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 Panther, commonly called a Pardall, a Leopard, [ 30] and a Libbard.

THere haue beene so many names deuised for this one beast, that it is growen a difficult thing, either to make a good reconciliation of the authors which are wed to their seueral opinions, or else to define it perfectly and make of him a good methodicall History: yet seeing the grea∣test variance hath arisen from wordes, and that which was deuised at the first for the better explication and discrip∣tion [ 40] of it hath turned to the obscuration and shaddowing of the truth, I trust it shall be a good labour to collect out of euery writer that which is most probable concerning this Beast, and in the end to expresse the best definition thereof wee can learne out of all.

First of all therefore for as much as all the question hath arisen from the Greeke and Latine names, it is most requisite to expresse them, and shew how the different construc∣tion began. The Graecians do indifferently call it Pordalis, Pardalis, and Panther, the La∣tins Panthera, Pardalis, Pardus, and Leopardus, and these names are thus distinguished by the learned. Pordalis they say signifieth the male, and Pardalis the female, and also Pan∣thera among the Latins for the female, and Pardus for the male, and these are vnderstood [ 50] of a simple kind without commixture of generation. Leopardus the Lepard or Libbard, is a word deuised by the later writers, compounded of Leo and Pardus, vpon opinion that this beast is generated betwixt a Pardall and a Lyon, and so indeede it ought properly to bee taken, if there be any such. Pliny is of opinion that Pardus differeth from Panthera in no∣thing but in sexe, and other say that betwixt the Lyons and the Pardalles there is such a

[illustration]

[ 10] confused mixed generation as is betwixte Asses and Mares, or Stallions and Asses, as [ 20] for example, when the Lyon couereth the Pardall, then is the Whelpe called Leopardus, a Leopard or Libbard, but when the Pardal coureth the Lionesse, then is it called Panthe∣ra a Panther.

In this controuersie the Hebrew and Arabian names which are generally indifferently translated Panthers or Libbards, doe take vp the strife and almost end the controuersie, for Namer in Hebrew, and Alphec or Alfhed in Arabique, are so translated both in holy scripture, and also in Auicen, as may appeare by these places following Esa. 11. Habitabit Lupus cum agno, & (Namer) Pardus, cum hedo a••cubabit. That is to say, The Wolfe shall dwell with the Lambe, and the Pardall, Libbard, and Panther, shall lye with the Kid. So in [ 30] the vision of Daniel chap. 7. among the foure beastes comming out of the Sea, the pro∣phet seeth Namer a Leopard. In the 13. Reuela. of S. Iohn, he seeth another beast rising out of the sea, hauing ten hornes, and hee saith it was like Pardalet, which Erasmus translateth Pardo, a Leopard. Ieremy 5. Pardus (Namer) vigelat super ciuitatem corum, vt omnen inde egredientem discrepat. That is, a panther or Pardal watcheth at the gates of the Citty, that he may teare in pieces euery one that commeth forth. Factus sum eis sicut Leo, & sicut Pardus (sicut Namer) directus ad viam suam. For Namer in that place the Graecians translate Pardalis, a Pardall. In the 13. Ieremy Si mutare potest Aethiops pellem suam, aut Pardus ma∣culas suas, & vos poteritis bene facere, cum didiceritis malum. If the Blackamoore can change his skin, or the Leopard his spots, then may you do wel which haue learned to do it. Canti∣cles [ 40] 4. Coronaberis de vetrice saner, & hermon, de cubilibus Leonem de montibus Pardorum. That is, Thou shalt be crownd frō the top of Siner and Hermon, from the dens of the Ly∣ons, and the Mountains of the Leopards. Now according to Brocardus the Mountaine of the Leopards is distant from Tripolis in the holy land two leagues. Rasis & Auicen, two Arabians do cal the Panther and Leopard by one name, Alpheth, or Alphil, so that by com∣paring all these together the Panther, Pardall, Libbard, and Leopard, are but one beast, called by diuers names. For the farther manifesting heerof, it is good to examine, what is said of the Pardal and Leopard in particular, that so hauing expressed that, it may be cleare by the discourse succeeding▪ that there is no difference betwixt them and the Panther, or very small. First of all therefore it said of the Pardus, that it differeth not from the Pan∣ther [ 50] but onely in sexe, and that the skin hath receiued a naturall tincture of diuers spots. Aristotle writeth thus of it, Cutis chamaeliontis distincta maculis vt Pardalia. The skin of the Chamaelion is spotted like a Pardals, and in the relation of Lampridius, where hee sheweth how Heliogabalus was wont to shut vp his drunken friendes: Cum Leonibus, Leopardus, & vrsis, ita vt experge facti in cubiculo eodem Leones, vrsos Pardos cum luce, vel quod est graui∣us nocte inuenierent, ex quo pleri{que} ex animati sunt, and so forth:

By which words it is apparant that those which in the first place he calleth Leopards, in the last place he calleth Pardals, and the onely difference betwixt the Leopard, Pardall, and Lyon, is that the Leoparde or Pardal haue no manes: and therefore they are cal∣led Ignobiles leones. Isidorus, and Solinus write in this maner: Pardus secundum post Pan∣thera••est genus varium ac velocissimum, & praceps ad sanguinem, saltu enim ad mortem ruit, ex ad vlterio Pardi & Leenis, Leu pardus nascitur, & tertiam originem efficit. That is to say, the Pardal is the next kind to a Panther, being diuers coloured & very swift, gree∣dy after blood, and ketcheth his prey by leaping: the Leopard is bred betwixt the Pardal and the Lionesse, and so that maketh a third kind, by which testimony it apeareth, that these names make three seuerall kinds of beastes, not distinct in nature but in quantity, [ 10] through commixture of generation.

