"We have also parks and enclosures of all sorts of beasts and birds
which we use not only for view or rareness, but likewise for
dissections and trials; that thereby we may take light what may be
wrought upon the body of man. Wherein we find many strange effects; as
continuing life in them, though divers parts, which you account vital,
be perished and taken forth; resuscitating of some that seem dead in
appearance; and the like. We try also all poisons and other medicines
upon them, as well of chirurgery, as physic. By art likewise, we make
them greater or taller than their kind is; and contrariwise dwarf them,
and stay their growth: we make them more fruitful and bearing than
their kind is; and contrariwise barren and not generative. Also we
make them differ in colour, shape, activity, many ways. We find means
to make commixtures and copulations of different kinds; which have
produced many new kinds, and them not barren, as the general opinion
is. We make a number of kinds of serpents, worms, flies, fishes, of
putrefaction; whereof some are advanced (in effect) to be perfect
creatures, like bests or birds; and have sexes, and do propagate.
Neither do we this by chance, but we know beforehand, of what matter
and commixture what kind of those creatures will arise.
"We have also particular pools, where we make trials upon fishes, as we
have said before of beasts and birds.
"We have also places for breed and generation of those kinds of worms
and flies which are of special use; such as are with you your
silk-worms and bees.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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