4. _Dioscorides Anazarbeus_, he wrote many Books in Physick, but six thereof _De Materia Medica_, have found the greatest esteem: he is an Author of good antiquity and use, preferred by _Galen_ before _Cratevas_, _Pamphilus_, and all that attempted the like description before him; yet all he delivereth therein is not to be conceived Oraculous. For beside that, following the wars under _Anthony_, the course of his life would not permit a punctual _Examen_ in all; there are many things concerning the nature of Simples, traditionally delivered, and to which I believe he gave no assent himself. It had been an excellent Receit, and in his time when Saddles were scarce in fashion of very great use, if that were true which he delivers, that _Vitex_, or _Agnus Castus_ held only in the hand, preserveth the rider from galling. It were a strange effect, and Whores would forsake the experiment of _Savine_, if that were a truth which he delivereth of Brake or female Fearn, that onely treading over it, it causeth a sudden abortion. It were to be wished true, and women would idolize him, could that be made out which he recordeth of _Phyllon_, _Mercury_, and other vegetables, that the juice of the male Plant drunk, or the leaves but applied unto the genitals, determines their conceptions unto males. In these relations although he be more sparing, his predecessors were very numerous; and _Galen_ hereof most sharply accuseth _Pamphilus_. Many of the like nature we meet sometimes in _Oribasius_, _Ætius_, _Trallianus_, _Serapion_, _Evax_, and _Marcellus_, whereof some containing no colour of verity, we may at first sight reject them; others which seem to carry some face of truth, we may reduce unto experiment. And herein we shall rather perform good offices unto truth, then any disservice unto their relators, who have well deserved of succeeding Ages; from whom having received the conceptions of former Times, we have the readier hint of their conformity with ours, and may accordingly explore and sift their verities. [Sidenote: _Plinius Natural History collected out of 2000 several Authors._]