The French academie Fully discoursed and finished in foure bookes. 1. Institution of manners and callings of all estates. 2. Concerning the soule and body of man. 3. A notable description of the whole world, &c. 4. Christian philosophie, instructing the true and onely meanes to eternall life. This fourth part neuer before published in English. All written by the first author, Peter de la Primaudaye, Esquire, Lord of Barre, Chauncellour, and Steward of the French Kings house.

The eleuenth daies worke.

Of terrestriall beastes, and especially of Serpents: namely of the Aspis or Adder, and of the Viper. Chapter 81.

ASER.

BEing this day to discourse concerning liuing creatures of the Earth, so much as the subiect of our speech doth require for the accomplishment of our worke. It behooueth vs to consi∣der that the terrestriall beasts, being as it were innumerable in the species, yet they consist of two principal kinds: to witte, of Insect, and of perfect beasts. They of the first kinde are cal∣led of the Latines by this word (Insecta) because of the in∣cisions which appeare vpon their bodies, retayning life in that part, which we behold diuided, and cut off, and they are engendred for the most part of putrefaction: but these things agree not with perfect creatures, who take their forme in the matrice. Now wee will heare summarily entreate of Insect annimals generally, and consequent∣ly of the most excellent of their kinde, whereof some creepe vpon the earth, as ser∣pents, and others flye, as flies. We are first then to note that all insect beasts are wild, and are very hardly tamed and made milde, for they haue their innersenses very weak; where∣as such creature as are made tame and familiar, must haue the facultie of imagination and good memory. Moreouer, these kindes of beasts haue little bloud, or none at all, as Phi∣losophers hold, who finde in them a certaine vitall humour only, which nature hath giuen them instead of bloud: for wich cause they are naturally fearefull; and feare bindreth crea∣tures from being tamed. Likewise they haue commonly but short life: and beasts, who should be made familiar, require time for that purpose. Furthermore, in this kinde of In∣sect beasts some are engendred onely of putrefaction, as flies: others of egs, as Serpents: and also by an other manner, which is perfected in the matrice by egs, as the viper. Now in all this kinde of beasts, they are most admirable, which we haue here named, to wit: serpents because of their greatnesse and puissant effects, and hony-flies or Bees, and silke wormes also, because of their worke.

But amongst the many kindes of Serpents, the Aspis or Adder is very worthy of consi∣deration, and much to be feared: for there are three forts, each whereof causeth him that is bitten by them soone to die, except he be quickly and very well succoured. One sort is na∣med (Ptyas) another (Chersea) both earth serpents: and the third is called (Chelidonia)

which abideth about banks and riuers, and especially of Nilus. The Ptyas and Chaersa are of ashie and green color, drawing a little to the colour of gold. But the Chelidonia hath a blacke backe, and white belly like to swallowes. And both the one and the other sort are of fiue cubits long in the regions of Africa. They raise vp their necke when they will cast their venime; wherewith when one is attayned their present remedy is speedily to cutte a∣way all that which is bitten, or else it is hard to saue them from death: and yet many speake of diuers remedies; and amongst others they commend very strong vineger, aduising that it should be giuen to the patient to drinke, euen so much and for so long time till hee feele the right side of his flanke: for they say that the liuer is first depriued of feeling in such an accident. Some vse Opopanax (a drugge extracted out of Panaces Heracleum) which is giuen to drinke in wine mixed with water, to cause them vomit the venim already spread throughout the whole body. And after such vomiting they must take very good treacle in drinke, and apply it also vpon the biting. Mattheolus describeth a quintessence, compo∣sed of Aqua vitae, and some simples, and aromaticall drugges, which is an excellent reme∣dy of great efficacy, when such accidents happen. For indeede it is most certaine that waters artificially composed, and ingeniously distilled, consisting of most subtile parts, are in a moment dispersed throughout all the veines and arteries, and euery part of the whole body. And therefore they cause, that the blood and spirits waxe not cold, and doe not cougeale in those vessels which containe them, whereby also the naturall heate com∣ming to augment it selfe, doth strongly resist the force of the venim, and doth presently sur∣mount it.

The Viper also is a kinde of serpent, it hath a flat head, and broad neere to the ioint of the necke, which is naturally small, it hath a quicke eie, and a naile in the nosthril thereof hauing all the rest of the body short, with the taile also, and is of a pale colour. Her pace and motion is very quicke, and shee beareth her head aloft, shee differeth from other ser∣pents, in that they lay but egges, and she bringeth foorth her young ones aliue, which before they come foorth doe so gnaw and eate her belly, that she liueth not long after. And although the viper be very venemous, yet is her flesh very good for the composition of treacle, yea though her venim remaine with her after death. Moreouer, the biting of the vi∣per is as much, or more dangerous then that of the Aspis: for they who are hurt die within seuen howers after, except they bee well succoured, and at farthest within three dayes, ex∣cept they be holpen by excellent remedies; of which, amongst others, this is good: cleaue a chicken in two, and lay the inside of her hotte vpon the wound, and doe oftentimes rei∣terate this order, scarifying the flesh round about the biting, and applying diuers times cup∣ping glasses thereto. After which, you must giue the patient of the iuice of ash tree leaues to drink, and lay the same leaues vpon the wound, or else cammomil brayed, or a plaister made of barley meale, and honied vineger. Some vse briar taken in drink with wine, or the iuice of balme, leaues drunke also with wine. Some say also that the viper being flayed, her tayle and head cut off, and her intrailes drawen out and cast away, afterwards sod like an Eele, and eaten by him that hath been bitten, doeth greatly aide him to obtaine health. As Treacle also beeing chiefly made of vipers flesh, eaten, and applied to, is a singular remedie in such accidents.

I could heere discourse of many other kinds of Serpents: but it is not our intent to re∣present a perfect history of liuing things, considering that many authors haue written ther∣of for our learning. Wherefore we will content ourselues onely to adde to that which we haue said concerning Serpents, how that Plinie hath noted, that in the Indies there are so great, and such prodigious ones, that they will swallow an Hart, or a Bull all whole, and that in the dayes of Attilius Regulus Generall of the Romanes, in time of the warres a∣gainst the Carthagenians, there was seene a Serpent in Africa of an hundred and twentie foote long, neere of the flood of Bagrada, which was assailed with engines of warre, and all maner of weapons, in such sort as if they had determined to giue assault to some strong citie: that in the reigne also of the Emperor Claudius, there was a serpent killed, named (Boa) which was found in mount Vatican, that had a childe found whole in her belly. This au∣thor doeth make mention of a certaine towne in Italy called Amycla, which had beene a∣bandoned and left desolate of the inhabitants, by reason of Serpents that chased them a∣way. But this is most admirable which hee reporteth, that Spiders seeing a Serpent layde along vnder a tree where they haue weaued their cobwebbes, will runne directly downe by a threed vpon the head of the Serpent, and will pierce him so to the quicke of the braine,

that they will constraine the serpent to hisse and gnash his teeth, to tumble and torment himselfe, without euer being able to get away, or breake the spiders threed: in such sort that he shall still remaine there. Hee saith also that a Locust will kill a serpent, in wringing him hard by the throat, and ••ill not loosen till such time as he be through dead. But who will not greatly wonder at that which the same author testifieth to haue seene by experience that a serpent enclosed and enuironed with ashe leaues on the one side, and fire one the o∣ther, hee should rather choose to cast himselfe into the fire, then to saue himselfe through the ashe leaues? So much is this tree contrary to serpents, that euen slie the shadow therof both at morning and euen; and indeede to drinke the iuice of the leaues thereof, and to lay the same leaues vpon the wound, is soueraigne remedie against all their bitings. Whereupon Plinie taket a occasion to note, how that nature doth herein shew herselfe a ve∣ry benigne and prouide it mother towards men, in that the ash should alwaies budde before serpents should creepe out of the earth, and that these trees should still bee greene, till such time as serpents should haue withdrawne themselues. Now let vs speake of the other kindes of Insects chosen by vs, as the most excellent, to wit (Bees and silkewormes) concerning which (AMANA.) let vs heare you discourse.

Of Bees, and of their honie and waxe, and Silke-wormes. Chapter 82.

AMANA.

MAny graue authors haue not disdained, diligently to search out, and cu∣riously to describe the history of Bees, being chiefly mooued thereunto through the admiration of their cunning in composing two so excellent commodities as are hony and waxe: we will here then deliuer that which we esteeme to be most worthy of note in their writings. First Bees are rusticke and wilde; or tame and fa∣miliar. And the wilde are more il fauoured to behold, more fierce and naught. Of the tame there are two kindes. One kinde are round and short, and of diuers colours, and these are the best. The other are long and like to waspes, and the woorst of these are rough and hai∣rie. All of them hate stincks and infections, and flie from them, for which cause they ne∣uer sting such as are perfumed with sweete odors. They neuer flie against the light, nor vpon any flesh, nor to bloud, nor to any fat thing, but doe onely seeke out leaues and flow∣ers, which haue an odoriferous iuice. They delight it harmonious sounds and noises, wher∣by it commeth, that being scattered, they are assembled together, by the sound of a bason, or of some little bels, or by clapping the hands gently together. They vse great policie amongst themselues, and there it no swarme but hath a king and captaine, which is bigger then all the other Bees, and hath short wings, straight legs, a brauer march then all the rest with spot in his fore head, serueth as a Diademe or crowne, and is in euery part more slicke, smooth, and faire then all the rest. When hee goeth any whither, the whole troube fol∣loweth, encompassing and garding him, not permitting that hee bee easily seene. And whilest all are at worke, the king goeth from place to place cheering them, and hee him∣selfe doth nothing else. Hee neuer commeth forth except when the whole troupe goeth into the fieldes: which may bee knowne certaine daies before by the noise which the Bees make within their hiues, attending for some faire day to part in. If the king loose a wing, the troupe doth not forsake him: for alwayes euery one of them desireth to be neere him, and to do him seruice. And if he be weary they helpe him on their shoulders: if tyred, they carrie him: and in what place soeuer he resteth, all the swarme encampeth: If perhaps they loose him, they establish a new king of the race of the former, hauing diuers elected and knowne among them to succeede those that faile. For the rest of their gouernement, their witte is no lesse admirable then their worke, as is recorded to haue beene obserued by Ari∣stomachus Solensis, who delighted himselfe for 58. yeere together to nourish diligently these little animals, so much he loued them, neuer applying himselfe to any other thing. By which kinde of meanes it was knowne that in the day time the Bees ward, and watch at the gate as in a campe, and rest in the night till such time as one amongst them beeing as Sentinall, wakeneth them with two or three sounds as it were of a trumpet. Then all of them assemble to see if it be faire weather: for they can iudge of the windes, and of the raine, and in foule weather they bouge not: but if the weather be faire and calme, all goe

to work. Some bring in their feete, that which they haue drawn out of flowers: others, beare water in their mouth: and some againe helping them with a small haire do lade themselues with a drop of water ouer all their body. The yonger sort go foorth to doe these thinges, and the older trauell within the hiues, where their offices are appointed them. For some builde, others polish; this brings in matter, that victuals; another water, and all of them haue all things common, and obserue equalitie in meate and worke. They watch who are idle, and chastice and punish them euen sometimes by death. First they make their combes and waxe, whereof they build their lodgings. After they bee lodged, they consider how to multiply themselues, and last of all they make their hony. And they haue this wittie industrie, to mixe in the matter, wherewith they first besmeate or ouercast their hiues, the iuice of the most bitter herbes they can finde, to the end to put such small beastes or flies out of tast that would sucke thereof; euen as if they had beene informed, that their worke was sought after. In briefe all their manner of life, order and policie is euery way admirable.

