but of a couetous mind for very gain And by this and such wittie deuises he gathered great reuenues for he it was that inuented the hanging baines and pooles to bathe in aloft vpon the top of an house and thus when he had set out his manour house for the better sale he would make good merchandise of them and sell them againe for commoditie and gaine He was the first man that brought the Lucrine Oysters into name and credit for their excellent taste For so it is that the same kinds of fishes in one place are better than in another As the Pikes in the riuer Tiberis which are taken between the two bridges the Turbot of Rauenna the Lamprey in Sicilie the Elops at Rhodes and so forth of other sorts of fishes for I do not meane here to make a bill of all the dainty fish to serue the kitchin There was no talk then of English oisters when Orata brought those of the Lucrine lake into request for as yet the Brittish coasts were not ours which indeed haue the best oisters of all other But afterwards it was thought it would quit the cost and pay for the pains to fetch oisters from the furthest part of Italy euen as far as Brundisium And because there should grow no quarrell nor controuersie arise whether these or the former had the more delicate and pleasant taste it was of late deuised that the hungrie oisters which in the long cariage from Brundise were almost famished should be fed with the rest in the Lucrine Lake and so taste alike In those very daies but somwhat before Orata Licinius Murena deuised pools and stews for to keep and feed other fishes whose example noblemen followed and did the like after them namely Philip and Hortensius Lucullus cut through a mountain neere vnto Naples for this purpose namely to let in an arm of the sea into his fish pooles the doing whereof cost him more mony than the house it selfe which he there had built Hereupon Pompey the great gaue him the name of Roman Xerxes in his long robe The fishes of that poole of his after his death were sold for thirty hundred thousand Sesterces i. three milions of Sesterces CHAP. LV. ¶ Who invented the stewes for Lampreyes CAius Hirtius was the man by himselfe that before all others deuised a pond to keep Lampreys in He it was that lent Caesar Dictator for to furnish his feasts and great suppers during the time of his triumph 600 Lampreys to be paied againe by weight and tale in the same kind for sel them he would not right out for any mony nor exchange them for other commodities A house he had for his pleasure in the country and but a very little one yet the ponds and fishes about it sold the house for foure milions of Sesterces In processe of time folk grew to haue a loue and cast a fancy to some one seuerall fish aboue the rest For the excellent Orator Hortensius had an house at Bauli vpon the side that lieth to Baiae a fish-pond to it belonging and he took such an affection to one Lamprey in that poole that when it was dead by report he could not hold but weep for loue of it Within the same poole belonging to the said house Antonia the wife of Drusus vnto whom they fell by inheritance had so great a liking to another Lamprey that she could find in heart to decke it and to hang a paire of golden earings about the guils thereof And surely for the nouelty of this strange sight and the name that went thereof many folke had a desire to see Bauli and for nothing els CHAP. LVI ¶ The stewes of Winkles and who first was the deuiser FVlvius Hirpinus was the first inuentor of warrens as it were for Winkles which he caused to be made within the territory of Tarquinij a little before the ciuil war with Pompey the great And those had their distinct partitions for sundry sorts of them that the white which came from the parts about Reate should be kept apart by themselues the Illyrian and those were chiefe for greatnesse alone by their selues the Africans which were most fruitfull in one seuerall and the Solitanes simply the best of all the rest in another Nay more than that he had a deuise in his head to feed them fat namely with a certain paste made of cuit wheat meale and many other such like to the end forsooth that the gluttons table might be serued plentifully with home-fed franked great Winkles also And in time men grew to take such a pride and glory in this artificial feat and namely in striuing who should haue the biggest that in the end one of their shels ordinarily would containe 80 measures called Quadrants if M. Varro say true who is mine Author CHAP. LVII ¶ Of Land-fishes THeophrastus also telleth strange wonders of certain kinds of fishes which are about Babylon where there be many places subject to the inundations of Euphrates and other riuers and wherein the water standeth after that the riuers are returned within their bankes in which the fish remain in certain holes caues Some of them saith he vse to issue forth aland for food and releefe going vpon their fins in lieu of feet and wagging their tailes euer as they go And if any chase them or come to take them they will retire back into their ditches aforesaid and there make head and stand against them They are headed like to the sea Frog made in other parts as Gudgeons and guilled in manner of other fishes Moreouer that about Heraclea and Cromna and namely neere the riuer Lycus in many other quarters of the kingdom of Pontus there is one kind aboue the rest that euer haunteth riuers sides and the vtmost edges of the water making her selfe holes vnder the banks and within the land wherin she liueth yea euen when the banks are drie and the riuers gathered into narrow channels By reason whereof they are digged forth of the earth and as they say that find them aliue they be as may appeare by mouing and stirring of their bodies Neere vnto the aboue said Heraclea the riuer Lycus when it is falne and the water ebbe there be fishes breed of the egges and spawne left vpon the mud and sand who in seeking for their food do stir and pant with their little guils which they vse to do when they want no water but euen then when as the riuer is full Which is the reason also that yeeles liue a long time after they be taken forth of the water He affirmeth moreouer that the egs of fishes lying vpon the dry land will come to their maturity and perfection and namely those of the Tortoises Also that in the same country of Pontus there be taken fishes vpon the yce and gudgeons especially which shew not that they be aliue but by their stirring and leaping when they come to be sodden in hot caudrons
