What effect therefore may be expected from the stomack of an _Ostrich_ by application alone to further digestion in ours, beside the experimental refute of _Galen_, we refer it unto considerations above alledged; Or whether there be any more credit to be given unto the Medicine of _Ãlian_, who affirms the stones they swallow have a peculiar vertue for the eyes, then that of _Hermolaus_ and _Pliny_ drawn from the urine of this Animal; let them determine who can swallow so strange a transmission of qualities, or believe that any Bird or flying Animal doth separately and distinctly urine beside the Bat.
That therefore an _Ostrich_ will swallow and take down Iron, is easily to be granted: that oftimes it pass entire away, if we admit of ocular testimony not to be denied. And though some experiment may also plead, that sometimes they are so altered, as not to be found or excluded in any discernable parcels: yet whether this be not effected by some way of corrosion, from sharp and dissolving humidities, rather then any proper digestion, chilifactive mutation, or alimental conversion, is with good reason doubted.
Great account and much profit is made of _Unicorns horn_, at least of that which beareth the name thereof; wherein notwithstanding, many I perceive suspect an Imposture, and some conceive there is no such Animal extant. Herein therefore to draw up our determinations; beside the several places of Scripture mentioning this Animal (which some may well contend to be only meant of the Rhinoceros [SN: _Some doubt to be made what_ ר×× _signifieth in Scripture_.]) we are so far from denying there is any _Unicorn_ at all, that we affirm there are many kinds thereof. In the number of Quadrupedes, we will concede no less then five; that is, the _Indian_ Ox, the _Indian_ Ass, the Rhinoceros, the Oryx, and that which is more eminently termed _Monoceros_, or _Unicornis_. Some of the list of fishes; as that described by _Olaus_, _Albertus_ and others: and some Unicorns we will allow even among Insects; as those four kinds of nasicornous Beetles described by _Muffetus_.
Secondly, Although we concede there may be many _Unicorns_, yet are we still to seek; for whereunto to affix this Horn in question, or to determine from which thereof we receive this magnified Medicine, we have no assurance, or any satisfactory decision. For although we single out one, and eminently thereto assign the name of the _Unicorn_; yet can we not be secure what creature is meant thereby; what constant shape it holdeth, or in what number to be received. For as far as our endeavours discover, this animal is not uniformly described, but differently set forth by those that undertake it. [SN: _The Unicorn, how variously reported by Authors._] _Pliny_ affirmeth it is a fierce and terrible creature; _Vartomannus_ a tame and mansuete Animal: those which _Garcias ab Horto_ described about the cape of good hope, were beheld with heads like horses; those which _Vartomannus_ beheld, he described with the head of a Deer; _Pliny_, _Ãlian_, _Solinus_, and after these from ocular assurance, _Paulus Venetus_ affirmeth, the feet of the _Unicorn_ are undivided, and like the Elephants: But those two which _Vartomannus_ beheld at _Mecha_, were as he describeth, footed like a Goat. As _Ãlian_ describeth, it is in the bigness of an Horse, as _Vartomannus_, of a Colt; that which _Thevet_ speaketh of was not so big as an Heifer; but _Paulus Venetus_ affirmeth, they are but little less then Elephants. Which are discriminations very material, and plainly declare, that under the same name Authors describe not the same Animal: so that the _Unicorns_ Horn of one, is not that of another, although we proclaim an equal vertue in all.