Pseudodoxia epidemica, or, Enquiries into very many received tenents and commonly presumed truths by Thomas Browne.

THE THIRD BOOK. (Book 3)

Of divers popular and received Tenents concerning Animals, which exa∣mined, prove either false or dubious. (Book 3)

CHAP. I.

Of the Elephant.

THE first shall be of the Elephant, whereof there generally passeth an opinion it hath no joynts; and this absurdity is seconded with another, that being unable to lye downe, it sleepeth against a tree, which the Hunters observing doe saw al∣most asunder; whereon the beast relying, by the fall of the tree falls also down it selfe, and is able to rise no more; which conceit is not the daughter of latter times, but an old and gray-headed errour, even in the dayes of Aristotle, as he delivereth in his booke, de incessu animalium, and stands successively related by severall other Authors, by Diodo∣rus Siculus, Strabo, Ambrose, Cassiodore, Solinus, and many more: Now herein me thinks men much forget themselves, not well conside∣ring the absurditie of such assertions.

For first, they affirme it hath no joynts, and yet concede it walks and moves about; whereby they conceive there may be a progression or advancement made in motion without the inflexion of parts: Now all progression or animall locomotion being (as Aristotle teacheth) per∣formed tractu & pulsu; that is by drawing on, or impelling forward some part which was before in station, or at quiet; where there are no joynts or flexures neither can there be these actions; and this is true, not only in Quadrupedes, Volatills and Fishes, which have distinct and prominent organs of motion, legs, wings, and fins; but in such also as performe their progression by the truncke, as serpents, wormes and leeches; whereof though some want bones, and all extended articula∣tions, yet have they arthriticall analogies, and by the motion of fibrous

and musculous parts, are able to make progression; which to conceive in bodies inflexible, and without all protrusion of parts, were to expect a race from Hercules his pillars, or hope to behold the effects of Orpheus his ha••pe, when Trees found legges, and danced after his musicke.

Againe, while men conceive they never lye downe, and enjoy not the position of rest, ordained unto all pedestrious animalls whatsoever, hereby they imagine (what reason cannot conceive) that an animall of the vastest dimension and longest duration should live in a continuall motion, without that alternity and vicissitude of rest whereby all others continue; and yet must thus much come to passe, if wee opi∣nion they lye not downe and enjoy no decumbence at all; for station is properly no rest, but one kinde of motion, relating unto that which Physitians (from Galen) doe name extensive or tonicall, that is an ex∣tension of the muscles and organs of motion maintaining the body at length or in its proper figure, wherein although it seem to be immoved is neverthelesse without all motion, for in this position the muscles are sensibly ex••ended, and labour to support the body, which permitted unto its proper gravity would suddenly subside and fall unto the earth, as it happeneth in sleep, diseases and death; from which occult action and invisible motion of the muscles in station (as Galen declareth) proceed more offensive lassitudes then from ambulation; and there∣fore the Tyranny of some have tormented men, with long and enfor∣ced station, and though Ixion and Sisiphus which alwaies moved, doe seem to have the hardest measure, yet was not Titius favoured, that lay extended upon Caucasus, and Tantalus suffered somewhat more then thirst, that stood perpetually in hell; and thus Mercurialis in his Gym nasticks justly makes standing one kinde of exercise, and Galen when we lye downe, commends unto us middle figures; that is, not to lye directly, or at length, but somewhat inflected, that the muscles may be at rest; for such as he termeth Hypobolemaioi or figures of excesse, either shrinking up or stretching out, are wearisome positions, and such as perturbe the quiet of those parts.

Moreover men herein doe strangely forget the obvious relations of history, affirming they have no joynts, whereas they dayly read of se∣verall actions which are not performable without them. They for∣get what is delivered by Xiphilinus, and also by Suetonius in the lives of Nero and Galba, that Elephants have been instructed to walke on ropes, and that in publicke shews before the people; which is not easily performed by man, and requireth not only a broad foot, but a plyable flexure of joynts, and commandible disposure of all parts of progres∣sion; they passe by that memorable place in Curtius, concerning the Elephant of King Porus, Indus qui Elephantem regebat descendere e∣umratus, more solito procumbere jussit in genua, caeteri quoque (ita en••••

instituti erant) demisere corpora in terram; they remember not the ex∣pression of Osorius de rebus gestis Emanuelis, when he speakes of the E∣lephant presented to Leo the tenth, Pontificemter genibus flexis, & de∣misso corporis habitu veuerabundus salutavit: But above all, they call not to minde that memorable shew of Germanicus, wherein twelve Elephants danced unto the sound of musick, and after laid them down in the Tricliniums, or places of festivall Recumbency.

Lastly, they forget or consult not experience, whereof not many yeares past, we have had the advantage in England, by an Elephant shewne in many parts thereof▪ not only in the posture of standing, but kneeling and lying downe; whereby although the opinion at present be reasonable well suppressed, yet from the strings of tradition and fruitfull recurrence of error, it is not improbable, it may revive in the next generation againe; for this was not the first that hath been seen in England, for (besides some others since) as Polydore Virgil relateth, Lewis the French King sent one to Henry the third; and Emanuel of Portugall another unto Leo the tenth into Italy, where notwithstand∣ing the errour is still alive and epidemicall, as with us.

The hint and ground of this opinion might be the grosse and some∣what Cylindricall composure of the legs, the equality and lesse per∣ceptible disposure of the joynts, especially in the fore legs of this Ani∣mall, they appearing when he standeth like pillars of flesh, without a∣ny evidence of articulation: the different flexure and order of the joynts might also countenance the same, being not disposed in the Elephant, as they are in other quadrupedes, but carry a nearer conformity into those of man, that is the bought of the fore legs not directly backward, but laterally and somewhat inward, but the hough or suffraginous flexure behinde rather outward, contrary unto many other Q••ad••u∣pedes, and such as can scratch the care with the hinder foot, as Horses, Camells, Deere, Sheep and Dogs, for their fore legs bend like our legs, and their hinder legs like our armes, when we move them to our shoulders; but quadrupedes oviparous, as Frogs, Lizards, Crocodiles, have their joynts and motive flexures more analogously framed unto ours; and some among viviparous, that is such thereof as can bring their forefeet and meat therein into their mouths, as most can doe that have the clanicles or coller-bones, whereby their breasts are broader, and their shoulders more asunder, as the Ape, the Monkey, the Squirrell, and some others: If therefore any shall affirme the joynts of Elephants are differently framed from most of other Quadrupedes, and more ob∣scurely and grossely almost then any, he doth her••in no injury unto truth; but if à dicto secundum quid addictum simpliciter, he affirmeth also they have no articulations at all, he incurs the controlment of rea∣son, and cannot avoid the contradiction of sense.

As for the manner of their venation, if we consult historicall expe∣rience,

we shall find it to be otherwise then as is commonly presumed, by sawing away of trees; the accounts whereof are to be seen at large in Iohannes Hugo, Edwardus Lopez, Garcias ab Horto, Cadamustus, and many more: other concernments there are of the Elephant, which might admit of discourse, and if we should question the teeth of Ele∣phants, that is whether th••y be properly so termed, or might not ra∣ther be called hornes, it were no new enquiry of mine, but a paradox as old as Oppianus: whether as Pliny and divers since affirme, that Ele∣phants are terrified, and make away upon the grunting of Swine, Gar∣cias ab Horto may decide, who affirmeth upon experience they enter their stalles, and live promiscuously in the woods of Malavar; That the situation of the genitalls is averse, and their copulation like that of Camells, as Pliny hath also delivered, is neither to be received, for we have beheld that part in a different position, and their coition is made by supersaliency like that of horses, as we are informed by some who have beheld them in that act. That some Elephants have not only writ∣ten whose sentences, as Aelian ocularly testifieth, but have also spoken, as Oppianus delivereth, and Christophorus a Costa particularly rela∣teth, although it sound like that of Achilles horse in Homer, wee doe not conceive impossible; nor beside the affinity of reason in this Ani∣mall any such intolerable incapacity in the organs of divers other Qua∣drupedes, whereby they might not be taught to speake, or become imitators of speech like birds; and indeed strange it is how the curiosi∣ty of men that have been active in the instruction of beasts, have never fallen upon this artifice, and among those many paradoxicall and un∣heard of imitations, should not attempt to make one speak; the Serpent that spake unto Eve, the Dogs & Cats, that usually speak unto Witches, might afford some encouragement, and since broad and thick chops are required in birds that speake, since lips and teeth are also organs of speech; from these there is also an advantage in quadrupedes, and a proximity of reason in Elephants and Apes above them all.

CHAP. II.

Of the Horse.

THE second Assertion, that an Horse hath no gall, is very generall, nor onely swallowed by the people, and common Farriers, but al∣so received by good Veterinarians, and some who have laudably dis∣coursed upon Horses, it seemeth also very ancient; for it is plainly set downe by Aristotle, an Horse and all Solipeds have no gall; and the same is also delivered by Plinie, which notwithstanding we finde re∣pugnant unto experience and reason; for first, it calls in question the providence or wise provision of nature, who not abounding in super∣fluities,

is neither deficient in necessities, wherein neverthelesse there would be a maine defect, and her improvision justly accusable, if such a feeding Animall, and so subject unto diseases from bilious causes, should want a proper conveyance for choler, or have no other re∣ceptacle for that humor, then the veynes, and generall masse of bloud.

It is againe controulable by experience; for we have made some search and enquiry herein, encouraged by Absyrtus a Greek Author, in the time of Constantine, who in his Hippiaticks, obscurely assigneth the gall a place in the liver▪ but more especially by Ruino the Bononi∣an, who in his Anatomia del Cavallo, hath more plainly described it, and in a manner as I found it; for in the dissections of Horses, and par∣ticular enquiry into that part, in the concave or simous part of the liver, whereabout the gall is usually seated in quadrupeds, I discover an hol∣low, long and membranous substance of a yellow colour without, and lined with choler and gall within; which part is by branches diffused into the lobes and severall parcells of the liver, from whence receiving the firie superfluity, or cholericke remainder, upon the second con∣coction by a manifest and open passage, it conveyeth it into the duode∣num or upper gut, thence into the lower bowells, which is the manner of its derivation in man and other animalls; and therefore although there be no eminent and circular follicle, no round bagge or vesicle which long containeth this humor, yet is there a manifest receptacle and passage of choler, from the liver into the guts; which being not so shut up, or at least not so long detained, as it is in other animalls, pro∣cures that frequent excretion, and occasions the horse to dung more often then many other; for choler is the naturall glister, or one excre∣tion whereby nature excludeth another, which descending daily into the bowells, extimulates those parts, and excites them unto expulsion; and so when this humor aboundeth or corrupteth, there succeeds oft∣times a cholerica passio, that is a sudden and vehement purgation up∣ward and downward; and so when the passage of gall becomes ob∣structed, the body grows costive, and the excrements of the belly white, as it happeneth oft-times in the Jaundice.

If any therefore affirme an horse hath no gall, that is, no receptacle, or part ordained for the separation of choller, or not that humour at all, he hath both sence and reason to oppose him; but if he saith it hath no bladder of gall, and such as is observed in many other animals, we shall oppose our sense if we gainesay him; and thus must Aristotle be made out when he denyeth this part, and by this distinction wee may relieve Pliny of a contradiction; who in one place affirming an horse hath no gall, delivereth yet in another, that the gall of an horse was accounted poyson, and therefore at the sacrifices of horses in Rome, it was un∣lawfull for the Flamen but to touch it; but with more difficulty, or hardly at all is that reconcilable which is delivered by our Countrey∣man,

and received veterinarian, whose words in his master-piece, and Chapter of diseases from the gall, are somewhat too strict, and scarce admit a Reconciliation. The fallacy therefore of this conceit is not un∣like the former, A dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, because they have not a bladder of gall, like those we usually observe in others, they have no gall at all; which is a Paralogisme not admittible, a fal∣lacy that dwels not in a cloud, and needs not the Sun to scatter it.

CHAP. III.

Of the Dove.

THe third Assertion is somewhat like the second, That a Dove or Pigeon hath no gall, which is affirmed from very great Antiquity; for as Pierius observeth, from this consideration the Aegyptians did make it the Hieroglyphick of meekenesse; it hath beene averred by many holy Writers, commonly delivered by Postillers and Commen∣tators, who from the frequent mention of the Dove in the Canticles, the precept of our Saviour to bee wise as Serpents, and innocent as Doves, and especially the appearance of the holy Ghost in the simi∣litude of this animall, have taken occasion to set downe many affecti∣ons of the Dove, and what doth most commend it, is that it hath no Gall; and hereof have made use not onely inferiour and minor Di∣vines, but Cyprian, Austin, Isidore, Beda, Rupertus, Jansenius, and many more.

Whereto notwithstanding we know not how to assent, it being re∣pugnant unto the Authority and positive determination of ancient Phi∣losophy; the affirmative of Aristotle in his history of Animals is very plai••e, Felaliis ventri, aliis intestino jungitur; Some have the Gall ad∣joyned to the guts, as the Crow, the Swallow, Sparrow, and the Dove, the same is also attested by Pliny, and not without some passion by Galen, who in his booke de Atra bile, accounts him ridiculous that denyes it.

It is not agreeable to the constitution of this Animall, nor can we so reasonably conceive there wants a gall; that is, the hot and ••iery hu∣mour in a body so hot of temper, which phlegme or melancholy could not effect: Now of what complexion it is, Julius Alexandrinus decla∣reth, when he affirmeth, that some upon the use thereof, have fallen into Feavers and Quinsies; the temper also of their dung and intestinall excretions do also confirme the same, which Topically applyed be∣come a Phaenigmus or Rubifying medicine, and are of such fiery parts, that as we reade in Galen, they have of themselves conceived fire, and burnt a house about them, and therefore when in the famine of Sama∣ria, (wherein the fourth part of a cab of Pigeons dung was sold for five

pieces of silver) it is delivered by Josephus, that men made use here∣of instead of common slat, although the exposition seeme strange, it is more probable then many other, for that it containeth very much salt; beside the effects before expressed, it is discernable by taste, and the earth of Columbaries or Dovehouses, so much desired in the artifice of Salt-peter; and to speake generally, the excrements of birds which want both bladder and kidneys, hath more of salt and acrimony, then that of other animals, who beside the guts have also those conveyan∣ces; for whereas in these, the salt and lixiviated serosity with some por∣tion of choler, is divided betweene the guts and bladder, it remaines und••vided in birds, and hath but a single descent, by the guts, with the exclusions of the belly. Now if because the Dove is of a milde and gentle nature, wee cannot conceive it should be of an hot temper, our apprehensions are not distinct in the measure of constitutions, and the several parts which evidence such conditions: for the Irascible passions doe follow the temper of the heart, but the concupiscible distractions the crasis of the liver; now many have not livers, which have but coole and temperate hearts, and this was probably the temper of Paris, a contrary constitution to that of Aiax, and in both but short of Medea, who seemed to exceed in either.

Lastly, it is repugnant to experience, for Anatomicall enquirie dis∣covereth in them a gall, and that according to the determination of Aristotle, not annexed unto the Liver, but adhering unto the guts; nor is the humour contained in smaller veines, or obscure capillations, but in a vesicle or little bladder, though some affirme it hath no cystis or bag at all, and therefore the Hieroglyphick of the Aegyptians, though allowable in the sence, is weake in the foundation, who expressing meeknesse and lenity by the portract of a Dove with the taile erected, affirmed it had no gall in the inward parts, but onely in the rumpe, and as it were out of the body, and therefore if they conceived their gods were pleased with the sacrifice of this Animall, as being without gall, the ancient Heathen were surely mistaken in the reason, and in the very oblation, whereas in the holocaust or burnt offerings of Moses the gall was cast away; for as Ben Maimon instructeth, the inwards whereto the gall adhereth were taken out with the crop, according unto the Law, Levit. 1. which the Priest did not burne, but cast unto the E••st, that is, behinde his back, and readiest place to be carried out of the Sanctuary. And if they also conceived that for this reason, they were the birds of Venus, and wanting the furious and discording part, were more acceptable unto the Deity of Love; they surely added unto the conceit, which was at first venereall, and in this animall may be suffi∣ciently made out from that conception.

The ground of this conceit is partly like the former, that is, the ob∣scure situation of the gall, and out of the Liver, wherein it is common∣ly

enquired, but this is a very injust illation, not well considering with what variety this part is seated in birds; in some both at the stomack and the liver, as in the Cap••iceps, in some at the liver only, as in Cocks, Turkeys, and Phasiants, in others at the guts and Liver, as in Hawkes and Kites; in some at the guts alone, as Crowes, Doves, and many more, and these perhaps may take up all the wayes of situation, not onely in birds, but also other animals, for what is said of the Ancho∣ny or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that answerable unto its name, it carrieth the gall in the head, is further to be enquired; and though the discoloured par∣ticles in the skin of an Heron, be commonly termed Galls, yet is not this animall deficient in that part; and thus when it is conceived that the eyes of Tobias were cured by the gall of the fish Callyonimus or Scorpius marinus, commended to that effect by Dioscorides, although that part were not in the liver, were there reason to doubt that proba∣bility, and whatsoever animall it was, it may be received without ex∣ception when tis delivered, the married couple as a testimony of future concord, did cast the gall of the sacrifice behinde the Altar?

A strict and literall acception of a loose and tropicall expression was a second ground hereof; for while some affirmed it had no gall, intending onely thereby no evidence of anger or fury, others have construed it anatomically, and denied that part at all; by which illati∣on we may inferre, and that from sacred Text, a Pigeon hath no heart, according to that expression, Hosea 7. Factus est Ephraim sicut Colum ba seducta non habens cor; and so from the letter of Scripture wee may conclude it is no milde, but a fiery and furious animall, according to that of Jeremy, chap. 25. Facta est terra in desolationem à facie irae Co∣lumbae: and againe, chap. 46. Revertamur ad terram nativitatis nostrae à facie gladii columbae, where notwithstanding the Dove is not literally intended, but thereby are implyed the Babylonians whose Queene Se∣miramis was called by that name, and whose successors did beare the Dove in their standard: so is it proverbially said, Formicae sua bilis inest, habet & musca splenem, whereas wee all know Philosophy denyeth these parts, nor hath Anatomy discovered them in insects.

If therefore any shall affirme a Pigeon hath no gall, implying no more thereby then the lenity of this animall, wee shall not controvert his affirmation; and thus may wee make out the assertions of ancient Writers, and safely receive the expressions of those great Divines and worthy Fathers; but if by a transition from Rhetorick to Logick, hee shall contend, it hath no such part, or humour, he committeth an open fallacy, and such as was probably first committed concerning Spanish Mares, whose swiftnesse tropically expressed from their generation by the wind, might after be grosly taken, and a reall truth conceived in that conception.

CHAP. IV.

Of the Bever.

THat a Bever to escape the Hunter, bites off his testicles or stones, is a ••enent very ancient, and hath had thereby advantage of propa∣gation; for the same we finde in the Hi••roglyphicks of the Aegyptians, in the Apologue of Aesope, an Author of great antiquity, who lived in the beginning of the Persian Monarchy, and in the time of Cyrus, the same is touched b•• Aristotle in his Ethicks, but seriously delivered by Aelian, Plinie and Solinus, with the same we meet with in Juvenal, who by an handsome and metricall expression more welcomely engrafts it in our junior memories—

imitatus Castora, qui se Eunuchum ipse facit cupiens evadere damno Testiculo••um, adeo medicatum intelligit inguen,

it hath been propagated by Emblems, and some have been so bad Gra∣marians, as to be deceived by the name, deriving Castor à castrando; whereas, the proper L••tine word is Fibor, and Castor, but borrowed from the Greeke so called quasi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, Animal ventricosum, from his swaggy and prominent belly.

Herein therefore to speake compendiously, wee first presume to affirme, that from a strict enquiry, we cannot maintaine the evulsion or biting of any parts, and this is declareable from the best and most pro∣fessed Writers, for though some have made use hereof in a Morall or Tropicall way, yet have the professed discoursers by silence deserted, or by experience rejected this assertion. Thus was it in ancient times discovered, and experimentally refuted by one Sestius a Ph••sitian, as it stands related by Plinie; by Dioscorides, who plainely affirmes that this tradition is false, by the discoveries of moderne Authors, who have expresly discoursed hereon, as Aldrovandus, Mathiolus, Gesne••us, Bel∣lonius; by Olaus Magnus, Peter Martyr and divers others, who have described the manner of their venations in America, they gene∣rally omitting this way of their escape, and have delivered severall other, by which they are daily taken.

The originall of the conceit was probably Hieroglyphicall, which after became Mythologicall unto the Greeks, & so set down by Aesop, and by processe of tradition, stole into a totall verity, which was but partially true, that is in i'••s cove••t sense and morallity. Now why they placed this invenion upon the Bever, (beside the Medicall and Mer∣chantable commodity of castoreum or parts conceived to be bitten away) might be the sagacitie and wisedome of that animall, which in∣deed from the workes it performes, and especially i'ts artifice in build∣ing is very strange, and surely not to be matched by any other, omit∣ted

by Plutarch de solertia animalium, but might have much advanta∣ged the drift of that discourse.

If therefore any affi••me a wise man should demeane himselfe like the B••ver, who to escape with his life, contemneth the losse of his ge¦nitalls; that is, in case of extremity, not strictly to endeavour the preserva••ion of all, but to sit downe in the enjoyment of the greater good, though with the detriment and hazzard of the lesser; wee may hereby appr••hend a reall and usefull truth; and in this la••i••ude of be∣liefe, w••e are content to receive the fable of Hippomanes who re¦deemed his life, with the losse of a golden ball; and whe••her true o•• ••alse, we reject not the tragedy of Absyrtus, and the dispersion of his members b•• Medea to perplex the pursuit of her father; but if he shall positively affi••me this act, and cannot beleeve the morall, unlesse hee also credit the fable, hee is surely greedy of delusion, and will hardly avoide deception in theories of this nature. The error therefore and Alogie in th••s opinion, is worse then in the last, that is not to receive figures for realities, but expect a verity in Apologues, and beleeve, as serious ••ffi••mations, confessed and studied fables.

Againe, if this were true, and that the Bever in chase make some di∣vulsion of parts, as that which we call Castoreum; yet are not these parts avelled to be termed Testicles or stones, for these cods or follicles are sound in both sexes, though somewhat more protuberant in the male; t••ere is hereto no de••ivation of the seminall parts, nor any passage from hence, unto the vessels of ej••culations; some perforations onely in the part it selfe, through which the humor included doth exudate; as may be observed in such as are fresh, and not much dryed with age; and last∣ly, the Testicles properly so called, are of a lesser magnitude and sea••ed inwardly upon the loynes; and therefore it were not only a fruitlesse attempt, but impossible act, to eu••uchate or castrate themselves, and might bee an hazardous practise of Arte, if at all attempted by o∣the••s.

