no blemish or deformity appeared But Asclepiades the Prusian surpassed all others in this kind who was the first author of that new sect which bare his name reiected the embassadors the large promises fauors offered of K. Mithridates found out the way and means to make wine wholesome and medicinable for sicke folke and recouered a man to his former state of health who was caried forth vpon his biere to be buried and lastly he attained the greatest name for laying a wager against fortune and pawning his credit so farre as he should not be reputed a Physitian in case he euer were known to be sicke or any way diseased And in truth the wager hee woon for his hap was to liue in health vntill he was very aged and then to fall downe from a paire of staires and so to die suddenly A singular testimonie of skill and cunning M. Marcellus gaue vnto Archimedes that notable Geometrician and Enginer of Syracusa who in the saccage and rifling of that city gaue expresse commandement concerning him alone that no violence should be done vnto him howbeit hee will failed of his execution by occasion of a souldier who in that hurly-burly slew him not knowing who hewas Much commended and praised is Ctesiphon of Gnosos for his notable knowledge in Architecture and namely for the wonderful frame of Dianaes Temple at Ephesus Philon likewise was highly esteemed for making the Arsenall at Athens able to receiue 1000 ships Ctesibius also was much accounted of for deuising winde Instruments and by means of certain engins to draw and send water to any place Dinocrates also the enginier eternised his name for casting the plot and deuising the modell of Alexandria in Egypt at what time as Alexander the great founded it To conclude this mighty prince and commander Alexander streightly forbad by expresse edict That no man should draw his pourtrait in colours but Apelles the painter that none should engraue his personage but Pyrgoteles the grauer and last of all that no workman should cast his image in brasse but Lysippus a Founder In which three feats many Artisans haue excelled for their rare workmanship CHAP. XXXVIII ¶ Singular works of Artificers KIng Attalus cheapned one picture wrought by the Aristides Theban and 100 talents for it Caesar the Dictator offered to Timomachus eight talents for two pourtraits to wit of Medea and Aiax which he meant to set vp and consecrate in the temple of Venus Genetrix King Candaulas bought of Butarchus a painted table wherein was drawne the defeature and destruction of the Magnetes which tooke vp no great roome and weighed out the poise thereof in good gold King Demetrius sirnamed Expugnator i. the conqueror and great forcer of cities forbare to set Rhodes on fire because he would not burne one painted table the handiworke of Protogenes Praxiteles was innobled for a rare Imager and cutter in stone and marble he eternised his memoriall by making one image of Venus for the Gnidians so liuely that a certaine yong man became so amorous of it and so doted thereon that he went beside himselfe which piece of worke was esteemed of such worth by Nicomedes that whereas the Gnidians owed him a great sum of money he would haue taken it for full paiment of the whole debt The statue of Iupiter Olympius is to be seen and dayly commendeth the workman Phydias Iupiter likewise Capitolinus and Diana in Ephesus yeeld good testimonies of Mentors cunning and the tooles or instruments of the said workeman were consecrared for their exquisit making vnto them in their temples and there remaine CHAP. XXXIX ¶ Of Seruants and Slaues I Haue not knowne or heard to this day of a man borne a slaue that was prised so high as Daphnis the Grammarian was for Cn. Pisaurensis held him at 300700 Sesterces to M. Scaâ—…rus a great and principall man of Rome Howbeit in this our age certain stage players haue gon beyond this price and that not a little mary they were such as had bought out their freedome before and were not then slaues And no maruell for we finde vpon record that the great Actor Roscius in former time might yerely dispend by the stage 500000 Sesterces Vnlesse a man desire in this place to heare of the Treasurer and purueior general of the army in Armenia for the late wars of King Tyridates who was infranchised by means of Nero for 120000 Sesterces but it was the war that cost thus much and not the man Like as Sutorius Priscus gaue vnto Seianus 3500 Sesterces for Poezon one of his gelded Eunuchs For a man would say that this was more to satisfie his filthy lust than for any special beauty to be seen in the said Poezon But he tooke the vantage of the time and went cleare away with this impious villanie for at what time as he bought him the city was in perplexitie and sorrow and no man for thinking of greater affaires and troubles had any leisure to finde fault or say a word in reproofe of such enormities CHAP. XL. ¶ The excellencie of Nations DOubtlesse it is and past all question that of all Nations vnder the Sun the Romans excell and are the only men for all kinde of vertues But to determine who is the happiest man in all the world is aboue the reach of humane wit considering that some take contentment and repose felicitie in this thing others in that and euery one measureth it according to his seuerall fancy and affection but to say a truth and iudge aright indeed laying aside all the glosing flatteries of fortune and without courting her to determin this point There is no man to be counted happy in this world Right well it is on our side and Fortune dealeth in exceeding fauor with vs if we may not iustly be called vnhappy for put case there be no other miserie and calamitie besides yet surely a man is euer in feare lest Fortune will frowne vpon him and do him a shrewd turne one time or other and admit this feare once there can be no sound happinesse and contentment in the minde What shall I say moreouer than this that no man is at all times wise and in his perfect wits Would God that this were taken of most men for a Poets word only and not a true saying indeed But such is the vanity and folly of poore mortall men that they flatter themselues and are very witty to deceiue themselues making their accounts and reckonings of good and euill fortune like to the Thracians who by certain white and blacke stones which they cast into a certaine vessell and there laid vp for the better proofe and triall of euery dayes fortune and at the last day and time of their death they fall to parting these stones one from another and telling them apart and according to the number of the white and blacke giue iudgement and pronounce of each ones fortune But what say they to this that many times it falleth
field A strang matter that we should so do considering how many thousands of nations there be that liue in health wel ynough without these Physicians and yet I canot say altogether without Physicke Like as the people of Rome also notwithstanding the Romanes were euer knowne to be forward ynough to entertaine all good arts and disciplines continued for the space of six hundred yeares and aboue after the foundation of their citie and knew not what a Physician meant but afterwards they did cast a great fancie to Physick also howbeit vpon some little experience thereof they were as ready to loath and condemne it as they were desirous before to haue a tast and triall of it And here I thinke it not amisse in this corrupt age of ours wherein we liue to discouer and relate certain principall examples of our ancestours worthy to be noted in this behalfe And to begin withall Cassius Haemina an ancient Historiographer doth report That the first Physician that euer came to Rome was one Archagathus the sonne of Lysanias from out of Peloponnesus which was when L. Aemylius and M. Livius were Consuls and in the yeare after the foundation of the citie of Rome 535. And this mine Author saith that he was enfraunchised free denizen of Rome and had a shop prouided for him standing in the carrefour of Acilius bought at the charges of the citie for to entertaine his patients and therin to exercise his cunning Called he was by report The vulnerarie Physician or Chirurgion wonderfull much seeking running there was after him and none more wealthie than he at his first comming But soon after when hee was knowne once to carry a cruell hand ouer his poore patients in cutting lancing dismembring and cauterizing their bodies they quickly began to alter his name and to terme him the bloudy Butcher or Slaughter-man whereupon not onely all Physitians but Physick also grew into a bad name and became odious as may appeare euidently by the monuments and books of M. Cato a worthy personage and in regard of whose vertues and commendable parts his triumph and Censorship as famous honorable as they were deserue the least part of his authority and reputation so much was there in himselfe aboue the gifts and graces of Fortune I will therefore insert in this place word for word an Epistle of his vnto his sonne Marcus touching this matter wherein he thus writeth Concerning these Greckes sonne Marcus I will write in place and time conuenient what I haue found out and knowne by them in Athens and namely that it were good to looke into their books and reade them as it were by the way but in no wise to study vpon them much and learn them throughly I haue already giuen the attempt and intend to conuince and put downe the wickedest race and most peruerse and obstinat kind of them And learne this of mee as from the mouth of a true Prophet That whensoeuer this Greekish Nation shall bring into Rome their Philosophie they will corrupt and marre all but let them send once their Physitians hither you shall see a greater wrecke and confusion thereby For I assure thee they haue complotted and sworne one to another for to murder all Barbarians by means of their Physicke And euen to effect and bring this about they will be fed also and take money to the end that both we should trust them the rather and they also haue the better meanes to worke the feat and dispatch folke with more facility As for vs it pleaseth them vsually to name vs Barbarians yea and they giue vnto vs more filthy termes than any others and mis-call vs Opiques Well remember thou once for all that I haue giuen thee warning of their Physitians and forbidden thee to be acquainted with them Now Cato who wrote this letter died in the six hundred and fifth yere after the foundation of our city when himselfe was fourscore yeres old and fiue whereby a man may see that he wanted not grounded knowledge when he deliuered this speech vnto his sonne for hee had both the practise of former times in publicke affaires and age sufficient of his owne to furnish him with experience of priuat examples What say we then to this