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 MOLE OR WANT.

[illustration]

[ 10] [ 20]

I Do vtterly dissent from all them that holde opinion that the Mole or Want is of the kinde of Myse, for that all of them in generall, both one and other haue two longe crooked fore∣teeth which is not in Moles,* 1.1 and therfore wanting those as the inseperable propriety of kind; we wil take it for graunted that it pertaineth not to that ranke or order of four-footed-beasts. But concerning the Haebrew name thereof, there is much va∣riance, and little certainety amongst writers. Some of them cal∣ling it Tinschemet, which word is found Deut. 14. which is also translated by the Chaldees Bota or Baueta a swan, and the Septuagints and Ierom, Ibis, & [ 30] Rabbi Salomon in another place of the same Chapter translate it a Bat, which the French call Chaulue-souris. But in that place of Leuit. 11. where the Stellio, the Lyzard, and Tinsche∣met are reckoned vncleane beastes, Rabbi Salomon interpret it Talpam the Mole. The Sep∣tuagints Aspalax, the Chaldee Aschuta, the Arabian Lambaraz. The Persian Angurbah-Dedach. There is a sentence Esay. 2. in Haebrew thus. Lachepor perot velatalephim, which by Munster is thus translated. In die proijciet homo aureos & argenteos deos, infossur as taipa∣rum & vispertilionum. In that day shal a man cast away his goods of siluer and gold into the holes of Moles and Bats. By S. Ierom it is translated thus: Proijciet homo Idola, vsque vt adoraret talpas & verspertiliones. A man shall cast away his Idols to worship Moles and Bats. Some a∣gaine make but one word of Lacheporperot, and translate it a beast digging ditches: and the [ 40] Septuagints, ydols or abhominations, and thinke that they were so called because their outwarde forme representeth some such reptile creature, and Symmochus, vnprofitable things: but Aquila Orugas, digging-beasts: and therefore at this day all the learned take Perot for Moles, so called by reason of their digging. Auicen calleth it Pelagoz, a blinde Mouse. In Greeke it is called sometimes Spalax, but more often Aspalax: yet Albertus calleth it by a strange Graecian name Colty and Koky, which he tooke from Auicen.

The Italians retaine the latine word Talpa, the Spaniards Topo, by which word the Ita∣lians at this day call a Mouse. The French call it Taulpe, the Germaines Mulwerf, and in Saxon, Molwurffe, from whence is deriued the English Mole and Molewarpe. The Helueti∣tians Schaer and Schaermouse, and the Molehil they cal Schaerufen of digging. The Hollanders [ 50] and the Flemmings call it Mol and Molmuss, in imitation of the German worde: the Illyri∣ans Krtize. And generally the name is taken from digging and turning vp the earth with her nose & backe, according to the saying of Virgill:

Aut oculis capti fodere cubilia Talpae.

Some are of opinion, that it is called Talpa, bycause it is appointed to an euerlasting dark∣nesse in the earth; of which sort Isidorus writeth thus: Talpa dicta est eò quòd perpetua caeci∣tate tenebris damnata, est enim abs{que} oculis.

It is called also in Greeke Indouros, and Siphneus, of Siphnon the earth, because it liueth in the earth, and turneth it vpward to make it hollow for passage. The like I might say of his other names, Ixliocha, and Orthoponticos, but this shall suffice for his name.* 1.2

In Boeotia about the Champaignes called Orchomenius ager, there are the greatest store of Moles in the world, for by digging they vnder-myne all the fieldes, and yet in Lebadia another country of Boeotia, there are none at all, and if they be brought thither from any [ 10] other place they wil neuer dig but die. Rodolphus, Oppianus, and Albertus affirme,* 1.3 that they are created of themselues of wet earth and raine▪water, for when the earth beginneth to putrifie, the Mole beginneth to take life.

They are all for the most part of a blacke dusky colour, with rough, short, and smoth soft haire as wooll, and those haires which were whitest when they are young, are most glistering and perfect blacke when they are old: and Gesner affirmeth, that hee saw in the end of October, a Mole taken, which was very white, mixed with a little red, and the red was most of all vpon her belly, betwixt her forelegs and the necke, and that it could not be a young one, bycause it was two palmes in length betwixt his head and taile.

These beasts are all blind and want eies,* 1.4 and therefore came the prouerbe Talpa caecior [ 20] Tuphloteros aspalacos, blinder then a Mole; to signifie, a man without all iudgment, wit, or fore-sight: for it is most elegantly applyed to the minde. Yet if any man looke earnestly vpon the places where the eies should grow, he shall perceiue a little passage, by drawing vp the membrane or little skinne which is black, and therefore (Aristotle saith) of them in this manner probably.

All kinds of Moles want their sight, because they haue not their eies open and naked as other beasts, but if a man pull vp the skinne of their browes about the place of their eies, which is thicke and shawdoweth their sight, he shal perceiue in them inward couered eies, for they haue the blacke circle, and the apple, which is contained therein, and ano∣ther part of the white circle or skinne, but not apparantly eminent; neither indeede can they, because nature at the time of generation is hindered, for from the braines there be∣long [ 30] to the eies two stronge neruy passages, which are ended at the vpper teeth, and therefore their nature being hindered, it leaueth an imperfect worke of sight behinde her.

Yet there is in this Beast a plaine and bald place of the skin where the eies should stand, hauing outwardly a little blacke spot like a Millet or Poppey-seede, fastened to a Nerue inwardly, by pressing it, there followeth a blacke humor or moystnesse, and by dissection of a Mole great with young, it is apparant (as hath beene prooued) that the young ones before birth haue eies, but after birth, liuing continually in the darke earth without light,* 1.5 they cease to grow to any perfection; for indeede they neede them not, because being out of the earth they cannot liue aboue an houre or two. Esope hath a pretty fable of the [ 40] Asse, Ape, and Mole, each once complaining of others natural wants: the Asse, that he had no Hornes, and was therefore vnarmed: the Ape, that he had no taile like other beastes of his stature and quantity, and therefore was vnhandsome; to both which the Mole maketh aunswer, that they may well be silent, for that she wanteth eies, and so insi∣nuateth, that they which complaine shall find by consideration and comparision of their owne wantes to others, that they are happy and want nothing that were profitable for them.

Oppianus saith, that there was one Phineus which was first depriued of his eie-sight, and afterward turned into a Mole: It should seeme he was condemned first to loose his eies, and afterward his life.* 1.6

[ 50] These Moles haue no eares, and yet they heare in the earth more nimbly and perfectly then men can aboue the same, for at euery step or small noise and almost breathing, they are terrified and run away, & therfore (Pliny saith) that they vnderstand al speaches spoken of thēselues, & they hear much better vnder the earth then being aboue & out of the earth

And for this cause they dig about their lodging long passages, which bringeth noises and voices to them, being spoken neuer so low and softly, like as the voice of a man carried in a trunke, reed, or hollow thing.

Their snowt is not like a Weasils (as Suidas saith) but rather like a shrewe-mouses, or (if it be lawfull to compare small with great) like to a Hogges. Their teeth are like a shrews and a Dogges, like a shrewes in the neather teeth and furthermost inner teeth, which are sharpe pointed and lowe inwardly; and like a dogges, because they are long at the sides, although onely vpon the vpper-iaw, and therefore they are woorthily called by the Grae∣cians Marootatous; that is, daungerous-biting-teeth, for as in swine the vnderteeth stand [ 10] out aboue the vpper, and in Elephants and Moldes, the vpper hang ouer the neather, for which cause they are called Hyperphereis.

The tong is no greater then the space or hollowe in the neather chap, and they haue in a manner as little voice as sight, and yet I marueile how the prouerbe came of Loquax Tal∣pa, a pratling mould, in a popular reproach against woordy and talkatiue persons, which Ammianus saith, was first of all applyed to one Iulianus Capella, after hee had so behaued himselfe, that he had lost the good opinion of all men.

The necke seemeth to bee nothing, it is so short, standing equall with the forlegges. The lights are nothing else but distinguished and seperated Fibres, and hang not togither vpon any common root or beginning, and they are placed or seated with the hart, which they enclose, much lower toward the belly then in any other beast. Their gal is yellowish, [ 20] their feet like a beares, and short legges, wherefore they moue and runne but slowly: their fingers or toes wherewithall they digge the earth, are armed with sharp nailes, and when she feeleth any harme vpon her backe, presently she turneth vpwarde and defendeth her selfe with her snowt and feet:* 1.7 with her feete she diggeth, and with her nose casteth awaye the earth, and therefore such earth is called in Germany mal werff, and in England Mole∣hill: and she loueth the fieldes, especially meddowes and Gardens, where the ground is soft, for it is admirable with what celerity she casteth vp the earth.

They haue fiue toes with clawes vpon each forefoot, and foure vpon each foote bee∣hind, according to Albertus, but by diligent inspection you shall find fiue behind also, for there is one very little and recurued backward, which a man slightly and negligently loo∣king [ 30] vpon, would take to be nothing. The palme of the forefeet is broad like a mans hand, and hath a hollow in it if it be put togither like a fist, and the toes or fingers with the nailes are greater then any other beast of that quantity. And to the end that he might be wel ar∣med to digge, the forepart of her forelegges consist of two solide and sound bones which are fastned to her shoulders, and her clawes spread abroad, not bending downewarde, and this is peculiar to this beast not competible to any other, but in her hinder legges boeth before and behind they are like a Mouses, except in the part beneath the knee, which con∣sisteth but of one bone which is also forked and twisted. The taile is short and hairy: And thus much for the anatomy and seuerall parts.* 1.8

They liue as we haue saide in the earth, and therfore Cardan saith, that there is no crea∣ture [ 40] which hath blood and breath that liueth so long togithervnder the earth, and that the earth doth not hinder their exspiration and inspiration; for which cause they keepe it hol∣low aboue them, that at no time they may want breath, although they doe not heaue in two or three daies; but I rather beleeue when they heaue, they doe it more for meate then for breath, for by digging and remoouing the earth they take Wormes, and hunt after victuals.

When the wormes are followed by Molds, (for by digging and heauing, they fore∣know their owne perdition) they flie to the superficies and very toppe of the earth, the sil∣ly beast knowing that the Molde their aduersary, dare not followe them into the light, so that their wit in flying their enemy is greater, then in turning againe when they are troade [ 50] vpon. They loue also to eat Toads and Frogges (for Albertus saith) he saw a great Toade whose legge a Mole helde fast in the earth, and that the Toade made an exceeding great noise, crying out for hir life, during the time that the Molde did bite hir. And therefore Toads and frogs do eat dead Moles. They eat also the root of herbs and plants, for which cause they are called by Oppianus, poiophagi Herbiuorae, herbe-eaters.

In the month of Iuly they come abroad out of the earth,* 1.9 I thinke to seeke meate at that time when wormes be scanty. They are hunted by Weasels, and wilde Cats, for they will follow them into their holes and take them, but the Cats do not eate them: whereas wee haue said alreadye, that they haue an vnderstanding of mens speech when they heare them talke of them.* 1.10

I may adde thereunto a story of their vnderstanding, thus related by Gillius in his own experience and knowledge. When I had (saith he) put downe into the earth an earthen pot made of purpose with a narrow mouth to take Moles, it fortuned that within shorte space as a blind Mole came along shee fell into it and could not get forth againe, but lay therein whyning; one of her fellowes which followed her seeing his mate taken, heaued [ 10] vp the earth aboue the pot, & with her nose cast in so much, til she had raised vp her com∣panion to the brim and was ready to come forth: by which in that blind creature confi∣ned to darknesse, doth not onely appeare a wonderfull worke of almighty God, that en∣doweth them with skill to defend, and wisely to prouide for their owne safety, but also planted in them such a naturall and mutuall loue one to another, which is so much the more admirable, considering their beginning or creation as we haue shewed already.

Because by their continuall heauing and laboring for meate, they doe much harme to Gardens and other places of their aboad, and therefore in the husband-mans and house-wifes common-wealth it is an acceptable labor to take and destroy them.* 1.11 For which cause it is good to obserue their passages, and marke the times of their comming to labor, which [ 20] being perceiued they are easily turned out of the earth with a spade, and this was the first and most common way.

Some haue placed a boord full of pikes which they fasten vppon a small sticke in the mole-hil or passage, and when the mole commeth to heaue vp the earth, by touching the sticke she bringeth down the pikes and sharp nailed board vpon her owne body and back. Other take a Wyar or yron, and make it to haue a very sharp point, which being fastened to a staffe and put into the earth where the Moles passage is, they bend and so set vp that when the Mole commeth along, the pike runneth into her and killeth her.

The Graecians (saith Palladius) did destroy and driue away their Moles by this inuen∣tion, they tooke a great Nut, or any other kind of fruit of that quantity, receipte, and so∣lidity, [ 30] wherein they included chaffe, Brimstone, and Wax, then did they stop al the brea∣thing places of the Moles, except one at the mouth, wherein they set this deuise on fire, so as the smoke was driuen inwarde, wherewithall they filled the hole and the place of their walkes, and so stopping it, the Moles were either killed or driuen away.

Also Paxamus sheweth another meanes to driue away and take Molles: If you take white Hellebor, and the rindes of wilde Mercury instead of Hemlocke, and dry them and beate them to poulder, afterward sifte them and mixe them with meale and with Milke beaten with the white of an Egge, and so make it into little morsels or bals,* 1.12 and lay them in the Mole-hole and passages, it will kill them if they eate thereof, as they will certainely doe.

[ 40] Many vse to kill both Moles and Emmets with the froath of new Oyle, And to conclude, by setting an earthen pot in the earth and Brimstone burning therein, it will certainely driue them for euer from that place. Vnto which I may adde a superstitious conceite of an obscure Author, who writeth, that if you whet a mowing syth in a fielde or meddow vp∣on the feast day of Christs natiuity, (commonly called Christmas day) all the molles that are within the hearing thereof, will certainly for euer forsake that fielde, meddow or Gar∣den.

With the skinnes of moles are purses made, for the rough and soft haire,* 1.13 and also blacke russet colour is very delectable. Pliny hath a strange saying, which is this; Epelli∣bus talparum cubicularia vidimus stragula; adeò ne religio quidem a portentis summouet de∣licias, [ 50] that is, we haue seene the hanginges of chambers made of mole skinnes, so that no conscience of religion cannot auert the monstrous loue of delights from the afectation of men.

For all the auncient Wise-men and magicians did hold, that this beast was capeable

of Religion, Nullis ae{que} credunt extis; nullum Religionis capacius iudicant animal, vt si quis cor eius recens palpitans{que} deuorarit diuinationis & rerū efficiendarum euentus promittat, they giue not so much credit to any intrals as to theirs, for they iudge that no beast is so capa∣ble of Religion, because if a man eat the heart of a Mole newly taken out of her belly and panting, he shall be able to deuine and fortell infalliable euents. Another saith, Veteribus monumentis traditur Gallinaceorum fibris maximè dijs gratas videri: sicut Talparum viscera Magi verissima dicunt,* 1.14 illis{que} haud secus quam solenni victima litari, haec enim sunt exta argu∣tissima, in quibus diuina mens in esse creditur: that is. The Fibres of Cockes were woont a∣mong auncient monuments to be accounted most acceptable to the Goddes, euen as the [ 10] bowels of Moles (as the wise men say) and to offer these as a most solemn sacrifice grate∣full to the Goddes, and that in those intrals it was beleeued that the minde and pleasure of God was seated and engrauen; and a litle after he saith, that the bowels of Moles and frogs do fortell many great and fortunate euents.

But I will leaue this paganisme, and let it neuer enter into the hart of a reasonable man that such beasts can loue religion, or that God hath planted in their bowels and corrupt parts, such letters of his wisedome and fore-knowledge which he hath not granted to the immortall and incorruptible soule of man. Onely this I find by experience, that before any raine and change of weather, these silly beasts heaue vp the earth more aboundant∣ly then at other times, and that in Thessaly (as Varro saith) a whole Towne was once vnder∣mined by Moles. They were wont to sacrifice this beast to Neptune, because of the affini∣ty [ 20] betwixt their names, for in Greeke Asphaloos signifieth Neptune, and Asphalax a mole. Alunnus also writeth that they were sacred and dedicated to hell, because they kept con∣tinually vvithin the bosome and bowels of the earth, and to conclude, because that moles would not liue in Coronea a part of Boeotia before spoken of, and thereof came the com∣mon prouerbe Asphalaca eis Coronean, a mole is brought to Coronea, to signifie the hatred of a gift or ghest to him that is forced to receiue him. Thus much for his natural and mo∣rall story, now followeth his medicinall.

The medicines of the Mole. [ 30]

There is nothing which is more profitable or medicinable for the curing of the bites of a shrew, then a mole being flead and clapped thereunto. The same doth also very effe∣ctually cure and heale the blowes or bitings of a Scorpion. Pilles being made with that which proceedeth from moles and with Hony,* 1.15 eaten nine daies together, doth preserue the body of any one from swellings or bunches in the flesh who shall so eat them. For the auoiding or driuing away the haires which growe in any part of mans bodie, that they may neuer returne or be renewed againe: take a mole and laie her in water to be steeped or soaked,* 1.16 so long as she shal not haue any haires left vppon her, with this water annoint the place which is full of hairs, and afterwards wash it with lye made of ashes, and then rub [ 40] it with a linnen cloath; then if you shall see the haires to returne againe, wash it twice or thrice in the aforesaid manner, and they wilbe quite expelled away, and by no meanes can be made eyther to renew or come againe. For the renewing, and bringing againe of those haires which are fallen or decayed, take a mole and burne her whole in the skin, and min∣gle the dust or pouder which commeth from the same with hony vnto the thickenesse or fashion of an ointment,* 1.17 and this being rubbed or annointed vpon the bare or bald place will without dout in some short time or space procure the haire to grow thick. For the re∣newing of haires which fall from horses.* 1.18 Take a mole and boile her in Oyle, vntill all the flesh be consumed and quite dissolued into a liquid iuice, with this oyle annoint the place which is bare or destitute of haires twice euery day for some short space, and it will make [ 50] the haires to grow in great abundance.

For the changing of the haires of horses from blacke to white, take a mole and boile her in salt Water, or lye made of ashes three dayes together, and when the Water or lye shall be quite consumed, put new water or lie thereunto: this being done, wash or bathe the place with the water or lye somewhat hot; presently the black haires will fall and slide

away, and in some short time there will come white. Whosoeuer shall take a mole and hold her in his right hand vntill she die, shall haue such an excellent vertue therein, that she shal ease the paine of a womans breasts onely by touching them.

The dust of a mole being brent, mingled with the white of an Egge, and anointed vp∣on a sneepe, is an excellent and medicinable remedy against the Leprie which commeth oftentimes vpon them. The dust of a mole mixed with oyle or hony,* 1.19 and annointed vpon the skin of either man or woman which is ful of Lepry, wil verie speedily and effectually cure and heale the same. The same being vsed in the aforesaide manner, is very good for the curing of those which are troubled with the disease called the Kinges euill, as also for [ 10] those which haue hard bunches or kernels arising in their Arme-holes,* 1.20 and in other parts of their body.

The whole body of a mole being taken and burned in the skin into drye dust, or pou∣per, is an excellent remedy against the disease called the Fistula, as also for the purging of the corruption in them and healing of them, being once taking by any man. The same being also mixed with hony, and rubd vpon the teeth of any one who hath paine in them doth not onely ease the paine and greefe thereof, but also doth strengthen and make them fast. The blood of a mole being killed,* 1.21 spred or annointed vpon the head of any one which is bald, wil very speedily renew and bring the haires againe. The head of a mole being cut off and beaten together with the earth which is stirred vp by moles, and wrought into a paast, and rowled togither like a little loafe, is very much vsed for the healing of al swel∣lings, [ 20] and for those things which they cal impostumes,* 1.22 as also for al swellings or kernels which arise in the necke, so that in the time of the curing of these things, the party which is pained and greeued, be not suffered to eat any swines flesh.

The tooth of a liuing mole taken out and tyed or bound to the teeth of any who is gri∣ued therein,* 1.23 is commended by the Magi or wise-men to be an excellent remedy and cure for the same. The hart of a mole being eaten nine dayes together, doth very speedily and effectually cure either him or her which shal so eat it, of that pestiferous disease cald the Kings euil, if it be so that it hath not bene of too long continuance with them.* 1.24 The same is also very good and profitable for the asswaging of Wens, being vsed in the aforesaide [ 30] manner. The liuer of a mole being beaten betweene the handes of him that is troubled with bunches or swellings in his back, and afterwards put vpon the same, is a present help and cure. The same effect hath the right foot of a mole for the asswaging of bunches and swellings arising in the flesh.

Of the vulgar little Mouse.

AS we haue handled the natures, and deliuered the figures of the great Beasts, so also must we not disdaine in a perfect Hy∣story to touch the smallest: For Almighty God which hath [ 40] made them al, hath disseminated in euery kind both of great and smal beasts, seeds of his wisedome, maiesty, and glory.* 1.25 The little mouse therefore is iustly tearmed Incola domus no∣strae, an inhabitant in our own houses, Et rosor omnium rerum, and a knawer of al things. And therefore from the sounde of her teeth which she maketh in gnawing, shee is called Serex. Although we shal shew you afterwards, that Sorex is a speci∣all kinde, and not the name of the general. Wherefore seeing there be many kindes of Mise, and euery one of them desireth a particular tractate, I thought good to begin with the vulgar little mouse, and so to discend to the seuerall species and kindes of all,* 1.26 accor∣ding to the method of the Phylosopher, A notioribus minus ad nota, from things that are [ 50] most knowne to them that are lesse knowne. In Haebrew it is called Achar, Leuit xi. where the Septuagintes translate it muys, the Chaldee Acbera, the Arabians Fer, or Phar, from whence commeth the Sarasan word Fara. The Persians An Mus, the Latins mus, the Italians Tapo, or Sorice, Alsorgio, O Rato, Di-Casa, although Rato signifieth a Rat, both among the

Germans, French, and English. The Spaniards call the little Mouse, Ratt; and the great Rat Ratz, the French the little Mouse Souris, which word seemes to be deriued from the Latine Sorex, and the great mouse they call Ratt. The Germaines the great ones Ratz, and the little one Muss, the Illyrians, and Pollonians, Myss, which is the Greek word, and the great one they cal Sczurcz, the Venetians cal the Rat Pantegana, of Pontis, the vulgar greekename, and the Romans Sourco.

* 1.27Now the dignity of this little beast, may appeare by the name, which hath spred it selfe both to beasts, fishes, men, hearbs and Citties. To beasts as we haue shewed before in the Ichneumon, which is vulgarly called the Indian-mouse, or Pharoes-mouse. And to fishes, [ 10] for there is a little fishe called Musculus, and in Greeke Mystocetos, the Whale-mouse, because it leadeth the way, and sheweth the Whale whether so euer shee swimmeth, for the auoiding of rockes, (according to Pliny) although Rondoletius affirmeth otherwise, namely, that that guide of the Whale is called Egemon, and Egetur, and Mystocetus (hee saith) is a shell fish. Generally most kind of Oysters are also called Myss, because some∣times they gape and make a noise like a mouse, and close their shels againe. The purple Fishes be also called Myss, there is likewise a kind of pretious stone called Mya, about Bos∣phoras, Thrasius, and many such other dignities, hath the name of this beast attained.

* 1.28There was one Mys, the seruaunt of that famous Phylosopher Epicurus, likewise the name of a champion or chalenger, is Suidas and Varinus, and there was another called Mus, of excellent skill, for ingrauing in Siluer, and therefore did draw vpon the shield of [ 20] Minerua, the fight betwixt the Lapithae, and the Centaurs, and many other things. Where∣upon martiall made this verse:

Quis labor in Phyala? docti myos? anne myronis.

