tw & tim^v khUk $ -mlt dyii&i<,
$ vCu *>'w( won* 7i fir wficrifof qZkw: as ^£li an hath it word for word out of
Arift. in his 9. Book and 59. Chapt. They are bred alfo of the fponge of a Rofe called dens Ca-
ning and of theCatterpillars which are found in Fig trees, Poplar, Pear tree, Alh, Olive, Rofe
trees 5 for in all thefe there are worms bred that are the originals of Cantharides, but in the
white Rofe they are lefs effeftual. The Cantharides couple and generate likewife, but uon
a creature of their own fpecies, but a worm only ; they feed upon pulfe and grain, but efpeci-
ally of wheat, and thofe which arefo fed are accounted moft fit for Medicine : they fmell like
Tarce, tafte like Cedar, as Nicander reporteth.
Their virtue confifts in burning the body, caufing a cruft, or (as Diofcorides will have it) to
corrode, caufe exulceration, and provoke heat; and for that reafon are ufed mingled with me-
dicines that are to heat the Lepry, Tettars, and Cancerous fores.
And in being mixt with Cecots or fit plaifters, they do cure deformities of the nails, caufing
them to fall oft. They are ufed in medicines for Corns on the feet or hands. Some
The Theater of Infe&s :or, Book I
Some anoint the places where the hair fals off, with Cantharides bruifed and liquid Pitch, the
skin being prepared with Nitre : they are good for Cauteries,but care muft be had that they do not
ulcerate lo deep ; then fome command to annoint thofe ulcers rhade,with the heads, or with the
gall or dung of Micemixc with Hellebore and Pepper. Cantharides mixt with quick Lime,
cure Botches, as if you ihould cut them of? with a razour. Some ufe to. call a little of them into
Medicaments to provoke urine*, But there is a great queftion of it, becaufe they are poyion
drank, in refpeit of the bladder that they aiflicl With perpetual torment, But there is no quc-
iuon but in oyntment they may do good with the juyce of wilde Vine, or with Sheeps or
Goats fuet. Some of my Mailers put only their wings and their feet into, Medicaments t^ure,-
voke urine. We, faith Galem are wont to call in the Cantharides whole, and we judge thole to
be the beft, that are found in wheat, and have a yellow girdle running athwart their wmgs to
sdorn them, L. 3; Til deftmpl.fac. alfo put under, they mightily provoke the terms, and put
to medicaments for the Drophe, they are a very good antidote againltit; as not only Hippocra-
tes-, and Diofcorides-, but Galem Avicenna-, Rhafis-, Pliny-, and the belt writers do teflifie amonglt Phy-
licians. I cannot here praile fufficiently the excellent ufe of them, with Leven, Salt, and Gum
Ammoniac, to divert Catarrhes, to cure the Gowt in the feet and hips ; by drawing the matter
chat lies deep, from the centre to the fuperficies. Alfo they are good againft the venome of
the Salamander, as Plinj teacheth /. 29. c. 4. Alfo in fome cafes and in fome compofitions,they
are good for fuch as want ere$ion,and do promote venery very much. But as rightly mixt and ex-
hibited in due proportions they are good for ones health,fo being not rightly mingled and given
diforderly, they caufe cruel fymptomes and fometimes death. When Anno 1579. Iftaidat Ba-
fil, a certain married man (it was that brazen bearded Apothecary that dwelt in the Apothecaries
fhop) he fearing that his ftopple was too weak to drive forth his wifes chaftity the firft night,
confulted one of the chief Phyficians, who was raoft famous, that he might have fome ttifte pre-
valent Medicament, whereby he might the fooner difpatchhis journey. But when it was day-
break almoft, there followed a continual diftending of the yard without any venereous defires,
and after thatbloudy urine, with inflammation of the bladder, and the new married man almoft
fainted away, all Antidotes profiting nothing a great while. I remember that the fame
thing hapned to a Noble man of Francfort in my remembrance, whom when an illiterate Phyft-
cian thought to cure him of the Dropfie by giving him Cantharides, one in number inwardly, he
killed him with lamentable torments. I have a lingular remedy againft the weaknefs of
the Genital part, which when Iufedit indifferently, however it did great help to many Noble
men, and no hurt, (who generally are more ftudious in venereous matters) yet it did one amongft
the reft fo much harm, that after venery (which he was too much addidted to) he pifled bloud
continually, and fwounded away frequently; truly unlefs there had been plenty of milk at hand,
this Vennsb\td had died and fuftered defervedly for his Lechery and lafcivioufnefs. Thus far
Signs and cure for their Phyfical force, now we fhall pafs to their deadly and ignominious qualities. They
° fCintb *ti- are held to be amongft the number ofpoyfons moft deadly, not only by reafon of their corro-
an ' ding and inflaming, but by reafon of a putrefying quality they abound with. Their juyce en-
rring into the veins either from the fiomach, or by the skin, deftroys a man like to poyfon.
Therefore Ovid when he wifhed mifchief to his enemy, lib. Trift. wifhes that his parents might
give him the juyce of Cantharides to drinks Cicero ad Petum I. 9. Epift. famil- Cajus by the accu-
sation of L.Crallus is [aid to have taken Cantharides : as if by that means he was refolvedtokill
himfelf. Gal. I. i.de Simpl.fac. writ thus: If they be taken inwardly in a very fmall quantity,
mingled with things fitting, they powerfully moveurine, and fometimes corrode the bladder:
whence it is manifeft, that all things that kill by a cold quality, if they be taken in a fmall quan-
tity they may nourifh the body: but fuch as kill by putrefying (as Cantharides do) not at all;
face they are enemies to mans nature. Cojfiles a Roman Knight, well noted for his familia-
rity with Nerc-, when hewas ftck of a dangerous Tetter, a Phyhcian was fent for by Cafar to
cure him, who gave him Cantharides to drink, and fo killed him. Pliny. Alfo Cantharides
were objected againft Cato of Vticay (as the fame Author faith, l.zg.c. 4.) as if he had fold poy-
fon byopenfale, becaufe he fetthem at 60. Sextertia. But when they are drank too largely,or
npplyed outwardly too long and too deep, they are wont to produce thefe fymptomes. There
happens pricking and pain in the bowels ; which is extended from the mouth to the fecrets, and
to the loyns, and haunches, and hypochondres, and they ulcerate the bladder with a painful
ulcer, and inflame the yard and the parts adjacent with a vehement Impoftume : then they pifs
bloud, and after that pieces of flefh. Sometimes there followes a Diarrhoea and Dyfentery,
fwounding and dulnefs, and the mindeis perverted, and there is naufeating and heavinefs, and a
frequent defire to make water and go to ftool;but almoft it is in vain. They tafte a tafte of
Pitch in their mouthes : all which fymptomes are fet down in Diofcorides 1.6. c.i. Gal. lib. deThe 4
riac. ad f ifon. c. 4. and l.^.deT emper. c. 3 . and in Rhafis lib. 8. c- 1 7. To thofe thai are fo inferred
and aftected, Diofcorides hrft prefcribes frequent vomiting, then frequent Clyfters made
with Nitre to cleanfe the guts; then to preferve the bladder, ba gives milk inwardly and
flea-feed. And he will have their Clyfters made of other matter than at firft, namely of Barley
water, Marfh-mallowes, whites of Eggs, Mufcilage, ofLinfeed, Rice-water, decoction of Fenu-
greek, Hydromel, fat Broths, Oyl of fvveet Almonds, Goofe-greafe, yelks of Eggs. Alfo he bids
to give inwardly Cowesmilk that is fowre, Hydromel, kernels of the Pitch-tree, the great and
IOO4
Chap. 21, Of leffer living Creatures.
the fmall, fweet new Wine, Ducks greafe, a^decodtion with Diuretick feeds, (namely the four
great cold feeds) and decottion of rigs with fyrup of Violets. Oylof Quinces is commended as
the certain Theriack for this difeafe, as alfo oyl of Lillies, and Samian clay. Rhafis after that
Clyftersoffat Broth are caftin, will have incodion made into the yard with Oylof Rofes, and
ttiefick fhall be put into a warm bath in a great Vat. tit. 8. c. 17. Authors are not agreed in
what part the poyfon of Cantharides doth lie. Some think it lyeth in he head and feet, and
others deny that; yet they all agree that the wings are an Antidote in what part foever the
poyfon lyeth ; and thofe being taken off it is deadly ; fothat this venome hath its remedy joyned
with it. Plin.l.ii.c. 35. Lyras of Naples writes that Purflain is an Antidote agaihlt Canthari-
des, which Pliny 1. 20. c. 1 3 . affirms of white Bafil • who alfo /. 2 3. c . 2. and 4. A 2 8. c . 10. com-
mends very much Vinegar ofSquils, Oyl of Dill, Cowes Milk, and Broth of Goats flefh. And
thus much fhall fuffice for the Hiftory of Cantharides, which I wonder that the molt learned
Gefner y andefpecially Pennim overllipr.
Chap. XXI.
Of ^Beetles.
THE Beetle is anlnfedt that may be called KxKv»rU&v, as if he had his wings in a fheath. The Name.
It is bred of putrid things and of dung, and it chiefly feeds and delights in thar. The Greeks
call it 'd-t%*& 9 > the Tyrians, fawhi the Germans Kaefer; the Italians Efcuravaio, Pololero ; the
French, Efcarbot ; the Polonians Krewka ; the Illyrians Krabakj tne Englifh, Beetle-) or Bug ;
the Northern Englifh call it KUckj but the Southern, Starkenbeken ; the Arabians, Kanafls and Their Sextnd
Kanafes by Avicenna. The Greeks all with one confent, hold that all Beetles are males,whence Dcfcription.
one may eafrly underftandthe fenfe of Anfomns his Epigram upon Marcus that was gelded.
Rhodiginus L 8. c. 5. Antiq. let!, renders it to us. Alfo the Egyptians caufed a picture of
this creature to be made on the ftatnes of their Heroes, intimating thereby their manhood,
that had no mixture of feminine weaknefs ; for men muft be valiant and manly, feminine pu-
fillanimity is a great difgrace to them. All Beetles caft their skins, and they have no fting:
when you touch them they are afraid, and they leave off to move, and they grow hard. Alber-
ta* did vainly afctibe to them four wings hid under a crufty cover, for experience fhewesbut two,
very tender and frail, wherefore they have them fhutup in a hard cover over them, to defend
them that they may take no hurt by hard bodies. For the greateft part of them either di^s~un-
der ground, or bites rotten wood with their teeth, and makes houfes and nefts there: fo'thac
if they were not excellent well guarded, they could never keep themfelves fafe from external
injuries. 'When they fly they make fuch a humming or noife in the air, that Laertins writ
that the gods talk with men by thefe creatures. Of all plants they cannot away with Rofe
trees, and they hate them as the deftru&ion of their kinde ; fcr they dye by the fmell of them
(as we read m Geopat) but on the contrary they take great pleafure in ftinking and beaftly
places.
I remember one was wont to cleanfe privies, when he came into an Apothecaries fhopat
Antwerp-) and fmelt the fpices, heprefently fell down in a fwound, which one of the ftanders
obierving, he went and gathered up fome horfe dung in the ftreet and put it to his nofe, and
ioa man ufed to ftinking fmels was recovered by a ftinking fmell. Therefore it is no wonder if
a Beetle (that we faid before was bred and fed with dung) being anointed with oylof Rofes,
be killed thereby ; they are the words of Clemens ^Alexandria. 2. Padagog. which alfo Plu-
tarch elfewhere, and zALlian alfo affirm. They abhorre the fmoke of Aldvd, efpecially of the
leaves as of PHlffimnt, Acegi-> Cow dung, and Nigella tezd->Rbafis%%, The Hemerocallis o£ Dio-
fcorides-, is called by fome dfnt&>b*w<, for the great force it hath to kill Beetles: but as they
do extremely fhun thofe plants, fothey very much affeft Ivy to be under its fhade, and they
naturally delight to go under it, under which when they are gathered in heaps, it is an eafie mat-
ter to catch them, for they will hardly go from it. Beetles are fome greater, fome lefs. The
great ones, fome have horns, others are wirhout horns. Thofe that have horns, fome are like
Harts horns, others like Goats horns, others have Buls horns, others have Rams horns ; fome
have horns in their nofes : vvc fhall fpeak of them all in order. The wA*7«jc&^©- t becaufeit laies hold on things in its way with thorny
horns \ the Comedian *an d Euftatbius call it iw^jWUp©-, becaufe it is the greateft of all ; Car*
danus cals it awejjfilAap®*, a word compounded of Greek and Latin ; Gaza cals it td&@°y> the Ita-
lians call it Cereti-, and vulgarly Pohpefo ; the French, Cerf volant ; theEnglifh, Stag-fly-, or fly-
ing-fly; the Hollander, Vliegbende bert ; the Illyrians, Gelin ; the Poles and Sclavonians Krerrha,
wielkj. Amongft all the horned Beetles, for the fhape of its body, length and magnitude, it
may challenge the firft place, and is the moft noted. It is blackifh,of a dark red, efpecially about
the outward cover and the breaft ; it hath two whole horns without joynts, and with bran-
ches like a flag as long as ones little finger in fuch as are grown up, but they are lefs and fhor-
IOO5
JO J
The Theater of InfeBs : or,
Book I.
ter in the young ones : or (as PUnj faith) it hath long
and movable horns nicked with cloven pincers, and
when it will it can bite or nip with them. For it will
clofe them wonderfully, and ufeth its homes for that
end for which Crabs and Lobfters do their clawes. The
eyes are hard, putting forth and whitifh, it hath fore-
yards on both fides of them, one pair that are branched
between the horns & theeyes,the joynt whereof makes
almoft a right angle, and two more breaking forth of
the midft of the forehead ftraight and plain, ending as
it were in a little fmooth knot; it goes upon fix feet,
the fore feet are longer and greater than the reft. Lo-
nicerus makes this to be the male: but I (if there be
any diftin&ion between the male and the female) (hall
not doubt to call it the female ; bothbecaufe the other
kindes of beetles are lefs, (for as Arifiotle obferves the
males in Infedfs are far lefs than the female) and alio
in copulation the females receive from the leller, as
experience confirms it. The male is altogether like it,
but 'tis lefs both for body and horns ; which though
they be not branched on both fides, yet prefied toge-
ther they do more fharply prick ones finger, than
the female doth. The third is three or four times lets
than the former : a black colour,with little cloven horns,
near to which there arife two fore-yards diftinguifhed
vyith many joynts. It hath eyes a little ftanding forth,
and that are great in refpecl: of its body. The moul-
ders on both fides end in an acute angle. It feeds for
the moft part in a clammy fat juyce coming forth of the oak ; nor is
it eafilytobe feenbut where oakes grow. The fourth kindeisvery
rare, it hath two little horns, thrice branched inwardly, they feem
whitifh from black, the back is parted with black and white fpots,
but the belly with filver coloured and blew. It goes on fix feet, which
are no lefs black than the fore-yards : when the head is cut off, the
other parts of the body live long, but the head (contrary to the ufual
cuftome of Infe&s) lives longer. This is faid to be dedicated to the
Moon, and the head and horns of it wax with the Moon, and do want?
with the Moon, but it is the opinion of vain Aftrologers. The horns
The ufa of arQ not without their Medicinal vettues ; for they cure childrens difeafes ; for hanged about
broad horn their necks, if they be ^reat horns and full of branches, they ferve for an Amulet. Laid to
Beetles. fcrophulous humours and the Gout, they help much, efpecially if they be applied with the earth
they havecaft up. Pliny. If horned Beetles they call ftags, be boyled in wine, and the arte-
ries of the armes be anointed with it, it cures Agues. Miraldus. But I note by the way, that
Gtiillerims of fhell fifh, was not very wife, who writing a Book of the Nature of thingstWas quite
out, when he placed that flying Stag amongft the Grafhoppers ; fometimes he makes it a Locuft,
fometimes a Brnchm-, fometimes he confounds it with a Glow-worm, conjecturing every way,
but teaching nothing. The Philofopher faith that thofe Stag-flies are bred only from worms
The name and growing in rotten wood. But I rather approve of it, that they breed from dung as experience
defcription. teftifies. 'Afj/jup*?, Tf^'jafw^^Sug, v.i&.p$*h* and fo being tired with labour, takes
its eafe. They thruft upon us fome German fables, as many as fay it flies only, and when it is
weary it falstothe earth and prefently dies. Thofethat are flaves to tales, render thisreafon
for it : Terambus* Satyrift, did not abftain from quipping of the Mufes, whereupon they tranf-
formed him into a Beetle called Cerambyx, and that delervedly, to endure a double punifhment,
for he hath legs weak that he goes lame, and like a thief he hangs on a tree. Antonius Libealis
HL t. of his Metamorphofis relates the matter in thefe words : The Mufes in anger transformed
Terambus becattfe he reproached them and he was made a Cerambyx that feeds on wood, he is fcen upon
wood, and he hath crooked teeth, and he alwaies moves his jawes ; he it blacky and long, having wings on
his belly, as the greater Beetles have ; he ts called the Wood-eater Oxe j but in Thejfaly, CJerambyx.
The children catch them to play withall, and they pull of its head and carry it, and it Jbewes with the horns
like a harp made of aT ortois-Jbell. Which words, while!* Xy lander Urove to put them into Englifh
(one otherwife well skill'd in the Greek tongue) he committed two great errors; firft, by taking
Cerambyx for a Bird when he called it a Fly ; fecondly, becaufe he tranflated it, that the head
with the wings are like a Harp, when as the Greek book hath it the horns. But whether this
be that kinde of Beetle that runs up and down, and makes a noife like a kid in the leaves of
Eriphia ; (the Wizards fay there is no better remedy to cure the voice) truly I am ignorant of
it, but I fuppofe it is the lefler Beetle, becaufe the ltalk of Fennel gigant would fcarie contain
this when he is grown grear. We have
feen divers kindes ot'Cerambyces betides
this we now fpeak of, one that was like
to the firft of thefe, but differing in mag-
nitude and colour ; the belly thighs and
horns were of a waterifh blew ; the fhoul-
ders, tail and cover wings were varied
with fome black fpots, alfo the joyntsof
the horns were black ; the hinder legs
grew longer than the reft : we received
thefe from gmckflbergius, who fent them
from ^Antwerp ; we have one more that
is green without, and underneath dun co-
loured ; the head,fhoulders & cover wings
are a dark green, and fhining alfo with
gold : it is fomething a long body, and
teems like the other, but it is fomething
lefs; it hath purple horns, but the feet and
the legs are of a violet colour. I firft gave
to Pennius a third that was of l&e colour
to this, it fmelt almoft like Nutmeg and
Cinamon. But that fweet fmell (as good
astheoyl of Myrrhe) prefently when it
dies evaporates into the air, and leaving
the body, doth wholly infinuate it felf in-
to the box it was kept in, Cardanus
makes mention of this Beetle, but I
know no man that found it before me.
There is yet one of a fhining black,
that hath a great belly, thick, with a
body and horns fhorter than the reft,
the joynts of the horns are not round
as they are in the reft, but lightly
faw'd on "both fides. Pennius faith he
is beholding to Carolus Clufius for it.
The fifth is altogether like the firft for
head,mouth and teeth, with very black-
eyes ; a brown colour all over the bo-
dy, a mouth wide open and dented ;
the head,neck and wings are befpot-
ted w ith very fmall black fpots ; the
body of it is almoft as great as the fe-
cond Cerambyx ; it is but feldome
feen, it lives in houfes and dry wood.
The fixth is afh-colour with a very lit-
tle head,they eyes are both white, the
horns are fomewhat long, joynted, di-
ftinguifhed with white fpots ; the co-
ver wings, and almoft the whole body
iooS
The Theater of Infetfs : or,
Book L
The Ufc.
" is various, it is converfant in houfes, but whether it dwell in wood alfo I know not. I faw the fe-
venth brought from Ruffi 'a by Edward Elmer, it was browmfh all the body over, it had round
lovnts on the horns 7 or 8, it is eafily known by its form. There is an eighth kinde not far dif-
fering from this in figure and magnitude, but that the head, moulders and wings are blewifh,
loachimus Camerarius fenc a ninth to Pennius (he was one that deferved
nngularlyof the Common-wealth of learning) the wings and feet were
of afandy colour ; the head, the horns and belly were blackiih; he ha4
bowed horns made wirh many turnings and knots, which he turned to
both fides in the twinkling of an eye ; it creeps upon plants (efpecially
onCythifus) I think the Beetle which Johannes deChaul defcribes lib. which
Chap. 11.
Of leffer living Creature s
1009
foach. CamerartHs did elegantly exprefs, when he Tent to Pennius the fhape of this Infeftoutof
the iiorehoufe of mtural things of the Duke of Saxony ; with chefe Verfes :
A Bee begat me not-, nor yet did I proceed
Frsm any Female, but my [elf I breed.
For it dies once in a year, and from its own corruption, like a Phoenix, it lives again ( as Moninm
wimelleth)by he.it of the Sun.
A thou f and fummers heat and winters cold
When Jhe hath felt-, and that Jhe doth grow old.
Her life that ferns a burden-tin a tomb jj
Of fpices laid, comes younger in her room.
The fe "ond kinde of Nofe-horn very rare and wor-
thy to be feen, facred to Mercury, Caroltts Cltifius fent
painted from Vienna, where it is very frequent, the
form is as you fee it : it would feem all pitch co-
lour, but that the belly is afull red; that crooked horn
in the nofe is fo fharp, that (what is faid of an Ele-
phant going to battle) you would think it had got an
edge by rubbing it againft a rock. The third Nofe-
horn, and fourth ieem to be alike, but that the for-
mer hath wings growing out longer than the fheath
covers, but the others are fhorter. You would fay they
were rub 'd with finning ink, they are fo perfectly all
over black. The Ram or jt,eiox*?«f, hath knotty horns,
violet colour, a head greenifh from gold colour, the
fhoulders like vermilion, a purple coloured bell y,fheath
wings of the colour of the head, it goes forward with
legs and feet, of a light red, but the wings fhut up in
the fheath, do fitly exprefs the fmall whitifh membrane
of a Cane.
The greater Beetles without horns are many ; name-
lyvthat is called Pilularius-, and another that is called
Melolanthes ; another purple, one again that is dark
coloured ; one called Arbore ns&nd another Fullo. Some
call the Pilitlarius the dunghill Beetle, becaufe it breeds
from dung and filth, and alio willingly dvvels there.
The Greeks call it xo^/ar, and YihioHdri*&(, and from
its form like a cat, "AMt^op?©-; the Germans, Rojf-
kafer-, Kaah or Miftkafer ; in Englilh, Dung-beetle,
Shambugg ; in French, Fouille merde-, as you would fay
Dung-digger ; the Latines call it Pilularius, becaufe ic
turns up round pills from the dung, which ic fafhions
by turning it backwards with its hinder feer. Porphyrie doth thus de-
f'cribethe nature of it: All your Pilularii have no females, but have
their generation from the Sun ; they make great balls with their hin-
der feet, and drive them the contrary way, like the Sun it obferves
a circuit of 28.daies. i/Elian faith almoft the fame. There is no fe-
rrule Beetle, it puts the feed into a round ball of dung, which it rowls
and heats in 28. daies, and fo produceth its young. They would fay
Rrrr thus
j o ! o '/ be 1 beater of I n\eUs : or, Book I.
thus much : that the Beetle called Piinlaritu makes a round ball of the roi.ndnefs of the Hea-
vens, which it tu.nsl'rom Eaftto WefUo long, till it hath brought it to the hgure of the World j
afterwa'.ds it laies it np inder the earth vshere it breeds, md when that hath lo laid it up.it lets it,
rem, in there for a Lunary moneth ; when that is ended, it calls ever) b \\ I out oi its neh b y it i'elf,
which being ciiTolved in water, the Beetle-worm comes lath without wings, buL in a few daies
it giowe; up to be a flying Beetle. For this reafon the v£gyptiuns coriecrated this to Apollo*
and adored it for no fmall god, by thi curious interpretation oc Ap'mm whereby he collected, that
the likenefs of the Sun was given to this creature, and fo he exculed the idolatrous cultomes of
his Count: ey, Vlmj and Plutatch, Sjmp. 4. They wonde fuiry hue Rofes as the plague of their
family ; but dung, efpecully of Cowes and dunghils, they lo\e to mi ch> that fmelling the fmell of
them a very great way off, they will fly fuddenly to it. Tbeoph. of Smel. But they go but flowly,
yet they labour continually and exceedingly, and delight molt of all to produce their young
ones, for oft times the little round bals that they make, by the injury of the winds or of the place,
fall away, and fall from a high place to the bottome ; but this Beetle defying a propigation',
watchethwith perpetual care, and railing this Sifyphian ball to its hold with continual ltrivnig*
and that tumbling back again, at length lhe reduceth lr. And truly unlefs it were endued with
a kinde of divine foul (as all things are full of Gods wonderfulnefs) it would faint and be fpent
in this great contelt, and would never take this pains any mo e. Some fay they die being blinded
by the Sun; but the mod think they arechoked by lice (that creep all about them) they hardly
holdout one winter. They chiefly delight in the (hade of the Ivy-ciee, as molt healthful for
them. PraxanusinGtopon. I have let down the form of it fo exactly, and in its colours (for it is all
black) that I need fay no more. Beetles tint breed from dung (faith Jchan. Langius) as the
Worms b eed out of rotten wood : then their feed being fhedinto a round ball, and the lame
being enlivened, breeds their young ones: every one knowesthis efficiently, unlefie they live
where no dung is ; for in dunghils they are obvious co every Man.
Their wfe for Beetles ferve for divers ufes,fbr they both porit our mindes, and they cure fome infirmities of
our underftan- our bodies. For when this living creative; (and fcarce a living creatu' e, for it wants foT.e 1'enfes)
dmgs, and by being of the bafeft kinde of Infects, and nothing but a crult, doth excel man in divers faculties j
txample. t ^ s fhould teach us modefty, temperance, labour, magnanimity, jukice, and prudence. For
though its houfe be but a dunghill, yet it lives contented therewith, and is bufied and delighted
in it; nor doth it more willingly drink, or eat amonglt Roles than in Goats dung, which fmelsui
its fenfes as fweet as Marjoram. For it lives by the law of Nature, and will not exceed her or-
ders. The greateft care it takes, is to make the gteatell bals it cah, as if they were fweet bals,
which with wonderful labour it rollethfrom her ; and if it chance to roll its burden again/1 fome
heap, that the bals flip away and fall down again, you would imagine that you faw Sifypkus rol-
ling a ftone to the top of a mountain, and falling back again upon him, yet is it not weary, nor
will it reft, till it hath rolled it to its nelt, fo earner! it is about its work. But we poor men do
nothing that is worth our 1 .hour, or as we have power to do, and we give off in the very fteep
entrance of vertue, and we lpend all our pains and dries in idlenefs, following .ill counfel, till we
get a habit of mifchief to our own delhucHion. Who doth not fee the coiuage of the Beetle?
if he fliall obferve him fighting with an Eagle (as 'tis related of the Beetles m India) I believe
that it will come to pafs, (as Erafinus laid) that iome man ext emely favouring the Roman
Commanders, will lament for the Eagle, that the combatefals out upon lo kingly a Bird to fight
with fo mean and defpifed enemy, for to conquer it, it is no glory, but to beconqueed by it is
the greateit fhame, and the Beetle will win praife enough that he iirove with an Eagle, though
hefhould be overcome. The Poets fay that Ajax was afhamed of fo weak an adve.firy as Vlyf-
fes was, and valiant Captains dildain to contend with common fouldiers. Again, a man would
wonder whence this mean Infeit hath gained fo much courage, and boldnets, that it dares wage
war with the ftrongeft of Birds ; alfo whence it hath means, force, faculties, and patience, that it
can contend fo many years with the Eagle, without any reconciliation. But if any man will
unfold this fecret, and view this contemptible creature nearer, and as it were at home, he fhall
obferve fo many rare properties of it, that when he hath conlidered all, he will deflre to be a
Beetle rather than an Eagle : yet that no mm may flop or ftay me before he knowes the matter :
Firft of all, ic exceeds the Eagle and men too in this reipe£t, that it yeatly renews its old age, and
growes yovng again. This is fo great a matter, that I think all earthly potentates, when they
come to that unimiable old age, that they mult part with all, would rather with Beetles change
and caft off their dregs, than they would receive a feven fold Crown. Again, what huge courage
of the minde is there in fo fmall a body ? what an heroical magnanimity? what a force it hath
in battel? that Homers Fly is nothing to the Beetle. It hath not a wit fo common, but it was
of old reputed for it, and commended in all places. Hence was that Greek prove b K«|H|
*e# a Beetle
.from K«9*£«< pure and clean. If any man thinks thefe gifts to be trivial and vulgar, yet no man
but will think that a magnificent thing, and worthy of great honour; that of old time the Bee-
tle was the chiefeft amongft their f acred images and mylteries of their Soothfayers. It is the
moft apt Enlign of a famous warrier. For (as Plutarch reports in his Comment of Jjh and Ofiru)
in thehieroglyphical pictures of the ts£gy]>tians->zv\ Eye was the Emblemeof a King, a Scepter
being added to it, for it fignified a right and jiUf adminifltation of things. But he faith, at Thebes
their Images that wanted hands, thole reprefented Judges, who ought to be free from bribes;
and amoegft thel'e there was one alio that wanted his eyes, which reprefented the chief Judge,
becaufe he ought to be freefrom all paiflons, and to look on the bufinefs, and to hear or to refpect
no mans perfon. It was not Pimpernel amongft pot-herbs (as the proveib is) but a Beetle ingra-
vedina Seal amongftthe facred Images. And what did thofe wife Theologians intimate to us
thereby ? no common thuig indeed, but a valiant and invincible Captain. For Plutarch faith as
much, thatnomanmay fuppofethrt I invented it; as your common Theologians uie to invent
Allegories. Brx fome ignorant fellow miy fay, what hath a Beetle to be compared with a Com-
mander in an Army ? Truly they agree in many things. Firlf you fee the Beetle is all in armour,
and there is no part of its body but is guarded with plates and harnefs, that Mars in Hamer cannot
be faid to be better armed when he is in compleac armour, and fenced cap a pie. Add to this
his warlike march with a horrid and terrible humming: what is there more unpleafant than the
founding of Trumpets ? what more loath'd than the beating of Drums ? for the founding of Trum-
pets that Kings now fo much delight in, the Bufirid* could not endure, becaufe it feemed like to
the braying of an AfTe,andthe Afle was held abominable amongft them. Add hereunto the
wonderful patience of the Beetle in driving on its burden, its invincible courage and contempt
of life. To this, men fay there is no females amongft Beetles, but they are all males. "What
can better befeem a valiant General than to have no female in his camp himfdf, nor allow
others to have them ? Moreover this is fit for the matter, that in thofe delicate bals we fpeak of,
they exclude their young ones, foller, cherifli, and bring them up, and they have no other place
to breed in than they have to feed in. But this fecret is not eahe for me to open ; Souldiers in
war can better do it, who know how to lie in their armour, or on the bare ground, that in a liege:
have undergone hard winters,and harder hunger ; that have fuftained theit fad life not with roots' '
of herbs, but with filthy food, who have for fome moneths lived in want at fea. If any man
confder the beililinefs of thefe mens conditions, the Beetle will be a cleanly creature; and
confider but theiF mifery, and you will think the Beetle happy: yet this is the lot and condi-
tion of Generals, that no man maydefpife it. But by the way, I wonder what ails our great
men, that hold all their Nobility to lie in their Scutcheons, that they had rather have Libards,
Lions-, Dogs, Dragons,WoIves, or any other creature that they chance to meet withal I, when
as their proper fymboleis the Beetle, both as the fitted:, and was fo ufed and approved from
eldeft times, which is the only parent of Nobility ? As for the form of its body (let co oniy
prepofterous judgement and opinion) and there is no reafon why the Beetle Pilularitts fhould
be defpifed, or can be; for if PhUofophers fay true, that a iphxrical figure is the moft comely
and the bert, why then lhall not the Beetle feem comely, which from the judgement of De ;.i-
urgm is nearer to it than an Eagle or a man himfelf ? Clw. Akxmdru I. flrom.it. Andthorr 1 .
The Theater of InfeBs : or, Book I.
the Beetle have a face like a Cat, a creature familiar with us, and more ufeful, than it is defired
tor its felfj yet in that refpeit the Egyptians adore it, and prefer it before all other Infects by
many degrees. Calcaginnm. Laflly, it a horfe be beautiful in his kmde, and a dog in his, why
fliouldnot the Beetle be fo in its kinde ? unlefs we meafure the forms of all things by our own,
that what is not like us mult beheld to be ugly. No man of a found minde will hnde fauk
with the colour of it, for it lets forth fome jewels, and in fpecialthe Diamond that is thechie-
feft jewel. Lnftly, no man will think the Beetle at all defpicable, who mall confider with him-
felfj th.it Magicians and Phyficians fetch remedies from this creature for the greateft difeafes ■>
for they are not only carried in mens purfes, but alfohang'd about their necks, and ofttimes fhut
up in gold againft all childrens difeaies. What will you fay if in the moft effectual and incredible
remedies almoft, (for Pliny is the Author of it) it hath equal force with Antidotes? for that
terrible Beetle engraven on an emerald, yeelds a prefent remedy againft all witchcrafts, and no
lefs effectual than that Moly which CMercmy once gave V/yjfes. Nor is it good only againft
thefe, but it is alfovery ufeful, if any one be about to go before the King upon any occalion : fo
fo that fuch a ring ought efpecially to be worn by them that intend to beg of Noblemen fome
jolly preferment, or tome rich Province. It keeps away likewise the head-ach, which truly is
no fmall mifchief, efpecially to great drinkers. Who then can defpife the Beetle, whofe very
image engraven upon ftones hath fo great vertue? The mentioning of precious ftones puts
me in minde of adding this alfo : that if the Eagle delight in the precious ftone of her name, the
Aetites; the Beetle comes not behinde her in its fhare of the fame honour, for the ftone Cantha-
rias alfo owes its name to it, wonderfully refembling the whole figure of the creature, lo that
^e would fay it is not the fhape reprefented, but a living and true beetle inclofed in the ftone.
Moreover this impure and filthy creature (fiorfooth) boyled with worms in oyl of Rofes, doth
very well cure the pains of the ears. Plin. Avicen prefcribes the Beetles called PihUrii being
ftamped alone, to be boyled without worms, which the Author of the Book ad Pifonent, ap-
proves alfo, chip. 12. Sylvaticns chap. 94. writes thus out of Avicen' The Dung-Scarabees help
the pains of the womb, they provoke urine and monethly termes,they procure Abortion; with
Cordumeni: they are good to heal the Hemorrhoids, and they help that benummednefs which
comes of venomes infufed by living creatures ; and the oyl in which they are bruifed takes
away the pains of the ears. The later writers commend thefe Beetles dried among the
remedies for the Stone : efpecially Alexand. Benedic. Lanfrancus makes for the cure of the Stone
this kinde of powder, which is no ordinary one: Bum the Dung-beetle or any other after the
fame manner as you do Grafhoppers, or Scorpions ; Take of the afhes of them grains v. of
Hippocras j. dram, of Pigeons dung j. dram and a half, let them be dried and a powder made
of them. The Dofe is j. dram with water of the decodtion of Radifh,Brambles, or black Chiches.
For the Haemorrhoids this ointment is very much commended. Take of oyntment Populeon
j. ounce, of oyl of Rofes in which 20 Beetles and as many Chilleps have boyled a good while
j. ounce and half, of Saffron gr. iiij. let them incorporate and be made into an cyntment. Arnol-
dus de villa nova Breviar. 1. 1. c. 2 5. reports that he had gotten of his mafter a lingular oyntment
againft the Convullion, made of Beetles after this manner: Take of Pepper, Euphorbium, Pelli-
tory of Spain, each alike, of Beetles to the weight of all the reft ; let them all, being brought to
a powder and mixt together in a bath with juyce of Spear-wort as much as fufficeth, be mace-
rated and made in the fafhion of an oyntment, with which let the pulies of the armes, feet and
temples, with the navel and back-bone, be anointed. Moreover, /. 4. c. 11. he prefcribes tor the
awakening of fuch as are troubled with the Dead fteep, and with the Lethargy (when Cantha-
rides and Cauteries have done no good) two or three Dung-beetles alive put up together under
half a walnut-fhell, to be made faft about the nape of the neck, being firft well fliaved, and upon
the mufcles of the forepart of the arms (on every mufcle one) and under the fole of each foot
one, becaufe this doth wonderfully rouze up fuch as are in a Lethargy. And Mr. John of Flo-
rence (faith Amoldus) awakened one that had been held with a Lethargy for feven daies, with
this remedy, having tried all others in vain, and cured him afterward with Cantharides laid upon
the nape of his neck to blifter it. The Dung-Beetles are beft for this purpofe, they are next
which ufe to be found under ftones, and then they which are found in a bath. The Solar Beetle
cures them who are fick of a Quartan Ague, faith zAilian. Pliny and T rallianm fhew us the way
ofufmg it; which is, when it is hung about the neck alive, and wrapt up in a piece of red cloth,
and this they teftifie they have feen confirmed by many experiments. Yet the Magicians will
fcarcefinde credit, when foolifhly rather than truly, they report and imagine that the precious
ftone chelomtisi that is adorned with golden fpots, put into hot water with a Beetle, raifeth
tempefts. Plin. I.$j»c» 10. I fay nothing of the Eagle, the Woodcock, the birds called Lanii
by Gefner, inwhofe nefts Beetles ftuck uponthornes (which our Brnerm firft obferved) are an ar-
gument, that they ferve for this ufe alfo, to feed Birds. Nay Bellonitu affirms that many other
living cremires, efpecially Frogs that are inMarfh grounds, feed upon them. And indeed though
the Eagle> its proud and cruel enemy, do no lefs make havock of and devour this creature of fo
mean a rank, than our lordly Storks ufe to do the peafant Frogs : yetasfoonas it gets an oppor-
tunity, it returneth like for like, and fufficiently punifheth that fpoiler. For it flyeth up nimbly in-
to her neft with its fellow fouldiers the Scara-beetles, and in the abfence of the old fhe Eagle
bringeth out of the neft the Eagles eggs one after another, till there be none left / which fal-
Chap. 21.
Of leffer living Creatures.
101:
ling,and being broken, the young ones while they are yet unfhapen, being dafht miferably againft
the ftones, are deprived of life, before they have any fenfe of it. Neither do I fee indeed how
fhe fhould more torment the Eagle than in her young ones. For fome who flight the greateR
torments of their own body, cannot endure the Ieait torments of their fons. We fee Affes,
(thofe fluggifli and a lmoft fenfelefs creatures) run to the help of their foals through fire, if it be
in their way, with a ftrange contempt of their life. So that I cannot but admire and magnifie
the Beetles inbred wifdome in the choice of its revenge. But enough of this, left I fhould l'eem
to have made (not an Elephant of a fly, but) a Gyant of a Beetle. I will confefs indeed, that as
I was loath to make a great volume about a fmall thing, fo I accounted it a fin to bury in filence
what I had read. I wonder at Pennies brevity and emptinefs in this argument, fince in Luciano
Pliny, Homer-,Arifiophanes> Theocritus, Alexandrine-, Erafmus-, and infinite othet Authors, won-
derful things are recorded of the Dung-Beetle, well worth our mentioning.
There is another altogether like the Dung-Beetle, but of a darkifh bright blew colour, with
a notable (Lining. This in the moneth Augufi is troubled with lice hang-
ing between its legs, and at Iaft kill'd with them. I fhould ra-
ther take this for the cat-fafhioned Beetle, becaufe an egge is not more
like to an egge, than this is to a cat. It is met with every where, but: I
have more often feen it about Colchefler. Let us go forward.
That which I fhould call the Emerald coloured or greenifh Beetle,
the Greek comick Poets all of them call fwA.o**r9if, the Attickj "*i**»8»
and xf umKlu Eufiath. Some likewife call it x^ aJ>UMKoK ' )V ^ and xtw-
i&v$*&{, but without righr, It is taken by fome for the Tree-Beetle,
but its place telsusit is a miltake. The Rufticks in Lombardy call
them Gallerucas, as much as to fay, French Palmerworms (as Niphns in-
terprets it) though yet they agree in nothing with Palmer-worms, In
Dutch it is called Gruenen,Odor->Genldkafer; in Italian, Maricla; in Polonian, Zielonakroroka;
in Englifh, Greenchafer. The opinions of waters are divers about this little creature; both be-
caufe this kinde of Beetle is not every where eafie to be found, as becaufe it feemeth to be ve-
ry near the Cantharis. Some will have it to be the Cantharis, but for the molt part there is want-
ing in it that caullick virtue. The Scholiaft upon Arifiophanes alleth it dyW>o» zt-n(oy mOdf?
ofMtav, a little creature of the colour of gold like a Beetle. Enftathius cals it a great Wafp.
Pollux affirms it to be a little creature which flies, but lets not down its kinde. Gaza translates
it Galleruca-, but it hath nothing like it; and they who contend that it is a Tree-Beetle, have ei-
ther loft their eyes, or cannot diftinguifh varieties of colours. Hejychius makes it a Beetle, but
of a golden colour: as the Scholiaft upon Arifiophanes, yellow: later writers call it the greenifh
or Emerald coloured Beetle, but fhining as it were with gold. Marcellns Empiricm intimates as
much in thefe words : the green Scarabee (the Greeks call it a*«aoa6«3») is of a lively emerald co-
lour, by reafon of the pleafantnefs whereof, it is fo delightfome and beneficial to the eyes, that
they can never be weary of it ; for the longer you look upon it, the more you would be in
love with it. P/wjalfo faith the fame, /. 3 o. c. 70. & 29.
e.g. The male is green all over, excepc the eyes which are
ruddy: the fheaths of the females wings (which is the big-
ger) feemtobeofa chefnut colour, fhining with a delight-
fome and beautiful brightnefs ; otherwife it is like the maH.
The breaft of them both ftands out with a fharp point, which
I have not obferved in other Beetles. P. SlzJickglberg an
Apothecary of Antwerp-, but one who was to be preferred
before rainy Phyhcians for his ftudioufnefs about things
natural, fent to Pennius a male and female of them, painted as
it were with Apollo's hand. Ariflot. I. o. de Refpiratiotte>
afcribes to it a fhrill found, which perhaps gave occafion to
fome to call this the Tree-Beetle, They are genera-
ted ( faith the Philofopher) «* vfc ftwHfaiw ft? i* n>lt
fioKflon, K) & IviSbvi that is, of worms which are in cow*
dung-, and of a}fe-dnnjr. ^ But Stephanas^ out of Theephraftm
faith otherwife, » wifohirSn Im ■»< dv^aiut flS umhZu
n ifxulvcuf dttifr *0
The nobler fart are deckt with green >
whofe bacl^ hath (to compare great things with fmalt)
A .mark: you may the half Moon call.
The Engli/b call't the Moons horfe-i fo renown 'd?
But had there e're fo fair been found,)
Many a Semiramis would love us then-,
And Centaures had .out uumbredw.en-
And indeed molt of the Beetles are ihideoufiy black ; yet I
make no quettion,but fome of them have their catetftaiiping with
a blacker,others with a more .pleafant green. There are ailLojthat
fhine like gold, and.thofe very great ones, which dig up the
earth, and make their nefts there. Some there are which fly
about with a little humming; iome with a terrible & with a for-
midable noife, fo that they would not a little fright one that is
not aware of them. There are other diffe ences alio of fhapes
amongfl them : but their breeding in dung, their feeding, life,
and delight in the fame, this is common to them all. Ano-
ther Beetle of a purple colour was brought to us from Con-
ftantinople-> which (only that its .eyes, belly, and feet were like
pitch) was all oyer of a purple and violet colour. The black
or.e, which lives in dry wood, is formed after this manner:
It is all over black, or rnffet rather, as if it were clad in mour-
ning; its mouth is forked, its fhoulders almoft fquare, its leg*
and horns fomewhat fhort ; it feldome flies, but goes for the
molt part, and murmurs while k is going, as lewd fervantsufe
to do. The Tree-Beetle is very common, and every where to
be met with,efpecially in the moneths of ^/y and Augufl-, afrer
Sun-fet: for then it flyeth giddily in mens faces with a great
humming and loud noife, and vexeth cattel. Thefe Beetles
fpoil the leaves of trees, which they do not fo much eat as
tear in pieces out of an inbred malice ; for rhey feed upon
gnats. We call them Dorrs in Englifh ; the Dutchmen, 2>tf»?K-
kafer-> Loubkaefer ; ?$. Agricola I. de fubterr. Anim. Seukaefer ;
the French, Hannetons. The fhe.uhs of their wings are of a
light red colour, and covered as it we:e with a very fine flower,
otheiwife they fhine but a little; their legs, feet, and prickly
tail are of the fame colour: its other parts are all over brown :
only that the circle about their eyes, and their little horns are
ysUowifh, .md of the fame colour are they a little above the beginning of their tail, the joynts
of their bellies are whitifh. In T^ormandy they are much more numerous every third year, and
therefore they call it L an des hannetons. It is recorded in our Chronicles, that in the year of
our Lord 1 574. on the 24. of February there fell fuch a multitude of them into the River Severn-,
that they llopt and clog 'd the wheels of the Water-mils : and indeed, unlefs together with the
induftry of men, the Hens, Ducks, Goat-milkers, Caftrels, Bats, and other Birds of prey (which
fcetnto make thefe their dainties) had afforded their help, the Mills had even to this day been
choaked with them and liopd Hill.
There is another taken to be of kin to this,cfa colour all over between brown
white, its belly gray and as it were hoary. Of what ufe it is in Phyfick I
confefs I know not. Fowlers indeed when they hunt for Ducks, bait their
hook with two or three Dors or tree Beetles, andtye a heavie ftone co their
line, which they cover with flags, that their wiles be not. difcovered : the
Duck for greedinefs of meat prefently fwallowes the hook, which flicking faft
fhe is punifhed for her folly. How Cranes are taken with thefe wrapped up
in a gourd, hethathatha mkid to know may read Gefner deGrue.
The Beetle which Pliny cals Fullo is more rare,and noE every where to be met
with. It is not any where to be feen here in England-, fo far as I have heard or
read.
Ch
A P. 22.
Of ieffer living Creatures
read. Gaza fometimes tranflated that which ArifUtk als wVfl«*^<)F«// ,vvhereas he alwaies intended
that the Dung-Beetle only fhouid be known by that name* and he gave proper appellations to all
the relt. Neither can the Fuller-Beetle be called the ted Beetle (as Frtigiw conltrueth) nor is it a
creature with a forked tail, which Hadrian f*mt*s puts upon us for that Fnilo : for the forked tail is
not of the fheath-wing'd kindfe) as it flnll appear more at
large in the hifiory thereof. This Beetle certainly is a fair
one, bigger than the Tree-Beetle, butfomewhat left than
the female flying Hart: It hath a head almolt horny, beau-
tified with two little horns; its eyes and hairy bread are
of a yellowifh white, it hath feet coal-black ; its belly and
tail are like to Cranes feathers ; its fhoulders and wings are
fo beautifully wrought with black and white (peeks, that
you would eahlyfwear it were a cloathing of Damask em-
broidered after the Phrygian manner. Magicians fay, that this Infeft is a fingular remedy againft
Quartan Agues, bein^ bound ro each arm, if we may bdieve Pliny 1. 30. c. 1 1. Fennim firlthad
the picture of it from CatoIus Clufim ; but ^tickjjueihergiHs afterward fent him over the crea-
ture it felf.
IOI5
Chap. XXII.
Of the lejfer Beetles.
ALL the lefler Bee-
tles are either
fpotted in their bo-
dy, or unfpotted : the
Greeks call thofe ***
to>X&4t } divers colou-
red; and thefe t*o*o-
of one colour.
The fpots of fome of
them are of a black
colour inclining to
white, others of them
are yellow , others
red. Of thofe that
arc white from black
there arefeven kindes,
of the yellow ones
thirteen, of the red ones
twelve ; which we have
here ranked every one
in its feverall or-
der.
Thofe that are un-
fpotted, are obferved
to be all over of the
fame colour: and of
them we have feen
fix blackifh ones, two
of a bright bay, one
round, one of a skie
colour inclining to
black,another between
yellow and black. And
one was very lately
obferved by us paint-
ted with a light red,
another feem'd drencht
in the juyce of the
purple fifh. We have
nve which are -as yel-
low as gold, very lit-
tle ones iadeed, but
coloured
ioi6 The Theater of Infe&t: or, Book I.
coloured all over with glittering go ld, which, left we fhould
feem to have envied our pofterity (the knowledge of) we hive
caufed to be cut and defcribed here. But for what ufe every
one of them ferveth, was declared when we fpake in °ene<\il
of Beetles.
Chap.XXIII.
Of the Ojl&eetle, and the Water-Beetle.
IT is called Profcarabeus in Latine ; in Paracelfus, Moloe ; AgrkoU-, Pingueculas^ from the
fat fweat like honey which plentifully drops from it. The Ureeks call it «'»7v^( and
i^mwvfayi ; it is called by the Germans from the moneth which it is feen in for the moft parr,
MayenWurmlein-, and UWeyen Kafer. Thofe of Heidelburg have put upon it the name of Schmdts
voghel, thole of Dithmaria, the names of Ever and Kaddem \wierus teftiries in his Book dc
Morb. incogn. ) in Englifh it may fitly bg called the Oyl-beetle, or the Oyl-clockz But why it is
rather called Vrojcarabem than Scarabem-, contrary to the
intention of Gefner and Pennius-, I could ailedge nmwyrea-
fons, but this efpecially, that they are diliinguifhed in lex,
and that they couple together. You fee here the bignefs
of the female, and you perceive that it is bigger than the
male, and for the molt part of a diverfe fhape; for its
mouth is not at all forked as thefemaks is j this alfo upon
the lightelt motion or touch, runs with an oyl, (like liquid
honey) the male is alwaies obferved to be as ir were dry.
They couple, as we have often feen it in Heidelberg fields,
tail to tail; the female in the aft drawing to it the male
(after the fafhion of dogs) fo that it is forced to creep
backwards ; they have both tender bodies, betwixt black
and dark blew fhining : upon vvhofe fhoulders there grow
two wings, or rather beginnings of wings, as upon the
Eftrich, to help the fwiftnefs not fo much of its flying, as
of its going • thofe circles that compafs the belly and the
back, appear green in the young ones, in thofe that are
more grown, blew rather. If they be bruifed, they yeeld
a moft pleafant fmell, as Taxites affirms in his Onomafticon.
it feeds efpecially upon violet leaves, elfe upon the leaves of
tender young grafs. They arc feldom feen but in the moneth
of May, all the reft of the year they ketp their holes, or
having firft wrapped up their feed in round bals of dung, they
die. At Heidelberg and Francford we have feen many of
them in the fields, in the pafture grounds, among the corn,
and even in the very gardens and ftreets. But I have
found none yet in England alive and bred there. Only Agricola hath made them four-footed,
whereas indeed they are all fix footed, upon the miftake perhaps, or chance of having met with an
Oyl-beetle, which had had two of its feet pull'doff. jvierus's Oyl-beetle, if you fee it lie upon
its back,feems (unlefs this old man makes fportonly) to be made after the figure of a mans
face. It hath gotten longer wings than the reft, and is marked with more rings or girdles going
round its body: otherwifek differs not from that fpoken of before. The moft noble Knighc
riS
Chap. 23. Of leffer living Creature r. 1017
Sir Edmund afrirmeth chic he faw in England the former kinde of this Oyl-beetle, and
fentus the picture of ic ; but could never finde that oily humour which the German one is full
of. Ic comes fhort of this likewife in all its dimenlions, euher becaufe ic harh a climace, or
becaufe ic hachafoyl lefsficfor growth. John Wierns writes thus of the ufe tfiey fervc for. In
Dithmaria cowards che fourhchey hang the May-worm (for fo he cals che Oyl-beetle) about
cheneckwicha chred, efpecially in che monech of Maj-> when that moillure likehony (which
is taken robe venemous) drops from it molt plentifully : this Beede (or iomecimes cwo o:
three) being dryed and beaten into powder they give with beer, puts the lick perfon into a
fudden and great fweat either with labour, or with many coverlets upon the bed, or in a (love or
oven after the bread is drawn. The-eupon follow grievous fymptomes, as a pain of the hearcjn
overchrow of all rtrength,a weaknefs of the whole body, which for the molt part faft no longer
than half a day: this they repeat every other day, or every third day (as the cafe requireth) un-
till the ninth. This drink they call Anticanth*-
rinnm or Kaddcntrankj becaiife it is made of
Oyl-beetles. And truly for thac epidemical
head-ach (which P/acenti/isu the end o£ hisChi-
rurgery, and Berptalia cap.de Vaporei and perhaps
Avicen. 4. /. 3. t en. Tr. 2. c . 9. do define) it is
faid to be an excellent remedy. The Saxons
call this difeafe Fiuren-> Or Kadden. Paracelfus
I. 3. c. 6. de morb. Tartar, recordeth that he cured
a Dropfie by a medicine compounded of thoie
Meloes and Radifh feed che making of ic is
after chis manoer : Take of Beetles called Me-
loes ten drams, Radifh feed one ounce, make a
liquor of it : the Dofe may be from one ounce
to three ounces, if necefftcy require. He ufed al-
io Oppodelton Melmm againft hand worms, Ub.de
vit.longa c.12. which after other medicines ha
prefcribed to be applied for the fpace of twelve
hours, If they be taken before the rifing of the
Sun, and diftilled (faics Agricola) they are very
good for fwellings under the eyes, if the places
afte&ed be warned every day three or four times.
That oily fatnefs alfo healeth the chaps of the hands, as we have heard of the Councreymen
abouc Heidelburg-, who have more chan once commended their wonderful vermes to us. They
do ftrongly expell urine, but withal, bloud. They clofe up veins, and nerves, and wounds; they
throughly curehorfes gals and bruifes in the back which come by the badnefs of faddles.
Gaffarus Reglertts l.dePefie, advifeth to gather up twenty Oyl-beetles, yet not with your
hands, bac with two little twigs: then being put into an earthen pot or glafs, let them be fmo-
thered in as much of the fweecelt Oyl-Olive as will fuffice, and kepc for ufe. He affirms thac
by being anointed with this Oyl Sores in the Groyn, Carbuncles, Peftilenrial Sores, Boyles, and
wounds made by a mad Dog are cured. In another place he prefcribes, that we fhoulddraw a
circle about the fore with a Saphir Hone, and then anoint the place with the oyl of Meloes, or
of Juniper, as being that wherewith the venome is wonderfully drawn out, and the part af-
fected prefently reduced to its natural temper. Marcetius Empiric us mentio'neth a certam hairy
Beecle of the colour of a Lion, and like one indeed in all things elie but his roughnefs. He con-
tends that it is called by its proper name Culio 3 it is found in old hedges, and unregarded dit-
ches and banks: this he writes is wonderful good for fcabby eyes, and eye-lids which have been
long fretted with a fait and fharp humour, or eaten away with lice. Thus he fheweth the way
of ufing it : firft gather betimes in the morning acolewort leaf wet with che dew of the night,
and wrap it up fo ehat all the dew run together to the bottome of the leaf, then having taken up
his hairy Beetle with your fore-fingers and thumb, put it up inftantly within the leaf, thac ics urine
(which it prefently makes upon ics being bruited) may be mingled with the dew of itj for
otherwife ics pifs, in which all che fecret lieth will be loft.
If with a probe you fhall fearch the eye-lids, and anoint the places, which are fcabby and
eaten avvay, with its dew when it is now impregnated as it were with the pifle of this Beetle,
you will confefs its ftrange and wonderful vertues. But what kinde or what manner of Beetle
this is, I am altogether ignorant, nor can I call to minde any other Authors v*ho have made any
mention of it.
The Water-docks do now challenge to have fome room allowed them, which the Greeks'
call u^eWr9*0"> the Germans, yvafer-kafers ; the Engl ifh, Water-clocks. All thefe have their
bellies coloured with a light red, and their backs coal-black, except that in England^ in whofe
picture if you darken over all thac border which compafleth about its fhoulders and ics whole
oval body, and make ics eyes of a filver colour, you cannot defire more coward ics defcripcion.
They have every one fix feet, the hinder feet exceeding the others in length and bignefs, which'
theyuie as it were far oars when theyfwim; Under their fheathy Wings which are very black,
lie'
ioi8 The Theater of Infefts: or> Book 1.
lye hid their membranous v wings of a hlver hew, with which by night, raving left the w.rter,they
nimbly fly through the air, which by day they very ieldome (or never) ufe, But the lead of all
are thofe, which with a reftleis motion run about in a multitude this way and that way upon the
fiirfa.ee of the water without order, and play as it were together, and when the water is trou-
bled, either they dive down to the boctome,orhidethemielves in holes ot the banks : but afte.-
ward, as loon as the waves are Hill and calm, they leap about it again for joy. Chrifiopboh/s
LeuftnerusMitethto Gefner that he found a Beetle in a certain place, with a Ihe.uhy crutt (as
they ufetohave) which had a head like an Ant ibmewhat yellow, and many wings, on the hin-
der part of the belly it had tins, fuch as are upon Craps tayls, which they ufed as they wand.ed
up and down (like rowers upon the water) it had a little tail (ticking out for its defence, but
which was parted into very long hairs, being thrown out of pond water into fountain water, it
died within a few daies. And thus much of Beetles : which, of countreys only O/jnthus, of
plants only the wilde Lilly,produce not ; whereupon that is called by Pliny-, TbeofomftUiXad A n -
tigonus->Cantharolnhros : this by Diofcorides-, Anticantbaros.
Chap. XXIV.
Of the Fen-f\ricket y the Eve*churrje 3 or the. Chur^orm.
GIVe me leave here where names are wanting to make fome. The ere tare which we have de-
fa ibed is that whichCer^kf calleth Spondjlu-Zc Dodoneus,BupreJtu!->both of them a mil's & with-
out reafon.For the Spondjlis hath no wings, you lee this.Iniect is winged. The Bhprtftu is iaTd by all
to be like the Cantbaru; but this creature neither inJigure,nor colour nor bigneis cometh any thing
near it; to fay nothing of its haying no flieathy wings^ which all wife men will grant the C,n-
thandes have. [[If we may make names, we may call it Gryllotalpa; a Mole-krick?t J a Kiicket bc-
ca.uk it make? the 13,'nle fhrill
noyie whLh a Kucket doth to-
wards night ; a M'p'fc, beru ie
it digs the mth continually ;
theNethe lands call it weemol.
It lsan-InfecTrgly to'ightand
monftrous, four times bigger
than the biggelt of the Can-
thaiides : especially when it
is pretty well grown. The
fhape you fee before you: I
will tell you the colours. The
female is paler, the finale 1 of a
deep b own ; tint hath befides
2 long ho ns, 4 knobs hang-
ing out as it wee of itnollrils
and lips; it hath alio bigger
eyes, and the root of its wings-
is bedecked with a red ipor.
But the male is without thofe
buttons, and in 1-eid of thorn
huh two b iides twice as long
as thofe buttons; itfeemethto be of the fame colour all over, and withoit any lpor ; both
their clawes are as black as a Raven ; with their fore-feet which are ve y ftrong and bending inward
they both dig through hillocks,and make holes under grouncVhey Hand 1 pon their middle feet, and
with their binder feet, when need is, they leap ; their tail is forked, their wings longer than their
body, and membranous, their body variously joynred. The young ones for the moil part are
all overblack, the old ones feem to be without hair : it liveth thegreateft pait of its age under
a moorifh and moift ground, yet in the night it cometh abroad. It is a very flow-paced creature,
and its flying is like leaping; whereupon it is reckoned by fome among LocuAs. It begins to
come forth as Krickets do when the Si n is going down, and pleaterh it fell' with its hnging,which
is lowd enough and may be heard above a mile off; which as foon as the husbandmen hear, they
are glad prelently: as though they knew by its coming, that the eaith now teemed with moy-
fture, and were brought as it were to maturity by the heat of the Sun. It gathereth together
grains of wheat, barly, and oats, and canieth them into its neft, being to live upon them perhaps
in the winter. Some affirm that it feeds upon Horfe-dung. Dodor.cns relates that this little crea-
ture kils cartel with its biting; falling into this nullake-, becarfe he took it to be the Bnprcfiis.
Whether itdo any hurt being taken inwards I know not: but P ramus hath often handled it in his
bare hands, and without harm, never oblerving in it any inclination to bite. Our Bruerus fignthed
as much to Pennius-, who hired Countreymen with his money to obferve as often as might be its
condition, and to make relation of it. ' CHAP.
Chap. 25. Of lejjer living Creatures. 1019
Chap. XXV.
Of the Firefly.
T Hat which is called by sALlian 7rve'iy>po(, other Greeks call 7jv&ih, Hcrmolaus Trvpanii, fomtjfo
■nv£cvw(. Ariftot.l.<).Hiji.c.i9. giveth thefe little creatures no proper name ,but f a yes they are
3«ei«Ta c* jzJ mel : which Gaza cranilateth Bcftialcs fornactimjrwmct creatures. Strabo reckons them
among Gnats, they are called wa'fw, by Smdm-, and by the Scepthkji as we read in Laertius I. ,
Solinus cal leth it Caryftia I. de mund. Mirab. f/t/. Scaliger, Ignigena ; Gaza-, Fttrnaria-, and BtjHtila
Fomacum-, out of AriftotU-> which he maketh bigger than the greater flies and winged : VUnyzi-
firmeth the fame l.w.c. 36. Antigonm l.w?- Tn^Jh?,. faith from Ariftotle that thefe Fire-flies
are bigger than Mice (not Flies only) ; where if is evident he foully mntook |*& for f^'^Mke
for Flies ; which Xy lander his Tranfluor took no notice of. In fhape it is fomewhat like a ve-y
big Gnat, of a bright fire-red colour, glittering with a kindeof fiery r.ties ; it leaps, goes, flies,
and lives in the flams, as nAriftotU leporteth, /. <$.hift.c. 19. For I can fcarce give credit to
i/Llianl. t.Hifi.c. 2. when he faith that the Fire-fly as loon as it hath gone out of the place
where it was bred, and flown into the air for food, dieth preiently : for I cannot believe that
any thing bred in the fire, goeth out of its element to leek for food ; nor is it likely that Nature,
that molt loving parent of all things, fhould p reicribe any creature fuch a way of getting its food,
by which it fhould prefencly lofe its life. Neither is it, as itfeems to me, fo hard to finde out
the reafon of this their fudden dying in the air (which zALlian leaves to be fearched out by
others) for being b ed in the extremity of heat, how fhould they live in a temperate phce ?
Forit is evident Dy daily expe.ience, that fome Fillies dye as foon as everthey are taken up out
of the water into the air; much lefs can thole creatures that are bred in the fire, endure the air,
fince it differeth fo much from the air, and indeed more than the air from the water.
Thefe Flies are bred in the Brafs Furnaces of the Ille Cyprus, where the Chahitis (or Brafs- .
flone) is burnt for many daies together: perhaps the footy vapours which go up with the flame,
while the Hone is continually burnt, are the matter and caiie of their generation. Strabo 1 peaking
in his 1 2 Book of Worms b ed in the mow, addeth this which followeth : Tku Si j*\s*j» iff hel-mv
•niojJrlw Hty'xtnv, Ztcu 1 Lm <%] KamTnot e* lis it iu< (mtvw.ok ■
of ours, I fee no iealon, why any fhould doubt of it : yet there are fome very learned men, and
eminent writers of our time (who feem neverthelefs to excel rathe- in wit, reading and language,
than in the folid knowledge of things natural) who condemn and reject not only the generation
of thefe little creituresin the fire, br t this whole hiilory as frivolous, falfe, and unworthy of a
Phtlofophe r . My readers expeit now, that I anfwere thefe mens arguments.
They object that Ariftotle doth in plain terms affirm, that the fire produceth no living crea-
ture. The Philofopher doth there compare the heat of feed with the heat of fire, affirming that
thee is not a fierv neat in feed ; for (faith he) if there were, it would produce nothing. But this
hinders not, but that a living creituremay Degenerated in the fire without feed: but of fome
other fit and convenient matter, as we fhall fee anon. Befides, the Philofopher feems here (as
like-
1020 Tbe Theater of Infefts: or, Book 1.
likewife elfewhere) to fpeak of that tire only which is under the fphere of the Moon, that that
produceth no living c eature, not of ours, where there is both mixtion, and no pue fire. But
they ye: urge : Our hfe \s Sabftantia tenlm^™* a fublhnce of molt fubtil parts, and ieizeth
upon all things that are in its way, devouring them and turning them into its own fublhnce. This
was anlvvered before when we inlhnced in fome things which are rather perfected in the fire,
and which fire is by no means able to confume or turn into its fublhnce. J . Langim (a man of
much reading, and a moil learned Philoiopher) and from him Cardane gr.nts that iome Animals
may live in the fire, but not tint they can bebrei there; fo; in this they yeeld to the Philofo-
pher. But who feeth not how abfurd this yeelding ts ? for I cannot fee how things generated in
a- temperate place, mould be able to live in that extreme. For that which they fay of the Sala-
mander, is as good ;s nothing. The Salamander (as Diofc. hath obferved) doth not live long in
the fire s for as foon as that moilture, which runneth down on every fide from its yellow fpots & (as
1 conceive) while it ftaies in the fire, is confumed (which is quickly done) it is prefently brought
to Brthes, as Pennins hath made trial with our Bruerus in the Countrey about Heidelburg. Eraftus
a molt learned Phyfiuan, difputing about rotten Feavers,endevoureth to overthrow all this Hi-
ftory with thefe arguments. Firlt, becaufe Ariftotle compileth the Hiftory (faith Eraftus) who,
it is confefled, writ many things from hearfay ; 1 grant it: but then he adds, utaiunh as it is re-
ported, or fome other word of the fame importance (as Niphus hath well obferved) even as in
that ve-y place, fpeaking of the Salamander, he addeth, af i**p. We may obferve that this is the
conlhnc pra&iie of the Philofopher, when he fpeaks according to the opinion, or from the rela-
tion of others ; but grant it were fo, that he from others related it 5 they were deceived (faith
Erafius) who related it to him; imagining thofe creatures bred in the fire, which fell by chance
into it. But the circumlhnces of the place make it appear that this is falfe. If they had fallen
from elfewhere into the fire,furely by his own confeihon they would be confumed by the fire.
And unlefs they had been bred there, (as I faid before) how fhould they be able to live in fuch
an extremity of flame? Befides, fpectators have obferved the motion of their feet, the num-
ber of their wings, their flying, yea their death, and the caufeof their death, viz,, their flying
fomewhat too far out of the hre. Thefe things and the like evince that thofe relators were not
at all deceived, but that they related what was true and unqueftionable. But no Author either
before or fince Ariftotle affirms this, but one or other perhaps who hath tranfcribed it from him.
This is more {Eraftus) than you know, you have not read all Authors Books : the greateft part of
books is loft, as k appeareth plainly out of tAthen andHiftories bear witnefs. But how I
pray you, came Pliny to be anured that Fire-flies have four feet ? He did not learn this from
Ariftotle-) no: is there any fuch thing to be found in his writings which are extant. Wherefore
either he learnt it from others, or elfe the Hiftory was known in Pliny's time. Pliny therefore
added this, that he might make up the Hiftory compleat. Nay, if you had read Cicero I. de Nat.
Deo. you had found him affirming for certain, that there are little winged creatures bred in
the middle of the fire. Neither did I before think you fo ignorant in Theology, as not to know
what S. Augufiine (/. de Civit. Dei 2 1. c. 2.) hath obferved of thefe Pjribia : There are, faith he,
creatures which live in the midft of the hre ; and there are found fome worms at the Spring-
head of hot waters, whofe lieat no man toucheth without harm: while thefe remain there not
only without receiving any hurt, but are not able to fubfift out of them. And Vincentius hift.
Nat.l.io. c. 68. In fome waters which are naturally hot, there are certain Worms which live
as well as Fifties in cold : nay if they go out of thofe waters into cold they die. Solinus alfo
confirmethit c. 17. who calleth thefe kinde of Flies CaryjtU-> and reporteth that in Crete they
fly into hot furnaces without harm. Yea and Seneca (qutft. natural. I. 2.) affirmeth that fome
living creatures are generated of the fire; and therefore thefe Fire-flies likewife ; as lately Mar-
jilius Cognatns teacneth us in a large Difcourfe, Variar. obferv. I. i.e. 23 , 24. Do not then any
longer contend, that no Author either before or fince Ariftotle affirmeth it ; fince befides thefe
pious and grave men already named, I can bring others alfo, who would convince you either of
plain falfhood, or of a levity not hard to be difcerned. But Theopbraftus maketh no mention of
it in his Book de Igne. What do you conclude, Eraftus-, from thence, that the Hiftory is falfe ?
