Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0004079, Tue, 18 May 1999 08:26:13 -0700

Subject
Re: tarand
Date
Body
From: David Bellos <dbellos@Princeton.EDU>

In response to the query about "tarand": "it is an animal as big as a
bullock, having a head like a stag... two stately horns... cloven
feet...and a skin almost as hard as steel armour..." This from Georges
Perec _ Life A User's Manual_ , p. 14, but also (OF COURSE) from Franois
Rabelais, _Le Quart Livre_. A tarand is a mythical beast that changes
color according to its environment - a kind of fearsome giant chameleon.


David Bellos
Princeton University