as much whereupoâ—… he is not able to liue aboue 100 yeares for want of Heart as the Aegyptians be of opinion whose manner is to preserue the dead bodies of men spiced and embalmed It is reported of some men that they haue hearts all hairy and those are held to be exceeding strong and valoâ—… Such was Aristomenes the Messenian who slew with his owne hands 300 Lacedaemoniaâ—… Himselfe being sore wounded and taken prisoner saued his owne life once and made an escape out of the caue of a stone quarrie where he was kept as in a prison for hee got forth by narrow Fox-holes vnder the ground Being caught a second time whiles his keepers were fast asleep he rolled himselfe to the fire bound as he was and so without regard of his owne bodie burnt in sunder the bonds wherewith he was tied And at the third taking the Lacedaemonians caused his brest to be cut and opened because they would see what kind of Heart hee had and there they found it all ouergrown with hair Moreouer this is obserued in perusing the inwards of beasts That when they be wel liking and do presage good the Heart hath a kind of fat in the vtmost tip thereof howbeit this would be noted That according to the Soothsaiers learning their Heart is not alwaies taken for a part of the bowels or intrails for after the 123 Olympias when Pyrrhus king of Epyrus was departed out of Italy what time as L. Posthumius Albinus was king sacrificer at Rome the Soothsaiers and Wisards began first to look into the heart among other inwards That very day when as Caesar Dictator went first abroad in his roiall purple robe and tooke his seat in the golden chaire of estate he killed two beasts for sacrifice in both of them the intrailes were found without any Heart whereupon arose a great question and controuersie among the Augures and Soothsaiers How it could be that any beast ordained for sacrifice should liue without that principall part of life or whether possibly it might lose it for that present only Ouer and besides it is held for certaine that if any dye of the trembling and ache of the heart or otherwise of poison their heart will not burne in the fire And verily an Oration there is extant of Vitellius wherein he challengeth Piso and chargeth him directly with Poysoning of Germanicus Caesar vpon this presumption for he openly protested and prooued That the heart of Germanicus would not consume in the funerall fire by reason of poyson But contrariwise Piso alledged in his own defence the foresaid disease of the Heart called Cardiaca wherof as he said Germanicus died Vnder the Heart lie the Lights which is the very seat of breathing whereby we draw and deliuer our wind For which purpose spungeous it is and ful of hollow pipes within Few fishes as we said before haue any Lungs other creatures also that lay egs haue but smal and the same full of froth and without bloud wherupon they be not thirsty at all which is the cause likewise that Seales and Frogs can diue so long vnder the water The Tortoise also albeit he haue very large Lungs and the same vnder his shell yet there is no bloud therein And verily the lesser that the lungs be the swifter is the body that hath them The Chamaeleons lights be very big for the proportion of his body for little or nothing els hath he within it Next followeth the liuer which lies on the right side In that which is called the head of the Liuer much varietie and difference there is For a little before the death of Marcellus who was slaine by Anniball as he sacrificed there was found a Liuer in the beast without that head or fibres aforesaid and the next day after when he killed another for sacrifice it was seen with two When C. Marius sacrificed at Vtica the same was likewise wanting in the beast being opened Semblably when prince C. Caligula the Emperor sacrificed vpon the first day of Ianuarie at his entrance into the Consulship the Liuer head was missing but see what followed in that yeare his hap was to be slain Moreouer his successor Claudius within a month before he died by poison met with the like accident in his sacrifice But Augustus Caesar late Emperor of famous memory as he killed beasts for sacrifice the very first day that he entred vpon his imperiall dignity found in 6 of them 6 liuers which were all redoubled folded inward from the nethermost lobe or skirt beneath wherupon answer was made by tâ—…e Soothsayers That within one yere he should double his power and authority The foresaid head of the Liuer if it chance to be slit or cut presageth some euill hap vnlesse it be in case of feare and pensiuenesse for then it betokeneth good issue and an end of care and sorrow About the mountaine Briletum and Tharne also in Chersonesus neere vnto Propontis all the Hares ordinarily haue two Liuers and a wonderous thing it is to tell if they be brought into other countries one of the said Liuers they loose Fast to the Liuer hangeth the Gall yet all creatures haue it not And about Chalcis in Euboea the sheep are quite without Gall. But in Naxus they all haue two Gals and the same very big The strangers that come into both those parts think the one as prodigious monstrous as the other Horses Mules Asses Deere both red and fallow Roe-bucks Swine Cammels and Dolphins haue no Gall. Some Mice and Rats there be which haue it And few men there are without howbeit such are of a stronger constitution more healthfull longer liued Howbeit some are of opinion That all horses haue Gall not annexed to their liuer but within their bellie and as for the Deere aboue said it lieth as they think either in their taile or els their guts which by their saying are so bitter that hounds and dogs by their good wils would not touch them Now this Gal is nothing els but an excrement purged from the worst bloud therefore bloud is taken to be the matter thereof Certain this is that no creatures haue Liuers but such as likewise haue bloud And in truth the Liuer receiueth bloud from the heart vnto which it is adioined and so conueigheth and destributeth it into the veins Black choler lying in the Liuer causeth fury and madnesse in man but if it be all cast vp by vomit it is present death hereupon it commeth that we terme furious and raging persons by the name of cholericke or full of Gall so great is the venome of this one part if it reach once to the seat of the mind and possesse it Nay more than that if it be spred and dispersed ouer all parts of the body it infecteth it with the yellow jaundice yea and coloureth the very eies as it were with Saffron Let it out of the bladder or bag wherin it is ye shal
are supposed vnhappie which they bee that soone lose their fruit and last of all what trees shew fruit before they be put forth 27. Of trees that beare fruit twice and thrice in one yeere what trees sodainely wax old the age of trees 28. Of the Mulbertie tree 29. Of trees growing wild 30. Of the Box tree and the great Beane tree or Lotus 31. Of the boughs branches barke tinde and root of trees 32. Of prodigious trees that presage somewhat to come of trees that spring and grow of themselues Also a discourse that all trees grow not in euery place and what trees will not liue but in this or that one place 33. Of the Cyprus tree Also that the ground will bring forth some new plants that neuer were set sowne or growing there before 34. Of Yvie 35. Of the Ivie called Smilax 36. Of Reeds Canes and shrubs growing in water 37. Of the osier or willow eight sorts thereof also what twigs besides osiers and willowes are good for winding and to bind withall of bushes and grieues 38. The juice and liquor of trees the nature of their wood and timber also of hewing downe and falling trees 39. Of the Larch tree the Fir and the Sapine the time of cutting them downe and such like 40. Sundry sorts of wood the extraordinarie bignesse of trees what wood is not subject to be worme-eaten nor to decay other trees that be euerlasting 41. Of Woodwormes 42. Of timber fit for carpentrie and building what timber is good for this or that vse and namely which is best and more firme and durable for rouses of houses 43. The maner of glewing bourds and planks also of rent and clouen stuffe 44. The age of trees which be they that last not long of Misselto and of the Priests Druydae In summe this booke comprehendeth of notable things histories and obseruations an hundred and fiue and thirtie Latine Authors alledged M. Varro Faecialis Nigidius Cornelius Nepos Hyginus Massurius Cato Mutianus Lucius Piso Trogus Calphurnius Bassus Cremutius Sextius Niger Cornelius Bocchus Vitruvius and Graecinus Forreine Writers Alexander Polyhistor Hesiodus Theophrastus Democritus Homer Timaeus the Mathematician ¶ THE SEVENTEENTH BOOKE CONTAIneth the nature of trees planted set and well kept in Hort-yards Chap. 1. Trees of wonderfull price 2. Of the nature of heauen and the skie respectiue vnto trees and what part of the skie they ought to regard 3. The societie and accord of the clymat and the soile requisit for trees 4. The qualities of the grounds in diuers regions 5. Sundry kinds of ground and earth 6. Of a kind of earth or marle that they in Britaine and France set much store by 7. What the Greekes haue taught and what rules they haue giuen as touching this point 8. Of more kinds of earth 9. The vse of ashes and of dung what plants will enrich the ground and make it more battell contrariwise which they bee that burne out the heart thereof 10. The planting or setting of trees how to make a sion or slip to take and grow againe that is plucked from the root of the stocke 11. Of transplanting out of Seminaries yong trees that came of pepins and seeds 12. The spaces betweene and distance to bee regarded in planting trees the shadow and droppings either from house eaues or other trees 13. What trees grow apace and which thriue but slowly also of the Savine 14. The setting and graffing imps and sions of trees in the stocke or cliffe 15. Of the manner how to graffe a vine 16. Of inoculation or graffing in the leafe or scutcheon with a plaster 17. An example or experiment of this kinde of graffing 18. The order of planting and husbanding oliues and which is the proper time for graffing 19. What trees loue the companie and societie of others the skill of baring the roots about trees cutting off their superfluous spurns and raising hils about the roots 20. Of willow banks and rows of osiers of places where reeds and canes are nourished of other plants vsed to be cut for poles pearches stakes and forkes 21. The manner of planting vines the skill of trimming them 22. The furrow about vines and the pruning of them 23. The manner of planting trees to serue for vines to run vpon 24. How to keepe and preserue grapes the diseases incident to trees 25. Of sundrie prodigious and monstrous