diff options
Diffstat (limited to '21973-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 21973-h/21973-h.htm | 10555 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 21973-h/images/i001.jpg | bin | 0 -> 34381 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 21973-h/images/i002.jpg | bin | 0 -> 40422 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 21973-h/images/i003.jpg | bin | 0 -> 44765 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 21973-h/images/i004.jpg | bin | 0 -> 38370 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 21973-h/images/i005.jpg | bin | 0 -> 34535 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 21973-h/images/i006.jpg | bin | 0 -> 37350 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 21973-h/images/image_003.jpg | bin | 0 -> 8505 bytes |
8 files changed, 10555 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/21973-h/21973-h.htm b/21973-h/21973-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..630ba60 --- /dev/null +++ b/21973-h/21973-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10555 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Anecdotes of the Habits and Instinct of Animals, by Mrs. R. Lee. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + +/* LISTS */ +ul { position: relative; + width:80%; + margin-left:5%; + list-style-type:none;} +li { margin-top: 0.25em; + line-height: 1.2em; } +span.ralign { position: absolute; + right: 0; + top: auto; } + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: 75%; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 12%;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold; font-size: 75%;} + + .totoc {position: absolute; right: 1%; font-size: 75%; text-align: right;} /* Table of contents anchor */ + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + +/* FOOTNOTES */ + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px; margin-top:1em; clear: both;} + .footntoes h3 { margin-top: 0.5em;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 85%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .6em; text-decoration: none;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Anecdotes of the Habits and Instinct of +Animals, by R. Lee + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Anecdotes of the Habits and Instinct of Animals + +Author: R. Lee + +Illustrator: Harrison Weir + +Release Date: June 30, 2007 [EBook #21973] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HABITS AND INSTINCT OF ANIMALS *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Marcia Brooks and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The University of Florida, The Internet +Archive/Children's Library) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>ANECDOTES<br /> +OF<br /> +THE HABITS AND INSTINCT<br /> +OF ANIMALS.</h1> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/image_003.jpg" alt="image_003" title="Signature"/></div> +<div class="figcenter"><span class="caption">Signed Copy</span></div> + +<a name="frontis" id="frontis"></a> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i001.jpg" alt="i001" title="The Monkey Painter"/></div> +<div class="figcenter"><span class="caption">The Monkey Painter—Page 7.</span></div> + + + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. R. Lee</span>,</h3> + +<h6>FORMERLY MRS. T. E. BOWDICH,<br /> +AUTHOR OF "THE AFRICAN WANDERERS," "ADVENTURES IN AUSTRALIA,"<br /> +"MEMOIRS OF CUVIER," ETC.</h6> + +<h5>WITH</h5> + +<h4>ILLUSTRATIONS BY HARRISON WEIR.</h4> + +<center>LONDON:<br /> +GRANT AND GRIFFITH,<br /> +SUCCESSORS TO J. HARRIS,<br /> +CORNER OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD.<br /> +<br /> +M.DCCC.LII.</center> +<br /> +<center>LONDON:<br /> +PRINTED BY J. WERTHEIMER AND CO.,<br /> +CIRCUS PLACE, FINSBURY.</center> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<div style="margin-left: 4em;"><p>In making a selection of anecdotes, those have been assembled which were +supplied by me to other works, and in most instances have received +considerable amplification; others have been given which never before +were printed—perhaps not even written; while all which have been +transferred from other pages to mine have received the stamp of +authenticity. Besides those whose names are already mentioned, I have to +thank several friends who have drawn from their private stores for my +advantage, and thus enabled me to offer much that is perfectly new.</p> +<br /> + +<p>Dry details of science and classification have been laid aside, but a +certain order has been kept to avoid confusion; and, although endeavours +have been made to throw as much interest as possible over these +recorded habits and actions of the brute creation; I love the latter too +well to raise a doubt by one word of embellishment, even if I did not +abstain from principle.</p> +<br /> +<p>The intentions with which this work was commenced have not been carried +out, inasmuch as materials have crowded upon me beyond all calculation; +and, although a large portion has been rejected, the anecdotes related +go no farther than the Mammalia, while almost all animals were to have +been included.</p> +<br /> + +<p>With regard to the remaining orders—if the present work should meet +with a favourable reception, I shall hope next year to present the +public with touching and amusing proofs of the sagacity and dispositions +of birds, and of "hair-breadth scapes" from reptiles, etc., some of +which will, like those in the present volume, be carefully selected from +the works of travellers, from the resources of friends, and from my own +experience.</p> + +<br /> +<p>To the pleasing task of enlightening those, who, shut up in close +cities, have no opportunity of observing for themselves, and to the +still higher enjoyment of directing young minds to an elevating pursuit, +the naturalist adds a gratification even better than all, by making +known the hidden wonders of nature; and leaving to those who delight in +argument, the ever unsolved question of where instinct ends and reason +begins, he sets forth the love of the great Creator towards all His +creatures, and the ways He takes to show His wisdom.</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> +<a name="toc" id="toc"></a> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#PREFACE"><b>PREFACE.</b></a></li> +<li><a href="#ILLUSTRATIONS"><b>ILLUSTRATIONS</b></a></li> +<li><span class="ralign">PAGE</span></li> +<li style="list-style:none"><br /></li> +<li><a href="#THE_QUADRUMANA_OR_MONKEY_TRIBE"><b>MONKEYS, ETC.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#BATS"><b>BATS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#MOLES"><b>MOLES.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#HEDGEHOGS"><b>HEDGEHOGS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_47">47</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#BEARS"><b>BEARS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_51">51</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#BADGERS"><b>BADGERS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#WEASELS"><b>WEASELS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#OTTERS"><b>OTTERS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#DOGS"><b>DOGS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_83">83</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#WOLVES"><b>WOLVES.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_162">162</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#FOXES"><b>FOXES.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_174">174</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#HYAENAS"><b>HYÆNAS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_180">180</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#THE_CAT_TRIBE_LIONS"><b>LIONS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_186">186</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#TIGERS"><b>TIGERS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_213">213</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#LEOPARDS_PANTHERS_ETC"><b>LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ETC.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_224">224</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#CATS"><b>CATS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_237">237</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#SQUIRRELS"><b>SQUIRRELS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_250">250</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#RATS"><b>RATS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_254">254</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#MICE"><b>MICE.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_266">266</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#ELEPHANTS"><b>ELEPHANTS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_271">271</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#HIPPOPOTAMUS"><b>HIPPOPOTAMUS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_294">294</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#HOGS"><b>HOGS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_297">297</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#RHINOCEROSES"><b>RHINOCEROSES.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_307">307</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#HORSES"><b>HORSES.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_312">312</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#THE_ASS"><b>THE ASS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_333">333</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#CAMELS_DROMEDARIES"><b>CAMELS.—DROMEDARIES.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_339">339</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#LLAMAS_etc"><b>LLAMAS, etc.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_344">344</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#DEER"><b>DEER.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_347">347</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#GIRAFFES"><b>GIRAFFES.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_354">354</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#ANTELOPES"><b>ANTELOPES.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_358">358</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#GOATS"><b>GOATS.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_363">363</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#SHEEP"><b>SHEEP.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_368">368</a></span></li> +<li><a href="#OXEN"><b>OXEN.</b></a><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_373">373</a></span></li> +</ul> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2><a name="ILLUSTRATIONS" id="ILLUSTRATIONS"></a>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +<ul> +<li><span class="smcap">The Monkey Painter</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#frontis">Frontis</a></span></li> +<li><span class="smcap">The Bear and her Cubs</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></span></li> +<li><span class="smcap">The Shepard Dog and Cur</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></span></li> +<li><span class="smcap">The Fox and the Hares</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_176">176</a></span></li> +<li><span class="smcap">Leading the Blind Rat</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_261">261</a></span></li> +<li><span class="smcap">Wild Horses and Wolves</span><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_330">330</a></span></li> +</ul> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h1>ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.</h1> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="THE_QUADRUMANA_OR_MONKEY_TRIBE" id="THE_QUADRUMANA_OR_MONKEY_TRIBE"></a>THE QUADRUMANA, OR MONKEY TRIBE.</h2><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Formed like man, and practicing similar gestures, but with thumbs +instead of great toes upon their feet, and with so narrow a heel-bone, +that even those who constantly walk upright have not the firm and +dignified step of human beings; the Quadrumana yet approximate so +closely to us, that they demand the first place in a book devoted +principally to the intellectual (whether it be reason or instinct) +history of animals. This approximation is a matter of amusement to some; +but to the larger portion of mankind, I should say, it is a source of +disgust. "Rapoynda," I exclaimed, one day, to a troublesome, +inquisitive, restless negro, pointing to a black monkey, which much +resembled him in character, "that is your brother." Never shall I forget +the malignant scowl which passed over the man's features<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> at my heedless +comparison. No apology, no kindness, not even the gift of a smart +waistcoat, which he greatly coveted, ever restored me to his good +graces; and I was not sorry when his Chief summoned him from my +vicinity, for I dreaded his revenge.</p> + +<p>A few years after, I stood lost in admiration before Sir Edwin +Landseer's inimitable picture of "the monkey who had seen the world," in +which nature and truth lend their tone and force to the highest efforts +of art; when a voice exclaimed, "How can you waste your time looking at +that thing; such creatures ought never to have been painted;" and +although the speaker was a religious man, he muttered to himself, "I am +not sure they ought ever to have been made." The voice proceeded from +one of the finest instances of manly beauty; one famed also for talent +and acquirement. Rapoynda started into my recollection; and as I slowly +left the talented picture, I could not help smiling at the common +feeling between the savage and the gentleman, thereby proving its +universality.</p> + +<p>Never did any one start for a tropical climate with a greater antipathy +towards these "wild men" than I did; I lived years in their vicinity and +yet contrived to avoid all contact with them, and it was not till I was +homeward-bound that my conversion was effected. The ship in which Mr. +Bowdich and myself took a round-about course to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> England, was floating +on a wide expanse of water, disturbed only by the heavy swell, which +forms the sole motion in a calm; the watch on deck were seated near the +bows of the vessel, the passengers and officers were almost all below, +there was only myself and the helmsman on the after-deck; he stood +listlessly by the binnacle, and I was wholly occupied in reading. A +noise between a squeak and a chatter suddenly met my ears; and before I +could turn my head to see whence it proceeded, a heavy, living creature +jumped on to my shoulders from behind, and its tail encircled my throat. +I felt it was Jack, the cook's monkey; the mischievous, malicious, +mocking, but inimitable Jack, whose pranks had often made me laugh +against my will, as I watched him from a distance, but with whom I had +never made the least acquaintance. Whether from fear or presence of mind +I do not pretend to say, but I remained perfectly still, and in a minute +or two Jack put his head forward and stared me in the face, uttering a +sort of croak; he then descended on to my knees, examined my hands as if +he were counting my fingers, tried to take off my rings, and when I gave +him some biscuit, curled himself compactly into my lap. We were friends +from that moment. My aversion thus cured, I have ever since felt +indescribable interest and entertainment in watching, studying, and +protecting monkeys. We had several on board the above-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>mentioned vessel, +but Jack was the prince of them all.</p> + +<p>Exclusively belonging to the cook, although a favourite with the whole +crew, my friend (a Cercopithecus from Senegal) had been at first kept by +means of a cord, attached to the caboose; but, as he became more and +more tame, his liberty was extended, till at last he was allowed the +whole range of the ship, with the exception of the captain's and +passengers' cabins. The occupations which he marked out for himself +began at early dawn, by overturning the steward's parrot-cage whenever +he could get at it, in order to secure the lump of sugar which then +rolled out, or lick up the water which ran from the upset cup; he +evidently intended to pull the parrot's feathers, but the latter, by +turning round as fast as Jack turned, always faced him, and his beak was +too formidable to be encountered. I was frequently awakened by the quick +trampling of feet at this early hour, and knew it arose from a pursuit +of Jack, in consequence of some mischief on his part. Like all other +nautical monkeys, he descended into the forecastle, where he twisted off +the night-caps of the sailors as they lay in their hammocks, stole their +knives, tools, etc., and if they were not very active in the pursuit, +these purloinings were thrown overboard.</p> + +<p>When the preparations for breakfast began, Jack took his post in a +corner near the grate, and when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> the cook's back was turned, hooked out +the pieces of biscuit which were toasting between the bars for the men, +and snatched the bunches of dried herbs, with which they tried to +imitate tea, out of the tin mugs. He sometimes scalded or burnt his +fingers by these tricks, which kept him quiet for a few days; but no +sooner was the pain gone than he repeated the mischief.</p> + +<p>Two days in each week, the pigs, which formed part of our live stock, +were allowed to run about the deck for exercise, and then Jack was +particularly happy: hiding himself behind a cask, he would suddenly +spring on to the back of one of them, his face to the tail, and away +scampered his frightened steed. Sometimes an obstacle would impede the +gallop, and then Jack, loosening the hold which he had acquired by +digging his nails into the skin of the pig, industriously tried to +uncurl its tail, and if he were saluted by a laugh from some one near +by, he would look up with an assumed air of wonder, as much as to say; +What can you find to laugh at? When the pigs were shut up, he thought it +his turn to give others a ride, and there were three little monkeys, +with red skins and blue faces, whom he particularly favored: I +frequently met him with all of them on his back at the same time, +squeaking and huddling together, and with difficulty preserving their +seat; when he suddenly stopped, and seemed to ask me to praise the +good-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>natured action which he was performing. He was, however, jealous +of all those of his brethren who came in contact with me, and freed +himself from two of his rivals by throwing them into the sea. One of +them was a small Lion monkey, of great beauty and extreme gentleness, +and immediately after I had been feeding him, Jack called him with a +coaxing, patronizing air; but as soon as he was within reach, the +perfidious creature seized him by the nape of his neck, and, as quick as +thought, popped him over the side of the ship. We were going at a brisk +rate, and although a rope was thrown out to him, the poor little +screaming thing was soon left behind, very much to my distress, for his +almost human agony of countenance was painful to behold. For this, Jack +was punished by being shut up all day in the empty hen-coop, in which he +usually passed the night, and which he so hated, that when bed-time +came, he generally avoided the clutches of the steward; he, however, +committed so much mischief when unwatched, that it had become necessary +to confine him at night, and I was often obliged to perform the office +of nursemaid. Jack's principal punishment, however, was to be taken in +front of the cage in which a panther belonging to me was placed, in the +fore part of the deck. His alarm was intense; the panther set up his +back and growled, but Jack instantly closed his eyes, and made himself +perfectly rigid. I generally<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> held him up by the tail, and if I moved, +he cautiously opened one eye; but if he caught sight of even a corner of +the cage, he shut it fast, and again pretended to be dead. His drollest +trick was practised on a poor little black monkey; taking the +opportunity when a calm, similar to that spoken of above, left him +nearly the sole possessor of the deck. I do not know that he saw me, for +I was sitting behind the companion door. The men had been painting the +ship outside, and were putting a broad band of white upon her, when they +went to dinner below, leaving their paint and brushes on the upper deck. +Jack enticed his victim to him, who meekly obeyed the summons; and, +seizing him with one hand, he, with the other, took the brush, and +covered him with the white fluid from head to foot. The laugh of the man +at the helm called my attention to the circumstance, and as soon as Jack +perceived he was discovered, he dropped his dripping brother, and +rapidly scampered up the rigging, till he gained the main-top, where he +stood with his nose between the bars, looking at what was going on +below. As the other monkey began to lick himself, I called up the +steward, who washed him clean with turpentine, and no harm ensued; but +Jack was afraid to come down, and only after three days passed in his +elevated place of refuge did hunger compel him to descend. He chose the +moment when I was sitting on deck, and, swinging himself by a rope, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +dropped suddenly into my lap, looking so imploringly at me for pardon, +that I not only forgave him myself, but procured his absolution from +others. Jack and I parted a little to the south of the Sicily Islands, +after five month's companionship, and never met again; but I was told +that he was much distressed at my absence, hunted for me all over the +vessel in the most disconsolate manner, even venturing into my cabin; +nor was he reconciled to the loss of me when the ship's company parted +in the London docks.</p> + +<p>Another monkey, of the same species as Jack, was trained by a man in +Paris to perform a multitude of clever tricks. I met him one day +suddenly as he was coming up the drawing-room stairs. He made way for me +by standing in an angle, and when I said, "Good morning," took off his +cap, and made me a low bow. "Are you going away?" I asked; "where is +your passport?" Upon which he took from the same cap a square piece of +paper which he opened, and shewed to me. His master told him my gown was +dusty, and he instantly took a small brush from his master's pocket, +raised the hem of my dress, cleaned it, and then did the same for my +shoes. He was perfectly docile and obedient; when we gave him something +to eat, he did not cram his pouches with it, but delicately and tidily +devoured it; and when we bestowed money on him, he immediately put it +into his master's hands.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<p>Much more accomplished monkeys than those of which I have spoken, have +been known to act plays, and to assume the characters they have +undertaken, with a spirit and aptitude which might tempt us to suppose +that they were perfectly cognizant of every bearing of their different +parts; and their stratagems to procure food, and defend themselves, are +only equalled by human beings.</p> + +<p>Denizens of those mighty forests, which clothe the earth between the +tropics of both the Old and New World, assembling by hundreds in those +lands where the Palm, the Banyan, the Baobab, the Bombax, and thousands +of magnificent trees adorn the soil; where the most delicious fruits are +to be procured, by merely stretching out the hand to separate them from +their parent stem; no wonder that both apes and monkeys there +congregate, and strike the European, on his first arrival among them, +with astonishment. I had seen many at Cape Coast; but not till I +advanced into the forest up the windings of the river Gaboon, could I +form any idea of their multitude, or of the various habits which +characterize their savage lives. The first time the reality burst upon +me, was in going up a creek of that river to reach the town of Naängo +when the most deafening screams were to be heard over head, mixed with +squeaks and sundry strange noises. These proceeded from red and grey +parrots, which were pursued to the tops of the tallest trees<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> by the +monkeys. The birds were not frightened; on the contrary, they appeared +to enjoy the fun, and perching on slight twigs, which would not bear the +weight of their playfellows, they stretched out their wings, and seemed +vociferously to exclaim, "You can't catch me!" Sometimes, however, they +<i>were</i> surprised, and then there was such a scuffle and noise. The +four-handed beast, however, plucked the red feathers from the tail of +the bird; and careless of its anger, seated himself on a branch, sucking +the quills till they were dry, when he started for a fresh supply.</p> + +<p>That monkeys enjoy movement, that they delight in pilfering, in +outwitting each other and their higher brethren—men; that they glory in +tearing and destroying the works of art by which they are surrounded in +a domestic state; that they lay the most artful plans to effect their +purposes, is all perfectly true; but the terms <i>mirthful</i> and <i>merry</i>, +seem to me to be totally misapplied, in reference to their feelings and +actions; for they do all in solemnity and seriousness. Do you stand +under a tree, whose thick foliage completely screens you from the sun, +and you hope to enjoy perfect shade and repose; a slight rustling proves +that companions are near; presently a broken twig drops upon you, then +another, you raise your eyes, and find that hundreds of other eyes are +staring at you. In another minute you see the grotesque faces to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> which +those eyes belong, making grimaces, as you suppose, but it is no such +thing, they are solemnly contemplating the intruder; they are not +pelting him in play, it is their business to drive him from their +domain. Raise your arm, the boughs shake, the chattering begins, and the +sooner you decamp; the more you will shew your discretion.</p> + +<p>Watch the ape or monkey with which you come into closer contact; does he +pick up a blade of grass, he will examine it with as much attention as +if he were determining the value of a precious stone. Do you put food +before him, he tucks it into his mouth as fast as possible, and when his +cheek pouches are so full that they cannot hold any more, he looks at +you as if he seriously asked your approval of his laying up stores for +the future. If he destroy the most valuable piece of glass or china in +your possession, he does not look as if he enjoyed the mischief, but +either puts on an impudent air, as much as to say, "I don't care," or +calmly tries to let you know he thought it his duty to destroy your +property. Savage, violent and noisy are they when irritated or +disappointed, and long do they retain the recollection of an affront. I +once annoyed a monkey in the collection of the Jardin des Plantes, in +Paris, by preventing him from purloining the food of one of his +companions; in doing which I gave him a knock upon his paws. It was +lucky that strong wires were between us, or he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> would probably have hurt +me severely in his rage; he shook the cage, he rolled about and +screamed, and did not forget the offence. On future occasions, the +instant he heard my voice, he put himself into a passion: and several +months after, although I had been absent the whole time, he seized on my +gown while I incautiously stood too near to him, dragged a portion of it +within the bars, and bit a great piece out of it, although it was made +of a very strong material.</p> + +<p>A monkey, of I know not what species, was domiciled in a family in +Yorkshire to whom my mother was paying a visit of some days. A large +dinner-party was given in honor of the guest, the master of the house +helped the soup; but as he was talking at the time, he did not observe +its appearance. Presently all to whom it had been served, laid down +their spoons, or sent their plates away. This of course attracted +attention, and on inspection, the liquid was discovered to be full of +short hairs. The servants in attendance were questioned, but they +declared they were ignorant of the cause; and the wisest and politest +proceeding was, to send the tureen from the table, and, serving the +fish, make no further comment. The mistress of the family, however, when +the ladies left the dining-room, slipped away from her friends, and +summoning the cook to her presence, received an explanation of the +mystery. The woman said, she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> had left the kitchen only for one minute, +and when she returned, she saw the monkey standing on the hob of the +kitchen grate, with one fore-paw resting on the lid of the boiler which +contained the soup. "Oh, Mr. Curiosity," she exclaimed, "that is too +much for you, you can't lift that up." To her horror and amazement, +however, he <i>had</i> lifted it up, and was putting it on again after +popping the kitten in, whose remains were discovered at the bottom when +the soup was strained. The poor cook was so bewildered, that she did not +know what to do: it was time for the dinner to be served, and she, +therefore, for the look's sake, thought it best to send the soup in as +it was, even if it were sent out again immediately, "because you know +ma'am," said she, "that would prove you had ordered it. I always thought +the monkey would do the kitten a mischief, he was so jealous of it, and +hated it so because it scratched him, so he seized it when asleep."</p> + +<p>A much better disposed monkey belonged to my eldest daughter; and we +brought him to England from the Gambia. He seemed to know that he could +master the child, and did not hesitate to bite and scratch her whenever +she pulled him a little harder than he thought proper. I punished him +for each offence, yet fed and caressed him when good; by which means I +possessed an entire ascendancy over him. He was very wretched in London<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +lodgings, where I was obliged to fasten him to the bars of a stove, and +where he had no fresh air; and he was no sooner let loose than he tried +to break everything within his reach; so I persuaded his young mistress +to present him to the Jardin des Plantes. I took him there; and during +my stay in that place paid him daily visits. When these were +discontinued, the keeper told me that he incessantly watched for my +return, and it was long before he recovered his disappointment, and made +friends with his companions in the same cage. Two years after, I again +went to see him; and when I stood before him and said, "Mac, do you know +me?" he gave a scream of delight, put both his paws beyond the bars, +stretched them out to me, held his head down to be caressed, uttering a +low murmur, and giving every sign of delighted recognition.</p> + +<p>The most melancholy of all monkeys is, apparently, the Chimpanzee; and +although he has perhaps evinced more power of imitating man than any +other, he performs all he does with a sad look, frequently accompanied +by petulance, and occasional bursts of fury. One of the smaller species, +such as those which at different times have been brought to England and +Paris, was offered to Mr. Bowdich for purchase, while our ship lay in +the river Gaboon. His owner left him with us for four weeks, during +which time I had an opportunity of watching his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> habits. He would not +associate with any other of the tribe, not even the irresistible Jack; +but was becoming reconciled to me, when one unlucky day I checked his +dawning partiality. He followed me to the Panther's cage, and I shall +never forget the fearful yell which he uttered. He fled as swiftly as +possible, overturning men and boys in his way, with a strength little to +be expected from his size, nor did he stop till he had thrust himself +into a boat sail on the after-deck, with which he entirely covered +himself, and which was thenceforward his favourite abode. It was several +days before I could reinstate myself in his good opinion, for he +evidently thought I had had something to do with the panther. The latter +had been in such a fury, that the sailors thought he would have broken +his cage; and he continued restless and watchful for hours afterwards, +proving that the chimpanzee is found in his country of Ashanti, further +to the north than we had imagined. We did not buy the animal, on account +of the exorbitant sum asked for him, and the risk of his living during a +long voyage. He was always very sad, but very gentle; and his attachment +to his master was very great, clinging to him like a child, and going +joyfully away in his arms. Of those kept in the Zoological gardens of +England and Paris, many anecdotes have been related, evincing great +intelligence. One of the latter used to sit in a chair, lock and unlock +his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> door, drink tea with a spoon, eat with a knife and fork, set out +his own dinner, cry when left alone, and delight in being apparently +considered one of his keeper's family.</p> + +<p>It is in equatorial Africa that the most powerful of all the Quadrumana +live, far exceeding the Oran Outang, and even the Pongo of Borneo. Mr. +Bowdich and myself were the first to revive and confirm a long +forgotten, and vague report of the existence of such a creature, and +many thought, as we ourselves had not seen it, that we had been deceived +by the natives. They assured us that these huge creatures walk +constantly on their hind feet, and never yet were taken alive; that they +watch the actions of men, and imitate them as nearly as possible. Like +the ivory hunters, they pick up the fallen tusks of elephants, but not +knowing where to deposit them, they carry their burthens about till they +themselves drop, and even die from fatigue: that they build huts nearly +in the shape of those of men, but live on the outside; and that when one +of their children dies, the mother carries it in her arms till it falls +to pieces; that one blow of their paw will kill a man, and that nothing +can exceed their ferocity.</p> + +<p>A male and female, of an enormous species of chimpanzee, were brought to +Bristol by the master of a vessel coming from the river Gaboon, he had +been commissioned to bring them alive, but as this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> was impracticable, +he put the male into a puncheon of rum, and the female into a cask of +strong brine, after they had been shot. The person who had ordered, +refused to take them, and Professor Owen secured them for the College of +Surgeons. The flesh of that in salt and water fell from the bones, but +it was possible to set the other up so as to have his portrait taken, +which likeness is now in the museum of the college. The rum had so +destroyed the hair, that he could not be stuffed, he was between four +and five feet high, his enormous nails, amounting to claws, were well +adapted for digging roots, and his huge, strong teeth, must have made +him a formidable antagonist. There could not be any thing much more +hideous than his appearance, even when allowances were made for the +disfiguring effects of the spirit in which he had been preserved. He was +entirely covered with hair, and not wrinkled and bare in front like the +smaller Chimpanzee; and it was for some time supposed, that this was the +Ingheena reported by Mr. Bowdich. Since then, however, some skulls have +been sent to England from the same locality, of much larger proportions, +betokening an almost marvellous size and strength; and these probably, +belonged to the real Ingheena. They go about in pairs; and it is evident +from their enormous teeth, that, as they are not flesh-eating animals, +these weapons must have been given to them as means<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> of defence against +the most powerful enemies; in fact, against each other.</p> + +<p>I now come from my own knowledge and personal experience to those of +others, and I cannot begin with a more interesting account than that +given by Mr. Bennett of the Ungka Ape, or Gibbon of Sumatra, the Simia +Syndactyla of naturalists. He stood two feet high when on his hind legs, +and was covered with black hair, except on the face, the skin of which +was also black; the legs were short in proportion to the body and arms, +the latter being exceedingly long. His only pouch was under the throat, +the use of which was not apparent, for he did not make it a reservoir +for food. He uttered a squeaking or chirping note when pleased, a hollow +bark when irritated, and when frightened or angry he loudly called out +"Ra, ra, ra." He was as grave as the rest of his tribe, but not equally +mischievous; he, however, frequently purloined the ink, sucking the +pens, and drinking the liquid whenever he could get at it. He soon knew +his name, and readily went to those who called him. The chief object of +his attachment was a Papuan child; and he would sit with one of his long +arms round her neck, share his biscuit with her, run from or after her +in play, roll on the deck, entwining his arms around her, pretend to +bite, swing himself away by means of a rope, and then drop suddenly upon +her, with many other frolics of a childish character.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> If, however, she +tried to make him play when he was not inclined to do so, he would +gently warn her by a bite, that he would not suffer her to take any +liberties. He made advances to several small monkeys, but they always +drew themselves up into an opposing force, and he, to punish their +impertinence, seized hold of their tails, and pulled them till the +squeaking owners contrived to escape, or he dragged them along by these +appendages up the rigging, and then suddenly let them go, he all the +time preserving the utmost gravity.</p> + +<p>When the hour came for the passengers' dinner he took his station near +the table, and, if laughed at while eating, barked, inflated his pouch, +and looked at those who ridiculed him in the most serious manner till +they had finished, when he quietly resumed his own meal. This is often +done by others of his race, and some seem to inquire what you see to +laugh at, while others fly into a passion when such an affront is +offered.</p> + +<p>Ungka greatly disliked being left alone, and when refused anything which +he wished for, rolled upon the deck, threw his arms and legs about, and +dashed every thing down which came within his reach, incessantly +uttering "Ra, ra, ra." He had a great fancy for a certain piece of soap, +but was always scolded when he tried to take it away. One day, when he +thought Mr. Bennett was too busy to observe him, he walked off with it, +casting glances<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> round to see if he were observed. When he had gone half +the length of the cabin, Mr. Bennett gently called him; and he was so +conscience-stricken that he immediately returned the soap to its place, +evidently knowing he had done wrong. He was very fond of sweetmeats; but +although good friends with those who gave them to him, he would not +suffer them to take him in their arms, only allowing two persons to use +that familiarity, and particularly avoiding large whiskers. He felt the +cold extremely as he proceeded on his voyage, was attacked with +dysentery, and died as he came into a northern latitude.</p> + +<p>A female Gibbon was for some time exhibited in London, whose rapid and +enormous springs verified the account given of her brethren by M. +Duvaueel, who said that he had seen one of these animals clear a space +of forty feet, receiving an impetus by merely touching the branch of a +tree, and catching fruit as she sprang: the one in England could stop +herself in the most sudden manner, and calculate her distances with +surprising accuracy. She uttered a cry of half tones, and ended with a +deafening shake, which was not unmusical. She made a chirping cry in the +morning, supposed to be the call for her companions, beginning slowly, +and ending by two barks, which sounded like the tenor E and its octave, +at which time the poor thing became evidently agitated.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> She was, +generally speaking, very gentle, and much preferred ladies to gentlemen; +but if her confidence had been once acquired, she seemed to place as +much reliance on a man as she bestowed unsolicited on a woman.</p> + +<p>Monkeys in India are more or less objects of superstitious reverence, +and are, consequently, seldom, or ever destroyed. In some places they +are even fed, encouraged, and allowed to live on the roofs of the +houses. If a man wish to revenge himself for any injury committed upon +him, he has only to sprinkle some rice or corn upon the top of his +enemy's house, or granary, just before the rains set in, and the monkeys +will assemble upon it, eat all they can find outside, and then pull off +the tiles to get at that which falls through the crevices. This, of +course, gives access to the torrents which fall in such countries, and +house, furniture, and stores are all ruined.</p> + +<p>The large Banyan trees of the Old World are the favourite resorts of +monkeys and snakes; and the former when they find one of the latter +asleep, seize it by the neck, scramble from their branch, and dash the +reptile's head against a stone, all the time grinning with rage.</p> + +<p>The Budeng of Java (Semnopithecus Maurus) abounds in the forests of that +island, and flies from the presence of man, uttering the most fearful +screams, and using the most violent gestures; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> this is not a +frequent antipathy, and there is an amusing account of the familiarity +which monkeys assume with men, written by a traveller, who, probably, +was not a naturalist, for he does not give the technical appellation of +any of the species with which he meets in India. From what he says, +however, I should suppose some of his heroes to be the same as the +Macacus Rhesus. He expresses his surprise, when he sees monkeys "at +home," for the first time, as being so different to the individuals on +the tops of organs, or in the menageries of Europe. Their air of +self-possession, comprehension, and right to the soil on which they live +is most amusing. From thirty to forty seated themselves to look at his +advancing palanquin and bearers, just as villagers watch the strange +arrival going to "the squire's," and mingled with the inhabitants, +jostling the naked children, and stretching themselves at full length +close to the seated human groups, with the most perfect freedom. This +freedom often amounts to impudence; and they frequent the tops of +bazaars, in order to steal all they can lay their hands upon below. The +only way to keep them off, is to cover the roof with a prickly shrub, +the thorns of which stick to the flesh like fishhooks. The above +mentioned traveller watched one, which he calls a <i>bandar</i>, and which +took his station opposite to a sweetmeat shop. He pretended to be +asleep, but every now and then softly raised<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> his head to look at the +tempting piles and the owner of them, who sat smoking his pipe without +symptoms even of a dose. In half an hour the monkey got up, as if he +were just awake, yawned, stretched himself, and took another position a +few yards off, where he pretended to play with his tail, occasionally +looking over his shoulder at the coveted delicacies. At length the +shop-man gave signs of activity, and the bandar was on the alert; the man +went to his back room, the bandar cleared the street at one bound, and +in an instant stuffed his pouches full of the delicious morsels. He had, +however, overlooked some hornets, which were regaling themselves at the +same time. They resented his disturbance, and the tormented bandar, in +his hurry to escape, came upon a thorn-covered roof, where he lay, +stung, torn, and bleeding. He spurted the stolen bon-bons from his +pouches, and barking hoarsely, looked the picture of misery. The noise +of the tiles which he had dislodged in his retreat brought out the +inhabitants, and among them the vendor of sweets, with his turban +unwound, and streaming two yards behind him. All joined in laughing at +the wretched monkey; but their religious reverence for him induced them +to go to his assistance; they picked out his thorns, and he limped away +to the woods quite crestfallen.</p> + +<p>The traveller came in constant contact with monkeys in his occupations +of clearing land and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> planting, and at first, as he lay still among the +brushwood, they gamboled round him as they would round the natives. +This peaceable state of things, however, did not last, when he +established a field of sugar-canes in the newly-cleared jungle. He tells +the story so well, that I must be allowed to use his own expressions:—</p> + +<p>"Every beast of the field seemed leagued against this devoted patch of +sugar-cane. The wild elephants came, and browsed in it; the jungle hogs +rooted it up, and munched it at their leisure; the jackals gnawed the +stalks into squash; and the wild deer ate the tops of the young plants. +Against all these marauders there was an obvious remedy—to build a +stout fence round the cane field. This was done accordingly, and a deep +trench dug outside, that even the wild elephant did not deem it prudent +to cross.</p> + +<p>"The wild hogs came and inspected the trench and the palisades beyond. A +bristly old tusker was observed taking a survey of the defenses; but, +after mature deliberation, he gave two short grunts, the porcine +(language), I imagined, for 'No go,' and took himself off at a round +trot, to pay a visit to my neighbour Ram Chunder, and inquire how his +little plot of sweet yams was coming on. The jackals sniffed at every +crevice, and determined to wait a bit; but the monkeys laughed the whole +intrenchment to scorn. Day after day was I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> doomed to behold my canes +devoured, as fast as they ripened, by troops of jubilant monkeys. It was +of no use attempting to drive them away. When disturbed, they merely +retreated to the nearest tree, dragging whole stalks of sugar-cane along +with them, and then spurted the chewed fragments in my face, as I looked +up at them. This was adding insult to injury, and I positively began to +grow blood-thirsty at the idea of being outwitted by monkeys. The case +between us might have been stated in this way.</p> + +<p>"'I have, at much trouble and expense, cleared and cultivated this +jungle land,' said I.</p> + +<p>"'More fool you,' said the monkeys.</p> + +<p>"'I have planted and watched over these sugar-canes.'</p> + +<p>"'Watched! ah, ha! so have we for the matter of that.'</p> + +<p>"'But, surely I have a right to reap what I sowed?'</p> + +<p>"'Don't see it,' said the monkeys; 'the jungle, by rights prescriptive +and indefensible, is ours, and has been so ever since the days of Ram +Honuman of the long tail. If you cultivate the jungle without our +consent you must look to the consequences. If you don't like our +customs, you may get about your business. We don't want you.'</p> + +<p>"I kept brooding over this mortifying view of the matter, until one +morning I hatched revenge in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> practicable shape. A tree, with about a +score of monkeys on it, was cut down, and half-a-dozen of the youngest +were caught as they attempted to escape. A large pot of <i>ghow</i> (treacle) +was then mixed with as much tartar emetic as could be spared from the +medicine chest, and the young hopefuls, after being carefully painted +over with the compound, were allowed to return to their distressed +relatives, who, as soon as they arrived, gathered round them, and +commenced licking them with the greatest assiduity. The results I had +anticipated were not long in making their appearance. A more melancholy +sight it was impossible to behold; but so efficacious was this +treatment, that for more than two years I hardly ever saw a monkey in +the neighbourhood."</p> + +<p>When we read of the numbers, the intelligence, and the audacity of +monkeys in this part of the world, it becomes a matter of curious +speculation as to how they will behave when the railroad is made across +India.</p> + +<p>It has been frequently observed, that there is nothing more distressing +than to see a wounded or suffering monkey. He lays his hand upon the +part affected, and looks up in your face, as if appealing to your kindly +feelings; and if blood flow, he views it with so frightened an +expression, that he seems to know his life is going from him. An +inquisitive monkey, among the numerous company<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> which sailed in a ship, +always seemed desirous of ascertaining the nature of everything around +him, and touched, tasted, and closely scrutinized every object to which +he had not been accustomed. A pot of scalding pitch was in use for +caulking the seams of the upper deck, and when those who were employed +in laying it upon the planks turned their heads from him, he dipped one +paw into it, and carrying it to his chin, rubbed himself with the +destructive substance. His yell of pain called the attention of the +sailors to him, and they did all in their power to afford alleviation; +the pitch was taken off as well as it could be, his pouches being +entirely burnt away, his poor cheeks were wrapped up with rags steeped +in turpentine; and his scalded hand was bandaged in the same manner. He +was a piteous sight, and seemed to look on all who came near, as if +asking for their commiseration. He was very gentle and very sad, +submitted to be fed with sugar and water through a tube, but after a few +days he laid his head down and expired.</p> + +<p>Mr. Forbes tells a story of a female monkey, (the Semnopithecus +Entellus), who was shot by a friend of his, and carried to his tent. +Forty or fifty of her tribe advanced with menacing gestures, but stood +still when the gentleman presented his gun at them. One, however, who +appeared to be the chief of the tribe, came forward, chattering and +threatening in a furious manner. Nothing short of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> firing at him seemed +likely to drive him away; but at length he approached the tent door with +every sign of grief and supplication, as if he were begging for the +body. It was given to him, he took it in his arms, carried it away, with +actions expressive of affection, to his companions, and with them +disappeared. It was not to be wondered at that the sportsman vowed never +to shoot another monkey.</p> + +<p>Monkeys are eaten in some parts of the Old World, and universally in +South America. M. Bonpland speaks of the flesh as lean, hard and dry; +but that which I tasted in Africa, was white, juicy, and like chicken. +Mr. Bowdich had monkeys served whole before him at the table of the king +of Ashanti, having been roasted in a sitting posture, and he said, +nothing could be more horrid or repugnant than their appearance, with +the skin of the lips dried, and the white teeth, giving an aspect of +grinning from pain.</p> + +<p>The howling monkeys of South America, who make the forests resound at +night, or before a coming storm, with their hideous choruses, and whose +hollow and enlarged tongue bone, and expanded lower jaw enable them to +utter those melancholy and startling cries, are larger and fatter than +many others in the same country, and are constantly sought for as food. +They eat the thick, triangular Brazil nuts (Bertholletia Excelsa), and +break the hard pod which contains them with a stone, laying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> it on the +bough of a tree, or some other stone. They sometimes get their tail +between the two, of course the blow falls upon the tail, and the monkey +bounds away, howling in the most frightful manner.</p> + +<p>The prettiest of all monkeys is the Marmozet; the Ouistiti of Buffon; +the Simia Jacchus of Linnæus. It is extremely sensitive to cold; +nevertheless, if plentifully supplied with wool, cotton, and other warm +materials, will live for years in this climate. Dr. Neill of Edinburgh, +that most excellent protector and lover of animals, brought one from +Bahia, which he found great difficulty in training. It even resisted +those who fed it, not allowing them to touch it, putting on an angry, +suspicious look, and being roused by even the slightest whisper. During +the voyage it ate corn and fruit, and when these became scarce, took to +cockroaches; of which it cleared the vessel. It would dispatch twenty +large, besides smaller ones, three or four times in each day, nipping +off the head of the former, and rejecting the viscera, legs, and hard +wing cases. Besides these, it fed on milk, sugar, raisins, and +bread-crumbs. It afterwards made friends with a cat, and slept and eat +with this animal, but it never entirely lost its distrustful feelings.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Edwards, in his voyage up the Amazon, mentions a domestic +white monkey, which had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> contrived to get to the top of a house, and no +persuasions or threats could get him down again. He ran over the roof, +displaced the tiles, peeped into the chambers below (for there are no +ceilings in that country), and when called, put his thumb up to his +nose. He was shot at with corn, but having found a rag, he held it up +before him, and so tried to evade the shot; every now and then peeping +over the top. At last he was left to himself; and when no endeavours +were made to get him down, he came of his own accord. Captain Brown +mentions a monkey, who, when he was troublesome in the cabin of a ship, +was fired at with gunpowder and currant jelly; and in order to defend +himself, used to pick up the favorite monkey, and hold him between the +pistol and himself when it was presented.</p> + +<p>A race of animals exists in Madagascar, and some of the Eastern islands, +to which the name of Maki has been given, and which, although differing +in the formation of the skull and teeth, must, from having four hands, +be placed among the Quadrumana. They are nocturnal in their habits, very +gentle and confiding, with apparently one exception, which is called the +Vari. M. Frederic Cuvier has told us, that two of these being shut up in +a cage together, one killed and eat his companion, leaving nothing but +the skin. Two of them are remarkable for their slow, deliberate +movements; and one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> of them, named the Lemur Tardigradus, was procured +at Prince of Wales's Island by Mr. Baird. He tells us that his eyes +shone brightly in the dark, and that he moved his eyelids diagonally, +instead of up and down. He had two tongues, one rough like that of a +cat, the other narrow and sharp, and both projected at the same time, +unless he chose to retain the latter. He generally slept rolled up like +a ball, with his arms over his head, taking hold of his cage. He and a +dog lived together in the same cage, and a great attachment subsisted +between them; but nothing could reconcile him to a cat, which constantly +jumped over his back, thereby causing him great annoyance.</p> + +<p>I cannot better close this notice of Monkeys than by giving a curious +legend which is told in Northwestern Africa, and which is more uncommon +than the belief, which is to be found in most countries, that "monkeys +can talk if they like, but they won't, for fear white men should make +them work." It was related by the negroes to each other with infinite +humour; the different voices of the characters were assumed, and the +gestures and countenance were in accordance with the tale.</p> + +<p>"There was once a big and a strong man, who was a cook, and he married a +woman who thought herself very much above him, so she only accepted him +on condition that she should never be asked to go into the cook-house +(kitchen), but live in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> separate dwelling. They were married, and all +the house he had for her was the kitchen; but she did not at first +complain, because she was afraid to make her husband unhappy. At last +she became so tired of her life, that she began to find fault; but at +first was very gentle. At last she scolded incessantly, and the man, to +keep her quiet, told her he would go to the bush (forest), and fetch +wood to build her a new house. He went away, and in a few hours brought +some wood. The next day his wife told him to go and fetch some more. +Again he went away, stayed all day, and only brought home a few sticks, +which made her so angry, that she took the biggest and beat him with it. +The man went away a third time, and stayed all night, not bringing home +any wood at all, saying that the trees which he had cut down were so +heavy that he could not bring them all the way. Then he went and stayed +two days and nights, which made his wife very unhappy. She cried very +much, intreated him not to leave her, promised not to scold or beat him +any more, and to live contentedly in the kitchen; but he answered 'No! +you made me go to the bush, now I like the bush very much, and I shall +go and stop there for ever.' So saying, he rushed out of the cook-house +into the bush, where he turned into a monkey, and from him came all +other monkeys."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BATS" id="BATS"></a>BATS.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>A race of beings, to which the epithet mysterious may be with some truth +applied, affords more interest from its peculiar habits, than from any +proof which can be given of its mental powers; and its place in this +work is due to the marvellous histories which have been related +concerning it, and which have made it an object of superstitious alarm.</p> + +<p>Bats, or Cheiroptera, are particularly distinguished from all other +creatures which suckle their young, by possessing the power of flight. A +Lemur Galeopithecus, which exists in the Eastern part of the globe, +takes long sweeps from tree to tree, and owes this faculty to the +extension of its skin between its fore and hind limbs, including the +tail; but it cannot be really said to fly. The Bats, then, alone enjoy +this privilege; and the prolongation of what, in common parlance, we +should call the arms and fingers, constitutes the framework which +supports the skin, or membrane forming the wings. The thumbs, however, +are left free, and serve as hooks for various purposes. The legs, and +tail (when they have any), generally help to extend the membrane of the +wing; and the breast-bone is so formed as to support the powerful +muscles which aid their locomotive peculiarities. They climb and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> crawl +with great dexterity, and some will run when on the ground; but it is +difficult for most of them to move on a smooth, horizontal surface, and +they drag themselves along by their thumbs. A portion of the Cheiroptera +feeds on insects, and another on fruits; one genus subsists chiefly on +blood. The first help to clear the atmosphere of those insects which fly +at twilight; the second are very destructive to our gardens and +orchards; the last are especially the object of that superstitious fear +to which I have already alluded. They are all nocturnal or crepuscular, +and during the day remain suspended by the sharp claws of their feet to +the under-branches of trees, the roofs of caves, subterranean quarries, +or old ruins, hanging with their heads downwards; multitudes live in the +tombs of Egypt.</p> + +<p>The appearance of Bats is always more or less grotesque; but this term +more aptly applies to those which live on animal food, in consequence of +the additions made to the nose and ears, probably for the sake of +increasing their always acute senses of smell and hearing. The ears are +frequently of an enormous size, and are joined together at the back of +the head; besides which they have leaf, or lance-shaped appendages in +front. A membrane of various forms is also often attached to the nose, +in one species the shape of a horse-shoe. The bodies are always covered +with hair, but the wings consist of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> a leathery membrane. Another +singularity in one genus is the extremity of the spine being converted +into two jointed, horny pieces, covered with skin, so as to form a box +of two valves, each having an independent motion. The large bats of the +East Indies measure five feet from the tip of one wing to that of the +other, and they emit a musky odour. The skin of the Nycteris Geoffroyi +is very loose upon the body; and the animal draws air through openings +in the cheek pouches, head, and back, and swells itself into a little +balloon; the openings being closed at pleasure by means of valves. The +bite of all is extremely sharp; and we seldom hear of an instance of one +being tamed. They try to shelter themselves from chilly winds, and +frequent sheltered spots, abounding in masonry, rocks, trees, and small +streams.</p> + +<p>About the Vampire, or the blood-sucker, there are different opinions: +that of the East is said to be quite harmless; but it is asserted that +the South American species love to attach themselves to all cattle, +especially to horses with long manes, because they can cling to the hair +while they suck the veins, and keep their victim quiet by flapping their +wings over its head; they also fasten themselves upon the tail for the +first reason, and a great loss of blood frequently ensues. Fowls are +frequently killed by them as they roost upon their perches, for so +noiseless and gentle are they in their flight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> and operations, that +animals are not awakened out of their sleep by their attacks. The teeth +are so disposed that they make a deep and triple puncture, and one was +taken by Mr. Darwin in the act of sucking blood from the neck of a +horse. This able naturalist and accurate observer is of opinion, that +horses do not suffer from the quantity of blood taken from them by the +Vampire, but from the inflammation of the wound which they make, and +which is increased if the saddle presses on it. Horses, however, turned +out to grass at night, are frequently found the next morning with their +necks and haunches covered with blood; and it is known that the bat +fills and disgorges itself several times. Dr. Carpenter is of the same +opinion as Mr. Darwin, and also disbelieves that these creatures soothe +their victims by fanning them with their wings.</p> + +<p>Captain Stedman, who travelled in Guiana, from 1772 to 1777, published +an account of his adventures, and for several years afterwards, it was +the fashion to doubt the truth of his statements. In fact, it was a +general feeling, up to a much later period than the above, that +travellers were not to be believed. As our knowledge, however, has +increased, and the works of God have been made more manifest, the +reputation of many a calumniated traveller has been restored, and, among +others, that of Captain Stedman. I shall, therefore, unhesitatingly +quote his account of the bite of the vampire,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> "On waking, about four +o'clock this morning, in my hammock, I was extremely alarmed at finding +myself weltering in congealed blood, and without feeling any pain +whatever. Having started up and run to the surgeon, with a firebrand in +one hand, and all over besmeared with gore, the mystery was found to be, +that I had been bitten by the vampire or specter of Guiana, which is +also called the flying dog of New Spain. This is no other than a bat of +monstrous size, that sucks the blood from men and cattle, sometimes even +till they die; knowing, by instinct, that the person they intend to +attack is in a sound slumber, they generally alight near the feet, +where, while the creature continues fanning with his enormous wings, +which keeps one cool, he bites a piece out of the tip of the great toe, +so very small indeed, that the head of a pin could scarcely be received +into the wound, which is consequently not painful; yet, through this +orifice, he contrives to suck the blood, until he is obliged to +disgorge. He then begins again, and thus continues sucking and +disgorging till he is scarcely able to fly, and the sufferer has often +been known to sleep from time into eternity. Cattle they generally bite +in the ear, but always in those places where the blood flows +spontaneously. Having applied tobacco-ashes as the best remedy, and +washed the gore from myself and my hammock, I observed several small +heaps of congealed blood all around the place where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> I had lain, upon +the ground; upon examining which, the surgeon judged that I had lost at +least twelve or fourteen ounces during the night. Having measured this +creature (one of the bats), I found it to be, between the tips of the +wings, thirty-two inches and a half; the colour was a dark brown, nearly +black, but lighter underneath."</p> + +<p>Mr. Waterton, whom all the world recognizes as a gentleman, and +consequently a man of truth, laboured at one time under the same stigma +of exaggeration as Captain Stedman, and many other illustrious +travellers; and he confirms the blood-sucking in the following +terms:—"Some years ago, I went to the river Paumarau, with a Scotch +gentleman. We hung our hammocks in the thatched loft of a planter's +house. Next morning I heard this gentleman muttering in his hammock, and +now and then letting fall an imprecation or two, 'What is the matter, +Sir,' said I softly, 'is anything amiss?' 'What is the matter!' answered +he surlily, 'why the vampires have been sucking me to death.' As soon as +there was light enough, I went to his hammock, and saw it much stained +with blood. 'There,' said he, thrusting his foot out of the hammock, +'see how these imps have been drawing my life's blood.' On examining his +foot, I found the vampire had tapped his great toe. There was a wound +somewhat less than that made by a leech. The blood was still oozing from +it, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> I conjectured he might have lost from ten to twelve ounces of +blood."</p> + +<p>Mr. Waterton further tells us, that a boy of ten or eleven years of age +was bitten by a vampire, and a poor ass, belonging to the young +gentleman's father, was dying by inches from the bites of the larger +kinds, while most of his fowls were killed by the smaller bats.</p> + +<p>The torpidity in which bats remain during the winter, in climates +similar to that of England, is well known; and, like other animals which +undergo the same suspension of powers, they have their histories of long +imprisonment in places which seem inimical to life. There are two +accounts of their being found in trees, which are extremely curious, and +the more so, because the one corroborates the other. In the beginning of +November, 1821, a woodman, engaged in splitting timber for rail-posts, +in the woods close by the lake at Haining, a seat of Mr. Pringle's, in +Selkirkshire, discovered, in the centre of a large wild-cherry tree, a +living bat, of a bright scarlet colour, which, as soon as it was +relieved from its entombment, took to its wings and escaped. In the tree +there was a recess sufficiently large to contain the animal; but all +around, the wood was perfectly sound, solid, and free from any fissure +through which the atmospheric air could reach the animal.</p> + +<p>A man engaged in splitting timber, near Kelsall,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> in the beginning of +December, 1826, discovered, in the centre of a large pear-tree, a living +bat, of a bright scarlet colour, which he foolishly suffered to escape, +from fear, being fully persuaded (with the characteristic superstition +of the inhabitants of that part of Cheshire), that it was "a being not +of this world." The tree presented a small cavity in the centre, where +the bat was enclosed, but was perfectly sound and solid on each side. +The scarlet colour of each of these prisoners seems at present to be +inexplicable, and makes these statements still more marvellous.</p> + +<p>Professor Bell, in his admirable work on British Quadrupeds speaks of a +long-eared bat which fed from the hand; and if an insect were held +between the lips, it would settle on its master's cheek, and take the +fly from his mouth with great quietness. So accustomed was it to this, +that it would seek his lips when he made a buzzing noise. It folded its +beautiful ears under its arm when it went to sleep, and also during +hibernation. Its cry was acute and shrill, becoming more clear and +piercing when disturbed. It is most frequently seen in towns and +villages. This instance of taming to a certain extent might, perhaps, be +more frequently repeated, if bats were objects of more general +interest.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="MOLES" id="MOLES"></a>MOLES.</h2><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>There is a tribe of animals constantly around our country habitations, +of underground and nocturnal habits, some of which become torpid in +winter. All are timid and unobtrusive, and yet have great influence upon +our welfare; for they check the rapid increase of those worms and +insects which live and breed beneath the soil, and would destroy the +crops which are necessary to our existence. There are certain and +constant characters in their formation, which bring them all under one +group, called Insectivora, or Insect-eating Mammalia, by naturalists; +but among them are smaller groups of individuals, with peculiar +characters, adapted to their different habits.</p> + +<p>The mole is an instance of one of these minor groups; which, with one +exception, has a portion of sight in spite of its reputation for being +blind. Its smell and hearing, however, are so acute, that they make up +for the deficiency in the other sense, a highly developed organ for +which, would be very much in the way of an animal which makes its +habitation within the earth, and which rarely comes to the surface in +the day time. Its fore-feet are largest, and powerful muscles enable it +to dig up the soil and roots which oppose the formation of its +galleries, and which are thrown up as they become loosened.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> The nose, +or snout, is furnished with a bone at the end, with which it pierces the +earth, and in one genus this bone has twenty-two small, cartilaginous +points attached to it, which can be extended into a star. A vein lies +behind the ear of all, the smallest puncture of which causes instant +death.</p> + +<p>The food of moles chiefly consists of worms, and the larvæ, or grubs of +insects, of which they eat enormous quantities. They are extremely +voracious, and the slightest privation of food drives them to frenzy, or +kills them. They will all eat flesh, and when shut up in a cage without +nourishment, have been known to devour each other. There is a remarkable +instance of a mole, when in confinement, having a viper and a toad given +to it, both of which it killed and devoured. All squeeze out the earthy +matter which is inside worms, before eating them, which they do with the +most eager rapidity. In June and July, they prowl upon the surface of +the ground, generally at night, but they have been seen by day, and this +is the time in which they indulge in fleshy food, for then they catch +small birds, mice, frogs, lizards, and snails; but although when in +confinement one was known to eat a toad, they generally refuse these +reptiles, probably from the acrid humour which exudes from their skin. +They, on these occasions of open marauding, are often caught and +devoured in their turn by owls at night, and dogs by day. They have a +remarkable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> power of eating the roots of the colchicum, or meadow +saffron, which takes such powerful effect on other animals, and which +they probably swallow for the sake of the larvæ or worms upon them. Such +is their antipathy to garlic, that a few cloves put into their runs, +will cause their destruction.</p> + +<p>A French naturalist, of the name of Henri Lecourt, devoted a great part +of his life to the study of the habits and structure of moles, and he +tells us, that they will run as fast as a horse will gallop. By his +observations he rendered essential service to a large district in +France, for he discovered that numbers of moles had undermined the banks +of a canal, and that, unless means were taken to prevent the +catastrophe, these banks would give way, and inundation would ensue. By +his ingenious contrivances and accurate knowledge of their habits, he +contrived to extirpate them before the occurrence of further mischief. +Moles, however, are said to be excellent drainers of land, and Mr. Hogg, +the Ettrick Shepherd, used to declare, that if a hundred men and horses +were employed to dress a pasture farm of 1,500 or 2,000 acres, they +would not do it as effectually as moles would do if left to themselves.</p> + +<p>The late Earl of Derby possessed a small deserted island, in the Loch of +Clunie, 180 yards from the main land, and as proof that moles swim well, +a number of them crossed the water, and took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> possession of this place. +They are said to be dragged, as beavers are, by their companions, who +lay hold of their tail, and pull them along while they lie on their +backs, embracing a quantity of soil dug out in forming their runs. The +fur of the mole is very short, fine, and close, and is as smooth and +soft as Genoa velvet.</p> + +<p>Moles display a high degree of instinct in the skilful construction of +their subterranean fortresses. Their site is not indicated by those +little mounds of loose earth, which we see raised up at night, and which +mark their hunting excursions, but under a hillock reared by themselves, +and protected by a wall, bank, or roots of a tree. The earth is well +worked, so as to make it compact and hard, and galleries are formed +which communicate with each other. A circular gallery is placed at the +upper part of the mound, and five descending passages lead from this to +a gallery below, which is of larger circumference. Within this lower +gallery is a chamber, which communicates with the upper gallery by three +descending tunnels. This chamber is, as it were, the citadel of the +mole, in which it sleeps.</p> + +<p>A principal gallery goes from the lower gallery, in a direct line to the +utmost extent of the ground through which the mole hunts, and from the +bottom of this dormitory is another, which descends farther into the +earth, and joins this great or prin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>cipal road. Eight or nine other +tunnels run round the hillock at irregular distances, leading from the +lower gallery, through which the mole hunts its prey, and which it +constantly enlarges. During this process it throws up the hillocks which +betray its vicinity to us. The great road is of various depths, +according to the quality of the soil in which it is excavated; it is +generally five or six inches below the surface, but if carried under a +stream, or pathway, it will be occasionally sunk a foot and a half. If +the hillock be very extensive there will be several high-roads, and they +will serve for several moles, but they never trespass on each other's +hunting grounds. If they happen to meet in a road, one is obliged to +retreat, or they have a battle, in which the weakest always comes off +the worst. In a barren soil, the searching galleries are the most +numerous, and those made in winter are the deepest, because the worms +penetrate beyond the line of frost, and the mole is as active in winter +as in warm weather.</p> + +<p>The females have a separate chamber made for them, in which they bring +forth their young. This is situated at some distance from the citadel, +and placed where three or four galleries intersect each other. There +they have a bed made of dry grass, or fibres of roots, and four or five +young are born at the same time, which begin to get their own food when +they are half grown.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> + +<p>Like all voracious animals, moles require a large quantity of water, +consequently their run, or fortress, generally communicates with a ditch +or pond. Should these dry up, or the situation be without such +resources, the little architect sinks perpendicular wells, which retain +the water as it drains from the soil.</p> + +<p>Moles shift their quarters according to circumstances, and as they swim +well, they migrate across rivers; and in sudden inundations are able, +not to save themselves alone, but their young, to which they are much +attached. The stratagem and caution which they practise in order to +secure a bird are highly curious: they approach without seeming to do +so, but as soon as they are within reach of their prey, they rush upon +it, tear open its body, thrust their snout into the intestines, and +revel in their sanguinary feast. They then sleep for three or four +hours, and awake with renewed appetite.</p> + +<p>All mole-catchers will bear testimony to the rapid movements and +consequent difficulty of catching these animals. I have watched a +gardener stand for half an hour by one of the little hillocks of loose +earth, which, from its movement, showed that the mole was there at work, +and remain motionless, spade in hand, and when he saw the earth shake, +dash his weapon into the heap. The mere uplifting of his arm was +sufficient, and before the spade could reach the ground the mole was +gone. He could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> scarcely reckon on securing his victim once out of +twenty efforts.</p> + +<p>No moles are found in the north of Scotland, or in Ireland, which some +attribute to soil and climate; but they exist in other parts of Europe +under similar circumstances.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HEDGEHOGS" id="HEDGEHOGS"></a>HEDGEHOGS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Hedgehogs form one of the small groups of insect-eating mammalia, and +are remarkable for being also able to eat those substances which are +destructive to others; for instance, they will devour the wings of +Spanish flies (Cantharides) with impunity, which cause fearful torments +to other animals, and not the least to man, by raising blisters on his +skin. It would seem that the hedgehog is also externally insensible to +poison, for it fights with adders, and is bitten about the lips and nose +without receiving any injury. An experiment has been made by +administering prussic acid to it, which took no effect.</p> + +<p>It is well known that hedgehogs are covered with bristles, amounting to +sharp prickles, and that they roll themselves up into a ball. This is +effected by a peculiar set of muscles attached to the skin, by which +they pull themselves into this shape, and at the same time set up every +bristle, and drag their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> head and limbs within. Such is the resistance +and elasticity of these bristles, that the owners of them may be thrown +to great distances and remain unhurt, and they will even throw +themselves down steep places when they wish to move from a particular +spot.</p> + +<p>Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, and frequent woods, gardens, orchards, +and thick hedge-rows. It is in the latter that I have heard of one being +mistaken by a hen for a bush, in which she might lay her egg in safety. +The fact was announced by the triumphant cackling which these birds +vociferate on such occasions: the egg was consequently searched for, and +found upon the hedgehog's back.