Animalia Paradoxa [1] (Latin for "contradictory animals"; cf. paradox) are the mythical, magical or otherwise suspect animals mentioned in the first five editions of Carl Linnaeus's seminal work Systema Naturae under the header "Paradoxa". It lists fantastic creatures found in medieval bestiaries and some animals reported by explorers from abroad and explains why they are excluded from Systema Naturae. According to Swedish historian Gunnar Broberg, it was to offer a natural explanation and demystify the world of superstition. [2] Paradoxa was dropped from Linnaeus' classification system as of the 6th edition (1748). [3]
These 10 taxa appear in the 1st to 5th editions:
The above 10 taxa and the 4 taxa following were in the 2nd (1740) edition and the 4th and 5th editions (total 14 entries): [9]
# | Animalia Paradoxa | Common name | Mythical? | Likely explanation or inspiration |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hydra | Lernaean Hydra | Mythical | Fabricated specimen (snake body with weasel teeth); [1] mythological basis in multi-headed serpents. Unrelated to the aquatic cnidarian. [6] |
2 | Rana-Piscis | Paradoxical frog | Real, misunderstood | Shrinks after tadpole stage; [1] misidentified due to reverse metamorphosis. |
3 | Monoceros | Unicorn | Mythical | Inspired by narwhal tusks; [1] myths influenced by horses and rhinos. |
4 | Pelecanus | Pelican | Real | Blood-feeding myth debunked; [1] accurate depiction of real pelicans. |
5 | Satyrus | Satyr | Possibly misidentified | Orangutan or ape misidentified as mythical satyr; [6] based on medieval traveler accounts. |
6 | Borometz | Vegetable Lamb of Tartary | Mythical | Fern root artifact shaped like a lamb; [1] derived from the tree fern. |
7 | Phoenix | Phoenix | Mythical | Mythical rebirth bird; allegorically linked to the Date palm; [1] inspired by Egyptian Bennu bird. |
8 | Bernicla | Barnacle Goose | Real, misattributed | Medieval barnacle goose myth, linking geese to goose barnacles [8] |
9 | Draco | Dragon | Mythical | Jenny Haniver (taxidermied ray); [6] inspired by Flying lizards, rays, and bat-winged myths. |
10 | Automa Mortis | Deathwatch beetle | Real | Wood-boring beetle; [1] known for tapping sounds in wood. |
11 | Manticora | Manticore | Mythical | Persian legend hybrid of lion and porcupine; [9] mythical composite creature. |
12 | Antilope | Antelope | Real | Accurate description of real antelopes; [9] no mythical attributes. |
13 | Lamia | Lamia | Mythical | Mythology |
14 | Siren | Siren | Possibly misidentified | Manatee or dugong misidentified as mythology sirens; [9] Other possible influences: mermaid folklore, seal sightings. |