As for the manner of their venation,10 if we consult historicall experience, we shall finde it to be otherwise then as is commonly presumed, by sawing away of trees. The accounts whereof are to be seen at large in Johannes Hugo, Edwardus Lopez, Garcias ab Horto, Cadamustus and many more.
Other concernments there are of the Elephant, which might admit of discourse; and if we should question the teeth of Elephants, that is, whether they be properly so termed, or might not rather be called horns; it were no new enquiry of mine, but a paradox as old as Oppianus. Whether as Pliny and divers since affirm, that Elephants are terrefied, and make away upon the grunting of Swine, Garcias ab Horto may decide, who affirmeth upon experience they enter their stalls, and live promiscuously in the woods of Malavar. That the situation of the genitalls is averse,11 and their copulation like that of Camels, as Pliny hath also delivered, is not to be received; for we have beheld that part in a different position; and their coition is made by supersaliency12 like that of Horses, as we are informed by some who have beheld them in that act. That some Elephants have not only written whole sentences, as Ælian ocularly testifieth, but have also spoken, as Oppianus delivereth, and Christophorus a Costa particularly relateth; although it sound like that of Achilles Horse in Homer, we doe not conceive impossible: nor beside the affinity of reason in this Animall any such intollerable incapacity in the organs of divers quadrupedes, whereby they might not be taught to speak, or become imitators of speech like birds. Strange it is how the curiosity of men that have been active in the instruction of beasts, have never fallen upon this artifice; and among those many paradoxicall and unheard of imitations, should not attempt to make one speak. The Serpent that spake unto Eve, the Dogs and Cats, that usually speak unto Witches, might afford some encouragement. And since broad and thick chops are required in birds that speak, since lips and teeth are also organs of speech; from these there is also an advantage in quadrupedes; and a proximity of reason in Elephants and Apes above them all. Since also an Echo will speak without any mouth at all, articulately returning the voice of man, by only ordering the vocall spirit in concave and hollow places; whether the musculous and motive parts about the hollow mouthes of beasts, may not dispose the passing spirit into some articulate notes, seems a querie of no great doubt.
CHAP.II. Of the Horse
CHAP.III. Of the Dove
CHAP.IV. Of the Bever
That a Bever to escape the Hunter, bites off his testicles or stones, is a tenent very ancient; and hath had thereby advantage of propagation. For the same we finde in the Hieroglyphicks of the Ægyptians; in the Apologue of Æsope, an Author of great antiquity, who lived in the beginning of the Persian Monarchy, and in the time of Cyrus; the same is touched by Aristotle in his Ethicks, but seriously delivered by Ælian, Pliny and Solinus; with the same we meet with in Juvenall, who by an handsome and metricall expression more welcomely engrafts it in our junior memories
——imitaus Castora, qui se
Eunuchum ipse facit, cupiens evadere damno
Testiculorum, adeo medicatum intelligit inguen,13
it hath been propagated by Emblems; and some have been so bad Grammarians, as to be deceived by the name, deriving Castor à castrando; whereas, the proper Latine word is Fiber; and Castor, but borrowed from the Greek, so called quasi γάστωρ, that is, Animal ventricosum, from his swaggy and prominent belly.14
Herein therefore to speak compendiously, we first presume to affirm, that from a strict enquiry, we cannot maintain the evulsion or biting off any parts; and this is declarable from the best and most professed Writers; for though some have made use hereof in a Morall or Tropicall way, yet have the professed discoursers by silence deserted, or by experience rejected this assertion. Thus was it in ancient times discovered, and experimentally refuted by one Sestius a Physitian, as it stands related by Pliny; by Dioscorides, who plainly affirms that this tradition is false; by the discoveries of modern Authors, who have expressly discoursed hereon, as Aldrovandus, Mathiolus, Gelnerus, Bellonius; by Olaus Magnus, Peter Martyr and divers others; who have described the manner of their venations in America; they generally omitting this way of their escape, and have delivered severall other, by which they are daily taken.
