BOOK VIII.] History of Nature. 53 



Herb called Helxine. 1 Ducks, 2 Geese, 3 and other Water- 

 Fowls, purge with the Herb Siderite. 4 Cranes, 5 and Birds 

 of that kind, with the Marsh-reed. 6 



The Raven, when he hath killed the Chameleon, and is 

 hurt by him, extinguished! the Venom that he is infected 

 with by Aid of the Bay-tree. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

 Prognostications from A nimals. 



THERE are a thousand Properties besides bestowed on 

 Beasts ; and particularly many of them are endued by the 

 same Nature with the Observation of the Air above, to fore- 

 see what Weather we shall have, what Winds, Rain, Tem- 

 pests ; which to search out in particular is not possible, no 

 more than their other Qualities, respective to the Society 

 with every Man. For they warn us beforehand of Dangers, 

 not only by their Fibres and Bowels, about which a large 

 Part of the World fixeth its Attention, 7 but also by other 

 Significations. When a House is ready to tumble, the Mice 

 are sure to have quitted it; and the Spiders, with their Webs, 

 are the first to fall. Augury, indeed, hath formed itself into 

 an Art; and among the Romans there is a College of Priests, 

 instituted for the most Party early. In Thracia, where Places 

 are frozen, the Fox, an Animal that is otherwise sharp in his 

 Hearing, will not pass over any River or Pool that is frozen, 

 before he hath tried the Ice by his Ear ; and then he does not 

 venture, except when he goeth to feed, or returneth. It is 

 observed that he judgeth of the Thickness of the Ice by 

 applying his Ear to it. 



1 Helxine, Lib. xxi. 16. 2 Lib. x. 38. 3 Lib. x. 22. 



4 Siderite, Lib. xxv. 5. 5 Lib. x. 23. 



6 Juncas Palustris, Lib. xix. 2. 



7 Alluding to the art of Divination by these means ; so constantly 

 practised by the Ancients. Wern. Club. 



