The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2Browne, Thomas, Sir
Religion
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2
Browne, Thomas, Sir
Christianity; Ethics; Religion and medicine
6. The Antipathy between a Toad and a Spider, and that they poisonously
destroy each other, is very famous, and solemn stories have been written
of their combats; wherein most commonly the victory is given unto the
Spider. Of what Toads and Spiders it is to be understood would be
considered. For the Phalangium and deadly Spiders, are different from
those we generally behold in _England_. However the verity hereof, as
also of many others, we cannot but desire; for hereby we might be surely
provided of proper Antidotes in cases which require them; But what we
have observed herein, we cannot in reason conceal; who having in a Glass
included a Toad with several Spiders, we beheld the Spiders without
resistance to sit upon his head and pass over all his body; which at
last upon advantage he swallowed down, and that in few hours, unto the
number of seven. And in the like manner will Toads also serve Bees, and
are accounted enemies unto their Hives.
[Sidenote: _Of a Lion and a Cock._]
7. Whether a Lion be also afraid of a Cock, as is related by many, and
believed by most, were very easie in some places to make trial. Although
how far they stand in fear of that animal, we may sufficiently
understand, from what is delivered by _Camerarius_, whose words in his
Symbola are these: _Nostris temporibus in Aula serenissimi Principis
Bavariæ, unus ex Leonibus miris saltibus in vicinam cujusdam domus aream
sese dimisit, ubi Gallinaceorum cantum aut clamores nihil reformidans,
ipsos unà cum plurimis gallinis devoravit._ That is, In our time in the
Court of the Prince of _Bavaria_, one of the Lions leaped down into a
Neighbours yard, where nothing regarding the crowing or noise of the
Cocks, he eat them up with many other Hens. And therefore a very unsafe
defensative it is against the fury of this animal (and surely no better
then Virginity or bloud Royal) which _Pliny_[SN: De sacrificiis et
magia.] doth place in Cock broth: For herewith, saith he, whoever is
anointed (especially if Garlick be boiled therein) no Lion or Panther
will touch him. But of an higher nature it were, and more exalted
Antipathy, if that were certain which _Proclus_ delivers, that solary
_Dæmons_, and such as appear in the shape of Lions, will disappear and
vanish, if a Cock be presented upon them.
8. It is generally conceived, an Ear-wig hath no Wings, and is reckoned
amongst impennous insects by many; but he that shall narrowly observe
them, or shall with a needle put aside the short and sheathy cases on
their back, may extend and draw forth two wings of a proportionable
length for flight, and larger then in many flies. The experiment of
_Pennius_ is yet more perfect, who with a Rush or Bristle so pricked
them as to make them flie.
[Sidenote: _Of Worms._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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