A description of the nature of four-footed beasts with their figures en[graven in brass] / written in Latin by Dr. John Johnston ; translated into English by J.P.

POINT VIII. Of the Oryx.

THree sorts of creatures are by the Greeks termed Oryges.* 1.1 One a water one, two land ones. Of the first Strabo writes treating of Turdetamia,* 1.2 which some suppose to be the Sea-orke.* 1.3 Of the two latter kinds Pliny, and Oppian mention. The name Oryx comes from To Orytte••n, or dig∣ging, because, at new Moon it turns eastward, and digs up the earth with the fore-feet. For the shape, it is one-horned, and cloven-footed. It is of the kind of wild Goats. But of a con∣trary hayr, turning toward the head; as it grows

on the Aethiopian Bull.* 1.4 He is engendred in the driest parts of Africa, ever without drinke, and strongly usefull against thirst; for the Getulian theeves hold out by a draught of wholesome liquor found in their bladders. Albertus saith that he is as big as a Hart, bearded, used to the deserts, and easily taken in a net. Herodotus makes him as great as an Ox; Nor have we any certainty of his shape. The horns are black, and to be seen in most libraries, like a swords blade at top, diverse, according to their age, both in length, bredth, and number of knobs. Wee give you here the images of two of them. But Aldrovand himself durst define, whether they are Indian Asses horns, or no. But, since the Aethiops, called Sili, used them for weapons against the Struthiophagi, or Estridge-eaters, and they are very hand, and beamy, long, sharp-pointed, and hollow, they seeme to belong to the Oryx. The Egyptians fain many things of him, that they know, when the Dog-star arises, and then cry out; that they gaze on the star, and adored it like a God;* 1.5 whether by a peculiar sympathy, or that they know cold weather is past, which they cannot well endure. He seems to despise the Sun,* 1.6 and Moon; they dung against the rising Sun, and never drink. Colu∣mella, and Martial mention the Orus; but I be∣leeve it is not the same with this. The later calls him Cavage; the former reckons him among the beasts kept in warrens, or parks for food. Hee is said by Oppian,* 1.7 to be wild, a great foe to wild beasts, and milke white. So different are the relations about the Orus, which must be a double kind; one fearfull, the other fierce. Some in India are said to have four horns. Ambr.* 1.8 Paréus (T. 1. l. 5. c. 5.) mentions a wild beast in some Island of the Red-sea, called by the Arabs Kademotha; by the inhabitants called Parasoupi; as great as a mule, and headed alike; haired like a Beare, but not so dark-coloured, but yellowish; footed like the Hart; having two lofty horns, but not beamed, akin to the Unicorns horn. The natives being bitten by any venomous beast, are cured forthwith by drinking the water, wherein the horn hath lien soaking certain dayes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Strabo.
• * 1.2

  Geo. l. 3.
• * 1.3

  Aldro. H. B. c. 24. Pliny. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  Plin. H. N. l. 11. cap. 46. Arist. H. A. l. 2. c. 1. Pliny.
• * 1.5

  Albert.
• * 1.6

  Aldrovan.
• * 1.7

  Aldrovan.
• * 1.8

  Aelian.