to a resolution not onely to enter vpon this new taske but also to breake through all difficulties vntill I had brought the same if not to a full and absolute perfection yet to an end and finall conclusion Besides this naturall inclination and hope which carried mee this way other motiues there were that made saile and set mee forward I saw how diuerse men before me had dealt with this authour whiles some laboured to reforme whatsoeuer by iniurie of time was growne out of frame others did their best to translate him into their own tongue and namely the Italian and French moreoover the Title prefixed therto so vniuersall as it is to wit The Historie of the World or Reports of Nature imported no doubt that hee first penned it for the generall good of mankind Ouer and besides the Argument ensuing full of varietie furnished with discourses of all matters not appropriate to the learned only but accommodat to the rude peisant of the countrey fitted for the painefull artizan in towne and citie pertinent to the bodily health of man woman and child and in one word suiting with all sorts of people liuing in a societie and common-weale To say nothing of the precedent giuen by the authour himselfe who endited the same not with any affected phrase but sorting well with the capacitie euen of the meanest and most vnlettered who also translated a good part thereof out of the Greeke What should I alledge the example of former times wherein the like hath euermore been approued and practised Why should any man therefore take offence hereat and enuie this good to his naturall countrey which was first meant for the whole world and yet some there be so grosse as to giue out That these and such like bookes ought not to bee published in the vulgar tongue It is a shame quoth one that Liuie speaketh English as hee doth Latinists onely are to bee acquainted with him as Who would say the souldiour were to haue recourse vnto the vniuersitie for militarie skill and knowledge or the scholler to put on armes and pitch a campe What should Plinie saith another bee read in English and the mysteries couched in his bookes divulged as if the husbandman the mason carpenter goldsmith painter lapidarie and engrauer with other artificers were bound to seeke vnto great clearkes or linguists for instructions in their seuerall arts Certes such Momi as these besides their blind and erronious opinion thinke not so honourably of their natiue countrey and mother tongue as they ought who if they were so well affected that way as they should be would wish rather and endeauour by all meanes to triumph now ouer the Romans in subduing their literature vnder the dent of the English pen in requitall so the conquest sometime ouer this Island atchieued by the edge of their sword As for our speech was not Latine as common and naturall in Italie as English here with vs. And if Plinie faulted not but deserued well of the Romane name in laying abroad the riches and hidden treasures of Nature in that Dialect or Idiome which was familiar to the basest clowne why should any man be blamed for enterprising the semblable to the commoditie of that countrey in which and for which he was borne Are wee the onely nation vnder heauen vnworthie to tast of such knowledge or is our language so barbarous that it will not admit in proper tearmes a forreine phrase I honor them in my heart who hauing of late daies troden the way before mee in Plutarch Tacitus and others haue made good proofe that as the tongue in an Englishmans head is framed so flexible and obsequent that it can pronounce naturally any other language so a pen in his hand is able sufficiently to expresse Greeke Latine and Hebrew And my hope is that after mee there will arise some industrious Flavij who may at length cornicum oculos configere For if my selfe a man by profession otherwise carried away for gifts farre inferiour to many and wanting such helps as others bee furnished with haue in some sort taught those to speake English who were supposed very vntoward to bee brought vnto it what may be expected at their hands who for leisure may attend better in wit are more pregnant and being graced with the opinion of men and fauour of the time may attempt what they will and effect whatsoever they attempt with greater felicitie A painfull and tedious travaile I confesse it is neither make I doubt but many doe note mee for much follie in spending time herein and neglecting some compendious course of gathering good and pursing vp pence But when I looke backe to the example of Plinie I must of necessitie condemne both mine owne sloth and also reproue the supine negligence of these daies A courtiour he was and great favourit of the Vespasians both father and sonne an oratour besides and pleaded many causes at the barre a martiall man withall and serued often times a leader and commander in the field within the citie of Rome hee mannaged civile affaires and bare honourable offices of State Who would not thinke but each one of these places would require a whole man and yet amid these occasions wherewith he was possessed he penned Chronicles wrate Commentaries compiled Grammaticall treatises and many other volumes which at this day are vtterly lost As for the Historie of Nature now in hand which sheweth him to be an excellent Philosopher and a man accomplished in all kinds of literature the onely monument of his that hath escaped all dangers and as another Palladium beene reserued entire vnto our time wherein hee hath discoursed of all things even from the starrie heauen to the centre of the earth a man would marveile how hee could possibly either write or doe any thing else But considering the agilitie of mans spirit alwaies in motion an ardent desire to benefit posteritie which in these volumes hee hath so often protested his indefatigable studie both day and night euen to the iniurie of nature and the same continued in euerie place as well abroad as within-house in his iourney vpon the high way where his manner was to read and to indite in his ordinarie passage through the streets betweene court and home where he gaue himselfe no rest but either read or else found his notarie worke to write and for that purpose rode vsually in an easie litter with the said Notarie close by his side lesse wonder it is that hee performed his service to Prince and state according to his calling and withall deliuered vnto posteritie so many fruits of wit and learning For what is not the head of man able to compasse especially making saile with a feruent desire and resolution to see an end and besides taking the vantage of all moments and losing no time whereof hee was unus omnium parcissimus Touching his affection to search into the secrets of Nature it was that and nothing else that shortened his daies and
occasion that a certaine leper minding to disguise himselfe that hee might not for very shame be knowne chaunced to annoint and besmear his face all ouer with the juice of wild Mints But fortune was better mistresse vnto him than he expected for beyond his expectation or intent his good hap was to be rid of his Leprosie by that meanes The same leaues serue for a liniment against the venome of Scolopendres and the sting of Serpents so doe they also if one drinke two drams of the leaues in two Cyaths of wine Also for to cure the prickes of Scorpions they be vsed with salt oile and vinegre But against Scolopendres commonly they drink the juice or broth of the decoction Moreouer the wiser sort of people saue the drie leaues of wild Mints to be reduced into a pouder as a very coun trepoison against all venome whatsoeuer For being strewed in the house or burnt the very air perfume therof chaseth away Scorpions A drink made therewith purgeth putrifieth women passing wel such I mean as be newly deliuered of childbirth but it killeth the fruit within the womb of as many as vse it while they go with child There is not a medicine in the world so effectuall as it is for those who are so streight winded that they cannot take their breath vnlesse they sit vpright for such also as in the cholericke passion neuer giue ouer casting vpward and purging downward It appeaseth also the paine of the loines and easeth the gout if it be applied to the place affected The juice thereof is good to be dropped into eares that haue worms within them It is vsually taken in drinke for the Iaunise A liniment made thereof helpeth the kings euill besides it is a singular remedie for them that by a strong imagination of Venus in their dreames defile and pollute themselues in their sleep If one drinke it with vinegre it excludeth the flat broad in the bellie To scoure away the founled and ruffe an Embrochation of it ad vinegre vpo the head in the Sun is counted singular As touching garden Mint as the very smell of it alone recouereth and refresheth the spirits so the tast stirreth vp the appetite to meat which is the cause that it is so ordinary in our sharp sauces wherein we vse to dip our meats Being put into milk it wil not suffer it to turn or sour it keeps it from quailing and curding which is the reason that they who vse ordinarily to drink milk take Mints therewith for fear it should coagulate or crudle in their stomack put them in daunger of suffocation Some for the same effect vse to giue it in water or honied wine and surely it is thought by that very propertie to hinder generation in that it dissolueth the due consistence and thicknesse which is required in naturall seed And yet it is a great stancher of bloud indifferently in men and women but more particularly it staieth the immoderat flux of whites that many times followes women Being taken with Amydum or starch pouder in water it restrains the inordinate flux occasioned by the imbecility of the stomacke Syriation the Physician vsed ordinarily to cure the apostumes and sores of the Matrice with Mint Also against the obstructions other accidents of the liuer he was wont to giue 3 Oboles thereof in honied wine And for them that raught vp bloud at the mouth he prescribeth to take Mints in a broth or supping The skal that little children be troubled withal it healeth wonderful well It is singular to drie vp the humors that mollifie the gristly windpipe the other instruments of the breath and voice and when they are drie knitteth and strengthneth them Taken in water and honied wine it clenseth the corruptand putrified phlegmatick humors which be offensiue to the throat and those parts The juice of Mint is excellent for to scour the pipes cleer the voice being drunk a little before that a man is to strain himselfe either in the quier or vpon the stage or at the bar and not otherwise A gargarism of milk wherein hath bin Rue Coriander besides mints is passing good to bring down the swelling of the vula Being vsed in that manner with some Allum it restraineth the mumps or inflamation of the Amygdales with Hony it cureth the roughnes furring of the tongue Being vsed alone without any other addition it is a proper medicin for inward convulsions as also for the disease of the lungs Democritus saith that to drink it with the juice of a Pomegranat is a readie means to stay the yex vomiting The juice of greene Mints drawne vp with the wind into thenosthrils helpeth the stinking vleers there The hearbe it selfe stamped represseth the rage of choler that purgeth both waies vncessantly but it must beldrunk with vinegre And in that maner it restrains all internal fluxions of bloud But applied outwardly with Barly grots to the grieued place it easeth the intollerable paine of the Iliak passion after the same sort if it be spread and emplastered it allaieth the swelling of womens breasts In case of head-ach a liniment thereof doth well to be applied to the temples Inwardly it is taken with very good effect against the venimous Scolopendres the sea Scorpions and other serpents A liniment thereof staieth the waterish humors that haue taken a course to the eies cures the skalls and breakings out of the head and all accidents offensiue to the tiwill or sundament If one doe hold Mints in his hand he shall not need to feare either chafing or galling in any part vpon trauell Beeing dropped into the eares with honied wine it is very comfortable to that part It is said moreouer that if a man come into a garden where Mints groweth and bite the leaues vpon the very plant without pluking or cropping it off and continue this course 9 daies together iterating euermore these words I doe this to cure the splene he shal find remedy indeed for the infirmity of that part moreouer let one take as much poudred mints dried as he can wel contain with his 3 fingers ends and drink the same with water it will cure the head-ach or grieuous paine of the stomack Likewise if his drink be spiced with the said pouder it will driue out of the belly the wormes there engendred The branches of Mint and penniroiall both are vsually put into glasse viols with vinegre for to be iufused therein and a man would not thinke how good this vinegre is for faintings of the heart so great is the societie that these two hearbs haue one with the other in this behalfe For which cause I remember on a time when diuers learned physicians were met together to confer in my chamber they resolued and concluded definitly That a chaplet of Penniroyal was without comparison far better for the giddinesse and swimming of the head than one of roses for a garland of Pennyroiall if it be worne onely
heauen the fire of discord is kindled and groweth hot Neither may she abide by it and stand to the fight but being continually carried away she rolleth vp and down and as about the earth shee spreadeth and pitcheth her tents as it were with an vnmeasurable globe of the heauen so euer and anon of the clouds she frameth another skie And this is that region where the winds raigne And therefore their kingdome principally is there to be seene where they execute their forces and are the cause well neere of all other troubles in the aire For thunderbolts and flashing lightenings most men attribute to their violence Nay more than that therefore it is supposed that otherwhiles it raineth stones because they were taken vp first by the winde so as we may conclude that they cause many like impressions in the aire Wherefore many matters besides are to be treated of together CHAP. XXXIX ¶ Of ordinary and set seasons IT is manifest that of times and seasons as also of other things some causes be certaine others casuall and by chance or such as yet the reason thereof is vnknowne For who need to doubt that Summers and Winters and those alternatiue seasons which we obserue by yearely course are occasioned by the motion of the Planets As therefore the Sunnes nature is vnderstood by tempering and ordering the yeare so the rest of the starres and planets also haue euery one their proper and peculiar power and the same effectuall to shew and performe their owne nature Some are fruitfull to bring forth moisture that is turned into liquid raine others to yeeld an humour either congealed into frosts or gathered and thickened into snow or else frozen and hardened into haile some afford winds others warmth some hot and scorching vapours some dewes and others cold Neither yet ought these starres to be esteemed so little as they shew in sight seeing that none of them is lesse than the Moone as may appeare by the reason of their exceeding height Well then euery one in their own motion exercise their seuerall natures which appeareth manifestly by Saturne especially who setteth open the gates for raine and shoures to passe And not onely the seuen wandering starres be of this power but many of them also that are fixed in the firmament so often as they be either driuen by the excesse and approch of those planets or pricked and prouoked by the casting and influence of their beams like as we find it happeneth in the seuen stars called Suculae which the Grecians of raine name Hyades because they euer bring foule weather Howbeit some of their owne nature and at certaine set times do cause raine as the rising of the Kids As for Arcturus he neuer lightly appeareth without some tempestuous and stormie haile CHAP. XL. ¶ The power of the Dog-starre WHo knoweth not that when the Dogge-starre ariseth the heate of the Sunne is fiery and burning the effects of which starre are felt exceeding much vpon the earth The seas at his rising do rage and take on the wines in sellars are troubled pooles also and standing waters doe stirre and moue A wilde beast there is in Aegypt called Orix which the Aegyptians say doth stand full against the Dog-starre when it riseth looking wistly vpon it and testifieth after a sort by sneezing a kind of worship As for dogs no man doubteth verily but all the time of the canicular daies they are most ready to run mad CHAP. XLI ¶ That the stars haue their seuerall influences in sundry parts of the signes and at diuers times MOreouer the parts of certaine signes haue their peculiar force as appeareth in the Equinoctiall of Autumne and in mid-winter at what time we perceiue that the Sun maketh tempests And this is proued not onely by raines and stormes but by many experiments in mens bodies and accidents to plants in the countrey For some men are stricken by the Planet and blasted others are troubled and diseased at certaine times ordinarily in their belly sinewes head and minde The Oliue tree the Aspe or white Poplar and Willowes turne or wryth their leaues about at Mid-summer when the Sun entreth Cancer And contrariwise in very Mid-winter when he entreth Capricorne the herbe Penyroiall floureth fresh euen as it hangs within house drie and ready to wither At which time all parchments such like bladders or skinnes are so pent and stretched with spirit and wind that they burst withall A man might maruell hereat who marketh not by daily experience that one herbe called Heliotropium regardeth and looketh toward the Sun euer as he goeth turning with him at all houres notwithstanding he be shadowed vnder a cloud Now certaine it is that the bodies of Oysters Muskles Cocles and all shell fishes grow by the power of the Moone and thereby againe diminish yea and some haue found out by diligent search into Natures secrets that the fibres or filaments in the liuers of rats and mice answer in number to the daies of the Moones age also that the least creature of all others the Pismire feeleth the power of this Planet and alwaies in the change of the Moone ceaseth from worke Certes the more shame it is for man to be ignorant and vnskilfull especially seeing that he must confesse that some labouring beasts haue certaine diseases in their eyes which with the Moone do grow and decay Howbeit the excessiue greatnesse of the heauen and exceeding height thereof diuided as it is into 72 signes maketh for him and serueth for his excuse Now these signes are the resemblances of things or liuing creatures into which the skilfull Astronomers haue with good respect digested the firmament For example sake in the taile of Taurus there be seuen which they named in old time Vergiliae in the forehead other seuen called Suculae and Boötes who followeth after the wain or great Beare Septentriones CHAP. XLII ¶ The causes of raine showers winds and cloudes I Cannot denie but without these causes there arise raines and windes for that certaine it is how there is sent forth from the earth a mist sometimes moist otherwhiles smokie by reason of hot vapours and exhalations Also that clouds are ingendered by vapours which are gone vp on high or else of the aire gathered into a waterie liquour that they be thicke grosse and of a bodily consistence wee guesse and collect by no doubtful argument considering that they ouer-shadow the Sun which otherwise may be seene through the water as they know well that diue to any depth whatsoeuer CHAP. XLIII ¶ Of Thunder and Lightening DEnie I would not therefore but that the fierie impressions from stars aboue may fall vpon these clouds such as we oftentimes see to shoot in cleare and faire weather by the forceble stroke whereof good reason it is that the aire should be mightily shaken seeing that arrowes and darts when they are discharged sing and keepe a noise as they flie But when they incounter a cloud there arises
there be that bring all their children like to themselues and others againe as like to their husbands and some like neither the one nor the other You shall haue Women bring all their daughters like to their fathers and contrariwise their sonnes like to themselues The same is notable and yet vndoubted true of one Nicaeus a famous Wrestler of Constantinople hauing to his mother a woman begotten in adulterie by an Aethiopian and yet with white skin nothing different from other women of that countrey was himselfe black and resembled his grandsire the Aethiopian abouesayd Certes the cogitations and discourses of the minde make much for these similitudes and resemblances whereof we speake and so likewise many other accidents and occurrent obiects are thought to be very strong and effectuall therin whether they come in sight hearing and calling to remembrance or imaginations only conceiued and deeply apprehended in the very act of generation or the instant of conception The wandring cogitation also and quicke spirit either of father or mother flying to and fro all on a sudden from one thing to another at the same time is supposed to be one cause of this impression that maketh either the foresaid vniforme likenesse or confusion and varietie And hereupon it commeth and no maruell it is that men are more vnlike one another than other Creatures for the nimble motions of the spirit the quicke thoughts the agilitie of the minde the varietie of discourse in our wits imprinteth diuers formes and many marks of sundry cogitations whereas the imaginatiue facultie of other liuing creatures is immoueable alwaies continueth in one in all it is alike and the same still in euery one which causeth them alwaies to engender like to themselues each one in their seuerall kindes Artenon a mean man amongst the Commons was so like in all points to Antiochus King of Syria that Laodicea the Queen after that Antiochus her husband was killed serued her owne turne by the said Artenon and made him play the part of Antiochus vntill she had by his meanes as in the Kings person recommended whom she would and made ouer the kingdome and crown in succession and reuersion to whom she thought good Vibius a poore commoner of Rome and Publicius one newly of a bondslaue made a free-man were both of them so like vnto Pompey the Great that hardly the one could be discerned from the other so liuely did they represent that good visage of his so full of honestie so fully expressed they and resembled the singular maiestie of that countenance which appeared in Pompeius his forehead The like cause it was that gaue his father also the syrname of Menogenes his Cooke albeit he was syrnamed already Strabo for his squint eyes but hee would needs beare the name of a defect and infirmitie euen in his bond-seruant for the loue he had vnto him by reason of his likenesse So was one of the Scipio's also syrnamed Serapius vpon the like occasion after the name of one Serapia who was but a base slaue of his and no better than his swine heard or dealer in buying and selling of swine Another Scipio after him of the same house came to be syrnamed Salutio because a certaine jester of that name was like vnto him After the same manner one Spinter a player of the second place or part and Pamphilus another player of the third part or in the third place gaue their names to Lentulus and Metellus who both were Consuls together in one yeare for that they resembled them so truly And certes mee thinkes this fell out very vntowardly and was but a ridiculous pageant and a very vnseemly shew vpon a stage to see both Consuls liuely represented there at once in the persons of these two players Contrariwise Rubrious the stage player was sirnamed Plancus because he was so like to Plancus the Orator Againe Burbuleius and Menogenes both players of Enterludes resembled Curio the father or the elder and Messala Censorius for all he had been Censor that the one could not shift and auoid the syrname of Burbulcius and the other of Monogenes There was in Sicily a certaine fisherman who resembled in all parts Suria the Pro-consull not only in visage and feature of the face but also in mowing with his mouth when hee spake in drawing his tongue short and in his huddle and thicke speech Cassius Seuerus that famous orator was reproched for being so like vnto Mirmillo a drouer or keeper of kine and oxen Toranius a merchant slaue-seller sold vnto M. Antonius now one of the two great Triumvirs two most beautiful and sweet faced boyes for twins so likewere they one to the other albeit the one was borne in Asia and the other beyond the Alps. But when Antony afterwards came to know the same and that this fraud and cousenage was bewraied and detected by the language speech of the boyes he fell into a furious fit of choler and all to berated the foresaid Toranius And when among other challenges he charged him with the high price he made him pay for they cost him two hundred Sesterces as for twins when they were none such the wily merchant being his craftsmaster answered That it was the cause why he held them so deare and sold them at so deare a rate for quoth he it is no maruell at all that two brethren twins that lay both together in one belly do resemble one the other but that there should be any found borne as these were in diuers countries so like in all respects as they he held it for a most rare and wonderfull thing This answer of his was deliuered in so good time and so fitly to the purpose that Antonie the great man who neuer was well but when he outlawed citisens of Rome and did confiscat their goods he I say that erewhile was all enraged and set vpon reuiling and reprochfull termes was not only appeased but also contented so with his bargaine that he prised those two boies as much as any thing else in all his wealth CHAP. XIII ¶ The cause and manner of generation SOme bodies there be by a secret of nature so disagreeing that they are vnfit for generation one with another And yet as barren as they be so coupled together fruitfull they are enough being ioyned with others Such were Augustus the Emperor and his wife Liuia In like manner some men there be as well as women that can skill of getting and breeding none but daughters and others there be againe that are good at none but sonnes and many times it falleth out that folke haue sonnes and daughters both but they by turnes this yeare a son the next yeare a daughter in order So Cornelia the mother of the Gracchi who for twelue child-beds kept this course duly and Agrippina the wife of Caesar Germanicus for nine euer changing from the male to the female Some women are barren all their youth and others again beare but once in their
the dunghill are as proud and high minded ye shal see them to march stately carying their neck bolt vpright with a combe on their head like the crest of a soldiers helmet And there is not a bird besides himself that so oft looketh aloft to the Sun and sky and then vp goeth the taile and all which he beares on high turning backward again on the top like a hook And hereupon it is that marching thus proudly as they do the very Lions which of all wilde beasts be most couragious stand in feare and awe of them and will not abide the sight of them Now of these Cocks some of them are made for nothing els but war and fighting and neuer are they well but in quarrels brawles and fraies and these be cocks of kind and the countries from whence they come are grown into name being much renowned for their breed as namely Rhodus and Tenagra in the first and highest degree In a second ranke and place be those of Melos and Chalcis Vnto these birds for their worth dignity the purple robe at Rome and all magistrats of state disdain not to giue honor These be they that by their tripudium solistimum i. hearty feeding obserued by the pullitiers shew good successe These rule our great rulers euery day and there is not a mighty L. or state of Rome that dare open or shut the dore of his house before he knowes the good pleasure of these fowles and that which more is the soueraigne magistrate in his majestie of the Roman empire with the regall ensignes of rods and axes caried before him neither sets forward nor reculeth backe without direction from these birds they giue order to whole armies to aduance forth to battel again command them to stay and keep within the camp These were they that gaue the signall and foretold the issue of all those famous foughten fields whereby we haue atchieued all our victories throughout the whole world and in one word these birds command those great Commanders of all nations vpon the earth as acceptable to the gods in sacrifice with their smal fibres filaments of their inwards as the greatest and fattest oxen that are killed for sacrifice Moreouer their crowing out of order too soon before their houre or too late and namely in the euening portendeth also and presageth somwhat by it selfe For well known it is that by their crowing at one time all night long they fore-signified to the Boeotians that noble victorie of theirs atchieued ouer the Lacedaemonians For this interpretation and coniecture was giuen thereupon of a fortunat day because that bird neuer croweth if he be beaten or ouercome If they be once carued and made capons they crow no more And this feat is practised vpon them two manner of waye namely either by burning their loines toward their kidnies with a red hot yron or else by cauterising their legs beneath and their spurs and then presently applying a plaister vnto the exulcerate and blistered place made of potters white clay or chalky earth and being thus serued they will sooner feed and be fat At Pergamus euery yeare there is a solemne shew exhibited openly to the people of Cocke-fighting as if sword-fencers were brought within the lists to fight at outterance We finde in record among our Annales that within the territorie of Ariminum in that yeare when Marcus Lepidus and Quintus Catulus were Consuls there was a dunghill cocke did speake and it was about a ferme-house in the countrey belonging to one Galerius But this hapned neuer but once for ought that I could euer heare or learne CHAP. XXII ¶ Of Geese and who first eat the Goose liuer Also of the leafe of a Goose of Comagena THe Goose likewise is very vigilant and watchfull witnesse the Capitoll of Rome which by the meanes of Geese was defended and saued whereas at the same time through the default of dogs which should haue giuen warning all had like to haue bin lost Wherefore the first thing that the Censors do by vertue of their office is to take order for the Geese of the Capitol and to appoint some one man of purpose to see vnto them that they haue meat enough Moreouer they are said to be giuen much to loue for at Argos there was a Goose that was wonderously inamoured of a faire boy named Olenus as also of a damosel whose name was Glauce who vsed to play on the lute before king Ptolomaeus and by report at the same time a Ram made court vnto the said wench and was in loue with her It may be credibly thought also that this creature hath some sparks as it were of reason vnderstanding and learning for Lacydes the Philosopher had one of them about him which would neuer leaue him night nor day neither in the open street abroad nor in priuat house at home but would follow him euen to his close and secret baines where he vsed to bathe But our countrimen and citisens of Rome beleeue me are wiser now adaies who know forsooth how to make a dainty dish of their Liuer For in those Geese that are kept vp and cram'd fat in coup the liuer grows to be exceeding great and when it is taken forth of the belly it waxeth bigger still if it be steeped in milk and sweet mede together Good cause therefore it is that there be some question and controuersie about the first inuentor of this great good and singular commoditie to mankind whether it were Scipio Metellus a man who lately was called to be Consulior M. Sestius who in those daies was by his birth a gentleman of Rome But to leaue that stil vndecided this is certainly known that Messalinus Cotta son to that Messala the Orator found out the secret to broile fry the flat broad feet of Geese and together with cocks combs to 〈◊〉 a sauory dish of meat thereof between two platters For surely I for my part will giue euery man his due and right and will not defraud them of their singular praise and honour who haue bin benefactors to the kitchen and proceeded masters in cookerie A maruellous thing of these birds that a flock of them should come all the way bare foot from * Terwin and Torney in France as far as to Rome Their order was who had the conduct of them in this large voyage to bring those forward that were weary and lagged behind into the vaward forefront and so the rest by a certain thick vnited squadron which naturally they make going together driue the others before them A second commoditie that Geese yeeld especially those that be white is their plume and downe For in some places their soft feathers are pluckt twice a yeare and yet they cary feathers again and be as well couered with plume as before and euermore the neerer to the skin and flesh the softer is the downe But of all other the finest and best is that which is brought out of
continue healthful strong lusty that they be good for the stomack in this regard that they cause rifting and breaking of wind vpward which is a good exercise of the stomacke and withall that they keepe the bodie loose and laxatiue yea and open the Haemorrhoid veines if they be put vp in maner of suppositories Also that the juice of onions and Fennell together be maruellous good to be taken in the beginning of a dropsie Item That their juice being incorporat with Rue and Hony is soueraigne for the Squinance As also that they will keep waking those who are fallen into a Lethargie To conclude Varro saith That if Onions be braied with salt and vinegre and then dried no woorms or vermine will come neere that composition CHAP. VI. ¶ Of cut Leekes or Porret of bolled Leeks and of Garlicke POrret otherwise called Cut-Leekes or vnset Leeks stancheth bleeding at the nose in case it be stamped and put vp close into the nosethrils or otherwise mingled with the pouder of the Gall-nut or Mints Moreouer Porret staieth the immoderat shift or fluxe of bloud that follows women vpon a slip or abortiue birth if the juice thereof be drunk in breast-milke In the same manner it helps an old cough and al other diseases of breast and lungs Burnes and sealdings are healed with a liniment made of Porret or Leek blades likewise the Epinyctides for so in this place I tearme that vlcer which in the lachrymal or corner of the eie runneth and watereth continually some call it Syce that is to say a fig. And yet others there be who vnderstand by that word Epinyctides the blackish or blew blistring wheals the bloudy fals I mean and angrie chilblanes that in the night disquiet and trouble folk that haue them But to come againe to our Porret the blades thereof stamped and laid too with Honie healeth all sores and vlcers whatsoeuer The biting of any venomous beast the sting also of Serpents are cured therwith As for the impediments of the hearing and the ears they be remedied with the juice of Leeks and Goats gall or els a like quantitie of honied wine instilled thereinto And as for the whistlings or crashing noises that a man shall heare within head otherwhiles they are discussed with the iuice of Leeks and womans milk dropped into the ears If the same be snuffled vp into the nosthrils or otherwise conueighed that way vp into the head it easeth head-ach for which purpose also it is good to poure into the eare when one goeth to bed and lieth to sleepe two spoonfuls of the said iuice and one of Honie The iuice of Porret if it be giuen to drinke with good wine of the grape against the sting of serpents and namely Scorpions likewise so taken with an Hemine of wine it cureth the pains of the loines or small of the back Such as spit or reach vp bloud such as be diseased with the Phthisick or consumption of the lungs such also as haue bin long troubled with the Pose the Murre Catarrhe and other rheums find great help by drinking the iuice of Porret or eating Leeks with their meat Moreouer Leeks are taken to be very good either for the iaundise or dropsie Drinke the same with the decoction of husked Barley called Ptisane to the quantity of one Acetable you shal find ease for the pains of the rains or kidnies The same measure and quantity being taken with honey mundifieth the Matrice and naturall parts of women Men vse to eat of Porrets or Leekes when they doubt themselues to haue taken venomous Mushroms And a cataplasm therof cureth green wounds Porret is a solicitour to wantonnesse and carnal pleasures it allaieth thirstinesse dispatcheth those fumes that cause drunkennesse But it is thought to breed dimnesse in the eie-sight to ingender wind and ventosity howbeit not offensiue to the stomack for that withall it maketh the belly laxatiue Finally it scoureth the pipes cleareth the voice thus much of Porret in blade or cut Leeks vnset These headed Leeks that are bolled and replanted are of the same operation but more effectual than the vnset Leeks The iuice therof giuen with the pouder either of Gal-nuts or frankincense or els Acacia cureth those that reject or reach vp bloud Hippocrates would haue the simple iuice therof giuen without any thing els for that purpose and hee is of opinion that it will disopilate the neck of the Matrice and the naturall parts of women yea and that they will proue fruitful and beare children the better if they vse to eat Leeks Being stamped and laid to filthie sores or vnclean vlcers with hony it clenseth them Being taken in a broth made of Ptisane or husked barly it cureth the cough staieth the rheume or catarrh that distilleth into the chist or breast-parts it scoureth the lungs and wind-pipe and healeth their exulcerations The like it doth if it be taken raw without bread 3 bols or heads of them together each other day and in this maner it will cure the patient although he raught vp and spit out putrified and corrupt matter After the same maner it cleareth the voice it inableth folk to the seruice of lady Venus and auaileth much to procure sleep If Leeke bols or heads be sodden in two waters i. changing the water twice and so eaten they wil stop the Lask and stay all inueterat fluxes whatsoeuer The pillings or skins of Leek heads if they be sodden the decoction therof wil change the haire from gray to blacke if they be washed or bathed therewith As touching Garlicke it is singular good and of great force for those that change aire and come to strange waters The very sent thereof chaseth Serpents and Scorpions away And as some haue reported in their writings it healeth all bitings stings of venomous beasts either eaten as meat taken in drinke or annointed as a liniment but principally it hath a special property against the Serpents called Haemorrhoids namely if it be first eaten and then cast vp aâ—…in by vomit and wine Also it is soueraigne against the poisonous biting of the mouse called 〈◊〉 Shrew and no maruell for why it is of power to dull and kill the force of the venomous herb Aconitum i. Libard bane which by another name men cal Pardalianches because it strangleth or choketh Leopards yea it conquereth the so poriferous deadly quality of Henbane the bitings also of a mad dog it healeth if it be applied vpon the hurt or wounded place with him As for the sting of serpents verily Garlick is exceeding effectuall if it be taken in drink but withal you must not forget to make a liniment of it the hairy strings or beard growing to the head the skins also or tails and all wherby it is bunched tempered all together with oile laid vpon the grieued place and thus also will it help any part of the body fretted or galled yea though it were risen
