like as in Camomill Of Cresses CResses wyth the Egyptians are called Moth. The Romanes call theÌ„ Nasturcia This kinde being drunken sayeth Dias much auaileth and is a certaine remedie against serpeÌ„ts The Persians vsed it as the best Sallet that they had in al their feasting and banquetting It auaileth much to memory whereof ariseth this Prouerbe Eate wel of the Cresses Of the Cucumber THe Cucumber after Plinie groweth both in the Gardaine and in the fielde It is of those sort sayeth Isidore as also Theophrast that chaunge their leafe and stalke often Of Cinkfolie CInkfolie or fiue leaued grasse of some is called Pentadactylon or Asphalton The Mages call it Ibis claw or naile some cal it Mercuries fingar His leafe is like to Mynt and hewen or hacked toothlike in maner of Saw His flowre is yelow and somwhat pale withall It groweth in moyst and watrie places It is ministred often of the Phisitions with Lusters and Purgations Of Daffadill DAffadill some call Anthericon the Romanes Kings spare It is in his stalke verie thinne and light and beareth his flower in his top it is of plentifull roote It being ministred medicine like remedieth the Serpentes sting Of Dictamus DIctamus is an Herbe which groweth in Crete and is very wonderfull in losening vnbinding the straights of the bodie Tullie gathereth this to be true by the maner of the Deare or Harte who being stricken in the riâ— with anye Dart or Arrowe so that it sticketh hard fast they streight wayes hunt after and hasten to the water bankes of the Fâ—n where this Herbe groweth and finding this eateth it as a present remedie to haue thereby helpe in such a distresse which Herbe being once eaten they shake out the Dart or Arrow out of their ribbes as they list Of Dill. DIll some call Anis The Egyptians Arachis The Mages after their tongue Dogs head or Houndes locke The Arabians Mercuries broode The Romanes as before Anis Diascorides saith that it hindreth and hurteth the good eiesight being often taken and is a hinderance to issue Of Dragaunce DRagaunce is an Herbe so called for that it is bespotted and is specked in his colour much like to a Snake representing the verie Uiper or Dragon which Herbe the Uiper it selfe standeth in dreade of Of some it is called Colubyne for it hath hys flower Purple coloured it is also clouen and sharpe as the Serpents tongue is It is blacke in the midst of his flower This sayth Diascorides hauing his roote dried and beaten all to pouder confect also with water of Roses beautifieth and cleareth the foule face as being with other things handled helpeth otherwise Of Dragon DRagon the greater and the lesse The greater of some is called Aron Isaron Iaron c. The Romanes call it Serpentarie Thys groweth only in shadowie places and such as be hedged so kept away froÌ„ the Sunnes heate which thing it cannot abide The lesser hath white spots and those little his stalke straight vp and his length about .ij. Cubits Of Dwale DWale is called in Gréek Struchnon Ypnoticon in English sâ—éeple Dwale It is a kinde of shrub sayth Diase which groweth nigh to the Sea verie abundant and plentifull in yong shootes It is maruellously effectuous to bring a man on sound and fast sléepe There is another kind of the self same name which is called mad Dwale Which being druÌ„keÌ„ sheweth woÌ„ders by a certaine false shewe of imagination Of the Elme THe Elme is a trée whose wood or timber is yelow verie sinowie strong It is called of some all heart It is vsed and occupied principally about magnificall or beautifull gates It is then best of all riuen clouen and cut in sunder when it is moyst and gréene and wyth more difficultie being once drie Theophrast sayth that it is in his kinde verie barraine It only beareth a certaine Grape but nothing else It is one of those kinds that putrifie and bréede wormes Of Esele ESele of some is taken for Eiebright this hath his leafe verie thinne and plaine It is not of so fresh a grâ—ene colour or of like looke as many other Plants be but this it hath aboue them for it being pressed doth giue a very daintie and most medicinable iuice or humor not much vnlike to milke Diascor sayth it purgeth fleume and other such superfluities of like nature Of the Elder tree THe Elder â–ª saith Isid. is verie soft in handling and of verie small heigth or growth Hereof are made certain kinds of instruments and especially a kinde of Symphonie whiche the common sort call a Pipe the learned and more ciuil kinde of men name it a Dulcimer As the abouesaid Author witnesseth in that his tractate of Musicall instrumentes It hath boughes thicke and groâ—se verie plaine and well compact with all in his outward appearance But within they are verie hollow and haue nothing else but a soft Marie which is commonly called their pith Plinie sayth that if the middle Barke or Rinde be pared or cut somewhat more toward the vpper part of his stocke or bodie than towards the nether part or contrariwise so it will afterwards augmeÌ„t either vpward or downeward with spreading forth of his armes or braunches after that sort Of Fenkell FEnkell is an Herbe of the Gardaine and fielde common to them both but not so coÌ„mon as effectuous The Latine worde signifieth that it should be sharper of the eiesight Diascorides also sayth that the iuice of this Herbes roote quickneth the eyes It is called of the Gréekes Marathron Plinie as also Isidore in his .xvij. booke saith that the verie Serpents if nothing else did were sufficient to Noble to cause this kinde to be well reckened of for that through the onely taste or eating hereof they shake off many sicknesses and thereby keepe away or of from them weake olde age Of the Fig tree THe Fig tree is of no high growth neither nice in bodie but grossely set and thick all his Wood not so plaine as wrethed wrinckled the colour of his Leafe and Rinde somewhat more wan or pale his flower Medlerlike It is called Ficus in Latine à fecuÌ„ditate as some say for such fertilitie as it hath and increase for so soone as his fruites those that be all of one time in growth begin once to ripen and are pulled or plucked therefro it straight wayes with no lesse aboundance shooteth forth other It hath that humor as it is said that is like womans milke It hath also that vnctuous and Oylie nature in tast and smell so vnpleasant to the Bull that there is no better bit or Bridle to stay and quiet him then to bring him to the Fig tree whereas he may haue but onely sent and smell hereof and being neuer so fierce is forthwith tamed It hath diuerse appellations and names of diuers Regions Countreys There is one kinde saith Theophrast in Indie which euen from his boughes or braunches giueth yearely roote There is another
Wolfe and so forth Plinie as concerning this matter hath this diuiâ—ion All Beastes sayth he or Creatures liuing hath this difference some be full of bloud whereby they be long liued as the Hart the Hinde the Roe other are without bloud but in stead thereof haue their naturall humor as the Bee the Waspe the Betle the â—lie All which are of wrethed parâ—ed bodie Againe he sayth some difference is in them for their foode for that the most part to accoumpt of of all maner Beastes liue by flesh and be called in Greeke Cinophagai other are indifferent for that matter and eate that as other things when they may come by it as the Dâ—gge the fleeing Eagle and the like Some againe which will none of iâ— as for the most part all Foules of the Ayre and Fishes of the Sea Further some be of good memorie or retaine for a time in their head a good turne done to them or an euill as the Dog the Lion the Cammell Other as forgetfull of such kinde of deseruing and vnmindefull as the Ostrich the Doue And there is in some a certaine kinde of perceiueraunce and adiudging or esteeming what is what but the sâ—me spoken of vs by resemblance and vnproperly which we may perceiue they haue through their care in bringing vp tendring their yong as also in artificiall maner of building their Nest in hunting and seeking after their pray in remedying and curing woundes in espying what shall hurt them And further in sâ—me through foreknowledge and skill to prognosticate what shall afterwards happen by storme tempest as is the Swallow by his departure when colde and Winter begin to come in As is the wilde Crane which also sheweth vs through hir flight from place to place wheras exceeding Frâ—sts shall be And there is not this onely in the Crane laudable or prayse worthy but that which requireth farre greater praise and long time to admiration Aristotle sayth â—hat he hath marked this that when the Cranes by companie flie ouer the broad Sea which is large wide and infinite to continue in that their passage the better without rescue and to endure to the ende they vse this knack or practise Their coÌ„panie then is brought into fiues and so they flie two a breast and the fift or odde Crane in maner of a persiue sterne to make the other way in the Ayre flieth all alone before till he be wearie so doing when he is wearie another goeth and taketh vpon him his office and painetaking and that other commeth to their place which be of breast and in like sort doe all the other by course till their iourney be at an end and so their flight is like a Triangle sharpe at the ende and broade about and easied therewithall by one another his helping Againe to leaue their entrailes and inward parts so to come by deuision they are sayde to differ in outwarde attire and kinde of aray for some haue haire for their vppeâ— Garment some haue onely their bare skin other haue feathers other haue hide other haue their skin full of prickles and briestles and to speake of their maner of defending themselues som haue sting some haue tuskes some haue hornes othersome helpe themselues by flyght and lightnesse of wings and as for their voice some haue soft voice some as loud and shrill The Cow saith Aristotle is in voyce more loud than the mightie Bull. I coulde gather also differences in shewing how euerie part is placed both within and without not all alike moreouer of their vse and purpose of their affection also of their settes and disposition in life but I had rather as they say lose the Hare then to take such infinite paines as to hunt so farre for hir I will therefore now make hâ—st home againe peraduenture the number of companie of â—yles going in taking such paynes would wearie vs It is counted wisedome not to take to much vpon a man neither more than he can well suffer But now to euery liuing thing or Creature his soueraigntie so farre forth as we can ouâ— Pen and Hande shall hasten And first let vs begin Alphabetically as in the residue of our work before with the Adder The thirde Booke of the Aegemonie treating of brute Beastes Foules Fishes creping Wormes Serpents perticularly and Alphabetically Of the Adder THe Adder is called by Etimologie of Latin name shadowy Snake Coluber sayth Isidore is so fetched worde for worde and deriued thus as if you would say Vmbras colens lurking or liuing in darke places and black shadowes It is reported to enuie and hate the Hart to kill the Lyon And by all maner of meanes to flée from the Herbe Rue It casteth off yearely his vppermost skin or coate It loueth to liue among hollow trées to séeke his food in Pasture and Groaue to set muche store by Milke to hurt both with tooth and mouth and also with his hinder part or taile to suck fleshe to eate Flies and now then among to eate crummie and dry â—arth Plinie saith in his 30. booke and .4 Chapter that the fat or brawne of the Adder especially the water Adder remedieth the stinging and byting of the Crocodile And againe if thou haue about thée but the Gall of an Adder no other Adder will touch or hurt thée but flie from thée the scent or smell therof doth so annoy him Of the Ape THe Ape in Gréeke is called Simeas of hys flat nose and filthie face on eche side therof plated or wrinckled Some will haue him so called for counterfeyting of the like or for imitation and deriue Simia the Nowne substantiue out of the Adiectiue Simile the like For that he would be like in playing and toying But I doe not greatly gainesay them herein Isidore sayth in his .xij. booke that when he is angrie he frowneth In the newe Moone he is pleasant and for that time very iocund but when he waxeth olde he sorroweth and is of sad looke When he hath two yong ones at one brode that of them both which he most intierly loueth he alwayes beareth in his armes the other as not much passing of it he whurleth vpon his shoulders Isidore reckneth vp fiue kindes of Apes One which is not much vnlike our Dog in figure or shew another that hath a taile standing vp in good length thicknesse like a Foxe another kinde is saide to be of soft silkie haire there are the fourth kinde called Satyri The fift are said to haue a hairie beard a square visage withall Plinie saith that the fierce Lion is very desirous of the Ape his flesh and with hungrie â—ating thereof he riddeth himselfe of many infirmities Of the Aspis THe Aspis is a kinde of deadly Snake of most perilous bite or sting some say it is called Aspis ab aspergendo of besprinckling and casting about venome There are diuers kinds hereof Plinie in his .viij. booke and .xxiij. Chapter sayth that there is a
