458 
The Animal-Lore of Shakspeare’s Time. 
Webster mentions the born, and in reference to its 
supposed virtues, he tells how men— 
“ Make of the powder a preservative circle, 
And in it put a spider.” 
(Vittorio, Corombona , act ii.) 
Out of compliment to his Welsh ancestry, Henry of 
Eichmond adopted the device of the Eed 
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Dragon, when he advanced against Eichard 
III. on Bos worth Field. After his coronation he placed 
the victorious animal as one of the supporters of the 
English arms. The dragon maintained this position 
through the reigns of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, but 
was superseded on the accession of James I. by the 
Scotch unicorn. One of the pursuivants in the College 
of Arms at the present day is called “ Eouge Dragon,” 
in commemoration of the Lancastrian victory. 
Figures of the heraldic dragon vary considerably, 
according to the fancy of the draughtsman. The chief 
characteristics are the head of a wolf, the body of a 
serpent, four eagle’s feet, bat-like wings, and barbed 
tongue and tail. The dragon’s attributes were animation 
and ferocity. 
Lyly was evidently untroubled by any doubt of the 
existence of this imaginary animal. In support of his 
assertion that wise counsel is to be regarded, though the 
speaker may not be virtuous, he points to the “ Precious 
gemme dacromtes [draconites] that is ever taken out of 
the heade of the poysoned dragon ” {Euphues, p. 124). 
Shakspeare often mentions the dragon, but generally 
in an allegorical sense. Among the ingredients of the- 
witches’ cauldron, however, are included “ scale of 
dragon, tooth of wolf.” 
“I’ll slay more gazers than the basilisk,” exclaims 
Bichard (3 Henry VI., ii. 2,187). And Drayton 
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writes:— 
