Sobre este livro
THE BISON.
The Bison tribe and its distinguishing marks-Its former existence in Palestine--
Its general habits-Origin of its name-Its musky odour-Size and speed of
the Bison-Its dangerous character when brought to bay-Its defence against
the Wolf-Its untameable disposition.
131
THE GAZELLE, OR ROE OF SCRIPTURE.
The Gazelle identified with the Tsebi, i.e. the Roe or Roebuck of Scripture—
Various passages relating to the Tsebi-Its swiftness, its capabilities as a
beast of chase, its beauty, and the quality of its flesh--The Tsebiyah rendered
in Greek as Tabitha, and translated as Dorcas, or Gazelle-Different varieties
of the Gazelle-How the Gazelle defends itself against wild beasts-Chase of
the Gazelle-The net, the battue, and the pitfall-Coursing the Gazelle with
greyhounds and falcons-Mr. Chasseaud's account of a hunting party-
Gentleness of the Gazelle
133
THE PYGARG, OR ADDAX.
The Dishon or Dyshon-Signification of the word Pygarg-Certainty that the
Dishon is an antelope, and that it must be one of a few species-Former and
present range of the Addax-Description of the Addax-The Strepsiceros
of Pliny
141
THE FALLOW-DEER, OR BUBALE.
The word Jachmur evidently represents a species of antelope-Probability that
the Jachmur is identical with the Bubale, or Bekk'r-el-Wash-Resemblance
of the animal to the ox tribe-Its ox-like horns and mode of attack-Its
capability of domestication-Former and present range of the Bubale—Its
representation on the monuments of ancient Egypt-Delicacy of its flesh-
Size and general appearance of the animal
143
The Ha
THE SHEEP.
Importance of Sheep in the Bible-The Sheep the chief wealth of the pastoral
tribes-Tenure of land-Value of good pasture-land-Arab shepherds of the
present day-Difference between the shepherds of Palestine and England-
Wanderings of the flocks in search of food-Value of the wells-How the
Th
Sheep are watered-Duties of the shepherd-The shepherd a kind of irregular
soldier-His use of the sling-Sheep following their shepherd-Calling the
Sheep by name—- -The shepherd usually a part owner of the flocks-Structure
of the sheepfolds-The rock caverns of Palestine-David's adventure with
Saul-Penning of the Sheep by night-Use of the dogs-Sheep sometimes
brought up by hand-How Sheep are fattened in the Lebanon district-
The two breeds of Sheep in Palestine-The broad-tailed Sheep, and its
peculiarities—Reference to this peculiarity in the Bible-The Talmudical
writers, and their directions to sheep-owners 1 146
THE CHAMOIS.
The Zemer or Chamois only once mentioned in the Bible-Signification of the
word Zemer-Probability that the Zemer is the Aoudad-Appearance of the
Aoudad-Its strength and activity-Fierce temper of the adult male—Horns
of the Aoudad-Their probable use as musical instruments-Habits of the
Aoudad-The Mouflon probably classed with the Aoudad under the name of
Zemer-Appearance and habits of the Mouflon .
185
THE GOAT.
Value of the Goat-Its use in furnishing food-The male kid the usual animal of
slaughter-Excellence of the flesh, and deception of Isaac-Milk of the Goat
—An Oriental milking scene—The hair of the Goat, and the uses to which it
is put-The Goat's skin used for leather-The "bottle" of Scripture-Mode
of making and repairing the bottles-Ruse of the Gibeonites-The "bottle in
the smoke"-The sacks and the kneading-troughs-The Goat as used for
sacrifice-General habits of the Goat Separation of the Goats from the sheep
-Performing Goats-Different breeds of Goats in Palestine 189
THE WILD GOAT.