resolution of his Are wee to judge and beleeue that hee hath condemned thereby a thing so necessary and profitable as Physicke is God forbid for himselfe setteth downe a little after what Physick and what medicines both he and his wife were acquainted with and by meanes whereof they came to be so aged as they were and those were no other verily but the vse of simples whereof wee now are in hand to treat He saith moreouer and professeth that he hath made one Treatise expressely containing certaine receits for the cure of his son and seruants and for the preseruation of their health the which I haue not omitted but dispersed here and there according to the occurrences of accidents and diseases of sundry sorts whereof I haue had some occasion to speak of and stil shall haue more wherby it is plain that our antient forefathers blamed not the thing it self I meane Physicke and medicines but the Art and cunning of Physitians who had the handling thereof And most of all they held off and were afraid to entertaine those amongst them who sought such exceeding gaines for their handie worke especially where they indangered their liues withall And that they made some account of Physicke may appeare by this that when they receiued Aesculapius as a canonized god into their Kalender they built one temple for him without the city of Rome yea and the second which in his honour they erected was scituate within the Island apart from other buildings Also at what time as by vertue of an edict all other Greeks were banished Italy Physitians were excepted and that was many a yeare after Cato his time And here by the way one word will I speake to the honour of our Romanes for their singular wisedome and prouidence namely That howsoeuer they are growne to good proofe and be accomplished in al other Arts and Professions of the Greeks yet their grauity hitherto hath bin such as they would not giue themselues to the practise of this only Science And notwithstanding the exceeding wealth that accrueth by Physicke yet very few or none of our naturall Roman citizens haue medled therewith And those also that haue betaken themselues vnto it presently haue forsaken their natiue language and gone to the Greek tongue For this opinion verily there is of this Art That if the Professors thereof handle it in their vulgar and mother tongue or otherwise in any other than Greeke all the authoritie grace and credit thereof is lost euen with those that be altogether vnlearned and know not so much as the Greek Alâ—…habet See the nature and foolish propertie of our Countreymen to haue lesse confidence and trust in those things which concerne their life and health
knight of Rome who deuised to garnish his bourds with siluer not couering them full and whole throughout with plates thereof nor after the manner of Deliacke workemanship but onely by parcels and according to the Punicke or Carthaginian fashion The same Pollio made beds and tables of gold but not long after those siluer beds and boords came to the order of those in the Isle Delos But all this sumptuositie was punished sufficiently and expiat by the ciuill warre of Sylla for a little before those troubles this excesse and these superfluities came vp as also about the same time men fel to make great chargers platters of siluer weighing one hundred pound a piece of which there were at Rome as it is well knowne when the said warre beganne to the number of fiue hundred and aboue which was the cause that many a man fell into the danger of proscription and confiscation for that their rich plate set their enemies teeth on water who for the loue and desire thereof practised by all cunning meanes their vtter vndoing Certes our Historians heretofore who attributed this cursed and vnhappie ciuill warre betweene Sylla and Marius vnto such superfluities and vices of those times which reigned so rife might be ashamed and blush to say so for our age hath been more hardy and hath proceeded farther without any such feare of punishment from aboue No longer since than in the daies of Claudius the Emperour Drusillanus a slaue of his syrnamed Rotundus the Seneschol or Treasurer vnder him in high Spaine had a siluer charger of fiue hundred pound weight for the working whereof there was a forge framed beforehand of set purpose and the same was accompanied and attended with eight more of a smaller size weighing 50 pound a piece Now would I gladly know if it might please you how many of his fellowes such slaues I meane as himselfe there must be to carry the said vessell and serue it vp to the table or what guests they mought bee who were to be seruâ—…â—…ith such huge plate Cornelius Nepos writeth that before the victorie of the sayd Sylla 〈◊〉 defeated Marius two dining tables and no more there were throughout Rome all of siluer Fenestella saith that in his time and he died the last yere of the reigne of Tyberius Caesar the Emperor men began at Rome to bestow siluer vpon their cupboords and side liuery tables euen then also by his saying Tortoise worke came in request and was much vsed Howbeit somwhat before his daies he writeth that those cupboords were of wood round and solid of one entire piece and not much bigger than the tables whereupon men eat their meat but when hee was a young boy they were foure square and of many peeces joyned together and then they began to be couered ouer with thin boords or painels either of maple or citron wood Soone after they fel to lay siluer plates vpon them at the corners only and along the joints where the planks were set together but by the time that he was come to be a well grown yong man they were at their drinking mazers or round-bottome dishes like balances whereupon they were called Staterae also at those platters which in old time were named Magides Howbeit men rested not contented to haue furnished themselues with plenty of siluer in their plaine plate and about their houses vnlesse the curious workmanship also thereof were more costly than the mettall and matter it selfe But lest this superfluity should be imputed vnto vs in these daies be it knowne that such curiosity was crept into the world long ago for C. Gracchus had in the furniture of his house certain vessels of siluer called Dolphins which cost him at the gold-smiths hand 5000 sesterces a pound an exceeding price for the fashion and workmanship considering L. Crassus the Orator had two pots artificially engrauen by the hand of Mentor that cunning workman the fashion and making whereof cost 100 sesterces a pound and yet he confessed and protested that hee was abashed to vse them and durst not for shame bring them abroad Moreouer knowne it is that he had in his cabinet pieces of plate which to be bought and sold were worth euery pound 6000 sesterces Briefly the conquest and reducing of Asia vnder our Empire was the first occasion that brought into Italy such wastfull excesse for L. Scipio shewed in triumph of siluer plate intailed and ingrauen 400 thousand and 50 pounds weight besides vessells of gold amounting to the weight of 100 thousand pound and this was in the yere from the foundation of Rome 565. But the free donation and bestowing of the said Asia vpon the city of Rome which fell vnto the Romans by the death of K. Attalus who in his last will and testament ordained them his full heires did most hurt vnto our state and this succession which our Antients injoyed by vertue of that gift did greater dammage to the integrity of manners and brought more corruption into our city than the former victory atchieued by force of armes for from that time forward men grew to be shamelesse and without regard of modesty euery mans fingers itched to be tempering with the treasure of K. Attalus and to buy the same at any price sold in open port-sale to them that would giue most which hapned in the 626 yere after the foundation of the city for in 56 yeres which was the meane space between the foresaid subduing of Asia and this feoffement of K. Attalus our city was well nuzzled and trained not onely in the admiration of such puissant forrein kings and princes but also in some affectionat loue to their wealth and riches About which middle time between namely in the 608 yere reckoning from the first founding of Rome when Achaia was likewise brought vnder our obedience and subjection this victory also was a mighty means to bring vs also out of al good order and to set vs forward to imbrace superfluities and to ouerthrow al honesty and vertue for now were brought in the stately statues and proud painted tables that we should want no inticing delights but that all the pride and pleasure of the world might be found at Rome Finally the ruin of Carthage was the rising of superfluitie with vs as if the Destinies had so appointed that at one the same time we should haue both wil to imbrace vice also power liberty withal to perform sin so that in regard of our times and the enormities thereof we may justifie yea and honor any of our ancestors who seemed before to offend in this behalfe for as it is said C. Marius after he had defeited the Cimbrians contented himselfe to drink in a woodden godet and tankerd after the example of father Bacchus C. Marius I say who of a good husbandman in the country about Arpinum of a common and ordinary souldier came to be a braue captaine and commander in the field CHAP. XII ¶