The greatest therefore they call Panthers, as Bellunensis writeth. The second they call Pardals, and the third least of all they call Leopards, which for the same cause in England is called a Cat of the Mountain. And truely in my opinion, vntill some other can shew me better reason I will subscribe hereunto, namely that they are all one kinde of beast, and differ in quantitie onely through adulterous generation. For in Affrick there is great want of waters, and therefore the lyons, Panthers, and other beasts doe assemble them∣selues in great numbers together at the running riuers, where the Pardals, and the lyons doe engender one with another: I meane the greater Panthers with the lyonesses, and the greater lyons with the Panthers; and so likewise the smaller with the smaller, & there∣by [ 20] it commeth to passe that some of them are spotted, and some of them without spots.

The Pardal is a fierce and cruell beast very violent, hauing a body and mind like ra∣uening birds, and some say they are ingendred now and then betwixt dogs and Panthers, or betwixt leopards and dogges, euen as the Lycopanthers are ingendred betwixt wolues and panthers. It is the nature of these pardals in Affrick to get vp into the rough and thicke trees, where they hide themselues amongest the boughes and leaues, and doe not onely take birds, but also from thence leape downe vpon beasts and men when they espie their aduantage, and all these things doe belong vnto the panthers.

Concerning the Leopard the word it selfe is new and lately inuented, for it is neuer found among any of the auncients before Iulius Capitolinus, or Sparsianus. Syluaticus, [ 30] maketh no difference betwixt pardalis and Leopardus, and the Italians generally call a pardal Leopardo, and neuer pardo, except some of the Poets, for breuitie sake in a verse. The leopard is like to a lyon in the head and forme of his members, but yet he is lesser and nothing so strong, by the sight of a leopards skinne Gesner made this description of the beast.

The length (saith he) from the head to the taile, was as much as a mans stature, and halfe a cubite. The taile of it selfe three spans and a halfe, the breadth in the middle three spans, the colour a bright yellow distinguished into diuers spots, the haire short and mossie.

The price of the skin was about fiue nobles or fortie shillings, for they differ in price, [ 40] according to the regions out of which they are brought, they which come furthest are sold dearest, and they which come lesse way are sold cheapest. It is a wrathfull and an angry beast, and whensoeuer it is sicke it thirsteth after the blood of a wilde cat, and reco∣uereth by sucking that blood, or else by eating the dung of a man. Aboue all other things it delighteth in the Camphorey tree, and therefore lieth vnder neath it, to keepe it from spoile, and in like sort the panther delighteth in sweet gums and spices, and therefore no maruel if they cannot abide garlicke, because it annoyeth their sence of smelling: And it is reported by S. Ambrose, that if the wals of ones howse or sheep-coat be anointed with the iuice of Garlicke, both panthers and Leopards will run away from it, but of this mat∣ter we shal saie more afterwards.

[ 50] The Leopard is sometimes tamed, and vsed in stead of a Dog for hunting, both among the TARTARIANS and other Princes, for they carry them behinde them on Horse∣backe, and when they see a Deere or Hart, or conuenient prey, they turne them downe vppon them suddainely, who take them and destroy them; yet such is the nature of this beast, as also of the PARDALL, that if hee doe not take his prey at the fourth

or fift iump, he falleth so angry and fierce, that he destroyeth whomsoeuer he meeteth, yea many times his hunter. Therefore the hunters haue alwaies a regard to carry with them a lambe or a kid, or some such liue thing, wherewithall they pacifie him after he he hath missed his game, for without blood he will neuer be appeased: and thus much shall suffice to haue spoken of the difference betwixt Panthers, Pardals, and Leopards, and their seuerall names in Greeke and Latine, from whom almost all nations doe deriue their denomination, for the Italians call it Leonpardo, the French Leopard, and Lyopard, the Germans Leppard, and Lefarad, and Pantherthier, the Spaniards Leonpardal, & Leopardo. The Illyrians Leuhart, the Caldeans Nimra, and some make no differenc betwixt this [ 10] and the Arabian Wolfe: The reason of the Greeke word Pardalis, or Pordalis, (for they signifie both one) seemeth to me in most probabilitie to be deriued from the Hebrew word Pardes, signifying a Garden, because as colours in a Garden make it spotted and render a fragrant smell, so the Panther is diuers coloured like a Garden of sundry flow∣ers, and also it is said to carry with him a most sweete sauour whither soeuer he goeth, and therfore in auncient time they made their Iuory tables standing vpon pictures of Panthers, whereof Iuvenall writeth thus in one of his Satyres.

Olim ex quauis arbore mensa fiebat At nunc diuitibus caenandi nulla voluptas ———nisi sustinet orbes. [ 20] Grande ebur & magno sublimis Pardus biatu Dentibus ex illis quos mittit porta Hyenes Iam nimios capiti{que} graues, &c.

For the same cause Pardalis was the name of a notable Harlot, for as the Panthers by their sweete smels drawe the beastes vnto them and then destroy them, so also doe harlots decke and adorne themselues with all alluring prouocations, as it were with in∣chaunted odors, to drawe men vnto them, of whom they make spoyle and rapine: Ther is a pretious stone also called Lapis Pantherus brought out of India, whereupon if a man looke before the Sunne rising he shall see diuers colours, namely, blacke, red, greene, [ 30] russet, purple, and rose colour, and they say it hath as many vertues as it hath colours, but I list not to follow the name any further.

The Countries breeding Panthers are Abasia in the kingdome of Melacha, in the Ile Sumatra. Likewise in ASIA, especially Syria, for there are none in Europe, all Affricke ouer they are plentiful, as in Lybia and Mauritania, where abound al store of wilde beasts. Likewise beyond Catadupa, for Apollonius and his companions saw there many Lyons & Panthers. In Arabia the furthest part, namly the promontory of Dyra towards the south, are the strongest Pardals of the world, as saith Strabo:) Likwise in the Mediteranean region beyond Barygaza toward the South, vnto Dachinabades, and towards the East are al sorts of wilde beasts, both Tygres and panthers: (and Diodorus writeth) that in that part of A∣rabia [ 40] ioyning vpon Syria, there Lyons and pardals are both more in number and grea∣ter in quantity then in Lybia.

