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 ...

CHAP. VIII.

Of Wasps.

THE Wasp is called in Hebrew, Tsirgna; in Chaldee, Deibrane; in Syriack, Gnargnitha; in Arabick, Zamber; in English,▪ a Wasp; in Dutch, Harsell; in Italian, Vespa, Vrespa, Mo∣scone; in French, Guespe; in Spanish, Vespa and Abilpa; Gothish, Boolgetingh; in Slavonick, Wols; Illyrick, Osa; Hungarick, Daras; in Latine, Vespa.

They are called Vespae, as Calepine notes, for that in the evening they seek about for flies to feed on.

The Greeks also have several names for them; commonly they are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Eustathius derives 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because you may perceive them so divided in the middle that they seem to gape, as you may observe in the figure set down. The Scholiast of Nicander calls them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; of Suidas, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; Hesychius termes them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; Gaza (but abusively) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for they ought to be called rather Crabrones.

Now the Wasp is a winged Insect, gregal or hearding round like a ring, long, having four * 1.1

[illustration]

wings (of which the two former are the bigger) having a sting within, six footed, they have no bloud, they are of a yellow golden colour upon black spots placed triangularly, the whole body is garnished with divers colours athwart, whence it may be Pollio called it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

I think they all in general are armed with stings, (what ever Authors write that their Females are without stings) because when I was at Ha〈…〉〈…〉, a village town in the West, about the year 1587. having found an entire Wasps nest, I poured hot water upon all the females and killed them, and yet could finde none that had not a sting, either within their bodies, or sticking out.

The body of the Wasp is bound in the middle to the breast with a cer∣tain exceeding thin thred, that they seem to have no loins at all, and to * 1.2 be quite through open: whereupon that Greek Comick Poet calls those Maids, (which Terence by way of elegance calls Bulrushes) for their slen∣dernesse in the waste 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, waspy or like Wasps. They make a buz∣zing noise also like the Bee, but more loud and hoarse, especially when they are angry; upon which came that proverb made by Theocritus in Hodaeporis, in comparison of a bawling idiot, to a man of learning and parts, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. The buzzing Wasp against the Gras∣••opper.

If you will have the endowments of his minde described, he is a political and flocking or gre∣gal * 1.3 creature, subject to Monarchy, laborious, a lover of his young, and a lover of his neighbour, of a very quarrelsome disposition, and very prone to choler. It is a sign that their life is Poli∣tical, because they live not solitary, but do build themselves a city eminent for structure, in which they are subject to their set lawes, and do yeeld to them as wel in their external actions, as in affections. Whereupon he Philosopher doth rightly reckon them in the number of the Ci∣vil * 1.4 or Political sort of Insects. They are governed also by Kingly power, not tyranny (as Aeli∣an saith) although by nature very fierce; making his Argument, because Captains of the Wasps want stings, or if they have any, they never put them forth or strike with them. And although they be twice as big and hard above all the rest, yet are they not without gentlenesse, and grate∣ful demeanour, with which also sometimes they restrain, and appease their rebellious and muti∣nons subjects. * 1.5

But of their mutual love one towards another, every man is able to give a testimony▪ who∣soever he be that shall offer injury to any one of them near home, for with his buzzing and

making a noyse, all the swarm being terrified issue out to the succour of their neighbour; and will cause the troublesome stranger, although armed, to run away (as they did the Phaselites of old) of whom Aelian reports that by the multitude and fiercenesse of the Wasps they were quite bea∣ten out of the City.

