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 WOLFE.

[illustration]

A Wolfe is cal¦led in Hebru Zeeb,* 1.1 as it is saide in Gen. 49. and a∣mong the Chalde¦ans Deeba, & Deba among the Arabi∣ans Dib.* 1.2 The fem∣ale [ 10] is called Zebah a she wolfe, & the masculin Zeebim, but in Ezek. 22. it is cald zebeth, that is to say, a wolfe. Alsebha (saith And. Bellun.) is a common name for al Fourfooted-beasts, which do set on men, killing and tearing them in pieces, deuouring them with their teeth and clawes, as a Lyon, a wolfe, a Tiger, and such like, wheron they are said to haue the be∣hauiour of Alsebhaie, that is wilde beasts which are fierce and cruel. From hence happily commeth it, that not onely Albertus, but also some ignorant writers doe attribute vnto a [ 20] wolfe many things which Aristotle hath vttered concerning a Lyon.

Oppianus among the other kind of wolues hath demonstrated one which is bred in Cilicia. And also he doth write that it is called in the mountaines of Taurus and Amanus, Chryseon, that is to say, Aureum, but I coniecture that in those places it was cald after the language of the Haebrews or Sirians, which do cal Sahab, or Schab aurum, and Seeb lupum for a wolf, or Dahab, or Debah, for Aurum: They also do cal Deeb or Deeba for a wolf. Dib (otherwise Dijs) is an Arabian or Saracenican word: Also the translation of this worde in the booke of medicines is diuers, as Adib, Adip, Adhip, and Aldip: but I haue preferred the last tran∣slation, which also Bellunensis doth vse. Aldip alambat doth signifie a mad or furious wolfe. The wolfe which Oppianus doth cal Aureum, as I haue said euen now, doth seem to agree to this kinde, both by signification of the name Aurum, and also by the nature because it [ 30] doth go vnder a dog close to the earth to eschew the heat of the summer, which Oppianus doth write, doth seeke his foode out of hollowe places, as a Hyaena or Dabha doth out of graues where the deade men are buried. The golden coloured wolfe is also more rough & hairy then the residue, euen as the Hyaena is said to be rough and maned. And also these wolues necks in India is maned, but it differeth according to the nation and colour where there are any wolues at al.

Lycos a wolfe among the Graecians, and Lugos, and Lucainia, and Lycos, among some of the Arabican writers is borrowed from them, as Munster hath noted in his lexicon of 3. languages. In Italy it is called Lupo. In French Loup, in Spaine Lobo, in Germany Vulff, in England Wolfe. In Illyria Vulk, as it were by a transposition of the letters of the greek word [ 40] Now because both men, women, citties, places, mountains, villages, and many artificiall instruments haue their names from the Latine and Greek words of this beast,* 1.3 it is not vain or idle to touch both them and the deriuation of them, before we proceed to the natural storie of this beast. Lupus as some say in Latine is Quasi leopos, Lyon-footed; because that it resembleth a Lyon in his feet, and therefore Isidorus writeth, that nothing liueth that it presseth or treadeth vpon in wrath. Other deriue it from lukes the light, because in the twi∣light of the euening or morning it deuoureth his prey, auoiding both extreame light as the noone day,* 1.4 and also extreame darknesse as the night. The Graecians do also cal them Nycterinoi kanes, dogs of the night. Lupa and lupula were the names of noble deuouringe Harlots, and from thence commeth Lupanar for the stewes. It is doubtful whether the [ 50] nurse of Romulus and Remus were a harlot or she Wolf, I rather thinke it was a harlot then a Wolfe that cursed those children. For we read of the wise of Fostulus, which was called Laurentia, after she had plaied the vvhore vvith certaine shepheards, to be called Lupa. In al Nations there are some mens names deriued from wolues, therfore vve read of Lu∣pus a roman poet, Lupus Seruatus a priest or Elder, of Lupus de oliueto a Spanish Munke, of Fulvius lupinus a Roman, and the Germans haue Vulf, Vulfe, Hart, Vulfegang.

The Graecians haue Lycambes, of whom it is reported he had a Daughter called Neobole, which he promised in marriage to Archilochus the Poet, yet afterwardes he repented and woulde not performe his promise, for which cause the Poet wrote against him many bit∣ter verses, and therefore Lycambes when he came to knowledge of them, dyed for griefe. Lycaon was a common name among the Graecians for many men, as Lycaon Gnotius, an ex∣cellent maker of edged tooles. Licaon the brother of Nestor, another the son of Priamus slaine by Achilles, but the famous and notorious among all was Lycaon, the king of Arca∣dia, the son of Titan and the earth, whose Daughter Calisto was deflowered by Iupiter, and by Iuno turned into a beare, whom afterwards Iupiter pittying, placed for a sign in heauen, [ 10] and of whom Virgil made this verse; Pleiadas, Hyadas, claram{que} Lycaonis arcton.

Ther was another Lycaon the son of Pelasgus, which built the Citty Lycosura, in the Moun∣taine Lycaeus, this man called Iupiter Lycaeus. On a time he sacrificed an infant vpon his al∣tar, after which sacrifice he was presently turned into a wolfe. Ther was another Lycaon after him, who did likewise sacrifice another child, and it was said that he remained ten years a wolfe, & afterwards becam a man again, wherof the reason was giuen, that during the time he remained a beast he neuer tasted of mans flesh, but if he had tasted therof he shold haue remained a beast for euer. I might adde hereunto Lychophron, Lycastus, Lycimnius, Lysi∣nus, Lychomedes, Lycurgus, Lycus, and of womens names, Lyca, Lyce, Lycaste, Lycoris, Ly∣cias, and many such others, besides the names of people, as Irpini, of Mountaines & pla∣ces, as Lycabetus, Lyceus, Lycerna, Lycaonia, Lycaspus, Lyceum Aristotles schoole. Of flouds [ 20] and Riuers, as Lycus, Lycormas. Of plants, as wolfe bane, Lupum salictarium lupinus, Lycan∣theum, Lycophrix, Lycophone, Lycopsis, Lycoscytalion, and many such others, whereof I haue onely desired to giue the Reader a tast, following the same Method that we haue obserued in other beasts: And thus much shall suffice to haue spoken of the names of this beast.* 1.5

The countries breeding wolues, are for the most part these that follow. The inhabitants of Creet were wont to say, that there was neither wolues, Beares, nor Vipers cold be bred in their Island, because Iupiter was borne there, yet there is in a city called Lycastus, (so na∣med for the multitude of wolues that were abiding therein) It is likewise affirmed of Sar∣dinia, and Olimpus, a Mountaine of Macedonia, that there come no Wolues in them. The wolues of Egypt are lesser then the wolues of Greece, for they exceede not the quantity of [ 30] Foxes. Affrica likewise breedeth small wolues, they abound in Arabia, in Sweuia, Rhaetia, Athesis, and the earldome of Tirol in Muscouia, especially that part that bordereth vppon Lithuania. The wolues of Scanzia, by reason of extremity of cold in those parts are blind & loose their eies: there are no wolues bred in Lumbardy beyond the Alpes, & if any chance to come into that countrey, presently they ring their bels, and arme themselues against them, neuer giuing ouer till they haue killed him, or droue him out of the countrey. In Norway there are 3. kind of wolues, and in Scandinauia the wolues fight with Elkes. It is re∣ported that ther are wolues in Italy, who when they looke vpon a man, cause him to be si∣lent, that hee cannot speake. The French-men call those Wolues which haue eaten of the flesh of men Eucharnes. Among the Crotoniatae in Meotis, & diuers other parts of the world, [ 40] wolues do abound: there are some few in France, but none at al in England, except such as are kept in the Tower of London to be seene by the Prince and people brought out of other countries, where there fell out a rare accident, namely, a mastiue dog was limed to ashe wolfe, and she thereby conceiued and brought forth sixe or seuen young Whelpes, which was in the yeare of our Lord 1605. or there abouts.

There are diuers kinds of wolues in the world,* 1.6 whereof Oppianus in his admonition to sheapheards maketh mention of fiue, the first is a swift wolfe, and runneth fast, called there∣fore Toxeuter, that is, Sagitarius a shooter. The second kind are called Harpages, and these are the greatest raueners, to vvhom our sauiour Christ in the gospell compareth false pro∣phets, when he saith, Take heed of false prophets which come vnto you in sheeps clothing, but are [ 50] inwardly Lycoy harpages, rauening wolues, and these excel in this kind. The third kind is cald Lupus aureus, a golden wolfe, by reason of his colour, then they make mention of two o∣ther kinds, (called Acmonae) and one of them peculiarly Ictinus.

The first vvhich is svvift, hath a greater head then other vvolues, and likewise greater legs fitted to run, white spots on the belly, round members, his colour betwixt red & yellovv,

is very bold, howleth fearefully, hauing firy-flaming eies, and continually wagging his head.* 1.7 The second kind hath a greater and larger body then this, being swifter then all o∣ther; betimes in the morning he being hungry, goeth abroad to hunt his prey, the sides and taile are of a siluer colour, he inhabiteth the Mountaines, except in the winter time, wherein he defendeth to the gates of Citties or Townes, and boldly without feare killeth both Goates and sheepe, yet by stealth and secretly.

The third kind inhabiteth the white Rocks of Taurus and Sylicia, or the tops of the hill, Amanus, and such other sharp and inaccessible places, being worthily for beauty prefer∣red before the others, because of his Golden resplendant haires: and therefore my Au∣thor saith: Non lupus sed lupo praestantior fera. That he is not a wolfe, but some wilde Beast [ 10] excelling a wolfe. He is exceeding strong, especially being able with his mouth and teeth to bite asunder not only stones, but Brasse and Iron: He feareth the Dog star and heate of summer, reioycing more in cold then in warme weather, therfore in the Dog daies he hideth himselfe in some pit or gaping of the earth, vntill that sunny heat be abated. The fourth and fift kinds are cald by one common name Acmone, now Acmon signifieth an E∣gle, or else an Instrument with a short neck, & it may be that these are so called in resem∣blance of the rauening Eagle, or else because their bodies are like to that instrument, for they haue short necks, broad shoulders, rough Legs and feet, and small snouts, and little eies: herein they differ one kind from the other, because that one of them hath a backe of a siluer colour, and a white belly, and the lower part of the feet blacke, and this is Ictinus??? [ 20] canus, a gray Kite-wolfe: the other is black, hauing a lesser body, his haire standing continu∣ally vpright, and liueth by hunting of Hares. Now generally al Authors do make some two, some 3. some 4. and some fiue kinds of Wolues, all which is needlesse for me to pro∣secute, and therefore I will content my selfe, with the only naming of such differences as are obserued in them and already expressed, except the Thoes and the sea-wolfe, of whom there shal be somthing said particularly in the end of this History. Olaus Magnus writeth, in his History of the Northerne regions, that in the Mountaines cald Doffrini, which doe deuide the kingdoms of Swetia and Norway, there are great flockes or heardes of wolues of white colour, whereof some wander in the Mountaines, and some in the vallies. They feed vpon little, small, and weake creatures, but there are also wild common wolues, who [ 30] lie in waite to destroy their heards of cattell, and flocks of sheep, against whom the people of the country do ordaine general huntings, taking more care to destroy the young ones then the old, that so the breeders and hope of continuance may be taken away. And some also do keepe of the whelps aliue, shutting of them vp close and taming them, especially females, who afterwards engender with dogs, whose Whelpes are the most excellent kee∣pers of flocks, and the most enimies to wolues of all other.

