to preserve a long time incorrupted hath been the assertion of many stands yet confirmed by Austine De Civitate Dei by Gygas Sempronius in Aldrovand and the same experiment we can confirme our selves in the brawne or fleshy parts of Peacocks so hanged up with thred that they touch no place whereby to contract a moisture and hereof we have made triall both in the summer and winter The reason some I perceive attempt to make out from the siccity and drines of its flesh and some are content to rest in a secret propriety thereof As for the siccity of the flesh it is more remarkable in other animals as Aegles Hawkes and birds of prey And that it is a propriety or agreeable unto none other we cannot with reason admit for the same preservation or rather incorruption we have observed in the flesh of Turkeys Capons Hares Partridge Venison suspended freely in the ayre and after a yeare and a halfe dogs have not refused to eat them As for the other conceit that a Peacocke is ashamed when he lookes on his legges as is commonly held and also delivered by Cardan beside what hath been said against it by Scaliger let them beleeve that hold specificall deformities or that any part can seeme unhansome to their eyes which hath appeared good and beautifull unto their makers The occasion of this conceit might first arise from a common observation that when they are in their pride that is advance their traine if they decline their necke to the ground they presently demit and let fall the same which indeed they cannot otherwise doe for contracting their body and being forced to draw in their foreparts to establish the hinder in the elevation of the traine if the foreparts depart and incline to the ground the hinder grow too weake and suffer the traine to fall And the same in some degree is also observeable in Turkyes 3. That Storkes are to be found and will onely live in Republikes or free States is a pretty conceit to advance the opinion of popular policies and from Antipathies in nature to disparage Monarchicall government But how far agreeable unto truth let them consider who read in Plinie that among the Thessalians who were governed by Kings and much abounded with Serpents it was no lesse then capitall to kill a Storke That the ancient Aegyptians honoured them whose government was from all times Monarchicall That Bellonius affirmeth men make them nests in France And lastly how Jeremy the Prophet delivered himselfe unto his countreymen whose government was at that time Monarchicall Milvus in Coelâ— cognovit tempus suum Turtur Hirundo Ciconia custodierunt tempus adventus sui Wherein to exprobrate their Stupiditie he induceth the providence of Storkes Now if the bird had been unknown the illustration had been obscure and the exprobation but improper 4. That a Bittor maketh that mugient noyse or as we terme it Bumping by putting its bill into a reed as most beleeve or as Bellonius and Aldrovand conceive by putting the same in water or mud and after a while retaining the ayre by suddenly excluding it againe is not so easily made out For my own part though after diligent enquiry I could never behold them in this motion Notwithstanding by others whose observations we have expresly requested we are informed that some have beheld them making this noise on the Shore their bills being far enough removed from reed or water that is first strongly attracting the aire and unto a manifest distention of the neck and presently after with great Contention and violence excluding the same againe As for what others affirme of putting their bill in water or mud it is also hard to make out For what may bee observed from any that walketh the Fenns there is little intermission nor any observable pawse between the drawing in and sending forth of their breath And the expiration or breathing forth doth not onely produce a noise but the inspiration or haling in of the ayre affordeth a sound that may bee heard almost a flight shoot Now the reason of this strange and peculiar noise is well deduced from the conformation of the windepipe which in this birde is different from other volatiles For at the upper extream it hath no Larinx or throttle to qualifie the sound and at the other end by two branches deriveth it selfe into the Lunges Which division consisteth onely of Semicircular fibers and such as attaine but half way round the part By which formation they are dilatable into larger capacities and are able to containe a fuller proportion of ayre which being with violence sent up the weazon and finding no resistance by the Larinx it issueth forth in a sound like that from cavernes and such as sometimes subterraneous eruptions from hollow rocks afford As Aristotle observeth in a Problem of the 25. Section and is observable in pichards bottles and that instrument which Aponensis upon that probleme describeth wherewith in Aristotles time Gardiners affrighted birdes 5. That whelps are blinde nine dayes and then begin to see is the common opinion of all and some will be apt enough to descend unto oathes upon it But this I finde not answerable unto experience for upon a strict observation of many I have not found any that see the ninth day few before the twelfth and the eyes of some will not open before the fourteenth day And this is agreeable unto the determination of Aristotle who computeth the time of their anopsie or invision by that of their gestation for some saith he do go with their yong the sixt part of a yeer a day or two over or under that is about sixty dayes or nine weekes and the whelps of these see not till twelve dayes some goe the fifth part of a yeer that is 71. dayes and these saith he see not before the fourteenth day Others doe goe the fourth part of a yeer that is three whole months and these saith hee are without sight no lesse then seventeen dayes wherein although the accounts be different yet doth the least thereof exceed the terme of nine dayes which is so generally receaved And this compute of Aristotle doth generally overthrow the common cause alleadged for this effect that is a precipitation or over hasty exclusion before the birth be perfect according unto the vulgar Adage Festinans canis coecos parit catulos for herein the whelps of longest gestation are also the latest in vision The manner hereof is this At the first littering their eyes are fastly closed that is by coalition or joyning together of the eyelids and so continue untill about the twefth day at which time they begin to separate and may be easily divelled or parted asunder they open at the inward canthis or greater angle of the eye and so by degrees dilate themselves quite open An effect very strange and the cause of much obscurity wherein as yet mens enquiries are blinde and satisfaction acquirable from no man What ever
