By the old common-law of England, anything which had caused the death of a human being became forfeit to the sovereign or lord of the manor, and was to be sold for the profit of the poor.
Harper’s Book of Facts, 1905.
Eels were considered a delicacy in ancient Rome, and they were a particular favorite of Emperor Heliogabalus, who fattened conger eels in tubs, feeding them the flesh of Christian martyrs. From this practice, perhaps, comes the legend that eels have a predilection for human flesh.
The World Encyclopedia of Food by L. Patrick Coyle, 1982.
The eyes of owls typically occupy 30 to 50 percent of the skull volume. If humans were to have a similar relative eye size, we would have eyes as big as tennis balls.
Skulls: An Exploration of Alan Dudley’s Curious Collection by Simon Winchester, 2012.
It is among the Muslims, whose religion forbids representation of the human figure, that calligraphy has reached its apogee, because all the artist’s efforts are concentrated in this particular area.
Writing: The Story of Alphabets and Scripts by Georges Jean, 1992.
The sect of the voodoo cult which practices human sacrifice.
Dictionary of Mysticism by Frank Gaynor, 1953.
The doctrine that the world is or can be improved by human effort.
Misunderstood, Misused, & Mispronounced Words by Laurance Urdang, 1972.
Half-human and half-serpent, Cecrops was the founder of Athens, the citadel of which was named Cecropia in his honour.
Gods: A Dictionary of the Deities of All Lands by Bessie Redfield, 1931.
Although Dragons be naturall enemies to men, like unto all other Serpents, yet many times they have beene possessed with extraordinary love, both to men, women and children, as may appeare by these particulers following.
The Elizabethan Zoo - a book of Beasts Both Fabulous and Authentic, 1979. Selections from Pliny (1601) & Topsell (1607, 1608).
Monster with a human torso and snake body.