As for unnaturalnesse toward their young, that it is a vice which is very far from their disposition and nature, as many things do evince, so that above all, that with more than He∣roick * 1.6 undauntednesse of courage, they set upon those that would surprize them; neither do they stand in fear of either Neoptolemus, or Hector, or Achilles, or Agamemnon, the General of all the Grecian Forces, yea that divine Poet Homer in the 13. of his Iliads, when he would expresse the generous spirits of the Grecian Commanders, he compares them to a speckled Wasp, and en∣dowed * 1.7 with the Wasps animosity and stout heartednesse, when they are put upon it to fight for their house and family. They do moreover erect for their children large structures, (and as it were like those Mausolea of the Aegyptians) of a round form, floored, and standing one on the top of the other. One of these fabricks most curiously built, was brought to Pierius when he was at Belunum out of a certain solitary grove. There were seven stories of building set one on the top of the other two fingers space between each of them, disjoyned by the putting of certain columns or pillars between them, that there might be a convenient space left to passe in and out of their lodgings. The diameter of the orbs up to the fifth story about twelve fingers over, all the other from the fifth are narrowed up to the top by degrees, so that the last is about five or six fingers broad. The greater round contains the first room, fastned to the bough of an old tree, very well fenced above with a certain rough-cast to keep off all wind and weather. Within are six square cells standing very thick together; but the middle concamerations the multitude of Wasps had filled, a very thin leaf being laid over every hole for a covering, some of which when Pierius had taken away he observed all those chambers to be full of Wasps creeping with their heads to the bottome of them. Those in the rooms below were certain imperfect things like Embryons or little worms, which were covered over with the same covering, as it were a winter Oister, in expectation of the more milde season of the spring. Which building although there succeeded a very sharp winter did remain entire, and no way decayed; at length Pierius expe∣cting what should be done with these little worms when the Spring came, he perceived nature to make no further progresse in her work with them.

But still the fabrick was kept by him, not without the great admiration of those that saw it, wondering much to see so much art and cunning in those little creatures, and that they were able to hold out to finish such an elaborate edifice. This relates Pierius. I also have seen many such, but of a different fashion, some like a Harp, some like a Cup, some like a Pear, some like a Toadstool, some like a Bottle.

The matter of their Combs is said to be confused, heaped up together, like bark or cobwebs, transparent, gummy, and made into very thin plates like leaf-gold; but I found it alwaies light like paper, dry, easily puft hither and thither by the wind, and for the most part growing up from the bottom like a Turban. As for the place where they use to build, it is thought to be divers. If their chieftain be dead, they make their nests alost in the hollow places of trees or walls, and in these as some affirm (though I never could finde any) they make wax also. But if they have their master Wasp, they build under ground in six square cells according to the number of their feet, and after the fashion of the Bees. Their combs are made in the form of a large Toadstool, round, out of which there comes out in the middle or center as it were a little foot by which the cell is fastened to the tree, or to the earth, or to another cell.

But so tender are they over their mates or females, that they will neither suffer them to take any pains, nor to seek after any provision; but they themselves bring in all necessaries to them, * 1.8 and do as it were enjoyn them to keep at home.

All which things, and each particular being considered by any man, he must needs confesse the pain, industry, cunning, sweat and labour of the Wasp. As for their choler and frowardnesse of the Wasp, not only poultrey that scrape in their nests and trouble them, but in like manner all that provoke them do know them to be implacable: from whence arose the proverb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. to contend with a Wasps nest. Of which sort something to that purpose was written on the Tomb of Hippocrates, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. Do not rouse a sleeping Wasp. And so Aristophanes in Vespis, when he would expresse a cruel, morose, fretful, quarrelsome sort of peo∣ple, calls them Waspish, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Clem. Alexandrinus also, when he would set forth the acer∣bity and bitterness of those vices that lye in wait for the souls of men, saith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 * 1.9 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. these, especially pleasure, are sturdy Olympick Antagonists, and more tart than Wasps. To which may be added a certain speech of Themistius discour〈…〉〈…〉ng of the speeches of many malevolous adversaries, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (saith he) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: they railed upon me as it had been a swarm of stinging Wasps. Which oftentimes proves mor∣tall, as Phrynichus knew by experience from the Milesians, and the Phaselites were sufficiently in∣structed by their own great miseries: yea, whosoever he be that shall challenge this generous and redoubted Champion into the field (to use Nicander's words) shall obtain but Cadmus conquest, he shall surely be worsted and slain; for they do not fight so much with their stings as with the strength of their bodies, and more than that, when they fight they will never give over, being not only strong but resolute.

