The Major Works (English Library)

by Sir Thomas Browne

  The error in this conceit consists in the ignorance of these cavities, and their proper use in nature; for this is a particular disposure of parts, and a peculiar conformation whereby these holes and sluces supply the defect of Gils, and are assisted by the conduit in the head; for like cetaceous animals and Whales, the Lamprey hath a fistula, spout or pipe at the back part of the head, whereat it spurts out water. Nor is it only singular in this formation, but also in many other; as in defect of bones, whereof it hath not one; and for the spine or back-bone, a cartilaginous substance without any spondyles, processes or protuberance whatsoever. As also in the provision which Nature hath made for the heart; which in this animall is very strangely secured, and lies immured in a cartilage or gristly substance. And lastly, in the colour of the liver; which is in the male of an excellent grasse green; but of a deeper colour in the female, and will communicate a fresh and durable verdure.

  CHAP.XX. Of Snayles

  CHAP.XXI. Of the Cameleon

  CHAP.XXII. Of the Oestridge

  CHAP.XXIII. Of the Unicorns horn

  Great account and much profit is made of Unicorns horn, at least of that which beareth the name thereof; wherein notwithstanding, many I perceive suspect an Imposture, and some conceive there is no such animall extant.26 Herein therefore to draw up our determinations, beside the severall places of Scripture mentioning this animall (which some perhaps may contend to be only meant of the Rhinoceros) 27 we are so far from denying there is any Unicorn at all, that we affirm there are many kindes thereof. In the number of Quadrupedes, we will concede no lesse then five; that is, the Indian Oxe, the Indian Asse, the Rhinoceros, the Oryx, and that which is more eminently termed Monoceros, or Unicornis: Some in the list of fishes; as that described by Olaus, Albertus and others: and some unicorns we will allow even among insects; as those four kindes of nasicornous28 Beetles described by Mussetus.

  Secondly, Although we concede there be many Unicornes, yet are we still to seek; for whereunto to affix this horn in question, or to determine from which thereof we receive this magnified medicine, we have no assurance, or any satisfactory decision. For although we single out one, and eminently thereto assigne the name of the Unicorn, yet can we not be secure what creature is meant thereby, what constant shape it holdeth, or in what number to be received. For as far as our endeavours dis cover, this animall is not uniformly described, but differently set forth by those that undertake it.…

  Thirdly, Although we were agreed what animall this was, or differed not in its description, yet would this also afford but little satisfaction; for the horne we commonly extoll, is not the same with that of the Ancients; for that in the description of Ælian and Pliny was black; this which is shewed amongst us is commonly white, none black; and of those five which Scaliger beheld, though one spadiceous, or of a light red, and two inclining to red, yet was there not any of this complexion among them.

  Fourthly, What horns soever they be which passe amongst us, they are not surely the horns of any one kinde of animall, but must proceed from severall sorts of Unicorns….

  Fifthly, Although there be many Unicorns, and consequently many horns, yet many there are which bear that name, and currantly passe among us, which are no horns at all….

  Sixtly, Although we were satisfied we had the Unicornes horn, yet were it no injury unto reason to question the efficacy thereof, or whether those vertues pretended doe properly belong unto it. For what we observe (and it escaped not the observation of Paulus Jovius many years past) none of the Ancients ascribed any medicinall or antidotall vertue unto the Unicorns horn; and that which Ælian extolleth, who was the first and only man of the Ancients who spake of the medicall vertue of any Unicorn, was the horn of the Indian Asse; whereof, saith he, the Princes of those parts make bowles and drink therein, as preservatives against poison, Convulsions and the Falling-sicknesse. Now the description of that horn is not agreeable unto that we commend; for that (saith he) is red above, white below, and black in the middle; which is very different from ours, or any to be seen amongst us. And thus, though the description ofthe Unicorn be very ancient, yet was there of old no vertue ascribed unto it; and although this amongst us receive the opinion of the same vertue, yet is it not the same horn whereunto the Ancients ascribed it…. Since therefore there be many Unicornes; Since that whereto we appropriate a horn is so variously described, that it seemeth either never to have been seen by two persons, or not to have been one animall; Since though they agreed in the description of the animall, yet is not the horn we extoll the same with that of the Ancients; Since what homes soever they be that passe among us, they are not the hornes of one, but severall animals: Since many in common use and high esteem are no hornes at all: Since if they were true hornes, yet might their vertues be questioned: Since though we allowed some vertues, yet were not others to be received; with what security a man may rely on this remedy, the mistresse of fools hath already instructed some, and to wisdome (which is never too wise to learn) it is not too late to consider.

