McCombie-Auld COLLECTION NEW- YORK- STATE COLLEGE or AGRICULTURE BUFFON’S N A TJJ RAL HISTORY or Q.UADRUPEDS, BIRDS, FISHES, SERPENTS, REPTILES, AND INSECTS. ILLUSTRATED WITH A Wood Engraving to each subject. 6TEHEUTYYED BY REES AND REDFIELD. NEW-YORK: Charles Wells, 157 Broadway. 1833. QL 8"7 CONTENTS. A Adjutant . . . Amphisbatna . Ant . . . . Antelope . . . Ant-Eater . . Ape Armadillo . . Asp . . . . Ass . . . . Axis . . . . B Baboon . . . Badger . . . Balearic Crane . Barn Owl . . Bat . . . . Bear .... Beaver . . . Bee .... Beetle .... Bird of Paradise Bison .... Bittern . . . 168 Black-Bird . . 145 Black-Cap . . 165 Blood Hound . 57 Bream . . . 226 Buffalo . . . 16 Bug . . . . 265 Bull . . . . 17 Bull Dog . . 61 Bull-Finch . . 155 Butcher Bird . 107 Butterfly . . Buzzard . . . 262 . 100 C Camel . . . 50 Cameleon . 93 Cameleopard . 53 Canary-Bird . 159 Carp . . . . 219 Cart Horse . . 19 Cassowary . . 137 Cat . . . . 70 Caterpillar . Chaffer . . . 261 . 283 J27 258 2(i(i 46 25 41 77 257 22 82 43 42 161 125 ill 24 64 278 281 187 52 IV CONTENTS. Chub . . . . Civet Cat . . Coati Mondi Cod Fish . . Common Cock . Coot . . . . Coral .... Cormorant . . Cow . . . . Crab . . . . Crane .... Craw-Fish . . Creeper . . . Crested Lark Cricket . . . Crocodile . . Crow . . . . Cuckoo . . . Curlew . . . D Dace . . . . Death-Watch . Dolphin . . . Dormouse . . Dottrel . . . Dromedary . . Duck . . . . E Eagle . . . . Ear-Wig . . 282 Eel . . . . 233 Electrical Eel . 231 Elephant . . . 73 Elk . . . . 31 F Falcon . . . 104 Father Lasher . 200 Ferret .... 80 Flea . . . . 264 Flounder . . . 213 Fly . . . . 269 Flying Fish . . 197 Flying Scorpion 234 Fox ... . 28 Frog . . . . 96 a Gar-Fish . . 242 Glow-Worm 267 Goat . . . . 34 Godwit . . . 177 Goose . . . . 171 Gold-Finch . . 156 Gold-Fish . . 216 Gor-Cock . . 189 Goshawk . . 101 Grasshopper 275 Great-eared Mon key . . . . 44 210 71 76 215 132 175 284 186 18 248 16(1 247 129 152 274 94 112 110 178 220 271 196 84 182 51 172 98 CONTENTS. Greyhound . . 62 Grey Plover . 181 Gudgeon . . . 224 Guineu-Hen . 188 Guinea-Pig . . 83 Gurnard . . . 228 H Haddock . . 207 Hare . . . 54 Hedgehog: 48 Heron . . 1G7 Herring . . 222 Hippopotamus 65 Hoopoe . . 139 Horned Owl 124 Horned Viper 254 Humming bird 166 Hyaena . . I Ibex . . . . 45 35 Ichneumon . . 85 j Jackall . . . 11 Jackdaw . . . 114 Jay . . . . 116 Jerboa . . . 86 John Doree . . 229 K Kangaroo . . 87 King Fisher . 138 Kite . . . . 103 L Lady Cow . . 279 Lapwing . 169 Leech . . . 259 Leopard . . 13 Lama . . 88 Linnet . . 157 Lion . . . 9 Lioness . . 10 Lizard . . 92 Lobster . . 246 Locust . . 272 Louse . . 263 Lynx . . . 37 M Macaw . . . 121 Mackerel . . 221 Magpie . . . Malabar Horn- 115 bill . . . . 118 Marmot . . . 89 Martin . . . 147 MastitF Dog 60 VI CONTENTS. Merlin . . . 106 Minnow . . 232 Mole .... 56 Mole Cricket . 273 Monk Fish . . 201 Moor Hen . . 183 Moufflon . . 36 Mountain Falcon 105 Mouse ... 66 Mule .... 23 Muscle. . . .252 Musk-Rat . . 69 N Nightingale . 153 Nuthatch . . 128 Nyl-Ghau . . 90 O Opossum . . 74 Osprey ... 99 Ostrich . . . 136 Otter .... 63 Ounce . . . 11 Ouzel . 140 Oyster ... 255 P Panther ... 13 Paroquet . ■ 122 Parrot . . 120 Partridge 134 Peacock . . 130 Pelican . . 185 Penguin Auk . 190 Perch . . . . 238 Pheasant . 133 Pigeon . . . 144 Pike . . . . 217 Pilot Fish . . 194 Plaice . . . 212 Pole Cat . . . 72 Porcupine . . 47 Porpoise . . . 205 Prawn . 251 a Quail . . . 135 R Rabbit . . . 55 Race Horse . 21 Racoon . . . 38 Rat . . . . 67 Rattle-Snake . 256 Raven . . . Ill Rein-Deer . . 32 Remora . . . 195 Rhinoceros . . 27 Ring Dove . . 142 CONTENTS. King Paroquet . 123 Roach . . . 239 Robin Redbreast 148 Roe-Buck . . 30 Roller . . .119 Rook . . . .113 Ruff .... 174 S Salmon . . . 209 Salmon Trout . 210 Saw Fish . . 204 Sea-Horse . . 218 Sea Owl . . 225 Sea Tortoise . 244 Sea Unicorn . 241 Sea Wolf . . 199 Shark ... 193 SheatFish . . 198 Sheep ... 33 Shrimp . . . 250 Skate .... 227 Sky-Lark . . 150 Sloth .... 75 Small Butcher Bird ... 108 Smelt .... 223 Snail .... 260 Snake, Black . 255 Snipe .... 176 Soldier Crab 249 Sole .... 214 Sow . . . . 40 Spaniel . . . 58 Sparrow . . . 154 Sparrow Hawk 102 Spider . . . 270 Sperm. Whale 192 Spoon Bill . . 179 Squirrel . . . 78 Stag . . . . 29 Stag Beetle . . 276 Star Fish . . 285 Stock Dove . . 143 Stork . . . . 162 Striated Monkey 42 Sturgeon . . . Swallow . . . 206 146 Swan . . . . 170 Sword Fish . . 203 T Teal . . . . 184 Tench . . , 237 Thrush . . . 149 Tiger . . . . 15 Tit-Mouse . . 164 Toad . . . . 97 Toad Fish . 235 Torpedo . . . 230 TUI CONTENTS. Tortoise . . Toucan . . Tree Louse . Trout . . . Trumpet Fish Turbot . . Turkey . . Turtle Dove y Viper . . . Vulture . . W Walrus . . War Horse . Wasp . . 243 Water Rat . 68 117 Water Spaniel 59 280 Water W aff-tail 159 211 Weasel . . . 79 236 Whale . . . 191 202 Whiting . . . 208 131 Widgeon . . 173 141 Wild Boar . . 39 Woodcock . . 180 Wood-Lark 151 253 Wood-Pecker . 126 109 Wolf . . . . 26 Wren . . . . 163 95 Z 20 Zebra .... 61 277 NATURAL HISTORY. LION. Tiif. Lion, justly styled by all writers, the King of Beasts, is generally of a dun colour; his head is vastly large and strong; his nose thick; his mouth very wide; his eyes are red, fiery, and hollow; his fore feet have five distinct claws on each foot, and the hinder but four; all crooked, sharp, and exceeding hard ; his sight and smelling are very acute. He cannot endure fire. At present the Lion is only found in Africa find the East Indies; in some of which coun- tries he grows to an enormous height ; but the ordinary size is between three and four feet. He has lived in England to the age of seventy years. His skin is an attribute of Hercules ; and he is a sign in the Zodiac, answering to July and August. 10 NATURAL HISTORY LIONESS. The Lioness, the female of the same species, is, in all her dimensions, about one third less than the male, possesses the same nature and properties, but is destitute of that mane which contributes so essentially to the majestic appearance of the Lion. She goes five months with young, and produces four at a litter, which she brings forth in the most sequestered and inaccessi- ble places: — she rears them with jealous fierceness, at which time she becomes equal- ly formidable and ferocious as the male; destroying whatever falls in her way, whether men or animals, which she carries home reeking to her cubs, whom she early accus- toms to cruelty and slaughter. OP QUADRUPEDS. 11 JACKALL. The Jackall, commonly called the Lion’s Provider, though not much bigger than a fox, yet is so fierce and bold, that it seizes on such beasts as cows, hogs, sheep, &c., and sometimes it will attack a man. It is reported, that when this creature seizes his prey, he makes a hideous noise, resembling that of human distress; but just as it sup- poses itself going to share the fruits of its labour, the lion, attracted by its noise, comes and satiates itself upon the spoil, and leaves nothing to its unfortunate provider but thebare carcass. Hence arises the fabulous story of their attendance on the lion, to provide his food. These animals are placed in the scale of creation, between the wolf and the dog; arc generally found in large flocks, and chiefly inhubit Cilicia and other parts of Asia Minor. 12 natural history PANTHER. The Panther is in shape somewhat like a lioness, but not quite so large. His hair is short, sleek, and mossy, and of a bright yel- low, beautifully marked with round black spots, and is said to send forth a fratrrant smell. The Panther is a very fierce and cruel beust, greedy of blood, very swift, and gets Us prey by leaping upon it suddenly. The body of this animal, when it has attained its full growth, is five or six feet long, from the tip of the nose to the insertion of the tail, which is above two feet long. OF QUADRUPEDS. 13 LEOPARD. The Leopard, differs very little from the Panther. The spots of his skin are com- posed of four or five black dots arranged in a circlo, and not imperfectly representing the vestige left by the animal’s foot upon the sand. These animals are said to be engendered between a panther and a lioness. The hair on the back and sides is of u yellow colour, more or less deep; under the belly it is whitish. 14 natural history OUNCE. The Ounce is much smuller than the pan- ther, being ubout the size of a mastiff dog. His hair is of a whitish grey, upon the buck and sides, and of a grey still whiter under the belly ; whereas the back and sides of the panther arc always of a yellow, more or less deep. These animals are very cruel ; their teeth are so sharp that they can bite wood asunder with them ; their claws are a good defence being like their teeth, both so sharp and strong that they fight with them. This spe- cies is more numerous than that of the pan- ther, being found in Barbary, Arubiu, and all the southern parts of Asiu ; and is even found in China. OF .lOAOtlUPEDS. 15 TIGER. The Tiger is in shape somewhat like the honcss. IIis body is elegantly marked with brown streaks, on a tawny ground The 1’iger is very wild and fierce, exceedingly ravenous, and of prodigious swiftness: lie is therefore more to be dreaded than tlm lion. These animals are the scourge of every country which they inhabit. Of the appear- ance of man, and all his hostile weapons they are fearless. Wild animals as well as tunic ones, fall a sacrifice before them. Happy It IS for the rest of nature, that the l Iger is but rare, and is found only in those countries which are inhabited by the ele- phant, the rhinoceros, and the lion. 1G NATURAL HISTORY BUFFALO. The Buffalo is, for the most part, like tho bull, but smaller in size. His horns are branched and ragged ; his hair is deep and harsh, like that of a bear; his head is so hard and thick, that the Scythians make breast- plates of it, that no dart can pierce through. The Buffalo, like all other animals of warm climates, is fond of bathing; he swims very well, and boldly traverses the most rapid flood. As his legs are somewhat longer than those of the ox, he runs also faster upon land. He is a native of mostparts of the torrid zone, and of almost all warm climates. OP ttlUMUPPDS. 17 BULL. The Bull is a very strong fierce creature: his strength, in all parts of his body, is very great, but particularly about the head and neck : his forehead seems to be made for fight, having short thick horns, with which he can toss up into the air a large dog, and other weighty things, which he furiously receives again as it falls, and so gores it with his horns, that at length he destroys it The roaring of the Bull is very. deep an. i lot.i 1 and when furious he makes gr.'nt I tions. The Bull holds the second ■_ Ore signs of the Zodiac, as a mark of restject bestowed upon him by the ancient Egyptians tor his usefulness in tilling the ground. 18 NATURAL BISTORT COW. The Cow is the female of the aforesaid kind, but lives somewhat shorter than the bull. Slip, has seldom more titan one calf at a time, and goes about nine months. This useful creature quietly yields us the produce of her distended udders every morn- ing and evening. She is generally soon deprived of her offspring, in order that her milk may be converted to our use, such as food for children ; be churned into butter, or pressed into cheese; besides continuing to pour into our cups the nectareous stream, and adding to our pleasure and comfort in multifarious ways. OP QUADRUPEDS. 19 > tlKT HORSE. t’.p In-; animals, the Horse has thr A ' s;. \t. pj-iipoftion and elegance in every part o sUtniJy The regularity of the pro- 1 l"-> end gives him an air of • s l'ri;.’ ii, jvhhh is well supported by lh; if ttih.v m ins chest. ' ■ M" .,' seems desirous of raising jo'D 1 above his state of a quadruped, by ‘"hi ig up h; liead, and in this noble atti- •"•I. i,< i.-ilt man in the face. His eyes )ir > lively 1 large, his ears well made, and of “ just • portion ; his mane suits well his lead, .npomenls his neck, and gives him an i ol superiority; his long bushy tail covers ie • A-irO"qities of his body, far different from l .f tails - 1 the stag, the elephant, &c. 20 NATURAL HISTORY WAR HORSE The War Horse is that spirted animal which shares with man the fatigues < i war, and the glory of the combat Equa'Ay intre- pid as his master, the Horse sees the danger, and braves it. Inspired at the clash of arms, he loves it, he seeks it, und is animated, with the same ardour. He is all fire, but equally tractable as con rageous: he not only submits to the 'irm which guides him, but even seems to consult the desires of his rider; and always obedi- ent to the impressions he receives from hins presses on, moves gently, or stops, as hi; rider pleases. He makes use of all hi. strength, exerts himself beyond it, and even dies to obey us. OF ai/ADRVPF.DS. 21 RACE HORSE. The Race Horse is not inferior to the former, in point of beauty, submission and courage; is kept principally for the amuse- ment of the turf; where lie displays his ardour and swiftness. Horses are calculated to lessen the labours of man, to add to his pleasures, and to share with equal docility and cheerfulness, the fatigues of the race, the dangers of war, or to draw, with appropriate strength, the heavy ploughs and carts of the farmer, the light vehicles of the rich, and the stately carriages of the great. The Horse is bred in most parts of tho world. 22 NATURAL HISTORY ASS. The Ass is naturally as humble, patient, and quiet, as the horse is proud, ardent, and impetuous. He is contented with the hard- est and most disagreeable herbs, which the horse and other animals will leave with dis- dain. He is very delicate with respect to his water, for he will drink none but the clearest. The Ass, is a beast of burden: of greater strength comparatively than most animals of his size. He is generally of a dun colour, and wears the form of a cross on his back and shoulders. He lives nearly to the same age as the horse. The females milk has often proved beneficial in consumptions. OF UUADRUPEDS. 23 MULE. The Mule is of a mixed nature, resulting from the union of the ass and the mare, and resembles an ass more than a horse ; inherit- ing from his male parent the long ears and cross on the back, and small legs and ele- gance of shape from his mother. The Mule surpasses the ass in obstinacy as well as he does in strength. KATBRAI, m>rORT 81 BEAR. The Bear is not only a savage, but a soli- tary animal. He takes refuge m the most unfrequented parts, and the most dangerous precipices of uninhabited mountains. He makes his den in the most gloomy parts of the forest, in some cavern that has been hollowed by time, or in the hollow of some old enormous tree: thither he retires alone, and passes a part of the winter without pro- visions, or without even stirring abroad. Bears are of two kinds. The brown, or land-bear, inhabits the forests of the northern countries, while the frozen regions of Green- land contain a white kind, which is called the sea-bear. Or QUADRUPEDS. 25 ANT-EATER. The Ant-Euter is about four feet long, from the extremity of the nose to the origin of its tail : his neck is short, his head nar- row, his eyes black and small, his tongue thin, more lljnn two feet long, his legs short, and his tail, two feet and a half long, is covered with long hair. These animals are found in the hottest climates of America: they are naturally dull, slothful, and timid. Tney feed on ants, and catch them by laying their glutinous tongue across the paths frequented by them, and when a sufficient number has been en- tangled in its viscosity, they suddenly draw it in and devour them greedily. The colour of their hair is black and white. 26 NATURAL HISTORY WOLF. The Wolf, when pressed with hunger, is an undaunted and ferocious creature ; but a coward when the stimulus of appetite is no longer in action. He has great strength, particularly in the foreparts: lie carries off a sheep in his mouth, without letting it touch the ground : the watchfulness of dogs can hardly prevent his depredations, and he often dares to visit the haunts of men. Wolves are found in almost every country, but differ in colour according to the different climates: those found in France and Ger- many are of a yellowish brown ; while those of the northern climes are found quite black, and some entirely white. OF QUADRUPKDS. 37 RHINOCEROS. The Rhinoceros, without being ferocious, or even very wild, is nevertheless untamea- ble. He is of the nature of a hog, blunt and grunting, without intellect, without senti- ment, and without traetableness. These animals arc found in India, Africa, and about the Cape of Good Hope: they arc of a dark slate colour, and measure about twelve feet in length, six or seven feet high, and the circumference of their bodies is nearly equal to their length. Their bodies and limbs are covered with an impenetrable skin, and the horn on the nose is so sharp, and of so hard a nature, that it will pierce tli rough iron or stone. 28 NATURAL HISTORY FOX. The Fox has always been famous for his artifices; and the reputation he has thus acquired, he partly merits. He generally fixes his residence at the edge of a wood, and yet not far from some cottage or ham- let. If he be uble to get into a yard or fowl- house, he begins by levelling all the poultry without remorse. The Fox is so voracious, that when he has no belter food, he devours lizards, frogs, toads, &c. The Fox is produced in most countries, and varies in size and colour. In Muscovy, some are white, some red, and others black. His stratagems are so well known, that they need not be recorded here. OF QUADRUPEDS. 29 STAG. The Stag is one of those mild, innocent animals, which seem as if they were created solely to adorn and animate the solitude of the forests, and to occupy, remote from man, the peaceful retreats of nature. His light and elegant form; his flexible yet nervous limbs; his head, rather adorned, than armed with a living substance, which, like the branch of a tree, is every year renewed ; his grandeur, his swiftness and his strength, suf- ficiently distinguish him from the rest of the inhabitants of the forest. 30 NATURAL HISTORY ROEBUCK. The Roe-Buck differs from the stag, not only in superior cunning, but also in his natural appetites, his inclinations, and his whole habits of living. Instead of herding together like, the latter, the species of the former live in separate families: the sire, the. dam, and the young ones, form of them- selves a little community ; nor do they ever admit a stranger into it. All other animals of the deer kind are inconstant in their affec- tion. The Roe-Buck never forsakes his mate; and as they have generally been bred up together, the male and female form for each other the strongest attachment. OF ftUADRUPEDS. 31 ELK. The Elk is a much larger and stronger animal than the stag. His neck is shorter, his hair longer, and his antlers wider and heavier: his legs arc very firm, with so much motion and strength, especially in the fore feet, that he can kill a man by a single stroke of his foot; yet he is hunted by men and dogs. The Elk lives in forests, and feeds upon the branches and sprouts of trees ; is an in- habitant of Europe, Asia, and America. 32 Natural history REIN-DEER. In comparing the advantages which the Laplanders derive from the Rein-Deer, with those we derive from our domestic animals, we shall give this animal the preference. The Rein-Deer is used as horses are, to draw sledges and other carriages : he travels with very great speed; and runs as well upon the frozen snow as upon the mossy down; his flesh is very good to eat; his coat makes an excellent fur ; and his hide becomes very supple and durable leather. The female affords milk more substantial, and more nourishing, than that of the cow. Thus the Rein-Deer alone affords all that we derive from the horse, the ox, the sheep, and the cow. OP QUADRUPEDS. 33 SHEEP. This animal, so cowardly in itself, so des- titute in sentiment, is the most precious and the most useful of our domestic animals. It not only supplies our greatest necessities, hut, at the same time, furnishes us with food and clothing. Without enumerating the particular advantages we have from the skin, and even the bowels and bones, we are con- vinced that nature has given it nothing but what is useful to man. The male, which is called the Ram, is known by his horns, which show themselves in the first year. This animal was so much esteemed for his multifarious good qualities, that he obtained the first place among the signs of the Zodiac. 3 31 NATURAL HISTORY GOAT. The Goat has naturally more understand- ing, and can shift better for himself, than the sheep : he is easily familiarized, sensible of caresses, and capable of attachment: lie is also stronger, lighter, more alert, and less timid than the sheep, being lively and capri- cious. Goats are fond of climbing up steep places, of sleeping on the tops of rocks, and on the brinks of precipices. The male Goat is dis- tinguished from the female, by having rougher hair, and the beard and horns con- siderably longer 01’ QUADRUPEDS. 35 IBEX. Tile Ibex, or wild Goat, varies only from our domestic gout by two slight differences; the one externally, and the other internally. The horns of tile Ibex are longer than those of the lie-goat ; they have two longitudinal ridges, and those of the goat have but one. 1 hey have also thick knots, or traverse tu- bercles, by which their age is known, while those of die goat are only marked with trans- verse strokes. The Ibex runs as fast as the stag, and leaps with more agility than the roe-buck. His long knotted horns incline backwards ; his hair is rough, and of a deep brown colour. This animal inhabits the tops of cliffs, rocks, and mountains; and, when pursued, often jumps down enormous precipices without receiving any injury. 3G NATURAL HISTORY MOUFFLON. The only cl iifercncc between the Moufflon and our sheep is, that this animal is covered with hair instead of wool. In external appearance, this sheep has nothing remarka- ble. His horns are bent backwards, and his tail is short and flat, lie is a native of the mountains of Spain and Corsica, and feeds on grass and other kinds of vegetables. His flesh is considered very good food. 01-' QUADRUPEDS. 37 LYNX. The Lynx is generally about the size of a fox ; and differs from the panther and the ounce in the following particulars: It has short legs:; its hair is long, and marked with spots of a less lively colour; its eyes are bright, and of a whitish cast, a mild aspect, and upon the whole, an agreea- ble and lively appearance. It gains its sole subsistence by devouring other animals, which it will pursue to the very tops of trees. The skin of this animal changes its co- lour according to the season and climate. In winter it is in every respect better than it is m summer; and its flesh, like that of all beasts of prey, is improper food. 38 NATURAL HISTORY RACOON. The Racoon is rather smaller than tire fox. Its body is short and bulky ; its fur is line, long, and thick, blackish at the surface, and grey towards the bottom ; its head is like that of the fox, but its cars are round and shorter; its eyes are large, of a yellow- ish green, and over them there ur ■ black and transverse stripes ; its tail is thick, and marked with black and white rings, and is at least as long as the body. The Racoon is a native of America and the West Indies; it is easily domesticated, and then becomes a very amusing and harm- less animal. OF QUADRUPEDS. 