Notwithstanding they differ in their original, kinde, sex, age, place, diet, and labour. * 1.10

Isidore affirms that Wasps come out of the putrefied carkasles of Asses, although he may be mistaken, for all agree that the Scarabees are procreated from them: rather am I of opinion with Pliny l. 11. c. 20. and the Greek Authors, that they are sprung from the dead bodies of Horses, for a horse is a valiant and warlike creature, hence is that verse frequently and commonly used amongst the Greeks.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Wasps come of Horses, Bees from Bulls are bred.

And indeed their more then ordinary swiftnesse and their eagernesse in fight, are sufficient ar∣guments that they can take their original from no other creature (much lesse from an Asse, Hart, or Oxe) since that Nature never granted to any creatures else, to excell both in swiftness and va∣lour. And surely that I may give another sense of that Proverb of Aristotle, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Hail the daughters of the wing-footed steed: this would I suppose fit to be spoken in way of jest and scorn to scolding women, which do imitate the hastiness and froward disposition of the Wasp. Other sorts of them are produced out of the putrid corps of the Crocodiles, if Ho∣rus and the Aegyptians be to be believed, for which reason when they mean a Wasp, they set it forth by an Horse or Crocodile. Nicander gives them the name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because they sometimes come from the dead carkasses of Wolves. Bellenacensis & Vincentius say, that Wasps come out of the putre∣faction of an old Deers head, flying sometimes out at the eyes, sometimes out of the nostrils. From * 1.11 hence Cardan seems to have collected this observation, that out of the corruption of every creature, there is another sort produced; which would be very absurd; For by this means Generation would be infinite, and likewise daily experience doth teach the contrary. For that little beast which I term Tatinum Alberti, doth naturally produce nothing at all, as I have tryed a thousand * 1.12 times. There are those also that affirm that Wasps are begotten of the earth and rottenness of some kinde of fruits; as Albertus and the Auabick Scholiast: but for the most part they are be∣gotten by copulation, and the mutual embraces of the male and female; which although Athe∣neus l. 8. dipnos. esteems as fabulous, yet when as the Philosopher affirms that he saw it with his eyes (as l. 1. de gen. anim. c. 16. & 9. Hist. c. 41. it is evident) I am wholly of his opinion, and do give full suffrage to his assertion. But how after copulation, they grow and come to maturity, we may know of Arist. Hist. 9. c. 41. and Pliny his Interpreter. The master Wasps, when they have chosen them a convenient place under ground, in the chinks of walls, or (which I have often seen) in the thatch of houses; in the beginning of summer they make their nests, and they contrive their little nests or cells (which the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) with 4 doors or passages, in which are be∣gotten worms only, not Wasps, which when they are grown up, then they make larger cells, and when they c••me to have young ones, then they make more still, so that at the latter end of Autumn, you have many and large nests builded; in which the chieftain or master Wasp (which is called the Matrix) procreates ••s more Wasps, but those of his own sex; which also are begotten aloft in the uppermost part of the nest, in the likeness of worms, but far bigger than the other, in four or more cells continued, or joyned one to ano∣ther, otherwise there would be no difference in their breeding, between the Master or nobler sort, and the ordinary Wasp. They let fall their sperm as the Bee doth at the sides of the cells of the comb, and sbove them close to the walls or outmost part. It is not all alike in all cells, nor of equal bigness, but in some un∣equall * 1.13 and strange (saith Pliny). In some so big that they are able to fly: in others only Nymphs, covered with a thin membrane like an Aurelia: some also have them yet in the worm. The Worms only have excretion in like manner as the Bees have. Their sperm or spawn doth not stir at all whiles it is in the Nymph, and is covered with a membrane. In the same time of the year, and the same very day you shall observe them to be of unequal growth, one flies abroad, another is only a Nymph; one is able to role or tumble, another not able to stir, a third is a little worm. All these things happen in the Autumn, ••ut in the Spring. They most increase at the time of the full Moon. Here then is to be noted, that the Wasps have no swarms, and that all the Summer they are governed by their Masters or male Wasps, but in the Winter by their females. Afterwards the multitude of their issue being rehewed, the government such as it is, of short continuance and weak, however, upheld with most just lawes, returns to the males. But yet notwithstanding their young seems not to be brought forth by way of Birth, saith Arist. because it presently becomes bigger than a Wasp should be able to bring forth. A very sterile and empty conceit of so renowned a Philosopher. For what should hinder that Nature should not be able as quickly to perfect and increase that which is produced by a legitimate birth, as that which is generated of putrefaction? Let us but call to minde the young ones of fowles, which in a very short time when they are once out of the shell, do get feathers on their backs; how soon do they go, feed, grow, and come to maturity? and then we shall easily see the weakness and improbability of the Philosophers Argument. The Master Wasps are greatly increased in number, especially if there were great store of Wasps, and a wet year the year before. Aristot.

