than to flie from it to the leaues of the Ash. A wonderfull goodnesse of dame Nature that the Ash bloometh and flourisheth alwaies before that serpents come abroad and neuer sheddeth leaues but continueth greene vntill they be retired into their holes and hidden within the ground CHAP. XIIII ¶ Of the Line or Linden tree two sorts thereof GReat difference there is euery way between the male female Linden tree for the wood of the male is hard and knottie of a redder colour also and more odoriferous than the female The barke moreouer is thicker and when it is plucked from the tree it is stiffe and will not bend It beareth neither seed nor floure as the female doth which also is rounder and bigger in bodie and the wood is whiter more faire and beautifull by farre than is the male A strange thing it is to consider that there is no liuing creature in the world will touch the fruit of the Linden tree and yet the juice both of leaf and barke is sweet ynough Between the bark and the wood of this tree there be thin pellicles or skins lying in many folds together whereof are made bands cords called Brazen ropes The finest of these pellicanes or membrans serued in old time for to make labels and ribbands belonging to chaplets and it was reputed a great honor to weare such The timber of the Linden or Tillet tree will neuer be worm-eaten The tree it selfe is nothing tall but of a meane height howbeit the wood is very commodious CHAP. XV. ¶ Ten kinds of the Maple tree THe Maple in bignesse is much about the Linden tree the wood of it is very fine and beautifull in which regard it may be raunged in the second place and next to the very Citron tree Of Maples there be many kinds to wit the white and that is exceeding faire and bright indeed growing about Piemont in Italie beyond the riuer Po also beyond the Alps and this is called the French Maple A second kind there is which hath a curled graine running too and fro with diuers spots the more excellent worke whereof resembling the eies in the Peacockes taile thereupon took also the name And for this rare and singular wood the countries of Istria and Rhaetia be chiefe As for that which hath a thicke and great graine it is called Crassiuenium of the Latines and is counted to be of a baser kind The Greekes distinguish Maples by the diuerse places where they grow For that of the champion or plaine countrey which they name Glinon is white and nothing crisped contrariwise the wood of the mountaine Maple is harder and more curled and namely the male of that sort and therefore it is in great request for most exquisite and sumptuous workes A third sort they name Zygia which hath a reddish wood and the same easie to cleaue with a barke of a swe rt colour and rough in handling Others would haue it to be no Maple but rather a tree by it selfe and in Latine they call it Carpinus CHAP. XVI ¶ Of the Bosses Wennes and Nodosities called Bruscum and Molluscum Of the wild Fisticke or Bladder nut-tree called Staphylodendron also three kinds of the Box tree THe bunch or knurre in the Maple called Bruscum is passing faire but yet that wich is named Molluscum excelleth it Both the one and the other swell like a wen out of the Maple As for the Bruscum it is curled and twined after a more crawling and winding manner whereas the Molluscum is spread with a more direct and strait course of the grain And certes if there might be plankes hereof found broad enough to make tables doubtlesse they would be esteemed and preferred before those of the Citron wood But now it serueth only for writing tables for painels also and thin bords in wainscote work to set out beds heads and seelings and such are seldome seen As for Bruscum there be tables made of it inclining to a blackish color Moreouer there be found in Alder trees such nodosities but not so good as those by how much the wood of the Alder it selfe is inferior to the Maple for beauty and costlines The male Maples do put forth leaues and flourish before the female Yea and those that grow vpon dry grounds are ordinarily better esteemed than those of moist and waterish places in like sort as the ashes Beyond the Alps there is a kind of bladder Nut-tree whereof the wood is very like to the white white Maple and the name of it is Staphylodendron It beareth certain cods and within the same kernels in tast like the Filberd or Hazell-nut Now for the Box tree the wood thereof is in as great request as the very best seldom hath it any grain crisped damask-wise and neuer but about the root the which is dudgin and ful of work For otherwise the grain runneth streight and euen without any wauing the wood is sad enough and weighty for the hardnesse thereof and pale yellow colour much set by and right commendable As for the tree it selfe gardeners vse to make arbors borders and curious works thereof Three sorts there be of the Box tree the first is called the French Box it groweth taper-wise sharp pointed in the top and runneth vp to more than ordinarie height The second is altogether wild and they name it Oleastrum good for no vse at all and besides careith a strong and stinking sauor with it The third is our Italian box and so called Of a sauage kind I take this to be also howbeit by setting and replanting brought to a gentle nature This spreadeth and brancheth more broad and herewith a man shall see the borders and partitions of quarters in a garden growing thick and green all the yeare long and kept orderly with cutting and clipping Great store of box trees are to be seen vpon the Pyrenaean hils the Cytorian mountains and the whole Berecynthian tract The thickest and biggest Box trees be in Corsica and they beare a louely and amiable floure which is the cause that the hony of that Island is so bitter there is not a beast that will eat the fruit or grain thereof The Boxes of Olympus in Macedonie are more slender than the rest and but low of growth This tree loueth cold grounds yet lying vpon the Sun The wood is as hard to burn as iron it will neither flame nor burn cleare it selfe nor serue to make charcole of CHAP. XVII ¶ Of the Elme foure kinds BEtween these wild trees abouesaid and those that bear fruit the Elm is reckoned of a middle nature in regard of the wood and timber that it affords as also of the friendship acquaintance that it hath with vines The Greekes acknowledge two sorts thereof namely one of the mountains which is the taller and the bigger and the other of the plaines champion which is rather more like a shrub the branches that it shooteth forth are so smal and slender In
or nuts which cleaue and open vpon the tree bee called Zamiae and well may they be so named for vnlesse they be plucked they hurt and corrupt the rest The only trees that bear no fruit at all that is to say not so much as seed are these the Tamariske good for nothing but to make Beesoms of the Poplar Alder Atinian Elme and the Alaternus which hath leaues resembling the Holme and partly the Oliue As for such trees which neither at any tâ—…me are set or planted nor yet beare fruit they bee holden for vnfortunate accursed and condemned in such sort as there is no vse of them in any sacrifice or religious seruice Cremutius writeth That the Almond tree whereon ladie Phyllis hanged her selfe had neuer after greene leaues on it Such trees as yeeld gum after they haue put forth their bud do cleaue and open howbeit the gum that issueth out neuer commeth to any thicknesse vntill the fruit thereof be gathered Yong trees commonly beare not so long as they shoot and grow The Date tree the fig tree the Almond tree the Apple tree and the Pyrrie do soonest of all other let their fruit fall before it be fully ripe Semblably the Pomegranat tree which is so tender besides that with euery thicke and heauie dew white frost and foggie time she wil be bitten shed the blossom which is the cause that folk vse to bend the boughs thereof downeward to the ground that both dew and time may sooner fall off which lights vpon them and otherwise would ouer-load and hurt them The Pyrrie and the Almond tree cannot abide close and cloudie weather especially if the wind be Southerly although no raine do fall for in such daies if they chance to blossom they not only shed their flowre but lose their fruit new knit But the Sallow or Withie tree is of all others most ticklish and soonest forgoes the seed or chats that it beareth before it commeth to any ripenes for which cause called it is of Homer Loose-fruit or Spill-fruit Howbeit the age ensuing naught as it was hath interpreted that Epithet of his in another sense according to the wicked experience they had of it whereby it was found that the seed therof causeth barrainesse in women and hindreth conception But in this regard Nature hath well done also to preuent this mischiefe and inconuenience in that she hath not been very carefull to preserue the seed and yet for the maintenance of the whole kind she hath endued it with this gift To grow very quickly if a man do pricke into the ground but a cutting or twig thereof And yet by report there is one Willow in Candie and namely about the very descent of Iupiters caue which is wont ordinarily to carie the graine or seed thereof vntill it be full ripe and then is it of a rough and writhen shape of a wooden and hard substance and withall of the bignesse of a cich pease Moreouer some trees there be that proue barraine and fruitlesse by the occasion of the imperfection of the soile and territorie where they grow and namely in the Isle Paros there is a whole wood or coppise that vsually is lopt and cut but it neuer beareth any fruit The Peach trees in the Island Rhodos blossome only and otherwise are fruitlesse Ouer and besides this difference of trees that some be fruitfull and others barraine ariseth of the sexe also for commonly the males beare not howsoeuer some affirme cleane contrary and say They are the male only that be fruitfull and the female barren Furthermore it falleth out many times that trees be fruitlesse either because they grow too thick one by another or else are ouercharged and too ranke with boughes and branches but of such as do beare some bring forth their fruit both at the sides and also at the very tips and ends of their branches as the Peare tree Pomegranate tree Figge tree and Myrtle As for others they are of the nature of corne and pulse for the one grows in the eare or spike alone the other by the sides not otherwise The Date tree onely as hath been said before containeth fruit within certain pellicles and the same hangeth down in clusters after the manner of grapes Other trees beare their fruit vnder the leafe for their safeguard and defence except the Fig tree which hath her Figs aboue the leaf because it is so large and ouershadowie Moreouer the leafe of the fig tree commeth forth after the Figge One notable thing is reported of a kind of figge-trees in Cilicia Cyprus and Hellas to wit that they haue this propertie singular by themselues To bring forth their perfect Figs vnder leafe and their greene abortiue Figs that come to no proofe after the leafe The Fig tree beareth moreouer certain hastie Figs which the Athenians call Prodromos i. vant-courriers or forerunners because they be long ripe before others The Laconian Figge trees bring the fairest and greatest Figs. CHAP. XXVII ¶ Of trees that be are twice and thrice in one yeare Also what trees soonest wax old and of their ages IN the same countries aboue-named there be Figge trees also that beare Figges twice in one yeare And in the Island Cea the wild Figge trees beare thrice in the same yeare for the second increase is put forth on the first and the third vpon the second and by this third fruit the Figges of the tame Figge tree receiue their maturitie by way of caprification and those wild greene Figges of theirs come forth aboue the leafe Moreouer there be some Pyrries and Apple trees that bring forth fruit twice a yeare as also there be others of the hastie kind which do beare both Peares and Apples betimes in the yeare There is a kinde of Crab tree â—…lso or Wilding that in like manner beareth twice a yeare and the later fruit is ripe presently after the midst of September especially in places lying well vpon the Sun As touching Vines there be of them also that after a sort beare three times in the yeare which thereupon men call Insanas i. The mad or foolish vines for whiles some of the grapes be ripe others begin to swel and wax big and a third sort againe are but then in the flower M. Varro writeth That in Smyrna by the sea side there was a vine that bare fruit twice a yeare as also an Apple tree in the territorie of Consentia But this is an ordinary thing throughout all the countrey about Tacapa in Africa and neuer is it seen otherwise there so fertile is the soile but thereof will wee write more at large hereafter in another place As for the Cypresse trees they faile not but come with fruit thrice in one yeare and their berries be gathered in Ianuarie May and September and all of a diuers bignesse one from the other Ouer and besides the very trees themselues are not laden with fruit after one and the same manner for the Arbut or
neare vnto the Troglodites who by mutuall marriages are linked together in great affinity And in very truth the Aethiopians buy vp all the Cinamon they can of their neighbours and transport it into other strange countries ouer the vast Ocean in smal punts or boats neither ruled with helme and rudder nor directed to and fro with ores ne yet caried with sailes or any such meanes of navigation one man alone shall see you there in a boat armed and furnished with boldnesse only in stead of all to hasard himself and his goods in the surging sea These fellowes of all times of the yeare take the dead of the winter and then to chuse they will venter to crosse the seas for their voyage when the Southeast winds are aloft blow lustily These winds set them forward in a streight and direct course thorough the gulfes and after they haue doubled the point of Argeste and coasted along bring them into the famous port or hauen-towne of the Gebanites called Ocila And albeit this voiage be long dangerous for the merchants hardly can return in fiue yeres and many of them miscarie by the way yet by report they are nothing dismaied and daunted therwith but willingly aduenture still And being at Ocila what thinke you doe they exchange for and wherewith fraight they their vessels back againe homeward euen with glasses vessels of copper and brasse fine cloth buckles claspes and pincers bracelets and carcanets with pendant jewels so as a man would verily thinke that this trafficke were maintained and the voiages enterprised vnder the credit for the pleasure of womankind especially Now as touching the plant that bears Cinamon the tallest is not aboue 2 cubis high aboue ground nor the lowest vnder one hand-breadth or 4 inches in compasse about 4 fingers thicke immediatly from the earth it putteth forth twigs and is full of branches of six fingers length but it looketh as if it were drie and withered whiles it is greene it yeelds no smell at all and the leaf resembleth Origan it loues drought for in rainie weather it is lesse fruitfull and yet it is of this nature To be cut as a coppis It will grow verily in plaines but gladly it would lodge among the thickest rough of bushes greeues briers that are to be found so as men haue much adoe to come by it and to gather it but neuer is cut or cropped without especiall permission of a certtaine god which they take to be Iupiter and this patron of the Cinamon tree they call Assabinus To obtaine leaue and license so to do they are glad to sacrifice the inwards of 44 Kine or Oxen Goats also and Rams and when they haue all done yet permitted they be not to go about this businesse either before the Sun rising or after his setting Now when these twigs and branches be cut the Sacrificer or Priest diuides and parts them with a jauelin and sets by one portion for the god abouesaid the rest doth the merchant put vp and bestow in paniers for the purpose This manner of diuision is otherwise reported namely That the whole heap is cast into three parts whereof the sunne hath one for his share but they draw lots first for euery one of these trees seueral bundles or parcels of Cinnamon sticks and that which falleth to the Sun is let alone and left behind but of the own accord it catcheth a light fire and burneth The best Cinamon is thought to be that which growes about the slenderest sticks for the length of an hand bredth from the vpper end The second sort in goodnesse is that which is next it and somwhat lower but it beareth not full so much as an hand bredth and so consequently in order by degrees downward for the worst and of least price is that which is neerest the root because there is least barke the chiefe thing required in Cinamon which is the cause that the twigs in the tree top are preferred before the rest for that in them there is most barke As for the very wood it selfe which is called Xylocinamonum there is no reckoning made of it because of the acrimonie and sharpenesse that it hath resembling Origan A pound thereof is worth 20 deniers Of Cinamon there be according to some two kinds to wit the whiter and the blacker In times past the white was in more request but now adaies the black is most set by yea and that of diuers colours is better esteemed than the white But the truest marke indeed to chuse the best is to see that it be not tough and that it crumble not quickely if one piece be rubbed against another That which is tender and hath besides a white bark is not regarded at all but condemned for the worst Moreouer this is to be noted that the King onely of the Gebanites setteth the price and sale of Cinamon he it is that selleth it in open market according as it is by him taxed In old time a pound of it was sould for 1000 deniers and this price afterward rose higher by one halfe by reason that the forrests of Cinamon were as men say burnt by the barbarous Troglodites their neighbors in their furious wrath Now why it should be so deare no man certainly knows whether it were through the great rich merchants who ingrossed all into their hands by way of monopoly or by some other casualtie and chance of fire aforesaid But true it is and well knowne by that we find in diuers writers That there be such hot Southerne windes blowing in those parts that in Summer many times they set the woods on fire Vespasian Augustus the Emperor was the first that dedicated in the Temples of the Capitoll and goddesse Peace garlands and chaplets of Cinamon enclosed within fine polished gold In that temple which the Empresse Augusta caused to be built in the palace vpon Mount Palatine for the honor of Augustus Caesar late Emperor her husband I haue my self seen a Cinamon root of great weight set in a cup of gold which yearely did put forth certain drops which congealed into hard grains That monument remained there to be seen vntill the Temple and all was consumed by fire As concerning Casia or Canell a plant it is which groweth neer to the plains from whence the Cinamon comes but it loueth to liue vpon mountaines and beareth a bigger and rounder wood in the branches than the Cinamon and hath a thin rinde or skin more truly than a bark the slenderer that the same is and lighter the more reckoning is made of it clean contrary to the Cinamon This shrub that beareth Casia groweth to the height of 3 cubits and 3 colours it carieth for when it comes vp first for a foot from the root it is white then as it shooteth halfe a foot higher it waxeth red but as it riseth farther it is blackish and this part is held for the best and so the next to it in a degree lower
time of dead Winter so soone as the weather beginnes to be more warme and temperate they discharge both fruit and tree of their dung which being thus let out again as it were where they seemed buried and now comming to light they no sooner find the fresh aire another kind of nourishment differing from that whereby they liued but doe embrace and receine the comfort of the new Sun most greedily as if they were new born and reuiued in such sort as that in Moesia notwithstanding it be a most cold region ye shall haue the figs of these trees to ripen when others begin to blossom and by this means become early and hasty figs in another yeare Now forasmuch as we are fallen to mention the figs in Africk which were in so great request in the time of Cato I am put in mind to speake somewhat of that notable opportunity and occasion which by the means of that fruit he took for to root out the Carthaginians rase their very city For as he was a man who hated deadly that city and was otherwise carefull to prouide for the quiet and securitie of his posteritie he gaue not ouer at euery sitting of the Senat to importune the Senators of Rome and to cry out in their eares That they would resolue and take order to destroy Carthage and in very truth one day aboue the rest he brought with him into the Senat house an early or hasty fig which came out of that country and shewing it before all the lords of the Senat I would demand of you quoth he how long ago it is as you think since this fig was gathered from the tree And when none of them could deny but that it was fresh and new gotten Lo quoth he my masters all this I do you to wit It is not yet ful three daies past since this fig was gathered at Carthage see how neere to the walls of our citie we haue a mortall enemie Vpon which remonstrance of his presently they concluded to begin the third and last Punick war wherein Carthage was vtterly subuerted and ouerthrown Howbeit Cato suruiued not the rasing and saccage of Carthage for he died the yeare immediately following this resolution But what shall we say of this man whether was more admirable in this act his prouident care and promptnesse of spirit or the occasion presented by the sudden obiect of the fig was the present resolution and forward expedition of the Senat or the vehement earnestnesse of Cato more effectuall to this enterprise Certes somewhat there is aboue all nothing in mine opinion more wonderful that so great a signiory and state as Carthage which had contended for the Empire of the world for the space of 120 yeres and that with the great conquerours the Romanes should thus be ruined and brought vtterly to nought by occasion of one fig. A designe that neither the fields lost at Trebia and Thrasymenus nor the disgrace receiued at the battell of Canna wherein so many braue Romans lost their liues and left their dead bodies on the ground to be interred could effect nay not the disdain that they took to see the Carthaginians incamped and fortified with in 3 miles of Rome ne yet the brauadoes of Annibal in person riding before the gate Collina euen to dare them could euer bring to passe See how Cato by the means of one poore fig preuailed to bring and present the forces of Rome to the very walls of Carthage There is a fig tree called Navia honoured with great reuerence in the common Forum and publique place of justice at Rome euen where the solemne assemblies are held for election of Magistrats neere to the Curia vnder the old shops called Veteres as if the gods had consecrated it for that purpose neere I say it is to the Tribunal named Puteal Libonis there planted by Actius Navius the Augur where the sacred reliques of his miracle to wit the Rasor and the Whetstone were solemnely interred as if it came of the owne accord from the said Curia into the Comitium and had not bin set by Navius This tree if it begin at any time to wither there is another replanted by the priests who that way are very carefull and ceremonious But a greater respect is had of another in remembrance of the first fig tree named Ruminalis as it were the nurse of Romulus and Remus the two yong princes fondlings and founders also of the city of Rome for that vnder it was found a she wolfe giuing to those little babes the teat in Latine called Rumen and for a memoriall hereof there is a monument of brasse erected neere vnto it representing that strange and wonderfull story There grew also a third fig tree before the temple of Saturne which in the yeare 260 after the foundation of the city of Rome was taken away at what time as a chappell was builded there by the Vestal nuns and an expiatory sacrifice offered for that it ouerthrew the image of Sylvanus There is a tree of the same kind yet liuing which came to grow of it self no man knows how in the midst of the Forum Romanum and in that very place where was the deepe chinke and gaping of the ground that menaced the ruine of the Roman empire which fatall and portentuous gulfe the renowned knight Curtius filled vp with the best things that were to be found in the city to wit his Vertue and Piety incompatable testified by a most braue glorious death In the very same place likewise there is an Oliue and a Vine which came thither by as meere a chance but afterwards well looked and trimmed by the whole people for to inioy the pleasure and shade thereof And there also stood an altar which afterward was taken away by occasion of the solemne shew of sword-fencers which Iulius Caesar late Emperor exhibited to do the people pleasure which were the last that plaied their prizes and fought at the sharp in the said Forum To conclude wonderfull it is to see how the fruit of this tree maketh hast to ripe a man would say that Nature therein sheweth all her skill and force to ripen figs altogether at once CHAP. XIX ¶ Of the wilde Fig trees and of caprification THere is a kind of wild Fig trees which the Latines call Caprificus that neuer brings any fruit to maturitie but that which it selfe hath not it procureth to others and causeth them to ripen For such is the interchangeable course passage of causes in nature that as this thing putrifieth that ingendreth and the corruption of one is the generation of another By this it comes to passe that the wild fig tree breedeth certaine flies or gnats within the fruit thereof which wanting nourishment and not hauing to feed vpon in those figs because they become rotten and putrified as they hang vpon the tree they flie vnto the other kinde of gentle and tame fig-trees where they settle vpon the figs and
