauing the dog with them, who seeing the mur∣therer instantly made force at him without al prouocation, as a man would do at his mor∣tall enemy, which thing caused the people to apprehend him, who being examined, con∣fessed the fact, and receiued condigne punishment for so foule a deede.

To conclue this discourse with one memorable story more out of Blondus, who rela∣teth that there was a certaine maid neer Paris, who was beloued of two young men; one of them on a daye tooke his staffe and his Dog and went abroad (as it was thought of pur∣pose to go to his loue) but it hapned that by the way he was murthered and buried, & the dog would not depart from the graue of his maister: at the last he being missed by his fa∣ther and brethren, one of them went also to seeke him and see what was become of him, [ 20] and so seeking found the dog lying vpon his graue, who houled pittifully when he saw his maisters brother: the young man caused the ground to be opened, and so founde the wounded corps of his brother, which he brought away & caused to be buried til the mur∣therer could be descried: afterward in processe of time, the dogge in the presence of the dead mans brethren espied the murtherer, and presently made force vpon him very ea∣gerly; which the brethren suspecting, aprehended him, and broght him before the gouer∣nors of the citty, who examining him with all the policies they could inuent, what should be the occasion why the dog should so eagerly fly vppon him at all times, whensoeuer hee was brought into his presence, could not get any confession of the fact from him▪ then the magistrate adiudged that the young man and the Dogge should combate toge∣ther.

[ 30] The Dog was couered with a dry sod skin instead of armor, and the murtherer with a speare, and on his body a little thin linnen cloath, both came forth to the fight,* 1.102 and so the man presently made force at the dog, who leaping vp to the face of the murtherer tooke him fast by the throat, and ouerthrew him, whereat the wretch amazed, cryed out, saying, take pitty on me you reuerend fathers, and pull off the dog from my throat, and I will con∣fesse al, the which they performed and he likewise declared the cause and manner of the whole murther, for which thing he was deseruedly put to death. And thus far of the lesser sociable dogs, now followeth the second kind of the greater.

The greater sociable Dogs of defence are such as souldiors vse in warres,* 1.103 or else are a∣customed to keepe houses or cattell. This kind ought to be horrible, fierce, strange and [ 40] vnacquainted with all except his maister, so that he be alway at daggers drawing, and rea∣dy to fight with all which shall but lay their handes vppon him, for which cause hee is to bee instructed from his littering or infancy by art and continuall discipline, to supply in him the defects of nature: let him be often prouoked to wrath by boies, and and afterward as he groweth, let some stranger set vppon him with Weapon, as staffe or sword, with whom let him combate till he be wearied, and then let him teare some peece of the prouokers garment, that so he may depart with a conceit of victory, after the fight tie him vp fast, and suffer him not to straggle loose abroad, but feed him thus tyed vp, so shall he in short time prooue a strong defender, and eager combatant against all men and beasts which come to deale with him. Of this sort they nourish many in Spaine and in o∣ther [ 50] places.

Such an one was the Dogge of Phaereus the tyrant of Thessalye,* 1.104 being a very greate and fierce beast, and hurtfull to all, except them who fed him dayly. He vsed to set this Dogge at his chamber dore to watch & gard him when he slept, that whosoere was afraid of the Dog, might not aproach neare without exquisite torments. Angcas gaue one of these to

the Poet Eupolis, who taught him by many signes and gestures for the loue of his meate, to obserue his seruant Ephialtes, if at any time he stole money from him. And at the last, the wily Dog obserued the seruant so narrowly, that he found him robbing his maisters cof∣fers: wherefore he instantly fell vppon him and tore him in pieces. The which Dog after∣ward died for sorrow of his maisters death; wherupon Aelianus saith that the place of his death in A••gina was called the place of mourning, to the day of his writing.

Nicomedes king of Bythinia had one of these Molosssian great Dogs, which he norished verie tenderly,* 1.105 and made it very familiar with him selfe: it fell out on a time, that this king being in dalliance with his wife Ditizele in the presence of the Dog, and she againe hang∣ing [ 10] about the kings necke, kissing and prouoking him to loue with amorous gestures, the Dog thinking she had beene offering some violence to his maister the king, presently ••lew vpon her, and with his teeth pulled her right shoulder from her bodie, and so left the amo∣rous Queen to die in the armes of her louing husband: which thing caused the king to ba∣nish the Dogge for euer out of his sight,* 1.106 for sorrow whereof he soone after died; but the Queene was most nobly buried, at Nicomedia in a golden sepulcher: the which was ope∣ned in the raigne of the Emperour Michaell, sonne of Theophilus; and there the womans body was found whole and not putrified, being wrapped in a golden vesture, which taken off, and tried in furnace, yeilded aboue an hundred and thirteen pounds of pure gold.

When a Dragon was setting vppon Orpheus, as he was occupied in hawking, by his Dogs his life was saued and the Dragon deuoured. And when Caelius one of the Senators [ 20] of Placentia being sicke, was set vpon by certaine lewd fellowes, he reeceiued no wounde till his Dog was slaine.

* 1.107There was neuer any thing more strange in the nature of Dogs, then that which hap∣ned at Rhodes besieged by the Turke, for the Dogges did there descerne betwixt Christi∣ans and Turkes; for toward the Turkes they were most eager, furious, and vnappeasable, but towards Christians although vnknowne, most easie, peaceable and placidious, which thing caused a certaine Poet to write thus:

His auxere fidem quos nostro fulua sub aere [ 30] Arua, & Carpathij defendit littora ponti. Pectora thoracum tunica sacrumque profano Miratur, nutritque Rhodos, custodibus illis It noctes animosa Phalanx innexa trilici Seligit, & blande exceptum deducit ad vrbem.

There were two hundred of these Dogges which brought the king of Garamants from banishment,* 1.108 rescuing him from all that resisted. The Colophonian and Castabalensian or Cas∣pian Dogges fought in all their battels:* 1.109 so likewise the Cimbrian, Hircanian, and Magnesia•• Dogs:* 1.110 these also the Spaniards vsed in India to hunt out the naked people, falling vppon them as fiercely as euer they would vpon Bores, or other wilde beasts, being pointed vn∣to [ 40] by their leaders finger. And for this cause was it, that Vaschus the Spaniard caused Pa∣era an Indian Lord,* 1.111 and three other his wicked companions to be cast vnto Dogs for their vnnaturall lust: but the inhabitants of Caramair and Carib, doe driue away the Dogges, for through their admirable actiuitie in casting dartes, they pierce the Dogges ere euer they come neare them with poysoned arrowes. And thus much for the greate warlike defensiue Dogs.

* 1.112In the next place followeth the Shepheards Dog, called by Virgill, Pecuarius Canis: and this cannot properly be tearmed a dumbe keeper, for there is no creature that will more stirre, barke, and moue noise, then one of these against thiefe or wilde beast. They are al∣so [ 50] vsed by Heards-men, Swine-heards, and Goate-heards, to driue away all annoyances from their Cattell, and also to guide and gouerne them, in executing their maisters plea∣sure vpon signes giuen them, to which of the stragling beastes they ought to make force. Neither is it requisite that this Dog be so large or nimble as is the Greyhounde, which is apointed for Deer and Hares.

But yet that he be strong, quick, ready, and vnderstanding, both for brauling & fighting,

so as he may feare away and also follow (if need be) the rauening Wolfe, and take away the prey out of his mouth; wherefore a square proportion of body is requisite in these beasts, and a tolerable lightnes of foot, such as is the village dog, vsed onely to keep hou∣ses, and hereof also they are the best, who haue the greatest or lowdest barking voices,* 1.113 & are not apt to leape vpon euery straunger or beast they see, but reserue their strength till the iust time of imployment.

They approue also in this kind aboue all other, the white colour; because in the night time they are the more easily discernd from the Wolfe, or other noisome beast;* 1.114 for ma∣ny times it falleth out that the Shepheard in the twy-light,* 1.115 striketh his Dog insted of the Wolfe: these ought to be well faced, blacke or dusky eies, and correspondent Nostrils [ 10] of the same colour with their eies, blacke ruddy lippes, a crooked Camoyse nose, a flat chap with two great broches or long straight sharpe teeth growing out thereof, couered with their lips, a great head, great eares, a broad breast, a thicke necke, broad and solide sholders, straight legs, yet rather bending inward then standing outward; great and thick feet, hard crooked nailes, a thicke taile which groweth lesser to the end thereof, then at the first ioynt next the body, and the body all rugged with haire, for that maketh the dog more terrible; and then also it is requisite that he be prouided of the beast breede, ney∣ther buy him of a hunter (for such an one will be gone at the sight of a Deer or Hare) nor yet of a Butcher, for it will be sluggish; therefore take him yong,* 1.116 and bring him vp con∣tinually [ 20] to attend sheepe, for so will he be most ready, that is trained vppe among Shep∣heards.

They vse also to couer their throat and necke with large broad collars, pricked throgh with nailes, for else if the wilde beast bite them in those places, the dogge is easily killed:* 1.117 but being bitten at any other place he quickly auoideth the wound. The loue of such to the cattel they keepe is very great, especially to sheep; for when Publius Aufidius Pontianus, bought certaine flockes of Sheepe in the farthest part of Vmbria, and brought Shepherds with him to driue them home; with whome the dogs went along vnto Heraclea, and the Metapontine coasts, where the drouers left the cattell; the dogs for loue of the Sheepe yet continued and attended them, without regard of any man, and forraged in the fields for Rats and Mice to eat, vntill at length they grew weary and leane, and so returned back a∣gaine [ 30] vnto Vmbria alone, without the conduct of men, to their first maisters, being many daies iourney from them.

It is good to keep many of these together, at the least two for euery flock, that so when one of them is hurt or sick, the herd be not destitute: & it is also good to haue these male and female, yet some vse to geld these, thinking that for this cause they will the more vi∣gilantly attend the flocke: howbeit I cannot assent hereunto, because they are too gentle and lesse eager when they want their stones. They are to be taken from their dam at two moneths old, and not before: and it is not good to giue them hot meate, for that will en∣crease in them madnes, neither must they tast any of the dead carkasses of the Cattell, lest that cause them to fal vpon the liuing; for when once they haue taken a smatch of their [ 40] blood or flesh, you shal sildom reclaim thē from that deuouring appetite. The vnderstan∣ding of these Shepherds dogs is very great, (especially in England) for the Shepherds wil there leaue their dogs alone with the flocks, and they are taught by custome, to keepe the sheep within the compasse of their pasture, and discern betwixt grasse and corn▪ for when they see the sheep fall vpon the corne, they run and driue them away from that forbidden fruit of their own acord; and they likewise keep very safely their maisters garments & vi∣ctuals, from all annoyance vntill their return. Ther is in Xenophon a complaint of the sheep to the shepherds concerning these dogs: we maruel (said the sheep) at thee, that seeing we yeeld thee milk, lambs, and cheese, wherupon thou feedest;* 1.118 neuertheles thou giuest vnto vs nothing but that which groweth out of the earth, which we gather by our own industry; [ 50] and whereas the dog doth none of al these, him thou feedest with thine own hand, & bred from thine own trencher: the dog hearing this complaint of the sheep, replyed; that his reward at the shepherds hand was iust, and no more then he deserved, for (saide hee) I looke vnto you, and watch you from the rauening Wolfe, and pilfering theefe, so as if once I forsake you, then it will not bee safe for you, to walke in your pastures,

for perrill of death, whereunto the sheepe yeelded, and not replyed to the reasonable an∣swer of so vnreasonable a beast, and this complaint you must remember was vttered when Sheepe could speake, as well as men, or else it noteth the foolish murmuring of some vulgar persons, against the chiefe ministers of state, that are liberally rewarded by the princes owne hands, for their watchfull custody of the common-wealth, and thus much for the shepheards Dogge.

OF THE VILLAGE DOGGE [ 10] or house-keeper.

THis village Dogge ought to be fatter and bigger then the Shepheards Dog, of an elegant, square and strong body, be∣ing blacke coloured,* 1.119 and great mouthed, or barking bigly, that so he may the more terrifie the Theefe, both by day and night, for in the night the beast may seize vpon the rob∣ber before he discerne his blacke skinne, and therefore a spotted, branded, party-coloured Dogge is not approued. His head ought to be the greatest part of his body, hauing great eares hanging downe, and blacke eies in his head, a [ 20] broade breast, thicke necke, large shoulders, strong Legs, a rough haire, short taile, and great nailes: his disposition must not be to fierce, nor yet to familiar, for so he will fawne vpon the theife as well as his maisters friend. Yet is it good that sometime he rise against the house-hold seruantes, and alway against strangers, and such they must be as can wind a stranger a farre off, and descry him to his maister by bar∣king as by a watch-word and setting vpon him, when he approcheth neere if he be prouo∣ked. Blondus commendeth in this kinde, such as sleepe with one eie open and the other shut,* 1.120 so as any small noyse or stirre wake and raise him. It is not good to keepe many of these curst Dogs together, and them fewe which bee kept must bee tyed vppe in the day time, that so they may be more vigilant in the night when they are let loose. There [ 30] are of this kind which Marriners take with them to Sea, to preserue their goodes on ship-board, they chose them of the greatest bodyes and lowdest voice, like the Croatian Dog, resembling a Wolfe in haire and bignesse, and such as are very watchful, according to the saying of the Poet.

Exagitant & lar, & turba Dianiae fures Peruigilant que lares peruigilant que canes.

* 1.121And such also they nourish in Towers and Temples; in Towers, that so they may descry the approching enemy when the Souldiers are asleepe: for which cause, Dogs seene in sleepe,* 1.122 signifie the carefull and watchfull wife, seruants, or Souldiers, which foresee dan∣gers and preserue publique and priuate good.

There was in Italy a Temple of Pallas, wherein were reserued the axes, instruments, and [ 40] armour of Diomedes and his colleages,* 1.123 the which temple was kept by Dogges, whose na∣ture was, as the Authour saith) that when Graecians came to that Temple, they would fawne vpon them as if they knew them; but if any other countrey men came, they shewed themselues Wild, fierce, and angry against them. The like thing is reported of a Temple of vulcan in Aetna, wherein was preserued a perpetuall and vnquencheable fire, for the watching whereof, were Dogges designed; who would fawne and gently flatter vpon all those which came chastly and religiously to worship there, leading them into the Temple like the familiars of their God; but vpon wicked and euill disposed leude persons, they [ 50] barked and raged, if once they endeauored so much has to enter either the Wood or tem∣ple; but the true cause hereof was the imposture of some impure and deceiteful, vnclean, diabolical spirits.* 1.124 And by the like instinct, Scipio Affricanus was wont to enter into the Ca∣pital, and commaund the Chappel of Iupiter to be opened to him, at whom no one of the keeper-Dogs would euer stir, which caused the men-keepers of the temple much to mar∣uaile, whereas they would rage fiercely against all other: whereupon Stroza made these verses, falsely imputing this daemonicall illusion to diuine reuelation.

Quid tacitos linquam quos veri haud niscia Crete Nec semper mendax, ait aurea templa tuentes Parcereque haud vlli solitos, (mirabile dictu) Docta Tyanei Aratos senioris ad ora Non magico Cantu sed quod diuinitus illis Insita vis omnio virtutis gnara latentis.

The like strange thing is reported of a Temple or Church in Cracouia,* 1.125 dedicated to the Virgin Mary, wherein euery night are an assembly of dogs, which vnto this day (saith the Author) meete voluntarily at an appointed houre, for the custody of the Temple, and [ 10] those ornaments which are preserued therein against theefes and robbers: and if it for∣tune any of the Dogges be negligent and slacke at the houre aforesaide, then will he bark about the church vntill he bee let in, but his fellowes take punishment of him, and fall on him biting and rending his skinne, yea sometime killing him; and these Dogs haue a set dyet or allowance of dinner, from the Canons and preachers of the Church, which they duely obserue without breach of order; for to day twoe of them will goe to one Cannons house, and two to anothers, and so likewise al the residue in turnes successiuely visit the se∣uerall houses within the cloyster yard, neuer going twice together to one house, nor pre∣uenting the refection of their fellowes; and the story is reported by Antonius Schneberge∣rus for certaine truth, vpon his owne knowledge.

[ 20] OF THE MIMICKE OR GETVLI∣an Dogge, and the little Melitaean Dogges of GENTLEVVOMEN.