The Worms before they become Nymphs, i. e. young Wasps, are somewhat long, like those that breed in flesh (which Hippocrates calls 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) and small nuts, whitish, full of dints or wreathes, ••oward the tail thicker, with a blackish streak all over the back, without feet, not creeping, but as it were tumbling up and down and moving themselves from one place to another. When

they have layed their young fry, they cover the cell with a kinde of a little thin skin as it were, which when they come to perfection they break, and two daies after fly about with wings. Ari∣stotle mentions but two kindes of Wasps, one milde, the other fierce; the fierce kinde is very rare, and breed in mountains and woods, and breeds not under the ground, but in an oak, being greater, more stretched out, blacker, longer, having a stronger sting, and stingeth more fiercely than the milder do, and is armed with a greater sting than his body seems to be able to carry. Aristotle saith that they live till they be two years old, and when the tree is lopt, in the winter they are seen to fly away. They lye close all the winter, and most commonly live in old walls or trees.

A sort of these I found once in a wood in Essex, not without great peril of my life, at such time as by chance I carelesly wandered here and there a simpling, with my friend Penny and one servant attending us. I would needs be prying into their nest: with which they being offended, all the swarm flusht out upon us with all the force they had, and but (as God would have it) we had carried in our hands some sprigs of Broom, (with which we used to catch those Insects) for our safeguard and defence, we had payed for our folly, not only with the hazzard of safety but of our lives; for the followed us hard to the very middle of the wood, and a great while it was before they would leave pursuing us.

In the year 1582. on the top of Chartmell hills amongst the stones I saw two sorts of Wasps very eagerly fighting with one another, no difference there was but in bigness. The greater they stood upon their strength, the less trusted in their faction and multitude; for six of the lesser fought with one of the greater, not in the air, but in the grasse. From whence I gather that the greater did use to rob the less of their honey or young ones, or perchance offer them some other injury. Long and sharp was the fight, so that scarse after two or three whole hours encounter, and the Sun very vehemently shining and scorching them, did they give over. For they are ve∣ry

[illustration]

hot upon revenge, and long ere they take up the quarrel: so bold∣ly and furiously charging the enemy, that even Mars himself were not able to answer them, or match their valour; such a strong un∣daunted nature hath God instilled into them, and such spritelike cou∣rage hath Nature planted in them. I once received from Vienna and Hungary two kindes of Wasps, such as you see in the Figure, their backs were variously coloured with a shining yellow black colour, the one had rough horns, the other smooth; both of them almost three times as big as the ordinary sort of Wasps.

The Wasps called Ichneumones, are less then the rest: they kill Spiders called Phalangia, and after they have done they carry them in∣to their nests, and dawb them over with dirt, and so sitting upon them do procreate their own species. Aristot. Therefore they are cal∣led Ichneumones saith Niphus from their spareness and slendemess. This kinde of Wasp I make to be all one with that spoken of before, building her nest in mud∣walls, and such like places; before the entry or going into her hole she builds a porch of dirt, * 1.14 the length of it about the breadth of two fingers, which within is emplaistred over with smooth plaister of the same dirt. Pseudosphec•• seemeth also to be a kinde of Wasp having no sting,

[illustration]

with a blackish head, having two cornicles or little short horns, great eyes, black, standing out of its head, a long forked mouth, a bulky breast strutting out, to which on ei∣ther side are three feet fastened, the shoulders thick and bunching out, the body long, slender, confisting of many joynts, two dusky coloured wings, rough feet, and of the same colour with the wings. There is a kinde of Wasp called Laertae, because it stings deadly, like the Pismire so called. Parnopes, are a kinde of Wasp ••o called, which eat∣eth grapes, (as Aristophanes relates) and serves for a prey to the Owls and Screetch-owls, as Aelian saith.