there is not a tree not so much as the very Vine that sheddeth leaues CHAP. XXII ¶ The nature of such leaues as fall from trees and what leaues they be that change colour ALl trees without the range of those before rehearsed for to reckon them vp by name particularly were a long and tedious piece of work do lose their leaues in winter And verily this hath bin found and obserued by experience that no leaues doe fade and wither but such as be thinne broad and soft As for such as fall not from the tree they be commonly thick skinned hard and narrow and therefore it is a false principle and position held by some That no trees shed their leaues which haue in them a fatty sap or oleous humiditie for who could euer perceiue any such thing in the Mast-holme a drier tree there is not and yet it holdeth alwaies green Timaeus the great Astrologer and Mathematician is of opinion that the Sun being in the signe Scorpio he causeth leaues to fall by a certain venomous and poysoned infection of the aire proceeding from the influence of that maligne constellation But if that were true we may wel and iustly maruell why the same cause should not be effectuall likewise in all other trees Moreouer we see that most trees do let fall their leaues in Autumne some are longer ere they shed continuing green vntill winter be come Neither is the timely or slow fall of the leafe long of the early or late budding for wee see some that burgen and shoot out their spring with the first and yet with the last shed their leaues and become naked as namely the Almond trees Ashes and Elders And contrariwise the Mulberry tree putteth forth leaues with the latest and is one of them that soonest sheddeth them again But the cause hereof lies much in the nature of the soile for the trees that grow vpon a leane dry and hungry ground do sooner cast leafe than others also old trees become bare before yonger and many of them also lose their leaues before their fruit be fully ripe for in the Fig tree that commeth and beaâ—…th late in the winter Pyrry and Pomegranate a man shall see in the later end of the yere fruit only and no leaues vpon the tree Now as touching those trees that continue euer greene you must not think that they keep still the same leaues for as new come the old wither fal away which hapneth commonly in mid-Iune about the Summer Sunne-stead For the most part the leaues in euery kind of tree do hold one and the same colour and continue vniform saue those of the Poplar Ivy and Croton which wee said was called also Cici iâ—… est Ricinus or Palma Christi CHAP. XXIII ¶ Three sorts of Poplar and what leaues they be that change their shape and figure OF Poplars there be found three sundry kinds to wit the white the blacke and that which is named Lybica or the Poplar of Guynee this hath least leaues and those of all other blackest but mow commendable they are for the fungous meazles as it were that come forth thereof As for the white Poplar leafe the leaues when they be yong are as round as if they were drawn with a paire of compasses like vnto those of Citron before named but as they grow elder they run out into certain angles or corners Contrariwise the Ivy leaues at the first be cornered and afterwards become round All Poplar leaues are full of downe as for the white Poplar which is fuller of leaues than the rest the said downe flieth away in the aire like to mossie chats or Thistle-downe The leaues of Pomegranats and Almond trees stand much vpon the red colour But very strange it is and wonderfull which hapneth to the Elme Tillet or Linden the Oliue tree Aspe and Sallow or Willow for their leaues after Midsummer turn about vpside downe in such sort as there is not a more certaine argument that the Sun is entred Cancer and returneth from the South point or Summer Tropicke than to see those leaues so turned CHAP. XXIIII ¶ What leaues they be that vse to turne euery yeare Of Palme or Date tree leaues how they are to be ordered and vsed Also certain wonderfull obseruations about leaues THere is a certain general and vniuersal diuersitie difference obserued in the very leaf for commonly the vpper side which is from the ground is of greene grasse colour more smooth also polished The outside or nether part of the leaf hath in it certain strings sinues or veins brawns and ioynts bearing out like as in the back part of a mans hand but the inside cuts or lines in maner of the palme of ones hand The leaues of the oliue are on the vpper part whiter and lesse smooth and likewise of the Ivy. But the leaues of all trees for most part euery day do turn and open to the Sunne as desirous to haue the inner side warmed therewith The outward or nether side toward the ground of all leaues hath a certaine hoary downe more or lesse here in Italy but in other countries so much there is of it that it serueth the turn for wooll and cotton In the East parts of the world they make good cordage and strong ropes of date tree leaues as we haue said before and the same are better serue longer within than without With vs these Date leaues are pulled from the tree in the Spring whiles they are whole and entire for the better be they which are not clouen or diuided Being thus plucked they are laid a drying within house foure daies together After that they be spred abroad and displaied open to the Sun and left without dores to take all weathers both day and night and to be bleached vntil they be dry and white which done they be sliued and slit for cord-work But to come again to other leaues the broadest are vpon the Fig-tree the Vine and the Plane the narrowest vpon the Myrtle Pomegranat and oliue as for those of the Pine and cedar they be hairy the Holly leaues and all the kindes of Holme be set with sharpe prickes As for the Iuniper in stead of leafe it hath a very pointed thorne The Cypresse and Tamariske carrie fleshie leaues those of the Alder be most thick of all other The Reed and the Willow haue long leaues the Date tree hath them double The leaues of the Peare tree are round but those of the Apple tree are pointed of the Ivie cornered of the Plane tree diuided into certaine incisions of the Pitch tree and the Fir cut in after the maner of comb-teeth of the wild hard Oke waued and indented round about the edges of the brier and bramble sharpe like thornes all the skin ouer Of some they be stinging and biting as of Nettles of others ready to pricke like pins or needles as of the Pine the Pitch tree the Larch the Firre the Cedar and all the sorts
be who drink the same for to purge both vpward and downward for otherwise an enimy it is to the stomack in which potion if there be put some salt it doth euacuat fleagme but with salt petre it voideth cholerick humors If the patient haue a mind to purge by seege he shal do wel to drink the juice of Tithymall in water and vineger mingled together but if he be disposed to vomit it is better to drink it in cuit or mead The ordinarie dose is three oboles thereof in a potion But the better way is to take the figs prepared as is beforesaid after meat and euen so taken in some sort the juice doth sting the throat and set it on fire For to say a truth of so hot a nature it is that alone of it selfe being applied outwardly vnto any part of the body it raiseth pimples and blisters no lesse than fire in which regard it is vsed for a caustick or potentiall cauterie the second kind of the Tithymall is knowne by the name Myrsinites which others call Caryites The reason of the one name is this for that it beareth sharp pointed and prickie leaues in manner of the Myrtle but that they be somwhat more tender and the same groweth in rough places like as the former The bushy heads or tufts of this Tithymall would be gathered when Barly beginneth to swell in the eare so they be let to take their drying in the shade 9 daies together for in the Sun they wil be withered in that space The fruit which this plant beareth doth not ripen all together in one season but some part thereof remaineth against the next yere and the said fruit is called the Tithymal nut which is the cause that the Greeks haue imposed vpon it that second name Caryites The proper time to gather and cut down this herb is when corn is ripe in the field and ready to be reaped or mowed Which beeing washed must afterwards be laied forth a drying so they vse to giue it with two parts or twice as much of black Poppie yet so as the whole dose may not exceed one acetable This Tithymall is nothing so strong a vomitory as the former no more be the rest whereof I will speak anone Some there be who giue the leaues also with black poppy after the foresaid proportion the very nut or fruit it selfe alone in mead or cuit or els if they put any thing thereto it must be Sesama and truely in this maner it sendeth flegmatick chollerick humors away by seege This Tithymal is singular for the sores in the mouth But for cankerous and corrosiue vlcers indeed which corrode deep into the mouth it is good to chew and eat the same with honey The third kind of Tithymall is called Paralius or Tithymalis This herb puts forth round leaues riseth vp with a stalk a span or hand full high the branches be red and the seed white which ought to be gathered when the grape beginneth to shew blacke vpon the vine And being dried and made into pouder is a sufficient purgation so it be taken inwardly to the measure of one acetable the fourth kind is named Helioscopium the leaues wherof resemble Purcellane and from the root it puts forth 4 or 5 small vpright branches which be likewise red and half a foot high the same also be ful of juice or milk This herb delighteth to grow about town sides bearing a white seed wherin Doues Pigeons take exceeding great pleasure which also is ordinarily gathered when the grape maketh some shew of ripening It took this name Helioscopium for that it turns the heads which it beareth round about with the Sun Halfe an acetable thereof taken in Oxymel purgeth choller downeward And in other cases vsed it is like as the former Tithymall named Characias The fifth men call Cyparissias for the resemblance that the leaues haue to those of the Cypresse tree it riseth vp with a double or threefold stem and loueth to grow in champian places of the same operation and vertue it is that Helioscopium and Characias beforenamed The sixth Tithymal is commonly called Platyphyllos although some name it Corymbites others Amygdalites for the resemblance that it hath to the almond tree there is not a Tithymal hath broader leaues than it which is the reason of the first and vsuall name Platyphyllos it is good to kil fish it purges the belly if either the root leaues or iuice be taken in honied wine or in mead to the weight of foure drams a speciall vertue it hath to draw water downward from all other humors The seuenth is called commonly Dendroides and yet some giue it the name Cobion others Leptophyllon ordinarily it is found growing vpon rocks and of all others carrieth the fairest head likewise the stems be reddest and the seed sheweth in most plenty the effects be all one with those of Characias as touching the plant called Apios Ischas or Rhaphanos-agria i. the wild Radish it putteth forth two or three stalkes like bents or rushes spreading along the ground and those be red and the leaues resemble rue the root is like an onion head but that it is larger which is the reason that some haue called it the wild Radish this root hath a white fleshie substance within but the skin or rind thereof is blacke it groweth vsually vpon rough mountains and otherwise in faire greens full of grasse The right season to dig vp this root is in the Spring which being stamped and strained they vse to put in an earthen pot where it is permitted to stand look what it casteth vp and swimmeth aloft they scum off and throw away the rest of the iuice thus clarified purgeth both waies if it be taken to the weight of one obolus a half in mead or honied water and in that maner prepared it is giuen to those that be in a dropsie the ful measure of one acetable the pouder also of the root dried is good to spice a cup for a purgation and as they say the vpper part of the root purgeth choler vpward by vomit whereas the nether part doth it by seege downward Now for the pains and wrings which oftentimes torment the poorebelly all the kinds of Panaces and Betony are singular to assuage and allay them plain vnlesse they be such as are occasioned by crudity and indigestion As for the iuice of Harstrang it dissolueth ventosities for it breaketh wind vpward and causeth one to rift so doth the roots of Acorus also carots if they be eaten in a salad after the maner of Lettuce For the infirmities proper to the guts namely the worms there breeding Ladanum of Cypresse is soueraigne to be taken in drinke in like maner the pouder of Gentian drunk in warm water to the quantity of a bean Plantain likewise hath the same effect if there be taken of it first in a morning to the quantity of 2 spoonfuls
conceptions and children within the wombe The signes how to know whether a woman goe with a sonne or a daughter before she is deliuered 7. Of the conception and generation of man 8. Of Agrippae i. those who are borne with the feet forward 9. Of strange births namely by meanes of incision when children are cut out of their mothers wombe 10. Of Vopisci i. such as being twins were borne aliue notwithstanding the one of them was dead before 11. Histories of many children borne at one burden 12. Examples of those that were like one to another 13. The cause and manner of generation 14. More of the same matter and argument 15. Of womens monethly tearmes 16. The manner of sundry births 17. The proportion of the parts of mans body and notable things therein obserued 18. Examples of extraordinary shapes 19. Strange natures of men 20. Of bodily strength and swiftnesse 21. Of excellent sight 22. Who excelled in hearing 23. Examples of patience 24. Who were singular for good memorie 25. The praise of C. Iulius Caesar. 26. The commendation of Pompey the Great 27. The praise of Cato the first of that name 28. Of valour and fortitude 29. Of notable wits or the praises of some for their singular wit 30. Of Plato Ennius Virgill M. Varro and M. Cicero 31. Of such as carried a maiestie in their behauiour 32. Of men of great authority and reputation 33. Of certaine diuine and heauenly persons 34. Of Scipio Nasica 35. Of Chastitie 36. Of Pietie and naturall kindnesse 37. Of excellent men in diuerse sciences and namely in Astrologie Grammer and Geometrie c. 38. Item Rare peeces of worke made by sundry artificers 39. Of seruants and slaues 40. The excellencie of diuerse nations 41. Of perfect contentment and felicitie 42. Examples of the varietie and mutabilitie of fortune 43. Of those that were twice outlawed and banished of L. Sylla and Q. Metellus 44. Of another Metellus 45. Of the Emperour Augustus 46. Of men deemed most happy aboue all others by the Oracles of the gods 47. Who was canonized a god whiles hee liued vpon the earth 48. Of those that liued longer than others 49. Of diuerse natiuities of men 50. Many examples of strange accidents in maladies 51. Of the signes of death 52. Of those that reuiued when they were carried forth to be buried 53. Of suddaine death 54. Of sepulchres and burials 55. Of the soule of ghosts and spirits 56. The first inuentors of many things 57. Wherein all nations first agreed 58. Of antique letters 59. The beginning of Barbers first at Rome 60. The first deuisers of Dials and Clockes In summe there be in this booke of stories strange accidents and matters memorable 747. Latine Authors alleadged Varrius Flaccus Cn. Gellius Licinius Mutianus Mutius Massurius Agrippina wife of Claudius M. Cicero Asinius Pollio Messala Rufus Cornelius Nepos Virgil Livie Cordus Melissus Sebosus Cernelius Celsus Maximus Valerius Trogus Nigidius Figulus Pomponius Atticus Pedianus Asconius Sabinus Cato Censorius Fabius Vestalis Forreine Writers Herodotus Aristeus Beto Isigonus Crates Agatharcides Calliphanes Aristotle Nymphodorus Apollonides Philarchus Damon Megasthenes Ctesias Tauron Eudoxus Onesicratus Clitarchus Duris Artemidorus Hippocrates the Physitian Asclepiander the Physitian Hesiodus Anacreon Theopompus Hellanicus Damasthes Ephorus Epigenes Berosus Pessiris Necepsus Alexander Polyhistor Xenophon Callimachus Democritus Duillius Polyhistor the Historian Strato who wrate against the Propositions and Theoremes of Ephorus Heraclides Ponticus Asclepiades who wrate Tragodamena Philostephanus Hegesias Archimachus Thucidides Mnesigiton Xenagoras Metrodorus Scepsius Anticlides and Critodemus ¶ IN THE EIGHT BOOKE ARE CONtained the natures of land beasts that goe on foot Chap. 1. Of land creatures The good and commendable parts in Elephants their capacitie and vnderstanding 2. When Elephants were first yoked and put to draw 3. The docilitie of Elephants and their aptnesse to learne 4. The clemency of Elephants that they know their owne dangers Also of the felnesse of the Tigre 5. The perceiuance and memory of Elephants 6. When Elephants were first seene in Italie 7. The combats performed by Elephants 8. The manner of taking Elephants 9. The manner how Elephants be tamed 10. How long an Elephant goeth with young and of their nature 11. The countries were Elephants breed the discord and warre betweene Elephants and Dragons 12. The industrie and subtill wit of Dragons and Elephants 13. Of Dragons 14. Serpents of prodigious bignesse of Serpents named Boae 15. Of beasts engendred in Scythia and the North countries 16. Of Lions 17. Of Panthers 18. The nature of the Tygre of Camels and the Pard-Cammell when it was first seene at Rome 19. Of the Stag-Wolfe named Chaus and the Cephus 20. Of Rhincceros 21. Of Onces Marmosets called Sphinges of the Crocutes of common Marmosets of Indian Boeufes of Leucrocutes of Eale of the Aethiopian Bulls of the best Mantichora of the Sicorne or Vnicorne of the Catoblepa and the Basiliske 22. Of Wolues 23. Of Serpents 24. Of the rat of India called Ichneumon 25. Of the Crocodiles and Skinke and the Riuer-horse 26. Who shewed first at Rome the Water-horse and the Crocodiles Diuerse reasons in Physicke found out by dumb creatures 27. Of beasts and other such creatures which haue taught vs certaine hearbes to wit the red Deere Lizards Swallowes Tortoises the Weasell the Stork the Bore the Snake the Panther the Elephant Beares Stocke-Doues House-Doues Cranes and Rauens 28. Prognostications of things to come taken from beasts 29. What cities and nations haue bin destroied by small creatures 30. Of the Hiaena the Crocuta and Mantichora of Bieuers and Otters 31. Of Frogs sea or sea-Calues and Stellions 32. Of Deere both red and Fallow 33. Of the Tragelaphis of the Chamaeleon and other beasts that change colour 34. Of the Tarand the Lycaon and the Wolfe called Thoes 35. Of the Porc-espines 36. Of Beares and how they bring forth their whelpes 37. The rats and mice of Pontus and the Alps also of Hedgehogs 38. Of the Leontophones the Onces Graies Badgers and Sqirrils 39. Of Vipers Snailes in shels and Lizards 40. Of Dogs 41. Against the biting of a mad dog 42. The nature of Horses 43. Of Asses 44. Of Mules 45. Of Kine Buls and Oxen. 46. Of the Boeufe named Apis. 47. The nature of sheepe their breeding and generation 48. Sundry kinds of wooll and cloths 49. Of sheepe called Musmones 50. Of Goats and their generation 51. Of Swine and their nature 52. Of Parkes and Warrens for beasts 53. Of beasts halfe tame and wild 54. Of Apes and Monkies 55. Of Hares and Connies 56. Of beasts halfe sauage 57. Of Rats and Mice of Dormice 58. Of beasts that liue not in some places 59. Of beasts hurtfull to strangers In summe there be in this Booke principall matters stories and obseruations worth the remembrance 788. Latine Authors alledged Mutianus Procilius Verrius Flaccus L. Piso Cornelius Valerianus Cato Censorius Fenestella Trogus Actius Columella Virgil Varro Lu. Metellus Scipio Cornelius
were cut off by the Ocean which notwithstanding clasping round about all the midst thereof yeelding forth and receiuing againe all other waters besides and what exhalations soeuer that go out for clouds and feeding withall the very stars so many as they be and of so great a bignesse what a mighty space thinke you will it be thought to takevp and inhabit and how little can there be left for men to inhabit surely the possession of so vast and huge a deale must needs be exceeding great and infinite What say you then to this That of the earth which is left the heauen hath taken away the greater part For whereas there be of the heauen fiue parts which they call Zones all that lieth vnder the two vtmost to wit on both sides about the poles namely this here which is called Septentrio that is to say the North and the other ouer against it named the South it is ouercharged with extreme and rigorous cold yea and with perpetuall frosts and ice In both Zones it is alwaies dim and darke and by reason that the aspect of the more milde and pleasant planets is diuerted cleane from thence the light that is sheweth little or nothing and appeareth white with the frost onely Now the middle of the earth whereas the Sun hath his way and keepeth his course scorched and burnt with flames is euen parched and fried againe with the hot gleames thereof being so neere Those two only on either side about it namely betweene this burnt Zone and the two frozen are temperate and euen those haue not accesse and passage the one to the other by reason of the burning heate of the said planet Thus you see that the heauen hath taken from the earth three parts and what the Ocean hath plucked from it besides no man knoweth And euen that one portion remaining vnto vs I wot not whether it be not in greater danger also For the same Ocean entring as we will shew into many armes and creekes keepeth a roaring against the other gulfes and seas within the earth and so neere comes vnto them that the Arabian gulfe is not from the Egyptian sea aboue 115 miles the Caspian likewise from the Ponticke but 375. Yea and the same floweth between and entreth into so many armes as that thereby it diuideth Africke Europe and Asia asunder Now what a quantity of land it taketh vp may be collected and reckoned at this day by the measure and proportion of so many riuers and so great Meres Adde thereto both Lakes and pooles and withall take from the earth the high mountaines bearing vp their heads aloft into the sky so as the eye can hardly reach their heights the woods besides and steepe descents of the vallies the Wildernesses and waste wildes left desart vpon a thousand causes These so many pieces of the earth or rather as most haue written this little-pricke of the world for surely the earth is nothing else in comparison of the whole is the only matter of our glory This I say is the very feat thereof here we seeke for honors and dignities here we exercise our rule and authoritie here we couet wealth and riches here all mankinde is set vpon stirs and troubles here we raise ciuill wars still one after another and with mutuall massacres and murthers wee make more roome in the earth And to let passe the publique furious rages of nations abroad this is it wherein we chase and driue out our neighbor borderers and by stealth dig turfe from their soile to put vnto our owne and when a man hath extended his lands and gotten whole countries to himselfe far and neere what a goodly deale of earth enioyeth he and say that he set out his bounds to the full measure of his couetous desires what a great portion thereof shal he hold when he is once dead and his head laid low CHAP. LXIX ¶ That the earth is in the middest of the world THat the earth is in the midst of the whole world it appeareth by manifest and vndoubted reasons but most euidently by the equal houres of the Equinoctial for vnlesse it were in the midst the Astrolabe and instruments called Diophae haue proued that nights and daies could not possibly be found equall and those aboue-said instruments aboue all other confirme the same seeing that in the Equinoctial by one and the same line both rising and setting of the Sun are seen but the Sommer Sun rising and the Winter setting by their owne seuerall lines which could by no means happen but that the earth resteth in the centre CHAP. LXX ¶ Of the vnequall rising of the stars of the Eclipse both where and how it commeth NOw three circles there be infolded within the Zones afore named which distinguish the inequalities of the dayes namely the Sommer Solstitiall Tropicke from the highest part of the Zodiacke in regard of vs toward the North Clyme And against it another called the Winter Tropicke toward the other Southern Pole and in like maner the Equinoctial which goes in the mids of the Zodiacke circle The cause of the rest which wee wonder at is in the figure of the very earth which together with the water is by the same arguments knowne to be like a globe for so doubtlesse it commeth to passe that with vs the stars about the North pole neuer go downe and those contrariwise about the Meridian neuer rise And againe these here be not seene of them by reason that the globe of the earth swelleth vp in the mids between Again Trogloditine and Egypt confining next vpon it neuer set eye vpon the North pole stars neither hath Italy a sight of Canopus named also Berenices haire Likewise another which vnder the Empire of Augustus men sirnamed Caesaris Thronon yet be they stars there of speciall marke And so euidently bendeth the top of the earth in the rising that Canopus at Alexandria seemeth to the beholders eleuate aboue the earth almost one fourth part of a signe but if a man looke from Rhodes the same appeareth after a sort to touch the verie horizon and in Pontus where the eleuation of the North pole is highest not seene at all yea and this same pole at Rhodes is hidden but most in Alexandria In Arabia all hid it is at the first watch of the night in Nouember but at the second it sheweth In Meroe at Midsommer in the euening it appeareth for a while but some few daies before the rising of Arcturus seene it is with the very dawning of the day Sailers by their voiages finde out and know these stars most of any other by reason that some seas are opposite vnto some stars but other lie flat and incline forward to other for that also those pole stars appeare suddenly and rising out of the sea which lay hidden before vnder the winding compasse as it were of a ball For the heauen riseth not aloft in this higher pole as some men haue giuen out else should
little lesse than 25000 stadia CHAP. CIX ¶ The Harmonicall measure and Circumference of the World DIonysidorus in another kind would be beleeued for I will not beguile you of the greatest example of Grecian vanitie This man was a Melian famous for his skill in Geometrie he dyed very aged in his owne countrey his neere kins-women who by right were his heires in remainder solemnized his funerals accompanied him to his graue These women as they came some few daies after to his sepulchre for to performe some solemne obsequies thereto belonging by report found in his monument an Epistle of this Dionysidorus written in his owne name To them aboue that is to say To the liuing and to this effect namely That he had made a step from his sepulchre to the bottome and centre of the earth and that it was thither 42000 stadia Neither wanted there Geometricians who made this interpretation that he signified that this Epistle was sent from the middle centre of the earth to which place downward from the vppermost aloft the way was longest and the same was iust halfe the diametre of the round globe whereupon followed this computation That they pronounced the circuit to be 255000 stadia Now the Harmonicall proportion which forceth this vniuersalitic and nature of the World to agree vnto it selfe addeth vnto this measure 7000 stadia and so maketh the earth to be the 96000 part of the whole world THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS The Proeme or Preface HIt herto haue we written of the position and wonders of the Earth Waters and Starres also we haue treated in generall termes of the proportion and measure of the whole world Now it followeth to discourse of the parts thereof albeit this also be iudged an infinite piece of worke nor lightly can be handled without some reprehension and yet in no kinde of enterprise pardon is more due since it is no maruell at all if he who is borne a mortall man knoweth not all things belonging to man And therefore I will not follow one Author more than another but euery one as I shall thinke him most true in the description of each part Forasmuch as this hath been a thing common in manner to them all namely to learn or describe the scituations of those places most exactly where themselues were either borne or which they had discouered and seene and therefore neither will I blame nor reproue any man The bare names of places shall be simply set downe in this my Geographic and that with as great breuitie as I can the excellency as also the causes and occasions thereof shall be deferred to their seuer all and particular treatises for now the question is as touching the whole earth in generalitie which mine intent is to represent vnto your eies and therefore I would haue things thus to be taken as if the names of countries were put downe nâ—…ked and void of renowne and fame and such onely as they were in the beginning before any acts there done and as if they had indeed an indument of names but respectiue onely to the World and vniuersall Nature of all Now the whole globe of the earth is diuided into three parts Europe Asia and Africa The beginning we take from the West and the Firth of Gades euen whereas the Atlanticke Ocean breaking in is spred into the Inland and Mediterranean seas Make your entrance there I meane at the Streights of Gibralter and then Africa is on the right hand Europe on the left and Asia before you iust betweene The bounds confining these are the riuers Tanais and Nilus The mouth of the Ocean at Gades whereof I spake before lyeth out in length 15 miles and stretcheth forth in breadth but fiue from a village in Spaine called Mellaria to the promontorie of Africke called the VVhite as Turannius Graccula born thereby doth write T. Liuius and Nepos Cornelius haue reported that the breadth thereof where it is narrowest is seuen miles ouer but ten miles where it is broadest From so small amouth a wonder to consider spreadeth the sea so huge and so vast as we see and withall so exceeding deepe as the maruell is no lesse in that regard For why in the verie mouth thereof are to be seen many barres and shallow shelues of white sands so ebbe is the water to the great terrour of shippes and sailers passing that way And therefore many haue called those Streights of Gibralter The entrie of the Mediterranean Sea Of both sides of this gullet neere vnto it are two mountaines set as frontiers and rampiers to keepe all in namely Abila for Africke Calpe for Europe the vtmost end of Hercules Labours For which cause the inhabitants of those parts call them the two pillars of that God and doe verily beleeue that by certaine draines and ditches digged within the Continent the maine Ocean before excluded made way and was let in to make the Mediteranean seas where before was firme land and so by that meanes the very face of the whole earth is cleane altered CHAP. I. ¶ Of Europe ANd first as touching Europe the nource of that people which is the conqueror of all nations and besides of all lands by many degrees most beautifull which may for right good cause haue made not the third portion of the earth but the one halfe diuiding the whole globe of the earth into two parts to wit from the riuer Tanais vnto the Streights of Gades The Ocean then at this space abouesaid entreth into the Atlanticke sea and with a greedie current drowneth those lands which dread his comming like a tyrant but where he meeteth with any that are like to resist those he passeth iust by and with his winding turns and reaches he eateth and holloweth the shore continually to gaine ground making many noukes and creekes euery where but in Europe most of all wherein foure especiall great gulfes are to be seene Of which the first from Calpe the vtmost promontorie as is aboue said of Spain windeth and turneth with an exceeding great compasse to Locri and as far as the promontorie Brutium Within it lieth the first land of all others Spaine that part I meane which in regard of vs at Rome is the farther off and is named also Boetica And anon from the Firth Virgitanus the hither part otherwise called Tarraconensis as far as to the hils Pyrenaei That farther part of larger Spaine is diuided into two prouinces in the length thereof for on the North side of Boetica lyeth Lusitania afront diuided from it by the riuer Ana. This riuer beginneth in the territorie Laminitanus of the hither Spain one while spreading out it selfe into broad pooles or meeres otherwhiles gathering into narrow brooks or altogether hidden vnder the ground and taking pleasure to rise vp oftentimes in many places falleth into the Spanish Atlantick Ocean But the part named Tarraconensis lying fast vpon Pyrenaeus shooting along all
