The Works of Sir Thomas Browne Volume I Part 23

That an Ivy Cup will separate Wine from Water, if filled with both, the Wine soaking through, but the Water still remaining, as after _Pliny_ many have averred, we know not how to affirm; who making trial thereof, found both the liquors to soak indistinctly through the bowl.

That Sheep do often get the Rot, by feeding in boggy grounds where _Ros-solis_ groweth, seems beyond dispute. That this herb is the cause thereof, Shepherds affirm and deny; whether it hath a cordial vertue by sudden refection, sensible experiment doth hardly confirm, but that it may have a Balsamical and resumptive Vertue, whereby it becomes a good Medicine in Catarrhes and Consumptive dispositions, Practice and Reason conclude. That the lentous drops upon it are not extraneous, and rather an exudation from it self, then a rorid concretion from without, beside other grounds, we have reason to conceive; for having kept the Roots moist and earthed in close chambers, they have, though in lesser plenty, sent out these drops as before.

That _Flos Affrica.n.u.s_ is poison, and destroyeth Dogs, in two experiments we have not found.

That Yew and the Berries thereof are harmless, we know.

That a Snake will not endure the shade of an Ash, we can deny. Nor is it inconsiderable what is affirmed by _Bellonius_ [SN: Lib. 1 observat.]; for if his a.s.sertion be true, our apprehension is oftentimes wide in ordinary simples, and in common use we mistake one for another. We know not the true Thyme; the Savourie in our Gardens is not that commended of old; and that kind of Hysop the Ancients used, is unknown unto us, who make great use of another.

We omit to recite the many Vertues, and endless faculties ascribed unto Plants, which sometime occur in grave and serious Authors; and we shall make a bad transaction for truth to concede a verity in half. To reckon up all, it were employment for _Archimedes_, who undertook to write the number of the Sands. Swarms of others there are, some whereof our future endeavours may discover; common reason I hope will save us a labour in many: Whose absurdities stand naked unto every eye; Errours not able to deceive the Embleme of Justice, and need no _Argus_ to descry them.

Herein there surely wants expurgatory animadversions, whereby we might strike out great numbers of hidden qualities; and having once a serious and conceded list, we might with more encouragement and safety attempt their Reasons.

THE THIRD BOOK

Of divers popular and received Tenets concerning Animals, which examined, prove either false or dubious.

CHAPTER I

Of the Elephant.

The first shall be of the Elephant, whereof there generally pa.s.seth an opinion it hath no joints; and this absurdity is seconded with another, that being unable to lie down, it sleepeth against a Tree; which the Hunters observing, do saw it almost asunder; whereon the Beast relying, by the fall of the Tree, falls also down it self, and is able to rise no more. Which conceit is not the daughter of later times, but an old and gray-headed error, even in the days of _Aristotle_, as he delivereth in his Book, _De incessu Animalium_, and stands successively related by several other authors: by _Diodorus Siculus_, _Strabo_, _Ambrose_, _Ca.s.siodore_, _Solinus_, and many more. Now herein methinks men much forget themselves, not well considering the absurdity of such a.s.sertions.

[Sidenote: _How progression is made in animals._]

For first, they affirm it hath no joints, and yet concede it walks and moves about; whereby they conceive there may be a progression or advancement made in Motion without inflexion of parts. Now all progression or Animals locomotion being (as _Aristotle_ teacheth) performed _tractu et pulsu_; that is, by drawing on, or impelling forward some part which was before in station, or at quiet; where there are no joints or flexures, neither can there be these actions. And this is true, not onely in Quadrupedes, Volatils, and Fishes, which have distinct and prominent Organs of Motion, Legs, Wings, and Fins; but in such also as perform their progression by the Trunk, as Serpents, Worms, and Leeches. [SN: _Joint-like parts._] Whereof though some want bones, and all extended articulations, yet have they arthritical a.n.a.logies, and by the motion of fibrous and musculous parts, are able to make progression. Which to conceive in bodies inflexible, and without all protrusion of parts, were to expect a Race from _Hercules_ his pillars; or hope to behold the effects of _Orpheus_ his Harp, when trees found joints, and danced after his Musick.

Again, While men conceive they never lie down, and enjoy not the position of rest, ordained unto all pedestrious Animals, hereby they imagine (what reason cannot conceive) that an Animal of the vastest dimension and longest duration, should live in a continual motion, without that alternity and vicissitude of rest whereby all others continue; and yet must thus much come to pa.s.s, if we opinion they lye not down and enjoy no dec.u.mbence at all. [SN: _Extensive or Tonical Motion, what?_] For station is properly no rest, but one kind of motion, relating unto that which Physitians (from _Galen_) do name extensive or tonical; that is, an extension of the muscles and organs of motion maintaining the body at length or in its proper figure.

