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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/license + + +Title: Mrs. Loudon's Entertaining Naturalist + Being popular descriptions, tales, and anecdotes of more + than Five Hundred Animals. + +Author: Jane Loudon + +Editor: W. S. Dallas + +Release Date: February 10, 2016 [EBook #51166] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MRS. LOUDON'S ENTERTAINING *** + + + + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images available at The Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<p class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="277" height="450" alt="cover" /> +</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="" +style="border: 2px black solid;margin:auto auto;max-width:50%; +padding:1%;"> +<tr><td> +<p class="c"><a href="#TABLE_OF_CONTENTS">Contents.</a></p> +<p class="c"><a href="#EXPLANATION">Explanation +of +Terms Used in Natural History.</a><br /> +<a href="#APPENDIX">Appendix of Fabulous Animals.</a></p> +<p class="c"><a href="#INDEX">Index</a>:<small> +<a href="#A">A</a>, +<a href="#B">B</a>, +<a href="#C">C</a>, +<a href="#D">D</a>, +<a href="#E">E</a>, +<a href="#F">F</a>, +<a href="#G">G</a>, +<a href="#H">H</a>, +<a href="#I-i">I</a>, +<a href="#J">J</a>, +<a href="#K">K</a>, +<a href="#L">L</a>, +<a href="#M">M</a>, +<a href="#N">N</a>, +<a href="#O">O</a>, +<a href="#P">P</a>, +<a href="#Q">Q</a>, +<a href="#R">R</a>, +<a href="#S">S</a>, +<a href="#T">T</a>, +<a href="#U">U</a>, +<a href="#V-i">V</a>, +<a href="#W">W</a>, +<a href="#X-i">X</a>, +<a href="#Y">Y</a>, +<a href="#Z">Z</a></small></p> +<p class="c"><span class="nonvis">(In certain versions of this etext [in certain browsers] +clicking on this symbol <img class="enlargeimage" src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" alt="" title="" height="14" width="18" />, +or directly on the image, +will bring up a larger version of the illustration.)</span></p> +<p>Some typographical errors have been corrected; +<a href="#transcrib">a list follows the text</a>.</p> +<p class="c">(etext transcriber's note)</p></td></tr> +</table> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 349px;"> +<a href="images/frontispiece_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/frontispiece_sml.jpg" width="349" height="522" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_i" id="page_i"></a>{i}</span> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_ii" id="page_ii"></a>{ii}</span> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_iii" id="page_iii"></a>{iii}</span></p> + +<h1> +MRS. LOUDON’S<br /><br /> +ENTERTAINING NATURALIST,</h1> + +<p class="c"><small><small>BEING</small></small><br /> +POPULAR DESCRIPTIONS, TALES, AND<br /> +ANECDOTES<br /> +<br /> +<small><small>OF MORE THAN</small></small><br /> +<br /> +<b>FIVE HUNDRED ANIMALS.</b><br /><br /> +<i>A NEW EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<small>BY</small><br /> +W. S. DALLAS, F.L.S.<br /> +<br /> +LONDON:<br /> +BELL & DALDY, 6, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN,<br /> +1867.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_iv" id="page_iv"></a>{iv}</span><br /> +<br /> +<small>LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET<br /> +AND CHARING CROSS.</small> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_v" id="page_v"></a>{v}</span></p> + +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a><i>PREFACE.</i></h2> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Loudon’s</span> <i>Entertaining Naturalist</i> has been so deservedly popular +that the publishers, in preparing a new edition, have striven to render +it still more worthy of the reputation it has obtained. For this +purpose, it has been very thoroughly revised and enlarged by Mr. W. S. +Dallas, Member of the Zoological Society, and Curator of the Museum of +Natural History at York, and several illustrations have been added.</p> + +<p>In its present form, it is not only a complete Popular Natural History +of an entertaining character, with an illustration of nearly every +animal mentioned, but its instructive introductions on the +Classification of Animals adapt it well for use as an elementary Manual +of the Natural History of the Animal Kingdom for the use of the Young.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_vi" id="page_vi"></a>{vi}</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_vii" id="page_vii"></a>{vii}</span></p> + +<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Zoology</span> is that branch of Natural History which treats of animals, and +embraces not only their structure and functions, their habits, +instincts, and utility, but their names and systematic arrangement.</p> + +<p>Various systems have been proposed by different naturalists for the +scientific arrangement of the animal kingdom, but that of Cuvier, with +some modifications, is now thought the best, and a sketch of it will be +found under the head of the Modern System in this Introduction. As, +however, the System of Linnæus was formerly in general use, and is still +often referred to, it has been thought advisable to give a sketch of it +first; that the reader may be aware of the difference between the old +system and the new one.</p> + +<h3><i>LINNÆAN SYSTEM.</i></h3> + +<p>According to the system of Linnæus, the objects comprehended within the +animal kingdom were divided into six classes: Mammalia or Mammiferous +Animals, Birds, Amphibia or Amphibious Animals, Fishes, Insects, and +Worms, which were thus distinguished:</p> + +<p class="c"><span class="smcap">Classes.</span></p> + +<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" summary=""> +<tr> + +<td align="left" rowspan="6">Body</td> + +<td align="left" rowspan="4">With vertebræ</td> + +<td align="left" rowspan="2">Hot Blood</td> + +<td align="left">Viviparous</td> + +<td align="right">I.</td><td class="smcap"> Mammalia.</td></tr> +<tr> + +<td align="left">Oviparous</td> + +<td align="right">II. </td><td class="smcap">Birds.</td></tr> +<tr> + +<td align="left" rowspan="2">Cold red Blood</td> + +<td align="left">With lungs</td> + +<td align="right">III.</td><td class="smcap"> Amphibia.</td></tr> +<tr> + +<td align="left">With gills</td> + +<td align="right">IV.</td><td class="smcap"> Fishes.</td></tr> + +<tr> + +<td align="left" rowspan="2">Without vertebræ</td> + +<td rowspan="2"> Cold white Blood</td> + +<td align="left">Having antennæ</td> + +<td align="right">V.</td><td class="smcap"> Insects.</td></tr> +<tr> + +<td align="left">Having tentacula</td> +<td align="right">VI.</td><td class="smcap"> Worms.</td></tr> +</table> + +<h3>ORDERS OF MAMMALIA.</h3> + +<p>The first class, or Mammalia, consists of such animals as produce living +offspring, and nourish their young ones with milk supplied from their +own bodies; and it comprises both the quadrupeds and the cetacea.</p> + +<p>This class was divided by Linnæus into seven Orders: viz. <i>primates</i>, +<i>bruta</i>, <i>feræ</i>, <i>glires</i>, <i>pecora</i>, <i>belluæ</i>, and <i>cetacea</i> (this order +was called Cete by Linnæus) or whales. The characteristics of these were +founded, for the most part, on the number and arrangement of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_viii" id="page_viii"></a>{viii}</span> teeth; +and on the form and construction of the feet, or of those parts in the +seals, manati, and cetacea, which supply the place of feet:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I. <span class="smcap">Primates.</span>—Having the upper front teeth, generally four in +number, wedge-shaped, and parallel; and two teats situated on the +breast, as the apes and monkeys.</p> + +<p>II. <span class="smcap">Bruta.</span>—Having no front teeth in either jaw; and the feet armed +with strong hoof-like nails, as the elephant.</p> + +<p>III. <span class="smcap">Feræ.</span>—Having in general six front teeth in each jaw; a single +canine tooth on each side in both jaws; and the grinders with conic +projections, as the dogs and cats.</p> + +<p>IV. <span class="smcap">Glires.</span>—Having in each jaw two long projecting front teeth, +which stand close together; and no canine teeth in either jaw, as +the rats and mice.</p> + +<p>V. <span class="smcap">Pecora.</span>—Having no front teeth in the upper jaw; six or eight in +the lower jaw, situated at a considerable distance from the +grinders; and the feet with hoofs, as cattle and sheep.</p> + +<p>VI. <span class="smcap">Belluæ.</span>—Having blunt wedge-shaped front teeth in both jaws; +and the feet with hoofs, as horses.</p> + +<p>VII. <span class="smcap">Cetacea.</span>—Having spiracles or breathing-holes on the head; +fins instead of fore feet; and a tail flattened horizontally, +instead of hind feet. This order consists of the narvals, whales, +cachalots, and dolphins.</p></div> + +<h3>ORDERS OF BIRDS.</h3> + +<p>The second class, or Birds, comprises all such animals as have their +bodies clad with feathers. Their jaws are elongated, and covered +externally with a horny substance, called a bill or beak, which is +divided into two parts called mandibles. Their eyes are furnished with a +thin, whitish, and somewhat transparent membrane, that can at pleasure +be drawn over the whole external surface like a curtain. Their organs of +motion are two wings and two legs; and they are destitute of external +ears, lips, and many other parts which are important to quadrupeds. That +part of Zoology which treats of Birds is called Ornithology.</p> + +<p>Linnæus divided this class into six Orders:</p> + +<h4>1. <i>Land Birds.</i></h4> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I. <span class="smcap">Rapacious Birds</span> (<i>Accipitres</i>).—Having the upper mandible +hooked, and an angular projection on each side near the point, as +the eagles, hawks, and owls.</p> + +<p>II. <span class="smcap">Pies</span> (<i>Picæ</i>).—Having their bills sharp at the edge, somewhat +compressed at the sides, and convex on the top, as the crow.</p> + +<p>III. <span class="smcap">Passerine Birds</span> (<i>Passeres</i>).—Having the bill conical and +pointed, and the nostrils oval, open, and naked, as the sparrow and +linnet.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_ix" id="page_ix"></a>{ix}</span></p> + +<p>IV. <span class="smcap">Gallinaceous Birds</span> (<i>Gallinæ</i>).—Having the upper mandible +arched, and covering the lower one at the edge, and the nostrils +arched over with a cartilaginous membrane, as the common poultry.</p></div> + +<h4>2. <i>Water Birds.</i></h4> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>V. <span class="smcap">Waders</span> (<i>Grallæ</i>).—Having a roundish bill, a fleshy tongue, and +the legs naked above the knees, as the herons, plovers, and snipes.</p> + +<p>VI. <span class="smcap">Swimmers</span> (<i>Anseres</i>).—Having their bills broad at the top, and +covered with a soft skin, and the feet webbed, as ducks and geese.</p></div> + +<h3>ORDERS OF AMPHIBIA.</h3> + +<p>Under the third class, or Amphibia, Linnæus arranged such animals as +have a cold, and, generally, naked body, a lurid colour, and nauseous +smell. They respire chiefly by lungs, but they have the power of +suspending respiration for a long time. They are extremely tenacious of +life, and can repair certain parts of their bodies which have been lost. +They are also able to endure hunger, sometimes even for months, without +injury.</p> + +<p>The bodies of some of them, as the turtles and tortoises, are protected +by a hard and horny shield or covering; those of others are clad with +scales, as the serpents, and some of the lizards; whilst others, as the +frogs, toads, and most of the water-lizards, are entirely naked, or have +their skin covered with warts. Many of the species shed their skins at +certain times of the year. Several of them are furnished with a poison, +which they eject into wounds that are made by their teeth. They chiefly +live in retired, watery, and marshy places; and, for the most part, feed +on other animals, though some of them eat water-plants, and many feed on +garbage and filth. None of these species chew their food; they swallow +it whole, and digest it very slowly.</p> + +<p>The offspring of all these animals are produced from eggs, which, after +they have been deposited by the parent animals in a proper place, are +hatched by the heat of the sun. The eggs of some of the species are +covered with a shell; those of others have a soft and tough skin or +covering, not much unlike wet parchment; and the eggs of several are +perfectly gelatinous. In those few that produce their offspring alive, +as the vipers and some other serpents, the eggs are regularly formed, +but are hatched within the bodies of the females.</p> + +<p>This class Linnæus divided into three Orders:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I. <span class="smcap">Reptiles.</span>—Having four legs, and walking with a crawling pace, +as the tortoises, toads, and lizards.</p> + +<p>II. <span class="smcap">Serpents.</span>—Having no legs, but crawling on the body.</p> + +<p>III. <span class="smcap">Nantes.</span>—Living in the water, furnished with fins, and +breathing by means of gills. These are true Fishes, principally of +the group termed <i>Chondropterygii</i>, or Cartilaginous Fishes, by +Cuvier.</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_x" id="page_x"></a>{x}</span></p> + +<h3>ORDERS OF FISHES.</h3> + +<p>Fishes constituted Linnæus’s fourth class of animals. They are all +inhabitants of the water, in which they move by certain organs called +fins. Those situated on the back are called dorsal fins; those on the +sides, behind the gills, pectoral fins; those below the body, near the +head, are ventral; those behind the vent are anal; and that which forms +the tail is called the caudal fin. Fishes breathe by gills, which, in +most species, are situated at the sides of the head. Fishes rise and +sink in the water, generally by a kind of bladder in the interior of the +body, called an air-bladder. Some of them do not possess this organ, and +consequently are seldom found but at the bottom of the sea, from which +they can only rise by an effort. The bodies of these animals are usually +covered with scales, which keep them from injury by the contact of the +water.</p> + +<p>The fishes were divided by Linnæus into four Orders:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I. <span class="smcap">Apodal.</span>—Having no ventral fins, as the eel.</p> + +<p>II. <span class="smcap">Jugular.</span>—Having the ventral fins situated in front of the +pectoral fins, as the cod, haddock, and whiting.</p> + +<p>III. <span class="smcap">Thoracic.</span>—Having the ventral fins situated directly under the +pectoral fins, as the perch and mackerel.</p> + +<p>IV. <span class="smcap">Abdominal.</span>—Having the ventral fins on the lower part of the +body below the pectoral fins, as the salmon, herring, and carp.</p></div> + +<h3>ORDERS OF INSECTS.</h3> + +<p>The fifth class of Linnæus comprised the Insects; and the branch of +Zoology which treats of them is called Entomology. Nearly all insects go +through certain great changes at different periods of their existence. +From the egg is hatched the larva, which is a grub or caterpillar, and +destitute of wings; this afterwards changes to a pupa, or chrysalis, +wholly covered with a hard shell, or strong skin, from which the perfect +or winged insect bursts forth. Spiders and their allies, which were +included by Linnæus in the insects, issue from the egg in nearly a +perfect state.</p> + +<p>Linnæus divided his class of insects into seven Orders:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I. <span class="smcap">Coleopterous.</span>—Having elytra, or crustaceous cases covering the +wings; and which, when closed, meet in a straight line along the +middle of the back, as the cockchafer.</p> + +<p>II. <span class="smcap">Hemipterous.</span>—Having four wings, the upper ones partly +crustaceous, and partly membranous; not divided straight down the +middle of the back, but crossed, or incumbent on each other, as the +cockroach.</p> + +<p>III. <span class="smcap">Lepidopterous.</span>—Having four wings covered with fine scales +almost like powder, as the butterflies and moths.</p> + +<p>IV. <span class="smcap">Neuropterous.</span>—Having four membranous and semi-transparent +wings, veined like network; and the tail without a sting, as the +dragon-fly and ephemera.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xi" id="page_xi"></a>{xi}</span></p> + +<p>V. <span class="smcap">Hymenopterous.</span>—Having four membranous and semi-transparent +wings, veined like network; and the tail armed with a sting, as the +wasp and bee.</p> + +<p>VI. <span class="smcap">Dipterous.</span>—Having only two wings, as the common house-flies.</p> + +<p>VII. <span class="smcap">Apterous.</span>—Having no wings, as the spiders.</p></div> + +<h3>ORDERS OF VERMES, OR WORMS.</h3> + +<p>The sixth and last Linnæan class consisted of Worms, or Vermes. These +are slow of motion, and have soft and fleshy bodies. Some of them have +hard internal parts, and others have crustaceous coverings. In some of +the species, eyes and ears are very perceptible, whilst others appear to +enjoy only the senses of taste and touch. Many have no distinct head, +and most of them are destitute of feet. They are, in general, so +tenacious of life, that parts which have been destroyed will be +reproduced. These animals are principally distinguished from those of +the other classes by having tentacula, or feelers, and are divided by +Linnæus into five Orders:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I. <span class="smcap">Intestina.</span>—Are simple and naked, without limbs; some of them +live within other animals, as the ascarides and tape-worms; others +in water, as the leeches; and a few in the earth, as the +earth-worm.</p> + +<p>II. <span class="smcap">Mollusca.</span>—Are simple animals, without shells, and furnished +with limbs, as the cuttle-fish, medusa, star-fish, and sea-urchin.</p> + +<p>III. <span class="smcap">Testacea.</span>—Are animals similar to the last, but covered with +shells, as oysters, cockles, snails, and limpets.</p> + +<p>IV. <span class="smcap">Lithophyta.</span>—Are composite Polyps, dwelling in cells in a +calcareous base which they produce, as corals and madrepores.</p> + +<p>V. <span class="smcap">Zoophyta.</span>—Are usually composite animals, but do not reside in +stony cells. The coral, sponge, and polyps are instances of this +order, which also includes the Infusorial Animalcules.</p></div> + +<h3><i>MODERN SYSTEM.</i></h3> + +<p>It will be found by reading the following sketch of the Modern System +that the greatest change has taken place in the latter two classes. The +others remain nearly the same in effect, though their distinctions are +different, and the classes are not arranged in the same order.</p> + +<p>According to Cuvier, all animals are arranged in four great divisions, +which are subdivided into classes and orders, as follows:—</p> + +<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="" + class="tbl"> +<tr><td align="center">Divisions</td> +<td align="center">Classes</td> +<td align="center">No. of Orders</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" rowspan="4"> I. <span class="smcap">Vertebrata.</span><br /> +Four Classes. Twenty-seven Orders.</td> +<td align="left"> 1. Mammalia</td><td align="left">Nine.</td></tr> +<tr><td>2. Aves</td><td align="left">Six.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 3. Reptilia</td><td align="left">Four.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 4. Pisces</td><td align="left">Eight.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" rowspan="6"> II. <span class="smcap">Mollusca.</span><br /><br /> +Six Classes. Fifteen Orders.</td><td align="left"> 1. Cephalopoda</td><td align="left">One.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 2. Pteropoda</td><td align="left">One.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 3. Gasteropoda</td><td align="left">Nine.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 4. Acephala</td><td align="left">Two.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 5. Brachiopoda</td><td align="left">One.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 6. Cirrhopoda</td><td align="left">One.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" rowspan="4"> III. <span class="smcap">Articulata.</span><br /><br /> +Four Classes. Twenty-four Orders.</td><td align="left"> 1. Annelides</td><td align="left">Three.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 2. Crustacea</td><td align="left">Seven.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 3. Arachnida</td><td align="left">Two.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 4. Insecta</td><td align="left">Twelve.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" rowspan="5"> IV. <span class="smcap">Radiata.</span><br /><br /> +Five Classes. Eleven Orders.</td><td align="left"> 1. Echinodermata</td><td align="left">Two.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 2. Entozoa</td><td align="left">Two.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 3. Acalephæ</td><td align="left">Two.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 4. Polypi</td><td align="left">Three.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> 5. Infusoria</td><td align="left">Two.</td></tr> +</table> + +<h3>THE VERTEBRATED ANIMALS</h3> + +<p>Have a backbone divided into vertebræ or joints, whence they take their +name. They have also separate senses for hearing, seeing, tasting, +smelling, and feeling; a distinct head, with a mouth opening by two +horizontal jaws; a muscular heart, and red blood. The four classes of +Vertebrata and their orders are as follow:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I. <span class="smcap">The Mammalia</span> are all furnished with mammæ, or teats, through +which they give milk to their young, which they bring forth alive. +They have warm blood, which all circulates from the heart through +the lungs, and returns to the heart before it passes through the +body. Their skins are naked, or covered with wool or hair, and +their mouths are generally furnished with teeth. There are eleven +orders, which are thus distinguished:—</p></div> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Section I.</span>—<i>Unguiculated Animals, or Mammalia having Nails or Claws.</i></h4> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I. <i>Bimana</i>, or two-handed. This order contains only the human +species.</p> + +<p>II. <i>Quadrumana</i>, or four-handed. This order contains the apes, +baboons, and monkeys, and the lemurs.</p> + +<p>III. <i>Cheiroptera</i>, the bat family.</p> + +<p>IV. <i>Carnivora</i>, or beasts of prey. This order is divided into the +following three tribes:—</p> + +<p>1. <i>The Insectivora</i>, consisting of those animals which live upon +insects, as the hedgehog, the shrew, and the mole.</p> + +<p>2. <i>The Carnivora proper</i>, consisting chiefly of the cat family, +including lions, tigers, and their allies; the bear family, +including the badger, the coati-mondi, the racoon, &c.; the dog +family, including the wolf and the fox; the weasel family; the +civet-cats; and the hyæna.</p> + +<p>3. <i>The Amphibia</i>, consisting of the seals, and other allied +animals.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xiii" id="page_xiii"></a>{xiii}</span></p> + +<p>V. <i>Marsupialia</i>, including the opossums and the kangaroos.</p> + +<p>VI. <i>Monothrema</i>, containing the Echidna and Ornithorhynchus of +Australia.</p> + +<p>VII. <i>Rodentia</i>, or gnawing animals. The principal of these are the +squirrel family, mice and rats, hares and rabbits, the beaver, the +porcupine, and the guinea-pig.</p> + +<p>VIII. <i>Edentata</i>, or toothless animals, that is, without front +teeth. The principal of these are the sloths, the armadillos, and +the ant-eaters.</p></div> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Section II.</span>—<i>Ungulated or Hoofed Mammalia.</i></h4> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>IX. <i>Pachydermata</i>, or thick-skinned animals. The principal of +these are the elephant, the hippopotamus, the rhinoceros; the horse +family, including the ass, the mule, the zebra, and the quagga; the +wild boar family, and the tapir.</p> + +<p>X. <i>Ruminantia</i>, or ruminating animals, the principal of which are +the camel family, the deer family, the giraffe, the antelope +family, the goat family, the sheep family, and the ox family.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section III.</span>—<i>Aquatic Mammalia, having no Hind Limbs, and the Fore +Limbs converted into Fins.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>XI. <i>Cetacea</i>, or sea mammalia, the principal of which are the +whale family, the dolphin family, the manati, the porpoise family, +and the narwhal, or sea-unicorn.</p></div> + +<h3>THE AVES, OR BIRDS,</h3> + +<p class="nind">Lay eggs from which their young are hatched by what is called +incubation. Their skins are covered with feathers; and their jaws are +horny, without teeth. Their blood is warm, and circulates like that of +the mammalia. The six orders of Aves are as follow:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>1. <i>Raptores</i>, or birds of prey. These birds are distinguished by a +very strong and sharp bill more or less curved, but always hooked +at the extremity of the upper mandible, which is covered at the +base with a kind of skin called the cere. The nostrils are usually +open. The legs are very strong, the feet are large, and the toes, +which are four in number, are armed with very strong, sharp, curved +claws. The principal raptorial birds are the vultures, including +the condor; the falcon family, including the eagles, hawks, kites, +and buzzards; and the owls.</p> + +<p>2. <i>Insessores</i>, or perching birds. These birds have all feet +formed for perching, the hind toe springing from the same place as +the other toes, which gives them great power of grasping. Their +legs are of moderate length, and their claws not sharply curved. +This order includes the thrushes, nightingales, and all the finest +songsters of our groves, with the robin-redbreast, the sparrow, and +other birds seen about dwellings, the swallows, the larks, the crow +family, the kingfishers, the birds of paradise, and the humming +birds.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xiv" id="page_xiv"></a>{xiv}</span></p> + +<p>3. <i>Scansores</i>, or climbers. These birds have two toes before and +two behind. This construction gives them such great power of +climbing, that they can ascend the perpendicular trunk of a tree. +The principal birds in this order are the parrots, the cuckoos, and +the woodpeckers.</p> + +<p>4. <i>Rasores</i>, or gallinaceous birds. These birds have the head +small in proportion to the body. The bill is generally short, with +the upper mandible somewhat curved. The nostrils have usually a +protecting fleshy membrane. The tarsus, or lower part of the leg, +is long and bare, and there are four toes, those in front being +united by a slight membrane, while that behind is generally higher +up the leg, and smaller than the others. This order comprises most +of the birds used as food, and includes the peacock, the turkey, +the common cock and hen, the partridge, the pheasant, and the +pigeon family.</p> + +<p>5. <i>Grallatores</i>, or Waders. These birds are characterised by their +long and slender legs, and by the thighs being more or less bare. +There are three anterior toes, more or less united at the base by a +membrane, or rudimentary web. The hind toe is wanting in some +members of the order. This order contains the ostrich family, the +bustards and plovers; the cranes, herons, and storks; and the +snipes and woodcocks.</p> + +<p>6. <i>Palmipedes</i>, or web-footed birds. These birds have the legs and +feet short, and placed behind, with their fore toes united by a +thick and strong membrane. The neck is much longer than the legs, +and their bodies are covered with a dense layer of down beneath the +outer plumage, which is close, and imbued with an oily fluid that +repels the water. The principal birds in this order are the grebes, +the auks and penguins, the petrels, the pelican and cormorant and +the swans, ducks, and geese.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>By many ornithologists the pigeons and ostriches are considered to +form distinct orders, called respectively <i>Columbæ</i> and <i>Cursores</i>.</p></div> + +<h3>THE REPTILIA,</h3> + +<p class="nind">Or Reptiles, have neither hair, wool, nor feathers, and their bodies are +either naked, or covered with scales. Some lay eggs, and some bring +forth their young alive. Some have gills, and others lungs, but the +latter have only a portion of the blood passing through them; and thus +the blood of reptiles is cold, as it is respiration which gives the +blood heat. The senses of reptiles are dull, and their movements are +either slow or laborious. The following are the four orders into which +this class is divided:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>1. <i>Chelonian Reptiles.</i> These animals have four legs. The body is +enclosed in an upper buckler, called the carapace, and an under +one, called the plastron. They have lungs which are much expanded; +but they have no teeth, though they have hard horny jaws. The +females lay eggs covered with a hard shell. The principal animals +belonging to this division are the tortoises, which live on land or +in fresh waters, and the turtles, which inhabit the sea.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xv" id="page_xv"></a>{xv}</span></p> + +<p>2. <i>The Saurian Reptiles.</i> These animals have also expanded lungs, +and generally four legs, but some have only two. Their bodies are +covered with scales, and their mouths filled with teeth. This order +includes all the crocodiles and lizards. The crocodiles have broad +flat tongues, attached throughout to the jaws, and the lizards have +long narrow tongues, which many of them can extend to a great +distance from the mouth.</p> + +<p>3. <i>The Ophidian Reptiles</i> are the snakes and serpents. The body is +covered with scales, but it is destitute of feet. The lungs are +generally well developed, only on one side. Serpents are frequently +furnished with poison-bags at the base of some of their teeth.</p> + +<p>4. <i>The Batrachian Reptiles</i> include the frogs and toads. The body +is naked. The greater part of these reptiles undergo a transition +from a fish-like tadpole furnished with gills to a four-legged +animal with lungs. Others never lose their gills, though they +acquire lungs, and of this kind are the siren and the proteus.</p></div> + +<h3>THE PISCES,</h3> + +<p class="nind">Or Fishes, are defined by Cuvier to be vertebrated animals with red +blood, breathing through the medium of water by means of their branchiæ +or gills. To this definition may be added, that fishes have no neck, and +that the body generally tapers from the head to the tail; that most of +the species are furnished with air-bladders which enable them to swim; +and that their bodies are generally covered with scales. The heart has +only one auricle, and the blood is cold. The gills require to be kept +moist to enable the fish to breathe, and as soon as they become dry, the +fish dies. Thus fishes with large gill openings die almost as soon as +they are taken out of the water; while those with very small openings, +like the eel, live a long time. Fishes have no feet, but are furnished +with fins. The scientific knowledge of Fishes is called Ichthyology. +Fishes are first divided into two great series, viz. the Bony Fishes, +and the Cartilaginous Fishes, and these are again subdivided into nine +orders, as follows:—</p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Osseous or Bony Fishes.</span></h4> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>1. <i>Acanthopterygii</i>, or fishes with hard fins.</p> + +<p>2. <i>Malacopterygii abdominales</i>, or soft-finned fishes, with the +ventral fins on the abdomen behind the pectorals.</p> + +<p>3. <i>Malacopterygii sub-brachiati</i>, or soft-finned fishes, with the +ventral fins under the gills.</p> + +<p>4. <i>Malacopterygii apodes</i>, or soft-finned fishes, without ventral +fins.</p> + +<p>5. <i>Lophobranchii</i>, or fishes with tufted gills.</p> + +<p>6. <i>Plectognathii</i>, or fishes with the upper jaw fixed.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Chondropterygii, or Cartilaginous Fishes.</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>7. <i>Cyclostomi</i>, or fishes with jaws fixed in an immovable ring, +and with holes for the gills.</p> + +<p>8. <i>Selachii</i>, or fishes with movable jaws and holes for the gills.</p> + +<p>9. <i>Sturiones</i>, with the branchiæ in the usual form.</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xvi" id="page_xvi"></a>{xvi}</span></p> + +<p>Of the bony fishes the <i>Acanthopterygii</i>, or fishes with hard spiny +fins, are divided into fifteen families, the principal of which are the +perch family, the mailed cheek fishes, including the gurnards, the +flying fish of the Mediterranean, and the sticklebacks, or jack +banticles; the mackerel family, including the tunny, bonito, and +sword-fish; the pilot-fish, the dolphin of the Mediterranean, so +celebrated for the beauty of its dying tints, and the John Dory. Among +the <i>Malacopterygii abdominales</i>, or soft-finned fishes, that have their +ventral fins suspended from the abdomen, the most interesting are the +carp family, the pike family, the flying-fish of the ocean, the salmon +family, and the herring family, including the sprat, pilchard, and +anchovy.</p> + +<p><i>The Malacopterygii sub-brachiati</i> are soft-finned fishes, with the +ventral fins beneath the pectorals; the principal of which are the cod +family, including the haddock, whiting, and ling; the flat-fish family, +including soles, turbots, plaice, and flounders; and the suckers or +lump-fish.</p> + +<p><i>The Malacopterygii apodes</i> are confined to the eel family.</p> + +<p><i>The Lophobranchii</i> include the pipe fish, and other fishes of similar +form.</p> + +<p><i>The Plectognathi</i> comprise the very singular forms of the balloon-fish, +the sun-fish, and other similar fishes.</p> + +<p><i>The Chondropterygii, or Cartilaginous fishes</i>, are divided into three +orders, viz. <i>the Sturiones</i>, or sturgeon family; <i>the Selachi</i>, or +sharks and rays, including the torpedo; and <i>the Cyclostomi</i>, or lamprey +family. The last two orders were included by Cuvier in a single one.</p> + +<h3>THE MOLLUSCOUS ANIMALS</h3> + +<p class="nind">Have no bones except their shells. Their sense of feeling appears to be +very acute, but the organs for the other senses are either wanting or +very imperfect. The blood is cold and white, and the heart often +consists of only one ventricle; a few of them have imperfect lungs, but +the greater number breathe through gills. They have all the power of +remaining a long time in a state of rest, and their movements are either +slow or violently laborious. Some of them appear incapable of +locomotion. They produce their young from eggs, but some lay their eggs +on a part of their own body, where the young are hatched. The following +are Cuvier’s six classes:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>1. <i>Cephalopoda, or Head-footed Mollusca.</i> These animals are +furnished with long fleshy arms or feet, proceeding from the head, +which is not distinct from the body, and on which they crawl. There +is only one order, which includes the cuttle-fish, nautilus, and +belemnites.</p> + +<p>2. <i>Pteropoda, or Wing-footed Mollusca.</i> These animals have two +membranous feet or arms, like wings, proceeding from the neck. +There is only one order, which contains six genera, the best known +of which is the Hyalæa, the shell of which is commonly called +Venus’s chariot.</p> + +<p>3. <i>Gasteropoda, or Body-footed Mollusca.</i> All these animals crawl +with the flat part of the body, which acts as a kind of sucker. +There are nine orders in Cuvier’s system. The common snail will +give an idea of the habits of the class.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xvii" id="page_xvii"></a>{xvii}</span></p> + +<p>4. <i>Acephala, or Headless Mollusca.</i> These animals have no apparent +head, and breathe by means of branchiæ, which are generally +ribbon-shaped. Most of them are enclosed in a bivalve shell, but +some are naked; the former are the <i>Testacea</i> of Cuvier, and the +<i>Conchifera</i> of Lamarck; the latter are the <i>Tunicata</i> of Lamarck. +They form two orders.</p> + +<p>5. <i>Brachiopoda, or Arm-footed Mollusca.</i> These animals also have a +bivalve shell; but they have no true branchiæ, and their +respiration is effected by the agency of the mantle. They have two +spiral arms.</p> + +<p>6. <i>Cirrhopoda, or Curled-footed Mollusca.</i> These are generally +attached, and enclosed in a shell of several pieces; they are +furnished with a mouth, armed with jaws, and with several pairs of +jointed and fringed organs, called cirri, by the protrusion and +retraction of which they capture their prey. Examples of this class +are the Barnacles and Acorn shells. These animals have long ceased +to be regarded as Mollusca, the investigations of modern +naturalists having proved them to be true articulated animals most +nearly related to the Crustacea.</p></div> + +<h3>THE ARTICULATED ANIMALS</h3> + +<p class="nind">Have no back-bone. The covering of the body is sometimes hard and +sometimes soft, but it is always divided into segments by a number of +transverse incisions. The limbs, when the body is provided with any, are +jointed; and they can be separated from the body without any serious +injury being sustained by the animal, new limbs being shortly after +formed to replace them. The senses of tasting and seeing are more +perfect than those of the Mollusca, though that of feeling seems much +less acute. In other respects the four classes differ considerably from +each other.</p> + +<p>[<i>The Entozoa, or Intestinal Worms</i>, placed by Cuvier and others among +the Radiata, are now arranged amongst the lowest forms of articulated +animals, as are also those animalcules known as <i>Rotifera</i>.]</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I. <i>The Annelida, or Red-blooded Worms</i>, have no heart, properly so +called, but have sometimes one or more fleshy ventricles. They +breathe through branchiæ. Their bodies are soft, and more or less +elongated, being divided into numerous rings or segments. The head, +which is at one extremity of the body, can scarcely be +distinguished from the tail, except by having a mouth. These +animals have no feet, properly so called, but they are furnished +with little fleshy projections, bearing tufts of hairs or bristles, +which enable them to move. They are generally of carnivorous +habits. They lay eggs, but the young are frequently hatched before +exclusion, and hence these creatures are said to be ovoviviparous. +Their study is called Helminthology. As examples of the three +orders of this class may be mentioned the serpulæ or worm-like +animals, often found on shells, the common earthworm, and the leech +family.</p> + +<p>II. <i>The Crustacea</i> comprise the shell-fish commonly called crabs, +lobsters, shrimps, and prawns. They have a distinct head, furnished +with antennæ, eyes, and mouth; and their bodies are<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xviii" id="page_xviii"></a>{xviii}</span> covered with a +crust or shell, divided into segments by transverse incisions, the +segments being united by a strong membrane. Once a year the larger +species of these animals moult, throwing off their old crust or +shell, and forming a new one, the animal remaining in a naked and +greatly weakened state during the intermediate time. Many of the +Crustacea swim with great ease, but on land their motions are +generally cramped and awkward; and they are confined to crawling, +or leaping by means of the tail. When a limb is injured they +possess the extraordinary power of throwing it off, and forming a +new one. The Crustacea lay eggs, and the young of some of the +species undergo a transformation before they attain their full +size. The Crustacea were divided into two sections and seven orders +by Latreille, which are as follow:—</p></div> +</div> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Section I.</span> <i>Malacostraca.</i></h4> + +<p class="nind">Shell solid, legs ten or fourteen, foot-jaws six or ten, mandibles two, +maxillæ four; mouth with a labrum.</p> + +<p>Sub-section I. <i>Podophthalma</i>, eyes on foot-stalks.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Order 1.</span> <i>Decapoda</i>, legs ten.</p> + +<p>Sub-order 1. <i>Brachyura</i>, the crabs.</p> + +<p>Sub-order 2. <i>Macroura</i>, the lobsters.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Order 2.</span> <i>Stomapoda</i>, legs more than ten.</p> + +<p>Sub-section II. <i>Edriophthalma</i>, eyes not on foot-stalks.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Order 3.</span> <i>Amphipoda</i>, body compressed; mandibles palpigerous.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Order 4.</span> <i>Læmodipoda</i>, abdomen rudimental, with only the rudiments +of one or two pairs of appendages.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Order 5.</span> <i>Isopoda</i>, body depressed; abdominal appendages flat; +mandibles not palpigerous.</p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Section II.</span> <i>Entomostraca.</i></h4> + +<p class="nind">Shell not solid; legs variable in number; mouth variable.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Order 6.</span> <i>Branchiopoda.</i> Integuments horny, branchiæ feathery, +forming part of the feet.</p> + +<p>It is to this division of the Crustacea that the Cirrhopoda are now +referred.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Order 7.</span> <i>Pæcilopoda</i>, mouth suctorial.</p> + +<p>Sub-order 1. <i>Xiphosura</i>, or king-crabs.</p> + +<p>Sub-order 2. <i>Siphonostoma</i>, or fish parasites.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>III. <i>The Arachnida</i> are defined by Lamarck to be oviparous +animals, provided with six or more articulated legs, not subject to +metamorphosis, and never acquiring any new kinds of organs. It is +now known, however, that some mites undergo a sort of +metamorphosis, having only six legs when first hatched, and passing +through a quiet pupa stage before acquiring their perfect form. +Their respiration is either by means of air-sacks, which serve for +lungs, or of a kind of tube with circular openings for the +admission of air. There is a rudimentary heart and circulation in +most of the species. There are two orders; those with lungs, and +those without.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Order I.</span> <i>Pulmonariæ.</i> The Arachnides comprised in this division +have air-sacks, which serve for lungs, a heart with distinct +vessels, and from six to eight simple eyes. There are two<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xix" id="page_xix"></a>{xix}</span> distinct +families: viz. <i>Araneides</i>, comprising all the spiders and +spinners; and Pedipalpi, comprising the tarantula and scorpions.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Order II.</span> <i>Tracheariæ.</i> These Arachnides are distinguished by their +respiratory organs, which consist of radiated or branched tracheæ, +receiving air by two circular openings. Their eyes vary from two to +four. The principal animals belonging to this division are the +long-legged spiders (<i>Phalangium</i>), and the mites (<i>Acarus</i>), +including the gardener’s pest, the little red spider (<i>Acarus +telarius</i>), the cheese mite (<i>Acarus Siro</i>), and the harvest bug +(<i>Acarus</i> or <i>Leptus autumnalis</i>).</p> + +<p>IV. <i>The Insecta</i> form the fourth and last class of articulated +animals, and they derive their name from the Latin word <i>insectum</i>, +which signifies “cut into,” in allusion to the distinct divisions +of head, thorax, and abdomen in the true insects: and in +contradistinction to the Annelides, the bodies of which present no +such divisions. The true insects are defined as animals without +vertebræ, possessing six feet, with a distinct head furnished with +antennæ, and breathing through stigmatic openings, which lead to +interior tracheæ. The Myriapoda have, however, more feet. The +following are the twelve orders into which this class is divided.</p></div> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Section I.</span> <i>Insects undergoing Metamorphosis.</i></h4> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>1. <i>Coleoptera</i> (from two Greek words signifying sheathed wings). +These are the beetles, which are all furnished with membranous +wings, with which they fly, and which are protected by horny upper +wings, or wing-cases, called elytra. They are all masticators, and +are all provided with mandibles or projecting jaws, and maxillæ.</p> + +<p>2. <i>Orthoptera</i>, or straight-winged insects. This order comprises +the crickets, grasshoppers, locusts, and similar insects. They have +their upper wings of the consistence of parchment, and have +mandibles and maxillæ.</p> + +<p>3. <i>Hemiptera</i>, or half-winged insects, have frequently half the +upper wing membranous, like the under ones, while the other half is +leathery. To this division belong the bugs, the water-scorpions, +the cicadæ or froghoppers, and the aphides. These insects have +neither mandibles nor maxillæ, but in their place have a sheath and +sucker.</p> + +<p>4. <i>Neuroptera</i>, or nerved-winged insects, such as the +dragon-flies, have both pairs of wings membranous, naked, and +finely reticulated. The mouth is adapted for mastication, and +furnished with mandibles and maxillæ.</p> + +<p>5. <i>Hymenoptera</i>, membranous winged insects, such as bees, wasps, +ichneumon flies, &c. All the four wings are membranous, but they +have fewer nervures, and are not reticulated like those of the +preceding order. The mouth is furnished with mandibles and maxillæ, +and the abdomen is terminated either by an ovipositor or a sting.</p> + +<p>6. <i>Lepidoptera</i>, or scaly-winged insects. These are the +butterflies and moths, which are characterised by the farinaceous +or scaly aspect of their wings, and the tubular or thread-like +extension of the parts of the mouth.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xx" id="page_xx"></a>{xx}</span></p> + +<p>7. <i>Strepsiptera</i> or <i>Rhipiptera</i>, with twisted wings. These +creatures resemble the ichneumon, in laying their eggs in the +bodies of other insects, though they generally attack wasps and +bees. The principal genera are Xenos and Stylops. They are +generally considered to be closely allied to the Beetles.</p> + +<p>8. <i>Diptera</i>, or two-winged insects, including the flies. The mouth +is furnished with a proboscis, and there are two small wings called +<i>halteres</i> placed behind the true wings, which act as balancers.</p> + +<p>9. <i>Suctoria</i>, or sucking insects, such as the flea, which have no +wings, but are furnished with an apparatus for sucking blood.</p></div> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Section II.</span> <i>Insects not undergoing Metamorphosis.</i></h4> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>10. <i>Thysanoura</i>, or spring-tail insects. These creatures are of +small size, and without wings; they are found in crevices of +woodwork, or under stones. The principal genera are Lepisma and +Podura.</p> + +<p>11. <i>Parasita</i>, or parasitical insects, such as the louse. They are +also without wings.</p> + +<p>12. <i>Myriapoda.</i> This order is made a separate class by many +naturalists, as the creatures contained in it are distinguished +from the true insects by the great number of their feet; by the +want of distinct divisions into thorax and abdomen; and by the +great number of segments into which the body is divided. The +principal insects in this order are included in the Linnæan genera +<i>Julus</i> and <i>Scolopendra</i>, commonly called centipedes.</p></div> + +<p>The term larva is applied to the young of all insects, included in the +first nine orders, when first hatched. The different kinds have, +however, other names; that is to say, the larva of a butterfly, or moth, +is called a caterpillar; that of a beetle, a grub; and that of a fly, a +maggot. The larva changes its skin several times, and at last goes into +the pupa state, when it is called a chrysalis, an aurelia, or a nymph. +Sometimes the pupa is wrapped up in a loose outer covering called a +cocoon. From the pupa in time bursts forth the imago, or perfect insect. +The Apterous, or wingless true insects, and the Myriapoda, which are +also without wings, do not undergo any metamorphosis.</p> + +<h3>THE RADIATED ANIMALS</h3> + +<p class="nind">Are so called because their organs of locomotion, and even their +internal viscera, are generally arranged in a circle round a centre, so +as to give a radiated appearance to the whole body. The animals included +in this class are the very lowest in the scale; they have scarcely any +external senses; their movements are slow, and almost their only sign of +life is a craving for food. Some of them, however, have a distinct mouth +and alimentary canal, with an anal orifice; others have a bag-like +stomach with a kind of mouth, through which they both take their food +and reject their excrements; while others have no mouth, and appear only +to absorb nourishment through pores. In the like manner, though some are +oviparous, others may be propagated by division into plants. Of these +Cuvier makes five classes:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxi" id="page_xxi"></a>{xxi}</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I. <i>Echinodermata</i>, or sea-urchins. These animals have a leathery +or crustaceous skin or shell, commonly covered with numerous +tubercles. The mouth is generally in the centre of the animal, and +is often armed with five or more pieces of bone, which serve as +teeth; the stomach is a loose bag; the organs for respiration are +vascular; and the animals are oviparous. They are furnished with +tentacular tubes, which serve as arms or feet, and which they can +push out and draw back at pleasure; and they have yellowish or +orange-coloured blood, which appears to circulate. Cuvier divides +this class into those with feet, and those without; but Lamarck, +whose arrangement has been more generally followed, divides them +into three orders; viz.:</p> + +<p>1. <i>The Fistuloides</i>, or <i>Holothurida</i>, which have cylindrical +bodies, leathery skins, and mouths surrounded by tentacula. These +creatures live in the sea, or in the sands on the sea-shore; the +trepang, or eatable worm of the Chinese, is one of them.</p> + +<p>2. <i>The Echinides.</i> These are the sea-urchins, properly so called, +and the shells, when the animals are out of them, are called +sea-eggs. The Echinides live in the sea. They lay eggs, and the +roe, or imperfect eggs, occupy a large portion of the space within +the shell when the animal is still alive.</p> + +<p>3. <i>The Stellerides</i>, or <i>Asterias</i>, are the star-fish. The mouth +in these creatures is in the middle of the lower surface, and it +has a membranous lip, capable of great dilation, but furnished with +angular projections for capturing its prey. The skin is soft, but +leathery, and it is covered on the back with spongeous tubercles, +or scales. The rays are hollow beneath, and furnished with +tentacula, by the aid of which the star-fish manages to crawl +backwards, forwards, or sideways, as the case may be, any of the +rays serving as a leader. These animals are found on the sea-shore, +forming large beds, which are washed over by the sea. <i>The +Crinoidea</i>, or stone-lilies, of which such curious fossil specimens +have been found, are nearly allied to the star-fish.</p> + +<p>II. <i>The Intestina</i>, or <i>Entozoa</i>. The intestinal worms were +divided into two kinds by Cuvier, viz. the <i>Cavitaires</i>, including +the worms of children, and other cylindrical worms; and the +<i>Parenchymateux</i>, or flat worms; such as the fluke in sheep and the +tape-worm in human beings. The Entozoa are now universally regarded +as belonging to the Articulated or Annulose division of the animal +kingdom.</p> + +<p>III. <i>Acalephæ</i>, or <i>Sea-Jellies</i>. These creatures are of a soft +and jelly-like substance, with a thin skin, and an unarmed mouth. +The Medusides are very numerous, and produce that beautiful +phosphorescent light noticed by voyagers in the Australian seas. +The most interesting of the Acalephes is the Portuguese man-of-war, +or Physalia.</p> + +<p>IV. <i>Polyps</i>, or <i>Anthozoa</i>, according to Cuvier, were divided into +three orders; namely:</p> + +<p>1. <i>Fleshy Polyps</i> (Sea anemones);</p> + +<p>2. <i>Gelatinous Polyps</i> (<i>Hydra</i>); and</p> + +<p>3. <i>Polyps with Polyparies</i>, the latter including all the various +compound zoophytes, with the Sponges. Of these the <i>Flustræ</i>, or +<i>Sea Mats</i>, and numerous allied species, have since been +recognised<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxii" id="page_xxii"></a>{xxii}</span> as belonging rather to the Mollusca, and the Sponges to +a distinct and lower group of animals than the Radiata; the +remainder have generally been divided into the following three +orders:—</p> + +<p>1. <i>Helianthoida.</i> This order includes the actinia, or sea-anemone; +and the madrepores, sea-mushrooms, and brainstones, which live in +communities, and possess the power of secreting calcareous matters, +which they emit to form these stony substances.</p> + +<p>2. <i>Asteroida.</i> Some of the animals belonging to this division are +called sea-pens, and others form some of the different kinds of +coral, particularly that used for necklaces, &c.</p> + +<p>3. <i>Hydroida.</i> This order includes the fresh-water polypi, which, +it is well known, by the experiments that have been tried, may be +cut in pieces and even turned inside out without destroying life. +It must be observed that the contents of this group in Cuvier’s +system consisted of all those forms of animals which he could not, +in accordance with the knowledge possessed in his day, conveniently +place anywhere else. Within the last few years, however, great +progress has been made in the arrangement of the animals placed in +this group by Cuvier. One of the most important changes has been +the establishment of a fifth group of animals for the Infusoria and +Sponges, together with certain other creatures of very low +organisation. To these the name of <span class="smcap">Protozoa</span> has been given. The +<i>Entozoa</i> have been removed amongst the articulate animals, and +there is a growing conviction that the <i>Echinodermata</i> will have to +be transferred to the same section. There remain, consequently, the +<i>Acalephæ</i> and <i>Polyps</i> of Cuvier, which form a group characterised +by their soft and generally gelatinous texture; by the existence of +peculiar cells, called thread cells, in the skin; and by their +possession of an alimentary cavity with only a single orifice. To +these the name of <span class="smcap">Cœlenterata</span> has been given. They are divided +into two classes: I. The <span class="smcap">Anthozoa</span>, or Polyps, including the orders +<i>Helianthoida</i> and <i>Asteroida</i>; and II. The <span class="smcap">Hydrozoa</span>, composed of +the Hydroid Polyps and Acalephæ, the connection between which, as +indicated in the text (p. 609), is very intimate.</p> + +<p>V. <i>The Infusoria</i>, or <i>Animalcula</i>, are so small as to be +invisible to the naked eye, and they are all inhabitants of +liquids. Cuvier arranged them in two orders, one of which he called +<i>Les Rotifères</i>, and the other <i>Les Infusories homogènes</i>, but the +first of these divisions is now included among the Articulata. The +remainder of the Infusoria of Cuvier, with the exception of some +which are now known to be of vegetable nature, are arranged, with +the Sponges and some other animals, in a separate division, called +Protozoa, the classification of which is still in a somewhat +uncertain state. The three principal classes are those of the +<i>Infusoria</i>, the <i>Sponges</i>, and the <i>Rhizopoda</i>; but there are +other forms which will not admit of being brought under any of +these denominations. Nearly all the Protozoa are microscopic, +except when, as in the case of the Sponges, they form an +aggregation of individuals. They are very numerous, and, although +exceedingly simple in their structure, their history often +possesses much interest.</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxiii" id="page_xxiii"></a>{xxiii}</span></p> + +<h2><a name="EXPLANATION" id="EXPLANATION"></a>EXPLANATION<br /> +<small>OF</small><br /> +TERMS USED IN NATURAL HISTORY.</h2> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Abdomen.</i></td><td align="left">The part of the body containing the organs of digestion.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Abdominal.</i></td><td align="left">Pertaining to the abdomen.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Amphibious.</i></td><td align="left">Capable of living both on the land and in the water.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Animalcules.</i></td><td align="left">Small animals, visible only with the assistance of the microscope.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Annulated.</i></td><td align="left">Marked with rings.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Antennæ.</i></td><td align="left">The horns or feelers of insects.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Apex.</i></td><td align="left">The top or summit of anything.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Apical.</i></td><td align="left">Situated at, or belonging to, the apex.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Apodal.</i></td><td align="left">Footless.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Apterous.</i></td><td align="left">Wingless.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Aquatic.</i></td><td align="left">Living or growing in the water.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Bicuspid.</i></td><td align="left">Having two points.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Bifid.</i></td><td align="left">Divided into two parts.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Bifurcated.</i></td><td align="left">Divided into two prongs.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Bisulcous.</i></td><td align="left">Cloven-hoofed.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Bivalve.</i></td><td align="left">With two shells.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Branchiæ.</i></td><td align="left">Gills, or organs for aquatic respiration.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Buccal.</i></td><td align="left">Pertaining to the mouth.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Byssus.</i></td><td align="left">A tuft of silky filaments produced by some Mollusca.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Callosity.</i></td><td align="left">A hard lump, an excrescence.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Campanulate.</i></td><td align="left">Bell-shaped.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Canine.</i></td><td align="left">Of the dog kind.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Carinated.</i></td><td align="left">Keeled.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Carnivorous.</i></td><td align="left">Feeding on flesh.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Caudal.</i></td><td align="left">Pertaining to the tail.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Cere.</i></td><td align="left">A skin over the base of the bill of birds.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxiv" id="page_xxiv"></a>{xxiv}</span></td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Cervical.</i></td><td align="left">Belonging to the neck.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Cetaceous.</i></td><td align="left">Of the whale kind.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Cilia.</i></td><td align="left">Microscopic filaments, which, by their constant vibration, either cause currents in the water, or move the animals possessing them.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Cinereous.</i></td><td align="left">Of the colour of ashes.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Clavate.</i></td><td align="left">Clubbed.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Cordiform.</i></td><td align="left">Heart-shaped.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Coriaceous.</i></td><td align="left">Leathery.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Corneous.</i></td><td align="left">Horny.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Crustaceous.</i></td><td align="left">Covered with a shell or crust; as lobsters, crabs, &c.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Dentate.</i></td><td align="left">Toothed like a saw.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Dorsal.</i></td><td align="left">Belonging to the back.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Elytra.</i></td><td align="left">The wing-cases of insects of the beetle tribe.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Emarginate.</i></td><td align="left">Notched.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Entomology.</i></td><td align="left">A description of insects.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Exsanguineous.</i></td><td align="left">Without red blood, as worms.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Feline.</i></td><td align="left">Belonging to the cat kind.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Ferruginous.</i></td><td align="left">Of an iron or rust colour.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Filiform.</i></td><td align="left">Thread-like.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Foliaceous.</i></td><td align="left">Leaf-like.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Frugivorous.</i></td><td align="left">Feeding on fruits.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Furcated.</i></td><td align="left">Forked.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Fusiform.</i></td><td align="left">Spindle-shaped.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Gallinaceous.</i></td><td align="left">Belonging to the hen kind.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Gelatinous.</i></td><td align="left">Like jelly.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Gemmiparous.</i></td><td align="left">Capable of propagating by buds.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Geniculate.</i></td><td align="left">Bent like a knee.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Gestation.</i></td><td align="left">The time of going with young.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Granivorous.</i></td><td align="left">Feeding on grain.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Gregarious.</i></td><td align="left">Associating together.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Hastate.</i></td><td align="left">Formed like an arrow-head.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Haustellate.</i></td><td align="left">Insects with a mouth adapted for suction.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Herbivorous.</i></td><td align="left">Feeding on grass.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Hexapod.</i></td><td align="left">Having six legs.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Hyaline.</i></td><td align="left">Glassy.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Ichthyology.</i></td><td align="left">A description of fishes.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Imbricated.</i></td><td align="left">Tiled, or lying over each other.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Incubation.</i></td><td align="left">The act of hatching eggs.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Insectivorous.</i></td><td align="left">Feeding on insects.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Intestinal.</i></td><td align="left">Pertaining to the digestive organs.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Laminated.</i></td><td align="left">Covered with or divided into plates or scales.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Larva.</i></td><td align="left">The young of insects.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Lateral.</i></td><td align="left">Belonging to the side, placed sideways.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Loricated.</i></td><td align="left">Covered with hard scales or plates like armour.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxv" id="page_xxv"></a>{xxv}</span></td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Lunate.</i></td><td align="left">Crescent-shaped.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Mandibles.</i></td><td align="left">Upper and lower, the two divisions of a bird’s beak, or the projecting jaws of an insect.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Migratory.</i></td><td align="left">Coming and going at certain seasons.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Multivalve.</i></td><td align="left">With many shells or openings.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Nacreous.</i></td><td align="left">Resembling mother-of-pearl.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Nictitating.</i></td><td align="left">Winking; applied to a membrane with which birds cover their eyes at pleasure.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Olfactory.</i></td><td align="left">Relating to smell.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Operculum.</i></td><td align="left">A shield or cover.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Ornithology.</i></td><td align="left">A description of birds.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Oviparous.</i></td><td align="left">That lays eggs.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Palmated.</i></td><td align="left">Webbed.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Parasitic.</i></td><td align="left">Attached to and dependent on some other living body.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Parturition.</i></td><td align="left">The act of bringing forth young.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Passerine.</i></td><td align="left">Belonging to the sparrow tribe.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Pectinate.</i></td><td align="left">Resembling a comb.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Pectoral.</i></td><td align="left">Belonging to the breast.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Pendulous.</i></td><td align="left">Hanging down.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Piscivorous.</i></td><td align="left">Feeding on fishes.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Plicate.</i></td><td align="left">Folded.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Predaceous.</i></td><td align="left">Formed to pursue prey.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Prehensile.</i></td><td align="left">Capable of grasping.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Quadrifid.</i></td><td align="left">Divided into four parts.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Quadruped.</i></td><td align="left">Four-footed.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Ramose.</i></td><td align="left">Branching.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Reptiles.</i></td><td align="left">Animals of the serpent tribe, with legs.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Rudimentary.</i></td><td align="left">Small; imperfectly developed.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Ruminating.</i></td><td align="left">Chewing the cud.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Scabrous.</i></td><td align="left">Rough.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Scapulars.</i></td><td align="left">Shoulders.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Semilunar.</i></td><td align="left">In the form of a half-moon.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Serrated.</i></td><td align="left">Notched like a saw.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Sessile.</i></td><td align="left">Attached without the intervention of a stalk.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Setaceous.</i></td><td align="left">Having bristles or strong hairs.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Spiral.</i></td><td align="left">Winding like a screw.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Squamose.</i></td><td align="left">Scaly.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Striated.</i></td><td align="left">Streaked or striped.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Subulated.</i></td><td align="left">Formed like an awl.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Sulcated.</i></td><td align="left">Furrowed.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Suture.</i></td><td align="left">The line of junction of two hind parts.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Tentacula.</i></td><td align="left">The feelers of snails and other mollusca.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Testaceous.</i></td><td align="left">Covered with a shell, as oysters.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Trifurcated.</i></td><td align="left">Three-forked.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Truncated.</i></td><td align="left">Appearing as if cut off.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxvi" id="page_xxvi"></a>{xxvi}</span></td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Tubicolar.</i></td><td align="left">Inhabiting a tube.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Univalve.</i></td><td align="left">With one shell or opening.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Ventral.</i></td><td align="left">Belonging to the belly.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Vertebrated.</i></td><td align="left">Having a jointed spine-bone.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Viscera.</i></td><td align="left">The organs contained in the cavities of the body.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Viviparous.</i></td><td align="left">Bringing forth the young alive.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Webbed.</i></td><td align="left">Connected by a membrane, as the toes of aquatic birds.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Xylophagous.</i></td><td align="left">Wood-eating.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Zoologists.</i></td><td align="left">Writers on animated nature.</td></tr> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><i>Zoology.</i></td><td align="left">The history of animated nature.</td></tr> +</table> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxvii" id="page_xxvii"></a>{xxvii}</span></p> + +<h2><a name="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS" id="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS"></a>TABLE OF CONTENTS.</h2> + +<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="" + class="tbl"> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center">BOOK I.<br /><br /> +QUADRUPEDS, OR FOUR-FOOTED BEASTS.<br /> +POPULAR AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF THE ANIMALS DESCRIBED.</th></tr> + +<tr><td colspan="4"><p>⁂ Where no synonyme is given, the Linnæan name is the only one in use; +and when the synonymes are seldom used, they are marked thus *. When no +Linnæan name is given, the animal was not described by Linnæus.</p></td></tr> +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section I.</span>—CARNIVOROUS, OR FLESH-EATING ANIMALS.</th></tr> + +<tr class="c"><td>English Name</td> +<td>Linnæan Name</td> +<td>Synonymes</td> +<td>Page</td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Lion</span></td> +<td>Felis Leo</td> +<td>*Leo vulgaris.—<i>Leach</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_001">1</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Lioness</span></td> +<td>Ibid.</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_007">7</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Tiger</span></td> +<td>Felis Tigris</td><td></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_009">9</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Leopard</span></td> +<td>Felis Leopardus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_012">12</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Panther</span></td> +<td>Felis Pardus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_013">13</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ounce</span></td><td></td> +<td>Felis Uncia.—<i>Schreb.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_014">14</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ocelot</span></td> +<td>Felis Pardalis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_014">14</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Hunting Leopard</span>, +or <span class="smcap">Cheetah</span></td> +<td>Felis jubata</td> +<td>Cynailurus jubatus.—<i>Wag.</i></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_015">15</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Jaguar</span></td> +<td>Felis Onca +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_016">16</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Puma</span></td> +<td>Felis concolor</td> +<td>Felis Puma.—<i>Trail</i><br />*Leo Americanus.—<i>Her.</i><br /> +*Puma concolor.—<i>Jard.</i></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_018">18</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Common Lynx</span></td><td>Felis Lynx</td> +<td>*Lyncus vulgaris.—<i>Gray</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_019">19</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Canadian Lynx</span></td><td> </td> +<td>Felis Canadensis.—<i>Geoff.</i><br /> +*Lyncus Canadensis.—<i>Gray</i></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_019">19</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Caracal</span></td><td></td> +<td>Felis Caracal.—<i>Schreb.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_020">20</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Domestic Cat</span></td><td></td> +<td>Felis domestica +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_020">20</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Wild Cat</span> +</td><td>Felis Catus</td><td> </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_022">22</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Dogs</span></td><td>Canis familiaris and var. +</td><td> </td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_023">23</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Shepherd’s Dog</span></td><td colspan="2"> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_023">23</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bloodhound</span></td><td colspan="2"> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_025">25</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Foxhound</span></td><td colspan="2"> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_027">27</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Pointer</span></td><td colspan="2"> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_028">28</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Mastiff</span></td><td colspan="2"> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_029">29</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bulldog</span></td><td colspan="2"> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_030">30</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Terrier</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxviii" id="page_xxviii"></a>{xxviii}</span></td> +<td colspan="2"> </td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_031">31</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Spaniel</span></td><td colspan="2"> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_032">32</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Water Spaniel</span></td><td colspan="2"> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_033">33</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Newfoundland Dog</span></td><td colspan="2"> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_034">34</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Greyhound</span></td><td colspan="2"> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_036">36</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Fox</span> </td><td> Canis Vulpes +</td><td> Vulpes vulgaris.—<i>Briss.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_037">37</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Arctic Fox</span></td> +<td>Canis lagopus</td> +<td>Vulpes lagopus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_039">39</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Wolf</span></td> +<td>Canis Lupus</td> +<td>*Lupus vulgaris +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_040">40</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Jackal</span></td> +<td>Canis aureus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_042">42</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Striped Hyæna</span></td> +<td>Canis Hyæna</td> +<td>Hyæna striata.—<i>Zimm.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_043">43</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Spotted Hyæna</span></td><td></td> +<td>Hyæna Crocuta +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_044">44</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Black Bear</span></td> +<td>Ursus Americanus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_045">45</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Grisly Bear</span></td><td></td> +<td>Ursus ferox +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_046">46</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Brown Bear</span></td> +<td>Ursus Arctos +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_046">46</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Malayan Sun Bear</span></td><td></td> +<td>Ursus Malayanus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_048">48</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Polar Bear</span></td><td></td> +<td>Ursus maritimus.—<i>Gmel.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_050">50</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Racoon</span></td> +<td>Ursus Lotor</td> +<td>Procyon Lotor.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_051">51</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Badger</span></td> +<td>Ursus Meles</td> +<td>Meles Taxus.—<i>Blum.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_053">53</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Coati-Mondi</span></td> +<td>Viverra Nasua</td> +<td>Nasua narica.—<i>F. Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_053">53</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Civet</span></td><td></td> +<td>Viverra Civetta.—<i>Schreb.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_054">54</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Genet</span></td> +<td>Viverra Genetta</td> +<td>Genetta vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_055">55</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Oriental Civet</span></td> +<td>Viverra Zibetha +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_056">56</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ichneumon</span>, or +<span class="smcap">Egyptian Mangouste</span> +</td> + +<td>Viverra Ichneumon</td> +<td>Herpestes Ichneumon</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_056">56</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Weasel</span></td> +<td>Mustela vulgaris +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_058">58</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ferret</span></td> +<td>Mustela furo</td> +<td>*Viverra furo.—<i>Shaw</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_060">60</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Polecat</span></td> +<td>Mustela putorius</td> +<td>Putorius vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_061">61</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ermine</span></td><td></td> +<td>Mustela erminea +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_062">62</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Skunk</span></td><td></td> +<td>Mustela or Mephitis Americana +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_063">63</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sable</span></td> +<td>Mustela or Martes Zibellina</td> +<td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_064">64</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Marten</span></td> +<td>Mustela Martes</td> +<td>Martes foina.—<i>Gray</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_065">65</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Otter</span></td> +<td>Mustela Lutra</td> +<td>Lutra vulgaris.—<i>Erxl.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_066">66</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sea Otter</span></td> +<td>Mustela Lutris</td> +<td>Enhydra Lutris.—<i>Gray</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_068">68</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Seal</span></td> +<td>Phoca vitulina</td> +<td>*Phoca variegata.—<i>Niel.</i><br /> +Calocephalus vitulinus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_069">69</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Walrus</span></td> +<td>Trichechus Rosmarus +</td> +<td></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_072">72</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section II.</span>—INSECT-EATING ANIMALS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Hedgehog</span></td> +<td>Erinaceus Europæus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_074">74</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Mole</span></td> +<td>Talpa Europæa</td> +<td>Talpa vulgaris.—<i>Briss.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_076">76</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Shrew</span></td> +<td>Sorex araneus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_078">78</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Water Shrew</span></td> +<td>Sorex fodiens +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_079">79</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section III.</span>—CHEIROPTEROUS ANIMALS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bat</span></td> +<td>Vespertilio noctula +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_080">80</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Pipistrelle</span></td><td></td> +<td>Vespertilio Pipistrellus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_081">81</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Long-eared Bat</span></td> +<td>Vespertilio auritus</td> +<td>Plecotus auritus.—<i>Gray</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxix" id="page_xxix"></a>{xxix}</span> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_081">81</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Vampyre Bat</span></td> +<td>Vespertilio spectrum</td> +<td>Phyllostoma spectrum.—<i>Geoff.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_082">82</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Kalong Bat</span></td><td></td> +<td>Pteropus edulis.—<i>Péron.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_083">83</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section IV.</span>—MARSUPIALIA, OR POUCH-BEARING ANIMALS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Kangaroo</span></td><td></td> + +<td>Macropus giganteus.—<i>Shaw</i> and <i>Cuv.</i><br /> +*Halmaturus.—<i>Illig.</i><br /> and *Kangurus.—<i>Desm.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_084">84</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Opossum</span></td> +<td>Didelphis Virginiana +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_086">86</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Phalanger</span></td><td></td> +<td>Phalangista vulpina.—<i>Desm.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_087">87</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section V.</span>—RODENTIA, OR GNAWING ANIMALS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Beaver</span></td> +<td>Castor Fiber +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_088">88</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Musk Rat</span></td><td></td> +<td>Fiber zibethicus.—<i>Des.</i><br /> +Ondatra zibethica.—<i>Lacep.</i></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_090">90</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Hare</span></td> +<td>Lepus timidus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_091">91</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Rabbit</span> (<i>Wild</i>)</td> +<td>Lepus cuniculus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_093">93</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Rabbit</span> (<i>Domestic</i>) +</td><td colspan="2"></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_094">94</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Squirrel</span></td> +<td>Sciurus vulgaris +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_095">95</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Dormouse</span></td> +<td>Mus avellanarius</td> +<td>Myoxus muscardinus.—<i>Schreb.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_096">96</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Marmot</span>, or <span class="smcap">Alpine Rat</span></td> +<td>Mus marmotta</td> +<td>Arctomys Marmotta.—<i>Gmel.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_097">97</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Guinea-pig</span></td> +<td>Mus porcellus</td> +<td>Cavia cobaya.—<i>Pall.</i><br /> +Cavia aperea.—<i>Erxl.</i><br /> +Hydrochœrus aperea.—<i>F. Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_098">98</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Mouse</span></td> +<td>Mus musculus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_099">99</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Rat</span></td> +<td>Mus decumanus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_100">100</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Water Rat</span></td> +<td>Mus amphibius</td> +<td>Mus aquaticus.—<i>Briss.</i><br /> + +*Lemmus aquaticus.—<i>F. Cuv.</i>—Arvicola<br /> +amphibia.—<i>Desm.</i> and <i>Jenyns.</i><br /> +Arvicola aquatica.—<i>Flem.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_102">102</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Lemming</span></td> +<td>Mus Lemmus</td> +<td>Myodes Lemmus.—<i>Pall.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_103">103</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Jerboa</span></td><td></td> +<td>Dipus Jerboa.—<i>Gmel.</i><br /> +Mus sagitta.—<i>Pall.</i></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_104">104</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Chinchilla</span></td><td></td> +<td>Chinchilla lanigera +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_105">105</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Porcupine</span></td> +<td>Hystrix cristata +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_106">106</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Couendou</span></td> +<td>Hystrix prehensilis</td> +<td>Synetheres prehensilis.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_106">106</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section VI.</span>—EDENTATA, OR TOOTHLESS ANIMALS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sloth</span></td> +<td>Bradypus tridactylus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_107">107</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Armadillo</span></td> +<td>Dasypus sexcinctus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_109">109</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ant-eater</span></td> +<td>Myrmecophaga jubata +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_110">110</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Duck-billed Platypus</span></td><td></td> +<td>Ornithorhynchus paradoxus.—<i>Blum.</i><br /> +Platypus anatinus.—<i>Shaw.</i></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_111">111</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxx" id="page_xxx"></a>{xxx}</span></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section VII.</span>—PACHYDERMATA, OR THICK-SKINNED ANIMALS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Elephant</span></td> +<td>Elephas Indicus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_113">113</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Hippopotamus</span>, +or <span class="smcap">River Horse</span></td> +<td>Hippopotamus amphibius +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_116">116</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Rhinoceros</span></td> +<td>Rhinoceros unicornis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_117">117</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Hog</span> (<i>Domestic</i>)</td> +<td>Sus scrofa +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_118">118</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Wild Boar</span></td> +<td>Sus scrofa</td> +<td>Sus aper.—<i>Briss.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_120">120</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Babiroussa</span></td> +<td>Sus Babyrussa</td> +<td>Babirussa Alfurus.—<i>Less.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_122">122</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Peccary</span></td><td></td> +<td>Dicotyles labiatus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_122">122</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Tapir</span></td><td></td> +<td>Tapirus Americanus.—<i>Schreb.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_123">123</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Horse</span></td> +<td>Equus caballus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_124">124</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ass</span></td> +<td>Equus Asinus</td> +<td>Asinus vulgaris.—<i>Gray</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_127">127</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Mule</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_130">130</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Kiang</span></td><td></td> +<td>Equus Hemionus.—<i>Pall.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_131">131</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Zebra</span></td> +<td>Equus Zebra +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_132">132</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section VIII.</span>—RUMINATING ANIMALS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bull</span></td> +<td>Bos Taurus, var. domesticus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_134">134</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cow</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_136">136</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Wild Bull</span></td> +<td>Bos Taurus, var. Scoticus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_137">137</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Buffalo</span></td> +<td>Bos Bubalus</td> +<td>Bubalus Caffer +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_139">139</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bison</span></td> +<td>Bos Bonasus</td> +<td>Bison Bonasus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_141">141</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Brahmin Bull</span>, or <span class="smcap">Zebu</span></td> +<td>Bos Taurus, var. Indicus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_143">143</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sheep</span></td> +<td>Ovis Aries</td> +<td>*Capra ovis.—<i>Blum.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_144">144</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ram</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_146">146</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Wallachian Ram</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_146">146</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Argali</span>, or <span class="smcap">Wild +Sheep of Asia</span></td> +<td>Ovis Ammon +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_147">147</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Goat</span></td> +<td>Capra Hircus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_147">147</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ibex</span>, or <span class="smcap">Boquetin</span></td> +<td>Capra Ibex +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_148">148</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Antelope</span></td> +<td>Capra Cervicapra</td> +<td>Antilope Cervicapra.—<i>Pall.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_149">149</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Gazelle</span></td> +<td>Capra Dorcas</td> +<td>Antilope Dorcas—<i>Pall.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_150">150</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Chamois</span></td> +<td>Capra rupicapra</td> +<td>Antilope rupicapra.—<i>Pall.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_151">151</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Nyl Ghau</span></td><td></td> +<td>Antilope picta.—<i>Pall.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_152">152</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Gnu</span></td><td></td> +<td>Antilope Gnu.—<i>Gmel.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_154">154</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Stag</span></td> +<td>Cervus Elaphus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_155">155</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Wapiti</span></td><td></td> +<td>Cervus Canadensis.—<i>Gmel.</i><br /> +*Cervus strongyloceros.—<i>Schres.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_157">157</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Roebuck</span></td> +<td>Cervus capreolus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_158">158</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Fallow Deer</span></td> +<td>Cervus Dama +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_159">159</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Elk</span></td> +<td>Cervus Alces +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_160">160</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Reindeer</span></td> +<td>Cervus Tarandus</td> +<td>*Cervus Rangifer.—<i>Ray.</i><br /> +Rangifer Tarandus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_161">161</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Axis</span></td><td></td> +<td>Cervus axis +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_163">163</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Musk Deer</span></td> +<td>Moschus Moschiferus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_163">163</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Giraffe</span></td> +<td>Cervus Camelopardalis</td> +<td>Camelopardalis Giraffa.—<i>Gmel.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxxi" id="page_xxxi"></a>{xxxi}</span> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_164">164</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Camel</span></td> +<td>Camelus Bactrianus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_168">168</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Dromedary</span></td> +<td>Camelus Dromedarius +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_170">170</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Llama</span></td> +<td>Camelus glama</td> +<td>Auchenia glama.—<i>Illig.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_172">172</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section IX.</span>—QUADRUMANA, OR FOUR-HANDED ANIMALS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ourang Outan</span></td> +<td>Simia satyrus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_173">173</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Chimpanzee</span></td><td></td> +<td>Troglodytes niger.—<i>Geoff.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_174">174</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Gorilla</span></td><td></td> +<td>Troglodytes Gorilla +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_176">176</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Barbary Ape</span></td> +<td>Simia inuus</td> +<td>Inuus sylvanus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_177">177</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Baboon</span></td><td></td> +<td>Cynocephalus porcarius.—<i>Desm.</i> and <i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_174">174</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Proboscis Monkey</span></td><td></td> +<td>Nasalis larvatus.—<i>Geoff.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_180">180</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Diana Monkey</span></td> +<td>Simia Diana</td> +<td>Cercopithecus Diana.—<i>Geoff.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_180">180</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Capuchin Monkey</span></td> +<td>Simia Capucina</td> +<td>Cebus capucinus.—<i>Des.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_182">182</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Spider Monkey</span></td> +<td>Simia Paniscus</td> +<td>Ateles Paniscus.—<i>Geoff.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_182">182</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ouistit</span> or<br /> +<span class="smcap">Marmozet</span></td> +<td>Simia Jacchus</td> +<td>Jacchus vulgaris.—<i>Geoff.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_183">183</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Marikina</span></td> +<td>Simia Rosalia</td> +<td>Jacchus Rosalia +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_183">183</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Lemur</span></td> +<td>Lemur Macaco +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_184">184</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Mongoos</span></td><td></td> +<td>Lemur albifrons.—<i>Geoff.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_184">184</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center">BOOK II.<br /><br />INHABITANTS OF THE AIR.</th></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section I.—Raptores.</span>—DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Golden Eagle</span></td> +<td>Falco chrysaëtos</td> +<td>Aquila chrysaëtos +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_185">185</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sea Eagle</span></td> +<td>Falco albicilla</td> +<td>Haliæetus albicilla.—<i>Sav.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_188">188</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bald Eagle</span></td> +<td>Falco leucocephalus</td> +<td>Haliæetus leucocephalus.—<i>Sav.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_189">189</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Osprey</span> or +<span class="smcap">Fishing Hawk</span></td> +<td>Falco haliaëtus</td> +<td>Pandion haliaëtus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_191">191</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Black Eagle</span></td> +<td>Falco melanaëtos +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_194">194</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Vulture</span></td> +<td>Vultur Papa</td> +<td>Sarcorhampus Papa.—<i>Dum.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_195">195</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Condor</span></td> +<td>Vultur Gryphus</td> +<td>Sarcorhampus Gryphus.—<i>Dum.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_196">196</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Buzzard</span></td> +<td>Falco Buteo</td> +<td>Buteo vulgaris.—<i>Bech.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_197">197</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Honey Buzzard</span></td> +<td>Falco apivorus</td> +<td>Pernis apivorus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_199">199</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Goshawk</span></td> +<td>Falco palumbarius</td> +<td>Astur palumbarius.—<i>Bech.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_200">200</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sparrow-hawk</span></td> +<td>Falco Nisus</td> +<td>Accipiter Nisus.—<i>Pall.</i> <br /> +Nisus communis—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_202">202</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Kite</span></td> +<td>Falco Milvus</td> +<td>Milvus regalis.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_203">203</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Jer Falcon</span></td> +<td>Falco Gyrfalco</td> +<td>Falco islandicus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_204">204</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Peregrine Falcon</span></td> +<td>Falco peregrinus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_205">205</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Merlin</span></td> +<td>Falco æsalon</td> +<td>Hypotriorchis æsalon.—<i>Gray</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxxii" id="page_xxxii"></a>{xxxii}</span> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_208">208</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Kestrel</span></td> +<td>Falco Tinnunculus</td> +<td>Tinnunculus alaudarius.—<i>Gray</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_210">210</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Secretary Bird</span></td><td></td> +<td>Serpentarius reptilivorus.—<i>Daud.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_211">211</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Hen Harrier</span></td> +<td>Falco cyaneus</td> +<td>Circus cyaneus—<i>Boié</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_213">213</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section II.</span>—NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Horned Owl</span></td> +<td>Strix Bubo</td> +<td>Bubo maximus.—<i>Flem.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_214">214</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Harfang</span>, or <span class="smcap">Snowy Owl</span></td> +<td>Strix nyctea</td> +<td>Surnia Nyctea—<i>Selby</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_215">215</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Barn Owl</span></td> +<td>Strix flammea +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_216">216</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section III.</span>—INSESSORES, OR PERCHING BIRDS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Butcher-Bird</span>, +or <span class="smcap">Shrike</span> </td> +<td>Lanius excubitor +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_217">217</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Water Ouzel</span>, +or <span class="smcap">Dipper</span></td><td></td> + +<td>Turdus Cinclus.—<i>Lath.</i><br /> +Merula aquatica.—<i>Briss.</i><br /> +Cinclus aquaticus.—<i>Bech.</i></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_219">219</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Blackbird</span></td> +<td>Turdus Merula +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_220">220</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Missel Thrush</span></td> +<td>Turdus viscivorus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_221">221</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Redwing</span></td> +<td>Turdus iliacus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_222">222</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Fieldfare</span></td> +<td>Turdus pilaris +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_223">223</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ring Ouzel</span></td> +<td>Turdus torquatus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_224">224</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Mocking Bird</span></td> +<td>Turdus polyglottus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_225">225</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Redbreast</span></td> +<td>Motacilla rubecula.</td> +<td>Sylvia rubecula.—<i>Lath.</i><br /> +Erythacus rubecula +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_226">226</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Nightingale</span></td> + +<td>Motacilla luscinia</td> +<td>Sylvia luscinia.—<i>Lath.</i><br /> +Curruca luscinia—<i>Bech.</i> <br /> +Philomela luscinia +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_228">228</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Blackcap</span></td> +<td>Motacilla atricapilla</td> +<td>Sylvia.—<i>Lath.</i> and<br /> Curruca +atricapilla—<i>Bech.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_231">231</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Wren</span></td> +<td>Motacilla Troglodytes</td> + +<td>Sylvia.—<i>Lath.</i><br /> +Troglodytes Europæus.—<i>Cuv.</i><br /> +Troglodytes vulgaris.—<i>Flem.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_232">232</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Willow Wren</span></td> +<td>Motacilla trochilus</td> +<td>Silvia trochilus.—<i>Lath.</i><br /> +Regulus trochilus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_233">233</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Golden-crested Wren</span> </td> +<td>Motacilla Regulus</td> +<td>Regulus cristatus.—<i>Will.</i><br /> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_235">235</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Grey Water Wagtail</span> </td> +<td>Motacilla boarula +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_236">236</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Red Wagtails</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_237">237</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Swallow</span></td> +<td>Hirundo rustica +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_238">238</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Martin</span></td> +<td>Hirundo urbica +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_241">241</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Swift</span></td> +<td>Hirundo apus</td> +<td>Cypselus apus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_243">243</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Goatsucker</span></td> +<td>Caprimulgus Europæus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_244">244</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Skylark</span></td> +<td>Alauda arvensis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_245">245</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Woodlark</span></td> +<td>Alauda arborea +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_247">247</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Titmouse</span></td> +<td>Parus cœruleus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_248">248</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Long-tailed Tit</span></td> +<td>Parus caudatus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_248">248</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Yellow Hammer</span></td> +<td>Emberiza citrinella +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_249">249</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Wheatear</span></td> +<td>Motacilla Œnanthe</td> +<td>Silvia Œnanthe.—<i>Lath.</i><br /> +Saxicola Œnanthe.—<i>Bech.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_250">250</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Whinchat</span></td> +<td>Motacilla Rubetra</td> +<td>Saxicola rubetra.—<i>Bech.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_250">250</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sparrow</span></td> +<td>Fringilla domestica</td> +<td>*Pyrgita domestica.—<i>Cuv.</i><br /> +Passer domesticus.—<i>Ray.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_252">252</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Linnet</span></td> +<td>Fringilla cannabina</td> +<td>Fringilla Linota.—<i>Gmel.</i> <br /> +Linaria Linota.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_253">253</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Canary Bird</span></td> +<td>Fringilla Canaria</td> +<td>Carduelis Canaria +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_254">254</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Chaffinch</span></td> +<td>Fringilla cœlebs +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_256">256</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bullfinch</span></td> +<td>Loxia pyrrhula</td> +<td>Pyrrhula vulgaris.—<i>Tem.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_258">258</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Goldfinch</span></td> +<td>Fringilla carduelis</td> +<td>Carduelis communis.—<i>Cuv.</i>;<br /> +Carduelis elegans.—<i>Steph.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_259">259</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Crossbill</span></td> +<td>Loxia curvirostra +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_261">261</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Starling</span></td> +<td>Sturnus vulgaris +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_262">262</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Satin Bower Bird</span></td><td></td> +<td>Ptilonorhynchus Holosericeus.—<i>Kuhl</i><br /> +Kitta.—<i>Lesson.</i><br /> +Graucalus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_263">263</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Raven</span></td> +<td>Corvus corax +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_265">265</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Crow</span></td> +<td>Corvus corone +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_268">268</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Rook</span></td> +<td>Corvus frugilegus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_269">269</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Jackdaw</span></td> +<td>Corvus monedula +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_271">271</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Magpie</span></td> +<td>Corvus pica</td> +<td>Pica caudata +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_272">272</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Chough</span></td> +<td>Corvus graculus</td> +<td>Pyrrhocorax graculus.—<i>Tem.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_274">274</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Jay</span></td> +<td>Corvus glandarius</td> +<td>Garrulus glandarius.—<i>Briss.</i><br /> +and <i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_275">275</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Roller</span></td> +<td>Coracias garrula +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_276">276</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Kingfisher</span></td> +<td>Alcedo ispida +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_277">277</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bird of Paradise</span></td> +<td>Paradisea apoda +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_279">279</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Nuthatch</span></td> +<td>Sitta Europæa +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_281">281</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Creeper</span></td> +<td>Certhia familiaris +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_281">281</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Wall Creeper</span></td> +<td>Tichodroma muraria +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_283">283</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Lyre Bird</span></td><td></td> +<td>Menura superba +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_284">284</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Humming-Bird</span></td> +<td>Trochilus colubris +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_287">287</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Hoopoe</span></td> +<td>Upupa epops +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_288">288</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section IV.</span>—SCANSORES, OR CLIMBERS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cuckoo</span></td> +<td>Cuculus canorus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_290">290</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Woodpecker</span></td> +<td>Picus viridis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_294">294</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Wryneck</span></td> +<td>Yunx torquilla +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_296">296</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Toucan</span></td> +<td>Ramphastos tucanus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_297">297</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Grey Parrot</span></td> +<td>Psittacus erythacus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_298">298</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Green Parrot</span></td> +<td>Psittacus Amazonicus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_300">300</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Blue</span> and <span class="smcap">Yellow</span> +<span class="smcap">Macaw</span></td> +<td>Psittacus aracanga</td> +<td>Macrocereus aracanga.—<i>Viell.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_300">300</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ring Paroquet</span></td> +<td>Psittacus Alexandri</td> +<td>Palæornis Alexandri.—<i>Vig.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_301">301</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Warbling Grass Paroquet</span></td><td></td> +<td>Melopsittacus undulatus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_302">302</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cockatoo</span></td> +<td>Psittacus galeritus</td> +<td>Plyctolophus galeritus<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxxiv" id="page_xxxiv"></a>{xxxiv}</span> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_302">302</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section V.</span>—GALLINACEOUS BIRDS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Peacock</span></td><td></td> +<td>Pavo cristatus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_304">304</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Turkey</span></td> +<td>Meleagris Gallo-Pavo +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_306">306</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Guinea Fowl</span></td><td></td> +<td>Numida Meleagris +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_308">308</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Mound Bird</span></td><td></td> +<td>Megapodius tumulus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_310">310</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Pheasant</span></td> +<td>Phasianus Colchicus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_313">313</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Red-legged Partridge</span></td> +<td>Tetrao Rufus</td> +<td>Perdix rufus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_315">315</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Partridge</span></td> +<td>Tetrao Perdix</td> +<td>Perdix cinerea.—<i>Lath.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_316">316</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Quail</span></td> +<td>Tetrao Coturnix</td> +<td>Coturnix major.—<i>Briss.</i><br /> +Coturnix vulgaris.—<i>Flem.</i><br /> +Coturnix Europæus.—<i>Wils.</i><br /> +Perdix Coturnix.—<i>Lath.</i><br /> +Coturnix dactylisonans.—<i>Gould</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_318">318</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">American Quail</span></td><td></td> +<td>Ortyx Virginianus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_319">319</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Grouse</span>, or <span class="smcap">Moor Fowl</span></td><td></td> +<td>Lagopus Scoticus.—<i>Lath.</i><br /> +*Bonasa Scotica.—<i>Briss.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_320">320</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ptarmigan</span></td> +<td>Tetrao Lagopus</td> +<td>Lagopus vulgaris.—<i>Wils.</i><br /> +Tetrao rupestris.—<i>Gmel.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_321">321</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Black Cock</span></td> +<td>Tetrao Tetrix</td> +<td>*Uriogallis minor.—<i>Ray.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_322">322</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Capercailzie</span></td> +<td>Tetrao Urogallus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_323">323</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cock</span></td> +<td>Phasianus Gallus</td> +<td> Gallus domesticus.—<i>Wils.</i><br /> +Gallus Sonnerati +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_324">324</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bankiva</span>, +<span class="smcap">Jago, Spanish,<br /> and <span class="smcap">Bantam Cocks</span></span>, +</td><td colspan="2"></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_326">326</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Dodo</span></td> +<td>Didus ineptus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_328">328</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ringdove</span></td> +<td>Columba palumbus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_330">330</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Stockdove</span></td> +<td>Columba Œnas +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_331">331</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Rock Dove</span></td> +<td>Columba livia +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_332">332</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Turtledove</span></td> +<td>Columba turtur +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_335">335</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section VI.</span>—GRALLATORES, OR WADERS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ostrich</span></td> +<td>Struthio Camelus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_337">337</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Rhea</span></td> +<td>Struthio Rhea</td> +<td>Rhea Americana +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_340">340</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cassowary</span></td> +<td>Struthio Casuarius</td> +<td>Casuarius galeatus.—<i>Viel.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_341">341</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Emeu</span></td> +<td>Dromaius ater.—<i>Viel.</i><br /> +Dromaius Novæ Hollandiæ +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_343">343</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Apteryx</span></td><td></td> +<td>Apteryx Australis.—<i>Shaw</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_344">344</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bustard</span></td> +<td>Otis tarda +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_345">345</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Crane</span></td> +<td>Ardea Grus</td> +<td>Grus cinerea.—<i>Bech.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_347">347</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Balearic Crane</span></td> +<td>Ardea pavonina</td> +<td>Anthropoides pavonina.—<i>Viel.</i><br /> +Balearica pavonina.—<i>Vig.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_349">349</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Stork</span></td> +<td>Ardea Ciconia</td> +<td>Ciconia alba.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_350">350</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Adjutant</span></td><td></td> +<td>Leptoptilus argala +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_352">352</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Heron</span></td> +<td>Ardea cinerea +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_354">354</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bittern</span></td> +<td>Ardea stellaris</td> +<td>Botaurus stellaris.—<i>Steph.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_356">356</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Spoonbill</span></td> +<td>Platalea leucorodia<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxxv" id="page_xxxv"></a>{xxxv}</span> +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_358">358</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ibis</span></td><td></td> +<td>Ibis religiosa.—<i>Sav.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_359">359</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Curlew</span></td> +<td>Scolopax arquata</td> +<td>Numenius arquatus.—<i>Lath.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_360">360</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Redshank</span></td> +<td>Scolopax calidris</td> +<td>Totanus calidris.—<i>Bech.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_361">361</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Godwit</span></td> +<td>Scolopax ægocephala</td> +<td>Limosa melanura.—<i>Tem.</i><br /> +Limosa ægocephala +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_362">362</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ruff</span> and <span class="smcap">Reeve</span></td> +<td>Tringa pugnax</td> +<td>Machetes pugnax +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_363">363</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Snipe</span></td> +<td>Scolopax Gallinago +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_365">365</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Woodcock</span></td> +<td>Scolopax rusticola +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_366">366</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Knot</span></td> +<td>Tringa Canutus</td> +<td>Tringa cinerea.—<i>Gmel.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_367">367</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Grey Plover</span></td> +<td>Tringa squatarola<br />and T. helvetica</td> +<td>Squatarola helvetica.—<i>Cuv.</i><br /> +Squatarola cinerea +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_368">368</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Golden Plover</span></td><td></td> +<td>Charadrius pluvialis +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_369">369</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Dottrel</span></td> +<td>Charadrius Morinellus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_370">370</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Lapwing</span> or <span class="smcap">Peewit</span></td> +<td>Tringa vanellus</td> +<td>Vanellus cristatus.—<i>Mey.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_371">371</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Water Hen</span></td> +<td>Fulica chloropus</td> +<td>Gallinula chloropus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_373">373</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Corncrake</span>, or <br /> +<span class="smcap">Land Rail</span></td> +<td>Rallus crex</td> +<td> Crex pratensis.—<i>Bech.</i><br /> +Ortygometra crex +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_374">374</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Coot</span></td> +<td>Fulica atra +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_376">376</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section VII.</span>—PALMIPEDES, OR WEB-FOOTED BIRDS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Pelican</span></td> +<td>Pelicanus onocrotalus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_377">377</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cormorant</span></td> +<td>Pelicanus Carbo</td> +<td>Carbo Cormoranus.—<i>Mey.</i><br /> +Phalacrocorax Carbo.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_379">379</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Crested Cormorant</span></td> +<td>Pelicanus graculus</td> +<td>Phalacrocorax graculus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_380">380</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Solan Goose</span>, or<br /> +<span class="smcap">Gannet</span></td> +<td>Pelicanus Bassanus</td> +<td>Pelicanus maculatus.—<i>Gmel.</i><br /> +Anser bassanus.—<i>Ray.</i><br /> +Sula alba.—<i>Mey.</i><br /> +Sula bassana.—<i>Bris.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_381">381</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Tame Swan</span></td> +<td>Anas olor</td> +<td>Cygnus olor.—<i>Ray.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_383">383</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Wild Swan</span></td> +<td>Anas Cygnus</td> +<td>Cygnus ferus.—<i>Ray.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_384">384</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Goose</span></td> +<td>Anas anser</td> +<td>Anser palustris.—<i>Flem.</i><br /> +Anser ferus.—<i>Wils.</i><br /> +Anser sylvestris.—<i>Briss.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_386">386</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Duck</span></td> +<td>Anas Boschas</td> +<td>Anas fera.—<i>Briss.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_388">388</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Eider Duck</span></td> +<td>Anas mollissima</td> +<td>Somateria mollissima.—<i>Leach.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_389">389</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Widgeon</span></td> +<td>Anas Penelope</td> +<td>Mareca fistularis.-<i>Steph.</i><br /> +Anatra Mangiana.—<i>Stor.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_390">390</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Teal</span></td> +<td>Anas Crecca</td> +<td>Querquedula Crecca.—<i>Steph.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_391">391</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Common Gull</span></td> +<td>Laruscanus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_392">392</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Stormy Petrel</span></td> +<td>Procellaria pelagica</td> +<td>Thalassidroma pelagica.—<i>Vigors</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_393">393</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Fulmar</span></td> +<td>Procellaria glacialis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_395">395</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Albatross</span></td> +<td>Diomedea exulans +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_396">396</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Great Northern Diver</span></td> +<td>Colymbus glacialis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_397">397</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Puffin</span></td> +<td>Alca arctica</td> +<td>Fratercula arctica.—<i>Leach.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_398">398</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Great Auk</span></td> +<td>Alca impennis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_399">399</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Penguin</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_400">400</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxxvi" id="page_xxxvi"></a>{xxxvi}</span></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center">BOOK III.<br />INHABITANTS OF THE WATER.</th></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section I.</span>—CETACEA, OR SEA MAMMALIA.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Common Whale</span></td> +<td>Balæna mysticetus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_401">401</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Rorqual</span></td> +<td>Balæna Boops</td> +<td>Balænoptera Boops.—<i>Lacep.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_407">407</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Spermaceti Whale</span></td> +<td>Physeter macrocephalus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_407">407</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Dolphin</span></td> +<td>Delphinus Delphis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_409">409</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">White Whale</span></td><td></td> +<td>Beluga leucas.—<i>Gray.</i><br /> +Beluga arctica.—<i>Less.</i><br /> +Delphinapterus Beluga.—<i>Lacep.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_410">410</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Porpoise</span></td> +<td>Delphinus Phocæna</td> +<td>Phocæna vulgaris +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_412">412</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sea Unicorn</span></td> +<td>Monodon monoceros +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_414">414</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Manatee</span></td><td></td> +<td>Manatus Australis.—<i>Tiles.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_415">415</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section II.</span>—CARTILAGINOUS FISHES.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sturgeon</span></td> +<td>Acipenser sturio +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_416">416</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Shark</span></td> +<td>Squalus Carcharias</td> +<td>Carcharias vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_417">417</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Greenland Shark</span></td><td></td> +<td>Salachus maximus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_420">420</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Dog-Fish</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_420">420</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Hammer-headed Shark</span></td><td></td> +<td>Zygoma malleus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_421">421</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Thornback</span></td> +<td>Raia clavata +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_422">422</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Skate</span>, or <span class="smcap">Maid</span></td> +<td>Raia batis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_424">424</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Torpedo</span></td> +<td>Raia Torpedo</td> +<td>Torpedo Narke.—<i>Risso</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_425">425</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Monk Fish</span>, or <br /><span class="smcap">Angel Fish</span></td> +<td>Squalus squatina</td> +<td>Squatina Angelus.—<i>Dum.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_426">426</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Saw Fish</span></td> +<td>Squalus Pristis</td> +<td>Pristis antiquorum.—<i>Lath.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_427">427</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Lamprey</span></td> +<td>Petromyzon marinus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_427">427</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Hag-Fish</span></td> +<td>Myxine glutinosa</td> +<td>Gastrobranchus cæcus.—<i>Bl.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_428">428</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section III.</span>—BONY FISHES.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Pilot Fish</span></td> +<td>Gasterosteus ductor</td> +<td>Naucrates ductor.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_429">429</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Remora</span> or <span class="smcap">Sucking Fish</span></td> +<td>Echeneis Remora +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_430">430</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sea Wolf</span></td> +<td>Anarrhichas lupus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_431">431</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Horned Silure</span></td> +<td>Silurus militaris</td> +<td>Ageneiosis milit.—<i>Lacep.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_432">432</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Father Lasher</span></td> +<td>Cottus scorpius +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_433">433</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sword Fish</span></td> +<td>Xiphias gladius +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_433">433</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Flying Scorpion</span></td><td></td> +<td>Scorpæna volitans.—<i>Emel.</i><br /> +Pteroïs volitans.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_435">435</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Lump-sucker</span></td> +<td>Cyclopterus lumpus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_436">436</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ocellated-sucker</span></td><td></td> +<td>Lepadogaster cornubicus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_437">437</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Angler</span></td> +<td>Lophius piscatorius<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxxviii" id="page_xxxviii"></a>{xxxviii}</span> +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_438">438</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Four-horned Trunk Fish</span></td> +<td>Ostracion quadricornis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_439">439</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Globe Fish</span></td> +<td>Tetraodon hispidus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_440">440</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sun Fish</span></td> +<td>Tetraodon Mola</td> +<td>Orthagariscus Mola.—<i>Schn.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_441">441</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sea Horse</span></td> +<td>Syngnathus Hippocampus</td> +<td>Hippocampus brevirostris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_442">442</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Flying Fish</span></td> +<td>Exocætus volitans +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_443">443</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Gurnard</span></td> +<td>Trigla cuculus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_444">444</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">John Dory</span></td> +<td>Zeus faber +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_446">446</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Blepharis</span></td><td></td> +<td>Blepharis ciliaris.—<i>Bl.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_447">447</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Opah</span>, or <span class="smcap">King Fish</span></td><td></td> +<td>Lampris guttatus.—<i>Retz.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_447">447</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cod Fish</span></td> +<td>Gadus Morrhua</td> +<td>Morrhua vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_448">448</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Haddock</span></td> +<td>Gadus Æglefinus</td> +<td>Morrhua Æglefinus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_449">449</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Whiting</span></td> +<td>Gadus Merlangus</td> +<td>Merlangus vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_451">451</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ling</span></td> +<td>Gadus molva</td> +<td>Lota molva.—<i>Cuv.</i><br /> +Asellus.—<i>Will.</i><br /> +Molva vulgaris.—<i>Flem.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_451">451</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Mackerel</span></td> +<td>Scomber Scomber</td> +<td>Scomber Scombrus.—<i>Cuv.</i><br /> +Scomber vulgaris.—<i>Flem.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_453">453</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Gar Fish</span></td> +<td>Esox Belone</td> +<td>Belone vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_454">454</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Herring</span></td> +<td>Clupea Harengus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_455">455</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sprat</span></td> +<td>Clupea Sprattus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_456">456</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Pilchard</span></td> +<td>Clupea pilchardus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_457">457</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Whitebait</span></td><td></td> +<td>Clupea alba.—<i>Yarrell</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_458">458</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Anchovy</span></td> +<td>Clupea encrasicolus</td> +<td>Engraulis encrasicolus.—<i>Flem.</i><br /> +Engraulis vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_458">458</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Turbot</span></td> +<td>Pleuronectes maximus</td> +<td>Rhombus maximus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_459">459</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Plaice</span></td> +<td>Pleuronectes platessa</td> +<td>Platessa vulgaris.—<i>Flem.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_460">460</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Flounder</span></td> +<td>Pleuronectes flesus</td> +<td>Platessa flesus.—<i>Flem.</i><br /> +Pleuronectes fluviatilis.—<i>Will.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_461">461</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sole</span></td> +<td>Pleuronectes solea</td> +<td>Solea vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_461">461</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Salmon Pink</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_462">462</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Salmon</span></td> +<td>Salmo salar +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_463">463</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Salmon Trout</span></td> +<td>Salmo trutta +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_465">465</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Trout</span></td> +<td>Salmo fario +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_466">466</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Char</span></td> +<td>Salmo salvelinus</td> +<td>Salmo alpoinus.—<i>Pen.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_469">469</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Grayling</span></td> +<td>Salmo thymallus</td> +<td>Thymallus vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_470">470</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Smelt</span></td> +<td>Salmo eperlanus</td> +<td>Osmerus eperlanus.—<i>Flem.</i><br /> +Eperlanus Rondeletii.—<i>Will.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_471">471</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Pike</span></td> +<td>Esox lucius +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_472">472</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Perch</span></td> +<td>Perca fluviatilis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_474">474</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, or <span class="smcap">Ruffe</span></td> +<td>Perca cernua</td> +<td>Acerina cernua.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_474">474</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Basse</span></td> +<td>Perca labrax</td> +<td>Labrax lupus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_475">475</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Carp</span></td> +<td>Cyprinus carpio +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_477">477</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Tench</span></td> +<td>Cyprinus tinca</td> +<td>Tinca vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_478">478</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Gold Fish</span></td> +<td>Cyprinus auratus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_479">479</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Gudgeon</span></td> +<td>Cyprinus gobio</td> +<td>Gobio fluviatilis.—<i>Will.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_480">480</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Chub</span></td> +<td>Cyprinus cephalus</td> +<td>Leuciscus cephalus.—<i>Flem.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_481">481</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Barbel</span></td> +<td>Cyprinus barbus</td> +<td>Barbus vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_482">482</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Dace</span></td> +<td>Cyprinus leuciscus</td> +<td>Leuciscus vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_482">482</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Roach</span></td> +<td>Cyprinus rutilus</td> +<td>Leuciscus rutilus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_483">483</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bleak</span></td> +<td>Cyprinus alburnus</td> +<td>Leuciscus alburnus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_483">483</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bream</span></td> +<td>Cyprinus brama</td> +<td>Abramis brama.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_484">484</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Minnow</span></td> +<td>Cyprinus phoxinus</td> +<td>Leuciscus phoxinus.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_485">485</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Loach</span></td> +<td>Cobitis barbatula +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_486">486</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bullhead</span></td> +<td>Cottus Gobio +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_486">486</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Stickleback</span></td> +<td>Gasterosteus aculiatus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_487">487</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Electrical Eel</span></td> +<td>Gymnotus electricus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_488">488</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Eel</span></td> +<td>Muræna Anguilla</td> +<td>Anguilla vulgaris.—<i>Thun.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_490">490</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Conger Eel</span></td> +<td>Muræna conger</td> +<td>Conger vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_492">492</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center">BOOK IV.<br /><br />REPTILES.</th></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section I.</span>—SERPENTS, OR OPHIDIAN REPTILES.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Viper</span>, or <span class="smcap">Adder</span></td> +<td>Coluber Borus</td> +<td>Vipera Berus.—<i>Daud.</i><br /> +Pelias Berus.—<i>Merr.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_495">495</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Horned Viper</span></td> +<td>Coluber cerastes</td> +<td>Vipera cerastes. Cerastes Hasselquistii +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_497">497</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Rattle Snake</span></td> +<td>Crotalus horridus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_498">498</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Haje</span></td> +<td>Coluber Haje</td> +<td>Naja Haje.—<i>Groff.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_499">499</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cobra di Capello</span></td> +<td>Coluber Naja</td> +<td>Naja tripudians.—<i>Merr.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_500">500</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Snake</span></td> +<td>Coluber natrix</td> +<td>Natrix torquata.—<i>Ray.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_501">501</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Boa</span></td> +<td>Boa constrictor +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_502">502</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Amphisbæna</span></td> +<td>Amphisbæna fuliginosa +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_503">503</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section II.</span>—BATRACHIAN REPTILES.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Frog</span></td> +<td>Rana temporaria +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_505">505</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Toad</span></td> +<td>Rana Bufo</td> +<td>Bufo vulgaris.—<i>Laur.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_507">507</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Surinam Toad</span></td> +<td>Rana Pipa</td> +<td>Pipa Americana.—<i>Laur.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_509">509</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Newt</span></td> +<td>Lacerta aquatica</td> +<td>Triton aquaticus +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_510">510</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Great Newt</span></td><td></td> +<td>Triton balustris +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_511">511</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section III.</span>—SAURIAN REPTILES.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Lizard</span></td> +<td>Lacerta vivipara</td> +<td>Lacerta agilis.—<i>Briss.</i><br /> +Zootoca vivipara.—<i>Wag.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_512">512</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Iguana</span></td> +<td>Lacerta Iguana</td> +<td>Iguana tuberculata.—<i>Laur.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_513">513</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Flying Lizard</span></td> +<td>Draco volans +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_514">514</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Chameleon</span></td> +<td>Lacerta Chamæleon</td> +<td>Chamæleo vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_515">515</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Crocodile</span></td> +<td>Lacerta Crocodilus</td> +<td>Crocodilus vulgaris.—<i>Cuv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_517">517</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Alligator</span>, or <span class="smcap">Cayman</span></td> +<td>Lacerta Alligator</td> +<td>Alligator Lucius.—<i>Cuv.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xxxix" id="page_xxxix"></a>{xxxix}</span> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_518">518</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section IV.</span>-CHELONIAN REPTILES.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Tortoise</span></td> +<td>Testudo Græca +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_520">520</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Turtle</span></td> +<td>Testudo midas</td> +<td>Chelonia midas.—<i>Briss.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_521">521</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Hawk’s Bill Turtle</span></td> +<td>Testudo imbricata</td> +<td>Chelonia imbricata.—<i>Briss.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_523">523</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Leathery Turtle</span></td> +<td>Testudo coriacea</td> +<td>Sphargis coriacea +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_524">524</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center">BOOK V.<br /><br />MOLLUSCOUS ANIMALS.</th></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section I.</span>—BIVALVES, OR THOSE HAVING TWO SHELLS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Pearl Oyster</span></td> +<td>Mytilus Margaritiferus</td> +<td>Avicula margaritifera.—<i>Lam.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_525">525</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Oyster</span></td> +<td>Ostrea edulis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_526">526</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cockle</span></td> +<td>Cardium edule</td> +<td>Cardium fimbria +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_527">527</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Pholas</span></td> +<td>Pholas dactylus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_528">528</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Mussel</span></td> +<td>Mytilus edulis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_530">530</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section II.</span>—UNIVALVES.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Admiral</span></td> +<td>Conus ammiralis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_530">530</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Tiger Cowry</span></td> +<td>Cypræa Tigris +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_531">531</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Whelk</span></td> +<td>Buccinum undatum +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_531">531</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Snipe Shell</span></td> +<td>Murex haustellus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_532">532</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Periwinkle</span></td> +<td>Littorina littorea +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_532">532</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Limpet</span></td> +<td>Patella vulgata +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_532">532</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Snail</span></td> +<td>Helix aspersa +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_533">533</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cuttlefish</span></td> +<td>Sepia officinalis +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_535">535</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Poulpe</span></td> +<td>Sepia octopodia</td> +<td>Octopus vulgaris.—<i>Lam.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_537">537</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Argonaut</span></td> +<td>Argonauta argo +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_537">537</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Nautilus</span></td> +<td>Nautilus Pompilius +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_538">538</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center">BOOK VI.<br /><br />ARTICULATED ANIMALS.</th></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section I.</span>—ANNELIDA, OR RINGED ANIMALS.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Earthworms</span></td> +<td>Lumbricus terrestris +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_539">539</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Leech</span></td> +<td>Hirudo medicinalis</td> +<td>Sanguisuga officinalis +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_540">540</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section II.</span>—CRUSTACEA.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Lobster</span></td> +<td>Cancer gammarus</td> +<td>Astacus marinus.—<i>Leach</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xl" id="page_xl"></a>{xl}</span> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_542">542</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Crayfish</span></td> +<td>Cancer astacus</td> +<td>Astacus fluviatilis.—<i>Des.</i><br /> +Potamobius.—<i>Leach</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_543">543</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Crab</span></td> +<td>Cancer Pagurus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_543">543</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Land Crab</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_544">544</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Soldier Crab</span></td> +<td>Pagurus Bempardus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_545">545</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Shrimp</span></td> +<td>Cancer crangon</td> +<td>Crangon vulgaris.—<i>Fab.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_546">546</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Prawn</span></td><td></td> +<td>Palæmon serratus.—<i>Leach</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_546">546</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section III.</span>—ARACHNIDA.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Garden Spider</span></td> +<td>Aranea diadema</td> +<td>Epeïra diadema.—<i>Walck.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_548">548</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Tarantula</span></td> +<td>Aranea Tarantula</td> +<td>Lycosa tarantula.—<i>Lat.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_550">550</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cheese Mite</span></td> +<td>Acarus siro +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_552">552</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center"><span class="smcap">Section IV.</span>—INSECTS.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Order I.—Coleoptera, or Beetles.</span></th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cockchafer</span></td> +<td>Scarabæus Melolontha</td> +<td>Melolontha vulgaris.—<i>Fab.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_554">554</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Dor Beetle</span></td> +<td>Scarabæus stercorarius</td> +<td>Geotrupes stercorarius.—<i>Lat.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_555">555</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Stag Beetle</span></td> +<td>Lucanus Cervus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_556">556</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Elephant Beetle</span></td> +<td>Scarabæus elephas</td> +<td>Dynastes elephas +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_557">557</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Musk Beetle</span>, or <br /> +<span class="smcap">Goat Chaffer</span></td> +<td>Cerambyx moschatus</td> +<td>Aromia moschata.—<i>Serv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_558">558</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ground Beetle</span></td> +<td>Carabus clathratus +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_558">558</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Glowworm</span></td> +<td>Lampyris noctiluca +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_559">559</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Death Watch</span></td> +<td>Ptinus pertinax</td> +<td>Anobium pertinax.—<i>Fab.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_560">560</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Spanish Fly</span></td> +<td>Cantharis vesicatoria +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_561">561</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Corn Weevil</span></td> +<td>Curculio granarius</td> +<td>Calandra granaria.—<i>Clairv.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_561">561</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Lady Bird</span></td> +<td>Coccinella septempunctata +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_562">562</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Order II.—Orthoptera.</span></th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Earwig</span></td> +<td>Forficula auricularia +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_563">563</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Leaf Mantis</span></td> +<td>Mantis gongylodes</td> +<td>Empusa gongylodes—<i>Ill.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_564">564</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Walking Leaf</span></td> +<td>Mantis siccifolia</td> +<td>Phyllium siccifolium.—<i>Ill.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_565">565</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Grasshopper</span></td><td></td> +<td>Locusta flavipes +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_566">566</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Locust</span></td> +<td>Gryllus migratorius</td> +<td>Locusta migratoria +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_567">567</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Mole Cricket</span></td> +<td>Gryllus Gryllotalpa</td> +<td>Gryllotalpa vulgaris.—<i>Lat.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_569">569</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cricket</span></td> +<td>Gryllus domesticus</td> +<td>Acheta domestica +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_570">570</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Order III.—Hemiptera.</span></th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Lantern Fly</span></td> +<td>Fulgora lanternaria +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_571">571</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cochineal Insect</span></td> +<td>Coccus cacti +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_571">571</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Green Fly</span></td> +<td>Aphis rosæ <span class="pagenum"><a name="page_xli" id="page_xli"></a>{xli}</span> +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_572">572</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Order IV.—Neuroptera.</span></th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ant-Lion</span></td> +<td>Myrmeleon formicarium +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_574">574</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Dragon Fly</span></td> +<td>Libellula grandis</td> +<td>Æshna grandis.<i>—Fab.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_576">576</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Order V.—Hymenoptera.</span></th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bee</span></td> +<td>Apis mellifica +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_577">577</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Wasp</span></td> +<td>Vespa vulgaris +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_579">579</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ichneumon</span></td><td></td> +<td>Pimpla persuasoria +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_581">581</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ant</span></td> +<td>Formica rufa +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_582">582</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Order VI.—Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies.</span></th></tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Emperor Moth</span>,<br /> +with its <span class="smcap">Chrysalis</span><br /> +and <span class="smcap">Caterpillar</span></td> +<td>Phalœna<br /> +Pavonia minor</td> + +<td>Saturnia.—<i>Schaank.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_583">583</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Tortoise-Shell Butterfly</span></td> +<td>Papilio urticæ</td> +<td>Vanessa urticæ.—<i>Fab.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_585">585</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Cabbage Butterfly</span></td> +<td>Papilio Brassicæ</td> +<td>Pieris Brassicæ.—<i>Lat.</i><br /> +Pontia Brassicæ.—<i>Fab.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_586">586</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Magpie Moth</span></td> +<td>Phalæna grossulariata</td> +<td>Abraxas grossulariata.—<i>Leach</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_587">587</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Winter Moth</span></td> +<td>Phalæna brumata</td> +<td>Hibernia brumata.—<i>Lat.</i> +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_588">588</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Silkworm</span></td> +<td>Bombyx mori +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_589">589</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Clothes Moth</span></td> +<td>Tinea pellionella +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_590">590</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Order VII.—Diptera.</span></th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">House Fly</span></td> +<td>Musca domestica +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_592">592</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Gnat</span></td> +<td>Culex pipiens +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_592">592</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Order VIII.—Suctoria.</span></th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Flea</span></td> +<td>Pulex irritans +</td><td></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_594">594</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th colspan="4" align="center">BOOK VII.<br /><br />RADIATA.</th></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Star Fish</span></td> +<td>Asterias rubens</td> +<td>Uraster rubens +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_595">595</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sea-Urchin</span></td><td></td> +<td>Echinus miliaris +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_596">596</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Red Coral</span></td> +<td>Isis nobilis</td> +<td>Gorgonia nobilis +</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_597">597</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Stony Corals</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_600">600</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sponge</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_603">603</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Polyps</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_604">604</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sea Anemones</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_607">607</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Jelly Fish</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Appendix.—Fabulous Animals</span></td><td colspan="2"></td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_611">611</a></td></tr> + +</table> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_001" id="page_001"></a>{1}</span></p> + +<h1>THE<br /> +ENTERTAINING NATURALIST.</h1> + +<h2><a name="Book_I" id="Book_I"></a><span class="smcap">Book I.</span><br /> + +I. QUADRUPEDS, OR FOUR-FOOTED BEASTS.</h2> + +<h3>§ I. <i>Carnivorous, or Flesh-eating Animals.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LION_Felis_Leo" id="Illustration_THE_LION_Felis_Leo"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 384px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_001_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_001_sml.jpg" width="384" height="267" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LION. (<i>Felis Leo.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Lion</span> is called the king of beasts, not only from his grave and +majestic appearance, but from his prodigious strength. Zoologists +describe him as an animal of the cat kind, distinguished from the other +species of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_002" id="page_002"></a>{2}</span> genus by the uniformity of his colour, the mane which +decorates the male, and a tuft of hair at the tip of the tail, which +conceals a small prickle or claw.</p> + +<p>Lions were formerly found in all the hot and warmer temperate parts of +the whole world; but they are now confined to Africa, and some parts of +Asia. The African Lion stands four or five feet high, and his body is +from seven to nine feet long. The mane is thick, and somewhat curly; and +the colour varies in different parts of Africa, but it is generally of a +clear dark brown, deepening in some cases almost into black. The Asiatic +Lions are smaller than those of Africa, and their colour paler. The +Bengal Lion is of a light brown, with a long flowing mane; the Persian +Lion is of a sort of cream-colour, with a short thick mane; and the Lion +of Guzerat is of a reddish brown, without any mane. These varieties have +been considered as distinct species by some naturalists.</p> + +<p>All the varieties agree in their habits; they lie hid in jungles in the +long grass, and when aroused either walk quietly and majestically away, +or turn and look steadily at their pursuers. Their roar is terrific: and +in a wild state, the animal generally roars with his mouth close to the +ground, which produces a low rumbling noise, like that of an earthquake. +The effect is described by those who have heard it, as making the +stoutest heart quail; and the feebler animals, when they hear it, fly in +dismay, often in their terror falling in the way of their enemy, instead +of avoiding him. Serpents, and some of the larger animals, will, +however, fight with Lions, and occasionally kill them; and Lions, when +pursued by man, are sometimes hunted with dogs, but are oftener shot, or +speared. Those which are exhibited in menageries have generally been +caught in pits. The pit is dug where traces have been discovered of a +Lion’s path; and it is then covered with sticks and turf. He is deceived +by the appearance of solidity presented by the turf, and attempts to +walk over it; but the moment he sets his foot upon the covering of the +trap, it breaks beneath his weight, and he falls into the pit. He is +then kept without food for several days, shaking the ground with his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_003" id="page_003"></a>{3}</span> +roaring, and fatiguing himself by vainly attempting to escape; till, at +last, he becomes exhausted, and so tame as to permit his captors to put +ropes round him, and drag him out. He is then put into a cage, and +removed in a kind of waggon, wherever his captors may wish to take him.</p> + +<p>The generosity of the Lion has been much extolled; but the tales related +of it appear to have had no other foundation than the fact, that, like +many other beasts, when gorged with food he will not attack a man. A +great amount of courage has also been so generally ascribed to him that +the expression “as brave as a Lion,” has become proverbial, and he has +been regarded as a sort of symbol of that quality. For this respectable +character, the Lion is no doubt mainly indebted to his possession of a +mane, and to the boldness of appearance produced by his carrying his +head elevated; for in all other respects he is a genuine cat, with +neither more nor less courage than belongs to the cats in general. As +the Lion belongs to the cat tribe, his eyes are incapable of bearing a +strong light; it is therefore generally in the night that he prowls +about for prey, and when the sun shines in his face, he becomes confused +and almost blinded. Lion hunters are aware of this fact. In the day-time +they always consider themselves safe, so long as they have the sun on +their backs. In the night, a fire has nearly the same effect; and +travellers in Africa and the deserts of Arabia can generally protect +themselves from Lions and Tigers by making a large fire near their +sleeping-place. The strength of the African species is so great that he +has been known to carry away a young heifer, and leap a ditch with it in +his mouth. The power that man may acquire over this animal has been +often shown in the exhibitions of Van Amburgh, Carter, and others; but +the attachment which Lions sometimes form for their keepers, was never +more strongly exemplified than in the following anecdote.</p> + +<p>M. Felix, the keeper of the animals in Paris, some years ago, brought +two Lions, a male and female, to the national menagerie. About the +beginning of the following June he was taken ill, and could no longer +attend<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_004" id="page_004"></a>{4}</span> them; and another person was under the necessity of performing +this duty. The male, sad and solitary, remained from that moment +constantly seated at the end of his cage, and refused to take food from +the stranger, whose presence was hateful to him, and whom he often +menaced by bellowing. The company even of the female seemed now to +displease him, and he paid no attention to her. The uneasiness of the +animal led to a belief that he was really ill; but no one dared to +approach him. At length Felix recovered, and, with an intention to +surprise the Lion, crawled softly to the cage, and showed his face +between the bars: the Lion, in a moment, made a bound, leaped against +the bars, patted him with his paws, licked his hands and face, and +trembled with pleasure. The female also ran to him; but the Lion drove +her back, and seemed angry, and fearful lest she should snatch any +favours from Felix; a quarrel was about to take place, but Felix entered +the cage to pacify them. He caressed them by turns; and was afterwards +frequently seen between them. He had so great a command over these +animals, that, whenever he wished them to separate and retire to their +cages, he had only to give the order: when he wished them to lie down, +and show strangers their paws or throats, they would throw themselves on +their backs on the least sign, hold up their paws one after another, +open their jaws, and, as a recompense, obtain the favour of licking his +hand.</p> + +<p>The Lion, like all animals of the cat kind, does not devour his prey the +moment he has seized it. When those in cages are fed, they generally +hide their food under them for a minute or two, before they eat it. Thus +an instance is known of a man, who was struck down by a Lion, having +time to draw his hunting-knife and stab the ferocious beast, who was +growling over him, to the heart, before it had seriously injured him. +The Lion also resembles a cat in his mode of stealing after, and +watching his prey, a long time before seizing it.</p> + +<p>Dr. Sparrman mentions a singular instance of the animal’s habits in this +respect. A Hottentot perceiving that he was followed by a Lion, and +concluding that<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_005" id="page_005"></a>{5}</span> the creature only waited the approach of night to make +him his prey, began to consider what was the best mode of providing for +his safety, and at length adopted the following:—Observing a piece of +broken ground with a precipitate descent on one side, he sat down by the +edge of it; and found, to his great joy, that the Lion also made a halt, +and kept at a distance behind him. As soon as it grew dark, the man, +sliding gently forward, let himself down a little below the edge of the +steep, and held up his cloak and hat on his stick, at the same time +gently moving them backward and forward. The Lion, after a while, came +creeping towards the object; and mistaking the cloak for the man +himself, made a spring at it, and fell headlong down the precipice.</p> + +<p>Many interesting anecdotes of Lions and Lion-hunting may be found in the +accounts of their travels published by Gordon Cumming, Andersson, and +Dr. Livingstone. From the latter we may extract the following account of +an escape literally from the very jaws of death:—“Being about thirty +yards off,” says the doctor, “I took a good aim at his body through the +bush, and fired both barrels into it. The men then called out, ‘He is +shot, he is shot!’ Others cried, ‘He has been shot by another man too; +let us go to him!’ I did not see any one else shoot at him, but I saw +the Lion’s tail erected in anger behind the bush, and turning to the +people, said, ‘Stop a little till I load again.’ When in the act of +ramming down the bullets I heard a shout. Starting and looking half +round, I saw the Lion just in the act of springing upon me. I was upon a +little height; he caught my shoulder as he sprang, and we both came to +the ground below together. Growling horribly close to my ear, he shook +me as a terrier-dog does a rat. The shock produced a stupor similar to +that which seems to be felt by a mouse after the first shake of the cat. +It caused a sort of dreaminess, in which there was no sense of pain nor +feeling of terror, though quite conscious of all that was happening. It +was like what patients partially under the influence of chloroform +describe, who see all the operation, but feel not the knife. This +singular condition was not the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_006" id="page_006"></a>{6}</span> result of any mental process. The shake +annihilated fear, and allowed no sense of horror in looking round at the +beast. This peculiar state is probably produced in all animals killed by +the carnivora; and if so, is a merciful provision by our benevolent +Creator for lessening the pain of death. Turning round to relieve myself +of the weight, as he had one paw on the back of my head, I saw his eyes +directed to Mebalwe, who was trying to shoot him at a distance of ten or +fifteen yards. His gun, a flint one, missed fire in both barrels; the +Lion immediately left me, and, attacking Mebalwe, bit his thigh. Another +man, whose life I had saved before, after he had been tossed by a +buffalo, attempted to spear the Lion while he was biting Mebalwe. He +left Mebalwe, and caught this man by the shoulder; but at that moment +the bullets he had received took effect, and he fell down dead. The +whole was the work of a few moments, and must have been his paroxysm of +dying rage.” The interesting nature of this narrative of a most +hair-breadth escape must be our excuse for its length.</p> + +<p>Lions have been sometimes known to attain a great age; thus Pompey, a +large male Lion that died, in 1760, in the Tower of London, was upwards +of seventy years old. The usual period, however, seldom exceeds twenty +years. The Lion is generally represented as the companion of Britannia, +as a national symbol of strength, courage, and generosity. In ancient +gems, paintings, and statuary, his skin is the attribute of Hercules. In +Scriptural compositions, he is painted at the side of the evangelist St. +Mark; and holds the fifth place among the signs of the zodiac, answering +to the months of July and August.</p> + +<p>In the various sculptured Lions discovered by Mr. Layard at Nineveh in +1848, the claw in the Lion’s tail is distinctly marked, and is +represented as being of large size. It is, however, really a very small, +dark, horny prickle at the tip of the fleshy part of the tail, and +entirely hidden by the hair.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_007" id="page_007"></a>{7}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LIONESS_AND_CUBS" id="Illustration_THE_LIONESS_AND_CUBS"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 321px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_007_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_007_sml.jpg" width="321" height="274" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LIONESS AND CUBS.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Lioness</span> is in all her dimensions about one-third less than the male, +and has no mane. She has generally from two to four cubs at a time, +which are born blind, like kittens, which they greatly resemble, though +they are as large as a pug-dog, when born. When quite young they are +striped and spotted, but these marks soon disappear; they also at first +mew like a cat, and do not begin to roar till they are about eighteen +months old. About the same time the mane begins to appear on the males, +and soon after the tuft of hair on the tail, though the animal is +generally five or six years before it attains its full size.</p> + +<p>The Lioness, though naturally less strong, less courageous, and less +mischievous than the Lion, becomes terrible as soon as she has young +ones to provide for. The ferocity of her disposition then appears with +tenfold vigour; and woe be to the wretched intruder,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_008" id="page_008"></a>{8}</span> whether man or +beast, who should unwarily approach the precincts of her sanctuary. She +makes incursions for food for her young with even more intrepidity than +the Lion himself; throws herself indiscriminately among men and other +animals; destroys without distinction; loads herself with the spoil, and +brings it home reeking to her cubs. She usually brings forth her young +in the most retired and inaccessible places; and when she fears the +discovery of her retreat, often hides her track, by running back over +the ground, or by brushing it out with her tail. She sometimes also, +when her apprehensions are great, transports her young from one place to +another, like a cat; and if obstructed, defends them with determined +courage, and fights to the last.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fennel, in his <i>History of Quadrupeds</i>, relates an interesting +anecdote of a Lioness kept at the Tower in 1773. This creature had +become “greatly attached to a little dog, which was her constant +companion. When the Lioness was about to whelp, the dog was removed; but +shortly after her accouchement had taken place, the dog contrived to +enter the den, and approached the Lioness with his usual fondness. She, +alarmed for her cubs, immediately seized him, and seemed about to kill +him; but, as if suddenly recollecting their former friendship, she +carried him to the door of her den, and allowed him to escape unhurt.” +Mr. Fennel also tells us, that the first Lioness ever brought to +England, died in the Tower in 1773, after having attained a great age.</p> + +<p>Another Lioness, which was kept at the Tower in 1806, became extremely +attached to a little dog, and whenever he attempted to pass through the +bars of the den, would draw him back by the hinder parts, and place her +paw gently upon his body, as if entreating him not to leave her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_009" id="page_009"></a>{9}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TIGER_Felis_Tigris" id="Illustration_THE_TIGER_Felis_Tigris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 362px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_009_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_009_sml.jpg" width="362" height="255" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TIGER. (<i>Felis Tigris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Though</span> very inferior to the lion in majesty of appearance and +deportment, this ferocious animal nearly equals him in size and +strength. The Tiger is another of the feline species, and may be +compared to an enormous cat, the whiskers and the tail being exactly +similar; and both the Tiger and the lion resemble the cat in the form of +their feet, and the power they possess of drawing in their claws. The +Tiger, however, bears the strongest resemblance, and when pleased, purrs +and curves up his back as he rubs himself against the nearest object. +When enraged, he growls rather than roars; and springs up to a great +height before he pounces on his prey.</p> + +<p>The Tiger has a smaller and rounder head than the lion; he has no mane; +his tail is without any tuft at the extremity, and his body much more +slender and flexible. His colour is yellowish on the back and sides, +becoming white beneath, with numerous lines of a very dark rich brown, +or glossy black, sloping from the centre of the back down the sides, and +over the head, and continued<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_010" id="page_010"></a>{10}</span> down the tail in the form of rings. Tigers +are only found wild in Asia; but they are very abundant and very +destructive in the East Indies, as from their enormous strength they can +carry off a bullock with the greatest ease.</p> + +<p>The attack of one of these animals upon Mr. Monro, son of Sir Hector +Monro, was attended with the most tragical consequences. “We went,” says +an eye-witness, “on shore on Sawgar Island, to shoot deer, of which we +saw innumerable tracks, as well as of Tigers. We continued our diversion +till near three o’clock, when sitting down by the side of a jungle to +refresh ourselves, a roar like thunder was heard, and an immense Tiger +seized our unfortunate friend, and rushed again into the jungle, +dragging him through the thickest bushes and trees, everything giving +way to his monstrous strength. All we could do was to fire on the Tiger; +and our shots took effect, as in a few moments our unfortunate friend +came up to us bathed in blood. Every medical assistance was vain, and he +expired in the space of twenty-four hours, having received such deep +wounds from the teeth and claws of the animal as rendered his recovery +hopeless. A large fire, consisting of ten or twelve whole trees, was +blazing near us at the time this accident took place; and ten or more of +the natives were with us. The human mind can scarcely form any idea of +this scene of horror.”