INCHBALD'S MODERN THEATRE. 
 
 Early in November will be published in 10 vols. royal I8mo. to cor- 
 respond with Inchbald's British Theatre and Collection of Farces, 
 
 THE 
 
 MODERN THEATRE; 
 
 OR, 
 
 A COLLECTION OF 
 
 SUCCESSFUL MODERN PLAYS, 
 
 ACTED AT THE 
 
 THEATRES ROYAL, LONDON. . 
 
 PRINTED FROM THE 
 
 PROMPT BOOKS, BY AUTHORITY OF THE MANAGERS, 
 
 Selected 
 
 Mrs. INCHBALD. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Droog Law of Lombardy Braganza. 
 VOL. VII. I'll tell you what Next Door 
 Neighbour Wise Man of the East Percy 
 Trip to Scarborough. VOL. VI II. Ma- 
 tilda Mary Queen of Scots Fugitive 
 He would be a Soldier England Preserved. 
 VOL. IX. Bank Note Chapter of Acci- 
 dents English Merchants School for 
 Wives -Henry the Second. VOL. X. Fa- 
 shionable Levities Time is a Tell-Tale 
 Which is the Man What is She Lie of 
 the Day. 
 
 VOL. T. Will Rage Life How to 
 Grow Hich Notoriety. VOL. II. Spe- 
 culation Delinquent Laugh when you 
 can Fortune's Fool Folly as it Flies. 
 VOL. III. Werter Who wants a Gui- 
 nea Secrets worth knowing Zorinski 
 Votary of Wealth. VOL. IV. Duplicity 
 School for Arrogance He is much to 
 T.ame Seduction School for Prejudice. 
 VOL. V. False Impressions Mysteri- 
 ous Husband Box Lobby Challenge Na- 
 tural Son Carmelite. VOL. VI. Impos- 
 tors Wife of Two Husbands Raman 
 
 JUST COMPLETED^ 
 
 THE BRITISH THEATRE; 
 
 OR, 
 
 A COLLECTION- OF PLAYS, 
 
 Which are acted at the Theatres Royal Drury-Lane, Covent- 
 Garden, and Hay market; printed under the Authority and by 
 Permission of the Managers from the Prompt Books, with Bio- 
 graphical and Critical Remarks 
 
 BY MRS. INCHBALD. 
 
 With elegant Engravings. In 25 Tols. royal 18 mo. 
 
 Price 61. 16s. 6d. in boards; or on fine Paper, with Portraits and 
 
 Proof Impressions of the Plates, Price 131. in Board 
 
 The 
 
The following arc the ?lays contained in this Work, wliich may be 
 purchased separately, Price is. each. 
 
 !. Mountaineers; 2. Speed the Plough j 
 3. Wheel of Fortune; 4. Lovers' Vows ; 
 5. Inkle audYarico; 6. Isabella > 7. Wild 
 Oats; 8. Douglas ; 9. Stranger ; 10. Coun- 
 try Givl; 11. Dramatist; 12. Hamlet ; 13. 
 Grecian Daughter; U. Busy Body; 15. 
 John Bull ; 15. Tancred and Sigismunda ; 
 17. All in the Wrong; 18. Macbeth-, 19- 
 Bold Stroke for a Wife ; 20. Poor Gentle- 
 man ; 2 1. Such Things Are , 22. Oroonoko; 
 93. Love in a Village-, 24. Road to Ruin; 25. 
 Jane Shore; -25. Clandestine Marriage; 
 47. Edward the Black Prince ; 23. Merry 
 Wives of Windsor ; 49, Rule a Wife and 
 toave a Wife; 30. Mourning Bride; 31. 
 Cure for the Heart Ache ; 32. All for Love ; 
 S3. Way to keep himj 34. King John; 
 35. She Stoops to Conquer ; 36. The Con- 
 acious Lovers ; 37- The Revenge ; 33. Love 
 for Love ; 39 Every Man in his Humour ; 
 40. Coriolanus ; 41. Jew; 42. KomeoandJu- 
 liet; 43. The Careless Husband ; 44. George 
 Barnwell ; 45. The Beaux Stratagem ; 46 
 Gustavus Vasa; 47. The West Indian ; 48. 
 Julius Caesar; 49. Every One has his Fault; 
 50. The Jealous Wife ; 51. The Tempest ; 
 a. The Orphan; 53. Cato ; 54. The Belles 
 Stratagem ; 55. Zara ; 56. The Fair Peni- 
 tent; 57. The Deserted Daughter; 58. First 
 Love; 5a. Siegeof Damascus; 60. Provoked 
 Wife; 61. Rival Queens ; 6-2. Ladyv Jane 
 Grey j 6.J. Love makes a Man ; 64. Roman 
 Father; 65. Point of Honour; 66. Barba- 
 rossij 67. Merchant of Venice j 68. Wives 
 
 as they Were; 69. King Lear; 79. Con. 
 stant Couple ; 71. School of Reform ; 72. 
 To Marry or not to Marry; 73. King 
 Henry VI II. ; 74. King Henry" V. ; 75. Good 
 Natured Man; 7f5. Antony and Cleopatra; 
 77- Recruiting Officer; 78. Countess of Sa- 
 lisbury .; 79. Winter's Tale ; 80. De Mon- 
 fort ; si. Count Narbonne; 82. Castle of 
 Andalusia ; 83. Suspicious H-usband ; 34. 
 A Bold Stroke for a Husband ; 8i. A New 
 Way to pay old Debts ; 86. Way to get 
 Married ; 87. Fatal Curiosity ; &8."Earl of 
 Warwick ; 89. Fountainbleau ; 90. The 
 Honey Moon ; 91. The Wonder ; 92. Lio- 
 nel and Clarissa ; 93. Earl of Essex ; 94. 
 King Henry the Fourth, Part 1 ; 95. The 
 Brothers, a Comedy ; 06. Slie Would and 
 She Would Not ; 97. The Inconstant ; 98. 
 The Rivals ; 99. Measure for Measure ; 100. 
 Know your own Mind ; 101. King Richard 
 the Third ; 102. King Henry the Fourth, 
 Part2; 103. The Gamester ; lOt.TheMan 
 of the World ; 105. Maid of the Mill ; 105. 
 The Duenna; 107. The Provoked Husband; 
 108. The Chances ; 109. The Distressed 
 Mother; 110. The Beggar's Opera; ill. 
 Mahomet; 112. The Foundling; 113. As 
 You Like it; 1 14. Twelfth Night ; 115. 
 Much Ado about Nothing; 116. Cymbe- 
 line ; 117. Venice Preserved; 118. Comedy 
 of Errors j 1 19. Tamerlane; 120. Surrender 
 of Calais; 121. Battle of Hexham ; l2. 
 Iron Chest ; 123. Heir at Law ; 124. OtheU 
 lo; 125. Heiress. 
 
 A COLLECTION OF FARCES 
 
 AND 
 
 OTHER AFTERPIECES, 
 
 Which are acted at the Theatrej Royal Drury-Lane, Coyent- 
 Garilen, and Hay market. Printed under the Authority of the 
 Managers from the Prompt Book. 
 
 SELECTED BY MRS. INCHBALD. 
 
 In 7 vols. royal ISmo. Price ll. 15s. hoards, or on fine paper, 
 with Portraits. Price 2l. 12s. 6d. boards. 
 
 The following are contained in this Work. 
 
 Child of Nature Wedding Day Mid- 
 night Hour Raising the Wind Matrimo- 
 ny Ella Rosen berx Blind Boy Who's 
 
 the Dupe Love "a la Mode Hartford 
 
 Bridge Netley Abbey The Turnpike Gate 
 Lock and Key The Register Office The 
 Apprentice The Critic The Sultan Ro- 
 siua High Life Below Stairs Bon Ton 
 The Mock Doctor The Devil to Pay 
 The Irish Widow The Minor The Mayor 
 of Garratt The Liar Flora The Birth- 
 day The Jew and the Doctor The Irish- 
 man in LondonThe Prisoner at Larg 
 The Poor Soldier The Farmer The H igh- 
 
 Friated for Longman, Hurst, Rees, 
 
 land Reel Two Strings to yoar Bow The 
 Deserter All the World's "a Stage Lyinr 
 ValetThe Citizen Three Weeks after 
 Marriage Catherine and Petmchio Pad- 
 lock Miss in her Teens The Quaker 
 The Guardian The Deuce is in Him Ed- 
 gar and Emmeline Richard Creur de Lion 
 The Maid of the Oaks Torn Thumb 
 The Doctor and the Apothecary The First 
 Floor The Adopted Child The Fame 
 House Lodoiska Ways and Means The 
 School for Authors Midas The Water- 
 manThe Author The Old Maid The 
 M iller of Mansfield Comus. 
 
 Onne, and Brown, Paternoster Kovr 
 
 C. Slower, Printer, Paternoster-rev, Leatfov 
 

 -'-iALo, by Jamet Cundce- , Condon- . 
 
LETTERS 
 
 ON 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY : 
 
 EXHIBITING A VIEW OF 
 
 THE POWER, WISDOM, AXD GOODNESS 
 
 80 EMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE 
 
 FORMA! ION OF THE UNIVERSE, 
 
 And various Relations of Utility which inferior Beings have to the 
 
 HUMAN SPECIES.. 
 
 CAUCCLATEU PARTICULARLY FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS, 
 
 And young Peisons in general of both Sexes; in order to 
 their Winds with a just Idea of its groat Author, 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY UPWARDS OF ONK HUNDRED EKCKAVEU 
 SUBJECTS APPLICABLE TO THE WORK. 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN B1GLAND, 
 
 a 
 
 Author of Letters ou Universal History," " A Geographical ai 
 Historical View of the World," &c. &c. 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 FOU JAMES CUNDEE, IVY-LANK; LONGMAN, HUH*! 
 ni;E3, AND ORME, f ATEIIXOSTER-ROW J AND VERNO?, 
 AND SHAQl'E, POULTDY, " 
 
 1810, 
 
 J 
 
' 
 
 JAHES CUVDKE, PRINTER, 
 IVY'LANE. 
 
8$ 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THE study of nature is the basis of religion; 
 and in the primitive ages of the world, previous 
 to the epoch of revelation, mankind had no 
 other guide to direct them to a knowledge of 
 the 'existence and attributes of the Deity, than 
 the contemplation of his works. These, indeed, 
 exhibited such evident proofs of his power, his 
 wisdom, and his goodness, as were sufficient to 
 convince rational creatures that a self-existent 
 and infinite Being was the source and origin of 
 all existence. This St. Paul so well understood * 
 that he condemns the Gentiles, because, after 
 having recognized the Supreme Being in the 
 works of the creation, they neglected to worship 
 him, and considers them as inexcusable; " Be- 
 cause," says he, " the invisible things of Him 
 from the creation of the world are clearly seen, 
 being understood by the things that are made, 
 ven his Eternal Power and Godhead." 
 
 After the decision of so great an authority, 
 ihe propriety of introducing the study of natu- 
 ral history, into the system of juvenile education, 
 can scarcely be called in question. It is indeed 
 of the utmost importance to exhibit to 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 youthful mind a view of the wonderful works of 
 God, in order to inspire exalted notions of his 
 essence, his attributes, and his agency, in the 
 formation and disposition of the universe. This 
 study is also 'both easy and entertaining, and 
 appears congenial to the nature of man, in every 
 stage of his life. The infant, on his first en- 
 trance into life, is naturally led to employ his 
 opening faculties in observing the exterior ap- 
 pearances of the things which he perceives 
 around him ; and as soon as he has acquired 
 the use of speech, he desires to be informed of 
 their qualities and uses. When grown to matu- 
 rity, he sees himself placed in a boundless am- 
 phitheatre, filled with an immense variety of ob- 
 jects, which solicit his attention ; but, through 
 a want of previous instruction, is often lost and 
 confounded in the magnificence and multipli- 
 city of those scenes which nature presents to his 
 view. 
 
 That some knowledge of the system of nature 
 is necessary to all ranks of people, is a truth that 
 cannot be contested. The gentleman, the trades- 
 man, the farmer, the mechanic, ought to have 
 such a general acquaintance with this science, 
 as may give him an exalted idea of the Creator 
 of the universe, or some general information of 
 those parts' of the animal,, vegetable, and mine- 
 ral kingdoms, which furnish articles of impor- 
 tant utility, in. regard to food and clothing, ma- 
 nufactures and commerce. Without something 
 
PRRFACE. V 
 
 of this kind of knowledge, a person must often 
 betray his ignorance and expose himself to ridi- 
 cule. 
 
 The greatest princes and philosophers have 
 not thought the study of natural history unwor- 
 thy their'attention. Solomon, as the scripture 
 informs us, " spake of trees, from the cedar tree 
 that is in Lebanon, even to the hyssop that 
 springeth out of the wall : he spake also of beasts 1 , 
 and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of 
 fishes." Aristotle also wrote largely on these 
 subjects: the most magnificent and powerful of 
 the kings of Israel, and the prince of the Grecian, 
 philosophers, made the knowledge of nature one 
 of the principal objects of their pursuit. 
 
 The best mode of communicating useful in- 
 struction is to render it entertaining; and youth 
 seldom find any thing agreeable that appears in 
 the form of a task, Systematic arrangements* 
 however advantageous they may be to the pro- 
 fessed naturalist, tend more frequently to em- 
 barrass than to inform the juvenile student, or 
 the common reader. Various systems have been, 
 formed by naturalists, each of which has had its 
 adherents; while by others, it has been exploded 
 as too close or too restrictive, too simple or too 
 complex. The cause of this defect, and the dif- 
 ficulty of forming complete systematic arrange- 
 ments is, that nature has not attached so much 
 importance to these distinctions as they have 
 done, nor made them the uniform rules of her 
 a 3 
 
operations* Button, the great p 
 painter of nature, conscious of the brilliant 
 energies of his own expansive mind, affects to 
 soar above what he calls the trammels of system, 
 and despises all Artificial a t range me nts, saying* 
 that ' r all our families and generations are made 
 by ourselves, and not by Nature, which knows 
 toothing of these tiislinctions k The system of 
 Linnaeus, which is considered by naturalists a* 
 the most perfect of all those that have been in- 
 vented, is a monument of the ingenuity and in- 
 dustry of that great man; but appears too com* 
 piex and artificial for common readers, or young 
 students, whose circumstances, occupations, 
 pursuits, and future prospects* do not permit 
 them to make the study of natural history the 
 
 s: ness of their lives, 
 
 To dtftsemitmh* the knmvletlgg <>f nu lorn ted 
 awsng all raub of pef*p)^ the easiest 
 and that which is certainly beH adapted 
 lo the general ideas of mankind is^ to range the 
 different orders according to their visible resem-i 
 glance to some well known animal, which exhi- 
 bits a characteristic distinction, obvious at th? 
 first sight, without, burdening the memory will) 
 artificial systems and scientific discriminations^ 
 
 If this work had been designed for the use of 
 those who make tiie knowledge of natural his- 
 tory the principal object of their pursuit, the 
 Linnaean system would certainly have b^erj 
 adopted aad strictly adhered to; but it is calcu- 
 
PREFACE, V^j 
 
 la let) tor students of a different description: for 
 those \vho, vviihout having leisure to devote 
 themselves wholly to the study of this science, 
 would not vvish to be totally ignorant of the 
 world in which they live. To instruct the 
 youthful mind, in regard to the most important 
 subjects of enquiry in the system of nature is the 
 avowed design of this undertaking; and, iude-ed* 
 A volume of so small a size cannot be supposed 
 to he intended for t lie use of the professed rmtu- 
 i:alist. Without, therefore, pretending to criti- 
 cise the works of other writers on this subject, 
 or to depreciate their merit, which in many is 
 Conspicuous, it will not be amiss to say some- 
 thing of the manner in which it is here treated* 
 lii the first place, a view is given to tire- young, 
 student of the grandeur of the universe, and of 
 lh<j structure of the solar system. Some of tii 
 inosl striking objects which ihU globe presents, 
 such as seas, mountains, volcanoes, Sec. are next 
 brought forward to his inspection: his attention 
 ia then called to the winds, tides, exhalations, 
 and other remarkable phenomena of the earth 
 and the atmosphere; and afterwards to the prin- 
 cipal metals, minerals, and other subterraneous 
 productions. All these being described in a 
 manner equally plain and concise, a sketch is 
 given of the beauties and utility of vegetation, 
 and a general view of the inanimate creation 
 being thus exhibited, the transition is made to 
 animated nature, which, as it is to youth the- 
 a 4 
 
Viii PREFACE. 
 
 most entertaining branch of natural history, oc- 
 cupies the greater part of the work. The most 
 striking and interesting objects of the animal 
 kingdom are delineated: the creatures which are 
 peculiarly curious in their conformation or ha- 
 bils, and especially those which are most formi- 
 dable or most beneficial to man, are particularly 
 selected and described. Those of general uti- 
 lity or the greatest commercial importance, and 
 those which frequently occur in conversation 
 or reading, in the relations of travellers, and in 
 the sacred or classical writings, are considered 
 as the most interesting subjects of investigation. 
 
 The arrangement exhibited in the table of 
 contents, appears best adapted to general ideas, 
 and easiest to comprehend and remember; and 
 as the book is designed for the use of both sexes, 
 the greatest care- has been taken to avoid a fault 
 with which performances of this kind too often 
 abound. Indecorous expressions, and every 
 ihing that has a tendency to vitiate juvenila 
 ideas, have been, carefully avoided; and the 
 whole is interspersed with religious and moral 
 reflections. The epistolary form has been cho- 
 sen as well to give the young student some no- 
 tion of the useful art of letter-writing, as to in- 
 troduce the different subjects in an agreeable 
 nnd impressive manner. The whole design of 
 the work is, to convey to the juvenile mind, by 
 mi agreeable mode of communication, as much 
 important information on the subject of natural 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 history as can be comprised in a volume of so 
 small a size; and this will, perhaps, be found to 
 be as much, as the generality of young persons, 
 educated for business, will have leisure to 
 attain. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 LETTER J. 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 LETTER n. 
 
 The Importance of >tud_ying Nature, with Reference to its 
 Author. - --...3 
 
 LETTER III. 
 
 On the Starry Firmament The Solar System The Immen- 
 sity of the Universe. - - 5 
 
 LETTER IV. 
 
 Description of the Earth Mountains Volcanoes. ........ J2 
 
 LETTER V. 
 
 Metals and Minerals Gold, Silver, Copper, IronReflec- 
 tions on their Nature and Uses.- - 17 
 
 LETTER VI. 
 
 Steel, Tin, Pewter, Quicksilver, Coal Precious Stones 
 Loadstone appropriate Reflections. - "51 
 
 LETTER VII, 
 
 On the atmosphere Winds Tides Clouds Rain-Snow 
 Hail Thunder, and Lightning Evaporation Reflections 
 eu the Symmetry of the Universe. - - -24 
 
 ft 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 LETTER VIII. 
 
 On Earthquakes Their Causes and tremendous Etlccts -The 
 Ocean Proportion of Land and Water Tides, - - 89 
 
 LETTER IX. 
 
 On Vegetation The Tea-tree Mode of gathering and dying 
 the Tea Coffee Tree Cocoa Tree Sugar Cane Cottou 
 Tree Cedar Vine General Reflections. 
 
 LETTER X. 
 
 Animated Nature Man The Varieties of the human Race, 
 produced by the Effects of Climate, Food,&c. Reflections. 43 
 
 LETTER XI. 
 General View of the Quadruped Race. - - 55 
 
 LETTER XII. 
 On the Horse The different Breeds of Horses. 58 
 
 LETTER XIII. 
 The Ass Manner of hunting Wild Asses The Mule Zebra. 6oi 
 
 LETTER XIV. 
 
 The Ox Different Breeds of Horned Cattle Reflections on 
 their Utility and Value. .... 72 
 
 LETTER XV. 
 
 The Urus, or Wild Bull The Bison Zebu Grunting Ox- 
 Buffalo. - . ... 78 
 
 LETTER XVI. 
 
 The Sheep Different Breeds and Species Reflections. - '83 
 LETT E B XVII. 
 
 The Goat Th Maffion Common Goat Ibex Chamois 
 Goat Goat of Angora Syrian Goat. 91 
 
Xli CONTEKTS. 
 
 LETTER XVIII. 
 
 Page. 
 The Gazelles or Antelopes Different Species. - - 'J8 
 
 LETTER XIX. 
 
 The Deer Stag Fallow Deer Roebuck Elkv-Rein Deer 
 Reflections and interesting Anecdotes of the Rein Deer 
 Mode of travelling among the Laplanders. - 102 
 
 LETTER XX. 
 
 The Musk Nyl-ghau Caraeleopard. - 110 
 
 LETTER XXI. 
 
 The Camel Mode of Travelling with Camels The Drome- 
 dary Lama^ Pacos. - . 113 
 
 LETTER XXII. 
 
 The Hog Wild Boar Manner of Hunting the Wild Boar 
 Peccary Barbgroussa. - - 120 
 
 LETTER XXIII. 
 
 The Elephant ; its wonderful Sagacity and Commercial Impor- 
 tance Manner of Hunting and Taming the Ekphaat. 124 
 
 LETTER XXIV. 
 
 The Rhinoceros. - -. 155 
 
 LETTER XXV. 
 
 The Hippopotamus The long-nosed Tapiir. - - 141 
 
 LETTER XXVI. 
 
 The Cat-kind in general The Common Cat the Wild Cat. 145 
 
 LETTER XX VII. 
 
 The *Ocelot Margay Serval Conpuar Black Tyger 
 Lynx Caracal Yaguar Ounce Leopard Panther. 151 
 
v: ON IE NTS. xiii 
 
 Page. 
 LETTER XXVIII. 
 
 The Tiger Tigress. 158 
 
 LETTER XXIX. 
 
 Lion Manner of hunting the Lbn Reflections on the system of 
 Prey among Animals The Wisdom ol' Divine Providence. 162 
 
 LETTER XXX. 
 
 Tlie Dog Different Breeds of Dogs- Shepherd's Dog Car 
 Dog Greenland Dog Manner of travelling with Dogs in 
 Kamtschatka Bull Dog M as tiff Coach Dog Irish Wolf 
 Dog Highland Greyhound Common Greyhound Bea- 
 gle Harrior Fox Hound Knglhh Setter Spanish Pointer 
 Water Spaniel Springer Comforter Turnspit Pug- 
 Rough Water Dog New Zealand Dog Newfoundland 
 Dog Bloodhound. ... .- 171 
 
 LETTER XXXI. 
 
 The Wolf The Fox. - .186 
 
 LETTER XXXII. 
 
 The furry Animals The Pine Weasel Martin Ermine 
 Sable Description of Sable Hunting in the Deserts of Si- 
 beria. - - 191 
 
 LETTER XXX I II. 
 
 Animals of the Weasel Kind General Characteristics The 
 common Weasel Foumart, or Polecat Ichneumon Fos- 
 sant Skunk Zorilla Genet Civet Zibet Glutton Ra- 
 coon Badger. - - - - 196 
 
 LETTER XXXIV. 
 
 The Bear Kind The common Bear Polar, or gfeat white 
 Bear Animals of the scaly and prickly Kinds The Porcu- 
 pine Hedge-hcg Armadillo Pangolin Phalagiu The 
 Sloth. ... 204 
 
 LETTER XXXV. 
 
 The Hare The Rabbit. - - SlS 
 
XI? CONTENTS. 
 
 LETTER XXXVI. 
 
 !fhe Sqviirrcl Kind The common Squirrt-! Flying Squirrel 
 Jerboa Kangaroo Kangaroo Rat. * - Ci? 
 
 LETTER XXXVII. 
 
 Animals of tte Rat Kind The greal Rat Blaefc Rat Mnr- 
 itoot- 'Lcnihig, or Lapland Marmot- -Mouse Mole Opov 
 sum Filing Opossum. - * s^'i 
 
 LETTER XXXV IN. 
 
 Animals of die Ape and Monkey Kind -General Remrtrtcs 
 The Otmviig Oulang Long-armed Ape Baboon Great 
 ribL>ed-uosi> Baboon Pig-tailed Baboon -Dug-laced lia- 
 boon Alucaquc- Kv'd Moii!-.vy Gret-u Monkey ^-Ta la-' 
 poia Moim 31ito* - 331 
 
 LETTER XXX! X, 
 
 iottfl Quadrupeds The Otters-Sea Otter Beaver-** 
 Wainis, or Sea Horse-<~8iaK 241 
 
 LETTER XL 
 
 Observations on the volatile Race-^-Strueturc of Birds 
 Carnivorous Birds Migration of Birds. * 2 
 
 LETTER XLH, 
 
 The Ostrich The Cassowary The Dodo. * ? 
 
 LETTER XL11 1. 
 
 Birds of the rapacious Kinds The Golden Eagle and its Aftf. 
 nities Condor Vulture Falcon Kite Buzzard. - 
 Birds of the Owl Kind General Remarks The white Owl 
 Screech Owl. . > . . . 2 
 
 LETTER XLJV. 
 
 The Gallinaceous, or Poultry Kind General Remarks The 
 Cock Turkey I'mtada Peacock, its first Exhibition at 
 
CONTENTS. xv 
 
 Athens Pheasant Bustard Grouse Cock of the Wood 
 Partridge Quail. - - itf? 
 
 LETTER XLV. 
 
 JSlrds ef the Pie Kind The fltivtn, the Rook, and the Car- 
 riot? Cro\v -Magpie-*-- Jay Kingfisher- -Cuckoo-^Wood- 
 jiecker-~T(*ucau, * 5C9 
 
 LETTER XLVi. 
 
 the Pio Kind continued The Parrot, audits Varieties Bird 
 <>f Paradise and its Varieties Pigeou and its Affinities. 293 
 
 LETTER XLVl I. 
 
 of the Sparrow Kind- fJtneral Remarks The Thrush 
 Fieldfare -Redwing Blackbird- Finches- -Bulfiuch 
 OrtolanGoldfinch Canary Bird, - SO^ 
 
 LETTER XLVlJl. 
 
 Warblcfa Tile Lark "N'igtttingale^-Red 
 
 Mock Biid ijf Ailitirica-~Hu!itrtiing Bird and its Varieties 
 
 844 
 
 LETT^H l< 
 
 Web-fooled Waferfowl-Pistinguisliing Characteristics nnd ge* 
 neral Remarks The Flaniingo Pelican Frigate Pelican 
 ~Corrporant Soland Goose The Albatross. - - 315 
 
 LETTER LI. 
 
 The Gull Kind The Gnll Petcrcl Tern Interesting mid 
 picturesque Description of the method of catching Sea Fowl, 
 among the stupendous Rocks on some of the Northern 
 Shores The Penguin. - * - 321 
 
 LETTER Lll. 
 
 The Goose Kind The Swan-Goose--13arnacle Brent-Goosa 
 Duck Manner of taking Ducks, by means of a Decoy 
 J}p*cripti<m of the Decoy, and Hs Management Curiou* 
 Mode yi" taking these Birds in China General Remarks 323 
 
XVI CONTENTS. 
 
 LETTER LIII. 
 
 Rertiarks o'n the Conformation of animal Bodies Correspon- 
 dence of the two Sides, and the exact Resemblance of their 
 component Parts The animal Body considered as a Mass 
 
 The Covering of Animals adapted to their Mode of Living 
 Structure of the Heart, the Complexity of its Mechanism, 
 and the Regularity of its Pulsations Structure of the Eye, 
 its Position, and the Nature of Vision Convincing Proofs 
 of an All-wise Design "m the Formation of the Universe, and, 
 consequently, of the Existence of a Supreme Intelligence. 33i 
 
 LETTER^LIV. 
 
 FISHES. 
 
 General Remarks on their Structure, Powers, and Faculties 
 The System of animal Hostility and Prey more fully illus- 
 trated, and its Compatibility with the Goodness of the Cre- 
 ator demonstrated General Division of Fishes The' Whale 
 Kind Greenland Whale Picturesque Description of the 
 Whale Fishery Importance of this Branch of Commerce 
 The Narwhale Spermaceti W'hale Grampus Dolphin, 
 and Porpoise. - - - - - - - 337 
 
 LETTER LV. 
 
 Cartilaginous Fishes Characteristics-r-General '"Remarks- 
 The Shark Manner of catching the Shark, used by the 
 Europeans Manner of Fighting and Killing the Shark, 
 practised by the Negroes ^The Ray Kind Sting Ray 
 Torpedo Sep Devil Sea Eagle Sturgeon Fishing Frog 
 
 Sea Porcupine. , - 34& 
 
 LETTER LVI. 
 
 Fishes of fhespinouskind Characteristics General Remarks 
 Classification of Linnaeus 1st. Apodes The common Eel 
 
 Conger Eel Electrical Eel.-* ^d. Jugulares The 
 Dragonet Cod Importance of the Cod Fishery. - 357 
 
 LETTER LVII. 
 
 3d Order Thoraici The Gilthead Dorado Flying Fish 
 Interesting Scene of Pursuit and Evasion Mackarel - - 
 4th, Abdominales The Pike Salmon Importance of the 
 Salmon Fisheries The Herring Description of the migra- 
 tory ghoals Importance of the Herring Fishery The Pil- 
 chard lmpoit*iiH Anecdote The Golden Fish, - 3o/J 
 
CONTENTS. XV11 
 
 LETTER LVJII. 
 
 Crnstaceous Animals The Lobster Crab Land Crab Sol- 
 dier Crab - The Tortoise Kind The Laud Tortoise 
 Turtle and its Varieties Testaceous Fishes The Oyster 
 Account of the Pearl-Fishery. - - - - - 071 
 
 LETTER LIX. 
 
 Reptiles The Frog Toad Crocodile -Combats between 
 the Crocodile and the Tigt-r IVtode of catching Crocodiles 
 among the Siamese Of taming them The Salamander 
 Chameleon Inguana. - . 377 
 
 LETTER LX. 
 
 Serpents Characteristics General Remarks The Liboya 
 Rattle Snake Common Snakq Viper Glow Wojm Re- 
 flections. ........ 383 
 
 LETTER LXI. 
 
 Insects Characteristic General Remarks The Scorpion 
 Silk Worm Mi-inner of keeping Silk Worms Their Man- 
 ner of spinning Silk Commercial Importance oCjthis Insect 
 The Bee floating bee-houses The Locus>t- -Destruc- 
 tive Visits of this Insect Hydra. .... 388 
 
 LETTER LXII. 
 
 Conclusion, consisting of religious and rnoraj Reflections. - 31?5 
 
EXPLANATION OF 
 
 TECHNICAL TERMS, 
 
 UNAVOIDABLY USED IN NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 , sharpened. 
 
 AMPHIBIOUS, capable of living by land or water. 
 ANIMALCULES, smalt animals generally imperceptible without the 
 
 aid of the microscope. 
 ANNULATED, marked with rings. 
 
 ANTLKRS, horns overhanging the brows, applied to deer. 
 AQUATIC, living or growing in the water. 
 Bifin, divided into two parts. 
 
 EJACULATED, marked with two spots, or two series of spots, 
 BIVALVK, or BIVALVULOUS, with shells or opeoings. 
 CALLOSITY, a hard lump. 
 CANINE, belonging to the dog kind. 
 CARINATED, formed like the keel of a ship. 
 XJARNIVOHOU&, living on flesh. 
 CARTILAGINOUS, having gristles instead of bones, generally a pi 
 
 plied to fishes. 
 C*:RE, a skin over the bills of birds, sometimes moveable, as iu 
 
 parrots. 
 
 CETACEOUS, of the whale kind. 
 CINEKEOUS, ash-coloured. 
 CORDIFOUM, shaped like a heart. 
 
 CRUSTACEOUS, covered with shells, as lobsters, crabs, &c. 
 DIGITATED, having the feet divided iu'o many parts, like finger*. 
 DORSAL, belonging to the back. 
 
 EXSANCUINOUS, animals without blood, as worms, &c. 
 ENTOMOLOGY, Description of insects. 
 FELINE, of, or belonging to the cat kind. 
 FERRUGINOUS, of an iron or rust colour. 
 I'nucivoRoua, living on grain, seeds, &c. 
 PUUCATED, forked. 
 
 GALLINACEOUS, belonging to the lien kind. 
 GESTATION, the time of going with young. 
 GREGARIOUS, associating together; applied to animal*. 
 HERBIVOROUS, living on grass. 
 ICHTHYOLOGY, the description of fishes. 
 IMBRICATED, plated over one another like tiles* 
 INCUBATION, sitting on eggs, applied to birde. 
 INSBCIIYOROUS, living oil insects. 
 
TECHNICAL TERMS. 
 
 LATERAL, belonging to the side, placed side-ways. 
 MIGRATORY, coming and going at cerla:%_ seasons ; sometimes 
 
 applied to fishes, but most frequently to birds. 
 MULTIVALVE, with many shells or foldings. 
 NASCENT, young or growing. 
 NICTITATING, winking, applied to a membrane over the eyes of 
 
 most birds. 
 
 OBFUSCATED, of a dusky colour. 
 OLFACTORY, relating to the smell. 
 ORNITHOLOGY, the description of birds. 
 OVIPAROUS, producing young by laying eggs. 
 PARTURTTIOK, the bringing forth ot young. 
 PASSERINE, belonging to the sparrow kind, 
 PATULOUS, open. 
 PECTORAL, belonging to the breast. 
 PENDULOUS, hanging. 
 PISCIVOROUS, living on fish. 
 PREDACEOUS, formed for pursuing prej. 
 QUATRIFID, divided into four parts. 
 SCAHROUS, rough. 
 SCAPULARS, .shoulders. 
 SKMILC-NAR, in the form of a balf-moon. 
 SETACEOUS, hairy. 
 SIMULATED, formed like an owl. 
 TESTACEOUS, ctrvered with a shell, as oysters, &C- 
 TRIFURCATED, three-forked. 
 TRUNCATED, appearing as if cot off. 
 
 UNIVALVE, with one shell, fold, or opening. 
 
 VENTRAL, belonging to the belly. 
 
 VIVIPAROUS, bringing forth young alive. 
 
 WEBBED, connected with a membrane, as the toes of aquatic 
 
 ZOOLOGY, the history of animated nature. 
 
 ZOOPHYTE, an animal plant. 
 
An uniform Companion for the present J'/ork* 
 Price 6s. in boards. 
 
 LETTERS 
 
 On the Study and Use of 
 
 ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY: 
 
 Containing Observations and Reflections on the Causes and Coa- 
 
 sequences of those Events which have produced conspicuous 
 
 Changes in the Aspect of the World, and the general State of 
 
 human Affairs. 
 
 Respecting the first edition of this work, the reviewers mate 
 the following mention: 
 
 After pointing out the requisite qualifications for the reader of 
 history, the Monthly Jlcview for June, 1804, thus proceeds: " It 
 " is on this account that we consider a judicious survey of the 
 " history of the world, if it point out the principal outlines which 
 " merit the student's attention, and he also accompanied with re- 
 " marks of such a nature as we have described above, as a very 
 " useful and valuable acquisition ; an,d it gives us great pleasure 
 " to observe, that this desirable end is very successfully promoted 
 *' in the collection of letters now before us. 
 
 " Mr. Bighmd displays in this volume a well-cultivated and 
 " comprehensive mind. His style is generally correct, though not 
 " highly polished ; his information is expensive ; and the many 
 " pertinent remarks and inferences with which he has enriched. 
 " this-summary of general history, meet our cordial approbation.' 1 
 
 The reviewer then goes into length with some of the most inte- 
 resting extracts, and concludes thus: 
 
 " What enlightened mind will not heartily concur in these just 
 ' and liberal reflections! If our limits permitted, we could with 
 " pleasure proceed to state the author's view of America, and the 
 " probable effects which the discovery of that new world may ul- 
 " limately produce ; but it is time for us to close our remarks, to- 
 " gether with the interesting volume which has excited them." 
 
 " We are well pleased with this publication, which, founded on 
 " the authority of the most celebrated historians, exhibits a very 
 " useful manual for the younger student. It is written with great 
 ""vigour and perspicuity; nor do we see any sentiments obtruded, 
 " against which, as they relate either to religion or politics, it ap- 
 " pears necessary to caution the young reader. It is an useful 
 " undertaking, well executed. British Critic, July, 1804. 
 
 "This little historic digest, collected from most unexception- 
 " able author.-, is executed with great neatness and propriety. 
 " The divisions, or " periods," are clear and discriminated. The 
 " different historic details are distinct and perspicuous: there- 
 " flections just and appropriate. On the whole, the letters claim 
 " our approbation," Critical Ueview, July, 180-1 
 
 1 
 
LETTERS 
 
 ON 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 LETTER L 
 
 " Then stryed the fervid wheels, and in his hand 
 
 H* took the golden compasses, prepared 
 
 In God's eternal store to ciremnyribe 
 
 This universe, and all created things : 
 
 One foot he ci-nt'red and the other turn'd 
 
 Round thro' the vast profundity ob.scure ; 
 
 And said : Thus far extend, thus far thy bounds, 
 
 This be ihy just circumference, O world." 
 