[illustration]

[ 30] [ 40]

THere is also in England two other sortes of dogs,* 1.126 the figure of the first is heere expressed, being apt to imitate al things it seeth, for which cause some haue thoght, that it was cōceiued by an Ape, for in wit & disposition it resembleth an ape,* 1.127 but in face sharpe and blacke like a Hedghog, hauing a short re∣curued [ 50] body, very long legs, shaggy haire, and a short taile: this is called of some (Canis Lucernarius) these being brought vp with apes in their youth, learne very admirable & strange feats,* 1.128 wherof there were great plenty in Egypt in the time of king Ptolomy, which were taught to leap, play, & dance, at the

hearing of musicke, and in many poore mens houses they serued insteed of seruants for diuers vses.

These are also vsed by plaiers and Puppet-Mimicks to worke straunge trickes, for the sight whereof they get much money:* 1.129 such an one was the Mimicks dog, of which Plu∣tarch writeth that he saw in a publicke spectacle at Rome before the Emperor Vespasian. The dog was taught to act a play, wherein were contained many persons parts, I meane the affections of many other dogs: at last there was giuen him a piece of bread, wherein as was saide was poison, hauing vertue to procure a dead sleepe, which he receiued and swallowed; and presently after the eating thereof he began to reele and stagger too and fro like a drunken man, and fell downe to the ground, as if he had bin dead, and so laie a [ 10] good space not stirring foot nor lim, being drawne vppe and downe by diuers persons, ac∣cording as the gesture of the play he acted did require, but when hee perceiued by the time and other signes that it was requisite to arise, he first opened his eies, and and lift vp his head a little, then stretched forth himselfe like as one doth when he riseth from sleepe; at the last vp he geteth and runneth to him to whom that part belonged, not without the ioy and good content of Caesar and all other the beholders.

To this may be added another story of a certaine Italian about the yeare 1403. called Andrew who had a red Dog with him of strange feats, and yet he was blind. For standing in the Market place compassed about with a circle of many people, there were brought by the standers by many Rings, Iewels, bracelets and peeces of gold and siluer, and there [ 20] within the circle were couered with earth, then the dog was bid to seeke them out, who with his nose and feet did presently find and discouer them, then was hee also commaun∣ded to giue to euery one his owne Ring Iewell, Bracelet, or money, which the blind dog did performe directly without stay or doubt. Afterward the standers by, gaue vnto him diuers peeces of coine, stamped with the images of sundry princes, and then one called for a piece of English money, and the Dog deliuered him a peece, another for the Em∣perors coine, and the dog deliuerd him a piece thereof: and so consequently euery prin∣ces coine by name, till all was restored; and this story is recorded by Abbas Vrspergensis, whereupon the common people said, the dog was a diuell or else possessed with some py∣thonicall spirit: & so much for this dog. [ 30]

* 1.130There is a towne in Pachynus, a promontory of Sicily (called Melita) from whence are transported many fine little Dogs called (Melitaei canes) they were accounted the Iewels of women, but now the said towne is possessed by Fisher-men, and there is no such recko∣ning made of those tender little dogs, for these are not bigger then common Ferrets, or Weasils, yet are they not small in vnderstanding, nor mutable in their loue to men: for which cause they are also nourished tenderly for pleasure; whereupon came the prouerbe Melitaea Catella, for one norished for pleasure, & Canis digno throno, because princes hold them in their hands sitting vpon their estate.

Theodorus the tumbler and dauncer had one of these, which loued him so well, that at his death he leaped into the fire after his body.* 1.131 Now a daies, they haue found another [ 40] breede of little dogs in all nations,* 1.132 beside the Melitaeon Dogs, either made so by art, as in∣closing their bodies in the earth when they are Whelpes, so as they cannot grow great, by reason of the place, or els, lessening and impayring their growth, by some kind of meat or nourishment. These are called in Germany▪ Bracken Schosshundle and Gutschenhundle, the Italians Bottolo, other Nations haue no common name for this kind that I know. Mar∣tiall made this Distichon of a little French dog; for about Lyons in France there are store of this kind, and are sold very deare; sometimes for ten Crownes, and sometimes for more.

Delitias paruae si vis audire catellae Narranti breuis est pagina tota mihi.

They are not aboue a foote▪ or halfe a foot long, and alway the lesser the more delicate [ 50] and precious. Their head like the head of a Mouse but greater, their snowt sharpe, their eares like the eares of a Cony, short Legs, little feete, long taile, and White colour, and the haires about the shoulders longer then ordinary, is most cōmended. They are of plea∣sant disposition, and will leape and bite, without pinching, and barke prettily, and some of

them are taught to stand vpright, holding vp their fore legs like hands, other to fetch and cary in their mouths, that which is cast vnto them.

There be some wanton Women which admit them to their beds, and bring vp their young ones in their owne bosomes, for they are so tender, that they sildome bring aboue one at a time, but they loose their life. It was reported that when Grego in Syracuse was to goe from home among other Gossips, she gaue hir mayd charge of two thinges, one that she should looke to her child when it cryed, the other, that she should keepe the litle dog within doores.

Publius had a little dog (called Issa) hauing about the necke too siluer bels, vpon a silken [ 10] Collar, which for the neatnesse thereof, seemed rather to be a picture then a creature; whereof Martiall made this elegant Epigram, comprehending the rare voyce and other gestures in it;

Issa est purior osculo columbae Issa est earior indicis lapillis Hanc tu, si queritur loqui putabis Collo nexa cubat capitque somnos Et desiderio coacta ventris Sed blandopede suscitat toroque Castae tantus inest pudor catellae Pictam publius exprimit tabella [ 20] Vt fit tam similis sibi nec ipsa Aut vtramque putabis esse veram Issa est blandior omnibus puellis, Issa est delitiae eatella publij Sentit tristitiamque gaudiumque Vt suspiria nulla sentiantur Gutta pallia, non fefallit vlla. Deponi monet & rogat leuari Hanc ne lux rapiat suprema totam. In qua tam similem videbis issam Issam denique pone cum tabella Aut vtranque putabis esse pictam.

Marcellus Empiricus reciteth a certaine charme, made of the rinde of a wild figtree, held to the Spleene or liuer of a little dog, and afterward hanged vp in the smooke to dry, and pray that as the rind or barke dryeth, so the liuer or Spleene of the dog may neuer grow; and thereupon the dog, (saith that foolish Empericke) shall neuer grow greater, then it was at the time that the barke was hanged vp to drying. To let this trifle goe, I will end the discourse of these little dogs with one story of their loue and vnderstanding.

There was a certaine noble Woman in Sicily,* 1.133 which vnderstanding her husband was gone along iorney from home, sent to a louer (I should say an adulterer) she had, who [ 30] came, & by bribery & mony giuen to her seruants, she admitted him to her bed, but yet priuately, more for feare of punishenent, then care of modesty; and yet for all her craft, she mistrusted not her little Dog, who did see euery day where she locked vp this adulte∣rer: at last, her husband came home, before her louer was auoyded, and in the night the little Dog seeing his true maister returned home, ranne barking to the doore and leaped vp thereupon, (within which the Whoremonger was hidden) and this he did oftentimes together, fawning and scraping his Lord and maister also; insomuch as he mistrusted (and the iustly) some strange euent: At last, he brake open the doore, and found the adulte∣rer ready Armed with his sword, wherewithall he slew the goodman of the house vna∣wares: and so enioyed the adulterate Woman for his wife, for murther followeth if it go [ 40] not before adultery. This story is related by Aelianus to set forth a vertue of these little Dogs, how they obserue the actions of them that nourish them, and also some descreti∣on betwixt good and euill.

The Dogs of Egypt are most fearefull of all other, and their custome is to runne and drinke, or drinke of the Ryuer Nilus running, for feare of the Crocodils;* 1.134 Whereupon came the Prouerbe, of a man that did any thing slightly or hastily, Vt canis & Nilo bi∣bit. Alcibiades had a Dog which he would not sell vnder 28. thousand Sesterces, that is se∣uen hundred French Crownes; it was a goodly and beautiful Dog, yet he cut off his taile, whereof he gaue no other reason, being demaunded why he so blemished his Beast,* 1.135 but onely that by that fact hee might giue occasion to the Athenians to talke of him.

[ 50] The Dogges of Caramania can neuer be tamed, for their men also are wilde and liue without al law and ciuility: and thus much of Dogs in special. In the next place I thoght good to insert into this story the treatise of English Dogs,* 1.136 first of all written in Latine by that famous Doctour in Phisicke Iohn Cay, and since translated by A. F. and directed to that noble Gesner, which is this that followeth, that so the reader may chuse whether of both to affect best.

The Preamble or entrance, into the Treatise following.

I Wrote vnto you (well beloued friend Gesner) not many years past, a manifolde history, containing the diuers forms and fi∣gures of Beasts, Birds, and Fishes, the sundry shapes of plants, and the fashions of Hearbes, &c.

I wrote moreouer, vnto you seuerally, a certaine abridge∣ment of dogs, which in your discourse vppon the formes of [ 10] Beasts in the second order of milde and tamable beasts, wher you make mention of Scottish Dogs, and in the winding vp of your letter written and directed to Doctour Turner, com∣prehending a Catalogue or rehersall of your books not yet extant, you promised to set f••r••h in print, and openly to publish in the face of the world among such your workes as are not yet come abroad to light and sight. But, because certain circumstances were wan∣ting in my breuiary of English dogs (as seemed vnto me) I staied the publication of the same, making promise to send another abroad, which might be committed to the hands, the eies, the eares, the minds, and the iudgements of the Readers.

Wherefore that I might performe that precisely, which I promised solemnly, accom∣plish [ 20] my determination, and satisfie your expectation: which are a man desirous and ca∣pable of all kind of knowledg, and very earnest to be acquainted with al experiments: I wil expresse and declare in due order, the grand and generall kind of English dogs, the diffe∣rence of them, the vse, the properties, and the diuers natures of the same, making a tri∣partite diuision in this sort and manner. All English dogges be either of a gentle kind ser∣uing the game, a homely kind apt for sundry necessary vses, or a currish kind, meete for may toies.

Of these three sorts of kindes so meane I to intreate, that the first in the first place, the last in the last roome, and the middle sort in the middle seate be handled. I call them vni∣uersally all by the name of English dogs, as wel because England only, as it hath in it En∣glish [ 30] dogges, so it is not with the Scottish, as also for that wee are more inclined and de∣lighted with the noble game of hunting, for we Englishmen are adicted and giuen to that exercise and painefull pastime of pleasure, as well for the plenty of flesh which our parks and Forrests do foster, as also for the opportunity and conuenient leisure which wee ob∣taine, both which, the Scots want. Wherefore seeing that the whole estate of kindly hun∣ting consisteth principaly in these two points, in chasing the beast that is in hunting, or in taking the bird that is infowling. It is necessary and requisite to vnderstand that there are two sorts of dogs by whose meanes, the feates within specified are wroght, and these pra∣ctises of actiuity cunningly and curiously compassed, by two kindes of Dogs, one which [ 40] rouzeth the beast & continueth the chase, another which springeth the bird, and bewrai∣eth the flight by pursute. Both which kinds are termed of the Latines by one common name, that is, Canes Venatici, hunting dogs. But because we English men make a diffe∣rence betweene hunting and fowling, for they are called by these seuerall words Venatio, & Aucupium, so they term the dogs whō they vse in these sundry games by diuers names, as those which serue for the beast, are called Venatici, the other which are vsed for the fowl are called Aucupatorij.

The first kind called Venatici I deuide into fiue sorts, the first in perfect smelling, the se∣cond in quicke spying, the third in swiftnes and quicknes, the fourth in smelling and nim∣blenes, the fift in subtility and deceitfulnes, heerein these fiue sorts excelleth. [ 50]

Of the Dogge called a Harier, in Latine Leuerarius.

THat kinde of Dogge whome nature hath indued with the vertue of smel∣ling, whose property it is to vse a lustines, a readines, and a couragiousnes in hunting, and draweth into his nostrelles the aire or sent of the beast pur∣sued and followed, we call by this word Sagax, the Grecians by this woorde [ 10] Ichueuten of tracing or chasing by the foote, or Rinelaten, of the nostrells, which be the instruments of smelling. We may knowe these kinde of Dogs by their long, large and bagging lips, by their hanging eares, reaching downe both sides of their chaps, and by the indifferent and measurable proportion of their making. This sort of Dogges we call Leuerarios Hariers, that I may comprise the whole number of them in certain spe∣cialities, and apply to them their proper and peculier names, forsomuch as they cannot all be reduced and brought vnder one sort, considering both the sundry vses of them, and the difference of their seruice whereto they be appointed. Some for the Hare, the Foxe, the Wolfe, the Hart, the Bucke, the Badger, the Otter, the Polcat, the Lobster, the Wea∣sell, the Conny. &c. Some for one thing and some for another.

[ 20] As for the Conny, whome we haue lastly set downe, we vse not to hunt, but rather to take it, sometime with the nette, sometime with a Ferret, and thus euery seuerall sorte is notable and excellent in his naturall quality and appointed practise. Among these sundry sortes, there be some which are apt to hunt two diuers beastes, as the Foxe otherwhiles, and other whiles the Hare, but they hunt not with such towardnesse and good lucke after them, as they doe that whereunto nature hath formed and framed them, not onely in ex∣ternal composition and making, but also in inward faculties & conditions, for they swarn oftentimes, and do otherwise then they should.

Of the Dogge called a Terrar, in Latine Terrarius.

[ 30] ANother sorte there is which hunteth the Foxe and Badger or Gray onely, whome we call Terrars, because they (after the maner and custom of Ferrets in searching for Connies) creep into the ground, and by that meanes make afraide, nippe, and bite the Foxe and the Badger in such sort, that either they teare them in peeces with their teeth being in the bosome of the earth, or else haile and pull them perforce out of their lur∣king angles, darke dungeons, and close caues, or at the least through conceiued feare, driue them out of their hollowe harbours, in so much that they are compelled to prepare [ 40] speedy flight, and being desirous of the next (albeit not the safest) refuge, are otherwise taken and intrapped with snares and nets laide ouer holes to the same purpose. But these be the least in that kind called Sagaces.

Of the Dogge called a Bloudhound, in Latine Sanguinarius.

THe greater sorte which serue to hunt, hauing lips of a large size, and eares of no small length, doe not onely chase the beast whiles it liueth, (as the o∣ther do of whom mention aboue is made) but being dead also by any man∣ner [ 50] of casualty, make recourse to the place where it lyeth, hauing in this pointe an assured and infallible guide, namely, the sent and sauour of the bloud sprinkled here and there vpon the ground. For whether the beast beeing wounded, doth notwithstanding enioy life, and escapeth the hands of the huntsman, or whether the said beaste being slaine is conuayed cleanly out of the parke (so that there be some signifi∣cation

of bloud shed) these Dogges with no lesse facility and easinesse, then auidity and greedinesse can disclose and bewray the same by smelling, applying to their pursute, agi∣lity and nimblenesse, without tediousnesse, for which consideration, of a singuler speci∣alty they deserued to be called Sanguinarij bloodhoundes. And albeit peraduenture it may chaunce, (as whether it chanceth seldome or sometime I am ignorant) that a peece of flesh bee subtily stolne and cunningly conuayed away with such prouisoes and preca∣ueats, as thereby all apparance of blood is either preuented, excluded, or concealed, yet these kinde of Dogs by certaine direction of an inward assured notice and priuy marcke, pursue the deede dooers, through long lanes, crooked reaches, and weary waies, without [ 10] wandering awry out of the limites of the land whereon these desperate purloiners prepa∣red their speedy passage. Yea, the natures of these Dogs is such, and so effectuall is their foresight, that they can bewray, separate, and pick them out from among an infinite mul∣titude and an innumerable company, creepe they neuer so farre into the thickest throng, they will finde him out notwithstanding he lie hidden in wilde Woods, in close and ouer∣growen groues, and lurke in hollow holes apt to harbor such vngracious guestes.