Wherein although it seem to be unmoved, it is not without all Motion; for in this position the muscles are sensibly extended, and labour to support the body; which permitted unto its proper gravity, would suddenly subside and fall unto the earth; as it happeneth in sleep, diseases, and death. From which occult action and invisible motion of the muscles in station (as _Galen_ declareth) proceed more offensive la.s.situdes then from ambulation. And therefore the Tyranny of some have tormented men with long and enforced station, and though _Ixion_ and _Sisiphus_ which always moved, do seem to have the hardest measure; yet was not _t.i.tius_ favoured, that lay extended upon _Caucasus_; and _Tantalus_ suffered somewhat more then thirst, that stood perpetually in h.e.l.l. Thus _Mercurialis_ in his Gymnasticks justly makes standing one kind of exercise; and _Galen_ when we lie down, commends unto us middle figures, that is, not to lye directly, or at length, but somewhat inflected, that the muscles may be at rest; for such as he termeth _Hypobolemaioi_ or figures, of excess, either shrinking up or stretching out, are wearisome positions, and such as perturb the quiet of those parts. Now various parts do variously discover these indolent and quiet positions, some in right lines, as the wrists: some at right angles, as the cubit: others at oblique angles, as the fingers and the knees: all resting satisfied in postures of moderation, and none enduring the extremity of flexure or extension.

Moreover men herein do strangely forget the obvious relations of history, affirming they have no joints, whereas they dayly read of several actions which are not performable without them. They forget what is delivered by _Xiphilinus_, and also by _Suetonius_ in the lives of _Nero_ and _Galba_, that Elephants have been instructed to walk on ropes, in publick shews before the people. Which is not easily performed by man, and requireth not only a broad foot, but a pliable flexure of joints, and commandible disposure of all parts of progression. They pa.s.s by that memorable place in _Curtius_, concerning the Elephant of King _Porus, Indus qui Elephantem regebat, descendere eum ratus, more solito proc.u.mbere jussit in genua caeteri quoque (ita enim inst.i.tuti erant) demisere corpora in terram_. [SN: De rebus gestis Emanuelis.] They remember not the expression of _Osorius_, when he speaks of the Elephant presented to _Leo_ the tenth, _Pontificem ter genibus flexis, et demisso corporis habitu venerabundus salutavit_. But above all, they call not to mind that memorable shew of _Germanicus_, wherein twelve Elephants danced unto the sound of Musick, and after laid them down in the _Tricliniums_, or places of festival Rec.u.mbency.

They forget the Etymologie of the Knee, approved by some Grammarians.

[SN: G??? _from_ ????a.] They disturb the position of the young ones in the womb: which upon extension of legs is not easily conceivable; and contrary unto the general contrivance of Nature. Nor do they consider the impossible exclusion thereof, upon extension and rigour of the legs.

Lastly, they forget or consult not experience, whereof not many years past, we have had the advantage in _England_, by an Elephant shewn in many parts thereof, not only in the posture of standing, but kneeling and lying down. Whereby although the opinion at present be well suppressed, yet from some strings of tradition, and fruitful recurrence of errour, it is not improbable it may revive in the next generation again. This being not the first that hath been seen in _England_; for (besides some others) as _Polydore Virgil_ relateth, _Lewis_ the French King sent one to Henry the third, and _Emanuel_ of _Portugal_ another to _Leo_ the tenth into _Italy_, where notwithstanding the errour is still alive and epidemical, as with us.

[Sidenote: _Round, Pillar-like._]

The hint and ground of this opinion might be the gross and somewhat Cylindrical composure of the legs, the equality and less perceptible disposure of the joints, especially in the former legs of this Animal; they appearing when he standeth, like Pillars of flesh, without any evidence of articulation. The different flexure and order of the joints might also countenance the same, being not disposed in the Elephant, as they are in other quadrupedes, but carry a nearer conformity unto those of Man; that is, the bought of the fore-legs, not directly backward, but laterally and somewhat inward; but the hough or suffraginous flexure behind rather outward. Somewhat different unto many other quadrupedes, as Horses, Camels, Deer, Sheep, and Dogs; for their fore-legs bend like our legs, and their hinder legs like our arms, when we move them to our shoulders. But quadrupedes oviparous, as Frogs, Lizards, Crocodiles, have their joints and motive flexures more a.n.a.logously framed unto ours; and some among viviparous, that is, such thereof as can bring their fore-feet and meat therein unto their mouths, as most can do that have the clavicles or coller-bones: whereby their brests are broader, and their shoulders more asunder, as the Ape, the Monkey, the Squirrel and some others. If therefore any shall affirm the joints of Elephants are differently framed from most of other quadrupedes, and more obscurely and grosly almost then any, he doth herein no injury unto truth. But if _a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter_, he affirmeth also they have no articulations at all, he incurs the controulment of reason, and cannot avoide the contradiction also of sense.