be made of Zea than of Wheat and called it is Granum or Granatum although in Alica that be counted a fault To conclude they that wil not vse chalk do blanch and make their Frumentie white by seething milke with it and mingling all together CHAP. XII ¶ Of Pulse IT followeth now to write of the nature of Pulse among which Beanes do challenge the first ranke and principall place for thereof men haue assaied to make bread The meale of Beans is called in Latine Lomentum There is not a Pulse weigheth more than it and Beane meale makes euery thing heauier wherin it is Now adaies they vse to sel it for prouender to feed horses And indeed Beanes are dressed and vsed many waies not only to serue all kind of four-footed beasts but also for man especially For in most countries it is mingled with Frumentiâ—… corn and namely with Pannicke most of all whole and entire as it is but the more delicat and daintie way is to break and bruise it first Moreouer by ancient rites and religious ceremonies at the solemn sacrifice called Fabraria the maner was to offer vnto certain gods and goddesses Beane cakes This was taken for a strong food being eaten with a thick grewel or pottage howbeit men thought that it dulled a mans sences and vnderstanding yea and caused troublesome dreames in the night In regard of which inconueniences Pythagoras expressely forbad to eat Beanes but as some haue thought and taught it was because folke imagined that the soules of such as were departed had residence therein which is the reason also that they be ordinarily vsed and eaten at the funerals and obsequies of the dead Varro also affirmeth That the great Priest or Sacrificer called the Flamine abstains from Beanes both in those respects aforesaid as also for that there are to be seen in the floure thereof certain letters or characters that shewheauines and signs of death Further there was obserued in old time a religious ceremonie in Beanes for when they had sown their grounds their maner was of all other corne to bring back with them out of the fieldes some Beanes for good luck sake presaging thereby that their corne would returne home again vnto them and these Beanes thereupon were called in Latine Refriuae or Referiuae Likewise in all port-sales it was thought that if Beanes were entermingled with the goods offered to be sold they would be luckie and gainefull to the seller This is cerataine that of all the fruits of the earth this only will be full and sound when the Moone is croisant notwithstanding it were gnawne and halfe eaten with some thing before Set them ouer the fire in a pan with sea water or any other that is saltish they will neuerbe thoroughly sodden They are set or sowne before the retrait of the Starre Vergiliae i. the Brood-hen the first of al other Pulse because they might take root betimes and preuent the Winter And yet Virgill would haue them to be put into the ground in the Spring like as the manner is in Piemont and Lombardie all about the riuer Po. But the greater part of good Husbandmen are of this opinion That the stalke or straw of Beanes sowne early or set betimes are better than the very fruit it selfe which hath had but three months being in the ground For the cods and stalks only of Beans are passing good fodder and forage for cattell Beanes when they are blouming and in their floure desire most of al to be refreshed with good store of rain but after they haue don flouring they care for little the sowing of this Pulse in any ground is as good as a mucking vnto it for it enriches it mightily And therefore towards Macedonie and about Thessalie the manner is when Beanes begin to blossom for to turne them into the ground with the plough Beans come vp and grow in most places of their owne accord without sowing and namely in certaine Islands lying within the Northern ocean which our countrymen therupon haue named Fabariae Semblably they grow wild commonly thoroughout Mauritania but exceeding hard and tough they be and such as possibly canot be sodden tender There are likewise in Aegypt to be found Beanes with a stalk beset full of prickles or thornes which is the cause that Crocodiles wil not come neer them for feare of hurting their eyes The stemme of these Beanes is foure cubites in height but exceeding thicke and big withall tender it is notwithstanding and soft running vp euen and smooth without any knots or joints at al it caries a head in the top like Chesboule or Poppy of a rose red color wherin are contained not aboue 30 Beanes at the most The leaues be large the fruit it selfe or the Bean is bitter in tast and the smel not pleasant howbeit the root is a most dainty meat which the inhabitants do eat as wel raw as sodden and like it is to reed cane roots These grow in Syria and Cylicia as also about the lake Torone within Chalcis As touching other Pulse Lentils be sown in Nouember and so are Pease but in Greece only Lentils loue a light ground better than a fat heauie they like also drie and faire weather Two kinds