There was a Consull of Rome, whose name was Mus, and therefore Camerarius made this riddle of the mouse; Parua mihi domus est, sedianua semper aperta, acciduo sumptu, furti•••• viuo sagina, quod mihi nomen in est, Romae quo{que} Consul habebat. The Thrasians cald Argilus a mouse, and the citty which he builded Argelus. Myes was a citty of Ionia, and a cittizen of that citty was called Myetius. Myon a citty of Locri in Epirus, and the people thereof are called Myones. Myonesus a little region betwixt Teon and Lebedon, and acording to Stepha∣nus, an Island neare Ephesus, the first port or hauen of Egypt opening to the red sea, is cal∣led [ 30] Muos armos, the mouses hauen, and Mysia also seemeth to be deriued from their stem. There is an Island vnder the Equinoctiall line, called Insula murium, the mouse-Ilande, because of the abundance of myce therein: and to conclude, euen the hearbs and plants of the earth,* 1.29 haue receiued names from this litle beast, as Hordeum Murinum, Myacantha, Sperrage, Myopteton, Myuoos, Myortocon Mouse-eare, Mouse-foot, and such like. There haue bin also commedies made of Myss, as that of Carsinus, called Myes, wherein the Weasill strangleth the night-wandring Myss. And another Greeke comedy called Galeomyoma∣chia, that is a fight betwixt cats and myce, wherein the poet doeth most pleasantly faine names of myce, as their king he called Creillus, that is a flesh-eater, and his eldest sonne Psicarpax,* 1.30 a corne-eater; and his second sonne Psitodarpes Bread-eater, and his eldeste [ 40] daughter, Lycnogluphe, candle-eater, and all his auncestors Carpodaptai, that is Fruit-ea∣ters. And then he bringeth other myce in, as Turolicos, Psicolices, Cholecoclophos. Homer in his Batracomiomachia, that is, a fight betwixt Frogs and mice, doeth very elegantly de∣scribe diuers proper names of mice. As Piscarpax, whose father was Tuoxartes, and his mother Lychomile, daughter of Plernotrocta the king, and then other mice, as Lychopinax, Terogliphus, Embaschitrus, Lychenor, Troglodites, Artophagus, Ptermogliphus, Pternophagus, Cnissodioctes, Sidophogus, Artepibulus, Meridarpax, and Thulacotrox, all which are not on∣ly out of the aboundance of the Authors wit, but inuented for the expressing of the mou∣ses nature.

* 1.31The Epithets of myce are thes; short, small, fearful, peaceable, ridiculous, rustik, or coun∣try [ 50] mouse, vrbane, or citty mouse, greedy, wary, vnhappy, harmefull, blacke, obsce••••, little, whiner, biter, and earthly mouse. And the Greeke ones are expressed before in the proper names, and thus much may suffice for the names of mice. Now to come to theyr seuerall nature and significations. First of all concerning their colour. It is diuers, for al∣though Color murinus be a common tearme for a mouse colour of Asses, yet notwithstan∣ding

[illustration]

* 1.32 [ 10] Mice are sometimes blackish, sometimes white, sometims yellow,* 1.33 sometimes broune and sometimes ashe colour. There are White Mice amonge the people of Sauoy, and Dolphin in France called Alaubroges, which the inhabitants of the country do beleeu that they feede vpon snow. But the white Mouse is aboue all other most laciuious and leache∣rous, and therefore it came into a prouerbe, Myss Leucos, Myss Cacos, the white Mouse is an ill Mouse, of whose lust Alciatus made this emblem;

Delitias & mollitiem, Mus creditur albus,* 1.34 [ 20] Arguere, at ratio good non sat aperta mihi est. An quod ei natura salax, & multa libido est? Ornat romanas, an quia pelliunrus? Sarmaticum, Murem vocitant pleri{que} zibellum.

Of all which coniectures of the Poets, the first is most probable, for the auncientes were wont to call wanton, and effeminate men Pygargoy, and Leucopeugoy, from their beauty and whitenesse. And as there is a difference in their colours, so also there is in their quantity. For some are very great, some meanly great, and some very smal. Their hart is very great, and their liuer and lights encrease in the winter time. Also the fibres that are in them, doe increase and decrease with the waxing and wayning of the Moone. For euery day of the [ 30] Moones age, there is a fibre increased in their liuer. And therefore Lucilius said well, Lu∣na alet ostrea, & implet echinos, Muribus fibras. That is to say. The Moone feedeth Oysters, filleth Hedghogs, and encreaseth fibres in Mice. Some of these Mice haue a gal, and some haue none, as Aristotle and Pliny shew in many places.

The Mouses place of conception haue many holes in it, during the time s••e b••ar••h hir young ones. There is no creature that heareth more perfectly then a Mouse, they dwell in houses of men, especially neare supping and dyning roomes, kitchins or larders,* 1.35 where any meat is stirring. And they make themselues places of aboade by gnawing with their teeth, if they finde not conuenient lodginges prepared to their hand,* 1.36 and they loue the hollow places of wals, or the roofes of houses, and therefore the Waspes which in Aristo∣phanes [ 40] are called Drophae, that is gnawers of roofes, are to be vnderstood to bee Mice, be∣cause Myss Drophia is a Mouse in the house top. In the day time they lye still, so long as they either see or heare a man, or any other beast harmeful vnto them, for they discerne their enemies, not fearing an Oxe, though they run away from a Cat.

They are very desirous of bread, and delight in all those meats which are made of fruit, for the nourishment of men. It is a creature very diligent & exquisite, both to compasse, seeke out and chuse the same, so that therefore it doth often endanger and loose his owne life: and finding any cubbards, wood, or such like hard matter, to withstand his purpose, and hinder his passage, it ceaseth not to weary it selfe with gnawing, vntill it obtaine the purpose. All kinds of Mice loue grain and corne, and prefer the hard before the soft, they loue also cheese, and if they come to many cheeses together they tast all, but they eate of [ 50] the best. And therefore the Egyptians in their Hyrogliphicks do picture a mouse, to signifie a sound iudgement and good choice. Buckmast is very acceptable to Mice, and the Mice in the Ile Parus, in Teredos, in the Iland Giaros, which is one of the Ilands of the Sporads in Cyprus, and in Calcis, they did eat yron, as appeareth by Aristotle, Aelianus, and Heraclides.

And it was also found, that in a certain Iland neare Calybes, Mice eate and deuoure gold, and therefore the Gold-smiths did cut them in pieces among their mettles. Plutarch, in the life of Marcellus saith, that there were many prodigies and fearful signes that did pro∣ceede the war of Marius, amongst other he saith that mice did eate the Gold hanging in the temple, and that one of the temple keepers in a certaine trap tooke a female mouse a∣liue, who littered fiue little mice in that place, and deuoured three of them. Anthologius rehearseth a witty exasticon of Antiphilus, vpon a mouse which was slit asunder aliue, for certaine gold-dust, which shee had deuoured, whereby was signified how men procure [ 10] vnto themselues exquisite torments,* 1.37 and vnauoidable mortall harmes by stealing, and encreasing of riches signified by Gold. Vulgar Mice do ruminate or chew the cud as well as the Pontix, and they drinke by licking or lapping, although their teeth be not sawed. It is reported that the mice of Affricke,* 1.38 and especially of Libia die assoone as they drinke. And the reason whereof we will shew afterwards in the taking of mice, when we come to discourse of their poysons. And for the present it should seeme their temperament, or constitution is so moyst that nature can endure no addition. Yet in the plaines of Arcadia there are Myce which drinke of a certaine fountains without any harme.

* 1.39The generation or procreation of Myce, is not onely by copulation, but also nature worketh wonderfully in engendering them by earth and small showers, as we will shew in the discourse of wilde Mice. [ 20]

But the house-Mouse whereof we now entreat, is engendered by copulation betwixt male and female, and they are in generall most libidenous, as may appeare by that saying of Crattinus against Xenophon, Phere nun ex aithrias Katapuposunen muos astrapso Xenophon∣tos, go to now, for from the skies I wil strike by lightning the Murin wantonnesse of Xeno∣phon, and the female is much more venerious then the male, as appeareth by that fable of Ipicrates describing the rage of a lustfull Woman. Postremo subijt me, detestabilis lena deierans, per dianam, per puellam, per persephattam, se esse vittulam, esse virginem, esse pullam indomitam, at illa myonia erat. Then followed me that detestable band, swearing by Dia∣na and Persephatta that she was a Heighfar neuer touched, a Virgin neuer stained, and a Colt neuer couered, but the truth is she was as good a mayde as a Mouse. Politianus in∣stead [ 30] of, at illa myonia erat, hath, at illa canus erat Murinus: that is, she was a Mouses hole, signifieng that her virginnity was lost, and that she suffered any louers as a Mouse-hole doth any Mice. And from hence came that verse of Martiall, describing the speach of a louer to his loue, calling him her Mouse and her ioy;

Nam cum me Murim tu cum mea lumina dicis.

So that ingenerall all mice,* 1.40 and not onely the white Mouse are most desirous of copula∣tion. And when they are in copulation, they embrace with their tailes, filling one another without al delay. By tasting of salt, they are made very fruitefull, and therefore Aristotle, and the souldiors of Alexander the great do report, that mice by licking one another, and [ 40] by the licking of salt do ingender and conceiue with yong without any other copulation. But what reasons they haue to lead them to that opinion, I know not, beside that wonder reported by Pliny and Aristotle, that in a certaine part of Persia, a female mouse being slit assunder aliue, all the young females within her belly are also found pregnant conceiued with young.* 1.41

It is very certaine, that for the time they go with yong, and for the number they bring forth, they exceed all other beasts, conceiuing euery fourteene or sixteene daies, so that it hath beene found by good experience, that a female mouse hauing free liberty to litter, in a vessell of millet-seede, within lesse compasse then halfe a year, she hath brought forth [ 50] one hundred and twenty young ones.

They liue very long, if they be not preuented of their naturall course, and dying natu∣rally,* 1.42 they perish not al at once, but by little, and little, first one member, and then ano∣ther, (Pliny saith) Euolucribus, hirundines sunt indociles, è terrestribus Mures, amonge the Fowles of the ayre, the swallowes are vndocible, and among the creatures of the earth a mouse; yet Albertus writeth, that he saw in vpper Germany, a mouse hold a burning can∣dle

in her feet, at the commaundement of her maister all the time his guests were at Sup∣per.

Now the onely cause why they growe not tame is, their naturall feare, such as is in Conies, Hares, and Deere. For how can any man or beast loue or harken vnto him, who they are perswaded lyeth in waight for their life, and such is the peswasion of all them that feare, which perswasion being once remoued by continual familiarity, there is no cause in nature but that a Mouse may be docible as well as a Hare or Cony, which we haue shewed heretofore in their stories.

It is also very certaine that Mice which liue in a house, if they perceiue by the age of it,* 1.43 it be ready to fall downe or subiect to any other ruin, they foreknow it and depart out of [ 10] it, as may appeare by this notable story which happened in a towne called Helice in Greece, wherein the inhabitantes committed this abominable acte against their neighbours the Greekes. For they slew them and sacrificed them vpon their altars. Whereupon follo∣wed the ruin of the citty, which was premonstrated by this prodigious euent. For 5. daies before the destruction thereof, all the Mice, Weasels, and Serpentes, and other reptile creatures, went out of the same in the presence of the inhabitants, euery one assembling to his owne ranke and company, where at the people wondered much, for they cold not conceiue any true cause of their departure, and no maruaile. For God which had appoin∣ted to take vengance on them for their wickednes, did not giue them so much knowledge nor make them so wise as the beasts to auoid his iudgement, and their owne destruction; [ 20] and therefore marke what followed. For these beasts were no sooner out of the citty, but suddenly in the night time, came such a lamentable earth-quake and strong tempest, that all the houses did not onely fall down, and not one of them stood vpright, to the slaughter of men, women, and children, contained in them, but least any of them should escape the strokes of the timber and house tops, God sent also such a great floud of waters, by rea∣son of the tempestuous wind which droue the Waters out of the sea vpon the Town, that swept them al away, leauing no more behind then naked and bare significations of former buildings.

And not only the citty and Cittizens perished,* 1.44 but also there was ten ships of the Lace∣demonians in their port all drowned at that instant. The wisedome of the Mouse apeareth [ 30] in the prepararion of her house, for considering shee hath many enemies,* 1.45 and therefore many means to be hunted from place to place, she commiteth not herselfe to one lodg∣ing alone, but prouideth many holes; so that when she is hunted in one place shee may more safely repose her selfe in another. Which thing Plautus expresseth in these wordes. Sed tamem cogitato, Mus pusillus, quam sapiens sit bestia, aetatem qui vni cubili, nunquam com∣mittit suam: cum vnum obsidetor, aliunde perfugium quaerit, that is to say, it is good to con∣sider the little mouse, how wise a beast she is, for she will not commit her life to one lodg∣ing but prouideth many harbors, that being molested in one place she may haue another refuge to fly vnto.

[ 40] And as their wisedome is admirable in this prouision, so also is their loue to be com∣mended one to another, for falling into a vessell of Water or other deepe thing,* 1.46 out of which they cannot ascend againe of themselues, they help one another, by letting downe their tailes, and if their tailes be to short, then they lengthen them by this meanes, they take one anothers taile in their mouth, and so hang two or 3. in length vntill the Mouse which was fallen downe take hold on the neathermost, which being performed, they al of them draw her out. Euen so Wolues holding one another by their tailes, do swim ouer great riuers, and thus hath nature graunted that to them which is denyed to many men,* 1.47 namely to loue, and to be wise both together. But concerning their maners, they are euil, apt to steale, incideous, and deceitefull, and men also which are of the same disposition with these beasts fearing to do any thing publikely, & yet priuatly enterprise many deceits [ 50] are iustly reproued in imitation of such beasts. For this cause was it forbidden in gods law vnto the Iewes, not only to eat, but to touch mice, & the prophet Esa. ch. 66 saith, Come∣dentes carnem suillā, & abominationem, at{que} murem simul consumentur inquit Dominus, that is they which eat swins flesh, abomination, & the Mous shalbe destroyed together saith the Lord: wherein the prophet threatneth a curse vnto the people,* 1.48 that broke the first law of

God, in eating flesh forbidden, and the Physitians also say, that the eating of the flesh of Mice engendereth forgetfulnesse, abomination, and corruption in the stomacke.

The eating of bread or other meate which is bitten by Mice doth encrease in men and children a certaine disease in their face,* 1.49 and in the flesh, at the rootes of the nails of their fingers certaine hard bunches, called by the Venetians Spelli, and by the Germans Leid∣spyssen, and by the Latins Dentes Muris: yet it is affirmed, that the flesh of Mice is good for Haukes, to be giuen them euery day, or euery each other day together with the skin, for it helpeth their entrals, purgeth fleame, and choller, restraineth the fluctions of the belly,* 1.50 driueth out stones and grauell, stayeth the distillation of the head to the eyes, and finall corroborateth the stomacke. Yet we haue hard that in the kingdome of Calechut, [ 10] they do eate Mice and Fishes roasted in the sun. And it is said by some Physitians and Ma∣gicians, that the flesh is good against melancholy, and the paine of the teeth, but the me∣dicinall vertues we reserue to his proper place. Pliny affirmeth a strange wonder, worthy to bee remembred and recorded,* 1.51 that when Hanniball besieged Casselinum, there was a man that sold a Mouse for two hundred pieces of quoine, so great was the extremity of famine, that the man which sold it dyed for hunger, and as it should seeme through the want of it, but he which bought it liued by eating therof, the which thing argueth that ne∣cessity, hunger, and famin, maketh men for the safegard of life, to make more reckoning in extremity of the basest creaturs, then in prosperity they do of the best. For that person which gaue so much mony for a Mouse, at another time woulde haue scorned to haue gi∣uen [ 20] so much for foure Oxen.

And on the other side the wretched loue of gaine, which causeth a man to endanger his owne life for loue of siluer. But I rather thinke that it was the hand of God himselfe taking vengance of such a couetous disposition which would not suffer him to liue, that like Mi∣das had gotten so much gold.

* 1.52The enemies of Mice are many, not onely men which by sundry artificiall deuises kill them because of harme, but also beasts and wilde foule doe eat their flesh, and liue vpon them. And first of all Cats & Weasels, do principally hunt to catch Mice, and haue bin therefore by the late writers called Murilegi, for their taking of Mice. And the nature of the Weasell is not onely more enclined to hunt after them, then the cat, but is more terri∣ble [ 30] also vnto them,* 1.53 for if the braines of a Weasell, the haire or rennet be sprinkled vppon Cheese or any other meate whereto Mice resort, they not onely forbeare to eate thereof, but also to come in that place.

They are also driuen away by the sprinkling of the ashes of Weasels, and as all noises make them afraid, so none so much as the skreetching or crying of a weasell, for at the hea∣ring thereof they fall astonished. And besides they haue more opportunity to follow and take them then cats, because their bodies are lesser, and their noses and snouts longer, and therefore they follow them many times into their holes, and very nimbly pul them forth when they thinke they are most secure. Foxes also kill Mice, and in Italy there is a blacke Snake called Carbonario from his colour resembling coales, which I thinke to be the same [ 40] that the Gretians call Myagros, from his hunting of Mice: This snake doth also eat and de∣uoure Mice. Haukes eate Mice, and all the night-birds, especially the night-crowes and Owles. How hatefull a Mouse is to the Elephant, wee haue shewed already in that story, how in the presence thereof he will not touch his meate, nor eate any thing ouer which a Mouse doth run. Nor yet eate in the cratch or manger wherein a Mouse hath bin. Ponzet∣tus affirmeth, that there is great loue betweene Mice and Serpentes, for sometimes they play together.

Their is a hatred betwixt Bats, Frogs, and Mice, as may appeare by Anthologius, Museus, and others. It is said also that they are hatefull to Oysters, whereof I know no reason, ex∣cept it be because they loue their fish. And Alciatus hath a pretty embleme, which he en∣tituleth [ 50] Captinus ob gulam, wherein he sheweth, that a Mouse watcheth an Oyster when he gapeth, and seeing it open thrust in his head to eate the fish, assoone as euer the Oyster felt his teeth, presently he closeth his shell again, and so crusheth the mouses head in pie∣ces, whereby hee disciphereth the condition of those men which destroy themselues to serue their belies, And thus much for the loue and enmity betwixt Mice and other beasts.

Now concerning the actions of men, they hunt Mice to be rid from their anoyances, be∣cause they do not onely destroy the things they eate, and liue vpon other mens cost, and therefore Parasites are compared vnto them whom the Germans call Schmorotzer, and Tellerlecker, that is smell-feasts, and lick-spickets, are compared to Mice, because they liue at other mens tables. But also Mice do defile, corrupt, and make vnprofitable what∣soeuer they tast, and therefore the Egyptians, when they would describe corruption, do picture a Mouse

For these causes haue men inuented many deuises, snars, and gins, the generall wherof is called by the Latines Muscipula, and by the Gretians Muspala, and Miagra, the diuers [ 10] and seuerall formes whereof I will not disdaine to set down. For the wise reader must con∣sider that it is as necessary or rather more necessary for most men to know how to take mice, then how to take Elephants.

And although every woman, and silly Rat-ketcher can giue instruction enough therin, yet their knowledge cannot excuse my negligence if I should omit the inuentions and deuises of the auncient, whereby they deliuerd themselues from the annoiances of these beasts. And therefore first of al to declare the manner of ketching them in places where corne is kept: Let your moustrap bee placed to ketch mice, right against the door, but let them haue roome to come in, and in short time it will so feare them, that they wil trouble you no more. But if mice breed in the ground vnder creaueses, except you fill al the crea∣uises [ 20] with moustraps, you wil neuer ketch them, which the inhabitants of the Iland Panda∣tharia are faine to do.

There are other kind of moustraps which do ketch mice aliue:* 1.54 and othersome which do kil them, either being pressed downe with the waight of it, or stifeld with water, or other∣wise, as with a stronge piece of yron being smal, and hung right against the butten of the trap, on the which piece of iron they hang meate, and so by that meanes the mouse is ket∣ched by putting her head through the hole to snatch at the meate, for she by stirring the iron doth losen the butten, and so her heade is shut fast in the hole. And there are other kind of moustraps which are couered al ouer, into the which the mouse may run, & if you haue put any water therein they are presently stifeled. Of al which kind of traps shall be se∣uerally [ 30] tracted: And first of all of those which do ketch mice aliue.

The common kind of this moustrap is made of wood, long and foure cornerwise, and is framed of foure boards, but the hinder part is strengthned with strong wiers of iron, that she may without any danger looke in to see what shee may get there, and that the smell of the which she findeth ther, may alure hir to come to it. And the former part hath a hole in the top, through which there is put a small peece of yron, and also there is made a trap∣door in form of a percullis, to the which the iron is very slightly hung, that when the mous commeth to ketch at the meat she is suddenly taken by falling of the same; but the meat which you fasten to the neather end of this iron hook must be fat, or the crust of cheese or bread, which if it be a little toasted at the fire it wil not be amisse, that the mouse may smell it far off. Some do make these kind of traps doble, with one doore at one end, and another [ 40] doore at another end. These kind of moustraps Peterus Crescent: doth cal traps belonging to houses, which shal be spoken of hereafter.

The other kind of moustrap is made with iron hookes hung in the round circle. In the middest of the which brim is put a great many of the same wiers, which being made sharp at euery end are after the forme of the top of a crest, or helmet, or as it is made in a bow∣net to ketch fishes, and vpon the hooke let their be hung meate, by the which meanes the mouse comming to the meat, sticketh her selfe vpon the hookes. The manner of making lesser moustraps is with Walnut tree, and that the middle part of it bee not couered, and that there be put to the mouth or brim thereof some kind of mettle, so that the open part may bend inward, and that the mouse may not gnaw that which is within except she cree∣peth vnder: which if shee shall do, she shall presently be shut in by stirring the trap.

[ 50] Also there is another kind of moustrap which is couered with the barke of a tree, which is cut into equall pieces, and laid crosse one ouer another,* 1.55 but there is tied a swines skinne in the middle, and also an earthen pot couered with the same barke being first sprinkled

with corne that the Mice may custome to come to it, and being dryed with lying they breake in pieces, but you must lay them together againe, and fill your pot with Water, by the which meanes assoone as euer they are vppon the same they fall into the pyt, and so are stifeled.

And also it is reported of those which haue tryed the same, that if Mice fall into a ves∣sell without water, and remaine there a long time without meate, that then they deuoure one another, but if they remaine there so long vntill one among them all be left alone, that is to say the strongest of them all, and that he be suffered to go out, wheresoeuer hee [ 10] shall finde any mice hee will eate them vp, and they shall haue much adoe to escape him, because he hath been so long accustomed vnto them. I was told also of a certaine friend of mine, that a man of Senensis did set a purse in a hollow place, and made it to open and shut by some deuise, so that at length he tooke a mouse, which mouse hee fed onely with the flesh of Mice, and after he had fed it so a long time, he let it go, who killed all the Mice that he did meete, and was not satisfied with them, but went into euery hole that he could find, and eat them vp also. Also Mice are taken in vessels, from whence they canot escape, vpon the which vessell let there be put a small staffe, which is so cut in the middle, that she may onely hold her selfe by the meate, and when you haue so doone, put the kernell of a Nut vpon the middle of the staffe, to the which the Mouse comming, doth fall into the vessell with the staffe,* 1.56 and they will be stifeled if their be any Water: but if there be none [ 20] she will be killed.

And againe he telleth of another manner of ketching of mice, which is as great as the first, and it is after this manner. Take two smooth boardes about the length of thy arme, and in breadth halfe thy Arme, but ioyne it so together that they may be distant from the lower part in length some foure fingers or little lesse, with two small spindles or clefts, which must be at euery end one, and fasten Paper vnder them, and put a peece of paast therin, being cut ouerthwart in the middle, but you must not fasten it nigh the mid∣dle, & let it be so bound that it may easily be lifted vp betwixt the spindles, that if by slip∣ping it should be altered, it migh be brought againe to the same forme. But the two spin∣dles spoken of before, ought to be ioyned together in the ends aboue, & beyond them an∣other [ 30] smal spindle to be made, which may hold in the middle a crooked wedge or butten, vpon the which may be hanged a piece of Hogges skinne, so that one of them may easily be turned vpsided downe with the skinne, and put thereunto a little peece of earth or sticke, that the mice may easily come to it: So that how many myce soeuer shall come thereto, and to the meate, shall be taken, alwayes by rowling the Paper into his wonted place.

There is another manner also, which is to make a round peece of Woode fastened on both sides with Needles, and made so that the hinder part of it way heauier then the for∣mer, and that it stand an inch hyer then the other, and then when you haue so placed it, throw some corne thereon, that the mice may be alluted thereto, and tie also a peece of flesh vpon the former end of it; and so the Mouse going into the middle, by the rouling [ 40] off the same, slippeth into the kettle which standeth vnder it, which must bee halfe full of Water, the circle presently being as it was before, that very often many mice are ket∣ched in one night by this worke,* 1.57 all falling into the kettle. Also there are many kinds of mice-traps where mice do perish by the waight thereof, and they are made of a smal-piece of wood made hollow, into the which shall fal down another smal piece of Wood, but it must be made so that it may fall waighty to presse downe the mice going to the meat, and let the meat be tyed to another little small peece of wood, which being touched, the hea∣uy peece doth presently fall downe, and so by that meanes the mouse is taken.