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
sacred and blessed mother of all things willing and desirous that man whom she loueth so well should find euery place stored with proper and conuenient remedies for all maladies incident vnto him hath so disposed of her workes and taken that order that the rough woods and forrests euen the most hideous parts of the earth and fearfull to see vnto bee not without their plants medicinable Nay the very wilds and desarts are enriched and furnished therewith insomuch as in euerie coast and corner of the world there may be obserued both sympathies and antipathies I meane those naturall combinations and contrarieties in those her creatures From whence proceed the greatest miracles which are to bee seene in this round Fabricke and admirable frame For first and formost the Oke and the oliue tree beare such mutual rancor and malice as it were and are so stiffely bent to war one with another that if a man replant one of these trees in the trench or hole from whence the other was taken vp it wil surely die Also if an Oke be set neare vnto a walnut-tree it wil not liue The Colewort and the Vine hate one another to the very death in such sort that if a Vine stand neare vnto it a man shall sensibly perceiue the same to shrinke away and recule backward from it and yet this wort which maketh the Vine thus to retire and flie if it chance to grow ouer-against Origan or Cyclamine will soone wither and die Moreouer it is commonly said That trees in the forrest fully grown which haue stood many a yeare and namely such as are ready to be fallen and laid along for timber proue harder to be hewed and sooner wax dry if a man touch them with his hand before hee set the edge of the axe to their butt And some say that pack-horses asses and other labouring beasts which haue Apples and such like fruit aload wil quickly shrinke and complaine vnder their burden yea presently run all to sweat carry they but a very few to speak of vnlesse the said fruit wherewith they are to be charged be first shewed vnto them Asses finde great contentment and good by feeding vpon Fenel-geant or Ferula plants and yet to horses garrons other beasts of cariage and draught they are present poison if they eat them which is the cause that the Asse is a beast consecrated vnto the god Bacchus as well as the foresaid plant Ferula Ouer and besides see the admirable operation in Nature the very insensible and liuelesse creatures yea the least that be meet euery one of them with some contrary thing or other which is their bane and poison for as our cooks know well enough the inner bark of the Linden tree sliued thin into broad flakes and fine boulted floure together doe drink and suck vp the salt of viands ouermuch poudered and make it fresh again Likewise salt giueth a good rellish to any meat that is ouer sweet and tempereth those that haue a lushious and wallowish tast If water be nitrous brackish bitter put some fried barly meale into it within two houres and lesse it will be so well amended and sweet that a man may drink thereof and this is the reason that the said Barly meale is put ordinarily in those strainers and bags through which wines do passe that thereby they may be refined and drawn the sooner Of the same operation also and effect there is a kind of chalke in the Island of Rhodes and our clay here in Italy will do as much Thus you see what enmity discord there is in some things Contrariwise we may obserue in others how wonderfully they accord and agree together for pitch will dissolue spread and be drawne out with oile being both as they are of a fatty nature oile alone will incorporat and mingle well with lime they hate water the one as well as the other Gums are sooner dissolued and more easily tempered with vineger than with any thing els ink with water besides an infinit number of other such that I shall haue occasion to write of continually in their due places And indeed this is the very ground and foundation of all our Physick For to say a truth Nature ordained at the first such things and none but such for to be the remedies of our diseases which we feed liue daily vpon euen those which are soon found and as soon prepared which be ready at hand common euery where and cost vs little or nothing at all But afterwards the world grew to be so full of deceit and cousenage that some fine wits and nimble heads deuised to set vp Apothecary shops promising and bearing vs in hand that euery man might buy his life and health there for mony Then anon a sort of compositions mixtures and confections were set on foot then there was no talk but of strange and intricat receits and these were bruited abroad for the only medicines of wonderfull and vnspeakable operations So that now adaies wee vse no other drugs but those that come from Arabia and India And if a man aile neuer so little or haue the least push or wheale about him he must haue some costly Physick forsooth for it a plaster that came from as far as the red sea whereas in truth the right remedies appropriat for euery maladie be no other than such as the poorest man that is feedeth vpon euerie night ordinarily at his supper But if we went no farther than to the garden for medicines and sought after herbs shrubs and plants only for to cure our sicknesse or maintain our health certes there were not a baser occupation in the world than the profession of Physick and Physitians would be nought set by but will you haue the truth To this passe are we come the old world we haue bidden farewell vnto the antient manners and rites of Rome citie are dead and gone our state is growne so much in greatnesse as there is no goodnesse left Our victories and conquests be these and nothing else which haue vanquished subdued vs for subiect we must acknowledge our selues to strangers and forraine Nations solong as Physicke one of their Arts is able to command our commanders and ouerrule our Emperors But the discourse of this matter in more ample manner I will reserue to some other time and place CHAP. II. ¶ Of Lotos AS touching the herbe Lotos the Aegyptian plant likewise of that name as also of another tree about the Syrtes so called I haue written sufficiently in their due places as for this Lotos which our countrymen call in Latine the Greekish Bean hath a property for to bind and knit the flux of the belly with the fruit or berries which it beareth The shauings or scrapings of the wood therof boiled in wine and so taken inwardly cure the bloudy flix and exulceration of the guts represse the immoderat flowing of womens moneths help the dizzinesse and swimming of the
not that vse of them in physick as at this present for now adays if folk be amisse or il at ease straightwaies they run to the bains and bath for remedy And in truth those waters which stand vpon brimstone be good for the sinews such as come from a veine of alume are proper for the palsie or such like infirmities proceeding from resolution of the nerues Moreouer they that hold of bitumen or nitre such as be the fountains Cutiliae be potable and good to be drunke and yet they are purgatiue To come to the vse of natural bains and hot waters many men in a brauery sit long in a bath and they take a pride in it to indure the heat of the water many hours together and yet is there nothing so hurtfull for the body for in truth a man should continue little longer in them than in ordinary artificiall bains or stouphs and then afterwards when he goeth forth hee is to wash his body with fresh cold water not without some oile among Howbeit our common people here thinke this to be very strange will not be brought to to it which is the reason that mens bodies in no place are most subject to diseases for the strong vapours that steme from thence stuffe and fil their heads and although they sweat in one part yet they chil in another notwithstanding the rest of their bodies stand deep within the water Others there are besides who on the like erronious conceit take great joy in drinking a deal of this water striuing avie who can poure most of it downe the throat I haue my selfe seen some of them so puffed vp and swolne with drinking that their very skin couered and hid the rings vpon their fingers namely when they were not able to deliuer again the great quantity of water that they had taken in Therefore this drinking of much water is not good to be vsed vnles a man do eftsoons eat salt withall Great vse there is and to good purpose of the mud which these fountains do yeeld but with this regard that when the body is besmeared and bedawbed outwardly therwith the same may dry vpon it in the Sun Well these hot waters be commonly full of vertue howbeit this is not generall That if a spring be hot by and by we should think it is medicinable for the experience of the contrary is to be seen in Egesta of Sicily in Larissa Troas Magnesia Melos and Lipara Neither is it a sure argument of a medicinable water as many are of opinion if a piece of siluer or brasse which hath bin dipped therein lose the colour for there is no such matter to be seene by the naturall baths of Padua neither is there perceiued in them any difference in smell from others Concerning Sea waters the same order and mean is to be obserued especially in such as bee made hot for to help the pains and infirmities of the sinews and many hold them good to souder fractures of bones yea and to cure their bruises and contusions likewise they haue a desiccatiue vertue wherby they dry rheumaticke bodies in which regard men bath also in sea water actually cold Moreouer the sea affoor deth other vses in diuers and sundry respects but principally the aire therof is wholsome for those who are in a phthysicke or consumption as I haue beforesaid and cureth such as doe reach or void bloud vpward and verily I remember of late daies that Annaeus Gallio after that he was Consull tooke this course namely to saile vpon the sea for this infirmity What is the cause think ye that many make voiages into Aegypt surely it is not for the aire of Egypt it self but because they lie long at sea and be sailing a great while before they come thither Furthermore the vomits also which are occasioned at sea by the continual rolling and rocking of the ships neuer standing stil are good for many maladies of head eies and brest and generally they doe cure all those accidents for which the drinking of Ellebore serueth As for sea water to be applied simply of it selfe vnto the outward parts physitians are of opinion that it is more effectual than any other for to discusse resolue tumors more particularly if there be a cataplasme made of it and barly meale sodden together it is singular for the swellings behind the ears called Parotides They mingle the same likewise in plasters such especially as be white and emollitiues and if the head be hurt and the * brain touched and offended it is soueraigne to be infused into the wound It is prescribed also to be drunke for albeit the stomack take some offence and hurt thereby yet it purgeth the body well and doth euacuat melancholick humors and black choler yea and if the bloud bee cluttered within the body it sendeth it out one way or other either vpward or downeward Some haue ordained it to be giuen for the quartan feuer others aduise to saue and keep it a time for to serue the turne in case of Tinesmes which are vnordinat strainings at the stoole to no effect also for all gouts and pains of joints and in very truth by age long keeping it forgoeth al that brackish tast which it had at the first Some boile it before but all in generall agree in this To vse for these purposes that sea water which was taken out of the deep far from the land such as is not corrupt with any mixture of fresh water with it and before their patients do drink it enjoyne them to vomit and then also do they mingle with it either vineger or wine for that purpose They that giue little thereof and by it selfe appoint radishes to be eaten presently vpon it with honied vineger or oxymell for to prouoke the patient to vomit againe Moreouer they vse otherwhile to minister a clystre made of sea water first warmed verily there iâ—… not a better thing than it for to bath and foment the cods withall if they be swelled either with ventosities or waterish humors Also it is much commended for kibed heels if they be taken before they are broken and exulcerat and in like manner they kill the itch cure scabs tettars and ringwormes Sea water serueth wel to wash the head to rid it of nits and filthy lice yea and reduceth black and blew marks in the skin to the fresh and liuely colour againe In all these cures after the vse of salt-water it is passing good to foment the place affected with vineger hot Ouer and besides it is thought to be very wholsome and good against the venomous stings of serpents and namely of the spiders Phalangia and scorpions Semblably it cureth those that be infected outwardly with the noysome saliuation or spittle of the Aspis called Ptyas but in these cases it must be taken hot furthermore a perfume made with sea-water and vineger is singular for the head-ach If it be clysterized hot it
Winter are confused and corrupt And this is the reason also that lightnings are common in our Italie for that the aire being more moueable and wauering by reason of a kinder Winter and a cloudie Summer is alwaies of the temperature of Spring or Autumne In those parts also of Italy which lie off from the North and encline to warmth as namely in the tract about Rome and Campania it lightneth in Winter and Summer alike which happeneth in no other part thereof CHAP. LI. ¶ Sundry sorts of Lightnings and Wonders thereof VErie many kindes of Lightnings are set downe by Authors Those that come drie burne not at all but onely dissipate and disperse They that come moist burne not neither but blast things and make them looke duskish Now a third kinde there is which they call Bright and Cleare and that is of a most strange and wonderfull nature whereby tuns and such like vessels are drawne drie and their sides hoops and heads neuer toucht therewith or hurt nor any other shew and token thereof is left behinde Gold copper and siluer money is melted in the bags and yet the very bags no whit scorched no nor the wax of the seale hurt and defaced or put out of order Martia a noble Ladie of Rome being great with childe was strucke with lightning the childe she went withall was killed within her and she without any harme at all liued still Among the Catiline prodigies it is found vpon Record that M. Herennius a Counsellor and States-man of the incorporate towne Pompeianum was in a faire and cleare day smitten with Lightning CHAP. LII ¶ Of obseruations as touching Lightning THe Antient Tuscanes by their learning do hold that there be nine gods that send forth Lightnings and those of eleuen sorts for Iupiter say they casteth three at once The Romans haue obserued two of them and no more attributing those in the day time to Iupiter and them in the night to Summanus or Pluto And these verily be more rare for the cause aforenamed namely the coldnesse of the aire aboue In Hetruria they suppose that lightnings break also out of the earth which they call Infera i. Infernall and such be made in Mid-winter And these they take to be terrene and earthly and of all most mischieuous and execrable neither be those generall and vniuersall lightnings nor proceeding from the stars but from a very neere and more troubled cause And this is an euident argument for distinction that all such as fall from the vpper skie aboue strike aslant and side-wise but those which they call earthly smite straight and directly But the reason why these are thought to issue forth of the earth is this because they fall from out of a matter nearer to the earth forasmuch as they leaue no markes of a stroke behind which are occasioned by force not from beneath but comming full against Such as haue searched more subtilly into these matters are of opinion that these lightnings come from the Planet Saturne like as the burning lightning from Mars And with such lightning was Volsinij a most welthy citie of the Tuscanes burnt full and whole to ashes Moreouer the Tuscanes call those lightnings Familiar which presage the fortune of some race and are significant during their whole life and such are they that come first to any man after he is newly entred into his owne patrimonie or familie How beit their iudgement is that these priuat lightnings are not of importance and fore-tokening aboue ten yeres vnlesse they happen either vpon the day of first mariage or of wedding As for publique lightnings they be not of force aboue 30 yeares except they chance at the very time that townes or colonies be erected and planted CHAP. LIII ¶ Of raising or calling out Lightnings by Coniuration IT appeareth vpon record in Chronicles that by certaine sacrifices and prayers Lightnings may be either compelled or easily intreated to fall vpon the earth There goeth a report of old in Hetruria that such a lightning was procured by exorcismes and coniurations when there entered into the citie Volsinij after all the territory about it was destroyed a monster which they named Volta Also that another was raised and coniured by Porsenna their King Moreouer L. Piso a writer of good credit reporteth in his first booke of Annales that Numa before him practised the same feat many a time and often and when Tullus Hostilius would haue imitated him and done the like for that he obserued not all the ceremonies accordingly was himselfe strucke and killed with lightning And for this purpose sacred groues we haue and altars yea and certaine sacrifices due thereto And among the Iupiters surnamed Statores tonantes and Feretrij we haue heard that one also was called Elicius Sundry and diuers are mens opinions as touching this point and euery man according to his owne liking and fancie of his minde To beleeue that Nature may be forced and commanded is a very audacious and bold opinion but it is as blockish on the other side and sencelesse to make her benefits of no power and effect considering that in the interpretation of Lightning men haue thus farre forth proceeded in skill and knowledge as to foretell when they will come at a set and prescript day and whether they will fordoe and frustrate the dangers pronounced or rather open other destinies which lie hidden and an infinite sort of publicke and priuat experiments of both kinds are to be found And therefore since it hath so pleased Nature let some men be resolued herein and others doubtfull some may allow thereof and others condemne the same As for vs we will not omit the rest which in these matters are worth remembrance CHAP. LIIII ¶ Generall rules of Lightning THat the Lightning is seene before the Thunderclap is heard although they come indeed iointly both together it is certainely knowne And no maruell for the eye is quicker to see light than the eare to heare a sound And yet Nature doth so order the number and measure that the stroke and the sound should accord together But when there is a noise it is a signe of the lightning proceeding of some naturall cause and not sent by some god and yet euermore this is a breath or winde that commeth before the thunderbolt and hereupon it is that euery thing is shaken and blasted ere it be smitten neither is any man stricken who either saw the lightning before or heard the thunderclap Those lightnings that are on the left hand be supposed to be luckie and prosperous for that the East is the left side of the world but the coming therof is not so much regarded as the return whether the fire leap back after the stroke giuen or whether after the deed done and fire spent the spirit and blast abouesaid retire backe againe In that respect the Tuscans haue diuided the heauen into 16 parts The first is from the North to the Suns rising in the Equinoctiall
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
the Lionesse hath done a fault that way she either goeth to a riuer and washeth away the strong and ranke sauor of the Pard or else keepeth aloofe and followeth the Lion afar off that he may not catch the said smell I see it is commonly held that the Lionesse brings forth yong but once in her life for that her whelps in her kinling teare her belly with their nailes and make themselues roome that way Aristotle writeth otherwise a man whom I cannot name but with great honour and reuerence and whom in the historie and report of these matters I meane for the most part to follow And in very truth King Alexander the Great of an ardent desire that he had to know the natures of all liuing creatures gaue this charge to Aristotle a man singularly accomplished with all kinds of science and learning to search into this matter and to set down the same in writing and to this effect commanded certaine thousands of men one or other throughout all the tract as well of Asia as Greece to giue their attendance and obey him to wit all Hunters Falconers Fowlers and Fishers that liued by those professions Item all Forresters Park-keepers and Wariners all such as had the keeping of heards and flockes of cattell of bee-hiues fish-pooles stewes and ponds as also those that kept vp fowle tame or wild in mew those that fed poultry in barton or coup to the end that he should be ignorant of nothing in this behalfe but be aduertised by them according to his Commission of all things in the world By his conference with them he collected so much as thereof hee compiled those excellent bookes de Animalibus i. of Liuing creatures to the number almost of 50. Which being couched by me in a narrow roome and briefe summary with addition also of some things which he neuer knew I beseech the Readers to take in good worth and for the discouerie and knowledge of all Natures works which that most noble and famous King that euer was desired so much to know to make a short start abroad with me and in a briefe discourse by mine own pains and diligence digested to see all To return now vnto our former matter That great philosopher Aristotle therefore reporteth That the Lionesse at her first litter bringeth forth fiue whelps and euery yeare after fewer by one and when she commeth to bring but one alone she giueth ouer and is barren Her whelps at the first are without shape like small gobbets of flesh no bigger than weesels When they are six moneths old they can hardly go and for the two first they stir not at all Lions there be also in Europe only between the riuers Achelous and Nestus and these verily be far stronger than those of Africke or Syria Moreouer there are two kinds of Lions the one short wel trussed and compact with more crisp and curled mains but these are timerous and cowards to them that haue long and plain haire for those passe not for any wounds whatsoeuer The Lions lift vp a leg when they pisse as dogs do and moreouer they haue a strong and stinking breath their very body also smelleth rank Seldom they drink and eate but each other day and if at any time they feed til they be full they wil abstain from meat three daies after In their feeding whatsoeuer they can swallow without chewing downe it goes whole and if they finde their gorge and stomacke too full and not able indeed to receiue according to their greedy appetite they thrust their pawes down their throats and with their crooked clees fetch out some of it again to the end they should not be heauy and slow vpon their fulnesse if haply they be put to find their feet and fly Mine Author Aristotle saith moreouer That they liue very long and hee proueth it by this argument That many of them are found toothlesse for very age Polybius who accompanied Scipio Aemylianus in his voiage of Africke reporteth of them That when they be growne aged they will prey vpon a man the reason is because their strength will not hold out to pursue in chase any other wild beasts then they come about the cities and good towns of Africke lying in wait for their prey if any folk come abroad and for that cause he saith that while hee was with Scipio hee saw some of them crucified and hanged vp to the end that vpon the sight of them other Lions should take example and be skarred from doing the like mischiefe The Lion alone of all wilde beasts is gentle to those that humble themselues vnto him and will not touch any such vpon their submission but spareth what creature soeuer lieth prostrate before him As fell and furious as he is otherwhiles yet he dischargeth his rage vpon men before he sets vpon women and neuer preyeth on babes vnlesse it be for extreme hunger They are verily persuaded in Lybia that they haue a certain vnderstanding when any man doth pray or intreat them for any thing I haue heard it reported for a truth by a captiue woman of Getulia which being fled was brought home again to her master that she had pacified the violent fury of many Lions within the woods and forrests by faire language and gentle speech and namely that for to escape their rage shee hath been so hardy as to say she was a silly woman a banished fugitiue a sickly feeble weak creature an humble suiter and lowly suppliant to him the noblest of all other liuing creatures the Soueraigne and commander of all the rest and that she was too base and vnworthy for his glorious Maiestie to prey vpon her Many and diuers opinions are currant according to the sundry occurrences that haue hapned or the inuentions that mens wits haue deuised as touching this matter namely that sauage beasts are dulced and appeased by good words and faire speech as also that fell serpents may be trained and fetched out of their holes by charmes yea and by certaine coniurations and menaces restrained and kept vnder for a punishment but whether it be true or no I see it is not yet by any man set downe or determined To come againe to our Lions the signe of their intent and disposition is their taile like as in horses their eares for these two marks and tokens certainly hath Nature giuen to the most couragious beasts of all others to know their affections by for when the Lion stirs not his taile he is in a good mood gentle mild pleasantly disposed and as if he were willing to be plaied withall but in that fit he is seldome seen for lightly he is alwaies angry At the first when he entreth into his choler he beateth the ground with his taile when he groweth into greater heats he flappeth and jerketh his flanks and sides withall as it were to quicken himselfe and stir vp his angry humour His maine strength lieth in his brest hee maketh not a
and the Alps also of Vrchins and Hedge-hogs THe Rats of Pontus which be onely white come not abroad all winter they haue a most fine and exquisit taste in their feeding but I wonder how the authours that haue written this should come to the knowledge of so much Those of the Alpes likewise i. Marmottanes which are as bigge as Brocks or Badgers keepe in during winter but they are prouided of victuals before hand which they gather together and carry into their holes And some say when the male or female is loden with grasse and herbs as much as it can comprehend within all the foure legges it lieth vpon the backe with the said prouision vpon their bellies and then commeth the other and taketh hold by the taile with the mouth and draweth the fellow into the earth thus doe they one by the other in turnes and hereupon it is that all that time their backes are bare and the haire worne off Such like Marmotaines there be in Aegypt and in the same manner thay sit ordinarily vpon their buttocks and vpon their two hinder feet they goe vsing their fore-feet in stead of hands Hedgehogs also make their prouision before-hand of meat for winter in this wise They wallow and roll themselues vpon apples and such fruit lying vnder foot and so catch them vp with their prickles one more besides they take in their mouth so carry them into hollow trees By stopping one or other of their holes men know when the wind turneth and is changed from North to South When they perceiue one hunting of them they draw their mouth and feet close together with all their belly part where the skin hath a thin downe and no pricks at all to do harme and so roll themselues as round as a foot-ball that neither dog not man can come by any thing but their sharpe-pointed prickles So soon as they see themselues past all hope to escape they let their water go pisse vpon themselues Now this vrine of theirs hath a poisonous qualitie to rot their skin and prickles for which they know well enough that they be chased and taken And therefore it is a secret and speciall policie not to hunt them before they haue let their vrine go and then their skin is very good for which chiefly they are hunted otherwise it is nought euer after and so rotten that it will not hang together but fall in pieces al the pricks shed off as being putrified yea although they should escape away from the dogs and liue still and this is the cause that they neuer bepisse and drench themselues with this pestilent excrement but in extremitie vtter despaire for they cannot abide themselues their owne vrine of so venomous a qualitie it is so hurtfull to their own body and do what they can to spare themselues attending the vtmost time of extremitie insomuch as they are ready to be taken before they do it When the Vrchen is caught aliue the deuise to make him open again in length is to be sprinkle him with hot water and then by hanging at one of their hin-feet without meat they die with famine otherwise it it not possible to kill them and saue their case or skin There be writers who bash not to say That this kinde of beast where not those pricks is good for nothing and may well be missed of men and that the soft fleece of wooll that sheepe bear but for these prickes were superfluous to no purpose bestowed vpon mankind for which the rough skin of these Vrchins are brushes rubbers made to brush make cleane our garments And in very truth many haue gotten great gain profit by this commoditie merchandise and namely with their crafty deuise of monopolies that all might passe through their hands only notwithstanding there hath not bin any one disorder more repressed and reformation sought by sundry edicts and acts of the Senate in that behalfe euery prince hath been continually troubled hereabout with grieuous complaints out of all prouinces CHAP. XXXVIII ¶ Of the Leontophone the Once Badgers and Squirrils TWo other kinds there be of beasts whose vrine worketh strange and wonderfull effects The one is called Leontophonos and he breedes in no country but where there be lions a little creature it is but so venomous that the lion king of beasts before whom al others tremble for all his might and puissance dieth presently if he taste neuer so little thereof And therfore they that chase the lion get all the Leontophones that they can come by burne their bodies and with the powder of them bestrew season as it were the pieces of other flesh that they lay for a bait in the forrest and thus with the very ashes I say of his enemie kill him and deadly and pernicious is it to the lion No marueile therefore if the lion abhor hate him for so soon as he espieth him he crushes him with his pawes and so killeth him without setting tooth to his body The Leontophone for his part againe is as ready to bedrench him with his vrine knowing right well that his pisse is a very poison to the Lion In those countries were the Onces breed their urine after it is made congealeth into a certain yâ—…ie substance waxes drie so it comes to be a certain pretious stone like a carbuncle glittering and shining as red as fire and called it is Lyncurium And vpon this occasion many haue written that Amber is ingendred after the same maner The Onces knowing thus much for very spight and enuie couer their vrine with mold or earth and this maketh it so much the sooner to harden and congeale The Grayes Polcats or Brocks haue a cast by themselues when they be affraid of hunters for they will draw in their breath so hard that their skin being stretched and puffed vp withall they will auoid the biting of the hounds tooth and checke the wounding of the hunter so as neither the one nor the other can take hold of them The Squirrils also foresee a tempest comming and where the wind will blow for looke in what corner the wind is like to stand on that side they stop vp the mouth of their holes and make an ouerture on the other side against it Moreouer a goodly broad bush taile they haue wherewith they couer their whole body Thus you see how some creatures prouide victuals against winter others battle and feed with sleepe onely CHAP. XXXIX ¶ Of the Viper Land-winkles or Snailes and Lizards OF all other serpents it is said that the Viper alone lies hidden in the ground during winter whereas the rest keepe within cranies and câ—…ifts of trees or else in the hollow chinkes of stones and otherwise they are able to endure hunger a whole yeere so they be kept from extreame cold All the while during their retreat and lying close within they sleepe as if they were dead and depriued of their power
vp with her tallons she throweth them downe from aloft to breake their shells And it was the fortune of the Poet Aeschylus to die by such a meanes For when he was foretold by wizards out of their learning that it was his destinie to die on such a day by some thing falling on his head he thinking to preuent that got him forth that day into a great open plain far from house or tree presuming vpon the securitie of the cleare and open skie Howbeit an Aegle let fall a Tortoise which light on his head dasht out his braines and laid him asleep for euer Of the fourth knid is Percnopterus the same that Oripelargus fashioned like to a Geire or Vulture it hath least wings a bodie bigger than the rest but a very coward fearfull of a bastard and crauen kind for a rauen will beat her Besides she hath a greedie and hungrie worm alwaies in her georg and craw and neuer is content but whining and grumbling Of all Aegles she only carrieth away with her the dead prey feedes thereupon in the aire wheras others haue no sooner killed but they prey ouer them in the place This bastard buzzard kind maketh that the fifth which is the roiall Aegle is called in Greek Gnesios as one would say true and kindly as descended from the gentle and right airie of Aegles This Aegle roial is of a middle bignesse and of a reddish colour a rare bird to be seene There remaineth now the sixt and last sort and that is Haliartos This Aegle hath the quickest and clearest eie of all other soaring mounting on high when she spieth a fish in the sea downe she comes with a power plungeth into the water and breaking the force thereof with her brest quickly she catcheth vp the fish and is gone That Aegle which we named in the third place haunting lakes fens and standing waters for to prey vpon water-foule who to shift from her are driuen otherwhile to diue vnder the water but she presseth so hard vpon them that they be wearied and astonied in the end and then she catcheth them vp and carieth them away A worthy sport it is to see the maner of their scuffling whiles the silly riuer bird makes means to gain the bank side for refuge especially if it be well grown with reeds and the Aegle for her part driues her from thence with the clap and stroke of the wing whiles I say as the Egle striketh and there with plungeth her selfe down into the water the poore fowle that swims vnderneath seeing the shadow of the Egle houering about the bank side riseth vp again in another place far enough off from the Egle and where shee imagined she should be least looked for Which is the cause that these wild fowle in the water commonly swim in flockes For when they are many together they are not much troubled and annoied by reason that with fluttering their pinnions with dashing and flapping the water with their wings they dazle the sight of their enemie Oftentimes also the very Egles not able to weld the prey that they haue seised on are together with it drawne vnder the water so drowned Now as touching the Haliartos or the Osprey she only before her little ones be feathered will beat and strike them with her wings and thereby force them to looke full against the sun beames now if she see any one of them to winke or their eies to water at the raies of the Sun she turns it with the head forward out of the nest as a bastard and not right nor none of hers but bringeth vp and cherisheth that whose eye will abide the light of the Sun as she looks directly vpon him Moreouer these Orfraies or Ospreies are not thought to be a seuerall kind of Egles by themselues but to be mungrels and ingendred of diuers sorts And their young Ospraies be counted a kind of Ossifragi from them come the lesser Geires they again breed the greater which ingender not at all Some reckon yet another kind of Egle which they cal Barbatae and the Tuscanes Ossifrage But of the six kinds before rehearsed the 3 first and the fift haue in their nest a stone found named Aeetites which some call Gagates and it is therein ingendred This stone is medicinable and singular good for many diseases and if it be put into the fire it wil neuer a whit consume Now this stone as they say is also with child for if a man shake it he shall heare another to rattle and sound within as it were in the belly or wombe of it But that vertue medicinabâ—… abouesaid is not in these stones if they be not stollen out of the very nest from the airie 〈◊〉 they do and make their nests vpon rocks and trees Three egs commonly they lay whereof two only they vse to hatch howbeit somtimes they haue bin seen to haue 3 yong ones But lightly one of them they turn out of the nest because they would not be troubled with feeding nourishing it And verily Nature hath wel prouided that at such a time the old Egles should not be able to puruey sufficient for meat for otherwise if they should reare their birds they were enough to destroy the yong breed of deere wild beasts in a whole country that there should be no venison nor game at all for gentlemen Moreouer by the same prouidence of Nature all that while their tallons or clees hooke and turne inward very much also for very hunger their feathers wax gray white so as they haue good cause not to abide their yong But when they haue cast them off the Ossifrages which are neere of k in vnto them are ready to take them and bring them vp with their own birds But the old Aegles their dammes not content therewith persecute them still when they are growne to be bigge ones beating and chasing them away farre off as their very concurrents and who would intercommune with them and rob them of their prey And were it not so certainly one airie of Egles needs the reach of a whole country to furnish them with venison sufficient to their full They haue therefore their seuerall coasts and walks and without those limits and vsuall haunts they rauen not When they haue seised of any prey they carry it not away presently but first lay it downe peruse and peise the weight of it and then away they fly therewith amaine but not before They die not for age nor vpon any sicknesse but of very famine by reason that the vpper beake of their bil is so far ouergrown and turns inward so much that they are not able to open it to feed themselues Their maner is ordinarily to go to their busines namely to fly and seek their prey after noon for all the forenoon they are perched vp doing nothing waiting the time when men be not stirring abroad but about their markets within the cities and
