A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Treatise · Chapter 103

A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners · Treatise · Chapter 103

p. 565CHAP. CIII. Examples of the rare works of God in the Creatures.

IN the Province of Dara in Libia there is a certain 1River which sometimes so overfloweth, that it's like a Sea; but in the Summer it is so shallow that any one may passe over it on foot: If it overfloweth about the beginning of April, it bringeth great plenty to the whole region, if not, there followes great scarcity of. Corn. Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 823.

Of Date-trees, some are Males, and other Females: 2the male brings forth flowers onelyonly; the p. 566female, fruit: but the flowers of the female will not open, unlesse the boughes, and flowers of the male be joyned unto them: and if they be not thus coupled the Dates will prove stark naught, and have great stones in them. Eodem l…co.

Near unto the Grand Cairo in Egypt is a Garden 3environed with a strong wall, in the Garden is a large Fountain, and in middest of it groweth the onelyonly Balme-tree bearing true balme, that is in the world: it hath a short stock, or body, and beareth leaves like unto vine-leaves, but not altogether so long, P. Pil. v. 2. p. 838.

The famous River of Nilus in Egypt useth once 4in the year to overflow her banks whereby the whole Countrey is watered, it usually beginneth to overflow upon the 17^th of June, and increaseth daily, sometimes two, sometimes three fingers, and sometimes half a Cubit high on a day: the encrease of it is known by a pillar in a Cistern whereinto the water is conveyed by a sluce, which pillar is divided into eighteen parts, each a Cubit: if the water reach only to the fifteenth Cubit, they expect a fruitful year, if it stay between the twelfth, and fifteenth Cubit, the increase of that year will be but mean; if it reach not to the twelfth, it's a sign of scarcity: if it rise to the eighteenth, the scarcity will be greater in regard of too much moisture: this River continueth 40 daies increasing, and 40 daies decreasing. Eodem loco.

There are three sorts of Camels: the first sort are 5grosse, and tall of stature, they will usually carry a thousand pounds weight: when they are to be loaden, being beaten upon their knees, and neck with a wand, they will kneel down, and when they feel their load sufficient, they will rise up again: the p. 567second fort of them have two bunches on their back, and are fit either for burthens, or to ride on: the third sort are of a slender, and low stature called Dromidaries, unfit for burthens, but they excell in swiftnesse, so that in the space of one day they will travel an hundred miles, and will so continue for eight or ten daies together with very little provender: and they will abstain from drink eight, ten, and sometimes fifteen daies together without any inconvenience. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 845.

In the Grand Cairo in Egypt the Plague useth to 6be very violent till the River Nilus begins to overflow his banks, at which time it doth instantly cease: insomuch as when five hundred dyed at Cairo the day before, not one doth die the day following. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 897.

In the Marishes of Egypt grow the sedgy reeds, 7formerly called Papyri, of which they made paper, and of which ours (made of rags) assumeth that name: They divide it into thin flakes, whereinto it naturally parteth: then laying them on a Table, and moistening them with the glutinous water of Nilus, they presse them together, dry them in the Sun, whereby they are fitted for use. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 898.

There is a certain Island called Lounda in the 8Kingdom of Congo, wherein is no fresh water (being a very sandy ground) but if you digg but the depth of two or three hand-breadthes, you shall find sweet water, the best in all those Countries: and (which is most strange) when the Ocean ebbeth this water growes brackish, but when it flowes to the top, it is most sweet. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 989.

Not far from Casbine, the Regal City in Persia is 9a Fountain of a strange, and wonderfull nature, out p. 568of which there continually springeth, and issueth a marvellous quantity of black Oyl, which serveth in all parts of Persia to burn in their houses, and is usually carried all over the Countrey upon Kine, and Asses, whereof you may often meet three or four hundred in company. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1431.