</p> + +<p>Hedgehogs feed on insects, slugs, frogs, eggs, young birds in the nest, +mice, fallen fruits, and the roots of vegetables, especially the +plantain, boring into the ground to get at these substances. They will +clear a house of black beetles in a few weeks, as I can attest from my +own experience. My kitchen was much infested, not only by them, but by a +sort of degenerated cockroach, descended from the better conditioned +Blattæ, brought in my packages from a tropical country, and which had +resisted all efforts for their extermination, such as boiling water, +pepper, arsenic-wafers, mortar, etc. At last, a friend, whose house had +been cleared of beetles by a hedgehog, made the animal over to me, very +much to the discomfort of my cook, to whom it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> was an object of terror. +The first night of its arrival a bed was made for it in a hamper, half +full of hay, and a saucer of milk was set within. The next morning the +hedgehog had disappeared, and for several days the search made for it +was fruitless. That it was alive was proved by the milk being drunk out +of the saucer in which it was placed. One night I purposely went into +the kitchen after the family had been for some time in bed, and, as I +opened the door, I saw the little creature slink into a hole under the +oven attached to the grate. Fearing this would sometimes prove too hot +for it, I had some bricks put in to fill up the aperture. The next night +the bricks were pulled away, and overturned, evincing a degree of +strength which astonished us; but, after that, we left the animal to its +own care. The beetles and cockroaches visibly disappeared, but as they +disappeared other things also vanished; kitchen cloths left to dry at +night were missing; then, a silk handkerchief. At last a night-cap left +on the dresser was gone; and these abstractions were most mysterious. +The next day there was a general search in possible and impossible +places, and the end of a muslin string was seen in the oven-hole; it was +seized on, and not only was the night-cap dragged out, but all the +missing and not missing articles which the hedgehog had purloined; most +of them were much torn, and it was supposed that the poor beast had +taken<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> possession of them to make a soft bed. I have not seen such a +propensity noticed elsewhere, and it may be a useful hint to those who +keep hedgehogs. All endeavours to make this animal friendly were +unavailing; but I am told, that hedgehogs are frequently quite +domesticated; and even shew a degree of affection.</p> + +<p>Dr. Buckland ascertained the manner in which hedgehogs kill snakes; they +make a sudden attack on the reptile, give it a fierce bite, and then, +with the utmost dexterity, roll themselves up so as to present nothing +but spines when the snake retaliates. They repeat this manœuvre several +times, till the back of the snake is broken in various places; they then +pass it through their jaws, cracking its bones at short intervals; after +which they eat it all up, beginning at the tail. The old legend, that +hedgehogs suck the udders of cows as they lie on the ground chewing the +cud is, of course, wholly without foundation. They retreat to holes in +trees, or in the earth where they make a bed of leaves, moss, etc., in +which they roll themselves, and these substances sticking to the spines +make them look like a bundle of vegetable matter. In this condition they +pass the winter, in a state of torpidity; but it should be mentioned, +that one which was tame, retained its activity the whole year. There are +instances of hedgehogs performing the office of turnspits in a kitchen; +and, from the facility with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> which they accommodate themselves to all +sorts of food, they are easily kept. They, however, when once accustomed +to animal diet, will attack young game; and one was detected in the +south of Scotland in the act of killing a leveret.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BEARS" id="BEARS"></a>BEARS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Among the Carnivora, or flesh-eating animals, Bears take the first +place; for their characters and habits link them in some degree with the +preceding order, the Insectivora. Both principally live on fruit, +grains, and insects, and only eat flesh from necessity, or some +peculiarity of life, such as confinement, or education.</p> + +<p>The Carnivora are divided by naturalists into three tribes, the +characters for which are taken from their feet and manner of walking. +Bears rank among the Plantigrada, or those which put the whole of their +feet firmly upon the ground when they walk. They are occasionally +cunning and ferocious, but often evince good humour, and a great love of +fun. In their wild state they are solitary the greater part of their +lives; they climb trees with great facility, live in caverns, holes, and +hollow trees; and in cold countries, retire to some secluded spot during +the winter, where they remain concealed, and bring forth their young. +Some say<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> they are torpid; but this cannot be, for the female bears come +from their retreats with cubs which have lived upon them, and it is not +likely, that they can have reared them and remained without food; they +are, however, often very lean and wasted, and the absorption of their +generally large portion of fat, contributes to their nourishment. The +story that they live by sucking their paws is, as may be supposed, a +fable; when well-fed they always lick their paws, very often +accompanying the action with a peculiar sort of mumbling noise. There +are a few which will never eat flesh, and all are able to do without it. +They are, generally speaking, large, clumsy and awkward, possessing +large claws for digging; and often walk on their hind-feet, a facility +afforded them by the peculiar formation of their thigh-bone. They do not +often attack in the first instance, unless impelled by hunger or danger; +they are, however, formidable opponents when excited. In former times +there were few parts of the globe in which they were not to be found; +but like other wild animals, they have disappeared before the advance of +man. Still they are found in certain spots from the northern regions of +the world, to the burning climes of Africa, Asia, and America. The +latest date of their appearance in Great Britain, was in Scotland, +during the year 1057.</p> + +<p>Bears are always covered with thick fur; which, notwithstanding its +coarseness, is much prized for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> various purposes. They afford much sport +to those inclined for such exercises; but the cruel practice of +bear-baiting is discontinued. In an old edition of Hudibras, there is a +curious note of a mode of running at the devoted bears with +wheelbarrows, on which they vented their fury, and the baiters thus had +them at their mercy. At present the hunts are regularly organised +fights, or battles, besides which there are many ways of catching them +in traps, pitfalls, etc.</p> + +<p>The large polar bear (Ursus Maritimus), with its white fur, its long, +flattened head, and black claws, may be seen in great perfection at the +Zoological Gardens. In its own country, during the winter, it lives +chiefly on seal's flesh, but in the summer eats berries, sea-weed, and +marsh plants. It is one of the most formidable of the race; and may be +seen climbing mountains of ice, and swimming from floe to floe with the +greatest rapidity. Captain Lyon tells us, that when a seal lies just +ashore, the bear gets quietly into the water and swims away from him to +leeward; he then takes short dives, and manages so that the last dive +shall bring him back close to the seal, which tries to escape by rolling +into the water, when he falls into the bear's paws; and if he should lie +still, the bear springs upon and devours him; its favourite food, +however, is the floating carcases of whales. The gait of all bears is a +sort of shuffle; but this one goes at such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> a rate, that its pace is +equal to a horse's gallop. It is remarkably sagacious, and often defeats +the stratagems practised for its capture. A female with two cubs was +pursued across a field of ice by a party of sailors; at first she urged +the young ones to increase their speed, by running in front of them, +turning round, and evincing, by gesture and voice, great anxiety for +their progress; but finding that their pursuers gained upon them, she +alternately carried, pushed, or pitched them forwards, until she +effected their escape. The cubs seemed to arrange themselves for the +throw, and when thus sent forwards some yards in advance, ran on till +she again came up to them, when they alternately placed themselves +before her.</p> + +<p>A she-bear and two large cubs, being attracted by the scent of some +blubber, proceeding from a seahorse, which had been set on fire, and was +burning on the ice, ran eagerly towards it, dragged some pieces out of +the flames, and eat them with great voracity. The sailors threw them +some lumps still left in their possession, which the old bear took away +and laid before her cubs, reserving only a small piece for herself. As +they were eating the last piece, the men shot the cubs, and wounded the +mother. Her distress was most painful to behold, and, though wounded, +she crawled to the spot where they lay, tore the piece of flesh into +pieces, and put some before each. Finding they did not eat, she tried +to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> raise them, making piteous moans all the time. She then went to some +distance, looked back and moaned, and this failing to entice them, she +returned and licked their wounds. She did this a second time, and still +finding that the cubs did not follow, she went round and pawed them with +great tenderness. Being at last convinced that they were lifeless, she +raised her head towards the ship, and, by a growl, seemed to reproach +their destroyers. They returned this with a volley of musket balls;<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> +she fell between her cubs, and died licking their wounds.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i002.jpg" alt="i002" title="THE BEAR AND HER CUBS"/></div> +<div class="figcenter"><span class="caption">THE BEAR AND HER CUBS.—Page 54.</span></div> + +<p>The black bear of Canada is a formidable creature, and Dr. Richardson +contradicts the assertion that it is not swift of foot; he says that it +soon outstrips the swiftest runner, and adds, that it climbs as well, if +not better than a cat. It feeds on berries, eggs, and roots; but +although it does not seek flesh, it does not refuse it when offered. A +young bear of this kind roughly handled a Canadian settler, who, being a +very large powerful man, returned hug for hug, till the surprised bear +let go its hold. It had ventured into some young plantations, where it +was committing much mischief, and the settler had endeavoured to +frighten it away. A friend of mine was in the house when the gentleman +returned home, his clothes torn in the struggle, and very much exhausted +by the encounter; he dropped into <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>a chair, and nearly fainted, but a +little brandy revived him, though he was ill some days from the +pressure.</p> + +<p>A young English officer, who was stationed at a lone fortress in the +same country, amused himself by taming a bear of the above species. He +taught him to fetch and carry, to follow him like a dog, and to wait +patiently at meal time for his share. He took the bear with him when he +returned to England, and he became a great favourite with the passengers +and the ship's company. Bruin, however, especially attached himself to a +little girl, about four years old, the daughter of one of the ladies on +board, who romped with him as she would with a dog. In one of these +games of play, he seized her with one fore paw, and with the other +clambered and clung to the rigging, till he lodged her and himself in +the main top, where, regardless of her cries and the agony of her +mother, he tried to continue his romp. It would not do to pursue the +pair, for fear the bear should drop the child; and his master, knowing +how fond he was of sugar, had some mattresses placed round the mast, in +case the child should fall, and then strewed a quantity of the sugar on +the deck; he called Bruin, and pointed to it, who, after a moment's +hesitation, came down as he went up, bringing the child in safety. He +was, of course, deprived of his liberty during the rest of his voyage.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> + +<p>This same black bear of Canada, after it has hugged its antagonists to +death, tears them open with its hind feet. It will ward off blows like +an accomplished boxer; for, as it would be of no use to strike him on +his thickly-covered body, the attacks are usually made about the head. A +man who wantonly threw an axe at a male bear as he passed, wounded him, +whereupon the beast rushed at him, the man fell backwards over a fallen +tree, and, in so doing, tore off a sharp-pointed knob of wood, which he +thrust down the bear's throat, and so killed him; not, however, before +he had received his own death wound from the hind foot. He walked home +holding in his intestines, and died a day or two after.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<p>An old hunter, named Ruhe, having set his traps to catch beavers, +returned to the stream to ascertain his success; he missed one of them, +and, on looking for it, saw signs of a bear having passed that way. As +he went on, he heard the noise of a heavy body breaking through the +bushes in the thicket. He hid himself behind a rock, and saw a huge +bear, limping on three legs to a flat piece of rock, upon which it +seated itself, and on raising one of its fore paws Ruhe discovered that +it was encircled by the lost trap. The bear lifted the iron glove +towards his face, examined it, turned his paw round and round, bent his +head from side to side, looked at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> the trap askance with the most +puzzled air, felt the encumbrance, tapped it on the rock, and evidently +knew not what to do. Then he began to feel pain and licked it; but Ruhe +soon put an end to all his conjectures, by shooting him dead.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> + +<p>Of all bears, the grizzly is said to be the most formidable, both for +size and ferocity, and Mr. Ruxton tells the following anecdote, in which +one of them makes a conspicuous figure:—"A trapper, named Glass, and a +companion, were setting their beaver traps in a stream to the north of +the river Platte, when they saw a large, grizzly bear turning up the +turf near by, and searching for roots and pig-nuts. The two men crept to +the thicket, and fired at him; they wounded, but did not kill him; the +beast groaned, jumped all four legs from the ground, and, snorting with +pain and fury, charged towards the place from whence came the smoke of +the rifles. The men rushed through the thicket, where the underwood +almost impeded their progress; but the beast's weight and strength +carried him along so fast, that he soon came up with them. A steep bluff +was situated a hundred yards off, with a level plain of grass between it +and the thicket; the hunters flew across the latter with the utmost +speed, the bear after them. When he reached about halfway, Glass +stumbled over a stone and fell. He rose, and the bear stood before him +on his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> hind legs. Glass called to his companion to fire, and he himself +sent the contents of his pistol into the bear's body. The furious +animal, with the blood streaming from his nose and mouth, knocked the +pistol away with one paw, while he stuck the claws of the other into the +flesh of his antagonist, and rolled with him on the ground. Glass +managed to reach his knife, and plunged it several times into the bear, +while the latter, with tooth and claw, tore his flesh. At last, blinded +with blood and exhaustion, the knife fell from the trapper's hand, and +he became insensible. His companion, who thought his turn would come +next, did not even think of reloading his rifle, and fled to the camp, +where others of his party were resting, to tell the miserable fate of +their companion. Assistance was sent, and Glass still breathed, but the +bear lay across him quite dead, from three bullets and twenty knife +wounds; the man's flesh was torn away in slips, and lumps of it lay upon +the ground; his scalp hung bleeding over his face, which was also torn. +The men took away the trapper's hunting-shirt, moccasins, and arms, +dragged the bear off his body, and left him, declaring, when they +rejoined their party, that they had completed his burial."</p> + +<p>Although the bear no longer figures in the story, I must be allowed to +relate the sequel, as a proof of what human nature can endure without +destruction. Months elapsed, and some of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> party of the above +mentioned camp were on their way to a trading port with their skins, +when they saw a horseman approach them, with a face so scarred and +disfigured that they could not distinguish his features.</p> + +<p>The stranger accosted that one of the party who had been Glass's +companion, exclaiming, in a hollow voice, "Hurrah, Bill, my boy, you +thought I was gone under (killed) that time, did you? but hand me over +my horse and gun, lad. I'm not dead yet." Astonishment and horror seized +on the party, many of whom believed he had been buried as well as dead. +However, there could be no mistake now, and when they had sufficiently +recovered from their surprise to listen to Glass's story, he told them +that he knew not how long he lay before he recovered his senses; but +when he did, and was able to take nourishment, he was obliged to subsist +on the flesh of the bear. When he had strength to crawl, he tore off as +much of this as he could carry in his weak state, and crept down to the +river; he had suffered tortures from cold, wounds, and hunger, but he +had reached the fort, which was between eighty and ninety miles distant, +living the greater part of the way on roots and berries, but there he +had been taken care of and recovered.</p> + +<p>The brown bear much resembles the black in size, habits and shape, and +like it, lives in hollow places; he, however, sometimes digs pits for +himself,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> and even constructs huts, which he lines with moss. Both +attain an enormous size and weight. All bears are extremely fond of +honey and sugar, and are often taken when venturing too close to man to +procure these enticing substances. The settlers in Canada, when they +make maple sugar, catch them by leaving a boiler full, into which they +dip their paws, or their head, and they fall an easy prey when +encumbered with the thick, saccharine matter, and sometimes with the +boiler also. Bruin's attention is easily diverted, and many have escaped +by throwing a bundle or knapsack down when he is in pursuit of them, for +while he stoops to examine it, they gain time and distance. It is +natural to him to play all sorts of antics; and we are told by an Indian +traveller, that in one of his journeys, some bears kept in front of his +palanquin, tumbling and playing as if they designed to afford him +amusement. Climbing is a great delight to them, and one was seen to +ascend a scaffolding, for his own pleasure; he at first proceeded +cautiously, examining the strength of all the joists, and at last +reached the summit, which was one hundred and twenty feet high. He +looked much pleased when he had completed this operation, and the +workmen treated him with great civility. They were going to lower him in +a bucket, but to this he would not consent, and descended as he had +mounted, being so pleased with his prowess, that he repeated his visit.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> + +<p>A Norwegian had tamed a bear so completely, that he used to stand at the +back of his master's sledge, where he kept so good a balance, that it +was impossible to upset him: if the sledge went on one side, the bear +threw his weight in the opposite direction, and so kept up the +equilibrium. One day, however, his master, in sport, drove over the +worst ground he could find, hoping to throw the bear off. This, however, +only served to irritate him; and he vented his ill humour by giving his +master a tremendous blow across the shoulders.</p> + +<p>A countryman, in Russia, when seeking honey, climbed a very high tree; +the trunk of which was hollow, and finding there was a large quantity of +comb in it, he descended, and stuck fast in the tenacious substance +there deposited. He was so far distant from home, that his voice could +not be heard, and he remained two days in this situation, relieving his +hunger with the honey. He began to despair of ever being extricated, +when a bear who, like himself, came for the sake of the honey, slid down +the hollow, hind part foremost. The man, in spite of his alarm, seized +hold of him, and the bear, also in a great fright, clambered out as fast +as he could, dragging the man up with him, and when clear of his +tail-bearer, made off as fast as possible.</p> + +<p>The drollest and most accomplished of all bears, was the celebrated +Martin, of Paris, whose dancing, climbing, curtsying, tumbling, +begging, and many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> other antics, were the delight of every child in the +metropolis, and of many grown-up children also. It is true, that the +nursemaids endangered the lives of their charges, by holding them over +the side of the pit in which he was kept; but as none <i>did</i> fall, they +continued to amuse themselves and their nurslings at the same risk. One +morning early, he very cleverly withdrew the bolts of his pit door, and +sallied forth on his hind-legs to take a walk. The keepers of the garden +had not risen; but the dogs were on the alert, and surrounded Martin, +jumping and barking, half in play, and half in earnest. This roused the +men, who, rushing out to see what was the matter, beheld the bear in the +midst of the canine troop, his tongue lolling out of his mouth, and an +expression of fun and enjoyment in his countenance, which was +indescribable. Never was the malignant scowl, so often noticed in bears, +from pulling the nictating membrane, or third eyelid half over the +eye, seen in poor Martin's face; yet he became unpopular from the +cupidity of one of the sentinels. This man fancied he saw a five-franc +piece lying in the bear's pit, and determined to go during the night, +when he would be on duty, and secure it. He accordingly provided himself +with a ladder, and when the guard was changed, was found lying lifeless +at the bottom, the coveted piece in his hand, which proved to be nothing +but a large button. No marks of violence were to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> seen upon his body, +but the contusions on his head seemed to tell that he had fallen from +the ladder when near the top, and so met his death. Whether he had been +frightened, or seized with giddiness, or whether Martin had shaken the +ladder, no one could say; the animal was sitting quietly by his side +when his fate was first made known. The story fled like wildfire from +one end of Paris to the other, and in a short time, the populace were +fully convinced that Martin had killed him; and this, combined with +other exaggerations, induced them to flock in multitudes to see the +murderous bear. Afterwards, two balls of arsenic, wrapped up in some +sweet substance, were found in the pit, fortunately before Martin had +touched them; and the authorities of the establishment thought it +prudent to remove him to a den in the menagerie. The front of these dens +was closed at night with a sliding shutter, pulled down by inserting a +hook at the end of a long pole into a ring, which ring, when the shutter +was down, served to admit a bolt. This did not at all please Martin, and +the keeper never could accomplish the fastening, till some one else went +to the other side to take off the bear's attention; for the moment the +shutter was down, Martin inserted his claws and pushed it up again, and +this practice was continued as long as he existed.</p> + +<p>The Malayan Sun bear (Ursus Malayensis) has a long tongue, short smooth +fur, very extensible,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> flexible lips, and large claws. Sir Stamford +Raffles had one which was brought up in the nursery with his children, +and when he joined the party at table, would only eat the choicest +fruit, and drink champagne, and even be out of humour when there was +none of the latter. He was very affectionate, and never required to be +chained or chastised. This bear, a cat, a dog, and a lory from New +Holland, used to eat amicably out of the same dish. His favorite +playfellow, however, was the dog, although he was teased and worried by +it incessantly. He grew to be very powerful, and pulled plants and trees +up by the roots, the latter of which were too large for him to embrace.</p> + +<p>The Bornean bear (Ursus Euryspilus) is one of the most amusing and +playful of all bears; begs in the most earnest manner, and when it has +more to eat than it can hold in its paws and mouth, places the surplus +on its hinder feet, as if to keep it from being soiled; and when vexed +or irritated, will never be reconciled as long as the offender is in its +sight. It does much injury to cocoa-nut trees, by biting off the top +shoots, or tearing down the fruit.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Captain Phipps' Voyage to the North Pole.</p></div> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> L'Acadie.</p></div> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Ruxton.</p></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BADGERS" id="BADGERS"></a>BADGERS.</h2><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Badgers belong to the same division of Carnivora as Bears, but differ +from them, not only in size, but in dentition. This, while they claim a +sort of miniature relationship, forms them into a separate genus. They +afford many a day of what is called sport, to those who choose to hunt +them, during which they evince much sagacity in their efforts to escape; +but I am happy to say the custom of tying them into an empty cask, and +baiting them with dogs, no longer exists. They are by nature slothful +and heavy, but are easily tamed, and when roused are fierce. They have a +gland under the tail, which secretes a liquid of most disagreeable +odour, and causes them to pass into a sort of proverb. They feed chiefly +on roots, nuts, and other fruits; attack the nests of wasps, or wild +bees, and devour their larvæ, themselves, or their honey, with a perfect +indifference to their stings, which cannot pierce through their tough +hide. They prey at night and live in the thickest parts of woods or +coppices, where they rapidly dig deep holes, by means of their sharp and +powerful claws. These holes are divided into several chambers, the +innermost of which is round, and lined with hay or grass. All are kept +very clean, and every waste remnant of food and species of filth is +deposited<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> in holes dug on purpose for its reception. The passages to +the dwellings frequently turn at sharp angles, at which places the +badgers make a stand when attacked. Mr. St. John caused a badger's hole +to be dug out, and he there found balls of grass, rolled up to the size +of a man's fist, evidently intended for food. That gentleman also says, +that he has frequently found the bulb of the common blue hyacinth lying +near the hole. They devour, besides all sorts of vegetables, small +animals whether alive or dead, snails and worms; but their peculiar +dainty consists of eggs. A partridge's nest affords them a delicious +feast, particularly if they include the sitting hen.</p> + +<p>Badgers have a peculiarly formed chest and jaw, which give them great +strength; their forehead is so thick, in consequence of a ridge which +runs down the middle of it, that they are unhurt by a blow in front +which would kill an ox; while almost a touch at the back of the head +will cause their destruction. Their thick skin, which lies loosely upon +them, is much used for making pistol cases, and their fur is excellent +for painter's brushes. They are difficult to kill, and few dogs have +courage enough to attack them in their holes, where they live in pairs. +When thus pursued, they constantly impede the progress of their enemies +by throwing the soil behind them, so as to fill up the passages, while +they escape to the surface.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> They are rare animals, but are to be found +in various parts of the world. The Chinese eat them in spite of their +bad odour. When tamed they show great affection, an interesting proof of +which is given by Captain Brown in his popular Natural History, which I +transcribe. "Two persons (in France) went on a journey, and passing +through a hollow way, a dog which was with them, started a badger, which +he attacked, and pursued till he took shelter in a burrow under a tree. +With some pains he was hunted out and killed. Being a few miles from a +village, called Chapelletiere, they agreed to drag him thither, as the +commune gave a reward for every one which was destroyed; besides which +they proposed selling the skin. Not having a rope, they twisted some +twigs, and by turns drew him along the road. They had not proceeded far +when they heard the cry of an animal in seeming distress, and stopped to +listen, when another badger approached them slowly. They at first threw +stones at it; notwithstanding which, it drew near, came up to the dead +animal, began to lick it, and continued its mournful cry. The men, +surprised at this, desisted from offering any further injury to it, and +again drew the dead one along as before; when the living badger, +determined not to quit its companion, lay down on it, taking it gently +by one ear, and in that manner was drawn into the midst of the village; +nor could dogs,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> boys, or men induce it to quit its situation, and to +their shame be it said, they had the inhumanity to kill the poor animal, +and afterwards to burn it, declaring it could not be no other than a +witch."</p> + +<p>Professor Bell had a badger which followed him like a dog, and which had +been tamed when quite young by some cottager's children, with whom he +played like a puppy. As he grew in years, he became too rough for them, +but at Mr. Bell's was a universal favourite. He yelped with a peculiar, +sharp cry when excluded from his master's presence. He was fed at +dinner-time, and took the morsels in the most orderly manner. He was +very affectionate, good-tempered, and cleanly. He died of a disease +which affects many carnivorous animals in confinement—a contraction of +the lower opening of the stomach, which prevents the food from passing.</p> + +<p>In that most interesting book, written by Mr. St. John, and called "Wild +Sports of the Highlands," the author treats at some length of the +badger. I select the following passages from his pages:—</p> + +<p>"I was just then startled from my reverie by a kind of grunt close to +me, and the apparition of a small, waddling, grey animal, who was busily +employed in hunting about the grass and stones at the edge of the loch; +presently another and another appeared in a little grassy glade which +ran down to the water's edge, till at last I saw seven of them busily at +work within a few yards of me, all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> coming from one direction. It at +first struck me that they were some farmer's pigs taking a distant +ramble; but I shortly saw they were badgers, come from their fastnesses +rather earlier than usual, tempted by the quiet evening, and by a heavy +summer shower that was just over, and which had brought out an infinity +of large black snails and worms, on which the badgers were feeding with +good appetite. As I was dressed in grey, and sitting on a grey rock, +they did not see me, but waddled about, sometimes close to me, only now +and then, as they crossed my track, they showed a slight uneasiness, +smelling the ground, and grunting gently. Presently a very large one, +which I took to be the mother of the rest, stood motionless for a +moment, listening with great attention, and then giving a loud grunt, +which seemed perfectly understood by the others; she scuttled away, +followed by the whole lot. I was soon joined by my attendant, whose +approach they had heard long before my less acute ears gave me warning +of his coming.... When caught in traps, they [badgers] never leave part +of their foot behind them and so escape, as foxes and other vermin +frequently do; but they display very great strength and dexterity in +drawing up the peg of the trap, and this done, they will carry off the +heaviest trap to an amazing distance, over rock or heather. They never +attempt to enter their hole with a trap dangling to their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> foot, but +generally lay up in some furze bush or thicket.</p> + +<p>"When first caught, their efforts to escape show a degree of strength +and ingenuity which is quite wonderful, digging and tearing at their +prison with the strength of a rhinoceros. I one day found a badger, not +much hurt, in a trap. Tying a rope to his hind leg, I drove him home +before me, as a man drives a pig, but with much less trouble, for he +made no attempts to escape, but trotted quietly ahead, only occasionally +showing a natural inclination to bolt off the main path, whenever he +passed any diverging road, all of which were probably familiar haunts of +the unlucky beast. When at home, I put him into a paved court, where I +thought he could not possibly escape. The next morning, however, he was +gone, having displaced a stone that I thought him quite incapable of +moving, and then digging under a wall.... Sometimes I have known a +badger leave the solitude of the woods and take to some drain in the +cultivated country, where he becomes very bold and destructive to the +crops, cutting down wheat, and ravaging the gardens in a most surprising +manner. One which I know to be now living in this manner, derives great +part of his food during the spring from a rookery, under which he +nightly hunts, feeding on the young rooks that fall from their nests, or +on the old ones that are shot. This badger eludes every attempt to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> trap +him. Having more than once run narrow risks of this nature, he has +become so cunning, that no one can catch him. If a dozen baited traps +are set, he manages to carry off the baits, and spring every trap, +always with total impunity to himself. At one time he was watched out to +some distance from his drain, and traps were then put in all directions +round it, but, by jumping over some and rolling over others, he escaped +all. In fact, though a despised and maltreated animal, when he has once +acquired a certain experience in worldly matters, few beasts show more +address and cunning in keeping out of scrapes. Though eaten in France, +Germany, and other countries, and pronounced to make excellent hams, we +in Britain despise him as food, though I see no reason why he should not +be quite as good as any pork.</p> + +<p>"The badger becomes immensely fat. Though not a great eater, his quiet +habits and his being a great sleeper prevent his being lean." That sleep +is taken in the day, for his habits are generally nocturnal.</p> + +<p>All badgers may be recognized by the broad black band across their +cheeks. Those of India have longer legs than those of Europe; their +snout is also prolonged, like that of a hog; and their tail resembles +that of the latter animal. They are very slow in their movement, and +when affronted make a peculiar grunting noise, and bristle up the hair +of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> their back. If still more roused, they stand on their hind legs as +bears do, have much power in their fore legs, and are extremely savage +when provoked.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="WEASELS" id="WEASELS"></a>WEASELS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>The second tribe of Carnivora walks upon its toes, and is, consequently, +called Digitigrada; it is chiefly composed of a number of smaller +animals, which are very interesting from many of their habits, very +precious from the valuable fur which they afford, and in many instances +are so destructive, that they go under the common name of Vermin. A +numerous genus bears the appellation of Vermiform, because their bodies +are long, and their legs are short, which formation enables them to +slide through small apertures in worm-fashion, twisting themselves +through the winding passages, with their bodies touching the ground. +They destroy much game, and, except when trained to kill rats and +rabbits, are objects of persecution and dislike. Among them are weasels, +polecats, ferrets, martens, skunks, and others. The ermine and sable are +included with the martens; and the three first send forth a disagreeable +odour. They, however, are not to be compared in this respect to the +skunk, which of all creatures is one of the most disagreeable, in +consequence of its fœtid gland, which secretes the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> offensive liquor +sent forth when the animal is frightened or irritated. Nothing will +obliterate this odour, no other scent overcomes it; no burying in the +earth, no washing will avail; even time does not cure, and an article of +dress put by for years, is still unwearable.</p> + +<p>It is to weasels and otters that I shall confine myself in this work, +for about their intellectual powers do we know most. The first is a very +courageous beast, not fearing to attack animals much larger than +himself—even man. A labouring peasant at Glencairn, in Dumfrieshire, +was attacked by six of them, who rushed upon him when he was at work in +a field. Being frightened at such a furious onset, he fled, but they +pursued him, although he dealt some back-handed strokes with a large +horsewhip. He was on the point of being seized by the throat, when he +fortunately perceived the fallen branch of a tree. He snatched it up, +and making a stand against his enemies, he killed three, and put the +others to flight. Another instance is reported by Captain Brown, in his +Popular Natural history, where the affray commenced by a person striking +a weasel, which squeaked aloud. This roused a whole colony, consisting +of fifteen, who flew at him and bit him severely. A gentleman came to +his aid, and with his assistance, several of the assailants were killed, +the others ran into the fissures of a neighbouring rock.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> + +<p>There are instances of weasels having been tamed; but it is very +difficult to make any impression on their affections, although they are +very sagacious, and sagacious animals are more easily influenced than +others. The weasel and the stoat are so often mistaken for each other, +that it will be well to point out the constant difference in each. The +stoat is brown above, dirty white underneath; his tail is longer and +more bushy than that of the weasel, and always black at the tip. The +weasel is red above, and pure white underneath, and the tail is red and +uniform, being deprived of the bushy tip. Mr. Bell, from whose pages I +have taken these characters, defends weasels from the accusation of +devouring poultry, game, hares, rabbits, and various small birds. He +says, that when driven by hunger, they may occasionally eat such things; +but that their general food consists of mice and rats of every +description, the field and water vole, and moles; and that they ought +rather to be encouraged than exterminated, because they destroy so much +vermin. They generally approach with the utmost caution and shyness, and +when once they have seized their prey, they never let go their hold; +they aim at the neck, below the ear, or drive their teeth through the +back of the head: they hound and spring, and climb trees with the +greatest facility, and seem never to tire of hunting, whether they are +hungry or not. Mr. St. John saw one in a stubble<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> field, in which +several corn buntings were flying about, or alighting on a thistle. The +animal disappeared at the foot of this thistle, and the above gentleman +thought he had slunk into a hole, but feeling sure by his manner he +intended some mischief, he stayed to watch his movements. As soon as one +of the birds settled on the thistle, something sprang up as quick as +lightning, and then disappeared with the bird; it was the weasel, who +had thus successfully concealed himself. The same gentleman chased a +weasel into a hollow tree, who carried something in her mouth. He +applied smoke to the hole, and out she came again, carrying the same +burden. She ran towards a stone-wall, but was met by a terrier, who +killed her, catching her with the greater facility in consequence of her +obstinacy in carrying away what Mr. St. John still thought was her prey. +On picking it up, however, he found that it was a young weasel, unable +to run, which its mother was endeavouring to carry to a place of safety, +her former hole in an adjoining field having been ploughed over. Another +proof of the weasel's affection for her young, was witnessed by a +labourer, who, while standing on a foot-path close to the hedge side, +perceived a weasel with one of her young ones in her mouth. He kicked +her, and she, dropping it, retreated into a hedge. He then stood over +the young one with a stick in his hand, not intending to kill it, but +merely to see how its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> mother would proceed. She soon peeped from her +covert, and made several feints to get at her charge, but was obliged to +run into the hedge again, intimidated by the stick which the man +flourished about. At last she summoned up all her resolution, and in +spite of everything, after a great deal of dodging to avoid the stick, +succeeded in obtaining the object of her solicitude, and bore it off +between the legs of her tormentor.</p> + +<p>Weasels sometimes fall a prey to hawks; and I transcribe the following +account from the pages of Mr. Bell. "As a gentleman of the name of +Pinder, was riding over his grounds, he saw, at a short distance from +him, a kite pounce on some object on the ground, and rise with it in his +talons. In a few moments, however, the kite began to show signs of great +uneasiness, rising rapidly in the air, or as quickly falling, and +wheeling irregularly round, whilst he was evidently endeavouring to free +some obnoxious thing from him with his feet. After a short but sharp +contest, the kite fell suddenly to the earth, not far from Mr. Pinder. +He instantly rode up to the spot, when a weasel ran away from the kite, +apparently unhurt, leaving the bird dead, with a hole eaten through the +skin under the wing, and the large blood vessels of the part torn +through."</p> + +<p>The nest composed by weasels, in which they will bring forth four or +five young ones, two or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> three times a year, is of dry leaves and +herbage, is placed in a hole, in a bank, a dry ditch, or a hollow tree, +and if a dog come near it, the mother flies at him, and fastens on his +lips with great tenacity.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="OTTERS" id="OTTERS"></a>OTTERS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>The much persecuted otter presents himself to our notice among the +worm-bodied, digitigrade animals. Their broad webbed feet shew that they +frequent the water, and in fact, they are not only found in rivers and +lakes of most European countries, but at sea. Their elongated body is +flattened horizontally, their tail is broad and flat, and forms an +excellent rudder for their guidance when in the water. Their short legs +are so loosely jointed that they can be turned in any direction when +swimming, and their fur is soft, fine, and close underneath, while a +longer, coarser set of hard shining hairs, are on the outside. Their +teeth are very pointed, and well adapted to hold their slippery prey; +their ears are very small, and close to their head, and they have a +nictating membrane, or third eyelid, for the protection of their bright +eyes. Their movements in the water are particularly elegant, they swim +horizontally, and rapidly dive after their victims, which they eat +ashore. It is said, that they will collect a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> number of trouts into a +shoal, and drive them on till, in their dread and alarm, many of the +fishes will throw themselves on to the land. They have the power of +remaining very long under water, at a considerable depth, and the fierce +manner in which they keep dogs at bay, often wounding them severely with +their sharp bites; and the anxious watching for their rise in the water +when they have retreated, all form a most exciting sport, so that we +hear of otter-hunting as a source of keen enjoyment; and there is a hunt +on record in which nine otters were killed in one day.</p> + +<p>Otters will certainly consume an immense quantity of fish; and the +owners of salmon or trout streams have great spite against them. It is, +however, very possible to tame them so as to make them bring the fish +which they catch. This practice is much more followed in other countries +than in England; they are purposely kept for it in Sweden, and at a +signal from the cook will go and fetch the fish for dinner. Bishop Heber +mentions, that he saw several large and very beautiful otters fastened +to bamboo stakes by the side of the Matta Colly river, some of which +appeared to be at play, and uttered a shrill, whistling noise. They wore +straw collars and were very tame and docile. They should be caught quite +young, and fed on small fish, then they are allowed bread and milk at +alternate meals; till at last they entirely live upon this food. They +are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> taught to fetch and carry with artificial fishes made of leather, +and stuffed with wool. Then they are made to bring dead fishes, and if +they attempt to tear them, they are severely punished. Thus trained, in +process of time, the otter becomes useful and domesticated.</p> + +<p>In their natural condition, otters will wander to considerable distances +for their prey; Mr. St. John says, "I was rather amused at an old woman +living at Sluie on the Findhorn, who, complaining of the hardness of the +present times, when 'a puir body couldn'a get a drop smuggled whisky, or +shoot a roe without his lordship's sportsman finding it out,' added to +her list of grievances, that even the otters were nearly all gone 'puir +beasties.' 'Well, but what good could the otters do you?' I asked her. +'Good, your honor? why scarcely a morn came but they left a bonny grilse +(young salmon) on the scarp down yonder, and the vennison was none the +worse of the bit the puir beasts ate themselves,' The people here +(Morayshire) call every eatable animal, fish, flesh, or fowl, venison, +or as they pronounce it, vennison. For instance, they tell you that the +snipes are good vennison, or that the trout are not good vennison in the +winter.</p> + +<p>"It seems that a few years ago, before the otters had been so much +destroyed, the people in particular parts of the river were never at a +loss for salmon, as the otters always took them ashore, generally<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> to +the same bank or rock, and in seasons of plenty, they only eat a small +piece out of the shoulder, leaving the rest untouched, and the +cottagers, aware of this, searched every morning for their leavings."</p> + +<p>"Otters," continues Mr. St. John, "are very affectionate animals; the +young anxiously seek their mother, if she should be killed; and if the +young are injured, the parent hovers near them till she is herself +destroyed. If one of a pair be killed, the one that is left will hunt +for its mate with untiring perseverance; and if one be caught in a trap, +its companion will run round and round, endeavouring to set it free, on +which occasions, though so quiet at other times, they make a snorting +and blowing like a horse."</p> + +<p>A dog belonging to the above gentleman was running and splashing through +the shallow water, and suddenly stood still, sometimes whining, as if +caught in a trap, and then biting furiously at something in the water. +He was called by his master, but as he did not obey, his master waded to +him, and found a large otter, holding on by his powerful jaws to the +dog's shoulder; and had he not had a good covering of curly hair, he +stood a chance of having his leg broken, the bite was so severe.</p> + +<p>The people in Scotland believe that the otters have a king, or leader, +which is larger than others, and spotted with white. They also believe +that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> when these animals are killed, a man or another of the brute kind +dies suddenly at the same moment; that their skin possesses an antidote +to infection, preserves soldiers from wounds, and saves sailors from +disasters at sea. The darkness in which otters delight, their watery +habitations, their oily, noiseless movements, and their dark fur, invest +them with mystery in the eyes of the peasantry in many parts of England.</p> + +<p>The emigration of otters is established by the following fact:—"A +labourer going to his work, soon after five o'clock in the morning, saw +a number of animals coming towards him, and stood quietly by the hedge +till they came alongside of him. He then perceived four old otters, +probably dams, and about twenty young ones. He took a stick out of the +hedge and killed one. Directly it began to squeak, all the four old ones +turned back, and stood till the other young ones had escaped through the +hedge, and then went quietly themselves. Several families were thus +journeying together, and probably they had left their former abode from +not finding a sufficiency of food."</p> + +<p>The beautiful otter in the Museum of the Zoological Gardens is from +Ireland, and is by some considered as a distinct species. It is chiefly +found on the coast of Antrim, living in the caverns formed by the +basaltic columns of that shore, and, as it hunts the salmon, rewards are +offered for its destruction.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> + +<p>The flesh of all otters is extremely rank and fishy; and because it +cannot be called meat, it is often allowed to be eaten on the meager +days appointed by the Romish Church.</p> + +<p>Captain Brown, in his Popular Natural History, tells us of a person who +kept a tame otter with his dogs, which followed him in company with +them. He hunted fish with them, and they never would hunt any other +otter as long as he was with them.</p> + +<p>There was a tame otter in Northumberland, which also followed his master +wherever he went. He caught his own food, and returned home when +satisfied. Once he refused to come to the usual call when he was out, +and was lost for some days. At length, going back to the same place, he, +with great joy, came creeping to his master's feet, who was still +seeking his favourite.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="DOGS" id="DOGS"></a>DOGS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Baron Cuvier says that the most useful conquest achieved by man, is the +domestication of the dog—a conquest so long completed, that it is now +impossible, with any certainty, to trace these animals to their original +type. The cleverest of naturalists have supposed them to descend from +wolves, from jackals, or from a mixture of the two; while others,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +equally clever, assert that they proceeded from different species of +dogs. The latter maintain that the Dingos of Australia, the Buansas of +Nepal, or Dholes of India, the Aguaras of South America, and several +other races, are original; and although they may not have produced the +dogs which attend man, they prove that we may attribute the latter to +predecessors of the same kind, without having recourse to other animals +which they more or less resemble. On the other hand again, some of our +first men are of opinion that there are now no original dogs, but that +all the packs called wild are those which have made their escape from a +state of domesticity. This is not the place to examine the merits of the +different proofs brought in favor of each argument; and I hasten to a +brief notice of some of those which subsist independently of human +assistance.</p> + +<p>All dogs, wild or tame, walk upon their toes with a firm, elastic gait, +and their toes are not retractile. Their other external characters are +so varied, that it is impossible to give a general summary of their +colour or form; the largest on record (a Suliot, belonging to the king +of Naples), measured four feet at the shoulders; the least would +probably give a height of as many inches. All the untamed species are +lank and gaunt, their muzzles are long and slender, their eyes oblique, +and their strength and tenacity of life are almost marvellous.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Dingo, or Australian dog, roams in packs through that vast country; +has a broad head, fierce, oblique eyes, acute muzzle; short, pointed, +erect ears; tail bushy, and never raised to more than a horizontal +position. He does not bark, but howls fearfully; is extremely sagacious, +and has a remarkable power of bearing pain. When beaten so severely as +to be left for dead, he has been seen to get up and run away. A man +proceeded to skin one, not doubting that life was extinct, and after +proceeding a little way with the operation, he left the hut to sharpen +his knife. When he returned, the poor animal was sitting up, with the +loose skin hanging over one side of his face.</p> + +<p>The Dingos worry the cattle of the settlers, and will even eat pieces +out of them as they lie upon the ground; the leg of a sheep has been +frequently gnawed off by them. Domesticated dogs will hunt and kill +them; but show signs of great disgust afterwards, always, if they can, +plunging themselves into water, as if to get rid of the contamination +caused by such contact. One taken from his mother at six weeks old was +partially tamed; but at first he crouched down in all the darkest +corners he could find, looking at every one with aversion, and when +alone howling incessantly, especially if the moon were shining. He +became gradually reconciled to those who fed him, but to no one else. He +never gave warning of the approach of strangers,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> and never made an open +attack. It is remarkable that these dogs are not found in the closely +neighbouring island of Van Diemen's Land.</p> + +<p>The wild dogs of India go under the name of Buansa, Dhole, and Kolsun, +are found in Nepal, the Nilgiris, Coromandel, the Dekkan, etc., and bear +various names, according to their locality. They prey night and day, +have an acute smell, a peculiar bark, not unlike that of a hound, and +are of a sandy or red colour. Their head is long; they have an +ill-natured look, oblique eyes; long, erect ears; powerful limbs, bushy +tail, fur varying according to climate, and all animals are afraid of +them. They kill tigers and cheetahs, and the remains of hogs and deer +are to be found in their path. An endeavour to tame one succeeded, and +he was as affectionate and intelligent as many other dogs.</p> + +<p>In Java there is a large, wild dog, and in Beloochistan whole packs are +to be found, which pull down buffaloes with ease; their footmarks are +like those of a hound; and still further to the west a much larger +species is said to exist.</p> + +<p>The Sheeb or Schib, of Syria, is wild, and is probably the wolf-dog of +Natolia. The Deeb of Nubia would seem to be also a primitive species, +but not resembling the packs of wild dogs which inhabit Congo and South +Africa, etc., and live in covers and burrows.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + +<p>The hunters of South Africa tell us that they pull down the strongest +antelopes; they are very destructive to sheep, and mangle more than they +devour. They are extremely swift, and utter a sharp bark, or chattering +cry, which calls the pack together, and is very soft and melodious. The +hatred between them and tame dogs is unconquerable, and in their +appearance they look like a link between the wolf and the hyæna.</p> + +<p>A large group of dogs includes all the indigenous canines of South +America, under the name of Aguaras, and resembles foxes. They are +silent, if not dumb, and appear to congregate in families rather than +packs. They have a peculiar propensity to steal and secrete, without any +apparent object for so doing.</p> + +<p>Colonel Hamilton Smith, the able writer on dogs, does not acknowledge +some of these wild races, but thinks they are what he calls feral, or +domestic dogs which have regained their liberty, and have subsisted for +many generations on their own intelligence. To these he refers the +Natolians and Aguaras; but there can be no doubt concerning the feral +nature of the dog of St. Domingo, which descends from the hounds trained +to hunt human beings by the Spaniards, and which are supposed to have +regained their liberty in the woods of Haiti. It is of these dogs the +stories are told concerning runaway negroes, and which were taught by +means of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> raw food, placed in stuffed representations of human beings. +They are very handsome creatures, carrying their heads with an air of +conscious superiority. They follow a track rapidly, and in complete +silence; they, however, always seize their victims.</p> + +<p>A contrast to the feral dog of St. Domingo, is the Alco of Mexico, with +its small head, short neck, and very thick body. Those of the Pampas +having assumed the shapes of all the dogs transported from Europe, have +now settled into what may be called curs. They are very bold, very +sagacious, are not inimical to men, but destructive to the young animals +in herds. They live in burrows, and if brought back to domesticity, are +valuable for their courage and highly developed senses.</p> + +<p>In various cities exist herds of dogs, who do not own any masters; who +infest the streets in packs, and who are at once the scavengers, the +purifiers, and the greatest nuisances. In beautiful Lisbon; rising from +the Tagus with her stately towers, her gardens, her churches, her deep +blue sky, and her noble aqueduct, leading life's beverage to her +exquisite fountains, these animals abound; their presence being easily +accounted for by their owners bringing and abandoning them there at the +time of the vintage. They eat so many grapes when ripe, that they are +sent away in self-defence. Woe to the person who affronts one of them; +he is obliged to run hard, or else to keep them at bay, by threaten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>ing +to throw stones at them, and walking backwards; fortunately he can do +this in the narrow streets of this city, for he would be lost if +surrounded by them. They lodge by day in the holes of ruins, which are +so plentiful in Lisbon.</p> + +<p>The same dogs, with regard to habits, are to be met with in the cities +of Russia, Turkey, and Egypt; but they differ in size and appearance. +Those of Turkey are particularly audacious, and in all cities, where +cleanliness is not systematically organised, they are doubtless of +infinite service; though I have read, in a pamphlet written by a French +<i>savant</i>, that those in Egypt are one means of continuing the plague, +for they uncover the carelessly buried bodies, and drag portions of +flesh and clothing into the houses of the living.</p> + +<p>In some of the countries of Guinea, dogs are bred for the table, and sit +in circles in the market places for sale. I do not know from what race +they come; they are not used for any other purpose, and are small, +extremely ugly, and variously marked with brown, red, or black spots. +The passion for dog's flesh is in these countries very strong, and no +European can keep an animal of this kind many weeks. An officer arrived +at Cape Coast Castle when I was there, accompanied by three, not +imagining the temptation they would present to the appetite of the +natives. One disappeared in the act of landing, and the two others were +gone before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> three weeks had elapsed. My uncle fancied that his rank +would secure a favourite sent to him from Europe. He one morning +received a deputation from the king of a native town, requesting a +palaver, or conference. It was granted, and his sable majesty formally +made proposals for Cæsar to figure as a roast at a grand feast, which he +was about to hold. My uncle indignantly refused; the king increased the +sum offered, till it amounted to something considerable, and then the +Englishman, unable to control himself, left the room and sent the +customary refreshments, with a message, to signify that the palaver was +ended. Although every precaution was taken to save the animal, he was +stolen that same night, and gratified the palates of the African +gourmands.</p> + +<p>I now come to what Colonel Smith calls "The Familiar Dogs," where we +find an amount of intellect, which forbids us to say that they do not +reason, and where self-sacrifice, fidelity, courage, and affection, in +many instances raise them far beyond more gifted creatures. It will be +advisable to follow the series of some established work in treating of +them, and I have selected that of Colonel Hamilton Smith, both for its +extent and its ability. He begins with those which are placed nearest to +the Arctic Circle of both hemispheres, and which form a group of large, +wolfish dogs, with tapering noses, pointed ears, and, generally +speaking, long, white and black<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> hair. They are fierce, broad, and often +web-footed; they swim well, hunt together or alone, and when their +owners turn them out to obtain their own living, often fish with great +dexterity. When they quarrel they constantly destroy each other, for +they never will give up while they are alive. Among them are the +Siberian dogs, remarkable for the instinct with which they return to +their masters, after weeks of absence and self-subsistence, to drag +their sleighs. This is the more curious, as they are then always very +ill fed, and ill treated. They utter yells when about to be yoked, but, +once in file, they move silently and rapidly, sometimes, however, trying +to upset their drivers.</p> + +<p>The tail of the Esquimaux dogs is bushy, and curls very much over the +back, which is covered with long, waving hair. They are very patient and +faithful, rapid in their paces, skilful and courageous when hunting, +carry burdens, and are very good tempered. They form a close attachment +to their masters; and one which had been kept in confinement in +Edinburgh, being let loose, entered the kitchen door, found his way +through his owner's house, and, leaping on his bed, gave every sign of +affection. At another time, as his master was walking in Princes Street +Gardens, his foot slipped, and he fell, upon which the dog tried to lift +him up by his coat. He was very cunning, and when he ate, strewed his +meat around him, to entice fowls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> and rats. He then laid himself down, +and pretended to be asleep; no sooner, however, did they come, than he +pounced upon and killed them.</p> + +<p>A pair of Esquimaux dogs lived in the Menagerie of the Jardin des +Plantes, where they were great favourites; but it was extremely painful +to see the poor creatures panting with heat, and almost unable to move, +during the hot weather, only feeling happy when cold water was thrown +over them. The fondness of the Esquimaux dogs for oil never ceases, and +they do not like to drink water, unless it tastes of this substance. Two +of them are said to have stood hour after hour before a candle-maker's +workshop, evidently sniffing the fumes of the melted tallow with great +enjoyment. Their scent is particularly delicate, which renders them +invaluable in the chase of the rein-deer. Nor are they, from their +resolution and ferocity, less useful in attacking the bear, the very +name of which beast, pronounced in their hearing, excites their ardour. +Even in the sledge they dash after their prey, out of the track, +dragging their owner into the pursuit.</p> + +<p>In order to test the strength of the Esquimaux dogs, several experiments +have been made, among others by Captain Lyon, who found that three of +them could drag him, on a sledge weighing one hundred pounds, at the +rate of a mile in six minutes. With heavy loads they are often induced +to exert themselves by a woman walking before them, with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> mitten in +her hand. Having been accustomed to receive food from her, they believe +that in this way she offers them meat. They are particularly obedient +and affectionate to women, because it is from them that they receive the +only kindnesses bestowed upon them, and a word from a female will excite +them to exertion, when the blows and threats of the men only make them +obstinate.</p> + +<p>The dog of the Hare Indians, or Mackenzie river, was first described by +Dr. Richardson, and is of a smaller size than the Esquimaux breed, but +with broad feet, which prevent him from sinking into the snow. One of +them, only seven months old, ran beside this gentleman's sledge for nine +hundred miles, frequently carrying one of his master's mittens in his +mouth; all are very gentle, and, like the Esquimaux dogs, do not bark.</p> + +<p>The large, powerful, and handsome dogs which go by the name of +Newfoundland, are not the pure breed of that country. The latter are +more slender in their make, have a sharper muzzle, a wilder look, and +are generally black in colour, with a rusty spot over each eye, and a +tawny muzzle. These are called Labrador dogs, and it is supposed that +they and the Esquimaux have contributed to form the commonly accepted +breed. What the latter have lost, however, in purity of blood, has been +gained on the side of beauty, and there is no animal of its size which +conveys a higher idea of intelligence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> and dignity, than the so-called +Newfoundland dog. All are semi-palmate, and dive, swim, and keep longer +in the water than any others of their tribe. One was picked up in the +Bay of Biscay, out of sight of any other vessel, fatigued and hungry, +and which, judging from the circumstances, must have been there for many +hours. Their fidelity, their courage, their generosity, are proverbial, +and yet it is whispered that they are occasionally capricious and not to +be trusted. During long years of intercourse with these animals, I never +met with an instance of this; and I have been told that it is more apt +to occur when they have been kept in confinement.</p> + +<p>A noble creature of the mixed breed, and of the usual colour—black and +white—belonged to me, and his extreme good-nature, and endeavours to +guard everything belonging to the family, made him like a confidential +servant. The great defects in his disposition were heedlessness, and an +under estimate of his own power; he did not stop to <i>think</i> before he +acted, as many more cautious dogs will do; and he forgot that his weight +was so great as to spoil and crush whatever he laid himself upon. As an +instance of the former, he one day fancied he saw some one whom he knew +in the street, and immediately dashed through the window, smashing not +only the glass, but the framework. Directly he had done it he felt he +had been wrong, and returning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> through the shattered window, which was +opened for him, he hung his head and walked unbidden to a recess in the +room covered with matting, to which place he was always banished when +naughty, and seated himself. The bell was rung for the house-maid to +come and clear away the broken glass, and as the woman smiled when she +passed Lion, I turned my head towards him. There he sat, with a pair of +my slippers, accidentally left in the room, in his mouth, as if he +thought they would obtain his pardon. My gravity was disturbed, and +Lion, seeing this, humbly came up to me, and rested his chin on my +knees. I then lectured him concerning the mischief he had committed; and +he so perfectly understood, that for a long time, when any one pointed +to the window, he would hang his head and tail, and look ashamed. During +my absence he constantly collected articles which belonged to me, and +slept upon them. One day, on returning from church, he met me on the +stairs, dragging a new silk dress along with him by the sleeve, which he +must have contrived, by himself, to have abstracted from a peg in a +closet.</p> + +<p>It must be owned that, clever as my Lion was, Professor Owen was +acquainted with a Lion who surpassed him. This gentleman was walking +with a friend, the master of the dog, by the side of a river, near its +mouth, on the coast of Cornwall, and picked up a small piece of +sea-weed. It was covered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> with minute animals, and Mr. Owen observed to +his companion, throwing the weed into the water, "If this small piece +afforded so many treasures, how microscopically rich the whole plant +would be; I should much like to have one!" The gentleman walked on; but +hearing a splashing in the water, turned round, and saw it violently +agitated. "It is Lion!" both exclaimed, "What can he be about? He was +walking quietly enough by our side a minute ago." At one moment they saw +his tail above the water, then his head raised for a breath of air, then +the surrounding element shook again, and at last he came ashore, panting +from his exertions, and laid a whole plant of the identical weed at Mr. +Owen's feet. After this proof of intelligence, it will not be wondered +at, that when Lion was joyfully expecting to accompany his master and +his guest on an excursion, and was told to go and take care of and +comfort Mrs. Owen, who was ill, that he should immediately return to the +drawing-room, and lay himself by her side, which he never left during +the absence of his owner; his countenance alone betraying his +disappointment, and that only for a few minutes.</p> + +<p>Many instances are recorded of Newfoundland dogs having saved the lives +of those who have fallen into the water, and among them was my father; +who, when he was one day missing, was traced to a deep pond in his +mother's garden. His<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> friend Trial was called; some of his young +master's clothes were shewn to the dog, the pond was pointed out, and +Trial dashed in, shortly bringing out the body. He watched all the +endeavours made to restore animation, and at last aided the work by +being allowed, when dry, to get into the bed, and with the warmth of his +body give heat and circulation to the half-expiring child.</p> + +<p>A very interesting anecdote is given of a person who was travelling +through Holland, accompanied by a large Newfoundland dog. Walking one +evening on a high bank, by the side of a canal, his foot slipped; he +fell into the water, and being unable to swim, soon became senseless. +When he recovered his recollection, he found himself in a cottage, on +the opposite side of the canal, surrounded by peasants, who had been +using all means for restoring him to life. He was told, that one of them +returning home from his work, saw at a considerable distance, a large +dog swimming in the water, sometimes pushing, and sometimes dragging +something which he appeared to have great difficulty in supporting; but +which he at length succeeded in getting into a small creek. When there, +the animal pulled this object as far out of the water as he was able, +and the peasant discovered it to be the body of a man. The dog shook +himself, licked the hands and face of his master; the peasant obtained +assistance, and the body was conveyed to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> the house, where the +endeavours used for resuscitation proved successful. Two bruises, with +marks of teeth appeared, one on the shoulder, the other on the nape of +his neck, whence it was presumed, that his preserver first seized him by +the shoulder, but that his sagacity prompted him to shift his grasp to +the neck; as by so doing he could keep the head out of the water. He had +continued to do this for at least a quarter of a mile, and thus +preserved his owner, as much by his intelligence, as by his affection.</p> + +<p>The Newfoundland dog, like many others, possesses a sense of time, and +Mr. Bell relates an instance of this, which occurred under his own +observation. He says, that a fine Newfoundland dog, which was kept at an +inn in Dorsetshire, was accustomed every morning as the clock struck +eight, to take in his mouth a certain basket, placed for the purpose, +containing a few pence, and to carry it across the street to a baker's, +who took out the money, and replaced it by the proper number of rolls. +With these Neptune hastened back to the kitchen, and safely deposited +his trust; but what was well worthy of remark, he never attempted to +take the basket, or even to approach it on Sunday mornings. On one +occasion, when returning with the rolls, another dog made an attack upon +the basket, for the purpose of stealing its contents; when the trusty +Neptune placed the basket on the ground, severely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> punished the +intruder, and then bore off his charge in triumph.</p> + +<p>The proofs of intelligence which I have related, are perhaps surpassed +by those of Dandie, a Newfoundland dog belonging to Mr. M'Intyre of +Edinburgh; but it must be recollected, that Dandie's education had been +more carefully and continuously carried on, than that of his before +mentioned brethren. He selected his master's hat from a number of +others, or a card chosen by his master from a whole pack; picked his +master's penknife from a heap of others, and any particular article +which he might have been told to find, although he would have to search +among a multitude of others belonging to the same person; proving that +it was not smell which guided him, but an understanding of what he was +required to do. One evening, a gentleman in company with others, +accidentally dropped a shilling on the floor, which, after diligent +search, could not be found. Dandie had been sitting in the corner of the +room, apparently unconscious of what had been going on, Mr. M'Intyre +then said to him. "Find us the shilling, Dandie, and you shall have a +biscuit," the dog instantly jumped up, and laid the shilling upon the +table, which he had picked up unperceived by the party. On his return +home one evening after the family had gone to rest, Mr. M'Intyre could +not find his boot-jack; upon which he said, "Dandie, I cannot find my +boot-jack; search for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> it." The dog scratched at the room-door, his +master opened it, and going to a distant part of the house Dandie +returned with the boot-jack in his mouth; where Mr. M'Intyre recollected +to have left it under a sofa.</p> + +<p>Several gentlemen were in the habit of giving Dandie a penny a day, +which he always took to a baker's, and exchanged for bread for himself. +One of them was accosted by the dog for his accustomed present; but he +said, "I have not a penny with me to-day, though I have one at home." +Having returned to his house, some time after he heard a noise at the +door; it was opened, and Dandie sprang in for his penny. By way of +frolic, the gentleman gave him a bad one; the baker refused to exchange +the loaf for it; the dog returned to the door, knocked, and when the +servant opened it, laid the penny at her feet, and walked away with an +air of contempt. He did not, however, always spend all his money, and +one Sunday, when it was very unlikely that he could have received a +present, he was observed to bring home a loaf. Surprised at this, Mr. +M'Intyre desired the servant to search the room for money. Dandie seemed +quite unconcerned till she approached the bed, when he gently drew her +from it. Mr. M'Intyre secured him, for he growled and struggled; and, +continuing the search, the woman found seven pence halfpenny under a +piece of cloth. From that time the dog could not endure her, and +henceforth hid his money in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> corner of a sawpit, under a heap of +dust. He constantly escorted Mr. M'Intyre's friends home, when desired +to do so, however considerable the distance, and when they were safe, he +returned to his own quarters.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jukes, in his "Excursions in and about Newfoundland," speaks of a +dog which appeared to be of the pure breed, and which he thought to be +more intelligent than the mixed race. This animal caught his own fish, +for which purpose he sat on a projecting rock, beneath a fish stage, on +which the fish were laid to dry, watching the water, the depth being +from six to eight feet, and the bottom quite white with fish-bones. On +throwing a piece of codfish into the water, three or four heavy, +clumsy-looking fish, called in Newfoundland <i>sculpins</i>, would swim in to +catch it. The instant one turned its broadside towards him, he darted +down, and seldom came up without the fish in his mouth. He regularly +carried them as he caught them to a place a few yards off, where he +deposited them, sometimes making a pile of fifty or sixty in the day. As +he never attempted to eat them, he appeared to fish for his amusement.</p> + +<p>Long, lanky, rough-haired, with drooping, bushy tail; long ears, half +erect; long, sharp muzzle; black and fulvous in colour, often mingled +with brown and white, the Shepherd's Dog yields to none in fidelity and +sagacity. In his own peculiar calling,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> nothing can exceed his +vigilance, his quick comprehension, and his intimate knowledge of every +individual entrusted to his care. Rushing into the middle of his flock, +he singles out any one member of it, and brings it to his master. Fierce +in the defence of all, he keeps them together by incessantly prowling +round them, dragging the wanderers back to their companions, and +fiercely attacking those who would offer them an injury. At night he +guides them to their fold; and if this should be in an exposed +situation, he throws himself across the entrance, so that the intruding +enemy will have to pass over his body to commence his work of +destruction.</p> + +<p>A ludicrous instance of the promptitude with which he punishes +offenders, is related by Colonel Smith, in the following manner:—"We +have witnessed the care they take of their charge, and with what +readiness they chastise those that molest them, in the case of a cur +biting a sheep in the rear of the flock, and unseen by the shepherd. +This assault was committed by a tailor's dog, but not unmarked by the +other, who immediately seized him, and dragging the delinquent into a +puddle, while holding his ear, kept dabbling him in the mud with +exemplary gravity; the cur yelled, the tailor came slipshod with his +goose to the rescue, and having flung it at the sheep-dog, and missed +him, stood by gaping, not venturing to fetch it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> back until the +castigation was over and the dog had followed the flock."</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i003.jpg" alt="i003" title="THE SHEPHERD'S DOG AND CUR"/></div> +<div class="figcenter"><span class="caption">THE SHEPHERD'S DOG AND CUR.—Page 102.