Our country men do make a trap which is somewhat like to this, let two peeces of boords be ioyned together one foot broad, and two foot long, and afterwards let there be put in [ 50] them a wooden pin, which you must fasten to the lower boord, so that it may not touche the vppermost; and you must set it so that the former part may easily moue backewarde and forward, but moreouer the former boord must be fastened to the hinder, like the fa∣shion of a Gibbet or Gallowes, with two peeces of wood standing vpright, one being put ouerthwart, or after the fashion of the Greek letter, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and it must stand some nine yn∣ches high, & as broad as the boord wil suffer you, & let the meat be hung in the mid∣dle

of it, but that boord which is vppermost, must touch both the ends of the other, and notched according to the bredth, the notch being made after the forme of a wedge de∣uided into two parts, and an other small peece of wood must be put to that which is vper∣most, almost two fingers long, and one finger broad, and let there bee put into the lower notch, a peece of wood with meat at it, so that it may be slightly fastened to the brimme of the vppermost, that the meate being presently touched, the other may the easiler fall.

And you may lay a stone vpon the vppermost bord that it may fall the heauier. And there are some also which to the lower board, doe fasten iron pinnes, made very sharp, against the which the Mice are driuen by the waight of the fall. Furthermore, there is another [ 10] kinde of trap made to couer them aliue, one part of it cut out of a small peece of woode, the length of the palme of thy hand, and the breadth of one finger, and let the other part of it be cut after the forme of a wedge: and let this peece of wood be erected like a little piller, and let the wedge be put into the notch of an other peece of wood, which must be made equall with the other, or very little shorter: and this piller must bee so made, that the mouse may not perish before she come to the meate: The wood where the meat must stand, ought to be a span long, and you must fasten the meate about the middle of it, but the former part of it must haue a cleft, which must begin a little from the brim, and shall be made almost the length of two fingers, and you must make it with two straight corners, and take away halfe the breadth of the wood. These three peeces of woode being thus [ 20] made ready, thou shalt erect a little piller, so that the wedge may be downeward, whereby the mouse may see the meate euery where: and let the meate be hung in the former cor∣ner of the piller, so if the mouse shall touch the meate, he shall bee pressed downe with the fall of the board. Mice also by the fall of a cleft board are taken, which is held vp with a piller, and hauing a little spattular of wood, whereon the meate shall lye, so made that the piller doth not open being parted, except when the mouse commeth to touch the meate, and so by that meanes she is taken.

There is also another manner of mouse-trap vsed among vs, which is, let there bee a hole made and compassed about with a boord of a foot long, and fiue or six fingers broad, the compasse whereof must be foure fingers, into this hole let there be put a vessell made [ 30] of wood the length of ones fist, but round and very deepe: and in the middle of each side of this vessell let there be made a hole, wherein there is put in a thread made of yron with meat, and let it be compassed about with a small thread which must be fastned ouerthwart the hole: and the part of the thread which hangeth downe must be crooked, that the meat may be fastned thereto, and there must bee a peece of the thread without, to the which may be tyed a stronger peece of wood, which is the thread whereon the meat is hanged, by the which the mouse is taken, by putting her head into the vessel to ketch at the meat. And also mice are taken otherwise, with a great Cane wherein there is a knot, and in the top of it let there be made a little bow with a lute string, and there sticke a great needle in the middle of the pole of the Cane, and let the pole be made iust in the middle, and let [ 40] there be bound a peece of flesh beneath, so prepared that when the mouse shall bite, and mooue the skin, that then the string slippeth downe, and so the needle pearceth through his head, and holdeth him that he cannot run away. But among all the rest there is an ex∣cellent peece of workmanship to ketch mice, which I will heer set down. Take a peece of wood, the length of both thy fists, one fistbroad, and two fingers thicke, and let there be cut off about some two fingers, a little beyond the middle of halfe the breadth. And that breadth where it was cut, ought to be more declining and lower, after the manner of this letter A. And you must put to the side of this a peece of wood, halfe a circle long, ben∣ding, and in the middle part of each side holes pearced through, so that the halfe circle may be streight and plainely placed to the foundation of the woode, that the trap being [ 50] made, it may rest vpon the same halfe circle, and vpon this halfe circle let there be placed iron nailes very sharp, so that the instrument by falling downe may couer the irons of the halfe circle as soone as euer they touch the same,

Furthermore there is another manner of trap, when a vessell out of which they cannot escape, is filled halfe vp with water, and vpon the top thereof Otmell is put, which will

swim, and not sinke, making the vppermost face of the water to seeme white, and solid, whereunto when the mouse commeth, she leapeth into the oate-mell, and so is drowned: And the like may be done with chaffe mingled with oat-mell: and this in all traps must be obserued, wherein mice are taken aliue, that they be presently taken forth, for if they make water in the place, their fellowes will for euer suspect the trap, and neuer come neare••t, till the sauour of the vrine be aholished.

Palladius saith, that the thicke froth of oyle, being infused into a dish or brasen cal∣dron, and set in the middle of the house in the night time, will draw all the mice vnto it, wherein they shall sticke fast, and not be able to escape.

* 1.58Pliny saith, that if a mouse be gelded aliue and so let go, she will driue away all the re∣sidue; [ 10] but this is to be vnderstoode of the Sorex. If the head of a mouse be flaied, or if a male mouse be flaied all ouer, or her taile cut off, or if her legge be bound to a post in the house, or a bell be hung about her necke, and so turned going, she will driue away all her fellowes. And (Pliny saith) that the smoke of the leaues of the Ewe-tree, because they are poyson, will kill mice, so also will libbards-baine, and henbaine-seede, and Wolfe baine, for which cause they are seuerally called Myoctonos, and the rootes of Wolfe bane, are commonly sold in Sauoy vnto the Country people for that purpose.

In Germany they mingle it with oat-mell, and so lay it in bals to kill mice. The fume of wall-wort, calcauth, parcely, origanum, and deaths-hearb, doe also kill mice: you may also driue them away with the fume of the stone Haematites, and with greene tamarisk, [ 20] with the hoofe of a mule, or of nitre, or the ashes of a Weasell, or a cat in water, or the gall of an Oxe put into bread.

The seede of Cowcumbers being sod, and sprinckled vpon any thing, mice will ne∣uer touch it, likewise wilde coucumber and coloquintida, kill mice. To keepe mice from corne, make morter of the froth of oyle mingled together with chaffe, and let them well dry, and afterwards be wrought throughly, then plaster the wals of your garnery there∣with, and when they are dry cast more froth of oyle vpon them, and afterwards carry in your corne and the mice will neuer annoy it.

* 1.59Wormewood laid among cloathes, and skinnes, defend them from mice,: And also the water of wormewood sod, sprinckled vpon cloathes hath the same operation. [ 30]

* 1.60Inke tempered with water, wherein Wormewood hath beene washed, or sod, cau∣seth that the Parchment and Paper written therewith, shall neuer be eaten, or touched with mice.

* 1.61Anatolius and Tarentinus, in the discourse of the grauery or barm do write, that milk-thistle mingled with hony, water, and fine flower, or mil-dust, made into little balles, and laied where mice my eat of it, doth make them blind if they taste thereof. White Helle∣bore mixed with pottage,* 1.62 or the seedes of wilde Cowcumber, Coloquintida, and meale, mingled with blacke Hellebore, and put into Cheese or bread, or any kind of fat meat, kil∣leth both Rats and mice. So likewise a white camelion sod in broth, mingled with water and oyle, killeth Dogges, swine, and mice. [ 40]

The iuyce of the roote of the hearbe Camelion, mixed with water and oyle, draweth mice vnto it, and killeth them by tasting thereof, if they drinke not presently: so also doth Henbane. The roots of the bramble Tree, mingled with Butter, Breade, or Honey, Ele∣campaine, and sea Onions, Scamoney, wild Sparradge, Arsenicke, Mug-wort, otherwise cald mouse-wort, mingled with Lard in small peeces, with Auri pigment, killeth Wolues and mice.* 1.63 and in some countries, for the better dispersing of the poyson, set drinke beside the same, whereof as soone as they tast they swel and die, but I haue seen them die without drinking at all. Mice and wolues if they tast of the wilde Rose, and drinke after it, doe not not onely dye, but also fall into madnesse and bite their fellows, communicating the qua∣lity of the disease to euery one they bite. Flesh cut into little peeces & fryed with butter in [ 50] a frying pan,* 1.64 and afterwards when it is colde, adde halfe so much soft pitch thereto, and mingle t together, rowling vp the flesh in the pitch, then distribute it vpon little boords, and set it in the place, and places whereunto the mice do much resort, and water beside it, and when that they haue tasted of it a little, they are so eagerly a thirst, that they drinke and dye.

The like I may say of Rats-bane, Quicke-siluer, Sublimate, and Precipitate, and diuers other thinges, and thus much may suffice, for the ketching, taking, and killing of myce, whereunto I may adde the vse of their members and parts, not medicinall, but naturall, although I haue touched it heeretoforein part.

The Scythians were woont to be clad with the skinnes of mice and Wolues, and it is obserued, that when mice cry and screeketh aboue their ordinary custome, it presageth an alteration and change of the Weather, and thus much shall suffice for their naturall discourse.

Hauing thus discoursed of the nature of the vulgar mouse,* 1.65 I may also adde the mor∣ral [ 10] vse thereof, as I find it recorded among learned writers; deliuered eyther in Historie or in prouerbe. It is reported of Glaucus the sonne of Minos and Pasiphae, that while he fol∣lowed a mouse to take her, he fel into a vessel of hony, but after Polyades the prophet, by laying an herb on him raised him againe to life. Hatto an Arch▪Bysh. of Metz in the fron¦tiers of Germany, was destroyed by mise, or as other say by Rats,* 1.66 but the words of Textor are:

Hatto Archiepiscopus Moguntinus à muribus fertur deuoratus.

And the error may proceed, because that Mus is a generall word for the Rat and mouse, and therefore they which haue thought it an vnreasonable thinge, that so small beastes should destroy so mighty a prince, haue rather attributed it to the Rats then to the mice; [ 20] but they ought to haue rememberd, that it was an extraordinary iudgement of God to punish a cruell couetous wretch, and that therefore it was as easie for him to make the lit∣tle mouse his instrument, as the great Rat: for we read, that Herod was deuourd by worms, and other haue beene eaten vp with lyce. Adrian the Pope was strangled by a flye, and therefore Hatto an Archbishop might aswel perish through the afflicting hand of God by a multitude of mice.

Heliogabalus that wretch, among other his monstrous desires, and Tyrannicall com∣maundes, Lampridius affirmeth, that vpon a time he commaunded that there should bee brought vnto him ten thousand mice aliue, a thousand weasils, and a thousand Sorices or wilde fielde-mice, so base were his thoughts, that while he should haue attended his Em∣periall calling, and hearkened to the suits and complaints of poore distressed subiects, he [ 30] was busied in killing of mice, and therefore in ancient time, a mouse-killer was taken for an opprobrious speech, for a base, sluggish, and idle companion.

The like is reported of a Moscouian Emperour, who to afflict his people and to ga∣ther money from them, commanded the Cittizens of Musco to bring him a pecke full of fleas, whereunto the people answered, that if they could take so many, yet could not they keepe them together from leaping away. And mice haue beene brought into publique spectacle, because at Lauinium they gnawed asunder the shields of siluer; and it was afterward iudged a prodigie, for there followed the Marsicke war. When the Scythians vnderstoode that Darius with his great army stoode in neede of vittailes, they sent vnto him a Prouant-master with these presents or gifts, a birde, a mouse, a frog, and fiue darts. [ 40] At the receipte whereof the Persians wondered what should be meant thereby; and de∣maunded of the messenger the meaning of the mystery. But the Ambassador answered, he knew not any signification of his presents, but onely receiued charge to deliuer them, and make hast backe againe, and to bid the Persians if they were wise to lay their wits to∣gether to know and vnderstand the meaning thereof. When the Persians heard him say so, they fell to consultation. Darius gaue his opinion that the mouse, signified the earth,* 1.67 the frog, the waters, the bird, horses, and the darts warlike furniture and strength of for∣ces, and that the Scythians by sending all these vnto them, yeelded that the Persians should be Lords of their land, sea, horses and themselues, and that therefore they ought to be of good courage.

[ 50] But one Gobrias a graue Councellor who was one of the seuen that slew the Magi or Wizards aunswered otherwise, for his coniecture was more true, for said he, O persae, nisi effecti vt aues subuoletis in coelum, aut vt mures subeatis terram, aut vt ranae insiliatis in paludes, non remeabitis vnde venistis his sagittis confecti: O ye Persians, except ye become like birds to flye vp into heauen, or like mice to creepe into the earth, or like frogs to leap

into the waters, you shall not returne back againe vnto the place from whence you came, and so indeede it came to passe. We reade 1. Sam. 5. that when the Arke of God was taken by the Philistimes, and they kept it in their Temple at Hazzah, the hand of the Lord fell vppon their Princes, and hee smote them with Emrods, in the bottome of their belly, that is, God punished them with mice, for he afflicted their bodies, and the fruites of the earth, for which cause Cap. 6. they aduise with themselues; to send back againe the Arke of the Lord with a present of Golden Mice. Ouid, Homer, and Orpheus call Apollo Smyntheus, for the Cretians in auncient time called Mice Smynthae: Now the fained cause thereof is thus related by Aelianus.

There was one Crinis which was a Priest of Apollo: who neglected his dayly sacri∣fice, [ 10] for the which through aboundance of mice he was depriued of the fruites of the earth, for they deuoured all. At which losse Apollo himselfe was moued; and taking pit∣tie of the miserie, appeared to one Horda a Neate-heard, commaunding him to tell Crinis that all the cause of that penury was for that he had omitted his accustomed sa∣crifice, and that it was his duetie to offer them againe diligently, or else it would be farre worse afterward. Crinis vpon the admonition amended the fault, and immediatly Apol∣lo killed all the deuouring Mice with his darts, whereuppon he was called Smyntheus. Other againe say, that among the Aeolians, at Troas & Hamaxitus, they worshiped mice and Apollo both together, and that vnder his Altar they had meate and nourishment, and also holes to liue in safely, and the reason was, because once many thousands of mice in∣uaded [ 20] the corne fieldes of Aeolia and Troy, cutting downe the same before it was ripe, and also frustrating the husbandman of fruite and hope: this euill caused them to goe to Delphos to aske counsell at the Oracle what they should doe to be deliuered from that extremitie, where the Oracle gaue answere that they should goe sacrifice to Apollo Smyn∣theus, and afterward they had sacrificed, they were deliuered from the mice, and that therefore they placed a statue or figure of a mouse in the Temple of Apollo.

When the Troyans came out of Creete, to seeke a habitation for themselues, they re∣ceaued an Oracle, that they should there dwell, where the inhabitants that were borne of the earth should set vpon them, the accomplishing whereof fell out about Hamaxitus, for in the night time, a great company of wilde mice, set vpon their bowes, quiuers, and [ 30] strings, leathers of their bucklers, and all such soft instruments, whereby the people knew, that that was the place, wherein the Oracle had assigned them to build the Citty; & there∣fore there they builded Ida, so called after the name of Ida in Creete: and to conclude we doe reade that mice haue beene sacrificed,* 1.68 for the Arcadians are said first of all to haue sacrificed to their Gods a mouse, and secondly a white horse, and lastly the leaues of an Oake.

And to conclude, Aelianus telleth one strange storye of mice in Heraclea, that there is not one of them which toucheth any thing that is consecrated to Religion, or to the ser∣uice of their Goddes. Insomuch that they touch not their vines which are sacred to religi∣ous [ 40] vses, but suffer them to come to their naturall maturitye, but depart out of they∣sland, to the entent that neither hunger nor folly cause them to touch that which is de∣dicated to deuine vses. And thus much for the naturall and morall story of the mice, now followeth the medicinall.

The medicines of the Mouse.

* 1.69The flesh of a mouse is hot and and soft, and very little or nothing fat, and doth expell blacke and melancholy choler. A mouse being flead or hauing his skin pulled off, and af∣terwards cut through the middle, and put vnto a wound or sore wherein there is the head [ 50] of a Dart or arrow,* 1.70 or any other thing whatsoeuer within the wound, wil presently and ve∣ry easily exhale and draw them out of the same. Mice being cut and placed vnto woundes which haue beene bitten by Serpents, or put to places which are stinged by them, do very effectually and in short space of time cure and perfectly heale them. Mice which do lurke and enhabite in houses, being cut in twaine and put vnto the wounds which are new made by Scorpions,* 1.71 doth very speedily heale them.

A yoong mouse being mingled with salt is an excellent remedy against the byting of the mouse called a shrew, which biting horses and labouring cattell, it doth venome vntill it come vnto the hart, and then they die, except the aforesaid remedie be vsed.* 1.72 The shrew also himselfe being bruised and laid vnto the place which was bitten, is an excellent and very profitable remedy against the same.

A mouse being deuided and put or laid vpon warts, will heale them and quite abolish them, of what kinde soeuer they shall be. The fatte which is distilled from mice,* 1.73 being mixed with a little goose-greace and boyled together, is an excellent and medicinable cure for the asswaging and mollifying of swellings and hard lumps or knots which doe vsually arise in the flesh. Yoong mice being beaten into small bits or peeces,* 1.74 and mixed [ 10] with olde wine, and so boyled or baked, vntill they come vnto a temperate and mollify∣ing medicine, if it be annointed vppon the eye lids, it will very easily procure haire to grow thereon. The same being vnbeaten and roasted, and so giuen to little children to eate, will quickly dry vp the froath or spetle which aboundeth in their mouth.* 1.75 There are certaine of the wise men or Magi who thinke it good that a mouse should bee flead and giuen to those which are troubled with the tooth-ache twise in a moneth to be eaten. The water wherein a mouse hath beene sod or boyled, is very wholesome and profitable for those to drinke who a••e troubled with the inflammation of the iawes or the disease cal∣led the Squincie. Mice, but especially those of Affricke, hauing their skinne puld off and [ 20] well steeped in oyle and rubbed with salt, and so boyled, and afterwards taken in drinke, are very medicinable for those which haue any paine or trouble in their lightes & lungs. The same medicine vsed in the aforesaid manner is very profitable for those which are troubled with a filthy, mattery, and blooddy spetting out with retching.* 1.76

Sodden mice are exceeding good to restraine and hold in the vrine of infants or chil∣dren being too aboundant, if they be giuen in some pleasant or delightsome drinke. Mice being also cut in twaine, and laid vnto the feete or legs of those which are gowtie is an excellent remedie and cure for them. Mice being dryed and beaten to powder, doth ve∣ry effectually heale and cure those which are scalded or burned with hote water, or fire. Cypres nuts being burned and pounded, or beaten into dust,* 1.77 and mixed with the dust of the hoofe of a male or female mule, being dryed or stamped small, and the oyle of mirtle [ 30] added vnto the same, with the dirt or dung of mice being also beaten, and with the dung of a hedge-hogge new made, and with red arsenicke: and all mingled together with vi∣negar and moist or liquid pitch and put vnto the heade of any one who is troubled with the aboundance and loose hanging downe or ouergrowing of his haire, it will very spee∣dily and without any difficultie ease him of the same.

The dust of a mouse pounded and beaten to powder, and mingled with a certaine oile, is very good and wholesome, for those which are grieued with a Tettor or scabbe which may ouerrunne their whole body.* 1.78 The braines or taile of a mouse being dried and beaten to powder is very medicinable for those which are troubled with the casting and shedding of their haire, as also for the disease called the Foxes euill, but this operation will worke [ 40] more effectually if the shedding of the haire doth happen by any venom or poyson. The same in operation hath the whole body of the mouse being vsed in the aforesaide man∣ner.

There is also another excellent remedy to cure and heale the aforesaid disease which is this, to take mice which inhabite in houses, and to burne or dry them in a pot,* 1.79 and then beat them: and being so vsed, to mixe them with oyle of Lawrell, and to rubbe the haires which are like to fall or shed with garlicke, and to put them altogither into a Frontlet or fore-head cloath, and daily to keepe the same medicine or plaister vnto them, vntill the haire do grow fast, and they be ridde of that disease. There is also another remedy for the same disease, which is this: To burne a mouse, and beate him into powder and then to [ 50] mingle the same with hony and the greace of a Beare, and so to annoint the head,* 1.80 and this is accounted for a very speedy and effectuall cure.

The dust or powder of mice being mixed with hony and oyle of Roses, and so baked, or boyled together, and afterward distilled into a cleare water and so powred into the eares of any one which is deafe or troubled with any paine in his eares,* 1.81 and it will quickly

bring him helpe and remedie. The dust of a dryed mouse being also mingled with hony and rubbed vpon the teeth of any one which is troubled with a stinking breath, will pre∣sently take away the sauour thereof.* 1.82 If the vrine of a man or woman be too fluent and aboundant, let them take the dust or powder of a dryed mouse, being beaten and stam∣ped, and mix it with wine or with goates milke, and so drinke it vp, and he shall speedily haue remedie.* 1.83 The grieuous and violent inflammation or turning of the eye-lids, is cu∣red after this manner. First, they take the flesh of the mice, as soone as euer it is beaten small, and mingle it with the yolke of an egge, and mollifie it into a salue or plaister like vnto waxe, and then put it into a linnen cloath, and so wrap it vpon the eye lides in the [ 10] time of sleepe, and it will easily bring helpe and remedy.

There is an excellent remedy for the ouerspreding of the eyes, or to cure the disease in them, called the pin and the web, or to helpe them which are altogether blind, which is this: To take the blood of a mouse, the gall of a Cocke, and some part or quantitie of womans milke, and to take of each of them alike, and then to mingle or mixe them toge∣ther, & being well wrought or kneaded vntill it come to an ointment to rubbe or spread it vpon the eyes: and this will in very short space helpe them vnto their sight; For it hath beene tryed, and hath helped many.

* 1.84The skinne of a mouse being burned or dryed, and beaten into powder, and so ming∣led with vinegar, and then annointed vpon the head of any one who is pained or trou∣bled with the heade-ache, it will presently ease and helpe him. The heade of a mouse be∣ing [ 20] also born or carried in a linnen cloth, doth cure the same disease. The heads of mice being burned,* 1.85 and beaten into small powder, and then mixed or mingled with hony, and so annointed vpon the legges or feete of them which are troubled with the gowte, are ex∣cellent good and wholesome for the curing of that grieuous disease. The same vertue hath the tailes or bodies of Mice, being vsed in the aforesaid maner in them. Some doe thinke that the aforesaid disease is more speedily and effectually cured after this manner: First,* 1.86 to take a Beetle or horse-flye, and stampe it all to peeces, and then to mingle it with soft and liquid pitch, the skinne being prepared or made ready with nitre: but there must be great care taken that it eate not too farre in the flesh: then to take the head of a mouse, and the gall and dung of a mouse [ 30] and mingle them together with ling-worte and pepper, and so to annoint them, and spread them vpon the aforesaid eaten or launced woundes: and this is very much commended for a very good and medicinable cure for the afore∣said disease.