But what may we say particularly concerning their hony and waxe, the vse whereof is so commodious and profitable to man? It is certaine that these industrious creatures know how to choose and gather a kinde of dew, which falleth from heauen (at the rising of cer∣taine stars, especially in the dog daies) vpon the leaues of plants, whereof they make hony. And the best is that which is of a deepe yelow colour, and hath a pleasant smell, beeing pure and neat, shining euery where, and sweete in tast, being also of a meane substance betweene liquid, and thicke. In vertue it hath the propertie to hinder corruption, and rottennes: and therefore some make gargarismes thereof to clense and mundifie the vlcers of the mouth. It preserueth life especially in those that are of cold complextion: so wee behold that the Bee, which is a feeble, and tender creature liueth nine or ten yeeres, because shee is nourished by hony. It is abstersiue, opening, and attracteth humours. Beeing in time ap∣plied to any part of the body which is bruised by some blow, or fall, it is a singular remedy to heale any such bruise; if so be the skinne be not broken. And the waxe (which is made of the combes taken out of hiues, after that they haue beene well pressed, and that all the hony hath been drained out) is likewise of singular vtility for men. The best should be ve∣ry yealow, sweete, fatte, light, pure, close, euen, neat, and clensed from all filth. It is of meane qualitie betwixt hot, cold, moist, and dry things, and is of a grosse and clammie substance: retaining an hot and resolutiue vertue, which also aboundeth in hony. It is ministred in drinke against Dysenterias: but aboue all it is profitable in the composition of ointments, which are made for wounds.

Now let vs speake of Silkewormes, which next to Bees merit most admiration amongst all insect beasts. This worme is first bredde of another worme of the same kinde which hath hornes, for thereof commeth a snaile, which afterwards produceth the silke worme called Bombyx, and by some Necydalus, which is like to a butterflie; and layeth egs through the copulation of the male and female; out of which egges in the end those wormes creepe who by so maruailous industrie do make vs our silke, that in a short time is drawne out of their mouth by a small threed, which afterward is weaued with such wondrous art, that therein is nothing broken, false, or vneuen, but euery whit perfect from the beginning to the end of euery bottome or clewe, beeing one fastened to another. And that which ma∣keth their labour seeme more wondrous, is, that these creatures are without flesh, bloud, or bones; without vaines, sinewes or arteries; without scales, or any intrailes: as also out∣wardly they are seene to be without teeth, nailes, prickles, or bristles, haire, eies, or eares: and yet in lesse then fortie daies, how small soeuer they be when they are engendred, they become thicke and great; hauing the benefit of eating, & sleep, and they cast their skin foure times. And then their bodies beginneth to glister, oftentimes shewing the skeane of silke which is in their belly, which if they must make white, they haue their head as white as sil∣uer: if the silk must be yealow, their head will be like gold: if greene, or tawny, their head will beare the signe thereof. Then do they seek where to fasten it, and so weaue their silke in order, till such time as they haue performed their work; which doth not only serue for clo∣thing for men, but for a singular remedy also to comfort a sicke heart, to reioice it, to re∣create sadde, and melancholy spirits, as we may acknowledge by that excellent confection called of Phisitions (Alkermes) which for the most part compounded of the decoction and infusion of silke in the iuice of kermes, being drunke is a soueraigne medicine against faintnesse and syncopes. But hauing already said enough conceruing Insect beasts, for

the subiect of our dicourse, we will consequently speake of some perfect beasts, according as wee shall make choise of, as of the most worthiest to enrich our present worke, to the ende, as we haue decreed that the creator may be glorified: whereof (ARAM) you must now entreate.

Of the Dog, and of the Horse. Chapter 83.

ARAM.

AMongst perfect beasts, the Dog and Horse do by good right deserue the first and chiefe degree, aswell because of their admirable sense, as also because of the vtility, pleasure, and commodity, which they bring to man. Concerning these creatures, then shall our present discourse intreat: and first of the dog; which (as many authors af∣firme) tooke his originall from the woolfe, being tamed by the industrie of man. Now there are many sorts of dogs, all which we may comprehend vnder two kindes: the one is, of them which are to keepe house, and the other to chase withall. The house dogge ought to bee of grosse and bigge bodie, being square set, and rather short then long: his heade great, his throate wide, thicke lips, bigge hanging eares, his eies blew and blacke, bur∣ning and sparkling, his necke thicke and short, his brest large and rough, his shoulders broad, legs thicke and hairy, and a short and thicke taile, which is a signe of force, (for the long and small taile noteth swiftnes) his paw and nailes great, his barking high, bigge and fearefull: aboue all vigilant and very watchfull, not running heere and there, but stayed, and more slow then hastie. Hunting hounds are of sundry sorts. They which are swift are either white or browne, or gray, or blacke. And the white are best; for they are well winded, quicke, fierce, and will not leane the chase for any heat whatsoeuer, neither will breake off for the prease of hunters, nor for the noise and cry of men, and they obserue chaunge better then any other kinde of hound, and are more certaine: but they feare the water somewhat, especially in winter time. If they bee cleane white, or spotted with redde, they are the better. The browne doth second them, and are of a great courage, forward, quicke and fierce, fearing neither water nor cold, but they cannot endure heate, and are not so easie to gouerne as the white. The gray are not so quicke and furious as the rest; neither yet the blacke, who are commonly the biggest bodied. Yet there are good dogs of all haires and colours, but to choose a faire and good hound indeede, these signes must bee obserued. His head must bee meanely thicke, more long then flat, his norsthrils wide and open, eares broad, and reasonable thicke, crooked reines; thicke loines; bigge and large hanches; faire thighes; the right hamme-ioynt well knit; the taile thicke, neere to the raines, and the rest small to the end: the haire vnder his bellie rough, a thicke legge, and the paw of his foote drie, and like to the pawe of a foxe; great nailes, as high behinde as before and the dogge must bee short and crooked, but the bitch must bee long. For open nost∣hrils declare the dogge to bee well winded: and crooked raines and straight hams signifie quickenesse, the taile thicke neere to the raines, long and small to the end, denote strenght and force in the raines, and that the hound is well breathed, haire rough vnder the belly declareth that he is painefull, fearing neither water nor colde, a thicke legge, foxes foote, and great nailes, demonstrate that hee is not heauie footed and that he is strong in members to runne long without tiring. Besides houndes, there be grey hounds, bloud hounds, water spaniels, tumblers and mungrels, all which are of diuers kindes, but our meaning is not to set downe an entire narration thereof, considering that it is not necessary for that purpose, which we haue decreede in our discourses. Wherefore wee will content our selues to note in generall, that there is no beast of greater sense and loue, nor more docible then the dog. For there bee few things fit for the pleasure of man, but may be easily taught to this kinde of creatures, especially in all points concerning hunting. Also histories abound with testimonies of their knowledge, and loue towards those that nourish them. Plinie reporteth of a dogge, which defended his master being assailed by theeues, till such time they had slaine him: and that after his death the dog would not leaue his body, but kept it both from the birds, and from other wild beasts that would haue deuoured it. That another dog also knowing one amongst a troupe of people that had slaine his master, flew vpon him,

and bit him with such furie, that the murtherer was constrained to confesse the cause of the dogs rage, reuealing his owne misdeed.

Now speake we of the horse, which of all beasts is most profitable for man, and is full of meekenes and docilitie. He is praised in seuen and twentie conditions: of which heseemeth to take three of the woman: to wit, yoong age, meeknes of manners and beawtie: three of the lion, courage, force, and to be tall before, not bowing in the midst, nor higher be∣fore then behinde: three of the Eagle, a good eie, a little head, and to beare his head straigth and a loft, three of the oxe, the foote great, thighes moderately thicke, and short & strong ioints: three of the heart, quickenes, deliuernes to run and leape well, and lightnes: three, of the asse, strong hoofes, an hard skinne, and a strong able backe, three of the foxe, a faire taile, agilitie, and a faire skinne, three of the goose, to eate well and quicke, and to digest it, to haue full bowels, and in his pace his feete equally distant, without enterfie∣ring, and three which are proper to himselfe, a quicke and easie pace, liuelinesse, prompt∣nesse, and gallantnesse of heart; and readinesse to obey the bridle and spurre without be∣ing slow therein. If then we will know when an horse is perfectly faire, wee must first note that hee haue a small head, a gallant and faire forehead, drie and cleane flesh, great and blacke eies and standing out; short, sharpe and straight eares, little, drie and thinne lips, and not vneuen, a wide throat, big, open, and red nosthrils, his necke neither too short nor too long, but meane, loftie, not too fat and crooked like an arch and vault, with a fine cur∣led and long maine, also that he haue a large breast, soft, and bearing out like that of a doue, big boned legs, but leane, & drie of flesh, straight, high, and euen from the foote to the knes, thicke, long, fat, sinewie, and fleshiethighes, but yet answerable to his buttockes, sides, and flankes, high heeles, thicke and short ioynts, and not close to the hoofe which must bee hard, high, round, blacke and hollow, hee must also haue the backe short, not bunched, nor high like an asses backe, but euen, not too high nor too low, broad, long, great, straight and well flesht shoulders, a smooth, strong, massiue, thicke, and as it were a double crup∣per, a short taile of bone, small, strong, long haired, which hee must beare close betwixt his thighes, a large and round flanke, full sides, and long aboue the belly, which must be round, small, and well set vnder the sides, that must bee broad and long with a little di∣stance from the hinder part to the ioynt of the haunch, and with small and equall coddes. Moreouer, hee must haue to bee good, a stately pace, a deliuer trot, a swift gallop, a light course, a bounding and sudden leape, an assured and ready pace, quicke at hand, & prompt to turne euery way, to recule backe, and to runne suddainely forward, not stamping or ratling with his bit, nor kicking against the spur, but conforming himselfe to the will of his master, without starting, or beeing afraid of any thing that hee seeth, heareth, or feeleth, not flinging and kicking amongst other horses. In a word that horse is to bee esteemed which hath a liuely and couragious heart, which is obedient, gentle, de∣liuer, quicke, and well mouthed, hauing a good foot, and strong reines. For haire, the bay is best of all others which being of diuers colours, doe depend neuerthelesse vpon these fow∣er, bay, rushet, blacke, and gray. For these fower colours proceed of fower principall hu∣mours whereof the body of an horse is composed, and which agree and accord with the fire, aire, earth, and water. For choler which resembleth the fire engendreth the bay, blood which accordeth with the aire, produceth the rushet or reddish coloured. Fleame which is answerable to the water, causeth the gray, and melancholy which agreeth with the earth, begetteth the blacke. The bay haire then excelleth all others, as beeing that which bea∣reth the signe and marke of a couragious horse, hardy in warre, and most singular in iusts and combats, in so much as hee feareth nothing, nor looseth courage howsoeuer he feele himselfe wounded, because also he seeth not, by reason of his colour, the bloud runne strea∣ming out of his body. The russet haire betokeneth a quicke, hardy, and prompt horse, but not of great force, and the blacke is Melancholy, and vnsound, and the gray is heauie, and fearefull. Moreouer, by howe much more these colours are diuersified, and mixed with markes, and spots; by so much is the goodnesse or badnesse of the horse greater. Wee may also say truely, that amongst all the beasts which God hath created for the seruice of man; there is not one which may compare with the Horse, either in beautie, labour, vn∣derstanding, or profit, and commoditie. For the Horse onely, serueth for an honourable grace for man: who makes him to goe at his pleasure, sometimes softly, sometimes a pace now a trot, anon a gallop, another time with swift posting speed, and sometimes he plaieth with him, causing him to make many risings, and diuers curuets, bounds and leapes: an∣other

time he maketh him runne wheeling about in a round ring, then to bound, and re∣bound, and lastly to goe easily forwardes. And by meanes of this vse and exercise, a man chaseth away melancholy humors, fortifieth his stomacke and whole body, and augmen∣teth his disposition and grace, and abilitie: Moreouer there is no iourney so difficult, which hee will not vndertake with a good horse, knowing that hee can passe any whither and saue himselfe from the assaults of theeues, and robbers; yea and oftentimes the horse fighteth with feete and teeth for the safety of his master. But these generous beasts doe es∣pecially declare their valor and courage in the cruell encounters of battailes, and fights, be∣ing inticed by the the fearefull noise of gunshot, by the hideous thundering of cannous, by the sounding of trumpets, and rumbling of drums: then I say when all being in confusion, it seemeth that the earth opens, that the place flies in peeces, and that hell swallowes vp all, in respect of the shiuering of launces, clinking of armor, and the deadfull cries of men, who are there, by thousands, hewen in pieces. And many doe scape by the onely meanes of their horses, God shewing them such fauour as histories are full of testimonies thereof, and of the admirable sense, wherewith nature hath endued these beasts. Amongst which Alex∣anders horse Bucephalus is very much celebrated, chiefly because that hee would not suffer any to ride him but his maister, although he had beene cloathed in kingly robes. It is also said, that this horse beeing wounded at an assault of Thebes, he would not permit Alexander to mount vpon another, till such time as hee had brought him out of all danger. Plinie re∣porteth, that a certaine king of Scythia being ouerthrowne in battell, when his enimy came to disarme him, his horse ranne vpon him with such fury, that he killed him, reuenging so the death of his maister: And that after the death of king Nicodemus (who was slaine) his horse would neuer eate, but died through hunger and sorrow. And that one named Anti∣ochus seazing vpon an horse of one Galatus slaine in fight, mounted thereupon, reioicing at the death of the other: which the horse of the dead man vnderstanding, did in rage and despit so fling, and runne, that he bare Antiochus ouer mountaines, and rocks, casting him∣selfe at last downe from an high place, so breaking his owne and his riders necke. But wee haue said enough hereof. Now (ACHITOB) let vs heare you continue the discourse con∣cerning beasts.