Moreouer, although they should passe ouer the water, thinking thereby to auoide the pursute of the hounds, yet will not these Dogs giue ouer their attempt, but presuming to swim through the streame, perseuer in their pursute, and when they be arriued and got∣ten the further bancke, they hunt vp and down, to and fro runne they, from place to place shift they, vntill thay haue attained to that plot of ground where they passed ouer. And [ 20] this is their practise, if perdy they cannot at the first time smelling, find out the way which the deede doores tooke to escape. So at length get they that by art, cunning, and diligent indeuour, which by fortune and lucke they cannot otherwise ouercome. In so much as it seemeth worthely and wisely written by Aelianus in his sixt Booke, and xxxix. Chapter, To enthumaticon kai dialecticon, to be as it were naturally instylled into these kinde of dogges. For they will not pause or breath from their pursute vntil such time as they be apprehen∣ded and taken which committed the fact.

The owners of such houndes vse to keepe them in close and darke channels in the day time, and let them loose at liberty in the night season, to the intent that they might with more courage and boldnesse practise to follow the fellon in the euening and solitary hours [ 30] of darkenesse, when such ill disposed varlots are principally purposed to play their impu∣dent pageants, and imprudent pranks. These hounds (vpon whom this present portion of our treatise runneth) when they are to follow such fellowes as we haue before rehearsed, vse not that liberty to raunge at will, which they haue otherwise when they are in game, (except vpon necessary occasion whereon dependeth an vrgent and effectuall perswasion) when such purloyners make speedy way in flight, but being restrained and drawne backe from running at randon with the leame, the end whereof the owner holding in his hand is led, guyded, and directed with such swiftnesse and slownesse (whether he goe on foote, or whether he ride on horsebacke) as he himselfe in heart would wish for the more easie apprehension of these venturous varlots. [ 40]

In the borders of England and Scotland, (the often and accustomed stealing of cattell so procuring) these kind of Dogges are very much vsed, and they are taught and trayned vp first of all to hunt cattel, as well of the smaller as of the greater grouth; and afterwardes (that quality relinquished and lefte) they are learned to pursue such pestilent persons as plant their pleasure in such practises of purloyning as we haue already declared. Of this kind there is none that taketh the Water naturally, except it please you so to suppose of them which follow the Otter, which sometimes haunt the land, and sometime vseth the water. And yet neuertheles al the kind of them boyling and broyling with greedy desire of the prey which by swimming passeth through ryuer and flood, plunge amyds the water, [ 50] and passe the streame with their pawes.

But this property proceedeth from an earnest desire wherewith they be inflamed, ra∣ther then from any inclination, issuyng from the ordinance and appointment of nature. And albeit some of this sort in English be called Brache, in Scottish Rache, the cause herof resteth in the she-sex and not in the generall kind. For we English men call Bitches be∣longing to the hunting kind of Dogs, by the tearme aboue mentioned. To be short it is

proper to the nature of houndes, some to keepe silence in hunting vntill such time as there is game offered. Other some so soone as they smell out the place where the beast lurketh, to bewray it immediately by their importunate barking, notwithstanding it be far & many furlongs of, cowching close in his cabbin. And these Dogs the younger they be, the more wantonly barke they, and the more liberally, yet, oftentimes without necessity, so that in them, by reason of their young yeares and want of practise, small certainty is to be reposed. For continuance of time, and experience in game, ministreth to these hounds, not onely cunning in running, but also (as in the rest) an assured foresight what is to be done, principally, being acquainted with their maisters watchwords, either in re∣uoking [ 10] or imboldening them to serue the game.

Of the Dogges called the Gasehound, in Latine Agasaeus.

THis kinde of Dog which pursueth by the eye, preuaileth little, or neuer a whit, by any benefite of the nose, that is by smelling, but excelleth in perspicuity and sharpenesse of sight altogether, by the vertue whereof, being singuler and no∣table, it hunteth the Foxe and the Hare. This Dogge will choose and separate any beast from among a great flocke or heard, and such a one will it take by election as is [ 20] not lancke, leane and hollow, but well spred, smooth, full, fat, and round, it followes by direction of the eye-sight, which indeede is cleere, constant, and not vncertaine, if a beast be wounded & go astray the dog seeketh after it by the steadfastnes of the eie, if it chance peraduenture to returne and be mingled with the residue of the flocke, this Dog spyeth it out by the vertue of his eye, leauing the rest of the cattell vntouched, and after he hath set sure sight vpon it he seperateth it from among the company and hauing so done ne∣uer ceaseth vntill he haue wearyed the Beast to death.

Our countrey men cal this Dog Agasaeum. A gase-hound, because the beames of his sight are so stedfastly setled and vnmoueably fastned. These Dogs are much and vsually occu∣pied in the Northern parts of England more then in the Southern parts, & in feeldy lands rather [ 30] then in bushy and woody places, horsemen vse them more then footmen, to the intent that they might prouoke their horses to a swift gallop (wherewith they are more delighted then with the prey it selfe) & that they might acustome their horse to leap ouer hedges and ditches, without stop or stumble, without harme or hazard, without doubt or danger, and to escape with safegard of life. And to the end that the riders themselues when necessity so constrained, and the feare of further mischiefe inforced, might saue themselues vndamnified, and preuent each perillous tempest by preparing speedy flight, or else by swift pursute made vpon their enimies, might both ouertake them, encounter with them, and make a slaughter of them accordingly. But if it fortune so at any time that this dog take a wrong way, the maister making some vsuall signe and familiar token, hee returneth [ 40] forthwith, & taketh the right and ready trace, begining his chase afresh, & with a cleare voice, and a swift foot followeth the game with as much corage and nimblenes as he did at the first.

Of the Dogge called the Grey-hound, in La∣tine Leporarius.

WE haue another kind of dog, which for his incredible swiftnes is called Leporarius a Grey-hound, because the principall seruice of them de∣pendeth and consisteth in starting and hunting the Hare, which Dogs likewise [ 50] are indued with no lesse strength then lightnes in maintenance of the game, in seruing the chase, in taking the Bucke, the Hart, the Doe, the Fox, and other beasts of semblable kind ordaind for the game of hunting. But more or lesse, each one according to the measure and proportion of their desire, and as might and hability of their bodies will permit and suffer.

For it is a spare and bare kind of Dog, (of flesh but not of bone) some are of a greater sort, and some of a lesser, some are smooth skinned, and some are curled, the bigger therefore are appointed to hunt the bigger Beasts, and the smaller serue to hunt the smal∣ler accordingly. The nature of the Dogges I finde to be wonderfull by the testimony of all histories. For, as Iohn Froisart the historiographer in his 4. lib. reporteth. A Greyhound of King Richard, the second that wore the Crowne, and bare the Scepter of the realme of England, neuer knowing any man, beside the kings person, when Henry Duke of Lancaster came to the castle of Flinte to take king Richard, the Dog forsaking his former Lord and maister came to Duke Henry, fawned vpon him with such resemblances of goodwill and conceiued affection, as he fauoured king Richard before: he followed the Duke, and vtter∣ly [ 10] left the King. So that by these manifest circūstances a man might iudge his Dog to haue beene lightened with the lampe of foreknowledge and vnderstanding, touching his old maisters miseries to come, and vnhappines nie at hand, which king Richard himselfe eui∣dently perceiued, accounting this deede of his dog a Prophecy of his ouerthrow.

Of the Dogge called the Leuiner, or Lyemmer in Latine Lorarius.

ANother sort of Dogs be there, in smelling singular, and in swiftnesse in∣comparable. [ 20] This is (as it were) a middle kind betwixt the Harier and the Greyhound, as well for his kind, as for the frame of his body. And it is called in Latine Leuinarius, a Leuitate, of lightnesse, and therefore may well be called a light-hound, it is also called by this word Lorarius, a Loro, a leame wherewith it is led. This Dogge for the excellency of his conditions, namely smelling and swift running, doth follow the game with more eagernes, and taketh the prey with a iolly quicknesse.

Of the Dogge called a Tumbler, in [ 30] Latine Vertagus.

THis sort of Dogges, which compasseth all by craftes, fraudes, subtilties and deceiptes, we English men call Tumblers, because in hunting they turne and tumble, winding their bodyes about in circle-wise, and then fiercely and violently venturing vpon the beast, doth suddenly gripe it, at the very entrance and mouth of their receptacles, or closets before they can recouer meanes, to saue and succor themselues. This Dogge vseth another craft and s••btilty: namely, when he runneth into a warren, or fetcheth a course about a conybur∣rough, he hunts not after them, he fraies them not by barking, he makes no countenance [ 40] or shaddow of hatred against them, but dissembling friendship, and pretending fauour, passeth by with silence and quietnesse, marking and noting their holes diligently, where∣in (I warrant you) he will not be ouershot nor deceiued. When he commeth to the place where Conies be, of a certainety, he cowcheth downe close with his belly to the ground, prouided alwaies by his skill and pollicie, that the winde be neuer with him but against him in such an enterprize. And that the Conyes spy him not where he lurketh. By which meanes he obtaineth the scent and sauour of the conies, carryed towardes him with the wind and the ayre, either going to their holes, or comming out, either passing this way, or running that way, and so prouideth by his circumspection, that the silly simple Conny is debarred quite from his hole (which is the hauen of their hope, and the harbour of their health) and fraudulently circumuented and taken, before they can get the aduantage of [ 50] their hole. Thus hauing caught his prey he carrieth it speedily to his maister, wayting his Dogs returne in some conuenient lurking corner.

These Dogges are somewhat lesser then the houndes, and they be lancker and leaner, beside that they be somewhat pricke eared. A man that shall marke the forme and fashion

of their bodies, may well cal them mungrel Grey-hounds if they were somewhat bigger. But notwithstanding they counteruaile not the Greyhound in greatnesse, yet will he take in one daies space as many Conies as shall arise to as big a burthen, and as heauy a loade as a horse can carry, for deceipt and guile is the instrument whereby he maketh this spoile, which pernicious properties supply the places of more commendable qualities.

Of the Dogge called the theeuish Dogge, in Latine Canis furax.

[ 10] THe like to that whom we haue rehearsed, is the theeuish dog, which at the mandate & bidding of his master fleereth and leereth abrod in the night, hunting Conies by the aire, which is leuened with the sauour and conuei∣ed to the sence of smelling by the meanes of the wind blowing towardes him. During all which space of his hunting, he will not barke, least he should be preiudicial to his own aduantage. And thus watcheh and snatcheth vp in course as many Conies as his maister will suffer him, and beareth them to his maisters standing. The farmers of the countrey and vplandish dwellers, call this kind of Dog a night cur, be∣cause he hunteth in the darke. But let thus much seeme sufficient for dogs which serue [ 20] the game and disport of hunting.

Of gentle Dogges seruing the hauke, and first of the Spaniell, called in Latine Hispaniolus.

SVch Dogs as serue for fowling, I thinke conuenient and requisite to place in the second Section of this treatise. These are also to be reckoned and accounted in the number of the Dogs which come of a gentle kinde, and of those which serue for fowling, there be two sorts, The first findeth game on the land, the other findeth game [ 30] on the water. Such as delight on the land, play their parts, either by swiftnesse of foot, or by often questing, to search out and to spring the bird for further hope of aduantage, or else by some secret signe and priuy token bewray the place where they fall. The first kind of such serue the Hauke, the second, the net, or, traine, The first kind haue no peculiar names assigned vnto them, saue onely that they be denominated after the birde which by naturall appointment he is alotted to take; for the which consideration, some bee called dogs for the Falcon, the Phesant, the Partridge, and such like. The common sort of people call them by one ge∣neral word, namely Spaniels. As though these kind of dogs came originally and first of al out of Spaine. The most part of their skins are white, and if they be marked with any spots [ 40] they are commonly red, and somewhat great therewithall, the haires not growing in such thicknes but that the mixture of them may easily be perceiued. Othersome of them be reddish and blackish, but of that sort there be but a very few. There is also at this day a∣mong vs a new kinde of Dog brought out of France (for we Englishmen are marueilous greedy gaping gluttons after nouelties, and couetous cormorants of thinges that be sel∣dome, rare, strange, and hard to get.) And they be speckled al ouer with white and black, which mingled colours incline to a marble blew, which beautifieth their skins and affoor∣deth a seemely show of comlinesse. These are called French dogs as is aboue declared al∣ready.

[ 50] The Dog called the Setter, in Latine Index.

ANother sort of Dogs be there, seruiceable for fowling, making no noise either with foot or with tongue, whiles they follow the game. These attend diligently vpon their maister & frame their conditions to such becks, motions, & gestures, as it shal please

him to exhibite and make, either going forward, drawing backward, inclining to the right hand, or yealding toward the left, (In making mencion of fowles, my meaning is of the Patridge and the Q••aile) when he hath found the bird, he keepeth sure and fast silence, he st••ieth his steps and wil proceede no further, and with a close, couert, watching eie, layeth his belly to the ground and so creepeth forward like a worme. When he approcheth neere to the place where the bird is, he lies him down, and with a marke of his pawes betrayeth the place of the birds last abode, wherby it is supposed that this kind of dog is called Index, Setter, being indeede a name most consonant & agreeable to his quality. The place being knowne by the meanes of the Dog, the fowler immediatly openeth and spreedeth his net, intending to take them; which being done the dog at the customed becke or vsuall signe [ 10] of his Maister riseth vp by and by, and draweth neerer to the fowle that by his presence they might be the authors of their own insnaring, and be ready intangled in the prepared net which cunning and artificiall indeuor in a dog (being a creature domesticall or hou∣shold seruant, brought vp at home with offals of the ••rencher, and fragments of victuals,) is not so much to be marueiled at, seeing that a Hare (being a wild and skippish beast) was seene in England to the astonishment of the beholders, in the yeare of our Lorde God, 1564. not only dauncing in measure, but playing with his former feete vpon a tabberet, and obseruing iust number of strokes (as a practitioner in that Art) besides that, nipping and pinching a dog with his teeth and clawes, and cruelly thumping him with the force of his feete. This is no trumpery tale, nor trifle toy (as I imagine) and therefore not vnwor∣thy [ 20] to be reported, for I recken it a requital of my trauaile, not to drowne in the seas of si∣lence any speciall thing, wherein the prouidence and effectuall working of nature is to be pondered.

Of the Dog called the water Spaniell, or finder, in Latine Aquaticus seu Inquisitor.

THat kind of dog whose seruice is required in fowling vpon the water, part∣ly through a naturall towardnes, and partly by diligent teaching, is indu∣ed with that property. This sorte is somewhat big, and of a measurable [ 30] greatnes, hauing long, rough, and curled haire, not obtained by extra∣ordinary trades, but giuen by natures appointment; yet neuerthelesse (friend Gesner) I haue described and set him out in this manner, namely powled and not∣ted from the shoulders to the hindermost legs, and to the end of his taile, which I did for vse and customs cause, that being as it were made somewhat bare and naked, by shearing off such superfluity of haire, they might atchiue the more lightnesse, and swiftnes, and be lesse hindred in swimming, so troublesome and needelesse a burthen being shaken off. This kind of dog is properly called, Aquaticus, a water spaniel, because he frequenteth and hath vsuall recourse to the water where al his game lyeth, namely water fowles, which are taken by the help and seruice of them, in their kind. And principally ducks and drakes, whereup∣on [ 40] he is likewise named a dog for the duck, because in that quality he is excellent. With these Dogs also we fetch out of the water such fowle as be stounge to death by any vene∣mous Worme▪ we vse them also to bring vs our boultes and arrowes out of the Water, (missing our marke) whereat we directed our leuell, which otherwise we should hardly recouer, and oftentimes they restore to vs our shaftes which wee thought neuer to see, touch, or handle againe, after they were lost: for which circumstaunces they are called Inquis••tores, searchers, and finders. Although the Ducke otherwhiles notably deceiueth both the Dog and the Maister, by dyuing vnder the Water, and also by naturall subtilty, for i•• any man shall approch to the place where they builde, breede, and sit, the hennes goe out of their neasts, offering themselues voluntarily to the handes, as it were, of such [ 50] as drawe neere their neastes. And a certaine weakenesse of their Wings pretended, and infirmity of their feet dissembled, they goe slowly and so leasurely, that to a mans think∣ing it were no maisteries to take them. By which deceiptfull tricke they doe as it were entise and allure men to follow them, til they be drawn a long distance from their nestes, which being compassed by their prouident cunning, or cunning prouidence, they cutte

of all inconueniences which might grow of their returne, by vsing many careful and curi∣ous caueats, least their often hunting bewray the place where the young duklings be hat∣ched. Great therefore is their desire, and earnest is their study to take heede, not only to their brood but also to themselus▪ For when they haue an inkling that they are espied, they hide themselues vnder turfes or sedges, wherewith they couer and shroud themselues so closely and so craftely, that (notwithstanding the place where they lurk be found and pre∣fectly perceiued) there they will harbor without harme, except the water spaniel by quick smelling discouer their deceiptes.

