But surely they were not well-wishers unto parable Physick [SN: εá½Ïá½¹ÏιÏÏα.], or remedies easily acquired, who derived medicines from the PhÅnix; as some have done, and are justly condemned by _Pliny_; _Irridere est vitæ remedia post millesimum annum reditura monstrare_; It is a folly to find out remedies that are not recoverable under a thousand years; or propose the prolonging of life by that which the twentieth generation may never behold. More veniable is a dependance upon the Philosophers stone, potable gold, or any of those Arcana's whereby _Paracelsus_ that died himself at forty-seven, gloried that he could make other men immortal. Which, although extreamly difficult, and _tantum non_ infesible, yet are they not impossible, nor do they (rightly understood) impose any violence on Nature. And therefore if strictly taken for the PhÅnix, very strange is that which is delivered by _Plutarch_ [SN: De sanitate tuenda.], That the brain thereof is a pleasant bit, but that it causeth the head-ach. Which notwithstanding the luxurious Emperour [SN: Heliogabalus.] could never taste, though he had at his Table many a PhÅnicopterus, yet had he not one PhÅnix; for though he expected and attempted it, we read not in _Lampridius_ that he performed it; and considering the unity thereof, it was a vain design, that is, to destroy any species, or mutilate the great accomplishment of six days. And although some conceive, and it may seem true, that there is in man a natural possibility to destroy the world in one generation, that is, by a general conspire to know no woman themselves, and disable all others also: yet will this never be effected. And therefore _Cain_ after he had killed _Abel_, were there no other woman living, could not have also destroyed _Eve_: which although he had a natural power to effect, yet the execution thereof, the providence of God would have resisted: for that would have imposed another creation upon him, and to have animated a second Rib of _Adam_.
Concerning the venomous Urine of Toads, of the stone in the Toads head, and of the generation of Frogs, conceptions are entertained which require consideration. And first, that a Toad pisseth, and this way diffuseth its venome, is generally received, not only with us, but also in other parts; for so hath _Scaliger_ observed in his Comment, _Aversum urinam reddere ob oculos persecutoris perniciosam ruricolis persuasum est_; and _Mathiolus_ hath also a passage, that a Toad communicates its venome, not only by Urine, but by the humidity and slaver of its mouth; which notwithstanding strictly understood, may admit of examination: for some doubt may be made whether a Toad properly pisseth, that is distinctly and separately voideth the serous excretion: for though not only birds, but oviparous quadrupeds and Serpents have kidneys and ureters, and some Fishes also bladders: yet for the moist and dry excretion they seem at last to have but one vent and common place of exclusion: and with the same propriety of language, we may ascribe that action unto Crows and Kites. And this not onely in Frogs and Toads, but may be enquired in Tortoyses: that is, whether that be strictly true, or to be taken for a distinct and separate miction, when _Aristotle_ affirmeth, that no oviparous animal, that is, which either spawneth or layeth Eggs, doth Urine except the Tortois.