Of the Wasps as well wilde as tame, some have no sting, (or at least make use of none) others have; the lesser and more feeble are those that want, which neither are able to offend or defend. On the other side, they that have stings, are bigger, stronger, and able to fight. These, some would have to be the Males, the other that have no sting Females. Also very many of them that have stings are conceived to lose them upon the approach of winter. But this as yet hath not been my chance to see (saith the Philosopher). If you take a Wasp and hold him up and make him buz, those that have not stings do presently * 1.15 flock to him, which those that have do not; which is the argument whereby some are to prore, the one to be male, the other female. Of both sorts some are observed to couple together as the fly doth. Moreover, (according to their sex) both kindes of them are divided into two sorts, either they are master Wasps, or drudges and labouring Wasps; the one is greater and more gen∣tle, the other less and more pettish. The drudge or labouring Wasp doth not live ou•• a whole

year, for in the midst of winter they all die; which is known, because so soon as winter comes they grow stupid, and in winter there are none to be seen: the others, that is to say, the Lady Wasps, are observed to hide themselves all the winter long underground. For divers men when they have gone to plow or dig in the winter, have seen them, though no man ever saw the other.

Now the Female Wasp is broader, weightier, thicker and bigger than the Male Wasp, and but slow of flight; for by reason of the weight of her body she is not able to fly far; by which it comes to pass that they for the most part sit at home, making of a certain glutinous material which the labouring Wasps bring to them, combs and cells.

No man ever observed these creatures to live long, for the longest lived, which are the Ma∣trices, * 1.16 female or lady Wasps, live not above two years at the most, the other cie every Autumn. Now whether or no the Female Wasps of the former year, after they have brought forth ano∣ther brood of master Wasps, die together with the young Wasps, or whether it alwaies fall out to be so, or whether or no they can possibly live any longer time, many Authors leave undetermi∣ned. But the wilde Wasp is accounted to be longer lived than the tame, the reason is because those making their nests commonly by the highway side (from whence they are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by Hom. i. e. Highway dwellers) are necessarily exposed to divers injuries, which hasten them to their death. And yet that little time that they live, is made up in the strength of it. For if you take them off at the head, and so again at the breast, they will continue a great while after, and putting forth their sting, will as shrewdly hurt any man that shall touch them as if they never had been pulled in sunder, or were alive as before. Guillerinus in his book of Shell-fish, writes very confidently that they put off their shells and renew their old age every year: certainly (unless he dreams waking what he would have to be) this must needs be discovered sometime or other in their Nests.

Apollonius cals them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Aristot. l. 11. c. 53. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, although they feed not * 1.17 on raw flesh only and ripe Apples, but upon Pears, Pruines, Grapes, Flowers, and sundry sorts of fruits; also on the sap of Elms, Sugar, Honey, and almost whatever.

They feed on flesh of Serpents, and then they sting mortally. They hunt after the greater Flyes, and spare not the harmlesse Bees, who do so well deserve of the Common-wealth of mankinde.

According to the nature of the place they live in, they differ both in shape of body and dis∣position * 1.18 of minde; the trivial and ordinary Wasp being accustomed to the company of men and cattel, do seem to be more milde of nature; but those that live in woods and solitudes are more fierce; yea, insomuch that Nicander in one word calls them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. perniciosas, pernici∣ous and destructive. There are also, as Oviedus affirms, in hotter Regions, those that are more hurtful then others, as in the West-Indies, whereas they differ from those of these parts both in bigness and shape, so also in their venome. For so are they reported to be far more deadly then the English, French, yea or the Spanish or Barbary Wasps: such as these also, Olaus Magnus in his 22 Book, saith, are very frequent in some very cold countreys.

