in of the air, affordeth a sound that may be heard almost a flight-shot.7

Now the reason of this strange and peculiar noise, is deduced from the conformation of the windpipe, which in this bird is different from other volatiles.8 For at the upper extreme it hath no fit larynx or throttle to qualify the sound, and at the other end, by two branches deriveth itself into the lungs. Which division consisteth only of semicircular fibres, and such as attain but half way round the part: by which formation they are dilatable into larger capacities, and are able to contain a fuller proportion of air; which being with violence sent up the weazand, and finding no resistance by the larynx, it issueth forth in a sound like that from caverns, and such as sometimes subterraneous eruptions from hollow rocks afford. As Aristotle observeth in a problem :* and

* Sect. xv.

7 but the inspiration, &c.] The screaming of parrots is said to be effected by inspiration as well as expiration.

8 Now the reason, &c.] See note on the organs of voice in birds, p. 358. The same contradiction of the common notion is given (from personal experience) by Rev. S. Fovargue, in his New Catalogue of Vulgar Errors, pp. 19, 20, 21. He gives, at the same time, a pleasant account of the cunning with which the bittern attempts to deceive his pursuer, when escape is impossible-after relating that he had heard a bittern utter this peculiar cry, and on repairing to the spot whence the sound proceeded, found that it was covered with coarse grass, where there were no reeds-he proceeds thus :

"When the aforesaid bittern rose up, I shot, and wounded him slightly, and marked him down again in the same kind of grass or short mowed flags. As the grass was not higher than one's shoes, and it was wounded, I was in hopes of having the pleasure of seeing him lie on the ground very plain. However, I let my pointer go first, knowing that he would stand at the place. Accordingly he made a dead point at it. I came up as silent as possible, to take a view of it, but to my great surprise, nothing was to be seen.

"There was indeed something which appeared long, like two green weeds lying among the grass, and there was something like a large spot of dried grass or flags a little before them.

"While I was looking at the place, the dog, being out of patience, seized hold of this phænomenon, which proved to be no other than the bittern itself. Those things which seemed to be green weeds, were its legs extended at the full length, behind the bird, as it lay quite flat upon its belly; and that broad spot of brown or dried grass, was the body, with the wings extended to their full stretch, quite flat upon the ground, which, I believe, formed as complete a deceptio visus as any thing in nature." 9 being with violence, &c.] Yf you observe the geese in their lowd

is observable in pitchers, bottles, and that instrument which Aponensis upon that problem describeth, wherewith in Aristotle's time gardeners affrighted birds.

Whether the large perforations of the extremities of the weazand, in the abdomen, admitting large quantity of air within the cavity of its membranes, as it doth in frogs, may not much assist this mugiency or boation, may also be considered. For such as have beheld them making this noise out of the water, observe a large distention in their bodies; and their ordinary note is but like that of a raven.

5. That whelps are blind nine days, and then begin to see,1 is the common opinion of all, and some will be apt enough to descend upon oaths upon it. But this I find not answerable unto experience, for upon a strict observation of many, I have scarce found any that see the ninth day, few before the twelfth, and the eyes of some not open before the fourteenth day. And this is agreeable unto the determination of Aristotle, who computeth the time of their anopsy or non-vision by that of their gestation. For some, saith he, do go with their young the sixth part of a year, two days over or under, that is, about sixty days or nine weeks; and the whelps of these see not till twelve days. Some go the fifth part of a year, that is seventy-one days; and these, saith he, see not before the fourteenth day. Others do go the fourth part of the year, that is, three whole months;2 and these, saith he, are without sight no less than seventeen days. Wherein although the accounts be different, yet doth the least thereof exceed the term of nine days, which is so generally received. And this compute of Aristotle doth generally overthrow the common cause alleged for this effect,

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call (which is hearde very far) you shall observe a stronge commotion of their lungs, rising to the bottom of the neck.- Wr.

1 begin to see.] Itt is probable, in hot, they saw after 9 dayes; in our clymate perhaps not till 12.—Wr.

2 three whole months.] i. e. 91 dayes.—Wr.

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seventeen days.]’Tis observable that the soonest bred see soonest: and the reason is naturall. The acceleration of the birthe and sighte from one and the same cause; viz. the activity of the spirits in the braine, which in some kinde of dogs is seen much more than in others: and in all the lesser kinds more then the greater: in these, the spirits (of the whelps) being drowned in a loade of fat and fleshe, which afterwards growing dryer, gives them leave to put forthe the spirits to an highth of strength, though not of such nimbleness as in the lesser kindes.--Wr.

that is, a precipitation or over-hasty exclusion before the birth be perfect, according unto the vulgar adage, Festinans canis cæcos parit catulos: for herein the whelps of longest gestation are also the latest in vision. The manner hereof is this: at the first littering their eyes are fastly closed, that is, by coalition or joining together of the eyelids, and so continue until about the twelfth day; at which time they begin to separate, and may be easily divelled or parted asunder; they open at the inward canthus or greater angle of the eye, and so by degrees dilate themselves quite open : an effect very strange, and the cause of much obscurity, wherein as yet men's enquiries are blind, and satisfaction not easily acquirable. Whatever it be, thus much we may observe, those animals are only excluded without sight which are multiparous and multifidous, that is, which have many at a litter, and have also their feet divided into many portions. For the swine, although multiparous, yet being bisulcous, and only cloven-hoofed, is not excluded in this manner, but farrowed with open eyes as other bisulcous animals.

