198 DESCRIPTION OF GREENLAND. 



observe that the unicorn-horn which we saw in Denmark, 

 whether whole or in pieces, is of the same composition, the 

 same form, and has the same properties as those which are 

 seen in France and other parts. That beautiful entire horn 

 of which I once spoke to you, and which I saw at Frederiks- 

 burg in the possession of the king of Denmark, is decidedly 

 larger than that of St. Denis. It is true that it is not straight, 

 but bent at two or three feet from the point ; but as for the 

 rest, it is of the same colour, shape, and weight as that at St. 

 Denis. As for the pieces of horn which we saw in different 

 places in Copenhagen, it is a fact that they were regarded 

 as antidotes against poison, the same as those are which are 

 seen in Paris or elsewhere. It being taken for granted that 

 all the kinds of horn which are seen in Denmark are exactly 

 like those of France, and that those of Denmark come from 

 Greenland, the question arises, what are these animals which 

 bear these horns in Greenland? M. Vormius first told me 

 that they were fish ; upon which I must tell you that I had 

 great disputes with him when we were at Christianople, 

 because it overturns the opinion of all the ancient naturalists 

 who have treated of unicorns, and who have described them 

 to us as land animals, and with four feet ; and that it clashes 

 with several passages of holy scripture, which can only be 

 understood as having reference to unicorns with four feet. 

 The good M. Vormius, accurate and learned in the curiosi- 

 ties of the north, wrote me this account from Copenhagen, 

 which I will give you from his letter. " Some years since," 

 says he, " I was staying with M. Fris, high chancellor of 

 Denmark, predecessor of M. Thomassen, the present chan- 

 cellor. I complained to this great man, who all his life was 

 an ornament and support to his country, of the little curiosity 

 our merchants and sailors had who visited Greenland, not to 

 have ascertained what the animals arc that bear the horn 

 they bring in such abundance, and not to have taken a piece 

 of their flesh or of their skin bv which to "ain some informa- 