Now all this is confirmed from the experimentall testimony of five very memorable Authors; Bellonius, Gesnerus, Amatus, Rondeletius, and M••••hiolus, who receivng the hint hereof from Rondeletius in the Anatomie of two Bevers, did finde all true that had been delivered by him, whose words are these in his learned book de Piscibus: Fibri in ingu••nibus geminos tumores habent utrinqueunicum, ovi ••nserini magni∣tudine, inter hos est mentula in m••ribus, in foeminis pud••ndum hi tumores testes non sunt sed folliculi member anâ con••ecti in quor•• medio singuli sunt meatus è qu••bus exudat liquor pinguis & cerosus quem ipse Castor saepe ad∣moto ore lambit & ••xug••t, p••stea veluti oleo corporis pa••tes oblinit; Hos tu∣mores testes non e••s•• hinc m••ixime coll••gitur quod ab illis nulla est ad men∣tulam via neque ductus quo humor in mentulae me••tum derivetur & fo•• as emitt••tur; prae••erea quod ••estes ••n••us reperi••ntur, eosdem tumores Moscho

animali in esse puto, è quibus odoratum illud pus emanat; then which words there can be none plainer, nor more evidently discover the im∣proprietie of this appellation: that which is included in the cod or vi∣sible bagge about the groine, being not the Testicle, or any spermati∣call part, but rather a collection of some superfluous matter deflowing from the body, esp••cially the parts of nutrition as unto their proper emunctories, and as it doth in Musck and Civet cats, though in a diffe∣rent and offensive odour, proceeding partly from i'ts food, that being especially fish, whereof this humor may be a garous excretion, or a raucide and olidous separation.

Most therefore of the Modernes before Rondeletius, and all the Antients excepting Sestius, have misunderstood this part, as concei∣ving Castoreum for the Testicles of the Bever, as Dioscorides, Galen, Aegineta, Aetius, and others have pleased to name it. The Egyptians also ••ailed in the ground of their Hieroglyphick, when they expressed the punishment of adultery by the Bever depriving himself of his testicles, which was amongst them the penalty of such incontinencie. Nor is Ae••••us perhaps, too strictly to be observed, when he prescribeth the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the O••ter, or River-dog, as succedaneous unto Castoreum: but ••••ost inexcusable of all is Plinie, who having before him in one place 〈◊〉〈◊〉 experiment of Sestius against it, sets downe in another, that the Bevers of Pontus bite off their testicles, and in the same place affir∣••••th the like of the Hyena.

Now the ground of this mistake might be the resemblance and si∣tuation of these tumors about those parts, wherein we observe the te∣sticles in other animalls; which notwithstanding is no well founded illation; for the testicles are defined by their office, and not determined by place or situation; they having one office in all, but different seats in many; for beside that no serpent or fishes oviparous, have any stones at all; that neither biped nor quadruped oviparous have any exteriorly, or prominent in the groyne, some also that are viviparous contain these parts within, as beside this animall the Elephant, and the Hedge-hog.

If any therefore shall terme these, testicles, intending metaphorical∣ly, and in no strict acception, his language is tolerable and offends our ears no more then the Tropicall names of plants, when we read in Herballs in the severall kindes of Orchis of Dogs, Fox, and Goat-stones; but if he insist thereon, and maintaine a propriety in this lan∣guage, our discourse hath overthrowne his assertion, nor will Logicke permit his illation; That is, from things alike, to conclude a thing the same, and from an accidentall convenience that is a similitude in place or figure, to infer a specificall congruity or substantiall concurrence in nature.

CHAP. V.

Of the Badger.

TH••t a Brock or Badger hath his legs of one side shorter then of the other, though an opinion perhaps not very ancient, is yet very ge∣nerall, received not only by theorists and unexperienced beleevers, but assented unto by most who have the opportunity to behold and hunt them dayly; which notwithstanding upon enquiry I finde repugnant unto the three determinators of truth, Authority, Sense and Reason: For first, Albertus m••gnus speaks dubiously, confessing he could not confirme the ve••ity hereof, but Aldrovand affirmeth plainly, there can be no such inequality observed; and for my own part, upon indifferent enquiry, I cannot discover this difference, although the regardible side be defined, and the brevity by most imputed unto the left.

Againe, it seems no easie affront unto reason, and generally repug∣nant unto the course of nature; for if we survey the totall set of animals, we may in their legs, or organs of progression, obse••ve an equality of length, and parity of numeration; that is, not any to have an odde leg, or the supporters and movers of one side not exactly answered by the other▪ although the hinder may be unequall unto the fore and middle legs, as in Frogs, Locusts and Grafhoppers, or both unto the middle, as in some beetles, and spiders, as is determined by Aristotle de incessu animalium; perfect and viviparous quadrupeds, so standing in their po∣sition of pronenesse, that the opposite joynts of neighbour legs consist in the same plaine, and a line de••cending from their navell intersects at right angles the axis of the earth: It happeneth often I confesse that a Lobster hath the chely or great claw of one side longer then the other, but this is not properly their leg, but a part of apprehension, and where∣by they hold or seize upon their prey; for in them the legs and proper parts of progression are inverted backward, and stand in a position op∣posi••e unto these.

Lastly, the monstrosity is ill contrived, and with some disadvantage, the shortnesse being affixed unto the legs of one side, which might have been more tolerably placed upon the thwart or Diagoniall movers; for the progression of quadrupeds being performed per Diametrum, that is the crosse legs moving or resting together, so that two are alwayes in motion, and two in station at the same time, the brevity had been more tolerable in the crosse legs; for then the motion and station had beene performed by equall legs, whereas herein they are both performed by unequall organs, and the imperfection becomes discoverable at every hand.

CHAP. VI.

Of the Beare.

THat a Bear brings forth her young informous and unshapen, which she fashioneth after by licking them over, is an opinion not only vulgar, and common with us at present, but hath been of old delivered by ancient Writers upon this foundation, it was a Hieroglyphicke a∣mon the Aegyptians; Aristotle seems to countenance it, Solinus, Plinie and Aelian directly affirme it, and Ovid smoothly delivereth it—

—Nec catulus partu quem reddidit ursa recenti Sed male viva caro est, lambendo mater in artus Ducit & in formam qualem cupit ipsa reducit.

Which opinion notwithstanding is not only repugnant unto the sense of every one that shall with diligence enquire into it, but the exact and deliberate experiment of three authenticke Philosophers; the first of Mathiolus in his Comment on Dioscorides, whose words are to this effect. In the valley of Anania about Trent, in a Beare which the Hun∣ters eventerated, I beheld the young ones with all their parts distinct, and not without shape, as many conceive, giving more credit unto Aristotle and Plinie, then experience and their proper senses. Of the same assurance was Julius Scaliger in his Exercitations, Vrsam faetus informes potius ejicere, qu 〈◊〉〈◊〉 parere, si vera dicunt, quos postea linctu ef∣fingat, Quid hujusce fabulae authorib••s fidei habendum ex hac historia cognosces, In nostris Alpibus venatores faetam ursam cepere, dissecta eafae tus plane formatus intus inventus est: and lastly, Aldrovandus who from the testimony of his owne eyes affirmeth, that in the cabinet of the Senate of Bononia, there was preserved in a glasse a Cub dissected out of a Beare perfectly formed, and compleat in every part.

It is moreover injurious unto reason, and much impugneth the course and providence of nature, to conceive a birth should be ordained be∣fore there is a formation; for the conformation of parts is necessarily required not only unto the prerequisites and previous conditions of birth, as motion and animation, but also unto the parturition or very birth it selfe; wherein not only the Dam, but the younglings play their parts, and the cause and act of exclusion proceedeth from them both: for the exclusion of animals is not meerly passive like that of egges, nor the totall action of delivery to be imputed unto the mother; but the first attempt beginneth from the Infant, which at the accomplished pe∣riod attempteth to change his mansion, and strugling to come forth, di∣lacerates and breaks those parts which restrained him before.

Beside (what few take notice of) men hereby doe in a high measure vilifie the workes of God, imputing that unto the tongue of a beast, which is the strangest artifice in all the acts of nature, that is the for∣mation

of the Infant in the womb, not only in mankind, but all vivipa∣rous animals whatsoever, wherin the plastick or formative faculty, from matter appearing homogeneous, and of a similary substance erecteth bones, membranes, veynes and ar••eries, and out of these contriveth e∣very part in number, place and figure, according to the law of its species, which is so far from being fashioned by any outward agent, that once omitted or perverted by a slip of the inward Phidias, it is not reducible by any other whatsoever; and therefore, mirè me plasmaverunt manus tuae, though it originally respected the generation of man, yet is it ap∣plyable unto that of other animalls, who entring the wombe in indi∣stinct and simple materialls, returne with distinction of parts, and the perfect breath of life; he that shall consider these alterations without, must needs conceive there have been strange operations within, which to behold it were a spectacle almost worth ones being, a sight beyond all, except that man had been created first, and might have seen the shew of five dayes after.

Now as the opinion is repugnant both unto sense and reason, so hath it probably been occasioned from some slight ground in either; thus in regard the cub comes forth involved in the Chorion, a thick and tough membrane obscuring the formation, and which the Dam doth after bite, and tea••e asunder, the beholder at first sight conceives it a rude and informous lumpe of flesh, and imputes the ensuing shape unto the mouthing of the Dam; which addeth nothing thereunto, but onely drawes the curtaine, and takes away that vaile which conceded the piece before; and thus have some endeavoured to enforce the same from reason; that is, the small and slender time of the Beares gestation, or going with her young, which lasting but few dayes (a month some say) the exclusion becomes precipitous, and the young ones conse∣quently informous; according to that of Solinus, Trigesimus dies ute∣rum liberat ursae, unde evenit ut praecipitata faecundita•• informes creet par∣tus; but this will overthrow the generall method of nature, in the works of generation; for therein the conformation is not only antece∣dent, but proportionall unto the exclusion, and if the period of the birth be short, the terme of conformation will be as sudden also, there may I confesse from this narrow time of gestation ensue a minority or smal∣nesse in the exclusion, but this however inferreth no informity, and it still receiveth the name of a naturall and legitimate birth; whereas if we affirme a totall informity, it cannot admit so forward a terme as an Abortment; for that supposeth conformation, and so wee must call this constant and intended act of nature, a slip, an 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or effluxion, that is an exclusion before conforma••ion, before the birth can beare the name of the parent, or be so much as properly called an Embryon.

CHAP. VII.

Of the Basilisk.

MAny opinions are passant concerning the Basiliske or little king of Serpents, commonly called the Cockatrice, some affirming, others denying, most doubting the relations made hereof; what there∣fore in these incertainties we may more surely determine, that such an animall there is, if we evade not the testimony of Scripture, and hu∣mane Writers, we cannot safely deny: So is it said Psal▪ 91. Super aspi∣dem & Basiliscum ambulabis, wherein the vulgar Translation retaineth the word of the Septuagint, using in other places the Latine expression Regulus, as Proverb. 23. Mordebit ut coluber, & sicut Regulus venena diffundet, and Jeremy 8. Ecce ego mittam vobis serpentes Regulos, &c. That is, as ou••s translate it, Behold I will send Serpents, Cockatrices a∣mong you which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you; and as for humane Authors, or such as have discoursed of animals, or poy∣sons, it is to be found almost in all, as Dioscorides, Galen, Pliny, Soli∣••us, Aelian, Aetius, Avicen, Ardoynus, Crevinus, and many more; In Aristotle I confesse we finde no mention, but Scaliger in his Comment and enumeration of Serpents, hath made supply, and in his Exercita∣tions delivereth that a Basilisk was found in Rome, in the dayes of Leo the fourth, and the like is reported by Sigonius, and some are so farre from denying one, that they have made severall kinds thereof, for such is the Catoblepas of Pliny, conceived by some, and the Dryinus of Aetius by others.

But although we deny not the existence of the Basilisk, yet whether we do not commonly mistake in the conception hereof, and call that a Basilisk which is none at all, is surely to be questioned; for certainely that which from the conceit of its generation we vulgarly call a Cock∣atrice, and wherein (but under a different name) we intend a formall Identity and adequate conception with the Basilisk, is not the Basilisk of the Ancients, whereof such wonders are delivered. For this of ours is generally described with legs, wings, a serpentine and winding taile, and a crist or combe somewhat like a Cock; but the Basilisk of elder times was a proper kinde of Serpent, not above three palmes long, as some account, and differenced from other Serpents by advancing his head, and some white markes or coronary spots upon the crowne, as all authentick Writers have delivered.

Nor is this Cockatrice onely unlike the Basiliske, but of no reall shape in nature, and rather an Hieroglyphicall fancy, to expresse their different intentions, set forth in different fashions; sometimes with the head of a man, sometimes with the head of an Hawke, as Pierius hath delivered, and as with addition of legs the Heralds and Painters

still describe it; nor was it onely of old a symbolicall and allowable invention, but is now become a manuall contrivance of Art, and arti∣ficiall imposture, whereof besides others, Scaliger hath taken notice: Basilisci f••rmam mentiti sunt vulgo Gallinaceo similem, & pedibus binis, neque enim absimiles sunt caeteris serpentibus, nisi maculâ quasi in vertice candidâ, unde illi nomen Regium, that is, men commonly counterfeit the forme of a Basilisk, with another like a Cock, and with two feet, whereas they differ not from other Serpents, but in a white speck upon their crowne; now although in some manner it might be counterfeited in Indian Cocks, and flying Serpents, yet is it commonly contrived out of the skins of Thornebacks, Scaites or Maids, as Aldrovand hath observed, and also graphically described in his excellent booke of Fishes.

Nor is onely the existency of this animall considerable, but many things delivered thereof, particularly its poyson, and its generation. Concerning the first, according to the doctrine of the Ancients, men still affirme, that it killeth at a distance, that it poysoneth by the eye, and that by priority of vision; now that deleterious it may bee at some distance and destructive without a corporall contaction, what uncer∣tainty soever there be in the effect, there is no high improbability in the relation; for if plagues or pestilentiall Atomes have beene conveyed in the ayre from different Regions, if men at a distance have infected each other; if the shaddowes of some trees be noxious, if Torpedoes deliver their opium at a distance, and stupifie beyond themselves; we cannot reasonably deny, that, beside our grosse and restrained poysons requiring contiguity unto their actions, there may proceed from sub∣tiler seeds, more agile emanations, which will contemne those Laws, and invade at distance unexpected.

That this venenation shooteth from the eye, and that this way a Basil••sk may empoyson, although thus much be not agreed upon by Authors, some imputing it unto the breath, others unto the bite, it is not a thing impossible; for eyes receive offensive impressions, from their objects, and may have influences destructive to each other; for the visible species of things strike not our senses immaterally, but strea∣ming in corporall rayes, do carry with them the qualities of the object from whence they flow, and the medium through which they passe: Thus through a greene or red glasse all things wee behold appeare of the same colours; thus sore eyes affect those which are sound, and themselves also by reflection, as will happen to an inflamed eye that beholds it selfe long in a glasse; thus is fascination made out, and thus also it is not impossible, what is affirmed of this animall, the visible rayes of their eyes carrying forth the subtilest portion of their poyson, which received by the eye of man, or beast, infecteth first the braine, and is from thence communicated unto the heart.

But lastly, that this destruction should be the effect of the first be∣holder, or depend upon priority of aspection, is a point not easily to be granted, and very hardly to be made out upon the principles of Ari∣stotle, Al••azen, Vitello, and others; who hold that sight is made by Reception, and not by Ex••ram••ssion, by receiving the rayes of the ob∣ject into the eye, and not by sending any out; for hereby although he behold a man first, the Basilisk should rather be destroyed, in regard he fi••st receiveth the rayes of his Antipathy and venemous emissions which objectively move his sense; but how powerfull soever his owne poyson be, it invadeth not the sence of man, in regard he beholdeth him not: and therefore this conceit was probably first begot by such as held the contrary opinion of sight by extramission, as did Pythago∣ras, Plato, Empedocles, Hipparchus, Galen, Macrobius, Proclus, Simplic••us, with most of the Ancients, and is the postulate of Euclide in his Opticks: and of this opinion might they be, who from this An∣tipathy of the Basilisk and man, expressed first the enmity of Christ and Sathan, and their mutuall dest••uction thereby; when Satan being elder then his humanity, beheld Christ first in the ••lesh, and so he was de∣stroyed by the Serpent, but Elder then Sathan in his Divinity, and so beholding him fi••st he destroyed the old Basilisk, and overcame the effects of his poyson, sin, death, and hell.

As for the generation of the Basilisk, that it proceedeth from a Cocks egge hatched under a Toad or Serpent, it is a conceit as mon∣strous as the brood it selfe: for if wee should grant that Cocks grow∣ing old, and unable for emission, amasse within themselves some semi∣nall matter, which may after conglobate into the forme of an egge, yet will this substance be unfruitfull, as wanting one principle of generati∣on, and a commixture of the seed of both sexes, which is required un∣to production, as may be observed in the egges of hens not trodden, and as we have made triall in some which are termed Cocks egges; It is not indeed impossible that from the sperme of a Cock, Hen, or other animall being once in putrescence, either from incubation, or other∣wise, some generation may ensue, not univocall and of the same spe∣cies, but some imperfect or monstrous production; even as in the body of man from putred humours, and peculiar wayes of corruption, there have succeeded strange and unseconded shapes of wormes, whereof we have beheld some our selves, and reade of others in medicall observa∣tions: and so may strange and venemous Serpents be severall wayes engendered; but that this generation should be regular, and alway produce a Basilisk, is beyond our affirmation, and we have good reason to doubt.

Againe, it is unreasonable to ascribe the equivocacy of this forme unto the hatching of a Toade, or imagine that diversifies the produ∣ction; for Incubation alters not the species, nor if wee observe it so

much as concurres either to the sex or colour, as evidently appeares in the eggs of Ducks or Partridges hatched under a Hen, there being re∣quired unto their exclusion, onely a gentle and continued heate, and that not particular or confined unto the species or parent; so have I knowne the seed of silke-wormes hatched on the bodies of women, and so Pliny reports that Livia the wife of Augustus hatched an egge in her bosome; nor is onely an animall heate required hereto, but an elementall and artificiall warmth will suffice; for as Diodorus delive∣reth, the Aegyptians were wont to hatch their eggs in ovens, and many eye witnesses confirme that practise unto this day: and therefore this generation of the Basilisk, seemes like that of Castor and Helena, he that can credit the one, may easily beleeve the other; that is, that these two were hatched out of the egge, which Jupiter in the forme of a Swan, begat on his Mistris Leda.

The occasion of this conceit might be an Aegyptian tradition con∣cerning the bird Ibis, which after became transferred unto Cocks; for an old opinion it was of that Nation, that the Ibis feeding upon Ser∣pents, that venemous food so inquinated their ovall conceptions, or egges within their bodies, that they sometimes came forth in Serpen∣tine shapes, and therefore they alwayes brake their egges, nor would they endure the bird to sit upon them; but how causelesse their feare was herein, the daily Incubation of Ducks, Peahens, and many other testifie, and the Sto••ke might have informed them, which bird they honoured and cherished, to destroy their Serpents.

That which much promoted it, was a misapprehension in holy Scripture upon the Lati••e Translation in Esay 51. Ova aspidum rupe∣runt, & telas Aranearum texuerunt, qui comedent de ovis corum morietur, & quod confotum est, erumpet in Regulum, from whence notwithstand∣ing, beside the generation of Serpents from egges there can be nothing concluded; but what kind of serpents are meant not easie to be determi∣ned, for translatiōs are very different: Tremellius rendring the Asp Hae∣morrhous, & the Regulus or Basilisk a Viper, & our translation for the Aspe, sets down a Cockatrice in the text, and an Adder in the margine.

Another place of Esay doth also seeme to countenance it, chap. 14. Ne Lateris Philistaea quoniam diminuta est virga percussoris tui, de radice enim colubri egredietur Regulus, & semen ejus absorbens volucrem, which ours somewhat favourably rendreth, out of the Serpents Root shall come forth a Cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fierie flying Serpent: But Tremellius, è radice Serpentis prodit Haemorrhous, & fructus illius Praester volans, wherein the words are different, but the sense is still the same; for therein are figuratively intended Vzziah and Ezechias, for though the Philistines had escaped the Minor Serpent Vzziah, yet from his stock, a fiercer Snake should arise, that would more terribly sting them, and that was Ezechias.

CHAP. VIII.

Of the Wolfe.

SUch a Story as the Basilisk is that of the Wolfe concerning priori∣tie of vision, that a man becomes hoarse or dumb, if a Wolfe have the advantage first to eye him, and this is in plaine language affirmed by Plinie: In Italia ut cred••••ur, ••uporum v••sus est noxius, vocemque ho∣mini, quem prius contemplatur adimere; ••o is it made out what is deli∣vered by Theocritus, and after him by Virgil—

Vox quoq Moerim Iam fugit ipsa, Lupi Moerim videre priores.

And thus is the proverbe to be understood, when during the discourse the partie or subject interveneth, and there ensueth a sudden silence, it is usually said, Lupus est in fabulâ: which conceit being already con∣victed, not only by Scaliger, R••olanus and others, but daily confuta∣ble almost every where out of England, we shall not further refute.

The ground or occasional original hereof was probably the amaze∣ment and sudden silence, the unexpected appearance of wolves do of∣ten put upon travellers; not by a supposed vapour, or venemous ema∣nation, but a vehement fear which naturally produceth obmutescence, and sometimes irrecoverable silence: thus birds are silent in pre∣sence of an hawk, and Plinie saith that dogs are mute in the shadow of an Hyaena; but thus could not the spirits of worthy Martyrs be silen∣ced, who being exposed not onely unto the eyes, but the mercilesse teeth of Wolves, gave lowd expressions of their faith, and their holy clamours were heard as high as heaven.