* 1.8There be some haue thought that Dogs and Wolues are one kind; namely, that vulgar Dogs are tame Wolues, and rauening wolues are wilde dogs. But Scaliger hath learned∣ly confuted this opinion, shewing that they are two distinct kinds, not ioyned together in nature, nor in any naturall action, except by constraint; for he saith, that there are diuers [ 40] wilde dogs are not wolues, and so haue continued for many yeares in a hill cald Mountfal∣con, altogether refusing the society and seruice of men, yea sometimes killing and eating them; and they haue neither the face, nor the voyce, nor the stature, nor the condicions of wolues, for in their greatest extremity of hunger, they neuer set vpon flocks of sheep: so that it is vnreasonable to affirme, that wolues are wilde dogs, although it must needs be confessed,* 1.9 that in outward proportion they are very like vnto them. Some haue thought that wolues cannot bark, but that is false (as Albertus writeth) vpon his owne knowledge, the voice of wolues is called Vulatus howling, according to these verses;

Ast lupus ipse vlulat frendet agrestis aper, [ 50]

And againe:

Per noctem resonare lupis, vlulantibus vrbes.

It should seeme that the word Vlulatus, which the Germans translate Heulen, the French Hurler, and we in English, howling, is deriued either from the imitation of the beasts voice; or from a night whooping Bird called Vlula, I will not contend, but leaue the Reader to either of both, for it may be that it commeth from the Greek word, Ololeuzein, which sig∣nifieth

to mourne and howle after a lamentable manner, and so indeed wolues doe neuer howle, but when they are oppressed with famin: And thus I leaue the discourse of their voyce with the annotation of Seruius: Vlulare canum est & furiare. To howle is the voyce of dogs and furies. Although there be great difference of colours in wolues, as already I haue shewed, yet most commonly they are gray and hoary, that is, white mixed with o∣ther colours, and therefore the Graecians in imitation therof, do cal their twie-light which is betwixt day and night, as it were participating of black and white Licophos, wolfe-light, because the vpper side of the wolues haire is browne, and the neather part white. It is said, that the shaggy haire of a wolfe is full of virmin and wormes, and it may well be, for it hath beene proued, that the skin of a sheep which was killed by a wolfe, breedeth wormes.

[ 10] The braines of a wolfe do decrease and encrease with the Moon, and their eies are yel∣low black, and very bright, sending forth beames like fire,* 1.10 & carrying in them apparant tokens of wrath and mallice; and for this cause it is said they see better in the night then in the day, being herein vnlike vnto men, that see better in the day then in the night, for rea∣son giueth light to their eyes, and appetite to beasts, and therfore of ancient time the wolfe was dedicated to the Sun, for the quicknesse of his seeing sence, and because he seeth far. And such as is the quicknesse of his sence in seeing, such also it is in smelling,* 1.11 for it is repor∣ted, that in time of hunger by the benefit of the wind, hee smelleth his prey a mile and a halfe or two mile off: for their teeth they are called Charcharodontes, that is sawed, yet they are smooth, sharp, and vnequall, and therefore bite deepe, as we haue shewed already, for this cause the sharpest bits of horses are called Lupata.

[ 20] All beasts that are deuourers of flesh doe open their mouths wide, that they may bite more strongly, and especially the wolfe. The necke of a wolfe standeth on a straight bone that canot well bend, therefore like the Hyaena, when he would looke backwards he must turne round about, the same necke is short which argueth a trecherous nature. It is saide that if the heart of a wolfe be kept dry, it rendreth a most fragrant or sweet smelling sauor. The liuer of a VVolfe is like to a horses hoofe, and in the blather there is found a certaine stone cald Syrites, being in colour like Saffron or Honny, yet inwardly containe certaine weake shining stars: this is not the stone called Syriacus or Indiacus, which is desired for the vertue of it against the stone in the blather. The forefeet haue fiue distinct towes, and the hinder feet but 4. because the forefeet serue in stead of hands, in Lyons, dogs, wolues, [ 30] and Panthers. VVe haue spoken already of their celerity in running, and therefore they are not compared to Lions which go foot by foot, but vnto the swiftest Dogs. It is sayd they will swim, and go into the water two by two, euery one hanging vpon anothers taile, which they take in their mouthes, and therefore they are compared to the daies of the yeare, which do successiuely follow one another, being therfore called Lucabas. For by this successiue swimming they are better strengthned against impression of the flouds, and not lost in the waters by any ouerflowing waues or billowes.* 1.12 Great is the voracity of this beast, for they are so insatiable that they deuoure haire and bones with the fleshe which they eat, for which cause they render it whole againe in their excrements, and therefore [ 40] they neuer grow fat. It was well sayd of a learned man: Lupus vorat potius quam commedit carnes, & pauco vtitur potu. That is, A wolfe is rather to rauen then to eat his meat. VVhen they are hungry they rage much, & although they be nourished tame, yet can they not a∣bide any man to look vpon them while they eat; when they are once satisfied,* 1.13 they endure hunger a great time, for their bellies standeth out, their tongue swelleth, their mouth is stopped, for when they haue droue away their hunger with aboundance of meate, they are vnto men and beasts as meeke as lambs, til they be hungry again, neither are they mo∣ued to rapine, though they go through a flock of sheep: but in short time after, their bellies and tongue are calling for more meat, and then saith mine Author. In antiquā frigrā redit, iterumque lupus existit. That is, They returne to their former conditions, and become [ 50] as rauening as they were before; Neither ought this to seem strange vnto any man, for the like things are formerly reported of the Lyon, and it is said that vvolues are most dange∣rous to be met vvithal tovvards the euening, because of their fasting al the day before, and for this is alledged the saying of holy scripture vvhere the prophets make mention of Lupi Vespertini, but vve haue shevved already in the story of the Hyaena, vvhat those signifie.

It is said that Wolues doe also eate a kind of earth called Argilla, which they doe not for hunger, but to make their bellies waigh heauy, to the intent, that when they set vpon a Horsse, an Oxe, a Hart, an Elke, or some such strong beast, they may waigh the heaui∣er, and hang fast at their throates till they haue pulled them downe, for by vertue of that tenetious earth, their teeth are sharpened, and the waight of their bodies encreased; but when they haue killed the beast that they set vpon, before they touch any part of his flesh, by a kind of natural vomit,* 1.14 they disgorge themselues, and empty their bellies of the earth, as vnprofitable food.

The remainder of their meate they alwaies couer in the earth: and if there be many [ 10] of them in hunting together, they equally deuide the prey among them all, and some∣times it is saide, that they howle and call their fellowes to that feast which are absent, if their prey be plentifull. Now this they haue common with Lyons, in their greatest ex∣tremity of hunger, that when they haue election of a man and a beast, they forsake the Man and take the Beast. Some are of opinion, that when they are olde they grow weary of their liues, and that therefore they come vnto Citties and Villages, offering them∣selues to be killed by men, but this thing by the relation of Niphus is a very fable; for hee professeth that he saw an old Wolfe come into a Village, and set vpon a Virgin to destroy and eate her, yet he was so old that he had scarse any teeth in his head, but by good hap company being at hand, the maid was saued, and the Wolfe was killed.

Now those Wolues that are most sluggish and least giuen to hunting, are most ready [ 20] to venture vpon men, because they loue not to take much paines in getting their liuing: This Wolfe is called Vinipeta, but the industrious Hunting Wolfe Kunegeiseia. It is repor∣ted that a Wolfe will neuer venture vpon a liuing man, except he haue formerly tasted of the flesh of a dead man, but of these things I haue no certainety, but rather doe beleeue the contrary; that like as Tyrants in an euill grieued estate, do pick quarrels against euery man that is rich for the spoyle of their goods, accounting them their enimies, how well soeuer they haue deserued at their handes. In like manner, Wolues in the time of their hunger fall vpon all Creatures that come in the way, whether they be Men or Beastes, without partiality to fill their bellies, and that especially in the winter time, wherein they are not afraid to come to houses and citties. [ 30]

They deuoure Dogges when they get them alone, and Elkes in the kingdome of Nor∣way, but for Dogges it hath beene seene, that they haue liued in a kind of society and fel∣lowship with Wolues, but it was to steale and deuoure in the night time, like as Theeues do couer their mallice and secret grudges one to other, when they are going about to rob true men. Wolues are enimies to Asses, Bulles, and Foxes, for they feede vppon their flesh, and there is no Beast that they take more easily then an Asse, killing him without all daunger, as we haue shewed already in the story of an Asse.

They also deuoure Goates and Swyne of all sortes, except Bores, who doe not easily yeald vnto Wolues. It is said that a Sow hath resisted a Wolfe, and that when he figh∣teth with her, hee is forced to vse his greatest craft and suttelty, leaping to and from her [ 40] with his best actiuity, least she should lay her teeth vpon him, and so at one time deceiue him of his prey, and depriue him of his life. It is reported of one that saw a Wolfe in a Wood, take in his mouth a peece of Timber of some thirty or forty pound waight, and with that he did practise to leape ouer the trunke of a tree that lay vpon the earth; at length when he perceiued his own ability and dexterity in leaping with that waight in his mouth, he did there make his caue and lodged behinde that tree; at last it fortuned there came a wild S••w to seeke for meat along by that tree, with diuers of her pigs following her, of different age, some a yeare old, some halfe a yeare, and some lesse. When he saw them neare him, he suddenly set vpon one of them, which he coniectured was about the waite of Wood which he carried in his mouth, and when he had taken him, whilest the old Sow [ 50] came to deliuer her pig at his first crying, he suddenly leaped ouer the tree with the pig in his mouth, and so was the poore Sow beguiled of her young one, for she could not leape after him, and yet might stand and see the Wolfe to eate the pigge which hee had taken from her. It is also sayd, that when they will deceiue Goates, they come vnto them with the greene leaues and small boughes of Osiers in their mouthes, wherewithall they

know Goats are delighted that so they may draw them therewith, as to a baite to deuoure them.

Their manner is when they fal vpon a Goat or a Hog, or some such other beast of smal stature, not to kil them, but to lead them by the eare withal the speed they can driue them to their fellow Wolues, and if the beast be stubborne and wil not runne with him, then he beateth his hinder parts with his taile, in the mean time holding his ear fast in his mouth, whereby he causeth the poore beast to run as fast or faster then himselfe vnto the place of his owne execution, where he findeth a crew of rauening Wolues to entertaine him, who at his first appearance seize vpon him, and like Diuels teare him in peeces in a moment, leauing nothing vneaten but onely his bowels.