[ 10] Of the Dogge called the Fisher, in Latine Canis Piscator.

THe Dog called the fisher, whereof Hector Boethus writeth, which seeketh for fish by smelling among rockes and stones, assuredly I know none of that kind in England, neither haue I receiued by report that there is any such, albeit I haue beene diligent and busie in demaunding the question as well of fisher∣men, as also of hunts-men in that behalfe, being carefull and earnest to learne and vnder∣stand of them if any such were, except you hold opinion that the Beauer or Otter is a fish (as many haue beleeued) and according to their beleefe affirmed, as the bird Pupine, is thought [ 20] to be a fish, and so accounted. But that kinde of Dog which followeth the fish to apprehend and take it (if there be any of that disposition and property) whether they do this thing for the game of hunting, or for the heate of hunger, as other Dogs doe which rather then they will be famished for want of foode, couet the carcases of carrion and pu∣trified flesh. When I am fully resolued and disburthened of this doubt I will send you cer∣tificate in writing. In the meane season I am not ignorant of that both Aelianus and Aeli∣us, call the Beauer kunapotamion a water dog, or a Dog-fish, I know likewise thus much more, that the Beauer doth participate this propertie with the dog, namely, that when fi∣shes be scarce they leaue the water and range vp and downe the land, making an insatia∣ble slaughter of young lambes vntill their paunches be replenished, and when they haue [ 30] fed themselues full of flesh, then returne they to the water, from whence they came. But albeit so much be granted that this Beauer is a Dog, yet it is to be noted that we recken it not in the beadrow of English Dogs as we haue done the rest. The sea Calfe, in like man∣ner, which our contry men for breuity sake cal a Seele, other more largely name a Sea Vele, maketh a spoile of fishes betweene rockes and banckes, but it is not accounted in the ca∣talogue or number of our English Dogs, notwithstanding we call it by the name of a sea Dog or a sea-Calfe. And thus much for our Dogs of the second sort, called in Latine Au∣cupatorij, seruing to take fowle either by land or water.

[ 40] Of the delicate, neate, and pretty kind of dogges called the Spaniell gentle, or the comforter, in Latine Melitaeus or Fotor.

THere is, besides those which wee haue already deliuered, another sort of gentle dogs in this our English soile but exempted from the order of the residue, the Dogs of this kind doth Callimachus call Melitaeos of the Ise∣land Melita, in the sea of Sicily (which at this day is named Malta, an Ise∣land indeede, famous and renowned, with couragious and puisaunt soul∣diers valliantly fighting vnder the banner of Christ their vnconquerable captaine) where [ 50] this kind of dogs had their principall beginning.

These dogs are little, pretty, proper, and fine, and sought for to satifie the delicatenes of dainty dames, and wanton womens wils, instruments of folly for them to playe and dal∣ly withall, to tryfle away the treasure of time, withdraw their mindes from more com∣mendable exercises, and to content their corrupted concupiscences with vaine disport (A selly shift to shunne yrkesome idlenesse.) These puppies the smaller they be, the more

pleasure they prouoke, as more meete play-fellowes for minsing mistrisses to beare in their bosomes, to keepe company withal in their chambers, to succour with sleep in bed, and nourish with meate at bourde, to lay in their lappes, and licke their lips as they ride in their Waggons, and good reason it should be so, for coursenesse with finenesse hath no fellowship, but featnesse with neatnesse hath neighbourhood enough? That plau••ible prouerbe verified vpon a Tyrant, namely that he loued his Sow better then his son, may well be applyed to these kind of people, who delight more in Dogs that are depriued of all possibility of reason, then they do in children that be capeable of wisedome, and iudg∣ment. But this abuse peraduenture raigneth where there hath beene long lacke of issue, or [ 10] else where barrennes is the best blossom of beauty.

The vertue which remaineth in the Spaniel gentle, otherwise called the comforter.

NOtwithstanding many make much of those pritty puppies called Spany∣els gentle, yet if the question were demaunded what property in them they spye, which should make them so acceptable and precious in their sight, I doubt their answer would belong a coyning. But seeing it was our intent to trauaile in this treatise, so, that the reader might reape some benefit by his reading, we will communicate vnto such coniectures as are grounded vpon [ 20] reason. And though some suppose that such dogs are fit for no seruice, I dare say, by their leaues, they be in a wrong boxe. Among all other qualities therefore of nature, which be knowne (for some conditions are couered with continuall and thick clouds, that the eie of our capacities cannot pearse through thē) we find that these litle dogs are good to as••wage the sicknes of the stomack, being oftentimes thereunto applied as a plaster preseruatiue, or borne in the bosom of the diseased and weake person; which effect is performed by their moderate heat. Moreouer the disease and sicknes changeth his place and entreth (though it be not precisely marked) into the dog, which to bee truth, experience can testifie, for these kind of dogs sometime fall sicke, and sometime die, without any harme outwardly inforced, which is an argument that the disease of the gentleman, or gentlewoman or [ 30] owner whatsoeuer, entreth into the dog by the operation of heare intermingled and in∣fected. And thus haue I hetherto handled dogs of a gentle kind whom I haue comprehen∣ded in a triple diuision. Now it remaineth that I annex in due order, such dogs as be of a more homely kind.

Dogges of a course kind seruing for many necessary vses, called in Latine Canis rustici, and first of the Shepherds dog called in Latine Canis Pastoralis.

THe first kind, namely the shepherds hound is very necessary and profita∣ble [ 40] for the auoyding of harmes, and inconueniences which may come to men by the meanes of beastes. The second sort serue to succour against the snares and attemptes of mischieuous men. Our shepherds dog is not huge, vaste, and big, but of an indifferent stature and growth, because it hath not to deale with the blood thirsty wolfe, sythence there be none in England, which happy and fortunate benefit is to be ascribed to the puisaunt Prince Edgar, who to the in∣tent that the whole countrey might be euacuated and quite cleered from wolfes, charged and commaunded the Welshmen (who were pestered with these butcherly beasts aboue measure) to pay him yearely tribute which was (note the wisedome of the king) three hun∣dred Wolfes. Some there be which write that Ludwall Prince of Wales paid yeerely to [ 50] king Edgar three hundred wolfes in the name of an exaction (as we haue said before.) And that by the meanes hereof, within the compasse and tearme of foure years, none of those noysome and pestilent beastes were left in the coastes of England and Wales. This Edgar wore the crowne royall, and bare the Scepter imperiall of this kingdome, about the yeare of our Lord, nine hundred, fifty nine. Since which time we reade that no Wolfe hath

beene seene in England, bred within the bounds and borders of this country, mary there haue beene diuers brought ouer from beyond the seas, for greedines of gaine and to make money, for gasing and gaping, staring, and standing to see them, being a strange beast, rare, and seldome seene in England. But to returne to our shepherds Dog. This dog ei∣ther at the hearing of his maisters voice, or at the wagging and whisteling in his fist, or at his s••rill and horse hissing bringeth the wandering weathers and straying sheepe, into the selfe same place where his maisters will and wish is to haue them, wherby the shepherd reapeth this benefit, namely, that with little labour and no toyle or mouing of his feete he may rule and guide his flock, according to his own desire, either to haue them go for∣ward, or to stand still, or to draw backward, or to turne this way, or take that way. For it is [ 10] not in England, as it is in France, as it is in Flaunders, as it is in Syria, as it is in Tartaria, where the sheepe follow the shepherd, for heere in our Countrey the shepherd followeth the sheepe. And sometimes the straying sheepe, when no Dog runneth before them, nor goeth about and beside them, gather themselues together in a flock, when they heere the shepherd whistle in his fist, for feare of the dog (as I imagine) remembring this (if vn∣reasonable creatures may be reported to haue memory) that the Dog commonly run∣neth out at his maisters warrant which is his whistle. This haue we oftentimes diligently marked in taking our iourney from towne to towne, when we haue hard a shepherd whi∣stle we haue rayned in our horse and stood still a space, to see the proofe and tryall of this matter. Furthermore with this dog doth the Shepherd take sheepe for the slaughter, and [ 20] to be healed if they be sick, no hurt or harme in the world done to the simple creature.

Of the mastiue or Bandogge called in Latine Villaticus or Cathenarius.

THis kind of dog called a mastiue or Bandog is vaste, huge, stubborne, ougly, and eager, of a heuy and bourthenous body, and therefore but litle swiftnesse, terrible, and frightfull to behold, and more fierce and fell then any Arcadian cur (notwithstanding they are said to haue their generation of the violent lion.) [ 30] They are called Villatici, because they are appointed to watch and keepe farme places and countrey cotages sequestred from common recourse, and not abutting vpon other hou∣ses by reason of distance, when there any feare conceiued of theeues, robbers, spoylers, and nightwanderers. They are seruiceable, against the Foxe and Badger, to driue Wilde and tame Swine out of Medowes, pastures, glebelands and places planted with fruite, to baite and take the Bull by the eare, when occasion so requireth. One Dog or two at the vttermost, sufficient for that purpose be the Bull neuer so monstrous, neuer so fierce, ne∣uer so furious, neuer so stearne, neuer so vntameable. For is is a kind of Dog capeable of courage, violent and valiant, striking cold feare into the hearts of men, but standing in feare of no man, insomuch that no weapons wil make him shrinke, nor abridge his bold¦nesse. [ 40] Our English men (to the intent that their dogs might the more fell and sierce) assist nature with Arte, vse, and custome, for they teach their Dogs to bayte the Beare, to baite the Bull and other such like cruell and bloody Beastes (appointing an ouerseer of the game) without any Collar to defende their throates, and oftentimes they traine them vp in fighting and wrestling with any man hauing for the safegarde of his life, either a Pikestaffe, a Clubbe or a sword, and by vsing them to such exercises as these, their Dogs become more sturdy and strong. The force which is in them surmounteth all beleefe, the fast hold which they take with their teeth exceedeth all credit, three of them against a Beare, foure against a Lyon are sufficient, both to try masteries with them and vtterly to ouermatch them. Which thing Henry the seuenth of that name, King of England (a [ 50] Prince both politique and warlike) perceiuing on a certaine time (as the report runneth) commaunded all such dogs (how many soeuer they were in number) should he hanged, being deepely displeased, and conceiuing great disdaine, that an ill fauoured rascall curre should with such violent villany, assault the valiant Lyon king of all beastes. An example for all subiectes worthy remembraunce, to admonish them, that it is no aduantage to

them to rebell against the regiment of their ruler, but to keepe them within the limits of loyalty. I read an history answerable to this of the selfe same Henry, who hauing a nota∣ble and an excellent faire Falcon, it fortuned that the kings Falconers, in the presence and hearing of his grace, highly commended his maiesties Falcon, saying, that it feared not to intermeddle with an Eagle, it was so ventrous a Birde and so mighty, which when the king heard, he charged that the Falcon should be killed without delay, for the selfe same re••son as it may seeme) which was rehearsed in the conclusion of the former history con∣cerning the same king. This dog is called in like manner, Cathenarius, a Cathena, of the chaine wherewith he is tyed at the gates, in the day time, least being lose he shoulde doe much mischiefe, and yet might giue occasion of fear and terror by his big barking. And [ 10] albeit Cicero in his Oration had Pro. S. Ross. be of this opinion, that such dogs as barke in the broad day light should haue their legs broken, yet our countrey men, on this side the Seas for their carelesnes of life setting all at cinque and sice are of a contrary iudgement. For theeues rogue vp and downe in euery corner, no place is free from them, no not the princes pallace, nor the countreymans cotage. In the day time they practise pilfering, picking, open robbing, and priuy stealing, and what legerdemaine lack they? not fearing the shamefull and horrible death of hanging.

The cause of which inconuenience doth not onely issue from nipping need and wrin∣ging want, for all that steale are not pinched with pouerty, some steale to maintain their excessiue and prodigall expences in apparrel, their lewdnes of life, their hautines of hart, [ 20] their wantonnes of manners, their wilfull ydlenes, their ambitious brauery, and the pride of the sawcy Salacones me galorrou••ton, vaine glorious and arrogant in behauiour, whose delight dependeth wholy to mount nimbly on horsse-backe, to make them leape lustilie, spring and prance, gallop and amble, to run a race, to wind in compasse, and so foorth, li∣uing altogither vpon the fatnes of the spoile. Othersome there be which steale, being ther∣to prouoked by penury and need, like masterles men applying themselues to no honest trade, but ranging vp and downe, impudently begging and complaining of bodily weak∣nesse where is no want of ability. But valiant Valentine the Emperor, by holsom lawes pro∣uided that such as hauing no corporall sickenes, sold themselues to begging, pleaded po∣uerty with pretended infirmity, and cloaked their ydle and slothfull life with colourable [ 30] shifts and cloudy cozening, should be a perpetuall slaue and drudge to him, by whome their impudent idlenes was bewrayed, and laid against them in publick place, least the in∣sufferable slouthfulnes of such vagabonds should be burthenous to the people, or being so hatefull and odious, should grow into an example.

Alfredus likewise in the gouernment of his common wealth, procured such increase of credite to iust••ce and vpright dealing by his prudent acts and statutes, that if a man traue∣ling by the high way of the country vnder his dominion, chanced to loose a budget full of Gold, or his capcase farsed with things of great value, late in the euening, he should find it where he lost it safe, sound, and vntouched the next morning, yea (which is a wonder) at any time for a whole months space if he sought for it, as Ingulphus Croyladensis in his hi∣story [ 40] recordeth. But in this our vnhappy age, in these (I say) our diuelish daies, nothing can scape the clawes of the spoiler, though it be kept neuer so sure within the house, albe∣it the doors be lockt and boulted round about. This dog in like maner of the Graecians is called Oikouros.

Of the Latinists Canis Coltos, in English the Dog-keeper.

Borrowing his name of his seruice, for he doth not onely keepe farmers houses, but also merchants mansions, wherein great wealth, riches, substance, and costly stuffe is re∣posed. And therefore were certaine dogs found and maintained at the common costs and [ 50] charges of the Cittizens of Rome in the place cald Capitolium, to giue warning of theeues comming. This kind of dog is so called,

In Latine Canis Laniarius, in English the Butchers dog.

So called for the necessity of his vse, for his seruice affoordeth great benefit to the but∣cher

as well in following as in taking his cattell when neede constraineth, vrgeth, and re∣quireth. This kind of Dog is likewise called,

In Latine Molossicus or Molossus

After the name of a countrey in Epirus called Molossia, which harboureth many stoute, strong, and sturdy Dogs of this sort, for the Dogs of that countrey are good indeede, or else there is no trust to be had in the testimony of writers. This dog is also called,

In Latine Canis Mandatarius a Dog messen∣ger or Carrier.

Vpon substanciall consideration, because at his maisters voice and commaundement, [ 10] he carrieth letters from place to place, wrapped vp cunningly in his lether collar, fastned thereto, or sowed close therein, who, least he should be hindred in his passage, vseth these helpes very skilfully, namely resistance in fighting if he be not ouermatched, or else swiftnesse and readinesse in running away, if he be vnable to buckle with the Dog that would faine haue a snatch at his skinne. This kinde of Dog is likewise called,

In Latine Canis Lunarius, in English the Mooner.

Because he doth nothing else but watch and ward at an inch, wasting the wearisome night season without slombering or sleeping, bawing and wawing at the Moon (that I may vse the word of Nonius) a quality in mine opinion strange to consider. This kind of dog is [ 20] also called,

In Latine Aquarius, in English a water drawer.

And these be of the greater and the waighter sort, drawing water out of wels and deepe pits, by a wheele which they turne round about by the mouing of their burthenous bo∣dies. This dog is called in like manner.

Canis Sarcinarius in latine, and may aptly be Englished, a Tynkers Curre.