such colourable excuses for their handling of poisons and so impudent and shamelesse are some besides that they bash not to auow the vse of them bearing vs in hand that Physick canot stand without poison The Thapsia in Affricke is the strongest of all others Some vse to slit or cut the stem about haruest and in the very root make an hollow trough to receiue the juice that runs downe and when it is dried they take it away Others againe do bruise and stamp in a mortar both leafe stalke and root and when the juice that is pressed there-from is thoroughly dried in the Sun they reduce the same into certain Trochisques Nero Caesar the Emperor in the beginning of his Empire gaue great credit to Thapsia for vsing as he did to be a night-walker and to make many ryots and much misrule in the darke he met otherwhiles with those that would so beat him as that he carried away the marks black and blew in his face but as he was subtil desirous to auoid the speech of the people an ointment he had made of Thapsia Frankincense and Waxe wherewith hee would anoint his face and by the next morning come abroad with a cleare skin and no such marks to be seene to the great astonishment of all that saw him To conclude the Ferula maketh the best matches to keep fire by all mens confession and those in Aegypt excell the rest for that purpose CHAP. XXIII ¶ Of Capparis or Cynosbatos or Opheostaphyle and of Sari LIkewise in Aegypt growes Capparis a shrub of a harder and more wooddy substance well knowne for the seed and fruit that it carries commonly eaten with meats and for the most part the Capres and the stalke are plucked and gathered together The outlandish Capres not growing in Aegypt we must take good heed of and beware for those of Arabia be pestilentiall and venomous they of Affricke be hurtfull to the gumbs and principally the Marmarike are enemies to the matrice and breed ventosities The Apulian Capres cause vomit and make lubricitie both of stomack and belly Some call the shrub Cynosbatos others Opheostaphyle Moreouer there is a plant of shrubs kind called Sari it growes along Nilus almost two cubits high it beareth an inch in thicknesse and hath leaues like to Papyr-reed and men do chew and eat it after the same manner As touching the root it is singular good for Smiths cole to burne in their forges so hard it is and durable CHAP. XXIIII ¶ Of the Royall thorn of Babylon and of Cytisus I May not ouer-passe that plant which about Babylon is sowed vpon Thornes only for otherwise it knowes not how to liue no more than Misselto but on trees howbeit this plant that I speake of is sowed vpon that Thorne alone called the Royall Thorne And a strange thing it is of this plant That it springs and grows the very same day that it is set or sowed Now the seasonable time of sowing it is at the very rising of the Dog-star and notwithstanding the Suns heat right quickly ouerspreads it the tree or shrub on which it is cast The Babylonians vse to aromatize their wine therwith and for that purpose are they so carefull to sow it But the foresaid Thorne tree groweth also about the long walls of Athens reaching from the tower to the hauen Pyraeeum Noreouer a shrub there is called Cytisus highly commended and wondrous much praised by Aristomachus the Athenian for feeding of sheep as also for fatting of swine when it is drie and he promiseth and assureth That an acre of land sowed therwith although it be none of the best soile but of a meane and ordinarie rent will yeeld yearely communibus annis 2000 Sesterces to the master As great profit commeth therby as of the pulse like Vetches called Ervum but sooner will a beast be satisfied therewith and a very little therof will serue to fat the same insomuch as if horses or any such labouring cattell may meet with that prouender they will not care for barley neither is there any other grasse or fodders that yeeldeth more or better milk than it but that which passeth all the pasturage of Cytisus preserueth sheep goats and such like cattell sound and safe from all diseases whatsoeuer Ouer and besides if a nourse want milke Aristomachus prescribes her to take Cytisus dry and seeth it in water and so to drink it in wine whereby not onely her milke will come againe in great plenty but the babe that sucketh thereof will be the stronger and taller He giueth it also to hens and pullein whiles it is green or steeped and wet if it chance to be dry Democritus and Aristomachus both do promise and assure vs that Bees will neuer miscarry nor faile if they may meet with Cytisus to seed vpon And yet there is not a thing of lesse charge to maintaine than it Sowne it is commonly in the spring with barley I mean the seed thereof as they mean to sow Leekes or Porret seed or els they set plants and slips thereof from the stalke in Autumne before mid-winter If the seed be sowne it ought to be steeped and moistned before yea and if there fall no store of raine after it is in the ground it had need to be watered As for the plants when they be a cubit long are replanted in a trench a foot deepe Otherwhiles the tender quicke-sets are planted about the Equinoxes to wit in mid-March and mid-September In three yeares they come to their full growth They vse to cut it downe in the Spring-Equinox when it hath done flouring a worke that a very lad or old woman may do euen such as can skill of nothing besides This Cytisus is in outward hew white and in one word if a man would pourtray the likenes thereof it resembleth for all the world a shrub of Trifolie or Clauer-grasse with narrower leaues Being thus gathered it is euer giuen to beasts once in three daies And in Winter that which is dried ought to be wet before they haue it Ten pound of it is a sufficient foddering for an horse and for other small cattell according to the proportion But by the way this is not to be omitted that it is good to set garlicke and sow onions seed betweene the rewes and rankes of Cytisus where it groweth and they will thriue more plenteously This shrub was first discouered and known in the Island Cythnus and from thence translated into all the other Cyclades and soon after brought to all the cities of Greece whereupon followed great increase of milke plentie of cheese I maruel therefore very much that it is so geason and rare in Italy and a plant it is that feareth neither heate nor cold no iniury of haile nor offence by snow and as Hyginus saith it is not afraid so much as of the enemie the reason is because the wood thereof is nothing beautifull to the eye CHAP. XXV ¶ Of shrubs and trees growing
late of growth were those trees in his time and so slowly came they forward But now adaies they come vp of kernels and stones set in plots of ground for the purpose and being transplanted againe they beare Oliues the second yeare after Fabianus saith That Oliues loue not to grow either in the coldest or the hottest grounds Virgill hath set downe 3 kind of Oliues to wit Orchitae i. the great round Oliues Radij i. the long Oliues and those which are called Pausiae He saith moreouer That the Oliue trees require no tending or dressing at all and need neither the hooke to be pruned nor the rake and harrow to be moulded ne yet the spade to be digged about Doubtlesse the goodnesse of the soile and the temperature of the climat especially are very requisit and much materiall alone without farther helpe howbeit they vse to be cut and pruned yea they loue also to be scraped polished and clensed between where the branches grow ouer-thicke euen as well as vines and at the same season The time of gathering Oliues ensueth presently vpon the vintage of grapes but greater industry and skil is required to the making and tempering of good oile than about new wine for ye shall haue one and the self same kind of oliue to yeeld a different juice and diuers oiles first and formost of the greene oliue and altogether vnripe there is drawne the Oile oliue which hath of all other the best verdure and in tast excelleth the rest and of this oile the first running that commeth from the presse is most commended and so by degrees better or worse as the oile is drawn before or after out of the presse or according to a late inuention by treading them with mens feet in little panniers and vpon hardles made of small and fine oziers This is a rule The riper that the oliue is the fatter will the oile be and more plentifull but nothing so pleasant in tast And therefore the best season to gather Oliues both for goodnesse and abundance of oile is when they begin to shew black And such halfe-ripe Oliues we in Latine call Drupae and the Greekes Drypetae To conclude it skilleth very much whether the berries be ripe vpon the tree or mellow within their presse also whether the tree be watered that is to say the oliues hanging thereupon be drenched and refreshed with sprinkling water or haue no other moisture than their owne and that which they receiue by dews and raine from heauen CHAP. II. ¶ Of Oyle OIle-Oliue commeth to haue a rank and vnpleasant tast if it be old kept and stale contrary to the nature of wine which is the better for age And the longest time that oile will continue good is but one yere Wherein surely if a man would well consider he may obserue the great prouidence of Nature For seeing that wines are made to seruefor intemperance and drunkennesse there is not that necessitie to drinke much thereof and to spend them out of hand and more than so the daintie tast that they haue when they be stale induceth men to lay them vp and keep them long But contrariwise she would not haue vs make such spare of oile and therefore by reason of the generall vse and need thereof she hath made it vulgar and common to all As touching this benefit and gift of Nature bestowed vpon mankind Italy of all other nations in the world carrieth the name for the goodnesse thereof but principally the territory or county of Venafrum and namely that quarter lying toward Licinia which yeelds the oile called Licinianum wherupon there be no oliues comparable to them of Licinia both for to serue the perfumers in regard of the pleasant smel which that oile doth giue so appropriat vnto their ointments as also to furnish the kitchin and the table as they say that be fine-toothed haue a delicate taste which is the cause I say that this oile carrieth the only name And yet these oliues of Licinia haue this priuiledge besides that birds loue not to come neere them Next to these Licinian oliues the question is between them of Istria Baetica whether of them should go away with the price for their goodnesse and hard it is to say which is the better of the two A third degree there is vnder these twoaboue named namely of the Oliues that come from all other prouinces setting aside the fertile soile of that tract in Africke which yeeldeth so great increase of corn For it should seeme that Nature hath set it apart for graine onely seeing it so fruitfull that way and hath not so much enuied it the benefit of wine and oile which she hath denied those parts as thought it sufficient that they might glory and haue the name for their haruests As for other points belonging to oliues men haue erred and bin deceiued very much neither is there in any part concerning our life to be found more confusion than is therein as we will shew and declare hereafter CHAP. III. ¶ The nature of the Oliue berries also of yong Oliue Plants THis fruit called the Oliue consists of a stone or kernell of oile a fleshy substance and the lees or dregs now by these lees called in Latine Amurca I mean the bitter liquor of the grounds that the oile yeelds It comes of abundance of water and therefore as in time of drought there is least thereof so in a rainy and watery constitution you shall haue store and plenty As for the proper juice of the oliue it is their oile and the chiefe is that which comes of those that are vnripe like as we haue shewed before when we treated of Ompharium or the Oliue verjuice This oilie substance doth increase and augment within the Oliue vntill the rising of the star Arcturus to wit 16 daies before the Calends of October after which time their stones and carnous matter about them do rather thriue But marke when there followes a glut of raine and wet weather presently vpon a dry season the oile in them doth corrupt and turn all well neare into the lees aboue said which may easily be perceiued by the colour for it causeth the Oliue berrie to looke blacke And therefore when this blacknesse begins to appeare it is a sign that they haue somwhat although very little of the lees but before that they had non at all And herein men are foulely dceiued taking this marke for the beginning of their ripenesse which blacke hew indeed is a signe of their corruption and betokens that then they are in the way to be stark naught They erre also in this that they suppose an Oliue the more grown it is in carnositie to be the fuller of oile whereas in very truth all the good juice â—…n them is converted then into the grosse and corpulent substance thereof and thereby also the stone and kernell come to be big and massie which is the cause that they had need of watering at that time
infused or in steep For certainly if the berries be not dried before they would yeeld an oile from them Howbeit afterward there was a deuise found out to make a white wine of the white Myrtle in this maner Take of Myrtles wel beaten or stamped the quantity of two Sextares steep the same in three hemires or pintes of wine and then straine and presse forth the liquor Moreouer the very leaues of the Myrtle tree being dried and reduced into a kinde of meale are singular good for to cure the vlcers in mens bodies for certaine it is that this powder doth gently eat away and consume the superfluous humours that cause putrifaction And besides it serueth well to coole and represse immoderate sweats Ouer and besides the Oile also of Myrtles a strange and wonderfull thing to tell hath a certaine rellish and taste of wine and withall the fat liquor thereof is indued with a speciall and principall vertue to correct and clarifie Wines if the bagges and strainers where-through the wine runneth bee first sooked and drenched therwith for the said oleous substance retaineth and keepeth with it all the lees and dregges and suffereth nothing but the pure and cleare liquour to passe through and more than that it carrieth with it the commendable odour and principall vertue of the said oile Furthermore it is said That if a way faring man that hath a great journey for to goe on foot carrie in his hand a sticke or rod of the Myrtle tree he shall neuer be weary nor thinke his way long and tedious Also rings made of Myrtle twigs without any edged iron toole keep downe and cure the swelling bunch that riseth in the groine What should I say more The myrtle intermedleth in war affaires for Posthumius Tubertus being Confull of Rome who was the first that entred in a petty triumph ouant into the city because he had easily conquered the Sabines and drawne in manner no bloud of them rode triumphant in this manner to wit crowned with a chaplet of Myrtle dedicated to Venus Victoresse and from that time forward the Sabines euen his very enemies set much store by that tree and held it in great reuerence And euer after they that went but ouant into the city after a victory ware this kind of garland only except M. Crassus who after he had vanquished the fugitiue slaues and defeated Spartanus marched in a coronet of Lawrel Massurius writeth how Generals when they entred triumphant into Rome riding in their stately chariots which was the greatest honor of all others ware vpon their heads chaplets of Myrtle L. Piso reporteth That Papyrius Masso who first triumphed in mount Albanus ouer the Corsians vsed euer after to come vnto the games Circenses and to behold them crowned with a garland of myrtle This Papyrius was grandfather by the mothers side to the second Scipio Africanus Finally M. Valerius according to a vow that he made in his triumphs vsed to weare coronets as well of Lawrell as Myrtle CHAP. XXX ¶ Of the Lawrell or Bay tree thirteene kinds thereof LAwrel is appropriate vnto triumphs and besides groweth most pleasantly before the gates of the Emperors court and bishops pallace giuing attendance there as a dutifull portresse or huisser most decently This tree alone both adorneth their stately houses also keepes watch and ward duly at the dores Cato setteth down two kinds of Lawrel to wit the Delphick and the Cyprian Hereunto Pompeius Lenaeus hath ioined a third which he called Mustacea because in old time they vsed to lay the leaues therof vnder certain cakes or March-panes which in those daies they called Mustacea as they were in baking this third kind hath leaues of all others largest flaggy hanging and whitish withall As for the Delphick it carieth leaues of one entire colour greener than the rest the baies or berries thereof likewise are biggest and of a reddish green colour With this Lawrell were they wont to be crowned at Delphos who won the prise at any tournoy or solemne game as also the victorious captains who triumphed in Rome The Cyprian Lawrell hath a short leafe black crisped or curled and about the sides or edges thereof it turneth vp hollow like a gutter or crest-tile Howbeit afterwards there were ranged in the rank of Lawrels other trees to wit the Tinus which some take to be the wild Lawrel others say it is a kind of tree by it self indeed it differeth from other Lawrels in the colour of the fruit for it beareth blew berries Then came the roiall Lawrel in place which began to be called Augusta or Imperial This is a very tal and big tree with leaues also as large in proportion and the Baies or berries that it beareth are nothing sharp biting and vnpleasant in tast But some there be that think this roiall Bay is not a Lawrel but a seuerall tree apart as hauing longer broader leaues than the rest of the ordinary sort And these writers speaking of other kinds call our common Bay tree Baccalia and namely that which is so fruitful and beareth such a sort of berries as for the fruitlesse and barren of that sort they name Triumphal which is as they say vsed in triumphs Whereat I maruell very much vnlesse this ordinance and custom began of Augustus Caesar by occasion of that Lawrell which came to him as sent from heauen as I wil shew anon more at large and of all others it is for height lowest in leaf short and frizled very geason and hard to be found Now there is another kind of Lawrell named Taxa very fit for greene arbors and to be wrought into knots Out of the middest of the leafe there growes forth another little one in manner of a skirt tongue or lappet of the leafe Also without any such excressence there is that which they name Spadonia as one would say the guelded Bay that cares not how shadowie the place be where it grows for be it neuer so remote out of the Sun or ouer shadowed howsoeuer yet it ceases not to grow ouerspread the ground where it standeth Moreouer in this rank is to be reckoned the wild shrub called Lowrier or Chamaedaphne There is besides the Lawrell Alexandrina which some call Idaea i. Mountaine Lawrel others Hyppoglottion i. Horse tongue some Daphnitis others Carpophyllon or Hypelate This plant putteth forth branches immediatly from the root of a span or nine inches long very proper and handsom to draw workes or to clad arbors withall in a garden also to make garlands and chaplets The leaues are more sharp and pointed softer also and whiter than those of the Myrtle yea haue within them a bigger grain or seed of colour red Great plenty therof groweth vpon the mountaine Ida likewise about Heraclea in Pontus and in one word neuer but in hilly and mountain countries As for the herb Daphnoeides or Laureola it hath many names for some terme it Pelasgum others Eupetalon and
at both ends taking it long-waies groweth hard in manner of a stone how beit that which hath an hard shell without and a soft body within is better than that which is hardened in the carnous substance of the body and lightly neither of both these qualities happeneth to any but the male kind Ouer and besides some you shall find fashioned long like an egge others as round as a ball and a third sort sharp pointed The outward colour also yeeldeth variety for some be blacker than other but the whiter commonly â—…e the better set by Some are bitter toward the ends and sweet in the mids The length also the shortnesse of the stele or taile whereto they hang maketh a difference The very tree it self causeth diuersity of the fruit for that Oke which beareth the biggest mast is named Hemeris A shorter tree this is than the rest with a round head and putting forth many hollow arm pits as it were of boughes and branches The wood or timber of the ordinary and common Oke is tougher and harder than that of others and lesse subiect to putrifaction ful of arms boughes it is as the other but it groweth taller and is thicker in the body The highest of all is the Aegilops which loueth to grow in wild and desart places Next to it for talnesse is the broad leafed Oke but the timber therof is not so good and profitable for building howsoeuer it be imploied for to make charcole yet being once squared to that purpose cleft it is subiect to the worm and will soon rot and for this cause being in quarters they vse not to make cole of it clouen but of the solid and round boughs or branches thereof And yet this kind of charcole serueth only the Bloom-smithies and furnaces the hammer-mills also of brasse and copper-smithes whom it standeth in great good stead and saueth them much fewell for it burneth and consumeth no longer than the bellowes goe let them leaue blowing once presently the cole dieth and so it lasteth long for at euery new blast it is renewed againe and refreshed otherwise it sparkleth very much and yeeldeth many cinders But the charcole made of yong trees is the better Now the maner of making them is this when the wood is cut into many clefts splents fresh and green they are heaped vp on high and hollow in manner of a furnace or chimney and then well luted with clay in the top and all about which done the pile of truncheons aforesaid is set on fire within and as the outward coat or crust of clay beginneth to wax hard the workemen or colliers pierce it with poles and pearches and make diuers holes therein for vent and to let out the smokie vapor that doth sweat and breath from the wood The worst of all other for timber or cole is the oke named Haliphleos a thicke barke it hath and as big a body but for the most part hollow and light like a spunge or mushrom and there is not another besides it of all these kind of trees that rotteth as it stands aliue Besides so vnfortunate it is that the lightning smiteth it as low as it groweth for none of them ariseth to any great height which is the cause that it is not lawfull to vse the wood thereof about the burning of any sacrifice Seldome beareth it any Acorns and those few that it hath be exceeding bitter so as no other beast will touch them but swine again nor they neither but for pure hunger when they can meet with no other food Moreouer in this regard also reiected it is and not emploied in any religious vse for that without blowing at the wood and cole thereof continually it will not burne cleare and consume the sacrifice but goeth out and lieth dead But to returne vnto our mast againe that of the Beech tree feedeth swine quickely maketh their flesh and lard faire and pleasant to the eie tender to be soone sodden or rosted light and easie of digestion and good for the stomacke The mast of the Holme causeth hogs to gather a more fast and compact flesh their bodies to be neat slender lanke and ponderous Acornes doe engender a fleshy substance more square and spreading and the same also most heauy and hardest of digestion and yet they are of all other kinds of mast most sweet and pleasant Next to them in goodnesse by the testimony of Nigidius is that of the tree Cerrus neither is there bred of any other a courser flesh howbeit hard it is fast and tough As for the mast of Ilex hogs are endangered by eating thereof vnlesse it be giuen them warily by little and little Hee sayth moreouer that of all other it falleth last Moreouer the mast of Esculus Robur and the Corke causeth the flesh to be spungeous and hollow To conclude what trees soeuer beare mast carry also certaine nuts called Galls and lightly they are full of mast but each other yeare But the oke Hemeris beareth the best gals and fittest for the curriors to dresse their leather The broad leafed Oke hath a kinde of Galls like vnto it but lighter in substance and not so good by far it carrieth also blacke galls for 2 sorts there be and this is better for the dier to colour wooll CHAP. VII ¶ Of the Gall-nuts and how many other things Mast-trees doe beare besides Mast. THe nuts called Galls doe euer breake out all at once in a night and namely about the beginning of Iune when the Sun is ready to goe out of the signe Gemini The whiter sort thereof commeth to the growth in one day and if in the first spring and breaking foorth thereof it be hot weather it drieth and withereth out of hand and commeth not to the full bignesse and perfection namely to haue a kernell as much as a bean The blacke of this kind continueth longer fresh and green and groweth still to the bignesse otherwhiles of an apple The best galls be those of Comagena the worst is that of the oke called Robur which are knowne by the holes they haue that may be seen through The common oke Quercus ouer and besides the fruit which is the mast beareth many other things for it carieth both sorts of gal the black and the white certaine berries also like Mulberries but that they be dry and hard resembling for the most part a buls head containing within them a fruit much like the kernels of the oliue Moreouer there grow vpon it certain little bals not vnlike to nuts hauing soft flox within good to make candle-wiek or matches for lamps for burn they wil without any oile like as the black Gals It beareth also other little pils or balls good for nothing couered ouer with haire yet in the spring time they yeeld a certain juice or liquor like hony Furthermore there breed in the hollow arm-pits as it were of the boughes other small pills setled or sticking close to the wood
odoriferous any wood is the more durable also it is and euerlasting Next to these trees aboue rehearsed the wood of the Mulberrie tree is most commended which in tract of time as it growes to be old waxes also blacke Moreouer some kinds of wood as they be more lasting than other so they continue better being emploied in one kind of work than they do in another The Elme timber will well abide the aire and the wind The wild Oke Robur loueth to stand within the ground and the common Oke is good in the water let it bee vsed aboue ground to take the aire and the weather it will cast warpe and cleaue too bad The Larch wood agreeth passing wel with water works and so doth the black Alder. As for the Oke Robur it will corrupt and rot in the sea The Beech will doe well in water and the Walnut tree likewise but to stand within the earth they are principall good and haue no fellow And for the Iuniper it will hold the owne being laid vnder ground but for building aboue in the open aire it is excellent good The Beech and the Cerus wood rot quickly The smal Oke called Esculus canot abide the water The Cherrie tree wood is firme and fast the Elme and the Ash are tough how beit they will soone settle downward and sag being charged with any weight but bend they will before they break and in case before they were fallen they stood a while in the wood after they had a kerfe round about for their superfluous moisture to run out vntill they were well dried they would be the better and sure in building It is commonly said that the Larch wood if it be put into ships at sea is subject to wormes like as al other kinds of wood vnlesse it be the wild and tame Oliue For to conclude some timber is more readie to corrupt and be marred in the sea and others againe vpon the land CHAP. XLI ¶ Of wormes that breed in wood OF vermine that eat into wood there be 4 kinds The first are called in Latine Teredines a very great head they haue for the proportion of the body and with their teeth they gnaw These are found only in ships at sea and indeed properly none other be Teredines A second sort there be and those are land wormes or mothes named Tineae But a third kind resembling gnats the Greeks tearme by the name of Thripes In the fourth place bee the little wormes whereof some are bred of the putrified humor and corruption in the very timber like as others againe engender in trees of a worme called Cerastes for hauing gnawne and eaten so much that he hath roume enough to turne him about within the hole which he first made hee engendreth this other worm Now some wood there is so bitter that none of these wermin will breed in it as the Cypresse others likewise so hard that they cannot eat into it as the Box. It is a generall opinion that if the Firre be barked about the budding times at such an age of the Moon as hath been before said it will neuer putrifie in the water Reported it is by those that accompanied Alexander the great in his voiage into the East that in the Isle Tylos lying within the red sea there be certain trees that serue for timber to build ships the which were known to continue two hundred yeares and being drowned in the sea were found with the wood nothing at all perished They affirmed moreouer that in the same Island there grew little plants or shrubs no thicker than would wel serue for walking staues to cary in a mans hand the wood whereof was massie and ponderous striped also and spotted in manner of a Tygres skin but so brittle withall that if it chanced to fall vpon a thing harder than it selfe it would breake into fitters like glasse CHAP. XLII ¶ Of timber good for Architecture and Carpentrie what wood will serue for this or that worke and which is the strongest and surest timber for roufes of building WEe haue here in Italie wood and timber that will cleaue of it selfe For which cause our Maister Carpenters giue order to besmeare them with beasts dung and so to lie a drying that the wind and piercing aire should not hurt them The joists and plankes made of Firre and Larch are very strong to beare a great weight although they bee laid in length ouerthwart Contrariwise the Rafters made of the wild Oke Robur and Oliue wood wil bend yeeld vnder their load whereas the other named before do resist mainly withstand neither will they easily break vnlesse they haue much wrong nay sooner do they rot than faile otherwise in strength The Date-tree wood also is tough and strong for it yeeldeth not but curbeth the contrarie way The Poplar setteth and bendeth downeward whereas the Date-tree contrariwise rises vpward archwise The Pine and the Cypres are not subject either to rottennesse or worme-eating The Walnut tree wood soone bendeth and is saddle-backt as it lieth for thereof also they often vse to make beames and rafters but before that it breaketh it will giue wâ—…ing by a cracke which saued many a mans life in the Island Antandros at what time as being within the common baines they were skared with the crack that the floore gaue and ran forth speedily before all fell Pines Pitch trees and Allar are very good for to make pumps and conduit-pipes to conuey water and for this purpose their wood is boared hollow lying buried vnder the ground they will continue many a yeare sound and good let them bee vncouered without any mould and lie aboue ground they will quickly decay But if water also stand aboue the wood a wonder it is to see how they will harden therewith and endure Firre or Deale wood is of all other surest and strongest for roufes aboue head the same also is passing good for dore leaues for bolts and barres also in all seelings and wainscot or whatsoeuer it bee whether Greekish Campaine or Sicilian it is best and maketh very faire worke A man shall see the fine shauings thereof run alwaies round and winding like the tendrills of a vine as the Ioyner runneth ouer the painels and quarters with his plainer Moreouer the timber of it is commendable for coaches and chariots and there is not a wood that makes a better and stronger joynt with glew than it doth insomuch as the sound plank will sooner cleaue in any other place than in the joynt where it was glewed CHAP. XLIII ¶ Of glewing timber of rent clouen and sawen painell GReat cunning there is in making strong glew and in the feat of joyning with it as well in regard of seelings and wainscot made of thin bourd and painell as of marquetry other inlaid workes and for this purpose Ioyners doe chuse the mistresse threadie grain that is most streight which some call the Fertill veine because ordinarily it breedeth others and
good husbandry if so be a man haue the cast of it to eare breake them vp skilfully As for the plaines they are not all of them exposed to the Sun or subiect to the wind more than need requireth And to speake of frosts mists and fogs there be Vines as we haue said already which are nourished and fed with them And to conclude hereby we may see that in euery thing there is some one deep secret or other wherein it behoueth each man to employ his spirit and set his mind for to search them throughly and find them out what shall we say then to this That oftentimes those things which haue bin approoued by long experience and many obseruations become otherwise and change their vsuall manner In Thessalie about Larissa the whole region by reason of a lake that was let out and drained drie prooued much colder and the Oliues which there grew before left bearing and died all vpon it In like sort neer vnto Aenos the Vines were all scorched and burnt by occasion that the course of the riuer Ebrus was brought neere vnto them an accident that beforetime neuer befell vnto them Semblably about the citie Philippi the whole country being made drie by sluces and trenches artificiall altered withall the whole disposition of the aire and weather and changed the very habite of the heauen aboue their heads But in the territory of Syracusa the forraine Coloners that thither came to inhabit and practise husbandry by ridding the ground from all the stones marred all the corn in the country so mirie and durtie it was by that meanes vntil such time as they were driuen to lay the stones againe where they had them In Syria the husbandmen goe lightly ouer with their plough take no deep stitch in making their furrowes for feare of the stony rocke lying ebbe vnder the good ground which in Summer season will burne all their graine and seed sowne there Now there be certain parts of the world where a man shall see one and the same effect to proceed both of extreame heat and also of excessiue cold Thracia is exceeding cold and thereby plentifull in corne Africke and Aegypt be as hot and yet come not after it for fertilitie in that kind In Chalcia an Island belonging to the Rhodians there is one place aboue the rest so fruitful that the Barly which was sowed in the due time season of the yere they mow once and presently put it into the ground againe which will be ready to be cut downe the second time with other corne in haruest In the Venafrane tract within the realme of Naples the grauellie ground is thought meetest for Oliue trees therin they bear most plentifully contrariwise about Boetica in Spaine the fattest soile is best for that purpose The excellent grape that makes the good Punicke wine ripeneth soon vpon the very rockes but the Caecube Vines stand soaked drenched as it were in the marish low grounds of Pomptinum See what a difference and diuersitie there is in causes to make this variety in sundry plots of ground Caesar 〈◊〉 being conuented before the Censors and there pleading his cause affirmed openly that the plaines of Rosea were the very fat of Italy and resembled the kell or leafe of a fed and franked swine wherein quoth he if a man left forks or props to day they will bee ouergrowne and couered with grasse by to morrow But surely this ground is good for nothing but pasture Yet notwithstanding Nature would haue vs still to learne and grow skilfull euery day more than other and for that intent she hath laid open the defects and imperfections of the ground euen there whereas the commodities thereof be neither so certain nor so well knowne And therefore let vs in the first place speake of those faults for which the earth is blamed CHAP. V. ¶ Sundry sorts of earth IF a man would know which is a lean hungry bitter ground there is no better experiment and proofe thereof than by the blackish misliking and vnkind herbs growing thereupon like as when they come vp scortched and burnt they shew a cold soile also when they seem il fauored and vnpleasant to the eie the earth no doubt is soked and drowned in wet As for red sandy ground and clay you need go no farther than to your owne eie-sight And such soiles as these be is of all other hardest to be wrought and tilled they so clog and load both the harrow teeth and the plow-shares with huge and heauie clods Howbeit the ground that is thus churlish to be eared and husbanded is not alwaies bad and naught for increase But it fareth cleane contrary with the pale and wan ashie earth as also with the white sandy soile for the barren ground is soon found by a thicke and callous crust that it hath euen at the first dent of culter or stroke of mattocke Cato setteth down briefely as his maner is all the defects and faults of ground in these words Take heed quoth hâ—… of a rotten ground and see that you stir it neither with cart nor touch it with beast What should we think was his meaning by this term of his that he should feare rotten ground so much as to forbid in a manner to tread and goe thereupon Let vs call to mind the rottennesse that is in wood and thereby shall we find those faults that he abhorreth and detesteth so much in the earth In good faith by rotten earth hee vnderstandeth dry spungeous and full of holes rugged hoary eaten old and hollow So as in that one significant word Cariosa hee said more than could be expressed possibly by any multip icity of language whatsoeuer for if a man would rip vp to the quicke the imperfections that are in grounds he should find that some pieces there be of it that may be termed truly old and ouerworne not for any age for who can say properly that earth is subiect to old age but by reason of their naturall defects in regard wherof a ground may be weake feeble barren and no longer good for to bring forth any thing The same Cato iudgeth That ground to be principall which lieth at the foot of an hill and runneth forth in manner of a plaine into the South which is the very scituation of all Italy and by a blackish and swart earth which he calleth Pulla he meaneth a gentle tender and mellow soile And this we will determine to be the best simply both for worke or tillage and also for gaine and increase now let vs if ye please stand a little vpon this word Tenera i. Tender which he vseth in this sence you shall find a maruellous signification thereof and that he implieth thereby as much as your heart can wish to be in a ground That is it which is so temperat in fertility that is it which to be wrought is so gentle soft pliable and mellow neither wet nor yet dry and thirsty