</span></div> + +<p>As a proof of the comprehension of the shepherd's dog, I quote the +description of Mr. St. John, in his "Highland Sports:"—"A shepherd +once, to prove the quickness of his dog, who was lying before the fire +in the house where we were talking, said to me, in the middle of a +sentence concerning something else, 'I'm thinking, Sir, the cow is in +the potatoes.' Though he purposely laid no stress on these words, and +said them in a quiet, unconcerned tone of voice, the dog, who appeared +to be asleep, immediately jumped up, and leaping through the open +window, scrambled up the turf roof of the house, from which he could see +the potato field. He then (not seeing the cow there) ran and looked into +the byre [farm-yard], where she was, and finding that all was right, +came back to the house. After a short time the shepherd said the same +words again, and the dog repeated his look-out; but on the false alarm +being a third time given, the dog got up, and wagging his tail, looked +his master in the face with so comical an expression of interrogation, +that we could not help laughing aloud at him, on which, with a slight +growl, he laid himself down in his warm corner, with an offended air, as +if determined not to be made a fool of again."</p> + +<p>Mr. Hogg, the Ettrick shepherd, is the person of all others to give an +adequate idea of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> shepherd's dog, and I use very nearly his own +words. "My dog Sirrah, was beyond all comparison the best dog I ever +saw; he was of a surly, unsocial temper; disdaining all flattery, he +refused to be caressed; but his attention to my commands and interests +will never again, perhaps, be equalled by any of the canine race. I +thought I discovered a sort of sullen intelligence in his countenance, +notwithstanding his dejected and forlorn appearance; I gave a drover a +guinea for him. He was scarcely a year old, and knew so little of +herding, that he had never turned a sheep in his life; but as soon as he +discovered that it was his duty to do so, and that it obliged me, I can +never forget with what eagerness and anxiety he learned his evolutions. +He would try every way deliberately, till he found out what I wanted him +to do, and when I once made him understand a direction, he never forgot +or mistook it again. Well as I knew him, he often astonished me; for +when pressed hard in accomplishing the task that he was put to, he had +expedients of the moment, that bespoke a great share of the reasoning +faculty.</p> + +<p>"On one occasion, about 700 lambs, which were under his care at weaning +time, broke up at midnight, and scampered off, in three divisions, +across the neighbouring hills, in spite of all that he and an assistant +could do to keep them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> together. The night was so dark, that we could +not see Sirrah; but the faithful animal heard his master lament their +absence in words which, of all others, were sure to set him most on the +alert; and without more ado, he silently set off in quest of the +recreant flock. Meanwhile the shepherd and his companion did not fail to +do all in their power to recover their lost charge; they spent the whole +night in scouring the hills, for miles around, but of neither the lambs +nor Sirrah could they obtain the slightest trace. They had nothing for +it, day having dawned, but to return to their master, and inform him, +that they had lost the whole flock of lambs, and knew not what was +become of one of them. On our way home, however, we discovered a lot of +lambs at the bottom of a deep ravine, and the indefatigable Sirrah +standing in front of them, looking round for some relief, but still true +to his charge. The sun was then up, and when we first came in view, we +concluded that it was one of the divisions which Sirrah had been unable +to manage until he came to that commanding situation. But what was our +astonishment, when we discovered that not one lamb of the whole flock +was wanting. How he had got all the divisions collected in the dark is +beyond my comprehension. The charge was left to himself from midnight +until the rising sun, and if all the shepherds in the forest had been +there to assist him they could not have effected it with greater +propriety."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> + +<p>An exceedingly good shepherd's dog appears to concentrate all his powers +in his own immediate vocation; and in this does he exert and exhaust his +whole capacity. If he be suddenly awoke, and hurriedly called, he rears +himself up to see what sheep are running away, and he is so honourable, +that he will lie among pails full of milk, and neither touch them +himself, or suffer cat, rat, or any other creature to molest the store.</p> + +<p>The drovers' dogs are somewhat larger, and more rugged. They are as +sagacious as the shepherd's dog, but they are trained to act with more +cruelty to their charges.</p> + +<p>The original St. Bernard dog, which has for years been the object of so +much interest, resembles the Newfoundland in form, hair, color and size. +Another race with close, short hair, is trained to the same services; +and one of the latter belonged to me for some time, establishing himself +in the good graces of every one by his good temper and fidelity. He +must, however, with all his good qualities yield to Bass, the property +of Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, who thus writes of him. "My St. Bernard was +brought home direct from the Great St. Bernard, when he was a puppy of +about four or five months. His bark is tremendous; so loud, indeed, that +I have often distinguished it nearly a mile off. He had been missing for +some time; when, to my great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> joy, one of the letter carriers brought +him back; and the man's account was, that in going along a certain +street, he heard his bark from the inside of a yard, and knew it +immediately. He knocked at the gate, and said to the owner of the +premises 'You have got Sir Thomas Lauder's big dog.' The man denied it. +'But I know you have,' continued the letter carrier, 'I can swear that I +heard the bark of Sir Thomas's big dog; for there is no dog in, or about +all Edinburgh, that has such a bark.' At last, with great reluctance, +the man gave up the dog to the letter carrier, who brought him home +here. But though Bass's bark is so terrific, he is the best natured and +most playful dog I ever saw; so much so indeed, that the small King +Charles's spaniel, Raith, used to tyrannize over him for many months +after he came here from abroad. I have seen the little creature run +furiously at the great animal when gnawing a bone, who instantly turned +himself submissively over on his back, with all his legs in the air, +whilst Raith, seizing the bone, would make the most absurd and +unavailing attempts to bestride the enormous head of his subdued +companion, with the most ludicrous affectation of the terrible growling, +that might bespeak the loftiest description of dog-indignation. When a +dog attacks Bass in the street or road, he runs away rather than +quarrel; but when compelled to fight by any perseverance in the +attacking party,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> he throws his enemy down in a moment, and then, +without biting him, he lays his whole immense bulk down upon him, till +he nearly smothers him. He took a particular fancy for one of the +postmen who deliver letters here, whose duty it was, besides delivering +letters, to carry a letter bag from one receiving house to another, and +this bag he used to give Bass to carry. Bass always followed that man +through all the villas in this neighbourhood where he had deliveries to +make, and he invariably parted with him opposite to the gate of the +Convent of St. Margaret's, and returned home. When our gate was shut +here to prevent his following the postman, the dog always leaped a high +wall to get after him. One day when the postman was ill, or detained by +some accidental circumstance, he sent a man in his place. Bass went up +to the man, curiously scanning his face, whilst the man rather retired +from the dog, by no means liking his appearance. But as the man left the +place, Bass followed him, shewing strong symptoms that he was determined +to have the post-bag. The man did all he could to keep possession of it. +But at length Bass, seeing that he had no chance of getting possession +of the bag by civil entreaty, raised himself on his hind legs, and +putting a great fore-paw on, each of the man's shoulders, he laid him +flat on his back in the road, and quietly picking up the bag, he +proceeded peaceably on his wonted way. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> man, much dismayed, arose +and followed the dog, making, every now and then, an ineffectual attempt +to coax him to give up the bag. At the first house he came to, he told +his fears, and the dilemma he was in, but the people comforted him, by +telling him that the dog always carried the bag. Bass walked with the +man to all the houses at which he delivered letters, and along the road +till he came to the gate of St. Margaret's, where he dropped the bag and +returned home."</p> + +<p>The peculiar services which the St. Bernard dog is taught to perform, +have made them the blessings of the snow-covered regions in which they +dwell; their sense of smell is very acute, their large, full, eye, is +very expressive, and their intelligence has saved many persons from +death, when overtaken by cold on the Alpine passes. One of these noble +creatures wore a medal, in commemoration of his having preserved +twenty-two lives, and he at last lost his own in an avalanche, together +with those whom he was endeavouring to protect. They carry food and wine +with them; and followed by the monks, who have vowed themselves to the +task, seek those who need assistance.</p> + +<p>In passing over a number of dogs mentioned by Colonel Smith, concerning +which I have no data for anecdotes, I pause for a moment at the drover, +or cattle-dog of Cuba, and Terra Firma, in America, placed by him among +the native dogs, (Canis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> Laniarius), because they are so serviceable in +landing cattle from vessels. The oxen are hoisted out by slings passed +round the base of their horns; and when they are allowed to fall into +the water, men generally swim and guide them by the horns. This office, +however, is often performed by one or two dogs, who, catching the +frightened animal by the ears, force it to swim to the landing-place, +instantly releasing it when it touches the shore, and can walk to its +destination. They are equal to mastiffs in strength; and Colonel Smith +considers them as the feral dogs of St. Domingo, in continued +domesticity, and to have been taken from Spain to the West.</p> + +<p>Elegance of form, grace of movement, beauty of countenance, +extraordinary swiftness, and great strength; are all combined in the +Greyhound, as recorded during the last three thousand years; and +continued at the present moment, in various degrees, from the noble +sporting dog, to the delicate pet of the drawing-room. The narrow, sharp +head, the light, half hanging ears, the long neck, the arched back, the +slender yet sinewy limbs, the deep chest, shewing the high development +of the breathing organs, and the elevated hind quarters, all shadow +forth the peculiar qualities of these dogs. Their coat has been adapted +to the climate in which they originally lived: here it is smooth; but +becomes more shaggy as they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> are from colder regions. Still their +Eastern origin is always to be detected by the care which they require +during our winters; and (like the Arab horses) those kept for coursing +are muffled up in cloths during our periods of cold temperature. Their +form, their clear, prominent eyes, shew that they secure their prey by +speed, not by smell, and such is their power in this respect, that they +will run eight miles in twelve minutes, and will run down the hare with +fatigue, while they themselves are comparatively fresh. Colonel Smith +fixes their earliest origin to the westward of the Asiatic mountains, +where the Bactrian and Persian plains commence, and the Scythian steppes +stretch to the north. Thence they have been spread over Europe, Asia, +and part of Africa, many have again become wild, and others are the +pampered dependents of amateur sportsmen. Many Russian noblemen keep +packs of them in the Steppes.</p> + +<p>The Scotch greyhound (Cania Scoticus), generally white, with black +clouds, is said to be the most intellectual of all, and formerly to have +had so good a scent, as to be employed as a blood-hound. Maida, whose +name is immortalized as the favourite of Sir Walter Scott, was a +Scottish greyhound.</p> + +<p>The Irish is the largest of all the western breeds, and is supposed to +owe this distinction to mingling with the great Danish dog. To it +Ireland owes the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> extirpation of wolves, and itself now scarcely exists +but in name.</p> + +<p>An instance is recorded of a black greyhound, in Lancashire, who adopted +a life of freedom, and lived upon depredation. Many attempts were made +to shoot her, but she eluded them all; she was at last ensnared in a +barn, where she had placed her puppies; they were destroyed, and she +partially reclaimed, so as to be useful in coursing; but she always +retained that wild look which told of her frolic. A Mr. Kirkpatrick +possessed a greyhound which always took care of the meat in the kitchen, +and defended it from cats and other dogs.</p> + +<p>The rough, large-boned, ill-looking Lurcher, is said to have descended +from the rough greyhound and the shepherd's dog. It is now rare, but +there are some of its sinister-looking mongrel progeny still to be seen. +They always bear the reputation of being poachers' dogs, and are deeply +attached to their owners. They have a fine scent; and a man confessed to +Mr. Bewick, that he could, with his pair of lurchers, procure as many +rabbits as he pleased. They never give tongue, but set about their work +silently and cautiously, and hunt hares and partridges, driving the +latter into the nets of the unlawful sportsmen. They will even pull down +deer.</p> + +<p>There are still many English hearts which beat quicker at the cry of the +hound; there are some old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> ones which throb at the recollection of the +well-appointed field, when the bugle summoned them to the chase, when +gallant steeds carried them over gate, hedge, ditch, and river; they +even glory when they refer to fearful tumbles, barely escaping with +life, and some meeting with a death next in honour, according to their +notions, to that of a soldier in action. There are some young ones who +listen with entranced ears to the deeds of their forefathers, and amidst +the toil of the dark counting-house, wish that such times could come for +them. They never will come again; railroads have been invented, men's +minds have been diverted into other channels; and fox-hunting, with its +concomitant evils and its attendant pleasures, is gradually disappearing +from fox-hunting England. Some, on whom the spirit of Nimrod has +descended with such force, as to render them impatient under the +privation, go to distant lands, and there perform feats worthy of the +mighty hunter; but it is neither with hawk nor hound, and before many +generations have passed, our beautiful race of hunting dogs will exist +but in name.</p> + +<p>There are more varieties of these hounds than I can here enumerate; but +all possess a larger development of brain than the greyhound; their nose +is broader, as well as their jaws; their ears are large and hanging; +their tail is raised and truncated, and they have a firm, bold, and +erect gait, an appearance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> of strength, independence, and (if I may be +allowed to use the expression) candour, which is vainly looked for in +other dogs. They came to us from the East, probably at a later period +than those dogs which more resemble the wolf.</p> + +<p>The once-esteemed Blood-hound is now rare, and I copy Mr. Bell's +description of the breed, in possession of his namesake:—"They stand +twenty-eight inches high at the shoulder; the muzzle broad and full, the +upper lip large and pendulous, the vertex of the head protuberant, the +expression stern, thoughtful, and noble; the breast broad; the limbs +strong and muscular, and the original colour a deep tan, with large +black clouds. They are silent when following their scent; and in this +respect differ from other hounds, who are generally gifted with fine, +deep voices. Numbers, under the name of sleuth-hounds, used to be kept +on the Borders, and kings and troopers, perhaps equally marauders, have, +in olden times, found it difficult to evade them. The noble Bruce had +several narrow escapes from them, and the only sure way to destroy their +scent was to spill blood upon the track. In all the common routine of +life they are good-natured and intelligent, and make excellent +watch-dogs. A story is related of a nobleman, who, to make trial whether +a young hound was well instructed, desired one of his servants to walk +to a town four miles off, and then to a market-town, three miles from +thence. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> dog, without seeing the man he was to pursue, followed him +by the scent to the above mentioned places, notwithstanding the +multitude of market people that went along the same road, and of +travellers that had occasion to come; and when the blood-hound came to +the cross market-town, he passed through the streets without taking +notice of any of the people there, and ceased not till he had gone to +the house where the man he sought rested himself, and where he found him +in an upper room, to the wonder of those who had accompanied him in this +pursuit."<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> + +<p>The stately Stag-hound, with his steady, cautious qualities, is little +less valuable than the blood-hound for following a scent. Marvellous +feats are related of his perseverance and strength in pursuit of his +game; but since the reign of George the Third, the breed has not been +kept up. That monarch was particularly fond of this description of +hunting; but now, having fallen into disuse, it is not likely to be +revived. Stag-hounds are somewhat smaller than the blood-hound; rougher, +with a wider nose, shorter head, loose hanging ears, and a rush tail, +nearly erect. A most remarkable stag hunt is recorded as having taken +place in Westmoreland, which extended into Scotland. All the dogs were +thrown out except two, who followed their quarry the whole way. The stag +returned to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> park whence it started, where it leapt over the wall +and expired, having made a circuit of at least 120 miles. The hounds +were found dead at a little distance, having been unable to leap the +wall.</p> + +<p>The fox-hounds are still smaller than the stag-hounds, are generally +white in colour, with clouds of black and tan. They have been known to +run at full speed for ten hours, during which the hunters were obliged +to change their horses three times, or abandon the pursuit.</p> + +<p>The Harrier and the Beagle are still smaller varieties: as the name +indicates, the former are used exclusively for hunting the hare, and +have nearly superseded the beagle, which is chiefly valuable for its +very musical note. There was a fancy breed of them in the time of Queen +Elizabeth, so small, that they could be carried in a man's glove, and +were called singing dogs. They used to be conveyed to the field in +paniers.</p> + +<p>Turnspits are descended from ill-made hounds, which they resemble in +body, but have very short, and even crooked legs. They are rough or +smooth. They are said also to be derived from terriers, and it seems to +me that the perpetuation of malformation in several breeds will produce +the turnspit. They derive their name from having been used to turn the +kitchen spit, being put into an enclosed wheel, placed at the end for +the purpose. It is a curious fact, that now the office is abolished, the +race<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> has become nearly extinct. I extract the following from Captain +Brown's "Popular Natural History," to prove, that if turnspits had +crooked legs, they had not crooked wits:—"I have had in my kitchen," +said the Duke de Liancourt, to M. Descartes, "two turnspits, which took +their turns regularly every other day in the wheel; one of them, not +liking his employment, hid himself on the day he should have wrought, +when his companion was forced to mount the wheel in his stead; but +crying and wagging his tail, he intimated that those in attendance +should first follow him. He immediately conducted them to a garret, +where he dislodged the idle dog, and killed him immediately." The +following occurrence at the Jesuit's College at Flêche, shows that +others of the species have kept the turnspit to this disagreeable duty. +When the cook had prepared the meat for roasting, he found that the dog +which should have wrought the spit had disappeared. He attempted to +employ another, but it bit his leg and fled. Soon after, however, the +refractory dog entered the kitchen, driving before him the truant +turnspit, which immediately, of its own accord, went into the wheel. A +company of turnspits were assembled in the Abbey Church of Bath, where +they remained very quietly. At one part of the service, however, the +word "spit" was pronounced, rather loudly. This reminded the dogs of +their duty, and they all rushed out in a body, to go to their respective +dwellings.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> + +<p>From the word "Spanish" being often prefixed to the name of the Pointer, +it is supposed that these dogs came to us from the Peninsula; but as all +dogs came from the East, their more ancient origin is to be ascribed to +the Phœnicians, who brought them, not only to that country, but probably +to England, although many think they were not known here before 1688.</p> + +<p>In consequence of long training, the peculiar faculty of pointing at +game has become an innate quality on their part; young dogs inherit it, +and they only require that discipline which is necessary to make all +puppies behave themselves. If we look at a pointer, the first remark +which naturally arises, is that he is a large, indolent hound. He is +however, extremely docile and affectionate. The black are said to be the +best, but they vary in color; their fur is quite smooth, and they are +considered very valuable dogs. Mr. Gilpin speaks of a brace of pointers, +who stood an hour and a quarter without moving. This, however, was +exceeded by Clio, a dog belonging to my father, who stood with her hind +legs upon a gate for more than two hours, with a nest of partridges +close to her nose. She must have seen them as she jumped over the gate, +and had she moved an inch, they would have been frightened away. My +father went on, and having other dogs, did not miss Clio for a long +time; at length he perceived she was not with the rest, and neither<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +came to his call or whistle; he went back to seek her, and there she +stood, just as she had got over the gate. His coming up disturbed the +birds, and he shot some of them; but Clio when thus relieved, was so +stiff that she could not move, and her master sat down on the grass and +rubbed her legs till she could bend them again. She died of old age, +having been with us fourteen years from her birth; there were no signs +of illness: and she went out in the morning with the shooting party. The +first question on the return of the sportsmen was, an inquire for Clio; +search was made, and she was found quite stiff in the stable, having +apparently come home to die.</p> + +<p>Of the general intelligence of the pointer, the following is a proof. A +gentleman shooting in Ireland, with a dog totally unused to fetch and +carry, killed a snipe. It fell in soft, boggy ground, where he could not +get to pick it up. After some vain efforts to approach it, he hied on +the pointer, by saying, "Fetch it, Fan! fetch it." She seemed for a +moment puzzled at such an unusual proceeding, and looked round +inquisitively once or twice, as if to say; What do you mean? Suddenly +the sportsman's dilemma seemed to flash upon her. She walked on, took +the bird in her mouth quite gently, and carried it to where the ground +was firm; but not one inch further would she bring it, despite all the +encouragement of her master, who now wished to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> make her constantly +retrieve. This, however, was the first and last bird she ever lifted.</p> + +<p>A favourite pointer was lent by a gentleman to a friend; but after some +years of trial, finding the dog would not hunt with him, the friend +requested his master, then in Ireland, to receive him back. He was +conveyed in a packet from Bristol to Cork, and his owner went to meet +his dog. The vessel was at some distance from the shore; but seeing him +on the deck, the gentleman hailed the sailors, and requested he might be +sent in a boat. No sooner, however, did the dog hear his master's voice, +than he leaped into the water, and with great demonstrations of joy swam +to him on the shore. Such meetings have frequently been too much for +dogs, who have died from excessive joy at seeing those they loved, after +a long absence.</p> + +<p>The sporting dog called the Setter, is distinguished by his long, silky +hair, and has consequently been considered as a large spaniel. The head +shews an unusual development of brain; and his character for affection +and intelligence corresponds with this formation. He is very handsome, +is said to have come from Spain to this country, and his original colour +to have been deep chestnut, or white. He is now marked with brown, or +black, as well as having these colours.</p> + +<p>A gentleman in Ireland received a present of a beautiful black setter +puppy, from an unknown hand. He bred and cherished him, and the memory<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +of Black York is still fresh in his country; not only for his perfect +symmetry, his silky, raven black hair, but for his gentle, submissive +disposition. He was a nervous dog when young, for even a loud word +alarmed him, which, combined with his mysterious arrival, and an +involuntary affection, induced his master to transfer him from the +kennel to the drawing-room. From that time York acquired confidence, and +lost his timidity; he first walked out with the nursemaids and children, +and then accompanied his master. The latter went one morning to a rushy +field, to look at some newly born foals; and there York pointed to a +snipe. The bird rose, and pitched some hundred yards away, York's nose +detected him a second time: he crept on a dozen paces, and couched +again. This circumstance betokened his natural perfections; but with his +temperament, the firing a gun might be a dangerous trial. He was taken +day after day to mark the snipes, and praised for his conduct. After +this, his master took his gun and an attendant, with orders to the +latter, if York should attempt to levant or run away, he was to catch +him in his arms. It occurred as he had anticipated; poor York was +dreadfully frightened; every limb quivered, but he was soothed by +caresses, and encouraged to go where the dead snipe was lying. In a +moment he appeared to comprehend the whole. He smelled the snipe,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +looked at the gun, then in his master's face, and became bolder when he +there saw approbation. Another point, another shot, and another snipe; +and York and his master returned home; the gun was put in the corner, +and the snipes close by, on the carpet. A dozen times, while his master +was drinking his wine, York stole quietly to the corner, smelled the +snipes, and examined the gun. From that day he gave up walking with the +nursemaids, and became a matchless field dog.</p> + +<p>York was never willingly separated from his master, and was very unhappy +at his absence; he soon ascertained, that a carpet bag put into the gig, +was the signal for going away; and one day, he secretly followed, and +only shewed himself when he thought he was at such a distance that he +could not be sent back again. He was taken into the gig, and by this +means escaped a sad death.</p> + +<p>While he was away, a mad dog infected the kennel, and nine setters, and +two Skye terriers were obliged to be killed, Black York alone remaining. +"From the moment," says York's master, "I took him from the kennel to +the parlour, he cut all low connections; on the human race his +affections seemed to be concentrated, and on one occasion, he gave a +marked instance of his fidelity and intelligence. His mistress had gone +with her maid to the beach to bathe, and a general permission had been +given to the servants to go to the neighbouring fair a mile<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> off. The +young nurse, in the giddiness of girlhood, left the baby in his cot. +According to the then existing custom, the hall-door was wide open and, +save the sleeping baby, Black York and cats, no living thing held +possession of the premises. A strange priest arrived, to ask and receive +hospitality. He entered the hall, and the dog, otherwise quiet, sprang +forward and assailed him like a tiger. The priest retreated, York's back +was ridged for battle, and a mouthful of unquestionable teeth hinted to +his Reverence, that the canine customer would prove an ugly one. He +retreated accordingly, and York sat down beside his sleeping charge. +There he remained on guard until the absent mother returned; when she +entered the drawing room, her four legged representative laid his tongue +gently across the infant's face, and without opposition permitted Father +Malachi to walk in."</p> + +<p>Equally interesting is the biography of Mr. Bell's setter, Juno, who +from a puppy was one of the best dogs that ever entered a field. "She +appeared to be always on the watch, to evince her love and gratitude to +those who were kind to her;" and she had other than human friends. "A +kitten, which had been taken from its mother, shewed the usual horror of +cats at Juno's approach. She however seemed determined to conquer the +antipathy, and by the most winning perseverance completely attached the +kitten to her; and as she had lately<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> lost her puppies, she became its +foster-mother. Juno also played with some tame rabbits, enticing them by +her kind manner; and so fond was she of caressing the young of her own +species, that when a spaniel of my father's had puppies, and all but one +were destroyed, Juno would take every opportunity of stealing this from +its mother, and lick and fondle it with the greatest tenderness. When +the poor mother discovered the theft, she hastened to bring back her +little one; only to be stolen again at the first opportunity, until at +length, Juno and Busy killed the poor puppy between them, from excess of +tenderness."</p> + +<p>I close this account of the setter, by giving an instance of the +remarkable power of dogs to return to their homes from a distance, so +often cited, and which was exemplified by my father's setter Flush, a +dog of remarkable beauty and value. His master drove him in his dog cart +as far as London, a distance of above fifty miles, being the first stage +of a shooting excursion in another county. The carriage was so +constructed, that the opening to admit air was above, and not at the +sides, so that Flush could not possibly have seen any part of the road. +On his arrival in town, the groom tied him up by a cord, with access to +a kennel in the yard of the inn where my father stopped. He saw him the +last thing at night, but in the morning the rope had been severed, and +the dog was gone. All <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>inquiries proved fruitless, it was supposed the +great value of the dog had tempted some one to purloin him, and in great +trouble his master wrote home his lamentations. Late in the evening of +the day in which he was missed, my mother heard a scratching and whining +at the front door, as she passed through the hall. Not supposing in any +way it could relate to her, she did not heed it. In about half an hour a +smothered bark met her ears, and then she ordered a servant to open the +hall door and ascertain the cause. There was poor Flush—wet, dirty, +hungry, and weary; with the remainder of the rope hanging to his neck. +He had never been a house dog, and that he should seek the +dwelling-house rather than the stable at some little distance, was +another proof of his sagacity; he knew he should be there more +immediately cared for, and so he was. My mother fed him herself; and, +stretched before the fire, he forgot his troubles. The joyful news was +conveyed to my father, as fast as the post would take it, and from that +time Flush was a companion in the drawing-room, as well as in the +shooting excursion.</p> + +<p>The infinite variety of spaniels almost precludes a separate enumeration +of each in a limited work, I shall, therefore, confine myself to a few +general remarks. He may be called a small setter, as the setter is +called a large spaniel, having the same long hair and ears; but the +former is even more silken in its texture. With some it curls more, and +is a little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> harsher, and these are fonder of the water than the others. +Their attachments are strong, their intelligence great, and the beauty +of some of them makes them much sought as pets; they are, however, +generally useful to the sportsman. The only fault which can be laid to +their charge, and this perhaps only extends to a few, is, that they are +apt to love strangers as well as friends. As an instance to the +contrary, was a beautiful little red and white Blenheim, who was most +unsociable, and whose affections were most difficult to win. I, however, +succeeded, when on a visit to her mistress; and two years after, when I +repeated my visit, expected to have the same difficulty. She, however, +when the first bark had been given, became silent, and she did not +favour me with a sly bite on the heel, as she was in the habit of doing +to strangers. Before the evening was over, the recognition was complete, +and she jumped into my lap. Her mistress took pains to prevent her from +coming in contact with vulgar dogs, always thought her possessed of the +most refined habits, and was sure she never would be too fat, because +she ate so delicately. One evening, a small, social party of us were +listening to the music of Handel, executed by two of the finest +performers in the world, when through the door, which stood a little way +open, Fanny glided in, with a large piece of fat and skin in her mouth. +I thought I was the only person who saw her, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> remained quite still; +presently my eye caught that of the gentleman of the house, who made a +sign that he also had discovered her, and our equanimity was much +disturbed. She crouched rather than walked round the room, dragging her +<i>bonne bouche</i> over the rich folds of the delicately-tinted silk damask +curtains, as they lay upon the ground, till she reached a very obscure +corner under the piano, where she proceeded to enjoy herself. As soon as +the glorious music was concluded, "Did you see Fanny?" was the +exclamation, and the delinquent was dragged out before the last morsel +was devoured; so there was proof positive. The next morning the cook +told her mistress that she was in the habit of stealing such morsels as +I have described, and hiding them, and that she only took them out to +eat when she [the cook] was gone to church. Poor Fanny's reputation for +refinement was for ever clouded.</p> + +<p>In the same house lived a larger spaniel, of the variety which takes to +the water, and named Flora. She was an excellent house-dog, and, +generally speaking, under no restraint. Some alarm, however, occasioned +by a real or reported accident, caused the magistrate of the town in +which her master resided, to issue an order, that no dogs should leave +the premises of their owners without being muzzled. Accordingly, Flora, +when she went out with the servant, had this instrument put on; she +hated it at first, tried all she could to get it off, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> at length +appeared to become indifferent to the confinement which it produced. In +consequence of this, it was, perhaps, more carelessly buckled on, and +one day it came off, and the man stooped to put it in its place; Flora, +however, was too quick for him, she took it up in her mouth, plunged +with it into a neighbouring pond, and when she reached the deepest part, +dropped the muzzle into it, and swam back, with her countenance +expressing delight.</p> + +<p>All dogs enjoy the sport to which they are bred, and M. Blase tells us, +that he was once shooting near Versailles, when his friend, M. +Guilleman, accompanied him, with permission to kill wild ducks on the +preserve. There was but one dog between them, but at the first shot, a +fine spaniel ran up to them at full speed. He plunged into the water, +and caressing M. Guilleman, seemed to say—"Here I am at your service; +amuse me, and I will amuse you." The gentlemen pursued their sport all +day, and the dog proved excellent. No one appeared to own him; but the +sport over, off he set at full gallop, and they saw him no more. They +spoke of him to the keeper of the water, who informed them, that the dog +belonged to a sportsman living two leagues distant, who was at that time +laid up with the gout. "The dog knows," added the keeper, "that persons +come to shoot here every Sunday; and on that day, regularly makes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> his +appearance. Having done his duty for the first sportsman whom he meets, +he returns to his master."</p> + +<p>Mr. Martin, in his clever little treatise on dogs, vouches for the truth +of the following story:—"One morning, as a lady was lacing her boots, +one of the laces broke. She playfully said to her pet spaniel who was +standing by her, 'I wish you would find me another boot lace,' but +having managed to use that which was broken, she thought no more about +it. On the following morning, when she was again lacing her boots, the +dog ran up to her with a new silken boot-lace in his mouth. This created +general amazement; for where the dog had obtained it no one could tell. +There was no doubt, however, that he had purloined it from some one +else."</p> + +<p>A black and white spaniel, belonging to a friend of mine, seemed to +understand everything said to him, and if his master whispered in his +ear, "Find something for your master," every loose article which he +could carry was sure to be laid at his master's feet, and frequently the +ladies of the family were obliged to lock their work-boxes, to prevent +their contents from being carried off by Dash. If one glove were +missing, and the other were shown to him, he did not rest till he had +found it; and, one day I saw him push a pile of music-books off a +What-not, and drag a glove out which had been deemed irrecoverable. A +countryman, charged with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> a letter to be delivered to Dash's master, +arrived at the house while that gentleman was at breakfast. The man was +shown into a parlour, where he was about to sit down, when a growl +saluted his ears. Turning round, he saw Dash lying in a chair near the +fire-place, who reared his head, and the ring of the bell-pull hanging +close by, he put his paw in it. As often as the man attempted to sit, so +often did Dash growl; till at last the stranger's curiosity being +excited, as to what the dog would do if he persevered, he sat down in a +chair. Dash then effectually pulled the bell; and the servant who +answered the summons, was much astonished when he heard who had rung. +He, however, was equally pleased, for it explained a mystery which had +long puzzled him and his fellow servants. It seemed, that whenever any +of them sat up for their master or mistress when they were out, the +parlour bell was sure to ring immediately after they had settled +themselves to sleep. Of course they had never suspected the spaniel, +although, when they afterwards discussed the matter, they recollected +that when they awoke, he was not to be seen. There was no doubt that +directly he saw their eyes closed, he went to the bell in order to rouse +them to watchfulness.</p> + +<p>Even surpassing these histories of reason and fidelity, is that which +Mr. Bell relates, in nearly the following terms:—"My friend was +travelling on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> the continent, and his faithful dog was his companion. +One day, before he left his lodgings in the morning, with the +expectation of being absent till the evening, he took out his purse in +his room, for the purpose of ascertaining whether he had taken +sufficient money for the day's occupation, and then went his way, +leaving the dog behind. Having dined at a coffee-house, he took out his +purse, and missing a Louis d'or, searched for it diligently, but to no +purpose. Returning home late in the evening, his servant let him in with +a face of sorrow, and told him that the poor dog was very ill, as she +had not eaten anything all day, and what appeared very strange, she +would not suffer him to take her food away from before her, but had been +lying with her nose close to the vessel without attempting to touch it. +On my friend entering the room, she instantly jumped upon him, then laid +a Louis d'or at his feet, and immediately began to devour her food with +great voracity. The truth was now apparent; my friend had dropped the +money in the morning, when leaving the room, and the faithful creature +finding it, had held it in her mouth until his return enabled her to +restore it to his own hands; even refusing to eat for a whole day, lest +it should be out of her custody."</p> + +<p>All dogs trained for the service may become Retrievers or finders of +game, which they bring to their master without injury. Spaniels, +however,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> are generally preferred. Mr. St. John had one called Rover, a +black water-spaniel, who noticed everything that was spoken, and acted +accordingly. If at breakfast-time his master said, "Rover must stop at +home to-day, I cannot take him out," Rover never offered to go: but if +he said, "I shall take Rover with me to-day," the moment breakfast was +over, he was on the alert, never losing sight of his master. Plans were +frequently made for the ensuing morning in the dog's presence; and one +day he was not taken; ever after, when Rover heard over night what was +to take place, he started alone, very early, and met the party, sitting +in front of the road with a peculiar kind of grin on his face, +expressing a doubt of being well received, in consequence of coming +without permission. Directly, however, he saw he was well received, he +threw off his affected shyness, and jumped about with delight.</p> + +<p>Though a most aristocratic dog in his usual habits, when staying in +England with Mr. St. John, he struck up an acquaintance with a +rat-catcher and his curs, assisting them in their business, watching at +the rat-holes where the ferrets were in, and being the best dog of all; +for he never gave a false alarm, or failed to give a true one. The +moment he saw his master, however, he cut his humble friends, and +declined their acquaintance in the most comical manner.</p> + +<p>A dark-brown retriever, named Sam, was in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> habit of going into a +kennel of hounds, who always crowded round and caressed him. When they +were in the field at exercise, Sam was told to go and amuse them; he +then went among them, jumped Jim Crow, and played all sorts of antics, +leaping and tumbling about in the most laughable manner, they looking at +him most attentively. He went with his master to call upon a lady; she +patted him, asked if he were the celebrated Sam, and hearing he was, she +invited him to stay with her. The animal ran to his master, looked up, +and seemed to ask for his consent. He was told to return to the lady, +and take care of her, upon which he ran to her, took her basket from +her, and tried to express his willingness to serve her. He remained with +her for some hours, and when his master arrived to fetch him, the lady +was so pleased, that she asked for his company till the next day. Sam's +owner petted and praised him, told him to be a good dog, and stay with +the lady until she had given him his breakfast the next day. The dog was +contented to remain, ate his breakfast on the ensuing morning, then +looked up in the lady's face, wagged his tail, left the house, and ran +home. He was in the habit of fetching his master's clothes, and of +returning them to their proper places; and he knew their names. He sat +in a chair at dinner with the family, without making any confusion; or +dined alone, alternately taking a piece of bread and meat, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> then +drinking a little milk; and if any one said, "Give me a piece, Sam," he +instantly obeyed. When all was gone, he cleared away the things. He +would fetch his master's horse from the inn, pay the hostler, and ride +back upon the saddle. In short, he seemed to comprehend every thing that +was said to him and was a model of good nature and obedience.</p> + +<p>Wonderful as these stories are as matters of reason, they are perhaps +exceeded by some of the tricks performed by the Poodle-Dogs, who are +easily distinguished by their crisply curling hair, their large round +head, and long ears, and to whom water is as welcome and familiar as +land. Two of them, educated in Milan, exhibited their powers in Paris, +and I can vouch for the veracity of the following statement:—The elder +was named Fido, and the younger Bianco. The former was a serious, steady +dog, who walked about with much solemnity; but Bianco was giddy and +frolicsome. A word was given to Fido from the Greek, Latin, Italian, +French, or English languages, and selected from a book, where fifty +words in each tongue were inscribed, which, altogether, made three +hundred combinations. He selected from the letters of the alphabet those +which composed the given word, and laid them in order at the feet of his +master. On one occasion, the word <i>heaven</i> was told to him, and he +quickly placed the letters till he came to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> second <i>e</i>, when, after +vainly searching for the letter in his alphabet, he took it from the +first syllable, and inserted it in the second. He went through the four +first rules of arithmetic in the same way, with extraordinary celerity, +and arranged the double cyphers in the same way as the double vowel in +heaven. Bianco, however, although so heedless, was quicker than Fido, +and when the latter made a mistake, was called on to rectify it, but as +quickly dismissed, as he was wont to pull his companion's ears, to come +and play with him.</p> + +<p>One day Fido spelt the word <i>Jupiter</i> with a <i>b</i>, but the younger +<i>savant</i> being summoned to correct the error, he carefully contemplated +the word, and pushing out the <i>b</i>, replaced it with a <i>p</i>. A lady held +her repeating watch to the ear of Fido, and made it strike eight and +three quarters. Fido immediately selected an 8, and then a 6, for the +three-quarters; the company present and the master insisted upon his +error, and he again looked among his cyphers, but being unable to +rectify it, he coolly sat himself down in the middle and looked at those +around him. The watch was again sounded, and it was ascertained that it +struck two for every quarter, which quite exonerated Fido. Both dogs +would sit down to play ecarté, asking each other for, or refusing cards, +with the most important and significant look, cutting at proper times, +and never mistaking one card for another. Bianco occasionally<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> won, and +went to the cyphers to mark his points, and when he was asked how many +his adversary had gained, he took out an 0 with his teeth. They +sometimes played at ecarté with one of the company assembled to see +them, when they evinced the same correctness, and seemed to know all the +terms of the game. All this passed without the slightest audible or +visible sign between them and their master.</p> + +<p>There is a water dog at Hastings, belonging to Page the boatman, who, on +receiving a penny, immediately takes it to a baker's shop for the +purchase of a roll, nor will he part with it till the person who serves +him has put the bread upon the counter; he then lays it down, and walks +off with his purchase in his mouth. Another dog of this kind, also of my +acquaintance, was the family carrier; that is, she carried books, work, +etc., to any person or any room pointed out to her; and as we rather +encroached on her, she lost almost all her teeth from the hard and heavy +burthens with which she was laden. We had only to say, "Cora, take this +to so and so," and if the good dog could not find the person, she +brought it back and stood before us. At the same hour every afternoon, +she, untold, brought her master's boot-jack and slippers into his study, +to be in readiness for his return.</p> + +<p>Under the despised name of curs, Colonel Smith classes the sharpest, the +drollest, the most perti<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>nacious, the most mischievous, and yet the most +useful terrier; together with several other small dogs. Long-haired, +rough-haired, long-eared, short-eared, brush-tailed, smooth-tailed, +long-legged, short-legged, black-eyed, black-nosed; white, brown, black, +tan, sandy, mixed; every degree of pure or mongrel blood; terriers of +all kinds swarm around us, playing all sorts of antics, evincing all +kinds of impertinences, catching all sorts of vermin, and presenting +themselves to us in every shape of beauty or ugliness, of which their +race is capable.</p> + +<p>The most ancient of this influential, if not respectable tribe of dogs, +indeed the most ancient dog of Great Britain, is the Scotch Terrier, +brought to us, probably, from the north-west of Europe by our primitive +inhabitants. There are two varieties of indigenous terriers—the one, +smooth, usually white or black in colour, with tan spots; sharp muzzle; +bright and lively eyes; pointed or slightly turned-down ears; and tail +carried high. It is, however, supposed that the Scottish race, with a +shorter and fuller muzzle, stouter limbs, hard, shaggy fur, sometimes +white in colour, but more often sandy or ochry, is the oldest and most +genuine breed. One of these clever and excellent beasts, named Peter, +lived with my mother for some years, and during the whole of that time +evinced the greatest sagacity and attachment. He constantly understood +the conversation, provided it related to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> cats, rats, or himself; and +often when we spoke of him casually, without even knowing he was in the +room, or calling him by his name, he has laid his head on our knees and +wagged his tail, as much as to say, "I understand." He was a most +inveterate enemy to all rats, mice, and cats, nipping them in the back +of the neck, and throwing them over his head at the rate of one in a +minute. Before he came into our family, he won a wager that he would +kill twelve rats in twelve minutes: the second rat fastened on his lip, +and hung there while he despatched the other ten, and then, within the +given time, he finished that also. The inhumanity of such wagers did not +rest with him. He was stolen more than once, and brought back when a +reward was advertised; and, the first time, the signs of suffering about +him were very manifest. The beard under the chin, the tufts of the ears, +the fringes of the legs, had been all cut off, and he had been rubbed +with red ochre to disguise him for sale. He was placed with many others +in a cellar, ready for shipping, and the dog-dealer, or rather +dog-stealer, who brought him to us, said he thought he would have died +of grief in a day or two, for he refused to eat, and seemed to be +insensible either to kindness or anger. For three weeks he hung his head +and shrunk into corners, as if he felt himself degraded; but at last our +caresses and encouragement brought back his usual bold and lively +bearing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> + +<p>For the last three months of my mother's existence, Peter was almost +always on her bed, night and day; and during the final four weeks, when +death was daily expected, he was sad and dull: which was attributed to +the change in the habits of the family. Forty-eight hours before all was +over, Peter crept into a corner under the bed, which had always been his +place of refuge when in trouble; and we with difficulty prevailed on him +to quit it, even when his mistress wished to see and say farewell to +him. On that occasion he hung his head, and appeared to be so miserable, +that apprehensions of malady on his part were entertained. He returned +to his corner, and was not thought of for some time. At length all was +quiet in the room, and I was about to leave it, when I recollected +Peter. He was with difficulty prevailed on to leave his corner, where he +lay, curled up and trembling. I lifted him up to take a last look of his +beloved mistress, but he laid his head on my shoulder, and was so much +distressed that I carried him away immediately. On the following day, he +accompanied me up stairs, and when I passed my mother's door, he looked +up in my face as much as to say, "Are you going in there?" but I replied +"No!" and he never again asked for entrance. The coffin was soldered +down, and removed from the bed-room to the dining-room; and thus had to +pass the drawing-room where all the family were assembled. On<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> ordinary +occasions, Peter was furious at the sound of strange footsteps in the +house, and even barked loudly when any one knocked or rang at the +street-door. On this occasion, however, he suffered the men employed to +pass and repass frequently, without making the slightest noise; but that +he was conscious of some unusual occurrence was evident from his jumping +into my arms, where, as the coffin was brought down, he sat with ears +erect, and eyes fixed, and panted and trembled in the most agitated +manner till all was quiet. As long as the body remained in the house, he +took every opportunity of walking round it and lying under it, and when +it was removed at five o'clock one morning, to begin its journey to the +family vault, he was again much agitated, but never offered to bark. On +the following day, I and others started to attend the funeral at a +considerable distance, and my daughters were to arrive at eight o'clock, +to pass the day in the house of their deceased grandmother. I took leave +of Peter, placed him on a mat in the hall, and said, "Stay there till +the girls come." He laid himself down; and the servants assured me, he +never moved till the parties arrived; when he met them with subdued +looks, and closely attached himself to them as long as they were +present. I returned two hours after midnight; and the first sound which +I heard, when the carriage stopped at the door, was a noisy +demonstration of joy from Peter. He thenceforward resumed all his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> usual +habits, barking on all occasions; but he never was quite the same in +disposition. He grew indifferent to every one except my brother, never +played again; and four years after was found dead in his corner of +refuge.</p> + +<p>But it is not in a mournful light alone that we must view the Scotch, or +indeed any other terrier; for they are the most untiring playful beings +under the sun. I picked up a poor little expiring puppy by the edge of a +pond one day, recovered him, brought him up, and there never was a more +faithful or amusing beast. He proved to be a shaggy Scotch terrier; and +his heedless youth had to undergo many corrections before he became the +perfect model of obedience which his maturity presented. One of his +misdemeanours was, to kill the young chickens. The woman who managed the +poultry could not imagine why these little creatures died so fast, and +at first suspected that they picked up and swallowed something which +poisoned them. She, however, opened one, and did not find anything in it +which confirmed her suspicions; but the feathers were ruffled on the +back of the neck, and she was then convinced that they were destroyed by +a much larger animal than themselves. She watched for some days; and at +length saw Mr. Bruin, my dog, creep through a little hole in the palings +of the yard, and squat himself down, very gravely, as if he had not a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +thought of mischief in him; presently a little chicken ran past him, +snap went Bruin at the back of its neck, and giving it a toss over his +head as he would a rat, the little thing was dead. Another was served in +the same way; and I was then called to inflict the punishment I thought +most proper. I was averse to beating him at first, so I pointed to the +chicken, and scolded him so much that he appeared to be very sorry for +what he had done. But he was then young and giddy, and the impression +made was but slight. In three days he returned to his tricks, and I was +obliged to chastise him more severely. I tied a dead chicken round his +neck, beat him, and shut him up all day in a tool-house, where I visited +him several times, pointed to the chicken, and repeated how naughty he +was. He was so ashamed that he could not look me in the face, and in the +evening, when I released him, he could not eat. He recovered his gaiety +in a day or two because he was entirely forgiven; but he never again +went into the poultry-yard, and if by chance he saw a chicken, he would +hang his head and tail, and walk round it at such a distance, that he +evidently recollected his former conduct.</p> + +<p>The great friend and playmate of Bruin, was Pincher a very accomplished, +smooth terrier, capital dog to go with the hounds, and to kill all sorts +of obnoxious animals. If the two appeared to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> be asleep, and we +exclaimed "Cat!" or "Rat!" in one instant they were on their legs, +seeking in every direction for their game. They hunted on their own +account sometimes, and were often seen with a red spaniel, trotting +through the fields, no doubt conspiring together to have a feast. Both +Bruin and Pincher were perfectly aware when Sunday came round; and +although on other days, when they saw us equipped for a walk, they were +most vociferous in their entreaties to go also, on Sunday they hid +themselves under the sofa, and never offered to accompany us. They knew +where we went, and generally came to meet us on our return, sometimes +venturing as far as the gate of the churchyard, which was a mile +distant, but never went within the enclosure.</p> + +<p>One of my brothers, who was more peculiarly Pincher's master, had a +great fancy to be a doctor as he called it; and he chipped various flint +stones into fancied instruments. With these he pretended to perform +operations on Pincher, who would lie perfectly passive under his hands, +to have his teeth drawn, his limbs set, his wounds bandaged, his veins +opened. The grand finale used to be an entire cutting up, which the boy +copied from the same process practised on pigs. The dog was laid upon a +table, with his legs stuck out which he made as stiff as possible. His +head was then cut off, and as soon as the flint was passed across his +throat,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> the head fell on one side, and it might have been thought that +the dog fancied it was really off, so entirely did he let it lie without +motion. The flint was then passed round his legs, each of which fell +down without further movement, as close to the body as he could pull +them. At last, when all was ended, my brother said, "Jump up, good dog!" +and Pincher bounding off the table shook himself to life again.</p> + +<p>A favourite terrier was in the habit of accompanying his master, who was +a clergyman, to church, where he was so perfectly quiet, that few +persons knew of his presence. On one occasion, he went to a funeral, and +when the procession left the church, accompanied his master to the side +of the grave, where he mingled with the attendants. The parties remained +for some little time looking at the coffin after it was lowered, and the +clergyman slipped away, unobserved even by his dog. An hour after, as he +sat at dinner with his friends, his sexton requested to speak with him. +He was admitted into the room, when he said it was impossible to close +the grave, and that he did not know what to do. "Why?" asked the +gentleman, "Because Sir, your terrier stands there, and flies so +fiercely at us whenever we attempt to throw a spade full in, that we +dare not go on." One of the house servants was sent to the churchyard, +and there saw the dog in a perfect fury, defending the grave; she +refused<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> to come to his call, so by main force he removed her, and +carried her to the drawing-room. There, the moment she saw her master, +her transport of joy equalled her former fury; and it is supposed that, +not seeing her master go away, and missing him, she fancied he was in +the grave, and thus strove to protect him from injury.</p> + +<p>The same dog and a companion, equally faithful and sagacious, attached +themselves to their master's horse, and whenever they could, went out +with it. He rode out on it to dinner, the two dogs with him, who went +contentedly into the stable with their friend. He ordered his horse when +it was time to go away; but as it was a long while coming to the door, +inquiries were made about the delay, upon which the groom appeared, and +said he dared not take the horse out of the stable, for one of the +clergyman's dogs was on its back, and the other by its side, flying at +every person who came near the animal. The owner comprehended the +mystery, and going to the stable himself, brought forth the steed: the +groom was a stranger, and the dogs dared not trust him with their +master's property.</p> + +<p>A terrier, known to Professor Owen, was taught to play at hide and seek +with his master, who summoned him, by saying "Let us have a game," upon +which the dog immediately hid his eyes between his paws, in the most +honourable manner, and when the gentleman had placed a sixpence, or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> a +piece of cake in a most improbable place, he started up and invariably +found it. His powers were equalled by what was called a Fox-terrier, +named Fop, who would hide his eyes, and suffer those at play with him to +conceal themselves before he looked up. If his playfellow hid himself +behind a window curtain, Fop would, for a certain time, carefully pass +that curtain, and look behind all the others, behind doors, etc., and +when he thought he had looked long enough, seize the concealing curtain +and drag it aside in triumph. The drollest thing, however, was to see +him take his turn of hiding; he would get under a chair, and fancy that +he was not seen; of course, those at play with him pretended not to see +him, and it was most amusing to witness his agitation as they passed. +When he was ill he had been cured by some homœopathic globules, and ever +after, if anything were the matter with him, he would stand near the +medicine box, and hold his mouth open.</p> + +<p>A black and tan terrier, belonging to a linen-draper in Swindon, +directly the shop was opened in the morning, was in the habit of going +to the post-office with his master; the letter bag was put into his +mouth, and he carried it home. One morning he took it into his head to +precede his master, and go alone. The post-master, on seeing him, felt +so certain his owner was at the door, that he delivered the bag to him, +with which he ran home while his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> master was seeking him. From that time +it became his regular duty to fetch the letters daily.</p> + +<p>Sir Walter Scott tells us of the remarkable comprehension of human +language evinced by his Bull-dog terrier, called Camp. He understood so +many words, that Sir Walter felt convinced an intercourse with dumb +animals might be enlarged. Camp once, bit the baker, for which Sir +Walter beat him, and, at the same time, explained the enormity of the +offence; after which, to the last moment of his life, he never heard the +least allusion to the story, in whatever voice or tone it might be +mentioned, without getting up and retiring into the darkest corner of +the room, with great appearance of distress. Then, if it were said that +the baker had been well paid, or that the baker was not hurt after all, +Camp came forward, capered, barked, and rejoiced. When he was unable, +towards the end of his life, to attend his master in his rides, he +watched for his return, and the servant used to tell him Sir Walter was +coming down the hill, or through the moor, Camp never mistook him, +although he did not use any gesture, but either went out at the front to +ascend the hills, or at the back to get at the moor side.</p> + +<p>These anecdotes, taken from many others concerning Terriers, cannot be +better ended than by some concerning a Russian terrier. As I once was +acquainted with an inimitable monkey, named Jack,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> so do I now know an +inimitable dog of that name. He is small, white, with some quaintly +placed dark brown spots on the body and head; his eyes are of the most +brilliant black, he is slightly and genteelly made, and he has a +quantity of curling hair on his back only, which gives him a peculiar +appearance. He formerly resided in Ireland with the mother of his +present possessor, to whom he evinced that devoted attachment which +ought to be named canine, for there is nothing equal to it in any other +animal. This lady was ill for some years before her death, and could +only take exercise in an invalid chair. When she was ready to go out, +she would say, "Now, Jack, I am ready for the chair," upon which he +immediately scampered off to the stables, placed himself in the vehicle, +and was dragged to the door. Then he got out till his mistress was +placed comfortably in it, when he seated himself at her feet. If they +went through the garden, the carriage was stopped at Jack's favourite +beds of flowers, for he had a remarkable fancy, like a cat, to enjoy +their perfume; mignonette being always a source of delight. On one +occasion, in Dublin, he was lost; sought for, and met in the arms of a +policeman, who was carrying him home. The man said he had actually +delivered himself up at the station, for he came into the room where +several men were seated, looked at one of them, as he stood at his feet, +and quietly suffered his collar to be inspected and himself taken up and +carried.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> + +<p>He entered the drawing-room where his two mistresses were sitting, and +made signs for one of them to go to the door. She did not heed his +request; upon which he pulled her gown with his teeth, and she, thinking +he must have some extraordinary reason for it, then followed him; the +instant she opened the door wide, he squatted himself in the middle of +the mat placed there, thumping the floor with his tail; before him lay +six dead rats, which he had killed and brought to be seen, they being +laid out, rat fashion, in due form, and he displaying his prowess with +great pleasure. Jack went to Torquay with his young mistress, where he +was one day lying in the balcony, enjoying the sea breezes. An Italian +came past with his organ, and a monkey; he stopped before Jack, and +suffered his monkey to climb the pillars which supported the balcony and +enter. Jack never tamely suffered the intrusion of strangers; but such a +stranger as this was beyond all patience; he seized him, shook him; the +poor monkey squealed, the Italian bawled out for his companion, and +Jack's mistress rushed to the window and rescued the unfortunate +creature, just time enough to save him from Jack's final gripe. Some +days after this, Jack was walking out with his mistress's brother, who +was a great invalid, when the sound of an organ saluted his ears. In one +moment he came up with it, seized the accompanying monkey between his +teeth, and dashed past his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> astonished master, with the hind legs of the +creature hanging out on one side, and the feathered hat on the other. In +vain did the gentleman call; Jack either did not hear or did not heed; +he took his way to the stable where his master's horse was kept, and +would have immolated the monkey, had not the grooms there saved him from +death. The invalid and the owner of the monkey arrived at the same +moment, each delighted at the safety of the poor victim. Jack, to this +day, cannot endure an organ or a monkey.</p> + +<p>The Pariah dogs of India, when wild, occupy the woods in numerous packs; +they have long backs, pointed ears, sharp noses, and fringed tails. +Their fondness for human beings is very remarkable; and they will attach +themselves to a stranger, and not suffer any ill-usage to keep them at a +distance. One was known to follow a gentleman travelling in a palanquin +till he dropped from fatigue. There is a minute variety, white, with +long silky hair, like a lap dog, and this is trained to carry flambeaux +and lanterns. Bishop Heber gives an account of a poor Pariah dog, who +followed him during a part of his journey through India. He ordered the +cook to give him some scraps, and the animal strongly attached himself +to the bishop. When the party were obliged to cross a rapid river, at +rather a dangerous ford, the dog was so frightened at the black roaring +water, that he sat down by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> side and howled piteously, as the bishop +went over. He, however, assumed courage to follow; but was again +distressed when one of the Sepoys was missing; he ran back to the spot, +and howled, returned to the bishop, then back to summon the defaulter, +and continued this till the man had rejoined his party.</p> + +<p>The bishop relates a story of one of these dogs who, being in search of +water, thrust his head into an earthen jar, and could not get it out +again; he rushed about in all directions, bellowing and howling in the +most fearful manner. The guard sprang to their feet, and stood prepared +to encounter an enemy, whose approach they thought was announced by the +blast of a war-horn. Halters were broken, and horses and mules pranced +over the tent ropes; and it was some minutes before the cause of this +confusion was ascertained.</p> + +<p>A massive form, arched skull, deep lower jaw, strong legs and neck, +semi-hanging ears, truncated tail, and frequent presence of a fifth toe, +distinguish the noble Mastiff. They are silent, phlegmatic dogs, +conscious of their own strength, seem to consider themselves more as +companions than servants, are resolute, and face danger with the utmost +self-possession. A cold region, such as the highest ranges of Central +Asia, is best adapted to their perfect development, and yet their only +wild type is met with in Africa. They are old denizens of Great Britain, +and are said to have been brought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> here before the Romans conquered the +country. They are not supposed to have come originally from Africa, but +from Thibet, through the north of Europe.</p> + +<p>They have been known to conquer lions; and yet, while they possess the +most indomitable strength and courage, they are the gentlest of animals, +suffering children to sit upon them, pull them roughly, and small dogs +to snap and snarl at them. Confinement alone disturbs their temper. They +are excellent guardians, and such is their deliberate coolness, that +they have been known to walk quietly by the side of a thief without +doing him an injury, merely preventing his escape. They will, however, +suffer the rogue to go away, if he has not already purloined anything.</p> + +<p>It is well known that dogs love to be in a crowd of people, and this is +frequently the temptation for them to enter churches. A number of dogs, +in a village of Bohemia, had followed this practice, including an +English mastiff, belonging to a nobleman who lived there. A magistrate +who presided at a Court, observed upon it, and said, in an authoritative +voice, "No dogs shall be allowed to go to church, let me not see one +there in future." The mastiff was present, and seemed to listen with +attention, not without effect, for on the ensuing Sunday, he, rising +early, ran barking at the village dogs, took his station near the door +of the church, killed the only dog that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> ventured in, notwithstanding +the prohibition; and always posted himself as a sentinel on duty, before +the church, but without ever afterwards entering it.</p> + +<p>An English gentleman, some time ago, went to some public gardens, at St. +Germain, with a large mastiff, who was refused admittance, and the +gentleman left him in the care of the bodyguards, who were placed there. +The Englishman, some time after he had entered, returned to the gate, +and informed the guards that he had lost his watch, telling the +sergeant, that if he would permit him to take in the dog, he would soon +discover the thief. His request being granted, the gentleman made signs +to the dog of what he had lost, who immediately ran about among the +company, and traversed the gardens, till at last he laid hold of a man. +The gentleman insisted that this person had his watch; and, on being +searched, not only his watch, but six others, were discovered in his +pockets. What is more remarkable, the dog took his master's watch from +the other six, and carried it to him. This is rather an old story, but +it is an excellent example of the sagacity of the mastiff.</p> + +<p>The following anecdote has been sent to me while writing the above, by +the gentleman who witnessed the occurrence, and, as Glaucous was half a +mastiff, I insert it in this place:—</p> + +<p>"An Irish gentleman, possessed a couple of immense dogs, male and +female, half Newfoundland,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> half mastiff, which were celebrated for +their sagacity, courage, and high-training. They were, in the most +comprehensive sense, amphibious, and their home being near the sea, they +spent many hours daily in the water.</p> + +<p>"One day a young gentleman, related to the owner of these dogs, and to +whom the male, who was called Glaucous, had attached himself with the +ardent affection so characteristic of his species, was walking on the +shore with him. It was nearly low water, and a sand-bank, covered during +high tide, was visible at some hundred yards distance from the shore. +His attention was drawn to this object, from the circumstance of the +water being in a state of commotion around it, while the sea elsewhere +was perfectly placid. On further examination, he discovered that some +large fish was chasing a shoal of whiting, and in his eagerness to +capture his prey, he more than once ran on the sand-bank.</p> + +<p>"Directing the dog's attention to these objects, he was encouraged to +swim to the sand-bank, which he soon attained, and he had not been there +a minute, before the large fish made another dash almost under his nose. +The dog immediately pursued the fish; and ere it had reached the deep +water he seized it by the shoulders, and bore it to the sand-bank. The +fish, however, remained far from passive under such treatment, for as +soon as it was released, it opened its large jaws, and bit the dog so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +fiercely as to cause his muzzle to be crimsoned with blood.</p> + +<p>"A few struggles brought the fish again into his own element, in which +he quickly disappeared. But the dog, though severely bitten, was not +discomfited. A cheering call from his young friend, was followed by his +dashing into the water after his finny foe, and diving, he reappeared +with the fish trailing from his jaws. Again he bore him to the +sand-bank, and again the fish made good use of his teeth.</p> + +<p>"But it was evident that the struggle could not be much longer +continued. Availing himself of every opportunity, the dog used his +powerful tusks with terrible effect on the fish's shoulders, and at +last, taking a good gripe of his prey, he set off for the shore. When +about halfway, the fish managed to break loose, but Glaucous was too +quick for him, and once more seizing him, he landed his prize with all +the apparent triumph evinced by a veteran angler, who secures a monster +salmon after a lengthy battle. The fish turned out to be a hake; it +weighed seventeen pounds, and when opened was found completely filled +with whitings."</p> + +<p>The Bull-dog, with his truncated nose, his broad mouth, red eyelids, +large head, forehead sinking between the eyes, nose rising, under-jaw +projecting, often showing the teeth, and thick make, has not those +outward characters which compose beauty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> + +<p>Their heads have always black about them; but the rest is brindled, +buff, ochry, or white. They are said to be less sagacious than other +dogs, and less capable of attachment; but their great strength, their +courage, and extreme pertinacity in keeping hold when they have once +taken a gripe, makes them most valuable for completing the packs of +hounds trained to hunt boars, wolves, and still larger animals. When +excited they are terrific in appearance, and were formerly used for +bull-baiting in this country. In Spain and Corsica, where this practice +is still continued, they may be seen in all their strength and power. I +have been told they are gentle when not engaged in their cruel sport.</p> + +<p>The Pug has been by some considered as a variety of the bull-dog, and +others reject this opinion. His round head, grotesquely abbreviated +muzzle, and small, tightly curled tail, they think, entitling him to a +place of his own among dogs. Authorities state that he is a cross, +ill-tempered little dog, but my own experience contradicts this. The two +with whom I have come in frequent contact, have been remarkably playful +and good-natured. One was the pet of a lady; and his bringing up ought +to have made him gentlemanly; but he had several low tricks in the +eating way; such as stealing from the scullery, which used to provoke +his mistress. His place for hiding the purloined dainties was under the +pillow of her bed, and frequently at her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> nightly examination of the +spot, she found, not only bones, but dead mice.</p> + +<p>Pug number two, was a very clever fellow, who used to walk out by +himself every day, and when he wished to re-enter the house, he always +rang the door bell; either by shaking the wire with his paw, or taking +it between his teeth. He was clever in fetching what was wanted from +distant parts of the house, but was very much afraid of being by himself +in the dark. He had formed a great friendship with a kitten, and the two +used to bask together before the fire. If Pug were told to fetch some +article from the bed-room, after the house was closed for the night, he +insisted on having puss's companionship. If she were unwilling to move, +he dragged her along with his mouth, and frequently mounted several +stairs with her, before she gave consent to the proceeding.</p> + +<p>Multitudes of anecdotes exist, which have been handed down to us, as +relating to dogs, without any information of the species of the +principal actors, as in the following instances.