112 NATURAL HISTORY. 



merly prescribed to take water warm, and to set part 

 of it against the moon-beams, and part of it with a 

 screen between ; and to see whether that which stand- 

 eth exposed to the beams will not cool sooner. But 

 because this is but a small interposition, (though in the 

 sun we see a small shade doth much,) it were good to 

 try it when the moon shineth, and when the moon 

 shineth not at all ; and with water warm in a glass 

 bottle, as well as in a dish ; and with cinders ; and 

 with iron red-hot, &c. 



891. For the inducing of putrefaction, it were good 

 to try it with flesh or fish exposed to the moon-beams, 

 and again exposed to the air when the moon shineth 

 not, for the like time ; to see whether will corrupt 

 sooner : and try, it also with capon, or some other fowl, 

 laid abroad, to see whether it will mortify and become 

 tender sooner ; try it also with dead flies, or dead 

 worms, having a little water cast upon them, to see 

 whether will putrefy sooner. Try it also with an 

 apple or orange, having holes made in their tops, to 

 see whether will rot or mould sooner. Try it also 

 with Holland cheese, having wine put into it, whether 

 will breed mites sooner or greater. 



892. For the increase of moisture, the opinion, re 

 ceived is that seeds will grow soonest ; and hair, and 

 nails, and hedges, and herbs cut, &c., will grow 

 soonest ; if they be set or cut in the increase of the 

 moon. Also that brains in rabbits, woodcocks, calves, 

 &c., are fullest in the full of the moon : and so of 

 marrow in the bones ; and so of oysters and cockles, 

 which of all the rest are the easiest tried, if you have 

 them in pits. 



893. Take some seeds, or roots, (as onions, &c.) 