39 WILD BOAR. The Wild Boar inhabits, for the most part, marshes and woods, und is commonly of a black or brown colour. His tusks, when living, cut like sharp knives ; but when deud, they lose their keenness. He is hunted by dogs, or else taken by surprise in the night by the light of the moon. As he runs but slowly, he leaves a strong scent behind him. He defends himself against the dogs, and sometimes wounds them dangerously! lie should not be hunted by dogs designed fur the slag nnd the goat. A young Wild Boar, ofthree years old, is difficult to take, because he runs a great way without stopping. One that is older, on the other hand, does not run so far, suffers him- self to be closely hunted, and is not much afraid of the dogs. 40 NATUll A f, tllSTOHY sow. The Sow is bred in most parts of the world. Its skin is all over rougli and hairy, not so thick as that of the ox, yet much long- er and stiffer, standing up on the ridge of the back. The general colour varies considera- bly, as in all domestic animals ; the snout is long, strong,, arid broad, well calculated to cast up the earth for its food; having on the tip a rising gristle, round and picked at the end, between the nostrils, wherewith it first enters the ground in digging. The. fertility of the Sow is very great, as each litter generally amounts to between nine and fifteen pigs, twice or thrice in the course of the year: and she sometimes lives to fifteen or twenty years. OP aiUDRUPRDS. 41 APE. The Ape mostly resembles the human species in the shape of its ears, eyes, eye- lids, lips, breast, feet, hands, and in the gene- ral form of its body. It is filthy, and of * sullen disposition. Its motions are violent, its manners awkward, and its physiognomy rather ugly than ridiculous. The negroes believe that Apes could speak, but do not, for fear they should be set to work. They are of a pale mouse colour; and sometimes five feet tall. The Gibbon, or Long-armed Ape, as well |>s the others, inhubits the torrid zone ; and is always erect, even when it walks upon all lours, its arms being as long as both its liodv and legs. ' 42 NATURAL HISTORY STRIATED MONKEY. The name of this animal is taken from the sound of its voice. It is smaller than the tamarin, being not above six inches long, and its tail more than twice that length, which is annulated black and white, like that of the Macacco. Its face is naked, and of a flesh colour. It has two very singular tufts of long white hair on the forepart of the ears, which, although very large, cannot be seen by looking at its full face. These animals, when young, have an ugly appearance, having scarcely any hair on their bodies. They cling closely to the teats of their dam ; and as they grow older, they fasten themselves to her back or shoul- ders. op mumtupFDs. 43 BABOON. The Baboon, properly so called, has a pouch on each side of its cheeks. It has callosities on its posteriors, which' are naked, and pf a red colour. Its tail is crooked and thick, and about seven or eight inches long. The canine teeth are much thicker and longer than those of men. Its snout is very thick and very long; its ears naked, its body ami limbs arc strong, thick, and short; its hair is lon^ and thick, of a reddish brown colour, and pretty uniform over the whole body. These Baboons feed principally upon fruits, roots, and corn. They generally herd together; and sally forth to commit depre- dations upon the neighbouring vineyards or orchards. 44 NATURAL HISTORY GREAT-EARED MONKEY. The Tamarin, or Great-eared Monkey, is much smaller than those we have just described, (being about seven or eight inches long,) and differs from them in many cha- racters, particularly in the tail, which is clothed only with short hair; whereas, that of the Saki is furnished with long hair. The body, head, and tail, are covered with dark brown bristly hair; and it is remarkable for the largeness of its ears, and its yellow feet. It is a lively animal, very easily tamed, but so exceedingly delicate, as not to be able to resist our climate long. Monkeys are very expert at climbing. They are mischievous and unlucky ; and participate much of the subtle nature of apes and baboons. OF UUADKUPEDS. 45 HYjENA. The Hyaena is, perhaps, the only quadru- ped which lias but four toes, to either the fore or hind feet. Like the badger, it has an aperture under the tail, which docs not Penetrate into the interior part* of the body. Its ears arc long, straight, and bare; its head IS more square, and shorter than that of the wolf ; its legs, the hind ones especially, are longer; its eyes are placed like those of the dog ; the hair of its body, and its mane, are Of a dark grey, with a small intermixture of yellow and black disposed all along in waves; and though its size is equal to that of the wolf, it has a contracted appearance. The Hyaena defends itself against the non, is not afraid of the panther, and nttacks Hie ounce, which is incapable of resisting it. 46 NATURAL HISTORY ANTELOPE. The common Antelope is between the goat and the deer kind. Swiftness and ele- gance of shape this animal possesses to a considerable degree ; and is found in Syria, Mesopotamia, and in all the provinces of the Levant, us well as in Barbary, and in all the northern parts of Africa. The horns of this animal are about a foot long, entirely annu- lated at the base, which lessen into half rings towards the extremity. They are not only surrounded with these rings, but also longitudinally furrowed by small streaks. These rings indicate the number of years of their growth, which is commonly about twelve or thirteen. There are many in a herd; when, at the same time, they have scouts, who by running, give them notice of an approaching foe. They are generally shot, being too swift for a greyhound. Of Ol’ADRUPEDS. 47 PORCUPINE. A Porcupine grows to the height of about two feet and a half. Its bite is so sharp, that no wooden work, as some sav, can withstand it. It is so daring, that it will encounter the inost dangerous snake. Their common me- thod of defence is to lay on one side, and on too near an approach of an enemy, to rise suddenly and wound him. Its flesh, in those countries where it breeds, is esteemed by the natives as good food. I he Porcupine, although a native of the hottest climate of Africa and India, lives and multiplies in colder countries, such as Persia, & pam, and Italy. 48 NATURAL. HISTORY HEDGEHOG. A Hedgehog is rather smaller than a rab- bit, but more like a hog; being covered all over with sharp thorny hair, as well as on the face and feet, and those sharp prickles covered with a kind of soft moss : but when it is angry, or gathers its food, it strikes them, by natural instinct, as sharp as pins or needles. He has two holes under his tail to discharge his excrements; which no creature living has besides. His common food is apples, worms, or grapes. When it is apprehensive of danger, it draws itself up as round as a football, so that nothing appears but the prickles. Even from its fear, this animal obtains another engine of security. The smell of its urine, which, when attacked) it generally emits, is sufficient to make its enemy quit the field. or aUADIiUl'EDS. 49 BADGER. Tlie Badger is a lazy, distrustful, solitary animal, that retires far from the approach of man, and digs a subterranean residence, where it spends at least three fourths of its existence, and never ventures forth but in search of food. The hole which it thus forms to itself, is often at a very great dis- tance from the surface of the earth ; and the pnssngc to it is always oblique and winding. The Badger is about as big ns a fox, but of a shorter and thicker body. His skin is hard and rugged ; his hair harsh and stub- born; his back is broad; his logs afe longer on tlie right side than on the left; his teeth m e prodigiously sharp ; and when he fights with a dog, he uses his teeth and nails, which are both very sharp. 4 50 NATURAL HISTORY CAMEL. The Camel, of which there are divers sorts, is distinguished according to the differ- ent countries in which it is produced. In India it is said to be bred in the mountains : it has two bunches on its back, and one on its breast. Its colour is for the most part brown; yet there are herds of white. Its feet arc fleshy, like a bear’s, and arc shod with leather when it travels. There is an herb, which has a seed like that of the myr- tle, that is poisonous to worms, yet is food for Camels. It will endure thirst for some days, for which reason it is more useful for travellers than horses, in the Lybian or Arabian deserts. The Camel is long lived, a lean sinewy creature, that commonly reaches to fifty, and sometimes to a hundred years. Or QUADRUPEDS. 51 DROMEDARY. The Dromedary is like a camel ; of less stature, but much swifter, and has but one hard bunch on its back. It chews the cud; it is a very tall large creature; its upper lip IS cloven in the middle, like a hare’s ; and ft has two broad nails on its feet, which in the upper part appear cloven, but underneath whole, round, and fleshy, without division. It has a hard bunch on its breast, whereon it leans,, sitting down and rising, and also one upon each knee. It is said to live fifty or sixty years. This creature was formerly used to draw a chariot, and presented to princes ; and in time of war, each one ear- ned two archers, who sat upon him back to back, shooting their darts, one against the front of the enemy, and the other against the followers. It is said to travel 100 miles a-day. 52 NATURAL HISTORY BISON, or WILD OX. The Bison, or Wiki Ox, is bred chiefly in the northern porta" of the world. It is as big ns a bull or ox, being maned about the neck and back like a lion. It is of such great strength that it can, if some writers may be believed, toss a horse and his rider. With its tongue, which is hard and rough, like a file, it can draw a man to itself, whom by licking, it can wound to death. Its hair is red, yellow, or black ; its eyes arc very lurge and fierce. It smells like a musk-cat. Its flesh is very fat in summer time. The blood is thought to be the purest in the world, ex- celling in colour any purple. OF QUADRUPEDS. 53 CAMELOPARD, or GIRAFF. The Camelopard is bred in Ethiopia India, Georgia, &c. The head of it is like a camel’s; its colour, for the most part, red mid white, beautifully mixed together, and the skin full of spots. It has two little horns Upon its head, of the colour of iron ; has a small mouth like a hart’s, a tongue near three feet long, and a neck of divers colours, ol'a very great length, which he holds higher than a camel's, and is far above the propor- tion of his other parts. His fore feet are Much longer than his hinder. His pace is different from all other beasts, for lie moves right and left feet together. This creature is like both a camel and a panther. The skin of this beast is very valuable, and its flesh is good meat. 54 NATURAL HISTORY HARE. The Hare has every limb and part of it made for swiftness. It has no eyelashes, and seems to have but bad eyes. Its hearing, however, is exceedingly acute; and its ears are very large compared with the size ot its body. It moves its long cars with great ease, and uses them as a helm, in order to direct its course, which is so rapid, that it outstrips almost every other animal. As its tore-legs are much shorter than its hind ones, it can more easily ascend than descend ; for which reason, when it is pursued, its first object is to gain, if possible, some mountain. Its motion, in running, is a kind of gallop. It proceeds without making any noise, because its feet are plentifully covered with hair : and it perhaps is the only animal which has hair growing within its mouth. OP Q.OADKUPEDS. 55 RABBBIT. The Rabbit is bred in most countries ; but few have u greater plenty of them than Eng- land. It is almost like a hare, except in its head and tail, which are shorter, and in its colour, which is brighter. There are Rab- bits of several colours, as white, black, &c. The female begins to breed when she is about twelve months old, and bears at least seven times 'in a year. The skin of the Rabbit, like that of the hare, is much esteem- ed for several uses, as its flesh is for food. The male will kill the young, if it can get at them; to prevent which, the female will cover her litter with gravel or earth. 56 NATURAL HISTORY MOLE. The Mole is about the bigness of a rat. The snout is like a hog’s ; its feet are like a bear’s, and its legs short; its toes, with which it digs up, the earth, have sharp nails. It lives in the earth upon worms. It has no cars that can be discerned, yet it hears in the ground perfectly well, li, is generally of a blackish colour, with short smooth hair, and soft us wool. Its eyes arc commonly shut or covered. The Mole shuts up the entry to its retreat, which it seldom deserts, unless forced to it by heavy rain sin summer. It is fond of cultivated grounds, and is never to be found in those which arc either muddy, hard, com pact, or stony. OF QUADRUPEDS. 57 BLOOD-HOUND. Tlic English Blood-hound is larger than the beagle, or any other hunting hound. It is of the colour of other hounds, being red and brown. It has long ears, and seldom barks, except in hunting, and then will fol- low its game through woods, thickets, &«., anti never leuvo what it is in pursuit of, for any other, till it kills ; which it seldom foils to do. It is employed in hunting the hare, fox, hart, badger, &c. 58 NATURAL HISTORY SPANIEL. The Spaniel is another kind of smelling Dog, very docile, that may be taught to do very surprising tricks, such as fetching, cur- rying, &c. There are two sorts ; one called a Water Spaniel, and the other a Land Spaniel. The first of these is very excel- lent in hunting otters, ducks, &c. ; and will watch the stroke of a gun, and, as soon us the fowler shoots a fowl in the water, he will instantly go after it, and bring it to liis master. WATER SPANIEL. The Mst Dog for hunting otters, wild (lucks, &c., whose retreats are among the rushes and reeds, is the Water Spaniel ; as lie is particularly sagacious, . docile, and tractable. The Dog is a short-lived creature, that lasts not above twenty years, and seldom sees fourteen. He is hot, and lives unequally, ns being often in violent motion, and then sleeping. The bitch has many young ones at a litter, and goes with them nine weeks. GO NATURAL HISTORY MASTIFF DOG.. The Mastiff Dog is the largest of the whole species, vastly strong and fierce, ll is chiefly used for guarding houses, especially in country places, against thieves and rob- bers; and sometimes by drovers; and often- times for baiting of beasts. The Dog, faithful to man, will always preserve: a portion of empire, and a degree of superiority- over other animals. He com- mands them, and reigns himself at the head of a flock, where he makes himself better understood than the voice of the shepherd. Safety, order, and discipline are the fruits of his vigilance and activity. Without the vices of man, he has all the ardour of senti- ment; and what is more, he has fidelity and constancy in his affections. OF QUADRUPEDS. f)l BULL DOG. The Bull Dog is much smaller than the mastiff, but not inferior in fierceness. It has a pretty large head, neck, and breast. Those of a brindled colour are accounted the best of die kind. This creature will naturally run at, and seize the fiercest bull, without barking, running directly at his head ; and sometimes catching hold of his nose, will pin the bull to the ground, and make him roar in a terrible manner; nor can he, without great difficulty, be made to quit his hold. Two of these Dogs let loose at once, are thought to be a match for a bull, three for a bear, and four for a lion. G2 NATURAL HISTORY GREYHOUND. A Greyhound has a long bod)', a ncal sharp head, a full eye, a long mouth, sharp teeth, little cars, with thin gristles iri them, n straight neck, and a broad and strong breast; his fore legs are straight; his him legs also straight and long; his shoulders broad, ribs round, strong, and full of sinews; and taper about the belly. He is the swill' est of all dogs. The best time to try him and train him to his game, is at twelvi months old. He courses by sight, and nt* by scent, as other Hounds do. He is said to outlive all other kinds of dogs. The Hound, the Setting Dog, and tin Terrier, are only one, and the same race of dogs; for it has been remarked, that the same birth has produced setting dogs, terriers, and hounds. OF QUADRUPEDS. G3 OTTER. The Otter is an amphibious animal, that lives both on land and in water, yet it never goes into the sea. It abounds in all nations where there are rivers, or fish-pools. It is less than a beaver, and resembles it in most parts, except in the tail. It has a rough skin, and the hair of it is very soft and neat, and of a chestnut colour. . Its feet and tail are like a dog’s, and teeth very sharp. Though it lives in and upon the water, yet it is forced to take breath. It. is exceedingly swift in pursuit of its prey, which is mostly fish, with which it fills its den so full, that it stinks to such a degree as to corrupt the air. In the winter time it lives chiefly upon land, n»d feeds upon fruit barks of trees, &c. 64 NATURAL HISTORY BEAVER. The Beaver is about the size of a fox or a badger ; his head is short, ears very small and round, teeth very long, the under teeth standing out beyond its lips three finger’s breadth, and the upper about half a finger’s, being very broad, crooked, sharp, and strong; his fore-feet are like a dog’s, his hinder like a goose’s ; but the tail is the most strange of all: it is of an oval form, and covered with a scaly skin. The Beavers begin in June or July, to form a society, which continues the greutcsl part of the year. Thev form a company of two or three hundred. The place of meeting is where they fix their abode, which is always by the side of a lake or river. A number of them are employed at the fool of a tree, in gnawing it down, others separate the branches, while a third party is cutting other trees, which they form into stakes for their building, by sharpeningthem at one end. Or QUADRUPEDS. 65 HIPPOPOTAMUS. The Hippopotamus, or Sea-horse, lives as wen on the land as in the water. It is shaped like an ox, but somewhat bigger, weighing fifteen or sixteen hundred weight. It is covered with hair of a mouse colour, and very sleek. The head is flattish on the top “ has no horns, but has large lips, a wide mouth, and strong teeth; four of which, viz. one m each jaw, are longer than the rest, Being four or five inches long. It has large Broad ears, great goggle eyes, a thick neck, strong legs, but weak fetlocks. Its hoofs are cloven in the middle ; its tail is short, taperin'; like a swine’s. It is veiy good meat. It grazes on shore, and dungs like but retlres t0 lhc water if pursued, a™ will sink down to the bottom, though cry deep, and there walk as on dry ground. CG NATURAL HISTORY MOUSE. Mice are of various colours, but mostly ash-coloured. In Savoy, and some parts of France, there are white Mice. They also differ in size. Their hearts are very large; and their liver and lights, according to some writers, increase in the winter, the fibres in them increasing and decreasing with the moon ; for every day of the moon’s age, there is a fibre increased in their liver, winch gave occasion to the observation : the moon feeds oysters, fills hedgehogs, and increases the fibres in Mice. In Africa, there are Mice which afford a musky scent, but have no bags like the civet cat; whence some think that the pleasant odours proceed from the skin. The Mouse never leaves its hiding place but to seek for food ; nor does it migrate un- less in case of necessity. OF QUADRUPEDS. 67 RAT. The Rat somewhat resembles a mouse in its shape, but is four times as large, and of a dusky colour; more white under the belly; having a long head, short and round ears, short legs, long claws, very large eyes, and along tail, almost 'void of hair, and accounted venomous. What has hitherto been de- scribed, is the land Rat. In defiance of the cats, the poison, the traps, and every other method that is used in destroying these creatures, they multiply so fust, as frequently to do considerable da- mage. In olci houses where corn is kept, and where burns and hay-stacks favour their retreat, they would become dangerously nu- merous, were they not to devour each other. 68 NATURAL HISTORY WATER RAT. The Water Rat is a little animal about the size of a common Rat, but in its nature and habits it is more like the otter than the Rat,. Like the otter, it frequents the fresh waters, and is generally found on the borders of rivers, rivulets, and ponds. Like that creature, too, it seldom iecds but upon fish, or the spawn of fish, though sometimes it eats frogs, water insects, and even roots and herbs. This animal is not web-footed ; but, though every toe of its feet is separated, it swims with ease, keeps itself a long time above water, and thence carries oft’ its prey. The head of the Water Rat is shorter, the nose broader, the hair more erect, and the tail much longer than that of the Land Rat. Their flesh is not absolutely bad ; and, in Catholic countries, the peasants eat it during Lent. or quadrupeds. 69 MUSIC-RAT. Th. Musk-Rat is shaped similar to our Water Rats, hut larger. It has a musky scent. It builds habitations in the marshes by the water side, with two or three ways into them, and is finely daubed within hav- ing three lodging-rooms, very neatly ar- ranged one above the other. 1 1' rom the Musk- Rat being a native of the same country us the beaver, and from its figure its colour, and its hair, they have otlen been, compared with each other In disposition and instinct also, these animals bear a considerable resemblance to each outer. Like the beavers, the Musk-Rats S"i.“ socle . t y durill S winter. They form dwellings about two feet and a half in diameter, and in these, is often found an association of several families. 70 NATURAL HISTORY CAT. The common house Cat. is in oil parts like a lioness, except, in her sharp ears: her skin is soft ami smooth; her tongue, in licking, is rough like a lion’s ; her teeth are like a saw ; her nails are sheathed like the nails of a lion, striking with her fore-feet both dogs and other things, as a man does with his hand. The age of the Cat terminates between six and ten. The Cat is neither wanting in sagacity nor sentiment, but its attachments are much stronger to places than to persons. It is handsome, light, adroit, cleanly, turd volup- tuous. It loves ease, and searches out the softest furniture to lie upon. Young Cats are gay, lively, pretty, and would be very proper to amuse children, if the stroke of their paws was not to be feared. op acAtmupEDS. 71 CIVET CAT. This animal is found throughout India, Guinea, and the Philippine Islands, and is famous for producing the drug called music, or civet. He is kept for the sake of this per- fume, and fed with pap made of millet, with a little fish or flesh boiled in it. The musk scraped from the male is esteemed the best. These animals have been called Musk Cats, or Civet Cats; yet they have nothing in common with the Cat. They rather re- semble the fox, especially in the head. Their coat is diversified with stripes and spots ; a circumstance which has occasioned them to he mistaken for small panthers, by persons who had only seen them at a distance. In every other respect, however, they diftcr from the panther. 