{ The first findeth game on the land.
{ The other findeth game on the water.
Qui per sicca tantum, aut libero vestigio & latratu avem investigant
& excitant, aut tacito indicio eandem commonstrant.
Such as delight on the land, play their partes, eyther by swiftnesse
of foote, or by often questing, to search out and to spring the
byrde for further hope of aduauntage, or else by some secrete signe
and priuy token bewray the place where they fall.
Primum genus Accipitri servit; secundum reti.
The first kinde of such serue { The Hauke,
The seconde, { The net, or, traine,
[Hispaniolus.] Peculiaria nomina primum genus non habet, nisi ab ave
ad quam venandam natura est propensius. Qua de causa falconarii hos
phasianarios, hos perdiciarios, vocare solent.
The first kinde haue no peculier names assigned vnto them, saue
onely that they be denominated after the byrde which by naturall
appointment he is alotted to take, for the which consideration.
Some be called Dogges,
{ For the Falcon
{ The Phesant
{ The Partridge
and such like,
Vulgus tamen nostrum communi nomine Hispaniolos nominat, quasi ex
Hispania productum istud genus primo esset. Omnes maxima ex parte
candidi sunt: & si quas maculas habeant, rubræ sunt, raræ,
& majores. Sunt & ruffi atque nigri, sed perpauci.
The common sort of people call them by one generall word, namely
Spaniells. As though these kinde of Dogges came originally and first
of all out of Spaine, The most part of their skynnes are white, and
if they be marcked with any spottes, they are commonly red, and
somewhat great therewithall, the heares not growing in such
thicknesse but that the mixture of them maye easely bee perceaued.
Othersome of them be reddishe and blackishe, but of that sorte there
be but a very few.
Est & hodie novum genus ex Gallia advectum (ut novitatis omnes sumus
studiosi) sed ex toto in albo obfuscatum maculosè, quem Gallicanum
vocitamus.
There is also at this day among vs a newe kinde of dogge brought out
of Fraunce (for we Englishe men are maruailous greedy gaping
gluttons after nouelties, and couetous coruorauntes of things that
be seldom, rare, straunge, and hard to get.) And they bee speckled
all ouer with white and black, which mingled colours incline to a
marble blewe, which bewtifyeth their skinnes and affordeth a seemely
show of comlynesse. These are called French dogges as is aboue
declared already.
The Dogge called the Setter, in Latine _Index_.
[Index.] Secundum genus est, quod tacito pede atque ore avem quærit,
& nutum juvantis heri sequitur, vel promovendo se, vel reducendo,
vel in alterutram partem dextram aut sinistram declinando. Cum avem
dico, Perdicem & Coturnicem intelligo.
Another sort of Dogges be there, seruiceable for fowling, making no
noise either with foote or with tounge, whiles they followe the
game. These attend diligently vpon theyr Master and frame their
conditions to such beckes, motions, and gestures, as it shall please
him to exhibite and make, either going forward, drawing backeward,
inclining to the right hand, or yealding toward the left, (In making
mencion of fowles, my meaning is of the Partridge & the Quaile)
Cum invenerit, cauto silentio, suspenso vestigio, & occulto
speculatu, humiliando se prorepit, & cum propè est, procumbit,
& pedis indicio locum stationis avium prodit: unde canem indicem
vocare placuit. Loco commonstrato, auceps exporrectum rete avi
inducit.
when he hath founde the byrde, he keepeth sure and fast silence, he
stayeth his steppes and wil proceede no further, and with a close,
couert, watching eye, layeth his belly to the grounde and so
creepeth forward like a worme. When he approcheth neere to the place
where the birde is, he layes him downe, and with a marcke of his
pawes betrayeth the place of the byrdes last abode, whereby it is
supposed that this kinde of dogge is called _Index_, Setter, being
in deede a name most consonant and agreable to his quality.
Quo facto, canis ad consuetum heri indicium seu vocabulum quam mox
assurgit, & propinquiori præsentia aves perturbat, atque ut
inexplicabilius irretiantur, facit.
The place being knowne by the meanes of the dogge, the fowler
immediatly openeth and spreedeth his net, intending to take them,
which being done the dogge at the accustomed becke or vsuall signe
of his Master ryseth vp by and by, and draweth neerer to the fowle
that by his presence they might be the authors of their owne
insnaring, and be ready intangled in the prepared net,
[Lepus tympanum pulsat.] Quod artificium in cane, animali domestico,
mirum videri non debet, cum & lepus agreste animal, & saltare,
& tympanum anterioribus pedibus numero pulsare tympanistarum more,
& canem dente atque ungue petere, pedibusque crudeliter cædere,
in Anglia visus est omnium admiratione, anno salutis nostræ 1564.
which conning and artificiall indeuour in a dogge (being a creature
domesticall or householde seruaunt brought vp at home with offalls
of the trencher & fragments of victualls,) is not much to be
maruailed at, seing that a Hare (being a wilde and skippishe beast)
was seene in England to the astonishment of the beholders, in the
yeare of our Lorde God, 1564, not onely dauncing in measure, but
playing with his former feete vppon a tabberet, and obseruing iust
number of strokes (as a practicioner in that arte) besides that
nipping & pinching a dogge with his teeth and clawes, & cruelly
thumping him with y^e force of his feete.