 MlITOX. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 I AM much pleased to find (hat you are actuated by 
 n spirit of enquiry, which, at so early a period of your 
 life does you the highest hrmor, and is a proof of the 
 goodness of your understanding. In youth, a desire 
 of information on subjects curious and interesting is 
 the characteristic of the great mind, and announces, 
 tit some future period, the great man ; while an mi- 
 thinking apathy, and stupid indifference, with respect 
 to the nature of those scenes, in the midst of which 
 we are placed, are unequivocal signs of a vulgar .and 
 groveling intellect. Curiosity indeed is a principle so 
 radically inherent in the human mind, and so uni- 
 versally prevalent, that it is chiefly from the objects to 
 which it attaches itself, that the measure of the under- 
 standing is to be estimated : yours I am happy to say 
 has taken a right direction. You desire >some ac- 
 quaintance with -Natural History, some knowledge of 
 this world of wonders in which, by the gracious dis- 
 pensations of a benevolent Providence, you see your- 
 self placed. Be assured that, in so commendable a 
 pursuit, I shall esteem myself happy to contribute to 
 your satisfaction by my assistance. 
 
& LETTER 1. j 
 
 It is indeed, my dear Sir, a singular pleasure to 
 me to coincide with the dictates of your own under- 
 standing in recommending to your attention a science 
 which I perceive that you now think, and am con- 
 vinced that you will soon find, not less agreeable to 
 study, than important to know. A knowledge of na- 
 tural history has always been esteemed an elegant 
 accomplishment in a gentleman, as well as necessary 
 to the philosopher, and, indeed, it is useful to^every 
 one, whatever his station in life may be. 
 
 Natural history, or natural philosophy, considered 
 in its full extent, takes in an immense circuit, and 
 comprises an innumerable variety of objects'. Its 
 range is indeed as wide as the universe itself; and it 
 exhibits to our view all the various forms of animate 
 and inanimate matter ; or, in other words, all the ob- 
 jects that have or have riot life, of xvhich the world is 
 composed. It describes the structure of the universe : 
 the motions, magnitudes and relative distances of the 
 planets belonging to the solar system, and their dis- 
 tance from the sun, their" common centre round which 
 they make their ceaseless revolutions. It then des- 
 cends to the description of this globe which we in- 
 habit, and which is called the earth, and exhibits to 
 our contemplation its pavts and productions from the 
 greatest to the smallest objects. The beasts of the 
 earth, the fishes of the sea, the fowls of the air, the 
 various trees, plants and flowers that diversify the 
 landscape with an endless variety, all come within 
 the limits of natural history. More need not be said 
 to convince you that such a study must be exceed- 
 ingly interesting and agreeable. Every day you will 
 discover new objects of ^attention ; every excursion 
 will present to your view a variety of scenes beautiful 
 or sublime : at home or abroad, in your closet or in 
 the field, you will possess in your mind a resource 
 against ennui : you will never be at a loss for expe- 
 dients for passing your time, not to be driven to seek 
 amusement in the insipidity of the card-table, or the 
 senseless roar of Bacchanalian revels. 
 
 The sciences which have for their objectthe invei- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 3 
 
 tigation and description of the created system, take 
 different names according to the different departments 
 of nature which they explore and describe. Cosmo- 
 graphy has for its object the whole machine of the 
 Universe, of which it examines and describes the 
 magnificent and harmonious construction. Of this 
 science astronomy and geography, the former rela- 
 ting to the heavens, and the latter to the earth are the 
 two constituent parts. The profound investigations 
 and extensive range of these sciences, are not suited 
 to our present purpose, and I shall therefore content 
 myself with giving you a very concise sketch of this 
 stupendous structure ; this world in which we live, 
 briefly describing its principal parts and most strik- 
 ing phenomena. You seem 1 ikewise desirous of being 
 acquainted with the most remarkable metals and mi- 
 nerals which the earth contains in its bowels, and af- 
 fords for our use, and request that I would give you 
 some information concerning their properties. I shall 
 endeavour to comply with your wish as briefly as 
 possible, that no time may be lost in leading you to 
 a view of animated nature, which constitutes the prin- 
 cipal object of your enquiry, and that indeed which 
 is the most suitable to your age, as well as the most 
 universally pleasing and interesting. 
 
 With every wish for your happiness 
 
 I am, dear Sir, your's, c. 
 
 J. B, 
 
 LETTER II. 
 
 " These art thy glorious worts, parent of good 
 
 Almighty, thine this universal frame, 
 
 Thus wond'rous fair; thyself how wond'rous then !" 
 
 MILTON. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 NATURALISTS have divided the whole of created 
 
 things which the earth produces, or supports, into 
 
 three grand departments, to which they have given 
 
 8 2 
 
4 LETTER It. 
 
 the nair.es of the animal, mineral, and vegetable 
 kingdoms : the first Comprehends every thing that 
 has life ; the second all metals, minerals, &e. that 
 are du- out of the eurth ; and the third all the diflo- 
 rent kinds .of trees, plants, herbs, fruits, flowers, &c. 
 that grow upon its surface. It is not my intention 
 to trouble you with scientific terms which are at 
 present too abstruse for your comprehension ; on the 
 contrary, I wish to address you in the plainest lan- 
 guage ; but it was necessary to give you a notion 
 of those three grand departments or divisions of na- 
 ture, which ate frequently mentioned in books and 
 conversation. 
 
 Before we proceed to a delineation of the different 
 objects which the study of natural history presents 
 to our view, a consideration of the greatest impor- 
 tajice forces itself upon the thinking mind, which is, 
 that in examining the works of the creation, we must 
 begin by raising our thoughts to the great Creator. 
 Religion is a necessary companion to the study of na- 
 tural history ; and we shall make a wrong beginning 
 if we do not commence our survey of nature with the 
 contemplation of the infi lite perfections of the God 
 of nature, whose power, wisdom and goodness are so 
 eminently displayed in all his works. 
 
 We see ourselves placed in a world, abounding 
 with an infinite variety of objects calculated for our 
 use, our convenience, and amusement ; and we find 
 ourselves endowed with understanding to convert 
 them to those uses, for which infinite wisdom has evi- 
 dently designed them. This circumstance, among a 
 multitude of others, is a convincing proof that this 
 world in which we live cannot be the effect of chance, 
 1;'U is the work of * being infinitely powerful, wise, 
 avid good, who is every where present, and governs 
 all things by his Providence, as he created them by 
 his power. This great, universal, and eternal Being, 
 who continues from everlasting to everlasting without 
 change, and who is present in every place although 
 invisible to us, is the God who created heaven and 
 
INTRODUCTION. 3 
 
 earth, and whom men and angels adore. This idea 
 you ought to have always present to your mind, for 
 unless you direct your thoughts to the contemplation 
 of the power, the wisdom, and the goodness of God, 
 the world will be a mystery that you can never pene- 
 trate, and every thing you see will appear involved 
 in obscurity. Yes, let this great truth be always pre- 
 sent to our remembrance, that if w r e do not frequently 
 direct our attentian to the Creator, we can never have 
 a.clear and luminous view of the creation, and that un- 
 less we refer all to him, our learning will end in ig- 
 norance, and our fancied knowledge will be no more 
 than folly. 
 
 "Oh ! how dark is human reason found, 
 
 How vain the man with wit and learning crowrt'd ; 
 
 How J'eehle all his strength wlu-n he essay-', 
 
 To trace dark nature and detect her ways, 
 
 Unless he calls its author to his aid, 
 
 \\ ho every secret spring of motion laid ; 
 
 Who over all his wond'rous works presides, 
 
 And to llieir useful ends their cause? guides ; 
 
 These paths in vain are by inquirers trod, 
 
 There's no philosophy without a. God." 
 
 BLACKMORB. 
 
 In full persuasion that these awful and yet pleasing, 
 considerations will remain deeply impressed on your 
 mind, I shall for the present leave you to the sublime 
 and agreeable contemplation, and conclude by assur- 
 ing you that with a heart felt concern for yourweifaie* 
 and with every sentiment of ailection, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c, 
 
 LETTER III. 
 
 " The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firir.aaient 
 shcweih his handy work.'* 
 
 PSALM xix. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 THEfirmament spangled with stars presents the most 
 
 magnificent spectacle that imagination can conceive, 
 
 3 
 
6 LETTER JII. 
 
 and certainly no one can lift up his eyes to the sky in 
 u clear evening without feeling a variety of solemn as 
 well as pleasing reflections arise in his mind. This 
 indeed is natural to the most ignorant observer ; and 
 the most uninformed peasant, as well as the most en- 
 lightened philosopher, cannot contemplate so stupen- 
 dous a view withovt a mixed emotion of pleasure and 
 astonishment. If, however, the bare view of the al- 
 most innumerable stars that sparkle in the firmament 
 be capable of thus forcibly attracting your attention 
 and commanding your admiration, what would be 
 your astonishment if you were acquainted with their 
 magnitudes, their regular motions, and their immense 
 distances from this earth which we inhabit ! 
 
 Your inexperienced judgment, my dear Sir, may 
 perhaps suppose that thb stars are no more than little 
 shining dots ; but this notion., which is very natural 
 to your tender years, and consequently excusable 
 until you are better informed, you will, as soon as 
 your mind is enlightened by instruction, discover to 
 be very erroneous. As you advance in your studies 
 you will endeavour to acquire at least such a general 
 knowledge of astronomy as will unfold to your ex- 
 panding mind such wonders as cannot fail to impel 
 you to admire and adore the infinite perfections of 
 the great Creator. As I wish to communicate to you 
 both pleasure and instruction, without puzzling your 
 understanding, 1 shalh at present confine myself to 
 give you a few such general and striking ideas, of the 
 structure of the universe, and of the nature, of the 
 starry heavens, as may excite you to make suitable 
 reflections on the power, the wisdom and the good- 
 ness of God, -who has constructed the magnificent 
 fabric. 
 
 The sun is an immense and woilJerful globe or ball 
 of fire, which gives light and heat to all that part of 
 the Creation called the solar system. It is placed 
 near the common centre of the orbits of seven largo 
 globes, which have no light or , heat but what they 
 derive from it. The diameter of the sun is eight 
 hundred .and ninety thousand miles, so that although 
 
PLANETS. 7 
 
 you may thing it small, it is reality larger than thig 
 earth, which is divided into so many extensive king- 
 doms and empires. How grand an idea must thig 
 excite of the greatness of Him who created the whole 
 universe ! 
 
 Of the seven planets which compose the solar sys- 
 tem, Mercury is the nearest to the sun ; its mean 
 distance from which is about thirty-six millions, eight 
 hundred and forty-one thousand, four hundred and 
 sixty miles. Its diameter is three thousand two hun- 
 dred miles, and it revolves round the sun in eighty- 
 seven days and twenty-three hours. 
 
 Venus is sixty-eight millions eight hundred and 
 ninety-one thousand four hundred and eighty miles 
 distant from the sun, revolves round him in two hun- 
 dred and twenty-fohr days seventeen hours ; and 
 upon its own axis in twenty-three hours and twenty- 
 two minutes. The diameter of Venus is seven thou- 
 sand seven hundred and forty-three miles. 
 
 This earth on which we live is ninety-five millions 
 one hundred and seventy-three thousand miles from, 
 the sun. It revolves upon its axis in twenty-four 
 hours, which is our day, and completes its revolution 
 round the sun in three hundred and sixty-five days, 
 six hours, forty-nine minutes and fifteen seconds, a 
 space of time which constitutes our year ; the dia- 
 meter of the earth is seven thousand nine hundred and 
 forty-two miles. 
 
 Mars is one hundred and forty-five millions four- 
 teen thousand one hundred and forty-eight miles dis- 
 tant from the sun, makes His revolution round him in 
 one year three hundred and twenty-one days and 
 twenty -three hours, and revolves upon his own axis 
 in one. day and forty minutes. The diameter of 
 Mars is four thousand two hundred and twenty miles. 
 Jupiter is distant from the sun four hundred and 
 ninety-four millions nine hundred and ninety thou- 
 sand, nine hundred and seventy miles, makes his pe- 
 riodical revolutions round the sun in eleven yeara 
 three hundred and fifteen days and fourteen hours : 
 and revolves upon his axis in nine hours and fifty-sit 
 M 4 
 
f LETTER lir. 
 
 minutes. His diameter is eighty-nine thousand eight 
 hundred miles. 
 
 The distance of Saturn from the sun is nine hun- 
 dred and seven millions nine hundred and fifty-six 
 thousand one hundred and thirty miles. He com- 
 pletes his periodical revolution round the*, sun in 
 twenty-nine years one hundred and seventy-four days 
 and two hours : and revolves upon his own axis in 
 ten hours and sixteen minutes. The diameter of Sa- 
 turn is seventy-nine thousand six hundred miles. 
 
 The distance of the Georgium Sidus from the sun 
 is one thousand eight hundred and fifteen million* 
 nine hundred and twelve thousand two hundred and 
 sixty miles ; and it makes its periodical revolution 
 in eighty-three years one hundred and fifty day* 
 a-nd eighteen hours. The time employed in revolv- 
 ing upon its axis is as yet, like that of Mercury? un- 
 discovered. The diameter of the Georgium Sidus i& 
 thirty-nine thousand nine hundred miles. 
 
 Besides these seven planets,, two other small plane- 
 tary bodies, which revolve round the sun, have lately 
 been discovered. Of these one was first observed on 
 the first of January, 1801, by M. Piazzi, astronomer- 
 royal at Palermo, in Sicily, xvho called it Ferdinandea 
 in honour of his Sicilian Majesty : it is also called 
 Ceres, or Ceres Ferdinandea ; the other, discovered 
 since by Dr. Olbers, of Hamburgh, has been named 
 Pallas. Both these new planets have their orbits 
 between those of Mars and Jupiter ; Ceres revolves 
 round the sun in four years two hundred and twenty- 
 two days ; and is distant from that luminary above 
 two hundred and fifty millions of miles. The distance 
 of Pallas from the sun is about two hundred and se- 
 venty millions of miles. Both are entirely invisi- 
 ble to the naked eye. The diameter of Ceres is 
 estimated by Dr. Harschel at only one hundred and 
 tsixty, and that of Pallas at one hundred and ten 
 English miles. 
 
 Much more might be said concerning the orbs 
 which composed our system, their motion and their 
 one another ia the different points of 
 
PLANETS. 
 
 their orbits ; but these things belong to the science 
 of astronomy which will open to your view new scene* 
 and fill your miml with new pleasures. Enough how- 
 ever has been said to excite you to extend your in- 
 quiries at a maturer age, and, in the study of Nature 
 and Nature's God, you will always find your admira- 
 tion excited and your pleasure increased in propor- 
 tion to the increase of your knowledge. 
 
 These orbs, of whose motions, magnitudes, and 
 mean distances from the sun I have exhibited a con- 
 'cise sketch, are called primary planets. The moon 
 is only a secondary planet or statellite to our earth, 
 round" which it makes its revolution in twenty-nine 
 days, twelve hours and twenty-four minutes, and is 
 carried along with this globe round the sun in one 
 year. Other planets also have moons or statellitcs 
 revolving round them and carried along with them in, 
 their orbits : Jupiter has four-, Saturn seven, and th 
 Georgium Sidus six. The diameter of the moon is 
 two thousand one hundred and eighty miles, so that 
 you perceive it is far less than the least of the seven 
 primary planets, and its nearness to the earth is th& 
 cause of its greater apparent magnitude. 
 
 Besides these there are another sort of solid bodies 
 like the planets, of which the orbits are exceedingly 
 eccentric, and their motions irregular. They are 
 called comets. Little is known concerning them. 
 Though great rmm be rs have made their appearance 
 at different times, the periods of three only have been 
 ascertained with any degree of certainty by astrono- 
 mers, who have found that they return at intervals of 
 75, 129, and 575 years. Of these the latter, which 
 appeared in 1680, is the most remarkable. This co 
 met, when at its greatest distance, is about eleven 
 thousand two hundred millions of miles from the su$, 
 and at its nearest approach only about four hundred 
 and ninety thousand miles. Sir Isaac Newton com- 
 puted that when nearest the sun it must have acquir- 
 ed a heat, two thousand times greater than that of red 
 hot iron ; and, considering its' size, that it cou^i not 
 become cold ia ttrenty thousand years. 
 B 
 
10 LETT Ell 14 F. 
 
 Little ako is known, or can perhaps be discovered, 
 in regard to the fixed stars which bespangle every 
 part of the firmament. Astronomy has, however, 
 proceeded so far as to prove, or at least to shew that 
 it is in the highest degree probable, that they are 
 suns illuminating other systems or worlds. But no 
 mode of calculation can compute their distances from 
 our earth or from each other. One observation, how- 
 ever, I shall here venture to make, which is not wholly 
 above your comprehension. Whenever you view 
 distant objects you will easily remark that as yon 
 change your place in travelling on the road, they seem 
 to change their relative situation, and the nearer they 
 are, this change is more perceptible, but less apparent 
 the farther they are from you. The earth is always 
 above one hundred and ninety millions of miles dis- 
 tant from the opposite points of its orbit in which it 
 was half a year before, arid yet so great a change of 
 situation does not make any change in the relative 
 positions of the fixed stars perceptible even by the 
 assistance of the best astronomical instruments, so that 
 their distance is not incapable by any mathematical 
 process, but absolutely inconceivable by human com- 
 prehension. 
 
 The immense distance of the fixed stars from the 
 earth and from each other is of all considerations the 
 best adapted to impress on our minds the most exalted 
 ideas of the immensity of the universe and of the in- 
 finite power, wisdom and goodness, of its Creator. 
 The number of stars which may at any time be seen 
 by the naked eye is not much above a thousand, but 
 the gradual improvement of the telescope has afforded 
 such assistance to our natural optics, that the celebra- 
 ted Dr. Herschel has discovered no less than forty- 
 four thousand ; arid how r many more the. still greater 
 perfection of these instruments may yet render visible 
 to us, it is, at present, impossible to know. 
 
 When we contemplate the distance between this 
 earth and the sun it seems astonishing, and to those 
 who are ignorant of astronomy almost incredible. 
 This distance however, great as it is, is small when 
 
PLANETS. 11 
 
 when compared with that of some of the planets from 
 the same luminous centre ; and very trilling indeed 
 in respect of their distance one from another when on 
 the opposite sides of the sun. But when we consider 
 the incalculable distances of the fixed stars from our 
 earth and from one another, an extent bursts upon our 
 view which overwhelms the mind with admiration 
 and astonishment. We contemplate worlds beyond 
 worlds, and our conceptions are bewildered in the 
 vast immensity. Imagination itself can set no bound* 
 to the immeasurable extent of the Creation, nor can 
 all the efforts of the human mind, aided by the dis- 
 coveries of science, determine the central point, where 
 the great Creator fixed " the golden compasses/' or 
 how wide he swept the immense circumference. 
 
 If you, my dear sir, should undertake to travel over 
 this globe, or as we commonly say, the world, in dif- 
 ferent directions from east to wesf, and from north to 
 south, and visit all the various countries into which its. 
 surface is divided, you would, how expeditiously so- 
 ever you might travel, employ a great number of 
 years in the journey. You would find your curiosity 
 continually excited and gratified with the sight of new 
 objects presenting themselves to your view. High, 
 mountains, vast forests, extensive countries, immense 
 oceans would successively fill your mind with surprise 
 and give you a grand idea of the prodigious extent 
 of this habitation, of men. You are, however, to' ob- 
 serve, that if you were placed in any one of the plan- 
 ets the globe would only seem a single point as they 
 appear to us. In the more distant planets, as Jupiter 
 and Saturn, it is very much to be doubted whether it 
 could be perceived without the aid of a telescope, and 
 it is extremely probable that a person placed in the 
 Sidus would not be able to discover the 
 
 c.arth. with the best telescope that has yet been in- 
 vented. 
 
 In considering the immensity, as well as the regular 
 
 harmony of the universe, you will be convinced that 
 
 110 one can lift up his eyes to the starry heavens with- 
 
 out feeling himself irresistibly impelled to adore th 
 
 B 6 
 
12 LETTER IV. 
 
 Creator of all these wonders, and that our excellent 
 poet Young had reason to say, 
 
 " An indevout astronomer is mad," 
 
 For from this concise sketch of the Creation you 
 will, although you are not an astronomer, easily com- 
 prehend that this globe, which men inhabit, and which 
 is divided into what we call immense oceans and vast 
 continents, is no more than a grain of sand among-the 
 ; works of Him who is infinite. 
 
 " Yet is this mighty system which contains 
 So many worlds, such vast ethereal plains, 
 But one of thousands which compose the whole 
 Perhaps as glorious and of worlds as lull." 
 
 With sincere affection I am, &c. 
 
 LETTER IV. 
 
 " Immediately the moantains hugh appear, 
 Emergent, and their broad backs upheave 
 Lite the clouds, their tops ascend the sky." 
 
 MILTON*. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 the starry heavens we mast in the next 
 place, direct our attention to this sphere which is al- 
 lotted by the great Creator for the habitation of man- 
 kind, where we shall find abundance of objects to 
 attract our observation and excite our astonishment 
 at the multiplied .wonders it displays. We see the 
 earth divided into different compartments by seas, 
 watered by rivers, and its surface diversified by moun- 
 tains and valleys, exhibiting the most judicious ar- 
 rangement and producing the most beneficial conse- 
 quences. These inequalities of the earth's surface 
 may, by superficial observers, be regarded as a mere 
 capricious work of nature, a disposition without de- 
 sign, and many suppose them to have been caused 
 by the deluge which has left in ihis irregular state 
 the wreck of the antediluvian world. Although we 
 cannot pretend to say what changes may have ta- 
 
 7 
 
THE EARTH. IS 
 
 ken place at that time, it is evident that the exterior 
 parts of the earth must, from the time -of its first for- 
 mation, have been uneven ; for if the earth were one 
 continued plain, it would be no rr^ore than an im- 
 mense morass, and habitable only by frogs and fishes, 
 or creatures of a similar nature. Those inequalities, 
 and this endless variety of hill and dale, mountain 
 and valley, which to the undisccrning eye may ap- 
 pear irregularities, not only diversify the face of this 
 globe with the most beautiful scenery, but are abso- 
 lutely necessary to promote the running off of the 
 waters, which would otherwise stagnate on the ground 
 and convert it into one continued swamp, unfit for 
 vegetation, or the support of any animals except 
 those of the aquatic kind. Thus it is evident that 
 nothing -is the effect of chance, but that every thing 
 displays a grand design, producing the most perfect 
 harmony from apparent irregularity, in such a man- 
 ner as nothing short of infinite wisdom could have 
 either devised or performed. 
 
 " Ail nature is art but unknown to tliee, 
 
 All chance direction which thoti canst not see." 
 
 Every where we see a mixture of hill and dale, of 
 rising grounds and hollows, and even in those parts 
 which seem uniformly level, the absolute evenness of 
 surface extends to a very small distance. In some 
 countries we see mountains of a stupendous height. 
 Mount Blanc, which is generally considered as the 
 highest part of the Alps, is something more than a 
 mile and a half high. This, like many others of the 
 Alpine hills, is perpetually covered with snow ; and 
 no mortal had ever ascended to its top until A. D. 
 1786, when Dr. Paccard and James Balnia, an inhabi- 
 tant of Chamoing, a little town at the foot of the 
 mountains, undertook and performed the difficult task. 
 The year following it was ascended by M. de Saus- 
 sure, a gentleman of Geneva, whose account of his 
 journey is curious and interesting. Mount Blanc is 
 generally supposed to be the highest land in Europe, 
 and by some the highest of the old continent j but 
 
14 LETTER IV, 
 
 M. Buflfbn imagines that some of the mountains of 
 Asia, particularly those of Taurus, imatis, Caucasus* 
 and the mountains of Japan, as well as the moun- 
 tains of the Moon, in Africa, from whence the 
 principal branch of the Nile arises, are higher than 
 any part of the Alps. This point however does not 
 appear to be well ascertained ; but we have it from 
 good authority that the Andes, in South America, far 
 exceeded in elevation the highest mountains of the 
 old world. The perpendicular height of Chimbo- 
 razo, the most elevated summit of the Andes, is as- 
 serted by Juan de Ulloa to be nearly three miles, and 
 a half. The same traveller also informs us that the 
 line of congelation, where perpetual frost begins, is 
 about half a mile perpendicular below tne summit, 
 It is in general observed that the mountains of the 
 torrid zone are higher than those of the temperate,, 
 and these higher than those of the frigid zones. The 
 cause of this, like that of many other circumstances 
 of the physical and moral world, is unknown ; but as- 
 we can easily perceive order and design in all the 
 works of nature as far as our researches can reach; 
 we are fully authorized to suppose that the same con- 
 sisten^cy of plan exists in those which lie beyond the 
 sphere of our comprehension. If,, therefore, we 
 should, on this principle, hazard a conjecture, it is not 
 improbable that infinite wisdom has formed the high- 
 est mountains nearest to the equator in order to attract 
 and form into clouds that immense mass of vapours 
 exhaled by the ocean in those regions where the SUIL 
 is vertical, and, by, this process, of nature, to purity 
 the atmosphere and render it less insalubrious than it 
 would be if the surface of these countries were more 
 uniformly level. 
 
 It would, sir, confine your attention too long to 
 this subjectj.where I to describe t', er so concisely, or 
 even enumerate, all the mountains with which the 
 face of this globe is diversified. There are, however, 
 a few which are too remarkable to be passed over in 
 silence. These are the volcanoes or burning moun- 
 tains. These contain within their bowels sulphur and 
 
VOLCANOES. 15 
 
 other bituminous inflammable matter which afford 
 aliment to subterraneous fire. In Europe there are 
 three remarkable volcanoes, Mount Etna, in Sicily, 
 Mount Vesuvius, about six miles distant from Na- 
 ples, in Italy, and Mount Hecla, in Iceland. It is 
 said that Che inhabitants of the last country imagine 
 Mount Hecla to be the mouth of hell, and the roar- 
 ing of its eruption, to be the cries of the unhappy 
 wretches consigned to that place of torment. But 
 I shall not trouble you with tales of superstition 
 young as you are, I flatter myself that you are suffici- 
 ently instructed to laugh at such ridiculous notions ; 
 and to pity those uncultivated minds whom igno- 
 rance renders the dupes of such absurdity. This will 
 also shew the importance of the study of natural 
 history, since, if these illiterate people had more 
 knowledge of the works of nature, they would not 
 thus be under the influence of superstition. 
 
 Mount Etna has burned from time immemorial : 
 its eruptions are sometimes tremendous beyond de- 
 scription, and its roaring louder than thunder. 
 Both this mountain and that of Vesuvius vomit forth, 
 torrents of smoke and flame with rivers of sulphur, 
 melted ..metal and other burning matter. Sometimes 
 they eject enormous rocks to the distance of several 
 miles. The combustion has been frequently so ter- 
 rible, and the quantity of melted matter, called lava, 
 so great that, it has overwhelmed cities, covered the 
 adjacent fields to the depth of more than an hundred 
 feet, and formed new hills by the accumulation of the 
 ejected substances. The explosions of the subter- 
 raneous fire have been so violent as to shake the earth, 
 and agitate the sea to a great distance. The same 
 phenomena have been produced by the eruptions of 
 Mount Hecla, and indeed the nature and effects of all 
 volcanoes are perfectly similar : the greater or less 
 frequency and violence of their explosions are deter- 
 mined only by the quantity of inflammable matter 
 contained in them, together with various concurrent 
 causes that may accelerate or retard its combustion. 
 The eruptions of Mount Etna have been so violent, 
 
<R> LETTER IV. 
 
 and the lava ejected in such abundance, that it may 
 be dug up ev: n to the depth of more than sixty feet. 
 'At about that depth a marble pavement has been 
 found with the vestiges of an anciewt town, wh : 
 formerly been buried under thisthii lav;i. 
 
 New mouths of lire have been formed in this moun- 
 tain, A. D. lGi;0, 1669, and at several other times. 
 The flame and ;-:tioke of this volcano lr.v.'e been 
 at Malta, which is almost an hundred and ninety 
 miles distant. In 1537 there was a most tremendous 
 eruption of Mount Etna, with dreadful earthquakes, 
 during the space of twelve days, which overthrew 
 ,a great number of buildings. The cinders ejected at 
 that time from the vulcano were carried as far as 
 Italy by the violence of the explosion. 
 
 The most dreadful eruption of Mount Vesuvius, of 
 which we have any authentic information, happened 
 in the reign of the Emperor Titus about A. JD. 79. 
 Of this Pliny gives a very circumstantial account. 
 One of the last great eruptions of this mountain hap- 
 pened A. D. 1737. It vomited, by several mouths, 
 prodigious torrents of lava, which spread itself over 
 the country until it reached the sea. The breadth of 
 one of those rivers of fire was not less than between 
 sixty and seventy feet, and the matter resembled the 
 scum that issues from the furnace of a forge. The 
 ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculanemn were 
 buried under the lava in the great eruption of this 
 mountain, which happened in the time of Pliny, and 
 were not discovered until the last century. There 
 have been many eruptions in the latter part of the 
 last century, some of which were accurately observ- 
 ed, and have been circumstantially described by Sir 
 W. Hamilton. 
 
 The last considerable erupti-on of Vesuvius happened 
 in the night of the 13th of June, A. D. 1794. It was 
 preceded by earthquakes. The mountain at first open- 
 ened in two places; ;md from the txvo apertures issued 
 immense columns of black smoke, mixed with Liquid 
 burning matter : more mouths \vere afterwards opened^ 
 from all of which proceeded explosions louder than 
 
METALS AND MINERALS. 17 
 
 thunder, sudden and violent, resembling those of the 
 heaviest artillery. The lava, or rivers of lire, flowed at 
 the rate of about a mile per hour. The greatest part of 
 the village of Torre del Greco, distant one mile from 
 Portici, was destroyed. The inhabitants, to the num- 
 ber of seventeen thousand saved themselves by a 
 speedy flight, and happily there were not above four- 
 teen or fifteen lives lost. The lava covered and -to- 
 tally destroyed above fifty thousand acres of rich 
 vineyards and cultivated ground ; and the temporary 
 damage in otlier adjacent places was very great, as 
 the ashes laid for several miles round not less than 
 four feet in depth. 
 
 I might, my dear sir, entertain you with an account 
 of a great number of other wonderful natural curio- 
 sities, which the surface of this globe in many parti 
 displays, such as dreadful precipices, stupendous ca- 
 verns, c. which it would at present be useless to 
 enumerate, as you will meet with accurate and very 
 entertaining descriptions of them in books of geogra- 
 phy and travels, to which they more particularly 
 belong, and the perusal of which I recommended to 
 your attention as affording an ample fund of rational 
 amusement as well as of useful information. Enough 
 has been here said on these subjects to shew that the 
 Almighty is wonderful in all his works. 
 
 With every sentiment of esteem and affection 
 
 I am, dear b'ir, your'*, &c. 
 
 LETTER V. 
 
 " Informer of the planetary train ! 
 
 ******* 
 
 The mineral kinds confess thy mighty power 
 Effulgent : hence the veiny marble shines ; 
 Hence Labour draws his tools ; hence bunmh'd War 
 Gleams on the day*; the nobler works ol" Peace 
 Hence bless mankind." 
 
 THOMSO.V. 
 DEAR SIR, % 
 
 E cannot with propriety conclude our survey of 
 this immense mass of inanimate matter which, by the 
 operation of infinite power and wisdom, is so inoulded 
 
18 LETTER V. 
 
 as to form the terraqueous globe, the surface of which 
 is diversified with so enchanting a scenery and 
 through infinite goodness rendered productive of 
 every thing necessary for the comfortable support 
 of human and animal existence, without casting a 
 glance on the conveniences and riches contained 
 within its bowels. I shall not take up your time 
 in tasking you to pore over a volume of mineralogy, 
 I shall only exhibit to your view some of the most 
 remarkable characteristics and qualities of those me- 
 tals, minerals, and other subterraneous productions of 
 the earth which are of the greatest utility to man or 
 have obtained the highest place in his estimation. 
 Of metals, the principal are gold, silver, copper, iron, 
 lead and tin, and according to the enumerations made 
 by some mineralogists we may add mcrcuy, or quick- 
 silver. 
 
 Gold is the heaviest, purest and most docile of all 
 metals. It is found in mines and sometimes in small 
 grains in the sandy bottoms of rivers, which last is 
 called gold dust. There are gold mines in many- 
 parts of the world, but few have been discovered iu 
 Europe, and those so unproductive as not to be 
 worth the expence of working. The mines of Mexi- 
 co and some other countries of Spanish America are 
 the richest ; but very fine gold is also found in some 
 parts of Africa and the East Indies. Of all the pro- 
 perties of this metal its ductility is the most surpri- 
 sing. A single ounce of gold may be extended to a 
 surface of an hundred and fifty square feet, and yet 
 it will remain so entire that not the least flaw can be 
 perceived even by the help of the best jnicroscope. 
 Mr. Boyle says, that gold may be drawn into so fine 
 a wire, that an ounce will extend an hundred and 
 fifty-live miles and an half, or even to a much greater 
 distance. In gold mines there is often found another 
 metal called platina, which is the heaviest of all sub- 
 stances, and much harder than gold or silver. 
 
 Next to gold, silver is the most valuable of all me- 
 tals as as well as the finest and most ductile. Mr. 
 Boyle says that he procured a single grain of silver 
 
METALS AND MINERALS. If 
 
 to be drawn, out to the length of twenty-seven feet. 
 There are silver-mines in most parts of the world, 
 but those of Peru are by far the richest. The Abbe 
 "Kaynal says, that when the famous mines of Potosi 
 were first opened, a cwt. of ore yielded fifty pounds 
 of silver, but that at present the same quantity of ore 
 produces no more than two pounds of that metal. At 
 first the ore was found very near the surface of the 
 jnountain, but now the veins lie so low that the work- 
 men go down a descent of four or five hundred steps, 
 from which circumstances some suppose that these 
 celebrated mines are almost exhausted. 
 
 Copper is a hard, heavy and ductile metal, abolincl- 
 ing with vitriol and an ill-digested sulphur called ver- 
 digrease, which renders utensils made of this metal, 
 unless kept very clean, extremely unwholesome. 
 Copper is found in many parts of Europe ; but the 
 mines of Sweden produce the greatest quantity. It 
 is dug up in large fragments of ore, which are first 
 beaten small, then washed to separate the earthy 
 parts, and afterwards smelted and cast into large 
 blocks. Bronze is a mixture of copper and tin. Two 
 parts of copper and one of zinc forms brass. 
 
 Iron is a compound of different materials, and is 
 hard, fusible and ductile. In England there are many 
 iron-mines, but those of the forests of Dean, in Glou- 
 cestershire, are the most productive. If utility were 
 made the standard of estimation, iron would hold the 
 first place in the class of metals ; and would be ac- 
 peunted more valuable than gold, as it appears indis- 
 consably necessary to the carrying on of every art 
 and manufacture : at least it is certain that without the 
 use of iron it is impossible to bring any f them to per- 
 fection. This metal appears to be one of the principal 
 means of civilizing mankind. There hafc never been an 
 instance of a nation that understood the art of manu- 
 facturing iron but what in time attained to a degree 
 of civilization infinitely beyond that of the inhabi- 
 tants of those countries where this metal was Wanting, 
 or its use unknown. This, my dear sir, is n6t to be 
 wondered at, when you consider that if the iron-mine 
 
20 LETTER V. 
 
 did not furnish you with a pen-knife for making your 
 pen, it would be no easy matter to find a substitute for 
 that small but useful article ; and consequently that 
 without this valuable substance, neither letters nor 
 any of the arts and sciences which improve the mind, 
 and produce the conveniences and embellishments of 
 civilized life, would have ever been invented. 
 
 You cannot, my dear sir, read without astonish- 
 ment the exploits'of the Spaniards is the conquest of 
 Mexico and Peru; but if you consider the advantage* 
 possessed by troops though few in number, but disci- 
 plined and armed in the European manner over nu- 
 merous armies furnished with no better weapons than 
 painted stakes, or at the best, headed with sharp flints, 
 you will regard with less surprise these important 
 achievements. We shall, in its proper place, remark 
 the disadvantages under which the Americans labored 
 in wanting the horse, as well as the rest of our do- 
 mestic animals ; here, however, we must make this 
 important observation, that although many parts of 
 IS'orth America abound with iron-mines, yet a"s they 
 li<ad not been discovered, an insurmountable obstacle 
 had always opposed itself to the improvement of the 
 inhabitants of the new world ; and until it was re- 
 moved must have prevented them from making any 
 great progress in civilization, or equalling the Euro- 
 peans either in arts or arms. The natives of the South 
 Sea isles are precisely in the sanre situation. In pe- 
 rusing the relations of Captain Cook's voyages, and 
 those of other modern circumnavigators, you will find 
 how well the Otaheiteans and others had, from expe- 
 riencing the want of iron, learned to appreciate its 
 utility, although they were acquainted with but few 
 of the various purposes to which it may be applied. 
 With them, as soon as they had acquired the know- 
 ledge of a very few of its most simple us s, it was 
 considered as an estimable article for which they 
 were ever ready to barter their most valuable com- 
 modities. A wedge of gold would by these savages, 
 have been esteemed a treasure far less valuable than 
 a nail, which they used chiefly for the purpose of 
 
METALS AND MINERALS. 21 
 
 heating in the fire and boreing holes in wood. This 
 circumstance ought to excite the polished European 
 to contemplate with admiration and gratitude the 
 wisdom and goodness oFthe Creator in furnishing us 
 with an article so essential to the welfare of the hu- 
 man species. 
 