72 NATURAL HISTORY POLE CAT. The Pole Cat is somewhat smaller than the martin. Its tail is shorter, its snout sharper, and its hair thicker and blacker. It has some white on its forehead, and about the nose and mouth. The breast, tail, and legs are of a blackish colour, but tire belly and sides yellowish. The Pole Cat has so strong and disagree- able a smell, that it is become proverbial; and when heated or enraged, it emits a stench that is absolutely intolerable. The dogs will not eat its flesh ; and even its skin, though good in itself, sells at a very low price, as it can never be entirely divested of its natural odour. OF QUADRUPEDS. 73 ELEPHANT. Although the Elephant has a more reten- tive memory, and more intelligence than any other animal, he has a smaller brain than any of them. He is, at the same time, n miracle of intelligence, and a monster of matter. His body is very thick, without any suppleness ; his neck is short and stiff; ms head is small and deformed ; his ears are of excessive diameter; his legs are like mas- Slve pillars, straight and stiff; his feet arc small; and his skin is hard, thick, and cal- lous. His sense of feeling centers in his trunk, which he can not only move and bend, nut shorten, lengthen, and turn any way. t he extremity of this trunk terminates by an . S e , with which he picks up the smallest Pieces of money from the ground, and is so ■exible, that he uses it as dexterously as a ma h does his hand. 74 NATURAL HISTORY OPOSSUM. The Opossum is an animal easily dis- tinguished from all others by two singular characters. The first is, that the female has under the belly a large cavity, where she receives and suckles her young. The second is, that the male and the female have no claws on the great toe of the hind-feet, which are separated from the others, as the thumb in the hand of a man, whilst the other toes arc armed with crooked claws, as in the feet of other quadrupeds. The Opossum is neither wild nor ferocious, It is easily tamed, but its nauseous smell is more offensive than that of the fox. Though it be voracious, and even greedy of blood, yet it feeds also upon reptiles, insects, roots, and even leaves and the barks of trees. or acAonopEOs. 75 SLOTH. These animals have neither incisive nor canine teeth ; their eyes arc dull and heavy ; their mouths wide and thick ; their fur coarse and staring, like dried grass; their legs are very short, and badly shaped ; they have no soles on the feet, nor toes separately moveable, but only two or three claws, ex- cessively long and crooked. Destitute of teeth, they cannot seize any prey, nor feed upon llcsh, but are reduced to feed upon leaves and wild fruits. They lake up a long time in crawling to a tree, and are still longer in climbing up to the brunches. During this slow and painful labour, which sometimes lasts many days, they are obliged to stiller the most pressing hunger. When, at length, »• has accomplished its end, it fastens itself to the tree, crawls from branch to branch, and, by degrees, strips the whole tree of its foliage. 7G NATURAIj HISTORY COATI-MONDI. This animal is of a smaller size than the racoon. Its body and neck, its head and nose are of a more lengthened form. Its upper jaw is an inch or an inch and a half longer than the lower one ; and its snout, which is moveuble in every division, turns up at tile point. The eyes of the Coati- Mondi are also smaller than those of the racoon. Its hair is longer and coarser; its legs are shorter, and its feet longer, but like the racoon, its tail is diversified with rings; and to all its feet there are five claws. The Coati-Mondi is an animal of prey, which, like the fox, destroys small animals and poultry, hunts for the nests of birds, and devours their eggs: and from this conformity of disposition, some authors have considered it a species of small fox. OP QUADRUPEDS. 77 ARMADILLO. Under the general name of Armadillo, we may reckon several species, which seem to us really distinct; in all of which, the animal js protected by a crust that resembles bone. This crust externally covers the head, the neck, the back, the flanks, the buttocks, and the tail to the very extremity. This crust, however, is not of one piece, like that of the turtle: it consists of several joined to each other by ns many membranes, which put this armour in motion. The number of these natural bands does not depend on the age of the animal ; for the young Armadillo and the adults, have, in the same species, the same number. These animals arc fat, and very prolific. ■I he female brings forth, as is reported, four young ones every month, which makes their species very numerous. 78 NATURAL HISTORY SQUIRREL. The Squirrel is a beautiful little animal, which, by its gentleness, its docility, and even the innocence of its manners, might deserve to be exempt from the present class. It is neither a carnivorous nor an injurious animal, though it sometimes seizes on birds. Its general food consists of fruit, almonds, ! hazel-nuts, beech-mast, and acorns. The Squirrel is neat, cleanly, alert, lively, anil industrious. Its 'eyes are fiery ; its countenance is sharp ; its body is nervous, and its limbs are supple. The beauty of its form is further embellished by a spreading tail, in shape like a plume of feathers, which it raises above its head, and forms into a kind of canopy to defend him from the rays of the sun, and as a parachute to secure him from dangerous falls when leaping from tree to tree. OP ftUADRUPEOS. 79 WEASEL. The Weasel is as frequent in temperate and hot countries, us it is rare in cold ones. Jn winter it generally resides in some granary or hay-loft; where the female often continues even in the spring, in order to bring forth her young among the lmy or straw. In summer it removes to some distance from the houses, hiding itself in the woods, or among the bushes, in order to catch birds. The Weasel makes war with rats and mice with more success than the cat; for it fol- lows the rats into their holes, and prevents their escape. It commits great havoc in a hen-roost, destroying all the young fowls and eggs, the latter of which they suck with incredible avidity, so natural history FERRET. The Ferret is a small yet bold animal, and an enemy to all others but those of his own kind. He has a longer and thinner body, a narrower head, and a sharper snout than the pole cat. The Ferret is made choice of to drive rabbits from their burrows, in pre- ference to the pole cat, chiefly because he is more easily tamed. When the Ferret is let loose into the bur- rows of rabbits, it is necessary to muzzle him, that he may not kill them, but only make them run out, and thereby fall into the net laid for them at the entry. If he is al- lowed to go unmuzzled, there is a risk of losing him, because, after having sucked the blood of the rabbit, he will fall asleep by the body. OF QUADRUPEDS. 81 ZEBRA. The Zebra is the handsomest and most elegant clothed of all quadrupeds. He has the shape and graces of the horse, the swift- ness of the stag, and a striped robe of black and white, alternately disposed, with so much symmetry, that it seems as if Nature bud made use of the rule and compass to paint it. The Zebra is, in general, less than the horse, and larger than the ass ; and although it has often been compared to those two animals, and called the wild horse, and the striped ass, it is a copy of neither the one nor the other, but might rather be called their model, if every species had not an equal right to creation. He is, however, very ferocious and untractable ; and is a native of Africa. 5 82 NATURAL HISTORY AXIS. The Axis is of the small number of rumi- nating animals that wear horns, like the stag. He has the shape and swiftness of the fal- low-deer ; but what distinguishes him from the stag and fallow-deer is, that his body is marked with white spots, elegantly disposed, and separated one from another; anu that he is a native of hot countries. The stag and the deer, on the other hand, have their coat of a uniform colour; and are to be met with in greater numbers. The Axis resem- bles the deer in the size of his body, length of his tail, and his coat, which is the same during his whole life. He can hardly bo said to differ from that animal in any thing but his horns, which nearly resemble thos® of the stag. OF QUADRUPEDS. 83 GUINEA-PIG, OR CAVI. The Guinea-Pig, though originally a na- tive of the warm climates of Brazil and Guinea, lives, however, and breeds in tem- perate and even in cold countries, provided it is properly taken care of. It feeds on all sorts of herbs, and especially on parsley, which it prefers even to bran, flour, or bread. Ofapplesandothcr fruits it is also exceedingly fond. These animals are so delicate, that it is with difficulty they survive the rigours of winter. When they feel cold, they assemble together, press close to each other, and in this situation are frequently found dead. There is no doubt but this species belongs to the genus of the rat and mouse, although one of its principal characteristics is the entire want of a tail, a limb generally so long and conspicuous in all the others. 84 natural history DORMOUSE. Of all the rat species, the Dormouse is the least ugly. Its eyes are sparkling, its tail is tufted, and its hair is rather fair than red. It is seldom to be found in gardens, but chiefly frequents woods, where it finds a shelter in the hollow of some old tree. The species is by no means numerous, though they are found in Italy, and in the northern climutes. The Dormouse becomes torpid by the cold, and rolls itself up in a ball: it revives in mild weather, and hoards up nuts and other dry fruits for future sustenance. It forms its nest in u tree, like the squirrel, though gene- rally in a lower situation, as among the branches of a nut-tree, in a bush, &c. The nest is composed of herbs interwoven — has no aperture but at the top, and contains three or four young ones. OF QUADRUPEDS. 85 ICHNEUMON. This animal is domestic in Egypt, like our cat, and like it is very serviceable in destroying rats and mice; but its inclination for prey is much stronger and more extensive than that of the cat, for it hunts alike, birds, quadrupeds, serpents, lizards, and insects. Its courage is equal to the sharpness of its appetite ; it is neither frightened at the anger of the dog, nor the malice of the cut, nor even dreads the bite of the serpent. It pur- sues them with eagerness, seizes on and kills even the most venomous of them. It sucks the eggs of the crocodile, as well as those of fowls and birds. The Ichneumon lives very willingly by tire the sides of rivers, inundations, uud other waters. Its aspect is beautiful ; its eyes aro lively, and full of fire : the body very active, the legs short, tho toil thick and very long, and the hair rough and bristly. natural history JERBOA. These little animals commonly conceal their hands, or fore-feet, within their hair; which has induced some to imagine that they have only hinder-feet. When they move from place to place, they do not advance one foot before the other, but jump, or bound, about four or five feet at a time. This they do with the greatest ease and swiftness, holding themselves erect, like birds when they hop. on the ground. They are of a gentle nature, but not to be tamed beyond a certain limit. They burrow like rabbits, and in much less time. They lay up a store of grass about the latter end of summer, in their habitations, and, in cold countries, remain in them during the winter. They are found in Syria, Barbary, &c. or OUADRUPEDI. KANGAROO. This is a peculiarly remarkable animal, from the disproportion in the length of its legs, the hinder ones being four times that of the foremost: it is nearly allied to the opossum and the jerboa; its action in moving is very singular, as it can neither walk nor run, but jumps with such singular swiftness as to escape tile pursuit of the fleetest grey- hound. In colour, it is nearly that of a com- mon mouse, and in size is about that ot a fox — feeds principally upon vegetables, and is easily tamed. Although naturally timid, these animals possess courage sufficient to enable them to oppose the attacks of power- ful enemies. They fight with their teeth, claws, and tail, the latter being so thick and strong, as to be capable of breaking a man 88 natural history LAMA, or CAMEL OF AMERICA. The Lama is about four feet high; its body, comprehending the neck and head, is five or six feet long ; its neck alone is near “tree feet. These useful animals are attended with little or no expense to their masters; for, as they are cloven-footed, they do not need to be shod; nor do they require any shelter from the inclemency of the weather, ns their wool supplies them with a warm covering. Satisfied with a small portion of vegetables and grass, they stand in need of neither corn nor lmy: they are still more moderate in what they driuk, as their mouths are continually moistened with saliva, which they have in a greater quantity than any other animal. These animals diiler in colour, some are white, others black, but most of them are brown. OP QUADRUPEDS. 89 MARMOT. The Marmot, when taken young, is more capable, of being tamed than any other wild animal, and nearly as mueh so as our do- mestic ones. It will easily learn to perform feats with a stick, to dance, and to obey the voice of its master. It hears a great antipa- thy to the dog, and will often attack the largest, and boldly fasten upon him with its teeth. These animals eat. whatever is given them, whether it be flesh, bread, fruits, herbs, roots, pulse, or insects. Of milk and butter, how- ever, they are particularly fond; and though less inclined to petty thefts than the cat, they are never better pleased than when they ob- tain access to the dairy. 00 NATURAL HISTORY NYL-GHAU. The Nyl-Ghau is an animal but lately known. It is an inhabitant of India, where it is kept in open grounds, chiefly for the purpose of being hunted. Its horns are short, and bend somewhat forward. On the neck, and about half way along the back, it has a short black mane, and on the forepart of the throat a long tuft of black hair. The mode in which these animals combat each other, is rather singular: they drop on their fore- knees, and advance in this posture till within a few yards of their opponent, when they spring up, and furiously dart upon each other. The colour of the male is a dark grey, ami of the female pale brown. The tail is long, and tufted at tho end. OF QUADRUPEDS. 91 BAT. The Bat is a singular genus of animals, partaking of the nature both of quadrupeds and birds, and appears to be the link which unites these two kingdoms together. In the Bat, the fore-feet are, properly speaking, neither wings nor feet, though the animal uses them both for the purpose of flying and walking. They are, in fact, two shapeless extremities, of which the bones are of a monstrous length, and connected by a mem- brane, neither with feathers nor hair. Their motion in the air may be termed an Uncertain flutter, as they are ill-qualified to accelerate, or even to direct their flight. Like quadrupeds, the Bat brings forth lier young alivo, and like them it has teeth and 92 NATURAL HISTORY LIZARD. It is no easy matter to tell to what class in nature Lizards are chiefly allied. They are unjustly raised to the rank of beasts, as they bring forth eggs,' dispense with breath- ing, and are not covered with hair. They cannot be placed among fishes, as the ma- jority of them live upon land. They are excluded from the serpent tribe, by their feet, upon which they run with some celerity; and from the insects, by their size; tor though many might bo classed in this order, a crocodile would be a terrible insect indeed. The colour of these animals is very various, as they are found of a hundred different hues, green, blue, red, chestnut, yellow, spotted, streaked, and marble. OF aUADRUPEDS. 93 CAMELEON. Like the crocodile, this little animal pro- ceeds from an egg ; and it also nearly resem- bles that formidable creature in form. It sel- dom opens its mouth, except tor fresh air j and when that is supplied, it discovers its satisfaction by its motions, and the frequent changes of its colour. The tongue is some- times darted out after its prey, which is flies; and tliis is as long as the whole body. 1 he eyes are remarkably little ; but the most extraordinary part ot its conformation is, that the animal often moves one eye, when the other is entirely at rest. Even sometimes one eye will seem to look directly forward, while the other looks backwards ; and one will look upward, while the other looks downwards. 94 NATURAL HISTORY CROCODILE. This animal is found in the uninhabited regions of Africa and America, where it grows to an enormous length, being some- times found thirty feet long. They are seen in some places, lying for hours, and even days, stretched in the sun, and motionless. T hus, one unaccustomed to them, might mistake them tor trunks of trees, covered w'ith a rough and dry bark ; but the mistake would soon be fatal, if not prevented; for the torpid animal, at the near approach of any living tiling, darts upon it with in- stant swiftness, and at once drugs it down to the bottom of the deep. Its usual method is to float upon the surface of the water, and to seize whatever comes within its reach. Its principal instrument of destruction is the tail : with a single blow of this, it has often overturned a canoe, and devoured the poor savage, its conductor. Or OUA DKUFEDS. 95 WALRUS. This animal externally resembles the seal, but is stronger and much larger. Like the seal, it has five toes to each paw, but its claws are shorter, and its head thicker, and rounder; its skin is thick, and covered with very short hair; its upper jaw is armed with two teeth, which sometimes exceed twenty-four inches in length. These tusks, which are hollow at the root, become larger as tlie animal grows older. There are a great number of these animals towards Spitsbergen, where they are hunted, and the profit that is derived from their tusks and fat, fully repays the trouble; for the oil is nearly of an equal value with that produced from the whale. They are said to feed upon die shell-fish which are at the bottom of the sea, and to grub them up with their tusks.. 96 NATURAL HISTORY FROG. If we emerge from the deep, the first and most obvious class of amphibious animals that occur upon land, are frogs and toads. To describe the form of animals so welt known would be superfluous ; to mark those differences which distinguish them from each other may be necessary. The Frog moves by leaping ; its colour is brighter and of a more polished surface: the toad is brown, rough, and dusty. The Frog is light and active, and its belly is comparatively small. The toad, on the other hand, is slow, swol- len, and incapable of escape. The Frog, when taken, contracts itself so as to have a lump on its back j the toad’s back is straight and even. The Frog is the best swimmer of all four-footed animals. Or UUADRUPEDS. 97 TOAD. As the Toad bears n general resemblance m figure to llie frog, so it resembles that ani- mal in its nature and appetites. When, like the frog, these animals have undergone all the variations of their tadpole state, they “iirsnke the water, and are often seen, in a moist summer evening, crawling up from fenny places, into drier situations. There, having found out a retreat, they lead a patient solitary life, seldom venturing out, except ."'hen die moisture of a summer's evening invites them abroad. At that time the grass IS filled with snails, and the pathway covered with worms, which are their principal food. I he Toad, contrary to vulgar prejudice, 18 o harmless, defenceless creature, torpid hnd unvenomous; seeking the darkest re- heats, not from the malignity of its nature, ont from its numerous enemies. 7 98 NATURAL HISTORY EAGLE. The Golden Engle is the largest and the noblest of nil those birds that have received the name of Eagle. It is three feet long; the extent of its wings is seven feet, and the bill is three inches long. The whole of the body is of a dark brown ; and the feathers on the back arc finely clouded with a deeper shade of the same colour. The legs are yellow, short, and very strong, being three inches in circumference. In general these birds' are found in moun* tainous countries, and breed among the lofti- est cl ills. They choose those places which are remotest from man, being contented ra- ther to pursue the wild gome in the forest, than to risk their safety to satisfy their hunger. OP BIRDS. 99 OSPREY. The Osprey, or Sea-Eagle, (which seems j to be the same with the English BaW-Bua- [ z “ru,) has been thus described: — from the Point of the beak to the end of tile talons, is about three feet long; from tip to tip of the 'rings, nine spans broad ; the bill and the tongue are very muchjike the Golden Eagle’s : fom the chin hung down small feathers like ■tin-, mntutmc; a beard, whence by some he ts called the Bearded Eagle. Ihe Osprey is brown above and white bc ° w . the back of the head is white ; the outward tail feathers on the inner side are treaked with white, and its legs are naked. ctitnelyonfi'h. 3 iU °" 8 oBffnnd fe ? ds - BUZZARD. The Buzzard is about the bigness of J pheasant; his head is great, his crown broad and flat; his beak is short, hooked, and of* dark blue. The colour of the Buzzard is generally brown, varied with yellow spots: but at a certain age his head becomes entirely grey. He is a sluggish, inactive bird, and often continues perched whole days togethtf upon the same bough, as if indifferent eith® to the allurements of food or of pleasure. Hj is rather an assassin than a pursuer; and lives more upon frogs, mice, and insects, which he can easily seize, than upon biflW which he is obliged to follow. He lives to! summer by robbing the nests of other birds, and sucking their eggs; and more resembles the owl kind in the countenance than any other rapacious bird of prey. or BIRDS. 101 GOSHAWK. The Goshawk is bigger than the common buzzard. The colour of the head, neck, back, mid upper sides of the wings, is of a dark brown the breast and belly white, .with tra- verse black lines, standing very thick ; the thighs are covered over with reddish feathers, having a black line in the middle down the shall ; the legs and feet are yellow ; tile talons sharp, crooked, and black, and the beak blue; the wings, when closed, fall much short of the end of the train, by which mid its bigness, it is sufficiently distinguished trom ull other Hawks. natural history 103 SPARROW HAWK. The Sparrow Hawk is a spirited and well-shaped bird, about as big as a large wood-pigeon ; his beak is short, crooked, and ol n bluish tint; the tongue black, and a little cleft ; and tbo eyes of a mean size. These birds generally build their nests in hollow trees, and- lay four or five eggs, marked at the larger end with reddish spots. When wild, they possess a boldness and courage above their bigness; for they un- sparingly attack all kinds of game, and oftentimes seize upon both pigeons and poultry. The Sparrow Hawk was held in great esteem among the ancient Egyptians, their god Osiris being represented under this form- OK BIRDS. 