Very fine. Perhaps he beleeved it not ; is it therefore falfe ? But it is probable. I grant it. There
are many things probable, and yet falfe, as experience teacheth us. Eraftus wrote many things
againft Paracelfus which are probable, yet not all true, unlefs thofe things which he underflood
not,betrue. Certainly he endevoured to confute many things, which I know he never under-
flood: I will not now delcend to particulars. Well, but the heat of fire is not y>nuet, fit for
generation. This, Eraftus-) you apprehend not ; but I told you before, that if it were in the
feed, it were not, which was the Phil ofophers meaning. For it is ffM^t), corruptive-) according
to Ariftotle ■- But I anlwered before, that fire doth not corrupt all things. This barrennefs there-
fore, or (if youpleafe) deftru&ivenefs of the fire is to be limited. Nor truly do I conceive
this to be done miraculoufly, but by the power of Nature ; neither do I take it for a tale, but for
a Hiftory agreeable to nature. And as for what he writeth of the Salamander, he adds
as I faid before : there was no need to add it. But I befeech thofe who believe nothing but
what they fee, to tell me, Have any one of the ancients found fault with this Hiftory, or con-
futed it ? I fpeak of the Greek writers. No, not fo much as Galen-, who otherwife is a moft
fharpreprehenderof the Philofophers, and would have laid hold on this inflantly,ifhehadhad
any
Chap. 26. Of leffer living Creatures. 1021
anyfuch opinion. Therefore it is likely that the hiitory is true, becaufe none of the old wa-
ters found fault with ir. But come we now ro Matthiolus, who of all men hath contradicted this
Hiitory moil unhappily ; for in his margent he inveigheth againtt the vain opinions of the Phi-
lolbpher (as he thinks) w he re he appears in fo me things vainer than vanity it felf. But I will
recurn to the bufinel's. It i; agmifl (faith he) the work of nature. Is it enough for Matthiolus
to fejfo, though he prove nothing ? If the liory had been true, Galen would never have omit-
ted iti who hath fearched out all things die fo diligently, furnaces,and metals,and what not ? Jh-
lius Scaliger will make anfwer, to what end fhould he repeat a thing known before? Sooner
would he (as he was a famous and a malicious detracter) it he had not found it lb, have repre-
hended it, as he doth in fome places make it ridiculous. He which continued fo few daies, did
not underftand the whole matter ; they were not, they are not alwaies at hand ; he never en-
quired of the Bakers. But if I fhould fay that a little fhe colt newly foaled mould have plenty
of milk in its udder, and that it did iflue forth in great quantity, what would they fay then ? yec
neverthelefs Ifaw it at London about fix years fince, asalfomany others of good note and credit^
who with their own hands did milk it out of its teats. They will fay peihaps, we do not be-
lieve it ; let then chufe, it makes not much to the matter ; there are many productions of na-
ture, the caufes whereof it is impotlible for any man to know, much lefs to (hew to others. And
that certainly not without great reafon, that we might both admire the infinite power of God,
and acknowledge our own blindnefs and ignorance. For thefe and the like did God create on-
ly for his glory, that he might both confound the fhallow underflandings of men, and alfo learn
them to acquiefce in his wit dome only,for to much as in fearching out the natural caufes of things,
it is impolTible to go any faithe r . For this is amongft the works of God that may pluck down
our ambition, and makes us with all our wit to fly to that common Anchor of fools, namely hid-
den caufes and the whole fubftance. What have we then to do ? iure-ly only to apply our felves
unto him, from whom all wifdome, knowledge, and perfection doth proceed : for whileft we re-
lie on our own wits, and do pry into the Majefty of God, we mult needs (as Solomon in his Pro-
verbs fpe.iketh) be confounded by the fame. What then remains ? this furely, that they which
think thefe things to be impolhble,do keep their opinion to themfelves, without medling with
thofe that think the contrary.
The Author of the Geoponickj (iflamnqc deceived) cals this little animal a Salamander : his
words are thefe : S***udv*& e^^sor &°v U iZ 7ive)< typ yinar, & c . that is to fay, The Sala-
mander that little creature is begotten in the fire ; and living in the fire, is not con fumed by it. Here he
tels three untruths together. For neither is this the leaft of creatures, but oftentimes bigger,
fometime lefs, neither is it generated by the fire, nor doth it live long in the fire, as I faid be-
fore, out of DioCcorides. Thus much I thought good to add, left young ftudents reading thofe
Geoponickj fhould errefo foully with Zoroaftes. For what purpofes it ferveth, I cannot boldly
fay : yet by its place of growth and principles it feemeth to dry and cleanfe powerfully. It is
alfo of very thin parts and body ; it pierceth to places very diftant : and truly if the Grafhopper
which feedeth upon air, be of fo burning a faculty ; what fhall we think of the Fire-fly, which
eateth anddrinketh flames ? But the Fire-flies are of this ufe to our mindes : they reprefent to
our underftanding the wonderful power of God,who hath made the greateft of all the Elements,
Fire, fub;ec~fto 16 fm all, fo dry a creature : vouchfafing to be vanquished by thefe while itfeor-
neth, I do not fay to be vanquished (to ufe Afajolns's words, Dier. Canic. Colloq. 5.) but even fo
much as to be touched by men, or the greater Animals.
Chap. XXVI.
Of the Water -Spider.
THe Water-Spider is next, a little creature of exceeding nimblenefs, whofe Hiftory Au»
thors have fo flight I y handled, that we can hardly pick out any thing of weight or moment
towards the illuftration of this Hiftory : we fhall yet perform what we can.
I utterly deny " A&ejf in Arifictle, to be the fame with Tipula in Flautus (as Gaza interprets it)
for I am not perlwaded that Mule-gnats can come of them.
It is called in Latine Tipula : Plant us, F eft us, and 2{onius Marcellus write it Tipul ; others, The Name.
Tipulla ; Guillerinus de Conchis reads Tapula ; Albertus and Vincentius in his Speculum-, call it
Tappula : none of them aright. By Plautus it is called Tipula ; in Greek (as I found in Gefner's
papers) mlvw, which word truly 1 finde not any where any footfteps of, nor can I tell what it
properly fignifies ; fome High-Dutch call it fVafer-gems, which is to fay, a Water-goat ; others
fVajfer-fpin, which is a Water-fpider ; the Nether-lands, fVajfer-fpinne ; with us it is called the
Wattr-fpider, as with the High-Dutch and Netherlands, for likenefs fake; in Spanifh, Gufano que
corre fopra el aqua, a worm that runs upon the water ; in Italian, Capra di aqua ; in Polonian,#W
ny cieluck.
There are two forts of Water-fpiders, the greater and the lefs. They differ in bignefs only, or
perhaps in age:the greater are more common in coldeft \vaters,the lefs are fomewhat more blackifh
and of a more compact body, S f f f The
lQ <22 1 be i beater of InfeSs : or \ Book I,
The Difcri-
pcion.
The greater more inclines to an aih-colour, being of a larger body.
• Although feveYall men write feverally, and neither tell any certain marks whereby it maybe
known, nor a^ree in the number of its feet, yet I hope we fliall fo clearly and peripicuoutty ex-
pl tin the Hiltcry of the W.it^r-.pider, th.it there will be no occalion of doubt left here-
after. , " - ' ■^"'"■i''"' : 'v '<■'■>. . *V "-' ■* • , I
The Wate -fpide: i> a litrle crenure, infhape very like a Spider, of a body fomewhat long
cmd ttender : it hath four feet fail to its b.ealt,and two little armes ftretched out befo e near its
mouth, perhaps in iiead of ho ns ; which if you reckon with" its feet, it will have fix feet : which
yet (lb far as we could obferve) it ufeth not when it runneth : they are as fhort again as the reft
of its feet, neither have they any knots or joynts like the other feet. Therefore Albertus and
others allow but four feet to the Water-fpider i but Feftus fix>reckoning thefe little armes together
with its feet. It hath fou : wings,very feeble ones,which feem not to be made for fl ying, but for.
leaping. They are fho ter than its body, and the uppermolt of them a little thicker and larger
than the others, but yet not of leather (like thofe fheathy cafes) they are between a brazen co-
lour and a black ; the inner wings are letter and thinner, and of a filver colour. Whether they
fly by nisht like Water-beetles or no, we are uncertain; they leap fometimes upon the water
fo lightly, that they fcarce fo much as itir the furfaceofit. Hence grew that prove b among the
Ancients, Lighter than a Water-fpider. So Pterins being to exprefs the lightnefs of men; and
Virgil-, the nimblenefs of Camilla-, compare them to the Water-fpider. Ylautus likewife in his
Perfa-, Neq; TiptiU levins efl pondus quam fides lenonia (for fo Lambine reads it, againlt the con-
fent of all copies, even that of Nonius) A Panders honefty ts lighter than a Water-fpider: It run-
neth not in a continued courfe, but with intermillion. ltgoethnot underwater, but when it is
driven thither by force : its body is never wet. Theyar^ found all the Summer time in Handing
waters and ponds which are free from the wind, and quiet : fometimes alfo they are met with in
rivers, efpeciatly clofe by the banks of great rivers, and for the mo!t put under the fludes of
trees (as of the willow, or any other tree, (which is not oyer tall): molt commonly multitudes
of them are together in companies. They are feen fometimes to couple leaping on one ano-
thers backs, but they make an end of engendring very quickly. One fhall hardly hnde any one of
them in Winter.
Their U[ e . Whether they be of any ufe in Phyfick, befides the common ufe Flies are of, we leave for others
to make experiment : for we know of none; neverthelefs we utterly deny that thefe little
creatures were brought forth by nature to no purpole. Certainly the Gudgeon, the Rochet>
the Pearch, and other inhabitants in the dominions of the waters do lufficiently declare
how nfeful they are for the feeding and fatning of Fifties. Without question F eft us, No-
nius-, Marcellus-, Sipontinus> and others, meant this Water-fpider now defcribed, as it will appear
by their words. The Tipula (faith Feftus) is a kinde of little creature, having fix feet, but fo light,
that in running upon the water it feemeth to take no Heps. Penttus faith upon the matter the
lame. The Tipula (faith Nonius Marcellus) is a very light creature, which doth not fwim but
go upon the water. Varro thus : Levis Tipula levifjime frigidos tranftt lacus : for fo the place
which is corrupted, is to be read and corrected: The light Water-fpider very nimbly paffeth over
the cold ponds. Albert us G ' uillerinus de Conchy and Vinccntius Call it Araneus Aquaticus-, inter-
preting the Dutch name (for it hath fome likenefs with the Spider) aienbingbut four feet to
the Tipula, not reckoning the little arms which are before, among its feet, lince it doth not
ufe them in going. Others (as I faid before) reckoning thofe little arms among their feet do al-
low Water-fpiders fix feet. Hence it does molt certainly appear, that we have defcribed that
very Tipula which Plautus mentions, fo that there is no room left for any ones doi bring here-
after But before we go any further, the truth requires of me, that I confute two notorious er-
rors of GuillerinusdeConchts. The firit error is, when he faith that the Water-fpider lives alike
upon the water and upon the land: the other, when he faith, that it runneth very fwiftly upon
land; both which do evidently contradict experience: for upon land it doth net' live
long, nor run at all, but move with a very flow pace, and fometimes leap, but that very
little.
Whether Catrab in Avicen, which is called by Silvaticus, Cutout and Eckentdnhbt the Wa-
ter-fpider (as wiems thinketh) I cannot fay for certain: although indeed I am eafily perfwaded
by reafon of the ciicumltances, to believe that Catrab in Avicen is not the Water-fpider. But lee
us hear Avicens defcription : Catrab (faith Avicen) is a little creature having its being on the fur-
face of the water, which moveth upon it divers waies without order, anddiveth ever and anon
to the bottome, and prefently appeareth above again. Sylvaticus hath almolt the fame word
for word: only he adds, that whenfoever any thing happens amifstoit, it runs away, and by
and by appears again. From this little creature by reafon of its reftlefs and difordered moti-
on, hither and thither, that kinde of melancholy which the Greeks call KvwQfv™*, the Latines
Infania Lwoina, is ailed by Avicen-, Cathrab and Alcathrab; with which when men are taken,'
they fly from the living, and go out by night, and frequent graves (as Paulus writes) and think
indeed that they are tu.ned into Wolves, as wierus writes it befell a certain husbandman inGer-
in the year 1541. The Ancients (faith wierus) call a fly which is common in moorifh
grounds, Tipula. And we think CManardus made mention of this fomewhere in his Epiftles.
Wherefore I am fully perfwaded that Catrab is not this Water-fpider, but fome other little
creacure,
Chap. 27. Of leffer living Creature r, 1023
creature, the leiftof the kinde of Water-beetles, which with a reftlefs motion moveth almoft
continually upon the 'fuiface of the water hither and thither without order (as we faid in theHi-
ftoryofthem) and upon the leaftdifturbanceorftinbgofthe water, goeth to the bottome, and
prefently hideth it felf in the mud, but by and by alloon as the billowes are down, rifeth up
again to the furface of the water. This little creature is feldome Tingle, but many of them fport
together in the fame place, running up and down feveral vvaies. I was once wont to behold with
great delight thefe lictle very black and finning Beetles pulling one another, and as it were
wreftling together. But of thefe we have i'poken at large among the Water-beetle?.. And we
fhall takeGVtd's Tipi Ix into our conlideration among the Water-worms.-
The word Afcaru -which they inteipret Tipula,maketh nothing toward the illuftration of this
Hiftory.
Chap. XXVII.
Of the Forjicula, or Earwig,
ARnoldtu his Forfic»la*is called by the later Latine writers, AuricuLria; by the more An- Tbe j^amc.
dznt-iMordella: Nifhus cals it Vellicula a vellicando-, from rending; the French call the
Earwig Attreiliic^o; Perceaureillc ; the Germans, Oren-nvorm ; the Low Dutch Orenmetel- 3 the
Englifh, Earwig. Hadrians funics thinks it to be Fullo-, which notwithftahding much differs
fromtheform of a Beetle. Is this the Greeks ttfmtew? truly both the original of it and the
biting agree thereunto; for this is bred alfo in the hollow Italks of herbs, (as of the wilde
Parlhip, Angelica, Fennel Gigant) and is frequently feen in Coleworts. The Northern Eng-
lifh by an obfeene name call it Tmch-ballockj> 9S if you would call it Scrotomordinm-, or
o^eA'xnjfj for where ever it findes a rivled pleated skin, itwillcaufe very great pain, either by
biting with the mouth, or by winding about it with its forked tail ; which Tetmins faith once
hapned to him being a boy. For we fell upon two forts of Earwigs, both were with wings,
contrary to the opinion of many. For if you force them here and there back again with a bull-rufh, TJj£ ^
When they are hem'd in in fome place or upon a table, (which the moft illuftrious Kmvet xzught anc j jjL^j'
Pennitu) they will prefently open their wings that are hid under their covers, and fly away. But on.
you mull take? diligent heed that youprefs it not too hard with a ftrawor orrufh, or wound it,
for then if it would never fo fain it cannot fly away. The more common is feen with a light
red colour; his foreyards, feet, and forked tail are yellow. The other (which
is more rare in England, and was feen by me but once or twice) is greater than
the former, and of a bla-cker body, hath a filver ring about the neck to adorn
it ; the outward covers of the wings are of a reddifh colour : the mouth is for-
ked and yellow ; on the back on both fides near the fides, there arife five yel~
lowifJh fpots, the fork of the tail is fhorr and black, and fhe lifts this toward
her head and flies, being angry, into the air.
They are oft found in Coleworts and hollow Reeds, and in the little blad-
de . s of Elm leaves. They breed of worms that breed in the ftalks : they year-
ly caft their old skin, and that being gone they look white as fnow. But with
age it growes again, and is died with its ancient colour. The Englifh women
hate them exceedingly, becaufe of the flowers of Clove-gel liflowers thac
they eat and fpoyl, and they lay lnaies for them thus : They fet in the utmoll void places
Ox-hoofs, Hogs-hoofs, or eld caft things that are hollow, upon a ftafT faftned to the ground, and
rhefe are eafilyftuft with cloathes or lira w; and when by night the earwigs creep into thefe to
avoid the rain or to hide themfelves, in the morning thefe old caft things being fuddenly taken
away and fhook forth, a great multitude of them fals out, and are killed with treading upon them.
Amddus Breviar. i.cap.z$. bids us to boylthemin common oyl, or oyl of Hearts-eafe, and Tfeeit ufe,
with that to anoint the arteries offuchasare in a Convuliion, both their temples andwrifts, to
caufe a Feaver, which is a remedy for a Convulfion. fofeplotv Michael^ an Italian and a famous
Phyiician, is wont to collect a great number of them, and to bring them to a fine powder in Bal-
neo in a glafs very clofe ftopt. Then he mingles as much powder with Hares pifle, thac he may
pour into the ear morning and evening. He often protefted to Penniw that this was a fecret to
cure deafnefs. Others mingle the powder with oyl of Cloves and ufe it as before. The fmaller
Gallinago, (which the Englifh call a Suite) and Hens feed on Earwigs ; and I well remember thac
I have found a great number of them in their Mawes.
Sfff i
CHAP,
The Theater of Infetts :or, BookI,
CHAP. XXVIII.
Of the Scorpion, the Ant, and flying Lice.
A Riftotle 4. departib. c. 6. denieth that Scorpions have wings, Scorpions (faith he) move
not flying, but going. But latter ages hnce him have feen and acknowledged iome of
them to be winged. Ap»lhdorus (witnefs Pliny) relateth that fomeof them for'certain have
l. ii.c.15. wines, which Nicander alio hath recorded. Paujanius in Boeotic. fpeaking of winged Serpents,hath
thefe words: Neither ought any one to be too forward to believe thofe things, which Na-
ture more rarely reprefenteth ; nor yet to be altogether incredulous concerning them : I
never faw any where flying Serpents, yet am I eahly perfwaded to believe that there are
fuch, becaufe a man of Phrygia lately brought into Ionia a winged Scorpion of the Locufts
kinde. Paramenes alfo /. de 'Beft. Venenata in zsEgypt- reporteth that he faw, not with other
mens eyes, but with his own eyes, Scorpions with wings, and armed with a double Cting in
their tail. With whom tALlian agreeth /. 16. c. 42, 43. CMegajihenes hath recorded that there
are iome in India among the Prafii-, which have wings, and are vmfCdyKw%t tuytSta, excee-
ding great ones. In Africk. like wife there are fome winged, and others without wings i
having feven joynts in their tails, faith Strabo I. 15. Geogr. & I. 17. The Pfylli (faith Pliny
I. xi.c. 25.) hive often endevoured to bring them over into Italy-, but they were not able
to live beyond the climate of Sicily • yet there are feen of them fometimes in Italy-,
but harmlefs ones, and in many other places, as about Pbarus in tSEgypt. We read alio
in the Hiflory of Navigations, that fambolus the Portugal-, while he hayed at Palimbrota
(it is a City htuate by Ganges towards the Eaft, and according to Diedorus Statins built of
Th N old by Hercules) faw there great fiore of winged Scorpions. It might be called in La-
• N3me « Nepales quafi Nepa alata-, for fo Plant/is cals the Scorpion in Caftna-, when he faith,
Receffim cedam ad parictem-, imitabor nepam. So again Cicero 5. de Finib. Nepas aculeo uti
videos. Var.ro alfo and Columella do very often call the Scorpion by that name, although
F eft us underhand by it a crab. Nonnius writeth that that name was borrowed frptti the
Moors, by whom Scorpions were firft called Nept-, and brought into Italy. Thou feeft
here its ordinary bignefs and fhape ; It is of a colour very like ho-
ney, whereupon it is called p*Kix*.<»&i. The lafl joynt of the tail in
this kinde is black, armed with a double fling, as if one could not
do mifchief enough : it hath wings like the mandible of the Locufls,
it goes obliquely and after the manner of a Crab ; it is very hurt-
full to men, efpecially to young men and boyes. t/Flian attributes
to it a glittering red colour, and calleth it flame-colour. Its poyfon
being hot, caufeth extteam heat ; which happeneth other wife in the
Scorpions which have no wings. It kils Lizards, Adders, Spiders ,
Whirls, and all kinde of Serpents, ^£lian. I. 8. c. 13. This kinde of Scorpion likewiie be-
ing applyed to a wound made by it felf, healeth it, as others do: and if the fmell of one
of them burnt come to other Scorpions, it diiveth them out of a houfe.
Its Generation is after the fame manner with theirs that have no wings, of which we flull
treat at large in the fecond Book.
The Ant is called by the Latines Formica a ferendw micis-, from carrying grains of coin,
faith Iftdore. The Greeks call it t*v?w*Z> wety*v, wt^v, QofUva., ?p^ w , and tphftfufyn* by
Hefyckm and Varinus; it is called in Hebrew, nVOJ ; in French, Fourmis; in Lf^lifh,
Ant-, Emmet-, Pifmire; in Spanifh, Hormiga ; in Italian, Formica; in the Slavonian and
Polonian Tongues Mrawenecz; in the Illyrian, Afpowka ; in Low Dutch, Mitre; in Plan-
drian, Labnets ; it Dutch, Omays, Omnes-, Eims. Now fome Ants are winged, fome with-
out wings. One of the Greeks call thofe that are winged (of which only we treat in this
Book) w'jjLtfias; another cals them oi^ot; they are named by Ariftotle lirmnv'fwm, and Am-
ply i«mt(» I. \..de Anim. part, by the Latines Equites-, becaufe of their exceeding fwiftnefs,
wherein they excel the others. They are of a larger body and bigger limbs than thofe
that go and have no wings, (whereupon Pliny-, if Imiflake not, call'd them Berculana) and
of a middle colour between black and fwart: they have four filver coloured wings ; their
uppermoft bigger and longer than their whole body ; their inner wings half fo big. I have
nothing that I write for certain, concerning thefe Indian flying Ants. For Authors them-
felves are uncertain, and many late writers, having travelled over almolt all India on foot,
have yet found none of thofe gold-horders and devourers of flefh ; Of which Megafthenes
hath recorded thus much : There are found (faith he) among the Dard Strabo, tAElian, and Pliny-, who gave fo much cre-
dit to lies carried to and fro and entertained, that they were not aflumed to put them
down even for truths. But patting over the Indian Ants, let us treat of thofe in Europe on-
ly; whole courfe of life, fights, victories, policies, prudence, fagacity, parfimony, cunning,
frugality, induftry, oeconomy, charity, fidelicy, civility, valour, and laborioufnefs I would to ^. fac .
the fhame of men reprefent here; but that it would be neceflary to repeat the fame things ani^Je^
in the fecond Book, when we fhall treat of thole that go, with which they agree in na- The way to
ture, and belong to the fame Common-wealth. With thefe Herculean Ants bruifed, and make the Oyi
Sale and Pepper put to them, the Manginefs, the Leprofie, and the Scurfe are cured. P/in. is ^ lind in
Oyl made of winged Ants, provoketh and (trengtheneth Venus. Wecker. To conclude, what- BmboTMon-
foever difeafes other Ants are good for (and they help very many, as you fhall read) the winged , a g i.^trali,
ones have the fame or greater ve: tue in curing of them. 1V.C.7.
Agatharfidestch us, that the Acridophagi or eaters of Locufts are not far diftant from the
inhabitants of the Redfea: which nation are of a lower ftature than others, lean of vifage,
and extream black. About the Verml i£quino6Ual, when the South-welt and Weft winds
blow with the Italians, an unfpeakable multitude of great Locufts is brought to them with
thofe winds, out of fome place unknown, which difrer little from birds in their faculty of
flying, but in the fhape of their body very much. With this fort of creatures they are nouri-
fhed all this fealbn, feeding upon them faked or otherwaies dreft. And they catch them by
fetching them down from the air to the ground with a fmoik. And thefe people are re-
ported to excel in nimblenefs and Iwiftnefs of foot : but taking a very dry nutriment, they
do not prolong their life beyond forty years, nay and dye more miferably than they lived;
for when old age drawes nigh, there breed in their bodies certain forts of flying Lice, in fi-
gure indeed like Dog-flies, but otherwife lefs; they begin at the breaft and the belly, and in
a fhort fpace eat up all the skin of their face. Others of them are taken like thole which
have the Itch, thereupon they tear themfelves grievoufly, and at length the dil'eafe being at a
Itay, and thin humours running at the coming out of thefe little creatures, they are fain
poor wretches to undergo intolerable torments : and fo by reafon either of ill humors, or
of their feeding, or of the badnefs of the air, they die. Huron. Mercurial, de morb. cut. ex Dio-
doro Siculo 4. Antiq. lib.
Chap. XXIX.
Of the ringed Tunie or WallLoufe.
WHen I had refolved to conclude this Hiftory of winged Infedts, we had three wood
Wall-lice of the ("heath-winged kinde brought to us, which we here reprefent upon
their backs, and upon their bellies. The back, the neck, the little
homes, and the fheathy cafes of the firlt are of the colour of a Leek;
its wings which are longer than its fheathy cafes, are between green
and yellow, as alfo its eyes and feet. The fecond is of a fwart co-
lour all over. The third hath its body varioufly coloured with black
and red; its little horns and feet coal-black: all of them do glitter
here and there with a golden brightnefs (which Pennius obferved not)
and feem to be of a very compact and tender body. They are found
fitting moft commonly upon Mallowes, fometimes upon other planrs
and trees that bear Apples like Pine-apples, as likewife upon the
Elm and the Willow. They copulate in the moneth of May tail to
tail, and are almoft a whole day about it. The male is lefs, the
female bigger and broader. They fly in the heat of the day faft
enough, but neither long nor far. There are bred with us ( faith
Cardane) in the grafs two Animals like Wall-lice, the one in fmell
but not in fhape ; the other in fhape but not in fmell : but neither
of them is of the fpecies of Wall-lice, becaufe they both fly. lib. de
variet. rer. But he that fhall obferve their ftink and outward fhape
of body, will not turn them out of the family of the Wall-lice, for
their wings fake : although indeed the field kindes are fix times as
big as thole in houfes. favobus Quickelbergius fent two other kindes
of them to Pennius from the parts about Vienna, which were waved
with a golden and black colour. Matthiolus not at all underitan i g
Sfff 3 Plinp
The Theater of InfeBs : or,
Book I.
Pliny j denieth that they have any vertue in them. But Pliny many waies commendeth the
garden Wall-lice, being reduced to allies and infufed in oyl of Rofes, a^ainft pains of the
■ ears. Palladia ufeth thefe with the Lees of Oyl, an Oxe Gall, Ivy-leaves and Oyl, for an
oyntment for the bitings of venomous Horfleeches. Let the head of the yard be put into
Oyl of Camomil pretty hot, in which Wall-lice have boyled ; then let the head of the
yard when it is taken out of the oyl, be anointed with pounded Garlick, and the patient
will certainly make water. Amoldus de villa nova /. 2. Breviarii, c. de Jlranguria & dy Curia.
Are not thefe to be taken for thofe Wall-lice, which the Dutch call Knolfters and Sual-
fiers ? And hitherto hath been faid what we know of winged Infects : ye Plr>terus's> Came-
rarius's, Clufws's, gmckelbergius's, and ye later and more laborious fons of Efculapus (whom
Phoebus moulded out of richer clay) if you have any thing which is here wanting make ad-
dition of it, according to your wonted courtefie and ingenuity, remembrin<* That of the
old Poet:
OF
lOJJ
Of the Divifton of the Second T3oo\
The Preface.
BY the clew of Dtdalus we are at laft got out of the Camps of
winged horfemen ; where fliould I relate with how many ftings
the Infects of the lower ranks have aiTaulted me, how much
they have troubled my brain, my right hand, my eyes, whileft
I accurately dilTe&ed and obferved all their parts, truly I fhould either
faint in rehearfing the wounds, or what I was refolvedin my minde to fi-
nirn, I fhould not be able to do. Wherefore, what valiant fouldiers are
Wont to do, whileft the wound is yet frefh and hot, we will break forth
into both Armies, and with better undertakings, Co far as may be, ftrivc
to overcome them. Thou O great God, who in the Inventory of thefe
fmalleft Creatures, makeft the moft excellent underftandings to ftand ama-
zed and ftupid- give me ftrength, that as by thygoodnefs I have mutte-
red thofe Infects that fly, by the fame I may be enabled to draw forth all thofe
Foot-forces that want wings ; Co that in all my labour, I may feem to have
no other end than to feek thy glory, to advance learning, and nothing
that concerns my own particular, but that I may finde thee in thele thy
works. Goto therefore bold Atheift, who art ignorant of God and the
Divine Perfection : endure, if thou canft, the biting of the Spider Thdait-
gmm y or of the Scorpion ; abide the pain of the Worm Scolopendra • fwal-
low down the Pine-tree Catterpiller, contend with Worms, defpile with
Herod, biting Lice, fo much as thou art able, atlaft thou malt finde that
there is no foot Souldier fo mean in this Army, that will not quickly
overcome all the forces of thy body and minde, and will make thy foul
mouth to confefs, by their miniftry, that there is a God. Thus then I
draw forth my Regiments, fo I mufter the Souldiers.
All
1028
Earth
Some with Feet-,
Thefe goe with many feet: The Catterptilers,
Beetles-) and fuch as are called Scaph'lyni.
Thefe goe with eight feet ' The Scorpion, tk
Spider.
J With fix : As Wafps, Glow-worms, the female
i Meloe ; alfo Worms in wood-, trees-, roots, fruits-*
I meats, garments, chambers, humors.
^Some without Feet : As Orip&y.™r, from the waving and vaulting motion, when it creeps,
Whereby it lifts up and contrails it felf. The Hebrews call it Gha*j*m-> becaufe it fheareth the
fruirs of the earth, as Kimhi faith on Joel the firfi-. The Italians call it Rugaverme-) and Bmcho-)
for fo faith Marcellus Virgilim upon Diofcorides. In our times, faith he,our whole Countrey cals
allkindesof Catterpillers Bruchi. The Spaniards call them Oruga ; the French, Chenille-, Chatte-
peleufc; the Englifh, by the name of Catterpillers ; but the Northern people call the hairy Cat-
terpillers Oxbuts ; the Southern call them Palmer-worms ; in the Poles language, a Catterpiller is
called Rap Liufenka ; in the German Tongue Ein Raup ; in Low Dutch, Raype j in Sclavonifh,
Gafienica; the Pefants call them Certrts-> and Cedebroa.
Ifhouldbe endlefs iflfhould add all kindes of Catterpillers; for fome feel rough, others The differ?^
foft, fome have horns, (and that either in their head or in their tail); fome are without horns ; ces.
fome have many feet, fome fewer, but none have above fvxteen feet. Molt of them move lwiftly
in a waving pollute ; yet others there arc that go even and flowly. Some do yearly change their
old skin, and others do not. Some are changed into Aurelia's fixed above the earth, whence are
bred your ordinary Butterflies, others are transfo r med under the earth, and become Glow-worms.
Alfolbme of their Aurelia's arefmooth and equal ; fome again are hairy and wrinkled, pointed
at the ends, (harp 5 fome (namely of the harder kinde) naked, but others (namely of the tendered)
are covered with mots or filken down. The mqft of them are bred of the eggs of Butter-fl ies,and
are changed into Aurelia's: fome are bred on the leaves of trees, of the proper feed left there in
the web in Autumn ; or of the dew or air fhi t up in it, and con upting there, as Vine-fretrers.
Some again feed on leaves, fome on flowers, and fome on fi uits. We, to exprefs both kindes of
Catterpillers, fhafl divide them into thole that are bred from other things ; and thole that are
bred from their own kinde alone. Such as are bred from other things, again, are either fmooth
or hairy; as alfo thole are that proceed from their own kindes. Amongft the imooth C acrer-
pillers, the Silkworm defervedlychallengeth the firll place.
1030 1 he 7 beater of Infetts: or, Book 1 1.
lib j.
that the vile rabble, clowns,
Oyfier-vpives-, herb-women-, Jhine in ftlk_fuits and gowns I
Nothing more common now for all than filk^attire,
Whhh waftes and burns mens hearts with continual fire.
In which words? chough our divine Poet, who was more cleT than the ancient Bards, doth
ring couch upon the Silk-worms, and paint them forth, yet he doth not defcribi them fo
fully, that it may fj ffice for the hiiiory of them. For Silk-worms are fmoorh Caccerpillers
almoft.ofa milky colour, with finall black eyes, and as you fee, with a fo ked mouth. The
fnOw white ones aie bred of Butte; flies eggs, which growing by degrees into little worms,
produce Si Ik- worms of the fame colour with Butcerflies. And chad may not repeat this again,
let it fi ffice that I h;ve once laid it ; the Butterfly is almoft alwaies of the lame colour with its
Catte pilli.-. That Butterfly forfaiting its Aurelia,as many eggs as it leaves, orfeeds (if yon
will) like to eggs, they bec6rneTo many Silk-Worms 1 afte. wares • which, if you cherifh them,
when they ae faltered by the Suns heat, and full fedwith Mulberry leaves, they will repay a
reward wo th yourcoft and care', namely a filken fleece. They breed fijft in Map in which
nioneth andrbe two following moneths, they devour a multitude of leives, and in eating as it
were by fucking-, they harden : when they are grown i p with plenty of nourishment, being be-
come able, they Ipin a moll fine web out of themfelves, likeco a Spiders web. Then againft
cold weather, they grow rough with hair, and make themfelves new thick coats for "Winter, by
the fharpnefs of their clawes, pulling the down of their skins into fleeces: then they thicken
and clofeit, carding it with their feet ; then they draw it out amongfl the boughs, and make it
fmallaswith a comb: laflly they take hold of this web, and wrap their body in it, making a
round nelf. Then men take them, and put them in earthen vefiels, and feed them with bran,
and fo there Spring up featheis of their kinde; which, fo loon as they are prepared with, they
are let to perform other tasks. But the Spinning wo k they began, growes pliable by moisture,
and is fpi n into th r eds on a final Spindle. Some women do ufe to draw it forth into yarn, and
then they weave it. Pamphila the daughter of Latous was the firft that was reported to have
woven in the Tfland of Co. Alfo Pliny reports that Silk-worms are bred in that lfland, Plin. lib.
] r. cap. 23. the flowers of the Cyprefs, Turpentine, Afh, Oake-trees, being beaten down to
the ground by fhowres, whence they receive life. Though women were the nrft invenrers of
this Art, yet men are not afhamed to wear thefe garments for lightnefs in Summer. The
cullomesof men arefo far degenerate from Arms, that their very cloathes are grown burthen-
fome. The thinner and fofter the leaves are they feed upon, the finer Silk thefe Silk-worms
make : w herefore amonglt the people of Seres in Scythia, the mofl foft garments are made ;
which we call filken, as MarceUinm wicnefleth, lib.Bift.il. In India alfo and in <^gypt there
is great plenty and ufe of them, and are brought from thence to the Spaniards and Italians, being
thegreatefl caufe ofwantonnefs amonglt mortals. So often as I conlider, that Some ten thou-
fands of Silk- wo;ms labouring continually night and day, can hardly make three ounces of Silk,
fo often do 1 condemn the exceffive proful-on and hrxurioufnefs of men in fuch coft ly things wlio
defile with dirt, Silks and Velvets, that were formerly the ornaments of Kings, and make no
moie reckoning of them now, than of an old tattered cloak, as if they were afhamed to
efteem better of an honourable thing than of abafe, and were wholly bent upon wafle. The
The Name, (jieeks call this Catterpiller mt» and Bombyx, which name is become Latine. The
Italians call it ligatto ; the Spaniards, Guafano della feda; the French, Ver a Soye ; the Ger-
mans, Ein Scyde worme; the Lnglifh, Silkworm. Amongft whom a Silken habit is fo much
loved and valued, that they defpife their own Wool, (which compared with Silk, is not con-
temptible, and is the molf profitable and the greatefl merchandile of the Kingdome.) But
time will make them forgoe this wantonnefs, when they fhall obierve that their moneys are
treafured up in Italy at that time, when they ftand in need of it for cheir private or publick af-
fairs. This is a pleafant thing and worthy to be noced, that the head of the Silk-worm, makes
the tail of the Butterfly in that golden colouredMetamorphofis, and the tail the head; which al-
fo happeneth in all other Catterpillars that are changed into an Amelia.
CHAP
Ch a p. i. Of kjfer living Creatures. ! 03 1
The Theater of Infefts: or,
Book II.
Chap. II.
Of the reft of the fmooth Catterpillers.
ALL the other fmooth Catterpillers, are either green or yellow, or reddifh, or dark, or va-
lious colours. The chief Catterpiller of the green, is that which hangs upon the Privet;
a circle furromidsthe face of it, and all
its feet ; and it hath a horn turned back-
Wards in the tail. They are black and
red, fpots are made athwart their
fides, they are half purple, half white;
the lmall fpots are red, but their whole
body appears green. That upon the
Elder-tree differs not much from it,
but that it is altogether green, except
thofe overthwart fpots very white,and
fome little points like milk. It chiefly
feeds on the reddifh coloured El-
der.
.The third, th.u is all green, when Autumn comes is
transformed into a blackifh cafe : it feeds on the
fofter Pot-heibs, efpecially on Lettice, whence w&call
it the Lettice Catterpiller.
The fourth upon the Medlar-tree is lefs, all over green, draw-
ing ic felf into an afh-coloured cafe, all befprinkled with moft
black fpots.
The fifth is lead of all, fpins itsthreds on trees, (efpecially upon
the Oake, and defcends by them upon the heads of thofe thac
pals along, and intangles their hats and cloathes : a very little
creature, molt noted in Summer, and obvious every where, when the
fall of the leaf is at hand; he wraps himfelf in a courfe web, and
being fhut up in a red and green cover Jie dieth in Winter. He hath
but ten feet, as all the reft that went before had.
We call them yellowifh, that are moft part yellow : fuch thefe
Tellowifi ' figures prefent you with, which is kept, wherefoever they are void
are s- - of black, overcaft that with a paler yellow, and you have their
figures painted. They live on fofter leaves, efpecially on the
»• ; Tie 1 -tree.
J 'inula
G h a p. 2. Of lejfer living Greaturet*
Vimla is next in order ; which is a moft delicate Catterpiller, and beautiful beyond belief, we VinttU*
have found it on the Willow feeding greedily, the lips and mouth of it are a pale yellow, the eyes
arc fiery, the forehead is purple, the feet and the lower body green, the tail is forked, blacker
than grapes, the whole body is fpottedas with thick and dark red wine, which parting from the
neck crofsway to the very tail, a moft white line doth wonderfully adorn it.
The Catterpiller called Porcellus-, Dark. 2.
is black, brown, efpecially the grea-
ter, but the letter bath the circles
white. Frequently they are found
on the leaves of meadow Trifolie,
and they devour them with wonder-
full fwiftnefs.
Three various colours are chiefly obferved : the y ar i 0MSC{
firft hath a blewifh face, and very black eyes, the i ouret i IC
outward skin of the back is gray ifh, much befprin-
kled with black and yellow fpots : it is changed
into an Aurelia of a bright bay garnifhed with a
white fmall membrane : it loyeth Cabbidge and
allkindeofTurneps.
The fecond hath the head and feet and tail very
black, being chequered with yellew ; the cheque-
rings that are painted oii them inwardly, are di-
ftinguifhed by channels black and gray, drawn long-
waies by turns. It loveth Fennei,and Annifeed,and
Cummin.
f The third is gf een from white, buncht as ic go-
eth along, for it hath only fix feet on both fides, as
thofe before. It is changed into an Aurelia fet with
pricks, of a dark colour. It confumes Olives.
The fourth feeds on Dragon-wort, and refembles
afpotted Viper : it goes alwaies with the head up-
right, and leans chiefly on its breait. It loves Bui-
ruftves, and plants that bear down, and are bred in
rivers.
If you paint the ribs defcending of the fifth kinde
with old Minium, there will be few things in the
pi£ture that fhall not agree with the truth.
In the fixth what you fee white, paint with Ocre.
Both of them delight in the black Poplar-tree, and
feed greedily on it,
Tttc The
The Theater dfltifefts : vr, ! ^ Bo b jt II
The chamferings bred in the feventh,
muftbe white from yellow ; all the reft of
the body is of a dark colour, and changeth
it felf into an Aurelia, of a light red co-
lour.
The eighth feems of the colour of
afhes, waving out of black : it makes a cafe
between black and a bright red, whence
growes a etofty coloured 'Glow-worm.
The ninth is various, and defervedly
thought fo : the roundles of the incifions
are green ; the horn of the tail is bent back-
wards,and is of a bright blew ; under which
a red coloured fpot ferves to make it beau-
tiful : the middle part of the incifions is
afhes colour. Laftly,an Aurelia is included
ofamurry colour. We found this in the
highway; it delights in the field Crow-
foot.
The tenth is gray and black; for what
is here white, lay gray upon it, and it will
reprefent the creature. It is changed into
afpiralcaft, of a weak blew colour j the
roundles being fomewhat red -and it comes
next to the form of" a horn fafhion peri-
winkle*
The fmooch Catterpiller comes from the wilde night-fhade (which the Italians call Btlla-
donna) of a green^nd yellow colour, it hath a horn in the forehead as long as ones finger, which
Cardamts relates that he favv often.
Chap. III.
Of Catterpiller s rough and hairy.
THofe, with hairs are themoft mifchievous of all : fomeare very thick of hair, others thin-
ner; whereof I here afford you the kindes. Amongft thofe of the rhicker hair, are wal-
kers up and down, fuch as are upon Nut-tree leaves, Pine-trees; fuch as have fayl-yards, fuch as
are called NeuftrU, Pear-eaters ; fuch as are upon Nettles, Cabbage, Hedges, feeders on Pop-
lar, fuch as lofe their skins, fuch as are amongft Marigolds, black and green, erf . Thofe that
have thinner hairs are Echini) dwellers amongft Fennel, eaters of bufhes, half white: of which
we fhall fpeak in order.
Pityocampesy that is, Catterpillers on the Pitch and Pine trees, are as thick a mans little fin-
l ger,and as long as the breadth of three fingers. They have eleven incifions between their heads
and tails, and they have fixteen feet like the reft, namely about the head on both fides three, on
; the middle of their bodies on both fides four, and at the ends of their tails on both fides one : but
: the firrt are crookedand mull, wherewith they try their way, the reft are broader and jagged like
favves, that they may ftick the fafter to the boughs. The head is like an Ant,the reft like common
Catterpillers ; they are rough with hair and encompafled on all fides with ftraight briftles: the
hairs bred on the lr fides are white, they fhine on their backs; the middle pare whereof is ador-
ned with fpots like to eyes ; the briftles being fhaved off', there is a black skin underneath, their
hairs very flender, yet they prick more lharply than a nettle> and caufe very great pain, heat, a
Feaver, pricking, unquietnefs. For the poyfori enters fuddenly without any fenfe of the wound,
and is carryed to the parts next the bowels. They fpin fine webs like to Spiders, drawing and
rdifpofing their threds with their fore-feer, Towards night they go under thefe, as they were
tentsi
Chap. 5, Of leffer living Creatures*
tents, that they may efcape the inconveniencies of cold and ttorms. The matter of this tent is
fofalt and fine, that it is nor in danger by the greatett winds, nor is it fob'd with rain: and it is
fo fpacious, that a thoufand Catterpillers may be under it. They make their netts in the fmall
boughs of the Pine and Pitch trees 3 where they live not folitary as others do, but by flocks :
which way fo ever they bend their courfe, they fpin and carry their thred for the web along
with them; and at break of day, if it be but fair weather, the great ones accompany the lefler
by troops, and having made the trees void of leaves, for they confume them all, they labour
hard in weaving. Only thefe plagues of the Pine and Pitch trees do not meddle with other Cone
Apple trees. In Mount AthosjCciz woods of T rent-, and in the vallies beyond the Alps they abound
very much, by reafon of plenty of leaves for their nourifhment, as Matthiolm witnefleth. They
are truly molt venomous creatures, whether you touch them outwardly with your hands, or they
be given inwardly. They were of old etteemed fo certainly to be poyfon, that Vlpian interpre-
ting the Cornelian Law concerning private murderers, fet clown amongtt them to be pumfhed
thofe that give a Pine Catterpiller to drink. Sett. Alium.jf. ad leg. Com. de fic. When one hath s »2 nJ °* *
fwallowed a Pine Catterpiller, the pain grievoufly affli&s both the mouth and palat ; the tongue, ^i" e e r ^ r an"
belly and (tomach are greatly inflamed by the corroding poyfon: alfo a wonderful pain vexeth andthccure
them, though at firft they feemed only to feel a pleafant kinde of tickling : great heat follow-
eth, loathing of meat, and a perpetual defire to vomit, but ineffectual. At length if it be not
helped,they bum the body, and make the ttomach crufty almott like to Arfenick. Diofi. Aetius,
Plin.Celf.Gal. alfo 11.ftmpl.c5. and dvic.fof.cap.25. Hence it is that Aetius and ^gineta
held it dangerous to fet the table for meat under the Pine-tree,or for to flay there, lett perhaps by
the reak of the meat or vapour of the broth, or by noife of men, thefe Pine Carterpillers fhould
be moved and fall down upon the meat, orfhouldletfall their feeds, that are as deadly asthem-
felves. They that are hurt by thefe mutt ufe the remedies againft Cantharides, for the fame
means will cure them : but properly oyl made of Quinces, called melinum-, and oyl Olive, is to be
drank twice or thrice to caufe vomit, as Diofcorides from Aetius hath prefcribed. They are
bred, or rather regenerated, as Vine-fretters are, from Autumnal feed left in the web in certain
bladders, or from the Vine-fretters themfelves corrupted, as Scaliger thought.
Now we proceed to walkers about. We call thofe walkers, who have no certain houfes or
food : wherefore they do fomething fuperftitioufly wander like pilgrims, and like to Mice, they
alwaies feed on others meat, wherefore the Englifh call them F aimer-worms-, namely for their
wandring life, for they dwell no where, though by reafon of their hair they are called Bear-
worms. They will not be tied to any kinde of flowers or leaves, but they pafs on boldly, and
tafte of all plants and trees, and feed where they pleafe.
Firft thofe white fpots which we fee
in their fides, mutt be fuch really; the
whole body is black, all the inward hairs
mutt be fomewhat yellow, but all the
uppermoft on the back mutt be hoary,
except thofe three ranks that are bred
in the neck near the head, for they have
the fame colour with the hairs of the bel-
ly. Out of the Aurelia of this comes
forth the Butterfly which you fee here :
whofe colour, figure, and nature, we de-
fcribed in the Book before.
The fecond, if you make the neck and
belly, and the hair there growing, yel-
low, you need do no more. The cover
of it feems dusky, the eggs are pale. We
explained the Butterfly that growesfrom
thence in the former Book.
The third is, the whole body
and hair, dusky yellow, but thac
the fpots on each flde being ob-
liquely made in each incifion
lie hid, and the head being of a
light red, is adorned with a cer-
taia white fork.
Tttt %
The
T beT beater of InfeBs : or, Book II.
The fourth hath his billy affid lower
hairs dusky- the back and upper hairs are
yellow from dusky, a double forked line
in the face referr.bles the colour of whey,
or milk mingled with water.
The fifth hath a bright bay colour in
the face, the fides of the belly hoary, a
body various with fmall yellowifh fpots,
and above thefe with black 5 yellow hairs
come forth like fmall rags ; they are
fharp, and growing more fharp pointed
from the middie : it hurts much the
neighbouring herbs and the corn.
The fvxth is a brown colour 'd, if the
incifions were not died with black and
white fpots here and there ; the hairs are
bred above and bene ith, and fet after a
law fafhion ; they are very rough and
hard; but they are of the colour of the
body.
The feventh hath a black skin, yet it hath hairs
fomething of a dirty colour, I ufe to call it the Penfill,
becaufe on both tides of trie forehead, and alfo in the
rump a ioft penfil breaks forth of a crow-black co-
lour: but thofe wedge fafhioned eminences that you
lee in the back, are white as milk at the root, other-
wife fomewhat black.
The eighrh holds forth a Moufe colour, on whofe
back thole feven joynts refemble it.
The ninth-is a ftrange and rare colour : for all the in-
cihons are painted with various colours one from ano-
ther, yet mingled one with another, which a fiher
(hid doth adorn feverally one by one.
The tenth is amongft the f ports of Wanton nature,
not lefs elegant than it is rare, being (freaked with
black, green, blew, yellow ridges, and fmooth firings ;
which l'ome golden fpots do wonderfully illuftrate:
it hath very foft hair, of an admirable and moft plea-
fin g f re fhnefs ; it hath a purple cover fortified with a
fmall membrane.
Sup
Of leffer livingCreatures.
1037
Suppofe the white incifions of the eleventh to be green as
Leeks, and paint the skin and hairs half green.
The Nut-tree Catterpillar is of a bale green, except three
black fpots between the joynts, and that horn at the end of the
back, and growing as it were on the rufllp, which receives a
frefh rofe colour. Itefpecially fits on the leaves of the Hazel-
nut, whence we call it Cory/aria. I faw two kinder of them,one
was a full, the other a paler green.
The manifold delicacy of Nature fhines forth in thefe, td
which though it giveth them the face of a Moor or ^ajptian,
yat it affords them a garment that is of changeable colours, Ali-
ning in divers works and real art ; in the forehead, the hairs
are knit as into knotty locks, and refemble the lail-yard : the
like are found in the extremity of their backs. The skin is like
the rain-bow, and fhines in circles deeply died with purple,
which nature hath fafined to the fides like broad ftuds ; the hairs
bred in the skin, fhine like the Sun, and dazle our eyes ina clear
day.
We received two NeuftrU out of Nor*
mandy, the firft had a face of a blew co-
lour, and the body ridged with white red
and gray ftreaks ; the hairs are comely
with a golden fhining colour. The lef-
fer rolled together ,is like an Urchin ; the
head is cole4)lack, the body is varioufly
fpotted with little blew fpots ; the hairs
refemble a Saffron luftre.
This corrupts the buds of the pear tree,
h iving a black fmudged face ; the body is
adorned with fome black red white ridge? ;
in the middle as it were of the fhoulders,
and to the endalmoft of the back, little
fwellings or bunches ariie of black and
blew colour, fprinkled with white fpots. The Eggs from whence they breed are a bright bay
colour, which is alio the colour of the Amelia, and of the hair. We faw another of the fame
kinde, but only it had a bunch on the back.
We call that half white, which is by nature yellow
from the head to half the back, and the reft white as •
a Lilly. The belly is yellow and afh-coloured, adorned
with ftuds,and checquered in the middle.
If you touch the feet of the Nettle Catterpiller lightly
with a fading yellow,the figure will differ little from the
natural: it hath hard upright hairs'growing like thorns,
they wound with a fmall touch, and at firft they caufe a
pleafant itching, but venomous ; but after that a pain
hard to be endured. Some maintain that it is more ve-
nomous than the Pine-tree Catterpiller.
Tttt 3
On
The Theater of Infetfs :or, B o o k 1 1.
On a Cabbage a Catterpiller breeds with a
bright blew head, his body is marked with two
yellow branches on both fides ; between which a
grayifhplatasit were, feerhs to be fpotted with
iome black feeds : the hairs obtain the colour of
the Aurelia, which is allies colour.
Here we fhew you two hedge Catterpillers,the
greater hath a face Saffron coloured, but 'that tri-
angle you fee in place of its nofe, was Lilly colou-
red: the bouy is varied with fpots, white, yellow,
red and black, (which we have expreffed) placed in
no order ; it is rough with yellowifh hairs \ it
devours the leaves of hedges and makes them
naked : where at length, leaving a bottom of yarn
of courfer filk, fhe drawes her ielf into a cafe of
a bay colour, as into a fepulchre. The Iefler hath
a countenance blew ifh, as alfo the whole body,
except that it hath fpots black and white; it hath
hairs of the fame colour with the former.
Thefe have fewer hairs : namelpCranesbill-eater C after filler, St. James wort Catterpiller-, Sayl-
yard, Vrchim Bramble Catterpillers, and that little horn beafl, which the Germans call Ho.n-
worm.
We have here fet down exactly the form
and magnitude of the Cranesbill-eater, you
muff make the white fpots that adorn its bl.ic k
girdles of an iron colour ; and paint the belly
and feet, and the white fpace between the gir-
dles, with a Leek-green colour. Camerarua
fent this to Penning with this fubfcription :
A great Catterpiller-, feeding only on wilde herbs >
and is efpecially an enemy to Crowfoot Cranesbill
in the Marijhes.
The body of the Sayl-yard is various ; from the head to the third inci-
fion, you would fay he were fmeered with chalk, in the five following
with amy dark colour, and on the three laft with white lead; the fayls
are made of hairs as it were platted together, the like itand up at the
end of his back like a creft : Thofe four tufts on the ba-ck are made of
hairs alio growing in order like to teeth.
St. James wort Catterpiller, or that which eats
the greater Groundfel ; with the head and feet of a
decayed purple colour,the belly of a pale green,hath
the body of an unpleafant fading green, and adorned
with black yellow and fiery coloured fpots ; the co-
lour of the hair agree with the belly.
I have obfervedtwo kindes of Urchins, one of a blewifh green,the other a minted white
The firftofthe Urchin CatterpiUers hath a checquered body,varied
with black and yellow; the thorny briftles feem yellow, when Au-
tumn comes it is transformed into an afhy coloured Aurelia.
Thefecondisperfeaiy like an Urchin, half the back, namely the
firft half, is black from yellow, the latter is white from yellow, iL
hath pricks very (harp and thick, of a grayifh colour. \
Nature hath painted the bramble Catterpiller afhy black, on both
fides with three ridges of a pale yellow colour; the hairs are ve-
ry thin, and altogether black,
There
Cw A P. 4.
Of lejfer living Creatures.
1039
There is alfo the horn Catterpiller, who hath many green' fpot$ from yellow, the hairs bred
on the middle of the back are hoary, but the horn is notched and red
Many divei lines there are of thefe
Catterpillers ipon rlie Miilltn, hop.
Pile-wort, Bittei-fweet, Nightshade,
Elder, tlni, Bahll, Tythimals, and ai-
molt every herb hath its particular (fa-
vouring Cattcrpiller : which,that I may
not p. ove tedious, 1 overpafs, as well
enough known. I never had the hip
to fee the (linking Catrerpillcr of Gef-
nert delcribed by him in thefe wods,
as I have it in writing: It is, faith he,
mod like the horned Catterpiller, but
it diners fomething in the nans and
colour. I took one creeping on a wall
at the end of Auguft in 1550. It fends
forth a filthy fmelJ, that you would
verily believe it were venomous: ic
was angry, and with its two forefeet it
held the head alwaies upright : I think
it isblinde, it was a finger long, and
thick, it was rough on the back and
fides, with a few haiis fcattering on
them; the back was black- the colour
of ,the belly and fides was reddifh from
yellow : the whole body is diRingui-
fhed by fourteen diftindt knots : all
thefe joynts again have a prop or wrin-
kle over the back 3 it hath a black fome-
whathard head, the mouth is forked
and denred, orfaw-fafbioned ; whatfoe-
ver it catcheth with thefe nippers, it
bites it : it goes on fixteen feet, as moft
of the Catterpillers do, without doubt
it is venomous. Vergerus thought it to
be the Pine-Catterpiller; others thought
it was Scolopendra. But its number of
feet will not let it be Scolopendra. I
could fcarfe endure the fmell while I
took the defcription alive : it did fo in-
fe£ two (loves with an extreme and
intolerable (link, that I could not ftay
to endure it: fo fayeth Gefner.
Chap. IV.
Of the original, breeding, nourishment, aid change of Catterpillars.
Ear book, the faithfull witnejfe of my pain-,
Let not the purple red thy fair cheeks fiain }
Whileft I in tables paint the rude worms race-,
And fuch as change their skins into a cafe.
For thefe by Gods wife hand created are ;
Which in fmall things is wonderful and rare-,
And more to be admired in Worms, than Whales-,
Or Elephants^ Leviathan with fcalest
dArm d as with harnejfe } flrong as iron bars>
And roars like thunder terrible in wars ;
who drinks the fea-, and fpervs it ftp again-,
Compard with worms-) will be #dmird in vain*
So Ifhill begin with our Poet, who obferved a divine power in Catterpillers from their
Original ; which while'!: divers Authors have diverfly exprefled, I know not into how great
dark*
A
1040 The 1 beater of InfeBs: or, Book 11.
darknefs they have caft us. Arifiot. 5. Bifi. 19. vvrires, that they begin from green leaves of
he.bs, as Lorn Cabbage, or Raoifh : namely by a feed like Millet left there in Autumn, whence
little Worms proceed. From thefe Worms in three daies fp'ace Catterpillers breed at the end
Of the Spring ; which being augmented and nourifhed fufficiently, they leave off moving, and at
the beginning of Autumn they change their form and life for an Aurelia. Pliny faith that dew
thicknedby heat of the Sun, is left upon the leaves, whence he derives all kindes of Catterpil-
lers, to whom Arnold™ agrees : others fay they all come from Butterflies ; which fo foon as they
come forth of their Aureliae, they thruftfoith (above or beneath the leaves hard by) fome e^s
(the barbarous call them Turds) and thefe are greater or lei's, accordingto their bodies (fomcof
thefe have blew fliels, fome yellow, fome white o; black, green or. red) infourteen daies they
are hatched by heat of the Sun, and the fhell breaking, they thruft forth fmall Catterpillers like
very fmall Worms, but coloured: at firft beginning they are very hungry, and do nothing but
devour leaves and flowers, efpecially of thole herbs and plants where they were left me^o.s,.
But I fhould maintain that they are not bred only one way, but all thefe waies : for though Ari-
Jlotlcs doctrine feems to fome not acute enough, that the Cabbage little Worm grows to be a
Catterpiller; yet it is not againft rerfon; for as nature fi cm an egg, fo from a worm fhe-pro-
duceth a more perfect living creature, as perfecting, not as corrupting. For though the worm be
not that it was before, (as is clear to fenie) yet as much as can be peceived, it is both what it
was, and is nowfomewh.it mere, for a Worm doth not dye that a Catterpiller may be bred:
bat adds a greater magnitude to its former body and feet, colour, wings; lolife remaining, it
gets other parts, arid other offices : fo the ofi-fpring of man ( I ufe Scaligers words ) after
fome daies at firft of amanin^jfe, is made a man actually ; you muft underltand its generation
in which time the intelledtive ioul doth not yet act, but it bears the fame proportion to a man
that fhall be, as a Worm doth to a Catterpiller or Bee. So alio Pennim derided the opinion of
Pliny > when he writ that Catterpillers we e bred of dew, yet all Philofophers with one con-
fent agree, that the more imperfect fmall creatures are bred of dew. And not without caufe.
For the Sun by heating acts, being like the form, and the humour is like the matter. The Suns
heat is different from the hie, for it gives life, or it prefetves the foni^in their likenefs. For the
dew hath the proportion and foftmfs of the air, where Theophraftnt alledgeth the affect of foftnefs (in his
Book of Plants) as proper for generating air. Alfo nothing is morenourifhing than dew,by which
alone fome little creatures live : which alio the divine Poet laid ; How much doth dew lay up in
the night ! Therefore as it is humour, it is the matter, as it is thin, it enters, as it is drawn by the
Sun,andconco6fed,itis the fitter for generation ; for the preparation of the form carries the
matter along with it, and thefe going together itfals out that a living creature is generated. And
it is not only an ofi-fpring of dew, but the daughter of Butterflies, as we faid, and as experience
teflifieth : and the gieateft part of Catterpillers come from them,be(ides the Cabbage and Vine-
fretters, few a r e bred otherwife. For thefe that the Greeks call "imt, are made of dew, or a
humour fhut up in webs and putrefying, eipecially when the wind is Eaft, and the air warm, that
halineth corruption. For then i\ ch a mighty army of them breaks forth in our Countrey,that
we cannot truly fay or think fo many could be bred any way but from corruption. They are
all gluttonous devourers of herbs and trees: whence Philip the Parahte boalls of himfelf in
Athen&m in his Pythngo:ift, for feeding on Thyme and Porherbs-, I am a Catterpiller. (JWartial
fpeaks to the lame purpofe, One gar den -will hardly feed a Catterpiller. When their time of eating
is over, they wander up and down here and there hungry, and by degrees growing lean with hun-
ger, fome within, fome above the earth, feek for a fit place, whe : e they are transformed into an
Aurelia coveied with a Membrane) and hanging by a thred, or into a bare cafe; if this happen
in the midftof Summer, after 24 daies the fhell breaking, a Butte fly prefently flies out: but
if Autumn be well fpent, the Aurelia lafts all the Winter, and fhuts out nothing till the heat of
the Spring. Yet all Catterpillers are not changed into Aurelia's, but fome are contracted (as
Vine-f etters) and corrupt, from whom oft-times three blackifh eggs fall, that are the mothers
of Flies or Cantharides : when your Butter-flies copulate very late, they bring forth eggs
(even nnrill the next Spring) that have life, (if you take diligent care of them) as itisufualin
Silk-worms whofe eggs are fold commonly amongft the Spaniards by ounces, and pounds.
TheophraftMs diftinguifheth the transformation of thefe Catterpillers rightly in thefe words,
in his ferond of Plants: Firft, of a Catterpiller is made an Aurelia, and of this a Butterfly,
then of that a Catterpiller again. But whether this Aurelian Chryfallis be a living creature or
not, we fhall difpute when we come to fpeak of Infects without feet.
Chap. V.
Of the quality and ufe of Catterpillers, and of their Antidotes.
ALL Catte-pillets have a burning quality and pilling of the skin, and railing of blifters. The
moll deadly is the PineCatte'rpiller, yet theyareall venomous, but lealt of all thole that
arc fmooth ^d without hair. The daughter of Caliw fecundm being at Bafil (faith Gefner)
when
Ch a p. 5.
Of leffer living Creatures.
when fhe hid devoured fome Cabbage Catterpillers in the garden, after much vomiting, her bil-
ly fwelled, the fwelling troubled her many years, and no cuie would be found for it. William Tur-
ner 1 Pivine and a teamed Phyi.cian, the happy father of one Peter who was born to give phyiick
to Phyfick ic felt, preiciibed a purging potion for a noble Woman of England, by the
help whereof fhe vomited up a hury Catte rpiUer, which being iwallowed by negligence, had
long arreted her with cruel torments : yet we may remember (faith Marcellns Virgilins) that
there are beiflsinthe feiofthe fame names, and called Cattcrpillers,and aie far from being' poy-
fon j and amongfl thole men that live by the fea fide, are the lafl difh at their tables. We have
fhevved remedies againfl the mifchievcus and venomous ones before, in the Hiftofies of Can-
tharides, Bupveflis, and Pityocampcs, for they admit of, and require the fame cure. If you would
have your garden or trees free from them, what webs you fee hang on the naked boughs you mult
fweep oft 7 in Winter; for if you let them remain till the Spring, they will breed before you can
remove them. In a Ihort fpacethey devour all green things, and confume the flowers: fome
anoint their trees with the gall of a green Lizard,or of a Bull,which as ir is commonly reported,
they cannot endure. The Countreymen ufe to liifle them with fome brimflone and Araw let a
fire under the trees. The earth dug up under the root of the great bearing malt tree, if it be
fti ewed m a garden, drives away Catterpillers, faith Hildegard. I fhould pafs over the Remedy
Columella hzzh prefcribed, as a fhamelefs deluhon of Democritus, did not Pliny and almofl all the
red approve of it, who meddle with husbandry : the words are thefe :
IO4I
But if againfl this plague no Art prevail,
TheT rojan Arts willdn't, when others fail.
A woman barefoot with her hair untied.
And naked breads mufl tvalk^ ai if fie cried-,
zAnd after Venus /ports fhe muft furmmd
Ten times, the garden beds and orchard ground,
When fhe hath done, 'tis wonderful to fee,
The Catterpillers fall off from the tree,
As fafl as drops of rain, when with a crook.
For Acorns or Apples the tree ts /book.
They touch not Plants that are befprinkled with Wine.' Theophrafi. They prefently dye with
thefmoke of the herb Pfora. Aetius. Hence it appears (faith Silviw) that the vulgarly called
Scabious, is not Pfora. The Cabbage is free from Catterpillers, if it be fenced with Vetches.
The Worms found in Fullers Teafels,make them fall if they but touch the Cabbage Catterpillers.
Pliny. Strew your Cabbage with Nitre, or fak earth, whilelt it hath loft but three leaves, or fire w
it with allies, and by the faltnefs of it, it will drive away Catterpillers. Geopon. Palladia in
this matter prefers the Fig-rree allies. If Crabs or river Crevifh, were hanged up and expofed to
the Sun for ten daies, they will drive Catterpillers from Pot herbs. Cardan out of Palladim.
Others wet the feeds juft before they fet them, in the bloud of a Catterpiller, or the juice of
Marjoram, to free them from Catterpillers. A fea Onion fet or hung in a garden, hinders the
Catterpillers from breeding.^ Some low Mints, others Vetches, others Wormwood about their
gardens to drive away Catterpillers. Some not without caufe, haveColeworts and Garlick leaves
in ther gardens, by the fume whereof fpreid every way the Catterpillers fall down. Palladim,
where any man may eahly-read of'many remedies againit them. If a Horfe devour them, fwel-
lings arile, the skin of him grows dry and hard, his eyes hollow, faith Herocles, and he prefcribes
this remedy : Ton muft take the /harpefi Vinegar and Nitre three quarters of a pint, Vitriol a fourth
part', mingle them and anoint the Horfe s body, be careful that it enter not into his eyes. Now we
fhall Ypeak of the ufe of them in Phyfick, and in the Common-wealth. The Catterpillers web
and covering (like to filk) being drank flops a womans courfes. Math. If it be burnt and put
into the noitrils, it flops bleeding at the nofe. The Catterpiller feeding on Privet, doth not
only in a Arange manner allure the Carp, if it be put on the hook for a bait, but alfo the dung of
it put into the noftt ils, prefently helps the falling ficknefs in women, that proceeds from the
Matrix, as I was told by a Midwife that was very experienced, and worthy to be believed. The
Catterpillers that are upon Spurges (in the opinion of Hippocrates) are very good for purulent
wombs, efpecially if they be dried in the Sun, with the double weight of dunghil Worms, and
addin^ a little Annifeed, bringing them into powder, and infuiing them in the belt white Wine,
andio giving them tod; ink. But heavinefs following in the belly with numbnefs, let the Pa-
tient drink a little water and honey after it. Hippocrat. lib. de fuperfcet. prefcribes thofe ordina-
ry Catterpillers that are in troops to be given in drink againfl the Quinfey. Diofcor. lib. x.cap. 90.
Butunlefs they do profit by their fecret quality, I think they are to be rejected for their open
quality, efpecially in that difeafe. The Germans know that the hairy Catterpiller dried and pow-
dered, flops the flux of the belly. Nicander ufeth them to procure deep.- for fo he write?.
And Jeremy Martini thus tranllates him :
Stamp but with oyl thofe Worms that eat the leaves-,
Whofe backs are painted with a greenifh hue,
Anoint your body wittit, and whilefi that cleaves,
Ton (ball with gentle jleep bid cares adieu.
There are in prickly and hairy plants, fuch as the Nettle is, fome downy and hairy Catter-
pillers, by tradition are held to cure children, when they cannot fwallow their meat for ftrai =£tj
The Theater of Infe&s: or y B o o k 1 1.
nefs of their jaws. A Catterpiller that lives on Pot-herbs being bruifed and anointed where a
Serpent hath (lung, is very good. Avicen. If you rub a rotten tooth often with a Cabbage
Catterpiller, it will foon fall out of it felf, faith the fame Author. Catterpillers mingled with
OyU drive away Serpents. Diofcor. If you anoint your hands or other parts with the lame Oyl,
it will keep them from being hurt by Wafps or Hornets. Aetitts. Pliny citeth many fuperilitious
things from the opinion of Magicians concerning the vertue of Catterpillers ; which becaufe I
fee they are call forth of the Schools of Divines, and I in my judgement do fecretly difavow them>
I will not repeat them here. They are meat alfo for divers Birds that we eat, and are ufeful for
us, as namely Choughs, Starlings, Peacocks, Hens, Thrufhes, to fay nothing of Trouts, Robbin-
red-brefts, Tenches, Carps, Pikes, which are eafily deceived by a Catterpillar bait. And
if youdefireto know the waies of deceiving them; tezTerentinusmGeopon. who is there (that I
may not overpafs the Phylick of the foul given by Catterpillers) that hath not fungof Gods mer-
cies fhewed to the wandring Ifraelites, when all Egypt fwarm'd and was even drowned with the
deluge of them ? Alio amongft the Romans there was twice in one Summer fuch a cloud of
Catterpillers, Anno i 570. that put them in great fear, for they left no green thing in their fields,
but devoured all. Though the fruitfulnels of the next year did blot out the memory of this grie-
vous punifhment, yet we may not doubt but it put many oT them in minde to lead better lives.
God grant that we may efcape by being corrected in the punifhment of other men. Let us
think no creature of God to be contemptible, for God can, ifheple.ife, make the fmalleft the
greateft judgement.
CHAP. VI.
Of the Whurfoorm.
THE Greeks call it Sfor«W*» j which Gaza interprets by Venicillm: Pliny changeth not the
Greek word, but cals it Sphondylam ; the Germans Eugerle-, as George Agricola teacheth.
Gefner writes it was called Treaer, becaufe it goeth diverfly with fawed feet. The Northern
Englifh call it Andever ; the Southern, Whurlveorm, that is, a whirl or little hairy Worm with
many feet : Vincenti us cals it Zuvarola, becaufe it hurts gourds : Pliny was in an error, that makes
this a Serpent, fince the kinde of life and reafon it felt numbers it amongft Infects. Should I
here add the differences between Gaza, Pliny->Theophraftus-> Abfyrtus, Phavorinus, andtheScho-
liaft on Ariftophanes, zndErafmus, concerning the nature and form of this Whurl worm, I fhould
indeed trifle, and rather bring fire to quench this fire amongft wits, than water. But I rather
collect out of their diffenfions, that there are two kindes of Whurlworms ; one about houfes,
another in the fields. For fo Ariftotle and Abfyrtus write. Staphulinus is like to the Whurl-
worms that are about houfes. For faith he, your houfe Whurlworms copulate backward, and that
in our fight, as Beetles do, the male coming upon the female, and they ftick long in copulation.
