3. Though useless unto us, and rather of molestation, we commonly refrain from killing Swallows, and esteem it unlucky to destroy them: whether herein there be not a _Pagan_ relique, we have some reason to doubt. For we read in _Ãlian_, that these birds were sacred unto the _Penates_ or houshold gods of the ancients, and therefore were preserved. The same they also honoured as the nuncio's of the spring; and we find in _Athenæus_[SN: _The same is extant in the_ 8th _of_ Athenæus.] that the _Rhodians_ had a solemn song to welcome in the Swallow.
[Sidenote: _Why candles may burn blew, before the apparition of a spirit._]
4. That Candles and Lights burn dim and blew at apparition of spirits, may be true, if the ambient ayr be full of sulphurious spirits, as it happeneth oft-times in mines; where damps and acide exhalations are able to extinguish them. And may be also verified, when spirits do make themselves visible by bodies of such effluviums. But of lower consideration is the common foretelling of strangers, from the fungous parcels about the weeks of Candles: which only signifieth a moist and pluvious ayr about them, hindering the avolation of the light and favillous particles: whereupon they are forced to settle upon the Snast.
5. Though Coral doth properly preserve and fasten the Teeth in men, yet is it used in Children to make an easier passage for them: and for that intent is worn about their necks. But whether this custom were not superstitiously founded, as presumed an amulet or defensative against fascination, is not beyond all doubt. For the same is delivered by _Pliny_[SN: Lib. 32.]. _Aruspices religiosum Coralli gestamen amoliendis periculis arbitrantur; et surculi infantiæ alligati, tutelam habere creduntur._
6. A strange kind of exploration and peculiar way of Rhabdomancy is that which is used in mineral discoveries; that is, with a forked hazel, commonly called _Moses_ his Rod, which freely held forth, will stir and play if any mine be under it. And though many there are who have attempted to make it good, yet until better information, we are of opinion with _Agricola_[SN: De re metallica, lib. 2.], that in it self it is a fruitless exploration, strongly scenting of _Pagan_ derivation, and the _virgula Divina_, proverbially magnified of old. The ground whereof were the Magical rods in Poets that of _Pallas_ in _Homer_, that of _Mercury_ that charmed _Argus_, and that of _Circe_ which transformed the followers of _Ulysses_. Too boldly usurping the name of _Moses_ rod, from which notwithstanding, and that of _Aaron_, were probably occasioned the fables of all the rest. For that of _Moses_ must needs be famous unto the _Ãgyptians_; and that of _Aaron_ unto many other Nations, as being preserved in the Ark, until the destruction of the Temple built by _Solomon_.