 Iron is found in most parts of the world ; but 
 Russia and Sweden produce the greatest quantities. 
 The mines of those countries are almost inexhaus- 
 tible ; and it must be considered as an unequivocal 
 proof of a wise and benevolent design in the great 
 plan of the Author of nature, that irou, which is so 
 indespcnsibly necessary to mankind, is found in such 
 great plenty in so many different countries ; that 
 while it is the most useful it is also the cheapest of 
 metals. Perhaps Creation scarcely affords a more, 
 conspicuous and striking instance of the beneficial 
 and harmonious adaptation of tilings in the universal 
 system. . 
 
 As I cannot leave your mind impressed with a 
 subject more worthy of attention, or better adapted 
 to excite reflection, I will give you a few moments 
 of leisure, and we will afterwards finish our survey 
 of the mineral kingdom. 
 
 Most affectionately I am, 
 
 Dear Sir, your's, &c. 
 
 J. B. 
 
 LETTER VL 
 
 "The unfruitful rock itself, impregn'd by light, 
 In dark retirement forms the lucid stone!" 
 
 THOMSON. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 IT OtJ will, after these observations on the nature 
 and utility of iron, naturally be desirous of knowing 
 the origin of steel, which gives perfection to every 
 kind oledge-tools, and is also used in various other 
 manufactures. The information requisite on this sub- 
 ject may be easily given. Steel is nothing but iron 
 
 heated with red-hot charcoal until it acquires that 
 
2 LETTER VI. 
 
 hardness and elasticity which we see it possesses. 
 Little also is necessary to be said on the subject of 
 lead, which is a compouiid of earth and sulphur, to- 
 gether with a small portion of mercury. It is found 
 in most countries, and is exceedingly plentiful in 
 England, particularly in Derbyshire. Tin is also a 
 metal which abounds so much in this country, that 
 the mines of Cornwall and Devonshire furnish the 
 greatest part of the tin consumed in Europe. Pewter 
 is a composition of which six parts arc brass, fifteen 
 Jead and one nimdred tin. Thin sheets of iron, coated 
 with tin, compose the manufacture called block- 
 tin, an article much in use. 
 
 The bowels of the earth scarcely afford a material 
 f a more wonderful nature than mercury, or, as it is 
 often called, quicksilver. It is an imperfect metal, 
 neither ductile nor malleable, (i. e.) neither capable 
 of being drawn into length nor spread into breadth by 
 the hammer ; but consisting of a fluid substance, re- 
 sembling melted silver, and having a constant ten- 
 dency to form itself into globules. It is chiefly found 
 in Hungary, Spain, Italy and Peru, -The greatest 
 part of that consumed in England is brought from the 
 mines of Friuli, in Italy. It is of great use both in 
 manufactures and medicine. 
 
 Mines of quicksilver are extremely unwholesome : 
 all mines indeed are so in a considerable degree ; but 
 those of tin are more unfavourable to health than those 
 of coal ; copper-mines more so than those of tin ; and 
 mines of quicksilver are so pernicious to the human 
 frame, that at the mines of Idra nothing can be more 
 shocking than to see the infirmities of those miserable 
 objects that cro\vd the hospital. Emaciated and crip- 
 pled, they have every limb contracted or convulsed ; 
 and some of them in a manner transpire quicksilver at 
 every pore. " There was one man," says Dr. Pope, 
 " who had not wrought in the mines above half a year, 
 and yet his body was so impregnated with this mi- 
 neral that a piece of brass put into his hand, or rub- 
 bed between his fingers, immediately became as 
 white as if had been washed over with silver." All 
 
THE MAGNET. 23 
 
 ihe workmen sooner or later become paralytic and 
 then die consumptive, and for this they have the tri- , 
 fling reward of seven-pence a day ! Would it not be 
 a regulation worthy the attention of the legislature 
 of that country to prohibit the employment of any 
 person in those caverns of horror and destruction any 
 longer than a month at one time ? 
 
 Coal-mines are perhaps of all others the least in- 
 jurious to health. They employ a great number of 
 hands, and are not only a source of wealth to the 
 proprietors, but also a great national benefit. Coal is 
 well known to be an excellent kind of fuel ; and al- 
 though the smoke it emits, be somewhat gross and 
 hurtful to those that have weak lungs, it is certainly 
 of great use in repelling pestilential miasmata and 
 preventing contagious disorders. 
 
 The richest of subterraneous productions according 
 to the caprice of human estimation, although of no 
 real use, are those called precious stones, or gems. 
 These are the diamond, the ruby, the garnet, the hy- 
 acinth, the amythist, the emerald, the beryl, the 
 sapphire and the topaz, or crysolite, which are all 
 transparent. Diamonds are found in great plenty in 
 Brazil, but the best are brought from the mines of 
 Golconda, in India. Y?u will be surprised to hear 
 that a diamond was, in the last century, sold to Count 
 OrlofT for above 140,0001, and that a much greater 
 sum had once been bidden for that valuable gem. 
 The diamond is the hardest of all gems, and can be 
 cut only by itself or its own substance. The ruby is 
 reckoned next to the diamond in value, and is of a 
 dark crimson colour, the garnet somewhat resem- 
 bles it, and is perhaps of the same species. The 
 hyacinth is sometimes of a deep red and sometimes 
 of a yellow colour : the amythist of a bright purple : 
 the emerald of a deep green : the beryl of a bluish 
 colour : the sapphire of a sky blue : the topaz, or 
 crysolite, of a gold colour. Those which are only 
 half transparent, are the cornelian, which is of a pale 
 red : the onyx, of a greyish colour : th turquoise, 
 
24 LETTER VII. 
 
 of a shade between blue and green : and the lapis- 
 lazuli, a beautiful stone, studded with spots of gold 
 colour on a fine azure ground. 
 
 Ail these glittering gems taken collectively, are 
 not equal in real value to the magnet, or loadstone, a 
 substance possessing no beauty, and somewhat re- 
 sembling iron ore, but more compact and ponderous. 
 The qualities of the magnet are wonderful. It at- 
 tracts iron which adheres to it very strongly, and 
 the same virtue, is also communicated to the iron thus 
 brought into contact. In the magnet there are two 
 poles, one pointing northwards and the other south- 
 wards ; and into how many pieces soever it may be 
 divided, the two poles will be found in each piece. 
 It is this property that has rendered it of such use in 
 improving the art of navigation, for it gave rise to 
 the invention ef the mariner's compass, by which the 
 modern navigator can conduct a ship to the East or 
 West Indies with as much certainty, and as little 
 danger, as the ancients could direct their course from 
 Greece to Italy. Thus has the all-wise and benefi- 
 cent Creator admirably provided for the exercise 
 if the ingenuity of mail, as well as for the advance- 
 ment of his interests. 
 
 With sincere affection I am, 
 
 Dear Sir, your's, &c. 
 
 J. B. 
 
 LETTER VII. ' 
 
 " i . The first Almighty cause 
 
 Acts not by partial, but by general laws." 
 
 TOPE. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 JT would far exceed the limits of our epistolary cor- 
 respondence, and also be unsuitable to your early 
 years, to exhibit to your view all the different rules 
 which an omnipotent and omniscient Creator lias es- 
 tablished in the system of nature. I might speak to 
 you of centripetal and centrifugal forces, and of tha* 
 universal law of gravitation which pr evades the whole 
 
S, &C. 5 
 
 material creation, and by causing all bodies to tend 
 to one common centre, retains every thing in its 
 place, and thereby gives consistency and adhesion to 
 all the different parts of the immense structure. 
 Your enquiring mind will at a maturer age explore 
 all those wonders of nature : at present I will ende- 
 vour to direct your attention to things more within 
 t4ie limits of your capacity. I will briefly h> 
 inforin you that the earth is surrounded with an at- 
 mosphere of air, more condensed near the earth nml 
 at a greater elevation more rarefied. The height to 
 which this atmosphere extends i^ generally supposed 
 ft> be about sixty miles, above which elevation there 
 -are neither clouds nor wind, and the lightness of th 
 air would prevent any animal from breathing. The 
 winds which continually range over the earth are no- 
 ihingmore than air put in motion, chiefly by thft 
 means of heat. When any part of the air is heated 
 by the rays of the sun or any other cause it is ex- 
 panded and becomes lighter; and as the lightness 
 causes it to ascend, it leaves a partial vacuum info 
 which the surrounding air, which, like water and 
 every other fluid, never rests until it has found ils 
 level, rushes in, iirorder to till up the void and restore 
 the equilibrium. This simple process, of which thft 
 Qtf'ects are exceedingly extensive, meeting with vari- 
 ous checks and interruptions from an infinity of ob- 
 stacles, is the sole cause of all th<- agitations whirh 
 we perceive in the air, and which sometimes burst 
 forth into the most furious tempest*, or the most de- 
 structive hurricanes : all thi.< is produced by the 
 precipitancy of the condensed air rushing towards 
 Koine part where a partial vacuum is caused by ex- 
 treme rarefiaction. 
 
 Clouds are nothing more than a collection of misty 
 vapours exhaled by th^ sun from the sea and most 
 parts of the earth, and suspended in the air i-n such 
 a state of condensation, that by intercepting the rays 
 of the sun they form a shadow and appear dark. The 
 clouds seldom ascend to the height of more than a 
 mile ; and on the tops of high wouiUaijid it i* co> 
 c 
 
LETTER VH. 
 
 mon to see them floating below. The wonderful va- 
 riety of colours which they exhibit is entirelv owing 
 to their situation in respect of the sun, and the diffe- 
 rent reflections of his light, and their various figures 
 result from their loose and voluble texture which 
 disposes them to resolve into any form according to 
 the force and direction of the wind. 
 
 Rain proceeds from the condensation of the clouds 
 by the effect of the cold. When they are greatly 
 condensed they become too heavy to float in the air 
 and then descend in drops. 
 
 In winter, when the regions of the air are intensely 
 cold, the clouds quickly pass from that state of con- 
 densation which might reduce them to rain, into 
 that which converts them into ice, so that as soon as 
 they begin to form very small drops of water, the. 
 particles freeze, and many of them touching one 
 anotner compose flakes of snow. 
 
 When the drops, already beginning to descend, 
 meet with a very cold air which freezes them, they 
 form hail : the difference between that and snow 
 proceeding from the circumstance of the clouds being 
 more or less condensed at the moment in which the 
 congelation took place. 
 
 Thunder and lightning are produced by the elec- 
 trical fire contained in a cloud, which bursts forth in 
 flashes and causes a tremendous noise by its explosion. 
 The thunder however is no more than a mere sound 
 productive of no bad effect, the lightning is the de- 
 structive agent. It flies with incredible velocity 
 from the clouds to the earth through every thing 
 that falls in its way ; and is attracted by high trees, 
 lofty and spiry edifices, and every kind of elevated 
 and pointed object, as also by most metals, especi- 
 ally iron. The precaution proper to be taken in a 
 thunder storm is to avoid taking shelter under a high 
 tree, or any lofty building, (an oversight which im- 
 proved fatal to numbers), and to chnse a situation at 
 the distance of about thirty or forty feet from such 
 elevated object", that by its attraction will almost in- 
 fallibly draw the lightning from the person so placed 
 and ensure his safety. Thrs" is an observation which 
 
HARMONY OF TI1E8Y8TKM. 27 
 
 is founded on reason, confirmed by experience, and 
 merits attention. 
 
 The water of which I}'; 1 clouds are formed, and 
 which descends in rain or .snow, is evaporated from 
 the sea. The attractive heat of the srn is the cause 
 of this "evaporation, which is more copious in warm 
 than in cold climates. The evaporation from the 
 Mediterranean is so great that although a number of 
 large rivers discharge themselves into that vast re- 
 servoir, besides the copious influx of water from 
 the Euxine, through the Bosphorus and Hellespont, 
 it has need of a large supply from tile ocean, which 
 it receives through the Straits of (iibraltar. Thus it 
 appears that the Mediterranean, which receives by 
 so many entrances so great a quantity of water, dis- 
 charges none but only by evaporation, which is far 
 less copious from that sea than from those of the 
 torrid zone. Indeed Mr. Halley bas demonstrated 
 that the vapours, which rise from the sea, and are 
 carried over the earth by the winds, are sufficient to 
 supply all the water which falls on the surface of the 
 globe* and gives rise to its innumerable rivers and 
 springs. 
 
 Tims you see, my dear sir/ that all the constituent 
 parts of the universe are in continual motion. The 
 earth and other planets, by moving round the siin in 
 their annual revolution, cause the diversity of seasons, 
 while, by revolving at the same time on their own 
 axis, they enjoy the alternation of day and night, 
 periods of action and repose to their inhabitants. 
 The beneficent Creator has afforded u* the means, 
 of investigating the result of natural causes, so fin* As 
 they relate to this terraqueous globe, and so far as 
 this knowledge is requisite to our well-being. The 
 winds purify the atmosphere, prevent its stagnations, 
 refresh us with their cooling breezes, waft our vessel 
 to distant climes, and assist us in the management of 
 mills and a number of other useful engines. The 
 sea, by its evaporations, supplies us with water, which, 
 after being purified from its saltness by its suspen- 
 sion in the air, descends in showers to fertilise our 
 
28 LETTER VII. 
 
 fields and produce vegetation, to generate springs 
 which furnish us with water, a substance indispen- 
 sably necessary to all vegetable and animal exis- 
 tence, and form rivers, serving as canals for the con- 
 veyance of merchandise and affording an easy com- 
 munication between distant provinces. 
 
 It would, my dear sir, very far exceed the limits of 
 of a letter, or even a volume, to point out the perfect 
 adaptation of causes to effects, and of means to ends, 
 every where visible in this portion of the created 
 system with which we are acquainted. I shall, in 
 this place, mak* only one observation of the wonder- 
 ful and well adapted proportion between the sun and 
 those vast bodies which revolve round that great cen- 
 tral source of light and heat, in our system. With re- 
 gard to this globe >\hich we inhabit, it is evident that 
 had it been much smaller it would not have sufficed 
 for the reception and support of that numerous and 
 varied assemblage of beings to whom the diffusive 
 goodness of a benevolent Creator, after having con- 
 ferred on them the blessing of existence, assigned 
 the earth for their destined abode. Had the sun been 
 less, it must have been much nearer to aftord us a 
 portion of light and heat suitable to our nature and 
 our wants ; out in this case the equatorial regions 
 only could have been wanned, while the rest would 
 have been bound up in eternal frost ; or if it had been 
 placed near enough to communicate u genial warmth 
 in higher latitudes, the countries nearer to the equator 
 must have been perpetually scorched with excessive 
 and insupportable heat. It is also not less easy to 
 demonstrate the propriety of the spherical form of 
 those hnnvense bodies than the just adaptation of their 
 distances. If we could with equal facility extend 
 our observations to rtic other planets which compose 
 our system, and were acquainted with the nature and 
 the exigences of their inhabitants, we should un- 
 doubtedly discover that their distances from the 
 central luminary are perfectly adapted to these cir- 
 cumstances. From the perfect symmetry of those 
 parts of the universe which lie within the sphere of 
 
EAUTIIQUAKIS. 2$ 
 
 $ur observation, we nray form an idea of that which 
 prevails throughout the whole magnificent fabric ; 
 and although our knowledge of the heavenly bodies br 
 very limited and imperfect, we know enough to con- 
 vince us that nothing less than infinite power, acting 
 in eoutXTt with infinite wisdom, could have formed, 
 .such ponderous orbs, assigned their places and marked 
 ,mt th'/lr revolution? in u manner so conducive to the 
 harmony oi the universal plan. 
 
 As I cannot conclude more appropriately than by 
 recommending to your attention these sublime consi- 
 derations 1 beg leave to subscribe myself, 
 Dear Sir, your'.s, 8cc. 
 
 LETTER 
 
 " V'Jolc buried lusvus-support the dancer's heel." 
 
 TOVTVO. 
 LEAK SIR, 
 
 AMONG the numerous phenomena of nature, which 
 on every side excite our curiosity arid stun us with 
 admiration, we cannot bat take particular notice of 
 earthquakes, and the tides. The former are irregular 
 and uncertain, and their causes but imperfectly 
 known : the latter are regular and their causes, al- 
 though long unknown, are now fully ascertained. 
 
 From whatever cause earthquakes may proceed, 
 history ufibris numerous instances of their destructive 
 ciiects. Pliny, in his first book, p. 84, relates that an 
 earthquake which happened in the reign of Tiberius, 
 destroyed twelve cities in Asia. In the reign of 
 Trajan, the town of Antioch, and a considerable part 
 of the a ijacant country, were swallowed up by au 
 earthquake. In the reign of Justinian., about A. D. 
 528, that city was again destroyed in a similar 
 manner, on which melancholy occasion more than 
 forty thousand of the inhabitants perished ; and sixty 
 years after it sufiered the same calamity from a third 
 earthquake, with the loss of s;xty thousand people. 
 In th9 time of Sa-ladin, who wa.s coutemporarv with 
 
LETTER VIII. 
 
 Richard III. king of England, Jerusalem, and most of 
 the towns of Syria, experienced the same disaster. In 
 thr pontificate of Pius IX. all the churches, palaces, 
 and other large buildings of Naples were overthrown 
 by an earthquake, and above thirl v thousand persons 
 lost thf'ir lives ; and it may here be observed,, that 
 the province of Calabria, and the island of Sicily are 
 more subject to earthquakes than any other parts 
 of Europe, although several other countries have 
 experienced their dreadful eftects. In 161^, there 
 was an earthquake which shook the whole is- 
 land of Jamaica to its foundation, and totally over- 
 whelmed the town of Port Royal, so as to leave, in 
 one quarter, not even the smallest vestige remaining. 
 The earth opened, and in two minutes swallowed up 
 nine-tenths of the houses and two thousand people. 
 This earthquake extended into England, Holland, 
 .Flanders, France and Germany. The dreadful de- 
 struction of Lisbon, A. I). 1755, is too recent to be 
 obliterated from the memory of numbers of the pre- 
 sent inhabitants. If yon search the records of his- 
 tory, you will find that these here mentioned arc 
 only a small number of the tremendous earthquake* 
 which have shaken the different parts of this globe. 
 You will also observe that, they both happen more 
 frequently and are more violent and destructive in 
 warm than in cold countries, and that they are very 
 rarely experienced in those which are low and mar- 
 shy. 'This may probably proceed from the latter con- 
 taining or attracting a less quantity of the electric 
 fire and these, circumstances would induce an impaitial 
 reasoner to suppose that bo'h Dr. Slukely's and M. 
 de Button's' theories may be right, and that earth- 
 quakes in ay sometimes be caused by subterraneous 
 fires, and sometimes by the electric fluid. You will, 
 .sir, also observe that the divine Being who has un- 
 doubtedly f >r the most beneficial purposes, ordained 
 the intermixture of evil with good in this probatory 
 state of mortal existence, can exhibit a terrific dis- 
 play of his power id the convulsions of nature, as 
 well as the mild arid beneficent effects of his wisdom 
 and goodness in it* productions and embellishments. 
 
The ocean, mv clour Sir, you well know is that im- 
 mense collection of waters which covers the lower 
 parts of the surface of this globe. Wlien viewed from, 
 the land, it presents a grand and sublime spectacle to 
 the eye of the observer. It is in some parts of a 
 great "depth ; it is even said, that there are places 
 where it is more than a mile deep; but these are few 
 and the most general profundities are from sixty to 
 an hundred and fifty fathoms. The surface of the 
 ocean is considerablv more extensive than that of the 
 land ; but the exact proportion is not known. A su- 
 perficial caviller might here make this, objection 
 against the harmony of things : " Why this profu- 
 sion of water \ why this vast extension of its surface ? 
 if so great a quantity of water were necessary, might 
 it not be confined within a deeper gulph, and so 
 cover a less considerable part of the globe ?" To 
 this problem philosophy would give a ready answer. 
 You are already informed, that the waters, evapora- 
 ted from the sea, and carried over every part of the 
 land by the winds, are essential to the support. of 
 vegetation, and regulated by profundity, but by ex- 
 tent of surface ; consequently, if the waters of the 
 ocean were less diffused, the evaporation would be 
 much less copious, and therefore inadequate to the 
 supply which' the earth demands. Here, then, is 
 another proof of the wisdom of the Creator. 
 
 In regard to the purposes of commerce, and the 
 means of communication between distant nations, the 
 waters could scarcely be more judiciously disposed. 
 Seas intersect large continents, and multiplying their 
 maritime ports, give a great extent of coast to diffe- 
 rent countries, while the various rivers open a passage 
 into their interior provinces. If we cast our eyes on 
 a map of the world, and contemplate the excellent 
 disposition of land and water, we shall find ourselves 
 obliged to confess, that it is scarcely possible to con- 
 ceive a more judicious and beneficial, or a more beau-* 
 tiful arid picturesque arrangement. 
 
 The ocean, although it contains innumerable Spe- 
 cies and forms of animal life, yet being one continued 
 c 4 " 
 
33 JLfcVlfc'H VfJ*. 
 
 Jfiaid, is not embellished with that variegated scenery 
 Vihkh adorn?, and every where diversifies, the earth. 
 The sen, however, is not without its wonders, which 
 proclaim the power and wisdom of its Creator, and 
 of which the tkles are the most conspicuous and re- 
 markable. The waters of the ocean have, from the 
 
 emote antiquity, been observed regularly to 
 well uiki subside twice in about twenty-five hours ; 
 but the cause of this phenomenon continued during 
 iiiaay ages undiscovered. Our great philosopher, 
 Sr Jkuac Newton, has, however completely unveiled 
 hc mystery, established the theory of the tides upon 
 UKJ basis of demonstration, and proved in the most 
 
 -us manner, that they an: caused by the at- 
 vuction of the moon; for the waters, immediately 
 siiKierueath the moon, will, by the force of attraction, 
 b*r drawn upwards, and consequently swell, and gra- 
 dually rise from the -horizon, 1 while those on the op- 
 po&ite side of the globe, being but feebly attracted, 
 will likewise swell. If you were better acquainted 
 whh cosmography, and the philosophy of attraction, 
 1 might further explain this by saying, that wherc- 
 evtr the moon is vertical, or directly ever a place, the 
 waters will swell by reason of its attractive powers 
 drawing them upwards ; those in the opposite part of 
 the globe, having no attraction but towards the centre 
 of the earth, will be light, and consequently swell up- 
 ward ; and those which are at the distance of ninety 
 degrt'ic-i from each of the opposite points, will naturally 
 flow towards the swelling parts of the ocean. If you do 
 iot at present, you, will, 1 doubt not, my dear Sir, 
 soon comprehend these matters, when you arv a little^ 
 more advanced in the knowledge of philosophy. 
 From this sketch you will, however, perceive, that 
 the moon, by revolving round the earth once in twen- 
 ty-four hours, produces two tides. 
 " These tides must naturally flow from east to west ; 
 for they must necessarily follow the moon's course in 
 its revolution. The course of the tides is, however, in 
 many parts of the globe, intercepted by continents 
 
THE TIDES. 33 
 
 and other extensive tracts of land, which consequently 
 give it a contrary dii-ectibn. 
 
 In rivers the tides can flow only in a certain direc- 
 rion. Entering their mouths from the sea, and con- 
 fined within their banks, they must flow upward, and 
 sometimes meeting the current, especially in narrow 
 rivers, cause a great and rapid swell by forcing their 
 waters to flow backward. An example of the as- 
 tonishment which the observation of this natural phe- 
 nomenon formerly caused, and a proof of the impor- 
 tance of the study of nature, are afforded in a memo- 
 rable historical transaction. A fleet, equipped by 
 Alexander the Great, and commanded by his admiral, 
 Nearchus, having sailed down the Indus to the Per- 
 sian Gulph, the Grecian mariners, who had been un- 
 customed only to the navigation of the Mediterranean 
 and the .Egean Sea, or Archipelago, where tides are 
 unknown, were equally surprised and terrified on ob-* 
 serving the flax and reflux of the water at the mouth 
 of the Indus ; and regarded this phenomenon as an 
 unlucklv omen, and a decided mark of the displea- 
 sure of the gods against their expedition. Thus is it, 
 that ignorance is the parent of superstition, which 
 converts the ordinary appearances of nature into por- 
 tentous prodigies, and torments with groundless fears 
 the minds of those who are unacquainted with the Va- 
 rious operations of nature. 
 
 With this important observation permit me to con- 
 clude this epistle, in order to prepare for the exhibi- 
 tion- of a novel scene : the display of animated na- 
 ture ; the contemplation of which will furnish you 
 with a copious fund of knowledge, and an ample 
 source of amusement. 
 
 With every sentiment of affection and esteem, 
 I am, dear Sir, Your's, &c. 
 
 c 5 
 
LETTER IX. 
 
 " By thsetlte various vegetable tribes, 
 Wrapt in afilpvy web, and clad with leaves, 
 Draw the live ;vt;u r, and imbibe thede\v ; 
 By thee dispo.'d info congenial soils, 
 Stands each atractive plant, and sucks, and swells 
 The juicy tide ; n twining mass of lubes, 
 At thy command, the vernal sun awakes; 
 The torpid sap, detruded to die root 
 By wintry winds, that iu;w in fluent dance, 
 And lively fermentation, mounting, spreads 
 All this inuumefous coloured scene of things. " 
 
 THOMSON. 
 BEAR SIR, 
 
 HAVING viewed the magnificent structure of the 
 heavens, and remarked the motion and magnitudes of 
 *hose celestial orbs, that make their ceaseless revolu- 
 tions in the immeasurable regions of aether, we have 
 afterwards descended to the earth, this habitation of 
 human and animal beings, and the only part of innu- 
 merable systems, with which we are properly ac- 
 quainted, and to which our physical knowledge can 
 with certainty be extended. We have observed the 
 surface of this terraqueous globe; its division into 
 land and sea ; its mountains and volcanoes ; its con- 
 cussions by earthquakes ; its irrigation by rivers and 
 spring-, by rains arid dews ; and the exhalation and 
 .descent of those vapours which fertilize the soil, co- 
 ver the fields with plenty, and crown the labours of 
 the husbandman. 
 
 Before we begin to take a range among the various 
 orders of beings which inhabit this globe,, it will not, 
 my dear .Sir, be amiss to cast a glance on vegetation, 
 by which aH animal life is sustained. It would, in- 
 deed, be a pleasing occupation to view it in all 
 its endless variety, and to delineate all its 
 diversified scenery ^ to investigate the vegetative: 
 principle ; to discriminate its productions in different 
 oils ancj climates ; to exhibit the fascinating beauties 
 of trees and plants, of flowers and fruits ; to des- 
 cribe their texture, examine their properties, and es 
 
VEGETATION. 3 
 
 timate their utility. On this subject numerous folios 
 ^ave been written, and it is yet so far from being ex- 
 hausted, that^it would still furnish matter for a multi- 
 tude of additional volumes ; the limits to which we 
 intend to confine our epistolary correspondence, per- 
 mit us, however, to indulge our curiosity with no 
 more than a transcient view of a subject so interesting 
 and so delightful. 
 
 In examining the materials, of which this stupen- 
 dous whole is composed, yon have, my dear Sir, ob- 
 served, that the bowels of the earth contain a variety 
 of vitrious and calcareous substances, which, by their 
 concretion, form the different kinds of metals, mine- 
 rals, and stones. Its surface is likewise impregnated 
 with a variety of juices, which being rarefied and put 
 in motion by the action of the sun upon them, give 
 birth to innumerable species of vegetables, which 
 supply both men and animals with food, and embellish 
 the face of nature. Every being that has life draws 
 its nourishment from the' earth ; for although men 
 live on animal as well as vegetable food, yet the beef 
 and the mutton, the veal and the lamb, that is served 
 up at our tables, consists of the flesh of oxen and sheep 
 which feed on the grass of the field ; or of lambs and 
 calves, fattened with the milk of their dams, which 
 are supported by vegetation ; and although, as you 
 will see in taking a view of animated nature, numbers 
 of anima-ls live by devouring one another, you will at 
 the same time readily perceive, that those which 
 serve as food for others, are themselves sustained by 
 the productions of the soil, and that the earth, which 
 has for this reason being emphatically called Alma 
 Muter the nourishing mother of all, furnishes the 
 universal support of life. 
 
 In the propagation, the nutriment, and the growth 
 of vegetables, we see a grand display of the attri- 
 butes of the Deity, of his almighty power, his infi- 
 nite wisdom, and his diffusive goodness; but of the 
 theory of this wonderful operation of nature, our 
 knowledge is only superficial, A close inspection: 
 into the structure of plants can alone afford ground 
 
LETIEK. IX, 
 
 for reasoning on the subject ; ami from this perceive, 
 that every tiling which vegetates has ;i root, and is 
 furnished with fibres. This root even iit the largest 
 trees, as well as in the most minute herbs, branches 
 out into extremely small iibres, almost imperceptible 
 to the eye, and numerous beyond calculation; and 
 these are the vehicles through which the tree or plant 
 draws in the moisture of the ground. The fibrous 
 lubes, which run from the root to the utmost extre- 
 mity of every leaf, and form a tissue more complex, 
 and more nicely interwoven, than the most exquisite 
 manufacture of human art, have received from the 
 Author of nature an attractive, or as it is called by 
 botanists, a vital power, by which they imbibe at the 
 root, and draw up to the top, the moisture necessary 
 for their nourishment. 
 
 The all-wise arid benevolent Creator has, in the 
 infinitely complex, but perfectly connected mechan- 
 ism of nature, providently ordained, that different 
 soils and climates should be particularly suitable to 
 different kinds of vegetable productions ; that so the 
 deficiencies of one country might be supplied from 
 the superfluities of another. In this wise and bene- 
 ficial arrangement, the Universal Parent appears to 
 have had m view, not only the physical, but the mo- 
 ral happiness of his children, the great family of 
 mankind dispersed over the whole earth ; for by it, 
 irudc and social intercourse are promoted, and men, 
 being obliged to hiive recourse to one another for the 
 exchange of their commodities, and for the obtaining 
 of various conveniences and comforts, find in this mu- 
 tual dependence a thousand motives to be mutually 
 beneficent. 
 
 Several vegetables, however, which-are now of uni- 
 versal use, were unknown to our ancestors ; and since 
 it is difficult, among so immense a variety of articles, as 
 this department of nature presents, to make a judici- 
 ous selection, I will endeavour to entertain you for a 
 moment with the description o'f a few which seem the 
 most interesting and in these .parts of the work! may 
 
CULTURE ON THE TEA-TREE. 37 
 
 be considered both as natural curiosities, and impor- 
 tant articles of commerce. 
 
 THE TEA-TREE. 
 
 Which is cultivated solely in China and Japan, and 
 there produced in so great abundance as to supply the 
 rest of the world, is a shrub about the size of a large 
 gooseberry-bush, but different in form, having a sin- 
 gle stem about the thickness of a man's arm. It has 
 many branches, and its leaves, which resemble those 
 of the sour cherry, are always green. It flourishes in 
 autumn, and produces a small fruit less than a hazel- 
 nut. While the leaves are fresh they have no smell ; 
 but when chewed have a bitter taste. As soon as 
 they are gathered, they are placed on hot plates of 
 iron, and while they are still warm are rolled with the 
 hand upon mats, ui order to preserve them. By this 
 process they lose their nauseous bitterness, and ac- 
 quire an agreeable smell, with a taste somewhat aro- 
 matic. 
 
 The tea-tree usually attains its full size in about 
 seven years, and its leaves arc not plucked until the 
 third year, at which period its crop is not only^the 
 most abundant, but also of the best quality. The 
 leaves are afterwards gathered one by one with the 
 greatest care, twice or thrice in every year. To- 
 wards the end of February, or the beginning of March, 
 the shrubs are visited daily, and all the young leaves 
 plucked as- soon as they appear. The tea thus ga- 
 thered is the best, except that which consists of the 
 lightly-opening buds, that appear only at the ends of 
 the branches, and is preserved for the empe-ror, and 
 persons of the highest rank in China and Japan. 
 The second crop or gathering, which with many cul- 
 tivator* is the first, begins about the end of March, or 
 the beginning of April, when almost all the leaves are 
 completely developed. The third and last, which is 
 the most abundant, but the worst in quality, takes 
 place in the beginning of June, when the leaves are 
 both the largest, and in the greatest quantity. At 
 each gathering the leaves are, carefully sorted accord- 
 ing to &tr ir different sizes, in order to have teas of 
 
38 LETTER IX. 
 
 various qualities and prices. The particular denomi- 
 nations of Hyson, Souchong', &c. are the names of the 
 provinces or districts, where the teas are produced. 
 These names, however, are, especially among fo- 
 reigners, applied without any great degree of ac- 
 curacy. 
 
 - Tea is a luxury that was unknown to the ancients 
 and voluptuous Romans, who, in their superb and 
 luxurious feasts, sometimes expended the enormous 
 sum of 484.3 pounds sterling on one single dish, 
 (Pliny, lib. x. ch. J7. 35.) never r-e ;aled themselves 
 with a cup of this beverage, at this day so common in 
 every cottage throughout England. It was not till 
 the fifteenth century that it became known to Europe. 
 Since that time above ten millions of pounds are an- 
 nually imported, and the Chinese draw an immense 
 revenue iVcmi its sale ; so that in this curious and re- 
 markable plant, you may, my dear Sir, contemplate 
 an important and interesting article of trade, and do-' 
 mestic economy. 
 
 COFFKE 
 
 May be ranked next to tea, with respect to its im- 
 portance as an article of food and commerce. This 
 plant is a native of Arabia, and formerly grew only in 
 that country. It was introduced into Italy by the 
 Venetians about A. I). 1(>^4, and is now very much 
 cultivated in the West Indies. The coffee-tree in 
 its native country rises to the height of forty feet, but 
 in other parts of the world seldom exceeds the half 
 of that height : its trunk or stem is never thicker than 
 a man's leg. The berries are attached to a little stalk, 
 and enclosed by two together in a shell. This slu'H 
 is also enclosed in a fruit of a pale -red colour, and 
 somewhat resembling a cherry.- --The berries arc ga- 
 thered twice or three times in a year. 
 
 The best colTee is brought from Arabia. The next 
 in quality is produced in different parts of Turkey ; 
 but quantities are imported from the West Indies. In 
 some countries of the European continent, coftec is 
 much more used than t( -. The Turks in particular 
 consume an amazing quantity of it ; and it voulU tf- 
 
COFFEE CACAO SUGAR. 59 
 
 difficult to say, whether the coffee-drinkers or tea- 
 drinkers are the most numerous, or which of the two 
 articles has the greatest consumption. 
 
 THE CACAO 
 
 Is a pretty large tree, always bearing flowers and 
 leaves. Its tr-uit from which chocolate is made, is al- 
 most as large as a cucumber, and has nearly the same 
 shape : but the shell is divided like the rind of a 
 meJon. These shells are filled with pretty large nuts 
 or seeds, to the number of thirty or forty in each 
 shell, and which are enveloped in a kind of white 
 pith, of an agreeable taste. The nuts being toasted 
 are afterwards pounded, and made up into the paste 
 called chocolate, which is more nourishing, and es- 
 tecrned more wholesome, than either cotiee or tea. 
 The Spaniards first introduced it into Europe, A. D. 
 1529 ; and since that time, until 1646, they and the 
 Portuguese were the only people among whom it 
 was used. Afterwards it became known to other na- 
 tions, and about A. D. 1680, it began to be an article 
 of commerce. In, using either tea, coffee, or choco- 
 late, sugar is among us reckoned an almost indispen- 
 sable ingredient, although the Chinese never mix it 
 with their tea. Its general use, therefore, in this 
 country inclines me to suppose, that it would be; plea- 
 sing to you to acquire some knowledge of the plant 
 from which it is produced. 
 
 THE SUGAR-CANE 
 
 Is a reed which grows to the height of nine or ten 
 feel, and the thickness of a strong walking carie. It 
 \A encircled with Knots, at the distance of four or five 
 fingers' breadth from one another, and from each of 
 these a leaf is produced, which falls as the cane ri- 
 pens. When completely ripe it is cut down, and 
 pressed with rollers, in order to squeeze out the juice, 
 which is instantly boiled to prevent its turning sour. 
 After being boiled to a certain consistency, it is im- 
 ported from the sugar colonies to Europe, and after- 
 wards refined by various methods in our sugar-houses. 
 
