A  
CORNUCOPIA, Or divers secrets:  
Wherein is contained the rare secrets in Man, Beasts, Fowls, Fishes, Trees, plants, Stones and such like, most pleasant and profitable, and not before committed to be printed in English.  
Newly drawn out of divers Latin Authors into English by Thomas johnson.  
AT LONDON.  
Printed for William Barley, and are to be sold at his shop at the upper end of Gracious street near Leadenhall. 1595.   

CORNUCOPIA, OR divers secrets: wherein is contained the rare secrets in Man, Beasts, Fowls, Fishes, Trees, plants, Stones and such like, most pleasant and profitable and not before committed to be printed in English.  
Many are the wonders & marvels in this world, and almost incredible, were it not that experience teacheth the contrary: for who could be persuaded to believe that the Owstridge could eat or devour cold & hard Iron, or that hot burning Iron could not hurt her stomach, were it not that it hath and is daily seen and known.  
There is a little fish called Echines, which cleaving to the keel or mast of the ship, will so retain the ship that no violence of wind or weather can remove it.  
The Salamaunder and the worm Piransta live in the fire, and although they seem to consume and burn away yet are they not hurt or burned at all.  
The satires have heads like unto men, and bodies like unto goats, and are capable of reason and speech, which is both strange & wonderful.  
The Loadstone hath virtue to drawyron to it: yet if you hold a Diamond by him, that virtue will be taken away so long as the Adamant is by him.  
The stone found in an eagle's nest, bound to the left arm of a woman with child preserveth from abortion, but bound to her thigh in her travail, causeth easy and speedy deliverance. Also it is said that if a thief eat a piece of this stone any manner of way, it shall never pass through him. A thief can not swallow any broth wherein this stone hath been sodden.  
The jasper stone restraineth bleeding.  
If any thing be laid in salt and there left remaining, in process of time it becometh salt itself.  
Many things are helped by their like, as Physicians can tell that the brains of many things are helpful to the brain of man, the junges to the junges, the eye to the eye, & foot to the foot, etc.  
The right eye of a Frog applied to the right eye of one that is purblind, or the left eye to the left healeth the party.  
So doth the eye of a crab-fish.  
The snail applied in the same sort helpeth the gout.  
Every barren Beast or Fowl causeth sterility or barrenness, especially the Uri●…e, matrice or stones any ways taken.  
So doth the milk of a Mule once in a month eaten, oause her that ea●…e it not to conceive.  
If you would move love, take such creatures as love most, such are the Turtle, the Sparrow, the Swallow, the Waggetaile.  
If you would move audacity, respect the Lion and the Cock.  
The dog, the raven, the cock, the nightinggale, the bat or remouse & such like, especially the head the heart & the eyes are said to profit in vigilancy, or to keep one from sleeping.  
The heart of a Crow or a Bat borne upon one suffereth not the party to sleep till it ●…ee taken away.  
The head of the bat brought to powder, & bound to the right arm doth the like, but put upon the stomach of one that is a sleep, it is said that he shall not a wake till it be taken away.  
The Frog and the Toad are much effectual to make one talkative.  
The tongue of a water Frog put on the head of one sleeping: causeth him to speak in his sleep.  
The heart of a Toad or of a Night crow, or the fat of a Hare put upon the breast of one sleeping, causeth them to tell whatsoever shall be asked them.  
All beasts of long life are said to be helpers to long life.  
The Hart reneweth his age by eating of the Serpent.  
The Phoenix by the fire.  
If the right foot of the Pelican be put in hot dung for three months, thereof will be engendered a Pelican.  
The Loadstone doth not only draw iron to it, but also maketh that iron to draw other iron to it, if the Loadstone berubbed therewith.  
It is supposed that in like manner the smock or other apparel of a strumpet being worn of others, giveth a certain impudency and shameless boldness to those parties.  
Even so if a Woman behold herself ●…fte in the glass wherein an whore hath accustomed to look in, it maketh her not only impudent bold but also the more prompt to further offending.  
Also a black cloth which hath been used over the Coffin of dead folks bringeth a certain kind of sadness or melancholy to them that wear it in apparel.  
The Loadstone hath the virtue attractive, the Emerald giveth great probability to obtain riches, the jasper helpeth births, the stone Achates giveth sweet and pleasant speech.  
The root of the herb Aproxis draweth fire to it a far off.  
The Palm tree of the male kind and of the female kind growing together, do fold the branches one within another, as it were embracing each other, neither will the female bear any fruit without the company of the male.  
The vine is greatly delighted with the Elm and yieldeth more fruit being placed together.  
The Almond tree sollitarily planted is less fruitful.  
The myrtle tree and the Olive three love each other mutually, even so doth the Olive tree and the fig tree.  
In like manner as in plants, so also in fowls and beasts is there a mutual amity, as between the Ouzel and the Felfare; between the Crow and the Hernshawe; between the Dove and the Peacock, between the Turtle and the Popiniay.  
Also the fish called Musculus loveth the Whale so, that he leadeth the Whale from danger of Rocks: Also there is a great amity betwixt it and the Chirlepoole.  
It is supposed that the Cat so much rejoiceth with the herb Nep, that even by the rubbing o●… herself against it, she bringeth young by that means, supplying the defect of the Male.  
Also many Mares in Capadocia conceive even by the blowing of the wind, and drawing in of the same by the nostrils.  
Frogs, Toads, Serpents and all kind of venomous things, rejoice greatly in a kind of parsley called Apium risus, a most venomous weed, whereupon who soever eateth dieth soon after in laughing.  
