BOOK VIII. XXI. 57-59 



of this occurrence. In a similar manner a native of 

 Samos named Elpis on landing from a ship in Africa, 

 saw near the coast a lion opening its javvs in a 

 threatening way, and took refuge up a tree, calling 

 on Father Liber for help, since the chief occasion 

 for praying is an emergency where there is no room 

 for hope. The beast had not stood in his way when 

 he tried to run away although it might liave done, 

 and lying down by the tree began to beg for com- 

 passion with the gaping jaws by which it had scared 

 the man. Owing to its biting its food too greedily a 

 bone had stuck in its teeth, and was tormenting it 

 with starvation and not merely with the punishment 

 contained in the actual prickles, as it gazed up and 

 looked as if making a silent prayer for aid — while 

 chance events are not to be relied on in face of a 

 wild animal, and much longer hesitation is caused 

 by surprise tlian by alarm." But finally he came 

 down and pulled out the bone for the lion, which 

 held out its foot to him and adjusted it at the most 

 necessary angle ; and they say that as long as that 

 vessel remained on the coast the lion displayed its 

 gratitude by bringing its catches to its benefactor. 

 This led Elpis to consecrate in Samos a temple to 

 Father Liber, to which from that occurrence the 

 Greeks have given the name of Temple of Dionysus 

 with his Mouth Open. After this do not let us be 

 surprised that men's tracks are recognized by wild 

 beasts when they actually hope for assistance from 

 one of the animal i'ace : for why did they not go to 

 other animals, or how do they know of man's healing 

 touch ? Unless perchance violent maladies force even 

 wild animals to every expedient. 



The natural philosopher Demetrius also records an Oraixtudeof 



r r a panther. 



45 



