340 SHAKESPEARE’S [WETHER. 
well that day. They have knowledge like mice and rats 
to run out of houses before their downfall. If the powder 
of a Weasel be given unto a cock, chickens or pigeons, 
they shall never be annoyed by Weasels. Likewise if the 
brain of a Weasel be mingled with a rennet in cheeses, it 
keepeth them from being touched with mice, or corrupted 
with age. The powder thereof mixed with water. driveth 
away mice. If one of their tails be cut off, all the residue 
do forsake the house. The whelp of a Weasel doth cure 
the venomous bitings of the shrew. The biting of a Weasel 
is cured by onions and garlic, either applied outward or 
taken in drink, so that the party drink sweet wine thereon. 
Sometimes the Weasel biteth some cattle, which presently 
killeth them, except there be some instant remedy. If they 
be rubbed with a Weasel’s skin, they are instantly healed. 
Topsell, “ Four-footed Beasts,” pp. 562-8. 
Ir the heart of a Weasel be eaten while still palpitating, 
it makes a man know future events, and if any man eat 
of its heart with the eyes and tongue of a dog, he will 
forthwith lose his voice. 
Albertus Magnus, “Of the Virtues of Animals.” 
Wether. 
Winter’s Tate, iv. 3, 33. 
V. Sheep. 
Whale. 
Aut’s We.t TrHat Enps WELL, iv. 3, 249. 
Wuew the Whale hungereth sore, he casteth out of his 
mouth a vapour, that smelleth as the smell of amber; and 
' fish have liking in that smell, and for the odour and smell 
of that vapour, they go into the Whale’s mouth, and be 
so deceived and eaten. Also in this fish earthy matter hath 
more mastery than watery, and therefore he is soon great 
and fat; and so in age for greatness of body, on his ridge 
[back bone] powder [dust] and earth is gathered, and so 
digged together that herbs and small trees and bushes grow 
thereon; so that that great fish seemeth an island. And 
if shipmen come unwarily thereby, unneath [hardly] they 