Nec est vanum istud, eoque relatum lubentius, quòd operæ pretium
putarem, nihil prætereundum esse, in quo naturæ spectanda sit
providentia.
This is no trumpery tale, nor trifling toye (as I imagine) and
therefore not vnworthy to bee reported, for I recken it a requitall
of my trauaile, not to drowne in the seas of silence any speciall
thing, wherin the prouidence and effectuall working of nature is to
be pondered.
Of the Dogge called the water Spaniell, or finder, in Latine
_Aquaticus seu Inquisitor_.
[Aquaticus seu inquisitor.] Qui per aquas aucupatur propensione
naturali accedente mediocri documento, major his est, & promisso
naturaliter hirtus pilo. Ego tamen ab armis ad posteriores
suffragines, caudamque extremam, ad te (Gesnere) detonsum pinxi, ut
usus noster postulat, quo pilis nudus expeditior sit, & minus per
natationes retardetur.
That kinde of Dogge whose seruice is required in fowling vpon the
water, partly through a naturall towardnesse, and partly by diligent
teaching, is indued with that property. This sort is somewhat bigge,
and of a measurable greatnesse, hauing long, rough, and curled
heare, not obtayned by extraordinary trades, but giuen by natures
appointment, yet neuerthelesse (friend _Gesner_) I have described
and set him out in this maner, namely powlde and netted from the
shoulders to the hindermost legges, and to the end of his tayle,
which I did for vse and customs cause, that beyng as it were made
somewhat bare and naked, by shearing of such superfluitie of heare,
they might atchiue the more lightnesse, and swiftnesse, and be lesse
hindered in swymming, so troublesome and needelesse a burthen being
shaken of.
Aquaticus à nostris appellatur, ab aquis quas frequentat sumpta
appellatione. Eo aut aves in aquis aucupamur (& præcipue anates;
unde etiam anatarius dicitur, quod id excellenter facit) aut
Scorpione occisas educimus, aut spicula sagittasve fallente ictu
recuperamus, aut amissa requirimus: quo nomine & canes inquisitores
eosdem appellamus.
This kinde of dogge is properly called, _Aquaticus_, a water spaniel
because he frequenteth and hath vsual recourse to the water where
all his game & exercise lyeth, namely, waterfowles, which are taken
by the helpe & seruice of them, in their kind. And principally
duckes and drakes, wherupon he is lykewise named a dogge for the
ducke, because in that quallitie he is excellent. With these dogges
also we fetche out of the water such fowle as be stounge to death by
any venemous worme, we vse them also to bring vs our boultes &
arrowes out of the water, (missing our marcke) whereat we directed
our leuell, which otherwise we should hardly recouer, and oftentimes
they restore to vs our shaftes which we thought neuer to see, touche
or handle againe, after they were lost, for which circumstaunces
they are called _Inquisitores_, searchers, and finders.
[Anatum fallaciæ.] Quanquam Anas & canem & aucupem quoque egregiè
subinde fallat, tum urinando, tum etiam dolo naturali. Etenim si
quis hominum, ubi incubant aut excludunt, propinquabit, egressæ
matres venientibus se sponte offerunt, & simulata debilitate vel
pedum vel alarum, quasi statim capi possint, egressus fingunt
tardiores.
Although the ducke otherwhiles notably deceaueth both the dogge and
the master, by dyuing vnder the water, and also by naturall
subtilty, for if any man shall approche to the place where they
builde, breede, and syt, the hennes go out of their neastes,
offering themselues voluntarily to the hãds, as it were, of such as
draw nie their neasts. And a certaine weaknesse of their winges
pretended, and infirmitie of their feete dissembled, they go so
slowely and so leasurely, that to a mans thinking it were no
masteryes to take them.
Hoc mendacio sollicitant obvios, & eludunt, quoad profecti longius,
à nidis avocentur; caventque diligenter revertendo, ne indicium loci
conversatio frequens faciat.