The Snail being hurt of the Serpent, is comforted by ear-ring Organie and in like case the Stork. The weasel helpeth herself o●… poison by eating of Rue. And by these means it is found out that Organy and Rue are great resisters of poison.  
The Toad being bitten or hurt by any means hasteth to Rue or Sage, and rubbeth the wound there against, and by that means is healed.  
So men have learned many precious remedies for many diseases even by brute 〈◊〉, as we see by the swallow, who hath taught us that the juice of Celandine is singular for the eyes, for that she restoreth sight to her young ones with Celandine.  
The chattering Pie being sick bringeth the bay leaf into her nest and so is restored.  
The Gay, the Partridge, the Ouzel & such do yearly purge themselves with bay leaves, and in like case the Craw with the same extinguisheth the poison of the Chameleon.  
The Lion being diseased is helped in devouring the Ape. The Lapwing with eating maiden hair.  
The Hart stricken with an arrow, knoweth how to drive it out with eating of Dict●…m herb.  
The Hind before her time be to bring forth young, purgeth herself with the herb Siler.  
Swine hurt of Serpents, are healed by the crab-fish.  
The Bear hurt in eating of Mandrakes, takes help in devouring the Pismires or Ants.  
Ducks, Geese and other birds of the water help themselves with an herb called Siderits that groweth on walls and tiles.  
Pigeons. Turtles, ●…ennes and such like are healed with the herb Helxine: Cranes with bulrushes, Panthers with man's order, Boars with ivy, Hinds with Artechokes.  
Neither do Plants, Herbs, Beasts and such like, want a certain kind of hatred or enmity▪ as we see Ru●…ar be hateth choler. Treacle, poison, th●… S●…hire stone, al●…o burning fevers and griefs of the eyes. The Amethyst resisteth drunkenness, and the jasper bleeding and hurtful fantasies. The Emerald restraineth lust. The stone Achates resisteth poison: the topaz couetuos●…es, lnxurie and all outrages of love.  
The Pismire detesteth the herb Organie & Coleworts, that the one killeth the other placed together.  
The Olive tree so detesteth the Coweumber that being placed near together, they will turn back and grow hookewise lest they should touch one another.  
The gall of a Crow hid in some privy or unknown place, is said to fear men for coming to that place where it is hidden.  
The Adamant disagreeth in such sort with the Loadstone, that being together Iron will not be drawn.  
Sheep fly from the Herb called Apimu ravinum, as from a most deadly poison & which is most strange in the liver of such sheep as di●… of the eating of that herb, the very picture of the herb is to be found.  
Goats of all other herbs detest Bassll.  
The Weasel and the Mouse are at deadly hate, so that if you put the brain of a Weasel into your rennet or cheeslepe wherewith you gather the cured of cheese, the Mice will never taste or eat the cheeses.  
There is a beast like a Lizard that is called Stellio having black spots like stars, which is so contrary unto the Scorpion, that his very sight terrefieth him that he presently putrefieth and becometh an oil which is singular to heal hurt received by Scorpions or other venomo●…s beasts.  
There is also a mortal hate betwixt the Mouse and the Scorpion, in such sort that a Mouse applied to the biting of a Scorpion, helpeth the grief.  
Serpents have no greater enemies than Crabfish, & for that cause swine bitten with Serpents are holpe●… with Crabs.  
If a Crocodile b●…uched with a quill or feather of the bird called Ibis, it makes immovable.  
There is a bird like a Partridge called Otidis that cannot abide the sight of an horse.  
The Hart cannot abide the sight of the Raven, neither the sight of the viper.  
The Elephant is feared most when he heareth the grunting of a swine: the Lion when he seethe a Cock.  
There is also enmity between the Wolf, the ●…wan, the Bull and the Raven.  
There is continual war betwixt the Crow and the Owl, the Kite and the crow, the Hart and the Dragon.  
Enmity also between the Dolphin and the 〈◊〉, the Codfish and the Seawolfe, the Cunger and the Lampraie.  
The Lobster so feareth the fish Polipus, that at his sight he dieth incontinent.  
The Lamb and the Wolf are at enmity, and the Lamb so feareth the Wolf, that if a piece of the skin of a Wolf be hanged on the crib, they will not eat for very fear.  
It is thought that the Olive tree is so contrary to whoredom, that if an harlot do plant it, either it will die or else bore no fruit.  
The Lion is thought to be tamed by none other means than with burned firebrands, which he utterly detesteth and is a feared of: & the Wolf who feareth neither staff nor iron, yet the casting of a stone is so contrary to him, that in the same place where he is hit with a stone are worms engendered.  
The Horse feareth the Camel greatly, so that he can not brook neither his sight nor smell.  
The Elephant though never so outrage, yet seeing a Ram is eftsoons tamed.  
A Snake flieth and feareth a naked man, and pursueth or followeth one that is not naked.  
A Bull though never so fierce, becometh quickly very gentle being tied unto a fig tree.  
Amber commonly draweth all things unto it but Bassell and such things as are anointed with Oil, which showeth some natural discord between them.  
Moreover it is wonderful to consider the courage in the Lion, and the Cock, the fear and timorousness in the Hare and in the Lamb, the capacity and gluttony of the Wolf, the craft and deceit of the Fox, the flattery of the Dog, the covetousness of the Crow and the Raven, the pride and stomach of the Horse, the revengement in the Tiger and the Boar, the melancholic sadness in the Cat, the venery or lust in the Sparrow, the boldness of an Harlot, the fear of a Thief, and such like innumerable.  
