This book consists of selections from two Renaissance natural histories by Edward Topsell: The History of Four-Footed Beasts (1607) and The History of Serpents (1608) . ... Because of space considerations, I have limited my book to twenty-two animals, and I have omitted or reworked some material in each of these twenty-two histories. Eighteen of the animals come from The History of Four-Footed Beasts the other four ... come from The History of Serpents. ... This book is not designed for the specialist but for the general reader, and in those places where I felt that I could gain readability, I have abridged or reworked material. ... With the exception of some words where no modern equivalents could be found, I have used modern spelling. At the same time, I have sought to preserve the tone of the original work as much as possible." - introduction

185 pages, woodcut illustrations.

Language: English

ISBN: 0-88229-642-6; LCCN: 80028838; LC: QL41.T671981; DDC: 59019