Because with marueilous patience they beare big budgets fraught with Tinkers tooles, and mettall meete to mend kettels, porrige-pots, skellets, and chafers, and other such like trumpery requisite for their occupacion and loytering trade, easing him of a great burthen, which otherwise he himselfe should carry vpon his shoulders; which condition [ 30] hath challenged vnto them the forsaid name. Besides the qualities which we haue already recounted, this kind of Dogs hath this principall property ingrafted in them, that they loue their maisters liberally, and hate straungers despightfully; whereupon it followeth that they are to their maisters in traueiling a singuler safegarde, defending them force∣ably from the inuasion of villayns and theeues▪ preseruing their liues from losse, and their health from hazzard, their flesh from hacking and hewing, with such like desperate daun∣gers. For which consideration they are meritoriously tearmed.

In latine Canes defensores: defending dogs in our mother tongue.

If it chance that the maister be oppressed, either by a multitude, or by the greater vio∣lence [ 40] and so be beaten downe that he lie groueling on the ground, (it is proued true by experience) that this dog forsaketh not his maister, no not when he is starke dead: But in∣during the force of famishment and the outragious tempestes of the weather, most vigi∣lantly watcheth and carefully keepeth the deade carkasse many daies, indeuouring fur∣thermore, to kill the murtherer of his maister, if he may get any aduantage. Or else by barking, by howling, by furious iarring, snarring, and such like means betrayeth the male∣factor as desirous to haue the death of his aforsaid maister rigoriously reuenged. An ex∣ample heerof fortuned within the compasse of my memory. The Dog of a certaine way∣faring man trauailing from the Citty of London directly to the Towne of ••ingstone (most famous and renowned by reason of the triumphant coronation of eight seuerall Kings) [ 50] passing ouer a good portion of his iourney, was assaulted and set vpon by certaine confe∣derate theeues lying in waight for the spoyle in Come-parcke, a perillous bottom, compas∣sed about with Woods too well knowne for the manifold murders and mischeeuous rob∣beries their committed.

Into whose handes this passieger chaunced to fall, so that his ill luck cost him the price

of his life. And that Dog whose syer was English, (which Blondus registreth to haue beene within the bankes of his remembrance) manifestly perceiuing that his maister was mur∣thered (this chanced not farre from Paris) by the hands of one which was a suiter to the same woman, whom he was a wooer vnto, did both bewray the bloody Butcher, and at∣tempted to teare out the villains throat, if he had not sought meanes to auoid the reuen∣ging rage of the dog. In fyers also which fortune in the silence and dead time of the night or in stormy weather of the saide season, the older dogs barke, ball, howle, and yell, (ye•• notwithstanding they be roughly rated) neyther will they stay their tongues till the hou∣should seruants awake, rise, search, and see the burning of the fire, which being perceiued they vse voluntary silence, and cease from yolping. This hath bin, and is found true by [ 10] triall, in sundry parts of England.

There was no fainting faith in that Dog, which when his maister by a mischance in hun∣ting stumbled and fel, toppling downe a deepe ditch being vnable to recouer of himselfe, the dog signifying his maisters mishap, rescue came, and he was hailed vp by a rope, whom the Dog seeing almost drawne vp to the edge of the ditch, cheerefully saluted, lea∣ping and skipping vpon his maister as though he would haue imbraced him, being glad of his presence, whose longer absence he was loath to lacke. Some Dogs there be, which will not suffer fierie coales to ly scattered about the hearth, but with their pawes will rake vp the burning coales, musing and studying first with themselues how it might conueni∣ently be done. And if so be that the coales cast to great a heat, then will they bury them in [ 20] ashes and so remoue them forward to a fit place with their noses. Other dogs be ther which execute the office of a Farmer in the night time. For when his maister goeth to bedde to take his naturall sleepe. And when,

A hundred bars of brasse and yron boltes, Make all things safe from startes and from reuolts. When Ianus keepes the gate with Argos eye, That dangers none approach, ne mischiefe nie.

As Virgill vaunteth in his verses, Then if his maister biddeth him goe abroad, he linge∣reth not, but raungeth ouer all his lands there about, more diligently, Iwys, then anie farmer himselfe. And if he find any thing ther that is strange and pertaining to other per∣sons [ 30] besides his maister, whether it be man, woman, or Beast, he driueth them out of the ground, not meddling with any thing that do belong to the possession and vse of his ma∣ster. But how much faithfulnes, so much diuersity there is in their natures.

For there be some, which barke onely with free and open throat but wil not bite, some which do both bark and bite, and some which bite bitterly before they barke.

The first are not greatly to be feared, because they themselues are fearefull, and feare∣full dogs (as the prouerbe importeth) barke most vehemently.

The second are dangerous, it is wisedome to take heed of them, because they sound as it were, an Alarum of an afterclap, and these dogs must not be ouer much moued or pro∣uoked, for then they take on outragiously as if they were mad, watching to set the print [ 40] of their teeth in the flesh. And these kind of dogs are fierce and eager by nature.

The third are deadly, for they fly vpon a man without vtterance of voice, snatch at him, and catch him by the throat, and most cruelly bite out collops of flesh. Feare these kinde of Curres, (if thou be wise and circumspect about thine owne safety) for if they be stoute and stubborne Dogs, and set vpon a man at a suddaine vnwares. By these signes and to∣kens, by these notes and arguments our men discerne the cowardly Curre from the co∣ragious Dog, the bolde from the fearefull, the butcherly from the gentle and tractable. Moreouer they coniecture that a whelpe of an ill kind is not woorth keeping, and that no dog can serue the sundry vses of men so aptly and so conueniently as this sort of whom we haue so largely written already. For if any be disposed to draw the aboue-named seruices [ 50] into a table, what man more clearely, and with more vehemency of voice giueth warning either of a wastfull beast, or of a spoiling theefe then this? Who by his barking (as good as a burning Beacon) foresheweth hazzardes at hand? What manner of beast stronger? What seruaunt to his maister more louing? What companion ruore trusty? What Watchman more vigilaunt? What reuenger more constaunt? What messenger more speedie? What Water▪bearer more painefull? Finally, what Packe-horsse

more patient? And thus much concerning English dogs, first of the gentle kind, second∣ly of the courser kind. Now it remaineth that we deliuer vnto you the dogs of a mungrell or currish kind, and then will we performe our taske.

Containing Curres of the mungrell and rascall sort, and first of all the Dog called in Latine, Admonitor, and of vs in English, Wappe or Warner.

OF such Dogs as keepe not their kind, of such as are mingled out of [ 10] sundry sortes, not imitating the conditions of some one certaine spice, because they resemble no notable shape, nor exercise any worthy propertye of the true, perfect and gentle kinde, it is not necessary that I write any more of them, but to banish them as vn∣profitable implements, out of the bounds of my booke, vnprofi∣table I say, for any vse that is commendable, except to entertaine strangers with barking in the day time, giuing warning to them of the house, that such and such be newly come, wherupon we cal them admonishing dogs, because in that point they performe their office.

[ 20] Of the Dog called Turnespete in Latine Veruuersator.

THere is comprehended, vnder the Curres of the coursest kinde, a certaine dog in kitchen-seruice excellent. For when any meat is to be roasted, they go into a wheel, which they turning round about with the waight of their bodies, so dilligently looke to their businesse, that no drudge nor scullion can do the feate more cunningly. Whom the popular sort hereupon call Turnespets, being the last of all those which wee haue first mentioned.

[ 30] Of the Dogge called the dauncer, in Latine Saliator or Tympanista.

THere be also dogs among vs of a mungrel kind, which are taught and excercised to daunce in measure at the musicall sound of an instrument, as, at the iust stroke of the drumbe, at the sweet accent of the Citerne, and tuned stringes of the harmonious Harp, shewing many pretty trickes by the gesture of their bodies. As to stand bolt vp∣right, to lie flat vpon the ground, to turn round as a ring holding their tails in their teeth, to beg for their meat, and sundry such properties, which they learne of their vagabundi∣call maisters, whose instruments they are to gather gaine withall in Citty, country, town, [ 40] and village. As some which carry old Apes on their sholders in coloured iackets to moue men to laughter for a little lucre.

Of other Dogs, a short conclusion, wonderfully ingendred within the coasts of this country.

OF these there be three sorts. The first, bred of a bitch and a Wolfe, called in Latine Lyciscus. The second of a Bitch and a Fox, in Latine Lacaena. The third of a Beare and a Bandog, Vrcanus.

[ 50] Of the first we haue none naturally bred within the borders of England. The reason is for the want of Wolues, without whome no such dog can be ingendred. Againe, it is deliuered vnto thee in this discourse, how and by what meanes, by whose be∣nefit, and within what circute of time, this country was cleerely discharged of rauening Wolus, and none at al left, no, not to the least number, or to the beginning of a number, which is an Vnari.

Of the second sort we are not vtterly voide of some, because this our English soile is not free from Foxes, (for indeed we are not without a multitude of them, insomuch as di∣uers keepe, foster, and feed them in their houses among their hounds and dogs, either for so••e malady of mind, or for some sicknes of body) which peraduenture the sauor of that subtill beast would either mitigate or expell.

The thirde which is bred of a Beare & a Bandog we want not heere in England, (A strange and wonderfull effect, that cruell enemies should enter into the worke of copula∣tion and bring forth so sauage a curre.) Vndoubtedly it is euen so as we haue reported, for the fiery heat of their flesh, or rather the pricking thorne, or most of all, the tickling [ 10] lust of lechery, beareth such swing and sway in them, that there is no contrarietie for the time, but of constraint they must ioyne to engender. And why should not this be conso∣nant to truth? why should not these beasts breed in this land, as well as in other forreine nations? For we read that Tigres and Dogs in Hircania, that Lyons and dogs in Arcadia, and that Wolues and Dogs in Francia, couple and procreate. In men and women also lightned with the Lantarne of reason (but vtterly voide of vertue) that foolish, franticke, and fleshly action (yet naturally sealed in vs) worketh so effectualy, that many times it doth reconcile enemies, set foes at friendship, vnanimity, and attonement, as Moria mentio∣neth. The Vicane which is bred of a Beare and a dog,

Is fierce, is fell, is stout and strong, And biteth sore to flesh and bone. [ 20] His furious force indureth long In rage he will be rul'd of none.

That I may vse the words of the Poet Gratius. This dog exceedeth all other in cruell con∣ditions, his leering and fleering lookes, his sterne and sauage vissage, maketh him in sight fearefull and terrible, he is violent in fighting, and wheresoeuer he set his tenterhooke teeth, he taketh such sure and fast hold, that a man may sooner teare and rend him assun∣der, then loose him and seperate his chaps. He passeth not for the Wolfe, the Beare, the Lyon, nor the Bull, and may woorthelie (as I thinke) bee companion with Alexanders Dog which came out of India. But of these, thus much, and thus farre may seeme suffi∣cient. [ 30]

A start to outlandish dogges in this conclusion, not impertinent to the Authors purpose.

VSe and custome hath entertained other dogs of an outlandish kind, but a fewe and the same being of a pretty bignes, I meane Island dogs, curled and rough all ouer, which by reason of the length of their haire make shew neither of face nor of body. And yet these curs, forsooth, because they are so strange are greatly set by, esteemed, ta∣ken vp, and many times in the roome of the Spaniell gentle or comforter. The natures of [ 40] men is so moued, naie rather married to nouelites without all reason, wit, iudgement or perseuerance,

Erromen allotrian paroromen suggeneis. Outlandish toyes we take with delight, Things of our owne nation we haue in despight.

Which fault remaineth not in vs concerning Dogs onely, but for artificers also. And why? it is manifest that we disdaine and contemne our owne workemen, be they neuer so skilfull, be they neuer so cunning, be they neuer so excellent. A beggerly beast brought out of barbarous borders, from the vttermost countries Northward, &c, we stare at, we gaze at, we muse, we meruaile at, like an Asse of Cumanum, like Thales with the brazen [ 50] shanks, like the man in the Moone.

The which default Hippocrates marked when he was aliue, as euidently appeareth in the beginning of his booke Peri agmon, so intituled and named:

And we in our worke intituled De Ephemera Britanica, to the people of England haue more plentifully expressed. In this kind looke which is most blockish, and yet most waspish the same is most esteemed, and not among Cittizens onely and iolly Gentlemen, but a∣mong

among lusty ••ordes also, and noblemen. Further I am not to wade in the foorde of this discourse, because it was my purpose to satisfie your expectation with a short treatise (most learned Conrade) not wearisome for me to write, nor tedious for you to peruse. A∣mong other things which you haue receiued at my hands heretofore, I remember that I wrote a seuerall description of the Getullian dog, because there are but a few of them, and therefore very sildome seene. As touching dogs of other kinds you your selfe haue taken earnest paine in writing of them both liuely, learnedly, and largely. But because we haue drawne this libell more at length then the former which I sent you (and yet breefer then the nature of the thing might well beare) regarding your most earnest and necessary stu∣dies. [ 10] I will conclude making a rehearsall notwithstanding (for memories sake) of certaine specialties contained in the whole body of this my breuiary. And because you participate principall pleasure in the knowledge of the common and vsuall names of Dogs (as I ga∣ther by the course of your letters) I suppose it not amisse to deliuer vnto you a short table containing as well the Latine as the English names, and to render a reason of euery par∣ticular appellation, to the intent that no scruple may remaine in this point, but that eue∣ry thing may be sifted to the bare bottome.

A Supplement or Addition, containing a demonstration of [ 20] Dogs names how they had their Origi∣nall.

THe names contained in the generall table, forsomuch as they signifie no∣thing to you being a stranger, and ignorant of the English toong, except they be enterpreted: as we haue giuen a reason before of the Latin words, so meane we to do no lesse of the English, that euery thing may be mani∣fest vnto your vnderstanding. Wherein I intend to obserue the same order which I haue followed before.

SAgax, in English Hund, is deriued of our English word hunt. One letter changed in another, namely T, into D, as Hunt, Hund, whom if you coniecture to be so named [ 30] of your country word Hund, which signifieth the generall name (Dogge) because of the similitude and likenes of the words I will not stand in contradiction (friend Gesner) for so much as we retaine among vs at this day manie Dutch words which the Saxons left at such time as they enioyed this countrie of Britaine. Thus much also vnderstand, that as in your language Hund is the common word, so in our naturall tongue (Dogge) is the v∣niuersall, but Hund is perticuler and a speciall, for it signifyeth such a dog onely as serueth to hunt, and therefore it is called a Hund.

Of the Gasehound.

The Gasehound called in latine Agasaeus, hath his name of the sharpenes and stedfast∣nes [ 40] of his eie-sight. By which vertue hee compasseth that which otherwise he cannot by smelling attaine. As we haue made former relation, for to gase is earnestly to view & be∣hold, from whence floweth the deriuation of this Dogs name.

Of the Grey-hound.

The Grey-hound called Leporarius, hath his name of this word Gre, which word soun∣deth, Gradus in latine, in English Degree. Because among al dogs these are the most prin∣cipall, hauying the chiefest place, and being simplie and absolutelie the best of the gentle kind of hounds.

Of the Leuyner or the Lyemmer.

This dog is called a Leuyner, for his lightnes, which in latine soundeth Leuitas. Or a [ 50] Lyemmer which word is borrowed of Lyemme, which the Latinnists name Lorum: and wherefore wee call him a Leuiner of this worde Leuitas: (as we doe manie things besides) why we deriue and draw a thousand of our tearmes, out of the Greeke, the Latine, the Ita∣lian, the Dutch, the French, and the Spanish tongue; (Out of which fountaines indeede, they had their Original issue.) How many words are buried in the graue of forgetfulnesse?

growne out of vse? wrested awry? and peruersly corrupted by diuers defaults? we will declare at large in our booke intituled, Symphonia vocum Britannicarum.

Of the Tumbler.

Among hounds the Tumbler called in Latine Vertagus, which commeth of this word Tumbler, flowing first from the French fountaine. For as we say Tumble, so they Tum∣bier, reseruing our sence and signification, which the Latinnists comprehend vnder this word Vertere. So that we see thus much, that Tumbler commeth of Tumbier, the Vowell, I, changed into the Liquid, L, after the maner of our speech. Contrary to the French & [ 10] the Italian tongue. In which two languages. A Liquid before a Vowell for the most part is turned into another Vowell. As, may be perceiued in the example of these two words Im∣plere & plano, for Impiere & panio, L, before, E, changed into I, and L, before A, turned into I, also. This I thought conuenient for a tast.