About three daies journey from old Babylon is a 10Town called Ait, and near unto that is a valley of Pitch very marvellous to behold, wherein are many Springs, throwing out abundantly a kind of black substance▪ like unto Tar, and Pitch, which serveth all the Countrey thereabouts to make staunch their Barques with, and Boats: every one of which Springs makes a noise like to a Smith's Forge in puffing, and blowing out the matter, which never ceaseth day, nor night, and the noise is heard a mile off: the Moores call it Hell-mouth. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1437.

The tree whereon the Coquo-nuts grow in the 11Indies of all trees in the Forrest may have the preheminence: for meerly with it, without the least help of any other a ship may be built, and furnished to Sea: the heart of the Tree will make good Planks, and Timber, and Masts: a Gum that growes thereon will serve to calk it: the rind of the same Tree will make Cordage, and Sailes; and the large nut being full of kernel, and pleasant liquor will serve for meat, and drink to those that sail in the ship; and the store of these nuts for Merchandise. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1466.

In the great Mogul's Countrey, from Agra to 12Lahor (which are the two chief Cities in this Empire) is about four hundred English miles: the Countrey in all that distance being even without Mountains, or hills; and the high-way planted on p. 569both sides with Trees like unto a delicate Walk. P. Pil. v. 2. 1468.

In the same Countrey in a City called Nagracut, 13there is a Chappel most richly set forth, both seeled, and paved with plates of pure gold; wherein is kept an Idol which they call Ma…ta, visited yearly by many thousands of the Indians, who out of devotion cut off part of their tongues to make a sacrifice for it: In the same Province also there is another famous Pilgrimage to a place called Iallamakae, where out of cold Springs, and hard rocks there are daily to be seen incessant eruptions of fire: before which the Idolatrous people fall down, and worship. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1468.

In the same Countrey also they have a pleasant 14clear liquor which they call Taddy, issuing from a spongie Tree that growes straight, and tall, without boughes to the top, and there spreads out into branches, somewhat like to an English Colewort, where they make incisions, under which they hang earthen pots to preserve the influence: that which distills forth in the night is as pleasing to the taste as any white wine, if drunk betimes in the morning; and of a piercing, and medicinable quality, excellent against the stone. But in the heat of the day the Sun alters it, so that it becomes headdy, ill-relished, and unwholesome. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1469.

For Cotton Wooll, they plant seeds, which grow 15up into shrubs like unto our Rose-bushes: It blowes first into a yellow blossom, which falling off, there remains a Cod about the bignesse of a mans thumb, in which the substance is moist, and yellow, but as it ripens it swells bigger till it break the Cod, and in short time becomes as white as snow, and then they gather it. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1470.

p. 570Musk is taken from a little reddish beast, beaten 16with many blowes on one place that the blood may all come thither: then is the skin so swolne, and full of blood bound straight, that the blood may not issue forth, and being put into one, or more bladders, is dryed on the beasts back till the bladder fall off of it self: and so that blood after a monethmonth becomes excellent Musk. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1500.

One Peter a Christian Cafar at Sofala, his wife 17dying in travel of a daughter, nourished the child with the milk of his own breasts a whole year, at end whereof the child dyed of the Worms, and then the milk dryed up in his breasts: He told me (saith the Relator) that pity of the Motherlesse crying Infant (which his poverty could not otherwise relieve) caused him to seek to still it by laying it to his breast, and then gave it something to drink, which having continued two or three daies his breast began to yield Milk. P. Pil. v. 2. pag. 1542.

In the Seas near unto Sofala are many womenfishes: 18which from the belly to the neck are very like a woman: the Female nourisheth her young with her breasts which are like a womans. From the belly downward, it hath a thick, and long tail with finnes like a Dolphin: the skin white on the belly, and the back rougher then a Dolphins: it hath armes ending from the elbowes in finnes, and hath no hands: the face is plain, round, deformed, bigger then a mans, without humane semblance, wide-mouthed, thick hanging lips as an hound, four teeth hanging out almost a span long, like the tusk of a Boar: and their nostrils like a Calves. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1546.

p. 571The Torped… is a strange kind of fish, which a 19man holding in his hand, if it stir not, it produceth no effect: but if it move it self never so little, i… so torments the body of him which holds it, that his Arteries, Joynts, Sinews, and all his Members feele exceeding paine, with a certain numness, and as soon as it is let goe out of the hand, all that paine and numness is gone also. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1183.

