For which cause, I say again and again, the earth has justly acquired, and justly retains, the name of MOTHER, since she herself brought forth the race of men, and produced, at this certain time, almost every kind of animal which exults over the vast mountains, and the birds of the air, at the same period, with all their varied forms. But because she must necessarily have some termination to bearing, she ceased, like a woman, exhausted by length of time. For lapse of time changes the nature of the whole world, and one condition after another must succeed to all things, nor does any being continue always like itself. All is unsettled; nature alters and impels every thing to change. For one thing decays, and, grown weak through age, languishes; another, again, grows up, and bursts forth from contempt. Thus age changes the nature of the whole world, and one condition after another falls upon the earth; so that what she could once bear she can bear no longer; while she can bear what she did not bear of old.

The earth, also, in that age, made efforts to produce various monsters, that sprung up with wonderful faces and limbs; the hermaphrodite, between both sexes, and not either, but removed from both; others wanting feet, and others destitute of hands; some also were found dumb for want of a mouth, and some blind without even a face; and others again were shackled by the cohesion of their limbs over their whole bodies, so that they could neither do any thing, nor go in any direction; could neither avoid harm, nor take what was necessary to preserve life.

Other prodigies and portents of this kind she generated; but to no purpose; for nature abhorred and prevented their increase; nor could they reach the desired maturity of age, or find nutriment, or be united in the pleasures of love. For we see that many circumstances must concur with other circumstances, in order that living creatures may be able to produce their kinds by propagation. First it is necessary that there be food; then that there be genial semen throughout the organs, which may flow when the limbs are relaxed in union; and likewise, for the female to be united with the male, they must both have correspondent members, by which each may combine in mutual delight with the other.

Many kinds of animal life, too, must then have perished, not having been able to continue their species by propagation. For whatever creatures you see breathing the vital air, assuredly either craft, or courage, or at least activity, has preserved and defended their race from the commencement of its existence. And there are many which, from their usefulness to mankind, remain, as it were, intrusted to us, and committed to our guardianship.