are saith he by these markes In one of their eies they haue two sights in the other the print or resemblance of an horse He reports besides of these men that they wil neuer sinke or drowne in the water be they charged neuer somuch with weighty and heauy apparel Not vnlike to these there are a people in Aethiopia called Pharnaces whose sweat if it chance to touch a mans body presently he falleth into a phthisick or consumption of the lungs And Cicero a Romane writer here among vs testifieth that generally all women that haue such double apples in their eies haue a venemous sight and doe hurt therewith See how nature hauing engraffed naturally in some men this vnkind appetite like wild beasts to feed commonly vpon the bowels and flesh of men hath taken delight also pleasure to giue them inbred poisons in their whol body yea venom in the very eies of some that there should be no naughtinesse in the world againe but the same might be found in man Not farre from Rome city within the territory of the Falisci there be some few houses families called Hirpiae which at their solemne yearely sacrifice celebrated by them in the honour of Apollo vpon the mount Sorecte walke vpon the pile of wood as it is on fire in great iolity and neuer a whit are burnt withall For which cause it is ordained by an expresse arest or act of the Senat that they should be priuiledged and haue immunity of warfare and all other seruices whatsoeuer Some men there be that haue certaine members and parts of their bodies naturally working strange and miraculous effects and in some cases medicinable As for example king Pyrrhus whose great toe of his right foot was good for them that had big swelled or indurate spleenes if he did but touch the parties diseased with that toe And they say moreouer that when the rest of his body was burnt after the manner in the funerall fire that great toe the fire had no power to consume so that it was bestowed in a litle case for the nones and hung vp in the temple for a holy relique But principally aboue all other countries India and the whole tract of Aethiopia is full of these strange and miraculous things And first formost the beasts bred in India be very big as it may appeare by their dogs which for proportion are much greater than those in other parts And trees grow there to that tallnesse that a man cannot shoot a shaft ouer them The reason hereof is the goodnesse and fatnesse of the ground the temperat constitution of the aire and the abundance of water which is the cause also that vnder one fig tree beleeue it that list there may certaine troupes and squadrons of horsmen stand in couert shaded with the boughes And as for reeds they be of such a length that between euery ioint they will yeeld sufficient to make boats able to receiue three men apeece for to row therein at ease There are to be seene many men there aboue fiue cubits tall neuer are they known once to spit troubled they are not with pain in the head tooth-ach or griefe of the eies and seldome or neuer complaine they of any sorance in other parts of the body so hardy are they and of so strong a constitution thorough the moderat heat of the Sun Ouer and besides among the Indians be certain Philosophers whom they call Gymnosophists who from the Sun rising to the setting thereof are able to endure all the day long looking full against the Sunne without winking or once mouing their eies from morning to night can abide to stand somtimes vpon one leg and sometimes on the other in the sand as scalding hot as it is Vpon a certaine mountaine named Milus there be men whose feet grow the tother way backward and of either foot they haue eight toes as Megasthenes doth report And in many other hils of that countrey there is a kind of men with heads like dogs clad all ouer with skins of wild beasts who in lieu of speech vse to bark armed they are and well appointed with sharp and trenchant nailes they liue vpon the prey which they get by chasing wild beasts fowling Ctesias writes that there were discouered and knowne of them aboue 120000 in number By whose report also in a certaine country of India the women beare but once in their life and their in fants presently waxe grey so soone as they are borne into the world Also that there is a kind of people named Monoscelli that haue but one leg apeece but they are most nimble and hop wondrous swiftly The same men are also called Sciopodes for that in hotest season of the Summer they ly along on their back and defend themselues with their feet against the Suns heate and these people as he saith are not farre from the Troglodites Againe beyond these Westward some there be without heads standing vpon their necks who cary eies in their shoulders Among the Westerne mountains of India the Satyres haunt the country wherein they be is called the region of the Cartaduli creatures of all other most swift in footmanship which one whiles run with all foure otherwhiles vpon two feet only like men but so light footed they are that vnlesse they be very old and sick they can neuer be taken Tauron writeth That the Choromandae are a sauage and wild people distinct voice and speech they haue none but in stead thereof they keep an horrible gnashing and hideous noise rough they are and hairy all ouer their bodies eies they haue red like the houlets and toothed they be like dogs Eudoxus saith That in the Southern parts of India the men kind haue feet a cubit long but the wome so short smal that thereupon they be called Struthopodes i. sparrow footed Megasthenes is my Author that among the Indian Nomades there is a kind of people that in stead of noses haue only two smal holes and after the manner of snakes they haue their legs feet limmer wherwith they crawle and creep and named they are Syrictae In the vtmost marches of India Eastward about the source head of the riuer Ganges there is a nation called the Astomes for that they haue no mouths all hairy ouer the whole body yet clothed with soft cotton and down that come from the leaues of trees they liue only by the aire and smelling to sweet odors which they draw in at their nosthrils No meat nor drinke they take only pleasant sauours from diuers and sundry roots floures and wild fruits growing in the woods they entertaine and those they vse to carry about with them when they take any farre journey because they would not misse their smelling And yet if the sent be any thing strong and stinking they are soone therwith ouercome dy withal Higher in the country and aboue these euen in the edge and skirts of the mountains the Pygmaei
infected and to change the colour thereupon Furthermore doubtlesse it is that children breed their fore teeth in the seuenth moneth after they are borne and first those in the vpper chaw for the most part likewise that they shed the same teeth about the seuenth yere of their age others come vp new in the place Certaine it is also that some children are borne into the world with teeth as M. Curius who thereupon was surnamed Dentatus and Cn. Papyrius Carbo both of them very great men and right honourable personages In women the same was counted but an vnlucky thing presaged some misfortune especially in the daies of the KK regiment in Rome for when Valeria was borne toothed the wizards and Soothsayers being consulted thereabout answered out of their learning by way of Prophesie That look into what citie she was caried to nource she should be the cause of the ruine and subuersion thereof whereupon had away shee was and conueied to Suessa Pometia a city at that time most flourishing in wealth and riches and it proued most true in the end for that city was vtterly destroied Cornelia the mother of the Gracchi is sufficient to proue by her own example that women are neuer borne for good whose genitall parts for procreation are growne together and yeeld no entrance Some children are borne with an entire whole bone that taketh vp all the gum instead of a row of distinct teeth as a son of Prusias king of the Bythinians who had such a bone in his vpper chaw This is to be obserued about teeth that they onely check the fire and burn not to ashes with other parts of the body and yet as inuincible as they are and able to resist the violence of the flame they rot and become hollow with a little catarrhe or waterish rheume that droppeth and distilleth vpon them white they may be made with certaine mixtures and medicines called Dentifices Some weare their teeth to the very stumps onely with vse of chawing others againe loose them first out of their head they serue not onely to grind our meat for our daily food and nourishment but necessary also they be for the framing of our speech The fore-teeth stand in good stead to rule and moderate the voice by a certaine consent and tuneable accord answering as it were to the stroke of the tongue and according to that row and ranke of theirs wherein they are set as they are broader or narrower greater or smaller they yeeld a distinction and varietie in our words cutting and hewing them thicke and short framing them pleasant plaine and ready drawing them out at length or smuddering and drowning them in the end but when they bee once falne out of the head man is bereaued of all means of good vtterance and explanation of his words Moreouer there are some presages of good or bad fortune gathered by the teeth men ordinarily haue giuen them by nature 32 in all except the nation of the Turduli They that haue aboue this number may make account as it is thought to liue the longer As for women they haue not so many they that haue on the right side in the vpper iaw two eie-teeth which the Latines call Dogs-teeth may promise themselues the flattering fauors of Fortune as it is well seene in Agrippina the mother of Domitius Nero but contrariwise the same teeth double in the left side aboue is a signe of euill lucke It is not the custome in any countrey to burne in a funerall fire the dead corps of any infant before his teeth be come vp but hereof will we write more at large in the Anatomie of man when wee shall discourse purposely of euerie member and part of the body Zoroastres was the onely man that euer wee could heare of who laughed the same day that he was borne his brain did so euidently pant and beat that it would beare vp their hands that laid them vpon his head a most certain presage fore-token of that great learning that afterward he attained vnto This also is held for certain and resolued vpon that a man at three yeares of age is come to one moitie of his growth and height As also this is obserued for an vndoubted truth that generally all men come short of the ful stature in time past and decrease stil euery day more than other and seldome shall you see the son taller than his father for the ardent heat of the elementarie fire whereunto the world enclineth already now toward the later end as somtimes it stood much vpon the waterie element deuoureth and consumeth that plentifull humor and moisture of naturall seed that engendreth all things and this appeareth more euidently by these examples following In Crete it chanced that an hill claue asunder in an earth-quake and in the chink thereof was found a body standing 46 cubits high some say it was the body of Orion others of Otus We find in chronicles records of good credit that the body of Orestes being taken vp by direction from the Oracles was seuen cubits long And verily that great and famous poet Homer who liued almost 1000 yeres ago complained and gaue not ouer That mens bodies were lesse of stature euen then than in old time The Annales set not downe the stature and bignesse of Naevius Pollio but that he was a mighty gyant appeareth by this that is written of him namely that it was taken for a wonderfull strange thing that in a great rout presse of people that came running together vpon him he had like to haue bin killed The tallest man that hath bin seen in our age was one named Gabbara who in the daies of prince Claudius late Emperor was brought out of Arabia nine foot high was hee and as many inches There were in the time of Augustus Caesar 2 others named Pusio and Secundilla higher than Gabbara by halfe a foot whose bodies were preserued and kept for a wonder in a charnell house or sepulchre within the gardens of the Salustians Whiles the same Augustus sate as president his niece Iulia had a little dwarfish fellow not aboue 2 foot and a hand bredth high called Conopas whom she set great store by and made much of as also another she dwarfe named Andromeda who somtime had been the slaue of Iulia the princesse and by her made free M. Varro reporteth that Manius Maximus and M. Tullius were but two cubits high yet they gentlemen and knights of Rome and in truth we our selues haue seen their bodies how they lie embalmed and chested which testifieth no lesse It is well knowne that there be some that naturally are neuer but a foot and a halfe high others again somwhat longer and to this heigth they came in three yeres which is the full course of their age and then they die Wee reade moreouer in the Chronicles that in Salamis one Euthimenes had a son who in three yeres grew to be three cubits high but
XXXIIII ¶ Of the Buffe or Tarandus the Lycaon and the Thos IN Scythia there is a beast called Tarandus which changeth likewise colour as the Chamaeleon and no other creature bearing haire doth the same vnlesse it be the Lycaon of India which by report hath a maned necke As for the Thoes which are a kinde of wolues somewhat longer than the other common wolues and shorter legged quicke and swift in leaping liuing altogether of the venison that they hunt take without doing any harme at all to men they may be said not so much to change their hew as their habit and apparell for all winter time they be shag-haired but in summer bare and naked The Tarandus is as big as an oxe with an head not vnlike to a stags but that it is greater namely carrying branched hornes clouen hoofed and his haire as deep as is the Beares The hide of his backe is so tough and hard that thereof they make brest-plates He taketh the colour of all trees shrubs plants floures and places wherein he lieth when he retireth for feare and therefore seldome is he caught But when he list to looke like himselfe and be in his owne colour he resembleth an Asse To conclude strange it is that the bare body of a beast should alter into so many colours but much more strange it is and wonderfull that the haire also should so change CHAP. XXXV ¶ Of the Pork-pen THe Porkpens come out of India and Africke a kind of Vrchin or hedge-hog they be armed with pricks they be both but the Porkpen hath the longer sharp pointed quilles and those when he stretcheth his skin he sendeth and shooteth from him when the hounds presseth hard vpon him he flieth from their mouthes and then takes vantage to launce at them somwhat farther off In the Winter he lieth hidden as the nature is of many beasts to doe and the Beares aboue the rest CHAP. XXXVI ¶ Of the Beares and how they breed and bring forth their young THey ingender in the beginning of winter not after the common manner of other foure-footed beasts but lying both along clasping and embracing one another then they goe apart into their dennes and caues where the she beare thirtie daies after is discharged of her burden and bringeth forth commonly fiue whelps at a time At the first they seem to be a lump of white flesh without all form little bigger than rattons without eies wanting haire only there is some shew and apparance of claws that put forth This rude lumpe with licking they fashion by little little into some shape nothing is more rare to be seen in the world than a she beare bringing forth her yong and this is one cause that the male beares are not to be seen in 40 daies nor the femall for 4 moneths If they haue no holes and dens for the purpose they build themselues cabbins of wood gathering together a deale of boughes bushes which they couch and lay artificially together to beare off any shower so as no raine is able to enter and those they strew vpon the floore with as soft leaues as they can meet withall For the first 14 daies after they haue taken vp their lodging in this manner they sleep so soundly that they cannot possibly be wakened if a man should lay on and wound them In this drowsinesse of theirs they grow wondrous fat This their grease and fat thus gotten is it that is so medicineable and good for those that shed their haire These 14 days once past they sit vpon their rump or buttocks and fall to sucking of their fore-feet and this is all their food wherof they liue for the time Their yong whelpes when they are starke and stiffe for cold they huggle in their bosom and keep close to their warm breast much like to birds that sit vpon their egs A strange and wonderful thing it is to be told and yet Theophrastus beleeueth it That if a man take bears flesh during those daies and seeth or bake the same if it be set vp and kept safe it will grow neuerthelesse All this time they dung not neither doth there appeare any token or excrement of meat that they haue eaten and very little water or aquositie it found within their belly As for bloud some few small drops lie about the heart only and none at all in the whole body besides Now when spring is come forth they go out of their den but by that time the males are exceeding ouergrown with fat and the reason therof cannot be readily rendred for as we said before they had no more but that fortnights sleep to fat them withall Being now gotten abroad the first thing that they do is to deuoure a certain herbe named Aron i. Wake-robin and that they do to open their guts which otherwise were clunged and grown together and for to prepare their mouths and teeth again to eat they whet and set the edge of them with the yong shoots and tendrons of the briers and brambles Subiect they are many times to dimnesse of sight for which cause especially they seek after hony combs that the bees might settle vpon them and with their stings make them bleed about the head and by that means discharge them of that heauinesse which troubleth their eies The Lions are not so strong in the head but beares bee as weak and tender there and therfore when they be chased hard by hunters put to a plunge ready to cast themselues headlong from a rocke they couer and arme their heads with their fore-feet and pawes as it were with hands and so jump downe yea and many times when they are baited in the open shew-place we haue known them laid streaking for dead with one cuffe or box of the eare giuen them with a mans fist In Spain it is held for certain that in their brain there is a venomous qualitie and if it be taken in drinke driueth men into a kind of madnesse so as they will rage as if they were bears in token whereof whensoeuer any of them be killed with baiting they make sure work and burn their heads all whole When they list they wil go on their two hinder feet vpright they creep down from trees backward when they fight with buls their manner is to hang with all their foure feet about their head and hornes and so with the very weight of their bodies wearie them There is not a liuing creature more craftie and foolish withall when it doth a shrewd turne We finde it recorded in the Annales of the Romans that when M. Piso and M. Messala were Consuls Domitius Aenobarbus and Aedile Curule vpon the 14 day before the Calends of October exhibited 100 Numidian beares to be baited chased in the great Cirque and as many Aethiopian hunters And I maruell much that the Chronicle nameth Numidian since it is certain that no bâ—…rs come out of Africke CHAP. XXXVII ¶ Of the Rats of Pontus
kinds and not accompany together vnlesse they tasted the milk and sucked the damme when they were yong of that kinde which they would couer And for this purpose they vse to steale away either the yong Asse foles and set them in the dark to the teats of the Mare or els the yong colts to suck of the she Asse For there is a kind of Mule also that comes of a stone horse and a female Asse but of all others they be vntoward and vnruly and so slow withall that it is vnpossible to bring them to any good seruice and much more as all things else if they be far in age when they ingender If when a she Asse hath taken the horse and be sped there come an Asse and couer her againe she will cast her fruit vntimely and lose all but it is not so if an horse couer her after an Asse It is noted found by experience that seuen daies after an Asse hath foled is the best time to put the male vnto her and then soonest will she be sped as also that the he Asses being wearie with trauel wil better couer the femals than otherwise being resty That Asse is held for barren which is not couered nor conceiueth before she haue cast her sucking or foles teeth whereby the age is known as also she that standeth not to the first couering but loseth it In old time they vsed to call those Hinuli which were begotten betweene a horse and an Asse and contrariwise Mules such as were ingendred of an Asse and a Mare Moreouer this is obserued that if two beasts of diuers kindes ingender they bring forth one of a third sort and resembling none of the parents also that such begotten in this maner what kind of creatures soeuer they be are themselues barren and fruitles vnable either to beare or beget yong And this is the cause that she mules neuer breed We finde verily in our Chronicles that oft times Mules brought forth yong foles but it was alwaies taken for a monstrous and prodigious signe And yet Theophrastus saith that in Cappadocia ordinarily they do beare and bring forth foles but they are a kind by themselues Mules are broken of their flinging and wincing if they vse often to drinke wine It is found written in many Greeke authors that if an he Mule couer a Mare there is ingendred that which the Latins call Hinnus that is to say a little Mule Between Mares and wild Asses made tame there is ingendred a kind of Mules very swift in running and exceeding hard hoofed lanke and slender of bodie but fierce and couragious and vnneth or hardly to be broken But the Mule that comes of a wild Asse and a female tame Asse passeth all the rest As for wild asses the very best floure of them be in Phrygia and Lycaonia In Africke the flesh of their foles is held for excellent good meat and such they cal Lalisiones It appeares in the Chronicles of Athens That a mule liued 80 yeares And reported thus much there is of it That when they built the temple within the citadel thereof this old Mule being for age able to do nothing els would yet accompanie other Mules that laboured and caried stones thither and if any were ready to fall vnder their lode would seeme to relieue and hold them vp and as it were incourage them to his power insomuch as the people tooke so great delight and pleasure therein that they made a decree and took order that no corn-masters that bought and sold graine should beat this mule from their ranging siues when they clensed or winnowed their corne but that he might eat vnder them CHAP. XLV ¶ Of Buls Kine and Oxen. THe Boeufs of India are as high by report as Camels and foure foot broad they are betwixt the horns In our part of the world those that come out of Epirus are most commended and beare the greatest price aboue all others and namely those which they say are of the race breed of king Pyrrhus who that way was very curious For this prince because he would haue a principall good breed would not suffer the Buls to come vnto the kine and season them before they were both foure yeares old Mighty big they were therefore and so they continue of that kind vnto this day How beit now when they be but heifers of one yeare or two yeres at the most which is more tolerable they are let go to the fellow and breed Buls may wel ingender and serue kine when they be 4 yeares old and one of them is able all the yeare long to goe with ten kine and serue their turne They say moreouer that a Bull after he hath leapt a Cow and done his kind if he go his way toward the right hand he hath gotten an oxe calfe but contrariwise a cow calfe if he take the left hand Kine commonly take at their first seasoning but if it chance that they misse and stand not to it the 20 day after they seeke the fellow and goe a bulling againe In the tenth moneth they calue and whatsoeuer falleth before that terme never proueth nor commeth to good Some write That they calue iust vpon the last day of the tenth moneth complete Seldome bring they forth two calues at a time Their seasoning time commonly continueth 30 daies namely from the rising of the Dolphin starre vnto the day before the Nones of Ianuarie howbeit some there be that go to fellow in Autumne Certes in those countries where the people liue altogether of milke they order the matter so that their kine calue at all times so as they are not without their food of fresh milke all the yeare long Bulls willingly leape not aboue two kine at most in one day Boeufes alone of all liuing Creatures can grase going backeward and verily among the Gamarants they neuer feed otherwise Kine liue not aboue 15 yeares at the vtmost bulls and oxen come to 20 they be at their â—…ll strength when they are 5 yeres old It is said that they will grow fat if they be bathed with lot water or if a man slit their hide and with a reed or pipe blow wind betweene the flesh and the skin euen into their intrals Kine Buls and Oxen are not to be despised as vnkindely although they look but ilfauoredly and be not so faire to the eie for in the Alpes the least of bodie are the best milch kine and the best laboring oxen are they which are yoked by the head and not the neck In Syria they haue no dewlaps at all hanging vnder the necke but bunches standing vp on their backs in stead thereof They of Caria also a country of Asia are ilfauored to sight hauing betweene their neckes and shoulders a tumor or swelling hanging ouer besides their horns are loose and as it were out of joint and yet by report they are passing good of deed and labor most stoutly Furthermore it is generally held for
