In two chapters, he uncovers the origins of the basilisk - considered one of the most inexplicable mythical monsters, and of the Vegetable Lamb of Tartary. With the head and body of a rooster and the tail of a snake, the basilisk was said to be able to kill a person with its gaze. Bondeson demonstrates that belief in this fabulous creature resulted from misinterpretations of rare events in natural history. The vegetable lamb, a mainstay of museums in the 17th century, was allegedly half plant, half animal: it had the shape of a little lamb, but grew from a stem. After examining two vegetable lambs still in London, Bondeson offers his theory to explain this old fallacy.
And Other Essays in Natural and Unnatural History
Hardback
Publication Date: 11/03/1999
In this collection of essays, Jan Bondeson tells ten stories of myths and hoaxes concerning the animal kingdom. Throughout, he recounts - and in some cases solves - mysteries of the natural world which have puzzled scientists for centuries. Illustrated with photographs and drawings, the book presents tales from across the folklore of animals: a learned pig more admired than Sir Isaac Newton by the English public; an elephant that Lord Byron wanted to employ as his butler; a dancing horse whose skills in mathematics were praised by Shakespeare; and the extraordinary creature known as the "Feejee Mermaid". This object became the foremost curiosity of London in the 1820s and later in the century toured the USA under the management of P.T. Barnum. Bearing a resemblance to a wizened and misshapen monkey with a fishtail, the mermaid was nonetheless proclaimed a genuine specimen by "experts". Bondeson explores other zoological wonders: toads living for centuries encased in solid stone; little fishes raining down from the sky; and barnacle geese growing from trees until ready to fly.
In two chapters, he uncovers the origins of the basilisk - considered one of the most inexplicable mythical monsters, and of the Vegetable Lamb of Tartary. With the head and body of a rooster and the tail of a snake, the basilisk was said to be able to kill a person with its gaze. Bondeson demonstrates that belief in this fabulous creature resulted from misinterpretations of rare events in natural history. The vegetable lamb, a mainstay of museums in the 17th century, was allegedly half plant, half animal: it had the shape of a little lamb, but grew from a stem. After examining two vegetable lambs still in London, Bondeson offers his theory to explain this old fallacy.
In two chapters, he uncovers the origins of the basilisk - considered one of the most inexplicable mythical monsters, and of the Vegetable Lamb of Tartary. With the head and body of a rooster and the tail of a snake, the basilisk was said to be able to kill a person with its gaze. Bondeson demonstrates that belief in this fabulous creature resulted from misinterpretations of rare events in natural history. The vegetable lamb, a mainstay of museums in the 17th century, was allegedly half plant, half animal: it had the shape of a little lamb, but grew from a stem. After examining two vegetable lambs still in London, Bondeson offers his theory to explain this old fallacy.
- ISBN:
- 9780801436093
- 9780801436093
- Category:
- Folklore
- Format:
- Hardback
- Publication Date:
- 11-03-1999
- Language:
- English
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- Country of origin:
- United States
- Pages:
- 336
- Dimensions (mm):
- 229x152x28mm
- Weight:
- 0.91kg
Click 'Notify Me' to get an email alert when this item becomes available
Great!
Click on Save to My Library / Lists
Click on Save to My Library / Lists
Select the List you'd like to categorise as, or add your own
Here you can mark if you have read this book, reading it or want to read
Awesome! You added your first item into your Library
Great! The fun begins.
Click on My Library / My Lists and I will take you there
Click on My Library / My Lists and I will take you there
You can find this item in:
Cultural studies
Zoology & animal sciences
Folklore
Natural history
Social & cultural anthropology
General & world history
Show more
Show less
Reviews
Be the first to review The Feejee Mermaid and Other Essays in Natural and Unnatural History.
Share This Book: