The medieval torpedo was said to paralyse who/whatever touched it even if it was touched at a distance using a spear. This image is from a version of "Der Naturen Bloeme" dated c1300-c1325. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #torpedo

The medieval torpedo was said to be a large fish that lived in the Indian Ocean. It was said to bury itself in mud and stun any fish that swam over it. This image is from a 13th century version of "Liber de natura rerum". #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #torpedo

The medieval cacus was said to signify angry people pouring fires of vituperation that inflame others. This image from a 14th century Dutch version of "Der Naturen Bloeme" is yet another generic dog-like beast. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #cacus

The medieval cacus was sometimes depicted as breathing fire which again harkens back to the myth of Cacus, although Cacus was said to shoot fire from his chest. This image is from a c1350 Flemish version of "Der Naturen Bloeme". #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #cacus

The medieval cacus is possibly a misreading of the myth of Cacus, a flesh-eating shepherd who stole cattle from Hercules. This image is from a c1300-c1325 Dutch version of "Der Naturen Bloeme" by Jacob van Maerlant (c1200-c1272). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #cacus

Our medieval beast this week is the cacus which was said to be a monster that steals cattle. This image is from a French 13th century version of "Liber de natura rerum" by Thomas de Cantimpré (1201-c1272). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #cacus

The Bestiare of Pierre Beauvais showed harpies as winged lions with human faces in contrast to other bestiaries. This ?1340 version shows a lion-like harpy (and there is no explanation of why there is a head on the ground). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #harpy #harpies

Although harpies in modern thought are usually associated with women, many medieval harpies were obviously male like this bearded harpy from a c1350 version of "Der Naturen Bloeme". #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #harpy #harpies

Medieval harpies were considered to be the personification of storm winds. This murky harpy has a winged dog-like body and is from the Bestiare of Pierre de Beauvais (late 13th century). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #harpy #harpies

Our medieval beast this week is the mythical harpy which was described as a fierce bird with a human head. This image is from a 13th century version of "Liber de natura rerum". #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #harpy #harpies