§2.50.1μεταλλεύεται δὲ κατὰ τὴν Ἀραβίαν καὶ ὁ προσαγορευόμενος ἄπυρος χρυσός, οὐχ ὥσπερ παρὰ τοῖς ἄλλοις ἐκ ψηγμάτων καθεψόμενος, ἀλλʼ εὐθὺς ὀρυττόμενος εὑρίσκεται τὸ μέγεθος καρύοις κασταναϊκοῖς παραπλήσιος, τὴν δὲ χρόαν οὕτω φλογώδης ὥστε τοὺς ἐντιμοτάτους λίθους ὑπὸ τῶν τεχνιτῶν ἐνδεθέντας ποιεῖν τὰ κάλλιστα τῶν κοσμημάτων.
In Arabia there is also mined the so-called fireless gold, which is not melted down from dust as with other peoples, but is found immediately upon being dug up, in size very similar to chestnuts, and in color so fiery that the most precious stones, when set in it by craftsmen, produce the most beautiful ornaments.
§2.50.2θρεμμάτων τε παντοδαπῶν τοσοῦτο κατʼ αὐτὴν ὑπάρχει πλῆθος ὥστε ἔθνη πολλὰ νομάδα βίον ᾑρημένα δύνασθαι καλῶς διατρέφεσθαι, σίτου μὲν μὴ προσδεόμενα, τῇ δʼ ἀπὸ τούτων δαψιλείᾳ χορηγούμενα.
And there exists in it such a multitude of all kinds of livestock that many tribes who have chosen a nomadic life are able to support themselves well, having no need of grain, but being supplied by the abundance of these.
θηρίων τε πλῆθος ἀλκίμων ἡ προσορίζουσα τῇ Συρίᾳ τρέφει· καὶ γὰρ λέοντας καὶ παρδάλεις ἐν αὐτῇ πολλῷ πλείονας καὶ μείζους καὶ ταῖς ἀλκαῖς διαφόρους πεφυκέναι ἤπερ ἐν τῇ Λιβύῃ συμβέβηκε· πρὸς δὲ τούτοις οἱ καλούμενοι Βαβυλώνιοι τίγρεις.
And the region bordering on Syria breeds a multitude of valiant wild beasts; for in it lions and leopards are found to be far more numerous, larger, and superior in strength than those in Libya; and in addition to these, the so-called Babylonian tigers.
§2.50.3φέρει δὲ καὶ ζῷα διφυῆ καὶ μεμιγμένα ταῖς ἰδέαις, ὧν αἱ μὲν ὀνομαζόμεναι στρουθοκάμηλοι περιειλήφασι τοῖς τύποις μίγματα χηνῶν καὶ καμήλων ἀκολούθως τῇ προσηγορίᾳ.
It also produces animals of double nature and mixed forms, among which the so-called ostriches comprise in their shapes a mixture of geese and camels, in accordance with their name.
τὸ μὲν γὰρ μέγεθος ἔχουσι νεογενεῖ καμήλῳ παραπλήσιον, τὰς δὲ κεφαλὰς πεφρικυίας θριξὶ λεπταῖς, τοὺς δʼ ὀφθαλμοὺς μεγάλους καὶ κατὰ τὴν χρόαν μέλανας, ἀπαραλλάκτους κατὰ τὸν τύπον καὶ τὸ χρῶμα τοῖς τῶν καμήλων.
For they have a size close to that of a newborn camel, heads bristling with fine hair, and eyes that are large and black in color, completely indistinguishable in shape and color from those of camels.
§2.50.4μακροτράχηλον δʼ ὑπάρχον ῥύγχος ἔχει βραχὺ παντελῶς καὶ εἰς ὀξὺ συνηγμένον.
Being long-necked, it has a beak that is entirely short and contracted to a sharp point.
ἐπτέρωται δὲ ταρσοῖς μαλακοῖς τετριχωμένοις, καὶ δυσὶ σκέλεσι στηριζόμενον καὶ ποσὶ διχήλοις χερσαῖον ἅμα φαίνεται καὶ πτηνόν.
It is feathered with soft, hairy wings, and, supported on two legs and cloven-hoofed feet, it appears to be at once a land animal and a bird.
§2.50.5διὰ δὲ τὸ βάρος οὐ δυνάμενον ἐξᾶραι καὶ πέτεσθαι κατὰ τῆς γῆς ὠκέως ἀκροβατεῖ, καὶ διωκόμενον ὑπὸ τῶν ἱππέων τοῖς ποσὶ τοὺς ὑποπίπτοντας λίθους οὕτως εὐτόνως ἀποσφενδονᾷ πρὸς τοὺς διώκοντας ὥστε πολλάκις καρτεραῖς πληγαῖς αὐτοὺς περιπίπτειν.
Because of its weight it is unable to raise itself and fly, but runs swiftly on its toes along the ground, and when pursued by horsemen, it slings the stones that fall under its feet so vigorously against its pursuers that they often suffer severe blows.
§2.50.6ἐπειδὰν δὲ περικατάληπτον ᾖ, τὴν κεφαλὴν εἴς τινα θάμνον ἢ τοιαύτην σκέπην ἀποκρύπτεται, οὐχ, ὡς οἴονταί τινες, ἀφροσύνῃ καὶ νωθρότητι ψυχῆς διὰ τὸ μὴ βλέπειν ἑτέρους μηδʼ αὐτὸ βλέπεσθαι διαλαμβάνον ὑφʼ ἑτέρων, ἀλλὰ διὰ τὸ τοῦ σώματος ἔχειν τοῦτο τὸ μέρος ἀσθενέστατον σκέπην αὑτῷ πρὸς σωτηρίαν περιποιεῖ· §2.50.7ἀγαθὴ γὰρ ἡ φύσις διδάσκαλος ἅπασι τοῖς ζῴοις πρὸς διατήρησιν οὐ μόνον ἑαυτῶν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῶν γεννωμένων, διὰ τῆς συγγενοῦς φιλοζωίας τὰς διαδοχὰς εἰς ἀΐδιον ἄγουσα διαμονῆς κύκλον.
And whenever it is cornered, it hides its head in some bush or similar shelter, not, as some think, out of foolishness and sluggishness of spirit, because it supposes that by not seeing others it is not itself seen by others, but because, having this part of its body weakest, it provides a shelter for itself for its safety; for Nature is a good teacher to all animals for the preservation not only of themselves but also of their offspring, leading successive generations through their innate love of life into an eternal cycle of survival.