indistinction of parts in the Tadpole, even when it moveth about, and how successively the inward parts do seem to discover themselves, until their last perfection; may easily discern the high curiosity of Nature in these inferiour animals, and what a long line is run to make a Frog. And because many affirm, and some deliver, that in regard it hath lungs and breatheth, a Frog may be easily drowned; though the reason be probable, I find not the experiment answerable; for fastning one about a span under water, it lived almost six days. Nor is it only hard to destroy one in water, but difficult also at land: for it will live long after the lungs and heart be out; how long it will live in the seed, or whether the spawn of this year being preserved, will not arise into Frogs in the next, might also be enquired: and we are prepared to trie. CHAPTER XIV Of the Salamander. That a Salamander is able to live in flames, to endure and put out fire, is an assertion, not only of great antiquity, but confirmed by frequent, and not contemptible testimony. The _Egyptians_ have drawn it into their Hieroglyphicks, _Aristotle_ seemeth to embrace it; more plainly _Nicander_, _Sarenus Sammonicus_, _Ælian_ and _Pliny_, who assigns the cause of this effect: An Animal (saith he) so cold that it extinguisheth the fire like Ice. All which notwithstanding, there is on the negative, Authority and Experience; _Sextius_ a Physitian, as _Pliny_ delivereth, denied this effect; _Dioscorides_ affirmed it a point of folly to believe it; _Galen_ that it endureth the fire a while, but in continuance is consumed therein. For experimental conviction, _Mathiolus_ affirmeth, he saw a Salamander burnt in a very short time; and of the like assertion is _Amatus Lusitanus_; and most plainly _Pierius_, whose words in his Hieroglyphicks are these: _Whereas it is commonly said that a Salamander extinguisheth fire, we have found by experience, that it is so far from quenching hot coals, that it dieth immediately therein._ As for the contrary assertion of _Aristotle_, it is but by hear say, as common opinion believeth, _Hæc enim (ut aiunt) ignem ingrediens, eum extinguit_; and therefore there was no absurdity in _Galen_, when as a Septical medicine [SN: _A corruptive Medicine destroying the parts like Arsenike._] he commended the ashes of a Salamander; and _Magicians_ in vain from the power of this Tradition, at the burning of Towns or Houses expect a relief from Salamanders.