The eye of the Basili●…ke is so odious to man that it seethe man before he come near him, even by looking upon him.  
So doth the eye of a certain Wolf called Hyena astonish every Beast that he seethe, in such sort that they cannot mo●…e nor stir.  
There be certain wild beasts in the woods of Germany that have no joints in their legs, & therefore never lie down but stand and lean to rest them, which the Hunters knowing saw the Trees (whereunto they are accustomed to lean unto) half a sunder, than the trees falling the Beasts also are taken.  
Even so there be many Wolves which if they see a man before the man see them, doth amaze them even with their sight, and maketh them hoarse, so that they cannot cry nor call because they have taken away the use of their voice.  
Also if a man carry the heart of a Dog about him, all Dogs will fly from him.  
The liver of a Goat is quite contrary to butterflies, and moths and such like▪ & Wolves will not eat such pullen as have eaten of the liver of a Wolf.  
The Pelican revives her young ones being killed with her own blood.  
When the Oyster gapeth for air against the tide, the Crab putteth a stone between the two shells to keep them open while he eateth the meat.  
The stone of a mad Dog put into drink is said to cause dissension between the parties that drink thereof.  
Pliny reporteth that if when you first hear the Cuckoo, you mark where your right foot standeth and take up of that earth, fleas will not breed where it is thrown.  
Also Pliny affirmeth that if one that hath the f●…lling sickness do mark the place where his head fell at the first beginning of the disease and in that place do drive an Iron nail over the head, that it will presently help or deliver him from falling any more.  
Take the parings of the nails of any that hath the quartain Ague, and put them in a linn●…n cloth, and tie the same about the neck of a quick ●…ele, putting the said Eel into the water, and it will deliver the party from his disease.  
The Raven bringeth forth two eggs, whereof are engendered a Male and a Female Raven.  
If you phance to see ●…ne Raven flying alone, it signifieth the party to be a Widower, or to lead his life as a Widow.  
If a Raven or a Crow do crook towards 〈◊〉 it pretendeth some adverse fortune, either of person, honour, wife, children or substance, as Epictitus Stoicus ●… most grave Philosophet doth affirm.  
The merry countenance of the Swan doth presage to shipmen a happy adventure, and to passengers joy by their journey.  
The Eagle is said to drink no water but blood, and therefore flying over an host or army of Soldiers, doth signify an happy victory.  
The 〈◊〉 promiseth most happy success, but the Uultur most lamentable stratagems.  
The Pelican noteth some danger for doing 〈◊〉 to others.  
The 〈◊〉 is ●… sign of concord, the chattering 〈◊〉 showeth▪ some guests from that part from whence he looketh, and this is true by daily experience.  
The Scrich Owl and the Night-Crow, evermore prognosticate death, and this also is daily approved.  
The finding of a toad in any uncouth 〈◊〉 noteth death.  
The Hawk flying over your head pr●…tendeth death to the party.  
The fight of Hawks one with an other▪ noteth mutation of kingdoms.  
The Swallow is a sign of enjoying a patrimony or inheritance.  
The meeting of a Remouse or 〈◊〉, signifieth evasion from enemies.  
To meet the sparrow flying is a sign of evil luck, but in love matters it noteth good.  
The meeting of a 〈◊〉 is accounted fortunable.  
It is not good to meet with an Hare in a journey, for many have proved it evil ●…y common experience.  
Also the Mule, the Hog and the Horse are not very fortunable to meet in desert places. Sheep and Goats prete●…d good: So do Oxen & Dogs to be met in a journey.  
The Mouse pretendeth evil.  
The Spider drawing 〈◊〉 her thread from ab●…ue, is a sign that there is hope to receive money, and this is a common sentence.  
The meeting of a snake giveth warning to beware of some evil tonged enemy.  
wonderful are the portraitures and proportions of men.  
Let a man stand upright and hold up his hands over his head, then is there his cubit from the top of his head to the long fingers end.  
The length of the arm from the elbow to the end of the fingers, is just the length from the middle of the whorlebone to the sole of the fo●…te.  
The navel is just in the middle of a man, for look how much distance is from the fingers ends holden upright over the head to the navel, so much is there from the navel to the sole of the feet, and so like wise in the breadth.  
The navel is also the middle point from the crown of the head to the knee.  
From the top of the shoulder bone to the elbow is the fourth part of a man.  
Four cubits, or four times the length of half the arm: that is to say, from the elbow to the finger's end is the stature of the man.  
The length of the whole arm from the top of the shoulder to the end of the longest finger, is half the length of the man.  
The space between the top of the one shoulder to the top of the other over the back, is also the fourth part of that man's length▪  
Six handfuls make 〈◊〉 oubite 〈◊〉 ●…ome handfuls make a foot, and four fingers make an hands breadth.  
The length of a man, is four and twenty of his hand bredths.  
Six f●…et of a well set man maketh his full length, but of slender tall men, seven feet in length are his height.  
Fourscore and sixteen si●…gers breadth is also the length of the party that measureth them.  
The length of the breast from the top to the bottom is the sixth part of his stature.  
The space from the highest part of the breast to the top of the forehead even to the roots of the hairs is the seventh part of his length.  
From the crown of the head to the bottom of the chin maketh the eight part of the length of a man.  
If you measure the compass of a man's head along by the fore head and roots of the hair, then have you the first part of his length.  
The length of the face from the top of the middle of the forehead to the bottom of the chinn●… is the tenth part: so is the length of the hand from the wrist to the forefingers end: so also the distance between the two dugs, and from the bottom of the throat to either of the dugs is the like distance, making right triangle equal on every side.  