thereof be found in Aegypt the one more round and blacke than the other the rest be fashioned as common Lentils According to the manifold vse and diuers effects of Lentils there haue sundrie names and denominations beene borrowed from them for I find in writers that the eating of Lentils maketh men to be mild and patient whereupon they be called Lenti and Lenes As for Pease it ought to be sowed in warm places lying well vpon the Sunne for of all things it cannot abide the cold Which is the cause that in Italie and in other countries where the clime is tough and hard they are not sowne vsually but in the Spring and folke chuse a gentle light and loose ground To come now to the Ciâ—…h pease the nature of it is to be nitrous and saltish and therefore it burneth the ground where it grows Neither must it be sowne vnlesse it were well steeped and soked in water the day before many sorts there be of these cich-pease different in bignes form colour and tast for there are both blacke and white and those in fashion shaped like to a Rams head and therupon they are so called There is a second kind named Columbinum or by others Venerium These are white round light lesse than the former Rams-head ciches which men do eat ceremoniously with great religion when they meane to watch thoroughly all night long There is a little cich pease also called Cicercula made cornered and otherwise vneuen like vnto a Pease But the best ciches and most pleasant are those that come neerest in resemblance to the Eruile and generally the red kind and the black are more firm and fast than the white cich pease grow within round cods whereas other Pulse
232. h. why they be called in Latine Cuniculi ibid. i Connies haire employed for cloth ibid. k Connies admit superfoetation ibid. Connies vndermine a towne 212. g Connies with double liuers at Grenada in Spaine 342. g Cookes in price 246. l Conopas a dwarfe 165. c Conuolvulus a worme that breedeth in a Vine 547. b how it is remedied ibid. Cophantus a hill in Bactriana burning by night 47. c Coracinus the best fish in Aegypt 246. m Coracini fishes 245. b Corellius his graffing 520. l Cordi what they be 226. l Corfideus his recouery from death 184. l Cordylae sishes a kinde of Tunies 243. c Cordum what kinde of hey 596. g Corke tree 461. e. the barke thereof ibid. the vse it is put vnto ibid. Cornei who they be 166. i Corneill tree how it beareth 473. c. the wood how to be employed 490. h Corneill berries preserued 449. k Corne offered to the gods in Numa his time 546. d Corne parched for sacrifice ibid. e Corne sowing grinding and kneading who deuised 187. e Corne gaue names to families in Rome 550. h Corne giuen as a reward to worthy warriorrs ibid. Corne cheape at Rome 551. b Corne diuided into two generall heads Fourment and Pulse 557. c Corne of all sorts when it commeth after it is sowne ibid. e Corne how it beareth head and carieth seed 558. g Corne spiked what leafe it beareth ibid. m Corne spiked bloweth at once 559. a Corne differing in ripening ibid. a. b Corne differing in stalke and eare ibid. Corne how to he threshed and cleansed ibid b. c Corne how it differeth in weight ibid. c. d bread-Corne doth degenerate into Oats 574. g Corne in the field how to be preserued and kept from field-mice 576. g Corne how to be sowne respectiue to the soile ibid. k Corne growing vpon trees 577. b Corne how to be laid vp for store 603. a. b. what corne will keepe best ibid. d. c. how corne may be kept sweet and good long ibid. e. cutting of corne after diuerse sorts 602. h Coronets Murall 456. i. Uallare ibid. Nauale ibid. Rostrate ibid. k Coronets how they came first 456. l Coromandae a sauage sort of people 156. g. without speech ibid. toothed like dogs ibid. Corus wind 22. l Coos Island 323. a Cosei wormes bred in okes 539. c. they be daintie meat ibid. Costus a spice 384. h. the kindes and price thereof ibid. Cotinus what tree 468. h Cotton trees See Gosampine Cotton trees in Aethyopia 395. a C R Crab-fishes their nature 252. k. l Crab-apples 438. m Crab-trees bearing twice a yeare 474. m Crabs onely foure-footed among fishes 351. l Croesus his sonnes vntimely speech 353. e. it was prodigious ibid. Cranes how they flie 281. c Cranes tamed very plaifull ibid. f Cranes a daintie dish 282. g Crapula what it is 464. k Crapula what mixture it is and what effects it worketh 424. h. Crassus Agelastus was neuer knowne to laugh all his life time 166. h Crassiuenium a kinde of Maple 466. m Crater Nymphaei a hollow burning furnace and vnfortunate to the Apolloniates 47. d Craterus Monoceros a most excellent Hunter or Hawker 294. k. Creatures that lie hidden in the earth at times haue no bloud at all 346. h Creatures are not all hairie that bring forth quicke young ibid. m. Creatures none of them haue an odde foot 351. e Creatures which onely be round ibid. Creatures whole houfed their legs grow not in length ibid. f what creatures will not liue nor breed within some countries 234. g Creatures hurtfull to strangers and none else ibid. h Creatures without bloud haue no liuers 341. d C. Crispinus Hilarius his traine of children and issue in lineall descent liuing 162. m Critobulus healed king Philip his eie 174. m. his reward ibid. Crocodile of the riuer 337. a. moueth the vpper iaw ibid. Crocodiles male and female sit by turnes 302. h Crocodiles wilie and industrious 346. l Crocodiles their description 208. m. they haunt both land and water 209. a Crocutae what kinde of beasts and their nature 206. g Cromes a kinde of fish 245. a Crotalia what pearles 256. g Crow a subtill bird 276. h. shee feedeth her young being fledge ibid. i a Crow taught to speake 294. k C T Ctesias of Gnidos 47. b Ctesiphon framed Dianaes temple at Ephesus 175. b C V Cuckow