  CHAP. XXIV. That all Animals of the Land, are in their kinde in the Sea

  CHAP. XXV. Concerning the common course in Diet, in making choice of some Animals, and abstaining from eating others

  ADDENDUM29

  CHAP. XXVI. Of Sperma-Ceti, and the Sperma-Ceti Whale

  What Sperma-Ceti is, men might justly doubt, since the learned Hofmannus in his work of Thirty years, saith plainly, Nescio quid sit.30 And therefore need not wonder at the variety of opinions; while some conceived it to be flos maris, and many, a bituminous substance floating upon the sea.

  That it was not the spawn of the Whale, according to vulgar conceit, or nominal appellation, Phylosophers have always doubted; not easily conceiving the Seminal humour of Animals, should be inflammable; or of a floating nature.

  That it proceedeth from the Whale, beside the relation of Clusius and other learned observers, was indubitably determined, not many years since by a Sperma-Ceti Whale, cast on our coast of Norfolk.31 Which, to lead on further inquiry, we cannot omit to inform. It contained no less then sixty foot in length, the head somewhat peculiar, with a large prominency over the mouth; teeth only in the lower Jaw, received into fleshly sockets in the upper. The Weight of the largest about two pound: No gristly32 substances in the mouth, commonly called Whale-bones; Only two short finns seated forwardly on the back; the eyes but small, the pizell33 large, and prominent. A lesser Whale of this kind above twenty years ago, was cast up on the same shore.34

  The description of this Whale seems omitted by Gesner, Rondeletius, and the first Editions of Aldrovandus; but described in the latin impression of Pareus, in the Exoticks of Clusius, and the natural history of Nirembergius, but more amply in the Icons and figures of Johnstonus.

  Mariners (who are not the best Nomenclators) called it a Jubartas, or rather Gibbartus. Of the same appellation we meet with one in Rondeletius, called by the French Gibbar, from its round and gibbous35 back. The name Gibbarta we find also given unto one kind of Greenland Whales: But this of ours seemed not to answer the Whale of that denomination; but more agreeable unto the Trumpa or Sperma-Ceti Whale: according to the account of our Greenland describers in Purchas. And maketh the third among the eight remarkable Whales of that Coast.

  Out of the head of this Whale, having been dead divers daies, and under putrifaction, flowed streams of oyl and Sperma-Ceti; which was carefully taken up and preserved by the Coasters. But upon breaking up, the Magazin of Sperma-Ceti, was found in the head lying in foulds and courses, in the bigness of goose eggs, encompassed with large flakie substances, as large as a mans head, in form of hony-combs, very white and full of oyl.

  Some resemblance or trace hereof there seems to be in the Physiter or Capidolio of Rondeletius; while he delivers, that a fatness more liquid then oyl, runs from the brain of that animal; which being out, the Reliques are like the skales of Sardinos pressed into a mass; which melting with heat, are again concreted by cold. And this many conceive to have been the fish
which swallowed Jonas. Although for the largeness of the mouth, and frequency in those seas, may possibly be the Lamia.36

  Some part of the Sperma-Ceti found on the shore was pure, and needed little depuration;37 a great part mixed with fetid oyl, needing good preparation, and frequent expression, to bring it to a flakie consistency. And not only the head, but other parts contained it. For the carnous parts being roasted, the oyl dropped out, an axungious38 and thicker part subsiding; the oyl it self contained also much in it, and still after many years some is obtained from it.

  Greenland Enquirers seldom meet with a Whale of this kind: and therefore it is but a contingent Commodity, not reparable from any other. It flameth white and candent like Champhire,39 but dissolveth not in aqua fortis, like it. Some lumps containing about two ounces, kept ever since in water, afford a fresh, and flosculous40 smell. Well prepared and separated from the oyl, it is of a substance unlikely to decay, and may outlast the oyl required in the Composition of Mathiolus.

