88 History of Nature. [BooK VIII. 



Time highly commended for Tapestry ; for even Homer wit- 

 nesseth, 1 that the Ancients used it. But this Tapestry is 

 adorned with Colours in Gallia (France), after one Manner, 

 and among the Parthians after another. Wool of itself, 

 driven together into a Felt, serveth to make Garments with : 

 and if Vinegar is added to it, such Cloth is proof against 

 Steel ; and more than that, it will check the Force of Fire. 

 And the last cleansing of it, when it is taken out of the Cal- 

 drons of those that dress it, serveth to stuff Mattresses : 2 an 

 Invention, as I suppose, which came first out of Gaul ; for 

 certainly it is at this Day distinguished by Gallic Names. But 

 I am not able easily to say at what Time this Workmanship 

 began : for in old Time Men made their Beds of Straw, as 

 now in the Camp they use hairy Rugs (Gausape). Our 

 Mantles (Amphimalia), shagged without and within, were 

 invented within my Father's Memory; and also these downy 

 Aprons (Ventralia) : for the Tunic of the Latus Clavus, 

 woven in the Manner of the Gausape or hairy Rug, is now 

 first begun. Black Fleeces will take no other Colour. We 

 will speak of the dyeing of other Wools in their proper 

 Places ; 3 where we shall treat of Shell-fishes, and the Nature 

 of Herbs. M. Varro writeth, that in the Temple of Sangus 

 there continued to the Time when he wrote the Wool that 

 Tanaquil, who is also called Caia Ccec'ilia, spun ; together 

 with her Distaff and Spindle; and, also, in the Chapel of 

 Fortune, the royal Robe made by her in Wave-work, which 

 Servius Tullius used to wear. And hence came the Custom, 

 that when Maidens were married there attended upon them 

 a Distaff dressed, and also a Spindle with Flax. She was 



1 Odyss. iv. 427 : 



" Beneath an ample portico they spread 

 The downy fleece to form the slumberous bed ; 

 And o'er soft palls of purple grain, unfold 

 Rich tapestry, stiff with interwoven gold." 



Wern. Club. 



- "Tomente," or "tormente," to stuff mattresses, or for ropes of 

 engines. Wern. Club. 



3 Lib. ix. 36, ct seq., and Lib. xxi. 8. 



