Dragons and Unicorns: A Natural History

Front Cover
Macmillan, Oct 15, 1992 - Fiction - 176 pages

Is it generally safe to walk by dragon weyrs on sunny days? Do dragons really lay golden eggs? Do dragon teeth have any medicinal value? And what about unicorns: Do some rare ones have two horns, and when aren't unicorns white? What is a unicorn "sneeze call," and what exactly is the best way to capture a unicorn, anyway?

Find the answers to these and other questions in this charming and carefully researched book that presents the first scientific look at two of the earth's most mysterious and elusive creatures. From the evolution and anatomy of dragons and unicorns to their own special skills (fire-breathing in dragons, reliable virgin detection in unicorns), this unique book of whimsical zoology, complete with drawings, will delight and enchant any modern reader.

 

Selected pages

Contents

DRAGONS
1
EVOLUTION AND ANATOMY
3
THE KINDS OF LIVING DRAGONS
12
THE ORIENTAL MISTBREATHING DRAGON
14
THE AMERICAN FLIGHTLESS DRAGON
19
FLYING DRAGONS
20
LAKE DRAGONS
21
LIFE HISTORIES
23
PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION
69
CURRENT CONTROVERSIES ABOUT ORIGINS
75
UNICORNS
79
MODERN SPECIES OF UNICORNS
84
LIFE HISTORIES
88
ANATOMY
89
LOCOMOTION
91
REPRODUCTION
92

FOODS AND GENERAL BEHAVIOR
26
SPECIAL SENSES
31
BREATHING OF FIRE AND MIST
33
ENEMIES
35
REPRODUCTION AND LONGEVITY
36
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND JUSTICE
42
DRAGONS AND MAN
46
DRAGONS AND MAN
51
DRAGONS OF THE LATE MIDDLE AGES AND RENAISSANCE
55
RECENT DRAGON SIGHTINGS
59
MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS
61
CHILD STEALING
63
MEDICINAL USES OF DRAGON PARTS
66
DAILY LIFE
96
ADULT LIFE AND OLD AGE
100
UNICORNS AND MAN
103
UNICORNS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD
104
THE MEDIEVAL UNICORN
121
THE PRESERVATION OF UNICORNS
132
SOME FINAL THOUGHTS
135
COMPLETE CHECKLIST AND FIELDIDENTIFICATION GUIDE TO DRAGONS AND UNICORNS
138
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR DRAGON AND UNICORN WATCHERS
151
GLOSSARY
154
BIBLIOGRAPHY
161
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