Also it is said by Volateranus and Gyllius that the panther of Lycia and Caria are verye long, but yet weake and without carriage, being not able to leape farre, yet is their skin so hard as no yron can pierce. Betwixt the riuer Ganges and Hiphasis, Apollonius saw many panthers. The Indians also breed many and make them tame, and leopards do liue in the woods of BARBARIA.

It is apparant by that which is already saide, that the Panther is the name of the greater pardall, and the Leopard of the lesser, which the Arabians call Alnemer, and Alfhead, Alne∣mer is bigger then a Linx, but like a Leopard, hauing greater and sharper nailes and feete, [ 50] blacke and terrible eies, and therefore stronger, fiercer, and bolder then the Leoparde, for it setteth vppon men, and destroyeth them. Oppianus describeth both kinds in this manner. There are (saith he) two kindes of pardals, a greater and a lesser, the greater are broader backt, and bigger in quantity, the lesser being lesse in quantity, but not inferior in strength: both of them haue the same shape and colour of body, except in their taile: for the greater pardall hath the lesser taile and the lesser the greater: either of them haue

solid and sound thighs, a very long body, bright seeing eies, the Apples whereof do gli∣ster vnder their eye-lids, which are gray and red within like to burning coales, their teeth pale and venemous, their skin of diuers colors, yet bright and pleasant, the spots standing like so many black eies vpon it, Thus far Oppianus. Such skins are oftentimes solde in the marts of Europe which are broght in bundles twenty or thirty togither, and it is not to be forgotten, which Volateran citeth out of Aelianus, that ther is in this kind of pardals a beast called Bitis, not vnlike to the vulgar Leopards in al parts, except that it wanteth a tail; & they say that if this beast be seene by a woman, it will instantly make her to be sick; but to proceed to the residue of the parts of these beasts, we must remember that which Aristo∣tle writeth in his physiognomy; as is recorded by Adamantius: Leo perfectissimam maris [ 10] ideam praese fert Pardalis vero foemineam formum ex primit crucibus tantū exceptis, quibus ad inuadendum fortiter vtitur, that is to say: Among all beasts the lyon doeth most resemble the male, and the pardall the female, except in the legs which she vseth to take her prey.

It hath a little face, a little mouth, little eies, somewhat white, plaine, and not much ho∣low, a long forehead, eares rather round then smooth or broad, a necke very longe and slender, the brest not wel set out with ribs, because they are small, the backe long, the but∣tockes and thighes very fleshy, the partes about the small of the belly or loines are more smooth, lesse hollow and bunchy; the colour diuers, and the whole body in articulate, & not well compounded for the outward sight: and it is to be remembred (saith Carden) that all rauening beasts are like a Cat, as Lyons, panthers, Linces, and pardals, for they haue in [ 20] common the length and strength of their claws, beautiful party coloured skins, alitle head and round face, a long taile, nimblenes of body, and wildnes of nature, liuing vppon the meat they get in hunting.

The Persians call a pardall Barbact, and Scaliger describeth it thus. In his red or yellow haire he is like a Lyonesse, but set with diuers blacke spots both in length and bredth, as if they were painted. It hath a browne face, aspersed with blacke and white, and it is to bee remembred, that as other beasts are either all blacke, or all red, or all white, or all of one colour by nature, so also it is natural to pea-cockes and panthers, to haue diuers colours in them, for there are in Hircania panthers with little round spottes like eies, both blacke, white, blew, and green, as both Solinus and Claudius testifie, which caused Martial to write [ 30] thus;

Picto quod iuga delicata collo pardus sustinet.

There is a land called Terra eremborum inhabited by the Troglodites and Sarazens in Ly∣bia, where the vper face of the earth is campared vnto the panthers skin, because through the heat of the sun it is burned, and died as it were into diuers colors, so that ye shal see di∣uers spots of white, black, and green earth, as if it wer done of purpose by the hand of man. The teeth of the panther are like sawes, as are also a Dogs and a Lyons: theyr tongue of such incredible sharpenesse, that in licking it grateth like a file.

[ 40] The females haue foure vdders in the midst of their belly, the heart is great in proporti∣on, because he is a violent beast, terifieng man. There are many fissures in their feet. Their former feet haue fiue distinct claws or fingers, and their hinder feet but four, for litle ones among foure-footed-beasts haue fiue fingers vpon their hinder fret: when they go, they hide their nailes within the skinne of their feet, as it were in sheaths, neuer bringing them forth but when they are in their prey, to the intent they should neuer be broken nor dul∣led. Their tails haue no long haires at the end like a Lyons or Oxes, and the Leopa••d hath a wider mouth then the pardall.

