Revue de l'histoire de la Licorne, par un naturaliste de Montpellier

A Montpellier naturalist takes listeners on a measured quest to untangle the legend of the unicorn, arguing that the creature deserves serious, rational consideration. Written in 1818, the essay begins by questioning why centuries of writers have devoted space to such a contested animal and proposes a fresh review of the historical record to separate fact from fanciful invention.

Drawing on sources from ancient physicians like Ctesias and Pliny to Renaissance scholars such as Aldrovandi and Bartholin, the author maps how each generation embellished the beast’s description—mixing horse, deer, elephant and even hyena traits. With a blend of scholarly rigor and lively commentary, the work invites the audience to follow the early stages of a detective‑like inquiry, revealing how early natural history both illuminated and obscured the truth behind one of humanity’s most enduring myths.