[ 10] But if it be a swine that is so gotten, then it is said, that they lead him to the waters and there kil him, for if they eat him not out of cold water, their teeth doth burne with an vn∣tolerable heat. The Harts when they haue lost their hornes doelie in secret, feeding by night for feare of the Wolues vntil their hornes do grow againe which are their cheefest defence. The least kind of VVolues we haue shewed already, doe liue vppon the hunting of Hares, and generally al of them are enemies to sheepe, for the foolish sheep in the day time is easily beguiled by the Wolfe, who at the sight of the sheepe maketh an extraordi∣nary noise with his foot, whereby he calleth the foolish sheepe vnto him; for standing a∣mazed at the noise he falleth into his mouth and is deuoured: but when the Wolfe in the night time commeth vnto a folde of sheep; he first of al compasseth it round about, watch∣ing both the Shepheard and the Dogge, whether they be asleepe or awake, for if they be [ 20] present and like to resist, then he departeth without dooing any harme, but if they be ab∣sent or asleepe, then looseth he no opportunity, but entereth into the sold, and falleth a killing, neuer giuing ouer til he haue destroyed al, except he be hindered by the approch of ••••e or other; for his manner is not to eat any til he haue killed al,* 1.15 not because hee fea∣reth the ouer-liuers wil tel tales, but for that his insatiable mind thinketh he can neuer bee satisfied, and then when al are slaine he falleth to eat one of them.

Now although there be great difference betwixt him and a Bul both in strength and sta∣ture, yet is he not affraid to aduenture combat, trusting in his policy more then his vigor, for when he setteth vpon a Bul, he commeth not vpon the front for feare of his hornes, nor yet behind him for feare of his heeles, but first of al standeth a loofe from him,* 1.16 with [ 30] his glaring eyes, daring and prouoking the Bul, making often prosers, to come neere vn∣to him, yet is wise enough to keepe aloofe till he spy his aduauntage, and then he leapeth suddenly vpon the backe of the Bull at the one side, and being so ascended, taketh suche hold that he killeth the beast before he loosen his teeth. It is also worth the obseruation, how he draweth vnto him a Calfe that wandereth from the dam, for by singular treache∣rie he taketh him by the nose, first drawing him forwarde, and then the poore beast stri∣ueth and draweth backward, and thus they struggle togither, one pulling one way, and the other another, till at last the Wolfe perceiuing aduantage, and feeling when the calfe pulleth heauyest, suddenly he letteth go his hold, whereby the poore beast falleth backe [ 40] vpon his buttocks, and so downe right vpon his backe; then flyeth the Wolfe to his bel∣ly which is then his vpper part, and easily teareth out his bowels, so satisfieng his hunger-greedy appetite: But if they chance to see a Beast in the water, or in the marsh, emcom∣bred with mire, they come round about him, stopping vp al the passages where he shold come out, baying at him, and threatning him, so as the poore distressed Oxe plungeth himselfe many times ouer head and ears, or at the least wise they so vex him in the mire, that they neuer suffer him to come out aliue.

At last when they perceiue him to be dead and cleane without life by suffocation, It is notable to obserue their singular subtilty to drawe him out of the mire, whereby they may eat him; for one of them goeth in, and taketh the beast by the taile, who draweth [ 50] with al the power he can, for wit without strength may better kil a liue Beast, then remoue a dead one out of the mire: therefore he looketh behind him and calleth for more helpe; then presently another of the wolues taketh that first wolues tail in his mouth, and a third wolfe the seconds, a fourth the thirds, a fift the fourth, and so forward, encreasing theyr strength, vntil they haue pulled the beast out into the dry lande: whereby you may see,

how they torment and stretch their owne bodies, biting their tailes mutually, pinching and straining euery ioynt vntil they haue compassed their desire, and that no man shold thinke it strange for a Wolfe to kil an Oxe, It is reported that Danaus did build a temple to Apollo at Argos, in the very same place where he saw a Wolfe destroy an Oxe, because he receiued instruction thereby, that he should be king of Greece. Wolues are also ene∣mies to the Buffes, and this is no maruaile, seeing that it is confidently reported by Aeli∣anus, that in time of great famine when they get no meat, they destroy one another; for when they meet together, each one bemoaning himselfe to other, as it were by consent they run round in a circle, and that Wolfe which is first giddy, being not able to stande, [ 10] falleth downe to the ground, and is deuoured by the residue, for they teare him in pee∣ces, before they can arise againe.

* 1.17Pliny affirmeth that there be Wolues in Italy, whose sight is hurtfull to men, for when a man seeth one of them, though he haue neuer so much desire to cry out, yet hee hath no power: but the meaning of this is, as we find in other writers, that if a Wolfe first see a man, the man is silent, and cannot speake, but if the man see the Wolfe, the Wolfe is silent and canot cry, otherwise the tale is fabulous and superstitious, and thereupon came the prouerbe Lupus in fabula est, to signifie silence. Now although these things are repor∣ted by Plato, Ruellius, Vincentius, & Ambros, yet I rather beleeue them to be fabulous thē true, howbeit Albertus writeth, that when a man is in such extremity, if he haue power but [ 20] to loose his cloke or garment from his backe, he shal recouer his voice again. And Sextus saith, that in case one of these Wolues do see a man first, if he haue about him the tip of a wolues taile he shal not neede to feare anie harme. There be a number of such like tales concerning wolues and other creatures, (as that of Pithagoras) A beast making water vp∣on the vrine of a wolfe, shal neuer conceiue with young. All domestical Foure▪footed-beasts, which see the eie of a wolfe in the hand of a man, wil presently feare and runne a∣way.

If the taile of a wolfe be hung in the cratch of Oxen, they can neuer eat their meate. If a horse tread vpon the foote-steps of a wolfe which is vnder a Horse-man or Rider, hee breaketh in peeces, or else standeth amazed. If a wolfe treadeth in the footsteppes of a horse which draweth a waggon, he cleaueth fast in the rode, as if he were frozen. [ 30]

If a mare with foale tread vpon the footsteps of a wolfe, she casteth her foal, and there¦fore the Egyptians when they signifie abortment, doe picture a mare treading vppon a wolues foot. These and such other things are reported, (but I cannot tell how true) as su∣pernatural accidents in wolues. The wolfe also laboureth to ouercome the Leoparde, and followeth him from place to place, but forasmuch as they dare not aduenture vpon him single or hand to hand, they gather multitudes and so deuoure them. VVhen wolues set vpon wilde Bores,* 1.18 although they bee at variance amonge themselues, yet they giue ouer their mutual combats, and ioyne together against the VVolfe their common aduersarie. For these occasions a wolfe hath euermore bin accounted a most fyerce and wilde beast, as may further appeare by this Historie following.* 1.19 VVhen Euristines and Procles intended [ 40] to marie the Daughters of some Graecian, that so they might ioyne themselues in perpe∣tual league and amity by affinity, they went to Delphos to aske counsel of Apollo▪: in what place they should meet with their wiues.

Apollo gaue them answere, that when they should meet with an extreame wild beast, as they went into Lacedemonia, and yet the same beaste appeare meeke and gentle vnto them, there they should take their wiues. When they came into the land of the Cleonians they met with a wolfe carrying a lambe in his mouth, whereupon they conceiued that the meaning of Apollo was, that when they met with a wolfe in that country, they might very happily and successiuely take them wiues, and so they did, for they married with the daughters of Thesander Cleonimus, a verie honest man of that countrey. It is repor∣ted [ 50] of Milo Crotaniata, that valiant strong man, how vpon a season rending a tree in sunder in the woods,* 1.20 one of his armes was taken in the closing of the tree, & he had not strength enough to loose it againe, but remained there inclosed in most horrible torments vntill a wolfe came and deuoured him.

The like story vnto this, is that which Aelianus reporteth of Gelon the Syracusan, a schol∣ler, vnto whome there came a Wolfe as he sat in the schoole writing on his Tables,* 1.21 and tooke the writing tables out of his hand. The schoolemaister being inraged heerewith, and knowing himselfe to be a valiant man, tooke hold of the same tables in the VVolues mouth, and the VVolfe drew the maister and schollers in hope of recouery of the tables out of the schoole into a plaine field, where sodainely hee destroyed the schoole-maister and a hundered schollers, sparing none but Gelon, whose tables were a baite for that prey, for hee was not onely not slaine, but preserued by the VVolfe to the singular admiration of al the world; whereby it was collected, that that accident did not happen naturally, but [ 10] by the oueruling hand of God; Now for these occasions, as also because that the wooll and skin of beasts killed by wolues, are good for nothing, (although the flesh of sheepe is more sweeter) are vnprofitable and good for nothing.

Men haue bin forced to inuent and find out many deuises for the destroying of wolues,* 1.22 for necessity hath taught men much learning, and it had beene a shameful misery to in∣dure the tyranny of such spoiling beastes without labouring for resistaunce and reuenge: for this cause they propounded also a reward to such as killed VVolues, for by the law of Dracho, he that killed a young wolfe receiued a tallent, and he that killed an old wolfe re∣ceiued two talents.

Solon prescribed that hee that brought a VVolfe aliue, shoulde receiue fiue peeces of mony, and he that brought one dead, should receiue two. Apollo himselfe was called Ly∣coctonos, [ 20] a wolfe-killer, because he taught the people how to put away wolues. Homer cal∣leth Appollo Lysegenes, for that it is saide immediately after hee was borne of his mother Latona, he was chaunged into the shape of a wolfe, and so nourished; and for this cause there was the image of a wolfe set vp at Delphos before him.

Others say, that the reason of that ymage was, because that when the temple of Delphos was robbed, and the treasure thereof hid in the grounde, while diligent inquisition was made after the theeues, there came a wolf and brought them to the place where the gol∣den vessels were couered in the earth, which she pulled out with her feete. And some say that a wolfe did kil the sacriliger, as he lay asleepe on the mountaine Parnassus, hauing all the treasure about him, and that euery day she came downe to the gates of Delphos how∣ling, [ 30] vntil some of the Cittizens followed her into the mountaine, where shee shewed them the theefe and the treasure both together. But I list not to follow or stand vpon these fables. The true cause why Apollo was called a VVolfe killer was, for that he was feined to be a shepheard or Heardsman, and therefore in loue of his catle to whom wolues were e∣nemies, he did not onely kil them while he was aliue, but also they were offered vnto him in sacrifice, for wolues were sacred to Apollo, Iupiter and Mars: and therefore wee read of Apollo Lycius or Lyceus, to whom there were many temples builded, and of Iupiter Lyceus the sacrifices instituted vnto him called Lycaea, and games by the same name. There were other holly-daies cald Luper calia, wherein barren women did chastice themselues naked because they bare no children, hoping thereby to gaine the frutefulnesse of the wombe, [ 40] whereof Ouid speaketh thus:

Excipe foecunde pascientur verbera dextrae Iam socer optatum nomen habebit saui.

