IG2 THE HISTOET OF ANIMALS, [l. YI. 



like domestic animals, as the hog and dog, appear to be less 

 influenced by these circumstances on account of the fre 

 quency of their coition. Of all females the mare is the most 

 violent in her sexual desires, and then the cow. Mares are 

 subject to the affection called hippomania, and this name is 

 transferred from this single animal to intemperate and lasci 

 vious persons. They are said to be affected by the wind at 

 such seasons : wherefore in Crete they never separate the 

 stallions from the mares. When the mares are thus affected, 

 they separate themselves from the other horses. In swine 

 the same affection is called WHrj/^t/y, to desire the boar. 

 They never run to the east or the west, but either north or 

 south. 



5. When they suffer from this affection, they will allow 

 no one to approach them, till they either are so fatigued that 

 they can go no further, or come to the sea : they then eject 

 some substance, which has received the name of hippomanes, 

 like that on a new-born colt. It resembles the capria of 

 the sow. Poisoners diligently seek for this substance. At 

 the season of sexual intercourse they lean upon each other 

 more than at other times, and move their tails, and utter a 

 different sound from that which is common to them. A 

 fluid like semen also flows from their genital organs, but it 

 is much more thin than that of the male ; and some per 

 sons call this fluid hippomanes, though it is not that 

 which is produced upon colts. It is difficult to collect 

 this fluid, for it does not appear in large quantities. 

 When they are desirous of sexual intercourse, thej often 

 make water, and sport together : this is the nature of 

 horses. 



6. Cows desire the bull. They are so taken up by their 

 passion, that the cowherds cannot manage them. Mares 

 and cows shew the vehemence of their desire by the swelling 

 of their genital parts. Cows also, like mares, make water 

 very frequently. The cows also mount upon the bull, and 

 follow, and stand beside him. The younger animals, both 

 among horses and oxen, are the first to desire sexual inter 

 course ; and in fine weather, when their health is good, the 

 vehemence of their desire is still stronger. If the manes 

 of the mares are cut, their desires become weaker, and they 

 sre rendered more gentle. 