The use or benefit of Wasps is observed to be divers; for besides that they serve for food for * 1.19 Castrels, Martins, Swallowes, Owls, Badgers, Chameleons, they are also many waies profitable to men, for they kill Phalangium the most venomous kinde of Spider, and they themselves are a plaister for their own stings. The Pseudosphe or wilde Wasp (especially that which is taken in the beg〈…〉〈…〉ning of that year) being taken into the left hand and there held fast, Pliny commendeth for an excellent remedy against a Quartan Feaver, l. 30. c. 11. Miraldus attributes much vertue to the distilled water of common Wasps, or decocted, for raising of a tumor in the place that is washt with it; applied to the belly it makes it swell as if it had the Dropsie, by which trick whores use to perswade their sweethearts that they are with childe by them; and by this way also they deceive many times very cunning and expert midwives. Mirald. Memor. cent. 7. from whence it may be concluded that their venome is exceeding hot and inflative.

The Fox also (a subtile creature) is said to prey upon the Wasps, on this manner; he puts his tail into the Wasps nest so long till it be all covered with Wasps, which he espying, pulls it out and beats them against the next stone or tree he meets withall till they be all dead, this be∣ing done again and again till all the Wasps be destroyed, he sets upon their combs and devours them. Aelian.

But men pursue and destroy them with other cunning. As thus, in the mean time that the labouring or working Wasps flee to the Elm, which useth to be in the Solstice or at Midsummer, to gather some gums material to work withall: the master Wasps remain in the Nest and sit up∣on their young, those they smother with the stinking vapour of Sulphur, Garlick, Reed, or such like; and throwing down their combs kill them with hunger. Now when they would pre∣serve their Bees from being surprised by the Wasps, they set by the Hives side a pot with some little pieces of flesh in it: into which when the Wasps in hope of prey are entred, they sudden∣whelm the lid of the pot upon them and kill them; or else putting hot water in at a hole scald them to death. Others hang a net before their Nests over a small Menow. Now the Wasps be∣ing drawn by a natural and strange sympathy to the Menow (for no food more takes the〈…〉〈…〉 than that) they are presently involved in the net, and so caught, and with casting on hot water are kil∣led. Aelian. As also they lightly spurt our of their mouthes oyl upon the grapes, fruits, sugar,

honey, &c. which causeth them either to fly away, or tasting the oyl, to die; sometimes they mingle corrosives with honey (as Mercury sublimed, Vitriol, Orpiment, &c.) which when they take, eats o••t their bowels, and so they pay well for their gluttony and intemperance.

Now if at any time by reason of the stinging of Wasps, the••e arise pain, perturbation, swelling, * 1.20 redness, heat, n••••seousness, and thirst; and not long after swouning (which happens when they have poysoned their stings with feeding on venomous herbs, and Serpents flesh) Physicians have found out a preservative and remedy whereby to repell their stings and easily cure them. The virtue of Mallowes, and Marsh-mallowes is excellent against the stinging of Wasps. Thus the most soft and supple he••b becomes a remedy against the most warlike and injurious creature, with whose juice and a little oyl mingled with it, and the part anointed, doth either mitigate the rage of the Wasp, or doth not suffer the sting to enter, Plin. l. 22. c. 179. So Avicen, the Wasp, saith he, will not come near any man that is anointed with oyl and the juice of Mallowes; for as a soft answer appeaseth wrath, and (as the Greeks use to say) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. A milde reply is the best allay to anger: so also in physicks we see those things that are most stiffe and unyeelding, to be resisted and beaten off with the most soft things, as the Iron with fea∣the••s, the Adamant with bloud, the sting of Wasps, Hornets, Bees, with oyl and the juice of Mallowes. What is more soft than the Silk-worm? which yet Aetius affirmeth being beaten to∣gether * 1.21 with oyl and the party anointed with it, is a preservative against the stinging of Wasps; the same doth the Locust and the herb Balm beaten together with oyl, if the Greeks may be cre∣dited. The stone Garatides, if it be the true, although dawbed over with honey, and born about, doth fray away all Flyes and Wasps whatsoever, as Sylvaticus. out of Albertus doth conjecture. The like virtue doth Matthiolus ascribe superstitiously, and too confidently, to the Iron that hath the figure of the shell-fish Strombus graven in it.

