352 LEAVES FROM THE 



gism, which throw those of the Mohocks into the shade, 

 that ' the right forefoot of a chamseleon hanged fast to 

 the left arm within the skin of a hygena, is singular 

 against the perils and dangers by thieves and robbers ; 

 as also to skar away hobgoblins and night spirits. In 

 like manner, whosoever carry about them the right pap 

 of this beast, may bee assured against al fright and feare/ 

 Talk of fernseed for invisibility — Democritus will tell 

 you that ' the left foote they use to torrifie in an oven 

 with the herb called also chamaeleon, and with some 

 convenient ointment or liquor to make in certain trosChes, 

 whereof if a man do carry any in a box of wood about 

 him, he shall go invisible/ 



In case of invasion, it is satisfactory to know that 

 'whosoever hath about him the right shoulder of the 

 chamseleon, shall bee able to overthrow his adversarie at 

 the barre, and to vanquish his enemie in the field ;' but 

 remember that, first, 'hee must be sure to cast away and 

 make riddance of the strings and sinews belonging thereto, 

 and to tread them under foot/ 



In the ancient pharmacopoeia, the chameleon was a 

 perfect repertory of remedies. * Take the ashes,' quoth 

 Democritus, ' of the left thigh or foot, chuse you whether, 

 incorporate the same with the milke of a sow, and there- 

 with anoint the feet, it wil be an occasion speedily to 

 bring the gout upon them.' Doctors differed then, as 

 they do now, for the learned Trallianus prepared from it 

 a most certain medicine for driving the gout away. But, 

 however this may be, 'of the chamseleon's gall, for the 

 most part, folk are in manner verily persuaded, that it 

 will rid the pin and web, the cataract also of the eies, 

 with three dales anointing ; chase away serpents if it be 

 dropped into the fire ; gather all wezils in a country to- 

 gether, only by throwing it into the water ; and fetch off 

 haire if the body be anointed therewith.' The catalogue 

 might be extended voluminously; but these few pre- 



