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.

THE CRVCIGERAN FOXE.

[illustration]

[ 10] [ 20]

SErpents, Apes, and Foxes, and al other dangerous harmeful beasts, haue small eies,* 1.1 but sheepe and Oxen which are simple, very great eyes. The Germans when they discribe a good Horsse, they deci∣pher in him the outward parts of many beastes, from whom (it see∣meth) he partaketh his generosity, and from a Foxe they ascribe vn∣to [ 30] him short eares, a long and bushy taile, and easie and soft treading step, (for these belong to a Foxe.) The male Foxe hath a hard bony genitall,* 1.2 his taile is long and hairy at the end, his temperament or constitution is whot, as appeareth both bycause of his resemblance or similitude with Dogges and Weasils, and also his ranke and stronge smelling sauour; for being dead, his skinne hath power in it of heating, and his fat or oyle after a decoction is of the same force & condition.

The greatest occasion of his hunting is the benefit of his skinne, for his flesh is in all things like a Dogs,* 1.3 and although Galen, Mnesimachus, and Silutus affirme, that in the Au∣tume or latter part of the yeare, some men vse to eate the flesh of Foxes, (especially be∣ing [ 40] Cubs) that is young, tender, and not smelling: but Aetius and Rasis affirme, (and that with great reason) that their flesh, and the flesh of Hedg-hogs and Hares, is not agreea∣ble to the nature of man.

But their skinne retaineth the qualities of the whot beast being pulled off, by reason of the long and soft haire growing thereupon;* 1.4 and the skins of Cubs which are preferred before the elder, are of least value, because their haire is apt to fall off, which being thin doth not admit any deepe rootings of the haire. The Thracians in the time of Xenopho••, wore Caps of Foxes skinnes vpon their heades and eares, in the coldest and hardest win∣ters, and from hence it commeth, that in some Authors the couers of mens heads, (com∣monly called in Greeke Pericephalaea) are termed Alopecia, or Alopeci•••• and for this pur∣pose [ 50] in Germany at this day, they slit asunder the skin of foxes tailes, and sow it together againe, adding to it a sufficient number till it be framed into a cap: but the skin of the bel∣ly and sides is of more pretious estimation, because it is more soft and smooth, and there∣fore is sold for twice so much as the other parts.

In the Summer time the skinnes are little worth, because that then the beasts are trou∣bled

with the Alopecia, that is, the falling off or loosenesse of the haire; and therefore then also they are daungerous to bee vsed, because of that disease: men which haue the gout, shrinking vp of the sinnewes, or other cold fluxions of the Rhewme in their Legs, can use no better or more wholesome thing then to weare buskins of the skins of Foxes;* 1.5 the Scy∣thians make them shooes, and soale them with the backes of Foxe and Myse skinnes, vp∣on which they go. The Latines haue a proper word for the voyce of a Fox, which is Gan∣nio Gannire, to Ganne, and it is also metaphorically applyed to men, when by scrietching clamours they trouble others; as Terence in Adelph: quid iile gannit? Quid vult?* 1.6 And Plautus also; Gannit odiosus omni toti familiae, and for this voyce did Mantuan Write this [ 10] verse:

Putes vlutare lupos, gannire sagaces -vulpeculos.

But yet as Albertus and Constantinus haue truely obserued, that in the time of his hun∣ger he will barke like a little Dogge, and the Harts are greatly afraid of this ganning of Foxes.

It hath beene already shewed in the story of the Badger, how the Foxe by laying his ex∣crements in the Badgers den, getteth the same to his owne vse;* 1.7 for the abode of Foxes in the day time is in the caues and holes of the earth, and come not abroad til the night. These dens haue many caues in them, and passages in and out, that when the Tertars shall set vpon him in the ear••h▪ he may go forth some other way: and forasmuch as the Wolfe is an [ 20] enemy to the Foxe, he layeth in the mouth of his den, an Herbe (called Sea-onyon) which is so contrary to the nature of a Wolfe, and he so greatly terrified therewith,* 1.8 that hee will neuer come neere the place where it either groweth or lyeth; the same is affirmed of the Turtle to saue her young ones, but I haue not read that Wolues will prey vpon Tur∣tles, and therefore we reiect that as a fable.