' Away then with thefe triflings of Pliny, that would have thefe to be Serpents, which never copu-
late backwards. Hefychius and Favorinus that follows him defcribe them thus :
runs away, and ftinks for fear : for fo Arifiophanes hath it, & ufnw. As the Whurl flying from
you breaks wind ftinkingly. In which verfe I cannot but wonder that Erafmus (I know not by
what Atticifm) cals the Whurl Telem, Chil. Adag. 3. cent. 7. Pliny faith it is a very fmall body,
and blackifh, which if it be touched whileftit lives, and after it is dead, fends forth a moft terri-
ble fmell. I confefs ingenuoufly, that I never yet faw it nor know whether it be fo by a contra-
riety in our land or climate. Concerning the field Whurl, we read thus in Theophraftus->a.sGaza
hath interpreted, of fmall wilde creatures that are bred outwardly, that is not in the roots but
without them, none of them will feed on roots except the Whurl, and that leaves none un-
touched, for it is the proper nature of this Infe6t. George Agricola a moft learned Philofopher,
writes thus of Whurls that feed on roots : The Whurlworm is found under the earth wrapt up
near the roots, (which truly I could never obferve) and hence it hath its name Sphondyle from
a little wherve or whirl. It is fo long and thick as ones little finger, a red head, the reft of
the body white, but that it is black above, where it fwels when it is full. This plague of Or-
chards, which wants not feet (for it hath fix feet) and doth not creep, eats up the pils about the
roots of young trees ; nor doth it at all forbear the roots of wilde Cucumers, black Chameleon,
Centaury, hogs Fennel, Birthwort, Briony, which no other Infect whatfoever will touch. This
Whurl without all doubt is the InfeS that Malleolus in his Book of his filthy Exorcifms brings in
thefe words : There is, faith he, a certain worm which the Germans call Engar or Ingan it liveth
under the earth, is fo long as ones middle finger, of a white colour, a black head, fix feet, which
units. by turning about, -furrowing and turning up the earth, and eating the roots, maketh plants
barren.
The
IO42
Chap. 6.
Qf lejfer living Creatures.
1045
The third ye&r after its generation, it breaks forth like flyiqg Pifmires, which like their pre-
deceflbrs ftick about trees, andconfwme the fruit. Then they call it ' Larvbksefer. In the Dio-
cefsof y*/f«?*/there were fuch multitudes of them, that all remedies were attempted in vain,on-
ly they were driven away by charms (forfo Malleolus reports) Cor Am alio f peaks of them. Spon-
dyles are worms under ground) the Germans call ihem Engar or Ingar } called fo from the Greek
tjyitoi.
The next year after they are bred, they are alwaies /transformed into May Beetles : they
hurt roots much, and feed on all kindes, (be the bitter or venomous) of young fprouts, and trees-
roots, fo that fuddenly the whole plants, or at leafi die leaves {hall fade. When the Gardners
fee this, they dig about the roots of trees, and fetch forth thefe Worms and kill them. They
do us mofthurt in;the moneths of April and May ; in July and Augufi many are found with us
inmarifh grounds, but there are no May worms but in Devon/hire and Cornwall-, and in the weft
of England. This we muft note diligenrly,that it fals out with Infedts as with Plants, that they
change their colour with the climate and the earth. Ihavefeenand I have by me a Whurllike
aCatterpiller, that is of colour white from Afh-colcur, with a black head, if it be touched it
collects it felf into a ball, and it fitly relembles the Whirl inawomans fpindlewhen theyfpin;
whence it hath its name. It isbenummedouLof the earth, and cannot endure the air ; being
wounded, a moifture comes forth of a pale black, wherewith one may write Letters as by ena-
melling. I have alio a reddifh Whurl chat lives in the eafthtwofooc
deep, whole head is exceeding black, his mouth forked, the neck is
reddifh from yellow,the back is fcarlet dye, the fix forefeet are red-lead
colour, the belly and all the body are perfect yellow, but that on both
fides near the belly there are eight redfpots, for ornament. It isfo
.long as ones middle finger, and Summer coming, it is transformed in-
to a Fly. I have feen one alfo clear coloured, with a thicker bo-
dy, blevvifh from the middle of the back to the tail. But from
the neck it appeared more gray ifh, the head and feet were yellow>
the mouth was forked and red : whileft it is young the whole body
j is white, in age- it grows yelloyv and blew, and it begins from the
tail. It is wonderful how it will carry its body long and broad
waies by a waving motion, and yet never change the place, and in
moving it often changes colours. For whileit it lies on the
earth it. is all white, but when it is forced to move, as if it were
angry, it appears black and blew. It is altogether like to the
great Worms in. wood, as for the form of its body, but they cannon
wreath and turji themfelves round. I have feen a great Fly bred
from this Worm that hath four wings. We hive another that was
found at the roots of Onions ; and almolt of the fame magnitude
with the black and blew one, with a green head, and fourteen feet ; it
hath horns, and a tail green from white : the whole body is green,
white, bloud red, noted with mingled colours : we call it Onion Cat-
terpiller, we here reprefent the figures of them all. Now we fhall
add the opinion of foach. Camerarim concerning Whurls, whofe
judgement I alwaies commend. It may be, faith he, Whurls are See Jtach.Ca-
thofe Worms that are found in the earth at the beginning of the Spring, merar'm.
that are almoft white, or rather fomewhat black and blew ; which in
Autumn become dark green, and with a fhining skin, are coloured
with a dark dye : their head is a light bay enclining to black, and
fomething hard, that it can eafily gnaw roots. Catterpillers foon
rowl themfelves up and die, and take other forms of Flies or Catter-
pillers. They are a finger thick, and an inch and half long, they have
eight feet in the middle of their body toward the head. Our Countrey
call them Eardtworms. Gmlandinus faith that whurls are W T orms
fo called, that like a Whurl they are round about the roots of
trees. Alfo other Worms that are black, fomewhat reddifh, and
have fhell covers, with many feet, like the Scolopcndra (and they
feem to be of kind unto it, but that they are rounder, and not fo
broad) are found in the earth, and are dug out at the beginning of
Summer, and roll themfelves up the fame way, as I faid, if any
one touch them. They alfo call thefe Engerlin, in Germany, that
are yellow Worms under the earth with a black head, and near to
that fmall feet, but have none in the reft of their bodies. Thefe
when they are dug up turn themfelves into a round form, and be-
ing laid in the Sun they prefently confume ; for they live only
under ground and eat the roots of Plants. Who would not account -
all thefe Worms that turn themfelves round, to be amongft Whurls ?
So far Camtrmut, Niphm upon, Ariftttle faith that Whurls are a
rouna
1044
The Theater of InfeUs : or y Book 1 1.
round kinde of Spider, in the middle of vvhofe body
a cavity is to be feen, that refembles a Whirl of a
fpindle. But this was his dream againft the Philo-
iopheis minde, and he deceived us. What ufe there
is of Whurls in Phylidc I never read, nor do I know.
This is certain from the Prince of the Philofophers,
that Owls and night Ravens hunt after them, as alfo
Moles, as it is probable: Cordus holds them to be
venomous. In Egypt the Scorpions that they call Si-
byU, eat Whurl worms, as d/%/j«^,whileflhe feeds on hay or eats, heprefently cafts him out again, by reafon of the
fharpnefs of the fpiritsof it, and as it were Vipers bloud. But prefently he fwels exceedingly,
firfl therefore foment the fwellings, largely wafhing and rubbing them with fait water very hot :
then take vinegar Lees, and put into them fine linnen cut, and boyl this with water, and anoint
him all over : but when he takes his phyfick, let him remain in a hot houfe, and a foft flail, cove-
red
Chap. 8. Of leffer living Creature f. 1045
red well with cloithes, and let a good fire be kept continually by him. Anoint him
abundantly in the morning, then the third d*ay wafli him well with hot water,and dry up his
fweat, then rub him inaclofe place, and having rubbed him, anoint him with Nitre. And fear
not though his lips and eyesfwel, (for it ufeth fo to fall out) for the Horfe will certainly re-
cover fuddenly by this means, and be as well as he was before. But whether thefe be the fame
with Staphy linns oiCordus, or the Comfilles in France-, let indifferent men judge. They are found
in Orchards fometimes lb long as ones little finger, and they make hillocks like to Moles, and
there they deep: They chiefly do mifchief to Thyme and Elder, yet not fo, but they hurt other
plants and herbs alfo. If there be any that knew any thing more certainly concerning Stafhyli-
ms-> they are to be defired, for Phyfick and Philofophy fake, that they will not refufe to addtheir
talent. So at laft the natural Hiftoryof Infe&s fhallbe enriched by their labour, and fhall repay
them not only great thanks, but alfo their part in a large increafc.
Chap. VIII.
Concerning the Scolopendr* and Juli.
TH E Scolopendr*-, and fuli^nd Cheefelips march in the laft rank. They far furpafs in the number
of their feet, Catterpillers, Staphylini, and Whurlworms, and all kindes of Infe6ts, whence
they are called Many-feet by a peculiar name belonging to them. Arifiotle cals this Scolopen-
dra i Theophrafius-, Scolopia ; Diofcorides ( from the deftru&ion of Serpents ) cals it Ophiotlone ;
Vmnuszad HefychiuscMk Amphydes phaganon ; others, Sik/., audfome call it Thoufand-feet-, and
Many-feet; the vulgar Greeks call it Scolopetra; the Latines alfo call this Scoloptndra and Sepa>
and dirty-hog-, and hundred-feet-, thoufand-feet, many-feet ; which three laft names alfo they give to
"juli. In Hebrew they call it Ghazam ; in Arabick, Alcamptia, and Alamula-, as Silvaticus tefti-
ries ; Albertus cals it Almuga-, Altapua ; in the Polifh Tongue, Stonogrobackj, Gaflauka ; in the _
Hungarian Tongue, 'Zones-, Hiragopap, Matzkaia; in High Dutch, Ein najfel; in Italian, Cento-
fede Fermi ; in French, Chenille-, Millepied ; inEnglifh, Scolopender and Manyfoot. In my judge-
ment it differs as far from JhIhs, as a fea Lobfter from a Crevi. They are indeed like to one ano-
ther, but thefe are alwaies lefs, nor are they fo mifchievous when they bite, nor fo veno-
mous.
The great earth Scolopenderis as long and thick as you have it pictured ; the colour of the bo-
dy is black from brown, and mining. To every incifion a yellow little foot is joyned, that is,
in the feveral fides fixty. It goeth forward and backward with equal eafe. For it goes with the
head forward, and with the tail forward ; and therefore T^icander and Rhodoginus call it two heads'.
It hath the part between the head and belly not fingle, but manifold ; whence it comes to pafs
that^this kinde can live though it be cut in funder. This Scolopender being provoked bites fo
fliarply,that Ludovicns Armartu (who gave me one brought out of Africa) could fcarce endure
him to bite his hand, though he had a good glove on, and a double linnen cloth ; for he ftrook
his forked mouth deep into the cloth,and hung a long time, and would hardly be fliaken off.
Another was brought from new HifpanioUy which had on the midft of the back a flame co-
loured line to adorn it ; and a red fide, and colour of the hair fet it forth. It had feet like to hairs,
and liftin CT it u P on tnem all > * c ran ver y fwiftty : this 1S worthy of the greateft admiration, that
Nature having given to thi s creature a fmall head, yet it hath given memory to it, and the rule'
of reafon, not in pints and pitchers, but in the largeft meafure. For feeing it hath feet innume-
rable as Rowers, and many of them are from the Rudder the head at a great diftance, yet ©very
one knows his own office, and as the head dire&Si fo they all frame their motion.
Uuuu
Another
T be Theater of Infe&s : or, B o o k 1 1;
Another was brought to us from St. Attgttfiines Promontory out of India, fomething greater
body and feet : which had 70 black and blew incifions, and twice as many light red feet.
1 doubt not but more forts of Scolopenders may be found, of almoft all colours except green j
yet iArdgjnm makes mention of one that was green. Each of them hath an inbred property,to
go to the roots of (word grafs (as Theofhrafius thinks). But Roberta Conftantinus delerves to be
whipr, andfo doth Stephanas that followes him> and Ardoynus himfelf, who invent that a Sco-.
lopender is firfta Serpent, then hath eight fe#t, then a horn in its tail, and laftly,it is a flow goer.
Albertus, Rhodogimts-, Avicenna-, are to be blamed alfo, who affirm rafhly, that no Infect hath
above twenty feet, and they put the Scolopender in that number. Yet Nicander cals him two
headed in thefe verfes :
The Scolopender hath each end a head;
And flings with both-, untill that men be dead :
With feet like ores he wafts himfelf along-, &C.
Yet by the favour of fo great an Author, I might fay that he hath but one head; though he can
as eafily move forward or backward with his tail condu&ing him, as with his head. And this I
believe deceived Nicander and others. But he faith farther, that he bites at both ends ; which is
asfalfe as the former; for he bites only with his forked mouth, and hurts not with his tail,
othervvaies than by a venomous touch, and by putting forth poyfonous bloud.
Oppianus holds it to be more fierce than the fea Scolopender, and fo it is indeed : and I great-
ly wonder that Grevinus Parifienfis-, upon no authority, in his Book of Venomes fhould op-
pofe this.
All Hiflories tedifie that this creature is dangerous and venomous, and fo much the more as
it is more hairy. We read in asElianthxx. the Rhytienfes were driven out of their City by the
multitudes of thefe creatures : zndTheophrafius affirms the like concerning the obterietes in
Plir.y : therefore though we have ranked the Scolopenders in the lad place, yet in executing di-
vine vengeance, they may fometimes challenge the fird place. Countrey people do judge of
fair weather by the frequent coming forth of the Scolopenders ; and when they hide themfelves
they forefhew rain, as Marcellus Virgilius hath noted on Diofcorides. They have thefe fifes in Phy-
fick* Ifthey be boyled in Oyl, they take off hair with a little pricking, Gal. n.Simpl. and^e-
tius lib 7. They aie enemies to Wiglice, that are mod ftinking creatures, and kill them with
their breath, o: eit them alive. Again, Wiglice being either taken inwardly, or anointed out-
wardly, are a remedy for their bitings,by a reciprocal) and as it were emulating antipathy, as is
manifeft from Pliny-, and Ardoynm lib. 6 conce rning poyfons. When the land Scolopender hath
bitten, the place is all black and blew, putrefies and fvvels, and looks like to the dregs of red
Wine) and is ulcerated with the fird bite. *s£gineta. Aetius adds that the pain is intolerable.
Diofcorides faith the whole body pricks. All bold that this bite is incurable, and will admit al-
mod no remedy. It hath (faith Ana^arbeus) fymptomes, prevention, and cure, the fame as for
the flinging of a Viper, lib. 6. c, 23. Aga in ft this difeafe fome things are taken inwardly, fome
things are applied outwardly.
Amongft inward Remedies, ts£gineta commends Trifoly that fmels like Bitumen, drank with
Wine. Diofcor. approves much of wild Rue, the root of Dragons bruifed, the root, feeds, and
flowe s of Afphodill, the branches and leaves of Serpol, Calaminth, the roots of Fennel and
Birthwort, given with pure Wine, or Wine and Oyl. Atluarius gives Nix with Wine. Pliny
commends Salt with Vinegar, or rather the froth of Salt as being the better. Alfo he highly
e (teems of Horie-mints, or wilde Penniroyal taken in Wine. Aetius bids give Wormwood and
Mints with Wine.
As for outward Remedies-) fird fcarifiethe place hurt, make deep incifion, and draw out the ve-
nome by Cupping-glades • then put in the juice of the lefl'er Centory, boyle with a third pare
of fvveecWine to the confidence of Honey, and bindea leather over it for eight or fourteen
dales. Then foment the place with afprngedipt in hot Wine, and this is a certain cure for
•the bite of a Scolopender. Anonymtts. Pliny alio prefcribed divers remedies for it, as the dregs
ob Vinegar, warning the place with Vinegar, the flower of Millet with liquid pitch, Butter with
Honey, the green Figs of the wilde fig-tree with Vetches and Wine, the Urine of the patienc
hurt and of a Wether, burnt Salt anointed with Vinegar and Honey, wilde Penniroyal with Salt,
Salt with Tar and Honey, wilde Cummin with Oyl ; and all kindes of Maiden-hairs. Diofco-
rides commends Garlick, with Fig-leaves and Cummin, and with Vetch Meal and Wine, alfo
the leaves of Calamint, and burnt Barley with Vinegar ; alfo he commends a Fomentation made
Ghap. 9. Of kjfer UvingCreatures. 1047
of fowre Pickle : Arcbigenes bids foment the part with Allum-water : ts€gineta faith, with much
hotOyl. Nonius prefcribes hot Oyl of Rue.
Some commend exceedingly both outwardly and inwardly fuch things as are given againftthe
biting of a Shrew. Arijlotle writes that the Scolopenders are deluded and drawn forth with the
fume & of liquid Storax, andareeafily taken whilett they Hick to the damminefs of hi
Of the Juli.
THE kindesofthe Juli follow next: which the Greeks call and that as I think not Tfac N3mC4
from their down, but from the tails of Walnuts and fmal Nuts, whofe hair being faftnedin
a hard fubftance, reprefents thefe Cats-tails, whence they had the names of Juli. I know the
Latines call them fait, but I fhould call them Galleys. For Lycophron called the Galleys of Pa-
ris that were fwift with many ores, 'l*hwn!Z*t. Nicander applies the fame fimilitude to Scolo-
penders; whence it may eaiily appear, that Juli and Scolopenders are like one to the other. The
Spaniards call thefe Centopeas : the ln\ims t Centogambi. It may be the Englifh after me will call
them Gally-worms : Numemm alfo called earth-worms black Juli, as Athemus witnefleth lib.j.
Black Juli that feed on earth are called the earths bowels ; yet unlefs they have many feet,
they cannot benumbredor named amongft the Juli. Juli are as I laid, fhort Scolopenders*
that for the number of their feet, exceed not only Hoglice, and all Catterpillers, but alfo all
other Infers. Some Juli are fmooth, others hairy. I law a fmooth one in a Cabbage Lettice
as thick as a fmall river bulrufh, and of the fame magnitude you fee
it here: it had a very black head, the back was of a golden co-
lour, the belly was filver coloured from gray, the incihons and
hairy feet were fo many that they eafily overcame both theeyes
and memory. Thefecond was all black, except a white line,
* which was drawn down the back, ftraight from head to the tail.
The third was a decayed yellow, his head and feet were red,
the failyards, and the hairs growing near the tail, were black and
blew. If you paint the fourth with a body blackifh red, and his
feet and failyards lighter, you have rightly fet him out : we
caught fome of thefe coming forth of mofs growing on the
barks of trees, and others lurking under trees and rotten logs.
I could meet but with two hairy ones. The firft was white of this
form and figure, it crept on a wall, the fhort hairs that grew on
t were black. The fecond had a black and olewifh belly, and a back fpotted with an uncom-
ly yello\v. The mouth Was red, a black eye, the hairs were hoary. It lies hid in old decayed
trees between the bark and the wood \ and alfo amongtt flones that are overgrown with mofle
and thick downy hair. All thefe Gally-worms, if they be touched roll themfelves up, and become
round. I cannot tell whether they are venomous or not, but if they be, O happy Pennim, who di-
vers times with his bare hand provoked and killed them, and yet was never bitten nor hurt by
them. George Agrico/a ids us o{ a Gally-vvorm of a brazen colour (but he cals it a Seolopender)
his words art thefe : A little Seolopender is bred and lives in the logs of trees, or in polts driven
into the earth, (whence it hath its name) remove thefe or rtir them, and it will come forth ;
otherwife it alwaies lurks there. It hath no feathers, but hath many feet : when it creeps it lifts
up the middle of a body like a vault: if you touch it with a little wand or any other thing, it
rols it felf together. It is of a brazen colour, a flender body, not broad, but three fingers long, on
at molt four.
Alfo it is found in another form, almoft in the very fame places, with a flender round body,the
thicknefs almoft of a thread, of an allayed bright bay colour, the feet are fo many and fo fmall,
that it is impoflible to number them. It is four fingers broad in length ; it remains under rot- .
ten trees and plants. A vicenna makes the Seolopender (which is alio a Gally-vvorm) to have
44 feet only, and to be the palm of ones hand long ; fo fmall and flender, that it can creep into
the ears. Lib. 4. Fen. 6. trail. 5. cap. 19. This creature, faith he, hath no venome, or but very
weak, and caufeth no great pain : which is prefently taken away with the flowers of Afphodils,or
with Salt mingled with Vinegar. Our Gally-worms (faith Gefner) if they be in the boufes, they
will come together to St. Thomas Sugar, that is the moft pure, (as Mice do to the beft Cheefe)<
OurCountreyman Bruerus (a skilful and laborious fearcher of Nature) reports that he hath feert
herein England Scolopenders, and kept them, that fhined in the night, and in moffy andbroo-
my grounds fhined with their whole body : who was no lier,and I willingly give credit to him ;
and fo much the rather, becaufe Oviedns faith heobferved the fame in new Hifpaniola in the
fields, and Cordus did the like in Germany in moift cellars. It feems ftrange that Plutarchxtr
lates, Lib. 8. Sjmpof. problem. 9. that a (tripling at Athens caff up a fmall ragged creature, toge-
ther with a great deal of feed : it had many feet, and walked exceeding faft.
The Galley-Worm found in cellers, burnt to powder, doth wonderfully provoke Urine. J4v©s Diofcoruta,
K «Cdi&fi AbjjrtMs,*"*®" i thofe of tAfta called them *«V*o from the likenefs of a Bean,
faith Gatem for it looks like it, when the Chillep rols himfelf up into a round body. Or,becaufe >
as our molt learned Coyntreyman Stafford faith, (who was prefideht of the Minorites at tvor-
teller in the reign of Richard the. fecond) they are wont to come forth of the leaves and tops
of beans, and to grow from thence, Pliny cals it from the brawny hardnefs of the skin.
Others call it though for the fewnetsof its feet (for it hath but fourteen at molt) andbe-
Caufe it cannot arch it felf, it feems to be a far different kinde from a Scolopender or Galley-
worm. Farewel then all thofe dreams of GrtlUrinufy Vincentiuty and Pliny, concerning this
matter : for we deny that thefe are Galley-worms. But it is called not from the form or
ftownefs of an Afle, but becaufe it is of the fame colour, as Pennius writes : For it is a little
creature with many feet, Affe-coloured, breeding in moift places. Diofcorid. lib. z. cap. 37.
Gat. l.detoc.afec. & 11. deftmp.fac cap. the Italians, Porcellem ; the French, Clopirk', the Spaniards, GalmUha ; ihe Ara-
bians, Harvay Hanra> Gauday SchachalochatU, Kireny Grixy faith SylvaticHs. The Brabanders
call it Piffe d* Suege. It is indeed a very fmall Infect, fcarce a fingers breadth long, and half a ,
finger almoft broad ; (Ifpeak of the greater) of a colour wannilh black, especially
that is found in dunghils and in the earth ; but that which is under tyles and buckets
g— ^is a perfect Affe-colour. It hath fourteen feet, feven on each fide : every foot hath
faiption" ^ ^W p^ joynt, hardly* to be perceived. It hath two fhort failyards, that it may prove
^t^r^Or its way. Being touched it turns it felf round or (us Galen faith) into the form of a
a Bean, whence it was called wJsftoe. The fides about the feet are dented like a faw. It is bred
under tyles, water-vefiels, in the pith of rotten trees, between the bark and the tree corrupting,
as alfo under rocks, growing from moitture putrefying. Then they copulate, and after copula-
tion they lay eggs (whence comes a worm) that are white, fhining, like to fmall pearls ; they
are many, and neaped up in the fame place, as we obferved in the year 1583. they live on warm
nioifture, and pafs the winter in the chink, or wals, or fecret places of houfes. From the eggs-
firlt fomewhat hard Worms are thrult out, which for fome time (tick almoft immovable, and
are white : at length like their parents, they fuduhe dew and moifture. They are found alfo in
hot and dry Councreys ; but where they regain by the dew of the night and vapours, what
moyfiurewas confumed in the day. Galen defcribes a Chiflep thus: It is a houfe-bred living
creature, with many feet, bred under watry vefiels, and dunghils, and if you touch it with your
fingers it rols it felf up. It is clear that Ariftotlc knew it, becaufe ha compares a Sea-loufe unto
it, when his tail is taken oft.
Chifleps attenuate, open and difcufs, as Galen hath taught us out of Afclepiat. They feem con-
remptible to the fight, but they are excellent for difeafes of the eyes. Alfo inwardly (for they
are free from all poylbn) they are of great ufc ; for being bruifed and drank in Wine, they helpcUm-
culty of making water. Diofcorides. To which Medicament he adds this : Takc,faith he, 2 or 3 Chif-
teps,boyl them in a little hfh pickle, & drink of the pickle with water in two fmal cups of an ounce
and half apiece. Pliny ufeth them for the Stone and difficulty of urine thus : Take Mice and Pi-
geons dung, of each half a dram ; two Hog-lice or Chifleps bruifed, drink it, and the pain will
ceafe, and you fhall void either the Stone, or much fmal fand. We findc in Gefntrs papers, thac
Marianus Barolitanns affirms the fame : Galen gives them drink in fweet Wine, and fo he cured
many of the Kings Evill. Afclepiat molt fucceflefully ufed this kinde of remedy againft ths
Afthmaand fhort windednefs : Take Elaterium four grains, three Hog-lice fromadung-hil,wcIl
bruifed, and drink it with an ounce and half of water. Gal. *F Afclepiat alfo, building on
the authority of the ancient Phyficians, much commends live Hog-lice burnt "id the fire, and
taken to a fpoonful : for by their property they cure Afthma. Hollerim and Johannes Agri'
0«tn make good this opinion bythbir pra&ife. Some do torrifie in a difh a fmal quantity of
them
Chap. 10. Of lejfer living Creatures. io 49
them into molt white Afhes, and then give them with Hon^y. Pliny faich they cure fhort
breaths 21 being bruifed with Athenian Hon:y, and with little hot water, drank through a
reed, that the teeth and mouth may not grow black. Aetius for the lame infirmity) gives rive
orhx withHydromel. And Marcellus the En iperick reports, c b. 35. that 21 Hog-lice (tamped
with the beft Honey, and drank with water, will cure fhort windednefs, puriwends, and fuch as
are almolt choked, and the Leprofie alio, beyond belief. Pliny wrires that they are good in drink
for Confumptions, who farther maintains, that a penny weight of them given in three ounces of
Wine to drink, will cure the pains of the loyns and hips. Alexis of Piemont iubferibes to this •
but C&lins Aurelianvu diflikes this, and the like remedies from Infedts ; being fo perfwadod from
the unufualnefs of fuch remedies, rather than from any hurt or inconvenience that proceeds from
therr. Experience confirms that many frefh Hog-lice well bruifed and drank with Wine, Ale,
Beer, or any convenient liquor, or applyed but outwardly, can cure almolt alldifeafes of the eyes
that arife from any thing growing in them, or growing to them, (except the Cataract) which
weobferved in the former Chapter out of the Breviary of Arnoldm. For a Qiinfey, laith Go-
lem 7 * 7r - they mull be licked with Honey,andtheoutI : deof the throat mull be anointed with
the fame. Hog-lice boyled with oyl of Roles and heated in a Pomegranate fliell, and poured
into the ears that are pained) do cure them. Diofccrides. Gal. lib. fee. loc. & Eupor. commanded
to boyl 2) 3 or 4 in oyl, and to prefs out the oyl and drop it into the ears of thofe were, deaf,
or had pains or tinklings in their ears. Oyl of Chifleps dropped into that ear is next an aking
tooth takes away the pain certainly, that arifeth from a hot caufe. Aetius 24. 27. Some mingle
them with fome convenient unguent and drop them into the ears. Severus (faith Galen) pou-
red them into ulcerated ears with good fuccefte. Faventinus ptefcribes 2 1 Chifleps boyled
in fowr Oyl, for pains of the ears proceeding from cold : in which hefhews th uthsy mutt be
anointed about the ears, and a little muft be dropped in. Cardan jullifies the fame remedy by
experience. For Wens, Pliny takes a fourth part of Rofin or Turpentine to the dunghil Chiflep,
by which Medicament (faith he) fwellings under the ears, Kings-evils, and all fuch tumors are
cured. CWarcellus Empericus hath the fame, and Avicenna 2.2. cap. 729. and from the authority
of others, he adds, that Chifleps taken in drink, cure the Cramp) and Alcuzes, which we have
never known any to have faid befides. If you often apply Oyl or Butter of Hog-lice to a
pained head,you fhall cure the pain. Gal. Eupor. 2. 91. and Abfyrtus de quadrup. Bruifed, they cine
the Tonfils, and the difeales of the chops, Diofccr. A live Chiilep laid to a Vvhitloaf,cnres it 3 . and
it takes away fwellings, if it be laid on with a third part of Rofin or Turpentine. Pliny. Take
Unguent populeon ). ounce, Oyl of Rofes wherein Hog-lice have been boyled j. ounce and
half, Saffron iv. grains, mingle them and make an unguent, that is a moft noble cure for the
Hemorrhoids, that fwell and are painful. Others (faith Alexander Benedittus) boyl thele Chif-
leps with Fat or Butter) then they put to it the yolk of an Egg ; and with this they affwage that
cruel pain. Pliny faith) they cure all hardnefs of wounds, and Cancers, and Worms in Ulcers)
being mingled with Turpenrine. And to conceal nothing from you, I thought fit to add, that
Pennitis himfelf lying fick of the Aflhma, ufed for a long time Hog-lice fteeped in Wine : but
having done it alwaiesto noefl : e&, by my advice atlalihe did twice or thrice take in thefmoke
of Brimftone through a tunnel, and he grew perfectly wellfiom that horrid fymptome. Take
oyl of Violets iij. ounces, wherein let four Chifleps boyl till a third part be confumed: itre-
ftrains a fait humour, being outwardly anointed. An incertain Author. Hens, water Lizards,
land Frogs, and Serpents feed on Chifleps, as Tbeophraftus wrires. Awbrofe Partus-, a Chirurgeon
of Paris, relates that one vomited a lmall living creature like to a Chiflep: and fuch a like
thing Solerius hath written concerning a certain woman, upon the fecond Book of Aetius.
Chap. X.
Of Land Scorpions.
IT is called in Greek, from fcattering its ve-
nome,or as others wil have it,becaufe it creeps lame-
ly. Alfo fignifies a Scorpion>or a kinde of Scorpion,
whereof Nicander fpeaks in his Theriacks, the burning
Scorpion mutt be prefled down when he creeps upon his
feet,being adeadly creature. It is doubtful whether this
be a kinde of Scorpion ; it hath legs or clawes, and a
fting in the tail. The Latines call it Scorpius,znd Pli-
ny Scorpio ; Cicero, Plautus, Varro, and Nonius, call ic
Nepam, which name Columella ufeth often. In He-
brew it is called Acrab,znd Cancrab, becaufe it pricks
thofe that tread on it. In Arabick it is Natarab, A'
chrab, Necbarab, Hacharab, Acrob. Rhafis cals it
Uuuu J Couches,'
1050
The Theater of InfeBs: or>
Book II.
Couches, Tandattanw-, SatecoMen; inSpaniihit is Efcorpkm or becaule a Bubo rifeth on a man that he ftings. The
fixth is like to a fhore fea Crab, yet not without a tail, but with a greater
body and almoit round, fo that it represents a Crab with a tail. Matthiolns
faith that he faw of this kinde fome that were black, murrey and green in the
County of Arcinna-, not far from the River Sarctts. The feventh is like a
Grampel: alio it hath claws greater than that ; and this kinde is produced by
Crevis on the dry ground, that areentred into fome hollow places to efcape
the Fifhermen : in which places if they die or corrupt ,thefe kinde of Scorpions
grow from them : as Ovid molt elegantly hath fet it down : 9
Takeoff the claws of Crabs that ufe the fborei
And from their bodies with earth covered ore,
A Scorpion growes threatning with crooked fling.
ey£7/"rf«cals this the flame-coloured, for it is like the Crab that becomes
red with boyling. There is another kinde of Scorpion which we call Rhar
fls, and the Arabians Scorpion-, for Nkander and the Greeks never faw it: ic
is very bunchy, and runs fwifteft of them all : if hath a tail for its fmal I body that is very great;
itfeemstobe pale, but the fting put forth is very white: Rhafis cals it fararets ; Albuchaflsy
Grati ; Avkenna, Algeraratie. It is found in the Eaftern Countreys, efpecially in Ce*, and in
Hafcari, as Gord>,niui notes. Philosophers fay that the lungs of other Scorpions infufe a cold poy-
fon.- the Arabians^ that only this one, infufefh poyfon that is hot. I faw one brought forth
oi Barbarj, and we here give you the picture of ir. The fting of all the tailed Scorpions is hol-
low, whereby they caft poyfon into the wound : as <^£lian repo.ts/. g.c. 4. To which Pliny i'nb-
fcribes, lib. 9. cap. 37. and Nicander mtiis Theriackj. Yet our Galen is of another minde, lib. 6.
deloc.aff. c$. where he f peaks in thefe very words almoft, to thoSe who afcribed a fpecificai
quality of hurting or helping to humours or vapours. But the fting of the Scorpion deferveth much
more to be admired-) -which in a very fhort time caufeth extreme fymptomes % and that which is injefled
when it flingeth, u either very little or nothing at all, there appearing no hole in its fting'. And indeed)
when we fen that from the teeth pricks and flings of fome creatures-) fifis or plants-) there is [olid poyfon
conveyed into the wound by them; what need we fly unto fecret bladders, and perchance fuch as were ne-
ver feen, that lie hid under the root of their flings-, fuch as fruitful wits have rather invented, than
folid judgements and thofe that were ftudiom for the truth ? As I faid, they have all fix feet, befides
the clawes that are their fore-legs, as crabs have, (which I fhould more willingly call arms) fome
of them (if you look narrowly) are forked : their tail confifts fometimes of 6,j or 9 knotted
joynts : in the end of the tail is one hollow fting, two fometimes, (but that is more feldome).
If it had us fting any where bi t in thetail (faith Ariftotle lib. 4. Hiftor.) becaufe it moves ic
lelf by fteps, it were umfeful to fting withal 1 : tAElian faith, that its fting is very fmall, and fcarfc
vifble : out ot'whofe mvifible pipe/if there be any, fuch a venomous fpirit, ormoifter humour is
poi:red in by a wound made, thatisfcarfe perceived or fenhble. It walks fide-waies as Crabs
, aj.do,alwaies moving thetail ready to ftrike, that no opportunity may be let flip. The Males are
the fiercer, flenderer, longer, and more fpotted on their bellies, clawes and ftings. The Fe-
males again (as Avkenna well obferves) are greater, fatter, greater bellies, and milder. The poy-
fon
Chap. io. Of leffer living Creaturer.
ton of the Male is alio more dangerous, as Pliny thought, the Female is more 1 gent ley but all
their venome is white, unlets Apullodorus deceiv04W. It is apparent that they which h«^p feveio
ornine joints on their tails,are the molt curlt: many have but fix, it flakes athwart and bendingly.
All of them have their poyfon more violent at noon day, and in Summer, when they are hot with
the Sim-beams, and when they are tlnrlty and are unfatnble for drink. 1 he plague of it feems in-
tolerable, and which with a heavy pumfhment delhoys a man with a lingring death in three
daies. Their Hinging is alwaies mortal for maids, and moll commonly for all women: and for
men in the morning, before they have calt out their venome by fome accidental liroke, and are
new come forth of their holds. It is the property of Scorpions, that they will not lling the
palm of the hand nor fmooth parts, and no where unlets they feel the hair. Scorpions, as Plmy
iuppofeth, will hurt no living creature that wants bloud : which Dr. mlfius of T urin a molt lear- Lib. c 4,
tied Phyfician hath proved to be f ile : for he law, as he reported to Pennim, a Viper fhut up in
a veftel with a Scorpion, and they killed one another with mutual bitings and Ringings. And
*/£Um writes, /. 8. c. 13. that they do fight and contend with Vipers, and all kinde of veno-
mous Infects for their meat : Gejner faith it is certain that a Viper will devour a Scorpion : and
from thence his bite will be the more grievous. Alio Theophraftus writes that by the lling of
Scorpions Serpents will dye, and not men. But Galen depending on experience, hath proved ic
to be falle and appeicherh it for a lie. Pennim fhewes the fraud of z/Elian, relating,/^. 6. c. 23.
the wonderful fraud of Scorpions : buthnce I obferved the fame in Italy-) I will maintain the truth
ot I • Author, and free him of ir. We know that the skill men have in that Countrey, they em-
ploy ii 11 ro efcape from the S:orpions : whereupon they ufe fandals to defend themfelves, and
hang thei; bc„s' on high from the ground, they place the props or fupporters of their beds far
from the wals, and fet them in vefiels full of water, and many other inventions they have to de-
ceive or to deRroy the Scorpions. But the Scorpions get up to the roofs of houfes, and ifchey
can rinde any tyle broken they will remove it, and one of the (trongefi of their Captains, (criP*
fting to the force of his claws) hangs down by this chink, and his tail hanging down, then ano-
ther upon his back comes down as by a ladder, and takes hold by the others tail, and a third takes
hold of the feconds tail, and a fourth by his tail, and fo the re It, until fuch time as by links they
can reach thebed, then the laft comes down and wounds one that lies alleep in his bed, and
runs back again by the links of his fellowes, and lb all the relt in order fhift away, imlofwg as
it were the chain, untillthey are all got up again upon one anothers backs. AKoClem. Alexan.
i.ftromat. makes mention of this property. Buttheyare not all venomous, no- do they hurt or
fting all'men alike. For they do not live in Sicily, and if there be any there, yet they do no hurt ;.
andthe'refore the Pfilli loft their labour when they undertook to free Italy from this mifchief
that was a ltranger to them, in hopes of gain. Plin. lib. 11. cap- 25. Ariflotle writes of the fame
thing concerning Pharis lib.S. Hiftor.c.19. of the Iiland Malta-, Diodorus lib. 4. cap. 3. of the
Countrey Noricum-, fofeph. Scaliger, exerc. 189. 5. where you lhall come in no place but you fh.il
finde abundance of them, and yet they either fting not at all, or elfe there is no danger unto men
by it. But now in Egypt , Sicily, Africa^nd Albania, they wound mortally, as we reidin the
Books of Alexander de Alexandra-,? liny Diofcorides-, Strabo. In England, Scotland, IrelandyXX\dGaf-
conj-, Scorpions cannot live, nor in the colder Illands more Northward. For though they cannot
well bear the heat of the Sun by day, and therefore lie. undertones all day; yet it feems they
Want no let's heat in the night, for love whereof they come not only inro chambers, but get into
feather beds, and lay themfelves down fometimes dole to thofe rhat are afleep. Men report
many things concerning the Countrey of Trent fet free from the deadly lling of Scorpions by
the prayer" of ^.Vigiliw. But it is at the Reiders choife to take it for a Truth or for a Fable.
In Scythia it is far otherwife, for the e if a Scorpion #ing a Man, a Hog, or any Beift or Bird,they
are certainly killed. Cardan faith that fuch as wound mortally are feldome bred. But Mat-
thiolus reckons up an army ofdefperate fymptomes that happen thete, efpecially in HetntriA*
by the liingings of Scorpions, fometimes joyned with death. And tAllian 1.2,. cap. 13. reports
that in Ethiopia mens lives are not only endangered by the flinging of the Scorpions; but if
they do but tread on their excrements, their feet blilter, and they can hardly be cured. He cals
thefe Scorpions Sibrittas, they feed on Vipers, Blind-worms, Lizards, Spiders, and other veno-
mous Infects: whence they are fo forcible with poyfon, and have a kinde of graduation (that I
may ufe Paracelftii) in the ufe of it.
Ariftotlefyzzks of fome Scorpions in Carta that are very loving to (trangers. (<^£ reports
that this is about Latmus a mountain of Carta-, where they are facredto hofpital Jupiter-, and do
not lting any ftrangcr ; or if they do,they do them no great hurt, but they kill the inhabitants
prefently when they (ting them. A Lion whenfoever he fees a Scorpion flies from him as from an
enemy to his life : witnefs Phyfielogus and St. Ambrofe gives credit to it. Men fay that fuch are
never Hung by Wafps, Hornets, or Bees, who are (lung by a Scorpion. Pliny, their Genera- Tfatir G:ne-
tion is twofold, common by Copulation-, more feldome, (fo far as we know of it) from Put re- r«ion.
f allien. Some maintain that they are not bred by copulation but by exceeding heat of the Sun,
sALlim lib. 6.de Anim.cap.iz. amongftwhom Galen mult firftbe blamed, who in his Book de
feet. form, will not have Nature but chance tobethe parent of Scorpions, Flies, Spiders, Worms, N«ure,
of all forts, and he afcribes their beginning to the uncertain conllitutions of the Heavens,Place,
Matter, Heat : but doubt lefs they do copulate, and they produce little worms ajive (which I
B have
IO51
10 ^ 2 Tbelbeateroflnfe&sior, Book II.
" "luvefeen) they' are white and like to eggs, and they ht upon them to hatch them. So foon
as theitmpung are biought to perfection by them, they are driven away by their young, ask
f jfc out with Spiders alfo, (efpecially thole are called Phalangium) and they are deftroyed by their
yotpg ones in great numbers. Scorpions are fruitful creatures, for oft-times they bring forth ele-
ven. ° Some alio fi.ppofe that they devour their young (namely Antigonus) but only one that is
mo e cunning than the reft, which hides it felf about the dams legs, and fo efcapes the danger
of ics fting and biting. This afterwards revengeth the death of all the reft, and kils its parents
from above. They bring forth twice a year, namely in Spring and Autumn. The original of
Scorpions from putrefac-t ion is more rare, and it is many waies. For they are bred from Crevis
corrupted, Vliny lib. 1 1. cap. 2 5. and from the carkafs of the Crocodile, as Antigonus affirms, lib. de
miralf. hift.cong. 24. For in Arcbe/atts there is an Epigram of a certain Egyptian* in thefe words :
The carkafs of dead Crocodiles u made the feed-,
By common Nature* whence Scorpions breed.
Arifiotle adds further, that from water Mints corrupting, Scorpions are bred. And Kiramides and
1.. 10. r. 12. yj^^ythey breed of Bahl. An Italian that delighted much in the fmellof Bahl, a Scorpion
bred in his brain, which afterward caufed moll vehement, and long during tortures, and laftly
death. Hollerinsjib. i.cap.i. of his pra&ife. Gefner heard as much of a French maid, as he
tellifieth with his own hand writing. Dodror Banchintts fecond to none for Anatomy, reported
to Doctor Pennitts, that he hid Bahl in a wall at Paris* and after a certain time he found two
Scorpions in the lame place. Chryfippns therefore not without caufe, difpraifed Bafil to many
men. There are fome that maintain that if a man eat Bahl the day he is (tung with a Scorpion,
he cannot efcape death. Others fay, that if a handful of Balil be bruited with ten fea Crabs or
river Crabs, and be left in a place where Scorpions haunt, all the Scorpions will come about it.
Pliny lib. 20. cap. 12. But Diofcorides lib. 2. 135, and lib. 32. cap. 5. faith that Crabs will kill
Scorpions, if they be put to them with Bahl. Alberttts Magn. lib. 19. anim. cap. 18. Some are
of Aviccnna's opinion that they breed of corrupt wood, and are made many waies.
The place conduceth much to their generation and production. For in Hifpaniola* the Canaries-,
Nnmidia* Scythia* Pefcara*Barbary* Ethiopia* there are fuch multitudes of Scorpions, that the
inhabitants are oftentimes forced to forfake their habitations: Oviedus* Tbevetus* Leo Afer* Pli-
ny. The Countrey about the Lake Arrhara* in the Eafi Indies near the River Efiamenum*is
io fruitful and fo peliered with Scorpions, that the inhabitants not knowing what courfe to
take, left the place to them. zALHan lib. ij. cap. 40. When you are two daies journey from Sufa
ill Perfia'nuo Media-, you Hull light upon an infinite number of Scorpions, whereupon the
King of Per ft a being to ride that way, commands the Citizens three daies before to hunt the
Scorpions, andafhgnsa very great leward forthofe that catcht molt of them. If he fhould not
do fo, by reafon of the multitude of Scorpions lying under every Rone, there could be no paf-
fage. jElian. lib. 15. cap. 26. The Eafi Indies* as Agatharfts tellifieth, and Africa alfo, breeds
abundance and very great Scorpions, which alfo wound with their flings as the others in Europe
do. The Scorpions of America are the fmalleft of all, yet the moil venomous, next to thofe of
Africa •• their poyfon works fo fuddenly, that it immediately flies to the heart and kils the par-
ty that is flung. The people of Noricttm near the Alpes* have in their Countrey manyScor-
pions,but (which is wonderful in Nature) they are all harmlefs, as Scaliger affirms. In Pharos
alfo, and the Territory of Avarrium* the Scorpions (aswefaid before) do no hurt. In fome
places of Helvetia (as about Rappifvill) there are found very fmall Scorpions, and innocent.
Gefner. So it is alfo in fome Countreys of Germany. In new Hifpaniola there are a great many
Scorpions, but not very venomous ; there is forne pain that followes their Hinging, but it is not •
great, nor of long continuance, and men are more hurt by the (lings of Wafps or Bees : unlefs
it were fo that the Scorpions were falling, or newly wounded. Manardus. But the Scorpions
in the Ifland F errata (which is one of the fortunate Iflands) zndCoptum in zsEgypt* caufe <*reat
pain, and their Venome is mortal. \v\CajHle a Countrey of Spain, the countrey folk oft-times
whileftthey plough up the ground, dofinde innumerable Scorpions, cluftered together like Pif-
mires, where they lye hid all the winter. Matthiolus. The colder Countreys have no Scorpions,
as Gafcony* England* Ireland, Scotland) Denmark* and great part of Germany* or if there be any
there, they are not venomous. JElian reports a wonderful thing concerning the Priefts oilfis*
which in Copto* a City of Egypt* where there are abundance of deadly Scorpions, they can tread
upon them, and call them on the ground, and yet receive no harm by them. Alfo Pfylli* a peo-
ple of Africa cannot be hurt nor Hung by Scorpions. For when they come to any "venomous
creature, it prefently becomes llupid, as if it were charmed or llruck dead, that it cannot move;
Alfo all their Hogs, but not ths black ones, (for if they be Hung they die prefently) are free from
their flings. Laftly, a Scorpion nor any other venomous beaft, doth not hurt a Stellio, an Afca-
labotes,aCrab,aHawk, as Galen ad Pifonem* and our friend Gefner have obferved.
Their Food. They live by eating the ground,and in fome places they feed on Herbs, Lizards, Blinde-worms,
Whurls, Beetles, and all poyfonousbeafls. /Elian. But he that fliall tread on the excrements
Their life, will have his feet bliftered. The Hens, Ibis, Vipers eat abundantly of them, whence Arifiotle
calsthe Viper sxofTnW^'. And they are not more fit for their food, than they are a remedy
for
Chap. io. Of leffer living Creatures^ 1033
for usi For being laid ro their own wounds they made, they cure them, as is, generally knowu.iheir „fe in
Alfo a Scorpion bruifed refills the poyfon of a Stellio. Pliny. Some bruife them and drinkPhyii^,
them in Wine, calling amy their tails. Others lay them on burning coles, and perfume the
wound, andthen ftrew the Scorpions alhes upon it. Some binde them to the wound, being brui-
fed with felt, Linfeed, and Marlh-malloweS. Againft the Stone, Lanfrancut his powder : Take
30. live Scorpions, clofethemin a. pot with a, narrow mouth, and with a foft fire bum them to
afhes, which is a wonderful 1 remedy againft the Stone : A Scorpion torrified and burnt to afheS
and taken with bread, breaks the Stone of the bladder. Author ad Pifonem. Three Scorpions
clofedin a new earthen pot, and covering it with a cover well luted, with a fire made of Vine
branches, bring them to allies in an oven ; the Dofe is 6 grains with fyrup de quinine radkibns i
it wonderfully drives forth ftonesof the kidneys. New Authors exceedingly commend the afhes
of Scorpions amongft the remedies againft the Stone>andthe Oyl of tkem injected into the bladder*
and anointed outwardly. Alexand. Benedi^utyAggregator^nd LeonellutF aventinus out of Galen{Eu~
for.i) teach us to burn three fmall Scorpions, and to give their afhes in fyrup, or a decoction, or
l'ome confection proper for it, to break the Stoni. And lib. i. he bids us to mingle them vvith fat,
biing calcined, and fo to exhibit them ; becaufe otherwife the Patients would abhor the eating of
them, wherefore they may be given without fufpicion. That Medicament of Abdlausythit Armldus
praifeth fo much,is made of the afhes of Scorpions,as you may fee in l.Breviarii cap. i S.as alfo the
admirable fyrup of the King of France againlt theftone> which isdefcribed in the fame Book and
Chapter. Randeletim capite de calculo, in his. practife, maintains that a Scorpion is cold, and
therefore to drive out the Stone we mult ufe the compound, and not the fimple oyl of Scorpi-
ons. Matthiolus ceachath to mike that compound oyl, Commentar. fag. 1407.20. But be-
fore him, Luminare MaiMty made that after this manner. Take round Birthwort, roots of
Gentian, Ciperus> Baxki of Capers, of each j. ounce,oyl of bitter Almonds j. Kilt* let them ftand
in the fun 30 daies ; then add to it 15 Scorpions, and fhutting the veflel again very clofe fet
them in the fun fo many daies as before. Then ftrain the oyl and keep it for your ufe. Others
prepare it thus : Take old Oyl as much as you pleafe, put as many Scorpions into it as you can
takein/w/y (for then are they moft venomous and fitteft for this remedy) add to them white
Dittany, leaves of Wormwood, Betony, Vervain, Rofemary, of each j. handful, fet them a fun-
ning for a long time N then diftil them in baJneo in a Limbeck. It is called St. "Bernards Oyl, It
powerfully provokes urine. Anointed on the groin, it is prevalent againft the bitings of Scor-
pions, how venomous foever. It drives out worms miraculoufly. Brajfavolus. Of Oyl of Scor-
pions and Vipers tongues, is nude a moft excellent remedy againft the plague* as Crinitus tefti-
ties, 1. 7. CManard&fiith that Qyl of Scorpions is now made with old Oyl, adding many
medicaments thereto commended againft poyfons, and it is admirable in the plague, and againft
allvenome. I know a man that hanng only this remedy, made no reckoning of the greateft
plague; and had not only preferred himfelfbut his fervants alfo, whom he fent to vifit people
that werefick of the plague; and I know very many that cfcaped only by anointing themfelves^
having drank the molt deadly poyfons. So fayes Manardus. A Jimment of Scorpions againft
the plague, and all poyfons, is defcribed by Fumane/lusj lib. de cur. pefl.cap. 12. A Scorpion is
coodalfo againft a wound given by a Viper, faith Galen l.de fimpl. Samonicus commends them
highly againft pains in the eyes, in thefe verfes t
If that fame grievous pain perplex thy ftghh J Afres of Ctterrorts if thou do apply-,
Wool wet in qyl is good bound on all night* \ With brut fed Frankincenfe, Goats milk^and Winet
Carry about thee a live Scorpions eye* I One night will prove this remedy divine.
If any one troubled with the Jaundies take Scorpions bruifed in Wine and Honey,Galen faith he
fhall quickly finde help. Kiranidesy againft a Quartain ague, Quotidian, or Tertian, prefcribes a
Scorpion put into a glafs of Oyl about the wane of the Moon, and kept there ; and with this
Oyl anoint the whole body on the joynts, and the foles of the feet, and the palms of the hands,
very well before the coming of the Ague. Plinius fecuudut faith, that a Quartan Ague, as the
Migicians report, will be cured in three daies by a Scorpions four laft joynts of his tail, toge-
ther with the griftle of his ear, fo wrapt up in a black cloth, that the fick parent may neither per-
ceive the Scorpion that is applied, nor him that bound it on. But let thefe fuperftitions pafs,
and we mall fpeak fomething of Antidotes againft Scorpions.
Firft therefore of Prophylaftickj. Magicians deny that a Scorpion can pafs over if he be com- p rcyeaticj6£
palled in with a branch of Turnfole : and the herb laid upon him kils him. PHny. A fmoke made a g ain ft ° tac
with Brimftone, Galbanum, and an Affes hoof, drives away Scorpions. Rhajis. Take Storax, Arte- ftinging of
nick, Shaeps-dung, fat of the caul of Sheep, equal parts, diffolve them in Wine, and make a fume ScorpwA^
by the holes of Scorpions. IfaRadifh cut be put into their holes, they will not come forth, A
Scorpion burnt is good, the liver of an Afl'e, Sandaracha, with Butter or Goats f uet to make a
fume. Varignana and Diophanes in Geopou. Rhafu commends the root of Elecampane carried
about one . Mactr writes of Houfleek thus :
Men fay that tioufleekjtathfa foveraign a mighty
ffho comet but th*h n* Scorpion (utthirrt Htt«
io54
1 be Theater oflnfefts : or,
Book II.
If a man anoynt his hand with an herb called Parky or with the juice of the root, he may
fafely take a Scorpion in his hand, Flaminitts. Grapes preferve men from the (ringings of Scor-
pions, as alfo Filberds carried in their Purfes. Aetius. Alio the feed of vvilde Docks either
diives them away* or their flinging is not mortal!. Diofcorid. Who alio faith from the Africans,
that Bafil will do the like. Larks fpur, and vvilde Campions alfo makes them flupid and afto-
nillied : The fame Author. And faith he, they report, as long as any man hold Carduus in his
hand, a Scorpion will nor bite him, or if he do, it will not hurt him. The feed of Wood-forrell
d ank, preferves ore from Scorpions. Avicemia. If you lay Solomons Seal under you, it keeps off
Scorpions. Jfidorus. And Pliny learned from the Inhabitants of Africa, that he that carries Ra-
dilh-roor, or Turnfole, or a dried beaft like a Lizard about him, Scorpions will not hurt him: So
Dittany in fmoke, or vvilde Mints, or Oyl of Scorpions anoynted about their holes, will keep
them from coming into the Chambers. Rhafis. But thefe things will kill them laid upon them;
Radifh-root chewed, broad leav'd Bafil that growes by the water fide, Millowes leaves, black
Hellebore, (but the white will quicken them when they are dying, li Pliny maybe believed)
Scorpions grade, Rofe-root, Bafil with a red flower, the fpittle of a cholerick man foiling. Rhafit*
Cure of the Pliny, tvicenna, Democritus in Geopon. .To cure the fling and wound Guilidmns de Placentia,
ftingings of p^efci ibes this in general, namely, to give and apply inwardly and outwardly, prefently, good
Scorpions. Theriac ; then the part afte&ed muft be cut, and an a£tuall Cautery fet to it, and the poyfon
drawn forth with Cupping-glafles. Galen bids binde the part above, and to cut oft the parts af-
fected. Gal. <$.deloc. af.c. 3. Butfince that is a very hard and cruel remedy for the patient, I
thought fit to write from the Antients what remedies are cures for this wound. You fhall firfl
know rhe flinging of a Scorpion thus : The place is prefently red and inflamed, a\id by turns,
(as in an intermitting Ague) waxing cold, and the fick is fometimes better, fometimes worfe;
Hefweats all over, his hairs flare upright, his whole body waxeth pale, his fecrers fwell, he
breaks winde backwards, his eyes run with clammy tears and filth, his joynrs grow hard, and he
hath the falling of the Tuel, he fomes at mouth, he is drawn backwards by convulsions, and
troubled with the Hickop, and fometimes great vomiting, he is quickly weary of labour, he is
vexed and troubled with lenfe of horror, the outward parts of his body are cold, a pricking pain
runs over all his skin, fometimes he thinks that hail falls upon him; for Galen asking one that
was flung with a Scorpion, what he felt, (3. deloc.ajf.c.j.)^ faid he feemed all covered over
and almofl frozen with hail. Aetius addes, pvimxA&w or warts of the fundament like Ants;
after thefe fainting, then fwounding, and finally death. Aetius writes, that if the lower parts
be flung, the groins fwell p efently, if the upper parts, then the Arm-pits. The wound being
now known and viewed, and opened by fe&ion, and the generall cure we fpeak of applye<£
whereof Authors are plentifull. Galen amongfl outward remedies,reckons Balfamttm, true Worm*'
•wood, or the juice of blacky Minle-berries anoynted. Alfo hediverfly commends the fpittle of one
that is falling, and ufeth it as a Charm, lib. 10. Simpl. And he bids give inwardly the Balfam
with jVomans milks, the Saphire ftene in Powder, Ajfa ftetida, Scordittm , Centaury the leffe, Rue^
Caftorettm. Out of Cajfion the Phiftcion he commends this : Take AJf a fetida, Galbanxm, each
alike, make it up with the decoction of Scordittm, and round Birthwort. The Dofe is the big-
nefle of a fmall Nut with hot water. Out of Andromachus he commends this, lib. de Theriac.
Take Theriac two drams, Wine four ounces, mingle and drink them.
Diofcorides outward remedies applyed.
Cyprus bruifed and laid on.
Amomum ufed with Bafil.
The Milk of the Fig-tree, or the juice of Sage
dropt in, the Scorpion it feW bruifed.
Sow-thiftle beaten.
Succory.
Hawk-wood.
Balm.
Bum- flower.
Mull-beries.
Larks-heels. ,
The flefh of a Fifh called Smaris.
The Barbel Fifh cut in two.
A Fifh called Lacerta faked and cut in pieces.
Houfe Mice cut afunder.
Internal remedies from Ditfcorides.
Cardamonum.
Juice of Myrtles.
Bay-berries.
Horfe or Afs dung.
Seed of Campions,
Mullens.
^applyed.
Chamspitys.
Scorpion-grafle.
Turnfole.
Calamint.
Trifoly.
Scordium.
Lotus rttftic*.
Bafil with Barley-flour.
Wheat-meal with Vinegar and Wine.
Marjoram with Vinegar and Salt.
Afla diflolved in Wine.
Sea-water.
Quick Brimftone with Rofin and Turpentine.
Salt with Linfeed.
Galbanum made for a Plaifter.
Other External remedies out of Avicenna.
Marjoram laid on with Vinegar.
Root of Coloquintida bruifed.
Reed roots bruifed.
The Shell of an Indian fmall Nut.
Rams flefh burnt.
Mummie four grains,with Butter & Cows milk.
Decoction of Ameo*.
Bran
Chap. 10. Of leffer living Creatures.
1Q 55
Bran plaifter-wife.
Wine new boyled.
Bark of Frankincenfe,
The white Thiftle.
White Thorn.
Pine kernels.
D.ues.
Figs.
Mountain Poly.
Anacardi.
Arties of Kaly.
Wheat Bran boyled with Pigeons dung.
Salt of Urine.
Oylof Wormwood.
Deco&ion of Nettles or Chamomile.
But white Naptha is the principal remedy, laid
on hot. It is alfo good to luck out the ve-
nome wiih ones mouth, unleffe it be firft ul-
cerated, and then to apply fuch things as in-
flame, as Pellitory of Spain, and Garlick.
Szcd of fowi Dock.
The herb Phalangium.
Daffadil feed and flowers drank in Wine, and
alio Bramble flowers ib taken.
Parfnip-feed.
Turnfole.
Cyprefs boughs.
Rre.
Origanum.
Loveage with black leaves.
The juice of Dog-fennel •> , ,
Sow-thiftle J drank -
The Decoction of Gentian-root.
The bark of Bitthwort.
Penniroyall.
A broiled Scorpion eaten.
River-crabs raw and bruifed, and drank with
Affes milk.
Mans urine drank.
Internals of the fame Author.
Juice of Worm-wood with Vinegar.
Doronicum.
Cinamon.
Myrrhe.
Wilde Saffron-leaves and fruit.
Citron-feed.
Mummie. '
Galbanum.
Roots of Coloquintida a»d Gentian.
The Indian fmall Nut eaten, and the Theriac
of it.
The root of Squills eaten, is admirable againft
the bitings of Scorpions.
Locufts broiled and eaten.
Juice of Onions and of Worm-wood*
Juice of the leffer Centaury.
Alfo new boyled Wine helps much.
The Antidote of Anderam, otherwife Braz. the King of Sicily.
Take Caftoreum one dram, Scordium two drams, Coftmary one dram and half, A fa faid*
three drams and half, make it up with Honey. The Dofe is one dram and half, or two*
drams with wine.
Another of the fame.
Take Birthwort round and long, each one aureus, Cumin-feed three drams, Ajfa fatida-, Car-
away, Rue-feed, each two drams, Caftoreum four drams, make it up with Honey. The Dofe
is two drams with the hot decoction of Gentian root, or Birthwort, and wine j he gave alfo
two drams of A fa fatida, and fometimes three drams, Wood Laurell with Vinegar.
A Medicament of Andro a Greeks Philofopher.
Take Rue-feed, live Brimftone, of each fix aurei, Caftoreum one aureus, Ajfa fxtida one
ai reus and half, Pellitory of Spain; liquid Storax, of each one aureus, make it up with Ho-
ney. The Dofe is half an ounce with Vinegar of the beft wine.
Another excellent remedy.
Take Rue-feed one aureus, Caftoreum half fo much, Birthwort round and long, of each
two aurei, roots of Gentian, Ajfa fatida, of each eight drams, (or eight aurei) make it up with
Honey. The Dofe is one dram and half with pure wine. The Electuary of Zeno, or Diaruta.'
Take Ajfa fatida-, bitter Coftus and fweet, each five aurei, round JJirthwort, Agarick, each two
aurei, Caftoreum, Cinamon, Aloes, each three drams, roots of Orris, Sarcocolla, each one
dram and half, long Birthwort, Gentian, each fix drams, make it up with Honey. The Dofe is
three drams. He commends alfo the great Theriac of Andromachus, Efdraf, Mithridate, and
the Theriac diatejferon. The defcription of it is this. Take Gentian, Bay-berries, long Birth-
wort, Mynhceich alike, make it up with clarified Honey. The Dofe is one aureus with hot
water. Another againft the bitings of Scorpions. Take feed of wilde Rue, Ethiopian Cumin, feed
of Tiifolie, Minianth, each alike, with Vinegar what may fuffice, make a Confection. The Dofe
is one aureus. Another. Take Garlick, Nuts, of each one part,Rue leaves dried,/^ /^W^Myrrhe,
of each half as much, make it up with milk. The Dole is three drams. Another. Take Caftore-
um, white Pepper,Myrrhe 5 Opium,of each alike, make Troches. The Dofe is three oboli with four
ounces of wine. Another JXako. Opoponax,Myrrhe,Galbanum,Caftoreum,white Pepper, each alike>
make them up with liquid Srorax and Honey. Another. Take roots of Coloquintida, of Capers,
Wo m-wood,long Birthwort, wilde Succory,each alike. Give children one fcruple, men one dram,
ic is of wonderfull vertue in this difeafe. Another. Take green graffewort juice with Cows milk,
boyl it like to an Ele£tuary. The Dofe is two aurei, they fay this helps much. Another. Take
Opium, feeds of white Hen-bane, make it up with Honey, and mingle it with hotter things to
temper it. If any man will have more from Avicenna-, he (lull finde it Can. 4. Fen, 6. T rati. 3.
Externall remedies out of Rhafis.-
The hot Oyl of Anacardi ftanding in the fiell of an Egge-, rubbed in, let the wounded part be
foft
The Theater of Infers :or, B o o k 1 1.
firft bound, then let it loofe, and anoynt it with Jefamin Oyl. The thud day open a vein, but
after meat and fleep. Alfo anoynt the place with Caftoreum, Melamcardinurn, and Garlick,
laying on a plate of lead anoynted with Quick-hlver.
Sajapenuniapplyed outwardly heats the wound, and a Weafels flefh laid over it.
Rub the place with a Topaz, and it will be cured.
The wound is bettered by rubbing a Flie upon it.
It may be cured with water from Radilli-leaves, and Oyl of Muftard-feed, and Marjoram.
Serapio writes that boyled Butter doth good.
Internals of Rhafis.
Sweat muft be procured any way, by external and internal means.
Take Nuts, and Garlick cleanfed, of each alike, bruifethem.
The Dole is one ounce, and an hour after let him drink wine. Others adde to this a like
quantity of dryed Rue, Myrrhe, and Affa. The Dofe is three drams with pure wine.
Another. Take Nigella feed one part, Affa three parts, the Dofe is one Trochis, with one
ounce of wine.
Another. Let him drink ftrong Wine till he be almoft drunk, and in the morning open a vein.
Another. Take roots of Coloquintida, bark of roots of Capers, Worm-wood, long Birthwort,
Endive-feed, of each alike, make a powder. The Dofe is one dram, for children onefcruple.
Another Theriac againft the ftingings of Scorpions. Take round Birthwort, roots of Uentian,
Bay-berries, roots of Capers, Coloquintida, Worm-wood, Swallow-wort, white Briony, each
alike, make it up with Honey.
Another. Take Myrrhe, Opoponax, Smallage, each one dram and half, white Briony, long
Birthwort, Pellitory of Spain-, each fix drams, feeds of Rue, Gith, Trifoly, each three drams,
Gum, Arabick, what may fuffice, vvith Vinegar make Trochis. The Dole is one dram to one
dram and half. Another. Take Cloves of Garlick cleanfed five drams, Nuts ten drams, Aila one
dram, incorporate them well. The Dofe is two drams. Another. Take Gentian, Birth-wort,
Myrrhe, bitter Coitus, Rue, Caftoreum, wilde Mints dried, Pellitory of Spain-, Pepper, Gith-
feed, Affa fatida-, each alike, make them up with Honey, The Dofe is one aureus with wine.
Alfo the powder of Eringo root is good with hot water, and the powder of Dodder. Alfo one
aureus of Napeiluswit^h water. Ivy and Polium with water are very profitable. If a fever come
upon it, open a vein. Aflesdrie dung drank with wine is very helpfull. Thus much from Rhafis.
External remedies from Albucafis,
Anoynt the place with Oyl of Ben. for many dayes, or Oyl of Jafmin, grinde Euphorbium
with it, and Caftoreum, or elfe Caftoreum and Garlick ground together, with old Oyl for a
plaifter.
A Frog cut and laid on is very good. Take old Oyl one pound, W 7 axfour ounces, Euphorbi-
um one ounce, melt it in the Oyl, and anoync the place with it.
Internals from Albucafis.
Let him drink hot milk from the Cow with wine or Honey. Cinquefoil-feed, and lees of wine,
are Theriac in this difeafe, as alfo Rocket-feed.
Hiera Anacardina againft the flings of Scorpions. Take Pellitory of Spain-, Gith-feed, bitter
Coftus, black Pepper, Acorns, of each ten ounces, leaves of Rue, Affa fatida, roots of Gen-
rian, long Birthwort, Bay-berries, Caftoreum/ Caffia lignea-, Muftard, Melanacardinum, of each
five drams, mike up the powders with Oyl of Nuts, and with juice of Radifh-root make it
compleat. The Dole is one dram daily, it caufeth fweat. The brains of a hen in drink is very
ufeful!.
Haly zAhbai brings nothing that is new, but only takes other mens prefcriptions. Concern-
ing fo me Seals (amongft the hundred fayings of Ptolemy) and fome fafhions for Charms, both
he and Kiranides make mention, but a Chriftian beleeves it not, nor are they worthy to be
recorded by him.
loannitius mightily commends a Plaifter with Garlick and Butter, or to anoynt the place with
Oyl of Peter-, orpure juice of Leeks.
He prefcribes to give inwardly of the pith of the greater Spurge four fcruples, with warm wa-
ter. . *
Rabbj Mojfes p 'efcribes one Sextula of Frankincenfe with Wine fufficient. Alfo he exhi-
bits Pigeons dung dried, and finely powdered vvith Butter and Honey. The Dofe is two Sextulas.
Gttil.de Placcntiabids men give drie or green Marjoram inwardly, to drink it with mans Urine,
and to apply it outwardly.
Confiantinus q.Pantechn. lib. commends Hens dung, or the heart applyed outwardly, and Pim-
pernel inwardly, taken with Wine, and powder of Gentian, Cinamon, Centaury. I
Averrhois extolls Bezar ftone above all, the Dofe is the fourth part of an aureus. \
Ariftotles m&i Qtvixadav *K* commends a Want, or the greater houfe Moufe laid on, and out of
Serapioj Pewter powdered and drank.
Orpheus commends Coral in drink, and the ftone called Scorpiodes laid on with a Garlik-head.
Ottavins> Areteus, Horatinus, Zoroaftres t Florentine, Apuleius, Democritus, and other* Au-
thors of the Geoponicay addebut a few things to the Medicaments of the Antients, befides fome
old wives fables, andinchanted prints that are hatefullto God and man. P/>'»jtellsfuchafi6ti-
on> but no man can tell with what reafon or credit : If, faith he, one that is flung with a Scor-
pion get up upon an Afle, with his face toward his tail, he {hall do well, but the Afle will fuffer.
Myrepfut extolls the herb Flower-de-luce, well bruifed, and then drank with Wine or Vi-
negar.
Sluintus Screws* writes thus, and advifeth,
Thefe are fmall things-* but yet their wounds are
And in pure bodies lurking do mofi harm, (great,
For when our fenfes inward do retreat,
And men are fajt ajleep, they need fome charm,
The Spider and the cruel Scorpion
Art wont to fiing } witnefe great Orion,
Pliny amongft outward means addeth thefe : Muftard-feed bruifed, Pimpernel, roots of Cha-
meleon, Sea-weeds, wilde Onions, Hares rennet, Tortoyfe-gall, afhes of Hens dung, Colts-
foot, and Mullen-leaves : It is exceeding good to purge the body within, very well, with the
feed of wilde Cucumber, and Elaterium, and then to drink the juice of Lettice, and to drink
the dried leaves and (talks in Vinegar.
Slayn by a Scorpion, for foyfons fmall
Have mighty force-) and therefore prefently
Lay on a Scorpion bruifed, to recall
The vtnome, or Sea-water to apply
Js held full good, fuch vertue is in brine,
And 'tit tfprovdto dnnk^your fill of Wint
Ammi drank with Linfeed.
