64 EX VIRIBUS VIVIMUS. 



ass lives commonly to the horse's age, but the mule 

 outlives them both. 



8. The hart is famous amongst men for long life, 

 yet not upon any relation that is undoubted. They 

 tell of a certain hart that was found with a collar 

 about its neck, and that collar hidden with fat. The 

 long life of the hart is the less credible, because he 

 comes to his perfection at the fifth year, and not long 

 after his horns (which he sheds and renews yearly) 

 grow more narrow at the root, and less branched. 



9. The dog is but a short liver, he exceeds not the 

 age of twenty years, and, for the most part, lives not 

 to fourteen years ; a creature of the hottest temper, 

 and living in extremes, for he is commonly either in 

 vehement motion, or sleeping ; besides, the bitch 

 bringeth forth many at a burden, and goeth nine 

 weeks. 



10. The ox likewise, for the greatness of his body 

 and strength, is but a short liver, about some sixteen 

 years, and the males live longer than the females : 

 notwithstanding they bear usually but one at a 

 burden, and go nine months ; a creature dull, fleshy, 

 and soon fatted, and living only upon herby sub- 

 tances, without grain. 



1 1. The sheep seldom lives to ten years, though he 

 be a creature of a moderate size, and excellently 

 clad ; and, that which may seem a wonder, being a 

 creature with so little a gall, yet he hath the most 

 curled coat of any other, for the hair of no creature is 



