It designates a prodigious and enormous beast--the rhinoceros, perhaps, or the hippopotamus.

As to Leviathan, it was a huge reptile, a gigantic python." "That is a pity," said Durtal.

"Imaginary zoology was far more amusing!--Why, what is this vegetable ?" he inquired, as he tasted a curious stew of greens.
"Dandelions cut up and boiled with shreds of bacon," replied Madame Bavoil.

"Do you like the dish, our friend ?" "Indeed I do.

Your dandelions are to garden spinach and chicory what the wild duck is to the tame, or the hare to the rabbit.