  Of the large quantity of oyl, what first came forth by expression from the Sperma-Ceti, grew very white and clear, like that of Almonds or Ben. What came by decoction41 was red. It was found to spend much in the vessels which contained it: It freezeth or coagulateth quickly with cold, and the newer soonest. It seems different from the oyl of any other animal, and very much frustrated the expectation of our soap-boylers, as not incorporating or mingling with their lyes. But it mixeth well with painting Colours, though hardly drieth at all. Combers of wool made use hereof, and Country people for cuts, aches and hard tumors. It may prove of good Medical use; and serve for a ground in compounded oyls and Balsams. Distilled, it affords a strong oyl, with a quick and piercing water. Upon Evaporation it gives a balsame, which is better performed42 with Turpentine distilled with Sperma-Ceti.

  Had the abominable scent permitted, enquirie had been made into that strange composure of the head, and hillock of flesh about it. Since the workmen affirmed, they met with Sperma-Ceti before they came to the bone, and the head yet preserved, seems to confirm the same. The sphincters inserving unto43 the Fistula or spout, might have been examined, since they are so notably contrived in other cetaceous Animals; as also the Larynx or Throtle, whether answerable unto that of Dolphins and Porposes in the strange composure and figure which it maketh. What figure the stomack maintained in this Animal of one jaw of teeth, since in Porposes which abount in both, the ventricle is trebly divided, and since in that formerly taken nothing was found but weeds and a Loligo.44 The heart, hungs, and kidneys, had no escaped; wherein are remarkable differences from Animals of the land, likewise what humor the bladder contained, but especially the seminal parts, which might have determined the difference of that humor, from this which beareth its name.

  In vain it was to rake for Ambergreece in the panch of this Leviathan, as Greenland discoverers, and attests45 of experience dictate, that they sometimes swallow great lumps thereof in the Sea; insufferable fetour denying that enquiry. And yet if, as Paracelsus encourageth, Ordure makes the best Musk, and from the most fetid substances may be drawn the most odoriferous Essences; all that had not Vespasians Note,46 might boldly swear, here was a subject fit for such extractions.

  CHAP.XXVI. Compendiously of sundry Tenents concerning other Animals, which examined prove either false or dubious

  1. And first from great Antiquity, and before the Melody of Syrens, the Musicall note of Swans hath been commended, and that they sung most sweetly before their death. For thus we reade in Plato, that from the opinion of Metempsuchosis, or transmigration of the soules of men into the bodies of beasts most sutable unto their humane condition, after his death, Orpheus the Musician became a Swan. Thus was it the bird of Apollo the god of Musick by the Greeks; and an Hieroglyphick of Musick among the Ægyptians, from whom the Greeks derived the conception; hath been the affirmation of many Latines, and hath not wanted assertors almost from every Nation.

  All which notwithstanding, we finde this relation doubtfully received by Ælian, as an hearsay account by Bellonius, as a false one by Pliny; expresly refuted by Myndius in Athenæus; and severely rejected by Scaliger… Authors also that countenance it, speak not satisfactorily of it. Some affirming they sing not till they die; some that they sing, yet die not. Some speak generally, as though this note were in all; some but particularly, as though it were only in some; some in places remote, and where we can have no triall of it; others in places where every experience can refute it; as Aldrovandus upon relation, delivered, concerning the Musick of the Swans on the river of Thames near London.

  Now that which countenanceth, and probably confirmeth this opinion, is the strange and unusuall conformation of the winde pipe, or vocall organ in this animall: observed first by Aldrovandus, and conceived by some contrived for this intention: for in its length it farre exceedeth the gullet; and hath in the chest a sinuous revolution, that is, when it ariseth from the lungs, it ascendeth not directly unto the throat, but ascending first into a capsulary reception of the breast bone, by a Serpentine and Trumpet recurvation it ascendeth again into the neck; and so by the length thereof a great quantity of air is received, and by the figure thereof a musicall modulation effected. But to speak indifferently, this formation of the Weazon,47 is not peculiar unto the Swan, but common also unto the Platea or Shovelard, a bird of no Musicall throat; And as Aldrovandus confesseth may thus be contrived in the Swan to contain a larger stock of air, whereby being to feed on weeds at the bottom, they might the longer space detain their heads under water. But were this formation peculiar, or had they unto this effect an advantage from this part: yet have they a known and open disadvantage from another; that is, a flat bill. For no Latirostrous48 animall (whereof neverthelesse there are no slender numbers) were ever commended for their note, or accounted among those animals which have been instructed to speak.