</p> + +<p>Tiger-hunting, though very dangerous, is a very favourite sport in +India. The hunters are mounted in carriages called howdahs, on the backs +of elephants, well armed. The first indication is generally given by the +elephants, who scent their enemy at some distance, and commencing a +peculiar kind of snorting, become greatly agitated. As soon as the +motion of the Tiger through the jungle is perceived, the nearest +elephant is halted, and the hunter fires instantly. Should the Tiger be +wounded, he will, in all probability, spring up with a hideous roar, and +rush at the nearest elephant, his mouth open, his tail erect, or lashing +his sides, and his whole fur bristled up. Sometimes, however, he +endeavours to sneak away, artfully diminishing his size by drawing in +his breath and creeping along the ground, and often with<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_011" id="page_011"></a>{11}</span> such success +as to enable him to escape to ravines where it would be madness to +attempt pursuit.</p> + +<p>The Tiger is, however, such a formidable neighbour, that, apart from the +excitement of hunting him, the natives of the countries which he +inhabits have recourse to various modes of killing him. In Persia a +large and strong wooden cage is often fastened firmly down to the +ground, in the vicinity of the Tiger’s haunts, and in this a man, +accompanied by a dog or goat, to warn him of the approach of the Tiger, +takes up his quarters at night. He is provided with a few strong spears, +and when the Tiger comes, and in endeavouring to reach the enclosed prey +rears himself against the cage, the man takes the opportunity of +stabbing him in a mortal part. In Oude the peasants sometimes strew +leaves smeared with birdlime in the Tiger’s path, in order that as the +animal walks on them they may adhere to his feet; in his efforts to +disengage himself from these encumbrances he usually smears face and +eyes with the sticky material, or rolls himself among the treacherous +leaves, until finally becoming blinded and very uncomfortable he gives +vent to his dissatisfaction in the most dismal howlings, which speedily +bring his enemies about him, when taking advantage of his helpless +condition they dispatch him without difficulty. The destruction of a +Tiger is handsomely rewarded by the Indian governments, and many of the +people make a regular trade of shooting them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_012" id="page_012"></a>{12}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LEOPARD_Felis_Leopardus" id="Illustration_THE_LEOPARD_Felis_Leopardus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 349px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_012_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_012_sml.jpg" width="349" height="262" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LEOPARD, (<i>Felis Leopardus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Differs</span> from the tiger in being smaller, and in having the skin spotted +instead of striped. His length from nose to tail is about four feet, the +colour of the body is a lively yellow, and the spots of his skin are +composed of four or five black dots arranged in a circle, and not +imperfectly representing the print left by the animal’s foot upon the +sand. It is found in the southern parts of Asia, and almost all over +Africa. The panther is a variety of the Leopard.</p> + +<p>Like all animals of the cat tribe, Leopards are a compound of ferocity +and cunning; they prey upon the smaller animals, such as antelopes, +sheep, and monkeys; and are enabled to secure their food with great +success, from the extraordinary flexibility of their bodies. Kolben +informs us that, in the year 1708, two of these animals, a male and +female, with three young ones, broke into a sheepfold at the Cape of +Good Hope. They killed nearly a hundred sheep, and regaled themselves +with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_013" id="page_013"></a>{13}</span> blood; after which they tore a carcass into three pieces, one +of which they gave to each of their offspring; they then took each a +whole sheep, and, thus laden, began to retire; but having been observed, +they were waylaid on their return, and the female and young ones killed, +while the male effected his escape. They appear afraid of man, and never +attack him unless driven by hunger, when they spring upon him from +behind. The Leopard is sometimes called the Tree-tiger from the ease +with which he climbs trees.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PANTHER_Felis_pardus" id="Illustration_THE_PANTHER_Felis_pardus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 296px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_013_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_013_sml.jpg" width="296" height="257" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PANTHER. (<i>Felis pardus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Although</span> the Panther is generally savage, and always very uncertain in +its disposition, instances have been known of its exhibiting a certain +amount of gentleness and even playfulness in confinement. This was the +case with a specimen which Mrs. Bowditch brought over with her from +Africa. This animal was called Sai. One day, at Cape Coast Castle, he +found the servant appointed to attend on him sitting asleep, resting +his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_014" id="page_014"></a>{14}</span> back against a door; Sai instantly lifted up his paw, and gave the +sleeper a tap on the side of the cheek, which knocked him over, and when +the man awaked, he found Sai wagging his tail, and seeming to enjoy the +fun. Another day, when a woman was scrubbing the floor, he jumped on her +back; and when the woman screamed with fright, he sprang off, and began +rolling over and over like a kitten. When put on board ship, he was +first confined in a cage; and the greatest pleasure he had was when Mrs. +Bowditch gave him a little twisted cup or cornet of stiff paper with +some lavender-water in it, and with this he was so delighted, that he +would roll himself over and over, and rub his paws against his face. At +first he used to put his claws out when he attempted to snatch anything; +but as Mrs. Bowditch would never give him any lavender-water when this +was the case, he soon learnt to keep his claws in. This Panther died +soon after it reached England.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_OUNCE_Felis_Uncia" id="Illustration_THE_OUNCE_Felis_Uncia"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 287px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_014_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_014_sml.jpg" width="287" height="192" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE OUNCE. (<i>Felis Uncia</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Ounce</span> is a species of cat very nearly related to the Leopard, with +which it agrees in size and in its general habits. It differs +principally in the thickness of its fur, its greyish colour, the +irregular form of the spots, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_015" id="page_015"></a>{15}</span> the great length of its tail, which, +from being clothed with a long thick fur, corresponding with that of the +body, appears to be also of great thickness. This thick and somewhat +woolly-looking coat is rendered necessary by the coldness of the +districts inhabited by the Ounce, which is found in Thibet and other +mountainous regions of Asia.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_OCELOT_Felis_pardalis" id="Illustration_THE_OCELOT_Felis_pardalis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 289px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_015_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_015_sml.jpg" width="289" height="246" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE OCELOT. (<i>Felis pardalis</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> species, which is often called the <i>Tiger Cat</i>, is described by +Buffon as the most beautiful of the animals of its tribe, and it must be +confessed that the great French naturalist had some reason for so +speaking of it. It measures about three feet in length, exclusive of the +tail; the colour of the upper parts and sides is a tawny grey, +beautifully marked with irregular streaks and spots of black, and the +whole lower parts are nearly white. The Ocelot is a native of the +forests of tropical America, where it climbs the trees with great +agility in pursuit of monkeys and birds.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_016" id="page_016"></a>{16}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CHEETAH_OR_HUNTING_LEOPARD" id="Illustration_THE_CHEETAH_OR_HUNTING_LEOPARD"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 239px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_016_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_016_sml.jpg" width="239" height="158" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CHEETAH, OR HUNTING LEOPARD.<br /><br /> +(<i>Felis jubata.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Hunting Leopard</span> seems to form the connecting link between the cat +and the dog tribes; as it has the long tail and flexible body of the +cat, with the sharp nose and elongated limbs of the dog. Its claws also +are not capable of being so completely drawn back into the toes as they +can in other animals of the cat kind. The Cheetah is easily tamed, and +Cuvier describes one which was accustomed to go at large in a park, and +associated with the children and domestic animals, purring like a cat +when pleased, and mewing when he wished to call attention to his wants. +In the East the Cheetah is used in hunting, and is carried in a +carriage, or chained on a pad behind the saddle of a horseman, with a +hood over his eyes: when a herd of antelopes is found, the hood is taken +off the Cheetah, who is let loose, and as soon as he sees the antelopes, +steals cautiously along, till he comes within reach, when he springs +suddenly upon them; making several bounds with the greatest rapidity, +till he has killed his victim, when he begins instantly to suck its +blood. The keeper then approaches, and throwing the Cheetah some pieces +of raw meat, contrives to hoodwink and chain him again to his pad behind +the saddle, on which he crouches like a dog. If the Cheetah is not +successful in catching an antelope before the herd takes flight, he +never pursues them, but returns to his keeper with a discontented and +sullen air.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_017" id="page_017"></a>{17}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_JAGUAR_Felis_Onca" id="Illustration_THE_JAGUAR_Felis_Onca"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 305px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_017_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_017_sml.jpg" width="305" height="249" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE JAGUAR. (<i>Felis Onca.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Jaguar</span> is a native of the New World, and is sometimes called the +American Tiger. He is generally larger and stronger than the leopard, +which he resembles in colour; but the black ring-like marks have always +a spot in the centre, which is not the case with those of the leopard. +The tail is also shorter, and the head larger and rounder. The Jaguar +has great strength, and will kill a horse or an antelope, and carry it +off. He is, however, a cowardly animal, always springing upon his prey +from behind, and attacking in preference the hindmost of a herd. He +fastens upon its neck, placing one paw upon the head, which he twists +round with the other, and thus instantly deprives it of life. His +principal haunt is the long grass on the banks of a river, where he +often feeds upon turtles; turning them on their backs, and then +insinuating his paw between the shells so as to scoop out the flesh. He +climbs trees and swims with great facility.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_018" id="page_018"></a>{18}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PUMA_Felis_concolor" id="Illustration_THE_PUMA_Felis_concolor"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 289px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_018_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_018_sml.jpg" width="289" height="211" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PUMA. (<i>Felis concolor.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Puma</span>, or American Lion, is smaller than the jaguar, and has a shrill +hissing cry, very different from that of other animals of the cat kind. +The fur is of a silvery fawn-colour, nearly white below, but becoming +black at the head; the animal has no mane, and its tail is without any +tuft at the tip. The cubs are spotted when young. The habits of the Puma +are somewhat peculiar; when attacked, he climbs the nearest tree for +safety, and there is generally shot by his hunters. When hunted with +dogs, however, and cut off from all retreat, he stands at bay and fights +furiously. The flesh is eaten by the Indians, and is said to be much +prized by them. The Puma flies from the sight of man, and seldom attacks +any animal larger than a sheep; but when he can surprise a flock of +sheep, he kills as many as he can, only sucking the blood of each. He +never devours the whole of his prey at once, carefully covering with +leaves what he cannot eat: but if these should be removed, he will not +touch the food again. In former times the Puma inhabited nearly the +whole American continent, from Canada to Patagonia, but it is now +extirpated in many places, especially in North<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_019" id="page_019"></a>{19}</span> America. It was formerly +supposed that the Puma could not be tamed; but this is incorrect, as the +late Edmund Kean, the tragedian, had one which followed him about like a +dog, and was often permitted to come, at perfect liberty, into the +drawing-room when it was full of company.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COMMON_LYNX_Felis_Lynx" id="Illustration_THE_COMMON_LYNX_Felis_Lynx"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 375px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_019_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_019_sml.jpg" width="375" height="254" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COMMON LYNX. (<i>Felis Lynx.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">There</span> are several species of Cats to which the common name of Lynxes is +applied; they have short tails and small tufts or pencils of hairs at +the tips of the ears. The Common Lynx is found in various parts of +Europe and also in the north of Asia. It is about three feet long +without the tail, which is six inches in length. The colour is reddish +grey above, nearly white beneath. A very similar species, the <span class="smcap">Canadian +Lynx</span> (<i>Felis Canadensis</i>), is found in North America, and its skin is +exported in great quantities from the Hudson’s Bay territories. The +habits of both these species are very much alike; they swim and climb +well, and prey upon small quadrupeds, such as hares, and upon birds.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_020" id="page_020"></a>{20}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_CARACAL_Felis_Caracal" id="THE_CARACAL_Felis_Caracal"></a>THE CARACAL. (<i>Felis Caracal.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Caracal</span> is generally supposed to be the Lynx of the ancients, which +was so celebrated for the keenness of its sight. The name of Caracal is +derived from two Turkish words, signifying black-ears, and the animal +is, in fact, remarkable for the blackness of the tips of its ears. He is +somewhat larger and stronger than the fox; his body of a reddish brown, +becoming white below, and the tail rather short, being only about eight +or nine inches in length. The Caracal is both irritable and sulky in +confinement, and is very seldom tamed; indeed, on the slightest +irritation, it expresses its anger by a sort of snarl, like what is +called swearing in a cat, but much louder, and sometimes ending in a +scream.</p> + +<p>When left to its own resources for support, it preys upon hares, +rabbits, and birds; and will pursue the latter, of which it is +immoderately fond, with remarkable activity, to the tops of the tallest +trees. It is a native of Asia and Africa.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CAT_Felis_domestica" id="Illustration_THE_CAT_Felis_domestica"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 202px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_020_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_020_sml.jpg" width="202" height="144" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CAT. (<i>Felis domestica.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Grimalkin, to domestic vermin sworn<br /></span> +<span class="i1">An everlasting foe, with watchful eye<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Lies nightly brooding o’er a chinkey gap,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Protending her fell claws, to thoughtless mice<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Sure ruin.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">John Philips.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">It</span> was formerly supposed that the common domestic Cat was nothing more +than the wild Cat of the woods,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_021" id="page_021"></a>{21}</span> rendered tame by education. This +opinion is, however, now doubted, on the ground that the tail of the +wild Cat is thick and bushy, like that of a fox, while that of the +domestic Cat tapers to the point. The Cat of the Egyptians, of which so +many mummies have been found, differed still more in this respect, as +its tail was long and slender, ending in a kind of tuft. There are four +or five distinct varieties of the domestic Cat: the tabby, the +tortoise-shell, the Chartreuse, and the Angora. Of these the tabby bears +most resemblance to the wild Cat, and the black Cats are from this +breed: the tortoise-shell is said to have been brought from Spain, the +females of this race being generally of a pure tortoise-shell, and the +males buff, with stripes of a darker hue. All the white and whitish Cats +are descended from the Chartreuse breed; they have all a blue tinge in +their fur, and reddish eyelids: the tailless Cats of Cornwall and the +Isle of Man belong to this race. The Angoras are quite distinct, and are +well known by their long silky hair. Cats are fond of warmth, and are +generally affected by changes in the weather. They are very +affectionate, purring at the sight of those who are kind to them; and +will curve up their backs and rub themselves against a door when it is +opened for them, as if to thank the kind friend who has done them this +service, before they take advantage of it. The female Cat has generally +five or six kittens at a time, which she carries about in her mouth, and +hides, when she thinks them in danger. When a Cat is enraged, its hair +stands erect, and its tail swells to an enormous size. Cats fight +savagely, and often tear the skin off each other’s necks: when two are +about to fight, they stand for some time looking at each other, +growling, and then dart at each other with the greatest fury, yelling +with rage.</p> + +<p>Most Cats are good mousers, and some bring everything they kill to their +master or mistress, displaying their mice and rats with as much pride as +a sportsman would his game. They are very fond of catmint and valerian, +rolling themselves in a kind of ecstacy when they smell the latter +plant. They are very cleanly,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_022" id="page_022"></a>{22}</span> often sitting stroking their faces with +their paws, as if washing themselves.</p> + +<p>In the eye of the Cat, the pupil is perpendicularly oval, extending from +above downwards, and when contracted appears like a straight line. This +conformation is suited to the habits of these animals, for they are not +content with prowling along the ground, but occasionally spring to great +heights, their heads being directed upwards, and their eyes placed in +front and more nearly parallel. This structure of the eyes occurs in all +the Cat tribe.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WILD_CAT_Felis_Catus" id="Illustration_THE_WILD_CAT_Felis_Catus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 309px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_022_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_022_sml.jpg" width="309" height="263" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WILD CAT. (<i>Felis Catus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Wild Cat</span> is a native of the forests of Europe, and was formerly +abundant in Britain, but is now confined to some of the wilder parts of +this country. It is a stouter and more powerful animal than the domestic +Cat, and is of a greyish colour with black stripes, something like an +ordinary tabby. It is a fierce creature, and is very destructive to +birds and small quadrupeds.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_023" id="page_023"></a>{23}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_DOG_Canis_familiaris" id="THE_DOG_Canis_familiaris"></a>THE DOG. (<i>Canis familiaris.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">To</span> no animal is mankind so much indebted for its services and affection +as to the Dog. Among all the various orders of brute creatures, none +have hitherto been found so entirely adapted to our use, and even to our +protection, as this. There are many countries, both of the old and new +continent, in which, if man were deprived of this faithful ally, he +would unsuccessfully resist the foes that surround him, seeking +opportunities to encroach upon his property, destroy his labour, and +attack his person. His own vigilance, in many situations, could not +secure him, on the one hand, against their rapacity, nor, on the other, +against their speed. The Dog, more tractable than any other animal, +conforms himself to the movements and habits of his master. His +diligence, his ardour, and his obedience are inexhaustible; and his +disposition is so friendly, that, unlike every other animal, he seems to +remember only the benefits he receives: he soon forgets our blows; and +instead of discovering resentment while we chastise him, exposes himself +to torture, and even licks the hand from which it proceeds.</p> + +<p>Dogs, even of the dullest kind, seek the company of other animals; and +by instinct take to the care of flocks and herds.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_SHEPHERDS_DOG" id="THE_SHEPHERDS_DOG"></a>THE SHEPHERD’S DOG.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Shepherd’s Dog</span> has been considered the primitive stock, from whence +all others are derived. This animal still continues nearly in its +original state among the poor in temperate climates: being transported +into the colder regions, it becomes smaller, and covered with a shaggy +coat. Whatever differences there may be among the Dogs of these cold +countries, they are not very considerable, as they all have straight +ears, long and thick hair, a savage aspect, and do not bark either so +often or so loud as Dogs of the more cultivated kind. The Shepherd’s +Dog, transported into temperate climates, and among people entirely +civilized, such as into England,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_024" id="page_024"></a>{24}</span> France, and Germany, will be divested +of his savage air, his pricked ears, his rough, long, and thick hair; +though he will still retain his large skull, abundant brain, and +consequent great sagacity.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 304px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_024_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_024_sml.jpg" width="304" height="247" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p>Many interesting anecdotes are told of the shepherd’s tyke or colley, as +this kind of Dog is frequently called, particularly of its sagacity in +rescuing sheep from snowdrifts. When sheep are missing in a snow-storm, +as is frequently the case in Scotland and the North of England, the +shepherd arms himself with a spade, and watching the motions of his +faithful Dog, digs into the snow wherever the Dog begins to scratch it +away, and is thus sure to find his lost sheep.</p> + +<p>This valuable boon to the shepherd is the least voracious of his kind, +and endures fatigue and hunger with patience.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_025" id="page_025"></a>{25}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_Chasseur_and_Cuba_Bloodhounds" id="Illustration_Chasseur_and_Cuba_Bloodhounds"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 297px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_025_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_025_sml.jpg" width="297" height="365" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>[Chasseur and Cuba Bloodhounds.]<br /><br /> +THE BLOODHOUND.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— Conscious of the recent stains, his heart<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Beats quick; his snuffling nose, his active tail,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Attest his joy: then with deep opening mouth,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Th’ audacious felon.——”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Bloodhound</span> is taller than the old English hound, most beautifully +formed, and superior to every other kind in activity, speed, and +sagacity. It is commonly of a reddish or brown colour, with long ears. +It seldom barks, except in the chase: and never leaves its game until it +has caught and killed it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_026" id="page_026"></a>{26}</span></p> + +<p>Bloodhounds were formerly used in certain districts lying between +England and Scotland, which were much infested by robbers and murderers; +and a tax was laid upon the inhabitants for keeping and maintaining a +certain number of them. But as the arm of justice is now extended over +every part of the country, and there are no secret recesses where +villany may lie concealed, these services are no longer necessary. In +former times these Dogs were used to hunt runaway negroes and others in +the Spanish West Indies, and many surprising anecdotes are told of their +wonderful sagacity and power of scent.</p> + +<p>In Dallas’s “History of the Maroons,” an anecdote is given of the extent +of their accomplishments in this way, which seems truly marvellous. A +ship, attached to a fleet under convoy to England, was manned chiefly by +Spanish sailors, who, as they passed Cuba, took the opportunity of +running the vessel on shore, when they murdered the officers, and other +Englishmen on board, and carried off all the available plunder into the +mountains of the interior. The place was wild and unfrequented, and they +fully expected to elude all pursuit. The moment, however, the news +reached Havanna, a detachment of twelve chasseurs, with their Dogs, was +sent off. The result was, that in a few days the whole of the murderers +were brought in and executed, not a man having been injured by the Dogs +in the capture.</p> + +<p>The old English Hound, the original stock of this island, and used by +the ancient Britons in the chase, is a most valuable Dog; though the +breed has been gradually declining, and the size studiously diminished +by a mixture of other kinds, in order to increase their speed. It seems +to have been accurately described by Shakspeare in the following +lines:—</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">So flew’d, so sanded; and their heads are hung<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With ears that sweep away the morning dew;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Crook-kneed and dew-lapped, like Thessalian bulls;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Slow in pursuit; but match’d in mouth like bells<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Each under each.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_027" id="page_027"></a>{27}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FOXHOUND" id="Illustration_THE_FOXHOUND"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 352px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_027_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_027_sml.jpg" width="352" height="210" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FOXHOUND.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> most valuable of all the Dogs of the chase, is smaller than the +staghound, its average height being from twenty to twenty-two inches. No +country in Europe can boast of Foxhounds equal in fleetness, strength, +and perseverance to those of Britain, where the utmost attention is paid +to their breeding, education, and food. The climate also seems congenial +to their nature, for when taken to France or Spain, and other southern +countries of Europe, they quickly degenerate, and lose all the admirable +qualities they possess in this country.</p> + +<p>Our predilection for fox-hunting appears to have descended from our +forefathers, and to have gone on increasing in ardour. Certainly, no +other country can boast of such splendid establishments for this +valuable breed: the Duke of Richmond’s Kennel at Goodwood, cost no less +than £19,000.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 236px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_027a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_027a_sml.jpg" width="236" height="141" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_028" id="page_028"></a>{28}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_POINTER" id="Illustration_THE_POINTER"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 299px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_028_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_028_sml.jpg" width="299" height="214" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE POINTER</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> docile in its disposition, and when trained, is of the greatest +service to the sportsman who delights in shooting. It is astonishing to +see to what a degree of obedience these animals may be brought. Their +sight is equally acute with their scent, and they are enabled to +perceive at a distance the smallest sign from their master. So admirably +have they been trained, that their acquired propensities seem as +inherent as a natural instinct, and appear to be transmitted from parent +to progeny. When they scent their game, they fix themselves like +statues, in the very attitude in which they happen to be at the moment. +If one of their fore feet is not on the ground when they first scent, it +remains suspended, lest, by putting it to the ground, the game might be +too soon alarmed by the noise. In this position they remain, until the +sportsman comes near enough, and is prepared to take his shot; when he +gives the word, and the dog immediately springs the game. This attitude +has often been selected by the artist.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_029" id="page_029"></a>{29}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MASTIFF" id="Illustration_THE_MASTIFF"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 301px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_029_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_029_sml.jpg" width="301" height="246" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MASTIFF.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> the largest of the whole species: he is a strong and fierce animal, +with short pendent ears and a large head, large and thick lips hanging +on each side, and a noble countenance; he is a faithful guardian, and a +powerful defender of the house.</p> + +<p>A curious account is given by Stow, of an engagement between three +Mastiffs and a lion, in the presence of James the First. “One of the +Dogs being put into the den, was soon disabled by the lion, which took +him by the head and neck, and dragged him about: another Dog was then +let loose, and served in the same manner: but the third, being put in, +immediately seized the lion by the lip, and held him for a considerable +time; till, being severely torn by his claws, the Dog was obliged to +quit his hold; and the lion, greatly exhausted in the conflict, refused +to renew the engagement; but, taking a sudden leap over the Dogs, fled +into the interior part of the den. Two of the Dogs soon died of their +wounds; the last survived, and was taken great care of by the king’s +son, who said, ‘He that had fought with the king of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_030" id="page_030"></a>{30}</span> beasts, should +never after fight with any inferior creature.’ ”</p> + +<p>The following anecdote will show that the Mastiff, conscious of its +superior strength, knows how to chastise the impertinence of an +inferior:—A large Dog of this kind, belonging to a gentleman near +Newcastle, being frequently molested by a mongrel, and teased by its +continual barking, at last took it up in his mouth, by the back, and, +with great composure, dropped it over the quay into the river, without +doing any further injury to an enemy so much its inferior.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BULLDOG" id="Illustration_THE_BULLDOG"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_030_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_030_sml.jpg" width="262" height="140" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BULLDOG</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> much less than the mastiff, but the fiercest of all the Dog kind, and +is probably the most courageous creature in the world. His short neck +adds to his strength. Those of a brindled colour are accounted the best +of the kind: they will run at and seize the fiercest bull without +barking, making directly at his head, sometimes catch hold of his nose, +pin the animal to the ground, and make him roar in a most tremendous +manner, nor can they without difficulty, be made to quit their hold. +Whenever a Bull-dog attacks in any of the extremities of the body, it is +invariably considered a mark of his degeneracy from the original purity +of blood.</p> + +<p>Some years since, at a bull-baiting in the north of England, when this +barbarous custom was very common, a young man, confident of the spirit +of his Dog, laid a wager that he would, at separate times, cut off all +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_031" id="page_031"></a>{31}</span> animal’s feet, and that he would continue to attack the bull after +each amputation. The experiment was tried, and the brutal wretch won his +wager.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TERRIER" id="Illustration_THE_TERRIER"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 337px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_031_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_031_sml.jpg" width="337" height="350" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TERRIER.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Terrier</span> is a small variety of the Dog, but is of high value, from +the pertinacity and courage with which he attacks rats and other vermin. +His name of Terrier is evidently given to him on account of his habit of +digging into the earth, which he does with great rapidity when in +pursuit of any animal. The English Terrier is a smooth-haired dog, and +the best are of a black colour, with tan-coloured legs, and spots on the +eyebrows; the Scotch Terrier is covered with rough, wiry hair, which in +the Skye Terriers becomes very long.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_032" id="page_032"></a>{32}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SPANIEL" id="Illustration_THE_SPANIEL"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 260px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_032_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_032_sml.jpg" width="260" height="142" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SPANIEL.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Of</span> this elegant animal, said to be of Spanish extraction, there are +several varieties in this country; but it is more than probable that the +English Spaniel, the most common and useful breed, is indigenous. It has +received from nature a very keen smell, good understanding, and uncommon +docility, and is employed in setting for partridges, pheasants, quails, +&c. His steadiness in the field, his caution in approaching game, his +patience in keeping the bird at bay till the fowler discharges his +piece, are objects worthy of admiration. Many sportsmen prefer him to +the pointer; and if water is plentiful he is more useful, for his feet +are much better defended against the sharp cutting of the heath than +those of the pointer, as he has a great deal of hair growing between the +toes and round the ball of the feet, of which the pointer is almost +destitute. He also ranges much faster, and can endure more fatigue.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“When milder autumn summer’s heat succeeds,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And in the new-shorn field the partridge feeds,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Before his lord the ready spaniel bounds;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Panting with hope, he tries the furrow’d grounds;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">But when the tainted gales the game betray,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Couch’d close he lies and meditates the prey;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Secure they trust th’ unfaithful field beset,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Till hovering o’er them sweeps the swelling net.”<br /></span> +<span class="i11"><span class="smcap">Pope’s Windsor Forest</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_033" id="page_033"></a>{33}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WATER-SPANIEL" id="Illustration_THE_WATER-SPANIEL"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 259px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_033_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_033_sml.jpg" width="259" height="146" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WATER-SPANIEL</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> excellent for hunting otters, wild ducks and other game whose retreat +is among the rushes and reeds which cover the banks of rivers, the fens, +and the ponds. He is very sagacious, and perhaps the most docile and +tractable of all the canine tribe.</p> + +<p>The <i>Water-Spaniel</i> will fetch and carry whatever he is bid, and often +dives to the bottom of deep water in search of a piece of money, which +he brings up in his mouth, and lays at the feet of whoever sent him. The +best breed has black curly hair and long ears.</p> + +<p>The beautiful breed of Spaniels known as King Charles’s, are highly +prized for their diminutive size and length of ears. They are found of +all colours, but those which are black, with tanned cheeks and legs, are +considered the purest breed.</p> + +<p>They derive their name from King Charles the Second, who, as Evelyn +tells us, “took great delight in having a number of little spaniels +follow him and lie in his bedchamber.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_034" id="page_034"></a>{34}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_NEWFOUNDLAND_DOG" id="Illustration_THE_NEWFOUNDLAND_DOG"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 305px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_034_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_034_sml.jpg" width="305" height="284" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal was originally brought into Europe from Newfoundland, whence +it derives its name, and where it is extremely useful to the settlers, +almost supplying the place of a horse. There are several varieties, +differing slightly in size and appearance, but the full size is about +six feet and a half from the nose to the tip of the tail, the length of +which is two feet. He is noble in appearance, and covered with long +shaggy hair of a black and white colour, in which the latter generally +predominates.</p> + +<p>The Newfoundland Dog is affectionate, sagacious, and docile beyond all +others; and being web-footed is excellently adapted for the water; and +there are innumerable instances of his rescuing man from a watery grave.</p> + +<p>The anecdotes which illustrate the affection and sagacity of this animal +would fill a volume, but we select one relating to the water, as that +appears his noblest scene of action.</p> + +<p>Some time ago a young woman was nursing an infant<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_035" id="page_035"></a>{35}</span> on one of the quays +on the Liffey, when it made a sudden spring from her arms, and fell into +the water. The screaming nurse and anxious spectators saw the child +sink, as they thought, to rise no more; when at the very instant a +Newfoundland Dog, which was accidentally passing, rushed to the spot, +and at the sight of the child, who at that moment re-appeared, sprang +into the water. The child again sunk, and the faithful animal was seen +anxiously swimming round the spot. Once more the child rose, and the Dog +gently, but firmly, seized him and bore him to land. Meanwhile a +gentleman arrived who appeared to take much interest in the affair, and +on the person who had the child turning to show it him, he recognised +the well-known features of his own son. A mixed sensation of horror, +joy, and surprise struck him mute. When he recovered himself he lavished +a thousand caresses on the faithful animal, and offered his master five +hundred guineas for him; but the latter felt too much affection for the +noble animal to part with him on any consideration whatever. We also +subjoin another equally interesting.</p> + +<p>A native of Germany, fond of travelling, was pursuing his course through +Holland, accompanied by a large Newfoundland Dog. Walking one evening on +a high bank, which formed one side of a dike, or canal, so common in +that country, his foot slipped, and he was precipitated into the water, +and being unable to swim he soon became senseless. When he recovered his +recollection he found himself in a cottage on the other side of the +dike, surrounded by peasants, who had been using means to restore +suspended animation. The account given by them was, that one of them, +returning home from his labour, observed at a considerable distance a +large Dog in the water swimming, and dragging the body of a man into a +small creek on the opposite side to which the men were.</p> + +<p>The Dog having shaken himself, began industriously to lick the hands and +face of his master, while the rustic hastened across; and, having +obtained assistance, the body was conveyed to a neighbouring house, +where the usual means of resuscitation soon restored him to sense<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_036" id="page_036"></a>{36}</span> and +recollection. Two very considerable bruises, with the marks of teeth, +appeared, one on his shoulder and the other on the nape of his neck; +whence it was presumed that the faithful animal first seized his master +by the shoulder, and swam with him in this manner some time; but that +his sagacity had prompted him to let go this hold, and shift his grasp +to the neck, by which he had been enabled to support the head out of +water. It was in the latter position that the peasant observed the Dog +making his way along the dike, which it appeared he had done for the +distance of nearly a quarter of a mile.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GREYHOUND" id="Illustration_THE_GREYHOUND"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 299px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_036_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_036_sml.jpg" width="299" height="266" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GREYHOUND</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> well known, and was formerly held in such estimation, that he was the +especial companion of a gentleman, who, in ancient times, was +distinguished by his horse, his hawk, and his Greyhound, and it was +penal for any person of inferior rank to keep one. He is the fleetest of +all Dogs, and can outrun every animal of the chase. He has a long body, +and is of an elegant shape; his head is neat and sharp, with a full eye, +a good mouth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_037" id="page_037"></a>{37}</span> sharp and very white teeth; his tail is long, and curls +round above his hind part. There are several varieties; as the Italian +Greyhound, the Oriental Greyhound, and the Irish Greyhound, or Wolf-dog. +They are used for coursing; that is, hunting by sight instead of scent; +and are principally employed in chasing hares. Daniel, in his <i>Rural +Sports</i>, tells us, that a brace of Greyhounds have been known to course +a hare four miles in twelve minutes; turning it several times, till the +poor creature dropped at last quite dead from fatigue.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FOX_Canis_Vulpes" id="Illustration_THE_FOX_Canis_Vulpes"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 364px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_037_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_037_sml.jpg" width="364" height="283" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FOX. (<i>Canis Vulpes.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> well-known animal, which is found in most countries of Europe, is +of a reddish-brown colour, with the tip of his bushy tail white. His +abode is generally on the skirt of a wood, as near a farm-yard as +possible, in a hole, of which some other animal has been dispossessed or +which it has voluntarily deserted. Thence he issues at night, and +cautiously approaching the poultry, kills all that he can find, +conveying them one by one to different<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_038" id="page_038"></a>{38}</span> hiding places, which he visits +when hungry. He will continue his depredations till day-break, or until +he is alarmed, often depopulating a whole poultry-yard in one night. +When, however, his choice food, the chicken, is not accessible, he +devours animal food of every description; and if his habitation be near +the water he will even content himself with shell-fish. In France and +Italy he does much damage to the vineyards, being very fond of grapes, +and spoiling many for the sake of one bunch.</p> + +<p>His name has passed into a proverb for cunning and deceitfulness; and, +unlike the dog tribe to which he belongs, he is totally unsusceptible of +any sentiment of gratitude.</p> + +<p>His bite is tenacious and dangerous, as the severest blows cannot make +him quit his hold; his eye is most significant, and expressive of almost +every passion. He generally lives about twelve or fifteen years.</p> + +<p>The female produces but once a year, and seldom has more than four or +five cubs at a litter. The first year the young is called a Cub, the +second year a Fox, and the third year an Old Fox. The tail is very +bushy, and is called the brush.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 369px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_038_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_038_sml.jpg" width="369" height="193" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p>In this country he is hunted with horses and hounds, and no animal +affords greater diversion and occupation to the sportsman. When pursued +he usually makes for his hole; but should his retreat be cut off, his +stratagems and shifts to escape are singularly acute. He seeks woody<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_039" id="page_039"></a>{39}</span> +and uneven parts of the country, preferring the path, the most +embarrassed by thorns and briars, and running in a straight line before +the hounds, at no great distance from them; and, when overtaken, he +turns on his assailants, and fighting with obstinate despair, dies in +silence.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ARCTIC_FOX_Canis_lagopus" id="Illustration_THE_ARCTIC_FOX_Canis_lagopus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 286px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_039_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_039_sml.jpg" width="286" height="264" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ARCTIC FOX, (<i>Canis lagopus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a smaller species than the common Fox, and has a much longer fur to +fit him for the severe cold which he necessarily experiences in the +Polar regions which he inhabits. The colour of the fur is frequently a +bluish leaden gray, from which circumstance it is sometimes called the +Blue Fox; some specimens are brownish, others nearly black. The fur +becomes pure white in the winter, and in this state the Arctic Fox is an +exceedingly pretty animal. This species is captured for the sake of its +skin, the bluish specimens being preferred. He is usually taken in +pitfalls or traps, of which he is not nearly so suspicious as his sly +English relative. The flesh of the young is said to be very good.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_040" id="page_040"></a>{40}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WOLF_Canis_Lupus" id="Illustration_THE_WOLF_Canis_Lupus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 284px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_040_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_040_sml.jpg" width="284" height="264" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WOLF, (<i>Canis Lupus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">When</span> hungry, is an undaunted and most ferocious inhabitant of the woods, +but a coward when the stimulus of appetite is no longer in action. He +delights to roam in mountainous countries, and is a great enemy to sheep +and goats; the watchfulness of dogs can hardly prevent his depredations, +and he often dares to visit the haunts of men, howling at the gates of +cities and towns. His head and neck are of a cinereous colour, and the +rest of a pale yellowish brown. He commonly lives to the age of fifteen +or twenty years. He possesses a most exquisite power of smelling his +prey at a great distance. Wolves are found nearly everywhere, except in +the British islands, where this noxious race has been entirely +extirpated. King Edgar first attempted to effect this by remitting the +punishment of certain crimes on producing a number of Wolves’ tongues; +and in Wales, the tax of gold and silver was commuted for an annual +tribute of Wolves’ heads. In the reign of Athelstan, Wolves abounded so<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_041" id="page_041"></a>{41}</span> +much in Yorkshire, that a retreat was built at Flixton, to defend +passengers from their attacks. They infested Ireland many centuries +after their extinction in England: the last presentment for killing +Wolves was made in the county of Cork about the year 1710. They abound +in the immense forests of Germany, and they are also found in +considerable numbers in the South of France. Everywhere that they are +wild, so great is the general detestation of this destructive creature, +that all other animals endeavour to avoid it. In a state of captivity, +however, the Wolf is remarkably anxious to attract the attention of man, +and rubs itself against the bars of its cage when noticed. Indeed, the +Wolf is by no means so untractable as is frequently supposed; but his +temper is rather uncertain, and his destructive habits render him a +dangerous pet. A curious instance of combined docility and +destructiveness is related by Mr. Lloyd, which, as it also illustrates +the cunning of this animal, we adduce here. Mr. Lloyd says—“I once had +serious thoughts of training a fine female Wolf in my possession as a +pointer; but was deterred, owing to the <i>penchant</i> she exhibited for the +neighbours’ pigs. She was chained in a little enclosure, just in front +of my window, into which those animals, when the gate happened to be +left open, ordinarily found their way. The devices the Wolf employed to +get them in her power, were very amusing. When she saw a pig in the +vicinity of her kennel, she, evidently with the purpose of putting him +off his guard, would throw herself on her side or back, wag her tail +most lovingly, and look innocence personified. And this amiable +demeanour would continue until the grunter was beguiled within the +length of her tether, when, in the twinkling of an eye, the prey was +clutched.” The Wolf is sometimes affected with madness, in symptoms and +consequences exactly similar to that which affects the dog; but this +disease, as it generally happens in the depth of winter, cannot be +attributed to the great heat of the dog-days. In the northern parts of +the world, wolves are said, frequently, in the spring, to get upon the +fields of ice adjoining the sea, for the purpose of preying upon the +young seals, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_042" id="page_042"></a>{42}</span> they there find asleep; but vast pieces of the ice +occasionally detaching themselves from the mass, they are carried with +them to a great distance from the land, where they perish amidst the +most hideous and dreadful howling. The language of the poet is +beautifully descriptive of this creature’s insatiable fury:—</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“By wintry famine roused, from all the tract<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of horrid mountains, which the shining Alps,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And wavy Apennine, and Pyrenees,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Branch out, stupendous, into distant lands,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Cruel as death! and hungry as the grave!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Burning for blood! bony, and gaunt, and grim!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Assembling Wolves, in raging troops, descend;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And, pouring o’er the country, bear along,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Keen as the north wind sweeps the glossy snow:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">All is their prize.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_JACKAL_Canis_Aureus" id="Illustration_THE_JACKAL_Canis_Aureus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 313px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_042_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_042_sml.jpg" width="313" height="235" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE JACKAL, (<i>Canis Aureus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Commonly</span> called <i>the lion’s provider</i>, is not much larger than the fox, +which he resembles in the appearance of the fore part of his body. His +skin is of a bright yellowish colour. The Jackals often unite to attack +their prey, and make a most hideous noise, which, rousing the king of +the forest from his slumbers, brings him to the place of food and +plunder: at his arrival, the petty<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_043" id="page_043"></a>{43}</span> thieves, awed by the greater +strength of their new messmate, retire to a distance; and hence the +fabulous story of their attendance on the lion, to provide for his +food.—These animals are always seen in large flocks of forty or fifty; +and hunt, like hounds in full cry, from evening till morning. In the +absence of other food they drag the dead out of their tombs, and feed +greedily on putrid corpses; but, notwithstanding their natural ferocity, +it is said that, when taken young, they may be easily tamed, and, like +dogs, they love to be fondled, wag their tails, and show a considerable +degree of attachment to their masters. They are common in many parts of +the East: and as they act as scavengers, the people do not annoy them in +their nocturnal visits.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_STRIPED_HYAENA_Hyaena_Striata" id="Illustration_THE_STRIPED_HYAENA_Hyaena_Striata"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_043_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_043_sml.jpg" width="324" height="248" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE STRIPED HYÆNA. (<i>Hyæna Striata</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal was long supposed to be the most savage and untractable of +all quadrupeds: but it is now found that he may be tamed. He is covered +with long, coarse, and rough ash-coloured hair, marked with long black +stripes, from the back downwards; the tail is very hairy. His teeth and +jaws are so constructed as to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_044" id="page_044"></a>{44}</span> enable him to crush the largest bones +with ease; and his tongue is as rough as a coarse file. Like the jackal, +he attacks the flocks and herds, caring little for the watchfulness or +strength of dogs, and when pressed with hunger, comes and howls at the +gates of towns, and violates the repositories of the dead, tearing up +the bodies from the graves, and devouring them. He is now only found +wild in Asia and Africa, but is supposed to have formerly inhabited +Europe. When receiving his food, the eyes of this fierce animal glisten, +the bristles of his back stand erect, he grins fearfully, and utters a +snarling growl.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SPOTTED_HYAENA_Hyaena_Crocuta" id="Illustration_THE_SPOTTED_HYAENA_Hyaena_Crocuta"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 289px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_044_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_044_sml.jpg" width="289" height="226" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SPOTTED HYÆNA. (<i>Hyæna Crocuta.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is another species which is common in Southern Africa; it is known +amongst the colonists at the Cape of Good Hope, as the <i>Tiger-Wolf</i>. He +has none of the mane-like hair on his back, which distinguishes the +Striped Hyæna, and his skin is marked with spots instead of stripes. He +is a ferocious beast, and is exceedingly destructive to sheep and +cattle; and also frequently attacks and carries off children from the +huts of the natives, sometimes even stealing them from their sleeping +mothers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_045" id="page_045"></a>{45}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_AMERICAN_BLACK_BEAR_Ursus_Americanus" id="Illustration_AMERICAN_BLACK_BEAR_Ursus_Americanus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 294px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_045_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_045_sml.jpg" width="294" height="245" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>AMERICAN BLACK BEAR. (<i>Ursus Americanus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal inhabits the Northern districts of America, where it is +found in considerable numbers. It is somewhat smaller than the Brown or +European Bear; its colour of an uniform and glossy black. Its food +consists chiefly of fruits, the young shoots, and roots of vegetables +and grain. In quest of these it occasionally emigrates from the northern +to the more southern regions. Their retreats, during the period of +gestation, are so impenetrable, that although immense numbers of Bears +are annually killed in America, a female is rarely found among them. In +autumn, when they are become exceedingly fat by feeding on acorns and +other similar food, their flesh is extremely delicate, the hams in +particular are highly esteemed, and the fat is remarkably white and +sweet. At this time and during the winter, they are hunted, and killed +in great numbers by the American Indians.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_046" id="page_046"></a>{46}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GRISLY_BEAR_Ursus_Ferox" id="Illustration_THE_GRISLY_BEAR_Ursus_Ferox"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 281px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_046a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_046a_sml.jpg" width="281" height="160" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GRISLY BEAR, (<i>Ursus Ferox</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> is also an inhabitant of North America, is a creature of enormous +size and strength; a specimen has been measured and found to be nine +feet in length; and it is capable of carrying the carcass of a bison, +weighing probably about a thousand pounds. His ferocity corresponds with +his powers of destruction; and he is altogether one of the most +formidable of quadrupeds.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BROWN_EUROPEAN_BEAR_Ursus_Arctos" id="Illustration_THE_BROWN_EUROPEAN_BEAR_Ursus_Arctos"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 286px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_046b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_046b_sml.jpg" width="286" height="201" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BROWN EUROPEAN BEAR, (<i>Ursus Arctos</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a native of the North of Europe, and also of the mountainous parts of +the South of that continent. He is a great sleeper, and passes the whole +winter in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_047" id="page_047"></a>{47}</span> den, without any particular food: but if we consider his +being at rest, losing little by perspiration, and never retiring to his +winter quarters before he is properly fattened, his abstinence will +cease to be wonderful. When tamed, this animal appears mild and obedient +to his master; he may be taught to walk upright, to dance, to lay hold +of a pole with his paws, and perform various tricks to entertain the +multitude, who are highly pleased to see the awkward movements of this +rugged creature, which it seems to suit to the sound of an instrument, +or to the voice of its leader. The discipline Bears undergo in teaching +them to dance is so severe, that they never forget it; and an amusing +story is told of a gentleman who was pursued by a Bear, and who, when in +despair he turned and raised his stick against his assailant, was +astonished to see the Bear rear itself on its hind legs, and begin to +dance. It had escaped from captivity, and had been taught to dance when +a stick was held up by its keeper. But to give the Bear this kind of +education, it must be taken when young, and accustomed early to +restraint and discipline, as an old Bear will not suffer constraint +without discovering the most furious resentment: neither the voice nor +the menaces of his keeper have any effect upon him; he growls equally at +the hand that is held out to feed, and that which is raised to correct +him. The female Bears bring forth two or three young, and are very +careful of their offspring. The fat of the Bear is reckoned very useful +in rheumatic complaints, and for anointing the hair: his fur affords +comfort to the inhabitants of cold climates, and ornaments to those of +warm. It was anciently supposed, that the young Bear, when first brought +forth, was merely an unformed mass, till its mother licked it into +shape; and hence the expression, “he wants licking into shape,” was +frequently employed by the old dramatists, when speaking of an awkward, +clownish man.</p> + +<p>The Brown Bear was at one time common in the British islands. “Many +years ago it has been swept away so completely, that we find it imported +for baiting, a sport in which our nobility, as well as the commonalty,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_048" id="page_048"></a>{48}</span> +of the olden time—nay, even royalty itself—delighted. A bear-bait was +one of the recreations offered to Elizabeth at Kenilworth, and in the +Earl of Northumberland’s Household Book we read of twenty shillings for +his bearward. In Southwark there was a regular bear-garden, that +disputed popularity with the Globe and Swan theatres, on the same side +of the water. Now, however, so much do tastes alter, (in this instance +certainly for the better) such barbarous sports are banished from the +metropolis.”</p> + +<p>The Bear is a flat-footed animal, and can stand easily upon its broad +hind feet, but is extremely awkward and sluggish in its movements. He +possesses, however, the faculty of climbing to an extraordinary degree; +and, in his native country frequently ascends lofty trees in pursuit of +honey, of which he is excessively fond. Bears swim well, and will cross +not only broad rivers, but sometimes even an arm of the sea.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MALAYAN_SUN-BEAR_Ursus_Malayanus" id="Illustration_THE_MALAYAN_SUN-BEAR_Ursus_Malayanus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 292px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_048_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_048_sml.jpg" width="292" height="267" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MALAYAN SUN-BEAR. (<i>Ursus Malayanus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">In</span> this Bear the hair is short and black, except on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_049" id="page_049"></a>{49}</span> breast, where +there is a large triangular or heart-shaped spot of white or tawny. He +is very easily tamed when taken young, and becomes rather an amusing +pet. An individual in Sir Stamford Raffles’ possession, was so tame, +that he would play with children, and could be admitted to the +dinner-table, when he gave proof of the soundness of his judgment as an +epicure, by refusing to eat any fruit but mangosteens, or to drink any +wine but champagne. The only time that he was known to be out of humour +was, when there was no champagne for him. In a wild state, this Bear +feeds on vegetables and honey. It is a native of Malacca and the eastern +islands.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 292px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_049_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_049_sml.jpg" width="292" height="305" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_050" id="page_050"></a>{50}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_POLAR_OR_GREAT_WHITE_BEAR" id="Illustration_THE_POLAR_OR_GREAT_WHITE_BEAR"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 254px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_050_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_050_sml.jpg" width="254" height="185" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE POLAR, OR GREAT WHITE BEAR<br /><br /> +(<i>Ursus maritimus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Polar Bear</span> is generally from six to eight feet long. The fur is long +and white, with a tinge of yellow, which becomes darker as the animal +advances in age; the ears are small and round, and the head long. It +inhabits the Arctic shores of both hemispheres. It walks heavily, and is +very clumsy in all its motions; its senses of hearing and seeing appear +very dull, but its smell is very acute; and it does not appear destitute +of some degree of understanding, or at least of cunning. Captain King, +who visited the shores of the Arctic Ocean in 1835, relates a curious +instance of the cunning of this animal: “On one occasion a Polar bear +was seen to swim cautiously to a large piece of ice, on which two female +walruses were lying asleep with their cubs. The Bear crept up some +hummocks behind them, and with his fore feet loosened a large block of +ice, which, with the help of his nose and paws, he rolled and carried +till it was immediately over the heads of the sleepers, when he let it +fall on one of the old animals, which was instantly killed. The other +walrus, with its cubs, rolled into the water, but the young one of the +murdered female remained by its dam, and on this helpless creature the +Bear rushed, thus killing two animals at once.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_051" id="page_051"></a>{51}</span></p> + +<p>The ferocity of this kind of Bear is equal to its cunning. A few years +since, the crew of a boat belonging to a ship in the whale-fishery, shot +at a Bear at a short distance and wounded it. The animal immediately set +up the most dreadful yells, and ran along the ice towards the boat. +Before it reached it, a second shot was fired, and hit it. This served +to increase its fury. It presently swam to the boat; and in attempting +to get on board, placed its fore foot upon the gunwale; but one of the +crew having a hatchet, cut it off. The animal still, however, continued +to swim after them till they arrived at the ship, and several shots were +fired at it, which also took effect; but on reaching the ship it +immediately ascended the deck, and the crew having fled into the +shrouds, it was pursuing them thither, when a shot from one of them laid +it dead on the deck.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RACOON_Procyon_lotor" id="Illustration_THE_RACOON_Procyon_lotor"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 204px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_051_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_051_sml.jpg" width="204" height="113" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RACOON. (<i>Procyon lotor.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal is a native of America, of the bear tribe: in Jamaica they +are very numerous, and do incredible mischief to the plantations of +sugar-cane and Indian corn, especially to the latter while it is young. +The Racoon is less than the fox in size, and has a sharp-pointed nose. +His fore legs are shorter than the others. The colour of his body is +grey, with two broad rings of black round the eyes, and a dusky line +running down the middle of the face. In the wild state the Racoon is +savage and sanguinary, committing great destruction among both wild and +domesticated birds, without consuming any part of them except the head, +or the blood which flows from<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_052" id="page_052"></a>{52}</span> their wounds. It is a good climber, the +form of its claws enabling it to adhere to the branches of trees with +great tenacity. Racoons are easily domesticated, and then become very +amusing animals. They are as mischievous as a monkey, seldom at rest, +and extremely sensible of ill treatment, which they never forgive. They +have great antipathy to sharp and harsh sounds, such as the bark of a +dog, and the cry of a child. They eat of everything that is given them, +and, like the cat, are good providers, hunting after eggs, fruit, corn, +insects, snails, and worms; and generally dip their food in water before +devouring it. A peculiarity which few other animals are found to possess +is, that they drink as well by lapping like the dog, as by sucking like +the horse. These animals are hunted for the sake of their fur, which is +used by the hatters, and is considered next in value to that of the +beaver; it is used also in linings for garments. The skins, when +properly dressed, are made into gloves and upper-leathers for shoes. The +negroes frequently eat the flesh of the Racoon, and are very fond of it, +though it has a very disagreeable and rank smell. The American hunters +pique themselves on their skill in shooting Racoons; which from the +extraordinary vigilance and cunning of the animals, is by no means an +easy task.</p> + +<p>When eating they support themselves on their hind feet, and carry their +food to the mouth with their fore paws. Some of them are very fond of +oysters and other shell-fish, and show great dexterity in keeping the +shells open, while they extract the contents. Their most remarkable +peculiarity, however, is that already mentioned, of dipping their food +in water when there is any within their reach; though when there is not, +they seem quite contented to eat it dry.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_053" id="page_053"></a>{53}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BADGER_Meles_Taxus" id="Illustration_THE_BADGER_Meles_Taxus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 220px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_053a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_053a_sml.jpg" width="220" height="100" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BADGER. (<i>Meles Taxus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal inhabits most parts of Europe and Asia. The length of the +body is about two feet six inches from the nose to the insertion of the +tail, which is short, and black like the throat, breast, and belly; the +hair of the other part of the body is long and rough, of a yellowish +white at the roots, black in the middle, and greyish at the point: the +toes are much enveloped in the skin, and the long claws of the fore feet +enable the animal to dig with great effect: under the tail there is a +receptacle, in which is secreted a white fetid substance, that +constantly exudes through the orifice, and thus gives the body a most +unpleasant smell. Being a solitary animal, it digs a hole for itself, at +the bottom of which it remains in perfect security: it feeds upon young +rabbits, birds and their eggs, and honey. The female has generally three +or four young ones at a time.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COATI-MONDI_Nasua_Narica" id="Illustration_THE_COATI-MONDI_Nasua_Narica"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 203px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_053b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_053b_sml.jpg" width="203" height="144" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COATI-MONDI. (<i>Nasua Narica.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> creature is a native of South America, not unlike the Racoon in the +general form of the body, and, like that animal, frequently sits up on +the hinder legs, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_054" id="page_054"></a>{54}</span> in this position, with both paws carries its food +to its mouth. Even in a state of tameness, it will pursue poultry, and +destroy every living thing that it has strength to conquer. When it +sleeps it rolls itself into a ball, and remains immovable for fifteen +hours together. Its eyes are small, but full of life; and, when +domesticated, it is very playful and amusing. A great peculiarity +belonging to this animal is the length of its snout, which is movable in +every direction. The ears are round, and like those of a rat; the fore +feet have five toes each. The hair on the back is short and rough and of +a blackish hue; the tail marked with rings of black, like the wild cat; +the rest of the body is a mixture of black and red. This animal is very +apt to eat its own tail, which is very long; but this strange appetite +is not peculiar to the Coati alone; the mococo and some of the monkey +tribe do the same, and seem to feel no pain in wounding a part of the +body so remote from the centre of circulation.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CIVET_Viverra_Civetta" id="Illustration_THE_CIVET_Viverra_Civetta"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 284px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_054_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_054_sml.jpg" width="284" height="234" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CIVET, (<i>Viverra Civetta</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> found in Northern Africa and Guinea, and is famous <span class="pagenum"><a name="page_055" id="page_055"></a>{55}</span>for producing the +perfume called <i>civet</i>. He is kept for the sake of this perfume, and fed +with a kind of soup made of millet, or rice, with a little fish or flesh +boiled with it in water. The civet is found in a large double glandular +receptacle, situated at a little distance beneath the tail. When a +sufficient time for the secretion has been allowed, one of these animals +is put into a long wooden cage, so narrow that it cannot turn itself +round. The cage being opened by a door behind, a small spoon is +introduced through the orifice of the pouch, which is carefully scraped; +this is done twice or thrice a week, and the animal is said always to +produce the most civet after being irritated. The Civet, although a +native of the warmest climates, is yet found to live in temperate, and +even cold countries, provided it be defended carefully from the injuries +of the air. In a wild state, the Civet lives entirely on birds and small +quadrupeds; and at any time a small quantity of salt is said to poison +it.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GENET_Viverra_Genetta" id="Illustration_THE_GENET_Viverra_Genetta"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 204px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_055_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_055_sml.jpg" width="204" height="107" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GENET. (<i>Viverra Genetta.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal is about the size of a small cat. The skin is spotted and +beautiful, of a reddish grey colour. The spots on the sides are round +and distinct, those on the back almost close; its tail is long, and +marked with seven or eight rings of black. From an orifice beneath its +tail it yields a kind of perfume, which smells faintly of musk. This +little animal is meek and gentle, except when provoked, and is easily +domesticated. In Constantinople it strays from house to house like our +cat, and keeps whatever house it is in perfectly free from mice and +rats, which cannot endure its smell. It is found wild in various parts +of the south of Europe, and also throughout the continent of Africa. Its +fur is<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_056" id="page_056"></a>{56}</span> beautiful and soft, and valuable as an article of commerce. The +eyes of the Genet contract when exposed to the light, like those of the +cat; and it can draw in its claws in nearly the same manner.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_ORIENTAL_CIVET_Viverra_Zibetha" id="THE_ORIENTAL_CIVET_Viverra_Zibetha"></a>THE ORIENTAL CIVET, (<i>Viverra Zibetha</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> an inhabitant of the south of Asia and of the islands of the Indian +Archipelago. It is rather smaller than the African Civet, but is very +sanguinary in its habits, causing a great destruction of poultry and +even of lambs and young pigs. The perfume furnished by this species is +highly esteemed by the natives of eastern countries.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ICHNEUMON_OR_EGYPTIAN_MANGOUSTE_OR_PHARAOHS_RAT" id="Illustration_THE_ICHNEUMON_OR_EGYPTIAN_MANGOUSTE_OR_PHARAOHS_RAT"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 345px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_056_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_056_sml.jpg" width="345" height="242" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ICHNEUMON, <span class="smcap">OR</span> EGYPTIAN MANGOUSTE, <span class="smcap">OR</span> PHARAOH’S RAT. +(<i>Herpestes Ichneumon.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal bears a close resemblance to the weasel tribe, both in form +and habits. From the tip of the nose to the root of the tail, it is +about eighteen inches in length. At the base, the tail is very thick, +tapering gradually towards the point, which is slightly tufted. It has a +long, active body, short legs, lively and piercing<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_057" id="page_057"></a>{57}</span> eyes, and a pointed +nose; the hair is rough and bristly, of a pale reddish grey.</p> + +<p>The Ichneumon is celebrated in the mythology of ancient Egypt, where it +has long been domesticated, and where it was ranked amongst the +divinities, on account of its great utility in destroying serpents, +snakes, rats, mice, and other vermin: it is also fond of crocodiles’ +eggs, which it digs out of the sand where they have been deposited. It +is a very fierce, though small animal, and will fight with dogs, foxes, +and even jackals, with great fury. It will not breed in confinement, but +may be easily tamed when taken young.</p> + +<p>The following particulars are related by M. D’Obsonville, in his Essays +on the Nature of various foreign Animals:—“I had an Ichneumon very +young, which I brought up. I fed it at first with milk, and afterward +with baked meat mixed with rice. It soon became even tamer than a cat; +for it came when called, and followed me, though at liberty, in the +country. One day I brought this animal a small water-serpent alive, +being desirous to know how far his instinct would carry him against a +being with which he was as yet totally unacquainted. His first emotion +seemed to be astonishment mixed with anger, for his hair became erect; +but in an instant he slipped behind the reptile, and with remarkable +swiftness and agility leaped upon its head, seized it, and crushed it +between his teeth. This essay, and new food, seemed to have awakened in +him his innate and destructive voracity, which till then had given way +to the gentleness he had acquired from education. I had about my house +several curious kinds of fowls, among which he had been brought up, and +which, till then, he had suffered to go and come unmolested and +unregarded: but a few days after, when he found himself alone, he +strangled them every one, ate a little, and, as it appeared, drank the +blood of two.”</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Moongus</span> (<i>Herpestes griseus</i>) and the <span class="smcap">Garangan</span> (<i>Herpestes +Javanicus</i>) are eastern species of Ichneumons; the former inhabits +India, and the latter the island of Java. Like the Egyptian Ichneumon, +they are great enemies of snakes and other reptiles, and also destroy<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_058" id="page_058"></a>{58}</span> +rats, but unfortunately they often commit great havoc among poultry.</p> + +<p>The mode in which the Ichneumon seizes a serpent is thus described by +Lucan in his <i>Pharsalia</i>:—</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Thus oft the Ichneumon, on the banks of Nile,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Invades the deadly aspic by a wile;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">While artfully his slender tail is played,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The serpent darts upon the dancing shade,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Then turning on the foe with swift surprise,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Full on the throat the nimble traitor flies,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And in his grasp the panting serpent dies.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WEASEL_Mustela_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_WEASEL_Mustela_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 319px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_058_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_058_sml.jpg" width="319" height="241" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WEASEL. (<i>Mustela vulgaris</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> animals belonging to this genus, notwithstanding their small size, +are all carnivorous, and from their slender and lengthened bodies, short +legs, and the very free motion in every direction, permitted by the +loose articulations of the spine, are well formed for pursuing their +prey into the deepest recesses. Constituted by nature to subsist on +animals, many of which have great strength and courage, they possess an +undaunted and ferocious disposition. The Weasel has a long and thin +body; its length, with its tail, is ten inches, and its height not more +than an inch and a half. In the northern parts of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_059" id="page_059"></a>{59}</span> Europe they are very +numerous. Mice of every description, the field and the water-vole, rats, +moles, and small birds, are their ordinary food, and occasionally +rabbits and partridges. When driven by hunger, it will boldly attack the +poultry-yard. The Weasel, when it enters a hen roost, never meddles with +the cocks or old hens, but makes choice of the pullets and young +chickens; these it kills with a single stroke on the head, and carries +away one after the other. It sucks the eggs with avidity, making a small +hole at one end, through which it draws out the yolk. In winter it +resides in granaries and hay-lofts, and in summer chooses the low lands +about the mills and streams, where it hides among the bushes, and in the +hollows of old trees.</p> + +<p>It was formerly supposed that the Weasel was untamable; but Buffon, in a +supplementary volume, corrects this error, and from a letter of a female +correspondent, shows that it may be rendered as familiar as a cat or a +lapdog. It frequently eat from his correspondent’s hand, and seemed +fonder of milk and fresh meat than of any other food. “If I present my +hands,” says this lady, “at the distance of three feet, it jumps into +them without ever missing. It shows a great deal of address and cunning, +in order to accomplish its ends, and seems to disobey certain +prohibitions merely through caprice. During all its actions it seems +solicitous to divert and be noticed, looking at every jump and at every +turn to see whether it be observed or not. If no notice be taken of its +gambols, it ceases them immediately, and betakes itself to sleep; and +when awaked from the soundest sleep, it instantly resumes its gaiety, +and frolics about in as sprightly a manner as before. It never shows any +ill humour, unless when confined or too much teased, in which case it +expresses its displeasure by a sort of murmur, very different from that +which it utters when pleased.”</p> + +<p>Weasels and ferrets are used by rat-catchers to drive the rats out of +their holes; and they kill a great many, the habit of the Weasel being +to kill its prey by biting the head, so that the teeth penetrate the +brain, and then to throw the body aside, or hide it till a future +period.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_060" id="page_060"></a>{60}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FERRET_Mustela_furo" id="Illustration_THE_FERRET_Mustela_furo"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 369px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_060_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_060_sml.jpg" width="369" height="259" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FERRET, (<i>Mustela furo</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a small, yet bold animal, and an enemy to all others but those of his +own kind. He closely resembles the Polecat, and is considered by many +naturalists, to be merely a domesticated variety of that animal. His +eyes are remarkably fiery. He is much used to drive rabbits from their +holes, and for this purpose is always muzzled, as otherwise he would +feast upon the blood of the first rabbit he met with, and then quietly +lay himself down in the burrow to sleep. He is such an inveterate enemy +to the rabbit, that if a dead one be presented to a young Ferret, he +instantly bites it with an appearance of rapacity; or, if it be living, +the Ferret seizes it by the neck, winds himself round it, and continues +to suck its blood till he be satiated; indeed, his appetite for blood is +so strong, that he has been known to attack and kill children in the +cradle. He is very soon irritated; and his bite is very difficult to be +cured.</p> + +<p>Our figure is full large, as the length of the animal is usually about +thirteen inches, exclusive of the tail, which is about five.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_061" id="page_061"></a>{61}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_POLECAT_Mustela_putorius" id="Illustration_THE_POLECAT_Mustela_putorius"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 220px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_061_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_061_sml.jpg" width="220" height="121" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE POLECAT. (<i>Mustela putorius.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> strong and disagreeable smell of this animal is proverbial; its skin +is stiff, hard, and rugged, and when well prepared, is very desirable as +clothing. It is about seventeen inches in length, exclusive of the tail, +which is about six inches. The breast, tail, and legs are of a blackish +colour, but the belly and sides yellowish. It sometimes conceals itself +in secret corners about houses, and is then a disastrous pest to the +poultry-yard. These animals usually frequent the woods and destroy a +great quantity of game; and some, forsaking the haunts of man, retire to +the rocks and crevices of the cliffs on the sea shore, preferring a +meagre and scanty diet with security, to the daintiness of chicken-flesh +and eggs, attended with trouble and fear. Rabbits seem to be their +favourite prey, and a single Polecat is often sufficient to destroy a +whole warren; for with that insatiable thirst for blood which is natural +to all the weasel tribe, it kills much more than it can devour; and +twenty rabbits have been found dead, which one Polecat had destroyed by +a wound hardly perceptible. The <i>Polecat</i> is the same with the <i>Fitchet</i> +or <i>Foumart</i>, the hair of which is made into fine brushes and pencils +for the use of painters. This small animal is fierce and bold. When +attacked by a dog, it will defend itself with great spirit, attack him +in turn, fastening upon the nose of its enemy with so keen a bite, as +frequently to oblige him to desist. When heated or enraged, the smell it +emits is absolutely intolerable.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_062" id="page_062"></a>{62}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ERMINE_Mustela_erminea" id="Illustration_THE_ERMINE_Mustela_erminea"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 316px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_062_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_062_sml.jpg" width="316" height="232" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ERMINE. (<i>Mustela erminea.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span>, which is also called the <span class="smcap">Stoat</span>, is a smaller species than the +Polecat, and is less common in England than the latter, although in +Scotland it is tolerably abundant. Its colour in summer, is reddish +brown on the back and white underneath; but in winter the whole of the +fur becomes pure white, except on the tail, which is always black, and +it is in this state that the fur of the Ermine is so highly esteemed. In +the North of Europe, Siberia, and the most northern parts of America, +Ermines are found in immense numbers, and great quantities of them are +killed for the sake of their skins, of which several hundred thousand +are annually exported from those inclement northern regions, to serve +for the adornment of ladies dress, and of the state robes of peers and +other high dignitaries, in more civilized countries. The pure white skin +adorned with the jet black tails of the little animals, is indeed one of +the most elegant of all furs; but from the immense quantities in which +the skins are imported, they have become so cheap that ermine can no +longer be regarded as a fashionable fur, and it is chiefly employed for +those purposes to which custom has, in a manner, consecrated its use.</p> + +<p>Like the Polecat, and others of its kind, the Ermine<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_063" id="page_063"></a>{63}</span> is a bloodthirsty +little creature, and so bold that it will attack animals much larger +than itself. It is very destructive to poultry and game, and even +pursues hares with success; those animals, although so fleet of foot +appearing to be so fascinated by the approach of their little enemy, +that they do not betake themselves to flight, but hop slowly along, +until the fangs of the destroyer are fixed in the throat of its victim, +when all efforts to shake him off are unavailing. The Ermine is also one +of the great enemies of the water-rat, which it will follow into the +water. The dwelling-place of the Ermine is a narrow burrow, usually in +the midst of a thicket, or furze-bush; it sometimes takes up its abode +in a rabbit burrow. In this country the female produces four or five +young at a birth; but in North America the litter is said to consist of +ten or twelve little ones.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SKUNK_Mustela_or_Mephitis_Americana" id="Illustration_THE_SKUNK_Mustela_or_Mephitis_Americana"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 319px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_063_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_063_sml.jpg" width="319" height="280" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SKUNK, (<i>Mustela</i>, or <i>Mephitis Americana</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> is found in most parts of North America, is curiously <span class="pagenum"><a name="page_064" id="page_064"></a>{64}</span>marked with +a pair of white stripes running down the sides of the back. It feeds +upon mice and other small quadrupeds, and also in summer upon frogs. The +Skunk is of a stout and rather heavy form, and runs but slowly, so that +when pursued it would have but a small chance of making its escape, but +for a singular provision with which it has been endowed by nature. This +consists of a yellow fluid of the most horrible odour, contained in a +small bag or pouch under the root of the tail; which the creature is +enabled to discharge to a distance of more than four feet, so that even +if the noisome discharge does not actually reach and smother the +animal’s pursuers, it forms between them and their intended victim, a +sort of invisible barrier, which few noses are able to pass. The smell +is so strong that it has been known to produce sickness at a distance of +a hundred yards, and so persistent, that the spot where a Skunk has been +killed, will retain the taint for many days. The flesh of this animal +is, however, considered excellent food by the Indians.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SABLE_Mustela_or_Martes_Zibellina" id="Illustration_THE_SABLE_Mustela_or_Martes_Zibellina"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_064_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_064_sml.jpg" width="225" height="111" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SABLE. (<i>Mustela</i>, or <i>Martes Zibellina</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal is a native of Siberia, Kamtschatka, and Asiatic Russia, and +it frequents the banks of rivers, and the thickest parts of the woods. +It lives in holes under the ground, and especially under the roots of +trees; but sometimes makes its nest, like the squirrel, in the hollows +of trees. The skin of the Sable is more valuable than that of any other +animal of equal size. One of these skins, not more than four inches +broad, has sometimes been valued at as high a rate as fifteen pounds; +but the general price is from one to ten pounds, according to the +quality. The Sable’s fur is different<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_065" id="page_065"></a>{65}</span> from all others, its peculiarity +being, that the hair turns with equal ease either way; on which account +fur dealers sometimes blow the fur of any article they may be selling, +to show that it is really Sable. The tails are sold by the hundred, at +from four to eight pounds.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">American Sable</span> (<i>M. leucopus</i>) is considered to be a distinct +species.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_BEECH_MARTIN" id="Illustration_BEECH_MARTIN"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 284px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_065_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_065_sml.jpg" width="284" height="234" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>BEECH MARTIN</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind">The common, or <span class="smcap">Beech Marten</span>, (<i>Mustela Martes</i> or <i>Martes foina</i>,) like +the Sable, boasts the honour of adorning with his fur the rich and the +beautiful; as princes, ladies, and opulent people of all nations, pride +themselves in wearing his spoils. He is about as big as a cat, but his +body is much longer proportionately, and the legs shorter. His skin is +of a light brown, with white under the throat. The fur of the Marten +fetches a good price, and is much used in European countries, though +very far inferior to that of the Sable: the best, which is called Stone +Marten fur by the furriers, is imported from Sweden and Russia.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_066" id="page_066"></a>{66}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_YELLOW-BREASTED_MARTEN" id="Illustration_YELLOW-BREASTED_MARTEN"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 272px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_066_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_066_sml.jpg" width="272" height="234" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>YELLOW-BREASTED MARTEN</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind">The Pine, or <span class="smcap">Yellow-breasted Marten</span> (<i>M. Abietum</i>), is another species, +the fur of which is nearly equal to that of the Sable, though it is much +cheaper.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_OTTER_Lutra_vulgaris" id="THE_OTTER_Lutra_vulgaris"></a>THE OTTER. (<i>Lutra vulgaris.</i>)</h4> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Forth from his den the Otter drew,—<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Grayling and trout their tyrant knew,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">As between reed and sedge he peers,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With fierce round snout and sharpened ears,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Or, prowling by the moonbeam cool,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Watches the stream or swims the pool.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Scott.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> the Otter lives principally on fish, the formation of his body is +such as will enable him to swim with the greatest facility. His body is +flattened horizontally; his tail is flat and broad; his legs are short, +and his toes webbed. His teeth are very strong and sharp; and his body, +besides its fur, has an outer covering of coarse shining hair. The Otter +is a perfect epicure in his food; he seldom eats an entire fish, but +beginning at the head, eats that, and about half the body, always +rejecting the tail. When the rivers and ponds are frozen so that the +Otter can get no fish, he will visit the neighbouring<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_067" id="page_067"></a>{67}</span> farm-yards, where +he will attack the poultry, sucking-pigs, and even lambs. An Otter may +be tamed, and taught to catch fish enough to sustain not only himself, +but a whole family. Goldsmith states, that he saw an Otter go to a +gentleman’s pond at the word of command, drive the fish into a corner, +and seize upon the largest of the whole, bring it off, and give it to +his master.</p> + +<p>Bewick, in his History of Quadrupeds, states, that a person of the name +of Collins, who lived at Kilmerston, near Wooler, in Northumberland, had +a tame Otter, which followed him wherever he went. He frequently took it +to fish in the river; and, when satiated, it never failed to return to +him. One day, in the absence of Collins, the Otter, being taken out to +fish by his son, instead of returning as usual, refused to come at the +accustomed call, and was lost. The father tried every means in his power +to recover the animal; and, after several days’ search, being near the +place where his son had lost it, and calling it by name, to his +inexpressible joy it came creeping to his feet, and showed many marks of +affection and attachment.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 275px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_067_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_067_sml.jpg" width="275" height="182" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p>The female Otter produces four or five young ones at a birth, and these +in the spring of the year. Where there have been ponds near a +gentleman’s house, instances have occurred of their littering in cellars +or<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_068" id="page_068"></a>{68}</span> drains. The male utters no noise when taken, but the females +sometimes emit a shrill squeak.</p> + +<p>Otters are generally caught in traps placed near their landing-places, +and carefully concealed in the sand. When hunted by dogs, the old ones +defend themselves with great obstinacy. They bite severely, and do not +readily quit their hold. Otter-hunting is a favourite sport in many +parts of Great Britain; particularly in the midland counties of England, +and in Wales.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SEA_OTTER_Lutra_or_Enhdyralutris" id="Illustration_THE_SEA_OTTER_Lutra_or_Enhdyralutris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 304px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_068_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_068_sml.jpg" width="304" height="237" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SEA OTTER. (<i>Lutra</i> or <i>Enhdyralutris</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> common Otter sometimes takes to the sea; but, on the eastern coasts +of Northern Asia and the opposite shores of North America, true Sea +Otters are met with, chiefly about the numerous rocky islands which +fringe those coasts. The Sea Otter in its habits resembles the seals +more than the common species; it is about three feet long without the +tail, and is covered with a thick, rich, dark brown, or nearly black +fur, which is so highly prized that single fine skins have been known to +sell for a sum equivalent to twenty pounds, and the animals have, in +consequence, been pursued with such avidity, that their numbers are +greatly reduced.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_069" id="page_069"></a>{69}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COMMON_SEAL_Phoca_vitulina" id="Illustration_THE_COMMON_SEAL_Phoca_vitulina"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 313px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_069_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_069_sml.jpg" width="313" height="245" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COMMON SEAL. (<i>Phoca vitulina.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> amphibious flesh-eating animals, though nearly allied to the otter +in their habits, are very different in the construction of their bodies. +Their feet are so short and so enveloped in skin, that they are of +scarcely any use in assisting the animal on dry land; so that the Seal’s +progress on solid ground is only effected by a sort of half tumbling, +jumping, and shuffling motion, excessively ridiculous to a looker-on. +The feet, however, which are furnished with strong claws, are of use in +enabling the animal to climb out of the water over a rocky shore. For +swimming, the Seal is admirably adapted; its long flexible body is +shaped like that of a fish, tapering to the tail; and it is furnished +with strong webs between the toes, so as to make the fore feet act as +oars, and the hind feet, which the animal generally drags behind it like +a tail, to serve as a rudder. The Common Seal lives generally in the +water, and feeds entirely on fish; only coming to shore occasionally to +bask on the sands, and to lie there to suckle its young. The usual +length of a Seal is four or five feet. The head is large and round; the +neck small and short; and on each side of the mouth<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_070" id="page_070"></a>{70}</span> there are several +strong bristles. From the shoulders the body tapers to the tail, which +is very short. The eyes are large: there are no external ears; and the +tongue is cleft or forked at the end. The body is covered with short +thick-set hair, which in the common species is generally grey, but +sometimes brown or blackish. There are, however, several species; and +one of them, which is called the sea-leopard, has the fur spotted with +white or yellow.</p> + +<p>Seals are hunted by the Greenlanders for the sake of their oil, and also +for their skins, which are used for making waistcoats and other articles +of clothing, and are much prized by the fishermen for their great +warmth. The oil, of which a full grown specimen yields four or five +gallons, is very clear and transparent, and destitute of the unpleasant +odour and taste of whale-oil. When attacked, they fight with great fury; +but when taken young, are capable of being tamed; they will follow their +master like a dog, and come to him when called by the name given to +them. Some years ago a young Seal was thus domesticated. It was taken at +a little distance from the sea, and was generally kept in a vessel full +of salt water: but sometimes it was allowed to crawl about the house, +and even to approach the fire. Its natural food was regularly procured +for it; and it was carried to the sea every day, and thrown in from a +boat. It used to swim after the boat, and always allowed itself to be +taken back. It lived thus for several weeks, and probably would have +lived much longer, had it not been sometimes too roughly handled. The +females in this climate bring forth in winter, and rear their young upon +some sand-bank, rock, or desolate island, at some distance from the main +land. When they suckle their young, they sit up on their hinder legs, +while the little Seals, which are at first white, with woolly hair, +cling to the teats, which are four in number. In this manner the young +continue in the place where they are brought forth for twelve or fifteen +days; after which the dam brings them down to the water, and accustoms +them to swim and get their food by their own industry.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_071" id="page_071"></a>{71}</span></p> + +<p>In Newfoundland the Seal-fishery forms an important source of wealth, +and numerous ships are sent out every season among the ice in search of +Seals. One ship has been known to catch five thousand Seals, but about +half that number is the usual quantity taken. As soon as the Seal is +killed, it is skinned, and the pelt, as the skin and blubber together is +called, being preserved, the body of the Seal is either eaten by the +sailors, or left on the ice for the polar bears.</p> + +<p>The aboriginal inhabitants of the northern regions have several strange +superstitions about Seals. They believe that Seals delight in +thunder-storms; and say, that during these times they will sit on the +rocks, and contemplate, with apparent pleasure and gratification, the +convulsion of the elements. The Icelanders, in particular, are said to +believe that these animals are the offspring of <i>Pharaoh</i> and his host, +who were converted into Seals when they were overwhelmed in the <i>Red +Sea</i>.</p> + +<p>Several species of Seals are distinguished by curious appendages to the +head, sometimes in the form of a hood, sometimes in that of a projection +from the nose. One of the most singular is the Sea Elephant (<i>Morunga +proboscidea</i>), an inhabitant of the shores of the numerous islands +scattered over the great Southern Ocean. In this curious animal, which +often measures twenty-four feet in length, the nose of the male forms a +proboscis about a foot long and capable of considerable distension. The +female has no such appendage. The young of the Sea Elephant, when just +born, is said to be as large as a full grown seal of the common species. +The skin in the old animals is very thick, and forms an excellent +leather for harness.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_072" id="page_072"></a>{72}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WALRUS_MORSE_OR_SEA-COW" id="Illustration_THE_WALRUS_MORSE_OR_SEA-COW"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 255px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_072_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_072_sml.jpg" width="255" height="160" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WALRUS, MORSE, OR SEA-COW.<br /><br /> +(<i>Trichechus Rosmarus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> very curious animal is nearly allied to the Seal, but is of much +greater size, being frequently eighteen feet in length, and from ten to +twelve feet in girth. The head is round, the eyes are small and +brilliant, and the upper lip, which is enormously thick, is covered with +pellucid bristles, as large as a straw. The nostrils are very large, and +there are no external ears. The most remarkable part of the Walrus is, +however, his two large tusks in the upper jaw; they are inverted, the +points nearly uniting, and sometimes exceed twenty-four inches in +length! the use which the animal makes of them is not easily explained, +unless they help him to climb up the rocks and mountains of ice among +which he takes up his abode, as the parrot employs his beak to get upon +his perch. The tusks of the Walrus are superior in durability and +whiteness to those of the elephant, and, as they keep their colour much +longer, are preferred by dentists to any other substance for making +artificial teeth.</p> + +<p>The Walrus is common in some of the northern seas, and will sometimes +attack a boat full of men. They are gregarious animals, usually found in +herds of from fifty to one hundred or more, sleeping and snoring on the +icy shores; but when alarmed they precipitate themselves into the water +with great bustle and trepidation,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_073" id="page_073"></a>{73}</span> and swim with such rapidity, that it +is difficult to overtake them with a boat. One of their number always +keeps watch while the others sleep. They feed on shell-fish and +sea-weeds, and yield an oil equal in goodness to that of the whale. The +white bear is their greatest enemy. In the combats between these +animals, the Walrus is said to be generally victorious, on account of +the desperate wounds it inflicts with its tusks. The females have only +one young one at a time, which, when born, resembles a good-sized pig.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 236px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_073_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_073_sml.jpg" width="236" height="162" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_074" id="page_074"></a>{74}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="II_Insectivorous_or_Insect-eating_Animals" id="II_Insectivorous_or_Insect-eating_Animals"></a>§ II. <i>Insectivorous, or Insect-eating Animals.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HEDGEHOG_Erinaceus_Europaeus" id="Illustration_THE_HEDGEHOG_Erinaceus_Europaeus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 218px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_074_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_074_sml.jpg" width="218" height="142" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HEDGEHOG. (<i>Erinaceus Europæus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal is something like a porcupine in miniature, and is covered +all over with strong and sharp spines or prickles, which he erects when +irritated. His common food consists of worms, slugs, and snails; and +thus, far from being a noxious animal in a garden, he is a very useful +one, as he feeds upon all the insects he can find. Hedgehogs inhabit +most parts of Europe. Notwithstanding its formidable appearance, it is +one of the most harmless animals in the world. While other creatures +trust to their force, their cunning, or their swiftness, this quadruped, +destitute of all, has but one expedient for safety, and from this alone +it generally finds protection. The instant it perceives an enemy, it +withdraws all its vulnerable parts, rolls itself into a ball, and +presents nothing to view but a round mass of spines, impervious on every +side. When the Hedgehog is thus rolled up, the cat, the weasel, the +ferret, and the marten, after wounding themselves with the prickles, +quickly decline the combat; and the dog himself generally spends his +time in empty menaces rather than in effectual efforts, while the little +animal waits patiently till its enemy, by retiring, affords an +opportunity for retreat.</p> + +<p>The female produces from two to four young ones at a birth. When first +born they are blind, and their spines white and soft, but they become +hard in a few days.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_075" id="page_075"></a>{75}</span> The Hedgehog is said to suck the milk from cows; +but this is impossible, as the mouth of the Hedgehog would not admit the +teat of the cow. The Hedgehog, however, sometimes destroys eggs, and has +been known to attack frogs, mice, and even toads, when pressed by +hunger; it will also occasionally eat the tuberous roots of plants, +boring under the root, so as to devour it, and yet leave the stem and +leaves untouched. The Hedgehog makes himself a nest of leaves and soft +wool for the winter, in the hollow trunk of an old tree, or in a hole in +a rock or bank; and here, having coiled himself up, he passes the winter +in one long unbroken sleep. Hedgehogs may easily be tamed, and are +sometimes kept in the kitchens in London houses to destroy the +black-beetles. The flesh of the Hedgehog is sometimes eaten; especially +by gipsies, who appear to consider it a delicacy. It is said to be +well-tasted, and to have abundance of yellow fat.</p> + +<p>In times when insect food is scarce he will also regale himself upon +apples and pears which have fallen from the trees, but a glance at the +structure of the creature ought to be sufficient to convince any one +that the charges often brought against him of climbing trees to detach +the fruit which he is said afterwards to carry off by the ingenious +expedient of throwing himself down upon it from the branches so as to +attach it to his spines, are totally without foundation.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_075_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_075_sml.jpg" width="250" height="193" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_076" id="page_076"></a>{76}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MOLE_Talpa_Europaea" id="Illustration_THE_MOLE_Talpa_Europaea"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 302px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_076_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_076_sml.jpg" width="302" height="237" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MOLE. (<i>Talpa Europæa.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Mole</span> is a curious, awkwardly-shaped animal, with a long flexible +snout, very small eyes, and hand-like fore feet, armed with very strong +claws, with which it scrapes its way through the ground, when it is +forming the subterranean passages in which it takes up its abode. The +Mole, though it is supposed not to possess the advantage of sight, has +the senses of hearing and feeling in great perfection; and its fur, +which is short and thick, is set erect from its skin, so as not to +impede its progress whether it goes forward or backwards along its runs. +These runs are very curiously constructed: they cross each other at +different points, but all lead to a nest in the centre, which the Mole +makes his castle, or place of abode. The passages are made by the Mole +in his search after the earth-worms and grubs, on which he lives; and +the molehills are formed by the earth he scrapes out of his runs. These +molehills do a great deal of mischief to grass lands, as they render the +ground very difficult to mow; and on this account mole-catchers are +employed to fix traps in the ground, so that when the mole is running +through one of his passages, he passes through the trap, which instantly +springs up out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_077" id="page_077"></a>{77}</span> the ground with the poor Mole in it. The female Mole +makes her nest at a distance from the male’s castle. She has young only +once a year, but she has four or five at a time.</p> + +<p>The following curious fact respecting a Mole is related by Mr. Bruce. +“In visiting the Loch of Clunie, I observed in it a small island, at the +distance of a hundred and eighty yards from the land. Upon this island +Lord Airlie, the proprietor, had a castle and small shrubbery. I +observed frequently the appearance of fresh molehills; but for some time +took it to be the water mouse, and one day I asked the gardener if it +was so. He replied it was the Mole, and that he had caught one or two +lately; but that five or six years ago he had caught two in traps, and +for two years after this he had observed none. But about four years +since, coming ashore one summer’s evening in the dusk, he and Lord +Airlie’s butler saw, at a small distance upon the smooth water, an +animal paddling to and not far distant from the island; they soon closed +with the feeble passenger, and found it to be the Common Mole, led by a +most astonishing instinct from the nearest point of land, (the +castle-hill,) to take possession of this island. It was at this time, +for about the space of two years, quite free from any subterraneous +inhabitant; but the Mole has, for more than a year past, made its +appearance again.”</p> + +<p>The Mole is very pugnacious, and sometimes two of the males will fight +furiously till one of them is killed.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 272px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_077_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_077_sml.jpg" width="272" height="170" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_078" id="page_078"></a>{78}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SHREW_Sorex_araneus" id="Illustration_THE_SHREW_Sorex_araneus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_078_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_078_sml.jpg" width="300" height="209" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SHREW. (<i>Sorex araneus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> curious little animal closely resembles a mouse, except in its +snout, which is long and pointed, to enable it to grub in the ground for +its food, which consists of earthworms, and the grubs of beetles. The +Shrew, like the mole, is very fond of fighting; and when two are seen +together, they are generally engaged in a furious battle. Like the +hedgehog, it has been much scandalized by false reports, as will be seen +by the following extract from that most amusing and interesting work, +<i>White’s Selborne</i>: “At the south corner of the area, near the church, +there stood, about twenty years ago, a very old, grotesque, hollow +pollard-ash, which for ages had been looked upon with no small +veneration as a shrew-ash. Now a shrew-ash is an ash whose twigs and +branches, when applied to the limbs of cattle, will immediately relieve +the pains which a beast suffers from the running of a Shrew-mouse over +the part affected; for it is supposed that a Shrew-mouse is of so +baneful and deleterious a nature, that whenever it creeps over a beast, +be it a horse, or cow, or sheep, the suffering animal is afflicted with +cruel anguish, and threatened with the loss of the use of the limb. +Against this accident,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_079" id="page_079"></a>{79}</span> to which they were continually liable, our +provident forefathers always kept a shrew-ash at hand, which, when once +medicated, would maintain its virtue for ever. A shrew-ash was made +thus:—into the body of the tree a deep hole was bored with an auger, +and a poor devoted Shrew mouse was thrust in alive, and plugged in.” The +cruelty of this, and many other practices of our ancestors, ought to +make us thankful that we live in more enlightened days.</p> + +<p>The body of the Shrew exhales a rank musky odour, which renders the +animal so offensive to cats, that though they will readily kill them, +they will not eat their flesh. This noisome odour probably gave rise to +the notion that the Shrew-mouse is a venomous animal, and its bite +dangerous to cattle, particularly horses. It is, however, neither +venomous nor capable of biting, as its mouth is not sufficiently wide to +seize the double thickness of the skin, which is absolutely necessary in +order to bite.</p> + +<p>The female Shrew makes her nest in a bank, or if on the ground, she +covers it at the top, always entering on the side; and she has generally +from five to seven young ones at a time.</p> + +<p>The Water Shrew (<i>Sorex fodiens</i>,) is a beautiful little creature, with +somewhat differently formed feet and tail, to enable it to paddle +through the water, in which it dives and swims with great agility. When +floating “on the calm surface of a quiet brook,” or diving after its +food, its black velvety coat becomes silvered over with the innumerable +bubbles of air that cover it when submerged; though when it rises again, +the fur is observed to be perfectly dry, repelling the water as +completely as the feathers of a water-fowl.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_080" id="page_080"></a>{80}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="III_Cheiropterous_Animals" id="III_Cheiropterous_Animals"></a>§ III. <i>Cheiropterous Animals.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BAT_Vespertilio_Noctula" id="Illustration_THE_BAT_Vespertilio_Noctula"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 259px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_080_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_080_sml.jpg" width="259" height="182" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BAT. (<i>Vespertilio Noctula.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Bat</span> has the body of a mouse, and the wings of a bird. It has an +enormous mouth, and large ears, which are of a kind of membrane, thin +and almost transparent. The pinions of its wings are furnished with +hooks, by which it hangs to trees or the crevices in old walls during +the day, a great number of them together, as they only fly at night. The +wings of the Bat are very large; those of the Great Bat measuring +fifteen inches across. It feeds on insects of various kinds, +particularly on cockchafers and other winged beetles, part of which, +however, it always throws away. A female Bat that was caught, and kept +in a cage, ate meat when it was given to her in little bits, and lapped +water like a cat. She was very particular in keeping herself clean, +using her hind feet like a comb, and parting her fur so as to make a +straight line down the back. Her wings she cleaned by thrusting her nose +into the folds, and shaking them. She had a young one born in the cage. +It was blind, and quite destitute of hair, and its mother wrapped it in +the membrane of her wing, pressing it so closely to her breast, that no +one could see her suckle it. The next day the poor mother died, and the +little one was found alive, hanging to her breast. It was fed with milk +from a sponge, but only lived about a week.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_081" id="page_081"></a>{81}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PIPISTRELLE_Vespertilio_Pipistrellus" id="Illustration_THE_PIPISTRELLE_Vespertilio_Pipistrellus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 347px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_081a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_081a_sml.jpg" width="347" height="242" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PIPISTRELLE. (<i>Vespertilio Pipistrellus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> little creature, which is only an inch and a half in length, +appears to be the commonest of all Bats in most parts of Britain. It +usually resides in cracks and cavities in old brick walls and in +sheltered corners about houses, and at the approach of evening quits its +retreat, and flies about capturing the gnats and other small +twilight-loving insects on which it feeds.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LONG-EARED_BAT" id="Illustration_THE_LONG-EARED_BAT"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 251px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_081b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_081b_sml.jpg" width="251" height="128" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LONG-EARED BAT.<br /><br /> +(<i>Vespertilio</i> or <i>Plecotus auritus</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Long-eared Bat</span>, which is not uncommon in many<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_082" id="page_082"></a>{82}</span> parts of our country, +is remarkable for the large size of its ears, which are nearly as long +as its little mouse-like body, and composed of a membrane so delicate as +to be almost transparent. In front of the concave part of each of these +enormous ears there is a slender, pointed membrane, which gives the +little creature a most singular appearance when reposing; for the great +membranous ears are then folded up, and carefully stowed away under the +wings, whilst these pointed lobes, being of a stronger substance, still +project from the head, and look like a pair of little horns. The +Long-eared Bat seems to be one of the most interesting and amiable +species of its tribe; it may be easily tamed, and, indeed, exhibits +great confidence from the first moment of its capture. When several are +kept together they will play in an awkward manner, which is very +diverting, and will soon learn to take their insect food not only from +the hand, but even from the lips of their owner.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_VAMPYRE_BAT_Phyllostoma_Spectrum" id="Illustration_THE_VAMPYRE_BAT_Phyllostoma_Spectrum"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 297px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_082_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_082_sml.jpg" width="297" height="141" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE VAMPYRE BAT. (<i>Phyllostoma Spectrum.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Vampyre Bat</span>, which is a large species, is notorious for its very bad +habit of sucking the blood of men and cattle. In making its attacks on +man it exercises the greatest caution, alighting close to the feet of +its intended victim during his slumbers, and fanning him with its broad +wings to keep him cool and comfortable during the subsequent operations. +Having made the proper arrangements, the Vampyre proceeds to bite a +little piece out of the great toe of the slumberer, and although the +wound thus caused is so small that it would not receive the head of a +pin, it is deep enough<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_083" id="page_083"></a>{83}</span> to cause a free flow of blood, which the Vampyre +sucks until it can suck no longer. Cattle are generally bitten in the +ear. Although there seems to be some exaggeration in many of the +accounts given by travellers of the ferocity and sanguinary disposition +of the Vampyre, there would appear to be little doubt that the loss of +blood caused by its bite may occasionally prove fatal, the sucking being +continued, as Captain Stedman says, until the sufferer sleeps “from time +into eternity.”</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_KALONG_BAT_Pteropus_edulis" id="Illustration_THE_KALONG_BAT_Pteropus_edulis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 286px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_083_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_083_sml.jpg" width="286" height="230" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE KALONG BAT. (<i>Pteropus edulis.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> Bat, which is also called the Flying Fox, is a native of the Indian +Islands. It is a large species, measuring nearly two feet in length, +whilst its large leathery wings, resembling those seen in the popular +representations of flying demons, extend from tip to tip about five +feet. During the day the Kalongs indulge in sleep, for which purpose +they prefer an attitude which to our notions would seem very +uncomfortable; they suspend themselves by their hind feet to the +branches of trees, and thus hang with their heads downwards. They +associate in large numbers, and when seen sleeping in the position above +described, they look so little like animals that Dr. Horsfield tells us +they “are readily mistaken<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_084" id="page_084"></a>{84}</span> for a part of the tree, or for a fruit of +uncommon size suspended from its branches.” At the approach of evening, +however, a very different scene presents itself. One by one these +supposed fruits are seen to quit their hold upon the branches, and sail +away to the plantations of various kinds, to which they do incalculable +mischief by devouring every fruit that comes in their way.</p> + +<h3><a name="IV_The_Marsupialia_or_Pouch-bearing_Animals" id="IV_The_Marsupialia_or_Pouch-bearing_Animals"></a>§ IV. <i>The Marsupialia, or Pouch-bearing Animals.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_KANGAROO_Macropus_giganteus" id="Illustration_THE_KANGAROO_Macropus_giganteus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 257px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_084_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_084_sml.jpg" width="257" height="174" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE KANGAROO. (<i>Macropus giganteus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> remarkable animal was first discovered by the celebrated Captain +Cook, in New Holland: and as it was the only quadruped discovered on the +inland by the first settlers, they attempted to hunt it with greyhounds. +The astonishing leaps it took, however, quite puzzled the colonists, who +found it extremely difficult to catch. At first it was supposed that +there was only one kind of Kangaroo, but now many species have been +discovered, some of them not larger than a rat, and others as big as a +calf. Kangaroos live in herds; one, older and larger than the rest, +appearing to act as a kind of king. The ears of the Kangaroo are large, +and in almost constant motion; it has a hare-lip, and a very small head. +The<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_085" id="page_085"></a>{85}</span> fore legs, or rather paws, are short and weak, with five toes, each +ending in a strong curved claw. The hind legs, on the contrary, are very +large and strong, but the feet have only four toes, and much weaker +claws. The tail is very long and tapering; but is so thick and strong +near the body, that it forms a kind of third hind leg, and wonderfully +assists the animal in supporting itself in its ordinary upright +position. Its leaps are of extraordinary extent, being often from twenty +to thirty feet in length, and six or eight feet high. When the animal is +attacked, it uses its tail as a powerful instrument of defence, and also +scratches violently with its hind feet. It generally sits upright, but +brings its fore feet to the ground when it is grazing. It lives entirely +on vegetable substances. The most curious part of the Kangaroo is the +pouch which the female has in front for carrying her young. It is just +below her breast, and the young ones sit there to suck; and even when +they are old enough to leave the pouch, take refuge in it whenever they +are alarmed.</p> + +<p>The Kangaroo is easily tamed, and there are many in a tame state in +England. In Australia, Kangaroo beef, as it is called, is eaten, and +found very nourishing; but it is hard and coarse. The female has +generally two young ones at a time, which do not attain their full +growth until they are a year old.</p> + +<p>When a large Kangaroo is pursued by dogs, it generally takes refuge in a +pond, where, from the great length of its hind legs and tail, it can +stand with its body half out of the water, while the dogs are obliged to +swim. Thus the Kangaroo has a decided advantage; for, as each dog +approaches him, he seizes it with his fore paws, and holds it under +water, shaking it furiously till the dog is almost suffocated, and very +glad to sneak off as soon as the Kangaroo lets him go.</p> + +<p>The female, when pursued and hard-pressed by the dogs, will, while +making her bounds, put her fore paws into her pouch, take a young one +from it, and throw it as far out of sight as she possibly can. But for +this manœuvre, her own life and that of her young one would be +sacrificed; whereas, she frequently contrives to escape, and returns +afterwards to seek for her offspring.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_086" id="page_086"></a>{86}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_VIRGINIAN_OPOSSUM" id="Illustration_THE_VIRGINIAN_OPOSSUM"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 237px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_086_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_086_sml.jpg" width="237" height="204" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM.<br /><br /> +(<i>Didelphis virginiana.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> creature, which is a native of North America, is about the size of +a cat, and its fur is of a dingy white, except the legs, which are +brown, and the nose and ears, which are yellowish. There is also a +brownish circle round each eye, and the ears are nearly black at the +base.</p> + +<p>The Opossum generally lives in trees, suspending itself by the tail, by +means of which it swings from branch to branch. In this manner it +catches the insects and small birds, on which it generally feeds; but +sometimes it descends from the tree, and invades poultry-yards, where it +devours the eggs, and sometimes the young fowls. It resembles the +kangaroo in its pouch for carrying its young, but in no other +particular, as it walks on four feet, and its legs are uniform in +length; and it has a long flexible tail, which is of no use to it either +in leaping, or as a weapon of defence. The tail is, however, of singular +use to the young, as when they get too large to be carried in the pouch, +they fly to their mother when alarmed, and twisting their long slender +tails round hers, leap upon her back. The female Opossum may be +sometimes seen thus carrying four or five at once.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_087" id="page_087"></a>{87}</span></p> + +<p>The Opossum may be easily tamed, but is an unpleasant inmate, from its +awkward figure and stupidity, and its very disagreeable smell. The +American Indians spin its hair and dye it red, and then weave it into +girdles and other articles of clothing. The flesh of these animals is +white and well tasted, and is preferred by the Indians to pork: that of +the young ones eats very much like the sucking-pig.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PHALANGER_Phalangista_vulpina" id="Illustration_THE_PHALANGER_Phalangista_vulpina"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 297px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_087_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_087_sml.jpg" width="297" height="289" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PHALANGER. (<i>Phalangista vulpina.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal, which is very common in Australia, has some resemblance in +its aspect and colour to a fox; but is much smaller. It has a long, +furred tail, very different from that of the opossum. The Phalanger +lives amongst the branches of the trees, on which it climbs about at +night with great agility; its food consists partly of fruits and partly +of small birds, which it easily captures during its nocturnal +excursions. It is called the Opossum by the colonists of Australia. +There are<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_088" id="page_088"></a>{88}</span> several kinds of Phalangers, some of which are known as +Flying Phalangers, from their having a broad loose fold of skin along +each side, which, when stretched out by means of the legs, serves to +support the little creature for a time in the air, and enables it to +leap to great distances.</p> + +<h3><a name="V_Rodentia_or_Gnawing_Animals" id="V_Rodentia_or_Gnawing_Animals"></a>§ V.—<i>Rodentia, or Gnawing Animals.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BEAVER_Castor_Fiber" id="Illustration_THE_BEAVER_Castor_Fiber"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 227px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_088_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_088_sml.jpg" width="227" height="163" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BEAVER. (<i>Castor Fiber.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Beaver</span> is about the size of the badger; his head short, his ears +round and small, his fore teeth long, sharp, and strong, and well +calculated for the part which Nature has allotted him: the tail is of an +oval form, and covered with a scaly skin.</p> + +<p>Beavers are natives of North America, and more particularly the north of +Canada. They are also found in Europe, and were formerly abundant in +many places. Their houses are constructed with earth, stones, and +sticks, neatly arranged and worked together by their paws. The walls are +about two feet thick, and are surmounted by a kind of dome, which +generally rises about four feet above them. The entrance is on one side, +always at least three feet below the surface of the water, so as to +prevent it being frozen up. The number of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_089" id="page_089"></a>{89}</span> Beavers in each house is from +two to four old ones, and about twice as many young. When Beavers form a +new settlement, they build their houses in the summer; and then lay in +their winter provisions, which consist principally of bark and the +tender branches of trees, cut into certain lengths, and piled in heaps +on the outside of their habitation, and always under the water; though +sometimes the heap is so large as to rise above the surface. One of +these heaps will occasionally contain more than a cart-load of bark, +young wood, and the roots of the water-lily.</p> + +<p>Beavers are hunted for the sake of their skins, which are covered with +long hairs, and a short thick fur beneath, which is used in making hats, +after the long hairs have been destroyed.</p> + +<p>A great many stories have long been believed respecting the Beaver, on +the authority of a French gentleman who had resided a long time in North +America; but it is now ascertained that the greater part of them are +false. The house of the Beaver is not divided into rooms, but consists +of only one apartment; and the animals do not use their tails either as +a trowel or a sledge, but only as an assistance in swimming. Some years +ago a Beaver was brought to this country from America, that had been +quite tamed by the sailors, and was called Bunney. When he arrived in +England, he was made quite a pet of, and used to lie on the hearth-rug +in his master’s library. One day he found out the housemaid’s closet, +and his building propensities began immediately to display themselves. +He seized a large sweeping brush, and dragged it along with his teeth to +a room where he found the door open: he afterwards laid hold of a +warming-pan in the same manner; and having laid the handles across, he +filled up the walls of the angle made by the brushes with the wall, with +hand-brushes, baskets, boots, books, towels, and anything he could lay +hold of. As his walls grew high, he would often sit propped up by his +tail (with which he supported himself admirably), to look at what he had +done; and if the disposition of any of his building materials did not +satisfy him, he would pull part of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_090" id="page_090"></a>{90}</span> work down, and lay it again more +evenly. It was astonishing how well he managed to arrange the +incongruous materials he had chosen, and how cleverly he contrived to +remove them, sometimes carrying them between his right fore-paw and his +chin, sometimes dragging them with his teeth, and sometimes pushing them +along with his chin. When he had built his walls, he made himself a nest +in the centre, and sat up in it, combing his hair with the nails of his +hind feet.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MUSK_RAT_Fiber_Zibethicus" id="Illustration_THE_MUSK_RAT_Fiber_Zibethicus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_090_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_090_sml.jpg" width="262" height="144" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MUSK RAT, (<i>Fiber Zibethicus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a native of Canada, and resembles the beaver in many of his habits. +He has a fine musky scent, and makes his holes in marshes and by the +waterside, with two or three ways to get in or go out, and several +distinct apartments: he is said to contrive one entrance to his hole +always below the water, that he may not be frozen out by the ice. This +animal is called the Musquash in America, and its fur is used, like that +of the beaver, in the manufacture of hats, four or five hundred thousand +skins being said to be sent to Europe every year for that purpose. Musk +Rats are always seen in pairs; and though watchful, are not timid, as +they will often approach quite close to a boat or other vessel. In +spring they feed on pieces of wood, which they peel carefully; and they +are particularly fond of the roots of the sweet flag (<i>Acorus Calamus</i>). +In Canada this animal is called the Ondatra.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_091" id="page_091"></a>{91}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HARE_Lepus_timidus" id="Illustration_THE_HARE_Lepus_timidus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 275px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_091_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_091_sml.jpg" width="275" height="210" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HARE. (<i>Lepus timidus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> small quadruped is well known at our tables as affording a +favourite food, notwithstanding the dark colour of its flesh. Its +swiftness cannot save it from the search of its enemies, among whom man +is the most inveterate. Unarmed and fearful, the Hare appears almost to +sleep with open eyes, so easily is it alarmed. Its hind legs are longer +than its fore ones, to enable it to run up hills; its eyes are so +prominently placed, that they can encompass at once the whole horizon of +the plain where it has chosen its form, for so its seat or bed is +called; and its ears so long, that the least noise cannot escape it. It +seldom outlives its seventh year, and breeds plentifully. Naturally wild +and timorous, the Hare may, however, be occasionally tamed. The +following is from the entertaining account given by Cowper, of three +Hares that he brought up tame in his house; the names he gave them were +Puss, Tiney, and Bess. Tiney was a reserved and surly Hare; Bess, who +was a Hare of great humour and drollery, died young. “Puss grew +presently familiar, would leap into my lap, raise himself upon his +hinder feet, and bite the hair from my temples. He would suffer me to +take him up and carry him about in my arms, and has more than once +fallen fast asleep upon my knee. He was ill three days,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_092" id="page_092"></a>{92}</span> during which +time I nursed him, kept him apart from his fellows that they might not +molest him, (for, like many other wild animals, they persecute one of +their own species that is sick,) and by constant care, and trying him +with a variety of herbs, restored him to perfect health. No creature +could be more grateful than my patient after his recovery, a sentiment +which he most significantly expressed by licking my hand, first the back +of it, then the palm, then every finger separately, then between all the +fingers, as if anxious to leave no part of it unsaluted; a ceremony +which he never performed but once again upon a similar occasion.</p> + +<p>“Finding him extremely tractable, I made it my custom to carry him +always after breakfast into the garden, where he hid himself generally +under the leaves of a cucumber vine, sleeping or chewing the cud, till +evening; in the leaves also of that vine he found a favourite repast. I +had not long habituated him to this taste of liberty, before he began to +be impatient for the return of the time when he might enjoy it. He would +invite me to the garden by drumming upon my knee, and by a look of such +expression as it was not possible to misinterpret. If this rhetoric did +not immediately succeed, he would take the skirt of my coat between his +teeth, and pull at it with all his force. Thus Puss might be said to be +perfectly tamed, the shyness of his nature was done away, and, on the +whole, it was visible, by many symptoms, which I have not room to +enumerate, that he was happier in human society than when shut up with +his natural companions.”</p> + +<p>Hares are included in the list of animals called game, and are hunted +with greyhounds, which is called coursing; and also by packs of dogs +called harriers and beagles. There are white Hares in the northern +regions, the change in colour being the effect of cold.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_093" id="page_093"></a>{93}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RABBIT_Lepus_cuniculus" id="Illustration_THE_RABBIT_Lepus_cuniculus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 279px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_093_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_093_sml.jpg" width="279" height="215" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RABBIT. (<i>Lepus cuniculus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal, in a wild state, resembles the hare in all its principal +characters, but is distinguished from it by its smaller size, the +comparative shortness of the head and hinder legs, the grey colour of +the body, the absence of the black tip to the ears, and the brown colour +of the upper part of the tail. Its habits, however, are very different, +as being from its organization unable to outstrip its enemies in the +chase, it seeks its safety and shelter by burrowing in the ground; and +instead of leading a solitary life, its manners are eminently social. +Its flesh is white and good, though not so much prized as that of the +hare.</p> + +<p>The female begins to breed when she is about twelve months old, and +bears at least seven times a year, generally eight at each time; now +supposing this to happen regularly, a couple of Rabbits at the end of +four years might see a progeny of almost a million and a half! +Fortunately their destruction by various enemies is in proportion to +their fecundity, or we might justly apprehend being overstocked by them. +The young are born blind, and almost destitute of hair; while those of +the hare can see, and are covered with hair.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_094" id="page_094"></a>{94}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_DOMESTIC_RABBIT" id="Illustration_THE_DOMESTIC_RABBIT"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 339px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_094_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_094_sml.jpg" width="339" height="265" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE DOMESTIC RABBIT.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Domestic Rabbit</span> is larger than the wild species, owing to its taking +more nourishment and less exercise (our example, however, is drawn +disproportionately large). Like pigeons, they have their regular +fanciers, and are bred of various colours—grey, reddish brown, black +more or less mixed with white, or perfectly white. The ears are +considered to constitute a principal feature of their beauty, and the +animal is most valued when both ears hang down by the side of the head; +the animal is then called a double lop; when only one ear drops, it is +called a single or horn lop, and when both stretch out horizontally, an +oar-lop.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_095" id="page_095"></a>{95}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SQUIRREL_Sciurus_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_SQUIRREL_Sciurus_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_095_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_095_sml.jpg" width="262" height="171" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SQUIRREL. (<i>Sciurus vulgaris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Elegance</span> of shape, spiritedness, and agility to leap from bough to bough +in the forest, are the principal characteristics of this pretty animal. +The Squirrel is of a deep reddish brown colour, his breast and belly +white. He is lively, sagacious, docile, and nimble: he lives upon nuts, +and has been seen so tame as to dive into the pocket of his mistress, +and search after an almond or a lump of sugar. In the woods he leaps +from tree to tree with surprising agility, living a most frolicsome +life, surrounded with abundance, and having but few enemies. His time, +however, is not entirely devoted to idle enjoyment, for in the luxuriant +season of autumn he gathers provisions for the approaching winter, as if +conscious that the forest would then be stripped of its fruits and +foliage. His tail serves him as a parasol to defend him from the rays of +the sun, as a parachute to secure him from dangerous falls when leaping +from tree to tree, and, some say, as a sail in crossing the water, which +he sometimes does in Lapland on a bit of ice or bark inverted in the +manner of a boat.</p> + +<p>The American Flying Squirrel (<i>Pteromys volucella</i>) has a large membrane +proceeding from the fore feet to the hind legs, which answers the same +purpose as the Squirrel’s tail, and enables him to give surprising leaps +that almost resemble flying. In the act of leaping, the loose skin is +stretched out by the feet, whereby the surface of the body is augmented, +its fall is retarded, and it<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_096" id="page_096"></a>{96}</span> appears to sail or fly from one place to +another. Where numbers of them are seen at a time leaping, they appear +like leaves blown off by the wind. There are many other kinds of +Squirrels in various parts of the world; most of the Flying Squirrels +are found in the eastern islands.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_DORMOUSE_OR_SLEEPER" id="Illustration_THE_DORMOUSE_OR_SLEEPER"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_096_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_096_sml.jpg" width="208" height="102" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE DORMOUSE, OR SLEEPER.<br /><br /> +(<i>Myoxus avellanarius.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> animals build their nests either in the hollow parts of trees, or +near the bottom of thick shrubs, and line them most industriously with +moss, soft lichens, and dead leaves. Conscious of the length of time +they have to pass in their solitary cells, Dormice are very particular +in the choice of the materials they employ to build and furnish them; +and generally lay up a store of food, consisting of nuts, beans, and +acorns; and on the approach of cold weather roll themselves in balls, +their tail curled up over their head between the ears, and in a state of +apparent lethargy pass the greatest part of the winter, till the warmth +of the sun, pervading the whole atmosphere, kindles their congealed +blood, and calls them back again to the enjoyment of life. Except in the +time of breeding and bringing up its young, the Dormouse is generally +found alone in its cell. This animal is remarkable for the very small +degree of heat its body possesses during its torpid state, when it +appears actually frozen with the cold, and it may be tossed or rolled +about without being roused, though it may be quickly revived by the +application of gentle heat, such as that of the hands. If a torpid +Dormouse, however, be placed before a large fire, the sudden change will +kill it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_097" id="page_097"></a>{97}</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The American Dormouse</span>, or <span class="smcap">Ground Squirrel</span>, is a very beautiful animal, +striped down the back, and resembling the squirrel in its habits, except +that instead of living in trees it burrows in the ground.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MARMOT_OR_ALPINE_RAT" id="Illustration_THE_MARMOT_OR_ALPINE_RAT"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 217px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_097_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_097_sml.jpg" width="217" height="113" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MARMOT, OR ALPINE RAT.<br /><br /> +(<i>Arctomys Marmotta.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is a harmless, inoffensive animal, and seems to bear enmity to no +creature but the dog. He is caught in Savoy, and carried about in +several countries for the amusement of the mob. When taken young, he is +easily tamed, and possesses great muscular power and agility. He will +often walk on his hinder legs, and uses his fore paws to feed himself, +like the squirrel. The Marmot makes his hole very deep, and in the form +of the letter Y, one of the branches serving as an avenue to the +innermost apartment, and the other sloping downwards, as a kind of sink +or drain; in this safe retreat he sleeps throughout the winter, and if +discovered may be killed without appearing to undergo any great pain. +These animals produce but once a year, and bring forth three or four at +a time. They grow very fast, and the extent of their lives is not above +nine or ten years. They are about the size of a rabbit, but much more +corpulent. When a number of Marmots are feeding together, one of them +stands sentinel upon an elevated position; and on the first appearance +of a man, a dog, an eagle, or any dangerous animal, utters a loud and +shrill cry, as a signal for immediate retreat. The Marmot inhabits the +highest regions of the Alps; other species are found in Poland, Russia, +Siberia, and Canada.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_098" id="page_098"></a>{98}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GUINEAPIG_Cavia_Cobaya" id="Illustration_THE_GUINEAPIG_Cavia_Cobaya"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 202px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_098_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_098_sml.jpg" width="202" height="105" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GUINEAPIG. (<i>Cavia Cobaya.</i>)</p><p>THE GUINEAPIG. (<i>Cavia Cobaya.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal is generally white, variegated with red and black. It is a +native of the Brazils, but now domesticated in most parts of Europe, and +is about the size of a large rat, though more stoutly made, and without +any tail; and its legs and neck are so short, that the former are +scarcely seen, and the latter seems stuck upon its shoulders. +Guineapigs, though they have a disagreeable smell, are extremely +cleanly, and the male and female may be often seen alternately employed +in smoothing each other’s skins, disposing their hair, and improving its +gloss. They sleep like the hare with their eyes half open, and continue +watchful if they apprehend any danger. They are very fond of dark +retreats; previously to their quitting which, they look round, and seem +to listen attentively; then, if the road be clear, they sally forth in +quest of food, but run back on the slightest alarm. They utter a sound +like the snore of a young pig. The female begins to produce young when +only two months old, and as she does so every two or three months, and +has sometimes as many as twelve at a time, a thousand might be raised +from a single pair in the course of a year. They are naturally gentle +and tame; as incapable of mischief as they seem to be of good, although +rats are said to avoid their locality. The upper lip is only half +divided; it has two cutting teeth in each jaw, and large and broad ears. +They feed on bread, grain, and vegetables.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_099" id="page_099"></a>{99}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MOUSE_Mus_musculus" id="Illustration_THE_MOUSE_Mus_musculus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 222px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_099_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_099_sml.jpg" width="222" height="178" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MOUSE. (<i>Mus musculus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is a lively, active animal, and the most timid in nature, except +the hare, and a few other defenceless species. Although timid, he eats +in the trap as soon as he is caught; yet he never can be thoroughly +tamed, nor does he betray any affection for his assiduous keeper. He is +beset by a number of enemies, among which are the cat, the hawk, and +owl, the snake, and weasel, and the rat himself, though not unlike the +mouse in his habits and shape. The mouse is one of the most prolific of +animals, sometimes producing seventeen at a birth; but it is supposed +that the life of this small inmate of our habitations does not extend +much further than three years. This creature is known all over the +world, and breeds wherever it finds food and tranquillity. There are +Mice of various colours, but the most common kind is of a dark, +cinereous hue: white mice are not uncommon, particularly in Savoy and +some parts of France.</p> + +<p>A remarkable instance of sagacity in a long-tailed Field Mouse (<i>Mus +sylvaticus</i>) occurred to the Rev. Mr. White, as his people were pulling +off the lining of a hotbed, in order to add some fresh dung. From the +side of this bed something leaped with great agility, that made a most +grotesque appearance, and was not caught without much difficulty. It +proved to be a large Field Mouse, with three or four young ones clinging +to her teats by their mouths and feet. It was amazing that the various<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_100" id="page_100"></a>{100}</span> +and rapid motions of the dam did not oblige her litter to quit their +hold, especially when it appeared that they were so young as to be both +naked and blind. Mr. White appears to be the first to describe and +accurately examine that diminutive creature the Harvest Mouse (<i>Mus +messorius</i>) the least of all the British quadrupeds. He measured some of +them, and found that from the nose to the tail they were two inches and +a quarter long. Two of them in a scale only weighed down one copper +halfpenny, about the third of an ounce avoirdupoise! Their nest is a +great curiosity, being made in the form of a ball, and either suspended +between the stems of rushes and other tall slender plants, or placed +amongst the leaves of some large thistle.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RAT_Mus_decumanus" id="Illustration_THE_RAT_Mus_decumanus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 270px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_100_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_100_sml.jpg" width="270" height="270" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RAT. (<i>Mus decumanus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Rat</span> is about four times as large as the mouse, but of a dusky +colour, with white under the body; his head is longer, his neck shorter, +and his eyes comparatively larger. These animals are so attached to our +dwellings,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_101" id="page_101"></a>{101}</span> that it is almost impossible to destroy the breed, when they +have once taken a liking to any particular place. Their produce is +enormous, as they have from ten to twenty young ones at a litter, and +this thrice a year. Thus their increase is such, that it is possible for +a single pair (supposing food to be sufficiently plentiful, and that +they had no enemies to lessen their numbers) to amount at the end of two +years to upwards of a million; but an insatiable appetite impels them to +destroy each other; the weaker always fall a prey to the stronger; and +the large male Rat, which usually lives by itself, is dreaded by those +of its own species as their most formidable enemy. The Rat is a bold and +fierce little animal, and when closely pursued, will turn and fasten on +its assailant. Its bite is keen, and the wound it inflicts is painful +and difficult to heal, owing to the form of its teeth, which are long, +sharp, and of an irregular form.</p> + +<p>It digs with great facility and vigour, making its way with rapidity +beneath the floors of our houses, between the stones and bricks of +walls, and often excavating the foundations of a dwelling to a dangerous +extent. There are many instances of their totally undermining the most +solid mason-work, or burrowing through dams which had for ages served to +confine the waters of rivers and canals.</p> + +<p>A gentleman, some time ago, travelling through Mecklenburgh, was witness +to a very singular circumstance respecting one of these animals, in the +post-house at New Hargarel. After dinner, the landlord placed on the +floor a large dish of soup, and gave a loud whistle. Immediately there +came into the room a mastiff, an Angora cat, an old raven, and a large +Rat with a bell about its neck. They all four went to the dish, and +without disturbing each other, fed together; after which, the dog, cat, +and Rat lay before the fire, while the raven hopped about the room. The +landlord, after accounting for the familiarity which existed among these +animals, informed his guest that the Rat was the most useful of the +four; for that the noise he made had completely freed the house from the +Rats and mice with which it had been before infested.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_102" id="page_102"></a>{102}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WATER_RAT_Arvicola_amphibia" id="Illustration_THE_WATER_RAT_Arvicola_amphibia"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 360px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_102_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_102_sml.jpg" width="360" height="262" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WATER RAT, (<i>Arvicola amphibia</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Inhabits</span> the banks of rivers and ponds, where he digs holes, always +above the water-mark, and feeds on roots and aquatic plants.</p> + +<p>This animal is nearly as large as the brown Rat, but has a larger head, +a blunter nose, and smaller eyes; its ears are very short, and almost +hidden in the fur, and the tip of its tail is whitish; the cutting-teeth +are of a deep yellow colour in front, very strong, and much resembling +those of the beaver. Its head and back are covered with long black hair, +and its belly with iron gray. Tail more than half the length of the +body, covered with hairs. Fur thick and shining; of a rich reddish +brown, mixed with gray above, yellowish gray beneath. The female +produces a brood of five or six young ones once (and sometimes twice) a +year.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_103" id="page_103"></a>{103}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_LEMMING_Myodes_Lemmus" id="THE_LEMMING_Myodes_Lemmus"></a>THE LEMMING, <i>(Myodes Lemmus</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> is a near relation of the water-rat, and of about the same size, +is covered with fur of a yellowish colour variegated with black. This +animal resides in the mountains of Norway and Sweden, and is remarkable +for performing extraordinary migrations in vast bodies at the approach +of a severe winter, and making their appearance so suddenly and +unexpectedly that people formerly asserted they had fallen from the +clouds. Notwithstanding their supposed celestial origin, they are, +however, very unwelcome visitors, as they devour everything eatable that +comes in their way, and commit devastations almost as serious as those +of the locusts.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_SHORT-TAILED_FIELD-MOUSE_OR_FIELD-VOLE" id="THE_SHORT-TAILED_FIELD-MOUSE_OR_FIELD-VOLE"></a>THE SHORT-TAILED FIELD-MOUSE, OR FIELD-VOLE.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> little animal has most wonderful powers of reproduction, and, as it +is extremely voracious, it often causes an amount of destruction quite +out of proportion to its size and insignificant appearance. It burrows +in the ground, like the lemming and water-rat; and as it gnaws through +the roots of trees that lie in its way, it has been known to cause very +serious loss of property. In the year 1813 such immense numbers of these +creatures were collected in some of the forests of the South of England, +that it was feared all the young trees would be destroyed, and it was +found necessary to organise a war of extermination against the invaders. +It is said that in New Forest alone not less than eighty or a hundred +thousand mice were killed in one season, and the slaughter in other +places was quite as great.</p> + +<p>The Field-Vole’s favourite food is the bark of trees and roots, but, if +pressed by hunger, it will attack and devour its own kind.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_104" id="page_104"></a>{104}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_JERBOA_Dipus_aegyptius" id="Illustration_THE_JERBOA_Dipus_aegyptius"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 241px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_104_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_104_sml.jpg" width="241" height="128" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE JERBOA. (<i>Dipus ægyptius.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> principal peculiarity of this animal consists in its having very +short fore legs, and very long hinder ones: a bird divested of its +feathers and wings, and jumping upon its legs, would give us the nearest +resemblance to the figure of a Jerboa when pursued. It uses, however, +all its four feet upon ordinary occasions, and it is only when pursued +that it presses its fore feet close to its body, and leaps on its hind +ones. The ancients called it the two-footed rat. This creature is about +the size of a rat; the head resembles that of a rabbit, with long +whiskers; the tail is ten inches long, and terminated by a tuft of black +hair. The fur of the body is tawny, except the breast and throat, and +part of the belly, which are white. The Jerboa is very active and +lively, and jumps and springs, when pursued, six or seven feet from the +ground, with the assistance of its tail; but if this useful member be in +any manner injured, the activity of the Jerboa is proportionately +diminished; and one which had been accidentally deprived of its tail, +was found unable to leap at all. It burrows like the rabbit, and feeds +like the squirrel: it is a native of Egypt and the adjacent countries, +and is also found in eastern Europe.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_105" id="page_105"></a>{105}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CHINCHILLA_Chinchilla_lanigera" id="Illustration_THE_CHINCHILLA_Chinchilla_lanigera"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 232px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_105_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_105_sml.jpg" width="232" height="153" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CHINCHILLA. (<i>Chinchilla lanigera.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Chinchilla</span> is a native of America, and its coat produces the +beautiful fur known by its name. The length of the body of this little +animal is about nine inches, and its tail nearly five; its limbs are +comparatively short, the hind legs being much the longest. The fur is of +a remarkably close and fine texture, somewhat crisped, and entangled +together; of a grayish or ash colour above, and paler beneath. It is +used for muffs, tippets, and linings of cloaks, and is perhaps prettier +than the Sable, although less durable, and less valuable in commerce, +excepting when fashion rules. The form of the head resembles that of the +rabbit; the eyes are full, large, and black; and the ears broad, naked, +round at the tips, and nearly as long as the head. The whiskers are +plentiful and strong, the longest being twice as long as the head, some +of them black, others white. Four short toes, with an appearance of a +thumb, terminate the fore feet; the hinder have the same number of toes, +but have less the appearance of hands: on all the claws are short, and +nearly hidden by tufts of bristly hairs. The tail is about half the +length of the body, of equal thickness throughout, and covered with long +bushy hairs. It resembles in some degree the jerboa, and takes its food, +like that animal, in its fore paws, sitting on its haunches. The temper +of the Chinchilla is mild and tractable. It dwells in burrows under +ground, and produces young twice a year, bringing forth five or six at a +time. It feeds upon the roots of bulbous plants.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_106" id="page_106"></a>{106}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PORCUPINE_Hystrix_cristata" id="Illustration_THE_PORCUPINE_Hystrix_cristata"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 216px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_106_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_106_sml.jpg" width="216" height="165" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PORCUPINE. (<i>Hystrix cristata.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">When</span> full grown this animal measures about two feet in length, and his +body is covered with hair and sharp quills, from ten to fourteen inches +long, and bent backwards. When he is irritated, they stand erect; but +the story that the Porcupine can shoot them at his enemies, is only one +of the many fables formerly related as facts in Natural History. The +female has only one young one at a time. It is reported to live from +twelve to fifteen years. The Porcupine is dull, fretful, and +inoffensive; it feeds upon fruits, roots, and vegetables; and inhabits +the south of Europe, and almost every part of Africa, particularly +Barbary.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_COUENDOU_Hystrix_or_Synetheres_prehensilis" id="THE_COUENDOU_Hystrix_or_Synetheres_prehensilis"></a>THE COUENDOU, (<i>Hystrix</i>, or <i>Synetheres prehensilis</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> is also called the Brazilian Porcupine, is chiefly found in +Guiana, and differs from the common Porcupine, not only in the shortness +of its spines, but also in the great length of its tail. This organ, +which is a mere stump in the common species, and only of use to him by +producing a rattling of its spines when shaken, in which he seems to +take great delight, is nearly as long as the body in the Couendou, and +as its extremity is nearly naked, and can be curled up very tightly, the +animal makes use of it to cling to the branches of trees, amongst which +he is fond of climbing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_107" id="page_107"></a>{107}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="VI_Edentata_or_Toothless_Animals" id="VI_Edentata_or_Toothless_Animals"></a>§ VI.—<i>Edentata, or Toothless Animals.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SLOTH_Bradypus_tridactylus" id="Illustration_THE_SLOTH_Bradypus_tridactylus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 239px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_107_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_107_sml.jpg" width="239" height="200" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SLOTH. (<i>Bradypus tridactylus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal, which is sometimes also called the Ai, in reference to a +noise it makes when caught, and frequently when moving through the +forest, is most curiously formed. The arms or fore legs are nearly twice +as long as the hind legs: the claws also are larger than the foot, and +bent inwardly, so as to prevent the animal from placing the ball of its +foot on the ground. From these peculiarities in its construction the +progress of the Sloth on land is extremely slow and laborious, for being +incapable of supporting himself on his feet, he is compelled to take +advantage of every little inequality in the ground to drag himself +along; but he is not intended to be a terrestrial animal. He lives in +trees, always hanging below the branch, with its back to the ground; and +for a life of this kind, its long arms and hooked claws are admirably +adapted. Mr. Waterton, whose long residence in the wilds of South +America, and whose habits of close observation, render him an excellent +authority, observes, that when the Sloth travels from branch to branch +of the tree which it inhabits, particularly<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_108" id="page_108"></a>{108}</span> in windy weather, it moves +with such rapidity as to make it quite a misnomer to call it a Sloth. +“The Sloth,” says Mr. Waterton, “in its wild state, spends its whole +life in the trees, and never leaves them, but through force or accident; +and what is more extraordinary, not <i>upon</i> the branches, like the +squirrel and monkey, <i>but under them</i>. He moves suspended from the +branch, he rests suspended from the branch, and he sleeps suspended from +the branch. Hence his seemingly bungled composition is at once accounted +for; and in lieu of the Sloth leading a painful life, and entailing a +melancholy existence upon its progeny, it is but fair to conclude, that +it enjoys life just as much as any other animal, and that its +extraordinary formation and singular habits are but further proofs to +engage us to admire the wonderful works of Omnipotence.”</p> + +<p>The common Sloth has always three toes; but there is another kind, +called the Unau, which has only two toes, and much shorter fore legs.</p> + +<p>The female Sloth has only one young one at a time, which hangs to her +breast, and makes a kind of cradle of her body, during her journeys from +branch to branch; in fact, it appears never to quit her, till it is able +to provide for itself. When hanging from the branch, she hides her young +one in her thick, matted hair, which resembles in texture and appearance +dry withered grass, and, indeed, is so like the rough bark and moss on +old trees, as to render the animal scarcely distinguishable. It was +formerly asserted, when the Sloth has got possession of a tree, it will +not descend while a leaf or bud is remaining; and, that in order to +obviate the necessity of a slow and laborious descent, it suffers itself +to fall to the ground; the toughness of its skin and the thickness of +its hair securing it from any unpleasant consequences. This, however, +like many other statements regarding this much maligned animal, is +erroneous; in the dense tropical forests which he inhabits the Sloth has +rarely any occasion to descend to the earth; but he takes advantage of a +windy night, when the branches of the trees become interlaced, to make +his way with great ease from one place to another.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_109" id="page_109"></a>{109}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ARMADILLO_Dasypus_sexcinctus" id="Illustration_THE_ARMADILLO_Dasypus_sexcinctus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 228px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_109_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_109_sml.jpg" width="228" height="123" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ARMADILLO. (<i>Dasypus sexcinctus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Nature</span> seems to have been singularly careful in the preservation of this +animal, for she has surrounded it with a strong coat of armour to +protect it from its enemies. When closely pursued, it assumes the shape +of a ball; and, if near a precipice, rolls from one rock to another, and +escapes without receiving any injury. The shell, which covers the whole +of the body, is composed of numerous bony plates, very hard, and of a +square shape, united by a kind of cartilaginous substance, which gives +flexibility to the whole. The Armadillo lives principally on roots, +carrion, and ants; and in a wild state resides in subterranean burrows, +like the rabbit. It is a native of South America. There are several +species differing chiefly in the number of their bands. When naturalists +wish to obtain a specimen of the Armadillo in its native country, they +are obliged to employ an Indian to dig one out of its hole; and as the +holes are almost innumerable, only a few of them containing Armadillos, +the Indians try them first by putting a stick down, when, if a number of +musquitos rise, the Indians know the hole contains an Armadillo, as, if +there were none, there would be no musquitos.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_110" id="page_110"></a>{110}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GREAT_ANT-EATER_Myrmecophaga_jubata" id="Illustration_THE_GREAT_ANT-EATER_Myrmecophaga_jubata"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_110_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_110_sml.jpg" width="268" height="140" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GREAT ANT-EATER. (<i>Myrmecophaga jubata.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> body of the Great Ant-eater is covered with exceedingly coarse and +shaggy hair. Its head is very long and slender, and the mouth but just +large enough to admit its tongue, which is cylindrical, nearly two feet +in length, and lies folded double within it. The tail is of enormous +size, and covered with long black hair, somewhat like the tail of a +horse. The whole length of the animal, from the end of the snout to the +tip of the tail, is sometimes seven or eight feet. Its food consists +principally of ants, which it obtains in the following manner:—When it +comes to an ant-hill, it scratches it up with its long claws, and then +unfolds its slender tongue, which much resembles an enormously long +worm. This being covered with a glutinous matter or saliva, the ants +adhere to it in great numbers: these it swallows alive, repeating the +operation till no more are to be caught.