of ours for feare of greater daunger And Virgil in his Bucolickes warneth and chargeth the shepeherds of his time that they should not suffer their shéepe to féede neyther vnder this neyther vnder the Iuniper tree neyther vnder those trees whose shadowe is hurtfull As in his Georgickes he warneth also how the swarmes of Bees should be kept away in any case from the Yewes of the Isle of Cirse or Corsica in this verse and the like Et tua Cyrneas fugiant examina Taxos If that thou wilt thy Bees to be in weale and in good case Take heede of Cirsies Yewes I say and of that daungerous place And Plinie also in his naturall Historie and xvj booke recordeth of this that in Arcadie the Yewes are of that force to weakeÌ„ and enfeble the vitall powers in any man sléeping vnder them that sometime he forthwith and presently dieth And Plutarch in his Sympose rendreth the reason for that the Braine being distempered with so noisome and deadly a sent or smell causeth the rest of the head not to be well but vndoeth his good setling and all at once bereueth him of all Thus saith Plinie it doth whensoeuer any long tariance is made vnder it But then doeth it especially cumber and hurt yea most often kill when as it newlye shooteth out and buddeth forth flowers FINIS The thirde Booke of the Aegemonie or chiefest vertues in all the whole kind of bruite Beastes Foules Fishes creping wormes and Serpentes with the Alphabetical order Psalm 148. Praise the Lord of Heauen ye beasts and all cattell wormes and fethered Foules The Preface to the thirde Booke THe deuision of Sauage and brute Beastes râ—ueth somewhat more at large And may more plentifullye be sorted and seuered into their branches then those other two more base Daughters and of lesâ—er prâ—ce which we next before immediatly in their order shewed off what was their best and soueraigne goodnesse For this is the close and wise working of Dame Nature that the further and in degree the more high she laboureth in hirs to haue them reach to the chiefest perfection in whome are all things absolute full and without any point of lacke or imperfection she giueth to eche of them in theiâ— kinde a seuerall gift And whereas all of them can not be alike neyther is there in them equall condition yet for the best she prouideth for them in that that may be alwayes foreseing to auoyde impossibilitie I mought here therefore set these two last Daughters the plant and eke the brute Beast the one from the other by this note and difference for many men haue children alike and yet they are knowne and haue their difference by one marke or other First and foâ—â—most in mouing from place to place with an appetite to repast themselues and this is the chiefest vsed and sought forth of Philosophers the next in feeling and sense perceiuing griefe and paine good and euill And herein and in these they chiefely dissent Insomuch that the Plant is only portioned with the life vegetatiue and therein in euery eche power fully aboundantly This other last steppeth vp a Stayer higher layth holde and apprehendeth another kinde of life in degree more Princely and in force or large power most manifolde for with this it hath might to mâ—ue to haue lust or appetite to haue and hunt after what it will and to wander and straye therefore whether it will neyther ought that to be reckned ought which Anaxagoras and Empedocles men partiall in this poynt reasoned Whereas they spake of that other the Plant his prayse Insomuch that they would peâ—swade others of theyr time that in that kinde there was both mouing abroade and appetite to that which it perceiueth to be best but they are refuted of Aristotle by sundrie and sufficient reasons whereof we entend not to speake onely seâ—ling â—ur selues to gainesay them herein with â—his one reason chosen forth of the rest that Aristotle vseth If they haue sense and appetite they muste needes haue feeling if they haue feeling they must needes haue organe parts instrumentall for the maner of feeling But in the Plant there is none such perceyued Therefore with so little a trâ—p they are cleane cast downe Further some of them ad but that which may be the more borne withal that many of the kindes of Plants haue both Male and Female As â—mpedocles and his like of whome I demaund whether that they haue coniunction yea or no or whether they haue thâ—se parts which â—e destined to prâ—creation yea or no and lastly whether they coniâ—yne eche other with their like for yeâ—als sayth Aristotle is that which â—y coniuncâ—ion begetteth his like in another The â—emale that which likewise doth euen so with another But in this last they may be the more â—uffered for that Aristotle himselfe in the conclusion and winding vp of his former booke De Plantis doth as it were distinguish those of the same kindes although they haue a nighe resemblance and are taken of some for all one And thus sayth he you shall know the Male from the Female The Male is of more spisse or tough braunches of leafe and boughe more aboundaunt of lesse humor or mâ—ysture than the Female yet more forwarde in ripening And hath his leafe and sâ—ippes also diâ—fering The Female hath all these but nothing like in nuâ—ber affection and qualitie But we minde not thus to giue back or to sâ—ip aside with any more conference or comparison had Let vs fall now to euery thing liuing and Creature of life hâ—s accustomed deuision All liuing Creatures therefore I do here necessarily but vnwillingly comprehend man not meâ—ning to speake what his sâ—ueraigntie is nor what is in him best but purposed to stay before I come at him who standeth on the stâ—yer a step higher than we meane to climbe buâ— speaking of liuing Creatures my meaning is of brute Beastes the worde restrayned and cut a little short First to go to their place where they accustome to liue differ thus For one part of them liueth vpon the earth another in the Sea â—atâ—rs the thirde part in both â–ª doubtfully so that one while they keepe in the brode ayre anotherwhile in the water and eâ—rth as the Crocodile Those of the earth some of them haue 〈◊〉 to go with some creepe some swim some flie The next diffâ—â—â—nce is noted and perceyued in their maner and kinde of liuing as Aristotle witnesseth in his bookes De animalibus very often Some sayth he be as it were milde hurtfull to no bodie as the Bullock the Goaâ—e the poore and â—ielye Sheepe other of such fiercenesse and so wilde that they can not be tamed as the Tyger the wilde Boare and other of haughtie stomacke as the Lyon otheâ— some of increadible might or strength as is â—he Elephant the Cammell and such like other after a sort subtile and why working man much euill and displeasure as the craftie Fox the deuouring
A greene Forest or a naturall Historie Wherein may bee seene first the most sufferaigne Vertues in all the whole kinde of Stones Mettals next of Plants as of Herbes Trees Shrubs Lastly of Brute Beastes Foules Fishes creeping wormes Serpents and that Alphabetically so that a Table shall not neede Compiled by Iohn Maplet M. of Arte and student in Cambridge entending hereby that God might especially be glorified and the people furdered Anno. 1567. Imprinted at London by Henry Denham To the Right Honourable Lord Lord Thomas Earle of Sussex Viscont Fitzwalter Lorde of Egremont and of Burnell Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter Iustice of the Forrestes Chases from Trent Southward and Captaine of the Gentlemen Pensioners of the house of the Queene our Soueraigne Ladie BAthyllus he of Samos moste honorable Lord was one whiche the Poet Anacreon sang alwayes of minding him in euery song for a certaine conceipt of worthinesse which he thought was in him Likewise Ligurinus was alwayes one at the ende of Horace his pen and mouth And as a report goeth and many Romaine Histories shew the same Numa Seruius are by Poets commended vp to the Orbes of the Firmament or Skie where they saye they liue as they list whose bread is Nectar and drink Ambrosia a sugred and confect kinde of Wine which is serued oute in a faire Goblet or Cuppe by a faire waiting Boy named Ganimedes These Poets figured hereby most Honorable Lord that any of the nine Muses whatsoeuer kinde of Harpe they vsed it should be strung and tuned so that it mought reach to Diatesseron the onely note of Noble mens commendation And so doe I gather it is best vsed I herevpon nowe wishe that although Anacreon be gone I had yet his Harpe for then would I now set and tune it many Notes higher than euer could he in the prayse of Bathyllus or Horace in the testimonie of Ligurius For I would vse it to recognize and regester the memoriall of Yours such absolute Vertues But sith this Harpe is denied me and the verie Instrument which I nowe sound of is not as I would it were my intent notwithstanding and not my possibilitie is to be considered Yet rather then I should haue shewed nothing at al of better testomonie of my good will towards your Honor this shall suffise me vntill hereafter I may do better to vse so simple a sound And if so be I could worthilye coÌ„mende you as those Poets did Numa and Seruius to highe Olympus you should surely by such our meanes come by some of their Iuncketts that they haue But this would I rather be done by message had to and fro from these which way Hercules vsed with Hyla Thiodamant his Sonne Apollo with Hyacinth Diana with Hyppolitus then