AGATE.] NATURAL HISTORY. 5 



The Adder fleeth the hind, and slayeth the lion, and he 

 eateth rue, and changeth his skin, and loveth hollowness of 

 wood and of trees, and drinketh milk busily. And he 

 hurteth and grieveth with the teeth, and with the tail, and 

 sheddeth venom, and lieth in the sun under hedges, and 

 sucketh bitches, eateth flies, and licketh powder [dust]. 

 The grease of the water-adder helpeth against the biting of 

 the crocodile ; and if a man have with him the gall of this 

 adder, the crocodile shall not grieve him nor noy him ; and 

 that most jeopardous and fearful beast dare not, nor may 

 do against him in no manner of wise damage nor grief, 

 which beareth the gall of the said Adder. 



Bartholomew (Berthelet], bk. xviii. 34. 



V. Aspick, Serpent. 

 Agate. 



If low, an agate very vilely cut. 



MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, iii. I, 65. 



I was never manned with an agate till now ; but F will inset you 

 neither in gold nor silver, but in vile apparel, and send you. back again 

 to your master for a jewel. 



ii. KING HENRY IV., i. 2, 18-23. 



Agate-ring. 



i. KING HENRY IV., ii. 4, 78. 



In shape no bigger than an agate-stone 

 On the forefinger of an alderman. 



ROMEO AND JULIET, i. 4, 55-6. 



THE first manner thereof helpeth witchcraft. For there- 

 th tempest is changed ; and stinteth rivers and streams. 

 And the manner kind of Creta changeth perils and maketh 

 gracious and pleasing, and fair showing and speaking, and 

 giveth might and strength. The third manner stone, that 

 is of Ind, comforteth the sight, and helpeth against thirst 

 and venom, and smelleth sweet if it be nigh. The burning 

 of it is odoriferous. Bartholomew (Berthelet), bk. xvi. n. 



[Agates were worn by justices of the peace.] Thou wilt 

 spit as formally, and show thy Agate and hatched chain, as 

 well as the best of them. 



Beaumont and Fletcher's " Coxcomb " (Steevens), 



[The Agate which is found in the eagle's nest is of two 

 sorts, male and female.] The male thereof is hard, and is 



