_Of divers poisoning practises, otherwise called veneficia, committed in Italie, Genua, Millen, Wittenberge, also how they were discovered and executed._ Another practise, not unlike to that mentioned in the former chapter, was doone in _Cassalis_ at _Salassia_ in _Italie_, Anno 1536. where 40. _Veneficæ_ or witches being of one confederacie, renewed a plague which was then almost ceased, besmeering with an ointment and a pouder, the posts and doores of mens houses; so as thereby whole families were poisoned: and of that stuffe they had prepared above 40. crocks for that purpose. Herewithall they conveied inheritances as it pleased them, till at length they killed the brother and onelie sonne of one _Necus_ (as lightlie none died in the house but the maisters and their children) which was much noted; and therewithall that one _Androgina_ haunted the houses, speciallie of them that died: and she being suspected, apprehended, and examined, confessed the fact, conspiracie, and circumstance, as hath beene shewed. The like villanie was afterwards practised at _Genua_, and execution was doone upon the offenders. At _Millen_ there was another like attempt that tooke none effect. This art consisteth as well in poisoning of cattell as of men: and that which is doone by poisons unto cattell, towards their destruction, is as commonlie attributed to witches charms as the other. And I doubt not, but some that would be thought cunning in incantations, and to doo miracles, have experience in this behalf. For it is written by divers authors, that if wolves doong be hidden in the mangers, racks, or else in the hedges about the pastures, where cattell go (through the antipathie of the nature of the woolfe and other cattell) all the beasts that savour the same doo not onlie forbeare to eate, but run about as though they were mad, or (as they say) bewitched. ♦Veneficæ in Italie.♦ ♦Veneficæ in Genua & Millen.♦ But _Wierus_ telleth a notable storie of a _Veneficus_, or destroier of cattell, which I thought meete heere to repeat. There was (saith he) in the dukedome of _Wittingberge_, not farre from _Tubing_, a butcher, anno 1564. that bargained with the towne for all their hides which were of sterven cattell, called in these parts _Morts_. He with poison privilie killed in great numbers, their bullocks, sheepe, swine, &c: and by his bargaine of the hides and tallowe he grew infinitlie rich. And at last being suspected, was examined, confessed the matter and maner thereof, and was put to death with hot tongs, wherewith his flesh was pulled from his bones. We for our parts would have killed five poore women, before we would suspect one rich butcher. ♦Of a butcher a right veneficall which [? witch.]♦ The fift Chapter. _A great objection answered concerning this kind of witchcraft called Veneficium._