Beast

Sources : Dromedary

Isidore of Seville [7th century CE] (Etymologies, Book 12, 1:36): The dromedary [dromeda] is a kind of camel, smaller in height but faster. From this it takes its name, for ‘race’ and ‘speed’ are called 'race' in Greek. It is accustomed to travel one hundred Roman miles or more in a single day. This animal ruminates, just like the ox and sheep and camel. - [Barney, Lewis, et. al. translation]

Bartholomaeus Anglicus [13th century CE] (Liber de proprietatibus rerum, Book18.36): Dromedarius is an heard and kéeper of Dromedes; and Dromedus is a manner kind of a Camell, as Isid[or] sayth lib. 12. And he saith that Dromedus is a maner kinde of Camell, and lesse in stature than a Camell, and is much swifter of course and running: and hath therefore the name Dromedus, of swift running, which is called Drombs in Gréeke, and the Dromedus goeth an hundred miles and twentie and more in ane daye, and the same beast cheweth his cud, as an an Oxe and a Camell, and so Dromedarri be masters of Dromedis, properly so speake, as Papias saith. But the Glose super Esa. 60. saith, that both Dromedarius and Dromis is accounted a beast lesse than a Camell, and much more swifte. And Mudian and Epha be countreys beyond Arabia, and therin be many Dromedaries, and be geldeth in youth & be the more able to runne as Avicen[na] saith, lest they be letted of their running, by desire & liking of females: and are so swifle by reason of long pace and large, for they have most large pace, as Aristotle saith, and Avicen[na] and Plinius libro 4 and also for great heate: for it is the most hottest beast of kinde complection, and so strong heat consumeth and wastreth in him all ventositie and fastnesse, and suffereth him not to bee overcharged with much flesh and fatnesse. Also for ablenesse of members, for his legges be long and small, and full of sinnewes, and is therefore lyght and able to moving, and strong to continue course and running, and is a light beast for scarcitie of meate, for it is not a beast of much meate, but is sufficed with lyttle meate, and scarcely eateth heye, and rindes, and loveth well the stoanes of dates, and is content with them at even after right long journeyes. As Plinius saith, his bloud is full hot, sharpe, and thin: therefore milke of Dromedaries is full thin, and fléeting, more than milk of other beasts, as Constantine sayth, & lesse nourishing, and more heating, and more departing thicke humoures. Looke before De Camelo, that hath nigh the verye same propertyes that this Beast hath. - [Batman]