As for the manner of their venation, if we consult historical experience, we shall find it to be otherwise then as is commonly presumed, by sawing away of Trees. The accounts whereof are to be seen at large in _Johannes_, _Hugo_, _Edwardus Lopez_, _Garcias ab horto_, _Cadamustus_, and many more.

Other concernments there are of the Elephant, which might admit of discourse; and if we should question the teeth of Elephants, that is, whether they be properly so termed, or might not rather be called horns: it were no new enquiry of mine, but a Paradox as old as _Oppia.n.u.s_ [SN: Cyneget. lib. 2.]. Whether as _Pliny_ and divers since affirm it, that Elephants are terrified, and make away upon the grunting of Swine, _Garcias ab horto_ may decide, who affirmeth upon experience, they enter their stalls, and live promiscuously in the Woods of _Malavar_. That the situation of the genitals is averse, and their copulation like that which some believe of Camels, as _Pliny_ hath also delivered, is not to be received; for we have beheld that part in a different position; and their coition is made by supersaliency, like that of horses, as we are informed by some who have beheld them in that act. That some Elephants have not only written whole sentences, as _aelian_ ocularly testifieth, but have also spoken, as _Oppia.n.u.s_ delivereth, and _Christophorus a Costa_ particularly relateth; although it sound like that of _Achilles_ Horse in _Homer_, we do not conceive impossible. [SN: _Some_ Brutes _tolerably well organized for speech and approaching to reason_.] Nor beside the affinity of reason in this Animal any such intollerable incapacity in the organs of divers quadrupedes, whereby they might not be taught to speak, or become imitators of speech like Birds. Strange it is how the curiosity of men that have been active in the instruction of Beasts, have never fallen upon this artifice; and among those, many paradoxical and unheard of imitations, should not attempt to make one speak. The Serpent that spake unto _Eve_, the Dogs and Cats that usually speak unto Witches, might afford some encouragement. And since broad and thick chops are required in Birds that speak, since lips and teeth are also organs of speech; from these there is also an advantage in quadrupedes, and a proximity of reason in Elephants and Apes above them all. Since also an Echo will speak without any mouth at all, articulately returning the voice of man, by only ordering the vocal spirit in concave and hollow places; whether the musculous and motive parts about the hollow mouths of Beasts, may not dispose the pa.s.sing spirit into some articulate notes, seems a query of no great doubt.

CHAPTER II

Of the Horse.

The second a.s.sertion, that an Horse hath no gall, is very general, nor only swallowed by the people, and common Farriers, but also received by good _Veterinarians_, [SN: Veterinarians _or Farriers_.] and some who have laudably discoursed upon Horses. It seemeth also very ancient; for it is plainly set down by _Aristotle_, an Horse and all solid ungulous or whole hoofed animals have no gall; and the same is also delivered by _Pliny_, which notwithstanding we find repugnant unto experience and reason. For first, it calls in question the providence or wise provision of Nature; who not abounding in superfluities, is neither deficient in necessities. Wherein nevertheless there would be a main defect, and her improvision justly accusable, if such a feeding Animal, and so subject unto diseases from bilious causes, should want a proper conveyance for choler; or have no other receptacle for that humour then the Veins, and general ma.s.s of bloud.

It is again controllable by experience, for we have made some search and enquiry herein; encouraged by _Absyrtus_ a Greek Author, in the time of _Constantine_, who in his Hippiatricks [SN: Medicina equaria.], obscurely a.s.signeth the gall a place in the liver; but more especially by _Carlo Ruini_ the _Bononian_, who in his _Anatomia del Cavallo_, hath more plainly described it, and in a manner as I found it. For in the particular enquiry into that part, in the concave or simous part of the Liver, whereabout the Gall is usually seated in quadrupedes, I discover an hollow, long and membranous substance, of a pale colour without, and lined with Choler and Gall within; which part is by branches diffused into the lobes and several parcels of the Liver; from whence receiving the fiery superfluity, or cholerick remainder, by a manifest and open pa.s.sage, it conveyeth it into the _duodenum_ or upper gut, thence into the lower bowels; which is the manner of its derivation in Man and other Animals. And therefore although there be no eminent and circular follicle, no round bag or vesicle which long containeth this humour: yet is there a manifest receptacle and pa.s.sage of choler from the Liver into the Guts: which being not so shut up, or at least not so long detained, as it is in other Animals: procures that frequent excretion, and occasions the Horse to dung more often then many other, which considering the plentiful feeding, the largeness of the guts, and their various circ.u.mvolution, was prudently contrived by providence in this Animal. [SN: _Choler the natural glister._] For choler is the natural Glister, or one excretion whereby Nature excludeth another; which descending daily into the bowels, extimulates those parts, and excites them unto expulsion. And therefore when this humour aboundeth or corrupteth, there succeeds oft-times a _cholerica pa.s.sio_, that is, a sudden and vehement Purgation upward and downward: and when the pa.s.sage of gall becomes obstructed, the body grows costive, and the excrements of the belly white; as it happeneth in the Jaundice.

