Skepticism and gullibility in Linnaeus' herpetological contributions

Abstract

The herpetological contributions of Carolus Linnaeus show (1) an explicit abomination for amphibians and reptiles, probably due to his strong religiosity, (2) enlighted criticisms to some ancient beliefs, especially those referred to the existence of dragons, hydras, sirens and other improbable beings, and (3) an almost scholastic, blind respect for the authority of the classics, taking as true some legendary behaviors attributed to frogs and toads (insects are attracted to the toad mouth by enchantments; the penis of anurans is located in the callosities of the thumbs), salamanders (the secretions of the skin have depilatory properties), turtles (turtles sleep on their backs while swim; the shell was used to make shields and bows; a beheaded turtle can live for two weeks; the intercourse can last for one month), crocodiles (male and female eat the youngs that fall in the water), lizards (geckos exude poison from their feet or urine; the meat of the skink is aphrodisiac; the meat of the iguana, although tasteful, is dangerous for syphylitics) and snakes (rattlesnakes charm their prey). This, together with the acceptance of some myth from rural XVIII Century Sweden, show the convictions and contradictions of Carolus Linnaeus, an academician in a Century of changes that never lost his peasant roots.