Surely the destructive delusion of Satan in this shape, hath much enlarged the opinion of their mischief. Which notwithstanding was not so high with the heathens, in whom the Devil had wrought a better opinion of this animal, it being sacred unto the _Egyptians_, _Greeks_ and _Romans_, and the common symbole of sanity. In the shape whereof _Æsculapius_ the God of health appeared unto the _Romans_, accompanied their Embassadors to _Rome_ from _Epidaurus_; and the same did stand in the _Tiberine_ Isle upon the Temple of _Æsculapius_. Some doubt many have of the Tarantula, or poisonous Spider of _Calabria_, and that magical cure of the bite thereof by Musick. But since we observe that many attest it from experience: Since the learned _Kircherius_ hath positively averred it, and set down the songs and tunes solemnly used for it; Since some also affirm the Tarantula it self will dance upon certain stroaks, whereby they set their instruments against its poison; we shall not at all question it. Much wonder is made of the Boramez, that strange plant-animal or vegetable Lamb of _Tartary_, which Wolves delight to feed on, which hath the shape of a Lamb, affordeth a bloody juyce upon breaking, and liveth while the plants be consumed about it. And yet if all this be no more, then the shape of a Lamb in the flower or seed, upon the top of the stalk, as we meet with the forms of Bees, Flies and Dogs in some others; he hath seen nothing that shall much wonder at it. It may seem too hard to question the swiftness of Tigers, which hath therefore given names unto Horses, Ships and Rivers, nor can we deny what all have thus affirmed; yet cannot but observe, that _Jacobus Bontius_ late Physitian at _Java_ in the East _Indies_, as an ocular and frequent witness is not afraid to deny it; to condemn _Pliny_ who affirmeth it, and that indeed it is but a slow and tardigradous animal, preying upon advantage, and otherwise may be escaped. Many more there are whose serious enquiries we must request of others, and shall only awake considerations, Whether that common opinion that Snakes do breed out of the back or spinal marrow of man, doth build upon any constant root or seed in nature; or did not arise from contingent generation, in some single bodies remembred by _Pliny_ or others, and might be paralleld since in living corruptions of the guts and other parts; which regularly proceed not to putrifactions of that nature. Whether the Story of the Remora be not unreasonably amplified; whether that of Bernacles and Goose-trees be not too much enlarged; whether the common history of Bees will hold, as large accounts have delivered; whether the brains of Cats be attended with such destructive malignities, as _Dioscorides_ and others put upon them. As also whether there be not some additional help of Art, unto the Numismatical and Musical shells, which we sometimes meet with in conchylious collections among us?