NOTE-BOOK OF A NATURALIST. 293 



The testudinata figure largely in the ancient pharma- 

 copoeia, and they seem to have a claim to the patronage 

 of the deities of health equal, at least, to that of the 

 serpents. They must, moreover, have been the terror of 

 the Canidias of the time. 



The flesh of land-tortoises serveth wel in perfumes and snfFumi- 

 gations, for so it is as good as a countercharm to put by and repell 

 all sorceries and inchantments : a singular counterpoison also to 

 resist any venome whatsoever. Great store of tortoises be found 

 in Affricke : where they use to cut away the head and feet, and 

 then employ the rest of the body as a soveraigne remedy against 

 all poysons. 



Tortoise pottage appears to have rivalled viper 

 broth : — 



If their flesh be eaten together with the broth wherein they are 

 sodden, it is held to be very good for to discusse and scatter the 

 wens called the King's Evil, and to dissipat or resolve the hard- 

 nesse of the swelled spleene : likewise to cure the falling sicknes, 

 and to drive away the fits thereof. The bloud of tortoises clarifieth 

 the eyesight and dispatcheth the cataracts, if they be anointed 

 there^^ith. ]Many incorporat the said bloud in meale, and keep 

 them reduced into the forme of pils ; which when need requireth, 

 they give in wine as a present help for the poyson of all serpents ; 

 spiders, and such like, yea and the venome of toads. The gall of 

 tortoises mixt with Atticke hony, serveth to cure the fiery rednesse 

 of the eyes, if they be anointed therewith : the same is good to be 

 dropt into the wounds inflicted by the prick of scorpions. The 

 ashes of the tortoise shel incorporat with wine and oile, and so 

 wrought into a salve, heals the chaps and ulcers of the feet. 



These are but a few of the miracles of healing effected 

 by the application of this panacea of the Roman apothe- 

 cary's shop. 



Nor are the remedies incorporated in the turtles — the 

 ' sea-tortoises' — a whit less powerful or numerous. We 

 spare the catalogue of cures, which those who are curious 

 may read in the marvellous pages of him who has been 

 called the martyr of nature ; only out of our benevolence, 

 and by way of throwing those numerous specifics for the 



