The history of four-footed beasts and serpents describing at large their true and lively figure, their several names, conditions, kinds, virtues ... countries of their breed, their love and hatred to mankind, and the wonderful work by Edward Topsell ; whereunto is now added, The theater of insects, or, Lesser living creatures ... by T. Muffet ...

A Preface upon the undertaking of this Argument; and of the worth and use of it.

THat the History of Insects is worthy of the chiefest Philosophers, the pains of great Aristotle, and Pliny, and of our Wotton in describing them doth suf∣ficiently demonstrate. After their time Conradus Gesner laboured not unfruit∣fully, to perfect that work which they began; but by reason of his short life, he fainted in the beginning of the race, nor was he able to put an end to it. But when Pennius of blessed memory met with those papers by a better fate, for fifteen years together by infinite reading of all Authors, he enriched the History by the exceeding great help of Quickel∣bergius, Clusius, Camerarius, Sir Thomas Knivet, and of his most learned brother Edmund, Jo. Jacob, Roger Broun, Brite, but chiefly of our Bruer; and some cour∣tesie of Peter Turner. That is to be lamented, that he also was taken away by un∣timely death, before he had disposed of the matter and framed it to the dignity of this work, which he had heaped up together on all sides; Hence it was that his Letters were full of blots, and confused with doubtful Characters: and they had perished, had not I laid them apart, when they were ready to be cast out of doors; and with a great sum of mo∣ney had redeemed all the torn pieces of it. For I had rather something should be taken off from my own estate, than from his glory, who had spent so much pains in the de∣scription of Insects, and so much money for the Platēs engraving; wherefore this Mans and Gesners and Wottons fragments being disposed in order, adding to them the light of oratory which Pennius wanted, I forged the History, and according to my abilities, (which I know how small they are) I at last brought it to a period. At first I was deterred from it by the difficulty of the work; because I saw that Insects are hard to be explained, both in respect of the unusualness of the subject, and also of the sublime or rather supine negligence of our Ancestors in this point: for they stood still in the very entrance, and they saluted them only by the way, or as the proverb is, at the threshold of the door. I also feared that (which fell out it may be) lest there should want dignity of oratory, for so exquisite a Narration; chiefly when as I oft observed Pennius to be gravelled here, and I seldom went to those that were Artists of words. Also for a time I was detained by examining the causes of Insects; which being unknown, the History can neither be well pen'd, nor rightly conceived. Moreover friends checkt me (and that sharply) that I did but rough-cast another mans building; as though I were one who sought for the Garland in every business, and thirsted after glory more than it was fit for me. They said moreover, that since some worthy honest and profitable end must be propounded to every business that is rightly undertaken, yet none of these was to be found in these imperfect creatures, but I should lose my time, charge and labour exceedingly. By these hinderances I was as it were made fast to an anchor, and left off for a short time to sail any farther: and some-times taking up my pen, sometimes casting it away again, I was in divers mindes, until that certain reasons allayed these florings of my thoughts, and did again kindle, as it were, a desire in me to hoise up sail again. I opposed against the dif∣ficulty of the work, the desire of attempting things that were very difficult; remem∣bring that for nine years Troy seemed to be impregnable, but was taken in the tenth year it was beleaguered. As for the dignity of the style, I was perswaded that men of a sound judgement would not consider how neatly, but how well I discovered the nature of Insects; for however some mens vain wits, desire much affected eloquence, yet those that esteem of things soberly, altogether reject it. I put off the ignorance of the causes, with the answer of Theophrastus, who though he sunk under his too earnest en∣quiring after them in plants, yet he did not conceal so profitable a History. It shall suf∣fice us to have measured the causes by humane capacity and mete-yard; for as it is the part