Propertius and some other writers seeme to be of the mind that those were first instituted by Fabius, Lupercus as appeareth by these verses:

Verbera pellitus setosamouebat arator Vnde liceus Fabius sacra lupercus habet.

[ 50] And Inuenal thus:

Nec prodest agili palmas praebere luperco.

Now concerning the manner of taking of VVolues,* 1.23 the Auncients haue inuented manic deuises and gins, and first of al an yron Toyle which they stil fasten in the earth with iron

pins, vpon which pins they leaue a ring, being in compasse about the bignes of a wolues head, in the midst whereof they lay a peece of flesh, and couer the Toyle, so that nothing is seene but the flesh, when the Wolfe commeth and taketh holde of the flesh, feeling it sticke, pulling hard, he pulleth vp the ring, which bringeth the whole Toyle on his necke and sharpe pins. This is the first manner that Crescentiensis repeateth of taking Wolues, and he saith there are other deuises to ensnare their feet, which the Reader cannot vnder∣stand except he saw them with his eies.

The Italians cal the nets wherein wolues are taken, Tagliola, Harpago, Lo Rampino, and Lycino, the French Hauspied, and Blondus affirmeth, that the shepheardes of Italy make a certaine ginne with a net, wherein that part of the Wolfe is taken which is first put into it. [ 10] Now the manner of taking Wolues in ditches and pits is diuers, first of all they dig a deep ditch, so as the wolfe being taken, may not get out of it, vpon this pitte they lay a hurdle, and within vpon the pillar they set a liue Goose or Lambe, when the Wolfe windeth his prey or booty, he commeth vpon the trench, and seeing it at a little hole which is left open on purpose to cast the wolfe into the deepe ditch, and some vse to lay vpon it a weak hur∣dle, such as wil not beare vp either a man or a beast, that so when the wolfe commeth vp∣on it, it may breake, and he fal downe, but the best deuise in my opinion that euer was in∣uented in this kind, is that the pertch and hurdle may be so made, and the bait so set, that when one wolfe is fallen downe it may rise againe of it one accord, and stand as it did be∣fore to entrap another; and great care must bee had, that these kinde of ditches may bee [ 20] made in solide and strong earth, or if the place affoorde not that opportunity, then must the inside be lined with boords, to the intent that the beast by scraping and digging with his feet make no euasion.

The Rhaetians vse to raise vp to a Tree a certaine engine like a mouse-trappe but much greater, through which there is a cord where they hange a bate of flesh or pullin, or some such thing which the wolfe loueth; when he commeth vnto it, hee suddenly snatcheth at it, and so pulleth the trap vpon his owne pate. The Teucreans, Mysseans, and Thraseans, in∣habitants of Asia, were wont to carry short weapons to kil wolues, and they vsed also the strongest Dogges, who by the incoragement of the hunters would tear the wolues in pie∣ces, for there is hardly any Dogge so couragious, as to aduenture vppon a Wolfe at sin∣gle [ 30] hand.

The Dogges haue therefore certaine collers made vnto them of leather stuft full of sharp yron nails, to the intent that their necks may be sauegarded from the wolues biting. Now Blondus saith, that al hunting of Wolues with Doggs is in vaine, except there be al∣so set vp certaine great nets made of strong cords, stretched out and standing as stiffe as may be immouably fastned to the bodies of trees, or strong pillars in the earth, and in di∣uers places of these nettes they must set boughes to couer them, to the end the wolfe de∣scry them not; and at either end of the net must be made a little shedde vvith boughes to couer a man, wherein the hunter must lodge with his speare, readie to pierce through the Wolfe when he perceiueth him in the net, for if the wolfe be not instantly wounded, hee [ 40] will deliuer himselfe and escape, and then also he must bee followed with the cry of men and Dogges, that he may not returne backe againe into his den, and the hunters obserue this order in hunting of a Wolfe, and driuing him to their nets.

VVhen they are farre from theyr nets, they hunt them but gently, and let him go at lei∣sure, but vvhen they are closer and nearer vnto them, they follovv them vvith al speed and violence, for by that meanes many are intrapped and suddenly killed, and these are those hunting obseruations which I find to be recorded in Authors for the taking of VVolues. And this is the nature of this beast, that he feareth no kind of weapon except a stone, for if a stone be cast at him, he presently falleth downe to auoide the stroke, for it is saide that [ 50] in that place of his body where he is wounded by a stone, there are bred certaine wormes vvhich doe kill and destroie him; and therefore the Egyptians vvhen they doe decipher a man that feareth an eminent danger, they picture a vvolfe and a stone; as Orus vvriteth.

Wolues do likevvise feare fire euen as Lyons doe, and therefore they vvhich trauell in woods and secret places by night, vvherein there is anie suspicion of meeting of Wolues, they carry with them a coople of flints, where withall they strike fire, in the approach of

the rauening beast which so dazleth his eies, & danteth his courage, that he runneth away fearefully. It is said that wolues are afraid of the noise of swords or iron strucke together, and it may well be, for there is a true story of a man traueling neare Basil, with a bell in his hand, who when he saw that the throwing stones at the wolfe which followed him would nothing auaile, and by chance fel downe, in he meanetime a bell which he carried about him did giue a sound, at which sound the wolfe being affrighted ran away, which when he perceiued, he sounded the bell aloud, and so droue away the wild rauening beast. As the Lyon is afraid of a white Cocke and a Mouse, so is the wolfe of a Sea-crab or shrimp. It is said that the pipe of Pithocaris did represse the violence of wolues when they set vpon him, for he sounded the same vnperfectly, and indestinctly, at the noise whereof the raging [ 10] wolfe ran away; and it hath bin beleeued that the voice of a singing man or Woman wor∣keth the same effect. Horace testifieth so much of himselfe, that by singing he droue away a wolfe, as in these verses;

Nam{que} me sylua lupus in sabina, Dum meam canto tellagen & vltra, Terminum cur is vagor expeditus, Fugit niermem. Quale portentum ne{que} militaris, Daunia in latis alit aesculetis, Nec iubetellus gener at leonem, Arida nutrix.

[ 20] If at any time a wolfe follow a man a far off, as it were trecherously to set vppon him sud∣denly and destroy him, let him but set vp a stick or staffe, or some such other knowledga∣ble marke, in the middle space betwixt him and the wolfe, and it will fear him away; for the suspitious beast feareth such a man, and thinketh that he carrieth about him some engin or trap to take away his life: and therefore also it is said, that if a trauailer doe draw after him a long rod or pole, or a bundle of sticks & clouts, a wolfe will neuer set vpon him, worthily mistrusting some deserued pollicy to ouerthrow & catch him. Aesculapius writeth, that if a man do anoint himselfe with the fat or sewet taken out of the raines of a Lyon, it wil driue avvay from him all kind of Wolues. There bee some that take vvolues by poisoning, for they poyson certaine peeces of meat, and cast them abroad, vvhereof when the vvolues do [ 30] eate, they die immediately. There were certaine country men which brought the skins of wolues into the citty of Rome, and carried them vp and downe the streets publikely to be seene, affirming that they had killed those wolues with the powder of a certaine hearb cald Cardus Varius, and that therewithall also they could kil Rats and Mice. Pausanius saith, that there was a temple of Apollo Lyceus, at Sicycon, and that on a time the inhabitants were so anoyed with wolues, that they could receiue no commodity by their flockes, wherevpon Apollo taking pitty of them, told them that there was in their temple a certaine peece of dry wood, commaunding them to pull off the rinde or barke of that wood, and beating it to powder, to mingle it with conuenient meat for Wolues, and so cast it abroad in the [ 40] fieldes.

The people did as they were commaunded by the Oracle, and thereby destroyed al the wolues; but what kind of wood this was, neither Pausanias nor any of the pristes of Sicycon could declare. In one part of the world the Ewe-tree, and certaine fragments of Iuniper. The spindle tree, and Rododaphne do yeald poison vnto wolues mixed in their drinke, and besides them we know no trees that are venemous, and yet plants innumerable, especial∣ly wolfe bane. And the occasion why there are more poysonfull herbs then trees, is in the iuyce or liquor whereby they are nourished, for where the iuyce is wholesome and well tempered, there it encreaseth into a great tree, but where it is imperfect and venomous, there it neuer groweth tall, nor bringeth forth any great stocke.

[ 50] There are certain litle Fishes called by the Graecians Lycos, and by the Latanists blenni, which we may english wolfe-Fishes, & these the Hunters vse to take wolues in this maner, when they haue taken a great many of them aliue; they put them into some tub or great morter, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ther kil them by bruising them to pieces, afterwards they make a fire of coles in the mountains where the wolues hant, putting into the same some of these fishes mixed

with blood and peeces of mutton, and so leauing it, to haue the sauour thereof carryed euery way with the winde, they go and hide themselues: whilst that in the mean time the Wolues inraged with the sauour of this fire, seeke too and fro to finde it, because of the smell, the fire before they come is quenched or goeth out naturally, and the Wolues by the smoke therof, especially by tasting of the flesh, blood and fish which there they find, do fall into a drowsie dead sleepe, which when the Hunters do perceiue, they come vpon them and cut their throats. The Armenians do poison them with blacke fishes, & some do take a cat, pulling off her skin, taking out the bowels, they put into her belly the powder of Frogges, this cat is boiled a little vpon coles, and by a man drawne vp and down in the mountaines where wolues do hant, now if the Wolues do chance to meet with the traine [ 10] of this cat, they instantly followe after him, inraged without all feare of man to attaine it, therefore he which draweth the catte, is accompanied with another hunter armed with a a Gun, Pistoll, or Cross bow, that at the appearaunce of the Wolfe, and before his ap∣proach to the traine, he may destroy and kill him.

* 1.24I will not discourse of Wolfe-bane, commonly called Aconitum in Latine, wherwith∣all both men & beasts are intoxicated, and especially Wolues, but referring the Reader to the long discourse of Conradus Gesner in his History of the Wolf, I will onely remem∣ber in this place an Epigram of Ausonius wherein he pleasantly relateth a story of an adul∣terated women, desiring to make away her iealous husband, and that with speed and ve∣hemency, gaue him a drinke of Wolfe-bane and Quick-siluer mingled together, eyther [ 20] of both single are poison, but compounded are a purgation, the Epigram is this that followeth:

Toxica zelotypo dedit vxor mecha marito Nec satis ad mortem credidit esse datum, Miscuit argenti letalia pondera viui Cogeret vt celerem vis geminata necem Diuidat haec si quis faciunt discreta, venenum Antidotum sumet qui sociata bibet, Ergo inter sese dum noxia pocula certant, Cessit letalis noxa salutiferae [ 30] Protinus & vacuos alui petiere recessus, Lubrica deiectis qua via nota cibis.