 This highly valuable plant is cultivated in the 
 island of Sicily, in the kingdom of Naples, in Spainj 
 
40 LETTER IX. 
 
 and with groat success in several parts of Asia and 
 Africa ; but the greatest quantity is raised in the 
 West Indies, and from thence the principal part of 
 our sugar is imported. It has already been remark- 
 ed, that tea was totally unknown to the Greeks and 
 the Romans, and, very probably, to the Egyptians* 
 Babylonians, and Persians, as well as to all the nations 
 of Europe, until towards the close of the fifteenth 
 century. Coftee and chocolate were equally un- 
 known to the ancients ; and before the improvements 
 in navigation, and the extension of commerce, sugar, 
 which now is so plentiful, and so common among all 
 ranks of people, was so scarce and dear, as to con- 
 stitute an article of luxury to be found only at the 
 tables of the opulent. The Romans, when masters of 
 the best part of the world, and possessors of the greatest 
 part of its wealth, were totally ignorant of many of 
 our luxuries, while they indulged in others beyond 
 comparison more expensive. Such are the changes 
 of circumstances, and modes of living in dillcrejat 
 
 THE COTTON-TREE 
 
 Is another of those foreign plants, which, on ac- 
 count of its great commercial importance, is worthy 
 of particular notice ; especially as every one in this 
 country is acquainted with the various manufactures 
 of cotton, while so very few have any knowledge of 
 the tree which produces the materials, which employ 
 so great a number of hands, and from which so many 
 useful and elegant articles of clothing are made. The 
 cotton-tree grows in both the East and West Indies. 
 It is from eight to ten feet high, and is very much tuft- 
 ed at the top. It bears a flower, in shape resembling a 
 bell. There is afterwards produced a nut, which en- 
 closes the seeds of the tree, and around these the cot- 
 ton is wrapped. The tree is always propagated by 
 its seeds, and never planted. Every branch is cut otf 
 when it has produced its cotton, and everv third y^ar 
 the trunk is cut up close to the ground, that new 
 shoets may be produced. By this means the tree is 
 
. BJLAUTJR8 OF THE VEGETABLE KINtiDCTM. 41 
 
 renovated, and the cotton becomes finer. There are 
 every year two crops, one in the spring and another 
 in the autumn., Mills are employed to separate the 
 cotton from the seed ; after which it is packed up in 
 sacks, being well moistened and strongly compressed, 
 The spinning, weaving, and dying, of this valuable 
 material, provides employment and support lot great 
 numbers of people ; and the cotton trade, considered 
 m all its branches, is esteemed of great importance 
 both to the old and new world. 
 
 To describe, or even to enumerate, the beauties and 
 the wonders of the. vegetable kingdom, would far ex- 
 ceed -our limits ; and indeed, it \\oukl scarcely be 
 possible to exhaust the subject. No part of the crea- 
 tion is embellished with more splendid ornaments, of 
 diversified with greater variety. 
 
 To form just ideas of the diversified scenery which 
 vegetation exhibits, you must, my dear Sir, transport 
 yourself in imagination into dillerent countri*h and 
 ciimates, and view the different liveries which nature 
 wears. You must make an ideal excursion iuto the 
 northern regions, and view the immense forests with 
 which many parts of them are covered. From thence 
 you must traverse in thought the more temperate cli- 
 mates, and survey the waving crops and ripening' 
 harvests ; the delightful vinyards ; the meadows, 
 embellished with flowers : and the fertile pastures 
 covered with various kinds of cattle : ail exhibiting 
 an endless variety, and flourishing under the influ- 
 ence of genial skins. But to view nature in her most 
 gorgeous attire, you must proceed to the tropical re- 
 gions. There a luxuriant vegetation displays rtsclf in 
 all the splendour of florid magnificence, in all the 
 variety of forms, and all ,the brilliancy of colours. 
 Forests adorned with various kinds of trees ; flowers 
 exhibiting a thousand diilerent tints, and -flourishing 
 in constant succession, under an invigorating sun, with- 
 out ever being checked by the chilling cold of win- 
 ter, astonish and delight the eye. 
 
 Could these id%al peregrinations, my dear Sir, be 
 
42 LETTER IX. 
 
 'realized, you would in one place seethe atfpiriag pine, 
 and the majestic oak; and in another, the lofty cedar, 
 which, according to the information given us by holy 
 writ, formerly crowded the mountains of Libanus, or 
 Lebanon, and still constitutes the ornament of those 
 of the warm countries of America, as well as of some 
 other parts of the world. You would reflect on the 
 utility of those nrignihcent productions of nature, 
 for building and other purposes. You would also 
 view with pleasure, the twisting vine, and make agree- 
 able reflections on the exhilarating arid beneficial 
 effects resulting from a moderate use of the juice of 
 the grape, and on the disorders arising fVom intempe- 
 rance. You would feel yourself impelled to express 
 your gratitude to the Almighty Donor for the number 
 and excellence of his gifts, and coi'iceive an abhor- 
 rence of ungratefully and impiously abusing them by 
 immoderate excess. In a word,' my. dear Sir, you 
 would, in the different regions of the globe, contem- 
 plate with astonishment tke endless variety of nature, 
 and the profusion of ornaments with which the Omni- 
 potent Creator has decorated this superb mansion, 
 designed for the temporary abode of man. The earth 
 is an immense garden, laid out and planted by the 
 hand of the Deity : the lofty mountains and waving 
 forests are its terraces and groves : fertile -fields and 
 flowery meadows form its beautiful parterres. 
 
 Reluctantly taking leave of so deHghtful a subject, 
 I am sensible* that you will also feel the same regret ; 
 but I shall soon have the pleasure of consoling you 
 with a view of those interesting scenes which ani- 
 mated nature every where presents to the eye of con- 
 templation. 
 
 With every wish for your intellectual and moral 
 improvement, and for the increase of your rational 
 pleasures, I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
LETTER X. 
 
 " Know then thyself, presume not God to scan.. 
 The proper study of mankind is man ; 
 Placeii in this isthmus of a middle stale, 
 Not bci-t'K mean, not yel superbly great." 
 
 TO-PE, 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 .1 N a survey of animated existence, it is requisite to 
 begin by a view of our own species, and in the first 
 piu.cc, to contemplate Man, the lord of this terra"- 
 (jueous globe, which the All-wise Creator has assigned 
 him for his abode ; having endowed him with powers 
 and faculties, by which he is enabled to render the 
 rest of its inhabitants subservient to his interests. ' 
 
 Man is a wonderful creature, and being a corn- 
 pound of body and mind, has frequently been con- 
 sidered as that link, in the great chain of beings, 
 which connects the material and the intellectual 
 world ; as he partakes of the nature of both, and unites 
 in himself the properties of animal and -rational exis- 
 tence. His mental powers directing the exercise of 
 his corporeal faculties, enable him to render inani- 
 mate Nature subservient to his use ; and possessing 
 this superiority of understanding over all other crea- 
 tures, he converts the mildest and most docile animals 
 into useful domestics, and regards the most ferocious 
 as impotent enemies. 
 
 All our ideas of external things are conveyed to 
 the mind by the medium of the senses. Without the 
 sense of seeing we could have no ideas of forms or 
 colours, and without that of hearing we could have no 
 conception of sounds ; and the same observation may- 
 be made of all our other perceptions. From these 
 simple sensations all our ideas, however compounded, 
 extended, and ramified, originally proceed. Such is 
 the natural operation of an intellectual, united to a 
 corporeal being. 
 
 In regard to the bodily powers of man, he surpasses, 
 i* proportion to his weight, most animals in strength 
 
4* LETTER X. 
 
 and agility, and all in dexterity. In all these par- 
 ticulars, however, habit has a great and remarkable 
 influence. Constant exercise is requisite to invigo- 
 rate the human body ; and the strength of man is very 
 considerable, and indeed almost incredible, when 
 thoroughly matured by practice. We are assured, 
 that the porters of Constantinople can carry burdens 
 x>f nine hundred pounds weight ; and M. Desaguliert> 
 informs us of a man, 'who, standing in an upright pos- 
 tUTe, by distributing the weight in such a manner that 
 $very part might bear its share, supported the inere- 
 iible weight of two thousand pounds. 
 
 Men who are accustomed to running, can in length 
 of time outstrip horses. The royal messengers of 
 Ispahan, who arc runners by profession, can go above 
 an hundred miles in fourteen or fifteen hours ; and 
 seme travellers tell us, that savages, who hunt the 
 elk, pursue with such speed and perseverance that ani- 
 mal, which is as fleet as a stag, that in time they lira 
 it down. Whatever may be the degree of credit du 
 tp these relations, we have well-authenticated accounts 
 of Indians, .in South America, who have carried dis- 
 patches from Buenos Ayres, on the river Plata, to 
 Lima, across immense forests, and over the rugged and 
 almost impassable mountains of the Andes, with a ce- 
 lerity equal to that which is attributed to the runners 
 of Ispahan, and absolutely incredible, were not these 
 performances repeatedly exemplified, and the vera- 
 city of these accounts sanctioned by the highest au- 
 thority. Man, in a civilized state, is ignorant of his 
 strength, and of the degree to which it might be aug- 
 mented by habitual and vigorous exercise. The con- 
 stitution of man is stronger than that of most animals, 
 and few of them equal him in longevity. He is an in- 
 habitant of every climate, and can by early habit ac- 
 custom himself to live on almost every kind of food. 
 The "human frame is so constituted, as to lasff ninety 
 or an hundred years, and if not shortened by acci- 
 dental causes, this appears to be the ordinary duration 
 of the life of man. Moderation of the passions, so- 
 briety, temperance, and exercise, at the surest pre- 
 
MAN. ' *S 
 
 serratives of life, and may even protract its period for 
 many years : but no art or management can extend it 
 much beyond the ordinray limits of its duration, which 
 has continued the same ever since the days of David, 
 or perhaps longer ; and where we meet with instances 
 of extraordinary longevity, of which there arc several 
 persons having reached to an hundred, or an hundred 
 and twenty, and some few to an hundred and fifty years 
 and upwards ; these appear to have been the effects 
 of constitution rather than of any particular mode of 
 living. 
 
 That all mankind, however scattered over the 
 $lobe,are originally descended from one parent stock, 
 the identical uniformity of human nature, and the 
 identity of its distinguishing characteristics in every 
 age and country, and among every race of men, 
 sufficiently demonstrate, even if sacred writ had not 
 sanctioned the hypothesis. The influence of climate, 
 civilization, particular modes of life, ari() a variety of 
 causes, some of which are obvious, and others more 
 concealed, have, however, produced many and stri- 
 king diversities in the exterior appearance of the hu- 
 man form. 
 
 Although many varieties of stature, colour", and 
 Countenance, may be discovered among tribes and 
 nations, as well as among individuals, yet they arc 
 for the most part too trivial to constitute marked dis- 
 tinctions ; and Bnffon, whose example is in this par- 
 ticular followed by most of our naturalists, has divided 
 mankind into six great classes, sufficiently diverse, 
 yet without any such distinctions as can indicate a 
 different original. The diiterence observed in their 
 exterior appearance, or intellectual powers, is evi- 
 dently produced by the operation or physical and 
 moral causes. 
 
 The polar regions exhibit the first distinct race of 
 mankind. The Laplanders, the Samoieds, the people 
 of Nova Zembla, the Kamtchadale?, the Gretnland- 
 ers, and Esquimaux, constitute a race of people 
 nearly resembling each other, and different from the 
 rest of mankind in stature an' complexion, as well as 
 in modes of life and intellectual acquirements. Li- 
 
4-6 LETTER X. 
 
 ring under a rigorous .climate, and feeding- on parti- 
 cular alimenfs, their stature .scenic to have been affect- 
 ed by the hardness of their fare, as well as their com- 
 plexion by the extremity of the cold. 
 
 The productions of nature being few, and the con- 
 veniences of life difficult to procure, their only em- 
 ployment and study have constantly been to supply 
 its urgent wants, of which the incessant recurrence 
 has left them no leisure for intellectual improvement. 
 It is, therefore, no wonder that their manners are as 
 uncultivated, as their appearance is uncouth. Their 
 stature is diminutive, and their aspect forbidding 1 . 
 The tallest among them seldom exceed the height of 
 five feet, and many are not more than four. Their 
 faces are broad, with the nose short and flat ; the eves 
 of a yellowish brown, the cheek-bones high, the lips 
 thick, and the voice generally weak and effeminate. 
 Their heads are large, with the hair black and lank, 
 and their complexions a deep brown, upon which ex 7 
 treme cold seems to have had nearly the same effect 
 as intense heat on that of the inhabitants of more 
 southern climates. It is almost needless to remark, 
 that among thes^ people feminine beauty is un- 
 known. The conformity of manners among those 
 arctic tribes is not less market!, than their resem- 
 blance in stature, complexion, and features. They 
 are equally ignorant and superstitious. Their reli- 
 gious ideas are few, and fur the most part extremely 
 absurd. They are totally unacquainted with civilized 
 life, and covet none of its conveniences or luxuries, 
 except tobacco and brandy, to th'e use of which 
 they are immoderately jiddicted, and, which they 
 procure by bartering .for them, with their southern 
 neighbours, the, furs yf tfy.e ermine and other animals^ 
 the hunting of which constitutes a great part of their 
 employment. Although these people are stranger?, 
 to every art and science, and appear incapable of any 
 vigorous efforts of body or mind, yet they display 
 considerable ingenuity when stimulated by necessity, 
 as well as great strength, activity, and courage, when 
 inevitable difficulties or dangers p.romp't their tempo- 
 rary exertion. 4 
 
M AN. 47 
 
 Those hyperborean nations, however, notwith- 
 standing their diminutive stature, possess a considera- 
 ble degree of strength, which, matured by habitual 
 exercise, enables them to undergo incredible hard- 
 ships. Providence also, in denying them so many 
 "blessings, which the inhabitants of more temperate 
 climates enjoy, has given them contentment as u 
 counterbalance for these privations ; and so strongly 
 are they attached to their native country, an immense 
 extent of mountains and morasses, that they esteem 
 it a terrestrial paradise, and cannot reconcile them- 
 selves to any other situation, nor domiciiiate them- 
 selves in any other part of the world. In this at- 
 tachment of the Laplanders is verified the assertion of 
 Pope : 
 
 " All gracious Providence is good and wise, 
 Alike in what it gives, and what denies." 
 
 The disposition of these northern tribes is singularly 
 pacific ; and, although attempts have been made to 
 draw them out into the field, and discipline them as 
 soldiers, every measure taken for that purpose has 
 proved unsuccessful. War is the object of their de- 
 testation : indeed they have nothing worth contend- 
 ing for, and set so little value oiV the wealth, the 
 power, and the luxuries of civilized nations, that 
 they cannot conceive how they should be thought of 
 sufficient importance to be the subject of contest. 
 Among all the riches and luxuries which the civilized 
 world displays,, nothing in tlieir opinion, except 
 brandy and tobacco, are'worth a moment's dispute. 
 
 The second greut variety in the human species is 
 the Tartars, from whence, in all probability, the in- 
 haj)itants of the hyperborean regions originally 
 sprung. Tartary comprises a very considerable part 
 of Asia, and is peopled by various tribes of different 
 features and complexions, approximating to each other, 
 by shades of difference, more or less perceptible, but. 
 all of them retaining those leading traits of distinc- 
 tion, which discriminate the whole race from any 
 other nation. All the Tartars have the upper part of 
 
43 LETTER X. 
 
 the face broad and wrinkled, even in youth, the lower 
 part narrow, and inclining to a point at the chin. 
 Their noses are short and fiat, their cheek-bones high, 
 their teeth large, their eyebrows thickset, their hair 
 black, and their complexion olive. They are of a 
 middle stature, strong, robust, and healthy. Of all 
 the Tartar tribes the Calmucs are the most ugly, and 
 have the most savage and terrific aspect ; but neither 
 the features nor complexion of any of these nations 
 correspond with our ideas of beauty. 
 
 The Tartars, although widely disseminated, all lead 
 , an erratic life. They build no towns, nor cultivate 
 any ground except for the production of a little mil- 
 let ; but live in tents, covered with skins. Their 
 food is horse or camel's flesh, which they often wit 
 raw, and their usual beverage is mare's milk, fer- 
 mented with ground millet. Their chief wealth con- 
 sists in their horses, in the management and care of 
 which a great part of their time is employed. They 
 practise robbery as a profession, and think it neither 
 dishonourable nor criminal, provided that it be exer- 
 cised on a different tribe. The men have very littlr 
 beard, and shave their heads, except one lock, which 
 they braid into tresses, so as to hang down on each 
 side of the face. Although the women can scarcely 
 boast of more beauty, than the men, they are stu- 
 dious to braid the hair, and decorate it with bits of 
 copper, and other ornaments of as little elegance. 
 >>ome of the Tartars are Mahometans, some profess 
 the religion of Thibet, and acknowledge the divinity 
 of the grand Lama ; and some of these wandering 
 tribes appear to have scarcely any religious ideas, ex- 
 cept that they acknowledge one Supreme and eternal 
 Being. 
 
 In this class of men may be included the Chinese 
 and* the Japanese. The general contour of features, 
 and cast of countenance of these people, evidently 
 shew that they are of Tartar origin ; and the dissimi- 
 larity of manners, customs and habit of life, is un- 
 doubtedly the effect of civilization, and the moral in- 
 fluence of political institutions. Chardin, from his 
 
 6 
 
MAN. 4-9 
 
 own observations, assures us, that " among ail the 
 people, from the east and north of the Caspian Sr* 
 to the peninsula of Malacca, the lines of the face, 
 and the formation of the countenance, are the same/* 
 This assertion seems to be, too positive, as well as too 
 general, on so vague a subject as the conformation 
 of the human countenance, among so many myriads 
 of men spread over so vast an. extent of country. 
 The most eminent travellers, however, seem to think 
 it most probable, that not only the Tartars, the 
 Chinese, and the Japanese, but also the Cochin^ Chi- 
 nese, and the Tonquinese, as well as the nations be- 
 yond the Ganges, are of the same race, and proceed 
 from one common origin. 
 
 The southern Asiatics are generally considered a* 
 the third great variety of the human species. They 
 resemble the Europeans in stature and shape, as well 
 as "in features, although they are very different m 
 complexion, which is olive, and lighter or darker, in 
 proportion as they are more or less distant from the 
 equator. The Hindoos are remarkable for their total 
 abstinence from animal food, the natural effect of 
 their belief of the metempsychosis, or transmigration 
 of souls, which constitutes one of the leading tenets 
 of their religion. The women have nearly the same 
 features as the men, and are elegantly formed ; but , 
 their constitutions seem to be extremely delicate. 
 They arrive early at maturity ; but their beauty 
 soon fades, and before they a- tain their thirtieth year 
 they .begin to i'eel the encroachments of age. In- 
 dolence and voluptuousness are among those people 
 the most prevalent vices, and humanity the most dis- 
 tingnisiied virtue. 
 
 Tilt; Negroes constitute the fourth and most dis- 
 tiuct face of men. The different Negro nations are 
 diffused over the greatest part of southern Africa, 
 from the eighteenth degree of north latitude to the 
 same degree on the south side of the equator. Ex- 
 cept the Abyssinians, who are olive-coloured, thi* 
 fxtensive tract of country is wholly occupied by the 
 bliu;k-complexioned race. 
 
50 LETTER X. 
 
 The Negroes are not more remarkable for the 
 sable colour, than for the delicate smoothess of their 
 skins.- Their eyes are of a deep hazel ; their noses 
 flat and short, their lips thick, their teeth of a beau- 
 tiful whiteness, like ivory, and their hair soft, short, 
 and woolly. Those of Guinea are reckoned the most 
 ugly, and those of Mosambique the handsomest. 
 The Negroes have often been represented as indo- 
 lent, mischievous, and revengeful ; but these vices 
 are not found to characterise them in their own coun- 
 try, nor, indeed, in any country where they enjoy 
 liberty and good treatment. On the contrary, if we 
 form an unprejudiced judgment of their character 
 from the most authentic and impartial information, 
 they appear to be a remarkably innocent and inoffen- 
 sive people. To their children, their friends, and 
 their country, they have the tenderest attachment, 
 and are ever ready to give a part of what little they 
 possess to those who are in necessity or distress. 
 .Let us not view the Negro character through the me- 
 dium of interest or prejudice ; let us contemplate it 
 as exhibited by our illustrious countryman, Mr. 
 Park, who travelled defenceless, unattended, and 
 alone, to the distance of many hundred miles in the 
 interior of Africa ; and during the whole of his pere- 
 grination in those unknown regions, where no white 
 man had ever been seen before, found the unpolished 
 inhabitants uniformly inoffensive, compassionate, and 
 kind. Can we refrain from lamenting their hard 
 fate, in being torn from their native country, and car- 
 ried into perpetual slavery ? Their sufferings certainly 
 demand a tear. 
 
 The aboriginal Americans form a fifth race of men, 
 not less different in colour, than distinct in habitation, 
 from the rest of mankind. All these savage tribes, 
 except the Esquimaux, who resemble the Lapland- 
 ers, and other hyperborean nations of the old conti- 
 nent, are of a red or copper colour. In the whole 
 world, diversity of climate never fails to produce dif- 
 ference of complexion; but among the original tribes 
 of America that effect isn ot perceptible ; and among 
 
MANv 51 
 
 the rarioas nations dispersed over that extensive 
 co'-.tiiient, scarcely any variation can be found in the 
 colour of the skin, and less than might be expected, 
 in the formation of the body, and the contour of the, 
 features. All have high cheek-bones, flat noses, and 
 small eyes : all have thick, black, and lank hair, and 
 their beards are remarkably thin. Both men and 
 women paint their bodies and their faces ; and in this 
 particular, among some of the tribes, fashion and 
 taste seem to be as much studied as in the various 
 modes of dress among civilized nations. 
 
 The original natives of America are more pusilla- 
 nimous than the Europeans ; at least, they are more 
 backward in facing danger. This, however, may 
 proceed from the circumstance of their having fewer 
 inducements to spirited enterprize. Their habitual 
 difficulties and wants render them patient in adver- 
 sity. Whether their patience may be considered as 
 the effect of habit, or a mark of fortitude, it is certain 
 that the greatest philosopher cannot possess in a more 
 eminent degree the art of maintaining an appearance 
 of magnanimity in the midst of distress and sufferings*. 
 Although less enterprising than the Europeans, and 
 more fearful of exposing themselves to danger, yet, 
 no sooner does it appear unavoidable, than tlieir Cou- 
 rage is excited to the highest pitch that can be ima- 
 gined. They are then ready to suffer, as well as to 
 inflict, the most cruel tortures, and either through na- 
 tive fortitude, or the influence of custom and educa- 
 tion, manifest a stoical apathy in the midst of the most 
 dreadful torments. Like all savages, they have a 
 grave and serious deportment. To those of their. own 
 tribe they are uniformly kind and just, but invariably 
 cruel to their conquered enemies. Circumstances 
 have an irresistible influence in the formation of cha- 
 racter; and an independent, precarious, and uncivi- 
 lized state of life produces a peculiar assemblage of 
 virtue and vices. Patience and sincerity, indolence 
 and rapacity, warm attachment to friends, and impla- 
 cable animosity to enemies, mark the- savage charn<> 
 er in every part of the world. 
 
. LETTER X. 
 
 The aboriginal Americans, although many of their 
 tribes are equal to the Europeans in stature, are less 
 muscular and strong, which is probably an effect of 
 the climate in conjunction with the scantiness or bad 
 quality of their food. The wan and flaccid appear- 
 ance of the descendants of the Europeans settled in 
 America, shew that the influence of the climate, or 
 the productions of the soil, are less favourable to the 
 human constitution than those of the old world. 
 
 The sixth and last marked division of the human 
 race, and the most elevated in the scale of terrestrial 
 beings, comprehends the people of Europe, with some 
 of the adjacent countries. In this class may be in- 
 cluded the Georgians, the Circassians, the Mingre- 
 lians, the people of Asia-Minor, and those of the nor- 
 thern parts of Africa. Among so many different na- 
 tions, dispersed over countries of so great an extent, 
 a considerable variety of complexion and counte- 
 nance must undoubtedly be found ; but yet this di- 
 versity is less than might be expected. All in gene- 
 ral have nearly the same stature, and the same ge- 
 neral contour of features. The colour qf the skin in 
 all these nations is also the same, and the difference 
 often found in the tints of the face, is, for the most 
 part, no more than the effects of a greater or less ex- 
 posure to the weather, which may often be observed 
 among individuals in the same district, as well as 
 among the inhabitants of different countries. 
 
 According to the information of travellers, the Cir- 
 cassians are the most personal people in the world. 
 A complexion incomparably fine, eyebrows black, 
 soft, fine as silk, and thickly planted ; eyes blue, 
 larcre, and full of animation ; with a mouth and chin 
 exquisitely formed, ,are the characteristics of the Cir- 
 cassian females, with whom may be ranked those of 
 Georgia and Mingrelia. Their stature is tall, their 
 shape elegant, and their hair of the most beautiful 
 black. Yet these people live under the same climate 
 with the Tartars, who fall exceedingly short of the 
 standard of European beauty. In this respect they 
 exhibit a similar phenomenon with the Abyssinians, 
 
MAN. 53 
 
 M ho, from time immemorial, f have lived under the 
 same parallels as the Negroes, to whom they bear 
 scarcely any resemblance, either in features or com- 
 plexion, and are olive-coloured while '-they are al- 
 most surrounded with nations of the blackest hue. 
 From these circumstances it seems, that, although the 
 climate has unquestionably the greatest influence on 
 the human complexion, the productions\of the soil 
 must in some measure contribute to those effects, 
 which are often ascribed solely to the former cause. 
 Although the difference of climate, of aliment, and 
 mode of living, unquestionably produce those vfirie- 
 ties which exist in the human race, yet it is certain, 
 that we are in a great measure ignorant of the man- 
 ner and extent in which many of those causes ope- 
 rate, and the science of physics has hitherto been un- 
 able to unravel the complication. All that we know 
 is, that a certain proportion and quality of aliment, in 
 conjunction with a certain temperature of the atmos- 
 phere, are requisite to bring the human form to per- _ 
 fection, and that it degenerates wherever nature or 
 fashion has induced defect or deviation. Various 
 circumstances also evidently shew, that these charac- 
 teristic distinctions, which mark the different races of 
 men, can have been produced only by the continue*! 
 operation of the same causes through a long series of 
 ages. 
 
 The inhabitants, however, of most countries, espe- 
 cially of those which are flourishing in commerce, or 
 celebrated in history, are a mixture of many different 
 nations. In these, commercial or hostile intercourse 
 has in a great measure obliterated national distinctions. 
 It is among those nations that have seldom been inva- 
 ded, or visited by foreigners, and who have main- 
 tained but little intercourse with the rest of man- 
 kind, that we find these distinguishing characteristics 
 of person and manners most deeply impressed. 
 
 Of all the colours which diversify the human 
 
 species, white is, at least according to our standard of 
 
 estimation, the most beautiful ; and it undoubtedly 
 
 gives the greatest degree of expression to the coim- 
 
 D 3 
 
>* LETTER X. 
 
 tenancc, which in the sable African, or the olive-co- 
 loured Asiatic, is a far less distinct index of the mind 
 than in the fair-corn plexioned European. 
 
 From this general survey of the human race, it ap- 
 pears to be not without reason, that we consider the 
 European figure and complexion as the standard. of 
 <-;<-uuuee ami beauty. But if we contemplate the in- 
 tellectual attainments of the nations of Europe, we 
 cannot but perceive their decided superiority over 
 all the other people on the Globe. Arts imperfectly 
 practised, and sciences totally unknown in the other 
 l uarters of the world, are in Europe brought to the 
 highest perfection, and every kind of mental improve- 
 riK-iii is an object of attention. 
 
 In contemplating the faculties of man, and his su- 
 periority over the rest of animated nature, you can- 
 not, my dear Sir, but feel your mind expanded with 
 gratitude to the All-bountiful Creator, who has eix- 
 tlo wed 'you with those exalted privileges, those su- 
 per, or qualities of body and mind, which you pos- 
 sess; aiid when you consider the pre-emir.ency of 
 the European above every other class of mankind, 
 when you observe how Europe is embellished by the 
 arts and sciences, and illuminated by the radiance ol' 
 Christianity, the grateful emotions of your soul will 
 receive additional force and animation. A cele- 
 brated Grecian philosopher used to say, that he thank- 
 ed the gods that he was not a barbarian but a Greek ; 
 and you, my dear Sir, will undoubtedly consider 
 yourself under a still greater obligation, to be thank- 
 ful to the Supreme Disposer of all events, who has 
 allotted you your station, not among uncivilized sa- 
 vages, but in Europe, where the human mind is en- 
 lightened by philosophy and religion ; and especially 
 in Great Britain, where, the influence of the best of 
 governments renders happy and prosperous a nation 
 in which science flourishes, and liberty reigns, 
 
 With unfeigned affection and esteem, 
 
 I am dear Sir, 
 
 Your*s, &c. 
 
LETTER XI. 
 
 tc Out of the ground upr6se, 
 As from his lair, the wild beast, where he wons 
 Tn tbrcst wild, in thicket, brake, or den, 
 Among the trees ; in pairs thej? rose, they walk'd, 
 The cattle in llic fields and meadows green." 
 
 MILTOX. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 I AM now about to open to your view an extensive 
 field for observation, in which curiosity may have an 
 ample range, and receive continual gratification 
 without finding its source exhausted. You have long 
 expected to be entertained with a survey of the ani- 
 mal kingdom. I have promised you this satisfaction, 
 mid am now about to miter on the pleasing task of 
 fulfilling my promise, and realizing yonr expecta- 
 tion, f shall begin this survey of animal life wuli 
 the quadrupeds ; but before we enter on individual 
 description, it may be requisiic to exhibit them in a. 
 general view. 
 
 If we descend by regular gradations, from man, 
 the masterpiece of the terrestrial world, we must for 
 many reasons assign to the quadruped part of the 
 creation the second rank. Whether we direct -our 
 attention to the structure of their bodies, or their va- 
 rious and wonderful instincts, to their ability to ren- 
 der us service, or their power to injure us, we cannot: 
 but consider them as prominent- and interesting ob- 
 jects of curiosity. The internal conformation in 
 quadrupeds is strikingly analogous to that of man, 
 and the general anatomy of the monkey race bears 
 so great a resemblance to that of the human species, 
 that it requires some skill in physiology to make the 
 discrimination. Their instincts seem also sometimes 
 to approximate to the reasoning faculty, and to ex- 
 hibit aa appearance of some 1 thing like the human 
 passions. Some of them seem to imitate, or even to 
 rival us, in our most tender ailections. What human 
 attachment can exceed that of the dog to his master ? 
 He accompanies him with constancy, guards his pro- 
 D 4 
 
LETTER XI. 
 
 perty with attention and fidelity, and defends his 
 person with courage and zeal. He is eager to obtain 
 his caresses, and docile in obeying his commands. If 
 he has the misfortune to incur his displeasure, he 
 seeks every means to be restored to favour : he tes- 
 tifies emotion and anxiety at his absence, and is 
 transported with joy at his return. Among mankind 
 friendship cannot be more energetically expressed, 
 but is often accompanied with less sincerity. ---In a 
 number of other quadrupeds, the operations of in- 
 stinct are equally remarkable and striking. The 
 mischievous cunning of the monkey, the provident 
 foresight of the beaver, the sagacity of the elephant, 
 excite our astonishment. What can equal the subtle 
 artifices of predaceous. animals, in seeking and catch- 
 ing their prey, or those of the weaker and more timid, 
 in eluding the pursuits of the strong and ferocious ? 
 In this, as in all other things, you. \vill, my dear Sir, 
 discover the wisdom of the Creator. l)id not the 
 weaker animals use as many means of self-preserva- 
 tion, as the stronger employ for their destruction, th 
 former would soon be exterminated, and the latter 
 would afterwards perish for want of subsistence. 
 Animals, in their original state of Avildness and inde- 
 pendence, are subject to few alterations ; but those 
 which are subdued, and domesticated by man, un- 
 dergo through his management considerable changes^ 
 both in their figure and dispositions. . In the horse, 
 the cow, and several other domestic animals, we per- 
 ceive a number of varieties, some of which> indeed, 
 are the effects of nature, but more of them produced 
 by art and cultivation. The circumstances of soil 
 and climate have also a decided and well-known in- 
 fluence on the animal race, in varying their size, 
 their colour, or their covering, In the hyperborean 
 regions Nature has furnished the quadruped creatioa 
 with long and thickly planted hair, but with a lighter 
 and cooler vesture between the tropics ; and those 
 which are capable of being transported from the ex- 
 treme of cold to that of heat, or the contrary, are 
 (bund upon experiment to assume a dress adapted to 
 
QUADRUPEDS. O7 
 
 the climate, a circumstance which shews the wisdom 
 of Providence, in providing for the necessities of all 
 creatures. On the disposition and character of ani- 
 mals, the influence of climate is very perceptible, 
 and more easily ascertained in regard to the brute 
 creation, than the human species. Man is so much 
 the creature of association, imitation, and habit, and 
 so powerfully influenced by moral causes, as to ren- 
 der it impossible to determine in what degree he is 
 affected, or how far his character is formed by those 
 of a physical nature. External impressions are sen- 
 sibly felt by every thing that has life, and both ra- 
 tional and irrational beings must in a greater or less 
 degree be subject to their influence. If, however, 
 in man the effects of; situation, and other physical 
 circumstances, be difficult to distinguish from those 
 of social institution and moral habits, this difficulty 
 does not exist in a view of the brute creation ; and 
 the effects of climate and aliment are unequivocal : 
 for between the tropics the same kind of animals are 
 extremely different from what they are in temperate 
 climates ; in the former they are more ferocious and 
 daring, in the latter more timid and mild.- 
 
 After this general survey, I shall endeavour to vary 
 the scene by proceeding' to individual description, 
 in which you will find these remarks exemplified, 
 and recalled to your memory. The number of dis- 
 tinet .species, 'in the class of quadrupeds, is usually 
 stated at about two hundred, or . two hundred and 
 twenty. Late authors have enumerated two hundred 
 and eighty, and some have even sub-divided them in- 
 to upwards of four hundred ; for in these cases dis- 
 tinctions may be multiplied according' to opinion or 
 fancy. You will easily conceive, that amidst your 
 other pursuits, your time would not suffice for a mi- 
 nute investigation of each particular subject. I shall, 
 therefore, endeavour rather to generalize, than enu- 
 merate, and without entering into tedious details, ex- 
 hibit to your view the great and marked outlines of 
 natural history, with which every gentleman ought 
 to be acquainted. In the view of uniting pleasure 
 
LETTER .XH. 
 
 with instruction, and agreeable amusement with use- 
 ful information, I shall bring forward to your inspec- 
 tion such objects as will most evidently display the 
 power, the wisdom, and the goodness of the Great 
 Author of Nature, whose omnipotent word called the 
 universe into existence. 
 
 Most sincerely, and most affectionately, 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER XII. 
 
 t ' Hast thou given the horse his strength, hast thou clothed his 
 neck with thunder ?" 
 
 JOB, chap, xxxix. ver. 19. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 JVM1D that interesting variety of quadrupeds, 
 which Nature presents to our view, or provides for 
 our use, the #reat and well-known utility, and various 
 excellencies of the Horse give him unrivalled prece- 
 ilency, in a view of the brute creation. 
 
 Of the numerous species of animals, which infinite 
 Wisdom has ordained to inhabit this terraqueous 
 globe,, some are found to alarm us by their terriiic 
 appearance, to endanger our safety by their ferocious 
 disposition, and exercise our caution in avoiding their 
 attacks ; others, on the contrary, evidently appear to 
 have been created to delight us by their beauty, or 
 increase our comforts by their utility. This noble 
 quadruped, which I now recommend to your atten- 
 tion and examination, without having any of the for- 
 midable qualities of the former, possesses all the ex- 
 cellencies of the latter, uniting in his form grandeur 
 of stature, and elegance of symmetry, to graceful- 
 ness of motion, and is, above all, estimable for his 
 peculiar and diversified utility. When ranging wild, 
 and without control, he is not ferocious ; and in his 
 domestic siate he is gencroMS and docile, and although 
 Fpirited, yet obedient to rule. Equally adapted to the 
 purposes" of business and pleasure, he aifords us 
 
THE HOUSE. 59 " 
 
 the most essential services, and contributes to our 
 most healthful amusements. Horses are now bred in 
 almost all countries ; but there are few in which this 
 noble animal is seen in possession of his native free- 
 dom, unsubdued by man : it is only in the vast and 
 uncultivated plains of Africa and Arabia, and in some 
 parts of South America, that he is to be found in a 
 state of native independency. In those wild and ex- 
 tensive tracts, wild horses may be seen in droves of 
 five or six hundred, feeding together, while one of 
 the number is always observed to be posted at the 
 outside, and acting the part of a sentinel, in order to 
 give notice of any approaching danger. When any 
 such seems to threaten, he gives the alarm by a loud 
 snort, and the whole herd fly off with amazing rapi- 
 dity. The wild horses of Arabia are esteemed the 
 most beautiful of the whole species. They are generally 
 of a brown colour, with a black mane and tail of short 
 tufted hair. In size and bone they are, for the most 
 part, inferior to the tame breed, but exceedingly ac- 
 tive and swift. The common method of taking them 
 is by snare and pitfals, formed in the ground. The 
 wild horses, now so numerous in some parts of Ame- 
 rica, especially in Paraguay, Patagonia, and La 
 Plata, were originally of the Spanish breed, and were 
 carried thither, and turned into woods, by the first Spa- 
 nish settlers. The astonishment which the Mexicans, 
 the most polished and intelligent of all the Ameri- 
 cans, manifested at the sight of horses, convinced the 
 .Spaniards that this animal was totally unknown on 
 that continent, and induced them to carry numbers 
 thither, not only for their immediate use, but also to- 
 propagatc a breed. Since that time, they have mul- 
 tiplied so much as to range in numerous herds through: 
 those extensive countries. They are diilicultto take, 
 kmt if oiv.:e taken are easily tamed, and soon learn to 
 know their master ; and if they be by any mea.as 
 set at liberty, they are easily caught again, not shew- 
 ing any inclination to return to their former state of 
 \vildiiess, a circumstance which evinces a remark- 
 D 6 
 
, LETTER, XII. 
 
 able tractabjencss of disposition in this noble and 
 useful animal. 
 