When Aristomanes was taken by the Lacaedemonians,* 1.9 and included into a rocke or qua∣rey of stones, he escaped out of their handes, by digging another passage out of it then where he was put in; saying, that it was a shame for a man to haue lesse wit then a fox. When they are in their dens, they lye vpon their bellies with their hinder Legges stret∣ched forth at length, like as a man when he sleepeth on his belly, and therefore it seemeth [ 30] that their legs are so framed to creepe and pierce vnder the earth and dig out their way after their owne pleasure.

This is such a deuouring beast that it forsaketh nothing fit to be eaten,* 1.10 for it killeth Hares and Connies, and with his breath draweth fielde Myce out of their holes like as a Hart draweth out Serpents with his breath, and deuoureth them. He deuoureth also all kind of Pullen, they also eate Grapes, Apples, and Peares, whereupon came the prouerbe in Plautus, Tam facile vinces quam vulpes pyrum comest. Thou shalt as easily ouercome him, as a Foxe eateth a Peare: which is applyed to any easie or dispatchable businesse. In Ara∣bia, and Syria Palaestina, they are so rauenous, harmefull, and audacious, that in the night by ganning and barking, they inuite one another (as it were) by a Watchworde, to as∣semble in great multitudes together, for to prey vpon all things, and they feare not to car∣ry [ 40] into their dens, old shooes and vessels, or instrumentes of husbandry: for which cause, when the husbandmen heare therof, they gather all thinges into their houses and watch them.

But as it falleth out in all gluttonous rauening persons, that while they striue to fil their bellies, they poison their liues, so also it fareth with Foxes, for nature hath so ordained,* 1.11 that if a Foxe eat any meat wherein are bitter Almondes, they die thereof, if they drinke not presently: and the same thing do Aloes in their meate worke vppon them,* 1.12 as Scaliger affirmeth vpon his owne sight or knowledge Apocynon or Bear foot giuen to dogs, wolues,* 1.13 Foxes, and all other beasts which are littered blind, in fat or any other meat killeth them, if [ 50] vomit helpe them n••t, which falleth out very sieldome, and the seeds of this hea••be haue the same operation. It is reported by Democritus, that if wilde r••e be secretly hu••ge vnder a Hens wi••g no Fox wil meddle with her, and the same writer also declareth for approo∣ued, that if you mingle the gal of a Fox, or a cat, with their ordinary foode, they shall re∣maine free from the the d••ngers of these beasts.

When they engender and admit copulation, they are ioyned like dogs,* 1.14 the male vpon the

female: and the female when she perceiueth her wombe filled, shee departeth and liueth very secret, for it falleth out very seldome that a female or Bitch-Foxe is taken great with young. She bringeth forth ordinarily foure at a time, and those blinde and imperfect, without Articles in their Legges, which are perfected and framed by licking, for Beares, Wolues, Lyons, Foxes, Dogges, and Thoes which are Multipara and Multifida, that is fruitefull, bearinge many at one time, and also Clouen or slitte-sooted, into many clawes, haue not the benefit of nature to perfect their young ones in their wombes.

Kytes, vultures, and Eagles lye in wayt to destroy the Foxes Cubs or Whelpes. Fox∣es do not onely engender with their owne kinde, but also with Wolues, Dogges, or any other beastes of equall proportion, both of quantity and time of going with yong, so the [ 10] Laconian Dogs are engendered by a Dogge and a Foxe, and the Hyaena, of a Wolfe and a Foxe (as Albertus affirmeth) and the Simiuulpa of an Ape and a Foxe, as is already in the story of Apes declared.

There be also many euils wherewithall Foxes are annoyed, and first of all he falleth sometime into madnesse as a Dogge,* 1.15 and the same euils follow a madde Foxe, which al∣ready are manifested to accompany a mad Dog, and that more often in Summer then in winter.

