[209] Bossewell, Workes of Armourie, p. 61.
[210] Allusions to the unicorn occur frequently in the Old Testament, and commentators inform us that these references were typical of the coming Saviour.
[211] “It is reported that the unicorn’s horn sweats when it comes in the presence of poison, and that for this reason it is laid on the tables of the great, and made into knife-handles, which, when placed on the tables, show the presence of poison. But this is not sufficiently proved.”—Albertus Magnus, De Animalibus, lib. xxv.
[212] Bib. Harl. 5953, vol. i., p. 403.
[213] Relation of the Island of England, published by the Camden Society.
[214] See Bib. Harl. 5953, vol. i., p. 407.
[215] Hentzner’s Travels, p. 54.
[216] Henry Peacham’s Compleat Gentleman.
[217] Fuller’s Worthies, voce Middlesex.
[218] “It is rather peculiar that the same superstitious notions should be found in India in connexion with the horn of the rhinoceros, whom some consider as the fabled unicorn divested of his romantic garb. His horn, too, was thought useful in diseases, and for the purpose of discovering poisons.”—Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible. “The fine shavings were supposed to cure convulsions and spasms in children. Goblets made of these would discover a poisonous draught that was poured into them, by making the liquor ferment till it ran quite out of the goblet.”—Thunberg’s Journey to Caffraria.