ouermuch wherby the tree is as it were hide-bound they vse to slit the same along with a very sharpe cutting hooke guiding and gaping the edge thereof with both hands that it goe not ouer-deep and so by these incisions they doe open it and as it were losen and enlarge the skin Now when this feat is wrought the onely signe that it is wel don and good for the tree is this if the incisions in tract of time appeare wide and the void place incarnate again and fill vp with a kind of callous substance compounded of the sap and wood together growing betweene Whereby it appeareth that in many cases the cure of mens maladies the diseases of trees is very like for that euen their bones also vse to bee trepanized and bored through as well as ours Also for to make sweet almonds of bitter first the tree must be digged round about and then boared thorough with an augoer toward the root or butt end whereby the waterish humor that runneth downward may issue forth and passe away Moreouer if a man would discharge Elmes of their superfluous moisture they must be pierced with a wimble a little aboue the ground as far as to the very heart or pith if either they be old or be perceiued to receiue ouermuch nutriment In like maner the same excessiue humor is let out of Fig trees by meanes of certaine light slits or gashes made in the barke aslant or byas in case it seeme to swell and be ouer-streight and by this deuise they preuent the falling of their fruit Generally what trees soeuer bearing Apples or such like soft fruit without if they chaunce at any time to proue barren that is to say to put foorth leafe only without any fruit the vse is first to make a clift in the root then to put a stone therin that the edges meet not and rejoin againe and so they become fruitfull The same is practised in Almond trees also but in steed of the stone there must be a wedge of Oken wood driuen in As for Pyrries and Medlar trees those wedges must be made of Pine Torch-wood Moreouer if either vines or fig trees be ouer ranke of wood it is very good to cut and skice the roots round about and when they bee thus serued to couer with ashes the said incisions but then they must bee close couered with ashes and earth aloft If ye would haue trees beare Figs at the later end of the yere pluck off the first green figs so soon as they be somwhat bigger than Beans for vnder them there wil other come vp in the place and be later ere they wax ripe The same fig trees when they begin to spring leaf and look green if the top-twigs of euery bough be cut off becom the stronger more fruitfull by it For as touching the ripening of Figges by Caprification true it is that there be certain flies like gnats engender in greene figs which are the occasion thereof for when they are flown out there are no graines or seeds found within whereby it is euident that they be turned into those flies And when they do fly forth so hasty they are to be gone that many of them as they breake out leaue either a foot or a wing behind them Besides another kind there is of gnats which they call Centtinae for sloth and shrewdnesse like in al the world to Drone-bees so mischeeuous they be to the good flies or gnats indeed that cause the Figs to ripen for them they kill and die themselues when they haue done Moreouer there be certaine wormes like moths that ordinarily do much hurt to the graines or seeds within figs and eat them quite The only remedie against this vermine it is to take a twig or imp of the Italian Lentisk tree and to set or couch it with the wrong or top end downeward in the very same trench were the fig tree was planted For to haue fig trees bear most plentifully take ruddle or red-earth tempered wel wiih the lees or grounds of oile after that the same is mixed with dung poure it to the roots of the trees when they begin to put forth leaues Among wild Fig trees the best be the black those that grow in stonie grounds for their Figges are fullest of cornes or graines within And as for caprification it would be practised after rain And take this for a generall rule That ye beware in any hand in curing of trees least yee vse a mischeefe for a remedie a thing that commonly happeneth by ouer many medicines or the same not applied in due season for as it is very good for-trees to cut and lop off their boughs where they grow too thicke so to be hacking and mangling of them euery yeare hurteth them as much As for the vine it requireth pruning once a yeare but the Myrtle trees Pomegranate and Oliue trees euery two yeares because they will quickly spring againe and shoot forth branches thicke Other trees would not be lopped so often Neither is it good to cut or prune any whatsoeuer it be at the fal of the leafe Nay they are not so much as to be scraped but in the pruning time that is in the Spring All wounding of trees goes to the very heart and hurt the quick vnlesse it be of those parts that are superfluous As great consideration there would be had in the manner of mucking them No doubt they loue dung well but carefull heed would be taken first that none be laid to the roots in the hotest season of the yeare Item That it be not greene but thoroughly rotten lastly that it bee not ouer ranke nor stronger than is needfull Swines dung burnes the root of vines vnlesse it bee fiue yeares old or the vines stand in some place where water is at commaundement for to coole the excessiue heat thereof Also the filth of Tanners oose and Curriers scrapings doe the like if they be not well delaied with water Likewise it must not be laid too thicke The ordinarie proportion is thought to be for euery ten foot square three Modij of dung But herein no certaintie can be set downe for the nature of the soile must rule all With Swines and Pigeons dung they vse to soulder the cuts and wounds that are giuen to trees In case the Pomegranats grow to bee tart and soure the manner is to dig about the root and lay it bare and then to put Hogs dung therto for that yeare the Pomgranats will be full of a wine juice and the next yeare following proue sweet Some good husbandmen there be that think it meet and requisit foure times a yere to water their roots with mans vrine and shere water together and vpon euery one they bestow a whole Amphore Or else to bedeaw and sprinckle the top branches of the Pomegranat trees with wine wherein Laser hath beene steeped When the pomegranat doth cleaue open vpon the tree it is good to wreath the steal
water at command and good cause why prouided alwaies that they lie vnder a good towne side In the third place he rangeth the Oâ—…r plots and after them Oliue rewes then he counteth of medows which our ancestors called Parata as a man would say Ready and prouided The same Cato being asked What was the most assured profit rising out of land made this answer To feed Cattell well beeing asked againe VVhat was the next Marie quâ—…th hee to feed in a meane By which answers he would seeme to conclude That the most certain and sure reuenue was that which would cost least Howbeit this is not so generall a rule but it may alter according to the diuersitie of places sundry occasions occurrent Herunto also is to be referred another speech of his That a good husbandman ought to be a seller and not a buyer as also That a man should make speed in his youth and not delay to plant and stocke his ground but not to build thereupon before it be well and throughly stored that way and euen then also he should not be forward thereto but take leisure ere he be a builder for it is the best thing in the world according to the common prouerbe To make vse and reap profit of other mens follies prouided alwaies that a mans land be not ouer-built lest the expence of keeping all in good repaire be chargeable and burdensome Now when there is a sufficient and competent house builded thereupon a good husband will vse to repaire often thereunto and take pleasure so to do and verily a true saying it is That the lords eie is far better for the land than his heele CHAP. VI. ¶ How to chuse a conuenient place for to build a manour house in the country Also certain rules obserued in antient time as touching Husbandrie and tilling ground IN building vpon a mans land this mean and moderation is commended That the house be answerable in proportion to the ground for as it is a bad sight to see a large domain and circuit of ground without a sufficient graunge or home-stal to it so it is as great a folly to ouer-build the same to make a faire house where there is not land enough lying to it Like as there were two men at one time liuing who faulted diuersly in this behalfe to wit L. Lucullus and Q. Scaeuola for the one was possessed of faire lands without competent building thereto whereas Lucullus contrariwise built a goodly house in the country with little or no liuing adjoyning to it in which regard checked he was by the Censors for sweeping more floures than he ploughed lands Now in building there would be art and cunning shewed for euen of late daies C. Marius who had bin seuen times Consull of Rome was the last man that built an house within the territory of the cape Misenum and he seated it so as if he had pitched fortified a camp right skilfully in such sort that when Sylla syrnamed Foelix i. Happy saw his manner of building he gaue out and said That all the rest in comparison of him were blind beetles and knew neither how to build nor to encamp Well then a house in the country would be set neither neere vnto a fenny and dormant water ne yet ouer-against the course and stream of a running riuer and yet what saith Homer besides to this purpose The aire and mists quoth he and that right truly arising from a great riuer betimes in a morning before day-light cannot chuse but be euer cold and vnholesome How then mary if the country or climat be hot an house must stand into the North but in case the quarter be cold it ought to affront the South if the tract be temperate between both it should lie open vpon the East point where the Sun riseth at the Aequinoxes As touching the goodnesse of the soile and namely what signes and marks there be of it although I may seem to haue sufficiently spoken already in the discourse which I had of the best kind of ground yet I am content to subscribe to other tokens thereof deliuered by other men and especially by Cato in these words following When you see quoth hee growing vpon any land store of Walwort Skeg trees Brambles the little wild Bulbous Crow-toes called otherwise our Ladies Cowslips Clauer-grasse or Trifoâ—…le Melilote Oke wilde Pyrries and Crab-trees know yee that these doe shew a ground good for Wheat and such like white-corne So doth also the blacke mould and that of ashes colour testifie no lesse Where there is store of chalke or plaister the ground is not so fit for corne for all kinde of chalke doth heat ouermuch vnlesse the same be very leane The like doth sand also if it be not passing fine and small And the effects abouesaid are much more seen in the plaines and champaine vallies than vpon the hills and mountaines Our ancestours in old time thought it a principall point of Husbandry not to haue ouermuch ground about one graunge for they supposed more profit grew by sowing lesse and tilling it better of which mind I perceiue Virgil was And to say a truth confesse we must needs That these large enclosures and great domains held by priuat persons haue long since bin the ruine of Italie and of late daies haue vndone the prouinces also thereto belonging Six Land-lords there were and no more that possessed the one moitie of all Africke at what time as the Emperour Nero defeated and put them to death Where by the way I may not defraud Cn. Pompeius of the due glory answerable to that greatnesse of his who neuer in all his life would purchase any ground that butted or bordered vpon his owne land Mago thought it no reason but a very vngentle and vnkind part for the buying of land to sell a mansion house and in his conceit it preiudiced much the weale-publick And verily this was the principall point that he recommended in the entrance of his treatise and rules set downe for Husbandry so as a man might perceiue very euidently that hee required continuall residence vpon the land Next to these principles aboue named great regard would be had in chusing of good skilful bayliffs of the husbandry concerning whom Cato hath giuen many rules For mine own part it shal suffice to say thus much only that the lord ought to loue his bayliffe very well set him next to his heart but himself should not let him know so much Moreouer I hold it the worst thing that is to set slaues condemned persons in their gyues chains about tilling and husbanding of a ferm neither do I like of any thing don by such forlorne and hopelesse persons for lightly nothing thriues vnder their hand I would put down one saying more of our antient forefathers but that haply it may seeme a fond rash speech yea and altogether incredible that is this Nothing is lesse profitable expedient
than to labor a ground exceeding much and to ouer-til it L. Rarius Rufus a man of very base and low parentage descended yet aduanced to the Consular dignity for his prowesse in feats of arms was otherwise very thrifty and sparing after the maner of the old world insomuch as partly by his niggardise and partly through the liberality of Augustus Caesar he had gathered good together amounting to the sum of an hundred millions of Sesterces all which masse of money what with purchasing land to land in the Picene country and what with bestowing such a deale of husbandry vpon it more ywis of a vain glory and ostentation than for any profit that he reaped thereby he laid forth and spent euery whit of that stock insomuch as hardly he could finde any man that would take vpon him to be his executor or to accept simply of the inheritance What shall we say then or what good commeth of such houses or lands so chargeable as that they are like to cost a man his life and that by famine I hold therfore that in all things a mean is best and bringeth greatest profit in the end To till and husband ground well is necessary to ouer-do the same and to exceed turneth more to the damage than the profit of the lord vnlesse it were done by his own children or to maintain the charge of keeping such hinds as otherwise must be found if they sat still and did nothing for setting that cause aside it falleth out oftentimes that the gathering and inning of some haruest if a man count all the pains emploied and the mony of the purse is nothing beneficial to the master In like maner Oliues would not alwaies be tended and looked vnto ouermuch neither do some grounds require much diligence but are the worse for such attendance as may be seen by report in Sicily which is the cause that new commers thither for to be tenants and to occupy those lands are many times deceiued and put besides their reckoning After what manner then shall we proceed in the husbandry of our land to most benefit and behoofe Learn a rule out of the Oracle or sententious riddle which goeth in this forme Malis bonis i. Cheapest Best But herein me thinks good reason it is that our old great grandfathers should be defended and excused for holding these strange and obscure paradoxes they I say who by such rules and precepts tooke great care and paines to instruct vs how to liue Would you know then what they meant by this word Malis surely they vnderstood those that were cheapest and stood them in least The chiefe point of all their prouidence and forecast was to goe the nearest way to worke and to be at the smallest cost and no maruell for who were they that gaue out these thriftie precepts euen those who reproched a victorious General and one who triumphed ouer the enemy for hauing a cupboord of siluer plate weighing but ten pound those I say who if their bayliffes of husbandrie chanced to die whereby their lands in the countrey stood void would make suit to be gone themselues thither and to return to their own fermes leauing behind them the glory of all their victories by them atchieued and to conclude euen those who whiles they were imploied in the conduct of armies had their grounds looked vnto and tilled at the charges of the common-weale and had no other for their bayliffs than the noble Senators of Rome From their mouths came these other oracles and wise sentences following An ill husband is he who is forced to buy that which his ferme might affoord him As bad is that housholder master of a family who doth that in the day which might be don by night vnlesse vnseasonable weather driue him to it worse than either of these is he who doth that vpon work-daies which should haue bin done on play daies or idle holidaies but the worst of all other is he who when the weather is fair wil chuse to work rather within close house than abroad in the open field here I cannot hold and rule my selfe but I must needs alledge one example out of antient histories whereby it may be vnderstood How it was an ordinary matter to commense actions and to maintaine pleas in open court before the body of the people in the case of Husbandry as also in what sort those good Husbandmen of old time were wont to defend their owne cause when they were brought into question And this was the case There was one C. Furius Cresinus late a bond-slaue and newly infranchised who after that hee was set at liberty purchased a very little piece of ground out of which he gathered much more commodity than all his neighbors about him out of their great and large possessions whereupon he grew to be greatly enuied and hated insomuch as they charged him with indirect means as if he had vsed sorcery and by charmes and witch-craft drawne into his owne ground that increase of fruits which should otherwise haue growne in his neighbors fields Thus vpon complaint and information giuen he was presented and indited by Spurius Albinus an Aedile Curule for the time being and a day was set him down peremptorily for his personal appearance to answer the matter He therfore fearing the worst and doubting that he should be cast to pay some grieuous fine at what time as the Tribes were ready to giue their voices either to acquit or condemne him brought into the common place his plough with other instruments and furniture belonging to husbandry he presented likewise in the open face of the court his owne daughter a lusty strong lasse and big of bone yea and as Piso telleth the tale well fed and as well clad he shewed there I say his tooles and plough yrons of the best making and kept in as good order maine and heauy coulters strong and tough spades massie and weighty plough-shares and withall his draught Oxen ful and faire Now when his course came to plead his own cause before the people and to answer for himselfe thus he began and said My masters quoth he you that are citizens of Rome behold these are the sorceries charms and all the inchantments that I vse pointing to his daughter his oxen furniture abouenamed I might besides quoth he alledge mine owne trauell and toile that I take the early rising and late sitting vp so ordinary with me the carefull watching that I vsually abide and the painefull sweats which I daily indure but I am not able to represent these to your view nor to bring them hither with me into this assembly The people no sooner hard this plea of his but with one voice they all acquit him and declared him vnguilty without any contradiction By which example verily a man may soone see that good husbandrie goeth not all by much expence but it is pains taking and careful diligence that doth the deed And hereupon came the old sayd
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
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.
effect make a decoction of them in milke and so minister it vnto the patient in a clyster These stalkes being well and throughly boiled are said to be very wholesome for the stomacke also like as for to procure sleepe the garden Lectuce is thought most effectuall namely that which is bitter and yeeldeth store of milk which hertofore we haue termed Meconis This milke Physitians prescribe with very good successe for to clarifie the eie-sight namely if it be mingled with womans milk and the forehead annointed therwith in good season and betimes After the same manner it helpeth the infirmities and diseases of the eyes proceeding from cold causes Other vertues and commendable properties besides I finde in Lectuce of strange and wonderfull operations And namely that it cureth the diseases of the brest as well as Sothern-wood doth if it be taken with the best hony of Athens Item That if any women do eat therof they shall haue their monthly sicknesse come orderly Also that the seed of garden Lectuce is giuen to very great purpose against the pricke or sting of any venomous Scorpion Moreouer That if the seed be stamped and taken in wine it secureth one from the imaginarie fansies of Venus delights in sleepe and the pollutions also that thereof do insue Finally that certain waters which vse to intoxicat and trouble the braine shall neuer hurt them that eat any Lectuce Howbeit some are of opinion that the ouermuch vse of Lectuce at meat enfeebleth the eies and impaireth their cleare sight CHAP. VIII ¶ Of Beets and their sundrie kinds Of Endiue Diuers sorts of Cichorie Of garden Endiue and two kinds thereof THe Beets of both sorts are not without their medicinable vertues for be it the white or the blacke if one take the root thereof fresh and new out of the ground wet it throughly and soke it well in water and then carry it about him hanging by a string or lace it is a soueraigne preseruatiue against the biting of serpents The white Beet boiled and eaten with raw Garlick expelleth the broad wormes in the belly The roots of the black sodden after the same manner in water rid away the dandruffe or vnseemly skales within the haire of head or beard And indeed generally for any vse the black Beet is more effectuall than the white The iuice thereof is singular good for an old and setled head-ach For the dizzinesse or swimming in the head Also it riddeth away the singing and ringing in the eares if it be dropped into them It procureth vrine being injected by a clyster it cureth the bloudy flix it helpeth also the Iaunise Moreouer the said iuice appeaseth the intollerable pain of tooth-ach if the teeth be rubbed or annointed therewith Singular it is against the stinging of serpents but then it must be drawne from the root only And make a decoction of the said root it helpeth kibed heeles As for the juice of the white Beets it staieth the rheume or waterish humor that falleth into the eies if the forehead be therewith annointed And put but a little Allum thereto it is an excellent remedy against S. Anthonies fire White Beets only stamped although there come no oile vnto them healeth any burne or scalding if the place be therwith annointed Moreouer against the breaking out into red and angry pimples the same is very good But seeth Beets and make thereof a liniment it represseth the vlcers that run and spread abroad The same being raw rubbed vpon the bare places where the haire is shed recouereth haire yea and staieth the running skales of the head The iuice of these Beets tempered with honey and snuffed vp into the head by the nosthrils clenseth the braine There is a certain meat made with Beets Lentils boiled together which commonly is eaten with vineger for to make the body laxatiue The same being ouersodden to a thicke consistence staieth both the turning of the stomacke and flux of the belly There is a kind of wild Beet which some name Limonion others Neuroides it hath leaues much lesse and tenderer than the other howbeit growing thicker riseth vp many times with eleuen stalks The leaues of this Beet are very good for burnes and scalds they restraine and stay all Fluxes by drop meale which breed the Gout The seed being taken to the quantity of one Acetabulum cureth the bloudy flix healeth the vlcer of the guts that causeth the same Some say that if this Beet be sodden in water the decoction will scoure and take out any stain in cloths euen the very iron-mole likewise it will wash away any spots in parchment Now as touching Endiue or garden Cichorie furnished also it is with many properties effectuall in Physicke The iuice thereof mingled with oile Rosat and vineger allaieth the paine in the head The same if it be drunk with wine is good for the liuer and bladder Also if it be laid to the eies it stoppeth the humor that hath taken a course thither The wild Cichorie that groweth wandering here and there abroad some of our Latin writers name Ambugia In Aegypt they cal the wild Endiue Cichoreum the tame garden Endiue Seris the which indeed is lesse than the other fuller also of ribs and veines As for the wild which is Cichorie it hath a cooling nature being eaten as meat but applied in forme of a liniment it is good against the collection of humors that ingender imposthumes The juice of it sodden doth loosen the belly Wholesome it is for the Liuer the Kidnies and the Stomack Likewise if it be boiled in vineger it resolueth the painfull torments occasioned by the stopping or difficulty of vrine and openeth passage to make water at ease Moreouer if the juice or decoction thereof be drunk with honied wine it cureth the Iaundise so it be without a feuer It is comfortable also helpefull to the bladder Boiled in water it is so powerfull to bring downe womens termes that it is of force to send out the child if it be dead in the mothers belly The Magitians say moreouer that whosoeuer annoint their bodies all ouer with the juice of this herb and oile together they shal be right amiable and win the grace and fauor of all men so as they shal the more easily obtain whatsoeuer their heart stands vnto And verily for that it is so singular and wholesome to mans body some giue it the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As for another wild kind some call it Hedypnois that hath a broader leafe than the rest Being sodden it is astrictiue and will strengthen a weak stomack and eaten raw it bindeth the belly and staieth the lask Holesome it is for such as haue the bloudy flix the rather if it be taken with Lentils In sum as wel raw as sodden both kinds the one the other help those that haue cramps and ruptures Comfortable it is likewise to such as vpon
as most times it falleth out that a feuer follow vpon such accidents then the patient must drinke it with water A speciall and effectuall property it hath against certain land-snakes called Chersydri and venomous todes if it be reduced into a liniment and so applied to the sore But Heraclides the Physitian is of opinion That if the said root be boiled in the broth of a goose it is of more efficacie than all other against the Toxica and Aconita But whereas others do boile it in sheere water against the poisons Toxica Appollodorus would haue a frog sodden withal The herb it selfe is of substance hard branching much full of leaues and those beset with pricks A stem or stalk it carieth parted by knots and joints a cubit high somwhat more Moreouer as there is white Erynge so you shal haue of it black The root is odoriferous Eryngion verily commeth vp ordinarily of seeds and by setting But it groweth also in rough and stony places of the own accord And that which we see along the sea shore is harder and blacker than the rest leaued also like common Ach or Persely CHAP. VIII ¶ Of the hearbe or thistle commonly called Centum-Capita i. the hundred heads AS for the white Erynge our countrymen call it in Latine Centum-capita But they be all of one and the same operation and effect And the Greeks verily make their ordinary meat as well of their stalks as roots both waies to wit either raw or boiled as they list Certes there be wonders reported of this herb namely That the root of this white Eryngion which is very geason and hard to be found resembleth one while the male sexe and otherwhiles the female of our kind But if it chance that a man do meet with that Eryngion which is like to that member which distinguisheth him from a woman he shall be very amiable and beloued of women Which was the reason men say that lady Sappho was so enamoured on the yong knight Phao of Lesbos And verily as touching this herb not only the Magitians but the disciples also and followers of Pythagoras tell vs many vain and foolish tales But to come indeed to the vse of it in Physick Ouer and besides those vertues and properties which I haue related already good it is to resolue ventosities it easeth the gripes and wrings in the belly it cureth the diseases and debility of the heart it helpeth the stomack and liuer For the midriffe and precordial parts it is very wholsome taken in honied water and for the spleen in vineger water together Also drunk in mead or honied water aforesaid it is singular for the kidneies the strangury the cramp or crick that pulleth the head of a body backward for other spasmes also and convulsions for the loines the dropsie and the falling sicknesse Soueraigne it is moreouer for womens monthly fleures whether they do stay vpon them or contrariwise run excessiuely from them and in one word it cureth all the accidents infirmities of the matrice Being applied as a liniment with hony it draweth forth any offensiue thing sticking within the body And if it be laid too with salt lard or hogs grease and so incorporat into a cerot it heales the kings euill the swelling kernels within the eares and the flat biles and botches It reioineth also the flesh that is gone from the bone finally soudereth and knitteth broken bones or fractures Taken before a man sit downe to eat or drink it preserueth him from surfet or drunkennesse and bindeth the belly Some of our Latine writers would haue it to be gathered a little before the summer-solstice saying moreouer That if it be applied with rain water it helpeth al the infirmities incident to the nape of the neck and by their report if it be bound to the eies it cureth the pin and the web CHAP. IX ¶ Of Acanus and Liquorice SOme there be who take Acanus for a kind of Eryngium And they describe it to be a low herbe and yet growing broad and large full of prickes and thornes and those likewise bigger than ordinary being applied outwardly wonderfull effectuall it is by their saying to stanch bloud Others there are who haue thought Erynge and Liquorice to be all one but they are deceiued Howbeit for some resemblance that is between them I think it not amisse to set down the description therof immediatly after these Erynges Doubtlesse this Liquorice also is to be counted among these thorny plants for that the leaues stand pricking vp sharp pointed the same are fatty and in handling gummy and glewie It putteth forth many branches and those two cubits high it carrieth a floure in manner of the Hyacinth and beareth fruit resembling bals of the bignesse of those which hang vpon the Plane tree The excellent Liquorice is that which groweth in Cilicia the next for goodnesse commeth from Pontus and hath a sweet root which only is vsed in Physick Taken vp this is and gathered at the setting or occultation of the Brood-hen star and is found running along in the ground in manner of the Vine root in colour like to the Box tree That which is duskish and somwhat black is thought to be the better like as the lithe pliable root which wil wind and turn euery way is preferred before that which is brittle and easie to break Great vse there is of it in those medicines which be held vnder the tongue so to resolue melt leasurely namely after it hath bin sodden to the thirds yea and otherwhiles boiled to the height and consistence of hony Somtimes they vse to bruse it and in that manner they do lay it vpon wounds where it doth much good as also if it be applied to all the diseases and accidents befalling to the throat and jawes The juice of Liquorice reduced to a thick consistence if it be put vnder the tongue is singular for to cleare the voice In like manner it is supposed very wholsome for the brest and liuer And therewith as I haue sayd before both thirst and hunger may be slaked and allaied Which is the cause that some haue called it Adipson and in that regard ministred it to those persons who be fallen into a dropsie for to preuent and take away their thirstinesse Therfore it is thought to be a proper remedy for the diseases of the mouth if it be either chewed or otherwise cast and strewed vpon the vlcers therein and so it cureth the excrescences also and exulcerations about the roots of the nailes Moreouer it healeth the excoriation sorenesse of the bladder assuageth the paine of the kidneies cureth the swelling aking piles the fissures also in the seat and finally the vlcers of the priuy parts Some Physitians haue prescribed to drink in a quartaine ague the weight of two drams of Liquorice one of Pepper in a draught of water to the quantity of a smal pint or hemina this root being