The originall of the conceit was probably Hieroglyphicall; which after became Mythologicall unto the Greeks, and so set down by Æsop; and by processe of tradition, stole into a totall verity, which was but partially true, that is in its covert sense and morality. Now why they placed this invention upon the Bever (beside the Medicall and Merchantable commodity of castoreum or parts conceived to be bitten away) might be the sagacity and wisdome of that animall; which indeed from the works it performes, and especially its artifice in building, is very strange, and surely not to be matched by any other….
CHAP.V. Of the Badger
That a Brock or Badger hath the legs of one side shorter then of the other, though an opinion perhaps not very ancient, is yet very generall; received not only by theorists and unexperienced beleevers, but assented unto by most who have the opportunity to behold and hunt them daily. Which notwithstanding upon enquiry I finde repugnant unto the three determinators of truth, Authority, Sense and Reason. For first, Albertus magnus speaks dubiously, confessing he could not confirm the verity hereof; but Aldrovand affirmeth plainly, there can be no such inequality observed. And for my own part, upon indifferent enquiry, I cannot discover this difference; although the regardible side be defined, and the brevity by most imputed unto the left.
Again, It seems no easie affront unto reason, and generally repugnant unto the course of nature; for if we survey the totall set of animals, we may in their legs, or organs of progression, observe an equality of length, and parity of numeration; that is, not any to have an odde leg, or the supporters and movers of one side not exactly answered by the other. Although the hinder may be unequall unto the fore and middle legs, as in Frogs, Locusts and Grashoppers; or both unto the middle, as in some beetles, and spiders, as is determined by Aristotle de incessu animalium. Perfect and viviparous quadrupeds, so standing in their position of pronenesse, that the opposite joints of neighbour legs consist in the same plane; and a line descending from their navell intersects at right angles the axis of the earth. It happeneth often I confesse that a Lobster hath the chely or great claw of one side longer then the other; but this is not properly their legs, but a part of apprehension, and whereby they hold or seize upon their prey; for the legs and proper parts of progression are inverted backward, and stand in a position opposite unto these.
Lastly, The monstrosity is ill contrived, and with some disadvantage; the shortnesse being affixed unto the legs of one side, which might have been more tolerably placed upon the thwart or Diagoniall15 movers; for the progression of quadrupeds being performed per Diametrum, that is the crosse legs moving or resting together, so that two are alwaies in motion, and two in station at the same time; the brevity had been more tolerable in the crosse legs. For then the motion and station had been performed by equall legs; whereas herein they are both performed by unequall organs, and the imperfection becomes discoverable at every hand.
CHAP.VI. Of the Beare
CHAP.VII. Of the Basilisk
CHAP.VIII. Of the Wolfe
CHAP.IX. Of Deere
CHAP.X. Of the Kingfisher
CHAP.XI. Of Griffins
That there are Griffins in Nature, that is, a mixt and dubious Animall, in the fore-part resembling an Eagle, and behinde, the shape of a Lion, with erected eares, four feet, and a long taile, many affirm, and most, I perceive, deny not. The same is averred by Ælian, Solinus, Mela and Herodotus, countenanced by the name sometimes found in Scripture, and was an Hieroglyphick of the Egyptians.
Notwithstanding we finde most diligent enquiries to be of a contrary assertion; for beside that Albertus and Pliny have disallowed it, the learned Aldrovandus hath in a large discourse rejected it; Mathias Michovius who writ of those Northern parts wherein men place these Griffins, hath positively conclud
ed against it; and if examined by the doctrine of Animals, the invention is monstrous, nor much inferiour unto the figment of Sphynx, Chimæra and Harpies. For though some species there be of middle and participating natures, that is, of bird and beast, as Bats and some few others, yet are their parts so conformed and set together, that we cannot define the beginning or end of either; there being a commixtion of both in the whole, rather then an adaptation or cement of the one unto the other.