* 1.87The heads of Mice dryed and beaten into powder or dust, and then mixed with hony, and so annointed vpon the eyes for the space of ten daies together, will clarifie the eyes, and expell all paine or blemishes from them. Of the heads of Mice being burned is made that excellent powder,* 1.88 for the scowring and cleansing of the teeth called tooth-soape: vnto which if spikenard be added or mingled, it will take away any filthy sent or stronge sauour in the mouth. The braines of a Mouse being taken and put or steeped in wine and stamped,* 1.89 and beaten small and annointed vpon the brow or forehead of any one who is [ 40] troubled with a paine or ache in the head, and he shall soone finde ease and remedy. If any man shall but touch or kisse with his mouth the snout or nostrils of a Mouse, and be troubled with the disease called the rewme which falleth downe and stuffeth the nostrils, he shall in very short space be eased of the same. The Magi or wise men doe very much commend this medicine for the expelling of a quartaine Ague or feuer, which is thus, To take the nose or snowt of a Mouse, as also the very tops of the eares, and bruse them together, and afterward tie them in a linnen cloath, which hath had Roses or Rose leaues in the same,* 1.90 and then bind them vnto the armes or wristes of him which is so troubled, and they will very effectually and speedily cure and heale him. For the rottennesse and demi∣nishing [ 50] of the teeth, the best remedy is to take a liuing mouse and to take out one of her teeth whether the greatest or the least it is no great matter, and hang it by the teeth of the party grieued: but first kill the mouse from whom you had the tooth, and he shall pre∣sently haue ease and helpe of his paine. The hart of a liuing mouse being taken out, and hanged vpon the left arme of any woman,* 1.91 is of such force and power, as it will cause her neuer to conceaue. The laps or fillets of the liuer of a Mouse, being beaten small and

mingled with foure drams of sower and vnpleasant wine is an excellent remedy for those which are troubled with quakings in their ioynts, as also for feauers and shaking agues.* 1.92 A mouse being cut or parted in the coniunction of the sun and the Moone, and the liuer pul∣led out and roasted or boyled, and giuen to one which is troubled with the aforesaid dis∣ease to eate, will very speedily and without any difficulty or paine cure and heale him of the same. The gall of a Mouse being beaten very small, and steeped or washed in Vineger,* 1.93 and so poured or distilled into the eares of any one who is deafe or thicke of hearing, or hath any ach or paine in the same, is counted for the chiefest, and most singular and chie∣fest remedy or cure which is vsed for the same.* 1.94

The dung or durt of a mouse being new made, is very profitable for those which are trou∣bled [ 10] with the disease called the sciatica or hip-gout, annointed or rubbed vpon the same. Mouse-dung being also mingled with vinegar and oile of roses, and so annointed or spred vpon the forehead or temples of any one who is troubled with the head-ach,* 1.95 will presenly ease and help him of the same. The gum called Benzoine being mixed with wine and Saf∣fron, and pepper, as also with the durt or dung of Mice being new made, and mixed with vinegar, and mingled al in one medicine, and so strained and giuen to one to drinke which is spare and leane, in some short space or time it will make him grow very fat.* 1.96

The dung or durt of a mouse being mingled with certaine other medicines, is very good and wholesome for those which are troubled with tetters, and dry scabs which o∣ouerrun [ 20] the whole body.

The dung of mice being mingled with the dust or pouder of Frankincense, wtih a little red arsenicke added thereunto, is a very profitable and wholesome medicine for those to vse which are troubled with little hand red bunches and swellings arising in diuers and se∣uerall parts of the body.* 1.97 Seuen pils being taken out of the dung of a mouse and mingled with vinegar and annointed vppon the forehead and temples, of those which are grieued therein, will very speedily help and cure them.

The inward partes of earth mixed with mouse-dung, white Pepper, and Mirrhe, be∣ing of each of them halfe an ounce, & afterwards mingled with Vinegar altogether, and so annointed vpon the head of any one which is troubled with the megrime, will very effec∣tually and speedily ease and rid him of the same.* 1.98 The Hearbe called Strumus beaten to∣gether [ 30] with Mouse-dung, and afterwardes mixed with vineger is an excellent remedy a∣gainst the swellinges in the head, or little bunches which arising therein become sores, and are full of matter and filthy corruption. The dung or durt of mice being melted, dis∣solued, and mingled with vineger,* 1.99 and then rubbed vpon the head of any one who is trou∣bled with the scurfe or skaules thereon in a bath or stone, will presently expell and driue them quite away. The dung of mice being mingled with Frankincense, and so beaten or tempered together vntill they come vnto the likenesse or thicknesse of hony, and then an∣nointed vpon the legs or feet of any one that is troubled with the gout, he shall find pre∣sent help and remedy.

The same disease is also very effectually cured by the dung of a mouse, & burned or scor∣ched [ 40] barly mingled together, of each being the same weight or quantity,* 1.100 & afterwards mix¦ed with vineger altogether, and so spread or annointed vpon the diseased parts. Ther is al∣so another excellent remedy for curing of the aforesaid disease which is thus: to take Can∣tharides and bruise them all to pieces, and mingle them with soft or liquid Pitch, and also with Nitre, and so anoint or rub them vppon the skinne being prepared for the purpose,* 1.101 but there must be great care had that the skin bee not rubbed or launced too far. After∣wards vnto the wounds so made, there must be taken the heads, gales, and dung of mice, being mixed with the hearb Lingwort, and pepper, and so beaten altogether vntill they come vnto a temperate salue or medicine, and then anointed vpon the said wounds, and they will in very short space cure the same.

[ 50] The haires and dung of a Mouse, parched or dryed by the fire, and annointed vpon the eie-lids of any one which are pield or bare, will presently procure haire to grow thereon. Mouse-dung being dried in the shade is an excellent remedy against voyding of spet∣ting of blood which floweth from some parts of the body, but especially from the belly.* 1.102

The same is also very good to staunch the blood which issueth from woundes being new made. White Sceny-seede, and the dung of a Mouse or Hare being put into broath with the stem or stalke of Fennell, and so boyled together, and afterwards giuen vnto a Wo∣man to drinke who is destitute of milke in her breastes, will presently and very speedily procure her milke in great aboundance.

* 1.103The dung of Mice being steeped or washed in raine water, doth ease and refresh the swelling of womens dugs in their time of deliuery. The dung of a Mouse being giuen in any drinke or liquor to one that is troubled with the disease called the collick and stone to drinke, will in very short space or time cure him of the same. Mouse dung being also ta∣ken [ 10] in drinke doth loose the body of either man or woman how fast soeuer they be bound. There is an excellent remedy arising from Mouse-dung against the Sciatica or hip-gout which is this: to take nine graines of a Mouses dung mixed or mingled with halfe a pinte of wine,* 1.104 and giuen to the party grieued vpon a bench or foote-stoole to drinke, so that he drinke it standing vpon that foot only which paineth him, euen at the sun rising, and ha∣uing so drunke it, let him leape downe, and afterwardes let him leape three times, and let him do this but three daies together, and hee shall haue present help and remedy of his disease.* 1.105

* 1.106Mouse-dung mixed with Frankincense and sweete Wine, and so drunke by any one which is troubled with the collick and stone, will presently ease him of the same. But the dung of mice mingled with Frankincense, water, and Hony, and so boiled together, and [ 20] drunke, doth not onely driue away the paine of the aforesaid disease, but also doth breake and quite dissolue the stone.* 1.107 Mouse-dung also being taken in drinke by it selfe alone, doth dissolue and melt the stone in the bladder. The same being also boyled in water is very good and profitable for those which cannot make Water. The same being new made and annointed vpon the belly of any one who is troubled with the collicke or stone, shall finde present ease and remedy thereby.

There is yet moreouer another excellent medicine proceeding from this dung, wher∣by the fruite in a Womans wombe may be brought forth either dead or putryfied with∣out any hurt or preiudice vnto the Woman, which is thus; first to take Egyptian salt, [ 30] mouse-dung,* 1.108 and Gourds which are sowen in woods, and afterwards to poure in halfe a pinte of Hony, being halfe boyled, and to cast one dram of Rozen into the Honny, the Gourdes, and the mouse-dung, and beate them well and throughly together, and then roule them vp, and fashion them in the manner of acornes, and put them to the belly of the party so grieued as often as you shall thinke it meete and conuenient, and in vsing this some short space or time you shalsee the aforesaid putryfied fruit to proceed and issue forth.

Mouse-dung being parched or burned and mingled with Hony, is very good and me∣dicinable aswell for those which are troubled with the swellings in their legs and feete, as also for those whose eye-lids are pilled and bald,* 1.109 to make haire to grow again vpon them, being spreade or annointed thereuppon. The dunge of mice being dryed and beaten [ 40] into small dust or pouder, and put into the teeth of any one which are hollow, will present∣ly expell away all paine from them,* 1.110 and also confirme and make the teeth strong. The dust or pouder which proceedeth from mouse-dung is also very good to cure any disease in the fundament of either man or woman.

The vrine of a mouse is of such strong force that if it shal but touch any part of a mans body, it will eate vnto the very bones. The bitings of mice are healed by no other means but by greene figes and Garlike being mixed or mingled together, and so annoynted thereupon. [ 50]

OF THE RAT.

[illustration]

THere is no doubt that this beast be∣longeth also to the rank of mice,* 1.111 & the name thereof we haue shewed already, is commō both to the French, Spanish, Italian, and English, & it may seeme to be deriued from the Greeke word Rastes, or Heurex, or Riscos, for the Gretians vse al those words. And this beast is 4. times so big as the commō Mouse,* 1.112 being of a blackish dusky colour, more whit on the belly, hauing along head, not much vnlike the head of the Martin, short and round eares, a resonable rough skin, short legs, and long clawes, & exceeding great eies, such as cā see very perfectly in the darke night, and more perfectly then by candle light, with their nails they climbe vp steepe and hard wals, their taile is very long, & almost naked void of haire, by reason whereof it is not vnwor∣thily counted venomous, for it seemeth to partake with the na¦ture of Serpents. The quantity of their body is much like a wea∣sels, & sometimes you shall see a Rat exceeding the common stature, which the Germans cal Ratzen Kunig, the king of Rats, because of his larger & greater body, and they say that the les∣ser bring him meat and helieth idle. But my opinion is that as we read of the Dormous she nourisheth hir parent when she is old, so likewile the younger Rats bring food vnto the elder, because through their age, they are not able to hunt for them∣selues, & are also growne to a great and vnweeldy stature of body. Sometimes you shal see white Rats, as was once seene in Germany, taken in the middle of Aprill, hauing very red eyes standing forth of their head, and a rough and long beard. And at Auspurg in Germany, about the Temple called the Church of S. Hulduic they a∣bound in greater number then in other places. They do not lye in the earth like Mice, ex∣cept in the vally of Ioachim, where for the summer time they forsake houses, and go into cony holes, but in the winter time they returne to the houses againe. They are more noy∣some

then the little Mouse, for they liue by stelth, and feed vpon the same meat that they feede vpon, and therefore as they exceede in quantity, so they deuoure more, and doe farre more harme. They are killed by the same poysons and meates that the common Mice are killed, except wolfe-baine, for if they eate thereof, they vomit it vp againe and are safe. They are also taken in the same traps, but 3. or foure times so big; Their flesh is farre more hot and sharp then the flesh of the vulgar Mouse, as we haue gathered by the dissection of it, and therefore in operation it is very like that it expelleth and dryeth more then the other.

* 1.113 The excrements are also of the same vertue, and with the dung of Rats the Physitians cure the falling off of the haire. And it is saide also that when they rage in lust, and follow [ 10] their copulation, they are more venemous and dangerous then at other times. For if the vrine do fall vpon the bare place of a man, it maketh the flesh rot vnto the bones, neither will it suffer any scar to bee made vppon the vlcer, and thus much of the vulgar Rat.

OF THE WATER RAT.

SEeing there are two kinds of Rats, one of the earth called Rattus ter∣restris,* 1.114 and the other of the water called Rattus Fluuiatilis, of which we are now to entreat, being also called of the Latins Mus aquaticus by the Germans Twassermaus, and Wafferrat, by the Italians Sorgo∣mogange,* 1.115 [ 20] by the French Rat d, eau. This beast hunteth fishes in the winter, and haue certaine caues in the water sides, and bankes of the riuers or ponds: For which occasion it being seene in the waters, de∣ceiueth their expectation which looke for the returne of it to the land. And this beast hath beene forgotten by the ancients, for they haue left of it no dis∣cription nor story, because it liueth partly in the water, and partly on the land, and ther∣fore he said true that spake of the habitation and place of aboade of this beast, in this sort, Ego non in fluuijs,* 1.116 nec alijs aquis magnis, sed paruis tantum riuis at{que} herbosis omnium ••ipis, hoc animal frequentissimum versari audio. That is to say, That this beast doth not keepe in great waters or riuers, but in small and little currents and pondes, where aboundance of grasse and other weedes doe grow on the sides and bankes; Pliny attributeth that to the [ 30] warer-rat,* 1.117 which is proper to the Tortise, for indeed there is some similitude of natures be∣twixt these beasts, with this exception, that the females in this kind haue three visible pas∣sages for their excrements, one for their vrine, another for the dung, and the third for the young ones, that is a peculiare place for the littering of their young ones, and this water-rat ouer and beside her common nature with other Rats, doth swim ouer riuers, and feed vpon herbs, and if at any time she be hunted from her natiue biding & accustomed lodg∣ing, then also she goeth among vulgar & common Rats and mice, and feedeth vpon such as they eate: and (Bellonius saith) that there are great store of these in Nilus and Strym••n, and that in calme nights when there are no winds, they walke to the shores, & get vp vp∣on [ 40] the bankes, eating and gnawing such plants as grow neare the waters, and if they heare any noise, they suddenly leape into the Waters againe. He expresseth also the figure of this Rat, which we haue omitted because it resembleth in all partes the common Rat, ex∣cepting the snout or beake which is rounder & blunter. Among some of the ancients also, there is mention made of this beast, and no more. Therfore Aristotle saith in the Arcadian Lusae, which is a city so called, (as Stephanus writeth,) where Malampus did wash the daugh∣ters of Proetus, and deliuered them from their madnesse. There is a certaine fountaine wherein do liue Rats of the earth, (they should say Rats of the water) for hereunto agree both Pliny and Theophrastus. Likewise in a riuer of Cassinus; the auncient wise-men, which were followers of Zoroastres, made great account of the Hedghog, but hated deadly the [ 50] water-rats, and said, that he that could kil most of them, was most deare and acceptable to God. And furthermore they said, that dogs, hens, and hedghogs, did proceed, and were attended from and by good angels, and water-rats by euill. And thus much shal suffice for the discourse of the Rat. The story which ensueth is of strange and lesse knowne Mice, and therefore I wil disttibure them after an alphabiticall order; according to their seueral names.

Of the Alpine-Mouse

THe Alpine Mouse taketh

[illustration]

her name from the Alpes wherein she is bred, and al∣thogh there be many other kindes of mice bred in the Alpes, yet this being the principal thereof, recei∣ueth denomination from the moun∣taines, because they are bred in the ve∣ry tops of the mountaines, and sildom [ 10] or neuer come down to the roots. The Italians cal it Marmota, and Murmont, and according to Matheolus, Marmon∣tana, the Rhaetians Montanella, and in some part of Italy Varrosa, in Fraunce Marmote, although Marmot be a word also among them for a Munkey. The Germans and especially the Helueti∣ans by a corrupt word, drawne from a [ 20] mouse of the mountain, Murmelthier, and Murmentle, and some Mistbellerle, by reason of his sharpe whining voyce like a little Dogs. In Latine it is called also Emptra, which seemeth to be com∣pounded of Embdor, & this is the least kind of Alpine Mice which is found in all the German regions, of which wee wil speake in the end of this story. Som take this to be called Taxus, amongst whom Brassauolus is one, yet it hath no [ 30] property with the Alpine mouse, ex∣cept lying in a Caue, for it doeth not sleepe in the winter, nor hath no out∣ward resemblance with mice, neither can haue affinity in disposition or ma∣ner of liuing, & therfore I canot assent thereto. Grapaldus and Alununs, both learned Italians say, that the Armelins are called Alpine mice, wherunto they are led, because they sleepe al the win∣ter [ 40] long, like the Alpine mouse; But wee shall shew in their due place, that these belong to the weasils, and not to the mice, which liuing in colde coun∣tries, growe white in the winter time: the Haebrew word is Saphan, acording to some Authors, and is translated Ar∣cktonim, but we will shew in due place, that the Arcktomys is the Crycetus, or Grycet-mouse, and the Saphan we haue [ 50] shewed already to be the Cony.

These Alpin Mice are in the tops of the Apenine hils, and none of the Auncientes ex∣cept Pliny make mention thereof, and it is doubtfull whether he doeth describe it or no. For his words are, Sunt his Muribus Alpinis, pares & in Egypto similiter{que} residunt in clunibus & binis pedibus gradiuntur, prioribus{que}, vt manibus vtuntur, that is to say, there are mice in Egypt like to the Alpin Mice, for they sit vpon their Buttocks, and goe with their fore∣most two feet, which also they vse insteed of hands, by which we collect, that they are not the same, but like the Alpine mice.

* 1.118The Alpine mouse is in quantity like a Hare, or at the least betwixt a Hare and a Co∣ny, being more fat, and of a thicker body then a Cat, but shorter legges in outward ap∣pearance most like a mouse, and therefore it is called an Alpine mouse. The backe of it is [ 10] very broad, and the haire harder and harsher then a Conies. The colour for the most part is yellow,* 1.119 which in some is more cleare, and in others more obscure and browne. Their eyes of a reasonable quantity, standing farre out of their heads. Their eares very short like cropt eares. The head like a Hares, and their feet with long nails, his foreteeth like a squir∣rels, two aboue, and two beneath, but long and sharpe like a Beuers, in colour yellowe, about the nose and vpper-lippes, he hath long-blacke-bristle-haires like a cat. The taile, is halfe a cubit long, according to Stumpsius, but two palmes according to Agricola. His legges very short and thicke, couered with long deep thicke haire, like to the bottome of his belly.

The toes of his feet are like a Beares, and his clawes long and blacke, wherewithall be diggeth the earth to make his denne, he goeth vpon his hinder feete like a Beare, or like [ 20] an Ape, by iumpes, and with his forefeet he taketh his meat like a squirrell & an Ape, sit∣ting in the meane time vpon his buttockes. His backe is also very fatte, although all the other parts of his body be leane, and yet that on his backe cannot be said to be fat, but ra∣ther like a cowes vdder, neither fat nor flesh, and they encrease or grow more in bredth, then in length.

* 1.120Scaliger describeth them in this manner, a Marmot (saith he, for so he tearmeth an Al∣pine mouse in French) is a Beast about the bignesse of a Badger, hauing haire and tayle much like it, and after the same manner short legges, and little or no eares, long, sharp, firme, crooked, strong, and blacke clawes, which is numbred amongst the kinds of mice, with whom it holdeth little correspondence, except that like a squirell it taketh his meate [ 30] in the forefeet as with hands, and eateth sitting vppon his taile. They agree also with the Dormouse in their sleepe, for they passe ouer winter sleeping.

Their teeth are like to the teeth of hares and mice, after that they are made tame, they are not hurtfull to men or children, except they be prouoked. Being kept in houses, they will eat and gnaw all linnen and woolen cloath, Thus farre Scaliger. But we haue shewed al∣ready that the outward appearance of it is like a mouse, and that therefore it is safer to fol∣low Pliny, Albertus, Mathaeolus, Stumpsius, and others, then his sole and singular opinion; they keepe as we haue said already in the tops of the mountaines wherein they make their caue with woonderfull art and circumspection,* 1.121 making two different passages into their denne, one aboue another a poles length, which meete in the middle like a forke, or the [ 40] coniunction of two riuers or pathe-waies, making the seate of their rest to be very deepe in the Mountaine, and therein they remaine, fiue, seauen, nine, or eleuen of them toge∣ther.

They play many times before the mouth of their denne together, and in their sport or pastime,* 1.122 barke like little Dogges. When they go out of their caue into the mountaines to gather foode, or to playe, or to fetch in grasse, alwaies one of them remaineth like a Watchman neare the mouth of the caue vpon some high place, looking most diligently and vigilantly, both farre and neare; and if he see eyther a man or wilde beast comming towardes them, then hee suddainely cryeth out, and with his voice giueth the warning word, whining like the whisling of a pipe, if his fellowes be farre off, or else barking like a [ 50] Dogge if they be neare at hand. When the residue heare it, they presently repaire home, and he which kept the watch, entereth into the denne last of all. And it is reported by a certaine Greeke writer, that if their speculator doe not giue them the watch-worde, but that they are endaungered by any man or Beaste thorough his negligence, they teare

him in pieces with their teeth. There is no beast which is so strong as this,* 1.123 considering the quantity, for it hath beene seene that when a lusty young man tooke one of them by the hinder leg as it ran into the den, he could not withall his might plucke it backe againe.* 1.124 The clawes of it are exceeding sharpe, and fit to dig, so that it is thought if a man find them in the earth, and seeke to take them by digging vnto them, he shall labour in vaine, because the beast diggeth faster from him then he can follow her; they cannot run very fast in the plaine ground, but are easily killed by a man, except they get into the earth: with their teeth they bite deepe, for they can shere asunder wood with them like Beauers,* 1.125 they eate or liue vpon fruits & especially being tamed when they are young, they refuse not bread, [ 10] flesh, fish, or pottage, and aboue all they desire milk, Butter, and cheese, for in the Alpes they will breake into the little cottages where milk is kept, and are oftentimes taken in the manner sucking vp the milke, for they make a noise in sucking of milke like a pig. In the month of May they are much delighted to eate hornets, or horseflies, also they feede vp∣on wilde Sagapen of the meddow, and seeded Cabages, and while they are wilde in the Mountaines they neuer drink, the reason is as I suppose because in the summer time they eate moist greene herbs, and in all the winter time they sleepe.

Towards the feast of Saint Michaell the Arch-angell, and of Gallus, they enter into their caues, and as Pliny saith, they first of all carry prouision of Hay,* 1.126 and greene Hearbes into their denne to rest vpon, wherein their wit and vnderstanding is to be admired, for [ 20] like Beauers one of them falleth on the back, and the residue loade his belly with the car∣riage, and when they haue laid vpon him sufficient, he girteth it fast by taking his tayle in his mouth, and so the residew draw him to the caue, but I cannot affirme certainely, whe∣ther this be a truth or a falsehood.

For there is no reason that leadeth the Author thereunto, but that some of them haue beene found bald on the backe. But this is certaine, when the Snow begins to couer the Mountaines, then doe they enter into their dennes, and shut vp close the passages, with Stickes, Grasse, and earth, both so hard and so thicke, that it is easier to breake the solide ground, then the mouthes of their Caues, and so being safely encluded both from the feare of the Hunters, from Raine, Snow, and cold, there they liue vntill the Spring with∣out [ 30] all manner of meate and drinke, gathered round together like a Hedghogge, sleeping continually, and therefore the people inhabiting the Alpes haue a common prouerbe,* 1.127 to expresse a drowsie and sleepy fellow in the German tongue thus. Er musse synzyt ges∣chlaffen haben wie ein murmelthier, in Latine thus, Necesse habet certum, dormiendo, tempus consumere, instar muris Alpini, He must needes sleepe a little like the Mouse of the Alpes. They sleepe also when they be tamed, but it hath beene found by experience, that when a tame one hath beene taken asleepe and layd in a warme barrell vpon Hay, the mouth be∣ing shutte and closed to keepe out Raine and Snow, at the opening thereof it was found dead; and the reason was, because it lacked breath, and therefore this is most wonderfull that in the Mountaines, notwithstanding the close stopping of the mouth of their caues, [ 40] yet they should not bee depriued of refrigeration, that is fresh ayre, for expiration, and respiration.

But this is to be considered, that after they haue beene long tamed, they sleepe not so much as when they are wild, for I thinke that their continuall eating of rawe and greene Hearbes, ingendereth in them so many humors as cannot bee dispersed without along continuing sleepe, but afterwardes when they are dieted with such meate as is prouided for the nourishment of man, they are eased of the cause, and so the effect ceaseth. During the time that they sleepe, they grow very fat, and they are not awaked very easily,* 1.128 except with the heat of the sun or fire, or a hot-house. Now the manner of their taking while they are wilde is thus.

In the summer time when they goe in and out of their caues, they are taken with [ 50] snares set at the mouth thereof, but in the Winter time when they goe not abroad,* 1.129 then also are the inhabitants forced to another deuise, for then in the summer time, they sette vp certaine pillers or perches neare the mouth of their denne, whereby they may be dy∣rected, when the snow doth couer the mountaines.

For the Pillers or poles stand vp aboue the snow, although the snow bee very deepe.

Then come the inhabitants vpon round pieces of wood in the middest of the winter, fast∣ned to their shooe-soles ouer the deepe snow with their pyoners and diggers, and cast a∣way the snow from the den, and so dig vp the earth, and not onely take the beastes, but carry them away sleeping, and while they dig, they diligently obserue the frame and ma∣ner of the stopping of the Mouses den. For if it be long and deepe, it is a signe of a long and a hard winter, but if it be shallow and thin, of the contrary: so comming vpon them as we haue saide, they take them and carry them away asleepe, finding alwaies an odde number among them, and they diligently obserue, that whilest they dig, there bee no great noise, or that they bring not their fire too near thē. For as Stumpsius saith, Experrecti enim capinon possunt, nam vt cun{que} strenue fodiat venator, ipsi fodiendo simul & retrocedunt [ 10] & pedibus quam effoderint, terram reijciendo fossorem impediunt. That is to say, If they bee once awaked, they can neuer be taken, for howsoeuer the Hunter dig neuer so manfully, yet they together with him, dig inward into the mountaines, and cast the earth backward with their feete to hinder his worke.