That which much promoted it beside the common proverb, was an expression in Theocritus, a very ancient Poet 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ••Ed••re non poteris vocem, Lycus est tib•• visus; which Lycus was Rivall unto another, and suddenly appearing stopped the mouth of his Corrivall: now Lycus signifying also a Wolf, occasioned this apprehension; men taking that appellatively, which was to be understood properly, and translating the genuine acception; which is a fallacy of Aequivocation, and in some opinions begat the like conceit concerning Romulus and Remus, that they were fostered by a Wolfe, the name of the nurse be∣ing Lupa; and founded the fable of Europa, and her carryage over Sea by a Bull, because the Ship or Pilots name was Taurus; and thus have some been startled at the proverb Bos in linguâ confusedly apprehend∣ing how a man should be said to have an Oxe in his tongue, that would not speake his minde; which was no more then that a piece of money had silenced him: for by the Oxe was onely implyed a piece of coine stamped with that figure, first currant with the Athenians, and after among the Romanes.

CHAP. IX.

Of Deere.

THe common opinion concerning the long life of Animals, is very ancient, especially of Crowes, Chaughes and Deere; in moderate accounts exceeding the age of man, in some the dayes of Nestor, and in others surmounting the yeares of Artephius, or Methuselah; from whence Antiquity hath raised proverbiall expressions, and the reall conception of their duration, hath been the hyperbolicall expression of others. From all the rest we shall single out the Deere, upon conces∣sion a long lived Animal, and in longaevity by many conceived to at∣taine unto hundreds; wherein permitting every man his owne beliefe, we shall our selves crave libertie to doubt, and our reasons are these en∣suing.

The first is that of Aristole, drawne from the increment and gestati∣on of this animal, that is, it's sudden arrivance unto growth and matu∣ritie, and the small time of it's remainder in the wombe; his words in the translation of Scaliger, are these; Deejus vitae longitudine fabulan∣tur, neque enim aut gestatio aut incrementum hinnulorum ejusmodi sunt, ut praestent argumentum longaevi animalis, that is, fables are raised con∣cerning the vivassity of Deere; for neither are their gestation or incre∣ment, such as may afford an argument of long life; and these saith Sca∣liger, are good mediums conjunctively taken, that is, not one without the other; For of animalls viviparous such as live long, goe long with young, and attaine but slowly to their maturitie and stature; so the Horse that liveth about thirty, arriveth unto his stature about six years, and remaineth above nine moneths in the wombe; so the Camell that liveth unto fifty, goeth with young no lesse then ten moneths, and cea∣seth not to grow before seaven; and so the Elephant that liveth an hun∣dred, beareth i••'s young above a yeare, and arriveth unto perfection at twenty; on the contrary, the Sheep and Goat, which live but eight or ten yeares, goe but five moneths, and attaine to their perfection at two yeares; and the like is observable in Cats, Hares, and Conies; and so the Deere that endureth the wombe but eight moneths, and is com∣pleat at six yeares, from the course of nature, wee cannot expect to live an hundred, nor in any proportionall allowance much more then thir∣ty, as having already passed two generall motions observable in all ani∣mations, that is, it's beginning and encrease, and having but two more to runne thorow, that is, it's state and declination, which are propor∣tionally set out by nature in every kinde, and naturally proceeding ad∣mit of inference from each other.

The other ground that brings it's long life into suspition, is the im∣moderate salacity, and almost unparalleld excesse of venerie, which

every September may be observed in this Animall, and is supposed to shorten the lives of Cockes, Partridges, and Sparrowes; certainely a confessed and undeniable enemie unto longaeuitie, and that not onely as a signe in the complexionall desire, and impetuositie, but also as a cause in the frequent act, or iterated performance thereof; For though we consent not with that Philosopher, who thinks a spermaticall emis∣sion unto the waight of one dragme, is aequivalent unto the effusion of sixtie ounces of blood, yet considering the resolution and languor en∣suing that act in some, the extenuation and marcour in others, and the visible acceleration it maketh of age in most, wee cannot but thinke it much abridgeth our dayes: although we also concede that this exclu∣sion is naturall, that nature it selfe will finde a way hereto without ei∣ther act or object; And although it be placed among the sixe non na∣turals, that is, such as neither naturally constitutive, nor meerly de∣structive, doe preserve or destroy according unto circumstance; yet do we sensibly observe an impotencie or totall privation thereof, pro∣longeth life, and they live longest in every kinde that exercise it not at all, and this is true not onely in Eunuches by nature, but spadoes by Art; For castrated animals in every species are longer lived then they which retaine their virilities: For the generation of bodies is not ef∣fected as some conceive, of soules, that is, by Irradiation, or answera∣bly unto the propagation of light, without its proper diminution; but therein a transmission is made materially from some parts, and Ideally from every one, and the propagation of one, is in a strict acception, some minoration of another; and therefore also that axiome in Philo∣sophy, that the generation of one thing, is the corruption of another, although it be substantially true concerning the forme and matter, is also dispositively verified in the efficient or producer.

As for more sensible arguments, and such as relate unto experiment, from these we have also reason to doubt its age, and presumed vivaci∣ty; for where long life is naturall, the markes of age are late, and when they appear, the journey unto death cannot be long. Now the age of a Deere (as Aristotle long agoe observed) is best conjectured, by the view or the hornes and teeth; from the hornes there is a particular and annuall account unto six yeares, they arising first plaine, and so succes∣sively branching, after which the judgement of their yeares by parti∣cular markes becomes uncertaine; but when they grow old, they grow lesse branched, and first doe lose their 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or propugnacula; that is, their brow Antlers, or lowest furcations next the head, which Aristotle saith the young ones use in fight, and the old as needles have them not at all. The same may be also collected from the losse of their Teeth, whereof in old age they have few or none before in either jaw. Now these are infallible markes of age, and when they appeare, wee must confesse a declination, which notwithstanding (as men informe us in

England) where observations may well be made, will happen between twenty and thirty: As for the bone or rather induration of the roots of the arterial veyn, and great artery, which is thought to be found only in the heart of an old Deere, and therefore becomes more precious in its rarity, it is often found in Deere, much under thirty, and wee have knowne some affirme they have found it in one of halfe that age; and therefore in that account of Plinie of a Deere with a collar about his necke, put on by Alexander the Great, and taken alive a hundred years after, with other relations of this nature we much suspect imposture or mistake; and if we grant their verity, they are but single relations, and very rare contingencies in individualls, not affording a regular didu∣ction upon the species: For though U••ysses his Dog lived unto twen∣ty two, and the Athenian Mule unto fourscore, we doe not measure their dayes by those yeares, or usually say, they live thus long, nor can the three hundred years of John of times, or Nestor, overthrow the assertion of Moses, or afford a reasonable encouragement beyond his septuagenary determination.

The ground and authority of this conceit was first Hieroglyphicall, the Egyptians expressing longaevitie by this animall, but upon what uncertainties, and also convincible fal••ities they often erected such emblems we have elsewhere delivered; and if that were true which Aristotle delivers of his time, and Plinie was not afraid to take up long after, the Aegyptians could make but weake observations herein; for though it be said that Aeneas feasted his followers with Venison, yet Aristotle affi••ms that neither Deer nor Boar were to be found in Afri∣ca; and how far they miscounted the lives and duration of Animals, is evident from their conceit of the Crow, which they presume to live five hundred yeares, and from the lives of Hawkes which (as Aelian delivereth) the Aegyptians doe reckon no lesse then at seven hun∣dred.

The second which led the conceit unto the Grecians, and prob••bly descended from the Aegyptians, was Poeticall, and that was a passage of H••siod, thus rendred by Ausonius,

Ter binos decies{que} novem super exit in ann••s Iusta senes centum quos implet vita virorum Hos novies super at vivendo garr••la ••ornix Et qua••er egreditur cornicis saecul•• cervus Alipedem cervum ter vincit corvus.— To ninty six the life of man ascendeth, Nine times as long that of the Chough extendeth, Foure times beyond, the life of Deere doth goe, And thrice is that surpassed by the Crow.

So that accor∣ding to this acco••nt, allowing ninety six for the age of man, the life of a Deere amounts unto three thousand, foure hundred, fifty six; A con∣ceit

so hard to be made out, that many have deserted the common and literall construction. So Theon in Aratus would have the number of nine not taken strictly, but for many yeares: In other opinions the compute so farre exceeded truth, that they have thought it more pro∣bable to take the word Genea, that is a generation consisting of many yeares, but for one yeare, or a single revolution of the Sunne, which is the remarkable measure of time, and within the compasse whereof we receive our perfection in the wombe. So that by this construction, the yeares of a Deere should be but thirty six, as is discoursed at large in that Tract of Plutarch, concerning the cessation of Oracles, and where∣to in his Discourse of the Crow, Aldrovandus also inclineth: others not able to make it out, have rejected the whole account, as may bee observed from the words of Plinie, Hesiodus qui primus aliquid de longaevitate vitae prodidit, fabulose (reor) multa de hominum aevo refe∣rence cornici n••vem nostras attribuit aetates quadruplum eju•• cervis, id ••ri∣plicatum corvi••▪ & reliqua fabulosius de Phaenice & nymphis; and this how slender soever, was probably the strongest ground Antiquity had for this longaevity of Animalls, that made Theophrastus expostulate with Nature concerning the long life of Crows, that begat that Epi∣thite of Deer 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Oppianus, and that expression of Juvenal —Longa & cervina senectus.

The third ground was Philosophicall and founded upon a probable reason in nature, and that is the defect of a Gall, which part (in the opi∣nion of Aristotle and Plinie) this animall wanted, and was conceived a cause and reason of their long life, according (say they) as it happe∣neth unto some few men, who have not this part at all; but this asserti∣on is first defective in the verity concerning the animall alleadged: for though it be true, a Deere hath no gall in the liver like many other ani∣malls, yet hath it that part in the guts as is discoverable by taste and colour: and therefore Plinie doth well correct himselfe, when having affirmed before, it had no gall, he afterward saith, some hold it to bee in the guts, and that for their bitternesse, dogs will refuse to eat them. It is also deficient in the verity of the Induction or connumeration of other annimalls conjoyned herewith, as having also no gall; that is, as Plinie accounteth, Equ••, Muli, &c. Horses, Mules, Asses, Deer, Goats, Boars, Camells, Dolphins, have no gall; concerning Horses, what truth there is herein we have declared before; as for Goats wee finde not them without it, what gall the Camell hath, Aristotle declareth, that Hogs also have it, we can affirm, and that not in any obscure place, but in the liver, even as it is seated in man.

That therefore the Deere is no short lived animall, we will acknow∣ledge, that comparatively, and in some sense long lived wee will con∣cede; and thus much we shall grant if we commonly account its dayes by thirty six or forty; for thereby it will exceed all other cornigerous

animalls, but that it attaineth unto hundreds, or the years delivered by Authors, since we have no authentick experience for it, since wee have reason and common experience against it, since the grounds are false and fabulous which doe establish it, wee know no ground to assent.

Concerning the Deere there also passeth another opinion, that the males thereof doe yearly lose their pizzell; for men observing the de∣cidence of their hornes, doe fall upon the like conceit of this part that it annually rotte••h away, and successively reneweth againe. Now the ground hereof, was surely the observation of this part in Deere after immoderate venery, and about the end of their Rutt, which sometimes becomes so relaxed and pendulous, it cannot be quite retracted; and being often beset with ••••yes, it is conceived to rot, and at last to fall from the body; but herein experience will contradict us: for those Deere which either dye or are killed at that time, or any other, are al∣wayes found to have that part entire; and reason also will correct us, for spermaticall parts, or such as are framed from the seminall prin¦ciples of p••rents, although homogeneous or similary, will not admit a Regeneration, much lesse will they receive an integrall restauration, which being organicall and instrumentall members, consist of many of those. Now this part, or animall of Plato, containeth not only sangui∣neous and reparable particles, but is made up of veynes, nerves, arte∣ries, and in some animalls of bones, whose reparation is beyond its owne fertility, and a fruit not to be expected from the fructifying part it selfe, which faculty were it communicated unto animalls, whose originalls are double, as well as unto plants, whose seed is within them∣selves, we might abate the Art of Taliaco••ius, and the new inarching of noses; and therefore the pha••sies of Poets have been so modest, as not to set downe such renovations, even from the powers of their di••∣tyes; for the mu••ilated shoulder of Pelops was pieced out with Ivory, and that the limbs of Hyppolitus were set together, not regenerated by Aesculapius, is the utmost assertion of Poetry.

CHAP. X.

Of the Kingfisher.

THat a Kingfisher hanged by the bill, sheweth in what quarter the wind is, by an occult and secret propriety, converting the breast to that point of the Horizon from whence the wind doth blow, is a re∣ceived opinion, and very strange; introducing naturall Weathercocks, and extending magneticall conditions as far as animall natures: A con∣ceit supported chie••ly by present practice, yet not made out by reason or experience.

For unto reason it seemeth very repugnant, that a carcasse or body dis••nimated, should be so affected with every wind, as to carry a con∣formable respect and constant habitude thereto: For although in sun∣dry animalls, we deny not a kinde of naturall Astrologie, or innate pre∣sention both of wind and weather; yet that proceeding from sense re∣ceiving impressions from the first mutation of the ayre, they cannot in reason retaine that apprehension after death, as being affections which depend on life, and depart upon disanimation, and therefore with more favourable reason may we draw the same effect, or sympathie upon the Hedgehog, whose presention of winds is so exact, that it stoppeth the north or southerne hole of its nest, according to prenotion of these winds ensuing, which some men unexpectedly observing, have beene able to make predictions which way the wind would turne, and have been esteemed hereby wise men in point of weather. Now this pro∣ceeding from sense in the creature alive, it were not reasonable to hang up an Hedgehog dead, and to expect a conformable motion unto its living conversion: and though in sundry plants their vertues doe live after death, and we know that Scammonie, Rhubarbe, and Senna will purge without any vitall assistance; yet in animals or sensible creatures, many actions are mixt, and depend upon their living forme, as well as that of mistion, and though they wholly seeme to retaine unto the bo∣dy depart upon disunion: Thus Glowewormes alive, project a lustre in the darke, which fulgour notwithstanding ceaseth after death; and thus the Torpedo which being alive stupifies at a distance, applied af∣ter death, produceth no such effect, which had they retained, in places where they abound, they might have supplyed Opium, and served as frontalls in Phrensies.

As for experiment we cannot make it out by any we have attempted, for if a single Kingfisher be hanged up with untwisted silke in an open roome, and where the ayre is free, it observes not a constant respect unto the mouth of the wind, but variously converting doth seldome breast it right; if two be suspended in the same roome, they will not regularly conforme their breasts, but oft-times respect the opposi••e points of heaven; and if we conceive that for the exact exploration they should be suspended where the ayre is quiet and unmoved, that clear of impediments, they may more freely convert upon their naturall verticity, we have also made this way of inquisition in suspending them in large and capacious glasses closely stopped; wherein neverthe∣lesse we observed a casual station, and that they rested irregularly upon conversion, wheresoever they rested remaining inconverted, and poss••ssing one point of the Compasse, whilst the wind perhaps hath passed the two and thirty.

The ground of this popular practice might be the common opinion concerning the vertue prognosticke of these birds,* 1.1 the naturall regard

they have unto the winds, and they unto them againe, more especially remarkable in the time of their nidulation, and bringing forth their young; for at that time which happeneth about the brumall Solstice it hath beene observed even unto a proverbe, that the Sea is calm••, and the winds do cease, till the young ones are excluded, and forsake their nest, which floateth upon the Sea, and by the roughnesse of winds might otherwise be overwhelmed; but how farre hereby to magn••fi•• their prediction we have no certaine rule, for whether out of any par∣ticular prenotion they chuse to sit at this time, or whether it be thus contrived by concurrence of causes, and the providence of Nature, se∣curing every species in their p••oduction, is not yet determined. Surely many things fall out by the D••signe of the generall motor and un∣dreamt of contrivance of Nature, which are not imputable unto the intention or knowledge of the particular Actor. So though the semi∣nallity of Ivy be almost in every earth, yet that it ariseth and groweth not, but where it may be supported, we cannot ascribe unto the distin∣ction of the seed, or conceive any science therein which suspends and conditionates its eruption. So if, as Pliny and Plutarch report, the C••ocodils of Aegypt, so aptly lay their eggs, that the natives thereby are able to know how high the floud will attaine; yet is it hard to make out, how they should divine the ••xtent of the inundation, depending on causes so many miles remote, that is, the measure of showers in Ae¦thiopi••; and whereof, as Athanasius in the ••ife of Authony delivers, the Devill himselfe upon demand could make no cleere prediction; and so are there likewise many things in Nature, which are the fore∣runners o•• signes of future effects, whereto they neither concurre in causali••y or prenotion, but are secretly ordered by the providence of causes, and concurrence of actions collaterall to their signations.

CHAP. XI.

Of Gr••ffons.

THat there are Griffons in Nature, that is a mixt and dubious ani∣mall, in the fore-part resembling an E••gle, and behinde the shape of a Lion, with erected eares, fou••e feet, and a long taile, many affirme, and most I perceive deny no••; the same is averred by Ael••an, Solinus, Mela, and Herodotus, countenanced by the name sometimes found in Scripture, and was an Hieroglyphick of the Egyp••ians.

Notwithstanding wee fi••de most dil••gent enquirers to be of a con∣trary assertion; for beside that Albertus and Pliny have disallowed it, the learned Ald••ovand hath in a large discourse rejected it; Mathia•• Michovius who writ of those Northerne parts wherein men place these Griffins, hath positively concluded against it, and if examined by

the doctrine of animals, the invention is monstrous, nor much in fe∣riour unto the figment of Sphynx, Chimaera, and Harpies: for though some species there be of a middle and participating natures, that is, of bird and beast, as we finde the Bat to be, yet are their parts so confor∣med and set together that we cannot define the beginning or end of either, there being a commixtion of both in the whole, rather then an adaptation, or cement of the one unto the other.

Now for the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Gryps, sometimes mentioned in Scrip∣ture, and frequently in humane Authors, properly understood, it sig∣nifies some kinde of Eagle or Vulture, from whence the Epithite Grypus for an hooked or Aquiline nose. Thus when the Septuagint makes use of this word in the eleventh of Leviticus, Tremellius and our Translation hath rendred it the Ossifrage, which is one kinde of Eagle, although the Vulgar translation, and that annexed unto the Septuagint retaine the word Grips, which in ordinary and schoole con∣struction is commonly rendred a Griffin; yet cannot the Latin assume any other sence then the Greek, from whence it is borrowed; and though the Latine Gryphes be altered somewhat by the addition of an h, or aspiration of the letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, yet is not this unusuall; so what the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Latins will call Trophaeum, and that person which in the Gospel is named 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Latins will render Cleophas, and therefore the quarrell of Origen was injust and his conception er∣roneous, when he conceived the food of Griffins forbidden by the Law of Moses, that is, poeticall animals, and things of no existence: and therefore when in the Hecatombs and mighty oblations of the Gentiles, it is delivered they sacrificed Gryphes or Griffins, hereby we may understand some stronger sort of Eagles; and therefore also when it said in Virgil of an improper match, or Mopsus marrying Ny∣sa, Iungentur jam gryhes equis, we need not hunt after other sense, then that strange unions shall be made, and differing natures be conjoyned together.

As for the testimonies of ancient Writers, they are but derivative, and terminate all in one Aristeus a Poet of Proconesus; who affirmed that neere the Arimaspi, or one eyed Nation, Griffins defended the mines of gold: but this as Herodotus delivereth, he wrote by heresay; and Michovius who hath expresly written of those parts plainly affir∣meth, there is neither gold nor Griffins in that countrey, nor any such animall extant, for so doth he conclude, Ego vero contra veteres autho∣res, Gryphes nec in illa septentrionis, nec in al••is or bis partibus inveniri af∣firmarim.

Lastly, concerning the Hieroglyphicall authority, although it neerest approacheth the truth, it doth not inferre its existency; the conceit of the Griffin properly taken being but a symbolicall phancy, in so intolerable a shape including allowable morality. So doth it well

make out the properties of a Guardian, or any person entrusted; the ••ares implying attention, the wings celerity of execution, the Lion-like shape, courage and audacity, the hooked bill, reservance and tena∣city. It is also an Embleme of valour and magnanimity, as being com∣pounded of the Eagle and Lion, the noblest animals in their kinds; and so is it applyable unto Princes, Presidents, Generals, and all heroick Commanders, and so is it also borne in the Coat armes of many noble Families of Europe.

CHAP. XII.

Of the Phaenix.

THat there is but one Phaenix in the world, which after many hun∣dred yeares burneth it selfe, and from the ashes thereof a••iseth up another, is a conceit not new or altogether popular, but of great Anti∣quity; not onely delivered by humane Autho••s, but frequently ex∣pressed by holy Writers, by Cyrill, Epiphanius, and others, by Am∣brose in his H••xameron, and Tertul. in his Poem de Iudicio D••mini, but more agreeably unto the present sence in his excellent Tract, de Resur. carnis, Illum dico alitem orientis peculiarem, de singularitate famosum, de posteritate monstruosum, qui sem••tipsum libenter funerans renovat, na tali fine decedens▪ at que succedens iterum Phaenix, ubi jam nemo, iterum ipse, quia non jam alius idem. The Scripture also seemes to favour it, particularly that of Job 21. in the Interpretation of Beda, Dicebam in nidulo meo moriar & sicut Phaenix multiplicabo di••s, and Psalme 91. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, vir justus ut Phaenix florebit, as Tertullian renders it, and so also expounds it in his booke before alledged.

All which notwithstanding we cannot pre••ume the existence of this animall, nor dare we affirme there is any Phaenix in Na••u••e. For, first there wants herein the definitive confi••rmato•• and test of things uncer∣taine, that is, the sense of man: for though many Writers have much enlarged hereon, there is not any ocular describer, or such as presumeth to confirme it upon aspection; and therefore Herodotus that led the sto∣ry unto the Greeks, plainly saith, he never attained the sight of any, but onely in the picture.

Againe, primitive Authors, and from whom the st••e••me of relati∣ons is derivative, deliver themselves very dubiously, and either by a doubtfull parenthesis, or a timorous conclusion overthrow the whole relation: Thus Herodotus in his Eu••erpe, delivering the story hereof, presently interposeth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; that is, which account seemes to me improbable; Tacitus in his Annals affordeth a larger story, how the P••aenix was first seene at Heliopolis in the reigne of Sesostris, then in the reigne of Amasis, after in the dayes of Ptolomy, the third of the Macedonian rare; but at last thus determineth, Sed ••n∣tiquitas

obscura; & no••nulli falsum esse hunc Phaenicē, neque Arabū è terris eredidere. Pliny makes yet a fairer story, that the Phaenix flew into Ae∣gypt in the Consulship of Quintus Plancius, that it was brought to Rome in the Censorship of Claudius, in the 800. yeare of the City, and testified also in their records; but after all concludeth, Sed quae fal∣sa esse nemo dubitabit, but that this is false no man will make doubt.

