IX Here Followeth Concerning Caldea
1. Of Caldea I will say not much, but yet what is greatly to be wondered at; to wit, that in a place of that country stood Babylon, now destroyed and deserted, where are hairy serpents and monstrous animals. In the same place also, in the night season, are heard such shoutings, such howlings, such hissings, that it is called Hell. There no one would dare to pass a single night, even with a great army, on account of the endless terrors and spectres.172
2. When I was there, there was seen a tortoise that carried five men on its back.173
3. Also a two-headed animal, exceeding frightful, which dared to wade across the Euphrates, and to chase the inhabitants on the other side.174
4. Also there be there serpents of such bulk that it is horrible to hear tell of; and I believe that that land is the habitation of demons.