From: m.driussi@genie.com
Subject: (urth) Word origins...?
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 99 20:13:00 GMT

Y,

Hello and welcome.

"Alzabo" is a fabulous creature from medieval bestiaries of Europe,
based in part (it is thought) upon legends surrounding the hyena (a
non-European creature).  See: BOOK OF BEASTS translated by White,
and/or THE BOOK OF IMAGINARY BEINGS by Borges.

"Alzabo" is not itself an alchemical term, to the best of my
knowledge.  And no, Gene Wolfe did not make it up--nor did he invent
99% of the odd words used in TBOTNS (you can trust me: I wrote a book
on the subject).

=mantis=

*More Wolfe info & archive of this list at http://www.urth.net/urth/