Read The Major Works (English Library) Online
Authors: Sir Thomas Browne
Whether Lampries have nine eies, as is received, we durst refer it unto Polyphemus, who had but one, to judge it. An error concerning eies, occasioned by the error of eies; deduced from the appearance of divers cavities or holes on either side, which some call eies that carelessly behold them; and is not only refutable by experience, but also repugnant unto reason. For beside the monstrosity they fasten unto Nature, in contriving many eies, who hath made but two unto any animall, that is, one of each side, according to the division of the brain; it were a superfluous and inartificiall act to place and settle so many in one plane; for the two extreams would sufficiently perform the office of sight without the help of the intermediate eies, and behold as much as all seven joined together. For the visible base of the object would be defined by these two; and the middle eies although they behold the same thing, yet could they not behold so much thereof as these; so were it no advantage unto man to have a third eie, between those two he hath already; and the fiction of Argus seems more reasonable then this; for though he had many eies, yet were they placed in circumference and positions of advantage.
Again, These cavities which men call eies are seated out of the head, and where the Gils of other fish are placed; containing no organs of sight, nor having any communication with the brain. Now all sense proceeding from the brain, and that being
placed (as Galen observeth) in the upper part of the body, for the fitter situation of the eies, and conveniency required unto sight; it is not reasonable to imagine that they are any where else, or deserve that name which are seated in other parts. And therefore we relinquish as fabulous what is delivered of Stern-opthalmi, or men with eies in their breast; and when it is said by Solomon, A wise mans eies are in his head,
24
it is to be taken in a second sense, and affordeth no objection. True it is that the eies of animals are seated with some difference, but all whatsoever in the head, and that more forward then the ear or hole of hearing. In quadrupedes, in regard of the figure of their heads, they are placed at some distance; in latirostrous
25
and flat-bild birds they are more laterally seated; and therefore when they look intently they turn one eie upon the object, and can convert their heads to see before and bchinde, and to behold two opposite points at once. But at a more easie distance are they situated in man, and in the same circumference with the ear; for if one foot of the compasse be placed upon the Crown, a circle described thereby will intersect, or passe over both the eares.
The error in this conceit consists in the ignorance of these cavities, and their proper use in nature; for this is a particular disposure of parts, and a peculiar conformation whereby these holes and sluces supply the defect of Gils, and are assisted by the conduit in the head; for like cetaceous animals and Whales, the Lamprey hath a fistula, spout or pipe at the back part of the head, whereat it spurts out water. Nor is it only singular in this formation, but also in many other; as in defect of bones, whereof it hath not one; and for the spine or back-bone, a cartilaginous substance without any spondyles, processes or protuberance whatsoever. As also in the provision which Nature hath made for the heart; which in this animall is very strangely secured, and lies immured in a cartilage or gristly substance. And lastly, in the colour of the liver; which is in the male of an excellent grasse green; but of a deeper colour in the female, and will communicate a fresh and durable verdure.
Great account and much profit is made of Unicorns horn, at least of that which beareth the name thereof; wherein notwithstanding, many I perceive suspect an Imposture, and some conceive there is no such animall extant.
26
Herein therefore to draw up our determinations, beside the severall places of Scripture mentioning this animall (which some perhaps may contend to be only meant of the Rhinoceros)
27
we are so far from denying there is any Unicorn at all, that we affirm there are many kindes thereof. In the number of Quadrupedes, we will concede no lesse then five; that is, the Indian Oxe, the Indian Asse, the Rhinoceros, the Oryx, and that which is more eminently termed
Monoceros
, or
Unicornis
: Some in the list of fishes; as that described by Olaus, Albertus and others: and some unicorns we will allow even among insects; as those four kindes of nasicornous
28
Beetles described by Mussetus.