Concerning the enimies of Wolues, there is no doubt but that such a rauening beast hath fewe friendes, for except in the time of copulation wherein they mingle sometime with dogges,* 1.25 and sometime with Leopards, and sometime with other beastes, all Beastes both great and small do auoyd their society and fellowship, for it cannot be safe for stran∣gers to liue with them in any league or amity, seeing in their extremity they deuour one another: for this cause, in some of the inferiour beasts their hatred lasteth after death, as many Authors haue obserued; for if a sheepe skinne be hanged vp with a Wolues skin, [ 40] the Wool falleth off from it, and if an instrument be stringed with stringes made of both these beasts, the one will giue no sounde in the presence of the other; but of this matter we haue spoken in the story of the sheep, shewing the opinion of the best learned, concer∣ning the truth heereof. The Rauens are in perpetuall enmity with Wolues, and the Anti∣phathy of their natures is so violent, that it is reported by Philes and Aelianus, that if a ra∣uen eat of the carcasse of a beast which the wolfe hath kild, or formerly tasted of, she pre∣sently dyeth.

There are certaine wilde Onions called Scille, and some say the sea-Onion, because the roote hath the similitude of an Onion, of all other thinges this is hatefull to a wolfe, and therefore the Arabians say, that by treading on it his legge falleth into a crampe, where∣by [ 50] his whole body many times endureth insufferable torments, for the crampe increa∣seth into convulsions; for which cause it is worthy to be obserued how vnspeakle the Lord is in all his workes, for whereas the wolfe is an enemy to the fox and the Turtle, he hath gi∣uen secret instinct and knowledge both to this beast and Foule, of the vertu••us operati∣on of this hearbe against the rauening wolfe; for in their absence from their ne••••s, they leaue this Onion in the mouth thereof, as a sure gard to keepe their young ones from the

wolfe. There are certaine Eagles in Tartaria which are tamed, who doo of their owne ac∣cord being set on by men aduenture vpon wolues, and so vex them with their talants, that a man with no labor or difficulty may kil the beast, & for this cause the wolues do greatly feare them and auoid them; And thereupon came the common prouerb, Lupus fugit a∣quilam: And thus much shall suffice to haue spoken in general concerning their taking. Now we will proceed to the other parts of their History, and first of al of their carnal co∣pulation. They ingender in the same manner as dogs and Sea-calues do,* 1.26 and therefore in the middle of their copulation they cleaue together against their wil. It is obserued that they begin to engender immediately after Christmasse, and this rage of their lust lasteth but twelue daies, whereupon there was wont to go a fabulous tale or reason, that the cause [ 10] why al of them conceiued in the twelue daies after Christmas was, for that Latona so ma∣ny daies togither wandered in the shape of a shee wolfe in the mountaines Hyperborei for for feare of Iuno, in which likenes shee was brought to Delus; but this fable is confuted by Plutarch, rehearsing the words of Antipater in his booke of beastes, for he saith when the Oakes that beare Acornes do begin to cast their flowers or blossoms, then the wolues by eating thereof do open their wombes, for where there is no plenty of Acornes there the yong ones die in the dam•• belly, and therefore such countries wherein there are no store of Oakes, are freed from wolues; and this he saith is the true cause why they conceiue but once a yeare, and that onely in the xii. daies of Christmas, for those Okes flower but once a year, namely, in the spring time, at which season the wolues bring forth their yong ones. [ 20] For the time that they go with young▪ and the number of whelps, they agree with dogs, that is, they beare their young nine weeks, and bring foorth many blind whelps at a time, according to the manner of those that haue manie clawes on their feet. Their legges are without Articles, and therefore they are not able to go at the time of their littering, and there is a vulgar opinion that a she wolfe doth neuer in al her life bring foorth aboue nine at a time, whereof the last which she bringeth forth in hir old age is a dog, throgh weak∣nes and infirmity: but the Rhaesians among whom wolues do abound, do affirme constant∣ly, that in the beginning of May, they bring their young out of their dens, and lead them to the water, sometimes seauen, and sometimes nine, euery yeare increasing their num∣ber; so that the first yeare she littereth one whelpe, the second yeare two, the thirde yeare [ 30] three, and so obserueth the same proportion vnto nine, after which time she groweth bar∣ren and neuer beareth more: and it is said when shee bringeth her young ones to the wa∣ter, she obserueth their drinking very diligently, for if any of them lap water like a dogge, him she reiecteth as vnworthy of her parentage, but those which sucke their water like a swine, or bite at it like a Beare, them she taketh to hir, and norisheth very carefully. VVe haue said already that wolues do engender not only among themselues, but among other beasts, and such are to be vnderstood of them which beare their young an equal proporti∣on of time, as of Dogges and Wolues commeth the Lupus canarius, or Panther, and the Crocuta. Of the Hyaena and the wolfe come the Thoes, of whome wee shal speake in their due place in the end of this story, and the Hyaena it selfe seemeth to bee compounded of a [ 40] wolfe and a fox. Concerning the naturall disposition of this beast we haue already spoken in part, and now we wil adde that which doth remaine;* 1.27 and first of al their Epithites which are attributed vnto them among seueral Authors are most cleare demonstrations of their disposition; as sowre, wilde, Apulean, sharp, fierce, bold, greedy, who are, flesh-eater, wary, swift, bloody, blood-louer, degenerate, hard, glutton, hungrie, Cattle-eater, famishing, fu∣rious, yellow, fasting, vngentle, vnhonest, vntameful, harmeful, Cattle-hurter, teeth-gna∣sher, insatiable, treacherer, martial, sorrowful, mountanie, nightly, robber, strate, rauener, mad, snatcher, cruel, pack-bearer, blood-sucker, fomer, proud, fearing, sullen, terrible, ve∣hement, houling, and such other like belonging to the male wolfe. Now vnto the female there are some peculiar ones also, as in human, vngentle, martial, obscure, ranke, rauener, [ 50] sanded, Romulian, greasie, terrible, and Volscaen, and the rauening desire of this wolfe doeth not only apeare in the prouerbs of holy scripture already repeated, as where Christ com∣pareth the Hereticks to wolues, but also from hand instruments and sicknesses, for a little hand-saw is called of the Latins and Germans Lupus, a wolfe; because of the inequalitie of the teeth, wherewithall a man sheareth asunder violently any piece of wood, bones, or such like thing.

There is a disease called a wolfe, because it consumeth and eateth vp the flesh in the bodie next the sore, and must euery day be fed with fresh meat, as Lambes, Pigeons, and such other things wherein is bloode, or else it consumeth al the flesh of the body, leauing not so much as the skin to couer the bones. Also the gals on a mans seat, which commeth by horse-riding, are by the auncientes called Lupi, and by Martiall, Ficus, whereof he made this disticon;

Stragula succincti venator sume veredi Nam solet à nudo surgere ficus equo.

There be also instruments called Lupi and Harpages, or Harpagones, wherewithal Ankers [ 10] are loosed in the sea, or any thing taken out of the deepe. There is a certaine territorie in Ireland, (whereof M. Cambden writeth) that the inhabitants which liue till they be past fif∣ty yeare old, are foolishly reported to be turned into wolues, the true cause whereof hee coniectureth to be because for the most patt they are vexed with the disease called Lycan∣thropia which is a kind of melancholy causing the persons so affected, about the moneth of February to forsake their owne dwelling or houses, and to run out into the woodes, or neare the graues and sepulchers of men, howling and barking like Dogs and wolues. The true signes of this disease are thus described by Marcellus: those saith he which are thus af∣fected haue their faces pale, their eies dry and hollow, looking drousily and cannot weep. Their tongue as if it were al scabd, being very rough, neither can they spit, and they are [ 20] very thirsty, hauing many vlcers breaking out of their bodies, especiallie on their legges, this disease some cal Lycaon, and men oppressed therewith, Lycaones, because that there was one Lycaon as it is fained by the poets, who for his wickednes or sacrificing of a child, was by Iupiter turned into a Wolf, being vtterly distracted of human vnderstanding, and that which the poets speake of him, may very wel agree with melancholy, for thus writeth Ouid:

Territus ipse fugit, nactus{que} silentia ruris Exululat frustra{que} loqui couatur.

And this is most strange, that men thus diseased should desire the graues of the dead. Like vnto this is another disease, called by Bellunensis, demonium leoninum, which is saith he, con∣fusio rationis cum factis malis, noxijs & iracundis à leone dictum videtur malum, quod eo de∣tenti alios homines laedant, & leonum instar in eos saeuiant, that is; the Lyon-diuel disease is [ 30] a confusion of reason, ioyned with wrathful, and impious facts, and it seemeth to bee na∣med of Lyons, because that such as are oppressed therewith, doe rage against men, and wound them like Lyons. There is a pretty Apologie of a league that was made betwixt the Wolues and the sheepe,* 1.28 whereupon came the vvord Lycophilios, my Author rehearseth it thus: Lupis et agnis faedus aliquando fuit, datis vtrin{que} obsidibus, lupi suos catulos, oues canum cho rtem dedere. Quietis ouibus ac pascentibus lupuli matrum de siderio vlulatus adunt, tum lu∣pi irruentes fidem faedus{que} solutum clamitant, oues{que} canum praesidio destitutas laniant, that is to say, There was a peace made betwixt the wolues and the sheepe, either side giuing ostages to other, the wolues gaue their young whelpes, and the sheepe gaue the shepheards dogs to the wolues. Now when the young Wolues were among the flocke of sheepe they hou∣led [ 40] for their dams, which vvhen the old vvolues heard, they came rushing in vppon the sheep, crying out that they had broken the league, and therfore they destroyed the sheep in the absence of the dogs that should keepe them: whereby is notably signified the sim∣plicity of innocent men, and the impiety of the wicked, for whatsoeuer bondes of truce and peace are made with them, they euer respect their owne aduantage, taking any smal occasion like Wolues at the crying of their young ones, without al offence of the inno∣cent and harmeles, to breake through the brazen wals of truce, peace, and amity, for the execution of their bloody and vngodly minds.

* 1.29VVolues are truely said to be fierce and treacherous, and not generous and bold, and noble like Lyons. They especially rage in the time of their hunger, and then they kil not [ 50] so much as wil suffice, but al the flocke before them; but being satisfied, as we haue saide already, they seeme rather Lambes then Wolues. The male is alwaies as carefull of the young ones as the female, for while shee suckleth her younge ones, hee bringeth meate vnto her in the denne, and when that they are greatly constrained both to fly away, they carry their young ones along with them. Great is their malice towards them that hurte

them as Niphus saith, he tried one day when he was a hunting neare Rome, for his Dogge was fighting with a Wolfe, and he comming in with the multitude of hunters, alighted from his horse, drew his sword, and gaue the Wolfe a wound, the wolfe feeling the stroke of the sword, forsooke the Dogge and turned vppon the man, making all force at him he could to bite him, but he professed he escaped with singular danger, more by the help of his fellow-hunters, then by his owne valor; wherefore he concludeth that as Wolues are enimies to al, so they take special reuenge of them that harm them, as we haue said be∣fore of Lyons. Some say that when many of them haue obteined a spoile, they do equal∣ly deuide it among them al, I am sure the like is reported betwixt the olde Lyon and the [ 10] young, but whether it be true in Wolues I cannot tell, but rather thinke the contrary, be∣cause they are insatiable and neuer thinke they haue enough. And Albertus saith, they do not communicate their prey like Lyons, but when they haue fed sufficiently, they hide the residue in the ground til they hunger againe.