  When therefore we consider the dissention of Authors, the falsity of relations, the indisposition of the Organs, and the immusicall note of all we ever beheld or heard of; if generally taken and comprehending all Swans, or of all places, we cannot assent thereto. Surely he that is bit with a Tarantula, shall never be cured by this Musick; and with the same hopes we expect to hear the harmony of the Spheres.

  2. That there is a speciall propriety in the flesh of Peacocks rost or boiled, to preserve a long time incorrupted, hath been the assertion of many; stands yet confirmed by Austin, De Civitate Dei; by Gygas Sempronius, in Aldrovandus, and the same experiment we can confirm our selves, in the brawn or fleshy parts of Peacocks so hanged up with thred, that they touch no place whereby to contract a moisture; and hereof we have made triall both in summer and winter. The reason, some, I perceive, attempt to make out from the siccity and drinesse of its flesh, and some are content to rest in a secret propriety thereof. As for the siccity of the flesh, it is more remarkable in other animals, as Eagles, Hawkes, and birds of prey; That it is a propriety or agreeable unto none other, we cannot with reason admit: for the same preservation, or rather incorruption we have observed in the flesh of Turkeys, Capons, Hares, Partridge, Venison, suspended freely in the air, and after a year and a half, dogs have not refused to eat them.

  As for the other conceit that a Peacock is ashamed when he looks on his legges, as is commonly held, and also delivered by Cardan; beside what hath been said against it by Scaliger, let them beleeve that hold specificall49 deformities; or that any part can seem unhansome to their eies, which hath appeared good and beautifull unto their makers. The occasion of this conceit, might first arise from a common abservation, that when they are in their pride, that is, advance their train, if they decline their neck to the ground, they presently demit and let fall the same: which indeed they cannot otherwise do; for contracting their body, and being forced to draw in their foreparts, to establish the hinder in the elevation of the train; if the foreparts depart and incline to the ground, the hinder grow too weak, and suffer the train to fall. And the same in some degree is also observable in Turkeys….

  CHAP. XXV
II. Of some others

  THE FOURTH BOOK:

  OF MANY POPULAR AND RECEIVED TENENTS CONCERNING MAN, WHICH EXAMINED, PROVE EITHER FALSE OR DUBIOUS

  CHAP.I. Of the erectnesse of Man

  That onely Man hath an erect figure, and for to behold and look up toward heaven, according to that of the Poet,

  Pronaque cum spectant animalia cætera terram,

  Os homini sublime dedit, cæumque tueri

  Jussit, & erectos ad sydera tollere vultus,1

  is a double assertion, whose first part may be true; if we take erectnesse strictly, and so as Galen hath defined it; for they only, saith he, have an erect figure, whose spine and thigh-bone are carried in right lines; and so indeed of any we yet know, Man only is erect. For the thighes of other animals doe stand at angles with their spine, and have rectangular positions in birds, and perfect Quadrupeds; nor doth the Frog, though stretched out, or swimming, attain the rectitude of man, or carry its thigh without all angularity. And thus is it also true that man only sitteth, if we define sitting to be a firmation of the body upon the Ischias:2 wherein if the position be just and naturall, the thigh-bone lieth at right angles to the spine, and the leg bone or tibia to the thigh. For others when they seem to sit, as Dogs, Cats, or Lions, doe make unto their spine acute angles with their thigh, and acute to the thigh with their shank. Thus is it likewise true, what Aristotle alledgeth in that Problem; why man alone suffereth pollutions in the night? because man only lieth upon his back; if we define not the same by every supine position, but when the spine is in rectitude with the thigh, and both with the armes lie parallell to the Horizon; so that a line through their navel will passe through the Zenith and centre of the earth; and so cannot other animals lie upon their backs; for though the spine lie parallell with the Horizon, yet will their legs incline, and lie at angles unto it. And upon these three divers positions in man, wherein the spine can only be at right lines with the thigh, arise those remarkable postures, prone, supine and erect; which are but differenced in situation or in angular postures upon the back, the belly and the feet.