BOOK ONE

...they experience, such as the horse, the bull, the boar, and the bear. Next, a sign must be considered that is never absent from the lion kind, and is found in others specifically; those that are strong possess it, while the weak lack it. That sign consists of having large extremities original: "extrema magna," referring to large paws, hands, or feet, which is inherent to the entire genus of lions; and the lion, the bull, and the strong bear also have large extremities, while those who lack this sign are flabby. This shall be the true sign of strength, especially since strength is exercised through those very limbs. From these observations we argue: Every creature possessing large extremities shall be strong.

Returning to our rule the "canon" or system of Phytognomonics, one must track down the plant that offers protection against the poisonous bites of serpents. First, one must consider within the family of plants which one possesses the primary gift of healing the ailments caused by serpents; and since no worthier example comes to mind at present, let it be the species of brambles original: "ruborum species," such as blackberries or raspberries. Soon, other kinds must be tracked which are protected by that virtue not universally, but particularly, such as the pear and the olive. Next, the "mark" must be observed in the bramble which the entire genus possesses and which is present in others that have that same virtue: that mark shall be the possession of hooked and curved thorns, which mirror the teeth of vipers and other serpents with which they inflict venom by biting.

The bramble is exceedingly thorny; the pear and the olive lack thorns, yet they work diligently against venom; however, the wild olive and the wild pear are more thorny and more powerful in their action. Indeed, many thorny herbs work against poisons, such as the puncture vine original: "tribulus", Christ’s thorn original: "paliurus", buckthorn original: "rhamnus", white-thorn, white chamomile, rough bindweed original: "smilax aspera", sea holly original: "eringium", and blessed thistle original: "carduus benedicta", which are effective not only against the bites of serpents, but also of rabid dogs, scorpions, spiders, and others.

Yet, lest we be deceived in the selection of signs, if a double disposition and a twin sign should exist in one genus of animals, let us teach which indication fits which disposition. We previously brought forward the example of the lion, who is endowed with a double disposition—namely, strength and liberality—and displayed a double sign: large extremities and a broad forehead. Will the raised forehead be a specific mark of magnificence or of strength? We advised there that this rule must be used: it is necessary to consider animals like the bull, the horse, and the bear, and other robust creatures. If we know they have large extremities but are not munificent generous or noble nor have a raised forehead, then the raised forehead is understood to be a primary argument for liberality rather than strength. Other animals must also be looked at which are munificent and walk with a raised forehead.

We shall use this same method in our Phytognomonics term: the art of knowing a plant's nature from its appearance. We know that the deer original: "ceruum" heals fevers and venom. Lest the minds of those investigating be distorted or a wavering soul be delayed, should Hart’s-tongue fern original: "phyllitis," which translates to "leafy" but is historically "deer's tongue"—which represents the image of a deer’s tongue—be used against the sharp bites of venomous creatures, or against the cycles of fevers? We shall contemplate other parts of the deer, and we will see among other parts the antlers, which are much branched and seen with a remarkable rarity. We shall consider whether there is another herb that imitates the antlers of deer and heals those whom a serpent has bitten or whom fevers have invaded, especially since the horns of the deer are considered a remedy against venoms.

Into our hands comes cumin, which has leaves that are dissected, branched, hair-like, and sharp, rising in an alternating position in an orderly series and branched at the tips; it possesses gifts against venoms that are not to be despised. From this, we conclude that cumin prevails as an antidote to venom, while the Hart’s-tongue fern prevails against the rounds of fevers. We see that not only cumin, but all fennel-like plants original: "ferulacea" imitate the horns of deer by the same habit of their leaves, such as fennel, giant fennel original: "ferula", hog's fennel original: "peucedanum", galbanum, and euphorbia; nor does wild nigella original: "melanthium syluestre" shrink from this form, performing the same uses.

Therefore, from these examples: because they imitate scorpions with their roots, the scorpion-killer original: "thelyphonon", dog-killer original: "cynoctonon", and species of aconite heal their bites. The oak, snakeweed original: "bistorta", and common viper's grass original: "scorzonera" imitate serpents with their roots and bring aid against their venoms. The flowers of orchids original: "cynorchidum" and legumes represent flies and butterflies and are effective for fertility. Thus, polypody fern is for the polyp referring to both the sea creature and nasal growths, and fleawort original: "psyllion" is for fleas. The spotted skins of serpents are shown by cuckoo-pint original: "aron", dragon arum original: "dracunculus", arisaron, and bloody garlic. The scales of the pine, the pitch-pine, and sea holly original: "eringia" excel against the venom of scaled creatures. From the limbs of wild beasts: viper’s bugloss original: "echion" demonstrates the head of vipers; snapdragon original: "antirhinon" that of a calf; cynocephalon that of a dog. Goat's-horn original: "tragoceros" shows the horns of goats; ox-horn original: "buceros" those of an ox; and yellow rattle original: "alectorolophos" the combs of a cock. Forget-me-not original: "myosota" represents the ears of mice; dittany original: "dictamnos" those of hares. Hog's-eye original: "hyophtalmos" represents the eyes of swine, and dog's-eye original: "cynopsis" those of dogs. The mouth of wolves is shown by the iris, and the mouth of the dragon by the dragon arum. The tongue of the ox is shown by oxtongue original: "buglossum"...