of an ambitious man to promise a certain knowledge of them which is only in God, so to have no knowledge of them at all, is the part of a beast. The example of Galen, took away from me the fourth scruple I had; who though he added to Hippocrates but a few things, except the grace of Oratory, and did only open that way of Physick which he had set down; yet is he so placed in the second rank amongst Physicians, that many think him worthy to have the first. Which thing I have not only done in this book, (I am willing to speak the truth concerning my own work) but I have inserted intire Histories, and above a hundred and fifty pictures, which Gesner and Pennius knew not; I have mended the method and language, and I have put out above a thousand tautologies, trivial matters, and things unseasonably spoken: for I have had regard to the squemish stomachs of men of this nauseattng age, that not only loathe Coleworts twice sod, but even Ambrosia twice set upon the table. Notwithstanding how small soever this my pains may appear, (for it cannot be thought no pains) he that shall make trial in something of this nature, he will rightly perceive my labour, and will of his own accord take heed how he go to repair old and decayed houses, with new matter; it had been better to have written a new History than to have mended this which was fo tattered and confused. As for vain glory, I de∣sire it may be as far from me, as I wish the light of this History may be near to you. I confess that not to love honour is contrary to mine, and all humane nature, yet so that I hold boasting to be amongst the greatest vices, and I equally reject foolish estentation in small matters. Socrates, Plato, Hippocrates, have taught us better, who in their times both writ many things, and were exceeding far from the ambition of glory. I know not whether they are to be numbred amongst men most desirous of honour, who publishing nothing of their own, make unlearned men to conceive of them, that they abound with hidden learning; as if they were like bottles forsooth, that were so full, that they drop ve∣ry slowly or not at all. I shall add this concerning the dignity of this History of Insects, (lest we should think God made them in vain, or we describe them) that in the universal world there is nothing more divine than these, except Man. For however in shew they are most abject and sordid, yet if we look more nicely into them, they will appear far other∣wise than they promise in the bare outside. It oft times comes into my minde (saith Gallisardus) to think of our Italians, who commonly admire vehemently things notable for magnitude, or new and unusual; but things obvious in all places, and that are very small they despise; yet if they look exactly to the matter, it will be easie to observe, that the divine force and power shew themselves more effectually in mean things, and they are far more miraculous, than those things the world with open mouth respects so much and admires. If any man bring from far the wonderful Bittour, Elephant, Crocodile, there is no men but runs quickly to see that, because it is a new thing and unusual; and when they have leave to see them as much as they will, they only wonder at their greatness, colour, and such things as fall under the apprehension of their senses. But no man re∣gards Hand-worms, Worms in Wine, Earwigs Fleas; because they are obvious to all men, and very small, as if they were but the pastimes of lascivious and drunken Nature, and that she had been sober only in making those huge and terrible beasts. Nor is this vice peculiar to the Italians only, but it is common to the English and to all mankinde; who that they may see those large beasts that carry towers, the African Lion, the huge Whale, the Rhinoceros, the Bear and Bull, take sometimes a long journey to London, and pay money for their places on the scaffold, to behold them brought upon the stage: yet where is Nature more to be seen than in the smallest matters, where she is entirely all? for in great bodies the workmanship is easie, the matter being ductile; but in these that are so small and despicable, and almost nothing, what care? how great is the effect of it? how unspeakable is the perfection? as Pliny saith. Do you require Prudence? regard the Ant; Do you desire Justice? regard the Bee; Do you commend Temperance? take advice of them both. Do you praise valour? see the whole generation of Grashop∣pers. Also look upon the Gnat (a little Insect not worth speaking of) that with her slender hollow nose will penetrate so far into the thick skin of the Lion, that thou canst hardly or not at all thrust a sword or javelin in so far. A man hath need of steel to bore into oaks, which the Wood-warm eats hollow with her teeth as the sound can testi∣fie, and as if she had Polycletus his graving instrument, she carves out seales. But if I would relate the skill of some of them in building, fighting, playing, working, perhaps I might be thought over-curious in these small things, (of which the Law takes no notice) and

more negligent in greater matters. Now I come to their use, and that manifold, and in respect unto God, to Nature, or to Man, very great. For if the Gentiles according to that saying of the A postle Paul, Know God by the creatures: truly they may hence, as from a higher watch-tower behold his Omnipotence, Majesty, Providence. For some of them are so small, that like those lines Callicrates drew, they cannot be seen but with good eyes, and when the Sun shines very bright: as I remember I once saw a Fly far smaller than a Worm in wine. Would you have a Musician? hearken to the Grashopper, which is alwaies filled with singing, and lives without meat; and by her most pleasant melody challengeth the Nightingal. Would you hear a Trumpeter? ••old your ear to the Bee-hive, hear the humming noise: hearken a little to the Gnat, in whose small beak the great Master workman hath formed that horrid and clanging sound of the Trumpet. Do you de∣spise a Lowse▪ yet when the Egyptian Magicians deceived Pharaoh by producing the grea∣ter creatures, in the forming of this so contemptible a creature, they yeelded the garland to Moses. Wherefore Galen (17. de usu partium) breaks forth rightly into these words, af∣ter he had explained the wonderful generation of hairs, and the use of them: saith he, If there be so divine vertue in parts that are so sordid and nothing considerable, how great may we suppose the excellency of the same is which rules in the heart and brain? Truly if a man that is addicted to no sect, would freely ehter into the consideration of things, considering the fabrick of any even the smallest creature, and that in eve∣ry part though never so base, so great vertue resides, he shall easily understand the ex∣cellency of the minde which is in man, and from the principles in physick shall ascend to Divinity, which is far better and more excellent than all Physick. I suppose that no nation nor society of men amongst whom there is any Religion of the gods, have any thing comparable to the Eleusinian or Samothracian Ceremonies; yet these do set forth but obscurely the minde of all things which they profess; which is plain enough in the fabrick of all living creatures. For you must not think that in Man on∣ly the Art of the great Artificer is so great, as I have explained before, but what crea∣ture soever you would dissect, you shall finde the like art and wisdome to appear in it. And such creatures as you cannot possibly dissect, will make you to admire the more, the smaller they are. For if a certain Carver lately obtained exceeding great commenda∣tions, and that deservedly, because on a very small Ring he so curiously engraved Phae∣ton riding in his chariot with four horses, that you might see their mouthes, bits, teeth, 16 feet, and all their parts exactly framed: truly since all that workmanship had no∣thing in it more excellent than the leg of a Flea, it is evident that God that made the Flea, hath more Art and Excellency in him, that not only made it, but that he did it without any labour, and when he hath made it, doth continually feed and nourish it. Wherefire let us leave off to admire any longer the vast and huge Colosse, and with the chief Master of true wisdome, let us descend from the Cedar to the shrub, that is, from the most highest trees to the most contemptible weeds, or rather the most abject of all ve∣getables. And if he thought that the history of the meanest plant was not unworthy of a King to contemplate and write of, how much more excellent are Animals than Plants, so much more doth this work deserve the patronage of a King, and philosophical contempla∣tion than that doth. When Heraclides had invited some of his friends to his poor Cot∣tage, they stood only before the door, being afraid to come in because the place was so narrow, or the room so foul: to whom he spake thus: I pray come in, here are Gods also: thereby implying that the greatest God was in the smallest matters; and that there was a spirit in all things, though never so despicable. And truly, if the fabrick of In∣sects were worthy of so great and divine Artificer, how can the contemplation of them be unworthy of the understandings of poor contemptible men? Amongst the souldiers of Palesti∣na, God raised great Goliah, a Giant amongst men; yet would he have him overthrown by the sling of one poor shepherd. Amongst the Spanish Pilots, how many tall Mariners there were? yet they all submitted to one small Drake, and Neptune himself in a manner yeelded up his Mace to him. The Oke is great, and growes very large; but God de∣stroyes it by the slender Ivy that clings about it, that it might not grow proud of its force and might. Farewel then all those that so much esteem of creatures that are very large•• I acknowledge God appears in their magnitude, yet I see more of God in the Hi∣story of lesser Creatures. For here is more of prudence, sagacity, art, ingenuity, and of certain evident divine being. Wouldst thou praise Nature, Gods ordinary hand? from