After such as serue for hunting, orderly do follow such as serue for hawking and fow∣ling, Among which the principall and cheefest is the Spaniell, called in Latine Hispanio∣lus, borrowing his name of Hispania, wherein we Englishmen not pronouncing the A∣spiration H, nor the Vowell I, for quicknes and readinesse of speech say roundly a Spag∣nell.

Of the Setter.

The second sort is called a Setter, in Latine Index. Of the word (Set) which signifieth in [ 20] English that which the Latinist; meane by this word Locum disignare, the reason is reher∣sed before more largely, it shall not therefore need to make a new repetition.

Of the water Spaniell or Finder.

THe water Spaniell consequently followeth, called in Latine Aquaticus, in English a water Spagnell, which name is compound of two simple words, namely Water, which in Latine soundeth Aqua, wherein he swimmeth. And Spaine, Hispania, the Country from whence they came, not that England wanteth such kind of Dogs, (for they are naturally bred and ingendred in this country,) but because they bear the general and [ 30] common name of these Dogs since the time they were first brought ouer out of Spaine. And we make a certaine difference in this sort of dogs, either for somthing which in their qualities is to be considered, as for an example in this kind called the Spaniel by the appo∣sition and putting to of this word water, which two coupled together sound water Spani∣ell. He is called a finder, in Latine Inquisitor, because that by serious and secure seeking, he findeth such things as be lost, which word Find in English is that which the latins mean by this verbe Inuenire. This dog hath this name of his property, because the principall point of his seruice consisteth in the premisses.

Now leauing the surueiwe of hunting and hawking dogs, it remaineth that we run ouer the residue, whereof some be called, fine dogs, some course, othersome mungrels [ 40] or Rascals. The first is the Spaniell gentle called Canis Melitaeus, because it is a kind of dog accepted among Gentils, Nobles, Lords, Ladies, &c. who make much of them, vouch∣safing to admit them so farre into their company that they will not onelie lul them in their laps, but kisse them with their lips, and make them their pretty play-fellowes. Such a one was Gorgons little puppy mentioned by Theocritus in Siracusis, who taking his iourney, straightly charged and commaunded his maid to see to his dog as charily and warely as to his childe: To call him in alwaies that he wandred not abroad, as well as to rock the babe asleepe, crying in the cradle.

This puppitly and pleasant Curre, (which some frumpingly tearme fysting houndes) serue in a maner to no good vse, except (as we haue made former relation) to succor and [ 50] strengthen quailing and quamming stomackes, to bewray bawdery, and filthy abhomina∣ble leudnes (which a little Dog of this kinde did in Sicilia) as Aelianus in his 7. booke of beasts, and 27. chapter recordeth.

Of dogs vnder the courser kind, we will deale first with the Shepherds Dog, whome we call the Bandog, the Tydog, or the Mastiue, the first name is imputed to him for ser∣uice,

Quoniam pastori famulatur, because he is at the Shepheards his maisters commande∣ment. The second a Ligamento of the band or chaine wherewith hee is tied, The thirde a Sagina, of the fatnes of his body.

For this kind of Dog which is vsually tyed, is mighty, grosse, and fat fed. I know this that Augustinus Niphus, calleth this Mastinus (which we call Mastiuus and that Albertus wri∣teth howe the Lyciscus is ingendred by a Beare and a Woolfe. Notwithstanding the selfe same author taketh it for the most parte pro Molosso. A Dog of such a country.

Of Mungrels and Rascals somewhat is to be spoken: and among these, of the Wappe or Turnespet, which name is made of two simple wordes, that is, of Turne, which in latine [ 10] soundeth Vertere, and of spete which is Veru, or spede, for the English word inclineth clo∣ser to the Italian imitation: Veruuersator, Turnespit. He is called also Waupe, of the na∣turall noise of his voice Wau, which he maketh in barking. But for the better and readi∣ner sound, the vowell u, is changed into the consonant P, so that for waupe we say wappe. And yet I wot well that Nonius borroweth his Baubari of the naturall voice Bau, as the Graecians doe their Bautein of wau.

Now when you vnderstand this, that Saltare in latine signifieth Dansare in English. And that our Dogge thereupon is called a Daunser, and in the latine Saltator, you are so farre taught as you were desirous to learne: and now I suppose, there remaineth nothing, but that your request is fully acomplished.

[ 20] THus (Friend Gesner) you haue, not onely the kindes of our countrey Dogges, but their names also, as well in Latine as in English, their Offices, Seruices, Diuersities, Natures, and Properties, that you can demaund no more of me in this matter. And albeit I haue not satisfied your mind peraduenture (who suspectest al speed in the perfor∣mance of your request imploied, to be meere delaies) because I staid the setting forth of that vnperfect pamphlet, which fiue yeares agoe I sent to you as a priuate friend for your owne reading, and not to be printed and so made common, yet I hope (hauing like the Beare lickt ouer my young) I haue waded ouer in this worke to your contentation, which delay hath made somewhat better and Deuterai phrontides,* 1.137 after wit more meete to be per∣used.

[ 30] Now it is conuenient to shut vp this treatise of Dogges, with a recitall of their seuerall diseases and cures thereof; for as all other creatures, so that this beast is annoyed with many infirmities. First, therefore if you giue vnto a dog euery seuenth day or twice in se∣uen daies broath or pottage, wherein Iuy is sod, it will preserue him sound without any o∣ther medicine, for this hearbe hath the same operation in Dogs to make wholesom their meat, that it hath in sheepe to clense their pasture.* 1.138 The small roots of Ellebor which are like to Onions, haue power in them to purge the belly of Dogs: Other giue them goats-milk, or salt beaten small, or Sea-crabs beaten small and put into water, or Staues-acre, & imediatly after his purgation, sweet milke. If your dog be obstructed and stopped in the belly, which may be discerned by his trembling, sighing,* 1.139 and remoouing from place to [ 40] place, giuen vnto him Oaten meal and water to eat, mingled together and made as thick as a pultisse, or leauened oten-bread, and sometime a little whay to drinke.

The ancients haue obserued that Dogs are most annoyed with three diseases, the swel∣ling of the throat, the gowt, and madnes; but the later writers haue obserued many noy∣some infirmities in them. First, they are oftentimes wounded by the teeth of each other, and also of wilde beasts: for cure whereof, Blondus out of Maximus writeth these remedies following: First, let the sinnewes, Fibres, or gistles of the wound be layed togither, then sow vp the lips or vpper skin of the wound with a needle and thred, and take of the haires of the dog which made the wound and lay thereupon, vntil the bleeding be stanched, and so leaue it to the dog to be licked; for nature hath so framed the Dogs tongue, that ther∣by [ 50] in short space he cureth deepe wounds.

And if he cannot touch the sore with his toong▪ then doth he wet his foot in his mouth,* 1.140 and so oftentimes put it vpon the maime: or if neither of these can be performed by the beast himselfe, then cure it by casting vpon it the ashes of a dogs heade, or burned salte, mingled with liquid pitch powred therupon. When a dog returning from hunting is hurt

about the snowt,* 1.141 by the venemous teeth of some wilde beast, I haue seene it cured by ma∣king incision about the wound, whereby the poysoned blood is euacuated, and afterward the sore was annointed with oile of Saint Iohns wort. Wood-worms cureth a dog bitten by serpents.* 1.142 When he is troubled with vlcers or rindes in his skin, pieces of Pot-sheardes beaten to powder and mingled with vineger and Turpentine, with the fat of a Goose; or else waterwort with new Lard, applyed to the sore, easeth the same: and if it swel, anoint it with Butter.

For the drawing forth a thorne or splinter out of a Dogs foote, take coltes-foote and Lard, or the pouder there of burned in a new earthen pot, and either of these applyed to the foot, draweth forth the thorne and cureth the sore: for by Dioscorides it is said, to haue [ 10] force to extract any point of a Speare out of the body of a man. For the wormes which breede in the vlcers of their heeles, take Vnguentum Egiptiacum, and the iuice of peach leaues: There are some very skilfull hunters which affirme, that if you hang about the Dogs necke sticks of Citrine, as the wood drieth, so will the wormes come forth and dy. Again for th••s euil they wash the wounds with water, then rub it with pitch, time, and the dung of an Oxe in Vineger;* 1.143 afterward they apply vnto it the powder of Ellebor. When a dog is troubled with the maungie, itch, or Ring-wormes, first let him blood in his fore legs in the greatest veyne, afterward make an ointment of Quick siluer, Brimstone, net∣tle-seed,* 1.144 and twice so much olde sewet or Butter, and therewithal all anoint him, putting thereunto if you please decoction of Hops and salt water. [ 20]

Some do wash maungy Dogs in the Sea-water, and there is a caue in Sicily (saith Gra∣tius) that hath this force against the scabs of Dogs if they be brought thither, and set in the running water which seemeth to be as thicke as oyle. Flegme or melancholly doth of∣ten engender these euils, and so after one Dog is infected, all the residue that accompa∣ny or lodge with him, are likewise poisoned: for the auoyding thereof, you must giue them Fumitory, Sorrel, and whay sod together, it is good also to wash them in the sea, or in Smiths-water, or in the decoction aforesaid.

For the taking awaie of warts from the feet of Dogs or other members, first rub and friccase the wart violently, and afterward anoint it with salt, Oyle, Vineger, and the pow∣der of the rind of a Gourd, or else lay vnto it Alloes beaten with mustard-seed, to eat it off, [ 30] and afterward lay vnto it the little scories or iron chips, which flie off from the Smithes hotte iron while he beateth it, mingled with Vineger, and it shall perfectly remooue them.

Against Tikes, Lyce, and Fleas, annoint the Dogs with bitter Almonds, Staues acre, or Roots of Maple, or Cipers, or froth of Oile and if it be old; and annoint also their ears with Salt-water, and bitter Almondes, then shall not the flies in the Summer time enter into them. If Bees, or Waspes, or such Beasts sting a Dogge, lay to the sore burned Rue, with Water; and if a greater Fly, as the Hornet, let the Water be warmed. A Dog shall be neuer infected with the Plague if you put into his mouth in the time of any common pestilence,* 1.145 the powder of a Storks craw, or Ventrickle, or any part thereof with Water: [ 40] which thing ought to be regarded, (for no creature is so soone infected with the plague as is a Dogge and a Mule) and therefore they must either at the beginning receiue me∣dicine, or else bee remooued out of the ayre, according to the aduise of Gra∣tius:

Sed varij mitus nec in omnibus vna potestes, Disce vices & quae tutela est proxima, tenta.

Woolfe-wort,* 1.146 and Apocynon, whose leaues are like the leaues of Iuye, and smell strongly, will kill all Beasts which are littered blind; as Wolues, Foxes, Beares, and Dogs, if they [ 50] eat thereof: So likewise will the root of Chamaeleon and Mezereon, in water and oyle, it kil∣leth Mice,* 1.147 Swine, and Dogs▪ Ellebor, and Squilla, and Faba Lupina, haue the same opera∣tion▪ There is a Gourd (called Zinziber of the Water) because the tast thereof is like to Ginger, the Flower, Fruite, and Leafe thereof killeth Asses, Mules, Dogs, and manie o∣ther Foure-footed beastes. The nuts Vomicae, are poison to Dogges, except their care be

cut presently and made to bleed. It will cause them to leape strangely vp and downe, and kill him within two houres after the tasting, if it be not preuented by the former remedy. Theophrastus Chrysippus affirmeth, that the water wherein Sperrage beene sodde gi∣uen to Dogges, killeth them: the fume of Siluer or Leade hath the same opperati∣on.

If a Dog grow lean, and not through want of meat,* 1.148 it is good to fill him twice or thrice with Butter, and if that doe not recouer him, then it is a signe that the worme vnder his tongue annoieth him, (which must be presently pulled out by some Naule or Needle) & if that satisfie not, he cannot liue, but will in short time perish. And it is to be noted, that Oaten bread leauened, will make a sluggish dog to become lusty, agile, and full of spirit.* 1.149 [ 10] Dogs are also many times bewitched, by the onely sight of inchaunters, euen as infants, Lambes, and other creatures, according to Virgils verse;

Nescio quis teneros oculus mihi fascinat agnos.

For bewitching spirit entereth by the eie into the hart of the party bewitched: for re∣medy whereof, they hang about the necke a chaine of Corrall, as for holy hearbs I hold them vnprofitable.

To cure the watry eyes of Dogs, take warme water, and first wash them therewith, and then make a plaister of meale and the white of an Egge, and so lay it thereunto. By rea∣son [ 20] of that saying, Eccles. 20. cap. Bribes and gifts blind the eies of Iudges,* 1.150 euen as a dumbe dog turneth away Correction. Some haue deliuered, that greene Crow-foote forced into the mouth of a Dog, maketh him dumbe and not able to barke. When a Dog becommeth deafe, the oile of Roses with new pressed wine infused into his eares, cureth him: and for the wormes in the eares, make a plaister of a beaten spunge and the white of an Egge,* 1.151 and that shall cure it.

The third kind of Quinancy (called Synanche) killeth Dogs,* 1.152 because it bloweth vppe their chaps, and includeth their breath. The cough is very noisome to Dogs, wherefore their keepers must infuse into their Nostrils two cuppes of wine, with brused sweete Al∣monds: but Tardinus for this disease, prescribeth great parceley sod with Oyle, Honey, and Wine, and so giuen to the Dog. For the shortnes of the breath,* 1.153 bore him thorough [ 30] the eare, and if there be any helpe that will preuaile.

If a bone sticke in the mouth of a Dog, hold vppe his head backward, and powre Ale into his mouth vntill he cough, and so shall he be eased. When a Dog hath surfetted, and falleth to loth his meat, he eateth the hearbe Canaria and is releeued (both against his sur∣fet and also the bitings of Serpents.) For the wormes in the belly, he eateth wheate in the stalke. The gowt maketh the Dogs legs grow crooked, and it is neuer so cured, but that af∣ter a course or two they grow lame againe. When his skin flyeth from his nailes, take meale & water & bind them therunto for a remedie; and these are for the most part, those diseases wherewithall dogs are infected, and the other are either cured by heat, or by ea∣ting of grasse: and so for this part, I conclude both the sicknes and cure of dogs, with the [ 40] saying of Gratius:

Mille tement pestes curaque potentia maior.

Concerning the madnes of dogs, and their venemous bitings, we are now to speake:* 1.154 and first of al, no reasonable man ought to doubt, why the teeth of a mad dog should do more harme then of a sound and healthy one; because in rage and anger, the teeth of euery beast and creature, receiue venome and poison from the head (as it is well obserued by Aegineta) and so at that time fastning their teeth, they do more harm then at other times. Against the simple biting of a dog, it is sufficient to vse but the vrine of a dog, for there is not much venome in those wounds, and the vrine also wil draw out the prickles of a hedg∣hog, because such wounds haue in them but little poyson. Also (as Aetius prescribeth) it is very [ 50] Soueraigne in such wounds: first of all to couer and rub the sore with the palme of ones hand, and then powre into it Vineger and Nitre, so as it may discend to the bot∣tome of the wound, and afterward lay vnto it a new spunge wetted in the same Vineger & nitre, and let it be so continued for the space of three daies, and by the working thereof it shal be whole.

Also it is generally to be obserued in all the bitings of men by Dogs, that first of all it is requisite, that the wound be well rubbed ouer by the palme of the hand with Vineger, then poure into the wounds, vineger mixed with water or with nitre, laying also a spunge thereupon, and so bind it vpon the place, hauing first wetted the cloathes wherewithall you bind it with the said vineger mixed, so let it remaine bound vp three daies together, and afterward follow the common course of curing, as in euery vulgar woundes, or else, lay thereunto pellitory of the wall, mingled and beaten with salt, changing it euery day, vntill the crust or vpper skin thereof fall away.

It is also good sometimes the holes being small, to wet Lint in vineger, and to purge [ 10] the wound with pouder of Annisse-seed, or Cumin; laying the Lint vpon the Annisse for two or three daies. The same being thus purged, take a medicine of the equall partes of Hony, Turpentine, Butter, Goose-greace, Marrow of a Hart, or Calfe, melted betwixt the teeth of a man, and lay it thereunto, for it also cureth the bitinges of men: but if the sore be inflamed, then lay vnto it, Lentils sod with the parings of apples and dried, or the crummes of bred with the iuyce of beetes, and a little oyle of Roses, made like a plai∣ster.