The symptomes that follow upon the stinging of Wasps, are said to be these; they suffer all alike as those that are stung with Bees, to wit, smart, redness, swelling, but the pain is more grie∣vous and of longer continuance, especially if they chance to be stung by the citron coloured greater Wasps, in a sinewy and tender place, for then followes the cramp, weakness of knees, swouning, and sometimes death.

Physicians have found out many remedies against the stingings of Wasps; we shall first speak * 1.22 of those we have tryed and which may challenge your acceptance, being confirmed by long ex∣perience. We finde that Wasps applyed to the wound they made do exceedingly help it, being perswaded to use them by Gilbert an English man. It may be that not the Scorpion only hath this vertue, but the greatest part of Insects have it also, if we should make trial diligently. But if any man be stung by venomed Wasps, (which is easily known by the wound of the part, by raving and swouning, and coldness of the extreme parts) then give antidotes against venome, and open the place with a knife, or rather lay on a caustick; when it is laid open and dilated, suck it forci∣bly, and taking some of the earth of the Wasps nest, make a plaister with vinegar, and lay it on the sore. Also a Cataplasm made of Mallowes, Willows and Wasps combs helps wonderfully, as we proved by the cornsel of Halyabbas. The North English men make a good plaister against the stinging of Wasps, of the earth of furnaces, vinegar and flyes heads; it is worth its weight in gold. Rub the place with juice of Citrals, and let the patient drink Marjoram-seed 2 drams: or take juice of Marjoram 2 ounces, bole Armoniack 2 drams, with juice of sowre Grapes what may suffice; make a plaister. Another; anoint the place with the juice of Purslain or Beets, or with sweet Wine and oyl of Roses, or Cowes bloud, also with seeds of wilde Cucumers bruised with Wine. Galen. Barley meal with Vinegar is good; milk of the Fig-tree dropt into the wound, Brine or sea-water to foment the wound; give in drink 2 drams of the tender leaves of the Bay-tree in sharp Wine, which also will do much good in a fomentation. Also drink the decoction of Marsh-mallowes with Posca: apply Salt and Calves fat. Mallowes with Posca is a principal remedy. Dio∣scorid. l. 2. c. 42. Aetius joyns an earth named Cimolia to these, and Clay, and Oxe-dung, and Se∣samum, and many other things with Posca. Oyl of Bayes drawes out the poyson of the sting of a Wasp. Leaves of Marsh-mallowes bruised and rubbed on, cure the venome of Wasps. Drink a little measure of the juice of Rue or of Balm, with Wine: and the leaves eaten, and applyed with Salt and Honey, or boyled with Vinegar and Pitch, are very good. Water-mints, Rosemary, with Barley-meal and Posca, juice of Ivy-leaves, Golden flower, and Owles bloud, are excellent against the stingings of Wasps. Pliny l. 32. c. 9. Galen praiseth Water-mints and the seed of it drank, and Centaury, if at the same time you lay on Oxe dung for a plaister. Lib. de simplicib. ad Pater∣nian••m. & lib. de Centaur. ad Papiam. A branch of the wilde Palm-tree, Endive root, and all wilde Betony, laid on for a plaister, profit very much. Also drink wilde Betony 2 drams with Oxymel. First, suck out the poyson, then hold the part hurt in hot water for an hour, then s••eep it sudden∣ly. in Vinegar and fish Pickle, so the pain is presently gone, and the swelling sinks away, and the venome is pacified. One half dram of Marjoram seed applied stils the pain, or 3 pugils of dry Coriander seed, or cool juice drank. Avicenna. Leaves of Nightshade or Houseleek laid on are good. Also bole Armoniack with Camphire and Vinegar. Nuts bruised with a little Vinegar and Castoreum; apply a honey comb, and presently hold the part affected to the fire, or put hot ashes under it, and the pain will cease forthwith. It is good to lay on green Coriander, or oyl and ashes mingled. Rhasis. Savorey or Water-mints applied, and the seed of them drank, or the juice of the lesser-Centory drank in Wine is excellent. So are the leaves of river Basil, Mercury,