descendere eumratus more solito procumbere jussit in genua caeteri quoque ita enâ—â— instituti erant demisere corpora in terram they remember not the expression of Osorius de rebus gestis Emanuelis when he speakes of the Elephant presented to Leo the tenth Pontificemter genibus flexis demisso corporis habitu veuerabundus salutavit But above all they call not to minde that memorable shew of Germanicus wherein twelve Elephants danced unto the sound of musick and after laid them down in the Tricliniums or places of festivall Recumbency Lastly they forget or consult not experience whereof not many yeares past we have had the advantage in England by an Elephant shewne in many parts thereof not only in the posture of standing but kneeling and lying downe whereby although the opinion at present be reasonable well suppressed yet from the strings of tradition and fruitfull recurrence of error it is not improbable it may revive in the next generation againe for this was not the first that hath been seen in England for besides some others since as Polydore Virgil relateth Lewis the French King sent one to Henry the third and Emanuel of Portugall another unto Leo the tenth into Italy where notwithstanding the errour is still alive and epidemicall as with us The hint and ground of this opinion might be the grosse and somewhat Cylindricall composure of the legs the equality and lesse perceptible disposure of the joynts especially in the fore legs of this Animall they appearing when he standeth like pillars of flesh without any evidence of articulation the different flexure and order of the joynts might also countenance the same being not disposed in the Elephant as they are in other quadrupedes but carry a nearer conformity into those of man that is the bought of the fore legs not directly backward but laterally and somewhat inward but the hough or suffraginous flexure behinde rather outward contrary unto many other Qâ—adâ—upedes and such as can scratch the care with the hinder foot as Horses Camells Deere Sheep and Dogs for their fore legs bend like our legs and their hinder legs like our armes when we move them to our shoulders but quadrupedes oviparous as Frogs Lizards Crocodiles have their joynts and motive flexures more analogously framed unto ours and some among viviparous that is such thereof as can bring their forefeet and meat therein into their mouths as most can doe that have the clanicles or coller-bones whereby their breasts are broader and their shoulders more asunder as the Ape the Monkey the Squirrell and some others If therefore any shall affirme the joynts of Elephants are differently framed from most of other Quadrupedes and more obscurely and grossely almost then any he doth herâ—in no injury unto truth but if à dicto secundum quid addictum simpliciter he affirmeth also they have no articulations at all he incurs the controlment of reason and cannot avoid the contradiction of sense As for the manner of their venation if we consult historicall experience we shall find it to be otherwise then as is commonly presumed by sawing away of trees the accounts whereof are to be seen at large in Iohannes Hugo Edwardus Lopez Garcias ab Horto Cadamustus and many more other concernments there are of the Elephant which might admit of discourse and if we should question the teeth of Elephants that is whether thâ—y be properly so termed or might not rather be called hornes it were no new enquiry of mine but a paradox as old as Oppianus whether as Pliny and divers since affirme that Elephants are terrified and make away upon the grunting of Swine Garcias ab Horto may decide who affirmeth upon experience they enter their stalles and live promiscuously in the woods of Malavar That the situation of the genitalls is averse and their copulation like that of Camells as Pliny hath also delivered is neither to be received for we have beheld that part in a different position and their coition is made by supersaliency like that of horses as we are informed by some who have beheld them in that act That some Elephants have not only written whose sentences as Aelian ocularly testifieth but have also spoken as Oppianus delivereth and Christophorus a Costa particularly relateth although it sound like that of Achilles horse in Homer wee doe not conceive impossible nor beside the affinity of reason in this Animall any such intolerable incapacity in the organs of divers other Quadrupedes whereby they might not be taught to speake or become imitators of speech like birds and indeed strange it is how the curiosity of men that have been active in the instruction of beasts have never fallen upon this artifice and among those many paradoxicall and unheard of imitations should not attempt to make one speak the Serpent that spake unto Eve the Dogs Cats that usually speak unto Witches might afford some encouragement and since broad and thick chops are required in birds that speake since lips and teeth are also organs of speech from these there is also an advantage in quadrupedes and a proximity of reason in Elephants and Apes above them all CHAP. II. Of the Horse THE second Assertion that an Horse hath no gall is very generall nor onely swallowed by the people and common Farriers but also received by good Veterinarians and some who have laudably discoursed upon Horses it seemeth also very ancient for it is plainly set downe by Aristotle an Horse and all Solipeds have no gall and the same is also delivered by Plinie which notwithstanding we finde repugnant unto experience and reason for first it calls in question the providence or wise provision of nature who not abounding in superfluities is neither deficient in necessities wherein neverthelesse there would be a maine defect and her improvision justly accusable if such a feeding Animall and so subject unto diseases from bilious causes should want a proper conveyance for choler or have no other receptacle for that humor then the veynes and generall masse of bloud It is againe controulable by experience for we have made some search and enquiry herein encouraged by Absyrtus a Greek Author in the time of Constantine who in his Hippiaticks obscurely assigneth the gall a place in the liver but more especially by Ruino the Bononian who in his Anatomia del Cavallo hath more plainly described it and in a manner as I found it for in the dissections of Horses and particular enquiry into that part in the concave or simous part of the liver whereabout the gall is usually seated in quadrupeds I discover an hollow long and membranous substance of a yellow colour without and lined with choler and gall within which part is by branches diffused into the lobes and severall parcells of the liver from whence receiving the firie superfluity or cholericke remainder upon the second concoction by a manifest and open passage it conveyeth it into the duodenum or upper gut thence