</p> + +<p>The fire dog, only just dead, was to be seen at almost every +conflagration in London, either mounted on the engine, or tearing along +by its side, seeming to think his presence necessary on all such +occasions. He was well known at all the engine stations, though he did +not belong to, or derive his support from any individual. There is now a +dog,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> at the Temple, which belongs to the inn, and not to any one +person; he is a mongrel, is fed wherever he chooses to ask, and is to +be seen everywhere within the precincts of the place. Dogs have +frequently been known to attach themselves to regiments, in the same +manner. One named Battalion, belonged to the first regiment of Royal +Guards in France. Being always stationed at the guard-house, he remained +there. The frequent change of masters was of no importance to him; he +did not even go to the barracks; and considered himself as the property +of twelve soldiers, two corporals, a sergeant, and a drummer, whoever +they might happen to be; but if the regiment changed garrison, he +installed himself at the new guard-house. He never took any notice of +those who did not wear the same uniform.</p> + +<p>The histories of the smuggling dogs on the frontiers of France, are well +known, but these smugglers are now almost all destroyed. The extent to +which this illicit commerce was carried, was enormous. Dogs notions of +property, however, are often very scrupulous; a lady at Bath found her +way impeded as she walked by a dog, who had discovered the loss of her +veil, though she had not; the animal had left his own master to seek it +for her; he found it, and then returned to his owner. They often shew a +presentiment of danger, and gave notice of the earthquake at Gabaluasco +in 1835, by leaving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> the town, also at Concepcion, in the same manner.</p> + +<p>Some dogs have a great antipathy to music, others only to certain tones, +and I have known a dog who always set up a howl at particular passages. +There was one who, before the great revolution in France, used to march +with the band at the Thuileries because he liked it, and at night +frequented the opera and other theatres.</p> + +<p>The most surprising histories told of dogs are concerning their speech. +Liebnitz reported to the French Academy of Sciences, that a dog had been +taught to modulate his voice, so that he could distinctly ask for +coffee, tea, and chocolate. After this we may believe that a dog was +learning to say Elizabeth. I have often watched for such sounds, from +energetic, clever dogs, who have evidently tried <i>vivâ voce</i> to make me +acquainted with some circumstance, but never heard anything +intelligible, and I cannot imagine that the organs of speech are +bestowed upon a favoured few; without which the articulation of words +must be impossible.</p> + +<p>Volumes might be filled with these anecdotes of dogs, but I will here +conclude my list with the picture given by Mr. St. John of his pets, +portraying a happiness which contrasts strongly with the miserable +condition of many ill-used animals, belonging to hard-hearted masters, +who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> perform valuable services, and are yet kicked, spurned, or +half-starved.</p> + +<p>"Opposite the window of the room I am in at present," says this +gentleman, "are a monkey and five dogs basking in the sun, a +blood-hound, a Skye terrier, a setter, a Russian poodle, and a young +Newfoundland, who is being educated as a retriever. They all live in +great friendship with the monkey, who is now in the most absurd manner +searching the poodle's coat for fleas, lifting up curl by curl, and +examining the roots of the hair. Occasionally, if she thinks that she +has pulled the hair, or lifted one of his legs rather too roughly, she +looks the dog in the face with an inquiring expression to see if he be +angry. The dog, however, seems rather to enjoy the operation, and, +showing no symptoms of displeasure, the monkey continues her search; and +when she sees a flea, catches it in the most active manner, looks at it +for a moment, and then eats it with great relish. Having exhausted the +game on the poodle, she jumps on the back of the blood-hound, and having +looked into her face to see how she will bear it, begins a new search, +but, finding nothing, goes off for a game at romps with the Newfoundland +dog. While the blood-hound, hearing the voice of one of the children, to +whom she has taken a particular fancy, walks off to the nursery. The +setter lies dozing and dreaming of grouse; while the little terrier sits +with ears pricked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> up, listening to any sounds of dog or man that she +may hear; occasionally she trots off on three legs to look at the back +door of the house, for fear any rat-hunt, or fun of that sort may take +place without her being invited. Why do Highland terriers so often run +on three legs, particularly when bent on any mischief? Is it to keep one +in reserve in case of emergencies? I never had a Highland terrier who +did not hop along constantly on three legs, keeping one of the hind legs +up as if to give it rest."</p> + +<p>A proof of the sudden attachments which dogs will form, is given by Mr. +Murray, to whom the dog of his guide took a fancy. Mr. Murray passed the +night in the house of his master, fed him, and the animal sat looking up +in his face. The next morning the party started on foot to cross the +Pyrenees, and when the guide had fulfilled his agreement and received +his reward, he took his leave; the dog, however, followed Mr. Murray, +and no threats or entreaties could prevail on him to turn back. He +proceeded to an inn with his new friend, and Mr. Murray was making a +bargain with the innkeeper to send the dog to his owner, when a boy came +from the man, to claim the beast. He followed the boy two or three times +for a few yards, and invariably returned. A strong cord was then tied +round his neck, and the boy was told to lead him with that; but at a +little distance, finding that he could not get rid of the cord, the dog +leaped upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> the boy, threw him down, dragged the cord out of his hand, +and returned to Mr. Murray. After this it seemed inevitable that they +should travel together. Mr. Murray sent for the master, bought the dog, +and eventually took him to Scotland, having a place secured for him +always in the diligence; and from the moment he arrived, he became the +pet of the family.</p> + +<p>Another instance of the same feeling in dogs, occurred to a sporting +traveller in Norway (Mr. Lloyd, if I mistake not) to whom the dog of a +peasant took the same sudden liking.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Boyle.</p></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="WOLVES" id="WOLVES"></a>WOLVES.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Strong, gaunt, ferocious, cunning, cowardly, and sinister-looking, +wolves (Canis Lupus) still inhabit the forest and mountainous districts +of Europe, Asia, and America; a few being occasionally met with in +plains. Happily they have been extirpated from Great Britain and +Ireland, but in many parts of populous countries on the European +Continent, an unusually severe winter brings them to the habitations of +man.</p> + +<p>Their resemblance to dogs, internally and externally, has led to the +supposition, that they were the original parents of the latter; but I +have elsewhere alluded to this unsettled question.</p> + +<p>The muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders of wolves, are extremely +powerful, and the snap with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> which they bite is never to be mistaken, +being apparently peculiar to them. They drink by suction, and it is +said, that if the offspring which they have by a dog, should lap, they +take a dislike to it. The cry which they make is not a regular bark, but +a hoarse, ugly noise, and the howl which they delight in setting up at +night, is one of the most melancholy sounds possible. They vary much in +colour, being white, black, grey, brown, etc. Their digitigrade walk, +sharp muzzle, oblique eyes, and hanging tail, in their wild state, are +less conspicuous in domestication, and they then gradually assimilate +themselves in appearance to our hounds.</p> + +<p>Innumerable are the true histories which have been transmitted to us +concerning wolves. Their nightly prowling, their quiet, untiring +perseverance in pursuit, their skulking disposition, their artful +stratagems, all impart a mystery to them which has been heightened by +fear, and the natural proneness of man to magnify tales of horror.</p> + +<p>Wolves are too suspicious to be often taken in traps; and when pursued +they run with their noses almost touching the ground, their eyes glowing +like fire, the hair of their head and neck bristled up, their tail drawn +close to their legs. Their usual height at the shoulders is about two +feet and a half; their young are born in caverns or gloomy recesses, and +the female wolf is furious in their defence. They often fight with each +other; and it is said, if a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> wounded wolf come among his fellows, he is +immediately torn in pieces and devoured.</p> + +<p>Mr. Lloyd, in his "Field Sports in the North of Europe," tells us of a +peasant who, in the neighbourhood of St. Petersburgh, met with the +following narrow escape:—"He was pursued by eleven of these ferocious +animals, while he was in his sledge. At this time he was only about two +miles from home, towards which he urged his horse at the very top of his +speed. At the entrance of his residence was a gate, which happened to be +closed at the time; but the horse dashed this open, and thus his master +and himself found refuge in the courtyard. They were followed, however, +by nine out of the eleven wolves; but very fortunately, at the very +instant these had entered the enclosure, the gate swung back on its +hinges, and thus they were caught as in a trap. From being the most +ferocious of animals, now that they found escape impossible, they +completely changed, and so far from offering molestation to any one, +they slunk into holes and corners, and allowed themselves to be +slaughtered, almost without making resistance."</p> + +<p>A more tragic occurrence happened to an unfortunate woman, also in +Russia, and is related by the same gentleman:—"A woman, accompanied by +three of her children, was one day in a sledge, when they were pursued +by a number of wolves. She put the horse into a gallop, and drove +towards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> her home with the utmost speed. She was not far from it; but +the ferocious animals gained upon her, and were on the point of rushing +on to the sledge. For the preservation of her own life, and that of the +remaining children, the poor, frantic creature cast one of them to her +blood-thirsty pursuers. This stopped their career for a moment; but, +after devouring the poor child, they renewed the pursuit, and a second +time came up with the vehicle. The mother, driven to desperation, +resorted to the same horrible expedient, and threw another of her +offspring to her ferocious assailants. The third child was also +sacrificed in the same way, and soon after, the wretched being reached +her home in safety. Here she related what had happened, and endeavoured +to palliate her own conduct, by describing the dreadful alternative to +which she had been reduced. A peasant, however, who was among the +bystanders, and heard the recital, took up an axe, and with one blow +cleft her skull in two, saying, at the same time, 'that a mother who +could thus sacrifice her children for the preservation of her own life, +was no longer fit to live.' The man was committed to prison, but the +Emperor subsequently granted him a pardon."</p> + +<p>The tame wolf at the Jardin des Plantes, is described by M. Frederic +Cuvier, in the following manner:—"This animal was brought up as a young +dog, became familiar with every person whom he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> was in the habit of +seeing, and in particular followed his master everywhere, evincing +chagrin at his absence, obeying his voice, and showing a degree of +submission, scarcely differing in any respect from that of the most +thoroughly domesticated dog. His master being obliged to be absent for a +time, presented his pet to the Jardin des Plantes, where the animal, +confined in a den, continued disconsolate, and would scarcely take his +food. At length, however, his health returned; he became attached to his +keepers, and appeared to have forgotten all his former affection; when, +after eighteen months, his master returned. At the first word he +uttered, the wolf, who had not perceived him among the crowd, recognized +him, exhibited the most lively joy, and, being set at liberty, lavished +on his old friend the most affectionate caresses. A second separation +and return was followed by similar demonstrations of sorrow, which, +however, again yielded to time. Three years had passed, and the wolf was +living happily in company with a dog, when his master again returned, +and the still remembered voice was instantly replied to by the most +impatient cries, which were redoubled as soon as the poor fellow was at +liberty, when, rushing to his master, he threw his fore-feet on his +shoulders, licking his face with every mark of the most lively joy, and +menacing his keepers, who offered to remove him, and towards whom, not a +moment before, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> had been showing every mark of fondness. A third +separation, however, seemed to be too much for this faithful animal's +temper; he became gloomy, desponding, refused his food, and for a long +time his life appeared to be in danger. His health, however, returned; +but he no longer suffered the caresses of any but his keepers, and +towards strangers manifested the original savageness of his species."</p> + +<p>There was another wolf at the same Menagerie, who was very docile and +affectionate, distinguishing those whom he knew from strangers, and +seeking their caresses. We were very good friends, and I often played +with him, so that he knew my voice. After an absence of two years, to my +great surprise, he recognized it, dashed to the bars of the den, thrust +his paws out to greet me, and gave every sign of delight. It is +probable, that this circumstance, combined with another, may have given +rise to the history related by Captain Brown, in his "Popular Natural +History," of which I now beg to give a correct version:—"Mme. Ducrest +[then Mlle. Duvaucel] and I were going out at Baron Cuvier's front door, +when a man, holding something tied up in a handkerchief, asked if we +belonged to the house. On replying in the affirmative, he offered his +bundle; she shrank from it, as the same thing had occurred to me a few +days before, and I received the dried and tattooed head of a New +Zealander; but he opened the handkerchief, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> displayed a beautiful +little wolf puppy, covered with silky black hair. She joyfully received +it; we carried it to the keepers of the Menagerie, and orders were given +that it might be fed on soup and cooked meat. The wolf continued to be +very handsome, very playful, and very tame for about a year, when she +became a mother, and from that time was savage and unsociable to human +beings, never recovering her former amiable disposition. She was from +the Pyrenees."</p> + +<p>The following story is told by a gentleman who was sporting in Hungary +at the time the circumstance occurred:—"About dusk, just as the last +sledge had arrived within a quarter of a mile of a village on the way +homeward, and had cleared the corner of a wood which had bounded the +road at a few yards distance for a considerable length; the owner, who +was seated behind, with his back to the horses, espied a wolf rush out +of the angle of the wood, and give chase to the sledge at the top of his +speed. The man shouted to the boy who was driving, 'Farkas! farkas!' (a +wolf! a wolf!). Itze het! itze het! (drive on),' and the lad, looking +round in terror, beheld the animal just clearing the gripe which ran +along the road they had passed. Quick as lightning, with shout and whip, +and with all his might, he urged the horses to gain the village. Away +they flew at their fullest stretch, as if sensible of the danger behind +them, conveyed to them by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> the exclamation of the lad, and the dreaded +name of the animal which he shouted in their ears. The man turned his +seat and urged the boy still more energetically to lash the horses to +their very utmost speed. He did not need any further incentive, but +pushed on the nags with frantic exertion. The sledge flew over the +slippery road with fearful speed; but the wolf urged yet more his utmost +pace, and gained fast upon it. The village was distant about two hundred +yards below the brow of the hill; nothing but the wildest pace could +save them, and the man felt that the wolf would inevitably spring upon +them before they could get to the bottom. Both shouted wildly as they +pursued their impetuous career, the sledge swerving frightfully from one +side of the road to the other, and threatening every moment to turn +over. The man then drew his thick bunda (sheep-skin) over his head; he +looked behind and saw the fierce, panting beast within a few yards of +him; he thought he felt his hot breath in his face; he ensconced his +head again in his bunda, and, in another moment, the wolf sprang upon +his back, and gripped into the thick sheep skin that covered his neck. +With admirable presence of mind the bold-hearted peasant now threw up +both his hands, and grasping the wolf's head and neck with all his +strength, hugged him with an iron clutch to his shoulders. 'Itze het,' +now shouted the cool fellow, and holding his enemy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> in a death grip, +they swept into the village, dragging the fierce brute after them, in +spite of his frantic efforts to disengage himself. The shouts of the boy +and man, with the mad speed and noise of the horses, brought the +villagers out to see what was the matter. 'Farkas! farkas!' shouted +both, and the peasants immediately seeing their perilous position, gave +chase with their axes, calling out to the man to hold on bravely. At +length the boy succeeded in slackening the speed of the animals, the +sledge stopped, and the peasants, rushing on, dispatched the ferocious +creature upon the man's back, whose arms were so stiffened with the +immense muscular exertion he had so long maintained, that he could +hardly loose them from the neck of the dead wolf."</p> + +<p>An unfortunate clergyman, in the neighbourhood of Eauxbonnes in the +Basses Pyrenees, was not as fortunate as the Slovack peasant; for, as he +was returning from visiting the sick in January, 1830, he was beset by +hungry wolves, and torn to pieces by them; the fragments which they +left, and the blood upon the snow, alone telling his fate.</p> + +<p>The North American wolves are not as gaunt as those of Europe, having +shorter legs, thicker fur, shorter muzzle, broader heads, more bushy +tail, and being altogether more compact. Their habits, however, are much +the same, A farmer in New Hampshire was one night awakened by a noise +in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> his hog-pen; on looking out he saw, what he supposed to be a fox, on +the low, sloping roof of the sty. He went out, but found that the animal +was a grey wolf, which, instead of making off, fiercely attacked him, +rushing down the roof towards him; and before the man had time to move +back, the wolf had bitten his arm three times, with his quick and +repeated snaps, lacerating it from the elbow to the wrist; then, +however, he leaped from the roof to the ground, and by so doing lost his +advantage; for the man succeeded in seizing him on each side of the neck +with his hands, and held him firmly in that position till his wife, whom +he called out, came up with a large butcher's knife, and cut the beast's +throat. It was three months before the man's arm was healed; every +incision, it was said, piercing to the bone.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p> + +<p>A white wolf always attends the bull, called buffalo, of Western +America; besides which the same country affords other varieties. Among +them are the Coyotes, or Medicine Wolves, of the Indians, who show them +great reverence. They are small, sagacious, and cunning; assemble in +packs, and hunt in troops of from three to thirty, along the runs of +deer and antelopes, and run down their quarry. When game has been killed +by hunters, they sit patiently at a short distance, while larger wolves +prowl around, pouncing on the pieces thrown to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>them by the men, and +which the small ones drop instantly. They keep watch round a camp at +night, and gnaw the skin ropes of horses and cattle.</p> + +<p>When the Coyotes, or small white wolves, of Mexico, lose all hope of +escape, they curl themselves up and await death. If impelled by hunger, +one snatches a piece from the hunter, while he cuts up his game, the +whole herd rush upon it, fight, growl, and tear each other for it. Mr. +Ryan, from whose lively descriptions these notices are taken, was for +days followed by a large grey wolf, and every evening when he encamped, +the wolf squatted himself down, and helped himself whenever he could. +Something, however, was generally left for him; and he became so tame, +that he stopped when the party stopped, and when anything was killed, +walked round and round, licking his jaws in expectation of his share. No +one ever molested him, and, therefore, he continued quite harmless. This +sort of proceeding will sometimes take place with a whole pack.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ruxton one day killed an old buck, and left it on the ground, where +six small wolves were in attendance. Ten minutes after he left his game, +the six wolves came up with him, one of which had his nose and face +besmeared with blood, and he seemed to be almost bursting. Thinking it +impossible they should have devoured the buck in so short a time, he had +the curiosity to return and see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> what impression they had made upon it, +and why they had left it. To his astonishment, he found only the bones +and some of the hair remaining, the flesh having been taken off as if it +had been scraped with a knife. They flourish their tails, snarl, bite, +squeak, and swallow the whole time of their meal; and if kindly treated, +will come and warm themselves by the fires of the hunters when they are +asleep, and sit nodding their own heads with drowsiness.</p> + +<p>The Esquimaux dogs, though very bold when attacking bears, are so much +afraid of wolves, that they scarcely make any resistance when set upon +by them. Sir John Richardson tells us, that a wolf, wounded by a +musket-ball, returned after dusk, and carried off a dog from among fifty +others, who howled piteously, but did not dare to try and rescue their +companion.</p> + +<p>Several wolves will combine, and, forming a semicircle, creep slowly +towards a herd of deer, if there be a precipice near, and hemming them +in gradually, so as not to alarm them suddenly, drive them to the edge +of the precipice; then they all at once set up the most terrific yells, +and taking flight, the poor deer leap over the precipice, where the +wolves follow them at their leisure by a safer path, to feed on their +mangled carcases.</p> + +<p>On one occasion, a troop of nine white wolves endeavoured to practise +the same trick upon Sir John Richardson, evidently intending to drive +him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> into the river. However, when he rose up they halted, and on his +advancing, made way for him to go to the tents.</p> + +<p>The lovers of tragic histories will find many of the most fearful kind +among the legends of all countries where wolves abound; all probably +founded on fact, but mostly interwoven with romance. There cannot be +anything much more shocking than that of the solitary traveller, +galloping into a village pursued by these beasts, and knocking at the +doors, earnestly entreating for refuge. The inhabitants were mostly +buried in sleep; some few heard and did not move, others had a dim, +confused notion of what was passing, and also remained in their beds; +while others again did not hear anything. The next morning the sad event +was told by finding the traveler's cloak and a few bones.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Gosse's Canadian Naturalist.</p></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="FOXES" id="FOXES"></a>FOXES.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Stealing along in the dark of evening, the cunning and rapacious Fox +(Canis Vulpes) leaves his hole in the earth, and roams in search of his +prey. The poultry-yards, rabbit-warrens, and the haunts of game, tell of +his skilful depredations; but he is not at all difficult in his +appetite. To be sure, when he can get ripe grapes, he has a feast. If +young turkeys and hares are not to be had, he puts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> up with a young +fawn, a wild duck, or even weasels, mice, frogs, or insects. He will +also walk down to the sea-shore, and sup upon the remains of fishes, or +arrest the crabs and make them alter their sidelong course so as to +crawl down his throat. Reynard also has an eye to the future; for he +never lets anything escape which comes within his sharp bite, and as +there must be a limit to the quantity which any animal can contain, when +he cannot possibly eat any more, he, in various spots, well marked by +himself, buries the remainder for the morrow's meal. With only his toes +touching the earth, he prowls about with noiseless steps; his nose and +ears alive to the faintest sound or odour; his cat-like eyes, with +linear pupil, gleaming like coals of fire, and he suddenly springs upon +his victims before they are aware of his vicinity. His bushy tail is the +envied trophy of the huntsman, who calls it a brush. His colours are +white, black, red, yellow, bluish, or variegated; and in cold climates +he always turns white in winter. The father takes no care of his +children; but the mother performs her duty with the most exemplary +devotion for four months.</p> + +<p>The fox is generally a solitary, suspicious animal; even when as much +tamed as he can be, he seems to think he is going to be deceived and +ill-treated: perhaps he judges of others by himself. He lives very often +in a burrow, called an earth, belonging to somebody else, for he has +very lax morals<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> concerning property, and a great idea that right is +established by possession. If he should be caught and put in +confinement, he is very ferocious, or dies of ennui; but he is much too +coy and clever to be easily entrapped. His cry is a sort of yelp, which, +however, he is much too cautious to utter when he is earning his living.</p> + +<p>Occasionally the fox has been caught in a trap, and there is the history +of one who escaped and left one of his fore feet behind him. After a +lapse of time, his trail was to be seen in various places, and was, of +course, easily recognized. This continued for two years, when he was +chased by Mr. St. John and easily killed. Another who was unearthed by +the dogs, instead of running after the usual fashion of these beasts, +turned suddenly upon each dog that came up and jumped over him. This +could not last long, although it puzzled the dogs very much; he was +taken, and then only was the reason for his manœuvre discovered by +finding that he had only three feet.</p> + +<p>Mr. St. John relates the following history of the cunning of a +fox:—"Just after it was daylight, I saw a large fox come very quietly +along the edge of the plantation; he looked with great care over the +turf wall into the field, and seemed to long very much to get hold of +some of the hares that were feeding in it, but apparently knew that he +had no chance of catching one by dint of running. After<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> considering a +short time, he seemed to have formed his plans, examined the different +gaps in the wall, fixed upon one which appeared to be most frequented, +and laid himself down close to it, in an attitude like that of a cat at +a mouse hole."</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i004.jpg" alt="i004" title="THE FOX AND THE HARES"/></div> +<div class="figcenter"><span class="caption">THE FOX AND THE HARES.—Page 176.</span></div> + +<p>"In the meantime I watched all his plans; he then with great care and +silence scraped a small hollow in the ground, throwing up the sand as a +kind of screen; every now and then, however, he stopped to listen, and +sometimes to take a most cautious peep into the field. When he had done +this he laid himself down in a convenient posture for springing on his +prey, and remained perfectly motionless, with the exception of an +occasional reconnoiter of the feeding hares. When the sun began to rise, +they came, one by one, from the field to the plantation; three had +already come without passing by his ambush, one within twenty yards of +him, but he made no movement beyond crouching still more flatly to the +ground. Presently two came directly towards him, and though he did not +venture to look up, I saw, by an involuntary motion of his ears, that +those quick organs had already warned him of their approach. The two +hares came through the gap together, and the fox, springing with the +quickness of lightning, caught one and killed her immediately; he then +lifted up his booty, and was carrying it off, when my rifle-ball stopped +his course."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> + +<p>In Captain Brown's "Popular Natural History," I find the following:—"In +the autumn of the year 1819, at a fox-chase in Galloway, a very strong +fox was hard run by the hounds. Finding himself in great danger of being +taken, Reynard made for a high wall at a short distance, and springing +over it, crept close under the other side: the hounds followed, but no +sooner had they leaped the wall, than he sprang back again over it, and +by this cunning device gave them the slip, and got safe away from his +pursuers."</p> + +<p>An American gentleman of Pittsfield, accompanied by two blood-hounds, +found a fox, and pursued him for nearly two hours, when suddenly the +dogs appeared at fault. Their master came up with them near a large log +of wood lying on the ground, and felt much surprise at their making a +circuit of a few roods without any object in view, every trace of the +fox seeming to have been lost, while the dogs still kept yelping. On +looking about him the gentleman saw the fox stretched upon the log, +apparently lifeless. He made several unsuccessful efforts to direct the +attention of the dogs towards the place, and at length he approached so +near as to see the animal breathe. Even then Reynard did not show any +alarm; but his pursuer aimed a blow at him with the branch of a tree, +upon which he leaped from his lurking-place, and was taken.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> + +<p>One of the drollest incidents in fox-hunting was that at Newry, in +Ireland, when, being pursued very hotly, the fox leaped on to the top of +a turf-stack, where he laid himself down quite flat. At last, one of the +hounds perceived him, and he was obliged again to run. After this, he +climbed up a stone wall, whence he sprang on to the roof of a cabin near +by, and mounting to the chimney top, from thence inspected his enemies. +An old hound, however, followed him, and was on the point of seizing +him, when Reynard dropped down the chimney into the lap of an old woman, +who was smoking her pipe at the corner. The hound did not dare to +follow, but the sportsmen came up, and entering the cabin, found it in +possession of the fox; the frightened woman and children huddled into +one corner, and the fox (who was taken alive) grinning at them.</p> + +<p>In all ages of fable, the fox has been the principal hero. The most +ancient fables on record, those of Lokman, the Arabian, from whom Æsop +took most of his, gives him a very conspicuous place among the crafty +courtiers of the lion. The chief phrase of which the wily flatterer +makes use, as he bows with affected humility to his sovereign, is, "Oh, +Father of Beauty," by which indirect compliment he generally gains his +wishes. The early German writers have also chosen him as the principal +hero of various histories, and the poem of "Reynard, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> Fox," will +live as long as printers and illustrators exercise their art and talent.</p> + +<p>The Arctic fox is smaller than ours; even the soles of his feet are +covered with fur, like those of the hare, and he is altogether more +thickly clothed. He has often been supposed to be pied in colour, but +this is only in process of turning to the hue of winter. He is in these +climates a much more gregarious animal, and several families live in the +same earth. Bishop Heber mentions one in India, which feeds chiefly on +field-mice and white ants, and this probably is the species of which the +natives say, that he can turn nine times within the space of his own +length. He is about half the size of the European.</p> + +<p>Much valuable fur is derived both from European and American foxes, +where there is a great variety of colour, not depending on temperature.</p> + +<p>In Ireland there is a small animal called a fox, which does not eat +flesh, but contents itself with vegetables, and is so perfectly +harmless, that it roams about, unmolested even by dogs.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HYAENAS" id="HYAENAS"></a>HYÆNAS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>There cannot be a much more uninteresting animal than the hard-hided, +knock-kneed Hyæna, which is pre-eminently African, although he is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> found +in the East; having, according to the opinion of some naturalists, +migrated thither in the wake of caravans. He has a ferocious, +ill-natured look, yet the first impression made by his appearance can +only be expressed by the word "sneaking." He is of a tawny colour, more +or less dusky till it approaches black, and is generally spotted, or +striped. He has a mane continued all along the spine; his ears are long +and erect; he is digitigrade, his claws are strong, and not retractile; +he possesses a gland which sends forth a disagreeable odour, and his +eyes have a pupil which is contracted at the top, and round at the +bottom, which gives them a singular expression.</p> + +<p>The great peculiarity of form in the Hyæna is the disproportionate +smallness of his hind quarters; besides which, the vertebræ of his neck +very often become stiffened, in consequence of the strain put upon them +by the powerful muscles of that part, and of the jaws. So firm is the +hold which they take, that nothing will make them leave what they have +once seized. They devour bones as well as muscles, rejecting only hoofs, +horns, and skull; and this power must have existed in former ages, for +in the caves which they inhabited, and into which they dragged their +prey, their fossil remains are found with those of gigantic mastodons, +etc., on which their teeth had made impression. This stiff<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>ness of the +neck has caused many to imagine that it was composed of one joint only, +and led the Arabs to make Hyænas the symbols of obstinacy.</p> + +<p>The habits of Hyænas accord with their outward appearance; they are +nature's scavengers, and feed on everything, being, with the jackal and +Genet cat, the especial robbers of the cemetery. Many are the stories +told of their cruel depredations, such as their stealing into the kraals +of the Caffres and Hottentots, and abstracting the sleeping infants from +under the kaross of its mother, who only becomes conscious of her loss +when she hears the cries of the victim. Major Denham, in his travels, +tells us of a village stormed by them at night, when they carried off +asses and other animals.</p> + +<p>My own impressions of the Hyæna are, that he is a timid, cowardly +animal. I always found them shun my approach; and my uncle has told me, +that when he often encountered them during his command of the outpost of +Tantum Querry, on the leeward coast of Africa, they invariably turned +from him, and slunk out of sight with their dragging, shuffling gait. I +cannot say that they disturbed the stillness of the night, because a +tropical night never is still; but their cry used suddenly to come upon +our ears, and I know not why, always seemed to be close to us. The roar +of a leopard or lion is most grand, however terrific; but what is +called<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> the laugh of the hyæna, is just like the triumphant exultation +of a fierce madman, when he reaches his long-sought victim.</p> + +<p>All the natives of the Gold Coast bear witness to the powers of mimicry +evinced by the hyæna; they say that he hides himself in the jungle, and +imitates the cries of other beasts till he allures them to his side, +when he falls upon and devours them. A gentleman, who long commanded a +fortress on the Gold Coast, told me the following story, which confirms +the above assertion:—"Some women from the neighbouring village were +accustomed to pass the walls of the fort to fetch water after sunset, at +the dinner hour of this officer, and made so much noise, that they +disturbed him, so he ordered them to take another path. The next evening +the noise recurred, and the same order was repeated the next morning; on +which the women protested they had gone quite another way. On the third +evening, when the laughing and talking were apparently recommencing, a +sergeant sallied forth to bring the delinquents into the fort; but to +his surprise there were only three hyænas to be seen, whose imitation of +human sounds had deceived all those who had heard them on the preceding +occasions."</p> + +<p>It was long supposed that the hyæna was incapable of attachment, but Mr. +Burchell brought one with him from South Africa to this country, which +evidently loved his master, and was jealous of other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> animals. Colonel +Sykes procured one in India who followed him about like a dog, played +with the sailors on board ship with the greatest good humour, and never +forgot his first owner. He was placed in the Zoological Gardens, where, +although Colonel Sykes paid him rare visits, he always recognized him +amidst the crowd. One day, when the hyæna was asleep, this gentleman +suddenly called him by his name; the poor beast as suddenly started on +to his legs, looked up, rubbed his head against the bars of his cage, +bounded about uttering short cries, looked sorrowfully at Colonel Sykes +when he went away, and repeated these manifestations of joy when he +returned.</p> + +<p>The Spotted Hyæna has been called the Hyæna Capensis, from the belief +that it only inhabited South Africa; but it is found as frequently in +Guinea as the striped variety, and has just the same propensities. Near +the Cape, however, it does more mischief, because colonists have settled +themselves there, and their farms afford more valuable prey. They are +said to prefer making an attack on strong, vigorous animals, because +they run away, and the hyænas can follow them; but the weaker animals +turn round and face their enemy, which always intimidates them.</p> + +<p>Mr. Steedman, a South African traveller, gives an unmitigated bad +character to the spotted hyænas, and says, that such is their preference +for human<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> flesh, that they will even pass by the cattle, and seize on +children as old as eight years.</p> + +<p>The Straand Wolf of the Dutch, or the Villose Hyæna of Dr. Abel Smith, +who has done so much for the natural history of Southern Africa, is less +common than the other species; and often feeds on the shore, from its +preference for those dead animals which are cast up by the sea. If, +however, it be pressed by hunger, it commits just as many depredations +as the others. It is extremely cunning, conceals itself by day among the +mountains, or thick patches of forest, and preys at a great distance +from its habitation.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pringle confirms Mr. Steedman's accounts of the terrible havoc +occasioned by the hyænas of South Africa, and says, that in the district +of Somerset, they destroyed seventy foals in one year, belonging to the +farmers; he, however, believes, that they never attack human beings by +night or by day, and that they come in packs and play the part of +four-footed vultures, even devouring their own kindred if they should +chance to be killed; but no other beast of prey will eat them, from the +offensive rankness of their flesh. The den of a spotted hyæna, that was +kept in the Tower about twenty years ago, required some repair. The +carpenter nailed a thick oaken plank upon the floor, about seven feet +long, putting at least a dozen nails into it, each longer than his +middle finger.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> At one end of this piece of wood, there was a small +projection, and not having a proper chisel with him by which he might +remove it, the man returned to his shop to fetch one. While he was +absent, some persons came to see the animals; and the hyæna was let down +by the keeper into the part of the den in which the carpenter had been +at work. Directly the beast saw the projecting piece of wood, he seized +it with his teeth, tore the plank up, and drew out every nail with the +utmost ease; which action will give a good idea of the muscular strength +of this creature.</p> + +<p>It is impossible to say why there should be such conflicting accounts of +the hyæna, given by those whose veracity is undoubted. No one dreads +them on the Gold Coast, but they seem to be the terror of all the +inhabitants at, and to the north of the Cape, also in Abyssinia, where +Bruce called them "the plagues of their lives," and we can scarcely +forbear a smile, when we read that one of them stood by his bed-side, +with a purloined bunch of candles in his mouth; having found his way to +him even through the streets of Gondar.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_CAT_TRIBE_LIONS" id="THE_CAT_TRIBE_LIONS"></a>THE CAT TRIBE.—LIONS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>I must be allowed to give a somewhat more lengthened description than I +have bestowed on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> other animals, to the Felidæ, or Cat-tribe, because +the same characters serve for all; size and colour being almost the only +difference among those of which I shall treat. Grace and strength are +their universal attributes, the latter lying chiefly in the fore parts +of their frames; such as their paws, legs, shoulders, neck and jaws; the +former in their arched and rounded form, and the extreme suppleness of +their joints. Their muzzle is short and round, some of their teeth are +of enormous size and strength, their sight is very acute both by night +and day; their eyes are set obliquely in the head, and always glare in +the dark; and sometimes by day when they are in a rage. It is only in +the smaller tribes that the pupil is vertically linear, when the full +light causes it to contract. The ears are large, and the sense of +hearing much developed. Their smell is not equally perfect, and the +roughness of their tongue shews, that their taste cannot be very +delicate. This roughness is caused by the horny papillæ, or small +projections, with points directed backwards, which cover the tongue, and +enable it to lick the flesh from the bones of their food. They have long +bristles on each side of the mouth, which form the most sensitive organs +of touch; each bristle being inserted in a bed of glands under the skin, +communicating with a nerve. The claws of the Felidæ are extremely +strong, sharp, and crooked; and all four-feet are furnished with them, +five before,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> and four behind; and the most effective system of muscular +contrivance not only gives such force to the fore-paws, that a blow from +one of these will fracture a man's skull, but keeps these claws from +touching the ground, and enables the animal to draw them back into a +sheath. In aid of this, the sole of the foot, and each of the toes, has +a soft, elastic pad, or cushion under it, on which they walk, and as +they never set the heel to the ground, their footsteps are noiseless, +unless they choose them to be otherwise. It is with their formidable +claws, and still more formidable teeth, that they tear their prey to +pieces.</p> + +<p>None of the Feline tribe will eat vegetables, unless domesticated, even +then but rarely; and in their wild state, unless pressed by hunger, they +will only eat what they themselves have killed. They have an abhorrence +of anything which is decomposed. The fur, with the exception of the +Lion's mane, and that of the cat, is short, close, and soft; capable, +when dressed, of receiving a high polish. Many are striped and spotted +with black, and the larger kinds, are generally of a warm, fulvous +colour. The domestic cat is, however, often white, black, gray, and +brindled; some leopards are black, and there is a small, beautiful wild +cat, marked like the panther. All are very wary and cunning, and seldom +face their foes. They lie in ambush for them, and suddenly spring upon +them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> seeming to take a pleasure in prolonging their torments. They are +very sensible to caresses and affection, but a blow, or angry word, +rouses them to fury. They are certainly capricious, and sometimes +without any apparent cause burst into fits of ill temper, therefore are +by no means to be trusted, even in the midst of love and docility.</p> + +<p>The backward carriage of his head, his majestic stride, and the +deliberate manner in which he looks at his enemy, have caused the Lion +to be called the king of beasts. He is only occasionally seen in the +forests, and inhabits plains, where rocks, or low jungle, afford him a +shelter. He, however, retreats before the advance of men, and has now +deserted many of those regions where he was once undisputed lord of the +country. The Lion of America is altogether different; therefore it may +be said, that only Central Asia, and almost all Africa are traversed by +him. Formerly the eastern boundary of Europe scarcely formed a limit to +his presence; the Arabian literature is full of allusions to him, and +the Holy Scriptures constantly attest his presence in Syria, during the +times in which they were written.</p> + +<p>The beauty of the Lion's mane is well known. According to Mr. Gordon +Cumming, its colour varies with age, being fulvous and bright when +young, black when the animal is in his full strength,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> and grisly with +old age. There has been, however, a species recently discovered in +Guzerat, which has but little or no mane, it also has shorter limbs and +tail, the latter having a larger brush at the end. It is bold, commits +great havoc among the cattle; and is supposed to have been driven out of +Cutch, by the practice adopted by the natives, of burning their grass. A +nail or prickle at the end of a lion's tail is often found, but has +nothing to do with the caudal vertebræ. It is probably a hardened piece +of skin, or a mass of agglutinated hairs, in the manner of horn; it +comes off with only a slight touch.</p> + +<p>Lions come to their full strength at five years, but live a long time; +for instance, one from the Gambia was proved to be sixty-three years of +age. They sleep by day, and feed by night, lap their drink, and delight +in coming forth in the midst of furious storms, when they add their +mighty roars to those of the elements. Seldom does a tempest rage in +tropical Africa, but its fearful sounds are increased by the din of wild +animals; that of the lion being heard above all others. Countless are +the histories of his depredations, and numerous are the daring and +gallant exploits performed by Europeans against this noble game; the +following is an abridgment of a narrative, from the pen of the +Marchioness of Hastings; and published in the Miscellany of Natural +History; herself being the heroine of the chase.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The field was taken in quest of three lions, supposed to be lurking +near the tents. The ground was flat and ploughed. When we came to the +edge of the jungle, we halted a little; the people came round in crowds, +and, in a few minutes, the trees were covered with men, placed there by +Fraser for observation. When we were sent for, we found Fraser by the +side of the great canal—he had received intelligence of both a lion and +a tiger, and he desired Barton and myself to go down upon an elephant, +watch the bed of the canal, and move slowly to the south, while he +advanced in a contrary direction. The rest of the party were to beat the +jungle above, which was too thick to admit the passage of an elephant +through it. We fell in with Fraser where the canal was a little wider, +and neither of us had been successful, though we had searched every bush +with our eyes, in passing along. He desired us to wait till he had +mounted the bank to look after the rest of the elephants. He had hardly +gone away before a lioness crossed the narrow neck of the canal, just +before us, and clambered up the opposite bank. I fired, but missed her, +and she ran along the bank to the westward. We turned round and had the +mortification of seeing her again go through the water, at which our +elephant became refractory, wheeled about, and was so unsteady as to +prevent us from firing. We followed her up to the thicket, put the +elephant's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> head into it, and we heard the lioness growling close to us. +Just as we were expecting her charge and had prepared our guns, round +wheeled the elephant again, and became perfectly unmanageable. During +the scuffle between the elephant and his driver, we heard the cry that +the lioness was again off. She again crossed the Nullah, and just as we +had got our elephant to go well in, the lioness ran back, and crouched +under a thicket on our left, where she had been originally started. All +this happened in less than a minute. Fraser then called to us to come +round the bush, as the lioness being on a line with us, we prevented him +from firing. Just as we got out of his reach, he fired, and when the +elephant stopped I did the same. Both shots took effect, and the lioness +lay and growled in a hollow, mellow tone. After a few discharges she +tried to sally forth, but her loins were cut to pieces, which was +fortunate for us, as her fore parts seemed strong and unhurt. She reared +herself upon them, and cast towards us a look that bespoke revenge, +complaint, and dignity. Her head, half averted from us, was turned back +as if ready to start at us, if the wounds in her loins had not disabled +her. As it was now a mercy to put an end to her sufferings, I took a +steady aim, and shot her through the head. She fell dead at once, and +her lower jaw was carried away; she was drawn up the bank and pronounced +to be two years old. She had thrown<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> one man down, and got him +completely under her with his turban in her mouth, when a shot grazed +her side. She immediately left her hold and crossed the canal, where we +first perceived her."</p> + +<p>There used to be, and perhaps is still, a lion in the menagerie of +Brussels, whose cell requiring some repairs, his keeper desired a +carpenter to set about them; but when he saw the lion, he drew back with +terror. The keeper entered the cell, and then led the animal to the +upper part of it, where he amused himself by playing with him, and then +fell asleep. The carpenter, fully trusting to the vigilance of the +keeper, pursued his work, and when he had finished, called to him to +inspect what he had done. The man made no answer; the carpenter called +again and again, but to no purpose, and, being alarmed, went to the +upper part of the den, and looked through the railing. Seeing the lion +and his keeper sleeping side by side, he uttered a loud cry. The lion +suddenly awakened, started up, looked furiously at the carpenter, and +placing his paw on the breast of his keeper, lay down to sleep again. +The carpenter was dreadfully frightened, and ran out, telling what he +had seen. Some of the attendants went and opened the door which the +carpenter had secured with several bars, and contrived to wake the +keeper; who, on opening his eyes, did not appear to be in the least +frightened at his situation. He took the paw of the lion, shook<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> it, and +quietly led him down to the lower part of his residence.</p> + +<p>It is from Mr. Pringle and Mr. Gordon Cumming that we derive the most +stirring adventures with lions; and I profit by the advantage afforded +me by their pages. The first was a relation of mine by marriage, and I +have enjoyed frequent conversations with him concerning his travels; +rendered the more extraordinary by his lameness, which proved the energy +of that mind which could thus surmount bodily infirmity.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cumming still lives to tell his own tales; and no one can hear or +read his words without seeing that he has one of those ardent spirits +which loves danger for the sake of danger, and that his indomitable +courage and hardihood, from his early years, when he killed the deer on +his father's domains, prepared him to be what he now is, the most +successful of all men in his warfare with wild animals.</p> + +<p>In a note to the "Poetical Remains of Mr. Pringle," I find the following +remarkable escape:—"Lucas Van Buren usually carried a huge elephant +gun, as long and unwieldy as himself; but left it at home one day when +he had most need of it. He was riding across the open plains, near the +Little Fish river, one morning about day break, when observing a lion at +a distance, he endeavoured to avoid him by making a circuit. There were +thousands of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> spring-bocks scattered over the extensive flats; but from +the open nature of the country, the lion had probably been unsuccessful +in his hunting. Lucas soon perceived that he was not disposed to let +<i>him</i> pass without further parlance, and that he was rapidly approaching +to the encounter. Being without his gun, the farmer, little inclined to +cultivate his acquaintance, turned his horse off at a right angle, and +galloped for life. But it was too late; the horse was fagged, and bore a +heavy man upon his back; the lion was fresh, furious with hunger, and +came down upon him like a thunder-bolt. In a few minutes he brought man +and horse to the ground. Luckily, the man was not hurt, and the lion was +too much occupied with the horse to pay any attention to him. Hardly +knowing how he escaped, he contrived to do so, and reached the nearest +house. His remarks, when he related his adventure, were concerning the +audacity of the lion in attacking a Christian man; but his chief +vexation was about the saddle. He returned to the spot the next day, and +found the horse's bones picked clean, lion and saddle having both +disappeared. Lucas said he could excuse the beast for killing the horse, +as he had allowed himself to escape; but the abstraction of the saddle, +for which, he added, the lion could not possibly have any use, raised +his spleen, and called down a shower of abuse whenever he related the +story.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We had," says Mr. Pringle, "been to tea with Captain Cameron's family, +to whom, as we were only three miles distant, we considered ourselves +next-door neighbours; and as the weather was fine, we rode home by +moonlight, jesting all the way about wild beasts and Caffres, and not at +all suspecting that a lion was dogging us through the bushes the whole +way home.</p> + +<p>"About midnight I was awakened by an unusual noise in the cattle-fold, +and looking out, saw all our horned cattle spring over the high thorn +fence, and scamper round the place. Fancying that a hyæna, which I had +heard howling when I went to bed, had alarmed the animals, I sallied +forth to have a shot at it. I, however, could not find any cause for the +disturbance, and calling a Hottentot to drive back the cattle, and shut +them in, I again went to bed. The next morning Captain Cameron rode over +to say, his herdsman had discovered that a large lion had followed us up +the valley, and then, on further inspection, we found he had visited the +fold, and carried off a sheep. He appeared to have retreated to the +mountains, and we did not pursue him.</p> + +<p>"The lion, however, was not disposed to let us off so easily. He +returned that night, and killed my favourite riding-horse, a little more +than a hundred yards from my door; I then considered it right to take +measures for defence, and called forth a party<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> for his pursuit, the +Hottentots saying that as he had only eaten a small part of the horse he +would be in the vicinity. Seventeen horsemen, Mulattoes and Hottentots, +and a number of strong hounds, soon assembled.</p> + +<p>"The Hottentots traced the lion on foot, discovering his spoor, or +track, with surprising dexterity, and found him in a large thicket about +a mile distant. The dogs failed to dislodge him, the Mulattoes rode +round the jungle, and fired into it, but without effect. At last three +Scotchmen determined to march in, provided the Mulattoes would support +their fire. Regardless of the warnings of more prudent men, they went +in, and, as they thought, found the lion crouched among the roots of a +large evergreen bush, glaring at them from under the foliage. They fired +and struck, not the lion, but a great block of sand-stone, which they +bad mistaken for him; but beyond which he was actually lying. With a +furious growl he bolted from the bush; the Mulattoes fled +helter-skelter, leaving the Scots with empty guns, tumbling over each +other in their haste to escape. In a twinkling he was upon them, with +one stroke of his paw dashed John Rennie to the ground, and with one +foot upon him, looked round upon his assailants in conscious power and +pride, and with the most noble and imposing port that could be +conceived. It was the most magnificent thing I ever witnessed; but the +danger of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> our friends was too great to enjoy the picture. We expected +every minute to see one or more of them torn to pieces; and yet in their +position, one lying under the lion's paw, and the others scrambling +towards us, we dared not fire. Fortunately, however, the lion, after +steadily surveying us, turned calmly away, drove off the hounds with his +heels, as if they had been rats, and bounded over the adjoining thicket +like a cat, clearing bushes twelve or fifteen feet high, as if they had +been tufts of grass.</p> + +<p>"Our comrade had sustained no other injury than a scratch upon the back, +and a severe bruise, and we renewed the chase. We found the enemy +standing at bay under a mimosa tree. The dogs barked round him, but were +afraid to approach; for he growled fiercely, and brandished his tail in +a manner that showed he meditated mischief. The Hottentots, by taking a +circuit, reached a precipice above him, another party of us occupied a +position on the other side of the glen, so that the lion was between two +fires; he became confused, we battered away at him, and he fell, pierced +with many wounds. He appeared to be full grown, and six years old, +measuring eleven feet from the nose to the tip of the tail. His fore +leg, below the knee, was so thick, that I could not span it with both +hands; his head was almost as large as that of an ordinary ox. His +flesh, which I had the curiosity to taste, resem<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>bled very white, coarse +beef, and was insipid rather than disagreeable."</p> + +<p>The ensuing histories are from Mr. Gordon Cumming's pen;—"A buffalo was +wounded, and two hunters in pursuit of him were joined by three lions, +who also gave chase, and getting before the gentlemen sprang upon the +buffalo. The latter, being very large, struggled much; the hunters fired +upon the lions, and as each ball struck, the latter seemed to think the +blood which flowed came from the buffalo's bones; consequently, two were +easily secured, but the third had the sense to walk away.</p> + +<p>"The Oryx sometimes fights the lion, and is victorious; but the bodies +have been seen lying close together, the lion having been pierced +through by the horns of the gemsbok, and as he could not draw them out +again, each died from the mortal blow inflicted by, at least, one of +them.</p> + +<p>"Hendrick and Ruyter lay on one side of the fire under one blanket, and +John Stefolus on the other; the fire was very small, and the night was +pitch dark and windy. Suddenly the appalling and murderous voice of an +angry, blood-thirsty lion burst upon my ear, within a few yards of us, +followed by the shrieking of the Hottentots. Again and again the +terrific roar of attack was repeated. We heard John and Ruyter shriek, +'The lion! the lion!' Still, for a few minutes, all thought he was only +chasing one of the dogs round the kraal; but the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> next instant John +Stefolus rushed into the midst of us almost speechless with fear, his +eyes bursting from their sockets, and shrieked out, 'The lion! the lion! +he has got Hendrick; he dragged him away from the fire; I struck him +with the burning brand upon his head, but he would not let go his hold. +Hendrick is dead! Let us take fire and look for him!' The rest of my +people rushed about, shrieking and yelling as if they were mad. I was +angry with them for their folly, and told them if they did not stand +still and keep quiet, the lion would have another of us; most likely +there was a troop of them. The dogs were let loose, and the fire +increased. Hendrick's name was shouted; but all was then still. I told +the men he was dead, and had everything brought within the cattle-fold, +lighted a fire, and closed the entrance as well as we could. We sat with +our guns in our hands till daylight, expecting a lion every moment; the +dogs fought one another, then got scent of the lion, and barked at him +till day broke, he now and then driving them back; and he lay all the +night within forty yards of the party, having dragged the man into a +little hollow at the back of the bush. He had grappled him with his +claws, and bitten him in the breast and shoulder, all the while feeling +for his neck, and when he got hold of that dragged him into the shade. +The poor man cried, 'Help me, help me, oh God! Men, help me!' then all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +was still, except that his comrades heard the cracking of his bones. The +beast did not heed the beating about the head with the burning wood. The +lion dragged the remains of him away the next morning, but in the hollow +was found one of poor Hendrick's legs, the shoe still on the foot, with +fragments of his coat. The next day came the lion's turn; for the party, +by killing him, avenged the death of poor Hendrick."</p> + +<p>It has often been said that the human voice has great power over the +fiercest animals; and I do not think a stronger proof of it can be met +with, than in this adventure of Mr. Gordon Cumming's:—"I fired at the +nearest lioness, having only one shot in my rifle. The ball told badly; +the lioness at which I had fired wheeled right round, and came on, +lashing her tail, showing her teeth, and making that horrid, murderous, +deep growl, which an angry lion generally utters. Her comrade hastily +retreated. The instant the lioness came on, I stood up to my full +height, holding my rifle, and my arms extended high above my head. This +checked her in her course, but on looking round, and missing her +comrade, and observing Ruyter slowly advancing, she was still more +exasperated, and fancying that she was near being surrounded, she made +another forward movement, growling terribly. This was a moment of great +danger, I felt that my only chance of safety was extreme steadiness, so, +stand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>ing motionless as a rock, with my eyes firmly fixed upon her, I +called in a clear, commanding voice, "Holloa, old girl! What's the +hurry? take it easy! Holloa! holloa!" She once more halted and seemed +perplexed, looking round for her comrade. I then thought it prudent to +beat a retreat, which I very slowly did, talking to the lioness all the +time. She seemed undecided as to her future movements, and was gazing +after me, and snuffing the ground, when I last beheld her."</p> + +<p>I copy the ensuing anecdote from Mr. Campbell's second journey to +Africa. "A lion had been near to a bushman's hut the whole night, +waiting, it was supposed for the arrival of his companions, to assist in +attacking the family; and if they had made the attack in conjunction +with each other, it is probable they would have met with success. Two +Bootchuana herdsmen, attending near the place next morning, saw him and +ran to inform the people. On their way they met six Griquas coming to +attack the formidable creature, having already heard he was there. +Advancing towards him, they fired, and wounded, but did not disable him. +Enraged by pain, he advanced to take revenge on his assailants. On +seeing him approach, the Griquas leaped from their horses, formed them +into a close line with their tails towards the lion, and took their +stand at the horse's heads. The enraged animal flew upon a Bootchuana +who was not protected by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> the horses, and who tried to defend himself +with his kaross, or skin cloak. The lion, however, caught him by the +arm, threw him on the ground; and while the poor man still tried to +defend himself, by keeping the kaross round him, the lion got under it, +and gnawed part of his thigh. His Bootchuana companion at that time +threw his assagai, which entered the lion's back. The Griquas would have +fired, but were afraid of shooting the man; in order then to drive him +away, they made a great noise, and threw some stones. The lion then left +the man, and rushed on them, when they again checked his attack by +turning the horses round. He next crept under the belly of a mare, and +seized her by the fore legs, but with a powerful kick she made him let +go his hold. In revenge, and by one stroke of his paw, he tore open the +body of the mare, and retired. After this, he tried to get round the +horses to the men, but when on the point of making a spring, he was +happily killed by a musket ball, the ball penetrating behind the ear."</p> + +<p>It is singular, says Mr. Sparrman in his African travels, that the lion +is reported frequently, although provoked, to content himself with +sometimes only wounding the human species, or at least to wait some time +before he gives the fatal blow to the unhappy victim he has got under +him. A farmer had the misfortune to see a lion seize two of his oxen, at +the very instant he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> taken them out of the wagon, but they fell +down dead, having had their backs broken. A father and two sons were in +search of a lion, when he rushed upon them, threw one of them under his +feet, but he received no great hurt, for the two others shot him dead +upon the spot. Another farmer had lain some time under a lion, received +several bruises from the beast, and was a good deal bitten by him in one +arm, but the noble animal, as it were, gave him his life: nevertheless, +others say, that if a lion once taste human blood, he for ever after +thirsts for it. So strong is this opinion in India, that an officer who +was asleep with his left hand out of bed, was awoke by his pet lion +licking him. Of course the rough tongue brought blood, and he tried to +withdraw his hand. The lion gave a slight growl, upon which the officer +took a loaded pistol from under his pillow, and shot him dead, feeling +convinced if he escaped then, he should never again be safe.</p> + +<p>I might multiply my stories of destruction and escapes, till they alone +would form a volume, but I would rather give a few instances of the +gratitude of this magnificent creature. "One day," relates Mr. Hope, +"the company attended the Duchess of Hamilton to see her lion fed; and +while they were teasing and provoking him, the porter came and said, +that a sergeant with some recruits at the gate begged to see the lion. +Her grace afforded permis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>sion; the lion was growling over his prey, the +sergeant advanced to the cage, called "Nero, Nero, don't you know me," +and the animal instantly raised his head; rose, left his food, and +wagging his tail went to the bars of his cage. The man patted him, and +then said it was three years since they had seen each other, that he had +taken charge of the lion from Gibraltar, and he was glad to see the poor +beast shew so much gratitude. The lion, indeed, seemed to be perfectly +pleased, went to and fro, rubbing himself against the place where his +old friend stood, and licked the sergeant's hand as he held it out to +him."</p> + +<p>A lion, which, for its extreme beauty, was to be sent to Paris from +Senegal, fell sick before the departure of the vessel, and was let loose +to die on an open space of ground. A traveller there, as he returned +home from a hunting excursion, found him in a very exhausted state, and +compassionately poured a quantity of milk down his throat. Thus +refreshed, the poor beast recovered. From that time he became so tame, +and was so attached to his benefactor, that he afterwards ate from his +hand and followed him like a dog, with only a string tied round his +neck.</p> + +<p>M. Felix, one of the keepers of the animals of the Menagerie in Paris, +became so ill, that another person was obliged to perform his duty. A +male lion, whom, with a female, he himself had brought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> to the place, +remained constantly at one end of his cage, and refused to eat anything +given him by the stranger, at whom he often roared. He even disliked the +company of the female, and paid no attention to her. The animal was +supposed to be ill, and yet no one dared to approach him. At length M. +Felix recovered, and intending to surprise the lion, showed his face +between the bars. In a moment the beast made a bound, leaped against the +bars, caressed him with his paws, licked his face, and trembled with +pleasure. The female also ran to him; but the lion drove her back, as if +she were not to snatch any of the favours from Felix, and he was about +to quarrel with her. The keeper then entered the cage, and caressed them +by turns, and after that often went to them, and had complete control +over them. They would obey all his commands, and all their recompense +was to lick his hand.</p> + +<p>A curious circumstance took place at New Orleans in the year 1832, when +a bear was let down into the cage of an old African lion, supposing it +would be torn to pieces. As many people were assembled to see the +barbarous exhibition, the bear placed himself in a fighting posture, and +flew at the lion; but, to the great disappointment of all present, the +lion placed his paw upon the bear's head, as if to express his pity, and +tried to make friends with him. He took the bear under his protection, +suffered no one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> to approach close to the cage, and did not sleep till +he was exhausted, so closely did he watch over his new friend. He +suffered the bear to eat, but long refused food for himself, and when +the last accounts were received, continued to guard the bear as +jealously as possible.</p> + +<p>The lioness has no mane; is smaller, and more slender in her proportions +than the male; she carries her head even with the line of her back, and +wants the majestic courage of the lion, but she is more agile. Her +temper is more irritable, and Mr. Gordon Cumming says:—"She is more +dangerous before she has been a mother; yet every vestige of tameness or +docility vanishes when she <i>is</i> a mother, and she is then in a constant +state of excitement, getting into the most violent fury if any one +should attempt to touch her cubs." The story of the lioness which one +night attacked one of the horses of the Exeter mail has been told so +many different ways, that I am glad to copy the correct account from +Captain Brown's "Popular Natural History":—"She had made her escape +from a travelling Menagerie, on its way to Salisbury fair, and suddenly +seized one of the leading horses. This, of course, produced great alarm +and confusion, which was not lessened by perceiving what the enemy was; +and two inside passengers took refuge in a house. A large mastiff +attacked the intruder, upon which she quited the horse, and turned upon +him; he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> fled, but she pursued and killed him, after running forty +yards. On the alarm being given, her keepers went after her, till she +took refuge under a granary, with the dog still within her teeth. They +barricaded her there to prevent her escape, and she roared there so +loudly, that she was heard half a mile off. She was afterwards secured +and taken to her den; and of course her adventure increased the +celebrity of the menagerie to which she belonged. Before this happened, +she was considered as very tame, and never had given any signs of +ferocity; she therefore affords another example, that it is not safe to +trust these animals: of course the poor horse was dreadfully torn, and +the expressions of his agony were most affecting; the lioness, however, +had missed the vital parts."</p> + +<p>The Puma or Cougar, of North and South America, is generally called a +lion, but he has no mane, or tufted tail, and when young, his pale, fawn +coat, is striped with blackish brown. These marks however, disappear +with age. He is the largest of the feline tribe on that continent, and +is very destructive to smaller animals. He rarely attacks man, and on +some occasions evinces as much courage as the true lion, and a curious +observation has been made by travellers, that he becomes less bold as he +approaches to the north. One given to Professor Jamieson of Edinburgh, +seemed to delight in playing with a tub of water, he also played with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +dogs and monkeys without the slightest interruption to their good +understanding; but if a goat or a fowl came in sight, they were snapped +up immediately. He made his escape one night in London; and offered no +resistance when caught by a watchman. He is hunted on the Pampas by +dogs, and the Indians secure him with the bolas or the lasso. He climbs +trees with great facility; his skin makes excellent gloves; and many +persons consider his flesh to be dainty food.</p> + +<p>Mr. Waterton, in one of his essays, makes some remarks, and relates a +story which ought to be inserted in every book which treats of feline +animals; therefore, although many others have quoted them, I do not +apologize for inserting an abridgment of them here. He says, all animals +of the dog tribe must be combated with might and main, and with +unceasing exertion, in their attacks upon man; for from the moment they +obtain the mastery, they worry and tear their victim as long as life +remains in it. On the contrary, animals of the cat tribe, having once +overcome their prey, cease for a certain time to inflict further injury +upon it. Thus, during the momentous intervals, from the stroke which has +laid a man beneath a lion, to the time when the lion shall begin to +devour him, the man may have it in his power to rise again; either by +his own exertions, or by the fortunate intervention of an armed friend. +But then all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> depends upon quiet on the part of the man, until he +plunges his dagger into the heart of the animal; for if he tries to +resist, he is sure to feel the force of his adversary's claws and teeth +with redoubled vengeance. Many years ago, Colonel Duff, in India, was +laid low by the stroke of a Bengal tiger. On coming to himself, he found +the animal standing over him. Recollecting that he had his dirk by his +side, he drew it out of the case, in the most cautious manner possible, +and by one happy thrust quite through the heart, he laid the tiger dead +at his side.</p> + +<p>The particular instance, however, to which Mr. Waterton alludes, and +which was told him by the parties themselves, I now briefly give:—The +weather was intolerably sultry. After vainly spending a considerable +time in creeping through the grass and bushes, with the hope of +discovering the place of the lion's retreat, they (the party) concluded +that he had passed quite through the jungle, and gone off in an opposite +direction. Resolved not to let their game escape, Lieutenants Delamain +and Lang returned to the elephant, and immediately proceeded round the +jungle, expecting to discover the route which they conjectured the lion +had taken. Captain Woodhouse, however, remained in the thicket, and as +he could discern the print of the animal's foot on the ground, he boldly +resolved to follow up the track at all hazards. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> Indian game-finder +who continued with his commander, at last espied the lion in the covert, +and pointed him out to the Captain, who fired, but unfortunately missed +his mark. There was now no alternative left but to retreat and load his +rifle. Having retired to a distance he was joined by Lieutenant +Delamain, who had dismounted from his elephant on hearing the report of +the gun. This unexpected meeting increased the Captain's hopes of +ultimate success. He pointed out to the Lieutenant the place where he +would probably find the lion, and said he would be up with him in a +moment or two.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Delamain on going eight or ten paces down, got a sight of the +lion and discharged his rifle at him. This irritated the mighty king, +and he rushed towards him. Captain Woodhouse now found himself placed in +an awkward situation. He was aware that if he retraced his steps in +order to put himself in a better position for attack he would just get +to the point to which the lion was making, wherefore he instantly +resolved to stand still, in the hopes that the lion would pass by at a +distance of four yards or so, without perceiving him, as the intervening +cover was thick and strong. In this, however, he was deceived; for the +enraged lion saw him as he passed, and flew at him with a dreadful roar. +In an instant, as though it had been done by a stroke of lightning, the +rifle was broken and thrown out of the Captain's hand, his left<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> leg at +the same moment being seized by the claws, and his right arm by the +teeth, of his desperate antagonist. Lieutenant Delamain ran up and +discharged his piece full at the lion; and this caused the lion and the +Captain to come to the ground together, whilst the Lieutenant hastened +out of the jungle to re-load his gun. The lion now began to crunch the +Captain's arm; but the brave fellow, notwithstanding the pain, had the +cool determined resolution to lie still. The lordly savage let the arm +drop out of his mouth, and quietly placed himself in a couching +position, with both his paws upon the thigh of his fallen foe. While +things were in this untoward situation, the Captain unthinkingly, raised +his hand to support his head, which had got placed ill at ease in the +fall. No sooner, however, had he moved it, than the lion seized the +lacerated arm a second time; crunched it as before, and fractured the +bone still higher up. This additional <i>memento mori</i> from the lion was +not lost on Captain Woodhouse; it immediately put him in mind that he +had committed an act of imprudence in stirring. The motionless state in +which he persevered after this broad hint, shewed that he had learnt to +profit by the painful lesson.