The History of Four-Footed Beasts, Serpents and Insects Vol. I of III: Describing at Large Their True and Lively Figure, Their Several Names, . Work of God in Their Creation, Preservation

Topsell, Edward

ISBN 10: 139632075X / ISBN 13: 9781396320750

Published by Left of Brain Onboarding Pty Ltd, 2021

About this Item

Seller Inventory # I-9781396320750

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The History of Four-Footed Beasts, Serpents and Insects Vol. I of III: Describing at Large Their True and Lively Figure, Their Several Names, . Work of God in Their Creation, Preservation
• Publisher: Left of Brain Onboarding Pty Ltd
• Publication Date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 139632075X
• ISBN 13: 9781396320750
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Edward Topsell's "The History of Four-Footed Beasts, Serpents and Insects", is a medieval exposition on Zoology. Published in 1658, nearly 30 years after Topsell's death, his book explores the history and legends of real and mythical animals.

Topsell was not a naturalist but a clergyman, and he used scriptures and poetry as sources just as much as the natural world. He mentions fantastical and mythical creations such as the lamia, a creature with a scaled, catlike body and the face of a woman, the mantichora, a creature with a lion's body, a man's face and a distorted smile, and the hydra, a creature with seven heads and a serpent's body. He also mentions unicorns and discusses how elephants worship the sun.

Topsell's previous books had been grounded in religious themes, and although "The History of Four-Footed Beasts, Serpents and Insects" is not without said themes, it's a puzzling and enjoyable departure from his usual work.

This History of Four-Footed Beasts is split between this first and the second volume, with Serpents and Insects in the following volumes.