If any therefore affirm an Horse hath no gall, that is, no receptacle, or part ordained for the separation of Choler, or not that humour at all; he hath both sense and reason to oppose him. But if he saith it hath no bladder of Gall, and such as is observed in many other Animals, we shall oppose our sense, if we gain-say him. Thus must _Aristotle_ be made out when he denieth this part, by this distinction we may relieve _Pliny_ of a contradiction, who in one place affirming an Horse hath no gall, delivereth yet in another, that the gall of an Horse was accounted poison; and therefore at the sacrifices of Horses in _Rome_, it was unlawful for the _Flamen_ [SN: _Priest._] to touch it. But with more difficulty, or hardly at all is that reconcileable which is delivered by our Countryman, and received _Veterinarian_; whose words in his Master-piece, and Chapter of diseases from the Gall, are somewhat too strict, and scarce admit a Reconciliation. The fallacie therefore of this conceit is not unlike the former; _A dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter_. Because they have not a bladder of gall, like those we usually observe in others, they have no gall at all. Which is a Paralogism not admittible; a fallacy that dwels not in a cloud, and needs not the Sun to scatter it.

CHAPTER III

Of the Dove.

The third a.s.sertion is somewhat like the second, that a Dove or Pigeon hath no gall; which is affirmed from very great antiquity; for as _Pierius_ observeth, from this consideration the Egyptians did make it the Hieroglyphick of Meekness. It hath been averred by many holy Writers, commonly delivered by _Postillers_ and _Commentators_, who from the frequent mention of the Dove in the _Canticles_, the precept of our Saviour, to be wise as Serpents, and innocent as Doves: and especially the appearance of the Holy Ghost in the similitude of this Animal, have taken occasion to set down many affections of the Dove, and what doth most commend it, is, that it hath no gall. And hereof have made use not only Minor Divines, but _Cyprian_, _Austin_, _Isidore_, _Beda_, _Rupertus_, _Jansenius_, and many more.

Whereto notwithstanding we know not how to a.s.sent, it being repugnant unto the Authority and positive determination of ancient Philosophy. The affirmative of _Aristotle_ in his History of Animals is very plain, _Fel aliis ventri, aliis intestino jungitur_: Some have the gall adjoined to the guts, as the Crow, the Swallow, Sparrow, and the Dove; the same is also attested by _Pliny_, and not without some pa.s.sion by _Galen_, who in his Book _De Atra bile_, accounts him ridiculous that denies it.

It is not agreeable to the const.i.tution of this Animal, nor can we so reasonably conceive there wants a Gall: that is, the hot and fiery humour in a body so hot of temper, which Phlegm or Melancholy could not effect. [SN: Salubrium, 31] Now of what complexion it is, _Julius Alexandrinus_ declareth, when he affirmeth that some upon the use thereof, have fallen into Feavers and Quinsies. The temper of their Dung and intestinal Excretions do also confirm the same; which Topically applied become a _Phaenigmus_ or Rubifying Medicine, and are of such fiery parts, that as we read in _Galen_, they have of themselves conceived fire, and burnt a house about them. And therefore when in the famine of _Samaria_ (wherein the fourth part of a Cab of Pigeons dung was sold for five pieces of silver,) it is delivered by _Josephus_, that men made use hereof in stead of common Salt: although the exposition seem strange, it is more probable then many other. For that it containeth very much Salt, as beside the effects before expressed, is discernable by taste, and the earth of Columbaries or Dove-houses, so much desired in the artifice of Salt-petre. And to speak generally, the Excrement of Birds hath more of Salt and acrimony, then that of other p.i.s.sing animals. Now if because the Dove is of a mild and gentle nature, we cannot conceive it should be of an hot temper; our apprehensions are not distinct in the measure of const.i.tutions, and the several parts which evidence such conditions. [SN: _Whence the irascible, whence the concupiscible Pa.s.sions do most arise._] For the Irascible pa.s.sions do follow the temper of the heart, but the concupiscible distractions the crasis of the liver. Now many have hot livers, which have but cool and temperate hearts; and this was probably the temper of _Paris_, a contrary const.i.tution to that of _Ajax_, and both but short of _Medea_, who seemed to exceed in either.

