The Romance of Natural History"Night-attack of wolves in Mongolia." "Nearly fatal combat with a kangaroo." "Comic scenes with the Elephant." "Captain Herriman examines a supposed Sea-serpent." This charming book, published by British naturalist PHILIP HENRY GOSSE (1810-1888) in 1860, was a best seller in its day, and no wonder: this is a passionate around-the-world journey through nature both wild and serene... and mysterious. "In the annals of cryptozoology," says cryptozoologist Loren Coleman in his new introduction, "Gosse is credited as one of the grandfathers of the discipline... In this book, one finds his records of the sea serpent, giant snakes, African unicorn, South America ape, and Ceylonese devil-bird, reflecting this early interest in romantic zoology, the precursor of cryptozoology." This new edition, complete with the original elegant illustrations, is part of Cosimo's Loren Coleman Presents series. LOREN COLEMAN is author of numerous books of cryptozoology, including BIGFOOT!: The True Story of Apes in America, and Mothman and Other Curious Encounters. |
Contents
| 1 | |
HARMONIES | 38 |
DISCREPANCIES | 64 |
thesis rejectedConsideration of Enaliosaurian Hypothesis | 82 |
Coral StructuresPolypesLagoonsBeauty of Coral Island | 89 |
AustraliaMammothtree of CaliforniaA tall FamilyFell | 114 |
THE MINUTE | 148 |
THE MEMORABLE | 172 |
THE RECLUSE | 195 |
Capture of a SharkNautical Eagerness for the SportHook | 218 |
THE TERRIBLE | 240 |
Charm of the UnknownExpectation of an exploring Naturalist | 271 |
THE GREAT UNKNOWN | 297 |
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Common terms and phrases
Africa America animal animalcules appearance beast beautiful birds body branches butterflies Cetacean cilia coast colour coral creatures cryptozoology curious dark deep depth diameter diatoms dimensions distance Dr Livingstone elegant elephant enormous entomologist exist fathoms feet high feet in circumference feet in length fishes forest frustule gaze Gemzé genus gigantic guacharo head heard height horn horse hundred feet immense inches Indian infusoria inhabit insects island Jamaica Kordofan larvæ leaves light look LOREN COLEMAN measured miles minute monster mountain musquitoes natural history naturalist nearly night numbers observed ocean peculiar perhaps plants Plesiosaur present quadrupeds reef regions rhinoceros river rock round scarcely scene sea-serpent seen serpent shell ship Siberia side sight sixty feet snake snow sound South South America species specimens sperm whale spot suddenly surface thick three hundred tion traveller trees tropical trunk vast vegetable Wetterhorn whale wild wings woods yards Zoologist
Popular passages
Page 10 - The rainbow comes and goes, And lovely is the rose, The moon doth with delight Look round her when the heavens are bare, Waters on a starry night Are beautiful and fair; The sunshine is a glorious birth; But yet I know, where'er I go, That there hath passed away a glory from the earth.