reckoned a Hawke 275. b. his time of appearance ibid. killed by his owne kinde ibid. Cuckowes lay in other birds nests and why 275. c they deuoure the young birds of their nource 275. d young Cuckowes fat and delicate meat ibid. Cuckow checketh the idle husband that is behind hand with his worke 593. b Cucus a tree 390. k Cuit wine Melampsithium Psithium 416. l Cuits of sundry sorts 416. m. 417. a Culeus the biggest measure of liquors that was among the Romanes 606. g Countries the varietie and diuerse disposition therof 36. m Curites towne 40. m Curtius a noble knight of Rome 443. f Cusculium what it is 461. a Cutting of corne after diuerse sorts 602. h Cuttle fish 256. g. their nature 250. g C Y Cybia quarters of Pesaurides 243. d Cycae certaine Dates 388. g Cyclopes monsters of men 154. g Cychramus what bird 283. a Cyneas his merrie scoffe at a Uine that bare hard wines 405. b. his memorie 168. g Cynae trees 363. f Cynobatos 401. i Cynosura what kinde of addle egge 301. c Cyonoides water-serpents 243. b Cynocephali a kinde of Apes or Monkies 232. g Cypresse tree will not be dunged nor watered 544. i it is worse for good Physicke ibid. Cypresse trees beare ordinarily thrice a yeare 475. a Cypresse tree described at large with the properties thereof 479. c. consecrated to Pluto and why ibid. Cypresse tree good to make vinets and borders 479. d Cypresse woods gainefull to the Lord. ibid. c Cypresse trees loue the Isle Candy best ibid. Cypresse wood faire and shining 491. d Cypresse tree Rosin 424. g Cyprinum oyle 376 g. 382 h Cypros an Aegiptidn tree 375 f Cyprus Island 48 k. ioined sometimes to Syria 40 〈◊〉 the compasse and length thereof 110 m Cyrene the description thereof 94 k. famous and why ibid. Cytisus highly commended for feeding sheep and other cattell 400 l. m. it encreaseth nurses milke 401. a. b. c how it is to be planted and ordered ibid. c D A DAbula what they be 386 g Dactyli certaine grapes 405 f. why so called ibid. Daffodill floureth thrice and sheweth three seasons of plowing 592 h Daphnoeides Isocinnamon 374 g Daphnoeides 453 a Daphnitis 452 m Date trees their sundrie kindes 384 m. 385 b Dates how they be imploied ibid. Of a date tree and other plants prospering vnder it a wonder incredible 581 d Date trees described 385 c. d Distinguished by sects euidently ibid. d Iacke Dawes See Choughs Dates how they are to be set 385 e Daemaenetus turned into a Wolfe 207 d Date in Aegypt 374 l Dates conceiue by the
presence of the male 386 g. h Date trees corne of flips and branches as well as of kernils ibid. i Date trees spring of their owne leaues 508 m Dates guelded 386 l Date tree growing in the Capitoll of Rome 143 e Dates of 49 sorts 387 b Dates Royall 161 d Dates of Iurie best 387 e Dates of sundry sorts 388 h Dates serue to franke Swine ibid. i Damascene prunes ibid. l Date tree leaues serue for cordage 470 l. how to be pulled and ordered 470 l Date trees like not in a strange country 478 k Date tree of great antiquitie 495 e Dathiathum what it is 367 d Daies how they come to be vnequall and not of certaine length 13 f Daylight in the night 18 g Daylight vpon earth the reason thereof 35 c Day where it is longest and where shortest 36 i continuall day for six moneths ibid. how daies are obserued 36 l Day for six moneths together where 84 i the kindenesse of a Daughter to her mother 174 h Daughters of Agrippa deliuered of two tyrants 160 g Daphnis a bondslaue how highly praised 175 e Daudo a Sclauonian liued fiue hundred yeares 181 a Dactyle fishes 209 f Daughters of Marcus Curiatius why they were called Sedigitae 349 c Dauncing whose inuention 189 c D E Death suddaine 185 c. d. c. Dead supposed recouer 184 h Deale See Firre Deaw when it appeareth 29 b signes of Death in sicknesse 183 e Dead bodies weigh more than quicke 156 e Deafe naturally be dumbe 306 g Decumanus lines what it is 609 b Deere where they haue foure kidnies apeece 343 d Decapolis why so called 701 e Defrutum what it is 416 l Delos Island 40 g Delos Island famous and why so called 81 b. the diuerse names thereof 161 d Demetrius spared to burn Rhodes for the loue of a picture 175 d Democritus foreseeing by the stars a dearth of oile bought vp all aforehand 598 g. hee fained two gods Punishment and Benefit 3 d Democritus in hot weather fore-saw a shoure of raine and foretold it 610 m Deuteriae what wines 417 e D I Dials where first inuented 191 b. not seruing for all places 35 d Dialeta a kinde of Purples 29 b Dianitis Murrhe 369 b Dianaes temple at Ephesus foure hundred yeares in building 491 b. of what timber it was built 161 d her image of wood 491 c. by what meanes it endured so long ibid. Dianaes temple at Saguntum ibid. d Dibapha what Purple dies 260i Dianaes temple in Aulis 491 e Dia Pasmata what they be 383 c Dicaearchus his commission 31 d Digestion of meat worse in Summer than in Winter 355 f Digestion in sleepe of what effect 356 g Diademe first inuented 187 〈◊〉 Diuination by beasts who deuised 189 d Dinochares a renowned Architect 99 b Diomedian birds described and why so called 294 m 295 a. b. Dibapha what dies 260 i Dioscurias a famous citie of the Colchians 117 c. d by whom founded ibid. d Diuinors or men of a propheticall spirit 173 d Dionysius being deposed from his kingdome the sea-water grew to be fresh 44 i Dionysiodorus a Geometrician 49 c. and his Epistle found in his sepulchre and the contents thereof ibid. Diomedes his lake 94 g Diomedes his horses 78 h Diribitorium 489 d Discord betweene beasts 308 h Diuersitte of childrens resemblance of their parents ibid. b Diuision of fishes 247 d Difference between brains and marrow of the bones 333 a Difference of eie-sight in men 334 Diuersitie of mouthes in creatures 336 l Diuersitie of teeth in creatures 337 a Diseases strange incident to men and women 182. l. as strangely cured 183. a. who liued long without disease ibid. b. Diseases of sundry sorts ibid. c. d Diseases ihat haunt trees 538. m Distances in planting how to be obserued 514. l D O Docus shining beames in the skie 17. b Dogs louing and faithfull to their masters 218. l Dogs restore a king to â—…is crowne againe 218. m. their affection to their master 219. a Dogs emploied in wars 218. m. their rare properties 219. c one Dog ouercommeth a Lion and an Elephant 220. g. h Dogs mad 220. i. how they be preserued from madnesse ib. a Dog speaketh 220. k Dogs come into Hercules temple in the beast-market at Rome 285. d Dogs will not liue in the Isle of Sygaros 141. e Dog-starre his power 19. f Dog-starre powerfull on the sea 245. 