VVhen they set vppon horned beasts, they inuade them behinde, and on their backs; when they set vppon sheepe, they chuse a darke cloudy day or time, that so they may e∣scape more freely; and to the intent that their treadinges should not be heard, they licke the bottome or soles of their feet, for by that meanes they make no noise among the dry leaues, and if going along they chance to breake a sticke, and so against their mind make a noise, then presently they bite their foot, as if it were guilty of that offence: For the most part they set vpon such Cattle as haue no keepers, and rauen in secret. If they come vnto [ 20] a flocke of sheep where there are Dogges, they first of al consider whether they bee able to make their party good, for if they see they cannot match the Dogges, they depart a∣way, although they haue begun the spoile, but if they perceiue their forces to be equal or superiour, then they diuide themselues into three rankes, one companie of them killeth sneepe, a second company fighteth with the Dogs, and the third setteth vppon the men. When they are in daunger to be taken by the hunters, they bite off the tip of their tailes, and therefore the Egyptians when they woulde describe a man deliuered out of extremi∣ty and danger, do picture a wolf lacking that part of his taile. To conclude, when they are in perill they are extreamely fearefull, astonished, and affraide, especially when they are vnauoidably included they seeme harmles, and this argueth the basenesse of their mind [ 30] which is subtil, cowardlie and treacherous; daring do nothing but for the belly, and not then neither, but vppon a singular aduantage, and for the manifesting heereof, I will ex∣presse these two stories following, as they were related to Gesner by Michaell Herus, and Instinius Goblerus. It hapned (saith the first), that a certaine wolfe constrained by famine, came vnto a village neare Millan in Italy, and there entered into a certaine house, wherein fat the good wife and her children, the poore woman being terrified heerewith, and not knowing what she did, ran out of the house, pulling the dore to after her, and so shutting the wolfe in among her children; at last her husband returned home, vnto whom she re∣lated the accident, and how she had shut vp the wolfe; the man being more affraide then was cause, least the wolfe had deuoured some of his children, entered hastily in a doors, [ 40] longing to saue and deliuer his poore infants, whom the feareful mother had left with the wolfe, when he came in he found al wel, for the wolfe was in worse case, astonished, ama∣zed, daunted, and standing like a stocke without sence, not able to run awaie, but as it were offering himselfe to be destroied: And this is the first history.

The second is like vnto this, but more admirable, for the great Vnckle of Goblerus be∣ing marueilously addicted to the hunting of wilde beasts, had in his lande diuers ditches and trenches cast vp with other pittes and caues wrought verie artificiallie for the safe kee∣ping of such beasts as should fal into them. Now it hapned that vpon one Sabboth daie at night there fel into one of those pits three creatures of diuers disposition, and aduerse inclination, none of them being able to get out thereof: the first was a Neighbors wife [ 50] of his, a poore woman, which going to the field to gather Beets and rapes for hir meate the day following, it fortuned that she fel downe by a mischance into the said pitte, where∣in she was faine to lodge al night (you must thinke with great anguish, sorrow, and peril∣lous daunger to hir self) beside that which hir husband and family conceiued at home, but she had not tarried long in the said pitte ere a Fox vvas likewise taken and fel dovvne

vpon her, now began her griefe to be encreased, fearing least the wilde beast should bite and wound her, hauing no meanes to escape from him, nor no man to helpe and rescue her, although she cryed as loud as euer she could; wherewithall being wearied, necessity made hir to be patient, being a little comforted to see the Foxe as much affraid of her, as she was of him, and yet she thought the night ful long, wishing for the breake of the day, when men stir abroad to their labors, hoping that some or other would hear hir mone, and deliuer her from the society of such a Chamber fellow: while thus she thoght, striuing be∣twixt hope, feare, and griefe, loe what befell her more wofully then before, for suddenly a wolfe was taken and fell downe vpon her, then she lost her hope, and in lamentable maner thinking of husband and children, how little they conceiued of her extremity, resolued to [ 10] to forsake the world, and commended her soule to God, making no other reckoning but that her distressed leane lims should now be a supper and breakefast to the Wolfe, wish∣ing that she might but see her husbande, and kisse her children before shee lost her life by that sauage execution; but all her wishes could not preuaile, nor cleare her hart from fear and expectation of an vnauoidable death: while thus she mused, she saw the wolfe lie down, she sitting in the one corner, and the Fox resting in another, and the wolf apaled as much as either of boeth, so the woman had no harme but an ill nightes lodging, with the feare whereof she was almost out of her wits. Earely in the morning came his great vnckle the hunter to looke vpon his trenches and pits what was taken, and comming vnto that pitte, he found, a trebble prey; a Woman, a Wolfe, and a Fox, whereat he was greatly amazed [ 20] and stepped a litle backward at the first sight the woman seeing him cryed out, calling him by his name, and praying his aide: he knowing her by her voice, presently leaped dovvne into the pit; (for he was a valiant man) and vvith his weapon first slue the wolfe, and then the Foxe, and so deliuered the vvoman from the feare of them, yet there was forced to leaue her till he went and fetched a ladder, for she was notable to come foorth as he vvas; then hauing brought the ladder, he went down againe into the pit, and brought her forth vppon his shoulders, in that manner deliuering her safe to her husband and family. Now these two stories doe plainely set forth, that a VVolfe dareth doe nothing when hee is in feare himselfe.

* 1.30It hath beene a question whether VVolues can be tamed or no, some say that they are [ 30] alwaies wilde and can neuer be tamed. Albertus writeth, that being taken whelpes, they are tamed and wil play like Dogges, yet he saith, they neuer forget their hatered against the hunter and the desire of Lambes or other beastes which are deuoured by VVolues, whensoeuer he goeth abroad. And Stumpsius writeth, that euen when they are tamed they are angry with their maisters that looke vpon them while they eat their meat.

Strabo writeth a fable of two woods among the auncient Veneti, one of them dedica∣ted to Iuno, and the other to Diana, and he woulde make the worlde beleeue, that therein the VVolues liued peaceably and gently with the Hartes, and did come to the handes of men like familiar and tame Dogges, suffering themselues to be stroked with their hands. Aelianus and Stephanus doe say, that neare the plaine of Meotis, there are Wolues vvhich [ 40] liue like tame Dogges with men, being continually conuersant amonge the Fisher-men, and these Wolues do part stakes and deuide their prey vvith the inhabitants dwelling vp∣on the Sea-shores, and there is such a mutuall charitye and commons obserued betwixt them and the men, for sometimes the wolues take fishes when the men take none, and then they part with the wolfe, sometimes the men take fishes when the wolues haue none, and thus they liue together in quiet maner like confederats, each one releeuing and hel∣ping other; but if the men at any time break vvith the wolus, and do not giue them a share, they recompence their ingratitude and falsehood with tearing in pieces their nets: which thing if it be true, is a singular example of that rare concord and agreement vvhich vvas [ 50] primitiuely ordained by God to be betwixt man and beast; Some say these kind of wolues bee Otters, hut I rather beleeue that they be Sea-wolues, of whome wee shal talke pre∣sently.

There be many magical inuentions about the parts of wolues, namely, their heades, teeth, eares, tails & priuy parts, which I wil not stand to recite in this place, because I can∣not tel what benefit shal come to the knovvledge of them by the English Reader. VVolues

are subiect to the same diseases that dogs are, especially the swellings of the throat, mad∣nesse, and the gout: when they are sicke they eat of an hearb which make them cast, some say it is ground Iuy, some say it is grasse, and some otherwise, of this they eate when they haue a paine in their bellyes, and not otherwise.* 1.31 The reason why Dogs and Wolues are more subiect to madnesse then any other Beast, is because their bodies are chollerick, and their braines encrease and decrease with the Moone. If a man be bitten by a madde Wolfe, he is to be cured by the same medicines that are applyed to the bitings of a mad Dogge. They liue very long, euen vntill they loose their teeth, therefore in their old age oppressed with famin they fly vnto citties and houses to seeke meat. They haue no friends but the Parrots. A Wolfe was once the part of the armes of Rome,* 1.32 and the iudgment seat [ 10] at Athens had in it the picture of a Wolfe. There were ancient coines of mony stamped with the image of a wolfe, both among the Graecians, and among the Romans, which were therefore deuised, because Romulus and Remus were said to be nursed by a wolfe: with the skins of wolues after they were dressed by Curriers, we do read that there were garmentes made, where withall great princes and Noble men were cloathed, the bare being inward next to their bodies, and the rough being outward, these were vsed in iournies and hun∣tings, and they were the proper garment of the gaurds of Tyrants: And this shall suffice of the vulgar wolfe.

OF THE SEA-WOLFE.

[illustration]

[ 20] [ 30] [ 40]

ALthough nothing hath hitherto beene brought to light, concerning the sea∣wolfe of the ancient writers that I know, yet his form is notable to be obserued and you may chuse whether you wil cal him a Theefe or a Sea-monster, much differing from the wolfe-fish, as that he seemeth to challenge a particular de∣scription or treatise. It is also a Foure-footed. Beast that liueth both on sea & land, satisfi∣ing his hunger on the most part vpon fishes: It hath bin seene vpon the Brittaine Ocean shoare, and it doth resemble the wolfe that liueth on the land, that it is not vndeseruedly called among the common people a wolfe.

[ 50] It doth liue also a long time being tamed, it hath a dangerous head, & very many haires growing on both sides of his eies to shaddow them, his Nosthrils and teeth are like vnto a dogs, and strong haires growing about his mouth: also smal bristles growing vpright vp∣on his back: and adorned and marked on euery side with black distinct spots, a long taile,* 1.33 thick and hairy, al the other parts being like to a wolues, as you may easily see by this expres∣sed picture: and vnto this belongeth the story of the Wolues last before expressed which liue vpon fishes, and deuide them familiarly with men.

OF THE THOES.

THere are two kinds of Thoes, as there are of Panthers, dif∣fering onely in magnitude or greatnesse. But the lesser Thoes is like vnto the lesser Panther,* 1.34 a Licopanther, and the Lupus canarius engendered betwixt a Wolfe and a Dogge, are all one Foure footed beast. The Thoes also are a kind [ 10] of Wolfe.* 1.35 And againe, there is a kind of Wolfe which Aristotle doth call Chabez, but Auicen doeth write, that it ought to be called Beruet, in the Persian tongue. And a∣gaine in another place, where he doth write, that the Lion and the Thoes are vtter enemies, and Albertus doth translate it, that a Wolfe doth fight with the Foure-footed-Beast Toboz, which is a corrupted word, Toboz for Thoes, as Cabez for Thohoz, and this some men think it to be the Lynx. Thoes is called in Haebrew Tahas, Alshali is a Foure-footed-Beast like to a Wolfe. Adeditach is also a kinde of Wolfe, but I doe not know whether these names belong onely to the Thoes, or to any other kind of Wolfe. Solinus doth call [ 20] Thoas Aethiopian Wolues, and a little before he sayd that Lycaon was an Aethiopian wolfe, mained on the Necke, and so diuers coloured that a man would thinke there were no co∣lours wanting in them.