Cardane saith a certaine water made thick not by heate bycause it is not hardened neither by colde for then should it be eyther in the stone his kinde or else in the mettals but with most thinne and pure yearthy parte Whereby it commeth to passe that it is so heauie so cold so bright and cleare so liquide or renning It is rather mingled or tempered after a certaine sorte that his owne then congeled or compound for as much as it is both liquide and fluxible The reason he sheweth why this kinde as is also the water are in figure round for that they refuse in their felowship drought or any mixture of yearth It sercheth seketh to the very bottom of ech thing It is for his rawe mixture of some called metal Inconcret And as it is with yse which dissolueth then when it vanisheth away and doth not vanish till it be dissolued in like sorte doth this but more principally all metalles which doe endure well till that they be molten Dioscorides saith that this Quicksiluer is most found in siluer quarries or mines is then â—ound wheÌ„ Siluer is digged vp some wil haue it founde in Mines by it selfe It is best of all preserued and kept in those vessels that be of Glasse of Leaâ—e or of Tin and Siluer All other matter of whatsoeuer kinde it is of it eateth through â—loweth forth It is a deadly drincke ouerlading breaking in sunder the inwarde partes with his waight in remedie wherof many haue taken forthwith Wine and Wormewood and haue bene holpen But nowe to the second part of our first former deuision Liquores or Iuices be Oyles Wines and whatsoeuer else is watrie or of the water aire They be called Liquores for eyther being actually moistened or else by powre possibilitie ¶ But now let vs speake somewhat ingenerallye as we haue of the other two of stones which supplied in our first deuision the third rometh Of Stones some be more base and common other some more Precious and rare but the common Stone hath his name and vocable if I may so say hurtfoote for that it is in mouing from place to place iourneying the footes pain and griefe The common stone hath almost infinit kinds which offer themselues euerie where and therefore to speake of them particularly or in seuerall sort it were both tedious and without delight We mought therefore so haue sorted Stones that wee mought haue made some of them both base and common other some base but not yet common lastly of all some neither base nor common but altogither rare and precious Of the first sort are all these that are so plentifull with vs and without estimation of the seconde sort is the Pumelse concrete of froth as Isidore witnesseth verie colde of nature and in working so colde as he sayeth that it beeing cast into a Hoggeshead of Wine and continuing there a while taketh from the Wine his natural heate Of the last and chiefest sorte are all such as are of greatest price for mens estimation spent on them called Gems or Iewels as is that which they call Dionysius stone in spots ruddie and be speckled round about as that of Phrygia in colour wanne in waight heauie in vertue hid and secret as that of Arabie as white as Iuorie without spot or specke as likewise the Sanguinarie which in Greeke is called Amatites which being well chafed and rubbed bleedeth After this sort it hath pleased Dame Nature thus to dally in eche kinde thereby to shewe hir cunning But now let vs go to the last part of our deuision Mettalles and those of the mettalick sort sayth Cardane lie close for the most parâ—e in Mountaines in maner like to the braunch or body of a tree and are nothing else but the earth 's hid occult Plants hauing their roote their stock or body their bough leaues be in all these partes proportionally dispersed further he sayth that both Stones and Mettals haue these foure partes as those that be necessarie to their â—eeing and increase a Roote Barcke substance and vaines The Stone his Roote sayeth he is eyther some other Stone out of the which it groweth or else the earth the Mettals Roote is eyther Mettal or some thing Meâ—allick Their rinde or barck saith he doth differ manifestly froÌ„ the rest of their substance both in outward place and hardnesse Their vaines doe appeare manifestly But thus much shall suffise vs to haue spoken of the whole as concerning diuision Now let vs come nigh eche of them and especially touch the best of them leauing the rest forasmuch as it is our purpose not to seeke in all things what may be saide of all but espeically and principallye to see what is in them especiall and principall And therefore we were about to haue named this our Booke the Aegemonie of Natures threâ— middle Daughters For that in them all that is sought forth than the which there is nothing better nothing more excellent in all the whole kinde For such is yâ— Greeke word Aegemonia as if you would say Principatus The best and chiefest of the whole Those other two that is yearthes and Liquores we purposedly omit onely couetouse to bestowe and employ in this first Booke but as briefly as we can and in order as chaunceth our trauaile and diligence in inquisition after Stones and Mettals not that which I would but that which I may for my poore skill knowledge not to teach or shew the learned howe in this point Nature hath wrought for that were as the prouerb is the Sow to Minerua But to record repeate in maner of Storie with the residue of men simple plaine And I cannot tell how it may somewhat helpe those that be learned also If they shall espie and consider but the effect and proofe of these I therefore desire a Reader not learned but vnskilfull yet rather learned then immoderate For the one wil be an impudent rayler the other although hee findeth fault yet shal a man haue him reasonable able herein to stay himselfe Thus much of this Preface nowe to the residue of our matter Farewell Our Chiefest Authors herein Aelianus Agricola Aristotle Albertus Magnus Auicen Ausonius Cardane Cicero Diascorides Harmolaus Barbarê° Isidore Iorach Laurentius Lippius Lonicer Lucane Mantuan Oppian Ouid. Plinâ—e Ruellius Remigius Solinus Theophrast Volateranus with others Psalme 104. O Lord howe meruellous are thy woorkes in wisedome hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches A pleasaunt Discourse with the chiefe kindes particularlye of Precious Stones Plants Beastes Foules after the order of the Alphabet neuer heretofore in Print The first Booke Of the Adamant Stone THe Adamant is a Stone of Inde small and rare in colour like to Iron â–ª but in cleare reâ—lection and representation of image more Christall like It is founde in bignesse of a Walnut and neuer aboue It yeeldeth or giueth place to nothing neither
his vent or course of flowing Of Enidros ENidros is meane or small in bignesse continually sweating or dropping neither doth it for all this melt away or is lessened of the which the Lapidare hath this note and tune as followeth Perpetui fletus lacrimis distillat Enidros qui velut ex pleni Fontis scaturigine manat Distilling drops and teares full oft That Enidros the Stone doth drop Which as out of a Fountaine full Doth alwayes runne and neuer stop And here question might be moued why it doth not vanish or wax lesse through such dayly flowing The aunswere is for that his vertue or working doth bind and thicken the aire that which is next to it and so bringeth it to his owne nature part by part in his order OfGagates GAgates is of the precious sort also which was first found in Sicilie in a certain floud called Gagatus of the which it tooke his name although that in Britannie it is a good geast somewhat common as Isidore saith It hath two kindes the one russet in colour and the other black this last easie to be fiered and as smokie as Frankinsence It being left in the place where Serpents bréede driueth them cleane away And Diascorides saith that this being put into the drink of a Maide or Uirgin will easilye giue you iudgement whether that she be a true and right Mayde yea or no. For saith he after that she hath drunke of this and doth not anone after make water but can continue then take hir and estéeme hir a pure Uirgin and contrariwise if she doe not continue and stay herein some season iudge of hir otherwise OfGalactites GAlactites is a stone in colour ashie in taste verie swéete pleasant which being pressed or grouned yeeldeth and giueth a certaine Milkie and watrish humor as saith Isidore This being kept in close and shutte vp in the mouth desturbeth and letteth the minde Furder it being bound to a Womans thigh causeth easie deliuerance in childe bed Ofthe Gem. I Must needes before I iourney any further or hasten to other somewhat speake of the Gem for that we haue beene occasioned and shall be hereafter to vse it as the generaltie or notion of the name and stock in these kindes It is called a Gem saith Isid. for that it shyneth and is smooth as the Gum. This hath his best beautifying in the varietie and interplacing of colours it is called precious for that it is rare all things that be rare are precious Neither is it to be marueiled why eche Gem is precious sith that al and singuler are not without their diuine vertue Of Gemmes some are found in the earthes vaines are digged vp with Metalles some are cast vp to lande and brought thither from the Sea his bottom and their place of generation is vnknowen other some are bred and found in the bodies bellies of Foules Fishes Creatures Beasts of the earth Serpents and such as creepe myraculously by God prouident nature in their maner of working tasked But in this kinde as in al others we must take heed of Sophistication for to discerne iudge truely the right Gem from the counterfayted is the significatioÌ„ of a most cunning man It hath bene séene that in stead of a Smaragde some haue had sophistred and counterfayted Glasse Wherfore let not colours deceiue thée aswell gréene to eiesight is the Glasse as the Smaragde