History of All Animals 113

Furthermore, we should not omit another aquatic quadruped that lives on one of the Molucca Islands called the Camphurch, as documented by André Thevet and reported by Ambroise Paré. This creature is the size of a stag and bears a mobile horn on its forehead—much like the fleshy crest of a turkey—which grows to three feet in length and sometimes reaches the thickness of a human arm. Its neck is covered with ash-colored hair. It has hind feet similar to those of a goose, which it uses for swimming in both fresh and salt water, while its forefeet resemble those of a deer. It lives on a diet of fish. Many people are convinced that this animal is a species of unicorn and, for that reason, believe its horn is an effective remedy against poisons. According to Thevet, the king of the island prides himself on being honored with the name of this wild beast.

Representation of the Camphurch.