their wholsom vertues according as they enter into many compositions which proceed all as I haue said from the wit and artificiall inuention of man for wee neuer find that Cerots Cataplasms Emollitiues Plastres Collyries or Eye-salues Antidotes or Preseruatiue confections were euer of our great mother dame natures making who indeed is the diuine worke mistresse of all things these are the deuises of Apothecaries nay they are rather tricks proceeding from auarice and couetousnesse As for Nature she hath made nothing vnperfect her workes be absolute all and accomplished in their essence ordained hath shee no compounds vnlesse it be very few wherein she proceedeth vpon good cause and reason and goeth not by blind aime and doubtfull conjectures as namely when according to her rule and order shee doth incorporate some things of a drie constitution and substance with a liquor that they may pierce enter better within the pores of the body or els when she giueth consistence to liquid matters by some bodily substance which may vnite and knit them together To goe about for to compasse the vertues of euery simple ingredient in these compositions curiously by scruples and graines sauoureth of impudencie rather than a worke grounded vpon humane conjecture For mine owne part I haue nothing to doe with these drugs and far-fet wares that come from India and Arabia I meddle not I say with these medicinable spices brought out as it were of another world These simples growing so far off in such remote countries please me not neither do I thinke them meet for to cure our maladies they were neuer brought forth by Nature for vs no nor for them neither where they grow otherwise they were not such fools I trow as to sell and passe them away as they doe Buy them and spare not for sweet pomanders perfumes and delicat ointments ye may buy them also if you please vpon a superstitious deuotion for the worship of gods for that now we canot sacrifice pray serue God for sooth without Frank incense and Costus And that our daintie ones and effeminat persons should be the more ashamed of themselues I will the rather shew and prooue That we may both preserue and recouer our health well enough without these exotical and forraine drugs and that ech region is furnished sufficiently with home-physicke of their owne But now since we haue taken so much paines as to collect the medicinable vertues of guirland-floures of pot-hearbes also harden woorts and sallad hearbes How may I for very shame leaue out the properties of corne and grain seruing for Physick and therefore in this place it shall be well done to discourse of them likewise CHAP. XXV ¶ The medicinable vertues and properties of corne and graine FIrst and formost this is holden for certain that they be the most ingenious and wisest creatures of all others which liue of corn The grains of the fine blanched wheat Siligo being burnt brought into pouder and applied with Amâ—…nien wine in manner of a liniment doe restraine the flux of humors to the eies Also the cornes of the ordinary wheat Triticum being parched or rosted vpon a red hot yron are a present remedie for those who are scortched and sindged with nipping cold The meale of the said wheat sodden in vinegre and applied as a cataplasm helpeth the contraction and shrinking vp of the sinews but wheat brans with oile of roses drie figges and sebesten sodden together make a collution the gargarizing wherewith is good for the inflammation of the Tonsills or Amygdales and to cure all the accidents of the throat Sextus Pompetus who in his daies was one of the principal peers of high Spain left a sonne behind him who afterward was lord Pretour of Rome sitting on a time before his barnedores to see his corn winowed was surprised sodainly with a fit of the gout and whether it were by chance or in a rage for the extremitie of paine thrust his legs aboue the knees into the heap of wheat lying thereby but finding his legs mightily dried hereby and himselfe wonderfully eased of his paine by that means he neuer vsed any other remedie afterwards but so soone as he felt a fit of his gout comming he plunged his feet and legs into a heap of wheat Certes wheat is such a desiccatiue that it wil draw and drie vp the wine or any other liquor in a barrell which is buried within it Moreouer the best experienced Chirurgians in the cure of ruptures affirm That there is nothing better than to lay the chaffe of wheat or barley hot to the grieued place and to soment the same with a decoction wherein it was sodden As for the bearded wheat Far there is a certaine worme breeding in it like to a moth or the grub that eateth wood which is singular good to make rotten teeth to fal out of the head for if the same be lapped within wax and so put into the hole of the faultie tooth it wil drop out or if the sound teeth be but rubbed therewith they will shed and fall forth of the head Touching the graine Olyra we haue said already that it is called also Arinca The Aegyptians make thereof a certaine medicinable decoction or gruell which they call Athara passing good for young babes yea and it serueth to bath and annoint elder folke withall Barly meale either raw or boiled doth discusse and resolue assuage ripen all impostumes engendred either by way of gathering and collection of humours or by some deflux and rheumatick descent The same otherwhiles is sodden in honyed water or els with dried figs but for the paines of the liuer it had need to be boiled with Oxycatre i. water and vinegre together or els with wine But when the case standeth so that the tumor must be partly dissipated partly brought to maturation then it is better that it be incorporate in vinegre or the lees of vinegre or at least waies in sodden peares or sodden quinces Being tempered and medled with hony it is very good for the biting of the cheeslips or many-feet worms called Multipedes but for the sting of serpents it is better to mix it with vinegre as also to keep sores from festering and rankling but in case it be needful and requisit to clense them from suppurat matter therein gathered then it would be applied with vinegre and water with rosin also and gal-nuts added therto For inueterat and old vlcers to bring them to maturation it is laid too with rosin for to soften hard tumors it is vsedeither with pigeons dung or with drie figs or ashes Being applied with Poppie or Melilot it is singular for the inflammation of the nerues of the guts sides also for the paines of mens priuie parts or when the flesh is departed from the bone Incorporate with pitch and the vrine of a boy not yet vndergrowne nor fourteene yeares old it is a proper medicine for the swelling kernels named the
thin and bruske harsh wine nourisheth the body lesse but yet more agreeable and nutritiue it is to the stomack It passeth more speedily away by vrine but fumeth vp so much the rather into the head And take this for a generall rule once for all not only in wines but in any other liquors whatsoeuer that be penetratiue subtile and piercing That they be alwaies offensiue to the head howsoeuer otherwise they be piercing and passe soone away Furthermore wines that are laid vp in smokie places therby sooner to seeme refined and old are of all others most vnwholsome But this and such casts were deuised by hucksters vintners tauerners after the wines were laid vp in their cellars And now adaies good housekeepers also haue inuented means to renue their wines and make them seem fresh and new after they haue by long lying gotten a fusty rotten tast and gathered a mouldy mother of themselues which is called Caries in Latin And verily our auncitors by vsing this tearme in wines ouerstale and kept ouer their due age haue giuen vs counsell and taught vs sufficiently how to take away this vnpleasant tast of wine i. by smoake for like as smoake eateth away and consumeth the moisture and mouldinesse in timber which causeth rottennesse so it doth in wines But we forsooth contrariwise are persuaded that the bitternesse of smoke when it hath caught the wine maketh it to appeare stale old Such wines as be very pale and whitish proue the better and more wholesome by age and long lying the more excellent that the wine is and of the kindlier grape the thicker and grosser it waxeth by age and in this gathering turneth to a kind of bitternesse which is hurtful to mans body Also as vnwholsome it is to mix season and confect therewith some other wine that is not so old so to keep or drinke them together Each wine agreeth best with the stomack and doth least harme when it hath no other liquor nor tast but the owne and euery wine is most pleasant and delightsome when it is taken in due time that is to say neither old nor new but of a middle age which is the very floure Such persons as would feed and desire to be corpulent or to keep their bodies soluble and haue the riddance of their bellie at commaund shall do well to drinke often at their repast Contrariwise they who feed ouermuch and desire to be gant and slender and withall to be costiue ought to forbear drinking at meales so long as they eat but after meat they may drink moderatly To drinke wine vpon an emptie stomacke fasting is a new found deuise lately come vp and it is most vnwholesome for the body and namely for those who are to goe into the field for to fight a battell for it hindereth the forecast of the mind and dulleth the vigor and quicknesse of the spirit fitter indeed to bring and lull men asleep in the bed of securitie certes it was a practise long agoe among such as desired rest and peace and who loued to sleepe in a whole skin for to drinke wine fasting for so we read in Homer how Helena that faire ladie presented a cup of wine before meat And hereupon came the prouerbe That wine doth ouershadow and darken the light of wisdome vnderstanding verily we that are men haue this property aboue all other liuing creatures and we may thanke wine for it That we drinke many times when wee be not dry nor a thirst And therfore passing good it is to drink fair water otherwhiles between In like manner such as vse ordinarily to be drunk are lightly neuer sober shall not do amisse to take a good draught of cold water presently vpon their liberall pouring in of wine for it will forthwith dispatch and discusse those fumes which cause drunkennes Hesiodus giueth counsell to drinke wine somewhat delaied with water for 20 daies before the rising of the Dog star and as many after True it is indeed that Mere wine not delaied is a remedy against hemlock Coriander the poyson Aconite or Libard-baine the venomous gum of the plant Chamaeleon called Ixia Opium or the juice of Poppie and Quickesiluer also for such as haue been stung with Bees Waspes and Hornets the venomous spiders Phalangia Serpents and Scorpions and generally against all those poysons which by reason of a cold quality moritifie naturall heat But particularly it is a special countrepoison against the venomous worms called Hemorrhoids Presters as also the deadly Mushroms Ouer and besides singular good is wine against ventosities gripings and gnawings about the midriffe and precordiall parts about the heart also for those whose stomacks are ready euery while to ouerturne cast and where the belly or entrails be troubled with rheumatick fiuxes Semblably wine a little delaied is singular for the bloudy flix for such as be giuen to faint sweates old coughs and any violent fluxes either into the eyes or other inferiour parts But a fomentation of meere wine may be applied with a spunge to the left pap in the case of the Cardiacke passion which is a feeblenesse and trembling of the heart And in these cases white wine is better than any other so it be of som reasonable age Also it is found by experience That horses and such beasts either for the saddle and pack or draught become very lusty if their stones or genetors be bathed with wine hot when they be tired out there is nothing by report better to refresh their courage than to poure wine into them with an horne Apes and Marmosets and other four-footed beasts whose feet are diuided into claws or toes will not grow men say if they be vsed to drinke pure wine But it is my purpose now to treat of the properties of wine touching Physick and the cure of maladies For gentlemen well born and bred who haue wherwith and may haue what they wil the wines of Campain I count wholsomest so they make choise of the smallest and the thinnest But the common sort may be Physicians to themselues and drinke euery man what wine he liketh most and findeth best to agree with him Howbeit to speake generally the wholesomest wines both of the one sort and the other and for all persons be such as haue run through a strainer or Ipocras bag and thereby lost some part of their strength But this we must remember euery one of vs That the liquor of wine gets all the force and strength that it hath by working spurging and seething as it were in the lees while it is Must. To mingle sundry kinds of wine together can be good for none either rich nor poore Contrariwise that wine is held most healthfull that is of it selfe and had nothing put thereto in the first vatt or vessell when it was new and meere Must of the grape and the better will it bee if there come no pitch into the barrells or vessells wherein it
thereto certain pepper cornes and others drinke them in wine cuit that is sweet Fisticks are vsed in the same sort and haue the same operation and effects as the Pine-nut kernels haue ouer and aboue they are soueraigne for the sting of serpents whether they be eaten or taken in drinke Chestnuts be exceeding astringent and mightily stay all fluxes both of the stomack and the belly for such as scour ouermuch and haue a great lask vpon them also for them who reach vp bloud they be passing wholesome and withall nutritiue and breeding good fast flesh Carobs which be fresh and greene are hurtfull to the stomacke and doe loose the belly yet the same if they be dried do bind and are more wholsome for the stomacke diureticall they be also and prouoke vrine As for those Carobs or Cods of Syria some vse to seeth three of them in a sextar of water vntill halfe be consumed and drink that iuice or liquor thereof for the paine of the stomack If a man take the green twigs of a Corneil tree there will by the meanes of a red hot plate or slice of yron set vnto them sweat or fry out a certain liquid humor which must be receiued so as no wood touch it the rust of yron besmeared with this liquor cureth foul tettars and ringwormes called Lichnes if they be taken at the first before they haue run far The Arbut or Strawberry tree otherwise named Vnedo beareth a fruit hard of digestion and offensiue to the stomack The Lawrell both leafe bark and berry is by nature hot and therefore it is agreed among all writers That their decoction especially of the leaues is comfortable to the bladder and natural parts of women the same being applied as a liniment be singular good for the prick or sting of wasps hornets and bees and likewise against the poisons of serpents especially of the viper and Seps otherwise called Dipsas Boiled with oile they are good to bring down womens fleurs The tender leaues of the Bay stamped and mixed with grosse barly meale or groats cure the inflammations of the eies with Rue they help the hot tumors and swellings of the cods but incorporat with oile Rosat or with oile of Ireos or floure-de-lys they assuage the head-ach Whosoeuer doth chew and swallow downe three bay leaues for three daies together shall be deliuered by that means from the cough The same if they beaten to pouder reduced into an electuary or loch with hony are good for such as be pursie and labor for wind The bark or rind growing to the root is dangerous for women great with child and such must take heed how they meddlewith it The very root it selfe breaketh or dissolueth the stone and is wholsom for the liuer if it be taken to the weight of three oboli in odoriferous wine Bay leaues giuen to drink do prouoke vomit Bay berries bruised and so applied or otherwise pulverized and taken in drink draw down the issue of womens terms Take two Bay Berries rid or cleanse them from their huske and drinke them in wine it is a singular medicine for inueterate coughs the difficulty or straitnesse of breath when a man is forced to sit vpright for to fetch and deliuer his wind howbeit if the Patient be in a feuer it is better to take these berries in water or els by way of a loch or electuary after they haue bin sodden in honied water or sweet cuit And in this manner they be good in a phthisick or consumption of the lungs all catarrhs which fall to the pectorall parts for they ripen fleam and send it out of the chest Foure Bay berries drunk with wine are a good remedy for the sting of scorpions The same being brought to pouder and reduced into a liniment with oile so applied do heale the bloudy-fals called Epinyctides rid away freckles and pimples cure running scalls and vlcers cankers and sores in the mouth and clense the body of scurfe scals and dandruffe The juice drawn out of Bay berries killeth an itch that fretteth the skin besides the lice that crawle and swarm all ouer the body The same mingled with old wine and oile rosat and so dropped into the ears cureth their pain and deafnesse and whosoeuer be annointed all ouer therewith need feare no venomous things for they will flie from them The same iuice especially if it be drawn from the beries of that Lawrel which hath the smaller and thinner leaues may be taken in drink and so it is effectuall against all stings The berries drunk in wine withstand the venom of serpents scorpions and spiders Brought into a liniment with oile and vineger and so applied they help the spleen and liuer but with hony they heale gangrens Such as be wearied with trauel or otherwise stiffe and benummed with cold find much good by being annointed with the said liniment or iuice if some sal-nitre be put thereto Some are of opinion That if a woman in labor drink the quantity of one acetable of the Lawrell root in water shee shall haue the more speedy deliuerance and for this purpose they say that a fresh and green root is better than a dry Others prescribe to giue in drink ten bay berries against the prick of scorpions Also when the Vvula is falne some giue counsell to take three ounces of the leaues and berries and seeth them in three sextars of water to the thirds to gargarize with this decoction hot also for the head-ach to take some odde number of bay berries and stamp them with oile into a liniment therwith to annoint the fore-head temples as hot as the patient can well abide it The leaues of the Delphick Lawrel beaten to pouder and held to the nose and smelled vnto euer and anon serue for a good preseruatiue in time of the contagious pestilence and the rather if they be burnt their persume doth rectifie the infection of the aire The oile of the said baies of the Isle Delphos is good for to make those cerots which put away lassitude wearinesse to discusse resolue the cold humors which cause quiuering and quaking to moliifie and stretch the sinews to allay the pain of the sides in a pleurisie and last of all to driue away the cold fits of agues Semblably if the same be warmed in the rind of a Pomgranat instilled into the ears it eases their pain the leaues boiled in water to the consumption of a third part keepe vp the Vvula vsed by way of a gargarisme but the said decoction taken inwardly allaieth the pains of belly and guts the tendrest leaues that may be had stampt with wine into a liniment do represse keep down wheals and itching if the body be annointed therwith euery night Next vnto this the other kinds are to be ranged according to the validitie of their operation As for the Lawrell Alexandrica or Idaea if a woman in trauell of child-birth take three
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
their vats and caudrons hath the same operation that Struthium and is put to the same vse Many there be verily in all parts of Spaine who vse it both in sweet Pomanders and also in ointments calling it Aspalathus and without all doubt there is a kind of wild white thorne of this race growing in the casterly countries as I haue said among the woods and riseth to the full height of a good tree Yea and a shrubby plant there is lower than the other but as full of pricks growing in Nisyrus and the Islands of the Rhodians which some cal Erysisceptron others Adipsatheon or Dipsacon or Dracheton the best is that which groweth nothing like to the Ferula and being despoiled of the rind is of a reddish colour inclining to purple It is found in many places but not euery where odoriferous Of what sorce it is when the rainebow seemeth to rest vpon it I haue shewed already It healeth the filthy cankers or sores of the mouth and the stinking vlcers or alepocks in the nosthrils likewise the sores botches and carbuncles in the priuy parts the crenises also and clifts in the fundament or else-where applied vnto the place affected but if it be drunk it abateth all swelling of ventosities the bark or rind therof dispatcheth those obstructions and impediments which cause the strangury or pissing by drop-meale The decoction is a singular remedy for them that either pisse or vomit bloud The foresaid rinde stoppeth the flux of the belly The like effects is that thought to work which groweth in thewoods and is called Aspalathus of the Leuant There is a kind of thorny bush called Appendix for that there be red berries hanging therto which be likewise named Appendices These berries either raw by themselues or else dryed and boiled in wine do stay the flux of the belly and besides assuage the torments and wrings therof As for the berries of Pyxacanthus they be drunk to right good purpose against the sting of serpents Paliurus also is a kind of thorny bush the people of Africk call the seed of it Zura which is found to be most effectuall against scorpions and for those who are troubled with the stone and the cough The leaues haue an astringent or binding qualitie The root resolueth and dispatcheth biles impostumes and botches and if the same be taken in drink it procureth vrin if it be sodden in wine and the decoction drunk it stoppeth a laske and is a defensatiue against the poison of serpents the root especially is giuen in wine some there be who stamp the leaues putting salt thereto and beeing reduced into the forme of a cataplasme apply the same to the gout The leaues be good to stay the immoderat flux of womens termes the loosenesse of the belly occasioned by a feeble stomack the bloudy flix and the inordinat motions of cholericke humors both vpward and downward The root boiled and brought to a liniment draweth forth whatsoeuer sticketh within the body Soueraign it is and of exceeding great operation in case of dislocations and swellings As touching the Holly of Hulver tree if it be planted about an house whether it be within a city or standing in the country it serueth for a countercharm and keepeth away all ill spels or inchantments Pythagoras affirmeth that the floure of this tree wil cause water to stand all vpon an yee also that a staffe made thereof if a man doe fling it at any beast whatsoeuer although it chance to light short for default of strength in his arms who flung it wil notwithstanding etch forward and roll from the place where it fell vpon the earth and approch neere to the beast aforesaid of so admirable a nature is this Holly tree The fume or smoke of any Yeugh tree killeth mice and rats Neither hath Nature produced brambles for nothing els but to prick and do hurt for such is her bounty that the berries which they beare are mans meat besides many other medicinable properties for they haue a desiccatiue and astringent vertue and serue as a most appropriate remedy for the gums the inflammation of the Tonsils the priuy members the flours also as well as the berries of the brambles be singular against the Haemorrhoid and the Prester which are the two wickeddest and most mischieuous serpents that be The wounds inflicted by scorpions they close heale vp againe without any danger of rankling or apostemation and withall they haue a property to prouoke vrine The juice drawne and pressed out of the tendrons or yong sprouts of brambles stamped and afterwards reduced vnto the consistence of honey by standing in the Sun is a singular medicine either taken inwardly or applied outwardly for all the diseases of the mouth and eies for them that reach vp bloud for the squinancy the accidents of the matrice and fundament finally for the immoderat flux of the belly occasioned by the weaknesse of stomack As for the sores and infirmities of the mouth the very leaues alone of the bramble if they be but chewed are passing good but if they be reduced into a liniment and so applied they heale running sores or any scals whatsoeuer in the head euen so being laid alone vpon the left pap they be wholesome for such as are giuen to the fainting trembling of the heart and subject to fal into cold sweats likewise being applied accordingly they ease the pain of the stomack and such as haue their eies ready to start out of their head and to help the infirmities of the ears their iuice is excellent to be dropped into them The same juice incorporat with the cerot of roses healeth the clifts and swelling knubs in the fundament for the said infirmity the decoction of yong tendrils in wine is a present remedy in case the place be bathed and fomented therein The same yong springs earen alone by themselues in a salad in maner of the tender crops and spurts of the Colewort or boiled in some harsh grosse and greene wine do fasten the teeth which be loose and shake in the head they stop a lask and restrain an vnnaturall issue or flux of bloud and besides are good in the bloudy flix Being dried in the shade and afterwards burnt their ashes are singu ar to stay the uvula for falling The leaues also being dried and beaten to pouder are excellent good for the farcines and sores in horses and such like beasts As for the blacke berries which these brambles do beare there is a kind of Diamoron made of them which is far better for the infirmities of the mouth and more effectual than the other of the garden mulberies The same being so prepared in that stomaticall composition aforesaid or drunk only with Hypoquistis and hony be singlar to represse the fury of choler prouoking both waies they be cordiall likewise in case of faintings and cold sweats and lastly a preseruatiue against the poison of the venomous spiders Among those medicines
Aetolia neare by The blacke Ellebore is called Melampodium wherewith folk vse to hallow their houses for to driue away ill spirits by strewing or perfuming the same and vsing a solemne praier withall it serueth also to blesse their cattell after the same order But for these purposes they gather it very deuoutly and with certain ceremonies for first and foremost they make a round circle about it with a sword or knife before they go in hand to take it â—…orth of the ground then the party who is to cut or dig it vp turneth his face into the East with an humble prayer vnto the gods That they would vouch safe to giue him leaue with their fauoâ—…â—…o do the deed with that he markes and obserueth the flight of the Egle for lightly while they be cutting vp of this root ye shall see an Aegle soring aloft in the aire now in case the said Aegle flie neere vnto him or her that is cutting vp Ellebore it is a certaine presage and foretoken that he or she shall surely die before that yeare go about Much ado also there is about the gathering of the white Ellebore for vnlesse the party do eat some garlick before and eftsoones in the gathering sup off some wine and withall make hast to dig it vp quickly it wil stuffe and offend the head The blacke Ellebore some call Eutomon others Polyrrhizon it purgeth downward the white by vomit vpward and doth euacuat the offensiue humors which cause diseases In times past it was thought to be a dangerous purgatiue and men were afraid to vse it but afterwards it became familiar and common insomuch as many students tooke it ordinarily for to cleanse the eies of those fumes which troubled their sight to the end that whiles they read or wrote they might see the better or more clearly It is wel known that Carneades the Philosopher purposing to answer the bookes of Zeno prepared his wits and quickened his spirits by purging his head with this Ellebore And Drusus our Countrey-man one of the most famous and renowned Tribunes of the Commons that were euer knowne at Rome a man who aboue all others woon the fauour and applause of the comminalty howsoeuer the nobility charged him to haue bin the cause of the Marsians war was perfectly cured of the falling sicknes in the Iile Anticyra by this only medicine and indeed those Islanders haue a way by themselues to prepare their Ellebore with the mixture of Sesamoeides as I haue said before whereby the taking of it is most safe Ellebore is called in Latine Veratrum the pouder as well of the one as the other snuffed vp into the nosthrils either alone by it selfe or mixed with the pouder of the Fullers herbe Radicula wherewith they wash and scoure their woollen cloth prouoketh sneezing and yet both of them procure sleep Now for vse in Physicke there would be chosen the smallest roots of Ellebor such as be short also and as it were curtelled and not sharp pointed in the bottome and the best part is that which is toward the nether end for the vppermost part of the root which is the thickest and bulbous like to an onion head is good for dogs onely and giuen vnto them for to make them scummer In old time they vsed to chuse the Ellebore root by the bark and took that for the best which had the most fleshy or thickest rind to the end that they might take out the finer pith or marrow within which they vsed to lap and couer with moist spunges and when it began to swell they diuided or sliued it longwise into smal filaments with the point of a needle or bodkin These filaments or strings they dried in the shade laid them vp to serue as need should require But now adaies they cut the small shoots or slips branching from the root such as are most charged with bark and those the Physitians giue vnto their Patients The best white Ellebore is that which in tast is hot and biting at the tongues end and in the breaking seemeth to smoke or send dust from it it is commonly said that it will continue in force thirty yeres The black is good for the palsie for those that be lunatick and be straught in their wits for such as be in a dropsie so they be cleare of a feuer for inueterat gouts as well of feet and hands as other joints it purgeth downward by the belly both choler and fleame being taken in water it gently mollifieth and looseneth the body and from foure oboli which is a small or mean dose you may rise to a full dramme so you exceed not that weight Some were wont to mingle Scammonium therewith but the safer way is to put salt only thereto being giuen in any sweet liquor to some great quantity it is dangerous and yet a fomentation therwith is good to rid away and dispatch the mistinesse that troubleth the eies and therefore some vse to beat it into pouder and when it is reduced into a liniment or eie salue therwith to annoint them for the said purpose This property moreouer it hath to bring to maturation the swelling wens called the kings euill to mollifie any hard tumors to mundifie also the foresaid wens and any botches or impostumes that be suppurat and broken It clenseth likewise the hollow vlcers called fistuloes prouided alwaies that it be not taken out of the sore in 2 daies and 2 nights but the third day it ought to be remoued Incorporat with the skales of brasse and red orpiment it taketh away warts Made into a pultesse or cataplasme with barly meale and wine it is singular good for the dropsie if it be applied vnto the belly take a sliuing or slip of the root and draw it through the eare of sheep or horse in manner of rowelling and the morrow after take it forth again at the same houre this healeth the gid or wood-euill in sheep and cureth the glandres in horses incorporat with frankincense or wax together with pitch or oile of pitch it is singular good for the farcins or scab in any foure-footed beast Touching white Ellebore the best is that which most speedily prouoketh sneezing it is without comparison far more terrible than the blacke especially if a man reade what ado and preparation there went vnto it in the old time when they were to drink it against shiuerings and shakings against the rising of the mother and danger of suffocation in case also of immoderate and extraordinary drowsinesse of excessiue hicquets and yexing without intermission and of continuall sneezing moreouer when they were troubled with weakenesse and feeblenesse of stomacke in like manner in case of vomits when they came either too fast or ouer-slow either too little or too much for this was a rule obserued among them to giue with Ellebore some other drugs for to cause it work the sooner and to hasten vomit more speedily also they vsed means to
already in that part shall find ease thereby Inguinaria which some name Argemony is an herb growing euery where amongst bushes briers and brambles which if it be but held in the hand is thought to be excellent good for the accidents that befall the groin Panaces made into a cataplasme with hony healeth the flat biles and botches that arise in the emunctories of the share and the like effect hath Plantaine applied with salt fiue-leafe the root of the great clot-bur like as in case of the kings euill euen so is Damasonium to be vsed As for Taperwort or Mullen if leafe root and all be stamped with some sprinckling of wine among and be afterwards lapped within a leafe of the own and so heat vnder the embers laid to the grieued place hot it is very good for the same purpose some affirm vpon their own knowledge by the experience that they haue seen that this cataplasme wil work much more effectually if a yong maiden all naked haue the applying of it to the said bile prouided alwaies that both she and he the patient be fasting also that she touch the sore or impostume with the back-side of her hand in so doing say these words following Negat Apollo pestem posse crescere quam nuda virgo restinguat i. Apollo wil neuer suffer that a botch which a naked virgin thus cureth shall possibly grow farther which charm she must pronounce thrice after she hath withdrawn her hand backe and withall both he and she are to spit as often vpon the floore that is to say euery time that she repeateth the foresaid spell Furthermore the root of Mandragoras being applied with water healeth these botches so doth the decoction of the Scammonium root reduced into a pultesse with hony Also the herb Sideritis laid too with old hogs grease last of all Chrysippea incorporat with fat figs where by the way note that this herb retaineth the name of him who first brought it to light CHAP. X. ¶ Of the water-Rose otherwise called Nenuphar Of such herbs as either heat or coole the aptite to lust and venery Of Satyrion or Ragwort * with the red roots of Crategis and Sideritis NYmphaea which also is named Heraclea if it be but once taken in drinke disableth a man altogether for the act of generation as I haue said before 40 daies after the same if a man drink fasting or eat with his meat freeth him from the dreams of imaginary Venus which cause pollution The root applied in a liniment to the genetoirs doth not onely coole lust but also keep down and represse the abundance of natural seed in which regard it is thought good to nourish the body and maintain a cleare voice On the contrary side the vpper root of Glader giuen to drink in wine kindleth the heat of lust like as the herbe which they call Sampier Sauage as also wild Clarie being stamped and incorporat with parched barly meale But in this case wonderfull is the herb Orchis both male and female and few be like vnto it for two kinds there be of it the one beareth leaues like vnto the oliue but that they are longer riseth vp with a stem foure fingers high carrying purple floures a double bulbous root formed like to a mans genitoirs whereof the one swelleth and the other falleth by turns ech other yeare and ordinarily it groweth neere the Sea side The other is knowne by the name of Orchis Serapias and is taken to be the female the leaues resemble leeke blades the stalke is a span or hand-breadth high and the flours be purple the root likewise is bulbous twofold fashioned like to a mans stones or cullions of which the bigger or as some say the harder drunk in water prouoketh the desire to venery the lesser or the softer taken in goats milk represseth the foresaid appetite Some say it is leafed after the maner of Squilla or sea-onion saue that the leaues be smoother and smaller and it putteth vp a stalk ful of pricks or thorns the roots wherof do heale the sores in the mouth and discharge the chest of fleame but drunk in wine do stop a laske A power it hath also to stir vp fleshly lust like as Satyrion but this herb differeth from the other in that it is diuided by joints or knots and besides busheth more and is fuller of branches the root is thought to be good for sorcery and witchcraft the same also either by it selfe alone reduced into pouder or els stamped incorporat with fried barly groats into a liniment is singular good for the tumors and other risings and impostumes in the said priuie parts or members of generation The root of the former Orchis giuen to drinke in the milke of an ewe bred vp at home of a cade lambe causeth a mans member to rise and stand but the same taken in water maketh it to go down againe and lie As for the Greekes they describe Satyrion with leaues like vnto the red Lilly but that they be smaller no more in number than three which spring directly from the root the stem smooth a cubit high naked and bare without leaues and it hath withall two bulbous roots of which the nethermore which also is the bigger serueth to get boies the vpper and that is the lesse is as good to engender girles They haue likewise another kinde of Satyrion which they name Erythraicon and it beareth certain grains or seeds resembling that of * Chast-tree or Agnus Castus but that they be bigger and smooth the root is hard and white within the rind wherof is red and in tast is somwhat sweetish an herb ordinarily found as they say vpon mountains and by their saying the root is of that vertue that if it be held oneiy in a mans hand it wil cause the flesh to rise incite him to the company of women but much more will it set him in a heat if he drink it in some hard and green wine in regard of which propertie the manner is to giue it in drinke to goats and rams if they be vnlusty and nothing forward to leape the females The Sarmatians likewise ministred a drench made with this herb vnto their stone-horses or stallions when by reason that they are ouertrauelled and tired out of heart by continuall labour they perceiue them to be slow and vnapt to couer mares which defect the Greekes call by a proper and sit term Prosedamon But say that one by taking of this root is ouer lusty and too much prouoked that way the means to abate and quench the heat strength thereof is to drink mead or the juice of lettuce In sum the Greeks generally when they would signifie any extraordinary wanton sust or appetite to venery haue a pretty name for it and call it Satyrion And euen so they haue giuen a denomination to Crataeogonon which is an herbe diuided by knots or joints busheth and