sights shewed in trees also of an olive yard which in old time remooued and was transplanted from one side of a great high way to the other 26. Remedies against the diseases and imperfections or faults in trees 27. Of scarification and paring of trees and the manner of dunging them 28. Divers medicines against venomous beasts and pismires and other creatures noisome and hurtfull to trees In summe here bee contained notable matters stories and obseruations to the number of fiue hundred eightie and one Latine Authors alledged Cornelius Nepos Cato Censorius M. Varro Celsus Virgil Hyginus Sarsennae both father and sonne Scrophas Calphurnius Bassus Trogus Aemilius Macer Graecinus Columella Atticus Iulius Fabianus Sura Manlius Dorsenus Mundus Caius Epidicus and L Piso. Forreine Writers Isidorus Theophrastus Aristotle Democritus Theopompus king Hiero K. Attalus K. Philometor Archytas Xenophon Amphilochus the Arhenian Anaxipolis the Thasian Apollodorus of Lemnos Aristophanes the Milesian Antigonus the Cymaean Agathocles the Chian Apollonius of Pergamus Bacchius the Milesian Bion Chaerea the Athenian also Chaeristus of Athens Diodorus of Priene Dion the Colophonian Epigenes the Rhodian Evagon the Thasian Euphron the Athenian Androcion Aeschrion Lysimachus who all three wrote of Agriculture Dionysius who translated the bookes of Mago and Diophanes who out of Dionysius collected a Breviarie and Aristander who made a treatise of Wonders and portenteous tokens ¶ THE EIGHTEENTH BOORE IS A TREATISE of Agriculture or Husbandrie Chap. 1. That our ancestors in old time were exceeding much giuen to husbandrie Also the singular care that men had to looke vnto hortyards and gardens 2. Of the first chaplets and guirlands vsed at Rome 3. Of the acre of ground and halfe acre called at Rome Iugeris Actus The antient ordinances concerning cattell in what time the market for victuals was exceeding cheap at Rome and who were famous renowmed for husbandrie and tilling the ground 4. The ancient manner of tilling the earth 5. Where a ferme house is to bee seated and built conueniently certain rules in old time concerning tillage 6. A discourse as touching the praise of husbandmen what rules are to be obserued to come by a good peece of land 7. Diuers kinds of corne and their nature 8. That all sorts of graine will not grow euery where Of other kindes of corne in the Levant or East countries 9. Of baking and pastrie of grinding and of meale 10. Of the fine cocked flour of the white flour of wheat and of other sorts of floure the manner of moulding and making dough and baking 11. The manner of making and laying
make a voiage into Arabia for the great fame that went thereof saith That the tree which beares Frankincense hath a trunke or body writhen about and putteth forth boughes and branches like for all the world to the Maple of Pontus Item that it yeeldeth a iuice or liquour as doth the Almond tree and such are seene commonly in Carmania as also those in Egypt which were planted by the carefull industrie of the Ptolomees Kings there Howeuer it be this is receiued for certaine that it hath the very barke of a Bay tree Some also haue said that the leaues be as like And verily such kind of trees were they which were seen at Sardis for the Kings of Asia likewise were at the cost and labor to transplant them and desirous to haue them grow in Lydia The Embassadours who in my time came out of Arabia to Rome haue made all that was deliuered as touching these trees more doubtfull and vncertaine than before A strange matter and wonderfull indeed considering that twigges and branches of the Incense tree haue passed betweene by the veiw of which impes we may judge what the Mother is namely euen and round in the bodie without knot or knar and from thence she putteth out shoots They vsed in old time to gather the Incense but once a yere as hauing little vent and small returne and lesse occasion to sell than now adaies but now since euery man calleth for it they feeling the sweetnesse of the gaine make a double vintage as it were of it in one yere The first and indeed the kindly season falls about the hottest daies of the Summer at what time as the Dog daies begin for then they cut the Tree where they see the bark to be fullest of liquor and wheras they perceiue it to be thinnest and strut out most They make a gash or slit only to giue more libertie but nothing do they pare or cut cleane away The wound or incision is no sooner made but out there gusheth a fat some or froth this soone congeales and growes to be hard and where the place will giue them leaue they receiue it in a quilt or mat made of Date tree twigs plaited and wound one within another wicker-wise For elsewhere the floore all about is paued smooth and rammed downe hard The former way is the better to gather the purer and clearer Frankincense but that which falleth vpon the bare ground prooues the weightier That which remaines behind and stickes to the Tree is parted and scraped off with kniues or such like yron tooles and therefore no maruell if it be ful of shauings of the bark The whole wood or forrest is diuided into certaine portions and euery man knowes his owne part nay there is not one of them will offer wrong vnto another and encroch vpon his neighbors They need not to set any keepers to look vnto those Trees that be cut for no man will rob from his fellow if he might so just and true they be in Arabia But beleeue me at Alexandria where Frankincense is tried refined and made for sale men canot look surely ynough to their shops and work-houses but they will be robbed The workeman that is emploied about it is all naked saue that he hath a paire of trouses or breeches to couer his shame and those are sowed vp and sealed too for feare of thrusting any into them Hood-winked he is sure ynough for seeing the way to and fro and hath a thicke coife or maske about his head for doubt that he should bestow any in mouth or eares And when these workmen be let forth againe they be stripped starke naked as euer they were borne and sent away Whereby we may see that the rigor of justice canot strike so great feare into our theeues here and make vs so secure to keepe our owne as among the Sabaeans the bare reuerence and religion of those woods But to returne againe to our former cuts That Incense which was let out in Summer they leaue there vnder the Tree vntil the Autumne and then they come and gather it And this is most pure cleane and white A second Vintage and gathering there is in the Spring against which time they cut the bark before in the Winter and suffer it to run out vntil the Spring This comes forth red and is nothing comparable to the former The better is called Carpheotum the worse Dathiathum Moreouer some say that the gum which issueth out of the young trees is the whiter but that which comes from the old is more odoriferous There be others also of opinion that the better Incense is in the Islands But King Iuba doth auouch constantly that there is none at all in the Islands That which is round like vnto a drop and so hangeth we call the male Incense wheras in other things lightly we name the male but where there is a female But folk haue a religious ceremonie in it not to vse so much as the tearme of the other sexe in giuing denomination to Frankincense Howbeit some say that it was called the Male for a resemblance that it hath to cullions or stones In very truth that is held for the cheife and best simply which is fashioned like to the nipples or tears that giue milk standing thick one by another to wit when the former drop that distilled hath another presently followeth after and so consequently more vnto them and they all seeme to hang together like bigs I read that euery one of these were wont to make a good handfull namely when men were not so hasty eager to carry it away but would giue it time and leisure to drop softly When it is gathered in this sort the Greeks vse to call it Stagonias and Atomus but the lesser goblets they name Orobias As for the small crums or fragments which fall off by shaking wee called Manna i. Thuris And yet there be found at this day drops of Incense that weigh the third part of a pound that is to say about * 39 Roman deniers It happened on a time that king Alexander the Great being then but a very little child made no spare of Incense but cast still vpon the altar without all measure when he offered sacrifice Whereupon Leonides his tutor and schoole-maister by way of a light reproofe said vnto him thus Sir you should in that maner burne Incense when you haue once conquered those nations where there growes Incense Which rebuke and checke of his tooke so deep a print in Alexanders heart and so well he carried it in memorie that after he had indeed made conquest of Arabia he sent vnto the said Leonides his Tutor a ship ful fraught and charged with Incense willing him not to spare but liberally to bestow vpon the gods when hee sacrificed To returne againe to our historie When the Incense is gathered as is beforesaid conueighed it is to Sabota vpon Cammels backs and at one gate set open for that purpose
is most commended only Columella condemneth it Some praise the mucke of any foure-footed beasts whatsoeuer so they were fed with Tree-trifolie called Cytisus Others prefer the doung of Pigeons before any other in the second place that of Goats thirdly of sheepe then of kine and oxen and lastly of cart-jades mules asses and such like Thus you see as well what difference there was in times past between this dung and that as also what were the rules so farre as I can guesse and learne whereby they went in the vse and ordering thereof for to say a truth the old way is best euen herein as well as in other matters Ouer and besides the practise hath bin already seen in some of our prouinces where there is so great store of cattell bred to riddle and sift their dung ouer their ground through sieues in manner of meale and so in processe of time it loseth not only the stinking sent and ill-fauored sight that it had but also turneth into a pleasant smel and looketh louely withall Of late found it hath been by experience that Oliue trees doe like and prosper very well if the ashes of lime-kills especially be laid to their roots Varro among many other precepts addeth and saith That corne grounds would be manured with hors-dung because it is the lightest but medowes require compost that is heauier and namely made by beasts that haue barley for their prouender for that such soile bringeth plentie of grasse Some there bee aâ—…so that preferre the dung made by horses before the mucke of kine and Oxen likewise sheeps treddles before Goats dung but Asses mucke before all other because they eat and chew their meat most