The Cynamon-tree is a small tree, and low, having 20leaves like to our Bay-tree: In the monethmonth of March or April, when the sap goeth up to the top of the tree, they cut the bark of the tree round about in length from knot to knot, or from joynt to joynt, above and below, and then easily with their hands they take it away, laying it in the Sun to drie, and yet for all this the tree dies not, but against the next yeer it will have a new barke, and that which is gathered every yeer is the best Cynamon: that which grows longer is great, and not so good, P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1709

In India is a treee called Arbore de Rays, or the 21Tree of roots, it groweth first up like other trees, and spreadeth the branches, out of which there come strings, which seem afarre off to be cords of hemp, which growing longer, till they reach the ground, there take root again: so that in the end one tree will cover a great piece of ground, one root crossing within another like a Maze, each of these young trees will in time grow so big, that it cannot be discerned which is the principall trunk o… body of the tree.

There is also a tree called Arbor… irist…, or the 22sorrow full tree, so called, because it never beareth blossoms but in the night-time, and so it doth, and continueth all the yeer long: So soon as the Sun p. 572sets, there is not one blossom seen upon the tree, but presently within half an hour after, there are as many blossoms as the tree can beare, pleasant to behold, and smelling very sweet, and as soon as the day comes, and the Sun is rising, they all presently fall off, and not one to be seen on the tree, which seems as though it were dead, till evening comes againe, and then it begins to blossome as it did before, it's as big as a Plum-tree: it groweth up quickly, and if you break but a branch of the tree, and set it in the earth, it presently takes root, and growes, and within a few dayes after it beareth blossoms, which are like Orange-tree-blossoms, the flower white, and in the bottom somewhat yellow, and reddish. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1780.

There is also an herb in India called by the Portugals 23herba sentida, or feeling herb, which if a man touch, or throw sand, or any other thing upon it, presently it becoms as though it were withered, closing the leaves together, and it comes not to it self again as long as the man standeth by it, but presently after he is gone, it openeth the leaves again, which become stiffe, and fair, as though they were newly grown: and touching it again, it shuts, and becomes withered as before, so that it's a pleasure to behold the strange nature of it. P. Pil. v. 2. p▪ 1781.

Pepper is planted at the root of some other tree, 24and runs up it like Ivie: the leaves are like the Orange leaves, but somewhat smaller, green, and sharp at ends: the Pepper groweth in bunches like grapes, but lesse, and thinner; they are alwaies green till they begin to dry, and ripen, which is in December, and January, at which time it turns black, and is gathered. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1782.

p. 573The best Ginger growes in Malabar; it groweth 25like thin, and young Netherland Reeds, two or three spans high, the root whereof is the Ginger, which is gathered in December, and January. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1782.

The Clove-trees are like Bay-trees, the blossoms 26at the first white, then green, and at last red, and hard, which are the Cloves; these Cloves grow very thick together, and in great numbers. In the place where these trees grow, there is neither grasse, nor green herbs, but is wholly dry, for that those trees draw all the moisture unto them. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1783.

The Nutmeg-tree is like a Pear-tree, but that it's 27lesse, and with round leaves: the fruit is like great round Peaches, the inward part whereof is the Nutmeg; this hath about it an hard shell like wood, and the shell is covered over with Nutmeg-flower, which is the Mace, and over it is the fruit, which without is like the fruit of a Peach. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1783.

Gumme-Lac comes most from Pegu: where are 28certain very great Pismires with wings which fly up the trees like Plum-trees, out of which trees comes a certain Gumme which the Pismires suck up, and then they make the Lac round about the branches of the trees, as Bees make Wax, and when it is full, the owners come, and breaking off the branches, lay them to dry, and being dry, the branches shrink out, and the Lac remaines. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1783.