 The Horse, my clear Sir, "is so well known to you, as 
 well as to every one else in this country, that it would 
 be entirely needless to trouble vou with a particular 
 description of his shape and exterior appearance. It 
 will be sufficient for your information, to exhibit to 
 your view the principal distinctions which nature has 
 made in the different breeds of this noble quadruped, 
 through the influence of climate and other accidental 
 circumstances. For this purpose, I shall first call 
 your attention to 
 
 THE ARABIAN HORSE. 
 
 Of all the people in the world, the Arabians set 
 the greatest value on horses ; and almost every. Ara- 
 bian, how poor soever he may be in other respects, 
 possesses at least one horse. They are particularly 
 fond of mares for riding, as they find them to bear 
 hunger and thirst better than horses, besides being 
 less vicious. The Turks, on the contrary, esteeming 
 horses the most, purchase those which are not kept 
 for stallions. The Arabians are exceedingly careful 
 of the breed of their horses, which, instead of cros- 
 sing, as is generally practised in other countries, they 
 take particular care to preserve pur'e und unmixed. 
 They know their generations, with all their alliances 
 and ramifications, and preserve for an amazing length 
 of time, the genealogies of their horses, with as much 
 care as the nobility of other countries do those of their 
 families. The low*est price for a mare, of the first 
 class, is from one hundred to two or three hundred 
 pounds sterling. It is, therefore, no wonder, that they 
 should be sold for exceeding high prices, when carried 
 into foreign and far distant countries. 
 
 Horses form the principal riches of many of the 
 Arab tribes, who use them both in the chace, and in 
 their plundering expeditions. They never beat them, 
 but always treat them with the* utmost kindness. 
 Tfre Arab, his wife, and children, lie in the same^ 
 apartment with the mare and foal, who, instead of 
 injuring, suffer the children" to rest on their bodies and 
 
THE ARABIAN HORSE. Ct 
 
 and necks and even seem afraid to move lest they - 
 should hurt them. 
 
 The fondness and tender attachment, which the 
 Arabs have for their horses, is well illustrated by the 
 following anecdote, related by the Chevalier D'Ar- 
 vieux in his travels in the Desert of Arabia, and also 
 in St. Pierre's Studies of Nature : " The whole stock 
 of a poor Arabian consisted of a beautiful mare, 
 which the French consul, at Said, offered to purchase, 
 with intention to send her to Louis XIV. The Arab, 
 pressed by want, hesitated a longtime, but at length 
 consented, on condition of receiving a very consider- 
 able sum of money, which he named. The consul 
 wrote to France for permission to close the bargain, 
 and having obtained it, sent immediately to the Arab 
 the information. The man, so poor as to possess only 
 a miserable rag, a covering for his body, arrived with 
 his magnificent courser. He dismounted, and looking 
 first at the gold, and then stedfastly at his mare, 
 heaved a deep sigh : ' To whom is it, (he exclaim- 
 ed) that I am going to yield thee up ? To Europeans ! 
 who will tie thee close ; who will beat thee ; who 
 will render thee miserable ! Return with me, my 
 beauty, my jewel ! and rejoice the hearts of my chil- 
 dren !' As he pronounced the last words, he sprang 
 upon her back, and was out of sight almost in a mo- 
 ment." 
 
 Arabia seems to have been the parent country of 
 horses, whence they have probably spread into Bar- 
 bary, Fand other parts of Africa, which produced a 
 breed* that is considered next to the Arabian in swift- 
 ness and beauty, although somewhat inferior in size. 
 From the last mentioned countries they have proba- 
 bly made their way into every part of the old conti- 
 nent. 
 
 The Spanish horses are also held in high estima- 
 tion ; and they are small but beautiful, extremely 
 swift, and full of spirit. Those of India and China 
 are extremely small and vici--*u One of these 
 brought into this country, is a pre: cut to Her Ma- 
 
62 LETTER XII. 
 
 jesty, was little larger than a large mastiff, measuring, 
 only nine hands. 
 
 Of all the nations of Europe, the English have, du- 
 ring a long time, paid the greatest attention to the im- 
 provement of their horses, by the introduction of the 
 most valuable mares and stallions of different kinds, 
 and by a judicious mixture of different breeds. That 
 which is held in the highest estimation is 
 
 THE RACE HORSE. 
 
 The breed of English race horses is superior to that 
 of any other country in Europe, or, perhaps, in the 
 world. , For a long course they excel those of every 
 other part of the globe, and none can surpass them in 
 swiftness. The celebrated Guilders, the property of 
 His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, was universally 
 allowed to be the fleetest horse ever bred in the 
 world. He ran repeatedly at Newmarket against the 
 best racers of his time, and was never beaten. He 
 passed over eighty-two feet and half in a second of 
 time, and has run round the course at Newmarket, 
 which is very nearly four miles, in six minutes and 
 forty seconds, an instance of speed never exhibited 
 by any other quadruped of any species whatever. 
 
 THE HUNTER 
 
 Is that which particularly shews the successful at- 
 tention of the English, in the judicious management 
 of their horses, by which they have skilfully combin- 
 ed the swiftness of one race with the strength of 
 others. By this judicious method they have produced 
 the English hunter ; and this breed is indisputably 
 the most useful of any in the world. Their spirit, 
 agility, and perseverance, are qualities which render 
 them extremely valuable, whether for the chace or 
 for travelling ; and most of the posting on the great 
 roads, is now carried on by this active and useful 
 race. 
 
 Though nature appears to have implanted a bene- 
 volent disposition in the horse towards man, yet, that 
 lie is not unconscious of injuries, nor devoid of reso- 
 lution to revenge them, is exemplified in the follow- 
 ing incident ; 
 
HUNTER DRAUGHT HORSE. 63 
 
 A baronet, one of whose hunters had never tired 
 in the longest chace, once encouraged the cruel 
 thought of attempting, completely, to fatigue him. 
 After a long chace, therefore, he dined, and again 
 mounting, rode him furiously among the hills. When 
 brought to the stable, his strength appeared exhaust- 
 ed, and he was scarcely able to walk. The groom, 
 possessed of more feeling than his brutal master, could 
 not refrain from tears at the sight of so noble an 
 animal thus sunk down. The baronet, sometime after, 
 entered the stable, and the horse made a furious 
 spring upon him, and, had not the groom interfered, 
 would soon have put it out of his power ever again to 
 misuse his animals. 
 
 Hunters are sent over from England to almost 
 every part ef the continent, particularly to Russia 
 and Germany. They are sold there for very high 
 prices, as their superiority over all other horses is 
 universally known and acknowledged. 
 
 While the beauty, the elegance, the activity, and 
 strength, of the race-horse and the hunter, combined 
 with the most wonderful tractableness of disposition, 
 willingness of exertion, and submissive obedience, 
 are exceilencies which give to these noble quadrupeds 
 a decided pre-eminence in the animal creation, it must 
 be a subject of regret to the feeling mind, that those 
 valuable qualities should be so frequently abused, 
 and such extraordinary power exhausted in the most 
 useless exertions. 
 
 THE BLACK DRAUGHT HORSE. 
 
 This breed of horses surpasses in strength all others 
 that any country has produced. The largest of this 
 sort are found in the fens of Lincolnshire. Instances 
 have been known, of a single horse of this breed 
 drawing, for a short distance, the weight of three 
 tons. A great part of the British cavalry are mount- 
 ed on horses of this kind : in some regiments, those 
 of a lighter make are used. The old black coach- 
 horse is now almost universally set aside j instead 
 of which a more active and lighter kind is used 
 in our carriages. It is pleasing to observe, that the 
 
64 
 
 LETTER, 
 
 pretension to mend Nature's work by docking the 
 tail, a practice offensive to humanity, and replete 
 with absurdity, begins now to be unfashionable, while 
 we must still regret the continuance of the custom of 
 forming it by nicking, which is equally cruel and 
 useless, as it gives to the horse no real, but only a 
 fancied ornament. 
 
 The ponies of Wales, and those bred in the high- 
 lands of Scotland, seem to be an original and un- 
 mixed race. Both kinds are much esteemed for the 
 neatness of their shapes, and the agility of their mo- 
 tion, but still more for their vigor in supporting fa- 
 tigue, as well as for being exceedingly sure-footed in 
 difficult roads ; qualities well adapted to the mowW 
 tainous tracts of which they are natives. 
 
 It is very probable, that the horse was not origi- 
 nally a native of this island ; but at what time, or 
 from what part of the continent this noble quadruped 
 was first introduced, history does not inform us. We 
 learn, however, from the commentaries of Julius 
 Ciesar, that horses were plentiful in this country at 
 the time of his invasion ; and although that celebrated 
 commander has not given us any description of their 
 kind and shape, his narrative atibrds a suificient 
 proof of their activity and discipline, when used in 
 the war-chariots of the Britons. 
 
 We cannot, my dear Sir, dismiss this article, with- 
 out making some reflections on the wisdom and good- 
 ness of Divine Providence, in creating an animal of 
 such singular utility to the human species. If we 
 rightly consider the difficulties of our situation, if tlio 
 goodness of Providence had not provided us the as- 
 sistance of the horse, we shall find that the obstacles 
 we should in many cases have met with would have 
 been almost insurmountable. The want of horses 
 was one of the principal causes which rendered the 
 natives of the new world so much inferior of the Eu- 
 ropean invaders ; and the decided superiority of the 
 Spaniards over the Mexicans was owing almost, as 
 much to their horses :is to their fire-arms. Indeed, 
 /he want of horn's would always hove operated 
 
 4 
 
THE P!l AUGHT HORSK. 65 
 
 as a check to the advancement of the American 
 nations,, in the process of civilization, and have always 
 kept them, with respect to the arts, both of war and 
 peace, in a state of inferiority to the Europeans. 
 Next to the want of iron, the want of horses is, per- 
 haps, one of the greatest physical obstacles to the 
 advancement of the arts of civilized life. We ought, 
 therefore, to regard the horse as an inestimable gift 
 of the bountiful Creator, and treat him, not with neg- 
 lect, nOr with cruelty, but with attention and kind- 
 ness, not only while he is able to perform our work, 
 or be conducive to our pleasures, but even after age 
 or accident may have disqualified him for further ser- 
 vice. The exercise of wanton cruelty upon any of 
 God's creatures is an act of impiety towards their 
 Creator ; but the ill-treatment of such as are given us 
 for the purpose of promoting our conveniency and 
 comforts, bears the additional stamp of foul ingrati- 
 tude to the All-bountiful Donor. 
 
 Your good sen*e and benevolent feelings, although 
 not yet matured by age and experience, will, I am 
 certain, point out to you the propriety of these re- 
 flections; and in this pleasing confidence I beg leave 
 to assure you, that, with unfeigned affection, 
 
 I am, dear Si r, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER XIII. 
 
 ft Who hath sent out the wild ass free, or who hath loosed the 
 bands of the wild ass ? Whose house I have made the wilder- 
 ness, and the barren land his dwellings. He scorneth the mul- 
 titude- of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. 
 The. range of the mountains in. his pasture, and he searchelh 
 alter every green thing." JOB, chap, xxxix. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 I NOW take upon myself to call your attention 
 to an animal of a somewhat plainer form, and less dis- 
 tinguished rank in the order of quadrupeds, and of 
 much less value in the estimation of mankind than 
 the horse, although, in many respects, but little in^ 
 
66 LETTER XUI. 
 
 ferior in utility. The ass was, according to the most 
 probable conjecture, as well as the horse, originally 
 a native of Arabia and the adjacent countries ; and 
 the supposition is not a little corroborated by the 
 congeniality of a warm climate to its constitution. 
 
 Asses were not, any more than horses, originally 
 found in America, although the climate, in some parts 
 of that continent, is as congenial to their nature as 
 that of Asia or Africa. Those which the Spaniards- 
 carried thither from Europe have greatly multiplied, 
 and, in some parts, run wild, and are taken in snares, 
 like the wild horses. The manner of hunting the wild 
 asses, in Quito, is this : A number of Spaniards, or 
 Creoles, on horseback, attended by Indians on foot, 
 form a large circle, in order to drive them into a nar- 
 row compass. Then, riding at full speed, they throw 
 ;) noose over them, and having secured them with 
 cords, leave them until the chace be over, which 
 sometimes lasts three or four days. These asses have 
 all the swiftness of horses, and neither declivities nor 
 precipices will stop their -flight. When attacked, 
 they defend themselves by kicking and biting, with- 
 out ever slackening their pace. From this descrip- 
 tion of the ass-chace, given by a celebrated Spanish 
 writer, it seems that hunting the wild horses and asses, 
 in South America, must afford better pastime to a 
 sportsman, than hunting the hare or the fox in 
 Europe. 
 
 It is very remarkable, that the wild asses, when 
 taJten, after carrying their first load, lose their dan- 
 gerous ferocity, and soon contract the stupid look and 
 dulness which we observe in the rest of the species. 
 It is also observable, that they will not suffer a horse 
 to live among them. If a horse happens to stray 
 into a place where a herd of them is grazing, they all 
 fall upon him, and bite arid kick him to death. 
 
 Even in the tame state, the ass will occasionally 
 manifest great courage, and even fierceness. Mr. 
 Pennant tells us, that he was witness at Les combats 
 dcs animau.r, the theatre, or bear-garden of Paris, to 
 an extraordinary instance of spirit and prowess in a 
 
THE ASS. 67 
 
 lame, ass, in a fight with a dog. The latter could 
 never seize on the long-eared beast, which sometimes 
 caught the dog in his mouth, and sometimes threw him 
 under his knees, and kneeled on him, until the dog 
 at length fairly gave up the contest. 
 
 But the asses of Egypt and Arabia excel even 
 those of- Spain, in the gracefulness of their move- 
 ments, and the nobleness of their carriage. Their 
 foot is sure, their step light, and their paces quick, 
 brisk, and easy. They are used for riding by the 
 most opulent of the inhabitants, and even ladies of 
 the highest rank. 
 
 When the rider alights, he has no occasion to fasten 
 his ass ; he merely pulls the rein of the bridle tight, 
 and passes it over a ring on the fore-part of the sad- 
 dle : this confines the animal's head, and is sutlicient 
 to make him remain patiently in his place. 
 
 Of an animal so well known as the ass a particular 
 description is unnecessary. Every one is acquainted 
 with his unparalleled patience, perseverance, and 
 gentleness. He is more sluggish and untractable, 
 but stronger hi proportion to his size, than the horse, 
 and liable to fewer diseases ; and of all the different 
 kinds of quadrupeds, the least infested with lice, or 
 any other vermin. The ass is kept at a very mode- 
 rate expence, and contents himself with the coarsest 
 herbage ; but is particularly fond of plantain. He 
 is, however, extremely nice in the choice of his 
 water, and will drink only at the clearest stream. He 
 is much afraid of wetting his feet, and will, eveu 
 when loaded, turn aside to avoid the dirty parts of the 
 road. He sleeps less than the horse, and never lies 
 down for that purpose, except when extremely fa- 
 tigued. He is three or four years in coming to per- 
 fection, and lives to the age of twenty or twenty-five 
 years. The she-ass goes eleven months with young. 
 The skin of the ass is valuable, and is converted to 
 different purposes; as to cover drums, and some- 
 times to make shoes, as also a thick kind of parch- 
 ment, useful for pocket-books. Of the ass's-skin the 
 Orientals make the sagri, which we cull shagrcetu 
 
LETTER XIII. 
 
 From this view, my clear Sir, you will probably 
 conceive a higher opinion oi the utility and impor- 
 tance of the ass, than you have hitherto been accus- 
 tomed to form. You will readily perceive, that if he 
 be too often degraded into the most neglected of do- 
 mestic animals, it is not for any deficiency in useful 
 and valuable qualifications, but merely through the 
 caprice of those who are not able to appreciate his 
 worth. The ass was held in high estimation by the 
 Israelites ; and the forty sons of Abdon, judge, or 
 chief magistrate of Israel, riding on asses, is men- 
 tioned in the scripture as a mark of high distinction, 
 and a display of superior grandeur. These ancients 
 seem to have known this noble, although unjustly de- 
 graded, quadruped better than we do at the present 
 day. Their judgment was, in this respect, better, and 
 their taste certainly more refined, than that of those 
 barbarians among us, who beat, abuse, and treat him 
 with all manner of ill-usage, merely because he is an 
 ass, without considering how much we should esteem 
 his excellent and useful qualifications, and how glad 
 we should be of his services, if the Creator, in the ex- 
 uberance of his bounty, had not given us the horse. 
 I flatter myself, that these considerations will excite 
 in your mind a sentiment of compassion and benevo- 
 lence towards this inoffensive and useful animal. 
 
 I shall also, here, say something of a quadruped 
 which, although pretty well known, is not very com- 
 mon in Great Britain, nor, indeed, of so great use 
 here, as in some other countries ; I mean the Mule, 
 an exceedingly hardy and useful animal, but which 
 is not a distinct species, being the offspring of the 
 horse and the ass. This quadruped is remarkably 
 healthy, and lives about thirty years. In Spain, per- 
 sons of the first quality are frequently drawn by 
 mules, which are held in such estimation, that fifty or 
 sixty pounds is a common price for one of the best. 
 This is not surprising, when their utility in moun- 
 tainous countries is well considered ; for they are, be- 
 yond comparison, more sure-footed than horses, and 
 a person may travel with them in perfect security in 
 
THE MULE. 
 
 roads, where, to venture on horseback, would bring 
 inevitable destruction. Their manner of descending 
 the precipices of the Alps, and the mountains of Spa- 
 nish America, is extremely singular. In these diffi- 
 cult and dangerous passages, the road frequently lies 
 between perpendicular or over-hanging rocks on one 
 side, and frightful precipices on the other, from which, 
 to look down into the immense abyss below, is suffi- 
 cient to st/ike the traveller with terror and stupefac- 
 tion ; and the narrow path, winding along the side of 
 the mountains, is in many places interrupted with 
 steep declivities of several hundred yards. These, no 
 horses whatever, can descend ; mules are the only 
 beasts of burthen that are equal to the task. When 
 they arrive at the brink of one of those almost per- 
 pendicular descents, they stop short without any 
 check from the rein, and continue sometime immove- 
 able, seeming to ruminate on the danger before them,, 
 trembling, snorting, and attentively viewing the road. 
 Having thus prepared themselves for the descent, 
 they place their fore-feet in a posture adapted to pre- 
 vent a too great precipitancy, and put their hind-feet 
 together, drawing them a little forward. In this at- 
 titude they slide down with great swiftness and won- 
 derful steadiness, like an experienced skaiter balanc- 
 ing himself upon the ice. But in this dangerous mo- 
 ment, the rider must do nothing but endeavour to keep 
 his seat firm on the saddle, and trust his safety en- 
 tirely to the mule ; for the least check of the rein, or 
 the least motion, would be sufficient to disorder the. 
 equilibrium, 'in which case both must unavoidably be 
 dashed to pieces. Some mules, after .having been 
 much accustomed to those dangerous journies, ac- 
 quire a kind of reputation for their safety and dexte- 
 rity, which very much enhances their value. 
 
 As there is only another animal of the horse kind, I 
 shall entertain you with a short description of it, be- 
 fore I conclude my letter. The animals of this tribe 
 are, by naturalists, reckoned only three in number, 
 the mule being not a distinct species, but an hetero- 
 geneous production. Of these three, the horse is th 
 
70 LETTER XIII. 
 
 most stately and spirited, the ass the most patient; 
 and .the zebra the most beautiful, although the wildest 
 quadruped that nature has produced. 
 
 THE XEKRA, 
 
 In shape, has a resemblance to the mule ; for it is 
 less than the horse, and larger than the ass ; but it is 
 chiefly prized for the exquisite beauty of its skin, the 
 smoothness of which nothing can surpass. Nor can 
 any thing exceed the beautiful regularity of its co- 
 lours, which in the male are white and brown, and in 
 the female w hite and black, ranged in alternate stripes 
 over the w hole body, in a stile so beautiful and orna- 
 mental, that it might, at the first sight, seem the effect 
 of the most exquisite art, rather than the genuine 
 production of nature. The head is adorned with 
 beautiful and regular stripes, which converge into a 
 central point in the forehead; the neck is ornamented 
 in the same manner, with fine rings which surround 
 it : the thighs, legs, and even the very tail, is beau- 
 tified in the same stile of elegance ; and every part 
 is equally decorated. What is particularly remark- 
 able in the colouring of the zebra is^ that the stripes, 
 which constitute its peculiar ornament, are disposed 
 with such exactness of distance, that the most consum- 
 mate artist could not draw lines with more perfect 
 regularity. It seems as if, in the adorning of this ex- 
 traordinary animal, the Creator had given the com- 
 mand to Nature, to display her utmost skill, and in 
 the formation of its stripes, to bid defiance to the line 
 and compass. 
 
 Such is the beauty of the zebra; but it has hitherto 
 been esteemed absolutely untamable. It must, how- 
 ever, be confessed, that no effectual method has yet 
 been adopted for that purpose. Resembling the horse 
 in its form, as w^ell as its manner of living, it. might 
 see-in^ that it possesses a similitude of nature ; and 
 some naturalists suppose, that with proper manage- 
 ment it might be converted to the same uses. This 
 opinion, however, is but ill supported by experience ; 
 for those that have been brought to this country, have 
 discovered a degree of viciousness, that has rendered 
 it uiuuio fco approach them. The zebra, which was 
 
THE ZEBU A. 71 
 
 long kept in the royal menagerie, in France, was ex- 
 ceedingly wild at its arrival, and was never com- 
 pletely tamed. He was, indeed, broken for the sad- 
 dle, but his imtractableness rendered great precau- 
 tion necessary ; and two men were obliged to hold 
 the bridle while another was riding him. Some sup- 
 pose, that if this animal were completely domesti- 
 cated, and a tame breed produced, it might then be 
 brought under the same management as the horse. 
 A beautiful male zebra, at Exeter-change, London, 
 which was afterwards burnt to death, by the mischie- 
 vous act of a monkey setting lire to the straw on 
 which he lay, appeared to have entirely lost his na- 
 tive wildness, and was so gentle as to suffer a child 
 of six years old to sit quietly on his back, without 
 exhibiting the least sign of displeasure. He was fa- 
 miliar .even with strangers, and received those kind 
 of caresses, that are usually given to the horse, with 
 evident satisfaction. The one, however, that was 
 some years ago, kept at Kevv, seemed .of a savage and 
 fierce nature. jVo one dared venture to approach it 
 except the person who was accustomed to feed it. 
 For, whatever speculation may imagine,, experience 
 shews this animal to be of a very ditiercnt disposition 
 from both the wild horse and the wild ass. Both 
 these, r when once taken, are easily tamed, and be- 
 come tractable, which has never yet been the case 
 with the zebra. 
 
 This animal has, by many naturalists, been erro- 
 neously confounded with the wild ass. There ex- 
 ists, indeed, an elegant breed of wild asses in some 
 parts of the Levant, and in the northern countries of 
 Africa, which is much more beautiful than the com- 
 mon ass, and which, like the finest breed of horses, 
 originated from Arabia. But the zebra is a very dif- 
 ferent animal from these, and inhabits a diilerent 
 climate. It exists neither in Europe, Asia, nor Ame- 
 rica, nor even in the northern parrs of Africa, and is 
 only found in the southern regions of the last-men- 
 tioned quarter of the globe, from Abyssinia to ths 
 Cape of Good Hope, and from Mosambique to Congo. 
 
? tETTIiR XIV. 
 
 As the ancients were unacquainted with that part of- 
 world, it is evident that the zebra cannot be the 
 species of wild ass, which they well knew by the 
 name of the Onagrus. The Dutch, of the Cape co- 
 lony, have employed every means to subdue and 
 tame the zebra without- success. Whole herds of 
 these animals are sometimes seen feeding ; but they 
 are exceedingly difficult to take, on account of their 
 vigilance and extraordinary swiftness. I have been 
 somewhat prolix in the description of this singularly 
 beautiful quadruped, as it constitutes a striking ob- 
 ject in the animal creation, and is esteemed a present 
 fit to be made to the greatest prince. It seems, that 
 the Almighty Being has been willing to display to 
 our eyes the exuberance of his power, in bestowing 
 so great a profusion of beauty on the animal inhabi- 
 tants of the desert, as well as so remarkable an adap- 
 tation of qualities on those more particularly de- 
 signed for the service of man. I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER XIV. 
 
 The strong, laborious Ox, of honest front." 
 
 THOMSON. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 E subject of my present letter is, perhaps, the 
 most interesting that is furnished by the whole system 
 of animated nature. A very little reflection will 
 suffice to convince you, that those animals, commonly 
 called ruminating, of which the ox, sheep, and gout 
 kind, are the principal, constitute, so far as considered 
 in relation to man, the most important and intrinsic- 
 ally valuable, part of the brute creation. If, indeed, 
 indispensable necessity alone were made the criterion 
 of utility and value, the ox and the sheep would. 
 claim a superiority even over that noble animal, the 
 horse ; for the former, nourishing us with their milk, 
 sustaining us wifli their flesh, and clothing us with 
 their fleeces, are objects of the utmost importance to 
 
tri?". 
 
,THK OX KINB, 73 
 
 s, ami absolutely necessary to our well-being, if not 
 to our existence ; while the latter, notwithstanding 
 his extensive and universally acknowledged utility, 
 ini^ht be left out of the system of animal creation 
 with less detriment to the human species, than would 
 ensue from the omission, or extinction of the ox and 
 the sheep. Ought \ve not, then, my clear Sir, to ad- 
 njire and adore the infinite goodness of Him, who,, by 
 creating for our use both the one and the other, has 
 so kindly considered our wants, and provided for their 
 supply ; and consulted not only our necessities, but 
 also our convenience ? 
 
 The various animals, which ruminate or chew the 
 cud, living wholly on vegetables, have no induce- 
 ment to make war on any other species ; and being 
 confined to grain and herbage for their nourishment, 
 their stomachs and intestines have received from na- 
 ture a conformation which enables them to receive a 
 large quantity of food : for this purpose they are 
 furnished with four stomachs. The food, after masti- 
 cation, descends into the first of these, and after re- 
 maining there some time, is forced up again into tlis 
 mouth, where it undergoes a second chewing. After 
 this, it 'passes into the second stomach, and thence 
 descends through the various convolutions of the iu- 
 testines. Here again, my dear Sir, we must admire 
 the wisdom of the Creator, in thus giving to these 
 animals an interior conformation which enables them 
 to receive large quantities of aliment, and to retain it 
 in the stomach a length of time, sufficient for the ex- 
 traction of such a quantity of nutritious matter as is 
 necessary for their support. 
 
 Of the different animals of this class, I shall, in the 
 first place, call your attention to 
 
 THE OX KIND. 
 
 Among the various quadrupeds with which the 
 earth abounds, as none is more necessary to the exis- 
 tence of the human species than the Cow, so, like- 
 wise, none appears to be more extensively propa- 
 gated ; for it is found to exist from the polar circles 
 tfc the equator, although it appears liable to greater 
 
LETTER XIV. 
 
 changes from the difference of pasture and climate than 
 most other animals ; and in no other can there be 
 found a' greater variety of kinds, arising from the 
 diversity of these circumstances. In every part of 
 the world the cow is form! large or small, in propor- 
 tion to the quantity and quality of its food. Our 
 English pastures seem admirably suited to the nature 
 of this quadruped ; and there is no part of Enropc 
 where it grows to a larger size, aiibrds a greater 
 quantity ot milk, or fattens in less time. The age of 
 the cow is discoverable by its horns. At the age of 
 four years, a ring is formed towards the .i*oot, and 
 every succeeding year adds another. Thus its age 
 may be exactly known, until it grows very old, when 
 the rings grow closer together, and appear less dis- 
 tinct. 
 
 In Scotland there are two sorts of cows different 
 from each other, and from those of the southern parts 
 of the island. Those of the county of Galloway are 
 without horns, and generally of a brown colour, but 
 often mixed with black, and sometimes entirely black. 
 Large droves of these are brought into the southern 
 parts of the kingdom, where they soon fatten. 
 
 The cattle of the Highlands are very small, and most- 
 ly Mack, with Hue white sharp horns, and hair thick 
 like fur. Large droves of these are likewise brought 
 into England. They are generally esteemed for the 
 excellence of their beef, as well as for the facility 
 with which they fatten. 
 
 In Lord TankervilleV park, at Ohillingham, near 
 Berwick-upon-Tweed, there is yet left a breed of 
 wild cattle, probably the only remains of the tnic 
 breed of that species, at present to be found in this 
 kingdom. Their colour is invariably white, with the 
 im-zzle black, and the whole inside of the ear, and 
 about one-third of the outside, from the tip down- 
 wards, red. Their horns are white, with black tips, 
 and bent downwards* 
 
 At the first appearance of ally person near them, 
 they -ct oil' in full gallop, and at the distance of two 
 or tliree hundred yards, wheel round, and come boldly 
 
dX KINB. 7* 
 
 [> again, tossing their heads in a menacing manner. 
 On a sudden they make a full stop, at the distance of 
 forty or fifty yards, and look wildly at the object of 
 their surprize ; but on the least motion, they all gal- 
 lop off again with equal speed, but not to the same 
 distance, forming a smaller circle ; and again re- 
 turning, with a bolder and more threatening aspect 
 than before, they approach much nearer, probably 
 within thirty yards, when they make another stand, 
 and again gallop off. This they do several times, 
 shortning their distance, till they come within a few 
 yards, when it is generally thought prudent to leave 
 them, as, if they were further provoked, they would 
 probably in a few turns more make an attack. 
 
 It was formerly a practice, occasionally to hunt a 
 bull from among this herd ; of which notice being 
 given, the inhabitants of the neighbourhood assem- 
 bled, sometimes to the number of a hundred horse- 
 men, and four or five hundred foot, all armed with 
 guns or other weapons. But from the number of ac- 
 cidents which happened, this dangerous mode hat 
 been little practised of late years, the park-keeper 
 alone generally killing them with a rifle-gun at one 
 shot. 
 
 When the cows of this herd calve, they hide their 
 young in some sequestered place, and go to suckle 
 them two or three times a day. The calves, if any 
 person comes near them, clap their heads close to the 
 ground, and lie like a hare in form. This seems a 
 proof of the wildness of their nature; of which, the 
 following instance is likewise given : Dr. Fuller, au- 
 thor of the History of Berwick, found a calf hidden 
 by its mother only U\o days old, very lean and weak. 
 On his stroking its head, it got up, pawed two or 
 three times like an old bull, bellow eci very loud, went 
 back a few steps, and bolted at his legs' with all its 
 force : it then began to paw again, bellowed, stepped 
 back, and bolted as before. But bein^ aware of it* 
 intentions, he moved aside, it missed its aim, fell, and 
 was so very weak, that, though it made several ef- 
 forts, it was not able to rise. It, however, had dout 
 1 E 2 
 
LETTER XIV. 
 
 enough, the whole herd was alarmed, and coming to 
 its rescue, obliged him to retire. 
 
 The size of horned cattle, in general, as well as 
 the quantity of milk, butter, and cheese, they pro- 
 duce, depend in a very great degree on the nature 
 of their pasturage. In barren countries, they are al- 
 ways of an inferior bulk, and the largest breed will 
 there soon degenerate, and become small. The dif- 
 ferences arising from this circumstance are exempli- 
 fied in many parts, even of this narrow island ; and, 
 throughout the world, are confirmed by universal ob- 
 servation. In the country of the Elut Tartars, where 
 the pastures are remarkably luxuriant, the horned 
 cattle are said to grow to so large a size, that a man 
 must be tall that can reach the top of their shoulders; 
 The quantity of milk and butter, afforded by the 
 cow is increased or diminished by a variety of cir- 
 cumstances, although it-be affected by none more than 
 the difference of its pasture. Some cows give only 
 six, while others yield ten, fifteen, or even twenty- 
 quarts of milk in one day ; some are even said to 
 have afforded thirty quarts. From the milk of seme 
 cows, twelve or fourteen pounds of butter have been 
 produced in one week. The quantity, however, us 
 well as the quality of these productions -of the cow, 
 depend very much on the greater or less advance- 
 ment of the period of gestation, which is nine months. 
 The life of the cow extends to about fifteen years. 
 
 Formerly the ox was, of all quadrupeds, accounted 
 the most proper for the draught or the plough. Be- 
 fore our highways were so well repaired, and so many 
 turnpike-roads made in every part of the country, he 
 was certainly better adapted to the draught than the 
 horse ; but in the present state of the roads, the case is 
 altered, and horses are found much more expeditious. 
 The use of oxen for the plough is also nearly laid 
 This ahan^e arises from a similar reason ; the 
 superior speed of horses, which the advanced price of 
 lab, ..u- renders at this day an object of considerable 
 imports ce. In the reign of (*ueen Elizabeth horses 
 so scarce, that 110 more thau two thousand could 
 
THE OX KIND. 77 
 
 he procured to mount the cavalry of this kingdom. 
 At the present time, the numerous vehicles of all 
 kinds seen on the roads and in the streets, display 
 .such a multitude of horses, as must appear astonish- 
 ing. Ancient Rome, when mistress of the world, and 
 the centre of luxury beyond all example, did not, 
 perhaps, contain so many horses as might now be 
 found either in Paris or London, although there is 
 reason to believe, that the imperial city was once 
 equal to both of them together, in respect of popu- 
 lation, and perhaps also of wealth ; and it is almost 
 beyond a doubt, that England now contains a far 
 greater number than could, during many ages, be 
 found in all Europe. How far the prodigious in- 
 crease of the number of these truly useful and noble 
 animals is eligible in a political view, it is difficult 
 to determine. In those cases, the complexity of cir- 
 cumstances is so great as to require extensive infor- 
 mation, as well as accurate calculation, before the 
 truth can be ascertained, and the balance justly esti- 
 mated. It is, however, evident, that the multipli- 
 cation of horses has a certain tendency to the dimi- 
 nution of population, by lessening the quantity, and 
 enhancing the price of the provisions necessary for 
 the support of the human species. 
 
 To form a just idea of the various and extensive 
 utility of the ox, you ought, my dear Sir, to consider, 
 that there is scarcely any part of him without its use. 
 The skin is manufactured into leather ; the hair mixed 
 with lime, is used in plaistering ; the bones serve as 
 a substitute for ivory, and being calcined, are used 
 by the refiners as an absorbent, to carry oft* the baser 
 metals in refining silver, and when ground in a mill, 
 they become the most excellent manure for ferti- 
 lising the ground. Boxes, combs, knife-handles, 
 drinking-vessels, and various other articles, are made 
 of the horns, which, when softened in boiling water, 
 become so pliable, as to be formed into lanterns, an 
 invention ascribed to King Alfred : we are furnished 
 with candles from the tallow, and the feet afford an 
 excellent oil, adapted to a variety of purposes. Glue 
 E 3 
 
LETTRR XV. 
 
 is made of the cartilages, gristles, and the finest pieces 
 f the cuttings and parings of 'the hides, boiled in water. 
 The thinnest of the calves'-skins are manufactured 
 into vellum. The blood is riie principal ingredient 
 in making Prussian-blue. Sadlers, and others, use a 
 fine sort of thread prepared from the sinews, which is 
 much stronger than any other equally tine. The 
 gall, liver, and urine, are not without their uses in 
 ruev'.idne, or in manufactures. 
 
 The universal ly known productions of milk, butter,, 
 and cheese, as well as the excellent nutriment which 
 beef ailords to the human body, clearly shews that 
 the cow is, of all quadrupeds, and indeed of the whole 
 animal creation, the most beneficial to man. The 
 observation of Dr. Goldsmith, that " The cow is 
 the poor man's pride, his riches, and support/' is 
 pleasing, but unfortunately inaccurate. That agree- 
 able and elegant writer had not been accustomed to 
 see and observe much rural economy. The monopoly 
 of laud deprives the greatest part of the poor of the 
 means of keeping a cow ; and in most country vil- 
 lages milk cannot be procured at any price. 
 
 I shall, in my next, entertain you with "an account of 
 some other species of horned cattle, which, not being 
 domesticated like the cow, are not so useful to man, 
 although it is not improbable, that, by a proper ma- 
 nagement more benefit might be derived from them 
 than is generally imagined. 
 
 In the mean while, most affectionately, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c 
 
 LETTER XV. 
 