leisurely But daily experience teacheth the contrary and testifieth against the one and the other And thus much as touching compost of mucke Furthermore all men are of opinion that nothing is better for the ground than to sow Lupines therupon prouided alwaies that before it cod it be turned into the ground by the plough spade or two-piked yron forke also when it is cut down to make it into wads or bottles and so to bury them at the roots of trees and vines especially In countries where there are no cattell to better the lands it is thought good to manure the same in stead of beasts dung with very hawme straw and ferne Cato hath a deuise to make an artificiall mucke or compost of litter lupine straw chaffe beane stalks leaues and branches both of Mast-holm and oke He saith moreouer to the same purpose Weed out of the standing corn Walwort otherwise called Danewort and Hemlock also from about oâ—…er-plots plucke vp ranke weeds or ground Elder also Reeke or Sea-grasse and dead leaues or branches lying rotten vnder trees when thou haste so done strew and lay a course of them vnder sheep where they be folded Item If the Vine begin to decay and wax leane burne the shreads and cuttings of the owne and turne the ashes vnder ground hard to the roots thereof Item where thou meanest to sow any wheat or such like bread-corn draw thy sheep thither and there fold them He saith moreouer that the sowing of some graine is as good as a dunging to the ground for these be his very words The fruit it selfe of the earth is a batling to the earth and namely Lupines Beans and Vetches for they muck the lands like as on the contrary side Chiches do burn the ground both because they are plucked and also for that they stand vpon salt Semblably doth Barley Foenigreeke Eruile and generally all kind of pulse which are pulled and not mowne downe Item Take heed quoth Cato that you set no pepins or kernels where you meane to sow corne As for Virgil he is of opinion that the sowing of Line-seed for flax likewise of Otes and Poppies do burne corne-ground and pill it out of heart He also giueth rules as touching mucke-hills That they should be made in the open aire within some hollow place where it may gather water that they be couered ouer with straw and litter for feare they should dry in the Sun and last of all that they haue a good strong stake of Oke pitched and driuen in about the mids thereof for so there will no snakes nor such like serpents breed and ingender therein Moreouer as touching the spreading of mucke and mingling it with the mould of a land it is exceeding good to do it when the winde setteth full West so that the Moon then be past the full and in the Waine But this rule many haue mistaken and not construed aright supposing that they should so do when the Western wind Fauonius beginneth to rise and namely in the moneth of Februarie only whereas indeed most cornlands require this point of husbandry in other moneths as wel But looke what time soeuer you list to do it be sure in any hand that the wind do then blow from the Equinoctiall point of the West and that the moone then be in the waine and drie withall Haue regard to these rules and obseruations you will wonder to see the effects thereof and what increase the earth thereby will yeeld CHAP. X. ¶ The planting and setting of trees the manner how trees do grow by a Sion sliued and plucked from the root NOw that we haue already sufficiently treated of the considerations as well of the aire and skie as of the earth belonging vnto plants and trees me thinks it were to good purpose to discourse of the industry and artificiall meanes that men haue vsed to make trees grow and verily we shall find no fewer kinds of them that come by mans hand than of such as nature it selfe hath brought forth so kind and thankfull we haue bin to her as to make recompence in this behalfe First and formost therefore this is to be noted That all trees do grow either of seed sowne or of branches growing to the tree and couched in the ground or of an old stocke from whence new imps may sprout also either of a slip or sprig plucked from another tree and so laid in the ground or of a young shoot twig impe or Sion engraffed in the very trunk of a tree slit and clouen for that purpose For I cannot chuse but maruell much at Trogus who was verily persuaded That about Babylon the leaues onely of Date trees beeing set or sowne would prooue trees Now whereas there be so many deuises abouesaid for to nourish trees this you must vnderstand that some trees there be which will grow by many of these waies before specified and others by them all And verily the most part of this knowledge hath beene taught by Nature her selfe for first of all we haue learned by her for to sow seed by occasion that we haue seen some to fall from trees which being receiued by the ground haue chitted taken root and liued And in very truth some trees there be that grow no otherwise as Chestnut and Walnut-trees excepting
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
as Sanicle is a vulnerary herbe and Machaon was a vulnerarie Physitian THE NINETEENTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS The Proeme TReated we haue in the former booke of the stars and signes aboue which giue vs intelligence as well of the seasons as the disposition of the weather to come and that in plaine and easie maner by so evident and vndoubted demonstrations also as may content the meane capacitie of the vnskilfull and ignorant And verily if we will rightly weigh and consider the thing we shal find and vnderstand that our countrey farmes and villages stand vs in good stead to know the inclination of the heauens and stars as the skill of Astronomy serueth our turnes for good husbandry These points now being well and throughly learned many haue bin of opinion That the knowledge of gardens and the care thereto belonging should by good right follow next Howbeit I for my part am of thismind that there be other matters concerning Agriculture deserue to be handled before we leape thus soon to gardening And here I cannot chuse but maruell much at some men who making such profession of learning and namely in the skill and science of Agriculture as they haue done yea and seeking thereby to win all their credit and name of erudition and literature haue notwithstanding omitted many things requisit thereunto without any mention made or one word spoken of so many herbes and simples which either come vp of themselues or grow by meanes of mans hand considering that the most part of them are in greater price and reputation yea and in more vse and request far for the maintenance of this our life than either corne or Pulse or any fruits of the earth whatsoeuer And to begin first at those that are known commodities and so notorious as that the vse thereof not only reacheth all ouer the maine and continent but extendeth also to the very sâ—…as and ouer spreadeth them What say we to Line or Flax so commonly sowed as it is yet may it not be ranged either among the fruits of the field or herbs of the garden But what region I pray you or part of the earth is without it and what is there so necessary for this life of ours in all respects Againe is there any thing in the whole world more wonderfull and miraculous than that there shouldbe an herb found of this vertue and property as to bring Egypt and Italy together insomuch as Galerius Lord Deputy in Egypt vnder the Romans was knowne to set saile from the firth of Messina in the straits of Sicily and in seuen daies to arriue at Alexandria Babilius also Gouernor there likewise in six and that by the means of the said herb Moreouer what say you to this which was seen no longer since than the summer past when Valerius Marianus a Senator of Rome late Lord Pretour embarked and tooke ship at Puteoli and in nine daies sailed to the said Alexandria and yet he had but a very mild and still wind to helpe him in that voiage Is not this a strange and soueraigne herb think you that in a seuen-nights space can fetch Gades from as far as the straits of Gilbretar or Hercules pillars into the harbor of Ostia in Italy can shew I say the kingdome of Catalogne in Spaine before the said port-towne in foure daies Prouince in three and Barbary in two for C. Flaccus lieutenant vnder Vibius Crispus the Pro-consull did as much I speake of and that with no great forewind but a most gentle and milde gale Oh the audacious boldnesse of this world so rash so full of sin and wickednesse that a man should sow and cherish any such thing as might receiue and swallow the Windes stormes and tempests as if the float and tide alone were not sufficient to carrie so proud a creature But now are wee growne moreouer to this passe that sailes bigger than the Shippes themselues will not serue our turnes For albeit one mast be sufficient to carrie the biggest crosse-yard that can be deuised yet are not wee content with a single maine saile thereupon vnlesse we set vp Saile vpon Saile top and top-gallant vnlesse I say we haue for esailes and sprit-sailes in the Prow misnes also hoised vp and displaied in the Poupe besides other trinkets and more cloath still and all to set vs more forward vpon our death and to hasten our end Finally is there ought againe so admirable as that of so small a graine as is the Line-seed there should grow that which is able to carry to and fro in a moment this round globe of the earth the same being so slender a stalke as it is and not growing high from the ground considering withall that twisted it is not entire and whole in the stem but before it can be occupied it must be watered dried braked tew-tawed and with much labâ—…r driuen and reduced in the end to be as soft and tender as wooll and all to do violence to Nature and Mankinde most audaciously euen in the highest degree in such sort as a man is not able to proceed so far in execration as is due vnto this inuention The first deuiser whereof I haue inueighed against in conuenient place elsewhere and not without desert as who could not be content that a man should die vpon the land but hee must perish vpon the sea to feed Haddocks there without the honour of sepulture In the booke but next before this I gaue warning and aduertised men That for to enioy corne and other victuals necessarie for this life in suffisance and plenty we should beware of winde and raine and now behold man is so wicked and vngratious his wit so inuentiue that he will be sowing tending and plucking that with his own hand that calls for nothing else at sea but winde and neuer rests till Browning be come See moreouer how well this vnhappy hand of his speeds for there is not a plant again commeth vp sooner or thriueth faster than this Flax. And to conclude that we may know how Nature her self is nothing wel pleasing therwith and that it groweth maugre her will it burnes the field wherein it is sowed it eateth out the heart of the ground and maketh it worse where-euer it comes this is all the good it doth vpon a land CHAP. I. ¶ The maner of sowing Line or Flax the sundry kindes thereof the order how to dresse it Also of Napkins and other Naperie Of Flax and Linnen that will not burne in the fire And when the Theatres or Shew-places at Rome were first encourtained LIne-seed loueth grauelly or sandie grounds passing wel and commonly is sowed with one tilth and no more yet is there nothing maketh more haste to be aboue ground or sooner commeth to maturitie Being sowne in Spring it is pluckt in Summer See how injurious it is stil to the earth euen this way also Wel say that the Aegyptians in some sort
