BOOK XII
ON ANIMALS
INTRODUCTION
The history of zoölogical knowledge during the ten centuries from Aristotle to Isidore may be indicated with sufficient clearness by enumerating three of the works that survive. They are Aristotle’s “History of Animals”, the zoölogical part (Books VIII-XI) of Pliny’s “Natural History”, and Isidore’s “On Animals”. On the first, belonging to the fourth century B.C., Cuvier has pronounced judgment as “one of the greatest monuments that the genius of man has raised to the natural sciences”.[329] Pliny, four centuries later, is commended by Cuvier for his industry and learning, but reproached for his predilection for the fabulous, and his absolute lack of scientific order and of the scientific spirit.[330] Six centuries later a résumé of zoölogical knowledge is given in the Etymologies, which is of no value except for the information it gives of the benighted character of the medieval intellect.
Isidore’s zoölogy is shown in a better light, however, when it is compared with that of the Physiologus,[331] his great rival in this field throughout the Middle Ages. This is a collection of fabulous accounts of animals, with the moral and spiritual lessons that were drawn from them. In it the ancient science is seen in its most de-secularized form; nature knowledge is made absolutely subservient to religious teaching, and in the process actual knowledge is driven out and fable takes its place. It must be reckoned to Isidore’s credit that he resisted the temptation to give “the higher meaning”.
ANALYSIS
| I. | Flocks and herds and beasts of burden (ch. 1). |
| II. | Wild beasts (ch. 2). |
| III. | Small creatures (ch. 3). |
| IV. | Serpents (ch. 4). |
| V. | Worms (ch. 5). |
| VI. | Fishes (ch. 6). |
| VII. | Birds (ch. 7). |
| VIII. | Small flying creatures (ch. 8). |
EXTRACTS
Chapter 1. On flocks and work animals.