〈◊〉 Dog-starre of great effect and precious 597. d. highly honoured ibid. Dolphins their nature 238. h. i Dolphin swiftest of all fishes and creatures 238. m. swifter than an arrow out of a bow ibid. sort themselues like man and wife 238. i Dolphins louingly affect men and musicke ibid. l. they loue mankind diuerse examples thereof 238. m Dolphins know the name Simo. ib. they helpe fishers to catch fish 240. 〈◊〉 they haue a certaine commonwealth ibid. l Dolphins haue no eares 333. c Dolphins enemies to Crocodiles 209. c Dormice kept tame 233 b. they sleepe all winter ibid. c kinde to their sires ibid. Doricke tune 14. l house Doues chast 290. g. hen-Doues meeke ibid h. the cocks iealous ibid. kinde to their pigions ibid. i. how they drinke ibid. stocke-Doues liue long 29â—… k. their tune ibid. Doues winke with both their eie-lids 336. i house-Doues glorious 290. m. taken in their pride by the faulcon 291. b. they loue the Kestrell or Stanell and wherefore ibid. doues emploied as posts and courriers betweene ib. c. how they be kept to their owne doue-cote ibid. doues and pigeons of great price 291. d Doues how ofâ—…en they sit and lay in a yeare 298. i. house-doues hatch a cocke and a hen pigeon 300. k. hen-doues tread one another for want of a cocke ibid. l Donax a kind of reed 485. c. k Dough how it is made 560 D R sea-Dragon 249. d Dragons in vines what they be 536. h Dragons fight with elephants and their subtiltie 198. k where they breed 199. c. Dragons procure appetite to meat with the iuice of wild lettuce 271. a some men neuer Dreame 309. c 〈◊〉 by Dreames who first practised 189. d Dreames common to all creatures that bring forth their young quicke ibid. Drepanâ—…s the sea-swallow seldome seen 351. d Drinke may be forborne altogether 166. g Drupae what oliues 379. b 30. g Drypetae what oliues 430. g Dryos hyphear 496. k Dryidae in France 497. b. why so called ibid. Dryidae their ceremonies in gathering of okes misselto ibid. c against drunkennesse and Drunkards 426. i M. Antonius a Drunkard and maintainer of Drunkennesse 428. g the behauiour of Drunkards 427. a Parthians great Drinkers of wine ibid. d Dromiscos Island 40. k D V Dung of blackebirds for what it is good 507. c Dunging of land when and in what order 582. l Dunghill cockes best adorned on the heads 331. b Dung how it is to be raked 582. l Dunging of grounds inuented by King Augeas 507. b Duracina certaine grapes 405. e
were of the said temple the tast wil turn to be waterish again Polyclitus writeth of a certaine fountaine of Cilicia neere vnto the citie Soli which yeeldeth an vnction or oleus water that serueth in stead of oile Theophrastus reports the same of another fountain in Aethyopia which hath the like quality And Lycus saith That among the Indians there is a fountaine the water whereof is vsed in lampes to maintaine light And the like is reported of an â—…ther water about Ecbatanâ—… the capitall citie of Media Theopompus writeth That neere to Scotusa in Macedonie there is a lake the water wherof is soueraign for the healing of wounds Moreouer king Iuba hath left in writing That in the Troglodites country there is a lake for the hurtful water that it beareth called the Mad lake which thrice a day becommeth bitter and salt and as many times for it turneth to be fresh and sweet which course it keeps also in the night season breeding otherwise white serpents twenty cubits long of which it is crawling full The same Prince mine author reports That in Arabia there is a spring boiling out of the ground with such a force that it scorneth and checketh any thing that is throwne into it and canot be kept downe with any weight whatsoeuer Theophrastus maketh mention of the fountain Marsyas in Phrygia neere vnto the town Celaenae which casteth vp great stones And not farre from it be two other springs Claeon and Gelon so called by the Greeks for the contrary effects which they worke At Cizicum there is a fountain of Cupid and whosoeuer drinke of the water thereof shall lay aside and forget all affection of loue as Mutianus doth both report and beleeue At Cranon there is a hot spring and yet not so boyling as many others be the water thereof if it be put into a bottle or flaggon of wine will maintain the heat thereof for three daies together that it shall drinke hot In Germany beyond the riuer Rhene there be waters so hot that whosoeuer drinketh therof shall sensibly find the heat in his body 3 daies after The springs that yeeld this water be called Mattiaci This peculiar property besides hath this water that about the edges and brims thereof there engender pumish stones Mow if any man suppose some of these strange reports to be incredible let him learne know that in no part of the world Nature hath shewed more admirable works than in this element of Water And albeit in the beginning of this mine historie I haue written in ample manner of many a wonder obserued in the waters yet somewhat remaineth still to