Contemporaneously with this gigantic species there existed a dwarf
species about the size of our Hog; and along with it several
intermediate species, whose bones are found in sufficient numbers to
enable us to reconstruct the skeleton. The curvature of the nasal bone
of the fossil Rhinoceros and its gigantic horn have given rise to many
tales and popular legends. The famous bird, the _Roc_, which played so
great a part in the fabulous myths of the people of Asia, originated in
the discovery in the bosom of the earth of the cranium and horns of a
fossil Rhinoceros. The famous dragons of western tradition have a
similar origin.
In the city of Klagenfurth, in Carinthia, is a fountain on which is
sculptured the head of a monstrous dragon with six feet, and a head
surmounted by a stout horn. According to the popular tradition still
prevalent at Klagenfurth, this dragon lived in a cave, whence it issued
from time to time to frighten and ravage the country. A bold cavalier
kills the dragon, paying with his life for this proof of his courage. It
is the same legend which is current in every country, from that of the
valiant St. George and the Dragon and of St. Martha, who nearly about
the same age conquered the fabulous _Tarasque_ of the city of Languedoc,
which bears the name of Tarascon.
But at Klagenfurth the popular legend has happily found a
mouth-piece--the head of the pretended dragon, killed by the valorous
knight, is preserved in the Hôtel de Ville, and this head has furnished
the sculptor for his fountain with a model for the head of his statue.
Herr Unger, of Vienna, recognised at a glance the cranium of the fossil
Rhinoceros; its discovery in some cave had probably originated the fable
of the knight and the dragon. And all legends are capable of some such
explanation when we can trace them back to their sources, and reason
upon the circumstances on which they are founded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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