thou must take héede as the Poet â—iddeth much colouring is there and many deceiâ—es Of Gelacia GElacia is a Gem verie white hauing the figure or shew likewise the bignesse quaÌ„titie of an Hailestone and is of such excessiue coldenesse that by no meanes of fire had and applied thereto it becommeth whoâ—e Of Geratites GEratites is a kinde of stone black but his vertue excéedeth and is aboue his colour If any man carrie this in his mouth close he may tell what euerie man thinketh of him as sayth the Lapidare It also maketh amiable and bringeth him into others fauour that hath it about him Of Golde GOlde is the heade of all other Mettalles and is in the chiefest degrée that Nature instituted Mettals by ripenesse and perfection at the last to come vnto but euen as by stoppes and lets partly by such imbecilitie as is within vs and about vs partly by enuious cleane contrarie disposition of the Ayre and Planets in their Orbes fighting and striuing with vs somewhile anone against vs we be many of vs cut off before we come to olde age the last degrée of Nature so that we can not attaine to this last through such our hinderances and impediments so there is order and wayes to order in al Mettals from the first to the last from the most vile and base to the most precious richest which kinde of order and degrée euerie Mettal although it were of the rawest and basest sort should attain to in his due time were it not for impediments and hinderances either of colde and barraine ground or for lack of the Sunne his purifying and ripening or for infection of rustie and copperous Mineralles being nigh neighbour to them or for such other stoppes whereby they stoppe and stay and so become grosse for lacke of their naturall and first growth and tidinesse in ripening Isido sayth that it is called Golde of the Ayre for that that the Ayre being stroked shimmereth the more It is naturall to all Mettalles that they shine and looke bright especially being moued and helden in the light The Hebrewes call this Mettall Ophar the Gréekes Chrusos Aristotle sayth in his fourth booke of Meteores that this kinde as all the rest procedeth and is compound of Brimstone the verie subtillest and red and Quicksiluer also as subtile but white and this last verie smallie and proportionally Amongst al Mettals there is none more solide more compact then this is and therefore it being put into the fornace doth not euaporate as other thinges doe neyther doth it léese of hys waight It is more duâ—tile easie to be brought to what poynt you will then any of the other For vpon a Stith with a Mallet it is brought into most thin leafe or plate without rupture or breaking There is nothing to looke to so beautifull as this neyther is their any thing so pure The Phisitions say that it comforteth and expelleth all superfluities in the bodie and is effectuous against the Leprosie Likewise his leafe buried in wine maketh it auaylable against diseases consumption of the Splene and other perturbations Melancholike Likewise Incision or Adustion done with an Instrument of Golde is better than of any other Mettal or matter for it kepeth the place of vstion frée and cleare from yll smelling and rancoring There is also a certaine vaine of the earth or whether a man might call it a kinde of stone easily digged vp and broken hauing the verie looke and face of Golde and of some is the stone Arsenick is wrought as I thinke of
done so well they would neuer chaunge the name hereof but after their proper and peculiar speach called it a Topaze For Topazein in Greeke is as much as to finde by seeking Plinie sayth that it hath bene found of that bignesse and quantitie that Philadelphus is saide to haue framed and made thereof a statue or Image in length of foure Cubits Of the Turches THe Turches or Turcois is of the common sort called Eranus It is in colour airelike or like to the Heauens and looketh cleare also as sayth Cardane It is called a Turches for that it is onely found in Turkland or amongst the Turkes This hath such vertue and hid maner in working that it supporteth and sustaineth being worne in a ring a mā from falling of his horse and is saide of the aboue saide Author to receyue the daunger of the fal it self and to breake and burst in sunder rather than the man should fall and miscarie The Conclusion OF Ydachides I néede not to write for that I finde nothing of his prayse in other Authors but this that in manner Spherelike it hath one within an other Neither néede I write of Zeblicū which is found in Misaena whereof I finde nothing else but that it auaileth against venome Neither néede I speake of Zinguites the ashie coloured stone which being worne about the neck stencheth bloud lastly of all I haue not much to entreate of Zenieth which of some is called and reckned the stone Lazulus whose onelye commendation is for that it purgeth Melancholy passions and stoppeth them But these which I haue before entreated of I therefore entreated of and so far forth I spake of them as it mought somewhat moue men not to be dull or slack in the searching out of these for that much profite cōmeth to man by them If I should haue spoken of all kinde of stones as well Gems as other I suppose it would haue required large and infinite volumes For the kinde of stones as Isidore sayth are infinite But these haue I gathered with good wil and briefely Wherfore gentle Reader fauour vs and beare with vs now as thou wilt haue vs hereafter peraduenture to enrich these FINIS The second Booke of the Aegemonie or chiefest vertues in all the whole kinde of Plants and of his parts as of Herbs Trees Shrubs after the order of the Alphabet Psal. 135. Whatsoeuer the Lord pleased that did he in Heauen and in Earth ▪ c. The Preface to the seconde Booke IN value more and in degrée of Nature higher In Nobilitie aboue Stones and Mettals are Plants if thei had their iust reputatiō were valued as they should be But herein is corrupt and depraued iudgement I might call it abuse but that this worde is not so fit and agreable in all poynts as that other and therfore it is true that the Poet Gualter saith Whilest that we being fastned and set vpon pleasures do stray from the right rule of Reason to satisfie oure mindes to nourish corrupt iudgement we set most by that that is lesse worth we most esteeme where lesse estimation should be and haue a preposterous maner in iudging and an awke wit in many things their preferment But this he spake as it semeth most of all moued with the Uulgar and cōmon sort For the other kinde of men whome Tullie calleth polished and wel addighted in all things which gouerne and stay themselues by wise prudent meanes he sawe vnlesse they were I can not tell howe by some euill meanes bewitched to reckon and esteeme of all things as they were And therefore he may seeme with al intent of mind fully bent to check and vpbraide the Multitude and their basenesse in iudgement whome the aforesaide Tullie trippeth eftsones but especially in his Oratiō had for Cneius Plancie wheras he reckneth vp a heape of imbecilities and wayes of halting in all office and duties and first after this sort In the cōmon sort saith he is no perfect knowledge or skill to select or choose forth amongst many things what is heade and principall there is no sound reason there is no desart of hauing well there is no industrie or diligence And in his Oratiō for Quintus Roscius after this sort Thus standeth it with the Cōmons They esteeme many things by figure fantacie but few veritably and vprightly Further the selfe same Author in his Offices holdeth him not Heroicall or Prince-like which leaneth or hangeth vpon them Wherfore let vs go on and giue them their naturall pristmate and iust place and order in degree forasmuch as in the other abouesaide in Mettals Stones all is in their hid secret vertue there making abode stay hereat vnlesse peraduenture thou be moued wyth the goodly shew Which with the Sunnes reflexions and light moreouer the shimmering aire the Mettall his purifying more or lesse meeting all togither one helpeth coloureth setteth out another thou being in loue with so goodly a shew and brought to it by euill accustoming giuest consent and so wonne dost becken at it and wilt say that it is onely proper to the Mettall it selfe but from that haue I brought thee set thee in another beliefe whereas I spake particularly of Golde Siluer and such like if thou wilt but onely waye of what stock or houshold they be of But to returne to our purpose In Plantes there is not onelye occult and hid vertue furthermore fresh flourishing colours wherewith I perceiue thou wouldst be delighted but there is in them that nature that cōmeth somwhat more neare than those other doe to the principall Creature man For in them is the life vegetatiue or that life which nourisheth augmenteth bringeth forth his like more apparant also and in sight more than those other be which lie shut vp in the earth as dead bodies without life and haue their maner of encrease or decrease therein as all other things incensible haue and are said to quicken or die but vnproperly In the Plant it is spoken on that wise properly after such sort as mankind first next after his conception is saide to quicken and continue withall in reaching by meane of naturall order to his last kinde vnperfect at the first by this meane of vnperfection in the which he lyeth and stayeth in after his conception 70. dayes and so long is he plantlike then the rest of time hath he in part and parcell like so disposed and ordred of Nature to lay holde on and to apprehende the other life aboue this called sensitiue in the which time so bespent ▪ he seemeth of no greater accoumpt or force than other bruite beastes be whose propertie is as brute beastes is also the like to feele griefe and pleasure to moue to haue sense and that newly then begunne by Orgaine or Instrument diuersly framed And then euen then it becommeth to haue an appitite to that which it holdeth good and pleasant and a recesse or lothsomnesse to