The compass of the neoke is as much as from the top of the breast to the chin: even like distance is from the height of the breast to the navel.  
From the top or crown of the head to the 〈◊〉, showeth half the compass of the middle.  
From the end of the forefinger measured on the back of the hand to the third joint of the said finger, is of equality with the length from that joint to the back side of the wrist.  
Also the length of the long finger by the out side from the end of the nail to the third joint thereof, is of equal length with the space from the wrist, to the bending of the first joint of the said finger in the inner side of the hand.  
The space from the nethermost joint of the thumb to the greater joint of the same, is equal to the height of the forehead.  
The two hands are as much as the whole face, for with their inside may you cover rightly the whole countenance.  
The length of the nose, the height of the fore●…, and breadth of the mouth are equal one with another.  
The breadth of the sole of the foot and the palm of the hand are both alike.  
The compass both of the eye, and also the ●…are, and the opening of the mouth are all one.  
If you measure from the crown of the head under the chin to the crown of the head again, then have you the compass of your middle.  
The length of your hand from the wrist to the longest fingers end, is the length of the foot.  
The compass of the calf of the leg, is the compass of the neck.  
Twice the compass of the wrest, is the compass of the calf of the leg.  
Thrice the compass of the first joint of the thumb, is the compass of the wrist.  
Twice the length of the long finger from the great or third joint to the end of the finger, is the length of your span.  
These aught to be observed in men of mean stature, and such as are not missformed nor diseased.  
Marvelous in our eyes are the hidden qualities in other things, as is the nature of a stone named Abeston found in Araby, of the colour of Iron, which hath not only a kind of Wool growing about it, which some say is the down of the Salamaunder, and of truth will not burn and consume away with fire: but the stone also itself being once hot will never afterwards be cooled again.  
Achates the stone sometimes hath t●…e representation of the nine Muses, sometimes the picture of Venus, sometime it hath the colour of Coral, sometimes of Crystal.  
Pliny and others affirm that by the smoke made by burning of this stone, storms and tempests are driven away, even as it is a common experiment in all countries that the ringing of Bells, doth scatter and put away thunder.  
Galactides the stone being very black without, yet being broken sendeth out a liquor both of the same taste and whiteness of milk:  
Strange it is that the fish called an Horn-beake, ca●…eth out her spawn by none other means, but only by opening of her belly, & that after the casting of the spawn, the wound closeth again.  
The Adamant or Diamond stone is so hard, that nothing may break it but the blood of a Goat.  
Among strange matters, this may seem to be none of the least, that in Egypt it seldom or never raineth: yet by the overflowing of the river Nilus, it is so abundant of all things, that it may be compared even with the chiefest▪ yet is there not a vine in all Egypt.  
The Eel cometh or is engendered of the earth and mud without any spawn, neither is there either male or female of them.  
It is said that an Hare is one year male, & another year female.  
There is in Syria a water called Asphaltum, whose virtue is such, that there cannot any thing sink or be drowned in it that hath life.  
Africa yieldeth a little s●…rpent called Aspis, the stinging stroke whereof cannot by any●… means be healed but by the drinking of the stone of some ancient king.  
Wonderful it is that Pliny writeth of this misc●…ieuous worm: for the male (saith he) & the female go both together, and if any man kill one of them, the other still pursueth the slayer, and will never leave him till he be revenged: yea and will follow him even through an assembl●… of people, so that there is no help but to pass over some water which it cannot pass.  
Athanasi●…s the famous Bishop of Alexandria is reported to have lived six whole yea●…s in a dry cistern where he never saw the sun▪  
It is strange to consider the hugeu●…s of the City of Babylon, for by report it was in compass threescore miles, the walls thereof three hundred feet in ●…night, three●…core and fifteen foot in breadth, having one hundred gates of brass, the tower that Nimroth builded, abo●…e fine miles in height.  
wonderful is the inhumanity of the people in the further most part of Persia, who when their Parents be very sick or aged they throw them unto fierce and wild dogs which do rend and devour them.  
The dogge-fish is said to make a noise like the barking of a dog when the fisher hath taken him.  
In the banks of the river Nilus is engendered a little beast which hath such venemositie in his eyes, that who so be holdeth them dieth incontinent.  
The camels of Bractria will run above an hundred miles in one day.  
There is a kind of Carbuncle stone called Carehedonius of a wonderful nature, for being in an house it is of a purple colour, but in the air it is fiery against the sun, it sendeth forth sparks, and if wax be put to it, it melteth away.  
Strabo writeth that in Tartary near the Sea Caspium, be a kind of people, that if they perceive that their Parents li●…e or exceed the age of three score & ten years, they put them into a close place, and so most unnaturally do famish them, which done they draw them out and leave them in some desert, going a far off from them, and beholding them. Now if birds do devour them, they then account them blessed: if dogs or wild-beastes do it, they do not account it so happy: but if Dogs and wild beasts do, they esteem those men most unhappy.  
There are Cedar trees in Syria one hundred and thirty foot high, and five or six fathom in compass: the wood will never rot neither will worms breed in them.  
The little beast the Chameleon being spotted, changeth those spots at his pleasure, according to the thing then present in his sight, he sleepeth with his eyes open, so that his eyes be never shut, he never eateth nor drinketh but liveth only by the air.  
It is supposed that the Stork hath no tongue, and that the young ones much succour and provide meat for the old ones.  
Coral is a tree or bush growing in the sea, which being once gathered & out of the water becometh a stone: such is the strange nature thereof.  