The Azelim or Wild Goats of Scripture identical with the Beden or Arabian Ibex---
Different names of the Beden--Its appearance and general habits-En-gedi,
or Goats' Fountain-The Beden formerly very plentiful in Palestine, and now
tolerably common-Its agility-Difficulty of catching or killing it-How the
young are captured—Flesh of the Beden—Use of the horns at the present day
-The Ako of Deuteronomy. 203
THE DEER.
The Hart and Hind of Scripture-Species of Deer existing in Palestine-Earliest
mention of the Hind-The Hart classed among the clean animals-Passages
alluding to its speed-Care of the mother for her young, and her custom of
secreting it-Tameable character of the Deer-The Rabbinical writers and
their theories--Shedding of the Deer's horns- Its fabled mode of sleeping-
The gall in the tail-Curious traditions of the enmity between Deer and
serpents-Virtues of a Deer-skin coat. 208
THE CAMEL.
CHAPTER I.
The two species of Camel, and the mode of distinguishing them-Value of the
Camel in the East-Camels mentioned as elements of wealth-Uses of the
Camel The Jews forbidden to eat its flesh-The milk of the Camel-Thirst-
enduring capability-The internal reservoir-The hump, and its uses to the
animal-The Camel as a beast of draught and burden-How the Camel is laden
-Knowledge of its own powers-Camels for riding-Difficulty of sitting a
Camel-A rough-paced steed-Method of guiding the Camel-The mesh'ab,
or Camel-stick of office-The women's saddle--Rachel's stratagem-Ornaments
of the Camel-The swift dromedary, Heirie, or Deloul-Its ungainly aspect-
Speed and endurance of the Deloul-The Camel-posts of Bornu-Camel-
drivers and their conduct-The driver's song-Young Camels and their
appearance-The deserted Camel
216
CHAPTER II.
The Camel and its master-Occasional fury of the animal-A boy killed by a
Camel --Another instance of an infuriated Camel-Theory respecting the
Arab and his Camel-Apparent stupidity of the Camel-Its hatred of a load,
and mode of expressing its disapprobation-Riding a Camel through the
streets - A narrow escape-Ceremony of weaning a young Camel-The Camel's
favourite food-Structure of the foot and adaptation to locality-Difficulty
in provisioning-Camel's hair and skin-Sal-ammoniac and desert fuel-
The Camel and the needle's eye-Straining at a gnat and swallowing a
Camel
233
THE BACTRIAN CAMEL.
General description of the animal-Its use in mountain roads--Peculiar formation
of the foot-Uses of a mixed breed-Its power of enduring cold-Used chiefly
as a beast of draught-Unfitness for the plough-The cart and mode of
harnessing The load which it can draw-Camel-skin ropes--A Rabbinical
legend . 244
THE HORSE.
The Hebrew words which signify the Horse-The Horse introduced into Palestine
from Egypt-Similarity of the war-horse of Scripture and the Arab horse of
the present day-Characteristics of the Horse-Courage and endurance of the
Horse-Hardness of its unshod hoofs-Love of the Arab for his Horse-Diffi-
culty of purchasing the animal-The Horse prohibited to the Israelites--
Solomon's disregard of the edict-The war-chariot, its form and use-Probable
construction of the iron chariot-The cavalry Horse-Lack of personal interest
in the animal.
248
.
THE ASS.
Importance of the Ass in the East-Its general use for the saddle-Riding
the Ass not a mark of humility-The triumphal entry-White Asses-
Character of the Scriptural Ass-Saddling the Ass-The Ass used in agricul-
ture-The Ass's millstone-The water-wheel and the plough-Reminiscences
of the Ass in the Scriptural narrative-Its value as property-The flesh of
the Ass―The siege of Samaria and its horrors—Various legends respecting the
Ass-The impostor and his fate-Samson and Balaam. 264
THE WILD ASS.
The Arod and Pere of Scripture-Various allusions to the Wild Ass--Its swiftness
and wildness—The Wild Ass of Asia and Africa- Knowledge of the animal
displayed by the sacred writers-How the Wild Ass is hunted-Excellence of
its flesh-Sir R. K. Porter's meeting with a Wild Ass-Origin of the domestic
Ass-The Wild Asses of Quito.
