Section 12

Chap. XV. How to generate Harvkes of divtrs properties,
■^^E will d>ew fome cemmixtions of Hawks, by the example whereof, you may imagine of your felf the like in other birds : and hereby it fhall appear how we may amend divers faults and defects in Hawks, and engraffe in them fome new qua- lities to be derived from their fundry progenitors. And firft, how
The bird Iheocronus is gendred of a Hawk^ And an Eagle \
Hawks are exceeding hot in luft ;and though there be divers kinds of them, yet they all couple together among themlelves without any difference , as Anftotle writeth : they couple with Eagles, and thereby engender ballard Eagles. Eagles are moft le- cherous : and whereas among other creatures, the famale is not alwayes ready and willing to yeeld to the male for coition ; yet the Eagles never refufe it : for though they have been trod never foofc , yet Mill, if the male dtfire copulation, the female prefently yeelds unto him. %/Ehamu accounts ordinary and common Hawks in the kind of Eagles. Oppianm in his Ixeutio faith, that there is a bird known well enough, called Theocronus, which is generated of a male Hawk, and a female Ea- gle. There is a kind of Hawks fo wholly given over to luft, that in the Spring-time they lofe all their ftrength, and every little bird maps at them ; but in the Summer, having recovered her ftrength, fhe is fo lufty, that (he flies up and down to revenge her felf upon thofe little birds ; and as many of them as (lie catches, fhe devours. If the male of this kind do but hear the voice of the female Eagle,prefently he flies to her,and they couple together : but the egges which fhe conceives by this bafe copu- lation, fhe fcorns to hatch and fit upon • and that fhe may not be known of it to the male Eagle, fhe flies faraway from him: for the male Eagle, if once he perceive that fhe hath played the harlot, div orces her from him, and is throughly revenged upon her. Thefe birds are now commonly called Sea-eagles . There is alfo a com- mixtion, whereby the Hawk mingles himfelf
with a Faxlcon, and with a Buzzard, and the Eagle Nifa •
for Hawks do not onlv couple with their own kind, but with Faulcons, Buzzards, and Eagles of divers kinds, as alfo with moft of thofe fowles that live upon the prey and fpoil of other birds ; and according to the diverfity of thofe kinds, divers kinds of Hawks are generated. Befides, they couple with flrange Faulcons of other Countries, and other kinds: for as foon as they be hatcht and Pen-feather- ed, if their parents fee that they are not right Faulcons,piefently they beat them a- wty; and fo partly becaufe they cannot endure their parents rage, and partly to
Of the (feneration of lAnimais. 47
get their living, aiey flic ^ 'vay into Grange olaces ; and there finding no rrmes of their own kird,ihey that fiie car meer with, and couples with them. Sothen, if you haveHawk^. that deicend rom t^e right and belt kind, art may more eafily work upon them, then upon fuch as come of the baler fort. In like manner there may be generated of divers kinds of Eagles divers fowles, as
The Ofprej) the fowl called Offifragtu^ and Ravens alfo.
Tliny difconrfing of the Ofprey, faith, That they have no proper kinde of their own $ but are defcended from divers forts of Eagles mingled together: and that which cometnof the Ofprey, is of the kind of Oflifragi ; and that which cometh of the Offifragijis a kind of little Ravens, and of thefe afterward is generated a kind of grcar Ravens, which haveno».ffue at all: the Author of which affertions before *P//«7, was Ariftotlein his book of Wonders. Oppianm faith, that Land-eagles are a baltard brood, which their parents beat out of their nerts, and fo they are for a while nourished by fome other fowles, till ac length they forfake the Land, and fcek their living in the Sea.
Chap. XVI. Of the commixtion of divers kinds of fijhes.
IT isa very hard thing for a man to know, whether divers kinds of fiftiesbe min- gled together or no ; becaufe they live altogether under the waters, fothatwc cannot obferve their doings ; efpecially fuch as they praftife againft the ordinary ccurfeof nature. But if we rightly confider that which hath been fpoken bctore,we may eafily cfFed their commix? ion, namely, if we take fuch fifties as are much given to venery, ana match thofe together which are alike in bignefs ; in time of breed- ing, and in other fuch conditions as were before required. Anftotle in his book cf living Creatures, faith, that divers fifties in kind never mingle their feeds to- gether: neither did ever any man fee two fifties of divers kinds couple in generati- on, excepting only thefe two,
"the Skate and the Ray^ which engender the Rhinobatos J
which is fo called of both his parents names compounded together. And out of Arifietle^ TUny report eth, that no fifties of divers kinds mingle their feeds, fave only the Skate and the Ray ; of both which is gendred the fifh Rhinobatos, which is like the Ray in all his former parts, and hath his name in Greek anfwerable to his nature; fork is compounded of the names of both his parents. And of trjis kind of fiih I never read nor heard any thing befides this. Theodoras Gaz>a tranflates the word Rhinobatos into Sqaatim-raia in Latine, that is, a Skate-ray: and though: fotne deny that there is any tuch fifti, yet furely it is found in the Sea about Naples; and Simw Firttes, a very learned Philofopher of Naples, did help me to the fighe of one of them . and the pi&ure thereof is yet referved, and it is to be feen.