Being taken as we haue saide, they grow very tame, and especially in the presence of their keepers,* 1.130 before whom they will play and sport, and take Lice out of their heads with their forefeet like an Ape. Insomuch as there is no beast that was euer wild in this part of the world, that becommeth so tame and familiar to man as they, yet doe they alwaies liue in the hatred of dogges, and oftentimes bite them deepely, hauing them at any aduan∣tage, especially in the presence of men, where the dogs dare not resist nor defend them∣selues. [ 20] When they are wilde they are also killed asleepe, by putting of a knife into their throate, whereat their forefeete stirre a little, but they dye before they can bee awa∣ked.

Their blood is saued in a vessell, and afterwards the Mouse it selfe is dressed in hot scal∣ding water like a pig,* 1.131 and the haire thereof plucked off, and then do they appeare bald and white; next to that they bowell them, and take out their intrals: afterwards put in the bloud againe into their bellies, and so seeth them or else salt them, and hang them vp in smoake, and being dressed after they are dryed, they are commonly eaten in the Alpine regions with Rapes and Cabiges, and their flesh is very fat, not a fluxible or loose fat like the fat of Lambes, but a solide fat, like the fat of Hogs and Oxen. And the flesh hereof is com∣mended [ 30] to be profitable for women with child, and also for all windinesse and gripings in the belly, not onely the flesh to be eaten in meate, but also the fat to be annointed vpon the belly or Nauel: And for this cause it is vsed to procure sleepe, and to strengthen decai∣ed and weake sinnewes: the flesh is alwaies better salted then fresh, because the salt drieth vp the ouermuch humidity, and also amendeth the grauity and ranknesse of the sauour: but whether it be salt, or whether it fresh, it is alwaies hard to be digested, oppressing the stomacke, and heating the body ouermuch.

The ventricle or maw of the Mouse Alpine, is prescribed to be layed vpon the belly a∣gainst the collicke.* 1.132 If the hands of a man be annointed with the fat of this beast, it is said he shall be the better able to endure cold al that day after: Also the same fat being drunke vp [ 40] in warme broath by a woman in trauaile, are beleeued to accelerate and hasten her deli∣uery.

Certaine Horseleeches, in the cure of that disease which they call the worms, which are certaine vlcers rising in the body, do mingle this fat with other medicines which are very drying or scepticke. And Mathaeolus doth prescribe it for the softning and mollifieng of contracted nerues and ioynts in the body.

By the discourse aforesaide, it doth appeare that of these Alpine-Mice, there are two kinds,* 1.133 one great like a Badger, and the other in stature of a Hare or cony: This lesser see∣meth to be proper to Germany, which there they call Embdor, of the Latin word Emp••ra, a mouse of the mountain. [ 50]

The story wherof I thought good to expresse being short out of Stumpsius and Agricol••. The male and females say they of this kind, do gather together wilde corne which grow∣eth among the rockes in the summer time against the winter, and carry the same into the holes of the earth where their lodging is.

Now the female in this kind is crafty, and more apt to deuoure; the male on the other∣side more thirsty and sparing, wherefore he driueth his female out of the den in the win∣ter time, and stopeth the mouth of his caue, to forbid hir entrance, but she getteth behind the same, and diggeth a secret hole, whilest the male lyeth at the mouth asleepe,* 1.134 she con∣sumeth the whole store behind him, wherefore in the spring time she commeth forth ve∣ry fat and comely, and he very leane. And therefore in my opinion, the makers of Em∣blems may very well discribe an vnthrifty wise, that consumeth her husbands wealth, by the picture of this female, as by the picture of the Asse behinde Ocnus, biting assunder the cord that he weaueth, as we haue shewd before in the history of the Asse. These beasts giue themselues much to sleep, and when they are awake they are neuer ydle, but alwaies [ 10] carrying into their denne, straw, hay, sticks, rags, or peeces of cloth, wherewith they ful theirmouth so ful, that it may receiue no more, and if they meet with any thing which •• to big for their mouth, by the helpe of their feete, they drawe and rowle it to their owne denne.

Whereas they are nourished tame in houses, it is obserued, that they are a neate and cleanly kind of beast, for they neuer defile their lodgings with their excrements, but seeke out some secret corner, wherein they both render vrin, and empty their bellies. With their teeth they gnaw wood, and make holes in bords, so larg as their bodies may passe throgh, and while they liue, they haue a very ranke and stronge sauour like a mouse, especially in the Summer time while they are leane, and before they growe fat; for such is the nature [ 20] of this beast, that in the Summer time they labour and grow leane, but in the winter time they sleepe, and grow fat. And thus much for the Alpine mouse.

[ 30] [ 40] [ 50]

OF THE DORMOVSE.

[illustration]

[ 10]

THe Dormouse is called in Latin Glis, and in Greek Myoxos, the reason of the Latine name Glis,* 1.135 is taken from gliscere which signifieth to grow fat, according to the saying of Co∣lumella. [ 20] Paleis vero quibus fere omnes regiones abundant, ••ssi∣nus gliscit, That is to say, an Asse groweth fatte by eating chaffe which aboundeth in all countries. This word glis, signifieth not onely a beast, but a peece of fatte earth and and also a Thistle, whereupon Syluaticus made this verse.

Glis animal, glis terra tenax, glis lappa vocatur.

The Italians call it, Lo, galero, Lo, gliero, or giero, the Spa∣niards Liron, the French likewise Liron, and Rat: Liron, and Vngloyer, and Vngratvevl, the Germans, Ein greul, the Heluetians, ein rell, or Relmus, or Gros haselmus but our English Dormouse, seemeth to be a compounded worde of Dormiens mus, that is, a sleeping [ 30] mouse. The Polonians call him Scurez. But concerning his name Myoxus, there is some question among the Authors. For Saint Ierom writing vpon the eleuenth chapter of Le∣uiticus, and the 66. Chapter of Esay, translateth Akbar the Hebrew word for a mouse, glirem a Dormouse, and he giueth this reason, because all the countries of the East, mea∣ning Graetia, doe say, that Myoxus is a Dormouse. And this Myoxus by Epiphanius in his Ankerot is alleadged to prooue the resurrection. Myoxus saith he, animal semestre mori∣tur, & rursus post tempore sua revivisset. The Dormouse at halfe a yeere olde dyeth, and after hir full time reuiueth againe: And in his booke against heresies, he speaketh thus to Origen.* 1.136 Tradunt naturae rerum experti, Myoxum latitare, & foetus suos sinaul in eodem loco, multos parere: quinque, & amplius, viperus autem hos venari, & si inuenerit totum latibu∣lum [ 40] ipsa vipera, quum non posset omnes deuorare, pro vna vice ad satietatem cdit vnum aut duos, reliquorum vero oculos expungit, & cibos affert, excaecatosque enutrit, donec voluerit vnumquem{que} eorum deuorare. Si vero contigerit, vt aliqui inexperti in hos incidant, ipsos{que} in cibum sumant, venenum sibi ipsis sumunt, eos qui à viperae veneno sunt enutriti. Sic eti∣am ô tu Origines à Groeca doctrina mente excaecatus, venenum his qui tibi crediderunt, e••o∣muisti, & factus es ipsis in edulium venenatum, ita vt per quae ipse iuiuria affectus es, per es plus iniurta afficeris.

The Philosophers which are cunning in the nature of things doe write that the Dor∣mouse doth lye hid, and bring forth many yoong ones in the same place where he lyeth, [ 50] fiue or more at a time, and the vipers doe hunt these to destroy them: now if the viper finde their nest, because she cannot eate them all at one time at the first, she filleth hir selfe with one or two, and putteth out the eyes of the residue, and afterwards bringeth them meat and nourisheth them being blind, vntill the time that her stomack serueth her to eat them euery one. But if it happen that in the meane time, any man chaunce to light vpon these Vipers-nourished blinde Dormise, and to kill & eat them, they poyson themselues

through the venom which the viper hath left in them, so fareth it with thee O Origem, for thou art blinded with the Graecians doctrin, & dost vomit out that poison into their harts which do beleeue thee, that thou art made vnto them a venemous meate, whereby thou dost wrong others, as thou hast bene wrongd thy selfe.

By which it is manifest, that Myoxus is neither a Toad nor a Frog, but the Dormous. And the charme which is made for the Asses vrine, as we haue shewed already in his sto∣ry, Gallus bibit, & non meijet, Myoxus meijet, & non bibit.* 1.137 The cocke drinketh and maketh not water, the Dormous maketh water and neuer drinketh. But whether it be true or no that she neuer drinketh, I dare not affirme: But this is certain, that she drinketh but very [ 10] sildome, and it ought to be no wonder that she should make water, for tame Conies, as long as they can feed vpon greene hearbes, do render abundance of vrine, and yet neuer drink. The Graecians also do call this beast Elayos, although that word do likewise signifie a Squirel. In Maesia a wood of Italy, there is neuer founde Dormous, except at the time of their littering.

They are bigger in quantity then a squirrel, the colour variable, somtimes black,* 1.138 somtimes grisled, sometimes yellowe on the backe, but alwaies a white belly, hauing a short haire, and a thinner skinne then the pontike mouse. They are also to be found in Heluetia, about Clarona. It is a biting and an angry beast, and therefore sildome taken aliue. The beake or snowt is long, the eares short and pricked, the taile short, and not very hairy at the ende. [ 20] The middle of the belly swelleth downe betwixt the breast and the loyns, which are more narrow and trussed vp together, they are alwaies very fat, and for that cause they are cal∣led Lardironi.

Bucke-mast is very acceptable meat vnto them, and doth greatly fatten them,* 1.139 they are much delighted with walnuts, they climbe trees, and eat Apples, according to some, (but Albertus saith more truely,) that they are more delighted with the iuyce then with the Apple. For it hath bin oftentimes sounde, that vnder Apple trees, they haue opened much fruite, and taken out of it nothing but the kernels, for such is their wit and policie, that hauing gathered an Aple, they presently put it in the twist of a tree betwixt bowes, and so by sitting vpon the vppermost bough presse it assunder. They also grow fat by this [ 30] meanes.

In auncient time they were wont to keepe them in coopes or tunnes, and also in Gar∣dens paled about with boord, where there are beeches or Wal-nut trees growing,* 1.140 and in some places they haue a kind of earthen potte, wherein they put them with Wal-nuttes, Buck-mast, and Chesnets. And furthermore it must be obserued, that they must be pla∣ced in romes conuenient for them to breed young ones, their water must be very thinne, because they vse not to drinke much, and they also loue dry places.

Titus Pompeius (as Varro saith) did nourish a great many of them enclosed, and so al∣so Herpinus in his park in Gallia. It is a beast wel said to be Animal Semiferum, a creatur half wilde, for if you set for them hutches, and nourish them in warrens together, it is obser∣ued, that they neuer assemble, but such as are brede in those places: And if straungers [ 40] come among them which are seperated from them, either by a mountaine, or by a riuer,* 1.141 they discry them, and fight with them to death.

They nourish their parents in their old age, with singular piety. We haue shewed al∣ready, howe they are destroyed by the Viper, and it is certaine, that all serpentes lie in wait for them. Their old age doth end euery winter. They are exceeding sleepy, and there∣fore Martiall saith:

Somniculosos illi porrigit glires.

They grow fat by sleeping, and therefore Ausonius hath an elegant verse;

Dic, cessante cibo, somno quis opimior est? glis?

Because it draweth the hinder legges after it like a Hare, it is called Animal tractile, for it goeth by iumpes and little leapes. In the winter time they [ 50] are taken in deepe ditches that are made in the woods, couered ouer with small stickes, straw, and earth, which the cun∣trymen deuise to take them when they are asleepe.* 1.142 At other times they leap from tree to tree like Squirrelles, and that they are killed with arrowes as they goe from bough to bough, especially in hollowe trees: for when the hunters finde their haunt wherein they

lodge, they stop the hole in the absence of the Dormouse, and watch her turne backe a∣gaine: the silly beast finding her passage closed, is busied hande and foote to open it for entrance, and in the mean season commeth the hunter behind her and killeth her. In Tellina they are taken by this meanes: The countrimen going into the fields, carryeth in their hands burning torches in the night time, which whē the silly beast perceiueth, with admiration thereof flocketh to the lights, whereunto when they were come, they were so daseled with the brightnesse that they were starke blinde, and might so bee taken with mens hands.

* 1.143The vse of them being taken was, to eat their flesh, for in Rhetia at this day they salt it and eat it, because it is sweet and fat like swines flesh. Ammianus Marcellinus wondereth at [ 10] the delicacy of his age, because when they were at their tables, they called for ballaunces to weigh their fish, and the members of the Dor-mouse, which was not done (saith hee) without anye dislike of some present, and thinges not heretofore vsed, are now comen∣ded daily. Appitius also prescribeth the muscles and flesh inclosed of them, taken out of e∣uery member of a Dormous, beaten with pepper, Nut-kernels, Parcenippes, and Butter, stuffed altogether into the belly of a Dormous, and sewed vp with thread, and so baked in an Ouen, or sod in a kettle, to be an excellent and delicate dish. And in Italy at this day they eat Dormice (saith Coelius,) yet there were ancient lawes among the Romans, called Leges censoriae, whereby they were forbidden to eat Dormice, strange birds, shel-fish, the neckes of beasts, and diuers such other things. And thus much shal suffice for the descrip∣tion [ 20] of the Dormouse.

The medicines of the Dormouse.

Dormyse being taken in meate, doe much profit against the Bulimon; The pow∣der of Dormyse mixed with oyle,* 1.144 doth heale those which are scalded with any hot lic∣ker. A liue Dormouse doth presently take away all warts being bound thereupon. Dor∣myse, and field-mice being burnt, and their dust mingled with hony, will profit those which desire the clearnesse of the eyes, if they doe take thereof some small quantitie [ 30] euery morning.* 1.145 The powder of a Dormouse, or field mouse rubbed vpon the eyes help∣eth the aforesaid disease. A Dormouse being flead, roasted and annointed with oyle, and salt, being giuen in meate, is an excellent cure for those that are short winded. The same also doth very effectually heale those that spit out filthy matter or corruption. Powder of Dormice, or fielde-mice, or yoong wormes, being mixed with oyle doth heale those that haue kibes on their heeles, or chilblaines on their hands. The fatte of a Dormouse, the fatte of a hen, and the marrow of an Oxe melted together, and being hot, infused into the eares, doth very much profit both the paines and deafenesse thereof.

* 1.146The fatte of Dormice being boyled, as also of field-mice, are deliuered to be most profitable for the eschewing of the palsie. That fat of a Dormouse is also very excellent for [ 40] those which are troubled with a palsie or shaking of the ioynts. The skinne and inward parts of a Dormouse being taken forth, and boyled with hony in a new vessell, and after∣wards powred into an other vessell,* 1.147 will very effectually heale all diseases which are inci∣dent to the eares, being anointed thereupon. The skinne of a Dormouse or a silke worme being pulled off, and the inward parts thereof being boyled in a new brasen vessell with hony,* 1.148 from the quantitie of 27. ounces euen to three, and so kept, that when there is need of a certaine bathing vessell, the medicine being made warme and powred into the eares, doth helpe all paines, deafenesse, or inflammation of the eares. The fat of a Dormouse is commended to be very medicinable for the aforenamed diseases. The same is profi∣table for all paines, aches, or griefes in the belly. The vrine of a Dormouse is an excellent [ 50] remedy against the palsie, And thus much shall suffice concerning the medicinall vertues of the Dormouse.

[illustration]

Of the Hamester, or Cryetus, the first figure taken by Mychaell Horus.

[ 10]

[illustration]

The second picture taken by Iohn Kentmant, and it [ 20] is her fashion and portracture to lie thus when she is angry, for so doth her colour appeare both on the backe and belly.

[ 30]

THis beast is called in Latine Crycetus, and in the Germaine [ 40] toung Hamester, Traner, and Kornfaerle,* 1.149 that is piggs of the corne. It is a little beast, not much bigger then a Rat, dwel∣ing in the earth of the rootes of corne, she is not drawne a∣gainst her wil out of her caue at any time,* 1.150 but by powring hot water or some other lickor. The head of it is of diuers colours, the backe red, the belly white, and the haire stic∣keth so fast to the skin, that it is easier to pul the skin from the flesh, then any part of the haire from the skin. It is but a little Beast as we haue said, but very ap•• to bite and fight, and ful of courage, and therefore hath receiued from nature this ornament and defence, that it hath a bonie helmet, couering the head and the braine when it standeth vp, vppon [ 50] the hinder legges: It resembleth both in colour and proportion a Bear.* 1.151 And for this cause some writers haue interpreted it to be the beast called Arctomys, thus described by Saint Ierom. It is a creature (saith he) abounding in the regions of Palastina, dwelling alwaies in the holes of rockes and caues of the earth, not exceeding the quantity of a Hedgehogge, and of a compounded fashion, betwixt a mouse and a Beare.

But we haue shewed already, that this is the Alpine mous, and therefore wee will not stand to confute it here. The name Crycetus seemes to be deriued from the Illirian word, which we read in Gelenig to be Skuzecziek: this beast saith he, is common in the Northern parts of the world, and also in other places, in figure, and shape, it resembleth a Beare, in quantity it neuer exceedeth a great Sorex. It hath a short taile, almost like no taile, it goeth vpon two legs, especially when it is mooued to wrath. It vseth the fore-feete in steade of hands,* 1.152 and if it had as much strength, as it hath courage, it would be as fiercefull as any Beare. For this little beast is not afraide to leape into the hunters face, although it can doe no great harme, either with teeth or nailes. It is an argument that it is exceeding hot, be∣cause it is so bold and eager. In the vppermost chap, it hath long and sharp teeth, grow∣ing [ 10] two by two. It hath large and wide cheekes, which they alwaies fill, both carrying in, and carrying out, they eate with both, whereupon a deuouring fellow such a one as Sta∣simus a seruant to Plautus was, is called Crycetus, a Hamster, because he filleth his mouth well, and is no pingler at his meate.

The fore-feete are like a Moulds, so short, but not altogether so broad, with them he digeth the earth,* 1.153 and maketh his holes to his den, but when he diggeth so far as he can∣not cast the earth out of the hole with them, then he carrieth it foorth in his mouth. His den within he maketh large, to receiue corne, and prouision of fruite for his susten∣tation, whereinto he diggeth many holes, winding and turning euery way, that so he may be safe both against beasts that hunt him, and neuer be killed in his den: And also if a man [ 20] digge the earth he may find his lodging with more difficultie. In the haruest time he car∣rieth in graine of all sorts, and my Author saith, Neque minus in colligendo industrius, quam in eligendo, conseruandoque est astutus, optima enim reponit. He is no lesse industrious in the gathering of his prouision, then crafty and pollitike in the choice, and keeping it, for it laies vp the best; and lest that it should rot vnder the earth, it biteth off the fibres and taile of the graine, laying vp the residue amongst grasse and stubble.

It lies gaping ouer his gathered graine, euen as the couetous man is described in the Satyre sleeping vpon his money bagges. It groweth fatte with sleepe like Dormice, and Conies. The holes into the caue are very narrow so that with sliding out and in, they wear their haire. The earth which commeth out of their holes doth not lie on heapes like mole∣hils, [ 30] but is despersed abroad, and that it fittest for the multitude of the holes, and all the holes and passages are covered with earth: but that hole which for the most part she go∣eth out at, is knowne by a foote-pathe, and hath no hinderaunce in it, the other places at which she goeth out are more obscure and hid, and shee goeth out of them backwardes. The male and femal do both enhabit in one caue, and their younge ones being brought forth, they leaue their old den and seeke them out some new habitation. In the male there is this perfidity, that when they haue prepared al their sustenance and brought it in, hee doth shut out the female, and suffereth her not to approch nie it, who reuengeth his per∣fidiousnes by deccipt. For going into some adioyning caue, she doeth likewise perta••e of the fruits which were laid vp in store by some other secret hole in the caue, the male neuer [ 40] perceiuing it.

So that nature hath wonderfully foreseene the pouerty of al creatures: neither is it o∣therwise amongst mē, for that which they canot do by equity, they perform by fraud. This also commeth in the speech of the common people, against one that wil thriue. The yong country wenches concerning this matter, do chaunt out a verse not vnpleasant, which I am contented to expresse in Iambickes, consisting of foure feet:

Hamester ipse cum sua Prudens catus{que} coniuge Stipat profundum pluribus Per tempus antrum frugibus Possitque solus vt frui, Lectis aceruis hordei Auarus antro credulam Extrudit arte comugem Serua, inquit, exiens, foras, Coeli serena & pluuias, Sed foeminis quis insitam? Vincant dolis astutiam? Nouum parans cuniculum. [ 50] Furatur omne triticum. Egens maritus perfidam Quaerit per antra coniugem, Nec se repellat blandulis Demulcit inuentam sunis, Ille esse iam communiae Seruata dum sinit bona.

At perfidus multiplices Opponit intus obices. Rursus fruuntur mutuis Antris, cibis, amplexibus.

This beast doth deuoure all kinde of fruite,* 1.154 and if he be nourished in a house he eateth bread and flesh: he also hunteth the fielde mice. When he taketh his meate, he raiseth himselfe vpon his fore feete: he is also wont with his forefeete to stroake his head, eares, and mouth, which thing the Squirrell and the Cat doe also, and as the Beauer among∣est those creatures which liue as well by water, as by land: but although in his bodie he seemeth but small, notwithstanding he is by nature apt to fight and very furious be∣ing [ 10] prouoked, with his carriage in his mouth: he beateth away with both his feete that which resisteth him, directly inuading his enemie:* 1.155 In the spirite and assaulting of his mouth he is wayward and threatning, from whence our countreymen were accustomed to say of any one which was angry, he breatheth his wrath out of his mouth like a Ham∣ster: Dis spruest vuie ein hamster: neither is he easily affrighted although he be far vne∣quall vnto those in strength with whom he is in combate.

Wherefore some doe giue it in the place of a Prouerbe, that our Countreymen doe call a man which is madly rash Ein tollen hamster, as foolehardy, as a hamster. He flieth from any one that doth sharply resist him, and doth greedily follow after them that flie from him. I my selfe saw one of these who by assaulting a horse gat him by the nose, and would neuer leaue his holde vntill he was killed with a sword: He is taken by diuers meanes,* 1.156 for [ 20] he is expelled either by hot water powred into his den, or is choaked within, or being diged vp with a mattocke or spade he is killed; or by dogges. He is sometimes pulled out by the Foxe, or hurt: or oppressed by some snare a great waight being put about it, or to conclude he is taken by Art aliue, and that in the night time, when he goeth to seeke his prey, for in the day time for the most part he lyeth hid.

Before his vsuall caue (as I haue said) he is taken by the path which is worne, by a pot which is put into the earth, and afterward made plaine about it like other places of the fielde: there is earth cast into the bottome of the pot to the deepenesse of two fingers, aboue euery where couering the pot there is placed a stone, which is helde vp by a peece of wood, to which there is bound below a fragment of bread: In the space betweene the [ 30] caue and the pot there are crumes of bread scattered, which he following and leaping in∣to the pot, the wood falling he is taken. Being taken after the manner of other beastes, he toucheth no foode. If a broad stone, such an one with which they couer pauementes, or of which they make roofe-tiles shall be ioyned vnto the pot, and the beast be taken, he will be very hardly knowne in the morning, for the spirit of the beast being shut in, and waxing wroth, pearcing for thinesse doth moisten the stone. The skins of Hamsters are ve∣ry durable, of which there are certaine long coates which come downe vnto the heeles and diuers coulored cloakes made, which the woman of Misena and Silesia doe vse,* 1.157 and account them very honorable, of a blacke and red coulour, with broad gards or edges of [ 40] the skinnes of Otters: the same coates are for the most part vallued at the price of fifteene or twentie Renensian crownes: for it doth out-weare in length three or foure garments made either of linnen, or wollen cloath.

In Turingia and Misena this beast is frequent, notwithstanding not in all places, for in Turingia his chiefest abode is about Efurdanus, and Salcensis in Misena, about Lipsia, and the field Pegensis, the plentifullest and most fertilest places of both those regions. In Lusatia about Radeburge he is diged out of the places where painick groweth. At Mul∣berge and Albis, he is found in the Vine-yardes, for he is also fed with ripe grapes. Our countrey-men are wont to burne a liuing Hamster in a pot being shut for the medicines of horses. It hath beene seene that one of these hath leaped vp and caught a horse by the nose, neuer letting goe his hold vntill she was cut off with a sword. The skin is of three [ 50] or foure different colours, besides the spotted sides, and therefore the skinne is very pretious. They abound in Turingia where the soile is good, and there is also great store of graine.