Wilde Cumin.
The third kinde of Canila.
Fennel-feed.
Root of Cyprus.
Great Saffron.
Crefles.
Yellow Camomil.
The tender (talks of green Figs.
Bay-berries.
> In Wine.
* The feed of Hyacinth with Southern-
wood.
Seeds of Trifoty, and Rocker.
Four oboli of Agarick.
The juice of Jelly-flowrs and Plantain,
The Afhes of River Frogs.
Chamaipythe. ^
The herb Nodia.
Seed of white Thorn.
_ Flame-coloured Campions.
Arnoldus Villanovanus hath thefe : Herb Trinity cures the wounds of Scorpions, and kills the
Scorpions themfelves. Let the fick drink one fpoonfull of the juice of the root of Dwarf-el-
der with Wine, and it is an infallible remedy. Take of the roots of Cappars, Coloquintida,
Worm-wood, long Ariftolochia, Gentian, Bay-berries, Yellow Ben. White Briony, of each alike,
make it up with Honey. The Dofe is the quantity of a Nut with Wine. Another. Take feeds
of wilde Rue, Cumin, Garlick, Hazel-nuts, of each one dram, leaves of dryed Rue one grain
and half, Myrrhe, Frankincenfe, each one grain, white Pepper, Opium, each three drams, Opo-
ponix, Galbanum, of each half ad:am> nuke it up with Honey. The Dofe is the magnitude of
•Bean with Wine. John Arden an Englifi man, (he was in his rime the molt skilfull Chirurgeoffb
England) afcer his long p raftife in England and France) he aflftrfro he could finde nothing more
fcfoagainft chs (ting of the Scorpion, then to drawfortb tvvoor three drops of bloud hard by
Xxxx the'
\ o^8 The Theater oflnfeBs :or y B o o k 1 1 ,
the wound, and prefendy to anoint the wound with the fame bloud. Celfus faith that thofe Phy-
hcians did fome fuch thing, who were wont to keep the bloud they drew forth of the ' arms of
thofe that were (lung. And thit fhall fufficefor remedies againfi the fiingings of Scorpions.
It any nunchance to be bit by Rhajis Scorpion, (which we called Bunch't-back) the firft
cay a fmal pain is perceived, but the fecond, ftraightnefs, heavinefs, and fadnefs is feized on the
lick s the colour of the body is divers almoft every hour, and changing fiom green, yellow,
white, and red ; whence it may appear, that all the humours are infected, the place bums by
the confluence of pain, and humour, fwoundingfollowcs, and trembling of the heart, an acute
Veaver, and fwd ling of the tongue, by reafon of humours melted and corrupting in the brain,
and falling down on the roots and mufdes of the tongue: fometimes alfothe urine is bloudv,
by reafon of the acrimony of the venomous matter, and green choler is caft forth by vomit, alio
the guts are tormented with a fharp and vehement pain. Almoft all fymptomes fall upon the
nerves that can happen to them. Rhafis bids cure allthefe things this way: Firft, incifion beiiv*
made on the place, and cupping glafles applyed, burn it with a ftrong actual cautery, then
anoint the wound with the juice ofwilde Endive, or with oyl of Rotes, Barley water, juke of
Apples, and wich'all cold things. If the belly be not foluble, make it fo with a gentle Clyfter,
and the juice of Blites, Nitre, and oyl of Violets, and let the patient take this Thetiack. Take
Opopanax, Myrrhe, Galbanum, Caftoreum, white Pepper, of each alike, make it up with liquid
Storaxand Honey. The Dofe is the quantity of a Jujube : the part muft be fumed with a piece
of a milHoneheat, andfprinkled with Vinegar, Alio foment it with water of wilde Leccice.
The ufual Theriack. Take the rind of the root of Capparis, root of Coloquintida, Wormwood,
round Bkthwort, Hepatica, wilde Dandelion, dried, each alike: make a Powder: the Dofe is
two drams ;alfo fowre Apples muft be eaten, For pain in the belly : Let hup drink oyl of Roles, '
with Barley water, Citrals, Gourds, alfo give fowre Milk. For trembling of the heart : Let him
take juice of Endive, or fyrup of Vinegar, or fyrup of Apples, with troches of Camphire, or fowre
Milk the fame way. If the wound be afflitted with great pain : Lay on a Cataplafm of Bole and
Vinegar : for a defenfative and for a iharp remedy, lay on Euphorbium, or CaHoreum, Poly root
drank with water, and a Rams flefh burnt, is profitable. Theriack. called Hafcarina-> firft inven-
ted in the Province of Hafcarum. Take leaves of red Rofes iv. drams, Spodium ij. drams, Citron
Sanders ij. drams and half, Saffron j. dram, Licorice ij. drams, feeds of Citrals, Melons, Cucumers,
Gourds, Gum tragant, Spike, each j. dram. Lignum Aloes, Cardamon, Amylum, Camphir, each
j. dram, molt white Sugar, Manna, each iij. drams, with the mucilage of Fleawort and Rofe-vvater,
what may fuffice, make it up, The people of Hafcarum was wont to draw bloud from the fick
(fairh holy Abbas) almoft till they fainted ; then they gave fweet milk to drink, and water di~
Hilled from fowre Apples, Alfo they gave fowre Milk in great quantity. Thus the Arabians
fpeak of this peftilent kinde of Scorpions that Nicander and all the Greeks were ignorant of,
and that was too common in the Countrey of Hafcarum. Now we will fpeak.of Spiders,
Chap. XL
Of the 2>{ame of Spiders, and their Differences.
The Name. a-|-^h E Latine name Araneus-, or Aranea> is in Greek, «ew», from the flender feet it hath,
JL or from its high gate, fom the cobwebs it fpins : Others call him D r Mnf
catricem; Kiramidesy Sv&W '> Hefychim, stGv* > the Hebrews, Acabitha, Acbar, Acabifb-, Sema-
with; in Arabick, iV^and Phihih AldebahU and Aldebanh as it is called by Bellunenfis: the
Germans call it Spinn, and Banker ; the Englifh, Attercop, Spider, Spinner ; the Brabants, Spinh
and French, Araigne ; Italian, Ragno-, Ragna j the Spanifh, Arana-> or Taranna ; the Sclavonians,
Spawauckj, the Polonians, Paiae£; the Bnbm2.ns-,Koatan-> Kerfenati; Ifidoreyl..i^-c. 12. faith it is
called Aranea-> becaufe it is bred and nourifhed by the air : a twofold error: for if they live by
the air, wherefore are they fo careful to weave nets, and catch Flies? and if they were bred of
the air, wherefore do they copulate ? wherefore do they thruft forth little worms and eggs ?
but we will pardon the elegant Etymologer, becaufe who makes a cuftome to play thus with
words. There are many of thefe kindes, and all of them have three joynts in their legs :
A little head and body finalh
With fender feet, and very talU
Belly great, and from thence come all
The webs it fpins.
The differed Now Spiders are venomous, or harmlefs ; ofharmlefs fome are tame or houfe-fpiders, thofe
c ? s « are the biggeft of all ; others live in the open air, and from their greedinefs are called hunters or
wolves : the fmaller kindes of thefe do not weave ; but the greater fort begins his web ver y fliarp
and fmall by the hedges, or upon the ground, having a little hole to creep into, and laying the
beginnings of his webs within, obfervipg whileft fomething (bakes the web> then he runs to
catch
Chap. 12. Of lejfer living Creatures. 1059
catch it. The venomous Spiders called Phalangia, are fo venomous, that the place they wound
will prefentlyfwell. Theie are of twokindes; for fome are lei's, fome greater ; the lefs are va-
rious, violent, fharp, falacious, and going as it were rebounding, which as we read, are called
•J>'wi«> ox Fleas-) ox Apes; others are called Oribatest which are found efpecially on trees in $
mountains; they are called Hypodromh becaufe they live under leaves. Gefnerns. It is a hairy ^
creature, and breeds in the greater trees. The belly of it is moderately with incifions, that the
cutting may feem to be marked by thred. *p«s»*> by Diofcorides-, becaufe it boldly (hikes the heads of thole
rhat pais by it, when ic defcends by a thred, or fals down without it. It is a little creature in
the fhape of a Butterfly Phalxna : it goes horridly with the head alwaies nodding, and a heavy
belly, it is ot a long body and a greenifh colour; it hath its fling in the top of its neck, if in
Jighcupon any man, it will efpecially wounds the parts about the head, as ^Aetius Witneffeth ;
it'ls nourifhed in the Peach-tree leaves, and hath wings like to fome Butterflies: whence the
Scholiafl would inhnuate that this kindeof Phalangium is winged, which no man hath obfer-
ved yet. Fonzettus and <*Ardoynns-> deceived by Rabbi Mofes-, fuppofe it to be Cranocaleptes,zud
the Tarantula ; Gilbert an Englifh man followed this error, in the Chapter of the Tarantula.
Sc/erocephatvs, or hard-head, little differs in fafhion from the former j it hath a head as hard as
a (lone, and all the lineaments of its body like thofe little creatures that fly about candles.
Scoletionis a long Spider, and varied about the head efpecially with fome fpots. There is alfo
akinde of Phalangium, Pliny cals it the downy Spider, with a very great head; which being
cut, they fay that two worms are found, which bound to women before conception in a crows
skin, will keep them from conceiving: and this vertue of them will continue for a year, as
Cecilius hath left it written in his Commentaries. We call the lafl zAppulvs, and commonly
Tarantula-* famous by that name, from the Countrey of Tanntum-, where they are moll fre-
quent, it borrows its name, we give you here the picture of ic, th.it
was beftowed upon Pmnius by an Italian Merchant of happy memo-
ry ; where if you paint the white places with a light brown, and the
black with a dark brown, you xhave the true fpotted Tarantula ; I know
no man yet that defcribed it as it fhould be. Fcrdinandus Ponzettm
doth faign it to be only with (ix feet, and nArdoynus thinks the fame,
and faith more, that it hath a long tail. Rhafis cals it Tarantnla>
Sypta-,
who made two kindesof Tarantula's, one brownifh,as we havepictu-'
red it : another Saffron coloured and clear, fuch as Egypt produced"].
Phalangium is not known in Italy, as we faid out of Pliny, but now they are'all almofl found
in the fouth Countrey, with great inconvenience to mowers, and hunters, as is manifeft by dai-
ly experience. Ponfettm was wonderfully deceived, who in /. 3. c. 15. of the Scorpion, cals
Phalangium a venomous Ely. It is a cruel creature (faith Alexander ab Alexandro) peftilent to
touch. In fummerwhen the fun is very hot, their fling is venomous, at other times not. In the
coldefl Countreys there are many Spiders, but no Spiders called Phalangia, or if there be any,
they are free from all venomeand infeciiou. Tarantula: lie hid in the chinks of furrowes that
are cleft with heat, and they lfrike'and wound with their teeth mowers or hunters that are not
aware of them; wherefore the inhabitants defend their hands and feet, when they go to mow,
or to hawk or hunt, (he makes her web like a net very filently, and all the little creatures fhe
can catch, fhe provides for her fupper. All the Phalangia bring forth in their net, (that rhey
make thick) and they do as it were fit upon eggs in a great number, and when the young grows
up itembraceth the dam and kils her, and oft times cafls out the lire, if it can lay hold of him,
for he helps the dam to fit, and they bring forth 300. Belloniw I- fag- ebf c. 68. obferved little
Phalangia in fandy grounds creeping up the Horfes legs, (may be that is it the Germans call Stein
fpinncn) by whole continual bitings they ' fuddenly fainted, and daggering continually
they confumed. Bajilius faith that there are ten kindes of Phalangia, but he defcribes
them not. Avictnna (I know not out of what Book of Galen) divides the Spiders Phalangia in-
to the Egyptian, the black, the bright red, that men call Raches-, the white, Citron coloured,
Grape coloured, Pifmire-like, likeCantharis, Wafpy, and mountainous. But both he, and all
the Arabians defcribe them fo fool) AMy (to fay no more) that there can be nothing more con-
fufedin fo great a matter. Laftly, to add all the kindesof
Phalangia which we have feen or read of. I fhall annex the
Cretian Phalangium-, you have here the picture of it exactly
printed. It is of colour brown and afh-coloured, a fmooth
body, and hairy legs : near the mouth it is fenced as it were
vyith two hooked prickles,with which it bites and wounds. It
lives as the Spiders do by Flies & Butterflies,& makes nets to
catch them ; fhe laies eggs, and fofters them under her breaft,
whence the young ones are thruft forth, which flick under
the* dams belly, till growing ejder they kill her. They dig
a hole fit for the bignefs of their body ; for as they are not
eyery where of one colour, fo they are not of the fame mag-
nitude. They dwell in a cave two foot deep, and on the out-
iide they cover it with ftraW that the duft get not in. All
thefe venomous Spiders are naturally fo, for they fuck
not their poyfon from herbs , ( as fome think from
their
Ch a p. i 2. Of leffer living Creatures. 1061
their likenefs) for they do not fo much as tafte of them, nor yec from the malignity of
their food. For they feed principally on Flies, Gnats, Bees, and they fuck no ill humours
from them.
Grievous fymptomes follow the bitings of Pifmire Phalangium, for there follovvesa niightVsieni of -.he
f welling on the part bitten, the knees grow weak, the heart trembles, the forces fail, and°ofc-bi°ing t oV
times death fucceeds. Nicander faith that the fick fleepfo deeply, that they are alwaies afiejp Phalangia.
at laft, and are in the fame condition asthofeare that are Hung by the Viper: Hifiories relate
that Cleopatra let one to her breafi, that fhe might etcape Augujlm, without pain, nor is the wound
deadly unlefs it be wholly negledted. Rhagium makes a very fmall wound, and that cannot be
feen,after it hath bicten : the lower parts of the eyes,as alfo ot the checks wax red, then horror and
fainting feize on the loyns,and weaknefs on the knees-,the whole body is very cold & hath no heat,
and the nerves fufter convulfion from the malignity of the venoms. The parts l'erving for genera-
tion are fo debilitated, that they can hardly retain their feed, they make water like to Spiders
webs, and they feel pain as thofe do are (tung with a Scorpion. Fiom the (ling of Afterion-> men
feem wholly without ltrength, their knees fail them, fhiveiing and flee p invade Erie patient, The
blew Spider is worft of all, caulmg darknefs and vomitings like Spiders webs, then fainting,weak-
nefs of the knees, Coma, and death. Dyfderi-, or Wafp-like Phalangium, caufeth the fame fym-
ptomes with the blew, but milder, and with a flow venome brings on putrefaction. Where the
Tctragraphii bite, the place is whitifh, and there is a vehement and Continual pain in ir, the
part itfelf growes fmall as far as the joynts. Laftly, the whole body hndes no profit by its
nourifhment ; and after health recovered, men are troubled with immoderate watchings. Aetius*
Nicander denies dtre&ly that the afh-coloured Tetragnathon can pcyfon one by biting him.
The Cantharis like, or pulfe Phalangium raifeth wheals, which the Greeks call wvKlairat, the
mindeis troubled, the eyes are wrelted afide, the tongue Hammers and fails, fpeaking things im-
properly, the heart is as it were moved wirh fury, and flies up and down. The Vetch kinde pro-
duced! the fame mifchiefs, and caufe Horfes that devour them, and cattel to be very thirity,and to
burftin the middle. Cramcalaptes-, faith Pliny', if it bite any one, death followes fhortly after.
But and Nicander affirm the contrary, and that the wound thereof is cured without any
trouble almoft at all. Head-ache, cold, vertigo, reltlefnefs, toir.ngs, and pricking pains of the
belly follow, but they are all aflvvaged (faith Nicander) by fit remedies. Sclerocephalm-, is like
to this in form, and forces and effects the fame things, as alfo the Scalecium. We faid that the
dorony Phalangium drives away barrennefs, if it be carried about one, but whether it be violent-
ly venomous, I know no man that hath determined it. The fpotted or Phalangium of Apulia-,
doth produce divers and contrary fymptomes according to the complexion of him that is
wounded, and his prefent difpofition. For fome laugh, fome cry, fome fpeak faulteringly,otbers
are wholly lilent, this man fleeps, the other runs up and down alwaies waking; this man re-
joyceth, is merry and moves up and down, that is fad, flothful, dull; fome think themfelves to
be Kings, and command all ; fome are fad, and think they are in captivity, and fettered : laftly,
as men drunk are not of one quality: fo are thefe that are mad, fome are fearful, filent, trem-
bling ; fome arebold, clamorous, conftant. This is common to them all, to delight in mufical
inftruments, and to apply their mindes and bodies to dancing and leaping at the found of them.
Laftly, when by continuance of the difeafe and the vehemency of it, they feem naxt unto death,
yet when they hear mufick they recollect their fpirits, and they dance with greater chearful-
nefs every day. Thefe dancings being continued night and day, at length the fpirits being agita-
ted, and the venome driven forth by infenfible tranfpiration they grow well. But if the Muh-
cians upon any caufe do but leave off playing, before the fuel of this mifchief be fpenr* the fick
fall into the fame difeafe that they were firft oppreffed with. We muft admire this moft, above
other things, that all thofe that are ftung with the Tarantula, dance fo well, .as if they were
taught to dance, and fing as well as if they were mufical ly bred. (In Italy it was firft invented,
and cuftome hath taken it up to call fuch as are bitten, Tarantati-, or Tarantulati.) Cardanus
againft faith and experience, denieth that mufick can reftore any that are bitten; yet we heard
trie fame thing fell out at Bafil-, from Felix-, P 'later w, Theodore-, Zuingerm-, our molt famous, and
dear Matters,- and we read the fame in Mmhiolus-, Bellmenfts-, Ponzettusy and Paracelfas. And if
thefweet mufick of pipes could help mad horfes, and pains of the hips, (as Afclepiades writes)
why may knot help thofe are ftung with a Tarantula ? Some there are that atfign to this dif-'
eafe,fome I know not what fmall deity, as fuperintendent over it: they call him St. Vitus thit
had formerly great ski 11 in finging, he being called upon and pacified with mufick, as he is the
patron of mufick cures them, fo that men fuperftitioufly impute that to him> which they fhould
do to mufick and dancing. Bellonhts reports that the Cretian Phalangium induceth the like mif>
chiefs, and the pain and wound of it is alfo cured by mufick. It is no wonder the Ancients de-
fc.ibed not thefe two kindes of Phalangia, becaufe they knew them not, nor did the mew the
waies how to cure their ftingings. Diofcorides writes thus of the common bitings of the Pha-
langia. Thefympromes that follow their bitings are commonly thefe : The place ftung looketh
red, but neither fwels, nor waxeth hot, but it is fomething rroift; when it growes cold, the
whole body quakes, the hams and groins are ftretched out, there is a collection made in the
loins, they are often urged to make water, and they fweat with very great pain, and labour to
go to the ftool, and cold fweat runs down every where, and tears trickle down from their
Xxxx 3 darkhed
10 6 2 The Theat e r of InfeUs: or, B o o k 1 1.
darkned eyes. Attius adds further : They are kept waking, they have frequent ere&ion of the
yard, their head pricks, fometimes their eyes and their legs grow hollow. Their belly is unequal-
ly flictched out with winds, and their whole body fwels, chiefly their face, theirgums, their
ton"ues,andtonfils, they bring forth their words fooliihly and gaping, fometimes they are trou-
bled with difficulty to make water, they are pained in their fecrets, they make wine like water
and full of cobwebs. The part aftedted is pricked and fwels, ( which Diofcorides denied be-
fore) and it is moderately red. So faith Aetim-, from whom Paulus-, Atluarius-> A rdojnusy differ
but little. GaLi .de loc.ajfec.c. 7. hath it thus. The bitings faith he of the Phalangu are fcarce
to be feen: it full affects only the skin, and from the fuperhcies of it, it is carried by the conti-
Tbisis the nuityof the fibres to the brain, and into the whole body : for the skin comes from the mem-
fenfeof G«/f, brancs, and they from the nerves and the brain ; this is clear, becaufe by prefendy binding of it
but not the ' on r he farther parts, they are prefer ved from the venome that is near to them. IwZacinthns they
ftme words, jj^j AK bit by the Phalangia are othervvife afrecfed, and more grievoufly, in other parts :
their body is aflonifhed, weakned, trembles, and is very cold : vomiting and convulhon followes,
and inflation of the yard: their ears are afflicted with molt cruel pains, and the foles of their
feet. They ufe bathing for a remedy; if the party recovered go willingly into bathes afterwards,
or were by chance or by craft brought into them, by the hot water the contagion pallet h over
rhe whole body, and he perceives the fame mifchief in the whole body. Dio/corides writes the
lame things in the chapter concerning Tiifoly that fmels like Afphaltum. The decoction of the
whole plant eafeth all the pain by fomentation, where Serpents have Hung men, what man fce-
ver that hath ulcers and wafheth himfelf in the fame bath, is fo affected, as he that was bit by
a Serpent • Galen faith he thinks it is done by a miracle, Lib. de Theriaca ad Pifonem-, if Galen did
write that Book. But zA.lian fpeaksmore miraculoufly, where he affirms that may happen to
thofe that are found, making no mention of ulcers. And thus much for lymptomes. Now
for the cure.
The cure. The cure is particular or general. Phyfitians fpeak of but a few particular cures, becaufe the
general is commonly effectual.
But Pliny fets down a remedy againft the biting of the Phalangium called Formicarittm-, that
hath a red head : to fhew another of the fame kinde to him that is wounded , and they are kept
dead for thispurpofe. Alio a young Weafil is very good, whofe belly is fluft with Coriander,
kept long and drank in Wine. A Wafp, that is called Ichneumon-, bruited and applied, drives
back the venome of the Phalangium Vefparium, (faith Bellonius) not otherwife than as one living
kils another, that is alive. For Ichneumon (faith Arifiotle-> is a fmall creature that is an ene-
my to the Phalangia; it often goes into their holes, and goes forth again, Iofing its labour. For
it is a matter of great labour for fo fmall a creature to draw forth its enemy greater than it felf
by force; but if he light upon his enemy preying abroad, he drags the Phalangium as eafily with
him as a Pifmire doth a corn; and the more ftifly he drawes himfelf back, the Wafp draws him
on the more fiercely, and fparingno pains, doth beflir himfelf with all his might ; fometimes
when he is tired with too much labour, he flies away and breathes himfelf, and having recove-
red breath, he goes to feek for the Phalangium again, and llriking him often with his Hing, ar
laflhe kils him; when he hath killed him, he carries him into his own habitation on high, and
there it renewes its kinde by fitting upon them. Thofe whom the Tarantula flrikes, are helped
by violent and conflant motion; but c elf us on the other fide commands thofe that are ftricken by
the other kindes of Phalangia, to be quiet and to move but little. But mufick and finging are
1 he true Antidote of it. Chrifiophorus de honeftts-, bids prefently exhibit Theriaca zAndromachi.
Alfo he gives Butter and Honey, and Saftron root with Wine. The Bezar of it are the green
grains of the Maflick tree. Ponzettxs lib. de venen. perfwades to give ten grains of Mafiick with
Milk, or juice of the leaves of Mulberies, j. ounce and half. In the augmentation he cureth it
with Agarick of white Briony, after fweating much they muft be refreflned with cold and moift
things, as with Poppy-water. CMerula faith they are cured withfinging, dancing, leaping, and
colours ; I will not contend for the firlt three, but I cannot fee how they can be cured with co-
lours, efpecially when as they that are Hung are blinde, or fee very little. He faith alfo that in-
habitants and citizens are hurt by them, but flrangers are fafe and out of danger, which no
man of a fmal belief, or not very great faith can believe. Diofcorides appoints a general cure :
Firfl, fcarifying mufl be repeated, and cupping glaffes fet on with a great fire. Abfyrttts coun-
fels to fume the part firicken, with the fhels of Hens eggs firfl Heeped in Vinegar, and burned
with Harts-horn, or Galbanum.
Then youmuft ufe fcarification, and draw fouth the bloud by fucking or cupping glafles. Or,
which is fafcft,burn the place affe£ted with an actual Cautery, unlefs it were full of nerves • for
then it is bell to let a Cautery on the neighbouring parts. Then fweat muH be provoked with
clothes laid on, or rathe: by gentle and long walking. Lallly, to perfect the cure, you muft
prove by external and internal Medicaments, fuch as we here fet down, and the molt commen-
dable and moft noted we mark with an Aflerisk. Internal remedies out of Diofcorides : Take
feeds of Southernwood, Annifeed, Cummin feed, Dill, round Birthwort, wildeCicers, Cedar
fruit, Plantain, Trifoly,feed of Minianthes, each alike, bruifethem feverally ; the Dofe of them
feverally is ij. drams in Wine,but if you joyn many of them together, drink iij. drams or iv.with
Wine - alfo j. dram of the fruit of Tamarisk is effe&ual, with Wine. Chamepithy, and the
decoction
Chap. 12. Of hjfer living Creature r,
decoction of green Cyprus nuts with Wine. * Some prove of rhe juice of River-crabs with
Afles milk and Smallage-feed, and they promife it fliall prefently take away all pains. Alio a
I.y of the Fig-tree is drank againlt the bitings of the Phalangia : alfo it is good to dtink the
fruit of the Turpentine tree, Bay-berries, Balm-leaves, the feeds of all the wilde Carrots, and
of Coriander, the juice of Myrtle-berries, Ivy, Mulberry, Cabbage and Cliver-leaves, with Wine
or Vinegar, one dram of the leaves of Bean Trifoly drank with Wine.
Decoction of Sparagus root, juice of Houfleek, juice of Clivers with Wine. He alfo com-
mends a Snail bruited raw, and drank with Afles milk. * Alio Balm-leaves with Nitre, and
Mallowes boyled with the roots, drank often. The leaves, flowers, and ieeds of the herb Pha-
langium, and the feed of Gith, the Decoction of Afparagus, Mock Chervil, and the juice of
Muilberries.
Out of 'Galen.
Take Birthworth, Opium, of each four aurei, roots of Pellitory of Spain three aurei,make
Trochis as big as a Bean ; the Dole is two Trochis with three ounces of pure Wine. The afb.es
of a Rams hoof drank with Wine and Honey. The remedies of Diophantis, againfl the bitings
ef the Phalangia. Take Birthwort four drams, Pellitory as much, Pepper two drams, Opium
one dram, nuke little Cakes as big as Beans, take two, with two Cyathi of the belt Wine.
Another that is better. Take feeds of wilde Rue, Rocket-feed, Pellitory, Storax, quick Brim-
ftone, each lix drams, Caitoreum two drams, mingle them, make Trochis as before with Snails
blond; the Dole is three oboli in Wine. Another. Take Myrrhe, Calloreum, Storax, each one
dram, Opium two drams, Galbanum three drams, Annifeed, and Smallage of each one aceta-
bulum, Pepper thirty grains, make it up with Wine. Another. Take Myrrhe five drams, Spike
of Syria (ix drams, flowers of the round Cane two drams and half, Caflia four drams, Cina-
n ion three drams, white Pepper one dram and half, Frankincenle one dram and one obolus,
Coitus one dram, make it up with Athenian Honey ; the Dofe is the quantity of a Hazel-nut
with water, or wich Honey and water. Apollodorus * remedies. Take wilde Cumin one aceta-
bulum, bloud of a Sea-tortoife four drams, rennet of a Hinde or Hare three drams, Kids bloud
four drams, make them up with the belt Wine, and lay them up ; the Dofe is the quantity of
an Olive, in halt" a Cyathus of Wine. Another. Takeleedof bituminous Trifoly, round Birth-
wort, feeds of wilde Rue, Tare-feed dried in the Sun, each fix drams, drink them in Wine, and
make Cakes, four drams weight ; the Dofe is one Cake, Gal. 2. de Antid. where he hath col-
lected many remedies from Authors.
Out of Aetius and *J£gineta.
Take quick Brimftone, Galbanum, each four drams, bitter Almonds blancht, juice of Li-
fe Avort two drams, of Aflafour drams, mingle them with Wine and Honey, and drink them,
alfo lay them on thus. Another. Take Ameos two drams, Flower-de-luce one dram, or of
St fohns wort, or bituminous Trifoly, drink them in Wine. Or take Annifeed, wilde Carriot-
feed, Cumin-feed, Gith, Pepper, Agarick, each one dram, drink it. Or take leaves of Cyprus-
tree, or the Nuts bruifed in Wine and Oyl one Hemina, and drink it.
For this end he prefedbes Bay-berries, the herb Scorpions grafle, Serpolet, Laferwort, Gala-
minth , Chamxpitha, by themfelves, or with Rue and Pepper. Another. A bunch of Mints
boyled in frefh Pofca, let the fick drink two Cyathi: Alfo Germander, Chamspithy, white
Thorn, and Peniroyall in decoction are good. Alfo a Ly, and juice of Ivy with Vinegar. Aft
clepiades ufed thefe. Take feed of Sphondylium dried, Calamint, each alike, bruife them, and
drink often in a day two Cyathi of Wine with them. Another. Take juice of Laferwort, Dau-
cus-feed, dried Mints, Spikenard, each alike, make it up with Vinegar ; the Dofe is one dram :
take it with Pofca and Wine, four Cyathi, and prefently go into a hot Bath; when Laferwort
is wanting, take the double portion of pure Ajfa.
One that is better. * Take ofCenchryus, feeds of wilde Rue, Pepper, Myrrhe, wilde Vine, of
each one dram and half, Cyprus root one dram, make a Confection; the Dofe is one dram, with
four Cyathi of Wine, and one Cyathus of Honey. Alfo the eating of Garlick is good, as alfo a
Bath and Wine, and fuch things as help againlt Vipers ltingings. Paulas repeats the fame reme-
dies, and T'heban Cumin, or feed of Agnus Cafius or leaves of the white Poplar-tree drank in
Beer are very effectual.
Out of Nicander. Rofin of the Turpentine tree, Pine or Pitch-tree, drank or fwallowed, is
exceeding good, which Gefiter &nd Beflomus fay they learned by experience, to be true.
Out of Avicenna. The Myrtle-tree and the fruit of it, Doronicum, Maflick, A$a foetida. Dod-
der and its root, the Indian Hazel-nut (which isTheriac for this difeafe) white Bdellium, all of
thefe d ank with Wine. Take roots of Birthwort, Flower-de-luce, Spike Celtica, Pellitory of
Spain, Daucus, black Hellebore, Cumin, root of Daffodil, leaves of Winter Wheat, leaves of
Dogs-tooth, Pomegranate tops, Hares Rennet, Cinamon, juice of River-crabs, Storax, Opium,
Carpobalfamum, of each one ounce, beat all to powder, and make Troches, the weight of one
aureus, which is the Dofe of them. Alfo give in Wine the decoction' of the leaves of bitu-
minous Trifoly, of the Cyprus Nut, Smallage-feed. Moreover give to drink, Pine kernels,
■Ethiopian Cumin, leaves and rinde of the Plane-tree, feeds of Siler Montanum, black wilde
Ouches, feed of Nigella, Southern-wood, Dill, Birthwort, fruit of the Tamarisk, for all thefe
are very good. Alfo the juiee of wilde Lcttice and Houfe-leek are comntended,
4 The Theater of Infers : or> Book 1L
~~ The decoction of Cyprus Nuts, efpecially with Cinamon and River-crabs juice, and juice
of a-Goofe : Alfo the decoction of Sparagus with Wine and water.
Another- Take Birthwort, Cumin, each three drams with hot water: An approved Theriac
Take Ni^ella feed ten drams, Daucus, Cumin, each five drams, Cyprus roots and Nuts, each
three drams, Spikenard, Bay-berries, round Birthwort, Carpobalfamum, Cinamon, Gent irn> feeds
of Siler Montanum, and of Smallage, each two drams, make a Confection with Honey ; the
Dofe is the quantity of a Nut with old Wine. Confettion of Ajfa. Take Ajfa foetida-> Myrrhe,
Rue-leaves, each alike, make it up with Honey ; the Dofe is one ortwo drams with Wine.
Out of Abfyrtus, Lutlus, Albucafis-> Rhafis-, Ponzettus. Take white Pepper thirty grains, with
a draught of old Wine, take it often. Alfo Thyme is given in Wine. Abyrtus. Drink upon it
one fpoonfull of Wine diliilled with Balm. Lullus. Take dry Rue, Coitus, wilde Mints, Pellito-
ty of Spain, Cardamum, each alike, Ajfafoetida one fourth part, Honey what mayfuffice, min-
gle all, and make it up; the Dofe is the weight of an Hazel-nut in drink. Albucafis. A Hens
brain drank with a little Pepper in fweet Wine or Pofca. The decoction of Cyprus-nuts with
Wine. A Theriac againft the bitings of Phalangia. Take Tartar fix drams, yellow Brimlione
eight drams, Rue-feed three drams, Cafioreum, Rocket-feed each two drams, with the blond
of'the Sea-tortoife, make an Opiate; the dofe is one dram with Wine. Another. Take Pellitory
of Spain, round Birthwort,each one part, white Pepper half a part, Horehound four parts, make
it up with Honey ; the Dofe is one dram. Another. Roots of Capers, long Birthwort, Bay-
berries, Gentian root, each alike, drink it with Wine. Or drink Diaflawith ftrong Wine, and
Cumin, and Agnus Caftus feed. Another. Take Nigelh feed ten drams, Daucus, Cumin, each
five drams, wilde Rue-feed, Cyprus Nuts, each three drams, Indian Spike, Bay-berries, round
Birthwort, Carpobalfamum-, Cinamon, Gentian root, feed of bituminous Trifoly, Srmllage-feed,
each two drams, make a Confection with Honey ; the Dofe is the quantity of a Nut with old
Wine. Rhafis.
Out of Pliny, Celfus, Scaliger.
It is good for thofe that are bitten by the Phalangium to drink five Pifmires, or one dram
of the ^ow4»Nigella feed, or blackberries with Hypocifiis and Honey. Alfo Marifh Smallage
and wilde Rue, are peculiar againft the bitings of the Phalangia: Alfo the bloud of the Land
Tortoife is good, juice of Origanum, the root of Polymonia, Vervain, Cinquefoil, the feed of
Garden Onyons, all the kindes of Houfleek, roots of Cyprus, Turnfole with three grains of
juice of Ivy-root, in Wine or Pofca ; alfo Cafloreum two drams, in Mulfumto caufe vomit, or
in juice of Rue to flop it. Alfo Agnus Callus feed two drams : Apollodorus that followed Demo-
crates-) calls a kinde of herb Crocides-, by the touch whereof Phalangia die, and their force is
abated; the Mat-rufh-leaves next the root, eaten do profit. Pliny. Take wilde Vine-berries,
Myrrhe, each alike, drink them out of oneHemina of fod Wine. Alfo the feed ofRadifh, or
root of Darnel mult be drank with Wine. * Celfus, But amongft many other remedies that are
proved, one Antidote is due to Scaliger-} who was the ornament of our world and age; the form
of it is this. Take true round Birthwort, Mithiidate, each two ounces, Terra Sigillata half an
ounce, Flies living in the flowrs of Napellus, 22. Citron juice what may ferve turn, mingle them.
For faith he, againft this venome or any other bitings of Serpents, Art hath fcarce yet found
out fo eftectuall a remedy. Scaliger. Juice of Apples drank, or of Endive, are the Bezar againft
the bitings of the Phalangium : Pctrm de Albano. Thefe are the mofl approved outward remedies.
Five Spiders putrefied in Oyl and laid on, Afles or Horfe dung anoynted on with Vinegar or
Pofca: Take Vinegar three fextarii, Brimilone a fvxth part, mingle them, foment the place with
afponge, or abath, the pain being a little abated, wafhthe place with much fea-water : fome
think that the (tone Agates will cure all bitings of the Phalangia-, and for that reafon it is brought
out of India and fold dear. Pliny. Fig-tree afhes with Salt and Wine, the root of the wilde Pa-
nace bruifed, Birthwort and Barley-meal impalled with Vinegar, water and Honey and Salt for
a fomentation. Decoction of Balm, or the leaves of it made into a Pultis and applyed; we
muft constantly ufe hot Baths. Pliny. Open the veins of the tongue, and rub the places fwolne
with much Salt and Vinegar, then p.ovokefweat diligently and warily. Vigetius. The practical!
men mightily commend the root of Panax Chironia. Theopbrafius. Anoynt the wound with
Oyl, Garlick bruifed, or Onyons, or Knot-graffe, or Barley-meal with Bay-leaves, and Wine,
or Wine Lees, or wilde Rue,lay it on with Vinegar for a Cataplafme. Nanus. Take live Brimftone,
Galbanum, each four Denarii, Lybian juice and Euphorbium, each alike, Hazel-nuts pild,
each two drams, diflolve them in Wine, and with wine make a Cataplafme, alfo inwardly it
helps much. Flies bruifed and laid on the part affected. Alfo a Barbel heals the bites of a ve-
nemous Spider, if it be cut raw and applyed to it. Galen. Anoynt all the body with a moft li-
quid Oyntment with wax. Foment the part affected with Oyl, wherein bituminous Trifoly hath
been foked, or with a Sponge and hot Vinegar, very often. Make alfo a Cataplafme of thefe
that follow, namely, with Onyons, bloudwort, Solomons feal, Leeks, Bran boyled in Vinegar,
Barley-meal, and Bay-leaves, boyled in Honey and Wine. Make them alfo with Rue, Goats
dung with Wine, Cyprus, Mafjoram, and wilde Rue with Vinegar. Afclepiat his Plainer. Take
feed of wilde Rue, Rocket-feed, Staves-acre, of Cenchrus, Agnus Caftus, of Apples, Nuts, of
haves of Cyprefs, each alike, bruife all with Vinegar, and with Honey make a Philter. Aetius.
Lay the decoction of Lupines upon the place affected, the Efchar being firft taken away, then
anoync
Chap. 13. Of lejfer living Creatures.
anoynt it withGoofe greafe, wildeRue, and Oyl in the hoc Sun or by the fire, or make a
Cataplafmeof Barley^pap, and broth of Lupines. Oribafius. An Indian Hazel-nut fmearedon
cures the bitings of the Phalangia: Oyl of Worm-wood, and the milk of Figs anoyntedon,
doth profit very much. Avicenna. Of hot afhes, Figs and Salt with Wine make a Plailter : Al-
fo it is convenient to hide a great boll in fandorhot afhes, and by that means to fweat with
Antidotes. Rkafis. Goats dung mult be diffolved with the Pultefies, and laid to the parr af-
fected. Kiranides. Lay on often cold Iron. Petrus de Albano. Foment the place with juice of
Plantain daily. Bildcgard. Oyl of artificiall Balfam is exceeding foveraign. Euonymus. A Fo-
mentation of the branches and (talks of Mafterwort mult be continued, or let him drink Ver-
vain with Wine, and lay it on outwardly, fiift bruited. Turneifer. Bruife Rue with Garlick and
Oyl and lay it on. Celftts. You fhall laftlyfinde divers fuch remedies m Pliny and Diofcorides-,
fo digefted into order, that they rather require our filence, than our curious, and unufefull re-
petition. Of this therefore thus far.
—Now let us fee
That Spider with which our mindes well agrees
Who [its within the midfl of's Net to watch
Where the Eafi winde blowesy it Jhakes, he doth catch
Hies that but touch his Weby none can him match.
Chap. XIII.
Of the tame or houfe Spider.
AMongft Infe£ts, though many may be found (as Pliny, Calius, Curio the fecond, out of
whom we have fetched many of thefe things, fay rightly) that may exercile great wits,
yet the nature of Spiders is worthy to be admired in chief, and is apparent by their curious
-vorking, as any reafonable man will judge. Arifiotle the greateft diver into Nature, faith
:hat this is the molt magnificent, and wifelt of all Infects. And Solomon himfelf at whofe wif-
forite all the world admired, amortgft thofe four Animals that exceed Philofophers for their
Inowiedge, reckons up the Spider, dwelling as he faith in Kings Palaces, and weaving Webs
feat man cannot do the like. The Poets faign that the Spider was once a Lydian Ma yd, that
^Minerva had taught to work with the needle, and weaving all curious artificiall work:
>ut (he was grown fo proud of this skill, that fhe denyed that ever fhe learned this of Fallot*
aid fhe proceeded fo farre in arrogancy, that fhe boldly challenged LMinerva to work with
let in all thefe Arts: Wherefore Pallas difdainmg her pride, came, and fharply rebuking the
Mayd for her infolence, brake all her fine wrought works with a Wand: At this the Maydwas
bre abafhcd, and thought to have hanged her felf; but the Goddeffe pitying the poor Maids
tondition, would not i'ufrer her to dofo, but as fhe hung by a very fine Cord, fhei changed
ler fh.ipe into a Spider.
Pallas was angry, and in wroth fhe Jaid->
Tet live and hang thou proud and haughty Mayd,
And that thou mayfi fiill fuffer 'tis my minde,
The fame Law lafts for thee and for thy hinde.
But they that interpreted this a Fable or a Hiftory, fay that Arachne found out the art 61
Ipinning, lowing, and weaving hemp, taking pattern by the Spiders. And this needs not feem
(•range "to any man, fince the Swallowes found out the Art of plailtering, and for Oculifts,
lagles for building, Hippotamus for letting bloud, Ibis for giving Glyfters, Goats for Anti-
dotes, fo Tortoifes, Weafels, Storks have inftrufted us.
To praife the Spider as I ought, I fhall firlt fet before you the riches of its body, then of The praife of
its fortune, laftlyof its minde. If you confider the matter of it, it is light, partaking much of < he boufcSpi-
Air and Fire (that are the molt aftiveand nobleft Elements) but it hath little of earthly dregs ( " m i£ bo „
andg-avity. Confider the figure it is wholly round and orbicular, or at lealt Ovall, thatjy f j t ,
isnextunco it. Thefubftance of it is thin, tranfparent, fubtile, and though fometimes by the
abundavce of plunder and prey, it becomes fo cram'd, that it growes as great as a Walnut,
and (if Cardan ettt not) as great as a Sparrow fometimes, yet if you fee it hanging in its Web,
againft the light, it mines all through like a Chryfolite, and makes reflexion of beams molt
gratefull to the eye. It hath the fame colour that Ovid writes that Lovers have, that is, pale;
and when fhe fticks aloft with her feec calt every Way, fhe- exactly reprefents a painted Surre.
As if Nature had appointed not only to Make it round like the Heavens, but with rays like
the Stars, as if they were alive. The skin of it is fo foft, fmooth, poliihed and neat, that fhe
precedes the fofteft skin'd H\y<5h and the daintieft and mo!t beiutifull Strumpets, and is fo
clear that you m\y alffiott fee your face in her as in a Glaffe ■ fhe hath fingers that the moft
gallant
I065
1Q 66 The Theater of Infers :or y B o o k 1 1.
~~ pallant Virgins defire to have theirs like to them, long, (lender, round, of exaft feeling, that
there is no man, nor any Creature that can compare with her: fhe hath feet not numberlefle,
as the Scolopendrar, nor is fhe without feet, as fome Infe&s are, nor hath only fix feet, as
thole that want wings have, but eight feet, which number is next to the molt perfecl num-
ber, as all men know. Thefc legs alfo are made in a fel'quitertiall proportion >which is moll admi-
rable and venerable ; fo that though the latter feet be alvvayes fhorter then the former, yet
they hold ftill their proportion. Many Philofophers who hold that Spiders are blinde, are
blinde themfelves, for were they blinde, how fhould they make choice of thofe places that
ate moll convenient for to pitch their nets,and who fhould lead them to fallen one thred to ano-
ther, and fhould know how to mend their Webs when they are broken by accident ? when as
alio the tame and familiar Spiders will come from a diftance to catch a Flie that toucheth but
the fides of their threds,they are the more bold to purfue them,and will take them as it were from
hand to hind,as we have often feen. Truly they are blinde at noon-day,and underftand nothing,\vb.o
iay>that Spiders are blinde. In this Spider there is no poyfon nor hurt, for if it bite it is with-
out harm, and it is rather tickling then painfull. Alio their very Carkafes, and their bodies,
their eyes, their excrements, are good andufefull for many difeales, as we Hull make it plain
enough when wefpeak of their ufe. I know not what it was that made Pennins fo flighted
when he thought of eating them; for he knew a Noble EngtifiLzdyy and Phaertu a Phyhaan,
that did often eat them without any hurt at all. For the truth is, Spiders are free from poy-
fon, and are very good for ones health. But becanfe it feems fo horrid a Creature to fome
people, that the very fight of it makes them fly from it, I rather attribute that to their me-
lancholy apprehenfioflj tenderneffe and dillemper, than to the ill form of the Spider. Natuie
hath ufed no leffe elegancy and bounty in the Spider, then fhe hath done in the Butter-fly, and
Flie, and it is no light diieafe of the minde to difdain fobeautifull a work, and to be afraid of
a Creature that weaves fo cuiioufly. Laftly God hath, given a wonderful 1 difpofition and nature
of the skin to fowonderfull a body; for it doth not only once a year (as Vipers do) but every
Monethif flie be well fed fliechangeth her skin, and recovers anew one that is more curiou;.
Alfo it is of fo excellent a temper, and fo frugall in its diet, that in a wholefome place, where
The praife of fhe can get any provision, flie will live alvvayes. I think that to be the chiefelt good among*
theboufe Spi- the goods of Fortune, or rather Fate, that they carry the matter of their Webs in their be)-
dcr / ron ? c he ly> an d they are fo wellftored with it, that a Spider can draw forth innumerable threds ani
fune' ° ° r " vve;ive them, and catch if need be, a hundred Flies, and have Nets enow to wrap them ij.
And though they have not meat in a Granary as Pifmires have, nor ready and growing up, &
Bees have, but they live only upon food they light upon by chance, yet by Gods provident
the prey comes flying by that fuftains them, and oft times they grow fat with* plentifull difh.
And by the Kings example, the Nobles and rich men drove out this Miftreffe of labour ard
vertue, and they would not fufter one thred to remain, that was a Token and Enfign of hec
great wifdome. She when once flie went abroad to travell (as the Fabulift wittily faitl)
the Gowt by chance came to keep her company, though flie could hardly hold pace with her,
but with great toil. When as now they had travelled one dayes journey, at night they took
counfell to try their HoJt, but they were of different opinions. The Spider going into che
City, got into tbehoufeof a rich Citizen, and fo foon as fhe began to work and to fpread
her Tapeflry and hangings, (by the example of the bad Kings) he forthwith hates her, and
drives her out, and the fame night heexpos'd herto the rain and open air. But the Gowt being
lame, when he could go no further, got into the firft houfe of the Town, and could farce in-
treatto be harboured in thepooreft Cottage there; and when flie lay down, fhe found mifery
enough; fhe had for fup per brown bread that herftomach rofe againft, and a little herbs, fcarce
any fait upon them, and water was fetcht from the next pond,in an earthen Pitcher to quench her
thirft ; being thus entertained, fhe required a bed to ly on, fhe could get none but flraw or the
planks to ly upon, and fo flie lay down in pitifull mifery, lamenting and fighing: But alas
how wretched a thing it is for tender limbs, and that cannot endure to be touched (as faith
Hippocrates) to lyupon fuch a hard bed and pillowes. The next morning the Spider and the
Gowt met again ; the Spider complained terribly of the incivility and rudenefle of the rich
Citizen, and the Gowt on the other fide complained of her Hofts poverty and poor fare, fhewing
the
Chap. 13. Of leffer living Creatures. 1067
the black and blew marks the hard lodging had made in her skin; and when they had a while
taken deliberation about it,they both agreed upon this,that the next night they would change their
holt ; that the Spider fhould go to the poor cottages, and the Gowt to the Kings palaces and rich
menshoufes: the Gowt not unmindful of this agreement) went to a very rich mans houle, and
lay down at the feet of a very well fed Mailer, that was very rich, and fo foon as this kinde holt
perceived her, with what humanity, embracings, and cheerfulnefs did he entertain her ! down
pillowes were laid under her, all the (tools and chairs in the chambers are filled with the belt fea-
thers, andcufhions laid upon them; the Kite hen was very hot, and all officers at work for pro-
irinon; the table is fpread with all dainties, and the cups Hll'd with Wine; fat andcramb'd Ca-
pons, Pheafants, Partridge, Peacocks, Quails, Turtles, that feed on figs and grapes, and thofe birds!
that have two hearts to fet them forth come flying to the table: Turbots, Gilt-heads, Sturge-
ons, are not worth f peaking of. The fliell-fifh of Campania with purple juice, and Oyltersfrom
Abydns, and whatfoever the whole ocean can afford, arc ready. The Wines, are white, black, red,
purple, fweet, delicate, fharp, Cecubum-, FalermmiCbiam-, povvred forth in full bouls. To fay
nothing of the fecond table brought from Tarentum-, and the dainty cates, with Rofe, Violet,
and Iacinth coloured. Laflly, no delights, dainties, pleafures, or joyes are wanting, that the
rich Gowt, (for fhe is daughter to Bacchm and Venus) with her fillers, the hand and knee-gowts,
may be entertained delicately. The Spider alio as good hap was, light upon a poor Cottage in-
ftead of a rich palace, and there fhe teacheth man and wife what dunes are ufeful for both, and
fats herfelf with care. But perhaps fome man wil object that they can finde no good fortune in this,
but only the Spider may be commended for changing her habitation and her holt; but it is very for-
tunate for her : for fhe lives not only fafer,and more at re(t,but fhe doth not from the roof as from a
Watch-tower, behold any more adulteries, gluttony, riot,prodigality, lafcivioufnefs,plays ; dancing9,
Wantonnels,dicings,cardings,and laltly thole vanities, and bealllinefs, that never enter into poor
mens cottages, whereof (lie knew her felftobe guilty, whileft fhe lived in Courts and Palaces
of great men, who lb foon as they had driven forth the Spider, (the miltrefs of labour and fru-
gality) were prefently feifed on by the Gowt, and not only fo, but all luxury, dillemblmg, lying,
flattering,pride,entred into their palaces, or rather into their ears, eyes, and mindes, and pollu-
ted them with all wickednefs and companions of all mifchiefs: were knot better for Kings to
allow this good,frugal, wife, harmlefs little creature a room in their large chambers, than to hear-
ken to, and to reward fo much fuch pick-thanks, and Court-flatterers, and voluptuous perfons,who
by their wicked counfel and example will quickly corrupt the belt men ? I know not whether I Pnyfeg of tb«
were bell commend the Spider for the gifts of herminde, as wifdom, jultice, valour, tempe- Spider from
ranee, humanity, love of poverty, love of works, fufficiency, cunning, cleanlineffe,and her other the g»f«Q{b«
vertues; or elfe her admirable art and skill in weaving her Webs. Her wifdom appears i n m,nde «
that, that when the Rivers are like to rife higher, and drown her houfe , fhe removes to
fome fafer place. In fair weather when the Flies fly about , they weave not , but wait on
their prey : fhe runs away at the leafl touch of any thing that troubles her, and hides her
head in her hole (as Vipers do) that fhe may feel the lefle pain, and that her body being hurt,
(which is eafily healed) yet fhe may preferve her head that governs the whole body. Who taught
them to know this ? Did any Chaldean teach them, by the fituation and polition of the Stars ?
No indeed, but the Spider hath a certain divine wifdom given her, as the Poet fang truly>
Her body moves by vertue of her minder
Dijfufed in every part
Moreover,fo foon as they fee an enemy fain within their nets,they do not prefently wound him,
or bite him in a hollile manner, but they kiffe as it were and tickle him, until they have all
fmeered him over with a clammy web fetcht out from the hinder parts with their hindermolt
feet, and have as it were bound him with bands, taking away from him all power of reliltance,
flying away or moving ; then that thred being faftned to their web, they run to the centre toob"
ferve, if any new prey may fall within their nets : and thus fometimes you fhall fee ten or twen-
ty Flies hung upon a line on high, and the Spider will take them one after another, breaking
their line they hang by, and f alined to one of the hinder legs, will carry them to the centre of
her work, arid there devour them : fhe feeds on nothing but the juice of Flies, and when the car,
kafs is dry and void of all juice, fhe throws it down as an ufelefs burden to her web. Moreover,
becaufe the female is fomething greater than the male> therefore fhe hangs under and obferves,
for fear the fmall creatures fhould perceive and take heed, but that they may fall unawares into
her net, for by reafon of her greater body fhe is not fo fit to catch her prey. But the male is
more active, and lies a top, as if he were otherwife imployed, or elfe feeing all things from a
very little hole in his net, he conceals himfelf that he cannot be feen. And when any by chance
comes to his lot, how vigilant is he and intent after his game? for he will not let his prey efcape>
but he runs from the uppermoft line to the lowed fuddenly, and when he hath his belly full, he
laies up the reft of his provant, and hangs them up by a thred to fuck them another time. And
when as by age the webs have loft their clammy quality to hold faft, the Spider either new
weaves them, or elfe beglewes them anew and repairs them. Her work ended, fhe either con-
tains her felf in he? hole, q: watching above fhe holds r,he thread drawn from the cencre.as it were
The Theater of Infefts : or, B o o k 1 1.
with her hands, whereby fhe can go and come to her nets and retreat at pleafure, and alfo (if any
prey be taken) fhe perceives it by the motion of her web. But to be more certain, before fhe
comes down, fhe drawes her thred back fometimes, that fhe may know hew it is by motion
and weight. Then firft fhe hafineth to the centre ; which the enfnared little creatures either fea-
tins or D conje£turing, do lie ftill, left by motion they fhould difcover themfelves and be more
entangled; yet they cannot deceive the Spiders who with feet and eyes perceive their prey, and
runfwutly unto itfuddenly. But good God, what and how great juftice is feen amonglt Spi-
ders? None of them robs another of his wife, none of them enters upon anothers houfe; each
ofthmi lives by his own labour and pofleffions, and they hold it unlawful to break the bands
chat belong their neighbours :
'But men art not fo jufl-, oh pity 'tis to fet
How coveteus they are-> lufi reigns in each degree '
Adding hoftfe to houfet both feas and lands-)
And more worlds they fain would have in their hands.
Farther, they do not pitch their nets for fuch creatures as are good, and ufeful, but to catch
Hornets, Oxe-flies, Horle-flies,Wafps, Drones, Breezes, Gnats, common Flies, which are to us
like bawds, theeves, flatterers (as the Comedian fpeaks) that breed us many inconveniences, but
are no way fit to do us any good. Moreover, fhe dares (as fhe is very valiant and magnani-
mous) hunt after the Lizards young ones, whom fhe prefently involves in hernet> as they make
refinance, then laying hold of both their lips with a deadly biting, fhe holds them fofaft, that
fhe makes them dye under her. And laftly like another Cacusfoz drawes them backward dead
into her lurking place. And if by chance in this great conteft, fhe flndes her nets broken or
folded together, Hie prefently repairs, unfolds, and fpreads them anew with great dexterity.
Farther yet, there is a fierce and everlafting fewd between the Spider and the Serpent ; for if at
any time the Serpent fee king fhady places, fals upon fome places under a tree where many Spi-
ders are, one or other of them will fall right upon the Serpents head with his net, and fhe will
fo beat upon his brain with her mouth, that he will make a noife and hifs, and be fo vertiginous,
that in this miferable condition, he can neither break her' thread, nor efcape from her. Nor is
their end of this combate, till the Spider have dettroyed him. Let the Romans be filent con-
cerning their battails on the ftage, and the cruel combates of Elephants, when a little Spider
dares tight with a horrid and wan black Serpent j and not only to fight with him^but to triumph
over him, and carry away the rich fpoilsof her victory. Who would not admire fo great force,
fo great weight, fo fharp and hard bitings, and almoft incredible ftrength, in fo fmall a body,and
of no consideration, having neither bones, nerves, flefh, and hardly any skin? this cannot pro-
ceed from its body, but its fpirit ; or ratherfrom Godhimfelf : In the fame fafhion they en-
ter the lilts with land and water Toads, and kill them in fingle fight. For not only Pliny and
Albertus the Philoibpher mention this, but alfo Erafmus m his Dialogue of friendfhip, re-
lates, ho\> a certain Monk, who flept with open mouth, and had a Toad hanging at his lip,
efcaped by afliftance of the Spider. Oft-times alfo they enter the ftage with the winged
Horner, that hath a ftrong fling, and fibres almoft of horn, who ftraight by, main force breaks
through their webs, as great rich men do with the Laws, yetatlaftheis wrapt in a more tena-
cious glew, and pays for breaking open their houfes, and conquer'd in fingle duel , he becomes
fubject to the Spider.
I mnft not pafle by their temperance that was once proper to Man, but now the Spiders have
almoft won it from them. Who is there now, (if age will let him) who will be content with
the love of one ? and doth not deliver up himfelf body and foul to wandring luft ? But the Spi-
der fofoonas they grow up, choofe their mates, and never part till death. Moreover as they
are moft impatient of corrivals, fo they fet upon any Adulterers that dare venture upon their
Cottages, and bite them, and drive them away, and oft-times juftly defttoy them. Nor doth
any one of them attempt to offer violence to the female of another, or to aflault her chaftity.
So great command have they of their affeitions, fo faithful and entire are they in their conjugal
love, like Turtles. If you refpect their houfhold government, what is there more frugal, more
laborious, or more cleanly to be feen in the whole world? For they will not fuffer the leaft
thread to be loft,or placed in vain ; and they eafe themfelves by interchangeable work ; for when
the female weaves, the male hunts : if either be fick, the other fupplies both offices,that they may
deferve alike. So fometimes the female hunts, and the male weaves, and this at any time when
the one wants the othe-s afliltance ; for we cannot think them fo void of mutual love, that living
fo faithful in Matrimony, the one fhould not lend a helping hand to the others neceflities, and fo
by mutual courtefie they continues their friendfhip amongft themfelves. The female at home
being now learned from her Parents to fpin and weave (as fhe is wont to do with us) fhe be-
gins her webs, and her belly contains all the matter of them , whether it be for that at a cer-
tain time her entrails are fo corrupted (as Democritus faid) or that there is a kinde of woolly
fruitfulnefle in her as there is in the Silk-worm. Yet Arifiotle will have the matter to be with-
out, like a thin fhell which is drawn in length, by fpinning and weaving ; or after the manner
of thofe that fhoot out their briftles, as the Porcupine. However it be, they lofe not the
ioe8
Chap. 13. Of leffer living Creatures.
leaft end of a thred, but they undertake all by providence. Their love to their young ones
no man can rightly defcribe, but he that loves his children himfelf. For by mutuall incuba-
tion, they folter their Egges, and raife up and increafe the hert of them ; and thouhg oft-
times they produce three hundred young ones, yet they bring them all up alike to labour, fpa-
ringnefle, difcipline, and weaving, and love them all alike. I have oft vvondred at their
cleanlinefle, when I have feen thoie that were weak and ftck to go down to the bottome of
their Web, out of their dens, and exonerate their bellies, left by the filth of their excre-
ments their houfes, or Web, or threds fhould be polluted. And thefe things flull fuffice for
their civill and aeconomicall vertues. Now let us proceed to their art of making Nets, which
is fo oftenfive to Pallas-, for the Scholar exceeded her Miflris in the curiofity of her work.
Firft therefore we fhall confider the clammy ftufte that drawes like Bird-lime, which lofeth
not its tenacioufneflebydiineife nor by moyfture, we faid from Pliny, that (he drawes this
ftuffe out of her belly. But feeing that the males weave alfo, I think on good grounds, with
our friend Bruerus, that it is dra wn out of the entrails behinde. And face it cannot be ex.
haufted, we may wonder at the infinite and endlefle power of God, and adore it, for it were
next to madnefleto aifign this to bodily or naturall caufes. Thoie Spiders are held to be
the bell Artificers that work in Autumn, and are called hold ; they draw a thred that is
fmaller then any linnen or filk, and farre lighter, and fo pure (faith *A.lianwi) that the whole
Web wrapt together, will fcarce make one thred as great as a linnen thred though it be never
fo fmall. Edwardus Mommas dcfcribed thefe, both Males and Females, very elegantly Heptam :
/. 7. in thefe words
-He hunts at home,
But Jhe doth weave within her tender loom,
lAnd jttgler-like, Jbefrom her belly cafts
Great clewes of jam and thred,which while it lafis
She workj to make her Nets, and.every fart
She frames exatllj by Dedalianart,
Her Web is fanned to the beam, the threds
Are parted by fit lines At feverall heads-.
She works from Centre to circumference,
The Web is made on both fides for defence.
Pervious left when the Eafi-winde doth fet
Strong, it might breaks this tender wQrke, andyet
The flrongefi Flie may be held in this Net.
No fooner can a Flie but fhake her thread,
The male runs to the Centre, and his head
Peeps forth to catch what comes, fois he fed.
The variety of their Nets is fo great, that it is not called amiffe, the GoddelTe of a thou-
fand works ; fome of them are loofer, fome thicker, fome triangular, others fquare, forne
Diamond figures, for the commodity of the fwiftneffe of hawking : But that which is round is
commonly wrought between two trees, or Reeds, and oft times in divers window es, hanged
faft with ropes, and fail-yards. Good God, what great reafon, judgement, art, what admirable
wifdome and beauty fhe fhews ! Truly we may not fuppofe amifle, to fay that Euclides learn-
ed to make his figures from hence, and Fifhermen their Nets; for from whence elfe could they
fetch fuch an example of fo curious and laborious a Miftrcfle? So finely is her work befmeared,
and made fo round and exa£t, and fo equally ballanced, and fhe doth fo work her body in place
of a weight and fpindle, that fhe may well oe compared with (JWinerva-, but that the compari-
fon makes me afraid. Alfo the work is fo firm, though it appear fo weak, th.it it will hold
Hornets, endure force of windes, and duft being fallen into it, it rather yeelds than breaks or
is hurt. The manner of her Net-work is this : Firft fhe drawes her femidiameters to the pU*
ces circumabient, moft fit for her work, then with no compafle, but byanacurall skill of her
feet, flie makes 44 circles with her thread from the center to the circumference, by equall
parts more diftant one from the other. Moreover that is worth our knowing, as alfo itfeem.-'
edmoft admirable to our moft learned Turnerus and Bruerus, namely, that thole Spiders when
they are purpofed to faften a thred from a high beam, in a right line to the earth, they hold
a little ftone with their feet, and then by degrees they let themfelves down by a three doubled
thred,that the angle at the earth may anfwer the angle above by the beam exactly. But that
above all the reft is worthy of admiration, how they faften the firft thred on the hither fide
of the River, andthefecond on the farther fide,whereas Nature hath not taught them to fly,
or to fwim; I much doubt whether they leap over or not. The fecond praifes in weaving
theydeferve, that build on the rafts of houfes, and other Field-fpiders, who upon thegrafie
weave a Net, that is broad, thick, and plain, and it is a Net indeed, fpread forth likeafayl,
or fheet. In the work of thefe Spiders, if you confider, the wouf, the skains of yarn, the
trendle, the fhittle, the comb, the woof, the diftaife, the web, eiche: you will fee
nothing, or you muft fee God infenfible, yet really performing all thefe things?
and truly in fpinning^ they go far before the Egyptians, Lydians, Penelope, Tanaquil, Ameftrk,
Romes Claudiana, Sabina, Julia, and the Queens of CMacedonia, that were wonderfully skilM
in fpinning, becaufe (beyond all ordrdinary reafon and art) no threds being drawn ovsrthwarf, v -
they make a folid and tenacious Web, of a ftraight continued long thred, Their work being
ended, they fmeer it over with a birdlimy glutinous fpittle, by the touch of which alone the
prey is entangled, and payes for its blindenefl'e and want of foreiight, The colour of her Web
is aereall and tranfparent, or rather no colour, which is the thing deceives the Fligs thaf are
not aware of it, and they that fee beft hardly efcape it. For had it but any perfe& colour,
the v would think what need they had to avoid ic> and fly farther from if. The moft ignoble
The Theater of InfeBs : or, B o o k 1 1.
Spiders, (namely, thofe that are fluggiih, fat, and that ly in holes) make but a very courfe
Web, and grofl'er thred by farre, which they hang only to holes in "Walls. Thefe have a
more heavy body, Ihorter feet, and are more unrit to fpin or card, they light upon their
prey rather by chance than feekforit, becaufethc hole is- great without, and feems a fit place
for Flies to hide themfelves in; but at the very entrance they are enfnaredby the Spider, and
catcht, and are carryed into the Shambles for Flies to beflain. For they lydeep in Walls>
that they may eiciipethe Birds that ly in wait for them (as Sparrows, Red-breafts, Nightin-
gales, Hedge-fparrows) and that they may the fooner enfnare the Flies that fufpecl: no harm.
And for Spiders that are harmlejfe, and for their Webs, let this fttffice : Now we Jha/l adde feme'
thing concerning thofe kindes I have obferved.
Chap. XIV.
Of certain kindes of Spiders obferted by Authors.
YOu may remember that I fo divided Spiders, that fome were venemous, and called Pha-
langiay and others were harmlefle : Few of the Phalangia ( and perhaps none ) ufe to
fpin, but all the red fpend their time in making threds or Nets. Some of thefe Net-work-
workers are Houfe Spicjers, others are field Spiders, io
alfo are thole that make threds diilinguiflied.
Amongft the Net-workers I faw one the greateft
of all, I havefet down the picture of it here. In Autumn
amongft fmall Rofe-boughs it extendeth an artificiallNet,
and itcatcheth either another Spider running over it, or
Gnats or Flies that come to it, when fhe pulls her cord
with wonderfull dexterity> and when fhe hath hanged
them thus up, fhe, leaves them till fhe growes hungry a-
gain. She hath a frothy body, Ovall figured almolt, ir
hath a little head with pinfers under the belly, and the
back is adorned with white fpots : This is one of the Autum-
nal Hold, and in a very fhort time ifwill grow from the big-
neAe of a Peafe to be as big as you fee her here defcri-
bed. Amongft the Web-makers, we have feen fome
fpin a very fine Web, others fpin one that was but mo-
derately fane, fome fpin bafe ftufte, grofle, rude, and ill
favoured : The moft fubtile work-malters are the Houfe-
bred-Spiders, whereof we have here fet down one of a
brown colour, of the bignefle of the figure, and being
placed between you and the Sun, it is of fome tranfpa-
rency. This is it vvhofe commendation was written by Cce-
liw Secundm Curio , and the nature of it by Pliny-) which
taught Heba-, Penelope \ the Egyptians, \Lydians ^Macedonians-, and
others that were given to ipinning. This field Spider weaves
a moderate and ftrong Web in hedges, ftretch-
ing forth his meet with a Coverlaid , and
where he dwells he waits for his prey. His
Web is thicker that it may not rain through,
and better to endure the force of vvindes, flic
hath a brown body, but feet that are changea-
ble colours, varyed wirh black and white fpots
in order, fhe hath a forked mouth, fenced with
clawes, the two white fpots that are feen above
in the head I know not whether they ferve for
eyes, the whole body is gently hairy ; fhe doth
ftretch out her Web wide and long, that /he
may catch much prey, to which fhe is very much
addicted. This field Spider fpins a bafe and uu-
poliihed thred, and gathers it as it were into a
bundle. Pennius firft obferved this kinde in Colchefiey 'fields between wilde Origanum watch-
ing for FUes, and he never faw^it otherwife, It hath feet like to thofe defcribed juft before,a
round
I070
Ghap. 14. Of lejfer living Creature*.
round body like a Globe, the back is marked
with white fpots, alfo it hath a fundament four
fquare, and black. Hitherto alfo we referre three
kindes of the Spiders called Lupi, who live in
chinks of Walls, heaps of ftones, and old rub-
billi : they weave a bafe and fmall Web in their
holes, and in the day time they wander farther
abroad in hopes of prey, which they fet upon
with great force, and draw into their dens.
The greateft of them is of a brown colour, it
hath a head almoftof Ovall figure, the body
as a Globe, both (ides are adorned with two
fmall and fhorc white lines, about the middle of the back it is of a
more whitifh colour, it hath feet comely with divers black and
brown fpots : The middlemoft is the leaft, and grey-coloured j the
ridge of the back is let forth by three Pearles as it were, whereof
that which is next to the neck is g eater and longer. The third feems
to be blacker, wearing a Crofle overthwart the back very white, and
with light angles, and therefore fome call it the holy Spider. I con-
jecture °that thefe are of tHe Wolf kinde, becaufe they run with a
kinde of leaping^ a "d difcover a great ravening appetite, for they
lay up nought for the morrow, but confume all their provifion in one
day. Gefner faw one of trus kinde that was Alh-coloured. There
are alfo Spiders with long fhanks, that make difo:-
derly and moft rude work. The field Spider with
a body almoft round and brown, that lives about
grafle and Sheep, the Englifh call it Shepheardy ei-
ther becaufe it is pleated with the company of Sheep,
or becaufe Shepherds think thole fields that are ful f
of them to be good wholfome Sheep-pafture, and
no venome to be it, (for this Shepherd taken in-
wardly, or outwardly apply ed, is a harmlefle Crea-
ture.) There are yet more kindes of Spiders, for
there is a kinde of black Spider, with fhorr feet,
that hath a white Egge under the belly, white a*
fnow, and running fwiftly ; when the Egge breaks,
many young Spiders run forth, which go all with their Dam to feed, and at night they
.reft upon the Dams back. Pennim fuppofed that this was rough with warts, untill he touch-
ed it with a (iraw, and faw the young Spiders to run down. Alfo in rotten hollow trees
there are very black Spiders, with great bodies, very fhort feet, that dwell with Cheeflrps,
and Catterpillers called Juli. Alfo faith Gefner-, we have feen them all white, with a com-
pacted and broad little body, upon the flower of Mountain Parfley, Rofes, and grafle, they
nave moft long (lender legs, the mouth is noted with a fpot, and both fides with a red line;
he thought it was venemous, becaufe he faw a Munkey almoft dead that had eaten one, and
could hardly be recovered by powring Oyl down his throat.