that you enioying the presence of those our Countrie should lacke you such hir ornament and beautifying Therfore for their better remembrance of you I will do so much at the least as to signifie vnto them your cognisance the faire bright Starre which besides that hath his hid signification But to leaue these and although Typhis and Iason be bolde yet I hope moste Honourable Lorde I haue not theirs but Vatienus his face Whose simple Treatise of mine when I was excited to bestow it of your Lordship I straight wayes gathered with my selfe that you were not Licinius the Emperour which was malicious toward the learned neither yet Britannion an vtter enimie to the mother Science and hir daughter Discipline neyther yet Valentinian but rather contrariwise Iulius Caesar excelling both in Martiall prowesse and also serious after the inquisition of good Discipline or else Iulianus or Marcus Aurelius Which small gift of mine if your Lordshippe take in good worth I shall be encouraged after a while to enrich these and to attempt muche greater and better hereafter so soone as I shall attain to a little more ripenesse And thus ceasing to trouble your Lordshippe any more I make an end desiring GOD to blesse you in all his giftes both ghostly and bodilye and to continue you in long life and true Honour to his glory the helpe and assistance of others and your owne and endlesse comfort Amen Your Honors humble Orator Iohn Maplet The Preface to the Reader WHatsoeuer things sayth Cardane are of Natures tempering and dighting either in the earth his closet or entrayles or within the water being all voide of fâ—ling and mouing may well bee deuided and sorted into these foure kinds Earthes Liquors or Iuices Stones Mettalles Earthes saith Diascorides in his fift booke as also the same Author abouesaide haue their difference eyther in colour in smell in sauour or else otherwise in other their vse purposes Proper or pertinent to earths are many sundrie kindes and sorts as those which either are in house with them and fare as they fare as Sande which Isidore nameth the lightest carth as others or those which are neuer absent from the earth but are intermedled with the water as Alume which of some is called the â—arth his salt as salt it selfe and such like In earthes are diuers dispositions and farre diuers effects which thing Diascorides pursueth aboundantly there are also reckned diuers names of diuers kindes as that of Eretria a famous Citie in the I le of Eubea hath his sett and disposition of colour and shew ashie like and is in his kinde in operation a sore binder besides this marueilously colde And that that is plentifull in Chium in Eubea also for there is of this name besides this two more one a Citie of Caria and another in Rhodes by Triopia in effect and working is farre otherwise which being aplied or vsed in medicine drieth vp and burneth The like dissent is in porcions of ground with diuers Inhabitants of opposite quarters Climates which by commoÌ„ name they cal earthes as in Samia is a most tough earth like to that natural Lime which is called Bitumen But let vs come to Brimstone which is the father of Mettals as Mercurie or Quicksiluer their Mother Brimstone saith Harmolaus in Greeke is called Theion Isidore will haue it called Sulphur for that it soone renneth on fire It groweth as they both agree in the yâ—es of Aeolia betweene Sicilie Italie that is best that groweth in Melus a towne of Thessalie which Nicius the Althenien captaine wanne by famishing the inhabitaunts Further it groweth within the Hilles of Neopolitane companions of those which be called Leucogei Harmolous saith that there be foure kindes heareof The first which is called Apuron liue Alume this is solide and most massey almost on clottes which kind onely Phisicions vse The second which is called Bolus a lumpe like mettall The third is called Egula vsed commonly of Fullers to make their wull and yarne whight The fourth which is called Cauton which they vse in the wicke of Lampes of Oyle Candels Thus much of this Quicksiluer in Greeke is called ydrargyros it is as
liberall whereas nowe they be rawe should haue bene much more absolute perseuerance of euery thing his cause now small should then haue bene more amplified But now let vs heare in eche Plant his principalitie the mindes of other men what is found in them worthye marking And the first in our Alphabet shall be the Almond tree Farewell The seconde Booke of the Aegemonie treating of Plants as of Herbes Trees and Shrubs perticulerly and Alphabetically Of the Almond tree THe Almonde tree in Greeke is called Amygdalè in Latine Nux longa a long and straight forth kinde of Nutte Of this Aristotle hath these wordes The Almond tree sayth he requireth much attendance and diligence to be kept from endamaging and hurt whilest it is tender and yong It prospereth not vnlesse it be set in good ground in the which it yeldeth much fruite It dyeth and fadeth away whereas ouermuch â—old aboundeth Wherefore his best liking is in those Countries whereas heate raigneth It yéeldeth two seuerall kindes of fruite the one vsed to meate the other onely to medicine Diascorides sayth that if the Fox happeneth to eate and digest of this kinde of fruite he by and by dyeth except he licketh in water in the present place and that immediatlye It may peraduenture so be for that which is holsome and good for one kind oftetimes is hurtfull for another The same Author sayth also that that Almond tree which is most swéete of taste if it be once bitten or gnawen of Cattell it by and by looseth his goodnesse and becommeth most bitter and sower Of the Alder tree THe Alder tree which by corrupt and accustomed kinde of speaking they commonly call the Elder is of verie barraine and vnfruitefull nature as Theophrast witnesseth this is his onelie best and the chiefest thing he hath in that he groweth straight vp in bodie and is in his Wood and inwarde Marie very soft His growth sayth he is in moyst and watrie places and else no where Of Aloes ALoes is a precious Wood which groweth in Indie a Wood of most swéete smell verie medicinable Cardane saith it hath a great leafe and grosse verie fat whereout distilleth that kinde of Gum that is most odoriferous It is taken also with Phisitions for an Herbe which is most sharpe bitter which groweth in Indie and Persia. Of Aegraton or good old Herb. AGeraton hath one and the selfe same name both with the Gréekes and Latines and is a small shrub verie full of yong shoutes and slips It is like Origan or Marigolde hath his flower alike coloured as saith Diascorides It may be thought that it hath that name for that it preserueth a great time without losse of his vertue or not being otherwise hindered by sicknesse and age Of Agarick AGarick as sayth Diascorides hath both Male and Female and is in efficacie or effect such that it maye be applyed to all sicknesses such as the sick person must paciently abide whether that it be vsed with water or wine in which sort it is most commonly ministred Of Agrimonie AGrimonie of Mesues is named Maudlen the Latine worde is Eupatorium It is a short shrub of no great or iust height It hath his leafe parted as it were fiue portioned The decoction hereof saith Diascorides or his poulder dried is an excellent remedie against the oppilacion of the Liuer Splene by reason of fleume and is taken either the Herbe it selfe alone or else sodden among with Wine Of Annet or Dill. ANnet or Dill is an Herbe whose seede as Diascorides sayth may be kept by the space of thrée whole yeares next after it is gathered without losse in any point of his operation Of Anise ANise hath the like vertue that Dill hath but in sauour and tast it is more pleasant and sweete It commendeth vnto vs the good breath and swéete and bewraieth the coÌ„trarie Of the Apple tree THe Apple tree is of good sounde bodie of wrinckled barck and in outward Cote very full of knots In flowers at the spring time verie beautifull in swéetenesse of fruite in the Autumne almost not comparable in fruit and encrease verie wonderfull and vnder this one name it hath infinite kindes Plinie sayth that vnlesse it be often cropped and rid of superfluous and troublesome boughes it will soone war barraine and leaue off fruit bearing The same Author sayth also that the fruites hereof must be gathered in faire weather vnlesse that they being laid vp with outward plentie of accidentall and airie humor doe by and by rot he monisheth also that they be gathered before they be full ripe for their better goodnesse than being preserued Of Artichoke ARtichoke the wilde most commenly called the Thistle is an Herbe wrought and fashioned on euerie side in maner of a sting or Spearelike and hath in the top of his stalke or stem a certaine heade wherein his seede lyeth It flourisheth and liketh best in those places that be least frequented or nothing looked to Of the Balme tree THe Balme tree is rather a kinde of shrub then a Trée and may well be counted of that house for his lowe and humile kinde of growth for it heightneth neuer aboue two cubites The Timber hereof is called in Gréeke Xulobalsamon his fruite or séede Karpobalsamon the iuice is called Vpobalsamon bicause the bark of this Tree must first be stricken and hewen with Iron wedges before it yeeldeth any fruit whereby it being so wounded by and by droppeth and distilleth a certaine humor in a maner tearlike which humor thus issued through the coldenesse or other affection of the Aire about it drieth to a kinde of Gum. Plinie preferreth this his smell before all smelles But herein good heed must be taken least we match and march with the greeke Sophister And the same Plinie sayth as also Theophrast doth that it onely groweth in a certaine Dale and Ualie of Siria which Ualie hath his whole compasse in a maner in two onely Groaues and hath bene the possession of long time of two sundrie and seuerall Princes Whereof the greater was supposed to be in contents .xx. Akers and the other lesse Of Barley BArley in his excessiue Drought differreth from all other our kindes of graine and is called in Latine HordiuÌ„ as if you would say Aridum hard and drie It is neuer sowen but vpon such kind of earth as is drie Plinie saith that amongst all other kindes of corne this is last sowne with the first reaped that which also experience with vs here at home teacheth Of the Beach tree THe Beach saith Theophrast groweth only in rough places and most commonly vpon hilles It hath many and sundrie kinds of some accoumpted foure of othersome fiue In name all one but in fruit bearing euerie one disagréeing One of his kinds beareth a swéete Mast or Acorne as the Oke or Chestnut doth and of some is taken for the Oke It is called of the Greekes Phage bycause in the former time men liued