OF THE NORICIAN MOVSE.

THe Morician mouse is called in Latine Citellus, and it kee∣peth like the wilde mice in the caues and dens of the earth.* 1.158 The body is like to a Domestical Weasils, long & slender, the taile very short, the coulour of the haire like to a gray Conies,* 1.159 but more bright. It wanteth eares like a mole, but it hath open passages insteade of eares, wherewithall it hea∣reth [ 10] the sound, as you shal see in many birds. The teeth are like the teeth of mice, and of their skinnes (although they be not very precious) they vse to make garments. In Germany they cal it Pile and Zisel, and of this Germaine word was the Latine Citellus feigned; and it appeareth by Agricola, that there are two kindes of these; one greater, which are cald Zysell and Zeiseile, and another lesser (called Pile) which may be the same that is also called Bilchmuss,* 1.160 and differeth from other, because it is vsed for meat. These are bred in Croatia, and in the countrey about Vennice. They haue a strange smel or savour which is said to be hurtful to the head: They eat both salted and hung in the [ 20] smoke, and also fresh and new killed. With their skins they edge the skirts of garmentes, for it is as soft as the skin of a Hare: and beside the common nature of mice they are ta∣med. They also haue very large cheekes, whereinto they gather an innumerable quantitye of graine, and carry it into their den, as it were in bagges against the Winter. They liue thirty and fourty together in a caue, and are not driuen forth but by infusion of hot water. They gather great store of Nuts into their caues, and therefore aswel as for their flesh do men hunt and seeke after them.

OF THE MOVSE PONTIQVE [ 30]

[illustration]

[ 40]

* 1.161THe name of this mouse is giuen vnto it from the Island out of which it was first brought, named Pontus, and for this cause it is also called Fenicus, because it was first of al brought into Germany from Venice. It is called also Varius by Idorus, from whence commeth the Ger∣man word Vutrck, from the diuersity of the colour Graeu vuerck. It is [ 50] cald also Pundtmuss, as it wer Pōticus mus, or rather, of Bundt, because they wer wont to be brought in bundles to be sold fifty togither, and they were solde for twenty Groates, Volaterranns, and Hermol••us are of this opinion, that the white ones in this kinde, bee called of the Italians Ar∣mellines, and by the Germaines Hermelin, but wee haue promised already to prooue

that Hermelin is a kind of Weasell, which in the winter time is white, by reason of extrea∣mity of cold, and in the summer returneth into her colour again, like as do the Hares of the Alpes. This Pontique Mouse differeth from others onely in colour, for the white is mingled with ash colour, or else it is sandy and blacke, and in Pollonia at this day they are found red and ash-colour. Their two lower most teeth before are very long, & when it go∣eth, it draweth the taile after it like mice, when it eateth it vseth the forefeet instead of hāds, and feedeth vpon Walnuts, Chesnuts, Filbeards, smal Nuts, Apples, and such like fruits. In the winter time they take sleep instead of meate: And it is to bee remembred, that the Polonians haue foure kinds of pretious skins of Mice which they vse in their Garmentes, distinguished by foure seuerall names. The first of grisell colour called Popieliza. The se∣cond [ 10] is called Gronosthaij, a very white beast all ouer, except the tip of the taile which is al blacke, and this is the Hermelin.

The third is called Nouogrodela from the name of a Towne, and this is white mingled with grisell, and this is also a kind of Pontike Mouse. The 4. Vuieuuorka, of a bright Ches∣nut colour, and this is the Squirrell, for they call Squirrels, Weasels, and Hermelin al by the name of mice. These Pontique Mice haue teeth on both sides, and chew the end. In the winter time as we haue said they lie and sleepe, especially the white ones, and their sence of tast doth excel al other (as Pliny writeth,) they build their nests and breed like com∣mon Squirrels.

[ 20] Their skins are sold by ten together, the two best are called Litzschna. the 3. a little worse are called Crasna, the 4 next to them Pocrasna, and the last and vilest of all Moloischna: with these skins they hem and edge garmentes, and in some places they make canonicall Gar∣ments of them for priests, vnto which they few their tailes to hang downe on the skirts of their garments; of which custome Hermolaus writeth very excellently in these words. In∣struxit, & ex muribus, luxuriam suam vita, alios magnis frigoribus, alios medio anni tempore, a septentrionibus petendo, armannus corpora, & de bellamus animos. That is to say, The life of man hath learned to be prodigall euen out of the skins of Mice, for some they vse against extremity of cold, and they fetch others out of the farthest Northern parts, for the mid∣dle part of the yeare: Thus do we arme and adorne our bodies, but put downe and spoyle [ 30] our minds.

Beside, there is a flying Ponticke or Scy∣thian

[illustration]

Mouse, which we may call the broad-Squerrell-Mouse, whose skinne is heer ex∣pressed as you may see, and for the discrip∣tion thereof, I haue thought good to adde an Epistle of Antonius Schnebergerus the Lituanian of Vilna vnto Gesner, in these wor¦des following:

I send vnto thee a little skin, the vpper place of the haires thereof being of a white [ 40] ash-colour, but the roote of the haire or in∣ner part thereof, is a blacke broune. They call it Popyelycza Latayacza, that is, A Pontique-flying-Mouse: It is alwaies so moyst, that it can neuer be dressed by the Skinner, or Lether-dresser.

The people vse it to wipe sore running eies, hauing a perswasion that there is in it a sigular vertue for the easing and mitigating of those paines: but I thinke that the softnesse was the first cause which brought in the first vse thereof, but if the haires do not cleaue hard to the skin, it cannot be done without danger. Also the haires hanging as it were in a round cir∣cle against or aboue the two former feete, they call wings, wherwithall they are thought to fly from tree to tree. Thus far Antonius▪ Gesner after the receite of these skins, being wil∣ling [ 50] to preserue them from mothes, because they were raw, for experience sake gaue them to a leather dresser, who presently dressed them with Vineger and the Leese of Wyne, so that it appeareth the Skinners of Littuania had not the skill how to dresse it.

After they were dressed they were so softe that they stretched aboue measure, so that euery one of them were square, that is to say, their length and breadth were equall,

for they were two palmes or eight fingers broade: and no more in length, the head and taile excepted, wherefore it may well be called a square Mouse, or Sciurus quadratus, be∣cause we are sure of the former, but not of the flying; the taile was as long as foure or fiue fingers are broad, being rough like the taile of other Squirrels, but beset with blacke and white haires, the whole colour both of the belly and vpper parte was whitish as we haue said, but blacke vnderneath, the haire is so soft as any silke, and therefore fit for the vse of the eies.

The eares shorter and rounder then a Squirrels, the feete did not appeare by the skin: the neather part was distinguished from the vpper part, by a certaine visible line, [ 10] wherein did hang certain long haires which by their roughnes and solidity vnder the thin and broad frame of their body, might much help them to flie, euen as broad fishes swim by the breadth of their bodies, rather then by the help of their sins. The Heluetians wear these skins in their garmentes. It is reported by Aelianus, that the inhabitantes of Pontus by making supplication to their Gods, did auert and turn away the rage of Mice from their cornfieldes, as the Egyptians did, as we haue said before in the story of the vulgar Mouse.

OF THE MOVSE CALLED [ 20] the Shrew, or the erd-Shrew.

[illustration]

[ 30]

THe word Hanaka of the Hebrewes remembred in the II. chap. of Leuitticus, is diuersely interpreted by the transla∣tors, some cal it a reptile beast which alwaies cryeth: some [ 40] a reptile-flying-beast, some a Horse-leach, or bloud-suck∣er, some a Hedghog, and some a Beauer, as we haue shew∣ed before in the Hedghog. But the Septuagints translate it Mygale, and S. Ierom Mus araneus, that is, a Shrew. Dio∣scorides calleth it Miogale. The Germans and Heluetians cal it Mutzer, in some partes of Germany, from the figure of the snout it is called Spitzmus, by some Zissmuss, from the fiction of his voice, and some Gross Zissmuss.

The Hollanders call it Moll musse, because it resembleth a Mole. Mathaeolus for the Itali∣ans [ 50] cal it Toporagno, that is a Mole-Shrew. The Heluetians cal it Bisem-muss, that is a Muske∣mouse, because it being dryed in a furnace smelleth like muske. The skin pulled from the flesh, smelleth best by it selfe, and yet the flesh smelleth well also, and so doe the excre∣ments. But to returne to the Greeke name why it should be cald Mygale, there is not one opinion amongst the learned: but I do most willingly condescend to the opinion of Ae∣tius, who writeth that it is called Mygale, because in quantity it exceedeth not a Mouse, and

yet in colour it resembleth a Weasell, and therfore it is compounded of two words Miss, a Mouse, and Galen, a weasell. Amyntas is of opinion that it is so called, because it is begot betwixt a Mouse and a Weasel, but this is neither true nor probable.

For it is likely that Weasels and Mice will couple together in carnall copulation, whose natures are so contrary, the one liuing vpon the death of an other, that is the wea∣sell vpon the Mouse? And beside the difference of quantitie betwixt them, maketh it im∣possible to haue such a generation. The other deriuation of Migale, which is made by Rodolphus writing vpon Leuiticus, fetching Mygale from Mus gulosus, that is, a deuouring Mouse, it is against the order of all good Linguists, to deriue Greeke words from Latin, [ 10] but rather consonant to learning, to fetch the Latine from the Greeke.

There is no lesse inquiry about the Latine name, whye it should be called Mus ara∣neus, seeing aranea signifieth Spider. This Mouse saith Albertus, is a red kinde of Mouse hauing a small taile, a sharpe voice, and is full of poyson, or venome. For which cause Cats doe kill them, but doe not eate them. Sipontinus writeth thus, of this Shrew. Mus ara∣neus, exiguum animal, at{que} leuissimum est, quod arane modo tenuissimum fiium, & gladij aciem concendit. That is to say, this Shrew mouse is a little and light creature, which like a Spider climeth vp vpon any small threed, or vpon the edge of a sword: and therefore you see, they deriue the Latin name, from his climing like a Spider.

But in my opinion it is more reasonable, to deriue it from the venome and poyson which it containeth in it like a spider. For which cause Syluaticus writeth thus, Mugali id [ 50] est, draco marinus, & animal venenosum, pusillum muri simile: nam & araneum piscem, propter venenum pungentibus insitum spinis, veteres ophim, id est, serpentem nominarunt, & hodie quam vulgo draconem vel dracenam. That is to say, there is a fish of the Sea, and a little beast on the earth like a Mouse, which by a generall word are called Mugale, and the spider fish called at this day a Dragon, or Dragonist, was in auncient time called a Ser∣pent, because by his prickly finnes, he did poyson those which were strucken by him. And concerning the description of this beast, it may be taken from the words of an aun∣cient English Phisition, called Doctor William Turner.

I haue seene (saith he) in England, the Shrew-Mouse of colour blacke, hauing a taile ve∣ry short, and her snout very long and sharp, and from the venomous biting of this beast, [ 30] we haue an english prouerb or imprecation, I be shrow thee, when we curse or wish harm vnto any man, that is, that some such euil as the biting of this Mouse may come vpon him. The Spaniardes call this beast Raton Pequenno, the Illirians Viemed kamys, and the Polo∣nias Kerit. They were wont to abound in Britany, as Hermolaus writeth.

They are also plentifull in Italy beyond the mountaines Apenine, but not on this side (as Pliny writeth) yet in the hither partes of Italy and Germanie, there are many founde, especially in the countrey neere Trent, in the valey Anania, where this is admirable, that by reason of the coldnes of that countrey their bitings are not venomous.* 1.162 For the Scorpions there are not venemous, although in other places of Italy they poison [ 40] deepely. This beast is much lesse then a Weasel, and of an ash colour,* 1.163 in most places like a mouse, although the colour be not alwaies constant.

The eyes are so smal, and beneath the proportion of her body, that it hath not been vn∣iustly doubted of the auncientes whether they were blinde or no, but in their best estate their sight is very dul. And for this cause the auncient Egyptians did worshippe it: for as they held opinion that darkenes was before light, so they deemd that the blind creatures were better then the seeing. And they also beleeued that in the waine of the moone the li∣uer of this beast consumed. It hath a long and sharpe snowt like a Mole, that so it may be apt to dig. The teeth are very small, but so as they stand double in their mouth, for they haue foure rewes of teeth, two beneath, and two aboue, which are not onely apparant by their desection or anatomy, but also by their bitinges, for their wounds are Quadruple, [ 50] wheresoeuer they fasten their teeth. Their taile is slender and short. But the description of this beast was better apprehended by Gesner at the sight of one of them, which hee rela∣teth on this manner.

The colour (saith hee) was partly red, and partly yellow, mingled both together, but the belly white. The hinder feet seemeth to cleane to the body or loines. It smelleth strong∣ly, and the sauour did bewray or signifie some secret poyson.

The taile about three fingers long, beset with little short haires. The residue of the bo∣dy was three fingers long. The eies very small and black, not much greater then Moles, so that next to the Mole they may iustly be caled, the least sighted creatur among al four-footed-beasts, so that in old age they are vtterly blind by the prouidence of God, abridg∣ing their malice, that when their teeth are growne to be most sharp, and they most full of poyson, then they should not see whome nor where to uent it.

They differ as we haue said in place and number, from all foure-footed-beasts, so that they seeme to be compounded and framed of the teeth of Serpents and mice: The two foreteeth are very long, and they do not growe single as in vulgar mice, but haue within them two other small and sharpe teeth. And also those two long teeth grow not by them∣selues [ 10] as they do in other mice, but are conioyned in the residue, in one continued ranke. They are sharpe like a saw, hauing sharpe points like needles, such as could not be seene by man, except the tips of them were yellow. Of either side they haue eight teeth, where∣as the vulgar mice haue but foure, beside the two long foreteeth, which also seeme deui∣ded into two or three, which except one marke diligently, hee would thinke them to bee all one.* 1.164

It is a rauening beast, feygning it selfe to be gentle and tame, but being touched it bi∣teth deepe,* 1.165 and poisoneth deadly. It beareth a cruell minde, desiring to hurt any thing, neither is there any creature that it loueth, or it loueth him, because it is feared of al. The cats as we haue saide do hunt it and kil it, but they eat not them, for if they do, they con∣sume [ 20] away in time. They annoy Vines, and are sildom taken except in cold, they frequent Oxe-dung, and in the winter time repaire to howses, gardens and stables, where they are taken and killed.

If they fall into a cart-road, they die and canot get forth againe, as Marcellus, Nicander, and Pliny affirme And the reason is giuen by Philes, for being in the same, it is so amazd, and trembleth, as if it were in bands. And for this cause some of the ancients haue pre∣scribd the earth of a cart-road, to be laid to the biting of this mouse for a remedie therof. They go very slowely, they are fraudulent, and take their prey by deceipt. Many times they gnaw the Oxes hooues in the stable. They loue the rotten flesh of Rauens, and there∣fore in France when they haue killed a Rauen, they keepe it till it stinketh, and then cast it [ 30] in the places where the Shrew-mice hanteth, whereunto they gather in so great number, that you may kil them with shovels. The Egyptians vpon the former opinion of holines, do bury them when they die And thus much for the description of this beast. The suc∣ceeding discourse toucheth the medicines arising out of this beast, also the cure of hir ve∣nemous bitings.

* 1.166The medicines of the Shrew.

The Shrew, which falling by chaunce into a Cart-roade or tracke doth die vpon the [ 40] same, being burned, and afterwards beaten or dissolued into dust, and mingled with goose greace, being rubbed or annointed vpon those which are troubled with the swelling in the fundament comming by the cause of some inflamation, doth bring vnto them a wonder∣full and most admirable cure and remedie. The Shrew being slaine or killed, hanging so that neither then nor afterwards she may touch the ground, doth helpe those which are grieued and pained in their bodies,* 1.167 with sores called fellons, or biles, which doth paine them with a great inflammation, so that it be three times inuironed or compassed about the partie so troubled. The Shrew which dyeth in the furrow of a cart-wheele, being found and rowled in potters clay or a linnen cloth, or in Crimson, or scarlet-wollen-cloth, and three times marked about the impostumes,* 1.168 which will suddenly swell in any mans body, [ 50] will very speedily and effectually helpe and cure the same.

The taile of a Shrew being cut off and burned, and afterwards beaten into dust, and applied or annointed vpon the sore of any man, which came by the biting of a greedy and rauenous dogge, will in very short space make them both whole and sound, so that the taile be cut from the shrew when she is aliue, not when she is dead, for then it hath

neither good operation, nor efficacy in it. The former hoofes of a horse being scraped,* 1.169 and the same fragmentes or scantlinges thereof being beaten in the duste or earth ▪which hath been digged vp by a Shrew, in foure measures of water, powred downe the mouth of a horse which is troubled with any paine or wringing in his bowles, will soon giue him both helpe and remedie. The Shrew being either applyed in drinke, or put in the maner and forme of a plaister, or hanged vpon the sore which he hath bitten, is the most excel∣lentest, and most medicinable cure for the helping and healing thereof. A preseruatiue against poison, would be an excellent remedy, that neither man nor any other liuing crea∣ture, should be bitten if they should leaue or would want that superstition called an en∣chantment against poison, being hanged about the necke, whereof we will speake more in [ 10] the curing of the bites of this beast.

That the biting of a Shrew is venomous, and of the reason of healing in this kind.

In Italy the biting of a Shrew is accounted for a very strong poyson, and that except there be some medicine very speedily applyed for the curing and healing thereof,* 1.170 the par∣ty so bitten will dye. These Shrewes are truely so venemous and full of poyson, that being slaine or killed by Cats, whose nature is to kill whatsoeuer Mice they take, they will not [ 20] offer to touch or eate the least part of them.

But the biting of a female Shrew is most obnoxious and hurtfull when she is great with young, but most dangerous of all when she biteth any one which is great with young, either a woman, or any other beast whatsoeuer, her self being also with young,* 1.171 for then it will hardly be cured.

If a Shrew shall bite any creature while she is great with young, the pushes or biles will in time be broke which they make, and will come vnto a very great and malignant wound and sore. If the Shrew do also bite any creature during the time she is with young,* 1.172 she will presently leape off, notwithstanding shee biteth more dangerous. There is no∣thing which doth more apparantly explane and shew the biting of a Shrew then a certaine [ 30] vehement paine and griefe in the creature which is so bitten, as also a pricking ouer the whole body, with an inflamation or burning heate going round about the place,* 1.173 and a fiery rednesse therein, in which a blacke push or like swelling with a watery matter, and filthy corruption doth arise, and all the partes of the body which doe ioyne vnto it seeme blacke and blue with the marueilous great paine, anguish, and griefe, which ariseth and proceedeth from the same.

When the push or bile which commeth by the occasion of a Shrew cleaueth or is bro∣ken, their proceedeth and yssueth forth a kinde of white flesh, hauing a certaine rinde or skinne vppon it, and sometime there appeareth in them a certaine burning, and some∣times the same is eaten in and falleth out, but in the beginning there is a most filthy [ 40] greene corruption and matter which floweth in the same, afterward it is putryfied,* 1.174 and eaten in, and then the flesh falleth forth: the wringings also of the inward partes, the difficulty of voiding of the vrine, and a cold corrupted sweate, doth follow and accompa∣ny the same.

But Auicenna affirmeth, that in what place soeuer this beast shal bite, the sores there∣of, with great anguish will pant or beate, and that in euery hole wherein his venomous teeth haue entred, there will a certaine fiery rednesse appeare, the skinne whereof being broken, there will come a very white and matery sore, which will breed much paine and trouble in all the partes of the body for the most part. The sores or woundes which are made also by this beast are very manifestly knowen by the markes of the fore-teeth stan∣ding [ 50] all in a row together, as also by the blood which yssueth from the wound,* 1.175 being at the first pure, cleare, and exceeding red, but afterwardes corrupt, blackish, and full of putrifaction.

There do also diuers bunches arise in the flesh vsually after the biting of this beast, which if any man shall breake, he shall see the flesh which lyeth vnder them corrupted, and de∣uided

with certaine cleftes or rifts in the same. Moreouer the nature of this beast is such, that for the most part he doth couet to bite those whom he can come vnto by the stones or genitall,* 1.176 not onely men, but also all other brute beasts whatsoeuer: and thus much shal suffice concerning the biting of this beast.

Wormewood being beaten or bruised smal, straynd in a fine linnen cloth, and ming∣led in Wine,* 1.177 giuen to the party either man or Woman in Wine to drinke who is bytten by a Shrewe, will procure him present ease and remedy. The same also is an excellent remedy for the bitings or stingings of a Sea-Dragon. Vinegar is very me∣dicinable for the bitings of the Shrew and of Dogs, as also for the Fish called by the La∣tines [ 10] Scolopendra,* 1.178 (which voydeth all her bowels out vntill the hooke come forth, where∣with she is taken, and then sucketh them vp againe) the Scorpion and all other venemous Serpents.

But the Graecian Physitians affirme, that the same ought to be mingled with other Medicines for the helping of the aforesaid diseases, as to take the ashes of the Shrew be∣ing burnt, the Gumme or liquor of the Hearbe called Fennell-giant, dryed barly beaten into small powder, Mustard-seede pounded small with the Hearbe called Purple, or Mothmullein, and mingle them altogether with Vineger, and being so applyed they will presently cure the aforesaid stings or bitings.

Garlike being bruised, and the iuyce thereof anointed vpon the place which was bitten by a Shrew,* 1.179 will presently expell the paine, and wholly cure the sore. For the expelling [ 20] of the superfluities of the pairings of the dead flesh, growing round about the sore, being not cast away but remaining thereon. Take Cummin and couer the wound or biting therewith,* 1.180 then apply Garlike being beaten into Oyle thereunto, and annoint the places about the sore, as also the sore it selfe very diligently, and in very short space of time it will cause the same to fall away of it owne accord. For the healing also of the bites of this beast. Take Garlike, the leaues of a figge tree, and Cummin, mingle them very well alto∣gether,* 1.181 til they come to a mollifiyng or temperat substance, then take the same, and fashi∣on it in the forme or manner of a playster, and it will very speedily and effectually curethe sore.

The seede or leaues of Cole-worts, being beaten together with vinegar, and the hearb [ 30] cald Assafoetida,* 1.182 is very good and profitable to be applyed either to the bites of this beast or a rauening Dogge. The dung of a Dog being taken and annointed vpon either man or Horsse which hath beene bitten by a Shrew, wil bee an excellent remedy both for the curing and healing them of the same. The Hoofe of a Ramme being dryed, beaten into powder, and afterwards mixed with Hony, will be likewise very good for those which are bitten with the same beast, so that they be first tempered and fashioned in the manner of a playster, and then applyed thereunto. The little white stalkes which proceede from a blacke Fig being beaten with the leaues of the Hearbe called Mothmullein, Waxe, and Vineger, vntill they come vnto a mollifying iuyce or salue, will be an excellent remedy against the biting of the Shrew, being annointed thereupon. [ 40]

The young or tender stalkes of a wilde Fig tree, bee they neuer so few or small, being first steeped in Wine, then lapped in a leafe of the same Tree, and so applyed vnto the stings and bites of Scorpions, and the Shrew, will in very short time cure and heale the same.* 1.183 Prouided alwaies that the wound bee well and diligently bathed or washed, before any thing be put or applyed thereunto.

Dioscorides, Auicenna, and Actuarus doe affirme, that the excellentest, and medicina∣blest cure for the bites of a Shrew is this, to take the Spleene of the same beast, and beate it together with Vinegar, and the Gumme called Galbanum, then to annoint it or rub it vpon the sore, and it will presently expell away all paine, and in some short space altoge∣ther [ 50] heale it.* 1.184 If the red bunches or Vlcers which doe vsually grow about the bites of a Shrew do fortune to breake, take very sharpe and strong brine or pickle, and rub it both about, and within the sore, and afterwardes apply barly being burned and beaten into small dust or powder thereunto, which medicine although it seeme somewhat grieuous and painefull, yet it is very good and profitable for the expelling either of the stinges of Scorpions, or the bites of the Shrew or rauenous dog.