Of the Elephant, of the Camell, and of the Rhinoceros. Chapter 84.

ACHITOB.

IT seemeth that there is no beast, which approcheth neerer to the sense of man then the Elephant. For hee is endued with so excellent witte, discreti∣on, and memory, that hee surpasseth in these gifts of other beastes; as hee doth in strength also. Hee is bigger then two great oxen, couered with blacke haire, hauing eies like to those of swine & such a mouth also, being couered with a truncke, or snout that hangs downe to the ground, which serueth him for an hand to put his victuals into his mouth, both meate and drinke: and out of both sides thereof two great tuskes doe issue, which are fastened in his vpper iaw. His eares are two spannes broad, his thighes and legs thicke and long, in such sort that some are found of fifteene foote high: his nailes (beeing fiue in number about his feete) are round, and each naile a palme broad, and his tayle is a∣bout three handfuls long. In many regions of Africa they vse these Elephants to ride ordi∣narily vpon, and they serue for many domesticke businesses also, so that the traffike of them there, is as that of horses heere. But the Indians vse them in the warre, putting vpon this beast, a certaine saddle beeing girt very streight about him with two yron chaines, vpon which they set two wooden houses, on either side one, and in each of those houses do three men lodge, betweene which houses and the Elephants necke, is a little seate placed, vpon which a man sitteth like as if he were on horsebacke, who guideth this beast by his wordes, which he vnderstandeth very well: and he carieth neither bridle, nor halter, nor any thing else vpon his head. And euen as they, which are within these houses vpon his backe are ar∣med with coates of maile, with bowes, launces, swordes, and targets: so likewise will he bee couered with a mayle, especially vpon his head, and snout, to which men fasten a sword of two fathomes in length, thicke, and as broad as a mans hand, wherewith this beast doeth himselfe in fight. In all things else he is of incredible force. For Lewes de Barthema in the

discourses of his Indievoyages doeth testifie that he did see three Elephants alone drawe a ship out of the sea, and set it aland, after the people had gotten vnder it three great wedges of wood. For kneeling down vpon the earth on the sea shore, they did with their heads cast the ship on drie land. Plinie recordeth many other wonders concerning these beasts, saying, that they honour the starres, and principally the Sunne and Moone; that some haue beene seene, who being sicke, haue fallen downe backewards, casting vp herbes towards heauen, as if they would offer vp the fruits of the earth in sacrifice, and prayer to obtaine succour from aboue: that all of them doe honour a king, and fall downe vpon their knees before him, and that they bring chaplets of hearbes, and flowers vnto him. That some of them haue beene seene to record by themselues in the night time, that, which they haue beene taught in the day time, to the ende that they might the better put it in practise. That marching in troupes, the eldest amongst them goeth formost, as captaine: and another behinde them as ordering the rereward: that intending to passe any riuer, they put the yoongest ele∣phants formost, knowing that the great elephants would sinke lower, because of their ex∣cessiue heauinesse, and would by that meanes make the fourd more difficult to passe, by reason of the water, which would gather there. That they doe no harme except they be prouoked thereto; and also that they are so gentle towards other weake beasts, that passing by a flocke of small cattell, they will gently turne backe with their heads all those beastes which they meete, for feare of hurting them, or treading them vnder their feete. They are very long liued, to two hundred or three hundred yeares, as Aristotle affirmeth: and when the male and female couple together as man and woman, they withdraw themselues for this purpose into most secret and hidden places: and the females beare their yong ones for two yeares together, and doe neuer bring forth but one, and that but once onely in their life. Of their teeth is the true iuorie made: but because there are but few to be had, therefore some saw and cut in pieces the bones of Elephants, which they sell for iuorie. Moreouer, Historiographers report that the first time that Elephants were seene at Rome, was in the triumph of Pompey, after he had subdued Africke, for hee had two yoked to his chariot: and that in the turnies, and fence playes which Germanicus Caesar made, to shewe pastime to the people of Rome, there were Elephants that leaped, as if they would skippe and daunce: and that fortie two Elephants were brought in triumph to Rome after the memorable victorie, which Ruscius Metellus did obtaine in Sicily against the Carthageni∣ans.

The camell is also a very tractable beast and profitable to man, very ingenious: and apt to receiue discipline. For they serue to ride vpon, to beare great burthens, and also to shew men pastime in many exercises which is taught them by vse. There are some in all parts of the world, but they abound in Africa. And the Arabians hold them for their greatest riches and possessions. There are three kindes of them; one whereof is very great, another sort are very little: these two kindes hauing but one bunch vpon their backes, and the o∣ther are of meane stature, and haue two bunches, each whereof are fit to carrie burthens, and to rid vpon also, besides, some of them resemble asses in colour, and some are reddish: and they haue their hoofes almost clouen in two, but not exactly, so that their foote expresseth a kinde of semblance of fiue toes fleshie vnderneath, which maketh them ten∣der in stony places. The best Camels are those of Africa, because they beare their char∣ges for the space of fortie daies together, without euer eating any oates, but only such grasse as is in the fields, or some boughes, and their least burthen is of a thousand waight, bee∣ing by a naturall instinct so vrged to the seruice of man, that with the least touch which may bee vpon their necke or knees, they will presently bend and kneele vpon the ground to receiue their loade; which when they feele to bee answerable to their strength, they rise againe vpon their feete. There are some of them so swift, that they will run fifty miles and more in a one day, but these are of small stature, beeing good for nothing but to ride vpon. The noble men of Arabia, Numidia, and Africans of Lybia do neuer vse other steeds. And when the king of Tumbuto would haue any matter of importance to bee signified to the merchants of Numidia with speed, he sendeth a Poste vpon one of his Camels, who runneth from Tombuto to Darha, or Segelmessa in the space of seuen or eight dayes, which are about foure hundred and fiftie French miles: beeing a countrey full of deserts, so that the way is very hard to find out, but by the very direction of the Camell it selfe. When these beastes are lustie, which lasteth for fortie dayes together with them, they waxe verie fierce and outragious, and will remember the least blow that their masters shall strike them

with a sticke; so that if they may fasten their teeth vpon any of them, they will lift them vp into the aire, then cast them down again, & murther thē with their forefeet, in terrible and grieuous manner: but that time being passed, they become gentle and tractable, as before. They neuer drinke but from fiue daies to fiue daies, and sometimes they stay nine, or fi∣teene dayes; whether it be by custome, or that this beast is dry, or else that Nature hath so well prouided that this creature which liueth in deserts, should haue no neede to drinke oftentimes in those places, where water is seldome found. He daunceth at the sound of the trumpet, and seemeth to reioyce at musicke, refreshing himselfe, and taking new courage, then, when (being tyred with a tedious iourney) his guide beginneth to sing some merry song: and some also haue bin seene to dance at the sound of a tabor, as the Author of the de∣scription of Africa doth testifie.

Now speake we of the Rhinoceros (which is named by some the Bull of India) beeing admirable amongst other beasts. For he is almost as bigge as the Elephant, his thighes are bigger, of the colour of wood, being all naturally armed with shels, which hee beareth like bucklers. He hath in the vppermost part of his forehead an horne for the length of a span or more, very hard, strong, straight, and very sharpe, which turneth towards the forehead, and when he will fight he whetteth it. And there are some also which haue another little horne vpon the skinne of their backe, which is so hard and difficult to penetrate, that no arrow how sharp soeuer it be, can pierce it thorough. And therefore the Indians arme them∣selues with their skinnes, as wee doe with harneis and murrions, and couer their horses with it, as we doe ours with barbs and armour. This beast hath continuall warre with the Elephant, and is his great enemy, fighting chiefly with him, yea and with all other beastes, when the female bringeth foorth her young ones: of which the male is so carefull, that nothing dare come nigh him, but he will wreake his furie thereon. And hee remaineth for the most part victorious ouer the Elephant, if hee can picke him vnder the belly, as beeing the softest place of all his body. For when the Rhinoceros doth strike him there, he giueth him so deepe a wound, that the Elephant can hardly scape death. And he hath this wit na∣turally, that when hee will prepare himselfe to fight, hee whetteth his horne against some rocke, which horne the Indians vse in many things, and especially against all poison: so that being bitten or stung by any serpent, or other venemous beast, they their haue recourse to this horne. Whereupon the authour of the vniuersall Cosmographie taketh occasion to suppose, that that which is attributed to the Vnicorne, is the propertie of the Rhinoceros, and that the pieces which are shewed vnder the name of Vnicornes horne, are of the horne of this Indie beast: considering that there are as many such Vnicornes, as Plinie, Solinus, and Munster write of, as there be Phenixes or Griffons. But omitting such disputations, let vs consider vpon other excellent beastes, the discourse whereof (ASER) I referre to you.

Of the Lion, of the Tigre, and of the Panther. Chapter. 85.

ASER.

