Tranez animal est modicum instar cuniculi, ut dicit Plinius, quod licet parvum sit corpore, spiritu tamen validum et robustum viribus est et naturaliter animosum ad pugnam. Cui etiam in signum rei et pugne natura in capite contulit galeam, qua testa capitis protegeretur et cerebrum, et qua etiam dilucide monstraretur, quod cuique rei condite honestum et utile creatricis nature providentia ministravit. Hoc animal rubei coloris est et in suo genere speciosum.
- Translation
- Vocabulary
- Notes
Concerning the tranez. The tranez is an animal of of moderately similar appearance to a rabbit, as Pliny says, and although it is small in body, it is stronger in spirit, robust in power and naturally courageous toward battle. Also, in proof of this thing and [its] battle, nature added a helmet to its head, by which its brain and skull is protected, and by which it is also shown clearly that nature the creator in its foresight has supplied an honest and useful thing to each hidden circumstance. This animal is colored red, and is beautiful in its own way.
cuniculus, i m. rabbit
dilucidus, a, um adj. plain; apparent
instar n./undecl. likeness; appearance
providentia, ae f. foresight
speciosus, a, um adj. beautiful; brilliant
ut dicit Plinius : “as Pliny says,” likely referencing Pliny the Elder’s Natural History
quod (licet parvum…) : here, acts as relative pronoun “although”
signum rei et pugnae : lit. “in proof of this thing and battle”
testa : lit. means “brick” or “tile,” but here refers back to helmet
cuique … condite : “to each hidden circumstance”
creatricis nature : “nature the creator”