Moreover, such as have naturally discoursed hereon, have so di∣ve••sly, contrarily, or contradictorily delivered themselves, that no af∣firmative from thence can reasonably be deduced; for most have po∣sitively denyed it, and they which affirme and beleeve it, assigne this name unto many, and mistake two or three in one. So hath that bird beene taken for the Phaenix which liveth in Arabia, and buildeth its nest with Cinnamon, by Herodotus called Cinnamulgus, and by Ari∣stotle Cinnamomus, and as a fabulous conceit is censured by Scaliger; some have conceived that bird to be the Phaenix, which by a Persian name with the Greeks is called Rhyntace; but how they made this good we finde occasion of doubt, whilst we reade in the life of Artax∣••••xes, that this is a little bird brought often to their tables, and where∣with Parysatis cunningly poysoned the Queene. The Manucodiata or bird of Paradise, hath had the honour of this name, and their fea∣thers brought from the Molucca's, doe passe for those of the P••aenix; which though promoted by rariety with us, the Easterne travellers will hardly admit, who know they are common in those parts, and the ordinary plume of Janizaries among the Turks. And lastly, the bird Semenda hath found the same appellation, for so hath Scaliger ob∣served and refuted; nor will the solitude of the Phaenix allow this de∣nomination, for many there are of that species, & whose trifistulary bill and crany we have beheld our selves; nor are men onely at variance in regard of the Phaenix it selfe, but very disagreeing in the accidents ascribed thereto: for some affirme it liveth three hundred, some five, others six, some a thousand, others no lesse then fifteene hundred yeares; some say it liveth in Aethiopia, others in Arabia, some in Ae∣gypt, others in India, and some I thinke in Utopia, for such must that be which is described by Lactantius, that is, which neither was singed in the combustion of Phaeton, or overwhelmed by the inundation of D••ucalcon.

Lastly, many Authors who have made mention hereof, have so de∣livered themselves, and with such intentions we cannot from thence deduce a confirmation: For some have written Poetically as Ovid, Mantuan, Lactantius, Claudian, and others: Some have written my∣stically, as Paracelsus in his booke de Azoth, or de ligno & linea vitae; and as severall Hermeticall Philosophers, involving therein the secret of their Elixir, and enigmatically expressing the nature of their great worke: Some have written Rhetorically, and concessively not contro∣verting

but assuming the question, which taken as granted advantaged the illation: So have holy men made use hereof as farre as thereby to confirme the Resurrection; for discoursing with heathens who granted the story of the Phaenix, they induced the Resurrection from principles of their owne, and positions received among themselves. Others have spoken Emblematically and Hieroglyphically, and so did the Aegypti∣ans, unto whom the Phaenix was the Hieroglyphick of the Sunne; and this was probably the ground of the whole relation, succe••ding ages adding fabulous accounts, which laid together built up this singularity, which every pen proclaimeth.

As for the Texts of Scripture, which seem to confirme the conceit duly perpended, they adde not thereunto; For whereas in that of Job, according to the Septuagint or Greeke Translation we finde the word Phaenix, yet can it have no ani••all signification; for therein it is not ex∣pressed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the truncke of the Palme tree, which is also called Phaenix, and therefore the construction will be very hard, if not applyed unto some vegetable nature; nor can we safely insist upon the Greek expression at all: for though the Vulgar translates it Palma, & som retain the Phaenix, others do render it by a word of a different sense; for so hath Tremellius delivered it: Dicebam quod apud nidum meum ex∣pirabo, & sicut arena multiplicabo d••es; so hath the Geneva and ours translated it, I said I shall dye in my nest, and shall multiply my dayes, as the sand: as for that in the booke of Psalmes, Vir justus ut Phaenix florebit, as Epiphanius and Tertullian render it, it was only a mistake upon the homonymy of the Greeke word Phaenix, which signifies also a Palme tree; which is a fallacy of equivocation, from a commu∣nity in name, inferring a common nature, and whereby we may as firm∣ly conclude, that Diaphaenicon a purging electuary hath some part of the Phaenix for its ingredient, which receiveth that name from D••tes, or the fruit of the Palme tree, from whence as Plinie delivers, the Phenix had its name.

Nor doe we only arraigne the existence of this animall, but many things are questionable which are ascribed thereto, especially its unity, long life, and generation: As for its unity or conceit there should bee but one in nature, it seemeth not onely repugnant unto Philosophy, but also the holy Scripture, which plainly affirmes, there went of every sort two at least into the Arke of Noah, according to the text, Gen. 7. Every fowle after his kinde, every bird of every sort, they went into the Arke, two and two of all ••lesh, wherein there is the breath of life, and they that went in, went in both male and female of all flesh; it in∣fringeth the Benediction of God concerning multiplication, Gen. 1. God blessed them saying, Be fruitfull and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth; and again, Chap. 8. Bring forth with thee, every living thing that they may breed abundantly in

the earth, and be fruitfull, and multiply upon the earth, which termes are not applyable unto the Phaenix, whereof there is but one in the world, and no more now living then at the first benediction, for the production of one, being the destruction of another, although they pro∣duce and generate, they ••ncrease not, and must not be said to multiply, who doe not transcend an unity.

As for longaevity, as that it liveth a thousand yeares, or more, beside that from imperfect observations and rarity of appearance, no confir∣mation can be made, there may be probably a mistake in the compute; for the tradition being very ancient and probably Aegyptian, the Greeks who dispersed the fable, might summe up the account by their owne numeration of yeares, whereas the conceit might have its origi∣nall in times of shorter compute; for if we suppose our present calcu∣lation, the Phaenix now in nature will be the sixt from the Creation, but in the middle of its years,* 1.2 and if the Rabbines prophesie succeed shall conclude its dayes, not in its owne, but the last and generall flames, without all hope of Reviviction.

Concerning its generation, that without all conjunction, it begets and reseminates it selfe, hereby we introduce a vegetable production in animalls, and unto sensible natures, transferre the propriety of plants, that is to multiply among themselves, according to the law of the Creation, Gen. 1. Let the earth bring forth grasse, the herbe yeelding seed, and the tree yeelding fruit, whose seed is in it selfe; which way is indeed the naturall way of plants, who having no distinction of sex, and the power of the species contained in every individuum, beget and propagate themselves without commixtion, and therefore their fruits proceeding from simpler roots, are not so unlike, or distinguishable from each other, as are the off-springs of sensible creatures and prolifi∣cations descending from double originalls; but animall generation is accomplished by more, and the concurrence of two sexes is required to the constitution of one; and therefore such as have no distinction of sex, engender not at all, as Aristotle conceives of Eles, and testaceous animalls; and though plant animalls doe multiply, they doe it not by copulation, but in a way analogous unto plants; so Hermophrodites al∣though they include the parts of both sexes, and may be sufficiently po∣tent in either, yet unto a conception require a seperated sex, and cannot impregnate themselves; and so also though Adam included all humane nature, or was (as some opinion) an Hermaphrodite, yet had hee no power to propagate himselfe; and therefore God said, It is not good that man should be alone, let us make him an help meet for him, that is, an help unto generation; for as for any other help, it had been fitter to have made another man.

Now whereas some affirme that from one Phaenix there doth not immediatly proceed another, but the first corrupteth into a worme,

which after becommeth a Phaenix, it will not make probable this pro∣duction; For hereby they confound the generation of perfect animalls with imperfect, sanguineous, with exanguious, vermiparous, with oviparous, and erect Anomalies, disturbing the lawes of Nature; Nor will this corruptive production be easily made out, in most imperfect generations; for although we deny not that many animals are vermipa∣rous, begetting themselves at a distance, & as it were at the second hand, as generally insects, and more remarkably Butterflies and Silkwormes; yet proceeds not this generation from a corruption of themselves, but rather a specificall, and seminall diffusion, retaining still the Idea of themselves, though it act that part a while in other shapes: and this will also hold in generations equivocall, and such are not begotten from Parents like themselves; so from Frogs corrupting, proceed not Frogs againe; so if there be anatiferous trees, whose corruption breaks forth into Bernacles, yet if they corrupt, they degenerate into Maggots, which produce not themselves againe; for this were a confusion of cor∣ruptive and seminall production, and a frustration of that seminall power committed to animalls at the creation. The probleme might have beene spared, Why wee love not our Lice as well as our Chil∣dren, Noahs Arke had beene needlesse, the graves of animals would be the fruitfullest wombs; for death would not destroy, but empeople the world againe.

Since therefore we have so slender grounds to confirm the existence of the Phaenix, since there is no ocular witnesse of it, since as we have declared, by Authors from whom the Story is derived, it rather stands rejected, since they who have seriously discoursed hereof, have deli∣vered themselves negatively, diversly or contrarily, since many others cannot be drawne into Argument as writing Poetically, Rhetorically, Enigmatically, Hieroglyphically, since holy Scripture alleadged for it duely prepended, doth not advantage it, and lastly since so strange a generation, vnity and long life hath neither experience nor reason to confirme it, how farre to rely on this tradition, wee referre unto con∣sideration.

But surely they were not wel-wishers unto 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or remedies easily acquired, who de••ived medicines from the Phaenix, as some have done, and are justly condemned by Pliny, Irridere est vitae, reme∣dia post mille simum annum reditur a monstrare; It is a folly to finde out remedies that are not recoverable under a thousand yeares, or propose the prolonging of life by that which the twentieth generation may ne∣ver behold; more veniable is a dependance upon the Philosophers stone, potable gold, or any of those Arcana's, whereby Paracelsus that dyed himselfe at 47. gloried that he could make other men immortall; which secrets, although extreamly difficult, and tantum non infesible, yet are they not impossible, nor do they (rightly understood) impose

any violence on Nature, and therefore if strictly taken for the Phaenix very strange is that which is delivered by Plutarch, De sanitate tuenda, That the braine thereof is a pleasant bit, but that it causeth the head∣ach; which notwithstanding the luxurious Emperour could never tast, though he had at his table many a Phaenicopterus, yet had he not one Phaenix; for though he expected and attempted it, wee reade not in Lampridius that he performed it; and considering the unity thereof it was a vaine designe, that is, to destroy any species, or mutilate the great accomplishment of six dayes; and although some conceive, and it may seeme true, that there is in man a naturall possibility to destroy the world in one generation, that is, by a generall conspire to know no woman themselves and disable all others also; yet will this never bee effected, and therefore Cain after he had killed Abel, were there no other woman living, could not have also destroyed Eve; which al∣though he had a naturall power to effect, yet the execution thereof, the providence of God would have resisted, for that would have im∣posed another creation upon him, and to have animated a second rib of Adam.

CHAP. XIII.

Frogges, Toades, and Toad-stone.

COncerning the venemons urine of Toads, of the stone in a Toads head, and of the generation of Frogges, conceptions are enter∣tained which require consideration; And first, that a Toad pisseth, and this way diffuseth its venome, is generally received, not onely with us, but also in other parts; for so hath Scaliger observed in his Comment, Aversum urinam reddere ob oculos persecutoris perniciosam ruricolis per∣suasum est; and Mathiolus hath also a passage, that a Toad communi∣cates its venom, not onely by vrine, but by the humiditie and slaver of its mouth; which notwithstanding strictly understood, will not con∣sist with truth; For to speak properly, a Toad pisseth not, nor doe they containe those urinary parts which are found in other animals, to avoid that serous excretion; as may appeare unto any that exenterats or dis∣sects them; for therein will be found neither bladder, kidneyes, or ure∣ters, any more then they are in birds, which although they eat & drink, yet for the moist and dry excretion, have but one vent and common place of exclusion; and with the same proprietie of language, we may ascribe that action unto Crowes and Kites; and this is verified not only in Frogs and Toades, but for ought I can discover, that may bee true which Aristotle assumeth, that no oviparous animall, that is, which either spawne or lay egges doth urine, except the Tortois.

The ground or occasion of this expression might from hence arise,

that Toades are sometimes obse••ved to exclude or spirt out a dark and liquid matter behinde, which indeed we have observed to be true, and a venemous condition there may bee perhaps therein, but it cannot bee called their urine; not onely because they want those parts of secretion; but because it is emitted aversly or backward, by both sexes.

As for the stone commonly called a Toad-stone, which is presumed to be found in the head of that animall, we first conceive it not a thing impossible, nor is there any substantiall reason, why in a Toade, there may not be found such hard and lapideous concretions; for the like we daily observe in the heads of fishes, as Codds, Carpes, and Pearches, the like also in Snailes, a soft and exosseous animall, whereof in the na••ked and greater sort, as though she would requite the defect of a shell on their back, nature neere the head hath placed a fl••t white stone, or rather testaceous concretion▪ which though Aldrovand affirms, that af∣ter dissection of many, hee found but in some few, yet of the great gray Sna••les, I have not met with any that wanted it, and the same is indeed so palpable, that without dissection i•• is discoverable by the hand.

Againe, though it be not impossible, yet is it surely very rare, as we are induced to beleeve from some enquiry of our owne, from the triall of many who have beene deceived, and the frustated search of Porta, who upon the explorement of many, could never finde one; Nor is it onely of rarity, but may be doubted whether it be of existency, or re∣ally any such stone in the head of a Toad at all: For although lapida∣ries, and questuary enquirers affi••me it, yet the Writers of Mineralls and naturall speculators, are of another beliefe conceiving the stones which beare this name, to be a Minerall concretion, nor to be found in animalls, but in fields; and therefore Boet••us de Boot referres it to Aste∣ria▪ or some kinde of Lapis stella••is, and plainely concludeth, Reperiun∣tur in agris, quos tamen alii in annosis▪ ac qui d••u in Arundinetis, in∣ter rubos sentesque delituerunt bufonis capitibus generari pertinaciter af∣firmant.

Lastly, if any such thing there be, yet must it not for ought I see, be taken as we receive it, for a loose and moveable stone, but rather a con∣cretion or induration of the crany it selfe; for being of an earthy tem∣per living in the earth, & as some say feeding thereon, such indurations may sometimes happen▪ and thus when Brassavolus after a long search had discovered one, he affirmes it was rather the forehead bone petri∣fied, then a stone within the crany; and of this beleefe was Gesner. All which considered, wee must with circumspection receive those stones, which commonly be••re this name, muchlesse beleeve the tra∣ditions, that in envy to mankinde they are cast out, or swallowed down by the Toad, which cannot consist with Anatomy, and with the rest, enforced this censure from B••etius, Ab 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tempore pro nugis habui quod de Bufonio lapide, ejus{que} origine traditur.

Concerning the generation of Froggs, wee shall briefly deliver that account which observation hath taught us. By Frogges I understand not such as arising from putrifaction, are bred without copulation, and because they subsist not long, are called Temporariae; nor doe I meane hereby the little Frogge of an excellent Parrat-green, that usually sits on trees and bushes, and is therefore called Ravunculus viridis, or Ar∣boreus; but hereby I understand the aquatile or water Frogge whereof in ditches and standing plashes, wee may behold many millions every Spring in England; Now these doe not as Plini•• conceiveth, exclude blacke pieces of flesh, which after become Frogges, but they let fall their spawne in the water, which is of excellent use in Physicke, and scarce unknowne unto any; in this spawne of a lentous and transparent body, are to be discerned many gray specks, or little conglobations, which in a little time become of deepe blacke; a substance more com∣pacted and terrestrious then the other, for it riseth not in distillation, and affords a powder, when the white and aqueous part is exhaled. Now of this blacke or duskie substance is the Frogge at last formed, as we have beheld, including the spawne with water in a glasse, and ex∣posing it unto the Sunne; for that blacke and round substance, in a few dayes began to dilate and grow ovall, after a while the head, the eyes, the taile to be discerneable, and at last to become that which the An∣cients called Gyrinus, wee a Porwigle or Tadpole, and this in some weekes after, becomes a perfect Frogge, the legs growing out before, and the tayle wearing away, to supply the other behinde, as may bee observed in some, which have newly forsaken the water: for in such, some part of the tayle will be seen but curtal'd and short, not long and finny as before; a part provided them a while to swim and move in the water, that is, untill such time as nature excluded legs, whereby they might be provided not only to swim in the water, but move upon the land, according to the amphibious and mixt intention of nature, that is to live in both. And because many affirme, and some deliver, that in regard it hath lungs and breatheth a Frogge may bee easily drowned, though the reason be probable, I finde not the experiment answerable; for making triall, and fastning one about a span under water, it lived al∣most six dayes.

CHAP. XIV.

Of the Salamander.

THat a Salamander is able to live in flames, to endure and put out fire is an assertion, not only of great Antiquitie, but confirmed by frequent, and not contemptible testimonie; The Aegyptians have drawne it into their Hieroglyphicks; Aristotle seemeth to embrace it,

more plainely Nicander, Serenus, Sammonicus, Aelian, and Plinie, who assignes the cause of this effect. An animall (saith he) so cold that it ex∣tinguisheth the fire like Ice; all which notwithstanding, there is on the negative Authoritie and experience; Sex••ius a Physition, as Plinie deli∣vereth, denied this effect, Dioscorides affirmed it a point of folly to be∣leeve it, Galen that it endureth the fire a while, but in continuance is consumed therein; For experimentall conviction Mathiolus affirmeth, he saw a Salamander burnt in a very short time; and of the like asserti∣on is Amatus Lusitanus, and most plainly Pierius, whose words in his Hieroglyphicks are these; Whereas it is commonly said, that a Sala∣mander extinguisheth fire, wee have found by experience, that 'tis so farre f••om quenching hot coales; that it dieth immediatly therein; As for the contrary assertion of A••istotle, it is but by hearesay, as com∣mon opinion beleeveth, Haec enim (ut aiunt) ignem ingrediens ••um ex∣tinguit; and therefore there was no absurdity in Galen when as a Sep∣ticall medicine he commended the ashes of a Salamander, and Magi∣cians in vaine from the power of this tradition, at the burning of towns or houses expect a reliefe from Salamanders.

The ground of this opinion might be some sensible resistance of fire observed in the Salamander, which being as Galen determineth, cold in the fourth, and moist in the third degree, and having also a nu∣cous humidity above and under the skinne, by vertue thereof may a while endure the flame, which being consumed it can resist no more. Such an humidity there is observed in Newtes, or water-Lizards, espe∣cially if their skinnes be prickt or perforated. Thus will Frogges and Snailes endure the flame, thus will whites of egges, vitreous or glassey flegme extinguish a coal, thus are unguents made which protect a while from the fire, and thus beside the Hirpini, there are later stories of men that have pass'd untoucht through ••ire, and therefore some trueth we allow in the tradition; truth according unto Galen, that it may for a time resist a fl••me, or as Scaliger avers, extinguish or put out a coale; for thus much will many humide bodies performe, but that it perse∣veres and lives in that destructive element, is a fallacious enlargement; nor doe we reasonably conclude, because for a time it endureth fire, it subdueth and extinguisheth the same, because by a cold and aluminous moisture, it is able a while to resist it, from a peculiarity of nature it subsisteth and liveth in it.

It hath beene much promoted by Stories of incombustible napkins and textures which endure the fire, whose materialls are call'd by the name of Salamanders wooll; which many too literally apprehending, conceive some investing part, or tegument of the Salamander; wherein beside that they mistake the condition of this animal, which is a kinde of Lizard, a quadruped corticated and depilous, that is without wooll, furre, or haire, they observe not the method and generall rule of na∣ture,

whereby all Quadrupeds oviparous, as Lizards, Froggs, Tortois, Chameleons, Crocodiles, are without any haire, and have no covering part or hairy investment at all; and if they conceive that from the skin of the Salamander, these incremable pieces are composed, beside the experiments made upon the living, that of Brassavolus will step in, who in the search of this truth, did burne the skin of one dead.

Nor is this Salamanders wooll desumed from any animal, but a Mi∣nerall substance Metaphorically so called from this received opinion; For beside Germanicus his heart, and Pyrrhus his great Toe, there are in the number of Mineralls, some bodies incombustible; more remark∣ably that which the Ancients named Asbeston, and Pancirollus treats of in the chapter of Linum vivum: whereof by Art were wea∣ved napkins, shirts, and coats inconsumable by fire, and wherein in an∣cient times, to preserve their ashes pure, and without commixture, they burnt the bodies of Kings; a napkin hereof Plinie reports that Nero had, & the like saith Paulus Venetus, the Emperour of Tartarie sent unto Pope Alexander; and affirms that in some parts of Tartarie, there were Mines of Iron whose filaments were weaved into incombustible cloth, which rare manufacture, although delivered for lost by Pancirollus, yet Salmuth delivereth in his comment that one Podocaterus a Cyprian, had shewed the same at Venice, and his materialls were from Cyprus, where indeed Dioscorides placeth them; the same is also ocularly con∣firmed by Vives upon Austin and Maiolus in his colloquies; and thus in our daies do men practise to make long lasting Snasts or Elychinons parts for lampes, out of Alumen plumosum; and by the same wee read in Pausanias, that there alwayes burnt a Lampe before the Image of Minerva.

CHAP. XV.

Of the Amphisbaena.

THat the Amphisbaena, that is, a smaller kinde of Serpent, which moveth forward and backward, hath two heads, or one at either extreame, was affirmed first by Nicander, and after by many others, by the Author of the book de Theriaca ad Pisonem, ascribed unto Ga∣len, more plainly Pliny, Geminum habet caput, tanquam parum esset uno ore effundi venenum: but Aelian most confidently, who referring the conceit of Chimera and Hydra unto fables, hath set downe this as an undeniable truth.

Whereunto while men assent, and can beleeve a bicipitous confor∣mation in any continued species, they admit a gemination of principall parts, which is not naturally discovered in any animall; true it is that other parts in animals are not equall, for some make their progression

with many legs, even to the number of an hundred, as Juli Scolopen∣d••ae, or such as are termed centipedes; some flye with two wings, as birds and many insests, some with foure, as all farinaceous or mealy winged animals, as Butter-flies, and Moths, all vaginipennous or sheathwinged insects, as Beetles and Dorrs; some have three Testicles, as Aristotle speakes of the Buzzard, and some have foure stomacks, as horned and ruminating animals; but for the principall parts, the liver, heart, and especially the braine, regularly it is but one in any kinde or species whatsoever.