103 KITE. ‘ The Kite is distinguished from other birds of prey by its forked tail, and the slow and circular motion it describes in the air. This motion is so smooth, that the action of its wings is scarcely perceptible. The Kite is larger than the common buzzard ; the head and back arc. of a pale ash-colour, varied with longitudinal lines across the shafts of the featners ; the neck is reddish ; the lesser rows of the wing- feathers are party-coloured, of black, red, and white; the feathers which cover the inside of the wings arc red, with black spots in the mid- dle ; the eyes are large ; the beak is much hooked ; the legs and feet yellow, and the talons black. 104 NATURAL HISTORY FALCON. The Falcon is a bird of the hawk kind, and may be divided into several species. The Ger-Falcon is found in the northern parts of Europe, and was anciently used for the noblest game, being the largest of its kind, approaching nearly to the magnitude of the eagle. The top of the head is Oat, and of an ash -colour, with a strong and hooked beak; the feathers of the back and wings are marked with black spots. He is a fierce and courageous bird, nor is lie afraid even of the eagle himself; but like a conqueror in a country, he keeps all birds in subjection to his prowess. Where he is seen flying wild, the birds of every kind, that seemed entirely to disregard the kite or the sparrow hawk, fly with screams at his most distant appear- ance. OP BIROS. 105 MOUNTAIN FALCON. In ancient times, the sport of Falconry ''.as the principal amusement amongst th'e 2* , class . cs - . A person of rank seldom vent abroad without n hawk on his hand- Lkii 1 , 1,1 Si? P a !" tin S s is the criterion of nobility. The kind of Falcons, or hawks, in w ?‘" e usct ! tllcse s P orts > are s(il1 found Wales, and m the mountainous parts of and t r d M° f thCSe g® r -f«l«0'h the gentil, r lhe Mountain Falcon, were considered ^Valuable, as being noble, bold, and spnited birds. It is stated that they will Q ck, with dauntless courasre, even the Ingest of the feathered race” The stork! E*™! and ,he crane, are easy victims, the li f C Sp f c,< ' 3 builds i,a nost upon me iedg r 0 f „ roc j. 1 100 NATURAL HISTOItV MERLIN. The Merlin is the least of all the hawk or falcon kind, and not much larger than a thrush, yetdisplays such a degree of courage as to render him formidable even to birds ten times his size. The Merlin is one of the best birds the falconers of the present day use for hawking ; as their courage is gene- rally such, that no bird, which is not very much above their own size, can terrify them: their swiftness is so great, that scarce any bird can escape them ; and their docility so remarkable, that they obey not only the com- mands, but the signs of their masters. In the male bird, the feathers on the rump ore blue ; a note by which, as well as by his size, the falconers easily discover the sex of the bird. or BIRDS. 107 BUTCHER BIRD. The Butcher Bird is about ns large as a thiush; its bill is black and hooked at the end; its legs and feet are slender? andfu toes are formed like thoso of birds ’that live "V? grain ' , Smal1 birds arc us usual food. It seizes them bv tin- ilnnni jinil strangles them in an instnnf When it eiehbm, ,tllled „' he bird > ^ fxest upmi some neighbouring thorn, us a butcher does his nod VI 1 * hook > und . "'Inn thus spitted I Vs , P ‘ C T w,th its <>iU. 1 1 is supposed cicm VW 1 ','; *f S n °‘ glven ll,is bird suffi- J|th I* 4 U hawk, do, H obli^dtl biVan” 8 ° f , r n ^- lhi,n to sae tins little & their°resentmcntf ^ Strcngth or W SMALL BUTCHER BIRD. The Small Butcher Bird is not much above the size of a lark ; yet, diminutive as these little creatures arc, they make themselves formidable to birds of four times their size. The large butcher bird makes its nest on high trees, while the lesser builds in bushes in the hedge-rows. They each lay about six eggs, of a white colour, but encircled at the larger end with a ring of brownish red. The female feeds her young at first with cater- pillars and other insects ; but soon aftei accustoms them to flesh, which the male pio- cures with surprising industry. There is also another class of this species, less than either of the former. This too is a bird of prey, although not much larger than a tit-mouse; an evident proof that an animal’s courage or rapacity does not depend upon its size. OF DIRDS. 109 VULTURE. The Vulture is in many respects like the eagle, being larger in every proportion, but has not that noble spirit which distinguishes tlie king of. the air. From the end of the beak to that of the tail, it is four feet and a half, and to the end of the claws forty-five inches. They are easily distinguished from all those of the eagle kind, by the nakedness nf their heads and necks, which are without feathers, and only covered with slight down, or a few scattered hairs. They are still more strongly marked by their nature, which in all Vultures is cruel, filthy, and indolent. Their sense of smelling, however, is very acute; and they seem adapted inwardly, not only to be carnivorous, but to eat corn, or whatever else they may fall in with. no NATURAL HISTORY CUCKOO. This singular bird, which is somewhat less than a pigeon, and of a greyish colour, is distinguished from all other birds, by its round prominent nostrils. Its well-known note, which, in spite of its monotony, is heard with pleasure from the grove, is a sure prognostic of fine weather. From the cheer- ful voice of this bird, the farmer may be instructed in the real advancement of the year. His note is heard earlier or later, as the season seems to be more or less forward. His song is pleasant though uniform ; and, from an association of ideas, seldom occurs to the memory without reminding us of tho sweets of summor. OP BIRDS. in RAVEN. The Raven is a bird found in every region of the world; strong and hardy, he is unin- fluenced by the changes of the weather, thus, when other birds seem benumbed with cold, or pining with famine, die Raven is active and healthy, busily employed in prowling for prey, or sporting in the coldest atmosphere. A Raven may be trained to almost every purpose to which birds can be converted He may be used for fowling like cam "m ’ 16 may - ! ,e tau S ht 10 fetch and cany ike a spaniel; he maybe taught to m,, 1"?, “ pan ' 0t; but the mos ‘ extraordi- mny of all is, that he may be taught to sing “at seems adapted to receive the water they “re obliged to swallow with the fish they ecu on. The neck is not covered with fea- rers but naked like that of the ostrich, and 0 a flesh colour. The wings and back are “lack ; the under part of the body white; we legs are long, without feathers, and of a greyish hue; so are the thighs, which seem slender as the legs. 133 natural history NUTHATCH. The Nuthatch is somewhat less than this chaffinch ; the head and neck are of an ash- colour; the sides under the wings arc red; the throat and breast of a pale yellow ; the chin is white; and the feathers under the tail are red, with white tips. He feeds upon nuts, which he hoards up in the hollow ot a tree. It is pleasing to see this bird fetch a nut out of the hole, place it fast in a clunk, and, striking it with all its might, breaks the shell, and eats up the kernel. He feeds also upon flies and other small insects. hen is so attached to her covey, that, when disturbed from her nest, she flutters close round the head of the depredator, and hisses like a snake. or birds. 129 CREEPER. The species 6f Creeper are very numer- ous, and are found in most countries of the world. The Creeper has a long, slender, black beak ; the head, neck, and back are of an ash-colour ; the breast is white ; and the winvs a compound of lead and red tint. It is a lively, cheerful bird, running about with die greatest facility, upon the small branches of trees, in pursuit of its insect prey. The flest is formed in holes of trees, where it lays from five to seven eggs, which are of an ash-colour, marked at the end with spots of a deeper hue. It has a cheerful and plea- sant note. 9 130 NATURAL HISTORY' PEACOCK. The Peacock is undoubtedly the most beautiful of all birds; and when his train is fully expanded, it is scarcely possible to figure to the mind any animal of production more magnificent. Like other birds of the poultry kind, the Peacock feeds upon corn; but there is scarcely any food which at times it will not covet and pursue. In the indulgence of these capricious pursuits, high walls will not confine it : it strips the tops of houses of their tiles or thatch, it lays Waste the labours of the gardener, roots up his choicest seeds, and nips his favourite flowers in the bud. Thus its beauty but ill recompenses for the mischief it does ; and many of the more mean looking fowls ars very deservedly preferred before it. OP BIRDS. 131 TURKEY. The Turkey in its wild state, is found in the woods of North America, roosting on the highest trees during the night, and issuing forth in the day time, for ihe purpose of feeding on acorns and other fruits. The general colour of the Turkey is brown and black ; and they have about the head, espe- cially the code, naked and protuberous lumps of flesh, of a bright red colour. They are supposed to have a natural antipathy against red colour, which, if so, must be owing to its resemblance to light or fire. 132 NATURAL history COMMON COCK. Of all birds, the Cock seems to be the old- est companion of mankind, and to have been first reclaimed from the forest, and taken to supply the accidental failure of the luxuries or necessaries of life. As he has been long- est under the care of man, so perhaps he exhibits the greatest number of varieties, there being scarcely two of this species that exactly resemble each other in plumage and form. No animal in the world has greater courage than the Cock, when opposed to one of his own species; and in every part of the world, where refinement and polished man- ners have not entirely taken place, Cock fighting is a principal diversion; but it is declining every day; and it is to be hoped 1 it will in time become only the pastime of the lowest and the vulgar. or niRDo. 133 PHEASANT. The name of this bird implies that hs was originally a native of the banks of the river Phasis, in Armenia; how, and when he emigrated, is unknown. Next to the pea- cock, they are the most beautiful birds, ns well for the vivid colour of their plumes, as for their happy mixtures and variety. The Pheasant, though so beautiful to the eye, is not less delicate when served up to the table. In the woods, the hen Pheasant lays front eighteen to twenty eggs in a season ; but in a domestic slate, she seldom lays above ten. Its fecundity when wild is sufficient to stock the forest; its beautiful plumage adorns it; and its flesh derives a higher flavour from its unlimited freedom. 134 NATURAL HISTORY PARTRIDGE. The shape of the Partridge is peculiar to himself and the quail, both having a very short tail ; his plumage, although it cannot boast of gaudiness, is very pleasing to the eye, being altogether a mixture of brown and fawn-colour interspersed with grey and ash-colour tints. The female lays fifteen or eighteen eggs ; and leads her young into the corn fields with the utmost care. It is said, that when a dog or any other formidable animal approaches her nest, she uses every artifice in order to entice it away. She turns out, pretends to be incapable of flying, just hops up, then runs a short distance, but not so far as to discourage her pursuer; at length, having allured him entirely away from her secret treasure, she at once takes wing, and leaves him to gaze after her in despair. op mnns. 135 QUAIL. The Gluiul is smaller tlian any other bird of the poultry kind, being not above half the size of a partridge. The feathers of the head are black, edged with rusty brown ; the breast is of a pale yellowish red, spotted with black; the feathers on the back are marked with lines of a pale yellow ; and the legs are of a pale hue. The Quail is much less pro- lific than the partridge ; seldom laying more than six or seven eggs. Quail fighting was a favourite amusement amongst the Athe- nians, who reared great numbers of them, for the pleasure of seeing them fight; and staked sums of money upon the success ot the combat. Fashion, however, has at pre- sent changed with regard to this bird: we take no pleasure in its courage, but its flesh is considered as n very great delicacy. 136 NATURAL HISTORY OSTRICH. The Ostrich is the largest of the feathered race, and is found only in the torrid regions of Africa. In these formidable regions, Ostriches are seen in large flocks, which to the distant spectator, appear like a regiment of cavalry. The Ostrich is, of all animals, the most voracious. It will devour leather, grass, hair, iron, stones, or whatever is given to it. The female lays vciy large eggs, often weighing above fifteen pounds ; and in flavour are considered greatly superior to those of domestic fowls. Besides the value of their plumage, some of die savage nations of Africa hunt them also for their flesh, which they consider as a dainty. They also breed these birds tame, in order to eat the young, of which die female is said to be thetgreate* t delicacy. OP BIRDS. 137 CASSOWARY. The Cassowary, though not so large as the ostrich, yet appears more bulky to the eye, its body being nearly equal, aud its neck sad legs much thicker and stronger in pro- portion. The same degree of voraciousness which we perceived in the ostrich, obtains as strongly here. The Cassowary swallows every thing that comes within tlie capacity of its gullet. The southern parts of the most eastern Indies seem to be the natural climate of tlie Cassowary. His domain, if we may to call it, begins where that of the ostrich terminates. The latter has never been found beyond the Ganges; while the Cassowary j* never seen nearer than the islands of Banda, Sumatra, Java, the Molucca islands, and the corresponding ports of the continent 138 NATURAL HISTORY KING FISHER. The King Fisher is not much larger than a common sparrow*, its shape is clumsy; its legs are disproportionably small, and its beak is disproportionably long. From the diminutive size, the slender short legs, and the beautiful colours of this bird, no person would suppose it. one of the most, rapacious animals that skim the deep. Yet it is for ever on the wing, and feeds on fish, which it takes in surprising quantities. It chiefly frequents tire banks of rivers, and takes its prey after the manner of the osprey, by balancing itself at a certain distance above the water, then darting into the deep, and seizing the fish with inevitable certainty* While it remains suspended in the air, in ft bright day, its plumage exhibits a variety ot the most dazzling and brilliant colours. of nmns. 139 HOOPOE. Nature seems to have sat down with plea- sure, and enjoyed her work, when she was torming the moving and most beautiful crest which adorns the head of the Hoopoe. It. is a kind of bright halo, whose radiation places the head nearly in the centre of a golden circle. This very pleasing ornament, which uic bird sets up or lets fall at pleasure, is composed of a double row of feathers, winch are of a pale orange-colour, tipi with black, the plumage is variegated with while and wuck cross-lines. This beautiful crested S™ ls SOI very common in this country. In b-gypt they are often seen in small Hocks, beautiful as it is in its plumage, it feeds tnietlv on those insects which arc found in I 1 " .rid animal bodies, and the most nauseous “ na disgusting substances. 140 NATURAL niftTORY OUZEL, or WATER-CRAKE. The Ouzel is nearly as large as the com* mon blackbird : he is an English bird, and is found in most counties of the island. He feeds upon fish, yet does not refuse insects when hunger presses. 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 wings are of a mixture of black and ash colour; the throat and breast per- fectly white. The most peculiar trait m this bird’s character is, that, he can walk on the bottom of a shallow stream, in quest of small fish, as easily as he does on land, without being staggered by the rapidity of the current. Of GIRD3. Ml TURTLE DOVE. The Turtle Dove is a smaller and much shyer bird than any of the pigeon tribe. It may be easily distinguished from the rest by the iris of the eye, which is of a line yellow, and by beautiful crimson circles mat encompass the eyelids. The fidelity of these birds is noted ; mid a pair being put mto n cage, if one dies the other will not survive it. The Turtle Dove is a bird of passage, and few or none remain in our climates in winter. They fly in flocks when “'ey come to breed here in summer, and 0c hght in open, mountainous, and sandy Countries. They build their nests, however, m the midst of woods. 1 42 natural history RING DOVE. These birds delight in thick and impene- trable woods ; building their nests unon the trees, and principally of dried sticks and grass. They assemble in flocks at the com- mencement of winter, but separate into pairs during the breeding season, when they begin to utter their cooing noise. The Ring Dove is the largest of all the English pigeons; and is distinguished from the other species, by being of a cincrous colour, having the tail- feathers blackish towards the extremity; the quill-feathers of the wings whitish on tlie outer edge; and a white and somewhat cres- cent-shaped mark on each side of the neck- OF BIRDS. 143 STOCK DOVE, ou WOOD-PIGEON. The Pigeon, and all its beautiful varieties derive their origin from one species, namely! die block Dove, a name which implies it being the stock or stem whence the other domestic kinds have been propagated. This bn-d, in its natural state, is of a deep bluish ash-colour ; the breast is dashed with a fine changeable green and purple; its wings are mal ted with two black bars ; and its tail is marked near the end with black. These Me the colours of the pigeon in a state of nature; and by these sunple tints man has oy art propagated a variety that words cannot desenbe nor even fancy suggest. However, natu e still perseveres m her great outline and though the form, colour, and even the fecundity of these birds may be altered by ;‘ u ' y et “sir natural manners and inclina- “ens continue still the same. 144 NATURAL* HISTORY DOVE-HOUSE PIGEON. The Dove-house Pigeon is well known as to his shape, but the eolour varies so much that it eludes the rules of classification. They prefer a gregarious life, and abide often to the number of five or six hundred in a house purposely built for them, with proper holes to nestle in. The female pigeon, throughout the whole species, lays two eggs at a time, which almost always produce young ones of different sexes. It is very pleasing to see how eager the male is to sit upon the eggs, in order that his mate may rest and feed herself: faithfulness and harmony are invariable inmates of their nest: most happy would they be had they no others; but they are often infested by insects always ready to vex and torment their young. OP BIRDS. Uo BLACK-BIRD. This well known songster docs not soar up to the clouds, like the lark, to make his voice resound through the air, but keeps steady in the slmdy groves, which he fills with his melodious notes. Early at dawn, late at dusk, he continues his pleasing me- lody ; and when incarcerated in the narrow space of a prison-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. The name of this bird is sufficiently expressive of the general colour of his body. He feeds upon berries, fruits, insects, &c. 10 146 NATURAL BUTORY SWALLOW. The Swallow is well known throughout almost the whole of the habitable globe. Of a slight frame of body, but furnished with long and powerful wings, they are able to sustain themselves in flight for hours toge- ther. This, is the more necessary, as all their food is caught whilst they arc on the wing; and also, as about the beginning of October, they migrate from this country, for the purpose of passing the winter in some warmer climate. They return in the early part of the year, and arc the harbingers of spring. The Swallow is immediately dis-i tinguishcd from all the other species, even in its flight, by its long and forked tail, and its body being dark coloured above and whitish beneath. OF BIRDS. 147 MARTIN. The Martin is something larger than the swallow, but resembles it in its general habits, in almost every respect, except in the construction of its nest, which is generally formed under the caves of buildings: its composition is of clay or loom, tempered and wrought together with little pieces of hay or straw, so as to render it tenacious ; and has a small hole at the side for entrance. These birds also migrate, and leave this country in company with the swallow. The tail of the Marlin is by no means so long or forked as that of the swallow; and is dis- tinguished when on the wing, by this cir- cumstance, having a patch of white on the lower part of its back, and its white belly. 148 NATURAL HISTORY RED-BREAST. . The Red-breast seems to have been a favourite of nature. She lias bestowed upon him several qualities, one only of which would be sufficient to recommend him to the attention of man. The preltiness of his shape, the beauty of his plumage, the quick- ness of his motions, and above all, the melody and sweetness of his voice, always claim our admiration, and have insured him that security he enjoys among us. The Red- breast is rather more celebrated for its affec- tion to mankind than its singing, which, however, in our climate, has the sweetest note of all others. The note of other birds is louder, and their inflections more capri- cious ; but this bird’s voice is soft, tender, and well supported. or BIRDS. 149 THRUSH. The Thrush is one of the most delightful of our rural songsters, enlivening the woods and groves, during the spring and summer seasons, with its melodious notes. His tone is loud and sweet; the melody of his song is varied; and, although not so deep in the general diapason of the woodland concert, as that of the black bird, yet it fills up agree- ably, and bursts through the inferior notes of smaller performers. He is called also the Missle-bird; we should suppose from his breast, which is of a yellowish white, spotted all over with black dashes, like ermine spots, it feeds on insects, holly, and missletoe-ber- ries ; and sometimes emits a very disagreea- ble scream when frighted or disturbed. 150 NATURAL HISTORY SICY-LARK. The song of the Sky-Lark, whilst it soars into, and hovers in the air, inspires every hearer with delight. Often does it elevate itself even among the clouds, and its voice is distinctly heard, whilst the bird itself is almost imperceptible to human vision. The Sky-Lark builds its nest upon the ground, beneath some turf that serves to hide and shelter it. The female lays four or five eggs, of a dusky hue in colour, closely marked with dark spots. It is while the female sits, that the male usually entertains her with his singing; and while lie is risen to an imper- ceptible height, yet he still has his much- loved partner in his eye, nor once loses sight of the nest either while he ascends or descends. It is to be observed, respecting the Sky-Lark, that, from the great length of the hinder claw, it is unable to perch on hedges and trees, like other small birds. of Biaoa. 