Diuers Authors haue also prescribed these outward medicines against the bitinges of Dogs in generall, namely Vineger spunged, the lees of Vineger, with Nigella Romana, Venus haire, Alablaster, Brine with Lint, Garlicke mixed with hony and taken into the bo∣dy, Lees of Wine, Almonds both sweet and bitter mingled with Hony, dried Annisse-seeds [ 20] burned, the leaues of blacke Hore-hound or Archangell beaten with salt, scallions with Hony and Pepper of the case, the iuyce of Onions with Rue and Hony, or raw O∣nions with Hony and Vineger, but sod ones with hony & wine, (if they be green) let them lie to the wound three dayes: the ashes of Vine-trees with oyle, ashes of a figtree with a seare-cloath, beside infinite other elaborate medicines, drawne from Trees, Fruits, fields, Gardens, and all other creatures as if nature had onely strouen to prouide sundry ready cures for this euill aboue all other.

Leauing therefore the simple bitings of Dogs, let vs proceed to the madnesse of Dogs and their bitings, wherein the greater danger must be considered, with greater circum∣spection of remedies. First therfore, the ancients haue deriued Rabiem, of Rauiem, mad∣nesse, [ 30] of the hoarsnes of voice, (because a Dog at that time hath no perfect voice.) But it is more probable, that Rabies commeth of Rapiendo, because when a Dog beginneth to be oppressed heerewith, he biteth, snatcheth, runneth too and is fro, and is carryed from home and Maister, to his owne perdition: this by the Graecians is called Lytta, and Cynolossos.

By this euill, not onely Dogs perish, but all other creatures (except a Goose) bitten by them: and a man doth not escape without great perill. For Albertus relateth a story, of a man whose arme was bitten by a mad Dog, and after twelue yeares the sore brake forth a∣gaine, and he died within two dayes; and the reason heerof was (as in all likelihood that of Coelius) that when one and the same nature infecteth each other, as Dogs do Dogs, and [ 40] men do men, then by reason of their similitude and naturall sympathy, they receiue the consuming poyson with all speed: but if another nature infect that, betwixt whom in in∣clination and passion, there is a dissimilitude & Antipathy (as is betwixt a dog and a man) then will the poison receiue greater opposition, and bee so much the longer be∣fore it receiue predominant operation, because the first ouercommeth nature by trea∣son, against which there is no resistaunce; and the s••cond by open force and proclama∣tion of Warre, against which all the strength and force of nature is combined and oppo∣sed.

Heereof also it came to passe, that the Noble Lawyer Baldus, playing with his Dog at Trent,* 1.155 was bitten by him in his lip, and neglecting the matter (because he neuer suspected [ 50] the Dogs madnes) after foure moneths the poison wrought vppon him, and he perished miserably. Those Beastes which haue teeth like sawes, (as Dogges, Wolues, and Foxes) goe madde by nature, without the bitinges of others, but those which haue no such teeth (as Asses and Mules,) fall not madde at any time vntill they be bitten by other.* 1.156

Also it hath bene obserued, that sometimes a mad dog hath bitten,* 1.157 and there hath follo∣wed no harme at all, whereof this was the reason, because poison is not equally in all his teeth; and therefore biting with the purer and wholsomer, the wound became not peril∣lous.

A man bitten with a mad Dogge, falleth mad presently when he commeth vnder the shadow of a Corn-tree; as it is affirmed by most Phisitians,* 1.158 for that shaddow setteth the poyson on fire: but a man falling mad, of all creatures auoydeth a Dog, and a Dog most of all falleth vpon men. There are many things which engender madnes in Dogs, as hot wheaten bread dipped in beane-water, melancholy bred within them and not purged by [ 10] Canaria or other Hearbes, the menstruous pollutions of Women, and the paine of his teeth. Their madnesse is most dangerous in the Dog-daies, for then they both kil and pe∣rish mortally, for at that time their spittle or fome, falling vppon mans body,* 1.159 breedeth great daunger; and that if a man tread vpon the Vrine of a mad Dog, he shall feele paine by it if he haue a sore about him: from whence it came to passe, that a stone bitten by such a Dog, was a common prouerbe of discord. Also it is obserued, that if a wound be dres∣sed in the presence of man or woman, which hath beene bitten by a madde Dog, that the paine thereof wil be encreased: and which is more, that abortment wi••l follow vpon beasts with young, or Egs couered by the hen, by their presence: But for remedy,* 1.160 they wash their hands and sprinckle themselues, or the Beasts with that water, whereby the euill is to [ 20] be cured.

If the gall of a mad Dog, about the bignes of a Lentill seed be eaten, it killeth within se∣uen daies, or else doth no harme at all, if it passe seuen daies without operation.* 1.161 When a mad Dog had suddenlie tore in peeces a garment about ones body, the taylor or Bot••her tooke the same to mend, and forgetting himself, put on side of the breach into his mouth to stretch it out to the other, & fell mad immediately. Men thus affected, feare al waters, their virile member continually standeth, they suffer many conuulsions, and oftentimes barke like dogs.

There was a certaine Mason at Zuricke, who had his finger greeuously bitten with a madde Dog about Iuly, whereunto he layed Garlicke, Rue, and oile of Scorpions▪ and so it seemed to be healed, wherefore he tooke no counsell of any Phisiti••n. About August [ 30] following, he was taken with a feuer, being first very cold, then very hot, and so continu∣ed sweating for a day or two, and could not endure the cold aire. He thirsted much, yet when water or drinke was brought him, he was so afraid thereof that he could not drinke: his sweat was cold, and when he felt any colde ayre, hee cried out for feare it had bin wa∣ter, thus he remained trembling, and offering to vomit at the sight of water, many times howling, and so perished after two daies ended.

When a Dog is mad it may be knowne by these signes, for he will neither eat nor drink,* 1.162 he looketh awry and more sadly then ordinary; his body is leane, he casteth foorth thicke fleame out of his Nostrils or mouth: He breathe••h gaping, and his toong hangeth out of his mouth. His eares is limber and weake, his taile hangeth downeward: his pace is hea∣uy [ 40] and sluggish vntil he run, and then it is more rash, intemperate and vncertaine. Some∣times running, and presently after stand still againe: he is verie thirsty but yet abstaineth from drinke, he barketh not, and knoweth no man, biting both strangers and friends. His head hangeth downeward,* 1.163 he is fearefull and runneth into secret places from his whelps or fellowes, who often barke at him and will not eat of bread vppon which his blood hath fallen. His eies grow very red, hee many times dieth for feare of water: some discerne it by laying nuts or Graines of corne to the bitten place, and afterward take them away and cast them to Hens or Pullen, who for hunger will eate them, and if after the eating the fowle liue, the dog wil not be mad; but if it die, then for certaintie the dog will fall mad. [ 50] The which passions do also agree with them that are bitten by him, and it is not to be for∣gotten that the bitings of the female, bring more danger then the males.

The bodies of them that are thus wounded grow very dry and are pressed with inward burning fe••ers, if by musicke and delightfull sports they be not kept waking; many times they die suddenly, or els recouer for a small time, and then fall into a relapsed malady.

Some giue this to be the cause of their feare of Water, because their body

growing dry seemeth to forget all participation with humidity, but Rufus affirmeth, this commeth from melancholy, wherewithall these persons are most commonly affected: which agreeth with an imagination they haue, that they see Dogs in the water, and indeed it cannot be but their owne countenance, which in these passions is very red, doth woon∣derfully afflict them: both in the water, and in all looking glasses.

When a certaine Philosopher (being bitten by a mad dog) entered into a bath, and a strong apparition of a Dog presented it selfe vnto him therein,* 1.164 he stroue against this ima∣gination with a singuler confident corage to the contrary, saying, within himselfe. Quid cani commune est cum balneo, what hath a Dog to do in a Bath? and so went in and ouercam his disease: which thing had sildome chanced, that a man hath recouered this malady af∣ter [ 10] hee fell into feare and trembling, except Eudemus and Themiso, who obeying the re∣quest of a friend of his, entered likewise into the Water, and after many torments was re∣couered.

To conclude, some men in this extremity suffer most fearefull dreames, profusion of seed, hoarsnes of voice, shortnes of breath, retention of vrine, which also changeth co∣lour, being sometimes blacke, sometime like milke, sometime thicke, sometime thin as water, rumbling in the belly, by reason of crudity, rednes of the whole body, distention of nerues, heauines of mind, loue of darkenes, and such like. Yet doth not this operation appeare presently vpon the hurt, but sometimes at nine dayes, sometimes at forty daies, sometimes at halfe a yeare, or a yeare, or seuen, or twelue yeare, as was hath beene already [ 20] said.

* 1.165For the cure of these Dogges, and first of all for the preuenting of madnes, there are sundry inuented obsuerations. First, it is good to shut them vp, and make them to fast for one day; then purge them with Hellebor, and being purged, nourish them with breade of barley-meale. Other take them when they be young whelpes, and take out of their tongue a certaine little worme, which the Graecians call Lytta; after which time they neuer grow mad or fall to vomitting, as Gratius noted in these verses;

Namque subit nodis qua lingua renascibus haeret Verunculum dixere, mala atque incondita pestis Iam teneris elementa mali, causasque recidunt.

But immediatly it being taken forth, they rub the tongue with salt and oyle Columella tea∣cheth [ 30] that Shepheards of his time, took their Dogs tailes, and pulled out a certaine nerue or sinnew, which commeth from the Articles of the backe bone into their tailes, whereby they not onely kept the taile from growing deformed and ouerlong, but also constantly beleeued,* 1.166 that their Dogs could neuer afterward fall madde: whereunto Pliny agreeth, calling it a castration or gelding of the taile, adding, that it must be done before the dog be forty daies old▪ Some againe say, that if a Dog tast of a womans milke which she giueth by the birth of a boy, he will neuer fall mad. Nemesian ascribeth the cure heerof to Casto∣reum dried and put into milke, but this is to be vnderstoode of them that are already mad, whose elegant verses of the cause, beginning, and cure of a ruad dog, I haue thoght good [ 40] heere to expresse.

Exhalat seu terra siuus seu noxius aer Causa male, seu cum gelidus non sufficit humor. Torrida per venas concrescunt semina flammae.

Whatsoeuer it be he thus warranteth the cure.

Tunc virosa tibi sumes, multumque domabis Castorea adtritu silicis lentescere coges. Exebore huc trito puluis, lectore feratur A••miscens{que} diu, facies concrescere vtrunque Mox lactis liquidos sensim superadde fluores [ 50] Vt non cunctantes, haustos infundere cornu Inserto possis, furiasque repellere tristes.

Armetia a ••ing of Valentia,* 1.167 prescribeth this forme for the cure of this euill: let the Dog be put into the Water▪ so as the hinderlegs doe onely touch the ground, and his forelegs be tyed vp like hands ouer his head, and then being taken againe out of the wa∣ter,

let his haire be shaued off, that he may be pieled vntill he bleede: then annoynt him with oyle of Beetes, and if this do not cure him within seuen daies, then let him be knocked on the head, or hanged out of the way.

When a young male Dog suffereth madnesse, shut him vp with a Bitch;* 1.168 or if a young Bitch be also oppressed, shut her vp with a Dog, and the one of them will cure the madnes of the other.

But the better part of this labor, is more needeful to be emploid about the curing of men, or other creatures which are bitten by dogs, then in curing or preuenting that naturall in∣firmity. Wherefore it is to be remembred, that all other poysoned wounds are cured [ 10] by incision and circumcising of the flesh, and by drawing plaisters,* 1.169 which extract the ve∣nom out of the flesh and comfort nature; and by cupping-glasses, or burning yrons (as Coelius affirmeth) vpon occasion of a miraculous fiction of the Temple doore key of S. Bellinus, neere Rhodigium; for it was belieued, that if a mad man could hold that key in his hand red whot, he should be deliuered from his fittes for euer.

There was such another charme or incantantion among the Apuleians, made in forme of a prayer against all bitinges of madde Dogges, and other poysons, vnto an obscure Saint (called Vithus) which was to be saide three satterdaies in the euening, nyne times together, which I haue heere set downe for no other cause but to shewe their extreame folly.* 1.170

Alme vithe pellicane [ 20] Littusque polygnanicum Irasque canum mitigas Rictusque canis luridos

Oram qui tenes Apulam. Qui morsus rabidos leuas Tu sancte rabiem asperam Tu saeuam prohibbe luem.

I procul hinc rabies, procul hinc furor omnis abesto.

But to com to the cure of such as haue bin bitten by mad dogs: First I will set down some compound medicins to be outwardly aplyed to the body: secondly, some simple or vn∣compounded medicines: In the third place such compounded and vncompounded poti∣ons, as are to be taken inwardly agaist this poyson.* 1.171

For the outward compound remedies, a plaister made of Opponax and pitch, is much [ 30] commended, which Menippus vsed, taking a pound of Pitch of Brutias, and foure ounces of Opponax (as Aetius and Actuarius doe prescribe) adding withall, that the Opponax must be dissolued in vineger, and afterward, the Pitch and that vineger must be boyled toge∣ther, and when the vineger is consumed, then put in the Opponax, and of both together make like taynters of splints and thurst them into the wound, so let them remaine many dayes together, and in the meane time drinke an antidot of sea-crabs and vineger, (for vi∣neger is alway pretious in this confection.) Other vse Basilica, Onyons, Rue, Salt, ruste of Iron, white bread, seedes of horehound, and triacle: but the other plaister is most for∣cible to be applyed outwardly, aboue al medicines in the world.

For the simple or vncompounded medicines to be taken against this sore, are many: As Goose-grease, Garlike, the roote of Wilde roses drunke; bitter almonds, leaues of [ 40] chickweed, or pimpernell, the old skinne of a snake pounded with a male-sea-crab, Beto∣ny, Cabbage leaues, or stalkes, with persneps and vineger, lime and sewet, poulder of Sea-crabs with Hony; poulder of the shels of Sea-crabs, the haires, of a Dog, layed vp∣on the wound, the head of the Dog which did bite, mixed with a little Euphorbium; the haire of a man with vineger, dung of Goates with Wine, Walnuts with Hony and salte, poulder of figtree in a scarcloath, Fitches in wine, Euphorbium; warme horse-dung, raw beanes chewed in the mouth, figtree leaues, greene figs with vineger, fennel stalkes, Gen∣tiana, dung of pullen, the Lyuer of a Buck-goate, young Swallowes burned to poulder, also their dung; to vrine of a man, an Hyaenas skin, flower-deluce with hony, a Sea hearb [ 50] called Kakille, Silphum with salt, the flesh and shels of snayles, leeke seeds with salt, mints, the taile of a field-mouse cut off from her aliue and she ••uffered to liue, rootes of Burres, with salt of the Sea plantine, the tongue of a Ramme with salt, the flesh of al Sea-fishes, the fat of a sea-calfe and veruine, beside many other superstitious amulets which are vsed to be bound to the Armes, neckes, and brests, as the Canine tooth bound vp in a leafe and tyed to the Arme. A Worme bred in the dung of Dogges hanged about the necke,

the roote of Gentian in an Hyaenaes skin, or young Wolfes skin, and such like; whereof I know no reason beside the opinion of men.

The inward compound potions or remedies against the bitings of Dogs may be such as these. Take Sea-crabs, and burne them with twigs of white vines, and saue their ashes, then put to them the poulder of Gentian roote well clensed, and small beaten, and as oft as neede requireth take two spoonefuls of the first, and one of the second, and put them into a Cup of pure and vnmixed wine, and so drink it for foure daies together, being well beaten and stirred, so as the Wine be as thicke as a Cawdell; and there is nothing more forcible then Sea-crabs, Hiera, Diascincum, poulder of Walnuts in warme raine Water, Triacle, Castoreum, pilles, spurge-seede, and a decoction of Indian thorne with veruine gi∣uen [ 10] in water. These may serue for seuerall compound inward remedies against these poy∣sons, and now follow the simple.