that which maketh against it All this at that time euen as bruite beasts haue hath man in that not yet finished vnperfect shape or forme But the other greater and that which is his owne being once perfect as to perceyue iudge by sense both inward and outward to stande in fantasie and to marke and obserue all ill deserts wherat also brute beastes stay at but to leaue these and to proceede further to be mindfull of to haue in remembrance or recorde things past to conferre and applie them with the present time or adiudge thereby what is in the time coÌ„ming to vnderstand to vtter the thought in way easie to be vnderstoode this diuine power that I may so say hath man onely that man principally aboue others that is a man in deede and not by appellatioÌ„ or name withal those other powers that be in the other two kinds abouesaide but so proportionably wrought in such maner sorted and placed as the thirde number is ouer the first second holding and contayning them both in his number and accoumpt but of neyther of them reckeneth againe in making their accoumpt The Plant therefore is of the Philosophers reckned in the number of those naâ—ures that hath life for in them as Aristotle sayth is a portion of life euen as in sauage and brute beastes sauing that in these last their maner of life by way of mouing from place to place by gredie desire to feede and repast themselues it is more manifest in those other by reason of their abode and continuance all in one place as setled hard to the earth by â—oote and moysture and by their more hid receit of necessaries such as maintain them being also close and occult haue giuen great causes of doubting Anaxagoras being moued I know not wherewith affirmed that there was not onely a desire in them to tarie and continue in their state but also that they had and felt both sorrow and pleasure and his reason he gathered of the distillation of humor in the Plant his Leaues and of the Leaues increase Plato saith that they be moued and led by appetite for the necessitie of their prouision in nourishing But both of these Aristotle in his first booke de Plantis refelleth and reproueth by argument wherevpon we entende not to stande Yet may it be doubted for asmuch as with Theophrast and such others rather yea than nay is aunswered And they bid vs looke in eche their appearance Doth not the Cucumber hate the Oliue and where the one is the other through a certaine malice prospereth not CoÌ„trariewise doth not the Uine loue and embrace the Elme prospereth the better the nigher one is set by another And as of these question is had so may there also doubtes be made of the other But let euerie man iudge of these as they list I had rather be still then haue a doe herein Nowe to their partes and maner of diuision Plants be sorted and deuided into three parts the first is the Herbe the seconde the Shrub the third the Tres there are which haue added hither a fourth kind which they cal Suffutrex a mean betwene the Herbe and the shrub but it may better either of the one or of the other of these two be called as they are called being greater or lesse thaÌ„ to wander so farre for so small aduantage in them by way of amplifying diuision The Herbe is that sayth Theophrast in his first boke De Plantis and fift Chapter which springeth out of his roote well leaued without any body and beareth seede vpon his stalke or stemme as al herbs do which are vsed to the Pot. The Shrub is that saieth he which out of the roote commeth vp in manifold stocke or bodie and shouteth out armes in his meane kinde of growth as the Brome and Brier The tree is that saieth he that from out of the roote ariseth in one onely stock or bodie and groweth vp in manie kinds to great height beside this it is full of boughes it is full of knots besides this it is full of slips and shootes as the Oliue the Figge tree the Uine That other which they call Suffutrex and make it the fourth parte hath a certaine thinne and small stock but such a one as excedeth not the thinne and small stalk of the herbe as the Rose and such like Therevpon we may easily perceiue that all these kindes aboue saide in that that they liue through the life Uegetatiue and haue their place of growth in the earth and in that that they all liue by heate and humor whereof the first as that which is not much spoken of seemeth of some to be forgotten in them further in their leafe and braunches and other outward dispositions herein they all agree and are alike But herein they are saide to differ as all things of sundrie sortes do in these foure points Whereof the chiefe and principall is their strength or vertue The second their smell which to the learned teacheth their contemperature for the odor and smell of ech thing doth much bewraie the thing The thirde difference is fetched from their tast or sauor as the one sweete the other sower the one pleasaunt the other of sharpe tast vnpleasaunt Moreouer as they haue those qualities which be proper and peculiar to the tast or want them The fourth is and that which is most infinite of their figure and forme in leafe of their owne figure of their colour of their flower of their fruite of their stock which is as it were the prop or staie of the Plant of the bark which is the defence and as I mought so say their house to lodge in and to defend themselues from storme and tempest further in the roote difference is found and to haue one worde for all in all their whole composition and mixture It is to be maruelled how Dame Nature hath vpon the face of the earth as it were in hir Garden or Orchard of delight for varietie sake so manifoldly varied multiplied the kindes of colours either simply died stained or else chauÌ„gably almost in euery plant or thing growing But the greatest meruaile that outwardly appeareth and that which the most cunning workman or Painter may follow but not attaine to is in the excellent shew and infinite their kinde of flowers Whereof some be Milke white as the Lilie some purple coloured as the Uiolet and Saffron flower Some Scarlet red as the Aramanth some Ocâ—ie or yellow as the Mariegold some grassie grene as the Primrose some be speckled as the CarnatioÌ„ some cole black but those as Authors affirme verie rare in so much that the sadde blew coloured flower as is Calcedome hath bene taken of some for black onely for their most like kinde of apparaiâ—ing So that a man maye see howe Nature worketh in many as in these and sixe hundred more like after simple sort without any intermedling In as many and rather mo
liberall whereas nowe they be rawe should haue bene much more absolute perseuerance of euery thing his cause now small should then haue bene more amplified But now let vs heare in eche Plant his principalitie the mindes of other men what is found in them worthye marking And the first in our Alphabet shall be the Almond tree Farewell The seconde Booke of the Aegemonie treating of Plants as of Herbes Trees and Shrubs perticulerly and Alphabetically Of the Almond tree THe Almonde tree in Greeke is called Amygdalè in Latine Nux longa a long and straight forth kinde of Nutte Of this Aristotle hath these wordes The Almond tree sayth he requireth much attendance and diligence to be kept from endamaging and hurt whilest it is tender and yong It prospereth not vnlesse it be set in good ground in the which it yeldeth much fruite It dyeth and fadeth away whereas ouermuch â—old aboundeth Wherefore his best liking is in those Countries whereas heate raigneth It yéeldeth two seuerall kindes of fruite the one vsed to meate the other onely to medicine Diascorides sayth that if the Fox happeneth to eate and digest of this kinde of fruite he by and by dyeth except he licketh in water in the present place and that immediatlye It may peraduenture so be for that which is holsome and good for one kind oftetimes is hurtfull for another The same Author sayth also that that Almond tree which is most swéete of taste if it be once bitten or gnawen of Cattell it by and by looseth his goodnesse and becommeth most bitter and sower Of the Alder tree THe Alder tree which by corrupt and accustomed kinde of speaking they commonly call the Elder is of verie barraine and vnfruitefull nature as Theophrast witnesseth this is his onelie best and the chiefest thing he hath in that he groweth straight vp in bodie and is in his Wood and inwarde Marie very soft His growth sayth he is in moyst and watrie places and else no where Of Aloes ALoes is a precious Wood which groweth in Indie a Wood of most swéete smell verie medicinable Cardane saith it hath a great leafe and grosse verie fat whereout distilleth that kinde of Gum that is most odoriferous It is taken also with Phisitions for an Herbe which is most sharpe bitter which groweth in Indie and Persia. Of Aegraton or good old Herb. AGeraton hath one and the selfe same name both with the Gréekes and Latines and is a small shrub verie full of yong shoutes and slips It is like Origan or Marigolde hath his flower alike coloured as saith Diascorides It may be thought that it hath that name for that it preserueth a great time without losse of his vertue or not being otherwise hindered by sicknesse and age Of Agarick AGarick as sayth Diascorides hath both Male and Female and is in efficacie or effect such that it maye be applyed to all sicknesses such as the sick person must paciently abide whether that it be vsed with water or wine in which sort it is most commonly ministred Of Agrimonie AGrimonie of Mesues is named Maudlen the Latine worde is Eupatorium It is a short shrub of no great or iust height It hath his leafe parted as it were fiue portioned The decoction hereof saith Diascorides or his poulder dried is an excellent remedie against the oppilacion of the Liuer Splene by reason of fleume and is taken either the Herbe it selfe alone or else sodden among with Wine Of Annet or Dill. ANnet or Dill is an Herbe whose seede as Diascorides sayth may be kept by the space of thrée whole yeares next after it is gathered without losse in any point of his operation Of Anise ANise hath the like vertue that Dill hath but in sauour and tast it is more pleasant and sweete It commendeth vnto vs the good breath and swéete and bewraieth the coÌ„trarie Of the Apple tree THe Apple tree is of good sounde bodie of wrinckled barck and in outward Cote very full of knots In flowers at the spring time verie beautifull in swéetenesse of fruite in the Autumne almost not comparable in fruit and encrease verie wonderfull and vnder this one name it hath infinite kindes Plinie sayth that vnlesse it be often cropped and rid of superfluous and troublesome boughes it will soone war barraine and leaue off fruit bearing The same Author sayth also that the fruites hereof must be gathered in faire weather vnlesse that they being laid vp with outward plentie of accidentall and airie humor doe by and by rot he monisheth also that they be gathered before they be full ripe for their better goodnesse than being preserued Of Artichoke ARtichoke the wilde most commenly called the Thistle is an Herbe wrought and fashioned on euerie side in maner of a sting or Spearelike and hath in the top of his stalke or stem a certaine heade wherein his seede lyeth It flourisheth and liketh best in those places that be least frequented or nothing looked to Of the Balme tree THe Balme tree is rather a kinde of shrub then a Trée and may well be counted of that house for his lowe and humile kinde of growth for it heightneth neuer aboue two cubites The Timber hereof is called in Gréeke Xulobalsamon his fruite or séede Karpobalsamon the iuice is called Vpobalsamon bicause the bark of this Tree must first be stricken and hewen with Iron wedges before it yeeldeth any fruit whereby it being so wounded by and by droppeth and distilleth a certaine humor in a maner tearlike which humor thus issued through the coldenesse or other affection of the Aire about it drieth to a kinde of Gum. Plinie preferreth this his smell before all smelles But herein good heed must be taken least we match and march with the greeke Sophister And the same Plinie sayth as also Theophrast doth that it onely groweth in a certaine Dale and Ualie of Siria which Ualie hath his whole compasse in a maner in two onely Groaues and hath bene the possession of long time of two sundrie and seuerall Princes Whereof the greater was supposed to be in contents .xx. Akers and the other lesse Of Barley BArley in his excessiue Drought differreth from all other our kindes of graine and is called in Latine HordiuÌ„ as if you would say Aridum hard and drie It is neuer sowen but vpon such kind of earth as is drie Plinie saith that amongst all other kindes of corne this is last sowne with the first reaped that which also experience with vs here at home teacheth Of the Beach tree THe Beach saith Theophrast groweth only in rough places and most commonly vpon hilles It hath many and sundrie kinds of some accoumpted foure of othersome fiue In name all one but in fruit bearing euerie one disagréeing One of his kinds beareth a swéete Mast or Acorne as the Oke or Chestnut doth and of some is taken for the Oke It is called of the Greekes Phage bycause in the former time men liued
