Chapter II

The pygmies—Ancient and modern writers thereon—Conflicts
with the cranes—Counterfeits—Modern travel, confirming
the statements of the ancient geographers—Pygmy races now
existing—The “Monstrorum Historia” of Aldrovandus—Crane-headed
men—Men with tails—The Gorilloi—The dog-headed people—The
canine king—The many-eyed men—The giants of Dondum—The
snake-eaters—The Ipotayne—Mermaids—Syren myth—Storm-raisers—The
mermaids of artists and poets—Shakespeare thereupon—As
heraldic device—The mermaids of voyagers—The seal and walrus
theory—Mermaids in captivity—Mermaids as food—Counterfeit
mermaids—Mermaid in Chancery—The “Pseudodoxia Epidemica” of
Browne—Oannes or Dagon—Mermaids and Matrimony—Lycanthropy—The
“Metamorphoses” of Ovid—The fate of Lykaon—Nine years of
wolfdom—Wehr-wolves—Mewing nuns—Olaus Magnus—The doctrine of
metempsychosis—Influence of enchantment—The dragon maiden—The
power of a kiss—Witchcraft—Scot and Glanvil, for and against
it—The good old times 54-114