Strange it is that the Goat should be continually troubled with an Ague, and the Quail with the falling sickness.  
In Sicily Ileland are Giants which have but one eye and that is in the middle of their foreheads.  
In Sicilia is a River which runneth from the great Mountain Taurus of such an exceeding cold nature, that if any man remain therein any time, it mortifieth the whole body.  
The beast Canips which is some what like an Ape, but that he is more greater and more puissant, and his head more like unto a Dog: is of a wonderful strange nature: for besides that they have a voice like a man, they show every hour of the day and night by their making of water, for at every hour do they piss: to wit four and twenty times in a natural day. Also they so lament the wane of the Moon, that during the time of her darkness before her change they never will look upward or eat any thing, but hanging down their heads show a countenance of sorrow.  
There be people under the great Cham which have heads like unto our dogs.  
In A●…thiope by a town called Debris is a Well of a strange property, for the water in the day time is cold as y●…e, and in the night it is boiling hot.  
The Dolphin is so wondered swift in swimming, that were it not that his mouth is so near his belly no fish might escape him, but by reason of his mouth he can take no fish but lying with his belly upward: his m●…uable tongue is apt for voice, & is greatly delighted with music & is thought of all fishes best to love mankind.  
Certain people called Derli●…es, have this custom: when their friends come to the age of 70. years, they slay them & eat them calling all their neighbours to the feast, but the women they strangle and then bury them as they do others that die within that age: they punish every offence be it never so little even with death.  
There is a stone to be had in the head of a Dragon if you suddenly strike off the Dragon's head, for otherwise the stone dissolveth while the Dragon dieth.  
The Dromedary being in journeying, can endure from any drink, for the space of three days.  
In the root of an Oak is found a little worm of so mischievous poison, that if one tread on him barefooted, forthwith the skin cometh o●… and all the leg swelleth, and which is more to be marveled at they that do handle him that is hurt looseth his skin.  
In Solinus you may find it mentioned, that in Africa there be certain people which if they praise fair 〈◊〉, goodly corn, pretty children, goodly cattle, and such like they die presently. And Pliny also writeth of some, which beholding any person steadfastly with an angry countenance they destroy them; and this is found true man●…etimes here even amongst us.  
Of all four footed beasts the Elephant is the greatest 〈◊〉▪ and most 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of most understanding▪ ●…his age is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dread years. Pliny saith that 〈◊〉 none advontrie, and that if they meet with a man in the Wilderness being out of any way, they will gently go before him and bring him into the plain way. To this Solinus seemeth to agree.  
The Elephant is at continual war with the Dragon, who like an envious person will not be satisfied but with the blood of the Elephant, and therefore lying in wait as the Elephant passeth by the Dragon, being of an exceeding length, windeth his tail about the hinder legs of the Elephant and so letteth his going, and then thrusteth his head into the Elephant's nose and sucketh or exhausteth his breath, or else biteth him in the ear, whereto he may not reach with his nose, and when the Elephant is faint, so that he can no longer endure, he falleth down upon the Dragon which is full of blood and with the poison of his body breaketh him: so that the blood of the Dragon and of the Elephant, runneth about mingled together, which is that which we call Sinopre.  
If one do steadfastly behold the bird Ealgulus that hath the yellow jaundice▪ forthwith the party is dlivered and the bird hath the disease.  
Amongst many strange things found in India, this is to be remembered. There is a beast called Gazella, which naturally hath a superfluous blood congealed on his belly and groweth like an impostume, and when it is ripe, the beast goeth to a tree, or a stone and rubbeth his belly thereon until that humour breaketh out like unto corrupt matter, which at the first doth stink filthly, but when it hath been hanged in the air for a season it waxeth ripe, and than hath it an odoriferous savour, and that is it which we commonly call musk.  
That which we call Civet is nothing else but as it were a superfluous sweat found between the flanks of a beast much like unto a Cat.  
It is reported that the Hearing liveth only by water.  
The tree whereof groweth the wood Ebenus which is as black as jet, beareth neither leaf nor fruit which is rare.  
There are people called Hippopodes dwelling in the Scithicke Ocean, which have feet like unto horses.  
In judye they have ever two summers, and fruits and grain is twice a year gathered, the winds are always there very calm, temperate, and not troubleus: their beasts and fowls more greater than in other Countries, and of many more kinds.  
Strange is the nature of the Larix tree which perisheth not neither by totting nor by eating of worms, neither will it burn in a flame, nor be brought into coals, neither will it swim upon the water as other trees do, and therefore they are either carried in ships or laid upon fir trees, and so pinned together close that they may not stir one from an other when they are brought at any time over the sea.  
The urine of the beast called Linx who is faced like a Lion and spotted like a Panther, hath this quality in his urine, that immediately after the making or coming away from it suddenly turneth to a stone.  
It is said that there is a certain kind of fish which in latin is called Loligo, we have no english name for it, this fish hath his head placed between his feet & his belly most strangely, and hath two bones one like a knife, and the other like a pen.  
Among things of wonder this is not the meanest, that is written of the tree called Lutos, which groweth in Africa, for if any stranger doth eat of the fruit thereof, he doth incontinently forget his own Country wherein l, ●… was borne.  
In the Isles of Maniolae beyond the river Ganges, are such rocks all of Load stones that they draw even whole ships that have iron nails in them.  
There have been divers men by report that have had no teeth but only one bone, so had king Phirrus and Monodos.  
In the east part of the world are men ha●… but one leg, wherewith they go by ●…apes, and that more swiftly than any beast.  
