Of the Wish of _Philoxenus_.
That Relation of _Aristotle_, and conceit generally received concerning
_Philoxenus_, who wished the neck of a Crane, that thereby he might take
more pleasure in his meat, although it pass without exception, upon
enquiry I find not only doubtful in the story, but absurd in the desire
or reason alledged for it. For though his Wish were such as is
delivered, yet had it not perhaps that end, to delight his gust in
eating; but rather to obtain advantage thereby in singing, as is
declared by _Mirandula_. _Aristotle_ (saith he) in his Ethicks and
Problems, accuseth _Philoxenus_ of sensuality, for the greater pleasure
of gust desiring the neck of a Crane; which desire of his, assenting
unto _Aristotle_, I have formerly condemned: But since I perceive that
_Aristotle_ for this accusation hath been accused by divers Writers. For
_Philoxenus_ was an excellent Musician, and desired the neck of a Crane,
not for any pleasure at meat; but fancying thereby an advantage in
singing or warbling, and dividing the notes in musick. And many Writers
there are which mention a Musician of that name, as _Plutarch_ in his
book against usury, and _Aristotle_ himself in the eighth of his
Politicks, speaks of one _Philoxenus_ a Musician, that went off from the
Dorick Dithyrambicks unto the Phrygian Harmony.
Again, Be the story true or false, rightly applied or not, the intention
is not reasonable, and that perhaps neither one way nor the other. For
if we rightly consider the Organ of tast, we shall find the length of
the neck to conduce but little unto it. For the tongue being the
instrument of tast, and the tip thereof the most exact distinguisher, it
will not advantage the gust to have the neck extended; Wherein the
Gullet and conveying parts are only seated, which partake not of the
nerves of gustation, or appertaining unto sapor, but receive them only
from the sixth pair; whereas the nerves of tast descend from the third
and fourth propagations, and so diffuse themselves into the tongue. And
therefore Cranes, Herns and Swans have no advantage in taste beyond
Hawks, Kites, and others of shorter necks.
Nor, if we consider it, had Nature respect unto the taste in the
different contrivance of necks, but rather unto the parts contained, the
composure of the rest of the body, and the manner whereby they feed.
Thus animals of long legs, have generally long necks; that is, for the
conveniency of feeding, as having a necessity to apply their mouths unto
the earth. So have Horses, Camels, Dromedaries long necks, and all tall
animals, except the Elephant, who in defect thereof is furnished with a
Trunk, without which he could not attain the ground. So have Cranes,
Herns, Storks and Shovelards long necks: and so even in Man, whose
figure is erect, the length of the neck followeth the proportion of
other parts: and such as have round faces or broad chests and shoulders,
have very seldom long necks. For, the length of the face twice exceedeth
that of the neck, and the space betwixt the throat-pit and the navell,
is equall unto the circumference thereof. Again, animals are framed with
long necks, according unto the course of their life or feeding: so many
with short legs have long necks, because they feed in the water, as
Swans, Geese, Pelicans, and other fin-footed animals. But Hawks and
birds of prey have short necks and trussed leggs; for that which is long
is weak and flexible, and a shorter figure is best accomodated unto
that intention. Lastly, the necks of animals do vary, according to the
parts that are contained in them, which are the weazon and the gullet.
Such as have no weazon and breath not, have scarce any neck, as most
sorts of fishes; and some none at all, as all sorts of pectinals, Soals,
Thornback, Flounders; and all crustaceous animals, as Crevises, Crabs
and Lobsters.
All which considered, the Wish of _Philoxenus_ will hardly consist with
reason. More excusable had it been to have wished himself an Ape, which
if common conceit speak true, is exacter in taste then any. Rather some
kind of granivorous bird then a Crane, for in this sense they are so
exquisite that upon the first peck of their bill, they can distinguish
the qualities of hard bodies; which the sense of man discerns not
without mastication. Rather some ruminating animal, that he might have
eat his meat twice over; or rather, as _Theophilus_ observed in
_Athenæus_, his desire had been more reasonable, had he wished himself
an Elephant, or an Horse; for in these animals the appetite is more
vehement, and they receive their viands in large and plenteous manner.
And this indeed had been more sutable, if this were the same
_Philoxenus_ whereof _Plutarch_ speaketh who was so uncivilly greedy,
that to engross the mess, he would preventively deliver his nostrils in
the dish.
As for the musical advantage, although it seem more reasonable, yet do
we not observe that Cranes and birds of long necks have any musical, but
harsh and clangous throats. But birds that are canorous, and whose notes
we most commend, are of little throats and short necks, as Nightingales,
Finches, Linnets, Canary birds and Larks. And truly, although the
weazon, throtle and tongue be the instruments of voice, and by their
agitations do chiefly concurr unto these delightfull modulations, yet
cannot we distinctly and peculiarly assign the cause unto any
particular formation; and I perceive the best thereof, the nightingale,
hath some disadvantage in the tongue; which is not accuminate and
pointed as in the rest, but seemeth as it were cut off, which perhaps
might give the hint unto the fable of _Philomela_, and the cutting off
her tongue by _Tereus_.