SOLOMON'S HOUSE. 131 



to come up and bear more speedily than by their natural course they 

 do. We make them also by art greater much than their nature; and 

 their fruit greater and sweeter and of differing taste, smell, colour, 

 and figure, from their nature. And many of them we so order, as 

 they become of medicinal use. 



We have also means to make divers plants rise by mixtures of 

 earths without seeds; and likewise to make divers new plants, differ- 

 ing from the vulgar; and to make one tree or plant turn into an- 

 other. 



We have also parks and inclosures of all sorts of beasts and birds, 

 which we use not only for view or rareness, but likewise for dissec- 

 tions and trials ; that thereby we may take light what may be wrought 

 upon the body of man. Wherein we find many strange effects; as 

 continuing life in them, though divers parts, which you account vital, 

 be perished and taken forth; resuscitating of some that seem dead in 

 appearance; and the like. We try also all poisons and other medicines 

 upon them, as well of chirurgery as physic. By art likewise, we make 

 them greater or taller than their kind is; and contrariwise dwarf 

 them, and stay their growth: we make them more fruitful and bear- 

 ing than their kind is; and contrariwise barren and not generative. 

 Also we make them differ in colour, shape, activity, many ways. We 

 find means to make commixtures and copulations of different kinds; 

 which have produced many new kinds, and them not barren, as the 

 general opinion is. We make a number of kinds of serpents, worms, 

 flies, fishes, of putrefaction; whereof some are advanced (in effect) 

 to be perfect creatures, like beasts or birds; and have sexes, and do 

 propagate. Neither do we this by chance, but we know beforehand of 

 what matter and commixture what kind of those creatures will arise. 



We have also particular pools, where we make trials upon fishes, as 

 we have said before of beasts and birds. 



We have also places for breed and generation of those kinds of 

 worms and flies which are of special use; such as are with you your 

 silk-worms and bees. 



I will not hold you long with recounting of our brew-houses, bake- 

 houses, and kitchens, where are made divers drinks, breads, and meats, 

 rare and of special effects. Wines we have of grapes; and drinks of 

 other juice of fruits, of grains, and of roots: and of mixtures with 

 honey, sugar, manna, and fruits dried and decocted. Also of the 

 tears or woundings of trees, and of the pulp of canes. And these 

 drinks are of several ages, some to the age or last of forty years. We 

 have drinks also brewed with several herbs, and roots, and spices ; yea 

 with several fleshes, and white meats ; whereof some of the drinks are 

 such, as they are in effect meat and drink both: so that divers, es- 



