A natural history containing many not common observations extracted out of the best modern writers / by Sir Thomas Pope Blount, Baronet.

Observations concerning MUSK.

THe MUSK-Cat is a Crea∣ture almost like a Goat, bred in the Kingdom of Pegu, in the Indies; as also in Egypt, and other places. It has been brought into our Northern Countries, but through the disa∣greeableness of the Climat, it will not with us yield any MUSK, nor will it live long.

Schroder says, that MUSK is an Excrement, or matter included in a Cistis or Bladder about the Navel, while the Creature is full of Venery. When this Imp••sthume swells much, and puts him to Pain, he rubs it against Stones or Shrubs.

and breaks it, upon which the Matter falling it sticks, and, by Vir∣tue of the Sun-beams, it becomes sweet-scented MUSK.

Monsieur Thevenot tells us, That in the Province of Azmer, belong∣ing to the Great Mogul, there is a Beast, like a Fox in the Snout, which is no bigger than a Hare: The Hair of it, is of the Colour of a Stags, and the Teeth like to a Dogs. He says, it yields most ex∣cellent MUSK; for at the Belly it hath a Bladder full of corrupt Blood, and that Blood maketh the MUSK, or is rather the MUSK it self; which they take from it, and immediatly cover the place where the Bladder is cut with Lea∣ther, to hinder the Scent from eva∣porating: But after this Operation is made, the Beast is not long-liv'd.

Monsieur Tavernier, in his Tra∣vels in India, says, That the best sort, and the greatest quantity of MUSK, comes from the Kingdom of Boutan, from whence they bring

it to Patna, the chief City of Ben∣gala, to truck it away for other Commodities: And that all the MUSK which is Sold in Persia, comes from thence: And that the MUSK-Merchants had rather deal with you for Coral and Tellow-Am∣ber, than for Gold or Silver; in re∣gard the other is more in esteem among the Natives where they live.

Tavernier also tells us, That after they have kill'd the Creature, they cut off the Bladder that grows un∣der the Belly, as big as an Egg, nearer to the Genital parts, than to the Navel: And that then they take out the MUSK that is in the Blad∣der, which at that time looks like Clotted-Blood.

He observes to us, That this Creature is not to be found in 65 degrees, but in 60 there are vast Numbers, the Country being all over cover'd with Forrests. But he says, that in the Months of Fe∣bruary and March, after they have

endur'd a sharp Hunger, by reason of the great Snows that fall where they breed, Ten or Twelve Foot deep, they will come to 44 or 45 degrees to fill themselves with Corn and new Rice. And then it is that the Natives lay Gins and Snares for them, to catch them as they go back: Shooting some with Bows, and knocking others o'the head. Nay, he says, some have assur'd him, That they are so lean and faint with Hunger at that time, that one may almost take them running

He also informs us, That none of these Creatures have above one Bladder, no bigger th••n a Hen'sEgg, which will not yield above half an Ounce of MUSK; and that sometimes three or four will not aff••rd an Ounce; and yet what a world of MUSK is bought up!

There are three sorts of MUSK, Black, Brown, and Yellow; of which the First is naught, the Se∣cond is good, the last best; which

ought to be of Colour like the best Spikenard, that is, of a deep Amber Colour, inclosed with one only Skin, and not one over another, as it is oftentimes to 〈…〉〈…〉 -moist, which make•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 but in a mean; having som•• 〈…〉〈…〉 like Bristles, but not over many clear of Stones, Lead, or ••ther Trash intermix'd; and of so strong and fragrant a smell, that to many it is offensive, and being tasted in the Mouth, it pierceth the very Brain with the Scent, and ought not oversoon to dissolve in the Mouth, nor yet to remain very long undissolv'd in any hand; it must not be kept near to any sweet Spices, lest it lose the scent PVRCH. P••lgr. Vol. 1. Pag. 389.

That the Testicles of the Animal call'd MUSK-QUASS do smell strong of MUSK, as Mr. Iosselin in his Treatise of the Rarities of New-England affirms, is most certain; for a certain Person, (as you may see in the Philosoph. Transact) t••lls us,

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There is a Plant, pretty common in England, viz. One kind of Cranes-Bill, call'd Geranium Moschatum, that smells just like MUSK, espe∣cially Morning and Evening.

There are several ways of adul∣terating MUSK. Sometimes with Roots of Angelica, a Kids Liver, or Goats Blood, p. iiii., of it to i. p. of MUSK. As also with Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cloves, Spikenard, ana, mixt with MUSKED Rose-Wa∣ter. And sometimes with Benjamin, Storax, and Laudanum.

The King of Boutan fearing that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cheats and Adulterations of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••SK would spoil the MUSK-〈◊〉〈◊〉 order'd that none of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 should be sow'd up, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they should be all brought to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and there, after due in∣••ction, be seal'd up with his Seal. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 notwithstanding all the wari∣••••••s and care of the King, they will 〈◊〉〈◊〉, cunningly open them, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 put in little pieces of Lead to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Weight.