it be thus much we may observe those animalls are onely excluded without sight which are multiparous and multifidous that is which have many at a litter and have also their feet divided into many portions for the Swine although multiparous yet being bisulcous and onely cloven hoofed is not excluded in this manner but farrowed with open eyes as other bisulcous animals 6. The Antipathy between a Toad and a Spider and that they poisonously destroy each other is very famous and solemne Stories have been written of their combats wherein most commonly the victory is given unto the Spider Of what Toades and Spiders it is to be understood would be considered For the Phalangium and deadly Spiders are different from those we generally behold in England How ever the verity hereof as also of many others wee cannot but desire for hereby wee might be surely provided of proper Antidotes in cases which require them But what we have observed herein wee cannot in reason conceale who having in a glasse included a Toad with severall Spiders wee beheld the Spiders without resistance to sit upon his head and passe over all his body which at last upon advantage hee swallowed down and that in few houres to the number of seven And in the like manner will Toades also serve Bees and are accounted an enemy unto their Hives 7. Whether a Lyon be also afraid of a Cock as is related by many and beleeved by most were very easie in some places to make tryall Although how far they stand in feare of that animal we may sufficiently understand from what is delivered by Camerarius whose words in his Symbola are these Nostris temporibus in Aula serenissimi Principis Bavariae unus ex Leonibus miris saltibus in vicinam cujusdam domuâ— aream sese dimisit ubi Gallinaciorum cantum aut clampres nihil reformidans ipsos una cum plurimis gallinis devoravit That is in our time in the court of the Prince of Bavaria one of the Lyons leaped downe into a neighbous yard where nothing regarding the crowing or noise of the Cocks hee eat them up with many other Hens And therefore a very unsafe defensative it is against the fury of this animal and surely no better then Virginity or blood Royall which Pliny doth place in Cock broth For herewith saith he who ever is anoynted especially if Garlick be boiled therein no Lyon or Panther will touch him 8. It is generally conceived an earewigge hath no wings and is reckoned amongst impennous insects by many but hee that shall narrowly observe them or shall with a needle put aside the short and sheathie cases on their backe may extend and draw forth two winges of a proportionable length for flight and larger then many flyes The experiment of Pennius is yet more perfect who with a rush or bristle so pricked them as to make them flie 9. That wormes are exanguious animalls and such as have no blood at all is the determination of Philosophy the generall opinion of Scholers and I know not well to dissent from thence my selfe if so surely wee want a proper terme whereby to expresse that humor in them which so strictly resembleth blood and we refer it unto the discernment of others what to determine of that red and sanguineous humor found more plentifully about the Torquis or carneous circle of great wormes in the spring affording in linnen or paper an indiscernable tincture from blood or wherein that differeth from a veyne which in an apparent blew runneth along the body and if dexterously pricked with a lancet emitteth a red drop which pricked on either side it will not readily afford In the upper parts of wormes there are likewise found certaine white and ovall glandulosities which Authors terme egs and in magnifying glasses they also represent them how properly may also bee enquired since if in them there be distinction of sexes these egs are to be found in both For in that which is presumed to bee their coition that is their usuall complication or rather laterall adhesion above the ground dividing suddenly with two knives the adhering parts of both I have found these egges in either 10. That Flyes Bees c. doe make that noise or humming sound by their mouth or as many beleeve with their wings only would be more warily asserted if we consulted the determination of Aristotle who as in sundry other places so more expressely in his booke of respiration affirmeth this sound to be made by the allision of an inward spirit upon a pellicle or little membrane about the precinct or pectorall division of their body If we also consider that a Bee or Flye so it be able to move the body will buz though its head be off that it will do the like if deprived of wings reserving the head whereby the body may be the better moved And that some also which are big and lively will humme without either head or wing Nor is it only the brating upon this little membrane by the inward and connaturall spirit as Aristotle determines or the outward ayre as Scaliger conceiveth which affordeth this humming noise but perhaps most of the other parts may also concurre hereto as will be manifest if while they humme we lay our finger on the backe or other parts for thereupon will be felt a serrous or jarring motion like that which happeneth while we blow on the teeth of a combe through paper and so if the head or other parts of the trunke be touched with oyle the sound will be much impaired if not destroyed for those being also dry and membranous parts by attrition of the spirit doe helpe to advance the noyse And therefore also the sound is strongest in dry weather and very weake in rainy season and toward winter for then the ayre is moyst and the inward spirit growing weake makes a languid and dumbe allision upon the parts 11. There is found in the Summer a kind of spider called a Tainct of a red colour and so little of body that ten of the largest will hardly out-way a graine this by Country people is accounted a deadly poyson unto cowes and horses who if they suddenly dye and swell thereon ascribe their death hereto and will commonly say they have licked a Tainct Now to satisfie the doubts of men we have called this tradition unto experiment we have given hereof unto dogs chickens calves and horses and not in the singular number yet never could finde the least disturbance ensue There must be therefore other causes enquired of the sudden death and swelling of cattell and perhaps this insect is mistaken and unjustly accused for some other for some there are which from elder times have been observed pernicious unto cattell as the Buprestis or burst cow the Pityocampe or cruca Pinuum by Dioscorides Galen and Aetius the Staphilinus described by Aristotle and others or those red Phalangious spiders like Cantharides mentioned by Muffetus Now although the animall may
