Mist drapes the crooked trees of the marshland. Even the sodden ground seems to sigh and gurgle with every step you take. Surely you must be near the serpent's lair. You raise a light by the dark water, which starts to ripple. Suddenly, a monstrous, writhing shape bursts into view. Arching over you, it swings a hideous, fanged head . . . and then another and another . . . People throughout time have told tales of monsters and magical beasts. Some are fearsome - like the many-headed Hydra or the deadly basilisk. Others, like the dazzling unicorn or the dragons of ancient China, carry enchanting powers. Learn more about these and other fantastical creatures that have captivated us since ancient times.