BOOK IX .] History of Nature. 109 



used to make the Jaws of such Beasts the Doors of their 

 Houses ; that they form the Rafters of their Roofs with the 

 Bones ; and that many of them were found to be forty Cubits 

 long. 



In those Parts the Beasts go forth to the Land like a 

 Flock of Cattle, and feed upon the Roots of Plants, and 

 then return. There are others also which have Heads like 

 Horses, Asses, and Bulls ; and these eat the standing Corn. 



CHAPTER IV. 

 Which are the greatest Creatures in any Ocean. 



THE largest Creature in the Indian Sea is the Pristis and 

 Balsena (Whale). In the Ocean of Gaul the largest is the 

 Physeter, which lifteth itself up in the Manner of an immense 

 Pillar, higher than the Sails of Ships ; and spouteth forth 

 almost a Flood. In the Ocean of Gades there is a Tree 1 

 spreading abroad with mighty Arms, to such an extent that it 

 is believed to be the Cause why that Arm of the Sea is never 

 entered. There are to be seen also what from their Shape 

 are called Wheels, distinguished by four Rays ; with their 

 two Eyes closing over the Naves on each Side. 



CHAPTER V. 



Of the Forms of Tritons, Nereids, and Sea- Elephants * 

 WHEN Tiberius was Sovereign, an Embassy of the Inha- 



1 This and the wheel may be referred to some large species of coral, 

 and asterias, or sea-star ; which report had magnified enormously. But 

 the former is thought by Dr. Hamilton to be the Kraken of Pontop- 

 pidan : perhaps a species of Medusa, or Cuttle-fish, of which a wonderful 

 figure is given by Denys Montford, where one of these creatures is seen 

 capturing a Chinese junk. Wern. Club- 



2 Of the existence of these beings, as they are represented by the 

 poets, the people of that day had as little doubt as of the god whose 

 attendants they were supposed to be. The stories told in this chapter 

 were probably due to some deception practised on the credulity or fear of 

 the neighbourhood by some skilful swimmers. That some species of Seal 