ribs of one side to another and decuple unto his profundity that is a direct line between the breast bone and the spine Againe they receive not these conditions with any assurance or stability from our selves for the relative foundations and points of denomination are not fixed and certaine but variously designed according to imagination The Philosopher accounts that East from whence the heavens begin their motion The Astronomer regarding the South and Meridian Sun calls that the dextrous part of heaven which respecteth his right hand and that is the West Poets respecting the West assign the name of right unto the North which regardeth their right handâ— and so must that of Ovid be explaned utque duae dextrâ zâ—nae totidemque sinistrâ But Augurs or Southsayers turning their face to the East did make the right in the South which was also observed by the Hebrews and Chaldaeans Now if we name the quarters of heaven respectively unto our sides it will be no certaine or invariable denomination for if we call that the right side of heaven which is seated Easterly unto us when we regard the meridian Sun the inhabitants beyond the equator and Southerne Tropick when they face us regarding the meridian will contrarily definâ— it for unto them the opposite part of heaven will respect the left and the Sun arise to their right And thus have we at large declared that although the right be most commonly used yet hath it no regular or certaine root in nature Since it is most confirmable from other animalls Since in children it seemeâ— either indifferent or more favourable in the other but more reasonable for uniformity in action that men accustome unto one Since the grounds and reasons urged for it doe no way support it Since if there be a right and stronger side in nature yet may we mistake in its denomination calling that the right which is the lâ—ft and the left which is the right Since some have one right some both some neither and lastly Since these affections in man are not only fallible in relation unto one another but made also in reference unto the heavens they being not capable of these conditions in themselves nor with any certainty from us nor we from them againe And therefore what admission we owe unto many conceptions concerning right and left requireth circumspection that is how far wee ought to relye upon the remedy of Kiramides that is the left â—ye of an Hedgehog fryed in oyle to procure sleep and thâ— right foot of a frog in a Deers skin for the gowt or that to dream of the losse of righâ— or left tooth presageth the death of male or female kindred according to the doctrine of Metrodorus what verity there is in that numerall conceit in the laterall division of man by even and odde ascribing the odde unto the right side and even unto the left and so by parity or imparity of letters in mens names determine misfortunes on either side of their bodyes by which account in Greek numeration Hâ—phaestus or Vulcane was lame in the right foot and Anniball lost his right eye And lastly what substance there is in that Auspiciall principle and fundamentall doctrine of Ariolation that the left hand is ominous and that good things do passe sinistrously upon us because the left hand of man respected the right hand of the Gods which handed their favours unto us CHAP. VI. Of Swimming THat men swim naturally if not disturbed by feare that men being drowned and sunke doe float the ninth day when their gall breaketh that women drowned swim prone but men supine or upon their backâ— are popular affirmations whereto we cannot assent And first that man should swim naturally because we observe it is no lesson unto others we cannot well conclude for other animalls swim in the same manner as they goe and need no other way of motion for natation in the water then for progression upon the land and this is true whether they move per latera that is two legs of one side together which is Tollutation or ambling or per diametrum which is most generall lifting one foot before and the crosse foot behinde which is succussation or trotting or whether per fronâ—em or quadratum as Scaliger tearmes it upon a square base of the legs of both sides moving together as frogs and salient animalls which is properly called leaping for by these motions they are able to support and impell themselves in the water without addition or alteration in the stroake of their legs or position of their bodies But with man it is performed otherwise for in regard of site he alters his naturall posture and swimmeth pronâ— whereas hee walketh â—rect againe in progression the armes move parallell to the legs and thâ— armes and legs unto each other but in natation they intersect an make all sorts of Angles and lastly in progressive motion the armes and legs doe move successively but in natation both together all which aptly to performe and so as to support and advance the body is a point of art and such as some in their young and docile yeares could never attaine But although it be acquired by art yet is there somewhat more of nature in it then we observe in other habits nor will it strictly fall under that definition for once obtained it is not to be removed nor is there any who from disuse did ever yet forget it Secondly that persons drowned arise and â—loat the ninth day when their gall breaketh is a questionable determination both in the time and cause for the time of â—loating it is uncertain according to the time of putrefaction which will retard or accelerate according to the subject and season of the year for as we have observed cats and mice will arise unequally and at different times though drowned at the same such as are fatted doe commonly float soonest for their bodies soonest ferment and that substance approacheth nearest unto ayre and this is one of Aristotles reasons why dead Eâ—les will not â—loat because saith he they have but slender bellies and little fat As for the cause it is not so reasonably imputed unto the breaking of the gall as the putrefaction of the body whereby the unnaturall heat prevailing the putrifying parts do suffer a turgescence and inâ—lation and becomming airy and spumous affect to approach the ayre and ascend unto the surface of the matter and this is also evidenced in egges wherof the sound ones sink such as are addled swim as do also those which are tearmed hypenemia or wind-egges and this is also a way to separate seeds whereof such as are corrupted and sterill swim and this agreeth not only unto the seed of plants lockt up and capsulated in their husks but also unto the sperme and seminall humor of man for such a passage hath Aristotle upon the Inquisition and test of its fertility That the breaking of the gall is not the cause hereof experience hath informed
