Some Accounts of Zoological Experiments in Classical Arabic Literature

Classical Arabic literature presents a great number of accounts concerning animals, dealing especially with their behaviour and also their physiognomy. Most accounts are passed on without reference to the observer himself and thus have been transmitted through centuries. Within these descriptions, there is a certain number of references to practical occupations with animals undertaken also by persons whose historical backgrounds may be traced. This paper deals with such references, excluding, however, references to domestic animals and their use to man, although literature on horses and hawks includes many descriptions of practical treatment. Preference is given to occupations with rarely or never tamed animals.