herewith had it in stead of breade This kinde as Plinie sayth is after a sort hairie Lockt almost growing out of fashion It is nothing solide or massie but much porouse and therfore of the lesse endurance as saith the same Author Of this kinde of Wood being brent to Asshes is made Glasse Arte herein playing the workesman Of Beete BEete is a Gardain Herbe and in good plentie with vs. Therof are said to be two kinds the one white and the other black both medicinable Aristotle saith that vpō his roote as vpō any stock any yong set or slip maye be set and graft and through the roote his good liking in growth may be brought from his owne nature into naturall parentage with the Trée Of Bearefoote BEarefoote is an Herbe whote and moyst in the first degree as the Phisitions say and is vsed of them as a remedie to the Splene and to giue the vitall and liuing sprites more easie and loose passage Of the Beane THe Beane sayth Theophrast hast his maner of growth thus His roote is thick and grosse somewhat more déepely set than the Réede his is In the length it is indifferent somtime foure Cubites high ▪ It giueth fruite by maner of Celler one onely in one part of his Huske It is in his chiefest brauerie and liketh best being sowne in moyst grounds and especially in the Fennes and such like It is also said somtime through the rancour of groūds to come vp vnsowne The Pithagorians condemned it as y◠which was not méete to meat For sayd they it dulleth and maketh grosse ech sense and spirite It also causeth and exciteth vp in sléepe horrible dreames Varro thought it was forbid for that as he sayd the soules of the deade were therein placed Of Betonie BEtonie is a water Herbe which for his singular colde worcking and growth also in colde Countries and places is called in Greeke Psikotrophae It remedieth sayth Diascorides the consumed Gall. Of Birdes tongue BIrdes tongue is an Herbe whose chiefest working is to prouoke Uenerie and causeth most ranck séede It figureth the tongue of a Birde whereof it hath his name Of Borage BOrage the best that it hath as Isid. sayth is as I finde to engender good bloud eyther sodden among other things or else taken raw by it selfe Of Bindweede BIndweede of some Withweede is an herb verie noysome or hurtfull to the other fruits of the Gardaine It hindreth their growth and troubleth them with the inwrapping and circumplication about the other their stem or stalk Of the Blackberie tree THe Blackberie tree is after his sort bushy ▪ bearing that fruite that eftsoones refresheth the shepheirde he being in the field and often contenteth his lust This his Leafe or couering is said of Diascorides to destroy and kill Serpents Of the Bremble THe Bremble of some is called Bucephalus of other some the water Bremble It is of two sortes one the field Bremble which most commonly groweth in waters and the other Gardaine Bremble or swéete Bremble which hath a verie good smell They of Thrace and those which dwell about the floud Strimon féede their horse with the greene growing Herbe or Leafe of the Bremble and are said to be marueylous fat therewith Of Britānick or English Herb. BRitannick or English Herbe hath the very looke of the greatest Sorrell but in colour a little more black somewhat Mossie or Mealie The best saith Diascorides that is founde in this Herbe is his iuice verie wholesome and profitable to many things Of Brome BRome is a Shrub which of some is called Mirica for the bitternesse of his tast It groweth in stonie and barraine ground and in such places wheras no culture or care of groūd tilling is had And his onely presence is a thorow signe or euident token of barraine and dry ground It hath his boughes flourishing as well in the Winter tide as in the Sommer His flower yealow and Cod blacke both of noysome smell and of bitter taste Yet in working sayth Diascorides it is verie wonderfull For his Leafe or flower being sodden and boyled among with running water brideleth and kepeth away swelling of the Splene It helpeth the tothache and stencheth the flowing of the bloudie Flix Of the Bulrush THe Bulrush hath one kinde which of some is called Sonnes brow The Romaynes call it Sea Bulrish or Manuad And it hath two kindes one which hath a square top or crowne verie blunt withall and the other is rather Spearelike and sharpe topped This last saith Diascor intermedled with drinke bringeth on fast and sound sleepe Of the Burre THe Burre of the Gréekes is called Philanthros mannes friend for that it coueteth to catch holde and to cleaue vpon man his Garment holding fast by such kinde of roughnesse as it hath Of Cammock CAmmock sayth Theophrast is an Herbe throughly beset with Prickle and is one of those that continue but for one yeare or for the Spring time Sommer and Autumne and so fade away His leafe is like Rue It groweth in such ground as is tilled especially where as Corne or such like graine is most rancke It is plucked vp by his roote then when as the earth through the Sunne beames is feruently hote or else not In some place for hindring staying the Husbandman it is called Rest harrow in Cambredge shire Whine Of Cammomill CAmmomill is an Herbe vsed of Phisitions to purge the head and to emptie it of superfluous humor and other grosse matter Auicen sayth that there is three kindes hereof One which hath a Saffron flower another whose flower is as it were Purple coloured the thirde is white This hath that laudable preheminence for that the more it is trod and kept vnder the more a great deale and the better it commeth vp and prospereth Of Capers CApers or the fruit which is called Capparis is so deriued from the Gréeke name for that it hath a round head in the top of his stem His best liking is in dry stonie groūds and is called of the Phisitions the purging Herbe of some it is called Doggues Bremble of other some Doggues Apple of other Hares heart The Mages call it Pentheron Of Casia CAsia is one of those sorts which haue their preheminence and are had in price for their odoriferous and pleasant smell Which sayth Plinie hath thrée kindes in no point one coloured like to another For the first is white the seconde red the thirde almost blacke The first is of least value for that it soone rotteth and is consumed and eaten of Wormes The best is tried thus by sauour or smell tast and colour It groweth in Arabia His stalke or bodie sayth Theophrast is somewhat grosse or superfluous representing therein strikes small and long not much vnlike to Sinewes It hath a barke and rinde but most difficult to be pared away It is cut in the bignesse and length of two fingers or a little more and that onely about the vppermost and most tender twigges