Ambergreece is usually cast upon the Sea-shore, 29which as some suppose is the dung of the Whale, or as others, the sperme, or seed of the Whale consolidated by lying in the Sea. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 772.

In the Kingdome of Fez there is a Mountain called p. 57430Beniguazeval, in the top whereof there is a cave that perpetually casteth out fire. P. Pil. v. 2. pag. 807.

The herb Addad is bitter, and the root of it so 31venomous that one drop of the Juice will kill a man within the spa…e of one hour. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 850.

Of Palm-trees which they keep with watering, 32and cutting every year, they make Velvets, Satins, Ta…at…es, Damasks▪ Sarcenets, and such like, all which are spun out of the leaves cleansed, and drawn into long threads. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 985.

Crocodiles are often 25 spans long: contrary to 33all other creatures they open the upper jaw: they lay many eggs in a hole in the sand which the Sun hatcheth. P. Pil.

In Sofala there is a creature called Inhazaras as 34big as a hog, and somewhat like with thinne and black hair having five fingers like a mans on his hinder …eet▪ and four on his forefeet▪ which live upon Ants, by thrusting their tongues▪ (which are two spans and an half long) into an Ant-hill, whereon the Ants running, they pull them into their mouthes▪ P. Pil.

In the Kingdom of Tunis near to the City of 35El-Hamma is a hot River which by divers Channels is carried through the City, in which the water is so hot, that few can endure to go into it, yet the people drink of it, having set the water to cool a whole day together. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 821.

There is in Africa a certain Monster called Po…g… 36in all proportion like a man, onelyonly bigger: It hath a mans face, hollow eyes, long hair upon the browes: His face, and eares without hair; His body is full of hair of dunnish colour, &c. differs not from a p. 575man but in his leggs which have no calves: He goes alwaies upon his leggs, and carries his hands clasped in the nape of his neck when he walks upon the ground; they sleep in trees and live of fruit, and nuts. P. Pil. v▪ 2. p. 982.

In Abassia are Kine with hornes like unto Harts 37hornes: Others there be th… have but one horn in the middest of their foreheads of about a span, and an half long, turning upward. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1495.

In Sofala are many River-horses as big as two of 38our horses, with thick, and short hinder legs, having five clawes on each forefoot, and four on the hinder, the mouth wide, and full of teeth, four of which are above two spans long apiece, the two lower straight up, the two upper turned like a Beares tush: they live in the water, but …eed on the Land on grasse: they have …eates where with they nourish their young; their Hides are thicker then an Oxes; they are all of an ash colour gray with white strakes on their faces; or white stars▪ P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1544.

In Africa is a River called Margania, and by it 39a salt Spring which turns all the wood that is thrown into it into hard stone. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1547.

In America there are certain very small birds called 40Viemalim, with small, and long bills, they live of the dew, and of the juice of flowers and Roses like Bees: their feathers are of very curious colours; they die, or sleep every year in October sitting on a bough in a warm place, and in April following they awake again when the flowers be sprung. I have one of these Birds.

The most, and best Pearles are brought from the p. 57641Ille of Z…ilan they fish for them, beginning in March, and continuing fifty daies: the manner is this: At the end of a rope they make fast a great stone which they throw into the Sea, and then a man that hath his ears, and nose well stopt▪ and anointed with oyl, with a basket about his neck goes down by the rope to the bottom of the Sea, and as fast as he can, fills his basket with Oisters, and when it's full shaketh the rope, and then his fellowes in the Boat hale him up with his Basket, which being emptied, he goes down again; and at the end of the fishing they open their Oisters in many of which they find Pearles, which are of four sorts, and valued according to their beauty, and bignesse. Idem. p. 1709.

In Congo is a strange creature as big as a Ram, 42with wings like a Dragon, a long taile, and great chaps, and divers rowes of teeth: they feed upon raw flesh. Eodem. p. 1003.