And were there any such species or naturall kinde of animall, it would be hard to make good those six positions of body, which ac∣cording to the three dimensions are ascribed unto every animall, that is, infra, supra, ante, retro, dextrorsum, sinistrorsum; for if (as it is deter∣mined) that be the anterior and upper part wherein the sences are pla∣ced, and that the posterior and lower part which is opposite thereunto, there is no inferiour or former part in this animall, for the senses be∣ing placed at both extreames, doe make both ends anteriour, which is impossible, the termes being Relative, which mutually subsist, and are not without each other, and therefore this duplicity was ill contri∣ved to place one head at both extreames, and had beene more tolerable to have setled three or foure at one, and therefore also Poets have been more reasonable then Philosophers, and Geryon or Cerberus, lesse monstrous then Amphisbaena.

Againe, if any such thing there were, it were not to be obtruded by the name of Amphisbaena, or as an animall of one denomination; for properly that animall is not one, but multiplicious or many, which hath a duplicity or gemination of principle parts; and this doth Ari∣stotle define, when he affirmeth a monster is to be esteemed one or many, according to its principle, which he conceived the heart, whence he derived the originall of Nerves, and thereto ascribe many acts which Physitians assigne unto the braine; and therefore if it cannot be called one, which hath a duplicity of hearts in his sence, it cannot re∣ceive that appellation with a plurality of heads in ours; And this the practise of Christians hath acknowledged, who have baptized these geminous births, and double connascencies with severall names, as conceiving in them a distinction of soules, upon the devided execution of their functions; that is, while one wept, the other laughing, while one was silent, the other speaking, while one awaked, the other sleep∣ing, as is declared by three remarkable examples in Petrach, Vincenti∣us, and the Scottish history of Buchanan.

It is not denyed there have beene bicipitous Serpents with the head at each extreme, for an example hereof we finde in Aristotle, and in the like forme in Aldrovand wee meet with the Icon of a Lizzard; which double formations do often happen unto multiparous generati∣ons,

more especially that of Serpents, whose conceptions being nume∣rous, and their Eggs in chaines or links together, (which sometime conjoyne and inoculate into each other) they may unite into various shapes, and come out in mixed formations; but these are monstrous productions, and beside the intention of Nature, and the statutes of ge∣neration, neither begotten of like parents, nor begetting the like againe, but irregularly produced do stand as Anomalies, and make up the Quae genus, in the generall booke of Nature; which being the shifts and forced pieces, rather then the genuine and proper effects, they afford us no illation, nor is it reasonable to conclude, from a monstrosity un∣to a species, or from accidentall effects, unto the regular workes of Nature.

Lastly, the ground of the conceit was the figure of this animall, and motion oft times both wayes; for described it is to bee like a worme, and so equally framed at both extremes, that at an ordinary distance it is no easie matter, to determine which is the head; and therefore some observing them to move both wayes, have given the appellation of heads unto both extreames, which is no proper and war∣rantable denomination, for many animals with one head do ordinarily performe both different and contrary motions; Crabs move sideling, Lobsters will swim swiftly backward, Wormes and Leeches wil move both wayes; and so will most of those animals, whose bodies consist of round and annulary fibers, and move by undulation, that is, like the waves of the Sea, the one protruding the other, by inversion whereof they make a backward motion.

Upon the same ground hath arisen the same mistake concerning the Scolopendra or hundred footed insect, as is delivered by Rhodiginus from the scholiast of Nicander: Dicitur à Nicandro, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, id est dicepalus aut biceps fictum vero quoniam retrorsum (ut scribit Aristoteles) arrepit, observed by Aldrovandus, but most plainly by Muffetus, who thus concludeth upon the text of Nicander: Tamen pace tanti authoris dixerim, unicum illi duntaxat caput licet pari facilitate, prorsum capite, retrorsum ducente cauda, incedat, quod Nicandro aliisque imposuisse dubito: that is, under favour of so great an Author, the Scolopendra hath but one head, although with equall facility it moveth forward and back∣ward, which I suspect deceived Nicander and others.

CHAP. XVI.

Of the Viper.

THat the young Vipers force their way through the bowels of their Dam, or that the female Viper in the act of generation bi••es off the head of the male, in revenge whereof the young ones eate through the

womb and belly of the female is a very ancient tradition; in this sence entertained in the Hieroglyphicks of the Aegyptians, affirmed by Hero∣dotus, Nicander, Pliny, Plutarch, Aelian, Je••ome, Basil, Isidore, and seems to be countenanced by Aristotle, and his scholler Theophrastus; from hence is commonly assigned the reason why the Romans punished parricides by drowning them in a sack with a Viper; and so perhaps up∣on the same opinion the men of Melita when they saw a viper upon the hand of Paul, said presently without conceit of any other sin, No doubt this man is a murtherer, whom though he have escaped the Sea, yet ven••geance suffereth him not to live; that is, he is now paid in his own way, the parricidous animall and punishment of Murtherers is upon him; and though the Tradition were currant among the Greekes to confirme the same the Latine name is introduced, V••pera quasi vipariat; That pass••ge also in the Gospell, O yee generation of Vipers, hath found expositi∣ons which countenance this conceit; notwithstanding which au••ho••i∣ties, transcribed relations and conjectures, upon enquiry we finde the some repugnant unto experience and reason.

And first it seemes not only injurious unto the providence of Nature, to ordaine a way of production which should destroy the producer, or contrive the continuation of the species by the destruction of the conti∣nuator; but it overthrowes and frustrates the great Benediction of God, which is expressed Gen. 1. God blessed them saying, Be fruitfull and multiply. Now if it be so ordained that some must regularly perish by multiplication, and these be the fruits of fructifying in the Viper; it cannot be said that God did blesse, but curse this animall; upon thy belly shalt thou goe, and dust shalt thou eat all thy life, was not so great a punishment unto the Serpent after the fall, as encrease, be fruitfull and multiply, was before. This were to confound the maledictions of God, and translate the curse of the Woman upon the Serpent; that is, in dolore paries, in sorrow shalt thou bring forth, which being proper unto the women, is verified best in the Viper, whose delivery is not only accompanied with paine, but also with death it self. And lastly, it over∣throws the carefull course, and parentall provision of nature, whereby the young ones newly excluded are sustained by the Dam, and prote∣cted untill they grow up to a sufficiencie for themselves; all which is perverted in this eruptive generation, for the Dam being destroyed, the younglings are left to their owne protection, which is not conceive∣able they can at all performe, and whereof they afford us a remarkable confirmance many dayes after birth; for the young ones supposed to breake through the belly of the Dam, will upon any fright for protecti∣on run into it; for then the old one receives them in at her mouth, which way the fright b••ing past they will returne againe; which is a peculiar way of refuge; and though it seem strange is avowed by frequent ex∣perience, and undeniable testimony.

As for the experiment although we have thrice attempted it, it hath not well succeeded; for though wee fed them with milke, branne, cheese, &c. the females alwayes dyed before the young ones were mature for this eruption, but rest sufficiently confirmed in the experi••ments of worthy enquirers: Wherein to omit the ancient conviction of Apollonius, we shall set downe some few of moderne Writers: The first, of Amatus Lusitanus in his Comment upon Dio••corides. Vidimus nos viperas praegnantes inclusas pyxidibus parere, quae inde ex partu nec mortuae, nec visceribus perforatae manserunt: The second is that of Scaliger, Viperas ab impatientibus morae faetibus numerosissimis rumpi atque interire falsum esse scimus, qui in Vincentii Camerint circulatoris lignea the••a vidimus enatas viperellas, parente saiva: The last and most plaine of Franciscus Bustamantinus, a Span••sh Physitian of Alcala de Henares, whose words in his third de Animantibus Scripturae are these: Cum vero per me & per alios haec ipsa disquisissem servata Vip••rina pro∣genie, &c. that is, when by my selfe and others I had enquired the truth hereof, including Vipers in a glasse, and feeding them with cheese and branne, I undoubtedly found that the Viper was not delivered by the tearing of her bowels, but I beheld them excluded by the passage of generation neare the orifice of the seidge.

Now although the Tradition be untrue, there wanted not many grounds which made it plausibly received. The first was a favourable i••dulgence and speciall contrivance of nature, which was the conceit of Herodotus who thus delivereth himselfe: Fearfull animalls, and such as serve for food, nature hath made more fruitfull, but upon the offen∣sive and noxious kinde, she hath not conferred fertility: So the Hare that becommeth a prey unto man, unto beasts, and fowles of the ayre, is fruitfull even to superfae••ation, but the Lyon a fierce and ferocious animall hath young ones but seldome, and also but one at a time; Vipers indeed, although destructive, are fruitfull; but lest their number should encrease, providence hath contrived another way to abate it, for in co∣pulation the female bites off the head of the male, and the young ones destroy the mother; but this will not consist with reason, as wee have declared before: And if wee more nearly consider the condition of Vipers and noxious animalls, we shall discover another provision of nature; how although in their paucity shee hath not abridged their ma∣lignity, yet hath she notoriously effected it by their secession or lati∣tancie; for not only offensive insects as Hornets, waspes, and the like; but sanguineous corticated animals, as Serpents, Toads and Lizards, do lye hid and betake themselves to coverts in the Winter; whereby most Countries enjoying the immunity of Ireland and Candie, there ariseth a temporall security, from their venome, and an intermission of their mischiefes, mercifully requiting the time of their activities.

A second ground of this effect, was conceived the justice of Na∣ture,

whereby she compensates the death of the father by the matricide or murder of the mother, and this was the expression of Nicander; but the cause hereof is as improbable as the effect, and were indeed an im∣provident revenge in the young ones, whereby in consequence, and up∣on defect of provision they must destroy themselves; and whereas he expresseth this decollation of the male by so full a terme as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, to cut or lop off, the act is hardly conceiveable; for the female Viper hath but foure considerable teeth, and those so disposed so slen∣der and needle-pointed, that they are ap••er for puncture then any act of incision; and if any like action there be, it may be onely some fast re∣tention or sudden compression in the Orgasmus or fury of their lust, according as that expression of Horace is construed concerning Lydia and Telephus

—Sive puer furens▪ Impressit memorem dente ••abris notam.

Others ascribe this effect unto the numerous conception of the Viper, and this was the opinion of Theophrastus, who though he denieth the exesion or forcing through the belly, conceiveth neverthelesse that up∣on a full and plentifull impletion there may perhaps succeed a disrupti∣on of the matrix, as it happeneth sometimes in the long and slender fish Acus: Now although in hot Countries, and very numerous concepti∣ons in the Viper or other animalls, there may sometimes ensue a dila∣ceration of the genitall parts, yet is this a rare and contingent effect, and not a naturall and constant way of exclusion; for the wise Creator hath formed the organs of animalls unto their operations, and in whom hee ordaineth a numerous conception, in them he hath prepared con∣venient receptacles, and a sutable way of exclusion.

Others doe ground this disruption upon their continued or protract∣ed time of delivery, presumed to last twenty dayes, whereat, excluding but one a day, the latter brood impatient, by a forcible prorup••ion an∣ticipate their period of exclusion, and this was the assertion of Plinie, Caeteri tarditatis impatientes prorumpunt latera, occisâ parente, which was occasioned upon a mistake of the Greek text in Aristotle, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which are literally thus translated, Paret autem una die secundum unum, parit autem plures quam viginti, and may be thus Englished, She bringeth forth in one day one by one and some∣times more then twenty; and so hath Scaliger rendred it, sigillatim pa∣rit, absolvit una die interdum plures quam viginti: But Pliny whom Gaza followeth hath differently translated it, singulos diebus▪ singulis pa••rit, numero fere viginti, whereby he extends the exclusion unto twenty dayes, which in the textuary sense is fully accomplished in one.

But what hath most advanced it, is a mistake in another text of Ari∣stotle, which seemeth directly to determine this disruption, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: which Gaza hath thus translated, Parit catulos obvolutos membran•• quae

tertio die rumpuntur, ••ve••t interdum ut qui in utero adhuc sunt abrosis membranis prorumpant. Now herein very probably Pliny, and many since have been mistaken, for the dis••uption of the membranes or skins, which include the young ones, conceiving a dilaceration of the matrix and belly of the viper, and concluding from a casuall dilaceration, a regular and constant disruption.

As for the Latin word Vipera, which in the E••ymologie of Isidore promoteth this conceit, more properly it may imply vivipera; for whereas other Serpents lay egges, the Viper excludeth living animalls; and though the Cerastes be also viviparous, and we have found formed Snakes in the belly of the Cecilia or slow-worme, yet may the Viper emphatically beare that name; for the notation or Etymologie is not of necessity adequate unto the name; and therefore though animall be de∣duced from anima, yet are there many animations beside, and plants will challenge a right therein as well as sensible creatures.

As touching the Text of Scripture, and compellation of the Phari∣sies, by generation of Vipers, although constructions bee made hereof conformable to this Tradition, and it may be plausibly expounded, that out of a viperous condition, they conspired against their Prophets, and destroyed their spirituall parents; yet (as Jansenius observeth) Gregory and Jerome, doe make another construction, apprehending thereby what is usually implyed by that Proverb, Mali corvi malum ovum; that is, of evill parents, an evill generation, a posterity not unlike their majority, of mischievous progenitors, a venemous and destructive progenie.

And lastly, concerning the Hieroglyphicall account, according to the Vulgar conception set downe by Orus Apollo, the authority there∣of is only Emblematicall, for were the conception true or false, to their apprehensions, it expressed filiall impiety; which strictly taken, and to∣tally received for truth, might perhaps begin, but surely promote this conception.

CHAP. XVII.

Of Hares.

THat Hares are both male and female, beside the Vulgar opinion, was the affirmative of Archelaus, of Plutarch, Philostratus, and many more; nor are there hardly any who either treat of mutation or mixtion of sexes, who have not left some mention of this point; some speaking positively, others dubiously, and most resigning it unto the enquiry of the Reader: now hereof to speake distinctly, they must be male and female by mutation and succession of sexes, or else by com∣position, by mixture or union thereof.

As for the mutation of sexes, or transition into one another, we can∣not deny it in Hares, it being observable in man: for hereof beside Empedocles or Tiresias, there are not a few examples; and though ve∣ry few, or rather none which have emasculated or turned women, yet very many who from an esteem or reallity of being women have in∣fallibly proved men: some at the first point of their menstruous erupti∣ons, some in the day of their marriage, others many yeares after, which occasioned disputes at Law, and contestations concerning a restore of the dow••y; and that not only mankinde, but many other animalls, may suffer this transexion, we will not deny, or hold it at al impossible; although I confesse by reason of the posticke and backward position of the feminine parts in quadrupeds, they can hardly admit the substi∣tution of a protrusion effectuall unto masculine generation, except it be in Retromingents, and such as couple backward.

Nor shall we only concede the succession of sexes in some, but shall not dispute the transition of reputed species in others; that is, a trans∣mutation, or (as Paracelsians terme it) the Transplantation of one into another; hereof in perfect animalls of a congenerous seed, or neare affi∣nity of natures, examples are not unfrequent, as Horses, Asses, Dogs, Foxes, Phaisants, Cocks, &c. but in imperfect kindes, and such where the discrimination of sexes is obscure, these transformations are more common: and in some within themselves without commixtion, as par∣ticularly in Caterpillers or Silk-wormes, wherein there is visible and triple transfiguration: but in Plants wherein there is no distinction of sex, these transplantations are yet more obvious then any; as that of barley into oates, of wheat into darnell, and those graines which gene∣rally arise among corne, as cockle, Aracus, Aegilops, and other dege∣nerations which come up in unexpected shapes, when they want the support and maintenance of the primary and master-formes: And the same do some affirm concerning other plants in lesse analogy of figures, as the mutation of Mint into Cresses, Basill into Serpoile, and Turneps into Radishes; in all which as Severinus conceiveth there may be equi∣vocall seeds and Hermaphroditicall principles, which contain the radi∣cality and power of different formes; thus in the seed of wheat there ly∣eth obscurely the seminality of Darnell, although in a secondary or in∣feriour way, and at some distance of production; which neverthelesse if it meet with convenient promotion, or a conflux and conspiration of causes more powerfull then the other, it then beginneth to edifie in chiefe, and contemning the superintendent forme, produceth the signa∣tures of its selfe.

Now therefore although we deny not these severall mutations, and doe allow that Hares may exchange their sex, yet this we conceive doth come to passe but sometimes, and not in that vicissitude or annuall alternation as is presumed; that is, from imperfection to perfection, from

perfection to imperfection, from female unto male, from male to fe∣male againe, and so in a circle to both without a permansion in either; for beside the inconceiveable mutation of temper, which should yearly alternate the sex, this is injurious unto the order of nature, whose opera∣tions doe rest in the perfection of their intents; which having once at∣tained, they maintaine their accomplished ends, and relapse not a∣gaine into their progressionall imperfections: so if in the minority of naturall vigor, the parts of feminality take place, when upon the en∣crease or growth thereof the masculine appeare, the first designe of na∣ture is atchieved, and those parts are after maintained.

But surely it much impeacheth this iterated transexion of Hares, if that be true which Cardan and other Physitians affirm, that Transmuta∣tion of sex is only so in opinion, and that these transfeminated persons were really men at first, although succeeding yeares produced the ma∣nifesto or evidence of their virilities; which although intended and formed, was not at first excluded, and that the examples hereof have undergone no reall or new transexion, but were Androgynally borne, and under some kind of Hermaphrodites: for though Galen do favour the opinion, that the distinctive parts of sexes are onely different in po∣sition, that is inversion or protrusion, yet will this hardly be made out from the Anatomy of those parts, the testicles being so seated in the female that they admit not of protrusion, and the necke of the matrix wanting those parts which are discoverable in the organ of virility.

The second and most received acception, is, that Hares are male and female by conjunction of both sexes, and such are sound in mankinde, Poetically called Hermaphrodites, supposed to be formed from the equality, or non victorie of either seed, carrying about them the parts of man and woman; although with great variety in perfection, site and ability; not only as Aristotle conceived, with a constant impoten∣cie in one; but as latter Observers affirme, sometimes with ability of ei∣ther venery: and therefore the providence of some Laws have thought good, that at the yeares of maturity, they should elect one sex, and the errors in the other should suffer a severer punishment; whereby endea∣vouring to prevent incontinencie, they unawares enjoyned perpetuall chastity; for being executive in both parts, and confined unto one, they restrained a naturall power, and ordained a partiall virginity. Plato and some of the Rabbines proceeded higher, who conceived the first man an Hermaphrodite; and Marcus Leo the learned Jew, in some sense hath allowed it, affirming that Adam in one suppositum without divi∣sion, contained both male and female; and therefore whereas it is said in the Text, that God created man in his owne Image, in the Image of God created he him, male and female created he them, applying the singular and plurall unto Adam, it might denote that in one substance, and in himselfe he included both sexes which was after divided, and

the female called Woman. The opinion of Aristotle extendeth far∣ther, from whose assertion all men should be Hermaphrodites; for affirming that women do not spermatize, and conferre a place or recep∣tacle rather then essentiall principles of generation, he deductively in∣cludes both sexes in mankinde; for from the father proceed not only males and females, but from him also must Hermaphroditicall and masculo-feminine generations be derived, and a commixtion of both sexes arise from the seed of one: But the Schoolmen have dealt with that sex more hardly then any other, who though they have not much disputed their generation, yet have they controverted their Resurrecti∣on, and raysed a query whether any at the last day should arise in the sex of women, as may be observed in the supplement of Aquinas.

Now as we must acknowledge this And••ogynall condition in man, so can we not deny the like doth happen in beasts. Thus doe we read in Plinie that Neroes Chariot was drawne by foure Hermaphroditicall Mares, and Cardan affirmes he also beheld one at Antwerpe; and thus may we also concede, that Hares have been of both sexes, and some have ocularly confirmed it; but that the whole species or kinde should be bisexous we cannot affirme, who have found the parts of male and female respectively distinct and single in any wherein we have enqui∣red; and whereas it is conceived, that being an harmlesse animall and delectable food unto man, nature hath made them with double sexes, and that actively and passively performing they might more numerous∣ly encrease; we forget an higher providence of nature whereby shee especially promotes the multiplication of Hares, which is by superfe∣tation; that is, a conception upon a conception, or an improvement of a second fruit before the first be excluded, preventing hereby the usuall intermission and vacant time of generation, which is very common and frequently observable in Hares, mentioned long agoe by Aristotle, Herodotus, and Pliny; and we have often observed that after the first cast, there remaine successive conceptions, and other younglings very immature, and far from their terme of exclusion.

Nor need any man to question this in Hares, for the same wee ob∣serve doth sometime happen in women; for although it be true that up∣on conception, the inward orifice of the matrix exactly closeth, so that it commonly admitteth nothing after; yet falleth it out sometime, that in the act of coition, the avidity of that part dilateth it selfe, and recei∣veth a second burden, which if it happen to be neare in time unto the first, they commonly doe both proceed unto perfection, and have legi∣timate exclusions, and periodically succeed each other: but if the su∣perfetation be made with considerable intermission, the latter most commonly proves abortive; for the first being confirmed, engrosseth the aliment from the other: However therefore the project of Julia seem very plausible, and that way infallible when she received not her

passengers, before she had taken in her lading, there was a fallibility therein; nor indeed any absolute securitie in the policy of adultery after conception; for the Matrix (which some have called another animall within us, and which is not subjected unto the law of our will) after reception of its proper Tenant, may yet receive a strange and spurious inmate, as is confirmable by many examples in Plinie, by Larissaea in Hippocrates, and that merry one in Plautus urged also by Aristotle, that is of Iphicles and Hercules, the one begat by Jupiter, the other by Amphitryon upon Al••maena; as also in those superconceptions where one childe was like the father, the other like the adulterer, the one fa∣vour'd the servant, the other resembled the master.

Now the grounds that begat, or much promoted the opinion of a double sex in hares might bee some little bags or tumors, as first glance representing stones or Testicles, to be found in both sexes a∣bout the parts of generation; which men observing in either sex, were induced to beleeve a masculine sex in both; but to speak properly these are no Testicles or parts officiall unto generation, but glandulous sub∣stances that seeme to hold the nature of Emunctories; for herein may be perceived slender perforations, at which may be expressed a blacke and ••oeculent matter; if therefore from these we shall conceive a mixti∣on of sexes in Hares, with fairer reason we may conclude it in Bevers, whereof both sexes containe a double bagge or tumor in the groine, commonly called the Cod of Castor, as we have delivered before.