and is after sowed vp being so cut whilest it is fresh and greene with some strong binding the binding most commonly being of an Oxe his hide The true Casia we haue not neyther the true Cynamon Of the Cedar tree THe Cedar tree is in Leafe like to the Cyprouse his Wood is counted precious and is long endurable for that it neyther harboreth Moth nor Worme Wherof for this such his goodnesse the Pillars and Beames of Princes Houses and Pallaces likewise of Temples are made hereof It groweth in Affrick Crete Siria and especially vpon the Mount Libanus Rabanus sayth that it is the verie Ladie and Queene of Trées Theophrast sayth that it is of marueilous highe growth verie light straight vp about the bodie without wem or knot And aboue al places saith he that beareth the freshest and is of gréenest leaâ— that is in Corâ—ica From thence is brought that swéete Poulder which is called Cedria which they vse to bestrewe vpon Garments vpon bookes such like to preserue them from worme eating Of Cerfolie CErfolie is an Herbe in operation and working in a maner fiery His best is saith Diascorides in that that it being wrought tempered with Uirgins Waxe remedieth all kinde of swelling Of Cetewale CEtewale is an Herbe whose roote the Phisitions vse to gather in Sommer and béeing then dried indureth in good case thre whole yeares next after Of Centorie CEntorie is called the bitter Herbe for that it is most bitter in tast some call it the gal of the earth his working was first knowne by Chiron the Centaure who vsed it first in Medicine Of Celedonie CEledonie is an Herbe which beareth a Saffron coloured flower whose flower also gathered and helde in the hande dyeth and stayneth the gatherers hande Plinie sayth it is then in his best lust when as the Swallow abydeth and buildeth amongst vs and serueth the Swallow as the same Plinie and Aristotle also doe witnesse to great vse and purpose For say they if at any time by any mischaunce or fortune hir yong be hurt or perilled in their eiesight the dam goeth to this Herbe presseth forth his iuice which being so done she annoynteth it about their eyes and so restoreth them to the better and their former state and case againe Of the Cherie tree THe Cherie tree sayth Theophrast heightneth and matcheth with any in that poynt what so euer It somtime reacheth sayth he to 24. Cubites his leafe is like to the Medlar sauing that in handling of it it is somewhat more rough His flower is white which hauing gotten full ripenesse becoÌ„meth bloud red Of the Cinamon THe Cinamon shouteth forth out of a yong set or spring in bignesse about two Cubits It groweth in Indie and Arabia as Theophrast mentioneth and is called Cinamon for that it hath his top as it were folded or plaited It is of ashie and duskie colour his Leafe is like to wilde Maioram It neuer smelleth till it be throughly drie It groweth amongst Briers and verie hard Rocks and is gathered with much paine and difficultie In Fables we find that this fruit is found in the Phoenix Nest. Theophrast sayth that is of the best goodnesse which is next to the twiggs and top and that is lesse good which is next to the roote Of the Ciprous tree THe Ciprous tree is so named of the Gréekes as Isidore saith for that in his growth and especially beneath about his roote it figureth the Pine Apple tree or that figure which the Geomitricians call Conus It is singuler in swéete smell And for this purpose they were wont in olde time to burie their dead with the Wood hereof hereby thinking to kéepe vnder and to suppresse all ill smelles and sauours of dead Carcasses Of Cokkell COkkell is an vnprofitable Herbe or rather to giue him his right name a hurtfull wéede which will alwayes be medling with the pure Wheate and doeth often choke it vp and hindreth his growth So that the old Prouerbe is herein verified the ill wéede ouercroppeth the good corne Of Coltes foote COltes foote of some is called Bethicon of the Egyptians Suartha His leaf is like to the I uie leafe It ariseth from the roote direct and straight vp Of Coriander COriander hath his name common with vs and the Gréekes For it séemeth to be so called Apo tou koriou of plentie of séede Which séede being taken in sweete wine prouoketh a man to much venerie But this being after this sort drunke without moderation or reason in so taking it causeth Phrensie and madnesse Of the Chestnut tree THe Chestnut tree is a verie tough wood and so massie or sound that it maye be the principall Beame in all buildings It is so fertile and ranke in yong shoote and slippe besides this in budding and giuing of flowre that being once cut or hacked in pieces will be the better for that and bud so much the more It is called Castanea in Latine quasi Castraria à Castrando bicause it is so often lopped or gelt or bicause it is first opened before it is rosted in the fier Some saye that those kinde of Coles wherewith the Smith mollifieth and worketh his Iron are made with this Of Chastlambe CHastlambe or Agnus castus hath yâ— flowre and séede that being digested of vs openeth forthwith the poores of the bodie consumeth and drieth vp that naturall moysture within Diascorides sayeth that with so working it maketh men chaste Of Crowtoe CRowtoe of some is called Vacinium in Greeke Iacynthos It hath a leaf like to Porret a handfull in height in bredth it is lesse or more small than a Maidens finger His colour is greene as the preciâ—us stone is of yâ— name his top is full of Purple flowers His roote circle-like or round It being drunken saith Diasco with Wine purgeth the Gall of his superfluousnesse Of this Herbe .ij. sundrie fables haue sprong vp with the Poets One that it was first a Boy entierly beloued of Apollo whome he at a time by a certaine mischaunce slew which thing done in his furie lesse that with his death his memorie should also die he turned him into this kind of Herbe or Plant. Another is that it sprang vp of Aiax bloud the most valiant Captain that euer the Greekes had And for the remembraunce of so worthie a Knight or rather Princelie and Heroicall person the Gods are said to haue giuen to this Herbe two vaynes figuring and euidently shewing these two Letters A. and I. with vs it is commonly named as we said before Crowtoe Of Crowfoote CRowfoote of some is called Astrion The Romanes in their phrase of speach call it bloudie leafe It spreadeth sayth Diascorides all abrode vpon the earth rather than by anye meanes it should heighthen His leafe is cut about or bepinked It beareth yelowe flowers called Goldknops and wheresoeuer it groweth whosoeuer list to dig vnder and about it shall neuer finde his roote without great store of humor and water
like as in Camomill Of Cresses CResses wyth the Egyptians are called Moth. The Romanes call theÌ„ Nasturcia This kinde being drunken sayeth Dias much auaileth and is a certaine remedie against serpeÌ„ts The Persians vsed it as the best Sallet that they had in al their feasting and banquetting It auaileth much to memory whereof ariseth this Prouerbe Eate wel of the Cresses Of the Cucumber THe Cucumber after Plinie groweth both in the Gardaine and in the fielde It is of those sort sayeth Isidore as also Theophrast that chaunge their leafe and stalke often Of Cinkfolie CInkfolie or fiue leaued grasse of some is called Pentadactylon or Asphalton The Mages call it Ibis claw or naile some cal it Mercuries fingar His leafe is like to Mynt and hewen or hacked toothlike in maner of Saw His flowre is yelow and somwhat pale withall It groweth in moyst and watrie places It is ministred often of the Phisitions with Lusters and Purgations Of Daffadill DAffadill some call Anthericon the Romanes Kings spare It is in his stalke verie thinne and light and beareth his flower in his top it is of plentifull roote It being ministred medicine like remedieth the Serpentes sting Of Dictamus DIctamus is an Herbe which groweth in Crete and is very wonderfull in losening vnbinding the straights of the bodie Tullie gathereth this to be true by the maner of the Deare or Harte who being stricken in the riâ— with anye Dart or Arrowe so that it sticketh hard fast they streight wayes hunt after and hasten to the water bankes of the Fâ—n where this Herbe groweth and finding this eateth it as a present remedie to haue thereby helpe in such a distresse which Herbe being once eaten they shake out the Dart or Arrow out of their ribbes as they list Of Dill. DIll some call Anis The Egyptians Arachis The Mages after their tongue Dogs head or Houndes locke The Arabians Mercuries broode The Romanes as before Anis Diascorides saith that it hindreth and hurteth the good eiesight being often taken and is a hinderance to issue Of Dragaunce DRagaunce is an Herbe so called for that it is bespotted and is specked in his colour much like to a Snake representing the verie Uiper or Dragon which Herbe the Uiper it selfe standeth in dreade of Of some it is called Colubyne for it hath hys flower Purple coloured it is also clouen and sharpe as the Serpents tongue is It is blacke in the midst of his flower This sayth Diascorides hauing his roote dried and beaten all to pouder confect also with water of Roses beautifieth and cleareth the foule face as being with other things handled helpeth otherwise Of Dragon DRagon the greater and the lesse The greater of some is called Aron Isaron Iaron c. The Romanes call it Serpentarie Thys groweth only in shadowie places and such as be hedged so kept away froÌ„ the Sunnes heate which thing it cannot abide The lesser hath white spots and those little his stalke straight vp and his length about .ij. Cubits Of Dwale DWale is called in Gréek Struchnon Ypnoticon in English sâ—éeple Dwale It is a kinde of shrub sayth Diase which groweth nigh to the Sea verie abundant and plentifull in yong shootes It is maruellously effectuous to bring a man on sound and fast sléepe There is another kind of the self same name which is called mad Dwale Which being druÌ„keÌ„ sheweth woÌ„ders by a certaine false shewe of imagination Of the Elme THe Elme is a trée whose wood or timber is yelow verie sinowie strong It is called of some all heart It is vsed and occupied principally about magnificall or beautifull gates It is then best of all riuen clouen and cut in sunder when it is moyst and gréene and wyth more difficultie being once drie Theophrast sayth that it is in his kinde verie barraine It only beareth a certaine Grape but nothing else It is one of those kinds that putrifie and bréede wormes Of Esele ESele of some is taken for Eiebright this hath his leafe verie thinne and plaine It is not of so fresh a grâ—ene colour or of like looke as many other Plants be but this it hath aboue them for it being pressed doth giue a very daintie