Latin Texts & Translations

We have already ^[Note] spoken of the honours earned by the geese, when the Gauls were detected in their attempt to scale the Capitol. It is for a corresponding reason, also, that punishment is yearly inflicted upon the dogs, by crucifying them alive upon a gibbet of elder, between the Temple of Juventas ^[Note] and that of Summanus. ^[Note]

In reference to this last-mentioned animal, the usages of our forefathers compel us to enter into some further details. They considered the flesh of sucking whelps to be so pure a meat, that they were in the habit of using them as victims even in their expiatory sacrifices. A young whelp, too, is sacrificed to Genita Mana; ^[Note] and, at the repasts celebrated in honour of the gods, it is still the usage to set whelps' flesh on table; at the inaugural feasts, too, of the pontiffs, this dish was in common use, as we learn from the Comedies ^[Note] of Plautus. It is generally thought that for narcotic ^[Note] poisons there is nothing better than dogs' blood; and it would appear that it was this animal that first taught man the use of emetics. Other me-

dicinal uses of the dog which are marvellously commended, I shall have occasion to refer to on the appropriate occasions.