ANT.] 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



ii 



and they gather wheat and reck not of barley, and when 

 the wheat is berained, that they gather to heap, then the 

 Ants do all the wheat out into the sun, that it may be 

 dried again. And it is said that in Ethiopia be Ants 

 shap[ed] as hounds, and diggeth up golden gravel with 

 their feet, and keep it that it be not taken away. And 

 pursueth anon to the death them that take it away. And 

 when they be overset in their houses to be taken, then 

 shed they venomous water upon men, and that water burneth 

 his hand that it toucheth, and breedeth therein itching and 



smarting. For they have that water instead of weapon and 

 of armour. In Ind be right great Ants with horns, that 

 keep gold and precious stones with wonder covetise and 

 desire, but Indians steal them in summer-time when the 

 Ants be hid in hills for strong burning heat ; but the 

 Ants fly after them busily, which take away the gold ; 

 and wound them after, though they flee the Ants riding 

 on swift camels in them is so wicked fierceness for lust of 

 gold. When bears be sick, they seek Ants, and devour them, 

 and heal themselves in that wise. But in some case Ants' eggs 

 be medicinable. Bartholomew (Berthelet), bk. xviii. 53. 