Chap. XVII. How we m*f produce new and firange Lfflon/lers.
STringe and wonderful monfters, and aborfements, or untimely births, may be geadred of living Creatures, as by thofe wayes of which we fpake before, name- ly, the commixtion of divers kinds; fo alfo by other means, as by the mixture of divers feeds in one wombe, by imagination, or fuch likecaufes. Concerning Ima- gination, we will fpeak hereafter. Now at this time let us fee the wayes of ca- gendring fuch monfters, which the Ancients have fet down, that the ingenious Rea- der
4$ Natural Mag icl 'Boofe.
dec may learn by the confideration of thefe wayes, to invent of himteif other wayes how to generate wonderful monfters. Democntxiy zsAnftotle faith, held that the mixture of many feeds, when one is received into the w ombe before, and another not Jong after, k> that they are meddled and confounded together , is thecaul'eof the generation of many MoDliers, that fometimes they have two heads, and mere parts then the nature of their kinde requires. Hence it is that thole birds which uic often coitions , do oftentimes bring forth iuch births. But Impedocles, ha\ing forecaft all lcruples and doubts within himielf, ieems to have attained the truth in this cafe : for he faith, that the caufes of the generation of monhrous Creatures, Ere thefe ; either if the feed be too much, or if it be too little, or if it light not in the light place, or if it be fcattercd into many parts, crif the congredienrs be not rightly affected to procreate according to the ordinary courfe of nature. And Stm- ton afSgnes many realms, why iuch monfters are generated ; as, becaufe feme new feed is call upon the former, or fome of the former feed is diminifhed, or fome parts trar.ipoied, cr thewombe puffed up with winde. And fome Pnyfitians alcribe ic principally to the place of conception, which is eft-times mifplaced, by reafonof irfl.ik ns. Anftotle faith, that fuch Creatures as are wont to bring fcrth many y ung ones at one burthen, elpecially fuch as have many ceils cr receiprs for feed in t'neii wombe, do moit commonly produce m?nHers .• lor in that they bring forth feme that are not fo folly perfect, thereby they degenerate moreeafily itto mon- fters: elpecially of all other, the tigs that arc not farrowed to their due time, but fomecei aiodayes after the reft of the litter ; for thefe cannor chufe but be mon- llers in one part or other becaufe whatsoever is either more or lefs then that which the kind requires, is monftrous,and befides Nature. And in his bock cf Problems he faith, that kmil four-footed Creatures biing forth monfters : but Man, and the greater forts of four-fcoted beafts, as Horfes and i ff ten. His reafon is, becaufe the fmaller kind^, as Bitches, ^cw -, Goats, ard Ewes, are far more fruitful then the greater kinds are; (or, of thofe, every one brings forth at leaft one, and fome bring forth for the moft part, many at occe. Now Monfters are wont to be produced then, when there is a commixtion or conful:on of many feeds together, either by reafon of fundry copulations, rr becaufe of feme indifpofition in the place of conception. Hence it is, that birds alio may brirg forth monfters ; for they lay egges fometimes that have a double yelk : and if there be no fmall skin that keeps both the yelks afucder, then the corfnfon cf thtm caufeth the breed to become monftrcus. Nature is earneft in the fefliioning of a living Creature j and firli fhapes out the principal parts of the body: afterwards ' fiic wcrketh fometimes mere, fometimes kffe, as thematrercan rfford which fhe works upon, Bill framing her felf thereunto : whereby it c matter be defective, then fhe cannot have her forth ; if it be overmuch, then is na- ture overcome, and fo both wayes hindered of her purpofe , ard thereby brings forth mcnflrcus broods, as in artificial births hath been ofteD feen; feme being defective, as having but one leg,or bur one eye ; fome exceeding the ordinary cour'e, as having four eyes, or four arms, or four feet, and femetimes having both fexes in them, which are called Hermaphrodites : and fo, look how ycur art difpofes and layes things together, and after the fame manner, Nature muft needs accc mnlifh her work, and finifh your beginnings. But whofoever wculdlt bring forth any mon- gers by art, thou muff learn by examples,and by fuch principles be directed as here thru mayeft find Firft,thoti mufi cocfider with thv felf, what things are likely and poffibie to be brought to p^fl; : for if ycu attempt likely matters, Nature will aflilt you, and make good your endeavours, and the work will much delight you : for you flull feefuch thirgs effected, as you would not think of ; whereby alfo you may find the mems to procure more admirable tS.As. There be many reafons and wayes, whereby may be generated
KMonfiers in Man.
rnrft,thi5 "may come by reafonof inordinate or unkindly copulations, when the
feed
Of the (feneration of Animals. 4.9
feed is not conveyed into the due and right p aces : again, it may come by the narrowncfle of the wembe, when there arc two young ones in it, and for want of room, are preflcd and grow together: again, it may come by the maning of thole thin skinnes of partition, which nature hath frJmtd in a womans wombe, to diftinguifl* and keep afunder the young ones. Pliny writes, that in the year of Caitu L was born a maid-child that had two heads , four hands , and was of double nature in all rel'pefts : and a little before that, a woman fervaoc brought forth a child, that had four feet, and four hands, and four eyes, and as ma- ny ears , and double natured every way. Phtlofiratus in the life of Apollonius writes , that there was born in Sicily, a boy having two heads. I my felf faw at Naples, a.boy alive, out of whofc breaft came forth another boy, ha- ving all his parts , but that his head only ftuck behind in the other boyes breaft } and thus they had Ricken together in their mothers wombe, and their na\ Us alfo did cling each to other. I have alfo feen divers children having four hands and four feet, with fix fingers upon one hand, and fix toes upon one foot, and monftrcus divers other wayes, which here were too long to rehearfe. By the like caufes may
UHonJlers be generated in Beafts.
