Cicero Speaking Of Them Says, "They Ransom Themselves By
That Part Of The Body, For Which They Are Chiefly Sought." And
Juvenal Says,
" - Qui se
Eunuchum ipse facit, cupiens evadere damno
Testiculi."
And St. Bernard,
"Prodit enim castor proprio de corpore velox
Reddere quas sequitur hostis avarus opes."
Thus, therefore, in order to preserve his skin, which is sought
after in the west, and the medicinal part of his body, which is
coveted in the east, although he cannot save himself entirely, yet,
by a wonderful instinct and sagacity, he endeavours to avoid the
stratagems of his pursuers. The beavers have broad, short tails,
thick, like the palm of a hand, which they use as a rudder in
swimming; and although the rest of their body is hairy, this part,
like that of seals, is without hair, and smooth; upon which account,
in Germany and the arctic regions, where beavers abound, great and
religious persons, in times of fasting, eat the tails of this fish-
like animal, as having both the taste and colour of fish.
We proceeded on our journey from Cilgerran towards Pont-Stephen,
{137} leaving Cruc Mawr, i.e. the great hill, near Aberteivi, on our
left hand. On this spot Gruffydd, son of Rhys ap Tewdwr, soon after
the death of king Henry I., by a furious onset gained a signal
victory against the English army, which, by the murder of the
illustrious Richard de Clare, near Abergevenny (before related), had
lost its leader and chief.
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