This repartee produced a certain disorder in the irritated science of Doctor Æacus.
Ursus added, "The existence of the hoemorrhoüs is quite as true as that of the odoriferous hyena, and of the civet described by Castellus."
Æacus got out of the difficulty by charging home.
"Here are your own words, and very diabolical words they are. Listen."
With his eyes on his notes, Æacus read,—
"Two plants, the thalagssigle and the aglaphotis, are luminous in the evening, flowers by day, stars by night;" and looking steadily at Ursus, "What have you to say to that?"
Ursus answered,—
"Every plant is a lamp. Its perfume is its light." Æacus turned over other pages.
"You have denied that the vesicles of the otter are equivalent to castoreum."
"I merely said that perhaps it may be necessary to receive the teaching of Ætius on this point with some reserve."