</p> + +<p>He also tears up the nests of wood-lice, which it in like manner +discovers; but should it meet with little success in its pursuit of +food, it is able to fast for a considerable time without inconvenience. +The motions of the Ant-eater are in general very slow. It swims, +however, over great rivers with ease; and, on these occasions, its tail +is always thrown over its back. With this extraordinary member, when +asleep, or during heavy showers of rain, the animal is also said to +cover its back; but at other times he carries it extended behind him. +The Ant-eater is a native of South America.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_111" id="page_111"></a>{111}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_DUCK-BILLED_PLATYPUS_OR_WATER_MOLE" id="Illustration_THE_DUCK-BILLED_PLATYPUS_OR_WATER_MOLE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 280px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_111_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_111_sml.jpg" width="280" height="191" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS, OR WATER MOLE.<br /> +(<i>Ornithorhynchus paradoxus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> extraordinary creature has the bill and webbed feet of a duck, +united to the body of a mole. It is a native of Australia, where it is +found on the banks of rivers, in the sides of which it burrows and forms +its nest. It feeds on aquatic insects and small molluscous animals, +always, however, rejecting the shells of the latter, after crushing them +in its mouth, so as to extract the body. A number of these animals are +always found together; but it is very difficult to watch their habits, +as their sense of hearing is so acute, that they disappear at the +slightest noise, plunging into the water, in which they swim so low, +that they only look like a mass of weeds floating on the surface.</p> + +<p>When the animal feeds, he plunges his beak into the mud, just like a +duck; and appears to be equally at home on land and in water. Two young +ones that were kept for some time at Sydney, by Mr. Bennet, were very +fond of rolling themselves up like a hedgehog, in the form of balls. +They often slept in this position, and “awful little growls” issued from +them when disturbed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_112" id="page_112"></a>{112}</span> They were fed with worms, and bread and milk; but +captivity did not seem to agree with them, and they soon died. They +dressed their fur by combing it with their feet, and pecking at it with +their beaks, seeming to take great delight in keeping it smooth and +clean.</p> + +<p>The shape of this animal is so extraordinary, that when a specimen was +first sent to Europe, it was supposed to have been manufactured, by +fixing the beak of a duck into the head of some small quadruped, with +the intention to deceive. Subsequent experience has proved, beyond the +possibility of a doubt, the existence of the animal, without in the +smallest degree diminishing the wonder excited by its first appearance, +as it seems to partake, in almost equal parts, of the nature of +quadrupeds, birds, and reptiles.</p> + +<p>The Australian Hedgehog (<i>Echidna hystrix</i>), has a long and very slender +muzzle, at the end of which is a very small mouth, containing a long +tongue, which the creature can extend at pleasure. The body is short and +rounded: it is covered with strong sharp spines mixed with hair; and its +tail is so short that it was at first doubted whether it had one. The +male has a spur upon each hind leg, which was long supposed, but it +seems erroneously, to possess venomous properties. Both the Platypus and +the Australian Hedgehog, although arranged here with the toothless +quadrupeds, are generally considered by zoologists to be most closely +related to the Marsupials, or Pouched Mammalia.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_113" id="page_113"></a>{113}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="VII_Pachydermata_or_Thick-skinned_Animals" id="VII_Pachydermata_or_Thick-skinned_Animals"></a>§ VII.—<i>Pachydermata, or Thick-skinned Animals.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ELEPHANT_Elephas_indicus" id="Illustration_THE_ELEPHANT_Elephas_indicus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 323px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_113_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_113_sml.jpg" width="323" height="270" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ELEPHANT. (<i>Elephas indicus.</i>)</p><p>THE ELEPHANT. (<i>Elephas indicus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Providence</span>, always impartial in the distribution of its gifts, has given +this bulky quadruped a quick instinct nearly approaching to reason, in +compensation for the uncouthness of his body. The Ceylon Elephant is +about ten or twelve feet high, and is much the largest of all living +quadrupeds. His skin is in general a mouse colour, but is sometimes +white and sometimes black. His eyes are rather small for the size of his +head, and his ears, which are very expanded and of a peculiar shape, +have the flaps hanging down, instead of standing up, as in most +quadrupeds. The Elephant is a gregarious animal in his wild state, and +when domesticated is susceptible of attachment and gratitude, as well as +of anger and revenge. Several anecdotes are related<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_114" id="page_114"></a>{114}</span> of his quick +apprehension, and particularly of his vindictive treatment of those who +have either scoffed at or abused him. To disappoint him is dangerous, as +he seldom fails to be revenged. The following instance is given as a +fact, and deserves to be recorded:—An Elephant, disappointed of his +reward, out of revenge, killed his governor. The poor man’s wife, who +beheld the dreadful scene, took her two children and thrust them towards +the enraged animal, saying, “Since you have slain my husband, take my +life also, as well as those of my children!” The Elephant instantly +stopped, relented, and, as if stung with remorse, took the eldest boy in +his trunk, placed him on his neck, adopted him for his governor, and +would never afterwards allow any other person to mount him.</p> + +<p>The Elephant’s mouth is armed with broad and strong grinding teeth, and +two large tusks, which measure sometimes nine or ten feet, and from +which the finest ivory is produced. The ivory from the tusks of the +female is thought the best, as the tooth, being smaller, admits less +porosity in the cellular part of the mass.</p> + +<p>Becoming tame under the mild treatment of a good master, the Elephant is +not only a most useful servant, for the purposes of state or war, but is +also of great assistance in taming the wild ones that have been recently +caught. Indian superstition has paid great honours to the white race of +this quadruped; and the island of Ceylon is supposed to breed the finest +of the kind. This immense beast, by the wisdom of Providence, has not +been placed among the carnivorous animals: and vegetable food being much +more abundant than animal, he is destined to live on grass and the +tender shoots of trees. This noble creature bears in state on his back +the potentates of the East, and seems to delight in pompous pageantry: +in war he carries a tower filled with archers; and in peace lends his +assistance in domestic operations. The female is said to go a year with +young, and to bring forth one at a time. The Elephant lives a hundred +and twenty or a hundred and thirty years, though they have been known to +live to the great age of four hundred. When Alexander the Great had +conquered Porus, King<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_115" id="page_115"></a>{115}</span> of India, he took a large Elephant which had +fought very valiantly for the king, and naming him Ajax, dedicated him +to the sun, and then let him loose with this inscription:—“Alexander, +the son of Jupiter, hath dedicated Ajax to the sun.” This Elephant was +found with this inscription 350 years after.</p> + +<p>The greatest wonder the Elephant presents to the admiration of the +intelligent observer of nature is his <i>proboscis</i>, or trunk, which +attains a length of six or eight feet, and is so flexible that he uses +it almost as dexterously as a man does his hand. It was erroneously +said, that the Elephant could receive nourishment through his trunk; +this sort of pipe is nothing but a prolongation of the snout, for the +purpose of breathing, into which the animal can by the strength of his +lungs draw up a great quantity of water or other liquid, which he spouts +out again, or brings back to his mouth by inverting and shortening his +proboscis for this purpose.</p> + +<p>Captain Marryat, in his very entertaining work called <i>Masterman Ready</i>, +relates a curious instance of the sagacity of an Elephant in India, +which had fallen into a deep tank. The tank was so deep that it was +impossible to hoist the Elephant up, but when the people threw down +several bundles of faggots, the sagacious animal laid one bundle above +another, always standing on each tier as he arranged it, till at last he +raised the pile high enough to allow him to walk out of the tank. But +instances of the sagacity of this noble creature might be cited <i>ad +infinitum</i>. In the East, where they are made available in the service of +man, they will load a boat with singular dexterity, carefully keeping +every article dry, and disposing and balancing the cargo with the utmost +precision.</p> + +<p>Its strength is proportionate to its bulk: it will carry three or four +thousand pounds weight on its back, and upwards of a thousand pounds on +its tusks.</p> + +<p>The African Elephant is a distinct species (<i>E. africanus</i>) readily +distinguished from his Asiatic brother, by the enormous size of his +flapping ears. He is abundant in the southern part of Africa and is +killed annually in great numbers for the sake of his tusks.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_116" id="page_116"></a>{116}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HIPPOPOTAMUS_OR_RIVER-HORSE" id="Illustration_THE_HIPPOPOTAMUS_OR_RIVER-HORSE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 325px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_116_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_116_sml.jpg" width="325" height="248" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HIPPOPOTAMUS, OR RIVER-HORSE.<br /><br /> +(<i>Hippopotamus amphibius.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal lives as well on land as in water, and yields in size to +none but the elephant: he weighs sometimes more than fifteen hundred +pounds. His skin is naked, and of a blackish brown colour, tinged with +red about the muzzle and on the lower surface of the body. The head is +flattish on the top, about four feet long and nine in circumference; the +lips are large, the jaws open about two feet wide, and the +cutting-teeth, of which it has four in each jaw, are nearly a foot long; +he has broad ears, and large eyes, a thick neck, and a short tail, +tapering like that of a hog. He grazes and eats the leaves and young +branches of trees on shore, but retires to the water if pursued, and +will sink down to the bottom, where he can remain five or six minutes at +a time. When he rises to the surface and remains with his head out of +the water, he makes a bellowing noise which may be heard at a great +distance. The female brings forth her young upon land, and it is +supposed that she seldom produces more than one at a time. The calf at +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_117" id="page_117"></a>{117}</span> instant that it comes into the world, flies to the water for +shelter, if pursued; a circumstance which has been noticed as a +remarkable instance of pure instinct. Fine specimens of this remarkable +animal are to be seen in the Zoological Gardens in London; and in Paris +they have been known to breed twice, but on both occasions the mother +destroyed her offspring, either intentionally or by accident. The +Hippopotamus is supposed to be the Behemoth of the Scripture. See Job, +chap. xl.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_INDIAN_RHINOCEROS_Rhinoceros_unicornis" id="Illustration_THE_INDIAN_RHINOCEROS_Rhinoceros_unicornis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 310px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_117_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_117_sml.jpg" width="310" height="253" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE INDIAN RHINOCEROS, (<i>Rhinoceros unicornis</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">So</span> called because of the horn on his nose, is bred in India, is of a +dark slate-colour, and nearly as large as the elephant, as he measures +about twelve feet in length, but has short legs. His skin, which is not +penetrable by any ordinary weapon, is folded upon his body, in the +manner represented in the figure above; his eyes are small and half +closed, and the horn on his nose is attached to the skin only. In +confinement he often wears it to a mere stump, by rubbing it against his +crib. He is perfectly indocile and untractable; a natural<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_118" id="page_118"></a>{118}</span> enemy to the +elephant, to whom he often gives battle, and is said never to go out of +his way, but to endeavour to destroy whatever obstacles present +themselves, rather than turn about. He lives on the coarsest vegetables, +and frequents the banks of rivers, and marshy grounds; his hoofs are +divided into four, and he grunts like a hog, which he resembles in many +other particulars. The female produces but one at a time, and during the +first month her young are not bigger than a large dog. The Rhinoceros is +supposed by some to be the Unicorn of holy writ, and possesses all the +properties ascribed to that animal,—rage, untamableness, great +swiftness, and immense strength. It was known to the Romans in very +early times. Augustus introduced one into the shows, on his triumph over +Cleopatra. Some Rhinoceroses have two horns.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COMMON_OR_DOMESTIC_HOG_Sus_scrofa" id="Illustration_THE_COMMON_OR_DOMESTIC_HOG_Sus_scrofa"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 291px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_118_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_118_sml.jpg" width="291" height="271" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COMMON OR DOMESTIC HOG, (<i>Sus scrofa</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Differs</span> chiefly from the wild animal in having smaller tusks, and large +and pendant ears. Of all domestic<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_119" id="page_119"></a>{119}</span> quadrupeds this is the most filthy +and impure. Its form is clumsy and unsightly, and its appetite +gluttonous and excessive. Nature, however, has fitted its stomach to +receive nutriment from a variety of things that would be otherwise +wasted, as the refuse of the field, the garden, and the kitchen, afford +it a luxurious repast. The Hog is naturally stupid, inactive, and +drowsy; much inclined to increase in fat, which is disposed in a +different manner from that of other animals, forming a thick, distinct, +and regular layer between the flesh and skin. Their flesh, Linnæus +observes, is a wholesome food for those that use much exercise, but +improper for such as lead a sedentary life. It is of great importance to +this country, as a naval and commercial nation, for it salts better than +any other flesh, and is capable of being longer preserved.</p> + +<p>The domestic Sow brings forth twice a year, producing from ten to twenty +at a litter. She goes four months with young, and brings forth in the +fifth. At that time she must be carefully watched, to prevent her from +devouring her young. Still greater attention is necessary to keep off +the male, as he would destroy the whole litter. Jews and Mahommetans not +only abstain from the flesh of swine from a religious principle, but +consider themselves defiled by even touching it.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 329px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_119_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_119_sml.jpg" width="329" height="201" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_120" id="page_120"></a>{120}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WILD_BOAR_Sus_scrofa" id="Illustration_THE_WILD_BOAR_Sus_scrofa"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_120_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_120_sml.jpg" width="262" height="146" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WILD BOAR, (<i>Sus scrofa</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Inhabits</span>, for the most part, marshes and woods, and is of a black or +brown colour: his flesh is very tender and good for food. The Wild Boar +has tusks, which are sometimes nearly a foot in length, and have often +proved dangerous to men, as well as to dogs in the chase. His life is +confined to about thirty years; his food consists of vegetables; but +when pressed by hunger, he devours animal flesh. This creature is strong +and fierce, and undauntedly turns against his pursuers. To hunt him is +one of the principal amusements of the grandees in those countries where +he is to be found. The dogs provided for this sport are of the slow, +heavy kind. Those used for hunting the stag, or the roebuck, would be +very improper, as they would too soon come up with their prey, and, +instead of a chase, would only furnish an engagement. Small mastiffs are +therefore chosen; nor do the hunters much regard the goodness of their +nose, as the Wild Boar leaves so strong a scent that it is impossible +for them to mistake his course. They never hunt any but the largest and +the oldest, which are known by their tusks. When the boar is <i>reared</i>, +as is the expression for driving him from his covert, he goes slowly and +sullenly forward, without any indication of fear, not very far before +his pursuers. At the end of every half-mile, or thereabouts, he turns +round, stops till the hounds come up, and offers to attack them. These, +on the other hand, knowing their danger, keep off and bay him at a +distance. After they have for a while gazed upon each other, with mutual +animosity, the Boar again<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_121" id="page_121"></a>{121}</span> slowly goes on his course, and the dogs renew +the pursuit. In this manner the charge is sustained, and the chase +continues, till the Boar is quite tired, and refuses to go any further. +The dogs then attempt to close in upon him from behind; those which are +young, fierce, and unaccustomed to the chase, are generally the +foremost, and often lose their lives by their ardour. Those which are +older, and better trained, are content to wait until the hunters come +up, who despatch him with their spears.</p> + +<p>In former times, the Wild Boar was a native of Britain, as appears from +the laws of the Welsh prince, Howell the Good, who permitted his grand +huntsman to chase that animal from the middle of November to the +beginning of December; and in the reign of William the Conqueror, those +who were convicted of killing the Wild Boars, in any of the royal +forests, were punished with the loss of their eyes. Our domestic pigs +are descended from the wild race; but the tame Boar has two tusks, +smaller than those of the wild ones, and the sow has none.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 357px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_121_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_121_sml.jpg" width="357" height="300" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_122" id="page_122"></a>{122}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BABIROUSSA_Babirussa_alfurus" id="Illustration_THE_BABIROUSSA_Babirussa_alfurus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 278px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_122_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_122_sml.jpg" width="278" height="178" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BABIROUSSA, (<i>Babirussa alfurus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a singular species of hog, which dwells in many of the islands of the +eastern Archipelago. His four tusks are of enormous size, especially +those of the upper jaw, which are turned completely upwards and bent +back, like horns, towards the forehead, which they sometimes even touch. +These singular tusks are only found in the male; they do not seem, from +their construction, to be of much use to him as weapons; and it was +formerly supposed that he employed them as hooks to hang himself up to +the branch of a tree for his night’s rest.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_PECCARY_Dicotyles_labiatus" id="THE_PECCARY_Dicotyles_labiatus"></a>THE PECCARY. (<i>Dicotyles labiatus.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is a little species of pig, of a brown colour, with pale lips, +which is found in great troops in the forests of South America. These +bands of Peccaries are said to travel from place to place under the +guidance of a sort of chief, who places himself at the head of his troop +and marches forward in a direct line, swimming boldly over the rivers, +and often devastating the plantations. When one of these troops meets +with any unusual object, they all stop to examine it, making a dreadful +clattering with their teeth, which they are quite ready to use in their +own defence, and will soon tear an assailant to pieces, unless he can +succeed in climbing up into a tree.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_123" id="page_123"></a>{123}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TAPIR_Tapirus_americanus" id="Illustration_THE_TAPIR_Tapirus_americanus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 275px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_123_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_123_sml.jpg" width="275" height="212" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TAPIR. (<i>Tapirus americanus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal bears considerable resemblance to the wild boar, but is +without tusks, and has its snout prolonged into a small fleshy +proboscis, or trunk. This trunk, however, has not the flexibility of +that of the elephant, and is incapable of holding anything. The colour +of the Tapir is of a deep brown, and the male has a small mane on the +upper part of his neck. It stands about three feet and a half high, and +measures nearly six feet in length. It lies in thickets, the thorny +branches of which cannot affect it from the thickness of its skin, while +they lacerate the skins of its pursuers. Its favourite food is the +water-melon. It is generally found alone, and always roams in search of +food at night; and it is easily tamed if taken young. It possesses the +same power of remaining under water as the hippopotamus, and when it +enters a pond, can descend to the bottom, and remain there five or six +minutes.</p> + +<p>The Malayan Tapir (<i>T. malayanus</i>), is very similar to the American +species in form; but is larger and has no mane. It is very remarkable +for the distribution of its colours, the anterior part and the legs +being deep black, and the rump, back, and sides, white. This animal is +found chiefly in Sumatra and Borneo.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_124" id="page_124"></a>{124}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HORSE_Equus_caballus" id="Illustration_THE_HORSE_Equus_caballus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 313px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_124_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_124_sml.jpg" width="313" height="264" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HORSE. (<i>Equus caballus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> noblest conquest that man ever made over the brute creation was the +taming of the Horse, and adapting him to his service. He lessens the +labours of man and adds to his pleasures: shares, with equal docility +and cheerfulness, the fatigues of hunting or the dangers of war; and +draws with appropriate strength, rapidity, or grace, the heavy ploughs +and carts of the husbandman, the light vehicles of the fashionable, and +the stately carriages of the aristocratic.</p> + +<p>The Horse is now bred in most parts of the world: those of Arabia, +Turkey, and Persia are accounted better proportioned than many others; +but the English Race-Horse may justly claim the precedence over all the +other European breeds, and is not inferior to any in strength and +symmetry.</p> + +<p>The beautiful Horses produced in Arabia are in general of a brown +colour; their mane and tail are very short, with the hair black and +tufted. The Arabs, for the most part, use the Mares in their ordinary +excursions; experience having taught them that they are less vicious +than the males, and more capable of sustaining abstinence and fatigue. +As the Arabs have no other<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_125" id="page_125"></a>{125}</span> residence than a tent, this also serves for +a stable; the husband, the wife, the child, the mare, and the foal, lie +together indiscriminately, and the younger branches of the family may be +often seen embracing the neck, or reposing on the body of the Mare, +without any idea of fear or danger.</p> + +<p>Of the remarkable attachment which the Arabs have to these animals, St. +Pierre has given an affecting instance in his Studies of Nature.—“The +whole stock of a poor Arabian of the desert consisted of a beautiful +Mare: this the French consul at Said offered to purchase, with an +intention to send her to Louis XIV. The Arab, pressed by want, hesitated +a long time, but at length consented, on condition of receiving a very +considerable sum of money, which he named. The consul wrote to France +for permission to close the bargain; and having obtained it, sent the +information to the Arab. The man, so indigent as to possess only a +miserable covering for his body, arrived with his magnificent courser: +he dismounted, and first looking at the gold, then steadfastly at his +Mare, heaved a sigh, ‘To whom is it,’ exclaimed he, ‘that I am going to +yield thee up? To Europeans? who will tie thee close, who will beat +thee, who will render thee miserable! Return with me, my beauty, my +jewel! and rejoice the hearts of my children:’ as he pronounced the last +words, he sprung upon her back, and was out of sight almost in a +moment.”</p> + +<p>The intelligence of the Horse is next to that of the elephant, and he +obeys his rider with so much punctuality and understanding, that the +Americans, who had never seen a man on horseback, thought, at first, +that the Spaniards were a kind of centaurs, half men and half horses. +The Horse, in a domestic state seldom lives longer than twenty years; +but it is supposed that in a wild state he attains a much greater age. +The Mare is as elegant in her shape as the Horse; and her young is +called a foal. The age of the Horse is known from his teeth; and his +colour, which varies from black to white, and from the darkest brown to +a light hazel tint, has been reckoned a criterion by which to judge of +his strength.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_126" id="page_126"></a>{126}</span></p> + +<p>The Horse feeds upon grass, either fresh or dry, and corn: he is liable +to many diseases, and often dies suddenly. In the state of nature, he is +a gregarious animal, and even when domesticated, his debased situation +of slavery has not entirely destroyed his love of society and +friendship; for Horses have been known to pine at the loss of their +masters, their stable fellows, and even at the death of a dog which had +been bred near the manger. Virgil, in his beautiful description of this +noble animal, seems to have imitated Job:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The fiery courser, when he hears from far<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The sprightly trumpets, and the shouts of war,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Pricks up his ears, and trembling with delight,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Shifts place, and paws, and hopes the promised fight.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">On his right shoulder his thick mane reclined,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His horny hoofs are jetty black and round,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His chine is double; starting with a bound,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He turns the turf and shakes the solid ground.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Fire from his eyes, clouds from his nostrils flow;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He bears his rider headlong on the foe.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 387px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_126_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_126_sml.jpg" width="387" height="291" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_127" id="page_127"></a>{127}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ASS_Equus_Asinus" id="Illustration_THE_ASS_Equus_Asinus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 322px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_127_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_127_sml.jpg" width="322" height="262" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ASS. (<i>Equus Asinus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Ass is a beast of burden, and extremely serviceable to man. Of +greater strength than most animals of his size, he bears fatigue with +patience, and hunger with apparent cheerfulness. A bundle of dried +herbs, or a thistle on the road, is sufficient for his daily meal, and +he is content with the clear and pure water of a neighbouring brook (in +the choice of which he is particularly nice) in the absence of better +fare. It is probable that the Ass was originally a native of Arabia, and +other parts of the East: the deserts of Libya and Numidia, and many +parts of the Archipelago, contain vast herds of wild Asses, which run +with such amazing swiftness, that even the fleetest horses of the +country can hardly overtake them. At present, perhaps, the best breed in +Europe is the Spanish; and very valuable Asses are still to be had in +the southern continent of America, where, during the existence of the +Spanish dominion, the breed<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_128" id="page_128"></a>{128}</span> was very carefully attended to. In the time +of Elizabeth, we are informed, there were no Asses in this country. Our +treatment of this very useful animal is both wanton and cruel, and most +ungrateful, considering the great services he renders us at so little +expense. The ears of the Ass are of an uncommon length; and he is of a +greyish or dun colour, with a black cross on his back and shoulders. +When very young, the Ass is sprightly, and even tolerably handsome; but +he soon loses these qualifications, either by age or ill-treatment, and +becomes slow, sullen, and headstrong. The female is passionately fond of +her young one; and it is said she will even cross fire and water to +protect or rejoin it. The Ass is also sometimes greatly attached to its +owner, whom he scents at a distance, and plainly distinguishes from +others in a crowd.</p> + +<p>The female goes with young eleven months, and seldom produces more than +one foal at a time: the teeth follow the same order of appearance and +renewal as those of the horse. Asses’ milk has long been celebrated for +its sanative qualities; invalids suffering from debility of the +digestive and assimilative functions make use of it with great +advantage; and to those also who are consumptive it is very generally +recommended.</p> + +<p>An old man who, a few years ago, sold vegetables in London, used in his +employment an Ass, which conveyed his baskets from door to door. +Frequently he gave the poor industrious creature a handful of hay, or +some pieces of bread, or greens, by way of refreshment or reward. The +old man had no need of any goad for the animal, and seldom, indeed, had +he to lift up his hand to drive it on. His kind treatment was one day +remarked to him, and he was asked if his beast was apt to be stubborn? +“Ah! master,” replied he, “it is of no use to be cruel, and as for +stubbornness, I cannot complain; for he is ready to do anything and go +anywhere. I bred him myself. He is sometimes skittish and playful, and +once ran away from me; you will hardly believe it, but there were more +than fifty people after him, attempting in vain to stop him; yet he +turned back of himself,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_129" id="page_129"></a>{129}</span> and he never stopped till he ran his head +kindly into my bosom.”</p> + +<p>The ancients had a great regard for this animal. The Romans had a breed +which they held in such high estimation, that Pliny mentions one of the +males selling for a price greater than three thousand pounds of our +money; and he says that in Celtiberia, a province in Spain, a she Ass +had colts that were bought for nearly the same sum. The Ass lives nearly +to the same age as the horse. From the general resemblance between the +Ass and the horse, it might naturally be supposed that they were closely +allied, and that one had degenerated; they are, however, perfectly +distinct. There is that inseparable barrier placed between them which +nature provides for the protection and preservation of her productions; +their mutual offspring, the mule, being incapable of reproducing its +kind.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 374px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_129_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_129_sml.jpg" width="374" height="260" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_130" id="page_130"></a>{130}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MULE" id="Illustration_THE_MULE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 232px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_130_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_130_sml.jpg" width="232" height="175" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MULE.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> useful and hardy animal is the offspring of the horse and the ass, +and partakes of the good qualities of both. The common Mule is very +healthy, and will live above thirty years. The size and strength of our +breed have been much improved by the importation of Spanish male asses; +and it is much to be wished that the useful qualities of this animal +were more attended to; for, by proper care in its breaking, its natural +obstinacy would in a great measure be corrected; and it might be formed +with success for the saddle, the draught, or the burden. People of the +first quality are drawn by Mules in Spain, where fifty and sixty guineas +is no uncommon price for them; nor is it surprising, when we consider +how far they excel the horse in travelling in a mountainous country, the +Mule being able to tread securely where the former can hardly stand. It +is much less dainty in its food than the horse, and not so liable to +disease; and has been known to go a distance of eighty or a hundred +miles in one day, with a heavy weight on its back, without much +fatigue.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_131" id="page_131"></a>{131}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_KIANG_Equus_Hemionus" id="Illustration_THE_KIANG_Equus_Hemionus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 369px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_131_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_131_sml.jpg" width="369" height="277" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE KIANG. (<i>Equus Hemionus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Kiang, which is also called the Djiggetai, is a kind of wild ass, +found in small herds on the great plains of Central Asia. It is a good +deal larger than the common ass, and its fur is of a peculiar pale +reddish chestnut tint, except on the legs and muzzle, which are nearly +white. The ears are not so long as in the ass, and there is a black +streak down the middle of the back.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_132" id="page_132"></a>{132}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ZEBRA_Equus_Zebra" id="Illustration_THE_ZEBRA_Equus_Zebra"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 330px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_132_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_132_sml.jpg" width="330" height="272" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ZEBRA. (<i>Equus Zebra.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is one of the most elegantly marked quadrupeds in nature. He is +striped all over with the most pleasing regularity; in size he resembles +the mule, being smaller than the horse, and larger than the ass. The +hair of his skin is uncommonly smooth, and he looks at a distance like +an animal that some fanciful hand has surrounded with ribbons of white +or buff, and jet black. He is a native of Southern Africa—chiefly of +the Cape of Good Hope, where he resides amongst the mountains. In these +solitudes the Zebra has nothing to restrain his liberty. He is too shy +to be caught in traps, and therefore seldom taken alive. Were the Zebra +inured to our climate, there is little doubt but he might be soon +domesticated. The black cross which the ass bears on his back and +shoulders indicates the affinity between these two animals. The Zebra +feeds in the same manner as the horse, ass, and mule; and seems to +delight<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_133" id="page_133"></a>{133}</span> in having clean straw and dried leaves to sleep upon. His voice +can hardly be described; it is thought by some persons to have a +distinct resemblance to the sound of a post-horn, and is more frequently +exerted when the animal is alone than at other times. In former times, +Zebras were often sent as presents to the oriental princes. A governor +of Batavia is said to have given one to the emperor of Japan, for which +he received as an equivalent a present to the value of sixty thousand +crowns; and Teller informs us, that the Great Mogul gave two thousand +ducats for one of these animals. It is usual with the African +ambassadors to the court of Constantinople to bring Zebras with them as +presents for the Grand Seignior. In a wild state they live in herds, and +can only be tamed when taken young, or bred in captivity.</p> + +<p>Another kind of Zebra (<i>Equus Burchellii</i>) inhabits the plains of +Southern Africa; it is known as the Zebra of the plains, and is also +called Burchell’s Zebra, after the distinguished African traveller. This +Zebra is less beautifully marked than the mountain species.</p> + +<p>Instinct having taught these beautiful animals that in union consists +their strength, they combine in a compact body when menaced by an attack +either from man or beast; and if overtaken by the foe, they unite for +mutual defence, with their heads together in a close circular band, +presenting their heels to the enemy, and dealing out kicks in equal +force and abundance. Beset on all sides, or partially crippled, they +rear on their hinder legs, fly at their adversary with jaws distended, +and use both teeth and heels with the greatest freedom.</p> + +<p>The <i>Quagga</i> is also a native of Southern Africa. It is more wild than +the Zebra, and less beautifully marked; the stripes, indeed, do not +extend over the whole body, but only over the head and neck. The colour +is a reddish brown above and white beneath. The Quagga is less than the +Zebra, and not so elegantly formed, the hind quarters being higher than +the shoulders. The ears are also much shorter. The Quagga bears the +reputation of being naturally vicious, and so treacherous that it is +said that, like a cat, it will bite the hand that feeds and caresses +it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_134" id="page_134"></a>{134}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="VIII_Ruminating_Animals" id="VIII_Ruminating_Animals"></a>§ VIII.—<i>Ruminating Animals.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BULL_Bos_Taurus" id="Illustration_THE_BULL_Bos_Taurus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 240px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_134_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_134_sml.jpg" width="240" height="172" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BULL. (<i>Bos Taurus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">There</span> are, perhaps, no animals more generally useful to mankind than the +race of oxen, in all their states of existence. They are called +ruminating animals; that is, after they have eaten their food they +possess the power of returning it from the first stomach into the mouth, +to be again masticated before it is finally digested. This is called +chewing the cud; and as the animal generally lies down, and looks very +thoughtful while the operation is performing, it is said to be +ruminating.</p> + +<p>The Bull is a very fierce creature, and when enraged, runs about, +tossing up his tail, and roaring most fearfully. When attacked by men or +dogs, he tears up the ground with his feet, and then gallops after his +assailants, endeavouring to toss them with his horns; and very often +pursues in this manner any one he sees, particularly if they appear +frightened. When in danger of being attacked by a Bull, the best course +is to stand still, and open an umbrella, or flap a shawl, or something +of that kind, in the Bull’s face; as with all his fierceness he is a +great coward, and only pursues those who fly from him.</p> + +<p>The Ox, or Bullock, is used in some parts of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_135" id="page_135"></a>{135}</span> country for drawing +carts and waggons, and ploughing; and its flesh is called beef. The skin +is tanned and made into leather; the hair is mixed with mortar; the +bones are used for knife-handles, chess-men, counters, and other things, +as a substitute for ivory; from its horns are made combs, and various +other articles; the fat is used in making candles; the blood in refining +sugar: and, in short, every part has some important use.</p> + +<p>The common charge of stupidity urged against the Ox is wholly unfounded, +as the following anecdote, recorded by Mr. Bell, will show. A cow, +feeding in a pasture, the gate of which was open, was much annoyed by a +mischievous boy, who amused himself by throwing stones at her. The +peaceful animal, after enduring this patiently for some time, went up to +him, and hooking the end of her horn into his clothes, carried him out +of the field and laid him down in the road. She then returned calmly to +her pasture, leaving him quit for a severe fright and a torn garment.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 228px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_135_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_135_sml.jpg" width="228" height="238" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_136" id="page_136"></a>{136}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COW" id="Illustration_THE_COW"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 243px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_136_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_136_sml.jpg" width="243" height="171" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COW.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Cow</span> is the female of the ox tribe, and her young is called a calf. A +young Cow, when under two years old, is called a heifer. The Cow is as +useful to mankind as the ox, except in ploughing and drawing; but to +make amends, she supplies us with milk, from which butter and cheese are +made. The Cow gives from six to twenty quarts of milk in a day: and the +faculty of giving it in such abundance, and with so much ease, is a +striking peculiarity, for this animal differs in this part of its +organization from most others, having a large udder, and longer and +thicker teats, than the largest animal we know of; it has likewise four +teats, whilst all other animals of the same nature have but two; it also +yields the milk freely to the hand, whilst all other animals, at least +those that do not ruminate in the same manner, refuse it, unless their +young, or some adopted animal, be allowed to partake it. The age of the +Cow is known by her horns; at four a ring is formed at their roots, and +every succeeding year another ring is added. Thus, by allowing three +years before their appearance, and then reckoning the number of rings, +the creature’s age may be exactly known.</p> + +<p>Calves, when quite young, are helpless creatures, from the great length +and weakness of their legs. Sometimes they are killed when young, and +their flesh is then called<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_137" id="page_137"></a>{137}</span> veal. The stomach of the calf, when it is +killed, is taken out, and cleaned and salted; it is then hung up to dry, +and is called rennet. In making cheese, a bit of rennet is soaked in +water, which when poured into milk, turns it to curd. The curd is then +separated from the whey, and put into a press, when it becomes cheese.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WILD_BULL" id="Illustration_THE_WILD_BULL"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 275px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_137_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_137_sml.jpg" width="275" height="201" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WILD BULL.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">In</span> the Duke of Hamilton’s park in Scotland, Lord Tankerville’s at +Chillingham, in Northumberland, and some other places, there is a breed +of wild cattle, possibly the last remains of those which at one period +overran this island. The colour is white, with muzzle and ears black, or +very dark red.</p> + +<p>At the first appearance of any person near them, these animals set off +at full gallop; and at the distance of two or three hundred yards wheel +round and come boldly up again, tossing their heads in a menacing +manner. On a sudden they make a full stop at the distance of forty or +fifty yards, and look wildly at the object of their surprise; but on the +least motion they all turn round, and gallop off again with equal speed, +but not to the same distance, forming a smaller circle; and again +returning, with a bolder and more threatening aspect than before,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_138" id="page_138"></a>{138}</span> they +approach much nearer, when they make another stand, and again gallop +off. This they do several times, shortening their distance, and +advancing nearer till they come within a few yards, when most persons +consider it prudent to leave them, not choosing to provoke them further, +as it is probable that in a few turns more they would make an attack.</p> + +<p>The mode of killing these animals, as was practised a few years ago, was +the only remnant of the ancient mode of hunting that existed in this +country. On notice being given that a Wild Bull would be killed on a +certain day, the inhabitants of the neighbourhood assembled, sometimes +to the number of a hundred horsemen, and four or five hundred foot, all +armed with guns or other weapons. Those on foot stood upon the walls, or +climbed into trees, while the horsemen separated a Bull from the rest of +the herd, and chased him until he stood at bay, when they dismounted and +fired. At some of these huntings, twenty or thirty shots have been +discharged before the animal was subdued. On such occasions the bleeding +victim grew desperately furious from the smarting of his wounds, and the +shouts of savage joy echoing from every side.</p> + +<p>When the Cows calve, they hide their young ones for a week or ten days +in some sequestered retreat, and go to suckle them two or three times in +a day. If any person comes near one of the calves it crouches close upon +the ground, and endeavours to hide itself, a proof of the native +wildness of the animals. In one instance where a calf was disturbed, it +pawed the ground like an old Bull, and attempted to butt with its head, +till it fell from weakness. It had done enough, however, to raise an +alarm, and the whole herd came to its rescue, compelling the intruder to +decamp: for the dams will allow no one to touch their young without +attacking him with impetuosity. In the Duke of Hamilton’s park, in the +summer of 1841, a calf, which was disturbed by the passing of a carriage +near it, bellowed so fearfully as to rouse the whole herd, though they +were at a considerable distance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_139" id="page_139"></a>{139}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_AFRICAN_BUFFALO_Bubalus_Caffer" id="Illustration_THE_AFRICAN_BUFFALO_Bubalus_Caffer"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 307px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_139_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_139_sml.jpg" width="307" height="265" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE AFRICAN BUFFALO (<i>Bubalus Caffer.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">In</span> its general form the Buffalo has a great resemblance to the ox; but +it differs from that animal in its horns, and in some particulars of its +internal structure. It is larger than the ox; the head is also bigger in +proportion, the forehead higher, and the muzzle longer. The horns are +large, and of a compressed form, with the exterior edge sharp; they are +straight for a considerable length from their base, and then bend +slightly upward. The general colour of the animal is blackish, except +the forehead and the tip of the tail, which are of a dusky white. The +hunch is not, as many have supposed it, a large fleshy lump, but is +occasioned by the bones that form the withers being continued, to a +greater length than in most other animals. Buffaloes are found in most +parts of the torrid zone, and of almost all warm climates; always +dwelling in moist and marshy places, where they delight to roll in the +mire. In a wild state, the Buffalo is exceedingly fierce; but in some of +the tropical countries he<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_140" id="page_140"></a>{140}</span> is perfectly domestic, and very useful for +many purposes, being an animal of patience and great strength. When +employed in the labours of agriculture, he has a brass ring put through +his nose, by which means he is led at pleasure. Buffaloes are common in +the Pontine Marshes near Rome, where they were brought from India in the +sixth century. In India they constitute the riches and food of the poor, +who employ them in their fields, and make butter and cheese from their +milk. They are much valued for their hides; of which, in several +countries, and especially in England, military belts, boots, and other +implements of war are made. There are various species of Buffaloes, of +which the Cape Buffalo, from South Africa, is the best known, and most +valuable.</p> + +<p>Buffaloes, in their native country, fight so fiercely with each other, +that African travellers have remarked that they are seldom found without +torn ears, and scars of various kinds on the neck and body. And they are +no less treacherous than ferocious, lurking among the trees in +concealment until some unfortunate passenger passes. The animal will +then suddenly rush upon him, and there is little chance of the victim +escaping unless a tree be at hand. The furious beast, not contented with +throwing him down and killing him, stands over him for a long time, +trampling on and tearing the body to pieces; he then strips off the skin +with his rough and prickly tongue. Even after all this he repeatedly +returns to the body to gratify afresh his savage disposition.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 201px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_140_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_140_sml.jpg" width="201" height="148" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_141" id="page_141"></a>{141}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BISON_Bos_or_Bison_Bonasus" id="Illustration_THE_BISON_Bos_or_Bison_Bonasus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 321px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_141_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_141_sml.jpg" width="321" height="254" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BISON. (<i>Bos or Bison Bonasus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">There</span> are two kinds of Bison; one a native of Europe, and the other of +America. The European Bison, or Bonasus, is as large as a bull or ox; +maned about the back and neck like a lion; and his hair hanging down +under his chin, or nether jaw, like a large beard. The fore parts of his +body are thick and strong, but the hinder parts are comparatively +slender. He has a little ridge along his face from his forehead down to +his nose, which is very hairy; his horns are large, very sharp, and +turning towards his back, like those of a wild goat. The American Bison +(<i>B. Americanus</i>), attains a size far superior to that of the largest +breeds of our common oxen, and is met with throughout nearly the whole +of the uninhabited parts of North America, from Hudson’s Bay to +Louisiana and the frontiers of Mexico. Captains Lewis and Clarke, and +Dr. James, bear frequent testimony to the almost incredible numbers in +which these animals assemble on the banks of the Missouri. “Such was +their multitude,” say the first-named travellers, “that, although the +river, including an island over<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_142" id="page_142"></a>{142}</span> which they passed, was a mile in +breadth, the herd stretched, as thick as they could swim, completely +from one side to the other.” And again they say: “If it be not +impossible to calculate the moving multitude which darkened the whole +plains, we are convinced that twenty thousand would be no exaggerated +number.” Dr. James tells us that, “in the middle of the day countless +thousands of them were seen coming in from every quarter to the stagnant +pools;” their paths, as he informs us elsewhere, being “as frequent, and +almost as conspicuous, as the roads in the most populous parts of the +United States.”</p> + +<p>These wild cattle defend themselves from the wolves in the most +admirable manner. When they hear their savage enemies approaching they +form themselves adroitly into a circle. The weakest are left in the +middle, whilst the strongest are on the outside, and present to their +foes an impenetrable phalanx of horns. The vignette is an illustration +of this subject.</p> + +<p>Exciting stories of the buffalo hunt, both American and African, will be +seen in Catlin’s North American Indians, and Harris’s Wild Animals and +Sports of Southern Africa.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 281px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_142_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_142_sml.jpg" width="281" height="218" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_143" id="page_143"></a>{143}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ZEBU_OR_BRAHMIN_BULL_Bos_Indicus" id="Illustration_THE_ZEBU_OR_BRAHMIN_BULL_Bos_Indicus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 231px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_143_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_143_sml.jpg" width="231" height="170" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ZEBU, OR BRAHMIN BULL. (<i>Bos Indicus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Pennant</span> describes the Zebu, or Indian Ox, as sometimes surpassing in +size the largest of the European breeds, and the hunch on his shoulders +as weighing frequently fifty pounds. There are many varieties, with and +without horns, differing in size from that above-named, down to the +dimensions of an ordinary hog. They are spread over the whole of +Southern Asia, and also in Africa. In all these countries the Zebu +supplies the place of the Ox, both as a beast of burden and as an +article of food. By the Hindoos they are treated with great veneration, +and it is held sinful to deprive them of life, or eat their flesh. A +select number are exempted from all labour, and allowed to wander about, +and subsist on the voluntary and pious contributions of the devotees of +their faith.</p> + +<p>Emboldened by the toleration they experience, they make free with every +vegetable to which they take a fancy, no one daring to resist or drive +them away; often they lie down in the street; no one must disturb them: +every one must give place to the sacred Ox of Brahma; thus they are +frequently nuisances, which superstition alone would endure.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_144" id="page_144"></a>{144}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SHEEP_Ovis_Aries" id="Illustration_THE_SHEEP_Ovis_Aries"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 237px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_144_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_144_sml.jpg" width="237" height="163" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SHEEP. (<i>Ovis Aries.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Sheep has been so long subjected to the empire of man that it is not +known with certainty from what race our domestic species has been +derived. It is supposed, however, to be from the Mouflon, or Musmon, of +Sardinia and Crete. This animal is one of the most useful ever bestowed +on us by a bountiful Providence; and in patriarchal times the number of +Sheep constituted the riches of kings and princes. It is universally +known, its flesh being one of the chief kinds of human food, and its +wool being of great use for clothing. Although of a moderate size, and +well covered, it does not live more than nine or ten years. The Ewe has +one or two young at a time, and the young one, which is called a lamb, +has always been an emblem of innocence.</p> + +<p>In its domestic state it is too well known to require a detail of its +peculiar habits, or of the methods which have been adopted to improve +the breed. No country produces finer Sheep than England, either with +larger fleeces or better adapted for the business of clothing. Those of +Spain have confessedly finer wool, some of which we generally require to +work up with our own, but the weight of a Spanish fleece is much +inferior to one of Lincoln or Tees Water. Merino, or Spanish Sheep, have +of late years been introduced with some<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_145" id="page_145"></a>{145}</span> success into our English +pastures, and the wool of the hybrids, raised between the Merino Sheep +and the South Down Sheep, is thought nearly equal to that of Spain.</p> + +<p>In stormy weather, these animals generally hide themselves in caves from +the fury of the elements; but if such retreats are not to be found, they +collect themselves together, and, during a fall of snow, place their +heads near each other, with their muzzles inclined to the ground. In +this situation they sometimes remain till hunger compels them to gnaw +each other’s wool, which forms into hard balls in the stomach and +destroys them. But in general they are sought out and extricated soon +after the storm has subsided.</p> + +<p>“The Sheep,” Mr. Bell observes, “is one of the most interesting of all +animals as regards its historical relations with man. It was the subject +of the first sacrifices, and was used in its typical character as an +offering of atonement; and the relation which existed between the +patriarchal shepherds and their flock was of so intimate and even +affectionate a nature as to have afforded the subject of many beautiful +passages in the Holy Scriptures.”</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 266px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_145_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_145_sml.jpg" width="266" height="217" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_146" id="page_146"></a>{146}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RAM" id="Illustration_THE_RAM"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 234px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_146a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_146a_sml.jpg" width="234" height="163" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RAM</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> the male Sheep, and is so strong and fierce that he will boldly +attack a dog, and often comes off victorious: he has even been known, +regardless of danger, to engage a bull; and his forehead being much +harder than that of any other animal, he seldom fails to conquer. He +overcomes the bull, who, by lowering his head, receives the stroke of +the Ram between his eyes, which usually brings him to the ground.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WALLACHIAN_RAM" id="Illustration_THE_WALLACHIAN_RAM"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 238px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_146b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_146b_sml.jpg" width="238" height="165" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WALLACHIAN RAM.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> singular conformation of the horns, which adorn the head of this +breed of Sheep, has induced us to insert a figure of the animal in this +work, though it is only a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_147" id="page_147"></a>{147}</span> variety of the common species. The horns of +the Ewe are twisted also, but not so much as those of the Ram, which +form, near the head, a spiral line. The wool is much longer than that of +the common Sheep, and resembles the hair of the goat. A fine Ram of this +species was presented some years since to the Zoological Gardens in the +Regent’s park, by Dr. Bowring. It is there called the Parnassian Sheep, +having been brought from Mount Parnassus.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_ARGALI_OR_WILD_SHEEP_OF_ASIA" id="THE_ARGALI_OR_WILD_SHEEP_OF_ASIA"></a>THE ARGALI, OR WILD SHEEP OF ASIA,</h4> + +<p class="nind">in figure somewhat resembles a ram, but his wool is rather like the hair +of a goat. His horns are large and bent backwards, and his tail is +short. He is of the size of a small deer, active, swift, wild, and found +in flocks in the rocky, dry deserts of Asia. His flesh and fat are +delicious. He is called also the Siberian Sheep or Goat, and is +considered by some to be the parent stock of the domestic Sheep.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GOAT_Capra_hircus" id="Illustration_THE_GOAT_Capra_hircus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 230px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_147_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_147_sml.jpg" width="230" height="160" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GOAT. (<i>Capra hircus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Goat, next to the cow and the sheep, has been always reckoned, +especially in ancient and patriarchal times, the most useful domestic +animal. Its milk is sweet, nourishing, and medicinal, and better adapted +for persons of weak digestion than that of the cow, as it is not so apt +to curdle on the stomach. The female has generally two young ones at a +time, which are called kids. This animal is admirably adapted for living +in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_148" id="page_148"></a>{148}</span> wild places; it delights in climbing precipices, and is often seen +reposing in peaceful security on rocks overhanging the sea. Nature +indeed has in some measure fitted it for traversing these eminences; the +hoof being hollow underneath, with sharp edges, so that it can walk as +securely on the ridge of a house as on the level ground. The flesh of +the goat is seldom eaten; but that of the kid is esteemed a very +delicate food, and is frequently eaten on the Continent. In the East, +the long soft hair of the goat is used in making the beautiful Cashmere +shawls; and from the skin is manufactured morocco leather. The skin of +the kid is well known for its use in making gloves.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_IBEX_OR_BOQUETIN_Capra_Ibex" id="Illustration_THE_IBEX_OR_BOQUETIN_Capra_Ibex"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 352px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_148_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_148_sml.jpg" width="352" height="265" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE IBEX, OR BOQUETIN, (<i>Capra Ibex</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a Wild Goat, which inhabits the Pyrenean mountains, the Alps, and the +highest mountains of Greece. He is of an admirable swiftness; his head +is armed with two long, knotted horns, inclining backwards; his hair is +rough, and of a deep brown colour. The male only<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_149" id="page_149"></a>{149}</span> has a beard, and the +female is less than the male. This animal skips from rock to rock, and +often, when pursued, leaps down enormous precipices, and is said to bend +his head between his fore legs while springing, so as to break his fall, +by alighting partly on his horns. The Ibex has been known to turn on the +incautious huntsman, and tumble him down the precipice, unless he has +time to lie down, and let the animal pass over him.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ANTELOPE_Antilope_cervicapra" id="Illustration_THE_ANTELOPE_Antilope_cervicapra"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_149_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_149_sml.jpg" width="300" height="270" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ANTELOPE. (<i>Antilope cervicapra.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> beautiful inhabitants of the temperate regions of Africa, and +southern Asia, possess swiftness and elegance of shape in an eminent +degree. They are timid, inoffensive, and gregarious. The males have +horns like those of the goat, and never shed them; they are smooth, +long, twisted spirally, and annulated. The general colour of the hair is +brown, and, in some species, a beautiful yellow. The eyes are +exceedingly bright, and have often been compared to those of a beautiful +nymph by Persian and other poets. Enjoying perfect liberty, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_150" id="page_150"></a>{150}</span> range +in herds through the deserts of Arabia, and bound from rock to rock with +wonderful agility. Their long and slender legs are peculiarly suited to +their habits and manners of life, and are, in some of the species, so +slender and brittle as to snap with a very trifling blow. The Arabs, +taking advantage of this circumstance, catch them by throwing sticks at +them, by which their legs are broken.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GAZELLE_Antilope_Dorcas" id="Illustration_THE_GAZELLE_Antilope_Dorcas"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 313px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_150_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_150_sml.jpg" width="313" height="241" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GAZELLE. (<i>Antilope Dorcas.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The wild Gazelle, on Judah’s hills,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Exulting yet may bound,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And drink from all the living rills<br /></span> +<span class="i3">That gush on holy ground.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Its airy step and glorious eye<br /></span> +<span class="i1">May glance in tameless transport by.”—<span class="smcap">Byron.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Gazelle is the most elegant of antelopes. The Arabian poets have +applied their choicest epithets to the beauty of this animal, and their +descriptions have been adopted into our own poetry. Byron, in speaking +of the dark eyes of an eastern beauty, says:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Go look on those of the Gazelle.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_151" id="page_151"></a>{151}</span></p> + +<p>When the Persian describes his mistress, she is “an antelope in +beauty,”—“his Gazelle employs all his soul;” and thus, in their +figurative language, perfect beauty and Gazelle beauty are synonymous. +These animals are spread, in innumerable herds, from Arabia to the river +Senegal in Africa. Lions and panthers feed upon them; and man chases +them with the dog, the cheetah, and the falcon. The height of the +Gazelle is about twenty inches, the skin beautifully sleek, its body +extremely graceful, its head unusually light, its ears flexible, its +eyes most brilliant and glancing, and its legs as slender as a reed.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CHAMOIS_Antilope_Rupicapra" id="Illustration_THE_CHAMOIS_Antilope_Rupicapra"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 311px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_151_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_151_sml.jpg" width="311" height="286" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CHAMOIS. (<i>Antilope Rupicapra.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Chamois is about three feet in length and two in height; its horns +six or seven inches long, its ears small, and its head resembling that +of the goat. The body is covered with long brown hair, the hue of which +varies with the season.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_152" id="page_152"></a>{152}</span></p> + +<p>The flesh is considered a savoury food, and the skin is wrought into a +soft pliable leather, well known in domestic economy.</p> + +<p>The Chamois is found only in the mountainous regions of Europe, where +they herd together on lofty and almost inaccessible cliffs and +precipices. They are so acute and shy, that it is only by the greatest +patience and skill that the hunter can approach near enough to shoot +them; and they are so swift, and leap with such extraordinary sureness +of foot, that to overtake them is impossible.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— —— —— But beasts have reason too.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And that we know, we men that hunt the Chamois,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">They never turn to feed—sagacious creatures—<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Till they have placed a sentinel a-head,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Who pricks his ears whenever we approach,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And gives alarm with clear and piercing pipe.”<br /></span> +<span class="i11"><span class="smcap">Schiller’s William Tell.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_NYL_GHAU_OR_BLUE_OX_Antilope_picta" id="Illustration_THE_NYL_GHAU_OR_BLUE_OX_Antilope_picta"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_152_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_152_sml.jpg" width="300" height="278" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE NYL GHAU, OR BLUE OX. (<i>Antilope picta.</i>)</p><p>THE NYL GHAU, OR BLUE OX. (<i>Antilope picta.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_153" id="page_153"></a>{153}</span><span class="smcap">This</span> is a large kind of antelope, found in India. In the wild state +these animals are very ferocious, but they may be domesticated, and in +that condition give frequent tokens of familiarity, and even of +gratitude, to those under whose care they are placed. The female, or +doe, is much smaller than the male, and of a yellowish colour, by which +she is easily distinguished from the buck, who is of a grey tint.</p> + +<p>Its manner of fighting is very peculiar, and is thus described:—Two of +the males, at Lord Clive’s, being put into an enclosure, were observed, +while they were at some distance from each other, to prepare for the +attack, by falling down upon their knees; they then shuffled towards +each other, still keeping upon their knees; and, at the distance of a +few yards, they made a spring, and darted against each other with great +force.</p> + +<p>The following anecdote will serve to show that these animals are +sometimes fierce and vicious, and not to be depended upon:—A labouring +man, without knowing that the animal was near him, went up to the +outside of the enclosure; the Nyl Ghau, with the quickness of lightning, +darted against the woodwork with such violence that he dashed it to +pieces, and broke one of his horns close to the root. The death of the +animal soon after was supposed to be owing to the injury he sustained by +the blow.</p> + +<p>The Nyl Ghau usually keeps closely concealed in the jungle, but in the +night or early morning it sometimes passes into the open ground, to feed +in the corn-fields belonging to the neighbouring villages. This is the +moment chosen by the natives to attack it. A platform is erected near +the spot the Nyl Ghau is known to frequent, from which the hunters can +take aim with precision and safety.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_154" id="page_154"></a>{154}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GNU_Antilope_Gnu" id="Illustration_THE_GNU_Antilope_Gnu"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 302px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_154_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_154_sml.jpg" width="302" height="180" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GNU. (<i>Antilope Gnu.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> very singular animal is sometimes called a horned horse; as it has +the shape and mane of a horse, with the addition of a formidable pair of +horns, a kind of beard below the chin, and a fringe of hair below the +body, along the breastbone. The Gnus live together in herds, and when +alarmed, fling up their heels, and plunge and rear, tossing their heads +and tails, before they gallop off; which they do, the whole herd +following their leader singly, like a troop of soldiers. The Gnu +inhabits the sandy deserts of South Africa; and its flesh, which is said +to resemble beef, is sometimes eaten by the colonists near the Cape of +Good Hope. When caught young the Gnu may be tamed, but its disposition +is always uncertain, and when offended it throws itself on its knees, +like the nyl ghau, and then springing up, butts furiously with its +horns.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_155" id="page_155"></a>{155}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_STAG_Cervus_Elaphus" id="Illustration_THE_STAG_Cervus_Elaphus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 292px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_155_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_155_sml.jpg" width="292" height="390" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE STAG. (<i>Cervus Elaphus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal is the male of the red Deer, and is generally famed for long +life, though upon no certain authority. Naturalists agree, however, upon +this point, that his life may exceed forty years: but that his +existence, as it has been asserted, reaches to three centuries, is too +absurd to be believed. His horns are at first very small, but gradually +increase in size, as they are yearly shed and renewed, till the stag has +completed his fifth year, when they become very large and branching, +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_156" id="page_156"></a>{156}</span> remain so during the remainder of his life. The Stag is one of the +tallest of the deer kind, and is called a Hart after he has completed +his fifth year; the female, called the Hind, is without horns. Every +year, in the month of April, when the Stag has lost his horns, he +appears conscious of his temporary weakness, and hides himself till his +new ones have grown and are hardened. This is generally in about ten +weeks, even when the Stag is full grown; his horns at this age weigh +between twenty and thirty pounds. Little need be said of the pleasure +taken in hunting the Stag, the Hart, and the Roebuck, it being a matter +well known in this country, and in all parts of Europe. The following +fact, recorded in history, will serve to show that the Stag is possessed +of an extraordinary share of courage, when his personal safety is +concerned:—In the reign of George the Second, William, Duke of +Cumberland, caused a tiger and a Stag to be enclosed in the same area; +and the Stag made so bold a defence, that the tiger was at length +obliged to give up. The flesh of the Stag is accounted excellent food, +and his horns are useful to cutlers; even their shavings are used to +make ammonia, so much esteemed in medicine under the name of +<i>hartshorn</i>. The swiftness of the Stag has become proverbial, and the +diversion of hunting this creature has, for ages, been looked upon as a +royal amusement. In the time of William Rufus and Henry the First, it +was less criminal to destroy a human being than a full-grown Stag. This +animal, when fatigued in the chase, often throws himself into a pond of +water, or crosses a river; and, when caught, sheds tears like a child.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“To the which place a poor sequestered Stag,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That from the hunter’s aim had ta’en a hurt,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Did come to languish; and indeed, my lord,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The wretched animal heaved forth such groans<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That their discharge did stretch his leathern coat<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Almost to bursting; and the big round tears<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Coursed one another down his innocent nose<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In piteous chase.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_157" id="page_157"></a>{157}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WAPITI_Cervus_Canadensis" id="Illustration_THE_WAPITI_Cervus_Canadensis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 241px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_157_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_157_sml.jpg" width="241" height="179" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WAPITI, (<i>Cervus Canadensis</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a native of Canada and other northern parts of America, and is one of +the most gigantic of the Deer tribe, growing to the height of our +tallest oxen, and uniting great activity to strength of body and limbs. +His horns, which he sheds annually, are very large, branching in +serpentine curves, and measuring from tip to tip upwards of six feet. +These animals make a shrill noise, resembling the braying of an ass, and +are supposed to be the most stupid of the Deer kind. The flesh is +coarse, and little esteemed, but the hide, when made into leather, is +said not to become hard in drying after being wetted, a quality which +entitles it to a preference over almost every other kind. There are +several of these splendid animals in the collection of the Zoological +Society, in the Regent’s Park, where they continue to form objects of +singular interest and attraction. The male is, however, very fierce, +always endeavouring to attack those who approach him; and on one +occasion seriously injured one of the visitors to the gardens.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_158" id="page_158"></a>{158}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ROEBUCK_Cervus_capreolus" id="Illustration_THE_ROEBUCK_Cervus_capreolus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 280px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_158_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_158_sml.jpg" width="280" height="218" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ROEBUCK, (<i>Cervus capreolus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> one of the least of the Deer kind known in these climates, being not +above three feet in length, and two in height, and seldom lives more +than fifteen years. His horns are about nine inches long, round, and +divided into three small branches, and his colour is of a brown shade on +the back, his face partly black and partly ash-colour, the chest and +belly yellow, and the rump white; his tail is short. The Roebuck is more +graceful, more active, more cunning, and comparatively swifter than the +stag; his flesh is much esteemed. He is very delicate in the choice of +his food, and requires a larger tract of country, suited to the wildness +of his nature, which can never be thoroughly subdued. No arts can teach +him to be familiar with his keeper, nor in any degree attached to him. +These animals are easily terrified; and in their attempts to escape will +run with such force against the walls of their enclosure, as sometimes +to disable themselves: they are also subject to capricious fits of +fierceness; and, on these occasions, will strike furiously with their +horns and feet at the object of their dislike. The only parts of Great +Britain where they are now found are the Highlands of Scotland.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_159" id="page_159"></a>{159}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FALLOW_DEER_Cervus_dama" id="Illustration_THE_FALLOW_DEER_Cervus_dama"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 235px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_159_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_159_sml.jpg" width="235" height="223" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FALLOW DEER. (<i>Cervus dama.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> are the Deer now usually kept in our parks. The beautifully +spotted kind are said to have been brought from Bengal, and the very +deep brown from Norway by King James I. Their horns are broad and flat; +the male is called a buck, the female a doe, and the young one a fawn. +The buck casts his horns every spring, and they increase in size +annually till he has attained his fifth year. The venison of this Deer +is very far superior to that of the red deer, which is coarse and tough. +The buck-skin and doe-skin are well known, as furnishing a peculiarly +soft and warm leather, which is used for gloves, gaiters, &c. The horns +are used for the handles of knives, &c., like those of the stag; and the +refuse is, in the like manner, used in the manufacture of ammonia. The +buck stands about three feet high, and measures about five feet in +length; the doe is somewhat smaller. The tail is much longer than either +that of the stag or the roebuck, being nearly seven inches and a half +long.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_160" id="page_160"></a>{160}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ELK_Cervus_Alces" id="Illustration_THE_ELK_Cervus_Alces"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 256px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_160_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_160_sml.jpg" width="256" height="169" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ELK, (<i>Cervus Alces</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> the largest of all the Deer kind. The antlers, at first simple, and +then divided into narrow slips, assume in the fifth year the form of a +triangular blade, dentated on the external edge and very thick at the +base; they increase with age, till they weigh fifty or sixty pounds, and +have fourteen branches to each horn. The Elk lives in forests, feeding +upon branches and sprouts of trees, and inhabits Europe, Asia, and +America; in the last-named country he is known by the name of the Moose +Deer. There is very little difference between the European Elk and the +American Moose Deer, though they are larger in the New World than with +us, owing perhaps to the extensive forests in which they range. In all +places, however, they are timorous and gentle; content with their +pasture, and never willing to disturb any other animal. The pace of the +Elk is a high, shambling trot, but it runs with great swiftness. +Formerly these animals were made use of in Sweden to draw sledges, but +their swiftness gave criminals such means of escape, that this +employment of them was prohibited under great penalties. The female is +less than the male, and has no horns.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_161" id="page_161"></a>{161}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_REIN-DEER_Cervus_Tarandus_or_Rangifer" id="Illustration_THE_REIN-DEER_Cervus_Tarandus_or_Rangifer"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 261px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_161_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_161_sml.jpg" width="261" height="193" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE REIN-DEER, (<i>Cervus Tarandus</i>, or <i>Rangifer +Tarandus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> found in most of the northern regions of Europe, Asia, and America, +and its general height is about four feet and a half. The colour is +brown above and white beneath; but as the animal advances in age, it +often becomes of a greyish white. The hoofs are long, large, and black. +Both sexes are furnished with horns, but those of the male are much the +largest. To the Laplanders this animal supplies the place of the horse, +the cow, the goat, and the sheep; it is their only wealth. The milk +affords them cheese; the flesh, food; the skin, clothing; of the tendons +they make bowstrings, and when split, thread; of the horns, glue; and of +the bones, spoons. During the winter, the Reindeer supplies the want of +a horse, and draws sledges with amazing swiftness over the frozen lakes +and rivers, or over the snow, which at that time covers the whole +country. Innumerable are the uses, the comforts, and advantages which +the poor inhabitants of this dreary climate derive from this animal. We +cannot sum them up better than in the beautiful language of the poet:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Their Rein-deer form their riches. These their tents,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Their robes, their beds, and all their homely wealth<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_162" id="page_162"></a>{162}</span><br /></span> +<span class="i1">Supply, their wholesome fare, and cheerful cups:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Obsequious at their call, the docile tribe<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Yield to the sled their necks, and whirl them swift<br /></span> +<span class="i1">O’er hill and dale, heaped into one expanse<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of marbled snow, as far as eye can sweep,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With a blue crest of ice unbounded glazed.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The mode of hunting the wild Rein-deer by the Laplanders, the Esquimaux, +and the Indians of North America, has been accurately described by late +travellers. Captain Franklin gives the following interesting account of +the mode practised by the Dog-rib Indians, to kill these animals. “The +hunters go in pairs, the foremost man carrying in one hand the horns and +part of the skin of the head of a Deer, and in the other a small bundle +of twigs, against which he, from time to time, rubs the horns, imitating +the gestures peculiar to the animal. His comrade follows, treading +exactly in his footsteps, and holding the guns of both in a horizontal +position, so that the muzzles project under the arms of him who carries +the head. Both hunters have a fillet of white skin round their +foreheads, and the foremost has a strip of the same round his wrists. +They approach the herd by degrees, raising their legs very slowly, but +setting them down somewhat suddenly, after the manner of a Deer, and +always taking care to lift their right or left feet simultaneously. If +any of the herd leave off feeding to gaze upon this extraordinary +phenomenon, it instantly stops, and the head begins to play its part, by +licking its shoulders, and performing other necessary movements. In this +way the hunters attain the very centre of the herd without exciting +suspicion, and have leisure to single out the fattest. The hindmost man +then pushes forward his comrade’s gun, the head is dropped, and they +both fire nearly at the same instant. The Deer scamper off, the hunters +trot after them; in a short time the poor animals halt, to ascertain the +cause of their terror; their foes stop at the same moment, and having +loaded as they ran, greet the gazers with a second fatal discharge. The +consternation of the Deer increases; they run to and fro in the utmost +confusion; and sometimes a great part of the herd is destroyed within +the space of a few hundred yards.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_163" id="page_163"></a>{163}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_AXIS_Cervus_Axis" id="Illustration_THE_AXIS_Cervus_Axis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 297px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_163_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_163_sml.jpg" width="297" height="252" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE AXIS. (<i>Cervus Axis.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">A very</span> beautiful species of the Deer is found in the East Indies, of a +light red colour, though some of the kind are of a deeper red. It is +about the size of a fallow deer, and often variegated with beautiful +spots of bright white. The horns are slender and triple-forked. The Axis +is a timid and harmless creature, more ornamental to the landscape, +where it skips and plays in a wild state, than useful to man. It is +extremely docile, and possesses the sense of smelling to an exquisite +degree. Though it is a native of the banks of the Ganges, it appears to +bear the climates of Europe without injury.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_MUSK_DEER_Moschus_moschiferus" id="THE_MUSK_DEER_Moschus_moschiferus"></a>THE MUSK DEER. (<i>Moschus moschiferus.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is a small species of Deer, quite destitute of horns, which lives +on the vast plains of Central Asia. It is distinguished by possessing a +pair of canine teeth or tusks in the upper jaw; and these teeth, which +are not found in the ruminant animals generally, are so long in the Musk +Deer that they project from the sides of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_164" id="page_164"></a>{164}</span> mouth and descend below +the chin. The Musk Deer is exceedingly active, and leaps to an +astonishing height. The male is remarkable for possessing a pouch about +the size of an egg, near the navel; this contains a brown, oily matter, +of a most powerful odour, which is the well-known perfume called <i>musk</i>, +so highly esteemed amongst Eastern nations.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GIRAFFE_OR_CAMELOPARD" id="Illustration_THE_GIRAFFE_OR_CAMELOPARD"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 270px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_164_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_164_sml.jpg" width="270" height="327" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GIRAFFE, OR CAMELOPARD.<br /><br /> +(<i>Camelopardalis Giraffa.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> most remarkable ruminant, which in its general structure nearly +approaches the Deer, has points of affinity also with the antelopes and +camels, besides very striking peculiarities of its own.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_165" id="page_165"></a>{165}</span></p> + +<p>The head is the most beautiful part of the animal: it is small, and the +eyes are large, brilliant, and very full. Between the eyes, and above +the nose, is a swelling very prominent and well-defined. This prominence +is not a fleshy excrescence, but an enlargement of the bony substance; +and it seems to be similar to the two little lumps, or horns, with which +the top of the head is armed, and which, being several inches in length, +spring on each side of the head, just above the ears, and are terminated +by a thick tuft of stiff upright hairs. The neck is remarkably +elongated, and it is furnished with a very short, stiff mane, which +stands out erect from the skin. The height of a full-grown Giraffe in a +wild state is said to be seventeen or eighteen feet, measuring from the +hoofs to the tip of the ears; but none of those in England exceed +fourteen feet. At first sight, the fore legs appear much longer than the +hind ones; but the fact is, that the legs are of the same length, and it +is only the height of the withers that occasions the apparent +disproportion. Le Vaillant was the first well-informed naturalist who +studied the habits of the Giraffe in its wild state. “If,” he says, +“among the known quadrupeds, precedency be allowed to height, the +Giraffe without doubt must hold the first rank. A male which I have in +my collection measured, after I killed it, sixteen feet four inches from +the hoof to the extremity of its horns. I use this expression in order +to be understood; for the Giraffe has no real horns; but between its +ears, at the upper extremity of the head, arise in a perpendicular and +parallel direction two excrescences from the cranium, which without any +joint stretch to the height of eight or nine inches, terminating in a +convex knob, and are surrounded by a row of strong straight hair, which +overtops them by several lines. The female is generally lower than the +male.... In consequence of the number of these animals which I killed, +or had an opportunity of seeing, I may establish as a certain rule that +the males are generally fifteen or sixteen feet in height, and the +females from thirteen to fourteen feet.” The colour of the Giraffe is a +light fawn, marked with spots only a few shades darker. The legs are +very<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_166" id="page_166"></a>{166}</span> slender; and, notwithstanding the length of the neck, it manifests +great difficulty in taking anything from the ground. To do this, it puts +out first one foot, and then the other; repeating the same process +several times; and it is only after several of these experiments that it +at length bends down its neck, and applies its lips and tongue to the +object in question. In fact, the neck of the Giraffe, although so +enormously long, is not very flexible, as it contains only the same +number of vertebræ or joints (seven) that is found in other quadrupeds +with a much shorter neck; it is admirably adapted for enabling the +animal to browse upon the branches of trees, but is not intended to fit +it for grazing. It willingly accepts fruit and branches of a tree when +offered to it; and seizes the foliage in a most singular manner, +thrusting forth a long, reddish, and very narrow tongue, which it rolls +round whatever it wishes to secure. Indeed, the tongue is a most +remarkable organ in this animal, and we have been witness of some +amusing exploits with it. In the Zoological Gardens at Regent’s Park, +many a fair lady has been robbed of the artificial flowers which have +adorned her bonnet, by the nimble, filching tongue of the rare object of +her admiration.</p> + +<p>The Giraffe is a native of Africa; and it was for a long time known only +by the descriptions of travellers. It was first sent to Europe in 1829; +but since that time many have been introduced, and several young ones +have been born in the Zoological Gardens in the Regent’s Park.</p> + +<p>Le Vaillant, in his entertaining Travels in Africa, gives an animated +account of a Giraffe hunt:—“After several hours’ fatigue, we +discovered, at the turn of a hill, seven Giraffes, which my pack +instantly pursued. Six of them went off together; but the seventh, cut +off by my dogs, took another way. I followed it at full speed, but, in +spite of the efforts of my horse, she got so much ahead of me that, in +turning a little hill, I lost sight of her altogether. My dogs, however, +were not so easily put out. They were soon so close upon her, that she +was obliged to stop to defend herself. From the place where<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_167" id="page_167"></a>{167}</span> I was, I +heard them give tongue with all their might; and, as their voices +appeared all to come from the same spot, I conjectured that they had got +the animal in a corner, and I again pushed forward. I had scarcely got +round the hill, when I perceived her surrounded by the dogs, and +endeavouring to drive them away by heavy kicks. In a moment I was on my +feet, and a shot from my carbine brought her to the earth. Enchanted +with my victory, I returned to call my people about me, that they might +assist in skinning and cutting up the animal. On my return I found her +standing under a large ebony-tree, assailed by my dogs. She had +staggered to this place, and fell dead at the moment I was about to take +a second shot.”</p> + +<p>The horns of the Giraffe, small as they are, and muffled with skin and +hair, are by no means the insignificant weapons they seem. We have seen +them wielded by the males against each other with fearful and reckless +force; and we know that they are the natural arms of the Giraffe, most +dreaded by the keeper of the present living Giraffes in the Zoological +Gardens, because they are most commonly and suddenly put in use. The +Giraffe does not butt by depressing and suddenly elevating the head, +like the deer, ox, or sheep; but strikes the callous obtuse extremities +of the horns against the object of his attack, with a sidelong sweep of +the neck.</p> + +<p>The Giraffe has a peculiarly awkward manner of trotting, as it moves +both the legs on one side at the same time. In galloping, the Giraffe +separates its hind legs widely, and at each stride brings them far +forward on each side of the fore feet; in this way the animal makes +rapid progress, although its appearance is rather extraordinary, and the +stones cast backwards by the force of the hind feet not unfrequently +assist in protecting it when closely pursued. The female Giraffe in the +Regent’s Park was a very bad mother to her first young one, as she would +not let it suck, and beat it away whenever it approached. The poor thing +was fed with cow’s milk, but it soon died. Later young ones have been +more kindly treated, and have in consequence thriven well.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_168" id="page_168"></a>{168}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BACTRIAN_CAMEL_Camelus_Bactrianus" id="Illustration_THE_BACTRIAN_CAMEL_Camelus_Bactrianus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 326px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_168_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_168_sml.jpg" width="326" height="281" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BACTRIAN CAMEL. (<i>Camelus Bactrianus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“In silent horror, o’er the boundless waste,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The driver Hassan with his Camels passed:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">One cruse of water on his back he bore,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And his light scrip contained a scanty store:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A fan of painted feathers in his hand,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">To guard his shaded face from scorching sand;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The sultry sun had gained the middle sky,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And not a tree, and not a herb was nigh:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The beasts with pain their dusty way pursue,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Shrill roar’d the winds, and dreary was the view!”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Collins.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Bactrian Camel</span> is a native of the deserts of Asia, and is generally +of a brown or ash colour. His height is about six feet. He is one of the +most useful quadrupeds in oriental countries; his docility and strength, +his endurance of hunger and thirst, and his swiftness, make him a most +valuable acquisition to the inhabitants of those desert places. The +principal characteristics of the Camel<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_169" id="page_169"></a>{169}</span> are these:—He has two large and +hard bunches on his back, and is destitute of horns; the upper lip is +divided like that of the hare; and the hoofs small and placed at the end +of two long toes, which are united below by a pad-like sole. But the +peculiar and distinguishing characteristic of the Camel is its faculty +of abstaining from water for a greater length of time than any other +animal; for which nature has made a wonderful provision, by adapting the +surface of one of the four stomachs, which it has in common with all +ruminating animals, to serve as a reservoir for water, where it remains +without corrupting or mixing with the other aliments. By this singular +structure it can take a prodigious quantity of water at one draught, and +is enabled to pass as much as fifteen days without drinking again. But +besides this reservoir of water the animal is said in cases of emergency +to draw sustenance from the humps on his back, which are of a fatty +substance: thus, after long privation, they become absorbed. A large +Camel is capable of carrying ten or even twelve hundredweight, and, like +the elephant, is tame and tractable; but, like him, he has his +periodical fits of rage, and at these times has been known to take up a +man in his teeth, throw him on the ground, and trample him under his +feet. Like the horse, he gives security to his rider; and, like the cow, +he furnishes his owner with meat for his table, and the female with milk +for his drink. The flesh of the young Camel is esteemed a delicacy, and +the milk of the female, diluted in water, is the common drink of the +Arabians. The hair or fleece, which falls off entirely in the spring, is +superior to that of any other domestic animal, and is made into very +fine stuffs, for clothes, coverings, tents, and other furniture. The +female goes one year with young, and produces but one at a time. The +Camel kneels to receive his burthen, and it is said that he refuses to +rise if his master imposes upon him a weight above his strength. He has +callosities on his knees and on his breast, which prevent him from being +hurt by kneeling to take up his load; and sleeps with his knees bent +under him, and his breast on the ground. He arrives at maturity in about +five years, and the duration of his life is from forty to fifty years.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_170" id="page_170"></a>{170}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ARABIAN_CAMEL_OR_DROMEDARY" id="Illustration_THE_ARABIAN_CAMEL_OR_DROMEDARY"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 335px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_170_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_170_sml.jpg" width="335" height="245" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ARABIAN CAMEL, OR DROMEDARY.<br /><br /> +(<i>Camelus Dromedarius.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Another</span> species of Camel, of less stature than the former, but much +swifter, and having but one hard bunch on his back, is domesticated +throughout Africa, as well as in Asia. It is said that a Dromedary can +travel one hundred miles a day, and carry fifteen hundredweight. +Attempts have been made to introduce the Camel and Dromedary into our +West India islands, but they have not succeeded; they have, however, +been comparatively naturalized near Pisa in Italy. The Camels used as +beasts of burden in Egypt are all Dromedaries; and the first experiment +which an European makes in bestriding one is generally a service of some +little danger, from the peculiarity of the animal’s movement in rising. +Denon, the French traveller, has described this with his usual vivacity: +“During the French invasion of Egypt, a part of Dessaix’s division,” to +which the scientific traveller was<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_171" id="page_171"></a>{171}</span> attached, “was sent with Camels to a +distant post across the desert. The Camel, slow as he generally is in +his actions, lifts up his hind legs very briskly at the instant the +rider is in the saddle; the man is thus thrown forward; a similar +movement of the fore legs throws him backward; each motion is repeated; +and it is not till the fourth movement, when the Dromedary is fairly on +his feet, that the rider can recover his balance. None of us could +resist the first impulse, and thus nobody could laugh at his +companions.” Macfarlane, in his work on Constantinople, tells us that +upon his first Camel adventure he was so unprepared for the probable +effect of the creature’s rising behind, that he was thrown over his +head, to the infinite amusement of the Turks, who laughed heartily at +his inexperience.</p> + +<p>Though the name of Dromedary is very generally applied to all the +one-humped camels, both in common parlance and books on Natural History, +it is said that the true Dromedary (<i>El Herie</i>) is merely a peculiarly +swift camel. The name of Dromedary, indeed, appears to be applied in the +East to all the higher bred camels, the genealogy of which is kept by +the Arabs as carefully as that of their horses.</p> + +<p>Possessing strength and activity surpassing that of most beasts of +burthen, docile, patient of hunger and thirst, and contented with small +quantities of the coarsest provender, the camel is one of the most +valuable gifts of Providence. There is nothing, however, in the exterior +appearance of the animal to indicate the existence of any of its +excellent qualities. In form and proportions it is very opposite to our +usual ideas of perfection and beauty. A stout body, having the back +disfigured by a great hump; limbs long, slender, and seemingly too weak +to support the trunk; a long, thin, crooked neck, surmounted by a +heavily-proportioned head, are all ill-suited to produce favourable +impressions. Nevertheless, there is no creature more excellently adapted +to its situation, nor is there one in which more of creative wisdom is +displayed in the peculiarities of its organization. To the Arabs, and +other wanderers of the desert, the Camel is at once wealth, subsistence, +and protection.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_172" id="page_172"></a>{172}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LLAMA_OR_CAMEL_OF_AMERICA" id="Illustration_THE_LLAMA_OR_CAMEL_OF_AMERICA"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 213px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_172_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_172_sml.jpg" width="213" height="192" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LLAMA, OR CAMEL OF AMERICA,<br /><br /> +(<i>Auchenia glama</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a mild, timorous creature, not above four feet and a half in height, +and usually of a brown colour. It bears in form a general resemblance to +the Camel; but, instead of a protuberance on the back, it has one on the +breast. Llamas are used as beasts of burden by the South Americans, and +are so capriciously vindictive, that, if their drivers strike them, they +immediately squat down, and nothing but caresses can induce them to rise +again. They have been known to kill themselves by striking their heads +against the ground in their rage, when by blows they have been urged +forward against their will. They express their anger by spitting at +their adversary. The <i>Alpacas</i> are much smaller than the Llamas, and of +different colours in a domestic state. They are used for the same +purposes, and differ little in habits and nature. The wool of both these +animals is made use of for several purposes, and is a principal +ingredient in the composition of hats in several parts of the new and +old continent; and the flesh of the young Llamas is, in their native +country, considered a great delicacy, and is as good as that of the fat +sheep of Castile. In Peru, where the animals are found, there are public +shambles for the sale of their flesh.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_173" id="page_173"></a>{173}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="IX_Quadrumana_or_Four-handed_Animals" id="IX_Quadrumana_or_Four-handed_Animals"></a>§ IX.—<i>Quadrumana, or Four-handed Animals.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_OURANG_OUTAN_Simia_satyrus" id="Illustration_THE_OURANG_OUTAN_Simia_satyrus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 237px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_173_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_173_sml.jpg" width="237" height="240" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE OURANG OUTAN. (<i>Simia satyrus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Animals</span> of the Monkey tribe are furnished with hands instead of paws; +their ears, eyes, eyelids, lips, and breasts resemble those of the human +species. For greater facility of description, the animals of this +extensive tribe are usually arranged in the three divisions of Apes, +Baboons, and Monkeys. Apes are destitute of tails, and the chief of this +kind is the Ourang Outan, or Wild Man of the Woods: he is found in the +forests of Borneo and Sumatra. He is a solitary animal, and avoids +mankind. The largest are said to be six feet high, very active, strong, +and intrepid, capable of overcoming the strongest man: they are likewise +exceedingly swift, and cannot easily be taken alive. When young, +however, the Ourang Outan is capable of being tamed: one of them, shown +in London some years ago, was taught to sit at table, make use of a +spoon or fork in eating, and drink wine out of a glass. It was mild and +affectionate, much attached to its keeper, and obedient to his +commands.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_174" id="page_174"></a>{174}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CHIMPANZEE" id="Illustration_THE_CHIMPANZEE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 310px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_174_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_174_sml.jpg" width="310" height="389" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CHIMPANZEE.<br /><br /> +(<i>Simia Troglodytes</i>, or <i>Troglodytes niger</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> Ape, which is an inhabitant of the great forests of Western Africa, +is generally considered to be that which approaches nearest to the human +species in its conformation. When full-grown, he measures about five +feet in height, standing erect, but this is a posture which he does not +naturally prefer, and when on the ground he usually walks upon all +fours, applying the outside of his hinder feet and the knuckles of his +fore limbs to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_175" id="page_175"></a>{175}</span> earth. His skin is clothed with long coarse black or +dark-brown hair, which becomes scanty on the lower surface of the body +and on the limbs; the face is naked and of a flesh colour, and at each +side there hangs down a great bush of long hair like a whisker. The +Chimpanzee lives in the trees, upon the branches of which he is very +active, and he has intelligence enough to build himself a sort of hut of +branches, usually about thirty or forty feet from the ground. His food +consists chiefly of fruits, and he is said to fly from the presence of +man.</p> + +<p>Young Chimpanzees have frequently been brought to this and other +European countries, and several of them have been exhibited in our +Zoological Gardens. They are generally gentle and rather melancholy in +their deportment, and often show much affection for those who have the +charge of them. Of a specimen exhibited in France in his time, Buffon +gives the following interesting account: “I have seen this animal,” he +says, “present its hand to lead out its visitors, or walk about with +them gravely as if it belonged to the company. I have seen it seat +itself at table, unfold its napkin and wipe its lips, use its spoon and +fork to carry its food to its mouth, pour its drink into a glass, and +touch glasses when invited; fetch a cup and saucer to the table, put in +sugar, pour out its tea, and leave it to cool before drinking it; and +all this without any other instigation than the signs and words of its +master, and often of its own accord.” Buffon adds that it had a taste +which, no doubt, some of our young readers partake: “It was excessively +fond of sugar-plums.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_176" id="page_176"></a>{176}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GORILLA_Troglodytes_Gorilla" id="Illustration_THE_GORILLA_Troglodytes_Gorilla"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 347px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_176_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_176_sml.jpg" width="347" height="207" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GORILLA. (<i>Troglodytes Gorilla.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> wonderful Ape, which has lately been discovered in the same region +inhabited by the Chimpanzee, is thought, in some respects, to possess +even a greater resemblance to our own species. He is said to attain a +height of seven feet, but the largest specimens hitherto obtained have +been rather less than six feet high. By some travellers the Gorilla is +said to walk upright, with his hands resting on the nape of his neck, +but the state of his knuckles shows that he usually goes, like the +Chimpanzee, on all fours. His skin is covered with short grizzled hair, +and the naked skin of his face and hands is black. The Gorilla is much +dreaded by the negroes who have to pass through the forests frequented +by him when engaged in hunting the Elephant; this is not on account of +his teeth, although they are sufficiently formidable, but of the +enormous strength of his hands, with which he can strangle a man in a +moment, and it is even said that the old males never miss an opportunity +of performing this operation. It is even said, that as a party of +hunters is passing through the forest, one of their number will +sometimes disappear suddenly, being caught up by a Gorilla lurking upon +the low branches of a tree; the monster speedily strangles his victim +and then lets the body fall.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_177" id="page_177"></a>{177}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MAGOT_OR_BARBARY_APE_Inuus_sylvanus" id="Illustration_THE_MAGOT_OR_BARBARY_APE_Inuus_sylvanus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 249px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_177_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_177_sml.jpg" width="249" height="136" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MAGOT, OR BARBARY APE, (<i>Inuus sylvanus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a species of Monkey quite destitute of a tail, which inhabits the +northern parts of Africa, and is also found on the Rock of Gibraltar. +Caubasson relates a laughable anecdote of one of these animals, which he +brought up tame, and which became so attached to him as to be desirous +of accompanying him wherever he went: when, therefore, he had to perform +divine service, he was under the necessity of shutting him up. One day, +however, the animal escaped, and followed the father to church, where, +silently mounting on the top of the sounding-board, above the pulpit, he +lay perfectly quiet till the sermon began. He then crept to the edge, +and, overlooking the preacher, imitated his gestures in so grotesque a +manner, that the whole congregation were convulsed with laughter. +Caubasson, surprised and displeased at this ill-timed levity, reproved +his auditors for their inattention; and on the obvious failure of his +reproof, he, in the warmth of zeal, redoubled his gesticulations and his +vociferations. These the Ape so exactly imitated that all respect for +their pastor was swallowed up in the scene before them, and they burst +into a loud and continued roar of laughter. A friend of the preacher at +length stepped up to him; and on perceiving the cause of this hilarity, +it was with the utmost difficulty he could command a serious countenance +while he ordered the Ape to be taken away.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_178" id="page_178"></a>{178}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BABOON_Cynocephalus" id="Illustration_THE_BABOON_Cynocephalus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 269px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_178_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_178_sml.jpg" width="269" height="178" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BABOON. (<i>Cynocephalus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">A genus</span> of Quadrumana, which comprises a large, fierce, and formidable +race of animals, who, though they in a slight degree partake of the +human conformation, like the Ourang Outan, &c., are in their +dispositions and habits the very reverse of gentleness and docility. The +Baboons are the ugliest of all the Quadrumana. Their eyes are small, and +sunk underneath their eyebrows. Their forehead is low, and the +development of the snout and face is enormously disproportioned to the +size of the skull. Their great strength and fierce disposition make them +very much dreaded in the countries they inhabit. Baboons differ from the +apes on the one hand, and the monkeys on the other, by having short +tails.</p> + +<p>The <i>Common Baboon</i> is of a sandy colour, with a reddish shade on the +shoulders, head, and back. It is playful and good-tempered when young, +but becomes morose and savage with age. Buffon thus describes a +full-grown specimen he saw:—“It was not altogether hideous, and yet it +excited horror. It seemed to be always in a state of savage ferocity, +grinding its teeth, perpetually restless, and agitated by unprovoked +fury. It was a stout-built animal, whose nervous limbs and compressed +form indicated great force and agility; and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_179" id="page_179"></a>{179}</span> though the length and +thickness of its shaggy coat made it appear much larger than it really +was, it was so strong and active that it might easily have repelled the +attacks of several unarmed men.”</p> + +<p>The <i>Cape Baboon</i>, or <i>Chacura</i> (<i>Cynocephalus porcarius</i>), is as big as +a large mastiff, covered with hair of an olive-black colour on the back, +and with paler hair beneath. He has a canine face; the snout resembles +that of a hog, and the nails are flat, but sharp and very strong. It is +said that he follows goats and sheep in order to drink their milk; he +partakes of human dexterity in getting the kernels out of nuts, and +loves to be covered with garments; he stands upright, and imitates with +ease many human actions. The cunning of these animals is well +exemplified in their mode of plunder. They form long lines, extending +from their retreat to the object in view, and then pitch the produce of +their theft from hand to hand till it is secure.</p> + +<p>The <i>Mandrill</i> is the largest kind of Baboon, being nearly five feet +high when it stands upright. It is distinguished from other Baboons by +having a large protuberance on either cheek, which is marked with +numerous red, blue, and purple stripes.</p> + +<p>“Those which have been observed in a domestic state are generally +remarked to have had a strong taste for fermented and spirituous +liquors. A remarkably fine individual which was long kept at Exeter +Change, and afterwards at the Surrey Zoological Gardens, drank his pot +of porter daily, and evidently enjoyed it; it was a most amusing sight +to see him seated in his little armchair with his quart pot beside him, +and smoking his short pipe with all the gravity and perseverance of a +Dutchman. In a state of nature his great strength and malicious +character render the Mandrill a truly formidable animal. As they +generally march in large bands they prove more than a match for the +other inhabitants of the forest. The inhabitants themselves are afraid +to pass through the woods unless in large companies and well armed.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_180" id="page_180"></a>{180}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_PROBOSCIS" id="Illustration_PROBOSCIS"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_180_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_180_sml.jpg" width="231" height="170" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="" +class="caption"> +<tr><td>THE PROBOSCIS.<br /> +(<i>Nasalis larvatus.</i>)</td><td> </td> +<td>THE DIANA MONKEY.<br /> +(<i>Cercopithecus Diana.</i>)</td></tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Proboscis Monkey</span> is so called from its long projecting and +disproportionate nose; it is an inhabitant of the island of Borneo, +where it lives in troops on trees in the vicinity of its rivers. It is +of a savage disposition. The Diana Monkey is called after the goddess of +that name, from the crescent of white hair which ornaments its brow. It +is very playful, and one of the most graceful of the tribe; it is found +in the hottest parts of Africa. Monkeys are less in stature, and more +numerous, than the apes and baboons. They live almost entirely in trees. +Their natural food is vegetable—fruit of all sorts, corn, and even +grass; but when domesticated, they learn to eat almost anything that is +served on our tables.</p> + +<p>There are few persons that are not acquainted with the various mimicries +of these animals, and their capricious feats of activity. Anecdotes of +this kind are very numerous; we shall content ourselves by giving the +following:—Captain Stedman, while hunting among the woods of Surinam +for provisions, says, that he shot at two of these animals, but that the +destruction to one of them was attended with such circumstances as to +ever afterwards deter him from going monkey hunting. “Seeing me nearly +on the bank of the river, in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_181" id="page_181"></a>{181}</span> canoe,” says he, “the creature made a +halt from skipping after his companions, and, being perched on a branch +that overhung the water, examined me with the strongest marks of +curiosity; while he chattered prodigiously, and kept shaking the boughs +on which he rested, with incredible strength and agility. At this time I +laid my piece to my shoulder and brought him down from the tree: but may +I never again be witness to such a scene! The miserable animal was not +dead, but mortally wounded. I seized him by the tail, and taking him in +both my hands, to end his torment swung him round, and hit his head +against the side of the canoe; but the poor creature still continued to +live, and looked at me in the most affecting manner that can be +conceived. I therefore knew no other means of ending his murder than to +hold him under water till he was drowned: but even in doing this, my +heart sickened; for his little dying eyes still continued to follow me +with seeming reproach, till their light gradually forsook them, and the +wretched animal expired.”</p> + +<p>The manner in which some of the Monkey tribe capture shell-fish is +remarkably indicative of their cunning and ingenuity. The oysters of the +tropical climates, being larger than ours, the Monkeys, when they reach +the sea-side, pick up stones, and thrust them between the opening +shells, which being thus prevented from closing, the cunning animals eat +the fish at their ease. In order to attract crabs, they put their tails +before the holes in which they have taken refuge; and when the creatures +have fastened on the lure, the Monkeys suddenly withdraw their tails, +and thus drag their prey on shore.</p> + +<p>The Monkey generally brings forth one at a time, and sometimes two. They +are rarely found to breed when brought over into Europe; but those that +do exhibit a very striking picture of parental affection. The male and +female are never tired of fondling their young one. They instruct it +with no little assiduity; and often severely correct it, if stubborn, or +disinclined to profit by their example. They hand it from one to the +other, and when the male has done showing his regard the female takes +her turn in the work of affection.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_182" id="page_182"></a>{182}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CAPUCHIN_AND_SPIDER_MONKEYS" id="Illustration_THE_CAPUCHIN_AND_SPIDER_MONKEYS"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 230px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_182_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_182_sml.jpg" width="230" height="177" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CAPUCHIN AND SPIDER MONKEYS,<br /><br /> +(<i>Cebus Capucinus</i> and <i>Ateles paniscus</i>,)</p><p>THE CAPUCHIN AND SPIDER MONKEYS,<br /><br /> +(<i>Cebus Capucinus</i> and <i>Ateles paniscus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Are</span> both natives of South America; they live in large troops, feeding on +roots, fruits, and insects, and are much more gentle than those of the +old world. Of the <i>Capuchin</i> there are many species, differing from each +other in colour only; they are very lively, active, and amusing, and +about a foot long. The Spider Monkey, like the Capuchin, has a long +prehensile tail, which it uses like a fifth hand. Nature seems by this +addition to have more than recompensed them for the want of a thumb, for +by it, when they are unable to leap from one tree to another, on account +of the distance, they form a kind of chain, with their young upon their +backs, hanging down by each other’s tails. One of them holds the branch +above, and the rest swing to and fro like a pendulum, until the +undermost is enabled to catch hold; the first then lets go his hold, and +thus comes undermost in his turn; in this way they can travel a great +distance without ever touching the ground. Curious illustrations of this +are daily seen at the Zoological Gardens, where there are several of +these Monkeys.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_183" id="page_183"></a>{183}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_OUISTITI_AND_MARIKINA_MONKEYS" id="Illustration_THE_OUISTITI_AND_MARIKINA_MONKEYS"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 239px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_183_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_183_sml.jpg" width="239" height="171" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE OUISTITI AND MARIKINA MONKEYS.<br /><br /> +(<i>Jacchus vulgaris</i> and <i>Rosalia</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Ouistiti</span>, or <span class="smcap">Marmozet</span>, inhabits the Brazils, and is of small size, +not measuring more than seven inches, though his tail is near eleven; he +weighs about six ounces, and, like others of his kind, lives not only on +vegetables, but also upon insects, the eggs of birds, and even small +birds. His face is almost naked, of a swarthy flesh colour, with a white +spot above the nose; the tail is full of hair, and annulated with +ash-coloured and black rings alternately; his nails are sharp, and his +fingers like those of a squirrel.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Marikina</span> is a beautiful little animal, not above nine inches long, +and is sometimes called the Lion Monkey; his hair is long, soft, and +glossy; his head is round, his face brown, and his ears hid under the +long hairs which surround his face, and which are of a bright red, while +those on his body and tail are of a beautiful pale yellow, or gold +colour. He is very playful, and of a seemingly robust temperament, for +we have seen one which lived five or six years in Paris, without any +other particular care than keeping it during the winter in a chamber in +which there was a fire every day.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_184" id="page_184"></a>{184}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LEMUR_AND_THE_MONGOOS" id="Illustration_THE_LEMUR_AND_THE_MONGOOS"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 226px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_184_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_184_sml.jpg" width="226" height="176" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LEMUR AND THE MONGOOS,<br /><br /> +(<i>Lemur macaco</i> and <i>Lemur albifrons</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">May</span> be considered as the connecting link between the Monkeys and the +genuine quadruped. Their habits are nocturnal, whence they have been +called Lemurs, or ghosts. They pass a considerable portion of the day in +sleep, rolled up like a ball, with the large tail passed between the +hind legs, and twisted round the neck. They live in troops, more or less +numerous, like the apes and monkeys, on trees, and climb with great +quickness, and leap with so much force as frequently to rise ten feet at +a single bound. They feed on fruits, roots, &c., and carry their food to +their mouth with their hands, like the apes; their voice, when not +alarmed, is a quick grunt. Their nocturnal and unobtrusive habits may +probably account in some degree for the rarity of their appearance. They +are all inhabitants of Madagascar, but allied species are also found in +Bengal, and other parts of Hindostan, in Ceylon, and Java. The above +specimens are from the Zoological Gardens, and are the White-fronted and +the Black and White Lemurs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_185" id="page_185"></a>{185}</span></p> + +<h2><a name="BOOK_II" id="BOOK_II"></a><span class="smcap">BOOK II.</span><br /><br /> +INHABITANTS OF THE AIR.</h2> + +<h3><a name="I_Raptores_Diurnal_Birds_of_Prey" id="I_Raptores_Diurnal_Birds_of_Prey"></a>§ I. <span class="smcap">Raptores.</span> <i>Diurnal Birds of Prey.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GOLDEN_EAGLE_Aquila_chrysaetos" id="Illustration_THE_GOLDEN_EAGLE_Aquila_chrysaetos"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 216px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_185_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_185_sml.jpg" width="216" height="266" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GOLDEN EAGLE. (<i>Aquila chrysaëtos.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“But who the various nations can declare,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That plough with busy wing the peopled air?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">These cleave the crumbling bark for insect food,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Those dip the crooked beak in kindred blood:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Some haunt the rushy moor, the lonely woods;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Some bathe their silver plumage in the floods;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Some fly to man, his household gods implore,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And gather round his hospitable door,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Wait the known call, and find protection there<br /></span> +<span class="i1">From all the lesser tyrants of the air.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The tawny Eagle seats his callow brood<br /></span> +<span class="i1">High on the cliff, and feasts his young with blood.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Barbauld.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Golden Eagle</span> is one of the largest and most powerful of all those +birds that have received the name of Eagle. It weighs above twelve +pounds. Its length, from the point of the beak to the end of the tail, +is<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_186" id="page_186"></a>{186}</span> about three feet; the breadth, when the wings are extended, is seven +or eight feet. The beak is horny, crooked, and very strong. The feathers +of the neck are of a rusty colour, and the rest dark brown. The feet are +feathered down to the claws, which have a wonderful grasp; the toes are +yellow, and the four talons are crooked and strong. As in all birds of +prey, the female is the larger, and more powerful.</p> + +<p>Eagles are remarkable for their longevity, and their faculty of +sustaining a long abstinence from food. Of all birds the Eagle flies +highest; and from thence the ancients have given it the epithet of the +<i>Bird of Heaven</i>:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Bird of the broad and sweeping wing,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Thy home is high in heaven,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Where wide the storms their banners fling,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And the tempest’s clouds are driven.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thy throne is on the mountain top,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Thy fields the boundless air;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And hoary peaks, that proudly prop<br /></span> +<span class="i3">The skies, thy dwellings are.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>This formidable bird may be considered among its own species what the +lion is among quadrupeds; and in many respects they have a strong +similitude to each other. Solitary, like the lion, he keeps the wilds to +himself alone; it is as extraordinary to see two pairs of Eagles in the +same mountain, as two lions in the same plain.</p> + +<p>The Eagle is found in Great Britain and Ireland, in Germany, and nearly +all parts of Europe. It is carnivorous, and, when unable to obtain the +flesh of larger animals, feeds on serpents and lizards. The story of the +Eagle, brought to the ground after a severe conflict with a cat, which +it had seized and taken up into the air with its talons, is very +remarkable; Mr. Barlow, who was an eye-witness of the fact, made a +drawing of it, which he afterwards engraved. Two instances are said to +have occurred in Scotland of the Eagle having flown away with infants to +its nest; but in both cases it is added that the children were +recovered, without being materially injured. This bird has been often +tamed, but in this situation it still preserves an innate love of +liberty. The nest of the Eagle is composed of strong<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_187" id="page_187"></a>{187}</span> sticks, and +generally built on the point of an inaccessible rock, whence it darts +upon its prey with the rapidity of lightning. The period of incubation +is said to be thirty days; and when the young are hatched, both the male +and female exert all their industry to provide for their wants. In the +county of Kerry a peasant is said once to have formed the resolution of +plundering an Eagle’s nest built upon a small island in the beautiful +lake of Killarney. He accordingly swam to the island while the parents +were away; and, after robbing the nest of the young, was preparing to +swim back with the Eaglets tied in a string; but while he was yet up to +the chin in the water, the old Eagles returned, and, missing their +family, fell upon the invader with such fury, that, in spite of all his +resistance, they despatched him with their beaks and talons.</p> + +<p>Another native of Kerry was more fortunate in his dealings with the +Eagles. During a season of scarcity he obtained sustenance for himself +and his family by plundering an Eagle’s nest of the food brought in by +the parents for their young ones: and he was so artful as to prolong the +supply by cutting the wings of the Eaglets so as to prevent their +flying, and thus compelled the old birds to continue their attention to +their progeny.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 284px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_187_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_187_sml.jpg" width="284" height="221" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_188" id="page_188"></a>{188}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SEA_EAGLE_Haliaetus_albicilla" id="Illustration_THE_SEA_EAGLE_Haliaetus_albicilla"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 281px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_188_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_188_sml.jpg" width="281" height="346" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SEA EAGLE. (<i>Haliaëtus albicilla.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird, known also as the White-tailed Eagle, from the inside +feathers of its tail being white, differs from the golden eagle in the +greater length of its beak, in its sluggish and cowardly habits, and in +its coarser taste. It is a native of Great Britain, where it inhabits +the high rocks and cliffs that overhang the sea, and whence it pounces +on the birds, fish, or seals that it can procure for its prey. It is +smaller than the golden eagle, rarely reaching three feet in length; and +in young birds the tail feathers are brown.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_189" id="page_189"></a>{189}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WHITE-HEADED_OR_BALD_EAGLE" id="Illustration_THE_WHITE-HEADED_OR_BALD_EAGLE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 273px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_189_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_189_sml.jpg" width="273" height="237" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WHITE-HEADED, OR BALD EAGLE.<br /><br /> +(<i>Haliaëtus leucocephalus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is about three feet long, and seven feet broad, measuring to +the tips of the extended wings. The bill resembles that of the golden +eagle, and from the chin hang some small hairy feathers like a beard. As +it is found alike in the frigid and the torrid zone, it is provided for +enduring rapid changes of temperature, and its whole body is clothed +under the feathers with a kind of down, white and soft like that of the +swan. This bird builds its nest on lofty cliffs by the sea-shore, and on +the banks of rivers or lakes, and feeds almost entirely upon fish.</p> + +<p>It is generally regarded by the Anglo-Americans with peculiar respect, +as the chosen emblem of their native land. The great cataract of Niagara +is mentioned as one of its favourite places of resort, not merely as a +fishing station, where it is enabled to satiate its hunger upon its most +congenial food, but also in consequence of the vast quantity of +four-footed beasts, which, unwarily venturing into the stream above, are +borne away by<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_190" id="page_190"></a>{190}</span> the torrent, and precipitated down those tremendous +falls:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“High o’er the watery uproar silent seen,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Sailing sedate in majesty serene,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Now ’midst the pillar’d spray sublimely lost,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And now emerging, down the rapids toss’d,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Glides the Bald Eagle, gazing calm and slow<br /></span> +<span class="i1">O’er all the horrors of the scene below;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Intent alone to sate himself with blood,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">From the torn victim of the raging flood.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The number of birds of prey of various kinds which assemble at the foot +of the rocks to glut themselves upon the banquet thus provided for them, +is said to be incredibly great, but they are all compelled to give place +to the Eagle when he deigns to feed on dead animals; and the crow and +the vulture submit without a struggle to the exercise of that tyranny, +which they know it would be in vain to resist. “We have ourselves,” says +Wilson, “seen the Bald Eagle, while seated on the dead carcase of a +horse, keep a whole flock of vultures at a respectful distance, until he +had fully sated his own appetite:” and he adds another instance, in +which many thousands of tree squirrels having been drowned, in one of +their migrations, in attempting to pass the Ohio, and having furnished +for some length of time a rich banquet to the vultures, the sudden +appearance among them of the Bald Eagle at once put a stop to their +festivities, and drove them to a distance from their prey, of which the +Eagle kept sole possession for several successive days.</p> + +<p>These Eagles sometimes hunt in pairs in a manner which shows their great +sagacity. Aware that water-fowl have the power of eluding their grasp by +diving, they hover at a distance from each other over their prey. One of +them then darts towards it with great swiftness, but the water-fowl +easily avoids the first attack by diving. The pursuer then rises into +the air, and his mate resumes the attack just as the fowl is emerging to +breathe, and compels it to plunge again. The Eagles continue alternately +to proceed in this manner till their victim is so exhausted that it +falls an easy prey.</p> + +<p>This Eagle also frequently attacks the Osprey or Fish Hawk, when he is +returning from a successful<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_191" id="page_191"></a>{191}</span> excursion loaded with a large fish, and +compels him to drop his prey; the Eagle then descends with wonderful +rapidity, and generally succeeds in seizing the fish before it reaches +the water.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_OSPREY_OR_FISHING_HAWK" id="Illustration_THE_OSPREY_OR_FISHING_HAWK"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 287px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_191_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_191_sml.jpg" width="287" height="234" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE OSPREY, OR FISHING HAWK.<br /><br /> +(<i>Pandion haliaëtus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“True to the season, o’er our sea-beat shore<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The sailing Osprey high is seen to soar<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With broad unmoving wing; and circling slow,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Marks each loose straggler in the deep below;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Sweeps down like lightning, plunges with a roar,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And bears its struggling victim to the shore.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is always found on the sea-shore, or near rivers or lakes, as +it feeds entirely on fish. It is common in Great Britain, and also in +America, where large colonies of it are found, the birds living together +like rooks. “When looking out for its prey,” says Dr. Richardson, “it +sails with great ease and elegance, in undulating and curved lines, at a +considerable height above the water, till it perceives its prey, when it +pounces down upon it. It seizes the fish with its claws, sometimes +scarcely appearing to dip its feet in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_192" id="page_192"></a>{192}</span> water, and at others plunging +entirely under the surface with force sufficient to throw up a +considerable spray. It emerges again, however, so speedily, as to render +it evident that it does not attack fish swimming at any great depth.” +The toes are armed beneath with numerous sharp points, evidently +intended to assist the bird in getting a firm hold of its slippery prey.</p> + +<p>The Osprey builds a large nest either on trees or rocks, and lays two or +three eggs, which have a reddish tinge, and are spotted with brown at +the larger end. The old birds feed the young ones even after they have +left the nest, and only rear one brood in the year.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BLACK_EAGLE" id="Illustration_THE_BLACK_EAGLE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 308px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_192_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_192_sml.jpg" width="308" height="341" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BLACK EAGLE.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Some</span> ornithologists suppose this to be merely the golden<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_193" id="page_193"></a>{193}</span> eagle in its +young state, but others make it a distinct species. It is about twice as +large as the raven. The parts about the beak and the eye are bare of +feathers, and somewhat reddish; the head, neck, and breast black; in the +middle of the back, between the shoulders, there is a large white spot, +dashed with red; a black streak sweeps along the feathers, and is +followed by a white one; the remaining part of the wing to the tip is of +a dark ash-colour. This bird has beautiful hazel eyes, full of +animation: his legs are feathered down a little below the tarsal joint, +the naked part being red; his talons are very long. He is found in +France, Germany, Poland, and delights in Alpine mountains, where he +makes the vales and woods resound with his incessant screamings when in +search of prey.</p> + +<p>The Abbé Spallanzani had an eagle of this species, so powerful as to be +able to kill dogs that were much larger than itself. When a dog was +placed before it, the bird would ruffle up the feathers on its head and +neck, cast a dreadful look at its victim, take a short flight, and +immediately alight on its back. It held the head firmly with one foot, +and thus secured the dog from biting, and with the other grasped one of +his flanks, at the same time driving its talons into the body; and in +this attitude it continued, till the dog expired with fruitless outcries +and efforts.</p> + +<p>The eyes of eagles are celebrated for their brilliancy and strength, +which has given rise to the popular opinion that they can gaze on the +sun without shrinking: though this, from the overhanging eyebrow of the +Eagle, would be an extremely difficult feat for the bird to perform. The +eyes of all birds are curiously constructed, so as to enable them to see +both distant objects and near ones with equal facility; and for this +purpose they are furnished with a membrane placed near the edge of the +crystalline lens of the eye, by which it can be moved at pleasure. The +orbit of the eye is formed of about twelve or sixteen bony plates, which +slide over each other when necessary. Birds are also furnished with an +additional eyelid, of extremely thin texture, with which they +occasionally appear to shade their eyes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_194" id="page_194"></a>{194}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_VULTURE_Vultur_Monachus" id="THE_VULTURE_Vultur_Monachus"></a>THE VULTURE. (<i>Vultur Monachus.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> first rank in the description of birds has been given to the eagle, +not on account of its size, but because it is nobler in its habits and +more delicate in its appetites. But it belongs to the falcon tribe, and +should be placed after the Vultures. The eagle, unless pressed by +famine, will not stoop to carrion; and generally devours only what he +has earned by his own pursuit. The Vulture, on the contrary, is +disgustingly voracious; and seldom attacks living animals when it can be +supplied with dead. The eagle meets and singly opposes his enemy: the +Vulture, if he expects resistance, calls in the aid of its kind, and +overpowers its prey by combination. Putrefaction, instead of deterring, +only serves to allure it. The Vulture seems among birds what the jackal +and hyæna are among quadrupeds, who prey upon carcases, and root up the +dead.</p> + +<p>Vultures may be easily distinguished from eagles by the nakedness of +their heads and necks, which are without feathers, and only covered with +a very slight down, or a few scattered hairs; their eyes are more +prominent; those of the eagle being buried more in the socket, and +shaded by an overhanging eyebrow. Their claws are shorter and less +hooked. The inside of the wing is covered with a thick down, which is +different in them from all other birds of prey. Their attitude is not so +upright as that of the eagle, and their flight is more difficult and +heavy.</p> + +<p>In this description we may include the Golden, the Ash-coloured, and the +Brown Vulture, which are inhabitants of Europe; the Spotted and the +Black Vulture of Egypt; the Bearded Vulture, the Brazilian Vulture and +the King of the Vultures, of South America. They all agree in their +nature, being equally indolent, rapacious, and unclean. The Condor also +belongs to the Vulture tribe.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_195" id="page_195"></a>{195}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_KING_VULTURE_Vultur_or_Sarcorhamphus_papa" id="Illustration_THE_KING_VULTURE_Vultur_or_Sarcorhamphus_papa"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 286px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_195_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_195_sml.jpg" width="286" height="250" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE KING VULTURE. (<i>Vultur</i>, or <i>Sarcorhamphus papa</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The King Vulture</span>, or King of the Vultures, is so called, because when he +makes his appearance amongst a whole company of other birds of his kind +engaged in a feast upon a dead carcase, they all retire before him and +wait respectfully at a little distance until this monarch has eaten his +fill. He is an inhabitant of South America.</p> + +<p>The head and neck of this bird are without feathers; the body above, +reddish buff, beneath, yellowish white: quills greenish black; tail +black; craw pendulous, and orange-coloured. It is about the size of a +turkey; and is chiefly remarkable for the odd formation of the skin of +the head and neck; this skin, which is of an orange colour, arises from +the base of the bill, whence it stretches on each side of the head; the +eyes are surrounded by a red skin, and the iris has the colour and +lustre of pearl. Upon the naked part of the neck is a collar formed by +soft longish feathers. Into this collar the bird sometimes withdraws his +whole neck, and sometimes a part of its head, so that it looks as if it +had hidden its neck in its body.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_196" id="page_196"></a>{196}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CONDOR_Vultur_gryphus" id="Illustration_THE_CONDOR_Vultur_gryphus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 260px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_196_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_196_sml.jpg" width="260" height="273" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CONDOR. (<i>Vultur gryphus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird measures three or four feet long, and its wings, when +expanded, from ten to twelve feet. Its bill and talons are exceedingly +large and strong; and its courage is equal to its strength. The throat +is naked, and of a red colour. The upper parts in some individuals (for +they differ greatly in colour) are variegated with black, gray, and +white, and the body is scarlet. Round the neck it has a white ruff of +loose hairy feathers. The feathers on the back are generally quite +black, and perfectly bright. These enormous birds, which are inhabitants +of South America, breed among the highest and most inaccessible rocks. +The female makes no nest, but lays two white eggs, somewhat bigger than +those of a turkey, on the bare rock. Some writers have affirmed that a +Condor can carry off a sheep in its claws, and others that it has +carried off children in the same manner; but these tales are manifestly +absurd, as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_197" id="page_197"></a>{197}</span> Condor’s feet and talons are not fitted for carrying any +great weight. Both the talons and the bill are indeed of extraordinary +strength, but they are intended for tearing objects to pieces; and +consequently we find that the Condor feeds chiefly on dead or dying +cattle, or horses, which he tears to pieces and devours where they lie. +When the Condor is gorged the hunters attack him, but his strength and +fierceness are so great, that one of Sir Francis Head’s companions, who +attempted to seize a gorged Condor, said he never had “such a battle in +his life;” though he had been a Cornish miner and was reckoned an +excellent wrestler in his own country.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BUZZARD_Falco_Buteo_or_Buteo_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_BUZZARD_Falco_Buteo_or_Buteo_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 269px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_197_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_197_sml.jpg" width="269" height="177" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BUZZARD. (<i>Falco Buteo</i>, or <i>Buteo vulgaris</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The noble Buzzard ever pleased me best;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of small renown, ’t is true; for, not to lie,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">We call him but a Hawk by courtesy.”<br /></span> +<span class="i12"><span class="smcap">Hind and Panther.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><i>This</i> is a rapacious bird, of the hawk kind, and the most common of all +in England. It is of a sluggish, indolent nature, often remaining +perched on the same bough for the greater part of the day: as if, +indifferent either to the allurements of food or of pleasure, it were +doomed, like some of the human species, to pass its allotted span of +life in passive contemplation. It feeds<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_198" id="page_198"></a>{198}</span> on mice, rabbits, frogs, and +often on all sorts of carrion. Too idle to build itself a nest, it +frequently seizes upon the old habitation of a crow, which it lines +afresh with wool and other soft materials. In general this bird, whose +colour varies considerably, is brown varied with yellow specks; at a +certain age its head becomes entirely gray. The female generally lays +two or three eggs, which are mostly white, though sometimes spotted with +yellow. Its length is usually twenty-two inches, and its breadth upwards +of fifty.</p> + +<p>The following anecdote, related by Buffon, will show that the Buzzard +may be so far tamed as to be rendered a faithful domestic. A Buzzard, +which had been caught in a snare, was brought to a gentleman, who +undertook to tame it. It was at first wild and ferocious, but by +depriving it of food he succeeded in constraining it to come and eat out +of his hand. By pursuing this plan he brought it to be very familiar; +and, after having shut it up about six weeks, he began to allow it a +little liberty, taking the precaution, however, to tie both pinions of +its wings. In this condition it walked out into his garden, and returned +when called to be fed; after some time, thinking he might trust to its +fidelity, he removed the ligatures, and fastened a small bell above its +talon, and also attached to its breast a bit of copper with his name +engraved on it. He then gave it entire liberty, which it soon abused; +for it took wing and flew into the forest of Belesme. The bird was given +up for lost; but four hours afterwards, it rushed into the gentleman’s +hall, pursued by five other Buzzards, which had driven it into its +former asylum. After this adventure it preserved its fidelity, coming +every night to sleep under the window. It soon became familiar, attended +constantly at dinner, sat on a corner of the table, and often caressed +its master with its head and bill, emitting a weak, sharp cry, which, +however, it sometimes softened. It had a singular propensity of seizing +from the head and flying away with the red caps of the peasants; and so +alert was it in whipping them off, that they found their heads bare +without knowing what was become of their caps; it even treated the wigs<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_199" id="page_199"></a>{199}</span> +of the old men in the same way, hiding its booty in the tallest trees.</p> + +<p>Wilson says that one he shot in the wing lived with him several weeks: +but refused to eat. It amused itself by hopping from one end of the room +to the other, and sitting for hours at the window, looking down on the +passengers below. At first, he put himself in an attitude of defence +when approached; but after some time became quite familiar, permitting +himself to be handled. Though he lived so long without food, his stomach +was found on dissection to be enveloped in solid fat of nearly an inch +in thickness.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HONEY-BUZZARD_Falco_or_Pernis_apivorus" id="Illustration_THE_HONEY-BUZZARD_Falco_or_Pernis_apivorus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_199_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_199_sml.jpg" width="262" height="215" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HONEY-BUZZARD. (<i>Falco</i>, or <i>Pernis apivorus</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> Buzzard eats lizards, frogs, and snails. It also feeds upon the +larvæ of bees and wasps, which form the chief food of the young birds. +Buffon says that in winter, when fat, it is good eating, a very rare +circumstance with birds of this genus. It seldom flies, excepting from +one bush to another; but, when on the ground, it runs with great +rapidity, like a domestic fowl.</p> + +<p>Willoughby observes that it builds its nest with twigs,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_200" id="page_200"></a>{200}</span> on which it +lays wool to receive its eggs. He saw one that took possession of an old +kite’s nest to breed in, and that fed its young with the larvæ of wasps, +for in the nest were found the combs of wasps’ nests, and, in the +stomachs of the young, fragments of wasp-maggots. In the nest were two +young ones, covered with white down, spotted with black. In the crop of +one of them were two lizards entire, with their heads lying towards the +mouth, as if they sought to creep out.</p> + +<p>It would be highly interesting could we discover the manner in which +this bird conducts its attack on a wasps’ nest. The close feathering +round the base of the bill, is, no doubt, a protection against the +stings of the insects which they attack.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GOSHAWK_Falco_or_Astur_palumbarius" id="Illustration_THE_GOSHAWK_Falco_or_Astur_palumbarius"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 263px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_200_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_200_sml.jpg" width="263" height="168" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GOSHAWK, (<i>Falco</i>, or <i>Astur palumbarius</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Breeds</span> in lofty trees in Scotland, and destroys a great quantity of +small game, which he seizes with his sharp and crooked talons, and +carries to his nest. He is of the hawk tribe, and somewhat larger than +the common buzzard; his bill is blue, and he has a white stripe over +each eye, and also a large white spot on each side of the neck. The +general colour of the plumage is deep brown; the breast and belly white, +transversely streaked with black; and the legs yellow. Buffon, who +brought up two young Goshawks, a male and a female, makes<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_201" id="page_201"></a>{201}</span> the following +observations: “The Goshawk, before it has shed its feathers, that is, in +the first year, is marked on the breast and belly with longitudinal +brown spots; but after it has had two moultings they disappear, and +their place is occupied by transverse bars, which continue during the +rest of its life.” He further observes that, “though the male was much +smaller than the female, it was fiercer and more vicious.” The Goshawk +is found in France and Germany; it is not common in England, but is more +so in Scotland. In former times the custom of carrying a Hawk or Falcon +on the hand was confined to men of high distinction; so that it was a +saying among the Welsh, “You may know a gentleman by his Hawk, horse, +and greyhound.” Even the ladies in those times were partakers of this +gallant sport, and have been represented in pictures with Hawks on their +hands. At present hawking is almost entirely laid aside in this country, +as the expense which attended it, being very considerable, confined it +to princes and men of the highest rank. In the time of James the First, +Sir Thomas Monson is said to have given a thousand pounds for a cast of +Hawks. In the reign of Edward the Third it was made felony to steal a +Hawk; to take its eggs, even in a person’s own grounds, was punishable +with imprisonment for a year and a day, together with a fine at the +king’s pleasure. Such was the delight our ancestors took in this royal +sport, and such were the means by which they endeavoured to secure it. +The Falcons, or Hawks, chiefly used in these kingdoms were the Goshawk, +the Peregrine Falcon, Iceland Falcon, and the Ger Falcon. The game +usually pursued were cranes, wild geese, pheasants, and partridges. The +Duke of St. Albans is still hereditary grand falconer of England, but +the office is not now exercised, except for the Duke’s own amusement.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_202" id="page_202"></a>{202}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SPARROWHAWK_Falco_or_Accipiter_nisus" id="Illustration_THE_SPARROWHAWK_Falco_or_Accipiter_nisus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 335px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_202_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_202_sml.jpg" width="335" height="256" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SPARROWHAWK. (<i>Falco</i>, or <i>Accipiter nisus</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Sparrowhawk</span> is a bold-spirited bird; the length of the male is +twelve inches, that of the female fifteen; the beak is short, crooked, +and of a bluish tint, but very black towards the tip; the tongue black, +and a little cleft; the eyes of a middling size. The crown of the head +is of a dark brown; above the eyes, in the hinder part of the head, +there are sometimes white feathers; the roots of the feathers of the +head and neck are white, the rest of the upper side, back, shoulders, +wings, and neck of a dark brown. The wings, when closed, scarcely reach +to the middle of the tail; the thighs are strong and fleshy, the legs +long, slender, and yellow; the toes also long, and the talons black. The +female lays about five eggs, spotted near the blunt end with brown +specks. When wild they feed only upon birds, and possess a boldness and +courage above their size; but in a domestic state they do not refuse raw +flesh and mice. They can be made obedient and docile, and readily +trained to hunt quails and partridges.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_203" id="page_203"></a>{203}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_KITE_Falco_Milvus_or_Milvus_regalis" id="Illustration_THE_KITE_Falco_Milvus_or_Milvus_regalis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 240px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_203_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_203_sml.jpg" width="240" height="276" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE KITE. (<i>Falco Milvus</i>, or <i>Milvus regalis</i>.)</p><p>THE KITE. (<i>Falco Milvus</i>, or <i>Milvus regalis</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird, though it belongs to the falcon tribe, is called ignoble, +because it is never used in hawking. It is easily distinguished from +other birds of prey by its forked tail, and the slow and circular eddies +it describes in the air whenever it spies from the regions of the clouds +a young duck or a chicken which has strayed too far from the brood. When +this is the case, the Kite, pouncing on it with the rapidity of a dart, +seizes it in its talons, and carries it off to its nest. It is, however, +a great coward, and if the hen flies at it, which she always does if she +sees it, it will drop the chicken and fly off. It is larger than the +common buzzard; and though it weighs somewhat less than three pounds, +the extent of its wings is more than five feet. The head and neck are of +a pale ash colour, varied with longitudinal lines across the shafts of +the feathers; the back is reddish; the lesser rows of the wing feathers +are party-coloured, of black, red, and white; the feathers<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_204" id="page_204"></a>{204}</span> covering the +inside of the wings are red, with black spots in the middle. The eyes +are large, the legs and feet yellow, the talons black. It is a handsome +bird, and seems almost always on the wing. It rests itself on the air, +and does not appear to make the smallest effort in flying, but rather to +glide along with the gentlest breeze.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FALCON" id="Illustration_THE_FALCON"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 259px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_204_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_204_sml.jpg" width="259" height="183" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FALCON.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Falcon</span> is a predaceous bird, of which there are several species. Of +these the <i>Gerfalcon</i> (<i>Falco Gyrfalco</i>) is the largest, and is found in +the northern parts of Europe; and, next to the eagle, is the most +formidable, active, and intrepid of all voracious birds, and the most +esteemed for falconry. The bill is crooked and bluish; the irides of the +eye dusky; and the whole plumage of a whitish hue, marked with dark +lines on the breast, and dusky spots on the back.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_205" id="page_205"></a>{205}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PEREGRINE_FALCON_Falco_peregrinus" id="Illustration_THE_PEREGRINE_FALCON_Falco_peregrinus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 288px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_205_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_205_sml.jpg" width="288" height="391" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PEREGRINE FALCON. (<i>Falco peregrinus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Peregrine Falcon</span>, which is the most common kind, is from fifteen to +eighteen inches in length. The bill is blue at the base, and black at +the point; the head, back, scapulars, and coverts of the wing are barred +with deep black and blue; the throat, neck, and upper part of the breast +are white, tinged with yellow; the bottom of the breast, belly, and +thighs are of a grayish white; and the tail is black and blue. Wilson +enumerates no less than ten varieties, dependent chiefly upon age, sex, +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_206" id="page_206"></a>{206}</span> country. It is found, more or less abundantly, throughout the whole +of Europe, principally in the mountain districts in North and South +America, dwelling in the clefts of rocks, especially such as are exposed +to the mid-day sun. It breeds upon the cliffs in several parts of +England, but appears to be more common in Scotland and Wales. Its food +consists principally of small birds; but it scruples not to attack the +larger species, and sometimes gives battle even to the kite. Falcons +rarely take their prey upon the ground, like the more ignoble birds of +the class to which they belong; but pounce upon it from aloft, in a +directly perpendicular descent as it flies through the air, bear it +downwards by the united impulse of the strength and rapidity of their +attack, and sticking their talons into its flesh, carry it off in +triumph to the place of their retreat. Like most predatory animals, they +are stimulated to action by the pressure of hunger alone, and remain +inactive and almost motionless while the process of digestion is going +on, until the renewed cravings of their appetite stimulate them to +further exertion. In different stages of its growth, the Peregrine +Falcon has been known by various English names. Its proper appellation +among falconers is the Slight Falcon, the term Falcon Gentle being +equally applicable to all the species when rendered manageable. In the +immature state, this Falcon is also called a Red Hawk, from the +prevailing colour of its plumage. The male is called a Tiercel, to +distinguish it from the female, which, in the Falcon tribe, is commonly +one-third larger than the male.</p> + +<p>In China there is said to be a variety, which is mottled with brown and +yellow, and used by the emperor of China in his sporting excursions, +when he is usually attended by his great falconer, and a thousand of +inferior rank. Every bird has a silver plate fastened to its foot, with +the name of the falconer who has the charge of it, that, in case it +should be lost, it may be restored to the proper person; but if it +should not be found, the name is delivered to another officer, called +the guardian of lost birds, who, to make his situation known, erects his +standard in a conspicuous place among the army of hunters.</p> + +<p>In Syria there is a species of Falcon, which the inhabitants<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_207" id="page_207"></a>{207}</span> call +Shaheen (<i>Falco peregrinator</i>), and which is of so fierce and courageous +a disposition, that it will attack any bird, however large or powerful, +which presents itself. “Were there not,” says Dr. Russel, in his Account +of Aleppo, “several gentlemen now in England to bear witness to the +fact, I should hardly venture to assert that, with this bird, which is +about the size of a pigeon, the inhabitants sometimes take large eagles. +This Hawk was in former times taught to seize the eagle under the +pinion, and thus depriving him of the use of one wing, both birds fell +to the ground together; but the present mode is to teach the Hawk to fix +on the back, between the wings, which has the same effect, only, that as +the bird tumbles down more slowly, the falconer has more time to come to +his Hawk’s assistance; but in either case, if he be not very +expeditious, the falcon is inevitably destroyed. I never saw the Shaheen +fly at eagles, that sport having been disused before my time; but I have +often seen him take herons and storks. The Hawk, when thrown off, flies +for some time in a horizontal line, not six feet from the ground; then +mounting perpendicularly, with astonishing swiftness, he seizes his prey +under the wing, and both together come tumbling to the ground.”</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 259px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_207_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_207_sml.jpg" width="259" height="218" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_208" id="page_208"></a>{208}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MERLIN_Falco_aesalon" id="Illustration_THE_MERLIN_Falco_aesalon"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 248px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_208_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_208_sml.jpg" width="248" height="366" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MERLIN, (<i>Falco æsalon</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> the smallest British species of the Falcon tribe, and, as its name +implies, is not very different in size from the blackbird; the word +Merlin signifying in French a small <i>merle</i>, or blackbird. Though small +the Merlin is not inferior in courage to any of the other Hawks; it is +noted for its boldness and spirit, often attacking and killing at one +stroke a full-grown partridge or a quail; but it differs from the +Falcons and all the other rapacious kinds, in the male and female being +of equal size. The back of this bird is party-coloured, of dark blue and +brown; the quill feathers of the wings black, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_209" id="page_209"></a>{209}</span> rusty spots; the +tail is about five inches long, of a dark brown or blackish colour, with +transverse white bars: the breast is of a yellowish white, with streaks +of rusty brown pointing downwards; the legs are long, slender, and +yellow; the talons black. The head is encircled with a row of yellowish +feathers, not unlike a coronet. In the male the feathers on the rump, +next the tail, are bluer; a mark by which the falconers easily discern +the sex of the bird. The Merlin does not breed here, but visits us in +October: it flies low, and with great celerity and ease. In the days of +falconry, the Merlin was considered the lady’s hawk.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">In ancient days—in ancient days,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">When ladies took a strange delight<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In hawks and hounds and sporting ways,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">A Merlin was a pleasant sight.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“ ’T was gentle when, in trappings gay,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Upon its lady’s wrist it stood;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Till its hood was raised and it saw its prey,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">When its eye betrayed the bird of blood.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 259px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_209_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_209_sml.jpg" width="259" height="210" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_210" id="page_210"></a>{210}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_KESTREL_Falco_tinnunculus" id="Illustration_THE_KESTREL_Falco_tinnunculus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 289px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_210_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_210_sml.jpg" width="289" height="289" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE KESTREL, (<i>Falco tinnunculus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> the commonest of all the British Hawks, and may be seen in almost all +parts of the country hovering over the fields in search of mice and +other small animals. His flight is very peculiar. He advances only for a +short distance at a time, and then suspends himself in the air by very +short but quick movements of his wings. If no prey make its appearance +beneath him, he then goes on a little further, and again remains +stationary, but the moment a mouse or other small quadruped stirs +amongst the grass, his wings close, and he descends with the greatest +velocity. The Kestrel will also feed upon small birds and insects.</p> + +<p>The Kestrel is a handsome little Hawk, from twelve to fifteen inches in +length, with a blue beak and yellow cere and feet. Its plumage is +reddish brown or fawn colour, elegantly marked with black spots and +bars. Its nest is built among rocks, or in the holes and corners of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_211" id="page_211"></a>{211}</span> old +buildings and church towers, and the female lays four or five eggs, +which are reddish white, with brown spots.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SECRETARY_BIRD_Serpentarius_reptilivorus" id="Illustration_THE_SECRETARY_BIRD_Serpentarius_reptilivorus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 294px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_211_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_211_sml.jpg" width="294" height="410" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SECRETARY BIRD. (<i>Serpentarius reptilivorus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> singular bird, which is a native of Southern Africa, differs from +all the other predaceous birds in the great length of its legs, which +are so long that some naturalists have placed it among the Wading Birds. +It stands between<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_212" id="page_212"></a>{212}</span> three and four feet high when erect, and is of a +bluish ash colour on the back and nearly white beneath; its tail is +long, and has the two middle feathers much longer than the others and +nearly reaching to the ground; and the back of the head is adorned with +a tuft of black feathers, which the bird can raise at pleasure. It is +from this tuft that the bird has obtained his name; the Dutch colonists +of the Cape of Good Hope fancied they saw some resemblance in it to the +pen of a clerk stuck behind his ear, and accordingly called him the +Secretary Bird. Clerks and secretaries are no doubt useful personages in +their way, and the Secretary Bird, although he cannot take his pen from +behind his ear, finds abundance of work to do, although of a kind very +different from the peaceful labours of his namesakes. He is the great +destroyer of the snakes and other reptiles which swarm in many parts of +Southern Africa, and which, but for him, would increase in numbers so as +to become a positive nuisance. And here we may call our young readers to +admire the wonderful manner in which the structure of a hawk has been +modified by the hand of the Creator to suit it for a particular mode of +life. As the bird advances to attack a snake his long legs, protected by +hard horny scales, elevate his body to a considerable height above the +ground, thus giving him an advantageous position, and at the same time +enabling it to move with great speed. One of the large and powerful +wings, armed at the end with a strong spur, is raised a little from the +body and held forward like a shield, but constantly shaken, as if to +distract the attention of the foe, and thus, like a skilful boxer +sparring up to his antagonist, the Secretary makes his way towards his +intended prey. As he approaches he watches for the moment when the snake +is about to spring upon him; a single blow from the spurred wing is +usually sufficient to lay the reptile writhing in the ground in a +helpless state; it is then soon despatched and as speedily swallowed. +Some idea of the quantity of reptiles destroyed by this bird may be +gained from Le Vaillant’s statement, that the crop of one of them +examined by him contained eleven lizards, three snakes as long as a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_213" id="page_213"></a>{213}</span> +man’s arm, and eleven small tortoises, together with a good many +insects. The inhabitants of the Cape Colony are quite aware of the +services rendered to them by the Secretary Bird, and sometimes keep him +among their poultry to protect them from injurious animals; he is said +to behave with great propriety under these circumstances, rarely doing +any mischief to his companions, unless his supply of food has been +neglected.