and most medicinable iuice or humor not much vnlike to milke Diascor sayth it purgeth fleume and other such superfluities of like nature Of the Elder tree THe Elder â–ª saith Isid. is verie soft in handling and of verie small heigth or growth Hereof are made certain kinds of instruments and especially a kinde of Symphonie whiche the common sort call a Pipe the learned and more ciuil kinde of men name it a Dulcimer As the abouesaid Author witnesseth in that his tractate of Musicall instrumentes It hath boughes thicke and groâ—se verie plaine and well compact with all in his outward appearance But within they are verie hollow and haue nothing else but a soft Marie which is commonly called their pith Plinie sayth that if the middle Barke or Rinde be pared or cut somewhat more toward the vpper part of his stocke or bodie than towards the nether part or contrariwise so it will afterwards augmeÌ„t either vpward or downeward with spreading forth of his armes or braunches after that sort Of Fenkell FEnkell is an Herbe of the Gardaine and fielde common to them both but not so coÌ„mon as effectuous The Latine worde signifieth that it should be sharper of the eiesight Diascorides also sayth that the iuice of this Herbes roote quickneth the eyes It is called of the Gréekes Marathron Plinie as also Isidore in his .xvij. booke saith that the verie Serpents if nothing else did were sufficient to Noble to cause this kinde to be well reckened of for that through the onely taste or eating hereof they shake off many sicknesses and thereby keepe away or of from them weake olde age Of the Fig tree THe Fig tree is of no high growth neither nice in bodie but grossely set and thick all his Wood not so plaine as wrethed wrinckled the colour of his Leafe and Rinde somewhat more wan or pale his flower Medlerlike It is called Ficus in Latine à fecuÌ„ditate as some say for such fertilitie as it hath and increase for so soone as his fruites those that be all of one time in growth begin once to ripen and are pulled or plucked therefro it straight wayes with no lesse aboundance shooteth forth other It hath that humor as it is said that is like womans milke It hath also that vnctuous and Oylie nature in tast and smell so vnpleasant to the Bull that there is no better bit or Bridle to stay and quiet him then to bring him to the Fig tree whereas he may haue but onely sent and smell hereof and being neuer so fierce is forthwith tamed It hath diuerse appellations and names of diuers Regions Countreys There is one kinde saith Theophrast in Indie which euen from his boughes or braunches giueth yearely roote There is another
forme which they haue and is called Vrsus as Isidor reporteth quod ortos digerat lanbendo for that by often licking she bringeth euerie parte in them to an order The best in all the whole kinde is as we find for that she can play the Phisition for hir selfe for she being crased and distempered within hir bodie vseth hir claw for a spade and diggeth vp Emmets or Ants out of the ground which being taken she immediatlye recouereth Of the Beuer. THe Beuer saith Plinie liueth and is found in the I le of Pontus and is one of those sorts which are called doubtfull for often exchaunge had in place where they liue for they liue one while altogither vpon the earth and do accompanie other brute beasts those which sâ—ray abrode are foure footed another while they are conuersaÌ„t in the waters and liue the fishes and serpents life When they are huÌ„ted they espying the Huntesman earnestly pursuing them least through such occasion they should be letted in their flight the Male is reported to bite off his owne stones and to gelde himselfe and by that meanes becommeth very swift He hath his taile not much vnlike the fishe and the residue of his bodie not much vnlike to the Otter Of the Boare THe Boare saith Isidore in Latine vocable or word is called Aper a feritate of fiercenesse or wildenesse chaunge of the Letter P. had into the letter F. of the Latines he is eftsoones called Verres for his great streÌ„gth He being gelt sayth Plinie Auicen becommeth so much the more fierce and wilde whereas all other Creatures liuing waxe thereby the more milâ—e His armourie is a sort of strong â—ushes or tuskes and sharpe His vse is to kéepe a good while in his mouth the stalke or sedge of Barley such as is sharpe to enter to the skin kéeping it of purpose to file sharpen his tushes which if it will not he hunteth after the Herbe Organnie of some called wilde Maioram which he vseth as a Whetstone to whet his téeth withall Aristotle in his sixt booke de Animalibus sayth that the Boare at such time as he hath yong is most cruell and fierce insomuch that he can not abide any man to come nigh him but is maruellously vexed with him Of the Bull. THe Bull is the hée Bullock not gelt or hauing lost his parts to generation Plinie sayth in his .viij. booke that his noble courage is in his looke in his frowning countnance or forehead Aristo sayth that he hath his Liuer round in a maner like to a man his liuer And is fed alone before such time as the Male Female doe conioyne but afterward at that time he féedeth and associateth in selfe him pasture with the Bullock They are said to striue one with another for the Female which they best like and after much strife and warring had who so first tireth and is wearie is counted vanquished the other the vanquisher forthwith runneth to the Female and leapeth vp vpon hir back and so satisfieth his desired lust Of the Bugle or wilde Oxe THe Bugle or the wilde Oxe is said to be so wilde that his necke by no meanes can be brought vnder the yoke And is called Bubalus for nigh resemblance to our Oxe In Affrick they are verie plentifull he is of great strength and force almost not to be tamed but only with an Iron ring put through his Nostrils or Snowte wherewith they leade him whither they list There is another kinde of wilde Oxe which the Philosophers call Aptaleo but nothing so huge or great but hath hornes much greater very sharpe also wherewith he heweth downe trées and thrusting vp his hornes sometimes vp to the boughes of the Trées entending to reach foode thereby doth now then with force of his hornes had sticke fast by them in the Tree wherewith he being chafed and vexed howleth out aloude whose horrible crie the Huntesman hauing once hard runneth with fast foote thither whereas he is snared and so commeth by him and else by no other meanes and so sleaeth him There is also another kinde of wilde Oxe or Bull called of Aristotle Plinie Bonasus a little shorter than our Bull but more thickly set and hath his Mane like to our Horse His flesh is Uenesonlike for the which he is so often hunted And in the game time he vseth this knack or propertie he runneth vntill he be wearie and in his flight taking and course he flingeth forth and befowleth behinde both of his vrine and dung euen whole furlongs long after him and with such annoiance wearieth the Courser or Huntesman Of Barbell the fish BArbill is called the beard fish for that on both sides of hir Mouth she hath finnes like to a hairie beard In Greeke she is called Trigla with the Germanes Ein Berb Of this kinde Oppiane singeth thus Accipiunt Triglae trino cognomina partu The Barbill for hir oft increase Trigla by name is called Thrise in the yeare she giueth yong herein all kindes excelled Aristotle in his fift Booke de Historia animalia affirmeth that this kinde bringeth forth yong thrise in the yeare Of Calamarie the fish CAlamarie the fish of many Authors called Loligo hath his head betwene his hinder parts and his bellie and hath two bones the one like to a knife the other like to a quill she is like the Cuttle but that she is a little longer and in that they differ also for that the Cuttle sheweth and poureth out a black kinde of bloud in all hir feare and disturbance this Calamarie vomiteth a good red pure bloud Of the Cammell THe Cammell by Gréeke word is called Kâ—mae his signification for the moste part is lowlinesse and submission And well had the Cammell this name for that at euery burthen laide vpon him to ease the labourer he lyeth downe suffering him to lay it on euen as he will There are two kindes of Cammels one which is onely in Arabie which hath two kibes in his back the other in many other countries al plain in his back His vse is to iourney no further at one time than he hath bene before vsed accustomed to at another neither to cary heauier burthen at another time then he before hath carried They liue some of them .50 yeres and some of them .100 They can be without water the space of foure whole dayes and haue their best delight in drinking then when as by foote they trouble the water Aristotle sayth that there is in the Cammels a certaine honest care to kéepe themselues within their boundes For they thinke it vnnaturall and a most haynous offence to haue adoe with their Dam. There was in a certaine Citie saith he the Mother or Dam of a yong and lustie Cammell all couered ouer with a cloth with whome the yong one being incensed vnwittingly attempted and assayed generation who or it were long thrâ—ugh ruffling of the cloth by certaine notes espying that it was