</p> + +<p>The two Lieutenants were now hastening to his assistance, and he heard +the welcome sound of feet approaching; but unfortunately they were in a +wrong direction, as the lion was betwixt them and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> him. Aware that if +his friends fired, the balls would hit him, after they had passed +through the lion's body, Captain Woodhouse quietly pronounced, in a low +and subdued tone, "to the other side! to the other side!" Hearing the +voice, they looked in the direction from whence it proceeded, and to +their horror saw their brave comrade in his utmost need. Having made a +circuit, they cautiously came up on the other side; and Lieutenant +Delamain, whose coolness in encounters with wild beasts had always been +conspicuous, from a distance of about a dozen yards, fired at the lion +over the person of the prostrate warrior. The lion merely quivered; his +head dropped upon the ground, and in an instant he lay dead on his side, +close to his intended victim.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="TIGERS" id="TIGERS"></a>TIGERS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>The Tiger is exclusively an Asiatic animal, and his range extends, not +only over the more southern part of that continent, but to the larger +islands of the Archipelago, where he is particularly destructive. He is +as tall as the lion, but not quite so powerful; he is, however, more +agile, more graceful, and more insidious. He crouches, and mostly +springs in the same manner as the lion and other feline animals; he is +more ferocious, and will even fight with the lion. He seems to delight +in blood itself, for he will kill several victims, suck their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> blood, +and leave their carcasses to be devoured at another opportunity.</p> + +<p>The colour of the tiger is a bright orange tawny, white underneath, and +broad black stripes on the back, sides and tail. His head is rounder +than that of the lion, and he takes the most enormous leaps; he is to be +tamed to a certain extent, but never trusted. He prowls both night and +day; and in some places, the devastation he has caused is terrific. +Nothing can exceed the tragic tales which are told of him, in the +countries where he exists in numbers; and in one part of India, it is +said that at least three hundred lives were taken every year, within a +district containing seven villages, independent of an enormous number of +sheep, goats, and cattle. Horses will not stand in his presence with any +steadiness; and the elephant is restless when in his vicinity. This +sagacious animal often manages to shake him off; and if he have taken +hold of his trunk, he tramples on him with his fore-feet and so destroys +him. If he cannot dislodge him from his body, he lies down upon him, and +attempts to kill him by rolling his ponderous weight upon him. Seldom, +however, is the tiger the aggressor, unless he be driven to it by +hunger, or maddened by pain and despair, and then he struggles till he +dies. He hides himself with such caution and skill, that travellers are +laid hold of without being aware of his vicinity. The bride has been +snatched from her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> camel, the sportsman from his elephant, and the child +from its mother.</p> + +<p>Tigers are much more easily caught in traps than lions; and those most +used, are made so as to fall upon them when they seize the bait. In +Sumatra the natives poison the carcasses which are left for them, or +they fasten these baits to a stake, or tree, and place a vessel filled +with arsenic and water near by, of which the tiger invariably drinks, +after making a full meal.</p> + +<p>A tiger is easily started by a sudden noise, as the well-known story of +Mrs. Day and her umbrella will prove; but I have another and more recent +instance of this, which occurred to my brother. He was one evening on +his return to his own house, from that of a brother officer with whom he +had been dining, and he was met by his servants, who intreated of him to +make haste home, for there was a tiger prowling round; and, in fact, a +jackal was close to him, who so often accompanies the tiger when seeking +his prey. My brother had been two or three years in India, and yet had +never seen one of these animals, so he told his men they might return, +but he should stay, for he much wished to see a tiger. They in vain +tried to dissuade him; but, fancying the beast was close by, they all +ran away, and left him to his fate. He sat down quietly by the bank of +his garden, and had not been there long when the tiger actually +appeared. He stopped,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> looked very grand, and seemed doubtful whether he +should make an attack on the motionless person before him, and there +never was a more beautiful animal than he appeared to be. He uttered a +sort of growl, and crouched down, as the cat often does when tormenting +a mouse; and my brother almost gave himself up for lost. He fancied that +he had been hidden, and that the tiger could not perceive him as he +passed; but he took off his grenadier cap, which was large, and covered +with bear's skin, and putting it before his face roared in it as loudly +as he could; the noise and the action so surprised the tiger, that he +turned round, and leaped into the neighbouring thicket. My brother +hastened away, and met his servants, who, now the danger was over, were +coming to protect their master with drums and torches.</p> + +<p>The tiger has been known to snatch without springing, of which the +following anecdote, told me by a friend, is a confirmation. He was going +up one of the rivers in Assam, at the time when our troops took +possession of that country, in a covered boat, and his principal servant +retired on to the roof of the covering, to smoke at his ease. The river +was narrow, the banks were high, and they were going at a leisurely +pace, when my friend heard a slight scuffle over his head, then a +scream, followed by the cries of his party. On inquiring the cause, the +latter told him that a tiger had crept on to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> top of the boat, put +out his paw, laid hold of the man as the boat passed, and dragged him +into the jungle.</p> + +<p>The history of an unfortunate guide is an instance of the immediate +mischief which ensues from the first blow of one of these powerful +creatures. The poor man remonstrated with the officer, whose party he +was conducting, on the imprudence of marching before daylight; but the +officer, supposing it to be laziness, threatened to punish him if he did +not go on. The man took his shield and sword, and walked along the +narrow path, bordered on each side by high grass and bamboo. After going +five miles, the officer heard a tremendous roar, and a large tiger +passed him, so close, that he nearly brushed his horse, and sprang upon +the guide. The latter lifted up his shield, but he was down in an +instant, and under the tiger's paws, who seized him with his teeth, +growled, and looked at the officer. The tiger was attacked, and so +severely wounded that he dropped his victim; but it was all over with +the poor guide, the first blow had literally smashed his head in pieces.</p> + +<p>In a plain near the Narbudda river, a party were hunting a tiger; but +the beast did not seem inclined to come to a battle with his +antagonists. He trotted across the plain, and as he passed an +unfortunate cow, he raised his paw, gave her a blow on the shoulder, and +she fell. He went on, and when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> the hunters examined the cow, she was +dead, he having left the print of every toe, and, in fact, every part of +his paw upon the shoulder blade, without making the smallest wound.</p> + +<p>The following anecdotes have been obtained from various sources, and +some of the narrators were actors in the scenes described. A tiger had +sprung upon the shoulder of Lieutenant Colnett's elephant, who in this +situation fired at him, and he fell. Conceiving him to be disabled, the +Lieutenant descended from the elephant for the purpose of dispatching +him with his pistols; but in alighting, he came in contact with the +tiger, who had only crouched for a second spring, and who, catching hold +of him by the thigh, dragged him some distance along the ground. Having +succeeded in drawing one of a brace of pistols from his belt, Lieutenant +Colnett fired, and lodged a ball in the body of the tiger, when the +beast became enraged, shook him violently without letting go his hold, +and made off towards the thickest part of the jungle with his prey. In +the struggle to disengage himself from the clutches of the animal, the +Lieutenant caught hold of the tiger by both his ears, and succeeded, +after some time, in throwing the beast on his side, when he availed +himself of his momentary release to draw forth the remaining pistol, and +placing the muzzle at the breast of the tiger, shot him through the +heart. He then returned to his elephant, which he mounted without +assistance,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> feeling at the moment little pain from his wounds, although +he received no fewer than thirty-five, from the effects of which he long +afterwards continued to suffer.</p> + +<p>A very large Royal tiger descended from some heights. After he had +settled himself, a party advanced, and he seemed anxious to charge, but +showed great reluctance to quit the spot where he had rested. Several +balls struck him in the flanks, and a musket ball having pierced his +side obliquely, passed through his liver, and he did not rise again. His +skin measured ten feet four inches and a half, and he was ten years of +age; for he had ten lobes to his liver, and it is by the appearance of +the tiger's liver that the natives ascertain the age.</p> + +<p>I have quoted the above anecdote, not to prove the truth of the +circumstance as regards the tiger's liver, but as a tradition among the +inhabitants.</p> + +<p>The people of Chittagong were alarmed by the appearance of a tigress, +who was first discovered among some cattle that were grazing at the +mouth of the river. On the first alarm, the natives of the vicinity +assembled with all speed and advanced against her. Irritated by this, +she sprang furiously on the person nearest to her, and wounded him +severely. The immediate attack of the crowd, however, was successful in +rescuing the man from her grasp. On this the tigress, finding herself +hemmed in on all sides, and seeing no way of avoiding the multitude,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> +except by the river, took to the water, and swam about five miles, +closely pursued by the natives in their boats, until she landed under a +tree in a dockyard. Here she laid herself down, apparently much +fatigued; but before the people in the yard could get their fire arms +ready, she had, in a great degree, recovered her strength. Several shots +were fired at her, and two of them penetrated her body, one of which +lamed her. Rendered desperate by this, she advanced against her new +opponents, and singling out a European gentleman in the yard, who was +provided with a cutlass, she sprang upon him before he could make use of +his weapon; knocked him down with her fore paw, seized his head in her +mouth, bit off a considerable part of the skin of his forehead, and +wounded him in several places. After this, she sprang upon a native, +fractured his skull, and otherwise lacerated him so dreadfully that he +died next day. She then entered a thicket close by, where she was +allowed to remain unmolested. On the morning of the following day, she +had got about a mile further from the water side, and near to a sepoy +village. Here she was surrounded by about a thousand natives, when, +although she was very lame, she sprang furiously on several of them, and +wounded one poor woman so dreadfully, as to occasion her death. A +fortunate shot, however, laid the animal prostrate.</p> + +<p>There is an account of a tame tiger which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> was brought from China in the +Pitt East Indiaman, "who was so far domesticated as to admit of every +kind of familiarity from the people on board. He seemed to be quite +harmless and as playful as a kitten. He frequently slept with the +sailors in their hammocks, and would suffer two or three of them to +repose their heads on his back, as upon a pillow, while he lay stretched +upon the deck. In return for this, he would, however, now and then steal +their meat. Having one day carried off a piece of beef from the +carpenter, the man followed the animal, took it out of his mouth, and +beat him severely for the theft, which punishment he suffered with all +the patience of a dog. He would frequently run out upon the bowsprit, +climb about like a cat, and perform a number of tricks, with astonishing +agility. There was a dog on board, with whom he often played in the most +amusing manner; he was only a month or six weeks old when he was taken +on board, and arrived in England before he had completed a year."</p> + +<p>The tiger is not as fond of his children as the lion is, and often +abandons the female while she is rearing her young. The tigress will +destroy her offspring as the cat does; but the following is an instance +of her affection, taken from Captain Williamson's "Oriental Field +Sports." This officer had two tiger cubs brought to him, which had been +discovered, with two more, by some villagers while their mother had been +in quest of prey. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> captain put them into a stable where they were +very noisy during the night. A few days having elapsed, their mother at +length discovered where they were, came to relieve them, and replied to +their cries by tremendous howlings, which induced their keeper to set +the cubs at liberty, lest the dam should break in. She had carried them +off to an adjoining jungle before morning.</p> + +<p>Bishop Heber happily compares the slight movement of the long grass of +the jungle, which betrays the presence of the tiger, to the bubbles +which rise to the surface of water, and show the lurking place of the +otter.</p> + +<p>The immense strength of the tiger is frequently shown by the manner in +which he throws his prey over his shoulder, and conveys it to his lair +to be devoured. One is said to have carried a buffalo in this manner, +which weighed a thousand pounds. Captain Brown gives the following +account of the innate love of flesh displayed by the tiger:—"A party of +gentlemen from Bombay, one day visiting the stupendous temple of +Elephants, discovered a tiger's whelp in one of the obscure recesses. +Desirous of kidnapping the cub, without encountering the fury of its +dam, they took it up hastily and cautiously retreated. Being left +entirely at liberty, and extremely well fed, the tiger grew rapidly, +appeared tame, and in every respect domesticated. At length, when it had +attained a great size, and,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> notwithstanding its apparent gentleness, +began to inspire terror by its tremendous powers of doing mischief. A +piece of raw meat, dripping with blood, fell in its way. Hitherto it had +been studiously kept from animal food; but the instant it had dipped its +tongue in blood, something like madness seemed to have seized upon the +animal. A destructive principle, hitherto dormant, was awakened; it +darted fiercely and with glaring eyes upon its prey, tore it to pieces +with fury, and roaring in the most fearful manner, rushed at once into +the jungle."</p> + +<p>I am not sorry to end this account of the tiger with an old story, which +places the fierce beast of prey in rather a more amiable light than most +of the previous histories. "A tigress of great beauty, from Bengal, +being extremely docile on her passage home from Calcutta, was allowed to +run about the vessel, and became exceedingly familiar with the sailors. +On her arrival in the Thames, however, her temper became very irascible, +and even dangerous. She was placed in the Tower, where she for some time +continued to exhibit a sulky and savage disposition. One day, the person +who had charge of her on board the ship, visited the Tower, and begged +permission of the keeper to be allowed to enter her den, to which he at +last agreed, though with much reluctance. No sooner did the tigress +recognise her old friend, than she fawned upon him, licked, and caressed +him, exhibiting the most extravagant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> signs of pleasure; and when he +left her, she whined and cried the whole day afterwards."</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="LEOPARDS_PANTHERS_ETC" id="LEOPARDS_PANTHERS_ETC"></a>LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ETC.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>The Felis Leopardus and the Felis Pardus of authors, represent the +Leopard and Panther; but it has been impossible to establish any +characters which mark the difference between them. Size, colour, form, +and position of spots have been resorted to, but age and locality have +set all rules aside, and, therefore, in treating of them, I shall use +the term indiscriminately. Their extreme beauty, and their greater +docility, make them more interesting than the tiger; nevertheless, they, +like others of the feline tribe, should not be treated too unreservedly. +Their internal anatomy and dentition agree with those of the tiger, but +they are of smaller and slighter make, are natives of the East, but +particularly abundant in most parts of Africa. They are exceedingly +active and graceful; swim, climb trees, or slide along the ground like a +snake, and are very apt to spring upon their victims from the branches +of trees. Their coat is of that beautiful shade of tawny, which forms so +good a contrast with their black rosettes, or spots.</p> + +<p>My first personal acquaintance with leopards and panthers was made on +the leeward coast of Africa,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> and one of the latter brought by Mr. +Bowdich and myself in a living state to this country, at first delighted +the men of science, because, in his remarkably beautiful coat, they +hoped to find characters which would mark the difference between these +two animals; but as we produced skin after skin, they began again to +doubt, and the problem still remains unsolved. My history of the Ashanti +panther has been so often repeated in various works, that I should +hesitate to introduce it here, had it not more than once been presented +to the public, in a form which did not originate with myself. The only +other account from my own pen was supplied to Mr. Loudon, for his +Magazine of Natural History, to which I now make a few additions.</p> + +<p>The panther to which I allude, was one of two cubs, found in one of the +forests of the kingdom of Ashanti. They were both taken to the king, and +when Mr. Hutchison (the resident left in Kumasi by Mr. Bowdich) came to +head-quarters, his Majesty desired this one to be presented to the +Governor. He had suffocated his brother in a fit of romping, being much +the larger of the two, but he was extremely docile and good-tempered, +and was led by a chain only, being let loose when eating was going +forward, on which occasions he received his share; but he helped himself +to a fowl once or twice, and as he always gave it up to his master, he +was occasionally employed to secure provisions when the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> natives surlily +refused a supply. He was one day sitting behind Mr. Hutchison, with his +chin on the latter's shoulder, when this gentleman refreshed himself by +pouring some lavender water on his handkerchief. In an instant, this +panther tore it out of his hand, as if in a state of ecstasy, nor ceased +to roll over it till the cambric was in fragments.</p> + +<p>The day after his arrival at Cape Coast, he was led into the hall where +we were all dining; and he received our salutations with apparent +pleasure. On one occasion he stood on his hind legs, and put his fore +paws on the shoulders of an officer, who hastily retreated, and it was +amusing to see the unconquerable dread of him which assailed men who +were undaunted where men only were concerned. We named the panther "Saï" +after the king, and he was kept in a small court; his claws and teeth +were filed, and no live food was given to him. A boy was appointed to +watch him. He was perfectly harmless; and the only violence he evinced, +was when a servant pulled his food from him, and he then tore a piece +out of the man's leg. Once he escaped, and dashed on to the ramparts, +where he caused a scene of confusion which was quite laughable; the +sentinels fled, the officers closed their doors, the castle gates were +shut; but when he was tired of his scamper, the playful beast quietly +laid himself down under a gun carriage, and suffered his attendant to +lead him away. At last he was allowed to roam at large,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> orders being +given to prevent his going beyond the gates; and the boy was desired not +to leave him. He, however, often fell asleep, on which occasions Saï +would come stealthily behind him as he sat upright, and knock him over +with a blow from his paw, when he wagged his tail with delight. His +principal amusement was to stand on his hind legs, his fore paws resting +on the sill of one of the windows, his chin between them, and there +contemplate all that was going on in the town below. But this was also a +favourite pastime with my uncle's children; and there was not always +room for all, so they often pulled him down by the tail, and took his +place, without exciting his anger. His attachment to my uncle was very +great, and he chiefly lived in his room. He missed him one day when he +was holding a great palaver in the hall, and wandered about in search of +him. The multitude prevented the panther from seeing his friend, and he +wandered to other parts of the castle, among others to my room, where he +laid himself down with a disconsolate look. The palaver over, the +Governor returned to his room to write, and the door being open, he +heard Saï coming slowly up the stairs. The panther started when he saw +the object of his search, and as he made one bound across the room, my +uncle gave himself up for lost; but the affectionate creature nestled +his head into his master's shoulder, rubbed his cheek against him, and +only tried by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> caresses to evince his happiness. He was very fond of +hiding himself under one of the sofas in the hall, where a rustling +noise, a protruding paw, or an occasional peep from behind the cover, +alone betrayed his presence. The Governor was once entertaining some +officers from Elmina, when, in the midst of an animated discussion, they +both turned pale, and stopped speaking. Their host looked up—"I beg +your pardon," said one of them, "but are you aware what animal is now +lying under that sofa?" "Saï," said my uncle, "come and speak to these +gentlemen." The panther walked up to them, and both darted behind the +Governor, nor did they feel comfortable when Saï was ordered back to his +hiding-place. I bantered one of them about his fears when I met him at +dinner; and he confessed that he had never been more frightened. One of +the drollest circumstances attending Saï's presence at the castle, +occurred to a woman who swept the floor of the great hall every day +before dinner was laid, with a little hand-broom, called a prah-prah. +She was engaged in her usual occupation, without knowing that Saï was +there, and stooping almost on all fours; when with a sudden impulse of +fun, the panther jumped upon her back, and stood there, wagging his +tail. Naturally supposing she was going to be devoured, the poor +prah-prah woman screamed so violently as to bring the other servants, +whereupon they being of the same opinion as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> herself, and thinking their +turn might come next, ran away; nor was she released till the governor, +hearing the noise, came to her assistance.</p> + +<p>Before Saï was put on board the vessel in which we were to sail +together, we had become the best friends possible; and I and my uncle +coaxed him into the cage made for his accommodation. He was put into a +canoe, the men belonging to which were so alarmed when he moved, that +they upset the canoe, and the poor animal was plunged into the sea. We +were watching him from a window in the castle, and gave him up for lost; +but some of the sailors of the vessel, seeing the disaster, stepped into +a boat, and rescued him. He was so subdued by his ducking, and the +uncomfortable dampness of his cage, for no one dared to open it to wipe +it out, that he rolled himself up in the corner, and only, after an +interval of some days, was roused by my voice. When I first spoke he +raised his head, held it first on one side then on the other, and when I +came fully into view, jumped upon his legs, and appeared frantic with +joy; he rolled himself over and over, howled, opened his enormous jaws, +and seemed as if he could tear his cage to pieces, in order to get close +to me. Gradually, however, his violence subsided; he was amply caressed; +and from that time, ate everything which was offered to him: perhaps he +had suffered from sea-sickness. I indulged him twice a week with some +lavender water<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> put into a cup made of stiff paper, but never allowed +him to have it when his claws were pushed forth; so that he learned to +retract them at my bidding.</p> + +<p>While we lay for weeks in the river Gaboon, he was never suffered to +leave his cage, because the deck was constantly filled with black +persons, to whom he always manifested a decided aversion. I have already +mentioned his rage at seeing a chimpanzee and monkeys, and only +secondary to this was the approach of pigs, whom he seemed to long to +devour.</p> + +<p>On the voyage to England direct, I thought he would have been starved to +death; for we were boarded by pirates, who took almost all our +provisions away, of course including our live stock, and if it had not +been for the numerous parrots in the vessel, Saï must have met with a +melancholy death. Some died daily as we came into colder climates, and +he was allowed one each day. It was just enough to keep him from +starving, and this sometimes made him seize it so ravenously, that he +did not give himself time to pluck off the feathers; these in process of +time formed a hard substance within the intestines, which made him very +ill, he refused even his small portion of food, and I thought would have +died; but I made some pills of calomel, butter, and flour, and put them +very far down his throat, while his particular attendant, one of the +cabin boys, held his jaws open. The boy slept in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> the cage with him all +night; and the next morning, I administered a further dose, which +effected his cure.</p> + +<p>Having, after a long absence from England, no accommodation for such an +inmate, we, as speedily as possible, sought a home for him. He was +presented to the duchess of York, who boarded him at Exeter Change, till +she herself was going to Oatlands. I visited him more than once; and it +was only by stratagem that I could get away without his following me. +One morning the duchess called and played with him, when he appeared to +be in perfect health. In the evening, when her coachman went to fetch +him, he was dead, and his malady <i>said</i> to be inflammation of the lungs.</p> + +<p>The Panther is considered as a sacred animal on the Gold Coast; and the +priests demand a fine for each one that is killed; consequently, they +and leopards (if there be any difference) are numerous, and occasionally +commit much mischief. They leap over high walls, or stockades, and take +away the sheep and goats kept within, leaping back with them in their +mouths. They come into the streets of the towns or villages at night, +where I have often seen them jumping about, and chasing each other. Our +chief surgeon had a house on the outskirts of the forest, that he might +enjoy more room than he could have in barracks; and one night,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> while +sleeping there, he thought he heard his servant boys (who generally +remained all night in the verandah) dancing outside his bed-room door. +He called to them to be quiet, and for a minute or two the noise ceased; +as this happened several times, he rose, took a large stick, opened his +door a little way, in order to punish them, when, instead of his sable +attendants, he saw two large panthers performing their own dance; and it +is scarcely necessary to say, that he quickly closed his door, and +tolerated the nuisance.</p> + +<p>A woman at Annamaboo was very much scarred on one arm and shoulder, in +consequence of a panther having sprung upon her when her child was at +her back, and she was carrying a pitcher of water. The pitcher fell, and +she made so vigorous an attack upon his eyes, that he became bewildered, +and retreated. This is not the only instance I have heard of wild and +ferocious animals being driven away by blows on this part.</p> + +<p>A little girl of fourteen, who was to have been my maid as soon as she +was old enough, was not as fortunate as her neighbour; she being +attacked by a panther who sprang upon her through an open window, in a +room where she was sleeping by herself. Her cries brought her family +round her, and the beast made his escape as he had entered, but having +once tasted blood there, he was sure to return, and a trap was made +which caught him the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> ensuing night; the fine was paid, and the skin was +given to me. The poor child had a piece of her scalp taken off, a +triangular morsel had been bitten from her shoulder; and her throat had +a gash on each side of her windpipe. All these wounds appeared as if +they had been cut with a knife; none of them were mortal, but she had +not strength to encounter the weakness they engendered. Her father +brought her in a canoe to head-quarters for the attendance of an English +surgeon, but she expired as she was carried ashore.</p> + +<p>A party of us had gone to St. Mary's near the mouth of the river Gambia; +and in the evening a bright moonlight induced us to take a walk. It was +not very prudent; but we started, the commandant, a quaker lady and +myself, to the outskirts of the forest. My female companion after we had +advanced some distance, began to think of danger, and I, in mischief, +rustled among the branches of the thicket in order to alarm her still +more. We proceeded as far as a spring under a huge Baobab, where we +stood for some time, till the monkeys began to pelt us from the tree +over our heads. A slight movement in the bushes also seemed to say it +was time to depart; and then, expatiating on our own fool-hardiness, we +went on, and reached home in safety. The next morning we were informed, +that an enormous leopard had been caught in a trap close to the spring, +half an hour<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> after we had been there, and his footsteps had been traced +upon mine in the sand. We never could understand, humanly speaking, what +saved us, unless it were the long white plumes which waved from the hat +of the commandant. These traps are generally pitfalls, baited, too +often, with a live kid, whose cries entice the beast of prey.</p> + +<p>The Jaguar is the leopard of America, and is also very destructive at +times; hunger, however, is the prompter; and Baron Humboldt relates a +story of a native woman, whose children used to play daily with one +which came from the forest close by. She discovered it in consequence of +the cry of one of the children, who received a scratch in play from +their companion, who was a little too rough. Had he required a supper, +the wound would probably have been more than a scratch. D'Azara, +however, says, he is a very ferocious animal; causing great destruction +among horses and asses. He is extremely fond of eggs, and goes to the +shores frequented by turtles, and digs them out of the sand.</p> + +<p>Two of the early settlers in the western states of America, a man and +his wife closed their wooden hut, and went to pay a visit at a distance, +leaving a freshly killed piece of venison hanging inside.</p> + +<p>The gable end of this house was not boarded up as high as the roof, but +a large aperture was left<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> for light and air. By taking an enormous +leap, a hungry jaguar, attracted by the smell of the venison, had +entered the hut, and devoured part of it; he was disturbed by the return +of the owners, and took his departure. The venison was removed: the +husband went away the night after to a distance, and left his wife alone +in the hut. She had not been long in bed before she heard the jaguar +leap in at the open gable; there was no door between her room and that +in which he had entered, and she knew not how to protect herself. She, +however, screamed as loudly as she could, and made all the violent +noises she could think of, which served to frighten him away at that +time; but she knew he would come again, and she must be prepared for +him. She tried to make a large fire; but the wood was expended. She +thought of rolling herself up in the bed clothes; but these would be +torn off. The idea of getting under the low bedstead suggested itself, +but she felt sure a paw would be stretched forth which would drag her +out: her husband had taken all their fire-arms. At last, as she heard +the jaguar this time scrambling up the end of the house, she, in +despair, got into a large store chest, the lid of which closed with a +spring. Scarcely was she within it, and had dragged the lid down, +inserting her fingers between it and the side of the chest, when the +jaguar discovered where she was; he smelt round the chest, tried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> to get +his head in through the crack, but fortunately he could not raise the +lid; he found her fingers and began to lick them; she felt them bleed, +but did not dare to move them, for fear she should be suffocated. At +length the jaguar leaped on to the lid, and his weight, pressing down +the lid, fractured these fingers. Still she could not move, he smelt +round again, he pulled, he leaped on and off, till, at last, getting +tired of his vain efforts, he went away. The poor woman lay there till +daybreak, and then only, feeling safe from her enemy, she went as fast +as her strength would let her to the nearest neighbour's, a distance of +two miles, where she procured help for her wounded fingers, which were +long getting well. On his return, her husband found a male and female +jaguar in the forest close by, with their cubs; and all were destroyed.</p> + +<p>As proof that these animals are as soon startled as the tiger, we are +told of an Indian, who saw a fierce-looking jaguar standing directly in +his path, at a distance of ten paces. At first he was extremely puzzled +to know what to do; but a sudden impulse prompted him to take off his +broad brimmed hat, make a low bow, and say, "A very good morning to you, +Sir;" and to his surprise, the jaguar turned round, and walked leisurely +away.</p> + +<p>A very beautiful Ounce lived in the menagerie of the Jardin des Plantes, +in Paris, which became<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> extremely tame; and Mdlle. Cuvier and I used +very often to go and take him a walk, leading him from his den to a +small space surrounded by high stakes: he required no other confinement +to ensure his obedience, than twisting our hands in the loose skin of +his neck, and he never failed at all times to recognise us with pleasure +if we went into his vicinity.</p> + +<p>The Cheetah is gentle and affectionate, and successfully trained for +hunting.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CATS" id="CATS"></a>CATS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Cats are diminished examples of the feline race; but their fur is longer +than that of others, and they bear a greater resemblance to leopards +than to lions. The idea of majesty is not connected with them, but they +are celebrated for grace, elegance, suppleness, and insidiousness. There +is yet a wild species in existence, which inhabits the mountainous and +wooded districts of the northern part of England, and also Scotland, +where it used formerly to be very abundant. It is scarcely necessary to +give a description, even of the untamed species, so well known are the +general characters of these animals. It will be quite sufficient to say, +that the head of the latter is triangular, the soles of the feet of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> +male are always black, their tails are bushy, they spring furiously upon +whoever approaches, and utter unearthly cries. Mr. St. John, when +walking up to his knees in heather, over broken ground, came suddenly +upon a wild cat. She rushed out between his legs, every hair standing +up. He cut a good sized stick; and three Skye terriers gave chase till +she took refuge in a corner, spitting and growling. On trying to +dislodge her, she flew at Mr. St. John's face, over the dog's heads; but +he struck her while in the air, and she fell among the dogs, who soon +dispatched her, even though they say, that a wild-cat has twelve instead +of nine lives. If one be taken, those in the neighbourhood are sure to +be also secured, as they will all, in the manner of foxes, assemble +round the body of their relation.</p> + +<p>Domestic cats often run away to the woods and subsist on their own +hunting; but these are not to be taken for the real wild cat. The female +of the latter is the smaller of the two, and retires into the fissures +of rocks, or takes possession of some large bird's nest, when she is +about to have young ones. They are found all through Germany, Russia, +Hungary, and the North of Asia, where their fur is much more valued than +it is here, probably on account of the length and quality of the hair.</p> + +<p>Our house cats are, by most naturalists, supposed not to have descended +from the above wild species.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> Professor Temminck ascribes their origin +to the Nubian cat, found in that country by M. Rüppell, but Mr. Bell +differs from him.</p> + +<p>Cats were numerous in Egypt, where they were much prized, and honoured +with being embalmed. In Abyssinia they form part of a marriage dowry, +for fear the mice should eat up the other portions. Nevertheless, it +will be perhaps more like the truth if we give our cats an Asiatic +origin. When they run wild, Mr. St. John says, they are often +irreclaimable, and do incredible mischief. There are instances, however, +of their returning to their homes bringing game with them. One known to +the above gentleman, used every winter evening to bring in a woodcock; +another brought back rabbits and hares; the latter was constantly caught +in traps, which accident did not cure him of his wanderings, and he +never struggled, but sat quietly till some one came and effected his +release.</p> + +<p>All cats sleep slightly, raise their back, bristle up their hair, and +swell up their tail when angry. Those which have been domesticated are +very inquisitive concerning things rather than persons; smell, and +inspect a new piece of furniture several times; are attached to houses, +and are extremely fond of scents, especially certain kinds emanating +from plants. They seldom eat the rats which they kill, although they +devour mice. If they should swallow a shrew, which is very rare, they +almost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> immediately reject it. They will sit hour after hour watching at +the mouth of a hole, and after seizing their prey, bring it to their +favourites in the house to show their prowess, and strut about with a +great air of self-satisfaction. They generally have a great dislike to +water; but they have been known to surmount this when they could catch a +fish, for which species of food they have a great preference. The +accusation that they play with you one minute, and scratch you the next, +is too true: the change is not an act of treachery, but arises from +excitement.</p> + +<p>I know not whence it is derived; but for centuries cats have been +connected with superstition and sorcery. They have always been regarded +as attendants upon witches; and witches themselves have been said to +borrow their shapes when on their mysterious expeditions. I was once +told, that Lord Cochrane was accompanied by a favourite black cat in a +cruise through the northern seas. The weather had been most +unpropitious; no day had passed without some untoward circumstance, and +the sailors were not slow in attributing the whole to the influence of +the black cat on board. This came to Lord Cochrane's ears, and knowing +that any attempt to reason his men out of so absurd a notion was +perfectly useless, he offered to sacrifice this object of his regard, +and have her thrown overboard. This, however, far from creating any +satisfaction, only alarmed the men still more; they were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> sure that the +tempests she would then raise would be much worse than any they had yet +encountered; and they implored his lordship to let her remain +unmolested. "There was no help, and they could only hope, if she were +not affronted, they might, at the end of their time, reach England in +safety."</p> + +<p>Black cats were always more especially connected with superstitious +feelings, and I was once accosted by a peasant's wife, who, with a phial +in her hand to contain it, requested I would give her a few drops of +blood from the tail of my black kitten; not only to bring luck to her +hearth, but to keep pestilence from her doors. Even lately, a working +woman told me not to turn a stray black cat from my house; for, if I +did, I should never have any prosperity afterwards. Captain Brown tells +us that on Hallowe'en, it was usual in Scotland for families to tie up +their cat, in order to preserve it from being used as a pony by the +witches that night. Those who neglected this precaution, ran the risk of +seeing their cat scampering through the fields, with a witch on its +back, on the high road to Norway. A black cat was commonly sacrificed by +the ancients to Hecate, or among the Scandinavians to Frea, the northern +Hecate. A black cat, sent with a prayer-book and a bag of sand into a +new house, so as to precede the proprietor in possession, was formerly +deemed essential to ensure prosperity to the person changing his abode. +To steal a black<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> cat, and bury it alive, is in the Irish Highlands, +considered as a specific for a disorder in cattle, termed "blacklegs," +which otherwise proves fatal.</p> + +<p>There is yet another peculiar feeling respecting cats—namely, the +strange antipathy which some persons entertain towards them, and is +equally unassailable with that of superstition. Of course, in many +instances, illness and weak indulgence, have greatly increased it, but +in some cases, it has been, unconsciously harboured, and in others +unconquerable. A friend of mine told me, that through life this feeling +had accompanied him, in spite of every endeavour made to eradicate it. +When a little boy he awoke one night, with that trembling and cold +perspiration which always assailed him when a cat was in his vicinity; +and, screaming for help, he intreated the servant who entered to take +away the cat which was in the room. The man searched, but found no +traces of puss. His young master still persisted she was there, but a +renewed search proved equally unavailing, nor could he compose himself +to rest unless the servant remained in the room till he was asleep. This +accomplished, the man left him, and a second time my friend awoke in the +same manner, with the same appeals for assistance. They were obeyed; he +himself joined in the search, and he dragged out a cat from the close +stove (for it was in Germany) which had taken refuge there, and been +wholly unperceived by the man servant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> This gentleman's daughter +inherited the same antipathy, and neither the tenderest feelings towards +other "dumb creatures," or the strongest efforts of a mind of unusual +strength, could subdue the uncomfortable and distressing sensation which +thrilled through her when a cat was in her presence.</p> + +<p>Where every house has a cat, many two, where every female cat, at least +twice in each year, brings forth a litter of from three to five kittens, +which are not all drowned, some idea may be formed of the untellable +number of cats in London; but it is only the dwellers in what is called +a quiet out-of-the-way street in the metropolis, who can form any notion +of the noise and caterwaulings of this part of the population. All cats, +on first taking possession with their owners, of a house, are obliged to +enter into an alliance, offensive and defensive, with the older +inhabitants of the neighbourhood. In some instances the amicable +arrangements, though less noisy, are the most troublesome, of which I +was convinced in one of my dwellings. The back overlooked a number of +gardens, some of which were large, and to enjoy these sufficiently, a +small, leaded terrace was thrown out from the back drawing-room window. +Here all the cats of all the gardens, the street, and the opposite +square, used to hold their <i>conversazione</i>; and I presume, that my cats +were particularly amiable, for often, if the drawing-room window had +been left open during our absence, we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> found a select few, perhaps five +or six, sitting within its precincts, as if in friendly talk.</p> + +<p>Every cat that comes to a new area in London, appears to me to be +obliged to fight till he gains undisturbed possession of it; at least so +it has been the case with my cats. A very fine, bold, powerful tabby, +did this twice with perfect success; but after repeated combats, +although victorious, the struggle made him fierce and occasionally +sullen. Another who was a very beautiful creature, but much weaker, used +to come in with his handsome ears slit, his cheeks swollen, his fur torn +off, his frolic and vivacity gone; and he sat crouching by the fire all +day. At night he was roused by the fierce defiance of his enemies; and +the contest continued till he died from his exertions.</p> + +<p>One cat belonging to me had a curious manner of shewing her +disappointment or anger, whichever it might be; for the instant she was +affronted, she walked away and seated herself with her back to the +offending parties. A child of hers was an instance of the effect of +judicious education, for fair and gentle treatment transformed her, from +a violent, outrageous kitten, to a well behaved cat, and it was curious +to see the instantaneous effect which the voice of his preceptress +produced. Cats will learn all sorts of antics, and form all sorts of +contradictory attachments; young birds, puppies, rats and mice +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>frequently being the objects. My mother-in-law had both a favourite +canary and an equally beloved cat; the former lived in her bed room; and +when alone, she suffered him to fly about the room, for she could there +exclude the latter. Chance, however, discovered that puss was as fond of +the canary as she was; and, to her surprise, on raising her head from +her work one morning, she saw the bird perched upon the cat's body, +without fear, and the cat evidently delighted. After that there was no +further restraint, and the two pets were daily companions. Their +mistress, however, received another fright; for Puss gave a slight +growl, and seizing the bird in her mouth, leaped on to the bed; her tail +swelled out, her hair erect, and her eyes as big as four. The bird was +of course given up for lost: but the door being accidentally left open, +a strange cat had come in; and it was for the preservation of the bird, +that the cat had seized him, and as soon as the intruder was driven +away, she set the prisoner at liberty. Cats have often been trained to +act as game-finders, without offering the slightest damage to their +capture; they have given the alarm when thieves have been breaking in; +and manifested great proofs of reflection and thought, which may be +called reason, without degrading this act of the intellect. One +belonging to my sister invariably goes to her room when she rings her +bell; but does not offer to stir when any other bell in the house is +sounded. Another, in the service of a friend, was in the habit of going +into the garden, catching a bird, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> bringing it to the cook, +appearing to ask her to dress it; and yet it was perfectly her own +suggestion.</p> + +<p>A brother of mine had a favourite tortoise-shell cat, named Monkey, who +always sat on his shoulder when he was shaving, and evinced every sign +of deep attachment. He left her under the care of some friends when he +went abroad; and, two years after, these ladies were surprised the +evening he was expected home, at the extreme restlessness of the animal. +She heard the arrival of the carriage at the garden gate before they +did; and ere the bell was rung, she was furious to be let out to meet +him. Her joy was indescribable; and the next morning she took her place +on his shoulder as usual, when she saw him prepare his razor. Such +attachments have been known to continue after death; and cats have died +of grief on their master's grave.</p> + +<p>I have already noticed a great friendship between a pug dog and a cat; +and the following proof of a similar strength of love is taken from the +pages of M. Wenzel, in his "Observations on the Language of Brutes." "I +had a cat and a dog, which became so attached to each other, that they +would never willingly be asunder. Whenever the dog got any choice morsel +of food, he was sure to divide it with his whiskered friend. They always +ate socially out of one plate, slept in the same bed, and daily walked +out together. Wishing to put this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> apparently sincere friendship to the +proof, I one day, took the cat by herself into my room, while I had the +dog kept in another apartment. I entertained the cat in a most sumptuous +manner; being desirous to see what sort of meal she would make without +her friend, who had been hitherto her constant table companion. The cat +enjoyed the treat, and seemed entirely to have forgotten the dog. I had +had a partridge for dinner, half of which I intended to keep for supper. +My wife covered it with a plate, and put it into a cupboard, the door of +which she did not lock. The cat left the room, and I walked out on +business; my wife meanwhile sat at work in an adjoining apartment. When +I returned home, she related to me the following circumstances:—The cat +having hastily left the dining-room, went to the dog, and mewed +unusually loudly, and in different tones; which the dog, from time to +time, answered with a short bark. They went together to the door of the +room where the cat had dined, and waited till it was opened. The two +friends then immediately entered the apartment. My wife rose from her +seat, went softly to the door which stood ajar, to observe what was +going on. The cat led the dog to the cupboard which contained the +partridge, pushed off the plate which covered it, and taking out my +intended supper, laid it before her canine friend, who devoured it +quickly."</p> + +<p>The following anecdote almost places the cat on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> a level with the +dog:—"A physician of Lyons was requested to inquire into a murder that +had been committed on a woman of that city. In consequence of this +request, he went to the habitation of the deceased, where he found her +extended lifeless on the floor, weltering in her blood. A large white +cat was mounted on the cornice of a cupboard, at the far end of the +apartment, where he seemed to have taken refuge. He sat motionless with +his eyes fixed on the corpse, and his attitude and looks expressing +horror and affright. The following morning he was found in the same +station and attitude, and when the room was filled with officers of +justice, neither the clattering of the soldier's arms, nor the loud +conversation of the company, could in the least degree divert his +attention. As soon, however, as the suspected persons were brought in, +his eyes glared with increased fury, his hair bristled, he darted into +the middle of the apartment, where he stopped for a moment to gaze at +them, and then precipitately retreated under the bed. The countenances +of the assassins were disconcerted, and they were now, for the first +time, abandoned by their audacious atrocity."</p> + +<p>There are several instances on record of cats finding their way back to +their former abodes under circumstances of great difficulty, and the +following appears to me to be one of the most striking of them, and +quoted from a letter:—"When living at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> Four Paths, Clarendon, Jamaica, +I wanted a cat, and had one given to me, which was nearly full grown; it +was brought from Morgan's Valley Estate, where it was bred, and had +never been removed from that place before. The distance was five miles. +It was put into a canvass bag, and carried by a man on horseback. +Between the two places there are two rivers, one of them about eighty +feet broad and two feet and a half deep, running strong; the other is +wider and more rapid, but less deep; over these rivers are no bridges. +The cat was shut up at Four Paths for some days, and when considered to +be reconciled to her new dwelling, she was allowed to go about the +house. The day after obtaining her liberty, she was missing; and, upon +my next visiting the estate she was brought from, I was quite amazed to +learn that the cat had come back again. Did she swim over the rivers at +the fords where the horse came through with her, or did she ascend the +banks for a considerable distance, in search of a more shallow place, +and where the stream was less powerful? At all events she must have +crossed the rivers, in opposition to her natural habits."</p> + +<p>A singular malformation in the cat has been perpetuated, till a race of +tailless cats is now in existence, and which is certainly no improvement +on the original stock; for nothing can be more graceful than the +attitudes of the cat's tail, or more expressive of its feelings of joy +or anger.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="SQUIRRELS" id="SQUIRRELS"></a>SQUIRRELS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>A peculiar formation of the incisors, or front teeth, groups a number +of smaller animals together under the name of Rodentia, from the Latin +word <i>rodens</i>, which signifies gnawing. These teeth act as files, so +that the food on which their owners principally live is reduced by +friction to a state which fits it for digestion. As the edges of these +teeth become worn by constant use, they incessantly grow from the root. +If one be broken, that opposite to it, in the other jaw, being deprived +of its habitual wear and tear, grows so fast that it not only annoys its +owner, but has caused his destruction by effectually closing the mouth. +Their lower jaws can only move backwards and forwards; some exclusively +eat vegetables, others eat all things, and others again prefer flesh. +Some carry their food to their mouths with their paws, and climb trees; +and, in many, the hinder limbs are so much longer than those in front, +that they leap instead of walk. They are widely and numerously spread on +the surface of the earth, and therefore bear strongly on its history; +but it is not among them that we find the high intellectual development +with which many other animals are gifted.</p> + +<p>Squirrels are some of the most beautiful of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> Rodentia, and chiefly +live in trees. The fur of some of the species is extremely beautiful and +valuable; they are very active, elegant little creatures, and easily +tamed, when they become very playful and affectionate. A friend of mine +was deprived of her only daughter, and the lost one's pet squirrel was +of course cherished and loved; the little creature used to run up the +lady's arm, and seat itself on her shoulder, caress her with its head, +nestle itself into her neck, and drink her tears. As long as it lived, +it was never caressed by the mother without first looking in her face +for the drops, which it had been accustomed to remove.</p> + +<p>These animals have a large bushy tail, the hair of which spreads out on +each side like a feather; and by it they are guided and supported when +they leap. The flying squirrels, as they are called, have an expansion +of the skin of the sides, which extends between the hind and fore legs, +by which they are suspended in the air when passing from tree to tree, +and by it are enabled to go to greater distances without being actually +able to fly, as their name would imply. The general colour of the +English squirrel is red in summer; but in winter they often assume a +grayish tint, at which time they have long pencils of hair at the top of +their ears. This grey becomes more decided in more northern climates; +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> occasionally they are black. They always live in pairs, and +sometimes are gregarious, inhabiting burrows. They lay up stores of +provisions in different places; but they sleep the greater part of the +cold months, their tail turned over them to keep them warm, having +beforehand made a very elaborate nest of moss, leaves, and interlacing +fibres in the hole of a tree, or the fork of two branches. They +exclusively eat vegetable food, and are occasionally themselves eaten by +the larger birds of prey.</p> + +<p>Sir Francis Head gives us the following account of his meeting with a +squirrel in Canada. "I was waiting the approach of a large flock of wild +fowl; but a little villain of a squirrel on the bough of a tree close to +me, seemed to have determined that even now I should not rest in quiet; +for he sputtered and chattered with so much vehemence, that he attracted +the attention of my dog. This was truly mortifying; for he kept his eyes +fixed on the squirrel. With my hand I threatened the little beast; but +he actually set up his back and defied me, becoming even more passionate +than before; till, all of a sudden, as if purposely to alarm the game, +he dropped plump within a couple of yards of Rover's nose. This was too +much for the latter to bear, so he gave a bounce and sprang upon the +impertinent squirrel; who, in a second, was out of his reach, cocking +his tail and shewing his teeth, on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> the identical bough where he had sat +before. Away flew all the wild fowl, and my sport was completely marred. +My gun went involuntarily to my shoulder to shoot the squirrel; but I +felt I was about to commit an act of sheer revenge on a courageous +little animal, which deserved a better fate. As if aware of my +hesitation, he nodded his head with rage, and stamped his fore paws on +the tree; while in his chirruping, there was an intonation of sound, +which seemed like contempt. What business had I there trespassing on his +domain, and frightening his wife and little family, for whom he was +ready to lay down his life? There he would sit in spite of me, and make +my ears ring with the sound of his woo-whoop, till the spring of life +should cease to bubble in his little heart."</p> + +<p>It is from Captain Brown's pages that I extract the following. "A +gentleman procured a squirrel from a nest, found at Woodhouse, near +Edinburgh, which he reared and rendered extremely docile. It was kept in +a box below an aperture, where was suspended a rope, by which the animal +ascended and descended. The little creature used to watch very narrowly +all its master's movements; and, whenever he was preparing to go out, it +ran up his legs, and entered his pocket, from whence it would peep out +at passengers as he walked along the streets, never venturing however to +go out.</p> + +<p>"But no sooner would he reach the outskirts of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> the city, than the +squirrel leaped on the ground, ran along the road, ascended to the tops +of trees and hedges with the quickness of lightning, and nibbled at the +leaves and bark; and, if the gentleman walked on, it would descend, +scamper after him, and again enter his pocket. Whenever it heard a +carriage or cart, it became much alarmed, and always hid itself till +they had passed by. This gentleman had a dog, between which and the +squirrel, a certain enmity existed. Whenever the dog lay asleep, the +squirrel showed its teasing disposition by rapidly descending from its +box, scampering over the dog's body, and then quickly mounting its +rope."</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="RATS" id="RATS"></a>RATS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Some persons profess to think that the Rodents called Rats are beautiful +animals; and I presume that, prejudice apart, the sleek skin, the sharp +head, the long, slender tail, and the keen look of their bright black +eyes, ought to be attractions; but those who have been annoyed with +these animals as I have been, can scarcely regard them with anything but +dislike. Overspreading the whole world as they do, it is no wonder, +where they are not vigorously checked, and where food is abundant, their +numbers should amount to something frightful. On a visit to Sierra +Leone, I was all day at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> the Government House, and going to an upper +room to make my toilette, I heard a pattering of little feet close to +me, and turning my head I saw between the floor and the shrunken door of +the next apartment, a whole army of rats on a peregrination, and giving +such an idea of number, that, uninitiated as I then was (it being on my +first journey to Africa), I was perfectly appalled, and most thankful +that I returned that night to sleep in my safer cabin on board ship. +This, however, was but the beginning; and, in the next vessel which I +entered, they were so numerous, that the next time she returned to port, +she was sunk for a time, as the only means of getting rid of them. +Between these creatures and the cockroaches, I thought my poor child and +myself must be devoured.</p> + +<p>There is a facility given to the human mind to accommodate itself to all +circumstances, for which perhaps we are not sufficiently thankful; and +it never was more strongly manifested than in my own case, for both fear +and apprehension vanished with habit, and I became fearless of those +animated creatures which at first seemed to be the bane of my existence. +When living in Cape Coast Castle, I used to see the rats come in troops +past my door, walking over my black boys as they lay there, and who only +turned themselves over to present the other sides of their faces and +bodies, when the rats returned—and thought it a good joke. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> +fiercest encounter which I ever had with them was during one of those +terrific storms, which are more furious between the tropics than +elsewhere. I was then, however, under the Equator, in a native hut, and +heard an exceeding rustling and movement all around me. To my terror, I +perceived that these proceeded from a number of rats running up and down +the sides of the room in which I was to pass the night, and who shortly +began to run over me; they being disturbed by the torrents of rain which +were then falling. The only weapon I could find was a shoe, and curling +myself into a large armchair, taken out of a French vessel, and covered +with blue satin damask, I sat prepared for my enemies, whom I dreaded +much more than the lightning, which was flashing across the iron bars +laid upon the floor. I felt that the silk of my place of refuge was some +sort of protection against this; but my own arm could alone save me from +my four-footed foes. Presently my husband came in, and saluted me with a +shout of laughter, which, however, abated when he saw my antagonists. +The storm lulled for a while, and the rats retreated: we then crept +within the curtains of bamboo cloth, which encircled a rude imitation of +a four-post bedstead, but I kept possession of my shoe. Weary with +watching, I closed my eyes, but was awakened by a tremendous flash of +lightning, immediately followed by awful thunder and a tumultuous rush +of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> rats. Some of them scrambled up the outside of the curtains; but +arms in hand I sat up, and directed by the noise, I hurled the invaders +to the ground, till at length resistance, and the passing away of the +storm allowed me to sleep in peace.</p> + +<p>These were the brown rats which infest every part of the world, but very +much increased in size by their residence in a hot climate.</p> + +<p>Besides these brown rats, a bush rat, as it is called, infests the +forests, and is about as large as a young pig. When I first saw this, +and felt myself surrounded as it were, by familiar animals increased to +such magnitude, by multitudes previously unknown to me, and others of +which I had only heard, and yet none of us were devoured, I could not +but feel with tenfold depth the Creator's command, that man should have +the dominion over them all. His own strength alone could never enable +him to walk among them unharmed.</p> + +<p>The principal characters which distinguish the rat remain in all +countries, but there are several species. The black rat is that which +first inhabited this island; but it has been nearly driven out by the +brown, which is, without any foundation, termed the Norway rat. It came +from India, Persia, etc., and is said to have appeared in Europe after a +great earthquake in 1727. All are so eminently carnivorous, that they do +not make the least ceremony of devouring each other in times of +scarcity; so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> that on one occasion, already spoken of, when I and my +companions stood a chance of being starved ourselves, we felt sure that +the violent screams and struggles we heard going on among the rats +behind the planks, arose from the meals which the strong were making +upon their more feeble brethren.</p> + +<p>Rats are nocturnal in their habits, and like to live in subterranean, or +mysterious abodes. They are found in islands lying in the midst of the +ocean, till the moment of their discovery to us, supposed not to have +been visited by man, and yet the question still remains unsettled, +whether the differences which exist in rats were caused by locality, or +whether they were so from the beginning. There is now no known spot free +from the Norway rat, and the greater the number, of course the more +impudent they become. In Ceylon, I am told, where they are innumerable, +they perch on the top of a chair, or screen, and sit there till +something is thrown at them, at which they slowly retreat. A noise is +heard in the verandah close by you, and you see a party of rats, +disputing with a dog for the possession of some object. A traveller in +Ceylon saw his dogs set upon a rat, and making them relinquish it, he +took it up by the tail, the dogs leaping after it the whole time; he +carried it into his dining-room, to examine it there by the light of the +lamp, during the whole of which period it remained as if it were dead; +limbs hanging,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> and not a muscle moving. After five minutes he threw it +among the dogs, who were still in a state of great excitement; and to +the astonishment of all present, it suddenly jumped upon its legs, and +ran away so fast that it baffled all its pursuers.</p> + +<p>One evening, when at Bathurst, St. Mary's, I was sitting at work in an +upper room, and in the midst of the stillness, heard somewhat breathing +close to me. There was no other person in the chamber except my child, +who was asleep in bed. Although startled, I did not move, but casting my +eyes round I saw a huge rat, sitting upon the table at my elbow, +watching every movement of my fingers. I could scarcely help laughing at +his cool impudence, and suppose I had been too much absorbed by thought, +or employment, to notice his approach. I gradually laid down my work, +and slipping quietly out of the room, as if I had not perceived him, +called the servants. It was supposed that there were nests of rats in +the chimney; for that Government House had been wisely provided with the +possibility of having fires in the rooms during the rainy season; and +the hunt began. I jumped on to the bed, not only to be out of the way, +but to keep the rats from the place where my child was. Two of the men, +furnished with sticks, routed the enemy from their hiding-places, and +four others squatted at the corners of the room, holding a cloth spread +between their hands. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> said it was most likely the rats would run +round the walls, and they should therefore catch them in the open cloth. +The event proved them to be right; the frightened animals rushed to +them, were immediately enclosed, and their necks were wrung in a moment. +After the hunt was ended, they were thrown over the verandah into the +garden, to the number of at least fifty. In the morning, however, they +were all gone, but the footmarks of the Genet cats told how they had +been removed. Some squeaks the next day in the chimney betrayed the +presence of some very young ones, and a fire of damp grass being +lighted, their destruction was completed by suffocation. This was +perhaps cruel, but it was necessary in self-defence; and I shuddered to +think of how I and my daughter might, in our sleep, have been attacked +by these animals. It is not to be wondered at, when surrounded by +myriads of obnoxious animals, how any tender feelings towards that part +of creation become blunted. At the moment of which I speak, valuable +books, dried plants, papers containing the data of scientific +observations, concerning the survey of the river Gambia to a +considerable distance, were destroyed during the illness of the +observer, by rats and insects.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i005.jpg" alt="i005" title="LEADING THE BLIND RAT"/></div> +<div class="figcenter"><span class="caption">LEADING THE BLIND RAT.—Page 261.</span></div> + +<p>One afternoon, the commandant of Bathurst was quietly reading, when he +heard a violent squeaking and hissing in the room below him, which was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> +even with the ground, and contained stores. He took the key, and +followed by his servants armed with sticks, went to ascertain the cause. +On opening the door they beheld a rat and a venomous serpent engaged in +mortal combat. Nothing could be more beautiful than the action of both +animals; the rat had retreated for a moment, and stood with flashing +eyes; the head of the serpent was reared to receive a fresh attack; +again and again they closed and separated, but the reptile, although +much bitten, gained the victory; the rat fell, foamed at the mouth, +swelled to a great size, and died in a very few minutes. The serpent +glided away, but was afterwards discovered in her nest with several +young ones, in a crack of the store-room wall, close to a staircase, +which we were in the habit of descending daily, and where, in fact, I +had often seen the serpents' heads peeping out, and had waited till they +were withdrawn.</p> + +<p>Of the brown rat Mr. Jesse tells the following story:—"The Rev. Mr. +Ferryman, walking out in some meadows one evening, observed a great +number of rats in the act of migrating from one place to another, which +it is known, they are in the habit of doing occasionally. He stood +perfectly still, and the whole assemblage passed close to him. His +astonishment, however, was great, when he saw an old blind rat, which +held a piece of stick at one end in its mouth, while another rat had +hold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> of the other end of it, and thus conducted his blind companion."</p> + +<p>The amount of destructive force possessed by rats, cannot be better +exemplified than in the report given to the French Government, relating +to the removal of the horse slaughter-houses, situated at Montfaucon, to +a greater distance from Paris; one great objection being the disastrous +consequences which might accrue to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, +if these voracious creatures were suddenly deprived of their usual +sustenance. It is well known, that the mischief which they occasion is +not confined to what they eat; but they undermine houses, burrow through +dams, destroy drains, and commit incalculable havoc, in every place and +in every thing.</p> + +<p>The report states, that the carcases of horses killed one day, and +amounting to thirty-five, would be found the next morning with the bones +picked clean. A person of the name of Dusaussois, belonging to the +establishment, made this experiment. A part of his yard was enclosed by +solid walls, at the foot of which, several holes were made for the +entrance and exit of the rats. Into this enclosure he put the bodies of +three horses, and in the middle of the night he stopped up all the holes +as quietly as he could; he then summoned several of his workmen, and +each, armed with a torch and a stick, entered the yard, and carefully +closed the door. They then commenced a general massacre; in doing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> +which, it was not necessary to take aim, for wherever the blow fell, it +was sure to knock over a rat, none being allowed to escape by climbing +over the walls. This experiment was repeated at intervals of a few days, +and at the end of a month, 16,050 rats had been destroyed. In one night +they killed 2,650; and yet this cannot give an entirely adequate idea of +their number, for the yard in question did not cover more than a +twentieth part of the space allotted to killing horses. The rats in this +place have made burrows for themselves, like catacombs; and so great is +their number, that they have not found room close by the +slaughter-houses. They have gone farther; and the paths to and from +their dwellings may be traced across the neighbouring fields.</p> + +<p>The Zoological Gardens in the Regent's Park, are greatly infested by +rats; but they are too cunning to stay there during the day time, when +they might be more easily caught; so they in the morning cross the canal +to the opposite shore, and return in the evening to commit their +depredations.</p> + +<p>The Water-rats, or Voles, eat fishes, frogs, and toads, besides other +food, and do infinite mischief to banks and dams, which they undermine. +Their smell is so acute, that they will not approach a trap over which a +hand has been passed; and they are particularly abundant in all places +where herrings are cured, leaving them when the season is over. The +thing of all others which attracts rats of all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> kinds, is a piece of +roast beef; of which they are so fond, that they have been known to kill +a companion who has eaten some, that they might devour the contents of +his stomach.</p> + +<p>Dr. Carpenter was told by a trustworthy eyewitness, that she saw a +number of rats safely convey some eggs down a flight of stairs, from a +store room, to their own dwellings. They stationed themselves on each +stair, and each egg, held in the fore paws, was handed from one rat to +another the whole way. The rats who dipped their tails into a jar of +treacle, into which they could not dip their paws, and suffered their +companions to lick them afterwards, is a well known story.</p> + +<p>Rats have often attacked children who have been left in a room by +themselves; and infants have even lost their lives from the blood which +their bites have caused to flow.</p> + +<p>The following instance of sagacity deserves to be recorded. "During the +great flood of the 4th of September, 1829, when the river Tyne was at it +height, a number of people were assembled on its margin. A swan appeared +with a black spot upon its plumage, which on its nearer approach proved +to be a live rat. It is probable, that the latter had been borne into +the water by some object, and observing the swan, had taken refuge on +its back for safety. As soon as the swan reached the land, the rat +leaped off and ran away."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> + +<p>Two ladies, friends of a near relative of my own, from whom I received +an account of the circumstance, were walking in Regent-street, and were +accosted by a man who requested them to buy a beautiful little dog, +covered with long, white hair, which he carried in his arms. Such things +are not uncommon in that part of London, and the ladies passed on +without heeding him. He followed, and repeated his entreaties, stating, +that as it was the last he had to sell, they should have it at a +reasonable price. They looked at the animal; it was really an exquisite +little creature, and they were at last persuaded. The man took it home +for them, received his money, and left the dog in the arms of one of the +ladies. A short time elapsed, and the dog, which had been very quiet, in +spite of a restless, bright eye, began to show symptoms of uneasiness, +and as he ran about the room, exhibited some unusual movements, which +rather alarmed the fair purchasers. At last, to their great dismay, the +new dog ran squeaking up one of the window curtains, so that when the +gentleman of the house returned home a few minutes after, he found the +ladies in consternation, and right glad to have his assistance. He +vigorously seized the animal, took out his penknife, cut off its +covering, and displayed a large rat to their astonished eyes, and, of +course to its own destruction.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="MICE" id="MICE"></a>MICE.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>The round, yet delicate form of the Mouse, and the better expression of +its countenance, make it an object much more worthy of admiration than +the rat, of which it is but a diminished representative. It has the same +destructive propensities, assembles also in vast numbers, and is equally +carnivorous; but with all these, it is a more tamable and lovable +animal. There is a white variety which is often nurtured as a pet. Mr. +Darwin says, that with other small Rodents, numbers live together in +nearly desert places, as long as there are a few blades of vegetation +left; and that they swarm on the borders of salt-lakes, where not a drop +of fresh water can be procured. Some of them lay up stores of food, +especially those which inhabit northern countries.</p> + +<p>Field mice do an infinity of harm to young plantations, by nibbling off +the young shoots, and, in order to catch them, pits from eighteen to +twenty inches deep, are sunk in the soil, which are wider at the bottom +than the top, so that they cannot easily get out. One hundred thousand +were destroyed in this manner in the Forest of Dean, and about the same +number in the New Forest. They make very beautiful round nests, of +curiously<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> plaited blades of wheat, split into narrow strips with their +teeth, and in them will often be found nine little mice. These nests are +suspended to some stalks, or thistles.