 " The buffalo and bison ; \viM ;md ficree, 
 
 Roams llie wicK- j-lctms., exulting in their strength." 
 
 DF.AR Sin, 
 
 ACCORDING to my promise, which you justly 
 expect me to fulfil, I shall jjive you a concise de- 
 scription of the 
 
BUFFALO. 
 
 ' VRTJS, OR WILD BULL, 
 
 An animal which greatly resembles the tame kind, 
 except in some trifling differences, which it probably 
 awes to its natural wiidness, in conjunction with the 
 luxuriance of ,the pastures fn which it ranges. It is 
 chieflv to be met with in the extensive plains and 
 forests of Lithuania, where it grows to an amazing- 
 size and bulk, being in these respects superior to 
 every other quadr-uped except the elephant. It is en- 
 tirely black, except a single stripe of white that runs 
 along the whole length of the back : its eyes are red 
 and fiery ; the horns thick and short ; the forehead is 
 ornamented with a bushy covering of thick curled 
 hair : the neck is short and strong, and the skin ex-: 
 hales an odour somewhat resembling musk. The 
 female, although much less than the male, exceeds ia 
 size the largest bulls produced in this country. 
 
 THE BISON- 
 IS another animal which differs from the rest of th 
 ox kind, principally in having a large hump between 
 its shoulders, resembling the boss of the camel, only 
 with this difference/ that it is placed more forward. 
 The bison is furnished with a long shaggy mane, 
 which forms a beard under his chin. His head 
 is small, and his forehead wide ; his eyes fierce 
 and red, and his horns extremely expanded. He 
 is exceedingly wild and fierce, and the pursuit of ' 
 him is very dangerous, except in forests where 
 the .rees are large enough to conceal and secure 
 the hunters. The general method of taking this 
 .animal is by digging deep pits, covered over with 
 grass, on the opposite side of which some of the hun- 
 ters placing themselves, tempt the enraged creature 
 to pursue them, when, falling into the snare, he is 
 soon overpowered. 
 
 THE BUFFALO 
 
 Is another species of horned animal, which, by ks 
 appearance, seems to be of the cow kind, and in it* 
 form bears the most striking general resemblance to 
 the common ox. Its habits and propensities are also 
 similar, with respect to its aptitude for domestic uses, 
 4 
 
s v LITTER XV. 
 
 as both are equally submissive to .the yoke, yet r*<& 
 two species ot animals can be in reality more distinct; 
 and they have the most singular antipathy against 
 each other, which appears the more extraordinary, 
 as nothing of the kind is observable between the com- 
 mon cow and the bison, although they resemble each 
 other much less in form. 
 
 The buffalo is' not so beautiful an animal as our 
 common ox, his figure being more clumsy, his body 
 thicker and shorter, and his legs, in proportion, lon- 
 ger ; his head, which he carries nearer i:he ground, is 
 smaller than that of the cow; his horns are not so 
 round, nor is his body so thickly covered with hair. 
 The flesh of the buffalo is. described by some as hard 
 and unpalatable, and exhaling a disagreeable smell. 
 Sparman, on the contrary, says, that the flesh i? 
 coarse, and rather lean, but full of juire, of a high 
 but not unpleasant flavour. In regard to this, much 
 lay depend on the caprice of taste as well as on the 
 difference of the climate and feeding; for experience 
 proves, that these circumstances have a very powerful 
 influence on all animals, especially those of the 
 horned kind, both with respect to their size and 
 shape, the nature of their flesh, and the quality of 
 thfiir other productions. The innumerable shades of 
 difference, produced in the same- species of animals" 
 by the influence of soil and climate, and other adven- 
 titious circumstances, are every where observable* 
 ?nd admit of an endless variety": it is, therefore, no 
 wonder, that naturalists, as well as travellers, should 
 tliifer hi the description of minute particulars. 
 
 A very singular circumstance, relative to thest 
 animals, is recorded by those who completed the last 
 voyage of Captain Cook to the Pacific Ocean. When 
 at Puio Condore,they procured eight builaloes, which 
 were to be conducted to the siiips by ropes, put 
 through their nostrils, and round their horns. l>uc 
 whV>n these were brought within sight of the ship's 
 people, they became so furious, that some of them 
 tore out the cartilage of their nostrils, and set them- 
 selves at liberty; and others broke down even this 
 shrubs to which it was frequently found necessary t 
 
BUFFALO. 81 
 
 fasten them. All attempts to get them on board 
 would have proved fruitless, had it not been for some 
 children whom the animals would suffer to approach 
 them, and by whose puerile management their rage 
 was quickly appeased : and when the animals were 
 brought to' the beach, it was by their assistance, in 
 twisting ropes about their legs, that the men were 
 enabled to throw them down, and by that means get 
 them into the boats. And what appears to have been 
 no less singular than this circumstance, was, that they 
 had not been a day on board before they became per- 
 fectly gentle. 
 
 The wild buffalo is found in India, and in many 
 parts of Africa, especially towards the Cape of Good 
 Hope. These are a formidable tribe, and it is im- 
 possible to escape their fury, otherwise than by 
 climbing into some large tree, as they will break 
 down one of a moderate growth. Many travellers 
 have been instantly gored to death, and trampled to 
 pieces under th^ir feet. They run with amazing 
 speed, and cross the largest rivers without difficulty. 
 Professor Thunberg tells us, that when travelling m 
 Cafiraria, he and his companions had just entered a 
 wood, when they discovered a large old male buffalo, 
 lying aione, in a spot that, for the space of a few 
 square yards, was free from bushes. The animal no 
 sooner observed the guide, who went first, than with a 
 horrible roar he rushed upon him. The man, turning 
 his horse short round, behind a large tree., the builaio 
 rushed straight forwards to the next man, and gored 
 his horse so dreadfully in the belly, that he died soon 
 after. The two men climbed up into trees, and the 
 furious animal made his way towards the rest, of 
 whom the professor was one, who were approaching, 
 but at some distance.' A horse, without a rider, was 
 in the front : as soon as the buffalo saw him, he be- 
 came more outrageous than before, and attacked him 
 with such fury, that he not only drove his horns into 
 the horse's breast, but even out again through the 
 very saddle. This horse was thrown to the grou^ 7 
 with such violence, that he died instantly- ' 
 i 5 
 
LETTER XT. 
 
 many of his bones broken. Just at this moment the 
 Professor happened to come up ; but, from the nar- 
 rowness of his path, having no room to turn round, 
 lie was glad to abandon his horse, and take refuge in 
 a tree. The huftalo, however had finished ; for after 
 the destruction of the second horse, he turned sud- 
 denly round, and gal lopped away. 
 
 Some time after this, the professor and his party 
 perceived an extremely large' herd of buffaloes graz- 
 ing in a plain. As tin y were now well acquainted 
 with the disposition of these animals, and knew 
 that they would not attack any person in the open 
 plains, they approached within forty paces, and fired 
 amongst them. The whole troop, notwithstanding the 
 individual fierceness and boldness of the animals, sur- 
 prized by the sudden flash am! report, turned about 
 and made oft' towards the woods. The wounded buf- 
 faloes, being unable to keep pa'ce with the rest of the 
 herd, were separated from them. Amongst these was 
 an old bi-ll buliaio, winch ran with fury towards the 
 party. They knew that, from the situation of the ey^s 
 of these animals, they could see in scarcely any other 
 direction than straight forward ; nvd that, in an open 
 plain, if a man that was pursued, darted out of the 
 course and threw himself flat on the ground, they would 
 ^llop forward to a considerable distance before they 
 missed him. These circumstances prevented their 
 suilenn<; any material alarm. The animal, from thi* 
 contrivance, passed close by them, and tell before he 
 appeared to have discovered his error. Such, how- 
 ever, was his strength, that, notwithstanding the ball 
 had entered his chest, and penetrated through the 
 greatest part of his body, he ran at lull speed several 
 . '(i paces before he fell. 
 
 The hunters kill the buoaloes by firing on them 
 from the tops of trees, wiih balls partly composed of 
 tin, as the hide of {.his animal is too hard to be peue- 
 trai-ed by a common musket ball. The hide of the 
 bui&lo is very valuable, and the leather made from k 
 is much esteemed for its smoothness, impenetrability, 
 and duration, qualities which reader it excellent for 
 
8S 
 
 This animal, although so wild and formidable in a 
 state of nature, is very easily tamed : it is patient and 
 persevering, arid being endowed with great strength, 
 is very serviceable for the draught. In Italy the buf- 
 falo is domesticated, and constitutes a considerable 
 part of the wealth and the food of the lowest sort of 
 the peasantry, who use them for the purposes of agri- 
 culture, and make butter and cheese from their milk, 
 which is, however, reckoned inferior to that of the 
 cow. Burraioes are also found in a tame state in many 
 parts of the East, as well 1 as in Italy. It is observed 
 by IVObsonville', that it is a singular sight to see large 
 herds of them, morning and evening, cross the Tigri* 
 and Euphrates. They proceed, all wedged together, 
 the herdsman riding on one of them, sometimes stand- 
 ing upright, and sometimes couching down, audit' any 
 of those on the outside straggle, or lag behind, step- 
 ping lightly from back to back, to drive them along. 
 Thus you see, my dear Sir, that the huttalo, although 
 naturally fierce and terrible when wild, is by the ma- 
 nagement of man rendered an useful animal, and a 
 valuable gift of the bountiful Creator, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER Xri. 
 
 " Beho'd, where bound, and of its rohe bereft 
 B^ needy man, that all-depending lord, 
 How nuek, how patient, the mild creature lies. 
 ##***# 
 
 A simple scene, jet hence Britannia sees 
 Her solid grandeur rise, hence she commands 
 Tii' exalted blurts oi every brighter clime:" 
 
 THOMSON. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 PERMIT me at present to call your attention to a 
 species of the animal creation, which in respect of 
 Utility may be deservedly ranked \vith the hors*-. ami 
 the ox, and, indeed, is scarcely less conductive 10. Uia 
 well-being of the human race than thobc uvo moat 
 G 
 
** JLSTT&R XVI. 
 
 valuable quadrupeds. In some respects, indeed, this 
 inestimable creature may be said to excel .both. If 
 the horse be conducive to our pleasure and conveni- 
 ncy, and to the easy and expeditious performance of 
 the greatest part of our business ; if the cow furnish us 
 with the most nutritive and strengthening part of our 
 food, it is to the sheep that we owe not only a veiy 
 considerable portion of our aliment, but also the most 
 essential part of our clothing. 
 
 The sheep is, in a peculiar manner, the creature of 
 man; to him it entirely owes its protection, and to his 
 necessities it amply contributes. On man, indeed, its 
 existence depends ; for without his fostering care, and 
 the interest he has in its preservation, its numerous 
 enemies would soon exterminate the whole race. 
 Though singularly inofFensive, it does not, however, 
 appear so stupid and inanimate as it is considered to 
 be by Buffon, who describes it as " destitute of every 
 art of self-preservation." On mountains, and in ex- 
 tensive shee v 3-walks, where numerous flocks bro/wzft. 
 together, the sheep assumes a different character, and, 
 a ram, or even sometimes a wedder, or an ewe, has 
 been seen to attack a dog, and to come oil' victorious. 
 Sometimes, in case of attack, they will have recourse 
 *to the collective strength of the whole flock, and 
 drawing up into a compact body, and keeping close 
 together, present towards every quarter a formidable 
 front, which cannot be attacked without danger to the 
 assailant. The sheep undoubted iy discovers less ani- 
 mation and sagacity than many other quadrupeds ; 
 butin the selection of its food, few display a greater 
 share of instinctive discrimination. Its aeutejiess of 
 perception, in regard to the approach of a storm, i* 
 also equal to what is manifested in this respect by al- 
 most any other animal. 
 
 The sheep, in consequence of the warm and oily 
 nature of its fleece, is able to bear the greatest extre- 
 mity of cold ; and whole flocks, in endeavouring to 
 shelter themselves under a high hedge, or the brow of 
 a steep hill, have frequently been buried many clays 
 the snow without any detriment. 
 
SIJEK!. 85 
 
 The varieties, observable in this quadruped, are so 
 multiplied, that no two countries, nor scarcely any 
 two districts, produce sheep exactly of the same 
 kind. A visible difference is found between all the 
 different breeds, either in the size, the shape, the 
 fleece, or the horns. The woolly sheep is an inhabi- 
 tant only of Europe, and the temperate regions of 
 Asia; if it be transported into a hotter country, it not 
 :only. becomes less prolific, but its flesh loses its fla- 
 your, and what is still more 'remarkable, its wool 
 changes into a long rough kind of hair, which, by its 
 openness, and coolness, is a covering far better suited 
 to a warm climate, than the close and woolly fleece 
 with which it is clothed in these parts "of the 
 world ; a circumstance which exhibits a remarkable 
 instance of the wisdom and goodness of Divine 
 Providence, in providing for the well-being of all 
 creatures. 
 
 The sheep in the mountainous parts of Walea> 
 where they are rendered wild by the unrestrained 
 liberty which they enjoy, do riot always go in large 
 flocks, but sometimes graze in parties of about eight 
 or twelve, one of which remains at some distance 
 from the rest, to .give notice should any danger ap- 
 proach. When the centinel sees any one advancing, 
 at the distance of two or three humlrt^j yards, iie 
 turns his face to the enemy, keeping a watchful eye 
 pon his motions, allowing him, usually, to approach 
 within eighty or a hundred yards ; but if the sus- 
 pected foe proceeds to come nearer, the watchful 
 guard alarms his comrades by a loud hiss, or whis- 
 tle, twice or thrice, repeated, whenVne whole party 
 instantly make oil' with great agility,, always fly- 
 ing to the steepest and most inaccessible parts of the 
 liiounfcain. 
 
 It is very singular, that in the Holms round Kirk- 
 wall, in the island of Mainland, one of the Orkneys, 
 if any person, about the lambing time, enters with a 
 tiojr, or even without, the ewes suddenly take fright, 
 *nu through feur, as it is imagined, instantly drop 
 
LETTER XVT. 
 
 down dead, as though shot through the head -with -a 
 musket-ball. 
 
 No country produces finer sheep than Great Britain. 
 Those of Spain have finer wool, but their fleeces 
 stand in no degree of comparison with those of Lin- 
 colnshire, ancrmany other parts of this kingdom,, for 
 weight and general utility. 
 
 ' The Lincolnshire breed of sheep, which, with some 
 variations and intermixtures, is extended through 
 most of the eastern and midland counties of England, 
 is large, and bears heavy ilf.eces ; but the wool is 
 very long, and not so fine as some others ; the mut- 
 ton is also esteemed somewhat coarser than that of 
 smaller-sized sheep. The largest breed of sheep, in 
 the whole island, is found on the banks of the Tees, 
 in that fertile valley which separates Yorkshire from 
 the county of Durham. Some of these sheep have 
 been fed to the weight of fifty pounds per quarter ; 
 one, in particular, was found to weigh sixty-two 
 'pounds and a half per quarter ; this was supposed to 
 be the heaviest sheep ever slaughtered in this king- 
 dom. This breed of sheep is more prolific titan seve- 
 ral others ; but those of Dorsetshire are principally 
 remarked for their extraordinary fecundity, being ca- 
 pable of producing twice a year. From this breed 
 the tables of, the great and opulent are supplied with 
 early lamb at Christmas, or sooner if required. Great 
 numbers of these are sent to the London markets, and 
 sol. I at the enormous price often or, perhaps, fifteen 
 shillings per quarter, Tnis circumstance contribute* 
 not a little to enhance the value of the Dorsetshire 
 breed of sheep, which, with some variation?:, is spread 
 through most of the southern cauntie*, but found 
 pure and ur.ni'rccd only in Dorsetshire and Wiltshire. 
 In the norch-we-st pans of England, there is a hardy, 
 bla< ; : ; re .>:], the wool of whicii is coarse yml 
 
 v, bnl the tlesh is esteemed exceHe.it. hi the 
 northern districts of Scotland, a breed of sheep is 
 common, which is remarkable for the smaliness of its 
 .size, as well vvs the fineness of its mutton : their 
 wool, which is also very tine, is streaked wih the va- 
 rious colours of black, brown, and red. Some oftb.es?- 
 
s n E E F. 
 
 sheep do not Treigh above sixty or seventy pounds 
 per quarter. 
 
 The Shetland sheep are generally without horns, 
 and handsome, although very small. When fed, they 
 do not weigh more than eight or ten pounds per quar- 
 ter. This breed of sheep is exceedingly hardy, and 
 consequently well adapted to the severe climate where 
 it is found ; Out what renders them an object of im- 
 portance is, that their wool is esteemed -by good 
 judges to be equal in fineness to t hat, <.-f Thibet, of 
 which the Indian shawls are made. These sheep have 
 a kind of long hair intermixed among the 'wool, a 
 singular instance of the providence of the All-wise 
 Creator, in considering the wants of this animal in so 
 cold a climate ; for as they are never shorn, the wool 
 is pulled oft once a year, and the hair remaining, pre- 
 serves the creature from the piercing winds of that 
 northern region. 
 
 The breed of English sheep has, by the perseve- 
 ring attention of Mr. Bakeweil, ofDishley, in Leices- 
 tershire, been exceedingly improved ; and his exam- 
 ple has been successfully followed by many eminent 
 breeders. The improved Leicestershire breed is now 
 in the greatest esteem in most parts of the kingdom* 
 and almost all the principal breeders endeavour to in- 
 troduce some mixture of it into their stock. Its su- 
 perior qualities are principally those of fattening 
 quickly, and carrying the greatest weight of mutton 
 upon the smallest portion of bone. 
 
 From these circumstances, my clear Sir, you will 
 readily conceive the beneticial etiects of those im-, 
 pnivements which have been made in our sheep, as 
 well as our hordes, and horned cattle, dad consider the 
 importance of that respectable bcsly of men, the 
 English farmers, to whose spirited exertkms, and skil- 
 ful management, this country owes, under Lhvine Pro- 
 violence, the number and excellence of those flocks 
 and herds, which range over our hills, enliven our 
 plains, and constitute an inexhaustible source of plenty 
 and of wealth. 
 
 THE TARTARIAN SHEEP. 
 
 Tartary produces a breed of sheep somewhat larger 
 
83 tETTER XVI. 
 
 than those of this country. The colour of the ram is 
 brown, mixed with white, and that of the ewe, black 
 and white. Their cars are pendulous, and instead of a 
 tail, nature has furnished them with a large protube- 
 rance of fat. These sheep abound in Tarlary, and 
 great numbers of them are annually sold into Russia. 
 The African, or Guinea sheep, are found in most of 
 the tropical countries. They are large, strong, and 
 swift, with short horns, pendulous ears, and coarse- 
 hairy fleeces. 
 
 THE MANY-HORNED SHEEP. 
 
 The sheep of Iceland, Russia, and other cold re- 
 gions of the north, resemble ours in the form of their 
 bodies, but differ from them in having a number of 
 horns, some having four and others eight. Their 
 wool is long, and intermingled with hair, and their co- 
 lour a dark brown. 
 
 THE WA LA CHI AN SHEEP 
 
 Have long spiral horns, standing upright in the 
 form of a screw. They resemble those of this country 
 in size and shape, and have long shaggy fleeces. They 
 are also found in Crete, as well as in many isles of the 
 Archipelago. The broad-tailed sheep, common in 
 Persia, Syria, Barbary, and Egypt, are remarkable 
 principally for their large and heavy tails, which are 
 frequently a foot broad. The tails of these sheep 
 *vc'i<_rh from twenty to fifty pounds, r.iul are esteemed 
 a great delicacy, being of a substance between fat 
 and marrow. 
 
 The sheep of the mountains of Thibet aftim! wool 
 -of an extraordinary length and fineness, of which are 
 made the Indian shawls, frequently sold in this coun- 
 try at the exorbitant price of forty or fifty pounds. 
 Formerly an opinion prevailed, that, those shav/ls were 
 made of the hair of the camel ; and it is only since 
 the English began to form a communication with Thi- 
 bet from India, that the real material of this, singular 
 manufacture has been known. 
 
 I have, my dear Sir, been somewhat prolix, in ex- 
 hibiting to you the different kinds of those quaumpeds 
 which are so conducive to our conveniency and com- 
 fort, and so es.sctitiai to our well-being, that w Can- 
 
SHEEP. 
 
 Hot but consider them as designed by the All-wise and 
 boinuHul Creator peculiarly for our use.. To examine 
 each ppedcs,by tollov.ing all its varieties, proceeding 
 from soil, clinia'e, and human management, would be 
 an endless, and, indeed, an useless task. My intention 
 is, only fee present to your view the great outlines of 
 nature, with which every ore ought to be acquainted, 
 that so you may be enabled to form a right judgment 
 <f thc'i* properties and use, and to conceive some faint 
 idea of the infinite goodness of the great Author of all 
 existence, in creating them for our benefit, as well as 
 of his power and wisdom in, giving them qualities so 
 perfectly adapted to that purpose. Our. views of these 
 subjects will still be enlarged, when we consider, that 
 of the sheep, as well as of the ox, there is scarcely 
 any production that is not useful to man. Of the 
 fleece we make our clothes ; the skin produces leather 
 suitable to a multiplicity of purposes ; and the very 
 entrails are formed into strings for violins and other 
 musical instruments. It must also be observed, that 
 the milk and butter, produced from sheep, constitute 
 in some countries no inconsiderable article of food : 
 and although inferior to the same productions of the 
 cow, might serve as a very good succcdaneum, if 
 Providence had not supplied us with that useful and 
 excellent quadruped, which affords another striking 
 instance of the prolific bounty of the Creator in at- 
 fording us such a variety of resources. 
 
 One particular and very interesting circumstance, 
 relative to the animal now under consideration, must 
 not, my dear Sir, be forgotten. It merits your attend 
 tiqn and will furnish your mind -with a copious fund of 
 reflection, as it will enable you to comprehend the 
 great importance of our sheep as an object of national 
 advantage. In the reign of Edward the Third, when 
 the English wool was exported, ii brought in 150,0001. 
 per annum, a vast sum in that age. At this time, the 
 value of the wool, annually shorn in 1 England is esti- 
 mated at about five millions sterling, and when ma- 
 nufactured conjointly with the Spanish wool imported, 
 t* the annual amount of not more than six or seven 
 
LETTtR XVI. 
 
 hundred thousand pounds, the value of the cloth mnst 
 be above uveucy uiiliions sterling. Oar woollen ma- 
 nufactory stands unrivalled by any nation, and em- 
 ploys n greater ca >ital, produces a greater profit, and 
 furnishes ernptoyrnVht to a greater number of hands, 
 thai, any other manufacture in Europe, or probably 
 in the world. Thus you will perceive, my dear Sir, 
 that the sheep of this island, besides supplying us 
 with the most essential comforts and conveniences of 
 life, are the support of our commerce and population, 
 as well as one of the great sources of our wealth. 
 When you have given these considerations their due 
 weight, you will not, I presume, adopt the principle 
 advanced by some naturalists, who pretend that ani- 
 mals were not primarily intended for the use of man, 
 but are only capable of a secondary application to 
 his purposes'; for it is evident, that in many instances, 
 what these philosophers term the secondary purpose, is 
 so manifest and so essentially necessary to our com- 
 fortable existence,, that we cannot, without impro- 
 priety, as well as ingratitude, suppose it to have been 
 excluded from the original design of the All- wise and 
 bountiful Creator. The wonderful qualities and va- 
 ried utility of the horse, the cow, and the sheep, ex- 
 hibit a striking example of this subordination of the 
 animal race, and of an adaptation to the circumstances 
 and wants of the human species, which evidently ap- 
 pears to be the effect of an all-wise design, and a 
 constituent part of a comprehensive plan. In order 
 to perceive, the reasonableness. of this hypothesis, you 
 have only to consider the benefits we derive from 
 these animal*, and the difficulties under which ma:i- 
 kiirl runs-- h -ve laboured without them, or some others 
 which might have served as substitutes. The impor- 
 tant and interesting reflections, both moral and reli- 
 gious, which these three excellent s-pecies of quadru- 
 peds, so commonly seen, but so seldom viewed with a 
 philosophic eye, are calculated to excite in the con- 
 templative mind, will, I flatter myself, be i\ suiiicient 
 apology fir the prolixity of this article, and a proof of 
 the sincere aiioction with which I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, Sec. 
 
LETTER XFIL 
 
 " The mountain's brow, 
 
 Where sit* the shepherd on the gravs\ \.urf 
 
 Inhaling, healthful, the descending sun ; 
 
 Around him feed his roany-bleKting flock, 
 
 Or' various cadence ; h.s sportive lambs nd goats, 
 
 This way and that convolved in irisklal glte, 
 
 Their frolics piny." THOMSON. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 X SHALL now proceed to entertain you with a de- 
 scription of another kind of animal, which, although 
 in some respects it bears a considerable resemblance 
 to the sheep, differs from it so widely in others, as tx> 
 give evident proofs of a distinction of species. This 
 you will read'ly perceive to be the goat, which in 
 some countries is esteemed no mean substitute for th 
 highly useful animal which was t.he subject of my 
 last. Before we proceed in this view of the works of 
 nature, we must cast a gkince at a creature which 
 seems to be so nearly allied to each of the two species, 
 as to form one of those connecting links which we so 
 often perceive in the continued chain of animal exis- 
 tence. 
 
 THE MUFFLON, OR .MUSMON. 
 
 So much resembles, in some respects, the sheep, and 
 in others, the goat, 'that it has, by diiicrem natural- 
 ists, been classed with each of the two species. Irs 
 horns resemble those of the ram; they are bent back- 
 ward, and in all their convolutions sometimes measure 
 from tive to seven feet in length. The old rams of 
 this kind oftfii have desperate conflicts, and some- 
 times precipitate one another from the summits of the 
 rocks which they frequent. From their covering, 
 which is hair, they seem to participate more, of the 
 species of the goat than that of the sheep, and tlu-y 
 appear to partake of the disposition of the former, in 
 frequenting the highest and most rugged parts of 
 in>un,ainoutf countries. This renders the hunting of 
 the musinon,. which is much practised by the Tartars. 
 
9-8 
 
 LETTER XVIf. 
 
 and Kamtschadales, extremely difficult and dangerous. 
 The musmons of Kamtschatka grow to the size- of a 
 young stag, and are said to be so strong, that ten men 
 are hardly able to hold one of them. The horns are 
 also extremely large, and are made use of for a va- 
 riety of purposes. This animal is found in the un- 
 cultivated and mountainous parts of Greece, Sardinia, 
 and Corsica, and -also in the desert plains of Tartary. 
 In the swiftness of its running, it resembles (her deer 
 more than either the sheep or the goat. As it has 
 been known to breed with the common sheep, Button, 
 and many other naturalists, have supposed it to be the 
 primitive race of that animal. Whether or not thig 
 be the case, is, however, a problem of which the so- 
 tion is difficult, if not impossible. 
 
 THE COMMON GOAT 
 
 Occupies the next place in the scale of animal ex- 
 istence, and although inferior in utility to the sheep, 
 has in many respects a visible affinity to that quadru- 
 ped ; but the services of the latter cause the goat to 
 be held in less estimation, and its domestication and 
 improvement to be considered as an object less worthy 
 of attention. The goat is more hardy than the sheep, 
 and in every respect better adapted to a state of li- 
 berty. It is stronger, swifter, and more playful ; not 
 easily confined to a flock, but chusing its own pas- 
 ture ; it delights to roam at large. It is easily sus- 
 tained, and appears to have a stronger inclination for 
 liberty than for delicacy of food. For this reason it 
 is valuable chiefly to the inhabitants of wild and moun- 
 tainous countries, where it finds an ample supply 
 from the spontaneous productions of nature in situa- 
 tions inaccessible to most other quadrupeds. Goats 
 climb the loftiest rocks, and stand secure on the brink 
 of the most abrupt precipices ; for this purpose their 
 feet are admirably formed by nature, the hoofs being 
 hollowed underneath with sharp edges, resembling 
 the inside of a spoon, which prevents them from slid- 
 ing oil' the craggy rocks which they frequent. This 
 singular conformation of the feet of this animal exhi- 
 bits a remarkable instance of the wisdom and goodness 
 
COAT, 
 
 d'f the Creator, in so perfectly adapting its organiza- 
 tion to its instincts. 
 
 The goat delights in the uncultivated hea$, or 
 'the shrubby rock, rather than in the fields cultivated 
 by human industry. It bears well either a hot or a 
 cold climate. Its milk is of an agreeable taste, highly 
 nutritive, and medicinal, especially in consumptive 
 cases. Several places, in the mountainous parts of 
 Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, are much resorted to by 
 valetudinarians, lor the purpose of drinking the milk 
 of the goat, and its effects are often found salutary in 
 -vitiated and debilitated habits. 
 
 Sonnini, in his edition of Button's Natural History, 
 gives a curious instance of the readiness with which 
 the goat will permit itself to be sucked by animals of 
 a different kind, and even of a much larger size than 
 itself. He tells us, that he saw in the year 1780, a 
 foal that had lost its mother, thus nourished by a goat, 
 which was placed on a barrel, in order that the foal 
 might" suck with more convenience. The foal fol- 
 lowed its nurse to pasture, as if she had been its mo- 
 ther, and was attended with the greatest care by the 
 goat, which always called it back by her bleatings, 
 when it wandered to any distance from her. 
 
 These animals, from extreme familiarity, will some- 
 times become troublesome. Button relates, that in 
 .1698, an English ship, having gone into an harbour 
 in the island of -Bonavista, two negroes went on board, 
 and ottered the captain as many goats as he chose 
 to carry away. He expressed his surprise a\ this of- 
 fer, when the negroes informed him that there were 
 only twelve persons on the island, and that the goats 
 had become so numerous, as to be extremely trouble- 
 some ; for, instead of being difficult to catch, they 
 followed them about with an unpleasant degree uf ob- 
 stinacy, like other domestic animals. 
 
 In many of the mountainous parts of Europe, goats 
 constitute the principal wealth of the inhabitants, 
 and supply them with many of the necessaries and 
 conveniences of life. They lie upon beds made of 
 their skins : they live upon their milk without bread/ 
 
4 L^fTER XVII* 
 
 and make from it both butter and cheese. The flesk 
 of the kid is esteemed a rarity, and considered as lit- 
 tle inferior to venison. From these considerations, it 
 appears that the goat, although superseded in this 
 country by the sheep, is a quadruped of very consi~ 
 derable value. 
 
 THE IBEX, 
 
 According to M. BufFon, is the parent stock from 
 which our domestic grtat is descended ; and, indeed, 
 the former is very similar to the latter in the shape of 
 its body, but differs considerably from it in the shape 
 of its horns, which are much larger. The ibex fre- 
 quents the most elevated parts of the Alps, in the 
 Vallois, arid the country of the Grisons. It is also 
 found in, the mountains of Crete. It is extremely 
 wild, and the chace of it exceedingly dangerous, as it 
 always keeps upon the highest points of the rocks, 
 and being very strong, frequently turns upon the 
 huntsman, and hunts him headlong down the preci- 
 pice. It will mount a perpendicular rock of fifteen 
 feet at three leaps, or rather at three successive 
 bounds of five feet e-ach. It does not appear to find 
 any footing on the rock, but seems to touch it merely 
 to be repelled, like an elastic substance striking a hard 
 body. In the last extremity* this active and intre; id 
 animal can throw itself from the tops of the highest 
 rocks, and escape unhurt. 
 
 The colour of the ibex is generally a dark brown, 
 intermixed with a little grey ; a streak often runs 
 along the top of its back ; the belly and thighs are of 
 a delicate fawn colour. 
 
 THE CHAMOIS GOAT 
 
 Inhabits the same districts as the ibex, and abounds 
 in the mountains of Dauphine, Piedmont, Savoy, and 
 Switzerland. Thev are seen in flocks of eighty or an 
 hundred dispersed among the craggs of those stupen- 
 dous mountains. The chamois resembles in size th 
 commongoat, but is greatly admired for the beauty 
 of its eyes, which are round, sparkling, and animated. 
 Its head is ornamented with two horns, of about half 
 a foot long, of a beautiful black, rising from the fortr- 
 
GOAT. 9 
 
 bead almost between the eyes. These horns stand 
 forward, bending a little back towards the extremi- 
 ties, and ending in a sharp point. /The ears are ele- 
 gantly placed near the horns, and two stripes of black 
 adorn each side of the face ; the rest being of a pale 
 yellow. This animal has scarcely any cry, except a 
 feeble bleat by which it calls its young; but in cases 
 of danger, when it gives warning to the rest of the 
 flock, it makes through its nostrils a hissing noise, 
 which is heard to a great distance. It is extremely 
 vigilant, and to an eye remarkably quick .and pierc- 
 ing, adds a scent not less acute and distinguishing. 
 When it perceives its enemy distinctly, it stops a mo- 
 ment, then, in an instant, takes flight ; and it is said 
 to be able, by the acuteness of its smelling, to dis- 
 cover a man at the distance of more than a mile. 
 Upon any apprehension of danger, the chamois be- 
 gins a loud hissing. The first hiss is in the beginning 
 very sharp, but deeper towards the close, and con- 
 tinues the whole time of one respiration. Having, 
 after this first alarm, reposed itself for a moment, it 
 looks round, and if it perceives the danger to be real, 
 it continues to hiss at intervals. During this time, the 
 animal seems in the most violent agitation, striking the 
 ground with its fore-feet; it bounds from rock to rock, 
 and flies to thd edges of the precipices to look fov the 
 enemy. It is said, that some of them always act the 
 part of sentinels; and it has generally been observed, 
 "that, where i\ herd of them is seen feeding, two or 
 three are mostly detached from the rest. The hunt- 
 ing of the chamois is attended with the same difficul- 
 ties and danger as that of the ibex ; and like the lat- 
 ter, it will, when hard pressed, turn upon the hunter 
 and precipitate him from the top of a craggy rock, 
 where he must meet with inevitable destruction. The 
 usual method of taking them, is by placing persons at 
 all the passages of a glade or valley, and shooting 
 them from behind the clefts of the rocks. Their ex- 
 treme swiftness renders them unapproachable by any 
 mode of pursuit, and dogs are totally useless in this 
 chace. They run along the craggs with such rapi- 
 
BETTER XVII. 
 
 dity, and bound from rock to rock with sucii ease, 
 that no other animal can follow them ; and nothing 
 can be more astonishing, than the extraordinary fa- 
 cility with which the chamois climbs and descend* 
 precipices, that to all other quadrupeds are inacces- 
 sible. These animals will frequently leap from ft 
 rock of thirty feet high, and light with the greatest 
 security on some fragment or excrescence on the sidf 
 of the precipice, which is only just large enough to 
 place their feet on ; and such is the extreme quick* 
 ness and agility of their motion, that to a spectator, 
 they seem rather to fly than to leap. Such extraor- 
 dinary advantages lias the Great Creator given to tliia 
 singular quadruped, to serve as means for its preser- 
 vation. 
 
 The chamois, notwithstanding its extraordinary 
 wildness, is, when caught, very easily rendered tamo 
 and docile, and like other animals of the goat kind, 
 soon becomes attached to good treatment. Its flesh 
 is very good and wholesome, and the skin of the cha- 
 mois was once reckoned, when tanned, exceedingly 
 valuable for its softness and warmth. At present, how* 
 ever, the leather called shammoy, is made also from 
 the skins of the deer, the .sheep, and the domestic goat. 
 
 The chamois is so much incommoded by heat, that 
 in summer they are never found any where but under 
 the shade of high and spreading trees, in the caverns 
 of rocks, amidst fragments of ice, or under rough and 
 over-hanging precipices, facing the north, as they 
 cannot bear the rays of the summer's sun. They 
 pasture only in the evening or morning, and when 
 the day begins to grow warm, always retire to their 
 shady recesses. Thus we find, that an all-wise Pro- 
 vidence has, in every respcec, adapted the nature of 
 this, as of every other creature, to the region which it 
 is destined to inhabit. 
 
 THE GOAT OF ANGORA 
 
 Is remarkable for its long, thick, and glossy hair, 
 which is of a dazzling whiteness, and is highly va- 
 lued as a profitable article of commerce ; for of fhi* 
 are made those beautify! cloths, well known among 
 
SO AT. 97 
 
 u* by the name of Camblets. These animals, as well 
 as the sheep of Tibet, so famous for the fineness of its 
 wool, from which the high-priced Indian shawl is 
 made, might, in all probability, thrive as well in Bri- 
 tain as in their native country, and if once introduced, 
 would not only tend to beautify and enliven the rugy 
 ged scenes of our most bleak and barren mountains, 
 but render the uncultivated and unproductive parts of 
 the island a source of utility and wealth. In Portugal 
 there is also a breed of fine large goats, remarkable 
 for their abundance of milk, of which some yield riot 
 less than six quarts per day. These also, if introduc- 
 ed into some of the mountainous and barren tracts of 
 this island, might be an useful acquisition. 
 
