We make them also by art greater much than their nature; and their
fruit greater and sweeter and of differing taste, smell, colour, and
figure, from their nature. And many of them we so order, as they
become of medicinal use.

"We have also means to make divers plants rise by mixtures of earths
without seeds; and likewise to make divers new plants, differing from
the vulgar; and to make one tree or plant turn into another.

"We have also parks and enclosures of all sorts of beasts and birds
which we use not only for view or rareness, but likewise for
dissections and trials; that thereby we may take light what may be
wrought upon the body of man. Wherein we find many strange effects;
as continuing life in them, though divers parts, which you account
vital, be perished and taken forth; resuscitating of some that seem
dead in appearance; and the like. We try also all poisons and other
medicines upon them, as well of chirurgery, as physic. By art
likewise, we make them greater or taller than their kind is; and
contrariwise dwarf them, and stay their growth: we make them more
fruitful and bearing than their kind is; and contrariwise barren and
not generative. Also we make them differ in colour, shape, activity,
many ways. We find means to make commixtures and copulations of
different kinds; which have produced many new kinds, and them not
barren, as the general opinion is. We make a number of kinds of
serpents, worms, flies, fishes, of putrefaction; whereof some are
advanced (in effect) to be perfect creatures, like bests or birds; and
have sexes, and do propagate. Neither do we this by chance, but we
know beforehand, of what matter and commixture what kind of those
creatures will arise.