A like conceit there passeth of _Melisigenes, alias Homer_, the Father Poet, that he pined away upon the Riddle of the fishermen. But _Herodotus_ who wrote his life hath cleared this point; delivering, that passing from _Samos_ unto Athens, he went sick ashore upon the Island _Ios_, where he died, and was solemnly interred upon the Sea side; and so decidingly concludeth, _Ex hac ægritudine extremum diem clausit Homerus in Io, non, ut arbitrantur aliqui, Ænigmatis perplexitate enectus, sed morbo_.
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.