90 THEORY OF THE EARTH. 



has been obstinately asserted even in the present 

 day, or at least proofs of its existence have been 

 eagerly sought for. Three several animals are 

 frequently mentioned by the ancients as having only 

 one horn placed on the middle of the forehead. 

 The oryx of Africa, having cloven hoofs, the hair 

 placed reversely to that of other animals,* its 

 height equal to that of the bull,t or even of the 

 rhinoceros,J and said to resemble deer and goats 

 in its form ;> the Indian ass, having solid hoofs ; and 

 the monoceros, properly so called, whose feet are 

 sometimes compared to those of the lion,|| and 

 sometimes to those of the elephant,1[ and is there- 

 fore considered as having divided feet. The horse 

 unicorn** and the bull unicorn are doubtless both 

 referable to the Indian ass, for even the latter is 

 described as having solid hoofs.ft We may there- 

 fore be fully assured that these animals have never 

 really existed, as no solitary horns have ever found 

 their way into our collections, excepting those of 

 the rhinoceros and narwal. 



After careful consideration, it is impossible that 

 we should give any credit to rude sketches made 

 by savages upon rocks. Entirely ignorant of 



* Aristot. Anim. II. 1. and III. 2. Plin. XL 46. 



t Herodot IV. 192. J Oppian, Cyneg. II. vers. 551, 



^ Plin. VIII. 53. || Philostrog. III. ii. 



IT Plin. VIII. 21. 



** Onesecrit. ap. Strab. lib. XV, .Man. Anim.XJIL.4^ 



ft See Pliny and Solinus, 