161 WOOD-LARK. The song of the Wood-Lark is almost universally admired, and is heard not only in the day time, but sometimes during tha night. It has been compared to that of tha nightingale, and, in some respects, is equally pleasing. These birds form their nests on the ground, the outside being composed of moss, and the inside lined with dried grass and a few hairs. The female lays five dusky eggs, which are of a pale rose-colour, beau- tifully mottled and clouded with red and yel- low. The Wood-Lark perches on trees, and feeds chiefly on insects, worms, and 6ceds. The chief difference between tha Wood-Lark and the sky-lark consists in the Wood-Lark being somewhat smaller, and having the head surrounded by a while fillet, reaching from one eye to the other. 152 NATURAL HISTORY CRESTED-LARK. The Crested-Lark is another branch of the family of Larks, and differs from the others in several particulars. The colour of the plumage is more uniform, but fainter and less beautiful; it has a shorter tail, and differs also in bigness ; besides, it does not soar up so high in the air, and, when it mounts up, cannot remain so long on the wing. They do not assemble together in flocks as the others do, but are often seen about the banks of lakes and rivers. The principal and most striking point of differ- ence resides in the crest, which the bird can raise or depress at pleasure. There are about thirty-one known species of larks. Most of them form their nests on the ground, and feed principally on insects. OF BIRDS. 153 NIGHTINGALE, The Nightingale is not only famous among the moderns for its singing, but almost every one of the ancients who undertook to describe nature embellished, has contributed to raise its reputation. It is hardly possible to give on idea of the extraordinary power which this small bird possesses in his throat, as to extension of sound, sweetness of tone, and versatility of notes. His song is composed of several musical phrases, each of which docs not continue more than the third part of a minute, but they are so varied — the pussing from one tone to another is so fan- ciful and so rapid — the melody so sweet and so mellow, that the most consummate musician is pleasingly led to a deep sense of admiration at hearing him. The female lays five eggs. 154 NATDRAL BISTORT SPARROW. The common house Sparrow is one of the boldest of the small feathered tribe, which frequent our barns and houses : he is a cou- rageous little creature, and fights undauntedly against birds much larger than himself. Their song, if we can so call their chirping, is far from being agreeable. They feed on any thing, and are particularly fond of meat The quantity of. corn they consume is so considerable, that in several countries the landlord or furmer puts a price to a Sparrow's head, and, by that means, rids his land of this troublesome depredator. The male is particularly distinguished from the female by a jet black spot under the throat upon a whitish ground. They are found nearly in every country in tho world. OF BIRDS. 155 BULLFINCH. The Bullfinch is a very docile bird, and will imitate the sound of a flute, or the whis- tle of a man, with its voice, whose mellow- ness is really charming. His plumage is beautiful, though simple and uniform, con- sisting only of three or four shades of colours. In the male bird, a ^ovely scarlet of crimson colour adorns the breast, throat, and jaws, ns far as the eyes ; the crown of the head is ’lack, tlie rump white, and the neck and back grey, or of lead-tint. The female does not share with the male, the brightness of colours on her plumage. They build their nests in gardens and orchards, and particu- lar, y ‘n places that abound with fruit trees, 88 u ‘ey are passionately fond of young fruit, a great quantity of which they often destroy before it is ripe. 156 NATURAL HISTORY GOLDFINCH. The Goldfinch is a very beautiful bird; his plumage is elegantly diversified; his form is small but pleasing, and his voice not loud, but sweet. The art with which these birds compose and build their nests is really an object of admiration : it is generally inter* woven with wool, moss, horse-hair, and other piiant materials; the inside lined with a fine down. There the female deposits n'® or six eggs of a white colour, marked atujfl upper end with purple dots. These bird* associate in flocks at a certain season of in® year, and feed chiefly on seeds. It is reporte that this small creature exceeds the general rules of life among those of his size, & n often lives twenty years. or BIRDS. 157 LINNET. The Linnet is one of the most pleasing of ™ rural choir. Its song is peculiarly soft •nil delicate; and so correct is its faculty of waring, that it will, without difficulty, jjjautne the notes of almost any other small ™d- It feeds on seeds, which it generally Peels before it eats. These birds breed in hedges, forming a small nest, which they hue in the inside with wool, hair, and the nnest down. The female lays four or five *8p, of a white colour, marked with fine [ed specks. The musical talents of these htrds are, like many others, repaid with un- patefulness ; for they are often kept in cage* an account of their singing. 158 NATURAL HISTORY WATER WAGTAIL. There is scarcely a brook purling along between the green confinement of two flow- cry hedges, not a rivulet winding tlirough the green meadow, not a river pacing across the country, which is not frequented by this well-coloured and elegantly-shaped lilll# creature. We even see him often in the streets of country towns, following, with® quick pace, the half-drowned fly or moth which the canal-stream carries away. Neil to. the red-breast and the sparrow, they come nearest to our habitations ; and are too well known to need description. of Binos. 159 CANARY-BIRD. The Canary-Bird is now become so com- mcm and has continued so long in a domcs- UC state, that its native habits, as well as in. natlv 9 r-ountiy, seem almost forgotten. Jney originally came from the Canary lands, a region no less distinguished for ,, bea i'?y of lls landscapes than the har- mony ot ns groves, where they are found of a cushy grey colour. With us, they have tot variety of colouring usual in all domestic ' „„ s ' , Soi " e » re white, some mottled, and ■ icautifully shaded with green ; but Wcy are mo, . e esteemed for their note than e beauty of their plumage. They have a finei P l ?, r<:in S n °te, as indeed all those of the in 1 u ht i ve ' ?°ntinuing for some time raisin »l. b i, r - e v th , wlt , hout intermission, then '"git higher by degrees wi th great variety. 160 NATURAL HISTOSV CRANE. The Crane is a tall, slender bird, with a long neck and long legs. The top of he head is covered with black bristles, and the back of it is bald and red, which autkwnty distinguish it from the stork, to which It is nearly allied in size and figure. Its plumage is of an ash colour, and there are two laige tufts of feathers, that spring from the pimon of each wing. These birds generally fly flocks, and while a part feed, the rest stand like sentinels upon duty. As they are b d of passage, they are often seen to depart anh return regularly at those seasons when the# provision invites or repels them. In the journeys it is amazing to conceive J heights to which they ascend when they W Their note is the loudest of all birds ; ail often heard in the clouds, when the Dim itself has entirely disappeared. Of BIRDS. 161 BALEARIC CRANE. The Balearic Crane was unknown, till we became acquainted with the birds of tro- pical climates, when one of the Crane kind with a topping was brought into Europe, and described by Aldrovandus as Pliny’s Belea- ric Crane. It is nearly of the shape and size of the ordinary Crane, with long legs and a long neck, like others of the kind; but the beak is shorter, and the colour of the feathers is of a dark greenish grey. The head and throat form the most striking part of this bird’s figure. On its head is a thick round crest, made of bristles, and which resemble rays standing out in every direction. The longest of these rays arc about three inches and a half; and they are all topped with a kind of black tassels, which give them a beautiful appearance. 162 natural history STORIC. Storks are birds of passage, like the crane; but it is hard to say whence they come or whither they go. When they withdraw from Europe, they all assemble on a particu- lar day, and never leave one of their com- pany behind them. They take their flight m the night: hence the way they go has never been observed. They generally re- turn to Europe in the middle of March, and make their nests on the tops of high trees. The females lay from two to four eggs, of the size and colour of those of geese. As the food of these birds consists in a great mea- sure of frogs and serpents, it is not to be wondered at that different nations have paid them a particular veneration. The neck, head, breast, and belly, of this bird are white; the rump and exterior feathers of the wings black ; and the legs long and slender. OF BIRDS. 163 WREN. The Wren is a very small bird, but, as if nature had intended to compensate the want of size and bulk in the individuals, by mul- tiplying them to a greater amount, this little bird is perhaps one of the most prolific; for the nest, which is of the shape of an egg, erect upon one end, contains often upwards of eighteen eggs of a whitish colour, and not much larger tHhn a pea. The male and female enter this repository by a hole con- trived in the middle of the nest, and which, by its situation and size is accessible to none besides themselves It is strange to admi- ration, that so small a bird should be able to hatch so many eggs under the confined space of her little breast ; and what attention, what care is wanted to rear so large a family. ICi NATURAL HISTORY TIT-MOUSE. The Tit-Mouse and all the species related to him, live on insects as well ns on seeds. When kept in a cage, it is really amusing to sec with what quickness the Tit-Mouse darts at the fly or moth which imprudently comes within the circumference of his reach; if this kind of food is deficient, he then feeds upon several kinds of scefl, and particularly that of the sun-flower, which he dexterously holds upright between his claws, and strikes powerfully with his sharp little beuk, till the black covering splits, and yields its white contents to the hammering bird. They form their nests with great ingenuity, and tlic female lays upwards of twenty eggs. * or BIRDS. 165 BLACK-CAP. The Black-Cap is a very small bird, not weighing above naif an ounce* The top of the head is black, whence it took its name; the neck of an ash colour; the whole back of a dark green ; the wings of a dusky colour, with green edges; the tail nearly the same; the. nether part of the neck, the throat, and upper part of the breast, me of a pale ash- colour; and the lower part of the belly white, tinctured with yellow. This bird is very common in Italy, and is also found in Png- land. Their notes arc full, sweet, deep, loud, and of great compass: hence they have acquired the name of mock nightingale. They feed on insects, and construct their nests on the ground, laying about five eggs, of a pale reddish brown, sprinkled with spots of a darker colour. 1C6 NATURAL HISTORY HUMMING BIRD. •• The Humming Bird is the least of all the feathered tribe. Of this charming little ani- mal, there are six or seven varieties, from the size of a small wren, down to that of an humble bee. A person could never have supposed a bird existing so very small, and yet completely furnished with a beak, fea- thers, and intestines, exactly resembling those of the largest kind. A bird not larger than the end of one’s little finger, would pro- bably be supposed but a creature of imagina- tion, were it not seen in infinite numbers, sport- ing in the fields, from flower to flower, and extracting tire sweets with its slender bill* They lay two eggs, about the size of small peas, very white, with yellow spots. OF BIRDS. 107 HERON. The common Heron is remarkably light in proportion to its bulk, weighing scarcely three pounds and a half, yet it expands a breadth of wing which is live feet from the tip of the one to that of the other. Its beak is very long, being five inches from the point to the base; its claws are long, sharp, and the middle one toothed like a saw. Yet, thus armed as it appears for war, it is indo- lent and cowardly ; and even flics at the approach of a sparrow-hawk. Of all birds, this commits the greatest devastation in fresh waters ; and there is scarcely a fish, though ever so large, that he will not strike at, though unable to carry it away. But the ' small fish are his chief food. These, pur- sued by the larger fellows of the deep, are obliged to take refuge in shallow waters, where they find the Heron a still greater enemy. 168 NATURAL RIrfTORY BITTERN. This bird, though of the heron kind, is neither so destructive nor so voracious. It is a timid creature, concealing itself in the midst of reeds and marshy places, and living upon frogs, insects, ana vegetables ; ana though not unlike the heron in figure, yet it is of very different manners and appetites. The flesh of the Bittern is in great esteem among the luxurious. For this reason, it is eagerly sought after by the fowler; and as it is a slow- winged bird, it does not often escape him. Indeed, it seldom rises but when almost trod upon ; and seems to seek protection from concealment rather than flight. It makes its nest in a sedgy margin, where it lays seven or eight eggs, of an ash green colour, and in three days leads its little ones to their food. OP BIRDS. 169 LAPWING. The Lapwing is a bird well known in all countries, and nearly every where to be met with. In summer they chiefly frequent such marshes as are not dried up in any part of the year. There, in solitudes formed by surrounding marshes, they breed and rear their young. As these birds run and feed upon the ground, so they are found almost always to nestle there. The number of eggs generally to be seen in each nest, is from two to four. The nest is made without any a . rt ; but the eggs arc either laid in some httle depression of the earth, or on a few hents and long grass, that scarcely preserve them from the moisture below. The young °ues, as soon as they are hatched, will for- sake the nest, running away with the shell on their backs, and following their mother, only covered with a kind of thick down. 170 NATURAL- HISTORY SWAN. No bird makes a more indifferent figure upon land, or a more beautiful one in the water, than the Swan. This fine bird has long been rendered domestic. Its - chief food is corn, bread, water-herbs, and roots and seeds, which are found near the margin of a river. Though these birds do not reject animal food when offered, yet they can sub- sist upon vegetables, and seldom seek any other. The weeds on the surface of the water, or the insects at the bottom, thq grass by the bank, or the fruits and corn of culti- vated grounds, are sufficient to satisfy their easy appetites. The elegance of form which this bird displays, when with his arched neck and half-expanded wings, he sails upon the surface, of a tranquil stream, is always worthy of our admiration. OF BIRDS. 171 GOOSE. The Goose, in its domestic state, exhibits a variety of colours. These birds are so dif- ferent in outward appearance to tile swan, that they seem to exist at the furthest extre- mities of the chain in tile natural order of filings. Stupidity in her looks, uncouthness in her walk, and heaviness in her flight, are •tie principal -characteristics of the Goose, nut why should wc dwell upon those defects 1 they ure not such in the great scale of the creation. As their food is simple, so their tusli is nourishing end wholesome. The mvan was considered ns a high delicacy ivith the ancients : the Goose was sustained ltom , as totally indigestible Modern mun- iii’i's have inverted tastes ; the Goose is now become the favourite, and the sWan is seldom brought to table unless for the purpose of ostentation. 172 NATURAL HISTORY DUCK. The Duck is divided into two classes, the wild Duck and the tame Duck, the latter being but the same species altered by do- mestication. The difference between both is very trifling, save that the colour of the Mallard, or Wild Duck, is constantly the same in all the individuals, whereas the tame ones, or drakes, are varied in their plumage. The females submit respectively to that general rule of nature, which ordered that they should not share with the males the beauty of feathers: and the admirable scarf of glossy green and blue which sur- round the necks of drakes and mallards, is an exclusive prerogative of the male sex. There is alsosx curious and invariable pecu- liarity belonging to the males, which consists of a few curled feathers rising upon the rump OP BIRDS. 173 WIDGEON. The Widgeon is a small species of the “ , tnb ?- - 1 he plumage of this bird is much variegated, and his flesh esteemed a great delicacy, though not so highly praised t C | f 1 18 i teS ' i lle llcud ’ and upper P«u of the neck are of a bright bay colour; c back and sides under the wings are Waved With black and white; the breast 1 "pie ; the belly white; and the leas are tuky. The young of both sexes arcgrcy? “M continue m that plain garb till the month ° february, after which a change takes place, and the plumage of the male assumes ■nehMlowmg., in wliich he continues to "e end of July, when the fcatlicrs again ecome dark and grey, so Uiat he is scarxcly oe distinguished from the female. 174 NATURAL HISTOKY RUFF. The very singular and grotesque oppear- ance of the mule of this species, is such as attracts attention from even the most incuri- ous observer. The feathers on the back part of the head, and on the neck, are long, and project to a considerable distance ; but in the female, these parts are quite plain and smooth. 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 any two exactly alike- This small creature has been endowed with great natural courage. Spurred by love, die males fight desperately for the females, and the strongest often destroy many of their sex. The female is called Reeve, and their flesh affords a very luscious meat. OP BIRDS. 175 COOT. The Coot is of the duck species, and tha manner in which they build their nests is cry ingenious. They form it of such weeds fc re e eds re fl,i\ aff0, ' dSl ^ ™°n| and r ir floalln ? 011 1116 surfuce, and rising «nd falling with the water. The reeds among which they build keep it fast so that is seldom washed into the middle of the meTth *1* lf ,S hi 1 :!“]*.“■ which is some! mes the ease the bird sits in her nest like a*?* “ h . ls bo ! lt > nnd steers, with her from ,i u rg ° 11110 ^ nettr est harbour. As on the shortness of their wings, they are S eh e t'° r fly ne ’ “2 d l r ° m ^'shol “ le S s ,f ltc unfit for walking, tlieC £ ” Ule "I ate, \ but chie fly frequent swinim ^ 18 wbere their faculty of tO£e in he turned to the best advan- W ® e ‘ ln fishing and seeking their prey. 176 NATURAL niSTOB 7 SNIPE. The places these birds chiefly frequent, arc wet meadows, pastures, and marshes: they form their nests of dried grass and lea- thers in die most inaccessible parts ot We marshes, where die females lay four olive- coloured eggs, marked with dusky spots. Their flesh is tender, sweet, and of a most agreeable flavour, and is in great request for the table. They feed principally on small red worms, and other insects, wlncii they find in muddy and swampy places, on the shores of rivulets and brooks, and on me clayish margins of ponds. or rnnna. 177 GODWIT. The Godwit abides and seeks for his food on sandy shores, where he dexterously ex- tracts, with his slender beuk, the worm that imprudently appears as soon as the tide has retired. A peculiarity belonging to this bird is.the shape of his bill, which is a little turned upwards. The head, neck, and back, are ol a reddish brown I the belly white ; and tlie legs black. As these birds are usually employed in running rather than in flying, end as their food lies entirely upon the ground, so they run with great swiftness for their size, and the length of their legs assists Uleir Velocity. But as, in seeking their food, “ley are often obliged to change their station, , also are they equally swift of wing, and “averse immense tracts of country with little 13 178 NATURAL HISTORY CURLEW. These birds, during the winter season, are by no means uncommon on the sca- coasts of various parts of England. They associate in flocks, and utter, during their flight, a peculiar cry or whistle, from the sound of which their name has been derived. This bird’s flesh may challenge for flavour and delicacy that of any other water-fowl; and the people of Suffolk say proverbially: “ The Curlew , be she white or black , She carries twelve-pence on her back.” Of this, the fowlers arc not ignorant, and therefore sell them dear. But we must con* *fess, that the quality of their flesh depends on their manner of feeding, and the season in which they are caught. or BIRDS. 179 SPOON BILL. ,.J he Spoon Bill is one of those birds that differ widely from the crane, yet approaches tins class more than any other. The body is more bulky for its height, and the bill is very differently formed from that of any other bird whatever, it feeds among waters: its toes are divided, and it seems to possess the natural dispositions of the crane. The common colour of those of Europe, is a dirty white; but those of America are of a beauti- ful rose-colour. The bill, which in this bird IS so very particular, is about seven inches ong, and running out broad at the end, as ns name denotes, it is there about an inch mm a half wide. 180 NATURAL HISTORY WOODCOCK. The Woodcock is somewhat less than a partridge. The upper side of the body is partly coloured of red, black, and grey, very beautiful to the sight. From the bill almost to the middle of the head, it is of a reddish nslf colour; the breast and belly are grey, with transverse brown lines; and the chin is white, with a tincture of yellow. Wood- cocks are birds of passage, coming over into this country in autumn, and departing again in the beginning of spring; yet they pair before they go, Hying two together, a male and a female. They chiefly frequent moist woods and rivulets, near hedges. Although these birds are not at all eaten in Sweden and some other parts of Europe, yet their flesh is much esteemed in this country. OP BIRDS. 181 GREY PLOVER. The Grey Plover is about the size of the lapwing. The head, back, and coverts of the wings are black, with tips of a greenish grey, the chin white, the throat spotted with dusky spots, and the breast, belly, and thighs white. The llesh of this bird when caught ln a proper season, is delicate and savoury, otherwise it is hard and has a strong and rank flavour. These, with their affinities, are properly natives or visitants of this country, and arc dispersed along our shores, rivers, and watery grounds. To include the hirds of this kind, belonging to other coun- ties, the list would be very numerous, and die whole of this class, as described by frisson, would amount to near a hundred. 182 NATURAL HISTORY DOTTREL. The Dottrel is proverbially accounted a very foolish bird, and it is hardly possible to decide why, or upon what ground. 