his Dam came down and ceased therein before he had his full lust and biting hir most cruelly through extreeme anger slue hir The like example of honestie obseruing he rendreth there of a certaine mans Horse Of the Cameloparde THe Cameloparde hath the very head of a Cammell the necke like our Horse and feete like the Bugle or wilde Oxe He breedeth in Ethiope he is bespotted stayned dyuersely with diuers colours in a maner like the Libard Of the Cameleon TThe Cameleon is a small kinde of beast whose bodie is such that with easie conuersion it chaungeth into all colours a few onely excepted Auicen sayth that it is all one with Stellio or Cosin germane to the Lysarde for that he hath on his backe light spots like stars And for that feare that it is naturally in and the paucitie or rarenesse of bloud he hath so often and so diuers transfiguration in colour It is verie commonly sayd with the olde versifiers and those also which would be estéemed Philosophers that the Cameleon liueth onely by ayre as the Moule doth by the earth alone The Héering by the water the Salamander by the fire And these be their verses wherein they shew this purpose Quatuor ex Puris vitam ducunt Elementis Cameleon Talpa Maris Halec Salamandra Terra cibat Talpam flamme Pascunt Salamandram Vnda fit Halecibus cibus aer Cameleonti These fower Elements giue foode to fower things eche other The Herring Moule and Cameleon and eke the Salamander With earth the Moule is said to feede â–ª with flame the Salamander And water is the Herrings meate the Cameleons the ayer Of the bird Caladrius THe Caladrius sayth Aristotle is of milkie colour without any black spot whose naturall propertie is this that when as any man is grieuously payned with sicknesse or disease if there be any hope of recouerie in the partie so diseased she hath alwayes a cheerefull looke towardes him if there be no amendment that it can perceiue it is of very sad looke and countenaunce neuer giuing him cherefull looke or once looking at all that way Of the Carpe THe Carpe is a kinde of fish well knowne of vs she is arayed in all hir whole bodie with hir coate of fence that is stiffe seales of meane indifferent bignesse insomuch that there hath bene found of this kinde some waying ten pound she is of very soft fâ—esh phlegmatike with the Germanes it is called Karpff Erasmus called it in Latine Carpa when as other called it Carpio Of the Cat. THe Cat in Latin is called Catus as if you woulde say Cautus warie or wise In Gréeke she is named Galiootes with the Germaines Kaiz She is to the Mouse a continuall enimie verie like to the Lyon in tooth and clawe and vseth to pastime or play with the Mouse ere she deuoureth hir She is in hir trade and maner of liuing very shamefast alwayes louing clenlinesse There is also a kind hereof called the wild Cat which of all things is annoyed with the smell of Rue and the Almond leafe and is driuen away with that sooner then with any other thing Of the Crab. THe Crab in Gréeke is called Kakrinos in the Germanes language Krebs with the Frenchmen Crabe Plinie vsed this Latine worde Cancer for a generall or coÌ„mon name for all such as haue weare shaled garments The Crabs saith Lonicer haue a porcion of venome and that occult or hid comming from their taile in the middle of their backes by line or thréede which kinde of matter pulled out before they are sodden leaueth the whole altogither pure and without corrupting Of the Serpent Cerastes CErastes the Serpent hath on both sides of his heade as it were the hornes of a Ram bending vpward and wreathen all about He lurketh sayth Isidore in the high grasse wherin nothing can be espied of him sauing onelye his hornes which thing the small Birdes of the field espying wéening to find as in all other dead bodies their hornes wormes meate alone for their appetite and desire they being busie and pickling on them not knowing this Serpent his deceipt hid are caught of him with a sodaine twining of himselfe about them and are so sodainely snared The like wiles he vseth with horse and man to lie as though he were deade or secretlye as though there were none such yet whilest they vnawares tread vpon him he twineth about either them and so stingeth them Of the Coccatrise THe Coccatrise by his Gréeke name should séeme to haue bene sometime reckened the Prince in his kinde for he is reported to be the king of all other Serpents For al things lyuing whatsoeuer they be comming into fight with him flie back He is so poysonous that he killeth with his breath There is no birde that escapeth him that commeth in his dent but she is his owne yet Nature for this thing hath well prouided For they vse to seeke for the Weasell which will haue this kind of serpent tamed The greatest stature that it is of is not aboue .xij. inches or there about Of the Crocodile THe Crocodile is called yelow Snake for that he is in colour most Saffron like Isidore in his .xij. booke He is one of those kinds which alwayes keepe not in one and the same place or which are not pleased long with Elements alike One while he is coÌ„uersant vpon the earth another while in the waters He is of such hard skin that being stroke in the back or bodie with violent stroke of stone or Iron sâ—ing estéemeth it not a Rush. In the night time he harboureth in the waters in the day time he liueth vpon the earth Aristotle sayth that the Crocodile alone amongst all other Creatures liuing moueth the vpper lip and keepeth the neather lip vnmoueable contrarie to all other herein It is a most glotonous serpent and a verie rauener who when he is farced full lyeth all long by the Banckes side belching and panting as though he woulde burst Wherevpon saith Tullie when he is in this case and so farre gone a certaine little small birde called of vs the Wren or Kinges birde of the Gréekes Trochylos flieth towarde him and often assayeth or he can come by his purpose to go into his throte or intrailes but is repelled so long as he is awake but falling once on sléepe and opening his iawes as he vseth being on sleepe the Wren goeth into his throte and being within there a certaine time by flickring and mouing causeth his throte to itche wherewith he being delighted at the last falleth on sound sléepe The Bird perceyuing this goeth further to his heart and pecketh at it with hir bill and at the last gnaweth it out and so féedeth hir selfe full and escapeth away The like thing is read of Enidros the Serpent which creepeth in the grasse of Nilus who being eaten downe quicke of the Crocodile gnaweth his heart out in sunder within and so killeth him Of Chelidros the Serpent CHelidros the
Serpent or of some in Gréek Chersidros is in placebeing one of those kindes which be doubtfull For it is now abiding vpon the earth now in the waters This saith Isidore maketh the earth smell well or to haue good breathing there where as it créepeth as Virgill describeth in these verses Seu terga expirant spumantia virus Seu terra fumat teter quá labitur anguis In question is it whether that The fomie flesh and rancored Sell Of Chelidros that poysonous Snake Should giue such odoriferous smell Or that the earth by which this Snake Doth slide and glaunce along Should giue to the nose obiect so swete Or minister scent so strong Isidore sayth that it goeth straight out in lim and bodie and findeth thereby a maruellous great ease whereas if he should bowe hymselfe he should straine and hurt him selfe Of Cencris THe very like in this behalfe that Chelidros doth the same doth Cencris as Lucane reporteth of him thus Et semper recto lapsurus limite Cencris As Chelidros so Cencris doth in eake alike their sort â–ª By stretching forth their bodie both in gliding finde comfort Of the Caddesse or Choffe THe Caddesse was first called Monecula and is now called Monedula bicause it in finding money and golde hideth it And vpon this Tullie in his Oration had for Valerius Flaccus hitteth him home with the like Non tibi plus pecuniae est committendum quam Monedulae I would commit mony to thy custodie no more than I would to a Dawes Of the Crane THe Crane by proper name should be called whisperer or flackerer as Lucane hath of hir thus Et turbata petit dispersis litora pennis In raging waues of the Seas streame the Crane by flacking wings Hath pleasure passing all delight in this than in all things Their flight is on highe espying therby what land they were best to take by his voyce they are all ruled which is their guide or leader whose voyce waxing hoarse another straight wayes taketh his rowme In the night time they haue their watch euerie one of theÌ„ nightly by course and whosoeuer playeth the watch man least he should sleepe hath a prouiso he holdeth fast in his clawes little stones which in their falling from him straight wayes awaketh him The other by his paine taking sléepe quietly and take their rest Aristotle by obseruauncy had much commendeth their flight beyond the Sea It is done with such cunning and ease Of the Cokow THe Cokow in Greke is called Kokkux with the Germanes â–ª Gauch in the French tong Cocou and is of ashie colour and in bignesse as big as our Doue building hir nest most often in the Sallowes In the spring time she commeth abrode and or ere Dog dayes arise she is gone and hidden Aelianus calleth hir the wilie bird or aduouteresse for that she most commonlye hatcheth hir yong in the Larkes Nest or Siskins which Siskin is not much vnlike to the Goldfinch whose yong or broode she knoweth to be bred and borne in colour bignesse most like to hir owne and therefore she is the bolder so to presume whose Nestes if she