Sobre este livro
Minha biblioteca
Livros no Google Play
REPTILES.
THE TORTOISE.
Reptiles in general-Looseness of the term "creeping things "-The Tzab of the
Scriptures, translated as Tortoise-Flesh and eggs of the Tortoise-Its slow
movements-Hibernation dependent on temperature-The Water-Tortoises-
Their food and voracity-Their eggs-Their odour terrifying the horses—The
Dhubb lizard and its legends-Its armed tail, and the use made of it-Its
food, and localities which it prefers.
505
THE LEVIATHAN, OR CROCODILE.
Signification of the word Leviathan-Description in the Book of Job-Structure
and general habits of the Crocodile-The throat-valve and its use-Position
of the nostrils-Worship of the Crocodile-The reptile known in the Holy
Land-Two legends respecting its presence there-Mode of taking prey-
Cunning of the Crocodile-The baboons and the Crocodile-Speed of the
reptile-Eggs and young of the Crocodile, and their enemies-Curious story
of the ichneumon and ibis-Modes of capturing the Crocodile-Analysis of
Job's description—The Crocodile also signified by the word Tannin. Aaron's
rod changed into a Tannin-Various passages in which the word occurs—
Use of the word by the Prophet Jeremiah 514
THE LETÂÂH OR LIZARD.
Difficulty of identifying the Letââh-Probability that it is a collective and not a
specific term-Various Lizards of Palestine-The Green or Jersey Lizard-The
Cyprius, its appearance and habits—The Glass Snake or Scheltopusic—Trans-
lation of the word Chomet-Probability that it signifies the Skink-Medicinal
uses of the Lizard-The Seps tribe-The common Cicigna, and the popular
belief concerning its habits-The Sphænops and its shallow tunnel. . . 529
THE CHAMELEON, MONITOR, AND GECKO.
Translation of the word Koach-Signification of the word, and its applicability to
the Chameleon-Power of the reptile's grasp The prehensile tail-Demeanour
of the Chaineleon on the ground-The independent eyes-Its frequent change
of colour-Mode of taking prey-Strange notions respecting the Chameleon-
The Monitor, or Land Crocodile-Its habits and use to mankind-The Nilotic
Monitor, and its habit of destroying the eggs and young of the Crocodile-
The Gecko or Ferret of Scripture
534
SERPENTS.
Serpents in general-Signification of the Hebrew word Nachash-Various passages
in which the Nachash is mentioned-The fiery Serpents of the wilderness-
Explanation of the words " flying" and "fiery" as applied to Serpents-Haunts
of the Serpent-The Cobra, or Asp of Scripture-Meaning of the word Pethen
-The deaf Adder that stoppeth her ear-Serpent-charming in the East—Prin-
ciple on which the charmers work-Sluggishness of the Serpent nature-
Ceremony of initiation into Serpent-charming-Theories respecting the deaf
Adder-Luis of Grenada's sermon-The Cerastes, or Horned Serpent-Appear-
ance and habits of the reptile-The "Adder in the path"
THE VIPER, OR EPHEH.
540
Passages in which the word Ephch occurs-El-effah-The Sand Viper, or Toxicoa
-Its appearance and habits-The Acshub--Adder's poison-The Spuugh-
Slange The Cockatrice, or Tsepha-The Yellow Viper-Ancient ideas con-
cerning the Cockatrice-Power of its venom.
THE FROG.
552
The Frog only mentioned in the Old Testament as connected with the plagues of
Egypt-The severity of this plague explained-The Frog detestable to the
Egyptians The Edible Frog and its numbers--Description of the Species. 557
FISHES.
CHAPTER I.
Impossibility of distinguishing the different species of fishes-The fishermen
Apostles-Fish used for food-The miracle of the loaves and Fishes-The Fish
broiled on the coals-Clean and unclean Fishes--The scientific writings of
Solomon-The Sheat-fish, or Silurus-The Eel and the Muræna-The Long-
headed Barbel-Fish-ponds and preserves-The Fish-ponds of Heshbon-The
Sucking-fish-The Lump-sucker-The Tunny-The Coryphene
. . 563
CHAPTER II.
Various modes of capturing Fish-The hook and line-Military use of the hook-
Putting a hook in the jaws-The fishing spear-Different kinds of net-The
casting-net-Prevalence of this form-Technical words among fishermen―
Fishing by night-The draught of Fishes-The real force of the miracle-
Selecting the Fish-The Fish-gate and Fish-market-Fish killed by a draught
-Fishing in the Dead Sea-Dagon, the fish-god of Philistina, Assyria, and
Siam-Various Fishes of Egypt and Palestine
571
INVERTEBRATES.
MOLLUSCS.
The purple of Scripture--Various Molluscs from which it is obtained—The
common Dog-whelk of England-The sac containing the purple dye-Curious
change of colour-Mode of obtaining the dye-The Tyrian purple-The king
of the Ethiopians and the purple robe-The professional purple dyers—
Various words expressive of different shades of purple-Care taken to keep
the preparation of the dye secret
. 586
THE SNAIL.
