Of Ghostes and Spirites, Walking by Night / And of Straunge Noyses, Crackes, and Sundrie Forewarnings, Which Commonly Happen Before the Death of Men: Great Slaughters, and Alterations of Kingdoms

by Ludwig Lavater

Lamiæ of Hier chap.4.

In the fourth chapter of the Lamentations of Hieremie, it is saide: Lamiæ nudauerunt mammas suas, &c. Apuleius writeth, that Lamiæ are things that make Children affraide.

Striges.

Lamiæ are also called Striges. Striges (as they say) are vnluckie birdes, which sucke out the blood of infantes lying in their cradles. And hereof some men will haue Witches take their name, who also are called Volaticæ, as Festus writeth.

Gorgones.

The name of Gorgon, was inuented to make children afraid: for they say these Gorgons are rauening spirites, such as men faine Lamiæ to be.

Incubi.

Succubi.

Ephialtæ, and Hyphialtæ, that is, Incubi & Succubi, (which we call Maares) are night spirits or rather Diuels, which leape vpon men in their sléepe. The Phisitians do affirme, that these are nothing else but a disease.

Empusa.