We know alfo Spiders with a long body, and a fharp tail, they
are red from black, as alfo green. Alfo there aie red ones of
two kindes, one great one that dwells only in the Caves of
the earth, with a body Cinnaber colour, with feet yellow
from red, the tail and belly tend toward yellow a little from
brown. There is another fort very fmall, lefle then a Sheeps
Tike, as red as Scarlet, it hath but fix feet, being a monfter
amongft Spiders ; it hath a head like as Spiders have, but it is
very fmall : It lives in the earth, and weaves a very courfe
Web, and not well wrought ; fometimes fine wand:eth abroad,
and fhews great agility to catch her p:ey. We grant willing-
ly that there are more kindes of Spiders, and of more colours>
for our land brings not all things forth, nor yet did Actoriden
though he was called toko^m*, fee all things. It may be fu-
ture times may delineate the reft better. In the mean time
we have fpoken of Spiders if not to delight, yet according as
we thought fit, and we would do no more, becaufe in writing fo much of them we have ta-
ken great pains : Yet this we fhall obferve, that all Net-workers, and Web-workers amongft
Spiders, do grow to have greater skill by age, and that fhut up in Wooll, they increafethe
generation of Moths, and they yearly oft times call: oft" their old skin, and the greater and
luftier they are, the more ingenious are they found to be in their gifts of life.
IO7I
Yyyy 2
CHAP.
The Theater of Infe&s : or, Book 1 I.
CHAP. XV.
Of the generation, copulation, and ufe of Spiders.
Generation T T * s manifeft Spiders are bred of fome aereall feeds putrefied, from filch, and corrnp-
J.tion, becaufe that the nevveft houfes the firft day they are vvhited will have borh Spiders
and Cobwebs in them. But their propagation is frequently by copulation, the defire and
ait whereof lalts almoft all the Spring. They do by a mutual and frequent attraction of
Copulation, Net, as it were kindle venery, and continually as they draw, they come neerer, then
at laft they copulate backwards, becaufe that manner of copulation, by reafon of their round
body was molt convenient: After the fame manner do all the Phalangia that weave, copu-
late together, and they are generated from creatures of the fame kinde as Ariflotle tefiihe-.
But they copulate not in the Spring, but at beginning of the Winter; at which time rhey
go faltelt, and hurt certainly, and feem to be more venemous. Some after copulation lay
one Egge alone, and carry it under their belly, and it is white as fnow, and they fit on it
by courle, the male fometimes helping the female. Others lay many and very fmall Egges,
like Poppy-feeds, out of which fometimes thirty fmall Spiders are bred, after fome trilling
fports in their Web, they go forth with their Dam, and in the evening they come in again,
untill fuch time as each of them hath learned to fpin its own Web, to live more fafely and
pleafantly, they thruft forth their young by leaping, they fit on their Egges three dayes, and
in a Lunar moneth, they bring their young to perfection. The Houfe Spiders lay their Egges
in a thin Web, but the field Spiders in a thick, becaufe they may refift the greater forces of
winde and rain ; the place helps much for Generation. For as in the Countrey of Arrhen-
tia, and in the Ifland of Crete there are great ftore of Phalangia-, fo in Ireland there are none ;
they did not long indure in England-, the Tower at Gratianopolis would fufter none, for
though many of our Spiders fvvallowed down do hurt us, yet their bite is harmlefie, and no
man is killed byit,bur thebitingsof all Phalangia are deadly. Where fhall you not findethele
Spiders that bite without doing hurt? they climbe up into Kings Courts to teach them vertue:
they work in Noble mens Chambers to teach them their Duties : they dwell w poor mens
houfes to teach them patience, to fufter, and to labour? Goe but into your Orchard, and
each tree is inhabited by them, in your Garden, they hidif in £ofes, in the field they work in
hedges, you fhall finde them at home and abroad, that you 'may have nocaufe to complain
that there are no examples for vertue and diligence every where. The Spider, fhough Y allot
called her impudent,
let rhem prefently boyl on the fire, drop fome of that Oyl warm into the ear that is in pain>
audit profits much. Or preffe out the juice of Spiders with juice of Rofes, snd put it in
with Wooll. Marcelltts Empir. Pliny bids infufe them in Vinegar or Oyl of Rofjs and (tamp
them, and then drop fome into the ear with Saffron, and it will fiill the pain certainly : Di-
ofcorides affirms as much. Sofirattu mex Jkx&av, faith, that Cranocolaptes ( a certain Spider )
drowned in Oyl, is a prefent remedy again!! poyfons, as the Scholialt of Nicander profefieth.
Somecatch a Spider with their left hand, and bruife her in Oyl of Rofes, and drop fome of
it into the ear of the fame fide the tooth akes, and Pliny faith it is a cure. Laid upon their mn
kites-, and taken inwardly they help us- What mould I fpeak of the Albugo of the eye,amoft
hurtfull difeafe ? Yet that is taken away very eafily by the help of one Spider, if you do but
bruife the longeft and {tendered feet (efpecially of that kinde of Spiders that are the whitefi)
with Oyl, and anoynt the eyes affe&ed with it. Pliny. Alfo the running of the eyes is flopped,
(which the Greeks call om
Chap. 15. Of leffer living Creatures.
up, and applies him, it flops the belly. He writes alfo that a Spider applyed to one that
knowes not of it? and taken off the third day, will cure a Felon. The head and feet being ta-
ken away, it helps fwellings of the Fundament. The fame Author. By the fume of Spiders all
the Lice fall down and never breed again. Goofe-greafe and Oyl of Rofes with a Spider a-
noyntedon the breafts,keeps the milk from curding in them. Anonymuss. Alfo that knotty Whip
of God,and mock of all Phyficians, the Gowt, which learned men fay can be cured by no remedy,
findes help and cure by a Spider layd on, jf it be taken at that time when neither Sun nor Moon
fliine, and the hinder legs pulled oft", and put into a Deers skin and bound to the pained foot,and
be left on it for fome time. Alfo for the moftpart we findethofe people to be free from the
Gowt of hands or feet, (which few Medicaments can doe) in whole houfes the Spiders breed
much, and doth beautifie them with her Tapeftry and hangings. Oh the rare miracle of
Nature ! O the wonderfull vertue of a poor contemptible Creature ! O moft happy rich men,
if they knew many of them how to make ufe of a thing ready to do them fo much good
Antoninus Pita was wont to fay, that the quirks of Sophiftry were like to Spiders Webs, that
had a great deal of art and ingenuity in them, but very little profit. But how often hath the
bloud run forth of the body moll miferably by a frefh wound ? yet it had been eafie to have
itopt it by laying on a Spiders Web, fomething thick, and binding it faft on, were we but more
attentive to look to fuch remedies that God aftords us in our houfes. But we are greedy af-
ter forain remedies, fetcht from farre, as if they were better that we bring with great pains
from the farther! Indies, or more healthfull becaufe of their greater coft. But unletfe mad af-
fection did drive us, as if we were Gad-ftung, through all the places of Sea or Land, to finde
remedies to Rop bloud, cure Ulcers, hinder corruption, drive away inflamation, knit wounds.
One Spiders Web would do more good than Sercocolla, Sandaraca, Bole brought from Arme-
nia, Terra Sigillata, Argilla Samia, T erra Lert nia : For it bindes, cools, dries, glutinares,
and will let no putrefaction continue long there ; wherefore it fuddenly flops all bleeding ac
the nofe, (as alfo bleeding of the Emrods, and bloud in a Dyfentery, Menftrual bloud, and all
over great evacuations of bloud by the opening of the mouths of the veins) whether you give
it alone with wine inwardly, and lay it on outwardly, or elfe mingle it with Bloud-ftone,
Crocus Martis, and other things of that kinde. Alfo the Spiders web is put into the Unguent
againft Tetters and applyed to the fwellings of the Fundament, it confumes them without pain.
Marcel. Emp. Alfo Pliny faith it cures runnings of the Eyes, and layd on with Oyl it heals
up mounds in the joynts. Some rather ufe the afhes of the webs with Polenta and wine. Our
Chirurgians cure warts thus: They wrap a Spiders ordinary web into thefafhionof a Ball, and
laying it on the wart, they fet it on fire, and fo let it burn to allies ; by this means the
wart is rooted out by the roots, and will never grow again. Marcellus Empiricus was wonC
10 ufe the webs of Spiders found in the Cyprefs tree, in a remedy for the Gowt, to eafe the
pains. For the Tooth-ache, Galen 5. t&r. mv. out of Archigenes, commends highly Spiders
Egges, mingled with Spike Oyl, and put into the tooth : Alfo Kiranides gives Spiders Egges
to drink againft a Tertian; whence we conclude with Galen ad Pifon. From the Spiders web
we may underftand enough, that Nature hath made nothing fo vile, but thct it ferveth for its
neceffary ufe ; if fo be Phyfitians would ufe more diligence, and would not diidaign to entec
into the wood of fuch things as are eafie to attain. Now I will proceed to other things, leaft
if I ftay too long in the Hiftory of the Spiders, I may indeed be faid co weave the Spiders web*
yet I will add this, that Munkeys,Apes,Srellions, Lizards,Wafps, Ichneumons,Swallows Sparrows>
Muskins,Hedge-fparrows, feed on Spiders. And the Nightingale,! hat is the chief of ringing Birds,is
cured from fome difeafes by eating of Spiders. When Alexander reigned, it is reporred that there
was a very beautifull Strumpet in Alexandria, that fed alwayes from her childehood on Spiders,
and for that reafon the King was admonifhed that he fhouldbe verycarefull nor to embrace her,
leaft he fhould be poyfoned by venome that might evaporate from her by fweat. Albertus
alfo makes mention of a certain Noble Mayd of Collen, that was fed with Spiders from her
childehood. And we in England have a great Lady yet living, who (as we faid before) will
not leave dfV eating of them. I cannot but repeat a hiftory that I formerly heard from our
dear friend worthy to be believed, Bruerus. A luftfull Nephew of his, having fpent his eftate
in rioting and Brothel-houfes, being ready to undertake any thing for money, to the hazard
of his life ; when he heard of a rich Matron of London, that was troubled with a Timpany,
and was forfaken of all Phyficians as paft cure, he counterfeired hiuifelf to be a Phyiician
in practice, giving forth that he would cure her and all difeafes. But as the cuftome is, he
muff have half in hand, and the other half under her hand, to be payed when fhe was cured.
Then he gave her a Spider to drink, as fuppofing her paft cure, promifing to make her well in
three dayes, and fo in a Coach with four Horfes he prefently hafts out of Town, left there
being a rumor of the death of her (which he fuppofed to be veryneer) he fhould be appre-
hended for killing her. But the woman fhortiy after by the force of the venome was cured,
and the ignorant Phyfician who was the Author of fo great a work, was not known. After
fomemoneths this good man returns, not knowing what had happened, and fecretly enqui-
ring concerning the ftate of that woman, he heard fhe was recovered. Then he began toboaft
openly, and to ask her how fhe had obferved her diet, and he excufed his long abience, by
reafon of the ficknefle of a principal friend, and that he was certain that no harm could pro-
Yyyy 3 ceed
1075
T be Theater of Infe&s : or, B o o k 1 1.
ceedfrom fo healthful phyfick; alfo he asked confidently for the reft of his reward, and to be
oiven him freely. Truly in this prefent corruption of manners and times, how highly is fucha
Mountebank eiteemed, wherein chance is accounted for skill, and one accidental rafh cure of a
difeaie, with danger oft-times of the patients life, makes a Quackfalver a great Phyfician, and
he is judged worthy of praife and honour ? But a better revenging Judge will corre& thefe things ;
we pafs on to Pifmires.
Chap. XVI.
The commendation of e [ball defcribe their Qiffe*
rences, Nature, Ingenuity and life.
TO begin with the commendations of the Pifmires, I know not whether 1 fhall firft fpeak
of their body or minde, fince Ants for both are not only to be preferred before many In-
fects, but alio before many Men; for they are not oneey'd, nor horrid skew-ey'd, nor do they
walk with crammed guts, as Ballio doth in P/aututy nor yet are they mifhapen, crook-leg'd any
way, gorbellied, over clofe kneed, blub-cheek'd, great mouthed, lean chopt, rude foreheads, or
barren, as many great Ladies, and noble Women are, who have loft the faculty of generation ;
but the bejuty of their body followes the goodnefs of their minde, and nature hath given them
for their degree and order, a conltant and abiolute perfection. Cardan was the firft faid they were
blinde, becaufe their body is fmall ; not remembring that there are many Flies and Gnats that
are far lefs than Ants, yet they have eyes and can fee well. If they were blind, I fee not what
the light could profit them, and they would work as well in the night as in the day. I confefs
that their foreyards ferve them for a ftaff to prove the way, not that they do not lee what way
they go, but becaule by thofe means they try the hardnefs and foftnefs of things. They have a
very little head, but round as the heavens are, wilde brain'd, fet with eyes, a mouth with teeth,
and a throat not without a tongue and a palate; they have afquare brealt with ribs to defend
it, with lungs, or bellows that lupply their room, that are fo firm, and yet loofe, that they
never grow out of winde by labouring, but alwayes draw their breath molt freely. They have
aftomach in their belly that is ftrong to digeft venome, (for they feed often on Serpents and
Toads) and they are very hot in the matrix, and very fruitfull, to their commendation. What
fhouldlhere mention their fwift walking, and their equall motion when theygoe? fot they
not only out-goe pack-horfes for the proportion of their bodies, but out-nm rhe fwifteft Cha-
riots. They vary in colour, according to the difference of their kindes and places. For there
are red ones in Mauritania-, and the Inhabitants oiBudemelum have white ones. In Europe thzy
are moft an end black ones, yellow, and fomewhat red from tawny. Here they feem very
fhorr, fmaller, fine necked, (lender, and weak bodied ; yet thefe will carry a weight thrice as
great and heavy as themfelv'es ; and thofe in India of a great bignefle, will carry great pieces of
flefhvvith them, and devour it.
Their praife Their bodies you have feem now fee their minde?
from their j t > s a fy ar i n g and laborious kinde-,
m * And holds and keeps whatever jhe can finde. Virg. 4. t/£neid.
Truly, as often as I remember the profufenefs of Caius fulius C the luxury of Caligula-,
the prodigality of Nero-, the exceffive gluttony of Apicitu-, and the great walk of Heliogaba-
Iw ; fo often do I exceedingly.commend the wit and ingenuity of the Pilmire, and prefer her pru-
dence before that of Men. I know that they lived fweetly,and with fat patrimonies from their fa-
thers, they gained large inheritances ; yet they found out new ufe of baths, dangerous kindes of
meats, curiohty in banquets,fhips made of cedars adorned with Jewels, the drinking of pearls, and.
they waited as much in one year, as they could extort for tribures and cuftomes, or by plunder both
at home and abroad all their life time. Licinius Crajfus had formerly much riches, who being
brought to need, was laught at by all that met him, and the people in a jeer, called him the rich
Crajfus. And (Oh God ! ) faith the Comedian,what a miferable thing it is for a man to have had a
great eftate formerly, and to have nothing now? how much better were it for us to imitate the
Ant, who gathering corn in Autumn, doth not wafte it prodigally in Winter rioting, but keeps'
it providently for future ufe, and daily {tore ? Hence it is thatfhe is never tortured with hard
poverty, nor is fhe tofled 011 thebillowesof crofs fortune, nor is fhe endebted or in danger by
borrowing from others ; nor doth fhe leek from other creatures either work, or fuftenance to
maintain her, and keep her in health : and if frugality comes from fruits, as the Etymologift de-
rives it, (for our Anceltors, the Matters of old fobriety, fcarce knew any other diet) it is very
credible that that vertue is pafiedfrom our firft parents into the Pifmires, who feed only on dry
corn to maintain their lives, and-avoid all fuperfluity of many difhes. Hence the Poet elegantly
feigned that the Myrmidons, themoft excellent people of the Greek Nation (if you confider their
tempe-
Gh a p. 16. Of lejfer living Creatures,
temperance, their labour and their diligence) were defcended of the Pifmires. For whence
could they have gotten fo great abundance of riches and goods, unlefs by an Emmets prudence
they had preferved what they had gotten and hid up to prevent poverty ? And as fparing in
keeping, fo diligence in getting, and wifdome and induflry is found to be admirable in them.
They take a very commendable way firfl to preferve their life,thenfor their pofterity,and laflly to
provide their victuals. Firft of all, they build themfelves an houfe, as in the golden age, not co-
vered with tyles for delight, but with green turfs, and not made of bricks, but fenced with mud-
wals. Hiftoiies do mightily magnifie the Pyramided, and trenches of Egypt-, and the Labyrinth of
Crete. But no mm can fufficiently fet forth the excellent work of trenches that the Ancs make,
the figure, the magnificence, the turnings, windings, and revolutions- thereof: for thefe by ari
unfpeakable prudence, beyond all mans art, makehoufes underground with fuch Arange turnings,
that they open only the way that is unaccelTible toothers, and is not poffible for any that would
do them wrong to enter at. Firft they make the earth hollow with their tender nails in the
place of fpades; and to throw the earth forth, they ufe their hinder feet for fhovels : hereby they
caft up a mount, and fence it about as with vvals or forts ; then they cover their work with
chafte, flraw,leaves>bowes, bark,and pieces of flicks, and laying onnew matter, they raife a tower
that may be feen afar off, (called an Ant-hill) which is far higher and more Hoping than the
foundation, partly that their houfes may not fall by rain flaying about them, and partly that
they may live the more healthfully by reafon of the air that penetrates and pafleth through,
This civine little creature fetcheth the fafhion of its building from heaven, either becaufe their
multitudes required room, or their excellence required the beft. The entrance is nor right forth
but turning with many labyrinths and mufes j they diflinguifh their chambers in this tower of
theirs in a threefold order, yet it is fo hard to come into them, that Argus who was all
eyes, may be often deceived in them. The firfl room is large enough, like the Pretence-cham-
ber, where they all meet, and convene, we call it the univerfal Congregation houfe of Ants :
under this for the females, there is the feminine room arched by Dadatean Art, wherein the
eggs are laid fafe that they may produce their young ones, it is made lefl they ihould be thought
carelefsof pofterity. The third chamber is moft inward, and molt fafe from fhowres, and
that is built for their flore-houfe for their corn, that as it were in a granary they may lay up their
belly-timber, and may fence it well from the winter cold that fearcherh into all things ; the adja-
cent parts and outmoft skirts of their caftle they appoint for a place of burial, and there they bu-
ry their dead with honour and ftate. And this is the manner of their building, plain indeed, and
within the ground, as were the houfes of the wife men of elder times, before that pride, and the
head-ftrong ambition of TQntts invented to build up towers to heaven. Since his death, fhall
I fpeakof Kings or Princes ? Truly there are fome Citizens of the lower bench, who with ex-
traordinary charge do build up, not an Ant-hill, but Maufoleum-, or a prhon for their bodyes,
and adorn it with all the coft and art they can; worthy they are indeed to be devoured by
Pifmires whileft they live, that dying by the force of a wife Creature, they may fufter for
their folly. Nor do Ants build houfes that are places for idle people, or fuch as are mif-
chievous to harbour themfelves in, but every one, yet without any Commander, followes
fome honeft labour, and for the good of their democraticall flate,each one mutually employs
his pains by turn. For they all, like thofe that labour in the Mines, do Hourly exercile them-
felves in digging of trenches, fome ferve to repair their houfes, to adorn them, and to keep
them clean, others with great afiemblies and funerallfolemnities bury their dead, in the place
of buriall adjacent, others again vifit thefick, and out of their Granary they fetch fome Phy-
ficall grain, (for they have Corn and grain almofl of all plants) and prepare that and carry ir to
them. D They have Officers of all forts, as Purveyours for Corn, Gleaners, Storers, Yeomen
of the Larder, Houfholders, Carpenters, Mafons, Arch-workers, Pioners ; for fuch is the ver-
tue and skill of every one, that each Ant knoweswhatis needfull to be done, and willingly
doth his beft to help the Common-Wealth. But in their ordinary work what labour and dili-
gence do they ufe? If rhey be minded to build an Ant-hill prefently, or elfe are forced on a
fudden to raife a new houfe, the old one being undermin'd and decayed by the Moles dig-
«m w under them, they go forth all in troops, and from the rubbifh of their houfes thrown
down they build new ones hard by. Firft they gather together their fcattered Egges, and
Corn, and put each of them in their proper places, afterwards they repair their hill, and co-<
vering a«d thatching that well, they keep all fafe and dry: when the Sun fhines, when they
go forth to fetch Corn, the greater and elder go before them as Captains, the reft follow af-
ter. They creeping up to the top of theftalk, bite oft" the ears of Corn, and the young ones
flay and gather them up, and the Chafte being fallen off, they pull the Com out of the husks,
and thenehey carry k home; and the end of it being eaten oft, if there be necefiity, they fet
it at their doors a funning, and when it is ventilated they lay it up again. When gleaning
is done, they frequent the threfhing floors, and there not by ftealth, but openly they taliefufte-
nancefor their lives, and they enrich their treafury. Which labour of theirs Virgil wittily de w
fcribes in thefe Verfes.
As -when the Ants plunder a heap of Wheat j
Minding cold Winter, fiore it up for mestt . .
their
1075
The Theater of Infe&s : or, B o o k 1 1.
Their black. Regiments through narrow -wayes paffei
And carry their prey over fields of grajfey
Some bear the burden-) fame them forward drive*
Chaftning delay es-, who /ball work^ mofi they ftrive.
Wherefore not unfitly did the Prince of morall wifdome, fend thofe fluggifh and flothfull
Monfters of Mankinde(who like Mice live alwayes on other mens labours, and goe fromdore
to dote like Vagabonds to beg a peny) to learn wifdome of the Ant, that by the example of
the Ant, they may ufe opportunity, and lay afide begging, efteeming labour much, which is
the Merchant for all that is good. Hitherto belongs that of the French Poet.
Poor Sluggard who dofi live in penury and want-,
Behold the houfhold prudence and wifdome oth' AnU
Left fhe Jbould ftand in need-, which [he doth greatly fear.
She gathers in one moneth, to ferve her a whole year.
This is their diligence in gathering, their care in preferving, their prudence in ftoring, their
occonomicall skill in distributing what they have laid up. 1 mall fhew you alfo their modefty
on the way, which me thinks mould not be over-pafled. For though they go in a narrow
way, yet are there no brawlings, contentions or ftrivings for it, nor yet any murmurings, or
fightings, or flaughters amongft them for place, (as it is ufuall amongtt proud men.) But the
younger gives place to the elder, and he that carries no burden, to him, that is loaded, and each
of them is ready modeftly rather to pafle by an injury, then Wafpifhly to offer one. If any
man compare their burdens with their bodyes, he will confefle that no Creature hath more
ftrength, confidering their proportion. They carry their burdens in their mouths ; the greater
burdens they attempt to take up backwards with their hinder feet, and lay their fhoulders to
them with all their might. They have all a care and mindefulnefle and endeavour for the pub-
lick good. They ftore up the feed they firft bite, left they mould grow again in the earth ;
when they are fubjedt to grow mouldy, and are wet with rain, they bring them out and dry
them in the Sun, wipe and torrefie them, and then they lay them up in their Granaries again.
The greater feeds they divide at the entring. They work alfo at the full Moon in the night,
(as good Mowers are wont to do) and when the Moon is in conjunction and hid, then they
forbear labouring. But what pains do they take in labouring? How dilgent are they ? Andbe-
caufethey work in divers places, to come home with it, the one not knowing what the other
doth. Certain dayes (faith Pliny) are appointed for a generall furvey, and meeting to enquire
into the bufinefle, what running together of them is there then ? how civill is their conven-
tion ? how complementally do they falute one the other? how diligently do theyfeemas it
were to talk together, and to make enquiry? You fhall fee fee Flints worn in the path they
goe, and a path made in Marble ftones, that no man may doubt but that diligence will doe
fomething in any matter; for they all goe almoftin the lame path. For if one carry a burthen
too heavy for him, the reft in the way will come and help him, lending their legs and fhoul-
ders, if it be a light burthen the fewer come to aflift, if a weighty, more come, and either draw
back, or thruft forward, or if the burthen be too great, by biting it in funder, and dividing
it, they promote their bufinetTe : And by this means they bring home a great heap of ftraw
and fticks to their houfes. Now if any will attempt to hinder the Ants in their labour, (as
the Serpents and Toads often doe when they meet them,) . ; W :
« —They fight and will not fiiey
And hold it noble in thefe wars to die.
For then ( making as it were an agreement) they confpire together) and with horrid and
cruell bitings, they deflroy the enemy. He that hath not fattened upon the common enemy,
thinks he hath deferved little of the Common-wealth, and upon that fcorethey fight. In the
time of harveft, 1 when fuch an accident falls out, they do not meddle with a dead body, but
prefently as the enemy is vanquifhed, they fall to their labour again, and they gather up a-
gain the Corn they laid afide before the battell, and lay them up; for they hold it no prudence
to ftay to plunder, when greater bufrneffe doth require their induftry, and they hold it ignoble
to conteft with thofe that are dead. They feed chiefly on grains of Wheat, Winter Corn,
Barley, and hard meat which they delight in. They take great pleafure in Cyprus Nuts, and
the tender flowers of herbs that are red. They eat Scorpions (called Geraret) faith Rhafts^nd
they feed on the Carkafes of Serpents and Frogs when they are hungry. Otherwife they ab-
horre to eat corrupt and venomous things ; nor will they touch fruit polluted with Menltruall
bloud, nor tafte of them. Have not men by reafon of hunger been compelled to feed on Hor-
fes, Wolves, Serpents, grafle, and dead bodies in time of narrow fieges ? That is fufficient to
prove their cleanlinefle,that they carry out their dead in the husks or bladders of trees and Corn;
as of old time the Romans buried their dead in pots, but they now carry them forth on Biers.
They delight to live in clean houfes, and for that purpofe they do not lay their dung> (that is
G h a p. 16. Of lejfer living Creatures 1 °7 7
like to Urine) within doors; and when they travell through dirt, and are bedawbed, at the
entrance of their houfes, they rub themfelves clean againlt fome rough bark. They love and
take fuch care for their young ones, that they alwayes carry their Egges in their bofoincs,
fo long as they are little, and nor lb overgrown that they hinder their labour; but then they
lay them up in their deep hollow Cave, that they frultrate the birds' that prey upon them,
as the Wood-pecker, the Nightingale, and alio the Bear. But fo foon as the young Pifnwres
come forth of the Egges, they immediately fhew them the way to labour and take pains, and
if they refute to work they will give them no meat. Hence you may oblerve that they fet eve-
ry one his task: The ftronger with their mouths, feet, little nofes, do cart up the earth, and
when they have cart it forth, they make it up in heaps, when they heap it up, they mingle
ftraw with it, that it may lie light, and lie hollow. The wifer fort of them do build, theief-
fer of them remain in their trenches, and work, the more expert make windings like Mxan-
dres and Labyrinths, and frame vaulted Chambers. If they obferve any to be idle, they not
only drive them out, pinched with famine as a bafe breed, but they b.ing him before the
door, and calling a Councell of them all, they put them to death, that their young ones
may take example, that they may not hereafter addict their niindes tofloth and ldlenefl'e. The
dayes appointed for labour and gathering Corn, they fet venereous action afide; and chiefly
in Winter, (when there is neirher fowing nor mowing) they couple together : yet for mo-
defty fake they ufe venereous actions within doors, as the Bees do, at this time they make
much of their Females, and when they are great with Egges they embrace and love them
moll. Above all they take care (O wonderfull love to their young ones) that nothing may be
Wanting to their off-fpring for food or inftruction. He only can doubt of the valour of Pif-
mires who nevet fawthem fight, nor heard the report of their battels. For they are not only
full of choler,(as the proverb is) but they have a purpofe to fight, fo that they either joyn
battell with externall enemies, orelfe hold civill warres amongit themfelves, when they wane
food. For though Pifmires never fight when their Granary is full, and their Democraricall Go-
vernment ftands faft whilft they have plenty of food ; yet (what we read to have hapnedinthe
bert ordered Monarchies) in a dearth, or rather want of provifion, they fight defperarely for
food, and for their lives, and the lefler of them will rebell againft the greater, (as being the
greater gulphs of the Common-wealth.) It is the nature of neceflity to give and not to take
Lawes, and then chiefly when the belly a troublefome Client, doth feed on it felf, and the
guts crokeand are empty. There are few jufter Kings then Lyfimachm was faidtobe, nor were
there better fubje&s then the Athenians-, yet both of them did many things diforderly infamin,
and he gained thereby to be branded with the name of a pufillanimous, faint-hearted Prince,
and they of rebellious Subjects; Therefore this warre of the Pifmires is to be commended,
that is not undertaken for a Crown of Ivy, Bayes, or of Gold, or of Grade, (which was ac-
counted the moft .ancient) but from inteftine neceflity, and nature leads them to it ; for nei-
ther could Solon himfelf endure thirft, nor Solomon conquer hunger. For thefe will dig under
all walls, Will be held by no bands, and they only know neither Lawes nor bounds. and they do to their power increafe the common good as if it were
for themfelves in particular. But if you object, that the Pifmires by biting caufe rednefs,tumour,
tickling, and then a grievous pain where they bite 5 I do not wonder at that ; I rather wonder at
this, how thou canft look upon them, and notblufh extremely, for thou canftnot chufe butblufli
to fee iuch great induftry in fo fmall a creature, and to behold the watchfulnefs, labours, journeys,
fweat, and toil that he is bulled in. Yet they do not wound idle people fo much ( whom alone they
are faid tolling) but it will be cured with an Emplaifter of Varignana, made of Flies and Pifmires
mingled together ; for as Scorpions, fo are they the remedy for che wounds they make; and they
bring their cure along with them when they bite. Pliny, Columella, Arnolds, JElianus, Albeitui, and
Vitalu,m\\ direct you in other helps, but you muft not draw them out and apply them, without
uling the prudence of the Pifmire. Will you give me leave to reckon up the infinite benefits you
may receive from them, for this fmall detriment you accufe them for ? Nowliften what the An-
cients write concerning the virtues of them, and judge uprightly concerning it. For they are not
only meat for Serpents, Dragons, Beares,Locufts, Rats, Dormice, Chameleons, Lapwings, Wood-
peckers, Larks, Nightingales, Pheafants, Wagtails, Hens, fometimes to fatisfie their hunger, fome-
times as remedies to cure them of furfets,as Pliny, Sol'mm, Plutarch, Palladia, Euftatbim, BeVoniuf,
Albert us, and experience dowitnefs: But alfo the Inhabitants of the Countrey of Mangi, do feed
on red Pifmires feafoned with Pepper, and they arc their greateft dainties as Nicolaus Venetus doth
teftifie. Alfo they are good to catch Locufts, and to bait for many fifhes, chiefly the Roch.
As concerning Phyfick, there are but a few difcafes that thefe creatures, as the hand of God, do not The[r p
yeeld fome help unto. Doth a Feaver burn and fcorch thee alive as it were in the Engine of ca iiuf c>
Perillus ? hearken] and I (hall tell thee of an admirable water to quench that fire, and moft effectual
againftit.as Gefner received it f^m a friend ; Take fountain water one pound, honey tnrce
fpoonfuls, (hake them in a can, and fet them in an Emmets hill, fo that Pifmires may eafily fall into
it ; when you find that fo many are fallen in as will thicken the water, (hake the Can, and as you
ufe to do in making Rofe-water, fo diftill them. The dofc is half a fpoonfull, or more as the Patient
can endure it by reafon of his force more or lefle, it will wonderfully provoke vomiting, and m\i
alfo evacuate the matter of the difeafe by Urine. Pliny is the Authour from the old fayes, that
a Quotidian, Tertian, Quartan, and all intermitting Fevers will be cured, if the fick caufe the parings
of his nails to be caft before theencring of the Ant hill, and if he catch the firft of them that laves
hold of them, and bind him up and tie him about his neck. Art thou troubled with paint in thy
ears ? go to, fill a glaffc with Emmets and Emmets eggs, and ftop it wtll, and bake it in an Overt
io 79
The Theater oflnfeBs :or y B o o k 1 1.
with the bread, till it be as hot as the bread that begins to heat ; then ftiall you find a water that
is very ufefull to cure the pains in the ears if it be dayly dropped in. Is there a cloud before the fight t
prefle out the juyce of the red Emmets, and drop it in, it doth corrode with fome pain, and wholly
extirpate it. Ero/w, T rotula, Jhophrafiuf. Emmets egges beaten and put into the ears, remove all
deafhefs quickly. Marcellw. Some bruife them and prefs out the watry fubftance, and drop it in.
Some iniufe them in a glafle vefTell in Oyl, and boyl that on the fire, and powre that into
the*^ ;ars.
If Urine be retained and caufe the Vropfte-, drink twenty Pifmircs, and fo many egges with them in
white wine,and they (hall help you. Alfo their egges diftilled do much when Urine is ftopped. Leo J a-
vmt inns. A Maid that cares for her beauty, and would make the circlet of her eye-lids black, , Emmets
egges bruifed with Flies will perform that,and give them their delire. Some again either through age
or difeafe(to ufe the Poets phrafe Jare beaten in their propcrty,and have loft their generative power,
that they cannot do the office of a husband if they would. Some Authours commend to thefe oyl of
Sefamum with Emmets egges bruifed and fet in the fun,if the yard and tefticles were anointed with it.
To this oyl fome add Euphorbium one fcruple,Pepper,Rew feed, of each one dram,Muftardfeed half
a dram,and again they fet it in the fun. Rafts. Arnoldtts in this cafe commends black Ants macerated
with oyl of Elder Nicolatu mingleth it with roots of Satyrium ; and others do give the diftilled water
thereof to thofe that are failing. Gefner in Euonymm defcribcs a water conducing thereunto • Take
faith he, a pot befmeered within fide with honey, and half full of Ants, then add long Pepper, Nut-
megs, CardamonjPellitory of Spain, each one pugil, Butter what may fuffice, and digeft them
fourteen dayes in horfedung, thendiftill them in a Bath, and give a little duly to be drank fafting.
Others, faith Meruit, add Comfery to oyl of Pifmires • others Borax, or root of Mafterwort with
Wine when the impotent man goes to bed, and thus they affirm that men may be cured of feeble-
nefTe, and women of barrennefs. But I wonder at the force of Pifmires in this cafe, for Brunftlftm
writes that but four Ants taken in drink will make a man unfit for venery,and abate all his courage
thereunto: yet he will maintain that Emmets with common fait and egges, and old hogsgreafe,
wrapt in a cloth and laid on, will cure the pain of the Hjp-gowt. l/Lmellm faith, that if they be
applyed with a little fait, they area prefent remedy for a Tetter: Alfo as Serenus relates, they are
good againftfcabs and itchfromaninflaraationof bloudj
The dufi in Emmets bils doth deep fy t
Being mingled with oy^willhelpitby and by.
Alfo ArnoUut reckons Emmets egges amongft fuch things as take off hair? and commends water
diftilled from them againft Noli me tangere, and all corroding Ulcers. Albertm thinks that drank
with Wine, they do powerfully diflipate winde. Reckon how many Warts you have, and take fo
many Ants, and bind them up in a thin cloth with a Snail, and bring all to aihes and mingle it with
Vinegar. Take off the head of a fmall Ant, and bruife the body between your fingers, and anoint
with it any impoftumated tumour, and it will prefently fink down. Nonu*. Alfo God, that I may
omit nothing, by the biting of Ants called Solipug* (it is a kind of venomous Ant) drove the Cyna-
molgi fa flothful and idle people of JEtbiopia) from their habitations, anddeftroyed them quite.
Fliny. Some think they ftiould be called Solifug*, but Cicero cals them SoUpugis. I have a few
things to fpeakfrom Authors, as from Anthologiui , Aptbonim , Natalu Comes pvft*.iiwi*vuut%* } an( J
l/Loichea a witty Book of the fame argument. And Aratut, Herodotus ^ Strabo, Ari/iophanes 1 Rafts, Ag-
gregator, Beroldus, Ryffius, Zeizes, Arnobius, have by the by run over the natures of them, and their
polite life. But becaufe they add but little to what hath been faid, I would no longer play the
Pifmire, left feeming to be eloquent I might grow impertinent, and fcarching every creek too nar-
rowly, I fhould make more gap*. God grant that we whom God hath commanded to learn
of Ants, when we are idle and mind nothing but our bellies, may by his good guiding learn of
them, and he inftrudingus, we may perform our duty. It is a fmall creature, and contemptible
for its magnitude, yet we muft know that goodnefs is not in greatnefs, but what is good is to be
accounted great. I have faid.
Chap. XVII
Of the Glo^orm,and the female Mdo } and of Jnthremusaud the field Chiflty.
OFc-times thofe that are of a great faction , and of noble defcent , will fcorn to marry
with one of a common family. Yet the Poets write that Jupiter did not difdain to ira-
brace ordinary women ; and the Cicindela or Gloworm, and the oyl Beetle or Meloe, ( though
they are of the winged order) arc not afhamed to couple with others that want wings. And
for as much as thefe females are endowed with the fame force and dignity by nature, which
is feenin males, I know not why they fhould refufe or be weary of their chance, and of their
females, when as C if their wings be taken off ) they agree in thefaroe endowments of their minds
and bodies. We fpake abundantly in the firft Book, concerning their form, figure, manners,
virtues,
1080
Ch a p. i 8. Of lejjer living Creatures,
virtues, ufe, when we fpeak of their males that have wings ; and though riiTs Treaty is allotud
for Infects without wings, yet I would not artificially leparate the females from their males,
whereas natur3ll love hath from the beginning united them together.
I give you here the picture of Anibrenm, which the Griejywll Antbrenus witbsut .Some COO-
jecture that it is a creeping Hornet; others think it
is a kind of the Spider FhaUngium, which Fliny faith
differs from a Hornet only in want of wings. It hath
a crooked nofe, and forked, and the face looks up-
ward. It perfectly reprefents that horned Owl that
we faw in the low Countries. It hath black eyes, a
breaftvery hairy and yellow, the feet are yellow at
firft, then brown ; the reft of the body hath 8 junctures
that are yellow from red, vHiich is much adorned by
black fpots on the back; from the top of the nofe,
failyards or horns of a yellow colour grow forth j
they are all hairy and flexible, yet are they fomething
hard in feeling. He bites fo that it is hard to cure it,
yet it Teems not to be fo deadly as the biting of the
Phalangium, nor is it yet fo gentle but that the venom
of it exceeds the Hornets, It hereafter I can difcover
anything more concerning the nature of this little
creature, the conditions and ufe of it, Khali willingly
doit for the publick good ; for far be it from me to
conceal any thing that may make for the advancement
of Learning. ^ \
From the fimilitude this Infect hath with a Cbijlp,
we call it the field Cbijltp ; for it is found in Cornfields;
it differs from the reft only in the number of its feet,
(for it hath but fix feet that are very fmall and black) The neck of it is very {hort, the body
ibmething broad and compact, the tail fomewhat painted. Penniusfaw one in July about Ctkbejltr->
or elfe he never faw it. What Phyficall ufe it hath it is yet unkndjrn to us.
Chap. XVIII.
Of Mineral Worms "frith fix feet,
IN Fennius his papers concerning the nature of Wormes, I did for a time wonder at his opinion,
when he fpake of Wormes in ftones, and he averred that he faw little ones with fix feet in old
rotten ftones. For I had received from all Philofophers , that all things that are very
bitter, fait, fowre, (harp, oyly, hot, cold, folid, hard, though they may corrupt in time, yet
they will breed no[ worms, and therefore Theophraftus cals them K aA , not that they want life,
but becaufe they breed no living creatures. I began to weigh the matter narrowly , and to
put into an equall ballance, without fraud, all their opinions j atlaftl found that our Ancefters
were here and there moft foully deceived, andlafcribe more to mine and Fenmm his eyes, then to
all their words. Tell me in good earneft, is there any thing more bitter then Gall or Agarick,
farter then the Sea, more tart then Leaven, more fowre then Vinegar, more hot then fire, or more
pure and cold then Snow congealed? yet certain it is, that Worms breed out of all thefe : andic
{hall appear fufficiently by thefequellof theftory, that Worms are bred out of ftones, neither dri-
nefle, norfolidity.norcoldnefs, nor want of heat or moifture can hinder it: Nor will I allow of
that, lhat Nature procfuceth living creatures by a mixture of heat and moifture, and moifture is alwayes as
the matter for beat to maks a conco&ion of For not only where moifture affords matter, and heat doth
manifeftly concoct it, are living creatures breed •, but there alfo,(that we may not feem to fee bounds
to the power of God) where we fee with our eyes that there is neither of thefe, nay where wc
may conceive that they are both abfent. The generation of the creature called Pyrigonus in the
flames, of Oripa in the moft frozen mow, will evidently prove this, and that was the caufe that I
fboner fubferibed to the generation of Worms in ftones. Moreover? they that with their graving
tool, do make rough their Mil ftones that are grown over fmooth by ufing, find Worms oft-times
bred in them, as the Brother of Fennius teftified. Ttlix Flaterus } the worthy Prefident of the Phy-
fitians at Bafil reported to me, that he found a great live Toad in the middle of a hard ftone
that was faw'd in funder, that was bred there. And that excellent man Zuingerus relates the fame
thing of a Scorpion. And indeed thefe things had feemed to me incredible and monftrous,
had I not known the fame thing to have happened in a Qiiarry of William Cave a
Noble man of Leicefter. And neither Philofophy nor reafon is contrary to this opinion ,
fince in the earth , the. mother of all things , there is all kind of heat and moifture, and
all kind of fpirits; and (to ufe the words of a principall Phyfitian) all things feem almoft to be
1081
The Theater of InfeBs : or> B o 6 k 1 1.
full of all things. Nor-c.m I fee the reafon why Hones fhould rather be bred in living Creatures,
then .living Creatures in (tones; and as I fhall eafily grant that there are Minerall vapours in us,
to I fhall not fear butTmay grant that there are animal i'pirits in them,and yet not wrong the truth.
Tor they have invihble and fecret pafTages, nervs, veins, and turnings, whereby they either
draw to ihem ftrange moyfture, ftrange feeds and different vapours, ortlfe receive them being
brought thither.' some lay, that the marrow of a mans back will produce a mof( venomous
Serpent. Cardatttts faith that Worms will breed of the allies of Worms. Many Writers kehdes
Pliny report that Scorpions will breed from Baft I buried between Walls. All men do fee that
ltones are bred in the air : And Sonus Ferrarienfts is not afhamed to fay that it hath rained
Calfs, bloud and ftones, which things though they found harm, and not to be true, yet I dare
nocrafhly deny it, nor doth this at all impaire the opinion we hold concerning Worms bred
in fiones. And if the reafon of thisfeem to ly fo deep ? that it is too difficult for us to fearch
out; you mull think that truth lyeth fo deep, and covered with fo' much dark'neffe, that it could
not be found out till of late years. And in the generations of thefe things, (which God only
knowes) truth will never fhew it felf but by conjectures, fimilitudes, Collations, proportions,
.mdobfervations. God dorh here feem to fcoffe and deride the arrogancy of wojthleffe men,
that dare look afquint into the work-houfe of Gods Creation, and are not afraid to inquire into
the reafons, and to fearch and trie, and to attempt to imitate the works of God. J wifh we
could be admonifhed either by the punifhment of Salmonens, or by the couniell of Solomon, to
learn mbie modeft'y : For that is the only way I know to the true knowledge of things, and
the fafeftfor bs to walk in.
1082
Chap* XIX.
Of Worms in Vegetables, that have fix feet } and firfi of Worms in trees.
WOrms in Vegetables are either Worms in trees, or in fhrubs or Pulfe, or Corn, or
Herbs. The Tree-worms fome of them feed on the wood? fomeon the bark, fomeon
the leaves, fome on the fruit, anefcof all thefe we fhall fpeak in order. Thofe.that corrupt or
fpoyl the wood are of divers forts, for thofe that breed in green and growing wood are called
J'hjwj, thofe that breed in dry wood without fap, are called b^vha, thofe that are bred in fo-
lid and dry wood are called Tbripesy thofe that breed in hotter kindes of wood are called Ter-
mites, thofe that breed in faw-duft are called Cojfh thofe that breed in planks of Ships are pro-
perly called Teredines. Awus it maybe took their name from/«^ Wj far they do bite and eat
living trees, fo that oft times about their roots a great deal of powder and duff, may be feen,
as if it came by fawing. This Worm hath an ill-favoured head, of divers colours>.covered with
a' covering, and he Can put it forth and draw it in at pleafure. His feet are on the hinder part
toward his tayl, as the CoJJi have theirs on their brcaft, the reft of the body is covered with a
fandy Coat, as it we;e their fhell, and when they put that off they die, as Snails out of their
fhells.
In that time which Nature hath appointed they grow into a fheath like to an Aurelia^ but
what winged Creature cometh from that afterwards I could never yetobl'eive. This is far great-
er than Ccj/kr, by reafon of its unfatiable eating, and is not fo dainty. The Wood-peckers
and other Birds that fpoyl the trees do make holes in the green trees, and by the found
finding out the hollow places, they dig and pierce in there, till they come to thofe devouring
Worms, and they devour them. For they exceedingly delight in this kmde of meat, and for
'Ep£i/*ov. i ve f i t t hey will fometimes fpend whole dayes in digging of a tree, "e^i/aoi/ is found
in rotten and hollow wood, which will make no noife though you ftrike it with a
ftaffe, it is very like to the Certifies in Theopbraftxs, and the Pitiocampa of the Phyfdans, but
that it hath only three feet on both fides. Gejner artributes to it a venemous and conftant evil
®M' fmell, and a very corroding faculty. Thrives are thought to be named from terendo wearing,
they are little Worms very frequent and common, their bodies are white, their heads black,
or brown from red, with fix very (lender feet neer their neck, and blackifh with a little red,
like to the Worm in a Hazel-nut for the fafhion of their bodies, but they are fhorter and
fmallerin the middle; they love no black wood, but are bred only in wood that is whitifli,
(as is the white fap of Timber, Hazel-nut trees, Birch, Cinamon, the Plain-tree) and they pe-
netrate into thefe when they are partly dry andfolid, and drinking up the moyfture they have,
they make them rotten. Ipafie over the contetts between Pliny, Befchius-, Theopbrafi as, Plu-
tarch, concerning the fignification of Thrips, whereof fome are fo negligent, fome fo curious
in obferving the properties of words, that in defcribing them they are very obfcuie, and as
good as nothing. The Ancients ufed for Seals, the wood the Thripes had eaten, and chiefly
the Laconians, as Befchius teftifieth. Whence Lucianvn Lexipb. I keep them under feds eaten
by Thripes. For thefe Worms as they eat forward, do engrave divers characters of herbs, and
torms of living Creatures, and fo exceed the Divine fculptureof Phidias-, Praxiteles, Myrmecide,
Ev.paltts-, Sophronifcus, Anthermus. Galen fpcaks of a man that made Rings, /. 17. de ufu part.
Chap. 19. Of lejfer living Creatures. 1083
who on the broad pare of a King engraved exactly, to a wonderful! demonstration oi His art,
Phaeton with his Chariot and Hories, caft down headlong. But the Worm Thrips huh neifhef
graving tool nor Iron inltmmenr, but with his foft tooth engraves molt fohd Signets, and frames
wonderfull pictures of all things Sometimes, only by the conduct of Nature. When woods are rfrWe/ .
dryed by overmuch heat of the Sun, they produce and feed a Worm called Termes, which as
Servitts Saith, being bred out of the very pith, at laSt conSumes its mother, and will not touch
the hard barky Subltance. A very ungratefull little Creature, and fo muchwo.fe then other
Worms, the more it is hunfull to the heart and vital fountain of trees : For they live fome-
rimes when their bark and hard wood is devoured, but when the pith is waited they die pre-
sently, and Nature can never cure this wound. They are like the
Coffi in fhape of body, but they are fane lelle, and much fofter.
The name perchance comes from Ku a Greeks word, as if you Should Cofi*-
call it a Wood-weevel. For the Philofopher faith that Kis is a little
Creature bred in wood, like Worms bred in Corn; the Englijb
call them Timber-worms-, becauie they are feldome in any wood
but that which is cut, and prepared for building. Their bodies are
full of wrinkles, and hence fome Roman Confuls are called Cojfu
The greater Coffi are almost as thick as the little finger, and as
long as three fingers broad, of a whitifli colour, almoll like to the
greater kinde of Catterpillers ; wherefore the great ones are called
by Pliny Cojfu They have three feet on each lide that are pendu-
lous, not farre from their heads, fhort, (lender, and black. The bo-
dy of them hath twelve rings, thofe toward their tails are alwayesfmaller and Shining; their
heads are Somewhat thick, of a dark colour, and the nofe is fmall, forked, Sharp as a 1 Spear,
black, with two plates in the forehead, neerthe mouth there are fmall hairs that are pointed,
all the rings in the fides are Severally marked with red points, a little hollow. It is a Crea-
ture that creeps very flowly, and the motion can hardly be perceived, wherefore F eft us calls
thzmCcJfh great bellies, and fluggifh Creatures. He hath very little eyes, a round back, a
belly Something hollow, of a waterifh whitifh colour ; they feem to be fat, and very foft ;
they breed in wood newly cut, but before it ought to be. But if they have been long cut, and
have loft much of their moyfture, the fmall Cojfi only breed in them, that differ from the great
ones only in bignefle. The Ancients in Pontus and Phrjgia (as Pliny and Hieronymus note) fed
on thefe as the molt dainty meat, and for that ufe they fatted them with meal, that they mi^hc
be fed Worms. PU n y faith they ferve alfo in phyfick ; for they heal Ulcers, increafe milk,
and in Oyntments they cure creeping fores, which Albertus alio confirms. The Teredines
have a very great head, considering their bodies, they gnaw with their teeth, and pierce into
Okes, asyoumayknow by thenoyfe : But Tbeopbraftm thinks that thefe are only found in the
fea, and men think there is no other Worm can properly be called Teredo. We remember,
that in the Ships of the Venetians-, that had long Stood in the Havens of Alexandria, that little
ones were found, that were a cubit long, and as thick as a mans thumb, Such as that famous
Sir Francis Draly another Sea Neptune brought home with him, in his Ship that had gone
over the World, and was grown rotten and ipongy. We faw other Teredines an inch Iong,like
to Worms bred in flower ; they have a red body, a yellow Shining head, a little red, a forked
mouth, from the lips whereof little thorny hairs come forth, they have
three feet on each fide, the incifions of their backs are eleven, Some-
thing red : The reft of the body is of a watry yellow, and Shines, Thefe three
the greater they are the more darkly they Shine, of a Crimfon colour, were found in
and thelefler they are, the whiter they are. The Italians call them ro "«n logs.
Byjfam, the Spaniards Bromam, from the eating of them, for they eit
Ships, and penetrate them ; whence Ariftophanes in Equitibus, brings in
a rotten Galley, Speaking thus, I being eaten by the Teredines am accttfed
for it. And Ovid faith thus, i. de Ponto. It's eaten as a rotten Ship with
Worms. By Penniut his leave, the Teredines eat not only Ships, but
beams of houfes, So the ScholiaSt upon Bower Saith, (Odjff. 10.) The
words are thefe. Melampus whoSe ears Draco h id picked, that he might I found ch;« in
understand the voices of wilde beaSts, was catt into priSon for the Oxen thc root , o{ *
oilphicus be had driven away ; where when he understood by the Speech of j^L *'
the Teredines-, that there was but little of a main beam lcft,he cauled him- canh-wonrw,
felf to be brought forth, left it Should fall and kill him ; and whilft he biting them '
was lifted upbya man and a woman, and got forth, the houfefell, and c °nt«nuaj!jr,
both of them were flayn. That is alfo apparent out of the chief of ™ em ^'"K
thc Latine Comedians, when he brings in Philolaches a young man,fc e ™ rv n ' Cf
fpeaking to them in thefe words ;
If temp eft comes , Teredo enters,
And thi rain at all adventures,
Gets in t and rot (the walls and wood,
UWakes work, for Carpenters, that's good, &c
Zzzz 5 Thefe
The Theater of Infetff: or* Book 1 1.
Thgfehurtefpecully great trees, as the oik> the Pear-tree, the Apple-tree, rhe Cheinut, the
Larch, Walnut, Beech, the Medlar, the Elm, and broad leafed Willowes : in which cut unieafo-
nably', or planted, a fort and ill fatty humour breeds (which Wood-men call, the fap, and the
white) which is the matter and nounfhment of all the Teredines. Trees that are drier, more
bitter, more oily and hard, are thought to be fo much the freer from thele Worms : yet lbme-
times they will offer violence to the Cyprefs-tree, the Walnut, the Guaiacum, the Tiele-cree, and
to Ebony it felf. The manner of their breeding in wood is thus : Many are bred within, and do
not come from without, and they eat up their original, that of what they were bred they may
live by the fame. The material and conjund* cauie is the fweet moifture of wood that is fit for
their nourifhment, being corrupted, even as of fweet flegm, worms are bred in the belly. Now
that fweet humour purrehes from a twofold caufe, either by diftemper,or folution of continuity.
By diftemper the quality is corrupted, and by cutting not only the inbred humour runs forth, but
fome ftrange humour enters by rain and milts, and corrupts the wood. In old fpongy, and dry
t\ees, by reafon of age, are the greater Worms, both becaufe the radical moiiiure is more dimi-
nished, and becaufe the diftemper, heat and moifture that are ftrangers, are more augmented : as
oft-times old men are troubled with cruel fcabs, and eating fores, and Worms. W 7 ood lyin<>
open to the Moon in the night, fooner breeds Worms, becaufe of the over much moifture of the
air, and in the hotter Sun, from too much heat. Thofe that breed within, breed at all times,
but for thofe that come from without, and are bred of the feed of Gnats and Flies; the Spring
and Summer are the chief times for them j for in Winter they are frozen and dye. Alfo the cli-
mate and the ground are of great force, for the Irifh wood feldome corrupts, there is fuch vertue
in the ground, and in Arabia, in the climate. Nowwefhall defcribe the particulars.
Of thofe Worms that are in Fig-trees, fome are bred of the trees themfelves, and another i?
bred withall, that is called Cerafies. For fince the greateft part of Worms do differ in fhape and
form one from another, yet the principal difference amongit them is this, that thofe Which are
bred in one kinde of tree or fruit, if they betranflated to another kinde, they will not live: yet
men affirm that Cerafies is bred in the Olive-tree, and will breed in the Fig-tree; wherefore the
Fig-tree hath its Worms, and fends forth thole alfo that it receives from other trees: yet they
are all like to Cerafies-, and they make a fmall fhrill found. Sypominus faith he hath two horns
cn his head: when he hath eaten the place fo hollow that he can well turn himfelf, he begets
another little creature, and changeth one kinde into another as Catterpillers do.
The Service tree is infefted with red Worms, and hairy, and then it dyes. Alfo the Medlar-
tree being old produceth fuch Worms, but they are greater then in other trees, as Theophrajim
writes. The fap produceth a Worm like to a Thripsy from whence Gnats and kindes of Vha-
leuci are bred, wilde Pear-tree Worms, lomefortof living Creatures that feed on wood, iaith
Hefyckim-, for they extremely hurt wilde Pear-trees. A little Woim in the Oke-like tree {Sue-
tonius calls it Galbus) is wonderfull (lender, whence the flift of the Sulpitii was called Galba,
from his extreme flendernefle. The Palm-tree produceth the Carabus (as Hejjcbius and Arifletle
teftifie) a Worm like to Sea-lobfters, having only fix feet; by this means the Carabk\W T orm
of Hefjchius'is known: Theophrajlus writes that they cut off the fmall boughs of theCinam breed in the root of the Oak, and hurt it. Pliny faith, an Olive-tree is ill planted
where an Oake is dug up, for the Worm Maucd\u is very little ones, or Alomes ; they differ from Syrones by this, that they
feem to be made of many Acari. But the Acarm it felf is a roi nd white fix-footed little crea-
ture like to a little Lovvfe, of almoft no fubftance, that if you prefs it violently between your
fingers and your thumb, it is fo fmall that you cannot feel it nor hurt ir. Antigcnus and Arifiotle
I084
Ch a p. 20. Of lejfer living Creatures.
call it fupitersH utler •■> it may be becaufe it will eat with its nib into the thickdt Wine-cask.
And certainly if there were not lomcthingof Ood in it, and of divine vettue, how could wehjtide
io great force in fo little and almoil no body ? Alio in the leaves of the Beech, little knots are
found wherein there are l'mall Worm?. The fifties of trees (as Thcophraftm faith) are fometimes
worm-eaten, when they are yet green, as we fee in Services, Mecllers, Pears and Apples, The
Olive both in the skin and kernel hath Worms called "ip^j and it is a mifchief not to be ne<'-
Ic&cd (hkh Theophraftus) for it will not only walle all the oylandthe juice, but will eat up
the Rones that are fo hard wherein the kernel is. Alfo little Worms are found in Galls that
are eaten through, and they are bred in the very inmoft pith, out of which afterwards arifech a
kindeof Hies and Gnats, as Valerandm Doures an Apothecary of Lions teltifieth. Moreover, in
Oak Acorns, and fpongy Apples, fometimes Worms breed, and AHrologers prefage that year to
be likely to produce a gi eat famine and dearth. I need not contend that there are Worms in
imall Nuts,for all men know it : efpecially when the Summer is moitf, and the windblowes from
the South. It is ftrange that Ringelbergim writes, UbJe experiment, that thel'e Worms may be fed
to be as big as a Serpent, with fheeps milk, yet Cardanus confirms the fame, and fhewes the
way to feed them, Lib. de rcr.variet at. There are little Worms bred in dry Figs like thofc in
i ia^el-nnts, with a black head, and the reft of the body is a whitifh yellow, but they arefmaller.
Bellcnim faith he found that Cedar as well as Pine Apples were fub;ee"t to Worms. They are
fo • thfeknefs like to the female Glow-worm, a fingers breadth long, with ahead like an Emmet,
but more compa£t,with twelve incifiens • on each ndeit hath three feet near to the head, and two
circular foreya-ds, with a thickbelly, and a fharp tail. Alio in the hatdand woody hulls of the
Witch-tree, there is a broad feed, and oft-times eaten with Worms : and you fhall h'nde there oft-
times their very Aurelia's. Lailly> no fruit can be named, but fome Moth or Worm will infeft
it; even Manna it felf fometimes (which the Poets feign to be the meat of the gods, the Scri-
ptures maintain to be the meat of the fonsof God) corrupted and bred Worms, when contrary
to Gods Word it was laid up till morning.
Chap. XX.
Of Worms of Fruits, Pulfe, Corn, Vines, Herbs.
UPon the lower Willow (efpecially when fvvelling gals break forth) fometimes there are
found like to rofes, that are full of Worms, as it alfo happens in the leaves of the Ma-
ftick-tree. Jgjynqueranfts faith there are two kindes of leader Oak,one like a great tree, the other
a fmall fhrub, about afoot ai\d half high; it fpreads very broad, and the leaves are fmooth
and Paining, with a numerous thorny bea:d in the circumference riling up with many fiences
like to the Rofe-buflu Our Countreymen call it a Beech-tree, though it be nothing like to a
Beech-tcee. It growes on plain ground, but that (lands high, with little dry hillocks, and unfruit-
full : when the mrubs are bedewed with fhow.es inthemidff of the Spring, the Cochineal be-
gins thus : When the lower ftalk divides into two branches, and in the middle of thefe there
comes forth a thing that is round, and of the colour and bignel's of a Pear, they call this the Mo-
ther, becaufe from this the other grains p'oceed. Betides every one of thefe fhrubs hath com-
monly five Mothers, which at the beginning of Summer and in hot weather put forth a great com-
pany of little Worms,and they cleave in the top. A new off-fpring of fhoots growes up federally
on high of a white colour, that produce living creatures. But wherefoever they meet with . the
hollow places of the twig budding where the Worms are, they fall down, and become as great as
Millet-feed. Then growing up more freely, the white colour changeth into afh-colour, and then
they appea no more living creatures, but again like unto Peafe. Then thofe grains being ripe
gathered, now great with colour'd Worms : whileft they aie carried to the Merchants, the thin
skin tha: goes about them breaks. The price of a pound of thefe Worms that are come forth
of the skin is a gold noble ; but that part which is yet in the skin, is fold for a fourth part of it :
the meanwhile the little Worms are as if they were de id, and move not. But when the fea-
fon of the year comes, they are haflned by putting them in linnen cloths, and expofing them to
the Sun. Then but feeling the heat, they prefently creep forth, and drive to flyaway; but by
the keeper of them, who watcheth them continually, they are fhaked b-ck into the middle of
the linnen cloth till they die; whileft this is doing, and for th'ee daies after, there is fofweeta
fmell and delightful, that no Civet, Mrsk, or Amber-greece, nor yet Lemon flowers can furpafs it.
But if any grains efcape from him that gathers them, they prefently fend forth a numerous
army of winged creatures into the air.
It was obterved one year,that in a ftony field in tbeCountrey by Arlesfhc p r ofit of this increafe
was reckoned at 1 1000 crowns.So writes Quinqueranns. And Carolus Clttfiut faith,that. in his time,
the fame fafhion of gathering Cochineal was obferv'd about Narbon in France-) and alfo in Sp*in.
For they have plats of ground in the open air provided for the purpofe, with the fides fomething
high, and they lay a linnen cloth upon them and pour forth the Cochineal upon that ; the kee-
pers ftand ready about it with little wands continually when the Sun fhines very hot, and they
Zzzz 3 ftrifce
io86 The Theater of InfeBs: or, B o o k 1 1.
Itrike the oucfides of the hnnen cloth, that they may drive back into the middle of the cloth
thefe little Worms that haffen to come forth. But Petrnt Hellonius I. i. obferv. c. 17. tels us of
another manner of preparing Cochineal,
There is (faith he) in Crete a great increafeof Cochineal : fhepherds and boyesdo gather it.
They finde it in p«»supona fmall fhrub? of a kinde of holm that bears Acorns (licking to the
lkK'k of that fhrub, without any Italk, and the colour is afh-colcur with white, but becaufe the
leaves of that fhrub are full of prickles like to Holly, the Shepherds have a itaffe in their left
hands to prefs down the boughs, and hold them fo ; and in their right hands they have a pruning
knife,wherewith the cut off the fmal boughs, from which they pull oft little round bladders as great
as fmal peafe,on that fide they grew to the wood they are chapt and open,full of little red creatures
fmaller than nits, that fly forth at that cleft, and leave the bladder empty. The boyes when
they have gathered their Cochineal? bring it to the Treafurer, and he gives them victuals for it.
He parts thefe little creatures from the bladders with afieve, and then he takes them gently
with the tops of his fingers, and makes bals of them as great as Hens eggs: for fhoul-d he prefs
them too hard, they would turn to juice-> and the colour be loll: wherefore there are twokindes
of dying huffe, one of the pulp> another of the bladders, and becaufe the pulp is, more ufefull for
dying, the price of that is four times beyond the price of the bladders. Gefner alfo fa w fmall
Worms of a yellow and red, upon the uppermoft boughs of the Juniper-tree; in the fponge of
the Eglantine or wilde Rofe, white worms breed, from which Ariftotle faith that Cantharides do
come. Gefner faith, that after two moneths the fponge being kept in a Hove will fend forth a
great number of little live Worms. Alfo the Thorn and the Bramble, the Rofe, Heath, Broom,
tree Trifoly, Rafpis, the Myrtle-tree, Capers, Bufh, the Goosberry-bufh, the Palm-tree, the
white Thorn, the Privet, Park-leaves, Licorice, and indeed every fhrub, and under-fhrub is eaten by
Worms : nor could ?alma Chrifti (which afforded fhadow to hnas,xhxL divine Prophet ,when he was
very hot) efcape this plague, as we finde it written. Alfo Pulie, the gifts of Ceres-, are (to ufe
the Philofophers word) moft Worm-eaten, but how that comes to pals is molt uncertain : whe-
ther is it,as Theophraftm feems to fay,when the juice cannot be diftufed,by reafon of the great heat,
and the foulnefs of them ? or ihould we rather fay, that the dry part defires the humour, but
the humour flees from it as its contrary ? So we fee drops hanging on a dry wall : or whether the
over great heat corrupts both the natural heat and moihure contained within ? That cor-
ruption comes that way, moft fickly Ethiopia can teftifie. A little worm "eats Beans Theo-
phraftmcAs it Adidas, and He/} 'chins 7f. ; e*©-, 7^ and Kpa.ua]?a£, is a worm breeding in Pulfe,bun
chiefly in Peafe, and hath its name from eating : and fuch a one breeds in chich Peafon, after that
the faltnefs of it is wafhed away with fhowrs, as befides the Scholiaft upon Hefiod, Phavorinru,
and Theophrafttu determine. They often breed in the fvveeter Pulfe, both by reafon of the fitnefs
of thenourifhment, and the nature of the air fit to breed worms, and when they are bred they
nourifh them, and fhew themforth. Worms bred in corn are generally called -J*"-"**** which
feed on the roots, {talks, reeds, and prickles of winter Wheat, Panick, Oats, Rice, Miller, Rie ;
others there are that feed upon Wheat-flour, as thofeth.it are called Farinarii', others of that
which is whole Wheat, not yet ground in a mill, as Weevils. The Englifh call the I'arinarii
Meal-worms ; they are like to fhips worms, they have fix feet, with a little (Tuning red head, a
roundbody, and divers coloured as the meal is ; forthe belt and whitelt meal breeds them
white, the elder meal breeds them yellow, the lean meal full of bran hath dark colour'd. Cardan
cals them Meal-moths, (but as it falsout frequently) not well coniidering of it. Thofe that
are fed with bran, it is wonderful how great they will grow, and from
ten in a fhort time you fhall finde three hundred. They are found
amongft woollen weavers at all times almoft , for they make a mixture
\\< 7fl c £ Bran,Vinegar, and Hogs greaie, from whence they breed abundant-
ly. The Weevil is the bane of wholewheat, be it raw or torrefied (as
in oiAetius (which the Englifh call U)dault,the, mother of Ale.) For fo my Comedian
hath it, though Virgil and Varro call it Gurgulio or Curgulio. The Englifh call the Wheat-worm
Kit, Pope, Bowde-) Weevil, and wibil, as if you fhould fay double Bill, yet it is indeed a living
creature with three beaks. It deftroyes wheat chiefly, yet it will deftroy any other grain, lea*
Vmg nothing but the hull, and the thin skin. Eor as Virgil hath it in his Gcorgickj :
The Weevil fpcils a mighty heap of corn.
It is formed like a fmall Beetle, it hath a beck proper to it felf, and with three forks. Some of
them are with black bodies, others with brown, but others that are the greater are greenifh, and
the middle of their body very fmall. This creature is fo dry, that with the leaft touch it will
turn to duft. It is bred chiefly in the Spring, fome few daies before that Bees fwarm. Theophra-
fius faith they breed of one part of the grain, and the other part they feed on. OurCountrey-
men flnde by experience that this wheat-worm will lay eggs in chinks of wals, and under the
tyles, and from thence by procreation comes a new ofWpring. They fpeak of three wonders con-
cerning thefe little creatures. Firft, that though they be but few at firff, yet in a fhort time
they will increafe infinitely. Secondly, that they will lie between the tyles and in chinks of
wals without any meat at leaft three years. Thirdly? that if they be put into water three daies
Chap. 20. Of lejfer living Creature*.
with Wheat or Barly, when they are taken forth they wil live again. Our Countreyman Siliardttt
(a diligent obferverof Nature) defcribes the propagation of Weevils thus : when Ants have ea-
ten off the top of the ear of wheat, the Weevil! goes up, and in that little hole he laies one or
two eggs (but feldom three) fp great as a grain of Millet, long and yellow, full of liquid yellow
matter j from this afterwards proceedeth another Weevill. This little Infect hath both fexes,
for they copulate before they do this mifchief. Petrus Comefior affirms that they proceed from
Beans corrupted, to whom nomuibut Guilierinns de Conchu aflents, left they fhould falfly con-
found ^Weevil with Midas> or Bean-worm. Belide this Weevil commonly known, Joach. Ca~
merarim fen t two others to Pcnnitts out of the barns oiGermany, with a far greater belly; one
of them was a kinde of afh-colour, and the other green. Alio Scaliger faith there is in wheat a
Worm without a beck, which perhaps Pliny meant by his corn-beetle^ To this I will refer a cer-
tain little creature that is frequent 111 barns, that creeps with fix feet', and with two fihoit fail-
yards it tries its way, it is fpotyed on jhe middle of its back and ikies, and the reft of the body is
black, which I therefore call the fpotted Weevil. This creature doth no great harm to corn, be-
caufeitis ftill alone, and feldom two of them are found in one bam. About Lentz-hwrg, a
Town of Germany, a ce.tain infect is found 111 the fields, which fome call VlfuU fame Korn-worm>
others Kurnevele. It is faid to be fo venomous and hurtful, that the Husbandmen will leave their
plough when they meet it, and run after it ro kill ir. It is black fom a little red, dwelling
amongft wheat and eating up the corn : worms bred in Vines, theskarlet Oak worms are like them,
fuch as Brajfavolns doth rtrongly maintain and think that they arebred on the roots of Pimpernel.