be related For Ctesias saith That the Indians haue a lake or poole wherin nothing will swim but all sinks to the bottome And Coelius also our countryman auoucheth That the leaues which fall into the lake Avernus will settle downeward and not flote aboue And Varro auoucheth moreouer That what birds soeuer flie ouer it or approch the aire and breath thereof they will die presently Contrariwise in Apuscidamus a lake of Affrick nothing goes down but all swims aloft The like doth Appion report of Phinthia a fountain in Sicilie as also of a lake in Media and namely the pit or well of Saturne The fountaine Limyra is wont ordinarily to change his seat and to passe into places adjoyning but neuer for nought presaging alwaies thereby some strange accident to ensue And wonderfull it is that the fishes therein should follow and do the like Now when this water is thus remoued the inhabitants of the country desirous to know the issue of things to come repaire thither as to an Oracle and seek to be resolued by the foresaid fishes and therwith offer to them some meat if they come vnto it and swim away with all it is a good token this they take for an affirmatiue answer as if they said Yea to their demands but in case they refuse the meat and flirt it away with their tailes they collect the contrary and this is their flat nay There is a riuer in Bithynia called Olachas running close to Briazus which is the name both of a temple and also of the god therein honoured the water whereof will discouer and detect a perjured person for if he that drinketh thereof feele as it were a burning fire within his body take him for a false forsworne villaine Furthermore in Cantabria or Biscay the fountains of the riuer Tamaricus are endued with a secret vertue to presage and foretell future euents and three heads or sources there be of them eight foot distant one from another they meet all at length in one channell and maintaine the great and mighty riuer Tamaricus Howbeit twelue times euery day yea and otherwhiles twenty times they are dry and haue no shew at all or appearance of water notwithstanding there be another fountain or well neere to them that yeeldeth plenty of water and neuer giueth ouer running And this is held for an ominous and fearefull presage if when folke are desirous to see them they seeme not to run at all as it was seene of late daies by Lartius Licinius sometime lord Pretour and afterwards Lieutenant Generall vnder the Consuls For within a seuen-night after a great misfortune happened vnto him In Iurie there is a riuer which euery Sabbath day is dry Thus much of waters medicinable and miraculous and yet not simply hurtfull Contrariwise there be others of as wonderfull a nature but dangerous they are and deadly withall Ctesias writeth That there is a fountaine in Armenia breeding and bringing forth black Fishes wherupon as many as feed are sure to die for it immediatly I haue heard the like reported of such dangerous fishes about the head of the riuer Danubius vntill a man come to a fountaine which presently dischargeth it selfe into the channell of the said riuer for beneath that place such fishes go not nor enter lower into the riuer And hereupon the fountaine is by the generall voice of people taken to be the very source and head of Danubius aforesaid The selfe-same accident as touching fish is reported by a poole in Lydia called the poole of the nymphs In Arcadia neere vnto the riuer Pheneus there floweth a water out the rockes called Styx which is present death to as many as drink thereof as heretofore I haue shewed And Theophrastus saith moreouer that in this water there be certaine small fishes a thing that a man shall neuer see in any other venomous fountains and those likewise are as deadly as the water Thâ—…opompus writeth That in Thrasia there be waters about the place called Chropsos which kill those that drinke thereof And Lycus maketh report of another fountaine in the Leontines countrey wherof as many as drink die within three daies Varro hath left in writing That neare to the hill Soracte there is a fountaine foure foot large which at the rising of the Sunne ouerfloweth like boyling water but the birds that haue
other meanes saue only by cleauing and sticking fast to a vessell in such sort as this one small and poore fish is sufficient to resist and withstand so great power both of sea and nauie yea and to stop the passage of a ship doe they all what they can possible to the contrary What should our fleets armadoes at sea make such terrets in their decks and fore-castles what should they fortifie their ships in warlike maner to fight from them vpon the sea as it were from mure and rampier on firme land See the vanity of man alas how foolish are we to make all this adoe when one little fish not aboue halfe a foot long is able to arrest and stay perforce yea and hold as prisoners our goodly tall and proud ships so well armed in the beake-head with yron pikes and brasen tines so offensiue and dangerous to bouge and pierce any enemie ship which they do encounter Certes it is reported that in the nauall battell before Actium wherein Antonius and Cleopater the queene were defeated by Augustus one of these fishes staied the admirall ship wherein M. Antonius was at what time as he made all the hast means he could deuise with help of ores to encourage his people from ship to ship and could not prevaile till he was forced to abandon the said admirall and go into another galley Meane-while the armada of Augustus Caesar seeing this disorder charged with great violence and foone inuested the fleet of Antony Of late daies also and within our remembrance the like happened to the roial ship of the Emperour Caius Caligula at what time as he rowed back and made