An analysis of a section of the text of the "Vita Christi", which includes a list and stories of the real and fabulous animals which supposedly accompanied the family of Jesus on their escape into Egypt, as found in manscript 280 of the Fondo Canoniciano Italiano in the Bodleian Library. The text analyzed is: "Concurrunt ad Jesum onagri, leones, / Ursi, pardi, tygrides, maury comoriones, / Unicornes, lamie, linces, elefantes, / Onocentauri, simie, vulpes et durantes, / Hyene, lupi, migale, pilosus et panthere." These animals are grouped into three categories: those found in the Bible, those found in common animal treateses of the time, and mythical and fabulous beasts. The animals are described and the text is compared to that in other manuscripts. Illustrations from the Vita Christi manuscripts are included.

Language: English