fruits of the earth aboue named but displeased rather and taking scorne that such plants which grow farther from the Cope of Heauen and began long after trees to come vp and shew themselues should seeme to haue so many vertues hath likewise furnished the fruits hanging vpon her trees with their properties and those of no small operation and effect in Physicke And in truth if we consider and weigh the cause aright she it was that affoorded to mankinde the first food from those her trees inducing vs thereby to lift vp our eies and looke to Heauen-ward yea and she giueth the world to vnderstand that if Ceres and Flora both should faile she with her goods only were able euen still to sustaine and feed vs sufficiently And to beginne with the Vine which ought by right to be ranged in the highest ranke of all those plants that beare the name of Trees This bountifull Ladie not satisfied herein that shee had done pleasure vnto man in furnishing him with â—…oble perfumes odours and delicate Ointments by meanes of the grape verjuice the Vine-floure Oenanthe and namely the wilde Vine Massaris in Africke according as I haue discoursed more at large heretofore hath therefore bestowed vpon Vines those medicinable vertues in greatest measure and withall vsed these remonstrances vnto men in this manner Call to minde quoth shee how many benifits and pleasures thou receiuest at my hands Who is it but I that haue brought forth Wine that sweet juice of the Grape Who but I haue giuen thee Oyle that daintie liquour of the Oliue From mee come Dates and Apples from mee thou haste all Fruits of such varietie that vnpossible it is to number them Neither doe I deale by thee as dame Tellus doth who bestoweth nothing vpon thee without labour and sweat of thy browes nothing I say but before it doth thee any good requireth tillage by Oxe and Plough thrashing with flaile vpon the floore or trampling of beasts feet vpon the mow and then the Mil-stones to grinde it Such adoe there is and so long a time first before thou canst enioy the benifit thereof for thy food But contrariwise whatsoeuer commeth from mee is ready at hand there needes no intreating of the Plough nor any great labour and industrie to haue and inioy my fruits for they offer themselues of their owne accord yea and if thou thinke much of thy paines to climbe or to put vp thy hand and gather them loe they are readie to droppe downe and fall into thy mouth or else to lie vnder thy feet See how good and gracious Nature hath beene vnto vs herein and â—…ow shee hath strouen with her selfe Whether she should profit or pleasure man more yet I take it that she affected Commoditie rather than Delight For to come vnto the vertues and properties of the vine The very leaues and tender burgeons thereof applied with barley groats do mitigate the paine of the head and reduce all inflammations of the bodie vnto the due temperature The leaues alone of the vine laid vnto the stomack with cold water allay the vnkinde heats thereof and with barley meale are singular for all gouts and diseases of the ioints The tendrils or young branches of the vine being stamped and applied accordingly drie vp any tumors or swellings whatsoeuer Their iuice iniected or poured into the guts by a clystre cureth the bloudy flix The liquour concreat which is in manner of a gumme issuing from the vine healeth the leprie and all foule tettars scabs and manges in case the parts affected were prepared and rubbed before with salniter The same liquor or gumme is likewise depilatorie for if the haires be often annointed with it and oyle together they will fall of but the water especially that sweateth out of greene vine branches as they burne hath a mightie operation that way insomuch as it will fetch off Warts also The drinke wherein young vine tendrils haue lien infused is good for those who reach vp and spit bloud as also for women who beeing newly conceiued and breeding childe haue many swawmes come ouer their heart and be â—…ft soones subiect with faintings The vine barke or rinde likewise the dried leaues stanch the bleeding in a wound yea and doe consolidate and heale vp the wound it selfe The iuice drawne out of the white-Vine beeing stamped greene and Frankincense together take away shingles ring-wormes and such like wilde-fires if it bee applied thereto The ashes of the vine-stocke vine-cuttings and of the kernels and skinnes of grapes after they be pressed applied with vineger vnto the seat or fundament cure the piles swellings fissures chappes and other infirmities incident to that part but incorporate with oile-Rosat Rue and vineger they helpe dislocations burnes and swellings of the spleene The same ashes strewed with some aspersion or sprinckling of wine vpon S. Anthonies fire without any oyle doe cure the same as also all frets and galls betweene the legges and besides eat away the haire of any place The ashes of vine-cuttings besprinckled with vineger are giuen to drinke for the diseases of the spleene so as the Patient take two cyaths thereof in warme water and when hee hath drunke it lie vpon the spleene side The very small tendrils of the vine whereby it climbeth catcheth and claspeth about any thing being punned and taken in water staieth and represseth vomiting in those whose stomacks vse ordinarily to be kecklish and soone to ouerturne The ashes of vines tempered with old hogges grease is singular to abate swellings to cleanse fistulous vlâ—…ers first and soone after to heale them vp cleane likewise for the paine of sinewes proceeding of cold and for contraction and shrinking of the nerues also for bruises being applied with oyle Moreouer they eat away all excrescence of proud flesh about the bones beeing tempered mith vineger and niter and last of all mixed with oile they heale the wounds made by scorpions or dogs The ashes of the vine-barke alone cause the haire to come againe in a burnt place How grape veriuice should be made when the grapes are young and nothing ripe I haue shewed in the Treatise of Perfumes and Ointments It remaineth now to discourse of the medicinable vertues thereof and first to begin withall It healeth all vlcers that happen in moist parts and namely those of the mouth Tonsils or Almond-kernels on either side of the throat and of the priuie members the same is soueraigne for to clarifie the eie-sight it cureth the asperitie and roughnesse of the eie-lids the fistulous vlcers in the corners of the eies the clowdes ar silmes that shadow and couer the sight the running sores in any part of the body whatsoeuer the corrupt and withered cicatrices or scars and the bones charged with purulent and skinny matter Now if this veriuice bee too tart and eager it may be delaied with honey or wine-cuit and so it is good for bloudy flixes and the exulceration of the guts for those who
wine in drinke Vpon which treatise or book of his an infinit number there were who haue written their Commentaries As for me according to that grauity which beseemeth Romanes and to shew affection and loue to all liberall Sciences I will not discourse thereof as a Physician but with great care and diligence write so distinctly as a deputed judge or arbiter delegat to determin of mans health and the preseruation thereof To dispute and reason of euery seuerall kind were a endles peece of work and so intricat as I wot not how a man should rid himselfe out of it if he were once entred so repugnant and contrarie are the Physicians one to another in that argument To begin first with the wine of Surrentum our ancients haue held it simply for the best aboue all others But our later and more moderne writers haue made greater account of the Albane and Falerne wines In summe euery one hath iudged of the goodnesse of wine according to his owne conceit and fantasie a most vnequall course of proceeding without all reason and congruitie to pronounce definitiuely vnto al others that for best that pleased and contented his owne tast most And yet set the case and say they were all agreed and of one opinion as touching the most excellent wines How is it possible that the whole world should enioy the benefit thereof since that great lords and princes themselues haue much adoe to meet with pure and perfect wines without one sophistication or other In good faith the world is grown to this abuse that wines be bought and sold now at an higher or lower price acording to the name and bruit that goeth onely of the cellars from whence they come whereas in truth the wines were marred and corrupted at the first in the very presse or vatt presently after the vintage and grape-gathering And therefore it is that now adaies a wonderfull thing to be spoken the smallest and basest wines are of all others least sophisticate and most harmelesse Well how soeuer it be and admit the noblest kinds of wine are most subject to those bruings and sophistication which make indeed the ods that is yet those wines beforenamed to wit the Falern Albane and Surrentine do still import and carrie away the victory and prise from all the rest by the generall voice constant sentence of al writers As touching the Falerne wine it is not wholesome for the body either very new or ouer old a middle age is best and that begins when it is fifteen yeres old and not before This wine is not hurtfull to a cold stomacke but I cannot say of a hot stomack If it be taken alone and pure of it selfe in a morning and drunke fasting it doth much good to them who haue bin troubled with a long cough or vexed with a quartan ague And verily there is not a wine that stirreth the bloud and filleth the veines so much as this It staieth the laske nourisheth the body How beit generally receiued and beleeued it is That this wine dimmeth the eye sight and doth no good to the bladder and neruous parts And indeed the Albane wines agree better with the sinews And yet the sweet wines that come from the vineyards of the