1ms bird seems to be migratory, and makes his appearance in this country in April, buk finding very likely nothing much to his liking, soon leaves these parts, and retnes to places which arc totally unknown, lhe Dottrel is somewhat smaller than the plover; and with some their flesh is considered a very great delicacy. Many, and most ridi- culous stories, have been propagated about the mimic actions and gestures ot this bird, in endeavouring to imitate the moyemen of the fowler, and thereby lulling into the snare laid down for him; but they are with- out the least foundation, and therefore ought to be entirely exploded. OF BINDS. 183 MOOR-HEN. The Moor-Hen is larger than the plover, and is also called the Water-Hen. The breast is of a lead colour, the belly inclining to grey or ash colour, and the back all over is black. They feed upon wutery grass and roots, and upon tlic small insects which adhere to them; they grow fat, and their flesh is esteemed for its taste next to that of the teal; yet it is seldom that you can deprive it entirely of its fishy taste. They form their nests upon low trees and shrubs by the water side, breeding twice or thrice in the course of a summer: the eggs are white, with a tincture of green, dashed with brown spots. This bird must not be mistaken for one called the moor-game, which is described in another part of this work. 184 NATURAL HISTORY TEAL. The Teal is the smallest of the duck kind, weighing only twelve ounces. The breast and belly are of a dirty 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 brown, and the tail is of the same colour. They live chiefly upon cresses, chervil, and some other weeds, as well as upon seeds and small animated be- ings that swarm upon the water. This bird, for the delicate taste of its flesh, and the wholesome nourishment it affords the body, deservedly claims the first place among those of its kind. f or birds. 185 PELICAN. The Pelican of Africa is much larger than a swan, and somewhat of the same shape and colour. It differs, however, from all other birds, in the bill and the great pouch underneath, which are wonderful, and de- mand a distinct description. This enormous bill is fifteen inches from the point to the opening of the mouth, which is a good way- back behind the eyes. To the lower edges of the under chap, hangs a bag, reaching the whole length of the bill to the neck, and is capable of containing fifteen quarts of water. Ij is not covered with feathers, but with a short downy substance, as smooth and as soft as satin. Such is the formation of this extraordinary bird. 186 NATURAL HISTORY CORMORANT. The Cormorant is about the size of a goose, and may be distinguished from all others of its kind, by its four toes being united together by membranes, and by me middle toe being toothed like a saw, to assist it in holding its fishy prey. The head, neck, and body of this bird, are of a sooty black colour. They are remarkably voracious; their appetites are for ever craving, and never satisfied. This bird has a most rank and disagreeable smell, and is more ante than even carrion itself. It is seen as well by land as sea; it fishes in fresh-water lakes, as well as in the (tenths of the ocean ; it builds its nest in the clifis of rocks, as well as on trees ; and seeks its prey not only in the day time, but by night. OF BIRDS. 187 BIRD OF PARADISE. These birds, which for beauty exceed all others of their kind, are natives of the Molucca Islands. They live in large flocks, and at night generally perch upon the same tree. They are called, by some, the Swallows of Tern ate, from their rapid flight, and from their being continually on the wing in pur- suit of insects, their usual prey. The head is small, but adorned with colours which can vie with the brightest of the peacock’s em- bellishments', the neck is of a fawn tint; and the body very small, but covered with long feathers of a browner hue, tinged with gold. But what chiefly excites curiosity are two long naked feathers, which spring from the upper part of the rump above the tail, and which arc for the most part about three feet long. 188 KATtniAL HISTORY PINTADO, OR GUINEA-HEN. This is a very remarkable bird, and in some measure unites the characteristics of the pheasant and the turkey. It has the fine delicate shape of the one. and the bare head of the other. It has a round back, with a tail turned downwards, like a partridge; the head is covered with a kind of casque; and tile whole plumage is dark grey, speckled with white spots. It has wa'ies under the bill, which do not proceed from the lower chap, as in cocks, but from the upper. I h*s bird is well known ; and we find it under^ different names in different countries, front 1 the place whence they had it. AV e have given it the name of that part of Africa from whence probably it was hist brought. , or BIRDS. 189 GORCOCK. The cock of the wood, the black cock, and the grouse, are all birds of a similar nature, and are chiefly found in healthy mountains and pine forests, far removed from the abodes of men. They might once, indeed, have been common enough over all England, when a great, part of that country was covered with heath, but at present their numbers are thinned. The two first of this kind arc utterly unknown in the south, and have taken refuge in the northern parts of Scotland, where the extensive heaths afford them security, and the forests shelter. The Gorcock is sometimes of the size of a turkey, and often weighs near fourteen Pounds. 190 NATURAL HISTORY PENGUIN AUK. This bird is of a size far inferior to the penguin, but with nearly the same form, and exactly of the same appetites and man- ners. It. is beautifully variegated all over with many stripes, and diners from the penguin, in being much more slender and elegantly formed. It breeds on the island of St. Kilda, and differs chiefly from the penguin in size and colour. It is smaller than a duck ; and the whole of the breast and belly, as far as the middle of the throat, is white. It builds no nest, but lays its eg? 8 either itt the crevices of rocks, or in ho es under ground, near the shore. It generally chooses the latter, as it cannot easily rise to the nest when in a lofty situation. OP FISHES. 191 WHALE. Of ( h° Whale, there are no less than seven different kinds, all distinguished from each other by their external figure, or internal conformation. The great Greenland Whale, without a back-fin, and black on the back ; the Iceland Whale, without a back-fin, and whitish on the back ; the Ncw-England Whale, with a lmmp on the back; the Wlude with six humps on the back ; the r in-Fish, with a fin on the back, near the toil ; the Pike-headed Whale ; and the hound-lipped Whale. They all difi'er from each other in figure, as well as in their man- ner of living. The great Greenland Whale is the fish so eagerly sought after. It is usunlly found irom sixty to seventy feet long. The tail is obout twenty feet broad. 199 NATURAL HISTORY SPERMACETI WHALE. The flesh of this animal is a dainty to some nations ; and the savages of Green- land, as well ns those near the south pole, are fond of it to distraction. They eat tire flesh, and drink the oil, which is a first-rate delicacy. The finding a dead whale is an adventure considered among the fortunate circumstances of their wretched lives. They make their abode beside it, and seldom re- move till they have left nothing but the bones. Jacobson tells us, that his countrymen of the island of Fcroe, are very fond of salted whale’s flesh. The fat of the head they season with bay salt, and then hang it up to dry in the chimney. OF FISHES. U'3 SHARK. Of all the inhabitants of the deep, those of die Shark kind are the fiercest and the most voracious. The smallest of this tribe is not less dreaded by greater fish, than many that to appearance seem more powerful ; nor do any of them seem fearful of attacking ani- mals far above their size: but the great White Shark, which is the largest of the kind, joins to the most amazing rapidity the strongest appetites for mischief. As ho approaches nearly in size to the whale, ho far surpasses him in strength and celerity, tn the formidable arrangement of his teeth, and in his insatiable desire for plunder. Its head is large, and somewhat flatted; the anout long, and the eyes large. The mouth 18 enormously wide, as is the throat, and capable of swallowing a man with ease. 194 NATURAL HISTORY PILOT FISH. The Pilot Fish has a long body, with smooth scales, resembling that of a tench. Its back and sides arc of a deep blue colour, but its belly is lighter. The mouth is small, the jaws equal in length, and furnished with small teeth; the palate also has a row of teeth in front, similar to those in the jaws, which are somewhat curved; and the tongue has teeth all along. The shark is generally attended by one or more of these fish, who act as a sort of guide when in search of prey. It is an inhabitant of nearly all the seas of hot climates. They are frequently observed to swim round vessels, probably to catch the offal which is thrown overboard ; and even to accompany them into port. OF FISHES. 195 REMORA, on SUCKING-FISH. This fish is about eight or nine inches in length, of a dark blue colour, having a sucker on the top of his head about two inches long. The eyes are small, the mouth wide, and the under jaw longer than the upper, with two rows of small sharp teeth. It has two fins, one on each side of the gills; two under its belly, two near the tail, and one on the ridge of the back. It is considered to be the shark’s greatest enemy, and as it has got the power of adhering to whatever it sticks against, in the same manner as tire cupping glass sticks to the human body. It is by such an apparatus that this animal sticks to the shark, and drains away its moisture. They arc found chiefly in the Pacific Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. NATURAL HISTORY ] 0 $ DOLPHIN. The Dolphin is a large fish, not much unlike the porpoise. It swims with two strong fins, which, like the arm of a man, are joined to the shoulder-blades ; and is of that swiftness, that it will overtake a ship in full sail before the wind. Its length seldom exceeds five feet ; the body is of a roundish form, gradually lessening towards the tail; the skin is smooth, and the nose long and pointed ; the back is of a dusky blue or black colour, and the belly white. It has no gills, but spouts water and respires through a pipe, on the upper part of the head, of a semi-cir- cular form. It produces its young from seed, perfect, one at a time, and sometimes two; and lives about twenty-five or thirty years. or FISHES. 197 FLYING FISH. This species of fish is long and slender wHh a large eye; the body resembles in shape, scales, and colour, one of our mullets. It has fins on each side of the buck, which answer the purpose of wings; and with these it can Hv nearly the distance of n gun shot before it touches the water; and when it has Wetted its wings, it again ascends above the surface; tins manoeuvre secures it from the Jaws of the dolphin, which swims after him with the greatest rapidity. The Flying 1' tsh is to be found in the Mediterranean, and many other sens in warm climates. 1 hey are seldom seen so far north os this country, being incapable of bearing cold. 198 NATURAL HISTORY SHEAT FISH. The Sheat. Fish frequently grows to a very large magnitude, and sometimes weighs eighty pounds or upwards. It is much of the colour of an eel ; it has only one small fin on the hack, and no scales ; the tail is forked. Its flesh is much esteemed hy many for the agreeableness of its taste ; and is sometimes served up at tables after the same manner with eels. All seem to agree in this, that it is a very voracious fish ; and in the rivers and lakes which it inhabits, fre- quently makes considerable havoc among the smaller tribes. They arc numerous in the Danube, and several other rivers in Germany ; they are also to be found in the lakes of Switzerland and Hungary, or FISHES. 199 SEA WOLF. The Sea Wolf is a very ferocious animal, and is often caught at Heligoland, an island a short distance from the mouth of the Elbe. Its head is bigger, and somewhat rounder than that of the shark. The sides, back, and fins, are of a blackish or bluish colour \ the belly white. It is about three feet in length, and its whole skin is smooth and slippery, having no scales. It has a double row of sharp and round teeth, ten or twelve in each row, both in the upper and lower jaw. They seize almost every thing that 'comes within their reach, and devour not only fish, but even lobsters, crabs, &c. It is said that it will sometimes fasten on an anchor with its teeth, and leave the print of them behind it. 200 NATORAI. HISTORY FATHER LASHER. The fish called the Father Lasher is about six or seven inches in length, and is chiefly to be found in the Baltic Sea and Northern Ocean. The head and forepart of the body is very large, in proportion to its size; the hinder part, towards the tail, waxing less. The mouth is very wide, and the upper jaw is rather longer than the lower. The body is of a brown, or dusky colour, and the belly white. It has no scales ; it feeds upon shrimps and other small fish. It is supposed to derive its name from the very quick and repeated manner of lashing its tail, when caught and thrown upon the sand. It is said that, the inhabitants of Greenland are very partial to its flesh for food. They are some- times to be found on the rocky shores of this island. OF FISHES. 201 MONK FISH. The Monk Fish, or Angel Shark, increases to a vast bulk, and sorpetimes weighs nearly one hundred pounds. The colour of the back and sides is darkish, and the belly white. It is exceedingly ferocious, and has even been known to attack mankind. Thp fins are very large, and bear some distant resem- blance to wings; the eyes are small, but the head is large. It subsists chiefly on flounders and other sorts of ground fish: and is often caught on the coasts of Great Britain. The shores of Cornwall are often much frequented by this species of fish,, but their flesh is not considered good for food, being hard, and of nn indifferent flavour. It seems to be of a middle nature between the ray and the shark. 202 natural history TURBOT. This fish is sometimes two feet and a half in length, and about two in breadth. They are chiefly to be found on the northern coasts of England, Scotland, and Holland. There are several other sorts of fish which bear a great resemblance to the Turbot, but in flavour are very much inferior. It has no scales ; all the upper part of the body is of an ash colour, variously sprinkled, and, ns it were, marbled with black spots, some greater and some lesser. This fish gives place to few for goodness, and the agreea- bleness of its taste. It is thought by some to excel the flounder as much in goodness as in bulk. There is much difficulty in baiting the Turbot, as he is very particular about his food : herrings, small slices of haddocks, &c., can alone allure him. op pishes. 203 SWORD FISH. The snout of this fish so nearly resembles the figure of a sword, that from thence it is supposed to derive its name. Its weight sometimes exceeds one hundred pounds. It has a longish body, towards the head thick, towards the tail small ; a rough black skin on the back, like a shark ; the belly white, ft has a middling size mouth, but no teeth ; Us tail is remarkably forked. It is an inhabi- tant of Europe ; and is considered to be an enemy to the whale. They are frequently eaught oft' the coast of Naples, and about Sicily, by being struck at by the fishermen U'ith an instrument resembling a harping non. The Sicilians are particularly fond °f it for food, and it is considered equal to the sturgeon. They are frequently seen hfteen feet in length. 204 NATURAL HISTORY SAW FISH. The Saw Fish belongs to the spinous kind ; the form of its mouth (if it may be so called) is somewhat similar to a bird's bill, projecting singly, and guarded with numer- ous teeth, from half an inch to two inches in length; the use of which does not appear to have been discovered by naturalists, though it has been said by seamen, that with them they frequently injure vessels, in the Allan- tic Ocean, where they are found in huge shoals. It has a white belly, and an ash- coloured back. OP FISHES. 200 PORPOISE. The Porpoise is, from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, about three or four feet in length, and about two feet and a half in thickness. Its figure is somewhat, long and round, continually tapering towards the tail. It is covered with a slender thin skin, not fenced with scales. The baek is of a dark blue colour, inclining to black; from the middle of the side it begins to whiten ; the belly is altogether white. It has very small eyes. Like the dolphin, it has only three fins, one on the middle of the back, and one on each shoulder; the tail is forked. When out up, its flesh looks very much like pork. 20G NATURAL HISTORY This fish resembles, in its general form, the freshwater pike. The nose is long; the mouth is situated below, being small, and without jaw bones or teeth. But though it is so harmless and ill provided for war, the body is formidable enough to appearance. It is long, pentagonal, and covered with five rows of large bony knobs, one row on the back, and two on each side, and a number of fins to give it greater expedition. The largest Sturgeon which we have heard of, weighed four hundred and sixty pounds. Their chief subsistence is marine plants and insects. It is seldom caught by a bait in the ordinary manner of fishing, but gene* rally with nets. OF FISHES. 207 HADDOCK. The Haddock differs somewhat in shape from the cod-fish, and is much less in size The flesh is harder and thicker than that of a whiting, and perhaps not quite so good. It has small scales, and is of a blackish colour on the back. There is a black line from the upper corner of its gills down to the tail. In the middle of the sides, under the line, a little beneath the gills, there is a black spot on each side, which bears some resemblance to the print of a man’s finder and thumb; which is attributed, by supersti- tious , persons, to the impression of Saint Peter’s finger and thumb, when he took the tribute-money out of the mouth of one of them. The Haddock seldom exceeds twelve pounds in weight. 208 NATURAI. HISTORY WHITING. The Whiting seldom much exceeds one foot in length, and, in proportion to its bulk, is thin and slender, especially towards the tail, but its head is thicker. Its scales are small and fine; tile back whiter than the rest of the fish of this make and nature, from whence it obtained the very appropriate name of Whiting: the belly is altogether white. The flesh of the Whiting is both pleasant and innocent; and is often given to sick- persons when other food is deemed prejudicial. They generally weigh front half a pound, to a pound and a half. or FISHES. 209 SALMON. The Salmon is one of the most noble in- habitants of the sea, if we estimate him by his bulk, the sweetness of his flesh, or his colour. Some of the largest weigh upwards of thirty pounds, and are about five feet in length. The back is of a beautiful dark blue colour, ornamented with black spots ; towards the sides it gradually decreases to a silvery white; the belly is perfectly white. It has a little head, a sharp snout, and forked tail. At a certain season of the year they pass from the sea up the rivers, in order to deposit their spawn out of the reach of salt water. They subsist on earth-worms, min- nows, and other small fish. The flesh of the Salmon is red when raw, and turns paler when boiled 14 210 NATURAL HISTORY SALMON TROUT. This fish, in the figure of its body, rcsem- blcs a river trout. The head and back is a mixture of green and blue ; the body is besprinkled all over with black spots; the scales are small, artd of a silver colour; the tail forked. Salmon Trouts very frequently weigh thirty pounds, and in some cases above forty- In the beginning of summer their flesh begins to redden, and holds that colour till August. Salmon trouts are esteemed by many people, as very delicate fish ; their flesh is solid, red, and of a good relish, and approaches very near to the nature of the gilt charre. On account of its fatness, it occasions a loathing, (like salmon ;) it should therefore be eaten sparingly. If it be not dressed soon after it is dead, it loses much f its agreeable taste. OP FISHES. 211 TROUT. ,, Tr ? u ^. 1 ns ,0 ' ts figure, is rather lone than broad, like a sulmon. It has a short roundish head, a blunt snout, and is in many respects like the salmon. Trouts breed and >ye m small rivers, &c. They feed on river-flies, water insects, and small fishes: and so greedy are they of flies, that fisher- whl,’ ° f " aU ' ral ’ often ‘ukc them W1 h artificial ones. The Trout is thought to be by many people, the finest fish that !?„ “J* ,n fresh waters. Those are the best that are taken in the purest waters. In he month of December they spawn, making dvkef b n S the bottonls of Ponds, >hes, &c. Contrary to most other fish, hey are least csteenicd when nearest spawn- ed aS. arc best in the months of Ju, y 812 NATURAL HISTORY PLAICE. The Plaice is a small, flat, firm fish, and 5s sometimes a foot or more in length, and about seven inches broad. The upper part of the fins are of a clear brown colour, and marked with spots of orange: the belly is white. Ill the beginning of the month o! February they spawn. The Plaice some- times exceeds seven or eight pounds W weight, and when increased to this bulk, bears some resemblance to the turbot; the flesh, however, is widely different, being soft and almost tasteless. They are salted and dried in some countries, as articles oi commerce. In their habits they are nearly allied to the flounder. OF FISHES. 213 FLOUNDER. The Flounder differs little or nothing in shape from the plaice, unless that it is a little longer in the hotly, and when fully grown, is somewhat thicker. The back is of a dark olive colour, with numerous red spots. Some Flounders have spots of a yellowish colour, both on the back and fins. They are to be found in almost all the northern seas, as well as in many large rivers. In the winter they deposit their ova, and are in best season for the table during the summer. 214 NATURAL HISTORY SOLE. The Sole is a smooth fish, of a longer and more contracted body than the flounder, being about a foot in length. The back is of a darkish ash-colour; the belly white. It hasa more firm and solid flesh than the flounder, and is esteemed more excellent for the plea* sailtness of its taste, the nourishment it affords, and the goodness of its juice. Those caught on the English coast seldom exceed two pounds in weight, while those taken on other coasts have been known to weigh as much as seven or eight pounds. They are generally found on sandy shores. Soles may be kept many days without being tainted, even in hot weather ; and this, it is said, improves their flavour. They resemble the plaice in most of their habits. OP BIRDS. 215 COD FISH. The Cod Fish, or Keeling, is in shape and colour like a whiting, but somewhat darker on the back, diversified with yellow- ish spots. Some of these fish are three feet in length, or more, and of a proportionable thickness. Its scales are small, sticking very close to the. skin, and its eyes large. It is taken almost every where in the sea, especially towards the north. Its flesh is excellent, both fresh and salted. The head of a large Cod, which is thick and fleshy, is for the deliciousness of its taste, much cele- brated by voluptuaries. From the beginning of February to the latter end of April, tho Cod Fish is considered in. season. The most extensive Cod fisheries are near the coasts of Newfoundland. 