Such like also are said to be in Ind●…e that one leg being so great that therewith they they cover themselves from the sun●…e.  
It cannot be but strange that the vermin called a Shrew going over any beast, should make that part lame which she toucheth, yea and if she bite aniething it swelleth up to the heart, and the beast dieth thereof.  
Strabo writeth of a certain kind of Calkey clay, whereunto if fire be put it kindleth in such wise, that if a little water be cast thereon it burneth more fervently, and may only be 〈◊〉 with abundance of water or vinegar, alum and bird-lime. plutarch saith there is ●…ore thereof in Babylon.  
They that inhabitite in the country of Hungary, report that they have a certain river, in the which if Iron be often dipped it will turn to copper.  
Strange it is that all beasts so marueslously delight with the sweet 〈◊〉 that cometh from the Panther: in somuch that smelling the sweet air where they have their resort, thither will all beasts come, and are not afraid but only of the Panther his fierce looks: wherein also mark as strange a secret in nature, the Panther perceiving this, of a subtlety hideth his head suffering the rest of his body to be gazed upon, that he may at the better advantage take his prey of the silly dismayed cattle.  
These Panthers the Hircanes rather poison with a poison called acoint than with weapon: wherein also see an other secret in the nature of the Panther, feeling himself to be poisoned, hasteth immediately to find the ordure or dung of mankind, and by the eating thereof are preserved. If all the bowels of these beasts be quite taken out of their bodies, yet will they live a long while as some report.  
Who can but wonder at the Bird called a Phoenix should live six hundred years, and 〈◊〉 carrying sweet spices up to a mountain 〈◊〉 the heat of the sun & labour of her wings, kindleth fire, whereby she being all consumed and burned, of her ashes riseth another of that kind, and it is supposed that there is but only one of them.  
What should I say of the Giant Polycrates, who in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 suffered any grief, 〈◊〉) into the Sea, to the intent he 〈◊〉 suffer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and thereby 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But mark the end, the ring cast into the sea the fish devoured the ring, and the same day was caught of the fisher and given to the King for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereof, and being opened the ring was found in the fishes belly, whereat as well he and all other about him marveled greatly.  
The fly Pytalis is engendered of the fire, and as long as it is in the fire it liveth, but when it is far from it, it dieth incontinently.  
The Robin-redbreast if he find a man or woman dead, will cover all his face with moss, and some think that if the body should remain unburied, that he would cover the whole body also.  
Pliny saith, that if a traveler bind Mugwort to any part of him, it keepeth him from being weary in travel.  
The Sicamore tree beareth not fruit out of the tops of the boughs as the fig tree doth unto which it is like neither will the grain nor fruit ripen except it be scraped with an iron instrument.  
It is strange that in the isle Tiros which is in the Indian sea, should be trees whose leaves do never fall. Also woo●… groweth there upon trees which do bear gourds of the 〈◊〉 of Quinces, which being ripe, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 is contained the wool whereof is made very fine clothes.  
In the River Ganges, men say are certain fishes called Vermes, three score Cubits in length having such strength that when Elephants come to the water and do drink, they will take them by the nose, and by great force draw them unto them.  
All beasts do detest the female Pimpernell and not the male: Also it is reported, that Pimpernell laid under the threshold of the door driveth away all manner of enchantments and witchcraft.  
Chickwood beginneth to spring in the middle of winter, and in the middle of summer it vanisheth away.  
Fuchius writeth that that house is never strooken with Thunder nor Lightning, upon the which doth grow houseleek, or Syngreene.  
Prickmadam flowreth thrice every year.  
Pliny reporteth that Mugwort is of wonderful effect for women's diseases, in so much as if women do but usually carry it about them they shall not at any time be hurt neither of corrupt medicines, nor of any beast, nor of any beast, nor of the sun his heat.  
If you tie a brown thread, packthreed, or other like about the brim or outer edge of a bell, if that bell be so rung, it will break incontinent.  
It is to be marveled at, that upon Midsummer Eve which is the Eve of the feast day of saint john Baptist, just at noon is to be found under every Root of Plantine and also of Mugwort, a Coal either of Charcoal or else a sea-coal, which coal as divers affirm is profitable to be borne about one against the plague, the ague and other like diseases. In credit it is that it should then be found and at no time else but even just at noon. I dare be bold to'note it for truth, for that I myself have found it divers times in the presence of many at that hour, and having sought for the same at other times, it is not to be found: but whether it hath such virtue as some affirm, I cannot justly affirm: yet do I conjecture that it may well be, for the strange finding of it at such an hour, in my judgement is more wonderful than the virtues, yea and I dare assure you that I never knew any that ever carried it about them, that ever had the plague or was troubled with any kind of ague.  
It is also incredible that Mugwort put info Ale or Beer in the heat of summer, should keep the same from souring, yet daily experience showeth the contrary: so that you put in quantity according to the proportion of your drink, for the greater quantity requireth also the greater quantity of Mugwort.  
Who can but wonder that in some countries the Sun should day by day continually rise at six of the clock in the morning, and set at six at night without alteration: Also that in other countries some days to be a month, two, three, or four months: I mean that in so longtime the Sun setteth not but shineth continually. Yea and that those that dwell directly under the poles of the world, have but one only day in the whole year, that is to say that they have for six months, or for half the year continual day and the other half year have the continual night with seeing the Sun.  
When the Sun riseth with us, it is noon with some, with others Sun setting, with others midnight etc.  