The female is oftener times taken then the male, the reason is giuen by Volateran, be∣cause she is inforced to seeke abroad for her owne meate and her yoong ones. The place of their aboad is among the mountaines and woods, and especially they delight in the [ 50] tree Camphorie. They rauen vpon flesh both birdes and beastes: for which cause they hide themselues in trees, especially in Mauritania, where they are not very swift of foote, & therefore they giue themselues to take Apes, which they attaine by this pollicy: when they see the apes, they make after thē, who at their first approching climbe into the tops of trees, & there sit to auoyd the Panthers teeth, for she is notable to follow thē so hie, but yet

she is more cunning then the Apes, and therefore diuiseth more shifts to take them, that where nature hath denied hir bodily power, there she might supply that want by the gifts of the mind. Forth therefore shee goeth, and vnder the tree where the Apes are lodged, she lieth downe as though she were deade, stretching out her limbes, and restraining her breath, shutting her eyes, and shewing all other token of expiration. The Apes that sitte on the toppes of the Tree behold from on high the behauiour of their aduersary, and be∣cause al of them wish her dead, they more easily beleeue that which so much they desire, & yet dare not descend to make tryall. Then to end their doubtes, they chuse out one from among them all, whom they thinke to be of the best courage, and him they send downe [ 10] as it were for an espy, to certifie al the residue: forth then he goeth with a thousand feares in his mind, and leapeth from bough to bough with no great hast, (for dread of an il bar∣gain••) yet being come downe, dareth not approach nigh, but hauing taken a view of the counterfeite, and repressed his owne feare, returneth backe againe: After a little space he descendeth the second time, and commeth nearer the panther then before, yet returneth without touching him. Then he discendeth the third time, looking into his eies, and ma∣ke••h tryall whether hee draweth breath or no, but the PANTHER keepeth both breath and lims immouable, by that means imboldning the Apes to their owne destruction; for the spy-Ape sitteth down beside the Panther and stirreth not: now when those which are aboue in the tree, see how their intelliger abideth constantly beside their aduersary with∣out harme, they gather their spirits togither and discend downe in great multitudes, run∣ning [ 20] about the panther, first of all going vpon him, and afterwards leaping with great ioy and exultation, mocking this their aduersary with al their apish toyes, and testifieng their ioy for hir supposed death: and in this sort the Panther suffereth them to continew a great reason, til he perceiueth they are throughly wearied, and then vpon a sudden hee leapeth vp aliue againe, taking some of them in his claws, destroying and killing them with teeth and nailes, til he haue prepared for himself a rich dinner out of his aduersaries flesh. And like as Vlysses endeuored all the contumelies and reproaches, both of his maids and wiues suiters, vntill he had a iust occasion giuen him of reuenge, so doth the Panther the disdain∣full dealing of the Apes: whereupon came the prouerbe, Pardi mortem assimulat, Thana∣ton pardaleos hypocrimetai, against a cunning dissembling fellow, such a one as Brutus was, [ 30] who counterfatted madnes that he might get the Empire.

So great is the loue of this beast to all spices and aromaticall trees, that they come o∣uer all the mountaine Taurus through Armenia and Silia, when the winds bring the sauor of the sweet gum vnto them, out of Pamphilia from the tree Storax: whereupon lyeth this story. There was a certaine panther which was taken by king Arsaces, and a Golden collor put vpon his necke, with this inscription: Rex Arsaces deo Nisaeo, that is, King Arsaces to the God Bacchus: for Bacchus was called Nisaey of a citty Nisa in India. This Beast grew ve∣ry tame, and would suffer himselfe to be handled and stroked by the hands of men, vntill the spring time that he winded the sauour of the Aromatical trees, and then he would run away from all his acquaintance, according to his kind, and so at last was taken in the nea∣ther [ 40] part of the mountaine Taurus, which was many hundred miles distant from the kings court of Armenia.

We haue shewed already how they loue the gum of Camphorey, watching that tree, to the end to preserue it for their owne vse, and indeed as Aelianus saith: Admirabilem quan∣tam odoris suavitatem olet pardalis, quam bene olendi praestatiam deuino munere donatam, cum sibi propriam plane tenet, tum vero caetera animalia eius hanc vni praeclare sentiunt: that is to say, the Panther or Pardall smelleth most sweetly, which sauor he hath receiued from a diuine gift, and doth not onely feele the benefit of it himselfe, but also bewray it vnto o∣ther beasts: for when he feeleth himself to be hungry and stand in need of meat, then doth [ 50] he get vp into some rough tree, and by his savour or sweet smel, draweth vnto him an in∣numerable company of wilde Goats, Harts, Roes, and Hinds, and such other beasts, and so vpon a sudden leapeth downe vpon them, when he espyeth his couenient time.

And Solinus sayth, that the sweetnesse of his sauor worketh the same effect vppon them in the open fieldes, for they are so mightily delighted with his spotted skin and fragrant smell, that they wil alwaies come running vnto him from all parts, striuing who shal come

nearest him to be satisfied with the sight, but when once they looke vppon his fierce and grim face, they all are terrified and turne away: for which cause the subtle beast, turneth away his head and keepeth that from their sight, offering the more beautiful parts of his body, as an alluring bayt to a mouse and destroy them: and from hence there are some which are of opinion, that he receiueth his name Panthera, of congregating togither all kind of beasts to look on him, for Pan signifieth all, and Therta signifieth beasts. Albertus is of opinion that the report of the Panthers sauour or sweet smell is but a fable, because (he saith) it is written as a Maximum among Philosophers, that Caetera animalia praeter homi∣nem ne{que} suaviter ne{que} moleste odoribus affici, that is: That no creatures (man excepted) can be said to smell either sweetly or sowerly, and Theophrastus writeth: Animal nullum penetus [ 10] odoratum est nisi quis dixerit pardalin, belluarum censui bene olere, that is: There is no crea∣ture that can be said to be so odorifirous, except the pardal seem to smel wel to the scents of other beasts: for it is certain that there be som sauours and smels which beastes do fol∣low and refuse, being led thereunto onely for the choice of their meate: for by their no∣ses they choose that which is conuenient & agreeable to their natures, but that they shold be drawn by any smels or sauours meerly, and for no other cause but the pleasure of the scents, as it is a reasonable part in man, so it is vnreasonable, to attribute the very same vn∣to a beast.

