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The Natural Hiſtory
Dogs, Sea-Wolves, and Sea-Horſes;Many Sea-Animals reſemble thoſe upon the Land. together with Mer-Men and Mer-Maids, as it is pretended. Who is ignorant of the winged or flying Fiſhes; and of others with long Nebs or Bills like Birds; alſo of Birds with four Feet, like Beaſts? The vaſt Diſagreement of Authors, who deſcribe the Land-Unicorn, makes it doubtful, whether there be any ſuch.And why then may there not be Sea-Unicorns, as well as Land-Unicorns; if any ſuch there be in rerum natura? for it is a difficult Matter to determine, what Kind of Animal the Scripture underſtands, when it ſpeaks of the Unicorn, as in Pſalm xxix. ver. 6. and in other Places: whether it be ſuch a one as Plinius and other Writers deſcribe, giving him the Body of a Horſe, with a Stag's Head, and a Horn on his Snout; or whether it ought not with better Reaſon be applied to a certain Animal in Africa, called Rhinoceros, whoſe Snout in horned in that Faſhion. If one had Patience to conſider the vaſt Diſagreement, that reigns between theſe Writers, one would conclude that this Animal is peculiar to the Climate, where the fabulous Bird Phenix builds its Neſt; that is to ſay, in Utopia, or no where. For ſome deſcribe
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