The genitall of a Hare being beaten into powder mingled with Vineger,* 1.185 and anoynted vpon the bites of a Shrew, doth speedily cure them. Wilde Mallows being mingled with those Mallowes that grow in the Garden, haue in them a very effectuall force and power to cure all stinges or venemous bitinges, especially of Scorpions, Shrewes, Waspes, and such like stinging creatures.

The Shrew being cut and applyed in the manner of a plaister, doth effectually cure her owne bites. The Shrew being killed and annointed all ouer with Oyle, and durt, or mire, applyed vnto the Vlcers or red swellings which come by her venemous teeth, will very speedily procure them to breake. The Shrew being cut or beaten into small pieces, dryed into powder, mixed with Vineger, and fashioned in the forme of a plaister, will ve∣ry [ 10] speedily and effectually cure the bites of a Shrew, whether she be great with young or not, so that they be well applyed thereunto.

But there are some which do thinke it nothing conuenient to mingle the Shrew with any other thing whatsoeuer, but that it is onely after this manner to be applyed by it selfe as to take it barned or drie it, and then to pound it in powder, and so to sprinkle it in the wound or sore, which in very short time will easily heale it. The Shrew falling into the furrow of a Cart wheele doth presently dye:* 1.186 the dust thereof in the passage by which she went being taken, and sprinkled into the woundes which were made by her poyson some teeth, is a very excellent and present remedy for the curing of the same. Mathaeolus alledg∣eth out of Nicander, that the durt which cleaueth vnto the Wheeles of a Chariot being [ 20] scraped off and sprinkled into the bites of a Shrew,* 1.187 will be very medicinable for the hea∣ling of them, which thing he himselfe thinketh a meere fable, and not to bee beleeued. If the pimples or bladders which arise in the bites of a Shrew shall be thought conuenient to be broken, for the performing of the same, take the skinne of a baked or roasted Pom∣granate, and spread it vpon the aforesaid red pimples, as whot as possible may be suffered for some small time, and it will cause the vlcers to breake, and all the corruption to yssue forth.

If it grow vnto an Impostume,* 1.188 take the little berries or pellets which are within the Pomgranate, being very well baked, and apply them vnto the sore some short time,* 1.189 and they will very easily cure the same. Mustard-seede being mingled with Vineger, annoin∣ted [ 30] vpon the bites of a Shew, doth very effectually heale them. A Moule being bruised in∣to small pieces, and applyed vnto the bites of a Shrew in the forme of a plaister, is a very excellent remedy for the curing of them. Pitch and trifoly being baked, and rubbed verye whotte vppon the bites of a Shrewe, is accounted a very medicinable cure: but it is requisite that this fomentation be giuen vnto none but such as are of a stronge and po∣werfull body, and are also able to endure paine. The liquor of the Herb called Southern∣wood being giuen in Wine to drinke doth very much profit those which are troubled,* 1.190 and pained in their limbs with the bites of Shrewes. Wormwood being vsed in the like manner, will cure those which are bitten by a Shrew.

The genitall of a Lambe or Kidde being mingled with foure drams of the Hearbe [ 40] called Aristologia or Hart-wort, and sixe drams of the sweetest Myrth, is very good and medicinable for curing of those which are bitten or stung with Shrewes, Scorpions, and such like vnemous Beastes. The leaues of Coleworts being dryed, mingled with flower, and tempered together, vntill they come into the form of a plaister, will very much help against the venemous bites of the Shrew. The seede of Colewortes, and the leaues of the same Hearbe being mingled with Vineger, and the Hearbe called Assa foetida beate or pounded together, do very well and speedily cure the bites of the Shrewes,* 1.191 as also of a rauenous Dogge, if the same in due time be applyed thereunto. The liquor also of the leaues of Coleworts being giuen in any kind of drinke, is good and wholsome for the cu∣ring of the aforesaid bites or woundes.* 1.192 The Nuts of a young Cypres Tree being mixed [ 50] with a certaine sirrep or potion made of Hony, Water, and Vineger, and afterwardes drunke, doth very speedily procure ease and help for those which are bitten by a Shrew.

The roote of a white or blacke Thistle, being beaten or bruised and giuen in drinke, doth very effectually help or cure those which are bitten by a Shrew. The like vertue hath the Hearbe called Rocket in it, and also the seede thereof being giuen in any kinde of

drinke.* 1.193 The gum or liquor which proceedeth from a kinde of Ferula being giuen in wine to drink, doth very much helpe and cure those which are bitten by a Shrew. The same vertue also in it hath the roote of the hearbe called Gentian or bitterwort, being giuen in wine to drink. One or two drams of the yoongest or tendrest leaues of the Laurell tree, being beaten small and giuen in wine to drinke, doth speedily cure the sores or woundes which are bitten by a Shrew:* 1.194 the same being also vsed in the said manner, and giuen in some certaine potion vnto horses to drinke, doth quickly help and heale them. But there are some which before all other medicines doe commend this for the best, and chiefest, that is,* 1.195 to take the iuice which proceedeth from the leaues of the laurell tree, & the leaues [ 10] themselues, being moist and new growing and to boyle them in wine, and being once cooled to giue it to any which is bitten by a Shrew, and this will in very short space alto∣gether helpe them. A yoonge Weasell being giuen in wine to drinke, is accounted very medicinable for those which are bitten by a Shrew,* 1.196 or stung by a Scorpion, or any other venemous creature. The hearbe called Baltsamint or Costmary, the hearbe called Bar∣tram,* 1.197 or wilde Pellito, the hearbe called Betonie, the hearbe called water-minte, or water Cresses, the sweete and delicious gum called Storax, as also the hearbe called Veruin be∣ing each of them seuerally by themselues either giuen in wine to drinke, or applyed in the manner of a plaister or annointed vpon the bits, or wounds which come by the venemous teeth of a Shrew,* 1.198 will very effectually cure the paine thereof. The biting of a field mouse or Shrew, is very troublesome, and grieuous to all labouring beastes, for instantly after [ 20] her bitinges there doe little red pimples arise, and there is most daunger of death in those beastes which she biteth when she is great with yonog, for the aforesaid pimples will then presently breake, after which the beast so bitten will instantly die. The Shrew doth also kill some laboring beasts with poyson,* 1.199 as chiefly horses & mules but especially & for the most part mares, which are great with yong. There are some which do affirme that if horses, or any other laboring creature do feede in that pasture or grasse in which a Shrew shall put forth her venome or poyson in,* 1.200 they will presently die. In what place soeuer a Shrew shall bite in any creature it will be compassed with an exceeding hard swelling, the beast also being so bitten, doth expresse his griefe or sorrow with much paine, & straining his body doth likewise swell all ouer, his eyes doe in a manner weepe, the swelling in his body doth [ 30] squize out matter,* 1.201 or filthy putrefaction, he voydeth poyson out of his belly, and doth vomite all sustenance vp as soone as euer he receaueth it. If an Asse being great with yoong be bitten by this beast, it is a very great chaunce if she scape death.

But if the Shrew doe bite any beast when she is great with yong it is knowen by these signes, or marks, there will certaine red pimples compasse the sore round about, and also spread themselues ouer all the body of the bitten beast, and will in short space destroy him, except there be procured some present remedy. The Normans in Fraunce do sup∣pose the Shrew to be a beast so full of venome, and poyson, that if he shall but passe ouer either an Oxe,* 1.202 or a horse lying downe along vpon the ground, it will bring such a dange∣rous disease vpon them, that the beast ouer which she shall passe shall be lame about the [ 40] loines, or shall seeme as if he were immoueable, and that he can be cured by no other meanes, but by the same Shrew, who either of his owne accord, or by compulsion must passe ouer the contrary side of the beast, and that then he will be cured, which thing I doe hold to be very vaine and not to be beleeued.

For the curing of beastes which are bitten by a Srew, thou shalt boile the seede of Parsly together with Wine and Oyle, and thou shalt cut the place which swelleth with a Pen-knife, by which the poyson may issue forth, and the wound being pointingly pul∣led or torne may waxe rawe:* 1.203 if by these the inflammation doe waxe more feruent and hotte, thou shalt eate the sore with iron instruments burning with fier, taking away some [ 50] part of that which is whole and sound: then shalt thou renew the wound with the iron instruments being gouerned rightly, by which the corruption may issue forth: but if that part doe chaunce to swell by the exulceration, thou shalt sprinckle Barley bee∣ing burned and dryed therein, but before you doe this, it is meete to ioyne the olde fatte.

There is also another excellent medicine for the curing of the Shrew, which Startonicus himselfe doth much commend, which is this: to lance or scarifie the wound assoone as it is bitten, but especially if it be compassed with an inflamation, afterwardes to sprinkle salt and Vineger vp on it, then to encourage or prouoke the beastes the next day following by some sweet water or liquor to run or go some little iourny, first hauing anointed the sore with ful∣lers-earth being beaten small and mixed with vineger, and then daily to nourish or bath it with water which commeth from bathes where some haue washed themselues,* 1.204 and this in very short time being so vsed will very wel and altogether cure the beast. Against the bi∣ting of a Shrew Garlike is accounted for an excellent remedy being mingled with Nitre, [ 10] but if there shal be no Nitre to be had, mixe it with salt and Cummin, then to dry and beat them altogether into powder, & with the same to rub the places which are infected with the biting: but if the venemous wounds do chance to break, then to take barly being scorched or burned, and pound it into small powder, and steepe it in vineger, and afterwardes to sprinkle it into the wound: this medicine Pelagon affirmeth, will onely heale the bites of a Shrew, and that the griefe of the sore, by the vse of any other medicines doth rather en∣crease then decrease.

The flower which is made of red Weat, the Hearbe called Dill,* 1.205 the liquor or Rozen which runneth out of the great Cedar, and two pound of the best Wine being mingled altogether, giuen in a potion and poured downe the throate of any laboring beast which is [ 20] bitten by a Shrew, will presently ease and cure him of his paine.

There is also another potion for the curing of the bites of this beast which is this, to take cloues of Garlike being bruised small, salt, Cummin, and Wine, of each the like quantity, these being giuen to any beast to drinke, doth presently cure him, as also any man being annointed vpon the wound, but not giuen to drink.* 1.206 The hearbe called Narde or Pepper-wort being beaten to the quantity of two ounces and a halfe, and mingled with some sweete smelling Wine, will presently help any beast which is bitten by the Shrewe, being poured through his Nose, and his sore being at that instant time annointed with Dogs dung: the same is also very medicinable or wholesome for men which are troubled with the said biting.

[ 30] The bites of a Shrew being pricked with an Aule and annointed with dust which is found in the furrowes of Cartes vnder the markes or signes of the Wheele, being ming∣led with sharpe vineger, doth presently asswage the paine, and heale the sore. The earth-of the tract of a Cart also mingled with stale or vrine, being applyed vnto the bites of a Shrew, will very speedily cure them either vpon men or beastes. A Shrew being new kil∣led and rubbed ouer with salt, applyed vnto the wounds which she shal bite in any beasts, will instantly cure them: this vertue also hath the gall of a rere-mouse or Bat, being mix∣ed with vineger.* 1.207

There is a very good remedy against the bitinges of Shrewes, or to preserue Cattle from them, which is this, to compasse the hole wherein she lyeth round about, and get hir out a liue, and keepe her so till she dye, and waxe stiffe, then hang her about the necke of [ 40] the beast which you would preserue, and there wil not any Shrew come neare them, and this is accounted to bee most certaine. And thus much shall suffice concerning the bi∣tings of the Shrewes, and of the cures thereof.

[ 50]

[illustration]

[ 10]

OF WILDE FIELD-MICE. [ 20]

* 1.208THis wilde Mouse called by the Latines Mus agrestis, Mus Syluestris, Syluaticus, Subteraneus, and some say 〈◊〉〈◊〉, (althogh I rather take that word to signifie a glare worm.) It is called also Exignus Mus, and Rusticus. The Graecians cal it Myss Arourayos, the Germans field-mouse, and erd∣mouse, that is a mouse of the earth, Nualmuss, and Nu••l∣muss, Schorrmuss, Schoermowss, Stossmuss, and L••ckmuss, [ 30] by reason of her digging in the earth like a mole. The French call it Mullott. There is of these mice two kinds, a greater and a lesser. The picture of the greater we haue de∣scribed heare, forbearing the lesser, because in all partes it resembleth this, except in the quantity.

* 1.209This greater kind is not much lesser then a Rat, hauing a long broad taile like it. The eares of it are round. The head round and great, and the snout or chaps do not stand out long. They are of two colours in both kinds, some red and some blacke. They haue a beard betwixt their mouth and their eies, and the lesser mice haue a short taile. A Physitian ta∣king [ 40] occasion of the writinges of Bassianus Landus to disect one of these mice, found it to be true which he saith, that their maw and guts lye al straight and vpright. We haue shew∣ed already,* 1.210 that all kind of mice are generated out of the earth, although also they suffer copulation. And in Egypt it is very common about the Thebaijs, and the places where Nylus ouer floweth, that in the decrease and falling away of the Waters, the sunne en∣gendereth many mice vppon the slime of the earth, so that it is ordinary to see one time their forepartes to haue life, flesh, and motion, and the hinder partes deformed, and no∣thing but earth.

And about this matter there is some disputation among the Authors, for there bee Phylosophers which affirme, that euery creature as well perfect as vnperfect, may bee [ 50] made both by seede and of putrified matter; and from hence came the opinion in the Po∣ets, of the sons and daughters of the earth, and so they say, that things grow by generati∣on in infinitum: Some say that perfect creatures cannot be generated in that manner, but the imperfect ones such as mice are, may bee ingendered by seed and putrifyed matter, and afterwards beget more of his owne kind.

But Aristotle confesseth the first generation, and denyeth the second, and saith al∣though

they do generate by copulation, yet it is not Idem sed animal spece diuersum, à quo nihil amplius gigni possit; And therefore Ieronimus Gabucinus endeth this controuersie, saying. Mures ex putredine nati, generant quidem & ipsi, sed quod ex eis generatur, nec mus, est nec foemina: nec amplius generat, that is; Mice engendered of putrified matter do also engender, but that which is begotten of them is neither male nor female, neither can it engender any more, that it may not proceed in Infinitum, like a mouse engendered by copulation. But concerning the beginning of these wilde field-mice, and their encrease,* 1.211 Aristotle speaketh in this manner: we haue receiued (saith he) the wonderfull generation of wilde fielde-mice, abounding in euery place, and especially in corne fields, which by their multitude, do instantly eat vp and deuoure a great deale of graine, insomuch as it [ 10] hath bin seene, that diuers poore husbandmen, which haue determined to day, to reape their corne on the morrow, in the meane season it was so destroyed by mice, that when the reapers came in the morning, they found no corne at all.

And as the encrease of these mice was extraordinary, so also was the destruction, for men could not driue them away, as in former times by smoking them, or else by turning in swine to roote out their nests from the earth, or by sending Foxes, or wild-cats among them, but their multitude did alwaies preuaile, and yet after a fewe dayes, the showers of the cloudes destroyed them. And Pliny saith, that this ought to bee no meruaile, that there should be so great a haruest and store of these mice, seeing that men yet neuer knew how to hinder their generation, or to kill them being engendered, and yet for al that they [ 20] are sildome found in the winter time either aliue or dead. And seeing that we haue entred into the mention of the damage of these wilde field-mice, it is profitable to set down some stories out of Authors, recording the place and persons, whome they haue verye much annoyed.

Pliny writeth, as we haue shewed in our former discourse, that the inhabitants of Tro∣as, were driuen from their habitation by these field-mice, because they deuoured al their fruits, & when they died ther was a worm engendred in their heds. Diodorus Siculus in his fourth booke of auncient Monuments recordeth, that there were certaine people of Ita∣ly, which by incursion of fielde-mice were driuen to flight, and to forsake their patrimo∣nies, for they destroyed the rootes of the corne, like some horrible drought, or some [ 30] vnresistable cold frost. Cossa a Towne of Vmbria in the daies of Pliny, which at this day is called Orbi tellus, was destroyed by fielde-mice, (as Volatteranus writeth.) Niphus also saith, that hee sawe in one night, all the Corne-fieldes at Calenum destroyed by these mice.

There are such a number of these mice in Spaine, that many times their destruction caused pestilent diseases, and this thing hapned amongst the Romaines when they were in Cantabria, for they were constrained to hier men by stipends to kill the mice,* 1.212 and those which did kill them, scarse escaped with life. The inhabitants of Gyarus, an Island of the Cyclades, after they had long resisted the violence of these mice, yet at length they were [ 40] faine to yeeld vnto them, and forsake their territory; and the mice after their departure, through hunger did gnaw the yron. Wee haue shewed already how the Plilistines were punished with mice, before they sent away the Arke of the Lorde, and howe the Aeolians and Troyans were annoyed with them, vntill they had sacrificed to Apollo Smintheus, and how the mice of Heraclea, at the time of Grape-gathering, doe go out of the country and returne againe in the Autumne. When Sanacharib, king of the Arabians and Egyptians, inuaded Egypt, it is said by Herodotus, that Vulcan in the night time sent vppon his armey such an innumerable swarm of wilde-mice, that before morning they had eaten assunder their Quiuers, Arrowes, Bowes, and all warlike instrmentes, so that the next day, for the want of weapons, and feare of their enemies, they were constrained to take their heeles [ 50] and run away. And to conclude, by the same meanes the Calcidensians were driuen out of Elymnium, a citty of the mountain Athos, and thus much shall suffice for the harm•• of these mice. They make their dwellings and habitation in the earth,* 1.213 according to this say∣ing of Virgill:

Sape exiguns mus Sub terra posuit{que} domos, at{que} horria fecit.

Yet now and then they come out of the earth, although it be but seldome. They heaue vp hilles like Mols, and they eate and deuoure the rootes of corne and Hearbes. They make not very deepe holes, but dig vnder the turfes, and vpper face of the earth, so that when a man walketh vpon it he may perceiue it by the sinking in of his footesteps: if the hole be opened with a Spade, they close it againe as a Mole doth, but not so speedily, for they defer it two or three daies together, and therefore if it be watched they may kill her at hir returne by treading vpon her; concerning the manner of taking them, these obseruati∣ons following may be put in practise. [ 10]

* 1.214These kind of Mice are driuen or chased away with the ashes of a Weasell, or of a cat mingled with water, and by sprinkling or scattering seede or corne abroade, or by some things well sodden in Water: but the poysoning of those Mice is in the sent or sauor of bread:* 1.215 and therefore they thinke it more profitable to touch the seede or Corne lightly with the gall of an Oxe. Apuleus doth affirme, that to soke the graine or corne in the gall of an Oxe before you sprinkle it abroad,* 1.216 is very good against these fielde-mice: also (as it is read in Geopon Graec.) it doth very much commend the gall of Oxen, wherewith as he saith, if the seed or corne be touched, they shal be freed from the molestation or trouble of these field-mice.

Notwithwanding in the Dog-daies Hemlock-seede ith the hearbe Hellebor is better, or with wilde cucumber, or with Henne-bane, or being beaten with bitter Almonds, and [ 20] Bears-foot, and to mingle with them iust as much meal or corne, & beat and stamp them in oile, and when you haue so done, put it into the hollow places of these field-mice: and they wil die assoone as euer they shall tast of it. Auicen doth affirme also, that Hen-bane∣seede doth kill these kind of Mice, without the mixture of any other thing. Very many do stop the passages of them with the leaues of Rododaphne, who do perish in the time they are laboring to make their passage, by the gnawing of them.

Apuleius also saith, that the people of Bithynia haue had much experience of these thinges, who stopped the passages of these mice with these Rododaphne leaues, so that they desire to come forth by touching the same often with their teeth: which truely so soone as they shal touch or come vnto, they shal presently dye. But they vse a kind of incantation which is this that followeth. I do adiure all ye mice which do remaine or abide heare, that yee [ 30] do not offer me wrong, or suffer me to be wronged of any other. For I do assigne and ap∣point you this fielde, (then he nameth the fielde) in which if I should supprize you here∣after, I cal Luno to witnesse, I wil teare euery one of you into seuen pieces: when as thou hast write this charme, binde paper fast to the place wherein the Mice haunt, and that be∣fore the rising of the Sunne: so that the charecters or markes may appeare on the out∣side cleaning to a naturall stone of that place. I haue written this (saith the Author) lest any thing should seeme to be ouerskipped: neither doe I allow or proue such thinges can be done, but I rather counsell al men that they do not set their mind to any of these which are more worthy of derision then imitation. If thou shalt fill the passages of these rusticall [ 40] or field-mice with the ashes of an Oak, he shall be possessed with a feruent desire to it, of∣ten touching it and so shall die.

* 1.217These countrey Mice, that is to say those Mice which are founde in the fieldes, being bruised and burned to ashes, and mingled with fresh honey, doeth comfort or restore the sight of the eies by diminishing the darkenesse or dimnesse thereof, in what fielde soeuer you shall find any thing, dig them vp by the rootes with a little stake or post.

OF THE WOOD-MOVSE.

PLiny doeth oftentimes make mention of this woode-mouse or rather a [ 50] Mouse belonging to the wood,* 1.218 but he doth it onely in medicines; but that it doth differ from this country or field-mouse we haue shewen in the Chap. go∣ing before, because it doth not habit or dwell in Countries or tilled places, as the Countrey or field-mice doe, but doth inhabit in Woodes and forrests. The wood-Mouse is called in Greeke as the Countrey-mouse: but I thinke it to bee a kinde of Dor∣mouse,

which proceedeth from the kind of wood-mouse. Pliny truely doth make the same remedy or medicines of a Dormouse, as he doth of a Wood-mouse, as I will a little after rehearse or recite vnto you. Also I should haue thought that a Sorex had bin the same, because it is a wood-mouse, but that, that one place of Pliny did hinder me, where he commendeth the ashes of a Wood-mouse to be very good for the clearenesse of the eies, and by and by after did shew or declare that the ashes of the Sorex were good also in the same vse, as I will recite or rehearse below in the medicines or remedies of the wood-mouse. Agricola a man of great learning, doth interpret or iudge the wood-mouse to bee that mouse, to the which they do appoint the name deriued from Auellana: but hee doth account that to be the Sorex, which I will shew or declare beneath to be the Shrew. I do [ 10] vnderstand that there are properly two kinds of the wood-mouse spoken of before. The one of them that which Albertus doth write, saying that there is a certain kind of Mouse which doth builde or make her habitation in trees, and of a browne or swart colour, and hauing also black spots in her face, which onely is called by the vniuersal name of a wood-Mouse. Of the same kind Pliny doth meane, (if I be not deceiued) when he writeth, that the mast of a beech-tree is very acceptable to Mice, and therefore they haue good successe with their young ones. The other which is peculiarly named the Sorex, which (saith Pliny) doth sleep all the winter time, and hath a taile full of haire: whose shape or forme we pro∣pose and set euidently before you. But that I may more distinctly handle those thinges which Pliny hath shewed to vs concerning the wood-Mouse, I will write her downe sepe∣rately, [ 20] or by it selfe, and afterwards concerning the Mouse which hath her name deriued from Filburds, which the Germans haue left in writing, and which I my selfe haue consi∣dered or obserued, and last of all I wil write concerning the Sorex peculiarly and seueral∣ly from the ancient writers.

The ashes of a wood-mouse being mingled with hony, doth cure al fractures of bones, the braines also spread vpon a little peece of cloth, and couered with wooll is good also,* 1.219 but you must now and then spread it ouer the wound, and it doth almost make it whole and strong within the space of three or foure daies: neither must you mingle the ashes of the wood-mouse with hony to late: hony also being mingled with the ashes of earth∣wormes, doth draw forth broken bones. Also the fat of these beastes, being put to kibes [ 30] is very good, but if the vlcers are corrupt and rotten, by adding wax to the former things doth bring them to cicatrising. The oyle of a burned Locust is also very good,* 1.220 and also the oile of a wood-mouse with Hony, is as effectuall as the other. They say also that the heads and tailes of Mice mixed with the ashes of them and annointed with Hony, doth restore the clearenesse of the sight, but more effectually being mingled with the ashes of a Dormouse or a Wood-mouse.

Of the Nut-Mouse, Hasell-Mouse, or Fildburd Mouse.

[illustration]

[ 40] [ 50]

THis beast is a kind of Sorex, and may be that which the Germans tearme Ein, gros haselmus, a great Hasell-mouse, so called because they feed vpon hasell-Nuts, and Filburds. The Flemings call it Ein Slaperat, that is a sleeping Rat, and therfore the French call it by the name Lerot, whereby also we haue shew∣ed already, they vnderstand a Dormouse.