séeth good store or plentie of Egges she destroyeth certaine of them and in their place and number recompenseth and maketh them good with hir owne Of the Cuttle THe Cuttle is in colour verie white but she hath hir finne black she is called Sepia of a certaine rotten humor that she hath of the Gréekes she is called Saepedoon for that she aboundeth in black bloud as it were ynck with the which when as she perceyueth any deceites wrought she defendeth hir self with dispersing it abroade in all the whole waters And the water being so fouled she goeth and hydeth hir selfe The Germanes call this Ein Blackfisch the Frenchmen Seche Of the Deere THe Deere the Latines call Dama â–ª of some the fallow Deere is called Damula Isidore thinketh that it is so called as by deriuing it also we may knowe for that it fléeth from our hands not knowing how to defend it selfe but onely through flight In stead of his weapon he sheweth vs his héeles as Marciall in a maner witnesseth thus reporting of the Dere the Bore and the Hart. Dente tenet Aper defendunt cornua Ceruum Pâ—ofugit é medio Damula c. By tooth and tuske the Bore catch holde and hornes defend the Hart The Deere being chaste all about with this hath his hearts smart Of the Dragon THe Dragon is the heade and chiefest of all other Serpents and flieth from his Den or Caue in the earth his holownesse vp to the top of the brode ayre and of Drágon in Gréeke is englished flight Plinie saith that betweene the Dragon and the Elephant there is a naturall warre Insomuch that the Dragon enrowleth twineth about the Elephant with his taile and the Elephant againe with his Snoute vsed as his hande supplanteth beareth downe the Dragon The Dragon with twining about him holdeth fast and with his might somewhat bendeth backwarde the head and shoulders of the Elephant which being so sore grieued with such waight falleth downe to the ground and in the fal the Dragon hath the worse for that he falleth to the ground first and is therewithall slaine but that other scapeth not scotfrée for with one anothers holde and rushing to the ground the Elephant also is broused and often withall slaine Againe they striue togither after this sort The Elephant espying him sitting on the loft of a trée runneth as fast as he can with full but to that trée hoping thereby to shake downe the Dragon and to giue him a deadly fall but in that he doth not after the wyseâ—t sort for him selfe For the Dragon so falling oftentimes lighteth on his necke or shoulders and agrieueth him as with byting at his Nostrelles and pecking at his eies and somtime he dazeleth him and goeth behinde at his back and sucketh out of his bloud so that if he shaketh him not off betimes by suche wasting of bloud as he will make thereby he is quickly enféebled he falleth downe heauily with the Dragon also holding aboute him and are killed both with so heauie and burdenous a fall Of the Dromedarie THe Dromedarie or that other kind of CaÌ„mell that hath two Kybes or Bunches on his back is of lesse stature then the other Cammell is but more swift in passage of the which propertie he borowed his name Dromos in Gréeke is swift in course or running He will go 100. Myles and mo in one day They are gelt sayth Auicen in their youth least they should be therby more slow or hindered in their iourneying and also least they should being at ripe age prouoked to Uenerie as they iourney slack it oftentimes draw backwarde till that they haue had their lust It is such a kinde saith Plinie as is not couetouse of varietie or dainties For after that it hath had neuer so long a iourney it is well content with grasse and the
of excéeding great body his tushes are of Iuerie his becke is holpen with that snowt that helpeth him euen as our hand doth The Medes and Persians vse to carie in their warfare their Casteles and other preparaunce on the Elephants backe he is of good memorie and long mindfull of a good tourne Plinie saith that amongest all the beastes of of the wild forrest he is most mans frind Insomuch that if a mans iourney lieth so that he must nedes through the Forrest least he himself so moÌ„strous huge should first feare him he goeth a little a side out of his way furder if the Dragon should assault the man he goeth forwith and warreth with the Dragon kéepeth him off from the man so that whilst these two be at strife the man passeth away Aristotle saith that this kind is without his Gall therefore it may be that he is so quiet and peasible Solinus saith that they séeme to haue some skill in the art of Astronomie and play the Phisicion his part euerie moneth in purgation taking purging themselues for after euery new Moone they hauke after the cleare riuers so wash off all filthinesse such as may cumber the body After that they bathe them this being so done they go again al frollike to their woonted pastures And to the intent that their youth should kéepe good rule and not go at royat they haue them with them such care haue they ouer them They haue a meruelous and most honest shamefastnesse in the acte of generation Therfore when the time commeth that this must nedes be done the Female witting the Male his pleasure goeth straying before towardes the deserts of the East seketh the most secret place where that their intent may be done and ended closely The Male he anone hasteneth after before their méeting or coniunction had togither they are busied awhile in seking out the herb Mandrage which the Female taketh and receiueth to make hir of more fertill nature and pregnant and the Male also eateth of it to procure a more earnest desire Of al things that it standeth in feare of it is most afraide of the sily Mouse which fretteth him then most when as hée is tied to the Maunger and cannot away Of Ephemera the fish EPhemera is a fish which ariseth in the Sea water euen as the Bubble doth where as much raine is Whome Iorach in his Booke de Animalibus reporteth after thrée houres of the day to die Of the Falcon. THe Falcon is a bird of haughtie stomacke matching with birdes a great deale bigger and mightier then him selfe stryking at them both with foote and breast Of the Faune THe Faune or Hind Calf is called Hinnulus for that at his Dammes becke or nod they are ready to come home from straying riotting abrode in the Parckes or Groaues Of the Fesaunt THe Fesaunt hath yet no other name then it had first of the place whereas it was first founde and that is reported to be an Iland in Grece called Phasea from whence it was first fetched as this Distichon sheweth Argiua primo sum transportata carina ante mihi notum nil nisi phasis erat By Argolike ship I first was brought and shewde to other landes Before that time I knewe no place but the Iland Phasis sandes Of the Flecke THe Fleck saith Isidore goeth with rowling foote and hath often anfractes or turnings He is naturally subtile and hath many fetches to deceiue one For when he lacketh meate and wote not how to come by it he hath this craft or wile He lyeth all along with euerie lim of bodie stretched out very quietly euen as though he were deade The sielye Birdes espying this and weening thereby to haue a great pray flie to his Carcasse and are verie busie about repasting He as they are vnawares of him sodainely snatcheth vp with his Pawes certaine of them and so pleasureth himselfe and stencheth his hunger Of the Frog THe Frog saith Aristotle liueth quietly all the time of cold weather and neuer stirreth abrode vntil time of coite or coniunction And then by croking voice he allureth the Female stirreth hir to Uenerie There are Frogs called Seafrogs of whome Tullie speaketh after this sort They ouercouer themselues wyth sand a knack vsed of them to beguile the little Fishes and as they come by them they step out and catch them and so swallow them vp Of the Flie. THe Flie in Latine is called Musca It hath his name of the earth euen as the Mouse hath This kinde saith Isidore being drowned in the water after one houres space quickneth and reuiueth Aristotle sayth that they are engendred of the earthes dung proporcionably digested and ordered There meat and drinke is filth and they of themselues are nothing else but filth Of the Gnat. THe Gnat was firste called Culex of hir sting wherewith she sucketh out bloud she hath in hir mouth a Cundite or pype in a maner like a thorne or prick wherewith she soone pierceth to the flesh commeth by our bloud Of the Gylthead THe Gylthead is a noble kinde of fish and onely for a Gentlemans tooth The Latines call it after their vocable or word golden fish as also the Gréekes Chrusophrus say they is the golden fishe so called for that his head representeth the right colour of Gold The Germanes call it Ein Gold forn the Frenchmen Truitte Aelianus sayth that it is at continuall strife with the Dolphin Of the Goshauke THe Goshauke is a Birde of farre better stomack than claw and is called Accipiter of a certaine greedie desire she hath to catch the other small Birdes She is verie extreme and sore towards hir yong For after that they be once feathered and are able to flie abroade she hath them forth with hir and beateth them in the ayre with hir winges and is somewhat rigorous to make them séeke their meat alone And so by sharpe vsage they haue no ioy to tarie with their Dam but euerie one goeth his way and prouideth best for himselfe Of the Grashopper THe Grashopper of some is called the Cricket it hath his name of his shrill sharpe voice He vseth to go backward and loueth to dig and bore in the harde earth and mortered places He is heard most in the night time Isidore sayth that the little Aunt or Emite hunteth him he not séeing it for his long haire hanging downe which followeth him into his Lodge and to espie him the more clearely bloweth away the dust as he goeth so comming neare him claspeth him aboute in his armes and at the last stingeth him to death and so commeth by his pray Of the Gotebuck THe Gotebucke is verie wanton or lasciuious verye much giuen to Uenerie and alwaies prone to it minding coniunction whose eyes for insaciate lust thereof turneth in his head and lie as it were but in one onely angle or corner of his browe Hée is of such excessiue whoâ—e nature