the rest of the souldiers called upon Jupiter Sotâ—r There is also in the Grâ—â—ke Authologie a remarkeable mention hereof in an Epigram upon one Proclus the Latine whereof we shall deliver as we finde it often translated Non potis est Proclus digitis â—mungere nasum namque est pro nasi mâ—le puâ—illa manus Non vocat ille Iovem sternutans quippe â—ec audit Se sternutantem tam procul â—ure sonat Proclus with 's hand his nose can never wipe His hand too little is his nose to grype He sneezing calls not Iove for why he heares himself not sneeze the sound 's so far from 's ears Nor was this onely an ancient custome among the Greeks and Romanes and is still in force with us but is received at this day in remotest parts of Africa for so we read in Codignus that upon a sneeze of the Emperour of Monomotapa there passed acclamations successively through the city Now the ground of this ancient custome was probably the opinion the ancients held of Sternutation which they generally conceived to be a good signe or a bad and so upon this motion accordingly used a Salve or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as a gratulation for the one and a deprecation from the other Now of the wayes whereby they enquired and determined it signality the first was naturall arising from Physicall causes and consequencles of times naturally succeeding this motion and so it might be justly esteemed a good signe for sneezing being properly a motion of the braine suddenly expelling through the nostrils what is offensive unto it it cannot but afford some evidence of its vigour and therefore saith Aristotle in his Problems they that heare it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they honour it as somewhat Sacred and a signe of Sanity in the diviner part and this he illustrates from the practice of Physitians who in persons neere death doe use Sternutatories or such as provoke unto sneezing when if the facultiâ— arise and Sternutation ensue they conceive hopes of life and with gratulation receive the signes of safetie and so is it also of good signality in lesser considerations according to that of Hippocrates that sneezing cureth the hickett and is profitable unto women in hard labour and so is it of good signality in Lethargies Apoplexies Catalepsies and Coma's and in this naturall way it is somtime likewise of bad effects or signes and may give hints of deprecation â—s in diseases of the chest for therein Hippocratâ—s condâ—mneth it as too much exagitating in the beginning of Catarrhs according unto Avicenna as hindering concoction in new and tender conceptions as Pliny observeth for then it endangers abortion The second way was superstitious and Augurial as Caelius Rhodiginus hath illustrated in testimonies as ancient as Theocritus and Homer as appears from the Athenian mastâ—r who would have râ—tired because a boatman sneezed and the tâ—stimony of Austine that the Ancients were wont to goe to bed againe if they sneezed while they put on their shooe and in this way it was also of good and bad signification so Aristotle hath a Probleme why sneezing from noonâ— unto midnight was good but from night to noon unlucky So Eustathius upon Homer observes that sneezing to the left hand was unlucky but prosperous unto the right and so as Plutarch relateth when Themistocles sacrificed in his galley bâ—fore the battell of Xerxes and one of the assistants upon the right hand sneezed Euphrantides the Southsayer presaged the victorie of the Greekes and the overthrow of the Persians And thus wee may perceive the custome is more ancient then commonly is conceived and these opinions hereof in all ages not any one disease to have been the occasion of this salute and deprecation arising at first from this vehement and affrighting motion of the braine inevitably observable unto the standers by from whence some finding dependent effects to ensue others ascribing hereto as a cause what perhaps but casually or inconexedly succeeded they might proceed unto forms of speeches felicitating the good or deprecating the evil to follow CHAP. X. Of the Iewes THat Jews stinck naturally that is that in their race and nation there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or evil savour is a received opinion wee know not how to admit although we concede many questionable points and dispute not the verity of sundry opinions which are of affinity hereto we will acknowledge that certaine odours attend on animalls no lesse then certaine colours that pleasant smels are not confined unto vegetables but found in divers animalls and some more richly then in plants and though the Probleme of Aristotle enquire why none smells sweet beside the parde yet later discoveries adde divers sorts of Monkeys the Civet cat and Gazela from which our muske proceedeth we confesse that beside the smell of the species there may be Individuall odours and every man may have a proper and peculiar savour which although not perceptible unto man who hath this sense but weake yet sensible unto dogges who hereby can single out their Masters in the dark wee will not deny that particular men have sent forth a pleasant savour as Theophrastus and Plutark report of Alexander the great and Tzetzes and Cardan doe testifie of themselves That some may also emit an unsavoury odour we have no reason to deny for this may happen from the qualitie of what they have taken the Faetor whereof may discover it self by sweat and urine as being unmasterable by the naturall heat of man nor to be dulcified by concoction beyond an unsavoury condition the like may come to passe from putrid humors as is often discoverable in putrid malignant fevers and somtime also in grosse and humide bodies even in the latitude of sanity the naturall heat of the parts being insufficient for a perfect and through digestion and the errors of one concoction not rectifiable by another but that an unsavoury odour is gentilitious or national unto the Jews if rightly understood we cannot well concede nor will the information of reason or sense induce it For first upon consult of reason there will bee found no easie assurance for to fasten a materiall or temperamentall propriety upon any nation there being scarce any condition but what depends upon clime which is not exhausted or obscured from the commixture of introvenient nations either by commerce or conquest much more will it be difficult to make out this affection in the Jewes whose race how ever pretended to be pure must needs have suffered inseparable commixtures with nations of all sorts not onely in regard of their proselytes but their universall dispersion some being posted from severall parts of the earth others quite lost and swallowed up in those nations where they planted for the tribes of Ruben Gad part of Manaâ—â—es and Naphthali which were taken by Assur and the rest at the sacking of Samaria which were led away by Salmanasser into Assyria and after a yeare and half and arived at Arsereth