saile from Astura to Antium when and where this little fish detained his ship and as it fell out afterward presaged an vnfortunat euent thereby for this was the last time that euer this Emperor made his returne to Rome and no sooner was he arriued but his owne souldiers in a mutinie fell vpon him and stabbed him to death And yet it was not long ere the cause of this wonderful stay of his ship was knowne for so soon as euer the vessell and a galliace it was furnished with fiue banks of ores to a side was perceiued alone in the fleet to stand still presently a number of tall fellows leapt out of their ships into the sea to search about the said galley what the reason might be that it stirred not and sound one of these fishes sticken fast to the very helme which being reported vnto Caius Caligula he fumed and fared as an Emperour taking great indignation that so small a thing as it should hold him back perforce and checke the strength of all his mariners notwithstanding there were no fewer than foure hundred lusty men in his galley that laboured at the ore all that euer they could to the contrary But this prince as it is for certaine known was most astonied at this namely That the fish sticking onely to the ship should hold it fast and the same being brought into the ship and there laid not worke the like effect They who at that time and afterward saw the fish say it resembled for all the world a snaile of the greatest making but as touching the forme and sundry kindes thereof many haue written diuersly whose opinions I haue set downe in my treatise of liuing creatures belonging to the waters and namely in the particular discourse of this fish Neither do I doubt but all the sort of fishes are able to doe as much for this wee are to beleeue that Pourcellans also be of the same vertue since it was well knowne by a notorious example that one of them did the like by a ship sent from Periander to the cape of Gnidos in regard whereof the inhabitants of Gnidos doe honour and consecrate the said Porcellane within their temple of Venus Some of our Latine writers do call the said fish that thus staieth a ship by the name of Remora As touching the medicinable properties of the said stay-ship Echeneis or Remora call it whether you will a wondrous matter it is to seâ—… the varietie of Greek writers for some of them as I haue shewed before do hold that if a woman haue it fastened either about her neck arme or otherwise she shal go out her full time if she were with child also that it will reduce her matrice into the right place if it were too loose and ready to hang out of her body Others againe report the contrary namely That if it be kept in salt and bound to any part of a woman great with child and in paine of hard trauell it will cause her to haue present deliuerance for which vertue they call it by another name Odinolion Well howeuer it be considering that mighty puissance which this fish is wel known to haue in staying ships who wil euer make doubt hereafter of any power in Nature her selfe or of the effectuall operation in Physicke which she hath giuen to many things that come vp by themselues But say we had no such euidence by the example of this Echeneis the Cramp-fish Torpedo found and taken likewise in the same sea were sufficient alone to proue the might of Nature in her workes if there were nothing else to shew the same for able she is to benum and mortifie the arms of the lustiest strongest fishers that be yea and to bind their legs as it were how swift and nimble soeuer they are otherwise in running and how euen by touching only the end of a pole or any part of an angle rod which they hold in their hands although they stand aloft and a great way from her Now if we cannot will nor chuse but must needs confesse by the euident instance of this one fish that there is some thing in nature so penetrent and powerfull that the very smell only or breath and aire proceeding from it is able thus to affect or infect rather the principall lims and members of our bodie what is it that we are not to hope for and expect from the vertue of all other creatures that Nature through her bounty hath endued with medicinable power for the remedy of diseases And in very truth no lesse admirable be the properties which are respected of the sea-Hare for to some a very poyson it is taken inwardly either in meat or drinke to others againe the onely aspect and sight thereof is as venomous For if a woman great with child chance but to see the female only of this kind she shal sensibly therupon feele a sicke wambling in her stomacke she shall presently fall to vomiting and anon to vntimely labour and the deliuerie of an abortiue fruit But what is the remedy Let her weare about her arme in bracelets any part of the male which ordinarily for this purpose is kept dry and hardened in salt shee shall passe these dangerous accidents The same fish is hurtfull also in the sea if it be touched only
