European Unicorns
The European Unicorn (Monoceros Europus), is the kind of unicorn that is best known, since it is the type that is almost always illustrated Its horn is almost

straight rather than sinuous as in the other two unicorns, and it is tightly twisted and sharply pointed. An adult European unicorn stands about three and a half feet high at the shoulders and sometimes weighs more than one hundred pounds. Females are slightly smaller and average about twenty pounds less than males. In southern parts of their environment, the animals vary in color from nearly black to rich chestnut, tawny gold. In northern parts they are lighter, most are cream, ivory, or a pure white. During winter, the coat becomes thicker and longer, lightening to fawn or creamy white tints. The tail is moderately long and fairly shaggy, and
the mane is well developed. Males also gradually acquire a shaggy beard under the chin. The eyes are very large and either dark bluish or brownishIt is said that Unicorns' eyes are very large and either dark bluish or brownish and seem to he full of stars. They are also reputed to be able to converse with humans but in a
strange telepathic way that has no need of words. Their audible voice is a sad wail and is rarely heard. They scream a cry of rage when driven beyond endurance, a sound so dreadful that it often kills enough in itself to destroy the sanity of an aggressor. Unicorns have extremely fine vision. Likewise their ears are very large, and their hearing is unusually acute. The European Unicorn is recognized at once by the single coiled horn, which is present soon after birth. Sometimes confused in the field with the chamois (Ru pica pra) of the Italian Alps, and possibly with deer elsewhere in Europe. Unicorns are generally
strange telepathic way that has no need of words. Their audible voice is a sad wail and is rarely heard. They scream a cry of rage when driven beyond endurance, a sound so dreadful that it often kills enough in itself to destroy the sanity of an aggressor. Unicorns have extremely fine vision. Likewise their ears are very large, and their hearing is unusually acute. The European Unicorn is recognized at once by the single coiled horn, which is present soon after birth.
Sometimes confused in the field with the chamois (Ru pica pra) of the Italian Alps, and possibly with deer elsewhere in Europe. Unicorns are generally much more shaggy around the chin and lower legs than any of these animals. It lives in
remote and unspoiled woods, with scattered open glades and unpolluted waters. In spring, the mating call of the male, a bellow or wail, is sometimes heard. The European Unicorn is active throughout the year, but extremely shy at all seasons. Usually the only times that two unicorns (a "charm") may ever be seen together is during the mating period in early fall, or when females are leading their youngsters. The footprints of a unicorn closely resemble those of a fallow deer (Dama). They are about 3 inches long and symmetrical. In deep snow the marks made by the hair of the
feet may be visible and allow for separation from deer prints. When walking, the individual hoof print pairs are about a foot apart, and the marks made by the two right hooves often overlap, as do those of the left hooves. When galloping, the hoof marks of the hind feet are in front of those of the forefeet, and each group of four prints is about 6 feet apart. When bounding, the four hoof prints are clustered, and separate clusters of hoof marks are about 10 to 15 feet apart. Droppings and browse marks of unicorns cannot be distinguished with certainty from those of deer. One should never go out looking for unicorns, their sightings must always be
must always be serendipitous. The sight of just one unicorn in a lifetime is considered a wondrous event. Unicorns need a great deal of solitude, so if you value their well-being and protection, you should never tell anybody else of a unicorn's whereabouts. These show the milk - white Unicorn looking horse-like at first glance, but more delicately built and with distinctly cloven hooves like those of a deer. It has a wispy beard and long, silky mane and tail. The horn stands out straight and tall from the center of its forehead, impossibly tall really, but this only adds to the charm
of the tapestries. According to all historical sightings, American unicorns are similar to those found it Europe. This is very surprising because unicorns should have traveled over the Beiring Straits. It would have been the oriental unicorns that would have had access to this route. This is just another unicorn mystery to
add to many others. It is possible that unicorns developed earlier than expected (before the land masses seperated into continents), or that they had a common ancestor and had parallel development. It is even possible considering their intelligence that they drifted across on some kind of human conveyanceo or logs ect. Further reading of ancient writings could settle this question at some future time.
that would have had access to this route. This is just another unicorn mystery to add to many others. It is possible that unicorns developed earlier than expected (before the land masses seperated into continents), or that they had a common ancient ancestor and had parallel development. It is even possible considering their intelligence that they drifted across on some kind of human conveyanceo or logs ect. Further reading of ancient writings could settle this question at some future time.
Unicorns are not easily provoked, but they guard their lives and independence fiercely and would sooner die than submit to the indignity of capture. Usually, though, they are of a placid, gentle disposition and the natural friend of most other creatures, even the lion when it does not encroach upon its territory. The touch of a Unicorn's horn dispels poison, so other beasts let it drink first from the spring. This is one reason why the Unicorn is often called Lord of the Beasts and why all
pure-hearted animals will shield it from its enemies if they can.
Although friendly towards other animals, the Unicorn is solitary by inclination, particularly keeping away from its own kind except after mating, when couples live together in tenderness while rearing their young. Occasionally, however, they do gather in herds or assemblies and it used to be said that once a year they journeyed to the site of the Garden of Eden at the source of the river Euphrates.
The Bible itself is silent on this matter, but early Christian legend, echoed in many later paintings, tells how the Unicorn was the first creature to be named by Adam after the Creation, for which reason it was particularly blessed by God with grace and intelligence. First among the four-footed beasts, the Unicorn was as distinct from the rest as Adam and Eve themselves and a special friendship grew up between them in Eden. When the humans were expelled
from Paradise, the unicorn was given the choice of staying, but out of compassion chose to follow Adam and Eve into the harsh world. For this reason Unicorns have always had a natural affinity with humans, females in particular, and curiosity about their affairs. However, this is tempered by extreme caution since most of Adam's descendants have only ever been interested in hunting the Unicorn's horn. This greed rose to a peak in Europe during the Middle Ages when,
perversely, the Unicorn was also at its height of popularity. It was highly venerated as an emblem of Christian and chivalric virtue. Hunting the Unicorn for me sake of its horn is the theme of innumerable medieval tales; far less common are tales of peaceful intent. As with the rhinoceros today, the horn was generally prized, more than the whole beast running around in the wild. This is not totally surprising however sadly it reflects on human nature.
Descriptions of the Unicorn vary slightly throughout these lands. Yet more surprising than the differences are the similarities, given that elusiveness has always been one of the Unicorn's main attributes. Assessed globally, Unicorns have not achieved the same fame throughout the world that they have enjoyed in the West, but their ability to fascinate does seem almost universal and wherever they have made their presence felt, they strike the same chord in the human heart.

 

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