Yet heerein by the fauour of Albertus I discent from him, for it being granted which all men yeeld vnto, that either the spots of his skin, which seeme to be as many eies as co∣lours, [ 20] or els the sweet sauour which commeth from him as the occasion of the beasts as∣sembling about him; then it followeth that when he is from the earth and lodged in a tree, and so not visible to the eies of the beasts, if then I say they assemble about the tree where∣in he is lodgd, there is no cause to draw the beastes vnto him, but the attractiue power of his sweete sauour: and what want of reason can it be iustly deemed to say that beasts loue sweet sauours, seeing both Albertus, and al other learned men that I know do confident∣ly affirme, that many wilde beasts do forsake their meat to heare musick, and also the Bad∣ger doth forsake his owne den when he perceiueth the Foxe hath emptied his bellye therein.

Therefore I will conclude this point with admiration of the worke of the creator, to consi∣der [ 30] how wisely he hath disposed his goodnesse, and how powerfully hee communicateth the affections of his diuinity euen vnto brute beasts, who doth not distinguish them asun∣der onely by their outsides and exterior partes, nor yet by their insides and qualities of their minds, but also by the ayre they draw in, and the sauour they send forth.

Among all kinds of Beastes the male is most couragious and fierce, except in Beares and panthers, for the female panther is more generous then the male. At the time of their lust, they haue very peculiar voices, which caused the poet to write thus:

Panther caurit amans, Pardus hiando felit.

[ 40] At the sound of those voices other beasts come about them, as both Lyons, Lyonesses, Wolues, and Thoes. They neuer bear aboue once, because when the young ones begin to stirre in the dams belly, and gather strength for birth, they canot tarry the iust time of their deliuery, but teare out the womb or bag wherein they lie with the sharpnes of their nails and therefore their dam is forced for the auoiding of pain to cast them forth of the womb both blind and deformed, which yet she norisheth tenderly, but afterwards can ne¦uer conceiue againe, by reason that her wombe is so torne with the clawes of her firste whelpes, that it is not able to retaine to perfection the receiued seed of the male.

Panthers liue togither in flockes or heards, and greatly delight in their owne kind but in no other that I knowe, and therefore I wonder from what Author Isidorus wrote. Pan∣ther [ 50] omnium animalium amicus est excepto Dracone; That the panther is friendly to al beasts except the Draggon. It was not in vaine that the poets feigned the Nurses of Bacchus to bee turned into panthers, and that they deuoured Peutheus because he railed vppon Bac∣chus: for as a Lyon doeth in most thinges imitate and resemble the very nature of man, so after the very selfe-same manner doeth the panther of a Woman, for it is a

fraudule••t though a beautifull beast, or (as Adamantius writeth) Pantherae ingenium mol∣le est, effoeminatum, iracundum, in sidiosum, & frandulentum, timidum simul & audax, his moribus corporis etiam forma respondit: that is, The disposition of the Panther is wanton, effeminate, outragious, treacherous, deceiptfull, fearefull, and yet bold: and for this oc∣casion, in holy scriptures it is ioyned with the Lyon and the Wolfe, to make vp the tri∣plicity of rauening beasts: and therefore also we read, that the wisest among the EGYPTI∣ANS when they will signifie a cunning man couering the secret corruption and euil dispo∣sition of his mind, pretending good, and yet intending euill, they picture a PANTHER, for we haue shewed already how hee doeth couer both his heade and his bodie to take his [ 10] prey.

This beast is neuer so tamed but that he faleth into his wilde fits againe. Their loue to their yong ones is exceeding great, for if at any time while they are abroad to forage, they meet with hunters that would take them away, they fight for them vnto death, and to saue them from blowes, interpose their owne bodies, receiuing mortall woundes, but if they find their young ones taken out of their denne in their absence, they bewaile their losse with loud and miserable howling.

Demetrius the Phylosopher relateth this story of a Panther, that lay in the high waye to meet with a man to helpe hir young ones out of a ditch or deepe pit wherein they were fallen, at length there appeared in hir sight the father of Philinus a Phylosopher, who pre∣sently [ 20] began to runne away as soone as he saw the beast, but the poore distressed Panther rouled after him in humble maner, as though she had some sute vnto him, and took him lightly by the skirt of his garment with one of her clawes: the man perceiuing that shee gaue sucke by the greatnesse of her Vdders hanging vnder her belly, beganne to take pit∣ty vpon her, and layed away feare, thinking that indeed which happened, that her young ones were taken from her by one meanes or other; therefore he followed hir, she draw∣ing him with one of her feet vnto the caue whereinto hir young ones were fallen, out of which he deliuered them to the mother as raunsome for his owne life, and then both shee and the young ones did follow him reioycing, out of the daunger of all beastes, and out of the wildernesse, dismissing him without all manner of harme, which is a rare thinge in [ 30] a man to be so thankefull, and much more in a beast: and vnto this story of their loue and kindnesse to their young ones, I may adde another, woorthy to bee remembered out of Aelianus.

There was (saith he) a man which brought vp a tame Panther from a whelpe, and had made it so gentle, that it refused no society of men, and he himselfe loued it as if it had bin his wife. There was also a little Kyd in the house brought vp tame, of purpose to be giuen vnto the Panther when it was growne to some stature or quantity, yet in the meane sea∣son the Panther plaied with it euery day: at last it being ripe, the maister killed it and layed it before the Panther to be eaten, but he would not touch it, wherevpon he fasted till the next day, and then it was brought vnto him againe, but he refused it as before, at last hee [ 40] fasted the third daie, and making great moane for meat, according to his vsuall manner, had the Kyd laide before him the third time, the poore beast seeing that nothing woulde serue the turne, but that he must either eat vppe his chamber fellow, or else his mayster would make him continually fast, he ranne and killed another Kyd, disdaining to medle with that which was his former acquaintance, yea though it were dead; heerin excelling many wicked men, who doe not spare those that haue liued with them in the greatest fa∣miliarity and friendshippe, to vndooe and ouerthrow them aliue for the aduauncement of themselves.