Amongft herbs, both forphyfick/andfor meat, the Violet, Radifh,Rue, Bafil, and many more are
molefted with worms. The worms in Violets are very fmall and bhck,and run very faff, as facobm
Garetus a moft diligent Apothecary, and very famous in the knowledge of fimples as there are not
many, affirms, o:;t of the root of the Hartichoak a worm comes, that hath fix feet, like to a
Catserpiller, and whitifh, with a reddifh blackhead; where it bites the roots of Hartichoaks it
makes them black, andaclaftkite them. TheRadifh produceth the like. Cardan faith, men
report that there is a worm found in the leaves of Rue, and it will grow wonderful great, as the
'Hazel-nut worm will do if it be fed with fheeps : milk. A little worn that is the childe of the
dew, andagueftin biiil with abodyalmoft upright, he flicks faft by his hinder feet, whilefthe
takes hold with his forefeet. Sugar is made of the Sugar cane, the fweeteft of all Silts, and as
the commonfort of Phyiicians fuppofe, it is altogether free from corruption. Yet under theau-
thority of Scaliger-, Iaflertthata little worm is bred in Sugar, long, black as a flea, and (if you
take away his beck) like to a Weevil ; and therefore we may juftly call it a Sugar-worm. Bellonitit
alfo makes mention of this. But that Infect which the Germans call May en Wormlem feems to
breed very feldom, faith Camerarim. For in the moneth of May dew es often fall that are very
unhealthful, and if they fall upon the leaves of Hops, they turn to little living creatures called
Hoppen. Amongft thoufands of thefe you ftaallfometimes fee one far greater than the reft (though
it is fcarfe greater than afatlowfe) it hath yellow circles about the belly, the back ischamfer'd,
the tail is fomewhat long, the colour of the body for the greateft part is Jplackifh. This when it
wants aliment from dew, devours one by one all of his own kinde, eve: beginning with that is
nexttohim: he changeth hisskin like to Silk-worms: hftly, when he i^alinoft transparent, he
putting off his laft skin, he hangs by his head and feet by a kinde of thin mrd-lime, by fo me leaf,
and fo he dies : why may we not call this worm the Hop-worm ? In the ftalk of the Afphodil,
a worm is bred of a clear colour when the herb begins to flower, out of his fhoulders wings grow
by degrees, and then when he can fly, he forfakes his habitation. In the fwoln joynts of the cod-
ded Arfmart, and the wildeThiftle, little white worms breed, as yellow ones do in the purple
flowers of the baftard wilde Chervil, and red ones in the root of Pimpernel. I often have feen
in the female Smallage downy worms j in Mufhroms and Coleworts, fmall black. worms; in the
root of Acorus, white ones : in the root of Elecampane whileft it is green and growing, white
worms breed in ten or eleven joynts that are viable, that are as thick as a Goofquil, with a lit-
black head, and fix fhort feet, and the body all black. The Kings of the Indians, as *s£lian tefti-
fieth, ufe to eat for their fecond courfe, a worm found in a certain plant, when it is rofted at the
fire, and they commend it for the daintieft and fweeteft meat. In the head or ftalk of the Fullers
Teafil, we have feen a worm very fmall, with a little head, and fix black feet, with ten or eleven
incifions. Firft it eats up the fpongy pith of the ftalk,and when that fails it dies for want of food.
It is eafily found at the beginning of Ottobcr, though Marcellm upon Diofcorides, doth moft
fhamefully deny if. If I am not deceived, this is that worm the Ancients call Tatimum. Xem-
crates cals a plant like to double Camomel Galedragon, (faith Pliny) it hath a ftalk like Fennel
Gigint, with a tall and prickly head, and like to an egg in form : in this with age they fay little
worms breed, that are good again'* the tooth-ach.
In the roots of white Thiftle (which plant is luxuriant in the high mountains of Savoy) there is
a little worm found, breeding in fome, in others it growes great, and in moft of them it grows to
have wings and ready to fly , it is white, and hath fome joynts that it is divided by, and very black
fhining eyes. It may be there is'great ufe in phyftck of a little worm bred in wilde Tanfey : but I
leave the enquiry of that to rhofe that are curious in the fecrets of Nature,
C H A P ..
The Theater oflnfe&s :or y B o o k 1 1.
CHAP. XXI.
Concerning the ufe of Worms that breed in Minerals and Vegetables,
and the way to defiroy them,
SOme think that worms that are bred in ft ones, (whereof we fpeak)thofe I mean that are as
great as Hand-worms, beaten into powder with the ftone, are good to cure Ulcers. Al-
to Marcellus witnelTeth that thefe bruited and given with three Cyathi of water, will break
and drive forth the Stone by urine. The Ancients ufed the more folid wood that the Thrives
had carved with their teeth for Seals, and Antiquity afcribeth die invention of that to Hercu-
les. In old trees red worms breed, whereof Serenas writes thus.
From dn old tree do but red -worms procure*
Bruife them with Oyl-> and drop in warm-) be fure>
For pains oth' ears this is the fafefi cure.
Galen out of Apollonius fubferibes this remedy. "Worms that breed in hollow and rotten
trees heal fecret Ulcers and all fymptomes of Ulcers, and difeafes of the head ; alfo being
burnt and powdered with their weight of dry Dill, they cure Cankers. Marcellus. But Ae-
tius addes three Worms b;ed of wood to anOyntment againft the Elephantiafts, which he learw
ed of ace- tain Phyfitian that took his oath of fecrecy. The rottennefie that is made by their
biting dries without pain, and is profitable for many things. Galen Eupor. 3 c. 7. commends
this kinde of powder, againft knobs, clifts, and fores of the Fundament. Take Orpiment in
pieces three ounces, rotten wood of an Oke four ounces, make a fine powder, then foment
the place afte6ted,firft with the warm urine of a young boy,and afterwards Itrew on this powder.
But the Cojft are not only food for the Inhabitants of Pontus and Thrygia? and they delight
much in them (as Worms in Cheefe are to the Germans) but they alto cure Ulcers, increafe milk,
and as Pliny faith, when they are burnt to allies they cure creeping fores. The Worm in Ful-
lers Teazil put into a hollow tocth, will give wonderfull eafe. Plinj. And if it be hanged in a
bladder about the neck and arms, it will cure £>uartane Agues. Diofcorides. One Sdmueijfcjpc'
kelbergius a learned young man, in an Epiftle he writ to D. Gefnen hath thefe words , Sauh
he, as I was gathering of Simples, a certain old man came unto me whilft I fought for a little
Worm in the head of the Fullers Teazill, andhefaid unto me, Othou happy young man, if
thou didft but certainly know the fectet vermes of that little Worm, which are .many and grear.
And when I intreated him, that he would acquaint me with them, he held his peace, and by
no intreaty could I obtain it of him. Pliny aflerts that the Colewort Catterpillars being but
touched with it will faft and die. The Worms of Galedracon (which plant tome men con-
found with Fullers Teazil) being put into a box, and bound with bread to the arm on that fide
the toorh akes, will wonderfully remove the pun, faith Xenocrates. The Worms of the Eglan-
tine will caufefleep, and therefore tome Germans call them Schlafoirs ■ They are applyed alive
to a Felon (but alwayes their number muftbe odde) and they do certainly cure it faith Jjj>uickel-
bergius. A little Worm found in the heb Car dusts, bound up in a piece of Skarlet and hang 'd
about the neck, will cure the tooth-ache. Marcellus. The Worms that are found in the root
of Pimpenel, make a mo ft incomparable purple colour, (Gefner) that I wonder the Ancients
faid nothing of them. All little Worms found in prickly herbs, if any meat ftick in the nar-
row pillage of the throat of children, will prefently help them. Pliny, Rub a faulty tooth with
the Worms in Coleworts, and it will in a few dayes fall forth it felf. Meal-worms are good
andfeem to be bred to catch black-heads, and Nightingales, and to feed them; nor is there in
winter wholefomer meat for them: for they pu r ge, heat, and nourifh alto, thofe Birds that
have but a thin nutriment to preferve them. I fpake before of the profitablenefle of the Co-
chineel Worms. Brajfuvo/us affirms the fame of Vine-worms, but how rightly let others judge ;
but they ari nor only good for dying, but neceflary in Phyftck, for they both binde and dry,
and fcowr without biting, and incarnate alfo, they cure rheumatick eyes, mingled with Pi-
geons bloud, they help fufTuftons of the eyes, they cure Dyfenteries, they help hard labour
in Childe-birth, and debility, they cure Melancholy, fear, Epilepfxs, they provoke urine and
the terms, they heat rhe Matrix, they dilTolve water and choler, they abate the panting of
the heart, and upon that fcore they are put into Confection of Alkermes-> and are the Balis
thereof. Diofior- Avicen, Kiranides. I fay nothing, how greedily Sparrows,Wood-peckers, Hens,
Wood-cocks, Snipes, the Pardus, a Black-bird, Larks, Gnat-fnappers',Reed-fparrows,and many
other birds, that are good phyfick, or elfe meat for us, do feed on the Worms of trees and
hebs. Now knee God hath mingled conveniences and inconveniences together, both to roiiie
up our providential! p udence, and to punifh us with punifhments due to our fins, how both of
thefe may be prevented I fhall fhew briefly. ftnas being cherifhed under the fhadowof fhe
Gourd, he thought it fafe and happy to be to, when the heat was to vehement. But God lent
Chap. 21. Of leffer living Creatures.
a worm and took chat from him, both to try his patience? and demonltrate his frailty. Therti
was an Arch-bHhop of Tcrk?> whofe furname was Grey-, as our Hillorics^relate, when he had
abundance of all Corn in the time of great fcarcity, yet he refufed to let* the poor have victu-
als either for money or intreaty. A little after this his barns that were full of Corn, were fo
exhauited with Weevils, tllttthey left not one whole grain of Wheat or Barley: hven
lomon faid, He that hoards up his Corn the people /ball curfe him-, bat blcjjing fhall be on the head of
him that felleth it. So God, that he may call forth a fluggifh father of a family, fends the
Moths and Worms into his Orchards and fields, both to make him laborious by this means,
and alfo to teach him to make ufe . of fuch helps and means that God offers to him. OurAn-
ceftors have delivered by tradition many of thefe ; Buc becauie Catoy Vitrnviusy Plinjy Pallor
dins, Theophraftusy Columella, Varro, Virgil, and many of thofe that were Princes in husbandry,
have abundantly fet down thefe things,, we fhall only give you a fmack of them here, be-
cauie others have given a full draught. That trees may not be eaten with worms, plant them
in the new of the. Moon, and cut them down between the new and old Moon in the conjun-
ction. Alfo anoynt them with.Tarre, a-nd often - wet them with the lees of Oyl. Alfo keep
them under Covert, everywhere, that they may not ftand expofed either to great heat of the
fun or tempers of weather. Alfo that trees may not grow worm-eaten, anoynt their roots be-
fore the firlt planting of them, and then afterwards moyften their roots with mans urine and
a third part of the flrongeft vinegar. Some fteep a long while Squills with Lupins, and they
fprinkle the places.that are worm-eaten or prefle. out their liquor with a Sponge, or they be-
fmear the ltock of the tree till it be very wet, and they powr into the holes Bitumen min-
gled with oyL Others fprinkle. on quick-lime, others Oyl-lees and old pifle, others Hogs
or Dogs dung fteept in Afles pifle, the roots being firlt uncovered. Democritus taught men to
bmite Terra Lemma with water, (it maybe he meant Carpenters red) and to fmear them vVith
that : Some pick out the Worm with a brafle pin and put Cow-dung over the hole. Red
hairy Worms learch to the inward pith, if you can draw thefe forth and not break them, and
burn them hard by, it is reported that all the reft will dy with ir. It is good alfo to powr
often upon the roots, Bulls gall, and lees of Oyl : To plant Squills, Rue, Worm-wood hard
by, to make amenftruous woman pafle over the place often, to fmear the pruning knifes
with Oy l of Cantharidesy and to avoid lean and dry ground. By thefe remedies Oranges,
Peaches,Pomegranates, Qjinces, Pears,Apples, Olives, and Okes, and other trees are kept found
a long time,and almoft free from Worms. . Afhes laid to fig-trees, drive away Worms,for it hath
the force of fait, though not fo ttrong. The feeds of Fig-trees or kernels will not be eaten
by. W T orms, if a flip of the Maffick tree or Turpentine tree be fet by them. As for Vines,
Actius bids us to fprinkle Sea-cole with water, and caft upon the place in the Spring-time,
and then to fmear the roots of the Vines that begin to bud. For if you fmear thi pruning knife
with Goats fuet or Frogs bloud, or do but anoynt the Whet-ltone with it, worms will nor;
breed there. Africanus faith that the tears of the Vine mingled with the afhes of the Vine-
ftalks, and put on the root with Wine, it will do as much. Laftly they are killed with a
fume of Oxe-dung, Harts-horn, Goats-clawes, Lilly-roots, {havings of Ivory, wo mens hair.
The herb Pionie or Thorow-vvax, planted where Vines grow, drive away worms. Some
there are that boyl AJfa f and Lazerwort in Oyl, and anoynt the ftocks of Vines with
it (beginning at the root) or with Garlick bruifed. The feeds that muft be fowed, fhould be
kept in a Tortoife-fhell, or Mints are to be fowed amongft Pot-herbs, but chiefly Tares.
The bruifed leaves of the Cyprefle-tree mingled with them, will avail much. Aggregator.
And Palladia* faith that all feeds will be free from worms, if a little before you low them
you foke them in the juice of wilde Cucumbers. Pliny bids to prepare feeds of Lupins before
you fow them, in the fmoke or fome hot place, becauie in a moyft place the worms will
eat up the middle of it, and make it barren. Varro faith that worms will never touch Qny-
ons that are fet with fait and Vinegar. Moreover, the feeds of all pot-herbs wet with rhe
juice of Houfleek, will admit of no worms. Againlt Weevils, that are a certain plague to Corn,
It is good to dawb the walls with lime and hair both within and without. Others do for
two dayes Iteep the fruit and leaves of wilde Cucumbers in lime water, and with fand they
mould it up like plaifter, and with that they plaifter the infides of their Granaries ; though
Pliny writes that Quick-lime is a very great enemy to Corn. Some put beads pifle to the
lime, fome worm-wood, juice of great Houfleek, and hops, others powr on the ground Oyl-
lees, Herring pickle, and the decoction of Flea-bane. Strabo mingles Marie. Others report
that often fanning of wheat keeps it fafe from weevils • but Columella denies this to be
true. Catolib.de re rufticay commends Clay mingled with Oyl-lees, and he would have the
Granary to be fenced with that. Varro ufeth it almoft the very fame way, but he commends
Clay with- Oyl-lees, Maple tree and Corn mingled together. Our Englijh men do deceive
and deftroy them divers wayes. Some in the middle of the heap of Co n do fo place brafle
Veflels half full of hot water, that the Corn may lie almoft up to the mouth brims of the
Veflels ; for thus they think the weevils are taken or deftroyed.
Some {hut up an Ant-hill and Ants together in a bag, and after that they powr it fo-th
in a corner of the granary : thus in ten daies will the Ants deftroy all the Wee-
vils, and when they are killed, they take them and carry them forth, that are going bark
to their former houfe. Alfo they ufe to put into that place young Chickens that will foone.it
irj,
The 7 beater of Infers :or y B o o k 1 1 .
up all the weevils. Some fp; inkle on fait water where Garlick hath been infufed, or Hops,
Elder-leaves, worm-wood, Rue, Nigella feed, wilde Mints, Walnut leaves, Savoury, Lavender,
Southern- wood, Flea-vvort, Bean Trifoly, boyld in Vinegar of Squills. They are much delight-
ed with Navew feeds, for the fweetnefle of them, that they will leave the Com for that^nd
cat till they Swell and break in funder. Though fome may think tfteSe things too much, and
belide my purpofe, yet Hippocrates proves that they are fit for Philofophers and Phyfitians
{Epiftola ad Cratevam) not only to know the art, to defcribe, gather, lay up, and ufe Simples,
but alio in preferving them, and preparing them, and to purge them from inbred or inflicted
venome, and from putrefaction and worms.
Chap.XXII.
Of the fx footed Worms of living Creatures, and frfi of Lice m men.
Since God hath given the principality to man amongft living Creatures, we will begin with
him. In the firit beginning whilett man was in his innocency, and free from wickedneffe,
he was fubjeft to no corruption and filth, but when he was feduced by the wickedneffe of
that great and cunning deceiver, and proudly affected to know as much, as God knew,
God humbled him with divers difeafes , and divers forts of Worms,
with Lice, Hand-worms, Belly-worms, others call T ermites, fmall Nits, and
Acares : Acafius-, Alcm&ej?v, the Italians Pidocchio, the Spaniards Piecio, the French Pou, the Germans
Luff, the Englifh Lowfe. The Latines call it Pes-, as we read in Plautus in Cure til. wherefore
you are akinde of Lions, and like Flies-, Gnats-, Lice and Fleas-, jott trouble all men-, and are hated
by all, but never do any good. And Livy to Gladiolus, Are they Fleas-, Wood-lice, or Lice ? An-
fwer me. And Lucilius when he fees me, he fcratcheth his head, and picks Lice. Feftus. Where
Hill a Lowle is called Pes. It is a beaftly Creature, and known better in Innes and Armies
then it is wellcome. The profit it bringeth, Achilles fheweth, Iliad i. in thefe words: Intake
no more of him then I doe of a Lowfe ; as we have an Englifh Proverb of a poor man, He is not
worth a Lowfe. The Lice that trouble men are either tame or wilde ones, thofe the Englilb
call Lico and thefe Crab-lice; the North Englifh call them Pert- lice .that is a petulant Lowfe,
comprehending both kindes, it is a certain lign of mifery, and is fometimes the inevitable
Pcfcriptionof fcourge of God. The tame ones that breed of corrupt bloud, are leffe, and reddifh, from
■ heir diffaen- Fleame white, from melancholy and adult humours, black, and from mixt humours they are
cts - of divers colours, as Pttrtts Gregorius noted /. 33. If you rub them gently between your fin-
gers you fhall fee them foursquare, and Something harder than Fleas, whence in the dark
when you take them you may eafily finde the difference. They that breed in the head are
bigger, longer, blacker and fvvifter, thofe that breed in the body are fatter, bigger bellies,
flower, darkifh white, 4nd marked with blackifh Streaks. Some conftancly affirm, that in May
they have feen Lice with wings, and that the Locuft-eaters _ of Lybia, when they have fed
too plentifully of them, after they come to be forty years old, will die with thefe Lice, as
Diodorus Siculus faith confidently, 4. Antiquitat'. Agatbarcides fpeaks of thefe Lice, but he
faith they are like to Ticks. They chiefly faften on the chin, eye-browes, and the privities full of
hair, the groin, and the arm-pits, their body is more compact, their nib is Sharper, they bite
more, and tickle leffe. For Tykes will Sometime enter deep into the skin with their nofe,
that you can h ardly pull them out but with the loffe of their heads, anti they feldome wan-
der, but they bite cruelly, and make themfelves a hollow place, and there they Stand fait.
Some call thefe Lice in Latine, Cicci, fome mens Tikes, others Vultures lice : Ariftotle calls
them wilde Lice, Hift. Animal. I. 5. c. 31. it is harder then a tame Lowfe, and is mo-e hard-
ly removed from the place it bites. Our French men, faith foubertus, call them Morpions,
zndPatu, the Germans call them F eultz, leufs, Gordonius Peffolatas .- they Stick very faf; to the
skin, or bite through the cuticula-, they are of a dryer matter, and that which is halfrolted,
lOOO
Chap. 12. Of leffer living Creatures. 1091
10 they are not fo fvvoln& but they are more compict. The Arabians call rhem Alcarad^
Gudrdam Faed> and wirh an Article, Algttardam, and Alfacd.-> as Ingrajfias obferved. Alio
in the Synonymaes contr. Rhafis, they are called Motes and Jmmores. The Italians call tjiefe
Piatolosi^d Chacillos, and Jdbenz.oar" Platulas. All Lice breed from humours, lie In, fat, fweat
corrupted, and differ exceecnngly in refpect of the place and humour. For thofe that breed of
mans bloud will die if you fmeare them with the bloud of other Creatures. Alfo they that
breed in a mans head will hardly live, or not long in his body. So the wilde Lice bred in"
the privities will die in the head. Thofe that breed of flefh putrefied, fuch as often will a- Caures
bound in Ulcers ill cured, will not be fed with the excrements of the skin, ( faith Bieron. general low fit
Mercurialise I- i>c.j. de morb.cut.) The opinions of Authors are divers concerning the gene- difeafe.
tion of this difeafe : Ariftotle 5. bift. anim. c. 31. thinks that Lice breed of flefh corrupted, in
which place he affirms three things. Firft, that they that breed Lice, have fome pulfes arifing
before in their skin, which if a man prick, the Li4P*vill appear. Then that this difeafe come
not, but bymoyft humours, or to fuch that have been troubled with along and moyftdif-'
eafe. Laftly, that all Birds, Fifh, Four-footed beafts,a.re molelted with this difeafe, except an
Affe. The firft opinion pleafeth me not : Firlt becaufe in the skin of the head Lice breed molt
commonly, where there is the leaft portion of fle'fh. And again, if they fhould breed only
of corrupt flefh,the heads of young children that are almoft allwayes full of them would be 16
wanting /of flefh, that it would almoft waft all away. Further, in Confumptions, where the
body nourifheth not, and is wholly confumed almoft, they abound moft commonly, where all L ^i m(x
the flefh is fodry, that there is no moyfture almoft to breed Lice, 'Tkeo$hraftns is of another ' ' '
minde from Arijhtle-, affirming that Lice breed of corrupt putrefied b#ud ; which Hieron. Mer~
cnrialtl in the quoted place labours to infringe by thefe reafons. Firlt becauie in Feavers that
grow from putrefaction of bloud, there is feen no fuch increafe of Lice. Secondly, if they
fhould be made from bloud, fome of them at leaft would be of a red fanguine colour, andtedi-
fiefrom whence they were bred, as other things doe, but we fee no fuch, therefore, & c . In
which place this otherwife very learned man, feems to beg his principle. For in the heads
of our children we oft times finde very red Lice, and in thofe that are upon recovery of a pu-
trid Synochus, we finde that oft times many red and mingled coloured Lice breed. Galen-, i.de
comp. wed. fee. loc. e. 7. and Avicenna 1. 4. fen. J- trail. 5. c. 26. afcribe them to fome other caufe>
and as CMercurialts thinks, that their opinion is the trueft of all, namely, that they breed
from the hot excrements of the fecond and third concoction putrefied, nor fharp, nor bad.
To underftand rightly their opinion, wemuftknow, that when bloud is changed into the fub-
ftance of the Limbs, many kindes of excrements are produced, whereof fome are diflblved by
infenfible tranfpiration, others by fweat, others turn to filth, others ftay in the skin : Thofe
that are retained in the upper skin, makedandruf, if they ftay in the depth of the skin, or are
bad and fharp, they caufe fore heads. But fince I have obferved that in fome that were in a
Confumption uncurable, where the fharpnefTe of the humour eats up the very roots -of the
hairs, Lice ccme forth abundantly, why may I not think by their leave that they may breed
at firft from fharp humours? Scaliger would prove that Lice breed not from putrid humours,
becaufe herbs grow from the feed without putrefaction : for he thinks the principle is altered,
but he beieevesnot it can be corrupted. But by his leave I mutt fay that Scaltger on the. Apollle
muft be miftaken : ForfoSt. Paul-) I Cor. 15. That which thou foveeft is not quickened unleffeit die.
But if death be a corruption, as the Philofophe'rs fay, then Scaliger was deceived, and (yet
keeping the Laws of friendfhip) we may defervedly reject his opinion- And Epithymum breeds
from Thyme, and Miffeltoe arifeth from fome trees, that are found, and not yet corrupted.
But I anfwer, that a Lowfe differs more from the principle it proceeds from, than Epithymum
doth from Thyme, trees from Miffeltoe. For thefe are of the fame kinde, and are as it were
thruft forth from the abundance of fruitfull matter, and Miffeltoe is nourifhed from the pith of
the tree. But it is apparent, that Lice feldome breed in found bodyes, or not at all, but thofe
that are cachecticail, in Confumptions, and full of putrefaction, and watry bloud, and whofe
flefh and skin are corrupt as well as their bloud, and fat, are troubled with them. Oft times
found men fweat, and yet breed no Lice, for they will not breed of all fweat, but from corrupt
fweat, and that which is not bitter. But when it grows bitter, (as we finde it in thofe that are
dying, or troubled with the Jaundies) they forfake their ftations and creep from the body into the
pillowes that are under them ; yet they do not alwayes go to other places when men are dead, for
as thofe that take care of the deid Corpfes affirm, they will ftill ftick about the mouth of
theftomack, and under the chin by the fharp artery; which places which are moft full of na-
tive heat, when they once creep unto, it is no fm.il 1 fign of death approaching. Alfo the com-
plexion ferves much to breed Lice) the Countrey, and the dreffing. For fome have more, fome
fewer, and fome many Climate will be free from them. Oviedus I. Navig. c. 82. writes, that
Christians in the Weft-Indies have not fo much as a Lowfe in their heads, and yet the Inhibi-
tants (to ufe Plantm his phrafe) are very Lowfy, pedicof. Alfo our Countrey-men have obfer-
ved, that h.we paffed upon the Indian lea, when they have left the Ifle of /fsowbehinde theni,
all the Lice prefently die, arid when they fee thofe Iflands again, they will revive abundantly.
I think the reafon is, (that I may here help Penn'ms out) the extreme heat between the Tropicks,
that not only fucks aliment from them, but the Element alfo. Vefpucms teftifieth of the If.e
of
~ocr2 1 b e % beater of Infe&s :or y B o o k 1 !•
of Sr. Thomas-, that the Blackmoors there are tull of Lice,bnt the white men are free of that trou-
ble. As for dreffing the body : all Ireland is noted for this, that it fwarms almoft with Lice. But
that this p oceeds from the beaftlinefs of the people, and want of cleanly women to wafh them
is manitelt^becauie the 1 nglifh that are more careful to drefs themfebj:s,changing 8c Walhing their
fhirts often, having inhabited fo long in Ireland-, have efcaped that plague. Hence it is that Ar-
mies and Priions are fo full of Lice, the fweat being corrupted by wearing alvvaiesthe fame
cloathes,and from thence arifeth matter for their original by the mediation of heat. So thofe that
keep no diet, but delight in eating and filthines, and feed on Vipers-, Radifhes-, Baftl-, Figs-, Lignum
Aloes-> Garden Smallage-, and Dates too much, their bodies will from putrefaction of humours breed
Lice between their skin, as Diodorus in Empiricus, Simon Sethi-, Aetius, and Pliny affirm. But
Diofcorides faith it is exceeding falfe, that Lice will grow from eating Vipers. Sheeps-wool that
j W olf hath killed will breed Lice, if a garment made thereof be wet with fweat, which grant
that it be an invention of Arijlotle and Plinj&jzi experience teacheth us, that cloathes fmeered
w ith Horfes greafe, will breed Lice preiently. *s£lian faith that he will be full of Lice, who is
anointed with oyl wherein a Stcllio is drowned.
Prevention Againil this terrible difeafe, which the Greeks call »fl«el«ii, many have invented divers reme-
and Cure. dies. The Irijh and I ft land people (who are frequently troubled with Lice, and fuch as will fly,
as they fay, in Summer) anoint their fhirts with Saffron, and to very good purpofe,to drive away
the Lice, but after fix moneths they wafli their fliirts again putting frefh Saffron into the Lye.
But Antigonas in Synag. Hiftor. Paradox, lo foon as little pufhes or wheels appear upon the body,
bids us pack them, and take forth the Lice: but if they be left unprickt, that general lowfie dii-
eafe will come, whereby jhey fay that Alcmton Phyficus-, and Pherefides Sjrus were deflroyed.
The general Cure of the lowfie Difeafe.
Amatus LttfitanHs cured that good Venetian at Ancona (of whom I fpake before) who was
fick of a general lowlie diieafe. Firft, by opening a vein, and then purging him ; for fo he drove
forth the corrupt humours that fomented the diieafe, not at once, but twice or thrice. After-
wards by applying Topical remedies, in a fhort time he grew free of this plague. Topical Medi-
caments were made thus : Take bitter Lupins iij. pugils, feeds of Staves-acre ij. pugils, in the
fharpelt. Vinegar what is fufficitnt,boyl i he a> and with that Vinegar wafh the body fromhead to
feed,then wipe and dry it,and anoint it with this ointment following : Take Staves-acre two parts,
Sandaracha of the Greeks one part,the firjeft Nitre' half a part, mingle them all with the fharpeft
Vinegar and oyl of Radifhes, and pound them together very exa£tly,and withthefe make an oynt-
ment : with which Amatus loon attained his purpofe.that the fick fell no more into the fame foul
difeafe. Amat.Lufitan.cent.$. curat.$S. Herod,fa fofephus and tAZgeJipptts tefiifie) when he hadgot
this difeafe by his great pride, and hewasfo fmitten from God, he went to the Baths beyond
/V^Hi and the Bituminous Lake, that were very good to cure this difeafe, but at that time they
were of no force, when God was plealed to punifh a proud Prince with a contemptible crea-
ture. If the body be lowfie all over, it flaewes a general Cacochymia, wherefore it is beft in
my opinion, firll to open a vein, and then to give a Purge, as the humour requires, and fo to
proceed to fpecificals, and fuch as agree with the place affected. Diofcorides prefcribes fuch
kindes of internal remedies: TakeGarlick with the decocYion of Origanum; drink this three
daies. Another-, Let the fick di ink Coriander bruifed with Origanum, and anoint himfelf out-
wardly with Honey. He commends alfo Alum-water, and the Deco&ion of Betes, juice of Ivy
and the gum of it with Honey, liquid Pitch, Alum, Synopex fmeered on with Vinegar, Nitre with
Samian Earth and Oyl.
Other outward Remedies that kill Lice-, out of Pliny : Seeds of Staves-acre beaten, without the
hulls, will free the body from Lice, but better if you mingle them with the Sandaracha of the
Greeks, Mufiard-feed, Garlick, with Vinegar and Nitre are good for the fame. Oyl of Radifh
doth cure the lowfie difeafe contracted for a long time. Siler, Mountain-feed beaten with Oyl,
Hyfop , mingled with Oyl, Tar, fweet Gums, the juice of the wilde Vine, and Staves-acre boyl'd in
Vinegar, will free garments from them. So black Hellebore with Oyl or Milk anointed on is
very good. Internal Remedies out of Pliny. A Snakes caft skin powdred and drank for three
daies, will keep the body free from Lice. Muftard-feed, or feed of Tamarisk, drank, are good ;
fo is water of Radifh-leaves, and the juyce of Privet-berries, Plantain, Garlick, the juyce of wilde
Cucumer, and Tar. Nonus commends the root of the fharp Dock, bruifed with Oyl and
anointed, firflwafhing tile body with the decoction of Lupins-, and he prefcribes a remedy of San-
daracha of the Greeks, Nitre, and Staves-acre. Oribafius approves the juyce of Pellitory long
rubbed on, or Nitre with the wilde Vine in a Bath. Rhafts prefers the leaves of Batbeiies, gum
of Ivie, great Knot-grafs, and Sea-water. Aviccnna commends Quickfilver with oyl of Rofes,
and wilde Staves-acre with Arfenick. Haly Abbas bids us purge the body, and then to eat meat
of good juycet, to wafh away the filth, and to change our clothes often : then he prefcribes
Quickfilver bruifed with Staves-acre-feed, and oyl of wilde Saffron, and with that to anoint the
body morning and evening, after bathing. He farther commands us to nfe thefe Remedies:
Take long Birthwort, bruife it with Pine-leaves and Quickfilver, and with oyl of Lupins what may
ferve turn, make an Unguent. Anoint the body with that at night, and in the morning wafh ic
Ch a p. 22. Of leffer living Creatures.
with hot water, after that, with a decocaion of Alum, Wormwood, Suitonicnm, pr Mug wo. b ~~ ~
rib it away. Another' Take round and long Birthwort, red Arlcni-k, that is the Greeks Saiv
daracha ; and with oyl of Ben. make an unguent, with this .anoint the body in the evening, and
in the mo.ning rub the body with Bran and Barley-meal. Another: lake biter Coitus, Caidi-
niomuai, Buls gall, bray rhq%i with the Oyl of Piitaches, anoint the body with it, and in the
mo ning wafli it with the water of a decoction of clear Br.in, or of Barley. Conflantinm ufed
Qoic&tilver with aflies,Litharge,j Vinegar ;nd Oyl mingled together for hot complexions ; but for
cold he uied Pine-tree juyce, Sea-water, Staves-acre, Nitre, Arfenick, and oyl of wildc Saffron.
Jtbannes de Rtipeftiffai mingled Qiiickhlver with Aqua vita:, and the powder of wilde Scaves-acre,
with that he pioviaes a girdle, which worn about the bare loyns will kill the Lice. Senms, esf-
bin^oar-> Amatus Luftanns, Matthiolusy HildegarAU, foban. Vigo, and others, prefcribe other
remedies, but molt of them of thefe materials. He that defiies more remedies againft the low.ie
difeaie, let him read Paulns zAigineta, I. 3. c. 3. Galen I. 1. de comp. rued. fee. he. and Guiliel. de
Saliccto I. i.c.48. Iknewone (faith Pennine) who when he was Governour of an Hofpital,
he cured the 1 o vv fie difeafe thus : He whipt the fick till the skin came off with Birchin rods, and
where the p ints were, the Lice would never breed again: Anewkindeof cine, and molt fit for
idle Sea-meijand flothful compinioi-.s. Amatus Lttfttanus (if I do «not miflake) tels of a poor
man that had-a hole in his back by leafonofan Ulcer, out of which daily abundance of Lice
crept; quellionlefs they were bred between the skin and the flefh, and afterwards by an un-
guenc of wilde Staves-acre, Q^icklilver, Pepper, and Lard, he was cured. Raland prefers theBai-
fam of Sulphur to all remedies, and not without caufe.
Aet 'ms writes, that wilde Lice mull Hrlt be picked out with great diligence, then the place
mult be fomented with warm Sea-water ; yet very warily if they ftick in the eye-browes, that you
hurt not your eyes : then apply this remedy : Take Alum Sciihl i,'. drams, Staves-acre j. obolus,
Pepper j. obolus, burnt Brafs j. dram, Myrrhe ij. oboli, ScilTil-fione ij. oboli and hi If, Mify torre- k
fied j. dram ; bruife it and dry it, and fo ufe it : Then let them bathe and heat their head with
diicutients and Itrengthners, wafh the whole body, nnd rub it again. Our Countreymen pick
tliemout, and then they anoint the places well with black Sope, and if the body were too hot,
anoint the body with the pap of a fvveet apple mingled with Qaicklilver, and it is a certain re-
medy. Celfus faith they otfend the eye-brows fo much fometinrs, that the eyes being ulce-
rated they dim the hght, then incorporate purified Quickfilver with tops of Wormwood, and
old Hogs greafe, for nothing doth more certainly cure one, if it be done with caution. Alfotake
Aloes j. ounce, Cemfe, Frankincenfe, each v. ounces > Lard what may fuffice, make an unguent;
fome mingle with this Qnickfilver and Brimltone. But here obferve, if Crab-lice do breed thick
on the beard, eye-brows, the fliare, and peritonaum; firftall the hairs muft be fhaved off, fo
foon as a general purgation hath been taken, and then the forementioned Topicks muft be ap-
plyed, and all galls, efpecially Buls gall, Calfs gall, Capons and Partridge, with juyce of Cen-
taury and Qnickfilver, are held very good. A lye of the afhesof Tamarisk deftroyesthe Lice,
Rhafis and Albertus commend the marrow of a live Vulture taken forth. Varignana ufeth the
milk of the greater Bindweed, wilde Mints, and Sow-bread, with a lotion of Honey. But chief-
ly he extols this Medicament : Take Staves-acre i;. ounces, Wine iv. glades, Hogs briftles
ij. ounces, purged Qnickfilver j. ounce, let them boyl, and foment the body with the decocti-
on. Marinellus and many others make g ear reckoning of Wine-lees, juyce of Broom, a Lixi-
vium of Sena, Acorns, Caffia, Pellitory of Spain. But Gilbert an Englifhman bums Leeches
and Styrax Calamita together, and with thele and Hogs bloud, he preparss an excellent, Un-
guent". . ..
Thefe filthy creatures, and that are hated more than Dogs or Vipers,- by our daintieft dame's, Ufe of lice,
are a joy to thofe that are lick,and fometimes a cure. For they that have lain long fick of a putrid
difeaie, when Lice breed in their heads, they forefhew the recovery of the lick. Fork is afign
of the exhaling of it, and flying forth from the centre to the circumference, Alfo experience
proves that the Jaundies are cured with twelve bruifed Lice drank with Wine. Pennius gave
Lice and Butter to beggers andfuchas live on alms, very often, and fo he recovered fome that
weeafmoft defperate; fome for the Dyfurie are wont to put into the yard living Lice the grea-
telt they can, to draw forth the urine by their tickling: which Alexander Beneditltts relates of
Wig-lice, when clammy hi mours have hurt the eyes, fome cleanfe them with Lice put into them,
which creeping here and there like OculusChrifti> collect the matter; and wrapt up in that they
will fallout. Alfo what fhall I fay ? Apes,Baboons,will feed on them. And Herodotus zndStrabo
in Pont us. . fpeaks of men that feed on Lice, (to whom Arianus in Periplo confents) and the Spa-
niards fpeake the fame of the Inhabitants of the Province of Cuenenjis in the yvefi-Indies. And
they hunt after them fo greedily and defirethem, that the Spaniards can hardly keep their flaves
from feeding on them. And it is no wonder that they can feed on Lice, that devour Horfe?,
Afles, Cats," Worms (and more than that) men that are raw. But becaufe it is an idle work,the
women have that task put upon them to catch Lice, and they do that work almoft, and there-
fore Strabo cals them Fedilegas. Serenus makes another ufe of them,and writes thus :
J°9?
Aaaaa
Sum
io 9 4
The Theater of Infetfi: or, Book II.
Some hurtful things our bodies do produce
By nature') which do ftand us in great ufe->
To keep us waking-, and to flop th" abufe
Of fleeping over much
Seethe Chapter of Nits amongftthe Itife&s without feet: Chap. 35.
Chap. XXIII.
Of the Lice of brute J tn'e Dogs at' Malta. Sheeps Lice are very fmall, their heads are red, their bodies white.
6oats Lice difter but little from thefe : when the ftag hath ftrove to caft his horns, he is troubled
with an exceeding itching of his eye-lids, from Lice that breed of the fame colour with their
head that thrufts forth : who doth not know by Gefners Hiftory of Birds, or by his own experi-
ence, that Swans, Hens, Geefe, Pigeons, Quails, Pheafants, Partridge, Hawks, and other fowl
have Lice ? Alfo Palladia}-, Columella Paxanus,Varro-> and other principal Leeches for cattel,
have fhewedus remedies fufficient for to kill Lice in brute beafts, that it will be no glory forme
to infiftupon them, nor fruitful to the Reader: what Avicenna 1. 4. fen. 6. trail. 5. meant by
Vultures Lice, I cannot conjecture, and I much defirethe help of fome Oedipus to untie this rid-
dle for me; we mentioned before in our firft Book, that your dung-Beetles are killed by their
ownLice. Alfo Salmon-fifhe?,efpecialIy the leaner fort, were feen by Pliny to have many Lice
under their gils oft-times. Alfo they are found in Plants, as Southernwood, Wormwood,fiowers
of Water-liflies, and chiefly in Columbine leaves, in June-, by reafon of its exceeding fweetnefs,
(faith Gefner). Alfo fome plants ate called lowfie plants,eicher becaufe they are good againft them,
as Staves-acre, or becaufe they breed Lice, as Dcdontus his Fiflulariay or becaufe they abound
with Lice,as Columbines, or from the great defpicablenefs of them, as the fruit of the great
plum-tree, which are therefore called lowfie plums.
Chap. XXIV.
Of little Lice called Syrones., Acari, and Tineae, or Hand-'toorms, or
Mites in Hying Creatures.
THo. a Viga falfty reports that the Ancients knew not what Syrones were, for Ariflotle cals
it duAeiria-.', ^.Hift. Animal, c. 2. Alfo they feem to be called Syrones, awrt t2 Ijwsiv,
becaufe they creep under the skin continually. It is the fmalleft living creature that is,which ufeth
to breed in old cheefe and wax, and alfo in mans skin. Pollux undSuidas fay that «n*p« is fuch
a fmall thing as is too fmall to be divided. In Latine they are called Pedicelli ; in French, Ci-
w;/; in Piemont Sciri; in Gafcony, Brigantes; in Englifh, Mites, in cheefe, leaves, dry
wood, snd wax : but in men they are called wheat-worms ; the Germans call them Seuren.
AbinzoarL\khth.\t Syrones are called AJfoalah and Affoab-, they are little Lice creeping be-
tween the skin of the hands, thighes, and feet, and raifing watery blifters there, they are fo fmall
creatures, that ( a good eye can hardly difcern them. Gabucinm faith ; Unto our times a kinde
of filthy torture that is not to be endured, is continued, a very fmall Lowfe, not fo great as a Nit,
creeps under the skin. And Johan. Phil. Ingraft** out of ^benzoar, defcribes them very hand-
fomely
Cm a p. 24. Of lefjer living Creatures. 1095
Comely thus: when the skin is excoriate when that frrull little pimple and pufh appears like to ;
red angry wheal, little living creatures creep forth fo lmall a man can hardly lee them. And
Jouberttu wuijtf that Syrone* are thofe that are the fmallelt Lice of all, alwaies lying under the
outward skin, and creep under it as Moles do, biting it, and caufing a fierce itching. They confilt
of a dryer m uter than Morpioncs-, which for want of glutinous matter, is almolt divided into
Atoms. They breed often in the head, and eat the roots of the hair. The Greeks call them
T&X^uTvi, 7et%f!tZkmf,mn!< 7»a?£op«« i fome call them Tineas by a peculiar name. Sjronts have
no certain form as Scaliger well obferved, only they are round : our eye can fcariely diicern them,
they are fo fmall, that Epcurus faid it Was not made of Atoms, but was an Atom it felf. It
dwels founder the skin, that when it makes its mines it will caufe a grear itching, efpecially in
the hands and other parts affected with them, and held to the fire. If you pull it out with a nee-
dle, and lay it on our nail, youfhall fee it move in the Sun that helps its motion; crack it with
the ocher nail, and it will crack with anoife, and awatry venome comes forth, it is of a white
colour, except the head ; if you look nearer it is blackifh, or from black it is fomething reddrfh.
Itiswonder how fo fmall acreature, that creeps with no feet as it were, can makefuch long fur-
rowes under the skin. This we mutt obferve by the way, that thefe Syrones do not dwell in the
pimples themfelves, but hard by. For it is their property not to remove far from thewatry hu-
mour, collected in the little bladder or pimple; and when that is wafled or dryedup, they all
die fho.tly after : whence we collect that as they breed from putrefied whey, fo again they are
fuftained by ic. None of the Ancients, except Abinzoar writes of thefe, who faw this difeafe,
and rightly let down the remedy. Nor are thofe Syrones of the kinde of Lice, as Johan. Langias
kems to aflert out oiArifiotle ; for they live without the skin, but thefe not, nor do I know that
eslriftotL' in any of his writings, placed Acaros amongft Lice.
How cruel a difeafe this is, and to be compared with the Iowfie difeafe, an honourable Eng-
HfhLadyof faty years knowes, fhe was the molt vertuousLady of Penruddock* Knight, that by
drinking too much Goats-milk (for fhe feared a confumption) was for ten years troubled with
thefe wheal-worms, with which night and day fhe was milerabl y tortured in her eyes, lips,gums,
folesof her feet, head, nofe, and all her parts, that fhe lived a very grievous life, alwaies with-
out reft, and at lalt in defpiteofall remedies, the difeafe increafed, whereby her flefh was con-
fumed, and fhe died thereof. I mult not overpafs this, that the more the women that fat by her,
picked themjout with their needles, the more their young ones bred, and when they had gnawed
the flefh alio) they grew to be bigger. Hence let proud defpicable mankinde learn, that they are
not only worms but worms-meat; and let us fear the power of that great God,who can with fo con-
temptible an army confound all pride, haughtinefs, daintinefs, and beauty,and conquer the greateft
enemy. It may be fome will think it impoffible for thefe Wheal-worms to breed between the
eyes; but we fee it is fo, and we finde it Was' done fo formerly, by an Epiitle of D.Leleunej
a Chirurgeon to Jacob Guillimtus-, his words are thefe : Know, faith he, that in the conjunctive
membrane, or wiiite of the eye as they commonly call it, fome great Wheal-lice by creeping up
and down here and there, biting, will make the place itchjfo much, that a man cannot
hold from rubbing. I in this cafe ufed remedies the Ancients ufed againlt the Lowlie difeafe, but
to no purpofe. Then my friends fent me to a fick woman, who with a filver needle pickt out
thefe worms fo cunningl y and without all pain, that I wondred at it. And indeed had not I feen
thefe little creatures to creep, with my own eyes, I could never have believed that Wheal-wormj
could breed there. They dye for want of moyflure that is fait, and are killed with contrary reme-
dies. The common people ordinarily picks them out with a fmall needle, (the Germans call
them Seuren Graben) but fince this takes not away the caufe of them, which foflers them, the dif-
eafe Hill abides : wherefore it is bell to kill them with an unguent or fomentation, which may
» at once takeoff that troublefome itching. That which penetrates molt and kils thefe Syrones
is fait and vinegar. Law. Joptbert. Joh. Arden, formerly the molt learned Chiruregeon of England,
faith that a Lotion with Sublimate kils them quite. Anditfeems not to be againlt reafon : for
it dries, penetrates, refifts putrefaction, and by its heating acrimony kils them all. Abinzoar Li.
c. \y. trail, i. prefcribes thefe following remedies. Firft purge the body with an infufion of
wilde Sam on-feed, and Nettle-feed, alter that anoint it outwardly with the oyl of bitter Almonds*
or de Cherva->md with the juice of the leaves of Peach-tree : give boyled Partridge for meat, and
leavened bread. Let the patient abltain from all kinde of fruit (except almonds) efpecially from
Figs, Qrapes, Jujubes, and Apples ; ri b the body often with the fubltance or pulp of Melons, or
with the Mucilage of the feed. But if the body be flefhy, rub ir with the juyce of the leaves of the
Peach-tree, l imp where there is this difeafe, fo.bids Oxe-flefh, Hogs, Geefe, and all kindes of
Puhe.
Broth 1. de paf. mul. writes thus : Wheat tempered with Wine, adding thereto powder of
Frankincenfe.puttothe parts affected for a plailter, will kill thefe jvhedl-rporms everywhere,
chiefly upon the cheeks and fo eheads. ^Another: Take common Salt, black Soap, live Brim-
(ione, each alike, incorporate them with vinegar of Squils, and anoint the piece with them. Ano-
ther fo- Syrones on the face, which the Author of the Englifh Rofe cals Barrones : Take
'harp Dock,Frankincenfe> Dragons cuttle-bone, each alike, make a powder, and thrice in a week
rub the places where the Wo rn; breed, but firllwafh you face with a decoction of Bran, and on
Sunday waih your face with the white of an egg and white Stajch, and then walh it often
Aaaaa 2 with
The Theater of InfeBs: or, B o o k 1 i.
With river-water, or with white ftarch. ^Alexander Petroniw Traimus commends this remedy
moft : namely a fine linnen cloth made inro lint, that it may be the i'ofter, and Hick the f after :
binde this to the part affected, then lay on the white of an egge that is roifed hard, whileft it is
hot, and cut 'into large pieces, and then binde upon it fome thicker cloth, and fo let it remain
fome hours. Then taking all away, you (hall finde the inward lint full of thefe fmall Lice,
which is thus proved: fhake this over the fire, and you fhall eafrly hear thefe young Syrones
crack. Againft hair-eating Worms and Mites in the heads of children, that are ufual, and that
will make little holes in them, Alexius makes great account of this remedy. Take Fran-
kincenfe, Bores-greafe fo much as you pleafe, let them boyl in an earthen veflel that is glafed,
and make an unguent. Another : Sprinkle on the powder of burnt Allum, and lay on fome lint.
^Another not uneffettual : Powder quick Brimftone,with Roi'e Vinegar of Squils/>r elfe incorporate
it with Rofe-water, and binde it on with a cloth for 24 hours. Another that is mofl certain : Take
juice of Lemmons and Aqua vita?, each alike, burnt Salt what may fuffice, mingle them, and
anoint with them often. Another of Hildegard ; Apply that skimming of the air, that is, thofe
Cobwebs that are fcartered in Autumn, and it will certainly deftroy all thofe Syrones and little
worms. Alfo ftrew on the powder of Bees that are dead in their hives, on the places affected,
and they will all dye, chiefly if it were mixt with Aqua vita?,or Vinegar of Squils. Again : binde'
on the crums of white bread whileft they are hot, do it often, the heat will kill them. Fir-tree
feed burnt toafhes, which growes on the top of the tree, if it be ftrewed on, will help much;
Alfo the kernels of Barberries, powdered and laid to the place, will kill Syrones. fohan. Vigo
prefedbes thefe remedies againft Syrones wherefoever they breed. All bitter things, faith he,
are good againft them, fhave the part affected, that they may penetrate the better. Oyl of Vi-
triol warily and lightly powred on will kill them mightily. Quickfilver with French Soap and a
little Orpiment, and fome Vinegar of Squils and fome Aloes, doth much good. For Syrons in
theTeeth: Some call the Worms that breed in mens teeth Syrones, which they affirm have fal-
len forth like (havings of Lute-ftrings by thefmoke of Henbane-feed, received at the mouth.
Though I mould truly deny that thefe fhavings are Worms, yet that Worms breed in rotten teeth
Barbers and every man knowes. Againfi venomous Sjrones, Abin^oar cals it the difeafe of Oxen,
between the flefh and skin there breeds a kinde of venomous Worms; which raifeth no fmall
tumour, as great as a walnut, whereinthe Worm Syro lies hid, (he is venomous indeed, though
he be but little). This difeafe neglected will kill. He appoints the Remedy thus: The^ place
mull be prefently burnt with an actual caurery, then apply lint with Barly-meal and fweet water :
when the pain of the burning is over,the humour will fall being anointed with Unguent of Agrippa
and oyl of Rofes,then wafh the place with water of Honey,and ftrew on powder of Rofes; and then
ufing incarnatives,tlofe up the wound. But if the part cannot be cauterized orcut>take Lupine-meal,
Soot, Pepper, root of Endive, each alike, and bruifing them all, and wetting them with Alchi-
tra, fill half a Nut-fhel with them, and keep them on fo long, till the force of the medicament
may penetrate to the Worm : but great, care muft be had that no part be left bare without the
fhell. A little creature called Nigua, as Thevet imagineth, doth much vex the Weft-Indian
people. It is faith he an Infeit molt ofTenfive to mens hands, far lefs than a Flea, but breeds in
theduftas a Flea doth. De Lery was taken with the fame overfight, and was not afhamed to
be mad with Thevet for company. But Oviedtts affirms that they breed between the skin and the
flefh : but efpecially they breed under the nails of the fingers, into which place, when once they
are rooted, the caufe a fwelling as great as a peafe, with a mighty itching, and they multiply like
to Nits. Now if this worm be not timely pickt forth with its brood, in a few daies this itching
becomes a wonderful pain, and the fick dye with the violence of the difeafe. There is a Worm
that breeds on the bodies of Hawks and Faulcons under the roots of their wings, it is called
Trotta: we have left off to doubt any longer whether it be a Syron-> Acarus> or Tinea->or not, by
reading Albertm his Book, wherein you may read a remedy for that difeafe at large. Alfo, as
Honaceioltu reports, in the urines of fome women with childe, little red Worms called Syrones
will be feen, which area certain argument of conception. Dermcfies is an Infecvt that will con-
fume skins, and from skins it hath its name,^ and as the skins vary, fo that changeth its colour.
For oft-times it followes the colour the skin is of : it is as big as a Flea, with fix feet and a forked
nib. Alfo a Moth confumes clothes, efpecially woollen clothes : for it is a very devouring crea-
ture, and breeds from Butterflies as I faid.
IO96
Chap. XXV.
OfWaMce.
THE Greeks callitxoe/*, the Latins, Cimex ; the Hebrews, ' Pi(chpefcz,-> from feeking >, fork
feeks after living creatures that are afleep, to fuck their bloud. JJidore will have it called
weif and Cimex-, from the herb w'e/o which they call Cimicaria; I confefs ingenuoufly I know
not what herb it is, unlefsit be that low and (linking kinde of vvilde Orach, which growing near
to wals and heaps of dirt, is called by a bawdy name, Vulvaria. For Cons of CAUtthidm fmels
Chap. 25. Of leffer living Creatures. 10
well, and therefore agrees not with Cimicaria. The Arabians and Barbarians call it Akaratk
Deboliar,FefafesyCoroda->znd Corab : the Germans Wantlaufz, j the Englifli>#V/7Rhafis-> Florentinus-, Didymus, and Cardan. But the belt way is with curtains
drawn about the bed, fo to fhut in the fmoke, that it can have no vent. And fo^ this end un-
guents, oyntments, Embrocations are provided of gall of an Oxe, he Goat, Hedge-hog, Calf,
the Goat, Afle, with the leaves of Cucumersand Ivy, Citrons, Ifmg-glafs, Oyl lees, Oxe dung,
and the fharpeff Vinegar, quick Brimftone, Squils, Capers, wilde Staves-acre, Wormwood, fvveec
Wine, Lime, Q^ickfilver, Bayes, black Soap, winter Cherries, juyce of Oranges, Lemora, & c .
whereof confult Varro-, Palladia, Amoldus-, Didymus and others : what concerns p eventional
mean's, Hemp-feed, or winter Cherries laid near the bed, or hanged up drive away WalHice. De-
mocritm faith, that Harts-horn or Hares feet hanging about the bed-pofts, will do as much : which
another author afcribes to a Foxes ear. The dregs of boyled Butter caft where there are Wall-
lice, will wonderfully kill them, for they will feed on that till they burl?. May be this is than
fat whereof CW^fpeaks in thefe words: Iknew otfice, faith he, but I have forgot, a fat, that
being lmeered on a wooden round circle, would fo allure all the Wall-lice unto it, like a crurm,
that one could fcarfe fee the wood for them. Some fay that a half-penny laid under the bed will
drive away Wig-lice. Some hang by a fheet wet in cold water, and fo by actual cold they drive
themaway. Oyl of it felf or with Vitriol, or Buls gall, or the decoction ofblack Chamrleonwill
drive away Wall-lice. Moreover all things that are exceeding bitter, and have a ftronger fmell,
are doubtlefs good againft Wall-lice. And that ftrong fmels will drive them away, Olaus Mag-
nus fhewesby many raw hides heaptup together. Alexander Benedtilus faith that when thefe
multiply over much, they forefhew the plague. For it lignifies a corruption of the air, o: hu-
mours, or both. Bacchus descending to hell, as the Greek Comedian wittily fets it down,
defired fupiter to aflignhim iuch Innes in lus journey, where there were but few Wall-lice : yet"
faith Pliny-, that concord and difcord, which tils all Phylkk, by the conduct of nature hath
produced nothing that in fome part is not good for man, and therefore that which that Co- 1
A a a a a 3 . median
97
The Theater of Infers: or, Book II.
median God thought hurtfull, mans pofterity bath found beneficial!. Indeed wall-worms are of
a corroding quality, yet have they place in Phyfick; for taken with thebloudof aTortoifethey
cure the bicings of" Serpents. By their fmell theEpilepfie that arifeth from the ftranglingof the
Mother, is difcufled. Indofedin anEgge or Wax or a Bean,and fwallowed, are goodforanlm-
poftume, and a Quartan Ague, and will help them (faith Pliny, Diofcorides, Galen, Marcelltts, Actim t
Aduarius.) Drank with Vinegar or but fmelt to, they will remove Horfleeches that ftick too fait.
Alfo the Verfes of guintiu Serenttt fhew that they are good for Tertian Agues.
Shame not to drink^ three WaU-lice mixt with wine,
And Garlicky bruijed together at noon-day-
Moreover a bmi\d>WaXi-lou$e with an Egge, repine
Not for to ta^^tis loath^me, yet full good I fay.
Cefner in his writings confirms this experiment, having made trial of it amongft the common
and meaner fort of people in the Countrey. The Ancients gave feven to thofc that were taken
with a Lethargy, in a cup of water, and four to children. Fliny and Serenm confents to it in thefe
Verfes.
Some men prefcribe feven WaU-lice for lo drink.
Mingled with water, and one cup they thinly
Is better then with drowfy death tc ftnk^
And he of old fang, that bleeding at the nofe would be ftayed with the only fmell of Wig-lice.
Some there are, that cure dark fights by reafon of a Catarad, bruifing thefe with Sale and AlTes
milk. Manyanoynt painfull ears with honey mingled with Wall-lice, to good purpofe. Alfo
Matcellus Jaith they ftay vomiting, and he faith it is a certain remedy, ff a bruifed Wall-loufe be
fwallowed in a rear-egge, by one that is fading, and knowes nothing of it. Fliny feems to prove
fi»om thence, that they are good againft the ftings of all Vipers, Adders, and all kinde of Serpents,
becaufe that Hens that feed on thefe, are free from the flinging of thefe Creatures. Aetim com-
mends Wall-lice againft the Strangury, and to drive forth the Stone. Vegetim in this cafe puts
one Wall-lowfe into the ear, another into the paffage of the Yard, and with a gentle fridion
of the parts, he affirms that they will prefently make water, which remedy he feems to have bor-
rowed out of Herod in his Hippiatricks. Galen Eup. 5. reports, that Wall- lice will not only pro-
voke urine, but alfo drank for nine dayes fpace, will flop childrens water that goes frrtnthem a-
gainft their wills. Valarandus Vonures an Iflander, a moft learned Apothecary of Lyons, often faid,
that thefe drank with water hot, or wine, or broth, would wonderfully help thofe that were
troubled with the Stone. Moreover, the later writers wonderfully commend the afhes of them
with a fit decodion caft in for a Clyfter, to bring forth the Stone. If they be bruifed anda-
noynted onthepaflage of the yard, it will prefently provoke urine. Marcellus. There are faith
Gefner, that for the Colick prefcribe four live Wall-lice to drink in wine, in the morning, and
then they command to faft two hours after, and they give as many to drink two hours before
(upper, and fo again the next day untill they have drank up twelve Lice: truly it is a remedy to
be defpifed, but it is no new remedy in that defperate difeafe, and it is a prefent cure. It helped
Funtiim the Governourof Zurich at the fecond taking, and fo itdidfome of his Kindred alfo, and
he was like to have written a commendation in praife of Wall-lice. What concerns outward
difeafes. If you pull up the hair by the roots, and anoynt the part affeded with the bloud of
Wall-lice, and let it dry, it is the opinion of Galen, Aetius, and Nonut, that they will nevetgrow
again, fliny faith that if you anoynt thebreafts with Goofe-greafe and Wall-lice, the pains will
abate, theMolesof the matrix will break forth, and fcabs of the privities will be cured. Come-
nelius Gemma in his Appendix of hhCofmocritica, fpeaks of a woman in whofc Skull opened, were
found abundance of Wall-lice.
IO98
Chap. XXVI.
Of Tifos, and Sheets Lice.
THe Tike in Latine R/ci«w» in Gree\*twv> Hefichiiu calls it M-nv©-, Suidat , and
others call it fctfrofttonif, Sypontintu calls it w"of*w bt ^
they will prefently make one drunk. Serenut farther commends them for to cure a Fiftula in
Ano.
If that mrf ulcers in the fecrets chance to breed,
Chewed Bramble-leaves apply, ytu quickly fhaU be freed.
Or if from an old fore a Fibula do grow,
A Weaftls ajhes burnt rriQ help"t ; and jurther kjiow,
Ihe blmd of an Ox fiks if no means elfe below.
1099
Alfo
The Tbeatm oflnfefts :or y B o o k 1 1.
"~Alfothe bloud of a Tike will cure the Shingles. Alfo men fay, chat a Tike pulled out of the
left ear of a Dog, if it be tied on, it will cure all pains. Piiny writ this out of Nrgidisv. Alfo
he afferts that if a womans loyns be anoynted with the bloud of it, (he will abhorre venery.
Moreover nine or ten Goats Tikes taken in wine, willftop the terms. Viofwides. Anoyntyour
eye-lids with the bloud of a Tike taken from a Bitch, the hairs being firft pluckt off, faith Galen,
Simpl. io.c. 5. and tiiey will never grow again: So alfo Pliny and Avicenna write, but it is from
other mens opinions. Vionyfiut Melefm prefcribes fuch a Depilotary againft pricking thorny hairs ;
Burn a Sea-hare in a new earthen pot, and keep the afhes with Tikes bloud in a horn box, ufe this,
firft pulling out the hairs. Many Englijh men have learned by experience, that one dram and a
half of Sheeps Lice given in drink will loon and certainly cure the Jaundies.
Chap. XXVIL
Of the Garment -eating Moth.
PEnnim beginning to write the hiftory of thislnfed, faith that Tinea is a word that fignifies
many things ; as Lice of Hawk-weed according to Alberttts, Wood-lice in Plautm, the plague
of Bee-hives in Virgil, and it fignifies the creeping ulcers of the head, that are eaten like to gar-
ments, whence it may be Claudian writes •
The filthy Moths have gnawn the loathfome head.
Gaza tranflates teV*a« Tineas, but very ignorantly, as we obferved in the hiftory of Catterpillars.
k\(oFiihy faith that Tinea do deftroy the feeds of Figs, he means the Worms that breed in Figs,
from whence grow 4nre<. Ntyhut cals that little Scorpion which eats books Tineas, whereof I
fpake in the hiftory of Scorpions. But2»< and <««?w£, if a man will fpeak properly, is a Worm
that eats garments. It is called in LatineVnea, a temndi from holding, for it flicks faft in gar-
ments, and will not eafily change its ftation. The French call it Teigne, the Spaniards Tina, the
Italians Tignola, the Mufcovites Me/, the Polonians Mot, the Englifh Moth, the Hebvems Hhafch,
and Sas , as you fhall finde it Job chap. 1 3 . and Ifui .51. I ,s a little Worm of a wan white colour,
of which arifeth that fmall kinde of Flie that will fly at night about the Candle-light. There are
fome of them that are filver-coloured, the Englifh casl them filver-moths , the Dutch Schietes,
from their fwift motion. Nip bus greatly erred making this the Scorpion amongft Books. There-
is alfo a certain Worm that is thick, or with a coat, faith Pliny, called Tinea, that dra wes its coat
along with it, as a Snail doth its fhell, and when (he is deprived of this fhe prefently dieth. But if
this coat grow too great, it changeth to a Chryfalk, out of which at a fee time a little Glow-worm
comes- This kinde hanging by a thred, hangs a long time in houfes before it changeth to an Au-
relia. It hath a little blackhead, the reft of the body is a whitifh dark brown, the Cafe of it is
fomething long, made alraoft of a Cobweb, not round at all, but lightly compacted, and at each end
fomething hairy. The Phalenae that come from thence ftick by the feet to the roofs of houfes, un-
till their bodies being corrupted and putrefied they arc bred again: when their bodies corrupt,
and their wings and feet fall off of thernfelves, they hang with a thred by the tails. At length they
get a Cafe and are turned into this kinde of Moth. In Germany and Helvetia there is a Moth of a
fad red colour, with a little thick head, the body grows by degrees fmaller even to the tail. The
colour of its belly is lighter, fomething yellow, and like a foft downy filk. It is a very tender
Creature, efpecially that which is filver'd over, anditisbruifed to pieces ifyou.do but touch it.
Whence that Kingly Pfalmift, Pfal. 39. when thou with chafti\emeMs fbaltcorreft man, thou makefihim
to conjumeaway at a Moth. And Job, Chap. 40. he amplifying the certain deftruftion of the wicked :
They flail be irwi/VJ (faith he) before the Moth. All Moths are reckoned amongft the number of fix-
footed Creatures, and they breed in Garments as well of Wooll, as skins that are not cleanfed
from duft and filth : and fo much the fooner if a Spider be {hut in, as Arifiotle writes. For the
Spider drinks up all their inbred moyfture, and dries them; wherefore caremuflbe had that gar-
ments be not layd up full of duft, and when the Air is thick and moyft Some to avoid Moths,
ventilate their garments inthehotSun-fhine : which our women feverely forbid, and lay them up
inthefhade, and when the winde is high and very cold. For they hold that the Sun beams are
kindly for Moths, butwindes and tempefts and the fhadeare enemies to them. Thefc Worms
when they have by degrees infenfibly eat off the outmoft fuperficies of the cloth, then they eat up
the inward part, andio infinuate thernfelves into the middle fubftance of it, that thofe that fearch
never fo well for them can hardly finde them. The Ancients were moft expert to kill Moths. For
the garments of ServiusT uBius lafted to the deftruftion of Sejant*, for they were kept with fo
great diligence by the keepers of the Wardrobe, that they neither confumed by age, nor were
Moth-eaten. They that fell woollen Clothes, ufe to wrap up the skin of a Bird called the ff/ngx-
Fifher amongft them, or elfe hang one in thefhop, as a thing by a fecret Antipathy thac Moths
cannot endure. They are handfornely deftroyed bythefent and fmoke of Savin, Hops, Finger-
hood, Wormwood, Roferaary, Poley, Panax, Anifeed, Golden- flower, Pomegranates, Citron-
C h a p. 28. Of leffer living Creatures. 1 ioi
pills, (for this was the chiefeftufeof Citrons in old time) the out-landifh Myrtle, Cedar, Cypreffe,
Calamint, Brimftone, Downy feathers. The Books that were found in Numa his Tomb, were
faidtobeanoyntedwiththe juice of Cedar : wherefore asPliny writes, they were fuppofedtobe
free from Moths above 530. years. The bones of Bergefterts ( I know not what beatt it is) being
brought to powder, and ftrew'd amongft garments, will drive away Moths, if we will credit Hilde-.
gard: Kbofts reports that Cantharides hungup in the middle of the houfe will do as much: Who
faith moreover that garments wrapt up in a Lions skin, will never have any Moths. Some wee a
a linnen cloth in a ftrong lie, and dry it in the Sun without prefiing it, and they affirm, that clothes
wrapt in that will not be Moth-eaten. Cato bids fprinkleyour Wardrobe with Oyl-lees. That
which Pliny reports is a wonder, that a Cloth laid under the Biere of a dead body, will never have
Moths to hurt it. The richer people, who (as Horace writes )
Whofe hangings rot in Gkefes, rich fir the Worms and Moths,
nike diligent care in Summer to look up their garments, and taking theraout of their Coffers,
they air them in open place for the winde, and then they beat off the duft with the leaves of Indi-
an Millet, or Hogs briftles, or Broom Moffe, or with Worm-wood branches. Of old they were
wont to do it with an Ox tail ; for fo Martial writes j
If that ' with jeUow duft thy coftly clothes abound,
Thou may ft with an Oxtail brufttoff upon the ground'.
There are alfo rich Merchants, that have Cedar and Cypreffe Chefts, and they put up powder
of Origanum, Woim-wood, Orris, Citron-pills, Myrtle-berries with their clothes, andbyfuch
remedies they drive far from them this Wooll-devouring Creature.
We vvrit before amongft the fix-fooced Worms, of Worms in books,wood,the skin,thc fruit de-
vourers.I have nothing more to add to this Chapter,but only to exhort rich men to lay up their trea-
fure there,where neither Moths fhall eat their garments,nor ruft confume their Silver ; and let them
in the mean time leave off that infinite expenfe in clothes, of which can they look for anybecter
end, to ufe the words of the Lyrici\ Poet,
Than to feed black, Bugs, and the Lazy Moths ?
If a man, faith Calvin, born of awonrnn, having but a ftiort time to live, and alwayes waxing old,
and corrupting, would think himfelf to be like a garment that Moths eat, certainly he would lay
afide all pride, and blufti, and fall lowly upon his knees unto Almighty God.
CHAP. XXVIII.
Of the Flea.
THe Luf/w word Pulex, in Greef^ 4^* or 4v'to«s, comes faith Ifidore, from Pulvh, duft, or the
fonof duft; inSpanifti Pulga, Italian Puhce, French Puce, Englifti Flea, the Germans from
its nimbleneffein flight call itFloch- Fleas are not the leaft plague, efpecially when in greater
numbers they moleft men that are fleeping, and they trouble wearied and fick perfons; they
efcape by skipping from us, and fo foon as day breaks they forfake the bed. They are a vexation
to all men, but efpecially, as the wanton Poet hath it, to young maids, whofe nimble fingers, and
that areas it were clammy with moyfture, they can fcarce avoyd. Thefe Fleas arc either com-
mon or extraordinary. The common ones are fmall Creatures about the bigneffeof Lice, but their
bodies are fofter, and they are bunch-backt, almoftlike a Hog, they are black and fhining, their
breaftand belly is yellow from black, in white Dogs they are more clear, in red more yellowr 9
in black Dogs blacker than in others. Here I defire you to obferve the wonder of Nature, that their
hinder little legs are bent backwards toward their bellies, and their forelegs toward their breafts,
as four- footed beafts are, as it is ufual almoftin all Infefts to whom Nature hath given but four
feet. It may be for that end the joynts of Fleas are fo difpofed, that they may with the more
cafe hide themfelves in the long foldings and plights of the blankets from thofe that hunt after
them. The ends of their feet are divided into two parts, and are hooked and (harp, and feem as
it were to be horny, not only that they may more furely creep up upon high places, but alfo that
they may fit and ftick fafter to the fmooth skin : They have a little head, and a mouth not forked
but ftrong and brawny,with a very fhort neck,to which one Marfan En£///fcwtra(moftskilfuIlin all
curious work) faftneda Chain of Gold as long as a mans finger, with a lock and key fo rarely and
cunningly, that the Flea could eafily go and draw them, yet the Flea, the Chain, lock and
key were not all above a grain weight : I have alfo heard from men of credit, that- this Flea fo
tied with a Chain, did draw a Coach of Gold that was every way perfect, and that very lightly;
which mu^h fets forth the Artifts skill, and the Fleas ftrength. The point of his nib is fomething
hard,
7 be 7 beater of Infers :or, B o o k 1 1.
