The ground and authority of this conceit was first Hierogliphical, the _Ægyptians_ expressing longævity by this Animal; but upon what uncertainties, and also convincible falsities they often erected such Emblems, we have elsewhere delivered. And if that were true which _Aristotle_ delivers of his time [SN: Histor. animal. lib. 8.], and _Pliny_ was not afraid to take up long after, the _Ægyptians_ could make but weak observations herein; for though it be said that _Æneas_ feasted his followers with Venison, yet _Aristotle_ affirms that neither Deer nor Boar were to be found in _Africa_. And how far they miscounted the lives and duration of Animals, is evident from their conceit of the Crow, which they presume to live five hundred years; and from the lives of Hawks, which (as _Ælian_ delivereth) the _Ægyptians_ do reckon no less then at seven hundred. The second which led the conceit unto the _Grecians_, and probably descended from the Egyptians was Poetical; and that was a passage of _Hesiod_, thus rendered by _Ausonius_. _Ter binos deciesque novem super exit in annos, Justa senescentum quos implet vita virorum. Hos novies superat vivendo gorrula cornix, Et quater egreditur cornicis sæcula cervus, Alipidem cervum ter vincit corvus.----_ To ninety six the life of man ascendeth, Nine times as long that of the Chough extendeth, Four times beyond the life of Deer doth go, And thrice is that surpassed by the Crow.