same tract are not so whole some to the stomack but the harsh and hard austere wines of this kind be in that regard better than the Falerne wines aboue said And in one word these Albane wines help digestion but little and in some sort stuffe and fil the stomacke But the Surrentine wines charge not the stomacke any jot nor yet fume vp in the head nay they restrain and represse the rheumaticke fluxions both of stomacke and guts As for the wines of Caecubum they bee now past date and none of them are made any more But those of Setinum that remaine still and be in some request doe mightily aid concoction and cause the meat for to digest In a word Surrentine wines haue most strength the Albane drink harder and the Falerne be more mild and nothing so piercing as the rest The Statane wines come not far behinde these aboue named As for the Signine wine out of all question it is simply the best to bind the body stop a vehement flux thus much for wines and their properties in particular It remaineth now to speake of their vertues in generall First and foremost wine maintaineth and fortifieth the strength of man engendreth good bloud and causeth a fresh and liuely colour And herein verily consisteth the principall difference betweene our temperat climat within the heart as it were and middle part of the world from those intemperat Zones on either hand And looke how much the distemperature of the two Poles worketh in the inhabitants of those parts and hardneth them to endure and support all kind of trauell so much doth this sweet and pleasant liquor of the grape enable vs to abide and suffer the like labour And because we are entred into this theame note thus much moreoner That the drinking of milke nourisheth the bones of beere and ale and such like made with corne feedeth the sinewes and neruous parts but of water maintaineth the flesh and brawnie muscles onely Which is the cause that such nations as drinke either milke ale beere c. or sheere water are nothing so ruddie of colour nor so strong and firme to vndergoe painefull trauell as those whose ordinarie familiar drink is wine And in truth as the moderat vse of wine comforteth the sinews helpeth the eyesight so the ouer liberal taking thereof offendeth the one and enfeeb leth the other Wine recreateth refresheth the stomack wine stirreth vp the appetite to meat wine allaieth sorrow care and heauinesse wine prouoketh vrin and chaseth away all chilling cold out of the body Finally wine induceth sleep and quiet repose Moreouer this good property hath wine To stay the stomack represse vom its taken into the body and without-forth applied with wooll embrued and bathed therein to dissipat and resolue all swelling apostumes Asclepiades was so addicted to the praise of wine that he bashed not to make comparisons pronounce that the power and puissance of the gods was hardly able to match and counteruaile the might and force of wine Moreouer this is to be noted that old wine will beare a greater proportion of water than new and prouoketh vrine more although it withstand and allay thirst lesse Sweet wines do not so much inebriate and ouerturne the brain as others but they flote a loft in the stomacke whereas austere and hard wines be lighter of digestion and sooner concocted The lightest and smallest wine is that which soonest commeth to his age and sheweth it most quickely The wines which by age and long keeping lay downe their verdure and become sweet are lesse hurtful to the sinews than others The grosse fattie and blacke wines are not so good for the stomack howbeit they be most nutritive for the
doth corrode in which respect it is good to eat away scurfe about the brims of sores and vlcers and verily Buls bloud fresh running out of the body is reckoned no better than venom and yet I must except Aegira a city in Achaia where the priestresse of the goddesse * Ops at what time as she is to prophesie and foretel things to come vseth by drinking buls bloud to prepare her self before she goeth down into the vault or shrouds out of which she deliuereth her prophesies so forcible is that sympathy wherof we speak so much that otherwhiles it is occasioned either by a religious opinion deuotion in mens mindes or els by the nature of some place Drusus somtimes a Tribune of the commons in Rome drank as it is reported Goats bloud to make himselfe look pale * wan in the face at what time as he meant to charge Q. Caepio his enemy with giuing him poison And verily the bloud of a buck goat is so strong that there is not any thing in the world wil either sharpen the edg of any yron tools sooner or harden the same when it is keen than it And as for the ruggednes of any blade it wil take it away more effectually and polish it better than the very file Considering then this diuersity which is seen in the bloud of beasts I cannot write thereof in such generall termes as of a thing indifferently common to euery one of them but I must be forced to speak particularly of their seuerall effects In which regard I will treat respectiuely of beasts according as they do yeeld remedies against this or that malady and first as touching those which are aduerse vnto Serpents To begin then with Stags and Hinds no man there is so ignorant but he knoweth that they plague serpents to the very death for they pluck them forth of their holes and eat them when they haue don And not only whiles they be aliue do they war against serpents with the breath of their nosthrils but also when they be dead euery member and piece of their body is contrary vnto them Burn a piece of an Harts horne you shall see how the smoke and smell thereof will chase away serpents as I haue obserued hertofore yet they say that the perfume of the bones which are about the throat of a Stag hath a contrary property to gather them together Let a man lay vnder him Stags skins in stead of a mattrace he shall sleep securely without any feare that serpents will approch to do him harm The rennet in their maw or the rede it selfe if it bee drunk with vineger is a soueraigne antidot against their venomous sting and look what day one do but handle it he shall be sure and safe from any danger by them The genetoirs of a Stagge kept vntill they be dry like as the pizzle also made into pouder and taken in wine is a singular counterpoison resisting the venome of Serpents Euen as the rim of the paunch which is called in Latine Centipellio Whosoeuer haue about them so much as the tooth of an Hart or be annointed with the marrow or suet of a Stag Buck or Hind-calfe need not to fear any serpents for they will flie from them But aboue all remedies there is none like to the rennet of a Fawne or Hind-calfe such a one especially as was ripped out of the dams belly as I haue shewed heretofore If together with Deeres bloud there be burned the herbe Dragon bastard Mariaram and Orchanet in a fire made with Lentisk wood Serpents by report will gather round together into an heap take away the same bloud and put into the fire the root of Pyrethrum they will scatter asunder againe I read in Greek writers of a certain beast lesse than a Stag but like in haire called Ophion which folk say is wont to be found only in the Isle Sardinia but I suppose that the race of them is vtterly extinct and gone Wherefore I will forbeare to write of the medicinable properties reported by that beast CHAP. X. ¶ The medicines against Serpents found in the wild Bore in Goats and wild horses Also of other remedies which diuers beasts do yeeld against all diseases THe brains of a wild Bore is highly commended against the sting and venome of serpents So is the bloud likewise Semblably is the liuer kept and preserued long with Rue if the same be drunk in wine In like maner the fat of the wild bore incorporat with hony rosin Also the liuer of a tame bore being clensed from the filaments and strings therein taken to the weight of foure oboli or the very brains drunke in wine If a man burn the horn or haire of goats the fume therof driueth away serpents as it is commonly said and the ashes that come thereof either drunke inwardly or applied in a liniment without are of great force against their stings Moreouer a draught of Goats milke taken with the grape of the vine Taminia or of their vrine drunk with squilliticke vineger Furthermore it is said that cheese made of Goats milk together with Origan vsed in a cataplasme or their tallow incorporat with wax worketh the like effect A thousand medicines besides are reported to be drawn from this beast as shall hereafter appeare whereat for mine own part I much maruel considering it is commonly said that he is neuer out of a feuer The wilde of this kinde doe affoord medicines more effectuall than the tame and those as I haue said multiplie exceedingly As for the Bucks or male Goats they haue medicinable properties apart by themselues And Democritus saith That the Buck which the dam bare alone is of greater efficacy than any other who affirmeth moreouer that it is very good to anoint the place stung with serpents with Goats dung sodden in vineger also with the ashes of the said dung fresh made and tempered with wine into a liniment In sum as many as hardly are cured of serpents stings recouer therof passing wel if they ordinarily haunt Goat-pens and stals where they be kept But such as would haue a more speedy assured cure take the panch cut out of a Goat newly killed together with the dung found therein presently bind the same fast to the place affected so soone as they be stung Others perfume the flesh newly hurt with kids hair burnt with the same smoke chase away serpents they vse also to apply their skin newly flaied to the wound like as the flesh and dung of a horse that lieth out and feedeth abroad in the field the rennet likewise of an Hare in vineger against the prick of a scorpion and the venomous tooth of an hardishrew Moreouer it is said that as many as rub and anoint their bodies with hares rennet need not feare their stinging If any be hurt by a scorpion Goats dung helpeth them but the better if it be boiled in vineger and in case one be