them hornes but some are nott but in those which are horned a man may know their age by the number of the knots therein more or lesse and in very truth the nott shee goats are more free of milke Archelaus writeth that they take their breath at the eares and not at the nostrils also that they be neuer cleare of the ague And this haply is the cause that they are hotter mouthed and haue a stronger breath than sheepe and more egre in their rut Men say moreouer that they see by night as well as by day therefore they that when euening is come see nothing at all recouer their perfect sight again by eating ordinarily the liuer of goats In Cilicia and about the Syrtes the people clad themselues with goats haire for there they shere them as sheep Furthermore it is said that goats toward the Sun-setting cannot in their pasture see directly one another but by turning taile to taile as for other houres of the day they keep head to head range together with the rest of their fellowes They haue all of them a tuft of haire like a beard hanging vnder their chin which they call Aruncus If a man take one of them by this beard and draw it forth of the stock all the rest will stand still gazing thereat as if they were astonied and so wil they doe if any of them chaunce to bite of a certaine hearb Their teeth kill trees As for an oliue tree if they doe but lick it they spoile it for euer bearing after and for this cause they be not killed in sacrifice to Minerua CHAP. LI. ¶ Of Swine and their natures SWine goe a brimming from the time that the Westerne wind Fauonius beginnes to blow vntill the spring Aequinoctiall and they take the bore when they be eight months old yea in some places at the fourth month of their age and continue breeding vnto the seuenth yeare They farrow commonly twice a yeare they be with pig foure months One sow may bring at one farrow twenty pigges but reare so many she cannot Nigidius saith that those pigs which are farrowed ten daies vnder or ten daies ouer the shortest day in the yeare when the sun entreth into Capricorn haue teeth immediatly They stand lightly to the first brimming but by reason that they are subject to cast their pigs they had need to be brimmed a second time Howbeit the best way to preuent that they doe not slip their young is to keepe the bore from them at their first grunting and seeking after him nor to let them be brimmed before their ears hang downe Bores be not good to brim swine after they be three yeres old Sowes when they be wearie for age that they cannot stand take the bore lying along That a sow should eat her own pigs it is no prodigious wonder A pig is pure good for sacrifice 5 daies after it is farrowed a lamb when it hath been yeaned 8 daies and a calfe being 30 daies old But Gornucanus saith That all beasts for sacrifice which chew cud are not pure and right for that purpose vntill they haue teeth Swine hauing lost on eie are not thought to liue long after otherwise they may continue vntill they be fifteen yeares old yea some to twenty But they grow to be wood and raging otherwhiles and besides are subject to many maladies more most of all to the squinancie and wen or swelling of the kernels in the neck Will ye know when a swine is sick or vnsound pluck a bristle from the back and it will be bloudie at the root also he will cary his neck atone side as he goeth A sow if she be ouer-fat soone wanteth milke and at her first farrow bringeth fewest pigs All the kind of them loue to wallow in dirt and mire They wrinkle their taile wherin this also is obserued that they be more likely to appease the gods in sacrifice that rather writh turn their tailes to the right hand than the left Swine wil be fat and wel larded in sixtie daies and the rather if before you begin to frank them vp they be kept altogether from meat three daies Of all other beasts they are most brutish insomuch as there goes a pleasant by-word of them and fitteth them well That their life is giuen them in stead of salt This is known for a truth that when certaine theeues had stolne and driuen away a companie of them the swinheard hauing followed them to the water side for by that time were the theeues imbarged with them cried aloud vnto the swine as his manner was whereupon they knowing his voice learned all to one side of the vessel turned it ouer and sunke it tooke the water and so swam againe to land vnto their keeper Moreouer the hogs that vse to lead and goe before the heard are so well trained that they wil of themselues goe to the swine-market place within the citie from thence home againe to their maisters without any guid to direct them The wild bores in this kind haue the wit to couer their tracks with mire and for the nones to run ouer marish ground where the prints of their footing will not be sene yea and to be more light in running to void their vrine first Sowes also are splaied as well as camels but two daies before they be kept from meat then hang they by the fore-legs for to make incision into their matrice and to take forth their stones and by this means they will sooner grow to be fat There is an Art also in cookerie to make the liuer of a sow as also of a goose more daintie and it was the deuise of M. Apicius namely to feed them with drie figges and when they haue eaten till they bee full presently to giue them mead or honied wine to drink vntill they die with being ouercharged There is not the flesh of any other liuing creature that yeeldeth more store of dishes to the maintenance of gluttonie than this for fiftie sundrie sorts of tastes it affordeth whereas other haue but one a peece From hence came so many edicts and proclamations published by the Censors forbidding and prohibiting to serue vp at any feast or supper the belly and paps of a sow the kernels about the neck the brizen the stones the womb and the fore-part of the bores head and yet for all that Publius the Poet and maker of wanton songs after that he was come to his freedom neuer by report had supper without an hogs belly with the paps who also to that dish gaue the name and called it Sumen Moreouer the flesh of wild bores came to be in great request and was much set by in such sort as Cato the Censor in his inuectiue orations challenged men for brawne And yet when they made three kinds of meat of the wild bore the loine was alwaies serued vp in the mids The first Romane that brought to the table a whole bore at once
CHerry-trees Peach-trees and generally all that either haue Greek names or any other but Latine are held for aliens in Italy Howbeit some of them now are infranchised and taken for free denizens among vs so familiar they be made vnto vs and they like the ground so well But of them we will speake in the ranke of those trees that beare fruit For this present we are to treat of those that be meere forrainers and for good lucke sake begin we will with that which of all others is most holesome to wit the Citron tree called the Assyrian tree and by some the Median Apple-tree the fruit whereof is a counterpoison and singular Antidote against all venome The tree it selfe bears the leafe like vnto an Arbut tree mary it hath certain pricks among The Pomecitron is not so good to be chewed and eaten of it selfe howbeit very odoriferous it is as be the leaues also therof which are vsed to be laid in wardrobes among apparel for the smel thereof wil passe into the cloths and preserue them from the moth spider and such like vermin This tree beares fruit at all times of the yere for when some fall for ripenesse others wax mellow and some again begin then but to shew their blossome Many forrainers haue assaied to transplant them and set them in their own countries in regard of their excellent vertue to resist poisons And for this purpose they haue caried yong quick sets or plants of them in earthen pots made for the purpose and inclosed them well with earth howbeit the roots had liberty giuen them to breath as it were at certain holes for the nones because they should not be clunged and pent in prison Which I rather note because I would haue it known once for all and well remembred That all plants which are to be remoued and carried far off must be set very close and vsed in the same order most precisely But for all the care and paines taken about it for to make it grow in other countries yet would it not forget Media and Persia nor like in any other soile but soon die This is that fruit the kernels wherof as I said before the lords and great men of Parthia vse to seeth with their meat for to correct their soure and stinking breaths And verily there is not a tree in all Media of better respect than is the Citron tree As for those trees in the region of the Seres which beare the silk wool or cotton we haue spoken thereof in our Cosmographie when we made mention of that Nation CHAP. IV. ¶ Of Indian Trees and when the Ebene was first knowne at Rome IN like manner discoursed we haue of the talnesse and greatnesse of Indian trees Of all those trees which be appropriate to India Virgil hath highly commended the Ebene aboue all the rest and he affirmeth That it will not grow elswhere But Herodotus assigneth it rather to Aethyopia and saith That euery three yeares the Aethyopians were wont to pay by way of tribute vnto the kings of Persia 100 billets of the timber of that tree together with gold and yuory Moreouer I must not forget since that mine author hath so expressely set it downe that the Ethyopians in the same regard were bound to pay in like manner twentie great and massie Elephants teeth In such estimation was yuorie then namely in the 310 yeare after the foundation of Rome at what time as Herodotus put forth that historie at Thurij in Italy The more maruell it is that we giue so much credit to that writer saying as he doth How that in his time before there was no man knowne in Asia or Greece nor yet to himselfe who had not so much as seen the riuer Po. The Card or Map of Ethiopia which lately was presented and shewed to the Emperor Nero as wc haue before said doth sufficiently testifie That from Syene which confines and bounds the lands of our Empire and dominion as far as to the Island Meroe for the space of 996 miles there is little Ebene found and that in all those parts betweene there be few other trees to be found but Date trees Which peraduenture may be a cause That Ebene was counted a rich tribute and deserued the third place after Gold Iuory Certes Pompey the Great in that solemnitie of triumph for the victorie and conquest of Mithridates shewed one Ebene tree Fabianus is of opinion that it wil not burne howbeit experience sheweth the contrary for take fire it will yea and cast a pleasant and sweet perfume Two kindes there be of Ebene the one which as it is the better so likewise it is rare and geason it carrieth a trunke like another tree without knot the wood thereof is blacke and shining and at the very first sight faire and pleasant to the eie without any art or polishing at all The other is more like a shrub and putteth forth twigs as the Tretrifolie A plant this is commonly to be seene in all parts of India CHAP. V. ¶ Of certaine Thornes and Fig-trees of India THere groweth also among the Indians a Thorne resembling the later kind of Ebene and found to serue for the vse of candles for no sooner commeth it neere vnto the fire but it catcheth a flame the fire leaps presently vnto it Now it remains to speak of those trees which set Alexander the Great into a wonder at what time as vpon his victory he made a voiage for to discouer that part of the world First and formost there is a fig tree there which beareth very small and slender Figs. The property of this tree is to plant and set it selfe without mans help For it spreadeth out with mighty armes and the lowest water-boughes vnderneath doe bend so downward to the very earth that they touch it againe and lie vpon it whereby within one yeares space they will take fast root in the ground and put forth a new Spring round about the Mother-tree so as these branches thus growing seeme like a traile or border of arbors most curiously and artificially made Within these bowers the Sheepherds vse to repose and take vp their harbor in Summer time for shady and coole it is and besides well fenced all about with a set of young trees in manner of a pallaisado A most pleasant and delectable sight whether a man either come neere and looke into it or stand a farre off so faire and pleasant an arbour it is all greene and framed arch-wise in just compasse Now the vpper boughes thereof stand vp on high and beare a goodly tuft and head aloft like a little thicke wood or forrest And the body or trunke of the Mother is so great that many of them take vp in compasse threescore paces and as for the foresaid shadow it couereth in ground a quarter of a mile The leaues of this Tree are verie broad made in forme of an Amazonian or Turkish Targuet which is the reason that the
or earthen vessels and so they will continue good till new come As for all other plums as they be soon ripe so they are as soone gone It is not long since that in the realm of Granado and Andalusia they began to graffe plums vpon apple-tree stocks and those brought forth plums named Apple-plums as also others called Almond-plums graffed vpon Almond-stocks these haue within their stone a kernel like an Almond and verily there is not a fruit again wherein is seene a wittier deuise to conioine and represent in one and the same subiect two diuers sorts As for the Damascene-plums taking name of Damasco in Syria we haue sufficiently spoken thereof in our treatise of strange trees and yet long since they haue bin knowne to grow in Italy which although they haue a large stone and little carnosity about them yet they neuer wither into wrinkles and riuels when they be dry for that they want the ful strength of the kind Sun which they had in Syria We should do wel to write together with them of the fruit Sebesten which also come from the same Syria albeit now of late they begin to grow at Rome being graffed vpon Soruices As touching peaches in generall the very name in Latine whereby they are called Persica doth euidently shew that they were brought out of Persis first and that it is a fruit not ordinary either in Greece or Natolia but a meere stranger there Contrariwise wilde plums as it is well knowne grow euery where I maruell therefore so much the more that Cato made no mention thereof considering that of purpose he shewed the maner how to preserue and keep diuers wild fruits till new came for long it was first ere Peach trees came into these parts and much adoe there was before they could be brought for to prosper with vs seeing that in the Island Rhodes which was their place of habitation next to Aegypt they beare not at all but are altogether barren And whereas it is said That Peaches be venomous in Persia do cause great torments in them who do eat therof as also that the KK of Persia in old time caused them to be transported ouer into Aegypt by way of reuenge to plague that country and notwithstanding their poisonous nature yet through the goodnes of that soile they became good and holesom all this is nothing but a meere fable a loud lie True it is indeed that the best writers who haue been painful aboue others to search out the truth haue reported so much concerning the tree Persea which is far different from the Peach tree Persica beareth fruit like to Sebesten of color red and willingly would not grow in any country without the East parts and yet the wiser more learned Clerkes do hold That it was not the tree Persea which was brought out of Persis into Egypt for to annoy and plague the country but that it was planted first by K. Perseus at Memphis Whereupon it came that Alexander the Great ordained That all victors who had won the prize at any game there should be crowned with a chaplet of that tree to honor the memoriall of his great grandsires father But how euer it be certaine it is that this tree continueth greene all the yere long and beareth euermore fruit one vnder another new and old together And to returne again to our Plum-trees euident it is that in Cato's time they were not knowne in Italy but all the Plum-trees which we now haue are come since he died CHAP. XIIII ¶ Of nine and twenty kinds of Fruits contained vnder the names of Apples OF Apples that is to say of fruits that haue tender skins to be pared off there bee many sorts For as touching Pome-citrons together with their tree we haue already written The Greekes call them Medica according to the name of the country from whence they first came in old time As for Iujubes as also the fruit Tuberes they bee likewise strangers as well as the rest and long it is not since they arriued first in Italy the one sort out of Africk the other namely Iujubes out of Syria Sextus Papinius whom my self in my time saw Consul of Rome was the first man that brought them both into these parts namely in the later end of Augustus Caesar the Emperor and planted them about the rampiers of his campe for to beautifie the same Howbeit to say a truth their fruit resembled rather berries than apples yet they make a goodly shew vpon the rampiers and no maruell since that now adayes whole groues of trees begin to ouertop and surmount the houses of priuat persons Concerning the fruit Tuberes there be two sorts thereof to wit the white and the reddish called also Sericum of the colour of silke The Apples named Lanata are held in manner for strangers in Italy and are knowne to grow but in one place thereof and namely within the territory of Verona Couered they be all ouer with a kind of down or fine cotton which albeit both quince and peach be clad and ouergrown with in great plenty yet these alone cary the name thereof for otherwise no special propertie are they known by to commend them A number of apples there are besides that haue immortalised their first founders and inventers who brought them into name caused them to be known abroad in the world as if therin they had performed some worthy deed beneficiall to all mankinde In which regard why should I think much to rehearse reckon them vp particularly by name for if I be not much deceiued thereby will appeare the singular wit that some men imployed in graffing trees and how there is not so small a matter so it be wel and cunningly done but is able to get honor to the first author yea and to eternise his name for euer From hence it comes that our best apples take their denominations of Matius Cestius Manlius Claudius As for the quince-apples that come of a quince graffed vpon an apple stock they are called Appiana of one Appius who was of the Claudian house and first deuised and practised that feat These apples cary the smel with them of quinces they beare in quantitie the bignesse of the Claudian apples and are in color red Now lest any man should think that this fruit came into credit by reason only of partiall fauor for that the first inuentor was a man descended from so antient noble a family let him but think of the apples Sceptiana which are in as great request as they for their passing roundnesse and they beare the name of one Sceptius their first inuentor who was no better than the son of a slaue lately infranchised Cato maketh mention of apples called Quiriana as also of Scantiana which he saith the maner is to put vp in vessels and so keep them But of all others the last that were adopted and tooke name of their patrons and inuentors be Petisia
there are again who would haue it to be Stephanos Alexandri i. Alexanders chaplet This plant also is full of branches carrying a thicker and softer leafe than the common Lawrell and if a man tast therof it will set both the mouth also the throat on a fire the beries that it beareth be blackish inclining to a kind of red It hath bin noted and obserued in antient writers that no kind of Lawrel in old time was to be found in the Island Corsica and yet in these daies it is there planted and thriueth well enough The Lawrell betokeneth peace insomuch as if a branch therof be held out among armed enemies it is a signe of quietnes and cessation from armes Moreouer the Romans were wont to send their missiue letters adorned with Lawrell when they would giue aduertisement of some special good newes or ioiful victory they vsed besides to garnish therewith their lances pikes and spears The knitches also and bunches of rods born before grand captains and generals of the army were beautified set out with Bay branches Herewith they stick and bedecke the bosome of that most great and gracious Iupiter so often as there commeth glad tidings of some late fresh victory And all this honor is don to the Lawrell not because it is alwaies green nor for that it pretendeth and sheweth peace for in both these respects the oliue is to be preferred before it but in this regard that the fairest and goodliest of them grow vpon the mountain Pernassus and therefore also is it so acceptable to Apollo for which cause as may appeare by L. Brutus the Roman kings in old time were accustomed to send great presents and oblations thither to the temple of Apollo or peraduenture it was in memoriall of that ground that bare Lawrell trees and which according to the Oracle of Apollo the said L. Brutus kissed when he intended the publicke freedom of the city and minded to deliuer it from the yoke and seruitude of the kings or haply because it alone either set with the hand before the dores or brought into the house is not blasted and smitten with lightning And these reasons verily induce me to beleeue that in times past they chose the Bay tree for their triumphs before any other rather than as Massurius would haue it because the Lawrell serued for a solemne perfume to expiate and assoile the carnage and execution don vpon the enemies And so far were men in old time from common vsing either Lawrell or oliue and polluting the same in any prophane vse that they could not be permitted to burne thereof vpon their altars when they sacrificed or offered Incense although it were to doe honour to the gods and to appease their wrath and indignation Euident it is that the Bay tree leaues by their crackling that they make in the fire do put it from them and seem to detest and abhor it It cureth moreouer the diseases of the guts the matrice and the bladder also the lassitude and wearinesse of the sinews It is reported that Tiberius Caesar the Emperor vsed euer to weare a chaplet thereof when it thundered for feare of being strucken with lightening Moreouer certaine strange and memorable euents as touching the Bay tree haue happened about Augustus Caesar. For Liuia Drusilla who afterwards by mariage with the said Augustus became Empresse and was honored with the title of Augusta at what time as she was affianced and espoused to Caesar chanced as she sat still to haue an exceeding white hen to light into her lap which an Aegle flying aloft let fall from on high without any harme at all to the said pullet Now when this lady or princesse aduised considered wel the hen without being astonied and amazed at so strange miraculous a sight she perceiued that the hen held in her bill a lawrell branch full of Bay berries The Wisards and Soothsaiers were consulted withall about this wonderful occurrent and gaue aduise in the end to preserue the bird and the brood therof likewise to set in the ground the foresaid branch and duly to tend and look vnto it Both the one and the other was done and excecuted accordingly about a certain house in the country belonging to the Caesars seated vpon the riuer Tyberis neere the causey or port way Flaminia about nine miles from Rome which house therupon was called Ad Gallinas as a man would say The signe of the Hens Well the foresaid branch mightily prospered and proued afterwards to be a groue of Laurels which all came from the first stock In processe of time Augustus Caesar when he entred in Triumph into Rome caried in his hand a branch of that Bay tree yea and wore a chaplet vpon his head of the same and so did all the Emperors and Caesars his successors after him Hereof also came the custome to set againe and replant those branches of Lawrel that emperors held in their hands when they triumphed therof continue whole woods groues distinguished each one by their seuerall names and perhaps therefore were they named Triumphall This is the only tree known in the Latine tongue whereof a man beareth the name Againe there is not another tree besides that hath the leafe to cary in the Latine tongue a denomination and name by it selfe apart as well as the tree for whereas the plant is named Laurus the leafe we call Laurea Moreouer there is a place likewise within the city of Rome on mount Aventine retaining stil the name Loretum which first was imposed vpon it by reason of a lawrell groue which grew there The Bay tree also is vsed in solemne purifications before the gods and to conclude this would be resolued and agreed vpon by the way That if a branch therof be set it will prosper and become a tree although Democritus and Theophrastus make some doubt thereof Thus much of Lawrels and other domesticall and natiue trees it remaineth now to write of those that be wild and sauage and of their natures THE SIXTEENTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS The Proeme HItherto haue we treated of those Trees that beare Apples and such like fruits which likewise with their mild iuice and sweet liquors made our meats first delight some and taught vs to mingle together with the necessarie food for sustentation of our liues that which maketh it delicate and pleasant to content our taste as well those trees that naturally were so in the beginning as those which through the industry and skill of man what by graffing and what by wedding them as it were to others became toothsome and delectable to our tongue whereby also we haue gratified in some sort wild beasts and done pleasure to the foules of the aire It followeth now by order that we should discourse likewise of trees that beare Mast those trees I say which ministred the first food vnto our forefathers and were the nources that fed and
