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‹Better GutenbergThe Natural History of Pliny, Vol. 2Chap. 31 — The Terrestrial Animals of India · 131 of 370Contents›

The Natural History of Pliny, Vol. 2

by Pliny the Elder

131 of 370 · Contents · Download EPUB

Chap. 31 The Terrestrial Animals of India

There are in India oxen also with solid hoofs1721 and a single horn;1722 and a wild beast called the axis, which has a skin like that of a fawn, but with numerous spots on it, and whiter;1723 this animal is looked upon as sacred to Bacchus. The Orsæan Indians hunt down a kind of ape, which has the body white1724 all over; as well as a very fierce animal called the monoceros,1725 which has the head of the stag, the feet of the elephant, and the tail of the boar, while the rest of the body is like that of the horse; it makes a deep lowing noise, and has a single black horn, which projects from the middle of its forehead, two cubits in length.1726 This animal, it is said, cannot be taken alive.

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