Of the Indian Asses.
IT is questionable whether the Monoceros, commonly called a Vnicorne, the Rhinoceros, the Oryx, and the Indian asse be all one beast or diuers; for the Vnicorne and Rhinoceros haue the same things attributed to them in stories, and differ in verie [ 10] few reports: but for the Asses of India, both Aristotle, Pliny, and Aelianus, ioyntly agree, that they differ from all other whole-footed beasts, because they haue one horne in the fore∣head, and so also haue the Rhinoceros, Monoceros, and Orix, but the Indians cal a Vnicorn, Cartazono; and the horn so highly pri∣zed at this day, is thought to be of the Rhinoceros, but Aelianus and Philes acknowledge no other Vnicorne then the Indian Asse, who in bignes equalleth a horse among the In∣dians, being all white on the body, but purple headed or red (as some say,) blacke eyes, but Volaterranus saith blew, hauing one horne in the fore-head a cubit and a halfe long, whose vpper part is red or bay, the middle blacke, and the neather part white, wherein [ 20] the Kings and mighty men of India vse to drinke, adorning it for that purpose with sun∣dry bracelets, precious stones, and works of gold, holding for truth that all those which drinke in those hornes, shalbe freed from annoyance of incurable diseases, as conuulsi∣ons, the falling euill, and deadly poysons.
These wilde-asses exceed all other, both in stature of body, and also swiftnes of foote, for at the first, they set forth very gently, and afterward speed their iourney with better pace, so that it is very hard for any to follow them, but impossible to ouergo them. The males take great paines in keeping their young ones, whom they continually watch and hide in the most remote and desert places they can finde. When they are hunted, they keepe their weake young ones behind them, and fight for them very furiously, neyther [ 30] feare they to encounter horsemen. They are so strong, that no beast may stand before them, for they will receiue the charge of Horsses with such violence, that in their en∣counter they bite out their sides & tear their guts out of their belly: for which cause they are dreadfull to Horsses, who are most vnwilling to ioyn with them, for they neuer meet but they both perish.
They fight with their heeles, but their teeth are most daungerous, for what they ap∣prehend in them they bring it cleane away: and because of this rage, those which are of any yeares, can neuer be tamed. The great king of India doth once euery yeare appoint all manner of fights both of men and Beastes, wherein are wilde Buls, tame Rams, these wild Asses with one horne, Hyaenaes and Elephants. To conclude, it is but a fable of Vo∣laterranus, [ 40] that saith, these Asses want a gal, for they haue the bladder of the gal, a poti∣on whereof drunke, cureth the falling euill.