Another ground were certaine holes or cavities observeable about the siedge; which being perceived in males, made some conceive there might be also a faeminine nature in them, and upon this very ground, the same opinion hath passed upon the Hyaena, as is declared by Ari∣stotle, and thus translated by Scaliger; Quod autem aiunt utrius{que} sexus habere genitalia falsum est, quod videtur esse foemineum sub cauda, est si∣mile sigur a foeminino verum pervinum non est; and thus is it also in Hares, in whom these holes, although they seeme to make a deepe cavity, yet doe they not perforate the skin, nor hold a community with any part of generation, but were (as Plinie delivereth) esteemed the marks of their age, the number of those decyding their number of yeares; what verity there is herein, we shall not contend; for if in other ani∣mals there be authentick notations, if the characters of yeares be found in the hornes of Cowes, or in the Antlers of Deere, if we conjecture the age of Horses from joynts in their dockes, and undeniably presume it from their teeth; we cannot affirme, there is in their conceit, any affront unto nature, although, who ever enquireth shall finde no assu∣rance therein.

The last foundation was Retromingency or pissing backward, for men observing both sexes to urine backward, or aversly between their legges, they might conceive there was a foeminine part in both;

wherein they are deceived by the ignorance of the just and proper site of the Pizell or part designed unto the Excretion of urine, which in the Hare holds not the common position, but is aversly seated, and in its distention enclines unto the coccix or scut. Now from the nature of this position, there ensueth a necessitie of Retrocopulation, which also promoteth the conceit; for some observing them to couple with∣out ascension, have not beene able to judge of male or female, or to determine the proper sex in either, and to speake generally this way of copulation, is not appropriate unto Hares, nor is there one, but ma∣ny wayes of Coition, according to divers shapes and different confor∣mations; for some couple laterally or sidewise as wormes, some circu∣larly or by complication as Serpents, some pronely, that is by con∣taction of prone parts in both, as Apes, Porcupines, Hedgehogges, and such as are termed Mollia, as the Cuttlefish and the Purple; some mixt∣ly, that is, the male ascending the female, or by application of the prone parts of the one, unto the postick parts of the other, as most Qua∣drupes; Some aversely, as all Crustaceous animals, Lobsters, Shrimps, and Crevises, and also Retromingents, as Panthers, Tigers, and Hares: This is the constant Law of their Coition, this they observe and trans∣gresse not: onely the vitiositie of man hath acted the varieties hereof; nor content with a digression from sex or species, hath in his own kinde runne thorow the Anomalies of venery, and been so bold, not onely to act, but represent to view, the Irregular wayes of lust.

CHAP. XVIII.

Of Molls.

THat Molls are blinde and have no eyes, though a common opini∣on is received with much variety; some affirming onely they have no sight, as Oppianus, the Proverbe Talpa Caecior, and the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Talpitas, which in Hesichius is made the same with Caeci∣as: some that they have eyes, but no sight, as the text of Aristotle seems to imply, some neither eyes nor sight, as Albertus, Plinie, and the vul∣gar opinion; some both eyes & sight as Scaliger, Aldrovandus, & some others. Of which opinions the last with some restriction, is most con∣sonant unto truth: for that they have eyes in their head is manifest unto any, that wants them not in his own, and are discoverable, not onely in old ones, but as we have observed in yong and naked conceptions, ta∣ken out of the belly of the dam; and he that exactly enquires into the cavitie of their cranies, may discover some propagation of nerves com∣municated unto these parts; but that the humors together with their coats are also distinct, (though Galen seeme to affirme it) transcendeth our discovery; for separating these little Orbes, and including them in

magnifying glasses, wee discerned no more then Aristotle mentions, that is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is; humorem nigrum, nor any more if they bee broken: that therefore they have eyes we must of necessitie affirme, but that they be comparativly incomplete wee need not to de∣nie: So Galen affirmes the parts of generation in women are imperfect, in respect of those of men, as the eyes of Molls in regard of other ani∣mals; So Aristotle termes them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which Gaza translates ob∣laesos, and Scaliger by a word of Imperfection, inchoatos.

Now as that they have eyes is manifest unto sense, so that they have sight not incongruous unto reason, if wee call not in question the pro∣vidence of this provision, that is, to assigne the organs, and yet deny the office, to grant them eyes and withold all manner of vision: for as the inference is faire, affirmatively deduced from the action to the organ, that they have eyes because they see, so is it also from the or∣gan to the action, that they have eyes, therefore some sight designed; if we take the intention of Nature in every species, and except the ca∣suall impediments, or morbosities in individuals; but as their eyes are more imperfect then others, so do we conceive of their sight, or act of vision; for they will runne against things, and hudling forwards fall from high places; so that they are not blinde, nor yet distinctly see, there is in them no cecity, yet more then a cecutiency; they have sight enough to discerne the light, though not perhaps to distinguish of ob∣jects or colours; so are they not exactly blinde, for light is one object of vision; and this (as Scaliger observeth) might be as full a sight as Nature first intended; for living in darkenesse under the earth, they had no further need of eyes then to avoid the light, and to be sensible when ever they lost that darkenesse of earth, which was their naturall con∣finement; and therefore however Translators doe render the word of Aristotle, or Galen, that is, imperfectos, oblaesos, or inchoatos, it is not much considerable; for their eyes are sufficiently begun to finish this action and competently perfect, for this imperfect Vision.

And lastly, although they had neither eyes nor sight, yet could they not be termed blinde; for blindenesse being a privative terme unto sight, this appellation is not admittible in propriety of speech, and will overthrow the doctrine of privations, which presuppose positive formes or habits, and are not indefinite negations, denying in all sub∣jects but such alone wherein the positive habits are in their proper na∣ture, and placed without repugnancy. So do we improperly say a Moll is blinde, if we deny it the organs or a capacity of vision from its crea∣ted nature; so when the Text of John had said, that man was blinde from his nativity, whose cecity our Saviour cured, it was not warran∣table in Nonnus to say he had no eyes at all, as he describeth in his pa∣raphrase, and as some ancient Fathers affirme, that by this miracle they were created in him; and so though the sence may be accepted, that

proverbe must be candidly interpreted which maketh fishes mute, and call them silent which have no voyce in Nature.

Now this conceit is erected upon a misapprehension or mistake in the symptomes of vision, men confounding abolishment, diminution and depravement, and naming that an abolition of sight, which indeed is but an abatement. For if vision be abolished, it is called caecitas, or blindnesse, if depraved and receive its objects erroneously, Hallucina∣tion, if dimished, hebetudo visus, caligati••, or dimnesse; now instead of a diminution or imperfect vision in the Moll, we a••••irme an abolition or totall privation, in stead of caligation or dimnesse, wee conclude a cecity or blindnesse, which hath beene frequently committed con∣cerning other animals; so some affirme the water Rat is blinde, so Sam∣monicus and Nicander do call the Mus-Aran••us the shrew or Ranny, blinde; And because darkenesse was before light, the Aegyptians wor∣shipped the same: So are slow-Wormes accounted blinde, and the like we a••••irme proverbially of the Beetle, although their eyes be evident, and they will flye against lights, like many other insects, and though also Aristotle determines, that the eyes are apparent in all flying in∣sects, though other senses be obscure, and not perceptible at all; and if from a diminution wee may inferre a totall privation, or affirme that other animals are blinde which doe not acutely fee or comparatively unto others, wee shall condemne unto blindenesse many not so estee∣med; for such as have corneous or horney eyes, as Lobsters and cru∣staceous animals, are generally dim sighted, all insects that have an∣tennae, or long hornes to feele out their way, as Butter-flies and Lo∣custs, or their fore legs so disposed, that they much advance before their heads, as may be observed in Spiders; and if the Aegle were judge, wee might be blinde our selves; the expression therefore of Scripture in the story of Jacob is surely with circumspection, And it came to passe when Jacob was old, and his eyes were dimme, quando caligarunt oculi, saith Jerom and Tremellius, which are expressions of diminution, and not of absolute privation.

CHAP. XIX.

Of Lampries.

WHether Lampries have nine eyes, as is received, we durst refer it unto Polyphemus, who had but one to judge it: an error con∣cerning eyes, occasioned by the errour of eyes, deduced from the ap∣pearance of divers cavities or holes on either side, which ••ome call eyes that carelesly behold them, and is not onely refutable by experience, but also repugnant unto reason; for beside the monstrosity they fasten unto Nature, in contriving many eyes, who hath made but two unto

any animall, that is, one of each side, according to the division of the braine, it were a superfluous and inartificiall act to place and settle so many in one place; for the two extremes would sufficiently performe the office of sight without the help of the intermediate eyes, and be∣hold as much as all seven joyned together; for the visible base of the object would be defined by these two, and the middle eyes although they behold the same thing, yet could they not behold so much there∣of as these; so were it no advantage unto man to have a third eye be∣tweene those two he hath already; and the fiction of Argus seemes more reasonable then this; for though he had many eyes, yet were they placed in circumference and positions of advantage.

Againe, these cavities which men call eyes are seated out of the head, and where the Gils of other fish are placed, containing no or∣gans of sight, nor having any communication with the braine; now all sense proceeding from the braine, and that being placed (as Galen ob∣serveth) in the upper part of the body, for the fitter situation of the eyes, and conveniency required unto sight, it is not reasonable to ima∣gine that they are any where else, or deserve that name which are sea∣ted in other parts; and therefore we relinquish as fabulous what is de∣livered of Sternopthalmi, or men with eyes in their breast; and when it is said by Solomon, A wise mans eyes are in his head, it is to be taken in second sence, and affordeth no objection: True it is that the eyes of animals are seated with some difference, but all whatsoever in the head, and that more forward then the eare or hole of hearing. In quadru∣pedes, in regard of the figure of their heads, they are placed at some distance, in latirostrous and flat-bild birds they are more laterally sea∣ted; and therefore when they looke intently they turne one eye upon the object, and can convert their heads to see before and behinde, and to behold two opposite points at once; but at a more easie distance are they situated in man, and in the same circumference with the eare, for if one foote of the compasse be placed upon the Crowne, a circle described thereby will intersect, or passe over both the eares.

The error in this conceit consists in the ignorance of these cavities, and their proper use in nature; for this is a particular disposure of parts, and a peculiar conformation whereby these holes and sluces supply the defect of Gils, and are assisted by the conduit in the head; for like ce∣taceous animals and Whales, the Lamprey hath a fistula spout or pipe at the back part of the head, whereat they spirt out water: Nor is it onely singular in this formation, but also in many other, as in defect of bones, whereof it hath not one, and for the spine or back-bone, a cartilagineous substance without any spondyles, processes, or protube∣rance whatsoever; as also in the provision which Nature hath made for the heart, which in this animall is very strangely secured, and lyes immured in a cartilage or gristly substance; and lastly, in the colour

of the liver, which is in the male of an excellent grasse greene, but of a deeper colour in the female, and will communicate a fresh and dura∣ble verdure.

CHAP. XX.

Of Snayles.

THat Snayles have two eyes, and at the end of their hornes, beside the assertion of the people, is the opinion of some learned men; which notwithstanding Scaliger tearmes but imitation of eyes, which Pliny contradicts, and Aristotle upon consequence denyes, when he af∣firmes that testaceous animals have no eyes at all; And for my owne part after much inquiry, I am not satisfied that these are eyes, or that those black and a••ramentous spots which seeme to represent them are any ocular reallities; for if any object be presented unto them, they will sometime seeme to decline it, and sometime run against it; if also these black extremities, or presumed eyes be clipped off, they will not∣withstanding make use of their protrusions or hornes, and poke out their way as before: Againe, if they were eyes or instruments of visi∣on, they would have their originals in the head, and from thence de∣rive their motive and optick organs, but their roots and first extremi∣ties are seated low upon the sides of the back, as may be perceived in the whiter sort of Snayles when they retract them: And lastly, if wee concede they have two eyes, wee must also grant, they have no lesse then foure, for not onely the two greater extensions above have these imitations of eyes, but also the two lesser below, as is evident unto any, and if they be dextrously dissected, there will be found on either side two black filaments or membranous strings which extend into the long and shorter cornicle upon protrusion; and therefore if they have two eyes, they have also foure, which will be monstrous, and beyond the affirmation of any.

Now the reason why we name these black strings eyes, is because we know not what to call them else, and understand not the proper use of that part, which indeed is very obscure, and not delivered by any, but may probably be said to assist the protrusion, and retraction of their hornes, which being a weake and hollow body, require some in∣ward establishment, to confirme the length of their advancement, which we observe they cannot extend without the concurrence here∣of; for if with your finger you apprehend the top of the horne, and draw out this black, and membranous emission, the horne will be ex∣cluded no more; but if you clip off the extremity, or onely sindge the top thereof with Aqua f••rtis, or other corrosive water, leaving a con∣siderable part behinde, they will neverthelesse exclude their hornes,

and therewith explorate their way as before; and indeed the exact sense of these extremities is very remarkable; for if you dip a pen in Aqua fortis, oyle of vitriol, or Turpentine, and present it towards these points, they will at a reasonable distance, decline the acrimony thereof, retyring or distorting them to avoid it; and this they will nimbly performe if objected to the extremes, but slowly or not at all, if approached unto their rootes.

What hath beene therefore delivered concerning the plurality, pau∣city, or anomalous situation of eyes, is either monstrous, fabulous, or under things never seene includes good sense or meaning: and so may we receive the figment of Argus, who was an Hieroglyphick of hea∣ven, in those centuries of eyes expressing the stars; and their alternate wakings, the vicissitude of day and night; which strictly taken cannot be admitted, for the subject of sleep is not the eye, but the common sense, which once asleep, all eyes must be at rest: And therefore what is delivered as an Embleme of vigilancy, that the Hare and Lion doe sleep with one eye open, doth not evince they are any more awake then if they were both closed; for the open eye beholds in sleepe no more then that which is closed, and no more one eye in them then two in o∣ther animals that sleep with both open, as some by disease, and others naturally which have no eye lids at all.

As for Polyphemus although his story be fabulous, the monstrosi∣ty is not impossible; for the act of Vision may be performed with one eye, and in the deception and fallacy of sight, hath this advantage of two, that it beholds not objects double, or sees two things for one; for this doth happen when the axis of the visive coves, diffused from the object, fall not upon the same plane, but that which is conveyed into one eye, is more depressed or elevated then that which enters the other. So if beholding a candle we protrude either upward or downe∣ward the pupill of one eye, the object will appeare double; but if wee shut the other eye, and behold it but with one, it will then appeare but single, and if we abduce the eye unto either corner, the object will not duplicate, for in that position the axes of the coves remaine in the same plane, as is demonstrated in the opticks, and delivered by Galen, in his tenth De usa partium.

Relations also there are of men that could make themselves invisi∣ble, which belongs not to this discourse, but may serve as notable ex∣pressions of wise and prudent men, who so contrive their affaires, that although their actions be manifest, their designes are not discoverable: in this acception there is nothing left of doubt, and Giges ring remai∣neth still among us; for vulgar eyes behold no more of wise men then doth the Sun, they may discover their exteriour and outward wayes, but their interiour and inward pieces he onely sees, that sees beyond their beings.

CHAP. XXI.

Of the Cameleon.

COncerning the Chameleon there generally passeth an opinion that it liveth onely upon ayre, and is sustained by no other ali∣ment; Thus much is in plaine termes affirmed by Solinus, Pliny, and divers other, and by this periphrasis is the same described by Ovid; All which notwithstanding upon enquiry, I finde the assertion mainly controvertible, and very much to faile in the three inducements of beliefe.

And first for its verity, although asserted by some, and traditionally delivered by others, yet is it very questionable. For beside Aelian▪ who is seldome defective in these accounts; Aristotle distinctly treating hereof, hath made no mention of this remarkeable propriety; which either suspecting its verity, or presuming its falsity hee surely omitted; for that he remained ignorant of this account it is not easily concei∣vable, it being the common opinion, and generally received by all men: Some have positively denyed it, as Augustinus, Niphus, Stobaeus, Da∣lechampius, Fortunius, L••cetus, with many more; others have experi∣mentally refuted it, as namely Iohannes Landius, who in the relation of Scaliger, observed a Chameleon to lick up a flye from his breast; But Bellonius hath beene more satisfactorily experimentall, not onely af∣firming they feede on Flyes, Caterpillers, Beetles, and other insects, but upon exenteration he found these animals in their bellies; and al∣though we have not had the advantage of our owne observation, yet have we received the like confirmation from many ocular spectators.

As touching the verisimility or probable truth of this relation, seve∣rall reasons there are which seeme to overthrow it; For first, there are found in this animall, the guts, the stomack, and other parts officiall unto nutrition, which were its aliment the empty reception of ayre, their provisions had beene superfluous; Now the wisdome of Nature abhorring super••luities, and effecting nothing in vaine, unto the inten∣tion of these operations, respectively contriveth the organs; and there∣fore where we finde such Instruments, wee may with strictnesse expect their actions, and where we discover them not, wee may with saf••ty conclude the non-intention of their operations: So when we observe that oviperous animals, as Lizards, Frogs, Birds, and most Fishes have neither bladder nor kidnies, we may with reason inferre they do not urine at all: But whereas in this same kinde we discover these parts in the Tortoys beyond any other, wee cannot deny he exerciseth that excretion; Nor was there any absurdity in Pliny, when for medicinall uses he commended the urine of a Tortoise: so when we perceive that Bats have teats, it is not unreasonable to infer they suckle their young∣lings

with milke; but whereas no other flying animall hath these parts, we cannot from them expect a viviparous exclusion, but either a ge∣neration of egges, or some vermiparous separation, whose navell is within it selfe at first, and its nutrition after not inwardly dependent of its originall.

Againe, nature is so farre from leaving any one part without its pro∣per action, that she oft-times imposeth two or three labours upon one; so the pizell in animals is both officiall unto urine and to generation, but the first and primary use is generation; for many creatures enjoy that part which urine not, as fishes, birds, and quadrupeds oviparous; but not on the contrary, for the secondary action subsisteth not alone, but in concommitancie with the other; so the nostrills are usefull both for respiration and smelling, but the principall use is smelling; for many have nostrills which have no lungs, as fishes, but none have lungs or respiration, which have not some shew, or some analogy of nostrills: And thus we perceive the providence of nature, that is the wisdome of God, which disposeth of no part in vaine, and some parts unto two or three uses, will not provide any without the execution of its proper of∣fice, nor where there is no digestion to be made, make any parts inservi∣ent to that intention.

Beside the teeth, the tongue of this animall is a second argument to overthrow this ayrie nutrication, and that not only in its proper nature, but also in its peculiar figure; for indeed of this part properly taken there are two ends; that is, the formation of the voice, and the execu∣tion of taste; for the voice, it can have no office in Camelions, for they are mute animals, as, beside fishes, are most other sort of Lizards: As for their taste, if their nutriment be ayre, neither can it be an instrument thereof; for the body of that element is ingustible, void of all sapidi∣ty, and without any action of the tongue, is by the rough artery or wea∣zon conducted into the lungs: and therefore Plini•• much forgets the strictnesse of his assertion, when he alloweth excrements unto that ani∣mall, that feedeth only upon ayre, which notwithstanding with the urine of an Asse, hee commends as a magicall medicine upon our enemies.

The figure of the tongue seems also to overthrow the presumption of this aliment, which according to the exact delineation of Aldrovand, is in this animall peculiar, and seemeth contrived for prey; for in so little a creature it is at the least halfe a palme long, and being it self ve∣ry slow of motion, hath in this part a very great agility; withall its food being slyes and such as suddenly escape, it hath in the tongue a spongy and mucous extremity, whereby upon a sudden emission, it inviscates and tangleth those insects: And therefore some have thought its name not unsutable unto its nature; the nomination is Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is a little Lion, not so much for the resemblance of shape, but affinity of

condition, that is for the vigilancy in its prey and sudden rapacity thereof, which it performeth not like the Lion with its teeth, but a sud∣den and unexpected ejaculation of the tongue. This exposition is fa∣voured by some, especially the old glosse upon Leviticus, whereby in the Translation of Jerome and the Septuagint, this animall is forbid∣den; what ever it be, it seems more reasonable then that of Isidore, who derives this name, a Camelo & Leone, as presuming herein some resem∣blance with a Camell; for this derivation offendeth the rules of Ety∣mology, wherein indeed the notation of names should be Orthogra∣phicall, not exchanging dipthongs for vowells, or converting conso∣nants into each other.

As for the possibility hereof, it is not also unquestionable, and many wise men are of opinion, the bodies of animalls cannot receive a proper aliment from ayre: for beside that taste being (as Aristotle termes it) a kinde of touch, it is required the aliment should be tangible, and fall under the palpable affections of touch; beside also that there is some sapor in all aliments, as being to be distinguished and judged by the guste, which cannot be admitted in ayre; Beside these, I say, if wee consider the nature of aliment, and the proper use of ayre in respiration, it will very hardly fall under the name hereof, or properly attaine the act of nutrication.

And first concerning its nature, to make a perfect nutrition into the body nourished, there is required a transmutation of the nutriment; now where this conversion or aggeneration is made, there is also required in the aliment a familiarity of matter, and such a community or vicinity unto a living nature, as by one act of the soule may be converted into the body of the living, and enjoy one common soule; which indeed cannot be effected by the ayre, it concurring only with our flesh in com∣mon principles, which are at the largest distance from life, and com∣mon also unto inanimated constitutions; and therefore when it is said by Fernelius, and asserted by divers others, that we are only nourished by living bodies, and such as are some way proceeding from them, that is the fruits, effects, parts, or seeds thereof, they have laid out an object very agreeable unto assimulation; for these indeed are sit to re∣ceive a quick and immediate conversion, as holding some community with our selves, and containing approximate disposition unto ani∣mation.

Secondly (as is argued by Aristotle against the Pythagoreans) whatsoever properly nourisheth, before its assimulation, by the action of naturall heat it receiveth a compulency or incrassation progressionall unto its conversion; which notwithstanding it cannot be effected upon the ayre, for the action of heat doth not condense but rarifie that body, and by attenuation, rather then for nutrition, disposeth it for expulsion.

Thirdly (which is the argument of Hippocrates) all aliment received into the body, must be therein a considerable space retained, and not immediatly expelled: now ayre but momentally remaining in our bodies, it hath no proportionable space for its conversion, that being only of length enough to refrigerate the heart, which having once per∣formed, lest being it selfe heated againe, it should suffocate that part, it maketh no stay, but hasteth backe the same way it passed in.

Fourthly, the proper use of ayre attracted by the lungs, and without which there is no durable continuation in life, is not the nutrition of parts, but the contemperation of that fervour in the heart, and the ven••tilation of that fire alwayes maintained in the forge of life; whereby al∣though in some manner it concurreth unto nutrition, yet can it not re∣ceive the proper name of nutriment; and therefore by Uippocrites de alimento, it is tetmed Alimentum non Alimentum, a nourishment and no nourishment; that is in a large acception, but not in propriety of lan∣guage conserving the body, not nourishing the same, not repairing it by assimulation, but preserving it by ventilation; for thereby the naturall flame is preserved from extinction, and so the individuum sup∣ported in some way like nutrition: And so when it is said by the same Author, Pulmo contrarium corpori alimentum trahit, reliqua omnia idem, it is not to be taken in a strict and proper sense, but the quality in the one, the substance is meant in the other; for ayre in regard of our natu∣rall heat is cold, and in that quality contrary unto it, but what is proper∣ly aliment, of what quality soever, is potentially the same, and in a sub∣stantiall identity unto it.

