CHAP. 52.—PECULIARITIES RELATIVE TO CERTAIN ANIMALS.
In addition to these, there are some other peculiar properties
attributed to certain animals, which require to be mentioned in
the present Book. Some authors state that there is a bird in
Sardinia, resembling the crane and called the "gromphena;" [Note]
but it is no longer known even by the people of that country,
in my opinion. In the same province, too, there is the ophion,
an animal which resembles the deer in the hair only, and to be
found [Note] nowhere else. The same authors have spoken also of
the "subjugus," [Note] but have omitted to state what animal it is,
or where it is to be found. That it did formerly exist, however,
I have no doubt, as certain remedies are described as being
derived from it. M. Cicero speaks of animals called "biuri," [Note]
which gnaw the vines in Campania.