things which are worth the writing of neere vnto Locres be these Sagra the riuer and the reliques of the towne Caulon Mystia the castle Consilium Cerinthus which some think to be the vtmost promontory of Italy bearing farthest into the sea Then follow the creeke or gulfe Scylacensu and that which was called by the Athenians when they built it Scylletium Which place another creeke Tirenaeus meeting with makes a demie Island in which there is a port towne called Castra Anibilis and in no place is Italy narrower being but twenty miles broad And therfore Dionisius the elder would haue there cut it off quite from the rest and laid it to Sicilie Riuers nauigable there be these Caecinos Crotalus Semirus Arocha Targines Within forth is the towne Petilia the mountaine Alibanus and promontory Lacinium before the coast whereof there is an Island tenne miles from the land called Dioscoron and another Calypsus which Homer is supposed to haue called Ogygia Moreouer Tyris Eranusa Meloessa And this is seuentie miles from Caulon as Agrippa hath recorded CHAP. XI ¶ The second Sea of Europe FRom the promontory Lacinium beginneth the second sea of Europe it takes a great winding and compasse with it and endeth at Acroceraunium a promontory of Epirus from which it is seuentie miles distant In which there sheweth it selfe the towne Croto and the riuer Naeathus The towne Thurium betweene the two riuers Arathis and Sybaris where there was a towne of the same name Likewise between Siris and Aciris there stands Heraclea fomtime called Siris Riuers Acalandrum Masuentum the town Metapontum in which the third region of Italy taketh an end The Inlanders be of the Brutians the Aprustans only but of Lucanes Thoatinates Bantines Eburines Grumentines Potentines Sontines Sirines Sergilanes Vrsentines Volcentanes vnto whom the Numestranes are ioined Besides all these Cato writes That Thebes of the Lucanes is cleane destroyed and gone And Theopompus saith That Pandosia was a citie of the Lucanes wherein Alexander king of the Epirotes was slaine Knit hereunto is the second region or tract of Italy containing within it the Hirpines Calabria Apulia the Salentines within an arme of the sea in compasse 250 miles which is called Tarentinus of a town of the Laconians scituate in the inmost nouke or creek hereof and to it was annexed and lay the maritine Colonie which there was And distant it is from the promontory Lacinium 1â—…6 miles putting forth Calabria like a demy Island against it The Greeks called it Messapia of their captaines name and before-time Peucetia of Peucetius the brother of Oenotrus In the Salentine country between the two promontories there is a 100 miles distance The bredth of this demie Island to wit from Tarentum to Brindis if you goe by land is two and thirtie miles but far shorter if you saile from the Hauen or Bay Sasina The townes in the Continent from Tarentum be Varia surnamed Apula Cessapia and Aletium But in the coast of the Senones Gallipolis now Auxa 62 miles from Tarentum Two and thirtie railes off is the promontorie which they call Acra Iapygia and here Italy runneth farthest into the sea Then is there the town Basta and Hydruntum in the space of nineteen miles to make a partition betweene the Ionian and Adriaticke seas through which is the shortest cut into Greece ouer against the towne Apollonia where the narrow sea running between is not aboue fiftie miles ouer This space between Pyrrhus king of Epirus was the first that intending to haue a passage ouer on foot thought to make bridges there after him M. Varro at what time as in the Pyrates warre he was Admirall of Pompeies fleet But both of them were let and stopped with one care or other besides Next to Hydrus there is Soletum a citie not inhabited then Fratuertium the hauen Tarentinus the garrison towne Lupia Balesium Caelium Brundusium fifteene miles from Hydrus as much renowmed as any towne of Italy for the hauen for the surer sailing although it be the longer and the citie of Illyricum Dyrragium is ready to receiue the ships the passage ouer is 220 miles Vpon Brundutium bordereth the territory of the Paediculi Nine young men there were of them and as many maids descended from the Illyrians who begat betweene them thirteen nations The townes of these Paediculi be Rhudia Egnatia Barion beforetime Iapyx of Dedalus his sonne who also gaue the name to Iapygia Riuers Pactius and Aufidus issuing out of the Hirpine mountaines and running by Canusium Then followes Apulia of the Daunians surnamed so of their leader father in law to Diomedes In which is the towne Salapia famous for the loue of an harlot that Anniball cast a fancie vnto then Sipontum and Vria also the riuer Cerbalus where the Daunians take their end the port Agasus the cape of the mountaine Garganus from Salentine or Iapygium 234 miles fetching a compasse about Garganus the hauen Garnae the lake Pantanus The riuer Frento full of Baies and Hauens and Teanum of the Apulians In like manner also Larinum Aliturnia and the riuer Tifernus Then commeth in the region Frentana So there be three kindes of nations Teani of their leader from the Greekes the Lucanes subdued by Calchas which quarters now the Atinates hold and occupie Colonies of the Daunians besides the abouenamed Luceria and Venusia townes Canusium Arpi sometime Argos Hippium builded by Diomides but soon after called Argyrippa There Diomedes vanquished and destroied the whole generation of the Monadians and Dardians together with two cities which grew to a merry iest by way of a by-word Apina and Trica The rest be more inward in the second region to wit one Colonie of the Hirpines called Beneuentum changed into a more luckie name wheras in times past it was cleaped Maleuentum the Aeculanes Aquilonians and Abellinates surnamed Protropi the Campsanes Caudines and Ligurians surnamed Cornelians as also Bebianes Vescellanes Deculanes and Aletrines Abellinates surnamed Marsi the Atranes Aecanes Afellanes Attinates Arpanes the Borcanes the Collatines Corinenses and famous for the ouerthrow of the Romanes there the Cannians the Dirines the Metintanes the Genusines the Hardonians and Hyrines the Larinates surnamed Frentanes the metrnates and out of Garganus the Mateolanes the Neritines and Natines the Rubustines the Syluines and Strapellines the Turmentines the Vibinates Venusines and Vlurtines Now the Inlanders of the Calabrians the Aegirines Apanestines and Argentines The Butuntines and Brumbestines the Decians the Norbanes the Palions Sturnines and Tutines Also of Salentine midlanders the Aletines Basterbines Neretines Valentines and Veretines CHAP. XII ¶ The fourth Canton or region of Italy NOw followeth the fourth region euen of the most hardie and valiant nations of all Italy In the coast of the Frentanes next to Tifernus is the riuer Tirinium full of good hauens and harbours The towns there be Histonium Buca and Ortona with the riuer Aternus More within the countrey are the Anxanes surnamed Frentanes the Carentines
townes or otherwise busie in their ciuil affaires The quils or feathers of Egles laid among those of other foules will deuour consume them Men say that of all flying Fowle the Egle onely is not smitten nor killed with lightening whereupon folke are wont to say that shee serues Iupiter in place of his squire or armor-bearer CHAP. IV. ¶ When Egles began to be the Ensignes and standards of the Roman legions and what fowles they be that war with Egles CAius Marius in his second Consulship ordained that the legions of Romane soldiers only should haue the Egle for their standard and no other ensigne for before-time the Egle marched formost indeed but in a ranke of foure others to wit of Wolues Minotaures Horses and Bores which were borne each one before their own seuerall squadrons and companies Not many yeares past the standard of the Egle alone began to be aduanced into the field to battell and the rest of the ensignes were left behind in the campe but Marius reiected them altogether and had no vse of them at all And euer since this is obserued ordinarily that there was no standing campe or leaguer wintered at any time without a paire of Egle standards Of Egles the first and second kind prey not only vpon the lesse foure footed beasts but also maintain battell with the red Deere euen the stag and the hind The maner of the Egle is after she hath wallowed in the dust and gathered a deale thereof among her feathers to settle vpon the horns of the Deere aforesaid to shake the same off into his eies to flap and beat him about the face with his wings vntill she driue him among the rocks and there force him to fall down from thence headlong and so to breake his neck Moreouer the Egle hath not enough of this one enemie but she must war with the dragon also howbeit the fight betweene them is more sharp and eager yea and putteth her to much more danger albeit otherwhiles they combat in the aire The Dragon of a naturall spight and greedy desire to do mischiefe to the Eagle watcheth euermore where the airie is for to destroy the egs and so the race of the Egles The Eagle again wheresoeuer she can set an eye vpon him catcheth him vp and carieth him away but the serpent with his taile windeth about his wings and so intangleth and tieth them fast that downe they fall both of them together CHAP. V. ¶ A strange and wonderfull accident of an Egle. THere hapned a maruellous example about the city Sestos of an Egle for which in those parts there goes a great name of an Egle and highly is she honored there A yong maid had brought vp a yong Egle by hand the Egle again to requite her kindnes would first when shee was but little flie abroad a birding and euer bring part of that shee had gotten vnto her said nurse In processe of time being grown bigger and stronger would set vpon wild beasts also in the forrest and furnish her yong mistresse continually with store of venison At length it fortuned that the damosell died and when her funerall fire was set a burning the Egle flew into the mids of it and there was consumed into ashes with the corps of the said virgin For which cause and in memoriall thereof the inhabitants of Sestos and the parts there adioyning erected in that very place a stately monument such as they cal Heroum dedicated in the name of Iupiter and the virgin for that the Egle is a bird consecrated vnto that god CHAP. VI. ¶ Of Vultures or Geires THe blacke Vultures are the best of that kind No man euer could meet with their nests whereupon some haue thought but vntruly that they fly vnto vs out of another world euen from the Antipodes who are opposite vnto vs. But the very truth is they build in the highest rocks they can find and their yong ones haue many times bin seene two together and no more Vmbricius who was counted the most skilfull Aruspex of our age saith they vsually lay three egs whereof they take one of them to sacre and blesse as it were the other eggs and the nest and then soon after they cast it away Also that the maner of the Geires is to foresee a carnage and to fly two or three daies before vnto the place where there wil be any carions or dead carkasses CHAP. VII ¶ Of the Sangualis and Immussulus AS touching the Sangualis and the Immussulus our Augurs at Rome are in a great doubt and make much question what they should be Some are of opinion that the Immussulus is the chicke of the Vulture and the Sangualis likewise the yong Ossifraga Massurius saith that the Sangualis and Ossifraga be both one and as for the Immussulus it is the yong bird of the Egle before it come to haue a white taile Some haue affirmed confidently that after the death of Mutius the Augure there was neuer any of them seen at Rome But I rather am of this mind and me thinkes it sounds more like a truth such is the supine negligence and carelesnesse of men in all things else that no maruell it is if they know them not although they see them CHAP. VIII ¶ Of Hawkes WE find in Faulconrie 16 kinds of Hawks or Fowles that prey Of which the Circos which is lame and limpeth of one leg was held in antient time for the luckiest Augurie in case of weddings and of cattell Also the Hawke called Triorches of three stones or cullions that it hath is reputed a bird of good presage and in Augurie lady Phemonoe hath giuen vnto it the honor of the best simply and most fortunate The Romans call it Buteo i. a Buzzard and there is a worshipfull house and family in Rome of that syrname by occasion that a Buzzard setled and perched himselfe vpon the Admirall ship where Fabius himselfe one of that house was presaging a boone-voyage and happy successe according as it fell out indeed As for the Hauk which the Greeks name Aesalo i. the Merlin she alone is euer seen at all times of the yeare whereas the rest are gon when winter commeth In generall Hawks are diuided into sundry and distinct kinds by their greedinesse more or lesse and their manner in chase and preying for some there be that neuer seise on a foule but vpon the ground others againe neuer assaile any birds but when they spy them flying about some tree There be also that take a bird perching and sitting on high and ye shal haue of them that ouertake them as they fly in the wide and open aire The doues therefore and pigeons knowing the danger of flying aloft so soon as they espy them either light vpon the ground and settle or else fly neere the earth and thus help themselues by taking a contrarie course to the Hawks nature to auoid their talons There is in the ocean of Africke an Island called