Secondly, Although we concede there be many Unicornes, yet are we still to seek; for whereunto to affix this horn in question, or to determine from which thereof we receive this magnified medicine, we have no assurance, or any satisfactory decision. For although we single out one, and eminently thereto assigne the name of the Unicorn, yet can we not be secure what creature is meant thereby, what constant shape it holdeth, or in what number to be received. For as far as our endeavours dis
cover, this animall is not uniformly described, but differently set forth by those that undertake it.…
Thirdly, Although we were agreed what animall this was, or differed not in its description, yet would this also afford but little satisfaction; for the horne we commonly extoll, is not the same with that of the Ancients; for that in the description of Ælian and Pliny was black; this which is shewed amongst us is commonly white, none black; and of those five which Scaliger beheld, though one spadiceous, or of a light red, and two inclining to red, yet was there not any of this complexion among them.
Fourthly, What horns soever they be which passe amongst us, they are not surely the horns of any one kinde of animall, but must proceed from severall sorts of Unicorns….
Fifthly, Although there be many Unicorns, and consequently many horns, yet many there are which bear that name, and currantly passe among us, which are no horns at all….
Sixtly, Although we were satisfied we had the Unicornes horn, yet were it no injury unto reason to question the efficacy thereof, or whether those vertues pretended doe properly belong unto it. For what we observe (and it escaped not the observation of Paulus Jovius many years past) none of the Ancients ascribed any medicinall or antidotall vertue unto the Unicorns horn; and that which Ælian extolleth, who was the first and only man of the Ancients who spake of the medicall vertue of any Unicorn, was the horn of the Indian Asse; whereof, saith he, the Princes of those parts make bowles and drink therein, as preservatives against poison, Convulsions and the Falling-sicknesse. Now the description of that horn is not agreeable unto that we commend; for that (saith he) is red above, white below, and black in the middle; which is very different from ours, or any to be seen amongst us. And thus, though the description ofthe Unicorn be very ancient, yet was there of old no vertue ascribed unto it; and although this amongst us receive the opinion of the same vertue, yet is it not the same horn whereunto the Ancients ascribed it…. Since therefore there be many Unicornes; Since that whereto we appropriate a horn is so variously described, that it seemeth
either never to have been seen by two persons, or not to have been one animall; Since though they agreed in the description of the animall, yet is not the horn we extoll the same with that of the Ancients; Since what homes soever they be that passe among us, they are not the hornes of one, but severall animals: Since many in common use and high esteem are no hornes at all: Since if they were true hornes, yet might their vertues be questioned: Since though we allowed some vertues, yet were not others to be received; with what security a man may rely on this remedy, the mistresse of fools hath already instructed some, and to wisdome (which is never too wise to learn) it is not too late to consider.
What Sperma-Ceti is, men might justly doubt, since the learned
Hofmannus
in his work of Thirty years, saith plainly,
Nescio quid sit
.
30
And therefore need not wonder at the variety of opinions; while some conceived it to be
flos maris
, and many, a bituminous substance floating upon the sea.
That it was not the spawn of the Whale, according to vulgar conceit, or nominal appellation, Phylosophers have always doubted; not easily conceiving the Seminal humour of Animals, should be inflammable; or of a floating nature.
That it proceedeth from the Whale, beside the relation of
Clusius
and other learned observers, was indubitably determined, not many years since by a Sperma-Ceti Whale, cast on our coast of
Norfolk
.
31
Which, to lead on further inquiry, we cannot omit to inform. It contained no less then sixty foot in length, the head somewhat peculiar, with a large prominency over the mouth; teeth only in the lower Jaw, received into fleshly sockets in the upper. The Weight of the largest about two pound: No gristly
32
substances in the mouth, commonly called Whale-bones; Only two short finns seated forwardly on the back; the eyes but small, the pizell
33
large, and prominent. A lesser Whale of this kind above twenty years ago, was cast up on the same shore.
34
The description of this Whale seems omitted by
Gesner, Rondeletius
, and the first Editions of
Aldrovandus
; but described in the latin impression of Pareus, in the Exoticks of
Clusius
, and the natural history of
Nirembergius
, but more amply in the Icons and figures of
Johnstonus
.
Mariners (who are not the best Nomenclators) called it a
Jubartas
, or rather
Gibbartus
. Of the same appellation we meet with one in
Rondeletius
, called by the
French
Gibbar, from its round and gibbous
35
back. The name
Gibbarta
we find also given unto one kind of
Greenland
Whales: But this of ours seemed not to answer the Whale of that denomination; but more agreeable unto the
Trumpa
or Sperma-Ceti Whale: according to the account of our
Greenland
describers in
Purchas
. And maketh the third among the eight remarkable Whales of that Coast.
