ABSTRACT
IN parts of Prussia and Muscovy it has also been observed that aurochs have overturned complete carriages with their horns; 1 yet this seems a smaller feat than throwing to the ground a powerful horse together with its rider in full armour. According to Pliny and Solinus, the ignorant multitude call these creatures buffalo, though the latter are natives of Africa and look rather like stags. 2 But, as I have already mentioned, the horns of the aurochs point forwards, those of the buffalo backwards. 3 Caesar tells us they are captured in caves, but Franciscus Irenicus, whom I have just quoted, goes on to outline a method of catching them which I have learnt is very reliable. Men must hollow out a very narrow cavity and flank it with strong beams. Then they cover it with thin branches and hay, so that the beast, provoked by the hunters’ clever tricks, is enticed into it and there either perishes from hunger or is torn to death by arrows. If it were able to employ its strength on open ground, it could shatter the stoutest object with its horns and hooves. 4 It is impossible to tame them, and this applies even if they are caught when very small. 5