We haue saide already, that they most of all resemble Women, and indeed they are enimies to all creatures. The Leopards of BARBARY do little harme to men that they [ 50] meet, except they meet them in some path waie where the man cannot decline the beast, nor the beast the man, there they leape most fiercely into his face, and pull awaie as much flesh as they can laie hold vpon, and manie of them with their nailes do pierce the brains of a man.

They vse not to inuade or force vpon flocks of sheepe or Goats, yet wheresoever they see a Dogge they instantly kill and devoure him. The great Panther is a tetror to the dra∣gon,

and so soone as the Dragon seeth it, he flyeth to his caue. The lesser Panthers or Leopards do ouercome Wolues being single, and hand to hand as we say, but by multi∣tude they ouermaister and destroy him, for if he endeuour to run away, yet they are swif∣ter and easily ouercome it.

There is also great hatred and enmity betwixt the Hyaena and the Panther, for in the presence of the Hyaena, the Pardall dareth not resist, and that which is more admirable, if there be a peece of an Hyaenaes skinne about either man or beast, the Panther will ne∣uer touch it, & if their skins after they be dead be hung vp in the presence of one another, the haire will fall of from the Panther, and therefore when the Egyptians would signifie how a superiour was ouercome by a superiour, they picture those: two skinnes. If any [ 10] thing be annointed with broath wherein a Cocke hath beene sodden, neither Panthers nor Lyons will euer touch it, especially if there be mixed with it the iuce of Garlike.

Leopards are afraid of a certaine tree called Leopardi arbor, Leopards-tree. Panthers are also afraid of the scull of a dead man, and runne from the sight thereof: yet it is repor∣ted that two yeare before the death of Francis King of France, two Leopards, a male and a female were let escape in France into the Woods, either by the negligence or the ma∣lice of their keepers, that is a male and a female, and about Orleance tore in peeces many men and Women; at last they came and killed a bride which was that day to haue beene married, and afterward there were found many carkases of Women destroyed by them, of which they had eaten nothing but onely their breastes: Such like thinges I might ex∣presse [ 20] many in this place, whereby the vengeance of almighty God against mankind for many sins, might seeme to be executed by the raging ministery of wilde, sauage, and vn∣gentle beastes.

For this cause we read in auncient time how the Senatours of Rome gaue lawes of pu∣nishment against them that should bring any Panthers into Italy, especially any Affri∣can beastes: and the first that gaue dispensation against those lawes was Cneius Aufidius the peoples Tribune, who permitted them for the sake of the Circensian games: and then Scaurus in the office of his aedility brought also in an hundred and fifty: After him Pompey the great four hundered and ten, and lastly Augustus that euer remembred and re∣nowned Emperor, foure hundred and twenty. Thus lawes which were first made by great [ 30] men and good Senators, for the safety of the common-wealth, became of no great valew, because as great or greater then the lawmakers, had a purpose to aduance themselues by the practise of those things which law had iustly forbidden, for if those decrees had stood effectuall, as the victorious Champions had loste that part of their vaine tryumphes, so many people had afterward beene preserued aliue, who by the cruelty of these beasts were either torne in peeces, or else receiued mortall wounds.

It was not in vaine that the blessed martyr of Iesus Christ Ignatius, who was afterwards torne in peeces by wilde beastes at Rome, did write thus in his epistle to the Roman chri∣stians concerning his handling by the Roman Souldiers, as he was brought prisoner out of Syria to Rome. A Siria Romam vs{que} cum bestijs depugno per terram & mare die nocteque [ 40] vinctus cum decem Leopardis, hoc est cum militari custodia, qui ex beneficijs deteriores fiunt. From Syria (saith he) to Rome I haue fought with beastes, beeing night and day held in bondage by ten Leopards, I meane ten Souldious, who notwithstanding many benifits I bestowed vpon them, yet do they vse me worse and worse: and thus much for the cruelty of Panthers and Leopards.

We haue shewed already how they become tame, and are vsed in hunting, vnto which discourse (somewhat out of the place) I will adde a true narration of two Panthers or Leopards nourished in France for the king, whereof one was of the bignesse of a great Calfe, and the other of a great Dogge, and that on a day the lesser was brought forth for the King to behold how tame and tractable he was, and that he would ride behinde his [ 50] keeper vppon a cloath or pillow being tyed in a chaine: and if a Hare had beene let loose in his presence and he turn••d down to her, within a few iumpes or leapes he would attain and take her. When the keeper was to take vp the Leopard againe, he did come to him backeward, least if he should see his face, he should leape vpon him and wound him, (for as we haue said they are angry being chafed and are ready to flye into the Hunters face)

therefore he turneth his face away from him, and betwixt his Legges reacheth him a peece of bread or flesh, and so he gently taketh him into his chaine and callar againe, lea∣ding him away to his house, and assoone as the man was mounted the beast also knew his seate and leaped vp after him.

And the same party also related, that when as a Lyon was turned forth to a Bull, the Lyon very quietly without stirring lay downe and did no harme, or offer any violence or combate with the Bull: but afterward when as the two Leopardes were turned forth to the same Bull, they instantly ran and tooke the Bull by the throate, and without all doubt they had strangled and pulled out his throate, (had not their keepers which had long [ 10] chaines tyed about their Neckes in their handes) restrained and pulled them off againe. By this may be coniectured how great is the rage of the wild and vntamed Leopards and Panthers, seeing the tame and gentle are so cruell; and therefore the Lord in the pro∣phets did most wisely compare the siedge of the Assirians abovt Ierusalem to a Leopard, watching at the gates of the Citty to destroy all that came out thereat.

Hauing thus discoursed of the nature, partes, kindnesse, loue, and hatred of these beastes in generall, it now followeth to expresse the best meanes to auoide and destroy them, that so we may not onely know our enimy but also learne the way to ouermatch and curbe him.