6. The antipathy between a toad and a spider, and that they poisonously destroy each other, is very famous, and solemn stories have been written of their combats, wherein most commonly the victory is given unto the spider. Of what toads and spiders it is to be understood would be considered. For the phalangium and deadly spiders are different from those we generally behold in England. However, the verity hereof, as also of many others, we cannot but desire; for hereby we might be surely provided of proper antidotes in cases which require them. But what we have observed herein, we cannot in reason conceal; who having in a glass included a toad with several spiders, we beheld the spiders, without resistance to sit upon his head and pass over all his body; which at last upon advantage he swallowed down, and that in few hours, unto the number of seven.5 4 divelled.] Pulled asunder.

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seven.] This is a remarkable experiment, whereon wee maye conclude against the old deception.—Wr.

Erasmus tells a ridiculous story of a monk found asleep on his back, with a toad squatted upon his mouth. The brethren carefully conveying the body, placed it immediately under the web of a spider, who instantly descended upon, and at length slew the toad, and delivered the monk from an ugly death.

And in the like manner will toads also serve bees, and are accounted enemies unto their hives."

7. Whether a lion be also afraid of a cock, as is related by many, and believed by most, were very easy in some places to make trial. Although how far they stand in fear of that animal we may sufficiently understand from what is delivered by Camerarius, whose words in his Symbola are these; Nostris temporibus in aula serenissimi Principis Bavaria, unus ex leonibus miris saltibus in vicinam cujusdam domus aream sese dimisit, ubi gallinaceorum cantum aut clamores nihil reformidans, ipsos, una cum pluribus gallinis devoravit. That is, "in our time in the court of the Prince of Bavaria, one of the lions leaped down into a neighbour's yard, where, nothing regarding the crowing or noise of the cocks, he eat them up with many other hens."7 And therefore a very unsafe defensative it is against the fury of this animal (and surely no better than virginity or blood royal), which Pliny* doth place in cock broth: for herein, saith he, whoever is anointed (especially if garlick be boiled therein), no lion or panther will touch him. But of an higher nature it were, and more exalted antipathy, if that were certain which Proclus delivers, that solary demons, and such as appear in the shape of lions, will disappear and vanish if a cock be presented upon them.8

8. It is generally conceived an earwig hath no wings, and is reckoned amongst impennous insects by many: but he that * De sacrificiis et magia.

6 hives.] Which the bees (who of all creatures have the most accurate smell) soone perceive, and are poisoned with itt. That they never gather of more then one and the same flower in kinde, is manifest ad oculum that by only flying swift by over many they discerne that one kind, are arguments of their exquisite smell.-Wr.

7 nothing regarding, &c.] The learned and reverend Bishop Andrewes was desirous to try this upon a young lyon, to whome hee cast in a younge cock, whom (as he was crowing) the lyon seized on (as a cat on a mouse) and tare him and eate him up. Hee related this to mee for information against the fabulous conceyte, anno 1620, at his own table.- Wr.

Ross, rather than give up the old belief, accounts for the story told of the Prince of Bavaria's lion, by supposing it must have been mad! The bishop did not probably dream of such a solution.

8 But of an higher nature, &c.] This sentence first added in 2nd edit. 9 impennous.] Wingless.

shall narrowly observe them, or shall with a needle put aside the short and sheathy cases on their back, may extend and draw forth two wings of a proportionable length for flight, and larger than in many flies. The experiment of Pennius is yet more perfect, who with a brush or bristle so pricked them as to make them fly.

9. That worms are exsanguinous animals,1 and such as have no blood at all, is the determination of philosophy, the general opinion of scholars, and I know not well how to dissent from thence myself. If so, surely we want a proper term whereby to express that humour in them which so strictly resembleth blood; and we refer it unto the discernment of others what to determine of that red and sanguinous humour, found more plentifully about the torquis or carneous circle of great worms in the spring, affording in linen or paper an indiscernible tincture from blood. Or wherein that differeth from a vein, which in an apparent blue runneth along the body, and if dextrously pricked with a lance emitteth a red drop, which pricked on either side, it will not readily afford.

In the upper parts of worms, there are likewise found certain white and oval glandulosities, which authors term eggs, and in magnifying glasses they also represent them; how properly, may also be enquired; since, if in them there be distinctions of sexes, these eggs are to be found in both. For in that which is presumed to be their coition, that is, their usual complication, or lateral adhesion above the ground, dividing suddenly 2 with two knives the adhering parts of both, I have found these eggs in either.

10. That flies, bees, &c. do make that noise or humming sound by their mouth, or as many believe, with their wings only, would be more warily asserted, if we consulted the

1 That worms are, &c.] They are not so. Sir Everard Home, in his 13th lecture on Comparative Anatomy, illustrated by the exquisite pencil of Bauer, shows that the earth-worm is provided with a central artery, with six bags or cells on each side, filled with red blood; thereby proving the accuracy of Sir Thomas's own examination.

2 dividing.] Itt seemes to have been in the very instant of coition, when the male emptyes himself of them, and was imparted before the full impletion of the female.-Wr.

The dean's remark proves him unacquainted with the mode of propagation in the worm. See Sir E. Home's 13th lecture.