By which deceiptfull tricke they doe as it were entyse and allure
men to follow them, till they be drawne a long distaunce from theyr
neastes, which being compassed by their prouident conning, or
conning prouidence, they cut of all inconueniences which might growe
of their returne, by using many carefull and curious caueates, least
theyr often haunting bewray y^e place where the young ducklings be
hatched. Great therfore is theyr desire, & earnest is theyr study to
take heede, not only to theyr broode but also to themselues.
[Anaticularum providentia.] Nec anaticularum studium segnius ad
cavendum. Cum enim visas se persentiscunt, sub cespitem confugiunt
aut carectum, quorum obtectu tam callidè proteguntur, ut lateant
etiam deprehensæ, nisi fraudem canis odore detegat.
For when they haue an ynckling that they are espied they hide
themselues vnder turfes or sedges, wherwith they couer and shrowde
themselues so closely and so craftely, that (notwithstanding the
place where they lurcke be found and perfectly perceaued) there they
will harbour without harme, except the water spaniell by quicke
smelling discouer theyr deceiptes.
Of the Dogge called the Fisher, in Latine _Canis Piscator_.
[Canis piscator.] Canem piscatorem (de quo scribit Hector Boethus)
qui inter saxa pisces odore perquirit, nullum planè novi inter
nostros, neque ex relatione aliquando audivi, etsi in ea re
perscrutanda perdiscendaque diligentior fuerim inter piscatores &
venatores:
The Dogge called the fisher, wherof _Hector Boethus_ writeth, which
seeketh for fishe by smelling among rockes & stones, assuredly I
knowe none of that kinde in Englande, neither haue I receaued by
reporte that there is any suche, albeit I haue bene diligent & busie
in demaunding the question as well of fishermen, as also of
huntesmen in that behalfe being carefull and earnest to learne and
vnderstand of them if any such were,
[Lutra.] nisi Lutram piscem dicas, ut à multis creditur:
except you holde opinion that the beauer or Otter is a fishe (as
many haue beleeued) & according to their beliefe affirmed,
[Pupinus.] quo modo & Pupinus avis piscis esse dicitur & habetur.
Sed qui perquirit piscem (si quis perquirat) venationisne causa,
an famis faciat, more cæterorum canum, qui per inediam cadaverum
morticinam carnem appetere solent, tum demum ad te scribam, cum de
ea re certior fiam.
and as the birde _Pupine_, is thought to be a fishe and so
accounted. But that kinde of dogge which followeth the fishe to
apprehend and take it (if there bee any of that disposition and
property) whether they do this for the game of hunting, or for the
heate of hunger, as other Dogges do which rather then they wil be
famished for want of foode, couet the carckases of carrion and
putrifyed fleshe. When I am fully resolued and disburthened of this
doubt I wil send you certificate in writing.
Interim id scio, Ælianum & Aetium Lutram #kuna potamion# solere
appellare. Intelligo etiam Lutram hoc habere cum cane commune, quòd
per inopiam piscium excursiones in terram faciat, atque agnos
laniet, rursusque ad aquam satur redeat. Sed inter nostros canes is
non est.
In the meane season I am not ignorant of that both Ælianus, and
Ælius, call the Beauer #kuna potamion# a water dogge, or a dogge
fishe, I know likewise thus much more, that the Beauer doth
participate this propertie with the dogge, namely, that when fishes
be scarse they leaue the water and raunge vp and downe the lande,
making an insatiable slaughter of young lambes vntil theyr paunches
be replenished, and wh[en] they haue fed themselues full of fleshe,
then returne they to the water, from whence they came. But albeit so
much be graunted that this Beauer is a dogge, yet it is to be noted
that we recken it not in the beadrowe of Englishe dogges as we haue
done the rest.
[Phoca.] Phoca etiam inter scopulos atque saxa prædatur piscem, sed
in numero canum nostratium habitus non est, etsi canis marinus à
nostris appelletur.
The sea Calfe, in like maner, which our country m[en] for breuitie
sake call a Seele, other more largely name a _Sea Vele_, maketh a
spoyle of fishes betweene rockes and banckes, but it is not
accounted in the catalogue or n[um]ber of our Englishe dogges,
notwithstanding we call it by the name of a Sea dogge or a sea
Calfe. And thus much for our dogges of the second sort called in
Latine _Aucupatorij_, seruing to take fowle either by land or water.
¶ A Diall pertaining to the
_second Section_.
Dogges seruing the disport of fowling.
are diuided into
{ Land spaniels
{ Setters
{ Water spaniels or finders.
called in latine _Canes Aucupatorij_
The fisher is not of their number, but seuerall.
The thirde Section of this
_abridgement_.