Now for the word γρψ or Gryps, sometimes mentioned in Scripture, and frequently in humane Authors, properly understood, it signifies some kinde of Eagle or Vulture; from whence the Epithete Grypus for an hooked or Aquiline nose. Thus when the Septuagint makes use of this word, Tremellius and our Translation hath rendred it the Ossifrage;16 which is one kinde of Eagle. And although the Vulgar translation, and that annexed unto the Septuagint retain the word Gryps, which in ordinary and school-construction is commonly rendred a Griffin; yet cannot the Latine assume any other sense then the Greek, from whence it is borrowed. And though the Latine Gryphes be altered somewhat by the addition of an h, or aspiration of the letter π, yet is not this unusuall; so what the Greeks call τρóπαιον, the Latines will call Trophæum, and that person which in the Gospel is named Kλεότας, the Latines will render Cleophas. And therefore the quarrell of Origen was injust and his conception erroneous, when he conceived the food of Griffins forbidden by the Law of Moses; that is, poeticall Animals, and things of no existence. And therefore when in the Hecatombs17 and mighty oblations of the Gentiles, it is delivered they sacrificed Gryphes or Griffins; hereby we may understand some stronger sort of Eagles. And therefore also when its said in Virgil of an improper match, or Mopsus marrying Nysa, Jungentur jam gryphes equis;18 we need not hunt after other sense, then that strange unions shall be made, and differing natures be conjoined together.
As for the testimonies of ancient Writers, they are but derivative, and terminate all in one Aristeus a Poet of Proconesus; who affirmed that neer the Arimaspi, or one eyed Nation, Griffins defended the mines of gold. But this as Herodotus delivereth, he wrote by hearsay; and Michovius who hath expressely written of those parts plainly affirmeth, there is neither gold nor Griffins in that countrey, nor any such Animall extant; for so doth he conclude, Ego vero contra veteres authores, Gryphes nec in illa septentrionis, nec in aliis orbis partibus inveniri affirmarim.19
Lastly, Concerning the Hieroglyphicall authority, although it neerest approacheth the truth, it doth not inferre its existency; the conceit of the Griffin properly taken being but a symbolicall phancy, in so intolerable a shape including allowable morality. So doth it well make out the properties of a Guardian, or any person entrusted; the ears implyingattention, the wings celerity of execution, the Lion-like shape, courage and audacity, the hooked bill, reservance and tenacity. It is also an Embleme of valour and magnanimity, as being compounded of the Eagle and Lion, the noblest Animals in their kindes; and so is it appliable unto Princes, Presidents, Generals, and all heroick Commanders; and so is it also born in the Coat-armes of many noble Families of Europe.
CHAP.XII. Of the Phænix
That there is but one Phænix in the world, which after many hundred years burneth it self, and from the ashes thereof ariseth up another, is a conceit not new or altogether popular, but of great Antiquity; not only delivered by humane Authors, but frequently expressed by holy Writers; by Cyril, Epiphanius and others, by Ambrose in his Hexameron, and Tertul. in his Poem de Judicio Domini, but more agreeably unto the present sense, in his excellent Tract, de Resur. carnis. [I mean that bird, special to the east, famous for its solitary character, miraculous in its after-history, which gladly puts itself to death and renews itself, passing away and appearing again by a death which is a birth, a second time a phænix where now there is none, a second time the very creature that no longer exists, another and yet the same].20 The Scripture also seems to favour it, particularly that of Job 21. in the Interpretation of Beda, Dicebam in nidulo meo moriar, & sicut Phænix multiplicabo dies:21 and Psalme 31. δίκαιος ώς øονιξνθσ∈ι, vir justus ut Phænix florebit,22 as Tertullian renders it, and so also expounds it in his book before alledged.
All which notwithstanding, we cannot presume the existence of this Animall; nor dare we affirm there is any Phænix in Nature. For, first there wants herein the definitive confirmator and test of things uncertain, that is, the sense of man. For though many Writers have much enlarged hereon, there is not any ocular describer, or such as presumeth to confirm it upon aspection;23 And therefore Herodotus that led the story unto the Greeks, plainly saith, he never attained the sight of any, but only in the picture.