216 NATURAL niSTORY GOLD FISH. This beautiful and brilliant species of fish were, it is said, first imported from China into Europe, about the year 1600. It is generally from about six to eight inches in length. In shape, it nearly resembles the silver fish, except the long fins. It is all of a gold colour, except a few black streaks; it lias a large mouth, but no teeth, and its flesh is considered to be good. They are much valued in this country, as well as in China, by people of fashion. On account of their beauty, and for the purpose of ornament, they are frequently kept in earthenware or glass vessels. When young they are black; they afterwards change to white, and then to the colour of gold. OF FISHES. 217 PIKE. The Pike is of a long and round body; it has a plain smooth head, and is covered with small close-set. scales, of a whitish colour; the body on all sides is sprinkled with yellowish spots, in the young ones more green. The upper jaw has no teeth; these by turns are moveable and fixed ; as for example, the first moveable, the second fixed; the third moveable, the fourth fixed, and so throughout. The Pike inhabits rivers, lakes, ponds, &c. It is no sea fish, nor often found in the mouths of rivers, unless carried thither by the force and violence of the waves, and then it is void of juice, unpleasant, and ready to putrify. 218 NATURAL HISTORY SEA HORSE. The Sea Horse, or Pipe Fish, has a body of the pipe shape ; in the thickest part it is not larger than a swan’s quill, while it is above sixteen inches long. Its general colour is an olive brown, marked with numbers of bluish lines, pointing from the back to the belly. It is viviparous; for, on crushing one that was just taken, hundreds of very minute young ones were observed to crawl about. Specimens of the Sea Horse are often seen in museums and cabinets. Like other species of pipe fish, when alive, it is straight; but it shrivels up when dead, and somewhat resembles the letter S in shape. Its head is something like that of a horse. They arc chiefly found in the Mediterranean and Indian Seus. OF FISHES. 219 CARP. The Carp lives in rivers, ponds, &c., and arrives to a large magnitude: some have been seen above four feet in length, and not oniy long, but for the most part fat, the back rising from its head somewhat sharp and edged. It is covered with very large, strong, and broad scales ; it is of a yellowish colour, especially when come to age; the younger sort are more inclined to a dusky colour. The head is short, in proportion to the rest of the body, and has no teeth. It swims with broad fins ; the tail is broad and some- what forked, of a colour between red and black, as is also the last fin. It has no tongue ; but in its stead, nature has given it a fleshy palate, that it may relish its food. NATURAL HISTORY ‘J-20 DACE. The Dace is a very lively and active kind of fish. The body, which is slender, seldom exceeds nine inches in length ; and the tail is forked. The back is of a dusky colour, and somewhat tinged with green and yellow; the sides are of a silvery cast; the belly similar. During the summer months they may be seen in abundance, sporting near the surface of the water, busily engaged in catching (lies and other insects, which they seize upon while floating down the stream, or skimming along tlfc surface. About the month of March they deposit their spawn; and are, it is said, very prolific. They are considered to be very insipid. OF FISHES. 221 MACKEREL. The Mackerel is usually about one foot in length, or more ; the body is thick, firm, and fleshy, but slender towards the tail ; the snout sharp, and the tail forked : the back is ofa lovely green colour, beautifully speckled, or, as it were, painted with black strokes; lire belly is of a silver colour ; it has small scales; it is very voracious, greedily swal- lowing down whatever fish comes in its way, that it can master. They swim in large shoals, and are taken in great numbers in the months of May and June. When taken out of the water they die almost imme- diately, and very soon become putrid. The Mackerel has a white film over its eyes in the fall of the year, which continues to grow during the winter; but they uniformly cast it as the summer approaches. 222 NATURAL HISTORY HERRING. This useful species of fish is about nine or ten inches long, and about two and a half broad ; the under jaw is rather longer than the upper one, and it has large round scales; the body, is of a fat, soft, delicate nature; it lias a two-forked tail. It is said, that if eaten too greedily, they are apt to breed fevers. The Herring is by some called the king of fish. They swim in large shoals, and spawn once in the year, about the au- tumnal equinox, at which time they are con- sidered best. Like the mackerel, they die almost immediately after being taken out of the water. They subsist almost entirely on marine worms, the lesser species of crabs, and small fish. OF FlSllf.S. 223 SMELT. This fish appears to have derived its name from having a peculiar scent, something like that of a cucumber, and is supposed to be a contraction of the words “ smell it.” The Smelt is considered a delicious fish, and held in great . esteem for the table. It is about eight or nine inches in length, and one in breadth, and seldom exceeds half a pound in weight, and in general are much smaller. The back is of a dusky colour; the belly and sides a resplendent white, or silver colour. The head and back, to a curious observer, appear to be sprinkled with black snots. They arc caught in abundance in England and America. 224 NATURAL HISTORY GUDGEON. The Gudgeon in length seldom exceeds eight or ten inches ; its body is round, and its head large. It has a short beard at each corner of the mouth; the fin covering the gills has six spines; and the ventral fins are joined together. The back is of an olive colour, with black spots; the belly white, and the sides silvery; the tail is forked. Tke flesh of the Gudgeon is white, and is considered excellent eating. In the summer they spawn two or three times, and are very fruitful. They subsist chiefly upon flies and wasps which venture too near the water. They are caught with the greatest ease, as they eagerly seize any bait. They arc frequently to be seen in clear streams, swimming in shoals. OF FISHES. 225 SEA OWL. , The Sea Owl, or Lump, is about twelve inches in length, und ten in breadth. The flesh is considered but indifferent food. It is a thick odd-shaped fish; its colour, from a blackish and faint red, varies; the belly is ted. It has no scales, but is on all sides rough, with sharp black postulcs, or warts ; on each side it has three rows of sharp prickles ; it has two fins on the back. The Sea Owl is taken in many places about England, and may frequently be seen in the London markets. On account of the very curious form of its mouth, it has by some been called the Sucker. 15 226 NATURAL IIISTORY BREAM. The Bream is a broad fish, with a small head and sharp snout; the top of the head is pretty broad and smooth ; the back bending, edged, and rising sensibly front the head like a sow’s ; its back is betwixt blue and black; its sides and belly white, especially in those that arc young and lean; those that are full grown and fat, have sides of a golden colour ; the belly is red. They seldom exceed four pounds in weight. It has a very small mouth in proportion to its size, and no teeth ; its palate is soft and fleshy, like that of the carp; its flesh soli and clammy. Breams arc very common in rivers, pools, and fish-ponds, in the month of May they spawn. The males at this time have white spots about the head. OF FISHES. 227 SKATE. The Skate, wliioli is much in request for the table, frequently grows to a very large size. It is considered to be a species of the j>iy fish. It has a broad and Hat body \ its back is of a brown colqur, and its belly white; the head, being comprehended in the whole of the shoulder, is scarcely perceptible • it has sharp-pointed teeth, and there is a Single row of spines on its tail. There are ol her species of Skate, called tliornbacks which liuve large thorns about the back, they subsist on lobsters, crabs, and various Kinds of fish. They generally swim near the Dottom of tho water, and avoid parts that are rocky About the month of May the female ‘ "'ps her eggs, singly, and continues until tney amount to upwards of two hundred. 228 NATCRAL HISTORY GURNARD. There are numerous species of this fish, many of which inhabit the shores of this country. The Gurnard has a slender bony; the head is nearly four-cornered, and is covered with a bony coat; the fin covering the gills has seven spines; the pectoral and ventral fins are strengthened with additional muscles and bones, and are very large foi the size of the animal. The back in colour is of a dusky green, with spots of black, yel- low, and white; the belly silvery. In the Mediterranean they are very numerous, and are frequently brought to the markets o Malta and Sicily. They deposit their ova near the sea shores, about May or June, in flavour they nre similar to the haddock. OF FISHES. 229 JOHN DOREE. The John Dcflree is very far from inviting in its general appearance. The body is oblong ; the head is large and bevelled ; the fin covering the gills has seven rays; the fins are jagged ; the upper jaw has a loose float- ing skin depending into the mouth. It has very voracious propensities, as its large mouth and the strength of its teeth indicate. It is of a dark green colour, spotted with black. They seldom exceed ten pounds in weight. On the coasts of Cornwall and Devonshire they are caught in great num- bers; and are to be found in the Mediter- ranean and the Atlantic Ocean. It is sup- posed by some persons to be the fish from whose mouth the tribute money was taken by St. Peter, and not the haddock. NATURAL HISTORY 230 TORPEDO. The Torpedo is a most singular animal, possessing an electric power, the nature of which has not yet been discovered. It lias a smooth skin ; the upper parts of the body are of a brown colour ; the lower parts white. It has small eyes, placed near each other; and there is a breathing hole, or round spi- racle, at the back of each eye, with six points inside. Its mouth is furnished with many sharp pointed teeth. The head and body are almost circular, and very indistinct. They grow to an immense size, and some have been found weighing from sixty to eighty pounds. They are common in several parts of the English coasts, and are frequently caught in Torbay: they arc also found in the Persian Gulf. OF FISHES. 231 ELECTRICAL EEL. The Electrical Eel is a native of North America, and, like the torpedo, possesses very extraordinary qualities. It is about three feet long, and the largest part of the body is twelve inches in circumference. It has a large, broad, flat head; the back is of a dark brown colour, with grey sides, a nil whitish belly ; the eyes, which arc small, are. of a bluish colour; it has no scales. The Electrical Eel bears some resemblance to the common eel in its general appearance ; but it is endowed with the power of inflicting a very painful shock, somewhat similar to that which is excited by an electrical ma- chine. It was first discovered by Dr. Ritcher. 232 NATURAL HISTORY MINNOW. The Minnow, which is a species of fresh water fish, generally make their first appear- ance about the latter end of March, and continue till the end of September, or the beginning of October, when they retire into deep places, among weeds, &c., during the winter. Its body is smooth and slender; the back is of an olive colour ; the belly and sides vary, being sometimes blue, or white, at other times red ; the tail, which is forked, is marked with a dusky spot near the base. It seldom exceeds three inenes in length, and is considered excellent eating. They are called by some fresh water Sprats. OP FIBHK3. a;ta EEL. The Eel, although nearly ullied to the serpent in outward appearance, is essentially different in its internal structure, and is of a nature peculiarly harmless. The largest are upwards of twenty pounds in weight, and measure five or six feet in length. Its eyes are very near the end of the nose ; the teeth, which are small, are very sharp ; the upper jaw is somewhat shorter than the lower one; the fins are round. It is capable of existing longer out of water than any other fish. It feeds upon snails, worms, und all kinds of substances : it is considered a very voracious fish. Its flesh is soft and nourish- ing, and is equally in request both by rich and poor. 334 NATURAL HISTORY FLYING SCORPION. This species of fish presents a most extra- ordinary appearance, us it is almost entirely surrounded w ith thorns and spines. Its body is decorated with yellow, interwoven with white fillets; the fins on the breast are of a purple colour; the dorsal fin has spiny rays, with yellow and brown spots, joined below by a membrane, of a dark brown colour, and above is at liberty; the ventral fins are blue, with spots of white; the tail is black, blue and white, bearing some slight resem- blance to pieces of Roman pavement. In size it is somewhat less than the perch, and its flesh is firm and white. The Flying Scorpion is to be found in tlio rivers ot OP PISHES. 235 TOAD PISH. The Tond Fish is about three feet and a half in length; it is of a brownish colour; the scales, being very fine, are scarcely per- ceptible ; the head is very large ; the mouth is in proportion to the head, and is furnished with several rows of teeth, which arc very sharp; the tongue is broad and fleshy; a little below the eyes the pectoral fins are placed, which are widely extended; there are several rows of tubercles on tire back. 1 he Toad Fish, contrary to any other spe- cies of fish, has feet; its ventral fins bearing some resemblance to feet in shape, with divided toes. They feed upon soles, floun- ders, &c., which they seize with the greatest eagerness. One ol this singular tribe was caught near Blackfriars Bridge, in 1812. TRUMPET FISH. The Trumpet Fish, which is a native of the Mediterranean, is about three or four inches in length, and scarcely an inch in breadth ; the snout, in proportion to the body, is very large, and narrow at the extre- mity ; the body is covered with rough scales ; the eyes are very large for its size. It has a bony substance, resembling a fin, on the belly, and two others on the anterior part of the bod Tis taken in the ocean, when roused storm. It has received the designation of the Trumpet Fish on account of the peculiarity of the noise it makes when breathing the water from its snout, which bears a faint similarity to the sound- ing of a trumpet. OP FISHES. 237 TENCH. The Tench is considered to be among the best of the fresh water tribe. Its body is thick and short, and in length it seldom exceeds ten inches ; the back, as well as the ventral and dorsal fins, is of a dusky colour; the sides and belly arc greenish, tinged with gold; the tail is somewhat rounded; the scales, which are covered with slime, arc small; the anal fin has twenty-five rays; at each corner of the mouth there is a small beard. The weight of the Tench varies from two to ten pounds. It is particularly partial to still waters, in the muddy parts of ponds, where it can shelter among weeds, flags, &c. 238 NATURAL HISTORY PERCH. „ii T r el V, e numerous species of this fish, all of which are considered of a voracious nature; worms, insects, fish, &c., falling indiscriminately a sacrifice to their appetites it seldom exceeds two feet in length, and five or six pounds in weight; but generally it weighs about one or two pounds. The body is oblong, and of a beautiful green colour, divided with blackish stripes; the scales are rough; the fin covering the gills has seven spines; the fins in some are jagged, rile females deposit their ova in shallow parts, upon weeds and other sub- stances, about the middle of April. The Perch is to be found in rivers, deep places, and fresh water streams. OF FISHES. 239 ROACH. The Roach, in many of its habits, resem- bles the dace ; and though not so near the surface, is most generally found in the same waters. The back is of a greenish colour, and the belly-fins are of a bright red, like those of the perch; it seldom exceeds twelve inches in length; the scales are large; the tail is forked, and the anal fin contains twelve rays ; the back is sharply ridged, and very much elevated. It is very prolific. It possesses a peculiar delicacy of flavour, and has long been proverbial for the sound- ness of its flesh. 240 NATURAL HISTORY CHUB. The Chub is very full of bones, and of a coarse nature. It frequents the holes of rivers, and sometimes during the summer months lies upon the surface of the water, apparently asleep ; but on the least appear- ance of danger, dives to the bottom with the greatest rapidity. It subsists chiefly on insects. In weight it seldom exceeds five pounds. The body is nearly round; the head large ; the back is of a dark greenish colour, the belly white, and the sides some- what silvery; the tail, which is forked, is of a brown colour, the end of it tinged with blue ; the anal and ventral fins are crimson, the pectoral ones yellowish. It is considered to be best in winter time, as the flesh is more firm and better flavoured. OK PISHES. ail SEA UNICORN, ou NARWHAL. This animal is sufficiently distinguished from all others of the deep by its tooth or teeth, which point directly forward from the upper jaw, and are from nine to about four- teen feet long. In all the variety of weapons with which nature has armed her various tribes, there is not one so large or so formi- dable as this. This terrible weapon is generally found single ; and some are of opinion that the annual is furnished with but one ; but there is at present the skull of a bea Unicorn, or Narwhal, at tire Stfid- house at Amsterdam, with two teeth. The tooth, or horn, is as straight as an arrow, and about tile thickness of the small part of a man’s leg; it tapers to a sharp point, and is very hard. It is very harmless. 1C NATURAL HISTORY 242 GAR-FISXl. The Gar-Fish is of a peculiar form. The body is long and slender ; the snout very long and sharp ; the back is of a green colour; the sides and belly silvery, and the head ol a bluish green; the under jaw is longer than the upper one, and both are furnished with very sharp teeth ; the upper jaw is movea- ble. They have sometimes been found three feet in length. It is a curious circumstance relating to the Gar-Fish, that their bones, when boiled, arc of a bright green colour. This species of fish generally sell well, although its flavour is not so good, nor its flesh so firm, ;js that of the mackerel. OP FISHES. 243 TORTOISE. The Tortoise is generally found from one to five feet in length, from the end of the snout to that of the tail, and from five inches to a foot and a half across the back. It has a small head, somewhat like that of a ser- pent, an eye without the upper lid, the under eye-lid serving to cover and keep that organ in safety. It has a strong scaly tail, like the lizard ; its head can snow and hide at pleasure, under the great penthouse of its shell ; there it can be secure from all attacks. Tortoises are commonly known to live above eighty years; and there was one kept in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s garden at Lambeth, that was above one hundred and twenty. 244 NATURAL HISTORY SEA TORTOISE, or TURTLE. Sea Tortoises are of various sorts : all of them are good food, especially the Green and the Loggerhead. These are considered very valuable, from the delicacy of their flesh, and its nutritive qualities, together with the property of being easily digested. Some are so large that they weigh upwards of four hundred pounds. They are taken when sleeping on the water, or land, by turning them upon their backs, as they can- not turn over again. The females go on shore to lay their eggs in the sand, above high water mark, to the number of fifty or sixty at a time, which are hatched by tire heat of the sun; and the young ones, as soon as they are out of the shell, crawl to the sea. They are common in Jamaica. OF FISHES. 245 OYSTER. This animal differs but little from the muscle, except in the thickness of its shell, and its greater imbecility. The Oyster is formed with organs of life and respiration, with intestines which are very voluminous, a liver, lungs, and heart. It is self-impreg- nated, and the shell which the animal soon acquires, serves for its future habitation. It opens its shell to receive tile influx of water, and, like the muscle, it is strongly attached to its shells, both above and below. Oysters usually cast their spawn in May, which at first appear like drops of candle grease, and stick to any hard substance they fall upon ; these are covered with a shell in two or three days ; and in three years are large enough to be brought to market. 21G NATUK.VT. HIST.OP.V LOBSTER. The Lobster is ail animal of so extraordi- nary a form, that those who first sec it arc apt to mistake the head for the tail. It is soon discovered, however, that the animal moves with its claw foremost; and that the part which plays within itself by joints, like a coat of armour, is the tail. The mouth, like that of insects, opens the long way of the body, not crossways, as with man, and the higher race of animals. It is furnished with two teeth, for the comminution of its food ; but us these are not sufficient, it has three more in the stomach, one on each side, and the other below. Between the two teeth there is a fleshy Substance, in the shape of a tongue. Like the oyster, they are self- impregnated. OP FISHES. 0-17 CRAW FISH. The Craw Fish, like the lobster, hits n hard shell, which is very rough, whereas that of the lobster is nearly smooth. It is sometimes called the lobster of fresh water, and is a more strengthening food than the other kinds, which will thrive only in the sea. When a lobster casts its shell, which it does at different periods, according to its age, it throws itself upon its back, strikes its claws against each other, and every limb seems to tremble; its feelers are agitated, and the whole body is in violent motion. It then swells itself in an unusual manner, and at last the shell is seen to divide at its junctures. After this it disengages itself of its claws, which burst at the joints. The new shell soon becomes hard. NATURAL HISTORY 248 CRAB. The Crab is found equally upon land as in the water. They are of various kinds, and endued with various properties. Some are healthful, delicious, and nourishing food; others are poisonous of malignant. The violet Crab is the most noted, both for its shape, the delicacy of its flesh, and the sin- gularity of its manners. It somewhat resem- bles two hands cut through the middle, and joined together; for each side is like four fingers, and the two nippers or claws re- semble the thumbs ; all the rest of the body is covered with a large shell. It has two long eyes about the size of a grain of barley, transparent as crystal; a little below these is the mouth, which is furnished with two sharp teeth as white as snow. OF FI8HI-.S. 249 SOLDIER CRAB. This curious animal bears some resem- blance to the lobster, if divested of its shell. It is usually about four inches long, has no shell behind, but is covered down to the tail with a rough skin, terminating in a point. It is armed with strong hard nippers before, like the lobster; and one of them is as thick us a man’s thumb, and pinches most power- fully. As it has no shell to any part but its nippers, it takes possession of the deserted shell of some other animal, such as the wilk, &c., and resides in it till, by growing too large for its habitation, it is compelled to change. It is a native of the West Indies, but. is frequently found in the English chan- nel. It deposits its spawn every year by the sea shore. 