. 279
THE MULE.
Ancient use of the Mule-Various breeds of Mule-Supposed date of its introduc-
tion into Palestine-Mule-breeding forbidden to the Jews-The Mule as a
saddle-animal-Its use on occasions of state-The king's Mule-Mules brought
from Babylon after the captivity—Obstinacy of the Mule-The Mule as a
beast of burden-The "Mule's burden" of earth-Mules imported by the
Phoenicians Legends respecting the Mule
285
SWINE.
The Mosaic prohibition of the pig-Hatred of Swine by Jews and Mahometans
-A strange use of bacon-The prodigal son-Resistance to the prosecution of
Antiochus-Swine hated by the early Egyptians-Supposed connexion between
Swine and diseases of the skin-Destruction of the herd of Swine--The
locality of the event discovered-Pigs bred for the monasteries-The jewel of
gold in a Swine's snout-The wild boar of the woods, and the beast of the
reeds-The damage which it does to the vines--General account of the wild
boar of Palestine-Excellence of its flesh. 292
THE ELEPHANT.
The Elephant indirectly mentioned in the Authorized Version-Solomon's ivory
throne-Ivory used in Egypt-Horns of ivory—The ivory palaces-Beds of
ivory-The Tyrian ships-Ivory mentioned by Homer-Vessels of ivory-
The Elephant as an engine of war-Antiochus and his Elephants—Oriental
exaggeration Self-devotion of Eleazar-Attacking the Elephants, and their
gradual abandonment in war-The Talmudical writers on the Elephant-A
funeral and an omen
THE CONEY, OR HYRAX.
302
The Shaphan of Scripture, and the correct meaning of the word-Identification
of the Shaphan with the Syrian Hyrax-Description of the animal-Its feet,
teeth, and apparent rumination-Passages in which the Coney is mentioned--
Habits of the animal-Its activity and wariness—The South African Hyrax,
and its mode of life-Difficulty of procuring it-Similarity in appearance and
habits of the Syrian species-Three species of Hyrax known to naturalists-
The Talmudical writers on the Shaphan-The jerboa and the rabbit-A
curious speculation and à judicious compromise. 312
ВЕНЕМОТН.
Literal translation of the word Behemoth-Various theories respecting the
identity of the animal-The Hippopotamus known to the ancient Hebrews—
Geographical range of the animal-"He eateth grass like the ox"-Ravages
of the Hippopotamus among the crops-Structure of the mouth and teeth—
The "sword or scythe" of the Hippopotamus-Some strange theories-Haunts
of the Hippopotamus-The Egyptian hunter—A valuable painting-Strength
of the Hippopotamus-Rising of the Nile-Modern hunters-Wariness of the
Hippopotamus-The pitfall and the drop-trap
318
BIRDS.
THE LÄMMERGEIER, OR OSSIFRAGE OF SCRIPTURE.
Difficulty of identifying the various birds mentioned in Scripture--The Vultures
of Palestine The Lämmergeier, or Ossifrage of Scripture-The Hebrew word
Peres, and its signification-The Ossifrage, or Bone-breaker-Appearance of
the Lämmergeier-Its flight and mode of feeding-How the Lämmergeier kills
snakes and tortoises, and breaks marrow-bones-Mode of destroying the
chamois and mountain sheep-Nest of the Lämmergeier.
333
THE EGYPTIAN VULTURE, OR GIER-EAGLE.
The Râchâm or Gier-Eagle identified with the Egyptian Vulture-Its appearance
on the Egyptian monuments-Signification of the word Râchâm-Various
translations of the word-The shape, size, and colour of the bird-Its value as
a scavenger, and its general habits-The Egyptian Vultures and the griffons-
Its fondness for the society of man-Nest of the Egyptian Vulture
339