The people of Schythia likewise say, that the Buff doth change his colours, neither is there any other beast couered with haire, except the Lycaon among the Indians, (as Pliny also writeth) and besides this there is no mention made of the Lycaon among all the anci∣ent writers. Lycaons are called Dogs, in the story of the diuersities of Dogges. The lesser kind of Thoes are the best, for some make two kinde of Thoes, and some three, and these like Birds, and other Foure-footed-beastes, change their colour, both in VVinter and Summer, so that sometime they appeare bare, and againe at other times rough all o∣uer, that is, bare in the Summer, and rough in the VVinter, but it doth plainely seeme [ 30] that there is no more kind of Thoes but one, which the things that come after doth proue and make manifest. Nearchus saith, that those Tygers are not true Tygers, which are commonly called Tigers, but changable Thoes (as if that euery Thoes were not changable) and greater then the other Thoes.

* 1.36They haue no reason which take the Lupus ceruarius for a Thoes, which wee haue alrea∣dy shewed to be a Lynx, for the Rhaecians which speak Italian, and the Sauoyans do to this day call him Ceruario, and for the Armenian VVolfe the Cicatus, and the Lupus canarius we haue already shewed, that it is a Panther, and therefore it is needlesse to stand any lon∣ger vppon those names in this place. VVee will therefore take it for confessed, that the Thoes is a Beast engendered betwixt a VVolfe and a Foxe, whereof some are greater and [ 40] some smaller, and these are found about the Mountaine Pangeus, Cittus, Olympus, Myssi∣us, Pindus, and Nisa, beyound Syria, resembling for the most part a Hyaena, hauing a lon∣ger body, and a straighter taile then a VVolfe, and although it bee not so high of stature, yet it is as nimble and as strong as is the VVolfe, and it seemeth that the very name Thoes is taken from the celerity and swiftnesse in running and leaping, for it getteth his liuing by the quicknesse of his feet. In the outward face it much resembleth a VVolfe his Father, but in the spots and length of his body it resembleth a Panther his mother; they couple in generation like dogs, bringing forth two or foure at a time like wolues, which are blinde, and their feet clouen into many toes.

They are enimies to Lyons, and therefore they doe not liue in the same place where [ 50] Lyons are, not onely because they liue vpon the same victuals and food, but also because they are a more pittifull creature then they, especially to man, for if they see the face of a man at any time, they run vnto him and do him all such reuerence as their brutish nature can demonstrate.

And further Philes and Selius write, that if they see a man oppressed by any other

beast, they runne and fight for him, although it be with the Lyon, not sparing to offer their owne liues, and to spend their dearest bloud in the defence of him, who by secret in∣stinct of nature they vnderstand to be ordained of God, the King and chiefest of all world∣ly creatures: therefore Gratius calleth this kind, semiferam Thoem de sanguine prolem, and of their taming and fighting with Lyons, he speaketh:

—Thoes commissos leones Et subiere astu, et paruis domuere lacertis.

They liue for the most part vppon Harts, whom they take in the swiftnes of their course, these they bite and sucke their bloud, then sufferring them to runne away to some Moun∣taines [ 10] thether they followe them and take them the second time, not destroying them all at once, but by distance of time, whereby the harts bloud groweth sweeter vnto them, and they haue the better appetite thereunto to destroy them. The Licopanthers, and also the beast Pathyon whereof Albertus speaketh, I doe take to be two seuerall distinct beasts from the Thoes, although the quantitie and stature agree, and I see no cause if there bee a∣ny such beast in the world, but that wee may truly say they are a lesser kind of Panthers: And this shall suffice to haue said of these beasts, which are deemed to bee of the kind of Wolues, wherein we haue endeuored to say so much of the generall and especiall as wee coulde collecte out of any good Authors; and thus wee wyll shut vp the Storie of the Woulfe with a short rememberance of his medicinall vertues.

[ 20] The Midicines of a Woulfe.

A Woulfe being sodden aliue vntill the bones doe only remaine, is very much com∣mended for the paines of the goute, or a liue Woulfe steeped in oile and couered with waxe, is also good for the same disease.

The skinne of a woulfe being tasted of those which are bit of a mad or rauenous dog, doth preserue them from the feare or hazard of falling into water. The skinne of a woulfe is very profitable for those which are troubled with the wind collicke, if it be bound fast a∣bout the belley: and also if the person so affected doeth sit vppon the said skinne, it will [ 30] much auaile him. If any labouring or trauailing man doth were the skinne of a woulfe a∣bout his feete, his shooes shall neuer paine or trouble him. The skinne of a woulfe being new plucked off from him, and especially when it hath the naturall heat in it, and so row∣led about the member where the crampe is, is verie effectuall against it.

The bloud of a woulfe beeing mixed with oyle, is very profitable against the deafe∣nesse of the eares. The dunge and bloud of a woulfe is much commended, for those that are troubled with the collicke and stone.

The bloud of a Bucke, Foxe, or Woulfe being warme, and so taken in drinke, is of much force against the disease of the stone. He which doth eate the skinne of a woulfe well [ 40] tempered and sodden, will keepe him from all euill dreames, and cause him to take his rest quietlie. The flesh of a woulfe being sodden, and taken in meate, doth helpe those that are lunaticke. The flesh of a woulfe being eaten, is good for procreation of children. You may read more things in the Chapter going before, concerning remedies of the flesh of a woulfe taken in meate. The fat of a woulfe is no lesse efficable, then the flesh.

The fat of a woulfe doth very much profit, being anointed vppon those whose ioyntes are broken. Some of the later writers were wont to mingle the fat of the woulfe, with other ointments for the disease of the goute. Some also doe mingle it with other ointments, for the paulsey. It doth soften also the Vula, being anointed thereon. The same also being rub∣bed vppon the eies, is very profitable for the bleardnesse or bloudshot of the eies.* 1.37 The [ 50] head also of a woulfe is very good for those that are weake to sleepe vppon, beeing layed vnder ther pillowe. The head of a woulfe being burned into ashes, is a speciall remedie for the loosenes of teeth. The right eie of a woulfe being salted, and bound to the body, doth driue away all agues ad feauers. The eie of a woulfe being rubbed vppon the eie, doth diminish all diseases that rise in the sight of the eie, and it doth also take away al

markes or prints being made with hot irons. The right eie of a wolfe also is profitable for those that are troubled with stiches on the right side of the belly, and the left eye of a wolfe for pains on the left side. The right eie of a wolfe is very good against the bitings of dogs. Also the eye of a wolfe is much commended for those that are lunaticke by the bitinges of dogges.

The teeth of a wolfe being rubbed vpon the gums of young infants, doth open them, whereby the teeth may the easier come forth.* 1.38 Againe, the gums of children are loosened with the tooth of a Dog, being gently rubbed theron, but they are sooner brought forth with the teeth of a Wolfe. Some men do commend the tongue of a wolfe to bee eaten of [ 10] those that are troubled with the falling sicknesse. The artery which springeth in the throat of a wolfe being taken in drink, is a most certaine cure against the Squincy. The throat of a Wolfe taken in drinke, is very much commended for those that are troubled with the falling sicknesse. The lungs or lights of a Wolfe being sodden and dryed, and mingled with pepper, and so taken in milke, is very profitable for those that are puffed vp, or swol∣len in the belly.

The heart of a wolfe being burned and beaten to powder, and so taken in drinke, doth help those that are sicke of the falling sicknesse. Take one ounce of the gum of an Oake, and halfe an ounce of the gum of a peare tree, and two drams of the powder made of the top of a Harts horne, and one dram of the hart of a wolfe, al which being mingled togither, [ 20] and made into medicine, is alwaies vsed for the cure of al vlcers: but it wil be more effectual if thou dost adde thereto the hinder part of the skull of a man beaten to powder. The Ly∣uer of a wolfe is of no lesse vertue then the lungs or lights, which I haue manifested in the medicines of the Foxe. The liuer of a Wolfe helpeth or profiteth those that are sick of the falling sicknesse. The liuer of a wolfe being washed in the best white, and so taken, is very good for those diseases that arise in the liuer. The liuer of a wolfe mixed in the medicine made of Liuerwort, is very much commended for the diseases in the liuer. Galen also doth say, that he hath holpen those which haue bin diseased in the liuer, only vsing the me∣dicine made of Liuerwort, and he saith if he did apply any other medicine thereto, it did little or nothing at all profit him.

The Lyuer of a Wolfe is very profitable for those that are troubled with the skurfe in [ 30] the mouth. The Lyuer or laps of a wolfe is much vsed for those that are troubled with dis∣eases in the liuer, but you must dry it and afterwards beat it to powder, and so giue the par∣ty so affected one dramme of it in sweet wine. The liuer laps of a Wolfe saith Marcellus, being dryed and beaten to powder, and a little part of it mingled in like portions with the powder made of Fene greeke, of Lupines, Wormewood, and of the Hearbe called Her∣ba mariae, and so mingled that it may be about the quantity of a cup full, and so giuen him that day which hee is not troubled with the feauer, but if he shall be troubled with it, let him take it in water for the space of three dayes, and after hee hath drunke it, let him lie for the space of halfe an houre with his armes spread abroad: and afterwardes let him walk very often, but eate very sildome, and let him be sure he keepe himselfe for the spact of [ 40] those three daies well ordered, and from drinking any cold drinke, or eating any salor sweet thing, and within a little space after he shall bee freed from that disease. The liuer laps of a Wolfe being wrapped in bay leaues, and so set to dry at the Sunne or at the fire, and being dryed beate it to powder in a Morter, first taking away the leaues very wari∣ly, which being powdered, you must keepe it in a cleane vessell, and when you giue it him to drinke, you must adde thereto, two leaues of Spoonewort, with tenne graines of pep∣per beaten very small, and as much clarified Hony as is needfull, and also made hot with a hot burning Iron, and mingled very diligently in a Morter, which being so warmed, you must giue him to drinke sitting right vp in his bed, that after he hath taken the potion, he may lye downe on his right side for the space of an houre,* 1.39 drawing his knees together, and [ 50] after that hee hath done so, let him walke vp and downe for the space of an houre, and this will likewise cure him of the same disease.

Auicen doth set downe a medicine concerning the cure of the hardnesse of the Liuer, which is, take Opium, Henbane, Oyle made of Beauers stones, Myrrhe, Saffron, Spick∣nard, Agrimony, the Lyuer of a Wolfe, and the right Horne of a Goat burned,* 1.40 of each equall partes, and make thereof a Medicine. The Lyuer of a Wolfe being made in the forme of a dry electuary, and giuen as a lozeng, doth also very much profit against the diseases of the liuer.