that in strict account Joram was the Abavus or grandfather twice removed and not the father of Ozias and these omitted descents made a very considerable measure of time in the Royall chronology of Judah for though Azariah reigned but one yeare yet Joas reigned forty and Amazias no lesse then nine and twenty However therefore these were delivered by the Evangelist and carry no doubt an incontroulable conformity unto the intention of his delivery yet are they not appliable unto precise numerality nor strictly to be drawne unto the rigid test of numbers Lastly though many things have beene delivered by Authors concerning number and they transferred unto the advantage of their nature yet are they oftimes otherwise to be understood then as they are vulgarly received in active and causall considerations they being many times delivered Hieroglyphically metaphorically illustratively and not with reference unto action or causality True it is that God made all things in number weight and measure yet nothing by them or through the efficacy of either Indeed our dayes actions and motions being measured by time which is but motion measured what ever is observable in any falls under the account of some number which notwithstanding cannot be denominated the cause of those events and so doe we injustly assigne the power of Action even unto Time it self nor doe they speake properly who say that Time consumeth all things for Time is not effective nor are bodies destroyed by it but from the action and passion of their Elements in it whose account it onely affordeth and measuring out their motion informes us in their periods and termes of their duration rather then effecteth or physically produceth the same A second consideration which promoteth this opinion are confirmations drawne from Writers who have made observations or set downe favourable reasons for this climacteriall yeare so have Henricus Ranzovius Baptista Codrâ—nchus and Levinus Lemnius much confirmed the same but above all that memorable Letter of Augustus sent unto his Nephew Caius wherein he encourageth him to celebrate his nativitie for he had now escaped 63. the great Climactericall and dangerous yeare unto man which notwithstanding rightly perpended it can be no singulaâ—ity to question it nor any new Paradox to deny it For fiâ—st it is implicitely and upon consequence denyed by Aristotle in his Politicks in that discourse against Plato who measured the vicissitude and mutation of States by a periodicall fatality of number Ptolomie that famous Mâ—thematician plainly saith he will not deliver his doctrines by pâ—rts and numbers which are ineffectuall and have not the nature of causes now by these numbers saith Rhodiginus and Mirandula he implyeth Climactericall years that is septenaries and novenaries set downe by the bare obseâ—vation of numbers Censoriâ—us an Author of great authority and sufficient antiquitie speakes yet more amply in his booke De die Natali wherein exprâ—sly treating of Climactericall dayes hee thus delivereth himselfe Some maintaine that 7. times 7. that is 49. is most dangerous of any other and this is the most generall opinion others unto 7. times 7. adde 9. times 9. that is the yeare of 81. both which consisting of square and quadrate numbers were thought by Plato and others to bee of great consideration as for this year of 63. or 7. times 9. though some esteeme it of most danger yet do I conceive it lesse dangerous then the other for though it containeth both numbers above named that is 7. and 9. yet neither of them square or quadrate and as it is different from them both so is it not potent in either Nor is this yeare remarkable in the death of many famous men I finde indeed that Aristotle dyed this yeare but hee by the vigour of his minde a long time sustained a naturall infirmitie of stomack that it was a greater wonder he attained unto 63. then that he lived no longer The Psalme of Moses hath mentioned a yeare of danger differing from all these and that is ten times 7. or seventie for so it is said The dayes of Man are threescore and ten and the very same is affirmed by Solon as Herodotus relates in a speech of his unto Câ—aesus Ego annis septuaginta humanae vitae modum definio and surely that yeare most be of greatest danger which is the Period of all the rest and â—ewest safely passe thorow that which is set as a bound for few or none to passe and therefore the consent of elder times setling their conceits upon Climacters not onely differing from this of ours but an another though severall nations and ages do â—ancy unto themselves different years of danger yet every one expects the same event and constant veritie in either Againe though Varro divided the dayes of man into five portions Hippocrates into 7. and Solon into ten yet probably their divisions were to be received with latitude and their considerations not strictly to be confined unto their last unities So when Varro extendeth Pâ—eritia unto 15. Adolescentia unto 30. Iuventus unto 35. there is a large latitude betweene the termes or Periods of compute and the veritie holds good in the accidents of any yeeres betweene them So when Hippocrates divideth our life into 7. degrees or stages and maketh the end of the first 7. of the second 14. of the third 28. of the fourth 35. of the fift 47. of the sixt 56. and of the seventh the last yeare when ever it happeneth herein we may observe he maketh not his divisions precisely by 7. and 9. and omits the great Climactericall beside there is between every one at least the latitude of 7. yeares in which space or intervall that is either in the third or fourth yeere what ever falleth out is equally verified of the whole degree as though it had happened in the seventh Solon divided it into ten Septenaries because in every one thereof a man received some sensible mutation in the first is Dedentition or falling of teeth in the second Pubescence in the third the beard groweth in the fourth strength prevailes in the fift maturitie for issue in the sixth Moderation of appetite in the seventh Prudâ—nce c. Now herein there is a tolerable latitude and though the division proceed by 7 yet is not the totall veritie to be restrained unto the last year nor constantly to be expected the beard should be compleat at 21. or wisedome acquired just in 49. and thus also though 7. times 9. containe one of those septenaries and doth also happen in our declining yeares yet might the events thereof be imputed unto the whole septenarie and be more reasonably entertained with some latitude then strictly reduced unto the last number or all the accidents from 56. imputed unto 63. Thirdly although this opinion many seeme confirmed by observation and men may say it hath been so observed yet we speake also upon experience and doe beleeve that men from observation will collect no satisfaction that other yeares may be taken against it
