That there are Griffins in Nature, that is a mixt and dubious Animal, in the fore-part resembling an Eagle, and behind, the shape of a Lion, with erected ears, four feet and a long tail, many affirm, and most, I perceive, deny not. The same is averred by _Ãlian_, _Solinus_, _Mela_, and _Herodotus_, countenanced by the Name sometimes found in Scripture, and was an Hieroglyphick of the Egyptians.
Notwithstanding we find most diligent enquirers to be of a contrary assertion. For beside that _Albertus_ and _Pliny_ have disallowed it, the learned _Aldrovandus_ hath in a large discourse rejected it; _Mathias Michovius_ who writ of those Northern parts wherein men place these Griffins, hath positively concluded against it; and if examined by the Doctrine of Animals, the invention is monstrous, nor much inferiour unto the figment of Sphynx, Chimæra, and Harpies, for though there be some flying Animals of mixed and participating Natures, that is, between Bird and quadruped, yet are their wings and legs so set together, that they seem to make each other; there being a commixtion of both, rather then an adaptation or cement of prominent parts unto each other, as is observable in the Bat, whose wings and fore-legs are contrived in each other. For though some species there be of middle and participating Natures, that is, of Bird and Beast, as Bats and some few others, yet are their parts so conformed and set together, that we cannot define the beginning or end of either; there being a commixtion of both in the whole, rather then an adaptation or cement of the one unto the other.
Now for the word γÏὺÏÏ or _Gryps_, sometimes mentioned in Scripture [SN: _Levit. 11._], and frequently in humane Authors, properly understood, it signifies some kind of Eagle or Vulture, from whence the Epithete _Grypus_ for an hooked or Aquiline Nose. Thus when the Septuagint makes use of this word, _Tremellius_ and our Translation hath rendred it the Ossifrage, which is one kind of Eagle. And although the Vulgar Translation, and that annexed unto the Septuagint, retain the word _Gryps_, which in ordinary and school construction is commonly rendred a Griffin, yet cannot the Latine assume any other sense then the Greek, from whence it is borrowed. And though the Latine _Gryphes_ be altered somewhat by the addition of an _h_, or aspiration of the letter Ï, yet is not this unusual; so what the Greeks call ÏÏá½¹Ïαιον, the Latine will call _Trophæum_; and that person which in the Gospel is named ÎλέοÏαÏ, the Latines will render _Cleophas_. And therefore the quarrel of _Origen_ was unjust, and his conception erroneous, when he conceived the food of Griffins forbidden by the law of _Moses_: that is, Poetical Animals, and things of no existence. And therefore when in the Hecatombs and mighty Oblations of the Gentiles, it is delivered they sacrificed Gryphes or Griffins; hereby we may understand some stronger sort of Eagles. And therefore also when its said in _Virgil_ of an improper Match, or _Mopsus_ marrying _Nysa_, _Jungentur jam gryphes equis_; we need not hunt after other sense, then that strange unions shall be made, and different Natures be conjoined together.