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HEN_HARRIER_Circus_cyaneus" id="Illustration_THE_HEN_HARRIER_Circus_cyaneus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 255px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_213_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_213_sml.jpg" width="255" height="291" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HEN HARRIER, (<i>Circus cyaneus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> seen about forests, heaths, and other retired places, especially in +the neighbourhood of marshy grounds, where it destroys vast numbers of +snipes, woodcocks, and wild ducks. It is about seventeen inches long, +and three feet wide; its bill is black, and cere yellow. The upper part +of its body is of a bluish gray; and the back of the head, breast, +belly, and thighs are white. The legs are long, slender, and yellow; and +the claws black.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_214" id="page_214"></a>{214}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="II_Nocturnal_Birds_of_Prey" id="II_Nocturnal_Birds_of_Prey"></a>§ II.—<i>Nocturnal Birds of Prey.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HORNED_OWL_Bubo_maximus" id="Illustration_THE_HORNED_OWL_Bubo_maximus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 288px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_214_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_214_sml.jpg" width="288" height="310" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HORNED OWL, (<i>Bubo maximus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> one of the largest of the Owls, and has two long tufts growing from +the top of its head, above its ears, and composed of six feathers, which +it can raise or lay down at pleasure. Its eyes are large, and encircled +with an orange-coloured iris; the ears are large and deep, and the beak +black; the breast, belly, and thighs, are of a dull yellow, marked with +brown streaks; the back, coverts of the wings, and quill feathers, are +brown and yellow; and the tail is marked with dusky and red bars. It +inhabits the north and west of England, and Wales. The conformation of +the organ of sight in the Owl is so<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_215" id="page_215"></a>{215}</span> peculiar, and so much in its nature +resembling that of the feline kind, that it can see much better at dusk +than by daylight. The Barn Owl sees in a greater degree of darkness than +the others; and, on the contrary, the Horned Owl is enabled to pursue +his prey by day, though with difficulty. Owls are sometimes tamed by +persons in the country, who carefully rear them in a domestic state, +from their propensity to chase and devour mice and other vermin, of +which they clear the houses with as much address as cats. The Owl is a +solitary bird, and is said to retire into holes in towers and old walls +in the winter, and pass that season in sleep.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The solitary bird of night,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Through the pale shade now wings his flight,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And quits the time-shook tower;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Where, shelter’d from the blaze of day,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In philosophic gloom he lay,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Beneath his ivy bower.” <span class="smcap">Carter.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HARFANG_OR_GREAT_SNOWY_OWL" id="Illustration_THE_HARFANG_OR_GREAT_SNOWY_OWL"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 216px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_215_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_215_sml.jpg" width="216" height="258" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HARFANG, OR GREAT SNOWY OWL.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Harfang</span>, or <span class="smcap">Great Snowy Owl</span>, (<i>Surnia nyctea</i>,) is another species +which takes its prey occasionally by daylight.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_216" id="page_216"></a>{216}</span> It is seldom seen in +England, but frequently visits North Britain, particularly the Orkney +and Shetland Islands. It is one of the few Owls that feed on fish, into +which it strikes its talons while in the water, and carries them off to +its nest. These Owls are very common in the northern parts of North +America, and are eaten not only by the Indians, but by the Europeans +engaged in the fur trade.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WHITE_BARN_OR_SCREECH_OWL" id="Illustration_THE_WHITE_BARN_OR_SCREECH_OWL"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 271px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_216_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_216_sml.jpg" width="271" height="328" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WHITE, BARN, OR SCREECH OWL.<br /><br /> +(<i>Srix flammea.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— from yonder ivy-mantled tower,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">The moping Owl does to the moon complain<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of such as, wandering near her secret bower,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Molest her ancient solitary reign.” <span class="smcap">Gray.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is about the size of a large pigeon. Its beak,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_217" id="page_217"></a>{217}</span> hooked at the +end, is more than an inch and a half long. There is a circle or wreath +of white, soft, and downy feathers, encompassed with yellow ones, +beginning from the nostrils on each side, passing round the eye and +under the chin, somewhat resembling the hood that women used to wear; so +that the eyes appear to be sunk in the middle of the feathers, and only +the tip of the beak projects from them. The breast and feathers of the +inside of the wings are white, and marked with a few dark spots; the +upper parts of the body are of a fine pale yellow colour, variegated +with black and white spots. The legs are covered with a thick down to +the feet, but the toes have only thin-set hairs around them.</p> + +<p>In ancient mythology, another common species, the <i>Brown Owl</i> (<i>Syrnium +aluco</i>), was consecrated to Minerva, the goddess of wisdom; in allusion +to the lucubrations of wise men, who study in retirement and during the +night.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Now the Hermit Owlet peeps<br /></span> +<span class="i3">From the barn, or twisted brake;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And the blue mist slowly creeps,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Curling on the silver lake.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Cunningham.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h3><a name="III_Insessores_or_Perching_Birds" id="III_Insessores_or_Perching_Birds"></a>§ III.—<i>Insessores, or Perching Birds.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BUTCHER-BIRD_OR_SHRIKE" id="Illustration_THE_BUTCHER-BIRD_OR_SHRIKE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 256px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_217_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_217_sml.jpg" width="256" height="143" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BUTCHER-BIRD, OR SHRIKE.<br /><br /> +(<i>Lanius excubitor.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Great Butcher-bird</span>, or <span class="smcap">Shrike</span>, is about as large as a thrush; its +bill is black, an inch long, and hooked at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_218" id="page_218"></a>{218}</span> end. It is only an +occasional visitor to this country, where it is generally found between +autumn and spring. “The Shrike,” says Mr. Yarrell, “feeds on mice, +shrews, small birds, frogs, lizards, and large insects. After having +killed its prey, it fixes the body in a forked branch, or upon a sharp +thorn, the more readily to tear off small pieces from it. It is from +their habit of killing and hanging up their meat, that the Shrikes are +called Butcher-birds.” The head, back, and rump are ash-coloured; the +chin and lower part of the body white; the breast and throat varied with +dark lines crossing each other; the tips of the feathers of the wings +are, for the most part, white; it has a black spot by the eye; the +outermost tail feathers of the male are all over white; the two +middlemost have only their tips white, the rest of the feathers being +black, as well as the legs and feet. It builds its nest among thorny +shrubs and dwarf trees, and furnishes it with moss, wool, and downy +herbs, where the female lays five or six eggs. A peculiarity belonging +to the birds of this kind is, that they do not, like most other birds, +expel the young ones from the nest as soon as they can provide for +themselves, but the whole brood live together in one family. The +Butcher-bird will chase all the small birds upon the wing, and will +sometimes venture to attack partridges, and even young hares. Thrushes +and blackbirds are frequently their prey: the Shrike fixes on them with +its talons, splits the skull with its bill, and feeds on them at +leisure. On this account Linnæus classed the Shrikes with the birds of +prey; but modern naturalists have placed them with the insect-eaters, as +insects are their principal food. It is easy to distinguish these birds +at a distance, not only from their going in companies, but also from +their manner of flying, which is always up and down, seldom in a direct +line, or obliquely.</p> + +<p><i>The Little Butcher-bird</i> (<i>Lanius collurio</i>), called in Yorkshire, +<i>Flusher</i>, is about the size of a lark, with a large head. About the +nostrils and corners of the mouth it has black hairs or bristles; and +round the eyes a large black longitudinal spot; the back and upper side +of the wings are of a rusty colour; the head and rump cinereous;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_219" id="page_219"></a>{219}</span> the +throat and breast white, spotted with red. It builds its nest of the +stalks of plants, and the female lays six eggs, nearly all white, except +at the blunt end, which is encircled with brown or dark red marks. The +female is somewhat larger than the male; the head is of a rust colour, +mixed with gray; the breast, belly, and sides of a dirty white; the tail +deep brown; the exterior web of the outer feathers white. Its manners +are similar to those of the large Butcher-bird. It frequently preys on +young birds, which it takes in the nest; it likewise feeds on +grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects. During the period of +incubation, the female soon discovers herself at the approach of any +person by her loud and violent outcries.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WATER_OUZEL_OR_DIPPER" id="Illustration_THE_WATER_OUZEL_OR_DIPPER"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 272px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_219_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_219_sml.jpg" width="272" height="146" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WATER OUZEL, OR DIPPER,<br /><br /> +(<i>Cinclus aquaticus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> found in most parts of this island, and is about the size of the +common blackbird. It feeds upon aquatic insects and small fish. The head +and upper side of the neck are of a kind of umber colour, and sometimes +black with a shade of red; the back and coverings of the wings are a +mixture of black and ash-colour, the throat and breast perfectly white.</p> + +<p>The Dipper is said to walk along the bottom of a lake or river as easily +as on land; but this is far from being the case, as, though it readily +plunges into the water, it appears to tumble about in a very +extraordinary manner,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_220" id="page_220"></a>{220}</span> with its head downwards. Even on land the bird +walks awkwardly, as its feet are best adapted for the slippery stones on +which it passes the greater part of its life, watching for the insects +which it picks up on the edge of the water. Its movements under water +are really performed by means of the wings, the bird positively flying +through the water. When disturbed, it usually flirts up its tail, and +makes a chirping noise. Its song in spring is said to be very pretty. In +some places this bird is supposed to be migratory.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BLACKBIRD_Turdus_Merula" id="Illustration_THE_BLACKBIRD_Turdus_Merula"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 280px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_220_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_220_sml.jpg" width="280" height="159" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BLACKBIRD. (<i>Turdus Merula.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The smiling morn, the breathing spring,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Invite the tuneful birds to sing;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And, while they warble from each spray,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Love melts the universal lay.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Mallet.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> well-known songster does not soar up to the clouds, like the lark, +to make his voice resound through the air; but keeps to the shady +groves, which he fills with his melodious notes. Early at dawn, and late +at dusk, he continues his pleasing melody; and when incarcerated in the +narrow space of a cage, still cheerful and merry, he strives to repay +the kindness of his keeper by singing to him his natural strains; and +beguiles his irksome hours of captivity by studying and imitating his +master’s whistle. Blackbirds build their nests with great art, making +the outside of moss and slender twigs,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_221" id="page_221"></a>{221}</span> cemented together and lined with +clay, and covering the clay with soft materials, as hair, wool, and fine +grass. The female lays four or five eggs, of a bluish green colour, +spotted all over with brown. The bill is yellow, but in the female the +upper part and point are blackish; the inside of the mouth, and the +circumference of the eyelids are yellow. The name of this bird is +sufficiently expressive of the general colour of his body. He feeds on +berries, fruit, insects, &c.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MISSEL_THRUSH_Turdus_viscivorus" id="Illustration_THE_MISSEL_THRUSH_Turdus_viscivorus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 245px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_221_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_221_sml.jpg" width="245" height="248" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MISSEL THRUSH. (<i>Turdus viscivorus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Missel Thrush</span>, so called from its feeding on the berries of the +misletoe, differs but little from the Song Thrush, except in size. He is +larger than the fieldfare, while the Throstle is smaller. The female +lays five or six bluish eggs, with a tint of green, and marked with +dusky spots.</p> + +<p><i>The Song Thrush</i> or <i>Throstle</i>, (<i>Turdus musicus</i>,) is one of the best +songsters of the evening hymn in the grove. His voice is loud and sweet; +the melody of his song is<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_222" id="page_222"></a>{222}</span> varied, and, although not so deep in the +general diapason of the woodland concert as that of the blackbird, yet +it fills up agreeably, and bursts through the inferior warblings of +smaller performers. His breast is of a yellowish white, spotted with +black or brown dashes, like ermine spots.</p> + +<p>The term Merle for the Blackbird, and Mavis for the Thrush, are used +chiefly by the poets.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Merry is it in the good green wood,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">When the Mavis and Merle are singing,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">When the deer sweeps by, and the hounds are in cry,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And the hunter’s horn is ringing.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Scott.</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Take thy delight in yonder goodly tree,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Where the sweet Merle and warbling Mavis be.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Drayton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_REDWING_Turdus_iliacus" id="Illustration_THE_REDWING_Turdus_iliacus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 263px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_222_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_222_sml.jpg" width="263" height="145" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE REDWING, (<i>Turdus iliacus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> rather less than the song thrush; but the upper part of the body is +of the same colour; the breast not so much spotted; the coverings of the +feathers of the under side of the wings, which in the thrush are yellow, +are of orange colour in this bird; by which marks it is generally +distinguished. The body is white, the throat and breast yellowish, +marked with dusky spots. It is migratory in this island, builds its nest +in hedges, and lays six bluish eggs. Like the fieldfare, it leaves us in +spring, for which reason its song is quite unknown to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_223" id="page_223"></a>{223}</span> us; but it is +said to be very pleasing. It is delicate eating; and the Romans held it +in such estimation, that they kept thousands of them together in +aviaries, and fed them on a sort of paste made of bruised figs and +flour, to improve the delicacy and flavour of their flesh. Under this +management these birds fattened, to the great profit of their +proprietors, who sold them to Roman epicures for three denarii, or about +two shillings sterling each, which at that early period was a large +price.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FIELDFARE_Turdus_pilaris" id="Illustration_THE_FIELDFARE_Turdus_pilaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 257px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_223_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_223_sml.jpg" width="257" height="158" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FIELDFARE, (<i>Turdus pilaris</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a well-known bird in this country. Fieldfares fly in flocks, together +with the redwing and starling, and change their haunts according to the +season of the year. They abide with us in winter, and disappear in +spring, so punctually, that after that time not one is to be seen. The +flesh is esteemed a great delicacy, and is highly prized in Germany, +where it is known as the <i>Krammsvögel</i>, and is sold in the markets of +Westphalia by the dozen. Their favourite food is the juniper-berry, +whence its German name. The head is ash-coloured, and spotted with +black: the back and coverts of the wings of deep chesnut colour; the +rump cinereous; and the tail black, except the lower part of the two +middle feathers, which are ash-coloured, and the upper sides of the +exterior feathers, which are white. They collect in large flocks; and it +is supposed they keep watch, like<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_224" id="page_224"></a>{224}</span> the crow, to mark and announce the +approach of danger. On any person approaching a tree that is covered +with them, they continue fearless, till one at the extremity of the +bush, rising on its wings, gives a loud and peculiar note of alarm. They +then all fly away, except one, which continues till the person +approaches still nearer, to certify, as it were, the reality of the +danger, and afterwards he also flies off, repeating the note of alarm.</p> + +<p>Mr. Knapp, in his “Journal of a Naturalist,” says, that in the county of +Gloucestershire the extensive low-lands of the river Severn, in open +weather, are visited by prodigious flocks of these birds.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RING_OUZEL_Turdus_torquatus" id="Illustration_THE_RING_OUZEL_Turdus_torquatus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 267px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_224_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_224_sml.jpg" width="267" height="222" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RING OUZEL. (<i>Turdus torquatus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Ring Ouzel</span> differs from the fieldfare and redwing, to which it is +nearly allied, in being a summer visitor to the British islands, instead +of a winter one. It is found only in the wildest and most mountainous +districts; particularly among the Welsh mountains and on Dartmoor, in +Devonshire, where it has been known to breed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_225" id="page_225"></a>{225}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_MOCKING_BIRD_Turdus_polyglottus" id="THE_MOCKING_BIRD_Turdus_polyglottus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_225_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_225_sml.jpg" width="291" height="274" alt="THE MOCKING BIRD, (Turdus polyglottus,)" /></a> +<br /> +<span class="caption">THE MOCKING BIRD, (Turdus polyglottus,)</span> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> is also a species, is found in both North and South America, and +in the West Indian islands. He has a beautiful song, which he varies by +imitating the notes of almost all other birds, so that a person passing +by his haunt is regaled with a complete ornithological concert, all by a +single performer. Unfortunately, the Mocking Bird’s taste is not equal +to his musical powers. His talent for imitation is so great that he +mimics every sound he hears, and as he introduces all his imitations +freely into his songs, he often interrupts the most delightful melody +with the scream of a hawk, the bark of a dog, the squalling of a cat, or +similar discordant noises.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_226" id="page_226"></a>{226}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ROBIN_OR_REDBREAST" id="Illustration_THE_ROBIN_OR_REDBREAST"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 265px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_226_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_226_sml.jpg" width="265" height="172" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ROBIN, OR REDBREAST.<br /><br /> +(<i>Erythacus rubecula.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The Redbreast oft, at evening hours,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Shall kindly lend his little aid,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With hoary moss, and gathering flowers,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">To deck the ground where thou art laid.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Collins.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Redbreast</span>, or <i>Robin</i>, as he is popularly called, seems always to +have enjoyed the protection of man, more than any other bird. The +prettiness of his shape, the beauty of his plumage, the quickness of his +motions, his familiarity with us in winter, and, above all, the melody +and sweetness of his voice, claim our admiration, and have insured him +that security which he enjoys among us; though the aid of fable has also +been called in, to guard him from the assaults of thoughtless boys.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Little bird with bosom red,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Welcome to my humble shed!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Courtly domes of high degree<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Have no room for thee and me;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Pride and pleasure’s fickle throng<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Nothing mind an idle song.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Daily near my table steal,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">While I pick my scanty meal;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Doubt not, little though there be,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">But I’ll cast a crumb for thee;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_227" id="page_227"></a>{227}</span><br /></span> +<span class="i1">Well rewarded if I spy<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Pleasure in thy glancing eye;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And see thee, when thou’st eat thy fill,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Plume thy breast, and wipe thy bill.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Langhorne.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>In the winter season, impelled by the potent stimulus of hunger, the +Redbreast frequents our barns, gardens, and houses, and often alights, +on a sudden, on the rustic floor; where, with his broad eye incessantly +open, and looking askew upon the company, he picks up eagerly the crumbs +of bread that fall from the table, and then flies off to the +neighbouring bush, where, by his warbling strains, he expresses his +gratitude for the liberty he has been allowed. He is found in most parts +of Europe, but nowhere so commonly as in Great Britain. His bill is +dusky; his forehead, chin, throat, and breast are of a deep +orange-colour, inclining to vermilion; the back of his head, neck, back, +and tail are of a pale olive-brown colour; the wings are somewhat +darker, the edges inclining to yellow; the legs and feet are the colour +of the bill. The female generally builds her nest in the crevice of some +mossy bank, near places which human beings frequent, or in some part of +a human dwelling. Robins have been known to build in a sawpit where men +worked every day, and in various other equally extraordinary places. +When the Crystal Palace at Sydenham was being fitted up, several Robins +built their nests in holes of the large roots used to raise the flower +beds within the building. So little fear did they exhibit that their +bright eyes might be seen glancing from holes close to which men were +passing every moment. The elegant poet of The Seasons gives us a very +exact and animated description of this bird in the following lines:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— —— Half afraid, he first<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Against the window beats: then, brisk alights<br /></span> +<span class="i1">On the warm hearth; then, hopping on the floor,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Eyes all the smiling family askance,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And pecks, and starts, and wonders where he is,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Till, more familiar grown, the table-crumbs<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Attract his slender feet.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>An old Latin proverb tells us that two Robin Redbreasts<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_228" id="page_228"></a>{228}</span> will not feed +on the same tree; it is certain that the Redbreast is a most pugnacious +bird, and that he does not live in much harmony and friendship with +those of his own kind and sex. The male may be known from the female by +the colour of his legs, which are blacker.</p> + +<p>The Redbreast attends the gardener when digging his borders; and will, +with great familiarity and tameness, pick out the worms almost close to +his spade.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_NIGHTINGALE_Philomela_luscinia" id="Illustration_THE_NIGHTINGALE_Philomela_luscinia"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 253px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_228_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_228_sml.jpg" width="253" height="185" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE NIGHTINGALE. (<i>Philomela luscinia.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Sweet bird, that shunn’st the noise of folly,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Most musical, most melancholy!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thee, chantress, oft, the woods among,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">I woo to hear thy even song.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Nightingale</span> has little to boast of in respect to plumage, which is +of a pale tawny colour on the head and back, dashed with a slight shade +of olive; the breast and upper part of the belly incline to a grayish +tint, and the lower part of the belly is almost white; the exterior web +of the quill feathers is of a reddish brown; the tail of a dull red; the +legs and feet ash-coloured; the irides hazel; and the eyes large, +bright, and staring. But it is hardly possible to give an idea of the +extraordinary power which this small bird possesses in its throat, as to +the extension of sound, sweetness of tone, and versatility of notes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_229" id="page_229"></a>{229}</span> +Its song is composed of several musical passages, each of which does not +continue more than the third part of a minute; but they are so varied, +the passing from one tone to another is so fanciful and so rapid, and +the melody so sweet and so mellow, that the most consummate musician is +pleasingly led to a deep sense of admiration on hearing it. Sometimes, +joyful and merry, it runs down the diapason with the velocity of +lightning, touching the treble and the base nearly at the same instant; +at other times, mournful and plaintive, the unfortunate <i>Philomela</i> +draws heavily her lengthened notes, and breathes a delightful melancholy +around. These have the appearance of sorrowful sighs; the other +modulations resemble the laughter of the happy. Solitary on the twig of +a small tree, and cautiously at a certain distance from the nest, where +the pledges of his love are treasured under the fostering breast of his +mate, the male fills constantly the silent woods with his harmonious +strains, and during the whole night entertains and repays his female for +the irksome duties of incubation. The Nightingale not only sings at +intervals during the day, but waits till the blackbird and the thrush +have uttered their evening call, even till the stock and ringdoves have, +by their soft murmurings, lulled each other to rest, and then pours +forth his full tide of melody:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— —— Listening Philomela deigns<br /></span> +<span class="i1">To let them joy, and purposes, in thought<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Elate, to make her night excel their day.”<br /></span> +<span class="i13"><span class="smcap">Thomson.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>It is a great subject of astonishment that so small a bird should be +endowed with such potent lungs. If the evening is calm, it is supposed +that its song may be heard above half-a-mile. This bird, the ornament +and charm of our spring and early summer evenings, as it arrives in +April, and continues singing till June, disappears on a sudden about +September or October, when it leaves us to pass the winter in the North +of Africa and Syria. Its visits to this country are limited to certain +counties, mostly in the south and east; as, though it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_230" id="page_230"></a>{230}</span> plentiful in +the neighbourhood of London, and along the south coast in Sussex, +Hampshire, and Dorsetshire, it is not found in either Cornwall or Wales. +As soon as the young are hatched, the song of the male bird ceases, and +he only utters a harsh croak, by way of giving alarm when any one +approaches the nest. Nightingales are sometimes reared up, and doomed to +the prison of a cage; in this state they sing ten months in the year, +though in their wild life they sing only as many weeks. Bingley says +that a caged Nightingale sings much more sweetly than those which we +hear abroad in the spring.</p> + +<p>The Nightingale is the most celebrated of all the feathered race for its +song. The poets have in all ages made it the theme of their verses; some +of these we cannot resist giving:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The Nightingale, as soon as April bringeth<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Unto her rested sense a perfect waking,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Which late bare earth, proud of new clothing, springeth,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Sings out her woes——.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Sir Philip Sidney.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— —— —— Beast and bird,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">They to their grassy couch, these to their nests,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Were slunk; all but the wakeful Nightingale;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">She all night long her amorous descant sung.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“And in the violet-embroidered vale,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Where the lovelorn Nightingale<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Nightly to thee her sad song mourneth well.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“O Nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Thou with fresh hope the lover’s heart dost fill,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">While the jolly hours lead on propitious May,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thy liquid notes that close the eye of day,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">First heard before the shallow cuckoo’s bill,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Portend success in love. Oh, if Jove’s will<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Have linked that amorous power to thy soft lay,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Now timely sing, ere the rude bird of hate<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Foretell my hopeless doom in some grove nigh;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">As thou from year to year hast sung too late<br /></span> +<span class="i3">For my relief, yet hadst no reason why:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Whether the muse, or love, call thee his mate,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Both them I serve, and of their train am I.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_231" id="page_231"></a>{231}</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— —— Now is the pleasant time,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The cool, the silent, save where silence yields,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">To the night-warbling bird, that, now awake,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Tunes sweetest his love-laboured song.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“How all things listen while thy muse complains,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Such silence waits on Philomela’s strains,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In some still evening, when the whispering breeze<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Pants on the leaves, and dies upon the trees.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Pope.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“There’s a bower of roses by Bendemeer’s stream,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And the Nightingale sings round it all the year long;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In the days of my childhood, ’t was like a sweet dream<br /></span> +<span class="i3">To sit in the roses, and hear the bird’s song.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“That bower and its music I never forget,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">But oft when alone, in the bloom of the year,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">I think, Is the Nightingale singing there yet?<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Are the roses still bright by the calm Bendemeer?”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Moore.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BLACK-CAP_Curruca_atricapilla" id="Illustration_THE_BLACK-CAP_Curruca_atricapilla"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 254px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_231_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_231_sml.jpg" width="254" height="145" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BLACK-CAP, (<i>Curruca atricapilla</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a very small warbler, not weighing above half-an-ounce. The top of +the head is black, whence he takes his name; the neck ash-coloured, the +back an ashy-brown, the wings of a dusky colour, the tail nearly the +same; the nether part of the neck, throat, and upper part of the breast +of a pale ash colour; the lower part of the belly white.</p> + +<p>The Black-cap visits us about the middle of April, and retires in +September; it frequents gardens, and builds its nest near the ground. +The female lays five<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_232" id="page_232"></a>{232}</span> eggs of a pale reddish-brown, sprinkled with spots +of a darker colour. This bird sings sweetly, and so like the +nightingale, that in Norfolk it is called the mock nightingale. White +observes, that it has usually a full, sweet, deep, loud, and wild pipe, +yet the strain is of short continuance, and its motions desultory; but +when it sits calmly, and earnestly engages in song, it pours forth very +sweet but inward melody; and expresses a great variety of modulations, +superior perhaps to any of our warblers, the nightingale excepted. While +it sings, its throat is greatly distended.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WREN_Troglodytes_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_WREN_Troglodytes_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 275px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_232_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_232_sml.jpg" width="275" height="114" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WREN. (<i>Troglodytes vulgaris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Fast by my couch, congenial guest,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The Wren has wove her mossy nest;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">From busy scenes and brighter skies<br /></span> +<span class="i1">To lurk with innocence she flies;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Her hopes in safe repose to dwell,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Nor aught suspects the sylvan cell.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">T. Warton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Wren</span> is a very small bird; but, as if nature had intended to +compensate the want of size and bulk in the individuals, by multiplying +them to a greater extent, this little bird is one of the most prolific +of the feathered tribe, its nest containing often upwards of eighteen +eggs, of a whitish colour, and not much bigger than a pea. The male and +female enter by a hole contrived in the middle of the nest, and which, +by its situation and size, is accessible only to themselves. The Wren +weighs no more than three drachms. Its notes are very sweet, and rival +those of the robin redbreast, in the middle of winter, when the coldness +of the weather has condemned<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_233" id="page_233"></a>{233}</span> the other songsters to silence. Like the +redbreast, it frequently approaches the habitation of man, enlivening +the rustic garden with its song during the greater part of the year. It +begins to make a nest early in the spring, but frequently deserts it +before it is lined, and searches for a more secure place. The Wren does +not, as is usual with most other birds, begin to build the bottom of the +nest first. When against a tree, its primary operation is to trace upon +the bark the outline, and thus to fasten it with equal strength to all +parts. It then, in succession, closes the sides and top, leaving only a +small hole for entrance.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WILLOW_WREN_Sylvia_trochilus" id="Illustration_THE_WILLOW_WREN_Sylvia_trochilus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 308px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_233_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_233_sml.jpg" width="308" height="316" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WILLOW WREN. (<i>Sylvia trochilus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Willow Wren</span> is somewhat larger than the common Wren. The upper parts +of the body are of a pale olive-green;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_234" id="page_234"></a>{234}</span> the under parts are pale yellow, +and a streak of yellow passes over the eyes. The wings and tail are +brown, edged with yellowish green; and the legs are inclined to yellow. +This bird is migratory, visiting us usually about the middle of April, +and taking its departure towards the end of September. The female +constructs her nest in holes at the roots of trees, in hollows of dry +banks, and other similar places. It is round, and not unlike the nest of +the Wren. The eggs are dusky white, marked with reddish spots, and are +five in number. A Willow Wren had built in a bank of one of the fields +of Mr. White, near Selborne. This bird, a friend and himself observed as +she sat in her nest, but were particularly careful not to disturb her, +though she eyed them with some degree of jealousy. Some days afterwards, +as they passed the same way, they were desirous of remarking how the +brood went on; but no nest could be found, till Mr. White happened to +take up a large bundle of long green moss, which had been thrown, as it +were, carelessly over the nest, in order to mislead the eye of any +impertinent intruder.</p> + +<p>Mr. White distinguished no fewer than three varieties of the Willow +Wren. “I have now,” he writes, “past dispute, made out three distinct +species of the Willow Wrens, which constantly and invariably use +distinct notes.” “I have specimens of the three sorts now lying before +me, and can discern that there are three gradations of sizes, and that +the least has black legs, and the other two, flesh-coloured ones. The +yellowest bird is considerably the largest, and has its quill feathers +and secondary feathers tipped with white, which the others have not. The +last haunts only the tops of trees and high beechen woods, and makes a +sibilous grasshopper-like noise, now and then, at short intervals, +shivering a little with its wings when it sings.” Mr. Markwich, however, +declared that he was totally unable to discover more than one species.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_235" id="page_235"></a>{235}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GOLDEN-CRESTED_WREN_Regulus_cristatus" id="Illustration_THE_GOLDEN-CRESTED_WREN_Regulus_cristatus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 305px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_235_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_235_sml.jpg" width="305" height="402" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN, (<i>Regulus cristatus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> the smallest of British birds, measuring only three inches and a half +in length. It is of an olive colour, with a beautiful crest of golden +yellow feathers on its head. This charming little bird is generally +found in fir woods; it feeds on insects, and has a soft and pleasing +song.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_236" id="page_236"></a>{236}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GREY_WATER_WAGTAIL_Motacilla_boarula" id="Illustration_THE_GREY_WATER_WAGTAIL_Motacilla_boarula"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 272px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_236_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_236_sml.jpg" width="272" height="207" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GREY WATER WAGTAIL. (<i>Motacilla boarula.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">There</span> is not a brook purling along two flowery banks, not a rivulet +winding through the green meadow, which is not frequented by this +beautifully coloured and elegantly shaped little creature. We even see +them in the streets of country towns, following with quick pace the +half-drowned fly or moth, which the road-side streamlet carries away. +Next to the robin redbreast and the sparrow, they are the boldest in +approaching our habitations. The Wagtails are much in motion; seldom +perch, and perpetually flirt their long and slender tails, (whence they +derive their name,) principally after picking up some food from the +ground, as if that tail were a kind of lever, or counterpoise, used to +balance the body on the legs. They are observed to frequent, more +commonly, those streams where women come to wash their linen; probably +not ignorant that the soap, the froth of which floats upon the water, +attracts those insects which are most acceptable to them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_237" id="page_237"></a>{237}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_PIED_WAGTAILS" id="Illustration_PIED_WAGTAILS"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 297px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_237_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_237_sml.jpg" width="297" height="373" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>PIED WAGTAILS.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">There</span> are two common species of Wagtails, the Grey kind and the Pied +Wagtail. The Grey Wagtail is retiring in its habits, and much slower in +its motions; its breast is yellow, and its wings grayish, but the Pied +Wagtail, which is a very lively little bird, and seems always in a +bustle, is black, softening into ash-colour and white; it is also bold, +and will take the food thrown to it with as much confidence as a robin +redbreast.</p> + +<p>The Yellow Shepherdess (<i>Budytes flava</i>) is another species of Wagtail. +The male is olive-green on the back, and yellow on the lower part of the +body, but the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_238" id="page_238"></a>{238}</span> breast of the female is nearly white. These birds do not +frequent the banks of rivers, but are generally found walking among the +grass of meadows, and following sheep. They are summer visitors to +England.</p> + +<p>White says, that “while the cows are feeding in the moist, low pastures, +broods of Wagtails, white and grey, run round them, close up to their +noses, and under their very bellies, availing themselves of the flies +that settle on their legs, and probably finding worms and larvæ that are +roused by the trampling of their feet. Nature is such an economist that +the most incongruous animals can avail themselves of each other.”</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Interest makes strange friendships!”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SWALLOW_Hirundo_rustica" id="Illustration_THE_SWALLOW_Hirundo_rustica"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 330px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_238_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_238_sml.jpg" width="330" height="245" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SWALLOW. (<i>Hirundo rustica.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“From the low-roof’d cottage ridge<br /></span> +<span class="i3">See the chattering Swallow spring;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Darting through the one-arch’d bridge,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Quick she dips her dappled wing.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Cunningham.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Swallows</span> are easily distinguished from all other birds, not only by +their general structure, but by their twittering<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_239" id="page_239"></a>{239}</span> note and mode of +flying, or rather darting from place to place.</p> + +<p>They appear in Britain in April, and build in some outhouse, or, in part +of a human dwelling, where they lay their eggs and hatch their young. +About August they disappear, and do not return till the following +spring. Swallows kept in a cage moult about Christmas, and seldom live +till spring.</p> + +<p>There are several species of the Swallow: the general characters of +which are a small beak, but large, wide mouth, for the purpose of +swallowing flying insects, their natural food; and long forked tail and +extensive wings, to enable them to pursue their prey. The common Swallow +builds under the eaves of houses, or in chimneys, near their top; it is +frequently called the Chimney Swallow from its preference for the +last-mentioned rather singular situation; the Martin also builds under +eaves, and most commonly against the upper corner or side of our very +windows, and seems not afraid at the sight of man, yet it cannot be +tamed, or even kept long in a cage. The nature of the Swallow’s nest is +worthy of close observation: how the mud is extracted from the +sea-shores, rivers, or other watery places; how masoned and formed into +a solid building, strong enough to support a whole family, and to face +the “pelting storm,” are wonders which ought to raise our mind to Him +who bestowed that instinct upon them.</p> + +<p>It is related that a pair of Swallows built their nest for two +successive years on the handle of a pair of garden shears, that were +stuck up against the boards of an outhouse; and, therefore, must have +had their nest spoiled whenever the implement was wanted. And what is +still more strange, a bird of the same species built its nest on the +wings and body of an owl that happened to hang dead and dry from the +rafter of a barn, and so loose as to be moved by every gust of wind. +This owl, with the nest on its wings, and with eggs in the nest, was +taken to the museum of Sir Ashton Leaver as a curiosity. That gentleman, +struck with the singularity of the sight, furnished the person who +brought it with a large shell, desiring him to fix it just where the owl +had hung. The man<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_240" id="page_240"></a>{240}</span> did so; and in the following year a pair of Swallows, +probably the same, built their nest in the shell and laid eggs.</p> + +<p>Modern poets have not been unmindful of the Swallows; and our immortal +Shakspeare mentions the Martin, in Macbeth, in the following manner:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">“This guest of summer,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The temple-haunting Martlet, does approve,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By his loved mansionry, that the Heaven’s<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Breath smells wooingly here. No jutty, frieze,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Buttress, nor coigne of ’vantage, but this bird<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The air is delicate.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>“The Swallow,” writes Sir Humphry Davy, “is one of my favourite birds, +and a rival of the nightingale, for he cheers my sense of seeing as much +as the other does my sense of hearing. He is the glad prophet of the +year, the harbinger of the best season—he lives a life of enjoyment +amongst the liveliest forms of nature—winter is unknown to him; and he +leaves the green meadows of England in autumn for the myrrh and orange +groves of Italy, and for the palms of Africa; he has always objects of +pursuit, and his success is secure. Even the beings selected for his +prey are poetical, beautiful, and transient. The ephemeræ are saved by +his means from a slow and lingering death in the evening, and killed in +a moment when they have known nothing but pleasure. He is the constant +destroyer of insects, the friend of man, and may be regarded as a sacred +bird. His instinct, which gives him his appointed season, and teaches +him when and where to move, may be regarded as flowing from a divine +source; and he belongs to the oracles of nature, which speak the awful +and intelligible language of a present Deity.”</p> + +<p>The Chimney Swallow is, on the head, neck, back, and rump, of a shining +black colour, with purple gloss and sometimes with a blue shade; the +throat and neck are of the same colour; the breast and belly are white, +with a dash of red. The tail is forked, and consists of twelve +feathers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_241" id="page_241"></a>{241}</span> The wings are of the same colour with the back. Swallows feed +upon flies and other insects; and generally hunt their prey on the wing:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Away! away! thou summer bird;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For Autumn’s moaning voice is heard,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In cadence wild, and deepening swell,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of winter’s stern approach to tell.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_HOUSE_MARTIN_OR_WINDOW_SWALLOW" id="Illustration_HOUSE_MARTIN_OR_WINDOW_SWALLOW"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 281px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_241_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_241_sml.jpg" width="281" height="237" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>HOUSE MARTIN, OR WINDOW SWALLOW.<br /><br /> +(<i>Hirundo urbica.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Martin</span> is something less than the swallow, with a comparatively +large head, and a wide mouth; the colour of the upper parts a bluish +black, the rump and all the under parts of the body white, the bill +black; the legs covered with short white down.</p> + +<p>These birds begin to appear about the middle of April, and for some time +pay no attention to the business of nidification, but sport and play +about as if to recruit themselves from the fatigue of the journey.</p> + +<p>Should the weather prove favourable, it begins to build early in May, +placing its nest generally beneath the eaves<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_242" id="page_242"></a>{242}</span> of a house, often against +a perpendicular wall: without any projecting ledge to support any part +of the nest, its utmost efforts are necessary to get the first +foundation firmly fixed, so as to carry the superstructure safely. On +this occasion, it not only clings with its claws, but partly supports +itself by strongly inclining its tail against the wall, making that a +fulcrum; and thus fixed, it plasters the materials into the face of the +brick or stone. But that this work may not, while soft, sink by its own +weight, the provident architect has the prudence and forbearance not to +proceed too fast; but by building only in the morning, and dedicating +the rest of the day to food and amusement, he gives it sufficient time +to dry and harden. By this method, in about ten days, the nest is +formed, strong, compact, and warm, and perfectly fitted for all the +purposes for which it is intended. But nothing is more common than for +the house-sparrow, as soon as the shell is finished, to seize on it, +eject the owner, and line it according to its own peculiar manner. +Sometimes, however, the Martins prove too clever for the sparrow; when +the intruder obstinately retained possession of the nest, the Martins +have been known to collect from all parts of the neighbourhood, each +bringing a pellet of mud, with which the orifice of the nest was soon +securely closed, and the unfortunate sparrow was then left to die of +starvation. The Martin will return for several seasons to the same nest, +where it happens to be well sheltered and secured from the injuries of +the weather. They breed the latest of all our swallows, often having +unfledged young ones even so late as Michaelmas.</p> + +<p>The first hatch consists of five eggs, which are white, inclining to +dusky at the thicker end; the second, of three or four; and of a third, +of only two or three. While the young birds are confined to the nest the +parents feed them, adhering by the claws to the outside; but as soon as +they are able to fly they receive their nourishment on the wing, by a +quick and almost imperceptible motion.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Welcome, welcome, feathered stranger,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Now the sun bids Nature smile;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Safe arrived and free from danger,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Welcome to our blooming isle.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Franklin.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_243" id="page_243"></a>{243}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SWIFT_Cypselus_apus" id="Illustration_THE_SWIFT_Cypselus_apus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 270px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_243_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_243_sml.jpg" width="270" height="265" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SWIFT, (<i>Cypselus apus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> is sometimes called the Black Martin, arrives in England later, +and takes its departure earlier than any of our swallows. The Swift is +the largest of the swallow tribe, and the most rapid in its flight. Its +nest, which is generally built in the crevices of old towers and +steeples, is constructed of dried grass, feathers, thread, and similar +materials, glued together by a sort of spittle, with which the bird is +provided. The bird collects them whilst on the wing, picking them up +with great dexterity. They seldom alight upon the ground, and if by +accident they fall upon a level surface, they recover themselves with +difficulty, owing to the shortness of their legs, and the length of +their wings. During the heat of the day they remain within their holes, +and at morning and evening sally out in quest of food. They may then be +seen in flocks, whirling round some lofty edifice, or describing in +mid-air an endless series of circles upon circles. Swifts fly higher, +and wheel with bolder wing than the swallows, with whom they never +intermingle.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_244" id="page_244"></a>{244}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GOATSUCKER_Caprimulgus_Europaeus" id="Illustration_THE_GOATSUCKER_Caprimulgus_Europaeus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 269px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_244_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_244_sml.jpg" width="269" height="259" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GOATSUCKER. (<i>Caprimulgus Europæus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> curious bird, called also the Nightjar, and the Fern Owl, comes to +this country from Africa about the middle of May and usually leaves by +the end of August. These birds are generally found in low bushes, or +amongst tufts of large ferns, and generally fly at night: hence their +name of Fern Owl. The beak is furnished with bristles, and the middle +toe of each foot has a claw toothed like a comb. The female lays her +eggs upon the ground, without any nest, and lays only two. The name of +Goatsucker originated in an absurd idea that this bird sucked the goat’s +milk, from its habit of lying on the ground near cows or she goats, and +catching the flies that torment them by fixing on their udders. Mr. +Waterton, who is certainly the closest observer of nature who ever wrote +on Natural History, states, in one of his very interesting works, that +he has frequently seen the Goatsuckers catching insects in this manner, +and thus proving themselves the best of friends to the animals they are +accused of annoying.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_245" id="page_245"></a>{245}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SKYLARK_Alauda_arvensis" id="Illustration_THE_SKYLARK_Alauda_arvensis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 279px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_245_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_245_sml.jpg" width="279" height="157" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SKYLARK. (<i>Alauda arvensis.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Go, tuneful bird, that gladd’st the skies,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">To Daphne’s window speed thy way;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And there on quivering pinions rise,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And there thy vocal art display.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Shenstone.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Skylark</span> is distinguished from most other birds by the long spur on +the back toe, the earthy colour of his feathers, and by singing as he +mounts in the air. These birds generally make their nest in meadows +among the high grass, and the tint of their plumage resembles so much +that of the ground, that the body of the bird is hardly distinguishable +as it runs along.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The daisied lea he loves, where tufts of grass<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Luxuriant crown the ridge: there, with his mate,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He founds their lonely house, of withered herbs,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And coarsest spear-grass; next the inner work,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With finer, and still finer fibres lays,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Rounding it curious with his speckled breast.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Grahame.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>Larks breed twice a year, in May and July, rearing their young in a +short space of time. They are caught in great quantities in winter, and +are considered choice and delicate food. It is a melancholy observation, +that man should feed upon, and indulge his sense of taste with those +very birds which have so often delighted his sense of hearing with their +songs, when they usher to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_246" id="page_246"></a>{246}</span> the gladdened creation the return of their +best friend, the sun. The instinctive warmth of attachment which the +female Skylark bears towards her own species, even when not her +nestling, is remarkable. “In the month of May,” says Buffon, “a young +hen bird was brought to me, which was not able to feed without +assistance. I caused her to be reared; and she was hardly fledged, when +I received from another place a nest of three or four unfledged larks. +She took a strong liking to these newcomers, which were but little +younger than herself; she tended them night and day, cherished them +beneath her wings, and fed them with her bill. Nothing could interrupt +her tender offices. If the young ones were torn from her she flew to +them as soon as they were liberated, and would not think of effecting +her own escape, which she might have done a hundred times. Her affection +grew upon her; she neglected food and drink; she at length required the +same support as her adopted offspring, and expired at last, consumed +with maternal solicitude. None of the young ones long survived her. They +died one after another; so essential were her cares, which were equally +tender and judicious.”</p> + +<p>The Lark mounts almost perpendicularly, and by successive springs, into +the air, where it hovers at a vast height. Its descent is in an oblique +direction, unless threatened by some ravenous bird of prey, or attracted +by its mate, when it drops to the ground like a stone. On its first +leaving the earth, its notes are feeble and interrupted; but, as it +rises, they gradually swell to their full tone. As the Lark’s flight is +always at sun-rise, there is something in the scenery that renders its +song peculiarly delightful: the opening morning, the landscape just +gilded by the rays of the returning sun, and the beauty of the +surrounding objects, all contribute to heighten our relish for its +pleasing melody.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— Up springs the Lark,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Shrill-voiced and loud, the messenger of morn,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ere yet the shadows fly, he, mounted, sings<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Amid the dawning clouds, and from their haunts<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Calls up the tuneful nations.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Thomson.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_247" id="page_247"></a>{247}</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Alas! it’s no thy neebor sweet,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The bonnie Lark, companion meet!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Bending thee ’mang the dewy weet!<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Wi’ speckled breast,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">When upward springing, blythe to greet<br /></span> +<span class="i10">The purpling east.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Burns.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Early, cheerful, mounting Lark,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Light’s gentle usher, morning’s clerk,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In merry notes delighting.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Sir John Davis.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WOODLARK_Alauda_arborea" id="Illustration_THE_WOODLARK_Alauda_arborea"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 272px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_247_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_247_sml.jpg" width="272" height="148" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WOODLARK. (<i>Alauda arborea.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> species is smaller than the skylark, and its voice deeper; it has +also a circle of white feathers encompassing the head, from eye to eye, +like a crown or wreath, and the utmost feather of the wing is much +shorter than the second, whereas in the common lark they are nearly +equal. This bird sometimes emulates the nightingale; for which, when +pouring forth his sweet melody in the grove, during a silent night, he +is often mistaken. These birds sit and perch upon trees, unlike the +common lark, which always keeps to the ground. They build their nest at +the foot of a bush, near the bottom of a hedge, or in high dry grass. +The number of their eggs is about four, of a pale bloom colour, +beautifully mottled, and clouded with red and yellow. Like the skylark, +they assemble in large flocks during frosty weather. Their usual food +consists of small beetles, caterpillars, and other<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_248" id="page_248"></a>{248}</span> insects, as well as +the seeds of numerous kinds of wild plants.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Bright o’er the green hills rose the morning ray,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">The Woodlark’s song resounded on the plain,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Fair nature felt the warm embrace of day,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And smiled through all her animated reign.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Langbourn.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TITMOUSE_OR_TOM-TIT_Parus_caeruleus" id="Illustration_THE_TITMOUSE_OR_TOM-TIT_Parus_caeruleus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 261px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_248_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_248_sml.jpg" width="261" height="223" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TITMOUSE, OR TOM-TIT. (<i>Parus cæruleus.</i>)<br /><br /> +THE LONG-TAILED TIT. (<i>Parus caudatus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> common Titmouse or Tom-tit is a very small bird, only four inches +and a half in length. He has a blue head, with white cheeks and a white +stripe over each eye; his back is greenish, his wings and tail blue, and +the lower surface of his body yellow. This bird, and all the species +related to it, live on insects, as well as on seeds. When kept in a +cage, it is really amusing to see with what quickness the Titmouse darts +at any fly or moth which comes imprudently within its reach. If this +kind of food be deficient, as generally happens in winter, it feeds upon +several kinds of seed, and particularly that of the sunflower, which it +dexterously holds upright between its claws and strikes powerfully with +its sharp little bill, till the black covering splits, and yields its +white contents to the persevering bird. Its general food consists of +insects,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_249" id="page_249"></a>{249}</span> which it seeks in the crevices of the bark of trees, and when +thus engaged, clinging in every possible position to the branches, it +looks like a very diminutive blue parrot. In winter the Titmouse visits +our gardens and orchards, where he is often seen picking the buds of +fruit trees to pieces; but in doing this he inflicts little or no injury +upon the gardener, his object being the capture of insects which would +probably cause far more mischief in the ensuing summer. The nest of the +Titmouse is built in the hole of a tree or wall; the female lays usually +eight or ten eggs, and when sitting defends her nest with great courage, +pecking at the fingers of boys so vigorously that in some parts of the +country she is known by the name of Billy Biter. The <i>Long-tailed Tit</i> +is also a common bird about hedges, orchards, and plantations. He is an +active lively little fellow, and resembles the common Tit in his habits.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_YELLOWHAMMER_OR_YELLOW_BUNTING_Emberiza" id="Illustration_THE_YELLOWHAMMER_OR_YELLOW_BUNTING_Emberiza"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 244px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_249_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_249_sml.jpg" width="244" height="119" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE YELLOWHAMMER, OR YELLOW BUNTING.<br /> (<i>Emberiza +citrinella.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is somewhat larger than the sparrow. Its head is of a greenish +yellow, spotted with brown; the throat and belly are yellow; the breast +and sides, under the wings, mingled with red. These birds build their +nests on the ground, near some bush, where the female lays five or six +eggs. The Yellowhammer may be sometimes seen perched on the finger of +some poor man or woman in the streets of London, in a state of complete +tameness; but this is the transitory effect of intoxication, and soon +after the bird is bought and brought home, it dies, overcome by the +power of the laudanum that has been given it.</p> + +<p>This bird feeds on seeds and various sorts of insects,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_250" id="page_250"></a>{250}</span> and is common in +every lane, on every hedge, throughout the country, flitting before the +traveller, and about the bushes. Happily for him, we have not yet +acquired the taste of the natives of Italy, where the Yellowhammer falls +a daily victim to the delicacy of the table, and where its flesh is +esteemed very delicious eating. There he is often fattened, for the +purpose of gratifying the palate of epicures.</p> + +<p>The Ortolan, (<i>Emberiza hortulana</i>,) which is another species of the +same genus, is common in the central and southern provinces of Europe, +where it is thought exquisitely flavoured as an article of food. When +first taken it is frequently very lean, but if supplied with abundance +of food, it is said to be so greedy, that it will eat till it dies of +repletion.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WHEATEAR_AND_WHIN_CHAT" id="Illustration_THE_WHEATEAR_AND_WHIN_CHAT"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 270px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_250_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_250_sml.jpg" width="270" height="259" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WHEATEAR, AND WHIN CHAT.<br /><br /> +(<i>Saxicola ænanthe</i> and <i>S. rubetra</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Wheatear</span> is one of our earliest visitants, and may be found in every +part of Britain. In the North, it generally frequents heaps of stones, +ruins, or the dry stone<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_251" id="page_251"></a>{251}</span> walls of burial-grounds, and though it is a +very handsome bird, and in the early season sings sweetly, its haunts +have obtained it a bad name. The common alarm-note resembles the sound +made in breaking stones with a hammer, and as it utters that note from +the top of the heap which haply covers the bones of one who perished by +the storm, or his own hand, popular fancy has not unnaturally associated +the Wheatear with the superstition that belongs to the place of graves. +Beneath that heap of stones, or in some neighbouring fallow, its nest +may be discovered, formed of moss and dried grass, lined with hair, +feathers, or wool, and containing five or six eggs of a delicate bluish +white. These birds congregate on the southern downs about the middle of +July; they are then caught in vast numbers, in horse-hair nooses, which +are set between two pieces of turf turned against each other.</p> + +<p><i>The Whin Chat</i> is a beautiful bird, compact in form, with a rich and +elegant plumage. Its song, which is peculiarly soft and sweet, may be +heard in spring on the bushy margins and gorse of extensive heaths. Its +nest, constructed in thick tufts of grass and under bushes, is most +carefully concealed. It is usually approached by a labyrinth to which +the rising of the bird affords no clue, and it may long be sought in +vain, though perhaps not more than a yard distant all the time. The eggs +are bluish green, without any spots, and are never more than six in +number.</p> + +<p>The following lines, addressed to the English Ortolan, or Wheatear, by +Mrs. Charlotte Smith, allude to the foolish timidity of that bird:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“To take you, shepherd boys prepare<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The hollow turf, the wiry snare,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of those weak terrors well aware,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">That bid you vainly dread<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The shadows floating over downs,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Or murmuring gale, that round the stones<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of some old beacon, as it moans,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Scarce moves a thistle’s head.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And if a cloud obscure the sun,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With faint and fluttering heart you run<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Into the pitfall you should shun,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And only leave when dead.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_252" id="page_252"></a>{252}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SPARROW_Passer_domesticus" id="Illustration_THE_SPARROW_Passer_domesticus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 337px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_252_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_252_sml.jpg" width="337" height="253" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SPARROW. (<i>Passer domesticus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is, next to the robin redbreast, the boldest of the small +feathered tribe which frequent our barns and houses: he is a courageous +little creature, and fights undauntedly against birds ten times bigger +than himself. Sparrows are accused of destroying a great quantity of +corn, and in several counties the landlord or farmer puts a price on a +Sparrow’s head; but the farmer is the person most injured by the plan, +as the good Sparrows, in ridding land of caterpillars, more than +compensate for the loss of grain they destroy. Mr. Bradley, in his +Treatise on Husbandry and Gardening, shows, by a calculation, that a +pair of Sparrows, during the time they have their young ones to feed, +destroy on an average, every week, three thousand three hundred and +sixty caterpillars.</p> + +<p>This bird is easily tamed, and will hop about the house, and on the +table with great familiarity. It will feed on anything, and is +particularly fond of meat cut into small pieces. The song of the +Sparrow, if we can<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_253" id="page_253"></a>{253}</span> so call its chirping, is far from agreeable: this +arises, however, not from want of powers, but from its attending solely +to the note of the parent bird. A Sparrow, when fledged, was taken from +the nest and educated under a linnet: it also heard by accident a +goldfinch; and its song was in consequence a mixture of the two. The +male is particularly distinguished by a jet-black spot under the bill +upon a whitish ground. Sparrows are found nearly in every country of the +world.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LINNET_Fringilla_linota_or_Linota_cannabina" id="Illustration_THE_LINNET_Fringilla_linota_or_Linota_cannabina"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 269px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_253_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_253_sml.jpg" width="269" height="148" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LINNET, (<i>Fringilla linota</i> or <i>Linota cannabina</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> about the size of the goldfinch; and compensates, by an extremely +melodious voice, the want of variety in its plumage, which, except in +the red-breasted species, is nearly all of one colour. Its musical +talents are, like those of many other birds, repaid with captivity; for +it is kept in cages on account of its singing.</p> + +<p>The Redpole (<i>Fringilla linaria</i>) is a small species of Linnet, little +more than four inches in length, distinguished by a deep blood-red spot +on the crown of his head. He visits Britain in the autumn and stays with +us during the winter, his favourite summer residence being far away in +the north. Redpoles are taken in great numbers by the bird-catchers in +the autumn. Their only song is a twittering note, but they are often +attached by a brace and chain to an open cage and trained to draw their +water in a bucket.</p> + +<p>The Green Linnet is rather larger than the house sparrow. Its head and +back are of a yellowish-green, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_254" id="page_254"></a>{254}</span> edges of the feathers grayish; the +rump and breast more yellow. The plumage of the female is much less +vivid, inclining to brown. Its song is trifling, but in confinement it +becomes tame and docile, and will catch the notes of other birds.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CANARY-BIRD_Fringilla_or_Carduelis_canaria" id="Illustration_THE_CANARY-BIRD_Fringilla_or_Carduelis_canaria"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 263px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_254_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_254_sml.jpg" width="263" height="150" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CANARY-BIRD. (<i>Fringilla</i>, or <i>Carduelis canaria</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">As</span> his name imports, this bird is a native of the Canary Islands; where, +in his wild state, he has a dusky gray plumage, and a much stronger +voice than when in a cage. In our northern countries his feathers +undergo a great alteration; and the bird often becomes entirely white or +yellow. Of this bird, Buffon says, “that if the nightingale is the +chantress of the woods, the Canary is the musician of the chamber; the +first owes all to nature, the second something to art. With less +strength of organ, less compass of voice, and less variety of note, the +Canary has a better ear, greater facility of imitation, and a more +retentive memory; and as the difference of genius, especially among the +lower animals, depends in a great measure on the perfection of their +senses, the Canary, whose organ of hearing is more susceptible of +receiving and retaining foreign impressions, becomes more social, tame, +and familiar; is capable of gratitude and even attachment; its caresses +are endearing, its little humours innocent, and its anger neither hurts +nor offends. Its education is easy; we rear it with pleasure, because we +are able to instruct it. It leaves the melody of its own natural note, +to listen to the melody of our voices and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_255" id="page_255"></a>{255}</span> instruments. It accompanies +us, and repays the pleasure it receives with interest, while the +nightingale, more proud of his talent, seems desirous of preserving it +in all its purity, at least it appears to attach very little value to +ours, and it is with great difficulty that it can be taught any of our +airs. It despises them, and never fails to return to its own wild wood +notes. Its pipe is a masterpiece of nature, which human art can neither +alter nor improve; while that of the Canary is a model of more pliant +materials, which we can mould at pleasure; and therefore it contributes +in a much greater degree to the pleasures of society. It sings at all +seasons, cheers us in the dullest weather, and adds to our happiness, by +amusing the young and delighting the recluse, charming the tediousness +of the cloister, and gladdening the soul of the innocent and captive.” +It breeds generally twice a year when domesticated; and it sometimes +happens that the female lays her eggs for the second time before the +first brood is fledged. The male then good-naturedly takes her place on +the eggs while she feeds the young ones, and feeds them in his turn, +when she sits in the nest. They are very easily tamed, when brought up +with attention and kindness, and take their food out of the hand, often +perching on the shoulder of their mistress, and feeding out of her +mouth. The Canary-bird is sometimes, and with success, matched with the +linnet or the goldfinch; and the produce is a beautiful bird, partaking +of the talents and plumage of both.</p> + +<p>Canary-birds live twelve or thirteen years in our climate, and sing well +to the end of their life.</p> + +<p>The following curious anecdote of one of these birds is related by Dr. +Darwin: “On observing a Canary-bird at the house of a gentleman near +Tutbury, in Derbyshire, I was told it always fainted away when its cage +was cleaned; and I desired to see the experiment. The cage being taken +from the ceiling, and the bottom drawn out, the bird began to tremble, +and turned quite white about the root of the bill: he then opened his +mouth, as if for breath, and respired quick; stood up straighter on his +perch, hung his wings, spread his tail, closed his eyes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_256" id="page_256"></a>{256}</span> and appeared +quite stiff for half-an-hour; till at length, with much trembling and +deep respirations, he came gradually to himself.”</p> + +<p>Some years ago, a Frenchman exhibited in London twenty-four +Canary-birds, many of which he said were from eighteen to twenty-five +years of age. Some of these balanced themselves, head downward, on their +shoulders, having their legs and tail in the air. One of them taking a +slender stick in its claws, passed its head between its legs, and +suffered itself to be turned round, as if in the act of being roasted. +Another balanced itself, and was swung backward and forward on a kind of +a slack rope. A third was dressed in military uniform, having a cap on +its head, wearing a sword and pouch, and carrying a firelock in one +claw: after some time sitting upright, this bird, at the word of +command, freed itself from its dress, and flew away to the cage. A +fourth suffered itself to be shot at, and falling down as if dead, was +put into a little wheelbarrow, and wheeled away by one of its comrades!</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CHAFFINCH_Fringilla_coelebs" id="Illustration_THE_CHAFFINCH_Fringilla_coelebs"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 290px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_256_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_256_sml.jpg" width="290" height="231" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CHAFFINCH. (<i>Fringilla cœlebs.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Chaffinch</span> is of the same dimensions as the sparrow,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_257" id="page_257"></a>{257}</span> but more +lightly and elegantly formed. Its nest, which is of the most beautiful +and elaborate construction, is composed of mosses and lichens, +interwoven and lined with wool, hair, and feathers. “Four or five eggs,” +says Mr. Waterton, “are the usual number which the Chaffinch’s nest +contains, and sometimes only three. The thorn, and most of the evergreen +shrubs, the sprouts on the boles of forest trees, the woodbine, the +whin, the wild rose, and occasionally the bramble, are this bird’s +favourite places for nidification. Like all its congeners, it never +covers its eggs on retiring from the nest, for its young are hatched +blind. There is something peculiarly pleasing to me in the song of this +bird. Perhaps association of ideas may add a trifle to the value of its +melody; for when I hear the first note of the Chaffinch, I know that +winter is on the eve of its departure, and that sunshine and fine +weather are not far off. The Chaffinch never sings when on the wing; but +it warbles incessantly on the trees, and on the hedgerows, from the +early part of February to the second week in July; and then (if the bird +be in a state of freedom) its song entirely ceases.”</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 162px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_257_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_257_sml.jpg" width="162" height="219" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_258" id="page_258"></a>{258}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BULLFINCH_Loxia_pyrrhula" id="Illustration_THE_BULLFINCH_Loxia_pyrrhula"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 269px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_258_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_258_sml.jpg" width="269" height="146" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BULLFINCH. (<i>Loxia pyrrhula.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is a very docile bird, and will nearly imitate the sound of a pipe, +or the whistle of man, with its voice, the mellowness of which is really +charming. It is, by bird-fanciers, considered to excel all other small +birds, except the linnet, in the softness of its tones, and in the +variety of its notes. In captivity, its melody seems to be as great a +solace to itself, as it is a pleasure to its master. By day, and even +when the evening has called for the artificial light of candles, the +Bullfinch pursues his melodious exertions, and if there be any other +birds in the apartment, awakes them gently to the pleasing task of +singing in concert with him. His notes are upon one of the lowest keys +of the gamut of birds.</p> + +<p>The plumage of the Bullfinch is beautiful, though simple and uniform, +consisting only of three or four colours. In the male, a lovely scarlet +or crimson colour adorns the breast, throat, and jaws, as far as the +eyes; the crown of the head is black; the rump and tail are white; the +neck and back grey, or lead-coloured. The name of this bird originates +from its head and neck being, like those of the bull, very large in +proportion to the body. The female does not share with the male the +brightness of colours in the plumage. Bullfinches build their nests in +gardens and orchards, and particularly in places that abound in +fruit-trees, as they are passionately fond of fruit, which they often +destroy before it is ripe.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_259" id="page_259"></a>{259}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GOLDFINCH" id="Illustration_THE_GOLDFINCH"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 267px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_259_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_259_sml.jpg" width="267" height="159" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GOLDFINCH.<br /><br /> +(<i>Fringilla carduelis</i>, or <i>Carduelis elegans</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is also called the Thistlefinch, from his fondness for the +seeds of that plant. He is very beautiful, his plumage being elegantly +diversified, his form small, but pleasing, and his voice not loud, but +sweet. He is easily tamed, and often exhibited as a captive, with a +chain round his body, drawing up with trouble, but yet with amazing +dexterity, two small buckets, alternately, one containing his meat, the +other his drink. If he is old when caught, the Goldfinch, after a few +weeks, if well attended to, and gently treated, becomes as familiar as +if he had been brought up by the hand of his keeper. Some have been +taught to fire a small piece of artillery, and go through the drilling +exercise, to the great astonishment of the spectators; but the cruel and +severe treatment that animals undergo, when taught performances +altogether contrary to their nature, should prevent us from encouraging +such exhibitions.</p> + +<p>This bird, as if conscious of the beauty of his plumage, likes to view +himself in a glass, which is sometimes fixed for this purpose in the +back of the cage. The art with which it composes and builds its nest is +really worthy of admiration; it is generally interwoven with moss, small +twigs, horsehair, and other pliant materials; the inside stuffed most +carefully with fine down, and tufts of cotton grass. There the female +deposits five or six eggs,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_260" id="page_260"></a>{260}</span> which are whitish, marked at their upper end +with purple dots.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The Goldfinch weaves, with willow down inlaid,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And cannach tufts, his wonderful abode;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And oft suspended at the limber end<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of plane-tree spray, among the broad-leaved shoots,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The tiny hammock swings to every gale.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Sometimes in closest thickets ’tis concealed;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Sometimes in hedge luxuriant, where the brier,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The bramble, and the plum-tree branch<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Warp through the thorn, surmounted by the flowers<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of climbing vetch, and honeysuckle wild.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Grahame.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The following lines were written by Cowper on a Goldfinch starved to +death in his cage. The Goldfinch speaks:—</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Time was when I was free as air,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The thistle’s downy seed my fare,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">My drink the morning dew;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">I perched at will on every spray,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">My form genteel, my plumage gay,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">My strains for ever new.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“But gaudy plumage, sprightly strain,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And form genteel were all in vain,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And of a transient date;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For caught and caged, and starved to death,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In dying sighs my little breath<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Soon passed the wiry grate.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Thanks, gentle author of my woes,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thanks for this most effectual close<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And cure of every ill.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Never your cruelty repress!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For I, if you had shown me less,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Had been your prisoner still.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_261" id="page_261"></a>{261}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CROSSBILL_Loxia_curvirostra" id="Illustration_THE_CROSSBILL_Loxia_curvirostra"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 259px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_261_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_261_sml.jpg" width="259" height="226" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CROSSBILL. (<i>Loxia curvirostra.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Crossbill</span> is a native of the vast pine forests of northern Europe, +and is by no means abundant in England. The bill of this singular bird +is of considerable length, and the mandibles towards the point are very +sharp and strong, curved in opposite directions, so that when closed the +points cross each other, from which the bird derives his name. This +curious organization enables them to obtain their food, which chiefly +consists of the seeds of the cones of the fir, with the greatest +facility. These seeds, for a considerable time after they have ripened, +are so firmly enclosed within their ligneous scales, that the bill of no +ordinary bird could reach them. Fixing itself across the cone, the +Crossbill brings the mandibles of its beak immediately over each other, +and insinuates them between the scales, then forcing them laterally, the +scales open. The mandibles are again brought in contact, between the +scales, and the bird then picks out the seed with their tips. It is very +interesting to find that a structure so anomalous as that of the bill of +the Crossbill is really beneficial to the creature, and not, as was +formerly rather flippantly asserted, a defect or error of nature.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_262" id="page_262"></a>{262}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_STARE_OR_STARLING_Sturnus_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_STARE_OR_STARLING_Sturnus_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 275px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_262_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_262_sml.jpg" width="275" height="148" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE STARE, OR STARLING, (<i>Sturnus vulgaris</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> about the size and shape of a blackbird; the tips of the feathers on +the neck and back are yellow; the feathers under the tail of an +ash-colour; the other parts of the plumage are black, with a purple or +deep blue gloss, changing as it is variously exposed to the light. In +the hen, the tips of the feathers on the breast and belly, to the very +throat, are white; which constitutes a material point in the choice of +the bird, as the female is no singer. She lays four or five eggs, +lightly tinctured with a greenish cast of blue. Starlings build in +hollow trees and clefts of rocks and walls, are very easily tamed, and +can add to their natural notes any words or modulations which they are +taught.</p> + +<p>In the winter season Starlings collect in vast flocks, and may be known +at a great distance by their whirling mode of flight. The evening is the +time when they assemble in the greatest numbers, and betake themselves +to fens and marshes. Sterne has immortalized the Starling in his +“Sentimental Journey:” “The bird flew to the place where I was +attempting his deliverance, and thrusting his head through the trellis, +pressed his head against it, as if impatient.—‘I fear, poor creature,’ +said I, ‘I can’t set thee at liberty.’—‘No,’ said the Starling, ‘I +can’t get out.’ ‘Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, slavery,’ said I, +‘still thou art a bitter draught!’ ”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_263" id="page_263"></a>{263}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SATIN_BOWER-BIRD" id="Illustration_THE_SATIN_BOWER-BIRD"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 285px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_263_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_263_sml.jpg" width="285" height="245" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SATIN BOWER-BIRD.<br /><br /> +(<i>Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> singular bird was first brought before the notice of the public by +Mr. Gould, in his splendid work, the “Birds of Australia,” from which +the following extracts are given by permission of its author. The most +remarkable circumstance relating to this bird, is its construction of a +bower-like tenement, the object of which, it should seem, is a sort of +playing-ground, or hall of assembly.</p> + +<p>“The Satin Bower-bird,” says Mr. Gould, “is not a stationary species, +but appears to range from one part of a district to another, either for +the purpose of varying the nature, or of obtaining a more abundant +supply of food. Judging from the many specimens I dissected, it would +seem that it is altogether granivorous and frugivorous; or, if not +exclusively so, that insects form but a small portion of its diet. The +brushes it inhabits are studded with enormous fig-trees, some of them +towering to the height of two hundred feet; among the lofty branches of +which the Satin Bower-bird finds, in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_264" id="page_264"></a>{264}</span> small wild fig with which the +branches are loaded, an abundant supply of a favourite food: this +species also commits considerable depredation on ripening corn. It +appears to have particular times in the day for feeding, and when thus +engaged among the low shrub-like trees, I have approached within a few +feet without creating alarm; but at other times I have found this bird +extremely shy, especially the old males, which not unfrequently perch on +the topmost branch of the loftiest tree, whence they can survey all +around, and watch the movements of the females and their young in the +brush below. Besides the loud liquid call peculiar to the male, both +sexes frequently utter a harsh, unpleasant, guttural note, indicative of +surprise or displeasure. The old black males are exceedingly few in +number, as compared with the females and young male birds in the green +dress, from which, and other circumstances, I am led to believe that at +least two, if not three years, elapse before they attain the rich +satin-like plumage, which, when once perfectly assumed, is, I believe, +never again thrown off. The extraordinary bower-like structures alluded +to above, are usually placed under the shelter of the branches of some +overhanging tree in the most retired part of the forest, and differ +considerably in size. The base consists of an extensive and rather +convex platform of stick, firmly interwoven, on the centre of which the +bower itself is built: this, like the platform on which it is placed, +and with which it is interwoven, is formed of sticks and twigs, but of a +more slender and flexible description, the tips of the twigs being so +arranged as to curve inwards and nearly meet at the top: in the interior +of the bower the materials are so placed, that the forks of the twigs +are always presented outwards, by which arrangement not the slightest +obstruction is offered to the passage of the birds. The interest of this +curious bower is much enhanced by the manner in which it is decorated at +and near the entrance with the most gaily-coloured articles that can be +collected, such as the blue tail-feathers of the Rose-bill and +Pennantian parrots, bleached bones, the shells of snails, &c.; some of +the feathers are stuck in among the twigs, while others with the bones +and shells are strewed about near<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_265" id="page_265"></a>{265}</span> the entrances. The propensity of +these birds to pick up and fly off with any attractive object, is so +well known to the natives, that they always search the runs for any +small missing article, as the bowl of a pipe, &c., that may have been +accidentally dropped in the brush. I myself found at the entrance of one +of them a small neatly-worked stone tomahawk, of an inch and a half in +length, together with some slips of blue cotton rags, which the birds +had doubtless picked up at a deserted encampment of the natives. For +what purpose these curious bowers are made is not yet, perhaps, fully +understood; they are certainly not used as a nest, but as a place of +resort for many individuals of both sexes, which, when there assembled, +run through and around the bower in a sportive and playful manner, and +that so frequently, that it is seldom entirely deserted.”</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RAVEN_Corvus_Corax" id="Illustration_THE_RAVEN_Corvus_Corax"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 343px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_265_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_265_sml.jpg" width="343" height="254" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RAVEN. (<i>Corvus Corax.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The Raven sits<br /></span> +<span class="i3">On the raven-stone,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And his black wing flits<br /></span> +<span class="i3">O’er the milk-white bone;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_266" id="page_266"></a>{266}</span><br /></span> +<span class="i1">To and fro, as the night-winds blow,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">The carcass of the assassin swings:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And there alone, on the raven-stone,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">The Raven flaps his dusky wings.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The fetters creak—and his ebon beak<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Creaks to the close of the hollow sound:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And this is the tune by the light of the moon,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">To which the witches dance their round.”<br /></span> +<span class="i12"><span class="smcap">Byron’s Manfred.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Raven</span> is about twenty-six inches in length, and his weight about +three pounds. The bill is strong, black, and hooked at the tip. The +plumage of the whole body of a shining black, glossed with deep blue; +the back of the lower part inclining to a dusky colour. He is of a +strong and hardy disposition, and inhabits all climates of the globe. He +builds his nest in trees; and the female lays five or six eggs of a +palish green colour, spotted with brown. It is said that the life of +this bird extends to a century; and even beyond that period, if we can +believe the accounts of several naturalists on the subject. The Raven +unites the voracious appetite of the crow to the dishonesty of the daw +and the docility of almost every other bird. He feeds chiefly on small +animals; and is said to destroy rabbits, young ducks, and chickens, and +sometimes even lambs, when they happen to be dropped in a weak state. In +the northern regions, he preys on carrion, in concert with the white +bear, the arctic fox, and the eagle. The faculty of scent in these birds +must be very acute; for in the coldest of the winter days, at Hudson’s +Bay, when every kind of effluvium is almost instantaneously destroyed by +the frost, buffaloes and other beasts have been killed, where not one of +these birds was seen; but in a few hours scores of them have been found +collected about the spot, to pick up the blood and offal. The Raven +possesses many diverting and mischievous qualities; he is active, +curious, sagacious, and impudent; by nature a glutton, by habit a thief, +in disposition a miser, and in practice a rogue. He is fond of picking +up any small piece of money, bits of glass or any thing that shines, +which he carefully conceals under the eaves of roofs, or in any other +inaccessible place. He is easily tamed; and, like the parrot and +starling, can<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_267" id="page_267"></a>{267}</span> imitate the human voice, in articulating words. At the +seat of the Marquis of Aylesbury, in Wiltshire, a tame Raven, that had +been taught to speak, used to ramble about in the park, where he was +commonly attended and beset with crows, rooks, and others of his +inquisitive tribe. When a considerable number of these were collected +round him, he would lift up his head, and with a hoarse and hollow voice +shout out Holloa! This would instantly put to flight and disperse his +sable brethren; while the Raven seemed to enjoy the fright he had +occasioned. When domesticated, the Raven is of great service, both as a +scavenger and in keeping watch, in the last of which he is more alert +and vigilant than almost any other animal. The Raven was the ensign of +the invading Danes, and the prejudice thereby engendered against the +bird is not yet quite extinct. Of its perseverance in the act of +incubation, Mr. White relates the following singular anecdote:</p> + +<p>“In the centre of a grove near Selborne, there stood an oak, which, +though on the whole shapely and tall, bulged out into a large +excrescence near the middle of the stem. On this tree a pair of Ravens +had fixed their residence for such a series of years, that the oak was +distinguished by the title of ‘The Raven-tree.’ Many were the attempts +of the neighbouring youths to get at this nest: the difficulty whetted +their inclinations, and each was ambitious of surmounting the arduous +task; but when they arrived at the swelling, it jutted out so in their +way, and was so far beyond their grasp, that the boldest lads were +deterred and acknowledged the undertaking to be too hazardous. Thus the +Ravens continued to build, nest upon nest, in perfect security, till the +fatal day on which the wood was to be levelled. This was in the month of +February, when those birds usually sit. The saw was applied to the +trunk, the wedges were inserted into the opening, the wood echoed to the +heavy blows of the mallet, the tree nodded to its fall; but still the +dam persisted in sitting. At last, when it gave way, the bird was flung +from her nest; and though her parental affection deserved a better fate, +was whipped down by the twigs, which brought her dead to the ground!”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_268" id="page_268"></a>{268}</span></p> + +<p>The croaking of the Raven was formerly considered a note of ill omen:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The Raven croaked as she sat at her meal,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And the old woman knew what he said;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And she grew pale at the Raven’s tale,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And sickened and went to her bed.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CARRION_CROW_Corvus_corone" id="Illustration_THE_CARRION_CROW_Corvus_corone"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 261px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_268_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_268_sml.jpg" width="261" height="179" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CARRION CROW. (<i>Corvus corone.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is less in size than the raven. The bill is strong, thick, and +straight. The general colour is black, except the extremities of the +feathers, which are of a greyish tint. His delight is to feed upon +carcasses and dead animals, or malefactors exposed on the gibbet. He +roosts upon trees, and takes both animal and vegetable food. Crows, like +rooks, are gregarious, and often fly in large companies in the fields or +in the woods. On the upland moors, Crows occupy the place which rooks +fill in the low country; and as the Crow has a very coarse and uncouth +voice, the Lowlanders of Scotland are in the habit of saying that the +Highland rooks “speak Gaelic.” They are great destroyers of partridges’ +eggs, as they often pierce them with their bills, and carry them in that +manner through the air to a great distance to feed their young. The +female lays five or six eggs.</p> + +<p>Mr. Montagu states that he once saw a Crow in pursuit of a pigeon, at +which it made several pounces, like<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_269" id="page_269"></a>{269}</span> a hawk; but the pigeon escaped by +flying in at the door of a house. He saw another strike a pigeon dead +from the top of a barn. The Crow is so bold a bird that neither the +kite, the buzzard, nor the raven, can approach its nest without being +driven away. When it has young ones, it will even attack the peregrine +falcon, and at a single pounce sometimes bring that bird to the ground.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ROOK_Corvus_frugilegus" id="Illustration_THE_ROOK_Corvus_frugilegus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 254px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_269_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_269_sml.jpg" width="254" height="142" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ROOK. (<i>Corvus frugilegus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> cawing of these birds, on the tops of high trees near gentlemen’s +houses, and in the middle of cities, is not very pleasing; yet old +habits, to which we are reconciled, have as much influence upon us as if +they were productive of amusement. Hence it has been seldom attempted to +destroy a rookery; although the noise and other inconveniences that +accompany these birds render their vicinity often troublesome. They feed +entirely on corn and insects, and are little bigger than the common +crows. In Suffolk, and in some parts of Norfolk, the farmers find it +their interest to encourage the breed of Rooks, as the only means of +freeing their grounds from the grub, which produces the cockchafer, and +which in this state destroys the roots of corn and grass to such a +degree, that instances have been known where the turf of pasture land +might be turned up with the foot. The farmers in a northern county, a +good many years ago, waged a war of extermination against the Rooks, but +the very next year the crops were so completely cut up by grubs, that +the same proprietors were at considerable<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_270" id="page_270"></a>{270}</span> expense in getting Rooks back +again. Young Rooks are good eating, but should be skinned before they +are dressed. The colour is black, but brighter than that of the crow, +which the Rook resembles in shape. The female lays the same number of +eggs; and the male shares with her the trouble of fetching sticks, and +interweaving them to make the nest, an operation which is attended with +a great deal of fighting and disputing with the other Rooks.</p> + +<p>New comers are often severely beaten by the old inhabitants, and are +even frequently driven quite away; of this an instance occurred near +Newcastle, in the year 1783. A pair of Rooks, after an unsuccessful +attempt to establish themselves in a rookery at no great distance from +the Exchange, were compelled to abandon the attempt, and take refuge on +the spire of that building; and, though constantly interrupted by other +Rooks, they built their nest on the <i>top of the vane</i>, and reared their +young ones, undisturbed by the noise of the populace below. The nest and +its inhabitants were of course turned about by every change of the wind! +They returned and built their nest every year on the same place, till +1793, soon after which year the spire was taken down. A small +copperplate was engraved, of the size of a watchpaper, with a +representation of the spire and the nest; and so much pleased were the +inhabitants and other persons with it, that as many copies were sold as +produced to the engraver a profit of ten pounds. The woodcut by Bewick, +in the title-page to his Select Fable gives, a view of the old Exchange, +with the Rook’s nest on the vane.</p> + +<p>It is amusing to see Rooks coming at sunset as thick as a cloud hovering +over a grove, and, after several eddies described in the air, and +incessant cawings, each repairing to its own nest, and settling in a few +minutes to rest, till the dawn calls them up again to their pasture in +the neighbouring fields.</p> + +<p>Dr. Darwin has remarked, that an instinctive feeling of danger from +mankind is much more apparent in Rooks than in most other birds. Any one +who has in the least observed them will see that they evidently +distinguish<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_271" id="page_271"></a>{271}</span> that the danger is greater when a man is armed with a gun, +than when he has no weapon with him. In the spring of the year, if a +person happened to walk under a rookery with a gun in his hand, the +inhabitants of the trees rise on their wings, and scream to the +unfledged young to shrink into their nests from the sight of the enemy. +The country people observing this circumstance so uniformly to occur, +assert that Rooks can smell gunpowder.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_JACKDAW_Corvus_monedula" id="Illustration_THE_JACKDAW_Corvus_monedula"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 271px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_271_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_271_sml.jpg" width="271" height="248" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE JACKDAW. (<i>Corvus monedula.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is much less than the crow. He has a large head and long bill, +in proportion to the size of his body. The colour of the plumage is +black, but on some parts inclining to a bluish hue; the fore part of the +head is of a deeper black. The Jackdaw feeds upon nuts, fruits, seeds, +and insects; and builds in ancient castles, towers, cliffs, and all +desolate and ruinous places. The female lays five or six eggs, smaller, +paler, and marked with fewer spots than those of the crow.</p> + +<p>Jackdaws are easily tamed, and may with little difficulty<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_272" id="page_272"></a>{272}</span> be taught to +pronounce several words. They conceal such parts of their food as they +cannot eat, and often, along with it, small pieces of money or toys, +frequently occasioning, for the moment, suspicions of theft in persons +who are innocent. In Switzerland there is found a variety of the +Jackdaw, which has a white ring round its neck. In Norway, and other +cold countries, they have been seen entirely white. In a state of +nature, jackdaws and rooks frequently feed together, and the Jackdaws +come to meet the rooks in the morning, and also accompany them for some +distance on their retreat at night.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MAGPIE_Pica_caudata" id="Illustration_THE_MAGPIE_Pica_caudata"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_272_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_272_sml.jpg" width="262" height="174" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MAGPIE. (<i>Pica caudata.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“From bough to bough the restless Magpie roves,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And chatters as he flies.” <span class="smcap">Gisborne.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> bird resembles the daw, except in the whiteness of the breast and +wings, and the length of the tail. The black of the feathers is +accompanied with a changing gloss of green and purple. It is a very +loquacious creature, and can be taught to imitate the human voice as +well as any of the feathered creation.</p> + +<p>Plutarch relates a singular story of a Magpie belonging to a barber at +Rome, which could imitate, to a wonderful extent, almost every noise +that it heard. Some trumpets happened one day to be sounded before the +shop; and for a day or two afterwards the Magpie<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_273" id="page_273"></a>{273}</span> was quite mute, and +seemed pensive and melancholy. This surprised all who knew it; and they +supposed the sound of the trumpets had so stunned the bird as to deprive +it at the same time of voice and hearing. This, however, was not the +case; for, says the writer, the bird had been all the time occupied in +profound meditation, and was studying how to imitate the sound of the +trumpets; accordingly, in the first attempt, it perfectly imitated all +their repetitions, stops, and changes. This new lesson, however, made it +entirely forget everything that it had learned before.</p> + +<p>The Magpie feeds on everything; worms, insects, meat, cheese, bread, +milk, and all kinds of seeds, and also on small birds, when they come in +its way: the young of the blackbird and of the thrush, and even a +strayed chicken, often fall a prey to its rapacity. It is fond of hiding +pieces of money or wearing apparel, which it carries away by stealth, +and with much dexterity, to its hole. Its cunning is also remarked in +the manner of making its nest, which it covers all over with hawthorn +branches, the thorns sticking outward; within, it is lined with fibrous +roots, wool, and long grass, and then plastered all round with mud and +clay. The canopy above is composed of the sharpest thorns, woven +together in such a manner as to deny all entrance except at the door, +which is just large enough to permit egress and regress to the owners. +In this fortress the birds bring up their brood with security, safe from +all attacks, but those of the climbing schoolboy, who often finds his +torn and bloody hands too dear a price for the eggs or the young ones.</p> + +<p>There are many superstitions respecting Magpies; and it is singular that +in all the southern and middle districts of England, two Magpies +together are thought to betoken luck; while in Lancashire, and other +northern counties, they are thought to betoken misfortune. The +chattering of Magpies was formerly supposed to foretell the arrival of +strangers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_274" id="page_274"></a>{274}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CORNISH_CHOUGH_Pyrrhcorax_graculus" id="Illustration_THE_CORNISH_CHOUGH_Pyrrhcorax_graculus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 247px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_274_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_274_sml.jpg" width="247" height="173" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CORNISH CHOUGH, (<i>Pyrrhcorax graculus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> like the jackdaw in shape and colour, but somewhat larger. The bill +and legs are of a red colour, and hence the bird is frequently called +the red-legged Crow. It is an inhabitant of Cornwall, Wales, and all the +western coasts of England, and is generally to be found among rocks near +the sea, where it builds, as well as in old ruinous castles and churches +on the sea-side. The voice of the Chough resembles that of the jackdaw, +except that it exceeds it in hoarseness and strength.</p> + +<p>Mr. Montagu describing a Chough in the possession of a friend, says, +“his curiosity is beyond bounds, never failing to examine everything new +to him: if the gardener be pruning, he examines the nail-box, carries +off the nails, and scatters the shreds about. Should a ladder be left +against the wall, he instantly mounts, and goes all round the top of the +wall: and if hungry descends at a convenient place, and immediately +travels to the kitchen window, where he makes an incessant knocking with +his bill, until he is fed or let in. If allowed to enter, his first +endeavour is to get up-stairs; and if not interrupted, goes as high as +he can, and gets into any room on the attic story; but his intention is +to get upon the top of the house. He is excessively fond of being +caressed, and would stand quietly by the hour to be smoothed; but +resents an affront with violence and effect, by both bill and claws, and +will hold so fast by the latter, that he is with difficulty +disengaged.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_275" id="page_275"></a>{275}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_JAY_Garrulus_glandarius" id="Illustration_THE_JAY_Garrulus_glandarius"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 242px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_275_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_275_sml.jpg" width="242" height="173" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE JAY, (<i>Garrulus glandarius</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> less than the magpie, and resembles him more in the habits of his +life than in the shape and colour of his body. Like him he is talkative, +and ready to imitate all sounds, but boasts of ornamental colours, which +the magpie is deprived of. The ablest painter can produce no colour to +equal the brightness of the chequered tablets of white, black, and blue, +which adorn the sides of his wings. His head is covered with feathers, +which are moveable at will, and the motion of which is expressive of the +internal affections of the bird, whether he is stimulated by fear, +anger, or desire.</p> + +<p>A Jay, kept by a person in the north of England, had learned at the +approach of cattle to set a cur dog upon them, by whistling and calling +him by his name. One winter, during a severe frost, the dog was by this +means excited to attack a cow that was big with calf, when the poor +thing fell on the ice, and was much hurt. The Jay was complained of as a +nuisance, and its owner was obliged to destroy it.</p> + +<p>The hen lays five or six eggs, of a dull white colour, mottled with +brown.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_276" id="page_276"></a>{276}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ROLLER_Coracias_garrula" id="Illustration_THE_ROLLER_Coracias_garrula"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 270px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_276a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_276a_sml.jpg" width="270" height="148" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ROLLER, (<i>Coracias garrula</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> about the size of the jay. Its bill is black, sharp, and somewhat +hooked. The head is of a dirty green, mingled with blue; of which colour +is also the throat, with white lines in the middle of each feather; the +breast is of a pale blue, like that of the pigeon; the middle of the +back, between the shoulders, is red; the rump and lesser coverts of the +wings are dark blue; the feet are short, and, like those of a dove, of a +dirty yellow colour.</p> + +<p>The Roller is wilder than the jay, and frequents the thickest woods; it +builds its nest chiefly on birch-trees. It is a bird of passage, and +migrates in the months of May and September. In Africa, it is said to +fly in large flocks in the autumn, and is frequently seen on cultivated +grounds, with rooks and other birds, searching for worms, insects, +seeds, berries, roots, and in cases of necessity, small frogs.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 178px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_276b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_276b_sml.jpg" width="178" height="114" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_277" id="page_277"></a>{277}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_KINGFISHER_Alcedo_ispida" id="Illustration_THE_KINGFISHER_Alcedo_ispida"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 217px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_277_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_277_sml.jpg" width="217" height="129" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE KINGFISHER, (<i>Alcedo ispida</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> the Halcyon of the ancients, and his name recalls to our mind the +most lively ideas. It was believed, that, as long as the female sat upon +her eggs, the god of storms and tempests refrained from disturbing the +calmness of the waves, and <i>Halcyon days</i> were, for navigators of old, +the most secure times to perform their voyages:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“As firm as the rock, and as calm as the flood,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Where the peace-loving Halcyon deposits her brood.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>But although this bears analogy to a natural coincidence between the +time of breeding assigned to the Kingfishers and a part of the year when +the ocean is less tempestuous, yet Mythology would exercise her fancy, +and turn into wonders that which was nothing else than the common course +of nature.</p> + +<p>This bird is nearly as small as a common sparrow, but the head and beak +appear proportionally too big for the body. The bright blue of the back +and wings claims our admiration, as it changes into deep purple or +lively green, according to the angles of light under which the bird +presents itself to the eye. It generally haunts the banks of rivers, for +the purpose of seizing small fish, on which it subsists, and which it +takes in amazing quantities, by balancing itself at a distance above the +water for a certain time, and then darting on the fish with unerring +aim. It dives perpendicularly into the water, where it continues several +seconds, and then brings up the fish, which it carries to land, beats<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_278" id="page_278"></a>{278}</span> +to death, and afterwards swallows. When it cannot find a projecting +bough, it sits on some stone near the brink, or even on the gravel; but +the moment it perceives the fish, it takes a spring upwards of twelve or +fifteen feet, and drops from that height upon its prey.</p> + +<p>The Kingfisher lays its eggs, to the number of seven or more, in a hole +in the bank of the river or stream that it frequents. Dr. Heysham had a +female brought alive to him at Carlisle by a boy, who said he had taken +it the preceding night when sitting on its eggs. His information on the +subject was, that “having often observed these birds frequent a bank +upon the river Peteril, he had watched them carefully, and at last he +saw them go into a small hole in the bank. The hole was too narrow to +admit his hand; but, as it was made in soft mould, he easily enlarged +it. It was upwards of half a yard long; at the end of it the eggs, which +were six in number, were placed upon the bare mould, without the +smallest appearance of a nest.” The eggs were considerably larger than +those of the yellow-hammer, and of a transparent white colour. It +appears, from a still later account, that the direction of the holes is +always upward; that they are enlarged at the end, and have there a kind +of bedding formed of the bones of small fish, and some other substances, +evidently the castings of the parent animals. This bedding is generally +half an inch thick, and mixed with earth; and on it the female deposits +and hatches her eggs. When the young ones are nearly full-feathered they +are extremely voracious; and as the old birds do not supply them with +all the food they can devour, they are continually chirping, and may be +discovered by their noise.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_279" id="page_279"></a>{279}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BIRD_OF_PARADISE_Paradisea_apoda" id="Illustration_THE_BIRD_OF_PARADISE_Paradisea_apoda"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 292px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_279_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_279_sml.jpg" width="292" height="389" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BIRD OF PARADISE. (<i>Paradisea apoda.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">There</span> are several distinct species of these birds, of which the best +known are the large and small Emerald Birds of Paradise, which are very +similar in appearance, and are both imported into Europe as ornaments +for ladies’ dress. Their appearance when flying in their native forests +is said to be most beautiful. M. Lesson, a French naturalist, gives the +following account:—“Soon after<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_280" id="page_280"></a>{280}</span> our arrival on this land of promise +(New Guinea) for the naturalist, I was on a shooting excursion. Scarcely +had I walked some hundred paces in those ancient forests, the daughters +of time, whose sombre depth was, perhaps, the most magnificent and +stately sight that I had ever seen, when a Bird of Paradise struck my +view: it flew gracefully and in undulations; the feathers of its sides +formed an elegant and aërial plume, which, without exaggeration, bore no +remote resemblance to a brilliant meteor. Surprised, astounded, enjoying +an inexpressible gratification, I devoured this splendid bird with my +eyes; but my emotion was so great that I forgot to shoot at it, and did +not recollect that I had a gun in my hand till it was far away.”</p> + +<p>The head is small, but adorned with colours which vie with the brightest +hues of the feathered tribe; the neck is a beautiful fawn, and the body +very small, but covered with long feathers of a browner hue, tinged with +gold: the two middle feathers of the tail are little more than +filaments, except at the point and near the base. Although the body is +no larger than that of a thrush, the total length is two feet. This bird +has long been esteemed by ladies as a head-dress; and as those sent to +Europe for this purpose always had the legs cut off for the convenience +of packing, it was reported, and at one time believed, that the Bird of +Paradise had no legs, but that it lived always on the wing. Indeed, a +very fierce controversy arose on this subject among the earlier +naturalists.</p> + +<p>The native place of these birds is New Guinea and the neighbouring +islands, where they are generally found in flocks of thirty and forty, +roosting on fig or teak trees. They always fly against the wind, that it +may not ruffle their light and spreading plumage, as, if the wind came +from behind, it would blow their long tails over their back. They take +shelter from storms in the most dense thickets, and feed principally on +figs, the berries of the teak, and insects. The note of the Bird of +Paradise is very unpleasant, and resembles the cawing of a raven; it is +chiefly heard in windy weather, when they dread being thrown on the +ground.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_281" id="page_281"></a>{281}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_NUTHATCH_OR_NUTJOBBER" id="Illustration_THE_NUTHATCH_OR_NUTJOBBER"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 267px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_281_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_281_sml.jpg" width="267" height="227" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE NUTHATCH, OR NUTJOBBER,<br /><br /> +(<i>Sitta Europæa</i>,)<br /><br /> +AND THE CREEPER, (<i>Certhia familiaris</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> less than the chaffinch. The head, neck, and beak are of an +ash-colour; the sides under the wings red; the throat and breast of a +pale yellow; the chin white, and the feathers under the tail red, with +white tips. The Nuthatch feeds upon insects and also upon nuts, which he +hoards in the hollow part of a tree; and it is pleasing to see him fetch +a nut out of the hole, place it first in a chink, and standing above it +with his head downwards, striking it with all his might, break the +shell, and catch up the kernel. The hen is so attached to her brood, +that, when disturbed from her nest, she flutters about the head of the +depredator, and hisses like a snake. The Nuthatches are shy and solitary +birds, and like the woodpeckers frequent woods, and run up and down the +trees with surprising facility. They often move their tails in the +manner of the wagtail. They do not migrate, but during the winter +approach nearer to inhabited places, and are sometimes seen in orchards +and gardens. The female lays her eggs in holes of trees.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_282" id="page_282"></a>{282}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CREEPER_Certhia_familiaris" id="Illustration_THE_CREEPER_Certhia_familiaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 298px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_282_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_282_sml.jpg" width="298" height="401" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CREEPER. (<i>Certhia familiaris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Creepers</span> are dispersed through most countries of the globe, and feed +chiefly on insects, in search of which they run in a spiral direction +round the stems and branches of trees, with great agility.</p> + +<p>The Common Creeper is about five inches in length; its colour is tawny, +the quills being tipped with white or light brown. Its nest is formed of +dry grass and bark, and is placed in the hollow of some decayed tree.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_283" id="page_283"></a>{283}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WALL_CREEPER_OR_SPIDER-CATCHER" id="Illustration_THE_WALL_CREEPER_OR_SPIDER-CATCHER"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 278px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_283_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_283_sml.jpg" width="278" height="325" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WALL CREEPER, OR SPIDER-CATCHER,<br /><br /> +(<i>Tichodroma muraria</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> larger than a house-sparrow. It has a long, slender, black bill; the +head, neck, and back are of an ash-colour, the front of the neck and +throat being a deep black; the breast is white; the wings a compound of +lead-colour and red. It is a brisk and cheerful bird, and has a pleasant +note. Clefts and crevices of rocks and the walls of old edifices are its +favourite haunts, and sometimes, but very rarely, the trunks of trees. +It feeds on insects, and is especially fond of spiders and their eggs. +The nest is made in clefts of the most inaccessible rocks, and in the +crevices of ruins, at a great height.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_284" id="page_284"></a>{284}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LYRE-BIRD_OF_AUSTRALIA" id="Illustration_THE_LYRE-BIRD_OF_AUSTRALIA"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 243px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_284_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_284_sml.jpg" width="243" height="385" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LYRE-BIRD OF AUSTRALIA.<br /><br /> +(<i>Menura superba.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is found in New South Wales, near Port Philip, but it is the +male only that possesses the splendid tail whence it derives its name. +It feeds on snails, and builds a nest like a magpie.</p> + +<p>“Of all the birds I have ever met with,” says Mr. Gould, “the Menura is +by far the most shy and difficult to procure. While among the brushes, I +have been surrounded by these birds, pouring forth their loud and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_285" id="page_285"></a>{285}</span> +liquid calls, for days together, without being able to get a sight of +them; and it was only by the most determined perseverance and extreme +caution that I was enabled to effect this desirable object; which was +rendered the more difficult by their often frequenting the almost +inaccessible and precipitous sides of gullies and ravines, covered with +tangled masses of creepers, and umbrageous trees: the cracking of a +stick, the rolling down of a small stone, or any other noise, however +slight, is sufficient to alarm it; and none but those who have traversed +these rugged, hot, and suffocating brushes, can fully understand the +excessive labour attendant on the pursuit of the Menura. Independently +of climbing over rocks and fallen trunks of trees, the sportsman has to +creep and crawl beneath and among the branches with the utmost caution, +taking care only to advance when the bird’s attention is occupied in +singing, or in scratching up the leaves in search of food: to watch its +actions, it is necessary to remain perfectly motionless, not venturing +to move even in the slightest degree, or it vanishes from sight, as if +by magic. Although I have said thus much on the cautiousness of the +Menura, it is not always so alert: in some of the more accessible +brushes through which roads have been cut, it may frequently be seen, +and even on horseback closely approached, the bird apparently evincing +less fear of those animals than of man. At Illawarra it is sometimes +successfully pursued by dogs trained to rush suddenly upon it, when it +immediately leaps upon the branch of a tree, and its attention being +attracted by the dog which stands barking below, it is easily approached +and shot. Another successful mode of procuring specimens is, by wearing +a tail of a full-plumaged male in the hat, keeping it constantly in +motion, and concealing the person among the bushes, when the attention +of the bird being arrested by the apparent intrusion of another of its +own sex, it will be attracted within the range of the gun: if the bird +be hidden from view by the surrounding objects, any unusual sound, as a +shrill whistle, will generally induce him to show himself for an +instant, by causing him to leap with a gay and sprightly air upon some +neighbouring branch to ascertain the cause of the disturbance:<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_286" id="page_286"></a>{286}</span> +immediate advantage must be taken of this circumstance, or the next +moment it may be half-way down the gully. So totally different is the +shooting of this bird to anything practised in Europe, that the most +expert shot would have but little chance, until well experienced in the +peculiar nature of the country, and the habits of the bird. The Menura +seldom, if ever, attempts to escape by flying; it easily eludes pursuit +by its extraordinary power of running. None are so efficient in +obtaining specimens as the naked black, whose noiseless and gliding +steps enable him to steal upon it unheard and unperceived, and with the +gun in his hand, he rarely allows it to escape, and in many instances he +will even kill it with his own weapons.</p> + +<p>“The Lyre-bird is of a wandering disposition, and although it probably +keeps to the same brush, it is constantly engaged in traversing it from +one end to the other, from mountain-top to the bottom of the gullies, +whose steep and rugged sides present no obstacle to its long legs and +powerful muscular thighs: it is also capable of performing extraordinary +leaps; and I have heard it stated, that it will spring ten feet +perpendicularly from the ground. It appears to be of solitary habits, as +I have never seen more than a pair together, and these only in a single +instance; they were both males, and were chasing each other round and +round with extreme rapidity, apparently in play, pausing every now and +then to utter their loud shrill calls; while thus employed they carried +the tail horizontally, as they always do when running quickly through +the bush, that being the only position in which this great organ could +be conveniently borne at such times. Among its many curious habits, the +only one at all approaching to those of the <i>Gallinacæa</i>, is that of +forming small round hillocks, which are constantly visited during the +day, and upon which the male is constantly trampling, at the same time +erecting and spreading out his tail in the most graceful manner, and +uttering his various cries, sometimes pouring forth his natural notes, +at others mocking those of other birds, and even the howling of the +native dog, or dingo. The early morning and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_287" id="page_287"></a>{287}</span> evening are the periods +when it is most animated and active.”</p> + +<p>There is another kind of Lyre-Bird, also found in New South Wales, to +which Mr. Gould has given the name of <i>Menura Alberti</i>, in honour of the +late Prince Consort.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HUMMING-BIRD_Trochilus_colubris" id="Illustration_THE_HUMMING-BIRD_Trochilus_colubris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 188px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_287_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_287_sml.jpg" width="188" height="145" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HUMMING-BIRD. (<i>Trochilus colubris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">There</span> are numerous species of Humming-Birds, but that represented above, +is one of the most common. They are abundant in South America, +particularly in Brazil; and are so small and so brilliant in their +colours, that when seen fluttering about in the brilliant rays of a +tropical sun, they look like flying gems. They are extremely active, +darting about, and thrusting their long beaks and flexible tongues into +every flower they see, in search of food. Sometimes they will remain +suspended in the air for a long time together, vibrating their wings +with such velocity, that they cannot be seen distinctly, but appear like +a mist round the body of the bird, while they make that curious humming +noise from which the bird takes its name. Sometimes they quarrel, when +their little throats become distended, their crest, tails, and wings +expand, and they fight with inconceivable fury, till one of them falls +exhausted on the ground. The most common species is <i>Trochilus +colubris</i>, the Ruby-throated Humming-Bird, and one of them has been kept +alive in a cage for more than three months, by feeding it with sugar and +water. This species is found in North<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_288" id="page_288"></a>{288}</span> America, where it migrates to the +north in summer, and is there seen even in Canada and the country of +Hudson’s Bay.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HOOPOE_Upupa_epops" id="Illustration_THE_HOOPOE_Upupa_epops"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 294px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_288_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_288_sml.jpg" width="294" height="244" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HOOPOE. (<i>Upupa epops.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is a small bird, measuring no more than twelve inches from the +point of the bill to the end of the tail. The bill is sharp, black, and +somewhat bending. The head is adorned with a very beautiful, large +moveable crest, a kind of bright halo, the radiation of which places the +head nearly in the centre of a golden circle. This pleasing ornament, +which the bird sets up or lets fall at pleasure, is composed of a double +row of feathers, reaching from the bill to the nape of the neck, which +is of a pale red. The breast is white, with black streaks tending +downwards; the wings and back are varied with white and black +cross-lines. The food of the Hoopoe consists chiefly of insects, with +the remains of which its nest is sometimes so filled as to become +extremely offensive. This beautifully-crested bird is not at all common +in this country, and is solitary, two of them being seldom<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_289" id="page_289"></a>{289}</span> seen +together, while in Egypt, where Hoopoes are very common, they are often +seen in small flocks. The female generally constructs her nest in a +hollow tree, the materials employed, in addition to the remains of their +food, being very scanty, consisting in fact of a few dried grass stalks +and feathers. She lays from four to seven eggs at a time, of a pale +lavender grey, about an inch and a half long. The young are generally +hatched in June; it is said, however, that two or three broods are +produced in the course of the year. The name alludes to the note of the +bird, which resembles the word “hoop” repeated several times in a low +voice.</p> + +<p>Though this bird is found occasionally both in England and Scotland, it +rarely breeds with us. It is common in Italy, where its strange +startling cry is often heard, without the bird being seen, as it keeps +itself concealed among trees. It is also not uncommon on the banks of +the Garonne in France, where it may be seen skimming along the ground +amongst the willows in search of the insects upon which it feeds.</p> + +<p>There are several species of this magnificent family. The most brilliant +is undoubtedly the Upupa Superba, or Grand Promerops of New Guinea. +“There does not perhaps exist,” says Sonnerat, “a more extraordinary +bird. Its body is delicate and slender, and, although it is of an +elongated form, appears excessively small in comparison with the tail. +Nature seems to have pleased herself in painting this being, already so +singular, with her most brilliant colours. The head, the neck, and the +belly are a glittering green; the feathers which cover these parts have +the lustre and softness of velvet to the eye and to the touch; the back +is changeable violet; the wings are of the same colour, and appear, +according to the lights in which they are held, blue, violet, or deep +black, always however imitating velvet.” This bird is rare, and a +specimen is seldom seen even in the most complete collections.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_290" id="page_290"></a>{290}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="IV_Scansores_or_Climbers" id="IV_Scansores_or_Climbers"></a>§ IV.—<i>Scansores, or Climbers.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CUCKOO_Cuculus_canorus" id="Illustration_THE_CUCKOO_Cuculus_canorus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 251px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_290_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_290_sml.jpg" width="251" height="355" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CUCKOO. (<i>Cuculus canorus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Hail, beauteous stranger of the wood,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Attendant on the spring!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Now Heaven repairs thy rural seat,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And woods thy welcome sing.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Soon as the daisy decks the green,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Thy certain voice we hear;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Hast thou a star to guide thy path,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Or mark the rolling year?<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_291" id="page_291"></a>{291}</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Delightful visitant! with thee<br /></span> +<span class="i3">I hail the time of flowers,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">When heav’n is fill’d with music sweet,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Of birds among the bowers.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Logan.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> well-known notes of this bird, in spite of their monotony, are heard +with pleasure in spring, as a sure prognostic of fine weather. The +Cuckoo is generally first heard about the middle of April, and ceases +towards the end of June. This bird is so shy that he is seldom seen when +uttering his singular note. The female does not build a nest, but lays +her eggs in that of some other bird.</p> + +<p>The Cuckoo is somewhat less than the magpie, his length being about +twelve inches from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail. He is +remarkable for his round prominent nostrils; the lower part of the body +is of a yellowish colour, with black transverse lines on the throat and +across the breast; the head and upper part of the body and wings are +beautifully marked with black and tawny stripes, and on the top of the +head there are a few white spots. The tail is long, and on the exterior +part, or edges of the feathers, there are several white marks; the +ground colour of the body is a sort of grey. The legs are short, and +covered with feathers, and the feet are composed of four toes, two +before and two behind.</p> + +<p>We are indebted to the observations of Dr. Jenner for the following +account of the habits and economy of this singular bird in the disposal +of its eggs. He states that, during the time the hedge-sparrow is laying +her eggs, which generally occupies four or five days, the Cuckoo +contrives to deposit her egg among the rest, leaving the future care of +it entirely to the hedge-sparrow. This intrusion often occasions some +disorder; for the old hedge-sparrow, at intervals while she is sitting, +not only throws out some of her own eggs but sometimes injures them in +such a way that they become addled, so that it frequently happens that +not more than two or three of the parent bird’s eggs are hatched: but, +what is very remarkable, it has never been observed that she has either +thrown out or injured the egg of the Cuckoo.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_292" id="page_292"></a>{292}</span> When the hedge-sparrow has +set her usual time, and has disengaged the young Cuckoo and some of her +own offspring from the shell, her own young ones and any of her eggs +that remain unhatched are soon turned out: the young Cuckoo then remains +in full possession of the nest, and is the sole object of the future +care of the foster parent. The young birds are not previously killed, +nor are the eggs demolished; but they are left to perish together, +either entangled in the bush that contains the nest, or lying on the +ground beneath it. On the 18th June, 1787, Dr. Jenner examined a nest of +a hedge-sparrow, which then contained a Cuckoo’s and three +hedge-sparrow’s eggs. On inspecting it the day following, the bird had +hatched: but the nest then contained only a young Cuckoo and one +hedge-sparrow. The nest was placed so near the extremity of a hedge, +that he could distinctly see what was going forward in it; and, to his +great astonishment, he saw the young Cuckoo, though so lately hatched, +in the act of turning out the young hedge-sparrow. The mode of +accomplishing this was curious; the little animal, with the assistance +of its rump and wings, contrived to get the bird upon its back, and +making a lodgment for its burden by elevating its elbows, climbed +backward with it up the side of the nest, till it reached the top; +where, resting for a moment, it threw off its load with a jerk, and +quite disengaged it from the nest. After remaining a short time in this +situation, and feeling about with the extremities of its wings, as if to +be convinced that the business was properly executed, it dropped into +the nest again. Dr. Jenner made several experiments in different nests, +by repeatedly putting in an egg to the young Cuckoo, which he always +found to be disposed of in the same manner. It is very remarkable that +nature seems to have provided for the singular disposition of the Cuckoo +in its formation at this period; for, different from other newly-hatched +birds, its back, from the scapulae downward, is very broad, with a +considerable depression in the middle, which seems intended for the +express purpose of giving a more secure lodgment to the egg of the +hedge-sparrow or its young one, while the young Cuckoo is employed in +removing<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_293" id="page_293"></a>{293}</span> either of them from the nest. When it is about twelve days +old, this cavity is quite filled up, the back assumes the shape of that +of nestling birds in general, and at that time the disposition of +turning out its companion entirely ceases. The smallness of the Cuckoo’s +egg, which in general is less than that of the hedge-sparrow, is another +circumstance to be attended to in this surprising transaction, and seems +to account for the parent Cuckoo’s depositing it in the nest of such +small birds only as these. If she were to do this in the nest of a bird +that produced a larger egg, and consequently a larger nestling, the +design would probably be frustrated, the young Cuckoo would be unequal +to the task of becoming sole possessor of the nest, and might fall a +sacrifice to the superior strength of its partners. Dr. Jenner observes, +that the egg of two Cuckoos are sometimes deposited in the same nest; +and gives the following instance which fell under his observation. Two +Cuckoos and a hedge-sparrow were hatched in the same nest; one +hedge-sparrow’s egg remained unhatched. In a few hours a contest began +between the Cuckoos for possession of the nest; and this continued +undetermined till the afternoon of the following day, when the one which +was somewhat superior in size, turned out the other, together with the +young hedge-sparrow and the unhatched egg. The contest, he adds, was +very remarkable; the combatants alternately appeared to have the +advantage, as each carried the other several times nearly to the top of +the nest, and again sank down oppressed by the weight of its burden; +till at length, after various efforts, the strongest of the two +prevailed, and was afterwards brought up by the hedge-sparrow.</p> + +<p>The American Cuckoo, or Cow bird, is quite different in its habits to +the European Cuckoo, as it builds a nest for its eggs, and hatches its +young itself like other birds.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_294" id="page_294"></a>{294}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COMMON_GREEN_WOODPECKER" id="Illustration_THE_COMMON_GREEN_WOODPECKER"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_294_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_294_sml.jpg" width="264" height="166" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COMMON GREEN WOODPECKER,<br /><br /> +(<i>Picus viridis</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Receives</span> his name from his habit of pecking the insects from the chinks +of trees and holes in the bark. The bill is straight, strong, and +angular at the end; and in most of the species is formed like a wedge, +for the purpose of piercing the trees. The nostrils are covered with +bristles. The tongue is slender, and cylindrical in shape, and to the +touch is hard and bony. The Woodpecker, in common with the Humming Bird, +though for a different object, possesses the remarkable property of +being able to dart out its tongue and secure insects at a considerable +distance from its beak. For the purpose of effectually capturing the +stronger insects, the tongue is barbed at the end, and provided with +glutinous secretion. The toes of this bird are placed two forward and +two backward; and the tail consists of ten hard, stiff, and +sharp-pointed feathers. A Woodpecker is often seen hanging by his claws, +and resting upon his breast against the stem of a tree; when, after +darting his beak against the bark, with great strength and noise, he +runs round the tree with much alacrity, which manœuvre has made the +country people suppose that he goes round<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_295" id="page_295"></a>{295}</span> to see whether he has not +pierced the tree through, though the fact is, the bird is in search of +the insects, which he hopes to have driven out by his blow.</p> + +<p>The following lines, from Moore’s beautiful song, allude to the noise +which the Woodpecker makes in searching for its food:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curl’d<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Above the green elms, that a cottage was near,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And I said, if there’s peace to be found in the world,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">A heart that was humble might hope for it here.<br /></span> +<span class="i5">Every leaf was at rest, and I heard not a sound,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">But the Woodpecker tapping the hollow beech-tree.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The fact is, that this beating against the bark is for no other purpose +than to rouse the insects which the chink contains, and to force them to +come out, which they do from their alarm at the noise, when the +Woodpecker turning round takes them unawares, and feeds upon them: if +the insects do not answer the delusive call, he darts his long tongue +into the hole, and brings out, by this means, his reluctant prey. The +plumage of this bird is a compound of red and green, two colours, the +approximation of which is always productive of harmony in the works of +nature. They nestle in the hollows of trees, where the female lays five +or six whitish eggs, without making any nest, trusting to the natural +heat of her body to hatch them.</p> + +<p>The Green Woodpecker is seen more frequently on the ground than the +other kinds, particularly where there are ant-hills. It inserts its long +tongue into the holes through which the ants issue, and draws them out +in abundance. Sometimes with its feet and bill it makes a breach in the +nest, and devours the ants and their eggs at its ease. The young ones +climb up and down the trees before they are able to fly; they roost very +early, and repose in their holes till day. There are many different +kinds of Woodpecker, five of which are common to this country.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_296" id="page_296"></a>{296}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WRYNECK_Yunx_torquilla" id="Illustration_THE_WRYNECK_Yunx_torquilla"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 196px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_296_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_296_sml.jpg" width="196" height="181" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WRYNECK. (<i>Yunx torquilla.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird, Mr. Gould tells us, has received its English name from its +habit of moving its head and neck in various directions, and with an +undulating motion, like that of a snake; indeed, in some parts of +England it is called the snake-bird. When found in its usual retreat in +the hole of a tree, it makes a loud hissing noise, raises the feathers +of the crown, and writhing its head and neck towards each shoulder +alternately, with grotesque contortions, becomes an object of terror to +a timid intruder; and the bird, taking advantage of a moment of +indecision, darts with the rapidity of lightning from a situation where +escape appeared impossible.</p> + +<p>The Wryneck deposits its eggs on fragments of decayed wood within a +hollow tree, and makes scarcely any nest. The birds when caught young +are easily tamed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_297" id="page_297"></a>{297}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TOUCAN_Rhamphastos_tucanus" id="Illustration_THE_TOUCAN_Rhamphastos_tucanus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 284px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_297_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_297_sml.jpg" width="284" height="269" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TOUCAN, (<i>Rhamphastos tucanus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a native of South America, very conspicuous for the magnitude and +shape of its bill; which, in some of the species, is nearly as long and +as large as the body itself. The length of its body is about eighteen +inches (the size of the magpie); the head is large and strong, and the +neck short, in order the more easily to support the bulk of such a beak. +The head, neck, and wings are black; the breast of a most lovely orange +saffron colour; the lower part of the body and the thighs are vermilion; +the tail black. Mr. Gould’s specimen represents a narrow straw-coloured +belt across the centre of the breast, dividing the orange tint from the +vermilion. One of these birds that was kept in a cage was very fond of +fruit, which it held for some time in its beak, touching it with great +delight with the tip of its feathery tongue, and then tossing it into +its throat by a sudden upright jerk; it also fed on small birds, +insects, caterpillars, &c.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_298" id="page_298"></a>{298}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GREY_PARROT_Psittacus_erythacus" id="Illustration_THE_GREY_PARROT_Psittacus_erythacus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 248px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_298_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_298_sml.jpg" width="248" height="171" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GREY PARROT. (<i>Psittacus erythacus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> tongue of the Parrot is not unlike a black soft bean, and fills so +completely the capacity of its beak, that the bird can easily modulate +sounds and articulate words; the beak is composed of two pieces, both +moveable, which is a peculiarity belonging almost exclusively to this +tribe of birds. The bill of the Parrot is strongly hooked, and assists +it in climbing, catching hold of the boughs of the trees with it, and +then drawing its legs upwards; then again advancing the beak, and +afterwards the feet, for its legs are not adapted for hopping from bough +to bough, as other birds do. Several stories are told of the sagacity of +these birds, and of the aptitude of their interrogatories and answers, +but they have been no doubt the effect of chance.</p> + +<p>Dr. Goldsmith says that a Parrot, belonging to King Henry the Seventh, +having been kept in a room next the Thames, in his palace of +Westminster, had learned to repeat many sentences from the boatmen and +passengers. One day, sporting on its perch, it unluckily fell into the +water. The bird had no sooner discovered its situation, than it called +out aloud, “A boat! twenty pounds for a boat!” A waterman, happening to +be near the place where the Parrot was floating, immediately took it up, +and restored it to the king; demanding, as the bird was<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_299" id="page_299"></a>{299}</span> a favourite, +that he should be paid the reward the bird had called out. This was +refused; but it was agreed that, as the Parrot had offered a reward, the +man should again refer to its determination for the sum he was to +receive. “Give the knave a groat,” screamed the bird the instant the +reference was made.</p> + +<p>The memory of Parrots is very astonishing, and they can not only imitate +discourse, but can sing verses of songs, and mimic gestures and actions. +Scaliger saw one that performed the dance of the Savoyards at the same +time that it repeated their song. The song was well imitated, but when +the bird tried to caper, it was with the worst grace imaginable, as he +turned in his toes, and kept tumbling back in a most clumsy manner.</p> + +<p>Willoughby tells us of a Parrot, which, when a person said to it, +“Laugh, Poll, laugh,” laughed accordingly, and the instant after +screamed out, “What a fool to make me laugh!” Another, which had grown +old with its master, shared with him the infirmities of age. Being +accustomed to hear scarcely anything but the words “I am sick;” when a +person asked it, “How do you do, Poll?” “I am sick,” it replied in a +doleful tone, stretching itself out, “I am sick.”</p> + +<p>Parrots are very numerous in the East and West Indies, where they +assemble in companies, like rooks, and build in the hollows of trees. +The female lays two or three eggs, marked with little specks, like those +of the partridge. They never breed in our climate, though they live here +to a great age. They feed entirely upon vegetables, but, when tame, will +take from the mouth of their master or mistress any kind of chewed meat, +and chiefly eggs, of which they seem particularly fond. They bite or +pinch very hard, and some of them possess so much strength in their +beak, that they could easily break a man’s finger. The Parrot is +sensible of attachment, as well as of revenge; and if in their mimic +attitudes they show great pleasure at the sight of their feeders, they +also fly up with anger to the face of those who once have affronted or +injured them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_300" id="page_300"></a>{300}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GREEN_PARROT_Psittacus_amazonicus" id="Illustration_THE_GREEN_PARROT_Psittacus_amazonicus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 249px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_298_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_298_sml.jpg" width="248" height="171" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GREEN PARROT, (<i>Psittacus amazonicus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> is perhaps more commonly seen in England than the African Grey +Parrot, is a native of South America, and receives its name from the +great river Amazon, on the banks of which it is common. In its native +country it does much damage to the plantations, and indeed many of the +Parrots are as injurious in this respect as they are beautiful in their +plumage. The Green Parrot resembles the Grey species in its habits, and +may likewise be taught to speak with much distinctness.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BLUE_AND_YELLOW_MACAW_Psittacus_or_Macrocercus" id="Illustration_THE_BLUE_AND_YELLOW_MACAW_Psittacus_or_Macrocercus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 261px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_300_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_300_sml.jpg" width="261" height="174" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BLUE AND YELLOW MACAW, (<i>Psittacus</i>, or <i>Macrocercus +aracanga</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> one of the largest of the parrot tribe, and painted with the finest +colours Nature can bestow. The beak is uncommonly strong; and the tail +proportionally longer than that of any of the parrot tribe. Its voice is +fierce and tremulous, sometimes sounding like the laugh of an old man; +and it seems to utter the word “Arara,” which occasions its bearing that +name in its native country.</p> + +<p>When tame, it eats almost every article of human food, and is +particularly fond of bread, beef, fried fish, pastry, and sugar. It +cracks nuts with its bill, and dexterously picks out the kernels with +its claws. It does not chew<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_301" id="page_301"></a>{301}</span> the soft fruits, but sucks them by pressing +its tongue against the upper part of its beak: and the harder sort of +food, such as bread and pastry, it bruises, or chews, by pressing the +tip of the lower upon the most hollow part of the upper mandible.</p> + +<p><i>The Scarlet Macaw</i> (<i>M. Macao</i>) is another large species, of a bright +red colour, with some blue and yellow feathers on the wings, and blue +ones about the base of the tail. It was formerly common in the West +Indian Islands, but has now become rare there. Its voice is very loud +and harsh.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RING_PAROQUET_Palaeornis_Alexandri" id="Illustration_THE_RING_PAROQUET_Palaeornis_Alexandri"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_301_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_301_sml.jpg" width="262" height="152" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RING PAROQUET. (<i>Palæornis Alexandri.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> beautiful species, no less remarkable for the elegance of its form +than for its docility and imitative powers, is supposed to have been the +first of the parrot species known to the ancients, from the time of +Alexander the Great down to the age of Nero. It is about fifteen inches +long; its bill is thick and red; the head and the body a bright green; +the neck, breast, and the whole of the under side of a paler tint. It +has a red circle, or ring, which encompasses the neck, and is about the +breadth of a little finger at the back; but grows narrower by degrees +towards the sides, and ends under the lower bill. The lower part of the +body is of so faint a green, that it seems almost yellow. The tail also +is of a yellowish green, and the legs and feet ash-coloured.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_302" id="page_302"></a>{302}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_WARBLING_GRASS_PAROQUET" id="THE_WARBLING_GRASS_PAROQUET"></a>THE WARBLING GRASS PAROQUET.<br /><br /> +(<i>Melopsittacus undulatus.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Great</span> numbers of Paroquets of different species are found in Australia, +and most of these live and seek their food upon the ground rather than +in trees. One of them is called the <i>Ground Paroquet</i>, as it is never +seen to perch upon trees, but is always running about among the grass +and herbage. The Warbling Grass Paroquet is a well known and beautiful +little Australian bird, of which considerable numbers have been imported +into this country of late years; it is deservedly a favourite, both on +account of its elegance, and from its possessing a gentle warbling note +very different from the harsh screaming of many species of its tribe. It +can, however, scream vigorously for its size. In the interior of +Australia these charming little birds occur in countless multitudes. +They feed chiefly on the seeds of grasses, which they pick up whilst +running upon the ground, but they perch in crowds upon the gum-trees for +shelter from the noon-day heat, and also before starting on an +expedition in search of water.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COCKATOO_Plyctolophus_galeritus" id="Illustration_THE_COCKATOO_Plyctolophus_galeritus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 251px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_302_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_302_sml.jpg" width="251" height="194" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COCKATOO. (<i>Plyctolophus galeritus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is distinguished from the parrots, by a beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_303" id="page_303"></a>{303}</span> crest, +composed of a tuft of elegant feathers, which he can raise or depress at +pleasure. We meet with some of a beautiful white plumage, and the inside +feathers of the crest of a pleasing yellow, with a spot of the same +colour under each eye, and one upon the breast. The Cockatoos are +natives of the Indian Islands and Australia, where they are found in +great abundance. Their food consists of seeds and soft and stony fruits, +which last their powerful bill enables them to break with ease. They are +easily tamed when taken at an early age, after which they become +familiar and even attached, but their imitative powers seldom go beyond +a very few words added to their own cry of Cockatoo.</p> + +<p>In a wild state they are shy, and cannot easily be approached. The flesh +of the young birds is accounted very good eating. The female is said to +make her nest in the rotten limbs of trees, using nothing more than the +accumulation of vegetable mould formed by the decayed parts of the +bough. The eggs are white, without spots; there are no more than two +young at a time. The natives first find the nest by the pieces of bark +and twigs which the old birds strip off the trees adjoining that in +which the nest is situated. It is a remarkable fact that the bark is +never stripped off the tree which contains the nest.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bennet, in speaking of the large black Cockatoo of New Holland, +says, that if this bird observes on the trunk of a tree indications of a +larva being within, it diligently labours to get at it with its powerful +beak, and should the object of its pursuit be deep within the wood, as +often happens, the trunk becomes so extensively hacked, that a slight +gust of wind will lay the tree prostrate.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_304" id="page_304"></a>{304}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="V_Gallinaceous_Birds" id="V_Gallinaceous_Birds"></a>§ V.—<i>Gallinaceous Birds.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PEACOCK_Pavo_cristatus" id="Illustration_THE_PEACOCK_Pavo_cristatus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 234px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_304_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_304_sml.jpg" width="234" height="297" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PEACOCK. (<i>Pavo cristatus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Astonished</span> at the unparalleled beauty of this bird, the ancients could +not help indulging their lively and creative fancy, in accounting for +the magnificence of his plumage. They made him the favourite of imperial +Juno, sister and wife to Jupiter; and not less than the hundred eyes of +Argus were pulled out to ornament his tail; indeed, there is scarcely +anything in nature that can vie with the transcendent lustre of the +Peacock’s feathers. The changing glory of his neck eclipses the deep +azure of ultramarine; and at the least evolution, it assumes the green +tint of the emerald, and the purple hue of the amethyst. His head, which +is small and finely shaped, has several curious stripes of white and +black round the eyes, and is surmounted by an elegant plume, or tuft of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_305" id="page_305"></a>{305}</span> +feathers, each of which is composed of a slender stem and a small tuft +at the top. Displayed with conscious pride, and exposed under a variety +of angles to the reflections of light, the broad and variegated disks of +his train, of which the neck, head, and breast of the bird become the +centre, claim our admiration. By an extraordinary mixture of the +brightest colours, it displays at once the richness of gold, and the +paler tints of silver, fringed with bronze-coloured edges, and +surrounding eye-like spots of dark brown and sapphire. The hen does not +share in the beauty of the cock, and her feathers are generally of a +light brown. She lays only a few eggs at a time, generally at an +interval of three or four days; they are white and spotted, like the +eggs of the turkey. She sits from twenty-seven to thirty days.</p> + +<p>The loud screamings of the Peacock are worse than the harsh croakings of +the raven, and a sure prognostic of bad weather; and his feet, more +clumsy than those of the turkey, make a sad contrast with the elegance +of his plumage:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Though richest hues the Peacock’s plumes adorn,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Yet horror screams from his discordant throat.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The spreading of the train, the swelling of the throat, neck, and +breast, and the puffing noise which they emit at certain times, are +proofs that the Turkey and the Peacock stand nearly allied in the family +chain of animated beings.</p> + +<p>The flesh of the Peacock was anciently esteemed a princely dish; and the +whole bird used to be served on the table with the feathers of the neck +and tail preserved; but few people could now relish such food, as it is +much coarser than the flesh of the turkey. The Italians have given this +laconic description of the Peacock: “He has the plumage of an angel, the +voice of a devil, and the stomach of a thief.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_306" id="page_306"></a>{306}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TURKEY_Meleagris_Gallo-Pavo" id="Illustration_THE_TURKEY_Meleagris_Gallo-Pavo"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 301px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_306_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_306_sml.jpg" width="301" height="316" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TURKEY, (<i>Meleagris Gallo-Pavo</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Was</span> originally an inhabitant of America, whence he was brought to Europe +by some Jesuit missionaries, which accounts for his being called a +Jesuit in some parts of the continent. The general colour of the +feathers is buff and black; and turkeys have about the head, especially +the cock, naked and tuberous lumps of flesh of a bright red colour. A +long fleshy appendage hangs from the base of the upper mandible, and +seems to be lengthened and shortened at pleasure. The hen lays from +fifteen to twenty eggs, which are whitish and freckled. The chicks are +very tender, and require great care and attentive nursing, until they +are able to seek their food. In the county of Norfolk the breeding of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_307" id="page_307"></a>{307}</span> +Turkeys, which is there a considerable branch of trade, is brought to +great perfection; and some weighing upwards of twenty pounds each have +been raised there. They appear to have a natural antipathy to everything +of a red colour.