OF all fourefooted beastes, the Lion doeth beare away the chiefe prize. Hee hath a long bodie of tawnie colour, a fierce looke, his tayle long, which hee oftentimes mooueth, his haire before soft, and broad, his skinne impenitrable: his hinder part narrowe, a great head, a wide throate, his necke and teeth so strong, that hee can carrie away a camell, and hee is armed with very great and strong clawes: besides he is so hardie that hee feareth not alone to assaile two hundred men. And then are they in their chiefest strength, when the haire of their necke is so long that it couereth their necke and shoulders. Africa nourisheth many of these beastes, beeing most cruell, especially in the kingdom of Fez, & in all Aethiopia: but they which keepe in the cold mountaines, are not so dangerous, nor so troublesome to men. For in a little towne named (Pietra Rossa) which is very neere to a forrest that stretcheth out all along the foote of a mountaine of the said countrey, Lions doe oftentimes enter, with so great mildnes, that they gather together, and eate the bones and other things which they finde cast about the streetes: and the women and children are so accustomed thereto, that they are in no wise afraide of them. So many Historiographers doe write, that the Lion onely amongst wilde beastes, will doe no∣thing to those that couch and humble themselues before him. And how furious soeuer

he be, yet will he rather runne vpon a man then at a woman; and will neuer set vpon chil∣dren, except he be very much oppressed by hunger. He knoweth when the Lionesse, who by nature is very lasciuious and wanton, doth suffer her selfe to be couered by the Leopard and then doth he runne furiously vpon her to chastice her: which causeth the Lionesse to haue the craft to go wash herselfe in some riuer, to take away the sent of the Leopard: who hath beene with her: or else she will follow the Lyon a farre off, to the end that he may not smell her. This beast drinketh little, and eateth but in one day of twaine: and if he bee well sufficed, he will remaine three daies after without eating. When he findeth himselfe to be assailed with shotte, he declareth his greatnes of courage, in that hee maketh no account thereof, endeuoring to defend himselfe by the onely hideousnes of his countenance: and it seemeth verily that he protesteth to be constrained to annoy those who pursue him, in defence of himselfe: in such sort, that rather through rage then for feare of death, he sets him in his owne guard. And he demonstrateth also another generositie of hart, in that that feeling himselfe ouermatched both by dogs and hunters, if it be in an open field where he may be seene, he will make semblant to despise and scorne the hounds, sometimes making head against them, and will retire by little and little for his honour, alwaies standing vpon his guard: but after that he hath gotten the wood, where he may not be seene to flie, hee runs away as fast as he can, knowing very well that the place couereth his shame, If he feele himselfe stroken and wounded, he can marke him who gaue him the blowe, and will, euer turne vpon him, how great a number soeuer there be of people: and yet for all his fury hee quaketh to heare the rumbling of wagons, and is afraid to see a cocke which setteth vp himselfe and clappeth his wings, and more afraide when hee croweth: but aboue all hee feareth fire. They say also that Lyons be neuer sicke but through pride: and that they which nourish them, beeing minded to chase them, yea to madde them, doe tye apes neere vnto them, whose trickes and gestures they take in scorne, and vexe themselues much thereat. But it is strange that these furious and prooue beasts, are tamed by the in∣dustry of man, euen to make them so familiar as to serue them. For histories report that Mar¦cus Anthonius during the ciuill warres of the Romanes; cased Lions to be coupled to endure the yoke, and draw his chariot; and that he entred Rome in triumph in such equipage. That Hanno also, captaine of the Carthaginians did first vndertake to touch Lions with his hand, and that he made them go vp and downe the towne like little dogges: where∣upon the people doubting so quicke and pearcing a witte, which could inuent how to tame the fiercest beast of all others, tooke occasion to suppose their common wealth but badly assured in his hands, and so they banished him. Belon also in his obseruations re∣counteth, that there is an auncient Church at Constantinople, to euery pillar whereof there is a Lion tied, which the great Turke causeth to be nourished, and that their gouer∣nors loose them, handle them, and tie them againe when they list, sometimes leading them through the city.

The Tigre approcheth neere to the force of the Lion, and is more to bee feared, because of his crueltie and swiftnesse, which they find true who chase after their young ones. For when they carrie them away running with all speede vpon good horses, the Tigresse retur∣neth to her denne, and finding it emptie, taketh her course as swift as the winde, following them by the tract, which haue robbed her of her young ones: who perceiuing her approch by the noise that shee maketh, vse to cast her downe one, which shee taketh in her mouth, and carrieth to her denne with incredible speed, how heauie soeuer it bee: and afterwards returneth to the pursuite of the rest, alwayes pursuing her fawnes, till such time as shee be∣holdeth that shee cannot come at those who beare them away, because they haue gained some towne, wherein they are immured. These beastes are very common in Hircania, as also in the Indies, and in Aethiopia: and the inhabitants there doe hunt them much, be∣cause it is a very dangerous beast, which would doe much harme if it might multiply: as also because their skinne is very faire, whereof they make very excellent furres, which haue spots of diuers colours, wherewith they clothe themselues. But howsoeuer cruell the Tigre is, yet the Hircanians doe nourish and tame them for their pleasure. And Plinie affirmeth, that the Tigresse hath such feare and respect of man, that so soone as shee perceiueth him out of her denne, shee presently conueieth her young ones thence: whereupon this author doeth take occasion to admire the power of nature, in that the greatest and cruellest of all beastes doe presently vnderstand wherefore to feare, without euer hauing seene any thing before, which might cause feare. He recounteth also, that the Emperour Augustus was the

first that euer shewed the people of Rome a tame Tygresse in a cage, and that after him Claudius Caesar shewed fowre at a time.

The Panther is another common beast in the regions of Africa, very sauage, and whom the inhabitants dread much. Some say that Lucernes and Leopards are one kind of beasts, and they serue for males to the Panther, not differing from them but in whitenesse, which is very great in her, hauing little blacke spots set vpon her body: in manner of eies. Also ve∣ry faire furres are made of her skinne, which are called Lucernes. Moreouer some say that all foure footed beasts doe very much loue the smell of the Panther: but the fiercenes of her countenance doth feare them: and that to entrap other by her odour, shee hides her head that she may catch them. Some also write that she hath a marke vpon her shoulder like to an halfe moone, which augmenteth and decreaseth as the moone doth. This kinde of beasts haue the craft to watch passengers in woods, biding themselues close in the thick∣est groues of trees which they can finde; out of which they start vpon them like theeues. And they haue this by nature, to fold in their clawes, when they go that they may alwaies keepe them sharp and vnbroken and can open them when they will, and shut them when they graspe any thing. But omitting the fiercenes of this beast, who will not greatly admire the sense and imagination of a certain Panther wherof Plinte writeth? She desiring to meet with some passenger, lurked close in the midst of an high way: One by chance comming thither, and finding her, would for feare haue turned this bridle. But the poore beast cou∣ched and fell downe before him, making signes to fawne vpon him, and moaned, and tor∣mented himselfe in such sort, as he might easily vnderstand thereby that shee was in great paine, and indeed her young ones were fallen into a pit far off from that place. The man taking hart, at the beasts manners, who drew him gently by the garment, did follow her to the same pit: whether being come, and knowing the occasion of the Panthers griefe, hee drew her young ones out of the place wherinto they were fallen, deliuering by this means their dam of paine, and redeeming also his owne life. For this beast, which could haue be∣reft him of it, did contrariwise in acknowledgement of the benefit receiued by him, leaping and skipping with her little ones, keepe the man company out of the forrest, shewing him by many signes, that she rendred thankes vnto him. But here change wee talke: and let vs heare you (AMANA) deliuer that which you haue learned concerning the nature of o∣ther beasts.

Of the Wolfe, of the Beare, and of the Ape. Chapter 86.

AMANA.

AMongst all sauage beastes, there are none more common then the Woolfe, For Asia, Africa, Europe, and many places of that fourth part of the world, which late Cosmographers and other famous men haue by their long na∣uigations discouered, do nourish these creatures. And although many haue thought that England had none of them, yet there are some found in sundry places, and especially about Barwicke. And in times past the countrey hath beene much vexed by them. But histories record, that Edgar their king, who liued in the time of Lotharitis king of France, a very politick prince, beeing aduertised of the spoile which these beasts did, made an e∣dict throughout his land, that euery Nobleman should bring vnto him each yeere tenne wolues, or else the skins of them, and that the Prince of Wales, as he who receiued greatest commoditie by hunting of them, should euery yeare bring him an hundred. Whereby it came to passe that in lesse then tenne yeares, there was no mention made of any of those beastes. Now although they bee verie common, yet are they therefore worthie of no lesse consideration, and wonder. Many authors haue written concerning their shape, manners, nature, and differences, as also how to hunt and take them. There be few which are igno∣rant, that the wolfe is a beast hauing gray haire, mixed with blacke, whitish vnder the belly, a bigge head armed with long and strong teeth, and short and stiffe eares, whereupon the prouerbe arose (I hold the wolfe by the eares) when he which speaketh is in doubt of what hee shall doe. The beast feedes onely vpon flesh, saue, sometimes on fish, although Aristotle and Plinte write, that beeing oppressed with hunger hee eateth earth. But indeede this opinion did first spring because that these beasts are oftentimes seene to digge vp the fields for flesh, which they burie after they haue had their fill, to serue them when they want

ought to prey vpon. When they be sicke, they know how to vse cerraine herbes, to make them vomit, and to loosen their belly. And their custome is to assaile weake and fearfull persons that trauell alone, much rather then hunters. They are so known to the fishermen a long the lake of Meotis (as Pliny reporteth) that these honest people are wont to giue them part of their fish, which if they faile to do, they will in the night teare and breake their nets. When the she wolfe hath young ones, if she find her selfe oppressed with dogs, or men, she taketh one of her whelps in her mouth to beare away, that she may not loose them all. And she neuer leaues them except the he wolfe remaine for their gard, going both by turnes out for victuals: & if they haue taken any beast, they bring it vnto their whelps, laying it down before them to feed vpon. If they be somewhat big, they will then bring home some lamb aliue, to make them kill it, and teach them their craft. But I finde nothing more admirable in the nature of the wolfe then that which hath beene noted by the authour of the coun∣trey farme, that there breed and engender certaine serpents in the kidnies of an old woolfe: which being growne doe at last worke their breeders death, and become very venimous things. Concerning the subtlety and craft of wolues to intrap their preyes, it is very well knowne by euery one, being to the great hurt of people; but their industry is very great in forrests, where they can tel how to hunt the Hart and Does, watching them in fresh places, as hounds should do, yea they can direct themselues, like a course of grey hounds to watch and lurke in the borders of the wood, whilest others hunt within. Besides, it is a common thing, and many haue written thereof; yea Isidore himselfe, that if a wolfe espy a man before the man perceiue him, he can take away his voice; because that with his corrupt breath he infecteth the aire: which being so putrified doth also corrupt the breath of the man, neere to the said beast, whereby he remaineth depriued of voice, and hoarse, howsoeuer hee be en∣domaged therby: and that is it which hath begotten the common prouerbe (Lupusest in fa∣bula) which is said, when one speaking of another, that comes in vnlooked for, doth hold his peace, as if that the other parties arriuall had taken away his voice & speech. But if the wolfe be first seen by a man, it is thought that this malitious effect is not of so great power and that he looseth much of his fiercenes: the cause wherof may be that knowing himselfe discouered, he hath not the leisure to spread abroad his venim, and instead of running vpon. the man, he deuiseth how he may runne and flye from him. If this reason be of any value, I doe not thinke that it hath bin yet written by any one, at least wise as I haue read or heard. There is also another kind of wolues, called Lynx, the furre of whom Princes weare, which (as Plinie saith) resemble other wolues, but that they are spotted like leopards. And Oppianus writeth that they are ingendred by a Wolfe and a Panther: yet that cannot be affirmed of the Lynx of Germany, for there are no Panthers.

The Beare is a beast, in whom many things are found worthie to bee noted. Barbarie and Newfound land nourisht a great number, whom the inhabitants doe hunt after diuers manners. But they doe chiefly entrap them by meanes of certaine deepe pits, couered o∣uer with leaues and branches, which they digge in the way that these beasts are accustomed to frequent, and especially neere vnto trees, where there is some swarme of Bees: for the Beare loueth honie aboue all other meat, whether it be for that he delights to glut himselfe therewith, or else to heale the sorenesse of eyes whereto hee is very subiect: and so passing vpon these pits, hee falleth thereinto, and is there slaine by these Barbarians. The male when hee couereth the female, doeth embrace her, as man doeth woman; and the shee Beare being full doth retire apart into her den, not bearing aboue thirtie dayes, and doeth oftentimes bring foorth fiue Beare-whelpes: which at first doe seeme to bee but an heape of white flesh, without any forme, without eyes, without haire, and is as small as a mouse, with some little apparance of nailes, but through very much licking the shee Beare redu∣ceth them into such forme as they haue. When this beast is vnprouided of a caue, he buildeth his lodging with wood; of which he makes so huge an heap, and piles it so well that the raine cannot enter thereinto. After that he paues it, and makes his litter with the softest leaues of trees that he can find. In winter time the male keepeth within his den for fortie daies long, and neuer bougeth, and the female for foure moneths: and the first foure∣teene daies they sleepe so profoundly, that it is impossible to wake them, though they be∣beaten with staues: and one would not thinke how fat they then be: this time being past, they sit vpon their taile and liue of nothing else, but by sucking their forefeet. Being come foorth of their den, they first eate of the herbe called-Wake Robin, or Cuckow-pintle, to o∣pen their pipes, which are all as it were stopped vp. Their food is corne, leaues of trees,

grapes, apples, hony, creuises, and antes: which they vse especially licking them vp with their tongues from off the ground, when they are sicke with eating the fruit of Mandrakes: for by this meanes they heale themselues. They go vpright vpon their hinder feet when they list, and descend downe trees backwards. And when they fight against the bul, or other hor∣ned beast, they hang themselues by all their fowre feet vpon them, and vpon their head, that they may thereby tir•• their enemy, and so vanquish him. To conclude, there is no creature more subtile in his simplicity.