There is a kind of Henbane which is called Pardalianches or Libbard▪bane which the [ 20] inhabitants of Pharnacus, and the mount Ida, were wont to lay in the Mountaines for the destoying of Leopards, Pardals, and Panthers. This Hearbe is not much known at this day, yet I take it to be the same which groweth in many places of France and Sauoy, and it is called Tora, by the roote thereof beaten to powder and stopped vp in flesh, not only beastes, but also Wolues and Swine, as wilde Boares are destroyed if they tast thereof, when the beast perceiueth himselfe poysoned, presently he seeketh for mans dung, for without that he cannot bee deliuered; wherefore the Hunters do also place neere vnto it some vessell of it hanging in a tree, with the mouth or way open that leadeth into it, wher∣into the greedy beast leapeth, and being in, cannot get forth againe, but rather dyeth with hunger, or else is taken and killed, or else the vessell is hanged vp so high that the beast [ 30] by strayning himselfe to leape into it and get his desired medicine, (but all in vaine) spen∣deth out the time of his recouery til the poyson hath throughly corrupted his body, and euery part and member, for otherwise so great is the life, spirit, and stomake of this beast, that he will fight and not yeald to his aduersary, although his guts and intrals hang about his legs out of his belly.

Therefore the Panthers of Hircania do more often perish by poyson then by other vi∣olence of Swords, Speares, or Dogges: for by this poyson the beast many times falleth to such a loosenesse of his belly, and withall such a weakenesse thereby, that he is taken a∣liue. Likewise in Armenia there are certaine Fishes which are poyson to Lyons, Beares, Wolues, Lynces, and Panthers, the powder of this fish the inhabitants put into the sides [ 40] and flesh of their Sheepe, Goates, and Kyds, without all harme to these beastes, but if the Panthers or any rauening beast come and deuoure any of those sheep so dressed, present∣ly they die by poison.

When they are hunted and forced in the presence of the hunters, then they leape di∣rectly vnto their heades, and therefore the hunter taketh great care both of his standing and also of holding his speare, for if he receiue not the Panther in his leape and gore him to the heart, or else otherwise wound him mortally, he is gone, and his life is at an end. Op∣pianus also sheweth that he is taken as Lyons are, especially by these meanes following, for when the hunters perceiue the way or path which he vseth to his water, therein they make a deepe ditch (but not so great as they make for a Lyon) wherein they erect a wod∣den [ 50] pillar or great post, vnto that they tie certaine engins, and withall a male little Dogge whose stones or tender coddes they bind with some string or cord, so as the young beast may whine and cry for paine, by which voice hee inuiteth and calleth the Panther to his destruction: For the greedy beast winding the voice of the Dogge, bestirreth himselfe to meete with his desired prey or booty; at last finding the ditch and seeing the Dogge downe, he leapeth, where the engins take present hold vpon him and destroy him, and so

he describeth the same meanes to take great fishes by the sight of little Fishes swimming in a net.

In hunting of wilde beasts the wary Wood-man must make good choice of his horse, not onely for the mettell and agility which are very necessary, but also for the colour, as we haue already expressed in the story of the Horse: for the gray Horse is fittest for the Beare, and most terrible to him, the yellow or fire colour against the Bore, but the brown and reddish colour against the Panther.

The Moores also vse other deuises to take Panthers and all such noysome beastes, they enclose in a house in a little house certaine rotten flesh, which by the sauour thereof when it stinketh, draweth the wilde Beasts vnto it: For they make a dore, or a gate of reedes vn∣to [ 10] the said house, through which the filthy smell breaketh out and disperseth it selfe into the wide aire; presently the wilde beastes take it vp, and follow it withall speede they can, for there is not any muske or other sweete thing wherewithall men are so much deligh∣ted, as rauening beastes are with the sauour of carrion: therefore like an amorous cup it draweth them to the snare of perdition: for beside the rotten flesh, they erect many en∣gins and vnauoidable traps, to snare in the beast when he commeth to rauen.

The Christians of AFFRICKE did institute a generall hunting of Leopards, inclo∣sing the ends of the waies through which the beastes were to passe: The Leopard when he was stirred ranne too and fro distracted, because in all his passages he found Horse-men ready to resist him, neither left they any way for him to escape: at length wearied with [ 20] many windinges, turninges, and prouocations, the Horse-men might easily come vnto him and pearce him with their speares, but if it fortuned that the Leopard escaped, and brake away from the Hunters; then hee at whose corner he brake forth, was bound by an∣cient custome to make the residue a dinner or banquet.

Among the Chaonians there was a certaine young Noble man which loued a Virgin called Anthippe, the which two louers were walking together a good season in a Wood; It happened while they were there, that Cichyrus the Kings Sonne prosecuted a Pardall in hunting, which was fled into that Wood, and seeing him, bent his arme against him and cast his Dart: the which Dart missed the marke and killed the Virgin Anthippe, the young Prince thought that hee had slaine the beast, and therefore drew neare on Horse-back to [ 30] reioyce ouer the fall of the game, according to the maner of hunters; but at his approch he found it far otherwise, for in stead of the effusiō of the bloud of a beast, (that which was more lamentable) his right hand had shed the bloud of a Virgin: For when he came to them he saw her dying and drawing her last breath, and the young man held his hand in the wound to stanch the bloude: for sorrow whereof hee presently fell distracted in his mind, and ran his horse to the top of a sharp rocke, from whence he cast downe himselfe headlong and so perished.

The Chaonians after they vnderstood this feareful accident, and the reason of it, com∣passed in the place where he fell with a wall, and for the honor of their dead Prince buil∣ded [ 40] a Citty where he lost his life, and called it Cichyrus after his owne name.