</p> + +<p>Though extremely prone to quarrel among themselves, they are, in +general, weak and cowardly against other animals, and fly from almost +every creature that ventures to oppose them. On the contrary, they +pursue everything that appears to dread them, particularly small dogs +and children; and after having made these objects of their aversion +scamper, they evince their pride and satisfaction by displaying their +plumage, strutting about among their female train, and uttering their +peculiar note of self-approbation. Some instances, however, have +occurred, in which the Turkey-cock has exhibited a considerable share of +courage and prowess; as will appear from the following anecdote:—A +gentleman of New York received from a distant part a Turkey-cock and +hen, and with them a pair of bantams; which were put all together into +the yard with his other poultry. Some time afterwards, as he was feeding +them from the barn-door, a large hawk suddenly turned the corner of the +barn, and made a pounce at the bantam hen: she immediately gave the +alarm, by a noise which is natural to her on such occasions; when the +Turkey-cock, who was at the distance of about two yards, and without +doubt understood the hawk’s intention, flew at the tyrant, with such +violence, and gave him so severe a stroke with his spurs, as to knock +him from the hen to a considerable distance; by which means the bantam +was rescued from destruction.</p> + +<p>The wild Turkey-cock is, in the American forests, an object of +considerable interest. It perches on the tops of the deciduous cypress +and magnolia:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">“On the top<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of yon magnolia, the loud Turkey’s voice<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is heralding the dawn: from tree to tree<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Extends the wakening watch-note far and wide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till the whole woodlands echo with the cry.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Southey.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_308" id="page_308"></a>{308}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GUINEA_FOWL_OR_PINTADO" id="Illustration_THE_GUINEA_FOWL_OR_PINTADO"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 294px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_308_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_308_sml.jpg" width="294" height="162" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GUINEA FOWL, OR PINTADO.<br /><br /> +(<i>Numida Meleagris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird, which is also called the <i>Pearled Hen</i>, was originally +brought from Africa, where the breed is common, and seems to have been +well known to the Romans, who used to esteem the flesh of this fowl as a +delicacy, and admit it at their banquets. It went then by the name of +Numidian Hen, or <i>Meleagris</i>, because it was fabled that the sisters of +Meleager, who unceasingly deplored his death, were metamorphosed into +Guinea Hens by Diana. In fact, although they are now domesticated with +us, they still retain a great deal of their original freedom, and have a +stupid look. Their noise is very disagreeable: it is a creaking note, +which, incessantly repeated, grates upon the ear, and becomes very +teasing and unpleasant. They belong to the class of birds called +<i>pulveratores</i>; as they scrape the ground and roll themselves in the +dust like common hens, in order to get rid of small insects which lodge +in their feathers.</p> + +<p>The Pintado is somewhat larger than the common hen; the head is bare of +feathers, and covered with a naked skin of a bluish colour; on the top +is a callous protuberance of a conical form. At the base of the bill on +each side hangs a loose wattle, red in the female and bluish in the +male. The general colour of the plumage is a dark bluish grey, sprinkled +with round white spots of different sizes, resembling pearls, from which +circumstance the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_309" id="page_309"></a>{309}</span> epithet of <i>pearled</i> has been applied to this bird; +which at first sight appears as if it had been pelted by a strong shower +of hail.</p> + +<p>If trained when young, these birds may easily be rendered tame. M. Bruë +informs us, that when he was on the coast of Senegal he received as a +present from an African princess two Guinea fowls. Both these birds were +so familiar that they would approach the table and eat out of his plate; +and, when they had liberty to fly about upon the beach, they always +returned to the ship when the dinner or supper bell rang.</p> + +<p>In a wild state, it is asserted that the Pintado associates in large +flocks. Dampier speaks of having seen between two and three hundred of +them together in the Cape de Verd Islands. They were originally +introduced into our country from the coast of Africa somewhat earlier +than the year 1260.</p> + +<p>In Jamaica, where they have run wild, and become very destructive to the +plantations, they are sometimes caught, Mr. Gosse tells us, by the +following stratagem:—A small quantity of corn is steeped for a night in +proof rum and is then placed in a shallow vessel, with a little fresh +rum, and the water expressed from a bitter cassava grated. This is +deposited within an enclosed ground to which the depredators resort. A +small quantity of the grated cassava is then strewed over it, and it is +left. The fowls eat the medicated food greedily, and are soon found +reeling about intoxicated, unable to escape, and content with thrusting +their heads into a corner. It is almost unnecessary to observe that in +this state they become an easy prey. Pigeons are sometimes caught in +this manner in Germany by the poachers.</p> + +<p>This bird has, of late years, greatly increased in this country, and is +often seen hanging at the poultry shops and in the markets; the great +abundance of them has considerably reduced their value, and they now +sell, proportionally, like other fowls. The eggs are smaller and rounder +than those of the common hen, and of a speckled reddish-brown colour. +They are esteemed a very delicate food.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_310" id="page_310"></a>{310}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MOUND-BIRD_OF_AUSTRALIA" id="Illustration_THE_MOUND-BIRD_OF_AUSTRALIA"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 293px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_310_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_310_sml.jpg" width="293" height="246" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MOUND-BIRD OF AUSTRALIA.<br /><br /> +(<i>Megapodius tumulus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">It</span> is remarkable that this bird does not hatch its eggs by incubation. +It collects together a great heap of decaying vegetables as the place of +deposit of its eggs, thus making a hotbed, arising from the +decomposition of the collected matter, by the heat of which the young +are hatched. This mound varies in quantity from two to four cart-loads, +and is not the work of a single pair of birds, but is the result of the +united labour of many.</p> + +<p>Mr. Gould, in his <i>Birds of Australia</i>, gives the following account of +the discovery of one of these nests by Mr. Gilbert:—</p> + +<p>“I landed beside a thicket, and had not proceeded far from the shore, +ere I came to a mound of sand and shells, with a slight mixture of black +soil, the base resting on a sandy beach, only a few feet above +high-water mark; it was enveloped in the large yellow-blossomed +Hibiscus, and was of a conical form, twenty feet in circumference at the +base, and about five feet in height. On pointing it<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_311" id="page_311"></a>{311}</span> out to the native, +and asking him what it was, he replied, ‘Oooregoorga Rambal,’ +Jungle-fowls’ house or nest. I then scrambled up the sides of it, and, +to my extreme delight, found a young bird in a hole about two feet deep; +it was lying on a few dry withered leaves, and appeared only a few days +old. So far I was satisfied that these mounds had some connection with +the bird’s mode of incubation; but I was still sceptical as to the +probability of these young birds ascending from so great a depth as the +natives represented, and my suspicions were confirmed by my being unable +to induce the native, in this instance, to search for the eggs, his +excuse being that he knew it would be no use, as he saw no traces of the +old birds having recently been there. I took the utmost care of the +young bird, intending to rear it if possible; I therefore obtained a +moderate-sized box, and placed in it a large portion of sand. As it fed +rather freely on bruised Indian corn, I was in full hopes of succeeding; +but it proved of so wild and intractable a disposition, that it would +not reconcile itself to such close confinement, and effected its escape +on the third day. During the period it remained in captivity, it was +incessantly occupied in scratching up the sand into heaps, and the +rapidity with which it threw the sand from one end of the box to the +other was quite surprising for so young and small a bird, its size not +being larger than that of a small quail.</p> + +<p>“At night it was so restless, that I was constantly kept awake by the +noise it made in its endeavours to escape. In scratching up the sand it +only used one foot, and having grasped a handful, as it were, the sand +was thrown behind it, with but little apparent exertion, and without +shifting its standing position on the other leg: this habit seemed to be +the result of an innate restless disposition, and a desire to use its +powerful feet, and to have but little connection with its feeding; for +although Indian corn was mixed with the sand, I never detected the bird +in picking any of it up while thus employed.</p> + +<p>“I continued to receive the eggs without having any opportunity of +seeing them taken from the mound until the 6th of February; when, on +again visiting Knocker’s Bay, I had the gratification of seeing two +taken from a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_312" id="page_312"></a>{312}</span> depth of six feet, in one of the largest mounds I had then +seen. In this instance the holes ran down in an oblique direction from +the centre towards the outer slope of the hillock, so that, although the +eggs were six feet deep from the summit, they were only two or three +feet from the side. The birds are said to lay but a single egg in each +hole, and after the egg is deposited the earth is immediately thrown +down lightly, until the hole is filled up; the upper part of the mound +is then smoothed and rounded over. It is easily known when a Jungle-fowl +has been recently excavating, from the distinct impression of its feet +on the top and sides of the mound, and from the earth being so lightly +thrown over, that with a slender stick the direction of the hole may +readily be detected; the ease or difficulty of thrusting the stick down +indicating the length of time that has elapsed since the birds’ +operations. Thus far it is easy enough; but to reach the eggs requires +no little exertion and perseverance. The natives dig them up with their +hands alone, and only make sufficient room to admit their bodies, and to +throw out the earth between their legs: by grubbing with their fingers +alone, they are enabled to fellow the direction of the hole with greater +certainty, which will sometimes, at a depth of several feet, turn off +abruptly at right angles, its direct course being obstructed by a clump +of wood, or some other impediment.”</p> + +<p>In all probability, as Nature has adopted this mode of reproduction, she +has also furnished the tender birds with the power of sustaining +themselves from the earliest period; and the great size of the egg would +equally lead to this conclusion, since in so large a space it is +reasonable to suppose that the bird would be much more developed than is +usually found in eggs of smaller dimensions. The eggs are perfectly +white, of a long, oval form, three inches and three quarters long by two +inches and a half in diameter.</p> + +<p>There are several other Australian birds which adopt the same singular +mode of hatching their eggs; one of these is called the Native Pheasant +(<i>Leipoa ocellata</i>), and another the Brush Turkey (<i>Talegalla Lathami</i>). +The latter has its head and neck covered with a naked skin,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_313" id="page_313"></a>{313}</span> like the +turkey, but the lower part of this is much thickened, warty, and bright +yellow.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PHEASANT_Phasianus_colchicus" id="Illustration_THE_PHEASANT_Phasianus_colchicus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 271px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_313_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_313_sml.jpg" width="271" height="341" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PHEASANT. (<i>Phasianus colchicus</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> name of this bird implies that he was originally a native of the +banks of the river Phasis, in Armenia; how and when he emigrated, and +began to frequent our groves, is unknown. He is of the size of the +common cock; the bill is of a pale horn colour; the nostrils arched; the +eyes yellow, and surrounded by a naked warty skin, of a beautiful +scarlet, finely spotted with black; immediately under each eye there is +a small patch of short feathers, of a dark glossy purple; the upper +parts of the head and neck are of a deep purple,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_314" id="page_314"></a>{314}</span> varying to glossy +green and blue; the lower parts of the neck and breast are of a reddish +chesnut, with black indented edges; the sides and lower part of the +breast are of the same colour, with tips of black to each feather, +which, in different lights, vary to glossy purple; indeed, the whole +colour of this half-domesticated fowl is very beautiful, uniting the +brightness of deep yellow gold to the finest tints of the ruby and +turquoise, with reflections of green; the whole being set off by several +spots of shining black; but in this, as in every other kind of +gorgeously-feathered birds, Nature has for some wise purposes, yet +unknown to us, denied the female that admirable beauty of plumage which +belongs to the male. The Pheasant lives in the woods, which he leaves at +dusk to perambulate corn-fields and other sequestered places, where he +feeds with his females, upon acorns, berries, grain, and seeds of +plants, but chiefly on ants’ eggs, of which he is particularly fond. His +flesh is justly accounted better meat than any of the domestic or wild +fowls, as it unites the delicacy of the common chicken to a peculiar +taste of its own. The female lays eighteen or twenty eggs once a year, +in the wild state; but it is in vain that we have attempted to +domesticate this bird entirely, as she never will remain patiently +confined, and if she ever breeds in confinement is very careless of her +brood.</p> + +<p>There are great varieties of Pheasants, of extraordinary beauty and +brilliancy of colours: many of these, such as the Gold and Silver +Pheasants (<i>Phasianus pictus</i> and <i>P. Nycthemerus</i>), brought from the +rich provinces of China, are kept in aviaries in this kingdom.</p> + +<p>This beautiful bird is elegantly described in the following passage:—</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“See! from the brake the whirring Pheasant springs,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And mounts exulting on triumphant wings;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Short is his joy; he feels the fiery wound,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Flutters in blood, and panting beats the ground:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ah! what avails his glossy, varying dyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His purple crest, his scarlet-circled eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The vivid green his shining plumes unfold,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His painted wings, and breast that flames with gold!”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Pope’s Windsor Forest.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_315" id="page_315"></a>{315}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RED-LEGGED_PARTRIDGE_Perdix_rufus" id="Illustration_THE_RED-LEGGED_PARTRIDGE_Perdix_rufus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 346px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_315_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_315_sml.jpg" width="346" height="260" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. (<i>Perdix rufus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> Partridges are natives of Guernsey and Jersey; but are also very +frequently found on the adjoining coasts of France. Of late years they +have spread very rapidly in England; and as they are stronger and +fiercer than the common partridge, the latter becomes scarce wherever +the Red-legged Partridges are abundant. In the Western districts of +France they are very abundant, and their flesh is plump and juicy. In +England it is as white as in France, but more dry. The side-feathers are +very handsomely speckled, and there is a rich black mark beginning +behind the eye and forming a kind of gorget on the breast. The eyelids +are of a bright red, as are the bill and feet, and the claws are brown. +They build their nests on the ground; but are sometimes found perched on +trees, or on a fence or paling.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_316" id="page_316"></a>{316}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COMMON_PARTRIDGE_Perdix_cinerea" id="Illustration_THE_COMMON_PARTRIDGE_Perdix_cinerea"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 279px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_316_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_316_sml.jpg" width="279" height="210" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COMMON PARTRIDGE, (<i>Perdix cinerea</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> in weight about fourteen ounces. The plumage, although it cannot +boast of gaudiness, is very pleasing to the eye, being a mixture of +brown and fawn-colour, interspersed with grey and ash-colour tints. The +head is small and pretty; the beak strong, but short, and resembling +that of all other granivorous birds. The female lays fifteen or eighteen +eggs, and leads her brood in the corn-fields with the utmost care. Young +Partridges are among the birds which run fleetly the moment they come +out of the shell, and may sometimes be found running with a piece of the +shell still remaining on their heads. The affection of Partridges for +their offspring is peculiarly interesting. Both the parents lead them +out to feed: they point out to them the proper places for their food, +and assist them in finding it by scratching the ground with their feet. +They frequently sit close together, covering the young ones with their +wings; and from this position they are not easily roused. If, however, +they are disturbed, most people acquainted with rural affairs know the +confusion that ensues. The male gives the first signal of alarm, by a +peculiar cry of distress; throwing himself at the same moment more +immediately<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_317" id="page_317"></a>{317}</span> into the way of danger, in order to mislead the enemy. He +flutters along the ground, hanging his wings, and exhibiting every +symptom of debility. By this stratagem he seldom fails of so far +attracting the attention of the intruder as to allow the female to +conduct the helpless unfledged brood into some place of security.</p> + +<p>The nest is usually on the ground; but on the farm of Lion Hall, in +Essex, belonging to Colonel Hawker, a Partridge, in the year 1788, +formed her nest, and hatched sixteen eggs, on the top of a pollard +oak-tree! What renders this circumstance the more remarkable is, that +the tree had fastened to it the bars of a stile, where there was a +footpath; and the passengers, in going over, discovered and disturbed +her before she sat close. When the brood was hatched, the birds +scrambled down the short and rough boughs, which grew out all around the +trunk of the tree, and reached the ground in safety. It has long been a +received opinion among sportsmen, as well as among naturalists, that the +female Partridge has none of the bay feathers of the breast like the +male. This, however, is a mistake; for Mr. Montague happening to kill +nine birds in one day, with very little variation as to the bay mark on +the breast, he was led to open them all, and discovered five of them +were females. On carefully examining the plumage, he found that the +males could only be known by the superior brightness of colour about the +head; which alone, after the first or second year, seems to be the true +mark of distinction. They fly in coveys till about the third week in +February, when they separate and pair; but if the weather be very +severe, it is not unusual to see them collect together again. We are +told that a gamekeeper, in Dorsetshire, hearing a Partridge utter a cry +of distress, was attracted by the sound into a field of oats, when the +bird ran round him very much agitated; upon his looking among the corn, +he saw in the midst of her infant brood a large snake, which he killed; +and perceiving its body much distended, he opened it, when to his +astonishment two young Partridges ran from their prison, and joined +their mother; two others were found dead in its stomach. Partridges have +ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_318" id="page_318"></a>{318}</span> held a distinguished place at the tables of the luxurious: we have +an old distich:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“If the Partridge had the woodcock’s thigh,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">’Twould be the best bird that e’er did fly.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_QUAIL_Coturnix_dactylisonans" id="Illustration_THE_QUAIL_Coturnix_dactylisonans"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 338px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_318_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_318_sml.jpg" width="338" height="243" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE QUAIL, (<i>Coturnix dactylisonans</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a small bird, being in length no more than seven inches. The colour +of the breast is a dirty pale yellow, and the throat has a little +mixture of red: the head is black, and the body and wings have black +stripes upon a hazel-coloured ground. Its habits and manner of living +resemble those of the partridge, and it is either caught in nets by +decoy birds, or shot by the help of the setting-dog, its call being +easily imitated by tapping two pieces of copper one against another. The +flesh of the Quail is very luscious, and next in flavour to that of the +partridge. Quails are birds of passage, the only peculiarity in which +they differ from all other of the poultry kind; and such prodigious +numbers have sometimes appeared on the western coast of the kingdom of +Naples, that one hundred thousand have been caught in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_319" id="page_319"></a>{319}</span> one day, within +the space of three or four miles. In some parts of the south of Russia +they abound so greatly, that at the time of their migration they are +caught by thousands, and sent in casks to Moscow and St. Petersburg. The +female seldom lays more than six or seven eggs.</p> + +<p>The ancient Athenians kept this bird merely for the sport of fighting +with each other, as game-cocks do, and never ate the flesh. The Quail +was that wild fowl which God thought proper to send to the chosen people +of Israel as a sustenance for them in the desert.</p> + +<p>The Chinese Quail is a beautiful little bird, and is often kept in cages +in China, for the singular purpose, as it is said, of warming people’s +hands in winter; as taking the soft, warm body of the bird in the hand +diffuses through it an agreeable warmth. It is also very pugnacious, and +is employed in fighting.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_AMERICAN_QUAIL_Ortyx_Virginianus" id="Illustration_THE_AMERICAN_QUAIL_Ortyx_Virginianus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 275px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_319_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_319_sml.jpg" width="275" height="203" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE AMERICAN QUAIL, (<i>Ortyx Virginianus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> larger than the Common Quail, and is something between a Quail and a +Partridge.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Californian Quail</span> (<i>O. Californicus</i>) is distinguished by its +possession of a curious crest or tuft of feathers on the crown of the +head.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_320" id="page_320"></a>{320}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RED_GROUSE_Lagopus_scoticus" id="Illustration_THE_RED_GROUSE_Lagopus_scoticus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 287px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_320_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_320_sml.jpg" width="287" height="219" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RED GROUSE. (<i>Lagopus scoticus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“High on exulting wing the Heath-Cook rose,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And blew his shrill blast o’er perennial snows.”<br /></span> +<span class="i12"><span class="smcap">Rogers.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is called by some ornithologists the <i>Moor Cock</i>, and by +others <i>Red Game</i>. The beak is black and short; over the eyes there is a +bare skin of a bright red. The general colour of the plumage is red and +black, variegated, and intermixed with each other, except the wings, +which are brownish, spotted with red, and the tail, which is black; the +feet are covered with thick feathers down to the very claws. It is +common in the north of England, in Scotland, and in Wales; and not only +affords great diversion to the noblemen and gentlemen of those countries +who are fond of shooting, but also repays them well for their trouble, +as the flesh is very delicate, and holds on our table an equal place +with that of the partridge and the pheasant. The season of Grouse +shooting commences on the 12th of August. In winter they are found in +flocks of sometimes fifty to one hundred in number, which are termed by +sportsmen <i>packs</i>, and become remarkably shy and wild, seldom allowing +the sportsman to approach them within one hundred yards.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_321" id="page_321"></a>{321}</span> They keep near +the summits of the heathy hills, and seldom descend to the lower +grounds. Here they feed on the mountain berries and on the tender tops +of the heath. The hen lays seven or eight eggs of a reddish black +colour.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PTARMIGAN_OR_WHITE_GROUSE" id="Illustration_THE_PTARMIGAN_OR_WHITE_GROUSE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 273px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_321_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_321_sml.jpg" width="273" height="218" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PTARMIGAN, OR WHITE GROUSE,<br /><br /> +(<i>Lagopus vulgaris</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> somewhat larger than a pigeon; its bill is black, and its plumage in +summer is of a pale brown colour, elegantly mottled with small bars and +dusky spots. The head and neck are marked with broad bars of black, +rust-colour, and white; the wings and belly are white. The White Grouse +is fond of lofty situations, where it braves the severest cold. It is +found in most of the northern parts of Europe and America, even as far +as Greenland. In this country it is only to be met with on the summits +of some of our highest hills, chiefly in Scotland, and in the Hebrides +and Orkneys, but sometimes in Cumberland and Wales. Its plumage becomes +pure white in winter, with the exception of the tail feathers, which +remain black.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_322" id="page_322"></a>{322}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BLACK_COCK_Tetrao_tetrix" id="Illustration_THE_BLACK_COCK_Tetrao_tetrix"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 279px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_322_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_322_sml.jpg" width="279" height="222" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BLACK COCK, (<i>Tetrao tetrix</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> about four pounds in weight; but the female, which is usually called +the Grey Hen, is often not more than two. The plumage of the whole body +of the male is black, and glossed over the neck and rump with shining +blue; the coverts of the wings are of a dusky brown, with the quill +feathers black and white. The tail is much forked in the male. These +birds never pair; but in the spring the males assemble at their +accustomed haunts on the tops of heathy mountains, where they crow and +clap their wings:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“And from the pine’s high top brought down<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The giant Grouse, while boastful he display’d<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His breast of varying green, and crow’d and clapp’d<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His glossy wings.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Gisborne.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The females, at this signal, resort to them. The males are very +quarrelsome, and fight together like game-cocks. On these occasions they +are so inattentive to their own safety, that two or three have sometimes +been killed at one shot; and instances have occurred of their having +been knocked down with a stick.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_323" id="page_323"></a>{323}</span></p> + +<p>Like the Capercalzie, or Cock of the Woods, a larger species of this +genus, these birds are common in Russia, Siberia, and other northern +countries, chiefly in wooded and mountainous situations; and in the +northern parts of our own island on uncultivated moors.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CAPERCALZIE_Tetrao_urogallus" id="Illustration_THE_CAPERCALZIE_Tetrao_urogallus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 255px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_323_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_323_sml.jpg" width="255" height="284" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CAPERCALZIE, (<i>Tetrao urogallus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Was</span> also formerly an inhabitant of the forests of Scotland, but has been +extinct in Britain for many years. The male is as large as a good-sized +turkey, the female considerably smaller. Several attempts have been made +to rear the Capercalzie, and domesticate it in this country, but without +effect. They are now most numerous in Sweden, where they are much +esteemed as food. Of late years they have been brought to the English +market, and are considered very good eating.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_324" id="page_324"></a>{324}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COMMON_COCK_Gallus_domesticus" id="Illustration_THE_COMMON_COCK_Gallus_domesticus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 362px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_324_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_324_sml.jpg" width="362" height="274" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COMMON COCK. (<i>Gallus domesticus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“While the Cock, with lively din,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Scatters the rear of darkness thin;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And to the stack, or the barn door,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Stoutly struts his dames before.” <span class="smcap">Milton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is so well known that it would be needless to say much of him. +His plumage is various and beautiful, his courage very great and +proverbial, and his intuitive knowledge of the period of sunrise has +baffled the most scrutinising researches of naturalists. When of a good +breed, and well taught to fight, he will die rather than yield to his +adversary. The hen lays a great number of eggs, and will hatch as many +as thirteen at one sitting; but this is considered the extreme number, +being as many as she can well cover. When in the secluded state of +incubation she eats very little; and yet is so<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_325" id="page_325"></a>{325}</span> courageous and strong +that she will rise and fight any men or animals that dare to approach +her nest. It is impossible to conceive how, with such a scanty +sustenance as she takes, she can, for twenty-one days, emit constantly +from her body as much heat as would raise Fahrenheit’s thermometer to +ninety-six degrees. The flesh of this bird is delicate and wholesome, +and universally relished as nourishing and agreeable food.</p> + +<p>There are several varieties of families of this fowl. The Hamburg Cock +has a beautiful tuft of feathers about his ears and on the top of his +head; and the Bantam has his legs and toes entirely feathered, which is +more an impediment than an ornament to the bird.</p> + +<p>The cruel sport of cockfighting may be traced back to the earliest +antiquity. The Athenians seem to have received it from India, where it +is even now followed with a kind of frenzy; and we are told that the +Chinese will sometimes risk not only the whole of their property, but +their wives and children, on the issue of a battle. The religion of the +Greeks could not see that game with pleasure, and therefore cockfighting +was allowed only once a year; but the Romans adopted the practice with +rapture, and introduced it into this island. Henry VIII. delighted in +this sport, and caused a commodious house to be built for the purpose, +which, although now applied to a very different use, still retains the +name of the Cockpit. The part of our ships so called, seems also to +indicate that in former times the diversion of cockfighting was +permitted, in order to beguile the tedious hours of a long voyage. The +Cock has been a subject of considerable interest with the poets; and has +been very commonly called by them “Chanticleer:”</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Within this homestead lived, without a peer<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For crowing loud, the noble Chanticleer.” <span class="smcap">Dryden.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The feathered songster, Chanticleer,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Had wound his bugle-horn,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And told the early villager<br /></span> +<span class="i3">The coming of the morn.” <span class="smcap">Chatterton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_326" id="page_326"></a>{326}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_BANKIVA_COCK_JAGO_COCK_AND_HENmdashSPANISH_COCK_AND_HEN" id="Illustration_BANKIVA_COCK_JAGO_COCK_AND_HENmdashSPANISH_COCK_AND_HEN"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 364px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_326_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_326_sml.jpg" width="364" height="296" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>BANKIVA COCK.—JAGO COCK AND HEN.—SPANISH COCK AND HEN.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">From</span> the Bankiva fowl nearly all the various kinds of fowls found in +British poultry-yards are said to have sprung. It is a native of the +island of Java, and is characterised by a red indented comb, red +wattles, and ash-grey legs and feet. The cock has a thin indented or +scalloped comb, and wattles under the mouth. The feathers of the neck +are long, falling down, and rounded at the tips, and are of the finest +gold colour. The head and neck are fawn-coloured, the wing-coverts dusky +brownish and black; the tail and belly black. The hen is of a dusky +ash-grey and yellowish colour, and has a much smaller comb and beard +than the cock.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_327" id="page_327"></a>{327}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_PADUAN_OR_JAGO_FOWL" id="THE_PADUAN_OR_JAGO_FOWL"></a>THE PADUAN, OR JAGO FOWL.<br /><br /> +(<i>Gallus giganteus.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> wild species, termed by Marsden the Jago fowl, is a native of Java +and Sumatra, and is supposed by Temminck to be the original of this fine +breed, though little is known of the wild sort, further than that it is +double the size of the Bankiva, or common fowl. Marsden says he has seen +in the East a cock of this species tall enough to pick crumbs from a +dining-table. They are said to weigh from eight to ten pounds. The combs +of both the cock and hen are large, frequently double, of the form of a +crown, with a tufted crest of feathers, which is largest in the hen; the +voice is stronger and harsher than that of other fowls; but the most +singular peculiarity is, that they do not come into full feather till +about half grown. The Cochin-China fowls are said to be a variety of the +Jago fowls. There are numerous hybrids and varieties of the Jago fowl +found under different names in poultry-yards, but all of them lay fine +large eggs, and are highly esteemed for the excellent flavour of their +flesh. One of the most interesting of these varieties is called</p> + +<p>THE SPANISH FOWL,</p> + +<p class="nind">the body and tail feathers of which are of a rich black, with +occasionally a little white on the breast. The cock of this variety is a +most majestic bird; its deportment is grave and stately, and its eyes +are encircled with a ring of brown feathers, from which rises a black +tuft that covers the ears. There are other similar feathers behind the +comb and beneath the wattles. The legs and feet are of lead colour, +except the sole of the foot, which is yellowish.</p> + +<p>THE BANTAM FOWL</p> + +<p class="nind">is a small variety, with short legs, most frequently feathered to the +toes, so as sometimes to obstruct walking. Many Bantam fanciers prefer +those which have<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_328" id="page_328"></a>{328}</span> clear bright legs, without any vestige of feathers. +The full-bred Bantam cock should have a rose comb, a well-feathered +tail, full hackles, a proud lively carriage, and ought not to weigh more +than a pound. The nankeen coloured and the black are the greatest +favourites. If of the latter colour, the bird should have no feathers of +any other sort in his plumage. The nankeen bird should have his feathers +edged with black, his wings barred with purple, his tail feathers black, +his hackles slightly studded with purple, and his breast black, with +white edges to the feathers. The hens should be small, clean-legged, and +match in plumage with the cock.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_DODO_Didus_ineptus" id="Illustration_THE_DODO_Didus_ineptus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_328_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_328_sml.jpg" width="262" height="216" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE DODO. (<i>Didus ineptus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Swiftness</span> has generally been considered the attribute of birds, but the +Dodo appears never to have had any title to this distinction. Instead of +exciting the idea of swiftness by its appearance, in the drawings that +have been preserved of it, it strikes the imagination as a thing the +most unwieldy and inactive of all nature. Its body is massive, almost +round, and covered with grey feathers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_329" id="page_329"></a>{329}</span> It is just barely supported upon +two short thick legs, like pillars; while its head and neck rise from it +in a manner truly grotesque. The neck, thick and pursy, is joined to the +head, which consists of two immense jaws, opening far beyond the eye. +The Dodo formerly inhabited the Isle of France; but it has been long +extinct—so long, indeed, that the very fact of its ever having existed +at all has been a subject of dispute amongst naturalists and scientific +men. A great deal of evidence, in the form of old pictures as well as in +writings, has been brought forward to prove that the Dodo is not a +fabulous bird, and its reality is now generally admitted. In fact, we +have very reliable testimony that a single specimen was actually +exhibited publicly in London in the year 1638.</p> + +<p>The Dodo was supposed by the earliest naturalists who described it, to +be a kind of turkey, as in the flavour of its flesh it resembled that +bird. Later naturalists supposed it to be a kind of swan, and this +opinion was followed by the celebrated Buffon. Others thought it was a +kind of vulture; and others, judging from the shortness of its wings, +placed it in the ostrich tribe. Modern naturalists, however, having +carefully examined the bones of the bird, which have been preserved, are +of opinion that it was a gigantic pigeon. An entire specimen existed +about a hundred years ago in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford, but only +part of the bird and one of the feet remain; there is also a foot +preserved in the British Museum. There is a reference to this extinct +species in Humboldt’s Cosmos. (See Bohn’s edition, vol. i. page 29, and +a note on the Dodo, by Dr. Mantell, at the end of the volume.)</p> + +<p>The <i>Solitaire</i> is another remarkable bird which was formerly found in +the Mauritius and the adjoining islands, but which has now become +extinct.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_330" id="page_330"></a>{330}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RINGDOVE_CUSHAT_OR_WOOD_PIGEON" id="Illustration_THE_RINGDOVE_CUSHAT_OR_WOOD_PIGEON"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 245px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_330_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_330_sml.jpg" width="245" height="278" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RINGDOVE, CUSHAT, OR WOOD PIGEON,<br /><br /> +(<i>Columba palumbus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> the largest Pigeon found in our island, by which it may be +distinguished from all others; its weight is about twenty ounces, its +length eighteen inches, and its circumference about thirty. It is +usually known as the Wood Pigeon. This bird is of a bluish grey colour, +with the feathers of the sides of the neck tipped with white, forming +several imperfect rings; the breed is common in Britain. Its habits are +like those of other birds of the tribe, but it is so strongly attached +to its native freedom, that all attempts to domesticate it, with a few +rare exceptions, have hitherto proved ineffectual.</p> + +<p>These birds build their nests chiefly on the pine, or holly, with dried +sticks thrown rudely together; and the eggs, which may frequently be +seen through the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_331" id="page_331"></a>{331}</span> bottom of the nest, are larger than those of the +domestic Pigeon.</p> + +<p>Mr. Montague bred up a curious assemblage of birds, which lived together +in perfect amity; it consisted of a common pigeon, a ringdove, a white +owl, and a sparrowhawk; the ringdove was master of the whole.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_STOCKDOVE_Columba_aenas" id="Illustration_THE_STOCKDOVE_Columba_aenas"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 272px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_331_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_331_sml.jpg" width="272" height="218" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE STOCKDOVE. (<i>Columba ænas.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The Stockdove, recluse, with her mate,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Conceals her fond bliss in the grove,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And murmuring seems to repeat,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">That May is the mother of love.” <span class="smcap">Cunningham.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is called the Stockdove, because it builds in the stocks of +trees which have been headed down, and are become thick and bristly; and +not, as some have supposed, because it is the stock, or original, from +which all the tame pigeons have sprung. Sometimes these birds lay their +eggs in deserted rabbit-warrens, on the sod, without making any nest.</p> + +<p>The colour of the Stockdove is generally of a deep slate or lead tint, +with rings of black about the feathers. While the beech woods were +suffered to cover large tracts of ground, these birds used to haunt them +in myriads, frequently extending above a mile in length,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_332" id="page_332"></a>{332}</span> as they went +out in the morning to feed. They are still found in considerable +quantities in many parts of England, but never in Scotland, forming +their nests in the hollows of trees; not like the ringdove, on boughs. +Their murmuring strains, or cooings, in the morning and at dusk, are +highly pleasing, and throw an agreeable melancholy on the solitude of +the grove. The poet of the Seasons expresses this in the following +lines, with a beautiful instance of imitative harmony:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— the Stockdove breathes<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A melancholy murmur through the whole.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><i>Spring.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>Wordsworth also gives a pleasing description of the mournful cooing of +these birds:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“I heard a Stockdove sing or say<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His homely tale this very day;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His voice was buried among trees,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Yet to be come at by the breeze;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He did not cease; but cooed and cooed;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And somewhat pensively he wooed;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He sang of love with quiet blending,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Slow to begin, and never ending;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of serious faith and inward glee,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That was the song—the song for me.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ROCKDOVE_Columba_livia" id="Illustration_THE_ROCKDOVE_Columba_livia"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 270px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_332_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_332_sml.jpg" width="270" height="144" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ROCKDOVE. (<i>Columba livia.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> shape of this bird, which is the original stock of our domestic +Pigeons, is well known, and the plumage<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_333" id="page_333"></a>{333}</span> of the wild birds is exactly +similar to that of the commonest kind seen in our +dove-cots—bluish-grey, with black bands across the wings. In its wild +state it inhabits the cavities of high rocks and cliffs on the sea +coast, where it is found abundantly in our own country. The female +Pigeon lays two eggs at a time, which produce generally a male and a +female. It is pleasing to see how eager the male is to sit upon the +eggs, in order that his mate may rest and feed herself. The young ones, +when hatched, are fed from the crop of the mother, who has the power of +forcing up the half-digested peas which she has swallowed to give them +to her young. The young ones, open-mouthed, receive this tribute of +affection, and are thus fed three times a day.</p> + +<p>There are upwards of twenty varieties of the domestic Pigeon, and of +these the carriers are the most celebrated. They obtain their name from +being sometimes employed to convey letters or small packets from one +place to another. The rapidity of their flight is very wonderful. +Lithgow assures us that one of them will carry a letter from Babylon to +Aleppo (which, to a man, is usually thirty days’ journey) in forty-eight +hours. To measure their speed with some degree of exactness, a +gentleman, many years ago, on a trifling wager, sent a Carrier Pigeon +from London, by the coach, to a friend at Bury St. Edmunds, and along +with it a note, desiring that the Pigeon, two days after its arrival +there, might be thrown up precisely when the town clock struck nine in +the morning. This was accordingly done, and the Pigeon arrived in London +at half-past eleven o’clock on the same morning, having flown +seventy-two miles in two hours and a half. An instance of still greater +speed is mentioned by Mr. Yarrell, in which a Carrier flew from Rouen to +Ghent, a hundred and fifty miles in a straight line, in one hour and a +half. From the instant of its liberation, its flight is directed through +the clouds, at a great height, to its home. By an instinct altogether +inconceivable, it darts onward, in a straight line, to the very spot +whence it was taken, but how it can direct its flight so exactly will +probably for ever remain unknown to us.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_334" id="page_334"></a>{334}</span></p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Led by what chart, transports the timid Dove,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The wreaths of conquest, or the vows of love?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Say through the clouds what compass points her flight?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Monarchs have gazed, and nations blessed the sight.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Pile rocks on rocks, bid woods and mountains rise,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Eclipse her native shades, her native skies:—<br /></span> +<span class="i1">’Tis vain! through ether’s pathless wilds she goes,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And lights at last where all her cares repose.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Sweet bird, thy truth shall Harlem’s walls attest,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And unborn ages consecrate thy nest.” <span class="smcap">Rogers.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The Carrier Pigeon is easily distinguished from the other varieties by a +broad circle of naked white skin round the eyes, by the large fleshy +wattle at the base of its bill, and by its dark blue or blackish colour.</p> + +<p>It would be as fruitless as unnecessary to attempt to describe all the +varieties of the Tame Pigeon; for human art has so much altered the +colour and figure of this bird, that pigeon-fanciers, by pairing a male +and female of different sorts, can, as they express it, “breed them to a +feather.” Hence we have the various names of Carriers, Tumblers, +Jacobins, Croppers, Pouters, Bunts, Turbits, Shakers, Fantails, Owls, +Nuns, &c., all of which may, at first, have accidentally varied from the +Rockdove, and these have been further improved by crossing, food, and +climate. An actual post system, in which pigeons were the messengers, +was established by the Sultan Noureddin Mahmoud, which lasted about a +century, and ceased in 1258, when Bagdad fell into the hands of the +Moguls.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_335" id="page_335"></a>{335}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TURTLE_DOVE_Columba_turtur" id="Illustration_THE_TURTLE_DOVE_Columba_turtur"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 277px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_335_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_335_sml.jpg" width="277" height="327" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TURTLE DOVE. (<i>Columba turtur.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Go, beautiful and gentle Dove,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And greet the morning ray;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For lo! the sun shines bright above,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And the rain is pass’d away.” <span class="smcap">Bowles.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> Dove brings to the heart and mind the most pleasing recollections; +its name is nearly synonymous with faithfulness and unvariable +affection. The male or female is so much attached to its respective mate +that it is said, perhaps with more poetry than truth, that if one die +the other will never survive; however, the author of these observations +was an eye-witness to the death of a female Turtle Dove, who was +unfortunately killed by a spaniel, in the absence of the male; the +disconsolate survivor, after having in vain searched<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_336" id="page_336"></a>{336}</span> everywhere for his +mate, came and mournfully perched upon the wonted trough, waiting +patiently for her to repair thither in order to get food; but, after two +days of unavailing expectation, he, by spontaneous abstinence, pined and +died on the place. Such examples are not common; and we believe that, +when not domesticated, the appearance of another female, in the time of +coupling, sets at defiance all natural propensity to constancy, and puts +an end to the much-famed disconsolate widowhood. Their general colour is +a bluish grey; the breast and neck of a whitish purple, with a ringlet +of beautiful white feathers with black edges about the sides of the +neck. Nothing can express the sensation which is excited in a feeling +mind when the tender and sweetly plaintive notes of the Turtle Dove +breathe from the grove on a beautiful spring evening:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Deep in the wood, thy voice I list, and love<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thy soft complaining song, thy tender cooing;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Oh, what a winning way thou hast of wooing,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Gentlest of all thy race—sweet Turtle Dove!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thine is a note which doth not pass away<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Like the light music of a summer’s day;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Hushing the voice of mirth, and staying folly,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And waking in the breast a gentle melancholy.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Inglis.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 175px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_336_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_336_sml.jpg" width="175" height="196" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_337" id="page_337"></a>{337}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="VI_Grallatores_or_Waders" id="VI_Grallatores_or_Waders"></a>§ VI. <i>Grallatores, or Waders.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_OSTRICH_Struthio_camelus" id="Illustration_THE_OSTRICH_Struthio_camelus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 230px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_337_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_337_sml.jpg" width="230" height="303" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE OSTRICH. (<i>Struthio camelus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is a native of Africa, and is so tall that when it holds up +its head it is seven or eight feet in height. The head is very small in +comparison with the body, being hardly bigger than one of the toes, and +is covered, as well as the neck, with a kind of down, or thin-set hair, +instead of feathers. The sides and thighs are entirely bare and +flesh-coloured. The lower part of the neck, where the feathers begin, is +white. The wings are very short in proportion to the size of the bird, +and in fact are too small to enable it to fly; but when it runs, which +it does with a strange jumping kind of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_338" id="page_338"></a>{338}</span> motion, it raises its short +wings and holds them quivering over its back, where they seem to serve +as a kind of sail to gather the wind, and carry the bird onwards. The +speed which it will thus attain is enormous. The swiftest greyhound +cannot overtake it; and indeed an Arab on his horse cannot hope to +capture an ostrich without having recourse to stratagem. He dexterously +throws a stick between its legs as it runs, and so tripping it up, is +enabled to secure it.</p> + +<p>In its flight it spurns the pebbles behind it like shot against the +pursuer. And this is not their only mode of annoyance. They have been +known to attack men with their claws, with which they are able to strike +with terrific force. The feathers of the back in the cock are coal +black, in the hen only dusky, and so soft that they resemble a kind of +wool. The tail is thick, bushy, and round; in the cock whitish, in the +hen dusky, with white tops. These are the feathers so generally in +requisition to decorate the head-dress of ladies and the helmets of +warriors.</p> + +<p>The Ostrich swallows anything that presents itself, leather, glass, +iron, bread, hair, &c., but the old notion that the Ostrich could digest +metals is certainly incorrect. An Ostrich in the Zoological Gardens in +the Regent’s Park was killed by swallowing a lady’s parasol.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“O’er the wild waste the stupid Ostrich strays<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In devious search, to pick a scanty meal,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Whose fierce digestion gnaws the temper’d steel.”<br /></span> +<span class="i13"><span class="smcap">Mickle’s Lusiad.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>They are polygamous birds, one male being generally seen with two or +three, and sometimes with five, females. The female Ostrich, after +depositing her eggs in the sand, trusts them to be hatched by the heat +of the climate; in the Book of Job there is a beautiful passage relating +to this habit of the Ostrich, “which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and +warmeth them in the dust; and forgetteth that the foot may crush them, +or that the wild beast may break them. She is hardened against her young +ones, as though they were not hers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_339" id="page_339"></a>{339}</span> Her labour is in vain; without +fear, because God hath deprived her of wisdom; neither has he imparted +to her understanding. What time she lifteth up her head on high, she +scorneth the horse and his rider.” It appears, however, that the female +Ostrich sits upon her eggs like other birds, although generally at night +only, and brings up her young. The eggs are as large as a young child’s +head, with a hard stony shell, and one has been known to weigh upwards +of three pounds. The time of incubation is six weeks. That Ostriches +have great affection for their offspring may be inferred from the +assertion of Professor Thunberg, who says that he once rode past the +place where a hen Ostrich was sitting in her nest, when the bird sprang +up and pursued him, evidently with a view to prevent his noticing her +eggs or young. Every time he turned his horse towards her she retreated +ten or twelve paces, but as soon as he rode on again she pursued him +till he had got to a considerable distance from the place where he had +started her. In the tropical regions, some persons breed Ostriches in +flocks, for they may be tamed with very little trouble. When M. Adanson +was at Podar, a French factory on the southern bank of the river Niger, +two young but full-grown Ostriches, belonging to the factory, afforded +him a very amusing sight. They were so tame that two little blacks +mounted both together on the back of the largest. No sooner did he feel +their weight than he began to run as fast as possible, and carried them +several times round the village, and it was impossible to stop him +otherwise than by obstructing the passage. This sight pleased M. Adanson +so much that he wished it to be repeated, and, to try their strength, +directed a full-grown negro to mount the smaller, and two others the +larger of the birds. This burden did not seem at all disproportioned to +their strength. At first they went at a tolerably sharp trot, but when +they became a little heated they expanded their wings, as though to +catch the wind, and moved with such fleetness that they scarcely seemed +to touch the ground. The foot of the Ostrich has only two toes, one of +which is extremely large and strong.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_340" id="page_340"></a>{340}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RHEA_Rhea_Americana" id="Illustration_THE_RHEA_Rhea_Americana"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 291px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_340_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_340_sml.jpg" width="291" height="423" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RHEA, (<i>Rhea Americana</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Or American Ostrich</span>, is about half as big as the African species. It has +its head covered with feathers, and each of its feet consists of three +toes. It is found on the great plains of South America, and, like the +African Ostrich,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_341" id="page_341"></a>{341}</span> is polygamous, but the curious part of the matter is +that the females often lay their eggs almost anywhere on the ground, and +the male takes the trouble of collecting them into a sort of nest, and +sitting on them until the young birds are hatched. When thus occupied, +the males often become very fierce, and will attack any one that +approaches them too closely.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CASSOWARY_Casuarius_galeatus" id="Illustration_THE_CASSOWARY_Casuarius_galeatus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 291px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_341_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_341_sml.jpg" width="291" height="300" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CASSOWARY, (<i>Casuarius galeatus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Instead</span> of the beautiful plumes of the ostrich, has his wings furnished +only with five stiff quills without barbs, which project curiously from +the feathers of the body. His plumage is black; his head is small and +depressed, with a horny crown or helmet, and covered with a naked red +skin; the head and neck are deprived of feathers;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_342" id="page_342"></a>{342}</span> about the neck are +two protuberances of a bluish colour, in shape like the wattles of a +cock. The feathers consist of long, slender, separate barbs, which hang +down on each side of the body, so that at a distance he looks as if he +were entirely covered with the hairs of a bear rather than with the +plumage of a bird. His height is about five feet. The Cassowary is as +voracious as the ostrich, and eats indiscriminately whatever comes in +his way, and does not seem to have any sort of predilection in the +choice of his food. The Dutch travellers assert that he can devour not +only glass, iron, and stones, but even burning coals, without testifying +the smallest fear, or sustaining the least injury; and it is said that +the passage of his food is performed so speedily that even eggs will +pass unbroken. He is a native of some of the Indian islands. The eggs of +the female are nearly fifteen inches in circumference, of a greenish +colour. It has been said of the Cassowary that he has the head of a +warrior, the eye of a lion, the armament of a porcupine, and the +swiftness of a courser.</p> + +<p>A Cassowary once kept in the menagerie of the museum at Paris, devoured +every day between three and four pounds weight of bread, six or seven +apples, and a bunch of carrots. In summer it drank about four pints of +water in the day, and in winter somewhat more. It swallowed all its food +without bruising it. This bird was sometimes ill-tempered and +mischievous, and much irritated when any person approached it of a dirty +or ragged appearance, or dressed in red clothes, and frequently +attempted to strike at them by kicking forward with its feet. It has +been known to leap out of its enclosure and to tear the legs of a man +with its claws.</p> + +<p>The Cassowary is very vigorous and powerful; its beak being, in +proportion, much stronger than that of the ostrich, it has the means of +defending itself with great advantage, and of easily pulling down and +breaking in pieces almost any hard substance. It strikes in a very +dangerous manner with its feet either behind or before, not unlike the +kicking of a horse, at any object which offends it, and runs with +surprising swiftness.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_343" id="page_343"></a>{343}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_EMEU_Dromaius_Novae_Hollandiae" id="Illustration_THE_EMEU_Dromaius_Novae_Hollandiae"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 201px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_343_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_343_sml.jpg" width="201" height="270" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE EMEU. (<i>Dromaius Novæ Hollandiæ.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> head of this bird is without any horny crest, and feathered, but the +cheeks and throat are nearly naked. The general colour is a dull brown, +mottled with a dingy grey, and the young are striped with black. In +appearance it closely resembles the ostrich, next to which it is the +tallest bird known, but is of a more thick-set and clumsy make, though +at the same time very swift and strong, and able to make a formidable +defence against its hunters and their dogs, by kicking in a very +vigorous and dangerous manner. It is, however, very docile, and if taken +young may be easily tamed. The flesh is considered excellent eating, and +is said to possess a flavour something between a sucking-pig and a +turkey. The only sound that this bird emits is a low drumming noise, +produced by means of a valve attached to the lungs. The female Emeu lays +her eggs in different places, but they are afterwards collected by the +male, by rolling them to one place, when he sits on them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_344" id="page_344"></a>{344}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_APTERYX_Apteryx_Australis" id="Illustration_THE_APTERYX_Apteryx_Australis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 248px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_344_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_344_sml.jpg" width="248" height="149" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE APTERYX. (<i>Apteryx Australis.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> curious bird, which has the shortest wings of any member of its +class, is found only in New Zealand, where it is called <i>Kivi-Kivi</i> by +the natives, in imitation of its cry. It is smaller than any of the +species of wingless birds just described, and its legs are short and +stout; it has three strong front toes on each foot, and a short hinder +toe armed with a very strong claw. The body of the Apteryx is something +like that of the cassowary in its form; the neck is rather long, and, +like the head, clothed with feathers; but the most singular part of the +bird is its bill, which is long, rather slender, and slightly curved, +and has the nostrils situated quite at its tip. This curious structure +of the bill is intended to enable the bird more readily to obtain the +worms and insects upon which it feeds, and which it drags out of their +holes in the ground. It runs quickly, but only at night, and when in +motion it might easily be mistaken for a small dusky-brown quadruped. +The plumage resembles that of the emeu in its texture, and the skins are +highly esteemed by the New Zealanders, who use them for making cloaks.</p> + +<p>Among the many curious characteristics of this bird is its habit of +leaning, when at rest, upon the tip of its long bill. When hunted it +scrapes a hole in the sand with its powerful feet, in which it hides; or +it runs into some natural cavity, if there is any near, where access is +difficult for its pursuers, and often makes a valiant defence.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_345" id="page_345"></a>{345}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BUSTARD_Otis_tarda" id="Illustration_THE_BUSTARD_Otis_tarda"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 295px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_345_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_345_sml.jpg" width="295" height="350" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BUSTARD, (<i>Otis tarda</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a large and fine bird which was formerly common in some parts of +England, but has now become so rare here that the capture of a specimen +is looked upon as something remarkable. It is still abundant in some +parts of the continent of Europe. The male Bustard measures nearly four +feet in length, and has the head and neck greyish, the back buff or pale +chestnut, with a great many black bars, and all the lower part of the +body white. From each side of the chin there springs a tuft of slender +feathers about seven inches in length, standing out like a pair of stiff +moustaches. The female<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_346" id="page_346"></a>{346}</span> is a good deal smaller than the male, or about +three feet in length; she is also distinguished from her partner by the +want of the tufts on the chin, although in some cases these exist in the +female, but shorter than in the male.</p> + +<p>The Bustard feeds on green vegetables and insects, and are also said to +kill and eat small quadrupeds and reptiles. They are polygamous, and +when the female has laid her two or three eggs in a slight depression of +the ground, and commenced the business of incubation, the male most +ungallantly deserts her, and retires to take his ease in some +neighbouring marsh. It was formerly supposed that the male Bustard paid +so much attention to his mates as to provide them with water, which he +was said to bring to them in a large pouch, capable of holding nearly a +gallon, situated under his throat. It is true that the female is without +this appendage; but modern naturalists all agree in stating that the +male bird is never seen in company with the female after she has begun +to sit. The use of this pouch is therefore still a subject of +controversy.</p> + +<p>The female lays her eggs among clover, or more frequently in +corn-fields, the nest being merely a hollow scraped in the ground. The +eggs are two, or sometimes three, in number, and their colour is a +yellowish-brown, inclining to green.</p> + +<p>A peculiarity of the Bustard, noticed by most naturalists, is the +extreme rapidity with which they can run. They skim along the ground, +raising the wings over the back in the same manner as the ostrich. It is +said that in former times, when the breed was commoner, it was a +practice to hunt the young birds, before they had acquired the power of +flying, with greyhounds.</p> + +<p>As an article of food the flesh of the Bustard has always been held in +great estimation.</p> + +<p>There are several other species peculiar both to Asia and Africa.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_347" id="page_347"></a>{347}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CRANE_Grus_cinerea" id="Illustration_THE_CRANE_Grus_cinerea"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 261px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_347_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_347_sml.jpg" width="261" height="337" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CRANE. (<i>Grus cinerea.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Cranes</span> frequent marshy places, and live upon small fish and +water-insects. Their long beaks enable them to search the water and mud +for their prey, and their long necks prevent the necessity of their +stooping to pick up from between their feet the objects of their search. +The top of the head, the throat, and sides of the neck are of a blackish +hue; the back, the wings, and the body are ash-coloured. The tertial +feathers of the wings are very long, with loose webs, forming elegant +plumes, which fall over the sides of the tail. They used to be common in +the fen countries, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_348" id="page_348"></a>{348}</span> but are not now so +frequently seen in England as formerly. In their flight, Cranes mount +high in the air, but their voices can be heard even when the birds cease +to be perceptible to the eye, and it is said that their sight is so keen +that they discover at a great distance any field of corn or other food +which they are fond of, and presently alight and enjoy it. These +depredations they generally commit during the night, trampling down the +ground as if it had been marched over by an army. They generally form +themselves in the air in the shape of a wedge.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">“—— —— Part more wise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In common, ranged in figure, wedge their way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Intelligent of seasons, and set forth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their aëry caravan high over seas<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Flying, and over lands, with mutual wing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Easing their flight. So steers the prudent Crane<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her annual voyage, borne on winds. The air<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Floats as they pass, fann’d by unnumber’d wings.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>This bird lives to a considerable age, and as it is easily tamed, it has +been ascertained that the Crane often reaches his fortieth year. Its +nest is usually built amongst the reeds and sedges of a marsh, but +sometimes upon a ruined building. The female lays two eggs, of a pale +brown colour, with darker spots.</p> + +<p>According to Kolben, they are often observed in large flocks on the +marshes about the Cape of Good Hope. He says he never saw a flock of +them on the ground that had not some placed apparently as sentinels, to +keep a look out while the others are feeding, who on the approach of +danger immediately give notice to the rest. These sentinels stand on one +leg, and at intervals stretch out their necks, as if to observe that all +is safe. On notice being given of danger, the whole flock are in an +instant on the wing. Kolben also adds that in the night time each of the +watching Cranes, which rest on their left legs, hold in their right claw +a stone of considerable weight, in order that, if overcome by sleep, the +falling of the stone may awaken them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_349" id="page_349"></a>{349}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BALEARIC_CRANE_OR_CROWNED_DEMOISELLE_Balearica" id="Illustration_THE_BALEARIC_CRANE_OR_CROWNED_DEMOISELLE_Balearica"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 281px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_349_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_349_sml.jpg" width="281" height="275" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BALEARIC CRANE, OR CROWNED DEMOISELLE, (<i>Balearica +pavonina</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> originally, as the name expresses, a native of Majorca and Minorca, +in the Mediterranean sea, which were formerly called the Balearic Isles, +but is chiefly found now in the Cape Verd Islands. The shape of its body +is not unlike that of the common Crane, but it has a principal and +distinctive mark on the head; which is, a tuft of hairs, or rather +strong greyish bristles, standing out like rays in all directions, from +which peculiarity this species takes its other name of the Crowned +Heron. They roost and feed in the manner of peacocks.</p> + +<p>The Demoiselle, or Numidian Crane (<i>Anthropoides virgo</i>), is remarkable +for the grace and symmetry of its form, and the elegance of its +deportment. It is rather larger than the species above described, and is +a native of many parts of Africa. It frequents damp and marshy places, +in search of small fishes, frogs, &c., which are its favourite food. It +is easily domesticated.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_350" id="page_350"></a>{350}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_STORK_Ciconia_alba" id="Illustration_THE_STORK_Ciconia_alba"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 273px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_350_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_350_sml.jpg" width="273" height="328" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE STORK. (<i>Ciconia alba.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> neck, head, breast, and body of this bird are white, the rump and +exterior feathers of the wings black; the eyelids naked; the tail white, +and the legs long, slender, and of a red colour. Storks are birds of +passage. When leaving Europe they assemble together on some particular +night, and all take their flight at once. As they feed on frogs, +lizards, serpents, and other noxious creatures, it is not to be expected +that man should be inimical to them, and therefore they have been +generally a favourite with the nations they visit. The Dutch have laws +against destroying them: they are therefore very common in Holland, and +build their nests and rear their young on the tops of houses and +chimneys in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_351" id="page_351"></a>{351}</span> middle of its most frequented and populous cities, and +may be seen by dozens familiarly walking about the markets, where they +feed on the offal. In some places, the stork is supposed to be a herald +of good fortune to the house on which it builds its nest, and the +inhabitants place boxes on their roofs to induce the birds to take up +their abode there.</p> + +<p>The Stork much resembles the crane in its conformation, but appears +somewhat more corpulent. The former lays four eggs, whereas the latter +lays but two.</p> + +<p>It is said that Storks visit Egypt in such abundance, that the fields +and meadows are white with them. The Egyptians, however, are not +displeased with the sight; as frogs are there generated in such numbers, +that did not the Storks devour them, they would overrun everything. +Between Belba and Gaza, the fields of Palestine are often rendered +desert on account of the abundance of mice and rats; and were they not +destroyed the inhabitants could have no harvest. The disposition of the +Stork is mild and placid; it is easily tamed, and may be trained to +reside in gardens, which it will clear of insects and reptiles. It has a +grave air, and a mournful aspect; yet, when roused by example, exhibits +a certain degree of gaiety; for it joins in the frolics of children, +hopping about and playing with them.</p> + +<p>During their migrations, Storks are observed in vast quantities. Dr. +Shaw saw three flights of them leaving Egypt, and passing over Mount +Carmel, each of which appeared to be nearly half a mile in width; and he +says they were three hours in passing over.</p> + +<p>The Stork, like the ibis, was an object of worship among the ancients, +and to kill them was a crime punishable with death. The Stork is +remarkable for its great affection towards its young. This was +remarkably evinced during the great conflagration of Delft, in Holland, +during which a female Stork was noticed using every endeavour to carry +off her young family, and continuing this labour of love until the smoke +and flames prevented her own escape, and she perished with her brood.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_352" id="page_352"></a>{352}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ADJUTANT_Leptoptilus_argala" id="Illustration_THE_ADJUTANT_Leptoptilus_argala"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 220px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_352_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_352_sml.jpg" width="220" height="296" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ADJUTANT, (<i>Leptoptilus argala</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Also</span> called the Gigantic Crane, is a bird of the stork kind, and a +native of India, and other warm countries. The head and neck are bare of +feathers, as in the ostrich; the former looking as if made of wood; the +latter of a flesh-colour. The coverts of the wings and the back are +black, with a bluish cast; the under part of the body whitish; the legs +are long, without feathers, and of a greyish hue, as are the thighs, +which seem to be as slender as the leg. The bill is of enormous size, +and the bird is fond of clatting the two mandibles together. Under the +chin, there is a kind of bag or pouch which hangs down in front of the +neck, like the dewlap of a cow; in this the Adjutant stores away any +provisions that may fall in his way, after his immediate wants are +satisfied. He is a most voracious bird, and devours every kind of food, +and as he has no objection to carrion,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_353" id="page_353"></a>{353}</span> his presence is encouraged in +towns, where he assists the vultures, crows, dogs, and jackals, in +performing the duties of scavengers. Indeed his rapacity is so great +that he swallows such innutritious substances as bone with such +eagerness and relish as to have received the name of “<i>Bone-eater</i>,” or +“Bone-taker.” When he comes about the houses he requires to be carefully +watched, as his power of swallowing is so great that a fowl, a rabbit, +or even a leg of mutton, is disposed of at a single mouthful. Sir E. +Horne states that in the stomach of an Adjutant were found a tortoise +nearly a foot long, and a large black cat; from, which we may see that +the Adjutant is by no means squeamish in his diet.</p> + +<p>The Adjutant is indeed a very gigantic bird. Its wings often measure +fourteen or fifteen feet from tip to tip, and it is five feet high when +it stands erect.</p> + +<p>Dr. Latham, in his “General History of Birds,” gives some very +interesting information about the habits of this bird. “One of them, a +young bird about five feet high, was brought up tame, and presented to +the chief of the Bananas, where M. Speakman lived; and being accustomed +to be fed in the great hall, soon became familiar, daily attending that +place at dinner-time, placing itself behind its master’s chair +frequently before the guests entered. The servants were obliged to watch +narrowly, and to defend the provisions with switches; but, +notwithstanding, it would frequently seize something or other, and even +purloined a whole boiled fowl, which it swallowed in an instant. Its +courage is not equal to its voracity, for a child of eight or ten years +old soon puts it to flight with a switch. Everything is swallowed whole, +and so accommodating is its throat that not only an animal as big as a +cat is gulped down, but a shin of beef broken asunder serves it but for +two morsels.”</p> + +<p>Another species of Adjutant (<i>Leptoptilus marabou</i>) is found in tropical +Africa. It is even uglier than the Indian bird, which has not much +beauty to boast of, but is valuable not only as a scavenger, but from +its furnishing those beautiful plumes called marabout feathers, which +are so much used for ladies’ head-dresses.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_354" id="page_354"></a>{354}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COMMON_HERON_Ardea_cinerea" id="Illustration_THE_COMMON_HERON_Ardea_cinerea"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_354_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_354_sml.jpg" width="268" height="346" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COMMON HERON. (<i>Ardea cinerea.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> habits of the Heron are peculiar. Perched on a stone, or the stump +of a tree, by the solitary current of a brook, his neck and long beak +half-buried between his shoulders, he will wait the whole day long, +patient and unmoved, for the passing of a small fish, or the hopping of +a frog; but his appetite is insatiable.</p> + +<p>This bird is about four feet long from the tip of the bill to the end of +the claws; to the end of the tail about thirty-eight inches; its +breadth, when the wings are extended, is about five feet. The male is +distinguished by a crest or tuft of black feathers hanging from the +hinder part of his head, which in chivalrous times was<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_355" id="page_355"></a>{355}</span> of great value, +and held as a peculiar mark of distinction when worn above the plume of +ostrich feathers.</p> + +<p>Virgil places the Heron among the birds that are affected by and +foretell the approaching storm:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“When watchful Herons leave their watery stand,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And mounting upward with erected flight,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Gain on the skies, and soar above the sight.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Dryden.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The Heron, though living chiefly in the vicinity of marshes and lakes, +forms its nest on the tops of the loftiest trees. It resembles the rook +in its habits: a great number of Herons living together in what is +called a Heronry, as rooks do in a rookery. The female lays four large +eggs, of a pale green colour; the natural term of this bird’s life is +said to exceed sixty years.</p> + +<p>In England, Herons were formerly ranked among the royal game, and +protected as such by the laws; and when falconry was in fashion, the +pursuit of the Heron was a favourite amusement.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">“—— —— Now, like the wearied stag,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That stands at bay, the Hern provokes their rage;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Close by his languid wing in downy plumes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Covers his fatal beak, and cautious hides<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The well-dissembled fraud. The falcon darts<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like lightning from above, and in her breast<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Receives the latent death: down plumb she falls,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bounding from earth, and with her trickling gore<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Defiles her gaudy plumage. See, alas!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The falconer in despair, his favourite bird<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dead at his feet: as of his dearest friend,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He weeps her fate; he meditates revenge,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He storms, he foams, he gives a loose to rage;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor wants he long the means; the Hern fatigued,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Borne down by numbers, yields, and prone on earth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He drops; his cruel foes wheeling around<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Insult at will.” <span class="smcap">Somerville.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>It is extremely dangerous to go near a wounded Heron, and the utmost +caution is necessary in doing so. Though apparently almost dead, he will +yet dart at his enemy’s face, and sometimes inflict a most severe +wound.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_356" id="page_356"></a>{356}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BITTERN_Botaurus_stellaris" id="Illustration_THE_BITTERN_Botaurus_stellaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 212px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_356_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_356_sml.jpg" width="212" height="292" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BITTERN, (<i>Botaurus stellaris</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> not quite so large as the common heron; its head is small, narrow, +and compressed at the sides. The crown is black, the throat and sides of +the neck red, with narrow black lines, and the back of a pale red, mixed +with yellow. The claws are long and slender, the inside of the middle +one being serrated, the better to enable it to hold its prey. The bill +is about four inches in length. The most remarkable character in this +bird is the hollow and yet loud rumbling of his voice; his bellowing is +heard at the distance of a mile, at the time of sunset, and it is hardly +possible to conceive at first how such a body of sound, resembling the +lowing of an ox, can be produced by a bird comparatively so small. The +booming noise was formerly believed to be made while the bird plunged +its bill into the mud; hence Thomson:<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_357" id="page_357"></a>{357}</span></p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">“—— So that scarce<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Bittern knows his time, with bill ingulf’d<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To shake the sounding marsh.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>And Southey also describes the peculiar noise of this bird in his poem +of Thalaba:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“And when at evening, o’er the swampy plain,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">The Bittern’s boom came far,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Distinct in darkness seen—<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Above the low horizon’s lingering light,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Rose the near ruins of old Babylon.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>Sometimes in the evening the Bittern soars on a sudden in a straight, +or, at other times, in a spiral line, so high in the air, that it ceases +to be perceptible to the eye. When attacked by the buzzard, or other +birds of prey, it defends itself with great courage, and generally beats +off such assailants; neither does it betray any symptoms of fear when +wounded by the sportsman, but eyes him with a keen, undaunted look; and, +when driven to extremity, will attack him with the utmost vigour, +wounding his legs, or aiming at his eyes with its sharp and piercing +bill. It was formerly held in much estimation at the tables of the +great, and is again recovering its credit as a fashionable dish. The +flesh is considered delicious. In autumn it changes its abode, always +commencing its journey at sunset. Its precautions for concealment and +security seem directed with great care and circumspection. It usually +sits in the reeds with its head erect; and thus, from its great length +of neck, sees over their tops, without itself being perceived by the +sportsman. The principal food of these birds, during summer, consists of +fish and frogs; but in autumn they resort to the woods in pursuit of +mice, which they seize with great dexterity, and always swallow whole. +About this season they usually become very fat.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_358" id="page_358"></a>{358}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SPOONBILL_Platalea_leucorodia" id="Illustration_THE_SPOONBILL_Platalea_leucorodia"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 220px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_358_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_358_sml.jpg" width="220" height="262" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SPOONBILL, (<i>Platalea leucorodia</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a large bird; the colour of the whole body is white, and the +resemblance of the bill to a spoon has caused the denomination of the +bird. In some specimens the plumage inclines from white to pink colour. +On the hind part of the head is a beautiful white crest, reclining +backward. The legs and feet are black. The wisdom of Providence is most +conspicuous in the conformation of the bill, which is entirely adapted +to the habits and manner of feeding of these birds: the frogs and +fishes, which constitute the principal food of the Spoonbill, may often +escape the thin and narrow beak of the heron and other birds, but the +mandibles of this bird are so large at the end, that the prey cannot +slip aside. Like rooks and herons, Spoonbills build their nests on the +tops of high trees, and lay three or four eggs, which are white, +sprinkled with pale red, and the size of those of a hen. These birds are +very noisy<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_359" id="page_359"></a>{359}</span> during the breeding season. The Spoonbill migrates northward +in the summer, and returns to southern climes on the approach of winter; +and is found in all the intermediate low countries between the Faroe +Isles and the Cape of Good Hope.</p> + +<p>The <i>American</i> or <i>Roseate Spoonbill</i> (<i>Platalea Ajaja</i>) is very +beautiful. Its colour is white, tinged with rose, which deepens in the +wings and tail into the richest carmine. The feet are half-webbed, and +the bird is generally found on the sea-coast, where it wades into the +sea in quest of the small shell-fish of different kinds, on which it +feeds.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_IBIS_Ibis_religiosa" id="Illustration_THE_IBIS_Ibis_religiosa"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 297px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_359_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_359_sml.jpg" width="297" height="266" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE IBIS. (<i>Ibis religiosa.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Ibis</span> was regarded as a sacred bird by the ancient Egyptians, who +used to have these birds walking about in their temples, and embalmed +their bodies after death with as much care as those of their priests and +kings. The cause of this veneration is not clearly ascertained, some +authors supposing it to be due to the services<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_360" id="page_360"></a>{360}</span> rendered by the bird in +destroying serpents and other noxious creatures; others to a fanciful +resemblance between the bird and one of the moon’s phases; and others, +again, to the arrival of the birds in Egypt at or about the period of +the annual inundation of the Nile. The sacred Ibis has a long, stout, +curved black bill; the head and neck are black and naked, and the +plumage is white, with the tips of the wings black. Another species, the +<i>Glossy Ibis</i> (<i>Ibis falcinellus</i>), shared the veneration of the +Egyptians with the Sacred Ibis; it has a more slender bill than the +Sacred Ibis, and its plumage, which is beautifully glossy, is dark green +above and reddish-brown beneath. This bird is common in the south of +Europe, and specimens have been shot in England. The <i>Scarlet Ibis</i> +(<i>Ibis rubra</i>) is a beautiful species, which adorns the banks of the +great rivers of South America, in company with the Roseate Spoonbill.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CURLEW_Numenius_arquatus" id="Illustration_THE_CURLEW_Numenius_arquatus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 290px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_360_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_360_sml.jpg" width="290" height="183" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CURLEW. (<i>Numenius arquatus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Soothed by the murmurs of the sea-beat shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">His dun-grey plumage floating to the gale,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">The Curlew blends his melancholy wail<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With those hoarse sounds the rushing waters pour.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Miss Williams.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Wild as the scream of the Curlew,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">From rock to rock the signal flew.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Sir Walter Scott.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Curlew</span> is a large bird, weighing about twenty-four<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_361" id="page_361"></a>{361}</span> ounces; and is +found in winter on the sea-shore on all sides of England. The middle +parts of the feathers of the head, neck, and back are black, the borders +or outsides ash-coloured, with a mixture of red; and the lower part of +the body white. The beak has a regular curve downward, and is soft at +the point. This bird’s flesh may challenge for flavour and delicacy that +of any other water-fowl, and the people of Suffolk say proverbially:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“A Curlew, be she white, be she black,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">She carries twelve pence on her back:”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind">but it must be confessed that the quality and goodness of the flesh of +Curlews depend on their manner of feeding, and the season in which they +are caught. When they dwell on the sea-shore, they acquire a kind of +rankness, which is so strong, that, unless they are basted on the spit +with vinegar, they are not agreeable eating.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_REDSHANK_Totanus_calidris" id="Illustration_THE_REDSHANK_Totanus_calidris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 275px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_361_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_361_sml.jpg" width="275" height="138" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE REDSHANK. (<i>Totanus calidris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird has received its name from the colour of its legs, which are +of a crimson red. In size it is between the lapwing and the snipe, and +is sometimes called the <i>Pool Snipe</i>. The head and back are of a dusky +ash-colour, spotted with black, the throat party-coloured black and +white, the black being drawn down along the feathers. The breast is +whiter, with fewer spots. The Redshank delights in the fen countries, +and in wet and marshy grounds, where it breeds and rears its young.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_362" id="page_362"></a>{362}</span> The +female lays four whitish eggs, with olive-coloured dashes, and marked +with irregular spots of black. Pennant and Latham say, that it flies +round its nest when disturbed, making a noise like a lapwing. It is not +so common on the sea-shore as several others of its kindred. We must +here observe, that this bird has often been mistaken for others. The +fact is, that several birds changing their plumage, and increasing or +diminishing their size according to their age, the season of the year, +and the climate they live in, set all nomenclators at defiance, and +confound all classifications.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GODWIT_Limosa_aegocephala" id="Illustration_THE_GODWIT_Limosa_aegocephala"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 294px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_362_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_362_sml.jpg" width="294" height="165" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GODWIT, (<i>Limosa ægocephala</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> met with in various parts of Great Britain, and is rather larger than +the woodcock, which it much resembles in appearance. In spring and +summer it resides in the fens and marshes, where it rears its young, and +feeds on small worms and insects; but in winter it seeks the salt +marshes and the sea-shore, where it feeds upon the shell-fish and marine +animals left by the retiring tide. A peculiarity belonging to this bird +is the shape of its bill, which is a little turned upwards. The head, +neck, and back are of a reddish brown; the under part of the body white; +the legs dusky, and sometimes black.</p> + +<p>The Godwit is much esteemed by epicures as a great delicacy, and sells +very high. It is caught in nets, to which it is allured by a <i>stale</i> or +stuffed bird, in the same manner and in the same season as the ruffs and +reeves.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_363" id="page_363"></a>{363}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RUFF_AND_REEVE_Machetes_pugnax" id="Illustration_THE_RUFF_AND_REEVE_Machetes_pugnax"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 271px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_363_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_363_sml.jpg" width="271" height="178" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RUFF AND REEVE. (<i>Machetes pugnax.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">It</span> is curious to see, in our observation of natural objects, how the +creative power of Providence seems to have tried all forms and shapes in +the composition of species. In the cock bird of this species a circle or +collar of long feathers, somewhat resembling a ruff, encompasses the +neck under the head, whence the bird has received the name of Ruff. It +is about a foot in length, with a bill about an inch long. There is a +wonderful and almost infinite variety in the colours of the feathers of +the males; so that in spring there can scarcely be found two exactly +alike; but after moulting they become all alike again.</p> + +<p>The males are sometimes called Fighters, on account of their quarrelsome +disposition. It is a bird of passage, and arrives in the fens of +Lincolnshire, and other similar places, in the spring. Mr. Pennant tells +us, that in the course of a single morning more than six dozen have been +caught in one net, and that a fowler has been known to catch between +forty and fifty dozen in a season.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_364" id="page_364"></a>{364}</span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 279px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_364_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_364_sml.jpg" width="279" height="206" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> female is called a Reeve, and its flesh is thought a great delicacy +for the table. They are smaller than the cocks, and their feathers +undergo no change. The Ruff and Reeve are taken in nets. They used to be +seen in vast numbers in many parts of England, especially in the Isle of +Ely and the Lincolnshire fens. The improvements in drainage and +cultivation that have been made during the present century have deprived +these birds of their accustomed haunts, and they are no longer common. A +writer of the last century said he had seen the ground so covered with +the nests and eggs of Plovers and Reeves that “one could scarce take a +step without stepping on them.” They are now most common on the shores +of southern Scotland and of Northumberland.</p> + +<p>Reeves are fattened for the table by feeding them on boiled rice or +wheat, bread and milk, hemp seed, &c. They are obliged to be kept in a +dark room during the process, as the least gleam of light is the signal +for a furious battle.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_365" id="page_365"></a>{365}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SNIPE_Scolopax_gallinago" id="Illustration_THE_SNIPE_Scolopax_gallinago"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 280px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_365_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_365_sml.jpg" width="280" height="203" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SNIPE. (<i>Scolopax gallinago.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The Snipe flies screaming from the marshy verge,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And towers in airy circles o’er the wood;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Still heard at intervals; and oft returns,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And stoops as bent to alight; then wheels aloft<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With sudden fear, and screams and stoops again,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Her favourite glade reluctant to forsake.” <span class="smcap">Gisborne.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Snipe</span> weighs about four ounces. A pale red line divides the head +longways; the chin under the bill is white; the neck is a mixture of +brown and red; the lower part of the body is almost all white. The back +and wings are of a dusky colour. The flesh is tender, sweet, and in +flavour ranks next to that of the woodcock. Snipes feed especially upon +small red worms, and insects, which they find in muddy and swampy +places, on the banks of rivulets and brooks, and on the clayey margin of +ponds. It is said that Snipes remain with us all the summer, and build +in moors and marshes, laying four or five eggs; but most of them are +migratory, and, when forced by severe frosts to sheltered springs, are +often seen in large flights. Mr. Daniel states that, about thirty years +ago, Snipes were so abundant in the fens of Cambridgeshire, that as many +were taken in Milton fen, by means of a lark-net, in one night, and by a +single man, as could be contained in a small hamper.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_366" id="page_366"></a>{366}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WOODCOCK_Scolopax_rusticola" id="Illustration_THE_WOODCOCK_Scolopax_rusticola"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 257px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_366_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_366_sml.jpg" width="257" height="153" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WOODCOCK, (<i>Scolopax rusticola</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> somewhat less than the partridge. The upper side of the body is +party-coloured of red, black, and grey, and very beautiful. From the +bill almost to the middle of the head it is of a reddish ash-colour. The +lower part of the body is grey, with transverse brown lines; under the +tail the colour is somewhat yellowish; the chin is white, with a +tincture of yellow. Woodcocks are migratory birds, coming over into +Britain in autumn, and departing again in the beginning of spring; they +pair before they go, and are seen flying in braces.</p> + +<p>The colours of this timid bird render it difficult to discern him among +the withered stalks and leaves of fern, sticks, moss, and grass, which +form the background of the scenery, by which he is sheltered in his +moist and solitary retreats. By habit only is the sportsman enabled to +discover him, and his leading marks are the full eye and glossy silver +white-tipped tail of the bird. The flesh is held in high estimation, and +hence he is eagerly sought after. It is hardly necessary to observe that +in dressing a Woodcock for the spit the entrails are not drawn, but are +allowed to drop upon slices of toasted bread, and are relished as a +delicious kind of sauce. By some late observations, it appears that +several individuals of the species remain with us the whole year. They +frequent especially wet and swampy woods, the thick hedges near +rivulets, and places affording them<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_367" id="page_367"></a>{367}</span> their allotted food, which consists +of very small insects found in the moist ground.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The Woodcock’s early visit and abode<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of long continuance, in our temperate clime,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Foretell a liberal harvest.” <span class="smcap">Philips.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_KNOT_Tringa_Canutus" id="Illustration_THE_KNOT_Tringa_Canutus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 265px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_367_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_367_sml.jpg" width="265" height="155" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE KNOT, (<i>Tringa Canutus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a small bird, whose head and back are of a dusky ash-colour, or dark +grey; while the lower part of the body is pure white, or white varied by +black lines. The sides under the wings are spotted with brown. The bird +weighs about four ounces and a half, and generally makes its appearance +in Lincolnshire in the beginning of winter, and abides there for two or +three months, after which they fly off in flocks. They are caught in +great numbers by nets, into which they are decoyed by carved wooden +figures, painted to represent themselves, and placed within them, much +in the same way as the ruff. When the knot is fat, its flesh is +considered excellent food. It is also fattened for sale, and then +considered equal to the ruff in flavour. The season for taking it is +from August to November, after which the frost compels it to disappear. +This bird is said to have been a favourite dish with Canute the Great; +and Camden observes that its name is derived from his—Knute, or Knout, +as he was called—which, in process of time, has been changed to Knot.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_368" id="page_368"></a>{368}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GREY_PLOVER_Squatarola_cinerea" id="Illustration_THE_GREY_PLOVER_Squatarola_cinerea"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 291px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_368_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_368_sml.jpg" width="291" height="173" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GREY PLOVER, (<i>Squatarola cinerea</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> about twelve inches long and twenty-four across the wings: the head, +back, and coverts of the wings are black, with tips of a greenish white; +the chin white; the throat spotted with brown or dusky spots; the breast +and thighs white. The flavour of the flesh, when the bird is caught in +the proper season, is delicate and savory; at other times it is hard, +and has a strong and rank taste. This bird is generally found in small +packs, and is not nearly so common as the beautiful Golden Plover. The +male becomes entirely black on the lower surface in the spring, or black +interspersed with patches and spots of white.</p> + +<p>The Grey Plover is found in the northern parts of Europe, and, it is +said, breeds in Egypt, Java, and Japan. Like the Ruff, it is an +exceedingly quarrelsome bird, and fights fiercely in the spring. The +young, when hatched, are covered with a thick, soft down, and +immediately begin to follow their parents about and search for food.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_369" id="page_369"></a>{369}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GOLDEN_PLOVER_Charadrius_pluvialis" id="Illustration_THE_GOLDEN_PLOVER_Charadrius_pluvialis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 212px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_369_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_369_sml.jpg" width="212" height="276" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GOLDEN PLOVER, (<i>Charadrius pluvialis</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> about the size of the former. The colour of the whole upper side is +black, thick set with yellowish green spots; the breast brown, with +spots as on the back; the body is white. The male of this species is +also black beneath in the spring. The flesh is sweet and tender, and +therefore esteemed a choice dish in this and other countries.</p> + +<p>The Golden Plover feeds principally during the night, and during the day +time may be seen sitting or standing on the ground, asleep. The parent +birds are very careful in guarding their young. When any intruder +approaches their nest, they use all sorts of stratagems to divert his +attention.</p> + +<p>The “Plover eggs,” frequently seen at the tables of the opulent and +luxurious, are not those of the Plover, but of the Lapwing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_370" id="page_370"></a>{370}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_DOTTREL_Charadrius_morinellus" id="Illustration_THE_DOTTREL_Charadrius_morinellus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 266px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_370_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_370_sml.jpg" width="266" height="211" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE DOTTREL, (<i>Charadrius morinellus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> proverbially accounted a foolish bird, yet why so it is hardly +possible to say. Its length is about ten inches; the bill is not quite +an inch long, and is black. The forehead is mottled with brown and grey; +the top of the head is black; and over each eye there is an arched line +of white. The back and wings are a light brown; the breast is a pale +dull orange; the middle of the body is black, and the rest and the +thighs are of a reddish white. The tail is brown, black towards the end, +and tipped with white. This bird is migratory, and makes its appearance +in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and Derbyshire in April, but soon +leaves those counties and passes on towards the north, breeding in the +mountains of the north of England and Scotland. In April, and sometimes +in September, Dottrels are seen in Wiltshire and Berkshire. They are +generally caught, like other birds, by night; when, dazzled by the light +of a torch, they are at a loss to know where to fly for safety, the +whole place being in darkness, and generally select the very spot which +they should avoid. Many ridiculous stories have been propagated about +the gestures of this bird, and its<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_371" id="page_371"></a>{371}</span> endeavouring to imitate the actions +of the fowler, and thereby falling into the snare laid for him; but they +ought to be entirely disbelieved.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LAPWING_OR_PEEWIT" id="Illustration_THE_LAPWING_OR_PEEWIT"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 228px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_371_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_371_sml.jpg" width="228" height="151" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LAPWING, OR PEEWIT.<br /><br /> +(<i>Vanellus cristatus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> well-known bird is found in nearly all countries, and is of the +size of a common pigeon. The female lays four or five eggs, of a yellow +colour, varied all over with large black spots and strokes. Lapwings +build their nests on the ground in the middle of some field or heath, +open and exposed to view, laying only some few straws under the eggs: so +soon as the young are hatched, they instantly forsake the nest, running +away with the shell on their back, and following the mother, only +covered with a kind of down, like young ducks. The parents have been +impressed by nature with the most attentive love and care for their +offspring; for if the fowler, or any other enemy, should come near the +nest, the female, panting with fear, lessens her call to make her +enemies believe that she is much further off, and thereby deceives those +that search for her brood; she also sometimes pretends to be wounded, +and utters a faint cry as she limps away, to lead the fowler from her +nest. This bird is really beautiful, although it does not exhibit that +gaudiness of colours of which other species of the feathered tribe can +boast: it weighs about half-a-pound. The head, and the crest which +elegantly adorns it, is black;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_372" id="page_372"></a>{372}</span> this crest, composed of unwebbed +feathers, is about four inches in length. The back is of a dark green, +glossed with blue shades; the throat is black; the hinder part of the +neck and the breast are white. The Lapwing, when in search of food, +stamps with his feet upon the ground, and when the earth-worms, alarmed +at the noise, appear, he seizes and devours them. His voice, on the +swampy places along the sea-shores, heard at night, resembles the sound +of <i>peewit</i>, or <i>teewit</i>, and hence his name in several parts of Great +Britain; he is also called the <i>Great Plover</i> by several ornithologists. +This bird is one of those who attract the fowler’s attention in winter:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“With slaughtering gun th’ unwearied fowler roves,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">When frosts have whiten’d all the naked groves;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Where doves in flocks the leafless trees o’ershade,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And lonely woodcocks haunt the watery glade.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He lifts his tube, and levels with his eye;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Straight a short thunder breaks the frozen sky:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Oft, as in airy rings they skim the heath,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The clamorous Lapwings feel the leaden death:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Oft, as the mounting larks their notes prepare,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">They fall, and leave their little lives in air.” <span class="smcap">Pope.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The following anecdote, from Bewick’s “History of Birds,” exhibits the +domestic nature of the Lapwing, as well as the art with which it +conciliates the regard of animals materially differing from itself, and +generally considered as hostile to every species of the feathered tribe. +Two Lapwings were given to a clergyman, who put them into his garden; +one of them soon died, but the other continued to pick up such food as +the place afforded, till winter deprived it of its usual supply. +Necessity soon compelled it to draw nearer to the house, by which it +gradually became familiarised to occasional interruptions from the +family. At length one of the servants, when she had occasion to go into +the back kitchen with a light, observed that the Lapwing always uttered +his cry of “pee-wit,” to obtain admittance. The bird soon grew more +familiar; as the winter advanced, he approached as far as the kitchen, +but with much caution, as that part of the house was generally occupied +by a dog and cat, whose friendship, however, the Lapwing at<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_373" id="page_373"></a>{373}</span> length +conciliated so entirely, that it was his regular custom to resort to the +fireside as soon as it grew dark, and spend the evening and night with +his two associates, sitting close by them, and partaking of the comforts +of a warm hearth. As soon as spring appeared, he discontinued his visits +to the house, and betook himself to the garden; but, on the approach of +winter, he had recourse to his old shelter and friends, who received him +very cordially. Security was productive of insolence; what was at first +obtained with caution, was afterwards taken without reserve; he +frequently amused himself with washing in the bowl which was set for the +dog to drink out of; and while he was thus employed, he showed marks of +the greatest indignation if either of his companions presumed to +interrupt him. He died in the asylum he had thus chosen, being choked +with something that he had picked up from the floor.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WATER-HEN_Gallinula_chloropus" id="Illustration_THE_WATER-HEN_Gallinula_chloropus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 291px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_373_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_373_sml.jpg" width="291" height="150" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WATER-HEN, (<i>Gallinula chloropus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> also called the <i>Moor-Hen</i>, or <i>Moor-Coot</i>, and the <i>Gallinule</i>. The +breast is of a lead-colour, the lower part of the body inclining to +ash-colour, and the back dark olive brown. As she swims or walks, she +often flirts up her tail. Water-hens feed upon aquatic plants and roots, +and upon the small insects which adhere to them; they grow fat about the +latter end of September, and their flesh is then considered nearly equal +to that of the teal;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_374" id="page_374"></a>{374}</span> yet it can seldom be entirely deprived of its +fishy taste. They build their nests amongst reeds, long grass, roots, +and stumps by the water-side, breeding twice or thrice in the course of +a summer; the eggs are white, with a tint of green, dashed with brown +spots.</p> + +<p>There are very few countries in the world where these birds are not to +be found. They generally prefer the cold mountainous regions in summer, +and lower and warmer situations during winter.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The fish are leaping, and the Water-hen<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Dives up and down. A storm is coming on.”<br /></span> +<span class="i10"><span class="smcap">Schiller.</span>—<span class="smcap">William Tell.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CORN-CRAKE_OR_LAND-RAIL" id="Illustration_THE_CORN-CRAKE_OR_LAND-RAIL"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 316px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_374_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_374_sml.jpg" width="316" height="251" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CORN-CRAKE, OR LAND-RAIL,<br /><br /> +(<i>Ortygometra crex</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a migratory bird, appearing in England in April, and departing in +October. At the time of its arrival it is very lean, but becomes +excessively fat before it quits the island. Their favourite haunts are +cold and humid upland districts, corn-fields in the vicinity of water, +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_375" id="page_375"></a>{375}</span> marshy grass-lands. Their cry is a peculiar roll of short notes, +all in the same key and of the same length. The sound, crec, crec, crec, +has been compared to the noise made by drawing the finger along the +teeth of a comb. The legs of the Corn-Crake are unusually long for the +size of the bird, and hang down while it is on the wing. Its flesh is +greatly esteemed for its delicate flavour. This bird is never seen on +the wing in this country, and is extremely difficult to capture; they +cannot be made to rise like partridges and many other birds, nor is it +of much use to invade their cover. They glide through the corn, without +the least perceptible rustle, and with wonderful rapidity, considering +the size of the bird, and if the sportsman follows in the direction of +the sound, it ceases for a while, and then, perhaps, is heard far in the +rear; if he follows it again, it is not long before the sound is heard +setting in its former or some other direction.</p> + +<p>It is said by some writers that the Corn-Crake is a sort of natural +ventriloquist, and can make his note appear to proceed from quite +another direction than the spot in which he lies hid. It is probable, +however, that the delusion arises from the astonishing swiftness with +which the bird passes through the covers, where it is usually found. And +as they can never be made to rise, the observer has very seldom the +means of deciding whether the bird was in the place its cry seemed to +proceed from or not.</p> + +<p>The nest is made in a hole in the ground, and is lined with dead leaves, +moss, and other soft substances. There are generally ten, twelve, or +fourteen eggs. The peculiar cry by which the bird is recognised is only +uttered during the period of incubation.</p> + +<p>Corn-Crakes are occasionally found to have a great fondness for water. +An anecdote is related by Craven, in his “Young Sportsman’s Manual,” of +a young bird of this species, in the possession of a Mr. Jervis, which +had a remarkable partiality for water, in which it would dive and +splash, as if unused to any other element. If the habits of this bird +could be watched more closely, perhaps we should find that this fondness +for water is not uncommon in its wild state.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_376" id="page_376"></a>{376}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COOT_Fulica_atra" id="Illustration_THE_COOT_Fulica_atra"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_376_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_376_sml.jpg" width="264" height="152" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COOT. (<i>Fulica atra.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> bird has so many traits in its character, and so many features in +its general appearance like the rails and water-hens, that to place it +after them seems a natural and easy gradation; and accordingly this has +been done by Cuvier, though it was considered by Linnæus to belong to a +group distinct from those birds, and from the waders in general, on +account of its being fin-footed, and its constant attachment to the +waters, which, indeed, it seldom quits. The manner in which Coots build +their nest is very ingenious. They form it of interwoven aquatic weeds, +and place it among the rushes, in such a way that it may occasionally +rise with, but not be washed away by, the stream: and if ever this +accident happens, steady on her nest, the hen does not desert her brood, +but follows with them the destiny of their floating cradle. This bird, +in the figure and shape of its body, resembles the water-hen, and weighs +about twenty-four ounces. The feathers about the head and neck are low, +soft, and thick. The colour about the whole of the body is black, but of +a deeper hue about the head. The sere rises upon the forehead in a +peculiar manner, and appears as if Providence had designed it for a +means of defence. It changes its whitish colour to a pale red or pink in +the breeding season. Coots are very shy, and seldom venture abroad +before dusk. When attacked, they defend themselves with their feet, and +they do this so energetically, that sportsmen say, “Beware of a winged +Coot, or he will scratch you like a cat.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_377" id="page_377"></a>{377}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="VII_Palmipedes_or_Web-footed_Birds" id="VII_Palmipedes_or_Web-footed_Birds"></a>§ VII. <i>Palmipedes, or Web-footed Birds.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PELICAN_Pelicanus_onocrotalus" id="Illustration_THE_PELICAN_Pelicanus_onocrotalus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 365px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_377_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_377_sml.jpg" width="365" height="270" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PELICAN, (<i>Pelicanus onocrotalus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> in size about equal to the swan; the colour of the body is white, +inclining to pink; the beak is straight and long, with a sharp hook at +the end; the skin of the lower mandible is so capable of distension, +that it may be dilated to contain fish in large quantities. This pouch +Providence has allotted to the bird, that he may bring to his eyrie +sufficient food for several days, and save himself the trouble of +travelling through the air, and watching and diving so often. The legs +are black, and the four toes palmated. It is a very indolent, inactive, +and inelegant bird, often sitting whole days and nights on rocks or +branches of trees, motionless and in a melancholy posture, till the +resistless stimulus of hunger spurs<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_378" id="page_378"></a>{378}</span> it on, and forces it to the sea in +search of nourishment; when thus excited to exertion, the Pelican flies +from the spot, and, raising itself thirty or forty feet above the +surface of the water, turns its head with one eye downward, and +continues to fly in that position till it sees a fish near the surface. +It then darts down with astonishing swiftness, seizes its prey with +unerring certainty, and stores it in its pouch. Having done this, it +rises into the air, and repeats the same action till it has procured a +sufficient stock. The Pelican is by no means destitute of natural +affection, either towards its young ones or towards others of its own +species. Clavigero, in his “History of Mexico,” says, that sometimes the +Americans, in order to procure, without trouble, a supply of fish, +cruelly break the wing of a live Pelican, and, after tying the bird to a +tree, conceal themselves near the place. The screams of the miserable +bird attract other Pelicans to the place, which, he assures us, eject a +portion of the provisions from their pouches for their imprisoned +companion. As soon as the men observe this, they rush to the spot, and +after leaving a small quantity for the bird, carry off the remainder.</p> + +<p>In America, Pelicans are often rendered domestic, and are so trained, +that at command they go in the morning and return before night with +their pouches distended with prey, part of which they are made to +disgorge, while the rest is left them for their trouble. The bird is +said to live sometimes a hundred years.</p> + +<p>Our forefathers attributed extraordinary affection to this bird, more +than is attested by any save heraldic evidence. Thus, in several crests, +it is represented in the act of feeding its young with its own blood, +which it procures by striking its breast with the sharp point of its +beak. And the ancients fully believed that in times of scarcity the +female Pelican resorted to this means of supporting her brood. The nest +of the Pelican is made with sedges and grass, close to the water’s edge; +the female lays two or three white eggs, and the male is said to supply +his partner with food while she is engaged in the work of incubation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_379" id="page_379"></a>{379}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CORMORANT_Phalacrocorax_carbo" id="Illustration_THE_CORMORANT_Phalacrocorax_carbo"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_379_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_379_sml.jpg" width="324" height="257" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CORMORANT, (<i>Phalacrocorax carbo</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a large water-bird, nearly allied to the pelican, possessed with a +very voracious appetite, and consequently of a very rapacious +disposition. It lives upon all sorts of fish; the fresh water and the +briny waves of the sea both paying a large contribution to its craving +stomach. The bill is about five inches in length, and of a dusky colour; +the predominant tints of the body are black beneath, and dark brown +above; on each thigh there is a white patch. The smell of these birds +when alive is excessively rank and disagreeable; and their flesh is so +disgusting that even the Greenlanders, among whom they are very common, +will scarcely eat it. They were formerly tamed in England for the +purpose of catching fish, as falcons and hawks were for chasing the +fleet inhabitants of the air. This custom is still in practice in China. +The birds are taken to the water in a boat, with leather thongs tied +round their necks to prevent their swallowing the fish; at the word of +command they descend into the water, swim about, and dive in pursuit of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_380" id="page_380"></a>{380}</span> +prey, and bring whatever they capture to their owner’s boat. Sometimes +two Cormorants will unite their efforts to capture a large fish; and if +any of the birds neglect their business the man will slap on the water +with a bamboo, as a schoolmaster does with his cane on the desk, to +recall the idlers to a sense of their duty. This bird, although of the +aquatic kind, is often seen, like the pelican, perched upon trees. +Milton tells us that Satan</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— —— —— On the tree of life,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The middle tree, and highest there that grew,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Sat like a Cormorant.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>In the year 1793, one of them was observed sitting on the vane of St. +Martin’s steeple, Ludgate Hill, London, and was shot there in the +presence of a great number of people.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SHAG_OR_CRESTED_CORMORANT_Phalacrocorax" id="Illustration_THE_SHAG_OR_CRESTED_CORMORANT_Phalacrocorax"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 302px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_380_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_380_sml.jpg" width="302" height="252" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SHAG, OR CRESTED CORMORANT, (<i>Phalacrocorax +graculus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> of a dark green, with a singular tuft on the front of the head in the +spring. It breeds in rocky caves on the sea-coast.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_381" id="page_381"></a>{381}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GANNET_OR_SOLAN_GOOSE_Sula_bassana" id="Illustration_THE_GANNET_OR_SOLAN_GOOSE_Sula_bassana"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 237px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_381_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_381_sml.jpg" width="237" height="265" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GANNET, OR SOLAN GOOSE. (<i>Sula bassana.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> birds are insatiably voracious, but are somewhat particular in +their choice of prey; disdaining, unless in great want, any food worse +than herrings or mackerel. No fewer than one hundred thousand Gannets +are supposed to frequent the rocks of St. Kilda; and of these, including +the young ones, at least twenty thousand are annually killed for food by +the inhabitants. The Gannet is somewhat more than three feet in length, +and weighs about seven pounds. The bill is six inches long, straight +almost to the point, where it is a little bent; its edges are jagged, to +enable it the better to secure its prey; and about an inch from the base +of the upper mandible there is a sharp process pointing forward. The +general<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_382" id="page_382"></a>{382}</span> colour of the plumage is a dingy white, with a greyish tinge. +Surrounding each eye there is a naked skin of a fine blue colour; from +the corner of the mouth a narrow slip of naked black skin extends to the +hind part of the head; and beneath the chin there is a pouch capable of +containing five or six herrings. The neck is long; the body flat, and +very full of feathers. On the crown of the head, and the back part of +the neck, is a small buff-coloured space. The quill-feathers, and some +other parts of the wings, are black; as are also the legs, except a fine +pea-green stripe in front. The tail is wedge-shaped, and consists of +twelve sharp-pointed feathers.</p> + +<p>These birds chiefly resort to those uninhabited islands where man seldom +comes to disturb them. The islands to the north, Ailsa Craig, on the +west coast of Scotland, the Skelig Islands, off the coasts of Kerry in +Ireland, and those that lie in the North Sea off Norway, abound with +them. But it is on the Bass Bock, in the Frith of Forth, that they are +seen in the greatest abundance. “There is a small island,” says the +celebrated Harvey, “called the Bass, not more than a mile in +circumference; the surface is almost wholly covered during the months of +May and June with the nests of the Solan Geese, their eggs, and their +young. It is scarcely possible to walk without treading on them: the +flocks of birds upon the wing are so numerous as to darken the air like +a cloud; and their noise is such, that one cannot without difficulty be +heard by the person next to him. When one looks down upon the sea from +the precipice, its whole surface seems covered with infinite numbers of +birds of different kinds, swimming and pursuing their prey. If, in +sailing round the island, one surveys its hanging cliffs, in every crag +or fissure of the broken rocks may be seen innumerable birds, of various +sorts and sizes, more than the stars of heaven when viewed in a serene +night. If they are viewed at a distance, either receding or in their +approach to the island, they seem like one vast swarm of bees.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_383" id="page_383"></a>{383}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SWAN_Cygnus_olor" id="Illustration_THE_SWAN_Cygnus_olor"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 322px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_383_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_383_sml.jpg" width="322" height="257" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SWAN. (<i>Cygnus olor.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Fair is the Swan, whose majesty prevailing<br /></span> +<span class="i1">O’er breezeless water, on Locarno’s lake,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Bears him on, while, proudly sailing,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He leaves behind a moon-illumined wake:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Behold! the mantling spirit of reserve<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Fashions his neck into a goodly curve—<br /></span> +<span class="i1">An arch thrown back between luxuriant wings<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of whitest garniture, like fir-tree boughs.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">To which, on some unruffled morning, clings<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A flaky weight of winter’s purest snows!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Behold! as with a gushing impulse heaves<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That snowy prow, and softly cleaves<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The mirror of the crystal flood;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Vanish inverted hill, and shadowy wood,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And pendent rocks, where’er in gliding state<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Winds the mute creature, without visible mate<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Or rival, save the queen of night,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Showering down a silver light<br /></span> +<span class="i1">From heaven upon her chosen favourite!”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Wordsworth.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> two best known species of this elegantly-formed and majestic bird +are commonly known as the Wild and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_384" id="page_384"></a>{384}</span> the Tame, or the Whooping and Mute, +Swans. They may easily be recognised by the peculiarities of the bill: +the Tame Swan has the bill orange-coloured, with its base black, and +surmounted by a black knob; the Wild Swan has no knob, and it is the tip +instead of the base of the bill that is black.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WILD_SWAN_WHOOPING_SWAN_OR_WHISTLING_SWAN_Cygnus" id="Illustration_THE_WILD_SWAN_WHOOPING_SWAN_OR_WHISTLING_SWAN_Cygnus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 287px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_384_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_384_sml.jpg" width="287" height="236" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WILD SWAN, WHOOPING SWAN, OR WHISTLING SWAN, (<i>Cygnus +ferus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> also a fine bird, with beautifully white plumage; unlike the Tame +Swan, which is nearly mute, it has a loud and rather melodious voice, +which it utters frequently, as it flies along at a great height in the +air, during its migrations. It is found in England in the winter, but +resides all the year in the north of Scotland. Its favourite place for +breeding is in the extreme north. The Tame Swan is the largest of our +web-footed water-fowl, sometimes weighing about thirty pounds: the whole +body of the full-grown Swan is covered with a beautiful pure white +plumage, but the young ones are grey; under the feathers is a thick, +soft down, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_385" id="page_385"></a>{385}</span> is of very great use, and often employed as an +ornament. The elegance of form which this bird displays, when, with his +arched neck and half-displayed wings, he sails along the crystal surface +of a tranquil stream, which reflects, as he passes, the snowy beauty of +his dress, is worthy of admiration. Thomson describes the Swan in the +following beautiful manner:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">“—— —— —— The stately sailing Swan<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gives out his snowy plumage to the gale,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And arching proud his neck, with oary feet,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bears forward fierce, and guards his osier isle,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Protective of his young.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>Swans have for ages been protected on the river Thames as royal +property; and it continues at this day to be accounted felony to steal +their eggs: by this means their increase is secured, and they prove a +delightful ornament to that noble river. Latham says the estimation in +which they were held, in the reign of Edward IV., was such, that only +those who possessed a freehold of the clear yearly value of five marks +were permitted even to keep any. In those times, hardly a piece of water +was left unoccupied by these birds, as they gratified the palate as well +as the eye of their lordly owners of that period: but the fashion of +those days has passed away, and Swans are by no means as common now as +they were formerly, being by most people accounted a coarse kind of +food, and consequently held in little estimation: but the Cygnets (so +the young Swans are called) are still fattened for the table, and are +sold very high, commonly for a guinea each, and sometimes more; hence it +may be presumed they are better food than is generally imagined.</p> + +<p>At Abbotsbury there was generally a noble Swannery, the property of the +Earl of Ilchester, where six or seven hundred birds were kept, but the +collection has of late been much diminished. The Swannery belonged +anciently to the abbot, and, previously to the dissolution of +monasteries, the Swans frequently amounted to double the above number.</p> + +<p>From the whiteness of this bird, the expression of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_386" id="page_386"></a>{386}</span> “Black Swan” was +used in ancient times as equivalent to a nonentity; but a species nearly +entirely black has been lately discovered in Australia. This bird is as +large as the white Swan, and its bill is of a rich scarlet. The whole +plumage (except the primaries and secondaries, which are white) is of +the most intense black.</p> + +<p>Swans are very long lived, sometimes attaining the great age of a +century and a half.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WILD_GOOSE_Anser_ferus" id="Illustration_THE_WILD_GOOSE_Anser_ferus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 267px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_386_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_386_sml.jpg" width="267" height="173" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WILD GOOSE. (<i>Anser ferus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The farmer’s Goose, who in the stubble<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Has fed without restraint or trouble,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Grown fat with corn, and sitting still,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Can scarce get o’er the barn-door sill;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And hardly waddles forth to cool<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Her body in the neighbouring pool;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Nor loudly cackles at the door,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For cackling shows the Goose is poor.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Swift.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Goose</span> is very different in outward appearance from the last-named +bird. Stupidity in her look, uncouthness in her walk, and heaviness in +her flight are her principal characteristics. But why should we dwell +upon these defects? they are not such in the great scale of the +creation. Her flesh feeds many, and is not disdained even by the great; +her feathers keep us warm;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_387" id="page_387"></a>{387}</span> and even the very pen I hold in my hand was +plucked from her wing.</p> + +<p>These birds are kept in vast quantities in the fens of Lincolnshire; +several persons there having as many as a thousand breeders. They breed +in general only once a year, but if well kept they sometimes hatch twice +in a season. During their sitting, the birds have spaces allotted to +each, in rows of wicker pens placed one above another; and the +Goose-herd, who has the care of them, drives the whole flock to water +twice a day, and bringing them back to their habitations, places every +bird (without missing one) in its own nest. It is scarcely credible what +numbers of Geese are driven from the distant counties to London for +sale, frequently two or three thousand in a drove; and, in the year +1783, one drove passed through Chelmsford, in its way from Suffolk to +London, that contained more than nine thousand. However simple in +appearance or awkward in gesture the Goose may be, it is not without +many marks of sentiment and understanding. The courage with which it +protects its offspring and defends itself against ravenous birds, and +certain instances of attachment, and even of gratitude, which have been +observed in it, render our general contempt of the Goose ill-founded.</p> + +<p>The Goose was held in great veneration among the Romans, as having by +her watchfulness saved the Capitol from the attack of the Gauls. Virgil +says, in the seventh book of the Æneid,</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The silver goose before the shining gate<br /></span> +<span class="i1">There flew, and by her cackle saved the state.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Dryden.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The colour of this useful bird is generally white; though we often find +them of a mixture of white, grey, black, and sometimes yellow. The feet +which are palmated, are orange-coloured, and the beak is serrated. The +male of the Goose is called the Gander; and the young ones Goslings. +Geese are very long-lived, one is known to have lived above seventy +years.</p> + +<p>The Wild Goose is the original of the tame one, and differs much in +colour from her, the general tint of its feathers being a greyish black. +Wild Geese fly by night<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_388" id="page_388"></a>{388}</span> in large flocks to more southern countries; and +their clang is heard from the regions of the clouds, although the birds +are out of sight.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_DUCK_Anas_boschas" id="Illustration_THE_DUCK_Anas_boschas"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 269px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_388_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_388_sml.jpg" width="269" height="143" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE DUCK. (<i>Anas boschas.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The common Duck</span> is of two kinds, the wild and the tame, the latter being +but the same species altered by domestication; the difference between +them is very trifling, save that the colour of the Mallard, or male wild +Duck, is constantly the same in all the individuals, whereas the Drakes, +or tame ones, are varied in their plumage. The females do not share with +the males in beauty of plumage: the admirable scarf of glossy green and +blue, which surrounds the neck of Drakes and Mallards, being an +exclusive prerogative of the male sex. There is also a curious and +invariable peculiarity belonging to the males, which consists of a few +curled feathers rising upon the rump.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 308px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_388b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_388b_sml.jpg" width="308" height="176" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_389" id="page_389"></a>{389}</span></p> + +<p>Wild Ducks are caught by decoys in the fen countries, and in such +prodigious numbers, that in only ten decoys in the neighbourhood of +Wainfleet, as many as thirty-one thousand two hundred have been caught +in one season. They do not always build their nests close to the water, +but often at a considerable distance from it; in which case the female +will take the young ones in her beak, or between her legs, to the water. +They have sometimes been known to lay their eggs in a high tree, in a +deserted magpie’s or crow’s nest; and an instance has been recorded of +one being found at Etchingham, in Sussex, sitting upon nine eggs in an +oak, at the height of twenty-five feet from the ground: the eggs were +supported by some small twigs laid cross-ways.</p> + +<p>The tame Ducks, reared about mills and rivers, or wherever there is a +sufficient quantity of water for them to indulge their sports and to +search for food, become a branch of trade, which proves very profitable +to their owners.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_EIDER_DUCK_Sornateria_mollissima" id="Illustration_THE_EIDER_DUCK_Sornateria_mollissima"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 288px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_389_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_389_sml.jpg" width="288" height="250" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE EIDER DUCK, (<i>Sornateria mollissima</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> is found about the coasts of the north of England<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_390" id="page_390"></a>{390}</span> and Scotland, +becomes more numerous as we go further north, and is most abundant on +Iceland and the Arctic shores, both of Europe and America. This bird is +particularly valuable for the great quantity of down which it furnishes, +as this is so light and elastic that beds and quilts made from it are +preferable to any others. The birds line their nests with this beautiful +material plucked from their own bodies, and it is chiefly by plundering +the nests that the down is obtained. Each nest will furnish about half a +pound of down in the season, and it is worth about four dollars a pound.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WIDGEON_Mareca_Penelope" id="Illustration_THE_WIDGEON_Mareca_Penelope"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 231px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_390_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_390_sml.jpg" width="231" height="157" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WIDGEON, (<i>Mareca Penelope</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Weighs</span> about twenty-two ounces, and feeds upon grass and roots growing +at the bottom of lakes, rivers, and ponds. The plumage of this bird is +much variegated, and its flesh esteemed a great delicacy, though not so +highly praised as that of the teal. The bill of the Widgeon is black; +the head and upper part of the neck of a bright bay; the back and sides +under the wing waved with black and white; the breast purple; the lower +part of the body white, and the legs are dusky. The young of both sexes +are grey, and continue in this plain garb till the month of February; +after which a change takes place, and the plumage of the male begins to +assume its rich colourings, in which, it is said, he continues till the +end of July; and then again the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_391" id="page_391"></a>{391}</span> feathers become dark and grey, so that +he is hardly to be distinguished from the female.</p> + +<p>Widgeons commonly fly in small flocks during the night, and may be known +from other birds by their whistling note, while they are on the wing. +They quit the desert morasses of the north on the approach of winter, +and as they advance towards the ends of their destined southern journey, +they spread themselves along the shores, and over the marshes and lakes, +in various parts of the continent, as well as those of the British +isles; and it is said that some of the flocks advance as far south as +Egypt.</p> + +<p>The Widgeon is easily domesticated in places where there is plenty of +water, and is much admired for its beauty, sprightly look, and busy, +frolicsome manners; yet it is generally asserted that they will not +breed in confinement, or at least that the female will not make a nest +and perform the act of incubation; but that she will lay eggs, which are +generally dropped into the water.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TEAL_Querquedula_crecca" id="Illustration_THE_TEAL_Querquedula_crecca"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 249px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_391_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_391_sml.jpg" width="249" height="127" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TEAL, (<i>Querquedula crecca</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> the least of the duck tribe, weighing only twelve ounces. The lower +part of the body is of a dingy white, inclining to a grey tint. The back +and sides under the wings are curiously varied with lines of white and +black; the wings are all over brown, and the tail of the same colour. +This bird is common in England during the winter months, and it is still +uncertain whether it does not breed here as it does in France. Dr. +Heysham says it is known to breed in the neighbourhood of Carlisle. The +female makes her nest of reeds interwoven with<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_392" id="page_392"></a>{392}</span> grass; and, as it is +reported, places it among the rushes, in order that it may rise and fall +with the water. Their eggs are of the size of those of a pigeon, six or +seven in number, and of a dull white colour, marked with small brownish +spots; but it appears that they sometimes lay ten or twelve eggs, for +Buffon remarks that that number of young are seen in clusters on the +pools, feeding on cresses, chervil, and some other weeds, as well as +upon seeds and small insects that swarm in the water. The flesh of the +Teal is a great delicacy in the winter season, and has less of the fishy +flavour than any of the wild duck kind. It is known to breed and remain +throughout the year in various temperate climates of the world, and is +in the summer met with as far northward as Iceland.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_COMMON_GULL_Laruscanus" id="THE_COMMON_GULL_Laruscanus"></a>THE COMMON GULL. (<i>Laruscanus.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Gulls</span>, of which there are a great many different kinds, are very +common birds around our coasts and at the mouths of rivers; they have +long wings, and fly with great rapidity and buoyancy. Their plumage is +thick, and they float very lightly on the surface of the water, but do +not dive. The Gulls are very voracious, and not only devour great +quantities of fishes, shell-fish, and other marine animals, but even +condescend to feed upon the dead bodies of animals which they find +floating on the water or cast up on the shore. Some of the smaller kinds +come inland, and catch insects on the wing, in the same way as the +Swallows.</p> + +<p>The Common Gull is rather a large species, being more than eighteen +inches in length when full grown. Its plumage is pearly grey above and +white beneath; the largest wing feathers are black, with white tips and +white spots near the tip; and the bill and feet are greenish grey. This +bird breeds in the salt marshes or on the ledges of cliffs. The female +lays two or three eggs, which are olive brown, with dark brown and black +spots.</p> + +<p>It is a very pretty sight to watch from the top of a lofty cliff the +multitudes of these birds that often haunt<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_393" id="page_393"></a>{393}</span> our coasts; gliding with +beautiful ease and swiftness through the air, skimming the surface of +the water in pursuit of their prey, or reposing upon its bosom. Even +their rather harsh and discordant cry is in harmony with the wild and +imposing heights on which they love to dwell. This, however, does not +protect them from the frequenters of our seaside towns, with whom +seagull shooting is a favourite amusement; an amusement the more to be +reprehended as the flesh of the bird is quite useless.</p> + +<p>Gulls are frequently caught alive, and, after having their wings clipped +to prevent their escape, are kept to satisfy their voracious appetite on +snails, slugs, and other garden pests.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_STORMY_PETREL_OR_MOTHER_CARYS_CHICKEN" id="Illustration_THE_STORMY_PETREL_OR_MOTHER_CARYS_CHICKEN"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 241px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_393_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_393_sml.jpg" width="241" height="165" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE STORMY PETREL, OR MOTHER CARY’S CHICKEN. +(<i>Thalassidroma pelagica.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">“O’er the deep! o’er the deep!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where the whale, and the shark, and the sword-fish sleep,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Outflying the blast and the driving rain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The petrel telleth her tale in vain;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For the mariner curseth the warning bird,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who bringeth him news of the storm unheard!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh! thus does the prophet, of good or ill,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Meet hate from creatures he serveth still;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet he ne’er falters:—So, Petrel! spring<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Once more o’er the waves on thy stormy wing.” <span class="smcap">Procter.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Stormy Petrel</span> is not larger than a swallow; and its<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_394" id="page_394"></a>{394}</span> colour is +entirely black, except the coverts of the tail, the tail itself, and the +vent-feathers, which are white: its legs are slender. Ranging over the +expanse of the ocean, and frequently at a vast distance from the land, +this bird is able to brave the utmost fury of the storms. Even in the +most tempestuous weather it is frequently observed by the mariners +skimming with almost incredible velocity along the billows, and +sometimes over their summits. They often follow vessels in great flocks, +to pick up anything that is thrown overboard; but their appearance is +looked upon by the sailors as the sure presage of stormy weather in the +course of a few hours. It seems to seek protection from the fury of the +wind in the wake of the vessels; and it is probable that for the same +reason it often flies between two surges. The nest of this bird is found +in the Orkney Islands, under loose stones, in the months of June and +July. It lives chiefly on small fish; and although mute by day, it is +very clamorous by night. The young of this bird are fed with an oily +matter or chyle, which is ejected from the stomachs of the parents.</p> + +<p>Mudie, in his very entertaining work on British Birds, says that they +are called Petrels, or “little Petrels,” because they move along the +surface as if they were literally walking on the water. He also informs +us that they are at times very full of oil, and that the Faroese, taking +advantage of this circumstance, convert them into lamps, by fixing them +in an upright position and drawing a wick through their bodies, which +they light at the mouth.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_395" id="page_395"></a>{395}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FULMAR_Procellaria_glacialis" id="Illustration_THE_FULMAR_Procellaria_glacialis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 305px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_395_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_395_sml.jpg" width="305" height="252" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FULMAR, (<i>Procellaria glacialis</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a larger kind of Petrel, which is found not uncommonly on the British +coasts, and is exceeding abundant in the Arctic seas. Here it is a +regular attendant upon the whale-fishers when they are engaged in +cutting up a whale. Any fragments of blubber that happen to fall into +the water are immediately snapped by these greedy birds, which clamour +and squabble over the feast with so little regard to the vicinity of the +sailors, that they may be knocked on the head with a boat-hook. They are +in high estimation in the countries they inhabit, on account of the +large amount of oil they contain. It is only rarely they are seen in +England, nor do they regularly frequent any part of Great Britain, +except a few of the northernmost islands of Scotland. Like the other +Petrels, they feed their young with a sort of oil, which they have the +power of exuding at will.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_396" id="page_396"></a>{396}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ALBATROSS_Diomedea_exulans" id="Illustration_THE_ALBATROSS_Diomedea_exulans"></a> +THE ALBATROSS, (<i>Diomedea exulans</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Also</span> resembles the diminutive Petrels in some respects; but instead of +being a pigmy it is a giant among birds. Its wings often measure as much +as fifteen feet in extent and are of corresponding power, as they have +to support the Albatross by the day together above the stormy waves of +the great Southern Ocean. Indeed, so enormous is their strength and +endurance, that they have been known to follow ships for whole days +together, without once resting upon the water. From time to time the +gigantic bird plunges down into the sea to capture the fishes with which +he satisfies his hunger; and it is said that where Albatrosses are +numerous they will even attack sailors who may happen to fall overboard. +From their abundance at the Cape of Good Hope they are often called by +mariners Cape sheep.</p> + +<p>Albatrosses generally weigh from twenty to thirty pounds. The plumage is +white, except some narrow bars upon the back, and some of the long wing +feathers, which are black, and of the head, which is a reddish grey. The +beak is long and powerful, and curved at the end, and would be a most +terrible weapon if the owner were of a pugnacious disposition. It is, +however, quite inoffensive, and is even sometimes attacked by much +smaller birds, when it invariably takes to flight, and the immense power +of its wings generally enables it to distance its pursuers. The +Albatross, like most sea birds, has a most insatiable appetite, and +devours immense quantities, not only of fish, but of other +sea-animals,—such as molluscs. They are so greedy that they are caught +by a line baited with a piece of flesh, which the ever-hungry bird +swallows at a gulp, paying with his life for the dear repast. They are +taken by the natives of the countries they frequent, not for their +flesh, which is tough and insipid, but for the sake of their entrails, +which are very large and elastic, and are used for a number of useful +purposes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_397" id="page_397"></a>{397}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GREAT_NORTHERN_DIVER" id="Illustration_THE_GREAT_NORTHERN_DIVER"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 245px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_397_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_397_sml.jpg" width="245" height="315" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GREAT NORTHERN DIVER.<br /><br /> +(<i>Colymbus glacialis.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Great Northern Diver</span> is found most abundantly in the Arctic seas, +but a considerable number of them dwell on the shores of Scotland. It +has a rather long, strong, and sharply pointed bill; its back and wings +are black, ornamented with numerous white spots; its lower surface is +greyish-white; and its head and neck are black, with a couple of white +collars across the front of the neck. The Great Northern Diver is a +large bird, measuring nearly three feet in length; its wings are small +in proportion to its size, but yet the bird is able to fly very rapidly. +It is, however, in the water that it is most active; it swims and dives +with the most remarkable ease, and even under water goes as fast as a +four-oared boat. Its food consists of fishes, and it breeds amongst the +herbage of the sea-shore, the female laying two or three eggs in a neat +nest made of grass.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_398" id="page_398"></a>{398}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PUFFIN_Fratercula_arctica" id="Illustration_THE_PUFFIN_Fratercula_arctica"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 290px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_398_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_398_sml.jpg" width="290" height="241" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PUFFIN, (<i>Fratercula arctica</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> another short-winged water bird, but, unlike the Northern Diver, it +visits us in the summer, and breeds on our shores. It is about a foot +long, and has the back and wings black, the cheeks and all the lower +parts of the body, except a band round the neck, white, and the feet +orange. Its bill is very curious, and has obtained for it the names of +Sea Parrot and Coulterneb in some places. This organ is large and +strong, but flattened at the sides; it is of a bluish colour, with three +grooves and four ridges of an orange colour. The Puffin flies swiftly, +and swims and dives almost as well as the Great Diver; it breeds +sometimes in crannies amongst the rocks, and sometimes in a hole which +it digs in the turf or in a rabbit-warren.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_399" id="page_399"></a>{399}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GREAT_AUK_Alca_impennis" id="Illustration_THE_GREAT_AUK_Alca_impennis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 283px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_399_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_399_sml.jpg" width="283" height="159" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GREAT AUK, (<i>Alca impennis</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> is sometimes called the Northern Penguin, is a large bird, +furnished with very small wings, which, although formed of regular +feathers, like those of other birds, are far too weak to raise their +owner into the air. They are, however, of use in another way. When the +Auk dives, which it frequently does, they serve as fins, and, with its +powerful webbed feet, enable it to swim underneath the water with even +greater rapidity than on the surface. This bird was formerly seen +occasionally on the northern coasts of Britain, and became more +plentiful towards the Arctic seas; but no specimens have now been met +with for many years, and there is reason to believe that the bird is +quite extinct on our coasts. In the water the Great Auk, like the Diver, +is wonderfully active, swimming on the surface or beneath the waves with +equal ease. Mr. Bullock, when in the Orkneys, pursued a male bird for +several hours in a six-oared boat without being able to kill him.</p> + +<p>The Great Auk is generally about three feet long, and changes its +plumage in summer. The breeding-season is in June and July, when the +female lays one large egg, of a yellowish colour, marked with black +spots.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_400" id="page_400"></a>{400}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PENGUIN_Speniscus_demersus" id="Illustration_THE_PENGUIN_Speniscus_demersus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 292px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_400_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_400_sml.jpg" width="292" height="391" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PENGUIN, (<i>Speniscus demersus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Of</span> which numerous species abound on the shores and islands of the great +Southern Ocean, is remarkable for its almost incredible agility in the +water; it swims and dives like a fish, and in fact is described as +coming to the surface for air, and descending again so suddenly as to +give rise to the impression that it is a fish jumping in sport. It is +found in vast numbers in hiding places, where the females are seen +sitting upright and holding their single egg between their legs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_401" id="page_401"></a>{401}</span></p> + +<h2><a name="Book_III" id="Book_III"></a><span class="smcap">Book III.</span><br /><br /> +INHABITANTS OF THE WATER.</h2> + +<h3><a name="I_Cetacea_or_Sea_Mammalia" id="I_Cetacea_or_Sea_Mammalia"></a>§ I. <i>Cetacea, or Sea Mammalia.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COMMON_OR_GREENLAND_WHALE" id="Illustration_THE_COMMON_OR_GREENLAND_WHALE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 321px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_401_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_401_sml.jpg" width="321" height="258" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COMMON, OR GREENLAND WHALE.<br /><br /> +(<i>Balæna mysticetus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Nature’s strange work, vast Whales of different form,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Toss up the troubled flood, and are themselves a storm;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Uncouth the sight, when they in dreadful play,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Discharge their nostrils, and refund a sea;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Or angry lash the foam with hideous sound,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And scatter all the watery dust around;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Fearless, the fierce destructive monsters roll,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ingulf the fish, and drive the flying shoal;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In deepest seas these living isles appear,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And deepest seas can scarce their pressure bear;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Their bulk would more than fill the shelvy strait,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And fathom’d depths would yield beneath their weight.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Whale</span> is not properly a fish; since, though it lives<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_402" id="page_402"></a>{402}</span> in the sea, +and has fins and a tail instead of legs and feet, it resembles in most +other respects a seal, and differs from fishes, properly so called, in +many important points. Indeed, it is always included in the class +Mammalia, by zoologists, as it brings forth its young alive, and +nourishes them with its milk; and hence a conceited person, who said he +knew every fish from the shrimp to the Whale, was justly laughed at, as +neither the Whale nor the shrimp are included in the fishes by +zoologists.</p> + +<p>The general form of the Whale’s body is that of a fish; but the tail is +placed horizontally instead of vertically, and the skeleton of the fins +exactly resembles that of a hand affixed to a contracted arm, though it +is covered with so thick a skin that no trace of the formation of the +bones can be discovered externally. There are only two fins, which are +very small, and close to the head. The Whale, however, differs from +fishes most materially in its having warm blood; and in its lungs, which +are exactly the same as those of quadrupeds. Hence, though the Whale can +remain a long time under water without breathing, it is compelled to +come to the surface whenever it does breathe, and for this purpose it is +furnished with two large nostrils, or blow-holes as they are called. The +blow-holes are most beautifully and curiously contrived to close when +the animal sinks under water; so that not a drop of water can enter the +lungs, however great the pressure may be. The Whale is also provided +with a very thick skin, containing an immense quantity of liquid oil, +called the blubber, which is so easily detached from the flesh, that +when a Whale is killed, the blubber, which is sometimes two feet thick, +is taken off by passing a common spade between it and the body. This +thick oily skin is a non-conductor of heat, and is thus admirably +adapted for preventing the warm blood of the Whale from being chilled by +the cold of the water. The true fishes, which are unprovided with such a +covering, have cold blood, and are therefore not susceptible of chills.</p> + +<p>The common Whale has no teeth in either jaw, but its mouth is furnished +with a kind of fringe of numerous long horny laminæ, which are what we +call whalebone,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_403" id="page_403"></a>{403}</span> and which form a kind of strainer, admitting only the +small fish on which the Whale feeds. This Whalebone is one of the +valuable products of the whale, though the oil is most important.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“As when enclosing harpooners assail,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In hyperborean seas, the slumbering Whale;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Soon as the javelins pierce the scaly side,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He groans, he darts impetuous down the tide;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And, rack’d all o’er with lacerating pain,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He flies remote beneath the flood in vain.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Falconer.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>Whales are taken in great numbers about Spitzbergen, Greenland, and +other northern countries by the English, the Dutch, &c. Considerable +fleets of ships are sent out every spring for this purpose. When they +begin their fishery, each ship is fastened or moored with nose-hooks to +the ice. Two boats, each manned with six men, are ordered by the +commodore to look out for the coming of the fish for two hours, when +they are relieved by two more, and so by turns; the two boats lie at +some small distance from the ship, each separated from the other, +fastened to the ice with their boat-hooks, ready to let go in an instant +at the first sight of the Whale. Here the dexterity of the Whale hunters +is to be admired; for as soon as the animal shows itself, every man is +at his oar, and they all rush on the Whale with prodigious swiftness; at +the same time taking care to come behind its head, that it may not see +the boat, which sometimes so alarms it, that it plunges down again +before they have time to strike it. But the greatest care is to be taken +of the tail, with which it many times does very great damage, both to +the boats and seamen. The harpooner, who is placed at the head or bow of +the boat, seeing the back of the Whale, and making the onset, thrusts +the harpoon with all his might into its body by the help of a staff +fixed to the iron for this purpose, and leaves it in, a line being +fastened to it of about two inches in circumference, and one hundred and +thirty-six fathoms long. Every boat is furnished with seven of these +lines, from the motion of which, when let run, they observe the course +of the Whale.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_404" id="page_404"></a>{404}</span></p> + +<p>As soon as the Whale is struck, the third man in the boat holds up his +oar, with something on the top, as a signal to the ship; at the sight of +which the man who is appointed to watch gives the alarm to those that +are asleep, who instantly let fall their other four boats, which hang on +the tackles, two at each side, ready to let go at a minute’s warning, +all furnished with six men each, harpoons, lances, lines, &c. Two or +three of these boats row to the place where the Whale may be expected to +come up again; the others to assist the boat that first struck it with +line; as the Whale will sometimes run out three more boats’ lines, all +fastened to each other, for when the lines of the first boat are almost +run out, they throw the end to the second to be fastened to theirs, and +the second boat does the same to the third, and so on. In this manner +line is supplied to such an extent that a large Whale has been known to +carry off three miles of it.