</p> + +<p>I can bear witness to the possibility of taming mice, for I kept six in +a box for several months, which were so well fed, that they did not +attempt to gnaw their dwelling. I had a sort of little cart constructed +for them, with bone buttons for wheels, and a packthread harness; and on +being taken out of the box, they remained perfectly quiet till the +harness was put upon them, and when that was done, they started at full +gallop along the top of a square piano. Of course, care was taken to +turn them back when they reached the end; but they soon learned to turn +of their own accord, and performed their journey with as much regularity +as well-trained horses. Death deprived me of my steeds; but I suspect it +was in consequence of the injudicious cramming which I bestowed upon my +favourites.</p> + +<p>During an illness of some week's duration, mice were to me a source both +of amusement and annoyance; the former certainly predominating. A +wainscot ledge ran round the room in which I lay, and it was their +delight to scamper after one another upon this projection; but as the +head of my curtain-less bed was close to it, they so frequently diverged +on to my face, that I was obliged to have it drawn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> at least a yard from +the wall. Sometimes also, they dragged away my pocket handkerchief, +which, from not being immediately missed, was not recovered till sundry +holes had been nibbled in it. A small table stood by my bed-side; having +on it a basin full of cold tea, which formed my night beverage. On one +occasion, my light was extinguished, and I heard a scratching against +the legs of the table. I guessed the cause, and tried to frighten the +climber away; but I suspect he mounted by the bed clothes, for I +presently heard something flop into the tea. All was silent; and I +concluded the intruder was drowned; but of course, whatever my thirst, I +did not attempt to drink. When daylight came, there sat a poor mouse, +holding up his little chin just above the liquid. Had he moved he must +have been suffocated; and he had been all those hours in this position. +It was impossible to take away a life so hardly earned, and he was +allowed to rejoin his companions.</p> + +<p>The head-quarters of my mice seemed to be a large closet in one corner +of the room, from which they constantly issued, and to which they +retreated on the least alarm, for it was always accessible, in +consequence of the door not closing properly. They often appeared to me +to hold a council, for they would sally forth in a body; not giddily, +and as if by chance, but with all the gravity of diplomatic characters, +and form a circle, when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> deliberations commenced. They were carried on +in a language between a squeak and a chatter, and occasionally one would +rise, and place himself in another part of the circle. I would have +given a great deal to have understood what was going on; but as I could +not, I occasionally disturbed them by laughing, when they huddled back +to the closet; and when I grew stronger, I sometimes dashed a pillow in +among them, which made the poor senators breathless with agitation, and +scuffle under the furniture, till they thought they might gain the +closet in safety. I little imagined the deeds committed in that +domicile, or I might not have been so indulgent to them; it was no less +than gnawing holes in some valuable antelope, monkey, and leopard skins, +which were to have been sent to my friends by the next departing vessel.</p> + +<p>When I was allowed to eat, my appetite was kindly tempted by dainties +sent to me by friends, and which were placed under tin covers, on the +top of a chest of drawers. The endeavours of my rodent companions to get +at these were excessively droll; but as fast as they clambered an inch +or two up the sides, the slippery metal caused them to slide down again; +then they thought if they could but get to the top of the cover, they +should succeed; so they mounted upon each others' shoulders, and +accomplished the feat, but not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> their purpose; instead of getting +inside, down they came in a body again, but they became so used to my +laughter, that they did not mind it. Many of them combined together to +push the cover off the dish; but it was too firmly retained by the rim +to be moved. One day they thought they had triumphed, for the cover was +not quite put down in one place. A summons was evidently given, and +presently a number of little paws were inserted to raise it still +higher; but instead of doing this, the cover slipped on to their paws, +and it was very ludicrous to see their pain and mortification. After +this they so far abandoned the attempt that only one would be +occasionally seen walking round, as if by reconnoitering the fortress +again, his genius would suggest a successful termination to the +enterprise.</p> + +<p>In an American scientific journal, there is a well-authenticated account +of a strange and overpowering sensibility to music, as evinced by a +mouse. It says, "that one evening, as a few officers on board a British +man-of-war, in the harbour of Portsmouth, were seated round the fire, +one of them began to play a plaintive air upon the violin. He had +scarcely performed ten minutes, when a mouse, apparently frantic, made +its appearance in the centre of the floor. The strange gestures of the +little animal strongly excited the attention of the officers, who, with +one consent, resolved to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> suffer it to continue its singular actions +unmolested. Its exertions appeared to be greater every moment; it shook +its head, leapt about, and exhibited signs of the most ecstatic delight. +It was observed that in proportion to the gradations of the tones to the +soft point, the feelings of the animal appeared to be increased. After +performing actions, which an animal so diminutive would, at first sight, +seem incapable of, the little creature, to the astonishment of the +delighted spectators, suddenly ceased to move, fell down, and expired +without evincing any symptoms of pain."</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="ELEPHANTS" id="ELEPHANTS"></a>ELEPHANTS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>The extraordinary thickness of skin which distinguishes certain animals, +has induced naturalists to group them together, and call them +Pachydermata. This group is again divided according to the still further +peculiarities which some of them possess; and in the first subdivision +are elephants; distinguished by an enormous prolongation of the upper +lip and nose, into what is termed a trunk, or proboscis. The largest +animals in the world are to be found among them; and according to some, +they are the most sagacious. There is, however, a strong inclination in +many to give the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> dog the highest place next to man, with regard to +intellect.</p> + +<p>The trunk of which I have just spoken, is formed of numbers of muscular +fibres, amounting to at least 40,000, which take various directions, and +cross each other in so many ways, that the whole forms one of the most +flexible organs that can be conceived. It can be contracted, raised, +depressed, curved, turned, or twisted round any object at the will of +its possessor; and can lay hold of, and pick up the most minute and the +thinnest substance, aided in such instances by the prolongation of its +upper edge into what is called a finger, which protects the nostrils, +and acts as a feeler. This trunk serves as a reservoir for holding +liquid, which can be put into the mouth at pleasure, by inserting the +end between the jaws; or for retaining it as long as may be wished, when +it is discharged over any object which the elephant desires to inundate. +He occasionally pours it upon his own body, thereby not only cooling and +refreshing himself, but getting rid of the numerous insects which lodge +themselves in his hide. The trumpet-like noise, for which elephants are +remarkable, proceeds from their trunk, and it serves in other ways to +express their feelings, for with it they bestow their caresses. A tame +elephant, in the Jardin des Plantes, took a great fancy to a little +girl, who used to walk in the menagerie every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> morning with her nurse, +before it was open to the public. It constantly happened that she and +the elephant would be met together, and not only was his care to avoid +trampling upon her most excessive, but if she were going the same way, +he would gently insinuate the end of his proboscis under her arm, +lovingly rest it there, and walk by her side. Great pains are always +taken by these animals to guard their trunks from injury; and they +constantly raise them as high in the air as they can, to prevent their +coming in contact with any hurtful substance. With them food is procured +and conveyed to the mouth; and they pull down, not only branches of +trees, but, in many instances, the trees themselves.</p> + +<p>The immense skull and neck, and in fact, the size of the body, required +to sustain the weight of this ponderous organ, and the tusks with which +they are provided, give elephants a clumsy, heavy look. The proportions +of the head cause the eyes to look small; the weight of the head itself +is, however, much diminished by the hollow cavities in front, which make +it almost a vain attempt to try to kill an elephant by shooting him in +the forehead; for the balls lodge in these cells: they so protect the +brain, which is the seat of feeling, that fearful buttings are practised +with impunity by these animals.</p> + +<p>The teeth of elephants are remarkable; for they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> consist of only one +large grinder on each side, and in each jaw, which looks like a bundle +of smaller teeth, fastened together by intervening and surrounding +plates of enamel. These grinders change frequently during the life of +the animal, perhaps even six or eight times, as long as the jaw grows; +and the new arrivals do not come from below, but are formed behind the +old one, and push it out. There are no other teeth, properly so called, +but in the upper jaw are two tusks, which supply the ivory of commerce, +and which are changed once during the life of the animal. Their enormous +weight and size are almost fabulous, and combined with the trunk, make +us cease to wonder that the whole body should have strength alone as its +attribute, and be entirely wanting in grace. One of these tusks, sold at +Amsterdam, weighed 350 pounds, and with such weapons as these, aptly +called <i>defenses</i> by the French, they are able to uproot enormous trees, +and catching their heaviest foes upon them, hurl them to the ground, or +transfix them so as never to rise again. The ears are large, and hang +flapping over the shoulders, and are very sensible to the touch; the +hearing seems to be much more alive to grave than to acute sounds.</p> + +<p>Four ungraceful, stiff columns, for legs, support the clumsy body. On +each fore foot there are five toes, and on each hind foot four; each toe +should<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> shew a hoof, but sometimes the skin envelops and conceals them. +The sole is nearly round; and the skin of a foot exhibited by Mr. Gordon +Cumming, is so large, that a child of three years of age could easily +seat itself within it. The tail is small in circumference, flattened at +the end, and has thick, stiff bristles at the extremity. These tails are +sometimes used as whips, and at the court of Ashanti, when decorated +with gold; they form part of the insignia of the Court. The skin is +generally dark-coloured, and rough, having a few scattered hairs upon +it; proofs, however, have been found, that a race of elephants thickly +covered with hair, once existed. White elephants are occasionally met +with, and it has been asserted, that they are worshiped. Others have +contradicted this, and declare, that they are only kept as a piece of +royal state.</p> + +<p>The usual height of elephants is from nine to ten feet; but many have +been known to attain fourteen; the skeleton of that sent to the Czar +Peter, by the king of Persia, and which is seen in the museum at St. +Petersburgh, is sixteen and a half, and there are records of elephants +attaining the enormous height of twenty feet. When we think of the +mountainous animal, as I have described the elephant to be, it seems +inconsistent to say, that he is swift in his paces: in truth, he is not; +a heavy trot being the fastest movement which he can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> accomplish. His +enormous stride, however, gives him the advantage over lighter animals; +and we have heard of a fast-galloping horse finding it difficult to +escape from an elephant, even when urged to his utmost speed. The gait +is most fatiguing and uncomfortable to those who ride him for the first +few times, because he moves the two feet on the same side at once; and +the larger the elephant, the more uncomfortable the movement. Bishop +Heber, however, seems to have formed an exception in this respect, for +he says, it was far from being disagreeable, and appeared to him to +resemble being carried on men's shoulders. It is supposed that the neck, +where the driver places himself, is the easiest seat. He guides the +animals by occasionally touching their ears, pressing his legs to the +sides of their necks, pricking them with a pointed instrument, or +knocking them with the handle; often, however, they are so docile, that +a mere word will be sufficient.</p> + +<p>The favourite habitation of the elephant is the forest, or green plain, +near which is a river, or lake: water he must have, for both in freedom +and captivity, bathing seems to be a necessary condition of his +existence. This propensity reminds me of the often-repeated trick of the +before-mentioned elephant of the Jardin des Plantes. His stable opened +into a small enclosure, in the midst of which was a pond. In this pond +he constantly laid himself, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> was so hidden by the water, that +nothing of him appeared, except the end of his proboscis, which it +required an experienced eye to detect. The crowd often assembled round +the enclosure of the "elephant's park," as it was called, supposing they +should see him issue from his stable. All at once, however, a copious +shower would assail them, and ladies with their transparent bonnets, and +gentlemen with their shining hats, were forced to seek shelter under the +neighbouring trees, where they looked up at the cloudless sky, and +wondered from whence the shower could come. When they directed their +eyes towards the elephant's pond, they saw him standing in the midst, +evincing an awkward joy at the trick he had played. In process of time +his pastime became generally known, and the moment the water rose from +his trunk, his beholders ran away, which he also seemed to enjoy +exceedingly, getting up as fast as he could to behold the bustle he had +created. This same elephant had been landed from the vessel, which +brought him from the East Indies, at Bordeaux, and the sailor lad, who +had taken charge of him during the voyage, was appointed to conduct him +through France to Paris. The rough, and sometimes paved roads, cut the +poor animal's feet, and a shoemaker was employed to make him four boots. +There was not much skill required, as no shape was necessary; but they +answered the purpose, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> were afterwards hung up in his stable to the +great delight of the younger visitants to the Jardin, who often went +expressly to see the elephant's boots. When he and his guide stopped for +the night, a mattress used to be thrown down on the floor for the +latter; but, after a few nights, the elephant discovered how comfortable +it was, and under pretense of sharing the accommodation, at length +nightly pushed Auguste off, and stretched his own huge carcass upon the +mattress.</p> + +<p>Constant differences between the Asiatic and African elephants have +established them into separate species. The enamel of the grinders is so +placed in the latter, as to form lozenges; and in the former, +parallel-fluted ribbons. The ears of the African animal are much larger, +and the shape of his forehead is more convex. Although it was from this +country that the Romans obtained all their clever, well-trained +elephants, the natives now never think of making them useful. Connected +with this, I was once much amused by the proposal, seriously suggested, +that if we English would go among the savage tribes of Africa, and tame +some of their elephants, they would be so convinced of our superiority, +that they would, without hesitation, submit to our dominion. This came +from a learned king's counsel, and was seriously uttered to one of his +Majesty's government, without exciting surprise in any but my +experienced self.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> In our human impatience we are apt to think the +progress we so much desire, comes slowly; but <i>could</i> such an idea be +<i>now</i> entertained?</p> + +<p>A curious propensity in the Indian elephant has been repeatedly noticed. +I mean the separation of a male elephant from all his companions, in +order to lead a solitary existence. I am rather of opinion with some of +the natives, that he has been turned away by them for his own misdeeds; +but I know not if this will equally apply to the raccoon, the only other +animal, I believe, concerning whom the same habit is recorded. At all +events, the hermit elephant is particularly fierce and mischievous; and +it becomes a matter of policy, or even necessity, to catch him. The +Indians hunt him down, accompanied by two trained female elephants, who +draw near to him as if unconscious of his presence, and begin to eat the +surrounding food as a matter of course. If he join them, they lavish +their caresses upon him, and while he is returning their blandishments, +the hunters creep softly to his feet, and having tied them together, +fasten him to a tree, or let him go loose, with merely the shackles +round all his legs. Of course he is in a dreadful rage, especially when +the females desert him; but hunger, thirst, and ineffectual struggles, +at last subdue him; he is led away, and generally trained; but if his +violent efforts should effect his liberation, he plunges into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> the +forests, whither the hunters prudently do not again go to effect his +capture. Some female elephants are also used to decoy wild males into +inclosure's, where they are secured; and there is a wholesale method of +surrounding a herd by a number of men, who, by means of various noises, +musketry, fire-works, drums and trumpets, drive the elephants into pens +constructed for the purpose, and supplied with water; where the poor +creatures are made to stay some time. The elephants become very furious; +and as the strongest inclosure's might give way to their overpowering +strength, sentinels are placed all round, who light fires and make all +the noises which the prisoners most dread, till they again become quiet.</p> + +<p>Elephants, after being domesticated for years, will return to the +forests, and resume their wild habits; but they never forget their +education. Their former keepers have recognized them among their untamed +companions, called them, and without hesitation, they have walked from +the midst of their brethren, and quietly returned to their former +habits, after a lapse of ten years. All are extremely sensible to the +praises and caresses of those who attend to them, for whose sake they +will make the most wonderful exertions. They are useful in transporting +artillery and heavy baggage, and their docility and obedient performance +of their duties, even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> when left to themselves, is perfect. They are not +now used in war, except by some of the native princes; but they largely +enter into the state processions, decked out with the most costly +trappings of gold and silver, frontlets of jewels, gold and silver +chains, and bells, etc. Travellers generally place a kind of canopy on +their backs, in which two or three persons can sit; but the saddle is +most used when hunting tigers. They dexterously catch these animals upon +their tusks, if the attack be made in front, but the tiger will +sometimes seize them in the flank, when if they cannot roll upon him, +the elephants rush forward, and the tiger is generally shot. The +assertion that the elephant and rhinoceros will fight a duel for the +pleasure of the thing, does not seem to be borne out by experience; but +combats have been seen between them, in which sometimes one, and +sometimes the other, have gained the victory.</p> + +<p>The quantity of food daily consumed by an elephant in captivity is +calculated at 200 lbs; besides thirty-six pails of water. It consists of +turnips, rice, chaff, bran, hay, and sea biscuit. Straw is allowed for +his bed, which is generally consumed before morning; besides which, when +they are in menageries they receive no small quantity of dainties from +visitors. I never could enter the Rotunda in the Paris menagerie, +without being furnished with bread or carrots for its inhabitants:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> the +instant the Indian elephant caught sight of me, he used to sit down, get +up again, make what was called a curtsy, and play other antics; and the +instant I came before him, squat down again; his trunk raised, and his +enormous mouth wide open to receive what I threw into it; the attitude +was so grotesque and imploring, that it was impossible to deny him. In +their native condition, elephants eat the young juicy roots, and +branches of trees; the latter of which, they beat two or three times +before they take them, and they then tuck them into the left side of +their mouths; they also devour grass, and bulbous roots, which they pull +up with their proboscis. The vast numbers in which the herds assemble, +give some idea of the extent of the vegetable riches which can support +such colossal eaters from generation to generation; the weight of an +ordinary one will be 7000 lbs, and the mind becomes bewildered, in +thinking of the quantity required for the daily sustenance of thousands +of such animals. They open paths through forests which would be +impenetrable to others; and seem to exercise much judgment in choosing +their route, the large bull elephants taking the lead, crushing the +jungle, tearing down the branches, and uprooting the trees; the females +and the young sometimes amounting to three hundred, march after in +single file, and the way thus made is as smooth as a gravel walk. They +often carry branches of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> trees, with which they flap the insects from +their bodies as they walk along.</p> + +<p>A settler's wife complained to Mr. Pringle very bitterly, of the +destruction occasioned to her husband's crops by the elephants; which +she, with reason, said were too big to wrestle with, and they +occasionally seemed to commit mischief from mere wantonness. In the same +place, a troop came down one dark and rainy night to the outskirts of +the village; but knowing that it was sometimes dangerous to encounter +them, the inhabitants did not go out; although they heard them making a +terrible bellowing and uproar. It appeared the next morning, that one of +the elephants had fallen into an unfinished trench, which had no water +in it, and did not know how to get out again. It is supposed, that his +companions had pulled him out with their trunks; for there were clearly +defined marks of their having stationed themselves on each side; some +kneeling, and some standing, and that thus he had been hoisted up.</p> + +<p>The remarkable escape of Lieut. Moodie is one of the most extraordinary +encounters on record. A servant informed him that a large troop of +elephants was in the vicinity, and that a party had gone out to attack +them, so he started to join in the hunt; but losing his way in the +jungle, he did not overtake them till they had driven the elephants from +their first station. On leaving the jungle, he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> going through a +meadow on the banks of the Gualana, to the spot where the firing had +begun, when he was suddenly warned of some danger, by the cry of "Take +care" both in Dutch and English. He heard a crackling behind him, +occasioned by the elephants breaking through the wood, which was +accompanied by their screams. A large female elephant, and three of a +smaller size, departed from the rest, and came towards him; but not +being in a good position for firing, Mr. Moodie retreated from their +direct path, to get a better place from which to take aim, and hoped +they would not observe him. They, however, rapidly pursued him; he +reserved his fire as a last resource, and turning off at a right angle, +made for the banks of the river, intending to take refuge among the +rocks on the other side. Before this, however, they were close upon him, +screaming so tremendously that he was almost stunned by their noise. He +turned upon them, and fired at the head of the largest; the powder had +become damp, the gun hung fire, till he was in the act of taking it from +his shoulder, when it went off, and the ball grazed the side of the +large elephant's head. She stopped for an instant, and then rushed +furiously forward: whether struck down or not, he could never say; but +Lieut. Moodie fell. The animal had only one tusk, which missed him as +she rushed upon him; but it ploughed up the earth within an inch or two +of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> his body; she then caught him by the middle with her trunk, threw +him between her fore feet, and battered him with them for a short time; +one of these huge feet once pressed him so much, that his bones bent +under its weight. He did not lose his recollection, and he constantly +was able to twitch himself on one side, and so avoid several blows. Two +of his party came up and fired at her; one bullet alone touching her in +the shoulder; her young ones then retreated, and she left her victim, +finally knocking him with her hind feet as she went off. He got up, +picked up his gun, and staggered away as fast as he could. She turned +round, looked after him; and he then lay down in the long grass, and so +eluded her observation.</p> + +<p>A soldier of the Royal African Corps did not escape as Mr. Moodie did, +for an elephant caught him with his trunk, carried him some distance, +threw him down, brought his four feet together and trod and stamped upon +him till he was dead. He left the body, then returned to it, knelt down +upon, crushed and kneaded it once more; then he seized it with his +trunk, bore it to the jungle, and threw it among the bushes.</p> + +<p>One of the strongest instincts of the elephant is to try the strength of +everything before he ventures upon it, and it is almost impossible to +induce him to trust himself upon any surface which is not perfectly firm +and steady. Therefore the well-authen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>ticated story is the more +extraordinary of a rope-dancing, or rather walking elephant, who not +only walked forwards, but backwards upon a suspended rope.</p> + +<p>A female elephant, seven years old, on being brought to the Adelphi, +first ascertained the safety of the stage, and then began to rehearse +the parts she used to play in Paris. Having succeeded so well in this +place, she took a higher walk of performances at the Coburg theatre, +where she rehearsed for three weeks, then distinguished the actors, +learnt to place the crown on the head of the lawful king, and feasted at +his banquet with perfect propriety. All this was taught her by kindness.</p> + +<p>A poor little calf elephant hovered about the body of its mother after +she had been killed, making the most mournful noises; the herd had +deserted them, and they had passed the night in the forest. The poor +thing, when the hunters came up, entwined its little proboscis about +their legs, showed its delight at their approach by many ungainly +antics, then went to the body of its mother, scaring away the vultures; +ran round it with every mark of grief, and tried to raise it with its +trunk. Of course the confidence of the baby elephant was not abused, +though its wishes for aid towards its mother, could not be gratified.</p> + +<p>The elephants of Ceylon have always been reckoned the best; and +instances of their memory<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> are quite extraordinary. A favourite mode of +execution among the Canadians, when they were masters of the island, was +to make the elephants trample upon the criminals, so as to crush their +limbs first, and by avoiding the vital parts prolong their agony. When +Mr. Sirr was there, he saw one of these elephant executioners. The word +of command, "Slay the wretch!" was given to him; upon which he raised +his trunk, pretended to twist it round a body, then slowly raised one of +his fore feet, and placed it where the limbs of the victim would have +been; then he stood motionless with his trunk in the air. He was ordered +to complete his work, and he placed one foot as if on the man's abdomen, +and another as if on his head, with apparently sufficient force to +destroy life. The elephant had not done this for thirty-five years, and +yet recollected the whole. They attain a great age, and have been known +to live more than a hundred years.</p> + +<p>Major Rogers, who had killed one thousand four hundred elephants, shot +one on whom the ball only made a flesh wound; the creature, in a fury, +uttered its trumpet-like shriek, seized the Major with his trunk, +carried him to a deep hole, dashed him into it, and trampled upon him, +breaking his right arm in two places, and several of his ribs. He must +have been killed if the hole had been large enough to give the elephant +room to exercise his whole<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> strength. He became senseless; but when he +came to himself, found the elephant gone, and friends about him: he knew +what had happened, and said he had always made up his mind, in case of +such an accident, to remain quite passive, as affording the best chance +of escape—and his plan answered.</p> + +<p>Nothing done to elephants by way of insult, teasing, or unkindness, is +ever forgotten or forgiven by them, and they are sure to take an +opportunity of revenging themselves. On the other hand, kindness is +equally remembered and appreciated; an awkward proof of which occurred +to a lady, who, when she frequently went to see a male elephant, carried +to him bread, apples, and brandy. To show his gratitude for these, he +took her up with his trunk one day, and seated her on his back. As she +could not enjoy this testimonial of his feelings, she uttered the most +piercing shrieks, and implored the assistance of those around. His +keepers, however, advised her not to stir, and there she was obliged to +wait till he again encircled her with his trunk, and put her on the +ground in safety. Of the attachment of elephants to each other, a proof +was given by two in the Jardin des Plantes, who had been with difficulty +separated during their journey thither from Holland. They were placed in +two apartments, divided by a portcullis. The male soon found out that +this was fastened only by a perpendicular bolt, which he soon raised, +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> then rushed into the other room. The joy of the two at meeting can +scarcely be described: their cries of joy shook the whole building, and +they blew air from their trunks resembling the blasts from smiths' +bellows. The female moved her ears with great rapidity, and entwined her +trunk round the body of the male; she kept the end motionless for a long +time close to his ear, and after holding it again round his body, +applied it to her own mouth. The male encircled her with his trunk, and +shed tears. They were afterwards kept in the same apartment; and their +attachment was never interrupted.</p> + +<p>The indignation of elephants at being laughed at or deceived, has been +manifested very often; and sometimes they punish the offenders with +death; at others, they seem perfectly to understand in what way their +retaliation will take most effect, without inflicting so serious a +reproof.</p> + +<p>An artist in Paris was anxious to draw one of the elephants of the +menagerie there; with his trunk in the air, and his mouth wide open. +After throwing fruit and vegetables in for some time, to make him repeat +the attitude, his keeper only pretended to do so, fearing to give him +too much food. The elephant at last became irritated, and perfectly +understood that the artist was the cause of his annoyance; he, +therefore, turned round upon him, and dashed a quantity of water over +the paper on which he was drawing. It is chiefly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> in animals of greatest +intelligence that we find the greatest affection and gratitude; +elephants have sometimes refused to eat, and have pined to death when +separated from their favourite keepers, and they are never obliterated +from their memory. Their humanity is also frequently conspicuous; and we +are told of one who, on being ordered to walk over the bodies of some +sick persons, at first refused to advance; and then on being goaded by +his driver, gently took the poor men up with his trunk, and laid them on +one side, so that he could not do them any injury.</p> + +<p>The following is another fearful instance of their power and vengeance, +related by Mr. Burchell, a South African traveller. "Carl Krieger was a +fearless hunter, and being an excellent marksman, often ventured into +the most dangerous situations. One day, having with his party pursued an +elephant which he had wounded, the irritated animal suddenly turned +round, and singling out from the rest the person by whom he had been +injured, seized him with his trunk, and lifting his wretched victim high +in the air, dashed him with dreadful force to the ground. His +companions, struck with horror, fled precipitately from the fatal scene, +unable to look back upon the rest of the dreadful tragedy; but on the +following day, they repaired to the spot, where they collected the few +bones that could be found, and buried them. The enraged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> animal had not +only literally trampled Krieger's body to pieces, but did not feel its +vengeance satisfied till it had pounded the very flesh and bones into +the dust, so that nothing of the unfortunate man remained excepting a +few of the latter, which made most resistance from their size."</p> + +<p>M. Frederic Cuvier, in his admirable essay on the "Domestication of +Animals," writes as follows, concerning an elephant in the menagerie of +the Jardin des Plantes. The care of this animal had been confided, when +he was only three or four years old, to a young person, who taught him a +number of those tricks which amuse the public. The animal loved him so +much, as not only to be perfectly obedient to all his commands, but to +be unhappy out of his presence. He rejected the kindness of every one +else, and even was with difficulty persuaded to eat the food presented +to him.</p> + +<p>During a certain period, the elephant had remained with his owner, and +the young man, his son, had constantly evinced the greatest kindness +towards the animal; but he was at length sold to the government, and his +keeper hired to take care of him; deprived of all restraint, and his +family no longer present to watch over him, the latter neglected his +charge, and when intoxicated, even struck his favourite, for he +abandoned himself to the worst habits. The naturally cheerful +disposition of the elephant began to alter, and he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> thought to be +ill; he was still obedient, but his exercises no longer gave him +pleasure. He now and then appeared to be impatient, but tried to repress +his feelings; the struggle, however, changed him so much, that his +keeper became still more dissatisfied with him. Orders had been given to +the young man never to beat the elephant, but in vain. Mortified at +losing his influence, which daily became less, his own irritability +increased; and one day being more unreasonable than ever, he struck the +elephant with such brutality, that the beast uttered a furious cry. The +frightened keeper fled, and it was well he did so, for from that moment +the elephant could not endure the sight of him, becoming violent the +moment he appeared; and nothing ever restored the poor animal to his +previous good conduct: hatred had succeeded to love, indocility to +obedience, and as long as the animal lived these two latter feelings +predominated.</p> + +<p>Mr. Broderip, in his delightful Zoological Recreations, tells us of an +elephant which was shewn, among other wild beasts, at a fair in the West +of England. One of the spectators gratified the elephant by some +excellent gingerbread nuts, in return for which, the animal, +unsolicited, performed his tricks. The donor, however, was a practical +joker, and when he had gained the confidence of the good-tempered beast, +presented him with a large parcel, weighing two or three pounds, which +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> elephant took unsuspectingly, all at once. He had scarcely +swallowed it, however, than he set up a loud roar, and seemed to suffer +exceedingly; he gave the bucket to his keeper, as if to ask for water, +which was supplied to him most plentifully. "Ho!" said his tormentor, +"Those nuts were a trifle hot, old fellow, I guess." "You had better be +off," exclaimed the keeper, "unless you want the bucket at your head; +and serve you right, too." The elephant drank the sixth bucket full, and +then hurled the empty vessel at the head of the man, just as he cleared +the entrance of the show, or most probably he would have lost his life. +A year after, at the same place, the joker again went to see the +elephant, with one pocket full of good nuts, and the other with nuts of +pepper. He gave the animal some of the first, and then presented him +with one that was hot. The moment the elephant tasted it, he seized the +coat tails of the man, and lifted him from the ground, when the cloth +giving way, he dropped down, half dead with fright; and his coat reduced +to a jacket. The elephant retained the skirts, inserted his trunk into +the pockets, and devoured the good nuts in the most leisurely manner, +after due examination. Those done, he trampled upon the others, till he +had reduced them to a mash, then tore the coat skirts to rags, and threw +them to their owner.</p> + +<p>We must not omit to mention the remarkable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> partiality of the elephant +for brandy, rum, or arrack, either of which will tempt him to make +extraordinary exertions, and which seems almost unnatural in so simple a +feeder.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HIPPOPOTAMUS" id="HIPPOPOTAMUS"></a>HIPPOPOTAMUS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>When all London, and half England, have been to see the Hippopotamus, at +the Zoological Gardens, I feel as if a work on animals, written at the +present moment, would be incomplete unless it contained some notice of +this animal. Nevertheless, in spite of research into old and new books, +into private reminiscences, and personal recollections, I find it +difficult to raise him to the intellectual place of those which have +been, or will be treated of in my pages. When I heard praises so +lavishly bestowed upon him, when I became even reproached for not having +been to see him, I began to think I had been mistaken, and that my +former acquaintance with his brethren must have been made under +circumstances which had caused prejudice; I therefore paid him a visit, +spent some little time in watching and observing him, and came away, +more than ever astonished at the marvellous effects which novelty and +variety will produce in the minds of men; throwing beauty and interest +over the most ungainly form and good-natured stu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>pidity. He certainly +looks to greater advantage in this country than he does in his own; for +here a rose-coloured blush tinges his skin, and there he is too often +covered with mud, to wear any other appearance than that of a dirty +brown.</p> + +<p>The hippopotamus is exclusively a denizen of Africa; and perfectly +harmless when unprovoked; except that he sometimes gets into the +plantations in the vicinity of his haunts, and crushes and devours a +crop of maize, or millet. He would rather avoid fighting or quarreling; +but, like all other brute creatures, can retaliate an injury with a +fury, which is rendered frightful by his enormous weight. He looks best +when walking in the shallow part of a lake or river, just under the +water, with his eyes open; but if there should be a boat, or canoe on +the surface, the sooner it bears its freight to the shore the better; +for he is sure at least to try and upset it with his huge back; not that +he has any murderous intentions, but he probably thinks it is an +intrusion on his peculiar domains.</p> + +<p>The hide of the hippopotamus, of which tremendous whips are made, is at +least two inches thick, and has no hair upon it; his legs are so short, +that the body of one that is full grown, almost reaches the ground, and +sometimes measures five feet across; his tail is very short and +insignificant, and his eyes and ears are very small. They live<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> together +in small numbers, feed chiefly on grass and aquatic plants, and come +forth at night. Each foot has four toes, and each toe a separate hoof; +the nostrils open on the top of the muzzle; their flesh is thought to be +very good to eat, and to resemble pork. A thick layer of fat lies just +under the skin, which the Africans look upon as a great delicacy for the +table. The male is the largest; and two species are said to exist. The +exploits of Mr. Gordon Cumming give us a lively picture of their habits; +but there is nothing in his work which affords the slightest interest in +their mental faculties. The following account from the pen of Captain +Owen who explored so large a portion of the African shores, is the only +instance I have met with which wears the semblance of almost unprovoked +anger on the part of a hippopotamus:—"While examining a branch of the +Temby river, in Delagoa Bay, a violent shock was suddenly felt from +underneath the boat, and in another moment, a monstrous hippopotamus +reared itself up from the water, and in a most ferocious and menacing +attitude rushed open-mouthed at the boat; with one grasp of its +tremendous jaws it seized and tore seven planks from her side; the +creature disappeared for a few seconds, and then rose again, apparently +intending to repeat the attack, but was fortunately deterred by the +contents of a musket discharged in its face. The boat rapidly filled; +but, as she was not more than an oar's length from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> shore, they (the +crew) succeeded in reaching it before she sank. The keel, in all +probability, had touched the back of the animal, which, irritating him, +occasioned this furious attack; and had he got his upper jaw above the +gunwale, the whole broadside must have been torn out. The force of the +shock from beneath, previously to the attack, was so violent, that her +stern was almost lifted out of the water, and Mr. Tambs, the midshipman +steering, was thrown overboard, but fortunately rescued before the +irritated animal could seize him."</p> + +<p>The hippopotamus, with his shy and secluded habits, may be easily passed +as he lies concealed among the reeds which grow by the side of the +river, but if once he gets into the water, he is always to be detected +by the blowing noise which he makes.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HOGS" id="HOGS"></a>HOGS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Nature has so strongly marked the wild and the tame Hog with the same +characters, that no hesitation arises in pronouncing the former to be +the stock from whence we have derived the latter. In common, however, +with all other free and domesticated animals, there is a prolongation of +muzzle in the wild species, which is not to be found in those of our +sties. The tusks also are larger; in this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> instance, as in all others, +showing how bountifully the Great Creator provides for all. The domestic +hog is not required to seek his food and dig roots as his untamed +brother does, and, therefore, the parts most used for these purposes are +not equally developed. Both, however, possess very powerful muscles of +the neck and shoulder, to give movement to their large and strong jaws. +They all have four toes on each foot; the two in the middle being much +the largest and armed with strong hoofs. Their snout looks as if it had +been suddenly chopped off, as if to expose the nostrils, which are +pierced in this truncated portion. Their triangular, canine teeth, or +tusks, project beyond the mouth; those of both jaws curve upwards. They +make very formidable weapons, as many a dog and huntsman has known to +his cost. Wild hogs are covered with stiff, dark brown hair, which gets +grizzly with age, and is more upright along the back. The tail is short; +and in many varieties of the domestic pig, it curls very tightly.</p> + +<p>The male wild boar only associates with the female for a short period, +and at other times lives alone, in the thickest parts of dense forests; +coming forth in the evening to procure his food, which is chiefly of a +vegetable nature. It is only when pressed by hunger, that wild hogs will +eat animal substances. The females herd together, and their young<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> +remain with them till they are two or three years old. When they are +about to be born, the mothers retreat as far as possible from the +fathers, as the latter have a most longing desire always to devour their +offspring. The females, left to defend themselves and their children, +place the latter behind them, and expose themselves in a line to the +attacks of an enemy, or they form a circle round them, and evince an +extraordinary amount of fury and courage. Sparrman, the South African +traveller asserts, that the species of wild sow in those regions, when +so closely pursued that it is impossible for them to make off, take the +young pigs in their mouths. To his astonishment, one day, when pursuing +a herd, all the young ones disappeared, nor could he explain the mystery +till aware of this singular fact.</p> + +<p>The hunting of wild boars has, from the most ancient times, been +reckoned a noble sport; for it not only called for dexterity and +courage, but was attended with considerable danger, from the extreme +savageness of these animals when at bay, and the facility with which +they rip open their antagonists with their tusks. They were in former +times considered as royal game, and fines were imposed on those who +killed them without having the privilege of doing so. The time of their +extirpation in England is uncertain; but we know that in the reign of +Charles the First, orders were given for some domestic hogs to be turned +into the New<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> Forest, that they might become wild; but they were all +destroyed in the time of Cromwell. Some still exist in the large +European forests, and a variety of hounds are still trained to hunt +them. Horses are particularly alarmed at them, and in the history of +boar-hunts, we constantly read of the sportsmen being forced to alight +from their steeds to take a steady aim. The numbers of ancient arms in +which they are found, and the names of old places derived from them, +attest their numerous presence here; for instance, Brandon, which is +<i>brawn's den</i>; brawn being the old term for boar. Their skin is so thick +as frequently to deaden the force of bullets, which, after death, have +been found lying between it and the flesh.</p> + +<p>The wild boars of Africa have a broader snout than their European +brethren, and possess two protuberances under the eyes, which prevent +them from seeing anything underneath them. They live in subterranean +holes; and one which had been for some time kept in confinement, was +accidentally left loose in a small court near his cage, upon which he +tore up the pavement, and had already made a deep pit when his keeper +returned. When the natives of Africa spear or entrap one, they tie his +fore-feet together, sling him on a pole, decorate him and themselves +with creeping plants, and return to their huts with triumphant shouts +and rejoicing. The flesh of these is very close-grained, white and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> +hard. The impossibility of keeping meat in that country till it becomes +tender, makes wild boar flesh almost useless to Europeans, unless their +teeth vie with those of negroes.</p> + +<p>Some idea of the sort of sport which attends the chase of wild boars, +may be formed from the following account of one which took place in a +forest in Luxembourg. At a battle, several of these animals were driven +together, and they came rushing on like a squadron of heavy dragoons, +breaking through the underwood. Several shots were fired, and they tried +to disperse. One huntsman got out of the line, and a boar came rushing +upon him; but a fresh shot broke one of his legs; which, however, though +it made him more savage, caused him to turn into the forest. The +well-trained dogs, and the huntsmen pursued him; and when they came up +with him, found him terrifically savage. One of the hounds, more daring +than the rest, made a dart at the beast, seized him by one ear, and +bounded over him to the opposite side. They ran off together, the boar's +head almost turned upside down; but, with a sudden jerk, the dog was +shaken off, and the boar tearing him open, tossed him several feet in +the air. The pack then gathered so thickly round, that the boar's +progress was stayed; the men then came up and cut his throat. At another +point of the wood, a sow, weighing three hundred pounds, and followed +by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> her young, was wounded, and furiously pursued a hunter, whom she +surprised in a narrow pass between two rocks. He waited her approach and +fired, or rather tried to do so, but his gun missed; he then, in an +instant, fell on his face and hands, and the sow ran over his body. +Rising, and loading his gun, he provoked the sow again by his cries. The +foaming creature, with flashing eyes, turned upon him; but this time she +received the charge in her head and fell.</p> + +<p>Wild hogs are easily domesticated, and as easily resume their +uncivilized habits; but they seem then to keep in packs. Mr. Byam +relates the following adventure with these renegades:—"I was one day +hunting alone, on foot, in a rather open wood, when a large boar made +his appearance about sixty yards off, and not seeing any of his +companions, I let fly the ball, and tumbled him over. He gave a fierce +grunt or two as he lay; and a large herd of boars and sows rushed out of +some thick underwood behind him, and, after looking at the fallen beast +for a few seconds, made a dash at me: but they were a trifle too late, +for on catching sight of them, I ran to a tree, 'cut up' it for life, +and had only just scrambled into some diverging branches, about ten feet +from the ground, when the whole herd arrived; grunting and squeaking, at +the foot of the tree. I could not help laughing at the ridiculous figure +I must have made, chased up a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> tree by a dozen of pigs; but it soon +turned out no laughing matter, for their patience was not, as I +expected, soon exhausted; and they settled round the tree about twenty +yards distant, and kept looking at me with their little twinkling eyes, +as much as to say, 'We'll have you yet.'" So far are Mr. Byam's own +words; and I now give the sequel in a more abridged form, though, by so +doing, I feel that I deprive the story of some of its zest:—Having made +up his mind to a regular siege, he examined his resources, and found +them to be a double-barreled gun, a flask of powder (nearly full), +plenty of copper caps; a few charges of shot; only two balls; a knife, +flint, and steel; a piece of hard, dried tongue; a small flask of +spirits and water; and a good bundle of cigars. He could not expect +relief, a sally was out of the question; so he made himself as +comfortable as he could. Hour after hour passed, the pigs never stirred, +except when one or two returned to look at their dead comrade, as if to +sharpen their revenge. At length the imprisoned hunter thought of firing +off some powder every few minutes, shouting at the same time. One barrel +of his gun was still loaded with shot, and he aimed at an old boar; who, +on returning from his deceased friend, had looked up at him and grunted. +The whole charge, at a distance of about twenty feet, went into the +boar's face, who then turned round and ran away, making<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> a horrible +noise. The rest of the party charged altogether up to the foot of the +tree, but the outcry of the old boar drew them away; and the whole herd +went after him, making such a noise as never before had saluted Mr. +Byam's ears. He remained in the tree a short time; and, when all was +quiet, he slipped down, and ran away as fast as he could, in a contrary +direction.</p> + +<p>Hogs are not equally prized by all nations. The detestation in which +they were held by the Egyptians, was continued by the Israelites; not +only from living with those people, but because they were unclean +animals. They are still viewed in that light by Brahmins and Mussulmans, +who only rear them to sell to Christians, or to make scavengers of them, +for, in a domestic state, they are omnivorous. The dislike of the latter +to them was once very serviceable to me; for when we were bivouacking +close to a Mahommedan village, the people, and the priests thronged +around us, so as to be extremely troublesome; and the only way in which +we could keep them at a distance, without force, was by tying pieces of +ham over the different entrances of the building in which we were.</p> + +<p>Somewhat like rats, there seems to be a mysterious distribution of swine +all over the face of the earth; and much astonishment was created in the +minds of the discoverers of the South Sea Islands, by finding them in +those far-off specks of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> the earth. Perhaps there had been earlier +navigators there than ourselves.</p> + +<p>Pork, fresh or cured, forms the principal food of our sailors and +peasantry; and most precious is the pig to the poor man. It is often the +pet of the younger branches of his family, and returns their affection +with interest.</p> + +<p>Of course, it is an idle fable that pigs can see and smell the wind; but +it is perfectly true that they are always much agitated when a storm is +approaching.</p> + +<p>Considering the stupid way in which they run when they are frightened, +the manner in which they squeak on all occasions, and the obstinacy +which they evince, very often when an endeavour is made to add to their +relief or comfort, it is not surprising that a low estimate of their +intelligence should hare been formed. Nevertheless, they have been +trained to point out letters and spell words, till they have acquired +the appellation of "learned pigs." What, however, is more useful, they +draw the plough in the south of France—they are taught to hunt the +truffles, which are hidden under the soil—they even stand at game like +the most accomplished pointers. The latter instruction was conveyed by +means of stones and pudding; if they failed in their duty, they received +the former; but when they drooped their ears and tail, and sank upon +their knees, nor rose till the birds had already risen, they feasted on +"lumps o' pudding."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p> + +<p>Of the voracity of pigs, there are many stories, all more or less +disagreeable; and none more so than when they have killed and partially +eaten children, and utterly devoured their young keepers. Such stories +have been too well authenticated to be doubted; but they are exceptions +to the general history of the animal. It is much more pleasing to refer +to the life, death, and burial of poor Jean, who was saved out of a +litter of six (born on board ship) from the butcher's knife. She was +brought up as a pet, and suffered to run about deck, among sheep and +goats. Most of the live stock was washed off, but Jean remained because +she had been stowed away in the long boat. In warm latitudes the men +took their meals on deck, and she was always one of the mess, poking her +nose into every bread bag, and scalding it in the soup. The sailors +poured grog down her throat, and twice made her tipsy; and she behaved +as most individuals do on such occasions.</p> + +<p>In consequence of the scarcity of fresh provisions in the Chinese seas, +Jean was ordered to be killed, her fry to be eaten one day, her head +made into turtle soup the next, and after that, her legs, etc., roasted; +but the ship's company pleaded that she might be spared, stating, among +other reasons, that when called, she came like a dog. "Jean! Jean!" +exclaimed the captain, and she bounced along, tripping up the officer of +the watch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span></p> + +<p>Like most pets, Jean became intolerably fat and lazy, in which condition +she was an object of great attraction to the Chinese; they longed for +her, wanted to buy her, begged for her, and watched for her, knowing she +must die soon, and then be thrown overboard. Jack, however, had no +inclination to gratify the Chinamen, and when poor Jean breathed her +last, two masses of ballast iron were placed, one on each cheek, and +lashed to her neck and shoulders in such a manner, that by their +projection they made a long, sharp snout, which would penetrate into the +mud. She was lowered over the ship's side, head foremost, and when below +the surface of the water, the rope was cast off, and her well-loaded +carcase went down too deep, even for the search of the cunning +Chinese.<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> The source whence I obtained this anecdote has escaped me; +but I think it is from the pen of Captain Basil Hall.</p></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="RHINOCEROSES" id="RHINOCEROSES"></a>RHINOCEROSES.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>With quite as little personal beauty as the Pachydermata of which I have +hitherto treated, the Rhinoceros takes his place among the powerful of +the earth. He has no tusks, but bears one or two horns upon his nose. Of +these, when there are two, the foremost is the largest, all are curved +and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span>polished, and appear to be formed of hairs, aggregated into a solid +mass. The bones of the nose are remarkably thickened and developed into +that form which is best adapted to resist a shock—namely, the arch; and +by this, not only is the animal able to carry its horn high, but to bear +the tremendous resistance with which it meets when it uses that horn. In +all but one species the upper lip is prolonged, and capable of such +extension that it becomes prehensile; it protrudes this lip, lowers its +horn or horns, so as to lean forwards, and rushes at the object of its +anger or dislike with almost inconceivable fury. I have already +contradicted the assertion, that it seeks the elephant for the purpose +of giving him battle, on which occasion it was said to sharpen its horn +against a stone just before the engagement: according to Mr. Gordon +Cumming's account, they inhabit the same neighbourhood without +exhibiting any particular enmity towards each other.</p> + +<p>As far as we know at present, there are six species, all of which +inhabit Africa and India, including Java and Sumatra; they have three +toes on each foot covered with a hoof. The sides of their body project +in a remarkable degree; their skin is enormously thick, knotty in its +surface, and has but a few hairs scattered over it. The Indian +rhinoceroses have enormous folds of this skin, hanging upon the +shoulders, haunches, neck and thighs,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> looking as if each fold covered a +thick rope; the ears of all are erect, the eyes small and near the nose; +the tail short; they carry their heads so low that they almost touch the +earth; they plough up the ground with their horn, scattering stones and +soil without any apparent motive, and few things can resist the +impetuous force which they put forth, when they rush upon an object +which has excited their fury. Their smell and hearing are extremely +acute, so that it is difficult to approach them; but as their sight is +very limited, they may be avoided by slipping on one side when they are +in pursuit of an enemy.</p> + +<p>The Javanese and Sumatran species are smaller, lighter, and consequently +less ferocious and powerful than the others. Both in Africa and India +there is a superstition with regard to the horns of all the species, +which the natives declare are sensibly acted on by poison. It is the +custom to make cups of them, and in India it is said, that liquid poison +poured into them, effervesces in such a manner that it overflows the +cup. In Africa, the inhabitants assure you, that the cup will turn black +from the same cause; and that water drunk from them possesses medicinal +properties, especially if stirred with iron. The folds on the skin of +the African species are much less than those of the Indian, and amount +to scarcely more than wrinkles. The latter have been known to live a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> +hundred years, and when young, their skin has a pink tinge. All eat the +young branches of trees, and shrubs, and grass.</p> + +<p>It has been observed, that the skin of the African rhinoceros is so full +of insects, that birds are in the habit of perching upon them, for the +purpose of feeding on these insects. They suffer their winged friends to +remain undisturbed, thinking, that as long as they stay, no enemy is +near; but if they fly off, some danger is approaching, for which they +immediately look out. These birds are not unlike the missal thrush, and +remain by their friends till they are forced to leave them. When the +latter are shot, they fly away, uttering a harsh cry, and return to +their positions when all is quiet, even adhering to them all night. This +may be also the case in India; but I have only seen it recorded of +Africa.</p> + +<p>I should suppose that the loud blowing noise attributed to the African +rhinoceros, holds good with all. The black variety is the most +dangerous; they ramble about at night, and go to the river to drink, +between the hours of nine and twelve. Those sudden fits of frenzy, to +which all are liable, are particularly outrageous in them; and they have +been seen to attack the bushes around them for hours at a time; uttering +a strange noise, something like the combination of a grunt and a +whistle. Their flesh is rather like beef, perhaps having even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> a finer +flavour. They go about singly or in pairs, are much the most active, and +pursue any object which attracts them with a perseverance which is quite +ludicrous. According to Major Harris, much of the brain lies under the +horns, and he saw them sometimes assemble in herds of thirty-two. The +best place to aim at, when it is desirable to kill them, is behind the +shoulder. Before they charge, they stand rolling their body from side to +side. They become furious at the sight of fire, and in order to get at +it, they dash forward with mad fury, nor rest till they have scattered +and extinguished all the burning wood.</p> + +<p>The White Rhinoceroses have a longer neck than the others. Their muzzle +is shorter, and more square, resembling that of the ox.</p> + +<p>Most of the rhinoceroses brought to Europe have been remarkably +good-tempered and docile; but one which was lodged in Exeter Change, was +only kept in order by the whip; no kindness having any effect upon him, +especially in his sudden fits of fury, which were of the most frightful +violence.</p> + +<p>Mr. Burchell's measurement of a rhinoceros, made him eleven feet from +the tip of the nose to the insertion of the tail, and the girth of the +body was eight feet four inches.</p> + +<p>"Some years ago," says Captain Brown, "a party of Europeans, with their +native attendants and elephants (of course this must have been in +India)<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> met with a small band of seven (rhinoceroses). These were led by +a larger, and more powerful animal than the rest. When this large leader +charged the hunters, the first elephants, in place of using their tusks +as weapons, wheeled round, and received the blow of the rhinoceros's +horn on their hind quarters; and so powerful was the concussion, that it +brought them instantly to the ground with their riders; and as soon as +they could get on their feet again, the brute was ready to repeat the +attack, and was certain to produce another fall; and in this manner did +the contest continue, until four of the seven were killed, when the rest +made good their retreat."</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HORSES" id="HORSES"></a>HORSES.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Although, still lingering among the Pachydermata, I have now left behind +me the ponderous and unwieldy forms which inhabit the wild and wooded +tracts of the earth's surface, and come to the group called Solipeda, +from the one round and horny hoof which encircles all the feet; one toe +is apparent; and two points on each side, under the skin, represent +lateral toes; besides which there is, underneath, a soft pad, or what is +generally termed the frog, which touches the ground when the animal +walks.</p> + +<p>Strength, beauty, and activity, are all combined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> in horses; their +elegantly shaped head, with its long pointed ears, and large eyes, is +carried high or thrown back; and while they rapidly glance into the +horizon, to look for friends or foes, their well defined nostrils sniff +fresh vigour from the passing breeze; but this is not all—these same +ears laid flat back upon their head tell you that they have been +affronted, and mean to be revenged for the insult; when they are upright +they are listening to sounds, which their rider cannot hear, and when +they are pointed forward they rejoice in the affectionate voices of +those whom they love. Those full, hazel eyes denote passions of various +kinds, are often turned full of parental love on the offspring which +gambols by their side, or of gratitude upon their kind masters, +following their benefactors with a melancholy look, when they take their +departure. Those nostrils are dilated sometimes with anger, at others +with the pleasures of the chase; and the arched neck, the broad muscular +chest, the graceful, curving lines of the body, the well-shaped, sinewy +limbs, sometimes slender and delicate in their proportions, bear these +beautiful creatures over hill and dale almost with the swiftness of a +bird; while their long mane and tail float in the air, as if the +creature whom they adorn were about to soar to heaven.</p> + +<p>In a state of freedom, horses are swift, fierce, and inquisitive; they +herd together in large numbers. The males evince the most faithful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> +attachment to the females, and protect them and their offspring to the +death. The latter are fond and devoted mothers.</p> + +<p>In activity, there is no animal which more decidedly takes its character +from its early masters or instructors; their admirable qualities are +heightened; their fierceness becomes courage; their wild actions are +turned into play, and their attachment and sagacity are only surpassed +by those of the dog. On the other hand, most of what are called their +vices may be traced to their early training. Allowances must, of course, +be made for natural disposition, which varies as much in the brute +creation as it does in man; and I have met with ill-tempered horses, +which have been so from the moment they were taken from their native +forests; but generally speaking, the horse becomes the protector, the +companion, the friend, of his possessor. When dead, every part of him is +useful; and when living, all his energies make him one of the greatest +blessings which a beneficent Creator has bestowed on the earthly lord of +all.</p> + +<p>Horses' teeth are so important a part of their history, that although +this book does not profess to treat of science, it would be incomplete +if I did not briefly point out how distinctly they shew the age of the +animal. First of all, however, it should be known, that the mouth seems +to have been expressly formed for the bit, by which man controls this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> +admirable creature; for, corresponding with each angle of the mouth is a +space between the teeth, in which it lodges with the greatest +convenience. The front teeth, or incisors, begin to appear when the +horse is fifteen days old, and amount to six in number in each jaw. All, +from the first, are at the top, or crown, hollowed into a groove. The +two in the middle are shed and replaced at three years and a half, the +two next at four and a half, and the two outside, called the corner +teeth, at seven and a half, or eight. The grooves on the crowns, become +effaced, and the tops of the teeth are more triangular as age increases. +The females have no canine teeth; but the males always have two small +ones in the upper jaw, and sometimes two in the lower; the former appear +when they are four years old, the latter at three and a half; they +remain pointed till the horse has attained six years, and when he is ten +they begin to grow loose, and expose their roots. They have six grinders +in each side of each jaw, with flat crowns, and the plates of enamel +which surround the dental substance, appear in them like four crescents. +The life of horses generally lasts about thirty years; but they have +frequently been known to exceed that age. Then, however, mastication has +become difficult, they get lean, or what is called out of condition; and +old favorites, if they are attended to as they ought to be, after long +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> faithful services, have their food bruised, and even cooked for +them. It is surprising to see what entire rest frequently does for them, +even at an advanced age; and I have seen them, in consequence of it, +again taken into a degree of service when they have been supposed past +all work.</p> + +<p>The origin of horses is involved in so much obscurity, that it has given +rise to frequent speculation; not as in the dog, with regard to the type +of the race, but the quarter of the globe where they were first located. +It appears to me, that the greatest mass of opinion is in favour of +Tartary, or Central Asia, where it is supposed that the only existing +wild race now lives, all the rest in a state of freedom, being feral, or +descended from domesticated pairs, which have again become wild. Some of +these are also on the steppes of Tartary; but immense numbers inhabit +the extensive plains of South America, which are supposed to be the +descendants of the Spanish horses, and to have escaped from the +conquerors of that continent. Large herds also run about in various +parts of North America and Africa; and smaller numbers in England, where +they have dwindled to ponies. Mr. Bell, whose authority few would dare +to dispute, thinks that the Egyptians were the first people who brought +the horse into subjection, and that Africa contained the original race; +but the ancient mysteries of the East are only now beginning to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 337]</a></span> +opened to us; and, I suspect, we shall find that the Egyptians derived +their horses, as well as everything else, from the still older Asiatics.</p> + +<p>It would be in vain to attempt, in a work of this kind, to describe the +different species and varieties of horses; I shall, therefore, quickly +pass on to a small selection from the numerous anecdotes placed before +me, a few of which are the results of personal experience. Before I do +this, however, it may be as well to make a few observations concerning +their food. They are eminently vegetable feeders; grains and dried +grasses, such as hay and straw, also clover, being preferred when they +are in constant service. The more valuable sorts are seldom much used +while they are feeding entirely on green grass. They are extremely fond +of the niceties which are so often bestowed on pets, such as bread, +apples, cakes, etc.; and some are passionately fond of sugar. M. +Frederic Cuvier taught one he constantly rode, to play certain tricks, +rewarding him for them with sugar; and, if the provision contained in +his pocket were not sufficient, he would stop at a road-side inn, and +procure some more for the horse. Accordingly, when the sagacious animal +came again to these houses, he would perform the same antics which had +before procured him the sugar, and then stand still, as if again to +receive his reward. While speaking of this creature, I may as well +mention, that he delighted in pulling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> down his own hay, and feeding the +goats, which lived on the other side of his palings, with it; and once, +when he was fed with straw, on account of some malady, his companions, +who ate at the same manger, were so concerned at what they thought his +inferior fare, that they pushed their hay to him.</p> + +<p>Horses have not the least objection to animal food; and it has been +often given to them when they have been obliged to perform immense +journeys, or to undergo any very great exertion. It, however, excites +them very much, and, if not judiciously bestowed, makes them fierce and +uncontrollable. Stories are told of poor men, who, when the despots of +the East have ordered them to give up their favourite horses, have fed +them on flesh, and rendered them so unmanageable, that the tyrants have +no longer desired what they once thought a prize. Horses will also drink +strong ale, etc., with the greatest relish; and oat gruel, mixed with +it, has often proved an excellent restorative for them after an unusual +strain upon their powers. They will not refuse even spirits or wine, +administered in the same manner; but it is very questionable if these +are equally efficacious. There is no telling, however, what strange +inconsistencies domestication will produce in the matter of food; for +cats have been known to refuse everything for boiled greens, when they +were to be had.</p> + +<p>The following account is abridged from Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> Kohl's description of those +Asiatic horses, which are bred in the steppes, and are private property, +although he calls them quite wild.—"Only in the heart of Tartary can +the horse be found perfectly in a wild state. One herd in the steppe +will consist of 1000 horses; but the keepers of herds will have several. +Dressed in leather, with a girdle which contains the implements of his +veterinary art; a black lambskin cap on his head, the <i>tabuntshik</i>, or +herdsman, eats, drinks, and sleeps in his saddle; has no shelter, and +dare not even turn his back upon a storm, as the creatures do for whom +he is responsible. In his hand he holds a whip, with a thick, short +handle, and a lash from fifteen to eighteen feet long. Then he must have +a sling, with which he takes unerring aim at each individual of his +straggling herd; then a wolf-stick, with a knob of iron at the end, +hangs from his saddle; and a cask of water, a bag of bread, and a bottle +of brandy are necessary parts of his equipment. He pays for every horse +that is lost; in ten years he is worn out, yet is unfit for any other +life; he lives in constant dread of horse-stealers, notwithstanding +which he steals them himself.</p> + +<p>"From Easter to October the herds graze day and night in the steppes. In +the winter they are sheltered at night by mounds of earth, and a sort of +roof, from the north. The stallions and stronger horses take possession +of the shed, and the rest stand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> outside, huddled together. In severe +winters, sickness and death overtake them, and those who survive, walk +about like specters. But when they eat the young grass, which appears +when the snow is melted, they are as wild and mischievous as ever. The +stallions seem to consider themselves as the chiefs of the herd; and one +of these, by right of strength, is the chief <i>par excellence</i>. Sometimes +one stallion will have affronted the rest, and all combine to turn him +out; and then he will be seen apart from them, with a few mares +attending him.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> Occasionally two herds will fight for right of +pasture; the mares and foals keep aloof, the stallions flourish their +tails, erect their manes, rattle their hoofs together, and fasten on +each other with their teeth; the victorious party carrying off several +mares.</p> + +<p>"In the spring come the wolves, being very fond of young foals; so they +constantly prowl round the herds, never attacking them by day if they +are numerous; but come at night, and if they are scattered, they make a +rush upon their victims. The stallions, however, charge at them; and +they take flight only, however, to return and secure a straggling foal, +to whose rescue the mother comes, and herself perishes. When this is +found out, a terrible battle ensues; the foals are placed in the centre, +the mares encircle them, charging the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span>wolves in front; tearing them +with their teeth, and trampling them with their fore-feet, always using +the latter, and not the hind feet; the stallions rush about, and often +kill a wolf with one blow; they then pick up the body with their teeth, +and throw it to the mares, who trample upon it till its original form is +utterly destroyed. If eight or ten hungry wolves should pull down a +stallion, the whole herd will revenge him, and almost always destroy the +wolves; who, however, generally try to avoid these great battles, and +chase a mare or foal separated from the rest, creep up to them, +imitating a watchdog, and wagging their tails, spring at the throat of +the mare; and then the foal is carried off. Even this will not always +succeed, and if the mare give alarm, the wolf is pursued by herd and +keeper, and his only chance of escape is to throw himself head-foremost +down the steep sides of a ravine.</p> + +<p>"The horses suffer more from thirst in summer than from famine in +winter; the heat is intolerable, there is no shade, and each horse tries +to protect itself by its neighbour's body. In the autumn the owners of +the herd call them in to thresh corn; the turf is removed, the ground +beaten till it is very hard, and a railing placed round it; the corn is +spread, and five hundred horses at a time are driven into the enclosure; +they are terrified by the crackling straw and the noise of the whip over +their heads,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> and the more frantic they are the sooner is the corn +threshed."