be obserued That the winter spring of trees is about the rising of the Aegle-star the Summer budding at the rising of the Dog-star and a third when the star Arcturus is vp And for the two later some would haue them verily to be common to all trees but most euidently seen in Fig-trees Vines Pomegranate trees and they yeeld a cause For that in Thessalie and Macedonie the Fig tree about these times putteth forth most plenteously and in Aegypt this reason is to be seene most apparantly As for all other trees certaine it is that when they begin once to bud they hold on and shoot forward continually without intermission The wild Oke the Fir and the Larch tree haue their seuerall shoots in one yere and spring at three sundrie times giuing ouer between whiles and therefore they put forth the sprouts between the skales of their barks a thing vsually hapning to all trees in their budding breeding time for after they be once conceiued their rind or bark bursteth withall Now their first budding is in the prime beginning of the spring and continueth much about 15 daies They bud a second time in the moneth of May when the sun passes thorough the signe Gemini by which time it is euidently to be seen how the bud heads that came first are driuen and thrust vp higher by those that follow after that appeares more plainly by the encrease of the knots joynts As for the third budding it is very short namely at midsummer and lasteth not aboue a seuen-night and euen then also may a man perceiue manifestly by the knots and joynts of the shoots how much they are put forth and grown The Vine alone shooteth twice to wit when she first beginneth to burgen put forth a grape and a second time when she formeth and digesteth or concocteth the same As for those trees that blossome not they haue no more to doe but only to bring forth their fruit and so proceed to ripen it Now there are some trees which no sooner bud but they shew also a blossom and yet as hasty as they be that way they take their leisure afterwards and long it is ere their fruit come to be ripe and such are the Vines Others again be as backward and slow both to bud and blossome but they make speed to ripen their fruit as the Mulberry tree which of ciuile and domesticall trees is the last that buds and neuer before all the cold weather is past and therfore she is called the wisest tree of all others but after that she begins once to put forth buds she dispatches her busines out of hand insomuch as in one night she hath done and that with such a force that in the breaking forth a man may euidently heare a noise Of those trees that conceiue in winter about the rising of the Aegle-star as we haue before said the Almond tree is the first that blossometh in the moneth of Ianuarie and by March the Almond is ripe The next that blossome after it be the Peach Plum-trees of Armenia then the Iujube trees called Tuberes and the Abricots As touching the former they be meere strangers but these Abricots are forced by Art and industrie of man As for wild and sauage trees by course of nature the Elder floures first and hath of all other most plentie of pith or marrow within wheras the male Corneil hath none at all But of domesticall and ciuile trees the Apple tree beginneth to blossome and soone after the Pyrry Cherrie tree and Plum tree insomuch as they seeme all to floure together Next to them is the Lawrell anon after it the Cypresse and then the Pomegranat and the Fig tree Vines and Oliue trees do but then burgen and bud when those other be in their floure for in truth they conceiue late namely at the rising of the Vergiliae or Brood-hen for this is the proper star to the influence whereof these trees be subject and it is Iune first and the summer Sun-stead before the vine bloomes and so it is with the Oliue tree but that it commeth somewhat later All trees be seuen daies at the least in their blossoming and some be longer ere they giue ouer but none passe a fortnight and done they haue euer by the eight day before the Ides of Iuly which are forerunners of the Etesian winds Finally some trees there are which doe not knit nor shew their fruit immediatly vpon their blooming CHAP. XXVI ¶ Of the Corneil tree Also what is the proper time wherein euery tree beareth which trees be they that beare not and which be reputed vnluckie Also of those trees which soonest lose their fruit Last of all what trees shew fruit before leafe AS for the Corneil tree it is about mid summer or the summer Sun-stead before it putteth forth any fruit which at first is white afterwards red as bloud But the female of this kind beareth after Autumne sowre berries and such as no beast will abide to tast The wood thereof also is spungeous hollow and good for nothing whereas that of the male is counted among the hardest that be so great difference there is in trees of one and the same kind Moreouer the Terebinth Maple and Ash yeeld their fruit or seed in haruest time Walnuts Apples and Peares vnlesse they be some winter fruits or of the hastie kind ordinarily are readie to be gathered in the Autumn All mast trees be later ere they render their fruit to wit about the going downe of the Vergiliae or beginning of the winter saue only the Aesculus which passeth not the Autumne As for certain Apple trees and Peare trees both as also the Corke tree their fruit is not to be gathered before winter begin The Firre putteth forth a blossome of a yellow color like Saffron about mid-Iune or the summer sun-stead out the Brood-hen star is downe before the fruit be ripe The Pine and Pitch tree do bud before the Firre some fifteen daies or thereabout and it is winter first and the foresaid Vergiliae or Brood-hen is likewise set before their fruit is ripe Citron trees Iunipers and mast-Holmes are counted trees that beare all the yeare long and the old fruits of the former yeare tarieth on the tree vntill new come and they hang both together But aboue all other trees the Pine is a wonder in nature for a man shall euer find vpon it some of the fruit readie to be ripe and some againe that will remaine vnto the next yeare and the third yere before it will be readie and there is not another tree that is more forward and greedie as it were to put forth it selfe and giue greater hope of increase than it doth for look in what month soeuer the Pine-nuts are gathered from the tree in the very same others are in good forwardnesse of ripening and in such sort she ordereth the matter that euery month a man shall haue ripe fruit on her Those Pine-apples
who can looke for better when they are thus pined and famished He then whosoeuer he was that said Husbandmen were to wish for faire winters surely he was no friend therein to trees nor neuer praied for them neither are wet Mid-summers good for Vines But in truth That winter dust should cause plentiful haruest was a word spoken in a bravery and proceeding from a pregnant wit and jolly spirit for otherwise who knoweth not that euery man wishing well to trees and corn indifferently praieth that snow might lie long vpon the ground The reason is for that not only it keepeth in encloseth theâ—… vitall breath soule if I may so say of the earth ready to exhale out and vanish away yea and driueth it back again into the blade and root of corn redoubling therby the force and vigor thereof but also because it both yeeldeth moisture and liquor thereunto gently by little and little and the same withall fine pure and passing light considering that snow is nothing els but the fome or froth of rain-water from heauen This humor therefore not falling forcibly all at once to drown the root ne yet washing away the earth from it but distiling drop-meale a little at once in that proportion and measure as thirst requireth and calleth for it nourisheth all things as from a teat or pap nourisheth I say and neither drencheth nor ouerfloweth them The earth also for her part by this means wel soked swelleth and houeth as it were with a leauen and lieth thereby more light and mellow thus being full of juice and moisture it selfe not barren but well replenisht with seeds sown and plants suckled thus continually in her womb when the open time of the spring is once come to discharge her she sheweth her selfe fresh and gay and willingly entertaineth the warme weather of that season By this meanes especially we see how corne liketh well vpon the ground and thriueth apace euery where vnlesse it be in climates where the aire is alwaies hot as in Aegypt For continuance and ordinarie custome alone effecteth the same there which the season of the time moderat temperature of the aire elswhere And in one word be the place whatsoeuer passing good it is to keep away the thing that is hurtfull For in the most parts of the world it happeneth That when either corn is winter-proud or other plants put forth and bud too earely by reason of the mild and warm aire if there follow any cold weather vpon it all is nipped blasted and burnt away Which is the cause that late winters do harme vnto the wild trees also in the forrest The more paine and sorrow likewise such trees abide by reason of their owne thicke branches shading one another and not easily admitting the warme Sun and destitute they are besides of mans helping hand to cute them for growing as they do in wild and desart forrests impossible it is to lap and wrap them about with wreaths and thumb-ropes of straw and so to cherish and defend them when they be yong and tender Wel then to conclude this matter Winter raine principally is seasonable and good for all plants and next to it the dewes and showers that fal immediatly before their sprouting time a third sort also there be of showers that come when fruits hang on the tree and are in their growth yet not too soon namely before they bee strong and able to abide some hardnesse As touching trees which be late-ward and keep their fruit long ere they ripen such also as require store of nourishment and more food still as namely the Vine the Oliue Pomgranat trees it is good for them to be watered with raine in the later end of the yeare And to say a truth euery kind of tree requireth a seuerall rain by it selfe in due season sor that some ripen their fruit at one time and some at another so as a man shall see ordinarily the selfe same showers to hurt one sort and to help another yea and that diuers effect is to be seen in trees fruits of the same kind as for example in Pyrries for the late-ward of them call for raine at one time and the hasty or forward at another and yet indifferently all doe require alike the seasonable showers of winter as also those before budding time In which regard the winds Northeast are better than the Southern and such winters be most kindly Semblably by the same reason the Mediterranean or mid-land parts of any country are for this purpose preferred before the maritime or sea-coasts as being for most part colder the high hilly regions before the plaines and vallies and last of all the night rains are held to be more profitable than those that fall by day time for lands new sowne and any yong plants inioy more benefit by such shoures in the night for that the Sun commeth not so presently vpon them againe to dry and drink vp all the moisture Hereunto onght to be annexed the consideration of Vine-yards hort-yards and Groues as touching their scituation and namely what part of the heauen they should regard Virgil condemned altogether the planting of any trees respectiue to the West some haue chosen that quarter before the East And this haue I obserued that in most mens opinion the South is best But if I should speak what is mine own conceit indeed there can no generall and infallible rule be giuen concerning this point for to hold alwaies All our skil and art herein must be directed by the nature of the soile the disposition of the climat and temperature of the aire In Africke although it be nothing profitable for Vine-yards to be planted so as they look into the South yet kind it is wholesome for the Vine-planter and husband man by reason that all Africke lieth vnder the Meridionall oâ—… South climat And therefore he that shall set vines there either into the West or North howsoeuer Virgil alloweth not of the West shall make an excellent medley between the temperature of that aire and the nature of soile together As for the North no man seemeth to make any doubt or question but that vines so planted wil proue right well And verily there are not found any vines to prosper better or to beare more fruit in all Italy tha nin that tract which lieth on this side and vnder the Alpes and there for the most part the Vineyards are so planted Moreouer in this case the winds would be much considered for in Languedoc or the prouince of Narbone in Liguria and part of Tuscane they are reputed vnskilfull husbandmen that plant any vine-yards directly vpon the Northwest wind but it is counted contrariwise a special point of prouidence and good husbandry to cast it so as the said wind may flanke it on the side For this is the wind which in those quarters qualifies and tempereth the excessiue heat of the summer howbeit many times so violent and blusterous he
foot broad in the mouth but in the bottome not aboue a foot and a hand-breadth but see they bee foure foot deep prouided alwaies that they be paued beneath with stone and for want thereof laid with green willow bastons and for default of them with vine cuttings or such trousse so that they lie halfe a foot thicke But considering the nature of trees wherof we haue before written I think it not amisse to adde somewhat of mine owne namely The more ebbe that any roots of trees creepe vnder the ground the deeper they must be set into the earth as for example the Ash and the Oliue tree for they and such other like ought to stand foure foot deepe As for all the rest it skils not if they goe no deeper than 3 foot for that is thought sufficient Stocke me vp this root here quoth Papyrius Cursor a Roman in General in a brauery when he meant to terrifie the Pretor of the Praenestines Whereby it is plain that the more secure safe way in his judgment was rather to cut the stocke and maister Root indeed than slightly to pare away those bare roots that appeare naked aboue ground for that mought be done and the tree neuer the worse for it Some there be that would haue round peble stones laid in the bottom of such ditches which might as well contain and keep water as let it forth and giue issue therto whereas broad flat stones would not so doe but besides hinder the root that it should not goe downe and take hold of the earth For to keep therefore a meane betweene it were good in mine opinion to lay grauell vnder the root Moreouer there be diuers men of this mind that a tree should not be remoued either vnder two yeares old or aboue three wheras others make no question to transplant them after the first yeare without more adoe Cato alloweth not of translating a tree vnlesse it beare in thicknesse more than 5 fingers And verily so exactly hath he written hereof that he would not haue forgotten to marke in the barke of trees the South side before they were taken vp in case hee had thought that it was material to the replanting of them that they should stand just in the same position and accustomed coast of the heauen as they did before for feare least that side which regarded the North if now it should be opposed against the South might cleaue and rift with the heat of the Sunne not vsed thereto and contrariwise the parts which looked Southward might now by the Northern winds be clunged and congealed withall Now there be some that affect a cleane contrarie course and namely in the Fig tree and the Vine exchaunging the one side for the other being fully persuaded that by that means they will beare leaues thicker preserue and defend their fruit better and in the end shed fewer more particularly that the fig tree therby wil be the more easie to climb Most men take great heed of this only that when they prune trees and cut off the top ends of boughes the cut may be toward the South without any regard or consideration that in so doing they expose the boughs to the danger of cleauing by reason of the hote Southern wind which lieth vncessantly beating vpon them Yet hold I rather with them that would haue branches cut Southeast or Southwest namely toward the points where the Sun is at the fift and eight houres of the day Another secret there is besides wherof they are as ignorant howbeit not to be neglected namely to beware that the roots of such trees as are to be replanted stay not long aboue ground and thereby wax drie also that trees bee not digged vp either standing into the North or in any quarter between that point and the Southeast where the Sunne riseth in midwinter in case the wind sit in those corners or at leastwise that the roots be not exposed bare against any of those winds for surely many a tree dies hereby and husbandmen neuer know the cause thereof Cato vtterly condemneth al maner of winds whatsoeuer yea and raine too all the while that trees be in remoouing Moreouer in this case it is singular good that there hang to the roots of these trees when they be translated as much of the old earth wherein they liued and grew before as may bee yea and if it were possible to bring them away with the turfes whole and entire lapped fast about the roots And therefore Cato prouided wel that such yong plants should be caried in baskets earth and altogether with the roots Doubtlesse not without very great reason there is one Author saith That it is suffiâ—…nt that the vppermost course of the old mouth that lay at the foot of the tree should be put 〈◊〉 the root thereof now when it is replanted Some write that if the bottom of the hole or graue be paued with stone where Pomegranate trees should stand the Apple or fruit that they bear wil neuer burst nor cleaue vpon the trees Also that the roots of trees when they are to be set should be laid bending a tone side and not stand direct and streight Moreouer that the tree in any case be set just in the mids of the ditch or hole made for it It is said moreouer that if a man plant a fig-tree together with the sea-onion Scilla that is a kind of the Bulbi it wil make hast to bear Figs and those wil not be subject to the worme and yet other fruits will be worm-eaten neuerthelesse set them with the said Scilla as well as you can As for the roots of a tree who makes any doubt that great care should be had in the taking of them vp so as they might seeme rather drawn forth gently and not plucked vp violently But my purpose is not to dwell in these matters nor to stand much vpon such points which haue a manifest reason and wherof no man is ignorant or doubtfull to wit that the earth is to be well driuen and beaten downe close with a rammer that it may lie fast about the roots which Cato judgeth to bee a principall point for to be obserued in this businesse who also giueth a rule that the place where a tree is cut in the body should be plastred ouer with dung couered ouer also and fast tied with leaues CHAP. XII ¶ Of the spaces and distances that ought to bee betweene trees planted of their shaddowes and droppings of the place where they should be planted IT belongeth to this place properly for to speak of the distances between tree and tree in the setting Some writers are of opinion That Pomgranat trees Myrtle trees Lawrels should be planted thicker than ordinarie howbeit with this regard that they be set 9 foot a sunder one from another As for Apple trees they may stand a little more at large Peare trees somewhat wider than they Almond trees and Fig trees yet a little
geld them as little as you can keep them with a good head rather if need require lay them along on the ground and two yeares after cut them hard to the root If it be a yong vine attend vntill it be of strength sufficient then will it be time and not afore to prune it If haply the vineyard be bare and naked of vines and that they grow but thin here and there make furrowes and trenches between and therein plant new quicksets but rid the weeds well from about those Trencheâ—… for ouershadowing them be euer also digging and delving Then if it be an old vineyard so drage and pulse for prouender if it be a lean and light ground sow nothing that bears grain or corn Be sure that ye lay about the heads of the said quickesets dung chaffe refuse of grapes pressed and such like mullock When the vine beginneth to put out leaues and look green fall to disburgeoning So long as the Vines be yong and tender tie them surely in many places for feare lest the wood or stalk therof do break asunder But when a vine hath gotten head to perch aloft vpon a single traile gently binde the tender burgeons and branches thereof extend and stretch them out and lay them streit Now when they stand once vpright and are able to beare themselues mark when the grapes begin to change colour bind them wel and sure below As for graffing of vines there are two seasons of the yeare meet therefore the one in the spring the other when the vine doth floure and this is held for the best If you purpose to translate an old stock of a vine into another place and there to replant it cut off the first thick arm only leauing behind two buds and no more In taking of it vp be carefull that you do it with such dexteritie as that you race not nor wound the root This done look how it grew before so set it now either in trench or furrow couch it wel and close and couer it throughly with good mould After the same manner as is beforesaid vnderset and prop it vp bind it turn and winde it but aboue all be euery while digging about it As touching the drage called Ocymum the which Cato wills to be sowed in a vineyard it is a kind of forage or prouender for horses which the Latines in old time named Pabulum it commeth vp very speedily and groweth fast and besides can well away with shadowie places CHAP. XXIII ¶ Of Trees ranged in rewes for to support Vines IT remaineth now in this discourse and treatise of Vines to write of the manner of trees planted of purpose for to serue their turn And here I canot chuse but cal to mind first how this point of husbandry hath bin iudged naught and altogether condemned by the two Sarsennae both father and sonne but contrariwise held for good and highly commended by Scrofa whereas all three were reputed the most antient writers and skilfullest in this kind next to Cato And yet Scrofa as great a patron as he is thereof alloweth not this deuice in any clymate else but only in Italy Howbeit gon this hath for currant many yeares past and time out of mind That the best and most dainty Wines came of those grapes onely which grew vpon such Hautâ—…ins or trees beforesaid Yea and it was thought generally that the higher a Vine climbed vpon these trees the better grapes it bare and yeelded more commendable wine and againe the lower that those trees were the greater plenty followed both of the one the other By which a man may see how materiall it is to raise Vines on high and haue grapes growing in the top of trees In which regard choise also is to bee made of trees for this purpose And here first and formost is presented vnto vs the Elme and yet I must except that kind of it which is called Atinia by reason that it is ouermuch charged with boughes and leaues and therewith too full of shade Next vnto it may be ranged the blacke Poplar euen for the same cause because it is noâ—… leaued nor branched so thick Many men there be that refuse not the Ash the Fig tree yea and the Oliue so that it stand not ouer thicke with boughs and make too much shade As for the setting planting and ordering of these trees in general we haue sufficiently and to the full treated heretofore But now for this speciall and peculiar vse that they be put vnto this would bee considered That Vines which are to be wedded to these trees must in no wise feele the edge of the cutting hooke before they be three yeares old full After which time this regard ought to be had that euery second branch or arme thereof is to be spared and likewise each other yeare and no oftener they are in this wise to bee pruned and by that they are six yeres old it is good time to joine them in marriage vnto their husbands aforesaid In Piemont Lombardie and those parts of Italy beyond the riuer Po they vse for this purpose to plant their grounds with these trees ouer and besides those aforenamed to wit the Cornell the Opiet or Wich-hazell the Teil or Linden the wild Ash Ornus the Carpin Carme or Horn-beame and the Oke About Venice and all that tract the Willowes serue the turne and none else by reason that the whole soken standeth so much vpon water As touching the Elme named in the first place it must be kept plaine and bare and the great water-boughs vnderneath shread vntill you come to the middest of the tree or thereabout and then the rest ought to bee arraunged and digested into good order whereupon the Vine may climb as it were vpon staires or ladder rounds and lightly none of these trees vpward be aboue twentie foot high Now in case it be a high ground vpon an hil and drie they are permitted to branch and shut out their armes within eight foot of the ground But in plaines and low moist grounds they begin not to fork before they bear twelue foot Howbeit let the place be what it wil the flat of the tree from whence the boughs begin to diuide ought to regard the south sun And the said branches immediatly from their project must rise somewhat vpright in maner of fingers standing forth from the palm of ones hand among which the smal sprigs must eâ—…tsoons be barbed as it were shauen clean off for feare they do not ouershadow the Vine branches As touching the space or distance between one tree another the ordinarie proportion is that afront and behind in case the ground be erable it beare fortie foot but aflanke or on the side twentie Marie if it be not well tilled and husbanded so much wil serue euery way to wit twentie foot and no more Commonly euery one of these trees maintaineth tenne Vines at the foot therof and a bad husband he is who hath
than the blasting aforesaid for when it falleth vpon any trees or plants it there resteth and remains stil it congealeth all into an yee and no puffe of wind there is to remoue and dislodge it for why such frosts commonly are not but in time of a stil cleer and calm aire Touching that manner of Blasting or misliking called Sideratio as if they were smitten with the maligne aspect of some planet this danger chanceth peculiarly by some drie and hote winds which are busie commonly about the rising of the Dog star at what time wee shall see vong trees and newly graffed to die outright especially Figge trees and Vines The Oliue ouer and besides the worme whereto it is subject as wel as the Figge tree hath another greefe and sorance called in Latin Clavus Fungus or Patella i. a Knur Puffe Meazil or Blister chuse â—…ou whether and nothing is it but a very sendge or burne by the sunne Furthermore Cato saith That the red Mosse is hurtfull vnto trees Oftentimes also wee find that as wel Oliues as Vines take harm by ouermuch fertilitie and fruitfulnes As sor scab and skurfe what tree is cleare of it The running mange or tettar is a mischeefe peculiar vnto the Fig tree as also to breed certain Hoddy-dods or shell-Snailes sticking hard therto and eating it And yet these maladies are not indifferent and alike in all parts of the tree For thus you must think that some diseases are appropriate to one place more than another For like as men are troubled with the Arthriticall torments or the Gout euen so be trees yea and after 2 sorts as well as they for either doth the disease take the way to the feet that is to say to the roots there breaketh out and sheweth it selfe or else it runneth to the exterior joynts and fingers to wit the smal branches and top twigs which be farthest remote from the main body of the tree Hereupon then begin they to drie wither and waxe blacke and verily the Greeks haue proper names and tearms respectiue to the one infirmity and the other which we in Latin want Howbeit we are in some sort able to expresse the Symptones following therupon and namely when we say first That a tree is ill at ease sicke and in pain euery where anon that it falls away looks ill poore and leane when wee see the fresh green hew gone and the branches fraile and brittle last of all that it is in a wast consumption or feuer hectick and dieth sensibly to wit when it receiueth no nourishment or not sufficient to reach vnto al parts and furnish them accordingly and the tame Figge tree of al others is more subject hereunto as for the wild they be exempt wholly from all these inconueniences hitherto named Now as touching the scab or scurfe incident vnto trees it commeth of certain foggie mists and clammie dewes which light softly and leisurely after the rising of the Brood-hen star Vergiliae for if they be thin and subtile they drench and wash the trees wel and do not infect them with the scab howbeit in case they fall down right or that there be an ouer great glut of showers and raine the Fig tree taketh harme another way namely by soaking of too much moisture into the root Vines ouer and aboue the Worme and the Blast haue a disease proper vnto themselues called Articulatio which is a certain barrainesse of theirs when they leese their spring in the verie joynt And this may come vpon three causes the first when by vnseasonable and ill weather as frost heat haile or other forcible impressions of the aire they forgoe their young sprouts the second as Theophrastus hath well noted if in pruning of them the cut stand vpward and open to the weather the third when they be hurt by those that haue the dressing of them for want of skill and taking good heed for all these wrongs and inconueniences they feele in their joynts or knots A seuerall kind of blasting or mortification there is besides in vines after they haue done blooming which is called Roratio namely when either the grapes do fall off or before they come to their full growth be baked as it were into a thick and hard callositie It happens also that they be otherwhiles sick in case after their pruning their tender oilets or buds be either bitten with the frost or sindged with some blast The same befalleth likewise to them vpon some vntimely or vnseasonable heat for surely in all things a certaine measure and moderate temperature doth well to bring them to their perfection To say nothing of the wrong that is done vnto them by the vine-masters themselues and husbandmen as they dresse and trim them namely when they bind them ouer-streight as hath been said before or when the labourer that diggeth about them chaunceth to do them one shrewd turne or other by some crooked crosse blow or else when the ploughman at vnawares doth loosen the root or glance vpon it with the share and so disbarke the bodie of it finally they haue injurie done vnto them in case the pruning-hooke bee ouer blunt and so giue them a bruse In regard of all these causes they are lesse able to beare either cold or heat for euery outward injurie is readie to pierce their fresh galls and a skald head is soon broken But the tenderest and weakest of al others be the Apple trees and namely the hastie kind that bringeth sweet Iennitings Howbeit some trees there be which vpon such feeblenesse and hurt done vnto them become barren onely and die not namely the Pine and Date tree for if a man fetch off their heads you shall see them faile in bearing fruit but this hurt will not kill them quite Moreouer it falleth out otherwhiles that the Apples only or other such fruits as they hang are diseased when as the tree aileth nothing to wit if in due trme they wanted rain warmth or winds that were needfull or contrariwise if they had too much of euery one for by such means they either fall from the tree of themselues or els they are the worse for it if they proue worth ought at all The greatest displeasure that can happen to Vine or Oliue tree is when in their very blooming they be pelted with violent showers of raine for together with the blossome down goeth the fruit of them both From the same cause proceed the cankerwormes or caterpillars a most daungerous and hurtfull kind of vermine to trees which will eat out the greene bud knot and all Others there be that wil deuoure the blossome and leaues of Oliues also as in Miletum and thus hauing consumed all the greene leaues leaue the trees bare naked and ill-fauored to the eye These wormes doe breed in moist and warme weather and especially if there be thick and foggie mists Of the same vermine there is another engendred namely if there ensue vpon the former wet season hotter gleames of