</p> + +<p>A Whale, when he is first struck, will run out above a hundred fathoms +of line, before the harpooner is able to take a turn round the boat’s +stern; and with such swiftness that a man stands ready to throw water on +the line to quench it, in case it should take fire, which it frequently +does. There was, many years ago, a boat to be seen in the South Sea Dock +at Deptford, the head of which was sawed off by the swiftness of the +line running out. The harpoon would be of but little avail in the +destruction of this animal; but part of the rowers, either at the first +onset, or when, in order to fetch his breath, he rises to the surface +and discovers himself to view, throwing aside their oars, and taking up +their very sharp lances, thrust them into his body, till they see him +spurt the blood through the blow-holes, the sight of which is a sign of +the creature’s being mortally wounded. The fishermen, upon the killing +of a Whale, are each entitled to some small reward. After the Whale is +killed, they cut all the lines that were fastened to it, and then cut +off the tail; upon this it instantly turns on its back; and in this +manner they tow it to the ship, where they fasten ropes to keep it from +sinking; and, when it is cold, begin to cut off the blubber.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_405" id="page_405"></a>{405}</span></p> + +<p>The blubber of a Whale is frequently found to be eighteen or twenty +inches thick; which yields fifty or sixty puncheons of oil, each +puncheon containing seventy-four gallons; and the upper jaw yields about +six hundred pieces of whalebone, most of which are about twelve feet +long, and six or eight inches broad; the whole produce of a Whale being +worth one thousand pounds, more or less, according to the size of the +animal. Whilst the men are at work on the back of the Whale they have +spurs on their boots, with two prongs, which come down on each side of +their feet, lest they should slip, the back of the Whale being very +slippery.</p> + +<p>When the Whale feeds, it swims with considerable velocity below the +surface of the sea, with its jaws widely extended. A stream of water +consequently enters its mouth, carrying along with it immense quantities +of cuttle-fish, sea-blubber, shrimps, and other small marine animals. +The water escapes at the sides; but the food is entangled, and, as it +were, sifted by the fringe of whalebone within the mouth; this kind of +strainer is rendered necessary by the very small gullet, which in a +Whale of sixty feet long, does not exceed four inches in width. The +sailors say that a penny-loaf would choke a Whale.</p> + +<p>The Whale bellows fearfully when wounded or in distress. Its young is +called a cub.</p> + +<p>There is also an extensive Whale fishery in the Southern Ocean, carried +on chiefly by the Americans. The Whale found in those seas is distinct +from the Greenland Whale, and is described by naturalists under the name +of <i>Balæna Australis</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_406" id="page_406"></a>{406}</span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 577px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_406_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_406_sml.jpg" width="577" height="212" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_407" id="page_407"></a>{407}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_RORQUAL_OR_FIN-BACKED_WHALE" id="THE_RORQUAL_OR_FIN-BACKED_WHALE"></a>THE RORQUAL, OR FIN-BACKED WHALE,<br /><br /> +(<i>Balænoptera boops</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a very large Whale, specimens sometimes measuring as much as one +hundred feet in length. It is distinguished by its smaller head, and by +the existence of a sort of fin on the lower part of its back. The +Rorqual is found in the northern seas, and specimens are sometimes seen +off our coasts. It is not of much value, as it furnishes far less +blubber than the common Whale, and the baleen or whalebone is so short +as to be useless.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SPERMACETI_WHALE_OR_CACHALOT" id="Illustration_THE_SPERMACETI_WHALE_OR_CACHALOT"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 317px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_407_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_407_sml.jpg" width="317" height="191" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SPERMACETI WHALE, OR CACHALOT.<br /><br /> +(<i>Physeter macrocephalus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal has teeth in the lower jaw only; and no whalebone. The +substance called spermaceti is extracted from its immense head, which is +nearly half the size of the entire animal; and the throat is so large +that it could swallow a shark.</p> + +<p>The quantity of oil produced from the Spermaceti Whale is not so +considerable as that obtained from the common or Greenland Whale, but in +quality it is far preferable, as it yields a bright flame, without +exhaling any nauseous smell. The substance known by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_408" id="page_408"></a>{408}</span> name of +ambergris is also obtained from the body of this animal. It is generally +found in the stomach, but sometimes in the intestines; and, in a +commercial point of view, is a highly valuable production. The +spermaceti is in a fluid state while the animal is living, and as soon +as it is dead a hole is made in the head, and the liquid taken out with +buckets. It becomes solid as it cools, and it is afterwards made into +candles, &c.</p> + +<p>When we reflect that the same Power whose will has formed the immense +bulk of this marine monster has also given animation, senses, and +passions to the smallest of the microscopic animalcules, how lowered +must be the pride of man, who, standing in the middle, and nearly at +equal distance from both, is yet unable to comprehend the mechanism +which puts them in motion, and much less that intelligence and power +which has given them life, and has assigned to them their respective +stations in the universe! Let us then exclaim, with astonishment and +gratitude, with the Psalmist: “O Lord, how inscrutable are thy ways, how +magnificent thy works!”</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_DOLPHIN_Delphinus_delphis" id="Illustration_THE_DOLPHIN_Delphinus_delphis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 330px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_408_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_408_sml.jpg" width="330" height="148" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE DOLPHIN. (<i>Delphinus delphis.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal, like the whale, is not considered a fish, though it lives +in the water, as it has warm blood and suckles its young, which are born +alive. It has also lungs instead of gills, and is therefore obliged to +raise its head above the surface of the water to breathe.</p> + +<p>The Dolphin is from six to ten feet in length. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_409" id="page_409"></a>{409}</span> body is roundish, +gradually diminishing towards the tail; the nose is long and pointed, +the skin smooth, the back black or dusky blue, becoming white below. It +has numerous small teeth in each jaw; a dorsal and two pectoral fins, +and a tail in the shape of a crescent. The beak-like snout has probably +made the French call the Dolphin the sea-goose.</p> + +<p>Several curious stories have been related of this animal, most of which +are fabulous. The anecdote of Arion, the musician, who, being thrown +overboard by pirates, was indebted for his life to one of these animals, +is well known, and acquired great credit among ancient poets, as it was +said to be by his music that Arion charmed the Dolphin. There are +several other fables mentioned by ancient authors to prove the +philanthropy of the Dolphin. Since the province of <i>Dauphiné</i> in France +has been united to the crown, the heir-apparent has been called +“Dauphin,” and quarters a Dolphin on his shield. Falconer, in his +beautiful poem, “The Shipwreck,” describes the death of the Dolphin in +the following elegant manner:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— Beneath the lofty vessel’s stern<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A shoal of sporting dolphins they discern,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Beaming from burnished scales refulgent rays,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Till all the glowing ocean seems to blaze.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In curling wreaths they wanton on the tide;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Now bound aloft, now downward swiftly glide.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Awhile beneath the waves their tracks remain,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And burn in silver streams along the liquid plain;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Soon to the sport of death the crew repair,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Dart the long lance, or spread the bated snare.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">One in redoubling mazes wheels along,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And glides, unhappy, near the triple prong.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Rodmond, unerring, o’er his head suspends<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The barbed steel, and every turn attends:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Unerring aim’d, the missile weapon flew,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And plunging, struck the fated victim through.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The upturning points his pond’rous bulk sustain;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">On deck he struggles with convulsive pain;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">But while his heart the fatal javelin thrills,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And fleeting life escapes in sanguine rills,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">What radiant changes strike the astonish’d sight,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">What glowing hues of mingled shade and light!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">No equal beauties gild the lucid west<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With parting beams all o’er profusely dressed;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_410" id="page_410"></a>{410}</span><br /></span> +<span class="i1">No lovelier colours paint the vernal dawn,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">When orient dews impearl the enamell’d lawn;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Than from his sides in bright suffusion flow,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That now with gold empyreal seem to glow;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Now in pellucid sapphires meet the view,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And emulate the soft celestial hue;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Now beam a flaming crimson to the eye,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And now assume the purple’s deeper dye:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">But here description clouds each shining ray;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">What terms of art can Nature’s power display?”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>Unfortunately for poetry, the beautiful colours of the dying Dolphin +exist entirely in the fancy of the poet; as the Dolphin in a dying state +displays no tints but black and white, and it is believed that the +notion so prevalent among the ancients of the change of colour in this +animal was derived from a true fish, the Dorado, which does exhibit this +phenomenon.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WHITE_WHALE_Beluga_leucas" id="Illustration_THE_WHITE_WHALE_Beluga_leucas"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 327px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_410_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_410_sml.jpg" width="327" height="251" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WHITE WHALE. (<i>Beluga leucas.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The White Whale</span>, or Beluga, is included among the dolphins. The body is +white, tinged with yellow, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_411" id="page_411"></a>{411}</span> rose-colour, and its proportions are more +agreeable than those of most of the cetacea. It measures from twelve to +eighteen feet in length. White Whales are gregarious, assembling in +flocks or herds, and playing about with rapid and graceful movements. +The female has two young ones at a time, over which she watches with the +greatest apparent affection. They follow all her movements, and do not +quit her till they are nearly full grown. This Whale is generally +confined to the northern latitudes, though one was taken in the Firth of +Forth in 1815. The oil is of excellent quality, and the flesh eats like +beef. According to some writers the flesh, when pickled with vinegar and +salt, is as well tasted as pork; and thus the body, which is generally +thrown away when the sailors have cut off the blubber, might be used by +them as food. The internal membranes are used by the Greenlanders for +windows, and the sinews for thread, and the fins and tail, when properly +prepared, are said by some of the old writers to be good eating.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 240px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_411_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_411_sml.jpg" width="240" height="162" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_412" id="page_412"></a>{412}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PORPOISE_Phocaena_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_PORPOISE_Phocaena_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 256px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_412_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_412_sml.jpg" width="256" height="177" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PORPOISE. (<i>Phocæna vulgaris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Porpoise</span> is one of the cetacea, and nearly allied to the dolphin, +but it has not the beaked snout of that animal. The length of the +Porpoise, from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, is from four +to eight feet, and its girth about two feet and a half. The figure of +the whole body is conical; the colour of the back is deep blue, +inclining to shining black; the sides are grey, becoming white below. +The tail is crescent-shaped. There are only three fins, one on the back, +and one on each shoulder. The eyes are very small. When the flesh is cut +up, it looks very much like pork; but although it was once considered a +sumptuous article of food, and is said to have been occasionally +introduced at the tables of the old English nobility, it certainly has a +disagreeable flavour. Porpoises live on small fish, and appear generally +in large shoals, particularly in the mackerel and herring seasons, at +which time they do very great damage to fishermen, by breaking and +destroying the nets to get at their prey. Their motion in the water is a +kind of circular leap; they dive deep, but soon again rise up in order +to breathe. They are so eager in the pursuit of their prey, that they +sometimes ascend large rivers, and have even been seen above +Westminster<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_413" id="page_413"></a>{413}</span> Bridge. They have no gills, and blow out the water with a +loud noise, which in calm weather may be heard at a great distance. They +are seen nearly in all seas, and are very common upon the British +coasts, where they sport with great activity, chiefly at the approach of +a squall.</p> + +<p>The Grampus (<i>Phocæna Orca</i>) is a species of Porpoise, and a decided and +inveterate enemy to whales; which they attack in great flocks, fastening +round them like so many bull-dogs, making them roar with pain, and +frequently killing and devouring them. They are usually from twenty to +twenty-five feet in length, and in general form and colour resemble the +common Porpoise; but the lower jaw is considerably wider than the upper, +and the body is somewhat broader and more deep in proportion. The +back-fin sometimes measures six feet in length. In one of the poems of +Waller, a story (founded on fact) is recorded of the parental affection +of these animals. A Grampus and her cub had got into an arm of the sea, +where, by the desertion of the tide, they were enclosed on every side. +The men on shore saw their situation, and ran down upon them with such +weapons as they could at the moment collect. The poor animals were soon +wounded in several places, so that all the immediately surrounding water +was stained with their blood. They made many efforts to escape; and the +old one, by superior strength, forced itself over the shallow into the +ocean. But though in safety herself she would not leave her young one in +the hands of assassins. She therefore again rushed in; and seemed +resolved, since she could not prevent, at least to share the fate of her +offspring. The story concludes with poetical justice; for the tide +coming in, conveyed them both off in safety; and it is probable, from +the great thickness of their skins, that their wounds had not been very +deep.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_414" id="page_414"></a>{414}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SEA-UNICORN_OR_NARWHAL" id="Illustration_THE_SEA-UNICORN_OR_NARWHAL"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 296px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_414_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_414_sml.jpg" width="296" height="125" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SEA-UNICORN, OR NARWHAL,<br /><br /> +(<i>Monodon monoceros</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">A marine</span> animal, differing from all the cetacea, to which it belongs, in +not having any teeth, properly so called, and in being armed with a horn +of seven or eight feet in length, which projects from the head. This +horn is white, spirally twisted throughout its whole length, and +tapering to a point: it is harder, whiter, and more valuable than the +ivory of the elephant, and was formerly in high repute for its supposed +medical properties: small ones may be sometimes seen set with an elegant +head as a walking-stick, and large specimens have been employed as +bed-posts. The animal itself is from twenty to forty feet in length, and +is occasionally found with two horns; indeed, there is always the germ +of a second horn both in the male and female, though it is rarely +developed in the former, and never in the latter, from which we may +conjecture that the females trust entirely to the males for their +defence, as we know is the case with several of the mammalia. When there +is only one horn, it is always on the left side of the head; and when +there are two, the horn on the left side is always larger than the +other. This animal chiefly inhabits the arctic seas, and its food is +said to consist of the smaller kinds of flat fish and other marine +animals; its horn is useful in breaking away the ice when it wants to +come up to breathe. The blubber supplies a small quantity of very fine +oil, and the Greenlanders are very partial to the flesh.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_415" id="page_415"></a>{415}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MANATEE_Manatus_Australis" id="Illustration_THE_MANATEE_Manatus_Australis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_415_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_415_sml.jpg" width="300" height="198" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MANATEE, (<i>Manatus Australis</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Also</span> called the Sea Cow, is a great deal smaller than the other cetacea +just described, and differs from them in its diet, which consists +entirely of marine plants. It haunts the coasts and estuaries of South +America, and measures nine or ten feet in length; its head is +comparatively small, its jaws are furnished only with grinding-teeth, of +which it has thirty-two, its skin is provided with a good many scattered +bristles, and its flippers, or fins, with four small nails. This animal +not unfrequently raises its head and shoulders out of the water, when it +is said to have some resemblance to a human being, and it is probable +that the distant view of a nearly related species, the <i>Lamantin</i>, which +inhabits the shores of Africa, may have given the ancients their first +notion of the Mermaid. The Manatee is captured with harpoons, and its +flesh is said to be very good eating. When salted and dried it will keep +for a year. It also furnishes an excellent oil, and its skin is used for +making harness and whips. The Dugong (<i>Halicore Dugong</i>) is a very +similar animal, inhabiting the eastern seas. It grows to a length of +eighteen or twenty feet.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_416" id="page_416"></a>{416}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="II_Cartilaginous_Fishes" id="II_Cartilaginous_Fishes"></a>§ II. <i>Cartilaginous Fishes.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_STURGEON_Acipenser_sturio" id="Illustration_THE_STURGEON_Acipenser_sturio"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 305px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_416_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_416_sml.jpg" width="305" height="113" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE STURGEON, (<i>Acipenser sturio</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Sometimes</span> grows to the length of eight or ten feet, and has been found +to weigh five hundred pounds. It has a long, slender, pointed nose, +small eyes, and a small mouth destitute of teeth, placed beneath and +unsupported by the maxillæ; so that when the animal is dead, the mouth +remains always open. The body is covered with five rows of large bony +tubercles, and the under side is flat; it has one dorsal fin, two +pectoral, two ventral, and one anal. The upper part of the body is of a +muddy olive colour, and the under part silvery. The tail is bifurcated, +the upper part being much longer than the under. Sturgeons subsist +principally on insects and marine plants, which they find at the bottom +of the water, where they mostly resort.</p> + +<p>The Sturgeon annually ascends our rivers in the summer, particularly +those of the Eden and Esk; and when caught, as it sometimes is, in the +salmon-nets, it scarcely makes any resistance, but is drawn out of the +water apparently lifeless. One of the largest Sturgeons ever caught in +our rivers was taken in the Esk a good many years ago: it weighed four +hundred and sixty pounds. This fish is found in most of the rivers in +Europe; it is also common in those of North America, and especially in +the lakes and rivers of Northern Asia.</p> + +<p>The flesh of the Sturgeon is delicious; and it was so much valued in the +time of the Emperor Severus, that it<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_417" id="page_417"></a>{417}</span> was brought to table by servants +with coronets on their heads, and preceded by music. In London, every +Sturgeon that is caught in the Thames is presented by the Lord Mayor to +the Sovereign. The roe, when preserved with salt and oil, is called +<i>caviar</i>, and is a favourite dish with many persons; the best is made in +Russia. The flesh is also pickled or salted, and sent all over Europe. +So prolific is this fish, that Catesby says the females frequently +contain a bushel of spawn each; and Leeuwenhoek found in the roe of one +of them no fewer than one hundred and fifty thousand million eggs!</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SHARK" id="Illustration_THE_SHARK"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 295px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_417_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_417_sml.jpg" width="295" height="191" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SHARK.<br /><br /> +(<i>Squalus carcharias</i>, or <i>Carcharias vulgaris</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Increasing still the terrors of the storms,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His jaws horrific arm’d with threefold fate,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Here dwells the direful Shark.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Shark</span> differs from the whale in not being one of the mammalia. It is +cold-blooded, and does not suckle its young. It has no lungs, and its +mode of breathing is like that of other fishes, except that its gills +are fixed, and the water escapes by five apertures on each side. The +body of the Shark is elongated, and tapers gradually from the head to +the tail, or is very slightly dilated in the middle. Its muzzle or nose +is rounded, and projects very much over the mouth, the nostrils being +situated<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_418" id="page_418"></a>{418}</span> on the under side. The male shark is smaller than the female, +and differs from it in appearance, in possessing two elongated +appendages, one of which is attached to the hinder edge of each of the +ventral fins. The purpose which these appendages are intended to serve +is not known. Some of the Sharks produce their young alive, and others +lay eggs contained in horny cases of an oblong shape, with long tendrils +at each of the four corners. After the young Sharks are hatched, these +curious cases are often washed on shore, and are called mermaids’ +purses.</p> + +<p>The bones of the Shark are like gristle, and very different from those +of most other fishes. Hence all the fishes with bones similar to those +of the Shark are placed in a separate order, and called cartilaginous +fishes.</p> + +<p>The White Shark is sometimes found weighing nearly two thousand pounds. +The throat is often large enough to swallow a man; and a human body has +sometimes been found entire in the stomach of this tremendous animal. He +is furnished with six rows of sharp triangular teeth, which amount in +all to a hundred and forty-four, serrated on their edges, and capable of +being erected or depressed at pleasure, owing to a curious muscular +mechanism in the palate and jaws of the Shark. The whole body and fins +are of a light ash-colour; the skin rough, and employed to smooth +cabinet work, or to cover small boxes or cases. His eyes are large and +staring, and he possesses great muscular strength in his tail and fins. +Whenever he spies, from the deepest recesses of the sea, a man swimming +or diving, he darts from the place, up to his prey, and if unable to +take in the whole, or snatch away a limb, he follows for a long time the +boat or vessel in which the more nimble swimmer has found a safe and +opportune retreat: but seldom does he let any one escape his jaws, and +get off entire. Sir Brook Watson was swimming at a little distance from +a ship, when he saw a Shark making towards him. Struck with terror at +its approach, he cried out for assistance. A rope was instantly thrown; +but even while the men were in the act of drawing him up the ship’s +side, the monster darted after him, and, at a single snap, tore off his +leg.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_419" id="page_419"></a>{419}</span></p> + +<p>We are told that, in the reign of Queen Anne, some of the men of an +English merchant-ship, which had arrived at Barbadoes, were one day +bathing in the sea, when a large Shark appeared, and was rushing upon +them. A person from the ship called out to warn them of their danger; on +which they all immediately swam to the vessel, and arrived in perfect +safety, except one poor man, who was cut in two by the Shark, almost +within reach of the oars. A comrade and intimate friend of the +unfortunate victim, when he observed the severed trunk of his companion, +was seized with a degree of horror that words cannot describe. The +insatiate Shark was seen traversing the bloody surface in search of the +remainder of his prey, when the brave youth plunged into the water, +determining either to make the Shark disgorge, or to be buried himself +in the same grave. He held in his hand a long and sharp-pointed knife, +and the rapacious animal pushed furiously towards him; he had turned on +his side, and had opened his enormous jaws, in order to seize him, when +the youth, diving dexterously under, seized him with his left hand, +somewhere about the upper fins, and stabbed him several times in the +belly. The Shark, enraged with pain, and streaming with blood, plunged +in all directions in order to disengage himself from his enemy. The +crews of the surrounding vessels saw that the combat was decided; but +they were ignorant which was slain, until the Shark, weakened by loss of +blood, made towards the shore, and along with him his conqueror; who, +flushed with victory, pushed his foe with redoubled ardour, and, by the +aid of an ebbing tide, dragged him on shore. Here he ripped up the +bowels of the animal, obtained the severed remainder of his friend’s +body, and buried it with the trunk in the same grave. This story, +however incredible it may appear, is related in the History of +Barbadoes, on the most satisfactory authority.</p> + +<p>Had nature allowed this fish to seize his prey with as much facility as +many others, the Shark tribe would have soon depopulated the ocean, and +reigned alone in the vast regions of the sea, till hunger would have +forced<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_420" id="page_420"></a>{420}</span> them to attack and ultimately destroy each other; but the upper +jaw of this devouring animal, is so constructed as to offer, by its +prominency, an impediment to the Shark’s easily seizing his prey; and +consequently when on the point of catching hold of anything, he is +obliged to turn on one side, which troublesome evolution often gives the +object of his pursuit time to escape. The flesh of this fish is of a +disagreeable taste, and cannot be eaten with any kind of relish, except +the part near the tail.</p> + +<p>Twenty different species of this family are known, and the number of +different families of the Shark tribe is very great.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_GREENLAND_SHARK_Selachus_maximus" id="THE_GREENLAND_SHARK_Selachus_maximus"></a>THE GREENLAND SHARK, (<i>Selachus maximus</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> another very voracious species; and one extremely difficult to kill. +It is the great enemy of the whale, and devours the bodies of those left +by the fishers. Its teeth are very small, pointed, and numerous. The +snout is short. It is sometimes known as the Basking Shark.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_DOG-FISHES" id="Illustration_THE_DOG-FISHES"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_420_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_420_sml.jpg" width="324" height="201" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE DOG-FISHES</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Are</span> so excessively voracious, that they are altogether<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_421" id="page_421"></a>{421}</span> fearless of +mankind. They follow vessels with great eagerness, seizing with avidity +everything eatable that is thrown overboard; and have sometimes been +known to throw themselves on fishermen, and on persons bathing in the +sea. As, however, they are much smaller and weaker than most of the +other Sharks, they do not always attack their enemies by open force, but +generally have recourse to stratagem. They, consequently, conceal +themselves in the mud, and lie in ambush, like the ray or skate-fish, +(also one of the cartilaginous fishes,) until they have an opportunity +of successfully attacking their prey. On the coasts of Scarborough, +where haddocks, cod, and Dog-fish are in great abundance, the fishermen +universally believe that the Dog-fish make a line or semicircle to +encompass a shoal of haddocks and cod, confining them within certain +limits near the shore, and eating them as occasion requires: they are +therefore considered very destructive to this fishery. The flesh of the +Dog-fish is hard and disagreeable; its skin, when dried, is made into +the well-known <i>shagreen</i>, and from the liver a considerable quantity of +oil may be extracted. Shagreen is also made from the skin of other +cartilaginous fishes.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_HAMMER-HEADED_SHARK_Zygaena_malleus" id="THE_HAMMER-HEADED_SHARK_Zygaena_malleus"></a>THE HAMMER-HEADED SHARK, (<i>Zygæna malleus</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a very curious kind, having a transverse head like that of a hammer, +with an eye at each extremity; and the Fox-Shark, or Thresher +(<i>Carcharias vulpes</i>), is remarkable for the enormous length of the +upper lobe of its tail, with which it is able to strike with tremendous +force. This fish is one of the great enemies of the whale.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_422" id="page_422"></a>{422}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SKATE_Raia_batis" id="Illustration_THE_SKATE_Raia_batis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 234px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_422_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_422_sml.jpg" width="234" height="134" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SKATE, (<i>Raia batis</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a species of the Ray, which was long disregarded in this country as a +coarse, bad-tasted food, but which now appears upon our best tables. It +is still, however, disregarded in Scotland and the north of England, +where its flesh is principally used as a bait for other fish. On some +parts of the continent, where these fish are caught in great abundance, +they are dried for sale. The best season for Skate is the spring of the +year. The body is broad and flat, of a brown colour on the back, and +white on the lower side: the head is not distinct from the body, so that +this fish and all belonging to this genus are apparently acephalous, or +without a head. The peculiar form of this fish is owing to the large +size of the pectoral fins, which extend from the head to the base of the +tail, and are very wide in the middle, and so, combined with the +sharpness of the snout, give the fish the shape known as rhomboidal. Dr. +Monro has remarked, that in the gills of a large Skate there are upwards +of one hundred and forty-four thousand subdivisions, or folds; and that +the whole extent of this membrane, whose surface is nearly equal to that +of the whole human body, may be seen by a microscope to be covered with +a network of vessels, that are not only extremely minute, but +exquisitely beautiful. The tail of the Skate is long, and generally +prickly. The mouth is, as it were, paved with teeth, which are flat, and +nearly square in shape. In the full-grown male the centre teeth are +pointed, at least in some species. The eggs<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_423" id="page_423"></a>{423}</span> deposited by the female +Skate are very similar to those laid by the shark, being in the shape of +a square bag, with two horns at each end as here represented.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 211px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_423_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_423_sml.jpg" width="211" height="119" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p>In this horny case the embryo is contained, and grows till it has +acquired strength enough to burst through its prison. The colour of the +bag is maroon, and the substance like thin brown parchment or leather. +The female begins to drop these singly in the month of May, and +continues to do so for several months, to the number of two or three +hundred. In some parts of Cumberland they are called, by the common +people, Skatebarrows, on account of their resemblance to the barrows +which are carried by two men, and used for the conveyance of goods, &c.</p> + +<p>The Skate sometimes attains a very large size. Willoughby speaks of one +so huge that it would have served one hundred and twenty men for dinner. +Some naturalists are of opinion that these fishes are the largest +inhabitants of the deep, and that only the smallest of them come near +the surface of the water, the biggest remaining flat at the bottom of +the sea, where an unfathomable deep secures them against the wiles of +man.</p> + +<p>Nine species of the Skate or Ray are found on the British coasts.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_424" id="page_424"></a>{424}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_THORNBACK_Raia_clavata" id="Illustration_THE_THORNBACK_Raia_clavata"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 308px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_424_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_424_sml.jpg" width="308" height="191" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE THORNBACK, (<i>Raia clavata</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Resembles</span> the Skate in its general appearance; the principal difference +consists in the latter having sharp teeth, and a single row of spines +upon the tail, while the former has blunt teeth, and several rows of +spines both upon the back and tail. A Thornback was caught near the +island of St. Kitt’s, in the year 1634, which measured twelve feet in +length, and nearly ten in width. It is sometimes eaten in England, but +as its flesh is inferior to that of the Skate, it is generally sold at a +low price. The young ones, however, which have the denomination of +<i>Maids</i>, are delicate eating.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_425" id="page_425"></a>{425}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TORPEDO_OR_ELECTRIC_RAY" id="Illustration_THE_TORPEDO_OR_ELECTRIC_RAY"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 297px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_425_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_425_sml.jpg" width="297" height="153" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TORPEDO, OR ELECTRIC RAY.<br /><br /> +(<i>Torpedo vulgaris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> curious fish is capable of giving a violent shock, like that +produced by the electrical machine, to the person who handles it. The +body is nearly circular, and thicker than any other of the Ray kind, and +is sometimes so large as to weigh between seventy and eighty pounds. The +skin is smooth, of a dusky brown colour, and white underneath. The +ventral fins form on each side, at the end of the body, nearly a quarter +of a circle. The tail is short, and the two dorsal fins are near its +origin. The mouth is small, and as in the other species, there are on +each side below it five breathing apertures.</p> + +<p>The shock imparted by the touch of the Cramp-fish, as the Torpedo is +vulgarly called, is often attended with a sudden sickness at the +stomach, a general tremor, a kind of convulsion, and sometimes a total +suspension of the faculties of the mind. Such power of self-defence has +Providence allowed this lumpish and inactive fish. Whenever an enemy +approaches, the Torpedo emits from its body that benumbing shock, which +incapacitates the other instantly, and it thereby gets time to escape. +Nor is it merely a means of defence, but an advantage in other respects, +for the Torpedo thus benumbs its prey, and easily seizes upon it. The +animals thus killed are also supposed to become more easy of digestion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_426" id="page_426"></a>{426}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MONK-FISH_OR_ANGEL-FISH" id="Illustration_THE_MONK-FISH_OR_ANGEL-FISH"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 280px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_426_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_426_sml.jpg" width="280" height="117" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MONK-FISH, OR ANGEL-FISH,<br /><br /> +(<i>Squatina Angelus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> very voracious, and feeds upon all kinds of flat fish, as soles, +flounders, &c. It is often caught on the coasts of Great Britain, and of +such a size as to weigh sometimes a hundred pounds. This fish seems to +be of a middle nature between the rays and sharks, and is called by +Pliny the Squatina; a name which seems to bring this species near that +of the skate. Its head is large; the mouth has five rows of teeth, which +are capable of being raised or depressed at pleasure. The back is of a +pale ash-colour; the belly white and smooth. The shores of Cornwall are +often frequented by this fish, but its flesh does not deserve to be +praised, being hard, and of a very indifferent flavour.</p> + +<p>It is supposed to have acquired the name of Angel-fish, from its +extended pectoral fins bearing some similarity to wings, certainly, as +Mr. Yarrell has remarked, not for its beauty; and of monk-fish, from its +rounded head, appearing as if enveloped in a monk’s hood. The skin is +rather rough, and is used for polishing, and other works in the arts. +Mr. Donovan says that the Turks of the present day make shagreen of it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_427" id="page_427"></a>{427}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SAW-FISH_Tristis_antiquorum" id="Illustration_THE_SAW-FISH_Tristis_antiquorum"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 272px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_427a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_427a_sml.jpg" width="272" height="81" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SAW-FISH. (<i>Tristis antiquorum.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> fish is found in the European and Atlantic seas. Its body is +flattened anteriorly with four or five branchial openings below on each +side; two spiracles behind the eyes; no anal fin; the head prolonged +into a depressed bony beak, with strong pointed spines on each side; the +lips are rough and sharp like a file, supplying the place of teeth. With +its formidable weapon, which resembles a toothed saw, this fish attacks +the largest whales, and inflicts very severe wounds. The colour of its +body is of a greyish brown above, and paler below; its length about +fifteen feet, the saw being about a third of the whole.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LAMPREY_Petromyzon_marinus" id="Illustration_THE_LAMPREY_Petromyzon_marinus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 215px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_427b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_427b_sml.jpg" width="215" height="94" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LAMPREY. (<i>Petromyzon marinus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Lamprey</span> belongs to the last family of cartilaginous fishes, and is +one of the lowest in the scale of vertebrated animals. It grows to the +length of about three feet, although the British species, with which we +are best acquainted, seldom exceeds twelve inches. To avoid the constant +muscular exertions necessary to prevent their being carried away by the +current, they attach themselves by the mouth to stones or rocks, and +hence are called <i>Petromyzon</i>, Stone-suckers. The Lamprey, although<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_428" id="page_428"></a>{428}</span> no +longer maintaining its ancient repute, is still considered a delicacy; +those taken in the Severn being preferred to all others. Henry the +First, as is well known, died of a surfeit of them; and in the reign of +Henry the Fourth their importation was encouraged by immunities. The +Roman epicures prized this fish so highly, that they bestowed the utmost +care, and expended enormous sums in rearing them. Pliny tells us that +Lucullus formed a fish-pond of such extent, that the fish it contained +were, at his death, sold for four million sesterces. These polished +barbarians sometimes threw a slave into the ponds where they kept their +<i>Murœnæ</i>, or Lampreys, and considered that by this means they +fattened the fish and gave them a superior flavour.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HAG-FISH_Myxine_glutinosa" id="Illustration_THE_HAG-FISH_Myxine_glutinosa"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 270px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_428_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_428_sml.jpg" width="270" height="125" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HAG-FISH, (<i>Myxine glutinosa</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">A cartilaginous fish</span>, which in its general appearance bears a near +resemblance to the Lamprey. Its colour is dusky bluish above, and +reddish towards the head and tail; its length from four to six inches. +The Hag-fish is remarkable for its total want of eyes; its mouth is of +an oblong form, with two beards or cirri on each side, and on the upper +part four. On the top of the head is a small spout-hole, furnished with +a valve, by which it can be closed at pleasure. A double row of pores +extends beneath the body, from one extremity to the other, which on +pressure exude a quantity of viscid fluid, which, when attacked by large +fish, the Hag throws out, so as to cloud the surrounding element in such +a manner as to render itself invisible to its assailants. “The habits of +this fish are highly singular: it will enter the bodies of such<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_429" id="page_429"></a>{429}</span> fishes +as it happens to find on the fishermen’s hooks, and which consequently +have lost the power of escaping its attack; and gnawing its way through +the skin, will devour all the internal parts, leaving only the bones and +the skin. If put into a large vessel of sea-water, it is said in a very +short space to render the whole water so glutinous that it may easily be +drawn out in the form of threads.”</p> + +<h3><a name="III_Bony_Fishes" id="III_Bony_Fishes"></a>§ III. <i>Bony Fishes.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PILOT-FISH_Naucrates_ductor" id="Illustration_THE_PILOT-FISH_Naucrates_ductor"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 303px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_429_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_429_sml.jpg" width="303" height="122" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PILOT-FISH. (<i>Naucrates ductor.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> body of this fish is long, the head compressed, rounding off in +front, without scales as far as the operculum. The mouth is small, the +jaws of equal length, and furnished with small teeth; the palate has a +curved row of similar teeth in front, and the tongue has teeth all +along. The colour varies in several species. The Pilot-fish will +frequently attend a ship during its course at sea for weeks, or even +months together; and there are many curious stories told respecting its +habits, in occasionally directing a shark where to find a good meal, and +also in warning him how to avoid a dangerous bait. Whether this be true +or not will be difficult to determine; but it is certain that this +little fish is generally found in company with the shark, and picks up +the smaller pieces of food which his predatory master drops, either by +accident or design.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_430" id="page_430"></a>{430}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_REMORA_OR_SUCKING-FISH" id="Illustration_THE_REMORA_OR_SUCKING-FISH"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 248px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_430_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_430_sml.jpg" width="248" height="84" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE REMORA, OR SUCKING-FISH,<br /><br /> +(<i>Echeneis Remora</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Resembles</span> the herring; its head is thick, naked, depressed, and marked +on the upper side with a curious sucker composed of numerous transverse, +movable, serrated plates. The fins are seven in number; the under jaw is +longer than the upper, and both furnished with teeth. This fish is +provided by nature with a strong adhesive power, and, by means of the +grooved space on its head, can attach itself to any animal or body +whatever. We might suppose that a small fish with seven acting fins, +armed like a galley with oars, would have a great power of motion in the +water, but, for some reason unknown to us, Providence has contrived for +him an easier way of travelling, by enabling him to fix himself to the +hull of a ship, and even to the body of a larger animal than himself, as +the whale, the shark, and others. Our forefathers believed that, small +as he is, this fish had the power of arresting the progress of a ship in +its fastest sailing by adhering to the bottom.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The Sucking-fish beneath, with secret chains,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Clung to the keel, the swiftest ship detains.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The seamen run confused, no labour spared,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Let fly the sheets, and hoist the topmast yard.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The master bids them give her all the sails,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">To court the winds and catch the coming gales.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">But, though the canvas bellies with the blast,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And boisterous winds bend down the cracking mast,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The bark stands firmly rooted in the sea,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And will, unmoved, nor winds nor waves obey:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Still, as when calms have flatted all the plain,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And infant waves scarce wrinkle on the main.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">No ship in harbour moor’d so careless rides,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">When ruffling waters tell the flowing tides;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Appall’d, the sailors stare, through strange surprise,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Believe they dream, and rub their waking eyes.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_431" id="page_431"></a>{431}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SEA-WOLF_OR_SEA-BAT" id="Illustration_THE_SEA-WOLF_OR_SEA-BAT"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 278px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_431_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_431_sml.jpg" width="278" height="151" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SEA-WOLF, OR SEA-BAT,<br /><br /> +(<i>Anarrhichas lupus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> often caught in the European seas; and is about five or six feet in +length, and has a larger and flatter head than the shark. The back, +sides, and fins are of a bluish colour; the body is nearly white; the +whole skin is smooth and slippery, without any appearance of scales. It +is of a very voracious nature, and has a double row of sharp and round +teeth, both in the upper and lower jaw. Its appetite, however, does not +lead it to destroy fishes similar in shape to itself, as it is supposed +to feed chiefly on crustaceous and molluscous animals, whose shells it +breaks easily with its teeth. It is sometimes found in the northern seas +exceeding twelve feet in length, and owes its name to its natural +fierceness and voracity. The fishermen dread its bite, and endeavour as +speedily as possible to strike out its fore-teeth, which are so strong, +that they are capable of leaving an impression on an anchor. The fins +nearest the head spread themselves, when the animal is swimming, in the +shape of two large fans, and their motion contributes considerably to +accelerate its natural swiftness. The flesh is good, and as it bears +salting well it is an important article of food to the Icelanders, in +whose seas this fish occurs in great abundance and of large size.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_432" id="page_432"></a>{432}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HORNED_SILURE" id="Illustration_THE_HORNED_SILURE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_432_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_432_sml.jpg" width="300" height="157" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HORNED SILURE,<br /><br /> +(<i>Silurus</i>, or <i>Ageneiosus militaris</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Grows</span> to a large size, weighing sometimes three hundred pounds, and +measuring eight to ten feet in length, and two in breadth. It has a +broad, flat, thin head; and the horns, which are on each side of the +upper lip, are armed with short crooked spines, like teeth. A remarkable +peculiarity in this fish is the dorsal fin, which is close to the head, +and is long, stiff, dentated like the horns, and is, no doubt, an +instrument of defence. In colour it resembles the eel, and has no +scales; only one small fin on the back, and a forked tail; its flesh is +esteemed next to that of the eel, and has a similar flavour. This fish +is a great depredator, and makes considerable havoc among the smaller +inhabitants of the rivers and lakes which it inhabits. It is a native of +the fresh waters of Asia. The Danube, and several other rivers of +Germany, and the lakes of Switzerland and Bavaria contain numerous +specimens of Silurus.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_433" id="page_433"></a>{433}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FATHER_LASHER_Cottus_scorpius" id="Illustration_THE_FATHER_LASHER_Cottus_scorpius"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 248px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_433a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_433a_sml.jpg" width="248" height="118" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FATHER LASHER. (<i>Cottus scorpius.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> whimsical denomination of Father Lasher, given to this fish, cannot +be easily accounted for; perhaps it may be ascribable to the quick and +repeated lashings of its tail, when the fish is caught and thrown upon +the sand. The length is about eight or nine inches, and it is usually +found under stones, on the rocky coasts of our island. In Greenland +these fish are so numerous, that the inhabitants depend largely upon +them for their food. When made into soup, they are nutritive and +wholesome. The head is large, and armed with spines, by which this fish +combats every enemy that attacks it, swelling out its cheeks and +gill-covers to an unusual size. Its colour is a dull brown, mottled with +white, and sometimes mixed with red; the fins and tail are transparent, +and the lower part of the body a shining white.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SWORD-FISH_Xiphias_gladius" id="Illustration_THE_SWORD-FISH_Xiphias_gladius"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 296px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_433b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_433b_sml.jpg" width="296" height="119" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SWORD-FISH, (<i>Xiphias gladius</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> belongs to the mackerel family, has received its<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_434" id="page_434"></a>{434}</span> name from its +long snout resembling the blade of a sword. It sometimes weighs above +one hundred pounds, and is fifteen or even twenty feet in length. The +body is of a conical form, black on the back, white under the body; the +mouth large, with no teeth; the tail is remarkably forked. The +Sword-fish is often taken off the coast of Italy, in the Bay of Naples, +and about Sicily. They are struck at by the fishermen, and their flesh +is considered as good as that of the sturgeon by the Sicilians, who seem +to be particularly fond of it. Other European seas are not destitute of +this curious animal.</p> + +<p>The Sword-fish and the whale are said never to meet without coming to +battle; and the former has the reputation of being always the aggressor. +Sometimes two Sword-fishes join against one whale; in which case the +combat is by no means equal. The whale uses his tail in his defence; he +dives deeply into the water, head foremost, and makes such a blow with +his tail, that, should it take effect, it kills the Sword-fish at a +single stroke; but the latter is in general sufficiently adroit to avoid +it, and immediately rushes at the whale, and buries its weapon in his +side. When the whale discovers the Sword-fish darting upon him, he dives +to the bottom, but is closely pursued by his antagonist, who compels him +again to rise to the surface. The battle then begins afresh, and lasts +until the Sword-fish loses sight of the whale, who is at length +compelled to swim off, which his superior agility enables him to do. In +piercing the whale’s body with the tremendous weapon at his snout, the +Sword-fish seldom inflicts a dangerous wound, not being able to +penetrate beyond the blubber. This animal can drive its sword with such +force into the keel of a ship, as to bury it wholly in the timber. A +part of the bottom of a vessel, with the sword imbedded in it, is to be +seen in the British Museum.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_435" id="page_435"></a>{435}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FLYING_SCORPION" id="Illustration_THE_FLYING_SCORPION"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 287px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_435_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_435_sml.jpg" width="287" height="163" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FLYING SCORPION.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">How</span> admirable is Nature! how extensive her power and how various the +forms with which she has surrounded the united elements of animated +matter! From the uncouth shape of the wallowing whale, of the unwieldy +hippopotamus, or ponderous elephant, to the light and elegant form of +the painted moth or fluttering humming-bird, she seems to have exhausted +all ideas, all conceptions, and not to have left a single figure +untried. The fish represented above is one of those, in the outlines and +decorations of which appear the discordant qualities of frightfulness +and beauty. Armed <i>cap-à-pie</i>, surrounded with spines and thorns +bristling on his back, and fins like an armed phalanx of lance-bearers, +and decorated on the body with yellow ribands, interwoven with white +fillets, and on the purple fins of his breast with the milky dots of the +pintado, the Sea Scorpion presents a very extraordinary contrast. His +eyes, like those of which poets sang when celebrating the Nereids and +Naiads, consist of black pupils, surrounded with a silver iris, radiated +with alternate divisions of blue and black. The rays of the dorsal fin +are spiny, spotted brown and yellow, conjoined below by a dark brown +membrane, and separate above; the ventral fins are violet with white +drops, and the tail and anal fins are a sort of tesselated work of blue, +black, and white, united with the greatest symmetry,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_436" id="page_436"></a>{436}</span> and not unlike +those ancient fragments of Roman pavements often found in this island.</p> + +<p>This variegated fish is found in the rivers of Amboyna and Japan; its +flesh is white, firm, and well tasting, like our perch, but it does not +grow so large; it is of a very voracious disposition, feeding on the +young of other fish, some of which, two inches in length, have been +found in its craw. The skin has both the appearance and smoothness of +parchment. To the tremendous armour of its back, fins, and tail, this +fish owes the name of Scorpion.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LUMP-SUCKER_OR_SEA-OWL" id="Illustration_THE_LUMP-SUCKER_OR_SEA-OWL"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 230px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_436_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_436_sml.jpg" width="230" height="122" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LUMP-SUCKER, OR SEA-OWL.<br /><br /> +(<i>Cyclopterus lumpus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> odd-shaped fish derives its name chiefly from the clumsiness of its +form; it is also called the Cock Paddle. Its colour, when in the highest +perfection, combines various shades of blue, purple, and rich orange; +the abdomen is red; it has no scales, but on all sides sharp black +tubercles, in shape like warts; on each side are three rows of sharp +prickles, and on the back two distinct fins. The great resort of this +species is in the Northern seas, about the coast of Greenland; it is +also caught in many parts of the British seas during the spring season, +when it approaches the shore for the purpose of depositing its spawn; +and in the month of March it may be seen at the stalls of the London +markets. This unseemly fish is usually about a foot in length, and ten +or more inches in breadth, and sometimes weighs seven pounds. The flesh +is but indifferent.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_437" id="page_437"></a>{437}</span></p> + +<p>The Lump-sucker is very remarkable for the manner in which its ventral +fins are arranged. They are united by a membrane so as to form a kind of +oval and concave disc, by means of which it is enabled to adhere with +great force to any substance to which it fastens itself. Pennant says, +that, on throwing an individual of this species into a pail of water, it +adhered so firmly to the bottom that, on taking the fish by the tail, +the whole pail was lifted up, though it held some gallons.</p> + +<p>In the Northern seas great numbers of the different species of +Lump-suckers are devoured by the seals, who swallow all but the skins, +quantities of which thus emptied are seen floating about in the spring +months; it is said that the spots where the seals carry on their +depredations can be readily distinguished by the smoothness of the +water.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_OCELLATED_SUCKER" id="Illustration_THE_OCELLATED_SUCKER"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 275px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_437_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_437_sml.jpg" width="275" height="233" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE OCELLATED SUCKER,<br /><br /> +(<i>Lepadogaster cornubicus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Another</span> Malacopterygious fish, a relative of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page_438" id="page_438"></a>{438}</span>Lump-sucker, and +chiefly remarkable for the singular appendage observable on its head. It +possesses similar tenacity of suction. The utility of this faculty to +animals inhabiting the rocky shores and turbulent seas of Greenland is +sufficiently obvious.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ANGLER_Lophius_piscatorius" id="Illustration_THE_ANGLER_Lophius_piscatorius"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 289px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_438_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_438_sml.jpg" width="289" height="129" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ANGLER. (<i>Lophius piscatorius.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> extraordinary fish is occasionally met with on our coasts, and is +commonly known by the names of the Fishing Frog, Toad Fish, and Sea +Devil. In shape it is the most uncouth and unsightly of the piscatory +tribe, resembling the frog in its tadpole state. It grows to a large +size. A specimen taken in the sea, near Scarborough, was between four +and five feet in length, the head considerably larger than the body, +round at the circumference, flat above; the mouth is of a prodigious +size, being a yard in width, and armed with sharp teeth. It lives, as it +were, in ambush at the bottom of the sea, and by means of its fins stirs +up the mud and sand, so as to conceal itself from other fishes on whom +it preys. The manner in which it procures its prey is very +extraordinary, the peculiarity of its construction forbidding the +possibility of rapid movement. Two long tough filaments are placed above +the nose, each of them furnished with a thin appendage, closely +resembling a fishing-line when baited and flung out. The back is +provided with three others, united by a web, and forming the first +dorsal fin. Pliny notices these remarkable appendages, and explains +their use. “The Fishing<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_439" id="page_439"></a>{439}</span> Frog,” says he, “puts forth the slender horns +situated beneath his eyes, enticing by that means the little fish to +play around till they come within his reach, when he springs upon them.” +But it is not only the lesser inhabitants of the water that the Angler +ensnares! Codfish of good size are often found in his stomach, and he +occasionally seizes upon fishes as they are being drawn up by the line. +Mr. Yarrell mentions an instance of an Angler attacking a conger-eel +under these circumstances: the eel wriggled through the branchial +aperture of his captor, and both were drawn up together.</p> + +<p>Cicero also notices this extraordinary creature, in his Treatise on the +Nature of the Gods. He observed its wonderful construction when musing +on the shores of Sicily.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FOUR-HORNED_TRUNK_FISH" id="Illustration_THE_FOUR-HORNED_TRUNK_FISH"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 251px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_439_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_439_sml.jpg" width="251" height="103" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FOUR-HORNED TRUNK FISH.<br /><br /> +(<i>Ostracion quadricornis.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> singular fishes are distinguished from most others by the bony +covering which envelopes them. The head and body are covered with plates +of bone, forming an inflexible cuirass, and leaving exposed only the +tail, fins, mouth, and a portion of the gill opening. They have no +ventral fins, and the dorsal and anal are placed far back. Their liver +is large, and abounds with oil. The Trunk-fish is a native of the Indian +and American seas. Some of the species are considered excellent eating.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_440" id="page_440"></a>{440}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GLOBE_FISH_Tetraodon_hispidus" id="Illustration_THE_GLOBE_FISH_Tetraodon_hispidus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 258px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_440_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_440_sml.jpg" width="258" height="129" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GLOBE FISH, (<i>Tetraodon hispidus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> an oblong fish, inhabiting the seas of Carolina, and endowed with an +extraordinary power of swelling its under surface into a large globe. +This sudden enlargement not only alarms the enemies of the Tetrodon, but +prevents them from making good their hold, by presenting to their grasp +little more than an inflated bag. It is also covered with spines, which +merely adhere to the skin, and are capable of being erected on any +sudden emergency; thus giving to an innocent and defenceless creature a +most formidable appearance.</p> + +<p>When inflated, they roll over on their backs, floating in this position, +without any power of directing their course. Some species are reckoned +poisonous. One is electrical, (<i>Tetraodon lineatus</i>,) and is found in +the Nile; when left on shore by the inundations, it always inflates its +body, becomes dried in this condition, and is then picked up by the +children, and used as a ball.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_441" id="page_441"></a>{441}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SUN_FISH_Orthagoriscus_mola" id="Illustration_THE_SUN_FISH_Orthagoriscus_mola"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 146px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_441_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_441_sml.jpg" width="146" height="227" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SUN FISH, (<i>Orthagoriscus mola</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Appears</span> like the fore part of the body of a large fish, which has been +amputated in the middle. The mouth is small, with two broad teeth only +in each jaw. Its nearly circular form, and the silvery whiteness of the +sides, together with their brilliant phosphorescence during the night, +have obtained for it very generally the appellations of sun or moon +fish. While swimming, it turns round like a wheel, and sometimes floats +with its head above water, when it appears like a dying fish. It grows +to a large size; sometimes being four or five feet in length, and +weighing from three to five hundred pounds. The back of this curious +marine animal is of a rich blue colour. It frequents the coasts of both +the ancient and new continent, and has been found on the shores of +England.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_442" id="page_442"></a>{442}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CAVALLO-MARINO_OR_SEA-HORSE" id="Illustration_THE_CAVALLO-MARINO_OR_SEA-HORSE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 212px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_442_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_442_sml.jpg" width="212" height="174" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CAVALLO-MARINO, OR SEA-HORSE.<br /><br /> +(<i>Hippocampus brevirostris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is a small fish, of a curious shape. The length is from six to ten, +and sometimes twelve, inches; the head bears some resemblance to that of +a horse, whence originates its name. A series of longitudinal and +transverse ridges run from the head to the tail, which is spirally +curved and prehensile.</p> + +<p>The following account of two specimens taken alive at Guernsey, in June, +1835, by F. C. Lukis, Esq., is extracted from Yarrell’s “British +Fishes.” These creatures were kept about twelve days in a glass vessel, +and their actions were equally novel and amusing. “An appearance of +search for a resting-place induced me,” says Mr. Lukis, “to consult +their wishes, by placing seaweed and straws in the vessel: the desired +effect was obtained, and has afforded me much to reflect upon in their +habits. They now exhibit many of their peculiarities, and few subjects +of the deep have displayed, <i>in prison</i>, more sport or more +intelligence.</p> + +<p>“When swimming about, they maintain a vertical position; but the tail is +ready to grasp whatever meets it in the water, quickly entwines in any +direction round the weeds, and, when fixed, the animal intently watches +the surrounding objects, and darts at its prey with the greatest +dexterity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_443" id="page_443"></a>{443}</span></p> + +<p>“When the animals approach each other, they often twist their tails +together, and struggle to separate or attach themselves to the weeds: +this is done by the under part of their cheeks or chin, which is also +used for raising the body when a new spot is wanted for the tail to +entwine afresh. The eyes move independently of each other, as in the +chameleon, and this, with the brilliant changeable iridescence about the +head, and its blue bands, forcibly reminds the observer of that animal.”</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FLYING_FISH_OF_THE_OCEAN" id="Illustration_THE_FLYING_FISH_OF_THE_OCEAN"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 316px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_443_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_443_sml.jpg" width="316" height="252" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FLYING FISH OF THE OCEAN.<br /><br /> +(<i>Exocætus volitans.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> fish has a slender body, a projecting under-lip, and very large and +prominent eyes. The ventral fins are small, but the pectoral fins are so +long and wide as to answer the purpose of wings, and aided by them the +fish is enabled to rise out of the water, and support itself in the air. +It must not be supposed, however, that the Flying-fish can soar like a +bird; on the contrary, it can<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_444" id="page_444"></a>{444}</span> only spring from the water to a +considerable height (sometimes as much as twenty feet), and fly about a +hundred and fifty, or two hundred yards; most commonly, however, it does +not rise above two or three feet from the water, and remains fluttering +over the surface for about a hundred yards, when it again drops into its +native element. There is another Flying-fish (<i>Exocætus exiliens</i>) in +the Mediterranean.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GURNARD_Trigla_cuculus" id="Illustration_THE_GURNARD_Trigla_cuculus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 280px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_444_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_444_sml.jpg" width="280" height="138" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GURNARD. (<i>Trigla cuculus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> genus is divided into several species. The Red Gurnard has fins and +body of a bright red colour; and the head is large, and covered with +strong bony plates. The eyes are large, round, and vertical; the mouth +is large; and the palate and jaws are armed with sharp teeth. The +gill-membrane has seven rays. The back has a longitudinal spinous groove +on each side. There are slender articulate appendages at the base of +each pectoral fin. This fish is not unfrequently met with on the +southern shores of England; and is often seen exposed in the +fish-markets of the maritime towns of Dorset and Devonshire, as well as +in Cornwall. It is a pleasant-tasting fish, when properly stuffed and +baked, the flavour being similar to that of the haddock.</p> + +<p>Whilst in the water, the colours of the Red Gurnard are almost +inconceivably brilliant and beautiful, particularly in the broad glare +of sunshine, as they then vary, in the most pleasing manner, with every +motion of the fish.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_445" id="page_445"></a>{445}</span></p> + +<p>The Grey Gurnard (<i>Trigla gurnardus</i>) usually measures from one to two +feet in length. The extremity of the head, in front, is armed on each +side with three short spines. The forehead and the covers of the gills +are silvery; the latter being finely radiated. The body is covered with +small scales; the upper parts are of a deep grey, spotted with white and +yellow, and sometimes with black; and the lower parts silvery. About the +months of May and June, the Grey Gurnards approach the shores in +considerable shoals, for the purpose of depositing their spawn in the +shallows; at other times they reside in the depths of the ocean, where +they have a plentiful supply of food in crabs, lobsters, and other +shell-fish, on which it is supposed they for the most part feed. They +are occasionally found on the shores of Great Britain and Ireland, in +the spawning season.</p> + +<p>The <i>Lucerna</i> is caught in the Mediterranean Sea, and is of a very +curious shape; its fins about the gills being so large, and spreading so +much like a fan on each side, that they appear somewhat like wings. The +tail is bifid, and the scales very small. The flesh is esteemed among +the Italians, and the Lucerna is often seen in the fish-markets of +Naples, Venice, and other towns on the sea-shore. This fish much +resembles the Father Lasher and the Gurnard; and it is called Lucerna +because it shines in the dark.</p> + +<p>The Flying Gurnard (<i>Dactyloptera Mediterranea</i>), which is the commonest +flying-fish of the Mediterranean Sea, is about a foot long; it is brown +above, reddish below, and has blackish fins spotted with blue. The +pectoral fins with which it supports itself in the air are of immense +extent. On each operculum there is a long and pointed spine, with which +the fish can inflict severe wounds.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_446" id="page_446"></a>{446}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_JOHN_DORY_Zeus_faber" id="Illustration_THE_JOHN_DORY_Zeus_faber"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 190px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_446_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_446_sml.jpg" width="190" height="160" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE JOHN DORY. (<i>Zeus faber.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">It</span> would be an inexcusable neglect to pass this fish unnoticed, not on +account of its disputing with the haddock the honour of having been +pressed by the fingers of the apostle, nor of its having been trodden +upon by the gigantic foot of St. Christopher, when he carried on his +shoulders a divine burden across an arm of the sea, but for the +excellence of its flesh. It has been for some years in such favour with +our epicures, that one of them, a comedian of high repute (Quin), took a +journey to Plymouth merely to eat this fish in perfection. Its body +presents the shape of a rhomboid, but the sides are much compressed; the +mouth is large, and the snout long, composed of several cartilaginous +plates, which wrap and fold one over another, in order to enable the +fish to catch its prey. The colour is a dark green, marked with black +spots, with a golden gloss, whence the name originated. They inhabit the +coasts of England, and particularly Torbay, whence they are sent to the +fish-markets of London.</p> + +<p>When the Dory is taken alive out of the water, it is able to compress +its internal organs so rapidly that the air, in rushing through the +openings of the gills, produces a kind of noise somewhat like that +which, on similar occasions, is emitted by the gurnards.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_447" id="page_447"></a>{447}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BLEPHARIS_Blepharis_ciliaris" id="Illustration_THE_BLEPHARIS_Blepharis_ciliaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 275px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_447_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_447_sml.jpg" width="275" height="176" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BLEPHARIS. (<i>Blepharis ciliaris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> species of the Dory is of a bright silver colour, with a cast of +bluish-green on the back. Several of the last rays, both of the dorsal +and anal fin, extend beyond the membrane, reaching even farther than the +tail itself. It has been supposed that the smaller kind of fishes may be +attracted with these long flexible filaments, and mistake them for +worms, while the Zeus, concealed among the sea-weeds, lies in wait for +its prey. It is a native of the Indian seas.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_OPAH_OR_KING_FISH_Lampris_guttatus" id="THE_OPAH_OR_KING_FISH_Lampris_guttatus"></a>THE OPAH, OR KING FISH. (<i>Lampris guttatus.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is a most splendid fish, of a fine green colour on the back, and +yellowish green on the belly. The back and sides exhibit brilliant +purplish and golden tints, the whole surface is covered with numerous +white spots, and the fins are of a beautiful vermilion colour; so +magnificent is its costume, that it has been justly remarked that it +looks “like one of Neptune’s lords dressed for a court day.” The King +Fish is found apparently in the seas of all parts of the world; it is +nowhere common, but seems to be more abundant in warm climates.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_448" id="page_448"></a>{448}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COD-FISH_Gadus_morrhua" id="Illustration_THE_COD-FISH_Gadus_morrhua"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 270px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_448_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_448_sml.jpg" width="270" height="80" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COD-FISH, (<i>Gadus morrhua</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a noble inhabitant of the seas; not only on account of its size, but +also for the goodness of its flesh, either fresh or salted. The body +measures sometimes above three, and even four feet in length, with a +proportionable thickness. The back is of a brown olive colour, with +white spots on the sides, and the lower part of the body is entirely +white. The eyes are large and staring. The head is broad and fleshy, and +esteemed a delicious dish.</p> + +<p>The fecundity of all fishes must be an object of the greatest +astonishment to every observer of nature. In the year 1790, a Cod-fish +was sold in Workington market, Cumberland, for one shilling: it weighed +fifteen pounds, and measured two feet nine inches in length, and seven +inches in breadth: the roe weighed two pounds ten ounces, one grain of +which contained three hundred and twenty eggs. The whole, therefore, +might contain, by fair estimation, three million nine hundred and four +thousand four hundred and forty eggs. From such a trifle as this we may +observe the prodigious value of the fishing trade to a commercial +nation, and hence draw a useful hint for increasing it; for, supposing +that each of the above eggs should arrive at the same perfection and +size, its produce would weigh twenty-six thousand one hundred and +twenty-three tons; and consequently would load two hundred and sixty-one +sail of ships, each of one hundred tons burden. If each fish were +brought to market, and sold as the original one, for one shilling, the +produce then would be one hundred and ninety-five thousand pounds; that +is to say, the first shilling would produce twenty times one hundred and +ninety-five thousand, or three million nine hundred thousand shillings.</p> + +<p>In the European seas, the Cod begins to spawn in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_449" id="page_449"></a>{449}</span> January, and deposits +its eggs in rough ground among rocks. Some continue in roe until the +beginning of April. Cod-fish are reckoned best for the table from +October to Christmas. The air-bladders, under the name of sounds, are +pickled, and sold separately.</p> + +<p>The chief fisheries for Cod are in the Bay of Canada, on the great bank +of Newfoundland, and off the isle of St. Peter, and the isle of Sable. +The vessels frequenting these fisheries are from a hundred to two +hundred tons burden, and will each catch thirty thousand Cod, or more. +The best season is from the beginning of February to the end of April. +Each fisherman takes only one Cod at a time, and yet the more +experienced will catch from three to four hundred in a day. It is a +fatiguing work, owing particularly to the intense cold they are obliged +to suffer during the operation.</p> + +<p>Cod frequently grow to a very great size. The largest that is known to +have been caught in this kingdom was taken at Scarborough, in the year +1775; it measured five feet eight inches in length, and five feet in +circumference, and weighed seventy-eight pounds. The usual weight of +this fish is from fourteen to forty pounds.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HADDOCK_Gadus_aeglefinus" id="Illustration_THE_HADDOCK_Gadus_aeglefinus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 283px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_449_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_449_sml.jpg" width="283" height="145" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HADDOCK, (<i>Gadus æglefinus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> much less in size than the cod-fish, and differs somewhat from it in +shape; it is of a bluish colour on the back, with small scales; a black +line is carried on from the upper corner of the gills on both sides down +to the tail; in the middle of the sides, under the line a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_450" id="page_450"></a>{450}</span> +beneath the gills, is a black spot on each shoulder, which resembles the +mark of a man’s finger and thumb; from which circumstance it is called +<i>St. Peter’s</i> fish, alluding to the fact recorded in the seventeenth +chapter of St. Matthew: “Go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take +up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, +thou shalt find a piece of money; that take, and give unto them for me +and thee.” And while St. Peter held the fish with his fore-finger and +thumb, it is fabled, that the skin received, and preserved to this day, +the hereditary impression.</p> + +<p>Haddocks migrate in immense shoals, which usually arrive on the +Yorkshire coast about the middle of winter. These shoals are sometimes +known to extend from the shore nearly three miles in breadth, and in +length from Flamborough Head to Tynemouth Castle, a distance of fifty +miles; and, perhaps, even farther. An idea of the number of Haddocks may +be formed from the following circumstance: three fishermen, within a +mile of the harbour of Scarborough, frequently loaded their boat with +these fish twice a day, taking each time a ton weight of them!</p> + +<p>The flesh of the Haddock is harder and thicker than that of the whiting, +and not so good; but it is often brought upon the table, either broiled, +boiled, or baked, and is by many much esteemed. The Haddocks caught on +the Irish coast, near Dublin, are unusually large, and of a fine +flavour, and unite to the firmness of the turbot much of its sweetness. +They are in season from October to January.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_451" id="page_451"></a>{451}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WHITING" id="Illustration_THE_WHITING"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 285px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_451a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_451a_sml.jpg" width="285" height="86" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WHITING,<br /><br /> +(<i>Gadus Merlangus</i>, or <i>Merlangus vulgaris</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> seldom more than twelve inches in length, and of a slender and +tapering form. The scales are small and fine. The back is silvery, and +when just taken out of the sea reflects the rays of light with great +lustre and gloss. The flesh is light, wholesome, and nourishing; and is +often recommended to sick or convalescent patients, when other food is +not approved of. The Whiting is found on the coasts of England, and is +in its proper season from August to February.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LING_Lota_molva" id="Illustration_THE_LING_Lota_molva"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 292px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_451b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_451b_sml.jpg" width="292" height="109" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LING, (<i>Lota molva</i>,)</p><p>THE LING, (<i>Lota molva</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> usually from three to four feet in length, though some have been +caught much larger. The body is long, the head flat, the teeth in the +upper jaw small and numerous, with a small beard on the chin; its dorsal +and anal fins are very long.</p> + +<p>These fish abound on the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland, and great +quantities are salted for home consumption<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_452" id="page_452"></a>{452}</span> and exportation. On the +eastern coasts of England they are in their greatest perfection from the +beginning of February to the end of May. They spawn in June: at this +season, the males separate from the females, who deposit their eggs in +the soft oozy ground at the mouth of large rivers.</p> + +<p>In a commercial point of view, the Ling may be considered a very +important fish. Nine hundred thousand pounds weight are annually +exported from Norway. In England, these fish are caught and cured in +somewhat the same manner as the cod. Those which are caught off the +shores of America are by no means so much esteemed as those which +frequent the coasts of Great Britain and Norway; and the Ling in the +neighbourhood of Iceland are so bad, that the inhabitants are unable to +find a sale for them in any country except their own. The roe and +air-bladders, or sounds of the Ling, are pickled, and sold separately.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HAKE_Gadus_merluccius" id="Illustration_THE_HAKE_Gadus_merluccius"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 245px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_452_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_452_sml.jpg" width="245" height="119" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HAKE, (<i>Gadus merluccius</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a coarse fish, nearly allied to the Ling, and is caught in great +abundance on the Devonshire and Cornwall coast. It is also found on the +coasts of Ireland and Scotland, where it is called stock-fish, and is +often confounded with cod.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_453" id="page_453"></a>{453}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MACKEREL_Scomber_Scomber" id="Illustration_THE_MACKEREL_Scomber_Scomber"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 331px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_453_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_453_sml.jpg" width="331" height="230" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MACKEREL, (<i>Scomber Scomber</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> taken and well known in all parts of the world. It is usually about a +foot or more in length; the body is thick, firm, and fleshy, slender +towards the tail; the snout sharp, the tail forked, the back of a lovely +green, beautifully variegated, or, as it were, painted with black +strokes; the under part of the body is of a silvery colour, reflecting, +as well as the sides, the most elegant tints of the opal and the +mother-of-pearl. Nothing can be more interesting and pleasing to the eye +than to see Mackerel, just caught, brought on shore by the fishermen, +and spread, with all their radiancy, upon the pebbles of the beach, at +the first rays of the rising sun; but when taken out of their element, +they quickly die.</p> + +<p>Mackerel visit our shores in vast shoals; but, from being very tender +and unfit for long carriage, they are found less useful than other +gregarious fish. The usual bait is a bit of red cloth, or a piece of the +tail of the Mackerel. The great fishery for them is in some parts of the +south and west coasts of England: this is of such an extent as to +employ, in the whole, a capital of nearly<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_454" id="page_454"></a>{454}</span> two hundred thousand pounds. +The fishermen go out to the distance of several leagues from the shore, +and stretch their nets, which are sometimes miles in extent, across the +tide during the night. A single boat has been known to bring in, after +one night’s fishing, a cargo that has been sold for nearly seventy +pounds. The roes of the Mackerel are used in the Mediterranean for +<i>caviar</i>. In Cornwall, and also in several parts of the continent, +Mackerel are preserved by pickling and salting; and in this state +possess a flavour somewhat like that of the salmon. Their voracity has +scarcely any bounds; and when they get among a shoal of herrings, they +will make such havoc as frequently to drive it away. Mackerel are in +season from March to June.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GAR-FISH_Belone_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_GAR-FISH_Belone_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 269px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_454_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_454_sml.jpg" width="269" height="53" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GAR-FISH, (<i>Belone vulgaris</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Of</span> which the figure above is an exact representation, is of a very +extraordinary form. The body, in shape and colour, is not unlike that of +a mackerel, but is much more elongated, and the jaws are protracted into +a kind of lance, nearly half as long as the rest of the body. It is +vulgarly supposed that this fish leads the phalanxes of mackerel through +the regions of the deep; and, like a faithful and experienced pilot, +traces their journey, points out their dangers, and conducts them to +their destination. A curious singularity of this creature is, that its +bones are of a bright green colour; the flesh is not so firm nor of so +good a flavour as that of the mackerel, but it sells pretty well +whenever it comes to market.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_455" id="page_455"></a>{455}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HERRING_Clupea_Harengus" id="Illustration_THE_HERRING_Clupea_Harengus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 271px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_455_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_455_sml.jpg" width="271" height="163" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HERRING. (<i>Clupea Harengus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> fish is somewhat like the mackerel in shape, as well as in delicacy +of taste, although it differs much in flavour. It is about nine or ten +inches long, and about two and a half broad, and has blood-shot eyes; +the scales large and roundish; the tail forked; the body of a fat, soft, +delicate flesh, but more rank than that of the mackerel, and therefore +less wholesome. Yet some people are so very fond of it, that they call +the Herring <i>the King of Fishes</i>. They swim in shoals, and spawn once a +year, about the autumnal equinox, at which time they are the best. They +come into shallow water to spawn, like the mackerel; and hence they +periodically visit our coasts, retiring again to the deep waters when +the spawning season is over.</p> + +<p>The fecundity of the Herring is astonishing. It has been calculated that +if the offspring of a single pair of Herrings could be suffered to +multiply unmolested and undiminished for twenty years, they would +exhibit a bulk ten times the size of the earth. But, happily, Providence +has contrived the balance of nature by giving them innumerable enemies. +All the monsters of the deep find them an easy prey; and, in addition to +these, immense flocks of sea-fowl watch their outset, and spread +devastation on all sides.</p> + +<p>In the year 1773, the Herrings for two months were in such immense +shoals on the Scotch coasts, that it<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_456" id="page_456"></a>{456}</span> appears from tolerably accurate +computations, no fewer than one thousand six hundred and fifty +boat-loads were taken in Loch Torridon in one night. These would, in the +whole, amount to nearly twenty thousand barrels.</p> + +<p>This fish is prepared in different ways, in order to be kept for use +through the year. The white, or pickled Herrings, are washed in fresh +water, and left the space of twelve or fifteen hours in a tub full of +strong brine, made of fresh water and sea-salt. When taken out, they are +drained, and put in rows or layers in barrels, with salt.</p> + +<p>Red Herrings are prepared in the same manner, with this difference, that +they are left in the brine double the time above mentioned; and when +taken out, placed in a large chimney constructed for the purpose, and +containing about twelve thousand, where they are smoked by means of a +fire underneath, made of brushwood, for the space of twenty-four hours.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SPRAT_Clupea_Sprattus" id="Illustration_THE_SPRAT_Clupea_Sprattus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 215px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_456_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_456_sml.jpg" width="215" height="114" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SPRAT, (<i>Clupea Sprattus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">A well-known</span> fish, between four and five inches in length, the back fin +very remote from the nose; the lower jaw longer than the upper, and the +eyes blood-shot, like those of the herring, to which it is nearly +allied. Sprats arrive yearly in the beginning of November in the river +Thames; and generally a large dish of them is presented on the table at +Guildhall, on Lord Mayor’s Day, November 9th. They continue through the +winter, and depart in March. They are sold by measure, and yield a great +deal of sustenance to poor people in the winter season. It is reported +that they have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_457" id="page_457"></a>{457}</span> taken yearly about Easter-time in a lake in +Cheshire, called Kostern Mere, and in the river Mersey, in which the sea +ebbs and flows seven or eight miles below the lake.</p> + +<p>The Sardine (<i>Clupea Sardina</i>) is caught on the southern shores of +France, where it is held in great repute; and from its abounding in the +neighbourhood of the island of Sardinia, it is called the Sardine. It is +sent here pickled in the same way as herrings, and packed in barrels.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_PILCHARD_Clupea_Pilchardus" id="THE_PILCHARD_Clupea_Pilchardus"></a>THE PILCHARD. (<i>Clupea Pilchardus.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> chief difference between this fish and the herring is, that the body +of the Pilchard is more round and thick; the nose shorter in proportion, +turning up; and the under jaw shorter. The back is more elevated, and +the belly not so sharp. The scales adhere very closely, whilst those of +the herring easily drop off. It is also, in general, of considerably +smaller size.</p> + +<p>About the middle of July, Pilchards appear in vast shoals off the coast +of Cornwall. These shoals remain till the latter end of October, when it +is probable they retire to some undisturbed deep, at a little distance, +for the winter.</p> + +<p>The Pilchard fishery is an important branch of commerce. From a +statement of the number of hogsheads exported each year, for ten years, +from 1747 to 1756 inclusive, from the four ports of Fowy, Falmouth, +Penzance, and St. Ives, it appears that Fowy exported yearly one +thousand seven hundred and thirty-two hogsheads; Falmouth, fourteen +thousand six hundred and thirty-one; Penzance and Mount’s Bay, twelve +thousand one hundred and forty-nine; St. Ives, one thousand two hundred +and eighty-two: in all, twenty-nine thousand seven hundred and +ninety-four hogsheads. Every hogshead, for ten years last past, together +with the bounty allowed for exportation, and the oil made out of it, has +amounted, one year with another, at an average, to the price of one +pound thirteen shillings and three pence; so that the cash paid for +Pilchards exported has, at a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_458" id="page_458"></a>{458}</span> medium, annually amounted to the sum of +forty-nine thousand five hundred and thirty-two pounds. The above was +the state of the fishing several years ago; at present it is still more +extensive, the average annual produce of the Cornish fisheries amounting +to about twenty-one thousand hogsheads, which contain no less than sixty +millions of Pilchards.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_WHITEBAIT_Clupea_alba" id="THE_WHITEBAIT_Clupea_alba"></a>THE WHITEBAIT. (<i>Clupea alba.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> beautiful little fish is a pure white, without spots on either +side. Immense quantities are caught from the beginning of April to the +end of September, in the Thames; but they are so delicate as scarcely to +bear carriage, and are therefore thought best when eaten as near as +possible to the place where they were taken; and hence the custom of +having Whitebait dinners at the taverns at Greenwich and Blackwall. It +was long supposed that the Whitebait was the fry of the shad, but it is +now proved to be a distinct species.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ANCHOVY_Engraulis_encrasicolus" id="Illustration_THE_ANCHOVY_Engraulis_encrasicolus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 293px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_458_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_458_sml.jpg" width="293" height="151" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ANCHOVY. (<i>Engraulis encrasicolus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Like</span> the herring and sprat, these fish leave the depths of the open sea, +in order to frequent the smooth and shallow places of the coast, for the +purpose of spawning. The fishermen generally light a fire on the shore, +for the purpose of attracting the Anchovies, when they fish<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_459" id="page_459"></a>{459}</span> for them in +the night. After they are cleaned, and their heads cut off, they are +cured in a particular way, and packed in small barrels for sale and +exportation. Anchovies are occasionally found both in the North Sea and +in the Baltic; but they are in much greater number in the Mediterranean +than in any other part of the world. They have sometimes, though rarely, +been caught in the river Dee, on the coasts of Flintshire and Cheshire. +The upper jaw of this fish is longer than the under; the back is brown; +the sides silvery; fins short; the dorsal fin, opposite the ventrals, +transparent; the tail fin-forked. Its length is about three inches.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TURBOT_Rhombus_maximus" id="Illustration_THE_TURBOT_Rhombus_maximus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 231px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_459_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_459_sml.jpg" width="231" height="143" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TURBOT. (<i>Rhombus maximus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Turbot</span> is a well-known fish, and much esteemed for the delicate +taste, firmness, and sweetness of its flesh. Juvenal, in his fourth +Satire, gives us a very ludicrous description of the Roman emperor +Domitian assembling the Senate to decide how and with what sauce this +fish should be eaten. The Turbot is sometimes two feet and a half long, +and about two broad. The scales on the skin are so very small that they +are hardly perceptible. The colour of the upper side of the body is a +dark brown, spotted with dirty yellow; the under side a pure white, +tinged on the edges with a somewhat flesh-colour, or pale pink. There is +a great difficulty in baiting the Turbot, as it is very fastidious in +its food. Nothing can allure it but herrings or small slices of +haddocks, and lampreys; and as it lies in deep<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_460" id="page_460"></a>{460}</span> water, flirting and +paddling on the ooze at the bottom of the sea, no net can reach it, so +that it is generally caught by hook and line. It is found chiefly on the +northern coasts of England, Scotland, and Holland.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PLAICE_Platessa_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_PLAICE_Platessa_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 205px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_460_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_460_sml.jpg" width="205" height="107" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PLAICE, (<i>Platessa vulgaris</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">A well-known</span> English fish, nearly allied to the turbot. It has smooth +sides, an anal spine, and the eyes and six tubercles are placed on the +same side of the head. The body is very flat, and the upper part of the +fish of a clear brown colour, marked with orange-coloured spots, and the +belly white. Plaice spawn in the beginning of February, and when +full-grown assume something like the shape of a turbot; but the flesh is +very different, being soft and nearly tasteless.</p> + +<p>When near the ground they swim slowly and horizontally, but if suddenly +disturbed they change the horizontal to the vertical position, darting +along with meteor-like rapidity, and then again quickly resuming their +inactive habits at the bottom of the water. Plaice feed on small fish +and young crustacea, and have sometimes been taken on our coasts +weighing fifteen pounds, but a fish half that weight is considered very +large. The finest kind, called Diamond Plaice, are caught on the Sussex +coast. These fish are in considerable demand as food, though by no means +equal to the turbot and sole. Those of a moderate size are reckoned the +best eating.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_461" id="page_461"></a>{461}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FLOUNDER_Platessa_flesus" id="Illustration_THE_FLOUNDER_Platessa_flesus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 223px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_461a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_461a_sml.jpg" width="223" height="89" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FLOUNDER. (<i>Platessa flesus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> principal distinction between the plaice and the Flounder consists +in the former having a row of six tubercles behind the left eye, of +which this fish is entirely destitute; it is also a little longer in the +body, and, when full-grown, somewhat thicker. The back is of a dark +olive colour, spotted. In taste, they are reckoned more delicate than +the plaice. They live long after being taken out of their element, and +are often cried in the streets of London, but they seldom appear on the +tables of the rich and dainty. They are common in the British rivers, +and in all large rivers which obey the impression of the tide, and they +feed upon worms bred in the mud at the bottom of the water.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SOLE_Solea_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_SOLE_Solea_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 204px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_461b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_461b_sml.jpg" width="204" height="76" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SOLE, (<i>Solea vulgaris</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> well known as a very excellent fish, whose flesh is firm, delicate, +and of a pleasing flavour. Soles grow to the length of eighteen inches, +and even more, in some of our seas. They are often found of this size +and superiority in Torbay, whence they are sent to market at Exeter and +several other towns in Devonshire and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_462" id="page_462"></a>{462}</span> adjacent counties. They are +found also in the Mediterranean and several other seas, and, when in +season, are in great requisition for the most luxurious tables. The +upper part of the body is brown; the under part white; one of the +pectoral fins is tipped with black, the sides are yellow, and the tail +rounded at the extremity. It is said that the small Soles, caught in the +northern seas, are of a much superior taste to the large ones, which the +southern and western coasts afford.</p> + +<p>This fish has also the quality of keeping sweet and good for several +days, even in hot weather, and is thought to acquire a more delicate +flavour by being thus kept. On this account it is that Soles in the +London markets are frequently more esteemed than those which are cooked +immediately after they are taken out of the sea.</p> + +<p>In the economy of flat fish we have an account of one circumstance which +is very remarkable: among various other marine productions, they have +been known to feed on shell-fish, although they are furnished with no +apparatus whatever in their mouth which would seem to be adapted for +reducing these to a state calculated for digestion.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SALMON-PINK_BRANDLING_PAR_OR_SKEGGER" id="Illustration_THE_SALMON-PINK_BRANDLING_PAR_OR_SKEGGER"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 309px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_462_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_462_sml.jpg" width="309" height="97" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SALMON-PINK, BRANDLING, PAR, OR SKEGGER.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> brilliant little fish is the smallest of the <i>salmonidæ</i>, and is +only found in rivers frequented by salmon; for whenever a river becomes +deserted by them, the samlet also disappears. This fish is considered to +be the fry<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_463" id="page_463"></a>{463}</span> of the true salmon, and Mr. Young, in a recent essay, has, +we think, fairly established the fact; but Mr. Yarrell and other +naturalists assert it to be a distinct species.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SALMON_Salmo_salar" id="Illustration_THE_SALMON_Salmo_salar"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_463_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_463_sml.jpg" width="324" height="224" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SALMON, (<i>Salmo salar</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> the boast of large rivers, and one of the noblest inhabitants of the +sea, if we esteem it by its bulk, colour, and the sweetness of its +flesh. Salmon are found of a great weight, and sometimes measure five +feet in length. The colour is beautiful, a dark blue dotted with black +spots on the back, merging to silvery white on the sides, and white with +a little shade of pink below. The fins are comparatively small. These +fish, though they live principally in the sea, come up the rivers at the +spawning season, to a considerable distance inland, where the female +deposits her eggs. Soon after, both she and the male take an excursion +to the vast regions of the sea, and do not visit any of the land streams +again till the next year, when they return for the same purpose. They +are so powerfully impelled by this natural impulse, that, if they are +stopped when swimming up a river by a fall<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_464" id="page_464"></a>{464}</span> of water, they spring up +with such a force through the descending torrent, that they stem it till +they reach the higher bed of the stream; and on this account small +cascades on the Tweed and other rivers are often called Salmon-leaps. +The Salmon is in a great measure confined to the northern seas, being +unknown in the Mediterranean, and in the waters of other warm climates. +The flesh is red when raw, rather paler when salted or boiled; it is an +agreeable food, fat, tender, and sweet, and excels in richness all other +fresh-water fish; however, it does not agree with every stomach, and is +often injurious when eaten by sick persons.</p> + +<p>In the river Tweed, about the month of July, the capture of Salmon is +astonishing: often a boat-load, and sometimes nearly two, may be taken +at a tide; and in one instance more than seven hundred fish were caught +at a single haul of the net. From fifty to a hundred at a haul are very +common. Some of these are sent to London by the railway; but part are +slightly salted and pickled, in which state they are called kipper. The +season for fishing commences in the Tweed in February, and ends about +old Michaelmas-day. On this river there are about forty considerable +fisheries, which extend upwards, about fourteen miles from the mouth; +besides many others of less consequence. These, several years ago, were +let at an annual rent of more than ten thousand pounds; and to defray +this expense, it has been calculated that upwards of two hundred +thousand Salmon must be caught there, one year with another. The +principal Salmon fisheries in Europe are in the rivers, or on the +sea-coasts adjoining the large rivers of England, Scotland, and Ireland. +The chief English rivers in which they are now caught are the Tyne, the +Trent, the Severn, and the Tweed. They were formerly found in the +Thames, but none have been taken there for many years. The Salmon fry go +down the river to the sea in April. A young Salmon under two pounds in +weight is called a Salmon Peel, and a larger one a Grilse. Salmon cannot +be eaten too fresh, and is very unwholesome when stale.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_465" id="page_465"></a>{465}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SALMON_TROUT_Salmo_Trutta" id="Illustration_THE_SALMON_TROUT_Salmo_Trutta"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 339px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_465_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_465_sml.jpg" width="339" height="252" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SALMON TROUT, (<i>Salmo Trutta</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Also</span> called the Bull Trout, or Sea Trout, is thicker in the body than +the common trout, and weighs about three pounds; it has a large smooth +head, which, as well as the back, is of a bluish tint, with a green +gloss; the sides are marked with numerous black spots, and the tail is +broadest at the end. It is said that in the beginning of summer the +flesh of this fish reddens, and remains this colour till the month of +August; which is very probably owing to their being on the point of +spawning. Like the salmon, this fish inhabits the sea; but in the months +of November and December it enters the rivers, in order to deposit its +roe; and consequently, in the spawning season, it is occasionally found +in lakes and streams, at a great distance from the sea. It is very +delicate, and much esteemed on our tables. Some people prefer this fish +to salmon; but they are both apt to cause illness when eaten in too +great a quantity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_466" id="page_466"></a>{466}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TROUT_Salmo-fario" id="Illustration_THE_TROUT_Salmo-fario"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_466_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_466_sml.jpg" width="320" height="246" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TROUT. (<i>Salmo-fario.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> fish, in figure, resembles the salmon; it has a short roundish +head, and a blunt snout. Trouts are fresh-water fish, and they breed and +live constantly in rivers and small pellucid streams which sparkle over +clean pebbles and beds of sand.</p> + +<p>They feed on river flies and other water insects, and are so fond of +them, and so blindly voracious, that anglers deceive them with +artificial flies made of feathers, wool, and other materials, which +resemble very closely the natural ones. In Lough Neagh, in Ireland, +Trouts have been caught weighing thirty pounds; and we are told, that in +the Lake of Geneva, and in the northern lakes of England, they are found +of a still larger size. It holds the first place among the river fish, +and its flesh is very delicious, but difficult of digestion when old, or +kept too long. They spawn in the month of December, and deposit their +eggs in the gravel at the bottom of rivers, dykes, and ponds. Unlike +most other fish, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_467" id="page_467"></a>{467}</span> Trouts are least esteemed when near spawning. They +are properly in season in the months of July and August, being then fat +and well-tasted.</p> + +<p>The beautiful silvery Trout is the most voracious of fresh-water fish, +and will devour every living thing which the water produces—even its +own spawn in all its stages, and will lie upon the bed or hill, watching +to seize its young fry, as they become vivified and rise from under +their gravelly birthplace. Neither does he confine himself to any given +sort of fish, but luxuriates his rapacious stomach upon all the +varieties, from instinct occasionally changing his food to larvæ, +caddis, ephemera, worms, and even the young of the water-snail, all of +which act as alternatives. Owing to his large fins and broad tail, his +movements are extremely rapid, and, from his muscular power and +pliability, he seldom misses his prey. His habits are solitary, being +only accompanied by one, and that at some distance from him, in the +summer season; and as the autumn approaches, when larvæ, &c., are +diminishing, he keeps entirely alone until the pairing season returns. +The period of spawning differs in various rivers from natural causes, +such as snow, cold rains, or inclement weather; for, as Trout, like +salmon, spawn on gravel beds in shallow water, the cold readily affects +them. When they cannot reach the spot prepared for the deposit of their +eggs, they frequently abstain from spawning for weeks. The younger Trout +generally hill, as it is termed, earlier than those of larger growth. +They begin to throw up their bed early in December, when the female and +male may be seen working together, the former mostly in advance. By +constant labour they dig a hollow in the gravel, throwing it up on each +side, and at last forming a heap, which is called a hill, or bed. At +this period they are very shy and stupid, and even the shadow of a cloud +will frighten them from their hill, when they retreat into deeper water; +but upon finding all quiet they return. This preparation generally +occupies two or three weeks; and frequently the hill is shared both in +labour and occupation by several pairs of Trout. It often measures many +feet in diameter, and is two or<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_468" id="page_468"></a>{468}</span> three feet higher than the bed of the +stream. From the middle of December to the end of January the Trout is +in full spawning operation; when the fish deposit their eggs in the +hollow, and afterwards work the gravel over them to the depth of about +three inches. If the temperature of the water is not altered during the +period of incubation, the young make their appearance on the fiftieth +day; never earlier, frequently later. Nature has endowed the young fry +with so much instinct of self-preservation, that for many days they keep +under the gravel, and it is curious to see the shoal hiding together +under large stones to protect themselves from danger: this they continue +to do until the eggshell, in which they remain partially enveloped, +falls off from their delicate frames. This shell, which adheres to them +for fourteen days, contains a proportion of fluid necessary for their +support during this period of helplessness. After this they resort to +the shallows and scours to avoid the larger fish, where they remain +solitary for a year, during which time, in good keep, they attain the +weight of three to four ounces; the second year, eight to ten ounces; +after which they begin to breed. A fish, like every animal, becomes fat +when it has abundance of food with little or no exertion; so that the +growth is entirely regulated by the relative proportion of food and +labour. I have observed this difference in the same brood of Trout, +artificially bred upon my system: the one brood being placed in water +well supplied with food, the other in a spring-stream where little food +existed; the former, at ten months old, were four inches long, and three +and a half ounces in weight, while the latter were only an inch and a +half long, and less than an ounce in weight. Although Trout are not +migratory, yet, when they become large, they run up stream to purer +water. The small Trout are carried down the stream against their habit, +by the flushes of water or floods during the autumn months, being unable +to stem the thickened torrent, which fills their gills with alluvial +deposit, and hinders their respiration, whence they become weak and +sickly. In this state of water all fish sicken more or less, and it +destroys vast numbers in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_469" id="page_469"></a>{469}</span> very young state. I have known thousands +destroyed by the overflowing of a river, as well old as young. The cause +of all our rivers falling off in the quantity of fish, is from the +increasing impurity of the water, as fish especially require pure water.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>The above interesting notice of the Trout has been communicated to +the publisher by</i> <span class="smcap">Mr. Boccius</span>, <i>who devotes himself professionally +to the increase of fish in rivers and ponds, and has performed +marvels.</i></p></div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CHAR_OR_ALPINE_TROUT" id="Illustration_THE_CHAR_OR_ALPINE_TROUT"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 334px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_469_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_469_sml.jpg" width="334" height="202" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CHAR, OR ALPINE TROUT,<br /><br /> +(<i>Salmo salvelinus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> not unlike the trout; the scales are very small; the colour of the +body marked with numerous spots and points of black, red, and silver, +mixed with yellow, and without a circle; the back tinged with +olive-green; the belly white, the snout bluish. All the fins, except +those of the back, are reddish, and the adipose one is red on its edge. +This fish is about twelve inches in length, and is esteemed very +delicate as an article of food, especially by the Italians. It is +abundant in the Lago di Garda, near Venice; and is also found, not only +in our northern lakes in Westmoreland and Scotland, but also in the +large sheets of water at the foot of the mountains in Lapland. The +potted Char enjoys a high and deserved reputation in several parts of +the Continent, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_470" id="page_470"></a>{470}</span> well as in England. The Char is a fresh-water fish, +and is generally found in the deepest parts of lakes; it is never taken +by the angler, only by the net.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GRAYLING_Salmo_thymallus" id="Illustration_THE_GRAYLING_Salmo_thymallus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 326px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_470_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_470_sml.jpg" width="326" height="239" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GRAYLING. (<i>Salmo thymallus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> fish never exceeds fifteen inches in length, and seldom arrives at +three pounds weight. The back and sides are of a silvery grey, and when +the fish is first taken out of the water, slightly varied with blue and +gold. The coverts of the gills are of a glossy green, and the scales are +large.</p> + +<p>The Grayling is a fresh-water fish, and delights chiefly in clear and +not too rapid streams, where it affords great amusement to the angler, +as it is very voracious, and rises eagerly to the fly. They are bolder +than trout, and even if missed by the hook several times successively, +they will still pursue the bait. They feed principally on worms, +insects, and water-snails; and the shells of the latter are often found +in great quantities on their stomachs. They spawn in the months of April +and May. The largest fish of this species ever heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_471" id="page_471"></a>{471}</span> of was one caught +in the Severn, and weighed five pounds.</p> + +<p>Ancient writers strongly recommended this fish as food for sick persons, +as they considered it peculiarly wholesome and easy of digestion.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SMELT_OR_SPARLING_Osmerus_eperlanus" id="Illustration_THE_SMELT_OR_SPARLING_Osmerus_eperlanus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 260px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_471_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_471_sml.jpg" width="260" height="132" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SMELT, OR SPARLING. (<i>Osmerus eperlanus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> fish is in length about eight or nine inches, and nearly one in +breadth; the body is of a light olive green, inclining to silver white. +The smell, when the fish is fresh and raw, is not unlike that of ripe +cucumbers, but it goes off in the frying-pan, and the Smelt then yields +a tender and most delicious food. Smelts are sea-fish, and inhabit the +sea-coast and harbours; but they are often taken in the Thames, the +Medway, and other large rivers, which they ascend in the spawning +season. The skin of this fish is so transparent, that with the help of a +microscope, its blood may be seen to circulate.</p> + +<p>Smelts are found on the coasts of all the northern countries of Europe, +and also in the Mediterranean. They vary considerably in size. Mr. +Pennant states that the largest he had ever heard of measured thirteen +inches in length, and weighed half a pound.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_472" id="page_472"></a>{472}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PIKE_Esox_lucius" id="Illustration_THE_PIKE_Esox_lucius"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 327px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_472_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_472_sml.jpg" width="327" height="142" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PIKE. (<i>Esox lucius.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> body of this fish is a pale olive-grey, deepest on the back, and +marked on the sides by several yellowish spots or patches; the abdomen +white, slightly spotted with black; its length is from one to eight +feet, and its weight from one or two to forty or fifty pounds. The flesh +is white and firm, and considered very wholesome; the larger and older +it is, the more it is esteemed. There is scarcely any fish of its size +in the world that in voracity can equal the Pike.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> It lives in rivers, +lakes, and ponds; and in a confined piece of water will soon destroy all +other fish, as it generally does not feed upon anything else, and often +swallows one nearly as big as itself; for through its greediness in +eating, it takes the head foremost, and so draws it in by little and +little at a time, till it has swallowed the whole. A gudgeon of good +size has been found in the stomach of a large Pike, the head of which +had already received clear marks of the power of digestion, whilst the +rest of the fish was still fresh and unimpaired.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Mr. Boccius has, however, shown that the Trout is even more +voracious.</p></div> + +<p>“I have been assured (says Walton) by my friend Mr. Seagrave, who keeps +tame otters, that he has known a Pike, in extreme hunger, fight with one +of his otters for a carp that the otter had caught, and was then +bringing out of the water.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_473" id="page_473"></a>{473}</span></p> + +<p>Boulker, in his Art of Angling, says, that his father caught a Pike, +which he presented to Lord Cholmondeley, that was an ell long, and +weighed thirty-six pounds. His lordship directed it to be put into a +canal in his garden, which at that time contained a great quantity of +fish. Twelve months afterwards the water was drawn off, and it was +discovered that the Pike had devoured all the fish, except a large carp +that weighed between nine and ten pounds, and even this had been bitten +in several places. The Pike was again put in, and an entire fresh stock +of fish for him to feed on: all these he devoured in less than a year. +Several times he was observed by workmen who were standing near, to draw +ducks and other water-fowl under water. Crows were shot and thrown in, +which he took in the presence of the men. From this time the +slaughtermen had orders to feed him with the garbage of the +slaughter-house; but being afterwards neglected, he died, as is +supposed, from want of food.</p> + +<p>In December, 1765, a Pike was caught in the river Ouse, that weighed +upwards of twenty-eight pounds, and was sold for a guinea. When it was +opened, a watch with a black riband and two seals were found in its +body. These, it was afterwards found, had belonged to a gentleman’s +servant, who had been drowned in the river about a month before.</p> + +<p>The Pike is a very long-lived fish. In the year 1497, one was caught at +Heilbrun, in Swabia, to which was affixed a brazen ring, with the +following words engraved on it in Greek characters: “I am the fish, +which was first of all put into this lake, by the hands of the governor +of the universe, Frederick the Second, the fifth of October, 1230.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_474" id="page_474"></a>{474}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PERCH_Perca_fluviatilis" id="Illustration_THE_PERCH_Perca_fluviatilis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 314px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_474_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_474_sml.jpg" width="314" height="138" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PERCH, (<i>Perca fluviatilis</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Seldom</span> grows to any great size; yet we have an account of one which is +said to have weighed nine pounds. The body is deep, the scales rough, +the back arched, and the side-lines placed near the back. For beauty of +colours, the Perch vies with the gaudiest inhabitants of the waters; the +back glows with the deep reflections of the brightest emeralds, divided +by five broad black stripes; the abdomen imitates the tints of the opal +and mother-of-pearl; and the ruby hue of the fins completes an +assemblage of colours most harmonious and elegant. It is a gregarious +fish, and is caught in several rivers of these islands; the flesh is +firm, delicate, and much esteemed.</p> + +<p>It is generally believed that a pike will not attack a full-grown Perch: +he is deterred from so doing by the spiny or dorsal fin on the back, +which this fish always erects at the approach of an enemy. Perch are so +voracious, that, if an expert angler happens to find a shoal of them, he +may catch every one. If, however, a single fish escape that has felt the +hook, all is over; as this fish becomes so restless, as soon to occasion +the whole shoal to leave the place. Perch are so bold, that they are +generally the first fish caught by a young angler; they will also soon +learn to take bread thrown into the water to feed them. A large-sized +Perch weighs about three pounds; but generally the Perches caught in +ponds do not exceed eight or ten ounces in weight.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_475" id="page_475"></a>{475}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BASSE_OR_SEA_PERCH_Labrax_lupus" id="Illustration_THE_BASSE_OR_SEA_PERCH_Labrax_lupus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 278px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_475_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_475_sml.jpg" width="278" height="128" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BASSE, OR SEA PERCH, (<i>Labrax lupus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> found in abundance on our southern coasts, and is still more common +in the Mediterranean. It has one long dorsal fin, like the ruffe. The +flesh of this fish is highly esteemed.</p> + +<p>The Climbing Perch, (<i>Anabas scandens</i>,) a native of the fresh waters of +India, possesses a very singular apparatus for enabling it to quit the +water, and pass a considerable time on dry ground. This consists of a +curiously folded portion of thin bone on each side of the head near the +gills, in the cavities of which a good deal of water is contained; this +keeps the gills in a moist state while the fish is out of the water, and +thus enables it to breathe in the air. This fish is said to employ its +singular power of quitting the water for the purpose of climbing trees, +although what it expects to gain by so doing is quite unknown. Its power +of climbing has been denied by some naturalists, but Daldorf says that +he once caught one which had clambered to a height of six feet on the +stem of a palm, and was in the act of going still higher.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_476" id="page_476"></a>{476}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_POPE_OR_RUFFE_Acerina_cernua" id="Illustration_THE_POPE_OR_RUFFE_Acerina_cernua"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 316px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_476a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_476a_sml.jpg" width="316" height="177" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE POPE, OR RUFFE. (<i>Acerina cernua.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Pope</span> is very like a small perch, but with a curiously formed single +dorsal fin: the colour of the back is a dusky olive green; the sides +light brownish green and copper colour; and small brown spots are spread +over the dorsal fin, the back, and tail. The pectoral, ventral, and anal +fins are pale brown. This fish rarely exceeds six inches in length; but +it is nearly as good as a perch of the same size, which it resembles, +both in its haunts and habits; it spawns in April, and feeds on small +fry, worms, or aquatic insects.</p> + +<p>Cuvier assigns the credit of the first discovery of this fish to an +Englishman of the name of Caius, who found it in the river Yare, near +Norwich, and called it Aspredo, a translation of our name Ruffe, +(rough,) which is well applied to it, on account of the harsh feel of +its denticulated scales.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 290px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_476b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_476b_sml.jpg" width="290" height="129" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_477" id="page_477"></a>{477}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CARP_Cyprinus_carpio" id="Illustration_THE_CARP_Cyprinus_carpio"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 326px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_477_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_477_sml.jpg" width="326" height="221" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CARP, (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> famous for the sweetness of its flesh, when of moderate size, that +is, when measuring about twelve to fifteen inches in length, and +weighing about three pounds. The scales are large, with a golden gloss +upon a dark green ground. These fish sometimes grow to the length of +three or four feet, and contain a great quantity of fat. The soft roe of +the Carp is esteemed a great delicacy among epicures. In the canals of +Chantilly, formerly the seat of the Prince of Condé, Carps have been +kept for above one hundred years, most of them appearing hoary through +old age, and so tame that they answered to their names when the keeper +called them to be fed. This fish has large molar teeth only, situate at +the back part of the head or throat, and a broad tongue; the tail is +widely spread as well as the fins, which are inclined to a reddish tint. +Carp that live in rivers and running streams are preferred for the +table, as those which inhabit pools and ponds have generally a muddy and +disagreeable taste. Though so cunning in general as to be called the +River Fox, yet at spawning time they suffer themselves to be tickled and +caught without attempting to escape. It is said that Carp were first +brought to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_478" id="page_478"></a>{478}</span> England about three hundred years ago. They are very +tenacious of life, and at the inns in Holland are often kept alive a +month or six weeks, by being fed with bread and milk, and laid on wet +moss in a net, which is hung from the ceiling in an airy place. The moss +is kept moist, and water is thrown over the fish twice a day.</p> + +<p>Carp is always considered a delicacy for the table, especially when +stewed in port wine; and it appears to have been long held in high +estimation on that account, as we find, from the privy purse expenses of +Henry VIII., that the bluff king was exceedingly fond of Carp.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TENCH_Cyprinus_tinca" id="Illustration_THE_TENCH_Cyprinus_tinca"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 292px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_478_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_478_sml.jpg" width="292" height="179" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TENCH, (<i>Cyprinus tinca</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Like</span> the carp, is remarkably tenacious of life. Its body is thick and +short, and seldom exceeds twelve inches in length, or four pounds in +weight. The eyes are red; the back, dorsal, and ventral fins dusky; the +head, sides, and abdomen of a greenish hue, mixed with gold; and the +tail very broad. The Tench delights in still water, in the muddy parts +of ponds, where it is the most secure from the voracious ramblings and +fierce attacks of the tyrant pike, and from the hook of the angler; here +it lives nearly motionless, lurking beneath flags, reeds, and weeds. +This inactive life has enabled some individuals<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_479" id="page_479"></a>{479}</span> of this species to +attain an extraordinary bulk. We have read, as a well-authenticated +fact, that in the northern part of England, in a piece of water, which +having been long neglected, was filled with timber, stones, and rubbish, +two hundred Tench, and as many perch of good size were found; and that +one fish in particular, which seemed to have been shut up in a nook, had +not only surpassed all the others in size, but had also taken the form +of the hole in which it had been accidentally confined. The body was in +the shape of a half-moon, conforming in the convexity of its outlines to +the concavity of the dungeon where this innocent sufferer had been +immured for a number of years; it weighed eleven pounds.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GOLD-FISH_OR_GOLDEN_CARP" id="Illustration_THE_GOLD-FISH_OR_GOLDEN_CARP"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 218px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_479_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_479_sml.jpg" width="218" height="104" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GOLD-FISH, OR GOLDEN CARP,<br /><br /> +(<i>Cyprinus auratus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Was</span> originally brought from China, and first introduced into England in +1661, but is now become quite common, and will breed as freely in ponds +as the carp. The average size is about five inches, and it scarcely ever +exceeds seven and a half. Gold-fish are highly prized in China, and are +extensively introduced in the ornamental waters of our own country. +Nothing is more pleasing than to see them glide along and play in the +transparent crystal, whilst their broad and glittering scales reflect +the rays of the sun. They are often kept within the small compass of a +glass bowl, where they become tame and docile, and after a short time +seem to recognise their feeders.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_480" id="page_480"></a>{480}</span></p> + +<p>The smallest fish are preferred, not only from their being the most +beautiful, but because a greater number of them can be kept in a small +circumference. These are of a fine orange red colour, appearing as if +sprinkled over with gold-dust. Some, however, are white, like silver; +and others white, spotted with red.</p> + +<p>When Gold-fish are kept in ponds, they are often taught to rise to the +surface of the water at the sound of a bell, to be fed.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GUDGEON_Cyprinus_gobio" id="Illustration_THE_GUDGEON_Cyprinus_gobio"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 263px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_480_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_480_sml.jpg" width="263" height="84" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GUDGEON, (<i>Cyprinus gobio</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">A well-known</span> fresh-water fish, generally found in gentle streams, on +gravelly scours. The average length of this fish is from six to eight +inches, and its weight is from two to three ounces. The back is brown, +the abdomen white, and the sides tinged with red; the tail is forked. It +is beautified with black spots both on the body and tail. Gudgeons spawn +early in summer, and feed upon worms and aquatic insects. Their flesh is +white, of excellent flavour, and easy of digestion. In the months of +September and October these fish are taken in the rivers of some parts +of the Continent in great abundance; and the markets are well supplied +with them. They are not uncommon in the river Thames, where persons are +frequently to be seen fishing for them from punts. As these fish bite +with great eagerness, large numbers are often taken in this manner. They +are also caught in nets, as well as with hooks and lines.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_481" id="page_481"></a>{481}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CHUB_Cyprinus_cephalus" id="Illustration_THE_CHUB_Cyprinus_cephalus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 311px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_481_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_481_sml.jpg" width="311" height="111" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CHUB, (<i>Cyprinus cephalus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> of a coarse nature, and full of bones; it seldom exceeds the weight +of five pounds. The body is of an oblong shape, nearly round; the head, +which is large, and the back, are of a deep dusky green; the sides +silvery, and the abdomen white; the pectoral fins are of a pale yellow, +the ventral and anal ones red; and the tail brown, tinged with blue at +its extremity, and slightly forked. This fish frequents the deep holes +of rivers, but in the summer, when the sun shines, it rises to the +surface, and lies quiet under the shade of the trees, that spread their +foliage on the verdant banks; but yet, though it seems to indulge itself +in slumber, it is easily awakened, and at the least alarm dives rapidly +to the bottom. Although a leather-mouthed fish, it takes every species +of food, including small fish, the same as a trout, though it is not so +voracious. In March and April this fish may be caught with large red +worms; in June and July, with flies, snails, and cherries; in August, +and September, with cheese pounded in a mortar, mixed with saffron and +butter. When the Chub seizes a bait, it bites so eagerly that its jaws +are often heard to chop like those of a dog. It, however, seldom breaks +its hold, and, when once struck, is soon tired.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_482" id="page_482"></a>{482}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BARBEL_Cyprinus_Barbus" id="Illustration_THE_BARBEL_Cyprinus_Barbus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 303px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_482a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_482a_sml.jpg" width="303" height="92" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BARBEL. (<i>Cyprinus Barbus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Barbel</span> is readily distinguished from the other carps by the four +barbs or wattels attached to its mouth. Its upper jaw is very +considerably extended beyond the lower jaw. The Lea, the Thames, and +various other rivers in the neighbourhood of London, abound in this +fish, which affords excellent sport to the angler. “During summer,” says +Mr. Gorrell, “this fish, in shoals, frequents the weedy parts of the +river; but as soon as the weeds begin to decay in autumn it seeks the +deeper water, and shelters itself near piles, locks, and bridges, which +it frequents till the following spring.” It is sometimes found to weigh +from fifteen to eighteen pounds, and to measure three feet in length, +but its usual length is from twelve to eighteen inches. The flesh is +coarse and unsavory, and held in no estimation.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_DACE_Cyprinus_leuciscus" id="Illustration_THE_DACE_Cyprinus_leuciscus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 295px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_482b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_482b_sml.jpg" width="295" height="92" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE DACE, (<i>Cyprinus leuciscus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Resembles</span> the chub in its form, but is smaller, and of a lighter colour; +it is gregarious and remarkably prolific. It is seldom more than ten +inches in length; the back is of a dusky colour, tinged with yellow and +green, and the sides have a silvery cast.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_483" id="page_483"></a>{483}</span></p> + +<p>Dace spawn in March, and are in season about three weeks afterwards. +They improve, and are good about Michaelmas; but in February they are +best. The flesh is, however, at all times woolly and insipid. They are +very lively creatures, and, if kept in ponds, may live a considerable +time.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ROACH_Cyprinus_rutilus" id="Illustration_THE_ROACH_Cyprinus_rutilus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_483a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_483a_sml.jpg" width="264" height="99" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ROACH, (<i>Cyprinus rutilus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Belongs</span> also to the carp family, and is remarkable for its numerous +progeny. It is a deep yet thin-made fish, in shape somewhat resembling +the bream, but approaching the carp in the breadth and shape of its +scales, which are large and deciduous. The soundness of the flesh is +become proverbial, and pleases the taste by a peculiar delicacy of +flavour. The ventral fins are, like those of the perch, of a bright +crimson, and the irides of the eye sparkle like rubies and garnets. The +length of the Roach is commonly between nine and ten inches, but +sometimes much greater.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BLEAK_Cyprinus_alburnus" id="Illustration_THE_BLEAK_Cyprinus_alburnus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 253px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_483b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_483b_sml.jpg" width="253" height="77" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BLEAK, (<i>Cyprinus alburnus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> nearly allied to the roach. It is a small glittering fish, familiar +to most persons from its playing about on warm<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_484" id="page_484"></a>{484}</span> summer evenings on the +surface of rivers in chase of flies, bread-crumbs, &c. The scales are +employed in making artificial pearls.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BREAM_Cyprinus_Brama" id="Illustration_THE_BREAM_Cyprinus_Brama"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 323px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_484_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_484_sml.jpg" width="323" height="143" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BREAM, (<i>Cyprinus Brama</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a flatfish fish, not unlike the carp in several points, but much +broader in proportion to its length and thickness. Its head is +truncated, the upper jaw a little projecting; the forehead a bluish +black; cheeks yellowish; body olive, paler below; fins obscure, with an +oblong conical process at the base of the ventral fins; twenty-nine rays +in the anal fin; its greatest length is about two feet. The scales are +large, and of a bright colour; the tail has the form of a crescent. It +frequents the deepest parts of rivers, lakes, and ponds. These fish +spawn in May, secluding themselves at that time so carefully in the ooze +at the bottom of the water that they are seldom found with either soft +or hard roe in them, so that in some countries the name is often used to +denote sterility. The flesh is not comparable to that of the carp.</p> + +<p>The White Bream never exceeds a pound in weight, and is consequently +much smaller than the Common or Carp Bream, which frequently weighs +seven or eight pounds.</p> + +<p>In some of the lakes of Ireland great quantities of Bream are taken, +many of them of very large size, sometimes weighing as much as twelve or +even fourteen pounds<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_485" id="page_485"></a>{485}</span> each. A place conveniently situated for the +fishing is baited with grain, or other coarse food, for ten days or a +fortnight regularly, after which great sport is usually obtained. The +party frequently catch several hundredweight, which are distributed +among the poor of the vicinity, who split and dry them with great care, +to eat with their potatoes.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MINNOW_Cyprinus_phoxinus" id="Illustration_THE_MINNOW_Cyprinus_phoxinus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 305px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_485_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_485_sml.jpg" width="305" height="93" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MINNOW. (<i>Cyprinus phoxinus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> body of the Minnow is of a blackish green, with blue and yellow +variegations; the abdomen silvery; scales small; ten rays in the +ventral, anal, and dorsal fins; tail forked, and marked near the base +with a dusky spot. Its length is about three inches.</p> + +<p>This beautiful and well-known fish is gregarious, and is frequent in +clear gravelly streams and rivulets in many parts of Europe. In Britain +it appears in March, and is seldom seen after October. It spawns in +June, and is, indeed, found in roe during the greater part of the +summer. It is easily tamed: and, in captivity, may be taught to pick +flies or filaments of beef from the hand.</p> + +<p>The flesh of the Minnow is extremely delicate, but the fish is so small +that it would take a great number to make a dish, and consequently it is +seldom used for human food. Its chief value is as a bait for catching +other fish. In some parts of England it is so abundant as sometimes to +be used as manure.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_486" id="page_486"></a>{486}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LOACH_Cobitis_barbatula" id="Illustration_THE_LOACH_Cobitis_barbatula"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 272px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_486a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_486a_sml.jpg" width="272" height="66" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LOACH, (<i>Cobitis barbatula</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> also belongs to the family of the carps, is a small fish, with six +barbs at the mouth. It inhabits small, gravelly streams, and lies at the +bottom among the stones; it is easily caught with a small worm.</p> + +<p>It is considered an extremely well-flavoured fish, though, on account of +its small size, and the difficulty of catching a sufficient quantity, +seldom seen at table. The Loach is very sensitive to atmospheric +changes, which it shows by its restless movements. They have sometimes +been kept alive in glass vessels, in which state they indicate the +approach of storms with almost the accuracy of a barometer.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BULL-HEAD_OR_MILLERS_THUMB" id="Illustration_THE_BULL-HEAD_OR_MILLERS_THUMB"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 240px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_486b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_486b_sml.jpg" width="240" height="106" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BULL-HEAD, OR MILLER’S THUMB,<br /><br /> +(<i>Cottus gobio</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> found in clear brooks and rivers in most parts of Europe. It is from +four to five inches long; the head is large in proportion to the body, +broad and depressed; the gill fins round, and beautifully notched. The +mouth is large and full of small teeth; the general colour of the body +is a dark brownish black. This fish is remarkably stupid, and may be +caught with ease by the most inexperienced<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_487" id="page_487"></a>{487}</span> angler, even with a bent pin +and coarse thread. Its hiding-places are among loose stones, under which +the peculiar flattened form of its head enables it to thrust itself. Its +popular name seems to have suggested itself from the resemblance the +head of the fish is supposed to bear to the form of a miller’s thumb, +the peculiar conformation of which is produced by his mode of testing +samples of meal.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_STICKLEBACK_Gastuostius_aculiatus" id="THE_STICKLEBACK_Gastuostius_aculiatus"></a>THE STICKLEBACK, (<i>Gastuostius aculiatus</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> one of our smallest fishes, and appears to live indifferently in +fresh and salt water. It is exceedingly common in every pond, and may be +caught easily, either with a hand-net, or by fishing for it with a small +worm tied to the end of a piece of cotton; he bites at this so boldly +that he may be drawn out of the water without the aid of a hook. His +name of Stickleback is given to him from his having thin spines on the +back instead of a fin; the sides of his body are covered with thin bony +plates, and his ventral fins consist of single, strong, and sharp +spines, which constitute formidable offensive weapons.</p> + +<p>The Stickleback, although so common, is one of the most interesting of +fishes, on account of the singularity of its habits in the breeding +season. Instead of depositing its eggs in the sand or mud, and leaving +them to take care of themselves, the Stickleback builds a curious nest +of fragments of vegetable matter, and defends this most valiantly +against all intruders until the hatching of the young; the parental +solicitude does not cease until the young Sticklebacks have grown too +big to be any longer controlled. One curious feature in the business is, +that it is the male that takes all this trouble; he builds the nest, +exposes himself to every danger in its defence, and watches anxiously +over the vagaries of his young progeny, the female having nothing to do +but to deposit her eggs in the already prepared nest.</p> + +<p>The Stickleback is an extremely pugnacious fish. The males fight +together furiously, and the colours of their bodies become much more +brilliant while they are so occupied than at any other time.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_488" id="page_488"></a>{488}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ELECTRICAL_EEL_Gymnotus_Electricus" id="Illustration_THE_ELECTRICAL_EEL_Gymnotus_Electricus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 245px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_488_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_488_sml.jpg" width="245" height="176" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ELECTRICAL EEL. (<i>Gymnotus Electricus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> very remarkable fish is about five or six feet in length, and +twelve inches in circumference, in the thickest part of the body. The +head is broad, flat, and large; the mouth wide and destitute of teeth; +the rostrum obtuse and rounded; the eyes small and of a bluish colour; +the back of a darkish brown, the sides grey, and the abdomen of a dingy +white. Across the body there are several annular divisions, or rather +ridges of the skin, which give the fish the power of contracting or +dilating itself at pleasure. There is no dorsal fin, and the ventral +fins are also wanting, as in all the Eels. It is able to swim backwards +as well as forwards.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bryant mentions an instance of the shock from one of these fish +being felt through a considerable thickness of wood. One morning, while +he was standing by, as a servant was emptying a tub, in which an +Electrical Eel was contained, he had lifted it entirely from the ground, +and was pouring off the water to renew it, when he received a shock so +violent as occasioned him to let the tub fall. He then called another +person to his assistance, and they lifted up the tub together, each +laying hold only on the outside. When they were pouring off the +remainder of the water, they received a shock so smart that they were +compelled to desist.</p> + +<p>Persons have been knocked down with a stroke. One<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_489" id="page_489"></a>{489}</span> of these fish having +been taken from a net and laid upon the grass, an English sailor, +notwithstanding all the persuasions that were used to prevent him, would +insist on taking it up; but the moment he grasped it he dropped down in +a fit; his eyes were fixed, his face became livid, and it was not +without difficulty that his senses were restored. He said that the +instant he touched it “the cold ran swiftly up his arm into his body, +and pierced him to the heart.”</p> + +<p>Humboldt tells us that when the Indians wish to catch these Eels they +drive some wild horses through the pools which the fish inhabit; and +that when the Eels have exhausted their electrical power upon the +horses, the Indians take them without difficulty. He relates an instance +in which he says that the horses, stunned with the shocks they received, +sank under water, but most of them rose again, and gained the shore, +where they lay stretched out on the ground, apparently quite exhausted +and without the power of moving, so much were they stupefied and +benumbed. In about a quarter of an hour, however, the Eels appeared to +have exhausted themselves, and, instead of attacking fresh horses that +were driven into the pond, fled before them. The Indians then entered +the water and caught as many fish as they liked.<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> See a very animated account of the capture of this fish, in +Humboldt’s “Views of Nature,” page 16 (<i>Bohn’s Edition</i>).</p></div> + +<p>This most singular fish is peculiar to South America, where it is found +only in stagnant pools, at a great distance from the sea.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_490" id="page_490"></a>{490}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_EEL_Anguilla_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_EEL_Anguilla_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 312px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_490_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_490_sml.jpg" width="312" height="215" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE EEL. (<i>Anguilla vulgaris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Eel</span> resembles a serpent in its form, though no two animals can be +more different in every other respect. Eels are fresh-water fish; but as +they are very susceptible of cold, those which inhabit rivers go down +every autumn towards the sea, which is always warmer than a river, and +return in spring. They are said also to spawn in the sea, and great +numbers of young Eels are seen in spring ascending tidal rivers. Mr. +Edward Jesse, in his edition of “Walton’s Angler,” says: “A column of +them has been traced in the Thames from Somerset House to Oxford, about +the middle of May, and I have watched their progress with much interest. +No impediment stops them. They keep as much as possible close +alongshore, and as they pass watercourses, open ditches, and brooks, +&c., some of them leave the column and enter these places, along which +they eventually make their way to ponds, smaller rivers, &c. So strong +is the migratory instinct in these little eels, that when I have taken +some in a bucket and returned them to the river at some distance from +the column, they have immediately rejoined it without any deviation to +the right or<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_491" id="page_491"></a>{491}</span> left. On the banks of the Thames the passage is called +<i>Eel-fare</i>. Two observers, watching their progress at Kingston, +calculated that from sixteen to eighteen hundred passed a given line per +minute. Rennie saw (on the 13th of May) a column of young eels of +uniform size, about as thick as a crow-quill, and three inches long, +returning to the river Clyde, in almost military order, keeping within +parallel lines of about six inches. He traced it for several hours +without perceiving any diminution.” Those that live in ponds seek the +deep water for their winter quarters, and sometimes bury themselves in +the mud at the bottom. They are very tenacious of life, and will live +for a long time out of water; they are even sometimes found on the +grass, passing from one pond to another, in search, it is said, of food.</p> + +<p>They are voracious feeders, eating frogs, snails, and other molluscous +animals, worms, the fry of fishes, and the larvæ of various insects, as +well as grass and aquatic weeds. Mr. Jesse states that he has known them +to eat young ducks, and even water-rats.</p> + +<p>The Eel is caught in many different ways. As it seldom stirs during the +day, the best method is found to be by setting night-lines. The baits +most commonly used are lob-worms, loach, minnows, small perch, with the +fins cut off, or small pieces of any fish; but such is the voracity of +this animal that it will take almost any bait.</p> + +<p>Spearing for Eels is a method very commonly resorted to during the +winter, when Eels imbed themselves in a state of torpidity in the muddy +banks of streams and ponds. Eel-spears have usually six or seven prongs, +with long handles. The process consists merely in plunging them into the +mud in likely places, and pulling them out again.</p> + +<p>There seems to be no reason for supposing, as is commonly done, that +Eels are viviparous; parasitic worms have sometimes been mistaken for +the young animals.</p> + +<p>The common Eel often weighs upwards of twenty pounds. The flesh is +tender, soft, and nourishing, but does not agree with all stomachs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_492" id="page_492"></a>{492}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_CONGER_OR_SEA_EEL_Conger_vulgaris" id="THE_CONGER_OR_SEA_EEL_Conger_vulgaris"></a>THE CONGER, OR SEA EEL, (<i>Conger vulgaris</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> very large and thick. Its body is dusky above, and silvery below; the +dorsal and anal fins are edged with black; and the lateral line is +dotted with white. Its flesh is firm, and was much esteemed by the +ancients. It is still eaten by the poorer classes, especially in seaside +towns, but would be considered coarse and tasteless by most people in +the present day.</p> + +<p>The voracity of the Conger Eel is very great, and it is one of the most +powerful enemies with which the fishermen of the British islands have to +contend. Being usually caught by a hook and line, it requires some care +to land and kill the large ones without danger. We are informed that, on +such occasions, they have been known to entwine themselves round the +legs of a fisherman, and fight with the utmost fury. They are almost +incredibly strong and tenacious of life. When pulled up by the line and +landed in a boat, they make a loud, hoarse, grating sound, almost +resembling the angry snarling of a dog, which often terrifies the +amateur fisherman. Unless seized with great care, they bite most +severely. It is even said that men have occasionally been permanently +maimed by them. A Conger, six feet in length, was caught in the Wash, at +Yarmouth, in April, 1808: but not without a severe contest with the man +who had seized it. The animal is stated to have risen half erect, and to +have actually knocked the fisherman down before he could secure it. This +Conger weighed only about sixty pounds: but some of the largest exceed +even a hundredweight.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_493" id="page_493"></a>{493}</span></p> + +<h2><a name="Book_IV" id="Book_IV"></a>Book IV.<br /><br /> +REPTILES.</h2> + +<h4><a name="Serpents_or_Ophidian_Reptiles" id="Serpents_or_Ophidian_Reptiles"></a>§ 1. <i>Serpents, or Ophidian Reptiles.</i></h4> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_SERPENTS" id="Illustration_SERPENTS"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 291px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_493_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_493_sml.jpg" width="291" height="159" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>SERPENTS.</p><p>SERPENTS.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Serpents</span> are characterised by an elongated body, clothed in scales and +destitute of limbs, but furnished with a tail. They move by lateral +undulations of the body; and in this manner they glide with equal ease +along the bare ground, through entangled thickets or water, and up the +trunks of trees. They possess the power of fasting a great length of +time, and when they feed always swallow their prey whole, which they are +enabled to accomplish by their faculty of dilating their bodies to an +enormous size. This power is carried to such an extent that a Boa +Constrictor can swallow a bullock whole, suffering no other +inconvenience than that of lying in a state of torpor while digestion is +proceeding. Serpents generally roll themselves up when in a state of +repose, with the head in the centre; and when disturbed raise the head +before they uncoil the body. The Serpent is often made a subject of +poetry; and as it was the form adopted by the arch fiend to seduce Eve, +it is generally considered the emblem of insinuation and flattery:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— —— —— —— on his rear,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Circular base of rising folds that tower’d<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Fold above fold, surprising maze, his head<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Crested aloft, and carbuncle his eyes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_494" id="page_494"></a>{494}</span><br /></span> +<span class="i1">With burnish’d neck of verdant gold, erect<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Amidst his circling spires that on the grass<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Floated redundant; pleasing was his shape<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And lovely.... Oft he bow’d<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His turret crest and sleek enamell’d neck,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Fawning, and lick’d the ground whereon she trod.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Paradise Lost.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The ancients paid great honours to Serpents, and sometimes called them +good genii: they frequented sepulchres and burying-places, and were +addressed like the tutelary divinities of these places. We read, in the +fifth book of the Æneid, that when the Trojan hero sacrificed to his +father’s ghost, a Serpent of this kind made his appearance:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— —— and from the tomb begun to glide<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His hugy bulk on seven high volumes roll’d;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Blue was his breadth of back, and streak’d with scaly gold.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thus riding on his curls he seemed to pass<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A rolling fire along, and singe the grass;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">More various colours through his body run,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Than Iris when her bow imbibes the sun.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Between the rising altars and around,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The sacred monster shot along the ground;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With harmless play among the bowls he pass’d,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And with his lolling tongue assay’d the taste:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thus fed with holy food, the wondrous guest<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Within the hollow tomb retired to rest.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Dryden.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>This animal was exalted to the honour of being an emblem of prudence, +and even of eternity; and is often represented as the latter in Egyptian +hieroglyphics, biting his tail, so as to form a circle. Serpents are +very numerous in Africa; and Lucan, in his “Pharsalia,” gives us a very +extraordinary account of the different species, which he seems to have +drawn partly from ancient Greek authors, partly from actual traditions. +He says:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Why plagues like these infect the Libyan air;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Why deaths unknown in various shapes appear;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Why, fruitful to destroy, the cursed land<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Is temper’d thus by Nature’s secret hand;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Dark and obscure the hidden cause remains,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And still deludes the vain inquirer’s pains.”<br /></span> +<span class="i12"><span class="smcap">Rowe’s “Lucan."</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_495" id="page_495"></a>{495}</span></p> + +<p>Serpents differ very much in size. We are told of Serpents in the Isle +of Java measuring fifty feet in length; and in the British Museum there +is a skin of one thirty-two feet long.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_VIPER_OR_ADDER_Vipera_berus" id="Illustration_THE_VIPER_OR_ADDER_Vipera_berus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 323px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_495_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_495_sml.jpg" width="323" height="256" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE VIPER, OR ADDER, (<i>Vipera berus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a venomous species of serpent that seldom exceeds the length of two +or three feet, and is of a dull yellowish brown colour with black spots, +the abdomen being entirely black; the head is nearly in the shape of a +lozenge, and much thicker than the body. The Viper is viviparous; yet it +is ascertained that the eggs are formed, though they are hatched in the +body of the mother.</p> + +<p>The Reverend Mr. White, of Selborne, in company with a friend, surprised +a large female Viper, as she lay on the grass, basking in the sun, which +seemed very heavy and bloated. As Vipers are so venomous that they +should be destroyed, they killed her; and afterwards, being curious to +know what made her so large, they opened her, and found in her abdomen +fifteen<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_496" id="page_496"></a>{496}</span> young ones, about the size of full-grown earth-worms. This +little fry issued into the world with the true Viper spirit about them, +showing great alertness as soon as they were disengaged from the body of +their parent. They twisted and wriggled about, set themselves up, and +gaped very wide when touched with a stick; exhibiting manifest tokens of +menace and defiance, though as yet no fangs could be discovered, even by +the help of glasses.</p> + +<p>Vipers attain their full growth in seven years; they feed on frogs, +toads, lizards, and other animals of that kind, and it is even asserted +that they catch mice and small birds, of which they seem very fond. They +cast their skin every year. The two front teeth in the upper jaw of the +Viper are furnished with a small bladder containing poison. There is no +doubt but this poison, which appears to have been infused into the jaws +of the Viper and other serpents by Providence, as a means of revenge +upon their enemies, is so harmless to the animal itself, that when +swallowed by it it only serves to accelerate its digestion. These +venomous teeth or fangs stand, each by itself, upon a small movable +bone; this arrangement enables the creature to fold down its fearful +weapons in the mouth, and to erect them instantly when it has occasion +to make use of them. The Viper is very patient of hunger, and may be +kept more than six months without food. When in confinement, it refuses +all sustenance, and the sharpness of its poison decreases in proportion: +when at liberty, it remains torpid throughout the winter; yet, when +confined, it has never been observed to take its annual repose.</p> + +<p>The Viper is a native of many parts of this island, chiefly the dry and +chalky counties. Its flesh was formerly used for broth, and much +esteemed in medicine, particularly to restore debilitated constitutions. +It was also used as a cosmetic, being supposed to render the complexion +fair. It was probably from the use made by the ancients of this animal +in medicine that Esculapius is represented with a serpent. The best +remedy against the bite of the Viper is to suck the wound, which may be +done without danger, and after this to rub it with sweet oil, and +poultice it with bread and milk.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_497" id="page_497"></a>{497}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HORNED_VIPER_Cerastes_Hasselquistii" id="Illustration_THE_HORNED_VIPER_Cerastes_Hasselquistii"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 287px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_497_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_497_sml.jpg" width="287" height="171" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HORNED VIPER. (<i>Cerastes Hasselquistii.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> species of Viper is nearly allied to the asp, and has a pointed and +solid horny substance on each eyelid, formed of two projecting scales: +its body is of a pale yellowish or greyish colour, with distant +sub-ovate transverse brown spots; and in length it is from one to two +feet.</p> + +<p>This species is often mentioned by the ancients. Pliny tells us that +“the serpent Cerastes hath many times four small horns, standing out +double; with moving whereof she amuseth the birds, and traineth them +unto her for to catch them, hiding all the rest of her body.”</p> + +<p>It is found in the sandy deserts of Egypt and the neighbouring +countries, and is believed to be the Asp with which Cleopatra eluded the +disgrace of becoming a prisoner to her Roman conqueror.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_498" id="page_498"></a>{498}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RATTLE-SNAKE_Crotalus_horridus" id="Illustration_THE_RATTLE-SNAKE_Crotalus_horridus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 272px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_498_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_498_sml.jpg" width="272" height="167" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE RATTLE-SNAKE, (<i>Crotalus horridus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a native of the New World, and grows to five or six, and sometimes to +eight feet in length, and is nearly as thick as a man’s leg. It is not +unlike the viper, having a large head and small neck, and inflicting a +very dangerous wound. Over each eye is a large pendulous scale, the use +of which has not yet been ascertained; the body is scaly and hard, +variegated with several different colours. The principal characteristic +of this justly dreaded serpent is the rattle, a kind of instrument +resembling the curb-chain of a bridle, at the extremity of the tail; it +is formed of thin, hard, hollow bones, linked together, and rattling on +the least motion. When disturbed, the creature shakes this rattle with +considerable noise and rapidity, striking terror into all the smaller +animals, which are afraid of the destructive venom that this serpent +communicates to the wounded limb with his bite. The wound the +Rattle-snake inflicts, through the uncommon sharpness and rapid fluency +of the poison, generally terminates the torment and life of the unhappy +victim in the course of six or seven hours.</p> + +<p>A snake of this kind exhibited in London at a menagerie of foreign +animals, in the year 1810, wounded a carpenter’s hand, who was repairing +its cage, and seeking for his rule. The man suffered the most +excruciating pain, and his life could not be saved, although medical +assistance was immediately applied, and every effort<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_499" id="page_499"></a>{499}</span> made to prevent +the dire effect of the poison. The proprietor was condemned to pay a +deodand for the injury done by the serpent.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HAJE_OR_EGYPTIAN_ASP_Naja_Haje" id="Illustration_THE_HAJE_OR_EGYPTIAN_ASP_Naja_Haje"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 193px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_499_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_499_sml.jpg" width="193" height="229" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HAJE, OR EGYPTIAN ASP. (<i>Naja Haje.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Haje</span>, or Egyptian Asp, is from three to six feet in length; it has +two teeth longer than the rest, through which the venom flows. The body +is covered with small round scales, and is of a greenish colour, +bordered with brown; its neck is capable of inflation. The jugglers of +Egypt, by pressing this Asp on the nape of the neck with the finger, +throw the animal into a kind of catalepsy, which renders it stiff and +immovable; when they say that they have changed it into a rod. The habit +which this species has of raising itself up when approached, induced the +ancient Egyptians to believe that it guarded the fields where it was +found; and it is sculptured on the gates of their temples as an emblem +of the protecting divinity of the world.