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The Unicorn is a particularly beautiful creature once widespread
throughout the northern hemisphere. Known under different names in
different countries, it is now popularly known by its Latin appellation
deriving from unus=one and cornus=horn. The Unicornus sinoensis roams
the forests of China, Japan and Indonesia; The Unicornus runiferous
however, is found throughout Arabia, India, North Africa and much of
the middle east; The Unicornus europa lives in most European countries;
and the Unicornus alba is native to the British Isles.
Generally the Unicorn is a solitary creature. Unlike other hooved
animals it does not pasture in herds but walks alone, and after a male
and female come together for mating, the male resumes its solitary
habit. A Unicorn colt, which is born without a horn, stays with its
mother until the horn has grown to full size and the goes off on its
own. The different varieties of Unicorn have specific variations in
appearance, but all have the head and body of a horse, the legs of an
antelope, the tail of a horse or lion and the beard of a goat. The
dominant distinguishing feature is a long, twisted horn growing from
the middle of its forehead.
This horn is a fearsome weapon, especially since the Unicorn itself
is such a fierce and aggressive animal that can run faster than any
other creature of the plains or forests. Adult Unicorns protect their
territory with single-minded fury. Lions, being carnivorous, often live
amicably in Unicorn territory since the two animals do not threaten
each other’s food supplies. However, a lion never attacks a Unicorn for
fear of its great horn.
Unfortunately for Unicorns, men discovered that their horns were
absolute proof against poison. If poisoned wine is poured into a
drinking cup fashioned from Unicorn horn the poison becomes innocuous.
Plates and serving instruments made from this priceless resource
renders poisoned food quite harmless to the consumer. The rulers of the
ancient world, who lived under constant threat of poisoning by their
subjects or relations, paid great sums for Unicorn horn and hunters
risked their lives to supply it.
Unicorns move so fast and are so intelligent that it is impossible
to kill them with a bow or spear or to lure them into traps, and so
modern hunters have developed a dangerous technique. When a hunter sees
a Unicorn he stands in front of a tree, and when the Unicorn charges at
him he quickly dodges aside. The tremendous force of the Unicorns
charge drives its horn deep into the tree and holds it fast so that it
might be killed.
Many hunters misjudge the speed of a charging Unicorn and are
transfixed to the trees, but profits from Unicorn-hunting are so high
that the dangerous practice continues. The Unicorn population has been
decimated by an amazing 31% in the last 5 years alone from 1508, to our
current year 1513 This is why I am standing before you today saying NO
to the legalization of Unicorn Hunting in the Boroondurra Area.
Something must be done now before the worldwide extinction of this
majestic beast.
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