</p> + +<p>The attachment of Arabs to their horses, the extreme beauty of these +animals, which form part of the family, and are sometimes more precious +to their owners than wives or children, have become proverbial. They are +managed by kindness; and nothing can exceed the indignation of the +owners when they behold any attempt to manage a horse of any kind by +means of the whip. It is the Arabian which, imported through Spain, or +direct to England, has produced so much improvement in the European +stock. An Arab mare of pure descent, had, by means of the Moors, found +her way to the north western coast of Africa, where she was purchased by +an English officer. At first I was a little disappointed in her +appearance, for she was thin; but as her foal became independent of her, +and learned to eat, she recovered her condition, and I was never tired +of looking at her. To all who delight in admiring wild, unrestrained +action, there could not be a much greater treat than to have the gates +of the Government-House spur closed, and turn her and her child loose +into it, while we stood upon the veranda to watch them. At no time did +she ever walk; but went every where with a light, dancing step. And on +these occasions the frolics, the gestures, were past all description; +standing at one corner, her fore feet stretched<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> out, she would appear +to wait for the pretty little son who trotted up to her; when, in a +moment, almost so as to elude sight, she would bound completely over +him, and take her stand at another corner; then back again, and round +and round, till it seemed to me that all the tricks taught by Ducrow, +the waltzing and quadrilling excepted, must have been suggested by +watching the movements of wild horses. A curious adventure happened to +that little foal, which is worthy of record. A year or two after this, +the groom took him to the river to wash his legs, and as he turned to +come out again, a crocodile bit him; he struggled for a moment and fell; +this frightened the crocodile away, and the poor young horse was dragged +from the water's edge; the formidable teeth of the reptile had nearly +separated the foot from the leg, and it hung by one tendon. There seemed +to be no alternative but to shoot him; however, a native suggested to +his owner, that there was a famous Moorish doctor then in the place, and +if any one could cure the horse, he could; at any rate it was worth the +trial: the man came, was very quiet, did not promise anything, but +united the parts, bandaged them together, had the patient fastened down +in the position in which he chose him to lie, and after some weeks of +careful tending, the animal was restored to his master even without +blemish. It was only by passing the hand along the parts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> which had been +severed, that the scar could be detected; and he was afterwards sold for +a handsome sum.</p> + +<p>M. de Lamartine tells an interesting story of an Arab chief and his +horse, which is highly characteristic. They, and the tribe to which they +belonged, attacked a caravan in the night, and were returning with their +plunder, when some horsemen, belonging to the Pasha of Acre, surrounded +them, killed several, and bound the rest with cords. Among the latter +was the chief, Abou el Marek, who was carried to Acre, and, bound hand +and foot, laid at the entrance of their tent during the night. The pain +of his wounds kept him awake, and he heard his own horse neigh, who was +picketed at a little distance from him. Wishing to caress him, perhaps +for the last time, he dragged himself up to him, and said—"Poor friend! +what will you do among the Turks? You will be shut up under the roof of +a Khan, with the horses of a Pasha or an Aga; no longer will the women +and children of the tent bring you barley, camel's milk, or dhourra, in +the hollow of their hands; no longer will you gallop free as the wind in +the desert; no longer will you cleave the waters with your breast, and +lave your sides, as pure as the foam from your lips. If I am to be a +slave, at least you may go free. Return to our tent, tell my wife that +Abou el Marek will return no more; but put your head<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> still into the +folds of the tent, and lick the hands of my beloved children." With +these words, as his hands were tied, the chief, with his teeth, undid +the fetters which held the courser bound, and set him at liberty; but +the noble animal, on recovering his freedom, instead of galloping away +to the desert, bent his head over his master, and seeing him in fetters, +and on the ground, took his clothes gently between his teeth, lifted him +up and set off at full speed towards home. Without resting he made +straight for the distant, but well-known tent in the mountains of +Arabia. He arrived there in safety, laid his master down at the feet of +his wife and children, and immediately dropped down dead with fatigue. +The whole tribe mourned him, the poets celebrated his fidelity; and his +name is still constantly in the mouths of the Arabs of Jericho.</p> + +<p>The Arabs have five noble races, among which that of Kohlan is the most +celebrated for its beauty, temper, courage, memory, and almost human +intelligence.</p> + +<p>The value which the Arabs themselves set upon their horses may, perhaps, +be exemplified, when I say, that the before-mentioned mare (Cora) had +been brought to the coast in some secret manner; and as soon as it +transpired where she was, a comparatively insignificant Sultan of the +interior, sent to offer goods for her to the value of three hundred +pounds. When her master left Africa, he sold her to a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> general officer, +and I never heard what became of her after that. The following is a +<i>short</i> pedigree of one of these valuable creatures:—"In the name of +God, the merciful! The cause of the present writing is, that we witness +that the grey horse Derrish, of Mahomet Bey, is of the first breed of +Nedgdee horses, whose mother is the grey mare, Hadha the famous, and +whose father is the bay horse, Dabrouge, of the horses of the tribe +Benihaled. We testify on our conscience and fortune, that he is the +breed concerning which the prophet said, 'the true runners, when they +run, strike fire; they grant prosperity until the day of judgment.' We +have testified what is known, and God knows who are true witnesses." Six +signatures verified this pedigree.</p> + +<p>I had marked out a selection of quotations as proofs of the high +qualities of the noble horse; but I must now be as brief as possible, +and not profit too much by the interesting labours of others. I +therefore continue my own observations. When staying on the borders of +the river Gambia, I saw two of the native horses which belonged to the +stud of the Commandant there; they had been brought from the interior, +and taken from a wild herd; but they were totally unlike the races +hitherto described. The mare, of a reddish brown, had been some time +domesticated, and was docile and well behaved; neither of them +possessing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> sufficient character to be referred to the Barb, the +Dongola, or the Nubian breeds. They were undersized, and not handsome; +the male, who had not been long from his native forests, was the best +looking; carried his head well, was strongly and compactly made, +especially about the shoulders, and there was much fire about the head, +which, however, was far from handsome; his legs were slender and +well-shaped. The peculiar circumstances in which I was placed, rendered +it necessary that I should, for the sake of health, take horse-exercise. +There was nothing which could carry me except this little grey horse; +for I could not persuade those around me to let me mount Cora, because +they said she had so hard a mouth: so a side-saddle was put on, and a +man with a skirt tried the grey once or twice; he was tolerably quiet, +and without much disturbance, he went pretty well for a few weeks; the +only trouble being to get upon his back. He, however, had one great +peculiarity, which manifested itself rather awkwardly, when a party of +us started to go to a distance. He could not endure strangers, and would +not suffer any of his own kind to approach him who did not live in the +same stable as himself. This was great affectation in a horse just wild +from the woods, but so it was; the instant my companions approached me, +he made a bolt, his heels went into the air, and it was in vain to +resist his fancy. We returned the next day, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> while fording a creek, +which we had crossed in a canoe the day before, one of our party forgot +my horse's peculiarity and came up to me; he darted fairly out to sea, +and not till he found himself off his legs was he frightened; +fortunately alarm made him tractable, and I easily turned his head and +landed in safety. Wishing however, to punish him, I galloped him home, +four miles through loose sand, which was over his fetlocks; far, +however, from being subdued, when I had dismounted and went to pat his +check, he tried to bite me.</p> + +<p>The beauty and excellence of English horses, taken as a whole, have been +acknowledged to surpass those of the rest of the world; their speed, +their enormous leaps, their long journeys, their strength, have been +frequent themes of admiration; and I regret that I cannot fill more +pages, with the histories that are recorded of them; but there are many +excellent books on that subject alone, which may be read with great +advantage; and I pass on to a very clever hunter, called Nannie, who +belonged to my father, and who performed a feat, thought, in my +childhood, to be unique, but which I have of late seen mentioned in the +papers, as accomplished by other horses. In those days, gentlemen seldom +retired from the dinner table, without being at least elated; and, on an +occasion of this sort, my father, by way of summing up his favourite's +wonderful abilities, said, "he was sure<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> she would, at his bidding, jump +over the supper table," which was then set out for about twenty persons. +Being an only daughter, I was often allowed to exceed the hours at which +children are usually sent to bed; and I was therefore present during the +whole scene. Doubts were expressed, bets were laid, the parties became +excited; and Nannie was ordered from her stable, bridled and saddled, as +if for her master's riding. She was led into the room; the gentlemen +were all assembled, the table was glittering with lights, glass, and +silver; the room was also brilliant; and at first, Nannie was a little +surprised. The chairs were set on each side of the room; but, as the +seats were pushed under, they only added to the height; my father +mounted, and said, "Over, Nannie": the docile creature poised herself on +her hind legs, stretched out her neck, as if to measure the distance, +and cleared the whole; the only ill effect arising from which, was, that +the marks of her hoofs were left in the carpet. This clever mare +constantly opened the door of her stable, and went to warm herself at +the fire in the harness-room; but her affection for her master had more +than once preserved his life. On one occasion, it is supposed, he had +slipped off her, and been unable to get on again; when, overcome with +sleep, he folded his arms, rested them against her side, and laying his +head upon them, remained there in a sound slumber.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> It was presumed they +had been in this posture a long time; and, had she moved, his life would +probably have been endangered by the fall, for they were close to a +steep declivity. On another occasion she came home, neighed at the door +of the dwelling, and did not offer to go to the stable; the family were +aroused, servants rose, she trotted back, and stood by her master, who +was lying senseless by the side of the road. They must have fallen +together, as on his chest was the mark of one of her feet, probably made +in getting up again. He was only stunned, and in a few days recovered +from his fall, while she was more than ever loved. She was a chestnut +mare, with a white star; and very like her, was another, called Peggy, +which, from having belonged especially to our mother, we, as children, +claimed as ours also; and I have always, when recollecting her, been +able to picture to myself the intimacy between horses and human beings +in an Arab family. We crawled over her, we seated ourselves upon her +without bridle or saddle, we clung to her neck when she had no room for +us on her back, and we sat upon her as she herself lay in her stall. +When she was ill, we administered the medicine, almost quarreling as to +who should take the gruel to her; when she heard our voices, whatever +pain she was in, she saluted us with a neigh; she was patient under +every infliction, accommodated herself to every fancy, and, with her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> +prudence and good temper, was often instrumental to our safety. Although +she had been a hunter, and was a lady's horse, she went well in harness, +and used to run in a curricle, with all the fiery spirits whom my father +chose to drive; and we must have been dashed to pieces more than once, +but for her steadiness and forbearance. At last, we were obliged to part +with her; that is, we were going to live where we could not keep her; +and a friend took her into his park, where she was to remain free all +the rest of her life. Five years after, I was sitting at an open window, +in the neighbourhood of the metropolis, and a sound met my ear. "If ever +I heard Peggy's step," I exclaimed, "that is it; she is now coming along +the road." I was disbelieved; but in one minute after, the still +beautiful creature, though thirty-three years old, was at the gate: we +rushed to her; we called her; she answered us; she danced about; she +rubbed her face against ours; she looked for the same caresses, the same +niceties which she used to get from us—and half an hour quickly passed +in mutual caresses. The gentleman in whose park she had been living, had +found her so fresh, that he had ridden her by easy journeys, to London, +and during his few days' visit, sent her to see us—she lived two years +after that, and died of old age, without a struggle.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i006.jpg" alt="i006" title="WILD HORSES AND WOLVES"/></div> +<div class="figcenter"><span class="caption">WILD HORSES AND WOLVES.—Page 330.</span></div> + +<p>A friend told me the other day, that a horse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> had been in the habit of +going with his master a certain road, and stopping at the same inn, +where those who fed him always threw some beans into the corn put before +him. After a time, he and his master went from that part of the country, +and remained away for two years, then the same habits were resumed, and +the same inn frequented; the latter, however, had changed its owners. +While enjoying his dinner, the rider was informed, that his horse would +not eat, that he appeared to be perfectly well, but there was something +wrong about the corn, which they knew not how to rectify, for it was the +very best. The gentleman went to the stable, the horse neighed, looked +at him, and then at the manger, and it struck him suddenly, that the +animal missed the food he had been accustomed to receive there, and no +where else. "Throw some beans in," he said to the hostler; he was obeyed; +and the horse looked at him as if to express his thanks, and took his +meal contentedly.</p> + +<p>I terminate these anecdotes with one concerning a cart horse, which I +never saw in print, but once. He had frequently given proofs of great +sagacity; but the chief was the following:—"During the winter, a large +wide drain had been made, and over this, strong planks had been placed +for our friend, the cart horse, to pass over to his stable. It had +snowed during the night, and had frozen very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> hard in the morning. How +he passed over the planks on going out to work, I know not; but, on +being turned loose from the cart at breakfast, he came up to them, and I +saw his fore feet slip: he drew back immediately, and seemed for a +moment at a loss how to get on. Close to these planks a cart load of +sand had been placed: he put his fore feet on this, and looked wistfully +to the other side of the drain."</p> + +<p>The boy who attended this horse, and who had gone round by another path, +seeing him stand there, called him. The horse immediately turned round, +and set about scraping the sand most vigorously, first with one hind +foot, then with the other. The boy, perhaps wondering what he was going +to do, waited to see. When the planks were completely covered with sand, +the horse turned round again, unhesitatingly walked over, and trotted up +to his stable and driver.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> This seems to confirm the opinion of the Indians concerning +the solitary elephants.</p></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_ASS" id="THE_ASS"></a>THE ASS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Although far from equaling the horse in grace or beauty, the ass, in +his wild condition, is a handsome, swift, and powerful animal, so +different to the degenerated, ill-used, and scrubby creatures of this +country, that they would scarcely be recognized as belonging to the same +stock, if placed side by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> side. In Spain, and other parts of Southern +Europe, and the Cape de Verde Islands, they are very superior; but they +are even surpassed by those of the East. All acquainted with Scripture +know the importance formerly attached to them, when the wisest and best +of the land rode in state upon white asses. It will also be recollected, +that the Israelites were at first forbidden to use horses, and the +places of the latter were then supplied by asses. From the time, +however, that the finer animals became common, asses seem to have fallen +into disrepute; and we read that the greatest of all beings, when +performing His Divine Mission upon earth, and was about to give himself +up as a sacrifice for us, rode into Jerusalem upon an ass, thereby +shewing his humility.</p> + +<p>Asses are eminently creatures of a warm climate, where they have a +smooth, sleek coat, well-made legs, and elevated carriage of the head. +They were introduced into Great Britain at an early period; for we hear +of twelve shillings being paid for one in the time of Ethelred; but they +are supposed to have become extinct, and to have been re-introduced in +the reign of Queen Mary, in consequence of our then intercourse with +Spain. They are still in great perfection in Persia, where there are two +varieties, one kept for riding, and the other for carrying burthens. The +former are very strong, lift their legs well, and are broken in as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> +horses are; but the best are said to be natives of Arabia. They are not +all larger than ours, a smaller variety being frequently met with, nor +have they all the dark streak across the shoulders. They are of a pale +yellow, silvery grey, brown and reddish colors. The celebrated white +asses are Albinos. All have a short black mane, a dark streak upon the +back; and their tail, which so particularly distinguishes them from +horses, is covered with short hair, except at the tip, which is adorned +with a tuft, generally dark in color. Their peculiar cry or bray, is +produced by two small cavities in their windpipes; their hoofs are, in +Damascus, made into rings, which the lower classes wear under their +armpits, or round their thumbs, to save them from the rheumatism; their +flesh is much esteemed as food among the Persians and Tartars. They are +fond of congregating near Lake Aral in the summer, but go further to the +south in winter. Vast hordes exist in Tartary, each headed by a chief. +They are also numerous in America, having probably been left there by +the Spaniards.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bell describes an ass which belonged to his grandfather, who was so +swift, that matches were made against him by the possessors of the +fastest asses which could be found; but he beat them all, and even +followed the hounds, coming up in gallant style, at the death of the +fox.</p> + +<p>The well-known antipathy between the horse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> and the ass is scarcely to +be explained, and has been often overcome; nevertheless, it always more +or less exists, and many instances are on record in which it has caused +inconvenience. One of these I can supply, which occurred when I was in +Portugal. I started on a donkey to make a drawing of the great aqueduct +which supplies Lisbon with its delicious water, and just as I had chosen +my position, and established myself, my husband rode up on a beautiful +and valuable horse, belonging to a friend. He wished to procure some +specimens of the neighbouring rocks, and not liking to take a borrowed +animal among them, he desired my donkey guide to hold his steed as well +as mine. The boy obeyed; and Mr. Bowdich soon disappeared among the +hollows. For a few minutes the horse stood quietly enough; but from the +beginning he gave very significant glances at the companion forced upon +him. At last he worked himself into a complete passion; snorted, +pranced, reared, tossed his head, dilated his nostrils, and tried to +reach the ass with his fore feet. He was prevented from doing this by +the boy, who opposed him with much temper and courage; he then tried to +turn round and kick the object of his indignation, who was by no means +disposed to take the insult quietly. The boy let go the ass, who gave +one fling at the horse, and then went very quietly to nibble the grass, +lying in patches on the rough ground. The horse,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> however, now tried to +get at the donkey; broke his bridle, pursued him, and both scampered +off, the former doing just the very thing Mr. Bowdich wished to avoid. I +was obliged to start up suddenly to get out of their way; my pencils and +paper all made independent excursions, and the only thing to be done, +was for me to catch the donkey, and the boy to catch the horse. Mine was +much the easiest task; but both being accomplished, we kept them apart, +the ass standing quietly enough, but the horse refusing to behave +himself unless the boy mounted on his back, and rode him up and down on +the smoothest path he could find. At length Mr. Bowdich returned, and +thought all that had passed a good joke, in which I could not agree with +him. He rode away; and I quietly finished my sketch.</p> + +<p>Bishop Heber gives the following description of an ass which he saw in a +paddock, near Bombay, and which portrays a different disposition. He +says, "it was a noble wild ass from Cutch, as high as a well grown +Galloway, a beautiful animal, admirably formed for fleetness and power, +apparently very gentle and fond of horses, and by no means disliked by +them; in which respect the asses of India differ from all others of +which I have heard. The same fact has been told me of the wild ass in +Rajpootana."</p> + +<p>Of the power of the ass to bear fatigue, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> history of Mr. Wilson is +an instance. He drove one which was his own property, in a light gig, +from Ipswich to London, and back again, a distance of 140 miles, in two +days. The ass went at a pace little short of that of a good gig horse, +and fed well at different stages. On his return, he came in without the +aid of a whip, at the rate of seven miles an hour, and performed the +whole journey with ease; he was twelve hands and a half high, and half +bred Spanish and English.</p> + +<p>Asses, although they do credit to good feeding, can live on very little, +and that little of inferior quality. They have a decided manner of +refusing to move when they are overloaded; and they are often seized +with an immovable fit without having any apparent reason for it. In +steep places they are invaluable, and their feet more sure than those of +men would be. I have seen them put both their fore feet out together, +and let them slip, then drag their hind feet up to them, and repeat this +process on descending the vitrified, and almost perpendicular roads of +Madeira, taking a zigzag direction across the road each time. Mules do +the same, and perhaps derive the faculty from their asinine blood.</p> + +<p>There cannot be a better proof of the intellect of asses, than by +shewing them to be fond of the fine arts; therefore the account of one +at Chartres, must enter into this work. "He used to go to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> Chateau +d'Ouarville, to hear the music that was often performed there. The +owner of the Chateau was a lady, who had an excellent voice; and +whenever she began to sing, he never failed to draw nearer the window, +and listen very attentively. Once, when a piece was performed, which no +doubt pleased him better than any he had heard before, he left his +ordinary post, walked without ceremony into the music-room; and in order +to add to the concert, what he thought perhaps might be an improvement, +he began to bray with all his might."</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CAMELS_DROMEDARIES" id="CAMELS_DROMEDARIES"></a>CAMELS.—DROMEDARIES.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>A peculiarity in the digestive organs of some animals causes all those +who possess it to be thrown together into one large order, by +naturalists. They have no front teeth, except in the lower jaw, and in +place of them, the upper jaw is provided with a bony pad. A very few +have canine teeth, and their grinders are marked with double crescents. +They have two hoofs, but as the inside edge of these is flattened, they +look as if they had only one cleft down the middle, the foot underneath +is provided with elastic pads, connecting the toes together, and +extruding beyond them at the sides. These cushions at each step expand, +support the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> animal in yielding sand, and protect it on harder ground.</p> + +<p>After they have taken their food, these Ruminantia, as they are called, +lie down, and remain in a state of complete repose, in order to chew it +a second time; and the process is thus accomplished: they have four +stomachs, the first is called the paunch, and is the largest of all; +into it descend the grass, herbs, and leaves, when first cropped and +imperfectly masticated. Thence the mass goes into the second stomach, or +honeycomb, so named, because its structure gives it the appearance of +that substance: it is small and globular, and by means of its cells, +squeezes the food into little balls, which are thrown up into the mouth +of the animal, to receive a second mastication, called "chewing the +cud." After this has been effected, it descends into the third stomach, +or the feck, which looks something like the several leaves of a book; +lastly it goes into the fourth stomach, which is merely wrinkled. It is +in this that real digestion takes place; all the previous labour having +been but a mere preparation for it, and indicated by the name of the +order, taken from a Latin word, signifying "to chew over."</p> + +<p>It would seem impossible for any animals to be more useful to man than +the dog or the horse, yet these Ruminantia are still more precious to +him, for while they serve him as beasts of burden, or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> transport, they +perform agricultural labours and supply him generally with a variety of +food. Milk, butter, cheese, the very best meat, the strongest yet most +delicate leather, that most valuable commodity wool, hair, horn, and a +long list of utilities, all proceeding from them; while the extreme +beauty of many of the genera, and the sport they afford, contribute to +his mere pleasure, as well as his comfort.</p> + +<p>The Camels and Dromedaries, which come first before me, are confined but +to a small portion of the earth's surface; they, however, in their more +confined sphere afford incalculable benefits. Without them we should not +be able to traverse those large plains of sand, which lie between the +different countries of Africa, and also of south-western Asia. Their +gaunt and angular form does not class them among the beauties to which I +have alluded; and the only pretensions which their outward appearance +can present for praise, is their admirable adaptation for the offices +which they have to perform. Their full, upper lip is cleft, their neck +is long, their eyes prominent and shaded with eye-lashes, their nostrils +are like slits, which they can close at pleasure; their body has one or +two humps on it, their legs have callous pads upon them, their feet are +large and spreading, and their hair hangs loosely upon them in patches. +That long, upper lip, however, when the hot blast of the desert almost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> +dries their mouth, plunges into the sand and finds momentary relief by +getting below the surface; that long ungainly neck raises the head so +that the prominent eyes may see objects in the far distance; those +nostrils are apertures to the most acute organs of smell, by which they +can even ascertain that water is near; those callous pads enable them to +kneel when they are to be laden, or mounted, and those ugly humps are +provisions of fat, which supply them with nourishment, if, during their +long journeys, there is a scarcity of provisions. One of their most +invaluable properties is the length of time which they can go without +drinking, owing to the large secretion of water in their honeycomb +stomach, while in times of intolerable privation, they may be killed, +and so save their masters from starvation.</p> + +<p>The camel has two humps, the dromedary one; the last is the lightest and +the swiftest, and is generally chosen for riding, while the former +carries the burdens. High saddles are placed on their backs; and it +requires either to be used to them, or to be particularly careful not to +be half killed at starting. The rider places himself in the saddle while +the animals are kneeling; and, when they raise their hind legs, which +they do first of all, they send the unprepared traveller forwards, and +his breath is almost taken out of him by the blow which he receives upon +his chest; then as they get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> upon their fore legs they throw him back, +so as to endanger his spine. Their pace is at first very disagreeable, +being so long and slouching; but, generally speaking, they are extremely +docile and affectionate; they, however, will not stir if they think they +are overloaded, and if they are made angry, they are furious, especially +against each other, quarreling much more frequently with their own +species than they do with man. Their owners are always very careful to +see that their humps are in good condition before they set off on a +journey, and some varieties are preferred to others on account of their +being able to bear a longer period of drought. They are generally +decorated with bells, the sounds of which, in their desert journeys, are +said to be very agreeable to them. If once they fall from fatigue or +sickness they seldom rise again; but, as a whole party, particularly +when every day's provision of water is measured, cannot be stopped for +one, they are left alone to die; their eyes following the masters who +are obliged to abandon them, and whom they have served so faithfully; +the vultures, already hovering over them, ready to pick their bones as +soon as they have sent forth their last breath. Their spine, when again +found, is often raised upon a pole, as a charm against the withering +spell of the evil eye.</p> + +<p>The load of a camel is about 800 lbs., and their usual pace nearly three +miles an hour; but at this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> rate they continue for nine or ten hours. +Their colour is chiefly a reddish brown, or grey, rarely black; and +occasionally white. They are natives of the countries which they +inhabit; the dromedary coming from Arabia and Africa, the camel from the +middle of Asia, to the north of the Himalaya mountains. They are said to +harbour revenge; but, if this be once gratified, they soon return to +good humour.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="LLAMAS_etc" id="LLAMAS_etc"></a>LLAMAS, <span class="smcap">etc</span>.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Llamas are called the camels of the New World, and under this common +name are included more than one species. They exist in large herds, and +are much more sightly than the animals to which they are compared; their +backs are straighter, their heads very handsome, and their fleeces are +thick and equal. They will carry a load of 150 lbs., and were the only +beasts of burthen found among the Peruvians, when these people were +conquered by the Spaniards. Their feet differ from those of the camel, +but are equally adapted to the soil which they have to traverse; they +are formed of two springy toes, each of which has a rough cushion +underneath, and a strong, short hoof on the tip, pointed and hooked, +like a claw. These take firm hold of the rapid and precipitous ascents +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> descents, which they encounter in travelling to and from the mines; +in which journeys they carry 100 lbs. of metal over the rugged mountain +passes, and perform a distance of about twelve miles during the day. At +one time 300,000 were employed by the Potosi mines alone. In one respect +they imitate camels by lying down, and refusing to stir when they are +overloaded, and they never go beyond their usual pace. They spit in the +face of their riders when tied up, or made to lie down; which is +particularly disagreeable, from the nature of their saliva.</p> + +<p>The different species are not clearly defined, and we require a more +intimate knowledge of them before we can separate them from each other: +the domestic animals are certainly Llamas; then there are the Guanacos, +which are also called Huanacos. They live on mountains, but frequently +pasture in the plains; and when the females do this, the males watch +from a more elevated position; and if they see men approaching, neigh +something like a horse, to warn them of their danger, then descend into +the valley, and drive their charge before them.</p> + +<p>Besides these two, are the Vicuñas (spelt also Vicunhas), and Vicugnas, +who are of a tawny red colour, and live in the bleak, cold parts of +mountains, preferring frost and snow. They are remarkably swift and +timid, and their wool is very fine and silky.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span></p> + +<p>To these must be added the Paco, or Alpaca, and the Taruga, who are +larger, and even swifter than the Vicuñas, and wander about singly, +among steep and rocky places. M. Frederic Cuvier thinks there are but +three species; the Guanaco, which, in a domestic state, is the Llama; +the Paco, or Alpaca; and the Vicuña. I am desirous of dwelling thus much +upon these divisions, because the readers of South American travels are +often much puzzled by the manner in which they are mentioned.</p> + +<p>The Guanacos, when they have plenty of the rushy grass, on which they +love to feed, never require any drink, but they have no cells in their +stomach for the secretion of water: they are particularly active in +throwing out their saliva at the least offence. They give very severe +blows with their fore feet: and I have often, with the above gentleman, +watched them fight with a fury which was at first laughable, tearing +large mouthfuls of hair from each other, and at last obliged to be +separated, from the injuries they were likely to give and receive.</p> + +<p>The great enemy of these animals is the Puma, and they fly from him; but +Mr. Darwin says he has often known them not only neigh and squeak when +men approach, but dance and leap about in the most absurd manner. They +are easily caught, for they get quite bewildered, when pursued; but they +are much bolder when in captivity. They appear to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> have favourite spots +to which they go to die, and which are perfectly white with their +bones; this has been observed close to the river Gallego, and elsewhere.</p> + +<p>Manufactures from their hair more resemble silk than woolen stuffs, and +some of those made of the Alpaca fleece, are quite black, without having +been dyed. It has been a matter of surprise to many, that they are not +naturalized in this country, as the climate would not be an obstacle to +success. The demand, however, for their produce so much, increases, that +it is very probable they may at some future time become denizens of our +mountainous districts.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="DEER" id="DEER"></a>DEER.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>The elegant animals included under the name of Deer, afford the highest +sport to the hunter, the most precious skins, and delicious food. +Considering their size, they are matchless in speed and vigour, and are +as beautiful as they are swift. They are spread all over the globe, +except Australia, and Central and Southern Africa; their place in the +latter continent being supplied by giraffes and antelopes. They leave +the higher mountains to goats, live on moderate elevations, but delight +most in wide, open countries. The fissures, or what are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> called +lachrymals, exist in most of them; they are clefts below the eyes, which +bear the name of tear-ducts, but their use is not yet understood. They +would not be so much developed as they are in many, unless they bore +strongly upon the animal's economy; but they do not communicate with the +nose, nor are they, in any way, connected with respiration. They are +certainly in relation with glands, because they secrete a greasy fluid, +more abundant at some times than at others, when the edges are much +swollen; and the animals often touch objects with them, stretching them +wide open, doing so, when they are under excitement of any kind.</p> + +<p>The muzzles of some deer are nearly flat, and destitute of hair; in +others, they are covered with hair, and the upper lip is prehensile.</p> + +<p>Only the male deer have horns, or antlers, as they are called, which +they shed every year; and, up to a certain age, at every renewal, they +increase in size and number of branches. They are placed on a bony pad +upon the forehead, which is covered with skin; and in the second year of +their age, this skin swells; blood rushes towards the pads, their +arteries increase, and rapidly deposit bony matter, the antlers begin to +form, the skin increases with them, and continues to cover them, and the +large arteries which it carries with it make furrows upon the bony +matter, which always remain. So thick and soft is the pile of hair which +protects the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> skin, that it deserves, and has received, the name of +velvet. When the antlers have attained their yearly size, the arteries +begin to deposit a rough ring of bone round the edges of the pad, which +increases till it stops their passage; so that, deprived of its natural +nourishment, the velvet shrivels up, dries, and peels off; a process +which the deer hastens by rubbing his antlers against trees. The latter +are then hard and serviceable, for had they been used and wounded, when +their covering was so full of blood, the shock would have sent a rush of +it back to the brain, and probably have killed the deer. Before I +understood this arrangement, I have seen these animals with wounded +horns, and have wondered much at the large flow of blood which issued +from them, and others have probably done the same. When the skin is +gone, the antlers remain, as it were mechanically, and as it is one of +the great laws of life to throw off every thing which is no longer a +part of itself, they obey the rule. Absorption takes place beneath the +bony ring, particle after particle disappears, and down go the antlers, +either from their own weight, or some accidental touch; the part where +they stood is quickly covered with skin till spring returns, when a new +growth commences, and a larger pair ensues. The common stag loses his +antlers early in the spring; and they sprout forth again very soon +after.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span></p> + +<p>There is no part of the game laws of various countries more stringent, +than that which relates to the killing of deer, or their management. +Whatever concerned Venerie, as it was called, was a necessary part of a +nobleman's or gentleman's education. The private histories of kings are +very much mixed up with the deer laws, and also some of the public +transactions; for many a fine has been paid, many a worthy person sent +into exile, and many a life lost, in consequence of their infringement; +and the technicalities with which the science and the laws were loaded, +appear in the present times most absurd and tiresome.</p> + +<p>Deer are still to be found wild in Scotland, but most rarely in England; +in the north of Europe and America they are common, and those which +frequent cold countries have the antlers much flattened, as if to shovel +away the snow; they will sometimes weigh 60 lbs. These animals are every +where tenacious of life, and will run a long way after being hit in a +mortal part.</p> + +<p>Rein-deer, which form the wealth of the Laplanders, serve them for food +and clothing, draw them over pathless fields of snow in safety, and are +the only species really domesticated. They eat a lichen which they find +under the snow, during the winter, and live together in large herds. +They are the least handsome of the whole tribe; are perfectly obedient, +and one man sometimes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> possesses as many as two thousand. Their joints +crack as they move, and they are extremely fond of salt; even taking it +from the hands of strangers. They usually run at the rate of ten English +miles the hour, but have gone nineteen, and draw a weight of 300 lbs; +but they require good driving, and sometimes dash on, perfectly +regardless of the comfort of those in the sledge. Their smell is very +acute; and by it they are enabled to come up with their party, if they +should have been left behind. They suffer intensely from insects, +especially from a large species (<i>œstrus tarandi</i>), which deposits its +eggs in the hole made by its bite. In order to avoid these pests, the +rein-deer are driven during the summer months to the mountains which +overhang the coasts, where their foes are much less numerous. They are +so terrified at their approach, that the sight of one will make them +furious.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wentzel says that the Dog-rib Indians go in pairs to kill rein-deer, +the foremost carrying in one hand the horns and part of the skin of a +head of the deer, and in the other, a small bundle of twigs, against +which he, from time to time, rubs the horns, as the deers do. His +companion follows exactly in his footsteps, holding the guns of both in +a horizontal position; so that the muzzle of each projects under the arm +of the first. Both have a fillet of white skin round their foreheads, +and the foremost a strip of the same round each wrist. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> gradually +approach the herd, raise their legs very slowly, and put them down again +suddenly, in the manner of deer.</p> + +<p>If any of the herd see them, they stop, and the head is made to play its +part by copying their movements. By these means the hunters get into the +very centre of the herd without exciting suspicion; the hindmost man +then pushes forward his comrade's gun, and both fire nearly at the same +instant. The deer scamper off, the hunters trot after them; the poor +animals soon halt to see what alarmed them; their enemies have reloaded +their guns as they proceeded, and give them a second discharge. The +consternation of the deer increases, they run about in the utmost +confusion, and the greater number are frequently thus destroyed.</p> + +<p>I have already spoken of dogs which attach themselves to communities, +and now I have a similar instance of a deer to offer, in combination, +however, with a dog, who attached himself to the 42nd Highlanders, +having been presented to that regiment by a friend of one of the +officers. The dog had belonged to a captain in the navy, who dined at +the mess, while the regiment was stationed in Malta, and so attached +himself to that community, that nothing would induce him to leave it; so +his master was forced to leave his favourite Newfoundland behind him; +who, from that moment, would never follow any one who did not wear the +uniform<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> of his friends. The soldiers subscribed, and gave him a collar +with the name of the regiment on it, and called him Peter. A mutual +attachment soon took place between the deer and the dog; and they +regularly appeared on parade together. The latter frequented the +cook-house, where the cook ill-treated him, which was not forgotten, and +one day when the bathing time was come, at which recreation Peter was +the first in and the last out of the water; the cook joined the others +of his corps; and Peter, knowing his power in his own element, pulled +him down, and would have drowned him, had not the soldiers come to his +rescue.</p> + +<p>Both dog and deer marched with the band, and remained with it when in +quarters. The latter was very fond of biscuit; but if it had been +breathed upon he would not touch it, and although many ways of cheating +him were tried, he invariably detected the contamination. At one time he +became very irritable; and if a stranger passed between the band and the +main body of the regiment, he attacked him with his antlers. He was +grazing one day when a cat from the neighbourhood bristled up her hair, +and set up her back at him; and the poor deer, seized with a sudden and +unaccountable panic, sprang over a precipice two hundred feet high, and +was killed on the spot. Peter being close by, rushed to the battlements, +and barked and yelled most piteously. His own end was a tragic one; he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> +snarled at an officer who had often ill-used him, and the unfeeling man +ordered the poor dog to be shot by those who loved him, and lamented him +as long as they lived.</p> + +<p>The smallest of the deer species lives in Ceylon; a lovely, delicate +little creature, with lustrous eyes, and of exquisite form. When full +grown it is only ten inches high, fourteen long, and weighs about five +pounds. Its throat, head, and neck, are all white; its body is grey, +striped with black, and spotted at equal distances with yellow. Although +very timid, it is to be tamed; but if angry, it kicks out its little +hind legs, and slender pointed hoofs, with great violence. One which was +domesticated was placed on a dinner-table, where it ran about and +nibbled fruit from the dishes; answered to its name, and returned the +caresses which were bestowed upon it. Its terror of dogs was at first +very great; but at last it allowed a small terrier to come close to it; +and heard the bark of others without being uneasy. A pair were brought +to England, but soon died from inflammation of the lungs; the common and +fatal disease which attacks almost all tropical animals in this climate.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="GIRAFFES" id="GIRAFFES"></a>GIRAFFES.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>Some years ago, giraffes were thought to be fabulous animals; and the +ill-treated Le Vaillant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> was supposed to have <i>invented</i> them, in spite +of the description which the Romans left of them. He was a little +poetical in his style of writing, which John Bull is not fond of when +facts are narrated, so John Bull begged to doubt his assertions. He +lived, however, to see his veracity established, which the kind old man, +a year or two before his death, assured me was a great happiness to him. +Lord Caledon brought a skin home from the Cape, and badly as it was +stuffed, it began to dawn on the minds of the Europeans, that such an +animal really existed. Then a live one was brought to Paris, and another +to His Majesty George the Fourth, who petted his till it died. Now there +are several living in our Zoological Gardens; some of whom were born in +the Menagerie.</p> + +<p>The great peculiarity of the giraffes lies in possessing a very short +body, and very long legs; which formation involves a multitude of +awkward movements; for instance, when they walk fast there is a jerking +in the pace, as if it were not easy to them; and when they gallop, the +hind feet often project beyond the fore feet. Their very long neck is +not arched, but bends obliquely from the shoulders, so that when they +wish to drink from the ground, they are obliged to hold their fore legs +very widely apart. They look best when going slowly, at which time their +step is very stately, and their beautiful head<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> is borne loftily above +other animals; they have two short, bony horns covered with skin, and a +prominence of bone on the top of the forehead; they have large, full +eyes, with which, owing to their convex form, they can see immense +distances in all directions; their ears are long and flexible, and they +have a long, black, prehensile tongue; with this they drag down the +branches of the trees on which they browse. Their upper lip is very +flexible and projects over the under, which greatly assists them in +procuring their food; their tail is long, and has a tuft at the end; +their skin is very glossy, is covered with large angular spots, and is +often an inch and a half thick. Their great enemy is the lion, who +springs upon them when they are drinking, and the affrighted giraffes +start with all the speed of a swift courser, their enemy on their back, +nor stop till they fall from exhaustion or loss of blood. They were +never heard to utter a sound, and therefore are supposed to be perfectly +mute, even when wild.</p> + +<p>I was living in Paris when the giraffe, sent to that country, arrived. +She and her keeper, Ati, landed at Bordeaux, amidst most enthusiastic +acclamations, which accompanied them all the way to the metropolis. A +deputation from each large town through which she passed, formed of the +municipal authorities, met her, and one of the most learned savants, +went all the way from the Jardin des Plantes, and accompanied her on +her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> triumphal march. "La giraffe," however, did not appreciate these +honours, and she was often impatient under the etiquette imposed on her. +On one occasion she broke loose from her cavalcade, Ati and all, and +dashing among the horsemen, scattered them right and left, some on and +some off their steeds; a dignified mayor lay in the dust, and by his +side rolled the pains-taking savant who performed so long a journey in +her service. The enthusiasm did not abate when she reached her +destination. Thirteen thousand more than the usual weekly number passed +over the Pont d'Austerlitz alone, and as the public curiosity did but +increase for six weeks, steps were obliged to be taken to prevent the +multitude from pressing upon her. There were several natives of the East +at that time in the French capital; and they went among others to see +her. The moment she beheld their turbans, she stretched her neck out and +licked their foreheads, no doubt recognizing their head-dresses. Her +love for roses was very great; and she eagerly snatched them from those +who carried or wore them, to their great astonishment; for few could +calculate on the distance which she could reach. I went one day into her +park, holding some carrots in my hand, with some of which I fed her, +then turning to the cows, lying at some distance, who had come with her +to afford a supply of milk for her on the voyage, I began to give some +to them. Without moving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> her legs from the place where I had left her, +she stretched her long neck and head over my head, and hooking the +carrots up with her tongue, surprised me not a little, for I could not +tell what shadow was coming over me. She was as fond of onions as of +carrots; and this is not surprising, for they are very sweet and mild in +her native country. Her Darfur attendant, Ati, slept in a gallery at the +top of her stables, and there was very little repose for him after +daylight; she routed him up with her nose, and seemed to think because +she was stirring he ought also to be on the alert. This was rather +against his ideas on the subject, as he was apt to stay out late at the +dances in the neighbouring <i>guinguettes</i>; and he used to complain, all +the time loving her very dearly.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="ANTELOPES" id="ANTELOPES"></a>ANTELOPES.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>The many characters which antelopes possess in common with deer, seem to +place them together; but naturalists have ranked them among those +Ruminantia who have hollow horns. They are some of the most beautiful +animals in the world, and are sub-divided into sections, which depend on +the shape of their horns, but into which classification the present work +does not enter. The exquisite Gazelle, the type of Eastern beauty, the +poet's theme, with her slight and graceful shape, her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span> slender limbs, +and her full, dark eyes, often meets with a fate which has no poetry in +it; for she is the favourite morsel of the lion and the leopard. It +might have been thought, that they would have preferred larger and more +fleshy game, but, like true epicures, the high flavour of the gazelle is +preferred to size. The falcon is often used by men for catching them, as +even the swift greyhound cannot overtake them; they are also driven into +traps, by surrounding them, in the manner of a battle. Their skin is +used in making a peculiar sort of drum.</p> + +<p>The pigmy antelope inhabits some parts of Africa, and, in size, +corresponds with the small deer of Ceylon. I never saw so beautiful a +little creature, appearing more like a fable than a reality. Their tiny +black horns are but slightly curved inwards, their legs are not thicker +than the quill with which I am now writing; and yet all the characters +of the antelope are strongly marked. The first I saw had been brought to +my uncle; and as I entered his room, I stood quite still at the door, +with surprise at this exquisite, tiny creature, who remained with one +leg up, ready to dart away with the speed of lightning from the +intruder, for whose approach he was listening. I feared to move, lest +the vision should disappear; but death soon made it fade away +altogether. Captain Fisher, of the Navy, tried to take a pair of these +fairy-like creatures to England; they were kept in his own cabin, he +gave them all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> the goat's milk which had been provided for his own use, +and took infinite pains to shelter them from cold or accident; he +succeeded in getting them as far as the Channel, where they ate some +pieces of cork which had been dropped on the floor, and died. I was +equally unfortunate with a beautiful, spotted antelope, which was +brought to me; and which never could stand in the house. It had not been +hurt; but the instant it was put upon its legs, it slipped about, and I +was told this species always did so. I fed it, carried it about, and it +was very gentle, and began to know me, though still wild. It died at the +end of a fortnight, in strong convulsions.</p> + +<p>Antelopes are exclusively inhabitants of the Old World; and some idea +may be formed of their immense numbers in South Africa, where the +species are most varied and powerful, by reading the following +quotations from Mr. Pringle, and Mr. Gordon Cumming. The former +says—"We pursued our journey over extensive plains, still parched by +severe drought, and undulating heights clothed with a brown and scanty +herbage, and sprinkled over with numerous herds of springbok. Near the +banks of the Little Fish river, so numerous were those herds, that they +literally speckled the face of the country, as far as the eye could +reach; insomuch that we calculated we had sometimes within view not less +than 20,000 of these beautiful animals. As we galloped on, they bounded +off con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span>tinually, on either side, with the velocity from which they +derive their colonial appellation. They were probably <i>part</i> of one of +the great migratory swarms which, after long-continued droughts, +sometimes inundate the colony from the Northern wastes."</p> + +<p>Mr. Cumming informs us, that, "When pursued, the springbok jumps up into +the air ten or twelve feet, for which they curve their loins, rise +perpendicularly, and the long white hair on their haunches and back +floats about; they pass over a space of twelve to fifteen feet, come +down, then rise again; and after doing this several times, they bound +off, arch their necks, then halt, and face their enemy. If they come to +a place over which men or lions have walked, they jump across it. They +can only be compared to locusts; for they eat up every green thing, and +always return to their haunts by a different road to that which they had +previously passed. Their herds consist of tens of thousands; and where +they have staid for some time, thousands of skulls strew the plain." In +another part of his book, the same author tells us, that the ground was +literally covered with them, forming a dense, living mass, marching +slowly, and pouring like a great river for hours: hundreds of thousands +scarcely tell their number. "I give you my word," said a boer, "that I +have ridden a long day's journey, over a succession of flats covered +with them as far as I could see, as thick as sheep standing in a fold."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p> + +<p>Among the Antelopes of the same part of the world is the Oryx, or +Gemsbok, a very beautiful animal, which has been supposed to give rise +to the Unicorn of Sacred writings; "for its long, straight horns, always +so exactly cover one another, when viewing them from a distance, that +they look like one. They have an erect mane, a long tail, and are like a +horse, with the head and hoof of an Antelope. Their bearing is most +noble, they are the size of an ass, have black bands about the head, +looking like a stall collar. They live in almost barren regions, never +want water, are very swift, and only to be caught by riding down."</p> + +<p>The fierce Gnoo, Gnu, or <i>Blue Wilde Beest</i> of the colonists to the +north of the Cape of Good Hope, are not as numerous as the spring-boks; +and are easily distinguished by their large, curving horns, and the +downward carriage of their head; for they never can look up. One was +found with a fore leg caught over his horn, and so was easily secured; +for he could not, of course, run, and had probably got himself into that +attitude when fighting. They have a shaggy head, long hair or mane upon +the chest, a long white tail, and wild red eyes. They utter fearful +snorts, and kick and leap about in the most grotesque and fantastic +manner. If a red handkerchief be held before them, it produces the most +violent excitement.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="GOATS" id="GOATS"></a>GOATS.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>The three last genera of which I shall treat are all Ruminantia, and are +distinguished by their horns, which are divided into cells; and which +cells communicate with the skull. The two first, goats and sheep, so +closely resemble each other, that in many instances the one appears to +be a mere variety of the other. If we look at the Merino breed, with its +closely curled, soft, white wool, and then turn to a grave-looking goat, +with its long beard and hair, we shall not be conscious of their +resemblance; but if we place a sheep that has long resided in, or been +born in a tropical country, by the side of the goat, we shall scarcely +be able to distinguish one from the other. The wool gradually uncurls, +lengthens, and becomes harsh and glossy; and were not the goat's horns +directed upward, and then inclined backwards, those of the sheep +directed backwards and returned to the front in a spiral form; had not +the goats, generally speaking, a long beard, and the sheep none, and had +not the goats a concave or flat forehead, and the sheep mostly a convex +one, we should not be able to separate them; and even these +characters—if not well defined—are not very conspicuous, unless to a +practised, or careful observer.</p> + +<p>The Chamois, which is classed by many among<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> goats, in some degree +approaches the antelopes. Its horns shoot straight up, and then at the +tips turn suddenly back, like a fish hook; it frequents all the mountain +chains of Europe and western Asia; in summer climbing to the highest +summits, and displaying the most daring agility. In the winter it comes +down just below the regions of perpetual snow, for the sake of +nourishment. Its smell, sight, and hearing, are very acute, and it will +detect the approach of a hunter at the distance of half a league. When +frightened, it bounds from rock to rock, making a strange hissing sound; +dashes itself across the most fearful chasms, and throws itself down +precipices of thirty feet. It feeds on herbs and flowers, and the young +shoots of shrubs; seldom drinks, and is extremely fond of salt. As some +of the rocks of the Alps contain saltpeter, the chamois has worn holes +in them by constant licking.</p> + +<p>As with other domesticated animals, there are many disputes as to the +original country of Goats; but most naturalists seem inclined to think +that the first stock was placed in Persia; but it is a question involved +in much obscurity. In very far-off times, when superstition and medicine +went hand in hand, and charms were deemed more efficacious than drugs, a +hard substance found in the intestines of goats, was greatly valued as a +cure for most disorders. It was called the bezoar stone, and was a +concretion chiefly of resinous bile and magnesia,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> and the rest inert +vegetable matter. It was sold for ten times its weight in gold, and was +said to come from some unknown animal, to increase the mystery belonging +to it. Bezoars are now found in oxen, sheep, horses, porcupines, and +even the human subject, slightly varying in their construction, and are +often balls of hair, which has been licked off the animal's own coat.</p> + +<p>The Angora and Cappadocian Goats are famed for their long, silky hair, +which yields beautiful manufactures; but they are far surpassed by the +goats of Thibet, the under wool of which is combed off, and made into +those shawls which have for years been so famous and so costly. It takes +the produce of ten goats to make a shawl a yard and a half square; the +wool is bleached with rice flour, and the heavy taxes levied upon them, +makes these unequaled shawls keep up their high price. From the +earliest times we read of goat's hair being woven into cloth of varied +quality, especially in scriptural writings; and their skins have always +afforded valuable leather. That of the kid is of the finest quality.</p> + +<p>All goats are hardy and wandering in their habits, and frequent those +places where no other animal could gain a footing. They exist in a feral +state in the mountainous parts of our island, and throughout Europe and +Western Asia. There is always much attachment between them and horses,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> +when domesticated. Some say it is in consequence of the strong odour +which is emitted by goats; and others because the horse, who so loves +companionship, delights in their vivacity. They vigorously defend their +young, as the following anecdote will shew. "A person having missed one +of his goats, when the flock returned at night, desired two boys to +watch all night, that she should not get into his young plantation, and +nibble off the tops of the trees. At daybreak the watchers looked for +the missing animal, and saw her on a pointed rock at some distance. +During the night she had given birth to a kid, and was then defending it +from a fox. The latter went round and round, but she turned her horns +upon him in all directions. The younger boy went to procure assistance, +and the elder hollowed and threw stones to frighten away the marauder. +Reynard looked at him, saw he was not strong enough to master him, and +suddenly tried to seize the kid. All three disappeared; and were found +at the bottom of a precipice; the goat's horns were stuck into the fox, +the kid lay stretched beside her, with a lacerated throat, and it was +supposed; when the death-wound was inflicted by the poor mother, the fox +staggered, and dragged her and her child with him in his fall." (Capt. +Brown's "Popular Natural History.")</p> + +<p>A goat and her kids frequented a square in which I once lived, and were +often fed by myself and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> servants; a circumstance which would have made +no impression, had I not heard a thumping at the hall door, which arose +from the buttings of the goat when the food was not forthcoming, and +whose example was followed by the two little things. After a time this +remained unheeded, and to our great astonishment, one day, the area bell +used by the tradespeople, and the wire of which passed by the side of +one of the railings, was sounded. The cook answered it; but no one was +there save the goat and kids, with their heads bent down towards the +kitchen window. It was thought that some boy had rung for them; but they +were watched, and the old goat was seen to hook one of her horns into +the wire, and pull it. This is too much like reason to be ascribed to +mere instinct.</p> + +<p>The Caucasian Ibex, is a goat which affords as much dangerous and +exciting sport as the chamois, but is more savage; and has been known to +turn round on its pursuer, and hurl him down a precipice. It has a +remarkable way of throwing itself down these steep places, head +foremost, so as to light upon its horns; which being elastic, bear the +shock, and save the animal from injury. They pasture in the valleys at +night, and return during the day to the mountains.</p> + +<p>In countries where bulls and cows will not live, goats are invaluable. +Their flesh is like bad mutton; but long absence from South downs, makes +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> appetite less dainty, and their kids are very delicate. However, it +is chiefly for their good, nourishing milk that they are to be prized. +The horns of goats are often used by Mussulmans, as an antidote to the +evil eye.</p> + +<p>Bishop Heber relates the following anecdote. "A monkey came down from a +tree to steal the breakfast of a shepherd, who was resting under it with +his flock of sheep and goats. He drove the monkey away, who, in his +hurry, upset a bee's nest. The insects flew out, and attacked not only +the intruder, but the goats and sheep underneath. The curious part was +to watch the different behaviour of the two species. The sheep crowded +together, buried their noses in the sand, and did not attempt to resist, +but bleated piteously. The goats all ran as fast as they could to an +encamping party close by, seeking the assistance of man, as dogs would +have done."</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="SHEEP" id="SHEEP"></a>SHEEP.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>IT is but little necessary to descant here on the different fleeces, and +various flavours of mutton which the numerous breeds of sheep afford. +The least reflection and observation, teach us their unspeakable value +as sources of food, clothing, and other purposes; my task therefore lies +with their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> dispositions and comprehensions. The last anecdote related +shews, that they have more patience, but less courage and resource, than +the more lively companions with whom they are so frequently associated, +and whom they so much resemble. In many instances, however, maternal +instinct has called forth their powers to a degree which has caused +surprise; and they have been known to traverse considerable distances to +seek the assistance of their own kind, or of their shepherd, when their +lambs have been in danger. Moreover, a ram is sometimes a formidable +enemy, when he thinks any mischief is intended towards the flock of +which he is the proud leader.</p> + +<p>Of the attachment of sheep to their native place, Captain Brown gives a +very remarkable instance. "A ewe made a journey of nine days' length to +return to her native place, with her lamb; and was tracked so +completely, as to make her owners acquainted with her adventures. +Nothing turned her back, and whenever her lamb lagged behind, she urged +him on with her impatient bleating. When she reached Stirling, it was +the day of an annual fair, and she dared not venture into the crowd; +she, therefore, laid herself down by the road side, with her lamb, +outside the town, and the next morning early, stole through the streets, +only terrified at the dogs which she encountered. She came to a +toll-bar, the keeper of which stopped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> her, supposing she was a stray +animal, and would shortly be claimed. She frequently tried to get +through the gate, but was as often prevented, and she patiently turned +back. At last she found some means of eluding the obstacle, for on the +ninth day she reached her destination with her lamb, where she was +repurchased, and remained till she died of old age in her seventeenth +year."</p> + +<p>Sheep have been known, when seized with an epidemic disorder, to absent +themselves from the rest of the flock, and hide themselves; and many +touching stories are told of the artifices of necessity practised to +wean them from their dead offspring, and make them adopt others; also of +the manner in which they remain and watch the inanimate objects of their +affection.</p> + +<p>A gentleman travelling in a lonely part of the Highlands, received a +strong proof of sagacity in a ewe, who came piteously bleating to meet +him. When near, she redoubled her cries, and looked up in his face, as +if to ask his assistance. He alighted from his gig, and followed her. +She led him to a cairn at a considerable distance from the road, where +he found a lamb, completely wedged in betwixt two large stones, and +struggling with its legs uppermost. He extricated the sufferer, and +placed it on the green sward; and the mother poured forth her thanks in +a long and continued bleat. (Capt. Brown's Pop. Nat. Hist.)<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span></p> + +<p>The following history was related by one of the shepherds to whom the +circumstance occurred. "We were seven of us, grazing the sheep of a rich +Bulgarian, on the steppe of Atkeshoff, and had a flock of 2000 sheep, +and 150 goats. It was the month of March, and they were just driven out; +the weather was mild, and the grass had appeared, but the wind was +bitterly cold in the evening, and it began to rain. The rain soon turned +to snow, and our wet cloaks were frozen as hard as boards. A few hours +after, came a Siberian <i>viuga</i>, or snowdrift, from the north-east, +whistling about our ears till seeing or hearing was impossible. We tried +to find our way home, from which we were not far distant; but the sheep +would not face the wind, and even the goats, who will face anything but +a <i>viuga</i>, began to run before the storm. To prevent the flock from +scampering away was impossible, and all that could be done was to keep +them together. We had to race all night, and in the morning there was +nothing but snow all round us. The <i>viuga</i> raged all that day, and the +poor sheep were even more wild and frightened than in the night. +Sometimes we gave up all as lost, but roused ourselves again, and ran +with the screaming, bleating flock, while the oxen trotted after with +the wagon, and the dogs came howling behind. The poor goats were all +lost, or frozen to death the first day, in which we ran at least fifty +or sixty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> versts, leaving a track of dead sheep behind us. In the +evening the poor beasts were less wild, being exhausted by hunger and +fatigue. Two of our party reported themselves sick, and crept under the +mats and skins in the wagon, and the rest had only time to take a +little bread and snow to save life.</p> + +<p>"Night came, no house was near, and this was worse than the preceding. +The storm was driving us upon the coast, and we expected to be blown +with our stupid cattle into the sea. Another shepherd fell sick, and we +thought that night would have been the last for us all. In the morning +the wind shifted, and drove us towards some houses, which we saw through +the drifting snow, but though they were not more than thirty feet away, +it was quite impossible to make the foolish sheep turn aside. On they +went before the wind, in spite of all we could do, and we soon lost +sight of the houses. Their inhabitants, however, had heard the howling +of the dogs, and about twenty came to our assistance. We then managed to +turn the sheep, and drive them under sheds, and into houses. All the +goats and five hundred sheep were lost. Many died after they got under +shelter, for in their fright, they crowded so close together, that they +were smothered. Half a verst farther, and we should have come to the +coast, rising twenty-five fathoms above the sea."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span></p> + +<p>The above gives a lively picture of sufferings which are unknown to us, +and in which the dogs seem to have been less efficacious than our own +excellent breed.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="OXEN" id="OXEN"></a>OXEN.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>The widely distributed genus Bos, has horns in both sexes, and in it we +find the largest of the Ruminantia. They, generally speaking, have +comparatively short legs, and heavy massive bodies. The perfection of +domestic oxen is said to be a resemblance to a box set upon four posts; +but in some of the wilder species, an arched back is certainly a beauty. +Their foreheads are very wide, and mostly flat; their ears large, and +projecting from the sides of the head; their muzzle broad, destitute of +hair, and always moist. A long ridge passes across the top of the +forehead, from which proceed two horns, more or less curved, sometimes +of great length, always tapering to a point, and having a bony core. +Their neck is thick, and from it hangs a dewlap, which passes between +the fore legs. The hoofs are cleft.</p> + +<p>Of the origin of these Ruminants we know absolutely nothing, for they +are spoken of as domesticated animals from the earliest times; and +although there are such things as wild tribes now existing, we are not +sure whether they were placed where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> they are with their present +characters, or whether all are modifications of one pair, according to +circumstances. The most conspicuous among them are the Zebu, the +Buffalo, the Bison, and the bulls of various parts of the Old World. +Those cattle which roam about in a free state in South America, New +Zealand, and Australia, have not very long escaped from the dominion of +man.</p> + +<p>In India some of the heathen natives make a certain ox a sacred animal; +the Brahmins worship it; and it is a distinct variety from the common +working oxen, who are by no means treated kindly. The cherished sorts +are very sleek and tame, and even voluntarily go up to strangers who +have grass in their hands, and eat it from them. They are, however, +troublesome, as all pets are, and no one will dare to check them, for +they must not be struck. Near Calcutta, they often break into gardens, +put their noses into pastrycook's and fruiterer's shops, and have not +the least hesitation, when they are affronted, in going up to the +offenders and giving them a poke with their horns.</p> + +<p>The Zebus are spread over India, China, the Archipelago, Madagascar, and +several parts of Africa. They are distinguished by a hump of fat between +their shoulders, and they are as good for the saddle as for draught. +They are more active and agile than we can imagine them to be, +accustomed as we are to the slow, heavy pace of others of the tribe;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> +they go with ease at the rate of six miles an hour, and travel for +fifteen or sixteen hours in the day. Their paces are very agreeable, +being wholly without the circular motion of the hind legs, which makes +ours so tiring to ride. They will go over a five-barred gate, as well as +the best hunter; are equally good for the plough, or for threshing corn, +and the white are the most esteemed.</p> + +<p>The Gayal affords the richest milk, and prefers feeding on trees. It +also comes from India; it is gentle even in its wild state, and runs +away from, but never faces man.</p> + +<p>The Gours are much more formidable than the preceding; and the Indians +say the tiger has no chance with them when full grown. They also eat +trees and grass, and will not live in captivity. They grow to an immense +size; their back is arched, and a very thick ridge rises upon it, which +subsides towards the tail.</p> + +<p>The Yak has narrow nostrils, the ears small and pointed, the forehead +covered with black curling hair, that on the back is smooth, and of a +dark brown or black colour, with one white stripe on the withers, and +another on the croup. The shoulders, sides, inside of thighs, and under +part of the body, are covered with a mane of hair which almost reaches +the ground and is of a grizzled black with a central line of white along +the belly. The tail is a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> large mass of glossy, coarse hair; quite +white, and from eighteen to twenty inches long. The horns are small, +pointed, and curve forwards. The animal is said to be very wild and +mischievous; but it can be tamed. The tails were used by the Mongols and +Tartars as standards, and throughout the East are now fitted into ivory +handles, and form brushes for driving away the flies. The Yaks are +dull-looking animals, and make a low, grunting noise, causing them to be +known in Europe as the grunting cow. They are very useful when +domesticated, and yield an abundance of milk. Not many years ago, they +were objects of mystery, and those who travelled to collect the +curiosities of nature, were ordered to ascertain their attributes, +almost their existence, the tails alone having reached Europe.</p> + +<p>Buffaloes are heavier and clumsier animals than the ox, and are covered +with coarser hair; they are very wild and savage, rush upon the tiger, +crush, and trample him to death. They delight in those steaming marshes +which are pestilential to other beings, and wallow in stagnant water. +Their hide is particularly tough, their flesh hard, and their milk +delicious. They are sometimes trained to be very useful, especially +where rivers are apt to be swollen; for they do not fear to breast any +torrent, however violent it may be in its course. They are spread over +India, China, and various parts of Africa, have been introduced into +Spain and Italy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> and wherever they live, malaria is sure to exist. The +Cape Buffalo is said to be more than a match for the lion, who only +overcomes him by some cunning stratagem, or springs upon him when he is +drinking. If, however, others of the herd come to his assistance, the +lion is either vanquished, or obliged to decamp.