For this sleepeth like that, and yet the flesh thereof is not good is to be eaten. The co∣lour of this Mouse is redde like the Hasell, and the quantity full as great as a Squirrell, or as a great Rat: vpon the backe and sides it is more like a Mouse, and vpon the head more red. His eares very great, and pilled without haire. The belly white, so also are his legs. The neather most of his taile towards the tip white. His Nostrils and feete reddish. The taile wholy rough, but most at the end with white haires.

The eyes very great hanging out of his head, and all blacke, so that there is not in them any appearance of white. The beard partly white, and partly blacke, both aboue and beneath his ears, and about his eies, and the vpper part of his taile next his body all [ 10] blacke. Vppon his forefeete hee hath foure clawes or distinct toes, for hee wanteth a Thombe. But vpon his hinderfeete he hath fiue, I meane vpon each seuerally. The outside of his hinder Legges, from the bending to the tip of his nails is altogether bald without haire. And the sauor of all this kind is like the smell of the vulgar Mice. They liue not onely in the earth, but also in trees which they climbe like Squirrils, and there∣fore make prouision of Nuttes and meate against the Winter, which they lodge in the earth.

The Countrymen finding in the Summer their caues and dens, do wisely forbeare to destroy them, knowing that they will bring into them the best Nuts and Fill-herds can bee gotten, and therefore at one side they sticke vppe a certaine long rod, by directi∣on [ 20] whereof in the Winter time they come and dig out the den, iustly taking from them both their life and store, because they haue vniustly gathred it together: Some haue eaten it, but they were deceiued, taking it for the Dormouse.

OF THE LASCITT MOVSE.

THis Mouse is called by the Germans Lascitts, and also Harneball, because of the similitude it holdeth with the Ermeline Weasell. The skinne of it is very pretious, being shorter then the Ermeline two fingers breadth. And for as much as else, there is no difference between the Lascitt Mouse [ 30] and the Lascitt Weasell, except in the quantity. My opinion is that they are all one, and differ onely in age.

And I am rather led to affirme thus much, because there are skinnes, annually brought to the Mart of Frankford, out of Polonia (cald Lascett,) which are no other then the wea∣sels, of Nouo grodela, whose white skins are intermixed with griffeld, and thus much shall suffice to haue said of this Mouse.

OF THE SOREX.

* 1.221I Am of opinion that this kind of Mouse belongeth to the Ha∣sell [ 40] Mouse before spoken of, because it is wilde, hath a hairy taile, and sleepeth in the Winter, all which things are by Pli∣ny ascribed to the Sorex; onely this hindereth, that he maketh the Sorex to haue rough hairy eares, and the Sorex of Germa∣ny hath bald eares. For answer whereof this shall suffice, that the other 3. notes being so great & pregnant, there is no cause why the want of one and that so litle as the haires on the eares, should depriue it of his naturall due and kind. The Italians and the French vse this word Sorex,* 1.222 for a domesticall vulgar Mouse, and so peraduenture did the ancients before them; but it is greater then the domesticall mouse, although Plinyes [ 50] Sorex be neither greater nor lesser. The Spaniards call a Sorex, Sorace, or Raton Pequen∣no. The Illirians Viemegka Myss, by which word also they vnderstand a Shrew-mouse. The fibres of the intrals of this Sorex doe encrease and decrease with the Moone, so that the number of them do alwaies answer the number of the daies of her age.

Her eares as we haue said are full of haires, but in the lowest part or tip thereof. The

reason of her name is taken from the skreeching voice she maketh in gnawing. For it is a very harmefull biting beast, cutting asunder with her teeth like a sawe. Some doe deriue the Greeke word from Huras, which aunciently did signifie a mouse, and therefore they call this Syrax, and Saurex, but I list not to stand any longer vppon the name, seeing the beast it selfe affordeth little worthy matter to entreat of.

It is reported by Varro, that in Arcadia there was a Hogge so fat, that a Sorex did eate into her flesh, and made her nest and brought forth young ones therein, which may very well be; for such is the nature of a fat Swine, that he will hardly rise to eate his meate, or ease himselfe of his excrements: And besides, fatnesse stoppeth sence, burying both the Nerues and Arteries very deepe: so that in the body of a man, his fattest part is least sen∣sible. [ 10] Lycinius the Emperor going about to restraine the insolency of the Eunuckes and Courtiers, called them Ineas, Sorises{que} palatinos, that is mothes and Sorexes of the court.

There was an auncient garment (as Pliny writeth) called Vestis soriculata,* 1.223 and this was very pretious in my opinion, because it was garded or fringed with the skinnes of the So∣rex. If this beast fall into any Wine or Oyle, she corrupteth the same, and it is to be re∣couered by the same meanes, as we haue formerly described in the vulgar Mouse. It should seeme there was great store of them in the daies of Heliogabalus, for he comman∣ded (as Iampridius writeth) to be brought vnto him, not onely a thousand of these beasts, but also a thousand Weasels, and ten thousand vulgar Mice, as we haue shewed before [ 20] in the story of the vulgar Mouse.

When the South-sayers were about their diuinatious, Pliny writeth, that if they heard the squeaking of a Sorex, they brake off, and gaue ouer their labour, holding it vn∣profitable to goe any further therein, and it is also reported, that the voice of this Mouse, gaue occasion to Fabius Maximus, to giue ouer his Dictatorship, and vnto Caius Flamin∣nius, to giue ouer the Mastership of the horsemen, such feare of silly beastes, was begot∣ten in the minds of gallant and magnanimious spirits, by the vnprofitable and foolish behauiour and doctrines of the Magitians.

It is said by Nigidius, that these Sorises doe sleepe all the Winter & hide themselues like the Dormouse. They also when they eate any corne, do screetch and make a greater noise then other Mice, whereby they bewray themselues in the darke vnto their enemies, [ 30] and are killed, which was the occasion of that prouerbial speech of Parmeno in Terrence, Ego me•• meo iudicio miser, quasi sorex perij. Saint Austine, and Saint Origine, doe also make vse of this prouerbe, the one in his booke of order, the other in a Homily vpon Genesis, which caused Erasmus to write in this manner, Sed videber ipse meis, iudicijs captus, that is, I haue ouerthrowne my selfe with my owne tale. These Sorices doe make hollow the trees wherein Emets or Ants breed, and there is perpetuall hatred betwixt the Bîttors, and these, one lying in waite to destroy the others yoong.

[ 40] The medicines of the Sorex.

Serenus and Pliny, say that if a woman with child doe eate the sinnewes of a Sorex if her eies be blacke, so shall the infants be likewise;

Si praegnans artus captiui Sorices edit Dicuntur foetus nigrantia lumina fingi.

The fat of these beastes or of Dormice is very ptofitable against the Paulsie. The powder of the heads and tailes, annointed with Hony vppon the eies, restoreth the clearenesse of sight, and with hony atticke, the powder and fat of a Sorex burned, helpeth running eies, and the same powder mingled with oile, cureth bunches in the flesh.

There is another mouse called by Mathaeolus, Mus Napelli, that is a Wolfe-baine∣mouse: [ 50] so called, because it feedeth vpon the roots of that Hearbe,* 1.224 although there bee some of opinion, that it is not a creature, but another little Hearbe growing neare vnto it for a counter poyson.

And Marcellus also maketh mention of Napellus, and Antinapellus, whereunto I should easily condescend, but that the eye-sight of Mathaeolus leadeth me to the contrary. For

he writeth that he tooke one of them in the top of a high mountaine in ITALY▪ And Syl∣naticus calleth this mouse, Mus Suring, or Sucsinus, and calleth it a counter poyson to Wolfe-bane, and that God might shew thus much vnto men, he causeth it to liue vpon the rootes, in testimony of his naturall vertue, destroying poyson and venimous hearb••.

THE INDIAN MOVSE, AND DIVERS. other kinds of mice, according to their Countries. [ 10]

[illustration]

[ 20]

I Do finde that diuers times mice do take their names from re∣gions [ 30] wherein they enhabite, which happeneth two maner of waies: one, because the forme of their bodies will somewhat vary: the other, because not onely in shape, but also in witte they haue some thinges in them common to mice, ouer and aboue the mice of our countreies,* 1.225 therefore we will breefely comprehend al their surnames of whatsoeuer regions they are in one order or Alphabet. In the Oriental parts of the worlde, there are great mice, (as ALEXANDER writeth) of the quan∣tity of Foxes who do harme both men and beasts, and although they cannot by their bi∣ting kil any man, yet do they much grieue and molest them.

Americ••s Vespucius writeth, that he found in an ysland of the sea being distant from Vlis∣bona [ 40] a thousand leagues, very great mice.* 1.226 The haire of the AEGYPTIAN mice is verye hard, and for the most part like a Hedgehogges: and there are also some which walk bolt vpright vpon two feet, for they haue the hinder legs longer, and their fore legges shor∣ter, their procreation is also manifold; and they do likewise sit vpon their buttockes, and they vse their forefeet as hands. But Herodotus affirmeth these mice to be of AFFRICKE, and not of AEGYPT; amongst the AFFRICAN or CARTHAGENIAN pastures (saith he) in AFFRICKE towards the Orient, there are three kinds of mice, of the which some are called Bipedall or Two-footed, some in the CARTHAGENIAN language Zetzeries, which is as much in our language as hils, some Hedg-hogges.

* 1.227There are more kinds of mice in the CYRENAICAN region: some which haue broad [ 50] foreheads, some sharpe, some which haue pricking haire in the manner of Hedge-hogs. It is reported that in CYRENE there are diuers kinds of mice both in colour and shape,* 1.228 and that some of them haue as broad a countenance as a Cat; some haue sharpe bristles, and beare the forme and countenance of a viper, which the inhabitants call Echenetae, but improperly, as it appeareth by the words of Aristotle in his booke of wonders.

Herodotus also affirmeth the like of those Mice, to be in shape and colour like Vi∣pers: but Pliny and Aristotle doe both disallow it, and say that in those iuice there is nothing common to vipers, but onely to hedge-hogges, as concerning their sharpe bristles.

There are also some Mice in Egypt which doe violently rush vpon pastures and corne: of which things Aelianus speaketh, saying in this manner; when it beginneth first to raine in Egypt, the Mice are wont to be borne in very small bubbles, which wandring far and neare through all the fieldes doe affect the corne with great calumitie, by gnawing and cutting a sunder with their teeth the blades thereof, and wasting the heapes of that which [ 10] is made in bundles, doe bring great paines and businesse vnto the Egyptians: by which it comes to passe, that they endeuor all maner of waies to make snares for them, by setting of Mice-trapes, and to repell them from their inclosures, and by ditches, and burning fires to driue them quite away: but the Mice as they will not come vnto the traps, for as much as they are apt to leape, they both goe ouer the hedges, and leape ouer the ditches. But the Egyptians being frustrated of all hope by their labours, all subtill inuention•• and pollicies being left as it were of no efficacie, they betake themselues humbly to pray to their Gods to remooue that calamitie from them. Whereat the Mice by some feare of a diuine anger, euen as it were in battell aray of obseruing a squadron order,* 1.229 doe de∣part into a certaine mountaine: The least of all these in age doe stand in the first order, but the greatest and eldest doe lead the last troupes, compelling those which are weary [ 20] to follow them.

But if in their iourney the least or yoongest do chaunce through trauaile to waxe wea∣ry, all those which follow (as the manner is in wars) doe likewise stand still,* 1.230 and when the first begin to goe forward, the rest doe continually follow them. It is also reported that the Mice which inhabite the Sea doe obserue the same order and custome.

The Africane Mice doe vsually die as soone as euer they take any drinke: but this is commonly proper vnto all mice, (as Ephesius affirmeth) where it is written,* 1.231 aboue con∣cercerning [ 39] the poysoning of mice. Mice, (but especially those of Affricke) hauing their skinnes pulled off, boyled with oyle and salt, and then taken in meate, doth very effectually cure those which are troubled with any paines or diseases in the lunges or lights. The same doth also easily helpe those which are molested with corrupt and bloody spettings with retchings.

The kindes of Affrican mice are diuers, some are two footed,* 1.232 some haue haire like vnto hedge-hogges, some faces of the breadth of a Weasell▪ but some call these mice Cirenacian, some Egyptian, as I haue before declared.* 1.233 In Arabia there are certaine mice much bigger then Dormice, whose former legges are of the quantitie of a hand breadth, and the hinder of the quantitie of the ioynt to the ende of the finger: I doe vnderstand them to be so short, that nothing thereof may seeme to appeare without the body except the space of the ioynts of the finger, as it is in Martinets.

[ 40] It is said that the garments of the Armenians are vsually wouen with mice which are bred in the same countrey,* 1.234 or diuersly docked with the shape of the same creature. The Author writeth, that Pliny maketh mention of the Armenian mouse, but I haue reade no such thing: therefore he doth perchaunce take the Armenian mouse for the Shrew. In Cappadocia there is a kinde of mouse which some call a Squirrell. Aelianus writing of the Caspian mice,* 1.235 Amyntas (saith he) in his booke entituled De mansionibus, which he doth so inscribe, saith that in Caspia, there doe come an infinite multitude of mice, which without any feare doe swim in the flouds, which haue great and violent currentes, and holding one another by their tailes in their mouthes (as it is likewise reported of Wolues) haue a sure and stable passage ouer the water.

[ 50] But when they passe ouer any tillage of the earth they fell the corne, and climing vp into trees, doe eate the fruite thereof, and breake the boughes: which when the Caspians cannot resist, they doe by this meanes endeuour to restraine their turbulent incursions, for they remooue all things which may hurt birds hauing crooked talents, who come pre∣sently so flying in such great flockes, or companies, that they may seeme to be clouds to expell the mice from their borders, and by a proper gif•• incident vnto them by nature,

do driue away hunger from the Caspians, neither in quantity are these Mice inferior to the Egyptian Ichneumons: they are also vngentle, and they doe no lesse deuoure with the strength of their teeth, then the Mice of Teredon in Babilon do iron, whose soft skins the Marchants carry to the Persians. The Indian mouse, or Pharoes mouse, (as some learned later writers doe write) is no other then the Ichneumon. Antonius musa Brasauolus, tooke the before expressed figure of an Indian mouse, (for so he did cal it) which before that time was shewn by Bellonius, and I gessed it to be an Ichneumon; and truely in the snout (if you take away the beard) and in the eares it doth agree, but in the taile it doth differ, which doth rather resemble a cats: and in many other things, which by conferring them are easie to be marked, and as I conceiued it, I haue set it downe. [ 10]

Notes

• * 1.1

  The seuerall names.
• * 1.2

  Countries of Moles Aristotle. Aelianus.
• * 1.3

  Pliny. Generation of Moles
• * 1.4

  Blindnesse of Moles.
• * 1.5

  Albertus
• * 1.6

  Their seural parts & mem¦bers.
• * 1.7

  Cardanus.
• * 1.8

  the places of their abode
• * 1.9

  Enemies to Moles.
• * 1.10

  Vnderstand∣ing of Moles
• * 1.11

  Taking of Moles
• * 1.12

  Paramus.
• * 1.13

  Vse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 theyr seueral parts.
• * 1.14

  Alex. ab alex
• * 1.15

  Pliny
• * 1.16

  Arnoldus
• * 1.17

  Furnerius
• * 1.18

  Rus••ius.
• * 1.19

  Pliny.
• * 1.20

  Marcellus
• * 1.21

  Vincentius
• * 1.22

  Sextus
• * 1.23

  Obscurus
• * 1.24

  Pliny. Arnoldus
• * 1.25

  Definition of a Mouse
• * 1.26

  The seueral names.
• * 1.27

  Denominati¦on of sundrie creatures frō the Mouse.
• * 1.28

  Pausanias.
• * 1.29

  Theuetus.
• * 1.30

  Fictions lear¦ned & wittie of the proper nams of Mise
• * 1.31

  The colour of Mice.
• * 1.32

  Scaliger. Albertus.
• * 1.33

  The quanti∣ty and seue∣rally parts of Mice. Mathoeolus.
• * 1.34

  Aristotle. Cicero.
• * 1.35

  Albertus,
• * 1.36

  Orus. Aelianus.
• * 1.37

  Pliny. Albertus.
• * 1.38

  Mice cannot drinke with∣out danger.
• * 1.39

  Theophrastus Generation of mice and their carnall copulation.
• * 1.40

  Albertus. Copulation of mice.
• * 1.41

  Two myra∣cles in their procreation and multipli¦cation.
• * 1.42

  Ʋolateranus Gillius. whether mice be do∣cible.
• * 1.43

  Presages and for knoledge of mice.
• * 1.44

  Aelianus.
• * 1.45

  Their natu∣ral wisdome.
• * 1.46

  Their natu∣ral loue to one another.
• * 1.47

  Aelianus. Their dispo¦sition and their flesh. Proc••p••••s. Aristeas.
• * 1.48

  Arnaldus.
• * 1.49

  hu••t by mice to the bodies of mankinde.
• * 1.50

  Medicine of Hawkes. Demetrius.
• * 1.51

  Eating of Mice.
• * 1.52

  Enemies of Mice.
• * 1.53

  Pliny.
• * 1.54

  Varrus.
• * 1.55

  Crescentient
• * 1.56

  Crescentien.
• * 1.57

  Crescentien.
• * 1.58

  Anatolius
• * 1.59

  Cato
• * 1.60

  Tragus
• * 1.61

  Auicen
• * 1.62

  Paxausus
• * 1.63

  Croscentien∣sis.
• * 1.64

  Cardon
• * 1.65

  The morrall story of mice
• * 1.66

  Tzetzes.
• * 1.67

  Herodotus.
• * 1.68

  Sacrificing of Mice. Scoliast••••yco.
• * 1.69

  Albertus
• * 1.70

  Marcellus
• * 1.71

  Dioscorides
• * 1.72

  Pliny
• * 1.73

  Marcellus
• * 1.74

  Pliny
• * 1.75

  Dioscorides
• * 1.76

  Pliny
• * 1.77

  Marcellus
• * 1.78

  Pliny
• * 1.79

  Galen
• * 1.80

  Galen
• * 1.81

  Pliny
• * 1.82

  Marcellus
• * 1.83

  Galen
• * 1.84

  Galenus Paral. 3.16
• * 1.85

  Pliny Galenus
• * 1.86

  Pliny
• * 1.87

  Sextus
• * 1.88

  Pliny
• * 1.89

  Marcellus
• * 1.90

  Myrepsus
• * 1.91

  ••••xtus
• * 1.92

  Galenus
• * 1.93

  Pliny
• * 1.94

  Varro.
• * 1.95

  Archigenes.
• * 1.96

  Pliny
• * 1.97

  Marcellus.
• * 1.98

  Myrepsus
• * 1.99

  Marcellus.
• * 1.100

  Galenus
• * 1.101

  Pliny.
• * 1.102

  Alexius Pe¦demontanas.
• * 1.103

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.104

  Marcellus
• * 1.105

  Dioscorides
• * 1.106

  Auicen
• * 1.107

  Pliny
• * 1.108

  Hippocrates
• * 1.109

  Auicen
• * 1.110

  Marcellus
• * 1.111

  The vulgar Rat, or great domesticall Mouse.
• * 1.112

  The quanti∣ty of Rats & their parts.
• * 1.113

  Medicins by Rats. Poyson of Rats.
• * 1.114

  Names of Water-Rats.
• * 1.115

  Meate of Water-Rats.
• * 1.116

  Places of wa¦ter rats abod
• * 1.117

  A wonder in the parts of a female Rat
• * 1.118

  The quantity of this beast, and the seue∣rall parts.
• * 1.119

  Mathaeolus.
• * 1.120

  The descrip∣tion of the great Alpine mouse.
• * 1.121

  The places of their abod and then sin¦gular art in making their caue.
• * 1.122

  Their obser∣uation of watch.
• * 1.123

  Stumsius
• * 1.124

  The strength of this beast.
• * 1.125

  Their vsuall foode.
• * 1.126

  Entrance in∣to their caues
• * 1.127

  Their conti∣nual sleepe al the winter time.
• * 1.128

  Growing fat with sleepe.
• * 1.129

  The taking of these beasts.
• * 1.130

  Their taming & condicions in the house.
• * 1.131

  The sauing & vse of their flesh.
• * 1.132

  the medicines of this beast.
• * 1.133

  The descrip∣on of the Emp••••a or lit¦••le Alpine Mouse.
• * 1.134

  Albertus.
• * 1.135

  The names and reasons thereof.
• * 1.136

  The descrip∣tion of the Dormouse out of Epi∣phanius.
• * 1.137

  whether they render vrine & drinke not
• * 1.138

  The quantity colour and se¦uerall partes.
• * 1.139

  Their food.
• * 1.140

  Norishers & nourishing of Dormice.
• * 1.141

  Society and charity in them. Pliny.
• * 1.142

  The meane•• to take these Dormice.
• * 1.143

  The vse of the flesh of these mice.
• * 1.144

  Pliny
• * 1.145

  Marcellus
• * 1.146

  Sextus
• * 1.147

  Pliny
• * 1.148

  Marcellus
• * 1.149

  The names
• * 1.150

  The descrip∣tion.
• * 1.151

  of the Arcto¦mys••
• * 1.152

  The voracity of the Cri∣cetus.
• * 1.153

  The making of his den▪
• * 1.154

  His meate and foode.
• * 1.155

  The anger & furie o•• this beast.
• * 1.156

  Of the ta∣king of this beast.
• * 1.157

  The vse of their skins.
• * 1.158

  The name, description and di••positi¦on.
• * 1.159

  Agricola.
• * 1.160

  Genelius.
• * 1.161

  Olaus mag: Agricola
• * 1.162

  Samonicus.
• * 1.163

  Ʋegetius. Aetius
• * 1.164

  2. Arnoldus.
• * 1.165

  A••ia••us.
• * 1.166

  Marcellus
• * 1.167

  Pliny
• * 1.168

  Pliny
• * 1.169

  Hippocrates.
• * 1.170

  Pliny
• * 1.171

  Marcellus.
• * 1.172

  Dioscorides
• * 1.173

  Auicenna
• * 1.174

  Dioscorides
• * 1.175

  Aeginetta
• * 1.176

  Auicenna.
• * 1.177

  Dioscorides.
• * 1.178

  Pliny.
• * 1.179

  Auicenna.
• * 1.180

  Aetius.
• * 1.181

  Dioscorides.
• * 1.182

  Geoponica.
• * 1.183

  Pliny
• * 1.184

  Aetius.
• * 1.185

  Pliny
• * 1.186

  Aelianus
• * 1.187

  Aetius
• * 1.188

  Auicenna
• * 1.189

  Aeginetta
• * 1.190

  Dioscorides
• * 1.191

  Ruellius
• * 1.192

  Dioscorides
• * 1.193

  Aegenetta
• * 1.194

  Ae••ius
• * 1.195

  Auicenna
• * 1.196

  Pliny
• * 1.197

  Aegmetta
• * 1.198

  Auicenna
• * 1.199

  Albertus
• * 1.200

  Absyrtus
• * 1.201

  Hierocles
• * 1.202

  V••getius
• * 1.203

  Hippocrates
• * 1.204

  Hierocles
• * 1.205

  Vegetius
• * 1.206

  Hippocrates
• * 1.207

  Pliny
• * 1.208

  The Epithits of wild mice describing their kinds,
• * 1.209

  Their seueral parts.
• * 1.210

  Whether Mice engen∣dred of the earth, can pro¦create other. Aelianus Pliny
• * 1.211

  The damage done by wild field-Mice
• * 1.212

  Strabo.
• * 1.213

  Places of their abode.
• * 1.214

  Driuing a∣way of these mice.
• * 1.215

  Plinius.
• * 1.216

  Paliadius
• * 1.217

  Marcellus. The medi∣cines of field mice. Scholiastes.
• * 1.218

  The descrip¦tion.
• * 1.219

  The medi∣cines of the Woodmouse Pliny
• * 1.220

  Marcellus
• * 1.221

  Of the name and kind.
• * 1.222

  Alunnus.
• * 1.223

  Egnatius.
• * 1.224

  Of the mous called Mus Napelli.
• * 1.225

  Mice of the Last
• * 1.226

  Egyptian mice.
• * 1.227

  Cyrenean mice.
• * 1.228

  Pliny.
• * 1.229

  A wonder in the Egyption Mice.
• * 1.230

  Aelianus
• * 1.231

  Medicine by african mice
• * 1.232

  Pliny
• * 1.233

  The Arabian Mice.
• * 1.234

  The arme∣nian Mice.
• * 1.235

  Of the Ca∣spian mouse.