Out of the head of this Whale, having been dead divers daies, and under putrifaction, flowed streams of oyl and Sperma-Ceti; which was carefully taken up and preserved by the Coasters. But upon breaking up, the Magazin of Sperma-Ceti, was found in the head lying in foulds and courses, in the bigness of goose eggs, encompassed with large flakie substances,
as large as a mans head, in form of hony-combs, very white and full of oyl.
Some resemblance or trace hereof there seems to be in the
Physiter
or
Capidolio
of
Rondeletius
; while he delivers, that a fatness more liquid then oyl, runs from the brain of that animal; which being out, the Reliques are like the skales of
Sardinos
pressed into a mass; which melting with heat, are again concreted by cold. And this many conceive to have been the fish which swallowed
Jonas
. Although for the largeness of the mouth, and frequency in those seas, may possibly be the
Lamia
.
36
Some part of the Sperma-Ceti found on the shore was pure, and needed little depuration;
37
a great part mixed with fetid oyl, needing good preparation, and frequent expression, to bring it to a flakie consistency. And not only the head, but other parts contained it. For the carnous parts being roasted, the oyl dropped out, an axungious
38
and thicker part subsiding; the oyl it self contained also much in it, and still after many years some is obtained from it.
Greenland
Enquirers seldom meet with a Whale of this kind: and therefore it is but a contingent Commodity, not reparable from any other. It flameth white and candent like Champhire,
39
but dissolveth not in
aqua fortis
, like it. Some lumps containing about two ounces, kept ever since in water, afford a fresh, and flosculous
40
smell. Well prepared and separated from the oyl, it is of a substance unlikely to decay, and may outlast the oyl required in the Composition of
Mathiolus
.
Of the large quantity of oyl, what first came forth by expression from the
Sperma-Ceti
, grew very white and clear, like that of Almonds or Ben. What came by decoction
41
was red. It was found to spend much in the vessels which contained it: It freezeth or coagulateth quickly with cold, and the newer
soonest. It seems different from the oyl of any other animal, and very much frustrated the expectation of our soap-boylers, as not incorporating or mingling with their lyes. But it mixeth well with painting Colours, though hardly drieth at all. Combers of wool made use hereof, and Country people for cuts, aches and hard tumors. It may prove of good Medical use; and serve for a ground in compounded oyls and Balsams. Distilled, it affords a strong oyl, with a quick and piercing water. Upon Evaporation it gives a balsame, which is better performed
42
with Turpentine distilled with
Sperma-Ceti
.
Had the abominable scent permitted, enquirie had been made into that strange composure of the head, and hillock of flesh about it. Since the workmen affirmed, they met with
Sperma-Ceti
before they came to the bone, and the head yet preserved, seems to confirm the same. The sphincters inserving unto
43
the Fistula or spout, might have been examined, since they are so notably contrived in other cetaceous Animals; as also the Larynx or Throtle, whether answerable unto that of Dolphins and Porposes in the strange composure and figure which it maketh. What figure the stomack maintained in this Animal of one jaw of teeth, since in Porposes which abount in both, the ventricle is trebly divided, and since in that formerly taken nothing was found but weeds and a Loligo.
44
The heart, hungs, and kidneys, had no escaped; wherein are remarkable differences from Animals of the land, likewise what humor the bladder contained, but especially the seminal parts, which might have determined the difference of that humor, from this which beareth its name.
In vain it was to rake for Ambergreece in the panch of this
Leviathan
, as
Greenland
discoverers, and attests
45
of experience dictate, that they sometimes swallow great lumps thereof in the Sea; insufferable fetour denying that enquiry. And yet if, as
Paracelsus
encourageth, Ordure makes the best Musk, and from
the most fetid substances may be drawn the most odoriferous Essences; all that had not
Vespasians
Note,
46
might boldly swear, here was a subject fit for such extractions.