* 1.16When a Foxe feeleth himselfe sicke, nature hath taught him to eate the gum of Pine∣trees, wherewithall he is not onely cured, but also receiueth length of daies. They are al∣so vexed with the falling away of their haire, called therefore Alopecia, because Foxes are [ 20] most commonly vexed therewith, and as we see in plantes, that some of them drye and consume through want of moysture to feede them, other are suffocated and choaked by aboundance, and as it were drowned in humidity: so it happeneth in haire, which grow∣eth out of the body of beastes, and the heades of men, no otherwise then plants out of the earth, and are therefore to be nourished by humours; which if they faile and waxe drye, the haire also shorteneth with them, and as it were rotteth away in length: but if they a∣bound and ouerflowe, then do they loosen the rootes of the haire, and cause them to fall off totally.

This disease is called Alopecia, and the other Ophiasis, because it is not generall, but on∣ly particular in one member or part of the body or head, & there it windeth or indenteth [ 30] like a Serpents figure.

Mychaell Ferus affirmeth, that sometime the liuer of the Foxe inflameth, and then it is not cured but by the vlcerous blood flowing to the skin, and that euill blood causeth the Alopecia, or falling away of the haire, for which cause (as is already said) a Foxes skin is lit∣tle worth that is taken in the summer time.

The length of the life of a Foxe is not certainely knowen, yet as Stumpsius and others affirme,* 1.17 it is longer then the life of a Dog. If the vrine of a Foxe fall vpon the grasse or o∣ther Herbs it drieth and killeth them, and the earth remaineth barren euer afterward. The sauour of a Foxe is more strong then of any other vulgar beast, he stincketh at Nose and taile,* 1.18 for which cause Martiall calleth it Olidam Vulpem, an Olent or smelling beast. [ 40]

Hic olidam clamosus ages in retia vulpem.

Touching the hunting or taking of Foxes, I approue the opinion of Xenophon, who a∣uoucheth,* 1.19 leporum capturam venatico studia quam vulpium digniorem; that is, the Hun∣ting of the Hare is a more noble game or pastime then the hunting of the Foxe.

This beast is more fearefull of a Dogge then a Hare, for the onely barking of Dogges causeth him to rise many times from his denne or lodgings out of the earth, or from the middle of bushes,* 1.20 briars, and brambles, wherein he hid himselfe: and for his hunting this is to be obserued;* 1.21 that as in hunting of a Hart it hath beene already related, the Hunter must driue the beast with the winde, because it hindereth his refrigeration, so in hun∣ting of a Foxe he driue him againe the winde, and then he preuenteth all his crafty and [ 50] subtill agitations and diuises; for it stayeth his speede in running, and also keepeth his sa∣uour fresh alway in the Nose of the Dogs that follow him:* 1.22 for the Dogges that kill a Fox must be swifte, stronge, and quicke sented, and it is not good to put on a few at once, but a good company together, for be assured the Foxe will not loose his owne blood till hee hazzard some of his enemies, and with his taile which he windeth euery way, doth hee

delude the hunters: when the Dogs are pressed neere vnto him, and are ready to bite him,* 1.23 he striketh his taile betwixt his Legs, and with his owne vrine wetteth the same, and so in∣stantly striketh it into the dogs mouths, whereof when they haue tasted, so many of them as it touched will commonly leaue off and follow no farther.

Their teeth are exceeding sharp, and therefore they feare not to assault or contend with beasts, exceeding their stature, strength, and quantity. Somtime he leapeth vp into a tree, and there standeth to be seene and bayed at by the Dogs and Hunters,* 1.24 like as a Champi∣on in some fort or Castle, and although fire be cast at him, yet will he not discend down a∣mong the dogs; yea, he endureth to be beaten and pierced with Hunters speares, but at length being compelled to forsake his holde and giue ouer to his enemies, downe he lea∣peth, [ 10] falling vpon the crew of barking Dogs, like a flash of lightning, and where he layeth hold there he neuer looseth teeth, or aswageth wrath, til other dogs haue torne his limbs, and driuen breath out of his body.