hold any thing it is good to presse hard and straine the feet together or els to thrust both hands into hot water To come now vnto our speech and exercise of the tongue in many cases and for diuers causes it is wholsom to speak but little I haue head say that Mecaenas Messius inioined himselfe three yeres silence and during that time neuer spake word for that in a fit of a convulsion or crampe he had beforetime cast vp bloud In case any thing be ready to fall or rush violently against vs and that we be in danger of some stroke say that we be climbing vp hill or turned downe backward or lying along there is not the like meanes againe to preserue our bodies as to hold our winde and this inuention we had from a bruit and dumbe beast according as I haue shewed before Moreouer it is said that to stick down a spike or yron naile in that very place where a man or womans head lay during the fit of the falling sicknesse at the very first time that hee or she fell secureth the party that so doth for euer being troubled with that disease Also it is holden for a singular thing to mitigat the intollerable torments of the reins loins and bladder to pisse with the body bending forward and groueling in the bathing tubs within the baines As for greene wounds it is wonderfull how soon they will be healed in case they be bound vp and tied with a Hercules knot and verily it is thought that to knit our girdles which we weare about vs euery day with such a knot hath a great vertue in it by reason that Hercules first deuised the same Demetrius in a treatise that he compiled as touching the number of foure affirmeth that it is of great efficacy and he alledgeth reasons why it is not good to prescribe in any medicine to be drunke the quantitie of foure sextars or foure cyaths To rub the ears behind is supposed to be very good for them that are giuen to be bleare-eied like as to rub the forehead forweeping or watering eies Concerning the signs of life death which may be found in man this is one That so long as the Patients eie is so cleare that a man may see himselfe in the apple of it wee are not to despaire of life As for the Vrine of mankind diuers authors haue treated of it who as I find haue not onely set downe their reasons in nature as touching the vertue thereof but also haue bin very ceremonious and superstitious in handling that argument yea and they haue written distinctly of the seuerall kinds of vrine digested into certain principal heads And among other things I remember that they set down the vrine of men that are vnable for generation to be singular good by way of injection to make women fruitfull But to speak of such remedies as we may be bold to name with honesty the vrine of yong children who be not yet vndergrowne nor 14 yeres of age is good against the venomous humor of the Aspides or Adders which the Greeks name Ptyades for that they spit their poison vpon the eies and faces of men and women Also the same is held to be singular for the pearle the cataract the filmes the pin and web in the eies like as for the eie-lids also and the accidents happening vnto them Being incorporate with the floure of Eruile it is good for sun-burnings sodden also with bolled leeks to the consumption of the one halfe in a new earthen pot which was neuer occupied it is excellent to mundifie the eares that run with matter or that haue any worms or vermin within them and verily a stouph made with the vapour of this decoction bringeth downe the desired sicknesse of women Dame Salpe ordaineth to foment the eies with the said decoction for to fortifie the sight and to strengthen them that they fal not out of the head she appointeth to make a liniment with it and the white of an egge but principally if it be of an ostrich and therewith to annoint the skin that hath bin tanned and burnt in the Sun for the space of two houres together with it a man may wash away any blots or blurs of ink Mans vrine is much commended for the gout in the feet as wee may see by Fullers who neuer be goutie because ordinarily their feet are in mens vrine Stale chamber-lie or vrin long kept and incorporat together with the ashes of oister shels cureth the red-gomb in yong infants and generally in all running vlcers the same so prepared serueth in a liniment for eating cankers burns and scalds the swelling piles the chaps and rifts in the seat and feet also for the sting of serpents The most expert and skilfull midwiues haue pronounced all with one resolution that for to kill an itch in any part of the body to heale a scald head to scoure away dandruffe and scurfe in the head or beard and to cure the corroding vlcers in any place but in the priuy members especially there is not a liquor more effectuall than vrine with a little sal-nitre put thereto But surely euery mans own water if I may for reuerence of manhood so say is simply best and namely if the Patient that is bitten with a dog do straightways bath the place therewith or in case there be any prick of vrchin hedghog or such like spill sticking in the flesh to apply the same thereto in spunges or wooll and so let it lie on But say it was a mad dog that bit the Patient or that he be stung with a serpent it is good to temper it with ashes and lay it vnto the sore For as touching the vertue thereof against Scolopendres it is wonderfull what is reported namely That whosoeuer be hurt by them if they doe wet the crown of their heads but with one drop of their own vrine it will presently cure the same so as they shall feele no more pain nor harm thereby Ouer and besides by the speculation of our vrine we are able to giue iudgement and pronounce of health and sicknesse for if the first water made in a morning be white and cleare and the next after it higher coloured and inclining to a deep yellow the former sheweth that concoction was then begun and the second is a signe that digestion is now perfect A red vrine is naught but the black is worst of all likewise if it be ful of bubbles and froth aloft and be withal of a grosse and thick subsistence the same is but a bad water If the Hypostasis or Sediment which setleth heauy to the botom be white it signifieth that there is some pain and grieuance like to insue about the joints or principall parts within the body Doth an vrine look greenish it betokeneth some obstruction or disease already in the noble bowels and inwards is it of a pale hew it saith that choler aboundeth in that body
laid vp in pouder with salt is to be giuen in a draught of wine a little before the accesse or fit of a Quartan And these magitians haue yet another prety receit against such agues for they take the ashes of a Cow or Oxe mucke and sprinkle it wel with the vrin of a yong boy wherewith they annoint the toes of the patient but to his hands or arms they bind the heart of an Hare which done they ordain also to giue him before the fit the Hares rennet in a draught of drinke To conclude they say that a fresh greene cheese made of Goats milke out of which the whey hath bin well pressed is singular to be giuen in hony CHAP. XVII ¶ Proper remedies against the trouble of the braine by reason of Melancholy against the lethargie dropsie shingles and S. Anthonies fire Also for the paine of the sinewes THe dung of a Calfe sodden in wine is an excellent remedy for those who are giuen to melancholy For to raise and awaken them that are in a lethargie there is not a bettter thing than the rough werts growing vpon an Asses leg if the same be tempered with vineger into a liniment and the nosthrils anointed therewith also the perfume of the horne or haires of a Goat yea and a bores liuer which is the cause that it is giuen ordinarily to those that haue the drow sie disease and be alwaies sleepie For the phthysick the liuer of a wolfe sodden in wine is very good likewise the lard of a lean running sow feeding only vpon grasse as also Asse flesh sodden and eaten with the broth and verily in Achaia this is the principall course they take for the cure of that disease Moreouer it is said that to receiue through a pipe or reed the smoke of the dry dung made by Cow or Oxe lying forth and feeding only vpon green grasse is very wholsome for those that haue the phthisick or consumption of the lungs Also there be who calcine the tips of Boeufs horns taking the measure of two spoonfuls of the ashes incorporat the same with hony make it vp into pills and so swallow them down for the said malady Many there are who affirm That the phthysicke and cough be cured by eating a kind of pottage made with Frumenty corne and goats suet and they hold opinion That the said suet taken fresh and sweet and so dissolued in mead with this proportion that to euery cyath of the mead there be put an ounce of suet and that order be taken to mingle them throughly well with a branch or sprig of Rue among is a soueraigne medicine for those infirmities There is one writer of good credit authority who vpon his certain knowledge doth auouch That there was one so far gone in a phthysicke that he was giuen ouer by the Physitians yet he recouered by drinking the suet of a Shamois or wild goat together with milk of each one cyath at a time Others say that much good hath bin found by drinking in sweet cuit the ashes of swines dung as also by the lungs of a red Deer especially the Spitter of that kind dried in the smoke reduced into pouder and so drunke in wine In case of the dropsie the vrin of a Bore found in his bladder giuen to the patient in drink by little and little helpeth very much but of greater efficacy it is if the same be permitted to drie within the bladder Furthermore the ashes of Harts dung namely of that Deer which is called the Spitter as also of Neats dung such I mean as go abroad and feed with the heard that they call by a peculiar name Bolbiton is a soueraigne remedy for the dropsie Mary if the patient be a woman there must be choise made of cow dung but if a man the dung of the other sex is to be taken and this I may tel you is such a secret mystery that the Magitians would not haue to be reuealed made known Many other medicines there be for the dropsie to wit the dung of a Bull calfe vsed in a liniment the ashes of a calues dung drunk in wine with an equall quantity of the wild parsnep seed goats bloud together with the marrow eaten with meat it is thought that this bloud will worke the better if it be taken from the male Goats prouided alwaies that they feed vpon the Lentisk tree and then no doubt it will do the deed surely As touching S. Anthonies fire the shingles c. the meanes to quench the same is to annoint the place with Bears grease and especially the fat that is found about the kidnies also with the greene dung of a calfe cow or oxe Some vse hard cheese made of goats milke and porret together also the fine scrapings of a stags skin fetcht off with a pumish stone brought into pouder and so applied with vineger For the rednesse of the skin with much itching the fome of an horse mouth or the ashes of his houfe is a singular medicine If there be any wheals or small pox proceeding of fleam do annoy the skin no better thing than a liniment made of asse-dung ashes incorporat in butyr say these wheals or pimples appear blackish and swe rt by reason of melancholy dry cheese made of goats milk brought into an ointment with hony and vineger is good to rub the body withall in a bain or hot house without any vse of oile at all For blisters and angry meazils the ashes of swines dung are thought to be very meet as also the ashes of harts horn so that the place be rubbed with them and water together If there be any dislocation or bone out of ioint the green dung of a bore or sow is good to be applied so is that of a calfe the fome frothing from a bore laid to the place with vineger and goats dung with hony There is not a better thing to bring down any swelling than a cataplasm of raw beefe and as for any hard tumors swines dung made hot and dried in an earthen pot-sheard or vpon a tile is excellent to discusse and resolue them the grease of a wolfe is exceeding good to break any impostumation that is grown to ripenesse so is neats dung made hot vnder the embers or goats treddles sodden in wine or vineger as touching fellons such like apostumations boeuftallow with salt is much commended for to resolue them if the place be much pained it were good to dip the said tallow in oile and to melt the same without any salt and in like manner is goats seuet to be vsed For a burn or scald there is a proper salue made of bears grease and lilly roots for which purpose the dung of bore or sow that hath bin long kept is very good so is the ashes of their bristles such as pargettars whiting brushes be made of wrought and incorporate with grease also the ashes of a beasts ankle or pastern
helpeth them when they breed teeth or haue their gums sore or mouth exulcerat If there be hung about the neck of a little infant the tooth of a wolfe it keepeth them from starting or skriching in their sleep for feare and allaieth the pain which they feele in toothing the same doth also a wolues skin And verily the great master teeth and grinders of a wolfe beeing hanged about an horse necke cause him that he shall neuer tire and be weary be he put to neuer so much running in any race whatsoeuer Let a nurce anoint her brest with the rennet of an hare the babe that she giueth sucke vnto shall by that means be knit in the belly and not be troubled with the laske The liuer of an Asse with a little of the herb Panax mingled withal dropped into the mouth of an infant preserueth it from the falling sicknes and other dangerous diseases but this they say must be don for forty daies together If a child be lapped in a mantle or bearing-cloth made of an asse skin it shall not be affrighted at any thing The colts teeth that first fall from an horse-fole if they be hung about yong childrens necks ease them much of the pain that they haue in breeding teeth but more effectuall they be in case they neuer touched the ground The milt of a boeufe eaten with honey and the same reduced to a liniment and applied accordingly is good for the pain of the spleen put hony thereto it healeth the running skals that trouble children The milt of a calfe sodden in wine stamped and brought into a liniment healeth the cankers or little sores in the mouth that yong infants be subiect vnto The Magitians haue a deuise to take the brains of a female goat let it passe through a gold ring to drop the same into the mouth of infants new born before the teat be giuen vnto them which they say is singular good against the falling sicknes and other infirmities that to such babes are incident Goats dung wrapt within a piece of cloth and so hanged about a yong child stilleth it being neuer so froward or vnquiet and a girl especially The gums of yong babes washed with goats milk or annointed with hares braines cause them to haue great ease in toothing Cato is of opinion that whosoeuer vseth to eat hares flesh shall sleep well And the common sort of people are persuaded that the meat of this kind of venison causeth them that feed vpon it to look fair louely gracious for a week together afterwards For mine own part I think verily it is but a toy and meere mockery howbeit there must needs be some cause reason of this setled opinion which hath thus generally caried the world away to think so the magitians affirm for certain that if the eies be anointed with the gal of a female goat such only as had bin offred in sacrifice or laid vnder the pillow in bed it wil procure them to take their repose who were far out of sleep the ashes of a goats horn incorporat into an vnguent with oile of myrtles keeps those from diaphoretical sweats who are anointed therwith A liniment made of bores gall prouoketh vnto carnal lust the same effect there is of that virulent slime which Virgil the Poet describeth to drop from a mares shap against the time that she is to be couered also the stones of an horse so dried that they may be reduced into pouder for to be put in drink moreouer the right genetoir of an asse drunk in wine as need requireth or tied in a bracelet fast to the arme inciteth to venerie furthermore the frothie sperme that an asse sheddeth after he hath couered the female gathered vp in a peece of red cloth and inclosed within siluer so caried about one is of great power in this case as Osthanes mine author saith But Salpe a famous courtizan giueth direction to plunge the genitall member of this beast seuen times together in hot oile and with the said oile to anoint the share and parts therabout Bialcon aduiseth to drink the ashes of the said member or the stale of a bull presently after hee hath done his kind to a cow and with the earth that is moistened and made mire with the said stale to anoint the priuy parts Contrariwise there is not a thing that cooleth the lust of a man more than to annoint the said parts with the dung of myce and rats To conclude for to auoid drunkennesse take the lungs of an hog be it bore or sow it matters not in like manner of a kid and rost it whosoeuer eateth thereof fasting shall not be drunke that day how liberally soeuer he take his drinke CHAP. XX. ¶ Strange and wonderfull things obserued in beasts THere be other admirable properties and vertues reported of the same beast ouer besides those before rehearsed for it is said that whosoeuer do find and take vp an horse shoe shaken from the houfe an ordinary thing that happeneth vpon the way when a horse casteth his shooe and lay the same vp they shall find a remedy for the yox if they do but call to mind and thinke vpon the place where they bestowed the same Also that the liuer of an Hare is in this regard for curing of the hicket like to an horse shooe Moreouer if an horse doe follow in chase after a wolfe and chance to tread vpon the tracts where the wolfe hath run he will be broken winded and burst euen vnder the man vpon his backe It is thought moreouer that the ankle-bones of swine haue a property to make debate and quarrels Also when any sheep-pens or oxe-stals be on a fire if some of the dung be cast forth the sheepe and oxen that be within will sooner be gotten and drawne forth and neuer come thither again Furthermore that goats flesh will haue no ranke smell or taste if so be the same day that they were killed they did eat barley bread or drinke water wherein Laser was infused Besides that no flesh which is powdred well with salt in the wane of the moone shall euer corrupt and be subiect to worme or maggot But see how diligent and curious our ancestors haue bin in searching out the secrets of euery thing insomuch as we find obserued by them That a deafe Hare will sooner feed and grow fat than another that heareth And to come vnto leechcraft belonging to beasts it is said that if an horse void bloud excessiuely it is good to poure or iniect into the body hogs dung with wine As for the maladies of kine and oxen tallow sulphur-vif crow garlick a sodden hens egge are singular good medicines to be giuen euery one of them beaten together in wine the fat also of a fox is good in that case If swine be diseased the broth made of horse-flesh sodden is very good to be giuen them in their wash to drinke And in what disease soeuer it
heat of the Sun that it may frie therein vntill it be blanched white and look pure and cleare then is it put vp in tin boxes or peuter pots and reserued for vse The true mark to know which is good Oesypum after it is thus tried putrified is thus if it haue a rank smel stil of the first filthines which it had from the sheep also if when you rub it with your hand in water it melt not but in the working look whitish like vnto cruse or white lead a soueraigne thing it is for the inflammation of the eies for the hard callosities also that grow vpon the eye-lids Some there be who torrifie the foresaid greasie wooll into an earthen pot or pan so long vntill it haue forgone and yeeldeth forth all the sweet and fattinesse the which they suppose to be the best Oesypum that is for any erosion fretting or hardnesse of the eyelids or to cure the scabs and sores yea and the watering of the angles of the eies Well this fatty excrement thus clarified incorporat with goose grease cureth not only the vlcers of the eies but of the mouth also and members of generation the same tempered with Melilot and Butyr maketh an excellent linement for all inflammations of the matrice the chaps also and swelling piles or biggs in the fundament Many other vertues it hath which I will digest into their seuerall places and speake of them accordingly As touching the filthy excrements hanging to sheeps tailes and baltered together into round pils or bals if they be dried and so beaten to pouder are singular for the teeth yea though they shooke in the head if they be rubbed therwith also for the gums though there were gotten into them a cankerous sore Now concerning fleece wooll that is pure and washed either by it selfe alone or else with sulpher vif it is passing good to be applied to any place in paine whereof the cause is not euident and known which also being reduced into ashes is soueraign for the accidents which happen vnto the priuie parts In sum of such vertue is wooll that there is no cataplasme pultesse or plaister in manner applied to a grieued place but the same hath wooll laid ouer it The same also hath a singular vertue aboue all things to recouer the appetite of meat in the very sheep that beare it in case they haue lost their stomacks and feed not for pluck the wooll that groweth to their tailes and therwith tie the same as hard as is possible you shall see them presently fall to their meat But it is said withall that the rest of the taile which is vnderneath the said knot where it was bound will quickly become mortified and die CHAP. XIII ¶ The nature and properties medicinable of Eggs. GReat societie and affinitie there is between wooll egs in this regard That if they be applied both together in a frontall to the forehead they represse all violent flnxes rheums falling into the eies but you need not take for this purpose any wool that hath bin dressed or clensed with the Fullers scouring weed neither is it required that in this case there should be vsed any more but the white of an egg and the same ought to be infused or spread vpon the foresaid wooll with the pouder of Frankincense in very truth the white of an egg alone if it be instilled or dropped into the eies is sufficient to restraine the flux of humors thither yea and to coole any hot rheume or inflammation incident to them Howbeit some think it better to put saffron therto and vse this gleere or white of the egg beaten in stead of water for all collyries or medecins appropriat to the eies The white of an eg incorporat whit fresh butyr is so soueraign for the red and bloud shotten eies which put little children to pain as none in the world better nay there is not in a maner any other vsed in that case The same beaten and tempered with oile assuageth the heat of S. Anthonies fire if there be leaues of beets laid vpon the place and kept bound thereto The white of an egg incorporat with salhormoniacke finely puluerized doth extend and turn backward the haires of the eielids which grow inward into the eies the same with pine nut-kernels a little hony mingled withall and so reduced into a liniment takes away the pimples that arise in the face annoint the visage therwith it will keep it from being sun-burnt If one be scalded with hot water lay quickly an egg to the place yelke white and altogether it will take out the fire and preserue it from blistering some put thereto barley meale and a little salt but say the place be blistered exulcerat with any burne or scald parched barley with the white of an egg and swines grease is an excellent medicine to heale the sore and the same cataplasme is much vsed in the cure of the haemorroids piles and chaps of the fundament and especially in children for to reduce the tiwill into the right place if it hang forth for the rifts and chaps which appeare in the feet take the white of an egg sodden or rosted the weight of two deniers of ceruse as much of letharge of siluer and myrrhe with a little quantitie of wine incorporat all together into a cataplasme there is not a better medicine for them and for the inflammation called S. Anthonies fire the white of an eg beaten together with Amydum or starch-floure is right soueraign It is said moreouer that the white of an egg is very good to conglutinat or sowder any wound yea and two expell the stone and grauell out of the body The yelke of an egg sodden vntill it be hard and tempred with a little saffron with hony also and brest-milke and so reduced into a liniment allaieth the pain of the eies if they be anointed or fomented therewith or if the same be incorporat with oile rosat honied wine and so spred vpon a quilt of wooll and applied it workes the same effect Others there be who take the yelke or an hard egg mix therwith the pouder of persley seed adding thereto fried barly meale dried and honied wine with which composition they annoint the sore eies Also the yelk of a soft egg alone supped off and swallowed down cleare that it touch not the teeth by the way is singular good for those that be troubled with the cough with the rheume or catarrhe that hath taken a way to the brest or pectorall parts yea and the roughnesse of the throat pipes which causeth hoarsenesse but principally if one be bitten with a worme or serpent called Haemorrhois let him both sup off the yelke of an egg raw or soft and apply it also to the wounded place It helpeth the infirmities of the reins it healeth the fretting excoriation and vlcers of the bladder yea and cureth those that reach cast vp bloud Fiue
no better than meere mischiefes and sorceries which hurt and bewitch poore patients and such as trust in them True it is that all venomous beasts flie from those that be annointed with Dragons grease Likewise they cannot abide the strong virulent sauour of the rat of India called Ichneumon insomuch as they stand in dread of them who are annointed with a liniment made of the ashes of their skin incorporat in vinegre Moreouer lay the head of a Viper to the place where she hath wounded one it is a soueraign remedy yea though it were the head of any other Viper than it which inflicted the wound it is infinitely good Likewise if a man do hold vp the same Viper that inflicted the sting at a staues end ouer the smoak of wood burning or the vapor of seething water and yet say they warie enough they be thereof and will auoid it or annoint the place with a liniment made of her ashes burnt it is sufficient to heal the sore Nigidius mine Author affirmeth That serpents after they haue stung one are forced by a certain necessitie and instinct of Nature to returne vnto the party whom they haue hurt The Scythians yerely vse to slit a viperâ—… head between the eares for to take forth a little stone which she is wont to swallow when she is â—…ffrghted Others make vse of the whole head as it is Certaine trochisks there be made of a Viper called by the Greeks Theriaci for which purpose they cut away at both ends as well toward the head as the taâ—…e the breadth of foure fingers they rip her belly also and take out the garbage within but especially they rid away the blew string or vein that sticketh close to the ridge bone Which done the rest of the bodie they seeth in a pan with water and dill seed vntill such time as all the flesh is gon from the chine which being taken away and all the prickie bones therto belonging the flesh remaining they incorporat with fine floure reduce into trosches which being dried in the shade are reserued for diuerse vses and enter into many soueraigne antidotes and confections But here is to be noted that although these trosch s be called Theriaci yet are they made of vipers flesh onely Some there be who after a Viper is cleansed as abouesaid take out the fat and seeth it with a sextar of oile vntill the one halfe be consumed which serueth to driue away all venomous beasts if three drops of this ointment be put into oile and therewith the body be annointed all ouer Moreouer this is held for certaine that there is no sting or bit of serpents so mortall and incurable otherwise but the entrailes of the same which gaue the wound applied thereto will heale it as also that as many as haue at any time supped the broth wherein a Vipers liuer was boiled shall neuer afterwards be smitten or stung by serpents As for Snakes venomous they are not but at some times of the month when they feel themselues mooued by the instigation of the Moone but contrariwise theybe good for those which chance to be stung by them if they be taken aliue stamped or braied with water and therewith the affected place fomented Certes they are thought to be medicinable in many respects as I will hereafter declare which is the cause that a Snake is dedicated vnto the god of Physick Aesculapius And Democritus verily talketh of many strange and wonderfull compositions made of snakes by meanes whereof a man may vnderstand the language of birds and know what they prattle one to another But to say no more was not Aesculapius brought from Epidaurus to Rome in the forme of a Snake and keepe we not still many of that race commonly in our houses tame and gentle feeding them by the hand Surely if their eggs and young frie were not eftsoones destroied with firing them in their holes the world would be pestered with them they multiplie so fast The goodliest and fairest snakes to see too are those which live in the water and are called Hydri i. water-snakes but a more fell and venomous serpent their liues not vpon the face of the earth Howbeit the liuer of these water-snakes if it be kept in salt or otherwise preserued is a soueraigne remedie for those that be stung by the same kind Now for the spotted Lizard called Stellions a Scorpion stamped is singular good against their poyson For this you must thinke that of them there is made a venomous drinke for let him be strangled or drowned in wine whosoeuer drinke thereof shall sind themselues impoysoned in somuch as their faces will break forth into certaine spots and pimples foule morphew And this is the reason that our jealous dames when they would auert the affection and loue of their husbands from those concubins vpon whom they suspect them to be enamoured will if they can possible stifle a stellion in the complexion or ointment wherewith such harlots vse to paint their visage by meanes whereof they become disfigured and grow both foule and ill-fauoured But what is the remedie to cleanse the skin from such deformities The yolke of an egg incorporat with hony and salnitre doth the â—…ear The gall of these Lizards or Stellions punned and dissolued in water is said to haue an attractiue facultie to draw all the Weasels about the place to resort thither in companies Of all venomous beasts there are not any so hurtfull and dangerous as are the Salamanders As for other serpents they can hurt but one at once neither kill they many together to say nothing how when they haue stung or bitten a man they die for very griefe and sorrow that they haue done such a mischiefe as if they had some pricke and remorse of conscience afterwards and neuer enter they againe into earth as vnworthy to be receiued there but the Salamander is able to destroy whole nations at one time if they take not heed and prouide to preuent them For if he get once to a tree and either claspe about it or creepe vpon it all the fruit that it bears is infected with his venome and sure they are to die whosoeuer eat of that fruit and that by the meanes of an extreame cold qualitie that his poyson hath which doth mortifie no lesse than if they had taken the Libard-baine call Aconitum Moreouer say that shee doe but touch any peece of wood billet or hedge stake wherwith either a loafe is baked or a shiue of bâ—…ad tosted as many as eat thereof shall catch their bane by it or if one of them chance to faâ—… into a well or pit of water looke whosoeuer drinke thereof shall be sure to die vpon it and that which is more if there happen neuer so little of the spittle or moistuâ—… which shee yeeldeth to light vpon any part of the body though it touched no more but the sole of the foot it is enough to cause all the
of the grape Moreouer this proper qualitie haue scorpions alone by themselues That they neuer pricke the ball of ones hand nor sting at all vnlesse they may touch some haire Furthermore take any little stone whatsoeuer and apply that side which lay next the ground vnto the wound it will ease the paine likewise any shell or potsherd which lieth with some part of it couered with earth if it be taken vp and laid unto the sore with earth and all vpon it as it was found lying is said to heale the same perfectly but in no wise they that haue the applying of it must looke behind them they ought also to take heed and be very carefull that the Sun shine not vpon them when they are about this businesse Earth-worms or mads stamped and laid to are very good to cure the biting of scorpions and yet they serue besides for many other remedies in which regard they be ordinarily preserued in hony For the sting of Bees Wesps and Hornets for the biting also of those Horseleeches called Bloudsuckers the Howlat is counted a soueraigne remedie by a certaine antipathy in nature also whosoeuer carry about them the bill of a Woodpecker or Hickway shall neuer be anoled with any of the foresaid vermin The smallest kind of locusts likewise which are without wings and be called Attelabi be aduerse and contrarie vnto them all Ouer besides the Insects aboue named there be in some places certain pismires also very venomous which Cicero calleth Solpugae but they of Grenado in Spain Salpugae howbeit few or none of them are to be found throughout all Italy But what help is there for them and their poison Surely the heart of a Reremouse otherwise called a bat hath an operation which is aduerse not only to them but to all Ants besides As for the flies named Cantharides I haue shewed before how contrarie they be to the venom of the Salamander and yet considering how hurtful they be themselues and a very poison to the bladder causing intollerable pain if they be drunk down much dispute question there is among physitians how they should be taken and vsed for how venomous they be it may appeare by the practise of a certaine Egyptian physitian whom by occasion that one Cossinus a knight of Rome a great fauorit of the Emperor Nero was infected with the foule tettar called Lichene the said prince sent for out of Egypt to cure of that disease but he prepared such a drink of Cantharides for his patient Cossinus that it quickly cost him his life and brought him to his graue Howbeit there is no doubt but being applied outwardly they are not only harmlesse but also very good especially if they be incorporate in the juice of the blacke wilde Vine called Vva Taminia and sheeps suet or goats tallow Moreouer albeit well knowne it is that these Cantharides be venomous yet those Authors that write of them be not agreed and resolued in what part that venom lieth for some there be who are of opinion that their feet are poison others thinke their mischiefe is all in their head and there be againe who deny both but wheresoeuer the said poison lieth all conclude jointly vpon this point that their wings be medicinable therefore and do cure the same As for the generation of these dangerous flies they be ingendred of certaine little grubs or wormes and most commonly vpon the spongeous bals which wee see to grow vpon the stalke or stem of the Eglantine but surely the greatest plenty of them breed in an Ash tree As for others that come of a white Rose bush they are not so vehement in operation as the rest and of them all those worke most violently which are spotted and of diuers colours streaked with yellow lines ouerthwart their wings and besides are very plumpe and fat The smaller sort which also are broad and hairy are nothing so powerful and speedy in their operation But the worst of all and least effectuall in physicke be those which are of one entire colour and leane withall Now for the manner of preparing and ordering of them for physical vses they would be gotten when Roses be fully out heaped vp together in one masse and so bestowed in an arthen pot not pitched vernished or nealed the mouth wherof is close stopped with a linnen cloath then are they to be hanged vp with the mouth of the said pot downward ouer some vinegre boiling with salt vntill such time as by the fume or vapour thereof steeming through the said linnen clout they be choked and killed and afterward they be layd vp and reserued for vse Of a causticke and burning nature they are insomuch as they will raise blisters yea and leaue an eschar vpon the exulcerat place Of the like force be the wormes Pityocampae breeding in pitch trees so is the venomous flie or beetle called Buprestis and after the same maner be they prepared as the Cantharides All the sort of them in generall be most effectuall to kill the leprosie and ilfauored tettars called Lichenes Besides they haue the name to prouoke womens monethly termes and vrine which is the cause that Hippocrates prescribed them to be vsed in a dropsie To conclude with these Cantharides I thinke it not amisse to note That Cato syrnamed Vticensis was accused and endited for felling of poison because in the generall portsale of the kings goods amongst other moueables he held Cantharides at threescore sesterces a pound and made so much money of them CHAP. V. ¶ Of the Ostrich greace and of a mad Dog of Lizards Geese Doues and Weasils with the medicines that they do yeeld I Cannot chuse but relate also by the way vpon this occasion ministred that at the same time Ostrich grease was sold for eighty Sesterces the pound and in truth it is much better for any vse it shall be put vnto than goose grease As touching diuers sorts of venomous hony I haue written already but for to represse the poison thereof it is good to vse other hony wherein a number of bees haue been forced to die and such hony so prepared and taken in wine is a soueraign remedie for all those accidents that may come by eating or surfeiting vpon fish For the biting of a mad dog take the ashes of a dogs head burnt and apply it to the sore it wil saue the Patient from that symptome of being afraid of water which is incident to such as be so bitten And now by occasion of speech know thus much once for all That all things which are to be calcined require one and the same manner of burning that is to say within a new earthen pot neuer occupied before well luted all ouer with strong cley and so set into an ouen or furnace vntill such time as the contents be calcined The said ashes made of a Dogs head is singular good likewise to be drunke in the same case wherfore some haue giuen counsell
