286 CURIOUS CREATURES. 



not endure it, and because they imagined it kept them 

 chast, Where-upon they thought the name was given it. 

 The herbe called Rosemarie, is terrible to serpents. 



" The Egyptians doe give it out, that Polydamna the 

 wife of Thorns their King, taking pittie upon Helen, 

 caused her to be set on shore in the Island of Pharus, 

 and bestowed upon her an herbe (whereof there was 

 plenty) that was a great enemy to serpents : whereof 

 the serpents having a feeling sence (as they say) and so 

 readily knowne of them, they straightwaies got them to 

 their lurking holes in the earth ; and Helen planted this 

 herbe, who, coming to the knowledge thereof, she per- 

 ceived that in his due time it bore a seede that was 

 a great enemy to serpents, and thereupon was called 

 Helenium, as they that are skilfull in Plants affirme ; 

 and it groweth plentifully in Pharus, which is a little 

 He against the mouth of Nylus, joyned to Alexandria 

 by a bridge. 



" Rue, (called of some, Herbe of Grace) especially that 

 which groweth in Lybia, is but a backe friend to Serpents, 

 for it is most dry, and therefore causing Serpents soon 

 to faint, and loose their courage, because (as Simocatus 

 affirmeth) it induceth a kind of heavinesse or drunken- 

 nesse in their head, with a vertiginie, or giddines 

 through the excesse of his drinesse, or immoderate 

 sticcitie. Serpents cannot endure the savour of Rue, 

 and, therefore, a Wesill, when she is to fight with 

 any serpent, eateth Rue, as a defensative against her 

 enemie, as Aristotle, and Pliny his Interpreter, are of 

 opinion. 



" The Country people leaving their vessels of Milke 

 abroade in the open fieldes, doe besmeare them round 

 about with garlick, lest some venomous serpents should 