Again, Primitive Authors, and from whom the stream of relations is derivative, deliver themselves very dubiously; and either by a doubtfull parenthesis, or a timerous conclusion overthrow the whole relation… Moreover, Such as have naturally discoursed hereon, have so diversly, contrarily, or contradictorily delivered themselves, that no affirmative from thence can reasonably be deduced. For most have positively denied it, and they which affirm and beleeve it, assign this name unto many, and mistake two or three in one… Nor are men only at variance in regard of the Phæenix it self, but very disagreeing in the accidents ascribed thereto: for some affirm it liveth three hundred, some five, others six, some a thousand, others no lesse then fifteen hundred years; some say it liveth in Æthiopia, others in Arabia, some in Ægypt, others in India, and some in Utopia; for such must that be which is described by Lactantius; that is, which neither was singed in the combustion of Phaeton, or overwhelmed by the inundation of Deucaleon.
Lastly, Many Authors who have discoursed hereof, have so delivered themselves, and with such intentions, we cannot from thence deduce a confirmation. For some have written Poetically as Ovid, Mantuan, Lactantius, Claudian and others: Some have written mystically, as Paracelsus in his book de Azoth, or de ligno & linea vitæ; and as severall Hermeticall Philosophers, involving therein the secret of their Elixir, and enigmatically expressing the nature of their great work. Some have written Rhetorically, and concessively, not controverting but assuming the question, which taken as granted advantaged the illation. So have holy men made usehereof as farre as thereby to confirm the Resurrection; for discoursing with heathens who granted the story of the Phænix, they induced the Resurrection from principles of their own, and positions received among themselves. Others have spoken Emblematically and Hieroglyphically; and so did the Ægyptians, unto whom the Phænix was the Hieroglyphick of the Sunne. And this was probably the ground of the whole relation; succeeding ages adding fabulous accounts, which laid together built up this singularity, which every pen proclaimeth.…
CHAP.XIII. Frogges, Toades and Toad-stone
CHAP.XIV. Of the Salamander
CHAP.XV. Of the Amphisbæna
CHAP.XVI. Of the Viper
CHAP.XVII. Of Hares
CHAP.XVIII. Of Molls
CHAP.XIX. Of Lampries
Whether Lampries have nine eies, as is received, we durst refer it unto Polyphemus, who had but one, to judge it. An error concerning eies, occasioned by the error of eies; deduced from the appearance of divers cavities or holes on either side, which some call eies that carelessly behold them; and is not only refutable by experience, but also repugnant unto reason. For beside the monstrosity they fasten unto Nature, in contriving many eies, who hath made but two unto any animall, that is, one of each side, according to the division of the brain; it were a superfluous and inartificiall act to place and settle so many in one plane; for the two extreams would sufficiently perform the office of sight without the help of the intermediate eies, and behold as much as all seven joined together. For the visible base of the object would be defined by these two; and the middle eies although they behold the same thing, yet could they not behold so much thereof as these; so were it no advantage unto man to have a third eie, between those two he hath already; and the fiction of Argus seems more reasonable then this; for though he had many eies, yet we
re they placed in circumference and positions of advantage.
Again, These cavities which men call eies are seated out of the head, and where the Gils of other fish are placed; containing no organs of sight, nor having any communication with the brain. Now all sense proceeding from the brain, and that being placed (as Galen observeth) in the upper part of the body, for the fitter situation of the eies, and conveniency required unto sight; it is not reasonable to imagine that they are any where else, or deserve that name which are seated in other parts. And therefore we relinquish as fabulous what is delivered of Stern-opthalmi, or men with eies in their breast; and when it is said by Solomon, A wise mans eies are in his head,24 it is to be taken in a second sense, and affordeth no objection. True it is that the eies of animals are seated with some difference, but all whatsoever in the head, and that more forward then the ear or hole of hearing. In quadrupedes, in regard of the figure of their heads, they are placed at some distance; in latirostrous25 and flat-bild birds they are more laterally seated; and therefore when they look intently they turn one eie upon the object, and can convert their heads to see before and bchinde, and to behold two opposite points at once. But at a more easie distance are they situated in man, and in the same circumference with the ear; for if one foot of the compasse be placed upon the Crown, a circle described thereby will intersect, or passe over both the eares.
The Major Works (English Library) Page 19