" - ^hard, that he may make it enter the better. It mult neceffarily be hollow, that he may fuck, ouc
the bloud, and carry it in. They feek for the moft tender places, and will not attempt the harder
place* with their nibble ; with two very fmall foreyards thatfpring out of their foreheads, they
both prove their way, and judge of the nature of the object, and whether it be hard or foft :
where they b te they leave aredfpotasa Trophieof their force, which they fet up. In rainy wea-
ther they biteforely, and are bold to run over ever part of mans body. They have but one
fmall inteftine with folds inward, which is either relaxed or contra&ed as they eat more or leffe.
the leffer, the leaner, and the younger they are, the (harper they bite, the fat ones play and tickle
men more willingly. It is very probable that they have eyes, both becaufe they choofe their pla-
ces of retreat, and becaufe they withdraw themfelves when the day breaks. They will not fit
upon corrupt or dead flefh. Thofethat have the Kings evil, becaufe they are of bitter juice, and
fuchas will die, becaufe of the corruption and ftinkof the fame, they will not meddle with. At all
times they trouble men and Dogs, but chiefly in the night. Though they trouble us much, yet
they neither ftink as Wall-lice doe, nor is it any difgrace to a man to be troubled with them,' as ic
is to be lowfie. They 0nfy punifh fluggifh people, for they will remove farre from cleanly hou-
fes : when they finde they are arraigned to die, and they feel the finger coming, on a- fudden
they are gone, and leap here and there, and fo efcape the danger ; whileft thofe that hunt them en-
deavour to meafure their jumps, as Ariftophanes faith, they but play the fools. In the morning,
after they have fed, they creep into the rough blankets^ and ftick to the walls, or elfethey hide
themfelves in the rufhes or duft; and fo they lyin ambufh for Pigeons, Hens, and other Birds, al-
fo for men and Dogs, Moles, Mice, and vex fuch as paffe by. Our hunters report, that Foxes
are full of them, and they tell a pretty ftory how they quit themfelves of them. The Fox gathers
fome handfulls ofwoollfrom thorns and briars, and wrapping it up, he holds it faft in his mouth,
then he goes by degrees into a cold River, and dipping himfelf in by little and little, when he finds
that all the fleas are crept fo high as his head for fear of drowning, and fo for fhelter crept into
the wool!, he barks andfpitsout the wooll full of Fleas, and fo very froliquely being delivered
from their moleftation, hefwims to land.
Their firft Originall is from duft, chiefly that which is moyftned with mans or Goats urine.
Alfo they breed amongft Dogs hair, from a fat humour putrefied, as Scaliger affirms. A little cor-
ruption will breed them, and the place of their originall is dry filth. Martyr the Author of the
Vecadt of Navigation, writes, that in Periennaa Courtrey of the Indies, the drops of fweat that
fall from their flaves bodies will prefently turn to fleas. Some Countreys are fuch enemies to
Fleas, that if they be brought in thither they cannot live, nor will they breed tbetej as in the
Territory Ttfethor of Sigelmum. Contrarily the City Hea by the fea-fide, (unleffe John Leo deceives
us) is moft fruitfull for Fleas, by reafon o»f the abundance of Goats, as alfo Vtde. In Hifpaniola
Fleas are found, but neither many, nor great one9, but they bite more fiercely by farre than ours
doe: they love hot places, where the Sun Chines. In the Spring they multiply, at the beginning
of Winter they die, for they cannot endure the cold. They copulate, the male afcending upon the
female as Flies doe, and they both goe, leap, and reft together. They ftick long together, and are
hardly pulled afunder. After copulation prefently almoft,the female full of Egges feems fatter ;
which though in her belly they feem long, very fmall, very many, and white, yet when they are
layd,they turn prefently black, and turn into littles Fleas, if we may grant what Pennius faith,
that bite moft cruelly. Pbiloponus in lib. \de general, maintains that Fleas breed not Egges but
Nits, and Wphus faith the fame : But they endeavouring to prove this becaufe they crack when
they are crufht, doth not confirm their opinion, for Egges will not break under the nail without
cracking. Arijlotle chinks, that from them, be they Egges, Nits, or little Worms, no other Crea-
ture breeds, and I fhould willingly fubferibe to him, but that I think Nature made nothing in
vain. Thofe Fleas feem to be more rare that India produceth neer the River Nigua y as we learn
iwmJhevet. They chiefly feize upon the fofteft parts of the feet under thenails,and bitcve-
nomoufly. After four dayes they raife a fwelling as great as a peafe, or a Chich peafe, and young
ones like to white Nits; and if allthefebe not forthwith picked out, and the place affeded bur-
ned with hot afhes, the part will be loft, as it falls out often with the Slaves in Numidia. He alfo
in the Province of Pfr«was fubjeft to this mifchief, and could not recover but by wafhing him-
felf in the River very often.
L. 9 fubtil. Cardan writes of a little Flea. The Weft-Indies, faith he, brings forth a kinde of Flea called Ni-
gua, a very-fhrewd plague. This creature is far leffe then a Flea, that flicking to a man will fo
torture him, that fome lofe their hands, others their feet. Theremedy is, to anoynt the part
with Oy 1, and (have it with a Rafor : To whom Scaliger anfwers thus. Thy ftory of Nigua is lame,
yet not unprofitable if you confider Philologie : I fhall adde what you have omitted.
Extr. 94.n.8. This little Flea hath a moft fharp nib, and invades chiefly the feet, (Teldome other parts) not
ad fubtil car- only when men goe, but lye down alfo. Therefore the Indian i lie high. Moft frequently they
dan.iy. bite that part which is under the nails. The fourth day the fwelling begins to increafe, and grows
tothebignefle of a great peafe. This fwelling is full of young Nits; they pick out thefe,and lay
in Jtavig. lift. 00 k° c a *h es - tienzo feems to fay the fame. The Indians are mightily troubled with venomous In-
fers. Amongft the reft the Nigu* about thebigneffe of a Flea, infenfibly creep in between the
flefh and the nails efpecially, and they are bred in the duft. It falls out oft times that no pain is
felt by them, till they grow as great as Chich peafen or Lentils ; and then with a wonderfull
plenty
1102
C h a p. 2 9 . 0/ /^r /i^iwg Creatures. 1103
plenryof Nits bred, they are hardly pickt out with a ncedleor rhorn ; and din mif-h:. . i
with hot allies. Moreover, the flaves of Africa that the Spaniards hive in fchear famitias,
caufe chey go barefoot, are fhrewdly troubled with this plij|#e> and they breed in. h numbe-s
in their feet, that there is no remedy for them but the iron initrumeiic of th,: fi eS Whence BJOTV
of them want their toes or their feer. Fleas will dye from extreme cold, and th.wlo/e in the
colder winter they are not to be feen ; or elfc we kill them when we can catch them. And one-
do" will as willingly bite out the Fleas of another dog, as they will fcratch one the other. Alio
molt bountiful Nature hath fupplied us with a large held of remedies, that the Fleas that hide
themfelves, and leap away from us, may be deftroyed by us, and we preferved from them. For
We have herbs, Dwarf Elder-leaves, Fein-root, or Anchufa, flowers of Penniioyal, Rue, Colo-
quint ida, Brambles, Oleander, Mints, Horfe-mints, Hops, Rape-feed, Cumin, Staves-acre,
Fleabane, Conyta, Saffron, Coriander, Celendine, fweet Cods, wilde Cicers, Atfemart, Muftard,
Lupins, roots of Chamsdea, Hellebore, leaves of black Poplar-tree, Bayes, Walnut-tree,with the
oyls of thefe, or the boy I'd decoctions, if the pavement be fprinkled, or the houfe be perfumed,
the Fleas will be gone, and moft of them are killed. Above all, the dregs of Mares-pule, or fea-
water are commended,if they be fprinkled up and down; alio Harts-horn burnt is very good. Uoats
bloud fet in a bafon or a pit, drawes all the Fleas to it, as alfo a ftaffe anointed with the fat of a
Hedgehog or Cony, Ape, Bear, Bull, or Fox, will do the like. The water of the decoction of
Arfenick or Sublimate fprinkled.is a certain experiment to deftroy them. Quicklime mingled
with the juice of white Hellebore, doth the fame. A Gloeworm fet in the middle of the houfe,
ddves away Fleas. Fleawort in the City oiChaire ispowdred, and the powder is flrew'd aboi t
the beds, which by its fmell doth aftonifh the Fleas that they will not bite. If a Flea get in-
to ones ear, pour in Oyl mingled with a little Vinegar or juice of Rue, oyl of Spike, Tur-
pentine, or oyl of Peter, is very ufeful. Thefe remedies may ferve the turn - , which are taken
from Apfyrtm, Farm Columella, Galen, Aetins, Palladius, Avicenna-> Rhafsi Kiramides, Guiliel-
miu, Vlacentinm-) foanicius, Bellunenfis, Hermolaas Barbaras, and Pliny. The Barbarians (faith/
Lerem) that the Fleas may not bite them, anoint themfelves with oyl that is thick and red,
preffed out of fruit, which they call Courog. Pttrus Gallifardtts-, Calixs Chalcagninus and Tzet-
are reported to have written the commendation of a Flea ; it was my dehre to have feen this,
but it was never my chance.
Chap. XXIX.
Of InfeSts that want feet, and firft of Earthworms.
SOme earthly Infe&s that have no feet are bred in the earth, fome in living creatures, fome
in plants. Earth-wormsby Plautus and Columella are called Lumbrici, may be from their
lubricity. Alfo they are called the entrails of the earth, both becaufe they are bred in the
bowels of the earth, and becarfe being prefied, like the entrails of living creatures they caft
forth' excrements, alfo becaufe they are like thgm in form and fafhion. The Greeks call thefe
yh \i>.CC*K*< Hefichins, and the Syracufuns, wiy-i \ the Englifh Meds, Earth-worms; rhe
French, Vers deTerre; the Italians Lumbrichi ; the Spaniards Lombriz • the Germans, and thofe
of Flanders, Erdwurmen : the Arabians, Charatits. Manardus writes, /. 2. e p. 4. that Earth-
worms were called Ovifculi. Earth-worms are greater or hjfer.
The great ones-, are long Worms, almoft likethofe round ones that are bred in mens bellies,
half a- foot long, and If retched out a foot long ; they are of a weak flefh-colour, and for the
moft part they have aringorelfe a collar about their neck that is thick, wherein there is a little
bloud contained: they have no eyes, for no Worms have any. They firft breed of putrefied
earth, they are afterwards fed by the fame, and laftly they are refolved to earth again. Thofe
that you fee wreathing little hils at the brink of their holes, as I fuppofe thofe heaps are their
excrements ; for in them we finde nothing but earth, the nutrimental juice whereof being fpent,
they caft forth the reft as unprofitable matter at their doors, and they are fenced by it againft
the rain falling in. At night chiefly when it is rainy weather, they willingly copulare,and ftick
faft till morning. They are not wrapt together in copulation like Serpents, but they luck faft
together by their fides, fending forth a frothy kinde of fpittle when they copulate: when they
are in conjunction, they keep the middleof their bodies, that is the hinder half in their holes,
and they are never fo faft glewed together, but with the leaft motion of the earth they can eafily
part: in rainy weather they are whiter, unlefs it be when they copulate, for then efpecially
they are red. Gefner faith in the middle of April he difle£ted a female Earth-worm, that was ve-
ry thick, within the flefh through the whole body, a receptacle defcends, that is ringed, covered
with a thin membrane: when he diflecFed it, it ftank filthily: in this is the earth contained thac
they take in ; but above this receptacle there lie white eggs very many heaped together, next
the mouth.
The lejfcr mrtnsi for clearer defcription fake, I will with George <*Agricola call Afcarides, they
are frequently found in dung-hils, and under heaps of ftones : fome of them are red ones, they
cart
1 be 1 beater of Infers :cr y b o o k 1 1.
' call them Duggs, and fibers much t'efiie them; lome are wan-coloured, others have yellow tails,
and arc fo called ; lome alfo ate with collars .ma are far, others without collars and iiender, which
1 take to be the males. Thefe are fcqed chiefly in Autumn by realon of no plenty of moiiture, as
Ariftotle ieems to affirm. Both kindes live long in water, but at iaft they die for want of food.
Tbey mo\e from place to place with a certain drawing and pulfation, for the Philoiopher faith
they do not p opeily tumble along, great ones live in the bowels of the earth, efpecially
in the open air, and where men oft-times lel'ort. In the morning when they withdraw them-
i'elves into their holes, when the air is clear they fence them with earth caft up, but in rainy wea-
ther, they flop them by drawing in fome Aalk, they feed frequently on earth, but raoft greedily
on a piece of white bread unleavened, as I learned from our Turner, a very credible man, and
have oft-times leen it. Many of them dye if the Winter be too cold, or the Summer too hot.
Moreover they are taken by Fifhermen, and driven forth of their holes either by digging, and
flaking the eirth, or by pouring in lb me liquor of ftrong juice, as of Walnut leavesrHemp, or
lhongLye. It is good alfo in tempeftuous and dark nights to go into gardens lilently, (which
they" milerably hurt) and to creep upon them when they couple, by the help of fire carried in a
horn: for fo in one night thoufands of them may be intercepted and killed.
*The U!«. Ufes of this defpicable creature are obferved to be many ; and Nature fcarce affords any
Ample that fhe hath bellowed more vert res on againltdifeales. For Earth-worms foften, glew
together? eafe pain, and by their earthly and watry moiflure together, they duly temper the
part affected. Powder of Earth-worms is thus prepared : Wrap up great Earth-worms for fome
time in eaith-mofs, that fo they may free themfelves of that glutinous matter that flicks on their
outward parts; thenprefs their hinder parts next the tail, that they may caft forth their excre-
ments and becleanfed. Thencaftthem into a velielof white Wire and a little Salr, and gently
p-efling them with your fingers, caft away that firft Wine: pour on more, and after the Worm?
are wafhed, take fome part of this away alfo : for it muff not all be caft away, as fome would
have ir, till it be perfedtly clear, for fo that glutinous clammy quality would be loft with it. Thus
p epared, they muft be gently diiedin a furnace, till they will crumble into duft when you touch
them. Then the powder being beaten and fearced (it will fmell like Runnet or Cheefe) muft
be kept fomethirtg far f.om the f re in a glafs veflel. Otherwife ir is belt to kill the Worms cut
in pieces in Wine and Salt, and when they are dead, to take them out and to cleanfethem. This
powder with the juice of Marigolds, will cure the Epilepfe; with Mead, the Droplie; with
white Wine and Myrrhe of the Troglodytes, the Jaundie's; with boy led Wine, Hydromel, or
Wine, the Stone, the Ulcers of the reins and bladder ; you may give a dram weighr. In three cy-
athi of water they will break inward Impoftumes, and bring them forth, iffeven or nine of them
be brought into powder. They flay alio the Dyanhcca,help Barrennefs, bring forth the Secon-
dine that fiaiesbehinde, eafe the pains of the Hip-gowt, open the Liver, cure Tertian Agues,
kill and drive out all Belly-worms, given in liquors or decodt ions that are proper for it. Alfo
the decoction of Earth-worms d ank with the juice of Knot-gral's or Comfrey, is good againft
continual piling, efpecially if it be alfo caft in byaClyfler. Alfo a Clyfterof their decoction
eifeth the Emrods wonderfully. Some, where they fufpect clotted bloud, give the dero&ion of
Earth-worms to drink with great fuccefs. For the dileafe? of the Ears almoft paft cure, boy!
them in Goofe-greafe and pour that in. Boy led in oyl for the Tooth- ache, and poured into the
ear on that fide the pain is, as Pliny faith, they give eafe, or if you drop them into the contrary
ear, as fiiofcorides faith. Thus far for Earth-worms given inwardly, from experience andteftimony
of Diofcorides, Galen, Aetius, and anoints that upon ears that are bruifed. Marcellus bruifeth them
with oyl of Rofes, C elf us with oyl of Olives. Vcvtntmus for pains of the ears anointeth the out-
ward parts with oyl of Earth- worms, and alfo pours it into the inward parts. Marcellus bids to
bruife Leeks not planted but fowed, odd in number, and as many Worms together, and boyl thefe
in the beft Oyl to thirds, andlhe faith that this oyl put into the ears is very good for their greateft
pains and deafnefs. Abinzoar cures clefts of the hands and feet with oyl of Earth-worms. For
an old pain of the head, they are held very excellent bruifed with Vinegar, Frankincenfe, and
Caftoreum. Galen for the fame prepares in his Euforifis fuch a Remedy : Take xv. Earth-worms,
as many grains of Pepper, Vinegar what is fufficient, mingle them, fmeer them on. Another : Take
Earth-worms, Moufe-dung, white Pepper, My rrhe, each half an ounce, bruife and mingle them
with Vinegar, and anoint that part of the head that the pain lies on. Myrepfut will have the
Worms to be odd,and to be taken only with the left hand,and fo fuperftitioufly anointed. If thou
wouldft try, faith Marcdlus, whether a fwelling in thy neck be the Kings-evill, lay a live Worm upon
each fwelling : ifitbca fcrophulous tumour, each Worm will turn to earth; if not, he will be
alive and receive no hurt : fo faith Pliny alfo. Earth-worms are a part of that noble Plaiftef of
Arnoldut (2 Breviani) ofaRamsskin, orthebloud of a man that is red, againft the Rupture:
and Holler'm commends it to cure EnteroccU and Epiplocele. They alfo diminifh the Stone, both
taken inwardly, asalfo anointedon the fhare fomewhat thick. Gal. What concerns woraens
difeafes, bound to the neck they retain the birth, but contrarily applied to the hips, they draw
the birth out and the fecundine, for they draw mightily wherefoever they are applied living.
Tin. Inflamations of the breafts, Earth-worms alone laid on will cure, for they concod, open,
draw forth, and heal Alex. Benediil. So Myrepfut makes a plaiftcr of them bruifed. Lay on
Earth-worms with Qninces,or with dried Barley flour, upon Breafts hardned or inflamed. Aetiuf.'
But if after delivery womens breafts fwell, and to ufe the words of Stream :
If the fwoln breafts do feel great pain, 4
Smeer them with Earth- worms 'twill help thtm amain*
For they will concod the Impofiumcs and fuopurations of the breafts, and after concodion will
heal them and void out the matter. For trre Shingles, the Indians, faith Carolut Clufiuty make an
unguent thus: Take Earth-worms, and feed them lome time with leaves, fine flour, or flour
and milk, and when they are grown fat, boyl them in an earthen veifel falwaies fcummingthem)
when they are ftrained, boyl them again to the confidence almoft of a plaifter, which well pre-
pared will be almoft of a yellow colour; diflolve fome part of this in diftilled water
of Rofes, andwaftithe part affeded with it twice a day. Amoft excellent remedy, faith
Clufiui, and proved by very long experience. Pliny faith they will do the fame in Vinegar,
who together with Aetius and Myrepjus, affirms that Worms bruifed and laid Jon the place a
Scorpion hath flung, are an admirable remedy, for they prefently cafe the pain, and correct the
malignity of the tumour.
Bbbbb Qg
IIO5
! x o6 The Theater of Infeftr ; or, B o o k 1 1.
0, \ of Earth-worms is known by all to be good [againlt divers infirmities, and the Ancients
made it thus. TakeEanh worms half a pound, Oyl of Rofes, Oraphacine, two pound, the beft
white wine two ounces, let them boyl in balneo till the wine be confumed. This cures the nerves
relaxed, contracted, aitonifhed, cut in funder,or cooled, it eafeth almoftall pains, and wafts the
ftone, being anoynted on the fhareand loins. But in the preparing of it, every man followes
his own opinion. For fome before they adde Oyl, wafhand purge them with white wine, fome
neither wafh them nor prefle out the earth, and perfwade to take the beft wine, that it may pe-
netrate the fooner: Others ufe fimple Oyl, not Oyl of Roles, others again Oyl of Chamo-
mile. Alfothey (hew us many wayes to boyl them, for one ufeth a furnace, another Balneum,
another doth it in dung, and fome mingle of Chamomil flowers, and of Dill, to aflwage pains^
fome of Hypericon flowers to glew wounds together, others Snails without fhells, others with
fhells, every one as he thinks fir. The Author of Bartapalia prepares an admirable water of
Worm?, fol. 254. that is very good for woundsand difeafes both outward and inward. ForWorms
of Horfes and Oxen. Pelagonius } puts live Earth-worms into their noftrils, yet it were far better
with a horn to put them down their throats into their ftomacks. Tardims bids give afhes of Earth -
worms bruifed withflefli.to a Hawk, when (he cannot mute. They are alfo meat for Moles, and
when they dig, they will break out of the earth in wonderfull hafte. Sows ( as V arro writes) will
trouble the mud, and dig up the earth with their fnouts to feed on them. Albertus faith that Toads,
Bellonius Lizards, Tarentinus that Sea Grampets, and experience faith, that Frogs, Eels, Gudgeons,
Carps, Roches, Trouts, Darca?, and Tenches will greedily devour Earth-worms. Alfo that bird
Avfiotle calls AJf, fome call it Vangellus, and Hens, and all Quails will feed on Worms. But
thofeareno wife Fifher-men, thatcaufe Wormsto come forth with medicinal juices> for when
they are bitter the Fifh will not bite, but if they lie a day in Wheat-meal and a little Honey, and
then put upon the hooks, they relifh better then Ambrofia : And it is no ordinary good we may re-
ceive by them, that they forefhewrain when they fuddenly come forth of the earth, but if they
lie hid the night before, it isafign of fair weather. Some do harden Iron like Steel thus. Take
Earth-worms two parts, Radifli-roots one part, bruife them, and diftill the water in a Limbeck.
Or take diftilled water of Earth-worms three pound, juice of Radifhes one pound, mingle them,
Jet Iron hot be often quenched in this water,and lie in it ten dayes.and it will grow very hard. Another.
Take Earth worms two pound, juice of Radifhone pound, diftill them at an eafie fire,and tem-
per your Iron with this diftilled water. Alfo draw forth juice of Sorrel, ftinking Hemlock, and
of round Ariftolochia, of each alike, and temper your fteel often. The juice of Sow-bread is
thought to do the fame. Mr. Fakenham a famous Phyfitian writes thus. Another. Take Goats
bloud, adde to it a little fait, letglafed pots be burycd in the earth, well luted for thirty dayes,
then diftill the bloud in Balneo, and put as much of the diftilled water to the fanfe quantity of the
water of Worms. Another. Takewaterof Worms, Rapes, roots of Apple-trees, each alike, di-
ftil them apart, and mingle equal quantities together, and quench your Iron in that water, as we
faid before. A Frenchman namelejfe.
Chap. XXX.
Of Worms in living Creatures.
The Name. -rfidow thinks they are called Lumbrici from Lumbi the loins. For the Ancients call the belly
J. Lwnbos and ^Ukt by Hefiebius, and Suidat. Some interpret that, thofe that are Tick of
Worms. But more rightly from Earth-worms, which they reprefent in form and nature, doc
they borrow that name. Cornelius Celfus calls them Worms, Pliny the living Creatures of the en-
trails. The Greeks call them IhfjuvStt, h'tyuvSu. t\wn(, Ufuyyit, Jfihoi, and when they are extraor-
dinary great, 9»e('ct, as appears out of Mlian, I. 9. c. 33. You rauft obferve, that Latin writers
make difference between Vermes and Vermina or Verminationem, that is Worms, and difeafes from
Worms in the belly for Vermina and Verminatio^re the pains of the belly from Worms, asCW-
fusy Serenus, ?//«;, and Seneca Epift- 97. teftifie. The Arabians call them Emicar, Sylvaticus Elin-
gen, the Germans Spulworm, Bauchworm, the Englifh Gutworm, the Sclavonians Sskrkawkfr a word
The Defcrip-hard to be pronounced. A belly-worm is a living Infed, without feet, bred in the bodies of living
tion. Creatures, hurting their operations diverfly. I fai^a living Creature, that I might exclude thofe
broad Worms called Ttnie, which though they be of fubftance that grows to the guts, and are
in form like to living Creatures, yet they cannot properly be accounted living Creatures, as Hip-
pocrates \.de morbit, rightly affirms. I faid an Iw/. Rot Galen t.l.de
tx.af.c 5. afligns certain difeafes to certain parts, as worms to the guts, the Scone to the icins
and bhdder. Butlmyftlf with many Other perfons of the Univerfuy, law a (tone as great and
like a Pigeons Eggc, voided by ftool, at Cambridge, by Dr. Larkjn t lie Kings profefLr in phyfic'*,
who was long tormtrtcd with a pain ofthcColick, and wafting, and he voided that ftone in the
fame form and magnitude, as a moft troublefome birth at his fundament. Mouuut and Bmvm-
rim write that they faw the like. Alfo by giving but one Clyfter to the choile wife of noble Lr-
onartlus, I brought lorth 35 ftones like to Medlar feeds, at one time in the year ,1,583. Many
there are thatqueftion the credit of Fedtrmnianui Arculanus, Guamer/m, Trull anus> Beniventihu , and
Montuus, becaufe (befides the opinion of Galen) they have written that they have more then once
feen ftones in the head, lungs, greater veins, the gall, bladder, under the tongue, in the joynts, ar,d
belly. But fince daily experience doth clear thernfrom a lie, we may fay that the Gra\ fpeak,
as Gnekj were wont todoe, but that thefe men fpeak but the truth. Galen might haveremem-
bred.that Hippi-crates^ Epid. 5. fie. 1 2. did not rnfhly affirm, that there was a fharp lW,e preffed
out of a womans matrix, by the hand of the Mdwife, as great as the whirle of a Spindle. This
I thought fit to premife, left when I fhall report them, the faith of others and my own expe-
rience that worms are bred almoft in every part, others fhould think I relate either a thing very
ftrange, or what is falfe. Worms feldome appear in the moft vehement pain of the llenucrimn-,
yet Htllcrius teacheth that it fo comes to parfe fometimes, I. i.e. 1. The Polomant call rlns difeafe
Stotony Robacl^ , the Germans Hauptwurm, and it was formerly frequent in Germanj and Hungary,
and all that were taken with it fell into thefrenzie, or madneire, and when they were dead, and
their brains were opened, a Worm was found there. Then the Phyfitians gave Garlick with di-
ddled wine once or twice a day, and all that drank of that recovered, the reft dyed. Pb lip Ghof
cured five of his fervants that were fick of that difeale, with the lame remedy, as one writ in a
Letter to Gefner. That Worms are ofcen feen in the brain, Tbomu a Vega fakh,to»n tncup.^ id:
he. af. GjhrtifZnd Balthafjr ConraJinuf c. 1 o. de fb. Hurtgar. Alfo Cor mil m Gettima, in Appendic. spc-
r'u ( Ojmicritic. difputingof a peftilenciall Semitertian, fpeaks of a woman in a city neer the river
Mo/urd-ukf Wurmtt and /// a id?s, luch as are bred of-
ten in thelr.teftn.es of living Creatures : And not there only, bur in other vetTels and bowels ; of
which matter I finde therewas a great controverfic amongft the old Auwjwjs; Vor Gjitrut .!.de
Uc.jf.c 5. afligns certain diieafes to certain parts, as worms to the guts, the Scone to the ien,s
and bhdder. But I my felf with many other perfons of the UniveiTuy, faw a ftone as great and
like a Pigeons Egge, voided by ftool, at Cambridge y by Dr. Larkjn the Kings profefior in phylic't ,
who was long tormented with a pain ofthcColick, and wafting, and he vtided that ftone in the
fame form and magnitude, as a moft troublelome birth at his fundament. Montuut and B and by the moft ve-
hement pain, that almoft makes them mad. Ic is cured by neefings, and juices caft up into the
noftrils, that wil kill Worms- Rhafts, I. i.e. 9. But the Worms that are yearly found in the brains
of Stags, and fometimes of Goats ; Sheep, Rams, (chiefly thofe that are fat ) chat Hunters and
Butchers know better.than that I need to tell them. They are as big as the greateit Worms, and
of the fame form with them, as Alexander B,nediLlus and MaUhiolm report. Theophraftsv mentions
thefe Hift. lib c. 53. and Alexander Trallianm ) l. 1. c. 1 5. Ic is reported ihuV.mocritus of Athens,
when he was young was troubled with the Falling ficknefle, and he went to ask counfell of the
.Oracle of Apollo, and Apolb anlwered him thus :
Take a tame Goat that haibthe greateft hei-i,
Or el\e a tpiide Goat inihe field that's bred>
Ar.din hit forehead a great Wtrm you' I finde,
Tkit cures all c'ijtafet of that kjnde.
The young man was much troubled at this anfwer, and he repaired ro Tbeigno/lus Democratim,
that was then ninety yeers old, to tell him the meaning of the Oracle. This Theogno/lm told him
that nothing could be plainer, for he had learned by long experience, that there were Worms in
the heads of Sheep and of Goats, that being wrapt in a black Shccps skin, and hanged about
ones neck, would miraculoufly cure the Falling fickneflc. Some write, as Pliny witneffetb, that
two Worms are "found in the head of a downy Phalangmm, which Worms bound up ina Deers
skin, and bound to a woman before the Sun rifing, would hinder conception. Concerning
Worms of the Abdomen. A woman, fait'.i Pennius, that I knew very well, told me that fhe had feen
more than once, fome round Worms, that crept forth of the belly by the Navel.
The Ancients alfo fay, that oft-times Worms will breed in the ears, againft which they prefcribc
thefe remedies. Take the juice of wdde Cucumbers, and the juice of Garden-fage, or that with
broad leaves, mingle them both alike, and pour that into the ears. Gal. 1. 3. fee. loc. where recko-
n ngupthe Compofitions of Aadromachw for the ears, he highly commends this of t fit am and
liMpalm. Take Opium two oboli, Myrrhe, Spikenard, Saffron, of each three oboli, burnt braflc
five obolt,andof round and Sicil Alum, each one dram, black Hellebore two drams, mingle them
with fod wine or Oyl of Rofcs, and apply them tothe ears, Lib. Euporiji. 2. he writes, thata
LocL.lt will deftroy Worms in the ea:s, and he bids apply a fweet Apple to the car, with a hole in
it almoft quite through, for the Worm will come forth, enticed by the fweet fmellof it. Pliny
much commends theroot of Cyprefleboyled in water, and the urine of a young boy, and the juice
of Hemp, Rue, Bramble, a:id of Capers powred in. Liftly, many remedies may befctcht from
Bbbbbz Columella
The Theater of Infe&s: or, Book I L
Columella, Vegftius, Marcellus Fmpimus.lrallianus^ Vigo, 1 ardmus, and all the Arabians, and there-
fore here I fuperfede, parting on to other matters. Monardus prefcribed to one that had a Poly-
pus inhisno(e, the juice of Tobacco to beinje&ed; whereby the Ulcer was purged, and many
little Worms came forth-: Wherefore they breed alfo in the noftrils, ffor all the Arguments that
Cabudnm hath alleadged againft it) and are not only caft forth of other parrs. Cow-heards know
that Worms will breed under the tongue, and the Worm under a Dogs tongue(che carrying of
which Worm about one, faith Pliny, will drive off the biting of a mad Dog) doth prove that fuffi-
ciently.- And Valefcus faith he hath feen Worms under mens tongues. It is known fufficiently by
experience, that the very Breaft and Lungs are not free from Worms; Antonius Benevamius,Bc-
nedidus Renius, Mundella, Antonius Sicu/ui, are my witneflesjwhohave feen them caft up, not by vomit
orreachiing.but even by coughing. Alfo Alfaranius,Capitede Tujjijf/mcs, that fometimes a cough is
caufed from living Creatures bred in the hollow of the lungs,and cavity of the breali^which being no
greater than little Lute-ftrings, yet when they creep from place to place they make one cough, and
when they lie (till it ceafeth. Alfo Abenzoar Abhomer on. hb.\.tr ail. \ i.e. 3. makes mention of them.af.
firtning that the old Phyfitians faw and writ of them. Albertus and Gentilis faw fome in the liver
andfpleen, and Tlaterus in the gall bladder. Wherefore, whatever Galen or Avkcnna may fay to
overthrow this from the perpetual motion of the Lungs, the neernefs of the heart, and other frivo-
lous Arguments, yet there is no man but will fay, but that reafon muftgive place to fenfe, efpeci-
aJly in natural thing?. There was faith Hieronymus Gabucinus, a certain Noble woman of Fanes
(in his Comment of Worms, to which we are indebted for the great part of this hiftory) when (he
had a long time been'tormented with pain of herftomach, at la ft (he caft up a ball of hard flegme,
this being difTe&ed, it feemed like a piece of flefh, and in that there was a Worm, and thus the
woman recovered,- whom the neighbours thought to be bewitched. Of Worms of the Reins and
Bladders. When the reins putrefie, or the mufcle of the bladder, oft-times little Worms are caft out,
concerning which I thought good to write thefe hiftories out of Fennius. A woman thirty fix
years old, had great pain of anApoftume in her reins, and (he confumed, at length Hie caft forth
little Worms, a fingers breadth long, which I firftfawin the bottome of her urine, Auno\%%i.
Randulpha Ltndon Phyfician, very learned and pious, when he looked on at the difleftion of the
body of one that was dead of the Stone in the kidneys, he found in one of the kidneys that was
Rcipemlirr the corrupted, it was wrinkled and putrefied, a Worm of a full length. Timothy Bright, a very skilful
CjokofQjeen phyfician, and to whom we are much indebted for the Epitomie of the Ecclefiaftical Hiftory, faw'
cu/Vscol" a Scholar at Cambridge when he lived there, that pifled out a Worm an inch and half long ; but it
pendra by ha was n0C without feet as Worms are, but it had many feet and was very nimble. Aloyfms Mundella
noftrils, &c. Medicina Dialog. 4. Argenlerius cap. de veficmorb. Rondtletiushb.de dign.morb.c.iy. Siboliajles Hotierii
Mr. Crane. lib. de morb. int. cap. de veftc. affec. (to fay nothing of Levinus Cardan, and my own experience) do fuf-
ficiently teftifie that fuch Creatures breed alfo in the bladder: That Worms come forth of the
matrix, like to Alcaridcs, I did not only fee at Frankfurt in a Germm woman, at eighty years of
her 2ge> but Aloyfxus confirms the fame in his Epiftle to G:\ner, and Hippocrates 2. dem.mulier. and
Av.nzoar. Ub.i.trcU. 2. have faid the like. Kiranids writes, that there is a Worm to be found in
the matrix of a Mule, which tied to a woman will make her barren. In India And the Countreys
above Fgypt there are fome living Cteatures like to Worms in form, (they are commonly called
S e it Vera Dragons) they are in the Arms, Legs, Shanks, and other brawny parts, alfo in young ihildren,they
CXuUL ' breed in lecret places under their skin, and more apparently : Wi.cn they have ftayed there for
fome long time, at fome end of this Dragon the place comes to lupputation, and the skin being
opened, out comes this Dragons head. Faulus lib. 4. c. 59- Soranus granteth this, but he queftions
whether they be living creatures. Moreover, in the bloud it felffome living creatures breed, like
to Worms, that feed on the body, as Vliny writes, Hiji.26. c. 1 3 • Tlutarcb 8. Sytnpof : who writes,
that a young man of Athens voided Worms with his feed, ftgineta faw them come forth at the
groins and buttocks, as he faith lib. 4. to whom Benevemius fubfenbes c. 1 00. Alfo they breed un-
der Sheeps clawes, f faith Co/HWflk) and fuch I have feen under the nails of thofe that were trou-
bled with a Whit-flaw. And thus fane concerning Worms in the bodies of living Creatures. But fuch as
breed in dead and corrupt bodies, ("whether it be from the difeafe or the Chirurgeons fault) want
aLrf/irt name, but the Greeks call them Ejx«V, as appears by Hippocrates. The Englifh call them
Maggots. Ccelius would alfo have them called Eulas in Latin, borrowing the word from the Greeks.
We will fpeak of thefe in order. And firft concerning Worms of the guts, the defcriptions
whereof,the caufes, figns, fymptomes and cure wil bring much light to the Hiftory of the reft.
' 1108
Chap. XXXI.
Of the Defection of Worms in the Intefilnes.
T7T7EE (hewed before that there are three forts of Worms that are bred in
V V the guts. It will be worth our labour to defcribe what each of them is. The
round Worms are the firft difference, and that manifeft to all men, becaufe thefe are the
molt common, and are fo called, becaufe they are indeed round and fmooth, not unlike
to thofe worms that breed in dunghils and gardens, which we faid before are called by
Ghap. 51. Of lejfer living Creatures.
the Greeks, the bowels of the earth. Thefe as all other Worms are blindc, without any eyes,
and they are a hand length or fornething more : yet Benivennius c. 2. affirms that a Smith did vo-
mit up a Worm with grofle flegm, almoft a foot and half long, very plain, with a red head that
was fmootb, and about the bignefs ofapeafe; but the body of it was downy, and the tail crooked
like the half-moon. Alfoat Rome t anno 1543. one that was now upon his youthful years, when
as for many daies (asGaburinns tcls theftory) he had been in great torments of his belly, at Jaft
he voided by ftool a great black Worm with black hair, five feet long, as big as a cane. He
fawonealfo that did not exceed the hands length, like to the round Worms, but that the back
of it was hairy,andfetasit were with red hairs; but this being caft forth byufing good reme-
dies, he grew very well. One Amonianm a Canon (as Hicrsnymm Montuus tels the ftory) voided a
green Worm, but he died (hortly after he had voided that. But for the moft part they are fmooth
andnot hairy, a hand long and not a foot, at both ends pointed, as it were with a nib. And they
differ fofar from Earth-worms, that they wear no collar nor girdle : what concerns their co-
lours, I have feen fome red, yellow, black, and partly white, or gold colour. Green ones are fel-
dom feen, yet Montum faw fome. Gourd-worms arc thofe quick Worms that are like unto Gourd-
feeds ; concerning which the queftion is fo great between Galucinus and Menuiialu ; for
when he treats of a broad Worm, that is made of an infinite number of Gourd- feeds
fhut up in a skin; he/aith thus: I, faith he, think abroad Worm to be nothing elfe bur,
according to Hippocrates, as it were a white (having of the guts, that comprehends all the in-
tcftines, between which fome living creatures are bred like unto Gourd-feeds: which may then
be feen to be voided when all that (having is voided, yet oft-times it is voided by parts: which
if they break when they are voiding, then you may behold thefe Worms like to Cucumer-feeds
voided by themfelves, fometimes many of them being folded together, fometimes but a few.
But if any man (hall fee all that portion, let him know, that that fcraping off like a Worm doth
not live, but the creatures that are in it,like Cucumer.feeds. I once faw this Worm called a Broad
Worm that pants, to have been of a wonderful length, and it crawled, a woman in a Quotidian
Feaver voided it by liege, and when I did with admiration much view it, and fought to finde
thecaufe of its motion: that other man, who faid he voided a portion of a broad Worm fome
daies before, which he would (hew unto me for a wonder, did (hew it me with incredible defire
I had to fee it ; for this portion did move it felf, whence I was more defirous to know the
caufeofthat. Atlaft fearching diligently, I obferved through the whole hollow part of it, a
rank of living creatures like to Cucumer- feeds, which crept forth of it as out of fome bed,fome-
times one, fometimes two folded together, oft-times four, or more, and that part of the (having
of the guts that was empty of theft creatures did not move at all, but fank down : whence ic
comes to pafs that I think a broad Worm is nothing elfe but fnotty matter bred between the guts,
orfnivelly flegm thickned by the coldnefsof the guts, covering the infide of the guts like a coat,
which women that affiftthe fick call a bed of Worms. Out of which fnotty matter little living
creatures like Gourd-feeds proceed, as by way of a conception, which Is covered all over by the
fecond membrane in the womb which is firft made of the feed. So faith Gabueinus. Avium*
agrees in this opinion, Fen 16. trail. 5. cap. 2. the Gourd and broad Worms are bred from the
clammy matter that is faftned in the luperficies of the guts, which is comprehended byaflegma-
tick panniclc covering it as if they were bred from that, and did putrefie within it. Antonius Bent-
vennius a Florentine faith the fame, and more clearly, in com. de mirand. moth. caufis> c. 87. who
writes that in the mineral Baths at Avignm^ that are in the Countrey of the Senmes, he faw a wo-
man that for feven daies together drinking the water, did void thefe Gourd-worms in abun-
dance, that ftuckfofaft together, one being clofe to the other, that they were in a rank that was
above four cubits long, yet you would judge them to be but one body and one Worm. Johan-
nes a Bookbinder at Baftl (whileft I ftudkd Phyfick there in that Academy, under Zuingerus and
Platerus my Matters, anno 1579) voided fuch a Worm ten ells in length without any pain, and
not many years before he had voided the like. It confided of many Gourd Worms ; without
which it had had no motion nor feeling, and might defervedly have been rejected from the num-
ber of living creatures. Platerus hadluch a Worm dried that was eighteen ells long, I faw it.
Pliny writes of a Worm a fickperfon voided, was three hundred foot long : wherefore whatfo-
evcr Mercurials objedsto the contrary, 3. demorb.puer. cap.j. fince experience proves the
thing, is without any firm ground. He faith it cannot be that any living creature can produce
fo many young ones, as there appear like unto Gourd-feeds ; then, that the guts are not large
enough to receive fo many young ones. Thirdly, that this comes to pafs by reafon of the vio-
lent putting them forth that gives the form, becaufe the young one being broken by coming
forth, is divided into thofe many pieces like Gourd-feeds. And hence we may conclude that
thofe are trifles that the Arabians fpeak of Gourd- worms, forafmuch as there are none fuch:
What is that I hear, moft learned Jerome ? that thou being gray headed, and taught by long expe-
rience, fhouldftfo applaud thy own imagination, that thou (houldft dare to deny a thing ob-
vious to fenfe, and plain to our eyes, and to Gabucims Benevennius, and the Arabians ? Go to,
No living creature can produce fo many young ones like Gourd-feeds *• why not I pray? wjien
as one maid that took phyfick to kill Worms, as Gabucims affirms, voided 177 round Worms?
Tofay nothing ofthat Beneveniut reporteth c. 85. of the incredible multitude of them: and he
was a man to be believed. And what thou fpeakeft of the capacioufnefs of the place, if that be
anarguraent,itisanerrourtobelaughedat. Bbbbb 3 For
I IO9
The Theater of InfeBs : or, Book 1 1;
For the guts will contain not only as many as areina Gourd, but the Gourd itfelf prepared*
By thy laft objection thou doft but mock, butcanftnot weaken the opinion of Avkennas and the
Arabians: for as much as in bodies diffe&ed, Gourd- worms have been feen wrapt up in a roll,
wherefore they took not their Gourd-form from the violent voiding them at the fundament, or
from the manner of putting them forth, as thou either inventeft malicioufly, or ignorantly be-
lieved. I conclude therefore with Gabucinus, that there are Gourd-worms, and the broad worm
called Tenia, is not properly a Worm, nor yet a living creature, but fomething about the entrails
like white fhavings, as Hippocrates faith, that is filled with thefe Gourd-worms put infafhionof a
coat of Mail. Jjcarides have their name from dQrnr, becaufe they bite and tickle very much,
and fo exercife the patients that are troubled with them : others derive them from
which fignifiesto move. The Ancients called them Beafts-worms, becaufe they were
feldom found in men, but often in Horfes, Dogs, Hens, and Oxen. And they were fo feldora
feen in men, that Hifpotrates, and Celfut that followed him, either knew them not, or thought
them not worth the mentioning, and fo they faid nothing of them; and yet they writ at large of
other Worms. They are like the round Worms,but ten times fhorter, (for they are feldom above
an inch long) and what length foeverthey be, they are thicker at the end of thelonganum,and
the fphinfter of the anus they are found, caufing a vehement itching in thofe parts. Galen writes
in Lib. de Ling. Hippocratk, that Coax an old man called Afcarides long Worms ; which difficulty
Mercurials eafily opens, forwefhould read it, faith he, not great, but (u*fd<, f ma tl. More-
over, though in confideration of their breadth and thicknefs they feem long ; yet compared
with round Worms, they may be called Ihort. Thefe and round Worms are of divers colours, as
the matter they are bred of is, or in refped of the heat that conco&s them; but Gourd-worms
are alwaies the fame: whence I fhould conclude that Gourd-worms breed only from flegm, but
the reft from all humours and excrements. Afcarides oft-times come forth in great numbers,
and before they be voided they prick much.
Chap. XXXII.
Of the Original of Worms in the gutsl
t A Riflotle lib. 5. Generat. and Hippocrates before him, 4. tnorb. make the material caufe of
j\_ Worms to be dung. Oribaftus I. 3. Apb. 30. and Montams that followed him being his Mi-
fter,thought that living creatures might breed in the guts from all kindes of humours : and Mercuria-
ls who thought they were deceived, was blinde himfelf at noon-day. But let us examine his
Arguments : It is found, faith he, that they will not breed from bloud, becaufe bloud never pu-
trefies fo much, that living creatures may breed from it; Alfo he affirms from the judgement
of Alexander Trallianus-, that living creatures cannot breed in the veins. But experience cuts off
the nerves of his firlt argument ; and the Authority of Rhafts, Loppius and Pliny, overthrows the
fecond. Alfo they cannot breed of a melancholy humour, becaufe it is cold and dry ; nor
of yellow choler, becaufe it is bitter, and fuch creatures are not fed by bitter things, but deftroyed.
For which opinion, though he urge Ariflotle, Hippocrates, Galem4.jimpl.med. JEginetaJib.q.c. 27.
yet what is there more (lender than the opinion of them? For Butchers know that in the milts
of Sheep, which is the fountain of melancholy humour, and in the gall of Oxen, which is the re-
ceptacle of bitter choler, innumerable worms are oft-times found. And I fee no reafon why
Worms may not breed from yellow choler, as well as in Wormwood; from melancholy as well
as in {tones, from bloud as well as in fugar. But if they be not bred from them, whence
have they matter that they breed of? The Phyfician of Fadua will anfwer, It remains therefore
that they can bread only of raw flegm, which either arifeth from too great quantity of the beft
meats for want of heat, or quantity of bad meats corrupt by depravation : which opinion,
though it well agree with Galen, JEgineta, Attim, Avenzoar, Avicenna, Columella, Celfus, Alexan-
der, and chiefly with our Mercurials, yet in my judgement Hippocrates is in the right, who thought
that living creatures are bred in the little world, as well as they are in the great. Therefore
as in the earth there are allkinde of humours, heat and fpirit, that it may nourifh living crea-
tures that breed, fo bath man aliunde of moi/lure that nourifhetb things that breed. Moreover,when
as thefe living creatures do reprefent perfectly Earth-worms, no man in hfs wits will deny but
that they have both the fame original. Whatflegmis therein the earth? yet it breeds round
Worms, and Gourd-fufhioned,and Afcarides, and all forts of Worms, and the beft and warmeft
earth abounds with them, fo far is it that they fhould breed only of raw and corrupt humours.
Do we not alfo daily fee that Worms are voided by men that are in health ? Fori knew a wo-
man of Flanders, that at Francfert on the Main, which from her youth till (he was forty years
old, did daily voidfome round Worms, without any impairing of her [health, and fhe was never
fick of them. I conclude therefore that from every raw humour of the body Worms may
breed ; and not only from crude or corrupted flegm. The formal caufe depends from internal
heat, which is weak, gentle, pleafing, and fit to breed living creatures ; wherein that plaftick
force of Caleodick Nature, (to ufe the word of Avkennas) doth make the colours by the de-
11IO
C h a p. 5 Of leffer living Creatures. 1 1 1 1
grees of fccret heat, and fporting her felf doth make that broad form of Gourd- worms, and fome-
times of Lizards, Toads, Grafs-worms, Catterpillers, Snakes, Eels, as we read in Hiftoncs. This
doth give them tafte, feeling and motion, this gives them that force of attracting, whereby they
forcibly draw forth with greedinefs the juices that flip into the guts. If it were not fo, that heae
that confumes all things might perhaps difpofe the matter that is changed by putrefaftron, but it
would never give the form and figure of a living creature. For it is hot becaufe the guts are
round) that round Worms are bred in them, as fome men dream ; but the external form depends
from the internal, and the fpirit drawn forth of the bofome of the foul it felf, doth frame the
fhapes without a Carver or Smith. This fpirit is the mediate efficient caufe : but God hunfelf
is the principal caufe in this and other things, in whom, as well as we, the Worms are, move and
have their being.
The final caufe fhewes their ufe, which declares Gods omnipotency, Natures majefty, and the ufo
fingular providence of both for mans good. For there are collected in us fome putrefied excre-
mental fuperfluous parts, which the more bountiful hand of Nature changeth into Worms, and
fo cleanfethour bodies; as we account it a goodfign of health to be full of lice, after a long
difeafe -..alfothey confumemuch fuperfluous moifture in mans body, and unlefs they grow too
many (for then they feed on our nutrimental juice) they are a great help to the guts; fo far
is it that they fhould be accounted byphyfitians amongft difeafes, or the beginnings of difeafes.
Amongft the concomitant caufesT reckon the place and the countrey. For though they are
more common to children than to thofe that are of years, to women than men, in a peftilential
than a healthful time, in Autumn than in the Spring, to fuch as ufe an ill diet rather than to
thofe that keep an exaft diet : yet they accompany all ages, fexes, conditions, feafons, diets ; for no
man is priviledged from them, yet fome places or climates are free, for according to the nature
of them, in fome many, in others no Worms will breed: forallkinde of Worms will not breed
in each part of the guts, but round Worms only in rhe fmall guts, Afcarides in the Longanum, the
Gourd-worms only are bred in all. Alfo, aslheofhraftus and Pliny tcftifie, there are no fmall dif-
ferences amongft Nations and Countreys. (lib. hifi,fl. 9. c. 2. Lib. 2V^f. hrft. 27. cap. 1 3. J For broad
or Gourd-worms are common amongft the Egyptians, Arabians, Syrians, and Cilicians : again they of
Ihracia and Pbrygia know them not. And though the Boeotians and Athenians are under the fame
Confines, they are frequently full of Worms, and thefe are by a priviledge as it were freed from
them. Heonlywill admire at this, or think it a Fable, who knowes not that the nature of Coun-
treys vary according to the pofition of the ftars, the nature of the winds, and the condition of
the earth. There is a River (faith Arifiotle, lib. de nat.anim. c. 28.) in Cephakma that parts an
Ifland, and on one fide of it, there is great abundance of Grafhoppers, but none on the other.
In Prodofeltna, there is a way goeth between,and on one fide of it a Cat will breed, but not on tbe
other fide. In the Lake Ortbtmemm of Bxotia, there are abundance of Moles ; but in Lebadius,
that is hard by, there are none, and brought from other parts they will not dig the earth. In
the Ifland Ithaca, Hares cannot live; nor in Sicily t flying Antsj nor in the Countrey of Cyrer.e,
vocal Frogs; nor in Ireland, as we know, anykinde of venomous creature. The reafon of all
this he can only tell, who hath hanged the earth in the air without a foundation ; for it is
not my eye that can fee fo far, nor have I any minde to affecl: to know things above my un-
derftanding.
1 leave that xoork^ to thofe that dare afcire
"lo know Gods [ecrets, let me them admire.
Chap. XXXIII.
Of the figns and cure of Worms out of Gabucinus.
LEt us therefore fhew the figns of Worms, beginning from thofe that are called round
Worms ; both becaufe thefe do more frequently vex children, and becaufe they produce
more cruel fymptomes : of which Paulas writes thus : they that are troubled with round Worms,
are cruelly torn in their bellies and guts; and they have a tickling cough that is troubleforae,
and fomewhat tedious, fome have a hickop, others when they fleep leap up, and rife without
caufe ; fometimes they cry out when they rife, and then they fall afleep again ; their Arteries
beat unequally, and they are fick of diforderly Feavers, which with coldnefs of the outward
parts come thrice or four times in a day or a night without any reafon for them. Children
will eat in their fleep, and put forth their tongues, gnafh their teeth, wink with their eyes, they
will be veryfilent, and are angry with thofe thatrowfe them up, the balks of their cheeks, in
afhorttime, are fometimes red, fometimes wan-coloured. If the Worms run up to the fto-
mach, they caufe naufeating, gnawing, and want of appetite ; and if the fick are forced to eat,
they fcarfe can fwallow it, and if they fwaUow it down, they vomit it up again, they void many
corruptions of meat by their bellies, and they are fwoln like a drum, the reft of the body growes
unreasonable lean, not by reafon of hunger, nor immoderate evacuations. Thefe things happen
when thefe creatures creep and gnaw in the belly. A feaverifh heat fends up ill vapours to the
brain,
The Theater oflnfeUs :or y B o o k 1 1.
" brain, that arife from putrid moifture colle&ed in the ftomach. So writes Paulus. But Aetius out
of Herodotus writes thus : Thofe that arc troubled with Worms have a moft cruel pain of their
ftomach and bellies, and they have a little frequent tickling cough, and yet they fpit up nothing:
iu their fleep they fhiver, and rife preternaturally ; fome again put out their tongues and fhut
their eye», and are filent, and cannot endure to be rowfed, and cannot watch for weaknefs :
fome have their eyes bloudfhed, their pulfes unequal, obfcure, deficient, and recurrent : fome
want an appetite, children whileft they fleep, bite their tongues, and move their mouthes as
if they fucked, or eat meat. But thefc things are done for a fhort time, and by circuits. More-
over fome children befides reafon, rife with crying, and prefently fall down again: fome crafh
their teeth, which it feems happens when the Worms fuck, and gnaw their bellies and guts.
And now it appears that fome are come up into the ftomach, and caufe loathing, and bitings :
oft-times alio by themfelves they are caft upward, but fometimes with fome flegmatick humour.
Some Infants neglected lofe their motion, and are benummed, and like thofe that are in a fwound,
they fweat a cold thin humour, and moft commonly they are wan-coloured : fometimes the
face will be red, efpecially about the cheeks, but this colour again is changed into more than
ordinary palcnefs. Others again like dotards fpeak ftrange words in their fleep, others change
their places tl ey ly on,ftill fleeping, and they are vexed, and turn from place to place: but ve-
ry few of thofe do cry, for moft of them are void of reafon, and are filent. Alfo they that are
vexed with round Worms, loath their meat, and if they eat any thing, they caft it up again, or
loath it fo much they can hardly fwallowit: for they fall into Feavers with vehement cold in
the outward parts : fome have their bellies fwoln like a drum. So faith Aetius. But thefe are the
marks he reckons from Hippocrates opinion : Worms in the belly are difcovered by thefe marks :
If they befleepy, and the difeafe will not let them, and their outward parts be cold, and there
be gnawing at their hearts, the urine troubled, and the tongue full of moifture j alfo they that
have Worms in their ftomach, are full of fpittlc - and if any little Worm comes forth they fpit
no more: therefore all thofe that have Worms in the mouth of their ftomach, do commonly
caft them up all by vomit, but thofe that have belly Worms, void them by fiege. But they
all naufeate, and vomit up what they take in. They are like to thofe that are pricked, that have
contractions all over their bodies, and move fuddenly and confufedly, and they have torments and
pains of their guts. Vapours carried to the head caufe Vertigoes. Moreover the manner of
diet that the party ufed will (hew the generation ofWorms, and all the reft. Thefe are the figns
of round Worms ; but all thefe figns muft not be fought for in every one, as Paulus faith ; but
fome and the principal of them. I might joyn here many things out of our new writers, unlefs
what they fay, and more alfo were not to be found in Avicenna, whence they borrowed it.
Signs of broad Paulus gives us thefe notes of broad Worms: fometimes they abound in thofe that haveFea-
Worms. vers, and fometimes in thofe that have none. In Chronical difeafes they breed, gnawing the
ftomach, and caufing a greedy appetite. They eat the meat fo faft, that we need more, and if
it be not prefent, they bite fhrewdly ; the body growes lean and weak, and unequal. But the
moft certain fign is, that fome bodies like Gourd-feeds come forth with our excrements : fo
faith Taulus, and Aetius doth not differ from him, but that he faith, that they gnaw the ftomach
continually, and caufe an infatiable appetite, and that the meats eaten foon turn to excrements.
They that are affeded grow weak of body and fluggifh,and are alwaies hungry, for what is living
in the guts, when it hath confumed the meat, feeds on the body; but this fign will not fail us, if
fome things like Gourd-feeds be voided by ftool. The figns Hippocrates gives are thefe: He
writes after this fafhion : There is another kindeofthis, that comes forth like the white (havings
of the guts ; which hath thefe marks : The party voids feed like Cucumer-feed,and when he is falling
he is vexed, and fpits much, his liver "being affefted, fometimes not; and fometimes when this
vehemently affects his liver, it flops his fpeech, and he fpits much, and after that it flops: and
fometimes there is great pains in the guts, fometimes the fhoulders ake, and then it flops again.
Sometimes thefe are the figns of the broad Worms. He that is affe&ed with this Worm, is al-
moft alwaies in health, but when hegrowes weak, hecan hardly endure it, or be recovered. For
this broad Worm takes fome part of thofe things that go down into the ftomach, and if care be
taken it may be cured, but if not, the Worm will not come forth it felf, nor doth it kill a man,
Alcanlu. but growes old with him, &c. Afcarides are alwaies about the bottome of the belly as we faid,
and there they caufe a great itching almoft continually, as Paulus and Aetius have written; and
fometimes, as it is reported, they will make one faint. For that is {hewed by their name. For
they moving alwaies do continually exercife a man and tire him out. They that are troubled with
thefe, feel alwaies a heavinefs about their Procardia and backs. The figns of thefe are chiefly taken
from the filthy fmelling of the excrements. They that have Worms their eyes at firft fhine,
their cheeks are wan, in the night they have coldfweats, their mouth is pale, they ftartin their
flecp/m the day they are more feaverifh,their tongues and are dry lips,their breath commonly ftinks,
their face is pale, they naufeate and vomit often, they loath meat, they crafh their teeth, efpeci-
ally in the night, they put forth their tongues ("and they feem to eat) they are angry with thofe
than awake them, they fpeak ftrange words, fometimes they are in a lethargy, and pick ftraws, and
their heads ake, they cry out in their fleep, as the difeafe increafeth, their hearts beat exceeding-
ly, their voice is interrupted, their arteries beat weakly, fometimes in the height of their pain,
they are extended, and their mouth foraes as in the Epilepfie, their belly is fwoln like a Tympany ;
1112
C h a p. 33. Of lejjer living Creatures
Sometimes die pains abate, and again there follow torments, and Colftjtie pains, with alienterie
flux of the belly, fometimes they arecoftive, and the excrements are hard. Thefe are the figns of
Worms, now follow the Prognofticks. The Prognofticks are very neccffiry in ;ill difeales to know Pre !j.
what will be the event, and to know the condition of the patient lerves much for the cure, as
Hippocrates^ efpecially in his Prognofticks, hath abundantly fhewed ; who in the beginningof his
buokde prudent. Y.edico, hath delivered it: Efpecially foretelling here before the patient, things
prefent, paft,and to come, and what the fick have negle&ed, he is thought to underltand the con-
dition of the patient ; and hence it is that men wil better dare to truft the Phyfitian. But becaufe
it is difficult to forefee all this, unlefle we ufe fome artificial conjecture ( I call that an artificial con-
jecture, that comes very necr the truth) and who can eafily attain this, unlefle he have learned the
things that belong to the art, and remember them, and hath with all diligence exercifed himfclfin
the practice of it? The things wil be thus known. Ifaman fuppofe that there is any vital vertue
he muft know the difpofition of the patient in ftrength and weaknefle ; and when he is perfect in
thefe.he muft ftudy further to know all differences of difeafes in the greatnefie and manner of them,
and then to learn the foreknowledge of the future ftate. And when he hath learned all thefe, then
he muft exercife himfelf both in comprehending the magnitude of the difeafe by exact conjecture,
and the force of the patient, and how long they may laft. Now practife wil help him much in
this; and before he hath diligently learned all thefe, it wil no whit profit him to fee fick people :
wherefore they that profefle phyfick, proceeding in this method, fhal never undergo any difgrace,
neither in curing, nor foretelling of future events, which they report fome famous Phyfitians have
fallen into. Hence it may be collected why fome Phyfitians are more fortunate then others and
what a fraud that is, to call a Phyfitian more fortunate then another ; howabfurd that is, Galen and
Lrafiflratui havefhewtd ; faying, that a Phyfitian muft be exercifed in all thefe things in'hisminde,
andhemuft be diligent, and prudent by nature, that comparing all together, he may get a grofle
fumme of predictions, that fhal be ufeful for himfelf and for his patient. For fuch is the force of
prediction, that alwayes for the moft part, what the Phyfitian forefees wil come to pa ffe, where
the Phyfitian is perfect, and the fick doth not neglect his orders But becaufe, as it is evident, a
Phyficianby predictions may get immortality almoft, fo chiefly from thofe things that do belong
tothisaffect, he fhal win glory to himfelf, by telling thefick their condition, who for the molt
part are children 1 ,, or ignorant what their difeafe is. Since therefore Prognofticks are chiefly necef-
lary for this difeafe, I wil not fail to fet down what the Ancients have written of this difeafe. Tw-
ins a great follower of Galen, writes of thefe things to this purpofe. Worms bred at the beginning
of Feaversjhavethdr fubfiftencefrom the corruption in the body, about the ftate of the difeafe,
from the malignity rt be well < rder.d, lor
without that all helpsarem vain, for the prelcrving and repairing our health. For this is (o«fa-
nionvntid zlmoft the beft pait ofPhyfick, that that admirable Cow, Ce'fm Cam, Plny y avd al-
mott allthe old Phyficians, could never Rive it commendations enough. /tfclepiM formerly efteem-
ed it fo much, that he nlmoft took away the method of curing by Ph^ficK, and wholly turned
all curing upon diet. Now this eonlilts not only in the quantity and quality of meats and drinks,
but alio in all thofe things that befall us whether we will or no, as in deeping and waking, motion
and reft, asalfo in the repletion and emptinefle of the whole body and of every part, and in the
arfeftsof the minde, but chiefly in the Air that is about us, which not only fticks faft to us out.
wrdly, but continually enters into the inmoft parts of our body by the drawing in of our breath.
As lor 'what concerns thole things that we take, becaufe they arc Inch things that every m m
knows, 1 fliall fay nothing of them. For there is no man ignorant, that divers meats, and of ill
and naughty juice, and dilbrderly taken, will breed crudities, and that gluttony and drunkennefs
do our bodies gre'thurr, yet rmny kinde of meats, that are hurtful! in other difeafes, are profi-
table in rhele. Wherefore we (hall as it were befides our purpofe, and by the way touch upon
thefe, fir ft adding what ¥ aulas writes Let the meats of thofe that have Worms be of good juice,
that may eafily be difperfed.and paffe to the parts, and neither fofter the caufe, nor weaken out-
forces.
Wherefore we grant them wine mingled with water, and let them eat ofcenboth for their
need, and that the Worms may not gnaw them. If there be a fcownng of the belly, it is a fign that
many are bred, the meat being not difperfed ; and in that cafe Pears or Quinces muft be mingled
with our broths • Wheaten bread is a wonderfull help, having Annifeed mingled with it, or Fennel
or Salt; or bread that is between Bran and Wheat, called nvyth^Q- ^ b?caufe there are joyned
together in it, the Bran, the Hulls, and the Flour. Men call alio this bread Jvn'xvy*, becaufe all the
Wheat, without raking anything from it, is made into bread, Alfo the wheat it felf that the
meal is taken from mult be the belt, for fomc of thefe have much Bran, which is the courfer wheat,
but the finer wheat is the belt. But wine that is mingled with water, b?caufe it gently bindesjs held
to be very convenient. Mountain birds are fit for their meat, and young wood Pigeons, green
Groundlel, and Goats-beard, the broth of ll?ck Chiches, and Coleworts and Capers, and pickled
Olives eaten ; at d if there be no Feaver,let them eat their other meats with Muftard, alfo fowr and
oyly things are commended. Alfo Pani' k (which Diodes called the honey of Corn) is moll durable,if
fo be it may be reckoned amongft Corn. Alfo Spelt in the decoftbn of Myxie,and a Ptifane with a
great quantify of Oyl of unripe Olives befide< thefe jLupir.es.Cieffes, Betes, Mmrs,SmaIlage R 'ditty
a r d fawceeaten aregood. Give children before all meat, adecodion of Sebeftens With Mints.
Milk is very hurtful; as alfo Fifh, and Pulfe, and whatfoever is of a co!d groffe fubftance, and hard
tobedigefted. Bread unleavened breeds Worms, for it is good for no man, and fo are all moyft
meats, that eafily turn to corruption within.
For all kinde of Worms it is moft convenient to ufe abftinence from fuch things ssbreed them .
And when they are b'ed, it is good to ear often a little at a time ; and thatisbcft, when they
le.iveotT gnawing. But thofe that have Afcaridesmuft eat meats of good juice, and of eafie d:-
geffion, that the force of them may not reach fo farre as the right gut. For the matter ft to breed
them is fo confumed. Thus far for meats and drinks to be taken. Bat the other fivektndes that
are not fo manifeft, dial be handled by us alfo with all brevity. And we fiial begin from deep. It
muft not be too little nor too much, and in the nighc rather than in the day, at leaft two hours
after meat. Moreover, to be long idle is naught, let exercife precede meats, and reft after meats.
Nor is every motion to be taken lor exercife, but that which makes us breath more ; unielle it be
when we have taken PhyPck againft Worms; for then we muft ride or run, to lhake our bodies ;
for they are more eafily caft forth by hard exercife or labour: but children will hardly obferve
thefe rules. Ore alfo muft be had. that the belly may twice be unburdened, and if that will not
do of it felf, wemuftufe a Suppoficory or Clyfter to provoke it, madeof fuch ingredients that
are fit for this purpofe. All affediens of the minde whatever they be, muft be fee afide, as quar-
relling, anger, forrow great cares, and thoughts, f.adr.efie, fears, envy, and all fuch kinde of pertur-
bations, ar.d chiefly after meat. For thefe change and turn the body from its natural ftatc. Let
men beware of cold North wir.des, and let them not go barefoot. The air becaufe it alwayes
is about us, cannot be chofen at our pleafure : for it is fometimts a defence for us, and fomctimes
the caufe that makes Worms, or fofters them : Itwil be a defence if it be very hot, and Vy, pure,
clear, and calm; and itwil chiefly fofter the difeafe, when it is verycosd, or moyft, or moved by
the North or South winde, or by too great heat, diffolves our forces, and then by arc it muft be
thus prepared : To burn in our Chambers wood of Juniper tree or of Citrons, or Peach-trees, and
fuch wood as is againft Worms. Alfo to perfume the place with tops of Worm-wood, Peach-tree
leaves, Citron pills, roots of Pomegranace.crees, alfo with Fern, and Ivy. But that is the beft chat
is made with Myrrhe, and Aloes,. Another remedy that fuccoun the fainting fpirirs, by rea.'on of
Worms- Amber grceee two penny-weight, Mus.k one peny weight Gum Arab ck. lour peny-
weight, Rofes, Sandcr«, Cloves, Privet, Frankincenfe, of each one peny-weight GiVia Mokbuta
fo called, fix peny-weight, L : gnum Aloes burnt to a cole twenty peny- veight, the quenched coles
of Vine-branches, what is fufficienc, make them up with Rofe Vinegar Worms
,114
C h a p. 5 Of leffer living Creatures. 1115
Worms are ofc-times exafperated with vehement remedies, that they bring children to Con- A , encra | Cu rc
vulfions, fwoundmgs, and deaih; whereforethey arc not rafhly to be given, and at all adventures. f Worms."
But becaufe that remedies by reafon of their different qualities are thought to be good to kill end
bring forth Worms, therefore in general, fuch remedies as heat, drie, cut, and are (harp, bitter,
fait, or fowr,and attenuating, are to be ufed. For either they kill the Worms by their fliarpnefle,
or bring them forth by their bitternefle, or they allure them to come forth, or elfe they arc known
to be good to bring them forth by the loofenefle that followes. They are brought forth 'tis likely
at once, by fuch fupping means as make the paflages flippery, or by fome effectual quality, that is
namelefle. There are fome cool remedies that effectually drive forth Worms, and fome by a hidden
quality, as fhavings of Harts-horn. But thofe things are belt that kill the Worms, for fo long as
they are alive they are an occafion of mifchief. And they are hardly driven forth when they arc
killed, wherefore theymuftbe drawn forth by Clyftersj otherwife they fend a filthy virulent va-
pour tothebrain, and likewifej inflame the body, and hurt the appetite and concoction. Butbe-
caufe Worms happen moft to children, who arc hard to be dealt withall, I thought it not fit to
conceal that wonderful way that Pcutu mentions, whereby Aloes, and certain broths are given to
them >y way of fuppings. A certain Cooks Inftrumcnt or fpoon that is called (a^ f v Onbafi-
deco&ionof Hyfop drank, or the herb it felf licked up with Honey. So Calaminth kills Afcaridcs, Paulm,
and other Worms, if it be drank with fait and honey, or if it be eaten raw or boyled,or the Aetlus '
juice of it given in a Clyfter, or drank. Alfo the decoction of Thyme, or Rue boyled and drank
with Oyl forceth them our. Alfo wine of Cedar, and the liquor of Cedar it felf. Unripe oylof
Olives, if it be drank plentifully, for it is prefled out unripe for children. Juice of Oenanth hath
the fame operation, as oyl of unripe Olives. But the beft thing againft VVorms are fweet Apples
called St. Johns Apples, for they loofen the belly, and drive out the VVorms ; which by what fa-
culty they can do it, (being they are fweet, and of a honey taftc, from whence they borrow their
name, and fincefo they ftiould rather feed VVorms) is perhaps, becaufe by this meat the belly is
made loofe, and the VVorms follow; and the VVorms that otherwife would ftay within, by the
force of the excrements, as Fifhes in a torrent are carried away, when in Summer great rainsfall,
and fo are they carried downward. For Viofcoridef lib. i.wp. de Melimela, faith that thofe Apples
make the belly foluble; Alfo the feed of Coleworts, efpecially that which growes in E^pt, drank,
drives forth VVorms, namely, becaufe the temper of it is drier, and more wilde. The fame is
done by Oyl of Palma Cbrifii drank. Myrrhc alfo by its bitternefle both kills and drives them forth.
