CHAPTER V.
BEAVERS-WOOL.
Isidorus Hispalensis—Claudian—Beckmann—Beavers'-wool—Dispersion of Beavers through Europe—Fossil bones of Beavers.
The passage quoted from Isidore of Seville, in the last chapter,
shows that the ancients made a cloth, the woof of which
was of Beavers'-wool (de fibri lanâ), and which was therefore called Vestis Fibrina. By lana he must have meant the very fine wool, which, agreeably to the observation in the last paragraph, grows under the long hair of the beaver. Isidore in the same Book, observes, "Fibrinum lana est animalium, quæ fibros vocant: ipsos et castores existimant." The following Epigram of Claudian seems intended, as Beckmann (iv. p. 223.) supposes, to describe "a worn-out beaver dress, which had nothing more left of that valuable fur but the name." ON A BEAVER MANTLE.
The shadow of its ancient name remains: But, if no nap of beaver it retains, A Beaver Mantle it can scarce be nam'd. The price, however, proves its claim: it cost Six pounds. Hence, though all lustre it has lost, Yet, bought so dear, as beaver let it still be fam'd.
Sidonius Apollinaris calls those who used this costly apparel castorinati. Lib. v. Epist. 7. p. 313. Paris, 1599, 4to.
Gerbert, or Gilbert, surnamed the Philosopher, and afterwards Pope Silvester II., commenting on the qualities of a good Bishop according to 1 Timothy iii. 1., says in reference to the word "ornatum:"
"Quod si juxta sensum literæ tantûm respiciamus, non aliud, sacerdotes, quam
amictum quæremus clariorem; verbi gratiâ, castorinas quæremus et sericas vestes:
et ille se inter episcopas credet esse altiorem, qui vestem induerit clariorem.
Sed S. Apostolus taliter se intelligi non vult, quia non carne, &c."—De Informatione
Episcoporum, seu De Dignitate Sacerdotali, in ed. Benedict. Opp. S.
Ambrosii, tom. ii. p. 358.
