Vulgar errors

Thomas Browne’s book Pseudodoxia Epidemica collects all sorts of mistaken notions that many people believed (and which some people believe now). The 1672 edition of the book is now online, thanks to the University of Chicago. Here are a few of those beliefs:

That a Diamond is made soft, or broke by the blood of a Goate.

That Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves, Mace, are but the parts or fruits of the same tree.

That an Elephant hath no joints.

That men weigh heavier dead then alive, and before meate then after.

On September 4 and September 28, 2006 there will be celebrations in Norwich, UK to celebrate Thomas Browne’s 400th birthday.

(Thanks to investigator Maddalena Feliciello for bringing this to our attention.)