364 NATURAL HISTORY. 



straw or mats, where there hath been a little mois 

 ture ; or the chamber and bed-straw kept close and 

 not aired. It is received, that they are killed by 

 strewing wormwood in the rooms. And it is truly 

 observed, that bitter things are apt rather to kill, than 

 engender putrefaction ; and they be things that are 

 fat or sweet that are aptest to putrify. There is a 

 worm that breedeth in meal, of the shape of a large 

 white maggot, which is given as a great dainty to 

 nightingales. The moth breedeth upon cloth and 

 other lanifices ; especially if they be laid up dankish 

 and wet. It delighteth to be about the flame of a 

 candle. There is a worm called a wevil, bred under 

 ground, and that feedeth upon roots ; as parsnips, car 

 rots, &c. Some breed in waters, especially shaded, 

 but they must be standing waters ; as the water-spider 

 that hath six legs. The fly called the gad-fly, 

 breedeth of somewhat that swimmeth upon the top 

 of the water, and is most about ponds. There is a 

 worm that breedeth of the dregs of wine decayed ; 

 which afterwards, as is observed by some of the an 

 cients, turneth into a gnat. It hath been observed 

 by the ancients, that there is a worm that breedeth in 

 old snow, and is of colour reddish, and dull of mo 

 tion, and dieth soon after it cometh out of snow. 

 Which should shew, that snow hath in it a secret 

 warmth ; for else it could hardly vivify. And the 

 reason of the dying of the worm, may be the sudden 

 exhaling of that little spirit, as soon as it cometh out 

 of the cold, which had shut it in. For as butterflies 

 quicken with heat, which were benumbed with cold ; 



