26 
versation he had in the “ Lond of Cathay ” with the natives and 
how he aroused their scepticism by describing the Bernakes as 
“ trees that beren a fruit that becomen bryddes fleeyinge ; and 
tho that fellen in the water lyven ; and thei that fallen on the 
earth dyen anon.” Aineas Sylvius (Pope Pius II. b. 1405) 
ridiculed the current error, with no more success than Albertus. 
Baptista Porta, the Neapolitan Natural Philosopher and in- 
ventor of the “ Camera Obscura,” in his “Natural Magic” (1558), 
refers more cautiously to the reports of writers concerning the 
existence of the Barnacle not only in Scotland but even in the 
Thames near London. He also asserts that they which fall into 
the sea alone live and “ grow to be ducks or such like birds ;” 
and again “ Some say they come of worms, some of the boughs of 
the trees which fall into the sea.” 
John Gerard, author of the “ Herbal” is the most celebrated 
author on this subject, and his quaint picture of the Barnacle Tree 
is well known. He says that “the shell of the Barnacle is in 
shape like that of the muskle but sharper pointed and of a 
whitish colour, wherein is contained a thing in form like a lace 
of silk, finely woven, as it were, together, and of a white 
colour. . . . when the shell is perfectly formed, it gapeth 
open, and the first thing that appeareth is the aforesaid lace or 
string ; next come the legs of the birds hanging out. As it 
groweth greater it openeth the shell by degrees till at length it 
is all come forth and hanging only by the bill. In a short space 
it cometh to full maturitie and falleth into the sea.” 
Michael Drayton’s “ Polyolbion ” (1613) has a reference to 
“ the anatomized fish and fowl from planchers sprung.” Count 
Mayer wrote a treatise in 1629, “ De Volucri Aerborea,” in 
defence of prevailing opinions, supporting his views by physical, 
metaphysical, and theological arguments. 
Butler’s “ Hudibras ” (1663) inveighs against those who 
“As naturally grow miscreants, as Barnacles turn Solan 
(Solent, i.e, English Channel] Geese, in the Islands of the 
Orchades.” 
Sir Robert Moray in “ A Relation Concerning Barnacles,” 
published in the “ Philosophical Transactions ” (1678), goes to 
greater lengths in his description of the “ bird” within the 
shell. ‘‘ The little bill like that of a goose, the eyes marked, the 
head, neck, breast, wings, tail and feet formed, the features 
everywhere perfectly shaped and blackish coloured, and the feet 
like those of other water-fowl, to the best of my remem- 
brance.” 