boiled in vineger and water is of the same effect The milt of a sheep first torrified then puluerized and taken in wine helpeth much this infirmitie A liniment likewise made of Pigeons dung and hony is of great vertue if the patients belly be annointed therewith Touching those that haue feeble stomacks and cannot concoct and digest their meat It is said That the maw or gisier of that kind of Geire or Vulture which is called in Latine Ossifragus dried puluerized and drunk is right soueraigne Nay if the patient doe but hold the same gisier in his hand whiles he is at his repast it will help digestion And in truth there bee diuers that for this cause weare these gisiers ordinarily about their necks but I think it not wholsome to do so long for it maketh them leane as many as vse it and spendeth their body To stay a flux of the belly the bloud of Mallards or Drakes is thought also to be singular good The meat made of shell-snailes discusseth and scattereth ventosities The Milt of a Mutton broiled to ashes and giuen in wine is singular good to allay the wrings and torments of the belly Of the same operation is the wild Quoist or Ringdoue sodden in vineger and water The greater kind of Swallows or Martins called Apodes are no lesse powerfull if they bee sodden and taken in wine The ashes of the bird Ibis plucked burnt without his feathers so giuen to drink work the same effect But strange it is and wonderfull if that be true which is reported as touching this malady namely that if a Ducke bee applied aliue vnto the belly which is tormented with such wrings she shal draw away the disease into her own body and die of the torment but the patient shal be eased by that means These painful gripes likewise are cured with sodden hony wherein Bees sometimes were drowned to death As for the Collick there is nothing so good to assuage the paine thereof as to eat Larkes which the Latines name Galeritae Howbeit some giue aduise and think it better to burne and calcine them in their feathers within a new earthen vessel so to stamp them to ashes or pouder and to drink therof foure daies together in water by three spoonfuls at a time Others make no more ado but take the heart of a Lark and bind it to the inward part of the thigh and there be againe who would haue the same to be swallowed downe whole newly taken out of the bird while it was warme There is a family of the Asprenates men of good quality and reputation for that they had bin somtimes Consuls of Rome in which house of two brethren the one was fully cured of the collick by eating these birds and by wearing ordinarily the heart of one of them about his arme inclosed within a bracelet of gold the other being likewise troubled with the said disease found remedy by a kind of sacrifice which he offered in a little chappell made with vnbaked brickes piled vp archwise in manner of a furnace and so soon as the sacrifice was finished he stopt vp the same againe That Vulture which is called Ossifragus hath one gut of wonderfull nature for it is able to concoct and digest whatsoeuer the said foul deuoureth And for certain this is known and generally receiued that the nethermost end therof cureth the collick if the patient do but carry it about him There are other secret and hidden diseases incident to the guts wherof there be wonders told and namely that in these cases if yong whelpes before they can see be applied for 3 daies together vnto the stomack especially and the brest so that they suck milke from out of the patients mouth the while the said disease shall passe into the body of the poore whelps whereof in the end they shall die Let the same be ripped opened then it wil appear euidently what the cause was of the foresaid secret malady of the patient But such whelps ought when they are dead to be enterred buried As for the Magitians they auouch That if the belly be annointed lightly with the bloud of a Bat the party thus dressed shall not need to feare any paine of that part for one whole yeare after or if it chance that one be pained in the belly let him say they indure to drinke the water that runneth down from his feet when his legs be washed and he shall find help anone CHAP. VIII ¶ Medicines against the stone and grauell the paines of the bladder The swellings in the cods and the share Also for the biles and botches called Pani FOr them that are troubled with the stone it is good to annoint the region of the belly with Mouse dung It is said that the flesh of an Vrchin or Hedgehog is very good meat pleasant in tast if so be he were killed outright in the head at one blow before that he had time to shed his owne vrine vpon himselfe and looke whosoeuer eat this flesh shall neuer be subject to the disease of the strangury The flesh of an Vrchin killed in this sort helpeth the bladder in case the vrine passe by dropmeale from it But contrariwise if the Vrchin chance to wet and drench himselfe with his owne vrine as many as eat of the flesh shal fal into the infirmity of the strangury or pissing dropmeale Moreouer it is said That earthworms drunke either in wine or cuit is of great efficacy to breake or dissolue the stone as also that snailes prepared in that sort as they are ordained to be dressed for shortnesse of wind work the like effect Take snails naked out of their shels and stamp them giue 3 of them to the Patient to drinke in a cyath of wine the first day two the morrow after and the third day one againe you shall see how it will helpe the strangurie or pissing dropmeale But let the empty shels be burnt the ashes therof wil scoure away and expell the stone Semblably it is said that the same effect followeth vpon drinking the liuer of a water-snake the eating of the ashes of scorpions calcined either in bread or with locusts Likewise to take the little stones or grit that be found in the craw of a cocke or in the gisier or maw of a stock-doue to beat the same to pouder and therewith to spice the drinke is singular good for the infirmity aforesaid To do the like with the skin of a Cocks or Hens gisier dried or if it be new and fresh to rost and eat it Also for the stone and other difficulties or impediments of the bladder it is good to take the dung of Quoists or Stock-doues with Beane meale In like manner there is much help found by the ashes of Quoists feathers such as be of a wilder kind than the rest taken with Oxymell Moreouer the ashes of the guts of this bird giuen to the quantity of three spoonfuls as also the nest of
againe is subiect no more vnto putrifaction And as for cesterne waters the Physicians also themselues confesse That they breed obstructions and schirrhosities in the bellie yea and otherwise be hurtfull to the throat As also that there is not any kinde of water whatsoeuer which gathereth more mud or engendreth more filthie and illfauoured vermine than it doth Neither followeth it by and by that all great riuer waters indifferently are the best no more than those of any brooke or the most part of ponds and pooles are to bee counted and esteemed most wholesome But of these kinds of water wee must conclude and resolue with making destinction namely That there be of euery sort thereof those which are singular and very conuenient howbeit more in one place than in another The kings and princes of Persia bee serued with no other water for their drinke but from the two riuers Choaspes and Eulaeus onely And looke how farre soeuer they make their progresse or voyage from them two riuers yet the water thereof they carry with them And what might the reason be therefore Certes it is not because they be riuers which yeeld this water that they like the drinke so well for neither out of the two famous riuers Tygris and Euphrates nor yet out of many other faire and commodious running streames doe they drinke Moreouer when you see or perceiue any riuer to gather abundance of mud and filth wote well that ordinarily the water therof is not good nor wholesome and yet if the same riuer or running streame bee giuen to breed great store of yeeles the water is counted thereby wholesome and good ynough And as this is a token of the goodnesse so the wormes called Tineae engendered about the head or spring of any riuer is as great a signe of coldnesse Bitter waters of all others bee most condemned like as those also which soone follow the spade in digging and by reason that they lie so ebbe quickly fill the pit And such be the waters commonly about Troezen As for the nitrous brackish and salt waters found among the desarts such as trauell through those parts toward the red sea haue a deuise to make them sweet and potable within two houres by putting parched barley meale into them and as they drinke the water so when they haue done they feed vpon the said barly grots as a good and wholsom gruel Those spring waters are principally condemned which gather much mud and settle grosse in the bottome those also which cause them to haue an il colour who vse to drink thereof It skilleth also very much to mark if a water staine any vessels with a kinde of greene rust if it be long before pulse will be sodden therein if being poured vpon the ground it be not quickly sucked in and drunk vp and lastly if it fur those vessels with a thicke rust wherein it vseth to be boiled for all these be signes of bad water Ouer and besides it is a fault in water not only to stink but also to haue any smack or tast at all yea though the same be pleasant and sweet enough and inclining much to the rellice of milk as many times it doth in diuers places In one word would you know a good and wholsome water indeed Chuse that which in all points resembleth the aire as neere as is possible At Cabura in Mesopotamia there is a fountaine of water which hath a sweet and redolent smel setting it aside I know not any one of that qualitie in the whole world againe but hereto there belongs a tale namely that this spring was priuiledged with this extraordinary gift because queen Iuno forsooth sometimes bathed and washed her selfe therein for otherwise good and wholesome water ought to haue neither tast nor odor at all Some there be who iudge of their wholsomnesse by their ballance and they keep a weighing and poising of waters one against another but for all their curiositie they misse of their purpose in the end for seldom or neuer can they find one water lighter than another Yet this deuise is better and more certain namely to take two waters that be of equal measure and weight for looke whether of them heateth and cooleth sooner the same is alwaies the better And for to make a trial herof lade vp some seething water in a pale or such like vessel set the same down vpon the ground out of your hand to ease your arm of holding it hanging long in the aire and if it be good water they say it will immediatly of scalding hot become warm and no more Well what waters then according to their sundry kindes in generalitie shall we take by all likelihood to be best If we go by the inhabitants of cities and great towns surely wel-water or pit water I see is simply the wholsomest But then such wels or pits must be much frequented that by the continual agitation and often drawing thereof the water may be more purified and the terren substance passe away the better by that means And thus much may suffice for the goodnesse of water respectiuely to the health of mans body But if we haue regard to the coldnesse of water necessarie it is that the Wel should stand in some coole and shadowie place not exposed to the Sun and nathelesse open to the broad aire that it may haue the full view and sight as it were of the sky And aboue all this one thing would be obserued and seen vnto that the source which feedeth it spring and boile vp directly from the bottom and not issue out of the sides which also is a main point that concerns the perpetuitie thereof and whereby we may collect that it will hold stil and be neuer drawn dry And this is to be vnderstood of water cold in the owne nature For to make it seem actually cold to the hand is a thing that may be done by art if either it be forced to mount aloft or fal from on high by which motion and reuerberation it gathers store of aire And verily the experiment hereof is seene in swimming for let a man hold his winde in he shall feele the water colder by that means Nero the Emperor deuised to boile water when it was taken from the fire to put it into a glasse bottle and so to set it in the snow a cooling and verily the water became therby exceeding cold to please and content his tast and yet did not participate the grossenesse of the snow nor draw any euill qualitie out of it Certes all men are of one opinion that any water which hath been once sodden is far better than that which is still raw Like as that after it hath been made hot it will become much colder than it was before which I assure you came first from a most subtil and witty inuention And therefore if we must needs occupy naughty water the only remedy that we haue to alter the badnesse thereof
That Aphro-nitrum is gathered in Asia and found within certain soft and gritty caues distilling out of rocks These causes because they be vaulted and arched ouer head the inhabitants call Cochlacas which afterwards they doe drie in the Sun and the best is thought that of Lydia The true marke to know good sal-petre is to be very light in hand exceeding brittle easie to crumble inclining also much to the colour of purple this is brought from thence to vs in trochischs As for the Aegyptian Aphro-nitre or Salt-petre it comes in vessels wel pitched because it should not melt and resolue into water Those vessels also beforenamed ought to be throughly dried dressed in the Sun As for nitre the best is chosen by these marks namely if it bee passing fine cleare but withal spongious very ful as it were of pipes and holes Many do sophisticat it in Aegypt with quicklime but this deceit may be easily found by the tast for the good and true sal-nitre will soone melt and dissolue at the tongues end whereas the other that is not right pricketh and biteth in the mouth moreouer if it haue a sprinckling of lime among it carrieth a strong smell with it When it is calcined in some earthen pot it ought to be well couered with a lid lest it leap or fly out otherwise in the fire it selfe it sparkleth not nor leapeth forth neither groweth any thing els in those places where sal-nitre is ingendred wheras in salt-pits grasse commeth vp As for the Sea what a number of liuing creatures breedeth it and what plenty of reike and weeds besides And not only by this argument appeareth it that there is more acrimonie and sharpnesse in sal-nitre than in salt but also herein That no shooes will abide the nitre pits but presently fret and weare for otherwise wholsome they be and soueraign for the eies neither was it euer seen that any men who handled these pits of nitre and wrought therein were euer blind Moreouer this commodity they haue That if a man come thither hauing a sore or vlcer vpon him the same will soone be healed vp and skinned cleane but if one chance to bee wounded or hurt there long it will be ere he be cured thereof Salnitre prouoketh sweat if the body be annointed with it and oile together and it maketh the skin soft and tender That which is called Chalastraeum serueth in lieu of salt in making bread whereas the Aegyptian nitre is vsed with radishes for it maketh them more tender As for cates and meats if they bee powdred withall they will look white and be worse for it whereas all woorts either for pot or sallad will seeme the greener To come now vnto physick and the medicinable vertues of salnitre hot it is of temperature and doth extenuat biting besides and astringent a great drier it is doth exulcerat In regard of which qualities imployed it is in those accidents which require either drawing to the extetior parts or to be discussed and resolued such also as need some gentle mordication or would be lightly extenuated as meazils small pocks wheals and pimples Some for this purpose first make it red hot in the fire and then quench it with some astringent wine which done they beat and reduce it to pouder and therewith rub and chaufe the body in the bains without any addition of oyle to it mixt with the pouder of dried flour-de-lis incorporat in green oile oliue it represseth immoderat swets a liniment made therwith figs together doth extenuat the films in the eies and the asperity of the eie-lids it doth subtiliat the same operation hath it besides if it be sodden in wine cuit to the consumption of the one halfe and so is it good for the spots that arise in the eies The decoction of nitre boiled within the rind of a pomegranat in wine cuit cure the sore nails and the raggednesse thereof and reduced into an ointment with honey it cleareth the eie-sight a collution made therof sodden in wine with pepper easeth the tooth-ach if the mouth and gums be washed therewith so doth the decoction thereof with leeks Burn or calcine nitre into pouder it maketh an excellent dentifrice for blacke teeth and reduceth them again to their naturall whitenesse annoint the head with nitre Terra Samia incorporat together in oile it killeth the lice and nits that breed therein dissolued in wine and poured into the ears that run attyr it cureth them dropt into them with vineger it eateth and consumeth the filthy excrements of that part conueied dry into the said ears it discusseth the singing ringing therein A liniment made of nitre and fullers earth of each a like weight incorporat with vineger taketh away the foule morphew if the skin be annointed therwith mixed with rosin or with raisons of white grapes stamped stones and all it draweth vncoms and fellons to an head and breaks them reduced into an ointment with swines grease it preserueth the genitoirs from inflammation cureth them good likewise for the measils and small pocks which break out in all parts of the body put rosin thereto and incorporat them both in a liniment with vineger it healeth the biting of a mad dog so it be taken betimes at the beginning and in this manner it cureth also the sores occasioned by the sting of serpents eating vlcers which consume to the bone such likewise as be corrosiue and apt for putrefaction so it be mixed with quick-lime and tempered with vineger Stamp nitre with figs and bring it into the form of a cataplasme or liniment it doth much good for the dropsie the ventosities causing wringings and painful gripes of the belly it discusseth if the decoction thereof be drunk namely when to the weight of one dram it is sodden with rue dill or cumin Annoint their bodies all ouer who are weary with nitre oile and vineger you shal see how effectuall it is to refresh them and driue away their lassitude Rub and chaufe both hands and feet with nitre oile wrought together is singular good against quaking and shiuering cold giuen with vineger especially in a swet to those who are painted with the jaundise it represseth the itch that troubleth them if a man be poisoned with taking venomous mushroms he shall find means to auoid the danger thereof by drinking nitre in oxycrat or vineger water mingled together Hath one swallowed down the hurtfull fly Buprestis let him take a draught of sal-nitre in water it wil saue him for it causes vomit to those that haue drunk buls bloud it is vsually giuen with the spice Laser incorporat with honey and cow milk it healeth the breaking out and the exulcerations in the face Torrifie nitre vntill it begin to look blacke beat it then to pouder and cast the same vpon a raw place that is burnt it wil take out the fire and skin it vp again for the pain
verily so aduerse and contrary are they vnto Scorpions that if they be punned with Basill into a certaine composition it will kill them if the same be but laid vpon them Of the same force they are against the sting or biting of any other venomous beast besides and more especially of the pernicious hardishrew Scytale of snakes sea-hares and hedge-toads Many there be who vse to saue the ashes of Creyfishes calcined as a soueraigne remedy for all such as be in danger to fall into the symptome of fearfulnesse to drink incident to those that are bitten by mad-dogs some adde thereto the herbe Gentian and giue both together in wine to drink but if the sayd symptome of Hydrophobie haue surprized them already then the said ashes or powder ought to bee reduced by the meanes of wine into trosches or pils which they prescribe vnto their patients for to be swallowed downe The Magitians proceed farther and affirme that if a man take ten Creifishes and tie them all together with a good bunch or handfull of basill all the Scorpions that be thereabout will assemble together to that one place and they giue order that if a man be hurt already with a scorpion there should be a cataplasme made of them or at leastwayes of their ashes mixed with Basill and so applied to the place affected The sea-crabs are nothing so good of operation in all these causes as the Land-crabs or Creifishes aforesaid according as Thrasillus mine Authour doth report Howbeit hee sayth neuerthelesse that there are no such enemies to serpents as Crabs and he affirmeth moreouer That if swine be stung or hurt by serpents they helpe and cure themselues by feeding vpon sea-Crabs onely and seeke for no other helpe or remedie Hee addeth furthermore and auoucheth that serpents are ill at ease yea and much tormented with paine when the Sunne is in the signe of the crab called commonly Cancer To come now to the riuer shell-snailes most certaine it is that their flesh whether it bee raw or boyled is singular good to resist the venome of scorpions inflicted by their pricke or sting and some there be who for to haue them in a readinesse to serue in those cases keep them in salt and they ordaine them to be applied vnto the very sore it seife occasioned by their foresayd sting As for the blacke fishes named Coracini they are peculiar and appropriate vnto the riuer Nilus howsoeuer my determination and purpose is to deliuer medicines profitable and beneficiall to all parts of the earth in general Their flesh is good to be applied vnto the sores caused by scorpions The Sea-swine or Porpuis hath pricky fins vpon his back and those are counted amongst other venomous things that the sea yeeldeth putting them to much paine that are wounded or hurt thereby but what help therfore surely the very muddy slime that gathereth about the body of the same fish is the onely remedy The Sea-calfe otherwise named a Seale hath a certaine greace wherewith it is good to annoint the face or visage of those who by reason that they are bitten with a mad dog are afraid to drink and cannot away with water but it will worke the better if there be mingled therewith the marrow of an Hyaena the oile of the Mastich tree and wax that all may be reduced into a liniment As for the biting of a Lamprey there is not a better thing to heal it than the ashes of a lampreys head The Puffin likewise or Fork-fish cureth the wound that himselfe inflicted namely if the place be annointed with his own ashes tempered with vineger or mixt with the ashes of any other fish If a man would make meat of this fish there ought to be taken out of the backe whatsoeuer is there found like to saffron likewise the head all and whole would be taken away and yet to maintain and keep the tast thereof the same must be washed but a little and no more than all shell fishes for otherwise all the pleasantnesse in the eating would be clean gone The mischieuous venome of the sea-hare called otherwise Imbriago is quenched clean and mortified by taking the flesh of the sea-Horse any way in drinke Against the poison of deadly dwale the meat of sea-vrchins is soueraigne whosoeuer haue drunk the dangerous juice of Carpasum find much ease and help especially by supping their decoction To conclude the broth of sea-crabs likewise taken is thought to be effectual against the foresaid dwale named Dorycnium CHAP. VI. ¶ Of Oisters and Purple shell-fishes of Sea-mosse or Reits and the remedies which they affoord MOreouer Oisters haue a speciall vertue to resist the venome of the sea-hare And albeit I haue written already of oisters yet me thinks I cannot speak sufficiently of them seeing that for these many yeres they haue bin held for the principal dish daintiest meat that can be serued vp to the table This fish loueth to haue fresh water joieth to be in those coasts where most riuers do run into the sea which is the reason few of them are found in the deep called therupon Pelagia and those thriue not but are in comparison very small Howbeit they breed and ingender otherwhiles among rocks in such holes which want the recourse of sweet waters as for example about Grynia and Myrina They wax big and full according to the encrease of the Moon as I haue shewed already in my treatise of creatures liuing in waters but principally about the spring prime when they be full of a certain humour or moisture like vnto milk and in those shallow places where the sun pearceth with his beams to the very bottom of the water And this seemeth to be the reason that in other coasts and parts of the sea they bee found far lesse for shade hindreth their growth and for want of the cheerfull sight of the sunne they haue lesse appetite to meat feed not moreouer this is to be noted that oisters differ one from another in colour In Spaine they be reddish whereas in Sclauonia they be brown and duskish but about the cape Circeij in Italy their shell and flesh both be blacke In what coast or countrey soeuer they be found the best and principall those are held to be which be massie and compact not glib and slippery without with their owne humour and moisture and rather bee they chosen which are thicke than broad and flat such also as bee taken neither in muddy nor yet in sandie places but vpon the sound and firme ground in the bottome hauing their white meat trussed vp short and round and not flaggie as flesh the same not jagged and fringed about in the edges with smal strings but lying all close vnited together as it were couched within the belly They that be more expert and practised in the choice of oisters adde one marke more to chuse them by namely if there be a purple thread or string that compasseth them about
the edges and by this signe they know the oisters of the best kind and race from others and call them by a proper name Calliblephara Oisters delight as I may so say to trauell into strange quarters to be transported from their naturall seat into other vnknown waters Thus the oisters bred about Brindis and remoued from thence to the lake Auernus and beeing there fed are suppoposed by that means to keep still their own natiue juice and humidity and besides to gain nouriture by the moisture of Lucrinus Thus much as touching the substance and body of Oisters it remaineth now to speake of those parts and tracts where the best oisters are to be had to the end that such coasts may not be defrauded of the honour due and appertaining vnto them But of this point speake I will by the tongue of another and alledge his speech who is thought to haue written hereof with best judgement of any man in our time These therefore bee the verie words of Mutianus which I will put downe as followes The oisters quoth he of Cyzicum taken about the straights of Callipolis be the fairest of all other and bigger than those which are fed or bred in the lake Lucrinus sweeter than those of Brittain more pleasant in the mouth than the Edulian quicker in tast than those of Leptis fuller than the Lucensian drier than those of Coryphanta more tender than the Istrian and last of all whiter than the oister of Circeij and yet there haue not bin found any oisters either more sweet or tender than these last named The Historiographers who wrote of Alexanders voiages and exploits haue left in writing that within the Indian sea there be oisters found a foot long euery way Moreouer there is among vs a certain Nomenclator or Controller belonging to one of our prodigall and wastful spend thrifts here at Rome who haue giuen a proper name to certain oisters and termed them Tridacna his desire was by that significant name to expresse thus much That they were so big as that they would make three good bits or mouths-full a piece Now proceed I will to their medicinable vertues before I go any further in this very place set down how far forth they serue in physick First and formost they be the only meat to comfort and refresh a decaied stomack they recouer an appetite that was cleane gone But see the practise of our delicat wantons to coole oisters forsooth they must needs whelm couer them all ouer with snow which is as much as to bring the tops of mountaines and bottom of the Sea together and make a confused medley of all This good moreouer do oisters that they gently loose the belly and make a body soluble seeth the same with honied wine they cure the Tinesme which is an inordinat and bootlesse desire to the stoole without doing any thing especially if the tiwil which is the place affected be not exulcerat oisters likewise so prepared clens and mundifie the vlcers of the bladder eat them in their shel with their water as they came closed and shut from the sea you shall find them wondrous good for any rheumes or distillations The ashes of an oister shell calcined and incorporat with honey be singular for the paine of the uvula and assuage the inflammation of the tonsils semblably they represse the swelling kernels that rise vnder the ears assuage the biles and botches called Pani mortifie the hard tumours of womens brests and heal the sores or scalls of the head if they be applied accordingly with water and in the same order prepared they rid away wrinkles and make womens skin to lie smooth and euen These ashes are a soueraigne powder to be cast vpon any place that is raw by reason of a burne or scalding and the same is commended for an excellent dentifrice to clense whiten the teeth withall temper the said ashes with vineger it killeth the itch and healeth angrie wheales the small pocks also and meazils Oisters punned raw and reduced into a cataplasme heale the kings euill and kibed heels if they be applied accordingly Moreouer the Shell-fishes called Purples are very good against poison As for the reits Kilpe Tangle such like sea-weeds Nicander saith they are as good as treacle Sundry sorts there be of these reits going vnder the name of Alga as I haue already declared some are long leafed some large others of a reddish colour and some haue curled and jagleaues the best simply of all others be they of the Island Creta which grow near the ground vpon rocks and namely for to dye wooll woollen cloth for they set so sure a colour as neuer will shed or be washed off afterwards Nicander giueth direction to take the said treacle in wine CHAP. VII ¶ Medicines against the shedding of haire For to colour the haire of the head Also against the accidents of the eares teeth and vis age IF by occasion of some infirmity the haire be fallen off or grow very thin the ashes of the fish called the Sea-hors mingled with sal-nitre and swines grease or applied simply with vineger replenish the bare places with new haire and cause it to come vp thick again and for to apply such medicines for this purpose the pouder of a cuttle bone prepareth the skinne well before-hand Also the ashes of the sea-Tortoise incorporat with oile of a sea-vrchin likewise burnt and calcined flesh and all together as also the gall of a scorpion be appropriat medicines to recouer haire that was lost In like maner take the ashes of 3 frogs burnt together aliue in an earthen pot meddle them with hony it is a good medicine to cause haire to grow but the operation will be the better in case the same be tempered with liquid pitch or tar If one bee disposed to colour the haire of the head black let him take horse-leeches which haue putrified and been resolued together in some grosse red wine for the space of 60 daies he shall find this to be an excellent medicine Others there be who giue order to put as many horse-leeches as a sextar will hold in two sextars of vineger and let them putrifie within a vessell of lead as many daies together and when they be reduced into the form of a liniment to annoint the haire in the sunshine for the same purpose And Sornatius attributeth so much power vnto this composition that vnlesse they that haue the annointing of the haire with it hold oile in their mouths all the while their teeth also by his saying who haue the doing of it wil turn black The ashes of Burrets or Purples shels incorporat in hony serue passing well in a liniment to heale scald heads and the pouder of the foresaid fish shels although they be not burnt and calcined tempered with water is as good for the head-ach Of the same operation is Castoreum incorporat with Harstrang in oile rosat The fat or grease of all fishes
as if they were but newly made considering the places where they be so ruinat and vncouered ouer head Semblably at Lanuvium there remaine yet two pictures of lady Atalanta and queen Helena close one to the other painted naked by one and the same hand both of them are for beauty incomparable and yet a man may discerne the one of them to be a maiden for her modest and chaste countenance which pictures notwithstanding the ruins of the temple where they stand are not a whit disfigured or defaced Of late daies Pontius lieutenant vnder C. Caligula the Emperor did what he could to haue remoued them out of the place and carried them away whole and entire vpon a wanton affection and lustfull fancy that he cast vnto them but the plastre or porget of the wall whereupon they were painted was of that temper that would not abide to be stirred At Caere there continue certaine pictures of greater antiquity than those which I haue named And verily whosoeuer shall well view and peruse the rare workemanship therein will confesse that no art in the world grew sooner to the height of absolute perfection than it considering that during the state of Troy no man knew what painting was CHAP. IIII. Of Romanes that were excellent Painters When the art of painting came first into credit and estimation at Rome What Romans they were that exhibited the pourtraits of their owne victories in pictures And about what time painted tables made by strangers in forreine parts were accepted and in great request at Rome AMongst the Romanes also this Art grew betimes into reputation as may appeare by the Fabij a most noble and honourable house in Rome who of this science were syrnamed Pictores i. Painters the first who was intituled with that addition painted with his own hand the temple of Salus and this was in the 450 yeare after the foundation of our city which painting continued in our age euen vnto the time of Claudius Caesar the Emperor in whose daies the temple it selfe with the painting was consumed with fire Next after this the workmanship of Pacuvius the Poet who likewise painted the chappell of Hercules in the beast-market at Rome was highly esteemed and gaue much credit to the art This Pacuvius was Ennius the Poets sisters sonne and being as he was a famous Tragaedian besides and of great name vpon the stage the excellency of his spirit that way much commended at Rome his handy-work and painting aforesaid After him I doe not finde that any person of worth and quality tooke pensill in hand and practised painting vnlesse haply a man would nominat Turpilius a gentleman of Rome in our time and a Venetian born of whose workemanship there be many faire parcels of paynting extant at this day in Verona and yet this Turpilius was altogether left-handed and painted therewith a thing that I doe not heare any man did before him As for Aterius Labeo a noble man of Rome late Lord Pretour and who otherwise had been vice-consull in Gallia Narbonensis or Languedoc who liued to a very great age and died not long since he practised painting and all his delight and glory that he tooke was in fine and smal works of a little compasse howbeit he was but laughed at and scorned for that quality and in his time the handicraft grew to be base and contemptible Yet I thinke it not amisse to put downe for the better credit of painters a notable consultation held by certaine right honourable personages as touching the Art and their resolution in the end And this was the case Q. Paedius the little nephew of Q. Paedius who had bin Consull in his time and entred Rome in triumph him I mean whom C. Caesar Dictator made co-heire with Augustus hapned to be born dumb and Messala the great Oratour out of whose house the grandmother of this child was descended being carefull how the boy should be brought vp after mature aduise and deliberation thought good that hee should by signes and imitation be trained vp in the art of painting which counsell of his was approoued also by Augustus Caesar. And in truth this yong gentleman being apt therto profited maruellous much therein and died in his youth But the principall credit that painters attained vnto at Rome was as I take it by the means of M. Valerius Maximus first syrnamed Messala who beeing one of the grand-seigmeurs of Rome was the first that proposed to the view of all the world and set vp at a side of the stately hall or court Hostilia one picture in a table wherein hee caused to be painted that battel in Sicily wherein himselfe had defeated the Carthaginians and K. Hiero which happened in the yeare from the foundation of Rome 490. The like also I must needs say did L. Scipio and hung vp a painted table in the Capitol temple containing his victory and conquest of Asia whereupon he was syrnamed Asiaticus But as it is said Africanus although hee were his owne brother was highly displeased therewith and good cause he had to be angry and offended because in that battell his own son was taken prisoner by the enemy The like offence was taken also by Scipio Aemilianus against Lucius Hostilius Mancinus who was the first that entred perforce the city of Carthage for that hee had caused to bee set vp in the market place of Rome a faire painted table wherein was liuely drawne the strong scituation of Carthage and the warlike means vsed in the assaulting and winning of it together with all the particulars and circumstances thereof which Mancinus himselfe in person sitting by the said picture desciphered from point to point vnto the people that came to behold it by which courtesie of his hee woon the hearts of the people insomuch as at the next election of Magistrates his popularitie gained him a Consulship In the publicke plaies which Claudius Pulcher exhibited at Rome the painted clothes about the stage and Theatre which represented building brought this art into great admiration for the workmanship was so artificiall and liuely that the very rauens in the aire deceiued with the likenesse of houses flew thither apace for to settle thereupon supposing verily there had been tiles and crests indeed And thus much concerning Painters craft exercised in Rome To come now to forrain pictures Lu. Mummius syrnamed Achaicus for his conquest of Asia was the first man at Rome who made open shew of painted tables wrought by strangers and caused them to be of price and estimation for when as in the port-sale of all the bootie and pillage gotten in that victorie king Attalus had brought one of them wrought by the hand of Aristides containing the picture only of god Bacchus which was to cost him six thousand Sesterces Mummius wondering at the price supposing that this table had some speciall and secret propertie in it more than himselfe knew of brake the bargain called for the picture again