haire of the body to fall off And yet as great and dangerous as the poyson of these beasts is there be some creatures and namely Swine that eat them safely so effectuall is their contrarietie and repugnancie in Nature that it conquereth and subdueth the said poyson And to mortifie this venome it soundeth to good reason that those beasts should haue power which feed vpon them and find no harme thereby But writers there be who say that the flies called Cantharides taken in drink or the Lizard in meat are good for that purpose be sides other things which are aduerse and contrary thereto wherof I haue already spoken will speak more in time and place conuenient As for that which the Magicians do report of the Salamander against skarefires for that there is other beast but it that scorneth the violence of the fire and quencheth it surely it had beene put in practise long since at Rome in case their words had proued true Sextius affirmeth That the body of a Salamander cleansed from the guts and garbage within and parted from the head and feet if it be condite in hony inciteth greatly to fleshly lust those that eat thereof but he denieth flatly that it doth extinguish and put out the fire Now concerning those birds which yeeld any helpe against serpents the vulture or Geir deserueth to be set in the first ranke but this hath bin obserued and found by experience that the black of this kind are not so powerful as others in this behalfe It is commonly said that a perfume made with burning their feathers chaseth serpents away Likewise it is an opinion generally receiued that whosoeuer carie about them the heart of this foule are secured from the violent assault not of serpents only but also of other wild beasts yea and of theeues robbers by the high way side The same also assures them to escape the danger of princes wrath and indignation howsoeuer they be set and incensed against them The flesh of Cocks and Capons dismembred if it be applied warm as it was plucked from the bones to the place which is bitten or stung by any serpent drawes out the venome and mortifies the strength therof so doth their braines if it be drunke in wine But the Parthians thinke it better to lay vnto the said sores the braines of an Hen. Also a broth made of such pullein hath a singular vertue in this case if it be supped off like as in many others it workes wonderfull effects as it is vsed For first and formost neither Lions nor Panthers will set vpon those persons who are bathed with their decoction especially if there were any Garlick sodden therin Secondly it is passing good to keep the body loose but stranger is the operation if it were of an old Cocke Item It serueth very well to cure long feauers the trembling also and nummednesse of the lims it assuageth the pain of all kinds of gout easeth the head-ach staieth the violence of rheumes especially falling into the eies resolueth ventosities quickeneth the dull appetite to meat preuenteth the danger of the inordinat desire to the stoole without doing any thing if it be taken betimes and in the beginning of that disease strengtheneth a feeble liuer comforteth the reins and the bladder concocteth crudities in the stomack and finally helpeth those who are short winded In regard of these manifold commodities the maner of making this broth as it ought to be is set down in writing and direction giuen therefore For more effectuall it is found to be in case there be sodden with the Cocke or Capon the sea wort Soldanella or the hearbe Cybium Capres or Persely Mercurie the herbe Polypodium or dill Now the best way of making this broth is to set the said Cocke or Capon a seething with the abouenamed herbes in three gallons of water and to suffer the same to boile vntil there remain but three pints of liquor when it is thus sodden to this height it ought to coole without dores in the open air and then it is singular good to be giuen in those cases aboue rehearsed prouided alwaies that the patient haue taken a vomit before for that is the only season And for as much as I am thus far entred into a discourse of Pullain I canot forget one miraculous experiment although it be nothing pertinent to Physick this it is That if one put the flesh of an hen into gold as it is in melting it will draw all the mettall into it and consume it so as therupon the said flesh is held to be the poyson as it were of gold Moreouer if you would not haue a Cock to crow and chant put a wreath or coller of Vine twigs about his necke But to returne again to our receits and medicines against serpents the flesh of young Pigeons newly hatched as also of swallowes is very good so are the feet of a scriche Owle burnt together with the herbe Plumbago But before I write further of this bird I canot ouerpasse the vanitie of Magicians which herein appeareth most euidently For ouer and besides many other monstrous lies which they haue deuised they giue it out That if one doe lay the heart of a scrich Owle on the left pap of a woman as she liee asleep she will disclose vtter all the secrets of her heart also whosoeuer carie about them the same heart when they go to fight shal be more hardie and performe their deuoir the better against their enemies They tell vs moreouer I wot not what tales of their egges and namely that they cure the accidents and defects befalling to the haire of the head But I would faine know of them what man euer found a scrich-Owles nest and met with any of their egges considering that it is holden for an vncouth and strange prodigie to haue seen the bird it selfe and what might he be that tried such conclusions and experiments especially in the haire of his head Furthermore they affirme assuredly That the bloud of their young birds will curle and frizzle the same haire Much like to these toies are their reports also of the Bat for say they if a man goe round about a house three times carrying a liue Bat with him and then naile it vpon the window with the head downward it is a soueraign counter charme against all sorceries and witchcrafts and more particularly if a Bat be borne thrice round about a sheepe-coat and then hanged vpon the lintell of the dore with the heeles vpward it will serue for a singular preservatiue to defend the sheep from all such harmes As for the bloud of a Bat they commend it highly for healing the sting of serpents if together with the leaues or seeds of a thistle it be applied to the place Touching the venomous spider called Phalangia they know not in Italy what it is for all there be many kinds thereof for some are like vnto Pismires but
boiled in vineger and water is of the same effect The milt of a sheep first torrified then puluerized and taken in wine helpeth much this infirmitie A liniment likewise made of Pigeons dung and hony is of great vertue if the patients belly be annointed therewith Touching those that haue feeble stomacks and cannot concoct and digest their meat It is said That the maw or gisier of that kind of Geire or Vulture which is called in Latine Ossifragus dried puluerized and drunk is right soueraigne Nay if the patient doe but hold the same gisier in his hand whiles he is at his repast it will help digestion And in truth there bee diuers that for this cause weare these gisiers ordinarily about their necks but I think it not wholsome to do so long for it maketh them leane as many as vse it and spendeth their body To stay a flux of the belly the bloud of Mallards or Drakes is thought also to be singular good The meat made of shell-snailes discusseth and scattereth ventosities The Milt of a Mutton broiled to ashes and giuen in wine is singular good to allay the wrings and torments of the belly Of the same operation is the wild Quoist or Ringdoue sodden in vineger and water The greater kind of Swallows or Martins called Apodes are no lesse powerfull if they bee sodden and taken in wine The ashes of the bird Ibis plucked burnt without his feathers so giuen to drink work the same effect But strange it is and wonderfull if that be true which is reported as touching this malady namely that if a Ducke bee applied aliue vnto the belly which is tormented with such wrings she shal draw away the disease into her own body and die of the torment but the patient shal be eased by that means These painful gripes likewise are cured with sodden hony wherein Bees sometimes were drowned to death As for the Collick there is nothing so good to assuage the paine thereof as to eat Larkes which the Latines name Galeritae Howbeit some giue aduise and think it better to burne and calcine them in their feathers within a new earthen vessel so to stamp them to ashes or pouder and to drink therof foure daies together in water by three spoonfuls at a time Others make no more ado but take the heart of a Lark and bind it to the inward part of the thigh and there be againe who would haue the same to be swallowed downe whole newly taken out of the bird while it was warme There is a family of the Asprenates men of good quality and reputation for that they had bin somtimes Consuls of Rome in which house of two brethren the one was fully cured of the collick by eating these birds and by wearing ordinarily the heart of one of them about his arme inclosed within a bracelet of gold the other being likewise troubled with the said disease found remedy by a kind of sacrifice which he offered in a little chappell made with vnbaked brickes piled vp archwise in manner of a furnace and so soon as the sacrifice was finished he stopt vp the same againe That Vulture which is called Ossifragus hath one gut of wonderfull nature for it is able to concoct and digest whatsoeuer the said foul deuoureth And for certain this is known and generally receiued that the nethermost end therof cureth the collick if the patient do but carry it about him There are other secret and hidden diseases incident to the guts wherof there be wonders told and namely that in these cases if yong whelpes before they can see be applied for 3 daies together vnto the stomack especially and the brest so that they suck milke from out of the patients mouth the while the said disease shall passe into the body of the poore whelps whereof in the end they shall die Let the same be ripped opened then it wil appear euidently what the cause was of the foresaid secret malady of the patient But such whelps ought when they are dead to be enterred buried As for the Magitians they auouch That if the belly be annointed lightly with the bloud of a Bat the party thus dressed shall not need to feare any paine of that part for one whole yeare after or if it chance that one be pained in the belly let him say they indure to drinke the water that runneth down from his feet when his legs be washed and he shall find help anone CHAP. VIII ¶ Medicines against the stone and grauell the paines of the bladder The swellings in the cods and the share Also for the biles and botches called Pani FOr them that are troubled with the stone it is good to annoint the region of the belly with Mouse dung It is said that the flesh of an Vrchin or Hedgehog is very good meat pleasant in tast if so be he were killed outright in the head at one blow before that he had time to shed his owne vrine vpon himselfe and looke whosoeuer eat this flesh shall neuer be subject to the disease of the strangury The flesh of an Vrchin killed in this sort helpeth the bladder in case the vrine passe by dropmeale