[143] The following is the nearest approach to such an assertion I have met with, but appears from the context to apply to geologic time prior to the advent of man. "When all those large and monstrous amphibia since regarded as fabulous still in reality existed, when the confines of the water and the land teemed with gigantic saurians, with lizards of dimensions much exceeding those of the largest crocodiles of the present day: who to the scaly bodies of fish, added the claws of beasts, and the neck and wings of birds: who to the faculty of swimming in water, added not only that of moving on the earth but that of sailing in air: and who had all the characteristics of what we now call chimeras and dragons, and perhaps of such monsters the remains, found among the bones and skeletons of other animals more resembling those that still exist and propagate, in the grottos and caverns in which they sought shelter during the deluges that affected the infancy of the globe, gave first rise to the idea that these dens and caves were once retreats whence such monsters watched and in which they devoured other animals."--Thomas Hope, _On the Origin and Prospects of Man_, vol. ii. p. 346; London, 1831. Southey, in his Commonplace Book, pityingly alludes to this passage, saying, "He believes in dragons and griffins as having heretofore existed." [144] From the context, Lanuvium appears to have been on the Appian Road, in Latium, about twenty-fives miles from Rome. [145] Propertius, _Elegy VIII._; Bohn, 1854. [146] _History of Animals_, Book ix., chap. ii. § 3; Bohn. [147] _Ibid._, Book vi., chap. xx. § 12. [148] _Ibid._, Book i., § 6. [149] _History of Animals_, Book ix., chap. vii. § 4. [150] _Natural History of Pliny_, Book viii., chap. xli., translated by J. Bostock and H. T. Riley; London, 1855. [151] _Anim. Nat._, Book vi., chap. iv. [152] _Natural History_, Book viii., chap. xxii. [153] "On the contrary, towards ourselves they were disappointingly undemonstrative, and only evinced their consciousness of the presence of strangers by entwining themselves about the members of the family as if soliciting their protection.... They were very jealous of each other, Mr. Mann said; jealous also of other company, as if unwilling to lose their share of attention.... Two sweet little children were equally familiar with the other boas, that seemed quite to know who were their friends and playfellows, for the children handled them and petted them and talked to them as we talk to pet birds and cats."--Account of Snakes kept by Mr. and Mrs. Mann, of Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, in _Snakes_, by C. C. Hopley; London, 1882. [154] _Natural History_, Book xxix., chap. xx.