But if we would speake of crafty beasts: subtile in al agility and sport, then must we haue respect to the Ape. For nature hath bestowed very good sense and maruailous craft vpon him. Also he doth very neere approach to the shape of man, both in his forme of counte∣nance. nose, eies, and ey-lids: the vnder part of which, there is no beast that hath except the Ape. He hath also nipples vpon his breast like a man, and vseth his hands and legs as man: hauing nailes and fingers made and disposed as ours, of which the middlemost is most lon∣gest. His intrailes likewise are almost like to those of man. Africa & many I sles of the new found lands nourish these creatures in great plenty, and of diuers kindes, some whereof are called Monckies, and they haue long tailes: and others are Iackes or Marmusets; and they haue none: they liue of herbes and corne: & when they mean to steale some eares of corne there assemble twenty or thirty of them together, and one staies for a scout out of the field, where he no sooner espieth the Lord of the ground to come, but be squeaks very loud, at whose cry all the rest runne away, and do saue themselues by nimble flight, climing vp trees, and skipping from one to another, yea and the she apes, with their yong ones vp∣on their shoulders, will leape from tree to tree like the rest. And they are commonly so fond of their young ones, that with too often embracing, and too much clasping them, they at last kil them. They which are tamed and taught, do maruailous & incredible things. Besides the author of the vniuersall Cosmography hath noted, that in the solitarie Island there are Apes, greater, vnhappier, and wilder then are in all the world else, which bee na∣med Magots: who being seene a farre off, a man would iudge them to be humane people. Wherupon he thinketh that some are a litle deceiued, who haue written concerning Saua∣ges, & men being rough all ouer their bodies like goates, liuing vpon snailes and rawe flesh hauing perhaps taken such Magots, (because they haue not bin neere to distinguish them,) for very men. But enough of this, I would haue you (ARAM) to pursue the subiect of our dis∣course.

Of the Hart, of the Boore, and of the Vnicorne, Chapter 87.

ARAM.

I Will now speake of the most gentle and simple beast of all the world, in his na∣ture, and which neuerthelesse is indued with great force, which hee sometimes vseth to the cost of those who hunt him: and that is the Hart or Stagge, in whose chase great Lords take much pleasure. He is so simple that he museth, and is astonished at euery thing: in such sort, as if hee see a Cowe or an Horse come neere vnto him, hee neuer ta∣keth regard who rides him; or if he perceiue him, hee lookes downe at his feete, as if hee were amazed, what bowe and arrowes, or weapons so euer he haue. Hee museth also at the songs and piping of shepheards. When Stagges be not in rut, they are very sharpe at their victuals: and feeling themselues fat, they search out solitary places apart, and there abide, knowing very well, that they are not then apt for the course, and that they are then also chiefly hunted. Being pursued, they do oftimes stay their flight to take breath, and looke heere and there round about them; but when they perceiue the hounds that followe them, they runne as before. And they make these stoppes, by reason of a certaine pipe, which doeth greatly paine them, and which is so tender, that it presently breaketh with the least wound that may be. They endeuour to runne with the wind, that it may carry with them the sent away from the hounds, so that they may not easily take them. They heare afarre off, and haue a very good eare, when they stand vpon their feete: but if they lie downe, they be very deafe. Plinie recounteth, that when the harts or stags of Cilicia will passe from thence into Cyprus, they swimme ouer the Sea, but alwayes in troupes, and in order, re∣sting the heades of the one vpon the crupper of the other, and that by turnes, in such sort,

that the hindermost goe before in their turne, and the foremost turne behinde: dire∣cting their course by the smell of the land, because they cannot see the shoare. The buckes onely are armed with hornes, and they alone of all beastes cast their hornes euery spring time: yet some haue seene (but very seldome) horned does marked to twelue yeeres. When they feele that their hornes will fall, they seeke out the most solitary & desert places that they can find, whether it be to hide them because they are ashamed to haue lost their arms, or else to disappoint men of the benefit that doth redound vnto them therby, for their horne hath many properties in vse. And many say that of those horne which harts cast: the right are neuer found againe, so that it is holden for certaine, that they bury their right horne. Their age is knowne by their heads, because that euery yeere they haue a knag more, and there are some seene that are marked to two and twenty. Beyond which, none doth note their age, although they liue much longer. For histories record that about an hū∣dred yeeres after the death of Alexander the Great, there was an Hart taken, about whose necke this Prince whilest he liued had put a coller of gold, and that he was growne so great afterwards, and so fat, that the said coller was hid within his flesh, & couered with his skin. Moreouer, stage doe change their place of abode, and their food according as the Sunne doeth approch in height. For in the moneth of Nouember, they keepe themselues to bu∣shes and briers, the tops whereof they eate to restore their nature after they haue beene in rut. In December they withdraw themselues to the thickest of forrests, which may defend them from the colde windes, snowes and yee. In Ianuary they come to the borders of the forrests, and to tilled lands, to feede on greene corne, as ry••e, and such like. In Februa∣ry and March, because they loose and cast their hornes, they thrust themselues amongst the bushes, wherein they remaine al Aprill and May. In Iune and Iuly they goe into woods and corne fields, and then are they fattest. And in September and October they leaue their woods, and fall to rut: and then haue they neither any certaine place nor meate because they follow the waies which the does haue passed, liuing then with a little, and feeding vp∣on what they chance to meete with.

The Bore is another beast, in whose chase many exercise themselues, and take singular pleasure: But as the Hart is gentle and fearefull; so is the Boare hardie and furious, not fea∣ring the dogs, but attendeth for them in quiet, & oftentimes also he pursueth them, to teare them in pieces with his teeth; the biting whereof, chiefly in the chest of the body, is almost incurable. His place of abode is neuer certaine, and therefore some say hee is but a guest, because he doeth but run out of one forrest and wood into another: and yet he delighteth to remaine in the same countrey and place where he was first farrowed: so that if any dogs chase him out of any wood or forrest, hee presently runnes without any stay to his natiue place, which he supposeth to be his safeguard and refuge. The meat which he liketh best, i•• hasell nuts, beechmast, and acornes. His flesh is better then harts flesh: And therefore the ancient Romanes made such account thereof, that in their most magnificent bankets, they would serue in the whole Bores to be set vpō the table. Yet Pliny saith, that the Bores of the mountaines in Pamphilia and Cilicia, hauing eaten Salamanders, become every venimous, in such sort, as they poyson those that eat of their flesh. Besides, when these beastes feele themselues more heauy then of custome, they seeke for Iuie, and eate thereof: or else for crabs, which they finde in sand when theses ebbs. Thesow or female heareth but once a yeare, although the Bore be very apt to couer her. And the Author of the foresaid naturall History doth affirme vnto vs, that in the Indies there are very great wild Bores, which haue two tuskes in their mouth of a cubite long, and two other that issue out of their front like the hornes of a cow. And Cardanus saith, that in the same Countrey there are Bores like to others in forme, in voice and manners, and in their litteridge, which are growne in two mo∣neths, and yet are smaller then conies, and can scarce bite: differing nothing from other, saue that they haue fiue or sixe toes vpon their feet instead of nailes.

But let vs leaue these fierce beastes, to consider vpon some others, and let vs speake first of the Vnicorne, which at this day is so greatly esteemed of, the horne of whom is holden of great vertue in Phisicke, and singular against all poysons. Plinie describeth the Vni∣corne, to haue a bodie altogether like an Horse, an head like an Hart, feete of an Elephant, and the taile of a Bore, bearing an horne in the midst of his front, of two cubits in length: and he saith that these beastes are nourished in the land of the Orsians in India. Lewes de Barthema in his nauigations into Arabia, affirmeth that he did at Meca see two Vnicornes: and saith that the body and colour of this beast is like an horse, of a darke gray, hauing feete

clouen before, and hoofed like a goat. And that these two beasts had beene giuen to the Soldan of Meca, for a very rich and precious present, by a king of Ethiopia, to the end to haue peace with him. Belon hath obserued out of the testimonies of diuers authors, that there are two sorts of beasts, who beare one horne onely; one of which is the asse of India, which hath not clouen feete; and the other is the Orix, being a kinde of goate, that hath clo∣uen feete. And he maketh mention of many Vnicornes hornes, esteemed to bee of verie great price: especially of two, which are in the treasurie of Saint Markes at Venice; each of them beeing of a cubit and a halfe long, the greatest end whereof exceedeth not aboue three inches ouer. He speaketh also of that which our king hath, which is at Saint Denis, being seuen foote long, and weigheth thirteene pounds, and fower ounces, in fashion like a taper, being broad at the lower end about a palme and three fingers, and so groweth lesse and lesse towards the end, and hath a pit in the great end aboue a foot deepe, which is the place, wherein the bone is fastned that holds it firme to the head of the beast that beareth it. But this author doth mocke at the folly of those, who many times doe buie pieces of bone, which are cut of teeth of the Rohcact, and of the hornes and ribs of many other beasts, for true Vnicornes horne; paying sometimes for one of these little pieces three hun∣dred ducats: so much is Vnicornes horne esteemed, being most excellent for many vses in phisicke. Theuet also flouteth at those abuses, and at many fables inuented vpon this mat∣ter: alleadging that he had seene an horne taken from a beast of a cleane contrary shape to that, which the Vnicorne is described to be of, whereto the same vertue was neuerthelesse attributed. And that the countrey of the Sauages breedeth a beast called Pyrassouppi, as big as the foale of a Mule hauing almost such an head, as rough as a Beare and clouen footed like an Hart, which beareth two long straight hornes, that doe come neere to Vnicornes horne, and wherewith the Sauages cure themselues when they be bitten and wounded by venemous beasts and fishes. But now chaunge we out talke, and (ACHITOB) let vs heare you speake againe concerning some of the most rare and woorthie beastes of the Earth.

Of the Hiena or Ciuet cat, of the Muske cat, of the Beauer, and of the Otter. Chapter. 88.

ACHITOB.

IF in our discourses wee haue any worthy matter, whereinto admire the workes of God in the nature which he hath ordained vnto them, we shall find no lesse in the consideration of these, wherof I purpose now to speak, the odour of whom is very sweete. And amongst the rest the Ciuat cat cal∣led by auncients the Hiena, is worthy of great maruell. For from her commeth an excre∣ment so odoriferous, that assoone as it is smelt, doth pierce through all the senses and spi∣rits, and serueth to compose very excellent perfumes. This beast fashioned like a Bedouant but of bigger bodie, hauing blacke haires about the necke, and long the ridge of her backe, which shee setteth vpright being angry. Shee is mouthed like a cat, and hath fierie and redde eies with two blacke spots vnder them, and round eares like vnto those of a Bad∣ges. Besides shee hath white haire, full of blacke spots vpon her bodie; with a long taile blacke aboue, but hauing some white spots vnderneath. The ancients haue spoken of this beast as of a wilde cat, and Iohn Leo in his description of Africke, doth name her so, say∣ing that shee is common in the woods of Aethiopia, where the people do catch her with her yong, whome they nourish in cages with milke, and porridge made of branne and flesh: and that they receiue ciuet from her twise or thrise a day, which is the sweate of this beast: for they beate her with a little sticke, making her leape vp and downe about the cage, till such time as shee doth sweate, which they take off from vnder her thighes, and taile, and that is it which is called ciuet. Belon reporteth to haue seene one in Alexandria, so tame, that playing with men, she would bite their noses, eares and lips, without do∣ing them any harme: and that she was alwayes nourished with womens milke. Mathiolus likewise saith, that hee hath seene many Ciuet Cats at Venice, which had been brought out of Syria, and attributeth certaine properties to their excrements; for which cause they haue beene more sought after now; then in the dayes of our fathers: so that they are nourished at this day euen in France. Cardanus also maketh mention of a beast called Zibetum, which

is found in Spaine, that is like to a cat, and carrieth a bladder in her members, the seede whereof is receiued into a spoone, beeing of so excellent an odour, that three drops thereof surmounteth the waight of three pounds of any odoriferous tree.