and is after sowed vp being so cut whilest it is fresh and greene with some strong binding the binding most commonly being of an Oxe his hide The true Casia we haue not neyther the true Cynamon Of the Cedar tree THe Cedar tree is in Leafe like to the Cyprouse his Wood is counted precious and is long endurable for that it neyther harboreth Moth nor Worme Wherof for this such his goodnesse the Pillars and Beames of Princes Houses and Pallaces likewise of Temples are made hereof It groweth in Affrick Crete Siria and especially vpon the Mount Libanus Rabanus sayth that it is the verie Ladie and Queene of Trées Theophrast sayth that it is of marueilous highe growth verie light straight vp about the bodie without wem or knot And aboue al places saith he that beareth the freshest and is of gréenest leaâ— that is in Corâ—ica From thence is brought that swéete Poulder which is called Cedria which they vse to bestrewe vpon Garments vpon bookes such like to preserue them from worme eating Of Cerfolie CErfolie is an Herbe in operation and working in a maner fiery His best is saith Diascorides in that that it being wrought tempered with Uirgins Waxe remedieth all kinde of swelling Of Cetewale CEtewale is an Herbe whose roote the Phisitions vse to gather in Sommer and béeing then dried indureth in good case thre whole yeares next after Of Centorie CEntorie is called the bitter Herbe for that it is most bitter in tast some call it the gal of the earth his working was first knowne by Chiron the Centaure who vsed it first in Medicine Of Celedonie CEledonie is an Herbe which beareth a Saffron coloured flower whose flower also gathered and helde in the hande dyeth and stayneth the gatherers hande Plinie sayth it is then in his best lust when as the Swallow abydeth and buildeth amongst vs and serueth the Swallow as the same Plinie and Aristotle also doe witnesse to great vse and purpose For say they if at any time by any mischaunce or fortune hir yong be hurt or perilled in their eiesight the dam goeth to this Herbe presseth forth his iuice which being so done she annoynteth it about their eyes and so restoreth them to the better and their former state and case againe Of the Cherie tree THe Cherie tree sayth Theophrast heightneth and matcheth with any in that poynt what so euer It somtime reacheth sayth he to 24. Cubites his leafe is like to the Medlar sauing that in handling of it it is somewhat more rough His flower is white which hauing gotten full ripenesse becoÌ„meth bloud red Of the Cinamon THe Cinamon shouteth forth out of a yong set or spring in bignesse about two Cubits It groweth in Indie and Arabia as Theophrast mentioneth and is called Cinamon for that it hath his top as it were folded or plaited It is of ashie and duskie colour his Leafe is like to wilde Maioram It neuer smelleth till it be throughly drie It groweth amongst Briers and verie hard Rocks and is gathered with much paine and difficultie In Fables we find that this fruit is found in the Phoenix Nest. Theophrast sayth that is of the best goodnesse which is next to the twiggs and top and that is lesse good which is next to the roote Of the Ciprous tree THe Ciprous tree is so named of the Gréekes as Isidore saith for that in his growth and especially beneath about his roote it figureth the Pine Apple tree or that figure which the Geomitricians call Conus It is singuler in swéete smell And for this purpose they were wont in olde time to burie their dead with the Wood hereof hereby thinking to kéepe vnder and to suppresse all ill smelles and sauours of dead Carcasses Of Cokkell COkkell is an vnprofitable Herbe or rather to giue him his right name a hurtfull wéede which will alwayes be medling with the pure Wheate and doeth often choke it vp and hindreth his growth So that the old Prouerbe is herein verified the ill wéede ouercroppeth the good corne Of Coltes foote COltes foote of some is called Bethicon of the Egyptians Suartha His leaf is like to the I uie leafe It ariseth from the roote direct and straight vp Of Coriander COriander hath his name common with vs and the Gréekes For it séemeth to be so called Apo tou koriou of plentie of séede Which séede being taken in sweete wine prouoketh a man to much venerie But this being after this sort drunke without moderation or reason in so taking it causeth Phrensie and madnesse Of the Chestnut tree THe Chestnut tree is a verie tough wood and so massie or sound that it maye be the principall Beame in all buildings It is so fertile and ranke in yong shoote and slippe besides this in budding and giuing of flowre that being once cut or hacked in pieces will be the better for that and bud so much the more It is called Castanea in Latine quasi Castraria à Castrando bicause it is so often lopped or gelt or bicause it is first opened before it is rosted in the fier Some saye that those kinde of Coles wherewith the Smith mollifieth and worketh his Iron are made with this Of Chastlambe CHastlambe or Agnus castus hath yâ— flowre and séede that being digested of vs openeth forthwith the poores of the bodie consumeth and drieth vp that naturall moysture within Diascorides sayeth that with so working it maketh men chaste Of Crowtoe CRowtoe of some is called Vacinium in Greeke Iacynthos It hath a leaf like to Porret a handfull in height in bredth it is lesse or more small than a Maidens finger His colour is greene as the preciâ—us stone is of yâ— name his top is full of Purple flowers His roote circle-like or round It being drunken saith Diasco with Wine purgeth the Gall of his superfluousnesse Of this Herbe .ij. sundrie fables haue sprong vp with the Poets One that it was first a Boy entierly beloued of Apollo whome he at a time by a certaine mischaunce slew which thing done in his furie lesse that with his death his memorie should also die he turned him into this kind of Herbe or Plant. Another is that it sprang vp of Aiax bloud the most valiant Captain that euer the Greekes had And for the remembraunce of so worthie a Knight or rather Princelie and Heroicall person the Gods are said to haue giuen to this Herbe two vaynes figuring and euidently shewing these two Letters A. and I. with vs it is commonly named as we said before Crowtoe Of Crowfoote CRowfoote of some is called Astrion The Romanes in their phrase of speach call it bloudie leafe It spreadeth sayth Diascorides all abrode vpon the earth rather than by anye meanes it should heighthen His leafe is cut about or bepinked It beareth yelowe flowers called Goldknops and wheresoeuer it groweth whosoeuer list to dig vnder and about it shall neuer finde his roote without great store of humor and water
principall and pure loue betweene the Male and the Female after that they be once knit togither and haue as all Mates haue house and home and all things necessarie common to them both alike Insomuch that they liue alwayes and go togither to séeke their foode and such like So that if it be by any meanes that any man kill either of these by any mishap or by good will the other left aliue pursueth after the slear with incredible care and couetise to reuenge And killeth him in whatsoeuer thorow fare or throng of people he can finde him vnlesse he hastneth the sâ—oner away escapeth by straigts of narrow rowme or by often turning and ouercrossing the way or by passage had ouer Flouds and Riuers But Nature hath yet for all this bene mans friend for wheras if with hir flight and swift glauncing vppon the earth she had eiesight alike to it she would soone be requited and woulde soone come by him she is herein somewhat behind and hindred and is saide to pursue him onely by hearing whereas he is and by sharpe smell There is as Isidore reporteth fiue kindes of Aspis The first named Dipsas in Gréeke in Latine Situla Thristie Snake It is of white colour clouen in the taile and beset with black spots or strikes He that is stung with this Snake or Worme shall féele such excessiue heate vnquenchable thirst in himselfe that by no meanes he can quench his thirst neyther by Wine by Milke by Beare or Ale or by cleare water But the more he drinketh the more he may Insomuch that through thirst at the last he dieth as Isidor witnesseth The second Aspis is called Hypnalis which killeth a man as he is in sléepe Which kinde of Snake Cleopatra vsed and therewithall died in his bed with very much ease The thirde is called Emorrois which whome soeuer it byteth he shall sweate forth bloud It so loseneth the Uaynes and openeth verie wide the poores of the bodie The fourth is called Prester which alwayes runneth towards a man with open mouth and hath a verie lothsome and ill smelling breath The fift is called Septabificus which by bit and stinging causeth a man to consume away and giueth him so a deadly deathes wound Of the Asse THe Asse is named after Etimologie of Latine worde Rescuy beast for that men at the firste were saine to rescue them selues in iourneying by setting thereon or as some say for that it is a beast of dull wit groâ—e sense Senos in Gréeke say some is Sensus and Asenos insensible or slow It is of verie heauie and dul nature His chiefest foode saith Auicen are Briers and Brembles And Aristotle semeth to becken to him for that he sayth thus The Asse by briestling amongest the Bushes and Briers hindreth the small Birdes in bringing vp their yong and in their Nest building And therefore the little Sparrowes doe him all the mischiefe that they can And will often peck at him with their Bill And especially then when as the Asse by rubbing himselfe against the Thornes or Briers causeth their Nest to goe to wrack Therefore when as the Asse braieth which is a horrible fearefull kinde of noise to them they al then flie away for a good time And comming againe afterwarde to the place where he is and espying him prickled in any place by rubbing him amongst the Briers in the place so raw and hurt they neuer leaue off pecking til they haue made it very sore haue eaten it in verie déepely by this meanes hunting him and compelling him to go awaye as fast as he can from their nestes Here we sée that a smal sillie Bird knoweth how to match with so great a Beast Auicen sayth that the Crowe and the Asse are at naturall â—nmitie For so soone as the Crow espieth the Asse she flieth and flacketh about his eies face pecketh and scratcheth out his eien But it is very seldome that she pecketh them cleane out he hath suche a deepe settling of his eien Plinie saith that he loueth his yong so tenderly that he runneth through fier and water to saue theÌ„ Although it be most against his will to aduenture in the waters Of the Ant or Emote THe Ant is called in Latine Formica quasi micas ferens carying hir meate by crummes into hir Lodge Solinus sayth that they be but of small bignesse but of great discipline or skill in prouision for them theirs Plinie in his .ix. Booke and .xxxj. chapter saith that they are all busied alike and be about the like businesse dailie and by companies hunt about to finde victualles They haue amongst them a Publicke weale euerie one for his power tendring maintaining it Their sorest labour is when the Moone is at the full and rest then when as the Moone is at the chaunge Aristotle in his 8. Booke de animalibus sayth that they haue a very perfite sense of smelling hating all strong and noysome smelles as suffumigation of Brimstone or Harts horne being beaten to pouder Plinie saith in his S. booke that when the Beare sickneth or feeleth hir