Sam, that first picture is quite wonderful - it shows very clearly how the "tree behind cat" motif could cause confusion for later copyists. Just one more copy and it becomes part of the tail 
I'm in complete agreement with you and Diane about the history of this image.
I haven't looked at bestiaries yet, but here's a parallel for the perspective of the face and placement of the eyes from El Djem, Tunis:
![[Image: Z12.20Dionysos.jpg]](http://www.theoi.com/image/Z12.20Dionysos.jpg)
Not sure if the pointy thing under the face is a tongue or some kind of beard..
I'm in complete agreement with you and Diane about the history of this image.
I haven't looked at bestiaries yet, but here's a parallel for the perspective of the face and placement of the eyes from El Djem, Tunis:
Not sure if the pointy thing under the face is a tongue or some kind of beard..