CENTUKY VII. 363 



the word insecta agreeth not with the matter, but we 

 ever use it for brevity s sake, intending by it crea 

 tures bred of putrefaction. 



696. The insecta are found to breed out of several 

 matters : some breed of mud or dung ; as the earth 

 worms, eels, snakes, &c. For they are both putre 

 factions : for water in mud doth putrify, as not able 

 to preserve itself : and for dung, all excrements are 

 the refuse and putrefactions of nourishment. Some 

 breed in wood, both growing and cut down. Query, 

 in what woods most, and at what seasons ? We see 

 that the worms with many feet, which round them 

 selves into balls, are bred chiefly under logs of timber, 

 but not in the timber ; and they are said to be found 

 also many times in gardens, where no logs are. But 

 it seemeth their generation requireth a coverture, 

 both from sun and rain or dew, as the timber is ; and 

 therefore they are not venemous, but contrariwise are 

 held by the physicians to clarify the blood. It is ob 

 served also, that cimices are found in the holes of bed 

 sides. Some breed in the hair of living creatures, as 

 lice and tikes ; which are bred by the sweat close 

 kept, and somewhat arefied by the hair. The excre 

 ments of living creatures do not only breed insecta 

 when they are excerned, but also while they are in 

 the body ; as in worms, whereto children are most 

 subject, and are chiefly in the guts. And it hath 

 been lately observed by physicians, that in many pes 

 tilent diseases, there are worms found in the upper 

 parts of the body, where excrements are not, but 

 only humours putrified. Fleas breed principally of 