In Africa is a beast called a Dabuk in bignesse, and 43shape resembling a Wolf, saving that his leggs, and feet are like a mans: He useth to rake dead men out of their graves, and eat them. Eodem. p. 847.

In the mouth of the River of Goa was taken a 44fish of the bignesse of a cur-dog, with a s…out like a hog, small eyes, no eares but two holes instead thereof: it had four feet like an Elephant, the tail flat, but at the end round, and somewhat sharp: it snorted like a Hog, the body, head, tail, and legs were covered with broad scales as hard as Iron, so that no weapon could pierce them; when he was beaten he would rolle himself round like an Urchi…, and could by no strength be opened till he opened of his own accord. Eodem. p. 1774.

p. 577Frankincense growes in Arabia, and is the gumme 45that issueth out of trees. Eodem. p. 1781.

In Mozambique Manna is procreated of the dew 46of heaven falling on a certain tree on which it hardens like Sugar, sticking to the wood like Rozin, whence it's gathered, and put into jarrs, and is used much for purging in India. Eodem. p. 1554.

Mastick-trees grow onelyonly in the Island of Sio: 47the trees are low shrubs with little crooked boughes and leavesl: In the end of August they begin their Mastick-harvest, men cutting the bark of the Tree with Iron instruments, out of which the Gumme distills incessantly for almost three moneths together. Eodem. p. 1812.

In the Arabian Deserts there are great store of 48Ostridges, that keep in flocks, and often affright passengers that are strangers with their fearfull shreeches, appearing afar off like a troop of horsemen: Their bodies are too heavy to be supported with their wings, which uselesse for flight, yet serve them to run more speedily, so that a swift horse can scarce overtake them: what they find they swallow down, sometimes stones, and iron: when they have laid their eggs (which are as big as a Culverin Bullet) they forget where they left them, and so return no more: Hence that expression, Lam. 4. 3. The daughter of my people is become cruel like the Ostriches in the wildernesse. Whereupon also she is made the Embleam of Folly; Job 39. 14, &c. She leaveth her …ggs in the earth, and warmeth them in the dust, and forgets that the foot may crush them, &c.

Spunges are gathered from the sides of Rocks fifteen 49fathom under water about the bottom of the streights of Gibralter, the people that get them being trained up in diving from their childhood, so p. 578that they can endure to stay very long under water, as if it were their habitable Element.

In Manica is a tree called the Resurrection-tree, 50which for the greatest part of the year is without leaf, or greennesse: but if one cut off a bough, and put it into the water in the space of ten houres it springs, and flourisheth with green leaves; but draw it out of the water, as soon as it is dry it remaineth as it was before. Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 1537.

In Aleppo though the Plague be many times very 51hot all the Spring-time, yet so soon as the Sun enters into Leo, which is the twelfth, or thirteenth day of July, the Plague immediately ceaseth though it be never so violent, and all that are then sick amend, and such as are well need fear no infection. Eodem. p. 1345.

Upon the coasts of Brasile are found M…er-men, 52which are like unto men, of a good stature, but their eyes are very hollow.

The Cuttle fish hath a hood alwayes full of black 53water like Ink, which when they are pursued by other fishes, they cast it forth, whereby they so muddy, and darken the water, that thereby they escape.

There are a sort of Fishes, whose wonderfull making 54magnifieth the Creator, who for their safty hath given them fins which serve instead of wings: of such a delicate skin interlaced with small bones as may cause admiration: they are like to Pilchards, onelyonly a little rounder, and bigger. They flie best with a side-wind, but longer then their wings are wet. they cannot flye, so that their longest flight is about a quarter of a mile. The Dolphins and Bonitoes doe continually hunt after them to devoure them, whereupon for safety they take the aire, but p. 579then there is a fowle called an Alcatrace, much like a Hern which hovers in the aire to seise upon them. Incidit in Scyllam qui vul… vitare Charibdin. Out of the frying pan into the fire.