But the Muske cat doth yet surpasse all other odour, and meriteth all maruell in the na∣ture therof. For it is a beast like vnto a goat in forme and haire, but that she is of a more blo∣wish colour, and hath but one horne, and in bigger of body. There are many in Africa, but chiefly in Tumbasco and Sini. When this beast i••in rut, with the heat and rage that he then endureth, his nauell swelleth, and filleth it selfe with a certaine bloud, in maner of an impo∣stume: which at length through much wallowing, and rubbing against trees, hee maketh to breake, out of which runneth this bloud, being halfe corrupted, which in tract of time becommeth very odoriferous. And the people of the countrey doe gather it amongst stones, or vpon the stocks of trees, as the best muske that is: because it is full ripe, after that it hath rested some certaine time out of the body of the beast which engendreth it, and that it hathbin perfectly concocted by the sun; which the other muske cannot be, that is taken out of the liuing beast, after that it is catched in chase. And therfore this most preci∣ous muske is shut vp & reserued in boxes, and in the bladders of such of these beasts, as haue at any time beene taken, to serue to such vses as it is fit for: whereupon commeth that there are muskes very different in goodnesse. For there is but little brought to vs in true bladders of this perfect muske, being ripe, and gathered as before saide: but all the flesh of this beast being beaten together with the bones, is commonly put into an old bladder, and sold vs for pure muske. Which wee may very well know in that we vsually finde little peeces of bone in our muske. And yet this same thus prepared smelleth so sweetely, that wee may easily iudge, how precious and exquisite the odour of the true and perfect muske is.

The Castoreum which proceedeth from the Beuer, is also very much esteemed for the vertue of the sent thereof. This beast is as bigge as a dogge, long, gentle, of blacke and shi∣ning haire, with a very long taile, and feete like a goose, hauing strong teeth, and so sharpe, that he vseth them as a saw to saw and cleaue timber, whereof he maketh himselfe a lodging with maruailous cunning. They are found neere to the riuer of Ister, or Danubius, and neere to the Rhine also, and in many places of Africke. In his stones doth lie a most ex∣quisite licour, which is proper to him: And therefore Plinie reporteth, that the Beuer fee∣ling himselfe oppressed with hunters, biteth off his stones with his teeth, as if he knew wherefore hee were pursued: and that is it which Phisitions call Castoreum. Cardanus affirmeth that this beast is a kinde of Otter, euen as house wesels are a kinde of wild wesels. For (saith he) in one selfe same kinde of beasts, nature doth by little and little conuert it selfe from small to great ones, from foule to faire ones, and from weake to strong ones. Besides the Otter (called by Plinie Lutra) liueth commonly in the earth, and in the water, and hath haire softer then feathers: and his stones are fit and profitable for the same that Castoreum is. But (as Matthiolus hath very well noted) the vse of strange compositions doeth bring many discommodities to those, which thinke to serue themselues there∣with, because they are either sophisticate, or corrupted before they come to vs. And there∣fore he saith, that the vse of Pontick or common Castoreum, which is black with rottennes and putrifaction, is very venemous. But me thinketh (companions) that we stretch out too long our discourse concerning terrestriall beasts, considering that we haue not vndertaken to write a perfect history of them, but onely to set before our eyes some of the most rare and most excellent, to make vs meditate vpon, and to admire the workes of God. There are many authors out of which one may gather the entire knowledge of liuing creatures, and especially out of Aristotle, who hath described their nature in fiftie Books, by the comman∣dement of Alexander the great; & after him, Plinie hath declared vnto vs in his natural Hi∣story many things concerning the same subiect, which were not known before. Wherfore as when wee entreated of the Spheres and Meteors, wee referred all to the true Astronomie and Philosophie of Christians: so let vs now doe as much vpon our discourse concerning beastes, reducing all that which wee haue spoken to an inward meditation vpon the proui∣dence of God, considering that the effects thereof do continually appeare in the commo∣ditie, profite, and vtilitie which redound vnto vs by these creatures, yea, by the most vene∣mous of them: as (ASER) you may giue vs to vnderstand.

Of the right vse of venemous creatures, and wilde beasts: and of the iustice and bountie of God which shineth in them. Chapter. 89.

ASER.

VVE must needes beleeue for aprinciple, that if sinne had not entred into the world, there had neuer any creature beene hurtfull vnto man. For hee had beene a peaceable Lord and master of all liuing things, and all things had beene obedient vnto him, if hee had beene obedient vnto God, as he ought to haue beene. Wee haue a cleere testimony thereof, after the fall of Adam, in those beasts which came vnto Noah at the floud, to enter and remaine within the arke with him: as also in those lions into whose denne Daniel was cast. But as man hath beene very rebelli∣ous towards God, not acknowledging him for his Lord, according as duty did require him: euen so all creatures, which should shewe obedience to man, not onely haue beene, and are rebellious towards him, but do also many times make warre against him, and do greatly annoy him, euen according as it pleaseth the soueraigne Lord to chastice and punish the sinnes of men, by meanes of them. In this sort then must wee thinke vpon venemous and cruell beasts, who doe not onely seeke to hurt vs, but doe also serue the wicked, where∣with to compound their poisons. For wee behold how God hath created many and diuers kindes of them, who beeing good in their nature, insomuch as they haue all beene created by God, and in that hee is a worker, who cannot performe any euill businesse, they doe neuerthelesse oftentimes greatly hurt men, in steade of ministring aide vnto them, yea they do sometimes also worke their death. And therefore we must consider, that the fault doth not proceede from the creature created good, but from the sinne of man, being punished by the iust iudgement of God, by such scourges of his iustice, as it pleaseth him to make choise of: the worke neuerthelelesse, which hee hath done by his creatures remaining good, inso∣much as it serueth to chastice those, who do deserue it.

There are in earth, and in the sea many very venemous beasts, who by their poison kill men, as are serpents, vipers, scorpions, and such like. And although it may seeme that these creatures haue beene created onely but to doe hurt: yet hath not God giuen their beeing without good and iust reason. For hee hath so well disposed all things, that venims and poisons themselues serue very well for many other vses then to kill, and impoison: for they are profitable and necessarie in many occasions, and serue for medicines and reme∣diesin diuers accidents. And concerning their particular effects, which turne to the dom∣mage of man, beudes that which wee haue said, that they are instruments of the diuine vengeance vpon sinne; God will thereby moreouer make them acknowledge, and per∣ceiue their infirmity, and what all humaine power is, when it riseth vp against his maiestie, and that men thinke to resist him. For who may be so dull, and disfurnished of reason, that cannot vnderstand how vnsure their life is, and how feeble their force and power; consi∣dering that there needeth but some small venemous herbe, or some little portion of other venim and poison, or the stinging of some small beast, or the biting of some others, which are but as wormes creeping vpon the earth. I doe not onely say greatly to torment, but also to bereaue of life the greatest, and most fearefullgiant, or prince in all the world. Herein then haue we a goodly example to teach vs to know what we are, what we can do, and how wee must feare, and be in continuall doubt, though we suppose our selues to bee neuer so strong and mightie. And wee may also instruct ourselues, when we behold that there is no man so assured but that is somewhat mooued, and receiueth some feare, yea and many times ve∣ry much, at the onely ••ight and meeting of an adder, or viper, or of some other venemous beast. We may also imagine that if the eternall creator of euery soule, doth shew himselfe so much to be feared in such small and vile creatures, who doe not subsist, nor retaine any po∣wer; but such as proceedeth from him, what might this bee in comparison of his whole pu∣issance, if he would declare it vpon his enemies? But indeede this neede not, because hee can doe his pleasure by far lesse force: as when hee was displeased with the proud arrogan∣cie, and peruerse obstinacie of Pharaoh, and of the Egyptians, who held the God of the Hebrewes in disdaine, hee would not warre vpon them with great armies of men, but did onely raise vp troupes of frogs, of flies, and of lice, against which the proud tyrants could

not resist, but remained vanquished. Againe, how did he after that chastice his people in the wildernesse by fiery serpents? How many times afterwards did hee bring many people into extreme necessity, as if a strong army, or fire had passed through their countrey, and that onely by canker wormes, catter pillers, grasse hoppers, and such like vermine, where∣with he threatneth those that rebell against his statutes? And doe wee not consider what vexation oftentimes flies, lice, wormes, rats and mice, do put vs vnto? Haue we not goodly occasion to be proud, high minded, and to esteeme much of our selues, seeing that there is not so much power in vs as to inuent the meanes how to defend and saue our selues from such little creatures, who trouble vs day and night, both at home and abroad? And may wee not hereby iudge, how we could defend our selues from woules, beares, lions, tigres & other sauage and wilde beasts, in whom there is no doubt, but that wee haue very euident signes and testimonies proposed of the wrath and fury of God? For who is so stout that is not much scared to encounter with, or to beare the voice onely of any of these beasts? We know that God hath menaced the transgressours of his commandements with them. For he saith thus, [I will send the teeth of beastes vpon thē, with the venim of serpents creeping in the dust. And so hath he oftentimes done in the land of Samaria, and in Iudea, yea not sparing the young children, as was declared in them, who were deuoured by the Beares, because they mocked the Prophet Elizeus. How many such examples of the wrath of God doe Histories set before their eyes, that haue beene executed in the daies of our fathers; yea amongst vs, who cannot bee ignorant, how that many times Wolues haue deuoured little children, digging downe the house sides for them, they being close by their parents Wher∣fore the Lord did say by Amos, [The lion hath roared, who will not bee afraid? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesie?] Let vs learne two things: first, that if the one∣ly voice of the lion terrifie those which heare it, by much more reason must the word of God mooue vs. Secondly, that the true seruants of God cannot be silent when the Lord shall haue commanded them to speake: but will attribute all glory to his name not stan∣ding in feare of venemous serpents, wilde beastes, and other scourges of his wrath, but drea∣ding the Omnipotent onely, who executeth vengeance vpon the wicked, when, and how he pleaseth.

And as by this discourse, we must acknowledge the image of God being angry, and the patterne of his fury in al those creatures, which may hurt vs, and how much he is to be fea∣red & dreaded in his most high Maiestie, considering that his iudgemēts are so terrible, be∣ing executed but by the smallest creatures of the earth: so on the other side must wee con∣sider vpon the great bountie and benignitie of God, of which hee giues vs testimonies, not onely in beasts created to the onely purpose to serue and profit man; but also in those which seeme not to haue beene made; but onely for their hurt. For as we haue already said, venims and poysons may serue to many other vses, then to kill men, and venemous beasts are not so full of poyson throughout all their bodie, but that they may profit in sundry occasions: witnesse the viper (a most fearefull serpent) whose flesh is very requisite in the composition of true treacle, which is a most soueraigne remedie against all venim and poy∣son. And there are many verie dangerous diseases, against which this flesh of the viper and of other serpents is very profitable, according to the testimonie of phisitions. Who like∣wise teach, that the Scorpion (whose stinging is mortall) carrieth with him the true reme∣die for health, if hee be brayed, and laide vpon the wound which hee hath made; or else if being burnt, the ashes of him be drunke with wine. But how many rare properties doe they assigne to the oyle which is made of scorpions? In briefe to speake in a word, there is no beast so venemous, none so sauage, none so cruell, be it great or small, by which men may not receiue much profit, if their nature were well knowne. All which wee may better learne, if we consider how that many creatures are nourished with that, which to others is venim and poison: the discourse whereof (AMANA.) let vs receiue from you.