Thedecodion of Elecampane, Squils taken with Vinegar and Honey, but the Squils muft be firft
rofted, or otherwife it is held to be moft pernicious to the entrails. Alfo they ufc to give againft all
VVorms the decoction of the root of Capers in honey and vinegar. And Viofcoridef lib. q.cap.i. writes,
that .the herb caJled fmall Turn-foih drank with the feed, adding thereto Nitre, Hyfop, Creffes,
and water,wil force out all forts of VVorms, long and flat. But /Ww,unlefs there bean error in the
Prefs .reckons Cardamomum for Creffes,/^.; ci. Rocket-feed in wine,wil drive out all living Crea-
tures-
The Theater of Infers :or, B o o k 1 1 #
tures bred iti the body. Alfo feven or five Earth-worms drank with fweec wine, wil drive ouc
all ktnde of Worms: Bitter Almonds and the Oyl is good. Agarick with Honey, but it purgeth
with trouble ; for it is hurtful to the ftomach, by making it flippery and loofe. Storax fwallowed
with Roiin of Turpentine : Aloes drank in cold water or milk, the fame drank in a decodion min-
gled with Honey, brings them forth without trouble. The feed of Tithyrnalor the juice of it
about five drops mingled with Figs or Dates. The leaves of Agnus Caftus, Poiypode, Charne-
pythe, Centaury the leffe, bruifed and drank with Vinegar. Alfo one peny weight of the root of
the fame drank in three Cyathiof wine, doth help. Horehound with Wormwood and Lupins,
boyled in water and Honey, of each alike, and with wineapplyed twice or thrice, kills all Worms in
the belly : Coitus by its bitterneffe, with water kills all Worms. But Viofccrides lb. r. writes that
it drives out only broad Worms, with water and honey ; which place Marccllut interpreting, blots
out that word [and honey] as put in amiffc, for this reafon, becaufe it is contrary, and feems not to
agree with the cure for Worms. For faith he, they areraifed and nourifhed by fweet things, and
belly Worms arc not driven forth by them, unleffe perhaps Honey mult be therefore added, that
they being deceived by the fweetneffe of it, they may take in the bitter Coitus in greater quan-
tity, asweufe to do in curing children, when we give them bitter or ftrong potions, we cover
them with fome fweet favour, or pleafant fmell. In which bufineffe he feems to feeka knot in a
Bpll-rufh (as we read in the Comedy.) and yet he confeffeth it to be otherwife. For whether the
word Honey be read in Viofcorides or not (for I am not yet certain of it, nor bath Kuellm fet it down)
it is fufficient that bitter Medicaments, ( fuch as Coitus are, and fuch like) were given alwayes
almoft by Viofcorides ^P liny, Galen, and others, for to cure Worms, with fweet things, and chiefly
with Honey, or Mcde, or Oxymel, for the fame reafon that Mareellus mentioned!, lib. 4. cap. 57.
which Paulus added in thefe words. Becaufe fome men oft times refnfe bitter potions, as having an
ill tafte, of thefe thing herein comprehended, they fhd not give any that are manifeftly bitter,
but mingled with fome fweet thing, as he faid a little before, that all thefe medicaments muft be
mingled with Honey or Oxymel, and fo given to drink : Or as Lucretius faith, that the improvi-
dent Age of young people may be deceived, or elfe may be able to take it, being enticed by (uch a
tafte. For children moft commonly are fubjed to Worms. Therefore nothing hinders but that
the word Honey fhould be added, as Mar cell us himfelf teftifies, if we read him in fome old Copies.
Cold Simples Likewife a Cantharis bruifed, and drank with a Briony root, drives forth Worms, as Cakn writes,
againft lib. de compf.lberiaces. Of cold things, the juice of Moufe-ear, with Ale, of each one Cyathus.
Worms. Groundfel eaten, the juice of Plantain, efpecially when the belly is loofe, given one fpoonful or a
fmall meafure to drink, and the herb it felf bruifed, laid to the navel. Coriander feeds with , the
juice of Pomegranates and Oyl deftroy the Worms in the guts, or drank with fweet wine. Hoc
things, as boyled Beets, taken with raw Garhck, by the Nitrous qualitv it hath, brings them forth,
but the juice is hurtfull. A Pomegranate bruifed, and boyled in three Heminae of wine tooneHe-
mina, drives forth Worms, takes away the pain, and the juice of the root one dram and half
weight, will kill them. Sumach of Syria will do the fame, and the feed of Orache. Our new writers
adde, that it is manifeft by experience, that the fharpeft Vinegar drank when we go to bed will
drive out the Worms. But amongft thofe things that prevail much is CoraV'ma, fo called, which
being powred or mingled with Honey or Oxymel, or drank with Honey-wine, doth wonderfully
kill Worms, or drive them out half dead. This took its name from the likeneffeof Corall, fince
both of them grow in the water, and for fixty years almoft it hath been ufedto good purpofc to
drive forth Worms ; if I be not miftaken, this is that which Viofiorides lib. 4 and G*Un call (ip'or fa-
xcflvor, that is, Sea-moffej and if that they did not attribute to it the fame force we do to drive
forth Worms, as we fee in CoraUina,at they call it, I fhalnot therefore think that it is any thing
elfe, befides Diofcorides and Galens favov: For the Antientsdid not know the venues of all Simples,
for the true nature of each cannot be found out by any other way than by its effeds in phyfick.
A mighty work and fecrct from God, than which there can be no greater found out Alio many
things are found now adayes that were.not found out in our forefathers dayes; and no wonder,
fince thefe experiments are made by Countrey-men, and fuch as are ignorant of learning, who
commonly live only where they grow, befides the negligence of feeking, when there are fo many
Phyficiansat hand every where. Alfo many things are found out that want names: To this we
may adde the uncertain way of finding out ; for in things that are found, fome were joundbychar.ee,
faith Pltny 3 lih. 25. c-jp. 2. others were revealed by God. But the fouleft caufeof this rarity is, that they
who know things will not difcover them, as if they fhould quite lofe what they acquaint others
with. They are as envious indeed as thofe are who either fuppreffe the monuments of Antiquity,
or elfe utterly deroolifh them ; whu h they for that end, that what is written by the Ancients may
be attributed to themfelves, or if they have delivered any famous matter, they that write other
mens opinions will let that be loft. But if there be any that will contend, and fay it cannot be that
they fhould be ignorant that Sea-moffe was good to drive forth Worms, to thofe Ianfwer,thac
the Ancients did not commit to writing all the natures of Simples that they knew. For we know
many of the precepts of Pythagoras and Socrates-, which yet cannot be known out of their Books,
becaufe they wrote none. And Pluto though he left fo many Books in writing, yet befides thofe
hew/rote, his followers take many things for his that he never put in writing. Nor hath that
i2ft/or growing in every place, as they report, the fame faculty, but the Apothecaries in fome cer-
tain places of Italy fl(Ji for it 3 and they fell it under the name of CoraVina. But let this fu/fice.
This
Ch a p. 33. Of lejfer living Creatures,
This is rather to be enquired into, why, being that Corailina taftsfalt, Viofcondes, Pliny, Galen,
and others report i t to have a cooling faculty, when as it is known that alJ fait tilings arc hot,
and earthly, not unlike to bitter things that are hot ? Whether it be, becaufe the lea-water is
fait, yet hath in it a great deal of potable water (as Arifiotle hath fuffkiently demonstrated it)
and therefore by that it is the lefs hot ? Or elfe becaufe it contains in it much earth, and fo it is
drier and thicker ? But fuch things as growinthe fea, muft needs be of the fame faculty with
it. Becaufe therefore that Sea-mofle growesin the fea, Viojco'rides and others attribute to it a
thitkning quality, butas it contains in it much water fit to drink; and as it is of an earthly
quality, by that it cools. Laftly all that are troubled with Worms, arc helped with the fmell
of the hair of Ichneumon (they call it an Indian rat) as Paulas writes.
Thejuyce of Houfleek drank in Wine, will drive out of the belly roundworms.- Worm- .
wood Wine drank doth the fame. The herb of great Turnfoil drank with its feed, adding there- f a n "hu
unto Nitre, Hyfop, Creffes, and water, will call them forth. The root of female Fern, bring forth
3 drams drank in Wine, will force out the round and broad Worms of the belly, as Rueffiut Worms roun^
and Marcellus, who interpreted Dh\eoridei t do both affert. But Galen faith that it kils not Afarides, and
round Worms, but Afcandes and broad Worms, for fohe writes, lib. Ihexapm. method, cap. 14. tloacl Worms.
But Wormwood can deftroy round Worms, broad Worms require more ftrong helps, as Fern
is, and fo doth that Worm the Greeks call Iheophraflm was of this opinion, who writes
that female Fern mingled with Honey is good againft broad Worms of the belly,' if it be min-
gled with Honey; and for Afcarides, in fweet Wine. For fo hefets it down: Female Fern itgeod
againfi broad Worms and [mall oms: againft broad ones mingled with Honey, but againft fmsllones
in fweet Wine. It is certain that Afcarides both are, and are called fmall Worms. More-
over, Galen lib de fimpl. Medic, facult. 8. afcribes the fame vertue to the female Fern, that
the male hath. Now Pliny writes that the female will kill only broad Worms and not
round. Plin%iih. hifi. 27. e.g. And again, that both, (that is, both male and femalej will
drive forth Worms of the belly, broad Worms with Honey, the reft with fweet Wine drank
for three daies, and he excludes neither round Worms nor Afcarides. But Galen in one place
excludes both round Worms and Afcarides j and tn another place he writes that it will de-
ftroy Afcarides with broad Worms. What now (hall we fay, where Authors are of fo many
different opinions? {hall we fay that female Fern will kill all Worms in the belly? For G*.
len afcribes the fame virtue to it he doth to the male, but that efpecially it kils broad Worms,
and in the next place Afcarides, which being at the bottome of the belly, require a ftronger
remedy, as Fern is, that the force of it may come fo far. But fince it can drive forth broad
Worms and Afcarides, that are more feldome, and the one is in the guts, the other fartheft
from the ftoraach, it will far fooner deftroy round Worms that lie in the upper guts. Galen
therefore will not fight with himfelf in this, for it fufficeth ifit will kill broad Worms, and if
it can deftroy them, it can more eafily deftroy Afcarides, and eafieft of all round Worms. But
Pliny, as whobeft of all knew that, faith it will drive out the reft alfo, ( that is, both round
Worms and Afcarides). But that he faith fo is manifeft out of Paulw^ lib. c. 58. who in
his method of curing round and broad Worms, mentions, Fern: which yet all men agree is
moft properly ufed to drive forth broad Worms. Aoicenn. 16. Tertii trail. 5. c. 4. fhewes
this moft clearly in thefe words : The medicint that kjl) Afcarides are ftronger than thofe that kjll
lorg Wonns ; and thofe things that kjUlong Worms and Afcarides will alfo kjll broad Wormt. Gith or
Nigella not only eaten but laidin a plaifter to the belly, or anointed on the navil with water,
brings them forth. In which place we muft note Marcellus, who faith it will drive forth broad
Wormsand not round: but liueUiu* interprets this by the contrary. If Marcellus have done
right, I leave other men to judge, this is certain that Galen is of Rueltiut rainde, who hath writ-
ten only that it will kill VVorms; and as I faid before, it is taken generally for round Worms.
TauluszxxA Aetinsy agree with Rurflius, who in their curative method for roundworms, often
fpeak of Gith, buE never for broad Worms. Wormwood called Santonicum, of it felf or
boyled with R;ce, adding Honey to it, will kill Worms. The feeds of Nettles bruifed, or of
Coleworts or Cummin, with water, or Mines with it, or Hyfop with Honey and water or Creffes-
feed bruifed with Vinegar, kils them. Celfus I. 4. c. 17. Onbaftui hb. ad Ennipium filium, hath
written that Calamint, Cardamom, Lupins, and the powder of them in drink, or with Honey by
way of Elc£tuary,or given in Pofca to drink, are fufficient to. kill round Worms Alfo the
leaves and buds of the Peach-tree bruifed, and laid upon the belly can do as muclT; alfo Mints
in drink and Sorrel. Purflain boyl'd, thejuyce of Succory, or the decodion of Sebeftens, or
the Sebeftens themfelves boyl'd and eaten are very good. Alfo the afhes of burnt Harts-horn
is thought very effe&ual for thisufe, efpecially of that which growes on the right fide of the
Stags head. It is burnt thus: Break the Harts-horn, and put it into a new earthen Crucible,
and lute it well, put it into the furnace and let it burn till it be white. S-cribonim Largm,c. 141.
gives it thus : Harts-horn, faith he, rafpt with a workmans rafp, with water of Sebeftens
boyled, give 4 or 5 fpoonfuls of it, which were foked the day before in 3 cyathi, then bruife
and give it, adding the water to it. An Oxe fhank burnt, and drank with Milk, drives out
round Worms, faith Galen. Cofius with water drives forth broad Worms of the belly. Gaien
de com. Iher. ad Pif Cardamom, Garlick eaten. The leaves of female Fern taken with Ho-
ney in a Lohock. But the root of the mafc 3 drams with Honey-water drank, will drive
C c c c c them
I1I7
xll 8 The Theater of Infers: or. Book II,
them forth, but better, if it be given with lb many oboli ot Scammony,or black Hellebore. Al-
io the root of white Chamaeleon, drank a fawcer full, for which ufe it is drank with (harp
Wine and the decodion of Origanum. Walnuts eaten largely, che pill of the Mulberry-root
boyled in water and drank; befides that it loofnech the belly, it will force out broad Worms;
alfo the decoction of Pomgranate roots drives them outandkils them. The decoction of Pom-
granatepils can do as much. The root of wilde Buglofs a fawcer full, with Hyfop and Carda-
mom drank, doth the like. Ruelliut the Interpreter of Viojcorides, feemsto have followed Pau-
lut, who fay that with Hyfop and Cardamom s but Marcehs faith, with Hyfop and Creffes
drank, it will drive forth broad Worms, what was kid before of Turnfoil. Marcellut feems here
to follow Galen lib. 6. de ftmp fac. who writes that a fawcer full of it is good drank with
Hy fop and CrelTes. But the juyce of Cedar kils Afcarides, and fo doth Calamine, the juyce
of it being drank or given in a Clyfter. The decodion of Wormwood, mingled with oyl and
given Clytter-wife, and the decodion of the leffer Centory given with Salt-peter and Honey,
hath the fame force, or the decodion of the wilde Gourd, of wilde Saffron, if the right inte-
ftine were firft emptied with fharp pickle. The root of female Fern drank for three daies in
3 drams of Wine, drives forth Afcarides. Alfo old Hogs greafe put into the Anus, is excellent
good.
The methodi- Both Paulus and Aeum teftifie that Feavers commonly accompany round Worms, and we
cal Cure f found it true by daily experience. When therefore there is a Feaver, fometimes we mull take
r £- U fl d Worms »care to cure the Feaver and the Worms, and fometimes taking little care for the Feaver, we
pJm/w and° f mu ^ ^ rive 10 drive the WLrmsout °f the belly. For many that have negleded them have died
AetiHt. torn and eaten up by them, andfomefay they have feen them come forth at the groins. But
we muft firft kill them all, and then drive them forth ; they are killed chiefly with bitter things.
When therefore thecureis common both to the Feaver and the Worms, the morefimple reme-
dies are convenient, and where the difeafe is uncercain we muft ufe things thac are more milde.
For the Feaver is exafperated with ftrong remedies if we fhould be miftaken; but when we are
certain how the matter is, we muft wait tor the times of the difeafe. For about the firft daies,
and the rather if they fhould appear then, we muft ufe ftronger remedies. But thofe that ap-
pear when the difeafe declines, are more eafily cured, and the better if there be no inflammations
or tenfionsof the bowels. As Hippocrates faith well, lib. Aph. i.eof. 24. In acute difeafe but fel-
dome, and that at the beginning we [muft ufe purging Medicaments; and this muft be done with
premeditation, forthefe fwell moft, and are agitated as 'tis often feen, and therefore about the
beginning of thofe difeafes, we may ufe fharper means with profit, but there muft be much cau-
tion, and premeditation ufed therein. Firft examining whether the patient can endure fuch re-
medies, ai d be prepared rightly for them, and whether we may expeda right Crifis by giving
them. For there isnofmall danger in an acute difeafe, as the ficknefs of Worms is, to ufe fharp
remedies, becaufe all fuch meaus are potentially hot. Therefore they that fuffer inflamations
and extenfions, muft have Cataplafmsof Lin feed, with the likequantity of meal of Lupins min-
gled, orelfemoift fomentations of oyl ofCamomil, W ? ine, tops of Wormwood, and Aloes laid
to their Praccordia ; but where moderate Feavers moleft, give children before all meats, the de-
codion of Myxato-drink, or give them the Sebeftens themfelves to eat with Mints. For the'e
• things wonderfully help thofe are troubled with Worms, either becaufe, faith Serafion, they
ftick byreafon of their fweetnefs to them, or elfe thefeare fo glutinous, that they cannot be
parted from them, and fo muft come forth with them. For Myxa are very clammy, that in
Syria the belt birdlime is made of them called Damask-birdlime : wherefore becaufe by their
clamminefs they bring forth Worms, if they trouble the ftomach, they muft be given by the
mouth; but if they be in the belly and guts, by clyfter : but to fuch as are come to ripe years,
ftronger remedies may be given, as the decodion of Wormwood or Southernwood, or the force
of the rootfofthe fowr Pomgranat boyled to thirds, alfo three ; fcruples of wafht Aloes is given,
which is the moft commendable remedy for thofe that are ftrong: alfo we ufe unwafht Aloes,
and both, if they be feaverifh, and but three moneths old. Earth-worms with boyled fweet
Wine may be given confidently ; but if they will not drink fweet wine,give them with water and
honey, or as you think fk,fearing nothing, not defpifing the meannefs of it, give 5 or 7. But if it
be not a naked fufpicion, but a certain k»ow!edge that there be. Worms, and that a proper cure
belongs to them, then you muft lay on Cataplafms with Lupins meal boyled in fweet Wir.-e, to
which alfo fometime a root of Briony muft be added. In the mean time anoint the navil well
with Buls gall, or Gith bruifed with womans Milk, or with Wormwood, or Southernwood, or
Briony mixed with fat old Figs : anoint all the Spina dorfi with Deer-fuet, and cover the upper
belly with a Cerate made of Wormwood andpt and
Itrengthned; we mull therefore addtofuch Cataplafms as ferve to Hop other fluxes, fuch things
as we faid to be good againlt Worms, and that caufe no fluxes, fuch as are Wormwood, Southern-
wood, Santonicum ; alio Pomgranate pils, Acacia, Hypoaltis, Balaultia, and the like, with raw
Barley-meal. Alfo Cerats laid on muft be made of thefe. Alfo fuppings mult be uied amongit
all which the juyceof Piantain is belt ; and the dry Plantain, for it is good both againlt the flux
and the Worm . Furthermore the Wine of the Pomgranate prefled forthwith fliell and all
helps exceedingly. But for naufeating that arifethfrom Worms, and gnawing of the llomach,
a grain of Salt held in the mouth, and melted and fwallowed down, profits wonderfully, for it
fhould feem the tartnefs of it,makes them prcfently fall down. But if a hickop arife from the fame
caufes, pils are good, that have the juice of Ridder-fpin, Wormwood, Santonicum. Water-mints,
Scordium,of each four penny weight, boyl them to the thicknefs of Honey, then add fifty penny
weight of powdered Aloes, and make pils of all, and fwallow a penny weight, for this will take
away the hickop, and kill the Worms. But if from the Feaver or filthy vapours arifing from
Worms, or the fumes ofMedicaments (as molt ofthofeare that aregiven againlt Worms) rife
to the head, fo that there be great pain thereof, then anoint the forepart of the head, the
forehead and temples with oyi of Rofes, or the juice of Acacia, or of Hypociftis mingled with it,
for it is molt effectual. Others lay on leaven with a little Saffron and Vinegar, on thefe parts
being anointed: for this cures all intemperate fleep, and other perverfe affe&s. But amongft Compound iiv'
thofe men call Syrups, fyrup of Wormwood, Calamine or Horehound are commended ; or make r e rnal RtTTlc --
one thus: Take juyce of Mints, Elecampane root, Wormwood, Rue, purified, for it is taken ^ fS ^^'J^
the fediment being calt away, of each of them hafa hemina inwheight; of the juyce of Succo- \Ho\a\% ° U
ry and Grafs, of each of them feven cyathi in weight, infufe in thele torrefied Harts-horn, Su-
mach, Purflain feed, and flowers of wilde Pomgranates, ftrain the decodion and make up all with
Sugar, or the pureft Honey of Athens. Another: Take Southernwood, Calamint eight penny
weight, Horfe mints, Elecampane- root frefh, fix penny weight, boyl them in water to a thiffd
part : this deco&ionis given with fyrup of Wormwood, or Oxymel of Squils. Alfo Worm-
wood-wineismuch commended for thefe ufes, buc it is made divers waies, for fome let down
Celtick nard 40 drams bound in a linnen clout, into a meafure of new Wine, and after 40 daies
they ftrain it. Ochers carta pound of Wormwood into 20 fextarii of fvveet Wine, and a fixth
part of Pitch, Rofin, and after ten daies they ftrain it, and lay it up for ufe. A fyrup againlt
Worms, with a Feaver and the fymptomes: Takefixteen penny weight of Grafs-roots, Purilain-
feed, fowr Dock, of each eight penny weight, ten iebeftens, boyl all to thirds, to thefe add the
juyceof Pomegranates, and Oranges, or fowr Wine, of each one and half cyathus in weight, as
much of juyce of garden Succory, the belt Sugar what may fuffice,boyl them to a fyrup: you
may give Infants half an ounce, and young children one ounce without danger. A Julep that
fball "help thofe are affected with Worms: Take Dittany of Crete, Gentian Zedoary, Arabian
Coitus, one penny weight, feeds of Coleworts, Dill, Wormwood, Purflain, of each alike as
much; water of Mints, Wormwood, Grafs, of each half a hemina weight, boyl them to thirds
and ftrain them, to thefe add of the belt Sugar twenty penny weight. But in a Feaver you may
give the deco&ion in water, or Grafs-roots, Wheat, Barley, of each fifteen penny weight, to a
large quantity to drink. Another molt effedual and very fweet : Diltilled water of Sorrel,
Rofes, Grafs, garden Endive, Buglofs, juyce of Pomgrarates, of each on hemina weight, feeds of
Pjrflain, Orach, Sumach, Citrons, of each three penny weight; Coriander-feed, Myrtle-berries,
wilde Smallage, of each two penny weight, feeds of fowr Dock, Coleworts, Cummin, of each the
fame weight ; red Rofes, Tormenti!, Barberies, of each two penny weight, fo much weight of
Balaultia, five penny weight of the afhes of burnt Harts-born, white Dittany of Crete eighc
pennyweight; the Ihels of Mulberry-roots barked Fern-roots, of each two penny weight, ten
Sebeltens, one pennyweight of red Coral, white Sugar what may fuffice, make a Julep- But
the molt'prefent remedy of all is that the Apothecaries call commonly Diaturpetbum, but chiefly
with Rhubarb, three drams ofit being fwallowed down; which being it is proved by long ex-
perience, fo it hath alfo great reafon for it, that it fhould be preferred before all other reme-
dies. For children enticed by the fweetnefsof the Antidote, will take it down willingly, and the
Rhubarb kils the Worms, and the parts are Itrengthned by it. The Turpeth drives them from
their nefts, and the reft of the ingredients do not only make it pleafant but harmlefs, fo that it is
molt fweet, harmlefs and ftrong all at once : it is made thus : Take white Sanders and red, Violets,
Ginger, of each two penny weight ; Annifeed, Cinnamon, Saffron, Miftick of Chius, each one
pennyweight; Myrthita, which the Apothecaries call Turpeth, eight penny weight ; Rhubarb,
ten penny weight, Scammonyas it is ufually prepared, four penny weight, the pureft Sugar 190
penny weight, make up all with tha' and make Troches (as the Greeks call them from theform)
each three drams weight, where you have need of them, give one for this difeafe. Another An-
tidote: Take Rhubarb, Saffron, Scammony, Wormfeed, Dittany of Crete, each two penny
weight, the belt Sugar eighty penny weight, make them up with Grafs-water, and make Tro-
ches; one pennyweight of this is given to Infants without danger,being diffolvedinGrafs-water-
The powder I ufe is good, and a powder thus prepared : Take Rhubarb, Agarick, Germander,^
1120
The Theater of Infe&s: or, B o o k 1 1.
of each two pennyweight, Sea-raofs four penny weight, Wormfeed and Purflain- feed of each two
penny weight, unwafhed Aloes fix penny weight, give a fcruple of this or two oboli in Wine to
children fately. Sometimes all thefe are bruifed and fitted and made into pils with the juyce
of Wormwood or Mints, and three of thera are fwallowed down. Another for the fame by ano-
ther Author: Take Harts-horn burnt, the lefs Centory, Mints, Penniroyal, Water-mints, Worm-
wood, Santonicum, Germander, Lupins, of each four penny weight,bring all to very fine powder
and give it with Milk, Vinegar, or Oxymel, or any way. Another of tbemrr Writers that is approved:
Take Rhubarb, Coriander-leed, Bafil-ieed, Plantain, Pomgranate pils, Carway-feeds, Sumach, of
each i?wo penny weight, Carduus Benedidus feed, (havings of Harts-horn, and of Ivory,of each
eight penny weight, the bark of the roots of Mulberries pill'd, Colewort-feeds, Citron Apple-
feeds, bark of Willowes, of each fix penny weight, Purflain-leed, Dittany of Crete, four penny
weight of each, Pearls, red Coral, of each two penny weight, dry them and bring them to fine
powder: one or two drams of this with Wine in winter, and where there is no Feaver, or with
Oxycrate in fummer or to thofe that are in a Feaver is fafely given. An Antidote that kils
Worms, dimimfheth a Feaver, and helps againft pains of the heart: Take Wormfeed, Sea-mofs,
feed ofwilde Smallage, Harts-horn burnt white, of each alike, infufethem all three daies in Vi-
negar, wherein let thefe things firftboyl, Purflain-feed, Sorrel-feed, Sumach, Coriander, Cole-
wort-feed, and a little Myrrhe; then dry them, and add to them Orange feeds two parts,
Citron-feeds one part, make them up with Sugar diffolved in the Wine of Pomgranates, and
make morfels, to which you may add fome little Cinamon and Musk. But becaufe it hath been
feen oft-times that Medicaments outwardly applied have done much good againft Worms, it is
r , but reasonable that I fhould fee down the manner of them : For by thefe we not only defend
MnwEdica." our bodies, but alfo we kill the Worms and drive them out de.d : wherefore this mayfuffice
mem$ againft that hath : Lupin- meal, lefs Centory, leaves of Peach-tree and Horehound, bruife them with
Worms. pofca and lay them to the belly. Amther tryed by our newer Phyfttians : Take the lefs Centory
boyledinthe oylof Peach-kernels, anoint the Navil with this ,and it will drive forth the Worms.
Another: Toft Barly-bread, and infufeit in Vinegar, then prefs it out, and infufe it again in the
juyce of Peach- leaves, lay it on warm to the belly with a linnen clout. Others mingle Lupine
meal. Southernwood and Buls gall. Again : Take Lupine-meal, Centory the lefs, of each four
penny weight, Aloes, Buls gall, of each 4 oboli, make them up with juice of Wormwood,
and laid to children very young. Another: Take Wormwood, Gith, afhes of Harts- horn, of
each a like quantity, mingle them with Honey and anoint them. Another good for the fiomach, that
kils Worms , and is good again/I the belly flux: Take Wormwood, Mints, Rofes, Santonicura, Lupin-
meal, of each eight penny weight, tofted bread, in'ufed in the fharpeft vinegar four penny
weight, Buls gall fixteen penny-weight, Mountain nard. Water-flag, (Gallia called Mofchata)
Cloves, fweet Cane, Nutmeg, Galanga, Carway-feed, of each twelve penny weight ; Hippocyftis,
Acacia, Sumach, of each four penny weight, oylof Myrrhe, juyce of Mints, and Wax what fuf-
ficeth, make a plaifter. If there be no Feaver, the navil and thighs are to be anointed with Ho-
ney, in a hot affeft with Milk, and then a little Aloes is ftrevved on, for it wonderfully kils Worms,
alfo the noftrils are profitably anointed with Theriac and Vinegar. A Cerate againft Worms
cut o/Paulus : Take Aloes, Wormwood, Lupin-meal, Seriphium, Gith, of each fix fcru pies, Wax
an ounce and half, oylof Camomel what may luffice, make them up being bruifed dry with Buls
gall. Another out of Aetius : Lupin-meal, VVormwood in powder, Barley in fine powder, of
each leven penny weight; Buls gall, eight penny weight; rafping of Harts-horn, four penny
weight; VVax, twenty fix penny weight; weak oyl, twelve penny weight. Another approved :
Take Aloes half an ounce, Saffron two oboli, juyce of Pomecitrons as many drams, mingle them
with fweet white Wine, and apply them to the heart. Another approved : Take Buls gall, 30 pen-
ny weight, choife Frankincenfe 128 penny weight, Strong-water 2 heminae, diftil all thefe chy-
mically and in aglafs veffel covered with VVax, keep what comes forth, and ufeit whenocca-
fionis. Another very excel'ent-, that kils and cap forth the Worm: Take Wormwood, Gentian,
Centory the lefs, bark of the roots of Mulberies, Bay-berries witb the kernels taken forth, bark
of the roots of the Pomgranate-tree, Afh-root pils, of each 16 penny weight; Marjoram 14
pennyweight; Southernwood Aloes, Myrrhe, Agarick, of each 12 penny weight, Dittany of
Crete, Germander, Savin, of each 8 penny weight ; Poly-mountajn, Grafs-roots, each 10 penny
weight; Stxchas, Chamaedrys, Chamoepity, Pomecitron-feed, each 6 penny weight; afhes of
Harts-horn, Santonicum, 4 penny weight, Coloquintida-feed, 2 penny weight, Buls gall 24
penny weight, the fharpeft Vinegar 1 hemina and 3 cyathi, a gallon of bitter oyl of unripe
Olive?, and 6 hemina? ; let the dry things be beaten into moft fine powder, and mingle them
ten daies together, on the eleventh day let them boyl in a double veffel until the Vinegar be
confumed; when thefe are cold, add one hemina of oyl of Bayes, bitter Almonds, and Peach-
kernels, of each beaten 24 pennyweight; all thefe, as the former, muft be put into a glafs vef-
fel, and be diftilled. Another moft excellent and fure : Take Peach-kernels, Garlick, Earth-worms
wafhed in Vinegar, of each 24 penny weight; Gentian, Dittany of Crete, Grafs-roots, and Pio-
ny, pils of Mulberry roots pilled, of each 52 pennyweight, Saffron, fweet Cane, Cloves, Aloes,
Calbanes, Coloquintida, Ginger, Nutmegs, Caflia, long Pepper, Frankincenfe, fruit of Balfome,
red Coral, of each 8 penny weight; the beft Theriack 12 penny weight, Mints, Wormwood,
Centory the Lefs, Peach-tree leaves, headed Leeks, Penniroyal, Calamints, Plantain, Rue, black
Hore-
Chap. 33. Of leffer living Creatures. 1121
Horehound, Bay-leaves, Sage, Marjoram, Betony, Scordium, Orange-pils, and bark of Mul-
berry roots, ofeach 1 6 penny weight j feeds of wilde Smallage, Pbrflain, Rad:fh, Colcworts,$an-
tonicum, Plantain, headed Leeks, fca Moffe, garden Smallage, (chat is, Par fly) each 12 penny
weight; thefharpeft Vinegar, juyce of Quinces, ofeach one hemina; oyl of Maftick, Spike,
Jiquid Bitumen, (they call it Petroleum) oyl ofBayes, ofeach 1 6 penny weight ; theoldeft Oyl,'
or oyl omphaane, 8 heminae ; beat the dry things to powder, and mingle them, and in a glafed
veflel fet them under Horfe-dung for a moneth, then boyl them in a double veflel to thirds,
ftrainthem when they are cold, and draining them out forcibly, keep in a glafs, what comes
forth for your ufe. But employ it thus: firft anoint die temples, then the noftrils, next thac
the fpondylsof the neck, four of them next the throat, then anoint the pulfes of the arms,
next to that the ftomach, I mean by the ftomach the moutli of the ventricle, taking the
word ftomach improperly, for properly it fignifies the throat ; wherein I muft not pafle
over the error of our new Phyficians, who in affects of the mouth of the ftomach, lay
their remedies upon the back over againft it, which is both contrary to Galen, and alio
to reafon, J.dMo. de tmrb. cur. libro. yet I believe Thm* Linger did not rightly inter-
pret that place, if I be not miftaken, who was indeed otherwife a very learned man, andmoft
skilful in the interpretation of Authors; but it may be that Greek Book was faulty, or for
fome other reafon. Alfo it feems agreeing to reafon, that for afTeds of the mouth of the fto-
mach, the remedies fhould be applied before, immediately under that round griftle, which
they call the fhield or fword-fafhion griftle, for at this place the mouth of the ftomach beft
receives the force of Cataplafms and Cerats, forafmuch as there are no bones to keep it off,
but the properly called ftomach, that is, the throat is fenced with'moft ftrong bones, as un-
der a fence; for it hath thebreft bones before, and the back behinde. But this is fpokenbythe
by. Now between the wecting of one place, and of another, we mult ftay fo long as a man
might walk about 40 paces j and when thefe places are wet, we muft ufe more diftance of
time, when we anoint the reins and thenavil. And thefe three remedies are fo certain, that
unlefs achilde be ready to die, he will recover from the point of death only by anointing thefe
parts. That which is called the broad Worm abounds in thofe that have noFeaver, and breeds The Cure of
in long during difeafes. The method to cure thefe is the fame as for round Worms. For broad Worms,
bitter and (harp potions aremoft in ufe, andto eat Garlick or Calamint, Dittany or Penniroyal ; chiefly out of
we muft eat Garlick largely for three daies, and old foft Cheefe. Next let a man eat of Mace- ^^ytfa
donian Fern dried and powdred and lifted, 8 pennyweight, with as much Honey as he pleafe; af- P / H/ J r aru i 3
ter four hours give the patient Aloes, and Scammony, ofeach one half dram, in Honey-water.^//*/
4cyathi, when he begins to rife to ftool, fet hot water under; Alfo give water to drink in
which Lupins, or the bark of Mulberry-tree is boyled, or to which there is added a fawcer full
of Pepper, orbruifed Hyfop, and a little Scammony : or elfe after the eating of Garlick we
fpeakof, let him vomit, and the next day let him gather as many Pomgranate roots as he can Vi a w \am, \%
hold in his hand, andbruife them and boyl them in 3 fextarii of water, to a third part remai- a piece ot Mo-
ning.let him. put a little Nitre to this and drink it fafting; three hours then paft, let him take ney of 3 oboli,
two Potions either ofwater or fait pickle added to it; Then pour forth the hot water intoa orhalfadram.
bafon, as I faid : alfo give Earth-worms to drink, for they arc exceeding good. But the juyce
of moufe-ear is proper for them, drank two cyathi with one cyathus of Ale: for it quickly drives
forth the broad Worms. But this remedy following muft firft be drank; nor is it thought un-
fit for thofe that have Worms, efpeciallyif they have noFeaver. Out of Yaulus. Itconfiftsof
red Nitre, Pepper, Cardamoms, of each equall parts, mingle all thefe and give of them
a fpoonfufl in Wine or hot Water, for it quickly brings them out.
Another* which is an Electuary of Paul*. Take Pepper, Bay-berries cleanfed, /Ethiopian Cumin,
Maftick of Chios, of each alike, Honey what mayferve turn, give one fpoonfull in the morning,
and let them fleep upon it; but if you would do this more effectually, adde Nitre as much as of
each. Another of the fame. T^ke Fern a fawcer-full, Nitre two peny weight, give it with a
fpoonfull of water, after evacuation, but it is better to adde a little Scammony to it. Another of
the fame, and of AeUut. Take of the bark of the root of a fowre Pomegranate, fcraped from the
upper part, Pepper, of each four peny weight, Cardamoms fix peny weight, Horehound two penny
weight, the beft Honey what is fufficient, give one fpoonfull of it after eating Garlick or Leeks.
But that the difeafe may be wholly driven away, give fome Theriac, for Galen highly commends it
for this ufe. Another out of Onbafw, chat healwayes ufed by the experience of his mafters, and had
a long time proved it forgoo^. It contains Scammony one Scruple, Euforbium as much and half
as much, the powder of burnt feathers one fcruple, Nitre in weight one Siliqua, give this to drink
in honey'd orfweet wine. But it will fall out better if he firft eat Garlick or fome fharp thing.
Alfo here is a Plaifter of another Author, that is good againft Jail Worms, efpeciaily broad ones.
Take Lupines, Bay-berries cleanfed, Bulls-gall, lay thefe on thenavel,andbindeitonwithafwathe-
band for one day and night, or elfe for two or three dayes. Againft broad Worms from another*
Authour. Take Southern-wood, fcraped Harts-horn, Coccutgnidw, and Sejarvum, of each one penny
weight, Cardamoms three oboli, give this to drink with Oxymel. Another for the fame ufe. Take
Gum Arabick, 'one peny weight, Fern three peny weight, Cardamoms one peny weight, Nitre
three peny weight, give it in Hydromel or Ale. Alfo againft the fame, is the Antidote called Via-
[hereon. Take Fern eight peny weight, Scammony, Gith, Cardamoms, fait Nitre, of each two peny
Ccccc 3 weight;
1122
The Theater of InfeBs : or, B o o k 1 1.
weight, giveitinOxymelor Ale, but adde Polypode four peny weight. It is reported, that Afca-
ndes will trouble children, and fuch as are come to their full growth. But children are continually
provoked to excretion, and after egeltion they are the better molt commonly, but thofethat are
come to their full growth, obferving the trouble of fuch things that are the caufeof them, will
thruft their fingers into their fundaments, and pull them forth, and further they will foment and
abate thefe biting pains, with peblc-ftones that lie in the Sun on the (hores, or elfewith ftones put
into the fire. But fome for tear will admit of none of thefe helps; yet this difeafe ought not to
be neglcded, for Worms will not eafily yeeld to remedies, nor are they eafily driven forth, but by
ftrong means. Wherefore children muft be purged with Suppofitars made of Honey and a little
fait, or Nitre, or fharp pickle, or with the decodion of Wormwood mingled with Oyl. Alfo there
ought to be a ftronger purging, and when they have voided their excrements, the Longanum,
which is the place affeded, muft be anoyntcd with it. As for Simples, they are Acacia, Hypociftis,
the juice of Sumach, with liquid Allome or Nitre, but the Compounds arc the Troches of Andron\
and thofe that are called Sphragides pofydie, and with fat Wool! and fuch like ; for the flefh is made
ftronger by Aftringents, andlofeth its readineffe to breed living Creatures, and thrufts forth the
Afcarides. Andron his Troches are made thus. Take flowers of Garden Pomegranates ten peny
weight, Galls eight peny weight, Myrrhe four peny weight, long Birthwort^ and as much Vitriol,
Saffron, fciflil Allum, dregs of the Oyl of Saffron, Myfi, Frankincenfe, of each two peny weight,
they are powdered and mingled with aftringent wine, or with Vinegar. But SphragU polydU is thus!
Take fciflil Allum three peny weight, Frankincenfe four peny weight, Myrrheas much, or eight
peny weight, Vitriol two peny weight, flowers of tame Pomegranates twelve peny weight, Bulls
gall fix peny weight, Aloes "tight peny weight, make them up with (harp wine ; But that which is
made with fat Wooll is thus made. Take fat Wooll forty peny weight, lead powder, (hales of Bi-
tumen, of each ten peny weight, round fciflil Allum, Pomegranate (hells, Galls, Myfc Vitriol,
Frankincenfe, of each five peny weight, Myrrhe two peny weight,lees of Oyl eight Heminac. Thofe
that are of riper years muft be purged with {harper and hotter remedies, as with Diapicra, and
with Oyl mixt with wine, in great quantity, and other things iofufed, as fait pickle, the decodion
of Centaury, with Nitre and Honey, or Coloquintida.Chamaeleon, Anchufa, Lupins then Oyl of
Cedar muft be given in Clyfter, and after that reft ; 6*ften repeating the fame method of cure,al-
fotake fait flefh, fcraping away the fat, and cut it long and round, and thruft that into the Anus,
and binde it in, to hold it there fo long as may be, and thcnlofeit, andinjed again the forefaid
things, and let^us often repeat the lame remedies.
Chap. XXXIV.
Of Worms that breed without the Bowels, and chiefly of Maggots.
TH E living Worms that are bred in the head, the brain, the liver, milt, bladder, reins, mufcies,
proceed from the fame caufes Worms in the guts doe, and are deftroyed by the fame reme-
dies. But thofe Worms Hippocrates calls £«/^, the Englifh call Maggots or Gentils, they are Worms
without feet, not unlike to Afcarides, but that they are fliorter a little, and thicker confidering
their length: There is no man almoft that hath not fecn thefe in Carrion and corrupt flefh, and
sometimes in limbs that are dead by the negligence of Chirurgions, when as they apply a remedy
that putrefies together with the wound or ulcer. Hippocrates calls Eulat Worms bred in dead bo-
dies. Suidas calls them illbeafts, flefh-eaters. Lucretius calls them cruel Vermin, and PiutarchyW or ms
from corruption and purrefadion of the excrements boyling forth. Homer in his Iliads, 19 and
24. faith they are Worms arifing from putrid matter, that are far fmaller in the ears than in other
ulcers : And Ccelirn writes, that they are called E«/ut*{, hair-eaters, for as Snails live on
the juice of herbs, fo thele live on the moyftureof the hairs, and feed thereon. The Philofopher Their Oriei-
affirms, that they proceed from the copulation of Lice, and therefore are called their egges. They nail,
are like to the flowers of Jefemine that grows with us. For as Jefmine brings flowers without feed,
fo Lice bring forth egges without young ones in them. They die either for want of nourifhment.or Thdr End-
byufing a Comb with clofe teeth, or bythcufe of fuch Medicaments as the old and new Phy-
ficians prefcribe abundantly. Pliny mingleth Allum with Vinegar, or Vinegar with gall of a Calf,
and alfo faith, they are killed with Goats milk. Alfo he commends Nitre mingled with Terra Sal
mia and fmeered on, and the powder of Hirts-horn drank in wine. Abenzoar prefcribes, to anoynt
thehair with the lefler Centaury, and Alkitrum. Brimftone in Vinegar takes away Nics, asalfo
Oyl mingled with Lie. MarceVus doth very much commend Hogs dung mingled with wine and
juice of Rofes j alfo to anoynt with Honey and Sal Armeniack, but chiefly Oyl of Radifhes with
a ftrong lie. H ildegardU provides a lie made of Date.ftones, which being mingled with Oyl of
Radifh roots, will kill the Nits. Ardonws mingles fome fublimate of Quick-filver with fpint of wine :
And he faith alfo, that if the head be firft wet with a Hcnsegge, and then with the juice of Sow-
bread, or Sea-water,that the Nits will never breed again. Gilbert an Englifh man highly commends
the gall of any Creature, asalfo ail bitter things, cleanfers, and Aromatical Drugs, with the juice
of Marigolds.
Of AurelU, and a Woodworm called Teredo, without fett.
THat which the Latins call Amelia, the Greekj call %£vmM3f> the name is borrowed from the gol- The Nime
den colour which appears in moft of them. It hath no mouth, nor yet any apparent parts, an<1 IJcI " cr 'F-
nordoth it void any excrements, nor yet eat, or move, unleffe it be moved by fome body, or hurt. uon *
That which Pliny writes, that a Chryfallis hath a hard body, I think that is meant inrefpeft of a
Of Nits.
Chap.XXXVI.
Catter-
The % beater of InfSs :or y B o o k 1 1.
Catterpillar. But that which he addcs chat it will move if a Spider touch it, though I know this
to be true by experience, yet I doubt he borrowed thofe words horn the Philolbpher, and inter-
preted them amiffe. For the fenfe feems to be thus. Ihiy move if the; kg touded, and 'they are cove-
red with p&es likf tsCobwebi. Art fiut le Speaks nothing hereof a Spider pafling over them, asPHny
feems totranflate it. Anjiotle (huts the AuteLa not only out of the number of Infe&s, butalfo
of living Creatures, and determins them to be as it were the Caterpillars egges. But what
agreement is herewith an egge ? That is laid by anocher living Creature, and is void both of
a&ual life and motion. The Aurelia is laid by none, but is changed from one to another, for it
changethits former fhape into another fhape, a id retains both life and motion, not in pofiibi-
lity of being, but actually. But chat doth not take away t'he life of it, becaufe it neither eats,
nor increaleth, for Dormice fleep all the Winter and eat nothing. The life of it doch refera-
ble that deep which is partly waking, wherein men are not properly awake, nor yet afleep; but
are alive, and move a little. But I conjecture that the Philofopher wrote this, that he might
confirm that Axiome or his to credulous pofterity, that all Infects either lay egges or little
Worms. H.s words are thefe. ln\eUs fiifi breed Iforms, but that which u called Chryjalln^ is an
Egge, and afurwards from tbit it bred a living Creature, that at 'the third changing bath the end of iff ge-
neration. Yet it is manifeft enough by what I faid before, that an Aurelia is no Egge, and it
ought not to be called a generation, but a tranfmutation of a Caterpillar into this, and of this
into a Butterflie. I fay this for that purpofe, that fuch as adore Aiifktle for a God, may re-
The kindes member that he was but a man, and that he was fubjed to humane errors. There are two
kindes of Aurelias that I have feen, fome are downy, and others fmooth, both are of divers
colours, and fometimes they are Gold coloured, w! ich are the true Chryfallides, and others
Tbeir Oii2i- c ^ at are but baftard ones, are without any colour of Gold. They have their Original from the
nail. death of the Catterpillars, which as they do wafie by degrees in certain dayes, fo by degrees
their covering grows continually more h :rd, and changeth into an Aurelia. Thefe again the
Their End. next Spring or Autumn, by degrees lofing their life, a Butterflie comes forth of them that is
bred by the like metaraorphofk What ufe they ferve for, for the good of man kinde, I am
Their Ufe. wri0 ]|y ignorant of. I know well enough how much they perplexed Aiiftotks wit by their won-
derfull tranfmutation; and they fet forth to us the boundleffe power of Almighty God.
George Agricola only propounds to us the Teredo without feet, which from the brafen colour
of it, he call Kupter-worm : It creeps like a Serpent, faith he, becaufe it wants wings and feet.
It is as thick as a fmall Goofe quill, and it is as long as a Scolopendra : Icis round, and breeds
under rotten wood, and fometimes found hard by the Scolopendra, or long Ear-wig. You may
eafily finde the figure of it placed amongft the Scolopendra?.
Chap. XXXVII.
1124
Of Water InfeSis without feet, and firjl of the Shrimp or Squilla,
WEE faid before that all water Infeds were with feet or without feet. Some of thofe
that have feet, fwim with fix feet, as the Lobller, the Shrimp, the lake Scorpion, the
Evet, and the Sea-Iowfe ; others wich four feet, fome with more. We (hal treat of them fe-
verally. The Squilla an Infed differs but little from the fifh Squilla, but that it hath the fail-
yards much fhorter, and a more red colour, or rather a more earthly colour. Some of thefe
are covered with a thin fhell, and fome again are fmooth and naked. Thofe with Ihells live
chiefly in fmall Brooks, and ftickto the roots of Reeds or water-flags : They are of a ycllowifh
colour, and fometimesof a white or Afh-colour. They go only with fix feet, the reft that are
joynedto them, ferve in ftead
of fins. The naked ones are
either foft or hard. The fofc
ones are reprefented well e-
nough by this figure, only
fuppofe their heads to be of
a bright Bay colour, and their
body died with a dark Afh-
colour. All thofe that are
covered with a hard cruft are
made with joynts, but fome
have round joynts, others o-
ther fafhions. The form of
the round joynted is exactly
reprefented here, if you fup-
pofe him to be eafily dyed
with a lighter red. And fuch
is the colour of the firft and
fecond
Chap. ^8. Of leffer living Creaturer. 1125
fecond that are hot round joynted.
The third kindeis black upon the b.tck,
and with a brown belly ; but they are
all with a Corked mouth, and that will
hold faft what is aoplyed to it. The
fourth kinde moves it felf with the three
former feet, and ufeth the reft that
hang by in Head of OarfjK The neck of
it, and the (aifyards., and the nippers
are of a watry red colour, the body
is b'rovVnifh or more Afh coloured.
The fifth hath a very black head, and
the body like to a Pomegranate (hell.
The fixth feemstobe cruel, and in the
fame form you fee it, of an Afh-colour.
All of them have hard eyes, and black,
covered over with a membrane fhining
like unto g!*ffe, which move continu-
ally almolt, like to the ears of four-
footed bcafts. They leap quickly one
upon the other as the Fifties. Squilloe doe in coupling, and when they grow bold and have liber-
ty, they fill the Females with young. The time when they are ready for this is fignified by a
gentle biting : The Female takes hold with her mouth, and what flielayes hold on fhe kills, and
gives part of it to her companion; for they couple at the mouth, as Crabsand Lobfters doe.
But what ufe theyferve for in phyfick, I cannot finde either in writers or from Empiricks, who
either knew not thefe Squillae, or thought them not worthy to fay any thing of them. Yec
this is certain, that in Jfril and May there is no better bait to catch Fifh with.
Chap. XXXVIIL
Of the Locufl, Scorpion, ISfytoneclum, the Grafropper, the Wafp, the
forked Goto, the NeM y the little Heart, and the
LoT»fe y all Water 'Infetls.
THE Infect-Locuft, is like the Lobfter, for that cannot be called either flefh or fifh: you
fee the figure of it: it is of a pale green colour: I have feen three kindes of Lake Scor-
pions, and I have them by me: the firft is fomewhat black, the other two are like to white'
fand:
11^6 1 be 1 beater of Infers :cr, Book II.
fand: we call fome Infe&s of
the water Tauten tta, which do
not fwim upon their bellies as
the reft do, but upon their
backs, from whence it is pro-
bable that men learned the art
of fwimmingupon their backs
alfo. Some of chefe have eyes>
(boulders, and bodies all black,
fome are green, fome are fiery
coloured, and fome pitch co-
loured. For you ftiall feldora
fee two of them of the fame
colour ; nature hath fo vari-
oufly fported her felf in ador-
ning them- Water-Grafhoppers
hold the form defcribed, but
their eyes are extreme bhck,
and their bodies areafb-colou-
red. The Wafp hath a brow-
nifh body all over, except the
black eyes. The Forked Claw
hath almoft the fame colour,
but it is more full, it feems to
want eyes, but it hath them hid
within, whereby it both fees
and perceives the objeft. The
Lizard is of divers colours, and
delight ' in catching Fifti, it
is common about the Britifb
(hores, where it lyeth in wait
to catch Fifti. The Canute
hath the juft faftiion of a heart,
the feet and head being taken
away ; it hath very little black
eyes, and fix legs of the fame
colour,& each with two clawes.
The Sea-Lowfe is an Infect that
that is an enemy to all kinde of
Whales, which by biting and
tickling it puts into fuch a
i rage, that they are forced to
run upon the fand, and haften
to dry land : I know nothing
| concerning the ufe of thefe
creatures,- but I feriou fly ex-
port pofterity to fearchoutthe
lufc of them.
Chaf-.
Chap. 99- Of leffer living Creatures. 1127
Chap. XXXI X.
Of the Flea or Ajettus, and the Scolopendra found in the Sea.
THE Flea, or Sea-Afellus is like to a foft Squilla, but it hath but four feet (as I may fay by
Cejnen leave) and by often and long leaps it frees it Telf from having many feet. It is
called AfeVus from its leaping^ Arifloile cals it a Fie/; from its bunch-
back it is called a Sow: it is of a wan colour with blacknefs • the length
of thofc that are in rivers is the breadth of ones finger,and their breadth
is not above half a finger broad. But the Sea- fleas are larger, which
when the tydeflowes are feenalfo oft-times in frefh waters. It (hewes
a wonderful deal of agility when men ftrive to catch it, or do but look
upon it.
The Sea Scolopendra, fometimes is of a grey colour, and fometimes you
fhallfee others that are more red. Thefe are longer and leaner, that is
fhorter and thicker. I faw both kindes in the year 1 578. in coves of Oyftcrs.
For they are not found in the deep fea, as Gefner fuppofeth, but in the
muddy Handing waters, where the Oyfters are fatted, there they lye hid,
are bred, and do live. Numenius warned Fifher-men concerning thefe, when he faid; '
See therefore that you let not ingender,
the fiupid Julii or deadly Scolopender. ' *
They are as Ariftotle writes leflc than the land Scolopendras, but not differing in their form.
Nonus the Phyfitian makes of thefe a remedy to hinder hair from growing, or a depilatory, and
highly commends it in his 34. Chapter. Take Frankincenfe, Vitriol, of each two ounces, fea
Scolopcnders three ounces, grinde them all well, and mingle them with the powder of Quick-
lime, then pull out the hairs firft, and anoynt the places with that.
CHAP. XL.
Of Water Infetfs without feet, and firft of Oripes.
NO Philofopher that underfhnds ashefhould, will deny but that fnow is water turned to
froth, by long fubliming in the air. In this Worms are bred which the Greeks call oeumf.
Ariftotle writ fomething concerning thefe, which Hiftory I will briefly touch. In fnow there are
bred hairy Woims, very fluggifh, and that move pwly, wherefore 1 reckon them among/} f forms without
fett t fo foonas they are taken out of the fnow they die , as the Worms bred in the fire doe , beingtak.enfrom
thence : with fnow that U old and begins to look, red, tb?y become red alfo, but tho[e that are found in rxw
fnow are white. It it, faith he, a certain thingthat fnow can no more corrupt thm fire can, And indeed
they cannot corrupt , yet in both of them are living Creatures bred, and they arenourijhed in both. I can-
not in any wile confent to Eu ft athi us the Scholia ft upon Homer, who affirms, that fnow growes
red from Minium, becaufe thofe places are of a Cinnaberous quality, whence fie conceives, that
from. the vapours rifing from Cinnaber, the fnow becomes redi I will not deny but that it is
fo in fome places. But whether the Interpreter be pleafed or not, we muft needs grant that in
fome places the fnow grows red, where no Cinnaber is. Strabo makes mention of fuch places
in thefe words. In Charzena and the Countrey of Cambicium, and in places neer to the moun-
tains of Caucafm, fome little beafts are bred in the deep fnow, which ApoL'onides calls izutofyi,
and Iheophanes texmc, that is, Mountain little hairy Worms, like unto the greater Teredines.
I think their generation as admirable, as of the fire Worms; yet living Creatures are more eaiK
ly bred in fnow, than in fire, becaufe in fnow there is much air, earth andfpirir, all which the
fire confumes abundantly. And if the heat of the Sun happen to be with thefe, I {hall ufe Sea-
ligers words, they make dung that fmells the fweeteft of all ordure. Alfo they are bred in a-
bundance in Carinlh'ia, as Joacb. Vadianui reports. But Strabo in his Comment upon Pompon. Mel.
addes a thing that is admirable, faying that thefe Worms are full of excellent water, which
Travailers
The Theater of Infers : or, Book 1 1.
Travailers take, by breaking the bladder or coat it is in, and they drink this preffing it forth
gently. For it is very wholfome and feafonable when the fountains ar.e troubled, as it falls out
often in great fnowes.
Chap. XLL
Of Horfleeches.
A Blood-fucker or Horfleecb, in Latin H/Wo, in Greek PMm> in Hebrew 'Halukgb, in
French Sangfue, in Italian Sanjuga, in Spanifti SanguifueSa, in High-Dutch Em agel fo das
blut fauget, in Englifli a Horfleecb. Thefe are water Worms that thirft exceedingly after the
bloud of Jiving Creatures, and they will fill themfelves with it fometimes till they burft and
die. Some of them are without anypaffage through their belly, fome are open behinde; we
give you the pictures of them here. Europe hath Icarce any open behinde, but in America and
India they are common. Thofe that are not open
behinde, arc obvious to every man, and when they
are filled with bloud, their skin feems checquer'd with
fibres. Some of them arc of divers colours, fome
green, black, brown, yet not venomous, only the
bright bay and Chefnut colours, that are like to pills
of trees. They breed chiefly in ftanding pools, where
Cattel are wont to be watred, for from their feet
earth and foulnefTe are waflied, and fall to the bot-
tome, to fay nothing of the lediment of their dung,
out of which, that want not vital heat, living Crea-
tures are bred. Once bred, they moft greedily thirft
after bloud, and therefore they lie in wait in the very
entrance of the pools, that they may light upon
Horfesp Oxen, Elephants, &c. fo foon as they come
to drink for thirft of cold water. Pliny writes, that
they are fo troublefome to the Elephant, that the
beaft is by their tickling and fucking in his fnout, al-
moft mad ; which doth manifeftly (hew the wonder-
ful power of Infects : For what is there greater then
an Elephant? and what is there more contemptible
than a Horfleech ? Yet the greatneffc and wit of the
Elephant muft give way and yeeld to this Worm.
They feed moft on bloud of beafts, and watry bloudy
matter; yet when they want fuftenance, they fill
themfelves with the filth that rifeth from the water.
Tliny faith they vanifh in the Spring, /. o.,e. 51. but
we fee that fcafon to be moft fit for the breeding of
them. And indeed I can fee no reafon, that when
they have overcome the Winters cold, they (hould
not be able to ftand out the Springs mildenefs. And
this we all know, that Horfleeches will die in the
Winter, unlefTe they be carefully preferred in warm
water, and fed with bloud very plentifully. IF any
man fwallow a Horfleech, fome perfwade us to drink
pickle, others fnow-water : But Afclepiades bids us firft
to wafh the mouth, and to put a foft Sponge wet in
cold water into the mouth, that the Horfleech flick-
ing to the Sponge may be drawn forth. After this he prefcribes the juice of Duck-weed, and
to cover the neck with cooling plaifters. But Apollonw^ whofe furname was Mw, gave the
iharpeft Vinegar with pickle to drink ; but thofe that gave fnow, did firft warm it, and ufed
it being diflblved, and they did ufe meat and drink at fit times to make the belly foluble, that
they might drive forth the Horfleech, for they report that fo they will oft-times come forth
with the excrements. Gal. I. 2 de Antidotit. In thedayes of Pliny, wicked men did privily give
Horfleeches to their enemies to do them mifchief; but Rue with Vinegar^ oronlyButcer,(as a-
gainft all venoms that did exulcerate) were a prefent remedy, lib. 20. c.13. and lib. 28. c. 10.
Their
1128
Chap. 41.
Of leffer living Creatures.
1149
Their ufe in phyfick is manifold. For fome ( I ufe Galens words, lib. de different, far.gumn dtiraben-
di modis, Trad. 10.) take Horfleeches and put them up, and they ufe chem di verily : For when
they are made tame they are eafily put upon the skin ; but thofe that are taken mult be kept
one day, and muft be fed with a little bloud j and fo it will bethst whatfocver venome they have
in them, they will foon caft forth. Eut when we have need to ufe them, that part to which
you will apply your Leeches muft be firft rubbed with Nitre, and muft beanoynted,andfcratclied
with your fingers, that by this means they may fatten the more greedily ; but you muft caft
them into warm water thac is contained in a large and a clean veiTel, then you muft lay hold of
them with a Sponge, you muft cleanle them with your hand from all filth and dirt, and fo they
will be fit to be applyed. And when you have fet them on, left that pare they ftick to ftiould
grow cold, you muttpowron warm Oyl: But if they be to be applyed to your hands or feet,
you muftthruft them into the warm water that the Leeches are caft into. And if they will not
hold faft, you muft cut off their tails with a pair of Cizzers ; for when the bloud fo runs forth
they will not leave off fucking until you fprinklefalt or aflies upon their mouth ; When they are
fallen off, that venemous quality they ufe to leave behindemuft be drawn forth with a Cupping
glaffe; and if that may not be done, you muft ufe a Sponge to foment the place. And if yet
any bloudy drops runforth, apply meal and Cummin, and then bnde on ionic Wooll wet with
a little Oyl. But if yet the bloud will not ftop, lay on a linnenclowc wet in Vinegar, or burnt
glaffe, or a Sponge firft put into liquid pitch, and afterwards burnt. And this alio you rnuft ob-
serve, that Leeches draw that bloud that is next the flefh, and not that which is contained in the
Centreof the body. Menufe them commonly in ftead of Cupping glaffcs. Mark alio that you
rrrcrft take them off when they have drawn half the bloud. And you muft beware? that the bloud
run not forth fo long, Utltill it be fufficient : For the part it felf will grow cold, both by rea-
fon of the Leeches that are naturally cold, and becaufe of the air that compafTeth us about. So
far Galen. But Cardan bids us not to anoynt the place with Nitre, but with milk, that they may
faften thefooner; andwithall to pinch the Leech clofe, that ftriving for revenge he may oj^n
the vein, lib.j.de rer. var.c. 28. What help they were to Vionyfim the Tyrant of Hera:leota f
we may read in Hiftories, who reprefenting rather a bcaft than a man, for he died with a mighty
great paunch, had been eaten by the Worms long before, unlefTe Horfleeches had been applyed
■to both his fides, and drawn forth daily fome quantity of the humours he was charged with.
It were too tedious to reckon up allthemelancholique and mad people, that have been cured by
applying Leeches to the Hemorrods in their fundaments. Yet I may not over-paffe the Noble
Richard Cavendi fh, (the moft learned Unkle by the fathers fide of thac famous Navigator through
the world Thomas Cavendifh) who was pcrfe&ly cured of his Gowt that had held him mmy years,
only by applying Horfleeches to the Emrods in Ana every moneth, fo that now to the greac
wonder of all the Court, he walks alone without any help, and being found and void of all pain,
be lives an old man. Alfo Horfleeches fet upon the fundament, will fo wonderfully pluck back
the humours that run from the whole body to the joynts, that they will prefently eafe the pains
like a Charm. This I proved at Lions upon an excellent Mufitian, one Kojolm ; who for the
great pains he endured, and by continual waking, fell into a burning Fe'aver, with raving, in the
Dog-daycs, at which time Hippocrates faith it is dangerous to purge. It is in this cafe fuch a re-
medy, that it is to be prcferr'd before all others, for they draw from the whole body without
any trouble or loffe of a mans forces. Jac. Aubtrt. Exercit. 5 0. prQgymn>,fm. Feme!. Abdit. God-
fridm a Cenami, a Venetian, a famous man, and my very great friend, for juft and lawfull caufes,
who told me that he faw one who had the joynt Gowt, who lived many years free of all bli
pains, only by applying Leeches to the part that was in pain. Math. deGrad.and Savant Ja-
cob "Dournet, Afolog. lib c. 3- perfwade the fame remedy. MfoGilba tin Anglic m reports, that the
Lowfie difeafe generally is to be cured with the aflies of Horfleeches boyled with Scorax : For
they are not only ufefull for men whileft they are alive, but when they are dead and burnt to
afhes. Fliny reports, lib. 32. c 7. that Horfleeches will black ones hair, if they be corrupted in
black wine forfixty dayes: Others bid us take one fextarius of Leeches, and let them lie to cor-
rupt in two fexcarii of Vinegar, in a leaden veffel for fo many dayes, and then to anoynt with
them in the Sun. SoimtiM relates, that this medicament is of fo great force, that uleffe they
hold Oyl in their mouths that die the hair, it will alfo black their teeth. Meges writes, that live
Frogs putrefied in Vinegar, will take ofTthe hair, but the afhes of Leeches anoynted with Vi-
negar will doe the fame.
Ddddd
CHAF.
=
The Theater aflnfefff: or,
Book II.
Chap. XLIL
Of Water^orms.
rJ waters both fait and frefli, great and fmall Worms will
breed of putrefaction, efpecially in Summer very like
Earth-worms, but they want that knot or chain'about their
necks: Alfo they are by far more rtiarp and lean; oft-times
they lie in the fand, and they caft up earth out of their holes as
Earth-worms do:In fweet waters.that are nanding,and notde'eo
there is found a kinde of Worms of a full red, that referable in
(hape the Teredo without feet, but that they have greater heads
Their tail is forked, whereby they flay therafelves till lifting
up their heads they may finde a place to fatten the reft of their
body, and fothey creep upon the mud and ftones, andfothev
move in a brandifliing manner crookedly. In Summer, when
it is clear weather and hot, they come forth together in great
numbers, but if the mud move never fo little they prcfentlv
withdraw therafelves. The Englifh call them Summer-wrm]
either becaufe they are feen only in Summer, or they die in
Winter. In the Mediterranean Sea there is a round Worm
found as great as a great Snake, and of the fame colour but
it hath neither head nor tayl, as JTeckfrn obferves Some
times it is twenty foot long. What may be the ufe or na-
ture of thefel have not yet obferved. But I hope that ci-
thers will difcover that light that lhalfhew us both. Yet this is
certain, that thofe Worms ferve for baits to catch Fifli efpe
cially thofe fmall red ones, and Filher-roen diligently feek
after them for that purpofe. We call them Water-worms
becaufe as Earth-worms will not live long in water fo Wa-
ter-worms put upon dry land foon die, they wanting Air
and thefe for want of water.
F I N I S.
An /»^^ of all the CH A P T E R S contained in the
Second Volum.
Book L
Chap. i. /^F Bee/ } their nme, dt fcriftion, and differences, page gg p *
■ 1 Chap. Of the politic^, mral, and economical virtues of Beet, 892
V»Jr Chap. 3. OfthecreaMon i generation,andpro\agationofBees, 897
.. Chap. 4. O/ib* ufe of Bees? tJ ±' A 9 05
Chap. 5. 0£jM> name of Honey, the difference and uje. ^07
Chap- 6. Of Bee glew,Pijfoceros, Beet meat, with themtte and ufe of them, 915
Chap. 7. Of Drones and Theevef. 917
Chap. 8. Of Wafrs, 921
Cphap. 9. Of the Hornet and the Tenthredo, 927 1
Chap. 10. Of fttes, 9^1
Chap. 1 Of the differences of Flies, 93 4"
Chap. iz. Oftbe ufe of Flies, 944
Chap. 13. Of Gnats, 95 2
Chap. 14. 0/ Butterflies, 957
Chap. 15. 0/ tf>* Glomrm, 975
Chap. 16 Of Loc«/?r, 981
Chap. 17. OfGrafboppcrs and Crickets, 989
Chap. 18. Of Motbes, called Bhtt£, ~ 997
Chap. 19. Of the Buprefls or Burncow, and Cantbaridet, 1000
Chap. ao. Of the Cantharides or Spanifh Fly, 1003
Chap. 21. Of Beetles, 1005
Chap. 27, Of the fmaller Beetles , 1015
Chap. 23. 0/ Profcarabiwy or oil Beetle, and the ttaXiX Beetle, 1016
Chap. 24. 0/ ffo? Gryllotalpa, Fen Cricket, Mole Cricket , Evecburm or Cbuworm, 1018'
Chip. 2%. Of the fire Fly, J019
Chap. 2£. 0/ f£e lT«fer Sp/'der, 1021
Chap. 27. 0/ t&e Earw/'g, 1023
Chap. 2 8. 0/ tfo Scorpion, Ant, and Lice winged, 1024
Chap. 29. Of the Wood-Wig Lojefe with wings, 102%
Book II.
Chap. 1. (~>^F Caterpillert and their differences , and chiefly of Silk^jpormes and Silk? {firmer t ,
y_J pag. 1029
Chap. 2. Of the other fmoo\h Cater fillers, 1032
Chap. 3. Of Caterpillers rough and hairy, 1034
Chap. 4. 0/ ffce original, generation, aliment and metamorphofts of Caterpillers, 1039
Chap. 5. Of the quality and ufe of Caterpillers, and the remedies againfl hem, 1040'
Chap. 6. Of the Whurlworm, l 1042
Chap. 7. Of the Wine Caterpiller, called Staphylinus, 1044
Chap. 8. Of the Scohpendr£,andJuli % 1045
Chap. 9. Of Hoglice, or Chiflips, 1048
Chap. 10. Of Land Scorpions, 1049
Chap. 11. Of the name and differences of Spidert, ' 1058
Chap. 12. Of hurtful Spiders, or Thalangia, 1059
Chap. Of the tame or hou fe Spider, 1 065
Chap. 14. Of certain kinds of Spiders obfervedby Authourt, 1070
Ddddd % > Chap. 15. 0f
The Contents of the Chapters.
Chap. 15. Of the generation, copulation, and u ft of Spiders, 1072
Chap. 16. A commendation of Ants , wherein if defcribed their differences^ natun, cunning and ufe 1074
Chap. 17. Of the Cicindela,ar,