Mandragoro with Vinegar. Serapio. A snow ball put to the fundament takes off all pain, chiefly if it proceed from a Wasps stinging: foment the part with Camphire & Vinegar, or oftentimes with snow-water. Take Opium, Henbane-seed, Camphire, of each alike, mix them with Rosewater or juice of Willowes, and apply it, lay over it a cloth wet in Wine. Ardoynus. Take juice of wilde Mints Aurei 2. with juice of sowre Lemmons, make a julep. Also the juice of the Arabian Thorn, and of Marjoram help much. Mesue. Water-lintels with Vinegar anointed. Aaron. Rub the part well with the finest leaves of Xylo••araster, that is, sweet Cods of Pliny, and the pain pre∣sently ceaseth. The juice of Lettice doth the same, or the juice of Dandelion drank. The Mud in the bottom of a vessel where water hath stood long, applyed with Vinegar, cures the Wasps sting∣ing. Simeon. Foment the part with Snow-water till it be stupefied. Jo••••nitius. Any new earth, especially Cimolia is good: Poly smeered on, as also Goats milk, cures Wasps wounds. Ar∣noldus. Alcanna with Barley meal, and Vinegar, bound to the part, Nuts, the leaves of Walnuts, Blites, are very good; also lay on hot to the wound a Spiders web beaten with a white Onion and Vinegar, it cures. Constantinus. Rub the place with Sage and Vinegar, and after with Posca. Guil. Placentinus. Lay iron on the part, or Lead steeped in Vinegar. Gordonius. Apply Chalk in pow∣der, and drink Mallowes seed in Wine and a little Vinegar boyled together. Varignana. His Be∣zoar is Coriander taken with Sugar. Christophorus Probus, commonly called Honeste Nonius, com∣mends Balm leaves bruised with Posca or with Oyl and applied. Nouius. Sparagus bruised with Honey and smeered on, Flyes beaten and laid on, Savory, wilde Mints, oyl of Momordica anointed, cure. Matthiolus commends Oxe dung laid on. Marcellus. Any man may finde these and a great many such like receipts, the storehouse of Nature and of Physicians affords infinite remedies and antidotes innumerable to your hand every where. The Remedies for Bees and Wasps stings are the same, only that one requires them somewhat stronger than the other. In the year 190. be∣fore the Birth of Christ, as Julius witnesseth, an infinite multitude of Wasps flew into the Market at Capua, and sate in the Temple of Mars, they were with great diligence taken and burnt so∣lemnly, yet they did foreshew the comming of the enemy and the burning of the City.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Description.
• * 1.2

  Aristoph. in Vespis.
• * 1.3

  The gifts of his minde and wit.
• * 1.4

  Lib. 1. hist. c. 1.
• * 1.5

  Love to one another. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪
• * 1.6

  Love to their young.
• * 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Iliad. 13.
• * 1.8

  Love to their wives or fe∣males.
• * 1.9

  Strom. 2.
• * 1.10

  Their diffe∣rence from others.
• * 1.11

  Lib. 2.
• * 1.12

  Albertus l. 15. tract. 1.
• * 1.13

  L. 11. c. 21.
• * 1.14

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.15

  Hist. 9. c. 41.
• * 1.16

  Their Age.
• * 1.17

  Their Food.
• * 1.18

  The place of Wasps.
• * 1.19

  The use of the Wasp.
• * 1.20

  Preservatives against the stinging of Wasps.
• * 1.21

  Tetrab. 4. se••m. 1. c. 11.
• * 1.22

  Remedies a∣gainst the stings of Wasps.