THE HIPPOGRIFF

One of my favorite mythological animals must be the Hippogriff.  I don't know that anyone ever actually believed in this creature, but sculptures exist from early times.  The most famous hippogriff however is probably the one in Ariosto's epic Orlando Furioso, in which the hero rides this beast to the moon, where he meets the patriarch Enoch, the prophet Elijah and St John the Baptist.  Essentially, the Hippogriff contained sections of horse, eagle and lion - a heady combination.