from it But contrariwise if the Vrchin chance to wet and drench himselfe with his owne vrine as many as eat of the flesh shal fal into the infirmity of the strangury or pissing dropmeale Moreouer it is said That earthworms drunke either in wine or cuit is of great efficacy to breake or dissolue the stone as also that snailes prepared in that sort as they are ordained to be dressed for shortnesse of wind work the like effect Take snails naked out of their shels and stamp them giue 3 of them to the Patient to drinke in a cyath of wine the first day two the morrow after and the third day one againe you shall see how it will helpe the strangurie or pissing dropmeale But let the empty shels be burnt the ashes therof wil scoure away and expell the stone Semblably it is said that the same effect followeth vpon drinking the liuer of a water-snake the eating of the ashes of scorpions calcined either in bread or with locusts Likewise to take the little stones or grit that be found in the craw of a cocke or in the gisier or maw of a stock-doue to beat the same to pouder and therewith to spice the drinke is singular good for the infirmity aforesaid To do the like with the skin of a Cocks or Hens gisier dried or if it be new and fresh to rost and eat it Also for the stone and other difficulties or impediments of the bladder it is good to take the dung of Quoists or Stock-doues with Beane meale In like manner there is much help found by the ashes of Quoists feathers such as be of a wilder kind than the rest taken with Oxymell Moreouer the ashes of the guts of this bird giuen to the quantity of three spoonfuls as also the nest of
reduced into a liniment by meanes of oile they haue a speciall vertue to cure those sores that be corrosiue which the Greeks call Nomae Earthwormes are great healers and soon do souder greene wounds in which operation they are so effectuall and speedy withal That if the sinewes be cut quite asunder it is a common opinion that they will consolidat and vnite them again in lesse space than a week and therefore because they should be ready and euer at hand many preserue them for this purpose condite in hony Indeed when they be reduced into ashes they are effectuall to eat downe the hard callosities growing in the sides and edges of vlcers if they be incorporat with Tarre or the Sicilian hony called Hyblaeum Some vse them dried in the Sun and tempered with vineger for wounds but this cataplasme they doe not remoue vntill 2 daies be past After the same maner the terrene or earthly substance of shel-snails do much good yea and taken forth whole as they be out of their shels stamped and so applied they conglutinat greene wounds and stay the running farther of corrosiue vlcers Also there is a certain liuing creature which is called Herpes by the Greeks the same hath a peculiar property to heale any sore that * runneth on still and corrode as it goeth For which kinde of vlcers snails bruised shells and all be passing good and the same incorporat with Myrrh and Frankincense haue the name to heale sinewes that be cut in two Moreouer the fat of a Dragon dried 〈◊〉 the Sun is very effectuall like as the brains also of a Cock to heale green wounds if the patient withall eat salt to his meat which was calcined together with Vipers flesh and by this means they say that any vlcers will sooner yeeld to the cure and be healed with more speed The renowned Physitian Antonius Musa hauing certain Patients in cure vnder his hand who had vlcers that were thought incurable prescribed them to eat Vipers flesh and wonderfull it is how soone he healed them cleane by that means The ashes of certain Locusts without wings called by the Greeks Tryxalides cause the thick roufs and escars that grow about the brims of vlcers to fall off and they consume the hard callosities thereof applied with honey The ashes likewise of Pigeons dung tempered with Orpiment or Arsenick and hony serue as a corrosiue to eat away any excrescence that ought to bee consumed the brains of schrich-owls incorporat with grease doth wonderfully conglutinat any wounds As for those morimals named by the Greekes Cacoethe the ashes of a rams shanke-bones legs mixt with brest milk is singular to heale them so that the said sores were first well and throughly washed and bathed with fine linnen cloaths soked in some conuenient liquour There is a bird called an Hulat which if it be sodden in oile so resolued is good therefore in case the same be incorporat with butyr made of ews milk and hony If the sides or brims of any vlcer be growne callous and hard the Bees that are stifled and killed in hony doe mollifie very well The bloud and ashes of a Weazill calcined doe cure the white filthy leprosie called Elephantiasis The wounds occasioned by whipping and scourging the marks also and wales remaining to be seen black and blew after such lashes and stripes are done away and go presently out with applying thereto a sheeps skin fresh and newly flaied If there be any joint bruised or cracked the ashes of a Sheeps leg bone burnt haue a special vertue to help the same but much better if they be incotporat into a cerot with wax Of the same operation there is another plaster made namely if there be calcined with the former the jaws of the said Sheep and a Harts horn and if the wax be softened and resolued with oile rosat When bones bee broken it is good to apply vnto the fracture the brains of a dog spread vpon a linnen cloth or inwrapped therein couering the said cataplasme with wooll laid aloft and the same eft-soones moistened and wet throughly in some astringent liquor this manner of cure doth souder them lightly in 14 daies at the farthest The ashes also of field-mice work the like effect as speedily if the same be tempered with honey or mingled with the ashes of earth-wormes which also is able to draw forth spils of bones and make them to worke out The lights of a Mutton and of a Ram especially reduce skars to their liuely colour againe sutable vnto the skinne about their tallow also mixed with sal-nitre so do the ashes of a greene lizard the slough that snakes cast off in the Spring boiled in wine and Pigeons dung tempered with honey and so applied The same medicines do take away the filthy white Morphew called in Latine Vitiligo if they be vsed with wine for which Morphew or infection of the skin it is good to apply Cantharides with twice as much of Rue leaues which the patient must indure and abide lying stil vpon the place in the Sunne vntil such time as the skinne begin to rise in pimples and little blisters Afterwards it is needfull to soment and bathe the said place thus offended yea and to annoint it wel with oile which done to returne againe to the former emplastration and so hold on this course by turnes for many daies together but in any wise to take heed that the exulceration in this cure go not ouer deep For the same morphew many giue order to make a liniment with flies the root of docks and herewith to annoint the places infected with this morphew also to apply thereto hens dung I mean as much thereof as is white for which purpose they keep the same in oile within horne boxes for to serue the turne as need requireth Likewise to annoint them with the bloud of bats or the gall of an Vrchin tempered with water As for the running scalls the brains of a sâ—…hrich-owle is very good incorporat with salt-petre but dogs bloud hath no fellow to represse the same like as to kill the itch the little broad snailes stamped and brought into a liniment are soueraigne If there be any spill or shiuer of arrowes if any piece of a dart or whatsoeuer els stick within the flesh which would bee gotten forth split a liue mouse in the middest and lay the same hot to the place you shall see how it will draw the same out But a Lizard passeth all the rest being in this wise slit along and diuided or if the head onely be stamped with salt and applied accordingly There be certain shel-snailes that creep in troups together for to deuour the yong spring and green leaues of plants which serue to this effect if they be punned with their shels and laid to the place Those also that we vse to dresse and eat if they be taken forth of their shels but if you put thereto the rennet of a yong
of our viands meats but also many other things for the very hard rocks which otherwise it was vnpossible to cleaue before with the violence of fire soone breake and giue way when vinegre is poured aloft This singular gift moreouer it hath that no liquor in the world giueth a better tast to our meats and sauces or quickneth them more than vinegre doth for which purpose if it be ouersharp and strong there is a means to mitigat and dull the force thereof either with a tost of bread or some wine again if it be too weake and apalled the way to reuiue it againe is with Pepper or the spice Laser but nothing moderateth it better than salt And to knit vp and close this discourse of vinegre I cannot forget nor ouerpasse one rare and singular accident that befell of late M. Agrippa in his later days was much troubled and afflicted with a grieuous gout of his feet and being not able to endure the intollerable paines therof took counsell of a certaine leaud leech some bold and venterous Emperick who made great boast of his deep skill and admirable knowledge for the Emperour Augustus Caesar whose daughter he had espoused he made not acquainted with the matter who gaue him counsell to bath his legs with hot vinegre and to sit therein aboue his knees at what time as his disease tormented him most true it is indeed that he was eased of his paine by this means for he lost the very feeling of his feet Howbeit Agrippa chose rather to be paralyticke in some sort and to want both vse and sence of his legges than to abide the extremitie of his gout CHAP. II. ¶ Of vinegre Scylliticke Of Oxymel Of the double cuit wine Sapa The lees of wine dregs of vinegre and of the foresaid cuit THe vinegre of Squilla or sea-Onions called Scillinum the elder it is and longer kept the more is it esteemed This vinegre ouer and aboue the other vertues of common vinegre before rehearsed hath this property To helpe the stomacke in case the meats lie souring and corrupting therein for no sooner doth a man tast thereof but it dispatcheth and riddeth away the foresaid inconuenience moreouer it is good for them that are giuen to vomit fasting in a morning for it hardeneth the throat the mouth of the stomacke which is ouer sensible knitteth the same It causeth a sweet breath confirmeth the flesh about the gums fasteneth the teeth which are loose and maketh a bodie look with a fresh and liuely color Being gargarized it draweth away and doth euacuat those grosse humors which caused hardnesse of hearing and