BEL

AND THE DRAGON an apocryphal book of the Old Testament, originally appended to the book of Daniel. It first appears in the Septuagint, and the Jewish Church docs not seem to have accepted it as inspired nor is there proof that any Hebrew or Chaldee; version of the story ever existed. However, in 1546 the Council of Trent declared it to be canonical It seems to have been written as a warning against idolatry.