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_500" id="page_500"></a>{500}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HOODED_SERPENT_OR_COBRA_DI_CAPELLO_Naja" id="Illustration_THE_HOODED_SERPENT_OR_COBRA_DI_CAPELLO_Naja"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 291px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_500_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_500_sml.jpg" width="291" height="318" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HOODED SERPENT, OR COBRA DI CAPELLO, (<i>Naja +tripudians</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Called</span> by the Indians the <i>Nagao</i>, is from three to eight feet long, +with two long fangs in the upper jaw. It has a broad neck, and a mark of +dark brown on the forehead; which, when viewed frontwise, looks like a +pair of spectacles; but behind, like the head of a cat. The eyes are +fierce and full of fire; the head is small, and the nose flat, though +covered with very large scales, of a yellowish ash-colour: the skin is +white, and the large tumour on the neck is flat and covered with oblong +smooth scales. This serpent is extremely dreaded by the British +residents in India, as its bite has hitherto been found to be incurable, +and the sufferer generally dies in half an hour.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_501" id="page_501"></a>{501}</span></p> + +<p>Of this kind are the dancing-snakes, which are carried in baskets +throughout Hindoostan, and procure a maintenance for a set of people, +who play a few simple notes on the flute, with which the snakes seem +much delighted, and keep time by a graceful motion of the head; erecting +about half their length from the ground, and following the music with +gentle curves, like the undulating lines of a swan’s neck. It is a +well-attested fact, that, when a house is infested with these snakes, +and some other of the coluber genus, which destroy poultry and small +domestic animals, as also by the larger serpents of the boa tribe, the +musicians are sent for; who, by playing on a flageolet, find out their +hiding places, and charm them to destruction: for no sooner do the +snakes hear the music, than they come softly from their retreat, and are +easily taken. I imagine these musical snakes were known in Palestine, +from the Psalmist comparing the ungodly to the deaf adder, which +stoppeth her ears, and refuseth to hear the voice of the charmer, charm +he never so wisely.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SNAKE_Coluber_natrix" id="Illustration_THE_SNAKE_Coluber_natrix"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 285px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_501_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_501_sml.jpg" width="285" height="150" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SNAKE, (<i>Coluber natrix</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> the largest of all English serpents, sometimes exceeding four feet in +length. The colour of the body is variegated with yellow, green, white, +and regular spots of brown and black. They seem to enjoy themselves when +basking in the sun, at the foot of an old wall. This animal is perfectly +innoxious, although many reports have been circulated and believed to +the contrary; it feeds on<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_502" id="page_502"></a>{502}</span> frogs, worms, mice, and various kinds of +insects, and passes the greater part of the winter in a state of +torpidity. In the spring they re-appear, and at this season uniformly +cast their skins. This is a process that they also seem to undergo in +autumn. Mr. White says: “About the middle of September we found in a +field, near a hedge, the slough of a large snake, which seemed to have +been newly cast. It appeared as if turned wrong side outward, and as if +it had been drawn off backward, like a stocking or a woman’s glove. Not +only the whole skin, but even the scales from the eyes were peeled off, +and appeared in the slough like a pair of spectacles. The reptile, at +the time of changing his coat, had entangled himself intricately in the +grass and weeds, in order that the friction of the stalks and blades +might promote this curious shifting of his exuvia.”</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_BOA_CONSTRICTOR" id="Illustration_THE_BOA_CONSTRICTOR"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 302px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_502_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_502_sml.jpg" width="302" height="200" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE BOA CONSTRICTOR.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> immense animal is often twenty feet in length, and sometimes even +thirty-five; the ground colour of its skin is yellowish grey, on which +is distributed, along the back, a series of large chain-like, reddish +brown, and sometimes perfectly red, variegations, with other smaller and +more irregular marks and spots. It is a native of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_503" id="page_503"></a>{503}</span> South America, where +it chiefly resides in the most retired situations in woods and marshes.</p> + +<p>The bite of this snake is not venomous, nor is the animal believed to +bite at all, except to seize its prey. It kills its prey by twining +round it and crushing its bones.</p> + +<p>The <i>Python</i> and the <i>Anaconda</i>, which are at least as large as the Boa +Constrictor, are found chiefly in the Indian Islands: they are very +similar both in form and colouring to the Boa, and have exactly the same +habits.</p> + +<p>These monsters will attack and devour the largest animals, of which the +following is an instance: A Boa had for some time been waiting near the +brink of a pool in expectation of its prey, when a buffalo appeared. +Having darted upon the affrighted beast, it instantly began to encircle +him with its voluminous twistings, and at every twist the bones of the +buffalo were heard to crack as loud as the report of a gun. It was in +vain that the animal struggled and bellowed; its enormous enemy entwined +it so closely that at length all its bones were crushed to pieces, like +those of a malefactor on the wheel, and the whole body was reduced to +one uniform mass: the serpent then untwined its folds in order to +swallow its prey at leisure. To prepare for this, and also to make it +slip down the throat more smoothly, it licked the whole body over, +covering it with a mucilaginous substance. It then began to swallow it, +at the end that afforded the least resistance, and in the act of +swallowing, the throat suffered so great a dilation as to take in a +substance that was thrice its own ordinary thickness.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_AMPHISBAENA_Amphisbaena_fuliginosa" id="Illustration_THE_AMPHISBAENA_Amphisbaena_fuliginosa"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 211px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_503_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_503_sml.jpg" width="211" height="108" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE AMPHISBÆNA. (<i>Amphisbæna fuliginosa.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> name is now applied only to a genus of South<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_504" id="page_504"></a>{504}</span> American reptiles, +which are of a harmless nature, being destitute of those fangs which +prepare the venom in poisonous serpents. It is indeed doubtful whether +the Amphisbænas are really snakes, and by many naturalists they are +arranged amongst the lizards, although they have no limbs. The head is +so small, and the tail so thick and short, that at first sight it is +difficult to distinguish one from the other; and this circumstance, +united to the animal’s habit of proceeding either backwards or forwards +as occasion may require, gave rise to the supposition throughout the +native regions of the Amphisbæna, that it had two heads, one at each +extremity, and that it was impossible to destroy one by simple cutting, +as the two heads would mutually seek one another and reunite! The colour +of the commonest species is a deep brown varied with patches of white. +The body is ornamented by more than two hundred rings, and the tail by +about twenty-five. The eyes are almost concealed by a thick membrane, +and this, together with their small size, has given rise to the idea +that the Amphisbæna is blind. It grows to the length of eighteen inches +or two feet. Its food consists of worms and insects, and especially +ants, in the mounds of which it generally conceals itself. The ancients +gave the name of Amphisbæna to what they considered a two-headed +serpent; but it is not known with certainty which of the serpent tribe +they meant, as their Amphisbæna is described by Lucan as venomous, +though in his lines elegance of language, beauty of versification, and +liveliness of fancy, have perhaps a greater claim than truth to the +admiration of the reader:—</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“With hissings fierce, dire Amphisbænas rear<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Their double heads, and rouse the soldier’s fear.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Eager he flies: more eager they pursue;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">On every side the onset quick renew!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With equal swiftness face or shun the prey,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And follow fast when thought to run away.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thus on the looms the busy shuttles glide,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Alternate fly, and shoot at either side.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_505" id="page_505"></a>{505}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="II_Batrachian_Reptiles" id="II_Batrachian_Reptiles"></a>§ II. <i>Batrachian Reptiles.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FROG_Rana_temporaria" id="Illustration_THE_FROG_Rana_temporaria"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 319px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_505_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_505_sml.jpg" width="319" height="272" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FROG. (<i>Rana temporaria.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">When</span> this reptile issues from the egg it is merely a black, oval mass, +with a slender tail. This tadpole, as it is then called, is the embryo +of the Frog, and when it has attained a certain size its body gradually +acquires the form of that of the Frog, its legs sprout from its sides, +and finally its tail is cast off. This metamorphosis is one of the most +curious in nature, and deserves our observation. Like other reptiles, it +is not necessary for it to breathe in order to put its blood into +circulation, as it has a communication between the two ventricles of the +heart. It lives during spring in ponds, brooks, muddy ditches, marshy +grounds, and other watery places, in summer in corn-fields and pasture +land. Its voice proceeds from two bladders, one on each side of the +mouth, which it can fill with wind. When it croaks, it puts its head +out<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_506" id="page_506"></a>{506}</span> of the water. The hinder legs of the Frog are much longer than the +fore ones, to help it in its repeated and extensive leaps. The whole of +the body bears a little resemblance to some of the warm-blooded animals, +principally about the thighs and the toes. The Frog is extremely +tenacious of life, and often survives the abscission of its head for +several hours. It is supposed that Frogs spend the whole winter at the +bottom of some stagnant water in a state of torpidity.</p> + +<p>There are several species of the Frog; they are all oviparous, and the +eggs are gelatinous. The <i>Edible Frog</i> is the species used in France and +Germany for food; it is considerably larger than the common kind, and +though rare in England, is very plentiful in France, Germany, and Italy. +Its colour is olive green, marked with black patches on the back, and on +its limbs with transverse bars of the same. From the tip of the nose +three distinct stripes of pale yellow extend to the extremity of the +body, the middle one slightly depressed, and the lateral ones +considerably elevated. The upper parts are of a pale whitish colour, +tinged with green, and marked with irregular brown spots. These +creatures are brought from the country, thirty or forty thousand at a +time, to Vienna, and sold to the great dealers, who have froggeries for +them, which are pits four or five feet deep, dug in the ground, the +mouth covered with a board, and in severe weather with straw. In the +year 1793, there were but three great dealers in Vienna, by whom those +persons who brought them to the markets ready for the cook were +supplied. Only the legs and thighs are eaten, and these are always +skinned. They are rather dear, being considered a great delicacy. The +Edible Frogs are caught in various ways, sometimes in the night, by +means of nets, into which they are attracted by the light of torches +that are carried out for the purpose, and sometimes by hooks, baited +with worms, insects, flesh, or even a bit of red cloth. They are +exceedingly voracious, and seize everything that moves before them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_507" id="page_507"></a>{507}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TOAD_Bufo_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_TOAD_Bufo_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 247px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_507_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_507_sml.jpg" width="247" height="119" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TOAD, (<i>Bufo vulgaris</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Whose</span> very name seems to carry with it something of an opprobrious +meaning, is not unworthy the attention of the observer of nature; for, +though prejudice and false associations have affixed a stigma on certain +species of animals, none of the works of our Creator are despicable, but +all, the more minutely they are examined, the greater claim they are +found to have to our admiration. Somewhat like the frog in the body, it +also resembles that animal in its habits; but the frog leaps, while the +Toad crawls. It is an error to suppose the Toad to be a noxious and +venomous animal; it is as harmless as the frog, and, like some of the +human kind, only labours under the stigma of undeserved calumny. Several +stories have been related of its spitting poison, or knowing how to +expel the venom it may have received from the spider or any other +animals; but these fables have been long exploded. A curious and yet +inexplicable phenomenon is that Toads have been said to be found alive +in the centre of large blocks of stone, where they must have subsisted +without food and respiration for a number of years. The following are +recorded examples: In the year 1719, M. Hubert, professor of philosophy +at Caen, was witness to a living Toad being taken from the solid trunk +of an elm-tree. It was lodged exactly in the centre, and filled the +whole of the space that contained it. The tree was in every other +respect firm and sound. Dr. Bradley saw a Toad taken from the trunk of a +large oak. In the year 1733, a live Toad was discovered by M. Grayburg +in a hard and solid block<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_508" id="page_508"></a>{508}</span> of stone which had been dug up in a quarry in +Gothland. On being touched with a stick upon the head, he informs us, it +contracted its eyes as if asleep, and when the stick was moved gradually +opened them. Its mouth had no aperture, but was closed round with a +yellowish skin. On being pressed with the stick on the back, a small +quantity of clear water issued from it behind, and it immediately died. +A living Toad was found in a block of marble at Chillingham Castle, +belonging to Lord Tankerville, near Alnwick, in Northumberland.</p> + +<p>Some of these cases are related in a manner which renders it difficult +to doubt that the observers described <i>what they thought they saw</i>; but +the occurrence of the phenomena, as described, seems to be so utterly +impossible that we are forced to suppose that those writers have been +misled in some way. That there is some foundation for many of the +stories in question we can have no doubt, but we must look forward to +further observations for their explanation; as Mr. Bell says: “To +believe that a Toad, inclosed within a mass of clay, or other similar +substance, shall exist wholly without air or food, for hundreds of +years, and at length be liberated alive, and capable of crawling, on the +breaking up of the matrix, now become a solid rock, is certainly a +demand upon our credulity which few would be ready to answer.”</p> + +<p>With regard to the length of life of these animals, it is impossible to +state anything decisive, but several facts prove that some of them have +been gifted with astonishing longevity.</p> + +<p>A correspondent of Mr. Pennant’s supplied him with some curious +particulars respecting a domestic Toad, which continued in the same +place for <i>thirty-six</i> years. It frequented the steps before the +hall-door of a gentleman’s house in Devonshire. By being constantly fed, +it was rendered so tame as always to come out of its hole in the evening +when a candle was brought, and to look up as if expecting to be carried +into the house, where it was frequently fed with insects. An animal of +this description being so much noticed and befriended excited the +curiosity of all who came to the house, and even females<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_509" id="page_509"></a>{509}</span> so far +conquered the horrors instilled into them by their nurses as generally +to request to see it fed. It appeared most partial to flesh-maggots, +which were kept for it in bran. It would follow them on the table, and, +when within a proper distance, would fix its eyes and remain motionless +for a little while, apparently to prepare for the stroke which was to +follow, and which was instantaneous. It threw out its tongue to a great +distance, and the insect, stuck by the glutinous matter to its tip, was +swallowed by a motion quicker than the eye could follow. After having +been kept more than thirty-six years it was at length destroyed by a +tame raven, which one day seeing it at the mouth of its hole pulled it +out, and so wounded it that it died.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SURINAM_TOAD_Pipa_Americana" id="Illustration_THE_SURINAM_TOAD_Pipa_Americana"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 273px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_509_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_509_sml.jpg" width="273" height="175" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SURINAM TOAD, (<i>Pipa Americana</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> is one of the ugliest of all Toads, is remarkable for the mode in +which the young are developed. The female, like that of the common Toad, +deposits her eggs at the edge of the water, but instead of leaving them +there, the male takes the mass of eggs and places them on the back of +his partner, pressing them down into a number of curious pits, which are +produced in that part at the breeding season. When each of the pits has +received its egg, the orifice becomes closed by a sort of lid, and the +young animal goes through all its changes<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_510" id="page_510"></a>{510}</span> from the tadpole to the +perfect Toad in this rather confined space. This curious Toad is found +in Guiana; it frequents the dark corners of the houses, and, +notwithstanding its intense ugliness, is eaten by the natives.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COMMON_NEWT_Triton_aquaticus" id="Illustration_THE_COMMON_NEWT_Triton_aquaticus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 330px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_510_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_510_sml.jpg" width="330" height="226" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COMMON NEWT. (<i>Triton aquaticus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Besides</span> the frogs and toads, which have no tails when arrived at their +perfect form, there are several Batrachian Reptiles in which this +appendage is permanent. The best known of these are the Newts, of which +two kinds are very common in ponds during the spring. The common Newt is +three or four inches in length, and is of a pale brown colour above, and +orange with black spots below. It has four little webbed feet and a +flattened tail. In swimming, the legs are turned backwards to lessen +resistance, and the animal is propelled principally by the tail. Their +progression at the bottom of the water and on land is performed +creepingly with their small and weak feet. These animals live during the +autumn and winter under stones and clods of earth, and come down to the +water in February or March for the purpose of depositing their eggs +there. The eggs<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_511" id="page_511"></a>{511}</span> are carefully inclosed by the parents in the leaves of +aquatic plants. The young, when first hatched, are in the form of +tadpoles; the legs afterwards sprout from the sides of the body, but the +tail is not cast off, as in the frogs. The old Newts remain in the water +until July or August.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_GREAT_NEWT_Triton_palustris" id="THE_GREAT_NEWT_Triton_palustris"></a>THE GREAT NEWT. (<i>Triton palustris.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span>, the largest British species of the Newt, is by no means uncommon +in our ponds and ditches. It is about six inches in length; its back is +dark, and its under side is orange-coloured, sprinkled with small black +spots; altogether it is darker and richer in colour than the common +species. During the breeding season the males of both species, but +especially those of the larger one, are adorned with membranous crests, +and their colours become much more vivid. Their tenacity of life is very +great; when mutilated, they will reproduce the lost parts, and they may +be frozen into a solid lump of ice without losing their vitality. With +regard to its habits, this animal is a most voracious creature, and +devours unsparingly aquatic insects, and, in fact, any small animal +which happens to come in its way. For tadpoles it seems to have a +special predilection, and its greediness is such that it has not escaped +the charge of cannibalism. These Newts have more than once been taken in +the act of devouring individuals of the smaller species, but of such a +size that there seems to have been considerable difficulty in swallowing +them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_512" id="page_512"></a>{512}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="III_Saurian_Reptiles" id="III_Saurian_Reptiles"></a>§ III. <i>Saurian Reptiles.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LIZARD_Lacerta_vivipara" id="Illustration_THE_LIZARD_Lacerta_vivipara"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 287px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_512_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_512_sml.jpg" width="287" height="314" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LIZARD. (<i>Lacerta vivipara.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is a British species, and is one of the very few reptiles found in +Ireland. Its movements are most graceful. It comes out of its +hiding-place during the day to bask in the sun, and when it sees an +insect it darts like lightning upon it, seizing it with its sharp little +teeth, and soon swallowing it. The young are produced in eggs, which are +generally hatched the moment they are laid, the skin of the egg being so +thin that the young Lizard can be seen through it.</p> + +<p>The <i>Green Lizard</i> (<i>Lacerta viridis</i>) is a beautiful creature. Its +colours are more brilliant and beautiful than those of any other +European species, and exhibit<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_513" id="page_513"></a>{513}</span> a rich and varied mixture of darker and +lighter green, interspersed with specks and marks of yellow, brown, +black, and sometimes even red. The head is covered with large angular +scales, and the rest of the upper parts with very small ones. The tail +is generally much longer than the body. Beneath the throat there is a +kind of collar, formed by scales of much darker colour than the rest of +the animal.</p> + +<p>The Lizard seems occasionally to lay aside its natural gentleness of +disposition, but no further than for the purpose of obtaining food. Mr. +Edwards once surprised a Lizard in the act of fighting with a small +bird, as she sat on her nest in a vine against a wall, with +newly-hatched young. He supposed that the Lizard would have made a prey +of the latter, could it have driven the old bird from her nest. He +watched the contest for some time; but, on his near approach, the Lizard +dropped to the ground, and the bird flew off.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_IGUANA_Iguana_tuberculata" id="THE_IGUANA_Iguana_tuberculata"></a>THE IGUANA, (<i>Iguana tuberculata</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Which</span> is found commonly in the tropical parts of America, is a large +kind of lizard, often measuring four or five feet in length. It has a +crest of long teeth, looking like a comb, along its back; its tail is +long, tapering, and slender; and beneath its throat it has a sort of +pouch which it can dilate considerably. The colour of this lizard is +greenish, with brown bands on the tail. The Iguana is found in trees, +and feeds chiefly on fruits and other vegetable substances. It is +usually caught when reposing upon a branch, and by a very simple +process: the hunter approaches it whistling, and the animal is stupid +enough to sit still, no doubt enjoying the music, until a noose, +attached to the end of a stick, is passed over its head. It is captured +for the sake of its flesh, which is regarded as very delicate.</p> + +<p>An Iguana, which was kept for some time in a hothouse at Bristol, was +fed on the leaves of kidney bean plants, which it devoured eagerly, +after refusing every other kind of food that had been offered it. It +seems certain that Iguanas in their natural state are not entirely +herbivorous,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_514" id="page_514"></a>{514}</span> but feed on insects, the eggs of birds, and other animal +matter, as well as on plants. They will occasionally take to the water, +and seem to swim with ease. Notwithstanding its repulsive and even +frightful appearance, the Iguana is perfectly harmless and inoffensive.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FLYING_LIZARD_OR_DRAGON" id="Illustration_THE_FLYING_LIZARD_OR_DRAGON"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 348px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_514_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_514_sml.jpg" width="348" height="149" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FLYING LIZARD, OR DRAGON.<br /><br /> +(<i>Draco volans.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Flying Dragons, those terrible creatures described by the older +naturalists, are undoubtedly fabulous and, indeed, impossible creatures, +and either entirely products of the imagination of the vulgar, or +founded upon specimens manufactured for the express purpose of taking in +the naturalist, who, in old times, was a little too ready to believe in +wonders of this kind. The wings of a bat attached to a body and legs +made up from half a dozen animals would furnish a capital Dragon in +former times. Modern naturalists apply the name of Dragon to some little +lizards inhabiting the East Indies, and which have none of those +terrible qualities ascribed to the fabled monsters of antiquity. They +are related to the Iguanas, but have on each side of the body a +membranous expansion, stiffened by the prolongation into it of the first +six false ribs; this acts as a sort of parachute, and enables the little +creatures, not to fly, but to leap or glide through the air to +considerable distances between one tree and another. They live entirely +in trees, and feed on insects.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_515" id="page_515"></a>{515}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CHAMELEON_Chamaeleo_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_CHAMELEON_Chamaeleo_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 346px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_515_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_515_sml.jpg" width="346" height="277" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CHAMELEON. (<i>Chamæleo vulgaris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“A lizard’s body, lean and long,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A fish’s head, a serpent’s tongue;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Its foot with triple claw disjoin’d;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And what a length of tail behind!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">How slow its pace! and then its hue!”<br /></span> +<span class="i13"><span class="smcap">Merrick.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Chameleon</span> is a small animal, about ten inches long, and its tail +nearly the same length. Its body is covered with small compressed scaly +granules; its back is edged, and its tail round, long, and tapering. Its +feet have each five toes, which are situated three one way and two +another, in order to enable it to lay firm hold of the branches: but +wherever it happens that these are too large for the animal to grasp +with its feet, it coils round them its long, prehensile tail, and fixes +its claws strongly into the bark. When walking on the ground, it steps +forward in an extremely cautious manner, seeming never to lift one foot +until it is well assured<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_516" id="page_516"></a>{516}</span> of the firmness of the rest. From these +precautions, its motions have a ridiculous appearance of gravity, when +contrasted with the smallness of its size, and the activity that might +be expected from an animal so nearly allied to some of the most lively +in the creation. Though the Chameleon is repulsive in its appearance, it +is perfectly harmless. It feeds only on insects, for which the structure +of its tongue is well adapted, being long and protrusive, and furnished +with a dilated, glutinous, and somewhat tubular tip. With this it seizes +on insects with the greatest ease, darting it out and immediately +retracting it, with the prey thus secured, which it swallows whole. The +strange notion that Chameleons were able to feed on air, seems to have +arisen merely from the circumstance of these animals, like all others of +the lizard family, being able to subsist for a great length of time +without food. The eyes of the Chameleon have the singular property of +looking at the same instant in different directions; one of them may be +seen to move when the other is at rest, or one will be directed forward, +whilst the other is attending to some object behind, or in a similar +manner upward and downward. It has the power of inflating its body to +double its ordinary size, and at these times it is transparent. It can +undoubtedly change its colour, but it is not true that it takes that of +any object it may be near. On the contrary, its change of colour depends +on its being exposed to a very strong light; and it only changes from +its natural dull grey to a beautiful green, spotted unequally with red. +Africa is the native country of the Chameleons, of which there are +fourteen species; but two of them are found also in different parts of +Asia and New Holland, and one (<i>C. vulgaris</i>) in the south of Europe; +but this animal has never been found in any part of America.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_517" id="page_517"></a>{517}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CROCODILE_OF_THE_NILE" id="Illustration_THE_CROCODILE_OF_THE_NILE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 294px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_517_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_517_sml.jpg" width="294" height="254" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CROCODILE OF THE NILE.<br /><br /> +(<i>Crocodilus vulgaris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal is frequently thirty feet long. The female lays its eggs in +the sand, where they are hatched by the heat of the sun; and the mother +is said to take no care of the young ones. The head of this species, as +of all the true Crocodiles, is twice as long as it is broad; the snout +is pointed and unequal, and the eyes, which are small, are placed very +far asunder. The colour is a greenish bronze, speckled with brown, and +of a yellowish green underneath: six rows of nearly equal-sized plates +run along the back. This Crocodile is less ferocious than some of the +other kinds, and, when taken young, may be tamed. It is common in +Senegal and other parts of Africa, as well as in the Nile.</p> + +<p>The method which the African adopts to kill this formidable creature +displays considerable ingenuity and courage. Having wrapped a thick +cloth round his arm, and provided himself with a long knife, he proceeds +to the known haunt, usually a reedy swamp or river. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_518" id="page_518"></a>{518}</span> moment the +Crocodile perceives him it rushes at him with open mouth, but is coolly +received by its antagonist, who thrusts his covered arm between its +jaws. The teeth cannot pierce through the thick folds of the cloth, so +that his arm only gets a smart squeeze, and before the creature can +disengage itself, he adroitly cuts its throat.</p> + +<p>The <i>Gavials</i> have very long, slender snouts, and their hind feet are +webbed to the ends of the toes. These animals grow to the length of +twenty-five feet, and when large are as dangerous and destructive as the +Nilotic Crocodile. They are found abundantly in the Ganges, and in the +fresh waters of most parts of India and its islands.</p> + +<p>A short time before M. Navarette was at the Manillas, he was told that, +as a young woman was washing her feet at one of the rivers, an Alligator +seized and carried her off. Her husband, to whom she had been but just +married, hearing her screams, threw himself headlong into the water, +and, with a dagger in his hand, pursued the robber. He overtook and +fought the animal with such success as to recover his wife; but, +unfortunately for her brave rescuer, she died before she could be +brought to the shore.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ALLIGATOR_OR_CAYMAN" id="Illustration_THE_ALLIGATOR_OR_CAYMAN"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 305px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_518_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_518_sml.jpg" width="305" height="167" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ALLIGATOR, OR CAYMAN.<br /><br /> +(<i>Alligator lucius.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> habits of the Alligator are much the same as those<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_519" id="page_519"></a>{519}</span> of the +crocodile. The principal mark of distinction is, that the former has its +head and part of the neck more smooth than the latter, and the snout is +considerably more wide and flat, as well as more rounded at the +extremity. The largest of these animals do not usually exceed eighteen +feet. Alligators are natives of the warmer parts of America, and are the +dread of all living animals. Their voracity is so great that they do not +spare even mankind.</p> + +<p>The voice of the Alligator is loud and harsh. They have an unpleasant +and powerful musky scent. M. Pagés says, that near one of the rivers in +America, where they were numerous, their effluvia was so strong as to +impregnate his provisions, and even to give them the nauseous taste of +rotten musk. This effluvium proceeds chiefly from four glands, two of +which are situated in the groin, near each thigh, and the other two at +the breast, under each fore leg. Dampier informs us that, when his men +killed an Alligator, they generally took out these glands, and, after +having dried them, wore them in their hats by way of perfume.</p> + +<p>The following anecdote of the voracity of this animal is related by +Waterton, in his “Wanderings in South America”:—“One Sunday evening, +some years ago, as I was walking with Don Felipe de Ynciarte, governor +of Angustura, on the bank of the Oroonoque, ‘Stop here a minute or two, +Don Carlos,’ said he to me, ‘while I recount a sad accident. One fine +evening last year, as the people of Angustura were sauntering up and +down here, in the Alameda, I was within twenty yards of this place, when +I saw a large Cayman rush out of the river, seize a man, and carry him +down, before anybody had it in his power to assist him. The screams of +the poor fellow were terrible, as the Cayman was running off with him. +He plunged into the river with his prey: we instantly lost sight of him, +and never saw or heard him more.’ ”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_520" id="page_520"></a>{520}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="IV_Chelonian_Reptiles" id="IV_Chelonian_Reptiles"></a>§ IV. <i>Chelonian Reptiles.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COMMON_OR_GREEK_TORTOISE" id="Illustration_THE_COMMON_OR_GREEK_TORTOISE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 244px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_520_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_520_sml.jpg" width="244" height="125" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COMMON, OR GREEK TORTOISE.<br /><br /> +(<i>Testudo Græca.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal has a small head, four feet, and a tail, which it can gather +within the shell in such a way that the top and under part meet +together, and so closely, that the greatest strength cannot separate +them. The eye is destitute of an upper lid, the under one serving to +defend that organ. The upper shell, composed of thirty-seven +compartments, is convex, and so strong, that a loaded cart can pass over +it without injuring the creature inside. In winter, Tortoises are said +to bury themselves in the ground, or retire to some cavern or hole, +which they line with moss, grass, and leaves, and where they pass in +safe and solitary retirement the whole of this season. The Tortoise is +very tenacious of life, and is no less remarkable for its longevity, as +it is ascertained that one lived upwards of one hundred and twenty years +in the garden of Lambeth Palace.</p> + +<p>This animal is found in most of the countries near the Mediterranean +Sea, in Corsica, Sardinia, and some of the islands of the Archipelago, +as well as in many parts of the north of Africa.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_521" id="page_521"></a>{521}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GREEN_TURTLE_Chelonia_midas" id="Illustration_THE_GREEN_TURTLE_Chelonia_midas"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 306px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_521_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_521_sml.jpg" width="306" height="257" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GREEN TURTLE. (<i>Chelonia midas.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Most</span> of the Turtles are considered very delicate food, especially the +green species. Some of them are so large as to weigh from four to eight +hundred pounds. Dampier mentions an immensely large one that was caught +at Port Royal, in the Bay of Campeachy. It was nearly six feet long, and +four feet broad. A son of Captain Roch, a boy about ten years old, went +in the shell, from the shore to his father’s ship, which was about a +quarter of a mile distant.</p> + +<p>Turtle generally ascend from the sea, and crawl on the beach, for the +purpose of laying their eggs (which are as large sometimes as those of a +common hen), sometimes to the number of fifty or sixty at a time. The +young ones, as soon as they are hatched, crawl down to the water. +Turtles are caught, when sleeping on land, by turning them on their +backs; for as they cannot turn themselves over again, all means of +escape is denied them. The lean of the Green Turtle tastes and looks +like veal, without any fishy flavour. The fat is as green<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_522" id="page_522"></a>{522}</span> as grass, and +very sweet. The introduction of Turtle as an article of food into +England, appears to have taken place within the last eighty or ninety +years. They are common in Jamaica, and in most of the islands of the +East and West Indies. Green Turtles are sometimes caught on the shores +of Europe, driven thither by stress of weather. In the year 1752, one, +six feet long and four feet broad, weighing between eight and nine +hundred pounds, was caught in the harbour of Dieppe, after a storm. In +1754, a still larger one, upwards of eight feet long, was caught near +Antioche, and was carried to the Abbey of Longveau, near Vannes, in +Brittany; and in the year 1810, a small one was caught amongst the +submarine rocks near Christchurch, in Hampshire.</p> + +<p>The reader will remember how delighted Robinson Crusoe was to find a +large Turtle which, he says, contained three score eggs. Behold him +dragging it home.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 291px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_522_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_522_sml.jpg" width="291" height="193" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_523" id="page_523"></a>{523}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HAWKS-BILL_TURTLE_Chelonia_imbricata" id="Illustration_THE_HAWKS-BILL_TURTLE_Chelonia_imbricata"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 209px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_523_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_523_sml.jpg" width="209" height="167" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HAWK’S-BILL TURTLE, (<i>Chelonia imbricata</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Has</span> received its name from the peculiar formation of the upper jaw, +which terminates in a curved point, like the beak of a bird of prey. It +is smaller than the Green Turtle, the largest specimens being about +three feet in length. Its flesh is a very indifferent, if not +unwholesome, article of food; but the horny plates with which its back +is covered, and which lie over one another like the slates on the roof +of a house, are beautifully mottled, and constitute the well-known +tortoiseshell of commerce, which is so much used for making combs and +various ornamental articles. It is only the best kind of tortoiseshell, +however, that is taken from the Hawk’s-bill Turtle. The shell that is +usually seen is taken from commoner kinds. A very large quantity of +tortoise-shell is imported into Europe every year, and the traffic in it +forms a very important part of the trade of those countries in which +turtles abound.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_524" id="page_524"></a>{524}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LEATHERY_TURTLE_Sphargis_coriacea" id="Illustration_THE_LEATHERY_TURTLE_Sphargis_coriacea"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 296px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_524_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_524_sml.jpg" width="296" height="186" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LEATHERY TURTLE, (<i>Sphargis coriacea</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Has</span> its back covered with a sort of leathery skin, instead of the horny +plates of the other turtles. It is a very large species, measuring eight +feet or more in length, and weighing as much as a thousand pounds. It is +chiefly found in the Mediterranean; it is, however, occasionally found +on the other coasts of Europe, and a few specimens, some of them +weighing seven or eight hundred pounds, have been caught in England. The +flesh is not considered good, and in some cases great suffering has been +occasioned by eating it. In 1748, a Leathery Turtle, which had been +caught near Scarborough, was purchased by a gentleman, who invited +several friends to taste it. Though warned that the flesh was +unwholesome, one of the guests ate some, but was seized soon after with +dreadful sickness. This should be a warning to the curious to be careful +how they “eat strange flesh.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_525" id="page_525"></a>{525}</span></p> + +<h2><a name="Book_V" id="Book_V"></a><span class="smcap">Book V.</span><br /><br /> +MOLLUSCOUS ANIMALS.</h2> + +<h3><a name="I_Bivalves_or_those_having_two_shells" id="I_Bivalves_or_those_having_two_shells"></a>§ I. <i>Bivalves, or those having two shells.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PEARL_OYSTER_Avicula_Margaritifera" id="Illustration_THE_PEARL_OYSTER_Avicula_Margaritifera"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_525_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_525_sml.jpg" width="300" height="252" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PEARL OYSTER. (<i>Avicula Margaritifera.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Who</span> that sees the beauty and delicacy of pearls would imagine that they +were the production of disease? Such, however, is the case, as they are +either formed in the body of the oyster which inhabits the shell; or +they rise from cracks in the shell itself, the delicate, silvery, +half-transparent lining of which forms the substance generally called +Mother-of-Pearl, or Nacre. Their formation is generally caused by the +introduction of some foreign body between the mantle or skin of the +animal and its shell; the irritation thus produced causes successive +coats of pearly matter to be deposited on the intruding object, and thus +the pearl is formed. The best pearls are those which are fairly imbedded +in the substance of the mantle. These shells are found in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_526" id="page_526"></a>{526}</span> Persian +Gulf and at Ceylon, where they form an important article of commerce.</p> + +<p>The Chinese form pearls by casting into the shell of a certain kind of +muscle artificial beads, which at the end of a year become covered with +a pearly crust, in such a manner that they cannot be distinguished from +the natural pearl.<a name="FNanchor_C_3" id="FNanchor_C_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_C_3" id="Footnote_C_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_3"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> For a very interesting article on this subject, see +Beckmann’s “History of Inventions,” vol. i. p. 259. (<i>Bohn’s Standard +Library.</i>)</p></div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COMMON_OYSTER_Ostrea_edulis" id="Illustration_THE_COMMON_OYSTER_Ostrea_edulis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_526_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_526_sml.jpg" width="268" height="132" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COMMON OYSTER, (<i>Ostrea edulis</i>),</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Has</span> long been in favour with man for its delicacy as an article of food; +the Lucrine lake used to be as much in renown among the Romans for the +choicest kind of Oysters, as Cancalle Bay with the French, and the +Colchester beds with us. The two shells of the Oyster are generally +unequal in size; the hinge is without teeth, but furnished with a +somewhat oval cavity, and generally with lateral transverse grooves. +Oysters sometimes grow to a very large size; in the East Indies they are +said sometimes to measure nearly two feet in diameter.</p> + +<p>The principal breeding season of oysters is in the months of April and +May, when they cast their young, which are enveloped in slime, and in +this state called <i>spats</i> by the fishermen, upon rocks, stones, shells, +or any other hard substance that happens to be near the place where they +lie; and to these the spats immediately adhere. Till they obtain their +film or crust, they are somewhat like the end of a candle, but of a +greenish hue. The substances to which they adhere, of whatever<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_527" id="page_527"></a>{527}</span> nature, +are called <i>cultch</i>. From the spawning time till about the end of July, +Oysters are said to be sick; but by the end of August they become +perfectly recovered; from May till August they are out of season and +unwholesome. The Oyster-fishery of our principal coasts is regulated by +a court of admiralty. In the month of May the fishermen are allowed to +take the Oysters, in order to separate the spawn from the cultch, the +latter of which is thrown in again, for the purpose of preserving the +bed for the future. After this month it is felony to carry away the +cultch, and otherwise punishable to take any Oyster, between whose +shells, when closed, a shilling will rattle. The reason of the heavy +penalty on destroying the cultch is, that when this is taken away, +muscles and cockles will breed on the bed; and, by gradually occupying +all the places on which the spawn should be cast, will destroy the +Oysters.</p> + +<p>The Oyster has been represented, by many authors, as an animal destitute +not only of motion, but of every species of sensation. It is able, +however, to perform movements which are perfectly consonant to its +wants, to the dangers it apprehends, and to the enemies by which it is +attacked. The gills, through which the Oyster breathes, are what is +commonly called the beard, and are very indigestible. The scallop is +nearly allied to the Oyster.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COMMON_COCKLE_Cardium_edule" id="Illustration_THE_COMMON_COCKLE_Cardium_edule"></a> +THE COMMON COCKLE. (<i>Cardium edule.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Few</span> of our shell-fish are more common, in inlets and bays near the +mouths of rivers, than these. In such situations they are usually found +immersed at the depth of two or three inches in the sand, the place of +each being marked by a small, circular, depressed spot. When they open +their shells, the entrance into them is protected by a soft membrane, +which entirely closes up the front, except in two places, at each of +which there is a small, yellow, and fringed tube; by means of which they +receive and eject the water which conveys to their body the nutriment +necessary for their support.</p> + +<p>Cockles are in great request as food among the labouring<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_528" id="page_528"></a>{528}</span> classes, and +are caught chiefly in the winter months. Their size varies from five or +six inches to half an inch in diameter. The shell is generally white; it +has twenty-six longitudinal ridges, is transversely wrinkled, and has +somewhat imbricated striæ. The foot of these animals is largely +developed, and is to them a most important organ, as they use it not +merely for progression, but in the excavation of hollows in the sand or +mud in which they dwell.</p> + +<p>The <i>Chama</i>, which is akin to the cockle, was used by the ancients to +engrave various figures upon, from which circumstance those small +bas-reliefs, so valued now, have obtained among the Italians and +collectors the name of <i>Cameos</i>. The shells of some of these are +decorated with red or yellow stripes, diverging from the hinge, and +spreading to the edges. The <i>Giant Chama</i> has been found to weigh more +than five hundred pounds, and the oyster-like animal within was large +enough to furnish a meal for twenty men. The animals which inhabit these +shells are sometimes called Clams. The shells are often used in Catholic +countries for containing holy water.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PHOLAS_Pholas_dactylus" id="Illustration_THE_PHOLAS_Pholas_dactylus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_528_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_528_sml.jpg" width="268" height="184" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PHOLAS. (<i>Pholas dactylus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is a shell of a rather elongated form, gaping at both<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_529" id="page_529"></a>{529}</span> ends, and +terminated in front by a point; it is white and chalky in its +appearance, and the anterior end is roughened by numerous sharp spines +and tubercles. The animal which inhabits this shell bores deeply into +the rocks of the sea-shore, forming cylindrical holes, in which it +lives; and the water which it requires for its food and respiration is +conveyed to and from the interior of the shell by a pair of tubes which +reach to the outer orifice of its dwelling-place. It is supposed that +the Pholas is enabled to bore into the hard rock by means of its large +and strong foot, but this is still a matter of dispute.</p> + +<p>There are many other boring shells, most of which are related to the +Pholas. Some of them burrow in rocks, others in wood, and some +indifferently in either material. Of the wood-borers, the most +remarkable is the <i>Ship Worm</i> (<i>Teredo navalis</i>), which penetrates +deeply into floating or submerged timber, and lines the cavity of its +burrow with a coating of shell. In this way the Teredo has often done +much injury to piles and other woodwork exposed to the sea, and in 1731 +and 1732 it excited so much alarm in Holland by attacking the piles of +the great dikes, that even statesmen condescended to study its natural +history. We must remember, however, that in the grand economy of nature +even this destructive creature has its use; by penetrating in every +direction through any floating mass of timber it promotes the breaking +up of the latter, and prevents the surface of the sea from being +encumbered with quantities of wreck.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_530" id="page_530"></a>{530}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_1_THE_MUSSEL_Mytilus_edulis" id="Illustration_1_THE_MUSSEL_Mytilus_edulis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 290px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_530_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_530_sml.jpg" width="290" height="154" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>1. THE MUSSEL. (<i>Mytilus edulis.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Like</span> the oyster, the Mussel inhabits a bivalve shell, to which it +adheres by a strong cartilaginous tie. The shells of several of the +species are beautiful. The Mussel possesses the property of locomotion, +which it performs with the member called its tongue, by which it gets +hold of the rock, and is enabled to draw itself along; it has also the +property of emitting a kind of thread, called the byssus, which, fixing +the sides of the shell upon the ground, answers the purpose of a cable, +to keep the body of the fish steady.</p> + +<h3><a name="II_Univalves" id="II_Univalves"></a>§ II. <i>Univalves.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="THE_ADMIRAL" id="THE_ADMIRAL"></a>2. THE ADMIRAL.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">One</span> of the cone-shells, the inhabitant of which is a kind of snail, with +a very distinct head. If nature has taken a delight in painting the +wings of birds, the skins of quadrupeds, and the scales of fishes, she +seems not to have been less pleased in pencilling the shells of these +inhabitants of the deep. The variety, brightness, and versatility of the +colouring have long been deservedly the object of man’s admiration; and +we cannot help being astonished at the richness which a cabinet of +well-selected shells presents to the eye.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_531" id="page_531"></a>{531}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_TIGER_COWRY_Cypraea_Tigris" id="THE_TIGER_COWRY_Cypraea_Tigris"></a>THE TIGER COWRY. (<i>Cypræa Tigris.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Cowries or Porcelain shells are amongst the most beautiful of the +univalves. The shells are generally of an elegant oval form, with no +visible spire; the mouth is a long slit on the middle of the lower +surface, with two nearly equal lips toothed along their margins; the +surface is most beautifully polished, and generally adorned with rich +colours, arranged in varied and elegant patterns. The Tiger Cowry, which +is one of the commonest, is rather broad, and very convex; it is of a +white colour, covered with numerous dark brown spots. It is usually four +or five inches in length, and inhabits the seas of India. The <i>Money +Cowry</i> (<i>Cypræa moneta</i>) is a little Indian species, which is used in +place of money in some countries, especially the interior of Africa. It +is imported into England for exportation to Africa in large quantities; +as much as 300 tons having been landed at Liverpool in one year.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_WHELK_Buccinum_undatum" id="THE_WHELK_Buccinum_undatum"></a>THE WHELK, (<i>Buccinum undatum</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a common British shell-fish of considerable size, which is obtained +in large quantities by dredging, and used as food. In London it is sold +commonly at stalls in the streets, we believe in a pickled state. The +mouth of this animal is furnished with a powerful rasping proboscis, by +means of which it is able to bore through the shells of other mollusca.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_532" id="page_532"></a>{532}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SNIPE_SHELL_Murex_haustellus_or_cornutus" id="Illustration_THE_SNIPE_SHELL_Murex_haustellus_or_cornutus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 207px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_532a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_532a_sml.jpg" width="207" height="110" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SNIPE SHELL, (<i>Murex haustellus</i>, or <i>cornutus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">So</span> called on account of the length of a prominency coming out of the +shell. It is surrounded with blunt prickles, and the colour of the whole +is elegantly variegated.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_PERIWINKLE_Littornia_littorea" id="THE_PERIWINKLE_Littornia_littorea"></a>THE PERIWINKLE, (<i>Littornia littorea</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> too well known to require any description. It is found in +incalculable numbers all round the European coasts, and captured in +immense quantities as an article of food.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LIMPET_Patella" id="Illustration_THE_LIMPET_Patella"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 212px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_532b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_532b_sml.jpg" width="212" height="111" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LIMPET. (<i>Patella.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> shape of this shell is pyramidal; it adheres to the rock with such +strength, that it can only be removed by means of a knife or a strong +blow. The apex of the shell is sometimes sharp, sometimes obtuse, and +often surrounded with points and sharp prickles. When thoroughly +cleansed the shell is generally of a beautiful purple tint of great +brilliancy, though the animal that<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_533" id="page_533"></a>{533}</span> lives under this magnificent roof is +a kind of snail, disagreeable to the eye and insipid to the palate. They +are found on the rocks, which are incessantly beaten by the surges and +breakers, on the sea-shores of almost every country in the world. It is +not by any glutinous liquid, as it has been asserted, that this fish +adheres so strongly to the rock; but by the simple process of producing +a vacuum between its foot and the rock to which it affixes itself.</p> + +<p>The variety which is thrown into the sum of animated beings is so +wonderfully great, that naturalists have reckoned more than a hundred +and twenty-nine species of Limpets, and nearly allied genera; the +difference arising principally out of the diversity of the shells in +form and colour.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GARDEN_SNAIL_Helix_aspersa" id="Illustration_THE_GARDEN_SNAIL_Helix_aspersa"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 345px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_533_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_533_sml.jpg" width="345" height="252" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GARDEN SNAIL, (<i>Helix aspersa</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> furnished with four tentacula, two of which are smaller than the +others; at the end of these tentacula, which the animal pushes out or +draws back, like telescopes, are blackish knobs, which are the eyes. +The<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_534" id="page_534"></a>{534}</span> snail lays eggs, which are about the size of small peas, +semi-transparent, and of a soft substance. By closely examining with a +magnifying lens the eggs which a Water Snail, kept in a bottle of water, +had deposited against the glass, the young Snail was seen in the egg, +with its embryo shell on its back; two have also been observed in one +egg, each of them with the rudiments of the shell.</p> + +<p>The Garden Snail is extremely tenacious of life, and remains in a state +of torpor during the winter. It is said, indeed, that it can remain in +this state for many years, and the following instance is probably +without parallel in any other animal:—Mr. S. Simon, a merchant of +Dublin, whose father, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and a lover of +natural history, left him a small collection of fossils and other +curiosities, had, among them, the shells of some Snails. About <i>fifteen +years</i> after his father’s death, he gave to his son, a child of ten +years old, some of these Snail-shells to play with. The boy placed them +in a flower-pot, which he filled with water, and the next day put them +into a basin. Having occasion to use this, Mr. Simon observed that the +animals had come out of their shells. He examined the child respecting +them, and was assured that they were the same which had been in the +cabinet. The boy said he had a few more, and brought them. Mr. S. put +one of these into water, and, in an hour and a half afterwards, observed +that it had put out its horns and body, which it moved but slowly, +probably from weakness. Major Vallancy, Dr. Span, and other gentlemen, +were afterwards present, and saw one of these Snails crawl out; the rest +being dead, probably from their remaining some days in the water. +Similar observations have since been so frequently repeated, that there +is now no doubt that Snails of various kinds may retain their vitality +for years when preserved in a dry state.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_SMALL_GREY_SLUG_Limax_cinereus" id="THE_SMALL_GREY_SLUG_Limax_cinereus"></a>THE SMALL GREY SLUG, (<i>Limax cinereus</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Resembles</span> a Snail in all points except that it has no shell, +consequently the brown skin of the back is<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_535" id="page_535"></a>{535}</span> rougher and stronger than +that of the Snail. Its progress on the ground may easily be traced by +the slime which it leaves in its track. Few animals are more destructive +to vegetation than these.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_BLACK_SLUG_Arion_ater" id="THE_BLACK_SLUG_Arion_ater"></a>THE BLACK SLUG, (<i>Arion ater</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a well-known inhabitant of our fields and meadows, during the summer +season. The country people consider its appearance as an indication of +approaching rain; but this is rather to be accounted for by the moisture +of the ground and plants. Indeed, it very seldom appears abroad during +dry weather. The Black Slug feeds on the leaves of different kinds of +plants.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SEPIA_OR_CUTTLE-FISH_Sepia_officinalis" id="Illustration_THE_SEPIA_OR_CUTTLE-FISH_Sepia_officinalis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 261px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_535_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_535_sml.jpg" width="261" height="287" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SEPIA, OR CUTTLE-FISH. (<i>Sepia officinalis.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> structure of these animals is very remarkable. Their body is nearly +cylindrical, and, in some of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_536" id="page_536"></a>{536}</span> species, entirely covered with a +fleshy sheath; in others the sheath reaches only to the middle of the +body. They have eight arms, or rather legs, and in general two feelers, +much longer than the arms. Both the feelers and arms are furnished with +strong circular cups or suckers. The mouth is hard, strong, and horny, +resembling in texture the beak of the parrot. The body is of a +jelly-like substance, and usually covered with a coarse skin, having the +appearance of leather. This skin contains cells of different colours, +which are capable of changing their relative position, so that the +Cuttle-fish is able to change the colour of its skin. By means of the +numerous circular cups or suckers with which the arms are furnished, +they seize their prey, and firmly attach themselves to the rocks. Their +adhesive power is so great, that it is generally more easy to tear off +the arms than to separate them from the substance to which they are +affixed: if the arms happen to be broken off, they are soon reproduced. +The size to which this creature grows has been variously stated; and, +although evidently exaggerated by some authors, it undoubtedly attains +to a very considerable magnitude. When attacked in its own element, it +has been known to overcome a large dog. Its jaws are extremely strong +and powerful, and with its beak it can crush in pieces the shells of the +fish on which it feeds. In the body is a bladder filled with a dark inky +fluid, which it emits when alarmed, and which not only tinges the water +so as to conceal its retreat, but is so bitter as immediately to drive +off its enemies. This inky fluid, when dried, forms a very valuable +colour, used by artists, and known as Sepia.</p> + +<p>The bone, or calcareous plate of the <i>Sepia Officinalis</i>, a species +common on our coasts, is a well-known substance, and is much employed in +the manufacture of toothpowder; and by silversmiths for moulds, to cast +their small work, such as rings, &c. It is also converted into that +useful article of stationery, called pounce.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_537" id="page_537"></a>{537}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_POULPE_Octopus_vulgaris" id="THE_POULPE_Octopus_vulgaris"></a>THE POULPE, (<i>Octopus vulgaris</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Has</span> only eight arms, the two long tentacles of the Sepia being absent. +It is found on our coasts, and is especially abundant in the +Mediterranean, where it is regularly brought to market as an article of +food.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ARGONAUT_OE_PAPER_NAUTILUS" id="Illustration_THE_ARGONAUT_OE_PAPER_NAUTILUS"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 263px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_537_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_537_sml.jpg" width="263" height="194" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ARGONAUT, OE PAPER NAUTILUS,</p><p>THE ARGONAUT, OE PAPER NAUTILUS,</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a kind of Poulpe, in which only six of the arms present the ordinary +form, the other pair being expanded into broad, flat organs. It was +supposed by the ancients, and, indeed, until very recently, that these +expanded arms were used by the animal as sails; it was described as +floating at the surface of the sea, with the back of the shell +downwards, the six arms sticking into the water like so many oars, and +the two broad members elevated to catch the breeze; but it is now known +that the so-called sails are used to embrace the shell when the animal +is swimming backwards, in the same way as its allies, and it also +appears that it is by these arms that the shell is enlarged. The +Argonaut is found in the Mediterranean.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_538" id="page_538"></a>{538}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_NAUTILUS_OR_PEARLY_NAUTILUS" id="Illustration_THE_NAUTILUS_OR_PEARLY_NAUTILUS"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 275px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_538_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_538_sml.jpg" width="275" height="245" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE NAUTILUS, OR PEARLY NAUTILUS,<br /><br /> +(<i>Nautilus Pompilius</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a very different creature, and instead of the eight arms of the +Argonaut has its head surrounded by numerous ringed and sheathed +tentacles. It is remarkable for the structure of its shell, the cavity +of which is divided into numerous chambers by transverse partitions; +these chambers, of which the outermost alone is occupied by the animal, +are filled with air, but a narrow tube passes through the whole of them, +and communicates with the cavity of the body. By this arrangement the +Nautilus is enabled to alter his specific gravity so as either to rise +to the surface or sink to the bottom of the water. The few existing +species of Nautilus are all found in the Indian and South Pacific +Oceans.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_539" id="page_539"></a>{539}</span></p> + +<h2><a name="Book_VI" id="Book_VI"></a><span class="smcap">Book VI.</span><br /><br /> +ARTICULATED ANIMALS.</h2> + +<h3><a name="I_Annelida_or_Ringed_Animals" id="I_Annelida_or_Ringed_Animals"></a>§ I. <i>Annelida, or Ringed Animals.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_WORMS_Vermes" id="Illustration_WORMS_Vermes"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 244px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_539_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_539_sml.jpg" width="244" height="315" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>WORMS. (<i>Vermes.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> creatures constitute a class by themselves, under the name of +<i>Annelida</i>, in the works of modern naturalists. They are distinguished +from the caterpillar and maggot, by undergoing no change, and crawling +by means of the annular structure of their bodies.</p> + +<p>The <i>Earth Worm</i> has neither bones, eyes, or ears; it has a round, +annulated body, with generally an elevated fleshy belt near the head. +Though considered a great<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_540" id="page_540"></a>{540}</span> nuisance by gardeners, Earth Worms perforate, +and loosen the soil, and render it pervious to rains and the fibres of +plants, by drawing into it straws and the stalks of leaves: and chiefly +by throwing infinite numbers of lumps called worm-casts, which form a +fine manure for grass and corn. They are, however, very injurious to +plants in pots.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LEECH_Sanguisuga_officinalis" id="Illustration_THE_LEECH_Sanguisuga_officinalis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 258px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_540_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_540_sml.jpg" width="258" height="95" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LEECH, (<i>Sanguisuga officinalis</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> about three inches in length, and in its exterior form somewhat +resembles the worm, when extended, but often contracts itself greatly in +length, at the same time expanding in thickness. It has a small head, a +black skin, with six yellow lines above, and spotted with yellow below. +The mouth of the Leech is of curious construction; it has three jaws, +each of which is armed with two ranges of very fine teeth, with which it +pierces the skin; and then draws up, as through a siphon, the blood, +upon which it feeds. The progressive movement of the Leech is effected +by sticking, by suction, its mouth to a certain spot, then bringing its +tail, which also has the property of sticking, in the same manner as the +head, and then advancing its head further on, quickly followed by the +tail, and so on. The common Leech is very often met with in brooks and +rivulets. Its uses in medicine are well known, as by its means the blood +can be extracted from diseased parts, to which the lancet cannot be +applied.</p> + +<p>The blood which the Leech sucks out of the wound it makes supplies it +with nutriment for so great a period of time, that a Leech, after having +been satisfied with blood, has been known to live three years without<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_541" id="page_541"></a>{541}</span> +any food. It is usual, however, to make them disgorge the greater part +of the blood they have swallowed by sprinkling them with salt; as +otherwise they would not bite again till the blood they had taken was +fully digested.</p> + +<p>Leeches lay eggs, which are covered with a kind of membrane, which +serves to protect them when they are deposited in the clay and holes in +the sides of ponds. They appear to live on the eggs of fish or frogs, +but eagerly attach themselves to the legs of human beings, horses, or +cows, whenever they have an opportunity. As there is a prejudice among +the country people that Leeches never breed well till they have tasted +blood, it is said that they drive their horses and cows into the water +inhabited by the Leeches, and consequently that the Leech districts are +remarkable for their wretched-looking horses and cattle. Leeches must be +five years old before they are fit for medical purposes; and they are +caught in shallow water in spring by people going in with naked feet and +ankles, to which the Leeches adhere, when they are picked off and put in +baskets provided for the purpose. In summer a raft is made of twigs, and +the waters being disturbed with a stick, the Leeches rise to the +surface, and get entangled in the raft. When caught, they are washed in +water with a very little salt in it, and packed in wet linen cloths, +which are put into a barrel with a canvas cover, and sent away for sale. +London used to be chiefly supplied from the fenny districts of +Lincolnshire, but the consumption of these useful worms has been so +great that most of our Leeches are now imported through Hambro’ from the +east of Europe. Some years since Dr. Pereira stated that the number of +Leeches imported by the four principal dealers in London amounted to +7,200,000 annually. They are also, when kept in a glass bottle with +water, a good barometer, as they always come up to the neck of the +bottle when rainy weather is approaching, remain at the bottom in dry +weather, and move anxiously up and down when the weather is stormy. +Horse-Leeches are larger than the common species, more voracious, and +narrower at each extremity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_542" id="page_542"></a>{542}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="II_Crustacea" id="II_Crustacea"></a>§ II. <i>Crustacea.</i></h3> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LOBSTER_Astacus_marinus" id="Illustration_THE_LOBSTER_Astacus_marinus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 308px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_542_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_542_sml.jpg" width="308" height="241" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LOBSTER, (<i>Astacus marinus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Has</span> a cylindrical body, long antennæ, and a broad tail. Its large claws +enable it to seize on its prey, to fix itself on the small prominences +of rocks in the sea, to resist the motion of the waves, and to defend +itself against its enemies. When the Lobster wants to spring off the +rocks, it makes a fulcrum of its tail, which has the action of a +powerful spring. Its gait is awkward, as in all the crustacea. Besides +its claws, it has four small legs on each side, to assist it in its +movements. Under the tail the hen Lobster preserves her eggs till they +are hatched. They are extremely prolific. Dr. Baxter says he counted +twelve thousand four hundred and forty-four eggs under the tail of a +female Lobster, besides those that remained in the body undeveloped. +Like the rest of their tribe, they cast their shells annually, previous +to which they appear languid and restless: they acquire an entirely new +covering in a few days.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_543" id="page_543"></a>{543}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CRAYFISH_Astacus_fluviatilis" id="Illustration_THE_CRAYFISH_Astacus_fluviatilis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 257px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_543a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_543a_sml.jpg" width="257" height="176" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CRAYFISH, (<i>Astacus fluviatilis</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">May</span> be called the lobster of fresh water, and its presence is generally +esteemed an evidence of the goodness of the water. Crayfish are +considered a very strengthening food. They are caught in shallow brooks, +hid under large stones, out of which they crawl backwards to seek for +their prey, which consists of small insects; the hooks employed to catch +them are baited with liver or flesh, which they nibble most greedily.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CRAB_Cancer_pagurus" id="Illustration_THE_CRAB_Cancer_pagurus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 230px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_543b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_543b_sml.jpg" width="230" height="139" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CRAB. (<i>Cancer pagurus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Crabs</span> are of various sizes, some weighing several pounds, and others +only a few grains, all of different species. They do not move forward, +but sideways. They have a small tail closed on the body; which forms a +considerable<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_544" id="page_544"></a>{544}</span> and essential difference between them and the lobsters, +prawns, shrimps, and crayfish.</p> + +<p>The most remarkable circumstance in the history of these animals is the +changing of their shells and the renewal of their broken claws. The +former, as it is stated, take place once a year, and usually between +Christmas and Easter. During the operation they retire among the +cavities of rocks, and under great stones. Crabs are naturally +quarrelsome amongst themselves, and frequently have serious contests, by +means of those formidable weapons, their great claws. With these they +lay hold of their adversary’s legs; and wherever they seize, it is not +easy to make them forego their hold. The animal seized has, therefore, +no other alternative but to leave part of the leg behind in token of +victory.</p> + +<p>An experiment was tried to prove the extremely tenacious disposition of +the Crab. By irritating it, a fisherman made a Crab seize one of its own +small claws with a large one. The animal did not distinguish that it was +itself the aggressor, but exerted its strength, and soon cracked the +shell of the small claw. Feeling itself wounded, it cast off the piece +in the usual place, but continued to hold it with the great claw for a +long time afterwards.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 274px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_544_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_544_sml.jpg" width="274" height="200" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p>The <i>Violet Land-Crabs</i> of the Caribbee Islands are<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_545" id="page_545"></a>{545}</span> most singular in +their habits; they descend in annual and regular caravans from the +mountains, their natural abode, to the sea-shores, in order to deposit +their spawn, after which they again return to the mountains. These Crabs +form, in their procession, a body of fifty paces broad, and three miles +in length. This battalion moves slowly, but with regularity and +uniformity, either when they descend or ascend the hills. They abound in +Jamaica, where they are accounted a great delicacy by the natives, and +are common in the adjacent islands.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SOLDIER_CRAB_OE_HERMIT_CRAB" id="Illustration_THE_SOLDIER_CRAB_OE_HERMIT_CRAB"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 248px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_545_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_545_sml.jpg" width="248" height="126" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SOLDIER CRAB, OE HERMIT CRAB,<br /><br /> +(<i>Pagurus bempardus</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a curious animal, and ought to be noticed here for its singular +habits. It is somewhat like a lobster divested of its shell; it is about +four inches in length, and has no shell on the hinder part, but is +covered down to the tail with a rough skin; it is also armed with strong +hard nippers. This Crab has not been provided by nature with a shell, +and is obliged to seek for one which has been deserted by its legitimate +tenant; but as this covering cannot grow of course proportionally with +him, he is forced out of it by his increasing size, and finds himself +under the necessity of looking out for a new one: it is curious to see +him when in want of a new house, crawling from one empty shell to +another, examining and trying his new habitation. Sometimes, when two +competitors happen to eye the same premises, a great contest arises, and +of course the strongest gets the manor.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_546" id="page_546"></a>{546}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_1_THE_SHRIMP_Crangon_vulgaris" id="Illustration_1_THE_SHRIMP_Crangon_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 286px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_546_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_546_sml.jpg" width="286" height="140" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>1. THE SHRIMP. (<i>Crangon vulgaris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Shrimp</span> is a well-known small crustaceous animal, nearly allied to +the lobster, which it resembles in shape. Its length is rather more than +two inches; in colour it is greenish-grey, dotted with brown. It has +long slender feelers, between which are two projecting laminæ; ten feet +and five fins, but no claws. This animal breeds on all the sandy shores +of Great Britain: it is frequently found in harbours, and even in the +ditches and ponds of salt marshes; it is also very common on the French +coast. During life the body is semi-transparent, and so much resembles +sea-water that the animal is distinguished with difficulty. Its ordinary +motion consists of leaps. Its flavour is very delicate.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_PRAWN_Palaemon_serratus" id="THE_PRAWN_Palaemon_serratus"></a>2. THE PRAWN. (<i>Palæmon serratus.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Prawn</span> is not unlike the shrimp, but exceeds it considerably in size, +its length being between three and four inches. It has a projecting +ridge down the back, furnished with sharp teeth. Its natural colour is +greyish, with small red and brown spots, but when boiled it assumes a +most beautiful pink tint. The flesh is very delicate, although perhaps +inferior in flavour to that of the shrimp.</p> + +<p>Prawns are very common on the coasts of France and England; they are +chiefly found among sea-weed, and in the vicinity of rocks, at a little +distance from the shore.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_547" id="page_547"></a>{547}</span> They seldom enter the mouths of rivers. They +feed on all the smaller kinds of marine animals, which they seize and +devour with great voracity. In their turn, they are the prey of numerous +species of fish, although the sharp and serrated horn in front of their +head constitutes a powerful weapon of defence against the attacks of all +the smaller kinds. At the side of the head there is frequently to be +observed a large and apparently unnatural lump. This, if examined, will +be found to contain, under the thoracic plate, a species of parasitic +animal, which occupies the whole cavity, and there feeds and perfects +its growth. The same tumour or lump may also be observed on the shrimp.</p> + +<p>Being in great request for the table, both shrimps and Prawns are +eagerly sought for by fishermen, who catch them either in osier baskets, +similar to those employed in catching lobsters, or in a kind of net +called a <i>Putting-net</i>. These, which are well known to all frequenters +of the sea-coast, are five or six feet in width, and flat at the bottom; +and are pushed along in the shallow water, upon the sandy shores, by a +man who walks behind. There is a great number of other species belonging +to the same family as the shrimp and prawn, but they are for the most +part inhabitants of foreign seas, and what other British species exist +are rare in comparison to the two we have described.</p> + +<p>Fossil crustaceans, which are apparently members of the same family, +have also been found in France and Germany.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_548" id="page_548"></a>{548}</span></p> + +<h3><a name="III_Arachnida" id="III_Arachnida"></a>§ III. <i>Arachnida.</i></h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">This Order</span>, according to Lamarck, and other modern zoologists, contains +the Spiders, Scorpions, and Mites, which do not undergo any +metamorphoses. These creatures differ from the true insects in the +number of their feet, which are generally eight, while those of the true +insects never exceed six.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GARDEN_SPIDER_Epeira_diadema" id="Illustration_THE_GARDEN_SPIDER_Epeira_diadema"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 347px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_548_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_548_sml.jpg" width="347" height="297" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GARDEN SPIDER. (<i>Epeïra diadema.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">All</span> the Spiders are distinguished by having no antennæ, eight legs, and +generally eight eyes; mandibles terminated by a movable claw, which +sometimes emits poison; and an abdomen without rings, furnished at its +point with four or six spinnerets, from which the Spider emits the +threads used in spinning its web. This web is wonderful<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_549" id="page_549"></a>{549}</span> in its +formation. It consists of a number of stout threads radiating from the +centre to various objects in the neighbourhood, and crossed by a great +quantity of finer threads arranged in a close spiral, so as to produce +the impression of a number of concentric circles. These fine threads are +braided and glutinous, so that any unfortunate fly that comes in contact +with them adheres readily:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“The Spider’s touch, how exquisitely fine!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Feels at each thread, and lives along the line.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Pope.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The Spider sits in the middle, and at the least motion caused by a fly +or other insect pressing against it, rushes on his prey, and sucks its +juices; if, however, it should appear at all formidable, the Spider +carefully encloses it in a shroud of web, which, of course, quite +disables it; and then feasts on it at his convenience. The most +difficult part of the business is to eject the remains, which is often +attended with great detriment to the net. The female generally lays from +nine hundred to a thousand eggs, which are contained in a kind of bag, +and thus an immense number of Spiders are hatched every year, which +would soon become troublesome from their numbers, if they were not kept +in check by the numerous birds which prey upon them. The silk which the +Spider produces is not strong enough to be employed for any useful +purposes, though, out of curiosity, gloves and stockings have been woven +out of it. A great difficulty, however, arises in the pugnacious habits +of Spiders, as, when a number of them are kept together, they fight so +dreadfully, that in a short time only a very few are left alive; and a +great number would be required, as twelve Spiders do not produce so much +silk as a single silkworm. Spiders resemble the crustacea in having the +power of reproducing the legs which they lose.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_HOUSE_SPIDER_Tegenaria_domestica" id="THE_HOUSE_SPIDER_Tegenaria_domestica"></a>THE HOUSE SPIDER, (<i>Tegenaria domestica</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a very different species from the Garden Spider. It dwells in the +dark corners of houses and outbuildings, forming a dingy web of +irregular threads, all of which communicate with a concealed chamber or +den in which the Spider lurks.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_550" id="page_550"></a>{550}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_DIVING_SPIDER_Argyroneta_aquatica" id="THE_DIVING_SPIDER_Argyroneta_aquatica"></a>THE DIVING SPIDER, (<i>Argyroneta aquatica</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> another kind, which forms a sort of tent by stretching its threads +between the stems of aquatic plants far below the surface. In this den +it dwells, and here it devours the prey which it captures during its +excursions; and in order to provide a stock of air for its respiration, +it carries down successive small portions entangled amongst the hairs of +its abdomen. This process is exactly similar to that by which +diving-bells used to be supplied with air, and indeed the dome-like +habitation of this Spider is constructed precisely on the same principle +as the diving-bell.</p> + +<p>There are also several kinds of <i>Water Mites</i>, the most abundant of +which is of a rich red colour, and grows to nearly the bulk of a pea. It +may commonly be seen swimming among the plants in pools and ditches.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_TARANTULA_Lycosa_Tarantula" id="Illustration_THE_TARANTULA_Lycosa_Tarantula"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 239px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_550_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_550_sml.jpg" width="239" height="190" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE TARANTULA. (<i>Lycosa Tarantula.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> Spider is a native of the South of Europe. It lives in fields, and +its dwelling is about four inches deep in the ground, half an inch wide, +and closed at the mouth with a net. They lay about seven hundred and +thirty eggs, which are hatched in the spring. These Spiders do not live +quite a year; the parents never survive the winter.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_551" id="page_551"></a>{551}</span></p> + +<p>Inflammation, difficulty of breathing, and sickness, are said to be the +inevitable consequences of the bite of this animal. Dr. Mead, and other +medical men, have countenanced the popular story of these effects being +counteracted by the power of music. It is, however, now well known, that +this singular mode of cure was nothing more than a trick frequently +practised on credulous travellers, who were desirous of witnessing it. +Mr. Swinburne, when he was in Italy, minutely investigated every +particular relative to the Tarantula. The season was not far enough +advanced, and it was pretended that no persons had as yet been bitten +that year: he, however, prevailed upon a woman, who had formerly been +bitten, to dance the part before him. Several musicians were summoned, +and she performed the dance, as everyone present assured him, to +perfection. At first she lolled stupidly on a chair, while the +instruments played a dull strain. They touched at length the chord +supposed to vibrate to her heart; and up she sprung with a hideous yell, +staggered about the room like a drunken person, holding a handkerchief +in both hands, raising them alternately, and moving in very true time. +As the music grew brisker, her motions quickened, and she skipped about +with great vigour, and in a variety of steps, every now and then +shrieking very loud. The scene was unpleasant, and, at his request, an +end was put to it before the woman was tired.</p> + +<p>He informs us, that, whenever they are to dance, a place is prepared for +them, hung round with bunches of grapes and ribbons. The patients are +dressed in white, with red, green, or yellow ribbons; on their shoulders +they have a white scarf; they let their hair fall loose about their +ears, and throw the head quite back. He says that they are exact copies +of the ancient priestesses of Bacchus. The introduction of Christianity +abolished all public exhibitions of heathenish rites; but the women, +unwilling to give up their darling amusement, in performing the frantic +character of Bacchantes, devised other pretences; and he supposes that +accident led them to the discovery of the Tarantula, of which they took +advantage for that purpose.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_552" id="page_552"></a>{552}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_CHEESE_MITE_Acarus_siro" id="THE_CHEESE_MITE_Acarus_siro"></a>THE CHEESE MITE. (<i>Acarus siro.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> destructive little creatures differ from spiders in having the +thorax and abdomen united and covered with the same skin, though it is +contracted in one part. They have also, when young, only six legs, +though the two others appear afterwards; and their feet are armed with +strong hooks, which enable them to retain hold of the cheese or other +food, in which they take up their abode. Their bodies are covered with +hair, and their mouths are furnished with strong mandibles, with which +they soon hew down huge rocks and mountains of cheese. The eggs of these +Mites are so small, that it has been computed that a pigeon’s egg would +contain thirty millions of them. It must be observed that this Mite is +only found in dry cheese, in which it looks like reddish dust. The +cheese-hopper, found in moist rotten cheese, is the maggot of a kind of +fly. (<i>Piophila Casei.</i>)</p> + +<h3><a name="IV_Insects" id="IV_Insects"></a>§ IV. <i>Insects.</i></h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Insects</span> have all six legs and two antennæ or feelers; and though the +transformations they undergo differ slightly in the different kinds, the +following is the order in which they occur:—The perfect insect lays +eggs, which when hatched produce larvæ; and which are called grubs when +they belong to beetles, maggots to flies, and caterpillars to +butterflies and moths. These larvæ eat voraciously; and as they rapidly +increase in size, they generally moult, that is, change their skins, two +or three times. When the larvæ are full grown, they go into the pupa +state, in which they remain torpid and without food for a considerable +length of time, sometimes first spinning a loose covering for the pupa +called a cocoon. The pupa is generally called a chrysalis; but it is +also sometimes called a nymph, and sometimes an aurelia. The last +transformation is when the insect breaks from its covering in a perfect +form, when it is called the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_553" id="page_553"></a>{553}</span> imago. There are, however, some insects +which are active throughout their lives, and in these the larvæ and pupæ +are very similar to the perfect insect. The perfect insect is divided +into three segments, or parts, called the head, the thorax, and the +abdomen.</p> + +<h4><a name="Order_I_Coleoptera_or_Beetles" id="Order_I_Coleoptera_or_Beetles"></a><span class="smcap">Order I.</span> <i>Coleoptera, or Beetles.</i></h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> larva of the beetle is a grub, which often continues in that state +three or four years, eating voraciously during the whole period. When +full grown it in most cases either descends into the ground, where it +undergoes its transformations, first into a nymph, or pupa, and then +into a beetle; or it makes itself a rough cocoon of bits of stick and +dead leaves, in which it changes into a pupa, and afterwards into a +beetle. The wood-eating beetles undergo their transformations in the +tree on which they feed. The pupa of the beetle is termed incomplete, +because all the parts of the insect are visible in it, instead of being +enclosed in one thick covering, as in the moths and butterflies. The +head of the beetle is furnished with two compound eyes; two antennæ +(differing in shape in the various species, but having usually eleven +joints); and a mouth, consisting of a labrum, or upper lip, a labium, or +under lip, two mandibles, or upper jaws, and two maxillæ, or under jaws. +There is also the mentum, or chin, and a part called the clypeus, to +which the upper lip is attached.</p> + +<p>The thorax is the part which supports the legs and wings. The legs are +divided into five portions, of which the part terminated by the claw is +called the tarsus. There are two membranous wings, covered by two +hardened wings or wing-cases, called the elytra, which generally open by +a straight line down the back; and hence the name of Coleoptera, which +signifies wing in a case: the abdomen is simply the body.</p> + +<p>The number of beetles is very great, and indeed Mr. Westwood informs us +that more than thirty thousand species have been described, of which +about three thousand five hundred are natives of Britain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_554" id="page_554"></a>{554}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COCKCHAFER_Melolontha_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_COCKCHAFER_Melolontha_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 211px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_554_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_554_sml.jpg" width="211" height="91" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COCKCHAFER. (<i>Melolontha vulgaris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Cockchafer</span> is one of the lamellicorn beetles. The female lays her +eggs in the ground, and the grubs, when hatched, are soft, thick, and +whitish. It is from its white appearance that the grub of the Cockchafer +is called <i>le ver blanc</i> by the French. These grubs, sometimes in +immense numbers, work between the turf and the soil in the richest +meadows, devouring the roots of the grass to such a degree that the turf +rises, and will roll up with almost as much ease as if it had been cut +with a turfing knife; the soil underneath appearing, for more than an +inch in depth, like the bed of a garden. In this the grubs lie, on their +backs, in a curved position, the head and tail uppermost, and the rest +of the body buried in the mould. It is also said that a whole field of +fine flourishing grass has become, in a few weeks, withered, dry, and as +brittle as hay, in consequence of these grubs devouring the roots.</p> + +<p>In the year 1688 great numbers of Cockchafers appeared on the hedges and +trees of the south-west coast of the county of Galway, in clusters of +thousands, clinging to each others’ backs, in the manner of bees when +they swarm. During the day they continued quiet, but towards sunset the +whole were in motion; and the humming noise of their wings sounded like +distant drums. Their numbers were so great that, for the space of two or +three square miles, they entirely darkened the air. Persons travelling +on the roads, or who were abroad in the fields, found it difficult to +make their way home, as the insects were continually beating against +their faces, and occasioned great pain. In a very short time<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_555" id="page_555"></a>{555}</span> the leaves +of all the trees, for several miles round, were destroyed, leaving the +whole country, though it was near midsummer, as naked and desolate as it +would have been in the middle of winter. The noise which these enormous +swarms made, in seizing and devouring the leaves, was so loud, as to be +compared to the distant sawing of timber. Swine and poultry destroyed +them in vast numbers; waiting under the trees for the clusters of +insects to drop, and then devouring such swarms as to become fat upon +them alone. Even the native Irish, from the insects having eaten up the +whole produce of the ground, adopted a mode of cooking them, and thus +used them as food. Towards the end of the summer they disappeared so +suddenly that in a few days there was not one left.</p> + +<p>Rooks are very fond of eating these grubs, and often, when they are seen +in a newly-sown field, apparently devouring the grain, they are, in +fact, rendering the greatest service to the farmer, by destroying his +great enemy, the white worm.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_DOR_OR_BLIND_BEETLE" id="THE_DOR_OR_BLIND_BEETLE"></a>THE DOR, OR BLIND BEETLE.<br /><br /> +(<i>Geotrupes stercorarius.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> well-known insect, which is sometimes also called “the shard-borne +beetle,” has been often noticed by the poets. Amongst others, +Shakespeare makes Macbeth say:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Ere to black Hecate’s summons<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The shard-borne beetle, with its drowsy hum,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Hath rung night’s yawning peal, there shall be done<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A deed of dreadful note.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>This beetle, which is a British insect, lays its eggs in a mass of +cow-dung, which it afterwards buries in the earth. It makes a dull +drowsy noise when it flies, and often strikes itself against any person +or object it may meet, as though it were blind. It has also the habit of +stretching out its limbs and pretending to be dead when caught.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_556" id="page_556"></a>{556}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_STAG_BEETLE_Lucanus_cervus" id="Illustration_THE_STAG_BEETLE_Lucanus_cervus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 210px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_556_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_556_sml.jpg" width="210" height="120" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE STAG BEETLE. (<i>Lucanus cervus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“See the proud giant of the beetle race;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">What shining arms his polished limbs encase!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Like some stern warrior, formidably bright,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His steely sides reflect a gleamy light;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">On his large forehead spreading horns he wears,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And high in air the branching antlers bears;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">O’er many an inch extends his wide domain,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And his rich treasury swells with hoarded grain.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Barbauld.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> insect is the largest, and most singular in shape, of any in this +country. It is known by two horn-like mandibles, projecting from its +head, and resembling those of a stag, with which it is able to pinch +very severely. These mandibles are strongly dentated from the root to +the point. The wing-cases have neither streaks nor spots. The whole +insect is of a deep brown. It is sometimes found in hollow oaks and +beeches, near London.</p> + +<p>The larvæ, or grubs, lodge under the bark, or in the hollow of old +trees; which they bite and reduce to fine powder. The larvæ are supposed +to exist three or four years before they form their cocoons. These +insects are mostly found in Kent and Sussex. In Germany there is a +popular but idle notion, that they sometimes, by means of their jaws, +carry burning coals into houses; and that, in consequence of this +mischievous propensity, dreadful fires have been occasioned. The Stag +Beetle is one of the lamellicorn Coleoptera.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_557" id="page_557"></a>{557}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ELEPHANT_BEETLE" id="Illustration_THE_ELEPHANT_BEETLE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 196px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_557_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_557_sml.jpg" width="196" height="119" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ELEPHANT BEETLE,<br /><br /> +(<i>Scarabæus</i>, or <i>Dynastes Elephas</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> found in South America, particularly in Guiana and Surinam, as well +as near the river Orinoko. It is one of the largest beetles of its kind; +it is black, and the whole body is covered with a very hard shell, quite +as thick and as strong as that of a small crab. Its length, from the +hinder part to the eyes, is almost four inches; and from the same part +to the end of the large horn on the head (from the resemblance of which +to the proboscis of an elephant, and its great size, the beetle has +obtained its name) four inches and three quarters. The transverse +diameter of the body is two inches and a quarter; and the breadth of +each case, for the wings, upwards of an inch. The horns are about an +inch long, and terminate in points. The head-horn is an inch and a +quarter long, and turns upwards, making a crooked line terminating in +two horns, each of which is nearly a quarter of an inch long. Above the +head is a prominence, or small horn, which, if the rest of the trunk +were away, would cause this part to resemble the horn of a rhinoceros. +There is, indeed, a beetle named after that animal, whose lower horn +resembles this: its scientific name is <i>Oryctes Rhinoceros</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_558" id="page_558"></a>{558}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MUSK_BEETLE_OR_GOAT_CHAFFER" id="Illustration_THE_MUSK_BEETLE_OR_GOAT_CHAFFER"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 199px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_558_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_558_sml.jpg" width="199" height="105" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MUSK BEETLE, OR GOAT CHAFFER.<br /><br /> +(<i>Cerambyx moschatus</i>, or <i>Aromia moschata</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is one of the longicorn beetles. It is a very beautiful insect, of +a glossy bluish-green colour, with a cast of shining gold; the under +part of the body is bluish. It is about an inch and a half in length, +and is elongated in form, its breadth being small in proportion to its +length; the wings under the case are black; the legs are of the same +bluish-green colour, only somewhat paler; and the breast is pointed at +each extremity. Between these points are three little tubercles near the +wings, and three smaller towards the head. The cases of the wings are +oblong, and somewhat in the shape of a lance, with three ribs a little +raised, and running lengthwise. The feelers are as long as the body, +composed of many joints, which grow smaller near the ends. This Beetle +is very common in the south of England, and is chiefly to be found on +old pollard willows. It emits a strong and agreeable odour, which is not +unlike attar of roses. It certainly has not the slightest resemblance to +musk, though those who named it appear to have thought that it had.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GROUND_BEETLE_Carabus_clathratus" id="Illustration_THE_GROUND_BEETLE_Carabus_clathratus"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 199px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_558_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_558_sml.jpg" width="199" height="105" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GROUND BEETLE. (<i>Carabus clathratus.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Ground Beetle</span> is not only one of the largest, but the most beautiful +and brilliant that this country produces. The head, breast, and +wing-cases are of a coppery<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_559" id="page_559"></a>{559}</span> green; the latter having three longitudinal +rows of oblong raised spots. All the under part of the insect is black. +Having only very short wings beneath the cases, Nature has +providentially supplied it with such legs as enable it to run with +amazing swiftness. This insect is frequently found in damp places, under +stones and heaps of decayed plants in gardens. There are several +species, one of which (<i>Carabus violaceus</i>) is of a beautiful purple.</p> + +<p>The larvæ live under ground, or in decayed wood, where they remain until +metamorphosed to their perfect state, when they proceed to devour the +larvæ of other insects, and all weaker animals that they can conquer.</p> + +<p>The Ground Beetles are found as early as the beginning of March, in +paths and near old walls, where the sun warms the earth with its +vivifying beams. Many of the large species have been found between the +decayed bark and wood of willow trees.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GLOWWORM_Lampyris_noctiluca" id="Illustration_THE_GLOWWORM_Lampyris_noctiluca"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 171px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_559_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_559_sml.jpg" width="171" height="127" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GLOWWORM. (<i>Lampyris noctiluca.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">It</span> is only the female Glowworm which produces the beautiful light for +which the insect is so well known, and she frequently communicates this +light to her eggs. She is without wings or wing-cases, and possesses no +beauty when seen by daylight. The male has wings, and leathery elytra. +The larva is a very ugly and very voracious grub, which feeds greedily +on snails and slugs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_560" id="page_560"></a>{560}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_DEATH-WATCH_Anobium_tesselatum" id="Illustration_THE_DEATH-WATCH_Anobium_tesselatum"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 159px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_560_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_560_sml.jpg" width="159" height="105" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE DEATH-WATCH. (<i>Anobium tesselatum.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> creature is called the Death-Watch, from a superstitious notion +that, when its beating is heard, it is a sign that some one in the house +is going to die. The insect lives in wood, and the noise is produced by +its striking its head against whatever is near it. These insects, in the +larva state, do a great deal of mischief to old furniture, in which they +perforate numerous round holes. To enable them to do this they are +furnished with two maxillæ formed like two cutting pincers, with the +help of which they bore the holes so neatly that the French call them +<i>vrillettes</i>, from <i>vrille</i>, a gimlet. They also perforate books in the +same way, and thus do much damage in old libraries:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Insatiate brute, whose teeth abuse<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The sweetest servants of the muse!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His roses nipt in every page,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">My poor Anacreon mourns thy rage;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">By thee my Ovid wounded lies;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">By thee my Lesbia’s sparrow dies;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thy rabid teeth have half destroyed<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The work of love in Biddy Floyd;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">They rent Belinda’s locks away,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And spoiled the Blouzelind of Gay;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For all, for every single deed,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Relentless justice bids thee bleed.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Then fall a victim to the Nine,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Myself the priest, my desk the shrine.”<br /></span> +<span class="i13"><span class="smcap">Parnell.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>Sometimes two of these insects may be heard ticking, answering each +other; and sometimes the Death-Watch may be made to tick by tapping with +the finger-nail upon a table. These creatures imitate death with great +exactness when they are caught, or when they think themselves in +danger.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_561" id="page_561"></a>{561}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_SPANISH_FLY_OR_CANTHARIS" id="THE_SPANISH_FLY_OR_CANTHARIS"></a>THE SPANISH FLY, OR CANTHARIS.<br /><br /> +(<i>Cantharis vesicatoria.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> insects are found but rarely in this country; they are more common +in France, but Spain, Italy, and Russia seem to be their favourite +localities. They make their appearance in July, and are generally found +upon ash trees, the leaves of which form their food. They are of great +commercial importance, for they are found very useful in medicine on +account of their remarkable blistering powers. They have a very +disagreeable smell, and emit a fluid of so corrosive a nature that many +persons have suffered greatly from gathering them; and it is said to be +extremely dangerous to sleep under a tree infested by them, as their +smell produces a lethargic sleep, which frequently terminates in death. +They are generally caught by laying linen cloths under the trees they +infest, and beating the boughs; they are then put into hair sieves, and +held over vessels of boiling vinegar, till the vapour kills them. After +this they are dried in ovens, or on hurdles, exposed to the sun, and +then packed up for sale. When dried, fifty of them hardly weigh a +drachm, but they do not lose their medicinal properties by age unless +allowed to get damp. Though bearing the name Spanish Flies, the greatest +quantity is obtained from St. Petersburg, the Russian insects being +considered the best.</p> + +<p>They are of a highly poisonous nature, and there are many instances, +some even recent, of their producing violent hemorrhage and death.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CORN-WEEVIL_Calandra_granaria" id="Illustration_THE_CORN-WEEVIL_Calandra_granaria"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 172px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_561_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_561_sml.jpg" width="172" height="90" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CORN-WEEVIL. (<i>Calandra granaria.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is a little beetle about an eighth of an inch in length, of a +reddish-brown colour, with a slender proboscis<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_562" id="page_562"></a>{562}</span> projecting from the +front of the head, at the extremity of which the mouth is situated. As +this proboscis is not thicker than a fine needle, our readers may form +some notion of the minute size of the jaws with which the mouth is +furnished; nevertheless, they are sufficiently powerful to enable the +little creature to eat corn and biscuit. In the larva state they are +exceedingly destructive to corn in granaries, sometimes abounding to +such an extent in a heap of grain as to leave nothing of it but the +husks.</p> + +<p>There are an immense number of Weevils, all of which have the front of +the head elongated into a proboscis or beak. A very common one is the +<i>Nut-Weevil</i> (<i>Balaninus micum</i>), which has a very long and slender +beak; with this the female eats into the soft shells of young nuts, and +deposits her eggs in the hole; the grubs devour the kernel of the nut, +and leave nothing but dust in the interior of the shell.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LADY_BIRD_OR_LADY_COW" id="Illustration_THE_LADY_BIRD_OR_LADY_COW"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 41px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_562_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_562_sml.jpg" width="41" height="44" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LADY BIRD, OR LADY COW.<br /><br /> +(<i>Coccinella septem-punctata.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> larva of this well-known and beautiful little beetle is disagreeable +and almost disgusting in its appearance; but to compensate for this it +is extremely useful in destroying the aphis, or green fly. In the +perfect insect the elytra are scarlet, beautifully spotted with black; +some species having seven, and others five spots, and one of the most +beautiful, eighteen. The head is very small, the antennæ and legs very +short, and the body nearly round. This beetle is generally regarded with +much favour in almost all countries, and in Catholic times was in a +manner dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Hence its name of Lady Bird.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_563" id="page_563"></a>{563}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Order_II_Orthoptera" id="Order_II_Orthoptera"></a><span class="smcap">Order II.</span> <i>Orthoptera.</i></h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">In</span> this order the elytra, or wing-cases, are much softer and more +flexible than in the beetles; they are frequently membranous or webbed, +and when closed they do not form a straight line down the back. The +mouth is also different; the maxillæ being terminated by a horny, +toothed piece called the galea. There is also a kind of tongue, and the +metamorphosis is incomplete.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_EARWIG_Forficula_auricularia" id="Illustration_THE_EARWIG_Forficula_auricularia"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 134px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_563_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_563_sml.jpg" width="134" height="43" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE EARWIG. (<i>Forficula auricularia.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><i>Unlike</i> most other insects, the female Earwig watches over her eggs +until they are hatched, and afterwards attends upon her young progeny +for some time. At the beginning of the month of June, M. de Geer found, +under a stone, a female Earwig, accompanied by many little ones, +evidently her young. They continued close to her, and often placed +themselves under her body, as chickens do under a hen.</p> + +<p>This little animal is very nimble, and perfectly harmless, except to +flowers, notwithstanding the fabulous charge which was so long believed +against it, of its entering the human ear, and depositing its eggs +there, which were said to cause intolerable pain when hatched, and the +young began to gnaw the inside of the ear. The Earwig possesses wings, +which, when extended, cover nearly the whole insect. The elytra, or +wing-cases, are short, and do not extend along the whole body, but only +over the breast. The wings are concealed beneath these, and are somewhat +of an oval shape. There is great elegance in the manner in which the +insect folds its wings beneath its elytra.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_BLACK_BEETLE_OR_COCKROACH" id="THE_BLACK_BEETLE_OR_COCKROACH"></a>THE BLACK BEETLE, OR COCKROACH,<br /><br /> +(<i>Blatta Orientalis</i>,)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">So</span> common in London kitchens, is nearly allied to the Earwig.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_564" id="page_564"></a>{564}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LEAF_MANTIS_Empusa_gongylodes" id="Illustration_THE_LEAF_MANTIS_Empusa_gongylodes"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 247px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_564_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_564_sml.jpg" width="247" height="186" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LEAF MANTIS. (<i>Empusa gongylodes.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> insect is remarkably shaped. The head is joined to the body by a +neck, longer than the rest of the body. It has two polished eyes, and +two short feelers. This neck consists of the first segment of the waist +or thorax. The wing-cases, which cover two-thirds of the body, are +veined and reticulated, or netted. The wings are veined and transparent. +The hinder legs are very long, the next shorter; and the foremost pair +of thighs are terminated with spines: the others have membranous lobes, +which serve them as wings in their flight. The top of the head is +membranous, shaped like an awl, and divided at its extremity. This +animal is one of the innumerable instances which Nature affords of the +infinite wisdom of the Creator; for, whenever an animal is found to +deviate in shape from the general system, it is still formed to answer +the design of its existence. Thus this insect, having such long legs, +could never have sustained itself in the air had not Providence bestowed +on the legs themselves a species of wings to balance their weight. These +are instances with which Nature teems; and which would make the atheist +tremble did he but contemplate the admirable design and system with +which they are characterised as</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">“Parts of one stupendous whole;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose body Nature is, and God the soul.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>These insects are partly of a pale yellowish green, and partly brown; so +that they look like dead leaves,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_565" id="page_565"></a>{565}</span> whence their English name. They are +found in the East Indies and China.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_Mantides" id="Illustration_Mantides"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 331px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_565a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_565a_sml.jpg" width="331" height="116" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> ordinary Mantides, or <i>Praying Insects</i>, as they are sometimes +called, from their apparently devotional attitudes, resemble the species +just described in their general structure, but are seldom furnished with +so long a neck and so leaf-like a body. They carry the head erect, and +the long fore-feet, which shut together like a clasp-knife, are used in +catching their prey; it is while thus engaged that their postures have +been considered to resemble an attitude of devotion.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WALKING_LEAF_Phyllium_siccifolium" id="Illustration_THE_WALKING_LEAF_Phyllium_siccifolium"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 317px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_565b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_565b_sml.jpg" width="317" height="238" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WALKING LEAF, (<i>Phyllium siccifolium</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Has</span> a shorter neck than the Mantis, and its fore-legs are<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_566" id="page_566"></a>{566}</span> not +constructed as claspers, but the body is very flat and leaf-like, and +the wing-cases are veined so as to look exactly like a leaf; indeed, if +seen adhering motionless to the branch of a tree, it would certainly be +mistaken for a leaf. They are found in the East Indies. It is curious +that while these creatures present such a deceptive resemblance to +leaves, there are some near relatives of theirs which are equally +similar to sticks and twigs, so that the semblance of a leafy branch +might easily be made by fixing the former upon the latter. Some of these +<i>Walking Sticks</i> are eight or nine inches in length, and the whole body +and legs are of precisely the colour and texture of bark.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GRASSHOPPER_Locusta_flavipes" id="Illustration_THE_GRASSHOPPER_Locusta_flavipes"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 204px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_566_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_566_sml.jpg" width="204" height="105" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GRASSHOPPER, (<i>Locusta flavipes</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> of a green colour, with the wing-cases brown, and the head somewhat +resembling that of a horse; the corselet is armed with a strong buckler. +Of its six legs the hinder two are much longer than the others, to +assist the insect in leaping. The male makes a chirping noise, which is +caused by the thighs being rubbed against the sides of the wing-cases: +if handled roughly, the Grasshopper bites very sharply.</p> + +<p>Toward the end of autumn the female deposits her eggs in a hole, which +she makes in the earth for the purpose. These eggs sometimes amount to a +hundred and fifty; they are about the size of caraway-seeds, white, +oval, and of a horny substance. The female, having thus performed her +duty, soon languishes and dies. In the beginning of May following a +small white larva issues out of each egg. The creature passes about +twenty days under this humble form; after which, having assumed the +pupa<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_567" id="page_567"></a>{567}</span> shape, while all the rudiments of the future Grasshopper are +concealed under a thin outward skin, it retires under a thistle or a +thorn-bush, most likely in order to be more secure; and there, after a +variety of laborious exertions, writhings, and palpitations, the +temporary covering divides, and the insect jumps out of its <i>exuviæ</i>.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LOCUST_Locusta_migratoria" id="Illustration_THE_LOCUST_Locusta_migratoria"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 217px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_567_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_567_sml.jpg" width="217" height="115" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LOCUST. (<i>Locusta migratoria.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Bible, which was written in a country where the Locust made a +distinguished figure among natural productions, has given us several +very striking images of these animals’ numbers and rapacity. It compares +an army to a swarm of locusts: it describes them as rising out of the +earth, where they are produced; as pursuing a settled march to destroy +the fruits of the earth; and as the frequent instruments of Divine +indignation.</p> + +<p>The native countries of the Locust are Central Asia and the North of +Africa, but they migrate every year to Europe, where they destroy every +green thing they meet with. Other species of Locusts are met with in +various parts of the world, which, like the true migratory Locust, pass +from place to place in vast flocks, causing immense damage wherever they +take up their temporary abode.</p> + +<p>When the Locusts take the field they have a leader at their head, whose +flight they observe, and to whose motions they pay a strict attention. +They appear at a distance like a black cloud, which, as it approaches, +gathers upon the horizon, and almost hides the light of the day. It +often happens that the husbandman sees this imminent calamity pass away +without doing him any<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_568" id="page_568"></a>{568}</span> mischief; and the whole swarm proceed onward, to +settle upon the labours of some less fortunate country. But wretched is +the district upon which they fix; they ravage the meadow and the corn +land; strip the trees of their leaves, and the gardens of their beauty; +the visitation of a few minutes destroys the expectations of a year; and +a famine but too frequently ensues. In their native climates they are +not so injurious as in the south of Europe, for in Syria and Palestine, +though the plain and the forest be stripped of their verdure, the power +of vegetation is so great, that an interval of three or four days +repairs the calamity; but our verdure is the produce of a season; and we +must wait till the ensuing spring repairs the damage. Besides, in their +long flights to this part of the world, the Locusts are famished by the +tediousness of their journey, and are therefore more voracious wherever +they happen to settle. But it is not by what they devour that they do so +much damage as by what they destroy. Their very bite contaminates the +plant, and injures its future vegetation. To use the expression of the +husbandman, they burn whatever they touch, and leave the marks of their +devastation for two or three years ensuing. And if so noxious while +living, they are still more so when dead; for wherever they fall they +infect the air in such a manner that the smell is insupportable.</p> + +<p>In the year 1690 clouds of Locusts were seen to enter Russia in three +different places; and thence to spread themselves over Poland and +Lithuania in such astonishing multitudes, that the air was darkened, and +the earth covered with their numbers. In some places they were seen +lying dead, heaped upon each other to the depth of four feet; in others +they covered the surface like a black cloth: the trees bent beneath +their weight, and the damage which the country sustained exceeded +computation. In Barbary their numbers are formidable, and their visits +frequent. In the year 1724 Dr. Shaw was a witness of their devastations +in that country. Their first appearance was about the latter end of +March, when the wind had been southerly for some time. In the beginning +of April their numbers were so much increased, that in the heat of the +day they formed themselves into large swarms,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_569" id="page_569"></a>{569}</span> which appeared like +clouds, and darkened the sun. In the middle of May they began to +disappear, retiring into the plains to deposit their eggs. In the next +month, being June, the young brood began to make their appearance, +forming many compact bodies of several hundred yards square; which, +marching forward, climbed the trees, walls, and houses, eating +everything that was green in their way:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“—— To their general’s voice they soon obeyed<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Innumerable. As when the potent rod<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of Amram’s son, in Egypt’s evil day,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Waved round the coast, upcalled a pitchy cloud<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of Locusts, warping on the eastern wind,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That o’er the plains of impious Pharaoh hung<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Like night, and darkened all the land of Nile;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">So numberless were those bad angels seen,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Hovering on wings, under the cope of Hell,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">’Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding fires.”<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MOLE_CRICKET_Gryllotalpa_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_MOLE_CRICKET_Gryllotalpa_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 337px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_569_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_569_sml.jpg" width="337" height="89" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MOLE CRICKET. (<i>Gryllotalpa vulgaris.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> two fore-feet of this insect, placed very near the head, are short +and broad, and, like those of the mole, are contrived to help the insect +in burrowing under ground. The Mole Cricket is very destructive in +gardens, as it attacks the roots of young plants, and causes them soon +to rot and die. The female forms a nest of clammy earth, in which she +lays from two to four hundred eggs. The nest is carefully closed up on +every side, to secure the brood from the incursions of grubs and other +subterraneous depredators. The song of the Mole Cricket is a low, dull, +jarring note, which is continued for a long time with great +pertinacity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_570" id="page_570"></a>{570}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CRICKET_Acheta_domesticata" id="Illustration_THE_CRICKET_Acheta_domesticata"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 240px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_570_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_570_sml.jpg" width="240" height="122" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CRICKET. (<i>Acheta domesticata.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> domestic Crickets generally inhabit houses, selecting for their +place of retirement the chimneys or backs of ovens; and feeding upon +anything that comes in their way, flour, bread, meat, and especially +sugar, of which they seem to be particularly fond. The chirping noise, +which they make nearly without intermission, proceeds only from the +males, who produce it by rubbing the bases of their wing-cases one over +the other.</p> + +<p>Crickets are generally of a brown rusty colour, and the organ of vision +appears in them to be very weak and imperfect, as they find their way +much better in the dark than when dazzled by the sudden light of a +candle. The Field Cricket (<i>A. campestris</i>) has the same form, but is of +a different species to the House Cricket, and is black, with a fine +gloss. Its noise is heard at a great distance, and is so similar to that +of the grasshopper, that it is difficult to distinguish one from the +other.</p> + +<h4><a name="Order_III_Hemiptera" id="Order_III_Hemiptera"></a><span class="smcap">Order III.</span> <i>Hemiptera.</i></h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> insects have neither mandibles nor maxillæ, but in lieu of them +they have a tubular articulated rostrum, adapted for suction. Insects +thus formed are called haustellated. The four wings are all membranous, +but the outer ones are leathery at the base. Some of the species are +without wings. The antennæ are often small, and sometimes scarcely +perceptible. The metamorphoses of these insects are incomplete.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_571" id="page_571"></a>{571}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LANTERN_FLY_Fulgora_laternaria" id="Illustration_THE_LANTERN_FLY_Fulgora_laternaria"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 235px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_571a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_571a_sml.jpg" width="235" height="115" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LANTERN FLY. (<i>Fulgora laternaria.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> Lantern Fly is a nocturnal insect, with a hood or bladder on the +head, which is semi-transparent, and very curiously ornamented with red +and green stripes. By some writers it has been affirmed that this part +of the insect shines brilliantly at night, so that it is even possible +to read by it. No modern entomologist has, however, witnessed this +phenomenon, and it is generally believed that the supposed luminosity of +the Lantern Fly exists only in the stories of the natives of South +America. The wings and whole body are elegantly adorned with a mixture +of red, green, yellow, and other splendid colours.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COCHINEAL_INSECT_Coccus_cacti" id="Illustration_THE_COCHINEAL_INSECT_Coccus_cacti"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 235px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_571b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_571b_sml.jpg" width="84" height="84" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COCHINEAL INSECT. (<i>Coccus cacti.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Cochineal Insect is of the same genus as the scale insect on the +vine, which looks like a little bit of wool attached to the branch, but +which, when pressed, stains the fingers with a red liquid. The Cochineal +Insect in the like manner affixes itself to the leafy stems of the +nopal-tree, a kind of opuntia, or prickly-pear, common in Mexico and +South America, whence the Cochineal used in Europe is principally +imported.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_572" id="page_572"></a>{572}</span></p> + +<p>When the Mexicans have gathered the Cochineal Insects, they put them +into holes in the ground, where they kill them with boiling water, and +afterwards dry them in the sun; or they kill them by putting them into +an oven, or laying them upon hot plates. From the various methods of +killing them arise the different colours in which they appear when +brought to us. While they are living, they seem to be sprinkled over +with a white powder, which they lose when the boiling water is poured +upon them, but preserve when killed in an oven. Those dried upon hot +plates are the best.</p> + +<p>The quantity of Cochineal annually exported from Mexico and South +America is said to be worth more than five hundred thousand pounds +sterling—a vast sum to arise from so minute an insect; and the present +annual consumption of Cochineal in England has been estimated at about +one hundred and fifty thousand pounds weight. The Mexicans think so +highly of their trade in this insect, that the republic has adopted the +nopal-tree as part of its arms.</p> + +<p>It is for dyeing scarlet that Cochineal is chiefly in demand; but, +although a peculiarly brilliant dye is now obtained from it, this +substance gave only a dull crimson colour until a chemist of the name of +Kuster, who lived at Bow, near London, about the middle of the +seventeenth century, discovered the art of preparing it with a solution +of tin. Cochineal, if kept in a dry place, may be preserved without +injury for a great length of time. An instance has been mentioned of +some of this dye, one hundred and thirty years old, having been found to +produce the same effect as though it had been perfectly fresh.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_PLANT_LOUSE_OR_GREEN_FLY_Aphis" id="Illustration_THE_PLANT_LOUSE_OR_GREEN_FLY_Aphis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 103px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_572_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_572_sml.jpg" width="103" height="59" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE PLANT LOUSE, OR GREEN FLY. (<i>Aphis.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Aphides</span> are sometimes viviparous, and at other times oviparous, +according to the season of the year.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_573" id="page_573"></a>{573}</span> Those of the rose-tree have been +particularly noticed, and of ten generations produced in one spring, +summer, and autumn, the first nine were viviparous, and the last +oviparous. The first nine generations consisted of females only; but in +the tenth there were males. In this singular aberration from the common +laws of nature this insect is a remarkable anomaly. They multiply at +such an extraordinary rate—the whole ten generations within three +months—that from a single Aphis ten thousand million millions may be +produced in that short period, and it has been calculated that the +progeny of a single Aphis during a single summer, supposing its +multiplication to be subject to no check, might exceed in weight the +entire human population of China.</p> + +<p>The moss-rose, the hop, the vine, the apple-tree, the bean, the willow, +and privet, are all particularly liable to be infested with this insect; +the various species of which take their names according to the plants on +which they are usually found. The red tumours, commonly called galls, +which are seen on the surfaces of leaves, especially on those of the +willow, varying from the size of a ladybird to that of a pigeon’s egg, +are produced by Aphides, and contain thousands of small lice. From a +pair of small tubes placed near the end of the body of these insects +exudes a saccharine fluid, of which ants are very fond; and it is this +fluid dropped upon the adjacent leaves, or the extravasated sap flowing +from the wounds caused by the punctures of the insects, which is known +under the name of honeydew.</p> + +<p>After a mild spring, most of the species of Aphis become so numerous as +to destroy all the young shoots of the plants on which they are found. +No successful mode of destroying them has yet been discovered, but the +best remedy against them is to wash the infested shoots with tobacco +water or soap lees; and to repeat the operation when any Aphides are +seen.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_574" id="page_574"></a>{574}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Order_IV_Neuroptera" id="Order_IV_Neuroptera"></a><span class="smcap">Order IV.</span> <i>Neuroptera.</i></h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> insects have four transparent wings, strongly and beautifully +varied, so as to resemble net-work. The mouth has mandibles and maxillæ. +The abdomen of the female has neither ovipositor nor sting.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ANT-LION_Myrmeleon_formicarium" id="Illustration_THE_ANT-LION_Myrmeleon_formicarium"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_574_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_574_sml.jpg" width="250" height="176" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ANT-LION. (<i>Myrmeleon formicarium.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> insect is hatched from an egg laid in soft moving ground, or sand; +the larva soon increases in size, and assumes the shape of a small +spider—with this difference, that the legs are constructed in such a +way that it can only proceed backwards or sideways. The abdomen is very +large and fleshy; and the head, which is small, is armed with two long +jaws like horns, somewhat resembling those of the stag-beetle. What must +create our utmost admiration is, that this insect, which can only move +in a retrograde direction, is doomed by nature to feed upon flies and +ants, the quickness and agility of which would at all times deprive him +of his prey were he not endowed with an uncommon instinct, which prompts +him to the following stratagem:—He makes a kind of funnel-shaped hole +in the loose earth or sand, and, placing himself at the bottom of it, +waits there with the utmost patience, till an incautious ant or<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_575" id="page_575"></a>{575}</span> giddy +fly falls into the deathful pit. Then all his skill is put in +requisition; he throws out, by the shaking of his large jaws, a great +quantity of sand upon the insect, to prevent its climbing up the steep +sides of the hole; and when the prey appears strong and nimble, he gives +such a general commotion, that the whole construction crumbles down, and +the unfortunate insect, overwhelmed with the ruins, falls into the jaws +of the Ant-lion, which open like a pair of forceps. When the Ant-lion +has sucked out the blood and inside of his prey, he takes it upon his +head, and, by a sudden jerk, throws the carcase to a distance from his +abode. When the larva has attained its full size, it spins for itself a +cocoon of white shining silk, with an external covering of sand. In +about three weeks there bursts from this pupa case a slender-waisted +winged insect, which, after fluttering about for a few weeks, and +depositing eggs in the sand, resigns its life. The winged insect +resembles a beautiful dragon-fly; it has a head of a chestnut colour; +the body is of a pearly grey, the legs short, and the wings, which +resemble the finest lace, are beautifully marked with dark lines and +spots. This fly is often seen fluttering about the sides of roads and +dry banks exposed to the east, in the months of June and July; it +continues for a little time, and then entirely disappears. The Ant-lion +is not found in this country; but in the south of France and Italy there +is not a bank on the sides of a public road, or a sandy ridge at the +foot of an old wall, which does not harbour a great number of these +insects.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_576" id="page_576"></a>{576}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GREAT_DRAGON_FLY_Libellula_grandis" id="Illustration_THE_GREAT_DRAGON_FLY_Libellula_grandis"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 241px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_576_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_576_sml.jpg" width="241" height="192" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GREAT DRAGON FLY. (<i>Libellula grandis.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> genus of insects is well known to every one. The larva lives in the +water, and wears a kind of mask, which it moves at will, and which +serves to hold its prey while it devours it. The pupa closely resembles +the larva in its form, except that at the sides of the body the wings +are seen enclosed in thin cases. The period of transformation being +come, the pupa goes to the water-side, and fixes on a plant, or sticks +fast to a piece of dry wood, in which position it remains for some +little time, when the skin of the nymph splitting at the upper part of +the thorax, the winged insect issues forth gradually, throws off its +slough, expands its wings, flutters, and then flies off with +gracefulness and ease. The elegance of its slender shape, the richness +of its colours, the delicacy and resplendent texture of its wings, +render it a beautiful object. It is in length about four inches.</p> + +<p>The female deposits her eggs in the water, from which spring the larvæ, +which afterwards undergo the same transformations.</p> + +<p>The Day Fly (<i>Ephemera</i>), so called on account of the shortness of its +life, is a small insect originating from a larva residing in rivers. +After remaining several months in the creeping state, a nymph is formed, +from which<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_577" id="page_577"></a>{577}</span> the perfect insect changes, three or four hours after +mid-day, into the fly form, and dies soon after. This fly has the +singular characteristic of casting off its entire skin very soon after +it has attained its perfect state; and the empty coat may often be seen +lying about after its occupant has deserted it.</p> + +<h4><a name="Order_V_Hymenoptera" id="Order_V_Hymenoptera"></a><span class="smcap">Order V.</span> <i>Hymenoptera.</i></h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">In</span> this order the wings are neither so large nor so strongly veined as +in the previous one. The mouth is furnished with mandibles, maxillæ, and +an upper and lower lip; and the abdomen of the female is terminated +either with an ovipositor or a sting. The metamorphosis of these insects +is complete.</p> + +<p>This order contains the Bees, of which there are hundreds of different +species. The most interesting of these is the common Hive Bee, from +whose industry we obtain wax, and by whose provident habits we are +supplied with honey. The inhabitants of a hive are of three kinds: one +Queen, a few hundred drones or males, and several thousand workers. The +Queen, or Parent Bee, is the soul of the community; to her all the rest +are so attached, that they will follow her wherever she goes. She has +the power of quelling any disturbance which may arise among her subjects +by making a peculiar humming noise. She is so prolific as to lay fifteen +or eighteen thousand eggs, which produce about eight hundred males or +drones, four or five Queen Bees, and the rest Working Bees or Neuters. +The combs of a hive consist of a number of cells, formed of wax, a +substance which is secreted by the Working Bees after gorging themselves +with honey. These cells are for the habitation and breeding of the young +Bees, and are also used as stores for honey, and bee-bread, or the +pollen of flowers. The royal cells, in which are laid the eggs of future +Queens, are the largest, and shaped like the cup of an acorn. All the +other cells are of a beautiful hexagonal form, and of two kinds, one +larger than the other: the larger for the young drones, the smaller for<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_578" id="page_578"></a>{578}</span> +the workers. In two or three days the eggs are hatched, when the Neuters +nurse the young grubs, whom they feed most tenderly with bee-bread and +honey. After twenty-one days, the young Bees are able to form cells with +such indefatigable activity that they will then do more in one week than +during all the rest of the year. No more than one Queen is ever +permitted to inhabit a hive. When a young Queen is about to be hatched, +the old one leads away a swarm from the old colony to form a new one. If +the Queen die or is lost to the hive by accident, and there be no young +Queens in the royal cells, the Bees can repair their loss. They choose a +grub of the Neuter species, enlarge its cell by adding to it three or +four adjacent ones, feed the young grub on royal food, and it is then +developed into a Queen. Sometimes there are Bees who, less laborious +than the others, support themselves by pillaging the hives of the rest; +upon which a battle ensues between the industrious and the despoiling +insects. Their foes are the wasp, the hornet, and various kinds of +birds.</p> + +<p>The Bee collects the honey by means of its proboscis, or trunk, which is +a most astonishing piece of mechanism, consisting of more than twenty +parts. Entering the hive, the insect disgorges the honey into cells, for +winter subsistence; or else presents it to the labouring Bees.</p> + +<p>The combs of cells formed by these industrious insects are constructed +with an instinctive ingenuity which must always be regarded as one of +the most marvellous things in nature. Each comb consists of two sets of +hexagonal cells placed back to back, and not only do the insects adopt +this form which enables them to construct the greatest number of cells +of the requisite size within the smallest possible space, and with the +least possible amount of material, but each cell on one side of the comb +is placed opposite to the junction of three cells on the opposite side, +so that its centre may be deepened without interfering with the latter, +the three diamond-shaped pieces forming the bottom of each cell +belonging to three distinct cells of the opposite side of the comb. By +all these contrivances the Bees manage to get the greatest possible +amount of accommodation in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_579" id="page_579"></a>{579}</span> the smallest possible space; and it has been +found, by mathematical calculation, that if it were desired to construct +a series of cavities of a given size within the smallest possible space +and with the smallest possible amount of materials, we should have to +adopt precisely the same plan, even to the forms of the sides of the +cells and the angles at which they are attached to each other, that has +been instinctively adopted by the little Bee. At the entrance of every +cell the Bee architect places a flange of wax, which fortifies the +aperture, and prevents the injuries it might receive from the frequent +ingress and egress of the Bees.</p> + +<p>Bees produce honey, which they lay up for winter consumption; wax, of +which they form their cells; and a substance called bee-bread, which +they extract chiefly from the pollen of flowers, and which they use for +feeding their young.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 358px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_579a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_579a_sml.jpg" width="358" height="104" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p>Above are given representations of, first, the <i>Queen Bee</i>, placed on +the left-hand side; second, the <i>Drone</i>; and, third, the <i>Working Bee</i>.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WASP_Vespa_vulgaris" id="Illustration_THE_WASP_Vespa_vulgaris"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 115px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_579b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_579b_sml.jpg" width="115" height="89" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WASP, (<i>Vespa vulgaris</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> a very fierce, dangerous, and rapacious insect; it is much larger +than the bee, and furnished with a powerful sting. The abdomen is +striped with yellow and black.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_580" id="page_580"></a>{580}</span> All kinds of Wasps make curious nests; +some attach them to the beams of a barn or other building, or place them +in the hollow of a large tree, but the common Wasp digs a hole in the +ground. Wasps do not construct their combs with quite the same care and +accuracy as the bee; nevertheless, their nests are often very +ingeniously made, and the material employed by most of them is curious, +being a sort of paper or card made from fibres of wood masticated +between the jaws of the insects. As they do not lay up a store of honey +for their support during winter, they mostly die at that season; and the +few that live remain in a torpid state till spring. Their sting is very +large; and the poisonous liquor of it, when introduced into the human +body, excites inflammation and creates very considerable pain.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_ICHNEUMON_FLY_Pimpla_persuasoria" id="Illustration_THE_ICHNEUMON_FLY_Pimpla_persuasoria"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 224px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_580_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_580_sml.jpg" width="224" height="151" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE ICHNEUMON FLY. (<i>Pimpla persuasoria.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> mouth of this insect has jaws, but no sucking tongue. The antennæ +contain more than thirty joints; and the abdomen is joined to the body +by a slender pedicle. The ovipositor is enclosed in a cylindrical +sheath, composed of two valves.</p> + +<p>One distinguishing and striking characteristic of all the species of +this kind of fly is the almost continual agitation of their antennæ. The +name of Ichneumon has been applied to them from the service they do us +by destroying caterpillars, plant-lice, and other insects; as<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_581" id="page_581"></a>{581}</span> the +Ichneumon or Mangouste destroys the crocodile in the East. The tip of +the abdomen of the females is armed with an ovipositor, visible in some +species, though not in others; and this instrument, though so fine, is +able to penetrate through mortar and plaster. The female fly uses it to +deposit her eggs in the body of other insects when in the egg, +caterpillar, or pupa state; so that the young as soon as they are +hatched may feed upon the caterpillar, penetrating to its very entrails. +These larvæ, however, contrive to suck out the nutritious juices of +their prey without attacking its vitals; for the caterpillar continues +to live for a long time, so as to afford them food till they have +attained their full size. It is not uncommon to see caterpillars fixed +upon trees, as if they were sitting upon their eggs; when it is +afterwards discovered that the larvæ, which were within their bodies, +have spun their threads, with which, as with cords, the caterpillars are +fastened down, and so perish miserably.</p> + +<p>“A friend of mine,” says Dr. Derham, “put about forty large +caterpillars, collected from cabbages, on some bran and a few leaves in +a box, and covered it with gauze to prevent their escape. After a few +days we saw, from the backs of more than three-fourths of them, about +eight or ten little caterpillars of one of the Ichneumon flies come out +and spin each a small cocoon of silk; and in a few days the large +caterpillars died.”</p> + +<p>The Ichneumons performed great service in the years 1731 and 1732, by +multiplying in the same proportion as the caterpillars, and their larvæ +destroyed more of these destructive creatures than could any efforts of +human industry.</p> + +<p>They are found of all sizes, suitable to the various insects they are +parasitic upon, and in their ceaseless rummaging about in every hole and +corner, millions of destructive larvæ are discovered and destroyed by +them, which would otherwise have reached maturity, and left a progeny to +renew their ravages in the ensuing summer. Even those larvæ which feed +in concealment are readily discovered by the Ichneumons destined to live +upon them, and the farmer is often made aware of the presence of his +enemies by observing the activity of his friends.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_582" id="page_582"></a>{582}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_LABOURING_AND_SOLDIER_ANT" id="Illustration_THE_LABOURING_AND_SOLDIER_ANT"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 206px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_582_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_582_sml.jpg" width="206" height="98" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE LABOURING AND SOLDIER ANT.<br /><br /> +(<i>Formica rufa.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> colour of the Ant is in general a dark red or brown, with a fine +gloss on the abdomen. They are like the bees, divided into three +kinds—males, females, and neuters. The females and neuters are +furnished with stings for their defence; the males are wholly destitute +of them. The males and females are in proper season furnished with +wings, but the neuters have none, and they are doomed always to labour +and drudgery on the hill. This hill is constructed with considerable art +and labour; it is composed of leaves, bits of wood, sand, earth, and gum +from the trees, which are all united into a mass, perforated with +galleries to give access to the numerous cells which it contains. From +this hill there are several paths, worn by the constant passing and +repassing of these creatures; and it is worthy the admiration of the +naturalist to consider how busy the whole legion appears in bringing +bits of straw, dead bodies of other insects, or in carrying away their +eggs, if any danger threatens their republic. Their sense of smell is +very keen, and they discover at a great distance any food they may be in +search of.</p> + +<h4><a name="Order_VI_Lepidoptera_The_Moths_and_Butterflies" id="Order_VI_Lepidoptera_The_Moths_and_Butterflies"></a><span class="smcap">Order VI.</span> <i>Lepidoptera.</i> <i>The Moths and Butterflies.</i></h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> insects included in this order are all remarkable for their beauty. +Their wings are membranous and veined, like those of the dragon flies +and their allies, but instead<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_583" id="page_583"></a>{583}</span> of being naked they are covered by +close-set scales of the most delicate texture and most brilliant +colours. The mouth is furnished with a spiral trunk or tongue, by which +nectar is sucked from the flowers; but in other respects it only differs +from the mouths of the masticating mandibulated orders in the smallness +of its parts. The antennæ vary in the different kinds: but those of all +the diurnal lepidoptera, or butterflies, are terminated by a small +inflation or knob; while those of the nocturnal species, or moths, taper +to a point, and are often feathery, or comb-shaped. The transformations +of the species belonging to this order are all complete.</p> + +<p>Over the larvæ of this order the ichneumons reign with undisputed sway; +attacking all indiscriminately, from the minute insect that forms its +labyrinth within the thickness of a leaf, to the giant caterpillar of +the hawk moth. The most useful of all, however, the silkworm, appears, +at least with us, to be exempted from this scourge. De Geer, out of +fifteen larvæ that were mining between the two cuticles of a rose-leaf, +found that fourteen were destroyed by one of these insects.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_EMPEROR_MOTH_WITH_ITS_CHRYSALIS_AND_CATERPILLAR" id="Illustration_THE_EMPEROR_MOTH_WITH_ITS_CHRYSALIS_AND_CATERPILLAR"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 278px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_583_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_583_sml.jpg" width="278" height="171" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE EMPEROR MOTH WITH ITS CHRYSALIS AND CATERPILLAR.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> larva of all the lepidoptera is a Caterpillar composed of twelve +ring-like segments, exclusive of the head, which is harder than the +other parts, and always of a deeper<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_584" id="page_584"></a>{584}</span> colour than the body. Each +Caterpillar has nine breathing-holes on each side; and each of the three +segments nearest the head is furnished with a pair of short legs, ending +in a kind of claw, which are the true legs of the insect. The +Caterpillar has, however, eight or ten other legs on the hinder segments +of its body. The head has twelve eyes, and two very short conical +antennæ; and the mouth is furnished with two strong mandibles, two +maxillæ, a labrum, and four palpi.</p> + +<p>The habits of Caterpillars differ: some, which are called Geometers, or +Loopers, advance by a succession of steps, first extending the body to +its full length and adhering by the fore legs, then drawing up the +hinder part of the body close to the forepart so as to form a loop, and +then again repeating this process; these Caterpillars, when at rest, +often adhere by their hinder feet, and extend the body stiffly, like a +little dry twig; others, which are furnished with more prolegs, adhere +by these to the branch or leaf, and raise the forepart of the body a +little, an attitude which induced Linnæus to give the name of <i>Sphinx</i> +to the moths in whose Caterpillars this habit prevails; some small +species live between the upper and lower surfaces of leaves, in which +they excavate mines; others dwell in small cases, which they manufacture +of various materials; whilst others, dwelling in large societies, spin +for themselves a sort of silken tent, in which they take their repose, +and from which they issue daily in search of food in a regularly +marshalled procession. Many make themselves cocoons; but others have no +other covering in the pupa state than a smooth shining skin, or a dark +mummy-like cerement. The chrysalis of a butterfly is generally angular, +and that of a moth cylindrical.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_585" id="page_585"></a>{585}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_TORTOISE-SHELL_BUTTERFLY" id="Illustration_TORTOISE-SHELL_BUTTERFLY"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 255px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_585_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_585_sml.jpg" width="255" height="196" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>TORTOISE-SHELL BUTTERFLY.<br /><br /> +(<i>Vanessa urticæ.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Caterpillar, which feeds on the nettle, is about an inch in length, +covered with bristles, and of a reddish brown colour. After having +changed its skin three times when in the shape of a Caterpillar, it +crawls up to a branching part of the stalk; and, hanging itself by the +hinder part or tail, swells and bursts in such a curious way, that the +Caterpillar’s skin drops to the ground, and the chrysalis, or aurelia, +remains suspended; till after a fortnight of torpor it bursts its skin +again, and escapes into the air, under the beautiful form of a +variegated Butterfly. The golden line which shines through the pupa case +of this Butterfly is supposed to have suggested the words chrysalis and +aurelia, both of which signify golden. The wings of the perfect insect +are about two inches in extent, of a deep orange colour above, and their +base and hinder margin black, with a series of blue crescents. These +Butterflies, which are very common in England, appear in spring, and at +the end of June and beginning of September.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_586" id="page_586"></a>{586}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CABBAGE_BUTTERFLY" id="Illustration_THE_CABBAGE_BUTTERFLY"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 247px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_586_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_586_sml.jpg" width="247" height="193" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CABBAGE BUTTERFLY.<br /><br /> +(<i>Pontia</i>, or <i>Pieris Brassicæ</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">When</span> the colewort and cauliflower are nearly mature, the perfect insect +of this Caterpillar is found depositing her eggs upon the leaves. The +heat of the sun soon vivifies them and brings forth the Caterpillars, +which immediately proceed to consume the vegetables on which they +received being. They bear the heat of the sun without inconvenience, but +cannot endure long rains, and in wet weather they soon disappear. There +are several species of this Butterfly, but the common white, with a +black spot on each of the under wings, is the earliest seen in our +gardens. It lays its eggs in May; and its Caterpillars, which are soon +hatched, feed together till the end of June, when they go into the pupa +state, from which the perfect Butterfly appears in July. The eggs laid +by the second brood of Butterflies produce Caterpillars which feed +during the remainder of the summer, and remain in the pupa state all the +winter, to be hatched the following spring.</p> + +<p>From the astonishing fecundity of these insects, it may be wondered that +they do not, in the course of time, completely overspread the face of +the earth, and totally consume every green plant. This would certainly +be the case<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_587" id="page_587"></a>{587}</span> if Providence had not provided a check to their progress. +One of the kinds of the ichneumon fly deposits her eggs within the +caterpillar of this Butterfly, and they are there hatched. In their +larva state they continue preying on the vitals of the animal; they then +pass to the pupa condition, and eventually emerge as perfect insects. So +greatly are we indebted to this apparently contemptible little parasite, +for keeping down the increase of an insect which would otherwise become +a serious and alarming evil.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_MAGPIE_OR_CURRANT_MOTH" id="Illustration_THE_MAGPIE_OR_CURRANT_MOTH"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 249px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_587_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_587_sml.jpg" width="249" height="180" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE MAGPIE, OR CURRANT MOTH.<br /><br /> +(<i>Geometra</i>, or <i>Abraxas grossulariata</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Caterpillar of this Moth is one of the kind called loopers, and is +very destructive. The chrysalis is naked and shining; and its colour is +a bright yellow with black bands. The Moth is white, spotted with black, +and hence its name of Magpie.</p> + +<p>The black and white caterpillar of this Moth is very destructive to +currant and gooseberry bushes, and in some seasons particularly so. Mr. +Kirby especially cites the devastations at Hull in the spring of 1814. +He also confirms Boerhaave’s assertion, that the severity of winter has +no effect in destroying the larvæ of those insects, as these abounded +even more after a winter when Fahrenheit’s thermometer stood at zero, +than after a winter which was remarkably mild.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_588" id="page_588"></a>{588}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WINTER_MOTH" id="Illustration_THE_WINTER_MOTH"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 248px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_588_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_588_sml.jpg" width="248" height="192" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WINTER MOTH.<br /><br /> +(<i>Geometra</i>, or <i>Cheimatobia brumata</i>.)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Caterpillar delights in newly-opened leaves; it is not so ravenous +as many others, making long intervals between its meals, but it seldom +quits a leaf until it has entirely consumed it. The colour is very +elegant. The upper part of the body is of a fine yellowish green; but it +is by no means so beautiful after as before feeding, its skin being so +thin as to transmit the hue of whatever food it eats. They are also +called looper Caterpillars, because when they crawl they draw their hind +and fore feet together, so as to form their bodies into a loop. They go +into the pupa state towards the end of June, burying themselves for that +purpose in the earth; and in November or December the perfect insect is +brought forth.</p> + +<p>It is evident that they possess great muscular power, and hence their +positions during repose are very striking. Fixing themselves by their +hinder feet alone, they extend their bodies in a straight line, holding +it in that position for a long time. This, together with their obscure +colours, and the warts on their bodies, render it often difficult to +distinguish them from the twigs of the trees on which they feed. When +alarmed, these Caterpillars have the instinct to drop from the leaves, +and suspend themselves by a thread, which enables them to remount when +the danger is over.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_589" id="page_589"></a>{589}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SILKWORM_Bombyx_mori" id="Illustration_THE_SILKWORM_Bombyx_mori"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 357px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_589_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_589_sml.jpg" width="357" height="156" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SILKWORM. (<i>Bombyx mori.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Without</span> entering into a very minute description of this Caterpillar, we +shall confine ourselves to what we think will be at once more +interesting and more useful. As the Silkworm is an insect of universal +service, and not of singular beauty, we are induced to prefer giving an +account of its utility, rather than any elaborate description of its +figure or colour.</p> + +<p>This larva feeds on the leaves of the mulberry tree, and when first +produced is extremely small, and entirely black. In a few days it +appears in a new habit, which is white, tinged with the colour of its +food; and before it goes into its chrysalis state it changes its skin +several times. When full grown it spins its cone of silk, which is its +cocoon, in the same manner as other insects. The Moth possesses no +beauty. The Silkworm is a native of China, whence the greater part of +our silk is still imported; but the insect was introduced into the south +of Europe during the reign of the Emperor Justinian, and is now reared +in large quantities both in France and Italy.</p> + +<p>The art of manufacturing silk was known to the ancients. We are informed +that, in the third century, the wife of the Roman emperor Aurelian +entreated him to give her a robe of purple silk, which he refused on +account of its enormous price.</p> + +<p>It is not certain at what precise period the manufacture of silk was +first introduced into England; but in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_590" id="page_590"></a>{590}</span> the year 1242, we are told that +part of the streets of London were covered or shaded with silk, for the +reception of Richard, the brother of Henry III., on his return from the +Holy Land. In 1454 the silk manufactures of England are said to have +been confined merely to ribbons, laces, and other trifling articles. +Queen Elizabeth, in the third year of her reign, was furnished by her +silk-woman with a pair of black knit silk stockings, which she is stated +to have admired as “marvellous delicate wear;” and after the using of +which she no longer had cloth ones as before. James I., whilst king of +Scotland, requested of the Earl of Mar the loan of a pair of silk +stockings to appear in before the English ambassador, enforcing his +request with the cogent appeal, “For ye would not, sure, that your king +should appear as a scrub before strangers.”</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_CLOTHES_MOTH_Tinea_pellionella" id="Illustration_THE_CLOTHES_MOTH_Tinea_pellionella"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 238px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_590_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_590_sml.jpg" width="238" height="177" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE CLOTHES MOTH. (<i>Tinea pellionella.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> larva of this little Moth is well known from the damage it commits +in woollen cloth and furs. These substances constitute the principal +support of the Caterpillar, and therefore the parent is, by its natural +instinct, directed to deposit its eggs in them. As soon as it quits the +egg, the Caterpillar begins to form for itself a nest: for this purpose, +after having spun a fine coating of silk<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_591" id="page_591"></a>{591}</span> immediately around its body, +it eats the filaments of the cloth or fur, close to the thread of the +cloth, or to the skin. This operation is performed by its jaws, which +act in the manner of scissors. The pieces are cut into convenient +lengths, and applied, with great dexterity, one by one, to the outside +of its case; and to this it fastens them by means of its silk. Its +covering being thus formed, the little Caterpillar never quits it but on +the most urgent necessity. When it wants to feed, it puts out its head +at either end of its case, as best suits its conveniency. When it wishes +to change its place, it puts out its head and its six fore legs, by +means of which it moves forward, taking care first to fix its hind legs +into the inside of the case, so as to drag it along. After having +changed within its case into a chrysalis, it issues, in about three +weeks, a small, winged, mealy-looking Moth, of silvery drab colour, too +well known to almost every mistress of a family. The best mode of +destroying this insect, when in the cloth, is to place a saucer of oil +of turpentine with the articles affected in a close place, when the +vapour raised by the warm air will immediately destroy it. Should the +Caterpillar be old and strong, it may be necessary to brush the clothes +with a brush, the points of which have been dipped in turpentine. +Camphor wrapped up with furs will protect them from the Moth.</p> + +<h4><a name="Order_VII_Diptera_or_Flies" id="Order_VII_Diptera_or_Flies"></a><span class="smcap">Order VII.</span> <i>Diptera, or Flies.</i></h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> order is characterised by having only two wings, which are +transparent, and which have two little movable bodies, called halteres +or balancers, placed close behind them. The head is almost covered with +a pair of enormous eyes; and the mouth is furnished with a proboscis or +sucker. The legs are long in proportion to the body, and are in many +species terminated by two or three small cushion-like expansions, which, +it is supposed, enable them to walk on glass. Each foot has also two +hooks or claws.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_592" id="page_592"></a>{592}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_HOUSE_FLY_Musca_domestica" id="Illustration_THE_HOUSE_FLY_Musca_domestica"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 77px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_592_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_592_sml.jpg" width="77" height="70" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE HOUSE FLY. (<i>Musca domestica.</i>)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> insect lays its eggs in sinks, dunghills, or any other place where +there is decaying vegetable matter tolerably moist. The larvæ, or +maggots, are thick and fleshy, without legs, but having the mouth +furnished with hooks, by means of which they drag themselves along when +they wish to move. They go into the pupa state without throwing off the +skin of the maggot; and when the perfect insect appears, it forces off a +kind of cap from one end of the pupa case, in order to make its escape. +The <i>Blue Bottle flies</i> (<i>Musca erythrocephala</i> and <i>Vomitoria</i>) are +only too well known from their habit of depositing their eggs upon our +meat in summer. In the <i>Flesh fly</i> (<i>Musca</i> or <i>Sarcophaga carnaria</i>) +and some allied species, the eggs are hatched within the body of the +parent, which thus deposits living larvæ upon the decomposing animal +matter that constitutes their food. These flies are so prolific and +their larvæ so voracious that Linnæus says the progeny of them would +devour a horse as quickly as a lion could do it.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_GNAT_Culex_pipiens" id="THE_GNAT_Culex_pipiens"></a>THE GNAT. (<i>Culex pipiens.