If at any time he take the earth, then with Terriour dogges they ferret him out of his den againe. In some places they take vpon them to take him with nets which sildome pro∣ueth, because with his teeth he teareth them in pieces; yet by Calentius this deuise is allo∣wed in this verse:

Et laqueo Vulpes & decipe casse foïnas.

[ 20] But this must be wrought vnder the earth in the caues, dennes, or furrowes, made of pur-which is to be performed two manner of waies, one by placing the gin in some perch of Wood, so as that assoone as the beast is taken by the Necke, it may presently fly vp and hang him, for otherwise with his teeth hee will sheare it asunder and escape away aliue: or else that neere the place where the rope is fastened, to slippe vppon the heade of the Foxe, there bee placed some thicke collor or brace, so as hee can neuer bite it asun∣der.

The French haue a kind of Ginne to take them by the Legges (which they call Hausepi∣ed) and I haue heard of some which haue found the Foxes Legge in the same Gin,* 1.25 bit∣ten off with his owne teeth from his body, rather putting himselfe to that torment with [ 30] his owne teeth, then to expect the mercy of the Hunter, and so went away vppon three feet: and other haue counterfeited themselues dead, restraining their breath and winking, not stirring any member when they saw the Hunter come to take them out of the Ginne,* 1.26 who comming and taking his Legge forth, not suspecting any life in them, so soone as the Foxe perceiueth himselfe free, away hee went and neuer gaue thankes for his deliue∣rance: for this cause Blondus saith truely, that onely wise and olde Hunters are fit to take Foxes, for they haue so many deuises to beguile men, and deliuer themselus, that it is hard to know when he is safely taken vntill he be throughly dead.

They also vse to set vp Ginnes for them bayted with Chickens in Busnes and Hedges: but if the setter be not at hand so soone as the Foxe is insnared, it is daungerous but that [ 40] the beast will deliuer it selfe. In some places againe they set vp an iron toyle, hauing in it a ring for the foxe to thrust in his head, and through that sharpe pikes, at the farther end whereof is placed a piece of flesh, so that when the hungry foxe commeth to bite at the meate and thrusteth in his head, the pikes sticke fast in his necke, and he ineuitably insna∣red: Moreouer as the harmefulnesse of this beast hath troubled many, so also they haue deuised moe engins to deceiue and take him; for this cause there is another pollicy to kill him by a bowe, full bent, with a sharpe arrow, and so tenderly placed as is a trap for a Mouse, and assoone as euer the foxe treadeth thereon, presently the arrow is discharged into his owne bowels, by the waight of his foote.

Againe, for the killing of this beast they vse this sleight, they take of Bacon-grease or [ 50] Bacon as much as ones hand, and rost the same a little, and therewith annoint their shoe∣soles, and then take the Liuer of a Hogge cut in pieces, and as they come out of the wood where the beast lodgeth, they must scatter the said pieces in their foote-steps and drawe the carcasse of a dead Cat after them, the sauour whereof will prouoke the beast to follow the foot-steps, then haue they a cunning Archer or handler of a Gunne, who obserueth

and watcheth in secret till the Beast come within his reach, and so giueth him his great & deadly wound.

But if the Fox be in the earth, and they haue found his denne then they take this course to worke him out. They take a long thing like a Bee-hiue, and open at one end, and yron wiers at the other like a grate, and at the open end is set a little doore to fall downe vppon the mouth, and to inclose the Fox when he entereth in by touching of a small rod that sup∣porteth that doore. This frame is set to the Foxes dens mouth, and all the other passages watched and stopped. The Fox hauing a desire to go forth, & seeing light by the wiers, mis¦deemeth no harme, and entereth into the hiue which is wrought close into the mouth of [ 10] his den, and being entered into it, the rodde turneth the dore fast at the lower end or en∣traunce, and so the fox is intrapped, to be disposed of at the will of the taker.