Of the nourishment of many animals, by that which is venim and poyson to others, and of the naturall amitie and enimity which is amongst them Chap. 90.

AMANA.

IT may seeme to many, that hornets, caterpillers, canker wormes, grasse hop∣pers, spiders, and such like vermin, were not created to any other ende, saue

to endomage men: but though wee doe omit a thousand properties, which all these crea∣tures haue by nature seruing to vse in phisicke, and that wee doe but onely consider, how they serue for food and nourishment to many other creatures: yet shall we in this haue e∣nough wherein to acknowledge the profit, which doth returne vnto vs from most vile and contemptible creatures, and by so much the more magnifie the prouidence of God who ordaineth all things for our good, For it is very certaine, that these small creatures (which otherwise seeme to bee vnprofitable) doe serue for food and meate to birds and foules, and to such fishes as wee doe ordinarily eate of, so that we may rightfully say, that wee our selues are nourished by catterpillers, grassehoppers, and such other vermine, considering that we eate those beasts that deuoure them, and doe liue vpon them. Let vs but onely note the meate which Turkie cockes, and other commmon foules, whom wee so carefully bring vp for vs to feede vpon, do most seeke after. Certainely, there is no beast which eateth more vucleanely and filthy meate, for they spare neither serpents nor toads: and yet wee esteeme of their flesh, egs and chickens, as of very good and delicate meat. This is in truth a maruellous kinde of naturall chimistrie and inimitable art, to so subli∣mate that which of it selfe is poison, and would proue so to man, that hauing passed through the limbecke and fire of a small creature, it is not onely purged thereby from all annoyance but doth also sustaine life, and serue afterwards for holesome nouriture to man. And doe wee not beholde, that the nightingall and the wood sparrowe (are fat with eating vene¦mous spiders) which serue both for meat and a medicine to them? Plinie hath written, that deere and quailes do feede vpon poyson, and yet euery one knoweth that their flesh is a delicious kinde of meate. But what another wonder is this which the same author decla∣reth, that there be certaine beasts which are not venemous of themselues, and yet are dan∣gerous meat, when they haue eaten any venemous beast or herbe? For in the mountaines of Pamphilia and of Cilicia, the bores that haue eaten Salamanders, are very venemous in such sort as they poyson those who eate of their flesh: and yet they themselues can con∣uert such poyson to their owne nourishment. What reason can we giue of so excellent a se∣cret in the nature of beasts? I haue neuer yet learned any reason of the Philosophers. Let vs then stay at the admirable effects of the prouidence of God, who in those beasts, which we doe commonly eate for our sustenance, doth performe this maruellous chimistrie wher∣of wee now spake, and who causeth the force of poysons to bee spent in the deserts, to the small hurt of man, to the end that his omnipotencie, bounty and benignity may be decla¦red in all things towards vs.

Moreouer, haue we not also worthy matter, whereby to giue glory to his name, in that he hath created the beasts so different in nature, with a naturall and secret amitie, and eni¦mitie which they doe greatly beare one towards another? For it is very certaine, that God maketh all this serue to the profit and commoditie of men: in so much as there is a kinde of amitie commonly in priuate and tame beasts, towards such as they are, all seruing him who hath beene established for their master: and that enimitie doth rather remaine a∣mongst wilde beasts, as also in tame beasts towards the wilde: In such sort as many sauage beasts, which doe nothing but harme, haue by this meanes many of their owne kinde their aduersarie, to make head against them, and to resist them in whatsoeuer they would doe. But we may especially wonder in that the most mightie, great and strong beasts, yea the most furious and cruell are commonly put in feare, by the smallest and most weake. For what is an hog in regard of an Elephant? or a cocke in respect of a lyon? there seemeth to be no comparison betwixt them: And yet the onely voice and grunting of an hog maketh the Elephant afraide; and the lion is not onely seized with feare at the crowing of the cocke, but is much troubled when he seeth him but set vp his crest. Also there are verie little beastes, who doe not onely put verie great and cruell ones in feare, but doe also kill them: as the I chneumon, which is a little Rat of India, doeth kill the great and cruell crocodile (a most dangerous serpent) cleauing and piercing his belly, after it is secretly en∣tred thereinto thorough the mouth of this beast, which is able to deuoure men, and yet striketh no feare into this feeble creature. Which (as Plinie recordeth) hath another warre against the Aspis, ouer whom it remaineth victorious by this meane. It doeth many times wallowe and tumble in the dirt, and as many times doth drie it selfe in the sunne: then fee∣ling it selfe sufficiently armed with slime, it assaileth the Aspis, alwaies holding vp the taile against him, to receiue the blowes thereupon, which the serpent shall strike, wherewith hee can in no wise offend the bodie of the Ichneumon: in the meane space it picketh out some

such fit place to strike him through the throat, that he therewith dieth: and presently after it doeth prepare it selfe, as before, to fight with another. In this discourse we may behold a perfect image of humane things, considering that we cannot be ignorant, how that it com∣meth oftentimes to passe, that God abateth the most mightie and strong tyrants, by the most lowly and abiect persons; and Kings, Princes, and highest esteemed people, by meane and very lowe esteemed men. And let vs also note, that although the amitie and enmitie amongst liuing creatures, proceedeth from a certaine instinct of nature, so disposed by the creator, and the causes whereof are either hidden, or hardly knowen: that neuerthelesse, the best reason, and most certaine which may be alledged concerning those examples, which wee haue heere touched, is, that God would declare vnto vs in them, how he doeth mocke at the pride and arrogancie of men, and at all their puissance and force. For if he bestowe so much power vpon little beastes, as to affright, yea euen to slay the most furious, and that hee can ouerthrowe, and destroy the most stout and valiant amongst men, by their owne selues, how much more should he astonish them, if with his almightie hand hee should beat downe their pride, and punish their sinnes in his ire? Though the people (saith the Pro∣phet) rage and murmure; though Kings band themselues, and Princes be assembled toge∣ther against the Lord, yet hee that dwelleth in the heauens shall laugh, the Lord shall haue them in derision, also they shall perish in the way, when his wrath shall suddenly burne.

Now concerning that, which particularly respecteth the amitie betwixt priuate and do∣mesticall beastes, and their hate towards those that are wilde, although that the neerest cause be very euident (as that they do loue one another, because they are nourished toge∣ther, and receiue no domage one from another, hating the wildenesse of those, who desire to deuoure them) yet must wee passe farther, and acknowledge another more remote, and yet most certaine cause therein, which is a naturall instinct to conserue and multiplie their owne kind for the vtility and seruice of man, according as the bountie and benignitie of our God hath by his admirable prouidence disposed of their nature, wherupon let vs heare you (ARAM) plot out the subiect of your discourse.

Of the vtility that commeth vnto men by beasts, and chiefly by priuate and domesticall tame beasts, and of the wonderfull prouidence of God which declareth it selfe in them. Chapter 91.

ARAM.

SIthence God hath so disposed all things by his prouidence for the good, and commodity of men, that they may receiue some profite euen out of the most venimous, cruell and sauage beasts, as we haue already heard: we may in no wise doubt (as indeede experience doth daily teach vs) but that they doe receiue great aide and helpe from priuate and tame beasts, as are sheepe, kine, oxen, bulles, asses, mules, horses and such like. For wee are serued with their labours, and trauaile, with their fruite, with their flesh, with their wool, and with their skinnes. For from whence receiue wee our clothing, except linnen, but from beasts? With how many sorts of wooles and of skins doe they furnish vs? And from whence haue wee the silkes, cloth, and workes which are made and which serue to cloath the most stout and proud tyrants, and other princes of the earth? Haue wee them not by the industry of wormes, and small vermine? In very truth, we may very well say, that wormes cloath wormes, and that the most stately among men doe take from the most vile amongst creatures the substance of their brauerie and pomp. For what are men, but poore wormes of the earth, who to make themselues a little excell the rest, do take from other wormes the ornaments of their magnificence? And if wee consider what commodity the milke which is drawne from some beasts doeth deliuer vnto a thou∣sand thousand persons, if wee consider of the great multitude that there is of all kindes of fourefooted beastes, of birdes and of fishes; all which doe serue vs for foode and nou∣rishment in diuers manners: if how many sundry tastes and sauours wee finde in all these meates of different natures, according to the tasts, complexions and dispositions of men, and which are so tempered, that they be good for those that are in health, for those that are sicke; for great, for small, for yong, for olde: shall we not bee rauished with all these won∣ders, thereby to giue glorie to the soueraigne Creator and moderator of all nature? What

shall we more say in that the skins of earthly beasts, are of so many diuers colours, and so wel compact, either of woole, or of haire, or of good skins, of the variety & diuersity that there is in the feathers of birds, and in the colors of them, & in their songs, which minister much pleasure to melancholy persons: are not these so many excellent testimonies of the power of the omnipotent; who created all these things through his bounty & benignity towards vs? Surely there is nothing so vile and contemptible in the least creature that is, but doth preach the Maiesty of God vnto vs. And therefore he said vnto his seruant Ioh, [Hast thou giuen the pleasant wings vnto the peacocks? or wings and feathers vnto the Ostrich?] For we see, that they which will decke themselues do put vpon their heads the faire plumes of the Ostrich, and of other foules, which are sold very deere: also euery one admireth the taile of the peacock, wherwith besets forth himselfe, which he turneth like as into a wheele or a roundell, being so gallantly garnished, that there seeme to be as many eies or sunnes, as there be feathers therein.

I speake not heere of the nature of beasts, nor of the industry which God hath giuen to euery one of them, to know what is conuenient or hurtfull for them, and to couet the one and auoid the other: as also how they are furnished with care and power, to preserue their life, and the liues of their young ones. But I will here bring into the number one of the least and most common sort, which wee behold euery day in our houses: for perhaps the consideration thereof will not be altogether vnprofitable vnto vs; and that is the cock. If any question be made concerning his beauty, in what birde may wee finde more, beeit, that wee consider of his plumage, and the diuersity of colours, which is com∣monly therein, or of his faire kingly crest, or his stately pace and braue carriage, which cannot bee more magnificent in the greatest monarch of the world? And if this birde were not so common, but were very seldome seene, there are but few other creatures which would bee preferred before him, although there were nothing worthy of conside∣ration in his nature, saue that which wee haue already declared. What shall wee say then if wee will but meditate, of what heart and courage hee is in fight? Is there any other creature which can lesse endure to bee ouercome, and is more ashamed thereof? Againe, what curtesie vseth hee amongst the hennes, with whom hee is conuersant? and how much doth hee loue them, euen to prouide for meate to feede them, and to take it out of his owne beake, to giue vnto them, calling them when hee hath found it, as the henne calleth her little chickens together: But that which I finde most strange in him, is the agreement which by nature hee hath with the Sunne, which is such, as one may very well thinke, that hee hath some naturall Astronomy and Astrology, which is bred in him. For hee vnderstandeth and perceiueth the course and motion of the heauen and of the Sunne, and when his rising doth approach, so that hee declareth it by his crow∣ing, very timely in the morning, and that diuers times before any other creature can per∣ceiue it; yea or men themselues, except they rise out of their beddes to behold the sky. And yet for all that they must haue obtained some knowledge of the course and of the motion of heauen; either by the science of Astronomy, or through long vse and conti∣nuall obseruations thereof, as is with shepheards, and those that watch in the fields. But if the heauens bee couered with cloudes what can the most expert of them know therein, saue by meanes of clocks, which they haue in their houses? The cocke then is more skil∣full in this art. For without euer moouing from the place where he is at roust to sleep, and what weather soeuer there be, faire or fowle, yet doth not hee faile to sound out the chimes at his howers, so as there is no clocke so certaine: and he serueth also for one to them that haue no other. And therefore we may very well say, that how many cocks there are in the world, so many naturall and domesticall clockes are they for those who haue them in their houses. And doe we not see how that souldiers, especially Almaines doe commonly car∣ry these creatures with them, to serue as a trumpet to thē to sound out the approch of day. But the cocke did not serue for a clocke only to S. Peter, but for a preacher also, to recall in∣to his memory the words, which he had heard of his master, and for to draw him out of his sinne, and to induce him to true repentance as he did. And the like ought wee to doe, so of∣ten as this bird croweth in the morning, not onely to thinke our selues aduertised of the aprpoach of the sunne, which bringeth vs the temporall day, after the darknes of the night but we must euery day wake out of the sleepe of sin, wherein we are so soundly laide; and prepare and dispose our selues to receiue Iesus Christ, the true Sunne of iustice, which brin∣geth vs the eternall & perpetuall day, that is neuer changed into night; & the light which

cannot be obscured by darknes. By this briefe discourse then we may iudge how many ex∣cellent matters we should find to entreat vpon concerning the nature of liuing things, to make vs still more and more acknowledge the wonders of the prouidence of God, if wee would pursue to the full, that which might be said concerning this matter in searching out the secrets of the diuers faculties of creatures. But we will content our selues onely to adde to this which wee haue saide, that which well deserueth to bee considered of in this place, concerning the multiplication of such beasts as are most profitable for men, and by whom they receiue most commodities, whereupon (ACHITOB) let vs heare you presently discourse.