the sunne more than ordinarie which burne the foresaid wormes and therefore change them into other vermine Moreouer there is a fault or imperfection besides wherto Oliues and Vines especially are subject and this they cal in Latine Araneus i. the Spider when cobwebs as it were doe enfold and wrap their fruit keeping them from growing and so in time killing them Ouer and besides there be certaine winds which sindge and burne Oliues and grapes principally yea and all sorts of fruits whatsoeuer In some yeres also ye shall see all â—…uits worm-eaten and especially Apples Peares Medlars and Pomegranats without any such hurt and offence to the trees that bear them As for Oliues the worm sometimes doth them harme otherwhiles good for if the worme be engendred and formed before it take the Oliue it consumes and spoileth the fruit but in case they breed within the kernel it causeth the Oliue to thriue the better by eating the said kernel that drew away and sucked the humor which nourished it The rain that falleth after the rising of the starre Arcturus hindereth the generation of wormes and preserueth fruits from being worme-eaten and yet if the wind sit Southward in that time when it so raineth such raines will breed worms in oliues especially called Drupae which beginning but then to ripen are most readie to fall from the tree And verily those trees that grow in waterie places or neer riuers are more subject to haue worme-eaten fruit which although it fall not so soone yet it is as loathsome euery way Ouer and besides there is a certaine kind of flie resembling the Gnat which annoieth some trees and their fruits and namely Mast and Figs and it seemeth that this flie is engendred of a certaine sweet humour that lyeth vnder their barkes Thus much as touching all diseases to speake of that trouble trees As for the impressions of the Aire at certaine seasons as also of other accidents occasioned by the climat they are not properly to bee called Maladies because they kill trees sodainly as namely when a tree is blasted outright or all at once doth wither and drie away like as when some puffe of an vntoward wind peculiar vnto any region doth smite them such as in Apulia they call Atabulus and in Euboea is named Olympias For if this wind chaunce to blow in mid-winter it biteth burneth and drieth vp trees with such cold blasts as afterwards no heat of the Sunne is able to recouer againe In this sort likewise al trees growing in vallies or standing along riuers sides bee endaungered and aboue all others Vines Oliues and Figge trees This death that they thus take is soone after discouered and seene in the budding time when trees begin to put foorth how soeuer it be later ere the Oliue shew it Howbeit a good signe it is in them all of their recouery when they lose their leaues for you shall see the leaues tarie on in many of them and when you think they are past the worst sodainly die Otherwhiles also you shall haue the leaues to fade and seeme drie yet afterwards the same trees to reuive againe and become greene Furthermore in the Northerly regions as in Pontus and Phrygia some trees there are that be ordinarily frozen to death namely when the frost and yee continueth after mid-winter fortie daies And not onely there but also in other countries if immediatly after that trees haue put forth their fruit there follow a hard frost they wil die vpon it although the frost last not many daies In a second ranke of causes that may kill trees are to be ranged the injuries and wrongs that come by mans hand Pitch oyle and grease are very enemies and hurtfull to them al but especially to young trees Againe if trees be barked round about they will die all vnlesse it be the Corke tree for it will thriue and prosper the better if it be in that wise discharged of the outward barke for growing as it doth ouer thicke it claspeth and clingeth to the tree so hard that it choketh and strangleth it again Neither doth the tree Adrachne find any hurt or offence by disbarking vnlesse the very wood be cut also together with it As for cherie trees Lindens and Vines it is ordinarie with them to cast ther barke in some sort and take no harme thereby but it is not the vitall and liuely inner barke indeed which is next vnto the bodie but that onely which by comming of another underneath fresh and young is driuen forth and thrust out Some trees there be which naturally haue their barke full of chaps and rifts as the Planes for example As for â—…he Line or Linden tree if it chance to leese the barke it will come in manner whole and entire againe In such therefore the manner is by way of cure to close vp againe with clay and dung the naked and bare place and so to bring it to a cicatrize and I assure you this practise somtimes speeds well and doth the deed prouided alwaies that the naked place were not surprised before the cure with extremity either of cold or heat Certaine it is that by this means both kinds of the Oke as wel the Robur as the Quercus liue the longer and die nothing so soone as otherwise they would And herein the time of the yeare ought to be considered when a tree is thus pilled and disbarked for in case that a man pill the barke of the Firre or Pine tree during those months wherein the sunne passeth thorough the signes of Taurus or Gemini which is the very season of their budding there is no way but one with them for presently they die but if this wrong should befall them in winter they would abide it the better and longer liue than being so misused either in Aprill or May. The same is the case of the mast-Holme the wild Robur also and the common Oke Howbeit take this note by the way that if the void place where the tree hath beene barked round about be but narrow so as the brims of the barke remaining be not farre a sunder the trees aforesaid will take no harme at all thereby Mary in the tenderer sort and such as a man may say are but of a weake complexion and growing besides in a leane and hungrie ground if the barke be taken away but of one side and no more it is enough to kill them The like may be said of the topping or beheading the Cypresse the Pitch tree and the Cedar for let these haue their heads either cut off with an axe or burnt by fire they will die there is no remedie As much also is to be said when beasts doe brouse and eat them As for the Oliue tree if a Goat chance but to licke thereof it will thereupon proue barraine and beare no more Oliues so saith Varro as we haue noted heretofore But as some trees vpon the like injury done vnto them will die so others againe
out of the Balear Islands for a Modius of that wheat yeeldeth in bread 30 pound weigâ—… yet otherwhiles it falleth out in some kinds of wheat being blended two sorts together 〈◊〉 namely that of Cyprus and Alexandria whereof neither exceed little or nothing more than 20 pound weight to the Modius that the bread made thereof will arise to the ordinary proportion for the Cyprian wheat is not bright but brown and duskish and therefore makes a blacke kind of bread in which regard the Alexandrian wheat which is faire and white is mixed with it and so both together do yeeld in bread 25 pound weight The wheat of Thebes addeth a surplusage thereto of one pound As for the maner of working and kneading dough I like not their fashions who take sea water for that purpose as most do that inhabit the sea coasts thinking thereby to saue the charge of salt for I hold this very hurtfull and dangerous Neither doe I thinke that vpon any other cause mens bodies are made more subiect to maladies than by this means In France Spain when the Bruers haue steeped their wheat or frument in water and masht it for their drink of diuers sorts as heretofore hath bin shewed they take the skum or froth that gathereth aloft by the working of the wort and vse the same in stead of leuen for to make their bread which is the reason that their bread is lighter and more houved vp than any other Moreouer there is great difference in wheat by reason of the straw or stalk that bears it for the thicker that it is and more full the better is the corne taken to be The Thracian wheat is inclosed and well clad as it were with many tunicles and coats throughly prouided by that means and good cause why to resist the excessiue cold of that climat which gaue the Thracians iust occasion also to cast about and deuise to haue a kind of wheat that remaineth vpon the ground not aboue three moneths by reason that the snow ouerspreadeth the face of the earth all the year â—…esides and verily this kinde of corne is come into other parts of the world and lightly within three moneths after it is sowed you shall haue it readie to bee reaped A practise well knowne all the Alpes ouer and in other cold and winterly regions where by report of the inhabitants this kind of corne doth wondrous well and none prospereth better or groweth more ranke than it Ouer and besides there is another kind of wheat that putteth vp from euery root one stalk and no more in any place whatsoeuer the manner is to sow it in no ground but that which is light and it neuer misseth Also about the Thracian gulfe there is wheat that within 40 daies after the sowing will be ripe and therupon it is called the Two-month wheat And would you heare a wonder there is no wheat more weighty than it and besides it yeelds no branne at all In Sicilie and Achaia both there is great vse thereof and namely among the mountainers of those two countries Much seeking also there is after that corne in the Isle Euboea about Carystus See how much Columella was deceiued who thought that there was not to be found so much as any kind of three months wheat whereas it is plaine that such hath beene of old and time out of mind The Greeks also haue a proper name for it and call it Trimenon Furthermore it is reported that in the countrey Bactriana there is some corne of that bignes that euery graine is full as much as one of the eares of ours But to returne againe to our husbandry of all spiked corne Barley is sowed first but I purpose to set down the very just time and season apropriat to each kind according to the seueral nature of euery sort which may meaning also is to declare Mean while I canot omit that there is among the Indians barley both sowne and also wild whereof they make the best bread that they haue As for vs Italians to say a truth we set most store by rice wherof being husked and cleansed we make grotes like for all the world to those which other men besides doe make of barley husked The leaues verily that this graine Rice doth beare be pulpous and fleshy resembling Porret or Leeks but that they be broader the stem groweth a cubit high the floure is of purple colour and the root round like a jem or pearle Barley husked was the most ancient meat in old time as may appeare by the ordinarie custome of the Athenians according to the testimonie of Menander as also by the addition or sirname giuen to sword-fencers who vpon their allowance or pension giuen them in barly were called Hordearij i. Barley-men The ordinarie drie grout or meale also Polenta which the Greeks so highly commend was made of nothing els but of barley and the preparing thereof was after sundrie waies The manner that the Greeks vsed was first to steepe the barly in water and giue it one nights drying the morrow after they parched or fried it and then ground it in a mill Others there be who when it is well fried and parched hard besprinckle it once againe with a little water and then dry it before it be ground There are some again who take the ears of barley when they are green beat driue the corn out and while it is fresh and new cleanse it pure which don they infuse it in water and while it is wet bray it in a mortar then they wash it well in osier paniers and so let the water run from it and beeing dried in the sun they pound or stamp it againe and beeing throughly husked and cleansed grind it into meale as is aforesaid Now when it is thus prepared one way or other to twenty pound of this barley they put of Line seed three pound of Corâ—…ander seed halfe a pound of salt about two ounces and two drams and after they haue pearched them all well they blend them together and grind them in a quem They that would haue this meale to keep long put vp into new earthen vessels al together both floure and bran But in Italy they neuer vse to steep or soke it in water but presently parch it and grind it smal into a fine meale putting thereto the former ingredients and the graine of Millet besides As for bread of Barley so much vsed of our forefathers in old time the posterity that liued after found to be naught and condemned it in such sort as they allowed it for prouender only to feed their beasts and cattel with But in stead therof came vp the vse of husked barly to be sodden for grewell so highly commended as a most nutritiue and strong meat and withal passing wholesome for mans bodie insomuch as Hippocrates who for skill and knowledge was the prince of all Physicians hath written one whole booke in the praises onely
vertue it hath 355. c Breeding time in plants 471. e of the Brest in man and beast 343. e. f Breast apples 438. l Bricke and tile who deuised 188. k Brickes and tiles raigned See Raine Brimstone mine 568. i Brim of the eie-lids being wounded cannot be drawne together 336. i Brittaine an Island renowmed 86. k Brocci who they were 336. l Brochos what it is 363. a Brood-hen starre Uirgiliae 588. h setting of brood-hens 589. f Broome where and when to be set 523. c Bruscum in maple 467. a Bruta what tree 371. a Brutium a promontory 51. b Bryon Aromaticum what it is 375. d Bryon a weed in the sea 401. c B V Bubetij what plaies they are 550. k Bubulcus surname to the house of Iunij whereupon ib. h Bucephalia the citie 221. a Bucephalus King Alexanders horse 220. l. his description and rare qualities ib. m Bucklers of what wood they be made 590. k Buffles horne of eight gallons 331. f. buffles horne how it is vsed 332. g Building vpon land in the country 554. g. h Bull baiting 225. e Buying and selling who deuised 187. e Bulls wild vntameable 206. i Bullais 437. a Bumasti grapes 405. a Bumelia a kinde of Ash-tree 465 f Bunches in wood 487. l Bura citie 41. a Burning and burying of dead-bodies after diuerse sorts 186. l. m. Butter hath the vertue and properties of oyle 340. k Butterfly how it is bred 329. e Butterflies no good signe of the Spring 586. g Buteo See Triorches Buteo gaue the name to the house of Fabij in Rome 274. k Buzzards good meat 296. k Buzzard See Buteo B Y Byzacium territory of Affricke 505. e. most fruitfull ground ibid. Byzia a castle of Thracian kings hated of Swallowes and why 278. l C A CAchrys in an Oke what it is 400. l. the vse and manner thereof ibid. Cadytas what it is 496. i Cadmus whore borne 108. g. first found out for to write prose ibid. Casias wind 23. a Caecina his practise by Swallowes 283. a Caesares and Caesones why so called 160. i. such commonly fortunate ibid. Caesar his breast-plate made of English pearle 256. k Caesar Dictator his liberalitie in wines 420. h Caesar ript out of his mothers belly 160. i C. Caesar his quickenesse of spirit 168. k Caesar repented him of his clemencie ibid. l Caesar his fidelitie concerning writing 168. m Caesaris Thronos a starre 34. l Caesaria a citie in Mauritania 53. d Caius Hirtius inuented stewes for Lampries in Asia 267. c. Caius Marius first aduanced the Aegle in the Romane ensigne 273. c Caius Caligula the Emperour his saying of Surrentine wines 414. h Caia Cecilia Leoke Tanaquill Calpe a Promontory 51. b Calpe a mountaine ibid. e Calculosae a kinde of Purples 259. b Calydna Island 316. b Calamus Aromaticus 375. a Calculation of the yeare by Caesar the Author followeth 586. l. Calamaries fishes 244. b Calaminth first vsed by Lizards 210. l sea-Calfe his qualities 213. b Calues chosen for sacrifice 235. e Callithriches a kind of Apes 225. b Camalodunum a towne in Brittaine 36. k Cammell hath no fore-teeth in the vpper iaw 337. b Cammels how they engender 302. l Cammels their diuerse kinds 205. b Camelopardalis what kinde of beasts 205. d Campaine in Italy a most fruitfull country 567. e. f Canell See Casia Canes See Reeds Canes of India serue betweene ioints for boats 482. m Canes of diuerse sorts 483. b Canes and reeds how they grow ibid. a Canarium what sacrifice 551. b Caucamum 374. b Canetias the workemen that made the stature of Diana at Ephesus 491. c Canopus the name of a starre where and in what manner it appeareth and where not 34. l Canopus a goodly starre seen in Taprobane about the pole Antarticke 130. i Canterius in a Vineyard what it is 528. i. k Cantharolethus in Thrace 327. a. why so called ibid. Capnumargos a kinde of red marle 506. b Capparis the plant of the fruit capres 400. i Caprification to be practised after raine 546. b Caprification what it is 444. k Caprificus what it is ibid. 〈◊〉 Cappadocians how they tooke their names 116. h Caprimulgi what birds 292. i Carambis promontory 49. a Carbunculus burning earth 503. b Carbunculus in corne what it is 598. i Cardamomum foure kinds 365. 〈◊〉 Cardiaca disease of the heart 341. a Cardo what it is 598. i Carpinus what manner of trees 466. m Carginon what it is 476. g Carpheotum 367. d Caryoâ—…a dates why so called and the wine thereof 387. d Caryopon what drug 397. e. the worth ibid. Carob-tree 390. g Carobs or caracts what kinde of fruit 447. b Carpentry and the tooles whose inuention 188. l Carpophilon 452. m Carseoly territory 537. f Carthegon what it is 476. g Casia 372. i Casia the sweet spice where it groweth 373. e the plant described ibid. Casia the best ibid. Casius a mount of admirable height 102. g Caspiae gates so called 122. g Caspia part not the streights of Caucasus they be described 455. a. b. Castor and Pollux star what is to be thought of them 18. k wherefore men invocate them at sea ibid. l Castoreum what it is 212. m Cat of gold worshipped as a god 546. b Cats how they ingender 302. l. Cats how subtill in hunting 308. g. Catacecaumene a region 415. f. why so called 416. g Caligula his eies stiffe in his head 334. k Cataractae See Diomedian birds Cato Censorius commended 410. l. his precepts touching Uines 411. a Cato perswaded the Senate of Rome to destroy Carthage by occasion of a figge 443. a. b. c Cato his praise and commendation 169. f Catorchites what kinde of Dates 421. a Catoblephas what kinde of beasts 206. l Cati and Corculi why so called 173. b Cause of vomit 342. l Caunians naturally subiect to the swelling of the spleene 331. k. Cauneas presaged ill fortune to M. Crassus 445. a Cauchi a people without trees their habitation and country described 455. a. b Cauaticae a kinde of Snailes 218. i C E Cea Island 41. a Cedar gum 424. g Cedars which be best 489. a Cedar oyle ibid. Cedar for Masts 490. g Cedars of dwarfe kinde 388. l. m Cedrelate 389. a. the timber thereof euerlasting ibid. Cedrelaeon 434. h. i Cedrium what it is 46. h Celendine reuealed by Swallowes 210. l Celtium a kinde of Tortoise 241. e Celtie See Lote-tree Centigranum wheat 565. b Cepphus a beast 205. e Cephenes or Serenes young dronâ—… Boes and how they be fed 318. i Ceratias a kinde of Comet 15. e Cervus a Mast-tree 458. m. the mast thereof ibid. Cerastes what worme 492. g. wormes in figge-trees 539. c Cerastae serpents 208. g. Cerastae serpents haue hornes of flesh 331 C H Cheapenesse of all victuals in Rome 551. d. the cause thereof ibid. f Chalcedon why called the citie of the blind 114. g Chamaedaphne 452. m Chamecerasti 448. h Chameleons lights are very
they taught the vse of the Helme in the ship 275. f are troubled with the gout ibid. Kissing of women by kinsfolke vpon what occasion 418. k K N Knees being wounded in their hollowes bring present death 350. i of Knees a discourse ibid. Knurs in timber 489. b L A LAburnum what manner of tree 468. k Labeones who they were 336. l Laboriae in Campane a most fruitfull tract 567. f Labruscae bastard wild Uines 538. g Lacta the best Casia or Canell 373. e Lactes placed next to the bag of the stomacke 342. l Lacydes accompanied with a Goose. 280. k Ladanum the best 370. k. the price thereof ibid. Ladanum how it is gathered 370. g Ladanum of two kindes ibid. i Laestrigones monsters of men 154. g Laërtes a king mucked ground with his own hands 507. b Lagopus a bird why so called 296. h Lalisiones what they be 224. i Lama what tree 369. e Lambes named Cordi 226. l Lambes how to be chosen ibid. Lampades flaming torches in the skie 17. b Lampadias a kinde of Comet 15. f Lampido the onely woman knowne to haue been daughter to a king a kings wife and mother to a king 176. l Lampries in France how they are marked 248. i Lamprey a fish 245. b Lampreics of fresh water 246. g sea Lampreies their nature 248. h Lampyrides what they are 593. c Lanata what apples 438. g. why so called ibid. Lanati a sort of Pikes 245. e Land in the country made distinction of states at Rome 550. m. Land worth fortie denarij the short cubit 581. d Land Mediterranean fittest for fruits 501. c Land how much assigned by king Romulus to his subiests 549. d. Land of whom to be bought 553. c little Land well tilled 554. m Lands may be ouermuch tended 555. b Lanisis of Lacedaemon his swiftnesse 167. a Lanterne a sea fish 249. d Laodicea a citie the description thereof 107. a Larch tree 462. l. the timber and the liquid rosin thereof ibid. how it is drawne 465. b Larch tree female 487. b Larch tree of great length 489. d Lares a temple to them neere to which an altar erected to Orbona See Orbona Large space between the stomacke and the paunch is cause of more hunger 342. l Lawes who first inuented 187. c Lawrea the leafe of Lawrell 454. g Lawrell tree not smitten with lightening 27. c Lawrell groues why called Triumphales 454. g Lawrell a medicine for the Rauens 211. d the mad Lawrell 495. d Lawrell tree how it was employed at Rome 452. i Lawrell Delphicke Cyprian Mustacea ibid. Delphicke Lawrell described 452. k Cyprian Lawrell described ibid. Lawrell Tinus or wild Lawrell 452. k Lawrell Augusta or Imperiall ibid. Lawrell Baccalia 452. l Lawrell Triumphall ibid. Lawrell Taxa 452. l Lawrell Spadonia ibid. Lawrell Alexandrina 452. m Lawrell Idaea ibid. Lawrell token of peace 453. b Lawrell much honoured at Rome and why ibid. c Lawrell fairest vpon Parnassus 453. c Lawrell not smitten with the lightening ibid. a Lawrell Chaplet vsed by Tiberius Caesar against lightening 453. d Lawrell why vsed in triumph ibid. Laurcola 453. a. described ibid. Laurices young Rabbets or Leuerets 232. h Laurus the onely tree in Latine that giueth name vnto a man 454. g who laughed the day that he was borne 164. m Lax a fish 243. a L E Lead who first found out 188. l League who first deuised 189. i Leape yeare 6. h Learned wits honoured 171. f Leaues of Aspen tree neuer hang still 514. l Leaues that alter their shape form vpon the trees 470. h Leaues of some trees turne about with the Sunne in the Tropicke of Cancer 407. i Leaues of the trees how they be framed aboue and beneath 470. k. Leaues of trees distinguished by their bignesse forme and substance 470. l. m Leaues distinguished by other qualities and their order 471. a. Leaues of trees good fodder 471. b what Leaues are apt to shed and which are not 469. d a Philosophicall discourse touching the cause of shedding or holding Leaues 469. e. f Leaues of what trees hold their colour 470. g Lectos a promontory in Trouâ—… 471. f Ledon 370. i Lemnos Island 378. g. their manner ibid. Length of the legs and necke answerable for the proportion in all creatures 339. e Lentill where and when to be sowne 569. e Lentills of two kindes ibid. Lents and Lenes in Latine whence deriued 569. e Lentiske berries preserued 448. k Lentuli why so called 550. h Leococruta what kind of beast 206. h. and what of nature ibid. how engendred 212 Lconides rebuked Alexander the Great for burning too much Frankincense 367. f Leontophonus what beast 217. e. and why so called ibid. Leopards how they lie in wait 308. g Leptorhages what grapes 495. m Lepo or Mole a kinde of fish 249. c Letters or characters who inuented 187. f Leuaines 566. h. i. the nature thereof ibid. l Leuci kinde of Herons with one eye 334. g Lecocomum a kinde of Pomegranats 398. h Leucogaeon a place 568. h. it yeeldeth chalke to make white frumentie and a great reuenâ—…e yearely ibid. Leucosia Island sometimes ioined to the promontory of Syreus 540. i L I Libanus mount the description thereof 102. i Liciniani why so called 163. a Licinius Stolo condemned by vertue of his owne law 551. d of mans Life the tearme vncertaine 180. l Life short a benefit 183. b Licorne See Monoceros Lignum a fault in Cytron wood 396. h Lightenings attributed to Iupiter 14. g. the reason thereof ibid. presages of future things ibid. Lightenings seldome in Summer or Winter and the reason 25. c. in what lands they fall not ibid. the sundry sorts and wonders thereof 25. e. diuerse obseruations touching them 26. g. raised by coniuration ibid. k. generall rules of lightening ibid. m. it is seene before the thunderclap is heard and why ibid. what things are not strucken with lightenings 27. e Lights the seat of the breath 341. a. spongeous and full of pipes ibid. Limosae what fishes 243. c Lime at the root of Cberrte-troes hastens their fruit 546. k Limning See Painting Linden trees differ in sex 466. i. their fruit no beast will touch ibid. the Linden tree yeeldeth fine panicles for cordage 466. i the timber will not be worme-eaten ibid. k Linnen fine cloath whence 80. l Linnet very docible 293. a Likenes of children to parents grandsire or others 160. m 161. a. b. the reason in Nature 161. c Likenesse of one man to another diuerse examples 161. d deinceps Lions of the right kinde how they be knowne 200. i. k Lions bones will strike fire 344. m Lions how they will walke 350. k Lionesse lecherous 200. k Lionesses engender with Pardes ibid. Lion iealous of the Lionesse 200. k Lionesse how oft shee beareth young 200. l. and the manner thereof 201. b of Lions two kindes ibid. their nature and properties ibid. Lions long liued 201. c Lions crucified ibid. and why ibid.
