Until the appearance of science, mythology was the way in which the human being had to explain his world, so it is not strange to think that at the dawn of science, it was closely linked to the legend.If we can find in the very first exemplary works of zoology such as this strange sea monster , called Monk of the Sea. Do you want to meet him?
What was really this strange sea monster of the Renaissance?
As incredible as it may seem, this illustration appears for the first time in a renowned treatise on zoology of the Swiss naturalist, botanist and zoologist Conrad Gesner, published between 1551 and 1558, called Animalium History and considered the starting point of modern zoology.In this work, Gesner collects in four volumes all animal species, known so far, grouping them into four categories: viviparous quadrupeds, oviparous quadrupeds, birds and fish being in the latter, where it mentions this rare creature as a marine species clearly.
So the Monk of the Sea , or Monk Fish happens to be cataloged as a marine animal of almost two and a half meters long, half man, with fins and tail, with a kind of black hood, without hairs and with a large mouth at the bottom.No reference is made to The abilities that as a "man" this creature might have, intelligence or ability to speak, is described with total normality, as a living being over the animal kingdom despite its unusual physical appearance.There is no evidence that he was feared by sailors, or that at some point it was exhibited as an aberration of nature, as on the other hand, one would expect, given the time in which we are located.
All this suggests that Gesner, , in his descriptions of the animal, used the words "half man" for explanatory purposes only to define a physical aspect and not because he really wanted to verify the existence of a mysterious species of marine hominid.Not because of this, it loses that enigmatic halo or the animal goes unnoticed before the scientific community that, however, has tried to identify it as a giant squid.
This hypothesis is pointed out by the scientist Japeto Steenstrup, Danish marine biologist, expert in cephalopods, in 1855.A very plausible explanation, taking into account the physical similarities that both present.Recent, like Paxton, think that it is most likely to be a species of shark, Squatina.
But if we go to a less learned plane, the story of the Bishop Fish that was captured and handed over to the King of Poland also circulates who, despite much he frees him at the request of a group of Catholic Bishops who saw how this being implored them for freedom.When they released him to the sea, the Bishop Fish signaled the Cross and disappeared.
Will there be all a society of fish-men or “mermaids” in the deep sea? Which of these stories do you like best?
If you were interested in this article, we recommend:
-Are there any sirens? Latest discoveries
-5 things you didn't know about mermaids
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