* 1.27Foxes are annoied with many enemies, and to beginne with the least, the small flies and called gnats do much trouble and infect them, against whome the foxe vseth this policie: He taketh a mouthful of straw or soft hay, or haire, and so goeth into the water, dipping his hinder parts, by litle and litle, then the flies betake themselues to his heade, which he kee∣peth out of water, which the fox feeling, dippeth or diueth also the same vnder water to his mouth,* 1.28 wherein he holdeth the hay as aforesaid, whereunto the flies runneth for sanctuary or dry refuge, which the fox perceiuing, suddenly casteth it out of his mouth, and runneth out of the water, by this meanes easing himselfe of al those enemies.

In like manner, as al beasts are his enemies, and hee friend and louing to none, so with [ 20] strength, courage, and policie, he dealeth with euery one, not onely against the beastes of the land, but also against the monsters of the sea. When he findeth a neast of waspes in the earth, or in other places, as in Trees, he laieth his taile to the hole, and so gathereth into it a great many of them, which he presently dasheth against the Wall, or Tree, or stones ad∣ioyning, and so destroyeth them, and thus he continueth vntill he haue killed them al, and so maketh himselfe execute to their heapes of hony.* 1.29

His manner is when he perceiueth or seeth a flocke of foule to flye in the aire, to rowle himselfe in red earth, making his skin to looke bloody, and lie vpon his backe, winking with his eie, and holding in his breath as if he were dead, which thing the birds, namely Crows, [ 30] Rauens and such like obseruing, because of the hatred of his person, they for ioy alight & triumph at his ouerthrow, and this the fox indureth for a good season, till oportunity ser∣uing his turne, and some of the fowle come neare his snowt, then suddenly hee catcheth some one of them in his mouth, feeding vpon him like a liuing and not a dead foxe, and so doth deuoure and eate him, as the Leopard doth deuoure and eate Apes, and the Sea-frog other little fishes.

In like sort he deceiueth the Hedgehogge, for when the hedghog perceiueth the foxe comming to him, he rowleth himselfe togither like a foote-ball, and so nothing appeareth outward exeept his prickles, which the fox cannot indure to take into his mouth, and then the crafty fox to compasse his desire, licketh gently the face and snowt of the Hedgehogge, by that meanes bringing him to vnfold himselfe againe, and to stand vpon his legs, which [ 40] being done, he instantly deuoureth, or else poisoneth the beast with the vrine that he ren∣dereth vpon the Hedgehogges face: and at other times hee goeth to the waters, and with his taile draweth fishes to the brimme of the Riuer, and when that he obserueth a good boo∣ty, hee casteth the Fishes cleane out of the water vppon the dry lande, and then devoureth them.

All kinds of Hawkes are enemies to foxes, and foxes to them, because they liue vppon Carrion, and so in the prouince of Vla. Auicen saw a fox and a Crow fight together a longe season, and the Crow with his talentes so bee gripling the foxes mouth, that he coulde not barke, and in the meane time she beat and picked his head with her bill vntil he bled againe. [ 50] The Eagles fight with foxes and kil them, and Olaus Magnus affirmeth, that in the Northern Regions they lay Egges and hatch their young in those skinnes which they themselus haue stripped off from foxes and other beasts.

The Kites, Vultures, and wolues are enemies to foxes, because they are al flesh-deuouring-creaturs, but the fox which hath so many enemies, by strength or subtilties ouer commeth al

Whereupon Persius calleth a subtill man a Foxe; saying,

Astutam vapido seruas sub pectore vulpem.

