Gnu, n. An animal of South Africa, which in its domesticated state resembles a horse, a buffalo and a stag. In its wild condition it is something like a thunderbolt, an earthquake and a cyclone.

Fork, n. An instrument used chiefly for the purpose of putting dead animals into the mouth. Formerly the knife was employed for this purpose, and by many worthy persons is still thought to have many advantages over the other tool, which, however, they do not altogether reject, but use to assist in charging the knife. […]

Hippogriff, n.: An animal (now extinct) which was half horse and half griffin. The griffin was itself a compound creature, half lion and half eagle. The hippogriff was actually, therefore, only one quarter eagle, which is two dollars and fifty cents in gold. The study of zoology is full of surprises.

Hydra, n. A kind of animal that the ancients cataloged under many heads.

Leviathan, n. An enormous aquatic animal mentioned by Job. Some suppose it to have been the whale, but (others) maintain with considerable heat that it was a species of gigantic Tadpole (“Thaddeus Polandensis”) or Polliwig.

Mammalia, n.pl. A family of vertebrate animals whose females in a state of nature suckle their young, but when civilized and enlightened put them out to nurse, or use the bottle.

Monkey, n. An arboreal animal which makes itself at home in genealogical trees.

Pig, n. An animal (“Porcus omnivorus”) closely allied to the human race by the splendor and vivacity of its appetite, which, however, is inferior in scope, for it sticks at pig.

Tail, n. The part of an animal’s spine that has transcended its natural limitations to set up an independent existence in a world of its own.