In Brasile is a little bird, which they call the risen 55or awaken bird, because it sleeps six moneths, and wakes the other six. It hath a cap on its head of no one colour, but on what …ide so ever you look sheweth red, green, black, or other colours, all very fine and shining, the breast also sheweth great variety of colours, especially yellow more fine then gold: The body is grey, and it hath a very long bill, and yet the tongue is twice so long as the bill: It flies very swiftly, and makes a noise like a Bee; It alwaies feeds flying.

There is often a strange fight in the Sea between 56the Whale and his enemies, viz. The Swordfish, and the Thresher. The Swordfish is not great but strongly made, and between his neck, and shoulders he hath a bone, like a sword of about five inches broad, and above three foot long full of prickles on either side. The Thresher is a bigger Fish whose tail is broad, and thick and very weighty. The fight is in this manner; The Swordfish placeth himself under the belly of the Whale, and the Thresher above with his Tail thresheth upon the head of the Whale till he forceth him to give way, which the Swordfish perceiving, wounds him in the belly with the Sword, and so forceth him to rise up again. In this manner they torment him, that the fight is sometimes heard above three leagues off, the Whales roaring being heard much further, his onelyonly remedy in this case is to get to the shore, which he laboureth to do so soon as he sees his enemies: For then there can p. 580fight but one with him, and for either of them hand to hand he is too good. Pur. Pil. v. 4. p. 1377.

In the Island of Tercera are some Fountains the 57water whereof is so hot, that it will boyl an egg.

In the same Island is another Fountain that will 58turn wood into stone; and a Tree that groweth by, that part of the root that growes within water is petrified; the other that is out is wood as of other trees.

In the Kingdome of Mexico are Kine with bunches 59on their backs about the bignesse of our Bulls, but little horns, and more hair on their foreparts then behind, which is like wooll. On the backbone they have a Mane like horses, and long hair from their knees downward, with much long hair on their throats. They are meat, drink, shoes, houses, fire, vessels, and their Masters whole substance. Other creatures there be as big as horse…, which the Spaniards for their fine wooll call Sheep. One of their hornes usually weighes fifty pounds. Purch. Pil. v. 4. p. 1561.

In one of the Azore Islands is an hill called Pico, 60which is above fifteen miles high: the Top is many times seen clearly, but about the middle of it hang the clouds; upon the top many times issue forth flames of fire as out of AEtna. Idem. p. 1672.

In Virginia is a beast called Possowne, the female 61whereof will let forth her young ones out of her belly, and take them again into her belly at her pleasure. Idem. p. 1772.

Teneriff one of the Canary Islands hath in it a very 62high hill in the form of a Sugar-loaf, and is continually covered with snow; so that going up it the p. 581cold is unsufferable, it's seen above fourty leagues off at Sea.

There is also in the same Island a Tree as big as 63an Oke of middle size, the bark white like Hornbeam; six, or seven yards high with ragged boughes, the leaf like the Bay-leaf. It beareth neither fruit nor flower; It stands on the side of an hill, in the day▪ it's withered, and drops all night (a cloud hanging thereon) so that it yields water sufficient for the whole Island, wherein are eight thousand soules, and about an hundred thousand Cammels, Mules, Goats, &c. The water falls from it into a pond made of brick, paved with stone; from which it's conveyed into several ponds thorow the whole Island. They also water therewith their Cornground, for they have no other water in the Island▪ except rain-water. The Pond holds twenty thousand Tunne of water, and is filled in one night. Many of English that have been there have attested the truth hereof. Idem. p. 1…69.

In So…oter… are sheep whose tailes weigh twenty 64eight pound apiece, which therefore are usually cut off from the Ewes, lest they should hinder their breeding.

There are also Batts whose bodies are almost as 65big as Conies, headed like a Fox with a hairy fur, in other things like Batts: One of them being killed by some English, his wings extended were an …ll in length: their cry is shrill, and loud.