Of the blessing and prouidence of God, in the multiplication and conseruation of those beasts, that are most profitable to men, and by whom they re∣ceiue most commodities. Chap. 92.

ACHITOB.

THe holy Scripture teacheth vs, how that God after hee had created the beasts, he blessed them, saying, [Increase and multiply, and fill the wa∣ters, and the earth.] And that afterwards when the deluge had ouerwhelmed euery liuing soule, saue Noah, and his family, and two of euery kinde of beastes; God likewise repeated the same benediction of them, saying, [Bring foorth fruite and multiply, and fill the earth.] Through which word that admirable fuitfulnesse, which wee beholde in all creatures, did first come, and is for euer conserued. Wherein, if wee haue any woorthy matter deliuered vnto vs to acknowledge the prouidence, bountie, and benignitie of God towards men, it is principally in this point which is notorious vnto all, that the vertue of this blessing hath been such, that those beastes, from whom wee might receiue most commoditie, and which are most tame and familiar, haue much more multiplyed, then the other wilde and cruell beastes, who might bring any perill or endomagement vnto vs. Whereto GOD himselfe had in some sort a regard, when hee commaunded Noah to enter the arke, and to take of cleane beastes, seuen and seuen, male and female: but of vncleane beastes, two and two onely. So that by this meane, there did most remaine of the number of those, the vse of whom was most necessarie for man: giuing vs also a certaine testimony of his fa∣therly bounty to vs, by which hee is induced to haue respect vnto vs in all things.

But if wee consider what fecunditie there is in certaine sauage beastes, and yet how it va∣nisheth, and is surmounted by the multiplication of the other sort (wherewith we serue our selues) by a certaine kind of manner, which is altogether incomprehensible vnto vs: there is no person but will finde himselfe rauished in the contemplation thereof. For let vs take for instance the wolues onely. It is certaine, that they are more fertile then sheepe, kine, and other priuate and domesticall beastes, which serue for the maintenance of our life, and to other vses for the commoditie of the same. For the sheepe doeth bring foorth, and nou∣rish but one lambe, the cowe one calfe, the mare one foale, and so of the rest: whereas the woolfe bringeth foorth and nourisheth many whelpes. Moreouer, none of those tame beastes, nor no man himselfe doeth eate any woolues: but they, and many other wilde beastes, which liue vpon prey, yea man himselfe, doe eate vp lambes, sheepe, kine, and their calues, and many times foales escape not: and yet we neuerthelesse doe daily behold, how all these poore beastes, which are a continuall prey to men and other creatures, doe increase and multiply each one more in his kinde, then woolues and other cruell beastes, who eate and deuoure them. Are not these then admirable effects of the prouidence of God, the reason whereof doeth surpasse the capacitie of our vnderstanding? In very trueth these things are no lesse woonderfull (although there bee great diuersitie of the subiect) then the multiplication of the people of Israel amongst the Egyptians, which was by so much the greater, by how much the more they were oppressed by tyrannie and cru∣ell dealing.

Let vs also note, how that this eternall wisdome fauouring the fertilitie of those beasts, that are most profitable for man, hath assigned to such as liue vpon prey and rapine, an ha∣bitation in desart and obscure places, in rockes, caues, and in dennes. For so it pleased God to separate them from the other, to the ende that they might the lesse annoy them. Moreouer, hee sundred them amongst themselues: in such sort that they doe not liue to∣gether

in companies, as others do, that they might not ouerrun them. For wolues, beares, lyons, and such like doe not communicate one with the other, as priuate and domesticall beasts do: because they cannot agree one with another, as the peaceable & innocent beasts. So likewise eagles, haukes, faulcons, and other birdes of prey, do not flie togither in volees and troupes, as pigeons cranes, geese, and such like do, which serue vs for food. Thereupon then ensueth, that wilde beasts cannot gather so much power, as to hurt the other, vpon whom they make continuall warre: and who by this meanes are often saued from peril. Let vs adde in regard of birds, that they of prey are not so fruitefull as those which are giuen vs for foode: Witnes the great number of chickens which the hen doth hatch at one time, and the number of the young ones of partridges and quailes, in comparison of those who fly to deuoure them. And although doues do bring forth but one at a time, yet they recom∣pence that, insomuch as they breed almost euery moneth in the yeere. In meditation then vpon these things, we must consider what, and how great the bounty of God is towards vs: and that all his creatures must be as so many preachers still to announce vnto vs the puis∣sance and infinite wisedome of him; and as mirrors wherein hee presenteth himselfe euery where before our eies. And when we serue him not according to our duty, we are wel wor∣thy to be set to schoole to such masters, as being beasts, more brute, more wild, more sauage then they who liue with vs, and are created for to serue vs. It is then as Isay said to the Isra∣elites who were ingratefull and rebellious against their God, [The oxe knoweth his owner. and the asse his masters crib: but Israell hath not knowne, my people hath not vnderstood.] And indeed in these 2. kinds of creatures we haue a goodly example to raise vs out of our sloth and ingratitude towards God, if we do but consider onely, what benefits do redound vnto vs by the seruice which we haue of oxen in tilling of our lands, and drawing of carts & wagons, and by asses in bearing al loades & burdens which are laid vpon their backs. Wher∣in we are also to esteeme of the prouidence of God, in regard of the forme of the bodies, & members of these beasts. For he hath so disposed them, that their onely composition & fi∣gure doth admonish men of the works wherein these creatures must be imployed, and of the vses, whereto they must be put. For oxen do cleerely shew vs, that their backe is not fit to beare packs nor saddle, but that their necks is fit for the yoke, and their shoulders to draw carts and wagons, whereby one may easily iudge as also by their heauines, that they are vn∣fit to be are burdens like the asse: whose backe, head and shoulders, are apt for the same.

Moreouer shall we not consider of the great bounty, and prouidence of God, in that he hath created the puissant and strong buls so docible, that men doe easily teach them to leaue all their fiercenes, and make them so tame, that a little young boy shall lead them like sheepe, and put the yoke vpon their necke, couple them, and make them labor as he listeth. This may make vs wonder at the indocility and wildnes of man, beeing so difficult to correct and tame. For wee see that one onely childe can easily direct a great troupe of beastes, bee they oxen or bulles, and gouerne them himselfe. But contrariwise, the nature of man is so vnto ward, that many masters and gouernors are scarce sufficient to guid one onely childe. And whatmay we more say, in that all the gouernment of these beasts is done without any neede to muzzle their mouthes, or to tie or fasten them in chaines or halters, and without keeping them in bits and bridles like horses, which men tame by such meanes? Surely we need not doubt, but if God had not ordained by his prouidence, that oxen and buls should serue men in those vses whereto they would employ them, that wee should be able to draw no more seruice out of them, then out of the wildest beasts that are in the world. By so many testimonies then, as wee haue in the nature of beastes, of the puis∣sance, bounty and benignitie of the Creator of all things: let vs conclude, that we may very well say to all such as doe not consider vpon the so admirable workes of God, and vpon his prouidence therein, that which Iob said to his friends, speaking thus, [Aske the beasts, and they shal teach thee: or speak to the earth, and it shall shew thee; and to the fishes of the sea, and they shall declare vnto thee, who is ignorant of all these, but that the hand of the Lord hath made all these?] And to morrow (companions) wee will take a view of the goodly riches and treasures, which are hidden within the entrailes and precious stones, the dis∣course whereof (ASER) you shall begin.

The ende of the eleuenth daies worke.

Notes

• Of insect beasts.
• Of the Aspis,
• In discor. lib. 6.
• Of the viper.
• Hist. nat lib. 8. c. 14.
• Lib 3 c 5. Lib. 10. c. 74.
• Lib 11 c. 29. Lib. 16. c. 13.
• Of Bees.
• Of Hony.
• Of Waxe.
• Of Silke∣wormes.
• Carda. in 10. lib de subt.
• Of the house dogge.
• Of dogs for the chase.
• Hist. nat. lib. 8. cap. 40.
• Of the horse.
• That which is required in a faire horse.
• How an Horse is good.
• What haire is best.
• Of the com∣modity by Horses.
• Hist. nat lib 8. cap. 42.
• Of the Ele∣phant.
• Lib 3.
• Hist. nat. lib. 8
• Of the Cam∣mell.
• Lib. 9.
• Of the Rhi∣noceros.
• Theu. lib. 11.
• Of the lion.
• Lib. 1 de sin∣gul. 76.
• Of the Tigre
• Hist. nat. lib 8 cap. 4.
• Ibid. c. 17.
• O•• the Pan∣ther.
• Of the wolfe.
• Arist. lib. 8. ch. ••. de hist. anima.
• Hist. nat. lib. 10. c 8.
• Auth. de la Mai••on rusti∣que.
• Of the Lynx.
• Of the Beare.
• Of the Ape.
• Lib. 3. c. 16.
• Of the Hart
• Hist. nat. lib. •• cap. 32.
• Of the Bore.
• Hist. nat. lib. 11 c. 53.
• Of the Vni∣corne. Hist. nat. lib. 8. c. 21.
• Lib 1 de ob∣seruat. c. 14.
• Lib. 5 de cos∣mog.
• Of the Hye∣na.
• Lib. 9.
• 2. Lib. obser∣uat. cap. 20.
• Lib. 1 de Di∣os. cap 20. De subt. li. 10
• Of the Musk cat.
• Of the Ca∣storeum.
• Hist. nat lib. 8 c. 30. De subt. li. 10
• Of the otter.
• De Dios. lib. 6 cap. 25.
• Genes. 7.
• Dan. 6.
• Of the diuers vses of vene∣mous beasts.
• Exod. 8. Psa. 78. & 105 Numb. 11.
• Leuit. 26. Deut. 28. Ioel. 1.
• Deut. 32. Ose. 13. 2 King. 7. 2. King 2.
• Amos 3.
• Of the boun∣tie of God which shineth in venemous beasts.
• Excellent chimistry in the nature of beasts.
• Hist. nat. lib. 10. c. 72.
• Of the natu∣ral amity and enimitie of beastes.
• Hist nat. lib. •• cap. 24.
• Of the com∣modity that men haue by tame beasts.
• Iob. 39.
• Many things to be conside¦red of in the the nature of the Cocke.
• Math. 26. Mark. 1. 4. Luk 22. Iohn 13. Goodly do∣ctrine that we ought to learne by the crowing of the Cocke.
• Genes. 1.
• C. 9.
• C. 7.
• Goodly con∣templations v••on the fer∣tilitie of beasts.
• Other consi∣derations to the same pur∣pose.
• Of the doci∣lity of buls.
• Iob 12.