haue hir called the Whale other are at variance to haue hir named Pristix of the infinitiue moode of the Gréek verbe Prizein which is to cut or seuer as this is reported to cut the waues of the Sea as she swimmeth she is of wonderful length Plinie sayth as also Aristotle that she breatheth in the water which thing they two striue at to be done in the residue of fishes She giueth hir yong milke by Teate which thing verie fewe other fishes do She is often dulled in the water for the which she often coueteth the Sands to refresh hir spirites and wil there somtimes play sometimes also sléepe a while Of the Whale THe Whale with the Germanes is called the Wallfiche many of the Latine wryters are at strife to haue hir and Balena al one Aristo as likewise Plinie will haue all those fishes called Caete which are of the greatest sort and which bring forth yong and that a perfect and liuing thing so soone as they are deliuered To speake of the hugenesse or vastnesse of this I néede not for that euerie traueiler knoweth it Of hir loue towards hir yong I must somwhat speake This is the report that goeth of hir at one time she bringeth forth many and ouer those many as though they were but one she is all alike vigilant The greatest perils that most endamage them are the Sea stormes or tempestes at these therefore she vseth this knack She is saide to encompasse them all round about with hir bending bodie and so as in a Parlour house safely to defende them of other she is saide to swallow them vp into hir entrayles or belly for a time and there to kepe them safely after the broyling of the Sea being once ended she poureth them out againe and so by this meanes they are without their perill Ofâ—he Woulfe THe Woulfe is called Lupus saith Isidore as if you would say Leopos footed like the Lyon It is a most rauinous kinde of Beast terrible and astonying a man at his first sight whereof arose an olde Prouerbe Lupus in fabula Signifieng that there it was best to stay and to haue no more such talke of him as was talked of before Aristotle saith that in time of coniunctioÌ„ they be most fierce alwaies wood so long as they haue yong And the same Author also saith that when they are hunted and put to flight they cary their yong with them in their iourneying they eate of Origan to sharpe their teeth which are in a maner like to our Saw They being in extreme hunger rather than they should famish féede hartily vpon yearth and such like grosse matter Ouid recordeth of a pleasure done or of well deseruing in this kind to two brethren Romulus Remus whome Amulius their Graundfather sought to haue destroyed And thus he sheweth the same Venit ad expositos mirum Lupae faeta gemellos quis credat pueris non nocuisse faeram A Woulfe with belly big with yong to two twinnes abiect came who in the world would not haue thoughâ— that these should haue had harme Likewise a hée Woulfe of wonderfull crueltie is reported at the beheading of Edmond King of England to haue taken away from the coÌ„pany his heade and to haue preserued it long time without hurt or blemish Of the Worme THe Worme is called Vermis quasi Vertens for complication or folding had in hir body as it crepeth some wil haue it called Vermis for shewing hirself first in the springtime at what time the whole kinde commeth forth As they haue diuers kinds although but one common name so haue they diuers meanes to engender For some arise of rottennes of flesh some of corrupt humors some by drie rottennesse Againe some by méeting had of both kinds Wormes are verie wonderfull in their kinde One kind which is called the Panlmer that that maketh hauocke of our fruite in the Garden or field another which breedeth in the toppes of Ashes and Oliues and is in colour gréene in humor or iuice verie poysonous and is called Cantharis another which is called the Cauler which eateth out the sides of the leaues of many herbes and especially of Basel Another which is named Cnips which eateth through Timber and hauing eaten it through neuer resteth in al one place wherfore he hath his Prouerb Cnips in loco stare non potest And is properlie applied to men that be wauering and inconstant And there is a Worme called Cerastes which when she hath had hir belly full and eaten inough engendreth another And there is another which is called the fier Worme semeth as it were to be a kinde of Spider which flyeth by night to the candle-light or flame of the fier and hath hir pastime so a while till hir winges be singed or brent after that she hirselfe also lacking these cannot escape but is also brent whose follie hath also raysed vp a Prouerb Pyraustae gaudere gaudium The fire worme hath ioyed his ioy foolish men pleasure is little and short The Betle also is of the same linage and stock that the Worme is likewise the Spider both yâ— of the yearth and that also of the water This laste is of such nimblenesse that running vpoÌ„ the water neuer drowneth nor deaueth likewise the Butterflie out of whose dung Mothes are said to bréede with many moe else which do require longer discourse FINIS The Conclusion AS Vatinius Seruilius in his life time was hated approchfully spoken of for that he like a Snaile spent all his life time in ease and ydlenesse without any fruite that he gathered either to better himselfe or others so contrariwise could Cleanthes the Philosopher well away with labour and paine-taking in writing after his sort was glad to vtter abrode that that was in him best to doe And as Cleanthes is yet spoken of not for any great workes of his or for that he in stile and inditing excelled other but for that he employed all his endeuour to the coÌ„moditie of others so haue I gentle Reader one as farre behinde Cleanthes as he was the sect and Geneologie of the Peripaticians somewhat vnlaced or vnripped some of the Seames of the thirde quarter of Philosophies attire or aray for hir whole coate as we reade hath but three quarters the one called Dialectike the other Morall or Ciuill the thirde naturall or wonderfull Although I haue not shewed thee hir altogither naked which thing Aristotle others of his sect as also Albert Plinie haue done the sight or shew whereof if thou couerest I would wish thee to resort to these For theirs is the Fountaine and mine a small Arme thereof Yet had I rather be an arme eyther of these or of some other as Cleanthes was then to be nothing at all as was Uatinius And yet for all this when I had enterprised this I was not ignorant that Sicconius that ment so wel had his Catâ—llus euerie Turnus had his Drances euerie Cicero had his Salâ—st for such his malice is now called Ciceromastix Ciceros whip Likewise euerie Plato hath his Xenophon Uarro hath his Palemon yea this Liuer is so whâ—te on fire that the witch and Sorceresse Cyrce enuieth that Scilla so amorous a Nimph should haue a do with Glaucus or haue his loue insomuch that she hath infected that Fountaine wherin Scylla was woont to wash hir selfe But let the Queane take heede least she at the request of Scylla be not turned into a Sea monster And let muttring Mutius take heede least he be serued with the same sawce Uirgil requited Bauius and Meuius Further let these vnderstande that euerie man is not at Corinth Neither can euerie man carrie a Palme or Lawrel Cheeke by Cheeke with Orpheus or Dorceus neyther yet hath euerye man Harmogâ—nes Harpe Tell me canst thou play after Tellens tune or haue this to be thy peculiar Prouerbe Cane ea que sunt Tellenis Sing after Tellens sort that is to say sing sweetly or let vs heare a heaueÌ„ly noise No. Let not euery man looke to play and striue with Tellen or with Agathon It shall suffice vs to haue Philomelus his cunning And ye Hellyconians although that Babys come in in place amongst you as he did when as Minerua played so sweetely yet if he shall disquiet you as Babys did Minerua shame him not with ieasting or iarring no more theÌ„ Minerua did but thinke that his shame is great ynough whatsoeuer he be if that he playeth harpeth ylfauouredly If God giue him life he may haue better perfection and ripenesse And thus much I had to the learned sort The other I doe not mistrust for whom principally I was couetous to bestowe this such my trauaile and will if I shall see them thankefull hereafter more aboundantlye to their delectation and profite So that if they haue any consideration at all they may be moued at this the working of God in these such his inferiour Creatures who is to be praysed for euer and euer Amen Imprinted at London by Henry Denham dwelling in Pater-noster Rovve at the Starre Anno Domini 1567. Iune 3. Cum Priuilegio