Above other countries Spain, Iberia, Dalmatia, Tolosa, India & the Aethiopian islands, are most fruitfullest of gold, by the report of Matialis, Pliny, Michael, Anglicus and others.  
Corinthus, Caristos, Dodova, abound in Brass.  
Above all other places, England, Italy, Thracia, and Calabria, excel in multitudes of beasts and cattle,  
Africa, and Arcadia, in plenty of Asses.  
For plenty of Ceres, the mount Atlas & Caucasus: the fortunate islands, India, Cirene, and Hiccinia.  
The City of Antron in Thessaly, for dens and caves.  
In the fortunate islands by the report of Pliny, are trees that are above 144. feet in height.  
Also he saith that in India are trees of such an exceeding height that one cannot shoot to the top of them.  
Hibla in Sicily surpasseth for Bees and plenty of honey. Also for Hares the hill Erimanthus in Arcady for wild Boars.  
The fortunate islands, for plenty of birds of all sorts, and store of Apples.  
The Englishmen, Armenians, Arabians, Ithyreians, some Parthians excel in shooting.  
The Irish in casting of the dart.  
Pliny reports that in judie are reeds or canes of such length & greatness, that between knot and knot may be made a Boat to carry three or four men.  
In Egypt is vinegar made so excellent, that it is sold for more than the wine itself.  
Egypt bringeth forth the venomous serpents Aspids of whom if any man be strooken, there is no remedy but to cut out the wound so deep that none of the venomous matter be remaining otherwise they die.  
For Aromatical things Persia challengeth principality.  
An Eels will live 300. years and will endure eight days without water. The River Ganges by the report of Pliny & Solinus, breedeth Eels 30 feet in length.  
Egypt, Macedon, and the Island Melus, hath the best Alum.  
The best Anise seeds are in Syria.  
Aloe in India and the gum Aloe out of Arabia and asia.  
The chiefest Alabaster cometh from India, Damascus, and from Sparta.  
The Silk out from the River Orantes and from Assit●…▪  
Celadusa, she 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Sicily and England abound in Oxen and Kine.  
In Phenicia the kine are of such hugeness, that the women do stand and milk them. 〈◊〉 saith; that by the red sea be Oxen that have horns which you may wind or bend, which way you please.  
In India they will 〈◊〉 as fat as Horses.  
In Euboia all their beasts for the most part, be white.  
The wild Beasts of Aethiop do move their 〈◊〉, even in like case as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the●…r ea●…es.  
〈◊〉, a town in Cilicia, is accounted to have the best and greatest plenty of Saffron, but now our English Saffron is most accepted of in all Countries.  
The Canary islands hath the greatest store of Dogs, and thereof (after Pliny) took the name. Others affirm that Sparta is most plentiful of Dogs.  
The islands of Crete, took his name of the abundance of Chalk or Fuller's earth that is found there.  
The River Nilus, of all other places bringeth 〈◊〉 Crocodiles. These being bred of eggs, grow into a greater form than any other thing whatsoever that is hatched of an egg. They have no tongues, and live both upon land & also water; and for four months in the winter season▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any thing at all.  
The Island Capra●… took the name of the number of Goats that 〈◊〉 there.  
The City of Auella 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath the greatest store of nuts and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 th●… called in latin nuces Auellanae.  
The mountain Hym●… and 〈◊〉 ●…ue t●… greatest sto●…e of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…tude of Bees.  
It is reported that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is such great abundance of igeons that 〈◊〉 they go forth to fight against them.  
The hill of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of Lydia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b●…he price: yet Volater 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 othe●…●…ly ●…nd England for plenty of 〈◊〉.  
The Inhabitant about the Alps have great plenty 〈◊〉 ●ron and steel, but in m●…de not co●…●…to England.  
The City 〈◊〉 in the isle of Pontus is most abounding 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to●…▪  
England hath the greatest plenty of conies.  
Calabria and Malta have the name for plenty of Cotton.  
Aquitane aboundeth in Chestnuts: Massilia in Africa for Dragons. Also in India be Dragons that be of equal bigness with the Elephant. Pliny.  
Of all other cities Syracuse hath been supposed to be the richest in the world.  
Scythia aboundeth in Horses; Argos for the best Horses amongst▪ the best▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Ireland.  
Africa for Elephants, Aethiop for the ●…ood ●…nus. India hath Aunts and Pismires as big as Dogs.  
Babilonia by Herodotus report is one of the fruitfullest countries in the world: as well for the plenty of trees, vines, oils, and such like: as also for corn and Fodder.  
〈◊〉 and Scythia are most plentiful of wild beasts: and no marvel sith they have no certain place of abode, but are carried 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 in Cartes like vagrant people.  
The 〈◊〉 of Egypt is so great, that the sheep there bring forth Lambs twice a year, and there the Sheep are shorn twice every year.  
The best Marble cometh from Sinada in Phrigia. The next to it cometh out of Numidia and 'tis speckled with purple spots.  
The green marble is brought from Laconia and of many is accounted the most precious.  
The City of Corinthus was so lacivions & given to venery, that they built there a Temple of Venus, where there was about a thousand of the fairest and finest common women that could be found, which were obedient to each man's call, the chiefest of them were called Lais, Ceren●…, Leaena, Synope, Phryne, and Si●….  
Damascus in Syria surpasseth for 〈◊〉, Calabria for Pears▪ 〈◊〉 i●… 〈◊〉 for leeks and Onions.  
