[2841] “Rostellum.” Holland renders it “The little prettie snout’s end of a mouse.”
[2842] Of cowdung. It was supposed that there was no female scarabæus, and that the male insect formed these balls for the reproduction of its species. It figures very largely in the Egyptian mythology and philosophy as the emblem of the creative and generative power. It has been suggested that its Coptic name “skalouks” is a compound Sanscrit word, signifying—“The ox-insect that collects dirt into a round mass.” See B. xi, c. 34.
[2843] Probably the “lucanus” mentioned in B. xi. c. 34; supposed to be the same as the stag-beetle.
[2844] The “fuller,” apparently. This name may possibly be derived, however, from the Greek φυλλὸν, a “leaf.”
[2845] See B. xi. c. 38.
[2846] Some suppose that this was an insect that lived among dry wood, and derive the name from the Greek φρυγανὸν. Queslon is of opinion that it is the salamander.
[2847] The “wolf” spider. See c. 17 of this Book.
[2848] See B. xxxiv. c. 33.
[2849] Ajasson remarks that, in reality, this is not blood, but a kind of viscous liquid.
[2850] “Digitus medicus”—“The physician’s finger,” properly. Why the fourth finger, or that next to the little finger, was thus called, it seems impossible to say.