The medicinall vses of this beast are these: first, (as Pliny and Marcellus affirme) a Fox sod in water till nothing of the Foxe be left whole except the bones,* 1.30 and the Legges or other parts of a gouty body washed and daily bathed therein, it shall driue away all paine and griefe, strengthning the defectiue and weake members; so also it cureth all the shrinking vp and paines in the sinnewes: and Galen attributeth the same vertue to an Hyaena sod in Oyle, and the lame person bathed therein, for it hath such power to euacuate and draw forth whatsoeuer euill humour aboundeth in the body of man,* 1.31 that it leaueth nothing [ 10] hurtfull behinde.

Neuerthelesse, such bodies are soone againe replenished through euill dyet, and relap∣sed into the same disease againe. The Fox may be boyled in fresh or salt water with annise and time, and with his skin on whole and not slit, or else his head cut off, there being added to the decoction two pintes of oile.

The flesh of a Foxe sod and layed to asore bitten by a Sea-hare,* 1.32 it cureth and healeth the same. The Foxes skinne (as is already said) is profitable against all moyste fluxes in the skinne of the body, and also the gowt, and cold in the sinnewes. The ashes of Foxes flesh burnt and drunk in wine, is profitable against the shortnesse of breath and stoppings of the liuer.

[ 20] The blood of a Foxe dissected and taken forth of his vrine aliue, and so drunke,* 1.33 brea∣keth the stone in the bladder, or else (as Myrepsus saieth) kill the Foxe, and take the blood and drinke a cupfull thereof, and afterward with the same wash the genitall parts, and with∣in an houre the stone shall be voyded: the same vertue is in it being dryed and drunke in wine with sugar.

Oxycraton and Foxes blood infused into the Nostrils of a lethargicke Horsse,* 1.34 cureth him. The fat is next to a Buls and a Swines, so as the fat or larde of Swyne may be vsed for the fat of Foxes, and the fat of Foxes for the Swynes grease in medicine. Some do heere∣with annoynt the places which haue the Crampe, and all trembling and shaking mem∣bers. The fatte of a Foxe and a Drake inclosed in the belly of a Goose, and so rosted, [ 30] with the dripping that commeth from it they annoynt paralyticke members.

The same with powder of Vine twigs mollified and sod in lye, attenuateth and bring∣eth downe all swelling tumours in the flesh.* 1.35 The fat alone healeth the Alopecias and loos∣nesse of the haire; it is commended in the cure of all sores and vlcers of the head, but the gall and fime with Mustard-seede is more approued. The fat is also respected for the cure of paine in the eares, if it be warmed and melt at the fire and so instilled;* 1.36 and this is vsed against tingling in the eares. If the haires rot away on a Horsse taile, they recouer them againe by washing the place with vrine and branne, with Wine and Oyle, and afterward annoynt it with foxes grease. When sores or vlcers haue procured the haire to fall off from the heade, take the head of a younge foxe burned with the leaues of blacke Orcha∣nes and Alcyonium, and the powder cast vpon the head recouereth againe the haire.* 1.37

[ 40] If the braine be often giuen to infants and sucking children, it maketh that they shall remaine free from the falling euill. Pliny prescribeth a man which twinkleth with his eies, and cannot looke stedfastly, to weare in a chaine the tongue of a foxe; and Marcellus biddeth to cut out the tongue of a liue foxe, and so turne him away, and hange vppe that tongue to dry in purple thred, and afterward put it about his necke that is troubled with the whitenesse of the eies, and it shall cure him.

But it is more certainely affirmed, that the tongue either dryed or greene, layed to the flesh wherein is any Dart or other sharpe head, it draweth them forth violently,* 1.38 and renteth not the flesh, but onely where it is entred. The liuer dryed and drunke cureth of∣ten [ 50] sighing, the same or the lights drunke in blacke Wine, openeth the passages of brea∣thing. The same washed in Wyne and dryed in an earthen pot in an Ouen, and afterward seasoned with Sugar, is the best medicine in the world for an old cough, for it hath bin ap∣proued to cure it, although it hath continued twenty yeares, drinking euery day two spon∣fuls in Wine.