selfe not well at ease that then she scrapeth in the earth with hir Pawes entending to find of these which being found and presently eateÌ„ of hir she recouereth hir selfe and is well Of the Bee THe Bee sayeth Plinie in his .xij. Booke is one of those kindes that be cut and girdled about in their parts which although it be but little yet is verie fruitfull Isidor sayth that it is called in Latin Apes for that it is first born without any feete Aristotle sayth that it is engendred of the deade bodie or carcasse of the Bullock It is one of those that teÌ„der common profite And hath within the Hiue as it were within the Citie his â—entes Courts of very good workmanship Of some they are reputed ciuill for that they haue their King Guides and euerie one also distinct and seueral offices So that some are onely set ouer the residue to sée that euery one laboureth in his calling Other some labour themselues part by going abrode to bring home sweete Hony part by staÌ„ding at the Hiue doore as it were at receipt of such as the other bring home part playe the workmen within and amende or make vp a newe all such things as are amisse and euery one of them knoweth his dutie At that time that their King is present with them they liue euen as they will but he being once absent the whole swarme is disturbed and fléeth waÌ„dring by companies it cannot tell whither Such safegarde haue they by their King that they cannot be well without him So that if he happeneth eyther through casuall or naturall death to die they mourne for him a long time after carie him to sepulture as solemly after their sorte as our mourners doe Of the Beare THe Beare with hir mouth licking bringeth hir yong which be at the first without al fashion to that
forme which they haue and is called Vrsus as Isidor reporteth quod ortos digerat lanbendo for that by often licking she bringeth euerie parte in them to an order The best in all the whole kinde is as we find for that she can play the Phisition for hir selfe for she being crased and distempered within hir bodie vseth hir claw for a spade and diggeth vp Emmets or Ants out of the ground which being taken she immediatlye recouereth Of the Beuer. THe Beuer saith Plinie liueth and is found in the I le of Pontus and is one of those sorts which are called doubtfull for often exchaunge had in place where they liue for they liue one while altogither vpon the earth and do accompanie other brute beasts those which sâ—ray abrode are foure footed another while they are conuersaÌ„t in the waters and liue the fishes and serpents life When they are huÌ„ted they espying the Huntesman earnestly pursuing them least through such occasion they should be letted in their flight the Male is reported to bite off his owne stones and to gelde himselfe and by that meanes becommeth very swift He hath his taile not much vnlike the fishe and the residue of his bodie not much vnlike to the Otter Of the Boare THe Boare saith Isidore in Latine vocable or word is called Aper a feritate of fiercenesse or wildenesse chaunge of the Letter P. had into the letter F. of the Latines he is eftsoones called Verres for his great streÌ„gth He being gelt sayth Plinie Auicen becommeth so much the more fierce and wilde whereas all other Creatures liuing waxe thereby the more milâ—e His armourie is a sort of strong â—ushes or tuskes and sharpe His vse is to kéepe a good while in his mouth the stalke or sedge of Barley such as is sharpe to enter to the skin kéeping it of purpose to file sharpen his tushes which if it will not he hunteth after the Herbe Organnie of some called wilde Maioram which he vseth as a Whetstone to whet his téeth withall Aristotle in his sixt booke de Animalibus sayth that the Boare at such time as he hath yong is most cruell and fierce insomuch that he can not abide any man to come nigh him but is maruellously vexed with him Of the Bull. THe Bull is the hée Bullock not gelt or hauing lost his parts to generation Plinie sayth in his .viij. booke that his noble courage is in his looke in his frowning countnance or forehead Aristo sayth that he hath his Liuer round in a maner like to a man his liuer And is fed alone before such time as the Male Female doe conioyne but afterward at that time he féedeth and associateth in selfe him pasture with the Bullock They are said to striue one with another for the Female which they best like and after much strife and warring had who so first tireth and is wearie is counted vanquished the other the vanquisher forthwith runneth to the Female and leapeth vp vpon hir back and so satisfieth his desired lust Of the Bugle or wilde Oxe THe Bugle or the wilde Oxe is said to be so wilde that his necke by no meanes can be brought vnder the yoke And is called Bubalus for nigh resemblance to our Oxe In Affrick they are verie plentifull he is of great strength and force almost not to be tamed but only with an Iron ring put through his Nostrils or Snowte wherewith they leade him whither they list There is another kinde of wilde Oxe which the Philosophers call Aptaleo but nothing so huge or great but hath hornes much greater very sharpe also wherewith he heweth downe trées and thrusting vp his hornes sometimes vp to the boughes of the Trées entending to reach foode thereby doth now then with force of his hornes had sticke fast by them in the Tree wherewith he being chafed and vexed howleth out aloude whose horrible crie the Huntesman hauing once hard runneth with fast foote thither whereas he is snared and so commeth by him and else by no other meanes and so sleaeth him There is also another kinde of wilde Oxe or Bull called of Aristotle Plinie Bonasus a little shorter than our Bull but more thickly set and hath his Mane like to our Horse His flesh is Uenesonlike for the which he is so often hunted And in the game time he vseth this knack or propertie he runneth vntill he be wearie and in his flight taking and course he flingeth forth and befowleth behinde both of his vrine and dung euen whole furlongs long after him and with such annoiance wearieth the Courser or Huntesman Of Barbell the fish BArbill is called the beard fish for that on both sides of hir Mouth she hath finnes like to a hairie beard In Greeke she is called Trigla with the Germanes Ein Berb Of this kinde Oppiane singeth thus Accipiunt Triglae trino cognomina partu The Barbill for hir oft increase Trigla by name is called Thrise in the yeare she giueth yong herein all kindes excelled Aristotle in his fift Booke de Historia animalia affirmeth that this kinde bringeth forth yong thrise in the yeare Of Calamarie the fish CAlamarie the fish of many Authors called Loligo hath his head betwene his hinder parts and his bellie and hath two bones the one like to a knife the other like to a quill she is like the Cuttle but that she is a little longer and in that they differ also for that the Cuttle sheweth and poureth out a black kinde of bloud in all hir feare and disturbance this Calamarie vomiteth a good red pure bloud Of the Cammell THe Cammell by Gréeke word is called Kâ—mae his signification for the moste part is lowlinesse and submission And well had the Cammell this name for that at euery burthen laide vpon him to ease the labourer he lyeth downe suffering him to lay it on euen as he will There are two kindes of Cammels one which is onely in Arabie which hath two kibes in his back the other in many other countries al plain in his back His vse is to iourney no further at one time than he hath bene before vsed accustomed to at another neither to cary heauier burthen at another time then he before hath carried They liue some of them .50 yeres and some of them .100 They can be without water the space of foure whole dayes and haue their best delight in drinking then when as by foote they trouble the water Aristotle sayth that there is in the Cammels a certaine honest care to kéepe themselues within their boundes For they thinke it vnnaturall and a most haynous offence to haue adoe with their Dam. There was in a certaine Citie saith he the Mother or Dam of a yong and lustie Cammell all couered ouer with a cloth with whome the yong one being incensed vnwittingly attempted and assayed generation who or it were long thrâ—ugh ruffling of the cloth by certaine notes espying that it was
his Dam came down and ceased therein before he had his full lust and biting hir most cruelly through extreeme anger slue hir The like example of honestie obseruing he rendreth there of a certaine mans Horse Of the Cameloparde THe Cameloparde hath the very head of a Cammell the necke like our Horse and feete like the Bugle or wilde Oxe He breedeth in Ethiope he is bespotted stayned dyuersely with diuers colours in a maner like the Libard Of the Cameleon TThe Cameleon is a small kinde of beast whose bodie is such that with easie conuersion it chaungeth into all colours a few onely excepted Auicen sayth that it is all one with Stellio or Cosin germane to the Lysarde for that he hath on his backe light spots like stars And for that feare that it is naturally in and the paucitie or rarenesse of bloud he hath so often and so diuers transfiguration in colour It is verie commonly sayd with the olde versifiers and those also which would be estéemed Philosophers that the Cameleon liueth onely by ayre as the Moule doth by the earth alone The Héering by the water the Salamander by the fire And these be their verses wherein they shew this purpose Quatuor ex Puris vitam ducunt Elementis Cameleon Talpa Maris Halec Salamandra Terra cibat Talpam flamme Pascunt Salamandram Vnda fit Halecibus cibus aer Cameleonti These fower Elements giue foode to fower things eche other The Herring Moule and Cameleon and eke the Salamander With earth the Moule is said to feede â–ª with flame the Salamander And water is the Herrings meate the Cameleons the ayer Of the bird Caladrius THe Caladrius sayth Aristotle is of milkie colour without any black spot whose naturall propertie is this that when as any man is grieuously payned with sicknesse or disease if there be any hope of recouerie in the partie so diseased she hath alwayes a cheerefull looke towardes him if there be no amendment that it can perceiue it is of very sad looke and countenaunce neuer giuing him cherefull looke or once looking at all that way Of the Carpe THe Carpe is a kinde of fish well knowne of vs she is arayed in all hir whole bodie with hir coate of fence that is stiffe seales of meane indifferent bignesse insomuch that there hath bene found of this kinde some waying ten pound she is of very soft fâ—esh phlegmatike with the Germanes it is called Karpff Erasmus called it in Latine Carpa when as other called it Carpio Of the Cat. THe Cat in Latin is called Catus as if you woulde say Cautus warie or wise In Gréeke she is named Galiootes with the Germaines Kaiz She is to the Mouse a continuall enimie verie like to the Lyon in tooth and clawe and vseth to pastime or play with the Mouse ere she deuoureth hir She is in hir trade and maner of liuing very shamefast alwayes louing clenlinesse There is also a kind hereof called the wild Cat which of all things is annoyed with the smell of Rue and the Almond leafe and is driuen away with that sooner then with any other thing Of the Crab. THe Crab in Gréeke is called Kakrinos in the Germanes language Krebs with the Frenchmen Crabe Plinie vsed this Latine worde Cancer for a generall or coÌ„mon name for all such as haue weare shaled garments The Crabs saith Lonicer haue a porcion of venome and that occult or hid comming from their taile in the