fruits of the earth aboue named but displeased rather and taking scorne that such plants which grow farther from the Cope of Heauen and began long after trees to come vp and shew themselues should seeme to haue so many vertues hath likewise furnished the fruits hanging vpon her trees with their properties and those of no small operation and effect in Physicke And in truth if we consider and weigh the cause aright she it was that affoorded to mankinde the first food from those her trees inducing vs thereby to lift vp our eies and looke to Heauen-ward yea and she giueth the world to vnderstand that if Ceres and Flora both should faile she with her goods only were able euen still to sustaine and feed vs sufficiently And to beginne with the Vine which ought by right to be ranged in the highest ranke of all those plants that beare the name of Trees This bountifull Ladie not satisfied herein that shee had done pleasure vnto man in furnishing him with â—…oble perfumes odours and delicate Ointments by meanes of the grape verjuice the Vine-floure Oenanthe and namely the wilde Vine Massaris in Africke according as I haue discoursed more at large heretofore hath therefore bestowed vpon Vines those medicinable vertues in greatest measure and withall vsed these remonstrances vnto men in this manner Call to minde quoth shee how many benifits and pleasures thou receiuest at my hands Who is it but I that haue brought forth Wine that sweet juice of the Grape Who but I haue giuen thee Oyle that daintie liquour of the Oliue From mee come Dates and Apples from mee thou haste all Fruits of such varietie that vnpossible it is to number them Neither doe I deale by thee as dame Tellus doth who bestoweth nothing vpon thee without labour and sweat of thy browes nothing I say but before it doth thee any good requireth tillage by Oxe and Plough thrashing with flaile vpon the floore or trampling of beasts feet vpon the mow and then the Mil-stones to grinde it Such adoe there is and so long a time first before thou canst enioy the benifit thereof for thy food But contrariwise whatsoeuer commeth from mee is ready at hand there needes no intreating of the Plough nor any great labour and industrie to haue and inioy my fruits for they offer themselues of their owne accord yea and if thou thinke much of thy paines to climbe or to put vp thy hand and gather them loe they are readie to droppe downe and fall into thy mouth or else to lie vnder thy feet See how good and gracious Nature hath beene vnto vs herein and â—…ow shee hath strouen with her selfe Whether she should profit or pleasure man more yet I take it that she affected Commoditie rather than Delight For to come vnto the vertues and properties of the vine The very leaues and tender burgeons thereof applied with barley groats do mitigate the paine of the head and reduce all inflammations of the bodie vnto the due temperature The leaues alone of the vine laid vnto the stomack with cold water allay the vnkinde heats thereof and with barley meale are singular for all gouts and diseases of the ioints The tendrils or young branches of the vine being stamped and applied accordingly drie vp any tumors or swellings whatsoeuer Their iuice iniected or poured into the guts by a clystre cureth the bloudy flix The liquour concreat which is in manner of a gumme issuing from the vine healeth the leprie and all foule tettars scabs and manges in case the parts affected were prepared and rubbed before with salniter The same liquor or gumme is likewise depilatorie for if the haires be often annointed with it and oyle together they will fall of but the water especially that sweateth out of greene vine branches as they burne hath a mightie operation that way insomuch as it will fetch off Warts also The drinke wherein young vine tendrils haue lien infused is good for those who reach vp and spit bloud as also for women who beeing newly conceiued and breeding childe haue many swawmes come ouer their heart and be â—…ft soones subiect with faintings The vine barke or rinde likewise the dried leaues stanch the bleeding in a wound yea and doe consolidate and heale vp the wound it selfe The iuice drawne out of the white-Vine beeing stamped greene and Frankincense together take away shingles ring-wormes and such like wilde-fires if it bee applied thereto The ashes of the vine-stocke vine-cuttings and of the kernels and skinnes of grapes after they be pressed applied with vineger vnto the seat or fundament cure the piles swellings fissures chappes and other infirmities incident to that part but incorporate with oile-Rosat Rue and vineger they helpe dislocations burnes and swellings of the spleene The same ashes strewed with some aspersion or sprinckling of wine vpon S. Anthonies fire without any oyle doe cure the same as also all frets and galls betweene the legges and besides eat away the haire of any place The ashes of vine-cuttings besprinckled with vineger are giuen to drinke for the diseases of the spleene so as the Patient take two cyaths thereof in warme water and when hee hath drunke it lie vpon the spleene side The very small tendrils of the vine whereby it climbeth catcheth and claspeth about any thing being punned and taken in water staieth and represseth vomiting in those whose stomacks vse ordinarily to be kecklish and soone to ouerturne The ashes of vines tempered with old hogges grease is singular to abate swellings to cleanse fistulous vlâ—…ers first and soone after to heale them vp cleane likewise for the paine of sinewes proceeding of cold and for contraction and shrinking of the nerues also for bruises being applied with oyle Moreouer they eat away all excrescence of proud flesh about the bones beeing tempered mith vineger and niter and last of all mixed with oile they heale the wounds made by scorpions or dogs The ashes of the vine-barke alone cause the haire to come againe in a burnt place How grape veriuice should be made when the grapes are young and nothing ripe I haue shewed in the Treatise of Perfumes and Ointments It remaineth now to discourse of the medicinable vertues thereof and first to begin withall It healeth all vlcers that happen in moist parts and namely those of the mouth Tonsils or Almond-kernels on either side of the throat and of the priuie members the same is soueraigne for to clarifie the eie-sight it cureth the asperitie and roughnesse of the eie-lids the fistulous vlcers in the corners of the eies the clowdes ar silmes that shadow and couer the sight the running sores in any part of the body whatsoeuer the corrupt and withered cicatrices or scars and the bones charged with purulent and skinny matter Now if this veriuice bee too tart and eager it may be delaied with honey or wine-cuit and so it is good for bloudy flixes and the exulceration of the guts for those who
of the Pine-tree barke boiled in wine is giuen to drink for the pains and torments in the belly The kernels of the Pine-nuts quench thirst they pacifie and stil the frettings and gnawings of the stomack they rectifie the corrupt and putrified humors there setled and bedded they strengthen weak bodies in manner of a restoratiue and are right good agreeable to the reins and bladder howbeit they seem to exasperat the throat to encrease a cough Being taken inwardly either in water wine sweet cuit or the decoction of * dates or tamarinds they purge cholerick humors when the gnawing gripes within the stomack be exceeding violent and painfull it is good to mix therewith Cucumber seed and the juice of Pourcellane likewise in case either bladder or kidnies be exulcerat for diureticall they be also and prouoke vrine Touching the bitter Almond tree the decoction of the roots thereof doth supple the skin and lay it euen and smooth without wrinckles it imbelisheth the visage with a fresh liuely and cheerfull colour The bitter Almonds themselues bring folk to sleep and get them appetite to their meat they moue vrine and stir the ordinary course of womens monethly fleurs they serue in a liniment for the head-ach especially in feuers but if the said head-ach come by occasion of drunkennesse or a surfet of wine they would be applied with vineger oile rosat and a sextar of water They haue a property to stanch bleeding mixed with Amylfloure and mints They are good in a lethargy and the falling sicknesse if the head be therewith annointed all ouer They cure the angry night-foes called chilblanes and bloudy-falls applied with cold wine they cure vlcers which grow to putrifaction and with hony the bitings of mad dogs they take away the scales and dandruffe about the face if so be there haue bin vsed before some conuenient fomentation to prepare the skin for this medicine An Almond milk drawn with water and taken as a drinke easeth the pains of the liuer and kidnies Bitter Almonds reduced into a loch with Terpentine worke the same effect so that the Patient be often licking thereof For those who be troubled with the stone and grauell with difficultie also of pissing they be very effectuall if they be taken with sweet wine cuit also beaten with honied water they be singular to clense the skin and make it look neat and faire Reduced into the form of a loch with hony they be wholsome for the liuer good to ripen and dispatch a cough excellent for to mitigat the paines of the cholique and this electuarie must bee taken to the quantity of one hazell nut at a time with a little sauge put thereto It is said that our lusty tosse-pots and swil-bols if they eat foure or fiue bitter almonds before they sit them down to drink shall beare their liquor well and neuer be drunke quaffe they and poure they downe as much as they wil also that if foxes chance to eat of them and cannot come by water neere at hand to lap they wil die thereof Sweet almonds are not so medicinable as the bitter and yet they be purgatiue abstersiue and diureticall If they be new and fresh they charge and stuffe the stomacke Hazel-nuts and Filbirds otherwise called the Greekish nuts beeing taken in vineger with wormwood seed cure the yellow jaunise as it is commonly said a liniment made with them doth help the diseases incident to the seat and particularly the piles and swelling bigs there appearing The same medicine is good for the cough and such as spit and cast vp bloud As for Walnuts the Greeks haue giuen them a * name importing as much as the heauines of head and not without good cause for the very shade of the tree and the sent of the leaues do pierce and enter into the head so do the kernels also in lesse while if they be eaten now the newer they be the more pleasant tast they haue the drie are more oily and vnctious hurtfull to the stomack hard of digestion causing head-ach naught for them who haue a cough and for such as would vomit in a morning fasting good only in that troublesom running to the stoole and straining for nought by reason of their property to euacuat fleam The same being eaten before meat do dull the force of any poisons they help the squinancy also applied with Rue and oil Aduerse contrary they are to the nature of onions do keep down represse their strong smell which riseth from them after a man hath eaten them Applied with a little hony they are thought to be very good for the inflammation of the ears with Rue for the brests and paps as also for dislocations and parts out of ioint But if they be vsed with onions salt and hony they are singular for the biting both of dog man The shel of a wal-nut is thought to be of a caustick quality and good to burn or seare an hollow tooth the same being burnt pulverized and incorporat with oile or wine serueth to annoint the heads of yong babes for to make the hair grow thick in that maner it is vsed to bring the haire again of elder folk when through some infirmity it is shed The more Walnuts that one eateth with more ease shal he driue worms out of the belly VVal-nuts that haue bin very long kept do cure carbuncles gangrenes tending to mortification and reduce the black and blew spots remaining after stripes to their own color The bark of the wal-nut tree is a soueraign remedy for the bloudy flix and the foule tettars or ringworms The leaues bruised stamped with vineger so applied put away the pain of the ears After that Mithridates that most mighty and puissant king was vanquished Cneus Pompeius found in his secret closet or cabinet among other precious jewels the receit of a certain antidote or preseruatiue against poison set down vnder the hand of the sayd prince in a priuat note-book of remembrances in this maner following Take 2 dry walnutkernels as many figs of rue 20 leaues stamp al these together into one masse with a graine or corn of salt among Vnder which receit was thus much subscribed VVhosoeuer vse to eat of this confection in a morning next his heart there shall no poison hurt him that day It is said moreouer that the kernels of walnuts chewed by a man or woman fasting doe cure the biting of a mad dog so that the place be annointed and dressed therewith But to return again to Hazle-nuts and filberds they do cause head-ach they breed winde in the stomack and a man would not think nor beleeue how soon they wil make one fat but that experience approueth it If they be rosted or torrified they cure a rheume and if they be beaten to pouder and giuen to drink in honied water they rid away an old cough that hath stucke to one a long time some put
Pitch tree Larch tree brused and sodden in vineger do ease the tooth-ache if the mouth be washed with the decoction The ashes made of their barks skin the places that be chafed fretted and galled betweene the thighs and heale any burn or scald Taken in drinke they bind the belly but open the passages of the vrin A perfume or suffumigation therof doth settle the matrice when it is loose and out of the right place But to write more distinctly of these two trees the leaues of the Pitch tree haue a particular property respectiue to the liuer and the infirmities thereof if one take a dram weight of them and drink it in mead and honied water It is well known and resolued vpon that to take the aire of those woods and forests only where these trees be cut lanced and scraped for to draw pitch and rosin out of them is without all comparison the best course which they can take who either be in a consumption of the lungs or after some long and languishing sicknes haue much ado to recouer their strength Certes such an aire is far better than either to make a long voiage by sea into Egypt or to goe among the cottages in summer time for to drinke new milk comming of the fresh and green grasse of the mountains As for Chamaepitys it is named in Latine by some Abiga for that it causeth women to slip their conception beforetime of others Thus terrae i. ground Frankincense this herb putteth forth branches a cubit long and both in floure and sauor resembleth the Pine tree A second kind there is of Chamaepitys lower than the other seeming as though it bended and stooped downward to the ground There is also a third sort of the same odor that the rest and therefore so named This last Chamaepitys riseth vp with a little stalke or stem of a finger thicknesse it beareth rough small slender and white leaues and it groweth commonly amongst rockes All these three be herbs indeed and no other and should not be ranged among trees yet for names sake because they carry the denomination of Pitys i. the Pitch-tree I was induced the rather to treat of them in this present place to stay no longer Soueraigne they bee all against the pricks or stings of Scorpions applied in manner of a liniment with dates and quinces they be wholsome for the liuer their decoction together with barly meale is good for the infirmities of reins and bladder Also the decoction of these hearbes boiled in water helpeth the jaundise and the difficulty of vrine if the Patient drinke thereof The third kind last named taken with hony is singular against the poison of serpents and in that maner only applied as a cataplasme it clenseth the matrice natural parts of women If one drink the same herbe it will dissolue and remoue the cluttered thick bloud within the body it prouoketh sweat if the body be therwith annointed and it is especially good for the reins Being reduced into pills together with figs it is passing wholsome for those that be in a dropsie for it purgeth the belly of waterish humors If this herb be taken in wine to the weight of a victoriat piece of siluer i. halfe a Roman denier it warisheth for euer the pain of the loins and stoppeth the course of a new cough Finally if it be boiled in vineger and so taken in drink it is said that it will presently expel the dead infant out of the mothers wombe For the like cause and reason I will do the herb Pityusa this honor as to write of it among trees since that it seemeth by the name to come from the Pitch tree this plant some do reckon among the Tithymals a kind of shrub it is like vnto the Pitch tree with a small floure and the same of purple color If one drink the decoction of the root to the quantity of one hemina it purgeth downward both fleam and choler so doth a spoonfull of the seed therof put vp into the body by suppositories The decoction of the leaues in vineger doth cleanse the skin of dandruffe and scales if the decoction of rue be mingled therwith it is singular for sore brests to appease the wrings and tormenrs of the cholick against the sting of serpents and generally for to discusse and resolue all apostemations and botches a breeding But to returne againe to our former trees how Rosine is ingendred in them of their seuerall kinds and the countries where they grow I haue shewed before first in the treatise of wines and afterwards in the discourse and histories of Trees And to speak summarily of rosins they may be diuided into two principal kinds to wit the dry and the liquid rosin The dry is made of the Pine and the Pitch trees the liquid commeth from the Terebinth Larch Lentisk Cypresse trees for these beare rosin in Asia and Syria wheras some there be of opinion That the rosins of the Pitch and Larch trees be all one they be much deceiued for the Pitch tree yeeldeth a fatty rosin and in maner of frankincense vnctuous but from the Larch tree there issueth a subtill and thin liquor running like to life hony of a strong and rank vnpleasant smell Physitians seldome vse any of these liquid Rosins and neuer prescribe them but to be taken or supped off with an egge As for that of the Larch tree they giue it for the cough and exulceration of some noble parts within neither is that per-rosin of the Pine tree much vsed as for the rest they be not of any vse vnlesse they be boiled Touching the diuers manners of boiling them I haue shewed them sufficiently But if I should put a difference between these rosins according to the trees from whence they come the right Terpentine indeed which the Terebinth yeeldeth liketh and pleaseth me best being of all others lightest and most odoriferous If I should make choice of them in regard of the countries where they are found certes they of Cypresse and Syria be best and namely those that in colour resemble Attick hony and for the Cyprian rosin that which is of a more fleshie substance and drier consistence Of the dry per-rosins those are in most request which be white pure transparent or cleare quite through In generall those that come from trees growing vpon mountains be preferred before them of the plains also regarding the Northeast rather than any other wind For salues to heale wounds as also for emollitiue plasters rosins ought to be dissolued in oile for drinks or potions with bitter almonds As touching their medicinable vertues they be good to clense and close vp wounds to discusse and resolue any apostemes which bee in gathering Moreouer they be vsed in the diseases of the brest and namely true Terpentine by way of liniment for then it is singular good especially if it be applied hot also for the pains
said juice incorporat with oile serueth for an ointment also to be applied outwardly for the Sciatica Some vse the seed for the strangury The substance of Broom stamped with swines grease helpeth the ach or pain in the knees To come now to Tamarisk which the Greeks call Myrice Lenaeus affirmeth That it is vsed in maner of the Amerian willow for beesomes and more than so that if it bee sodden in wine stamped and reduced into a liniment with hony it healeth cankerous vlcers and in very truth some hold That the Myrice and Tamariske be both one But doubtlesse singular it is for the spleen in case the patient drink the iuice pressed out of it in wine And by report there is that wonderfull antipathy and contrariety in Nature betweene Tamariske and this one part alone of all the other bowels that if the troughs out of which swine drinke their swil be made of this wood they wil be found when they are opened altogether without a spleen And therfore some Physitians do prescribe vnto a man or woman also diseased in the spleen and subject to the opilations therof both to drinke out of cups or cans of Tamarisk and also to eat their meat out of such treen dishes as be made of that wood One renowned writer aboue the rest and for knowledge in great credit and author it among Physitians hath affirmed and auouched constantly That a twig of Tamarisk slipped or broken from the plant so as it touched neither the ground nor any yron toole assuageth all belly ache in case the patient weare it about him so as that his girdle and coat hold it fast and close to the body The common people cal it The vnlucky tree as I haue heretofore said because it beares no fruit is neuer with vs set or planted In Corinth and all the territory or region round about they name it Brya and make two kinds thereof to wit the wilde which is altogether barren and that which is of a more tame and gentle nature This Tamarisk in Egypt and Syria beareth in great plenty a certain fruit in substance hard and wooddy in quantity bigger than the gal-nut of an vnpleasant and harsh tast which the Physitians do vse in stead of the Gal-nut and put into those compositions which they name Antheras Howbeit the very wood of this plant the floure leaues and barke also be vsed to the same purpose although they be not so strong in operation as the said fruit The rind or barke beaten to pouder is giuen with good successe to them that cast vp bloud also to women who haue a great shift of their fleurs likewise to such as be troubled with a continual flux occasioned by the imbecility of the stomack The same bruised and applied as a cataplasme represseth and smiteth backe all impostumations a breeding The juice pressed out of the leaues is good for the same infirmities moreouer they vse to boil the leaues in wine for the same intent But of themselues alone being brought into a liniment with some hony among they are good to be applied vnto gangrenes The foresaid decoction of the leaues beeing drunke in wine or the leaues applied with oyle of Roses and wax mitigat the said gangrenes namely when the flesh tendeth to mortification And in this manner they cure the night-foes or chilblanes Their decoction is wholsome for the paine of teeth or eares for which purpose serueth the root likewise and the leaues Ouer and besides the leaues haue this property That if they be brought into the form of a cataplasme with barly groats and so applied they keep down and restrain corrosiue vlcers The seed if it be taken to the weight of a dram in drinke is a preseruatiue and counterpoison against spiders and namely those called Phalangia And if the same be incorporat with the tallow or grease of any fatlings or beasts kept vp in stall stie or mow into a liniment it is singular good for any vncome or fellon Of great efficacy it is also against the sting of all serpents except the Aspis The decoction likewise of the seed clysterized is singular for the jaundise it kils lice and nits and staieth the immoderat flux of womens months The ashes of the very wood of the tree is good in all those cases beforesaid which if they be mingled in the stale of an oxe and so taken of man or woman either in meat or drink it will disable them for hauing any mind to the sports of Venus euer after And a burning cole of this wood when it is quenched in the stale or beasts pisse they vse to saue lay vp in the shade for that purpose but if one list to kindle lust then they set it on fire againe To conclude the Magitians say That it would do as much if the vrine only of a gelded man were taken for the said purpose CHAP. X. ¶ Of the Bloud-rod Of Siler Of Priuet The Alder tree and Ivy. Of Cisthus and Cissos Of Erithranos Of Chamaecissos or Ground-Ivie Of Smilax or Bindweed Of Clematis THe Plant called the Sanguin-rod is as vnhappy as the foresaid Tamariske The inner bark thereof is singular good to open again those vlcers which are healed aloft only and skinned before their time The leaues of Siler brought into a liniment and applied as a frontall to the forehead allay the paine of the head The seed thereof driuen into pouder and incorporat with oile is good for the lousie disease and keepeth the body from lice The very serpents cannot abide this plant or shrub but flie from it which is the cause that the peasants of the country make their walking staues thereof Our Ligustrum or Priuet is the very same tree that Cypros is in the East parts To good vse it serueth amongst vs here in Europ for the juice of it is wholsome for the sinews the ioynts and any extreme cold The leaues applied with some corns of salt heale all inueterat vlcers in any part whatsoeuer and particularly the Cankers in the mouth The graines or berries that it beareth are good to kill lice also for any gal where the skin is fretted off between the legs and so be the leaues likewise The foresaid berries do cure the pip in Hens and Pullen As for the Alder tree the leaues if they be applied hot as they be taken out of scalding water do cure without faile any tumor or swelling As touching the Ivy tree 20 kinds therof and no fewer I haue already shewed and of al these there is not one but the vse of it in Physick is doubtfull and dangerous For first and formost Ivy if it bee drunke in any quantity howsoeuer it may purge the head surely it troubleth the brain Taken inwardly it hurteth the sinews applied outwardly it doth them much good Of the very same nature it is that vineger All the sorts of Ivies be refrigeratiue In drink they prouoke vrin But the soft and
that violence and causing such trouble and broils as if the world were at war within it selfe And can there bee any thing more wonderfull and miraculous than to see the waters congealed oboue in the aire and so to continue pendant in the skie And yet as if they were not contented to haue risen thus to that exceeding height they catch and snatch vp with them into the vpper region of the aire a world of little fishes otherwhiles also they take vp stones and charge themselues with that ponderous weighty matter which is more proper to another Element The same waters falling downe againe in raine are the very cause of all those things here below which the earth produceth and bringeth forth And therefore considering the wonderfull nature thereof and namely how the corne groweth vpon the ground how trees and plants doe liue prosper and fructifie by the means of waters which first ascending vp into the skie are furnished from thence with a liuely breath and bestowing the same vpon the herbs cause them to spring and multiply we cannot chuse but confesse that for all the strength and vertue which the Earth also hath shee is beholden to the Waters and hath receiued all from them In which regard aboue all things and before I enter into my intended discourse of Fishes and beasts liuing in this Element I meane first to set down in generaility the maruellous power and properties of water it selfe and to illustrat the same by way of sundry examples for the particular discourse of all sorts of waters what man liuing is able to performe CHAP. II. ¶ The diuersitie of waters their vertues und operations medicinable and other singularities obserued therein THere is in maner no region nor coast of the earth but you shall see in one quarter or other waters gently rising and springing out of the ground here and there yeelding fountains in one place cold in another hot yea and otherwhils there may be discouered one with another neere adioyning as for example about Tarbelli a towne in Guienne and the Pyrenaean hills there do boile vp hot and cold springs so close one vnto the other that hardly any distance can be perceiued between Moreouer sources there be which yeeld waters neither cold nor hot but luke-warme and the same very holesome and proper for the cure of many diseases as if Nature had set them apart for the good of man only and no other liuing creature beside To these fountains so medicinable there is ascribed some diuine power insomuch as they giue name vnto sundry gods and goddesses and seeme to augment their number by that means yea otherwhiles great towns cities carrie their names like as Puteoli in Campane Statyellae in Liguria Aquae Sextiae in the prouince of Narbon or Piemont but in no countrey of the world is there found greater plenty of these springs and the same endued with more medicinable properties than in the tract or vale Baianus within the realm of Naples where you shall haue some hold of brimstone others of alume some standing vpon a veine of salt others of nitre some resembling the nature of Bitumen and others again of a mixt qualitie partly soure and partly salt Furthermore you shall meet with some of them which naturally serue as a stouph or hot-house for the very steeme and vapour only which ariseth from them is wholesome and profitable for our bodies and those are so exceeding hot that they heat the bains yea and are able to make the cold water to seeth boile again which is in their bathing tubs as namely the fountaine Posidianus whithin the foresaid territory Bajanus which name it tooke of one Posidius a slaue sometime and enfranchised by Claudius Caesar the Emperour Moreouer there be of them so hot that they are able to seeth an egg or any other viands or cates for the table As for the Licinian springs which beare the name of Licinius Crassus a man may perceiue them to boile and reeke again euen out of the very sea See how good Nature is to vs who amid the waues and billows of the sea hath affourded healthfull waters But now to discipher their vertues in Physick according to their seuerall kinds thus much in generality is obserued in these baths That they serue for the infirmities of the sinews for gout of the feet sciatica Some more properly are good for dislocations of ioints and fractures of bones others haue a property to loosen the bellie to purge and as there be of them which heale wounds and vlcers so there are again that more particularly be respectiue to the accidents of the head and ears and among the rest those which beare the name of Cicero and be called Ciceronianâ—… besoueraign for the eies Now there is a memorable manour or faire house of plaisance situat vpon the sea side in the very high way which leadeth from the lake Auernus to the cittie Puteoli much renowmed for the groue or wood about it as also for the stately galleries porches allies and walking places adioyning therunto which set out and beautifie the said place very much this goodly house M. Cicero called Academia in regard of some resemblance it had vnto a colledge of that name in Athens from whence he tooke the modell and patterne where he compiled those books of his which carrie the name of the place and be called Academice quaestiones and there he caused his monument or sepulchre to be made for the perpetuitie of his memoriall as who would say he had not sufficiently immortalized his name throughout the world by those noble works which he wrote and commended vnto posteritie Well soone after the decease of Cicero this house and forrest both fell into the hands and tenure of Antistius Vetus at what time in the very forefront as it were and entrie thereof there were discouered certaine hot fountaines breaking and springing out of the ground and those passing medicinable and wholesome for the eies Of these waters Laurea Tullus an enfranchised vassall of Cicero made certaine verses and those carying with them such a grace of majestie that at the first sight a man may easily perceiue how affectionat and deuout he was to the seruice of his lord and master and for that the said Epigram is worthy to be read not onely there but also in euery place I will set it downe here as it standeth ouer those baines to be seene in this Decasticon Quo tua Romanae vindex clarissime linguae Sylva loco melius surgere jussa viret Atque Academiae celebratam nomine villam Nunc reparat cultu sub potiore Vetus Hîc etiam apparent lymphae non ante repertae Lanquida quae infuso lumina rore levant Nimirum locus ipse sui Ciceronis honori Hoc dedit hacfontes cum patefecit ope Vt quoniam totum legitur sine fine per orbem Sint plures oculis quae medeantur aquae O prince of