The lightes of foxes drunke in Wate•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they haue been dryed into powder,* 1.39 help∣peth

the Melt, and Myrepsus affirmeth, that when he gaue the same powder to one almost suffocated in a pleurisie, it preuailed for a remedy. Archigene prescribeth the dried liuer of a Fox for the Spleneticke with Oxymell: and Marcellinus for the Melt, drunke after the same manner;* 1.40 and Sextus aduiseth to drinke it simply without composition of Oxymell. The gall of a Foxe instilled into the eares with Oyle, cureth the paine in them, and mixed with Hony Atticke and annointed vpon the eies, taketh away al dimnes from them, after an admirable manner. The melt bound vpon the tumors and bunches of the brest, cureth the Melt in mans body. The reynes dried and mingled with Honie, being anointed vp∣on kernels, take them away. For the swelling of the chaps, rub the reines of a Fox with∣in the mouth. The genitals because of their gristly and bony substance, are approued for [ 10] the dispersing of the stone in the bladder.

The stones take away pimples and spots in the face. The dung pounded with Vineger, by anointment cureth the Leprosie speedily. These and such other vertues medicinal both the elder and later Phisitians haue obserued in a Fox, wherewithal we wil conclude this dis∣course; sauing that many writers haue deuisd diuers witty inuentions and fables of Foxes, vnder them to expresse vices of the world, as when they set a Foxe in a Friers weed, prea∣ching to a sort of Hens and Geese, following the fixion of Archilochus Fox, to signifie how irreligious pastors in holy habittes beguile the simple with subtilty. Also of a Foxe tea∣ching a Hare to say his Credo or Creed betwixt his legs, and for this cause almightie God in his word compareth false prophets to Foxes Ezek. 13. destroying the young Grapes [ 20] and plants. The Weasill brought a Fox into a garner of corne through a small hole, and when he had filled his belly, he assayed to come out againe at the same place, but in vaine, because his body swelled with ouer eating, and therefore hee was constrained to come out as emptie and hungry as he came in: whereuppon this conference was made betwxit them:

Forte per angustam tenuis Voulpecula rimam, Repserat in cameram frumenti, postaque rursus. Ire for as pleno tendebat corpore frustra. Cui mustela procul, si vis ait, effugere isthinc Macra cauum repetes arctum, quem macra subisti. [ 30]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Adamantius The parts and nature of Foxes.
• * 1.2

  Aristotle.
• * 1.3

  The flesh of Foxes euil to be eaten.
• * 1.4

  The vse of their skinnes
• * 1.5

  Alev. ab alex
• * 1.6

  donotus The voyce of Foxes.
• * 1.7

  Their d••ns & caues in the earth. Gillius. Oppianus
• * 1.8

  Zoroastres Gillius.
• * 1.9

  Pliny.
• * 1.10

  The food of Serpents
• * 1.11

  The harme of Foxes.
• * 1.12

  Discorides.
• * 1.13

  Serapio.
• * 1.14

  Their carnal copulation.
• * 1.15

  The diseases of Foxes.
• * 1.16

  Albertus. Albert. Liber Aetius.
• * 1.17

  The length of their life.
• * 1.18

  Varinus
• * 1.19

  The hunting and taking of Foxes.
• * 1.20

  Aelianus
• * 1.21

  Oppianus
• * 1.22

  Dellisarius.
• * 1.23

  Text••r.
• * 1.24

  Oppianus
• * 1.25

  A noble in∣stance of a Foxes corag••
• * 1.26

  The subtlery of a Fox take in a snare.
• * 1.27

  The beast ••s 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••∣miesf 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.28

  Albertus
• * 1.29

  Gillius
• * 1.30

  The medi∣cines arising out of Foxes.
• * 1.31

  Sextus
• * 1.32

  Mathaeolus
• * 1.33

  Albertus Siluuius
• * 1.34

  Absyrtus
• * 1.35

  Aetius.
• * 1.36

  Hierocles Absyrtus Theomnestus
• * 1.37

  Aegineta.
• * 1.38

  Discorides
• * 1.39

  Pliny.
• * 1.40

  Sextus