Lastly, it is repugnant to experience, for Anatomical enquiry discovereth in them a gall: and that according to the determination of _Aristotle_, not annexed unto the liver, but adhering unto the guts: nor is the humour contained in smaller veins, or obscurer capillations, but in a vescicle, or little bladder, though some affirm it hath no bag at all. And therefore the Hieroglyphick of the aegyptians, though allowable in the sense, is weak in the foundation: who expressing meekness and lenity by the portract of a Dove with a tail erected, affirmed it had no gall in the inward parts, but only in the rump, and as it were out of the body. And therefore also if they conceived their G.o.ds were pleased with the sacrifice of this Animal, as being without gall, the ancient Heathens were surely mistaken in the reason, and in the very oblation.

Whereas in the holocaust or burnt offering of _Moses_, the gall was cast away: for as _Ben Maimon_ instructeth [SN: Levit. 1.], the inwards whereto the gall adhereth were taken out with the crop, according unto the Law: which the Priest did not burn, but cast unto the East, that is, behind his back, and readiest place to be carried out of the Sanctuary.

[SN: _Doves, the Birds of_ Venus, _why?_] And if they also conceived that for this reason they were the Birds of _Venus_, and wanting the furious and discording part, were more acceptable unto the Deity of Love, they surely added unto the conceit, which was at first venereal: and in this Animal may be sufficiently made out from that conception.

The ground of this conceit is partly like the former, the obscure situation of the gall, and out of the liver, wherein it is commonly enquired. But this is a very injust illation, not well considering with what variety this part is seated in Birds. In some both at the stomach and the liver, as in the Capriceps; in some at the liver only, as in c.o.c.ks, Turkeys, and Pheasants; in others at the guts and liver, as in Hawks and Kites, in some at the guts alone, as Crows, Doves, and many more. And these perhaps may take up all the ways of situation, not only in Birds, but also other Animals; for what is said of the Anchovie, that answerable unto its name, [SN: ????as??????] it carrieth the gall in the head, is farther to be enquired. And though the discoloured particles in the skin of an Heron be commonly termed Galls, yet is not this Animal deficient in that part, but containeth it in the Liver. And thus when it is conceived that the eyes of _Tobias_ were cured by the gall of the fish _Callyonimus_, or _Scorpius marinus_, commended to that effect by _Dioscorides_, although that part were not in the liver, yet there were no reason to doubt that probability. And whatsoever Animal it was, it may be received without exception, when it's delivered, the married couple as a testimony of future concord, did cast the gall of the sacrifice behind the Altar.

A strict and literal acception of a loose and tropical expression was a second ground hereof. For while some affirmed it had no gall, intending only thereby no evidence of anger or fury; others have construed it anatomically, and denied that part at all. By which illation we may infer, and that from sacred Text, a Pigeon hath no heart; according to that expression, [SN: _Hosea 7._] _Factus est Ephraim sicut Columba seducta non habens Cor_. And so from the letter of the Scripture we may conclude it is no mild, but a fiery and furious animal, according to that of _Jeremy_, [SN: _Cap. 25._] _Facta est terra in desolationem a facie irae Columbae_: and again, _Revertamur ad terram nativitatis nostrae a facie gladii Columbae_. [SN: _Cap. 46._] Where notwithstanding the Dove is not literally intended; but thereby may be implied the _Babylonians_, whose Queen _Semiramis_ was called by that name, and whose successors did bear the Dove in their Standard. So is it proverbially said, _Formicae sua bilis inest, habet et musca splenem_; whereas we know Philosophy doubteth these parts, nor hath _Anatomy_ so clearly discovered them in those insects.

If therefore any affirm a Pigeon hath no gall, implying no more thereby then the lenity of this Animal, we shall not controvert his affirmation.

Thus may we make out the a.s.sertions of Ancient Writers, and safely receive the expressions of Divines and worthy Fathers. But if by a transition from Rhetorick to Logick, he shall contend, it hath no such part or humour, he committeth an open fallacy, and such as was probably first committed concerning _Spanish_ Mares, whose swiftness tropically expressed from their generation by the wind; might after be grosly taken, and a real truth conceived in that conception.

CHAPTER IV

Of the Bever.