Leopards and Panthers do also loue Wine aboue all other drinke, and for this cause both Bacchus was resembled to them, and they dedicated to him: Bacchum tauro assimu∣lant & Pardali, quod homines ebrij belluarum istarum ingenia referant, & omnia violenter a∣gant, quidam enim iracunda fiunt Taurorum instar, & pugnaces feri{que} vt Pardales: saith Plato in his second booke of lawes; they resemble and compare Bacchus to a Bull, or Pardall, because drunken men in all their actions do imitate the disposition of these wilde beasts, both in their folly and violence: For some of them are wrathfull like Bulles, and some of them wild apt to fight, like Pardals: Bac••hus was also called Nebrides, because he wore the skinne of a hinde-Calfe, which is spotted almost like a Panther: and therefore a fearefull man, or a drunken, variable and in constant man, is said to weare a skinne of diuers colours: [ 50] but the chiefe cause why Panthers were dedicated to Bacchus was for their loue of Wine; for all writers doe constantly and with one consent affirme, that they drinke wine vnto drunkennesse: the manner and end thereof is eligantly described by Oppianus in this sort: When the inhabitants of Lybia do obserue some little fountaine arising out of the sand, and falling downe againe, (as in the manner of small springes which can not encrease into

great riuers) whereat the Panthers and Pardals vse to drinke early in a morning, before it be light. After they haue beene at their prey in the night time, the hunters come and poure twentie or thirtie pitchers of olde sweete wine into the saide fountaine, then a little way from it they lye downe and couer them selues with cloathes, or with straw, for their is no shelter either of tree or bushes in that Countrey.

In the morning the Panthers ardently thirsting, and being almost dead for want of drinke, come vnto the same fountaine, and tasting of the wine drinke thereof great aboun∣dance, which presently falleth to worke vpon their braines, for they begin first of all to leape and sport themselues, vntill they be well wearied, and then they lye downe and [ 10] sleepe most soundly, at which time the hunters that lye in waite for them, come and take them without all feare or perill: Thus farre Oppianus.

Concerning the vse of their seuerall partes I finde little among the auncientes, except of their skinnes, for the foote-men and auncient souldiers of the Moores, did not onely weare them for garments, but also sleept vpon them in the night time. The shepheards of Ethiopia called Agriophagi doe eate the flesh of Lyons and Panthers, al∣though it be hot and dry.

The medicines of the Panther, or Leopard.

If the skinne or hide of a Leopard being taken and flead be couered or laid vppon the [ 20] ground, there is such force and vertue in the same that any venemous or poison some ser∣pentes dare not approch into the same place where it is so laid. The flesh of a Panther being roasted or boiled at the fire, and smelled by any one which is troubled with the pal∣sie, or shaking in the ioyntes, as also by them which are troubled with the bearing and continuall mouing or turning of the heart, is a very profitable and excellent remedy for the same.

The same fat or sewet of a Leopard being mixed or mingled with the Oyle which pro∣ceedeth from the Bay-tree, and then mollified both together, and so annointed vpon any one which is troubled with the scurfe or Mangy, the scabs whereof doth cut or pierce the [ 30] skinne, doth presently and without any griefe or paine cure the same. The twigges of a Vine-tree being dryed and beaten into small dust or powder, and mingled together with the fat or grease of a Leopard, and so annointed vppon the face of any one who is grieued with akings and swellinges thereon, will not onely cure and heale the same without any paine or sorrow, but also preserue the same free from blemishes in the time of healing. The grease also of a Leopard by it selfe, being annointed vpon the head of any one who doth shead or cast his haire or is troubled with the Foxes euill, doth immediately helpe and cure the same. The blood of a Panther being annointed vpon the vaines or sinnewes of either man or woman who is grieued with any swelling or akings therein, is very profi∣table and curable to expell the same away. The braines of a Leopard being mingled with a [ 40] little quantity of the water which is called a Canker, and with a little Iasmine, and so mix∣ed together and then drunke, doth mittigate the paine or ach of the belly. The braines of the same beast being mixed with the iuyce of a canker & annointed vpon the genital of a∣ny man, doth incitate and stir him vp to lechery, but the marrow which commeth from this beast being drunke in wine doth ease the paine or wringing of the guts and the belly. The gall of a Panther being receiued into the body either in meate or drinke, doth instant∣ly and out of hand kill or poyson him which doth so receiue it. The right stone of a Leo∣pard being taken of a woman of a farre spent age, doth restore vnto her, her menstruall purgation being ceased, and doth make her to purge, if she doe hartely receiue hir meate [ 50] more often.

Notes

• The seuerall names of Panthers.
• A more ex∣a••t definiti∣on of Pa••∣d••l•• and Leo¦pard••.
• Baytius.
• Pliny.
• Of the Leo∣pard.
• Albertus.
• The names in other lan∣guages.
• Euax. Syluaticus Albertus Ʋartoman
• Countries of Panthers.
• Leo Affri••
• The seuerall parts of Pan∣thers.
• Albertus. Pliny.
• Aristotle.
• The food of Panthers.
• Their loue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••pices.
• The sauor or ••mel of Pan∣thers.
• Aristotle. Vol••teranus.
• Isidorus.
• Their time of lust.
• Their loue and hatred, enemies and friends
• The descr••p∣t••••n of 〈…〉〈…〉.
• The ••aming of Panthers.
• A notable storie of a Panthers ••••ue to his companion.
• The harmes of Panthers.
• Leo. Afer. Albertus.
• Auicen.
• Pliny.
• Orus
• The ter••or of Panthers. Pliny Rasis Aesculapius.
• Lawes against Panthers
• The nature of tamed Panthers.
• The taking of Panthers.
• Dioscorides
• Pliny. Aristotle
• Oppianus
• Their loue of Wine.
• Vse of their parts.
• Auicenna
• Albertus
• Rasis
• Arcteus Galen