is it brought into the citie For by law forbidden it is on pain of death to take any other way Which done the Priests there of the god whom they call Sabis take the disme or tenth part of the Incense by measure and not by weight and set it apart for that god Neither is it lawful for any man to buy or sell before that duty be paied which serues afterwards to support certaine publick expenses of the citie For al strangers and trauellers within the compasse of certain daies journey if they come to the citie are courteously receiued and liberally entertained at the cost and charge of the said god Sabis Caried forth of the country it cannot be but thorough the Gebanites and therfore there is a custome paid to their king The head citie of that kingdome Thomna is from Gaza the next port-towne in Iudaea toward our coast seuen and twentie miles fourscore times told and this way is diuided into 62 daies journy by Camels Moreouer besides the tyth aforesaid there be measures bestowed vpon the Priests to their owne vse and others likewise to the kings Secretaries and Scribes And not only these haue a share but also the Keepers Sextons and Wardens of the temple the Squires of the bodie the Guard and Pensioners the kings officers the Porters Groomes and other seruitors pill and poll and euery one hath a snatch Moreouer all the way as they trauell in one place they pay for their water in another for fodder and prouender or else fortheir lodging stable-room euery where for one thing or other they pay toll so as the charge of euery Cammell from thence to the sea vpon our coast commeth to 688 deniers and yet we are not come to an end of paiments For our Publicanes and customers also belonging to our Empire must haue a fleece for their parts And therefore a pound of the best Incense will cost 16 deniers of the second 15 and the third 14. With vs it is mingled and sophisticated with parcels of a white kind of Rosin which is very like to it but the fraud is soone found by the meanes aboue specified The best Incense is tried and knowne by these markes viz. If it be white large brittle and easie to take a flame when it comes neare a coale of fire last of all if it still not abide the dent of the tooth but flie in pieces and crumble sooner than suffer the teeth to enter into it CHAP. XV. ¶ Of Myrrhe and the Trees that yeeld it SOme haue written That the Trees which beare the Myrrhe doe grow confusedly here and there in the same woods among the Incense Trees but more there are who affirme That they grow apart by themselues And in truth found they are in many quarters of Arabia as shall be said when we treat of the seuerall species of Myrrh There is very good Myrrh brought out of the Islands and the Sabaesns passe ahe seas and trauell as far as to the Troglodites countrey for it There is a kind of Myrrhe tree planted by mans hand in Hort-yards and much preferred it is before the wild that groweth in the woods These Trees loue to be raked bared and cleansed about the roots they delight I say to haue the superfluous spurnes rid away from the root and the more that the root is cooled the better thriueth the Tree The plant groweth ordinarily fiue cubits high but not all that length is smooth and without pricks the bodie and trunke is hard and wrythen thicker than the Incense trees it is greatest toward the root and so arises smaller and smaller taperwise Some say that the bark is smooth and euen like vnto that of the Arbute Tree others againe affirme that it is prickly and full of thornes It hath a lease like to the Oliue cut more crisped and curled and withall it is in the end sharp-pointed like a needle But King Iuba writes that it beareth the lease of Loueach or Alisanders There be who write that it resembles the Iuniper saue only that it is more rough and beset with sharp pricks And some let not to dream talke that both Myrrhe and also Incense came from one and the same Tree Indeed the Myrrhe trees are twice cut and launced in one yeare and at the same seasons as wel as the Incense trees but the slit reacheth from the very root vp to the boughes if they may beare and abide it Howbeit before that incision be made they sweat out of themselues a certain liquor called Stacte which is very good Myrrh and none better As wel of this franke and garden myrrh tree as of the wild in the woods the Myrrh is better that is gathered or runs in Suâ—…mer time There is no allowance of myrrh offered and giuen to the god Sabis as there was of Incense because it is found in other countries Howbeit the King of the Gebanites hath payed vnto him for toll and custome a fourth part of all that passeth through his kingdome To conclude whatsoeuer is bought in any market or place abroad they put and thrust it hard together in leather bags one with another but the Druggists and Apothecaries can soon separate the better from the worse and be very cunning and ready to digest them according to the marks that they go by as well of smell as fattinesse CHAP. XVI ¶ Diuers kindes of Myrrhe the nature vertue and price thereof MAny sorts there be of Myrrh Of all the wild kinds the first is that which groweth in the Troglodites country Next to it is Minaea in which rank you may place Attramittica and Ausaritis which both come out of the realme of the Gebanites In a third place reckon that which they call Dianitis A fourth sort is gotten here and there in all parts and hudled together In the fift range is Sembracena so called of a city within the kingdom of the Sabaeans and is next vnto the sea The sixt they call Dusaritis Besides all these a white myrrh there is found but in one place which ordinarily is brought to the city Mesalum there sold. The Trogloditick myrrh they chuse by the fattinesse thereof and for that it seemes to the eye greener it shewes also foule rude and ilfauoured but sharper it is and more biting in mouth than the rest The Sembracene hath none of these faults but is pleasant and cheerful to see to howbeit of small operation and strength But to speake in a word and once for all the best myrrh is known by little pieces which are not round and when they grow together they yeeld a certain whitish liquor which issueth and resolueth from them and if a man break them into morsels it hath white veines resembling mens nailes and in taste is somewhat bitter A second degree there is in goodnes when it sheweth sundry colors within And the worst of all is that which within-forth is black and the same is worse yet if it be as black
of timber like as in marble also there be found certaine knurs like kernils as hard they be as naile heads and they plague sawes wheresoeuer they light vpon them Otherwhiles they fall out to be in trees by some accidental occasion as namely when a stone is got into the wood and enclosed within it or in case the bough of some other tree be incorporat or vnited to the foresaid wood There stood a long time a wild Oliue in the market place of Megara vpon which the hardie and valiant warriors of that citie vsed to hang and fasten their armor after some worthy exploit performed which in tract and continuance of time were ouergrown with the bark of the said tree and quite hid Now was this a fatal tree vnto the same city and the inhabitants thereof who by way of Oracle were forewarned of their wofull destiny and vtter ruin which was to happen When that a tree should be with yong and deliuered of harneis which Oracle was fulfilled when this tree was cut downe for within the wombe thereof were found the mourrions jambriers or grieues of braue men in times past To conclude it is said That such stones so found in trees be singular good for a woman with child to carie about her that she may goe her full time CHAP. XL. ¶ Of diuers sorts of timber Of â—…aine trees of extraordinarie bignesse What trees they be that neuer be worme-eaten nor decay and fall What wood doth endure and continue alwaies good THe greatest tree that to this day had euer been knowne or seene at Rome was that which being brought with other timber for the rebuilding of the foresaid bridge called Naumachiaria Tiberius Caesar commanded to be landed and laid abroad in view for a singular and miraculous monument to all posteritie and it remained entire and whole vntill the time that Nero the Emperour built stis stately Amphitheatre This peece of timber was of a Larch tree it contained in length 120 foot and caried in thickenesse euery way two foot from one end to the other Whereby a man may guesse and judge the incredible height of the whole tree besides to the very top Such another tree there was to be seen in our daies which M. Agrippa left for the like singularity and wonder of men in those stately porches and cloisters that hee made in Mars field and it continued still after the building of the muster place and treasurers haâ—…l named Diribitorium Shorter it was than the former by 20 foot and caried a foot and half in thickenesse As for the Fir tree which serued for a mast in that huge ship which by the commandement and direction of C. Caligula the Emperour transported and brought out of Aegypt that Obelisk which was erected and set vp in the Vatican hil within the cirque there together with the foure entire stones which bare vp the said Obelisk as supporters it was seen of a wonderfull and inestimable height aboue all others and certaine it is that there was neuer knowne to flâ—…te vpon the sea a more wonderful ship than it was She receiued 120000 Modij of Lentils