First eating of garlike in our meate, drinking of wormwood, rams flesh burned and put into wine and so drunk. There is an hearb called Alysson, by reason of the power it hath a∣gainst this euill, which being bruised and drunke, cureth it. The liuer of a Boare dried and drunk in wine, hath the same operation. Iewes lime drunk in water, leeks & onions in meat, dogs blood, the head, the vaine vnder the tongue (commonly supposed to be a worme,) and the liuer of the dog which hath don the hurt, are also prescribed for a remedy of this euill: but especially the liuer or rennet of a young puppy, the rinde of a Wilde figtree, a d••am of Castoreum with oyle of roses Centaury, or Chamaeleon; the roote of a wild rose (cal∣led [ 20] Cynorrhodon and Cynosbaton) Ellebor, the braine of a hen drunke in some liquor, sorrel, Hony, mints, and plantine: but Pimpinella Germanica is giuen to all cattell which are bit¦ten by a mad Dog. Besides many other such like, which for breuity sake I omit, conclu∣ding against all superstitious curing by inchantments or supposed miracles, such as is in a certaine church of S. Lambert in a citty of Picardye, where the masse priestes, when a man is brought vnto them hauing this euill, they cut a crosse in his forehead, and lay vpon the wound a piece of S. Lamberts stole burning, (which they say (though falesely) is reserued to this day without diminution) then do they sow vp the wound again, & lay another plai∣ster vpon it, prescribing him a diet; which is to drink water, and to eat hard Egs, but if the party amend not within forty daies, they binde him hand and foote in his bed, and laying [ 30] another bed vpon him, there strangle him (as they thinke without all sinne) and for pre∣uentings of much harme that may come by his life▪ if ••ee should bite another. This sto∣ry is related by Alysius, and it is worth the noting, how murther accompanieth superstiti∣ous humane inuentions, and the vaine presumptuous confidence of crosse-worshippers: and thus much of the madnesse of dogs, and the cure thereof in men and beasts.

In the next place, the conclusion of this tedious discourse followeth, which is, the naturall medicines arising out of the bodyes of dogs, and so wee will tye them vp for this time.

* 1.172Whereas the inward partes of men are troubled with many euils, it is deliuered for truth, that if little Melitaean Dogs, or young sucking puppies, be layed to the brest of a child or man that hath infectious passions or pains in his entrals, the paine wil depart from [ 40] the man into the beast; for which cause they burned them when they were dead. Serenus doth expresse this very elegantly saying;

Q••in etiam catulum lactentem apponere membris Conuenit, omne malum transcurrere fertur in illum. Cui tamen extincto munus debetur humandi, Humanos quia contactus mala tanta sequntur, Et iunctus vitium ducit de coniuge coniux.

* 1.173If a Whelpe be cut asunder aliue, and layed vpon the head of a mad melancholike Wo∣man, it shall help her, and it hath the same power against the spleene. If a woman growe barren after she hath borne children,* 1.174 let her eate young Whelp-flesh, and Polypus fishe [ 50] sod in Wine and drinke the broath, and she shall haue ease of all infirmities in her sto∣mach and wombe.* 1.175 Water destilled out of Whelpes, causeth that pieled or shauen places shall neuer more haue haire grow vpon them.

With the fat of whelps, bowelled and sod til the flesh come from the bones, & then taken

and put into another vessell, and the weake, resolute, or paralitike members being there∣with anoynted, they are much eased if not recouered. Alysius saith, he made experience of puppies sod aliue in oyle, whereby he cured his gouty legd horses, and therefore it can∣not chuse but be much more profitable for a man.

The skin of a dog held with the fiue fingers, stayeth distillations; it hath the same operati∣on in gloues and stockins, and it will also ease both Ache in the belly, head, and feet, and therefore it is vsed to be worne in the shooes against the gout.* 1.176

The flesh of madde Dogges, is salted and giuen in meate to them which are bitten by mad Dogs for a singular remedy. The blood is commended against all intoxicating poy∣sons [ 10] and paines in the small guts, and it cureth scabs. The fat is vsed against deafenesse of the eares, the gout, nits in the head, and incontinency of vrine, giuen with Alumme. A plaister made of the marrow of a Dog and old wine, is good against the falling of the fun∣dament. The haire of a blacke Dog easeth the falling sicknesse, the braines of a Dog in linte and Wooll layed to a mans broken bones for foureteene dayes together, doeth consolidate and ioyne them together again, which thing caused Serenus to make these ex∣cellent verses:

Infandum dictu cunctis procull absit amicis Sed fortuna potens omen conuertat in hostes Vis indigna noue si sparserit ossa fragore, Conuentet cerebrum blandi canis addere fractis [ 20] Lintea deinde superque inductu nectere lauas Saepius & succos conspergere pinguis oliui Bis septem credunt reuatescere cuncta diebus.

The braine-pan or scul of a Dog cloue asunder, is aplied to heale the paine in the eies; that is, if the right eie bee grieued, thereunto apply the right side of the scull, if the left eie, the left side.

The vertues of a Dogs head made into poulder are both many and vnspeakeable▪ by it is the biting of mad Dogs cured, it cureth spots and bunches in the head, and a plaister thereof made with Oyle of Roses, healeth the running in the head: it cureth also tu∣mours in the priuy parts, and in the seate, the chippings in the fingers, and many other [ 30] diseases.

The poulder of the teeth of Dogges, maketh Childrens teeth to come forth with speed and easie, and if their gums be rubd with a dogs tooth, it maketh them to haue the sharper teeth: and the poulder of these Dogs teeth rubbed vpon the Gummes of young or olde, caseth tootache and abateth swelling in the gummes. The tongue of a Dogge, is most wholesome both for the curing of his owne woundes by licking, as also of any other crea∣tures. The rennet of a Puppy drunke with Wine, dissolueth the Collicke in the same houre wherein it is drunke:* 1.177 and the vomit of a Dog layed vpon the belly of a hydropick man, causeth Water to come forth at his stoole. The gall healeth all wheales and blisters after they be pricked with a Needle, and mingled with Hony it cureth pain in the eies, and [ 40] taketh away white spots from them: likewise infused into the eares, openeth all stoppings,* 1.178 reth all inward paines in them.

The Spleene drunke in vrine, cureth the spleenatick; the melt being taken from the Dog aliue, hath the same vertue to help the melt of man. The skinne of Bitches wherein they conceiue their puppies (which neuer touched the earth) is pretious against difficulty in childbirth, and it draweth the infant out of the wombe.* 1.179 The milk of a Bitches first whel∣ping, is an antidote against poyson, and the same causeth haire neuer to come againe, if it be rubbed vpon the place where haires are newly pulled off: Also infused into the eyes, driueth away the whitenes of them. Likewise there is no better thing to annoint the gums of young Children withall, before they haue teeth, for it maketh them to come forth with [ 50] ease: it easeth likewise the paine of the eares, and withall speed healeth burnt mouthes by any whot meate, Ora ambusta cibo sanabis lacte canino.

The vrine of a dog taketh away spots and wartes, and being mingled with salt of nitre, wonderfully easeth the Kings euill. The dung of dogges (called by the Apothecaryes Album Graecum) because the white is best, being engendered by eating of bones, and

therefore hath no ill sauour, Galen affirmeth that his maisters in Physicke, vsed it against old sores, bloody flixes, and the Quinensie, and it is verye profitable to staunche the blood of Dogs, and also against inflamations in the brests of Women, mingled with tur∣pentine. It was well prescribed by Auicen, to expell congeled bloode out of the sto∣macke and bladder, being taken thereof so much in powder as will lye vppon a Golden Noble.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The name & deriration thereof.
• * 1.2

  The coūtries and diuersi∣ties of Dogs.
• * 1.3

  The general nature of dogs.
• * 1.4

  Their out∣ward parts. Aristotle Albertus A secret in the braine.
• * 1.5

  Pliny.
• * 1.6

  Aristotle. Pliny.
• * 1.7

  Aristotle. Blondus. Pliny.
• * 1.8

  The parts of a female dog
• * 1.9

  Galen.
• * 1.10

  The voice of Dogges. Pliny.
• * 1.11

  Arremidorus
• * 1.12

  O••us. Emblemati∣call descrip∣tions.
• * 1.13

  The making of vrine. Aristotle. Pliny.
• * 1.14

  Albertus The factions of Dogs for their owne ease.
• * 1.15

  The sleep of Dogges.
• * 1.16

  Their copula¦tion and ly∣ming Columella
• * 1.17

  Aristotle
• * 1.18

  Tardinus
• * 1.19

  The time of a Bitches whelping & bearing her young. Aristotle
• * 1.20

  Aristotle The h••st 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is a male.
• * 1.21

  The blindnes of Whelpes.
• * 1.22

  Aelianus A ••ecret in ••he•• foode.
• * 1.23

  Tardinus
• * 1.24

  Athenaeus
• * 1.25

  a remedy for loathing meate.
• * 1.26

  Of the cho••••e o••••generous whelpe.
• * 1.27

  Tardinus
• * 1.28

  Of the nature and inward qualities of Dogges.
• * 1.29

  Of the loue of a Dogge.
• * 1.30

  Pliny Plutarch Homer A secret to pacifie an an∣gry Dog. Aelianus
• * 1.31

  a history of a dogs memo∣ry.
• * 1.32

  Gillius K••amides a secret in the feare of a dog
• * 1.33

  The reason of Dogges.
• * 1.34

  Solinus Aelianus Pliny. Giraldus The honor done to dogs
• * 1.35

  Coelius
• * 1.36

  Varinus
• * 1.37

  Hesychius Arnobius
• * 1.38

  Pliny
• * 1.39

  Plutarch
• * 1.40

  P••stus Coelius
• * 1.41

  Arnobius Gyraldus
• * 1.42

  Of dishonor and ignobili∣ty of Dogs.
• * 1.43

  Marcellus
• * 1.44

  Porphyrius
• * 1.45

  Homer Horace
• * 1.46

  Constantius
• * 1.47

  Stobaeus
• * 1.48

  The vse of their parts.
• * 1.49

  Blondus.
• * 1.50

  Oppianus The flesh of Dogs eaten.
• * 1.51

  Instaurion••.
• * 1.52

  Admantius
• * 1.53

  Munsterus
• * 1.54

  The name of a greyhound
• * 1.55

  Oppianus Their descrip¦tion. Plutarch
• * 1.56

  Their desire of fit game.
• * 1.57

  Countries of Grey∣hounds.
• * 1.58

  Generation by Tygres. Aristotle
• * 1.59

  Pliny. A history of Alexanders dogs.
• * 1.60

  Gillius Aelianus Pliny. Strabo Pollux.
• * 1.61

  Pollux Th•• Alb••••i∣an Dogges Solmus. Seneca
• * 1.62

  The Dogges Molosse of o•• Creet. Aristotle. Albertus Ʋarinus.
• * 1.63

  Pollux.
• * 1.64

  Xenophon. ••e••••as
• * 1.65

  of people that liue vpon the m•••••• of Dogs
• * 1.66

  Aelianus
• * 1.67

  Aelianus Dogs deuou∣rers of men.
• * 1.68

  Valerius m••••
• * 1.69

  Ranisius
• * 1.70

  Ranisius Text
• * 1.71

  The French Dogges.
• * 1.72

  The quali∣ties and parts of a good Grey-hound Pliny. Xenophon.
• * 1.73

  Bellisarius.
• * 1.74

  Pollux.
• * 1.75

  The time of teaching a grey-hound.
• * 1.76

  Aristotle Xenophon.
• * 1.77

  The time of engendring.
• * 1.78

  Pliny. Aristotle.
• * 1.79

  Albertus.
• * 1.80

  An inuentiō to make a Grey-hound haue a long necke.
• * 1.81

  The diet of a good Grey-hound.
• * 1.82

  in Cureull. What smel∣ling or saga∣city in Dogs is.
• * 1.83

  Bell••sari••
• * 1.84

  The choyce of a hound of the best nose.
• * 1.85

  Zenophon. Omni bonus Oppianus
• * 1.86

  ••he best 〈◊〉〈◊〉 o•• hun∣ting.
• * 1.87

  The first training of hounds.
• * 1.88

  Of the hoūds of sundry countries.
• * 1.89

  Stroza.
• * 1.90

  Commixtiō of kinds in procreation. Pliny.
• * 1.91

  Of Dogs de∣fenders and attenders on men. Blondus.
• * 1.92

  Aelianus
• * 1.93

  A history of the rare trust of a Dog and and care to keepe his maisters goods. Tzetzes.
• * 1.94

  Aelianus. Tzetzes.
• * 1.95

  Asclepiades. Aelianus Pollux.
• * 1.96

  Of fighting Dogs defending Men Aelianus. Tzetzes.
• * 1.97

  Pliny▪
• * 1.98

  Tzetzes.
• * 1.99

  Dogs detect∣ors of mur∣ders
• * 1.100

  Plutarch.
• * 1.101

  Blondus
• * 1.102

  A Combat.
• * 1.103

  Blondus. The greater sociable dogs or defenders
• * 1.104

  Blondus. Of defēding dogs.
• * 1.105

  Tzetzes. A••rianus.
• * 1.106

  A cruel mur∣ther of a Q. by a Dogge.
• * 1.107

  A most me∣morable sto∣ry of the dog of Rhodes
• * 1.108

  Aelianus.
• * 1.109

  Textor.
• * 1.110

  Pliny. Pet. Martyr.
• * 1.111

  Deserued pu¦nishment of vnnatural co¦pulation
• * 1.112

  The Shep∣heards Dog.
• * 1.113

  Columella.
• * 1.114

  Blondus.
• * 1.115

  Fronto.
• * 1.116

  Strabo
• * 1.117

  varro Fronto. Ths loue of dogs to the cattell they attend.
• * 1.118

  A pretty fa∣ble of the Sheep & the Dogge.
• * 1.119

  The colour of this Dog.
• * 1.120

  Of marriners dogs on ship∣board
• * 1.121

  Vegetius
• * 1.122

  A••temdorus
• * 1.123

  Aristotle. ••r••ldus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 keepers 〈…〉〈…〉. D•••••• Chriso.
• * 1.124

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.125

  Schneb••rg▪
• * 1.126

  Iohn Cay.
• * 1.127

  The first ge∣neration of Mimicke Dogs.
• * 1.128

  The feates of dogs.
• * 1.129

  Albertus
• * 1.130

  Strabo. O•• the Meli∣taean Dogs.
• * 1.131

  Aelianus
• * 1.132

  Blondus. The arte of making of lit¦tle Dogs.
• * 1.133

  Aelianus A lamenta∣ble story of the discouery of an adul••e∣rer by a little dog.
• * 1.134

  Aelianus Solinus.
• * 1.135

  Pollux.
• * 1.136

  Aelianus
• * 1.137

  Of the disea∣ses of dogs & their cures. Blondus.
• * 1.138

  Pliny. Tardinus.
• * 1.139

  Albertus.
• * 1.140

  Albertus.
• * 1.141

  Blondus.
• * 1.142

  Plinyus.
• * 1.143

  Tardinus.
• * 1.144

  Albertus. Rasis
• * 1.145

  Blondus.
• * 1.146

  Pliny.
• * 1.147

  Discorides
• * 1.148

  Albertus
• * 1.149

  Blondus.
• * 1.150

  Ʋnicentius.
• * 1.151

  Tardinus.
• * 1.152

  Pollux. Niphus.
• * 1.153

  Blondus.
• * 1.154

  Of the bitīgs of mad dogs and their curs.
• * 1.155

  Mathaeolus. A History of the death of Baldus.
• * 1.156

  Mishal Ephe¦s••us.
• * 1.157

  Aug. Niphus
• * 1.158

  Ponzettus.
• * 1.159

  Pliny. Do•• daies most perilous for mad dog••
• * 1.160

  Pliny.
• * 1.161

  Bortrutius.
• * 1.162

  Signs to kno a mad Do••▪
• * 1.163

  Bertrurius. Ponzettus.
• * 1.164

  Aetius.
• * 1.165

  The cure of mad Dogs ey¦ther for pre∣u••nting or ••e¦couering. Pliny.
• * 1.166

  Pliny.
• * 1.167

  Albertus
• * 1.168

  Blondus.
• * 1.169

  The cure of a mā or be••st bitten by a mad Dogge.
• * 1.170

  A foolish charme and prayer to vi∣thus.
• * 1.171

  Discoride••
• * 1.172

  The naturall medicines
• * 1.173

  Amatus
• * 1.174

  Hippocrates
• * 1.175

  Furnerius
• * 1.176

  Pliny.
• * 1.177

  Rasis Sextus
• * 1.178

  Pliny. Aesculapius
• * 1.179

  Dioscorid••••