into Pannonia and so from thence vnto vs through our prouinces of Istria and Venice for from Pannonia the Venetians first who confine next vpon the marches thereof and whom the Greekes call Heneti receiued it by way of merchandise in the maritime port townes along the Adriatick sea and so by that means brought it into name and request which ordinary traffick may be the reason which gaue occasion to the foresaid tale that runes of the Po and the Poplars about it that should weep Amber And euen at this day the country dames of Lumbardie and those parts beyond the Po vse to weare faire carkanets collers of Amber-beads to adorne themselues especially and in some sort for the health also of their bodies for persuaded they are that it withstands the inflammation of the Amygdales other accidents of the throat and chawes for that the people of that country are subject to poghes vnder their throat about those fleshie parts neere vnto it by reason of sundry kinds of waters which breed those infirmities The foresaid coast of Germany is almost six hundred miles from Carnuntum in Pannonia and yet of late daies much frequented by merchants from all quarters Certes a Gentleman of Rome discouered those parts by occasion that he was sent thither by commission from Iulianus who had the charge vnder Nero for furnishing of the solemne plaies and sights of sword-fencers to buy vp good store of amber This gentleman I say surueied diligently al those coasts saw the maner of the whole traffick for that commodity yea brought into Rome such plenty thereof that the great nets and cordage which for defence of the outstanding and open gallerie within the Theatre were opposed against the wild beasts there to be baited and to fight were buttoned set out with Amber the armour likewise the bieres other furniture for burial of those fencers which should happen there to be killed yea in one word all the apparel and prouision for one day to the setting out of those pastimes and disports stood most of Amber The greatest piece of Amber that he brought ouer weighed 13 pounds Moreouer it is held for certain That it is to be found among the Indians Archelaus who sometime reigned as king in Cappadocia writeth That from thence it is brought rude and vnclean with pieces of bark sticking within it but the way to scoure and pollish it is to seeth it in the grease of a sow that suckleth pigs That it doth destil and drop at the first very clear liquid it is euident by this argument for that a man may see diuers things within to wit Pismires Gnats and Lizards which no doubt were entangled and stuck within it when it was green and fresh and so remained enclosed within as it waxed harder Many kinds there be of amber The white is most redolent and smels best but neither that nor yet those pieces which are coloured like wax be of any price The high coloured Amber namely that which is of a deepe yellow enclining to red is much more esteemed and the rather if it be cleare and transparant prouided alwaies that the glittering thereof be not too ardent Commendable it is in Amber and sheweth it to be rich if it represent fire in some sort but it must not be too too fiery But the excellent Amber is that which is called Falernum for the colour which it carrieth resembling the wine Falernnm and the same is clear and transparant with a gay lustre that pleaseth contenteth the eie very wel And yet some therebe who delight more in that Amber which lookes with a mild yellow like to boiled and clarified hony But this I am to giue you to vnderstand That there may be giuen vnto Amber what tincture or colour a man will but commonly they vse therto the suet of Kids and the root of Orchanet and no maruaile since that some haue deuised also to enrich it with a purple die To come vnto the properties that Amber hath if it be well rubbed and chaufed between the fingers the potentiall facultie that lies within is set on work and brought into actuall operation wherby you shall see it to draw chaffe strawes dry leaues yea and thin rinds of the Linden or Tillet tree after the same sort as the loadstone draweth yron Moreouer take the shauings scraped from Amber and put them into lamp-oile they will burne and maintaine light both longer and also more cleare than weekes or matches made of the very tire and best of flax As touching the estimation that our delicates and wantons make thereof Some there be who for their pleasure will giue more for a puppet or image made of Amber to the likenes and proportion of man or woman be it neuer so little than for the liuely and lusty body indeed of a tal man and valiant souldior But what should I say to such Certainly they deserue to be wel chastised for their peruers iudgment one rebuke is not sufficient Yet can I hold better with them who take pleasure in other things me thinks they haue some reason therof for Corinth vessell there is good cause that a man should set his mind therupon in regard of the singular temper of the brasse with some proportion of siluer and gold in pieces of mettall ingrauen enchased and embossed the curious art and the witty deuise seen vpon the worke may well rauish the spirit of the buyer and draw him on to giue a round price Touching rhe cups made of Cassidonie and Crystal I haue shewed already wherein lies their grace and what may enamour a chapman and cause him to bid well and offer frankly for them Faire pearles and goodly vniones are commended for that our braue dames enrich their borders therewith and set out theattire of their heads gems and pretious stones adorne and beautifie our fingers in sum there is no superfluitie that we haue but grounded it is either vpon some colourable vse that wee may pretend or els vpon some gallant shew that it makes As for this Amber I see nothing in the world to commend it only it is a mind that folk haue to take affection to it they know not wherfore euen of a delicat and foolish wantonnesse And in truth Nero Domitius among many other fooleries and gauds wherein he shewed what a monster he was in his life proceeded so far that he made a sonnet in praise of the hair of the Empresse Poppaea his wife which he compared to Amber and as I remember in one staffe of his dittie he tearmed them Succina i. Ambre and from that time our dainty dames and fine ladies haue begun to set their mind vpon this colour and haue placed it in the third ranke of rich tincture whereby we may see there is no superfluity and disorder in the world but it hath a pretence or cloake of some pretious name or other And yet I will not disgrace Amber too
k 443 f. 516 g. 520 i. 557 e. 559 c. the paines proceeding thereupon how to be assuaged 148 l. See more in Dysenterie a Blouding called in Latine Sanguiculus 332. g B O Bodies of those that haue been stung with serpents or bitten by mad dog make egs addle vnder a hen and cause ews and such to cast their young vntimely 299. b the remedie ibid. c Boëthus an excellent imageur and engrauer 483. b Minerua of his workemanship ibid. a child throtling a goose wrought by him 503. c better he was in siluer than in brasse ibid. Boy children by what means they are thought to be gotten and bred 215 f. 226 k. 257 b. 279 b d. 288 m 339 e. 340 m. Boies how Salpe caused to looke young and smooth without haire on their faces 449 c Bolae certaine pretious stones 625. c Bole-armen common a painters colour 528. e Bolbiton what it is 336. l Boleti what Mushroms 132. m Bolites what it is 110. l Bombace See Cotton Bone ach how to be eased 67. d Bones grieued how to be helped 262. k Bones broken how to be knit and sowdered 40 h. See Fractures Bones growing within the ground 588. h stones of a Bonie substance ibid. a Bone found in a horse heart for what it is good 326. m Bonet vailing wherupon and for what cause it arose 305. a Borage See Buglosse wild Bores what they do yeeld aduerse to serpents 322. h wild Bores greace medicinable 324. k their vrine likewise and gall 325. d Bores greace medicinable 230 h Bores troubled and skalt with their owne vrine 332. l Bostrychites a pretious stone 625. b Bots in beasts how to be expelled 326. l Botches See Impostumes Botches in the emunctories how to be discussed or else ripened 121 d. 122 g. 144. g. See Impostume called Pani Botryon what medicine 301 c Botrys what hearbe 222 h. the description ibid. Botrys 278 h. what names theCa ppadocians giue it ibid. Botrytes a pretious stone 625 b Borax naturall 454 g. a minerall and where found 470 l the degrees of Borax in goodnesse and where to be had 470 l m. Borax artificiall 470 m. called Lutea or yellow Borax 471. a. how it is made and prepared ibid. b. how coloured ib. of two sorts ibid. Borax which is best and how knowne 471 c the prices of the seuerall kinds of Borax ibid. d Nero paued the great Cirque at Rome all ouer with greene Borax 471. c Borax of three kindes ibid d Borax in powder how to be laid in painting ibid. Borax that goldsmiths vse is called Chrysocolla or Gold-soder 571. f. it is altogether artificiall ibid. how it is made ibid. the vertues medicinable 471. c Borysthenes a famous riuer 410. k. floteth ouer the riuer Hypanis 411. c. once in the Summer looketh of a violet colour ib. the water of it very light ibid. Borsycites a pretious stone 631. a Bowels their obstructions how cured 259. a See Praecordiall parts B R Brabyla 278. i Bracelets giuen to Roman citizens for their seruice in wars 461 c. Bracelets of gold worne by men next to their arme bare 461. f. why they are called Dardania 462. g Brains and the pellicles thereof impostumat how to be cured 185. f Braine pellicles how comforted 189. d Braines light how to be setled 67. a Braines intoxicated by Halicacabus or Dwale how to be helped 113. a Braine how it is purged of phlegmaticke humours 47. c 232. l. 233. e. 234. k. Braines of a wild Bore aduerse to serpents 322. h Brainsicke or bestraught of wits how to be cured 44. g. 46. i 56. h. 219. d. 283. a. 591. a. Brambles what medicinable vertues they be endued withall 195. f. they are exceeding astringent 196. k Branded markes how to be taken 240. g Brankursine an hearbe to what vses it serueth 129. b. two kindes thereof ibid. the medicinable vertues ibid c Branches for lights in temples made ordinarily of brasse 489. c. Brasse pots how they may be scoured rid frō furring 51 b Brasse ore See Cadmia Brasse a mettall greatly esteemed 486. i of Brasse-founders a confraternitie at Rome ibid. k Brasse weighed out for paiment and money 462. k Brasse first coined by Ser. Tullus K. of Rome ibid. l what was the stampe ibid. the valew enhaunsed and raised at Rome 463. a Brasse mines where the best 486. l they are medicinable 506. g Brasse tried out of the ore 486. k Brasse made of Cadmia 486. h Brasse Cyprium or copper made of Chalcitis ibid. m Brasse Sallustianum 487. a. why so called ibid. Brasse Linianum ib. why so called ibid. Brasse Marianum 487. a Brasse Cordubense ibid. Brasse Mascelin a cōpound temperature of the best 487. c Brasse Corinthian what mixture it was ib. d. highly esteemed ibid. Corinth brasse mettall of three kinds 488. g Brasse of Aegina highly esteemed 448. h Brasse of Delos much accepted ibid. Brasse of Corinth emploied both in publike and priuate buildings 489. a Brasse Coronarium what it was and why so called 505. b Brasse Regulare ib. called also Ductile and why ibid. c Brasse Caldarium 505. c Brasse Campanum ibid. Statuaria what temperature of Brasse it was 505. e and why so called ibid. Tabularis what temperature of Brasse and whereupon so named ibid. Brasse Collectaneum what it is ibid. the temperature of Brasse called Formalis 505. f the temperature called Ollaria ibid. colour of brasse named Grecanicke 505. f what vernish saueth Brasse from rust 506. g Brasse serueth for perpetuitie of registers 506. g Brasse skales 507. c Brasse rust or Verdegris 508. g diuerse waies to gather it 508. h how it is sophisticated 508. i. how discerned ib. k Brasse green rust or Verdegris how to be calcined and prepared for vse in Physicke 508 k. l. vncalcined what medicinable vertues it hath 509. a Bread at Rome different according to states degrees 11. b Bread leauened 141. a Bread downe-right ibid. Bread bisket ibid. besides nourishment what vertues medicinable it yeeldeth ibid. sea-Breams Melanuri how they feed of crumbs 429. a how they beware of a bait within an hooke ibid. Breath stinking an vnseemely disease 239. f proceeding from corrupt lungs how remedied 329. b what maketh a sowre and strong breath 377 a. 441. a Breath how it may be made sweet 64. g. 65. e. 79. a. 105. d. 131. c. 140. i. 156. m. 162. i. 164. i. 174. h 239. f. 240. g. 304. g. 313. a. 326. k. 328. k. 350. g. 377. a 441. a. 624. i. for diseases and paine in the Breast what medicines be appropriat 46. l 53. a. 56. h. 66. g. i. 74. i. 76. l. 120. h 154. g. 180. l. 182. l. 186. i. 192. l. 193. b. 246. g. 247. c. d 250. l. 290. i. k. 275. e. 284. h. 289. f. for Breasts impostumat remedies 141 c. 246 g. suppurations in the breast how clensed 144 h. 216 l vlcers in the breast how healed 208. g Breasts of women swelled how to be helped
of Aconae a certain towne neer to which it groweth abundantly Ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…eretica 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 old age * Petronius Niger as Dioscorides saith in his preface * It seemeth that he means here the concreted 〈◊〉 thereoâ—… which we also do call Aloe * Chickweed * i. Mousâ—… ear * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a groue * The right Mouse aâ—…e * Parietarie of the wail * Alba. Haply Plinie hath translatâ—…d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Dioscor which is hâ—…uing slender stalkes like rushes Resta bouis Rest-harrow or petie Whin * Some take it for Bugâ—…e or 〈◊〉 heale * Namelesse * or Scolopendrium * Whereupon they cal it Philanthropos i. a louer of man * Trientalibus * i. Mans bloud * Pliny hath forgotten himselfe considering that in the 22 booke 21 chapter he describes it according to Dioscorides to be like in root and leafe to Orchanet c. and there heâ—… nameth it Arcebion * Vetustissime in vsu est Some read Vetus siue vsu est that is If this drink be stale and not vsed presently it is good for nothing * Cum apio not opio * or the cerot Cypâ—…c after Dioscorides * So called becausâ—… Osyris was entâ—… and his sepulchre renewed there * Or rather a kind of sweet cuit called Hâ—…p sâ—…ma by Diosc. which signifieth also a water gruell * Porri but it should be Marrubij according to the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Some take them for Damascen plums or rather for Bulloâ—…s Skegs or such like wilde Plums * As if it would catch women and hold them fast perforce * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke signifieth a bridle or bit and it is thought to bâ—… Leontopodium Dioscor though others take it for Dodeâ—… * Or rather Calix * Rather Orocleia out of Dioscorides * Or Borage called in Greeke Bugâ—…osson * Some take this for our Persicorie or Ars-mert * i. Holly or Huluer nay rather Aquifolia is Agria in Greeke and the Cratâ—…gus of Theophrastus which he meaneth here is a kinde of Ceruoise tree now called Torminalis * I thinke he meaneth Orach * 〈◊〉 terrae Sonâ—…n thinke 〈◊〉 place vnperfect but I 〈◊〉 rather â—…hat Pliny herâ—… 〈◊〉 at â—…e obscuritie â—…ir 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 simâ—… put 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 â—…ny 〈◊〉 wâ—…ch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any sense 〈◊〉 moâ—…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Virga pastoris * Thereupon it is called Labrum Uenerus Uenus lauer * This water is not saltish but because the name Dipsacos in Greek alludeth to thirst salt things cause thirstinesse Plinie guessâ—…d this humour to be saltish * This EmpetroÌ„ is thought to be our Saxifrage * For it hindreth conception * Non graui odore Dioscor saith Sub graues odore somwhat vnpleasant in smell * And in Columella Filix is called Auia * Many take it for Archangell * And therefore it is called Holcus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * As one would say swines Endive or cichory * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the word signifieth All bone * So in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. fell is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as in some part of France as Dalechamp noteth Gallis named le doux * Some reade 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Diers others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Fullers Bislingua Horse-tongue or Double-tongue * Lathyris * For the milky juicehaply For Dioscor saith amygdalae i. of the Almond tree * Purgata facilia Some thinke gentle puigatiues * Some take it foe a kind of Orchanet others for Hounds-tongue * Quincuncialis ferè others read Quinque caulibus ferè i. commonly it beareth fiue stalkes * This some take to bee meant of that Greimile called Iobs teares * Hâ—…termeth teâ—…ta worâ—…es Câ—…ntharide and thâ—… 〈◊〉 the wild Wolf * Menâ—… Saraceâ—…ca * â—…idis sativae â—…thers read Se ridis i. Eudâ—…e * â—…riped â—…m But Dâ—…oscor saith 〈◊〉 i. three cubit high * Mouse care * Linaria or Toads flax * According to Dioscorides * Cuckowes meat or Wood-Sorell * of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 many and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seeds * And yet Scribonius saith it is called PolygonoÌ„ because it groweth eeuery where so common * For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth a knee or knot * Alvum solvunt If the place be not corrupt as I doubt it is * Oreon ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a mountaine Some reade 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. faire others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for that it growes like to an horstaile or the herbe Hippuris * Insefarctis * A kind of Esula * i. Frothie Poppie * Wood-bind * Some take it for Securidaca i. Axfitch * Thought to be the same that PolygonuÌ„ or Knot grasse abouenamed * For Smyrna in Greeke is myrrhe * Orpine * or rather Sinapi i. Senvic * Look for no better diuinitie in Plinie a meere Pagan Epâ—…urean and â—…ssed Atheist * Which is called ObnuÌ„â—…io dicaruâ—… as we may reade in M. Tull. de Divinatione 〈◊〉 * In whichyere it seemeth Pliny wrote this worke * Whereupon it was thought materiall to speake in this manner Accipiâ—… oâ—…en For otherwise it auailed not * As in saying thus The Deuill take thee or the Rauens peck ouâ—… thine 〈◊〉 or I had râ—…er see thee Pie pekt and such like * Because afterwards no witches might pricke them with a needle in the name and behalfe of those whom they would hurt and mischiefe according to the practise of pricking the images of any person in wax vsed in the witcheraft of these dates * That is to say Arse verse out of Afranius as Festus noteth which in the old Tusâ—…ane language signifieth Auerte igneum i. Put backe the fire * or rather the sonnes of Autoâ—…cus in his Oâ—…yssaea * i. The first o March. * Dicis causa i. pro forma * As Ualesius Lucius Salvius Statorius c. which are significant and import by the very letter some happines and prosperity * Which fashion was afterwards taken vp in doing reuerence to princes and great persons * wheras other nations obserued to turn to the right haÌ„d as appeareth by Plautus Quo me veriaÌ„ nâ—…scio B. Si dâ—…os salutas Dextrorsum censeo * Poppysmus in settiâ—…g our lips close together and drawing the breath inward as our manner is in playing with a tame Sparrow or chearing vp and making much of an horse * Of the speciall providence of God Plinie speaketh like himselfe a heathenish Infidell * â—…amae labor est * Which answer to our R and A. * Or Parâ—…s * Euegon * Ueâ—…ris hast whâ—…n also wa called â—…libaris * Mutuâ—…atur As Turnebius found it in an old copie And considering the fooleries both before after mentioned this will sort well ynough with such stuffe
fewer reared about it than three But by the way it is no good husbandrie to suffer a tree thus to be coupled as it were in marriage to so many Vines before that it be of sufficient strength to entertain them for there is nothing so hurtfull by reason that the Vines will choke and kill them so quick they be of their growth and so readie to ouercharge them As for planting of Vine-sets to the root of trees needful it is to make therfore a ditch three foot deep and they ought to be distant one from another a ful foot and so much likewise from the tree This don there is no question thereof the smal twigs or shoots what to do with them neither is there any charge or expence required for digging and deluing for this is the manner of it and this peculiar gift haue these tree-rows That in the same ground where they grow the sowing of corne is nothing hurtfull nay it is profitable and good for the Vines Moreouer this commoditie and easement commeth of their height that they be able to saue themselues neither is there any such need as in other Vineyards to be at the coast of walls of mounds pales or hedges ne yet of deep ditches or other fences to keep off the violence or injuries of beasts Of all other toiles before rehearsed there is no more required but to looke vnto onely the getting of quick-sets or couching sions all the matter I say lieth herein and there is no more to do But of couching sions and that kind of propagation there be two deuises First within paniers or baskets vpon the boughs of the tree and that is the be best way because it is safest from the danger of cattel The second is to bend the Vine or a branch therof close to the foot of her owne tree or else about the next vnto it if it stand single and haue no Vine joined vnto it As much of this branch or Vine thus couched as is aboue the ground must be kept with scraping that is to say the buds ought euer and anone to be knapt off that it spring not forth Within the earth there should be no fewer than foure joints or budding knots buried and enterred for to take root in the head without two onely are left for to grow Where note by the way that the Vine which groweth to the foot of a tree must be trenched in a ditch foure foot long in al three in breadth two and an halfe in deapth Now when the sion thus couched hath lien one yere the order is to cut it toward the stock to the very pith or marrow that so by little and little it may be inured to fortifie it selfe vpon the own roots and not to hang and cling alwaies to the mother as for the other end or head thereof it would be cut off also so neere the ground as that there be but two only buds left By the third yeare it must be quite cut in two where before it was but guelded to the pith and that which remaines of it laid deeper into the ground for feare it should sprout foorth and beare leaues toward that side where it was cut in twaine This done no sooner is Vintage past but this new quicke-set root and al must be taken vp and replanted Of late daies deuised was the manner of couching or planting by a trees side a Vine Dragon for so we vse to call the old branch of a Vine past all seruice which hath done bearing many a yeare and is now grown to be hard And verily they vse to make choise of the biggest they can find which when they haue cut from the stocke they scrape and pil the bark three foure parts in length so farre forth as it is to lie within the ground wherupon they name it in Latine Rasilis when it is thus couched low within a furrow the rest that is aboue the earth they rear vp against the tree And it is thought that there is not so good nor so ready a mean to make a Vine grow and beare than this If it fall out so that either the Vine be smal and weak or the ground it selfe but lean and hungrie it is an vsuall and ordinarie practise to cut and prune it as neer the ground as possibly may bee vntill such time as it bee well strengthened in the root as also great regard is had that it be not planted when the deaw standeth vpon it ne yet when the wind sits ful in the North. The old Vine stock it self ought to look into the Northeast prouided alwaies that the yong branches turne Southward Moreouer new and tender Vines would not be proined and cut in hast but better it is to expect and tary vntil such time as they be strong ynough and able to beare the cutting bill meane while to gather the yong branches together round in maner of on houp or circle Where note by the way That Vines which are erected vpon trees for the most part beare later by one yeare than those in Vineyards that be pearched or run on frames Some would not haue them to be cut at all before they haue raught vp to the top of the tree At the first time when you come with the pruning hooke the head must be cut off at six foot from the ground leauing vnderneath one little top twig which must be forced to beare by bending it downward in the head and in the same when it is thus pruned there must be left behind three buds and no more The branches which burgen out from thence ought the next yeare to bee brought vp to the lowest armes of the tree and there seated and so from yeare to yeare let them climb vp higher to the vpper boughs leauing alwaies vpon euery loft or scaffold as it were where they rested one branch of the old hard wood and another young imp or twig for to grow vp and climbe as high as it will Furthermore as often as a Vine is pruned afterwards those branches or boughs thereof in any wise must bee cut away which were bearers the yeare before and in stead of them the new after they be first cleansed from all the hairy curled tendrils on euery side shred off The ordinarie manner of pruning and dressing of vines here about Rome is to let the tender branches and sprigs enterlace the boughes insomuch as the whole tree is ouerspread clad therwith like as the very same tendrils be also couered all ouer with grapes But the French fashion is to draw them in a traile along from bough to bough whereas in Lumbardie and along the causey Aemilia from Plaisance to Rimino they vse to train them vpon forkes and poles for albeit â—…he Atinian Elmes be planted round about yet the Vine commeth not neere their greene boughes Some there be who for want of sill and good knowledge about vines hang them by a strong bond vnder the boughs but this is to
wrong yea to stifle and strangle them outright whereas indeed a vine as it ought to be kept down with oisier twigs so it must not bee tied ouer streight For which cause euen they also who othewise haue store plenty ynough euen to spare of willows oisiers yet chuse rather to bind vines with some more soft and gentle matter to wit with a certain hearb which the Sicilians in their language called Ampelodesmos i. Vine-bind But throughout all Greece they tie their vines with Rushes Cyperus or Gladon Reeke and sea grasse Ouer and besides the maner is otherwhiles to vntie the Vine and for certain daies together to giue it liberty for to wander loosely and to spred it selfe out of order yea and to lie at ease along the ground which all the yere besides it onely beheld from on high in which repose it seemeth to take no small contentment and refreshing for like as draught horses when they be out of their geeres and haknies vnsadled like as Oxen when they haue drawn in the yoke yea and greyhounds after they haue run in chase loue to tumble themselues and wallow vpon the earth euen so the Vine also hauing bin long tied vp and restrained liketh wel now to stretch out her â—…ims and loins and such easement and relaxation doth her much good Nay the tree it selfe findes some comfort and ioy therby in being discharged of that burden which it carried continually as it were vpon the shoulders and seemeth now to take breath and heart again And certes go through the whole course and worke of Nature there is nothing but by imitation of day and night desireth to haue some alternatiue ease and play dayes between And it is by experience found very hurtfull and therefore not allowed of to prune and cut Vines presently vpon the Vintage and grape-gathering whiles they be still wearie and ouertrauelled with bearing their fruit so lately ne yet to binde them thus pruned in the same place again where they were tied before for surely vines do feel the very prints and marks which the bonds made and no doubt are vexed and put to pain therewith and the worse for them The maner of the Gaules in Lumbardy in training of Vines from tree to tree is to take two boughs or branches of both sides and draw them ouer in case the stock Vines that beare them be sorty foot asunder but foure if they are but twenty foot â—…istant And these meet one with another in the space between and are interlaced twisted and tied together But where they are somwhat weake and feeble they be strengthened with Oisier twigs or such like rods here and there by the way vntill they beare out stiffe and look where they be so short that they wil not reach out they are with an hook stretched and brought to the next tree that standeth without a Vine coupled thereto A Vine branch drawn thus along in a traile they were wont to cut when it had growne two yeares for in such Vine stocks as by reason of age are charged with wood it is the better way to giue time leisure for to grow and fortifie the said branch that is to passe from tree to tree so as the thicknes thereof will giue leaue yea and otherwise it is good for the old main bough to feed still and thriue in pulp and carnositie if we purpose that it should remaine and carrie a length with it Yet is there one maner besides of planting and maintaining Vines of a mean or middle nature between couching or interring a branch by way of propagation and drawing them thus in a traile from one to another namely to supplant that is lay along vpon the ground the whole stock or main body of a Vine which done to cleaue it with wedges and so to couch in many furrowes or raies as many parcels thereof comming all together from one Now in case each one of these branches or armes proceeding from one body be of it selfe small weake and tender they must be strengthned with long rods like staues bound vnto them round about neither ought the small sprigs and twigs that spring out of the side be cut away The husbandmen of Novaria rest not contented with a number of these trailed branches nor with store of boughs and trees to sustaine and beare them vnlesse they be shored and supported also with posts and ouerthwart railes about which the yong tendrils may creep wind No maruell therefore if their wines be after a sort rough hard and vnpleasant for besides the baduesse of their soile the maner of their husbandry is so crooked and vntoward Our husbandmen moreouer here about vs neer vnto the city of Rome commit the like fault and find the same defect thereupon in the Varracine Vines that be pruned but once in two yeres a piece of husbandry by them practised not for any good that it doth vnto the vine but because the wine thereof is so cheap that oftner pruning would not quit cost neither doth the reuenue answer the labor and the charges In the territorie of Carseoli a champion and plain countrey about Rome the peasants take a better order and hold a middle and temperat course For their maner is to proin and cut away from the Vine those parts onely that are faulty and rotten when they begin once to drie and to wither leauing all the rest for to beare Grapes and thus discharging it of the superfluous burden that it caried they hold opinion that it is not good to wound it in diuers places for by this means say they it will be nourished and come on very well But by their leaue vnlesse the ground be passing rich and fat Vines thus ouercharged with wood will for want of pruning degenerate into the bastard wild wines called Labruscae But to returne againe vnto our plots planted with Trees and Vines coupled together such grounds when they be plowed require a good deep stitch although the corn therein sown need it not Also it is not the manner to disburgen or deffoile altogether such trees and thereby a great deale of toile and labor is saued but when the Vines are a pruning they would be disbranched at once with them where the boughs grow thickest and to make a glade onely thorow the superfluous branches would be cut away which otherwise might consume the nutriment of the grape As for the cuts and wounds remaining after such pruning and debranching we haue already forbidden that they should stand either against the North or the South And I think moreouer it were very well that they did not regard the West where the Sunne setteth for such wounds will smart and be long sore yea and hardly heale again if either extreme cold pinch or extreme heate parch them Furthermore a Vine hath not the same liberty in a vineyard that it hath vpon a tree for better means there are and easier it is to hide the said wounds from the weather
profit as that trauell in former times of great captains and LL. Generalls And in very truth euen among other forrein nations it was counted a princelike profession indeed to be able for to giue rules and directions about Husbandry for so we may see that both kings haue studied this argument as namely Hiero Philometor Attalus and Archelaus and also martiall captaines to wit Xenophon and Mago the Carthaginian As for Mago verily our Senate did him that honour after Carthage was woon that in sacking it and giuing away among diuers LL. of Affricke the Libraries there found they thought good to reserue only 28 volumes of his and penned by him as touching Agriculture and io haue them translated into the Latin tongue notwithstanding that M. Cato had already beforetime put out in writing and set forth certaine rules precepts therof giuing order for this translation to those that were well seene in the Punicke or Carthaginian language in which businesse D. Syllanus a Romane gentleman of a right worshipfull house went beyond all others As for great schollers and men of profound and deep learning a number there were besides that trauelled in this matter whom wee haue named already in the forefront and eftsoones shall mention in the discourse of this volume In which range we must nominate not vnthankfully among the meanest writers M. Varro who beeing fourescore yeares old and one thought it not amisse to compile a speciall booke and treatise of Husbandry CHAP. IIII. ¶ The manner of Husbandry in antient time LAte it was ere the Romans began to set their minds vpon Vines and Vineyards for at first they tilled only corne fields for very necessitie euen as much as might suffice to serue the city The order and manner whereof I will set in hand to treat of not after a vulgar and common sort but according to my vsuall manner hitherto more soundly as hauing sought out with all care and diligence not only the antient practise in times past but the inuentions also of late daies withal searched into the causes and reasons of euery thing and found them out My purpose is besides to speake in this treatise of the fixed Starres their rising and setting their apparition and occultation together with their influences as they are vndoubtedly obserued and seen here vpon earth And this my meaning is to do after a plain and familiar sort forasmuch as they who hitherto wrote of this argument haue handled the same so subtilly and penned it with so high a stile as they may seeme to any man for to haue written books for Oratours to reade rather than to the capacity of plaine husbandmen for to practice First and foremost therefore I will for the most part deale by Oracles that is to say sententious Sawes for to determine this question in hand concerning which there are as many to be found in number and those as true in effect as in any other part and profession of this our life whatsoeuer And least any man should think it strange that I cal these rules of Husbandrie Oracles who would take them for lesse considering how they proceed from Time a god most certaine and are deliuered and approoued by Experience the truest prophet of all others And beginne I will with Cato first CHAP. V. ¶ The praâ—…se and commendation of Husbandmen what things are to be required in the purchasing or taking to ferme of hoâ—…se and land THe children saith Cato that are begotten by husbandmen proue most valiant the hardiest souldiers and such as thinke least harme of all others In buying of land take heed you be not too hot and eager vpon the purchase In the husbanding of ground spare for no paine and trauell but in the purchasing therof be you nothing forward a thing ouer-bought hath euermore repentance and had I wist attending vpon it They that are about a purchase ought aboue all to see how the ground is watered what waies and auenues be about it and what neighbors be neare vnto it Out of euery one of these points matters of great importance and deepe conclusions may be picked and those most certaine and infallible Cato addeth moreouer and saith That there would be good regard had of the people confining and other grounds bounding thereupon whether they be well liking faire and trim to see vnto For these be his words It is a good signe quoth he that the ferm is well seated and in a commodious quarter if all about looke well Attilius Regulus hee who during the first Punicke warre was twise Consull of Rome was wont to say That a man should not purchase an vnwholesome piece of land were it neuer so rich and fruitfull nor make choice of a barren soile were it neuer so healthie Now as touching the healthfulnesse of a place a man may not alwaies conclude therof by the color and fresh hue of the inhabitants for many times it falleth out that those who be vsed to pestilent places hold out well and haue their health yea and by their lookes bewray no harme that they take Moreouer some quarters and coasts there be which at some times of the yeare stand sound and healthy enough but I will count none holesome but such as be healthfull all the yere long An ill piece of land is that which putteth the lord thereof to pain and with which he is forced to wrestle for to haue his health Cato would haue this point especially to be considered that the soile of a ferme scituat as hath bin said be good of it selfe and fertile also that neere vnto it there be store of laborers and that it bee not farre from a good and strong towne moreouer that it hath sufficient meanes for transporting of the commodities which it yeeldeth either by vessels vpon water or otherwise by waines vpon the land Furthermore that the manour house be well built and the land about it as well husbanded Howbeit herein I see many men to erre much and greatly to be deceiued for they hold opinion that the negligence and il husbandry of the former lord is good for him that shall purchase land and come after him But I say there is nothing more dangerous and disaduantageous to the buyer than land so left wast and out of heart and therefore Cato giueth good counsell to purchase land of a good husband and not rashly and hand ouer head to despise and set light by the skil and knowledge of another Who saith moreouer That as well land as men which are of great charge and expence how gaineful soeuer they may seeme to be yeeld not much profit in the end to the master declaro when all counts be cast and reckonings made He therfâ—…re judgeth that the Vine yeeldeth the best reuenue of all commodities belonging to a ferme and good reason he hath so to say because aboue all things he taketh order to cut off expence as much as may be Next to it he reckoneth Hortyards such especially as haue