CASTOROLOGIA. 97 



' ' These are now the uses of castoreum in Medicine, and I have 

 myself witnessed most of the effects of which I have spoken, thus I 

 give it no more praise than it merits. The doctors of Ausbourg have 

 introduced it into thirty of the best compositions of the Pharma- 

 copoeia. 



"A Jew of my acquaintance who visited me occasionally, know- 

 ing that I studied this work, communicated to me a secret which he 

 had learnt from his ancestors, who, themselves got it from Solomon 

 who had proved it. He assured me that in order to acquire a pro- 

 digious memory and never to forget what one had once read, it was 

 only necessary to wear a hat of the beaver's skin, to rub the head 

 and spine every month with that animal's oil, and to take twice a 

 year, the weight of a gold crown-piece of castoreum. 



"As this has much affinity with my subject, I did not wish to 

 omit it, though I allow everyone the liberty of believing what he 

 will concerning it. 



"If the reader find some fault in my work, let him remember 

 that I am but a man, and my knowledge is imperfect ; and if he dis- 

 covers in it anything useful, let him return thanks to Him from 

 whom all our knowledge comes." 



H 



