Un-Natural History: Vol. 1

First translated from Latin in 1886, Edmund Goldsmid’s Un-Natural History; or, Myths of Ancient Science is an important book in the study of magical creatures. This version of the book conveniently includes all four volumes in one single edition. Un-Natural History contains comprehensive analyses of a variety of magical beings found most often in literature. The first chapter concerns the basilisk, a magical serpent creature.  Contributor George Caspard Kirchmayer turns to Biblical references and to the etymology of basilisks to dissect the importance of these dragon-like creatures. The analyses of unicorns, the Phoenix, dragons, giant spiders and satyrs continue in a similar vein. Kirchmayer gives detailed descriptions of these creatures’ habits while also considering the many representations of them throughout literary history.