Nowe followeth in due order and conuenient place our Englishe Dogges
of the thirde gentle kinde, what they are called to what vse they
serue, and what sort of people plant their pleasure in th[em], which
because they neede no curious canuassing and nye syfting, wee meane
to bee so much the briefer.
[Ex generosis delicatis, Melitæus seu fotor.] Est & aliud genus
canum generosorum apud nos, sed extra horum ordinem, quos Melitæos
Callimachus vocat, à Melita insula in freto Siculo (quæ hodie usu
derivante Malta vulgo dicitur, & christiano milite nobilis existit)
unde ortum id genus habuit maximè: atque à Melita Siculi Pachyni,
ut author Strabo est.
Of the delicate, neate, and pretty kind of dogges
called the Spaniel gentle, or the comforter,
in Latine _Melitæus
or Fotor_.
There is, besides those which wee haue already deliuered, another
sort of gentle dogges in this our Englishe soyle but exempted from
the order of the residue, the Dogges of this kinde doth
_Callimachus_ call _Melitæos_, of the Iseland _Melita_, in the sea
of _Sicily_, (what at this day is named _Malta_, an Iseland in
deede, famous and renoumed, with couragious and puisaunt souldiours
valliauntly fighting vnder the banner of Christ their vnconquerable
captaine) where this kind of dogges had their principall beginning.
Perexiguum id est planè, & foeminarum lusibus ac deliciis tantum
expetitum, quibus, quo minus est, eo gratius est, ut sinu gestent in
cubiculis, & manu in pilentis,
These dogges are litle, pretty, proper, and fyne, and sought for to
satisfie the delicatenesse of daintie dames, and wanton womens
wills, instrumentes of folly for them to play and dally withall, to
tryfle away the treasure of time, to withdraw their mindes from more
commendable exercises, and to content their corrupted concupiscences
with vaine disport (A selly shift to shunne yrcksome ydlnesse.)
These puppies the smaller they be, the more pleasure they prouoke,
as more meete play fellowes for minsing mistrisses to beare in their
bosoms, to keepe company withal in their chambers, to succour with
sleepe in bed, and nourishe with meate at bourde, to lay in their
lappes, and licke their lippes as they ryde in their waggons, and
good reason it should be so, for coursnesse with fynenesse hath no
fellowship, but featnesse with neatenesse hath neighbourhood enough.
That plausible prouerbe verified vpon a Tyraunt, namely that he
loued his sowe better then his sonne, may well be applyed to these
kinde of people who delight more in dogges that are depriued of all
possibility of reason, then they doe in children that be capeable of
wisedome and iudgement. But this abuse peraduenture raigneth where
there hath bene long lacke of issue, or else where barrennes is the
best blossome of bewty.
The vertue which remaineth in the Spainell gentle otherwise called
the comforter.
genus sanè ad omnia inutile, nisi quòd stomachi dolorem sedat,
applicatum sæpius, aut in sinu ægri gestatum frequentius, caloris
moderatione.
Notwithstanding many make much of those pretty puppies called
Spaniels gentle, yet if the question were demaunded what propertie
in them they spye, which shoulde make them so acceptable and
precious in their sight, I doubt their aunswere would be long a
coyning. But seeing it was our intent to trauaile in this treatise,
so that y^e reader might reape some benefite by his reading, we will
communicate vnto you such coniectures as are grounded upon reason.
And though some suppose that such dogges are fyt for no seruice, I
dare say, by their leaues, they be in a wrong boxe. Among all other
qualities therfore of nature, which be knowne (for some conditions
are couered with continuall and thicke clouds, that the eye of our
capacities can not pearse through th[em]) we find that these litle
dogs are good to asswage the sicknesse of the stomacke being
oftentimes thervnto applyed as a plaster preseruatiue, or borne in
the bosom of the diseased and weake person, which effect is
performed by theyr moderate heate.
Quin & transire quoque morbos ægritudine eorum intelligitur,
plerumque & morte: quasi malo in eos transeunte caloris
similitudine.
Moreouer the disease and sicknesse chaungeth his place and entreth
(though it be not precisely marcked) into the dogge, which to be no
vntruth, experience can testify, for these kinde of dogges sometimes
fall sicke, and sometime die, without any harme outwardly inforced,
which is an argument that the disease of the gentleman, or gentle
woman or owner whatsoeuer, entreth into the dogge by the operation
of heate intermingled and infected.
Generosorum canum genus jam explicui: Nunc rusticum adjicio.
And thus haue I hetherto handled dogges of a gentle kinde whom I
haue comprehended in a triple diuisiõ. Now it remaineth that I annex
in due order such dogges as be of a more homely kinde.
A Diall pertaining to the
_thirde Section_.
In the third section is cõtained one kind of dog
which is called the
Spaniell gentle or the cõforter,