The historie of foure-footed beastes Describing the true and liuely figure of euery beast, with a discourse of their seuerall names, conditions, kindes, vertues (both naturall and medicinall) countries of their breed, their loue and hate to mankinde, and the wonderfull worke of God in their creation, preseruation, and destruction. Necessary for all diuines and students, because the story of euery beast is amplified with narrations out of Scriptures, fathers, phylosophers, physitians, and poets: wherein are declared diuers hyerogliphicks, emblems, epigrams, and other good histories, collected out of all the volumes of Conradus Gesner, and all other writers to this present day. By Edward Topsell.

OF THE SEA-WOLFE.

[illustration]

[ 20] [ 30] [ 40]

ALthough nothing hath hitherto beene brought to light, concerning the sea∣wolfe of the ancient writers that I know, yet his form is notable to be obserued and you may chuse whether you wil cal him a Theefe or a Sea-monster, much differing from the wolfe-fish, as that he seemeth to challenge a particular de∣scription or treatise. It is also a Foure-footed. Beast that liueth both on sea & land, satisfi∣ing his hunger on the most part vpon fishes: It hath bin seene vpon the Brittaine Ocean shoare, and it doth resemble the wolfe that liueth on the land, that it is not vndeseruedly called among the common people a wolfe.

[ 50] It doth liue also a long time being tamed, it hath a dangerous head, & very many haires growing on both sides of his eies to shaddow them, his Nosthrils and teeth are like vnto a dogs, and strong haires growing about his mouth: also smal bristles growing vpright vp∣on his back: and adorned and marked on euery side with black distinct spots, a long taile,* 1.1 thick and hairy, al the other parts being like to a wolues, as you may easily see by this expres∣sed picture: and vnto this belongeth the story of the Wolues last before expressed which liue vpon fishes, and deuide them familiarly with men.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Bellonius.