Gugir a Phylosopher doth affirme,* 1.41 that the Lyuer of all liuing Beastes doth very much profit against all paines of the Lyuer. The Liuer of a Wolfe being througly dryed and drunke in sweete VVine, doth mitigate all griefes or paines of the Lyuer. The Liuer of [ 10] the same beast to the quantity of a penny, taken in a pinte of sweete VVine, is very medi∣cinable for the curing of all paines in the Liuer whatsoeuer. The Liuer of a VVolfe be∣ing taken in hot VVine, doth perfectly cure the cough. If an intollerable Cough doth vex any man, let him take of the liuer of a wolfe, either dried or burnt, as much as he shall thinke conuenient, and therewith let him mingle VVine, Honny, and warme water, and afterward drinke the same fasting euery day, to the quantity of foure spoonefuls, and hee shall in short space be cured of the same.

The laps or fillets of a VVolues Liuer, being applyed vnto the side, doth perfectly heale any sticth or pricking ach therein. The Liuer of a Wolfe being taken in sweete Wine, doth heale those which are troubled with a ptisicke. The Lyuer of a VVolfe be∣ing first boyled in Water, afterwardes dryed, beaten and mingled with some certaine [ 20] potion, doth instantly heale the griefe and inflammation of the stomacke. The powder of a Wolues Lyuer mingled with white Wine, and drunke in the morning for some cer∣taine daies together, doth cure the Dropsie. The Liuer of a VVolfe taken either in meat or drinke, doth asswage the paines of the secret parts. Two spoonefuls of the powder of a Wolues Lyuer, being giuen in drinke, doeth cure all paines or sores of the mouth. The Gall of a VVolfe being bound vnto the Nauell of any man, doeth loosen the belly.

The Gall of a VVolfe taken in wine, doth heale all paines in the fundament. The en∣trals of a VVolfe being washed in the best white VVine, blowen vpon, dryed in an Ouen,* 1.42 pounded into dust, afterwardes rowled in VVormewood, is a good and effectuall remedy [ 30] against the Collicke and stone. If some part of the yard of a VVolfe being baked in an O∣uen, be eaten by any, either Man or VVoman, it instantly stirreth them vp to lust. Con∣cerning the genitall of a VVolfe I haue spoken before in the Medicines of the Foxe: but antiquity, as Pliny saith, doth teach that the genitall of Beasts which are bony, as wolues, Foxes, Ferrets, and VVeasels, are brought to an especiall remedye for many diseases.* 1.43 If any man take the right stone of a VVolfe being bloody, steepe it in Oyle, and giue it vnto any woman to apply it vnto their secret partes, being wrapped in VVooll, it instantly causeth her to forsake all carnall copulation, yea although she bee a common Strumpet. The same being taken in some certaine perfume,* 1.44 doth help those which are troubled with [ 40] the foule euill.

The eyes being annointed with the excrementes of a wolfe, are instantly freed from all couers or spreadi••g skinne therein. The powder of the same wolf being mingled with the sweetest Hony as can possible be had, and in the like manner rubbed or spread vpon the eyes, doth expell all dazeling from them. The fime of a Wolfe long rubbed, vntill it be very light, being mingled with Honny, by the vnction thereof,* 1.45 causeth the filth or scurfe growing about the eyes to auoyd away, and restoreth them to an exceeding clear∣nesse. The powder of a Wolues head being rubbed vpon the teeth, doth make fast and confirme the loosenesse thereof, and it is most certaine that in the excrementes of the same Beastes, there are certaine bones found, which being bound vnto the teeth, haue the same force and efficacy.

[ 50] The dung of a Wolfe or Dogge being beaten into small powder, mingled with Hony and annointed vpon the throate, doth cure the Quinsie or Squirisie, as also al other sores in the throat whatsoeuer. The fime of a Wolfe being giuen to those which are troubled with the Collicke to drinke, doth easily cure them, but this dung is more effectuall if it haue neuer touched ground, which is very hard to come by, but it is found by this means.

The nature of the wolfe both in making his water, as also in voyding his excrements is like vnto a Dogs, for while he voydeth his Water he holdeth vp his hinder Leg, and voydeth his excrementes in some high or steepy place far from the earth, by which meanes it fal∣leth downe vpon bushes, thornes, fruites, Elder-trees, or some other Hearbes growing in those places, by which meanes it is found neuer touching the earth. There is further∣more found in the fime of Wolues certaine bones of Beasts which they haue deuoured, which for as much as they could not bee grinded or chawed, so also can they not be con∣cocted, which being beaten and bruised small, are by some commended to be excellent giuen in drinke for the ease of the Collicke, but if the grieued party shall be some fine or delicate person which cannot endure so grosse a Medicine, then mingle it with Salt, Pep∣per, [ 10] or some such like thing, but it is most often giuen in sweet wine, so there be but a smal quantity thereof drunke at one time.

But this dung which the Graecians cal Lagonas, and is to be applyed to the groin of the dis∣eased person, ought to bee hanged in a band made of wooll, but not of any wooll: But it would be more effectuall if it were made of the Wool of that Sheepe which was slaine by a Wolfe. But if the same cannot be got, then is it fit that there be two bands, one which may be bound about the groine, and another which may bee bound vppon the dung to keepe it from falling.

There are also some which cast a small quantity of the same dung to the bignesse of a Beane in a little pot, fastening the same to any one which is troubled with the saide disease, [ 20] and it healeth them (which in a manner seemeth incredible) in very short time. The dung of a Wolfe boyled in small white Wine, and afterwardes taken in drinke, is very profita∣ble for those which are troubled with the collick: and it is also reported that if the same dung be couered with the skin of the same Beast and hung vpon the thigh of any one which hath the collick being bound with a thread made of the wool of a sheep slaine by a wolfe, it will instantly cure the said disease.

The fime of a Wolfe, so that it be not found vppon the earth, but vppon some trees, Brambles or Bul-rushes being kept, and when there shall bee neede bound vnto the arme of him that shall be troubled with the Collick, or to his Necke being included in a bone, or in Copper, and hung with the thread wherewith silke-women weaue, doth wonder∣fully [ 30] and most speedily cure him, so there be great care had, that in the meane time there be a little of the same dung giuen to the grieued party to drinke, not knowing what it is. The dung of a Wolfe being taken, and the bones therein beaten into powder, mingle therewith cold water, giuing it to any one to drinke which is troubled with the stone, and it will instantly cure him.

The Dung of a Wolfe beaten into the smallest powder then strained and giuen vnto any in his fit which is troubled therewith to the quantity of halfe a spoonefull in hot wa∣ter, is a very effectuall, and approued cure for the stone. The bones which are found in Wolues, being bound vnto the arme of any one which is troubled with the Collike, ha∣uing neuer touched the ground do with great speed and celerity cure him. The pasterne [ 40] bone of a Hare found in the dung of a Wolfe, being bound vnto any part of the body of him which is troubled with the Collicke, doth very effectually cure him. The dung of a Wolfe with the Haires of a white Asse, and taken by any Woman in a certaine perfume, maketh her apt for conception.

The teeth of a VVolfe are vnequall, wherefore their biting is very dangerous. A raue∣ning VVolfe by his biting bringeth the same danger, as a rauenous Dogge, they also are cured by the same Medicines, as we haue declared at large in the story of the Dog. The woundes which come by the teeth or Nailes of a VVolfe are very dangerous, for the filth which pierceth through al clouts or spunges which are laid vpon them: But they are cu∣red [ 50] by no other meanes then the bitinges of Dogs: Aristotle writeth these things concer∣ning the biting of a Lyon, and not of a wolfe.

Iohanes Vitus the Hungarian declared that there were certaine men in Hungary bitten by a mad VVolfe, and that they were as it seemed presently cured: But before forty daies expired they all dyed by a most bitter or painefull disease, small pieces of flesh encreasing through their Vrine in the forme of Dogges, with an exceeding paine or torment. It

is also reported of a certaine Countrey man, who when hee had striken a Wolfe with his Club, and the Wolfe had so torne his face with his Nailes, that he pulled off the skinne, he was in short time healed that there appeared no signe of any harme, but in short time after he beganne to be sicke, and to howle like vnto a Dogge, and so perished; by which it was coniectured that that Wolfe was mad. An Oxe being bitten by a mad Wolfe or Dogge is cured by Garlike being beaten and rubbed vppon the wound: the Wolfe him∣selfe is also healed of any wound by old Salt flesh applyed vnto the same.* 1.46 Two drammes of Gentian being drunke in Wine, is an excellent cure for the bites of a mad Dogge and rauening Wolues, as also of all beastes tearing with their teeth or Nailes. The bites of Wolues being marked in the bodies of any Cattell are burned or seared with a hot yron, [ 10] least that the biting bee assuredly hurtfull, may draw vnto it selfe corruption. And thus much shall suffice concerning the medicines of the Wolfe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The seueral names.
• * 1.2

  A••s••ulapius.
• * 1.3

  The notatiō of Lupus and Lyons.
• * 1.4

  Named apel∣latiues deri∣ue ••••om a wolfe.
• * 1.5

  Contries breeding wolues.
• * 1.6

  The seuerall kinds of wolues.
• * 1.7

  Oppi••••us
• * 1.8

  Wolues are ••o•• wilde dogges.
• * 1.9

  The voyces of wolues.
• * 1.10

  The seueral partes
• * 1.11

  Coelius Stumpsius
• * 1.12

  The meat & voracity of Wolues.
• * 1.13

  Aelianus Philes
• * 1.14

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.15

  Textor, Albertus.
• * 1.16

  Aelianus.
• * 1.17

  The ••••aun of Wolues
• * 1.18

  Or••••
• * 1.19

  A history.
• * 1.20

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 destroy •• by wolues
• * 1.21

  Coelius. Tzetzes.
• * 1.22

  The taking of Wolues & the reward of the hunters.
• * 1.23

  Diuers poli∣cies and in∣uentions to take wolues.
• * 1.24

  Poysyning of Wolues
• * 1.25

  The enimies of Wolues
• * 1.26

  Their Copu∣lation & pro∣creation
• * 1.27

  The epithets and natural disposition.
• * 1.28

  The apology of Wolues & Lambs.
• * 1.29

  The particu∣lar dispositiō of Wolues
• * 1.30

  Of tamed Wolues.
• * 1.31

  Albertus.
• * 1.32

  The wolfe hath no friend but the Parrot.
• * 1.33

  Bellonius.
• * 1.34

  Pliny
• * 1.35

  And: Bellu:
• * 1.36

  Arrian
• * 1.37

  Plinie. Sextus.
• * 1.38

  Slundus.
• * 1.39

  Auicen.
• * 1.40

  Dioscorides
• * 1.41

  Galen Pliny
• * 1.42

  Syluius Albertus
• * 1.43

  Rasis
• * 1.44

  Marcellus
• * 1.45

  Galenus
• * 1.46

  Auicenna.