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Aristotle - On The Parts Of Animals
Atec Февраль 16 2008 20:01:06
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There are horns also in all animals that have not been provided by
nature with some other means of security; such means, for instance, as
speed, which has been given to horses; or great size, as in camels;
for excessive bulk, such as has been given to these animals, and in
a still greater measure to elephants, is sufficient in itself to
protect an animal from being destroyed by others. Other animals
again are protected by the possession of tusks; and among these are
the swine, though they have a cloven hoof.
All animals again, whose horns are but useless appendages, have been
provided by nature with some additional means of security. Thus deer
are endowed with speed; for the large size and great branching of
their horns makes these a source of detriment rather than of profit to
their possessors. Similarly endowed are the Bubalus and gazelle; for
though these animals will stand up against some enemies and defend
themselves with their horns, yet they run away from such as are fierce
and pugnacious. The Bonasus again, whoe horns curve inwards towards
each other, is provided with a means of protection in the discharge of
its excrement; and of this it avails itself when frightened. There are
some other animals besides the Bonasus that have a similar mode of
defence. In no case, however, does nature ever give more than one
adequate means of protection to one and the same animal.
Most of the animals that have horns are cloven-hoofed; but the
Indian ass, as they call it, is also reported to be horned, though its
hoof is solid
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