Briefly Calabria is most 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Assiria for the profitable 〈◊〉 ●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aymetus a for 〈◊〉, Dodova in Greece for 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 Spain for ●…mbling ho●…ses, Indi●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 myrrh, the city 〈◊〉 by Room for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Germany for black-bi●…ds, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the river Ganges for Pearls, and to ●…y the truth England for all things: for if it 〈◊〉 well weighed, what store of grain this Ila●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is wonderful: having both suffici●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inhabitant thereof, and also to help 〈◊〉 countries that want. ●…hat country in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to England? what more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉? wherein if it be con●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of fe●…ell? what store 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what multitude of cattle are occu●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, it may seem strange from 〈◊〉 they have it? ●…hat city in the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 merchantable, more rich, more 〈◊〉 with women of most amiable counte●… and beauty, more civeller in their attire? 〈◊〉 is there more 〈◊〉 buildings? what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stored with 〈◊〉, with pre●…ions ●…ples? what nation more 〈◊〉 for honey, for ●…nne, 〈◊〉 lead, for soul, for beasts and cattle, for 〈◊〉, for plenty of wool, for clothing, for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and costly hangings? ●…here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gold & plenty of s●…luer? where 〈◊〉 ●…ittes, more profound and learned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉? nay where so many, where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & schools of learning? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 valiant and courageous soldiers? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to the persecuted, to the afflicted? 〈◊〉 what cou●…ie or nation in the world is th●… at this 〈◊〉 that ●…urisheth so many 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 p●…rts of the world as England doth? ●…e have our mines, ou●… quarries for stones, our gems, our precious stones and all other necessary and profitable things, our good God he blessed and praised th●…t 〈◊〉.  
We are not troubled with poyioning Serpents, nor with fierce Lions, or with deu●…nring Tigers, Bears, Wolves, Panthe●… 〈◊〉 any such hurtful beas●…es as other 〈◊〉 are.  
The city Bifuntium in 〈◊〉 hath a field, wherein there be two wel●…es, the water of the one is very sweet, and the water of the other is apt to be made salt.  
Alos the City of 〈◊〉 is famous for s●…lt, even so is England.  
In 〈◊〉 Swine 〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 and ●…ed so fat, they can scarce move themsel●…es: so that Pliny saith, there hath ●…in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…at making her ●…est upon the bodies.  
Aquitanie hath the name for Salmo●…s: ●…o may England.  
Sparta excelleth for ●…orke, ●…ricia and 〈◊〉 mascus for 〈◊〉, A●…abia for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
In India they have 〈◊〉 she is that they ●…uer the houses there with, as we do●… ours with s●…ate and tile, yea in some places they use them for boats.  
Statius saith that there is River in 〈◊〉, which causeth all the beasts that drink ●…herof to become white; which is the reason at their beasts for the most part 〈◊〉 of white colour.  
England and the City 〈◊〉 in Camp 〈◊〉 for baths are most notable.  
Thessaly, the isle of Pontus, and Colches, I●…eria and Scythia, have more poison & veno●…ous ●…erbes than all other Countries.  
In 〈◊〉 be white Bears so infected with poison, that they kill such dogs as hunt them even with the breath.  
Genoesa a city in Aetolia is always & continually 〈◊〉 with great winds.  
No country to ●…es compared to judie for glass.  
Varr●… saith what country is comparable to Campania for meals, to 〈◊〉 for wine, to 〈◊〉 for wheat, to England for wool●…, tin, and lead.  
Strange it is that the Island G●…uleegalata by Carthage, breedeth no Scorpions: nay the very earth killeth them.  
Even so in Ireland we know no ●…enomous beast is bred, or if any be brought from other places thither they die.  
The Island Sicaros in Arabia breedeth no da●…s, and if a●…ie be set on shore there, they run ra●…ing up and down till they die.  
Africa only hath no Deer, neither is there any Bears.  
Scythia & the isle of Pontus have no Asses breeding in them, by reason that they be cold countries, for Asses can not well endure the cold.  
Arabia bringeth fort●…ne 〈◊〉 of any ●…orte: Neither is there a 〈◊〉 found in Bo●…otia, or Hares in Itha●…a.  
In Ebusus are found no Coneys, nor on the mountain Olympus, any wolves: neither ●…oth England breed any wolves, & as some affirm: such as are brought thither will not live.  
In the isle of Crect are no foxes, nor bears nor any other noisome beast.  
Pliny saith that in Africa there 〈◊〉 bores, nor Har●…s nor Goats, nor bears.  
In the City of Thebes cometh n●… swallows.  
In Crete are no Owls nor Night cr●…wes, yea and if any be brought thither they will not live.  
There is a place in Italy where is not any Storks: so also in a field by Room.  
There is not any bird to be seen in the isle of Pontus, where Achisses was buried.  
In Egypt could never Cherry tree be made to grow by any means that ever could be used.  
The herb Time was never 〈◊〉 he to grow in Arcadia: neither on the mountain 〈◊〉 in Crete was ever any fly found.  
There is no moths found to be either in Thracia or Phrigi●….  
In India they have neither 〈◊〉 nor lead, but do exchange precious stone and such like for them.  
In the isle of 〈◊〉 are never seen●… any mice.  
In the town of Dawlis by Delphos is never heard Nightingale.  
Strabo saith that in Portugal are no hills nor mountains.  
Gauleon breedeth no Serpents, neither doth Coronea in Boeotia bring out any mouldewarpes.  
Italy hatchet●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, ●…raunce excess of pride, Engla●…d 〈◊〉 Scotland craftiness, Ireland 〈◊〉, Flaunders drunkenness.  
FINIS.  Laboris condimentum ocium.