middle of their backes by line or thréede which kinde of matter pulled out before they are sodden leaueth the whole altogither pure and without corrupting Of the Serpent Cerastes CErastes the Serpent hath on both sides of his heade as it were the hornes of a Ram bending vpward and wreathen all about He lurketh sayth Isidore in the high grasse wherin nothing can be espied of him sauing onelye his hornes which thing the small Birdes of the field espying wéening to find as in all other dead bodies their hornes wormes meate alone for their appetite and desire they being busie and pickling on them not knowing this Serpent his deceipt hid are caught of him with a sodaine twining of himselfe about them and are so sodainely snared The like wiles he vseth with horse and man to lie as though he were deade or secretlye as though there were none such yet whilest they vnawares tread vpon him he twineth about either them and so stingeth them Of the Coccatrise THe Coccatrise by his Gréeke name should séeme to haue bene sometime reckened the Prince in his kinde for he is reported to be the king of all other Serpents For al things lyuing whatsoeuer they be comming into fight with him flie back He is so poysonous that he killeth with his breath There is no birde that escapeth him that commeth in his dent but she is his owne yet Nature for this thing hath well prouided For they vse to seeke for the Weasell which will haue this kind of serpent tamed The greatest stature that it is of is not aboue .xij. inches or there about Of the Crocodile THe Crocodile is called yelow Snake for that he is in colour most Saffron like Isidore in his .xij. booke He is one of those kinds which alwayes keepe not in one and the same place or which are not pleased long with Elements alike One while he is coÌ„uersant vpon the earth another while in the waters He is of such hard skin that being stroke in the back or bodie with violent stroke of stone or Iron sâ—ing estéemeth it not a Rush. In the night time he harboureth in the waters in the day time he liueth vpon the earth Aristotle sayth that the Crocodile alone amongst all other Creatures liuing moueth the vpper lip and keepeth the neather lip vnmoueable contrarie to all other herein It is a most glotonous serpent and a verie rauener who when he is farced full lyeth all long by the Banckes side belching and panting as though he woulde burst Wherevpon saith Tullie when he is in this case and so farre gone a certaine little small birde called of vs the Wren or Kinges birde of the Gréekes Trochylos flieth towarde him and often assayeth or he can come by his purpose to go into his throte or intrailes but is repelled so long as he is awake but falling once on sléepe and opening his iawes as he vseth being on sleepe the Wren goeth into his throte and being within there a certaine time by flickring and mouing causeth his throte to itche wherewith he being delighted at the last falleth on sound sléepe The Bird perceyuing this goeth further to his heart and pecketh at it with hir bill and at the last gnaweth it out and so féedeth hir selfe full and escapeth away The like thing is read of Enidros the Serpent which creepeth in the grasse of Nilus who being eaten downe quicke of the Crocodile gnaweth his heart out in sunder within and so killeth him Of Chelidros the Serpent CHelidros the
that his onely bloud being kept warme suppleth the Adamantstone and dissolueth it whereas no fire is able to doe it Of the Griphin THe Griphin is a Foule of plentifull and thicke fether foure footed withall This kinde of Foule is saide to liue in the Hilles or Mountaines called Hiperborei which be as some say set in the fardest part of the North right vnder the Northpole In their head they be like the Lion in wing flight like the Eagle It is saide to be enuious both to Horse and Man Some say that they are set to kéepe the Precious stones as the Smarage the Iasper and so forth of such as grow there And to looke to them Of the Hare THe Hare is called lightfoote after the Gréek worde Pâ—ox is a swift runner It hath no defence for it selfe but onely swift â—light Wherewith it eftsoones escapeth They sléepe not as others doe their eielids being shut Aristotle saith in his third booke de Historia amimaliuÌ„ that his feete is hairie beneath towardes his paw which thing in others is neuer espied Of the Hearon or Hernsew THe Hearon or Hearnsew is called Ardea for mouÌ„ting aloft It caÌ„ not abide showers of raine but to be out of their dent she flieth farre aboue the clowdie Region of the Ayre there where as raine is ingendred With this hir high flight she serueth some to prognasticate ill weather Of the Hercynie Birdes HErcynie Birdes take their name of the place where they breede the place is called Hercinia a Wood in Germanie béeing in breadth .xi. dayes iourney in length .xl. whose feathers shine so by night when as the Ayre is shut in that although the night be neuer so darcke and close yet they giue then their best light so that to a man iourneying they are to his great furderance being cast before him in the way whereas he goeth Of the Hedgehog THe Hedgehog hath a sharp and quickthorned garment on his backe He presageth by such skil as he hath what blastes of winds what tempestes will follow Plinie sayth that he hath good knowledge in the difference of the Northren and Southren windes wherevpon he saith that on a time a certaine man in the Citie Constantinople kept a Hedgehog in his Gardaine by which he would alwayes know whether of these two winds blew truely and infallibly He is as good a meates man and Catour for him selfe as any thing liuing is For when his vittayles be scant or nighe well spent he getteth abrode to Orchards and Groaues where he hunteth after Uines and other the best fruite At the Uine as likewise at the Apple tree he playeth his part thus He goeth vp to the boughes shaketh them downe When he hath perceiued he hath shakeÌ„ downe inough he commeth apace downe and gathereth the Grapes or Apples dispersed abrode togither and when he hath done he falleth heauily vpon the heape and so almost on euerie prickle or brestle he getteth an Apple or Grape and home he goeth Of the Horse HOrses at the first were called Equi as they be yet for that they were coupled by paire and Mates and were so vsed to the Chariote or Wagon Of some they are called Sonipedes for noyse making with their feete They be of that sort that are well stomaked their pastime is by coursing and running in the fieldes They know well and are acquainted with the sound of the Trumpet and therewith haue the better will to warre It is a griefe to them to be conquered and they are as ioconde if they win Some of them haue such memorie that they know their Aduersarie wil when it shal happen waite them a good turne Some will not suffer no other man to come on their backe saue onely their Maister as Bucephalus King Alexander the great his Horse Plinie saith that there is a certaine obseruancie in kinred and bloud with these Aristotle in his 8. booke de animalibus recordeth of a King in the North which had a very faire Mare who brought forth a very faire Fole or yong horse and within fewe yeares after estéeming so much this kinde was verie desirous to haue more of the same broode Insomuch that he shut them vp alwayes in Stable togither This done of a long time and espying them nothing forward in this point thought he would work a pollicie with them as he did For after that he seperated them the one from the other Insomuch that the one mought forget the other And after such time had and the Dam so attired vsed that the Colt should espie no apparant signe that she should be his Dam was brought to the Mare thus vsed frollick and lustie and he not knowing of this and vnwitting fell anone to coniunction and ere he had ended the Dams face by chaunce discouered he was by and by at this daunted departing as it were in a frensie and running vp vppon a certaine Mountaine threw downe himselfe headlong and dyed Of the Iay. THe Iay by that onely propertie that is applied to him is called the chatting Birde Whereof arose first this Prouerbe bestowed vpon such men as be neuer wel but when they be pratling Graculus graculo assidet One knaue or praâ—ler will alwayes accompanie another And againe Graculo cum fidibus nihil And toucheth them that lacketh both eloquence and learning scorne at them which haue both Of Ibis the Bird. IBis the Bird of the floud Nilus purgeth hir selfe with pouring in with hir bill â—ater into hir fundament as Isidore witnesseth she liueth by the egges of Serpentes carieth them to hir nest fedeth thereof as of the best meate that she is delighted with This bird profiteth Aegipt verie much and is the best riddance or conueiaunce that they haue of such discommodities as be brought by Serpentes out froÌ„ Libia to Aegypt by the Southrene winds Plinie in his .viij. Booke Of the Lapwing THe Lapwings name is borowed Apo tou ololuzeìn that is of sorowing and heauy note or crie for when he crieth he mourneth lamenteth wherfore in olde time the Soothsaiers Augurers tooke heede to his crie did prognosticate therby ill wether to come And when as this kind lamented they sayde it betokened heauie tidings to come when she flew quietly they professed prosperitie thereby and good luck for to come Of the Larke THe Larke of many is called Woodlarke He foresheweth with his pleasant note as also the Nightingale doth the day his comming appéering as Cicero sheweth in his Prognostickes Et matutinos exercet acredula voces The wodlarke as the Nightingale that houre and tune doth keepe And sheweth by hir pleasant note when men should rise from sleepe Of the Leach or Bloudsucker THe Leach or Bloudsucker is a worme of the water verie desirous of bloudsucking She lyeth in waite for such kinde of cattaile as come to the water to drinke and cleaueth fast twineth about their hooues drincketh bloud hir fill when she hath so