therefore we cannot certainly discover what did effect it it may afford some piece of satisfaction to know what might procure it It may be therefore considered whether the inward use of certaine waters or fountaines of peculiar operations might not at first produce the â—ffect in question For of the like we have records in story related by Aristotle Strabo and Pliny who hath made a collection hereof as of two fountaines in Baeotia the one making Sheepe white the other black of the water of Siberis which made Oxen black and the like effect iâ— had also upon men dying not onely the skin but making their haires black and curled This was the conceit of Aristobulus who receaved so little satisfaction from the other or that it might be caused by â—eate or any kinde of fire that he conceaved it as reasonable to impute the effect unto water Secondly it may be perpended whether it might not fall out the same way that Jacobs cattell became speckled spotted and ring-straked that is by the power and efficacy of Imagination which produceth effects in the conception correspondent unto the phancy of the Agents ingeneration and sometimes assimilates the Idea of the generator into a realty in the thing ingendred For hereof there passe for currant many indisputed examples so in Hippocrates wee reade of one that from the view and intention of a picture conceaved a Negroe And in the history of Heliodore of a Moorish Queene who upon aspection of the picture of Andromeda conceaved and brought forth a faire one And thus perhaps might some say it was at the beginning of this complexion induced first by Imagination which having once impregnated the seed found afterward concurrent productions which were continued by Climes whose constitution advantaged the first impression Thus Plotinus conceaveth white Peacocks first came in Thus as Aldrovand relateth many opinion that from aspection of the Snow which lyeth long in Northerne Regions and high mountaines Hawkes Kites Beares and other creatures become white And by this way Austin conceaveth the Devill provided they never wanted a white spotted Oxe in Aegypt for such an one they worshipped and called it Apis. Thirdly it is not indisputable whether it might not proceed from such a cause and the like foundation of Tincture as doth the black Jaundise which meeting with congenerous causes might settle durable inquinations and advance their generations unto that hue which was naturally before but a degree or two below it And this transmission we shall the easier admit in colour if we remember the like hath beene effected in organicall parts and figures the Symmetry whereof being casually or purposely perverted their morbosities have vigorously descâ—nded to their posterities and that in durable dâ—â—oâ—mities This was the bâ—ginning of Macrophali or people with long heads whereof Hippocratâ—s De Aere Aquis Locis hath cleerâ—ly delivered himself Cum primum â—ditus est Infans caput â—jus tenellum manibus effingunt in longitudine adolescere â—ogunt hoc institutum primum hujusmodi naturae dâ—dit vitium successu vero temporis in naturam 〈◊〉 ut proinde instituto nihil amplius opus esset semen enâ—m genitale ex omnibus corporis partibus provenit ex sâ—nis quidem sanum ex morbosis morbosum Si igitur ex caluis calui ex caeciis caecii ex distortis ut plurimum distorti gignuntur cademque in caeteris formis valet ratio quid prohibet cur non ex macrocephalis macrocephali gignantur Thus as Aristotle observeth the Deeres of 〈◊〉 had their eares divided occasioned at first by sâ—â—tting the eares of Dâ—ere Thâ—s have the Chineses little feete most Negroes great lips and â—lat nosâ—s and thus many Spaniards and mediteâ—â—aneaâ— Inhabiâ—ants which are of the race of Barbary Moores although after frequent commixture have not worne out the Camoys nose unto this day Lastly if wee must still be urged to particularities and such as declare how and when the seede of Adam did fiâ—st receave this tincture wee may say that men became blacke in the same manner that some Foxes Squirrels Lions first turned of this complexion whereof there are a constant sort in divers Countries that some Chaughes came to have red legs and bils that Crowes became pyed All which 〈◊〉 however they began depend on durable foundations and such as may continue for ever And if as yet we cannoâ— satisfie but must farther define the cause and manner of this mutation wee must confesse in matters of Antiquity and such as are decided by History if their Originals and first beginnings escape a due relation they fall into great obscurities and such as future Ages seldome reduce unto a resolution Thus if you deduct the Administration of Angels and that they dispersed the creatures into all parts after the flood as they had congregated theâ— into Noahs Arke before it will be no easiâ— question to resolve how severall sorts of Animalls were first dispersed into Islands and almost how any into America How the vâ—nereall contagion began in that part of the earth since history is silenâ— is not easily resolved by Philosophy For whereas it is imputed unto Anthropophagy or the eating of maâ—s 〈◊〉 the cause hath beene common unto many other Countries and there have beene Canibalâ— or men-eaâ—ers in the three other parts of the world if wee credit the relations of Ptolomy Strabo and Pliny And thus if the favourable pen of Moses had not râ—vealed the confusion of tongues and positively declared unto us their division at Babell our disputes concerning their beginning had beene without end and I feare we must have left the hopes of that decision unto Elias And if any will yet insist and urge the question farther still upon me I shall be enforced unto divers of the like nature wherein perhaps I shall receave no greater satisfaction I shall demand how the Camels of Bactria came to have two bunches on their backs whereas the Camels of Arabia in all relations have but one How Oxen in some Countries began and continue gibbous or bunch back'd what way those many different shapes colours haires and natures of Dogs came in how they of some Countries became depilous and without any haire at all whereas some sorts in excesse abound therewith How the Indian Hare came to have a long tayle whereas that part in others attaines no higher then a scut How the hogs of Illyria which Aristotle speakes of became to be solipedes or wholl hoofed whereas in all other parts they are bisulcous and described cloven hooâ—ed by God himselfe All which with many others must needâ— seemâ— strange unto those that hold there were but two of the uncleâ—â—â— sort in the Arke and are forced to reduce these varieties to unknowne originals â—ince However therefore this complexion was first acquired it is evidently maintained by generation and by the tincture of the skin as a spermaticall part traduced from father unto son so that they which are strangers contract it
