34 o SHAKESPEARE'S [WETHER. 



well that day. They have knowledge like mice and rats 

 to run out of houses before their downfall. If the powder 

 of a Weasel be given unto a cock, chickens or pigeons, 

 they shall never be annoyed by Weasels. Likewise if the 

 brain of a Weasel be mingled with a rennet in cheeses, it 

 keepeth them from being touched with mice, or corrupted 

 with age. The powder thereof mixed with water driveth 

 away mice. If one of their tails be cut off, all the residue 

 do forsake the house. The whelp of a Weasel doth cure 

 the venomous bitings of the shrew. The biting of a Weasel 

 is cured by onions and garlic, either applied outward or 

 taken in drink, so that the party drink sweet wine thereon. 

 Sometimes the Weasel biteth some cattle, which presently 

 killeth them, except there be some instant remedy. If they 

 be rubbed with a Weasel's skin, they are instantly healed. 



Topsell, " Four-footed Beasts," pp. 562-8. 



IF the heart of a Weasel be eaten while still palpitating, 

 it makes a man know future events, and if any man eat 

 of its heart with the eyes and tongue of a dog, he will 

 forthwith lose his voice. 



Albertus Magnus, " Of the Virtues of Animals." 



Wether. 



WINTER'S TALE, iv. 3, 33. 



V. Sheep. 

 Whale. 



ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, iv. 3, 249. 



WHEN the Whale hungereth sore, he casteth out of his 

 mouth a vapour, that smelleth as the smell of amber ; and 

 fish have liking in that smell, and for the odour and smell 

 of that vapour, they go into the Whale's mouth, and be 

 so deceived and eaten. Also in this fish earthy matter hath 

 more mastery than watery, and therefore he is soon great 

 and fat; and so in age for greatness of body, on his ridge 

 [back bone] powder [dust] and earth is gathered, and so 

 digged together that herbs and small trees and bushes grow 

 thereon ; so that that great fish seemeth an island. And 

 if shipmen come unwarily thereby, unneath [hardly] they 



