The plain that I beheld was gently undulating and
covered with vegetation. In its center rose a fountain, from
all sides of which flowed streams, crossing one another
and mingling their waters. I saw in them first a slight
movement as of life, and then I saw living things. After
that I saw, here and there among the shrubs and bushes,
animals peeping forth, as if just roused from sleep. They
were very different from those of a later day, not at all
timorous. Compared with those of our own time, they
were almost as far their superior as men are superior to
beasts. They were pure and noble, nimble, and joyous.
Words cannot describe them. I was not familiar with many
of them, for I saw very few like those we have now. I saw
the elephant, the stag, the camel, and even the unicorn.
This last I saw also in the ark. It is remarkably gentle and
affectionate, not so tall as a horse, its head more rounded
in shape. I saw no asses, no insects, no wretched,
loathsome creatures. These last I have always looked upon
as a punishment of sin. But I saw myriads of birds and
heard the sweetest notes as in the early morning. There
were no birds of prey that I could see, nor did I hear any
animals bellowing.