 From what has been already said of the horse, th* 
 ass, the cow, the sheep, and goat, you will easily per- 
 ceive, that, to trace the varieties of a single species, 
 through all it.s shades of discrimination, would be 
 both an unless and an endless task ; the same might 
 be observed of most other animals. Difference of cli- 
 mate, and of the quality and quantity of aliment, in- 
 fluence in some degree all animal life ; and a thou- 
 sand other circumstances, many of which are visible, 
 and others unknown, concur to produce innumerable 
 varieties in each species. As it is not my design to 
 perplex you with these minutiae, I shall omit all tedi- 
 ous details, and only endeavour to present to your 
 attention those general outlines of nature, which, with- 
 out fatiguing your mind, or overburdening your me- 
 mory? will impel you to admire the power, the wis- 
 dom, and the goodness of the Creator, which are so 
 evidently displayed in the comprehensive grandeur 
 and benevolence of his immense and complicated plan. 
 Tin's tusk, wl'ich my friendship for you imposes, I 
 shall endeavour to execute in the best, manner I am 
 able ; and at least the sinr.rvity of my desire, to com- 
 municate to you ir.strnt i< i so important, and infor- 
 mation so interesting, \\lii convince you that, with 
 .sentiment of aitection and esteem, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, your's &. 
 
..98 
 
 LETTER, XV11L 
 
 " From rock to rock the swift antelope springs." 
 
 ANON. 
 DEAR SIB, 
 
 I HAVE exhibited to your view the principal var 
 rieties of the sheep and the goat kind, and the ap- 
 proaches they make towards each other by continual, 
 ;md in some respects, almost imperceptible gradations. 
 Nature, indeed, proceeds in her variations by .insciv- 
 gibie degrees, and a line of distinction can sometimes 
 scarcely be drawn between her varying shades, or a 
 discrimination made between two neighbouring tribes 
 of animal life. In almost all transitions, from one 
 kind to another, a middle race is found, which appears 
 to partake of the nature of both, and which yet can- 
 not precisely be classed with either. 
 
 THE GAZELLES, OR ANTELOPES, 
 
 From one of those connections of animated nature, 
 holding a middle rank between the goat and the deer; 
 and although they have, by some systematic writers, 
 particularly Linnaeus, been classed with the goat kind, 
 yet some others have considered them as a distinct 
 race; and indeed, if they have properties in common 
 with the goat, especially the similitude of their horns, 
 and the circumstance of not casting them, they greatly 
 resemble the deer in other respects. The character- 
 jstics which distinguish this tribe of animals, both 
 from the goat arid the deer, are chiefly these : The 
 horns are annulated, and have longitudinal furrows 
 running from the base to the apex. Of all animals, 
 deer kind have the most beautiful eyes, to which the 
 Eastern poets make frequent allusions, in describing 
 the attractive glances of their favourite mistresses. 
 Besides the extraordinary beauty and mildness of its 
 aspect, the gazelle surpasses the roebuck in the deli- 
 cate formation of its limbs, as well as in the fineness 
 and glossiness of its hair. It is elegant in its shape, 
 and rapid in its motions ; of a restless and timid dis- 
 position; vigilant and vivacious; and^its boundinge 
 
ANTELOKE. it 
 
 are astonishingly light and elastic. These may be 
 considered as the general characteristics of all the dif- 
 ferent species, of which our limits permit us to enu- 
 merate only a few, although they are ramified into 
 almost numberless varieties. Oi these we shall re- 
 mark the 
 
 BLUE GOAT, 
 
 So named from its colour, which is a fine fylue, and 
 shines with a gloss resembling that of velvet. Its 
 belly is white, and beneath each eye it has a large 
 white mark: its tail is about half a foot long, with a 
 ^brush of long hair at the end : its horns are turned 
 backward, and three-fourths of the length, from the 
 'base, -is decorated with twenty-four rings : but the 
 uppermost quarter is smooth, and terminates in a 
 point. This animal inhabits the hottest parts of 
 Africa. 
 
 THE WHITE ANTELOPE, 
 
 Is supposed to be the pygarg, mentioned in the 
 book of Numbers. It is an inhabitant of Africa, amj 
 in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good ilope, 
 herds of several thousands sometimes cover the plains. 
 It must, however, have once been an inhabitant ct 
 Palestine, or at least of Egypt or Arabia ; for it is not 
 to be supposed, that the prohibitions of the Jewish 
 law would have comprehended a quadruped, found no 
 where but in the torrid zone, or in the southern parts 
 of Africa. 
 
 The white antelope is a beautiful creature, about 
 two feet and a half high, and about three feet in 
 Irngth. The. distance of its horns, at the base, is 
 about one inch: from thence they gradually expand, 
 to the distance of five inches, then turn inwards 
 and approach within about three inches of eacs'i 
 other at the points : they are of a deep black, annu- 
 lated about halfway up from the base, quite smooth 
 towards the top, and terminating in a sharp point. 
 
 The predominant colour of this beautiful animal, is 
 a light brown : its breast, belly, and inside of the 
 limbs, are white, as is also the head, with the exec; - 
 
 Fg 
 
100 LETTER xvm. 
 
 tion of a dark brown stripe, extending from eftch cor- 
 ner of the mouth to the base of the horns : a stripe of 
 the same colour runs along each side, from the 
 shoulders to the haunches, forming a boundary be- 
 tween the snowy whiteness of the belly and the light 
 brown of the sides : the buttocks are white, and a 
 stripe of white, bounded on each side by one of d:;rk 
 brown, extends troru the tail, half-way up the back ; 
 the tail is very slender, the lower part of it not being 
 much thicker than a goose-quill ; the hair is in gene- 
 ral tine and short, but the dark stripes consist of hair 
 longer than the rest, In the pui'suit of these animals, 
 it is equally curious and pleasant, to see the whole 
 herd bounding over one another's heads to a consi- 
 derable height. Some of them will take three or four 
 high leaps successively. In this position they seem 
 suspended in the air, looking over their shoulders and 
 shewing their beautiful white backs. They are-.so 
 extremely swift, as to require a fleet horse to over- 
 take them. Their flesh is very well tasted, juicy, and 
 delicate. 
 
 THE ELK ANTELOPE 
 
 Is likewise an inhabitant of the southern parts of 
 Africa and also of India. It has straight horns, two 
 feet long, and of a dark brown colour, marked with 
 two prominent spiral ribs, running two-thirds of their 
 length, the tops smooth, with an inward inflection. 
 The forehead is flat, with a crest of hair standing erect 
 the whole length of it. This animal is one of the 
 largest of the gazelle kind : it is of a bluish ash co- 
 lour, and has a black mane, which stands upright, 
 and runs the \\holelengthofthebackaswelias of 
 the neck. The elk -antelopes live chiefly in the plains 
 lilies, and \\hen hunted, always endeavour to 
 run against the wind. The Dutch colonists, in the 
 i.aj.e settleiiK'.it, are very expert in hunting this 
 til mal. 
 
 THE GEMSEBOEK 
 
 Is another species of antelopes, famous for a con- 
 cretion ia the stomach, called the oriental bezoar. 
 The power of expelling poison, which ignorance for- 
 
ANTELOPE* 101 
 
 merly attributed to it, caused it to be estimated at an 
 enormous value. Some bezoars have been sold as 
 high as 2001. Experience, however, has discovered, 
 that its virtues are only imaginary, and this once-ce- 
 lebrated medicine k no longer used in countries where 
 the study of nature has dispelled the mists of igno- 
 rance. 
 
 These descriptions of the principal distinctions of 
 the gazelle, or antelope kind, are taken from that 
 accurate and indefatigable investigator of nature, Dr. 
 Spa i- man, who, from his residence at the Cape, and 
 his active researches, was especially qualified to in- 
 form us of the nature and qualities of the animals in 
 the southern parts of Africa. He mentions a number 
 of other varieties of the antelope, without entering 
 into any details of their characteristics or qualities. 
 Indeed, the most laborious naturalist must leave some- 
 thing imperfect. The beauties of the creation, both 
 in the conformation of animals and the disposition of 
 in nimaia matter, are innumerable, and the ever-va- 
 rying forms of nature battle discrimination and exhaust 
 description. 
 
 Other naturalists have added descriptions of the 
 other animals 01' the antelope kind, which have been 
 described by naturalists ; it will, in this compendium, 
 suiiice to mention the names, as the reebok, tiie grys- 
 bok, the Klip springer, the gnu, the steenbok, ,.nd the 
 nanguer. We shall only, remark, that 
 
 THE COMM'JX XNi'ELOPE, 
 
 Which abounds in ail the northern parts of Africa, 
 is somewhat less than the fallow deer ; that its horns, 
 which are remarkable for a beautiful double flexion, 
 are about fifteen inches long, and surrounded w.th 
 prominent rings almost to the top, where they are 
 about a foot distant from point to point, and that its 
 colour is brown, mingled with red on the backhand 
 white on the belly and inside of the thighs. The 
 Barbary antelope, which is also very common, not 
 only in the northern parts of Africa, but also in Syria 
 and Mesopotamia, seems only to be a variety of ti^e 
 3 
 
1&2 LETTER XIX. 
 
 last mentioned animal, to which it bears a striking re* 
 semblance, 
 
 THE CHEVROTAIN, OR LITTLE GUINEA DEER, 
 
 Cannot^ however, be omitted, as it is not only the 
 smallest, but also the most beautiful of all the ante- 
 lope kind, artel indeed of all the cloven-footed quad- 
 rupeds. It is no larger than a half-grown cat, but in 
 its shape it is elegant beyond description. Its fore- 
 legs, at the smallest part, do not much exceed the 
 thickness of a tobacco-pipe : its horns are straight, 
 scarcely two inches long, and of a shining jet black. 
 The colour of some' of these elegant little animals, is 
 a reddish brown, of others a beautiful yellow, and 
 their hair is short and exceeding glossy ----These hand- 
 some little creatures are natives of Senegal, and other 
 hot parts of Africa. They are also found in India, 
 as well as in Ceylon, and many others of the 1 oriental 
 islands ; but they can subsist only in a hot climate, 
 and are too delicate to be kept alive in Europe. 
 
 These are only a few of the varieties of the gazelle 
 kind, of which the ramifications and subdivisions are 
 iihno it innumerable. They are, however, sufficient to 
 excite you to admire the unlimited power, incompre- 
 hensible wisdom, and diffusive goodness of the Great 
 Creator, displnye'J in the prolific energy of Nature. 
 W : uh ailection and esteem, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c\ 
 
 LETTER XIX. 
 
 ,.., ' Unhartx ur'd now, the royal stag forsakes 
 His wonted lair; ho shakes hrt dappled sides, 
 And tosses high his beamy head the copse 
 . Beneath his antlers bends." 
 
 SOMERVII.LB, 
 D'EA'A 'SIR, 
 
 .PERMIT ir.o, at thin renewal of o :r correspondence . 
 to entertain you v/itii a few observations on a race of 
 u.i.iiTials, whiv. h seeth designed by the Creator to- em- 
 bellish the iV;c-3; u-ii animate the solitudes of rmcul- 
 
DEER. 
 
 rivaled nature. The. deer, inoffensive and peaceable, 
 elegant and active, cannot, be viewed without plea- 
 sure, and the branching antlers of the stag, apparently 
 calculated for ornament rather than for either aggres- 
 sion or defence, render him, if not one of the most 
 useful quadrupeds, at least one of the most superb 
 and beautiful forms of the animal creation. These 
 horns of the stag are the index of his age : the first 
 year exhibits only a short protuberance ; the second 
 yeajr the horns are straight and single ; the third pro- 
 duces two antlers ; the fourth three, and the fifth four. 
 After the stag has attained his sixth year, the number 
 of his antlers being sometimes six and sometimes 
 seven, cannot be considered as an exact criterion. In 
 the beginning of March, the old ones shed their horns, 
 but the young ones not before the middle of May. 
 During this troublesome period, they separate them- 
 selves from the herd, and wander solitary and dispirit- 
 ed over the plains until their antlers arc grown, and 
 have acquired their complete hardness, expansion, 
 and beauty. This operation of Nature is completed 
 about the end of July, when the stags leave their re- 
 treats and return to the herds. 
 
 In England the usual colour of the stag is red, in 
 other countries brown or yellow. His eye is remark- 
 ably beautiful, being at once brilliant and mild, and 
 both his hearing and smelling arc extremely acute. 
 The stag is five years in coining to his perfection, 
 and lives about thirty-five or forty. It is now a ge- 
 nerally received opinion among naturalists, that ani- 
 mals live seven times the number of years required 
 to bring them to perfection ; but ^ hether this opinion 
 be sufficiently confirmed by experience., appears 
 somewhat problematical. 
 
 The hind is the female of the stag ; her head is not 
 adorned with antlers, and she is smaller than the 
 male. The hind goes between eight and nine months 
 with young, and generally brings forth in May or 
 June. She is exceedingly attached to her offspring, 
 and will make the dog, or even the wolf, sometimes 
 give back by her eliortg for its preservation, while 
 F 4 
 
104 
 
 LETTER XIX. 
 
 the stag is so unnatural as to be one of its most dan- 
 gerous enemies ; and he would soon destroy the fawn, 
 if not prevented by the maternal care of the dam, in 
 concealing the place of its retreat. 
 
 The following historical fact, shews that the stag is 
 capable of an extraordinary degree of courage. 
 Some years ago, a tiger and a stag being inclosed in 
 the same area, the stag, when attacked, made so reso- 
 lute a defence, that his assailant was obliged to desist. 
 During the reigns of our first Norman kings, the pas- 
 sion for hunting the stag was carried to .such excess,, 
 (hst it was esteemed as small a crime to murder one 
 of the human species as to destroy one of these tmi- 
 UKI'S. la our i.slaud large tracts of land were cou- 
 'verted into forests for deer. Happily for mankind, 
 these wide-extended scenes of desolation and oppres- 
 sion have been gradually contracted : agriculture lias 
 spread itself over the- land;- beasts of chase have given 
 way to the ox and the sheep, and lowing herds and 
 bleating flocks enliven the face of the country, and 
 increase the national wealth. 
 
 THE FALLOW DEER 
 
 Is well known in this country : though it very much 
 resembles the stag, they are a distinct species, and so 
 determined an animosity exists between them, that, 
 although both are gregarious, they will not herd to- 
 gether. The fallow deer is inferior to the stag in size 
 and strength; it is seldom found wild in the forest; 
 but it constitutes the ornament of the park. Its horns, 
 instead of being round like those of the stag, are broad, 
 palmated at the top, and better tarnished with antlers. 
 Dissentions about pasturage frequently occur among 
 these animals; and in such cases, uie herd divides 
 into two parties, aud an obstinate engagement ensues, 
 to determine the possession of some favourite part of 
 the park. Each par-.y has its leader, which is always 
 the oldest and strongest of the herd. They attack in 
 regular order, light with couuige, support one ano- 
 ther, retreat, rally, and seldom give up the contest-, 
 in consequence of one defeat. The combat is fre- 
 quently renewed several days successively, till, aher 
 
DEER. 103 
 
 being repeatedly vanquished/ the weaker party is 
 obliged to leave the conquerors in possession of the 
 disputed territory. The fallow deer goes eight months 
 with young, comes to perfection in three years, and 
 lives about twenty. There are many varieties of the 
 fallow deer. In* England we have two sorts : the 
 spotted, supposed to have been brought from Bengal, 
 and the deep brown, originally introduced from Nor- 
 way into this country, by King James the First. The 
 deer, in its diiferent varieties, is a race of animals ex- 
 tensively diffused, and appears to be spread over al- 
 most every part of the globe. The new world, \\here 
 neither the sheep, the goat, nor the gazelle, were ori- 
 ginally bred, is known to have been the native abode 
 of the deer. The whole continent of America abounds 
 with stags and other animals of the deer kind, in al- 
 most all their varieties ; and in some parts, the inha- 
 bitants have domesticated them, and find a rich sup- 
 ply of food in the miik and cheese which they pro- 
 duce. Thus the same animal, which, in some coun- 
 tries, contributes only to the amusement of man, is in 
 another converted to his use, u;id s .p plies his wants. 
 This shews the d illusive bounty of the Creator, in 
 rendering the stores cf nature so various and abundant, 
 that necessity, if aided by industry and skill, is never 
 at a loss for resources. 
 
 THE ROEBUCK 
 
 Is the smallest of the deer kind. Though formerly 
 common, the breed is nearly extinct in this country ; 
 but in the mountainous parts of Scotland it yet 
 abounds. The form of this animal is elegant, and its 
 agility astonishing : it bounds seeming y without ef- 
 fort, and runs with great s^eed : in courage it is at 
 least equal to the stag, and us subtle artifices, when 
 hunted, afe proofs of its canning : if turns repeatedly, 
 till it has, by its various zig-zags, entirely confused 
 the scent. The crafty- animai thus confounds the 
 dogs, until they are completely bewildered. Tfie 
 roebucks do not associate in .herds, like other deer, 
 but live in separate tribes. 
 F 5 
 
lu ^ ? LETTER XIX. 
 
 THE ELK 
 
 Is a nniive both of the old and the new continent, 
 being known in Europe by the name of the elk, and in 
 America by that of the moose deer. It is the largest 
 of all the deer kind, and according to some accounts,, 
 exceeds in size every other quadruped* The latter 
 assertion, however, seems to be of doubtful authority ; 
 for naturalists vary considerably in their descriptions 
 of this animal ; and while some affirm that it grows 
 to the height of twelve feet, others describe it as not 
 much exceeding the size of the horse. When so much 
 disagreement is found, either in description or narra- 
 tive, the degree of credibility remains problematical. 
 Those who speak of the enormous moose deer, say 
 that their horns are six feet long, and above ten feet 
 asunder at the top ; and from a variety of these horns, 
 preserved in the cabinets of the curious, there- is every 
 reason to conclude, that the animal to which they be- 
 longed must have been of an enormous size and great 
 strength. Those also, who have traversed and de- 
 scribed the interior of North- America, assert, that in 
 certain places both horns and bones have been found 
 of a size so enormous, as to. shew that they have be- 
 longed to animal of a larger species than any now 
 known, and which is supposed to be at this time, 
 through some unknown cause, extinct. The European 
 elk, however, generally grows to the height only of. 
 seven or eight feet, and the length of ten feet from 
 the muzzle to the rump. Its colour is mostly a hoaiy 
 brown, and its hair long and coarse, like that of the 
 bear. The horns are very large and spreading. Its 
 pace is a kind of high trot, shambling and inelegant, 
 but it runs with great swiftness. In passing through 
 woods, it carries its horns horizontally, in order to pre- 
 sent them from being entangled among the branches. 
 In Canada they have two different methods of hunt- 
 ing the elk, which are equally curious. The first is 
 this: before the lakes are frozen, a number of the in- 
 habitants assemble in canoes, and form a vast cres* 
 cent on the tva.ter, each end reaching the shore, while 
 a party on the laud surround an extensive tract. 
 
 4 
 
DEER. 107 
 
 They are attended by dogs, and press forward with 
 loud and clamorous shouts. The elks, alarmed by 
 the noise, fly to the lake and plunge into the water, 
 where they are easily killed by the people in the ca- 
 noes. The other method requires more preparation. 
 The hunters enclose a lacge space of ground with 
 stakes and branches of trees : the bottom opens into 
 another enclosure, which admits of no egress, into 
 which they drive the elks, where they are entangled 
 in snares or shot. The flesh of the elk is extremely 
 palatable and nutritive ; the tongue is excellent ; 
 and the nose is esteemed the greatest delicacy of Ca- 
 nadian epicurism. The skin makes excellent buff 
 leather, being both 'strong, soft, and light, and of it 
 the Indians' make their snow-shoes, and sometimes 
 their canoes. The elk is an 'inhabitant of aft the nor- 
 thern parts of America, and also of Europe and Asia, 
 from Norway to the easternmost limits of ChineseTar- 
 tary j but is never found in any warm climate. That 
 it once existed in Ireland is evident, from the horns 
 which have been dug up m different parts of that 
 island, and by their enormous si-ze, seem to corrobo- 
 rate the almost incredible accounts that some natural- 
 ists have given of the magnitude of the largest breed 
 animals. 
 
 THE REIN-DF.F.R 
 
 Must be considered as an animal which merits, in' 
 'the highest degree, the attention of the naturalist, as 
 it exhibits an evident and most striking instance of 
 the beneficence of that 'Being, whose omnipotent fiat 
 called all creatures into existence. This extraordi- 
 nary quadruped i-; a native of the icy regions of the 
 North, v, hero, by a wise and bountiful regulation of 
 Providence, which diffuses the blessings of the crea- 
 tion, in some degree, over every part of the habitable 
 world, it exists for the support and comfort of a race 
 of men, who, inhabiting a country, where the beauties 
 of nature are unknown, and dreary sterility ever 
 reigns, would find it impossible to subsist among their 
 frozen lakes and snowy mountains, without the ad- 
 yantages which they derive from this inestimable- do^ 
 
108 
 
 LETTER XIX. 
 
 mesticated animal. In temperate regions, the un- 
 bounded liberality of nature furnishes a profusion of 
 conveniences and comforts,, and a variety of supplies 
 for almost every want ; but to the Laplander, in his 
 hyberborc.m abode, the horse, the cow, the sheep, 
 and the goat, are all unlyiow r n. The rein-deer, how- 
 ever, supplies the place of all these useful animals. 
 .From this single quadruped the Laplanders, and other 
 inhabitants of these frozen regions, derive all those 
 comforts that can render existence supportable in that 
 inhospitable climate. It supplies the place of the 
 horse, in conveying them over tracks that would 
 otherwise be impassable ; ^hat of the cow, in afford- 
 ing them milk ; and that of the sheep, iri clothing 
 them, not with its. fleece, but with its skin : its very 
 sinews supply them with thread, and there is scarcely 
 any part of this animal that is not in some degree, 
 conducive to their comfort. 
 
 The rein-deer, in Lapland, are of two kinds, the 
 wild and the tame ; awdjhe former being the stroijo- 
 c-st and most hardy, the laticr arc frequently turned 
 into the woods iu. order to produce a mixed breed, 
 which is generally preferred, especially ibr drawing 
 the sledge, to which they are trained at an early 
 age. They are yoked by a collar, from which ;i 
 trace passes under the belly to the fore-part of the 
 vehicle. These carriages are extremely light, and 
 covered at the bottom with a rein deer's skin. The 
 person, who sits in the sledge, guides the animal witji 
 a cord fastened to its horns, and drives it with a sroad. 
 The wild kind, when yoked, sometimes prove refrac- 
 tory, turn against their master, and strike so furiously 
 with their feet, thut he is obliged to cover himself 
 with his sledge, until the enraged creatu-rp has ex- 
 hausted his fury; but the tame ones are active, and 
 patient. A Laplander will, in this manner, travel 
 about thirty miles a day, without forcing the rein-deer 
 to make any extraordinary effort. This mode of -travel- 
 ling can be used onlv in the winter, when the country 
 is covered with snow ; and though it is expeditious, 
 it is troublesome and somc-tiiiies dangerous. 
 7 
 
RtlN-DEEK. 109 
 
 As the rein-deer constitutes the sole riches of the 
 Laplander, and is the source of his comforts, it may 
 reasonably be supposed, that a constant attention to 
 its preservation is his principal employment. As 
 soon as the summer commences, the rein-deer are 
 removed from the low pastures, where they would 
 be constantly tormented by the insects, generated 
 in the woods and morasses, and driven up to the 
 mountains, where they are less incommoded. The 
 gnat and the gad-fly are their greatest and most for- 
 midable enemies.* Every morning and evening, 
 during the summer, the herdsman returns to the 
 cottage with his deer to be milked ; and a large fire 
 of moss is made, for the purpose of driving off* the 
 gnats by the smoke. The quantity of milk, afforded 
 in a day by one rein-deer, is about a pint, and it is 
 sweeter and more nutritive than that of the cow. 
 
 The rein deer is found wild in the northern parts 
 of America, and abounds in the vicinity of Hudson's 
 Bay. It is also common in all the northern regions 
 of Europe and Asia, from Lapland to Kamtschatka. 
 Several of the Laplanders possess herds of them to 
 the number of five or six hundred, and some of the 
 richest of the Karntschadalesare said to have several 
 thousands. It is well known, that of every kind of 
 deer the flesh is exceedingly palatable, wholesome, 
 and nourishing ; in every country, indeed, venison 
 is esteemed a luxury. How happy a circumstance 
 is it, therefore, to the inhabitants of the countries be- 
 yond the arctic polar circle, that the All-bountiful 
 Creator has furnished them with so useful an appen- 
 dage to human existence, in these rigid climates, as 
 the rein-deer, which, after having during its life so 
 essentially contributed to their comfort, atibrds them 
 after its death so excellent a repast. I have expa- 
 tiated somewhat more largely on this article, as it 
 exhibits so conspicuous an instance of the diffusive 
 bounty of the Author of Nature, in thus providing 
 for ine subsistence of all his creatures, in every 
 country, and under every climate; counter-balanc- 
 ing evil with good, in more equal proportion, and 
 
110 
 
 LETTER X*. 
 
 disseminating His blessings by a more impartial dis- 
 tribution; than we should, on a superficial view, be 
 inclined to imagine. Leaving you to the enjoy- 
 ment ofthe.se reflections, I shall conclude with as- 
 suring you, that,., most affectionately, 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, fee. 
 
 LETTER XX. 
 
 ** And lives the man, whose universal eye 
 
 Has swept at once the unbounded scene of things ^ 
 
 Mark'd their dependence so, and firm accord, 
 
 As with unfaultering accent to conclude, 
 
 That this avaiJeth nought ?" 
 
 BEAR SIR. 
 
 curious and singular animals, which I am 
 going to make the subject of this epistle, are so im- 
 perfectly known, to naturalists, and their distinguish- 
 ing characteristics are so mixed and dubious, that it 
 has not yet been determined in what class of quad- 
 rupeds their place ought to be assigned. 
 
 THE MUSK, 
 
 Which is an animal, interesting both in the view 
 of nature and the history of commerce, is found in 
 the kingdorrLof Thibet, in some of the Chinese pro- 
 vinces, .in the vicinity of the lake Baikal, and near 
 the rivers, Jenesea'and Argun, from tlic.'COlh.to the 
 4oth degree of latitude, although seldom so far south, 
 unless when heavy falls of snow prevent it from 
 procuring food in the more northern climates. Ife 
 has no horns, and whether it be a ruminating animal 
 is uncertain : it is about two feet high at the should- 
 ers ; but its hind-legs are longer than the fore-legs, 
 and it resembles the roebuck in form. Its length' is-. 
 about three feet from the head to the tail, which lat- 
 ter is not above an inch long. Its colour is a rusty 
 brown on the body, but under the belly is white. 
 Upon the whole, it seems chiefly to have an affinity 
 to the deer kind. 
 
 This animal is principally remarkable for the per- 
 *fcune it produces, which is so weW known ftv the 
 
MUSK- NYL-GHAIT. Ill 
 
 fashionable wor.id, and so much used in the practice 
 ef physic. This drug is found in a hag, or tumor, 
 nearly of the size of a hen's egg, which -grow;-; on the 
 belly of the male. Of these bags many thousands are 
 annually sent to Europe, besides what are nsed in the 
 East. Tavernier tells us, that, in one journey, he col- 
 lected 7t>73 musk-bags* To account for this amazing 
 supply, it is by some supposed, that the musk is often 
 adulterated and mixed with the blood of the animal. 
 It is generally asserted, that when the musk-bag is 
 first opened, so powerful an odour comes from it, that 
 every person present is obliged to cover his mouth 
 and nose with several folds of linen ; and that not- 
 withstanding this precaution, the blood will frequently 
 gush, from the nose. When the musk is fresh, a very 
 small quantity, in a confined place is insupportabje : 
 it causes giddiness in the head and haemorrhages, 
 which have sometimes proved fatal.. 
 
 THE NYL-GHAU 
 
 Is a curious and beautiful animal, which seems- to-- 
 be of a middle nature, between the cow and the deer, 
 to both of which it bears a resemblance. In size it 
 exceeds the latter, as much as it falls short of the for- 
 mer: its body, horns, and tail, are similar to those of 
 the cow, and the head, neck, and legs, resemble those 
 of the deer. The colour is generally grey, from the 
 mixture of black hairs and white. Along the ridge 
 of the neck, the hair is blacker, , longer, and more 
 erect, forming a short, thin, and upright mane. Its 
 horns are about seven inches long, and six inches in 
 circumference at the base, terminating in an obtuse 
 point. The ears are large, broad, and beautiful, being' 
 about seven inches in length, and of a white colour on 
 the edge and the inside, except where marked in the 
 hollow with two black bands, resembling the stripes 
 of the zebra. The height of the iiyl-ghau has been 
 measured, and found to be four feet. Several of these 
 animals were introduced into this country in the year 
 1767, which continued to breed annually for some 
 years. They were mild and' gentle, pleased with ta- 
 HuUarity, and fond of licking the hands of any person. 
 
112 LETTER XX. 
 
 who stroked them, or gave them food, and never ap- 
 peared inclined to use their horns offensively. Their 
 sense of smelling seems to be very acute, and they 
 snuff exceedingly when any person approaches them. 
 In the rutting season, however, they are fierce ; and 
 a labouring man, having approached the inclosure 
 where some of these animals were kept, the nyl-ghau 
 made furiously at him, with the rapidity of lightning, 
 'and darted against the pail ing with such force as to 
 break one of its horns, which occasioned its death. 
 
 The animals here described, appeared to be of a 
 middle race, partaking of two different kinds, although 
 it is difficult to determine which has the preponde- 
 rance. The singular quadruped, which will be our 
 next object of attention, has by some been also con- 
 sidered as of a middle nature j but it seems rather to 
 be a distinct genus. 
 
 THE CAMELEOPARD, 
 
 When standing erect, measures in height, to the 
 top of the head, seventeen or eighteen feet ; but its 
 hind-legs are little more than half as long as the fore 
 ones, a disproportion which prevents it from running 
 swiftly, and rentiers its pace waddling and inelegant. 
 Its neck is not less than seven or eight feet in length, 
 and decorated with a short mane : its head is also 
 adorned with two perpendicular horns, covered with 
 hair, and tufted at the ends with a circle of short 
 black hairs : its ears are long, and its eves brrlliant 
 and large. The colour of this animal is a light grey, 
 which in the male is interspersed with spots of a dark 
 brown colour over the whole body, and of a pale yel- 
 low in the female. It is a timid and gentle creature, 
 being equally destitute of the means of attack and 
 defence, and by the disproportion of its parts, ill cal- 
 culated for flight, which is probably the cause of its 
 being so rare. It lives wholly on vegetables, rumi- 
 nates, and is cloven-footed. 
 
 This singular rarity of animated nature is found 
 only in the most sequestered regions of Africa, (M. 
 Button says that it is also a native of India) and is 
 very seldom exhibited in Europe. It was, however, 
 
THE CAMEL. 113 
 
 known to the Romans before the Christian a?ra, and 
 exhibited in their public games. History informs us, 
 that Pompey" produced ten of these extraordinary 
 animals at once, in one of the amphitheatres of Rome, 
 a striking instance of the enormous expence with 
 which the leading men among the. Romans used to 
 amuse and influence the citizens, by the splendour cif 
 their public spectacles, and the gratification of popu- 
 lar curiosit> 7 . The cameleopard has, indeed, at all 
 times been regarded as a wonderful production of na- 
 ture, and is well calculated to excite our admiration 
 of that Almighty and All-creating Power, which has 
 replenished the* earth with life in such a variety of 
 iornjs. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER XXL 
 ........ " Pntlrut of thirst and toil, 
 
 Sou of the desert." ....... 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 come now to the delineation of a species of 
 quadrupeds, equally curious and interest; uc 
 
 carnel and the dromedary are in som- . os not 
 
 less useful and necessary, than the hoive is in others, 
 and render the most essential services to man in places 
 where that noble animal would lose all Lis utility. 
 
 THE CAMEL 
 
 Is a native of Arabia, and is ciiuTiy confined to that 
 and the adjacent countries, WIUM it iias, from time 
 immemorial, been used in u-;ivcrsin tiioso immense 
 deserts of parched sand, which are impassable to, 
 every other quadruped except the clr.M..i:i-.iry, which, 
 although distinguished by a diiJerent name, is sup- 
 posed to be originally of the same race, ihe camel 
 is to the Arabian what the rein-deer is to the Lap- 
 lander, and supplies the place of the horse, the cow, 
 and the dieep. Its milk is rich ami nutritive : its 
 flesh when young is excellent food, wholesome, aud 
 invigorating ; and its hair, or fleece, which fails otr 
 
114 LETTER XXI. 
 
 always in spring, is manufactured mtojjne stuffs arnl 
 almost every article necessary for clothing, bedding, 
 and the covering of their tents. To comprehend the 
 value of the camel, in those regions where perpetual 
 drought and sterility reign, we must figure to our- 
 selves a coiintry without verdure and without water, 
 where a clear sky and burning sun above, from which 
 no friendly shade affords a shelter, parches every liv- 
 ing creature with intolerable thirst, while an immense 
 expanse of scorched sands beneath presents to the 
 eye a dreary scene of barren uniformity, in which no 
 object reminds the traveller of the existence of ani- 
 mated nature. Such are those immense deserts, which 
 the camel and the dromedary alone can traverse. \i 
 is, therefore, no wonder, that the Arab regards the 
 camel as an inestimable present from Heaven, a sacred 
 animal, without the aid of which he could not subsist 
 in those frightful deserts, which secure his indepen- 
 dence, and surround him with an impregnable ram- 
 part. 
 
 In Turkey, Arabia, Persia, and Egypt, their whole 
 commerce is carried on by means of those useful ani- 
 mals. The camel, ri t\^se countries, furnishes the 
 most expeditious and the cheapest mode of convey- 
 ance. Merchants and travellers form themselves into 
 numerous bodies, called caravans, in order to be able 
 to protect themselves from the assaults of the formi- 
 dable banditti which infect the borders of the desert. 
 The usual rate of travelling in these caravans,. is about 
 twelve or fifteen miles per day, each camel carrying 
 about four hundred weight, although the very large 
 and strong ones can carry above twice as much. They 
 are unloaded every night, ahd'sul&red to feed at li- 
 berty. If they are in a part of the country where 
 there is pasture, they eat enough in one hour to serve. 
 them twenty -four ; but in those journeys they seldom 
 find-any pasturage, a '.id happily, delicate food is not 
 necessary to them. Thistles, nettles, furze, and all 
 those coarser vegetables, which other animals reject, 
 furnish to the camel a dainty repast. 
 
 Ah hough the ordinary rate of travailing on those 
 

CAMEL. il'5' 
 
 ommerciai journeys, in which the route is frequently 
 of seven or eight hundred miles, be no quicker than 
 "it is here described, their predatory expeditions ara 
 diiiereiitiy conducted. The camel, as well as hi 
 master, is trained to these scenes of desultory war- 
 fare, and by every art him: fed to hunger, thirst, and 
 fatigue. The plundering Arab will, in one day/ if 
 pursued, pass over a tract of desert of fifty miles. Ifi 
 this manner h.e -will travel in those dreary solitudes; 
 and during all that time of excessive fatigue, the 
 camels are never unloaded ; only a single hour of. re- 
 pose, and a ball of paste, for food, is allowed them 
 each day. In this manner they often journey eight 
 or nine' days without meeting with any water, and 
 during all this long space of time they can travel 
 without drinking, while they carry water mostly in 
 leather bags for the use of their masters. It is hence 
 evident, that all the armies in the world would be in- 
 adequate to the pursuit of a troop of Arabs, and would 
 infallibly perish should they presist in such an at- 
 tempt. 
 
 It is somewhat extraordinary, that the camels, when 
 theV arrive in the vicinity of a spring, or pool of wa- 
 ter, discover it by its smell at the distance of more 
 than a mile. Thirst then excites them to redouble 
 their pace, and when arrived, they drink as much as 
 serves thenr during the rest of their journey, even 
 should it continue some weeks, which is not unfre- 
 irjuently the case. 
 
 Of all the quadrupeds, with which the earth is re- 
 plenished, the camel is the most tame and submissive ; 
 he kneels down to be loaded and unloaded, and when 
 over-burdened, it rnakes the most piteous complaints", 
 without ever offering the least resistance to his op- 
 pressor. If, however, his patience be extraordinary, 
 it is much to be feared that, under the hand of re- 
 kntless man, his sufferings are sometime:? extreme. 
 
 Camels have a considerable share of intelligence ; 
 and the Arabs assert, that they are so extremely sen- 
 sible of injustice and ill-treatment, that when this is 
 too far, the milictor will not find it easy to 
 
LETTER XXI. 
 
 escape their vengeance, and that they will retain the 
 remembrance of an injury till an opportunity offers 
 for gratifying their revenge. Eager, htwever, t ex- 
 press their resentment, they no longer retain any ran- 
 cour, when once they are satisfied ; and it is even 
 sufficient for them to believe they .have satisfied their 
 vengeance. When an Arab, therefore, has excUed 
 the rage of a camel, he throws down his garments in 
 some place near which the animal is to pass, and dis- 
 poses them in such a manner that they appear to 
 cover a man sleeping under them. The animal re- 
 cognizes -the cloaths, seizes them in his teeth, shakes 
 them with violence, and tramples on them in a rage. 
 When his anger is appeased, he leaves them, and then 
 the owner of the garments may make his appearance 
 without any fear, load, and guide him as he pleases. 
 " I have sometimes seen them," says M. Sonini, 
 " weary of the impatience of their riders, stop short, 
 turn round their long necks to bite them, and utter 
 cries of rage. In these circumstances, the man must 
 be careful not to alight, as he would infallibly be torn 
 to pieces : he must also refrain from striking his beast, 
 as that would but increase his fury. Nothing can be 
 done, but to have patience, and appease the &r.imal 
 by patting him with the hand, (whicii fYcqueniiy re- 
 quires some time) when he will resume his way and 
 his pace of himself." Like the elephant, camels have 
 their periodical fits of rage, and during these they 
 sometimes have been known to take up a man in their 
 teeth, throw him on the ground, and trample him 
 under their feet. 
 