And although the ayre attracted may be conceived to nourish that invisible flame of life, in as much as common and culinary flames are nourished by the ayre about them; I confesse wee doubt the common conceit, which affirmeth that aire is the pabulous supply of fire, much lesse that flame is properly aire kindled: And the same before us, hath been denyed by the Lord of Verulam, in his Tract of life and death, & also by Dr. Jorden in his book of Minerall waters: For that which sub∣stantially maintaineth the fire, is the combustible matter in the kind∣led body, and not the ambient ayre, which affordeth exhalation to its fuliginous atomes, nor that which causeth the flame properly to be ter∣med ayre, but rather as he expresseth it, the accention of fuliginous ex∣halations, which containe an unctuosity in them, and arise from the matter of fuell; which opinion is very probable, and will salve many doubts, whereof the common conceit affordeth no solution.

As first, how fire is strickē out of flints, that is not by kindling the aire from the collision of two hard bodies; for then Diamonds and glasse should doe the like as well as slint, but rather from the sulphur and in∣flamable effluviums contained in them. The like saith Jorden we ob∣serve in canes and woods, that are unctuous and full of oyle, which

will yeeld ••ire by frication, or collision, not by kindling the ayre about them, but the inflamable oyle with them: why the fire goes out with∣out ayre? that is because the fuligenous exhalations wanting evaporati∣on recoyle upon the flame and choake it, as is evident in cupping glas∣ses, and the artifice of charcoals, where if the ayre be altogether exclu∣ded, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 goes out, why some lampes included in close bodies, have burned many hundred yeares, as that discovered in the sepulchre of Tullia the sister of Cicero, and that of Olibius many yeares after, neare Padua; because what ever was their matter, either a preparation gold, or Naptha, the duration proceeded from the puritie of their oyle which yeelded no fuligenous exhalations to suffocate the fire; For if ayre had nourished the ••lame, it had not continued many minutes, for it would have been spent and wasted by the fire: Why a piece of ••laxe will kindle, although it touch not the ••lame? because the fire extend∣eth further, then indeed it is visible, being at some distance from the weeke a pellucide and transparent body, and thinner then the ayre it self: why mettals in their Equation, although they intensly heat the aire above their surface, arise not yet into a ••lame, nor kindle the aire about them? because them sulphur is more fixed, and they emit not inflamable exhalations: And lastly, why a lampe or candle burneth onely in the ayre about it, and in••lameth not the ayre at a distance from it? because the flame extendeth not beyond the inflamable e••••••u∣ence, but closly adheres unto the originall of its in••lamation, and there∣fore it onely warmeth, not kindleth the aire about it, which notwith∣standing it will doe, if the ambient aire be impregnate with subtile in∣flamabilities, and such as are of quick accension, as experiment is made in a close roome, upon an evaparation of spirits of wine and Camphir, as subterran••ous fires doe sometimes happen, and as Cre••sa and Alex••anders boy in the bath were set on ••ire by Naptha.

Lastly, the Element of aire is so far from nourishing the bodie, that some have questioned the power of water; many conceiving it enters not the body in the power of aliment, or that from thence, there pro∣ceeds a substantiall supply: For beside that some creatures drinke not at all, unto others it performs the common office of ayre, and se••ves for refrigeration of the heart, as unto fishes, who receive it, and expell it by the gills; even unto our selves, and more perfect animals, though many wayes assistent thereto, it performes no substantiall nutrition, in s••••ving for refrigeration, dilution of solid aliment, and its elixation in the sto••macke, which from thence as a vehicle it conveighs through lesse ac∣cessible cavities into the liver, from thence into the veines, and so in a ••oride substance through the capillarie cavities into every part; which having performed, it is afterward excluded by urine, sweat and serous separations. And this opinion surely possessed the Ancients, for when they so highly commended that water which is suddenly hot and cold▪

which is without all favour, the lightest, the thinnest, and which will soonest boile Beanes or Pease, they had no consideration of nutrition; whereunto had they had respect, they would have surely commended grosse and turbid streames, in whose confusion at the last, there might be contained some nutriment; and not jejune or limpid water, and near∣er the simplicity of its Element.

All which considered, severer heads will be apt enough to conceive the opinion of this animal, not much unlike unto that of the Astomi, or men without mouthes in Pliny, sutable unto the relation of the Mares in Spaine, and their subventaneous conceptions, from the westerne winde; and in some way more unreasonable then the figment of Rabi∣can the famous horse in Ariosto, which being conceived by flame, and wind never tasted grasse, or fed on any grosser provender then ayre; for this way of nutrition was answerable unto the principles of his genera∣tion; which being not ayrie, but grosse and seminall in the Chameleon, unto its conservation there is required a solid pasture, and a food con∣generous unto the principles of its nature.

The grounds of this opinion are many, The first observed by Theo∣phrastus, was the in••lation or swelling of the body made in this ani∣mal upon inspiration or drawing in its breath, which people observing, have thought it to feed upon ayre. But this effect is rather occasioned upon the greatnes of its lungs, which in this animal are very large, and by their backward situation, afford a more observable dilatation, and though their lungs bee lesse, the like inflation is also observable in Toads.

A second is the continuall hiation or holding open its mouth, which men observing conceive the intention thereof to receive the aliment of ayre; but this is also occasioned by the greatnes of its lungs, for repleti∣on whereof not having a sufficient or ready supply by its nostrils, it is enforced to dilate and hold open the jawes.

The third is the paucitie of blood observed in this animal, scarce at all to be found but in the eye, and about the heart; which defect being observed, inclined some into thoughts, that the ayre was a sufficient maintenance for these exauguious parts. But this defect or rather paucity of blood, is also agreeable unto many other animals, whose solid nutriment wee doe not controvert, as may bee observed in o∣ther sorts of Lizards, in Frogges, and divers Fishes, and therefore an Horse-leech will hardly be made to fasten upon a fish, and wee doe not read of much blood that was drawn from Frogges by Mice in that fa∣mous battaile of Homer.

The last and most common ground which begat or promoted this opinion, is the long continuation hereof without any visible food, which some precipitously observing, conclude they eate not any at all. It cannot be denyed it is (if not the most of any) a very abstemious

animall, and such as by reason of its frigidity, paucity of blood, and la∣t••tancy in the winter, (about which time the observations are often made) will long subsist without a visible sustentation: But a like con∣dition may bee also observed in many other animals, for Lizards and Leeches, as we have made triall, will live some months without suste∣nance, and wee have included Snailes in glasses all winter, which have returned to feed againe in the spring: Now these notwithstanding, are not conceived to passe all their lives without food; for so to argue is fallacious, that is, A minori ad majus, A dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, and is moreover sufficiently convicted by experience, and therefore probably other relations are of the same verity, which are of the like affinity, as is the conceit of the Rhin••ace in Persia, the Cavis Levis of America, and the Manucodiata or bird of Paradise in India.

To assigne a reason of this abstinence in animals, or declare how without a supply there ensueth no destructive exhaustion, exceedeth the limits of my intention, and intention of my discourse. Fortunius Licetus in his excellent Tract, De his qui diu vivunt sine alimento, hath very ingeniously attempted it, deducing the cause hereof from an equall conformity of naturall heat and moisture, at least no considera∣ble exuperancy in either; which concurring in an unactive proportion, the naturall heat consumeth not the moisture (whereby ensueth no ex∣haustion) and the condition of naturall moisture is able to resist the slender action of heat, (whereby it needeth no reparation) and this is e∣vident in Snakes, Lizards, Snails, and divers other insects latitant many moneths in the yeare; which being cold creatures, containing a weak h••at, in a crasse or copious humidity doe long subsist without nutri∣tion: For the activity of the agent, being not able to overmaster the re∣sistance of the patient, there will ensue no deperdition. And upon the like grounds it is, that cold and phlegmatick bodies, and (as Hippo∣crates determineth) that old men, will best endure fasting. Now the same harmony and stationary constitution, as it happeneth in many species, so doth it fall out sometime in Individualls; For wee read of many who have lived long time without aliment, and beside deceites and impostures, there may be veritable Relations of some, who with∣out a miracle, and by peculiarity of temper, have far outfasted Elias.

CHAP. XXII.

Of the Oestridge.

THe common opinion of the Oestridge, Struthiocamelus, or Spar∣row-Camell conceives that it digesteth Iron; and this is confir∣med by the affirmations of many; beside swarmes of others, Rhodigi∣nus in his prelections taketh it for granted, Johannes Langius in his

Epistles pleadeth experiment for it, the common picture also confirm∣eth it which usually describeth this animall, with an horshooe in its mouth; notwithstanding upon enquiry we finde it very questionable, and the negative seemes most reasonably entertained; whose verity indeed wee doe the rather desire, because hereby wee shall relieve our ignorance of one occult quality; for in the list thereof it is accounted, and in that notion imperiously obtruded upon us: For my owne part, although I have had the sight of this animall, I have not had the oppor∣tunity of its experiment, but have received great occasions of doubt, from learned discoursers thereon.

For Aristotle and Oppianus who have particularly treated hereof are silent in this singularity, either omitting it as dubious, or as the Comment saith, rejecting it as fabulous; Pliny speaketh generally, affirming onely, the digestion is wonderfull in this animall; Aelian delivereth, that it digesteth stones, without any mention of Iron; Leo Africanus, who lived in those Countries wherein they most abound, speaketh diminutively, and but halfe way into this assertion, Surdum ac simplex animal est, quicquid invenit, absque delectu, usque ad ferrum de∣vorat: Fernelius in his second booke De abditis rerum causis, extenu∣ates it, and Riolanus in his Comment thereof positively denyes it: Some have experimentally refuted it, as Albertus Magnus, and most plainly of all other Vlysses Aldrovandus, whose words are these, Ego ferri frusta devorare, dum Tridenti essem, observavi, sede quae in cocta rursus excerneret, that is, at my being at Trent, I observed the Oestridge to swallow Iron, but yet to exclude it undigested againe.

Now beside experiment, it is in vaine to attempt against it by Phi∣losophicall argument, it being an occult quality, which contemnes the law of Reason, and defends it selfe by admitting no reason at all▪ As for its possibility, we shall not at present dispute, nor will we affirme that Iron ingested, receiveth in the stomack of the Oestridge no altera∣tion whatsoever; but if any such there be, we suspect this effect rather from some way of corrosion, then any of digestion; not any liquid reduction or tendance to chilification by the power of naturall heate, but rather some attrition from an acide and vitriolous humidity in the stomack, which may absterse, and shave the scorious parts thereof; so rusty Iron crammed downe the throate of a Cock, will become terse and cleare againe in its gizard: So the Counter, which according to the relation of Amatus, remained a whole yeare in the body of a youth, and came out much consumed at last; might suffer this diminution, rather from sharpe and acide humours, then the strength of naturall heate, as he supposeth. So silver swallowed and retained some time in the body will turne black, as if it had beene dipped in Aqua fortis, or some corrosive water; but Lead will remaine unaltered, for that mettall containeth in it a sweet salt and manifest sugar, whereby it resisteth

ordinary corrosion, and will not easily dissolve even in Aqua fortis: So when for medicall uses, wee take downe the filings of Iron or steele▪ we must not conceive it passeth unaltered from us; for though the gros∣ser parts be excluded againe, yet are the volatile and dissoluble parts extracted, whereby it becomes effectuall in deopilations; and there∣fore for speedier operation we make extinctions, infusions, and the like, whereby we extract the salt and active parts of the medicine, which being in solution, more easily enter the veynes. And this is that the Chymists mainely drive at in the attempt of their Aurum potabile, that is, to reduce that indigestible substance into such a forme as may not be ejected by seidge, but enter the cavities, and lesse accessible parts of the body, without corrosion.

The ground of this conceit is its swallowing downe fragments of Iron, which men observing, by a forward illation, have therefore con∣ceived it digesteth them; which is an inference not to be admitted, as being a fallacy of the consequent, that is, concluding a position of the consequent, from the position of the antecedent: For many things are swallowed by animals, rather for condiment, gust, or medicament, then any substantiall nutriment. So Poultrey, and especially the Turkey, do of themselves take downe stones, and wee have found at one time in the gizard of a Turkey no lesse then seven hundred: Now these rather concurre unto digestion, then are themselves digested, for we have found them also in the guts, and excrements, but their discent is very slow, for we have given them in paste, stones and final pieces of Iron, which eighteene dayes after we have found remaining in the gi∣zard; and therefore the experiment of Langius and others might bee mistaken, whilst after the taking they expected it should come downe within a day or two after: Thus also we swallow cherry-stones, but void them unconcocted, and we usually say they preserve us from sur∣feit, for being hard bodies they conceive a strong and durable heate in the stomack, and so prevent the crudities of their fruit; And upon the like reason do culinary operators observe that flesh boyles best, when the bones are boyled with it: Thus dogs will eate grasse, which they digest not: Thus Camels to make the water sapide do raise the mud with their feet: thus horses will knabble at walls, Pigeons de∣light in salt stones, Rats will gnaw Iron••, and Aristotle saith the Ele∣phant swalloweth stones; and thus may also the Oestridge swallow Iron, not as his proper aliment, but for the ends above expressed, and even as we observe the like in other animals.

What effect therefore may bee expected from the stomack of an Oestridge by application alone to further digestion in ours, beside the experimentall refute of Galen, wee referre it unto the considerations above alledged; or whether there be any more credit to be given un∣to the medicine of Aelian, who affirmes the stones they swallow have

a peculiar vertue for the eyes, then that of Hermolaus and Pliny drawne from the urine of this animall, let them determine who can swallow so strange a transmission of qualities, or beleeve that any Bird or flying animall doth urine beside the Bat.

CHAP. XXIII.

Of Vnicornes hornes.

GReat account and much profit is made of Unicornes horne, at least of that which beareth the name thereof▪ wherein notwithstanding, many I perceive suspect an Imposture, and some conceive there is no such animall extant: herein therefore to draw up our determinations, beside the severall places of Scripture mentioning this animall (which some perhaps may contend to be onely meant of the Rhinoceros) wee are so farre from denying there is any Unicorne at all, that wee affirme there are many kinds thereof, in the number of Quadrupedes, wee will concede no lesse then five; that is, the Indian Oxe, the Indian Asse, the Rhinoceros, the Oryx, and that which is more eminen••ly termed Monoceros, or Vnicornis: Some in the list of fishes, as that described by Olaus, Albertus, and many other: and some Unicornes wee will allow even among insects, as those foure kinds of nasicornous Beetles described by Muffetus.

Secondly, although we concede there by many Unicornes, yet are we still to seeke; for whereunto to affixe this horne in question, or to determine from which thereof we receive this magnified medicine, we have no assurance, or any satisfactory decision: for although we single out one,* 1.3 and Antonomastically thereto assigne the name of the Uni∣corne, yet can we not be secure what creature is meant thereby, what constant shape it holdeth, or in what number to be received: For as far as our endeavours discover, this animall is not uniformely descri∣bed, but differently set forth by those that undertake it: Pliny affirmeth it is a fierce and terrible creature, Vartomannus a tame and mansuete animall: those which Garcias ab Horto described about the cape of good hope, were beheld with heads like horses; those which Varto∣mannus beheld, he described with the head of a Deere; Pliny, Aelian Solinus, and after these from ocular assurance Paulus Venetus affirmeth the feet of the Unicorne are undivided, and like the Elephants: But those two which Vartomannus beheld at Mecha, were as he descri∣beth footed like a Goate: As Aelian describeth, it is in the bignesse of an horse, as Vartomannus of a Colt, That which Thevet speaketh of was not so big as an Heifer; But Paulus Venetus affirmeth, they are but little lesse then Elephants; which are discriminations very materiall, and plainly declare, that under the same name Authors describe not the

same animall: So that the Unicornes horne of the one, is not that of another, although we proclaime an equall vertue in either.

Thirdly, although we were agreed what animall this was, or differ∣ed not in its description, yet would this also afford but little satisfaction, for the horne we commonly extoll, is not the same with that of the Ancients; For that in the description of Aelian and Pliny was blacke, this which is shewed amongst us is commonly white, none black; and of those five which Scaliger beheld, though one spadiceous, or of a light red, and two inclining to red, yet was there not any of this com∣plexion among them.

Fourthly, what hornes soever they be which passe amongst us, they are not surely the hornes of any one kinde of animall, but must proceed from severall sorts of Unicornes; for some are wreathed, some not: That famous one which is preserved at S. Dennis neere Paris, hath aw∣fractuous spires, and chocleary turnings about it, which agreeth with the description of the Unicornes horne in Aelian; Those two in the treasure of S. Mark are plaine, and best accord with those of the Indian Asse, or the descriptions of other Unicornes: Albertus Magnus descri∣beth one ten foote long, and at the base about thirteene inches com∣passe; And that of Antwerpe which Goropius Becanus describeth, is not much inferiour unto it; which best agree unto the descriptions of the Sea-Unicornes, for these, as Olaus affirmeth, are of that strength and bignesse, as able to penetrate the ribs of ships; the same is more probable, in that it was brought from Island, from whence, as Becan••s affirmeth, three other were brought in his dayes; And we have heard of some which have beene found by the sea side, and brought unto us from America: So that while we commend the Unicornes horne, and conceive it peculiar but unto one animall, under apprehension of the same virtue, wee use very many, and commend that effect from all, which every one confineth unto some one, hee hath either seene or described.

Fifthly, although there be many Unicornes, and consequently many hornes, yet many there are which beare that name, and currant∣ly passe among us, which are no hornes at all; and such are those frag∣ments, and pieces of Lapis Ceratites, commonly termed Cornufossile, whereof Boetius had no lesse then twenty severall sorts presented him for Unicorns horn: hereof in subterraneous cavities▪ & under the earth there are many to be found in severall parts of Germany, which are but the Lapidescencies, and petrifactive mutations of hard bodies, sometime of horne, of teeth, of bones, and branches of trees, whereof there are some so imperfectly converted, as to retaine the odor and qua∣lities of their originals, as he relateth of pieces of Ashe and Wallnut. Againe, in most if not all which passe amongst us, and are extolled for precious hornes, wee discover not one affection common unto other

hornes, that is, they mollifie not with fire, they soften not upon de∣coction, or infusion, nor will they afford a jelly, or muccilaginous con∣cretion in either; which notwithstanding wee may effect in Goates hornes, Sheepes, Cows, and Harts horne, in the horne of the Rhino∣ceros, the horne of the Pristis or Sword-fish. Briefly that which is commonly received, and whereof there be so many fragments preser∣ved in England, is not onely no horne, but a substance harder then a bone, that is, the tooth of a Morse or Sea-horse, in the midst of the so∣lider part containing a curdled graine, which is not to be found in Ivo∣ry; this in Northerne regions is of frequent use for hafts of knives, or hilts of swords, and being burnt becomes a good remedy for fluxes: but antidotically used, and exposed for Unicornes horne, it is an insuf∣ferable delusion, and with more veniable deceit, it might have beene practised in Harts horne.

Sixtly, although we were satisfied we had the Unicornes horne, yet were it no injury unto reason to question the efficacy thereof, or whe∣ther those virtues which are pretended do properly belong unto it; for what we observe (and it escaped not the observation of Paulus Iovius many years past) none of the Ancients ascribed any medicinall or anti∣dotall virtue unto the Unicornes horne; and that which Aelian extol∣leth, who was the first and onely man of the Ancients who spake of the medicall virtue of any Unicorne, was the horne of the Indian Asse, whereof, saith he, the Princes of those parts make boales and drinke therein, as preservatives against poyson, Convulsions, and the Falling-sicknesse; Now the description of that horne is not agreeable unto that we commend; for that (saith he) is red above, white b••low, and black in the middle, which is very different from ours, or any to bee seene amongst us; And thus, though the description of the Unicorne be very ancient, yet was there of old no virtue ascribed unto it, and although this amongst us receive the opinion of the same virtue, yet is it not the same horne whereunto the Ancients ascribed it.

Lastly, although we allow it an Antidotall efficacy, and such as the Ancients commended, yet are there some virtues ascribed thereto by Modernes not easily to be received; and it hath surely falne out in this as other magnified medicines, whose operations effectuall in some diseases, are presently extended unto all: That some antidotall quality it may have wee have no reason to deny; for since Elkes hoofes and hornes are magnified for Epilepsies, since not onely the bone in the heart, but the horne of a Deere is Alexipharmacall, and ingredient in∣to the confection of Hyacinth, and the Electuary of Maximilian, wee cannot without prejudice except against the efficacy of this: But when we affirme it is not onely Antidotall to proper venomes, and substances destructive by qualities, we cannot expresse; but that it resisteth also Sublimate, Arsenick, and poysons which kill by second qualities, that

is, by corrosion of parts, I doubt we exceed the properties of its nature, and the promises of experiment will not secure the adventure: And therefore in such extremities, whether there be not more probable re∣liefe from fat and oylie substances, which are the open tyrants of salt and corrosive bodies, then precious and cordiall medicines which ope∣rate by secret and disputable proprieties; or whether he that swallow∣ed Lime, and dranke downe Mercury water, did not more reasonably place his cure in milke, butter, or oyle, then if he had recurred unto Pea••le and Bezoar, common reason at all times, and necessity in the like case would easily determine.

Since therefore there be many Unicornes, since that whereto wee appropriate a horne is so variously described, that it seemeth either never to have beene seene by two persons, or not to have beene one animall; Since though they agreed in the description of the animall, yet is not the horne wee extoll the same with that of the Ancients; Since what hornes soever they be that passe among us, they are not the hornes of one but severall animals: Since many in common use and high esteeme are no hornes at all: Since if they were true hornes, yet might their vertues be questioned: Since though we allowed some vir••tues, yet were not others to be received, with what security a man may rely on this remedy, the mistresse of fooles hath already instructed some, and to wisdome (which is never too wise to learne) it is not too late to consider.

CHAP. XXIV.

That all Animals of the Land, are in their kinde in the Sea.