Whence wouldst thou take thy beginning better than from Insects? for where hath he plan∣ted so many senses in a Gnat? where (saith Pliny) hath he set the eyes? where the smel∣ling? with what curiosity hath he fastned the wings? with what great art hath he ex∣tended the small legs? and disposed the hungry hollow belly, and hath made it thirsty after mans bloud▪ and as the small beak it hath cannot be seen, he hath so made it dou∣ble by a reciprocal art, that it should be sharp pointed to enter, and hollow to draw it forth. I let pass that admirable variety, comeliness, and fecundity that is in Insects, which com∣mend the riches of quickning Nature in greater multitudes, and set forth unto us the great plenty of it, which cannot be exhausted. If you consider men, as they cure almost all the diseases of mens bodies, (as I shall declare more at large in their, History) so they furnish their mindes with variety of examples of vertues, whereby they may instruct their souls, and teach them, that otherwise would be very wicked. Wherefore Solomon the prin∣cipal Master of true wisdome amongst men, sends sluggards to the Arts hill, and tumul∣tuous people to the bands of Locusts, and incites mortal men to the contemplation of the Spiders in their houses, that from the School of Insects we may learn vertue, and may lift up our eyes unto the power of God, which are too much turned away from him. Go to, saith Tertullian, O Man thou reliest upon thy own strength, and distrustest God, yet con∣sider that there is so great strength in the smallest creature he hath made, that thou canst not endure it, nor ever be able to do as much. Imitate if thou canst the Spiders curiosity, endure the sting of the Spider Phalangium, avoid the nastiness of Lice, take a Gnat out of thy throat, sleep when Fleas or Wiglice bite fiercely, keep thy trees safe from Cater∣pillers; drive away Weevils, Trees-worms, Vine-worms, and Timber-worms: wherefore as God shews his power more in this more notable Artifice of Insects, so his great mercy it more apparent, because there is hardly any disease of the minde or body, but a remedy may be fetcht from this store-house to cure them both. If men should deny that they contri∣bute very much to feed, and fat, and cure many other creatures, Birds and Fishes would plead for them, and the brute beasts that feed on grass would speak in their behalf: wherefore though with many every thing that is new, or hard to obtain, is most valued, and this is accused by the perverseness of wicked men, and ignorance of unlearned men, to be a work of curiosity, ostentation, and of no profit,

Yet see its shape of things that are so small, Nature, and Fate, and great originall.

Wherefore I exhort those chief men, which I named at the beginning, who have deserved excellent well in the History of Insects, by communicating both the things themselves and their pictures, that with that humanity they have been assisting to me, and to Pennius hi∣therto, they would continually proceed in the same for the augmenting of this work: for so shall they be truly accounted, as they are, Physicians sons, and shall most amply set fortl the glory of God and Nature. To which if I may appear to have had as much regard as I have had to the certain profit of men by this work, I shall not regard the envy of any man; for I never studied to please all men, and yet I alwaies endevoured to offer unto the Crea∣tor of all things, some part of thankfulness.