The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2Browne, Thomas, Sir
Religion
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2
Browne, Thomas, Sir
Christianity; Ethics; Religion and medicine
Since therefore there be many _Unicorns_; since that whereto we
appropriate a Horn is so variously described, that it seemeth either
never to have been seen by two persons, or not to have been one animal;
Since though they agreed in the description of the animal, yet is not
the Horn we extol the same with that of the Ancients; Since what Horns
soever they be that pass among us, they are not the Horns of one, but
several animals; Since many in common use and high esteem are no Horns
at all; Since if there were true Horns, yet might their vertues be
questioned; Since though we allowed some vertues, yet were not others to
be received; with what security a man may rely on this remedy, the
mistress of fools hath already instructed some, and to wisdom (which is
never to wise to learn) it is not too late to consider.
CHAPTER XXIV
That all Animals of the Land, are in their kind in the Sea.
That all Animals of the Land, are in their kind in the Sea, although
received as a principle, is a tenent very questionable, and will admit
of restraint. For some in the Sea are not to be matcht by any enquiry at
Land, and hold those shapes which terrestrious forms approach not; as
may be observed in the Moon-fish, or Orthragoriscus, the several sorts
of Raia's, Torpedo's, Oysters, and many more, and some there are in the
Land which were never maintained to be in the Sea, as Panthers, Hyæna's,
Camels, Sheep, Molls, and others, which carry no name in Icthyology [SN:
_History of fishes._], nor are to be found in the exact descriptions of
_Rondoletius_, _Gesner_, or _Aldrovandus_.
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