Bears when first born are shapeless masses of white flesh a little larger than mice, their claws alone being prominent. The mother then licks them gradually into proper shape.[719:2]
Natural History. Book viii. Sect. 126.
It is asserted that the dogs keep running when they drink at the Nile, for fear of becoming a prey to the voracity of the crocodile.[719:3]
Natural History. Book viii. Sect. 148.
It has become quite a common proverb that in wine there is truth.[719:4]
Natural History. Book xiv. Sect. 141.
Cincinnatus was ploughing his four jugera of land upon the Vaticanian Hill,—the same that are still known as the Quintian Meadows,—when the messenger brought him the dictatorship, finding him, the tradition says, stripped to the work.
Natural History. Book xviii. Sect. 20.
The agricultural population, says Cato, produces the bravest men, the most valiant soldiers, and a class of citizens the least given of all to evil designs. . . . A bad bargain is always a ground for repentance.
Natural History. Book xviii. Sect. 26.