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is an insect which deserves the observation of the naturalist, not +only for the very curious conformation of its proboscis (which so +quickly and powerfully penetrates into our skin, and through which it +sucks our blood into its body), but also for the several metamorphoses +it undergoes before it arrives at its winged state. The Gnat deposits +its eggs upon the surface of stagnant water, and sets them upright one +against another, in the form of a small boat: after floating upon the +water for several days, as soon as the time of hatching arrives the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_593" id="page_593"></a>{593}</span> +larvæ, which the eggs contain, escape into the water in which they swim +about with vigorous jerking movements. They are compelled to visit the +surface to take in a supply of air, and for this purpose the tail is +furnished with a short tube, surrounded at its extremity with a star of +bristles, which, when spread out, prevent the water from flowing into +the air tube. The change to the pupa state is a curious one. In this +condition the insect exhibits a rather slender body with a bulky +anterior extremity, in which the head, wings, and limbs are enclosed; +the tail is furnished with a pair of leaves or membranous plates, the +matting tube has vanished from this part and in place of it we find two +tubes situated on the sides of the thorax: having passed about ten days +in this state, its increase being at an end, it keeps longer near the +surface, and at last the outer skin bursts, and the winged insect, +standing upon the <i>exuviæ</i> it is going to leave behind, smooths its +new-born wings, springs into the air, and begins its depredations. The +fecundity of the Gnat is so remarkable, that in the course of one summer +they might increase to the amazing number of five or six hundred +thousands, if Providence had not ordered that they should become the +prey of birds, who by this means prevent their multiplying more than +they generally do. These insects are very annoying from their +blood-sucking propensities; and as the sucker is horny at the tip, it +inflicts a severe wound, into which the insect emits a small quantity of +poison, which occasions the pain and inflammation always felt from a +Gnat bite.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_594" id="page_594"></a>{594}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Order_VIII_Suctoria" id="Order_VIII_Suctoria"></a><span class="smcap">Order VIII.</span> <i>Suctoria.</i></h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> insects are without wings. The mouth is furnished with a trunk or +beak, formed to wound as well as to suck.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_FLEA_Pulex_irritans" id="Illustration_THE_FLEA_Pulex_irritans"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 181px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_594_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_594_sml.jpg" width="181" height="79" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE FLEA, (<i>Pulex irritans</i>,)</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Is</span> one of those little creatures with which want of cleanliness in +mankind is punished. It is one of the most annoying insects that infest +the human race, as, by its leapings, it often escapes being caught. It +is oviparous, and the egg, which is hardly discernible with the naked +eye, contains at maturity a small white worm, beset with hairs. This +worm soon spins for itself a little silk cocoon, from which the perfect +insect issues. The Flea is an active, troublesome, blood-thirsty insect; +it has a small head, large eyes, and a roundish, but compressed body, +which is covered with a kind of armour resembling the tortoise shell in +colour and transparency. The plates of which this skin is composed are +also armed with spines or bristles. It has six legs, two of which are +much longer than the others, in order to enable the insect to make such +wondrous leaps, as to raise the body above two hundred times its +diameter. The great strength and agility of the Flea are well known, +from the exhibition of the industrious Fleas.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_595" id="page_595"></a>{595}</span></p> + +<h2><a name="Book_VII" id="Book_VII"></a><span class="smcap">Book VII.</span><br /><br /> +RADIATA.</h2> + +<h4><a name="THE_STAR-FISH_Asterias_or_Uraster_rubens" id="THE_STAR-FISH_Asterias_or_Uraster_rubens"></a>THE STAR-FISH. (<i>Asterias</i>, or <i>Uraster rubens</i>.)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal is often found adhering to rocks on the sea-shores. The +common species is furnished with five rays, and is of a yellow or red +colour. It has a slow progressive motion, and is often found on the +beach among seaweeds after a storm.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bingley describes an animal of this kind, which he kept by him for +some time alive; it had more than four thousand tentacula on the under +sides of the rays. These it frequently retracted, and again pushed out, +as a snail does its horns; and by means of them it was enabled firmly to +adhere to the dish containing the salt-water in which it was kept. +Whenever he touched the tentacula with his finger, all those of that ray +or limb were gradually withdrawn, but those of the other rays were not +in the least affected by it.</p> + +<p>There are many other kinds of Star-fishes, especially in warm climates. +Amongst our native species we may notice the <i>Great Sun Star</i> (<i>Solaster +papposa</i>) with a large disc and thirteen short rays; the <i>Luidia +fragilissima</i> with five long rays, which it usually casts off +immediately on finding itself in danger, so as to render it a most +difficult matter to obtain perfect specimens of this species. The +<i>Feathered Star</i> (<i>Comatula rosacea</i>) is also deserving of +mention.—This is a small species, with the arms distinct from the body +as in the last species and jointed, but furnished with numerous slender +jointed tentacles which give them the appearance of plumes. There are +ten of these arms and the number of little calcareous joints contained +in them is most astonishing. The small cuplike body of the Feather Star +bears other slender jointed appendages, by means of which the creature +clings to the rocks with its mouth and arms directed upwards; and in the +young state it is even supported on a jointed stalk, from which it +eventually casts itself free.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_596" id="page_596"></a>{596}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="THE_SEA-URCHIN_Echinus_miliaris" id="THE_SEA-URCHIN_Echinus_miliaris"></a>THE SEA-URCHIN. (<i>Echinus miliaris.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> animal, which lodges in the cavities of rocks just beneath +low-water mark, on most of the British coasts, is nearly of a globular +shape, not much unlike that of an orange, having its shell marked into +ten partitions, with rows of projections like beads, which divide it. On +the outside of the shell there are a great number of sharp, moveable +spines, of a dull violet and greenish colour, curiously articulated, +like balls and sockets, with tubercles on the surface, and connected by +strong ligaments to the skin or epidermis with which the shell is +covered. The mouth is situated in the under part, and is armed with five +strong and sharpened teeth. The animal can move from place to place by +means of its contractile tubular feet and its spines; but its movements +are slow and laborious. So tenacious of life are the Sea-urchins, that +the ancients, according to Appian, believed that the body retained life +even when cut to pieces.</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“If in the sea the mangled parts you cast,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The conscious pieces to their fellows haste;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Again they aptly join, their whole compose,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Move as before, nor life nor vigour lose.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>In Marseilles, and some other towns on the continent, the Sea-urchin is +exposed for sale in the markets, as oysters are with us, and is eaten +boiled as an egg. The Romans adopted it as food, and dressed it with +vinegar, mead, parsley, and mint.</p> + +<h4><a name="ZOOPHYTES" id="ZOOPHYTES"></a>ZOOPHYTES.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Zoophytes</span> were long supposed to hold a middle station between animals +and vegetables. Most of them, deprived altogether of the power of +locomotion, are fixed by stems that take root in the crevices of rocks, +among sand, or in such other situations as Nature has destined for their +abode; these, by degrees, send off branches, till at length some of them +attain the size and extent of large shrubs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_597" id="page_597"></a>{597}</span> The Zoophytes were placed +by Linnæus in two divisions. The stony branches of the first division, +which have the general appellation of coral, are full of hollow cells, +which are habitations of the animals. The next division consists of such +Zoophytes as have softer, fleshy, or horny, stems, and in which the +individual polypes are, as it were, amalgamated with their common +plant-like habitation.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_RED_CORAL" id="Illustration_THE_RED_CORAL"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_597_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_597_sml.jpg" width="291" height="351" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p><small> +Magnified branch, exhibiting the Animals. +<span style="margin-left:2%;">Gorgonia Nobilis.</span></small> +</p> + +<p>THE RED CORAL.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Coral</span>, or Gorgonia, is a hard, stony, branched, and cylindrical +substance, which is formed at the bottom of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_598" id="page_598"></a>{598}</span> the sea by animals called +polyps, or, to use the Latin and now established term, <i>polypi</i>. The +whole form a living mass, or polypidom, all the polypi in which are +united under one skin, and have one common stomach. Each of these polypi +resides in a distinct cell; they are generally dormant during winter, +and like the blossoms of plants, push forth buds, and expand in the +summer season. The stems and branches of the Gorgoniæ, which are of a +somewhat horny and flexible nature, may be considered as the true +skeletons of the nests of the sea polypi, being covered with a fleshy or +pulpy substance, the surface of which is porous. These pores are the +mouths or openings of the cells, in which the polypi are lodged; and it +is the number, disposition, and varied structure of these, in addition +to the general aspect of the plant-like nest of habitations, that +constitute the distinguishing difference of the species.</p> + +<p>The bone of the Red Coral constitutes that beautiful and much esteemed +production, the true or red coral of the jewellers. It is found in the +Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Red Sea, and appears to be nowhere more +abundant than in the seas about Marseilles, Corsica, Sicily, the coasts +of Africa, and in the vicinity of Barbary; where the Coral fisheries are +carried on with great spirit, and prove very lucrative. It is equal in +hardness and durability to the most compact marble; and these qualities, +in addition to its beautiful texture and colour, have rendered it +valuable in all ages. Thus in the book of Job, “No mention shall be made +of corals, or of pearls; for the price of wisdom is above rubies.”</p> + +<p>Travellers in tropical lands often speak of the exquisite beauty of the +coral beds that lie at the bottom of the ocean. The water is so clear in +those regions, that these wonderful formations are clearly visible at a +great depth, growing like stony forests, mingled with waving seaweeds of +many brilliant dyes.</p> + +<p>The mode of obtaining Coral is by a very simple machine, consisting of +two strong bars of wood or iron, tied across each other, with a weight +suspending from their centre of union. Each of the bars is loosely +surrounded, throughout its whole length, with twisted hemp; and, at<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_599" id="page_599"></a>{599}</span> the +extremity, there is a small open net. The machine is suspended by a +rope, and dragged along those rocks where the Coral is most abundant: +and such as is broken off either becomes entangled in the hemp, or falls +into the nets.</p> + +<p>Coral is bought by weight, and its value increases according to its +size. Beads of large size are worth about forty shillings an ounce, +whilst small ones do not sell for more than four shillings. Large pieces +of Coral are sometimes cut into balls, and exported to China, to be worn +as insignia in the caps of officers of state. These, if perfectly sound +and of good colour, and upwards of an inch in diameter, have been known +to produce in that market, as much as three to four hundred pounds +sterling each. There are extant many beautiful pieces of sculpture in +coral, as this substance has in all ages been considered an admirable +material on which to exhibit the artist’s taste and skill. Probably the +finest specimen of sculptured Coral yet known is a chess-board and men +in the palace of the Tuileries.</p> + +<p>The Chinese have, within the last few years, succeeded in cutting coral +beads of much smaller dimension than has hitherto been effected by any +European artist. These, which are not larger than small pins’ heads, are +called Seed Coral, and are now imported from China into this country, in +very considerable quantity for necklaces. There are modes by which Coral +may be so exactly imitated, that without a close inspection, it is +sometimes impossible to detect the counterfeit.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_600" id="page_600"></a>{600}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="STONY_CORALS" id="STONY_CORALS"></a>STONY CORALS.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The Red Coral</span>, just described, belongs to the section of zoophytes +called Asteroida by Cuvier, in which the surface of the polypidom is +fleshy, and each polypus has only eight arms. The polypi which form the +massive stony corals of the tropical reefs, are furnished with numerous +tentacles, and resemble in their general conformation the Sea Anemones +which are so well known now-a-days as inhabitants of aquaria. The coral +consists of a deposit of carbonate of lime, and each polypus dwells in a +cell which exhibits a number of thin stony rays nearly meeting in the +middle. The masses of coral differ exceedingly in size, some consisting +of the habitations of only two or three polypi, whilst others are the +gradual production of a vast and constantly succeeding population; some +form branched trees and shrubs of the most various and elegant forms, +others grow in solid masses, but all, when living, present a most +beautiful appearance from the charming and often brilliant diversity of +colours with which they are adorned.</p> + +<p>In the Pacific Ocean several of the coral reefs are extremely beautiful, +and the voyager is astonished with the curious and fantastic forms of +the various marine productions of which they are composed. +Wheat-sheaves, mushrooms, cabbage leaves, with innumerable plants and +flowers, are vividly represented by different kinds of Coral, and glow +beneath the water in brilliant tints of brown and purple, white or +green; each with a peculiar form and shade of colouring, equal in +richness and variety to the most beautiful productions of the vegetable +world. Corals and fungi start from between the fissures of the rocks; +while large portions of the former, in a dead state, connected into a +solid mass, of a dull white colour, compose the stone-work of the reef. +Solid masses, termed negro heads, of different dusky hues, and generally +dry and blackened by exposure to the weather, are also occasionally +conspicuous. Even these are not without ornament, for nature delights in +the variety of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_601" id="page_601"></a>{601}</span> her decorations. They are studded with small shells, and +beautifully marked with outlines expressive of their origin. The edges +of the reefs, particularly those exposed to the waves, partake of a +considerable degree of lightness, and form small coves and caverns, the +resort of live corals, sponges, sea-eggs, and trefangs, or sea traces, +(valued in China, for their invigorating quality,) and enormous cockles, +which are scarcely to be distinguished from the rock, excepting when +they suddenly close their shells, and discharge living fountains, which +rise to the height of four or five feet.</p> + +<p>With regard to the formation of coral reefs, it has been conjectured, +from the appearance of the low islands in some parts of the South Sea +and Indian Ocean (where they occur in rows or groups, while they are +totally absent in other parts of the same seas), that Coral animals rear +their habitations on marine shoals, or, to speak more properly, at or +near the top of sub-marine mountains. As it is known, however, that the +polypes can only build their coral within a small distance of the +surface of the sea, and the water is often of immense depth close to the +coral reefs, it has been supposed that in the Pacific Ocean, where the +greater part of the Coral reefs and islands are met with, the bottom of +the sea has been gradually undergoing changes, deepening in some places +and becoming shallower in others, and by this supposition most of the +peculiarities of the Coral reefs and islands may easily be accounted +for. Where reefs are formed the bottom is generally sinking; islands +indicate that the bottom is stationary or rising. In the latter case, +when the Corals approach close to the surface, floating substances of +every kind are caught by their stony tree-like fabrics, till at length a +solid mass of rock is formed, which gradually advances to the surface of +the water. The deposits of the ocean no longer tenaciously adhere, but +remain in a loose state, and form what is termed by mariners a key upon +the summit of the reef; while the sea, by throwing up sand and mud on +the top of these animal rocks, progressively raises them above its +level. The new island, for such it may now be called, is soon visited by +sea-birds; plants successively appear,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_602" id="page_602"></a>{602}</span> and carpet the sterile soil with +a luxuriant covering. As these decay, vegetable mould is gradually +deposited; cocoa-nuts, or some floating seeds, flung on shore by the +impetuosity of the waves, take root, and soon begin to grow; land-birds, +attracted by the verdant appearance of the bank, fly thither in quest of +provisions, and deposit the seeds of shrubs and trees; every high tide +and every gale adds some new treasure: the appearance of an island is +gradually assumed, and at length man comes to take possession.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 249px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_602_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_602_sml.jpg" width="249" height="279" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>CORAL POLYPI, MAGNIFIED.</p></div> +</div> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="" +class="tbl"> +<tr valign="top"><td>1. Coral of the Astrea <i>annanas</i>. <br /> +2. Animal of the Caryophyllia <i>solitaria</i>.</td> +<td>3. Animal of the Tubipora <i>musica</i>. <br /> +4. Animal and dwelling of the Cellepora <i>hyalina</i>. <br /> +5. Animal and central axis of the Gorgonia <i>patula</i>.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_603" id="page_603"></a>{603}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_SPONGE" id="Illustration_SPONGE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 232px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_603_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_603_sml.jpg" width="232" height="232" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>SPONGE.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Sponge</span> is a substance of a soft, light, porous, and elastic nature, +which is found adhering to rocks at the bottom of the sea, in several +parts of the Mediterranean, and particularly near the islands of the +Grecian Archipelago; and which, in its natural state, is filled with +animal jelly. The general uses of Sponge, arising from its ready +absorption of fluids, and distension by moisture, are well known and of +great importance. It is collected from rocks, in water five or six +fathoms deep, chiefly by divers. When first taken from the sea, it has a +strong and fishy smell, from the animal matter it contains, of which it +is divested by being washed in clear water. No other preparation than +this is requisite previously to its being packed up for exportation and +sale. The growth of Sponge is so rapid, that it is frequently found in +perfection on rocks, from which, only two years before, it had been +entirely cleared.</p> + +<p>As they are never designed to move from their places of abode, the +surface of the Sponges is covered with innumerable<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_604" id="page_604"></a>{604}</span> small apertures or +pores, communicating with a network of fine canals, which permeate every +part of the substance and convey to the minute and simple creatures +which form the living part of this curious compound animal, the food and +water necessary for their support and respiration. These fine canals +unite into larger passages, leading to orifices of considerable size +usually placed on prominences of the surface; from these the water +streams forth with such force, according to some observers, as to be +perceptible by the eye.</p> + +<p>The inherent chemical properties of this curious Zoophyte are very +remarkable. When a Sponge has been immersed for fourteen or sixteen days +in nitric acid (diluted with three parts of distilled water) it becomes +nearly transparent, and when touched with ammonia, assumes a deep orange +colour, inclining to a brownish red. But if much softened by the acid, +the whole fabric immediately disappears, on being immersed in ammonia, +and forms a deep orange-coloured solution. A Sponge, when boiled, gives +out a considerable portion of animal jelly. The infusion of a small +quantity of oak bark causes this to fall to the bottom of the vessel, as +a sediment, and so entirely changes the nature of the Sponge, that, when +dry, it crumbles between the fingers; and, when moist, it may be torn +like wetted paper. In this state we should naturally conclude that it is +entirely useless: but no; the operations of chemistry resemble a magic +wand. Boil the same in water, with caustic potash, its latent qualities +will be called forth; and, behold, a deposition of animal soap!</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_FRESH-WATER_POLYPI_AND_THEIR_MARINE_ALLIES_Hydroida" id="THE_FRESH-WATER_POLYPI_AND_THEIR_MARINE_ALLIES_Hydroida"></a>THE FRESH-WATER POLYPI AND THEIR MARINE ALLIES. (<i>Hydroida.</i>)</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">These</span> are two species, which will fully illustrate the nature of the +whole tribe. They are found in clear waters, and may generally be seen +in small ditches and trenches of fields, especially in the months of +April and May. They affix themselves to the under-parts of leaves, and +to the stalks of such vegetables as happen to grow in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_605" id="page_605"></a>{605}</span> the same water; +and feed on the various species of small worms and other aquatic animals +within their reach. When any of these pass near a Polyp, the latter +suddenly catches it with its arms, and dragging it to its mouth, +swallows it by degrees, much in the same manner as a snake gorges its +prey. Two Polypi may occasionally be seen in the act of seizing the same +worm at different ends, and dragging it in opposite directions with +great force. It sometimes happens, that while one is swallowing the end +it has seized, the other is employed in the same manner; and thus they +continue swallowing, each his part, until their mouths meet. They then +rest for some time in this situation, till the worm breaks between them, +and each goes off with his share. But sometimes when the mouths of both +are thus joined together a combat ensues, and the largest Polyp usually +swallows his antagonist; the animal thus swallowed, however, seems to be +a gainer by its misfortune, as after it has lain in the conqueror’s body +for about an hour it issues unhurt, and often in possession of the prey +that had been the original cause of contention. The remains of the +animal, on which the Polyp feeds, are evacuated at the mouth, the only +opening in the body. The species are multiplied by a kind of vegetation, +one or two, or even more young ones, emerging gradually from the sides +of the parent animal; and these young ones are frequently again prolific +before they drop off; so that it is no uncommon thing to see two or +three generations at once on the same Polyp. But the most astonishing +fact respecting this animal is, that if a Polyp be cut in pieces, it is +not destroyed, but is multiplied by dissection. It may be cut in every +direction that fancy can suggest, and even into very minute divisions, +and not only the parent stock will remain uninjured, but every section +will become an animal. Even when turned inside out, it suffers no +material injury; for, in that state it will soon begin to take food, and +to perform all its other natural functions.</p> + +<p>M. Trembley, of Geneva, ascertained that different portions of one Polyp +could be engrafted on another. Two transverse sections brought into +contact will quickly<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_606" id="page_606"></a>{606}</span> unite and form one animal, though each section +should belong to a different species. The head of one species may be +engrafted on the body of another. When one Polyp is introduced by the +tail into another’s body, the two heads unite and form one individual. +Pursuing these strange operations, M. Trembley gave scope to his fancy +by repeatedly splitting the head and part of the body; he thus formed +hydras more complicated than ever struck the imagination of the most +romantic fabulist.</p> + +<p>Though so difficult to destroy by division, all the Polyps, even those +which form the corals, may be easily killed by depriving them of +moisture, when they soon shrivel up, and the tissue of their skins is +completely destroyed.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 328px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_606_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_606_sml.jpg" width="328" height="232" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Of</span> these Fresh-water Polypi, only a few kinds are known, but the sea +nourishes a multitude of species which closely resemble the Hydras in +their structure, from hence called Hydroid Polyps by Cuvier and many +other naturalists. Most of these are compound creatures, of the kind +shown in the above engraving, of which many species may be found on all +our shores. A horny tube runs branching over the surface of a seaweed, +or<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_607" id="page_607"></a>{607}</span> some other object, and from this, at intervals, rise slender stalks, +often branched in the most elegant manner. Upon the delicate branches we +find little horny cups, each of which is the habitation of a tiny Polyp, +furnished with a mouth and stomach, and with a circlet of slender arms +to enable it to capture its prey. Other species are enclosed only in a +soft membrane, but all rise from creeping roots.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SEA_ANEMONES" id="Illustration_THE_SEA_ANEMONES"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 284px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_607_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_607_sml.jpg" width="284" height="263" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SEA ANEMONES.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Besides</span> the Polypi just mentioned as nearly related to the fresh-water +<i>Hydra</i> and those forming the different kinds of Corals, the sea +produces a vast number of other Zoophytes, the commonest kinds of which +are well known as Sea Anemones. These animals are found adhering to +rocks on all shores; they consist of a rather thick column, the base of +which forms an adhesive disc, while its summit, which is also a disc, +shows a puckered mouth in the centre surrounded by several rows of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_608" id="page_608"></a>{608}</span> +tentacles. The tentacles are sometimes short and stout, sometimes long +and slender; they are generally adorned with vivid or delicate colours, +often disposed in rings and contrasting beautifully with the colours of +the stem and disc. In their expanded state they present a close +resemblance to a flower, and indeed vie with many flowers in beauty; +hence the name of <i>Animal Flowers</i> was given to them formerly, and has +now given place to that of Sea Anemones, although they are rather to be +compared with those composite flowers in which numerous petal-like +flowerets radiate from a central disc. When contracted, the Sea Anemones +resemble soft knobs or buttons, with a depression at the top.</p> + +<p>In describing the Stony Corals, the fact has been mentioned that the +Polyps, which may be regarded as the architects of those extraordinary +structures, are very similar to the Sea Anemones. In the latter, the +cavity surrounding the central stomach is partially divided into +chambers, by partitions, which run inwards from the circumference +towards the centre; in the Coral Polyps each of these partitions +produces a stony plate in its substance, and these plates form the rays +which occupy the interior of the Polyp-cell.</p> + +<p>The Sea Anemones move slowly along by the action of their adhering disc, +somewhat in the same way that a snail or slug crawls upon the ground. +Their food is obtained by means of the tentacles which give them their +beautiful flower-like character, and to render them efficient organs for +this purpose they are endowed with a singular provision. The skin of the +tentacles, and, indeed, of most parts of the Sea Anemone is filled with +little cells or vesicles, each containing a spiral thread, which when +touched instantly darts forth, and penetrates the body coming in contact +with it. In this way, if a worm, a small fish, or any other soft animal +touches the tentacles of an Anemone, it is instantly transfixed with +innumerable delicate darts, which not only assist the tentacles in +holding the destined prey, but also seem to exercise a sort of numbing +influence upon the victim, deadening his struggles and rendering him an +easy conquest. He is then speedily passed by the tentacles<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_609" id="page_609"></a>{609}</span> to the +orifice of the mouth, and swallowed without mercy.</p> + +<p>One of the commonest kinds of these Polyps is the <i>Mesembryanthemum</i> +(<i>Actinia Mesembryanthemum</i>), a large, usually liver-coloured species, +with a row of blue warts round the margin just outside the tentacles. It +is found abundantly on the rocks of our Southern coast especially. The +<i>Thick-horned Anemone</i> (<i>Actinia</i> or <i>Brusodes crassicornis</i>) is another +large and fine species, usually of a red colour, with very thick +tentacles, which are generally white with pinkish bands.—The <i>Sea +Cereus</i> (<i>Anthea Cereus</i>) has long slender tentacles, which are not +retracted in the same way as those of the Sea Anemones generally. The +tentacles are usually tipped with a pink or purple tint; they are +constantly waving about in the water in search of prey; and instantly +seize upon any creature that passes over them.—The <i>Parasitic Anemone</i> +(<i>Actinia parasitica</i>) and the <i>Cloak Anemone</i> (<i>Adamsia palliata</i>) +always attach themselves to univalve shells which are occupied by Hermit +Crabs.</p> + +<h4><a name="JELLY_FISHES" id="JELLY_FISHES"></a>JELLY FISHES.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> animals commonly known as Jelly Fishes are free-swimming Radiata; +they were described by Cuvier and most succeeding naturalists under the +name of <i>Acalephæ</i>, from a Greek word signifying “<i>nettles</i>,” because +many of them produce a stinging sensation when they come in contact with +the skin. Their name in several languages signifies “Sea Nettles.” The +Acalephæ of Cuvier are now regarded as belonging to the same class as +the Hydroid Polyps.</p> + +<p>The common Medusa (<i>Medusa amita</i>), which may serve as an example of +this group, is found in great abundance round our coasts; it is of a +circular form, convex above, concave beneath, like an umbrella, the +stick of which is represented by a thick stalk, containing the mouth and +stomach, and terminated by four long arms for seizing the animal’s food. +The skin of these, and of the body and its appendages generally is full +of the thread-cells<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_610" id="page_610"></a>{610}</span> described as occurring in the Sea Anemones, and it +is to these that the stinging power of the Medusæ is due. The motion of +the Medusæ through the water is effected by the alternate expansion and +contraction of its umbrella, which is slightly inclined in the direction +towards which the creature is moving, and it is a most beautiful sight +to look down upon a fleet of these animals, all advancing in the same +direction at a depth of two or three feet in the water, as may often be +seen in fine weather at the mouths of our rivers.</p> + +<p>At first sight it may be thought that the Medusæ have but little in +common with the Hydroid or any other Polyps, but it has been fully +proved by late researches that the young animal produced from the egg of +the Medusa is a regular Polyp, which adheres by its base, and obtains +its food by the agency of a crown of tentacles surrounding its mouth; +nay, it even propagates in this form by pushing out buds exactly in the +manner described in the case of the fresh-water Hydra. In course of +time, however, the body of this Polyp becomes elongated, and its surface +is marked into rings, the grooves separating which gradually become +deeper until the whole body breaks up into a number of saucer-like +segments, each of which becomes a Medusa. How fully does this +extraordinary mode of reproduction show that the wonders of the Creator +are no less striking in the lowest than in the highest of his creatures, +and that for all, from the highest to the lowest, the same prescient +care has been exercised, the same goodness evinced. Verily, we may +follow the pious example of the great Linnæus, and exclaim with the +Psalmist, “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made +them all.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_611" id="page_611"></a>{611}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="APPENDIX" id="APPENDIX"></a>APPENDIX<br /><br /> +OF<br /><br /> +FABULOUS ANIMALS.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Our object</span> in the previous pages has been to combine interest with +amusement, and to present truth unmixed with fable. Yet considering that +some fictitious animals are conventionally recognised in poetry and +painting, we have thought it desirable to subjoin an account of them. +The Sphinx, the Dragon, the Unicorn, Pegasus, and the Centaur, are so +familiar to us, both in sculpture and fable, that some notice of these +mythological creations seems indispensable.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_SPHINX" id="Illustration_THE_SPHINX"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_611_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_611_sml.jpg" width="262" height="145" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE SPHINX.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Providence</span> has ordered, that as the plains of Egypt are not visited by +showers, they should be fertilized by the overflowing of the Nile, which +takes place annually,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_612" id="page_612"></a>{612}</span> a little after the summer solstice. This +phenomenon, the source of unfailing fertility in the vales of the Delta +up to Memphis, and around the bases of the majestic and venerable +pyramids, was of the greatest importance to the people of Misraim, from +the far-famed Pharos to the frontiers of Ethiopia. It was therefore +their interest to calculate correctly the season, the month, and nearly +the hour, when the flood should begin; the more so, as the sudden +invasion of the waters was dangerous to the inhabitants of the low +lands, the meadows, and the fens, and often destroyed the cottages, and +drowned the flocks and the improvident villagers. The star Sirius was +remarked to emerge from the blazing halo of the sun about the time of +the rising of the Nile; it was a warning, and was accordingly called the +Dog-star, as if barking from the heavens to apprise the inhabitants of +the valleys of the impending rise of the waters. The Egyptian +astronomers, to mark the period, combined the signs of the zodiac +answering to the two months during which the overflowing took place. +These signs happening to be Leo and Virgo, the mystical fancy of the +ancient Egyptians united them in one, and thus formed the figure of the +Sphinx, which has the head and breast of a woman, and the body of a +lion. This was a great enigma to the Greeks and Phœnicians who +travelled to Egypt; they saw the monster, but could not comprehend its +meaning. On returning to their respective countries, they invented the +fable of the Sphinx offering riddles at the gates of Thebes, and +destroying those who could not unravel them; having probably been told +by the supercilious sages of that nation, that they who could not guess +the meaning of the Sphinx were to forfeit their life in atonement for +their ignorance. Long afterwards, the real sense of the symbol was +forgotten, and Egypt in her superstition began to worship the emblem, of +which innumerable figures still exist in that once flourishing country.</p> + +<p>The Sphinx has been introduced in heraldry to adorn the gorgets of those +general officers who distinguished themselves against the French on the +banks of the Nile; it has also been adopted as an ornament in various +decorations; and two specimens, exquisitely wrought, are seen<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_613" id="page_613"></a>{613}</span> on the +front wall of Syon House, at Brentford, the seat of his Grace the Duke +of Northumberland.</p> + +<p>This chimerical figure is generally represented as sitting and at rest; +a graceful attitude adopted by Egyptian sculptors, and imitated by the +Greeks and Romans.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_DRAGON" id="Illustration_THE_DRAGON"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 257px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_613_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_613_sml.jpg" width="257" height="125" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE DRAGON.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> fabulous animal, which figures largely in ancient romances, was +supposed to be the tutelary genius of fresh-water springs in the bosom +of dark forests and enchanted rocks. Dragons were harnessed to the car +of Ceres; they were the guardians of the golden apples of the +Hesperides, and of the golden fleece of Colchis; and in several parts of +the world set as protectors to the carbuncles and other precious stones +hidden at the bottom of wells and fountains. They are represented as +scaly serpents, with webbed feet, and with wings similar to those of a +bat; having been, it seems, originally a hieroglyphic emblem of the +dangerous influence of an undue combination of air and water. Thus the +serpent Python was the allegory of a pestilence, originating from a +union of mephitic air and moisture. They have been long supporters to +the arms of the city of London, as if the guardians of the wealth which +commerce brings hither from all the parts of the world. Four of them are +placed in fanciful attitudes, and beautifully carved, on the pedestal of +the monument of London.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_614" id="page_614"></a>{614}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_WIVERN_WOLVERINE" id="Illustration_THE_WIVERN_WOLVERINE"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 290px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_614_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_614_sml.jpg" width="290" height="201" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE WIVERN, WOLVERINE.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> fabulous animal somewhat resembles the dragon, only that, instead +of four, it has two legs, which are webbed, and armed with claws. There +is no doubt that this imaginary being was originally conceived in the +brains of the poets and romancers, in times of chivalry, when the +Crusaders overran the plains of Palestine and Assyria. The heat of the +climate in some vales at the foot of the mountains, which intersect the +deserts of those countries, was favourable to the breeding of all sorts +of serpents, some of an immense size. The European soldiers of Godfrey +and Richard, unaccustomed to such sights, were easily frightened, +whenever they met those monsters on the sedgy banks of small lakes, +under the shade of cedars and palm-trees, where they appeared as if +posted to guard the sacred waters, so precious in so hot a country; and +magnified in their idle tales, when inactive in camps, the bulk of the +serpent they had seen. The castle of Lusignan, in the province of +Poitou, was supposed to contain one of those winged serpents. It is a +very ancient armorial bearing, and now stands as supporter to the arms +of several illustrious houses.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_615" id="page_615"></a>{615}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_COCKATRICE_OE_BASILISK" id="Illustration_THE_COCKATRICE_OE_BASILISK"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 284px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_615_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_615_sml.jpg" width="284" height="166" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE COCKATRICE, OE BASILISK.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> fruitful imagination of man knows hardly any bounds. The animal +which bears the name of Basilisk was originally supposed to be a +serpent, with a sort of comb or crown on its head: but that was not +sufficiently marvellous. It was supposed also to be hatched from a +cock’s egg, upon which a snake had performed the office of incubation; +and the animal had the head of a cock, and the wings and tail of a +dragon. Hatched near a spring of water, the common resort of serpents, +it was asserted that, frightened at his own extraordinary shape, he soon +precipitated himself to the bottom, whence, by the mortal look from his +fiery eyes, he had the power of killing whoever dared to gaze at him. +There are no less than four kinds of basilisks mentioned by various +authors. One burnt up everything near him, and reduced the place he +lived in to a complete desert; another kind had the power of producing a +stony rigidity in whoever looked at them, which was followed by death; +or the gazers’ flesh fell from their bones. The basilisk was said to be +killed by carrying a mirror to its lair; and the creature encountering +the reflection of its own baleful glance, was killed with its own +weapons.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_616" id="page_616"></a>{616}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_GRYPHON_OR_GRIFFIN" id="Illustration_THE_GRYPHON_OR_GRIFFIN"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 226px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_616_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_616_sml.jpg" width="226" height="170" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE GRYPHON, OR GRIFFIN,</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Was</span> originally an emblem of life. It was used to adorn funeral monuments +and sepulchres. The upper part of this allegorical animal resembles the +eagle, the king of the birds, and the rest the lion, the king of beasts; +which is said to imply that man, who lives upon the earth, cannot +subsist without air. In later times it was supposed that the Gryphon was +posted as a jailor at the entrance of enchanted castles and caverns +where subterraneous treasures were concealed. Milton compares Satan in +his flight to the Gryphon, in the following beautiful passage:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“As when a Gryphon through the wilderness,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With winged course o’er hill or moory dale,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Pursues the Arimaspian, who, by stealth,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Had from his wakeful custody purloined<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The guarded gold; so eagerly the fiend,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">O’er bog or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With head, hands, wings, or feet, pursues his way,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The <i>Arimaspians</i> were Asiatic wizards, who, by magic, used to obtain a +knowledge of the places where treasures lay hidden. Their incessant +wranglings with the Gryphons about gold-mines are mentioned by Herodotus +and Pliny. Lucan says that they inhabited Scythia, and adorned their +hair with gold; that they had but one eye in the middle of the forehead, +and lived on the banks of the gold-sanded river Arimaspes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_617" id="page_617"></a>{617}</span></p> + +<p>Virgil, in his eighth Pastoral, mentions this animal as if really +existing, but does not give us any description of it; and Claudian, in +his Epistle to Serena, alludes to the supposed fact of their keeping +watch over masses of gold in the bosom of northern mountains.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_PHOENIX" id="THE_PHOENIX"></a>THE PHŒNIX.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Herodotus</span>, Pliny, and nearly sixty other classical authors, have related +marvellous stories of this bird, all of which are of course fabulous. +The Phœnix, they say, inhabits the plains of Arabia, and is about the +size of an eagle, with gorgeous plumage of purple and gold. He is the +only one of his kind in the world. At the approach of death, he builds +himself a nest of aromatic herbs, and on it yields up his life. From his +marrow proceeds a worm, which shortly becomes a young Phœnix, whose +first duty is to discharge the obsequies of his sire. For this purpose +he collects a quantity of myrrh, which he moulds into the shape of an +egg, as large as he can conveniently carry, and then scooping it out, he +deposits the body of his sire in the inside. Having stopped it up again +with myrrh, he carries it to the Temple of the Sun in Egypt, where he +devoutly places it on the altar. This is the only time that he is seen +during his life, which lasts five hundred years. According to others, +after preparing a funeral pile of rich herbs and spices, he burns +himself, but from his ashes revives in all the freshness of youth.</p> + +<p>From late mythological researches it is conjectured that the Phœnix +is a symbol of five hundred years, of which the conclusion was +celebrated by a solemn sacrifice, in which the figure of a bird was +burnt. His being restored to youth signifies that the new springs from +the old.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_MERMAID_OR_SIREN" id="THE_MERMAID_OR_SIREN"></a>THE MERMAID, OR SIREN.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> existence of this animal, half a woman and half a fish, has long +been talked of, believed, disbelieved, and doubted. Homer is the first +who speaks of such beings,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_618" id="page_618"></a>{618}</span> which he styles <i>Sirens</i>; but we do not find +that he gives any description of their shape; however, it was soon +asserted that the Sirens were, as Horace, in his “Art of Poetry,” +describes them:</p> + +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“Above, a lovely maid; a fish below.”<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p>The Sirens were three sisters, whose voice was so delightfully +harmonious and enticing, that no resistance could be made against its +powerful charms; but “ ’twas death to hear,” for they led the navigators +and their ships to certain destruction among the rocks that bordered the +dangerous coasts which they inhabited, near the shores of Italy.</p> + +<p>The belief in the existence of Mermaids has been current at different +periods; indeed, some years ago, several persons made depositions before +a magistrate, that they had seen Mermaids come out of the sea and play +on the rocks, but that they sprang into their element before they were +able to secure them.</p> + +<p>A creature, said to be a dried Mermaid, was exhibited in London about +the year 1828; but it was afterwards discovered to be the body of a +monkey artfully attached to the dried tail of a salmon.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_KRAKEN" id="THE_KRAKEN"></a>THE KRAKEN.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> creature is another fabulous inhabitant of the sea. It is said to +be three or four miles in breadth, and to live generally at the bottom +of the sea, on the Norway coast. When it moves the commotion of the sea +is so violent that it upsets boats and even small ships; and when it +comes to the surface, it is generally mistaken for an island.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_619" id="page_619"></a>{619}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_DOLPHIN" id="Illustration_THE_DOLPHIN"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 287px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_619a_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_619a_sml.jpg" width="287" height="143" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE DOLPHIN.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is the Dolphin of heraldry, and as fabulous an animal as any here +mentioned, as may be seen by comparing it with the figure of the real +Dolphin, given with the description in a former part of this work. This +fish was said to curl up his back to carry his favourites over the seas +without wetting them; and to assume the most brilliant colours in dying, +changing from a bright blue to as bright a yellow, and then to red and +green, &c. &c.</p> + +<h4><a name="Illustration_THE_UNICORN" id="Illustration_THE_UNICORN"></a></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 230px;"> +<a href="images/ill_pg_619b_lg.jpg"> +<br /> +<img class="enlargeimage" +src="images/enlarge-image.jpg" +alt="" +width="18" +height="14" /> +<br /> +<img src="images/ill_pg_619b_sml.jpg" width="230" height="166" alt="[Image not available]" /></a> +<div class="caption"><p>THE UNICORN.</p></div> +</div> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">This</span> is another offspring of the lively and fruitful fancy of man. It is +represented as a compound of the horse and stag, the head and body +belong to the former, and the hoofs to the latter, while the horn, the +tufts, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_620" id="page_620"></a>{620}</span> tail are anomalies. This animal holds a high rank in +heraldry, and is one of the supporters of the royal arms of England.</p> + +<p>The Unicorn is often mentioned in the Scriptures, and by many +commentators is supposed to be the rhinoceros. From the book of Job we +learn that it was not only an animal of considerable strength, but also +of a very fierce and intractable disposition—“Will the Unicorn be +willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the Unicorn +with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys for thee? +Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave +thy labour to him? Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy +seed, and gather it into thy barn?” Ch. xxxix. ver. 9—11. In the book +of Psalms, xcii. ver. 10. “My horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of a +Unicorn.”</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_PEGASUS" id="THE_PEGASUS"></a>THE PEGASUS.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Another</span> liberty has been taken with the horse. Mythology has added wings +to its elegant figure, and called it <i>Pegasus</i>. This animal, it is said, +sprang from the blood of Medusa, when Perseus had cut off her head; and +immediately afterwards flew upwards towards heaven, but stopped short, +and alighted on Mount Helicon, where he struck the ground with his foot, +and instantly the fountain Hippocrene burst from the ground. During his +residence on Mount Helicon, Pegasus became a great favourite with the +Muses, who resided occasionally on that lofty mountain; and still, when +any one attempts extravagant flights of poetry, he is said to have +mounted on his Pegasus, as it was difficult to approach the Muses when +raised so high. On the contrary, the Castalian fountain on Mount +Parnassus was more accessible, and inspired poetry of a gentler nature. +But to return to Pegasus; he was at length tamed by Neptune, or Minerva, +and lent by the latter to Bellerophon, to enable him to conquer the +horrid monster called the Chimera, which was always shifting its place, +and vomiting forth flames and smoke. After the victory was achieved, +Bellerophon attempted<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_621" id="page_621"></a>{621}</span> to fly up to heaven; but Pegasus threw his rider, +and flying up to heaven without him, was changed into the constellation +of stars which still bears his name. Pegasus is sometimes confounded +with the Hippogriph, or <i>Ippogrifo</i> of Ariosto, which is often seen in +coats of arms.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_CENTAUR" id="THE_CENTAUR"></a>THE CENTAUR.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Like</span> the Sphinx, this creature is a compound of the brute and human +form, exhibiting the body of a man united to that of a horse, the former +rising from the chest of the latter. Absurd as such a combination must +appear to the anatomist, and ill adapted as it seems for agility, it is +not wholly devoid of grace, and is very frequently met with in antique +sculpture. According to Grecian mythology, these beings inhabited +Thessaly; and poetry has celebrated their combats with Hercules, +Theseus, and Pirithous, the latter of whom was the leader of the +Lapithæ, a people who vanquished the Centaurs. Their fabulous existence +had its origin in that love of the marvellous, which is always found to +exist in the earlier stages of society. Hence the natives of Thessaly +being distinguished for their skill in horsemanship, at a time when +their neighbours were unacquainted with the art of riding, they would be +described as combining the powers both of the human and the equine race; +in the same manner as some of the American tribes, when they first +beheld the Spaniards mounted on horses, mistook them for a different +race of beings from themselves, supposing them to be half men and half +quadrupeds. It is by such errors that fiction, whether poetry or +painting be its vehicle, creates those fanciful beings and shapes which +delight the imagination.</p> + +<h4><a name="THE_SATYR" id="THE_SATYR"></a>THE SATYR.</h4> + +<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Although</span> the Satyr of the ancient poets can hardly be termed an animal, +as the human form predominates, he may be introduced here as our final +example of fabulous<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_622" id="page_622"></a>{622}</span> creatures. Satyrs and Fauns are represented as men +with goats’ legs and horns, and were supposed to be the attendants of +Bacchus, with whose worship they are generally connected. The idea of +such beings was probably derived from some of the larger species of +apes. They are described as inhabiting woods and forests, of which they +were regarded as the protecting deities. Probably they were partly +personifications, intended to express the debasing influence of animal +propensities and sensual indulgence: and as nothing tends more than +intoxication to reduce man to a level with the brutes, since it deprives +reason of all control over the passions, the form of the Satyr may have +been ingeniously intended as a visible representation of the degraded +state of those who surrender up the noblest prerogative of man. Whether +such was really or not the idea of those who first feigned the existence +of such creatures, we may very rationally adopt this explanation, and +thereby deduce an important moral lesson from what is in itself an +extravagant fiction.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_623" id="page_623"></a>{623}</span></p> + +<h4><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX"></a>INDEX.</h4> + +<p class="c"><a href="#A">A</a>, +<a href="#B">B</a>, +<a href="#C">C</a>, +<a href="#D">D</a>, +<a href="#E">E</a>, +<a href="#F">F</a>, +<a href="#G">G</a>, +<a href="#H">H</a>, +<a href="#I-i">I</a>, +<a href="#J">J</a>, +<a href="#K">K</a>, +<a href="#L">L</a>, +<a href="#M">M</a>, +<a href="#N">N</a>, +<a href="#O">O</a>, +<a href="#P">P</a>, +<a href="#Q">Q</a>, +<a href="#R">R</a>, +<a href="#S">S</a>, +<a href="#T">T</a>, +<a href="#U">U</a>, +<a href="#V-i">V</a>, +<a href="#W">W</a>, +<a href="#X-i">X</a>, +<a href="#Y">Y</a>, +<a href="#Z">Z</a></p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> + +<tr><td> </td><td>Page</td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="A" id="A">A.</a></th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Abraxas grossulariata </td><td><a href="#page_587">587</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Acelephæ </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Acarus siro </td><td><a href="#page_552">552</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Accipiter nisus </td><td><a href="#page_202">202</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Acerina cernua </td><td><a href="#page_476">476</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Acheta campestris </td><td><a href="#page_570">570</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— domesticata </td><td><a href="#page_570">570</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Acipenser sturio </td><td><a href="#page_416">416</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Actinia crassicornis </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— mesembryanthemum </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— parasitica </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Adamsia palliata </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Adder </td><td><a href="#page_495">495</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Adjutant </td><td><a href="#page_352">352</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Admiral </td><td><a href="#page_530">530</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ageneiosus militaris </td><td><a href="#page_432">432</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ai </td><td><a href="#page_107">107</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Alauda arborea </td><td><a href="#page_247">247</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— arvensis </td><td><a href="#page_245">245</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Albatross </td><td><a href="#page_396">396</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Alca impennis </td><td><a href="#page_399">399</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Alcedo ispida </td><td><a href="#page_277">277</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Alligator (lucius) </td><td><a href="#page_518">518</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Amphisbæna (fuliginosa) </td><td><a href="#page_503">503</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Anabas scandens </td><td><a href="#page_475">475</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Anaconda </td><td><a href="#page_503">503</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Anarrhichas lupus </td><td><a href="#page_431">431</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Anas boschas </td><td><a href="#page_388">388</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Anchovy </td><td><a href="#page_458">458</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Angel fish </td><td><a href="#page_426">426</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Angler </td><td><a href="#page_438">438</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Anguilla vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_490">490</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Anobium tesselatum </td><td><a href="#page_560">560</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Anser ferus </td><td><a href="#page_380">380</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Anthea cereus </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ants </td><td><a href="#page_582">582</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ant-eater, great </td><td><a href="#page_110">110</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Antelope (cervicapra) </td><td><a href="#page_149">149</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Dorcas </td><td><a href="#page_150">150</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Gnu </td><td><a href="#page_154">154</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— picta </td><td><a href="#page_152">152</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Rupicapra </td><td><a href="#page_151">151</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Virgo </td><td><a href="#page_349">349</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Anthropoides virgo </td><td><a href="#page_349">349</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ant-lion </td><td><a href="#page_574">574</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Aphis </td><td><a href="#page_572">572</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Apteryx (Australis) </td><td><a href="#page_344">344</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Aquila chrysaëtos </td><td><a href="#page_185">185</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Arctic Fox </td><td><a href="#page_039">39</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Arctomys Marmotta </td><td><a href="#page_097">97</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ardea cinerea </td><td><a href="#page_354">354</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Argali </td><td><a href="#page_147">147</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Argonaut </td><td><a href="#page_537">537</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Argyroneta aquatica </td><td><a href="#page_550">550</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Arion ater </td><td><a href="#page_535">535</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Armadillo </td><td><a href="#page_109">109</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Aromia moschata </td><td><a href="#page_558">558</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Arvicola amphibia </td><td><a href="#page_102">102</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Asp, Egyptian </td><td><a href="#page_499">499</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ass </td><td><a href="#page_127">127</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Astacus fluviatilis </td><td><a href="#page_543">543</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— marinus </td><td><a href="#page_542">542</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Asterias rubens </td><td><a href="#page_595">595</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Astur palumbarius </td><td><a href="#page_200">200</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ateles paniscus </td><td><a href="#page_182">182</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Auchenia glama </td><td><a href="#page_172">172</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Auk, Great </td><td><a href="#page_399">399</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Avicula Margaritifera </td><td><a href="#page_525">525</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Axis </td><td><a href="#page_163">163</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="B" id="B"></a>B.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Babiroussa </td><td><a href="#page_122">122</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Babirussa alfurus </td><td><a href="#page_122">122</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Baboon </td><td><a href="#page_178">178</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Cape </td><td><a href="#page_179">179</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Badger </td><td><a href="#page_053">53</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Balaninus micum </td><td><a href="#page_562">562</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Balæna Australis </td><td><a href="#page_405">405</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— mysticetus </td><td><a href="#page_401">401</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Balænoptera boops </td><td><a href="#page_407">407</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Balearica pavonina </td><td><a href="#page_349">349</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Barbary Ape </td><td><a href="#page_177">177</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Barbel </td><td><a href="#page_482">482</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Basilisk </td><td><a href="#page_615">615</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Basse </td><td><a href="#page_475">475</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bat </td><td><a href="#page_080">80</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Kalong<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_624" id="page_624"></a>{624}</span> +</td><td> <a href="#page_083">83</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bat, Long-eared </td><td><a href="#page_081">81</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Vampyre </td><td><a href="#page_082">82</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bear, American (Black) </td><td><a href="#page_045">45</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, European (Brown) </td><td><a href="#page_046">46</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Grisly </td><td><a href="#page_046">46</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Malayan </td><td><a href="#page_048">48</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Polar </td><td><a href="#page_050">50</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Beaver </td><td><a href="#page_088">88</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bees </td><td><a href="#page_577">577</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Beetle, Black </td><td><a href="#page_563">563</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Blind </td><td><a href="#page_555">555</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Elephant </td><td><a href="#page_557">557</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Ground </td><td><a href="#page_558">558</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Musk </td><td><a href="#page_558">558</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Stag </td><td><a href="#page_556">556</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Belone vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_454">454</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Beluga (leucas) </td><td><a href="#page_410">410</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Billy Biter </td><td><a href="#page_249">249</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bird of Paradise </td><td><a href="#page_279">279</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bison (Bonasus) </td><td><a href="#page_141">141</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, American </td><td><a href="#page_141">141</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bittern </td><td><a href="#page_356">356</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Blackbird </td><td><a href="#page_220">220</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Black Cap </td><td><a href="#page_231">231</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Black Cock </td><td><a href="#page_322">322</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Blatta orientalis </td><td><a href="#page_563">563</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bleak </td><td><a href="#page_483">483</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Blepharis (ciliaris) </td><td><a href="#page_447">447</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Blue Ox </td><td><a href="#page_152">152</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Boa Constrictor </td><td><a href="#page_502">502</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Boar, Wild </td><td><a href="#page_120">120</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bombyx mori </td><td><a href="#page_589">589</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Boquetin </td><td><a href="#page_148">148</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bos Bonasus </td><td><a href="#page_141">141</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Indicus </td><td><a href="#page_143">143</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Taurus </td><td><a href="#page_134">134</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Botaurus stellaris </td><td><a href="#page_356">356</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bower-Bird </td><td><a href="#page_263">263</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bradypus tridactylus </td><td><a href="#page_107">107</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Brandling </td><td><a href="#page_462">462</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bream </td><td><a href="#page_484">484</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Brusodes crassicornis </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bubalus Caffer </td><td><a href="#page_139">139</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bubo Maximus </td><td><a href="#page_214">214</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Buccinum undatum </td><td><a href="#page_531">531</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Budytes flava </td><td><a href="#page_237">237</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bufo vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_507">507</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Buffalo, African </td><td><a href="#page_139">139</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bull </td><td><a href="#page_134">134</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Brahmin </td><td><a href="#page_143">143</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Wild </td><td><a href="#page_137">137</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bullfinch </td><td><a href="#page_258">258</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bullhead </td><td><a href="#page_486">486</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bunting, Yellow </td><td><a href="#page_249">249</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bustard </td><td><a href="#page_345">345</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Bulteo vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_197">197</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Butcher-bird, Great </td><td><a href="#page_217">217</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Little </td><td><a href="#page_218">218</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Butterfly, Cabbage </td><td><a href="#page_586">586</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Tortoiseshell </td><td><a href="#page_585">585</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Buzzard </td><td><a href="#page_197">197</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Honey </td><td><a href="#page_199">199</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="C" id="C"></a>C.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cachalot </td><td><a href="#page_407">407</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Calandra granaria </td><td><a href="#page_561">561</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Camel, Arabian </td><td><a href="#page_170">170</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Bactrian </td><td><a href="#page_168">168</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— of America </td><td><a href="#page_172">172</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Camelopardalis Giraffa </td><td><a href="#page_164">164</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Camelus Bactrianus </td><td><a href="#page_168">168</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Dromedarius </td><td><a href="#page_170">170</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Canary Bird </td><td><a href="#page_254">254</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cancer pagurus </td><td><a href="#page_543">543</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Canis aureus </td><td><a href="#page_042">42</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— familiaris </td><td><a href="#page_023">23</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— lagopus </td><td><a href="#page_039">39</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— lupus </td><td><a href="#page_040">40</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— vulpes </td><td><a href="#page_037">37</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cantharis (vesicatoria) </td><td><a href="#page_561">561</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Capercalzie </td><td><a href="#page_323">323</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Capra hircus </td><td><a href="#page_147">147</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— ibex </td><td><a href="#page_148">148</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Caprimulgus Europæus </td><td><a href="#page_244">244</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Carabus clathratus </td><td><a href="#page_558">558</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— violaceus </td><td><a href="#page_559">559</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Caracal </td><td><a href="#page_020">20</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Carcharias vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_417">417</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— vulpes </td><td><a href="#page_421">421</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cardium edule </td><td><a href="#page_527">527</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Carduelis canaria </td><td><a href="#page_254">254</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— elegans </td><td><a href="#page_259">259</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Carp </td><td><a href="#page_477">477</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Golden </td><td><a href="#page_479">479</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Carrion Crow </td><td><a href="#page_268">268</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cassowary </td><td><a href="#page_341">341</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Castor Fiber </td><td><a href="#page_088">88</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Casuarius galeatus </td><td><a href="#page_341">341</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cat </td><td><a href="#page_020">20</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cavallo-Marino </td><td><a href="#page_442">442</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cavia Cobaya </td><td><a href="#page_098">98</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cayman </td><td><a href="#page_518">518</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cebus Capucinus </td><td><a href="#page_182">182</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Centaur </td><td><a href="#page_621">621</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cerambyx moschatus </td><td><a href="#page_558">558</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cerastes Hasselquistii </td><td><a href="#page_497">497</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cercopithecus Diana </td><td><a href="#page_180">180</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Certhia familiaris </td><td><a href="#page_281">281</a>, <a href="#page_282">282</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cervus Alces </td><td><a href="#page_160">160</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— axis<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_625" id="page_625"></a>{625}</span> </td><td><a href="#page_163">163</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cervus Canadensis </td><td><a href="#page_157">157</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— capreolus </td><td><a href="#page_158">158</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— dama </td><td><a href="#page_159">159</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Elaphus </td><td><a href="#page_155">155</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Tarandus </td><td><a href="#page_161">161</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Chacura </td><td><a href="#page_179">179</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Chaffinch </td><td><a href="#page_256">256</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Chama </td><td><a href="#page_528">528</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Chamæleo vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_515">515</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Chameleon </td><td><a href="#page_515">515</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Chamois </td><td><a href="#page_151">151</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Charadrius morinellus </td><td><a href="#page_370">370</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— pluvialis </td><td><a href="#page_369">369</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Char </td><td><a href="#page_469">469</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cheese Hopper </td><td><a href="#page_552">552</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Mite </td><td><a href="#page_552">552</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cheetah </td><td><a href="#page_015">15</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cheimatobia brumata </td><td><a href="#page_588">588</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Chelonia imbricata </td><td><a href="#page_523">523</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— midas </td><td><a href="#page_521">521</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Chimpanzee </td><td><a href="#page_174">174</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Chinchilla lanigera </td><td><a href="#page_105">105</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Chough </td><td><a href="#page_274">274</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Chub </td><td><a href="#page_481">481</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ciconia alba </td><td><a href="#page_350">350</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cinclus aquaticus </td><td><a href="#page_219">219</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Circus cyaneus </td><td><a href="#page_213">213</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Civet </td><td><a href="#page_054">54</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Oriental </td><td><a href="#page_056">56</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Clam </td><td><a href="#page_528">528</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Clupea alba </td><td><a href="#page_458">458</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Harengus </td><td><a href="#page_455">455</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Pilchardus </td><td><a href="#page_457">457</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Sardina </td><td><a href="#page_457">457</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Sprattus </td><td><a href="#page_456">456</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Coati-Mondi </td><td><a href="#page_053">53</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cobitis barbatula </td><td><a href="#page_486">486</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cobra di Capello </td><td><a href="#page_500">500</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Coccinella septem-punctata </td><td><a href="#page_562">562</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Coccus cacti </td><td><a href="#page_571">571</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cochineal Insect </td><td><a href="#page_571">571</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cockatoo </td><td><a href="#page_303">303</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cockatrice </td><td><a href="#page_615">615</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cockchafer </td><td><a href="#page_554">554</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cockle </td><td><a href="#page_527">527</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cockroach </td><td><a href="#page_563">563</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cod-fish </td><td><a href="#page_448">448</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Coluber natrix </td><td><a href="#page_501">501</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Columba ænas </td><td><a href="#page_331">331</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— livia </td><td><a href="#page_332">332</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— palumbus </td><td><a href="#page_330">330</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Turtur </td><td><a href="#page_335">335</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Colymbus glacialis </td><td><a href="#page_397">397</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Comatula rosacea </td><td><a href="#page_595">595</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Condor </td><td><a href="#page_196">196</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Conger vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_492">492</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Coot </td><td><a href="#page_376">376</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Coracias garrula </td><td><a href="#page_276">276</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Coral, Red </td><td><a href="#page_597">597</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Stony </td><td><a href="#page_600">600</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cormorant </td><td><a href="#page_379">379</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Crested </td><td><a href="#page_380">380</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Corn Crake </td><td><a href="#page_374">374</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Weevil </td><td><a href="#page_561">561</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Corvus corone </td><td><a href="#page_268">268</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Corax </td><td><a href="#page_265">265</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— frugilegus </td><td><a href="#page_269">269</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— monedula </td><td><a href="#page_271">271</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cottus scorpius </td><td><a href="#page_433">433</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— gobio </td><td><a href="#page_486">486</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Coturnix dactylisonans </td><td><a href="#page_318">318</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Couendou </td><td><a href="#page_106">106</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cow </td><td><a href="#page_136">136</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cow Bird </td><td><a href="#page_293">293</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cowry, Money </td><td><a href="#page_531">531</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Tiger </td><td><a href="#page_531">531</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Crab </td><td><a href="#page_543">543</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Violet land </td><td><a href="#page_544">544</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Soldier, or hermit </td><td><a href="#page_545">545</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Crane </td><td><a href="#page_347">347</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Balearic </td><td><a href="#page_349">349</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Gigantic </td><td><a href="#page_352">352</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Numidian </td><td><a href="#page_349">349</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Crangon vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_546">546</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Crayfish </td><td><a href="#page_543">543</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Creeper </td><td><a href="#page_281">281</a>, <a href="#page_282">282</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Wall </td><td><a href="#page_283">283</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cricket </td><td><a href="#page_570">570</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Field </td><td><a href="#page_570">570</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Mole </td><td><a href="#page_569">569</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Crocodile of the Nile </td><td><a href="#page_517">517</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Crocodilus vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_517">517</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Crossbill </td><td><a href="#page_261">261</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Crotalus horridus </td><td><a href="#page_498">498</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cuckoo </td><td><a href="#page_290">290</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, American </td><td><a href="#page_293">293</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cuculus canorus </td><td><a href="#page_290">290</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Culex pipiens </td><td><a href="#page_592">592</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Curlew </td><td><a href="#page_360">360</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Curruca atricapilla </td><td><a href="#page_231">231</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cushat </td><td><a href="#page_330">330</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cuttle-fish </td><td><a href="#page_535">535</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cyclopterus lumpus </td><td><a href="#page_436">436</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cynocephalus </td><td><a href="#page_178">178</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— porcarius </td><td><a href="#page_179">179</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cygnus ferus </td><td><a href="#page_384">384</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— olor </td><td><a href="#page_383">383</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cypræa moneta </td><td><a href="#page_531">531</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— tigris </td><td><a href="#page_531">531</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cyprinus alburnus<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_626" id="page_626"></a>{626}</span> </td><td><a href="#page_483">483</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cyprinus auratus </td><td><a href="#page_479">479</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— barbus </td><td><a href="#page_482">482</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— brama </td><td><a href="#page_484">484</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— carpio </td><td><a href="#page_477">477</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— cephalus </td><td><a href="#page_481">481</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— gobio </td><td><a href="#page_480">480</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— leuciscus </td><td><a href="#page_482">482</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— phoxinus </td><td><a href="#page_485">485</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— rutilus </td><td><a href="#page_483">483</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— tinca </td><td><a href="#page_478">478</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Cypselus apus </td><td><a href="#page_243">243</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="D" id="D"></a>D.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dace </td><td><a href="#page_482">482</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dactyloptera Mediterranea </td><td><a href="#page_445">445</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dasypus sexcinctus </td><td><a href="#page_109">109</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Day-fly </td><td><a href="#page_576">576</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Death-Watch </td><td><a href="#page_560">560</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Deer, Fallow </td><td><a href="#page_159">159</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Musk </td><td><a href="#page_163">163</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Delphinus Delphis </td><td><a href="#page_408">408</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Demoiselle </td><td><a href="#page_349">349</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dicotyles labiatus </td><td><a href="#page_122">122</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Didelphis Virginiana </td><td><a href="#page_086">86</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Didus ineptus </td><td><a href="#page_328">328</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Diomedea exulans </td><td><a href="#page_396">396</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dipper </td><td><a href="#page_219">219</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dipus Ægyptius </td><td><a href="#page_104">104</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Djeggetai </td><td><a href="#page_131">131</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dodo </td><td><a href="#page_328">328</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dog-fishes </td><td><a href="#page_420">420</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dog </td><td><a href="#page_023">23</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Bloodhound </td><td><a href="#page_025">25</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Bulldog </td><td><a href="#page_030">30</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Foxhound </td><td><a href="#page_027">27</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Greyhound </td><td><a href="#page_036">36</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Mastiff </td><td><a href="#page_029">29</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Newfoundland </td><td><a href="#page_034">34</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Pointer </td><td><a href="#page_028">28</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Shepherd’s </td><td><a href="#page_023">23</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Spaniel </td><td><a href="#page_032">32</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Terrier </td><td><a href="#page_031">31</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Water Spaniel </td><td><a href="#page_033">33</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dolphin </td><td><a href="#page_408">408</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— of mythology </td><td><a href="#page_619">619</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dor </td><td><a href="#page_555">555</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dorado </td><td><a href="#page_410">410</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dormouse </td><td><a href="#page_096">96</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, American </td><td><a href="#page_097">97</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dottrel </td><td><a href="#page_370">370</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dove, Ring </td><td><a href="#page_330">330</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Rock </td><td><a href="#page_332">332</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Stock </td><td><a href="#page_331">331</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Turtle </td><td><a href="#page_335">335</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Draco volans </td><td><a href="#page_514">514</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dragon </td><td><a href="#page_613">613</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dragon-fly, Great </td><td><a href="#page_576">576</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dromaius Novæ Hollandiæ </td><td><a href="#page_343">343</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dromedary </td><td><a href="#page_170">170</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Duck </td><td><a href="#page_388">388</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Eider </td><td><a href="#page_389">389</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Duck-billed Platypus </td><td><a href="#page_111">111</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dugong </td><td><a href="#page_415">415</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Dynastes elephas </td><td><a href="#page_557">557</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="E" id="E"></a>E.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Eagle, Black </td><td><a href="#page_192">192</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Golden </td><td><a href="#page_185">185</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Sea, or White-tailed </td><td><a href="#page_188">188</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, White-headed or Bald </td><td><a href="#page_189">189</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Earwig </td><td><a href="#page_563">563</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Echeneis remora </td><td><a href="#page_430">430</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Echidna hystrix </td><td><a href="#page_112">112</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Echinus miliaris </td><td><a href="#page_596">596</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Eel </td><td><a href="#page_490">490</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Conger, or sea </td><td><a href="#page_492">492</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Electrical </td><td><a href="#page_488">488</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Electric Ray </td><td><a href="#page_425">425</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Elephant </td><td><a href="#page_113">113</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Elephas Africanus </td><td><a href="#page_115">115</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Indicus </td><td><a href="#page_113">113</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Elk </td><td><a href="#page_160">160</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Emberiza citrinella </td><td><a href="#page_249">249</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— hortulana </td><td><a href="#page_250">250</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Emeu </td><td><a href="#page_343">343</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Empusa gongylodes </td><td><a href="#page_564">564</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Engraulis encrasicolus </td><td><a href="#page_458">458</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Enhydra Lutris </td><td><a href="#page_068">68</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Epeïra diadema </td><td><a href="#page_548">548</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ephemera </td><td><a href="#page_576">576</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Equus Asinus </td><td><a href="#page_127">127</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Burchellii </td><td><a href="#page_133">133</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— caballus </td><td><a href="#page_124">124</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Hemionus </td><td><a href="#page_131">131</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Zebra </td><td><a href="#page_132">132</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Erinaceus Europæus </td><td><a href="#page_074">74</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ermine </td><td><a href="#page_062">62</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Erythacus rubecula </td><td><a href="#page_226">226</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Esox lucius </td><td><a href="#page_472">472</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Exocætus exiliens </td><td><a href="#page_444">444</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— volitans </td><td><a href="#page_443">443</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="F" id="F"></a>F.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Falcon </td><td><a href="#page_204">204</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Peregrine </td><td><a href="#page_205">205</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Falco æsalon </td><td><a href="#page_208">208</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— apivorus </td><td><a href="#page_199">199</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Buteo </td><td><a href="#page_197">197</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— gyrfalco </td><td><a href="#page_204">204</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Milvus<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_627" id="page_627"></a>{627}</span> </td><td><a href="#page_203">203</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Falco nisus </td><td><a href="#page_202">202</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— palumbarius </td><td><a href="#page_200">200</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— peregrinus </td><td><a href="#page_205">205</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— peregrinator </td><td><a href="#page_207">207</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— tinnunculus </td><td><a href="#page_210">210</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Father-Lasher </td><td><a href="#page_433">433</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Felis Canadensis </td><td><a href="#page_019">19</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Caracal </td><td><a href="#page_020">20</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Catus </td><td><a href="#page_022">22</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— concolor </td><td><a href="#page_018">18</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— domestica </td><td><a href="#page_020">20</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— jubata </td><td><a href="#page_015">15</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Leo </td><td><a href="#page_001">1</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Leopardus </td><td><a href="#page_012">12</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Lynx </td><td><a href="#page_019">19</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Onca </td><td><a href="#page_017">17</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Pardalis </td><td><a href="#page_015">15</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Pardus </td><td><a href="#page_013">13</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Tigris </td><td><a href="#page_009">9</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— uncia </td><td><a href="#page_014">14</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Fern Owl </td><td><a href="#page_244">244</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ferret </td><td><a href="#page_060">60</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Fiber Zibethecus </td><td><a href="#page_090">90</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Fieldfare </td><td><a href="#page_223">223</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Fitchet, or Foumart </td><td><a href="#page_061">61</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Flea </td><td><a href="#page_594">594</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Flounder </td><td><a href="#page_461">461</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Flusher </td><td><a href="#page_218">218</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Flying Dragon </td><td><a href="#page_514">514</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Fish </td><td><a href="#page_443">443</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Scorpion </td><td><a href="#page_435">435</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Forficula auricularia </td><td><a href="#page_563">563</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Formica rufa </td><td><a href="#page_582">582</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Fowls, Bankiva </td><td><a href="#page_326">326</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Bantam </td><td><a href="#page_327">327</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Jago, or Paduan </td><td><a href="#page_327">327</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Spanish </td><td><a href="#page_327">327</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Fox </td><td><a href="#page_037">37</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Arctic </td><td><a href="#page_039">39</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Fratercula arctica </td><td><a href="#page_398">398</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Fringilla cœlebs </td><td><a href="#page_256">256</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— canaria </td><td><a href="#page_254">254</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— carduelis </td><td><a href="#page_259">259</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— linaria </td><td><a href="#page_253">253</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— linota </td><td><a href="#page_253">253</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Frog </td><td><a href="#page_505">505</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, edible </td><td><a href="#page_506">506</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Fulgora laternaria </td><td><a href="#page_571">571</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Fulica atra </td><td><a href="#page_376">376</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Fulmar </td><td><a href="#page_395">395</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="G" id="G"></a>G.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gadus æglefinus </td><td><a href="#page_449">449</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Merlangus </td><td><a href="#page_451">451</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— merluccius </td><td><a href="#page_452">452</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gadus morrhua </td><td><a href="#page_448">448</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gallinula chloropus </td><td><a href="#page_373">373</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gallus domesticus </td><td><a href="#page_324">324</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— giganteus </td><td><a href="#page_327">327</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gannet </td><td><a href="#page_381">381</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Garangan </td><td><a href="#page_057">57</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gar-fish </td><td><a href="#page_454">454</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Garrulus glandarius </td><td><a href="#page_275">275</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gastuostius aculiatus </td><td><a href="#page_487">487</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gavial </td><td><a href="#page_518">518</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gazelle </td><td><a href="#page_150">150</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Genet </td><td><a href="#page_055">55</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Geometra brumata </td><td><a href="#page_588">588</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— grossulariata </td><td><a href="#page_587">587</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Geotrupes stercorarius </td><td><a href="#page_555">555</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gerfalcon </td><td><a href="#page_204">204</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Giraffe </td><td><a href="#page_164">164</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Globe Fish </td><td><a href="#page_440">440</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Electrical </td><td><a href="#page_440">440</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Glowworm </td><td><a href="#page_559">559</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gnat </td><td><a href="#page_592">592</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gnu </td><td><a href="#page_154">154</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Goat </td><td><a href="#page_147">147</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Goat Chaffer </td><td><a href="#page_558">558</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Goatsucker </td><td><a href="#page_244">244</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Godwit </td><td><a href="#page_362">362</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gorgonia nobilis </td><td><a href="#page_597">597</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Goldfinch </td><td><a href="#page_259">259</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gold-fish </td><td><a href="#page_479">479</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Goose, wild </td><td><a href="#page_386">386</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gorilla </td><td><a href="#page_176">176</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Goshawk </td><td><a href="#page_200">200</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Grampus </td><td><a href="#page_413">413</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Grand Promerooks </td><td><a href="#page_289">289</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Grasshopper </td><td><a href="#page_566">566</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Grayling </td><td><a href="#page_470">470</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Great Northern Diver </td><td><a href="#page_397">397</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Green Fly </td><td><a href="#page_572">572</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Griffin, or Gryphon </td><td><a href="#page_616">616</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Grisly Bear </td><td><a href="#page_046">46</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Grouse, red </td><td><a href="#page_320">320</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, white </td><td><a href="#page_321">321</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Grus cinerca </td><td><a href="#page_347">347</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gryllotalpa vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_569">569</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gudgeon </td><td><a href="#page_480">480</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Guinea Fowl </td><td><a href="#page_308">308</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Guinea-pig </td><td><a href="#page_098">98</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gull </td><td><a href="#page_392">392</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gurnard </td><td><a href="#page_444">444</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Flying </td><td><a href="#page_445">445</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Grey </td><td><a href="#page_445">445</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Gymnotus electricus </td><td><a href="#page_488">488</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="H" id="H"></a>H.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Haddock<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_628" id="page_628"></a>{628}</span> </td><td><a href="#page_449">449</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hag-fish </td><td><a href="#page_428">428</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Haje </td><td><a href="#page_499">499</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hake </td><td><a href="#page_452">452</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Halcyon </td><td><a href="#page_277">277</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Haliaëtus albicilla </td><td><a href="#page_188">188</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— leucocephalus </td><td><a href="#page_189">189</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Halicore Dugong </td><td><a href="#page_415">415</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hare </td><td><a href="#page_091">91</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Harfang </td><td><a href="#page_215">215</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hawk, Fishing </td><td><a href="#page_191">191</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hedgehog </td><td><a href="#page_074">74</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Australian </td><td><a href="#page_112">112</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Helix aspersa </td><td><a href="#page_533">533</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hen Harrier </td><td><a href="#page_213">213</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Heron </td><td><a href="#page_354">354</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Herpestes, griseus </td><td><a href="#page_057">57</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Ichneumon </td><td><a href="#page_056">56</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Javonicus </td><td><a href="#page_057">57</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Herring </td><td><a href="#page_455">455</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hippocampus brevirostris </td><td><a href="#page_442">442</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hippopotamus amphibius </td><td><a href="#page_116">116</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hirundo rustica </td><td><a href="#page_238">238</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— urbica </td><td><a href="#page_241">241</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hog, domestic </td><td><a href="#page_118">118</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Honey-Buzzard </td><td><a href="#page_199">199</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hooded serpent </td><td><a href="#page_500">500</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hoopoe </td><td><a href="#page_288">288</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Horned Silure </td><td><a href="#page_432">432</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Viper </td><td><a href="#page_497">497</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Horse </td><td><a href="#page_124">124</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>House-fly </td><td><a href="#page_592">592</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Humming-bird </td><td><a href="#page_287">287</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hyæna, striped (Striata) </td><td><a href="#page_043">43</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, spotted (Crocuta) </td><td><a href="#page_044">44</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hydras </td><td><a href="#page_606">606</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hydroida </td><td><a href="#page_604">604</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Hystrix cristata </td><td><a href="#page_106">106</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— prehensilis </td><td><a href="#page_106">106</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="I-i" id="I-i"></a>I.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ibex </td><td><a href="#page_148">148</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ibis falcinellus </td><td><a href="#page_360">360</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— religiosa </td><td><a href="#page_359">359</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— rubra </td><td><a href="#page_360">360</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ichneumon Fly </td><td><a href="#page_580">580</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ichneumon, or Egyptian Mangouste </td><td><a href="#page_056">56</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Iguana tuberculata </td><td><a href="#page_513">513</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Inuus sylvanus </td><td><a href="#page_177">177</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="J" id="J"></a>J.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Jacchus Rosalia </td><td><a href="#page_183">183</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_183">183</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Jackal </td><td><a href="#page_042">42</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Jackdaw </td><td><a href="#page_271">271</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Jaguar </td><td><a href="#page_017">17</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Jay </td><td><a href="#page_275">275</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Jelly Fishes </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Jerboa </td><td><a href="#page_104">104</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>John Dory </td><td><a href="#page_446">446</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Jungle Fowl </td><td><a href="#page_310">310</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="K" id="K"></a>K.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Kangaroo </td><td><a href="#page_084">84</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Kestrel </td><td><a href="#page_210">210</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Kiang </td><td><a href="#page_131">131</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>King-fish </td><td><a href="#page_447">447</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Kingfisher </td><td><a href="#page_277">277</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Kite </td><td><a href="#page_203">203</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Kivi-Kivi </td><td><a href="#page_344">344</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Knot </td><td><a href="#page_367">367</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Kraken </td><td><a href="#page_618">618</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="L" id="L"></a>L.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Labrax lupus </td><td><a href="#page_475">475</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lacerta viridis </td><td><a href="#page_512">512</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— vivipara </td><td><a href="#page_512">512</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lady Bird, or Lady Cow </td><td><a href="#page_562">562</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lagopus Scoticus </td><td><a href="#page_320">320</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_321">321</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lamantin </td><td><a href="#page_415">415</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lamprey </td><td><a href="#page_427">427</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lampris guttatus </td><td><a href="#page_447">447</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lampyris noctiluca </td><td><a href="#page_559">559</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Land Rail </td><td><a href="#page_374">374</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lanius collurio </td><td><a href="#page_218">218</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— excubitor </td><td><a href="#page_217">217</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lantern-Fly </td><td><a href="#page_571">571</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lapwing </td><td><a href="#page_371">371</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Laruscanus </td><td><a href="#page_392">392</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Leaf Mantis </td><td><a href="#page_564">564</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Walking </td><td><a href="#page_565">565</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Leech </td><td><a href="#page_540">540</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Leipoa ocellata </td><td><a href="#page_312">312</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lemming </td><td><a href="#page_103">103</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lemur albifrons </td><td><a href="#page_184">184</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— macaco </td><td><a href="#page_184">184</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Leopard </td><td><a href="#page_012">12</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, hunting </td><td><a href="#page_015">15</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lepadogaster cornubicus </td><td><a href="#page_437">437</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Leptoptilus argala </td><td><a href="#page_352">352</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— marabou </td><td><a href="#page_353">353</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lepus cuniculus </td><td><a href="#page_093">93</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— timidus </td><td><a href="#page_091">91</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Libellula grandis </td><td><a href="#page_576">576</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Limax cinereus </td><td><a href="#page_534">534</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Limosa ægocephala </td><td><a href="#page_362">362</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Limpet<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_629" id="page_629"></a>{629}</span> </td><td><a href="#page_532">532</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ling </td><td><a href="#page_451">451</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Linnet </td><td><a href="#page_253">253</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Linota cannabina </td><td><a href="#page_253">253</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lion </td><td><a href="#page_001">1</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lioness and Cubs </td><td><a href="#page_007">7</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Littornia littorea </td><td><a href="#page_532">532</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lizard </td><td><a href="#page_512">512</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Flying and Green </td><td><a href="#page_514">514</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Llama </td><td><a href="#page_172">172</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Loach </td><td><a href="#page_486">486</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lobster </td><td><a href="#page_542">542</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Locust </td><td><a href="#page_567">567</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Locusta migratoria </td><td><a href="#page_567">567</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— flavipes </td><td><a href="#page_566">566</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lophius piscatorius </td><td><a href="#page_438">438</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lota molva </td><td><a href="#page_451">451</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Loxia curvirostra </td><td><a href="#page_261">261</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— pyrrhula </td><td><a href="#page_258">258</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lucanus cervus </td><td><a href="#page_556">556</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lucerna </td><td><a href="#page_445">445</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Luidia fragilissima </td><td><a href="#page_595">595</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lump-sucker </td><td><a href="#page_436">436</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lutra </td><td><a href="#page_068">68</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_066">66</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lycosa tarantula </td><td><a href="#page_550">550</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lynx, common </td><td><a href="#page_019">19</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Lyre-Bird of Australia </td><td><a href="#page_284">284</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— N. S. Wales </td><td><a href="#page_287">287</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="M" id="M"></a>M.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Macaw </td><td><a href="#page_300">300</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Scarlet </td><td><a href="#page_301">301</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Machetes pugnax </td><td><a href="#page_363">363</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mackerel </td><td><a href="#page_453">453</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Macrocercus aracanga </td><td><a href="#page_300">300</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Macao </td><td><a href="#page_301">301</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Macropus giganteus </td><td><a href="#page_084">84</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Magot </td><td><a href="#page_177">177</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Magpie </td><td><a href="#page_272">272</a>, <a href="#page_587">587</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Maid </td><td><a href="#page_422">422</a>, <a href="#page_424">424</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Manatee </td><td><a href="#page_415">415</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Manatus Australis </td><td><a href="#page_415">415</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mandrill </td><td><a href="#page_179">179</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mangouste, Egyptian </td><td><a href="#page_056">56</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mantis, Leaf </td><td><a href="#page_564">564</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mareca Penelope </td><td><a href="#page_390">390</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Marikina Monkey </td><td><a href="#page_183">183</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Marmot </td><td><a href="#page_097">97</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Marmozet </td><td><a href="#page_183">183</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Marten, Common or Beech </td><td><a href="#page_065">65</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Pine or yellow-breasted </td><td><a href="#page_066">66</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Martes foina </td><td><a href="#page_065">65</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Zibellina </td><td><a href="#page_064">64</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Martin </td><td><a href="#page_241">241</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Black </td><td><a href="#page_243">243</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mavis </td><td><a href="#page_222">222</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Medusa amita </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Megapodius tumulus </td><td><a href="#page_310">310</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Meleagris Gallo-Pavo </td><td><a href="#page_306">306</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Meles Taxus </td><td><a href="#page_053">53</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Melolontha vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_554">554</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Melopsittacus undulatus </td><td><a href="#page_302">302</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Menura Alberti </td><td><a href="#page_287">287</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— superba </td><td><a href="#page_284">284</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mephitis Americana </td><td><a href="#page_063">63</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Merlangus vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_451">451</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Merle </td><td><a href="#page_222">222</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Merlin </td><td><a href="#page_208">208</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mermaid </td><td><a href="#page_617">617</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Miller’s Thumb </td><td><a href="#page_486">486</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Milvus regalis </td><td><a href="#page_203">203</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Minnow </td><td><a href="#page_485">485</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Missel-Thrush </td><td><a href="#page_221">221</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mite, Cheese </td><td><a href="#page_552">552</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Water </td><td><a href="#page_550">550</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mocking-bird </td><td><a href="#page_225">225</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mole </td><td><a href="#page_076">76</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Cricket </td><td><a href="#page_569">569</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Water </td><td><a href="#page_111">111</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mongoos </td><td><a href="#page_184">184</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Monkey, Capuchin </td><td><a href="#page_182">182</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Diana </td><td><a href="#page_180">180</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Oustiti </td><td><a href="#page_183">183</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Marikina </td><td><a href="#page_183">183</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Proboscis </td><td><a href="#page_180">180</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Spider </td><td><a href="#page_182">182</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Monk-fish </td><td><a href="#page_426">426</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Monodon monoceros </td><td><a href="#page_414">414</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Moongus </td><td><a href="#page_057">57</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Moor Cock </td><td><a href="#page_320">320</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Hen, or Coot </td><td><a href="#page_373">373</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Morunga proboscidea </td><td><a href="#page_071">71</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Morse </td><td><a href="#page_072">72</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Moschus moschiferus </td><td><a href="#page_163">163</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Motacilla boarula </td><td><a href="#page_236">236</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Moth, Clothes </td><td><a href="#page_590">590</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Emperor </td><td><a href="#page_583">583</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Magpie, or Currant </td><td><a href="#page_587">587</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Winter </td><td><a href="#page_588">588</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mother Cary’s Chicken </td><td><a href="#page_393">393</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mound-Bird of Australia </td><td><a href="#page_310">310</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mouse </td><td><a href="#page_099">99</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Field </td><td><a href="#page_099">99</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Harvest </td><td><a href="#page_100">100</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mule </td><td><a href="#page_130">130</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Murex haustellus, or cornutus </td><td><a href="#page_532">532</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Musca domestica </td><td><a href="#page_592">592</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mus decumanus </td><td><a href="#page_100">100</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— messorius<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_630" id="page_630"></a>{630}</span> </td><td><a href="#page_100">100</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mus musculus </td><td><a href="#page_099">99</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— sylvaticus </td><td><a href="#page_099">99</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Musk Rat </td><td><a href="#page_090">90</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mussel </td><td><a href="#page_530">530</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mustela Abietum </td><td><a href="#page_066">66</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Americana </td><td><a href="#page_063">63</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— erminea </td><td><a href="#page_062">62</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— furo </td><td><a href="#page_060">60</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— leucopus </td><td><a href="#page_065">65</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— martes </td><td><a href="#page_065">65</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— putorius </td><td><a href="#page_061">61</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_058">58</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Zibellina </td><td><a href="#page_064">64</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Myodes Lemmus </td><td><a href="#page_103">103</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Myoxus avellanarius </td><td><a href="#page_096">96</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Myrmecophaga jubata </td><td><a href="#page_110">110</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Myrmeleon formicarium </td><td><a href="#page_574">574</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Mytilus edulis </td><td><a href="#page_530">530</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Myxine glutinosa </td><td><a href="#page_428">428</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="N" id="N"></a>N.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Nagao </td><td><a href="#page_500">500</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Naja Haje </td><td><a href="#page_499">499</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— tripudians </td><td><a href="#page_500">500</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Narwhal </td><td><a href="#page_414">414</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Nasalis larvatus </td><td><a href="#page_180">180</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Nasua narica </td><td><a href="#page_053">53</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Naucrates ductor </td><td><a href="#page_429">429</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Nautilus, Paper </td><td><a href="#page_537">537</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Pearly </td><td><a href="#page_538">538</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Pompilius </td><td><a href="#page_538">538</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Newt </td><td><a href="#page_510">510</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Great </td><td><a href="#page_511">511</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Nightingale </td><td><a href="#page_228">228</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Night-jar </td><td><a href="#page_244">244</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Numenius arquatus </td><td><a href="#page_360">360</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Numida Meleagris </td><td><a href="#page_308">308</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Nuthatch, or Nutjobber </td><td><a href="#page_281">281</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Nyl Ghau </td><td><a href="#page_152">152</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="O" id="O"></a>O.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ocelot </td><td><a href="#page_015">15</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Octopus vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_537">537</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ondatra </td><td><a href="#page_090">90</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Opah </td><td><a href="#page_447">447</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Opossum, Virginian </td><td><a href="#page_086">86</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ornithorhynchus paradoxus </td><td><a href="#page_111">111</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Orthagoriscus mola </td><td><a href="#page_441">441</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ortolan </td><td><a href="#page_250">250</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, English </td><td><a href="#page_251">251</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ortygometra crex </td><td><a href="#page_374">374</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ortyx Californicus </td><td><a href="#page_319">319</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Virginianus </td><td><a href="#page_319">319</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Oryctes rhinoceros </td><td><a href="#page_557">557</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Osmerus eperlanus </td><td><a href="#page_471">471</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Osprey </td><td><a href="#page_191">191</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ostracion quadricornis </td><td><a href="#page_439">439</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ostrea edulis </td><td><a href="#page_526">526</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ostrich </td><td><a href="#page_337">337</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, American </td><td><a href="#page_340">340</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Otis tarda </td><td><a href="#page_345">345</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Otter </td><td><a href="#page_066">66</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Sea </td><td><a href="#page_068">68</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ounce </td><td><a href="#page_014">14</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ouistiti Monkey </td><td><a href="#page_183">183</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ourang Outan </td><td><a href="#page_173">173</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ouzel, Ring </td><td><a href="#page_224">224</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Water </td><td><a href="#page_219">219</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ovis Aries </td><td><a href="#page_144">144</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Owl, Brown </td><td><a href="#page_217">217</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Great Snowy </td><td><a href="#page_215">215</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Horned </td><td><a href="#page_214">214</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, White, Barn, or Screech </td><td><a href="#page_216">216</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Oyster, Pearl </td><td><a href="#page_525">525</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Common </td><td><a href="#page_526">526</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="P" id="P"></a>P.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pagurus Bempardus </td><td><a href="#page_545">545</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Palæornis Alexandri </td><td><a href="#page_301">301</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Palæmon serratus </td><td><a href="#page_546">546</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pandion haliaëtus </td><td><a href="#page_191">191</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Panther </td><td><a href="#page_013">13</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Par </td><td><a href="#page_462">462</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Paradisea apoda </td><td><a href="#page_279">279</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Paroquet, Ground </td><td><a href="#page_302">302</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Ring </td><td><a href="#page_301">301</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Warbling Grass </td><td><a href="#page_302">302</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Partridge, common </td><td><a href="#page_316">316</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Red-legged </td><td><a href="#page_315">315</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Parrot, Green </td><td><a href="#page_300">300</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Grey </td><td><a href="#page_298">298</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Parus cæruleus </td><td><a href="#page_248">248</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— caudatus </td><td><a href="#page_248">248</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Passer domesticus </td><td><a href="#page_252">252</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Patella </td><td><a href="#page_532">532</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pavo cristatus </td><td><a href="#page_304">304</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Peacock </td><td><a href="#page_304">304</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Peccary </td><td><a href="#page_122">122</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Peewit </td><td><a href="#page_371">371</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pegasus </td><td><a href="#page_620">620</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pelicanus onocrotalus </td><td><a href="#page_377">377</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pelican </td><td><a href="#page_377">377</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Penguin </td><td><a href="#page_400">400</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Perca fluviatilis </td><td><a href="#page_474">474</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Perch </td><td><a href="#page_474">474</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Climbing </td><td><a href="#page_475">475</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Sea </td><td><a href="#page_475">475</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Perdix cinerea </td><td><a href="#page_316">316</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— rufus<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_631" id="page_631"></a>{631}</span> </td><td><a href="#page_315">315</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pearled Hen </td><td><a href="#page_308">308</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Periwinkle </td><td><a href="#page_532">532</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pernis apivorus </td><td><a href="#page_199">199</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Petrel, Stormy </td><td><a href="#page_393">393</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Petromyzon marinus </td><td><a href="#page_427">427</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Phalacrocorax carbo </td><td><a href="#page_379">379</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— graculus </td><td><a href="#page_380">380</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Phalanger </td><td><a href="#page_087">87</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Phalangista vulpina </td><td><a href="#page_087">87</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pharaoh’s Rat </td><td><a href="#page_056">56</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Phasianus colchicus </td><td><a href="#page_313">313</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Nycthemerus </td><td><a href="#page_314">314</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— pictus </td><td><a href="#page_314">314</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Phœnix </td><td><a href="#page_617">617</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pheasant </td><td><a href="#page_313">313</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Australian </td><td><a href="#page_312">312</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Gold </td><td><a href="#page_314">314</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Silver </td><td><a href="#page_314">314</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Philomela luscinia </td><td><a href="#page_228">228</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Phoca vitulina </td><td><a href="#page_069">69</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Phocæna orca </td><td><a href="#page_413">413</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_412">412</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pholas dactylus </td><td><a href="#page_528">528</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Phyllium siccifolium </td><td><a href="#page_565">565</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Phyllostoma spectrum </td><td><a href="#page_082">82</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Physeter macrocephalus </td><td><a href="#page_407">407</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pica caudata </td><td><a href="#page_272">272</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Picus viridis </td><td><a href="#page_294">294</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pieris Brassicæ </td><td><a href="#page_586">586</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pigeon, carrier </td><td><a href="#page_333">333</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, wood </td><td><a href="#page_330">330</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pike </td><td><a href="#page_472">472</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pilchard </td><td><a href="#page_457">457</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pilot Fish </td><td><a href="#page_429">429</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pimpla persuasoria </td><td><a href="#page_580">580</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pintado </td><td><a href="#page_308">308</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Piophila casei </td><td><a href="#page_552">552</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pipa Americana </td><td><a href="#page_509">509</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pipistrelle </td><td><a href="#page_081">81</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Plaice </td><td><a href="#page_460">460</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Plant Louse </td><td><a href="#page_572">572</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Platalea Ajaja </td><td><a href="#page_359">359</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— leucorodia </td><td><a href="#page_358">358</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Platessa flesus </td><td><a href="#page_461">461</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_460">460</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Platypus, duck-billed </td><td><a href="#page_111">111</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Plecotus auritus </td><td><a href="#page_081">81</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Plover, golden </td><td><a href="#page_369">369</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, grey </td><td><a href="#page_368">368</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Plyctolophus galeritus </td><td><a href="#page_303">303</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Polar, or White Bear </td><td><a href="#page_050">50</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Polecat </td><td><a href="#page_061">61</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Polypi </td><td><a href="#page_604">604</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pontia Brassicæ </td><td><a href="#page_586">586</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pool Snipe </td><td><a href="#page_361">361</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pope </td><td><a href="#page_476">476</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Porcelain shells </td><td><a href="#page_531">531</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Porcupine </td><td><a href="#page_106">106</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Porpoise </td><td><a href="#page_412">412</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Poulpe </td><td><a href="#page_537">537</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Praying insects </td><td><a href="#page_563">563</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Prawn </td><td><a href="#page_546">546</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Procellaria glacialis </td><td><a href="#page_395">395</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Procyon lotor </td><td><a href="#page_051">51</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Promerooks, Grand </td><td><a href="#page_289">289</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Psittacus Amazonicus </td><td><a href="#page_300">300</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— aracanga </td><td><a href="#page_300">300</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— erythacus </td><td><a href="#page_298">298</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ptarmigan </td><td><a href="#page_321">321</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pteromys volucella </td><td><a href="#page_095">95</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pteropus edulis </td><td><a href="#page_083">83</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus </td><td><a href="#page_263">263</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Puffin </td><td><a href="#page_398">398</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pulex irritans </td><td><a href="#page_594">594</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Puma </td><td><a href="#page_018">18</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Pyrrhcorax graculus </td><td><a href="#page_274">274</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Python </td><td><a href="#page_503">503</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="Q" id="Q"></a>Q.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Quagga </td><td><a href="#page_133">133</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Quail </td><td><a href="#page_318">318</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, American </td><td><a href="#page_319">319</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Californian </td><td><a href="#page_319">319</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Chinese </td><td><a href="#page_319">319</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Querquedula crecca </td><td><a href="#page_391">391</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="R" id="R"></a>R.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rabbit, wild </td><td><a href="#page_093">93</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, domestic </td><td><a href="#page_094">94</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Racoon </td><td><a href="#page_051">51</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Raia batis </td><td><a href="#page_422">422</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— clavata </td><td><a href="#page_424">424</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ram </td><td><a href="#page_146">146</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Wallachian </td><td><a href="#page_146">146</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rana temporaria </td><td><a href="#page_505">505</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rangifer Tarandus </td><td><a href="#page_161">161</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rat </td><td><a href="#page_100">100</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Alpine </td><td><a href="#page_097">97</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Musk </td><td><a href="#page_090">90</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Water </td><td><a href="#page_102">102</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rattle Snake </td><td><a href="#page_498">498</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Raven </td><td><a href="#page_265">265</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Red Game </td><td><a href="#page_320">320</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Redpole </td><td><a href="#page_253">253</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Redshank </td><td><a href="#page_361">361</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Redwing </td><td><a href="#page_222">222</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Reeve </td><td><a href="#page_364">364</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Regulus cristatus<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_632" id="page_632"></a>{632}</span> </td><td><a href="#page_235">235</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rein-Deer </td><td><a href="#page_161">161</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Remora </td><td><a href="#page_430">430</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rhamphastos tucanus </td><td><a href="#page_297">297</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rhea Americana </td><td><a href="#page_340">340</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rhinoceros unicornis </td><td><a href="#page_117">117</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rhombus maximus </td><td><a href="#page_459">459</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ring Dove </td><td><a href="#page_330">330</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Ouzel </td><td><a href="#page_224">224</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Paroquet </td><td><a href="#page_301">301</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>River Fox </td><td><a href="#page_477">477</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Horse </td><td><a href="#page_116">116</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Roach </td><td><a href="#page_483">483</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Robin, or Redbreast </td><td><a href="#page_226">226</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rockdove </td><td><a href="#page_332">332</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Roebuck </td><td><a href="#page_158">158</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Roller </td><td><a href="#page_276">276</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rook </td><td><a href="#page_269">269</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Rorqual </td><td><a href="#page_407">407</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ruff and Reeve </td><td><a href="#page_363">363</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ruffe </td><td><a href="#page_476">476</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="S" id="S"></a>S.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sable </td><td><a href="#page_064">64</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, American </td><td><a href="#page_065">65</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Salmon </td><td><a href="#page_463">463</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Pink </td><td><a href="#page_462">462</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Salmo fario </td><td><a href="#page_466">466</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— salar </td><td><a href="#page_463">463</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— salvelinus </td><td><a href="#page_469">469</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— thymallus </td><td><a href="#page_470">470</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Trutta </td><td><a href="#page_465">465</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sanguisuga officinalis </td><td><a href="#page_540">540</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sarcorhamphus papa </td><td><a href="#page_195">195</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sardine </td><td><a href="#page_457">457</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Satin Bower Bird </td><td><a href="#page_263">263</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Satyr </td><td><a href="#page_621">621</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Saw Fish </td><td><a href="#page_427">427</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Saxicola ænanthe </td><td><a href="#page_250">250</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— rubetra </td><td><a href="#page_250">250</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Scarabeus elephas </td><td><a href="#page_557">557</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sciurus vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_095">95</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Scolopax gallinago </td><td><a href="#page_365">365</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— rusticola </td><td><a href="#page_366">366</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Scomber Scomber </td><td><a href="#page_453">453</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Seal </td><td><a href="#page_069">69</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sea Anemones </td><td><a href="#page_607">607</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Cloak </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Mesembryanthemum </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Parasitic </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Sea Cereus </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Thick-horned </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sea-Bat </td><td><a href="#page_431">431</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sea-Cow </td><td><a href="#page_072">72</a>, <a href="#page_415">415</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sea-Elephant </td><td><a href="#page_071">71</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sea-Horse </td><td><a href="#page_442">442</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sea-Nettles </td><td><a href="#page_609">609</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sea-Owl </td><td><a href="#page_436">436</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sea-Parrot </td><td><a href="#page_398">398</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sea-Unicorn </td><td><a href="#page_414">414</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sea-Urchin </td><td><a href="#page_596">596</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sea-Wolf </td><td><a href="#page_431">431</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Secretary Bird </td><td><a href="#page_211">211</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Selachus maximus </td><td><a href="#page_420">420</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sepia officinalis </td><td><a href="#page_535">535</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Serpentarius reptilivorus </td><td><a href="#page_211">211</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Serpents </td><td><a href="#page_493">493</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Shag </td><td><a href="#page_380">380</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Shaheen </td><td><a href="#page_207">207</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Shark </td><td><a href="#page_417">417</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Fox </td><td><a href="#page_421">421</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Greenland, or Basking </td><td><a href="#page_420">420</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Hammer-headed </td><td><a href="#page_421">421</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sheep </td><td><a href="#page_144">144</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Wild, of Asia </td><td><a href="#page_147">147</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ship Worm </td><td><a href="#page_529">529</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Shrew </td><td><a href="#page_078">78</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Water </td><td><a href="#page_079">79</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Shrike </td><td><a href="#page_217">217</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Shrimp </td><td><a href="#page_546">546</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Silkworm </td><td><a href="#page_589">589</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Silurus militaris </td><td><a href="#page_432">432</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Simia satyrus </td><td><a href="#page_173">173</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— troglodytes </td><td><a href="#page_174">174</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Siren </td><td><a href="#page_617">617</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sitta Europæa </td><td><a href="#page_281">281</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Skate </td><td><a href="#page_422">422</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Skegger </td><td><a href="#page_462">462</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Skunk </td><td><a href="#page_063">63</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Skylark </td><td><a href="#page_245">245</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sleeper </td><td><a href="#page_096">96</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sloth </td><td><a href="#page_107">107</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Slug, small grey </td><td><a href="#page_534">534</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, black </td><td><a href="#page_535">535</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Smelt </td><td><a href="#page_471">471</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Snail, Garden </td><td><a href="#page_533">533</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Snake, Common </td><td><a href="#page_501">501</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Snipe </td><td><a href="#page_365">365</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Snipe-shell </td><td><a href="#page_532">532</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Solan Goose </td><td><a href="#page_381">381</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Solaster papposa </td><td><a href="#page_595">595</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sole </td><td><a href="#page_461">461</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Solea vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_461">461</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Solitaire </td><td><a href="#page_329">329</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sorex araneus </td><td><a href="#page_078">78</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— fodiens </td><td><a href="#page_079">79</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sornateria mollissima </td><td><a href="#page_389">389</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Spanish Fly </td><td><a href="#page_561">561</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sparling </td><td><a href="#page_471">471</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sparrow<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_633" id="page_633"></a>{633}</span> </td><td><a href="#page_252">252</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sparrowhawk </td><td><a href="#page_202">202</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Speniscus demersus </td><td><a href="#page_400">400</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sphargis coriacea </td><td><a href="#page_524">524</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sphinx </td><td><a href="#page_611">611</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Spider-catcher </td><td><a href="#page_283">283</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Spider, Diving </td><td><a href="#page_550">550</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Garden </td><td><a href="#page_548">548</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, House </td><td><a href="#page_549">549</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sponge </td><td><a href="#page_603">603</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Spoonbill </td><td><a href="#page_358">358</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, American or Roseate </td><td><a href="#page_359">359</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sprat </td><td><a href="#page_456">456</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Squalus carcharias </td><td><a href="#page_417">417</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Squatarola cinerea </td><td><a href="#page_368">368</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Squatina Angelus </td><td><a href="#page_426">426</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Squirrel </td><td><a href="#page_095">95</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Flying </td><td><a href="#page_095">95</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Ground </td><td><a href="#page_097">97</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Stag </td><td><a href="#page_155">155</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Stare </td><td><a href="#page_262">262</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Star-fish </td><td><a href="#page_595">595</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Starling </td><td><a href="#page_262">262</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Stickleback </td><td><a href="#page_487">487</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Stoat </td><td><a href="#page_062">62</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Stockdove </td><td><a href="#page_331">331</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Stork </td><td><a href="#page_350">350</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>St. Peter’s Fish </td><td><a href="#page_449">449</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Strix flammea </td><td><a href="#page_216">216</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Struthio camelus </td><td><a href="#page_337">337</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sturgeon </td><td><a href="#page_416">416</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sturnus vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_262">262</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sucker, ocellated </td><td><a href="#page_437">437</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sucking-fish </td><td><a href="#page_430">430</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sula bassana </td><td><a href="#page_381">381</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sun-fish </td><td><a href="#page_441">441</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Surnia nyctea </td><td><a href="#page_215">215</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sus scrofa </td><td><a href="#page_118">118</a>, <a href="#page_120">120</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Swallow </td><td><a href="#page_238">238</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Window </td><td><a href="#page_241">241</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Swan </td><td><a href="#page_383">383</a>, <a href="#page_384">384</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Swift </td><td><a href="#page_243">243</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sword-fish </td><td><a href="#page_433">433</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Sylvia trochilus </td><td><a href="#page_233">233</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Synetheres prehensilis </td><td><a href="#page_106">106</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Syrnium aluco </td><td><a href="#page_217">217</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="T" id="T"></a>T.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Talegalla Lathami </td><td><a href="#page_312">312</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Talpa Europea </td><td><a href="#page_076">76</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tapir, American </td><td><a href="#page_123">123</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Malayan </td><td><a href="#page_123">123</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tarantula </td><td><a href="#page_550">550</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Teal </td><td><a href="#page_391">391</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tegenaria domestica </td><td><a href="#page_549">549</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tench </td><td><a href="#page_478">478</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Teredo navalis </td><td><a href="#page_529">529</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Testudo Græca </td><td><a href="#page_520">520</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tetrao tetrix </td><td><a href="#page_322">322</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— urogallus </td><td><a href="#page_323">323</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tetraodon hispidus </td><td><a href="#page_440">440</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— lineatus </td><td><a href="#page_440">440</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Thalassidroma pelagica </td><td><a href="#page_393">393</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Thornback </td><td><a href="#page_424">424</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Thresher </td><td><a href="#page_421">421</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Thrush, Song, or Throstle </td><td><a href="#page_221">221</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Missel </td><td><a href="#page_221">221</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tichodroma muraria </td><td><a href="#page_283">283</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tiger </td><td><a href="#page_009">9</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tiger Cat </td><td><a href="#page_015">15</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tiger Wolf </td><td><a href="#page_044">44</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tinea pellionella </td><td><a href="#page_590">590</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Titmouse </td><td><a href="#page_248">248</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tit, Long-tailed </td><td><a href="#page_248">248</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Toad </td><td><a href="#page_507">507</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Surinam </td><td><a href="#page_509">509</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tomtit </td><td><a href="#page_248">248</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Torpedo vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_425">425</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tortoise, Common, or Greek </td><td><a href="#page_520">520</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Totanus calidris </td><td><a href="#page_361">361</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Toucan </td><td><a href="#page_297">297</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Trichechus Rosmarus </td><td><a href="#page_072">72</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Trigla cuculus </td><td><a href="#page_444">444</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— gurnudus </td><td><a href="#page_445">445</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tringa Canutus </td><td><a href="#page_367">367</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Tristis antiquorum </td><td><a href="#page_427">427</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Triton aquaticus </td><td><a href="#page_510">510</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— palustris </td><td><a href="#page_511">511</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Trochilus colubris </td><td><a href="#page_287">287</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Troglodytes gorilla </td><td><a href="#page_176">176</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— niger </td><td><a href="#page_174">174</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_232">232</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Trout </td><td><a href="#page_466">466</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Alpine </td><td><a href="#page_469">469</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Salmon, Bull, or Sea </td><td><a href="#page_465">465</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Silvery </td><td><a href="#page_467">467</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Trunk-fish </td><td><a href="#page_439">439</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Turbot </td><td><a href="#page_459">459</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Turdus iliacus </td><td><a href="#page_222">222</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Merula </td><td><a href="#page_220">220</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— musicus </td><td><a href="#page_221">221</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— pilaris </td><td><a href="#page_223">223</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— polyglottus </td><td><a href="#page_225">225</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— torquatus </td><td><a href="#page_224">224</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— viscivorus </td><td><a href="#page_221">221</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Turkey </td><td><a href="#page_306">306</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Brush </td><td><a href="#page_312">312</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Turtle, Green </td><td><a href="#page_521">521</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Hawk’s-bill </td><td><a href="#page_523">523</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Leathery <span class="pagenum"><a name="page_634" id="page_634"></a>{634}</span> </td><td><a href="#page_524">524</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="U" id="U"></a>U.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Unau </td><td><a href="#page_108">108</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Unicorn </td><td><a href="#page_619">619</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Upupa epops </td><td><a href="#page_288">288</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— superba </td><td><a href="#page_289">289</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Uraster rubens </td><td><a href="#page_595">595</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Ursus Americanus </td><td><a href="#page_045">45</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Arctos </td><td><a href="#page_046">46</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— ferox </td><td><a href="#page_046">46</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Malayanus </td><td><a href="#page_048">48</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— maritimus </td><td><a href="#page_050">50</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="V-i" id="V-i"></a>V.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Vampire Bat </td><td><a href="#page_081">81</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Vanellus cristatus </td><td><a href="#page_371">371</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Vanessa urticæ </td><td><a href="#page_585">585</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Vespa vulgaris </td><td><a href="#page_579">579</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Vespertilio auritus </td><td><a href="#page_081">81</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— noctula </td><td><a href="#page_080">80</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— pipistrellus </td><td><a href="#page_081">81</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Vipera berus </td><td><a href="#page_495">495</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— cerastes </td><td><a href="#page_495">495</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Viper </td><td><a href="#page_495">495</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Horned </td><td><a href="#page_497">497</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Viverra Civetta </td><td><a href="#page_054">54</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Genetta </td><td><a href="#page_055">55</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Zibetha </td><td><a href="#page_056">56</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Vulture </td><td><a href="#page_194">194</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— King </td><td><a href="#page_195">195</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Vultur gryphus </td><td><a href="#page_196">196</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— monachus </td><td><a href="#page_194">194</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— papa </td><td><a href="#page_195">195</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="W" id="W"></a>W.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Wagtail, Grey </td><td><a href="#page_236">236</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Pied </td><td><a href="#page_237">237</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Yellow Shepherdess </td><td><a href="#page_237">237</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Walking Leaf </td><td><a href="#page_565">565</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Wall Creeper </td><td><a href="#page_283">283</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Walrus </td><td><a href="#page_072">72</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Wapiti </td><td><a href="#page_157">157</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Wasp </td><td><a href="#page_578">578</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Water Hen </td><td><a href="#page_373">373</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Mites </td><td><a href="#page_550">550</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>—— Ouzel </td><td><a href="#page_219">219</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Weasel </td><td><a href="#page_058">58</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Weevil, Corn </td><td><a href="#page_561">561</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Nut </td><td><a href="#page_562">562</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Whale, Fin-backed </td><td><a href="#page_407">407</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Greenland </td><td><a href="#page_401">401</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Spermaceti </td><td><a href="#page_407">407</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, White </td><td><a href="#page_410">410</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Wheat-ear </td><td><a href="#page_250">250</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Whelk </td><td><a href="#page_331">331</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Whinchat </td><td><a href="#page_250">250</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Whitebait </td><td><a href="#page_458">458</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>White-headed Eagle </td><td><a href="#page_189">189</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Whiting </td><td><a href="#page_451">451</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Widgeon </td><td><a href="#page_390">390</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Window Swallow </td><td><a href="#page_241">241</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Winter Moth </td><td><a href="#page_588">588</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Wivern, or Wolverine </td><td><a href="#page_614">614</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Wolf </td><td><a href="#page_040">40</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Woodcock </td><td><a href="#page_366">366</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Woodlark </td><td><a href="#page_247">247</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Woodpecker </td><td><a href="#page_294">294</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Wolf-Dog </td><td><a href="#page_037">37</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Worm, Earth </td><td><a href="#page_539">539</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Wren </td><td><a href="#page_232">232</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Golden-crested </td><td><a href="#page_235">235</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Willow </td><td><a href="#page_233">233</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Wryneck </td><td><a href="#page_296">296</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="X-i" id="X-i"></a>X.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Xiphias gladius </td><td><a href="#page_433">433</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="Y" id="Y"></a>Y.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Yellowhammer, or Yellow Bunting </td><td><a href="#page_249">249</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Yellow Shepherdess </td><td><a href="#page_237">237</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Yunx torquilla </td><td><a href="#page_296">296</a></td></tr> + +<tr><th align="center"><a name="Z" id="Z"></a>Z.</th><td> </td></tr> + +<tr><td>Zebra </td><td><a href="#page_132">132</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>——, Burchell’s </td><td><a href="#page_133">133</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Zebu, or Brahmin Bull </td><td><a href="#page_143">143</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Zeus faber </td><td><a href="#page_446">446</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Zygæna malleus </td><td><a href="#page_421">421</a></td></tr> + +</table> + +<p class="c">LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING +CROSS.</p> + +<p><a name="transcrib" id="transcrib"></a></p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="" +style="padding:2%;border:3px dotted gray;"> +<tr><th align="center">Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:</th></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Les Infusories homogenes=> Les Infusories homogènes {pg xxii}</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">that althongh immense numbers=> that although immense numbers {pg 45}</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">the inhabitants of those pesert places=> the inhabitants of those desert places {pg 168}</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">his Select Fable givess=> his Select Fable gives {pg 270}</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">which act as alteratives=> which act as alternatives {pg 467}</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/back.jpg" width="281" height="450" alt="cover" /> +</p> + +<hr class="full" /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mrs. Loudon's Entertaining Naturalist, by +Jane Loudon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MRS. 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