for the very ballaist she tooke vp in length the greater part of the left side of Hostia harbour for Claudius the Emperor caused it there to be sunk together with three mighty great piles or dams founded vpon it and mounted to the height of towers for which purpose there was brought a huge quantity of earth or sand from Puteoli The maine bodie of this mast contained in compasse 4 fadom full And a common by-word it is currant in euery mans mouth that Fir mast for that purpose are vsually sold for eight hundred Sesterces apeece and more monie whereas for the most part planks which are set together and serue in stead of boats ordinarily cost but forty Howbeit the kings of Egypt and Syria for default and want of Fir haue vsed by report in stead thereof Cedar wood about their shipping And verily the voice goes of an exceeding big one which grew in Cyprus and was cut downe for a mast to serue that mighty galleace of king Demetrius that had eleuen bankes of oares to a side a hundred and thirtie foot it was high and three fatham thicke And no maruell since that the pyrats and rouers who haunt the coasts of Germanie make their punts or troughs of one entire peece of wood and no more wrought hollow in manner of a boat and some one of them will hold thirtie men To proceed now vnto the sundry natures of wood The most massie and fast wood and therfore the weightest of all other by judgment of men is that of the Ebene and the Boxe both small trees by nature Neither of them twaine swims aboue the water no more will the Corke wood if it be barked nor the Larch Of all the rest the saddest wood is that of Lotus I meane that which at Rome is so called Next to it is the heart of Oke namely when it is rid of the white sappie wood the heart I say which comes neare to a black color and yet the Cytisus or Tetrifolie is blacker and seemeth most to resemble the Ebene Howbeit you shall haue some who affirme that the Terebinths of Syria be blacker than it There was one Thericles a famous Turner who was wont to make drinking cups mazers and bowles of the Terebinth which is a sufficient proofe that the wood is fine and hard This wood alone of all others loueth to be oiled and surely the better it is for the oile But a maruellous prety deuice there is to set a passing faire blacke color and a shining glosse vpon it with Walnuts and wild Peares namely boiling these together and making thereof a mixture and composition to giue the said tincture All these trees abouenamed haue a sad and fast wood Next to them in that respect is the Cornell tree and yet I cannot properly range it in the order of timber trees so small and slender it is Neither is the wood thereof in manner good for nought else but for spokes in cartwheeles also to make wedges to cleaue wood and tough pins that wil hold as fast well neer as yron spikes In like sort the Mast-holm the Oliue both wild and tame the Chestnut tree the Hornbeame and the Poplar be of an hard substance and meet for this purpose The wood hereof hath a curled graine like the Maple and surely would be as good timber as any but for often lopping the boughs which gueldeth and deminisheth the strength Moreouer many of them there bee and the Oke especially so hard that vnlesse they be soked first in water it is impossible to bore a hole into them with an augoer or to pluck forth a nail if it be once set fast water them as much as you will Contrariwise the Cedar will not hold a naile The wood of the Linden tree seemes of all other to bee most soft and hotest withal for proofe whereof this
vertue it hath 355. c Breeding time in plants 471. e of the Brest in man and beast 343. e. f Breast apples 438. l Bricke and tile who deuised 188. k Brickes and tiles raigned See Raine Brimstone mine 568. i Brim of the eie-lids being wounded cannot be drawne together 336. i Brittaine an Island renowmed 86. k Brocci who they were 336. l Brochos what it is 363. a Brood-hen starre Uirgiliae 588. h setting of brood-hens 589. f Broome where and when to be set 523. c Bruscum in maple 467. a Bruta what tree 371. a Brutium a promontory 51. b Bryon Aromaticum what it is 375. d Bryon a weed in the sea 401. c B V Bubetij what plaies they are 550. k Bubulcus surname to the house of Iunij whereupon ib. h Bucephalia the citie 221. a Bucephalus King Alexanders horse 220. l. his description and rare qualities ib. m Bucklers of what wood they be made 590. k Buffles horne of eight gallons 331. f. buffles horne how it is vsed 332. g Building vpon land in the country 554. g. h Bull baiting 225. e Buying and selling who deuised 187. e Bulls wild vntameable 206. i Bullais 437. a Bumasti grapes 405. a Bumelia a kinde of Ash-tree 465 f Bunches in wood 487. l Bura citie 41. a Burning and burying of dead-bodies after diuerse sorts 186. l. m. Butter hath the vertue and properties of oyle 340. k Butterfly how it is bred 329. e Butterflies no good signe of the Spring 586. g Buteo See Triorches Buteo gaue the name to the house of Fabij in Rome 274. k Buzzards good meat 296. k Buzzard See Buteo B Y Byzacium territory of Affricke 505. e. most fruitfull ground ibid. Byzia a castle of Thracian kings hated of Swallowes and why 278. l C A CAchrys in an Oke what it is 400. l. the vse and manner thereof ibid. Cadytas what it is 496. i Cadmus whore borne 108. g. first found out for to write prose ibid. Casias wind 23. a Caecina his practise by Swallowes 283. a Caesares and Caesones why so called 160. i. such commonly fortunate ibid. Caesar his breast-plate made of English pearle 256. k Caesar Dictator his liberalitie in wines 420. h Caesar ript out of his mothers belly 160. i C. Caesar his quickenesse of spirit 168. k Caesar repented him of his clemencie ibid. l Caesar his fidelitie concerning writing 168. m Caesaris Thronos a starre 34. l Caesaria a citie in Mauritania 53. d Caius Hirtius inuented stewes for Lampries in Asia 267. c. Caius Marius first aduanced the Aegle in the Romane ensigne 273. c Caius Caligula the Emperour his saying of Surrentine wines 414. h Caia Cecilia Leoke Tanaquill Calpe a Promontory 51. b Calpe a mountaine ibid. e Calculosae a kinde of Purples 259. b Calydna Island 316. b Calamus Aromaticus 375. a Calculation of the yeare by Caesar the Author followeth 586. l. Calamaries fishes 244. b Calaminth first vsed by Lizards 210. l sea-Calfe his qualities 213. b Calues chosen for sacrifice 235. e Callithriches a kind of Apes 225. b Camalodunum a towne in Brittaine 36. k Cammell hath no fore-teeth in the vpper iaw 337. b Cammels how they engender 302. l Cammels their diuerse kinds 205. b Camelopardalis what kinde of beasts 205. d Campaine in Italy a most fruitfull country 567. e. f Canell See Casia Canes See Reeds Canes of India serue betweene ioints for boats 482. m Canes of diuerse sorts 483. b Canes and reeds how they grow ibid. a Canarium what sacrifice 551. b Caucamum 374. b Canetias the workemen that made the stature of Diana at Ephesus 491. c Canopus the name of a starre where and in what manner it appeareth and where not 34. l Canopus a goodly starre seen in Taprobane about the pole Antarticke 130. i Canterius in a Vineyard what it is 528. i. k Cantharolethus in Thrace 327. a. why so called ibid. Capnumargos a kinde of red marle 506. b Capparis the plant of the fruit capres 400. i Caprification to be practised after raine 546. b Caprification what it is 444. k Caprificus what it is ibid. 〈◊〉 Cappadocians how they tooke their names 116. h Caprimulgi what birds 292. i Carambis promontory 49. a Carbunculus burning earth 503. b Carbunculus in corne what it is 598. i Cardamomum foure kinds 365. 〈◊〉 Cardiaca disease of the heart 341. a Cardo what it is 598. i Carpinus what manner of trees 466. m Carginon what it is 476. g Carpheotum 367. d Caryoâ—…a dates why so called and the wine thereof 387. d Caryopon what drug 397. e. the worth ibid. Carob-tree 390. g Carobs or caracts what kinde of fruit 447. b Carpentry and the tooles whose inuention 188. l Carpophilon 452. m Carseoly territory 537. f Carthegon what it is 476. g Casia 372. i Casia the sweet spice where it groweth 373. e the plant described ibid. Casia the best ibid. Casius a mount of admirable height 102. g Caspiae gates so called 122. g Caspia part not the streights of Caucasus they be described 455. a. b. Castor and Pollux star what is to be thought of them 18. k wherefore men invocate them at sea ibid. l Castoreum what it is 212. m Cat of gold worshipped as a god 546. b Cats how they ingender 302. l. Cats how subtill in hunting 308. g. Catacecaumene a region 415. f. why so called 416. g Caligula his eies stiffe in his head 334. k Cataractae See Diomedian birds Cato Censorius commended 410. l. his precepts touching Uines 411. a Cato perswaded the Senate of Rome to destroy Carthage by occasion of a figge 443. a. b. c Cato his praise and commendation 169. f Catorchites what kinde of Dates 421. a Catoblephas what kinde of beasts 206. l Cati and Corculi why so called 173. b Cause of vomit 342. l Caunians naturally subiect to the swelling of the spleene 331. k. Cauneas presaged ill fortune to M. Crassus 445. a Cauchi a people without trees their habitation and country described 455. a. b Cauaticae a kinde of Snailes 218. i C E Cea Island 41. a Cedar gum 424. g Cedars which be best 489. a Cedar oyle ibid. Cedar for Masts 490. g Cedars of dwarfe kinde 388. l. m Cedrelate 389. a. the timber thereof euerlasting ibid. Cedrelaeon 434. h. i Cedrium what it is 46. h Celendine reuealed by Swallowes 210. l Celtium a kinde of Tortoise 241. e Celtie See Lote-tree Centigranum wheat 565. b Cepphus a beast 205. e Cephenes or Serenes young dronâ—… Boes and how they be fed 318. i Ceratias a kinde of Comet 15. e Cervus a Mast-tree 458. m. the mast thereof ibid. Cerastes what worme 492. g. wormes in figge-trees 539. c Cerastae serpents 208. g. Cerastae serpents haue hornes of flesh 331 C H Cheapenesse of all victuals in Rome 551. d. the cause thereof ibid. f Chalcedon why called the citie of the blind 114. g Chamaedaphne 452. m Chamecerasti 448. h Chameleons lights are very