vpon the middle finger But this finger now adayes is excepted onely and spared whereas all the rest be sped and charged with them yea and euery joint by themselues must haue some lesser rings and gemmals to fit them Some will haue the little finger loden with 3 rings others content themselues with one and no more vpon it wherewith they vse to seale vp the signet that is to signe ordinarily for this signe manuel I may tell you the manner was to lay vp safe among other rare and pretious things this might not come abroad euerie day as beeing a jewell that deserued not to be misused by handling commonly but to be taken forth out of the cabinet or secret closet neuer but when need required so that whosoeuer weareth one ring and no more vpon the least finger hee giueth the world to vnderstand that he hath a secret cabinet at home stored with some speciall things more costly and pretious than ordinarie Now as some there bee that take a pride and pleasure to haue heauy rings vpon their fingers and to make a shew how massiue and weighty they are so others againe are so fine and delicat as they thinke it a paine to weare more than one Some hold it good for sauing of the stone or collet if the Ring should chance to fall to haue the round hoope or compasse thereof wrought hollow or enchased within yea and the same filled vp with some lighter matter than is gold that it may fall the softer You shall haue many that vse to carry poyson hidden within the collet vnder the stone like as Demosthenes did that renowned Prince of Greeke Orators so as their rings serue for no other vse or purpose but to carry their owne death about them Finally the greatest mischiefes that are practised by our mighty men in these dayes are for the most part performed by the meanes of rings and signets O the innocence of the old world what a heauenly life led men in those dayes when as there was no vse at all of seale and signet But now we are faine to seale vp our ambries and hogsheads with our signets for feare we be robbed and beguiled of our meat and drinke This is the good that commeth of our legions and troupes of slaues which we must haue waiting and following at our heeles this commoditie we haue by our traine and retinue of strangers that wee keepe in our houses insomuch as wee are driuen to haue our Controllers and Remembrancers to tell vs the names of our Seruants and people about vs they are so many It was otherwise ywis by our ancestors and fore-fathers daies who had no more but one yeoman or groome apiece and those of the linage and name of their Lords and Masters as may appeare by the ordinary names of Marci-pores and Luci-pores and these had all their victuals and diet ordinarily at their masters bourd And therefore there was no great need to keep safely any thing vnder lockand key from such houshold seruitors wheras now adayes the cater goeth to the market to prouide cates and viands for to be stollen and carried away as soon as they come home and no remedy there is against it for no seale will serue to make sure either such lurchers themselues for filching or keep the very locks and keies safe and whole that lead to the prouision And why an easie matter it is to plucke the rings from their lord and maisters fingers that are oppressed with dead sleep or when they lie a dying And verily we hold in these daies a seale to be the best assurance in contracts that may be but I wot not how long it is since that custom first came vp And yet if we consider the fashions and manners of strange Nations we may peraduenture find how these signets came into such credit and authoritie and namely by the History of Polycrates the Tyrant or King of the Isle Samos who hauing cast into the sea a ring which he loued and esteemed aboue all other jewels met with the same againe by meanes of a fish which was taken in the belly whereof the said ring was found Now this king was put to death about the two hundred and thirtieth yeare after the foundation of our citie Howbeit the ordinarie vse of these signets as I suppose by all reason and likelihood began together with vsurie for proofe whereof marke how still at this day vpon any stipulation and bargaine paroll made off goes the ring presently to confirme and seale the same The which custome no doubt came from old time when there was no earnest nor gods-pennie more ready at hand than a signet So as we may conclude assuredly and affirme That amongst vs here at Rome when the vse of money and coyne was taken vp soone after came the wearing of rings in place But as touching the deuise and inuention of mony I will write anone more at large And now to return againe to my discourse of rings after they began once to bee in any request there were none at Rome vnder the degree of a knight or gentleman that carried rings on their fingers insomuch as a man might know a gentleman from a commoner by his ring like as a Senator was distinguisht from the Gentlemen wearing rings by his coat embroidered with broad gards and studs of purple Howbeit long it was before this distinction was obserued for I find that the publicke criers wore ordinarily such coats likewise embroidered as Senators do as appeareth by the father of L. Aelius Stilo syrnamed vpon that occasion Praeconimus because his father had bin a publicke Crier Certes these rings certified the middle degree inserted between the Commons and the Nobles and that name which in times past horses of seruice gaue to men of armes and gentlemen of Rome the same now adaies sheweth men of worth and those who are of such and such reuenues But long it is not since this disorder and confusion begun For when as Augustus Caesar late Emperour of happy memory ordained decuries of Iudges in criminal matters the greater part of them consisted of those who wore no other rings but of yron and those were simply called Iudges and not Knights or Men of armes for this name continued still appropriat to the troups of those gentlemen who serued vpon horses allowed by the Senat. Moreouer at the first there were no more but foure decuries of Iudges and hardly might there be found in each of those decuries a bare thousand for as yet those of our prouinces might not be admitted to this estate to sit and judge vpon criminall causes and euen at this day precisely obserued it hath bin That none but antient citizens might be Iudges for neuer any that came newly to their free burgeoisie were taken into this order and degree CHAP. II. ¶ Of the Decuries or Chamber of Iudges vpon record at Rome How often the name and title of the Romane