THat all Animals of the Land, are in their kinde in the Sea, although received as a principle, is a tenent very questionable, and will ad∣mit of restraint; for some in the Sea are not to be matcht by any en∣quiry at Land, and hold those shapes which terrestrious formes ap∣proach not; as may be observed in the Moone fish, or Orthragoriscus, the severall sorts of Raia's, Torpedo's, Oysters, and many more; and some there are in the Land which were never maintained to be in the Sea, as Panthers, Hyaena's, Camels, Sheep, Molls, and others which carry no name in Icthyologie, nor are to be found in the exact descri∣ptions of Rondeletius, Gesner, or Aldrovandus.

Againe, though many there be which make out their nominations, as the Hedg-hog, Sea-serpents, and others; yet are there also very many that beare the name of animals at Land, which hold no resem∣blance in corporall configuration; in which account we compute Vul∣pecula, Canis, Rana, Passer, Cuculus, Asellus, Turdus, Lepus, &c. where∣in while some are called the Fox, the Dog, the Sparrow, or Frog-fish,

and are knowne by common names with those at land; as their descri∣bers attest, they receive not these appellations, as we conceive, from a totall similitude in figure, but any concurrence in common accidents, in colour, condition, or single conformation: as for Sea-horses which much confirme this assertion, in their common descriptions, they are but Crotesco deliniations which fill up empty spaces in Maps, and meere pictoriall inventions, not any Physicall shapes: sutable unto those which (as Plinie delivereth) Praxiteles long agoe set out in the Temple of Domitius: for that which is commonly called a Sea-horse is properly called a Morse, and makes not out that shape: That which the Ancients named Hippocampus is a little animall about six inches long, and not preferred beyond the classis of Insects: that they tear∣med Hippopotamus an amphibious animall, about the River Nile, so little resembleth an horse, that as Mathiolus observeth in all, except the seet, it better makes out a swine: that which they tearmed a Lion, was but a kinde of Lobster: and that they called the Beare, was but one kinde of Crab, and that which they named Bos marinus, was not as we conceive a fish resembling an Oxe, but a Skaite or Thornbacke, so na∣med from its bignesse, expressed by the Greek word Bous, which is a prefixe of augmentation to many words in that language.

And therefore although it be not denied that some in the water doe carry a justifiable resemblance to some at the Land, yet are the major part which beare their names unlike; nor doe they otherwise resemble the creatures on earth, then they on earth the constellations which passe under animall names in heaven: nor the Dog-fish at sea much more make out the Dog of the land, then that his cognominall or name-sake in the heavens. Now if from a similitude in some, it bee reasonable to infer a correspondency in all, we may draw this analogie of animalls upon plants; for vegetables there are which carry a neare and allowable similitude unto animals, as we elsewhere declare: wee might also presume to conclude that animall shapes were generally made out in mineralls: for severall stones there are that beare their names in relation to animals parts, as Lapis anguinus, Conchites, Echi∣nites, Eucephalites, Aegopthalmus, and many more, as will appeare in the writers of Mineralls, and especially in Boetius.

Moreover if we concede, that the animalls of one Element, might beare the names of those in the other, yet in strict reason the watery productions should have the prenomination: and they of the land ra∣ther derive their names, then nominate those of the sea: for the watery plantations were first existent, and as they enjoyed a priority in forme, had also in nature precedent denominations: but falling not under that nomenclature of Adam, which unto terrestrious animalls assigned a name appropriate unto their natures, from succeeding spectators they received arbitrary appellations, and were respectively denominated

unto creatures knowne at land, which in themselves had independent names, and not to bee called after them, which were created be∣fore them.

Lastly, by this assertion wee restraine the hand of God, and abridge the variety of the creation; making the creatures of one Ele∣ment, but an acting over those of an other, and conjoyning as it were the species of things which stood at distance in the intellect of God, and though united in the Chaos, had several seeds of their creation: for although in that indistinguisht masse, all things seemed one, yet separa∣ted by the voyce of God, according to their species they came out in incommunicated varieties, and irrelative seminalities, as well as divi∣ded places; and so although we say the world was made in sixe dayes, yet was there as it were a world in every one, that is, a distinct creation of distinguisht creatures, a distinction in time of creatures divided in nature, and a severall approbation, and survey in every one.

CHAP. XXV.

Compendiously of sundry Tenents concerning other Animals, which examined prove either false or dubious.

1. ANd first from times of great Antiquity, and before the Melodie of Syrens, the Musicall notes of Swans hath been commended, and that they sing most sweetly before their death. For thus we read in Plato de Legibus, that from the opinion of Melempsuchosis, or trans∣migration of the soules of men into the bodies of beasts most sutable unto their humane condition, after his death, Orpheus the Musician be∣came a Swan. Thus was it the bird of Apollo the god of Musicke by the Greekes, and a Hieroglyphick of Musick among the Aegyptians, from whom the Greeks derived the conception, hath been the affirma∣tion of many Latines, and hath not wanted assertors almost from every Nation.

All which notwithstanding we find this relation doubtfully received by Aelian, as an hearsay account by Bellonius, as a false one by Pliny, expresly refuted by Myndius in Athenaeus, & severely rejected by Sca∣liger, whose words unto Cardan are these. De Cygni vero cantu suavis simo quem cum parente mendaciorum Graecia jactare ausus es, ad Luciani tribunal, apud quem novi aliquid dicas, statuo. Authors also that counte∣nance it, speak not satifactorily of it. Some affirming they sing not till they die; some that they sing, yet die not; some speake generally, as though this note were in all; some but particularly, as though it were only in some; some in places remote, and where we can have no trial of it; others in places where every experience can refute it, as Aldrovand upon relation, delivered, concerning the Musicke of the Swans on the river of the Thames neer London.

Now that which countenanceth,* 1.4 and probably confirmeth this opi∣nion, is the strange and unusuall conformation of the winde pipe, or vocall organ in this animall: observed first by Aldrovandus, and con∣ceived by some contrived for this intention: for in its length it far ex∣ceedeth the gullet, and hath in the chest a sinuous revolution, that is, when it ariseth from the lunges, it ascendeth not directly unto the throat, but ascending first into a capsulary reception of the breast bone, by a Serpentine and Trumpet recurvation it ascendeth againe into the neck, and so by the length thereof a great quantity of ayre is received, and by the figure thereof a musicall modulation effected. But to speak indifferently (what Aldrovand himself acknowledgeth) this formation of the Weazon, is not peculiar unto the Swan but common also, unto the Platea or Shovelard, a bird of no Musicall throat; And as himselfe confesseth may thus be contrived in the Swan to contain a larger stock of ayre, whereby being to feed on weeds at the bottom, they might the longer space detain their heads under water. And indeed were this formation peculiar, or had they unto this effect an advantage from this part: yet have they a knowne and open disadvantage from an other, which is not common unto any singing bird wee know, that is a flat bill: For no Latirostrous animal (whereof neverthelesse there are no slender numbers) were ever commended for their note, or accounted among those animals which have been instructed to speake.

When therefore we consider the dissention of Authors, the falsity of relations, the indisposition of the Organs, and the immusicall note of all we ever beheld or heard of, if generally taken and comprehend∣ing all Swans, or of all places, we cannot assent thereto. Surely he that is bit with a Tarantula, shall never be cured by this Musicke, and with the same hopes we expect to hear the harmony of the Spheres.

2. That there is a speciall proprietie in the flesh of Peacocks rost or boiled, to preserve a long time incorrupted, hath been the assertion of many, stands yet confirmed by Austine, De Civitate Dei, by Gygas Sempronius, in Aldrovand, and the same experiment we can confirme our selves, in the brawne or fleshy parts of Peacocks so hanged up with thred, that they touch no place whereby to contract a moisture; and hereof we have made triall both in the summer and winter. The reason some I perceive, attempt to make out from the siccity and drines of its flesh, and some are content to rest in a secret propriety thereof. As for the siccity of the flesh, it is more remarkable in other animals, as Aegles, Hawkes, and birds of prey; And that it is a propriety, or agreeable unto none other, we cannot with reason admit: for the same preserva∣tion, or rather incorruption we have observed in the flesh of Turkeys, Capons, Hares, Partridge, Venison, suspended freely in the ayre, and after a yeare and a halfe, dogs have not refused to eat them.

As for the other conceit that a Peacocke is ashamed when he lookes

on his legges, as is commonly held, and also delivered by Cardan, be∣side what hath been said against it by Scaliger, let them beleeve that hold specificall deformities, or that any part can seeme unhansome to their eyes, which hath appeared good and beautifull unto their ma∣kers. The occasion of this conceit, might first arise from a common observation, that when they are in their pride, that is, advance their traine, if they decline their necke to the ground, they presently demit and let fall the same: which indeed they cannot otherwise doe, for contracting their body, and being forced to draw in their foreparts, to establish the hinder in the elevation of the traine, if the foreparts depart and incline to the ground, the hinder grow too weake, and suffer the traine to fall. And the same in some degree is also observeable in Turkyes.

3. That Storkes are to be found and will onely live in Republikes or free States, is a pretty conceit to advance the opinion of popular po∣licies, and from Antipathies in nature, to disparage Monarchicall go∣vernment. But how far agreeable unto truth, let them consider who read in Plinie, that among the Thessalians who were governed by Kings, and much abounded with Serpents, it was no lesse then capitall to kill a Storke. That the ancient Aegyptians honoured them, whose government was from all times Monarchicall. That Bellonius affirm∣eth, men make them nests in France. And lastly, how Jeremy the Pro∣phet delivered himselfe unto his countreymen, whose government was at that time Monarchicall. Milvus in Coel•• cognovit tempus suum. Turtur Hirundo & Ciconia custodierunt tempus adventus sui. Wherein to exprobrate their Stupiditie, he induceth the providence of Storkes. Now if the bird had been unknown, the illustration had been obscure, and the exprobation but improper.

4. That a Bittor maketh that mugient noyse, or as we terme it Bum∣ping by putting its bill into a reed as most beleeve, or as Bellonius and Aldrovand conceive, by putting the same in water or mud, and after a while retaining the ayre by suddenly excluding it againe, is not so easily made out. For my own part though after diligent enquiry, I could ne∣ver behold them in this motion; Notwithstanding by others whose observations we have expresly requested, we are informed, that some have beheld them making this noise on the Shore, their bills being far enough removed from reed or water; that is, first strongly attracting the aire, and unto a manifest distention of the neck, and presently after with great Contention and violence excluding the same againe. As for what others affirme of putting their bill in water or mud, it is also hard to make out. For what may bee observed from any that walketh the Fenns, there is little intermission, nor any observable pawse, be∣tween the drawing in and sending forth of their breath. And the expi∣ration or breathing forth doth not onely produce a noise, but the inspi∣ration

or haling in of the ayre, affordeth a sound that may bee heard al∣most a flight shoot.

Now the reason of this strange and peculiar noise, is well deduced from the conformation of the windepipe, which in this birde is diffe∣rent from other volatiles. For at the upper extream it hath no Larinx, or throttle to qualifie the sound, and at the other end, by two branches deriveth it selfe into the Lunges. Which division consisteth onely of Semicircular fibers, and such as attaine but half way round the part; By which formation they are dilatable into larger capacities, and are able to containe a fuller proportion of ayre, which being with violence sent up the weazon, and finding no resistance by the Larinx, it issueth forth in a sound like that from cavernes, and such as sometimes subterraneous eruptions, from hollow rocks afford; As Aristotle observeth in a Pro∣blem of the 25. Section, and is observable in pichards, bottles, and that instrument which Aponensis upon that probleme describeth, where∣with in Aristotles time Gardiners affrighted birdes.

5. That whelps are blinde nine dayes and then begin to see, is the common opinion of all, and some will be apt enough to descend un∣to oathes upon it. But this I finde not answerable unto experience; for upon a strict observation of many, I have not found any that see the ninth day, few before the twelfth, and the eyes of some will not open before the fourteenth day. And this is agreeable unto the determina∣tion of Aristotle: who computeth the time of their anopsie or invision by that of their gestation; for some saith he do go with their yong, the sixt part of a yeer, a day or two over or under, that is, about sixty dayes or nine weekes, and the whelps of these see not till twelve dayes; some goe the fifth part of a yeer, that is, 71. dayes, and these saith he see not before the fourteenth day. Others doe goe the fourth part of a yeer, that is, three whole months, and these saith hee are without sight no lesse then seventeen dayes: wherein although the accounts be different, yet doth the least thereof exceed the terme of nine dayes which is so generally receaved. And this compute of Aristotle doth generally o∣verthrow, the common cause alleadged for this effect, that is, a preci∣pitation or over hasty exclusion before the birth be perfect, according unto the vulgar Adage. Festinans canis coecos parit catulos: for herein the whelps of longest gestation, are also the latest in vision. The man∣ner hereof is this. At the first littering their eyes are fastly closed, that is, by coalition or joyning together of the eyelids, and so continue un∣till about the twefth day, at which time they begin to separate, and may be easily divelled or parted asunder; they open at the inward can∣this, or greater angle of the eye, and so by degrees dilate themselves quite open. An effect very strange, and the cause of much obscurity, wherein as yet mens enquiries are blinde, and satisfaction acquirable from no man. What ever it be, thus much we may observe, those ani∣malls

are onely excluded without sight, which are multiparous and multifidous, that is, which have many at a litter, and have also their feet divided into many portions; for the Swine although multiparous, yet being bisulcous, and onely cloven hoofed, is not excluded in this manner, but farrowed with open eyes, as other bisulcous animals.

6. The Antipathy between a Toad and a Spider, and that they poi∣sonously destroy each other is very famous, and solemne Stories have been written of their combats, wherein most commonly the victory is given unto the Spider. Of what Toades and Spiders it is to be under∣stood, would be considered. For the Phalangium, and deadly Spiders, are different from those we generally behold in England. How ever the verity hereof, as also of many others, wee cannot but desire; for hereby wee might be surely provided of proper Antidotes in cases which require them; But what we have observed herein, wee cannot in reason conceale, who having in a glasse included a Toad with seve∣rall Spiders, wee beheld the Spiders without resistance to sit upon his head, and passe over all his body, which at last upon advantage hee swallowed down, and that in few houres to the number of seven. And in the like manner will Toades also serve Bees, and are accounted an enemy unto their Hives.

7. Whether a Lyon be also afraid of a Cock, as is related by many, and beleeved by most, were very easie in some places to make tryall. Although how far they stand in feare of that animal, we may sufficient∣ly understand, from what is delivered by Camerarius, whose words in his Symbola are these. Nostris temporibus in Aula serenissimi Princi∣pis Bavariae, unus ex Leonibus miris saltibus in vicinam cujusdam domu•• aream sese dimisit, ubi Gallinaciorum cantum aut clampres nihil reformi∣dans ipsos una cum plurimis gallinis devoravit. That is, in our time in the court of the Prince of Bavaria, one of the Lyons leaped downe into a neighbous yard, where nothing regarding the crowing or noise of the Cocks, hee eat them up with many other Hens. And therefore a very unsafe defensative it is against the fury of this animal, and surely no better then Virginity, or blood Royall, which Pliny doth place in Cock broth: For herewith, saith he, who ever is anoynted (especially if Garlick be boiled therein) no Lyon or Panther will touch him.

8. It is generally conceived, an earewigge hath no wings, and is reckoned amongst impennous insects by many, but hee that shall nar∣rowly observe them, or shall with a needle put aside the short and shea∣thie cases on their backe, may extend and draw forth two winges of a proportionable length for flight, and larger then many flyes. The ex∣periment of Pennius is yet more perfect, who with a rush or bristle so pricked them as to make them flie.

9. That wormes are exanguious animalls, and such as have no blood at all, is the determination of Philosophy, the generall opinion of Scho∣lers,

and I know not well to dissent from thence my selfe: if so, surely wee want a proper terme whereby to expresse that humor in them which so strictly resembleth blood: and we refer it unto the discern∣ment of others what to determine of that red and sanguineous humor, found more plentifully about the Torquis or carneous circle of great wormes in the spring, affording in linnen or paper an indiscernable tincture from blood; or wherein that differeth from a veyne, which in an apparent blew runneth along the body, and if dexterously pricked with a lancet emitteth a red drop, which pricked on either side it will not readily afford.

In the upper parts of wormes, there are likewise found certaine white and ovall glandulosities which Authors terme egs, and in magni∣fying glasses, they also represent them: how properly may also bee enquired; since if in them there be distinction of sexes, these egs are to be found in both. For in that which is presumed to bee their coition that is their usuall complication, or rather laterall adhesion above the ground, dividing suddenly with two knives the adhering parts of both, I have found these egges in either.

10. That Flyes, Bees, &c. doe make that noise or humming sound by their mouth, or as many beleeve with their wings only, would be more warily asserted, if we consulted the determination of Aristotle, who as in sundry other places, so more expressely, in his booke of re∣spiration, affirmeth this sound to be made, by the allision of an inward spirit upon a pellicle, or little membrane about the precinct or pectorall division of their body. If we also consider that a Bee or Flye, so it be able to move the body, will buz though its head be off; that it will do the like if deprived of wings reserving the head whereby the body may be the better moved. And that some also which are big and lively will humme without either head or wing.

Nor is it only the brating upon this little membrane, by the inward and connaturall spirit as Aristotle determines, or the outward ayre as Scaliger conceiveth which affordeth this humming noise, but perhaps most of the other parts may also concurre hereto, as will be manifest if while they humme we lay our finger on the backe or other parts; for thereupon will be felt a serrous or jarring motion like that which hap∣peneth while we blow on the teeth of a combe through paper; and so if the head or other parts of the trunke be touched with oyle, the sound will be much impaired, if not destroyed: for those being also dry and membranous parts, by attrition of the spirit doe helpe to advance the noyse: And therefore also the sound is strongest in dry weather, and very weake in rainy season, and toward winter; for then the ayre is moyst, and the inward spirit growing weake, makes a languid and dumbe allision upon the parts.

11. There is found in the Summer a kind of spider called a Tainct of a

red colour, and so little of body that ten of the largest will hardly out∣way a graine; this by Country people is accounted a deadly poyson unto cowes and horses, who, if they suddenly dye, and swell thereon, ascribe their death hereto, and will commonly say, they have licked a Tainct. Now to satisfie the doubts of men, we have called this traditi∣on unto experiment; we have given hereof unto dogs, chickens, calves and horses, and not in the singular number, yet never could finde the least disturbance ensue. There must be therefore other causes enqui∣red of the sudden death, and swelling of cattell, and perhaps this insect is mistaken, and unjustly accused for some other; for some there are which from elder times, have been observed pernicious unto cattell, as the Buprestis or burst cow, the Pityocampe or cruca Pinuum, by Dios∣corides, Galen and Aetius, the Staphilinus described by Aristotle and others, or those red Phalangious spiders like Cantharides mentioned by Muffetus. Now although the animall may be mistaken and the opi∣nion also false, yet in the ground and reason which makes men most to doubt the verity hereof there may be truth enough, that is the small inconsiderable quantity of this insect. For that a poyson cannot de∣stroy in so small a bulke, we have no reason to affirme. For if as Leo Africanus reporteth, the tenth part of a graine of the poyson of Nubia will dispatch a man in two houres, if the bite of a Viper and sting of a Scorpion, is not conceived to impart so much, if the bite of an Aspe will kill within an houre, yet the impression scarce visible, and the poy∣son communicated not ponderable, we cannot as impossible reject this way of destruction; or deny the power of death in so narrow a circum∣scription.

12. Wondrous things are promised from the Glow••worme▪ thereof perpetuall lights are pretended, and waters said to be distilled which afford a lustre in the night; and this is asserted by Cardan, Albertus, Gaudentius, Mizaldus and many others. But hereto we cannot with reason assent: for the light made by this animall depends upon a living spirit, and seems by some vitall irradiation to be actuated into this lustre. For when they are dead they shine not, nor alwayes while they live, but are obscure or light according to the diffusion of this spirit, and the protrusion of their luminous parts, as observation will instruct us; for this flammeous light is not over all the body, but only visible on the inward side, in a small white part neare the tayle. When this is full and seemeth protruded, there ariseth a double flame of a circular figure and Emerald green colour, which is discernable in any darke place in the day; but when it falleth and seemeth contracted, the light disappea∣reth, and the colour of the part only remaineth. Now this light, as it appeareth and disappeareth in their life, so doth it goe quite out at their death. As we have observed in some, which preserved in fresh grasse have lived and shined eighteen dayes, but as they declined their light

grew languid, and at last went out with their lives. Thus also the Tor∣pedo which alive hath a power to stupifie at a distance, hath none upon contaction being dead, as Galen and Rondoletius particularly expe∣rimented. And this hath also disappointed the mischiefe of those in∣tentions, which study the advancement of poysons, and fancie destru∣ctive compositions from Aspes or Vipers teeth, from Scorpions or Hornet stings; for these omit their efficacy in the death of the indivi∣duall, and act but dependantly on their formes. And thus far also those Philosophers concur with us which held the Sun and Stars were living creatures, for they conceived their lustre depended on their lives; but if they ever dyed their light must perish also.

True it is, and we have observed it, that a Glow-worme will afford a faint light, almost a dayes space when many will conceive it dead, but this is a mistake in the compute of death, and terme of disanimation; for indeed, it is not then dead, but if it be distended will slowly con∣tract it selfe againe, which when it cannot doe it ceaseth to shine any more. And to speak strictly it is no easie matter to determine the point of death in insects and creatures who have not their vitalities radically confined unto one part; for these are not dead when they cease to move or afford the visible evidencies of life; as may be manifestly observed in flyes, who when they appear even desperate and quite forsaken of their formes, by vertue of the sun or warme ashes will be revoked unto life, and performe its functions againe.

13. The wisdom of the Pismire is magnified by all, and in the Pane∣gyricks of their providence we alwayes meet with this, that to prevent the growth of corne which they store up they bite off the end thereof: And some have conceived that from hence they have their name in Hebrew: From whence ariseth a conceit that corne will not grow if the extreams be cut or broken. What other provision they make for this intention we know not, but herein we finde no security to prevent its germination, as having made tryall in graines whose ends cut off have notwithstanding suddenly sprouted, and according to the law of their kindes, that is the roots of barley and oates at contrary ends, of wheat and rye at the same. And therefore some have delivered that after rainy weather they dry these graines in the Sun, which if effectu∣all, we must conceive to be made in a high degree and above the pro∣gression of Malt, for that Malt will grow this yeare hath informed us, and that unto a perfect ••ar.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Commonly mistaken for the true Halcion.
• * 1.2

  That the world should last but six thousand years.
• * 1.3

  More especi∣ally.
• * 1.4

  This figurati∣on to be fonnd in Elkes, and not in com∣mon Swans.