they taught the vse of the Helme in the ship 275. f are troubled with the gout ibid. Kissing of women by kinsfolke vpon what occasion 418. k K N Knees being wounded in their hollowes bring present death 350. i of Knees a discourse ibid. Knurs in timber 489. b L A LAburnum what manner of tree 468. k Labeones who they were 336. l Laboriae in Campane a most fruitfull tract 567. f Labruscae bastard wild Uines 538. g Lacta the best Casia or Canell 373. e Lactes placed next to the bag of the stomacke 342. l Lacydes accompanied with a Goose. 280. k Ladanum the best 370. k. the price thereof ibid. Ladanum how it is gathered 370. g Ladanum of two kindes ibid. i Laestrigones monsters of men 154. g Laërtes a king mucked ground with his own hands 507. b Lagopus a bird why so called 296. h Lalisiones what they be 224. i Lama what tree 369. e Lambes named Cordi 226. l Lambes how to be chosen ibid. Lampades flaming torches in the skie 17. b Lampadias a kinde of Comet 15. f Lampido the onely woman knowne to haue been daughter to a king a kings wife and mother to a king 176. l Lampries in France how they are marked 248. i Lamprey a fish 245. b Lampreics of fresh water 246. g sea Lampreies their nature 248. h Lampyrides what they are 593. c Lanata what apples 438. g. why so called ibid. Lanati a sort of Pikes 245. e Land in the country made distinction of states at Rome 550. m. Land worth fortie denarij the short cubit 581. d Land Mediterranean fittest for fruits 501. c Land how much assigned by king Romulus to his subiests 549. d. Land of whom to be bought 553. c little Land well tilled 554. m Lands may be ouermuch tended 555. b Lanisis of Lacedaemon his swiftnesse 167. a Lanterne a sea fish 249. d Laodicea a citie the description thereof 107. a Larch tree 462. l. the timber and the liquid rosin thereof ibid. how it is drawne 465. b Larch tree female 487. b Larch tree of great length 489. d Lares a temple to them neere to which an altar erected to Orbona See Orbona Large space between the stomacke and the paunch is cause of more hunger 342. l Lawes who first inuented 187. c Lawrea the leafe of Lawrell 454. g Lawrell tree not smitten with lightening 27. c Lawrell groues why called Triumphales 454. g Lawrell a medicine for the Rauens 211. d the mad Lawrell 495. d Lawrell tree how it was employed at Rome 452. i Lawrell Delphicke Cyprian Mustacea ibid. Delphicke Lawrell described 452. k Cyprian Lawrell described ibid. Lawrell Tinus or wild Lawrell 452. k Lawrell Augusta or Imperiall ibid. Lawrell Baccalia 452. l Lawrell Triumphall ibid. Lawrell Taxa 452. l Lawrell Spadonia ibid. Lawrell Alexandrina 452. m Lawrell Idaea ibid. Lawrell token of peace 453. b Lawrell much honoured at Rome and why ibid. c Lawrell fairest vpon Parnassus 453. c Lawrell not smitten with the lightening ibid. a Lawrell Chaplet vsed by Tiberius Caesar against lightening 453. d Lawrell why vsed in triumph ibid. Laurcola 453. a. described ibid. Laurices young Rabbets or Leuerets 232. h Laurus the onely tree in Latine that giueth name vnto a man 454. g who laughed the day that he was borne 164. m Lax a fish 243. a L E Lead who first found out 188. l League who first deuised 189. i Leape yeare 6. h Learned wits honoured 171. f Leaues of Aspen tree neuer hang still 514. l Leaues that alter their shape form vpon the trees 470. h Leaues of some trees turne about with the Sunne in the Tropicke of Cancer 407. i Leaues of the trees how they be framed aboue and beneath 470. k. Leaues of trees distinguished by their bignesse forme and substance 470. l. m Leaues distinguished by other qualities and their order 471. a. Leaues of trees good fodder 471. b what Leaues are apt to shed and which are not 469. d a Philosophicall discourse touching the cause of shedding or holding Leaues 469. e. f Leaues of what trees hold their colour 470. g Lectos a promontory in Trouâ—… 471. f Ledon 370. i Lemnos Island 378. g. their manner ibid. Length of the legs and necke answerable for the proportion in all creatures 339. e Lentill where and when to be sowne 569. e Lentills of two kindes ibid. Lents and Lenes in Latine whence deriued 569. e Lentiske berries preserued 448. k Lentuli why so called 550. h Leococruta what kind of beast 206. h. and what of nature ibid. how engendred 212 Lconides rebuked Alexander the Great for burning too much Frankincense 367. f Leontophonus what beast 217. e. and why so called ibid. Leopards how they lie in wait 308. g Leptorhages what grapes 495. m Lepo or Mole a kinde of fish 249. c Letters or characters who inuented 187. f Leuaines 566. h. i. the nature thereof ibid. l Leuci kinde of Herons with one eye 334. g Lecocomum a kinde of Pomegranats 398. h Leucogaeon a place 568. h. it yeeldeth chalke to make white frumentie and a great reuenâ—…e yearely ibid. Leucosia Island sometimes ioined to the promontory of Syreus 540. i L I Libanus mount the description thereof 102. i Liciniani why so called 163. a Licinius Stolo condemned by vertue of his owne law 551. d of mans Life the tearme vncertaine 180. l Life short a benefit 183. b Licorne See Monoceros Lignum a fault in Cytron wood 396. h Lightenings attributed to Iupiter 14. g. the reason thereof ibid. presages of future things ibid. Lightenings seldome in Summer or Winter and the reason 25. c. in what lands they fall not ibid. the sundry sorts and wonders thereof 25. e. diuerse obseruations touching them 26. g. raised by coniuration ibid. k. generall rules of lightening ibid. m. it is seene before the thunderclap is heard and why ibid. what things are not strucken with lightenings 27. e Lights the seat of the breath 341. a. spongeous and full of pipes ibid. Limosae what fishes 243. c Lime at the root of Cberrte-troes hastens their fruit 546. k Limning See Painting Linden trees differ in sex 466. i. their fruit no beast will touch ibid. the Linden tree yeeldeth fine panicles for cordage 466. i the timber will not be worme-eaten ibid. k Linnen fine cloath whence 80. l Linnet very docible 293. a Likenes of children to parents grandsire or others 160. m 161. a. b. the reason in Nature 161. c Likenesse of one man to another diuerse examples 161. d deinceps Lions of the right kinde how they be knowne 200. i. k Lions bones will strike fire 344. m Lions how they will walke 350. k Lionesse lecherous 200. k Lionesses engender with Pardes ibid. Lion iealous of the Lionesse 200. k Lionesse how oft shee beareth young 200. l. and the manner thereof 201. b of Lions two kindes ibid. their nature and properties ibid. Lions long liued 201. c Lions crucified ibid. and why ibid.
in salt giuen in wine to drinke do stir and prouoke the appetite vnto venerie Moreouer to feed vpon the fishes called Erythrines ordinarily at the table to hang about the necke the liuer of the frog called Diopetes or Calamita within a little piece of a cranes skin or the jaw tooth of a Crocodile fastened to any arme either els the Sea-horse or the sinewes of a Toad bound to the right arme incite greatly to wantonnesse and lecherie Put a toad within a piece of a sheeps skin newly flaied and let one weare it tied fast about him he shall forget all loue and amitie for euer The broth of froggs boiled in water do extenuat the scuruie thicke roufe in the farcins or mange of horses and make way that they may be bathed and anointed and verily it is credibly affirmed that if they be cured after this manner the scab will neuer returne againe The expert midwife Salpe affirmeth for certain That doggs will not barke if there be giuen vnto them in a morcell of bread or gobbet of flesh a liue frog In this discourse of Water and the things concerning it somwhat ought to be said as touching Calamochnus which otherwise in Latine is named Adarca it groweth about small canes or reeds and is engendred of the froth of sea water and fresh water together where they both meet and are intermingled a causticke qualitie it hath in regard whereof it entreth into the compositions called Acopa which serue for lassitude and those that are benummed with cold It is emploied also in taking away the pimples or spots in womens faces like to lentils As for Reeds and Canes this is their very proper place also wherein they should be treated of And to begin with that reed or cane called Phragmitis which is so good for mounds hedges the root thereof greene gathered and punned is singular for dislocations and the paine of the backebone if the place affected be annointed with it incorporat in vinegre But the rind of the Cyprian cane which also is named Donax burnt into ashes is singular for to recouer haire againe where it was shed by occasion of sicknesse and to heale old vlcers The leaues also serue very well to draw forth any spills pricks or arrow heads that sticke within the flesh yea and to extinguish S. Anthonies fire As for the floure or downe of their catkins if it chance to enter into the eares it causeth deafenesse The blacke liquor resembling inke which is found in the cuttle-fish is of that force that if it be put to the oile of a lamp burning Anaxilaus saith it will drown and put out the former cleare light and make all those in the room to looke like blackamores or Aethiopians The hedge frog otherwise called a toad boiled in water and giuen to swine among other draffe to drinke cureth all their diseases and of the same effect are the ashes of any other frogs besides Rub a piece of wood with the fish called Pulmo Marinus it will seem as though it were on a light fire in so much as a staffe so rubbed or besmeared with it may serue in stead of a torch to giue light before one CHAP. XI ¶ That there be of fishes and other creatures liuing in the Sea one hundred seuentie and six seuerall and distinct kinds HAuing thus treated before sufficiently of the natures and properties of Fishes and such creatures as the water doth yeeld it remaineth now for a finall conclusion to present vnder one view all those fishes name by name which are engendred and nourished not only in those mediterranean and inland arms of the sea which for many a mile take vp a great part of the continent and firme land but also in that vast and wide ocean without the main bounded as it were limited onely by the compasse and circumference of the heauen and those namely as many as be knowne may be reduced all into 176 kinds a thing which cannot be done either in the beasts of the land or foules of the aire For how is it possible to decipher particularize the wild beasts and foules of India Aethyopia of the desarts and of Scythia which we are not come to the knowledge of seeing we haue found so many different sorts in men of whom wee haue some notice and intelligence to say nothing of Ta probane and other Islands lying within the Ocean whereof so many fabulous reports are deliuered certes there is no man but hee must needs confesse and agree to this that it was not possible in this historie of Nature to comprise all sorts of creatures which the earth aire do yeeld Howbeit those that are bred in the Ocean as huge and vast as it is may be comprehended vnder a certaine number a wonderfull matter that we should be better acquainted with those considering how Nature hath plunged and hidden them in the deepe gulfes of the maine sea To begin then with the greatest monsters and beasts that this vnruly Element of the water doth breed we find therin the sea-Trees Whirlepooles greater Whales Priests Tritons i. sea Trumpetters Nereides i. Meremaids Elephants sea Men and Women Wheeles sea Tuns or Pipes Rams