Description

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The unique characteristics of animals is a miscellany of facts, genuine or supposed, gleamed from earlier and contemporary Greek writers (No Latin writer is once named) and to a limited extent from his own observation to illustrate the habits of the animal world. We are of course prepared to encounter much that modern science rejects, but the general tone with its search after the picturesque, the startling, even the miraculous, would justify us in ranking Aelian with the paradoxical, rather than with the sober exponents of natural history. Mythology, mariners' yarns, vulgar superstitions, the ascertained facts of nature-all serve to adorn a tale and, on occasion, to point a moral. His religion is the popular stoicism of the age. Aleian repeatedly affirms his belief in the gods and in divine providence; the wisdom and beneficence of Nature are held up to veneration; the folly and selfishness of man are contrasted with the untaught virtues of the animal world. Some animals, to be sure, have their failings, but he chooses rather to dwell upon their good qualities, devotion, courage, self-sacrifice, gratitude. Again, animals are guided by reason, and from them we may learn contentment, control of the passions, and calm in the face of death. His primary object is to entertain and while so doing to convey instruction in the most agreeable form. Some might find fault with his random and piece-meal handling of his theme-of which he is well aware, and he defends himself with the plea that a frequent change of topic helps to maintain the reader's interest and saves him from boredom. As to the permanent value of his work he has no misgivings and since we have been informed that his writings were much admired, we may assume that they appealed to cultivated circles in a way that the voluminous and possibly arid compilations of grammarians did not.

About the Author

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Researching American History has always been a pastime which I've been greatly interested in. Even though America may have a short history, in comparison to other countries, (I believe) it has the most interesting past, and present. The natural physical world of nature is also one of my interests. Animals, plants, and landscapes, are subjects that I love to explore. Animal characteristics and their peculiarities, I find most interesting. I have published some eBooks' on Amazon called "Animal Peculiarity" Long country walks, including hill walking, are activities which my wife and I been continually doing for many years. I believe this is one of the reasons why we have such a keen interest in nature I live in Carlow, which is a small county in the south east of Ireland. I have been married to my wife, 'May' for almost 40 years. We have three children, all grown up and living away from home. We have our own business for the past 20 years. It involves the restoration and the sale of antique furniture. We also make curtains, blinds. Re-upholstery is a service which we also supply Our website gives some information on our business....www.ormolu.ie