154 CURIOUS CREATURES. 



themselves ; and, here again, I must very much curtail 

 the recital of their benefits to mankind. 



" The vertues of a Dog's head made into poulder, are 

 both many and unspeakable, by it is the biting of mad 

 dogs cured, it cureth spots, and bunches in the head, 

 and a plaister thereof made with Oyle of Roses, healeth 

 the running in the head. The poulder of the teeth of 

 Dogges, maketh Children's teeth to come forth with speed 

 and easie, and, if their gums be rub'd with a dog's tooth, 

 it maketh them to have the sharper teeth ; and the 

 poulder of these Dogs teeth rubbed upon the Gummes 

 of young or olde, easeth toothache, and abateth swelling 

 in the gummes. The tongue of a Dogge, is most whole- 

 some both for the curing of his owne wounds by licking, 

 as also of any other creature. The rennet of a Puppy 

 drunke with Wine, dissolveth the Collicke in the same 

 houre wherein it was drunke," &c., &c., &c. 



THE CAT. 



Aldrovandus gives us a picture of a curly-legged Cat, 

 but, beyond saying that it was so afflicted (or ornamented) 

 from its birth, he gives no particulars. Topsell, too, is 

 singularly silent on the merits of Cats ; but yet he men- 

 tions some interesting particulars respecting them : " To 

 keepe Cats from hunting of Hens, they use to tie a little 

 wild rew under their wings, and so likewise from Dove- 

 coates, if they set it in the windowes, they dare not 

 approach unto it for some secret in nature. Some have 

 said that cats will fight with Serpentes, and Toads, and 

 kill them, and, perceiving that she is hurt by them, she 

 presently drinketh water, and is cured : but I cannot 

 consent unto this opinion. . . . Ponzettus sheweth by 