250 NATURAL HISTORY SHRIMP. The Shrimp is a small crustaceous ani- mal, of a transparent appearance. It is of the lobster kind. It has no claws, but is furnished with five fins, and has three pair of legs. It has also feelers, which are long and slender, with two projecting lamina: between them. Shrimps are considered ex- cellent eating, particularly used as a sauce with salmon, and are frequently introduced at the tea table. They are of a very delicate flavour, and eagerly sought after by persons of all descriptions. of- FISHES. 251 PRAWN. The Prawn boms a great, resemblance in shape to the shrimp, but is much larger, being nearly ten times as big. When boiled it is of a beautiful pink colour all over its body. The flesh of the Prawn is considered by some to be superior in quality to that ot the shrimp, being more firm. Like the shrimp, it is of the lobster kind, but not so plentiful. 252 NATURAL HISTORY MUSCLE. The Muscle consists of two equal shells, joined at the back by a strong muscular ligament, that answers all the purposes of a hinge. By the elastic contraction of these, the animal can open its shells at pleasure, about a quarter of an inch from each other. The fish is fixed to either shell by four ten- dons, by which it shuts them close, and keeps its body firm from being crushed by any shock against the walls of its own habitation. It is furnished, like all other animals of this kind, with vital organs, though these are situated in a very extraordinary manner. It has a mouth furnished with two fleshy lips. Muscles are taken from their beds from July to October, and are sold at a very moderate price. OP SERPENTS. 253 ay VIPER. Vipers are found in many parts of Europe, butthedry, stony, and inparticularthechalky countries abound with them. This animal seldom grows above two feet long, though sometimes they are found above three. The ground colour of their bodies is a dirty yel- low; that of the, female is deeper. The back is marked with a series of rhomboid block spots, touching each other at the points ; the sides with triangular ones, and the belly is entirely black. It is chiefly distinguished from the common black snake by the colour, which in the latter is more beautifully mottled ; as well as by the head, which is thicker than the body ; but particularly by the tail, which is not so tapering as the other. 251 NATURAI. HISTORY HORNED VIPER. The Horned Viper is a very particular animal, of the asp kind. It is peculiarly harmless in its nature, and in Egypt it is nearly domesticated. It sometimes, when families arc partaking of food, enters their houses, picks up the crumbs from under their tables, and then quietly retires, without doing the least possible injury to the inhabit- ants. or si:npENTs. 255 BLACK SNAKE. This Snake is very common. Its colour is perfectly black. It is usually five or six feel long, is harmless and destitute of venom. It feeds on birds, which, as well as the rattle snake, it is said to charm so completely that they tremble and flutter, and at length fall into its mouth. 256 NATURAL HISTORY RATTLE SNAKE. The Rattle Snake is bred in this country, and in no part of the old world. Some are as thick as a man’s leg, and six feet in length ; but the usual size is from four to five feet. In most particulars it resembles the viper. It differs, however, in having a large scale over each eye. They are of an orange and blackish colour on the back, and of an ash colour on the belly, inclining to lead. But that which distinguishes them from all other animals, is their rattle, an instrument lodged in their tail, by which they make such a loud, rattling noise, when they move, that their approach may be perceived, and the danger avoided. Their bite produces death in a few hours. 0 ',' SERPENTS. ‘257 . ASP. The Asp is a small serpent, like to the land snake, but of a broader back. When provoked, its neck swells to a great degree; and if it stings a person in that passion, deuth inevitably follows. The stroke of its eyes is exceedingly red and tlaining. There are two pieces of flesh, like a hard skin, which grow out of its forehead. Its teeth are very long, and grow out of its mouth like a boar’s, and through two of the longest are little hollows, out. of which it ejects its poison. These holes are covered With a thin skin, which slides up when it bites, by which mentis the poison comes out. Its scales are hard, dry, and red. They are from three to six feet in length. 258 NATURAL HISTORY AMPHISBiENA. The Amphisbaena, or Double-headed Ser- pent, is remarkable for moving along with cither the head or the tail foremost; from which circumstance some have thought it has two heads. It has been affirmed that its bite is dangerous, but this must be a mistake, as it wants the fangs, and consequently the elaboratory that prepares the poison. The Amphisbaena is furnished, with a hard skin, somewhat of an earthy colour. They have sometimes been found in South America. OF SERPENTS. 259 LEECH. Tho Leech is about three inches long, and bears some resemblance to the worm in its exterior form. Its mouth is curiously constructed, having neither jaws, teeth, nor tongue ; but it has a kind of snout, which is soft, by which means it adheres closely to different substances, and thus draws the blood upon which it feeds. Its back is covered with spots of a yellowish colour; the belly is reddish, with faint spots of yellow. They are commonly found in rivulets and brooks. Their ejections are performed by perspiration. The Leech is considered very useful in extracting blood from the human frame, as it generally does it with ease, safety, and success. There are Horse Leeches, also, which are larger tliun the common Leeches. 200 NATURAL HISTORY SNAIL. This creature is furnished with the organs of life in a manner almost as complete as the largest animal. It has a tongue, brain, salival glands, nerves, stomach, ar.d intes- tines; liver, heart, and bloodvessels. When the Snail is in motion, four horns are dis- tinctly seen ; its eyes arc fixed at the extre- mity of the two uppermost. Under the small horns is its mouth, which though it may appear too soft to be furnished with teeth, yet it has eight, with which it devours leaves and other substances, seemingly harder than itself, and with which it some- times bites oil' pieces of its own shell. As the winter approaches, they bury themselves in the earth, or retire to some hole, during the severity of the season. OP INSECTS. 261 CATERPILLAR. There are many different sorts of Cater- pillars: some of them are rough., hard, and stiff; others are soft, smooth, and tender; some horned, either in the head or tail ; others without horns; all having many feet. The Caterpillar has its original from the seed of a butterfly, which it leaves on the leaf of a nettle. The butterfly is tile insect in perfec- tion. The Caterpillar, grub, or worm, are certain mimics or disguises of it for a time, in which one and the same animal is cir- cumvested by nature, for various uses, viz., with the disguise of a Caterpillar, that it may eat this or that food ; but of a grub or worm, that its joints may be finished or hardened. 2C2 NATURAL HISTORY BUTTERFLY, This beautiful insect comes from a cater- pillar, after having undergone a variety of changes. When first it comes forth, its wings seem like to moist, or wetted paper, from which certain small watery drops distil, and which are well worthy of obser- vation ; in the space of half an hour they become expanded, and fit. for Hying. It lives on honey, which it sucks out of sweet flow- ers, &c. It is much delighted with corrupt fruit; for the sake of which, there arc often desperate battles fought between some of these species. OF INSECTS. 263 LOUSE. The Louse is a very odd shaped creature. It has black, shining, goggle eyes, fenced round with several small hairs. It has two horns, that grow before it in the place where one would think the eyes should be ; each of these lias four joints, which are fringed with small bristles; the head is round and tapering, ending in a sharp nose, which seems to have a small hole, and to be the passage through which he sucks the blood. It has six legs, covered with a very transparent shell, and jointed exactly like a lobster’s; each is divided into six parts by these joints, and those have several small hairs; and at the end of each leg it has two very useful claws, with which it walks securely both on the skin and hair. 2G4 NATURAL HISTORY FLEA. The Flea appears by the microscope to be all over adorned with a curiously polished suit of sable armour, neatly jointed, and beset with multitudes of sharp pins, shaped almost like the quills of a porcupine, The head is, on either side, beautified with a quick and round black eye; it has six legs, the joints of which are so adapted, that it can, as it were, fold them short one with another; and when it leaps, springs them all out, and thereby exerts the whole of its strength at once. In the forepart of his head, between the two fore legs, he has two small long jointed feelers, or smellers, which have four joints, and are hairy, like those of seve- ral other creatures ; between these it has a small probe. Or INSECTS. 265 BUG. The body of the Bug is large and round, in diameter about the eighth of an inch. Its head is small ; and it is furnished with the necessary apparatus to extract blood from the human frame. The female Bug generally lays from one hundred to one hundred and fifty eggs. They take up their abode in wooden partitions, bed-posts, &c. and having once got possession, they can scarcely ever be got rid of. They snuff their prey at a considerable distance, having a very keen and delicate power of smelling. When killed, they send forth a strong and nauseous scent. 266 NATURAL HISTORY ♦ ANT. The Ant, or Emmet, is an insect well known in this country, as well as in other parts of the world. In colour it is of a brown or dark red, its belly having a fine gloss. Some of this tribe are possessed of stings, which they use in order to defend themselves, while others are destitute of them. A nest of Ants consists of three sorts, viz. males, females, and neuters. The two former have wings, but the latter have not. In warm climates they are very numerous, and fre- quently commit depredations to a considera- ble extent. They are furnished with a most keen and delicate smell, as they can find food at a great distance from their nests. They arc particularly attentive to their J mung ones. The industry of the Ant has ong been proverbial. OP INSECTS. 2G7 GLOW-WORM. The Glow-Worm is a very curious insect. Its body is divided into numerous annulets, or sections, each of which is covered with a black scale; it has a flat head, which is somewhat depressed; it is about an inch long;; and is to be found on the sides of roads and hedges. The light which the Glow-Worm emits bears a resemblance in colour to that which shines on certain species of fish when in a putrid state, or rotten wood. * i 'toe pretend to have discovered that it is ■ 1 female that thus shines, and that the male does not resemble the Glow-Worm, but is a small fly; naturalists, however, are hostile to this hypothesis. NATURAL HISTORY 2 m MOSCHETO. This curious tribe are very numerous in low and marshy places, and exceedingly troublesome both to men and beasts. They are furnished with a fleam or lancet, with which they cut our small veins and arteries, in order to cxtruct blood. Their bite is attended with some degree of pain, and is sometimes succeeded by very unpleasant swellings. The Moscheto drops its eggs into the water, where they remain floating upon the surface till hatched ; when the grubs force themselves to the bottom, where they continue till they undergo another transformation, and become winged insects. OF INSECTS. 2G!) COMMON FLY. The Fly is a very short-lived creature, and although the most numerous and domesti- cated of the insect tribe, is, as it respects its general habits, but little known. As warm weather approaches, they begin to make their appearance, and are exceedingly trou- blesome during the summer : at the end of September, or the beginning of October, they become what is called blind, and soon dis- appear. They feed upon all sorts of sweet- meats, &c. The female lays a large quantity of eggs, and the larva is eagerly devoured by fresh water fish. 270 NATURAL, HISTORY SPIDER. There are several sorts of this insect, all of which are voracious, feeding upon flies, &c., and, not content with this, will even devour their own kind. Its mouth is fur- nished with two claws, and the arms have nipples attached to them, with which the web is woven. It has eight legs, which are crooked, and the same number of eyes. The eyes are without lids, but are protected by a hard substance, which assists the sight In order to ensnare their prey, the Spider tribe generally form webs. The web, in its forma- tion, is truly wonderful. The female Spider is said to lay from eight hundred to a thou- sand eggs, many of which are eaten by fowls. OF INSECTS. 271 DEATH-WATCH. The Death-Watch is a most singular insect, about a quarter of an inch long, and of a dusky colour. About the beginning of the spring it makes a peculiar noise, similar to tile ticking of a watch. It is supposed by some people, who are under the influence of superstitious fears, that this noise indicates their dissolution ; but this opinion is highly absurd, as it is merely the signal, or call, given by the male to the female : it is not certain by what mjinner the noise is pro- duced. In shape it bears some resemblance to the wood-louse or beetle, and is perfectly harmless. 272 NATURAL HISTORY. LOCUST. The Locust is a well-known insect in Egypt, ns well as on the coast of Barbary and is very voracious. They arc sometimes seen in immense numbers, forming a com- plete cloud of some hundred yards square. Their ravages are very great; for wherever they alight, misery and devastation inevita- bly follow. There is frequent mention made of this insect in the Scriptures. It is not much unlike die grasshopper, but different in colour. A few Locusts have been found in this country, at different times, but their numbers have not been sufficient to prove injurious. They are used for food in some parts of India, and bear some resemblance to boiled shrimps. or INSECTS. 273 MOLE CRICKET. The Mole Cricket is of a particular form, and the largest of the kind. It commits great depredations in gardens, attacking the roots of tender plants, and soon causes them to droop and die. The two fore feet are in shape like wheels, and are placed near the head; these are so formed and situated, that they assist the insect in burrowing under ground ; they bear some resemblance to those of the mole. The Mole Cricket lays about one hundred and fifty eggs, which are very small, and of a white colour. When the eggs are deposited in the nest, it is closed up carefully, in order to protect, its brood from the depredations of grubs, &c. 271 NATURAL HISTORY CRICKET. There arc two sorts of these insects, viz., the House Cricket and the Field Cricket. The former take up their abode in houses, selecting the backs of chimneys, ovens, &c., where they remain concealed during the day, and as night approaches venture out, in order to obtain food: they feed upon sugar, meat, flour, and almost any thing that lies in their way. The Field Cricket is the same in form as the House Cricket ; it is of a fine glossy black colour. The chirping noise made by these insects is well known, and is produced by the wing cases rubbing against each other. This noise is so similar to that made by the grasshopper, that it is difficult to distinguish between them. OP INSECTS. 275 GRASSHOPPER. The Grasshopper is furnished with six legs and four wings; the hinder legs are much longer than the fore ones, in order to assist it in leaping. The head bears some resemblance to that of a horse ; in colour it is of a gayisli green ; the corselet is defended with a buckler, which is very strong. They arc oviparous, and in the course of the sum- mer propagate to a considerable number. This species of insect lives in the fields, and generally feeds upon grass. The chirping noise which it makes is supposed to be occasioned by the fluttering of its wings. When irritated, it bites exceedingly sharp. 276 NATURAL HISTORY STAG BEETLE. The Stag Beetle is produced from a grub, which lives in the tranks of trees, when in a decayed state. They are about two or three inches tong, and of a dark brown colour. They have two horns upon the head, which meet together at the extremity, and severely pinch whatever comes within their reach; the horns are something like the small prongs of the claw of a lobster. They can live a considerable time without food In flying, they assume nearly an upright posture, and are slow in their motions. OF INSECTS. 277 WASP. The Wasp is a very ravenous insect: it is provided with a powerful sting; and in size is somewhat larger than the bee. They feed upon meat, fruit, &c., and even devour oilier insects. They are curiously striped with black and yellow on the belly. Their nest is formed of wood, which they tear with their teeth from posts, sashes, &c. It is about six inches under the surface of the earth, is nearly round, ami from twelve to fourteen inches in the diameter. This nest contains several very curious cells, for the purpose of depositing the eggs. Like the bee tribe, there are three sorts, viz., males, females, and neuters. They are extremely prolific; so much so, that it is said a nest of Wasps is capable of producing twenty or thirty thousand young ones. 278 NATURAL niSTORY BEE. The Bee is about three quarters of an inch in length, having four curiously shaped wings, with strong fibres around and across them; it has six legs, a long head, small neck, and very slender in the waist, or mid- dle part. The eyes urc very large, and covered over with a thick horny membrane, which occasions the dimness of its sight. Nature has furnished it with two sorts of instruments for war and defence, viz., the mouth, wherein are several teeth, that meet sideways, and the sting which is in its tail. The sting is tapering and sharp ; the tongue is much longer than the mouth will contain, and so is doubled underneath. The hive generally contains from three to ten thousand insects. The only female retained in a swarm or hive, is designated the queen Bee, and is larger than the rest of the tribe. OF INSECTS. 2.79 LADY COW. The Lady Cow is a well known insect; it is from an eighth to a quarter of an inch in length ; and is perfectly harmless in its nature It frequently makes its appearance in dwelling houses, and places itself upon various parts of ladies’ work, and sometimes upon their hands; from which circumstance it derives this name. It is called by some the Golden Bug, or May Bug, as it generally begins to show itscll about the month or May. The Lady Cow has a very small head, which is of a glossy black colour; the corselet is similar to it. There are several species of this insect, the colour of the wing cases and tho body varying accordingly ; in general, however, they are red, orna- mented with black spots. 280 NATURAL HISTORY TREE LOUSE. The Tree Louse, or Aphis, is a very curious insect, which lives chiefly upon sweet briar. It undergoes several changes ; in its first state it bears some resemblance to the lady cow, but is smaller, and of a lively green colour. The next transforma- tion alters the form but very little; the colour, however, changes to a grey, and the insect appears heavier. The last metamor- phosis produces a curious winged insect. The female is remarkably careful in secur- ing her eggs from the attacks of other insects, when in search for food. They arc so dimi- nutive as to be scarcely perceptible with- out a microscope. OF INSECTS. 281 BEETLE. There are several different species of this insect, all of which are produced from grubs, or larva; they are afterwards metamorphosed into a chrysalis ; and after a short time assume the form of a Beetle. They are from half an inch to two inches in length, and of a very dark brown colour. It has six legs, and two still' hairs issuing from the extremity of the hinder parts ; its head is furnished with two horns, which are some- what curved. They frequent damp places of the earth, but arc not very numerous. 282 NATURAL IIISTORY EAR-WIG. Ear- Wigs may easily be distinguished from other insects, as they have their wings doubled up, after the manner of a fan, under a sort of case, and the tail being armed with curved prickers. The Ear- Wig is very quick in its movements ; and although many persons are decidedly prejudiced against it, is perfectly harmless. Their wings arc very large and beautiful, when unfolded. Ear- Wigs commit great depredations in gardens, destroying both flowers and fruit. It is the opinion of some, that the form we commonly sec it in, is the first of its changes. OF INSECTS. 283 CHAFFER. The Chaffer is a curious kind of insect, which flics about at the dusk of the evening. They are sometimes so numerous, as to destroy most of the leaves of certain trees. The Chaffer is produced from a grub, which becomes nearly as thick as a child’s little finger, and has a red head, six legs, and a body somewhat whitish. It is said to reside under ground for the space of three years, and is then metamorphosed into a large beetle, of a chestnut colour. It has white spots on the belly, which are of a triangular form; and its tail bends downward. When they are moving about the horns are ex- tended, but are always closed when they rest. 284 NATURAL HISTORY CORAL. The Coral has for a considerable time been supposed to be of a vegetable nature, as its appearance so much resembles that of a plant. It has lately been discovered, how- ever, and proved beyond the possibility of a doubt, that it is not an inhabitant of the vegetable world; but that it is produced by small animalcules. When taken out of the sea, life immediately becomes extinct, and the matter hardens into stone. There arc three sorts of Coral, viz., red, white, and black: the latter is very scarce; the two former more plentiful. OP ZOOPItlTES. 285 STAR FISH. The Star Fish is a curious creature, and is frequently found sticking to rocks, on the borders of the sea. They are of a red or yellowish colour, and furnished with five rays. In form they greatly resemble a star, from which circumstance they are supposed to derive their name. In their movements they are very slow ; and when any part is taken away, they have the property of sup- plying its deficiency, by forming new limbs, and by this means become perfect. Its mouth is placed in the centre. The Star Fish is most generally found on the sea shore after a storm.