of Lydia now doth dresse The sent thereof 〈◊〉 in my nostrills hover From brazen pot closed with brazen cover Hereby indâ—ed he acquiâ—ed much wealth and more honour and was reputed by Craesuâ— as a Diety and yet not long after by a vulgar fallacie he deceived his favourite and greatest friend to Oracles into an irrepâ—â—able overthrow by Cyrus And surely the same successe are liâ—ely all to have that 〈◊〉 or depend upon him 't was the first play he practised on mortaliâ—â—y aâ—d as time hath rendred him more perfect in the Art so hath the invâ—teratenesse of his malice more ready in the execution 'T is therefore the soveraigne degree of folly and a crime not onely against God but also our owne reasons to expect a favour from the Divell whose mercies are more cruell then those of Polyphemus for hee devours his favourites first and the nearer a man â—pproacheth the sooner he is scorched by Moloch In briefe his favours 〈◊〉 deceitfull and double headed he doth apparent good for reall and convincing evill after it and exalteth us up to the top of the Temple but to humble us downe from it CHAP. XIII Of the death of Aristotlâ— THat Aristotle drowned himselfe in Euripus as despairing to resolve the cause of its reciprocation or ebbe and flow seven times a day with this determination Si quidem ego non capio te tu capies me was the assertion of Procopius Naziaâ—zen Iustine Martyr and is generally beleeved amongst us wherein because we perceive men have 〈◊〉 an imperfect knowledge some conceiving â—uripus to be a River others not knowing where or in what part to place it wee first advertise it generally signifieth any strait fret or channell of the Sea running betweene two shoares as Julius Pollux hath defined it as wee reade of Euripus Hellespontiacus Pyrrhaeus and this whereof we treat Euripus Euboicus or Chalcidicus that is a narrow passage of Sea deviding Atticâ— and the Island of Eubaeâ— now called Colâ—o de Negroponte from the name of the Island and chiefe City thereof famous in the warres of Antiochus and was taken from the Venetians by Mahomeâ— the great Now that in this Euripe oâ— fret of Negropont and upon the occasion mentioned Aristotle drowned himselfe as many affirme and almost all beleeve we have some roome to doubt For without any mention of this we finde two wayes delivered of his death by Diogenes Laertius who expresly treateth thereof the one from Eumolus and Phavoâ—inus that being accused of impiety for composing an Hymne unto Hermias upon whose Concubine he begat his sonne Nichomachuâ— he withdrew into Chalcis where drinking poyson he dyed the Hymne is extant in Laertius and the fifteenth booke of Athenaeus Another by Apollodorus that he dyed at Chalcis of a naturall death and languishment of stomack in his sixty three or great Climactericall year and answerable hereto is the account of Suidas and Censorinus Againe beside the negative of Authority it is also deniable by reason nor will it be easie to obtrude such desperate attempts unto Aristotle upon a non ability or unsatisfaction of reason who so often acknowledged the imbecility thereof who in matters of difficulty and such which were not without abstrusities conceived it sufficiant to deliver conjecturalities and surely he that could sometimes sit downe with high improbabilities that could content himselfe and thinke to satisfie others that the variegation of Birds was from their living in the Sunne or erection made by deliberation of the Testicles would not have beene dejected unto death with this He that was so well acquainted with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 utrum and An Quia as we observe in the Queries of his Problemes with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fortasse and plerumque as is observable through all his Workes had certainely rested with probabilities and glancing conjectures in this Nor would his resolutions have ever runne into that mortall Antanaclasis and desperate piece of Rhetorick to be compriz'd in that he could not comprehend Nor is it indeed to bee made out he ever endeavoured the particular of Euripus or so much as to resolve the ebbe and flow of the Sea For as Vicomercatus and others observe he hath made no mention hereof in his Workes although the occasion present it selfe in his Meteors wherein hee disputeth the affections of the Sea nor yet in his Problemes although in the twenty third Section there be no lesse then one and 〈◊〉 Qâ—eries of the Sea some mention there is indeed in a Worke 〈◊〉 the propriety of Elements ascribed unto Aristotle which notwithâ—â—anding is not reputed genuine and was perhaps the same whence this was urged by Plutarch De placitis Philoso phorum Lastly the thing it selfe whereon the opinion dependeth that is the variety of the flâ—x and reflux of Euripus or whether the same doe ebbe and flow seven times a day is not incontrovertible and for my own part I remaine unsatisfied therein For though Pomponius Mela and after him Solinus and Pliny have affirmed it yet I observed Thucâ—dides who speaketh often of Eubaea hath omitted it Pausanias an ancient Writer who hath left an exact description of Greece and in as particular a way as Leandro of Italy or Cambden of Great Britaine describing not only the Country Townes and Rivers but hils springs and houses hath left no mention hereof Aeschines in Câ—esiphon onely alludeth unto it and Strabo that accurate Geographer spâ—akes warily of it that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and as men commonly reported And so doth also Maginus Velocis ac varii fluctus est mare ubi quater in die aut septies ut 〈◊〉 dicunt reciprocantur aestus Botero more plainely I l mar cresce e cala con un impeâ—o mirabile quâ—tro volte il di ben che communimente se dica sette volte c. This Sâ—a with wondrous impetuosity ebbeth and floweth foure times a day although it be commonly said seven times and generally opinion'd that Aristotle despairing the reason drowned himselfe therein In which description by foure times a day it exceâ—ds not in number the motion of other Seas taking the words properly that is twice â—bbing and twice flowing in foure and twenty howres and is no more then what Thomaso Porrcacchi affirmeth in his description of famous Islands that twice a day it hath such an impetuous â—loud as is not without wonder Livy speakes more particulaâ—ly Haud facile infestior classistatio est fretum ipsum Euripi non septies die siâ—ut fama fert temporihus certis reciprocat sed temere in modum venti nunc huc nuncjillve verso mari velut monte praecipiti devolutus torrens rapitur There is hardly a worse harbour the fret or channell of Euripus not certainely ebbing or flowing seven times a day according to common report but being uncertainely and in the manner of a winde carried hither and thither is whirled away as