Aloes growes in the same Countrey which is 66nothing but Semper viv…m, it is so full of a Rosinlike juice that the leaves are ready to br…k with it: which leaves they cut in small pieces▪ and cast them into a clean pit made in the ground, and paved: there it lies to ferment in the heat of the Sun, whereby p. 582the juice floweth forth, which they put in skins, and hang them up in the wind to dry, whereby it hardens. P. Pil. v. 1. p. 419.

Indico groweth in the Moguls Countrey, having 67a small leaf like that of Sena: the branches are of a wooddy substance like broome: It growes not above a yard high, the stalk about the bignesse of a mans thumb: The seed is included in a small round Cod of an inch long. This once sowed lasteth three years▪ that of the first year makes a weighty reddish Indico that sinks in water being not yet come to its perfection: that of the second year is rich, very light, and of a perfect violet colour swimming on the water: that of the third year is weighty, blackish, and the worst of the three. This herb when it's cut is put into a Cistern, and pressed down with stones, then covered over with water, where it remains till the substance of the herb is gone into the water: then it's drawn forth into another Cistern, and laboured with staves till it be like Batter, then they let it seeth, and so scum off the water two or three times till nothing but a thick substance remains, which taking forth they spread on a cloath, dry it in the Sun, then make it into balls, dry it on the sand, which causes the sandy foot: That is best which is of pure a grain, violetcolour, is glo…ie, dry, and light. Idem. p. 430.

In the same Countrey are Asses with hornes 68whereof they make divers sorts of drinking cups, of excellent virtue: some esteeming them the right Unicorns Horns. Idem. p. 436.

Sir James Lancaster in his East-Indy Voyage, in 69the Isle of Sombrer… found on the Sea-sands a young twig growing up to a tree, and offering to pluck up the same, it shrank down into the ground, and p. 583when it was by strength pulled up, a great Worm was the root of it, and as the Tree groweth in greatnesse, the worm diminisheth: This Tree plucked up, the leaves, and pill stripped off, by that time it's dry is turned into a hard stone; so that this Worm was twice transformed into different natures after a wondrous manner: Of these he brought home many. P. Pil. v. 1. p. 152.

There is in the Countrey of Mexico a kind of 69sheep, which all things considered is a beast of the greatest profit, and least charge that is: For from them they draw meat, and clothing: They use them also to carry all their burthens, having need neither of shoes nor saddles, nor yet of Oates, so that they serve their Masters for nought, feeding onelyonly on grasse which they find in the fields; There are two kinds of these creatures, the one bearing wooll, the other are bare, which are the better for burthen; they are bigger then great sheep, and lesse then calves; they have long necks like a Cammel. They are of divers colours, some white, some black, and others grey, or spotted; their flesh is good meat, but that of their Lambs is best: Of their Wooll the Indians make cloth, some courser, other finer like half silk; they also make Carpets, and Coverings, and other exquisite works of it which last long, and have a very good glosse; they die it into sundry colours: upon these the Spaniards carry their barres of silver; one of these sheep carrying about an hundred, and fifty pound weight.

In the stomach, or belly of this beast is found the 70Bezar's stone; sometimes one alone, sometimes two, three, or four: They are different in form, greatnesse, p. 584and colour; some like Filberds, others like Walnuts: some as big as Pigeons Eggs, some as big as Hens eggs: In form some are round, some oval, and of other formes. For their colour, some are black, some white, some grey, dark green, and some as if they had been gilded: they are all made of divers filmes, and skins one upon another. P. Pil. v. 3. p. 969.

In Italy growes an Herb called Basilico, which 72hath this innate property, that if it be laid under a stone in some moist place, in two daies space it produceth a Scorpion. Raimunds Mer. Ital.

There are also the Cantherides which by day are 73green flies; but in the night shine in the aire like flying Glow-wormes with fire in their tailes, Idem.

There is also the Tarantula (a kind of Serpent) 74the venome whereof hath such an operation, that whosoever is stung with it falleth a dancing, and capering, and nothing can allay it but Musick. Idem.