and smaller Whales accompanying the bigger Besides other Rams that resemble the ordinary shape of fishes Dolphins and the sea Calues or Seales whereof the Poët Homer writeth so much Furthermore the sea Tortoises which serue for roiot wantonnesse and excesse the Beuers which are so much in request among Physicians As for the Otters albeit a kind of Beuers they are yet because I neuer heard that they came into the salt water I make no great reckoning of them for my purpose is to rehearse those only which inhabit or haunt the sea moreouer the sea Dogs the Curriors Posts or Lacquies of the sea the horned fishes the Swordfish or Emperour of the sea and the Sawfish Ouer and besides those which liue indifferently in the sea the land the riuer to wit the water Horses and the Crocodiles others again that ordinarily keepe in the sea and yet come vp into the riuers but neuer land to wit the Tunies as well the growne Thunnies as the yonger sort Thunnides or Pelamides The Siluri the blacke Coracini and Perches As touching those that neuer came forth of the sea the Sturgeon the Guilthead the cod the Acarne Aphya Alopecias the Yeels and Araneus The billowing fish Box Batis Banchus Barrachus and Belone with all the kind of those which wee call Needle fishes and also Balanus The sea Rauen Corvus and Cytharus all the sorts of the Chrombi the Carpe Chalcis and Cobio Callarius of the Cods kind but that it is lesse Colias whether it be Parianus of Parium the Colony or Sexitanus so called of a city in Granado or Baetica a fish resembling Lizards of which and of the young Tunie Pelamis both bred in Moeotis being chopped and cut into pieces
Sil and Azur As for Sil to speake properly it is a kind of muddy slime the best of this kind is called Atticum and euery pound of it is worth 32 deniers The next in goodnesse is hard as stone or marble and carieth hardly halfe the price of the other named Atticum there is a third sort of a fast compact substance which because it is brought out of the Island Scyros some call Scyricum and yet of late verily we haue it out of Achaia also and this is the Sil that painters vse for their shadows this is sold after two sesterces the pound As for the Sil which commeth out of France called the Bright Sil it is sold in euery pound two asses lesse than that of Achaia This Sil and the first called Atticum painters vse to giue a lustre and light withall but the second kinde which standeth vpon marble is not imploied but in tablements and chapters of pillers for that the marble grit within it doth withstand the bitternesse of the lime This Sil is digged likewise out of certain hils not past 20 miles from the city of Rome afterwards they burne it and by that means do sophisticate and sell it for the fast or flat kinde named Pressum but that it is not true and natural but calcined appeareth euidently by the bitternesse that it hath and for that it is resolued into pouder CHAP. XIII ¶ Of Sil Caeruleum Nestorianum and Coelum Also that all these kindes keep not the same price euerie yeare POlygnotus and Mycon were the first Painters who wrought with Sil or Ochre but they vsed onely that of Athens in their pictures The age insuing imploied it much in giuing light vnto their colours but that of Scyros and Lydia for shadowes As for the Lydian ochre it was commonly bought at Sardis the capitall city of Lydia but now it is growne out of all remembrance As touching Caeruleum or Azur it is a certaine sandy grit or pouder of which in old time there were knowne 3 kinds to wit the Aegyptian most commended aboue the rest the Scythian which is easie to be dissolued and tempered and in the grinding turneth into foure colours namely the Azur which is of a pallet colour called therefore the whiter the blacker Azur of a deeper blew there is the Azur also of a grosser substance and the fourth of a finer The Cyprian Azur is preferred before that of Scythia Ouer and aboue those Azures before-named wee haue some from Puteoli and Spaine where they be artificiall and they haue taken to making it of a kind of sand All the sorts of these Azurs receiue first a dye and are boiled with a certain hearbe appropriat to it called Oad the colour and juice whereof Azur is apt to drinke in and receiue As for all the preparation and making of it otherwise it is the same that belongeth to Chrysocolla or Borax Of Azur there is made that powder which wee call in Latine Lomentum for which purpose it must be first punned puluerized and washed and this is whiter indeed than the Azur it selfe sold it is after three and twentie deniers the pound whereas Azur may bee bought for eighteene Herewith they vse to paint walls that be ouercast with plastres for lime it will not abide Of late daies there is a kinde of Azur growne into request called Nestorianum taking that name of him who first deuised it made it is of the lightest part of the Aegyptian Azur and it costeth 40 deniers the pound Of the same vse also is the Azur of Puteoli saue only in windows and this some call Coelon It is not long since another kind of Azur or blew named Indico began to be brought ouer vnto vs out of India which is prized at 17 deniers the pound It serueth painters wel for the lines called Incisurae that is to say for to diuide shadows from lights in their workes To conclude there is another kinde of Lomentum or blew powder of the basest account of all other some call it Tritum and it is not esteemed worth aboue fiue asses the pound But to try the right and perfect Azur indeed the best experiment is to see whether it will flame vpon a burning cole As for the false and sophisticat Azur it is thus made they take the floures of violets dried and boile them in water the juice they presse forth through a linnen cloth and mix the same with the chaulky earth called Eretria vntill such time as it be well incorporat with it To proceed vnto the medicinable vertues of Azur It is holden to be a great clenser therfore it mundifieth vlcers in which regard it entreth into plasters as also into potentiall cauteries As touching Ochre or Sil it is exceeding hard to be reduced into pouder and this also serueth in Physicke for it hath a mild kind of mordacity astringent it is besides incarnatiue in which respect soueraigne to heale vlcers but before that it will doe any good it ought to be burnt and calcined vpon an earthen pan To conclude with the prices of all those things named heretofore howsoeuer hitherto I haue set them downe yet I am not ignorant how they vary according to the place yea and alter in manner euery yeare and well I wot that as shipping and nauigation speeds well or ill as the Merchant buyeth cheap or deare the price may rise and fall Againe it falleth out that sometime one rich munger or other buying vp a commodity and bringing it wholly into his owne hands for to haue the Monopoly of it raiseth the market and inhaunceth the price for I remember well how in the daies of Nero late Emperor all the spicers druggers and Apothecaries preferred a Bill of complaint vnto the Consuls against one Demetrius a regrater Yet notwithstanding I thought it necessarie to put downe the prices of things as they are ordinarie valued at Rome one yeare with another to shew in some sort by a generall aestimat the worth of such wares and commodities whereof I haue written THE XXXIV BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS The Proem CHAP. I. ¶ The Mines of Brasse IT is now time to go in hand with Mines of Brasse a mettall esteemed most of all other next to Gold and Siluer in regard of the vses about which it is imployed nay if I should say truly preferred it is especially that which is called the laton of Corinth in diuers respects before siluer yea and gold it selfe for brasse I may tell you is of great authority in the campe and carrieth no small stroke among souldiers in regard of their pay which as I haue said before was weighed them out in brasse and hereupon their wages-money is vsually called by the name of Aera militum From this mettall likewise the generall Receiuers and Treasurers take their title of credit and place for at Rome they be called Tribuni aerarij as a man would
from the Amphyctions who are the lords of the publick counsel of state in Greece it was granted that in all cities and towns of Greece wheresoeuer he came he should be lodged and entertained of free cost Besides that Mycon before mentioned there was another of the name distinguished only by this that the former was called Mycon the elder and this Mycon the yonger who had a daughter named Timarate she could paint likewise excellently But to come now to that ninetieth Olympia there flourished in that time Aglaophon Cephissodorus Phrylus and Euenor who was both father and master to Parasius that most renowned painter of whom I purpose to speak in his rank when the time comes all these were reputed very good artizans in their time howbeit not so excellent that I should need stand long vpon them or their workmanship making haste as I do vnto those glorious and glittering painters indeed who shine as bright stars aboue all their fellowes among whom Apollodorus the Athenian was the first that gaue light and he liued in the 93 Olympias this man led the way to others taught them to expresse the fauor and beauty of any thing which he obserued especially of whome I may well and truly say that he and none before him brought the pensill into a glorious name especiall credit Of his making there is one picture of a priest at his deuotions praying worshipping as also another representing Ajax all on a flaming fire with a flash of lightning which at this day is to be seen at Pergamus as an excellent piece of worke And verily before his daies there cannot be shewed a table of any ones painting worth the sight and which a man would take pleasure to behold and looke vpon any long time When this man had opened the dore once and shewed the way to this art Zeuxis of Heraclea entred in and that was in the fourth yere of the 95 Olympias and now that the pensill was taken in hand for now I speak thereof he seeing that it made good worke followed on therewith and by continuall practise brought the same to great perfection whereby he wan much credit to the art and reputation to himselfe Some writers there bee who range him wrong in the 89 Olympias at which time it must needs be that Demophilus the Himeraean and Neseas the Thracian liued for to one of them apprentice he was but whether of the two was his master there is some doubt made and verily so excellent he proued in his art that the abouenamed Appollodorus made verses of him in which he signifieth that Zeuxes had stollen the cunning from them al and he alone went away with the art He grew in processe of time to such wealth by the means only of his