We fliewed before, that fuch beafts as brin^ forth many young ones at one burthen, efpecially iuch as have many cells or receits in their wombe for feed, do of- tencft produce Monfters. Ntcocreon the Tyrant of Cyprus, had a Hart with four horns. o£lianus faw an Oxc that had five feet; one of them in his fhoulder , fo absolutely made, and fo conveniently placed , as it was a great help to him in his going, Livj faith , that at Sefla-Arunca a City in Italy , there was eaned a Lambe that had two heads j and at Apo\is, another Lambe having five feetj and there was a kitling with but three feet. Rhafes re- ports, that he faw a Dog having three heads. And there be many other like matters which I have no pleafurc to fpeak of. But it may fecm that
LMonflers in Birds maybe more eafily produced %
both in refpe& that they arc more given to luft, and becaufe alio they bear in their bodies many cggesac once, whereby they may ftick together, and eafily cleave each to other: and bclides this, thofe birds that are by nature very fruitfull , arc wont to lay egges that have two yelkes. For thefe caufes. Co- lumella and Leontiuus the Greek , give counfel to air and purge the houfes where Hennes are, and their nefts, yea and the very Henncs themfelves, with Brimftone, and pitch, and torches; and many do lay a plate of iron, or fome nailes heads, and fome Bay-Tree boughs upon their nefts ; for all thefe are fuppofed to be very good prefervatives againft monftrous and prodigious births. And Columella reports farther , that many do ftrew graffe , and Bay- Tree boughs , and heads of Garlkk, and iron nails, in the Hens nefts ; all which are fuppofed to be good remedies againft thunder, that it may not marre thcic egges • and thefe alfo do fpoilall the imperfect chickens, if there be any, before ever they grow to any ripentiTe. */£liarw reporteth out of Apion , that in the time of 0*««wKingof the South, there was feen a Crane that had two heads; and in another Kings daics, another bird was feen that had four heads. We will fhew alfo how to hatch
A chickgu -with four wings and four fecty
which we learn out Arifiotle. Amongft egges , fome there are oft-times thtc have two yclkes , if the Henncs be fruitful : for two conceptions cling
K and
50 Natural Magick y Soo^ z.
and grow together, as being very near each to other ; the like whereof we may fee in the fruitsof Trees , many of them being twins, and growin* into each other. Now , if the two yelks be diliinguifhed by a fmall skinne^ then they yield two perfect chickens without any blemifli: but if the yelks be' med- dled one with another, without any skinne to part them, then that which is produced thereof, is a Monger. Seek out therefore feme fruitful Hermes' and procure fome of the perfected; egges that they lay : you rmy know which are for your purpofe, by the bignefle of them ; if not , then hold them againft the Sun , and you (hall difcern, both whether there be in them two yelks, and alio whether they be difiingnifhed or no: and if you finde in them fuch plenty of matter, that you fee they are for your turn, let them be fitten upon, their due time, and the chickens will have four win°s and four legges: but you mult have a fpecial care in bringing them up. And as fome egges have two yelkes, fo there arc feme that have three : but thefe are not fo common ; and if they could be gotten , they would yield chickens with fix wings and fixs legges, which would be more wonderful. There hath been feeri a fmall £>uck with four feet, having a broad ihin bill, her fore- parts black, her hinder-parts yellow, a black head, whitifh eyes, black wings, and a black circle about her neck, and her back and tail black, yel- low feet, and not (landing far afunder •, and fhe is at this day kept to befeen at Torga. No quefiien but fhe was generated after the fame manner as wc fpake even now of chickens. So they report of a Pigeon that was feen which had four feet. And many fuch monflers we have oft-times batcht at tome for pie afure lake. So alio are Serpents generated, having many heads and ma- ny tailes. Jrifiotle writes of certain Serpents , that they may be generated after the fame manner, to have'many heads. The Poets, and the ancient de- vifers of Fables, do fpeak much of that Hydra Lerna?a, which was one of Hercules labours to overcome : which Fiction was without all queftion occa- fioned by thefe kinds of Mongers. And whilft I was imployed about the writing of this prefent work, there was in Naples a Viper feen alive, which had two heads, and three cloven tongues, and moved everyone of them up and down. Imyfclf have feen many Lizards that had two or three tails , which the common people moll foolifhly efteem to be a jeft ; and it cannot be but thefe were generated of fuch egges as had two yelks.