Story of the Bible Animals: A Description of the Habits and Uses of every living Creature mentioned in the Scriptures, with Explanation of Passages in the Old and New Testament in which Reference is made to themWood, J. G. (John George)
Religion
Story of the Bible Animals: A Description of the Habits and Uses of every living Creature mentioned in the Scriptures, with Explanation of Passages in the Old and New Testament in which Reference is made to them
Wood, J. G. (John George)
Animals in the Bible; Nature in the Bible
"Pitying its efforts, the falconer throws a handkerchief over its
head, and, securing this prize, claims it as his own, declaring that
he will bear it home to his house in the mountains, where, after a
few weeks' kind treatment and care, it will become as domesticated
and affectionate as a spaniel. Meanwhile, Abou Shein gathers
together the fallen booty, and, tying them securely with cords,
fastens them behind his own saddle, declaring, with a triumphant
laugh, that we shall return that evening to the city of Beyrout with
such game as few sportsmen can boast of having carried thither in
one day."
The gentle nature of the Gazelle is as proverbial as its grace
and swiftness, and is well expressed in the large, soft, liquid
eye, which has formed from time immemorial the stock comparison of
Oriental poets when describing the eyes of beauty.
[Illustration: THE GAZELLE.]
THE PYGARG, OR ADDAX.
The Dishon or Dyshon--Signification of the word
Pygarg--Certainty that the Dishon is an antelope, and that it
must be one of a few species--Former and present range of the
Addax--Description of the Addax.
There is a species of animal mentioned once in the Scriptures under
the name of Dishon which the Jewish Bible leaves untranslated, and
merely gives as Dyshon, and which is rendered in the Septuagint by
Pugargos, or PYGARG, as one version gives it. Now, the meaning of
the word Pygarg is white-crouped, and for that reason the Pygarg
of the Scriptures is usually held to be one of the white-crouped
antelopes, of which several species are known. Perhaps it may be one
of them--it may possibly be neither, and it may probably refer to
all of them.
But that an antelope of some kind is meant by the word Dishon is
evident enough, and it is also evident that the Dishon must have
been one of the antelopes which could be obtained by the Jews. Now
as the species of antelope which could have furnished food for that
nation are very few in number, it is clear that, even if we do not
hit upon the exact species, we may be sure of selecting an animal
that was closely allied to it. Moreover, as the nomenclature is
exceedingly loose, it is probable that more than one species might
have been included in the word Dishon.
Modern commentators have agreed that there is every probability that
the Dishon of the Pentateuch was the antelope known by the name of
Addax.
This handsome antelope is a native of Northern Africa. It has a
very wide range, and, even at the present day, is found in the
vicinity of Palestine, so that it evidently was one of the antelopes
which could be killed by Jewish hunters. From its large size, and
long twisted horns, it bears a strong resemblance to the Koodoo of
Southern Africa. The horns, however, are not so long, nor so boldly
twisted, the curve being comparatively slight, and not possessing
the bold spiral shape which distinguishes those of the koodoo.
[Illustration: THE ADDAX.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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