The gifts and rewards represented vnto valiant souldiers for their braue seruice And at what time Coronets of gold were seene THe chamber of the foresaid judges consisted of diuers estates and degrees distinguished all by seuerall names for first and foremost there were of them called Tribuni aeris as it were Generall receiuers or Treasurers secondly Selecti chosen from among the Senators and last of all those who simply were named Iudices or Iudges taken from among the knights or men of armes Ouer and besides these they had others called Nongenti choice men selected from out of all the estates who had the keeping of those chists or caskets wherin were put the voices of the people in their solemn elections And by reason of a proud humor in men chusing themselues names to their owne liking great diuisions and factions arose in this house and chamber of the foresaid Iudges whiles one would needs be called Nongentus another Selectus and a third gloried in the title of Tribune or Receiuer But at length in the ninth yere of the reigne of the Emperor Tiberius Caesar the whole estate of the gentrie or cauallerie of Rome was reduced to an vniformitie and an order was set downe whereby it was knowne who might weare rings and who might not which fell out to be in that yeare when C. Asinius Pollio and C. Antistius Vetus were Consuls together and in the 775 yere alter the foundation of Rome city And verily this vniforme regularity was occasioned by a trifling cause to speak of and whereat wee may well maruell and thus stood the case C. Sulpitius Galba desirous in his youth to win some credit with the foresaid Emperour Tiberius and namely by deuising meanes how to bring Taueâ—… Cooks shops and victualing houses in danger of the law and to forfeit penalties pleaded against 〈◊〉 and complained before the Senat That those who were the vndertakers and Tenants 〈◊〉 â—…re of the foresaid Tauerns c. and made their gaine thereby had no other meanes to bearâ—…â—…mselues out nor plea to defend their faults and disorders but their rings The Senat taking knowledge hereof ordained an act That none from that time forward might bee allowed to weare the said rings vnlesse he were free borne and that both himselfe his father and grand sire by the fathers side were assessed in the Censors booke 400000 sesterces and by vertue of the law Iulia as touching the publicke Theatre had right to sit and behold the plaies in the first and foremost 14 ranks or seats for knights appointed Howbeit afterwards euery man labo red and made means one with another to be allowed to weare this ornament of a ring Now in regard of these disorders and variances aboue rehearsed prince Caius Caligula the Emperour adjoyned to the former foure a fifth Decurie And shortly after men gtew to that height and pride in this behalfe of wearing rings and the company so surcreased that whereas in Augustus Caesars dayes there could not be found knights and Gentlemen sufficient throughout all Rome to furnish those Decuries by this time they could not be contained all within the Chamber of Iudges or Decuries abouesaid insomuch as now adaies no sooner are there any slaues manumised and affranchised but presently by their good will they must be at their rings A thing that neuer before was knowne in Rome for aforetime when a man spake of the iron ring he was vnderstood presently to point at the Gentlemen and Iudges before named but the said ornament or badge became so commonly to be taken vp by one as well as another that a gentleman of Rome Flauius Proculus by name indited 400 at once before Claudius Caesar Censor for the time being and declared against them for this abuse and offence See what inconuenience insued vpon the act of rings for whiles thereby a distinction was made between that degree other free-born citizens streight-waies base slaues leapt in and were so bold as to take that ornament vpon them And here by the way it is to be noted that the two Gracchi Tiberius and Caius brethren vpon a certain desire and inbred affection that they had to maintaine and nuzzle the people in sedition and to beare a side alwaies against the Senat for to currie fauour with the Commons and to do them a pleasure deuised first to haue al them called Iudges who by vertue of the foresaid statute or edict might weare rings and this he did to crosse and beard the Senat. But after the fire of tbis sedition was quenched and the popular authors thereof who stirred blew the coles were murdered the denomination of these criminall Iudges after diuers troubles and seditions with variable and alternatiue fortune fell in the end to the Publicans and Farmers of the reuenues of the State and being thus deuolued vpon them there continued insomuch as for a good while the said Publicans made vp the third degree betweene the Senatours and the Commons Howbeit M. Cicero when he was Consull re-established the Knighthood Cauallerie of Rome in their former estate and place and so far preuailed that hee reconciled them againe vnto the Senat giuing out openly that he himselfe was come of that degree and by that means by a certain popularity sought to draw them all to side with him From this time forward the men of arms were installed as it were in the third estate of Rome insomuch as al edicts and publick acts passed in the name of the Senat People and Cauallerie of the citie And for that these knights or gentlemen were last incorporated into the body of the Common-weale this is the only reason that euen now also they are written in all publicke Instruments after the People As touching the name or title attributed to this third estate or degree of Horsemen or men of Arms it hath bin changed and altered oftentimes for in the daies of Romulus and other KK of Rome they were called Celeres afterwards Flexumines and in processe of time Trossuli by occasion that these horsmen without any aid at all of the Infanterie had woon a towne in Tuscane nine miles on this side Volsinij called Trossuli which name continued in the Cauallerie of Rome vntill the time of C. Gracchus and afterward And verily Iunius who vpon the great amitie betweene Gracchus and him was syrnamed Gracchanus hath left these words in writing as touching this matter concerning the degree of knights quoth hee those who now are called Equites i. Horsemen beforetime had to name Trossuli the change of which name arose vpon this that many of these Gentlemen ignorant in the originall and first occasion of the foresayd name Trossuli and what the meaning thereof was were ashamed so to be called He alledgeth moreouer the cause of the said name and yet notwithstanding quoth hee they cannot away with the name at this day but are so called against their wils To come again vnto our former discourse of gold There
exhibit a spectacle wherat the world should lament and cry out in detestation of Fortune no lesse ywis than if they had bin the bones and reliques of king Alexander the Great his corps to be laid solemnly in his sepulchre and herein he pleased himselfe not a little Titus Petronius late Consull of Rome when he lay at the point of death called for a faire broad-mouthed cup of Cassidoine which had cost him before-time three hundred thousand sesterces and presently brake it in pieces in hatred and despight of Nero for feare lest the same prince might haue seazed vpon it after his disease and therewith furnished his own bourd But Nero himselfe as it became an Emperour indeed went beyond all others in this kind of excesse who bought one drinking cup that stood him in three hundred thousand festerces a memorable matter no doubt that an Emperour a father and patron of his country should drink in a cup so deare But before I proceed any farther it is to be noted that we haue these rich Cassidoine vessels called in Latine Murrâ—…ina from out of the Leuant for found they be in many places of the East parts and those otherwise not greatly renowned but most within the kingdom of Parthia howbeit the principall come from out of Carmania The stone whereof these vessels be made is thought to be a certaine humour thickened and baked as it were within the ground by the naturall heat thereof In no place shali a man meet with any of these stones larger than small tablements of pillars or counting-bourds and seldome are they so thicke as to serue for such a drinking cup as I haue spoken of already resplendant they are in some sort but that brightnesse is not pearcing and to say a truth it may be called rather a polishing glosse or lustre than a radiant and transparent clearenesse but that which maketh them so much esteemed is the variety of colours for in these stones a man shall perceiue certaine vains or spots which as they be turned about resemble diuers colours enclining partly to purple and partly to white he shall see them aâ—…o of a third colour composed of them both resembling the flame of fire Thus they passe from one to another as a man holdeth them in so much as their purple seemeth to stand much vpon white and their milkie white to beare as much vpon the purple Some esteemed those Cassidoine or Murrhene stones richest which represent as it were certain reuerberations of sundry colours meeting all together about their edges and extremities such as we obserue in rainbowes others are delighted with cerataine fattie spots appearing in them and no account is made of them which shew either pale or transparent in any part of them for these be reckoned great faults and blemishes In like maner if there be seene in the Cassidoine any spots like corns or graines of salt if it containe resemblances of werts although they beare not vp but lie flat as they doe many times in our bodies finally the Cassidoine stones are commended in some sort also for the smell that they do yeeld As touching Crystall it proceedeth of a contrary cause namely of cold for a liquor it is congealed by extream frost in maner of yce and for the proofe hereof you shal find crystal in no place els but where the winter snow is frozen hard so as we may boldly say it is very yce and nothing els whereupon the Greeks haue giuen it the right name Crystallos i. Yce We haue this crystall likewise out of the East-parts but there is none better than that which India sends to vs. Ingendred it is also in Asia and namely about Alabanda Ortosia and the mountains adioyning but in request it is not no more than that which is found in Cyprus howbeit there is excellent crystall within Europe and namely vpon the crests of the Alps. King Iuba writeth that in a certaine Island lying beyond the red sea ouer-against Arabia named Neron there growes crystall as also in another thereby which yeeldeth the Topase pretious stone where Pythagoras lieutenant or gouernour vnder king Ptolome digged forth a piece which carried a cubit in length Cornelius Bocchus affirmeth that in Portugall vpon certaine exceeding high mountaines where they sinke pits for the leuell of the water there be found great crystal quarters or masses of a wonderfull weight But maruellous is that which Xenocrates the Ephesian reporteth namely that in Asia and Cyprus there be pieces of crystall turned vp with the very plough so ebb it lierh within the ground an incredible thing considering that before-time no man beleeued that euer it could be found in any place standing vpon an earthly substance but onely among cliffes and craggs It soundeth yet more like a truth which the same Xenocrates writeth namely that oftentimes it is carried down the streame running from the mountains As for Sudines hee saith confidently that crystall is not engendred but in places exposed onely to the South and verily this is most true for you shall neuer meet with it in waterish countries lying Northerly be the climat neuer so cold no though the riuers be frozen to an yce euen to the very bottome Wee must conclude therefore of necessitie that certaine coelestiall humours to wit of raine and some small snow together do concurre to the making of crystall and here upon it comes that impatient it is of heat and vnlesse it be for to drinke water or other liquor actually cold it is altogether reiected but strange it is that it should grow as it doth six angled neither is it an easie matter to assigne a sound reason thereof the rather for that the points be not all of one fashion and the sides betweene each corner are so absolute euen and smooth as no lapidarie in the world with all his skil can polish any stone so plain The greatest most weightie piece of crystal that euer I could see was that which Livia Augusta the Empresse dedicated in the Capitoll which weighed about fiftie pounds Xenocrates mine authour aboue-named affirmeth that there was seene a vessell of crystall as much as an Amphore and some besides him doe say that there haue beene brought out of India crystall glasses containing foure sextars a piece Thus much I dare my selfe auouch that crystall groweth within certaine rockes vpon the Alps and those so steep and inaccessible that for the most part they are constrained to hang by ropes that shall get it forth They that be skilfull and well experienced therein go by diuers markes and signes which direct them to places where there is cristall and where also they can discerne good from bad for this you must think there be many imperfections and faults therein as namely when it is rough or rugged in hand rustie like yron cloudie and full of speekes otherwhiles there is a secret hidden fistulous vlcer as it were within there lieth also in
whereupon it tooke that name in weight it passeth the rest but in natue it is farre vnlike for it will not abide the hammer but breake into pieces besides another adamant will pierce it and bore a hole quite through it which also may be said of the Cyprian Diamant so as to speak in one word these two last rehearsed may go only vnder the name of Diamants for otherwise they are but bastards and not true Diamants Moreouer as touching the concord and discord that is between things naturall which the Greekes call Sympathia and Antipathia whereof I haue so much written in all my bookes and endeauoured to acquaint the readers therewith in nothing throughout the world may we obserue both the one the other more euidently than in the Diamant For this inuincible minerall against which neither fire nor steele the two most violent and puissant creatures of natures making haue any power but that it checketh despiseth both the one and the other is forced to yeeld the gantelet and giue place vnto the bloud of a Goat this only thing is the means to break it in sunder howbeit care must be had that the Diamant be steeped therin whiles it is fresh drawn from the beast before it be cold yet when you haue made all the steeping you can you must haue many a blow at the Diamant with hammer vpon the anuill for euen then also vnlesse they be of excellent proofe good indeed it wil put them to it and break both the one the other But I would gladly know whose inuention this might be to soake the Diamant in Goats bloud whose head deuised it first or rather by what chance was it found out known What conjecture should lead a man to make an experiment of such a singular and admirable secret especially in a goat the filthiest beast one of them in the whole world Certes I must ascribe both this inuention all such like to the might and benificence together of the diuine powers neither are we to argue reason how and why nature hath done this or that sufficient it is that her will was so thus she would haue it But to come againe to the Diamant when this proofe taketh effect to our mind so that the Diamant once crack you shall see it break crumble into so small pieces that hardly the eie can discerne the one from the other Wel lapidaries are very desirous of Diamants seek much after them they set them into handles of yron therby they with facility cut into any thing be it neuer so hard Moreouer there is such a naturall enmity between Diamants Loadstones that if it be laid neer to piece of yron it will not suffer it to be drawn away by the loadstone nay if the said loadstone be brought so neere a piece of yron that it haue caught hold thereof the Diamant if it come in place will cause it to let goe the hold The diamant hath a property to frustrathe malicious effects of poyson to driue away those imaginations that set folke besides themselues to expell vaine feares that trouble and possesse the mind which is the reason that some haue called it Anachites Metrodorus Scepsius affirmeth That the Diamant is found in Germanie and the Island Baltia wherein Amber is ingendred but as far as euer I could reade he is the onely man that saith so This Diamant also of Almaine he preferreth before those of Arabia howbeit no man doubteth that he lieth stoutly After the precious Diamants of India and Arabia wee in these parts of the world esteem most of pearles but as touching them I haue written sufficiently in my ninth booke where I discoursed of such matters as the seas do yeeld CHAP. V. ¶ Of the Emeraud and the sundry sorts thereof Of greene gems or precious stones and such as be lightsome and cleare all thorow EMerauds for many causes deserue the third place for there is not a colour more pleasing to the eie True it is that we take great delight to behold greene herbes and leaues of trees but this is nothing to the pleasure wee haue in looking vpon the Emeraud for compare it with other things be they neuer so green it surpasses them all in pleasant verdure Besides there is not a gem or precious stone that so fully possesseth the eie and yet neuer contenteth it with sacietie Nay if the sight hath bin wearied and dimmed by intentiue poring vpon any thing els the beholding of this stone doth refresh and restore it againe which lappidaries well know that cut and ingraue fine stones for they haue not a better means to refresh their eies than the Emeraud the mild green that it hath doth so comfort and reuiue their wearines and lassitude Moreouer the longer and farther off that a man looketh vpon Emerauds the fairer and bigger they seem to the eie by reason that they cause the reuerberation of the aire about them for to seeme green for neither Sun nor shade ne yet the light of candle causeth them to change and lose their lustre but contrariwise as they euer send out their own raies by litle little so they entertain reciprocally the visual beams of our eies and for all the spissitude and thicknesse that they seeme to haue they admit gently our sight to pierce into their bottome a thing that is not ordinary in water The same are shaped many times hollow thereby to gather vnite and fortifie the spirits that maintain our eie-sight In regard of these manifold pleasures that they shew to our eies by generall consent of all men spared they are and lappidaries be forbidden expressely to cut and ingraue them and yet the Emerauds of Scythia and Aegypt be so hard as they cannot be pierced or wounded by any instrument moreouer when you meet with a table-Emerauld hold the flat face therof against any thing it will represent the said object to the eie as well as a mirroir or looking glasse And verily Nero the Emperor was wont to behold the combats of fencers and sword-plaiers in a faire Emeraud Now this first formost is to be noted that of Emerauds there be 12 kinds The fairest and richest of all other be those of Tartarie and called they are Scythick of the nation Scythia from whence they came and in truth there be none fuller and higher in colour or haue fewer blemishes and looke how far Emerauds goe beyond other precious stones so far do the Scythian Emerauds surpasse all others The Bactrian Emerauds as they are the next neighbors so they come nearest in goodnesse to the Scythicke found these be in chinks and joints as it were of rocks in the sea and gathered by report about the dog daies when the Northeast Etesian winds do blow for then they glitter and shine within the earth that is grown about them by reason that the said winds which in those parts are strong remoue the sand away from
483 e. sundry peeces of his handy-worke ibid. Acro who was the first Empericke Physician that euer was 344. h Acrocorios a kinde of Bulbe 19 a Act of generation how it is helped 130 h. 131 a 132 g. See more in Venus how it is hindered 58. k 59 d. 187 a. 190 h. 221 d. 256 l. See more in Venus L. Actius the Poet. 490. l L. Actius being of low stature caused his statue to be made tall ibid. Actius Nauius the Augur 491 b Actius Nauius his statue erected vpon a Columne at Rome ibid. A D Adad the Assyrian god 630. h Adad-Nephros a pretious stone ibid. Adamantis a magicall hearbe 203. c. why so called ibid. the strange vertues and properties thereof ibid. A arca See Calamochnus Adarce what it is 74 l. the vertues and properties that it hath ibid. Adders tongue See Lingulaca Aditiales Epulae or Adijciales what feasts they be 355. c Admiranda the title to a booke of M. Ciceroes 403. b Adonis garden 91. c Adonium a floure ibid. in Adoration of the gods what gesture obserued 297. e Adulterie how a woman shall loath and detest 434. k A E Aegilops a kinde of bulbe 19. b Aegilops an hearbe 235. a. the qualitie that the seed hath 99. c. Aegilops what vlcer ibid. Aegina an Island famous for brasse founders 488. h in great name for the branchworke of brasen candlestickes there made ibid. k Aegipt stored with good hearbes 96. l. what they be ib. 97. b Aegypt famous for singular hearbes and commended therefore by Homer 210. l Aegiptian beane 111. c. the vertues ibid. Aegiptilla a pretious stone 625. a. the description ib. Aegles why they hatch but two at one airie 590. k Aegle stone See Aëtites Aegophthalmus a pretious stone 630. i Aegolethron an hearbe 94 h. why so called ibid. Aegonichon See Greimile Aegypios a kinde of Vulture or Geere 365. d Aera Militum what 486. i Aerarium the treasurie of Rome why so called ibid. l Aerarij Tribuni what officers in Rome ibid. Aëroïdes a kinde of Berill 613. d Aerosum what gold 472. g Aechines a Physitian af Athens 301. e Aeschynomene a magicall hearbe 204. i. why so called ib. the strange qualitie that it hath ibid. Aesope the player his earthen platter 554. g Aesope the Philosopher 578 g. a bondslaue together with Rhodope the harlot ibid. Aeëtites a pretious stone why so called 396. l. 590. k. foure kindes thereof ibid. male and female ibid. their description ibid. the vertues of them all ibid. m Aeëtites a pretious stone 630. i Aethiopis a magicall hearbe 244 g. the incredible effects thereof ibid. from whence we haue it 269. d the description of it 271. c. the roots medicinable ibid. d A F Africa the word is a spell in Africke 297. d A G Agaricke what it is 227 d. male and female ibid. d e the ill qualitie that the male hath ibid. Agath a pretious stone 623 d. why called Achates ibid. the sundry names that it hath ibid. Indian Agaths represent the forme of many things within them 623 f the Agath serueth well to grind drougs into fine powder 623 f. diuerse kindes of Agaths 624. g the chiefe grace of an Agath ibid. incredible wonders reported of the Agath by Magicians 623 h. Agath of King Pyrrhus with the nine Muses and Apollo therein naturally 601 a b Agathocles a Physician and writer 131. e Agelades a famous Imageur in brasse 497 e. hee taught Polycletus ibid. his workes ibid. he taught Myro 498. h Ageraton an hearbe 271. d. the description ibid. why so called and the vertues ibid. Aglaophotis a magicall hearbe 203 a. why so called ibid. why named Marmaritis ibid. vsed in coniuring and raising spirits ibid. b Agnels how to be cured 38 i. See more in Cornes Agnus Castus a tree 257. c Agogae what conduits they be 468. m Agoracritus an Imageur in Marble 565 d. beloued exceedingly by his master Phidias ibid. Agrimonie an hearbe 220 k. why called Eupatoria ibid. the description ibid. the vertues ibid. l Agrion a kinde of Nitre 420. h Agrippa Menenius enterred at the common charges of the Romane Citizens 480. i M. Agrippa how he cured the gout with vinegre 156. k his admirable workes during the yeare of his Aedileship 585 e. how he conueighed seuen riuers vnder Rome 582. h Agues what medicines they do require 137. a. See more in Feuers A I Aire of sea water wherefore good 412. k Aire which is good to recouer strength after long sicknesse 181. d. change of Aire for what diseases good 303. c A L Alabastrum See Stimmi Alabastrites what kinde of stone 574. g. what vses it serued for ibid. the degrees thereof in goodnesse ibid. h Alabastrites a pretious stone 624 i. the place where it is found ibid. the description and vertue ibid. Alabastrites a kinde of Emeraud 613. a Albicratense a goldmine in France yeelding the best ore with a 36 part of siluer and no more 469. c Albi hils in Candie 408. k Albucum what it is 100 g Albulae what waters about Rome 402. m Alcamenes a fine Imageur and engrauer in brasse and marble 501 a. his workes ibid. 565. d Alcaea an hearbe 249. b Alcaea an hearbe 272 k. the description ibid. l Alcaeus a Poet and writer 131. a Alcibiades honoured with a statue at Rome 492. i. reputed the hardest wariour ibid. Alcibiades most beautiful in his youth childhood 568. g Alcibion an hearbe 275. e. the vertues ibid. Alcimachus a feat painter 549 c. his workemanship ibid. Alcisthene a woman and a paintresse 551. a Alcmena hardly deliuered of Hercules 304 m. the cause thereof ibid. Alcon the Imageur 514. g. he made Hercules of yron and steele ibid. Alcontes a rich Chirurgian 348. g. well fleeced by Claudius Caesar ibid. Alder tree what vertues it hath in Physicke 189. â— Alectoriae pretious stones 624. i. why so called ib. the vertues ib. why Milo the wrestler caried it about him ibid. Ale an old drinke 145 b. what nourishment it yeelds 152. g Alectorolophos an hearbe 275. c. the description and vertues ibid. Alâ—…x wâ—…at kinde of sauce 418 g. how made ibid. the vertue and vse thereof in Physicke ibid. i Aleos a riâ—…er of a strange nature 403. d Alexander otherwise called Paris excellently wrought in brasse by Euphraner resembling a iudge a louer and a murderer 502. g K. Alexander the great vsed to visit Apelles the painter his shop 538. m. he gaue away his concubine faire Campaspe to Apelles 539. a. a conqueror of his owne affections ib. b Alexipharmaca what medicines they be 106. h Aliacmon a riuer 403. d Alica what it is 139. c. compared with Ptisane 140. k See Frumentâ—…e Alincon described 128. l. m. two kindes thereof and their vertues 129. a Alisanders an bearbe 24. g. how strangely it groweth 30. g the vertues thereof 54. i. See Hipposelinum Alisma what hearbe 231. a. the names that it hath ibid. the description ibid. the two