The Snail which melteth-Rendering of the Jewish Bible-Theory respecting
the track of the Snail-The Hebrew word Shablul-Various Snails of
Palestine.
589
THE ONYCHA.
Ingredients of the sacred incense-The Onyx, or Onycha-Derivation of the
word-The Arabic Dofr-The Doofu of Abyssinia-Odour of the perfume 590
THE PEARL.
The Pearl of Scripture-Wisdom compared to Pearl-Different renderings of the
Hebrew word-Opinions of the Talmudists-Structure of Pearls-The Pearls
of the marine and aquatic mussels-Pearl-fisheries of the Conway-Meta-
phorical uses of the Pearl-The Pearl of great price--Casting Pearls before
swine-An ancient proverb. . 592
INSECTS.
Insects-Beetles not mentioned in Scripture The Locust-Various species of the
insect, and different words used to signify it-The Arbeh of Scripture, and its
derivation-The two migratory Locusts at rest and on the wing-The Locust
swarms-Gordon Cumming's account-Progress of the insect hosts-Vain
attempts to check them-Tossed up and down as a Locust-Effect of the winds
on the insect-The east and the west winds- Locusts used for food-Ancient
and modern travellers-The food of St. John . 596
THE BEE.
The Hebrew word Deborah-The Honey Bee of Palestine-Abundance of Bees in
the Holy Land-Habitations of the wild Bee-Hissing for the Bee-Bees in
dead carcases-The honey of Scripture-Domesticated Bees and their hives--
Stores of wild honey-The story of Jonathan-The Crusaders and the honey-
Butter and honey-Oriental sweetmeats—The Dibs, or grape-honey, and mode
of preparation-Wax, its use as a metaphor
605
THE HORNET.
The Tzirah or Hornet of Scripture-Travellers driven away by Hornets-The
Hornet used as a metaphor-Oriental symbolism-The Talmudical writers--
Sting of the Hornet.
. 613
THE ANT.
The Ant of Scripture Solomon's allusion to the Ant-Habit of aying up stores
of food-A controversy respecting the Ant-The Ants of Palestine, and their
habits-The Agricultural or Mound-making Ant-Preparing ground, sowing,
tending, reaping, and storing the crop-Different habits of Ants-Development
of the insect-The winged Ants-An Arab proverb
616
THE CRIMSON WORM.
The scarlet or crimson of Scripture-Signification of the word Tolûáth-The
Coccus or Cochineal of Palestine compared with that of Mexico-Differ-
ence between the sexes-Mode of preparing the insect-The Arabic word
Kermes. 622
THE CLOTHES MOTH.
The Moth of Scripture evidently the Clothes Moth-The Sâs and the 'Ash-
Similitude between the Hebrew sas and the Greek sês-Moths and garments-
Accumulation of clothes in the East--Various uses of the hoarded robes-The
Moths, the rust, and the thief.
624
THE SILKWORM MOTH.
Various passages wherein Silk is mentioned-The virtuous woman and her
household-Probability that the Hebrews were acquainted with Silk-Present
cultivation of the Silkworm-The Silk-farms of the Lebanon-Signification
of the word Meshi-Silkworms and thunder-Luis of Grenada's sermon
-The Hebrew word Gazam, and its signification-The Palmer-worm of
Scripture. . 627
FLIES.
Flies of Scripture-Dead Flies and the apothecary's ointment-Gadflies and
their attacks-Annoyance caused by the House-fly-Flies and ophthalmia
-Signor Pierotti's account of the Flies-The sovereign remedy against Flies
-Causes of their prevalence.
632
GNATS.
The Gnat of Scripturo—Straining out the Gnat and swallowing the camel, a
typographical error -Probable identity of the Gnat and the mosquito. . 635
THE LOUSE.
Insect parasites-The plague of Lice-Its effect on the magicians or priests-The
Hebrew word Chinnim-Probability that it may be represented by "tick "-
Habits of the ticks, their dwellings in dust, and their effects on man and
beast
636
THE FLEA.
Prevalence of the Flea in the East, and the annoyance caused by them to tra-
vellers-Fleas of the Lebanon-The Bey's bedfellows-The Pasha at the bath
-Use of the word in Scripture
1 638
THE SCORPION.
The Scorpions of Palestine-Signification of the word Akrabbim-Habits of the
Scorpion-Dangers of mud walls-Venom of the Scorpion-Scorpions at sea-
The Scorpion whip, and its use-The Scorpion Pass
THE SPIDER.
640
Signification of the word Semamith--Various interpretations of a Scriptural
passage-Talmudical opinions respecting the creature-The 'Akkabish and its
web-Spiders of Palestine.
643
THE WORM.
Various words translated as "Worm "-Probable confusion of the words-The
Rimmah and the Tole'ah-The Worm which destroyed Jonah's gourd-The
Earthworm
644
THE HORSE LEECH.
Signification of the word Alukah-The Arabic word-Leeches in Palestine —The
horse and the Leech-Leeches in England
646
SPONGE AND CORAL.
Use of the Sponge in Scripture-Probability that the ancient Jews were acquainted
with it-Sponges of the Mediterranean--The Coral, and its value-Signification
of the word Ramoth.
647