openeth the auditory passages of the ears and so by consequence clarifies the sight of the eies Soueraigne it is besides for those who haue the falling sicknesse and who are troubled in mind by occasion of melancholy It cureth the turning and dizzinesse of the braine the suffocation or rising of the mother It helpeth such as be sore and bruised with dry blowes such as are falne headlong from high places and thereby haue cluttered bloud gathered within their bodies as many also as haue the infirmity or weaknesse of sinews or otherwise be diseased in the kidnies howbeit offensiue it is to those that haue any vlcer either within or without Touching the syrrup Oxymel Dieuches saith That the auncients in old time prepared and tempered it in this manner They tooke of honey ten pounds of old vinegre fiue hemines of bay salt one pound of Sauerie three ounces of sea water fiue sextars These together in a kettle they did set to boile and let them haue tenne walms ouer the fire then they lifted the pan from the fire poured this liquor out of one vessell into another so kept it for their vse but Asclepiades comes after disproueth all the maner of this composition and withall condemneth the vse thereof for the physicians before his time feared not to prescribe it to be drunk euen in feuers and yet both he and all do confesse and agree that this was a good drink against the venomous serpent called Seps also for them who were poysoned with Opium i. the juice of Poppey or with the gum Ixia which commeth from the hearb Chamaeleon Moreouer they all commend it to be gargled hot for the squinancy for the paine and deafnesse of ears for the accidents and infirmities of the mouth and throat like as at this day we vse in all these cases the sharpe brine or pickle called Oxalme which if it be made of salt and new vinegre that is fresh and quick it is better in operation As for the cuit named in Latine Sapa it commeth neere to the nature of wine and in truth nothing els it is but Must or new wine boiled til one third part and no more do remain this cuit if it be made of white Must is counted the better Vse there is of it against the flies Cantharides and Buprestes against the worms breeding in Pine trees named thereupon Pityocampae against Salamanders and generally all those beasts whose sting or tooth is venomous If a woman drink thereof together with scallions or such bulbs it sendeth downe the after-burden and expelleth the dead infant out of the womb And yet Fabianus mine author saith That it is no better than a very poison if a man drink it fasting presently after he is come out of the bain A consequent and appendant to these foresaid things is the lees of wine that is to be considered according to the wine from whence it commeth and verily the lees of wine are so strong that oftentimes it ouercommeth and killeth those who go downe into the vats vessels wherin the wine is made But to know and preuent the daunger thereof this experiment is found namely to let down a candle into the said vat for so long as it will not abide light but goe out still daungerous it is for a man to enter into those vessels And yet wine lees without any washing at all goe into the composition of many medicines Take wine lees a certaine quantity and of the floure-de-lis or Ireos root a like weight concorporat them together into a liniment singular it is to annoint the small pocks and such like cutanean eruptions The same either drie or wet may be applied with very good successe to the places stinged with the venomous spiders called Phalangia to the inflammations also of the genetoirs or priuy members to the paps or any other part of the body whatsoeuer Now for the better preparing therof it ought to be sodden in wine together with barley meale and the pouder of frank incense which done to be burned and so dried And to know whether it be sufficiently sodden or no make this triall If you touch it neuer so little at your tongues end and so tast therof when it is throughly cold it will seeme to bite and burne it if it haue had sufficient boiling as it ought but it
soone loseth the heart and force if it be not kept in a place well enclosed by the said burning it commeth to be much more stronger in operation Sodden with figgs it yeeldeth an excellent decoction to reâ—â—â—s tettars shingles and such like wildfires to scoure away also scurfe and dandruffe in that soft either applied as a cataplasme or fomentation it cureth the leprie and running skals of the head Being taken in drinke especially raw it is a soueraign countrepoison for such as haue eaten venomous mushromes Boiled and washed it is mingled with collyries which serue for the eyes A liniment thereof cureth the accidents that befall to the cods and genetoirs Taken in wine it helpeth the strangury and giueth them ease who otherwise could not pisse but by drop-meale Les of wine after it hath lost the caustick operation and life that it had wil serue very wel for a good lie or water to clense the skin of our bodies and to wash or scoure clothes and then verily it hath the astrictiue power of Acacia and serueth for the same vse The dregs of vinegre must of necessitie be much more sharpe biting and vlceratiue than wine lees in regard of the matter whereof it commeth it driueth backe impostumes or biles and keepeth them from suppuration A liniment of it helpeth the stomack belly and entrails it staieth the flux of those parts and the ouerflow of womens months it discusseth pushes and small biles and squinances if they be taken betimes before they fester and impostumat and a cerot made with it and wax together is good against S. Anthonies fire The same drieth vp the milke in womens breast who would not be nources or bee troubled with ouermuch milke It taketh away with ease the ilfauoured rugged nails and giueth roum for new to come vp in their place Applied with grosse barley meale or groats it is singular and most effectuall against the venome of the horned serpents called in Greeke Cerastae and with Gith or Nigella Romana it is vsed for the biting both of crocodile and mad dog The burning also of these dregs quickeneth fortifieth the strength therof being thus burnt and incorporat with the oile of Lentiske it coloureth the haires of the head in one night red if they bee annointed withall The same lapped in a fine linnen cloth and put vp in forme of a pessarie cleanseth and mundifieth the secret parts of women To conclude with the grounds or lees of the cuit Sapa vinegre dregs are knowne to be very good for to heale burnes and the cure proceedeth better in case they be mixed with the furry cotton or downe of reeds the same being sodden and the decoction thereof taken as drinke cureth inueterat coughs Sast of all they vse to seeth or stew it betweene two platters with salt and grease wherwith they make a liniment or ointment to take down the swelling of the chaws and the nape of the necke CHAP. III. ¶ Of Oliuetrees of the leaues of Oliues their floures and their ashes Of the white and blacke Oliue berries and of the mother or lees of Oile-oliue NExt after the Vine there is not a tree bearing fruit of so great authority and account as the Oliue The oliue leaues are exceeding restringent good to cleanse good also to restraine or stop any flux being chewed and applied to vlcers they heale them and reduced with oile into a liniment they assuage the pain of the head A decoction of their leaues together with honey is singular to bath and foment the parts cauterized by the Chirurgian according to the direction of the learned Physician the same vsed by way of a collution cureth the inflammation of the gumbs whitflaws and excrescenses of ranke flesh in filthy vlcers with honey also it stauncheth the flux of bloud proceeding from any neruous parts The juice of oliue leaues is singular for the little vlcers in manner of carbuncles with a crust or roufe vpon them rising about the eies and all other small wheals or blisters as also in case the bal or apple of the eye be readie to start forth and therefore it is vsed in collyries or eye-salues for it healeth weeping eies that haue run with water a long time and the excoriations or frettings of the eie-lids Now this juice is drawn out of the leaues first stamped and then well sprinckled and wet with wine rain water so pressed forth which being afterwards dried is reduced into trochiskes The same rolled in wooll or bombast to the forme of a pessarie and so put vp into the naturall parts of women staies the immoderat flux of their fleurs Good it is also for those who rid corrupt bloud by the inferiour parts Moreouer it easeth the swelling piles or bigs sticking out in the fundament killeth the cholerique exulcerations called S. Anthonies fire healeth corrosiue and eating sores and allaieth the paine of night-foes or childblanes called by the Greeks Epinyctides The same effects haue their floures The tendrons or young twigs of Oliues being in floure if they be burnt yeeld a kind of ashes that may serue as a succedan in stead of Spodium but the same must be burnt a second time after they haue beene well drenched and soked with wine These ashes applied as a liniment or the very leaues only stamped and tempred with honey are good for impostumes growne to suppuration and for the pushes or biles named Pani but if they be mixed with grosse barly meal or groats they are in a liniment comfortable to the eyes Take the green branches of an Oliue and burne them there will destill and drop from the wood a certaine juice or liquor which healeth ringwormes tettars and shingles scoureth away the skales of the skin and dandruffe and cureth the running skalls of the head Touching the gum that issueth from the oliue tree it self and namely that wild oliue which is called Aethiopica I cannot wonder enough at some who giue counsell therwith to annoint the teeth which ake considering that they themselues giue out That it is a poison and to be found as wel in wild oliues as others The rind or bark pared from the root of a most tender and yong oliue reduced into an electuary and often licked and let downe by leisure into the throat after the manner of a lohoch cureth those who reach vp bloud and cough out filthy and rotten matter The ashes of the very oliue it self mixed with swines grease cure all tumors draw forth corruption of fistulous vlcers and when they are thus mundified heale them vp cleane White oliues agree very well with the stomack but they are not so good for the belly A singular commoditie they yeeld before they be put vp in their compost or pickle for to be eaten greene by themselues as meat for they scoure away grauel with vrine good they are for the teeth whether they be worne rotten worme eaten or loose in the head Contrariwise