</p> + +<p>A herd consisting of seven wild buffaloes, with one calf, was discovered +in Hindustan, and four gentlemen proceeded to hunt them. After having +followed them for three miles, the young one separated from the herd and +joined some tame cattle belonging to a neighbouring village. It was +killed by the party, who afterwards continued the pursuit of the old +ones, and they were overtaken in a high grass jungle four miles further +off. They were quickly driven from this place, and closely followed for +more than six miles over a plain. At length the party succeeded in +separating one buffalo from the herd. Here the encounter began. After +receiving several wounds, he still continued his flight; he suddenly +halted, and kept his pursuers at bay; after a short interval he again +fled, was pursued, and wounded as before, carrying the spears sticking +in his back and sides for several hundred yards. Lieut. White of the +15th N. I., rode up very close to him, threw his spear, and wounded the +animal in the loins. His horse being much exhausted, was unable to wheel +round<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> before the buffalo turned about and charged with such vigour, +that both horse and rider were overthrown, and lay many yards distant. +Fortunately the lieutenant received no injury, and when the animal +approached, he had the presence of mind to lie flat on his back. The +beast approached, but stood at his feet without offering any violence. +The other sportsmen called repeatedly to their companion to arise and +escape. For some time, however, he disregarded their advice, fearful of +the consequences. At length, in compliance with their entreaty, he +arose. The buffalo instantly rushed forward, but Mr. White escaped by +again throwing himself down; while the enraged beast, missing his aim, +fell on the ground, his horns grazing Mr. White's back, as he passed +over him. After this lucky escape, he seized the favourable opportunity, +and regained his horse. The buffalo then took refuge in a tank; and when +his former opponent joined his companions, who were standing on the +bank, the animal issued forth, and selecting Lieut. White for the object +of his vengeance, pursued him to a considerable distance. The buffalo +was now rendered quite furious, and attacked every thing within his +reach, such as cows and dogs. Unfortunately an old woman passed, and +became the victim of his rage; she was taken up without any appearance +of life, having her arms broken, and many wounds. The horsemen were too +fatigued<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span> to renew the attack, and the buffaloes, having gained a +victory, continued their course without further molestation. (Capt. +Brown's Pop. Nat. Hist.)</p> + +<p>Mr. Pringle describes the Cape Buffalo to be "a very formidable and +powerful animal, considerably larger than the domestic ox; the bony pad +on his forehead making a complete helmet, and it is impossible to pierce +him with bullets which have not been hardened by tin. He is said to be +fierce, treacherous, and savage, and even when not provoked, will attack +any man who strays near his haunts; skulking in the jungle when he sees +then approach, and then suddenly rushing out upon them. If he kill a +man, he stands over him for some time, trampling on him with his hoofs, +crushing him with his knees, mangling him with his horns, and stripping +off his skin with his rough and prickly tongue. He goes away and returns +again and again, as if he could not sufficiently glut his vengeance.</p> + +<p>"A party of boers had gone out to hunt a herd of buffaloes which were +grazing on a piece of marshy ground. As they could not get within shot +of the game without crossing part of the marsh which was not safe for +the horses, they agreed to leave them in charge of the Hottentots, and +advance on foot, thinking that if any of the buffaloes should turn upon +them, it would be easy to escape by retreating across the quagmire, +which, though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> passable for man, would not support the weight of a heavy +quadruped. They advanced accordingly, and, under covert of the bushes, +approached the game with such advantage, that the first volley brought +down three of the fattest of the herd, and so severely wounded the great +bull leader, that he dropped on his knees, bellowing furiously. Thinking +him mortally wounded, the foremost of the huntsmen issued from the +covert, and began reloading his musket as he advanced, to give him a +finishing shot. But no sooner did the infuriated animal see his foe in +front of him, than he sprang up and rushed headlong upon him. The man, +throwing down his heavy gun, fled towards the quagmire, but the beast +was so close upon him, that he despaired of escaping in that direction, +and turning suddenly round a clump of copse-wood, began to climb an old +mimosa tree which stood at one side of it. The raging beast, however, +was too quick for him. Bounding forward with a roar, which my informant +described as being one of the most frightful sounds he ever heard, he +caught the unfortunate man with his terrible horns, just as he had +nearly escaped his reach, and tossed him into the air with such force, +that the body fell dreadfully mangled into a cleft of the tree. The +buffalo ran round the tree once or twice, apparently looking for the +man, until weakened with loss of blood, he again sank on his knees. The +rest of the party,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> recovering from their confusion, then came up and +despatched him, though too late to save their comrade, whose body was +hanging in the tree quite dead."</p> + +<p>The Aurochs is the European Bison, and is one of the largest and noblest +of the genus. He stands six feet high at the shoulders, has two sorts of +hair, one short, soft, and woolly, and the other long, rough, and +covering the upper part and sides of the head; the chest, neck and +shoulders, forming an enormous mane, sometimes a foot long. The tongue, +lips and palate have a bluish tint, the eyes are small, and piercing; an +odour resembling both musk and violets exudes from the skin, especially +that part which covers the convex forehead, and which may be smelt at a +distance of a hundred yards. Their flesh is much esteemed, they live in +thickets near swamps, come out at night to eat the bark of young trees, +lichens, and young shoots, carry their head low, are never completely +tamed, detest the common bull, and their only attachment to human beings +is bestowed on their keepers. They are now rare. A few are found in +Lithuanian Poland; but they used to inhabit all the European forests.</p> + +<p>The American Bison, now familiarly called a Buffalo, exists in vast +herds in the prairies of the New World. A <i>mob</i> of them, as a herd is +called, is irresistible; destroys everything over which it passes; +numbers hundreds of thousands, and rushes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> like a cataract over the +plains, with a noise resembling that of thunder. They are very dangerous +animals to attack, hence the sport they afford is more exciting. For +graphic pictures of it, I would advise my readers to peruse the pages of +Mr. Catlin. They delight in salt springs and morasses; the bulls +sometimes fight furiously with each other; their greatest enemy is the +grizzly bear, who frequently brings them down; and they have no antipathy +to the common ox, like their European brethren. Mr. Bryan shot one; and +the bullet passed completely through him, almost cutting his heart in +two, and yet he ran half a mile before he fell.</p> + +<p>The Musk Oxen live in the high latitudes of North America, are very +small, but look larger than they are, from the quantity of long, woolly +hair with which they are covered, and which often reaches the ground. +Their flesh smells strongly of musk; and they are easily irritated. Some +stockings made from their long fleece, have been said to equal those +manufactured with silk.</p> + +<p>The Chillingham Park Cattle are very handsome, being white with red +ears, and black muzzle; their horns are also white with black tips, and +greatly resemble our Devonshire breed, which is thought to approach +nearer than any other to the Welsh wild cattle of ancient times. They +are fleet, bold, and active, hide their calves for the first week after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span> +they are born, and are at all times dangerous to approach.</p> + +<p>Like the sheep, there are so many breeds of oxen in this country, that +the plan of my work cannot embrace them. They are a most important item +in the riches of England; and few are insensible to the merits of our +cheese and roast beef. We are not exactly on the same terms with our +oxen as the Swiss are with theirs, with whom they form a part of the +family, and where they are adorned with gay trappings and expensive +bells; but our cows are familiar friends, coming when they are called, +of themselves returning to the farm at milking time, and evincing great +affection. I have not seen it stated elsewhere; but I have been told +many times, that it is necessary to milk the cow always on the same +side, or she kicks and rebels. Our bulls are sometimes fierce, but are +much under the influence of voice and gesture. Both sexes will give +notice of approaching rain after a drought, and are very inquisitive.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bell gives us the following anecdote which was witnessed by one of +his near relatives:—"A cow which was feeding tranquilly in a pasture, +the gate of which was open to the road, was much annoyed by a +mischievous boy, who amused himself by throwing stones at the peaceful +animal; who, after bearing with his impertinence for some time, at +length went up to him, hooked the end of her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span> horn into his clothes, and +lifting him from the ground, carried him out of the field, and laid him +down in the road. She then calmly returned to her pasture, leaving him +quit with a severe fright and a torn garment."</p> + +<p>In Mr. Byam's "Central America" I find this interesting history, with +which I conclude the present series of anecdotes:—"A bull had gored so +many cattle that he was lassoed, and his horns blunted at the tips, to +prevent further mischief. A few weeks after, a panther (jaguar) killed a +cow, and from the torn condition of the bull's head and neck, and the +trampled state of the ground, he had evidently done battle for the cow. +He was secured, his wounds plastered up, his horns made sharp again, +and turned out into the Savannah. The wild dogs and vultures having been +kept from the body of the cow during the day, the panther returned to +his feast at night, and a furious engagement took place between him and +the bull; for the former was found dead, close by the cow, the next +morning, pierced through and through. The bull returned again and again +to him with fury, and was himself again wounded; but his gashes were +sown up, and he remained so fierce, that his horns were obliged to be +re-blunted."</p> + + +<h4>THE END.</h4> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<center>J. Wertheimer & Co., Printers, Finsbury Circus.</center> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>New and Popular Works,</h3> + +<center>PUBLISHED BY</center> +<br /> +<center><code>GRANT AND GRIFFITH.</code></center> +<br /> +<center>SUCCESSORS TO NEWBERY AND HARRIS.</center> +<br /> +<center>CORNER OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD, LONDON.</center> + + +<hr style='width: 35%;' /> + +<div style="margin-left: 4em;"> +<big>MARK SEAWORTH;</big> +<blockquote>A Tale of the Indian Ocean, by W. H. G. <span class="smcap">Kingston</span>, Esq., Author of +“Peter the Whaler,” &c., with Illustrations by J. <span class="smcap">Absolon</span>. Fcap. +8vo., 6<i>s.</i> cloth; 6<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>, gilt edges.</blockquote> +<br /> +<big>ANECDOTES OF THE HABITS AND INSTINCTS OF ANIMALS.</big> +<blockquote>By <span class="smcap">Mrs. R. Lee</span>, Author of “The African Wanderers,” “Adventures in +Australia,” &c., with Six Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Harrison Weir</span>. Fcap. +8vo., 6<i>s.</i> cloth; 6<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> gilt edges.</blockquote> +<br /> +<big>GOOD IN EVERYTHING;</big> +<blockquote>or, <span class="smcap">The Early History of Gilbert Harland</span>. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. Barwell</span>, Author +of “Little Lessons for Little Learners,” &c., with Illustrations by +<span class="smcap">John Gilbert</span>. Royal 16mo., 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth; 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured, +gilt edges.</blockquote> +<br /> +<big>STORIES OF JULIAN AND HIS PLAYFELLOWS.</big> +<blockquote>Written by his Mamma, with Four Illustrations by <span class="smcap">John Absolon</span>. +Small 4to., 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured, gilt edges.</blockquote> +<br /> +<big>THE DOLL AND HER FRIENDS;</big> +<blockquote>or, <span class="smcap">Memoirs of the Lady Seraphina</span>. By the Author of “Letters from +Madras,” &c., with Four Illustrations by H. K. <span class="smcap">Browne</span>, (Phiz.) +Small 4to., 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth; 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured, gilt edges.</blockquote> +<br /> +<big>THE FIVE SENSES.</big> +<blockquote>Illustrated in Five Pictures by <span class="smcap">Hablot K. Browne</span>, (Phiz.) Royal +4to., 5<i>s.</i> plain; 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</blockquote> + + +<hr style='width: 20%;' /> + +<center><b>H. NOEL HUMPHREYS' NEW WORK</b>.</center> +<br /> +<div style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>In Super-Royal, 8vo. Price 28s., with Twelve Beautiful +Chromo-lithographic Plates and other illustrations, bound in white +morocco cloth, gilt edges, and illuminated side in gold and silver.</i></div> +<br /> +<big>TEN CENTURIES OF ART;</big> + +<p> Its Progress in Europe from the Ninth to the Nineteenth Century; + with a glance at the Artistic Productions of Classical Antiquity, + and some Remarks on the Present State and Future Prospect of Art in +Great Britain. By <span class="smcap">H. Noel Humphreys</span>, Author of “Ancient Coins and +Medals.”</p> + +<hr style='width: 20%;' /> + +<h5>Second Edition,</h5> + +<blockquote> Price 25<i>s.</i>, large square octavo, illustrated by numerous examples + of the most exquisite Greek and Roman Coins, executed in facsimile + of the Originals in actual relief and in their respective metals. +</blockquote> +<br /> +<big>ANCIENT COINS AND MEDALS:</big> + +<p>An Historical Account of the origin of Coined Money, the + development of the Art of Coining in Greece and her Colonies, its + progress during the extension of the Roman Empire, and its decline +as an art with the decay of that power. By <span class="smcap">Henry Noel Humphreys</span>, +Author of “<span class="smcap">The Coins of England</span>.”</p> + +<blockquote><p>“It is a condensation of all that is known respecting the coins of +ancient nations and a lucid and well-arranged narrative of monetary +history. A novel and excellent mode of illustration has been adopted, +representing the coins in exact facsimile in gold, silver, and copper, +produced by casts from the originals, many of which would be quite +unattainable, and all costly.”—<i>Art Journal.</i></p> + +<p>“It is needless to remark how desirable an addition such a work as this +must be to the library of the historian, the classical scholar, and the +clergyman, no less than to the artist. Its peculiar adaptedness as a +prize for classical schools is also sufficiently obvious.”—<i>Daily +News.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style='width: 20%;' /> + +<p><big>A WORD TO THE WISE:</big><br /> + +or, <span class="smcap">Hints on the Current Impropriety of Expression In Writing and +Speaking</span>. By <span class="smcap">Parry Gwynne</span>. Second Edition, 18mo., price 1<i>s.</i> + cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“Minute errors of discourse and composition are continually occurring, +not from ignorance but inattention. This little book brings such into +distinct consciousness, and by so doing ensures more than half the +remedy.”—<i>Athenæum.</i></p></blockquote> + + +<hr style='width: 20%;' /> + +<p><big>ADVENTURES IN AUSTRALIA;</big><br /> + or, <span class="smcap">The Wanderings of Captain Spencer in the +Bush and the Wilds</span>: Containing accurate Descriptions of the Habits of +the Natives, and the Natural Productions and Features of the Country. By +<span class="smcap">Mrs. R. Lee</span> (formerly <span class="smcap">Mrs. T. E. Bowdich</span>), Author of “<span class="smcap">The African +Wanderers,” “Anecdotes of Animals</span>,” &c., with Illustrations by J. S. +<span class="smcap">Prout</span>. Fcap. 8vo., price 6<i>s.</i>, cloth.; 6<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> gilt edges.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“The work cannot fail to achieve an extensive popularity.”—<i>Art +Journal.</i></p> +<p>“This volume should find a place in every school library, +and it will, we are sure, be a very welcome and useful +prize.”—<i>Educational Times.</i></p></blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>DOMESTIC PETS;</big><br /> +their Habits, and Management; with illustrative Anecdotes. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. +Loudon</span>, Author of “<span class="smcap">Facts from the World Of Nature</span>,” &c., with Engravings +from Drawings by <span class="smcap">Harrison Weir</span>. Fcap. 8vo., 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>, cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“A most attractive and instructive little work. All who study Mrs. +Loudon's pages will be able to treat their pets with certainty and +wisdom.”—<i>Standard of Freedom.</i></p></blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>PETER THE WHALER;</big><br /> + +his Early Life and Adventures in the Arctic Regions. By W. H. G. +<span class="smcap">Kingston, Esq</span>., with Illustrations. Fcap. 8vo., price 6<i>s.</i>, cloth; +6<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> gilt edges.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p> “A better present for a boy of an active turn of mind could not be + found. The tone of the book is manly, healthful, and + vigorous.”—<i>Weekly News.</i></p> + +<p> “In short, a book which the old may, but which the young must, read + when they have once begun it.”—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> +</blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>TALES FROM CATLAND,</big></p> + +<p>Dedicated to the Young Kittens of England. By an <span class="smcap">Old Tabby</span>. Illustrated +by H. <span class="smcap">Weir</span>. Small 4to., 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain, 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“The combination of quiet humour and sound sense has made one of + the pleasantest little books of the season.”—<i>Lady's Newspaper.</i></p></blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> + +<p><big>THE WONDERS OF HOME IN ELEVEN STORIES.</big></p> + +<p>By <span class="smcap">Grandfather Grey</span>, with Illustrations. Second Edition. Royal 16mo. +price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth, 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<div style="margin-left: 4em;"><p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>. The story of</p> + +<ol> +<li><span class="smcap">A Cup of Tea</span>.</li> +<li><span class="smcap">A Piece of Sugar</span>.</li> +<li><span class="smcap">A Milk-Jug</span>. </li> +<li><span class="smcap">A Lump of Coal</span>.</li> +<li><span class="smcap">Some Hot Water</span>.</li> +<li><span class="smcap">A Pin</span>.</li> +<li><span class="smcap">Jenny's Sash</span>.</li> +<li><span class="smcap">Harry's Jacket</span>.</li> +<li><span class="smcap">A Tumbler</span>.</li> +<li><span class="smcap">A Knife</span>.</li> +<li><span class="smcap">This Book</span>.</li> +</ol> +</div> + +<blockquote><p>“The idea is excellent, and its execution equally commendable. The +subjects are well selected, and are very happily told in a light +yet sensible manner.”—<i>Weekly News.</i></p></blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> + + +<p><i>In Super-Royal, 18mo. beautifully printed, Price Sixpence each plain, +1s. coloured. Descriptions by</i> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Lee</span>, <i>and Illustrations by</i> <span class="smcap">Harrison +Weir</span>.</p> + +<ol> +<li>BRITISH ANIMALS, with Seven Pictures.</li> +<li>BRITISH BIRDS, with Seven Pictures.</li> +<li>THE FARM AND ITS SCENES, with Six Pictures.</li> +</ol> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<center><i>Uniform in size and price with the above.</i></center> + +<p><big>THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN.</big></p> + +<p>With Six Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Watts Philips</span>.</p> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> + +<p><big>A TREASURY OF PLEASURE BOOKS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN,</big> with One Hundred +Illustrations from Drawings by <span class="smcap">John Absolon</span> and <span class="smcap">H. Weir</span>. Bound in a +beautiful enameled cover designed by <span class="smcap">Owen Jones</span>. Price 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> +plain, 12<i>s.</i> coloured.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“For copious and congenial illustrations, we do not remember to + have seen the old pen of our forefathers so happily accompanied by + the modern pencil of our artists.”—<i>Literary Gazette.</i></p> +</blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>TALES OF SCHOOL LIFE,</big></p> + +<p>By <span class="smcap">Agnes Loudon</span>, Author of “<span class="smcap">Tales for Young People</span>,” with Illustrations +by <span class="smcap">John Absolon</span>. Second Edition. Royal 16mo. price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; +4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured, gilt edges.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“These reminiscences of school-days will be recognized as truthful + pictures of every-day occurrence. The style is colloquial and + pleasant, and therefore well suited to those for whose perusal it + is intended.”—<i>Athenæum.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>EVERY DAY THINGS:</big><br /> + +or, <span class="smcap">Useful Knowledge respecting the principal Animal, Vegetable, and +Mineral Substances in Common Use</span>. Written for Young Persons, by a Lady. +18mo., price 2<i>s.</i> cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“A little encyclopædia of useful knowledge; deserving a place in + every juvenile library.”—<i>Evangelical Magazine.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>GUY FAUX:</big></p> + +<p>A Squib, Seven Feet Long, Manufactured by <span class="smcap">Horace Mayhew</span> and <span class="smcap">Percy +Cruikshank</span> (Pupils of <span class="smcap">Guy's</span>), and delineating in a series of Pictures +taken from Private Views of English History, more than Two Hundred Years +ago, “the Doings of the Popular Hero of the Fifth of November, from the +Cradle to the Stake, interspersed with literary Squibs and Crackers.” +Price 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> + + +<p><big>THE FAVOURITE LIBRARY.</big></p> + +<p>A Series of Works for the Young; each Volume, with an Illustration by a +well-known Artist. Price <span class="smcap">One Shilling</span>, fancy boards, or 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> +bound in extra cloth, gilt.</p> + +<ol> +<li>THE ESKDALE HERD-BOY. By <span class="smcap">Lady Stoddart</span>.</li> +<li>MRS. LEICESTER'S SCHOOL. By <span class="smcap">Charles</span> and <span class="smcap">Mary Lamb</span>.</li> +<li>HISTORY OF THE ROBINS. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. Trimmer</span>.</li> +<li>MEMOIRS OF BOB THE SPOTTED TERRIER.</li> +<li>KEEPER'S TRAVELS IN SEARCH OF HIS MASTER.</li> +<li>THE SCOTTISH ORPHANS. By <span class="smcap">Lady Stoddart</span>.</li> +<li>NEVER WRONG; or, THE YOUNG DISPUTANT; and “IT WAS ONLY IN FUN.”</li> +<li>THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE.</li> +<li>EASY INTRODUCTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF NATURE. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. Trimmer</span>.</li> +<li>RIGHT AND WRONG. By the Author of “<span class="smcap">Always Happy</span>.”</li> +<li>HARRY'S HOLIDAY. By <span class="smcap">Jefferys Taylor</span>.</li> +<li>SHORT POEMS AND HYMNS FOR CHILDREN.</li> +</ol> + +<center><i>The above may be had Two Volumes bound in One, at Half-a-crown cloth, +gilt-edges, as follows</i>:</center> + +<ol> +<li>LADY STODDARTS SCOTTISH TALES.</li> +<li>ANIMAL HISTORIES. <span class="smcap">The Dog</span>.</li> +<li>ANIMAL HISTORIES. <span class="smcap">The Robins and Mouse</span>.</li> +<li>TALES FOR BOYS. <span class="smcap">Harry's Holiday</span>, and <span class="smcap">Never Wrong</span>.</li> +<li>TALES FOR GIRLS. <span class="smcap">Leicester School</span>, and <span class="smcap">Right and Wrong</span>.</li> +<li>POETRY AND NATURE. <span class="smcap">Short Poems</span>, and <span class="smcap">Trimmer's Introduction</span>.</li> +</ol> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>HOW TO EMIGRATE:</big><br /> + +or, <span class="smcap">The British Colonists</span>. A Tale for all Classes, with an Appendix, +forming a complete Manual for intending Colonists, and for those who may +wish to assist them, by <span class="smcap">W. H. G. Kingston, Esq</span>. 18mo., price 3<i>s.</i>, +cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“An exceedingly useful and valuable little work, replete with all + that is needful either to stimulate or to guide the + emigrant.”—<i>Christian Times.</i></p> +</blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>MIDDLETON'S LETTER FROM ROME,</big></p> + +<p>Shewing an exact Conformity between Popery and Paganism; or, The +Religion of the present Romans to be derived entirely from that of their +Heathen Ancestors. 12mo. Price 1<i>s.</i> sewed.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“This reprint of Middleton's celebrated letter in a cheap form is + very seasonable, as a means of counteracting errors which are more + rife now, and have assumed a more dangerous form, than was the case + when the letter was first published.”—<i>Church of England Quarterly</i> + <i>Review.</i></p></blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> + + +<p><big>HINTS TO A CLERGYMAN'S WIFE;</big><br /> + +or, <span class="smcap">Female Parochial Duties practically Illustrated</span>. Dedicated to the +Rev. <span class="smcap">C. Bridges</span>. Third Edition. Fcap. 8vo., price 3<i>s.</i>, cloth.</p> + +<p>Contents:—Part 1. Hints relative to Personal Character. Part 2. Hints +relative to active exertion among the Poor.—Cottage Visits.—The +Sick.—Schools.—Religious Instruction of the Young.—Cottage +Reading.—Parochial Library.—Suggestions for the Employment of the +Poor, &c.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“This very useful book is evidently the work of an author + practically conversant with her subject in all its bearings and + details. We cordially recommend the work to the careful study of + all Christian ladies, whose position in life gives them influence + among the poor of their parish.”—<i>Englishwoman's Magazine.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<center><b>ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE CRUIKSHANK</b>.</center> + +<p><big>KIT BAM, THE BRITISH SINBAD;</big><br /> + +or, The Yarns of an Old Mariner, by <span class="smcap">Mary Cowden Clarke</span>, Author of “<span class="smcap">The +Concordance to Shakespeare</span>,” &c. Fcap. 8vo., price 6<i>s.</i> cloth, 6<i>s.</i> +6<i>d.</i> gilt edges.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“A more captivating volume for juvenile recreative reading we never + remember to have seen. It is as wonderful as the 'Arabian Nights,' + while it is free from the objectionable matter which characterizes + the Eastern fiction.”—<i>Standard of Freedom.</i></p> + +<p>“Cruikshank's plates are worthy of his genius.”—<i>Examiner.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>THE HISTORY OF A FAMILY;</big><br /> + +or, <span class="smcap">Religion our Best Support</span>. With an Illustration on Steel by <span class="smcap">John +Absolon</span>. Fcap. 8vo., price 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth.</p> + +<blockquote>“A natural and gracefully written story, pervaded by a tone of + Scriptural piety, and well calculated to foster just views of life + and duty. We hope it will find its way into many English + homes.”—<i>Englishwoman's Magazine.</i></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<big>FACTS FROM THE WORLD OF NATURE,</big> + +<p>ANIMATE AND INANIMATE. Part 1. <span class="smcap">The Earth</span>. Part 2. <span class="smcap">The Waters</span>. Part 3. +<span class="smcap">Atmospheric Phenomena</span>. Part 4. <span class="smcap">Animal Life</span>. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. Loudon</span>. With +numerous Illustrations on Wood, and Steel Frontispiece. Fcap. 8vo., +6<i>s.</i> cloth.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>“The rare merit of this volume is its comprehensive selection of + prominent features and striking facts.”—<i>Literary Gazette.</i></p> + +<p>“It abounds with adventure and lively narrative, vivid description, + and poetic truth.”—<i>Illustrated News.</i></p> + +<p>“A volume as charming as it is useful. The illustrations are + numerous and well executed.”—<i>Church and State Gazette.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>RHYMES OF ROYALTY.</big></p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">History of England</span> in Verse, from the Norman Conquest to the reign +of her present Majesty, <span class="smcap">Queen Victoria</span>, with an Appendix, comprising a +Summary of the leading events in each reign, by <span class="smcap">S. Blewett</span>. Designed +chiefly to assist Young Persons in the Study of History. Fcap. 8vo., +with an Elegant Frontispiece engraved in Steel. Price 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> +cloth.</p> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<center><b>NOVEL AND ELEGANT GIFT</b>.</center> +<br /> +<p><big>THE LADY'S ALBUM OF FANCY WORK,</big></p> + +<p>Consisting of Novel, Elegant, and Useful Patterns in Knitting, Netting, +Crochet, and Embroidery, printed in colours. Bound in a beautiful cover. +New Edition. Post 4to. price 5<i>s.</i> gilt edges.</p> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<center><b>HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN</b>.</center> + +<p><big>THE DREAM OF LITTLE TUK,</big><br /> + +<span class="smcap">and other Tales</span>, by <span class="smcap">H. C. Andersen</span>. Translated and dedicated to the +Author by <span class="smcap">Charles Boner</span>. Illustrated by <span class="smcap">Count Pocci</span>. Fcap. 8vo. price +3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain, 4<i>s.</i> coloured.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“Full of charming passages of prose, poetry, and such tiny dramatic + scenes, as will make the pulses of young readers throb with + delight.”—<i>Atlas.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<p><big>TALES FROM DENMARK,</big></p> + +<p>by <span class="smcap">Hans Christian Andersen</span>. Translated by <span class="smcap">Charles Boner</span>. With Fifty +Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Count Pocci</span>. Small 4to. price 6<i>s.</i> plain; 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> +coloured.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“We prophesy for these tales an immortality in the + nursery.”—<i>Blackwood's Magazine</i>. “A charming volume of Fairy + Tales, full of invention and fancy, and yet pointed with excellent + morals.”—<i>Literary Gazette.</i></p></blockquote> + + +<p><big>VISITS TO BEECHWOOD FARM;</big><br /> + +or, <span class="smcap">Country Pleasures, and Hints for Happiness addressed to the Young</span>. +By <span class="smcap">Catharine M. A. Couper</span>. Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Absolon</span>. Small 4to. 3<i>s.</i> +6<i>d.</i> plain; 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“The work is well calculated to impress upon the minds of the + young, the superiority of simple and natural pleasures over those + which are artificial.”—<i>Englishwoman's Magazine.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<center><b>MARIN DE LA VOYE'S ELEMENTARY FRENCH WORKS</b>.</center> + +<p><big>LES JEUNES NARRATEURS;</big><br /> + +ou, <span class="smcap">Petits Contes Moraux</span>. With <span class="smcap">A Key</span> to the difficult words and phrases. +Frontispiece. 18mo. Price 2<i>s.</i> cloth.</p> + +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">“Written in pure and easy French.”—<i>Morning Post.</i></span><br /> + +<p><big>THE PICTORIAL FRENCH GRAMMAR,</big><br /> + +<span class="smcap">for the Use of Children</span>. With Eighty Engravings. Royal 16mo., price +2<i>s.</i> in illuminated cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“The publication has greater than mechanical merit; it contains the + principal elements of the French language, exhibited in a plain and + expressive manner.”—<i>Spectator.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>THE FIRST BOOK OF GEOGRAPHY,</big></p> + +<p>Specially adapted as a Text Book for Beginners, and as a Guide to the +Young Teacher. By <span class="smcap">Hugo Reid</span>, Author of “Elements of Astronomy,” &c. +18mo. price 1<i>s.</i> sewed.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“One of the most sensible little books on the subject of Geography +we have met with.”—<i>Educational Times.</i></p></blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> + + +<p><big>THE AFRICAN WANDERERS;</big><br /> + +or, <span class="smcap">The Adventures of Carlos and Antonio</span>; embracing interesting +Descriptions of the Manners and Customs of the Western Tribes, and the +Natural Productions of the Country. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. R. Lee</span> (formerly <span class="smcap">Mrs. T. E. +Bowdich</span>), Author of “<span class="smcap">Memoirs of Cuvier</span>,” &c. Second Edition. With +Engravings. Fcap. 8vo. 6<i>s.</i> cloth; 6<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> gilt edges.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“For fascinating adventure, and rapid succession of incident, the + volume is equal to any relation of travel we ever read. It exhibits + marked ability as well as extensive knowledge, and deserves perusal + from all ages.”—<i>Britannia.</i></p> + +<p>“In strongly recommending this admirable work to the attention of + young readers, we feel that we are rendering a real service to the + cause of African civilization.”—<i>Patriot.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>INSECT CHANGES.</big></p> + +<p>With richly illuminated Borders, composed of Flowers and Insects, in the +highly wrought style of the celebrated “Hours of Anne of Brittany,” and +forming a First Lesson in Entomology. Small 4to. price 5<i>s.</i> in elegant +binding.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“One of the richest gifts ever offered, even in this improving age, + to childhood. Nothing can be more perfect in illumination than the + embellishments of this charming little volume.”—<i>Art Union.</i></p> +</blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>EARLY DAYS OF ENGLISH PRINCES.</big></p> + +<p>By <span class="smcap">Mrs. Russell Gray</span>. Dedicated by Permission to the Duchess of +Roxburghe. With Illustrations by <span class="smcap">John Franklin</span>. Small 4to. Price 4<i>s.</i> +tinted plates; 5<i>s.</i> coloured. Cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“Just the book for giving children some first notions of English + history, as the personages it speaks about are themselves + young.”—<i>Manchester Examiner.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>FIRST STEPS TO SCOTTISH HISTORY.</big></p> + +<p>By <span class="smcap">Miss Rodwell</span>, Author of “<span class="smcap">First Steps to English History</span>.” With Ten +Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Weigall</span>. 16mo. price 4<i>s.</i> cloth; 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d</i> coloured.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“It is the first popular book in which we have seen the outlines of + the early history of the Scottish tribes exhibited with anything + like accuracy.”—<i>Glasgow Constitutional.</i></p> + +<p>“The work is throughout agreeably and lucidly written.”—<i>Midland</i> + <i>Counties Herald.</i></p> +</blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>LONDON CRIES AND PUBLIC EDIFICES,</big></p> + +<p>Illustrated in Twenty-Four Engravings by <span class="smcap">Luke Limner</span>, with descriptive +letter-press. Square 12mo., price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; 5<i>s.</i> coloured. +Bound in emblematic cover.</p> + +<center>∵ A cheaper edition, on Tinted Paper, price +Half-a-Crown.</center> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>THE SILVER SWAN:</big></p> + +<p>A Fairy Tale. By <span class="smcap">Madame de Chatelain</span>. Illustrated by <span class="smcap">John Leech</span>. Small +4to. Price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain, 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured. Cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“The moral is in the good, broad, unmistakable style of best fairy + period.”—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> + +<p>“The story is written with excellent taste and sly + humour.”—<i>Atlas.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> + + +<p><big>THE MODERN BRITISH PLUTARCH;</big> + +or, <span class="smcap">Lives of Men distinguished in the Recent History of our Country for +their Talents, Virtues, and Achievements</span>. By <span class="smcap">W. C. Taylor, LL.D</span>. Author +of “<span class="smcap">A Manual of Ancient and Modern History</span>,” &c. 12mo. Second Thousand, +with a New Frontispiece. 6<i>s.</i> cloth.</p> + + +<div style="margin-left: 1em;"> +<p>Contents:—Arkwright—Burke—Burns—Byron—Canning—Earl of +Chatham—Adam Clarke—Clive—Captain +Cook—Cowper—Crabbe—Davy—Eldon—Erskine—Fox—Franklin—Goldsmith—Earl +Grey—Warren Hastings—Heber—Howard—Jenner—Sir W. +Jones—Mackintosh—H. Martyn—Sir J. Moore—Nelson—Pitt—Romilly—Sir +W. Scott—Sheridan—Smeaton—Watt—Marquis of +Wellesley—Wilberforce—Wilkie—Wellington.</p> +</div> + +<blockquote><p> “A work which will be welcomed in any circle of intelligent young + persons.”—<i>British Quarterly Review.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>MRS. TRIMMER'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND.</big></p> + +<p>Revised and brought down to the present time, by <span class="smcap">Mrs. Milner</span>, with +portraits of the Sovereigns in their proper costume, and Frontispiece by +Harvey. New Edition in one volume, price 5<i>s.</i> cloth.</p> + +<blockquote>“The editing has been very judiciously done. The work has an + established reputation for the clearness of its genealogical and + chronological tables, and for its pervading tone of Christian + piety.”—<i>Church and State Gazette.</i> +</blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE;</big><br /> +or, <span class="smcap">Points and Pickings of Information about China and the Chinese</span>. By +the Author of “Paul Preston,” “Soldiers and Sailors,” &c. With Twenty +Engravings from Drawings by W. H. Prior. Foolscap 8vo. 6<i>s.</i> cloth; +6<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> gilt edges.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“This very handsome volume contains an almost incredible amount of + information.”—<i>Church and State Gazette.</i></p> + +<p>“The book is exactly what the author proposed it should be, full of + good information, good feeling, and good temper.”—<i>Allen's Indian</i> + <i>Mail.</i></p> + +<p>“Even well-known topics are treated with a graceful air of + novelty.”—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> +</blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>SOLDIERS AND SAILORS;</big><br /> + +<span class="smcap">or, Anecdotes, Details, and Recollections of Naval and Military Life, as +related to his Nephews by an old Officer</span>. With 50 beautiful Wood-cuts, +from Designs by <span class="smcap">John Gilbert</span>. Foolscap 8vo. 6<i>s.</i> cloth; 6<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> +gilt edges.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“Cheerfully do we award the meed of praise to this volume. It is + the best book of its class we have yet read, containing a rich fund + of interesting amusement for the young, and is not without its + attractions for those of a more mature age.”—<i>United Service</i> + <i>Gazette.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>TALES FROM THE COURT OF OBERON:</big></p> + +<p>Containing the Favourite Histories of <span class="smcap">Tom Thumb, Graciosa and Percinet, +Valentine and Orson</span>, and <span class="smcap">Children in the Wood</span>. With Sixteen +Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Alfred Crowquill</span>. Small 4to. 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; 4<i>s.</i> +6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<center><b>M. FRASER TYTLER</b>.</center> + +<p><big>THE WONDER SEEKER;</big><br /> + +or, <span class="smcap">The History of Charles Douglas</span>. By <span class="smcap">M. Fraser Tytler</span>, Author of +“<span class="smcap">Tales of the Great and Brave</span>.” With Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Absolon</span>. Second +Edition. Fcap. 8vo. Price 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth; 5<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured, gilt +edges.</p> + + <blockquote><p>“It it precisely the book that town boys would like, because it + tells them of the country; and country boys cherish, because it + teaches them to enjoy in the country what perhaps they never + enjoyed before.”—<i>Art Union.</i></p> + +<p>“Books such as this are always delightful.”—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> + +<p>“The moral tone of the book is bracing, and its spirit excellent; + the work cannot fail to delight as well as to benefit the + young.”—<i>Spectator.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>GLIMPSES OF NATURE,</big></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">And Objects of Interest described, during a Visit to the Isle of Wight</span>. +Designed to assist and encourage Young Persons in forming habits of +observation. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Loudon</span>, Second Edition enlarged, with 41 +Illustrations. 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“We could not recommend a more valuable little volume. It is full + of information conveyed in the most agreeable manner.”—<i>Literary + Gazette.</i></p> + +<p>“A more fitting present, or one more adapted to stimulate the + faculties of 'little people,' could not be published.”—<i>Bath and + Cheltenham Gazette.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>THE YOUNG LADIES' READER:</big></p> + +<p>With observations on Reading aloud, and Remarks prefixed to the +divisions of the Work. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Ellis</span>, Author of “<span class="smcap">THE WOMEN OF ENGLAND</span>,” +&c. Foolscap 8vo. price 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth.</p> + +<p>Contents.—<span class="smcap">Narrative and Description.—Illustrations of +Character.—Illustrations of Principle.—Imaginary Scenes And +Conversations.—Miscellaneous Pieces.—Poetry</span>.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“Well calculated to improve the taste, strengthen the judgment, and + confirm moral and religious principles.”—<i>Edinburgh Witness.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>THE YOUNG JEWESS AND HER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL-FELLOWS.</big> By the Author of +“<span class="smcap">Rhoda</span>,” &c., with a Frontispiece by <span class="smcap">J. Gilbert</span>. 16mo. price 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> +cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“The story is beautifully conceived and beautifully told, and is + peculiarly adapted to impress upon the minds of young persons the + powerful efficacy of example.”—<i>Englishwoman's Magazine.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>RHODA: OR, THE EXCELLENCE OF CHARITY.</big></p> + +<p>With three Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Williams</span>. 16mo. Price 2<i>s.</i> cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“Not only adapted for children, but many parents might derive great + advantage from studying its simple truths.”—<i>Church and State + Gazette.</i></p> + +<p> “Written in plain and unaffected, but elegant language. The design + of the author is worked out by means of an interesting + story.”—<i>Morning Chronicle.</i></p> +</blockquote> +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<center><b>WORKS BY THE AUTHOR OF MAMMA'S BIBLE STORIES</b>.</center> + +<p><big>FANNY AND HER MAMMA;</big><br /> + +or, <span class="smcap">Easy Lessons for Children</span>. In which it is attempted to bring +Scriptural Principles into daily Practice; with Hints on Nursery +Discipline. Illustrated by <span class="smcap">J. Gilbert</span>. 16mo. price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth. +4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured, gilt edges.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“A little book in beautiful large clear type, to suit the capacity + of infant readers, which we can with pleasure + recommend.”—<i>Christian Lady's Magazine.</i></p> +</blockquote> +<p><big>SHORT AND SIMPLE PRAYERS,</big><br /> + +<span class="smcap">for the Use of Young Children, with Hymns</span>. Second Edition. Square 16mo. +Price 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“Well adapted to the capacities of children,—beginning with the + simplest forms which the youngest child may lisp at its mother's + knee, and proceeding with those suited to its gradually advancing + age. Special prayers, designed for particular circumstances and + occasions, are added. We cordially recommend the book.”—<i>Christian + Guardian.</i></p></blockquote> + +<p><big>MAMMA'S BIBLE STORIES,</big><br /> + +<span class="smcap">for her Little Boys and Girls</span>, adapted to the capacities of very young +children. Eighth Edition, with 12 Engravings, Price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth.</p> + +<p><big>A SEQUEL TO MAMMA'S BIBLE STORIES.</big></p> + +<p>Third Edition. With 12 Illustrations. Price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth.</p> + +<p><big>BIBLE SCENES;</big><br /> + +<span class="smcap">or, Sunday Employment for Very Young Children</span>. Consisting of Twelve +Coloured Illustrations on Cards, and the History written in Simple +Language. In a neat Box. Price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>; or dissected as a Puzzle, +price 6<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Sunday Employment"> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">First Series</span>:</td><td align='left'>HISTORY OF JOSEPH.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Second Series</span>:</td><td align='left'>HISTORY OF OUR SAVIOUR.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Third Series</span>:</td><td align='left'>HISTORY OF MOSES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Fourth Series</span>:</td><td align='left'>THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<blockquote><p>“It is hoped that these ‘Scenes’ may form a useful and interesting + addition to the Sabbath occupations of the Nursery. From their very + earliest infancy little children will listen with interest and + delight to stories brought thus palpably before their eyes by means + of illustration.”—<i>Preface.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>ARITHMETIC FOR YOUNG CHILDREN,</big><br /> + +in a Series of Exercises, exhibiting the manner in which it should be +taught, by <span class="smcap">H. Grant</span>, Author of “Drawing for Young Children,” &c. New +Edition, price 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p>“This work will be found effectual for its purpose, and interesting + to children.”—<i>Educational Times.</i></p> + +<p>“The plan is admirably conceived, and we have tested its + efficacy.”—<i>Church of England Quarterly.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<hr style='width: 20%;' /> + + +<p><big>TRUE STORIES FROM ANCIENT HISTORY,</big><br /> + + Chronologically arranged from the Creation of the World to the + Death of Charlemagne. Tenth Edition, with 24 Steel Engravings. + 12mo. 5<i>s.</i> cloth; 6<i>s.</i> half-bd. morocco.</p> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>TRUE STORIES FROM MODERN HISTORY,</big><br /> + + Chronologically arranged from the Death of Charlemagne to the Year + 1849. Seventh Edition, with 24 Steel Engravings. 12mo. 5<i>s.</i> cloth; + 6<i>s.</i> half-bd. morocco.</p> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>TRUE STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY,</big><br /> + + Chronologically arranged from the Invasion of the Romans to the + Present Time. Sixth Edition. With 36 Steel Engravings. 12mo., price + 5<i>s.</i> cloth; 6<i>s.</i> half-bd. morocco.</p> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>SCENES IN FOREIGN LANDS;</big><br /> + + from the Portfolio and Journal of a Traveller in various parts of + Europe, Asia, Africa, and America; upon a plan arranged by the late + Rev. Isaac Taylor, Author of “<span class="smcap">Scenes of Commerce</span>,” &c. With 192 + Illustrations. 12mo. Price 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth; 9<i>s.</i> half-bd. + morocco.</p> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>SCENES OF COMMERCE BY LAND AND SEA;</big><br /> + +or, “Where does it come from?” answered. Upon a plan arranged by +the late <span class="smcap">Rev. Isaac Taylor</span>. A New Edition; including “<span class="smcap">Scenes of +British Wealth</span>.” With 66 Engravings on Steel, and a View of the New +Royal Exchange. 12mo. Price 6<i>s.</i> cloth; 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> half-bd. +morocco.</p> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>HOME AMUSEMENTS,</big><br /> + +A Collection of <span class="smcap">Riddles, Charades, Conundrums, Parlour Games, and +Forfeits</span>. With a Frontispiece printed in gold and colours. 16mo. +Price 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth.</p> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>THE PRINCE OF WALES'S PRIMER.</big><br /> + +With 300 Illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. Gilbert</span>. Dedicated to her Majesty. New +edition with title and cover printed in gold and colours. Price +1<i>s.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<p><big>EMILY'S REWARD;</big><br /> + +<span class="smcap">or, The Holiday Trip to Paris</span>. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. Hofland</span> (<i>Her last work</i>). +<span class="smcap">Author Of “Daughter Of A Genius,” “Ellen The Teacher,” Etc</span>. With a +Frontispiece by <span class="smcap">Williams</span>. 18mo. Price 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth.</p> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>OUTLINES of IRISH HISTORY: written for the Use of Young Persons. With +Engravings. Price 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> half-bound, 12mo.</p> +<br /> +<p>WARS of the JEWS, as related by <span class="smcap">Josephus</span>; adapted to the capacities of +Young Persons, and Illustrated with 24 Engravings. Sixth Edition. Price +4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth.</p> +<br /> +<p>STORIES from the OLD and NEW TESTAMENTS, on an improved Plan. By the +Rev. <span class="smcap">Bourne Hall Draper</span>. With 48 Engravings. Fifth Edition. Price 5<i>s.</i> +cloth; 6<i>s.</i> half-bound morocco, 12mo.</p><br /> + +<p>BEGINNINGS of BRITISH BIOGRAPHY; being the Lives of One Hundred Persons +eminent in English History. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">Isaac Taylor</span>. 48 Engravings. +Price 5<i>s.</i> cloth; 6<i>s.</i> half-bd., 12mo.</p><br /> + +<p>THE JUVENILE TRAVELLERS; or, A Tour through the principal States and +Kingdoms of Europe; with an Account of their Inhabitants, Natural +Productions, and Antiquities. By <span class="smcap">Priscilla Wakefield</span>. Nineteenth +Edition, corrected and enlarged. 12mo. price 6<i>s.</i> cloth.</p><br /> + +<p>A FAMILY TOUR THROUGH THE BRITISH EMPIRE; containing some Account of its +Manufactures, Natural and Artificial Curiosities, History and +Antiquities. By <span class="smcap">Priscilla Wakefield</span>. Fifteenth Edition, corrected and +enlarged. 12mo. price 6<i>s.</i> cloth.</p><br /> + +<p>MORAL TALES. By <span class="smcap">Miss Edgeworth</span>. A New Edition, in One Volume. Foolscap +8vo. Price 5<i>s.</i> cloth.</p><br /> + +<p>HOW TO BE HAPPY; or, Fairy Gifts: to which is added, a SELECTION OF +MORAL ALLEGORIES, from the best English Writers. Second Edition, with 8 +superior Engravings. Price 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth, 12mo.</p><br /> + +<p>The VISIT for a WEEK; or, Hints on the Improvement of Time: containing +Original Tales, Anecdotes from Natural and Moral History, &c. By <span class="smcap">Lucy +Peacock</span>. Twelfth Edition. Price 4<i>s.</i> cl.</p><br /> + +<p>The HISTORY of SANDFORD and MERTON. By <span class="smcap">Thomas Day</span>, Esq. A New Edition +revised, with Cuts from Designs by Harvey. Price 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> cloth.</p><br /> + +<p>EVENINGS AT HOME; or, The Juvenile Budget Opened. By <span class="smcap">Dr. Aikin</span> and <span class="smcap">Mrs. +Barbauld</span>. Sixteenth Edition, revised and newly arranged by Arthur Aikin, +Esq., and Miss Aikin. With some additional Pieces by the Authors. With +Engravings by Harvey. Foolscap 8vo., price 5<i>s.</i> cloth.</p><br /> + +<p>ROWBOTHAM'S NEW AND EASY METHOD OF LEARNING THE FRENCH GENDERS. New +Edition. Price 6<i>d.</i></p><br /> + +<p>BELLENGER'S FRENCH WORD AND PHRASE-BOOK; Containing a Select Vocabulary +and Dialogues, for the Use of Beginners. New Edition, price 1<i>s.</i> +sewed.</p> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> +<center><font face="georgia"><b>The Abbé Gaultier's Geographical Works</b></font>.</center> + +<ol> +<li>FAMILIAR GEOGRAPHY, with a concise Treatise on the Artificial Sphere, +and Two coloured Maps, illustrative of the principal Geographical Terms. +Thirteenth Edition. Price 3<i>s.</i> cloth, 16mo.</li> + +<li>GEOGRAPHICAL and HISTORICAL QUESTIONS, referring by characteristic +and distinguishing marks, to the most remarkable places in the World; +with 3 small coloured Charts of the comparative heights of Mountains and +length of Rivers. Price 3<i>s.</i> in cloth, 16mo.</li> + +<li>An ATLAS, adapted to the Abbé Gaultier's Geographical Games, +consisting of 8 Maps, coloured, and in Outline, &c. Price 15<i>s.</i> +half-bound, folio.</li> +</ol> + +<blockquote> +<p>∵ For the purpose of playing the Games, a set of Counters, on +which the names of the Kingdoms, Seas, Rivers &c., are printed, may +be had, price 6<i>s.</i> in a box.</p> +</blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<center><font face="georgia"><b>Butler's Outline Maps</b></font>.</center> + +<p>BUTLER'S OUTLINE MAPS, and KEY; or, Geographical and Biographical +Exercises; with a Set of Coloured Outline Maps; designed for the Use of +Young Persons. By the late <span class="smcap">William Butler</span>. Enlarged by the Author's Son, +<span class="smcap">J. O. Butler</span>. Twenty-eighth Edition, Revised. Price 4<i>s.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 20%;' /> + +<p>An ABRIDGMENT of ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY, divided into Short Lessons in the +form of Questions and Answers, intended as a Sequel to the “Geography +for Children.” Written by the Abbé Langlet du Fresnoy. With a Map. +Second Edition. Price 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> 16mo. cloth.</p> + +<p>BATTLE FIELDS. A Graphic Guide to the Places described in the History of +England as the scenes of such Events; with the situation of the +Principal Naval Engagements fought on the Coast of the British Empire. +By Mr. <span class="smcap">Wauthier</span>, Geographer. Price on a large sheet, 5<i>s.</i>; in case, +7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>; or mounted on oak and varnished, 12<i>s.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 20%;' /> + +<center><font face="georgia"><b>Mrs. Lovechild's Grammatical Works</b></font>.</center> + +<p>THE CHILD'S GRAMMAR. By the late Lady <span class="smcap">Fenn</span>, under the assumed name of +Mrs. Lovechild. Forty-fourth Edition. 18mo. Price 9<i>d.</i> cloth.</p> + +<p>THE MOTHER'S GRAMMAR: a Sequel to “The Child's Grammar.” Twenty-second +Edition. 18mo. Price 1<i>s.</i> cloth.</p> + +<blockquote><p> The first of these little Treatises is intended to be the young + pupil's manual; and the greater part of it is to be committed to + memory; the Second is designed to remain some time in the + possession of the teacher for her own occasional use.</p></blockquote> + +<hr style='width: 20%;' /> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<center><i>The following Works are handsomely bound in cloth; with numerous +Illustrations to each.</i></center><br /> + +<p>ANDERSEN'S (H. C.), NIGHTINGALE AND OTHER TALES, 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; +4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<p>ANDERSEN'S (H. C.), UGLY DUCK AND OTHER TALES, 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; 4<i>s.</i> +6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<blockquote><sub>∵ The above bound in One Volume entitled “<span class="smcap">Tales From Denmark</span>,” 6<i>s.</i> +plain; 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</sub></blockquote> + +<p>ANECDOTES of KINGS, selected from History; or, Gertrude's Stories for +Children. With Engravings. Price 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> +coloured.</p> + +<p>BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS; or, A Description of Manners and Customs peculiar +to the East, and especially Explanatory of the Holy Scriptures. By the +Rev. <span class="smcap">B. H. Draper</span>. With Engravings. Fourth Edition. Revised by <span class="smcap">J. Kitto</span>, +Editor of “The Pictorial Bible,” &c. Price 4<i>s.</i></p> + +<blockquote><p>“This volume will be found unusually rich in the species of + information so much needed by young readers of the + Scriptures.”—<i>Christian Mother's Mag.</i></p></blockquote> + +<p>THE BRITISH HISTORY BRIEFLY TOLD, and a Description of the Ancient +Customs, Sports, and Pastimes of the English. Embellished with +full-length Portraits of the Sovereigns of England in their proper +Costumes, and 18 other Engravings. Price 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>CHIT CHAT; or, Short Tales in Short Words. By a <span class="smcap">Mother</span>. Author of +“Always Happy.” New Edition, enlarged. With 16 Engravings. Price 3<i>s.</i> +6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>CONVERSATIONS on the LIFE of JESUS CHRIST, for the use of Children, by a +<span class="smcap">Mother</span>. A New Edition. With 12 Engravings. Price 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; +3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<p>COSMORAMA. The Manners, Customs, and Costumes of all Nations of the +World described. By <span class="smcap">J. Aspin</span>. New Edition, with numerous Illustrations. +Price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; and 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<p>EASY LESSONS; or, Leading-Strings to Knowledge. In Three Parts. The +First and Third Parts by a <span class="smcap">Lady</span>; the Second Part arranged by the late +Mrs. <span class="smcap">Trimmer</span>. New Edition; with 8 Engravings. Price 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; +3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<p>FACTS to CORRECT FANCIES; or, Short Narratives compiled from the +Biography of Remarkable Women. By a <span class="smcap">Mother</span>. With Engravings. Price 3<i>s.</i> +6<i>d.</i> plain; 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<p>FANNY AND HER MAMMA; or, Reading Lessons for Children by the Author of +“Mamma's Bible Stories,” with Illustrations by <span class="smcap">John Gilbert</span>. Price 3<i>s.</i> +6<i>d.</i> plain; 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<p>THE FARM: a New Account of Rural Toils and Produce. By <span class="smcap">Jefferys Taylor</span>. +Second Edition. Illustrated with 8 Engravings on Steel, and 26 +Wood-cuts. Price 4<i>s.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 20%;' /> + + +<p>INFANTINE KNOWLEDGE: a Spelling and Reading-Book, on a Popular Plan, +combining much Useful Information with the Rudiments of Learning. By the +Author of “The Child's Grammar.” With numerous Engravings.—Seventh +Edition. Price 3<i>s.</i> plain; or 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured, half-bound.</p> + +<p>THE JUVENILE RAMBLER; or, Sketches and Anecdotes of the People of +various Countries, with Views of the Principal Cities of the World. New +Edition. Price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>KEY to KNOWLEDGE; or, Things in Common Use simply and shortly Explained. +By a <span class="smcap">Mother</span>. Author of “Always Happy,” &c. Twelfth Edition. With +numerous Illustrations. Price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>THE LADDER to LEARNING: a Collection of Fables, Original and Select, +arranged progressively in words of One, Two, and Three Syllables. Edited +and improved by the late <span class="smcap">Mrs. Trimmer</span>. With 79 cuts. Eighteenth Edition. +3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>LITTLE LESSONS for LITTLE LEARNERS, in words of One Syllable. By Mrs. +<span class="smcap">Barwell</span>. Seventh Edition, with numerous Illustrations. Price 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> +plain; 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<p>LOUDON'S (Mrs.) GLIMPSES of NATURE, and Objects of Interest described +during a Visit to the Isle of Wight; designed to assist and encourage +Young Persons in Forming Habits of Observation. Second Edition, with 41 +Illustrations. Price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>MAMMA'S BIBLE STORIES, for her Little Boys and Girls, adapted to the +capacity of very Young Children. Eighth Edition. With Engravings. Price +3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>A SEQUEL to MAMMA'S BIBLE STORIES, chiefly in words of Two Syllables. +Third Edition, with 12 Illustrations. Price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>SHORT and SIMPLE PRAYERS for CHILDREN, with Hymns. By the Author of +“Mamma's Bible Stories.” Price 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>MAMMA'S LESSONS for her Little Boys and Girls. With 8 plates. Eleventh +Edition. Price 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; or 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<p>MARMADUKE MULTIPLY'S MERRY METHOD OF MAKING MINOR MATHEMATICIANS; or, +The Multiplication Table in Rhyme. With 69 Engravings. Price 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> +coloured.</p> + +<p>THE MINE; or, Subterranean Wonders. An Account of the Operations of the +Miner, and the Products of his Labours; with a Description of the most +important in all parts of the World. By the late Rev. <span class="smcap">Isaac Taylor</span>. +Sixth Edition, with numerous corrections and additions, by <span class="smcap">Mrs. Loudon</span>. +With 45 New Wood-cuts and 16 Steel Engravings. Price 4<i>s.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 20%;" /> + +<p>THE GARDEN; or, Frederic's Monthly Instructions for the Management and +Formation of a Flower-Garden. Fourth Edition. With Engravings of the +Flowers in Bloom for each Month in the Year, &c. Price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> +plain, or 6<i>s.</i> with the Flowers coloured.</p> + +<p>THE NATURAL HISTORY of QUADRUPEDS. By <span class="smcap">F. Shoberl</span>. With numerous +Engravings, from Drawings by <span class="smcap">T. Landseer</span>. New Edition in one volume. +Price 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; 6<i>s.</i> coloured.</p> + +<p>THE NATURAL HISTORY of BIRDS. By <span class="smcap">F. Shoberl</span>. With numerous engravings +from Drawings by <span class="smcap">T. Landseer</span>. Price 4<i>s.</i></p> + +<p>THE OCEAN; a description of Wonders and Important Products of the Sea. +Second Edition. With Illustrations of 37 Genera of Shells, by <span class="smcap">Sowerby</span>, +and 4 Steel and 50 Wood Engravings. Price 4<i>s.</i></p> + +<p>PAUL PRESTON'S VOYAGES, TRAVELS, AND REMARKABLE ADVENTURES, principally +in Europe. With numerous engravings. Second Edition. Price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>THE PICTURESQUE PRIMER; or, Useful Matter made Pleasing Pastime for +Leisure Hours. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">W. Fletcher</span>. New Edition. With 100 Wood-cuts. +Price 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS of LONDON and WESTMINSTER DESCRIBED. By <span class="smcap">F. Shoberl</span>. +With 24 steel Engravings. Price 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>RODWELL'S (<span class="smcap">Miss</span>) FIRST STEPS TO SCOTTISH HISTORY, with Ten Illustrations +by <span class="smcap">Weigall</span>. 4<i>s.</i> plain; 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<p>SHORT TALES, written for Children. By Dame Truelove and her Friends. A +new Edition, with 20 Engravings. Price 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>THE SHIP; a description of different kinds of Vessels, the Origin of +Ship-building, a Brief Sketch of Naval Affairs, with the Distinctive +Flags of different Nations, and numerous illustrative Engravings. By the +late Rev. <span class="smcap">Isaac Taylor</span>. Sixth Edition, revised. With additions, by <span class="smcap">M. H. +Barker</span>, Esq., The Old Sailor. Price 4<i>s.</i></p> + +<p>STORIES of EDWARD and his LITTLE FRIENDS. With 12 Illustrations. Second +Edition, 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain, 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured.</p> + +<p>STORIES selected from the HISTORY of FRANCE, chronologically arranged +from Clovis to the present time. With Portraits of Thirty-four of the +Sovereigns in their proper Costumes, also Four Engravings relating to +Events of French History. Price 4<i>s.</i></p> + +<p>SUNDAY LESSONS for LITTLE CHILDREN. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Barwell</span>. Third Edition. +Price 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> plain; 3<i>s.</i> coloured.</p> + +<hr style='width: 20%;' /> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<center><b>THREE SHILLINGS EACH, CLOTH</b>,</center><br /> +<center><i>With Frontispiece, or other Engravings.</i></center><br /> + +<table width="800" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" summary="table 1"> +<tbody> +<tr><td width="50%"> + +<p>BIBLE SCENES. By the Author of “Mamma's Bible Stories.” With 12 coloured +engravings. 1. History of Joseph. 2. History of our Saviour. 3. History +of Moses. 4. Miracles of Christ.</p> + +<p>THE CHAPTER <span class="smcap">of</span> KINGS. By <span class="smcap">Mr. Collins</span>. With 38 Engravings. (4<i>s.</i> +coloured.)</p> + +<p>FRUITS <span class="smcap">of</span> ENTERPRISE, exhibited in the Travels of Belzoni. Twelfth +Edition, 18mo.</p> + +<p>FAMILIAR GEOGRAPHY. By the Abbé <span class="smcap">Gaultier</span>. With coloured Maps.</p> + +<p>GEOGRAPHICAL <span class="smcap">and</span> HISTORICAL QUESTIONS. By the Abbé <span class="smcap">Gaultier</span>, forming a +sequel to ‘Familiar Geography.’</p> +</td> +<td width="50%"> +<p>CLAUDINE, a Swiss Tale. By the Author of ‘Always Happy.’</p> + +<p>INFANTINE KNOWLEDGE. Seventh Edition. With numerous Wood-cuts. 3<i>s.</i> +plain (3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> coloured).</p> + +<p>THE LITTLE GRAMMARIAN; in a Series of Instructive Tales. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">W. +Fletcher</span>. Second Edition.</p> + +<p>THE TWIN SISTERS; or, The Advantages of Religion. By Miss <span class="smcap">Sandham</span>. 22nd +Edition.</p> + +<p>A VISIT TO GROVE COTTAGE; and the <span class="smcap">Indian Cabinet Opened</span>. New Edit.</p> + +<p>WILLIAM TELL <span class="smcap">and</span> HOFER the TYROLESE. New EDITION. With four engravings.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</tbody></table> +<br /> + +<center><b>HALF-A-CROWN EACH, CLOTH</b>,</center><br /> +<center><i>With Frontispiece or other Engravings.</i></center><br /> + +<table width="800" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" summary="table 2"> +<tbody> +<tr><td width="50%"> +<p>ANECDOTES OF KINGS; Selected from History.</p> + +<p>ANECDOTES OF PETER THE GREAT, Emperor of Russia. 18mo.</p> + +<p>ALWAYS HAPPY; or, Anecdotes of Felix and his Sister Serena. By a <span class="smcap">Mother</span>. +Thirteenth Edition. 18mo.</p> + +<p>BIBLE SCENES, each with 12 tinted illustrations. 1. History of Joseph. +2. History of our Saviour. 3. History of Moses. 4. Miracles of Christ.</p> +</td> +<td width="50%"> +<p>CONVERSATIONS <span class="smcap">on the</span> LIFE <span class="smcap">of</span> CHRIST. By a <span class="smcap">Mother</span>. 12 Engravings. 16mo.</p> + +<p>COUNSELS <span class="smcap">at</span> HOME; with Anecdotes, Tales, &c.</p> + +<p>THE DOLL <span class="smcap">and her</span> FRIENDS; or, Memoirs of the Lady Seraphina.</p> + +<p>THE DAUGHTER <span class="smcap">of a</span> GENIUS. A Tale. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Hofland</span>. Sixth Edition. 18mo.</p> + +<p>EASY LESSONS; or, Leading Strings to Knowledge.</p> +</td> +</tr></tbody></table> +<br /> +<table width="800" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" summary="table 3"> +<tbody> +<tr><td width="50%"> +<p>ELLEN <span class="smcap">the</span> TEACHER; a Tale for Youth. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Hofland</span>. New Edition. 18mo.</p> + +<p>EMILY'S REWARD; or, The Holiday Trip to Paris. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Hofland</span>. 18mo.</p> + +<p>HOME AMUSEMENTS; a Collection of Riddles, Charades, Conundrums, Parlour +Games, and Forfeits.</p> + +<p>LITTLE LESSONS <span class="smcap">for</span> LITTLE LEARNERS, by Mrs. <span class="smcap">Barwell</span>.</p> + +<p>THE LITTLE READER. With 16 Wood-cuts, square.</p> + +<p>MAMMA'S LESSONS <span class="smcap">for her</span> LITTLE BOYS <span class="smcap">and</span> GIRLS.</p> + +<p>MORAL TALES. By a <span class="smcap">Father</span>. With 2 Engravings.</p> + +<p>NURSERY FABLES, Original and Select. With 19 cuts.</p> +</td> +<td width="50%"> +<p>THE PICTURESQUE PRIMER; or, Useful Matter made Pleasing Pastime. 120 +cuts.</p> + +<p>THE RIVAL CRUSOES; and other Tales, by <span class="smcap">Agnes Strickland</span>. Sixth Edition. +18mo.</p> + +<p>RHYMES OF ROYALTY; or, the History of England in Verse.</p> + +<p>THE SON <span class="smcap">of a</span> GENIUS. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Hofland</span>. 15th Edit.</p> + +<p>STORIES OF JULIAN <span class="smcap">and his</span> PLAYFELLOWS.</p> + +<p>THE STUDENTS; or, Biography of the Grecian Philosophers. With +frontispiece. 12mo.</p> + +<p>SUNDAY LESSONS <span class="smcap">for</span> LITTLE CHILDREN. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Barwell</span>. 16mo.</p> + +<p>TALES FROM CATLAND. <span class="smcap">By</span> an <span class="smcap">Old Tabby</span>.</p> + +<p>THEODORE; or, The Crusaders. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Hofland</span>.</p> +</td> +</tr></tbody></table> + +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<hr style='width: 20%;' /> + +<center><b>TWO SHILLINGS EACH, CLOTH</b>,</center><br /> + +<center><i>With Frontispiece, &c.</i></center><br /> + +<table width="800" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" summary="table 4"> +<tbody> +<tr><td width="50%"> +<p>LE BABILLARD; an Amusing Introduction to the French Language, by a +French Lady. Fourth Edit., with 16 engravings.</p> + +<p>THE CHILD'S DUTY. Dedicated by a Mother to her Children. Second Edition.</p> + +<p>DECEPTION, <span class="smcap">and</span> FREDERICK MARSDEN, the Faithful Friend. Tales for Youth.</p> + +<p>EVERY DAY THINGS; or, Useful Knowledge respecting the principal Animal, +Vegetable, and Mineral Substances.</p> + +<p>LESSONS <span class="smcap">of</span> WISDOM <span class="smcap">for the</span> YOUNG. With 12 plates. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">W. +Fletcher</span>.</p> + +<p>LES JEUNES NARRATEURS; or, Moral Tales in French, with a Key to the +Difficult Words. By M. de la Voye.</p> +</td> +<td width="50%"> +<p>PICTORIAL FRENCH GRAMMAR. With 80 Illustrations. By M. de la Voye.</p> + +<p>THE HISTORY <span class="smcap">of</span> PRINCE LEE BOO. New Edition.</p> + +<p>NINA, an Icelandic Tale. By the Author of “Always Happy.”</p> + +<p>RHODA; or, The Excellence of Charity. With 3 Engravings.</p> + +<p>SPRING FLOWERS <span class="smcap">and the</span> MONTHLY MONITOR; or, Easy Lessons, adapted to +every Season of the Year.</p> + +<p>MRS. TRIMMER'S OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS. With 24 Engravings.</p> + +<p>MRS. TRIMMER'S NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS. With 40 Engravings.</p> + +<p>WELCOME VISITOR; a Collection of Original Stories, &c.</p> +</td> +</tr></tbody></table> + +<hr style='width: 20%;' /> + +<h5>PUBLISHED BY GRANT AND GRIFFITH.</h5> + + +<center><b>POPULAR TOY BOOKS, ONE SHILLING EACH</b>.</center><br /> +<table width="800" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" summary="table 5"> +<tbody><tr><td width="50%"> +<p><span class="smcap">Alphabet of Goody Two-Shoes</span>; “by learning which, she soon got rich.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Children in the Wood</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Cinderella</span>; or, The Little Glass Slipper.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Cock-Robin</span>; a very pretty Painted Toy, for little Girl, or little Boy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Cries of London</span> (The).</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Costumes of Different Nations Illustrated</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Courtship, Marriage</span>, and <span class="smcap">Picnic Dinner of Cock Robin and Jenny Wren</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Cowslip</span> (The); with 30 new wood-cuts, plain (1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> <i>coloured</i>).</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy</span> (The); ditto (ditto).</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dame Partlet's Farm</span>, an Account of the good Life she led, and the Riches +she obtained by Industry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dame Trot and her Cat</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Graciosa and Percinet</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Grandmamma's Rhymes</span> for the Nursery. With superior wood-cuts. Plain.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">History of the Apple Pie</span>. Written by Z. With <span class="smcap">Dame Dearlove's Ditties</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">History of the House that Jack Built</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Infant's Friend</span> (The); or, Easy Reading Lessons.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Infant's Grammar</span> (The); or, A Picnic Party of the Parts of Speech.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John Gilpin</span> (The Diverting History of).</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Little Rhymes for Little Folks</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Monkey's Frolic</span> (The), &c.</p> +</td> +<td width="50%"> +<p><span class="smcap">Mother Hubbard and her Dog</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nursery Ditties</span> from the Lips of Mrs. Lullaby. Illustrations by Leech. +Plain.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Old Woman and her Pig</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Peacock at Home</span> (The); with the <span class="smcap">BUTTERFLY'S BALL</span>; and the <span class="smcap">Fancy Fair</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Portraits and Characters of the Kings of England</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Peter Piper's Practical Principles</span> of Plain and Perfect Pronunciation. +To which is added, a Collection of Moral and Entertaining Conundrums.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Prince of Wales's Primer</span>. With 300 Illustrations.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Puss in Boots</span>; or, The Master-Cat.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Simple Stories</span>, in Words of One Syllable. By the Author of “Stories of +Old Daniel.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Snow-Drop</span> (The); or, Poetic Trifles for Little Folks.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Tom Thumb</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Tommy Trip's Museum of Beasts</span>. Part I.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Tommy Trip's Museum of Beasts</span>. Part II.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Tommy Trip's Museum of Birds</span>. Part I.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Tommy Trip's Museum of Birds</span>. Part II.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Valentine and Orson</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Walks with Mamma</span>; or, Stories in Words of One Syllable.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whittington and his Cat</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Word Book</span> (The); or, Stories chiefly in Three Letters.</p> +</td> +</tr></tbody></table> +</div> +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<center><span class="smcap">London</span>: Printed by <span class="smcap">Samuel Bentley & Co</span>., Bangor House, Shoe Lane.</center> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Anecdotes of the Habits and Instinct +of Animals, by R. Lee + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HABITS AND INSTINCT OF ANIMALS *** + +***** This file should be named 21973-h.htm or 21973-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/9/7/21973/ + +Produced by David Edwards, Marcia Brooks and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The University of Florida, The Internet +Archive/Children's Library) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/21973-h/images/i001.jpg b/21973-h/images/i001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..24585f9 --- /dev/null +++ b/21973-h/images/i001.jpg diff --git a/21973-h/images/i002.jpg b/21973-h/images/i002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f3f11f4 --- /dev/null +++ b/21973-h/images/i002.jpg diff --git a/21973-h/images/i003.jpg b/21973-h/images/i003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3186e43 --- /dev/null +++ b/21973-h/images/i003.jpg diff --git a/21973-h/images/i004.jpg b/21973-h/images/i004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cd6ead5 --- /dev/null +++ b/21973-h/images/i004.jpg diff --git a/21973-h/images/i005.jpg b/21973-h/images/i005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ec23692 --- /dev/null +++ b/21973-h/images/i005.jpg diff --git a/21973-h/images/i006.jpg b/21973-h/images/i006.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c86f18c --- /dev/null +++ b/21973-h/images/i006.jpg diff --git a/21973-h/images/image_003.jpg b/21973-h/images/image_003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..74009f4 --- /dev/null +++ b/21973-h/images/image_003.jpg |