done she vomiteth it forth againe and falleth to fresh bloud anew Of the fish Lucius LVcius of many men is called the Macrell The Germaines call it Ein Macrell The Latins Luciê° by the figure Antiphrasis which is when a word hath a contrarie signification They say that this fish kéepeth alwaies at the verie bottome of the waters so auoyding as it were all cleare light whither when as the fishermen by night saile with firebrand torch so that they espie it they amazed there at and astonyed in their flight are so caught Of the Lamprey THe Lamprey in Gréeke is called Muraina with the Germanes Ein Bricken there is of this kinde two sorts both differing in colour For the one is blacke in colour died among with ashie spots the other is white hauing black spots She swimmeth all whole in flexible sort and all alike bending hir bodie aboue the land she creepeth no other wise then our serpents doe The best of this stock or kind are those that be called Flutae in Greke Plootai good saylers or fluites for that they kéeping alwayes at the waters highest can not be drowned Antonia Drusus wife had such delight in a Lamprey that she dressed and arayed hir all ouer with golde Ringes and the same beset aboute with precious Stones Likewise Crassus by surname the rich so loued a Lamprey of his owne bringing vp that when she dyed he lamented sore and bestowed also great cost of hir burying And wheÌ„ as he was laughed to scorne of Lucius Domitius for so doing he gaue him this aunswere Thou marueylest sayth he why I so bewaile this Fishes death But I marueile more at him that hauing had the losse of thrée Wyues neuer yet for ought that I could sée bewayled it This Domitius is reported to haue poysoned thrée Wiues for hope that he had of rewarde or greater riches thereby Of the Leoparde THe Leoparde is a very tiraunte aduouterous also in his kinde as saith Plinie The Lionnesse and Leoparde hauing coniunction togither or the Lion and Libardesse bring forth a third kinde euen as the Horse and Asse or hée Horse and Mare doe The Female saith Aristotle is more cruell than the Male his colour is bespotted about his vpper parte of bodie and his féete also and taile are all alike to the Lion in outwarde shew But in the head they haue their difference In bodye he is lesse than the Lion And by that meanes he is euen with the Lion and not behinde him in reuenging as Homer witnesseth He hath his cabbage in the yearth with two contrary wayes vndermined to enter into it or to run out of it at his pleasure verie wide at the comming in but as narrow and straight about the mid cabbage whether his enimie the Lion running sometimes after him and a pace at the first coÌ„ming in thither is narrowly pent Insomuch that he cannot neyther get forward nor backwarde That seing the Leoparde he running a pace out at the furder hole and commeth to that wheras the Lion first ran in and hauing him hard pent his back towardes him bighteth scratchet him with tooth and Nayle And so by art the Leoparde getteth the victory and not by strength The same Leopard also saith Plinie séeketh after the broode of the wild gote entending therewith to recouer his health Of Lynx the beast LYnx in face is like to the Lion in bodie bespotted like the Panther his vrine is of that set or nature that it turneth by and by into a precious stone which we before called Ligurius He so enuieth man and would that he should not be the better for this that he hideth and couereth his vrine with dust yearth to the intent that no man should find it but Plinie saith it is so much the better in his effect working Of the Lyon THe Lyon in his greeke vocable and worde is interpreted King he is reported to be the King ouer all other beastes There are diuers of this kind â–ª they only differing in their Mane eyther long or short His strength is in his hed His vertue in his heart he sléepeth as the Hare doth with eielids vnshut When he awaketh forth out of sléepe he rubbeth out the print of his bodie and steps least the huntesman espying them should easily finde him out He is verie gentle to man neuer hurteth him vnlesse he be greatly iniuried by him or that he is throughly an huÌ„gry He knoweth sayth Plinie when the Lyonesse hath played him false play and hath played the Aduoutresse with the Libard by a certaine rammish smel or sweate which ariseth of them both Yet if she washeth hir selfe throughly she may deceyue him Aristotle sayth that the Lionesse at the first birth or broode bringeth forth most of hir yong then after that she lesseneth euerie broode one For at the first she bringeth forth fiue at the second time foure at the thirde time thrée at the fourth time two at the fift one and euer after that she is sterill and barraine Of their remembrance of a good turne I néede not speake or howe they haue done man a good turne one for another As that which had a thorne in hir Claw being holpen of one named Androdus eased thereof euen when as he through enuie was deliuered vp to be punished throweÌ„ into hir Denne that Lionesse that he eased so before did then well remember him As also I néede not to speak how God oftentimes brideleth in all beastes deuouring whatsoeuer to shew his pleasure and possibilitie what he can doe and worke by meanes of these There was a fierce hungrie Lyon let loose to Darius the Martyr which not onely hurt him not but also preserued him from the crueltie of other brute beastes As likewise Daniell scaped scotchfrée by Gods prouidence turning the fierce countenaunce of that Lion that his enimies had thought would haue soone deuoured him into a fawning and chearefull looke not once hauing power to hurt him Hamo a Carthagien borne is first reported to haue tamed the Lion Memnonides or the Birdes of Aegypt MEmnonides or the Birdes of Aegypt are named of the place where Memnon the Sonne of Thiton which came to the aide and rescewing of the Troians died and is buried They are saide to flie by companies out of Aegypt to olde Troie to Memnon his Sepulchre and to be onely his memoriall and are therefore called of some the Troian Memnonides as Isidore recordeth in his .xij. Booke Euerie fift yeare they flie to Troie and flie about Priam his Pallace and that two whole dayes space the thirde day they make battaile betwene themselues and doe torment and slea one another with their sharpe nayles beck Of the Moth. THe Moth is our Garment worme and by his latine worde is called Tinea holdefast for it biding in one place in the Garment neuer leaueth it til it be gnawen and eaten forth thorow Isidore saith it mought be named Pertinax peruerse for
in Gréeke is called Perkae with the Germanes Ein Bersig with the Frenchmen Perche some think that it is called Parca by Antiphrasis signifying another thing then the worde sheweth For with whome soeuer she is angrie she woundeth him with hir â—innes or if she can not come by him they are sure to haue it that are next to hir There is hereof both Male and Female But they haue their difference for the Male hath his â—innes red the Female hath not so Lonicer sayth that when as the fish Lucius is hurte or sore wounded of any other kinde and can not helpe hir selfe she seeketh out the Pearch which so soone as she sées him she toucheth and suppleth his woundes and so is she healed It is a fishe of verie tender meate or flesh As Ausonius recordeth of hir thus Nec te delitias mensarum Parca silébo Amongst the kindes of delicate meates the Perch I would haue spred Whose flesh so soft and morsell sweete in all feastes is the hed Of the Puttock THe Puttock sayth Isidore got his name of his soft flight Miluus sayth he is quasi mollis soft of flight It is one of the rauenous sort making hauock of the small birds Tullie in his second booke De natura Deorum saith that the Puttock and the Rauen or Crowe be at naturall enmitie togither Insomuch that one of them when they may come by them breaketh anothers Egges Aelianus thinketh that the Male in this kinde is seldome or neuer séene Insomuch that the Female stretching hirselfe along and conuersant toward the East and south conceiueth so bringeth forth yong They also beare a continuall hatred to the Fox Of the Pye THe Pie is reckned Mars his bird It had his Latin name first of Pycus Saturnes sonne which in his prophesying and soothsaying vsed this birde as Ouid witnesseth By Gréeke name he is called the Okes griefe for that with his Bill he pecketh maketh hollow the Oke with such daylie accustoming In one and the selfe same day he chaungeth his tune Of Rhinoceros RHinoceros in Gréeke is interpreted horned beast or Monoceron and is englished the Vnicorne Plinie in his .viij. booke saith that his Horne is set aboue his nostrils His continuall strife is with the Elephant vseth to defend himself thus WheÌ„ he seeith his enimie come he whetteth his Horne against sharpe stones then setteth on and in his fight wardeth and foyneth at the Elephant his bellye the most tender part that he hath and so riddeth him Of Rinatrix the Serpent RInatrix is a Serpent which with enuenoming poysoneth the water so that into what cleare Fountaine or Riuer he swimmeth he infecteth it as Lucane witnesseth Rinatrix violator Aquae c. The Rinatrix of Serpents kinde and the poysonous Snake With intermedling doth infect eche Pond and euerie Lake Of the Salamander THe Salamander as Plinie saith is like the Lyzard in face and countenaunce He infecteth the fruites of Trees and corrupteth the waters so that whosoeuer drinketh thereof dyeth by and by He liueth onely in the fire and is nothing hurt through the fire his flame Of the Salmon THe Riuer Rhenus and Rhodanus in this kinde doe alone excell The fishe it selfe is big and fat His meate or flesh is red in tast verie swéete the Germanes call it Ein Salmen The Frenchmen Saulmon Plinie in his .ix. booke and .xviij. Chapter preferreth hir before all those Sea fishes which accustome to Aquitania the floud which are many and great and reckned daintie Of the Scorpion THe Scorpion is a Serpent of the earth stinging deadly with his taile and of some is called flatering worme for faire face shewed and friendly countenaunce But if any man come neare hir behinde she payéth him home Plinie sayth that it bringeth forth yong sometime seauen at once whereof the Dam eateth vp fiue of them but the other the wisest of them get about their Mothers backe and buttocks and so bite hir This kind sleaeth his parents and hath onelye care to reuenge their Brothers quarrell and in that point Nature well prouided that their should be no great multiplying in so perilous a stocke and kind Orion when as he had made that boast that the earth shoulde bring forth no suche Monster but he would kill it the earth it selfe cast vp such a ScorpioÌ„ as slue him in the presence of the people with most sharpe sting Of the Silkeworme THe Silkeworme is the Trée or his braunches worme by whose web weauing silkes are made She is called Bombix for that she leaueth nothing in hir bellie but emptie ayer whilest she is about spinning of hir thréede Of the Sole THe Sole Varro calleth Lingulaca for his great sound The Frenchemen Sole It is a kinde of fish all plaine of verie soft meate or flesh and easie to digest Of the Sow THe Sow is called Sus of wrooting vp the clots of the yearth with hir beake or snoute She beareth saith Plinie somtime foure somtime fiue at once sometime moe but cannot bring them all wel vp and therefore eateth vp some of them it hath bene sene that she hath eaten vp all hir broode saue onely the oldest whome she most entierly loueth and him shée féedeth most often giueth him or hir the best teate As Aristotle saith Of the Shoueler THe Shoueler is called Platalea sayth Tullie he getteth his meate with flight had to those birds that déeuing downe to the waters to ketch fish drowne themselues or if any come out with any pray he méeteth them presseth their heades till they let go that which they haue caught Of the Sparrow THe Sparrow is called Passer a Paruitate of small or little quantitie Tullie in his Diuination saith that they should be in those kindes that are noted to prognosticate for saith he that kinde of diuination which is marked by euent or animaduersion is not naturall but artificiall of these some be perceiued to be done by sodain coniecture as Calcas with Homer which through a certaine number of smal Sparrowes prophesied and diuined before of the Citie of Troie his siege It is in his kinde very lasciuious and rioting It flieth in his extremity alwaies to man for helpe Seuerus the Abbat had a Sparrow that for feare came flying to rescue him into his handes was glad to take meate at his hands he reaching it him Of Stellio STellio the starred and speckled beast saith Plinie liueth most by the dew of Heauen and spirite of the earth And all his best iolytie is in counâ—erfayting colours yet for all that is venemous Of the Swallow THe Swallow saith Aristo in his sixe booke de Animalibê° maketh hir nest bréedeth twise in the yeare and that is done so artificially as man cannot deuise to better it Isidore saith that he is so named for eating his meate as he flieth about in the ayre or for often turning and retire had to one and the same place Aristotle saith in the same