Lynx, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
The lynx is an animal resembling a leopard due to its spots and is similar to wolf. The urine of a lynx was believed to have medical properties, being capable to cure diseases such as kidney failure and jaundice.
The lynx’s sharp vision was a reflection of Christ’s ability to see through the darkness of death and emerge victorious from it.
According to Pliny the Elder, who followed Theophrastus’ work, the urine of the lynx turns into a gemstone named lyncurius, rubellite, similar to amber, that had the capacity to attract metals and to cure some diseases.
The lynx is mentioned by various authors such as Ovid, Pliny the Elder, Solinus, Isidore of Seville and Thomas of Cantimpré, who described it as being able to penetrate solid bodies with its sight.
tur. Est enim bestia maculis distincta; ut pardus.
sed similis lupo. Huius urinam converti in duri-
ciam preciosi lapidis dicunt dicunt qui ligurius1
appellatur. Quod et ipsas linces sentire. uel docu-
mento probatur. Nam egestum liquorem arenis
This beast, the lynx, is enumerated among the species of wolves. It is a beast recognisable by its spots: it is like a leopard but similar to a wolf. Its urine is said to turn into a gemstone, which is called lyncurius, rubellite. The lynxes themselves seem to perceive that and it is proven by this example: out of jealousy, lynxes cover their urine with sand,
nature. ne talis egestio transeat in usum huma-
num. Linces dicit plinius2; extra unum non ad-
mittere fetum.
as much as they can, lest humans use it. Pliny says that a lynx cannot bear more than one offspring.
Bibliography
David Badke, The Bestiary Blog: Animals in the Middle Ages, November 6 2023, https://bestiary.ca/beasts.htm
Josh Goldenberg (BA 2012) and Matt Shanahan (BA 2014, Logeion, November 2022, https://logeion.uchicago.edu/
Matthews, J. and Matthews C., (2010), The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures, HarperCollins UK, London
Curley, M. J., Physiologus: A Medieval Book of Nature Lore (University of Chicago edition 2009)
Rackham, H., M.A., Pliny Natural History Volume III, Libri VIII-XI (London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1949)
Collins, A. H., M.A., Symbolism of Animals and Birds (New York: McBride, Nast & Company, 1913)
Henderson, C., The Book of Barely Imagined Beings (London: University of Chicago Press, 2013)
White, T. H., The Bestiary: A Book of Beasts (New York: G.P Putnam’s Sons, 1960)
Barney, S. A., Lewis, W. J., Beach A., Berghof O., The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006)
Footnotes
1 Lyncurium/ligurium: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyngurium
2 Pliny the Elder in his Natural History