Of the NORICIAN MOUSE.
THe Norician Mouse is called in Latine, Citellus, and it keepeth like the wilde Mice in the caves * 1.1 and dens of the earth. The body is like to a domestical Weesils, long and slender, the tail very short, the colour of the hair like to a gray Conies, but more bright. It wanteth ears like a Mole, but it hath open passages in stead of ears, wherewithal it heareth the sound, as you shall see in many birds. The teeth are like the teeth of Mice, and of their skins (although they be not very precious) they use to make garments. In Germany they call it Pile and Zisel, and of this Ger∣man word was the Latine Citellus feigned; and it appeareth by Agricola, that there are two kindes of these; one greater, which are call'd Zysell and Zeiseile, and another lesser (called Pile) which may * 1.2 be the same that is also called Bilchmuss, and differeth from other, because it is used for meat. These are bred in Croatta, and in the Country about Venice. They have a strange smell or savour, which is said to be hurtful to the head: They eat both salted and hung in the smoke, and also fresh and new kil∣led. With their skins they edge the skirts of garments, for it is as soft as the skin of a Hare: and be∣side the common nature of Mice they are tamed. They also have very large cheeks, whereinto they gather an innumerable quantity of grain, and carry it into their den, as it were in bags against the Winter. They live thirty and forty together in a Cave, and are not driven forth but by infusion of hot water. They gather 〈…〉〈…〉ore of Nuts into their Caves, and therefore as well as for their flesh do men hunt and seek 〈…〉〈…〉em.