excellent hand that for to make shew how rich he was when he went to the solemnity of the games at Olympia he caused his owne name to be imbrodered in golden letters within the Iozenge worke of his clokes whereof he had change and which he brought thither to be seen In the end he resolued with himselfe to work no longer for mony but to giue away al his pictures saying That he valued them aboue any price Thus he bestowed vpon the Agrigentines one picture of queen Alcmena and to king Archelaus he gaue another of the rustical god Pan there was also the pourtraict of lady Penelope which he drew in colours wherein he seemeth not only to haue depainted the outward personage and feature of the body but also to haue expressed most liuely the inward affections and qualities of her mind and much speech there is of a wrestler or champion of his painting in which picture he pleased himselfe so well that hee subscribed this verse vnder it Invisurus aliquis faciliús quam imitaturus i. Sooner will a man enuy me than set such another by me Which thereupon grew to be a by-word in euery mans mouth One stately picture there is of his workmanship Iupiter sitting vpon a throne in his Majestie with all the other gods standing by and making court vnto him Hee pourtraied Hercules also as a babe lying in a cradle and strangling two fell serpents with his hand together with his mother Alcmena and her husband K. Amphytrion in place affrighted both at the sight thereof Howbeit this Zeuxis as excellent a painter as he was is noted for one fault and imperfection namely that the head and joints of his pourtraicts were in some proportion to the rest somwhat with the biggest for otherwise so curious and exquisite hee was that when he should make a table with a picture for the Agrigentines to be set vp in the temple of Iuno Lacinia at the charges of the city according to a vow that they had made he would needs see all the maydens of the city naked and from all that company he chose 5 of the fairest to take out as from seuerall patterns whatsoeuer he liked best in any of them and of all the louely parts of those fiue to make one body of incomparable beaury Many draughts he made of one color in white There liued in his time Timanthes Androcydes Eupompus and Parasius who were his concurrents and thought as well of themselues as he did CHAP. X. ¶ Of birds deceiued by pictures What is the hardest point in the art of painting OF those foure before named Parasius by report was so bold as to challenge Zeuxis openly and to enter the lists with him for the victory in which contention and triall Zeuxis for proofe of his cunning brought vpon the scaffold a table wherein were clusters of grapes so liuely painted that the very birds of the aire flew flocking thither for to bee pecking at the grapes Parasius againe for his part to shew his workmanship came with another picture wherin he had painted a linnen sheet so like to a sheet indeed that Zeuxis in a glorious brauery and pride of his heart because the birds had approoued of his handy-worke came to Parasius with these words by way of a scorn and frumpe Come on sir away with your sheet once that we may see your goodly picture But taking himselfe with the manner and perceiuing his own error he was mightily abashed like an honest minded man yeelded the victory to his aduersary saying withall Zeuxis hath beguiled poore birds but Parrhasius hath deceiued Zeuxis a professed artisane This Zeuxis as it is reported painted afterwards another table wherein he had made a boy carrying certaine bunches of grapes in a flasket and seeing again that the birds flew to the grapes he shook the head and comming to his picture with the like ingenious mind as before brake out into these words and said Ah I see well enough where I haue failed I haue painted the grapes better than the boy for if I had don him as naturally the birds would haue bin afraid and neuer approched the grapes He pourtraied also diuers pieces of
the race of these both father grandsire sons nephewes wrought only in white marble digged out of the â—…and Paros and this stone men began to call Lychnites that is to say the candle marble not for the lightsome white colour which it caried for many quarries were found afterwarde of whiter and brighter marble and namely of late daies in those about Luna in Tuscane but as Varro mine Author saith for that the pioners vndermined the ground for that stone and laboured in hewing it continually by candle light But here commeth to my remembrance a strange thing that is recorded of the quarries in the Island Paros namely That in one quarter thereof there was a vein of marble found which when it was clouen in twain with wedges shewed naturally within the true image and perfect portraiture of a Silenus imprinted in it Neither must I foâ—… to note That this art of grauing images in stone is of greater antiquitie by farre thâ—…â—…er painters craft or founderie and casting statues for both painters and also imagâ—… in mettal began with Phidias about the 83 Olympias which falleth out to be 332 yeâ—…s after Malas the first grauer in stone of name This Phidias though otherwise a paintâ—…â—…t the beginning and a caruer in Ivorie was himselfe also a grauer in marble and the image of Venus which now stands among the stately buildings of Octavia was as they say oâ—… his cutting a braue piece of worke and in beauty surpassing This is knowne for certaine That Alcamenes the Athenian a most excellent grauer in stone learned his skill vnder him of whose workmanship there be a number of statues to be seene at Athens within the sacred temples Besides one image there is of Venus most exquisitly wrought standing without the wall of the city and is knowne by the name of Aphrodite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Venus in the gardens and as it is said Phidias with his own hands finished this Venus who also had another prentise vnder him named Agoracritus of Paros whom he loued also for his sweetly youth in regard of which affection it is said that many braue pieces of his own handiwork he was content should passe vnder his name which hee dedicated to the immortal memorie of Agoracritus Now these two apprentises of his stroue a-vie whether of them could make the statue of Venus better and so it fell out that Alcamenes won the victorie not in regard of finer and more cunning workmanship but for that the city of Athens in fauor of their own countryman gaue sentence on his side against Agoracritus a stranger and Parian borne who tooke this repulse and disgrace in such displeasure and indignation that by report when he sold the said Venus of his owne making he would by no meanes passe it away but with this condition That it should neuer stand in the city of Athens and withall he named it Nemesis i. Vengeance and therefore set vp it was at Rhamnus a village so called within the territorie of Attica Which image of Venus M. Varro preferred before all other statues whatsoeuer Within the foresaid city of Athens and in the chappell dedicated to the honor of Cybele the great mother of the gods there was another mostexcellent statue or image wrought by the hands of Agoracritus As touching Phidias no man doubteth but he was the most excellent grauer that euer was as all nations will confesse who euer haue heard of that statue of Iupiter Olympius which his own hands wrought but that all others also may know who neuer saw his work nor the statues that he made that he wel deserued the name which went of him I wil lay abroad some smal pieces as arguments of his handiwork and those only that may testifie his fine head rare inuention neither wil I alledge for proofe hereof either the beautifull image of Iupiter Olympius which hee made at Olympia noâ—… the stately statue of Minerva that he wrought at Athens which carâ—…ied in height 26 cubits and was all made of Iuory and gold but I will take the shield or targuet that the said goddesse is portraied with in the embossed and swelling compasse whereof he ingraued the battell wherin the Amasons were defeated by Theseus within the hollow part and concauitie he inâ—…hased the conflict between the gods and the gyants vpon the shoos or pantofles that she weâ—…reth he portraied the fight betwixt the Lapithae and the Centaurs so ful compact of art wâ—… euery thing about her and so curiously and artificially contriued Now in the base or pied â—…all vnder the statue the work that was cut he called the Genealogie of Pandora A man mighâ—… there see the natiuity of the gods to the number of 30 among them the goddesse Victory oâ—… admirable workmanship Moreouer artificers that are seen skilful in these matters do greaâ—…ly admire the fel serpent as also the monster Sphinx made in brasse vnder the very spear that Mâ—…nerua holdeth in her hand This may serue by the way in a word or two touching that famous most renowned Artist Phidias whom no man is able to commend sufficiently that it may be known likewise that the sufficiencie of his workmanship was the same stil euen in small matters as well as great To come now to Praxiteles what time hee liued I haue declared already in my catalogue of Founders and Imageurs in brasse who albeit he was singular in that kind yet in marble he went beyond himselfe his workes are to be seen at Athens in that conspicuous street called Ceraunicum but of all the images that euer were made I say not by Praxiteles onely but by all the workmen that were in the world his Venus passeth that hee made for them of Gnidos and in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exquisit and singular it was that many a man hath embarked taken sea and sailed to Gnidos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 other busines but onely to see and behold it Hee made two of them and sould them both togetâ—… the one with a vaile and arraied decently in apparell which in that regard the men of Cos boughâ—… for being put to their choice they like honest men preferred it before the other which was naked â—…otwithstanding Praxiteles tendred them both at one and the same price in the good mind that they carried and hauing respect and regard vnto their grauity and modest carriage of themselues that which they refused and reiected the Gnidians bargained for and indeed to speak of workmanship it was infinitely better and there was no comparison betweene them by the generall fame and opinion of all men and verily King Nicomedes would afterwards gladly haue bought it againe of the Gnidians and offered them enough for he promised in consideration thereof to discharge al debts that their city was ingaged in which were very great summes but they would not giue eare or hearken vnto him content they were rather to liue in debt and danger still yea and to abide and endure