 If we view wi r h a philosophic eye the singular con- 
 formation of the camel, scepticism itself can scarcely 
 cali iu question the evident marks which it bears of a 
 regular design, in an organization so wonderfully 
 adapted to the purposes for which it is destined, and 
 to the place which it is appointed to ht-Ui in the sys- 
 tem of animated nature. Its feet are (,-eculiariy 'adapt- 
 ed to the soil on which he is to tread. They are lia- 
 ble to be injured by travelling on stones, and he can- 
 not well support himself on moist an;l slippery clays ; 
 
CAMEL. 117 
 
 but his broad hoofs are perfectly calculated fof tra- 
 velling on the dry and parched sands of Arabia. But 
 the peculiar and distinguished characteristic of the 
 camel is its faculty of abstaining from water longer 
 than any other animal, a property so necessary in 
 those immense deserts. For this, Nature has wonder- 
 fully provided, by a singular internal conformation ; 
 for, besides the four stomachs, which he has in com- 
 mon with other ruminating animals, he is also fur- 
 nished with a fifth bag, that serves as a reservoir for 
 water, where it remains uncorrupted, and without 
 mixing with the other aliments. When the camel is 
 pressed with thirst, or has need of water to moisten 
 his aliment, in chewing the cud, he draws up into the 
 stomach, or even into the throat, a part of this reserve. 
 Furnished with so capacious and so convenient a re- 
 ceptacle, he can take a prodigious quantity of water 
 at once, and remain many days without drinking. 
 
 Among all the forms of animal life, which Nature 
 in her immense variety exhibits, there is none that 
 more conspicuously displays the justness of design, 
 and perfect adaptation to the circumstances of its ex- 
 istence, and to the service of man, than the rein-deer 
 and the camel ; without the former, life could no^ be 
 supported among the snowy mountains and frozen 
 bogs of Lapland, and without the latter, the sandy 
 deserts of Arabia would be impassable. Few attempts 
 have been made, to transplant the rein-deer into more 
 temperate regions ; but of hese few none have yet 
 succeeded : frequent trials have been made, to intro- 
 duce the camel into other countries, but without effect. 
 Though a native of a warm ciimiite, the camel is no$ 
 found in the tropical regions : it cannot subsist and 
 propagate, cither in tho -".ideating heat of the torrid, 
 or the milder air of lie --cmperatc zone. The rein- 
 deer is confined to the hyperborean climates, and 
 seems incapable of subsisting under a more genial 
 sky. Bi.tu the one and the oilier appear evidently 
 designed by Providence for thvj service and solace of 
 man, in those countries where no other animals are 
 qualified to supersede their utility. 
 
118 LETTER XXI. 
 
 THE DROMEDARY 
 
 Is not a different species, but only a distinct breed 
 of the camel. They herd and propagate together. 
 and the production, which is also prolific, is improved 
 "by various intermixtures, and generally esteemed of 
 greater value than either of the original breeds. The 
 dromedary is inferior in size and strength, but swifter 
 in pace, and is beyond comparison more numerous, 
 and more extensively diffused, than the camel ; the 
 latter being seldom found, except in Arabia and some 
 parts of the Levant, while the former extends over 
 very spacious regions, and is common in Egypt, and 
 all the northen parts of Africa, as well as in Persia 
 and some parts of Tartary and India. But the pecu- 
 liarly distinguishing characteristic of the two races 
 is, that the dromedary has two hunches on the back, 
 while the camel has only one : the former is also 
 much swifter than the latter, and will carry a man an 
 hundred miles a day, for nine or ten days together, 
 through uninhabitable deserts of parched sand., re- 
 quiring neither whip nor spur to quicken its .pa<:e. 
 Both the dromedary and the camel are extremely 
 sensible of good treatment, and in pursuing their fa- 
 tiguing journies are much enlivened by singing, or 
 the sound of the pipe, Not many of the females ar% 
 put to labour, but are generally kept for the purpose 
 of breeding. They usually produce one at a birth ; 
 the time of gestation, of both the camel and the dro- 
 medary, is twelve months : the period ot' its attain- 
 ment to full strength and perfection is the age of six 
 years, and the duration of its life is reckoned to be 
 from forty to fifty years. 
 
 As the dromedary is only a variety of the camel, 
 the same reflections on the gracious dispensation of 
 an AH-\vise Providence must again occur, in contorn-- 
 plating the varied bounties of the Creator, in forming 
 two different tribes of this excellent quadruped, and 
 assigning to one a more confined, and to the other a 
 more extensive sphere of utility. 
 
 I shall in the next place, call your attention to a 
 quadruped, which, from the similarity of its qualities 
 
LAMA -1'A COS. lift 
 
 ftp those of the species just offered to your contempla- 
 tion, has obtained the appellation of the camel of the 
 new world ; and in regard to its utility, making al- 
 lowances for its inferiority in size and strength, is 
 little less valuable than that of the old continent. 
 
 THE LAMA, 
 
 Of Peru and Chili, resembles in its shape the Ara- 
 bian camel, but is destitute of the dorsal hunch : its 
 height is from three to four feet : its neck is long, its 
 head small, and its colour white, black, 6r russet, or 
 a mixture of all these dispersed in spots. The female 
 produces, only one at a birth. The duration of the 
 life of this animal is about twelve years, and its dis- 
 position is gentle, patient, and tractable. 
 
 The lama was the only beast of burden which Ame- 
 rica originally produced ; and notwithstanding the 
 introduction of .mules, is still used for the conveyance 
 of merchandise. Bolivcr says, that, in fiis time, three 
 hundred thousand of these animals were employed in 
 carrying the silver ore, dug out of the mines of Potosi, 
 over the rugged hills and narrow paths of the Andes. 
 They are exceedingly sure-footed, and with a load of 
 about an hundred weight will climb the most craggy 
 rocks, and descend the steepest precipices. In their 
 jj.curnics they will sometimes walk four or five -clary s 
 successively, before they seem desirous of repose ; 
 and they then rest spontaneously twenty or thirty 
 hours, before they resume their toiL Sometimes, 
 when they are inclined to rest a few minutes only, 
 they bend their knees, and lower their bodies with 
 great care, to prevent their load from falling off, or 
 being deranged: when, however, they hear their 
 conductor's whittle, they rise with equal precaution, 
 and proceed on their journey. In going along in 
 the day, they brouze wherever they find herbage, 
 and generally spend the night in chewing the cud. 
 
 THE PA COS 
 
 Is a native of the same countries as the larna, and 
 seems to be only a variety of the same species, al- 
 though a much smaller breed. Its body is covered 
 with very fifle long wool, of a dull purple colour, re- 
 
120 LETTER XXII. 
 
 sembling dried roses, which constitutes a valuable 
 article of commerce, and is manufactured into gloves, 
 stockings, carpets, &c. The pacos associate in nu- 
 merous herds upon the most elevated parts of the 
 Andes, where they are almost inaccessible, and endure 
 the utmost severity of those frozen regions. The 
 manner of taking them by the natives is singular. 
 They tie cordsi with small pieces of cloth or wool 
 hanging loosely from them, across the narrow passes 
 of the mountains, about three feet from the ground. 
 They then drive a herd of these animals towards 
 them, and they are so terrified by the fluttering of 
 the rags, which they dare not pass, that they crowd 
 together in great numbers, and are taken without dif- 
 ficulty. 
 
 * The pacos, like the lama, is domesticated, and 
 sometimes used for carrying burdens ; but it cannot 
 bear more than sixty or seventy pounds, and is less 
 tractable and patient than the lama. 
 
 The great advantages derived from the wool of 
 these animals, induced the Spaniards to attempt their 
 introduction into Europe. Some of them were brought 
 into Spain ; but through mismanagement, or some 
 other cause, the experiment did not succeed. 
 
 I shall, for the present, conclude with assuring y 
 that, most affectionately, 
 
 I remain, dear Sir 
 Your's, 
 
 LETTER XXII. 
 
 " How instinct varies in the groveling swine, 
 Coinpar'd, half-rcasoiiiiig elephant, with thine." 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 I COME now to the description of a kind of quad- 
 ruped which seem to occupy, in the scale of animated 
 nature, a middle place, between the herbivorous and 
 the carnivorous race, and inii'e in themselves most of 
 those distinctions which are peculiar to tlic-.c two 
 grand divisions of the animal k : 'i<. iom. The hog in 
 all its varieties, although i> ierlor in utility to the 
 horse, the cow, and the sheep, neither rendering u 
 
COMMON HOG. 
 
 121 
 
 any service in the plough or the draught; affording 
 us neither milk, butter, nor cheese; nor furnishing 
 any warm and woolly fleece for our clothing, is, not- 
 withstanding-, highly estimable in supplying us with 
 excellent food ; and its value is not a little enhanced 
 by the shortness of the time requisite for its growth 
 and fattening. 
 
 The hog does not ruminate, but resembles the ru- 
 minating animals in dividing the hoof and preferring 
 a vegetable diet; and it partakes of the nature of the 
 carnivorous race in relishing animal food. 'In the 
 length of the head, and in having only a single sto- 
 mach, it exhibits a similarity to the horse : in its clo- 
 ven-hoof we trace a resemblance to the cow ; and ifr 
 approximates to the claw-footed kind, by its appetite 
 for flesh and its numerous progeny. Thus the spe- 
 cies serves to fill up the chasm between carnivorous 
 animals and those which feed upon herbage. This 
 animal, producing from ten to twenty younaj at a 
 birth, forms also a remarkable exception to the two 
 general rules of nature; that the largest a*iimaK pro- 
 duce the fewest young, and that, of all quadrupeds, 
 those which have claws are the most prolific. 
 
 TI I JL COMMON II 0<i 
 
 Is so well known, that any description of it would 
 be superfluous, and a few general observations are all 
 that are. requisite. 
 
 In no instance has Nature more conspicuously dis- 
 played her economy, than in forming this race of ani- 
 mals, and endowing them with an appetite to feed on 
 a variety of tit Bigs that wourd otherwise bo was'ed. 
 The refuse of the kitchen, the barn, the garden, or 
 the field, affords the swine ajuxurious repast. It is 
 restless in sjtonny wta-ther, and seems j irticulr.rly 
 terrified or affected, when the wind is cxtierecly vio- 
 lent. At such times it will often run screaajfug about, 
 and appear much agitated. 
 
 In observing the disgusting appearance of this ani- 
 mal, its voracious appetite, and its dirty imuiiier of 
 feeding and living, it wonkl scarcely be suppo, ; iiiat 
 its flesh could have so excellent a flavour ; ana if u 
 
12$ 
 
 LETTEfc XXII. 
 
 man were wholly unacquainted with the nature of -all 
 quadrupeds, the hog would certainly be one of the 
 last that he would select for his table. 
 
 Under this unpromising exterior, however, nature 
 lias concealed one of the most valuable articles of our 
 food. The flesh of this animal is of general use, and 
 of great importance to this country as a commercial 
 nation. Linnaeus says, that it is a wholesome food 
 for those who use much exercise, but pernicious to 
 such as lead a sedentary life. 
 
 The learned pigs which have frequently been ex- 
 hibited in England, might suffice to prove that these 
 animals are not destitute of sagacity; but the follow- 
 ing instance, related by the Rev. Mr. Daniel, is too 
 singular to be passed over in silence :-- -A gamekeeper 
 of Sir Henry Mildmay" broke a black sow to find 
 game, and actually rendered her as staunch as any 
 pointer. After Sir Henry's death this was sold by- 
 auction for a very considerable sum. 
 
 In the Island of Minorca hogs are frequently yok- 
 ed with asses or young horses, in plowing the land; 
 and in some parts of Italy they are used in hunting 
 for truffles which grow some inches under the surface 
 of the ground, but which are soon discovered <by the 
 acute scent of these creatures. 
 
 TilE WILD BOAR 
 
 Is the original stock of our common swine; and 
 the difference between them is only such as may rea- 
 dily be supposed between the wild and domesticated 
 state. The wild is smaller than the tame boar; but 
 his most distinguishing characteristics are his formida* 
 ble tusks, which in some are almost a foot long, and 
 exceedingly sharp: those of the under jaw are most 
 to be dreaded, as with them he does the greatest mis- 
 chief. 
 
 These animals when young, keep together along 
 with the old ones; when attacked, the strongest face 
 the danger, and form themselves into a ring, the 
 weakest falling into the center; and in this positioa 
 few beasts of prey dare venture to engage them. 
 - When the boar is arrived at a state of maturity, J*e 
 
 8 
 
PECCARY OF MEXICO*. 12$ 
 
 ranges the forest alone and fearless, dreading no sin- 
 gle adversary. He offends no animal whatever, but 
 is at the same time a terror to the fiercest of those that 
 would oiler him any injury. 
 
 The hunting of the wild boar, although exceedingly 
 dangerous, constitutes one of the principal amuse-* 
 ments of the great in those countries where he is to 
 be found. But the dogs used for this sport should be 
 of a slow, strong and heavy kind. 
 
 When the boar is roused, he moves forward at a 
 slow pace, and but little afraid of his pursuers, often 
 turns and waits until the dogs come up, and offers- to 
 attack them : the wary animals, however, fully sensi- 
 ble of the ferocity of the enemy with whom they 
 have to contend, draw back and decline, the engage- 
 ment. The boar then again proceeds slowly, and the 
 dogs renew the pursuit, which is thus continued \vith, 
 many intervals. At last, when the boar begins to be 
 fatigued, the dogs rush in upon him from behind. 
 Many of those which are young and inexperienced, 
 lose their lives iu the attack , 4 but others that are older 
 ami well trained to the sport, hold him at bay until 
 the hunters come up and kill him with their lances 
 and spears, 
 
 In Europe the wild boar is much less common than 
 formerly ; and in a century or two, will probably be 
 extinct : but there exists in the hottest parts of Africa 
 U fierce and formidable race of these animals culled 
 the wood swine, which will attack % man on horse- 
 back if he venture to approach one of them ; aud first 
 breaking the legs of the- horse with his tusks, will 
 quickly destroy both him and hts rider, 
 
 THE PECCARY OF MEXICO 
 
 Is an animal very much resembling the hog 5 bt 
 as they will not breed together., it appears to be a dis- 
 tinct species. 
 
 These animals live chiefly in mountainous places, 
 and feed on fruits and roots: they also eat serpents, 
 Jizards and toads, and are very dexterous in first tak- 
 ing off' the skins with their fore feet and their teeth, 
 
 Th^ whole body of this animal is covered 
 
LETTER XXIII. 
 
 strong bristles, which when he is irritated, rise erect 
 like the bristles of an hedge hog. 
 
 These animals are exceedingly fierce. M. de la 
 Borde relates that being once engaged in hunting a 
 drove of peccaries, he and* his party were surrounded 
 by them and obliged to take refuge upon a fragment 
 of a rock; and although they kept up a constant tire 
 among them, the ferocious creatures did not retire 
 until many of them were killed. 
 
 These kinds of quadrupeds already enumerated, 
 and briefly described, are those which are chiefly 
 useful to man in aflbrding him their assistance, sup- 
 plying him with food, and furnishing him with cloth- 
 ing. We shall now proceed to the inspection of a 
 numerous race of different kinds, which seem created 
 rather for themselves than for us; but which still con- 
 tribute to show the diffusive goodness as well as the 
 unlimited power of the Creator, in bestowing the 
 blessing of existence on so great a variety of crea- 
 tures, and so amply providing for their support. 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER XXIII. 
 
 Peaceful beneath primeval trees, that cast 
 Their ample shade o'er Niger's yellow stream, 
 And when the Ganges rolls his sacred wave, 
 Or mid the centra! depth of black'ning woods, 
 High raised in solemn theatre around, 
 Leans the huge elephant; wisest of brules, 
 O truly wise with gentle might endowed; 
 Though powerful not destructive !" 
 
 v THOMSON'. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 I FLATTER myself that I shall contribute to your 
 rational amusement as well as to the increase of your 
 knowledge, in exhibiting to your view one of the 
 most wonderful objects of animated nature. 
 
 The wisdom and goodness of the great Creator are 
 clearly visible in the formation of those creatures 
 
 6 
 
ELEPHANT. 
 
 which "have already been offered to your considera- 
 tion; but the same divine attributes are not less con- 
 spicuous in a number of others, and particularly in 
 the ponderous and unweildy 
 
 ELEPHANT, 
 
 Which in size and strength surpasses all terrestrial 
 animals, and in sagacity is inferior only to man ; al- 
 though some assert the superiority of the moose, but 
 this'bpinion seems erroneous, or at least very doubt- 
 ful. The human race excepted, the elephant indeed 
 is the most respectable, as well as the most wonderful 
 of creatures endowed with life and sensation. 
 
 Tiiis wonderful quadruped is a native of Asia and 
 Africa, but is most numerous in tiie latter. In the 
 live 1 regions which lie between the river Sene- 
 gal and the Cape of Good Hope, elephants abound 
 more than in any other part of the world, and are also 
 less fearful of man ; for the savage inhabitants of those 
 countries instead of attempting to subdue this power- 
 ful animal, and render him subservient to their r.e- 
 cosiLics, seem only desirous of avoiding his anger. 
 In the Countries ne <r the Cape, elephants are seen 
 in large herds consisting of many hundreds; and in 
 the va.it regions of Moiiomotapa, Monocmuci, and 
 other parts of the interior of Africa, they are proba- 
 bly stiii more numerous. 
 
 A creature so extraordinary in its structure and 
 qualities merits to be somewhat particularly describ- 
 ed, although no description can convey an adequate 
 idea of its magnitude, unless the animal itself has been 
 presented to the view. 
 
 At the Cape the height of the elephant is from 
 twelve to fifteen feet. His eyes are in. proportion to 
 his size, very small, but lively, briliu.Mt, and i'all of 
 expression: his ears are very large, long Ur.d pendu- 
 lous; but he can raise them with great facility, and 
 makes use of them as a Ian to cool himself, and drive 
 away the flies or insects. His hearing is reuiark^uy 
 tine: he delights in the sound of musical instruments, 
 to which he is easily brought- to move in cadence. 
 His sense of smelling is equally delicate; for he is 
 G 3 
 
128 
 
 LETTER XX! If. 
 
 highly delighted with the scent of odoriferous 
 In each jaw he has four grinders, one of which some- 
 times measures nine inches in breadth, and weigh* 
 four pounds .and a half. The texture of the skin is 
 uneven and wrinkled, and full of deep fissures resem- 
 bling the bark of an old tree. The colour is tawnr., 
 inclining to grey. The, legs of this animal are massr 
 columns of three or four feet in circumference, and 
 five or six in height. Its feet are rounded at the bot- 
 tom, divided into five toes covered with skin, so as not 
 to be visible, and terminated in a nail or hoof of a 
 horny substance. His body is remarkably round and 
 bulky, and nearly destitute of hair. 
 
 The proboscis, or trunk, is the most singular and 
 peculiar characteristic of this extraordinary quadru- 
 ped; and of all the instruments which the superabun- 
 dant wisdom and goodness of the Creator has bestow- 
 ed on the various forms of animal life, this^is perhaps 
 the most complete and the most admirable. It i 
 composed of nerves, membranes and sinews, and U 
 the organ of smelling, foaling, and action, as the aui- 
 . inal can bend, contract, lengthen and turn it in every 
 direction. 
 
 This fleshy tube terminates in a protuberance* 
 which stretches out on the upper side in the form of a 
 finger, and possesses in a considerable degree the dex- 
 terity of that useful member of the human body. 
 With this instrument the animal can lift from the 
 ground the smallest piece of money, select herbs and 
 flowers, untie knots, and grasp any thing so firnily 
 that no force can tear it from his grasp. 
 
 At the end of this trunk are placed the nostrils 
 through which he draws in water for the purpose of 
 quenching his thirst, or of washing and cooling him- 
 self, which he performs by taking in a large quantity, 
 and then spouting it out over his whole body, as if it 
 issued from a fountain. 
 
 The extremes of cold and heat seem equally to af- 
 fect these animals: to avoid the latter, they seek the 
 thickest shade, or retire to large rivers in which they 
 
ELEPHANT* 127 
 
 , and sometimes amuse themselves for several 
 hours together with swimming. 
 
 Though the elephant is so wonderfully aided by hi* 
 trunk in such a variety of operations, yet with respect 
 to the rest of his conformation he is clumsy and un- 
 weiidy; he goes forward., however, with ease and ce- 
 lerity^ and in walking or running is equal in speed to 
 the generality of horses}- but he turns with difficulty, 
 and not without taking a pretty large circuit. Hi$ 
 neck is so short that he can scarcely turn his head,, 
 and must wheel round in order to survey an enemy in 
 the rear; and his legs are so stiff a- scarcely to bend 
 when he is advanced in years* so that when that pe- 
 riod arrives he is obliged to repose himself standing. 
 
 These quadrupeds subsist wholly on vegetables, ami 
 appear to have an antipathy against animal food* 
 They associate in numerous herd*, and when one of 
 them happens to discover a plentiful pasture, he in- 
 stant Jv gives a loud signal to the rest, as an invitation 
 to partake of h.5s luxurious fare~ The meadows, how- 
 ever, must be equally fertile and extensive to furnish 
 a numerous herd with a competent* supply; and fos 
 that reason they often seek fresh pasturage, and do 
 incredible damage whenever they stray into cultivat- 
 ed grounds, not only devouring vast quantities of food, 
 but also destroying, by the enormous weight of their 
 bodies, more than thjey eat. 
 
 The inhabitants of the countries where they abound, 
 use every artifice to prevent the approach of these un- 
 welcome visitants, making loud noises, and kindling 
 large fires round their habitations: but, notwithstand- 
 ing all their precautions, the elephants- sometimes 
 break in upon them, and destroy their harvest. It is 
 very difficult to repel these formidable invasions; for 
 the whole herd advances together, aad whether they 
 attack, inarch, or fly, they generally" act in concert. 
 
 Although the elephant be indisputably the strongest 
 as well as the largest of all quadrupeds, yet in its na- 
 tive woods and deserts it is neither formidable nor fe- 
 rocious, but mild and peaceable in its disposition, 
 equally fearless and inoffensive; and when tamed by 
 
* LETTER XXIU. 
 
 Man, and tutored by his -instructions, the noble animal 
 submits to the most painful drudgery, and is so atten- 
 tive to the commands of its master, that a word or a 
 look is sufficient to stimulate him to extraordinary 
 exertion. 
 
 Of all the animals that -have been subjugated by 
 fhe human race, the elephant is universally allowed 
 to be the most tractable and obedient. When treated 
 frith kindness, he testifies his gratitude by fulfilling 
 all the desires of his keeper, caresses him with affec- 
 tionate fondness, receives his commands with atten- 
 tion, ami executes them with punctuality and zeal. 
 He bends the knee for the accommodation of those 
 w fio wish to mount upon his back, sutlers himseif to 
 lie harnessed, and seems to delight in the finery of hirf 
 trappings. 
 
 These animals are used in drawing chariots, wag- 
 $er^, and various sort;} of machines, one elephant 
 i! rowing as much as six horses, and are of great use 
 in carrying great quantities of luggage across rivers. 
 They can travel near a hundred miles a day, and fifty 
 c-?r sixty regularly, without any violent effort. 
 The -elephant is as magnanimous as he is mild, and 
 ever willing to exert his -extraordinary strength. We 
 are told that in India, where these creatures were 
 once employed in launching ships, one of them was 
 /directed to force into the water a large vessel, which 
 proving a task superior to his strength, the master said 
 in an angry tone, " Take away that lazy beast and 
 'bring another." The poor elephant immediately re- 
 doubled its efforts, fractured its skull, and died on the 
 spot. 
 
 The Indians have from time immemorial -employed 
 elephants in their v.ars: Porus, with eighty -five of 
 them, opposed Alexander's passage over the Ilydas- 
 pes. M. Biition, with very great appearance of pro- 
 bability, supposes that it was some of the elephants 
 ta-ken by tiv.-.t monarch in nis Indian expedition, ancj 
 transp'irTcu into (rrt-ece, that Pyrrbus afterwards 
 brought against the Romans. Since the introduction 
 of tire-anus, ho\vever, 'elephant* have been of little 
 
ELEPHANT. 129 
 
 use in deciding the contests of men; for being terri- 
 fied by the explosion of artillery, they are soon 
 thrown into confusion, and, becoming ungovernable, 
 
 .often trample down tho.se ranks which they were 
 brought into the field to defend. They are now 
 chiefly kept for the purposes of labour, or of magnifi- 
 cent parade. They are likewise made use of in the 
 East as the executioners of criminals, a business which 
 they perform with singular dexterity, breaking, at 
 the word of command, the limbs of the condemned 
 jvretch with their trunks, or trampling him under their 
 feet, and:prplonging his sufferings <,r accelerating his. 
 death according to the directions of their keepers. 
 
 In Siam, Pegu, Toriqiiin, and .Cochin China, ele- 
 phants are still esteemed a valuable auxiliary in war, 
 as well as an essential appendage to despotic magnifi- 
 cence and ostentatious parade; and the princes of 
 those countries arc attended on their tours by some 
 hundreds of these enormous animals, for the .purpose 
 
 of conveying the ladies of the-seraglio, as w.ellas the 
 immense quantities of baggage which those eastern 
 sovereigns always carry along with them. 
 
 The manner of taking and taming animals, of so 
 prodigious a strength as might seem to set ail. human- 
 
 -power ai defiance, , is so curious, that it merits a few 
 
 . moments of your attention. 
 
 In the midst of some forest abounding with cle- 
 
 . phants, a. large piece of ground is nnrkcd ou , and 
 
 .surrounded with strong pallisii-'U-s, it, '. ,\ .vcn with 
 large branches of trees: one end of this inclo.snre is 
 Harrow, from which it opens gradually, *: us to tnke 
 in a considerable exteat .of country. On thisoc-ta^ien 
 some thousands of men are employed, who'-'placo 
 themselves in such a. manner as. to prevent the wii.i 
 elephants from making their escape. They then L?.,- 
 
 i die large fires,, qf which the;;e animals ifro Oxfc^fi- 
 ingiy afraid, and make, at the same time, a dreadful 
 noise with drums and other discordant instruments?, to 
 increase theivV terror. . Another party, cons; ,ti';. > >f 
 
 :h ousiunis, with the aid of lame. fVinaie el 
 truia-J for the purpose, drive the wild ones slo^ 
 
130 
 
 LETTER XXIII. 
 
 wards the entrance of the iriclosure, the whole train 
 of hunters closing in after them, shouting and making 
 loud noises till they are driven by insensible degrees 
 into the narrow part, through which there is an open- 
 ing into a smaller space, strongly fenced in and 
 guarded on all sides. As soon as one of the wild ele- 
 phants enters this narrow passage, a strong bar closes 
 it from behind, and he finds himself completely envi- 
 roned. 
 
 On the top of this passage, some of the huntsmen 
 stand with goads in their hands, urging the animal 
 forward to the end of the passage, wjiere there is just 
 room enough for him to go through. He is then re- 
 ceived into the custody of two tame elephants, which 
 stand one on each side of them, and press him into the 
 service : if he be likely to prove refractory, they be- 
 gin to beat him with their trunks, till he is reduced to 
 obedience, and suffers himself to be led to a tree, 
 where he is bound by the leg with stout thongs made 
 of untanned elk-skin. The tame elephants are then 
 led back to the inclosure ; and other wild ones are 
 brought to submission in the same manner. 
 
 They are all suffered to remain fast to the trees for 
 several days. Attendants are placed by the side of 
 each elephant, thus caught and confined, who supply 
 him by little and little with food, till he is gradually 
 brought to be sensible of kindness, and caresses. In 
 the space of fourteen days his subjugation is complet- 
 ed. He then becomes attached to his keeper, and 
 and quietly resigns his prodigious strength to the ser- 
 vice of man. 
 
 It is a singular circumstance in the history of this 
 extraordinary quadruped, that in a state of subjection 
 it is invariably barren; and though it has for ages 
 been reduced under the dominion of man, it has ne- 
 ver been known to breed; it consequently follows 
 that of the vast quantities of elephants tamed arid- 
 trained to human purposes, there is not one that has 
 not been originally wild: this would seem to indicate 
 that it is not one of the creatures which nature prima- 
 rily designed for the service of man. It is, however, 
 
ELEPHANT. 131 
 
 certain, that it is in an eminent degree capable of a 
 secondary application to his purposes. The immense 
 quantity of forage which it requires, plainly shews 
 thatit is not an animal of general use in a domestic state ; 
 and even in the countries where they most abound, 
 arid are^most used, they are seldom kept except by 
 the great and opulent. As they do not propagate in 
 a, domestic state, the Eastern princes are obliged to 
 send every year into the forests to procure fresh sup- 
 plies, to make up the deficiencies of number unavoid- 
 ably occasioned by age, disease, or accident. They 
 are frequently hunted by the Dutch colonists at the 
 Cape of Good Hope, who make great advantage of 
 their teeth. The largest teeth weigh a hundred and 
 fifty Dutch pounds, and are sold for as many guilders; 
 so that an expert shooter may at one shot earn three 
 hundred guilders. It is not therefore, to be woncrred 
 at, that a traffic so lucrative should tempt them to run, 
 great risks. 
 
 In approaching this animal great care must be taken 
 for if the elephant discover his enemy, he rushes out 
 upon him. 
 
 One of these hunters being on a plain under the. 
 shelter of a few scattered trees, thought he should be 
 able to approach near enough to shoot at an elephant 
 that was at a little distance from him. The animal,, 
 however, discovered, pursued, and overtook him, and, 
 laying hold of him with his trunk, instantly beat him 
 to death. The elephant, however, although thus ter- 
 rible when provoked, never attacks any but those 
 who have given him olfence, or are preparing for his 
 destruction. 
 
 Although elephants are more numerous in Africa,, 
 those of India are generally superior in strength, as 
 well as size, and those of Ceylon in particular surpass 
 all others in courage and sagacity . In those oriental 
 countries some of them are milk white, and valued at 
 an exorbitant price,, as constituting one 'of the most 
 pompous appendages of eastern magnificence. 
 
 As the elephant never propagates in a domestic 
 state, the precise time of its gestation is but i 
 ct> 
 
133 
 
 I.ETTEB XXI 1 1. 
 
 fectly known. Aristotle, howeVer, assigns two years to 
 this period. T^is extraordinary quadruped is thirty 
 years in arriving at its full growth, and lives even in 
 a state of captivity a hundred and twenty years : in a 
 state of natural freedom the duration of its life is sup- 
 posed to be much farther extended. 
 
 In regard to the elephant's cli.scernrnerft and saga- 
 city, stories have been related that might seem incre- 
 dible, and of which some are undoubtedly fictitious. 
 Or such, however, as are so well authenticated as not 
 to admit of a possibility of doubt, we have a sufficient 
 number to shew its superiority over the rest of the 
 brute creation. Some of the actions of this surpris- 
 ing animal might indeed almost seem to be the effects 
 of a portion of intellect rather than of mere instinct. 
 
 Among several anecdotes communicated by the 
 Marquis de Montmirail, we find that the cornac, or 
 conductor of an elephant, had excited the animal to 
 make an extraordinary effort, by shewing him a ves- 
 sel of arrack, which he pointed out as his reward; but 
 when he had performed his arduous task, the ele- 
 phant had the mortification of seeing himself disap- 
 pointed of his t-xpectcd recompence ; and, impatient of 
 being thus mocked, immediately killed his governor. 
 
 The man's wife, who was a spectator of this dread- 
 ful catastrophe, in a tit of agonizing grief, took her 
 two little infants anil threw them at the feet of the 
 enraged animal, saying, " Since you have destroyed 
 my husband, kill me also and my children/' The 
 elephant immediate! v stopped, and,- as if stung with 
 remorse, took up the eldest boy with his trunk, placed 
 him on his neck, and would never afterwards obey 
 any other governor. It is here to be observed, that 
 the elephant is extremely fond of spirituous liquors, 
 as well as of wine, and the sight of a vessel filled 
 wi ih these liquor-,, and promisevl as ar reward, wilt in- 
 duce him to make the most extraordinary exertions 
 aad perform the niosfc painful tasks; and to disappoint 
 him is dangeroas, and his revenge is almost certain. 
 But if he be vindictive, he rs eqivaMy grateful, and 
 vrUi suiier no kindness sJUew -hk to go tittle warded-. 
 
ELEPHANT. 13<> 
 
 A soldier of Pendi cherry, who frequently carried 
 ene of these creatures a certain measure of arrack, 
 being one day a little intoxicated, and seeing himself 
 jpursued by the guard who were about to conduct him. 
 to prison, took refuge under the elephant, where he 
 fell sound asleep. The guard attempted in vain to 
 take him from his asylum : the elephant defended 
 him with his trunk. The next day the soldier be- 
 coming sobfr, was terrified at seeing himself placed 
 under so enormous an animal; but the elephant ca- 
 ressed him with his trunk to remove his fears, and 
 niake him understand that he might depart in safety. 
 
 The elephant is sometimes seized with a sort of 
 phrenzy r which renders him extremely formidable, 
 so that 'on the first symptoms of madness he is com- 
 monly killed, in order to prevent mischief: yet in 
 those fits he has frequently been known to distin- 
 guish his benefactors; so strongly are gratitude and 
 magnanimity impressed on his nature. 
 
 The elephant that was kept in the menagerie at, 
 Versailles, always discerned when any person de- 
 signed to make a fool of him, and always remembered 
 an affront, which he never failed to revenge at the 
 first opportunity. Having been cheated by a man 
 who feigned to'throw something into his mouth, he 
 struck him with his trunk and broke two of his ribs, 
 and afterwards trampled him under his feet and broke 
 one of his legs. A painter being desirous of drawing 
 him in the attitude -of having his trunk erect and hi; 
 mouth open, ordered his servant to snake him retain 
 that posture, by constantly throwing him fruit; the 
 servant, however, at last deceived him, which so rout- 
 ed his indignation, that, perceiving the original cause 
 of this deception to be the painter's desire of drawing 
 him, he reven'ged himself by throwing, with his 
 trunk, a large quantify of water oh the paper, wliicn. 
 completely spoiled flic design. 
 
 The elephants exhibited in Europe are 
 of a diminutive size, as fhe coldness of the <'" 
 
 both che'cks the growth 'arid abridges the U(: of tiicso 
 aninrah. Ttrat w'hicU frits just been mentioned, and 
 
134 LETTER XXIII. 
 
 which was sent by the king of Portugal to Louis XIV. 
 A. D. 1608, died in 1081, being four years old at his 
 arrival, and living only thirteen years in the mena- 
 gerie at Versailles. He was six feet and a half high 
 at four years old, and advanced in growth only one 
 foot during the thirteen years that he lived in France, 
 although he was treated with care, and fed with pro- 
 fusion. He had every day four pounds of bread, 
 twelve pints of wine, two buckets of porridge with 
 four or five pounds of steeped bread and two buckets 
 of rice boiled in water. 
 
 The elephant that died in 1803 at Exeter 'Change, 
 was brought over in the Rose East-Indiaman, and pur- 
 chased by the owner of the menagerie for 10001. He 
 was generally fed with hay and straw, but could also 
 eat with avidity, carrots, cabbages, bread, and boiled 
 potatoes He was so excessively fond of beer, that 
 h.e has been known to drink upwards of fifty quarts in 
 a day, given by his numerous visitors. He was also 
 allowed nine pails of water daily, given at three dif- 
 ferent times : but the quantity he ate could not be 
 precisely ascertained, as he frequently scattered great 
 part of the straw which was given him for food, and 
 ate a considerable portion of that which formed his 
 litter. This animal would kneel down, bow to the 
 company, or search the pockets of his keeper, at the 
 word of command. 
 
 I presume, my dear Sir, you will excuse my pro- 
 lixity in the description of the elephant, Avhen you 
 consider that it is, if not the most useful, at least the 
 most wonderful of all God's works displayed in the 
 animal creation, being a monster of matter and a mi- 
 racle of intelligence. He unites in himself the judg- 
 ment of the beaver, the, dexterity of the monkey, 
 and the sentiment of the dog; and adds to all these 
 qualifications the peculiar advantages of extraordi- 
 nary size, strength and longevity. He can conquer the 
 lion and the tiger, nor dare any beast of prey attack 
 him. When we consider that he can root up trees 
 with his trunk ; that in war he carries on his back a 
 tower containing five or six combatants; that h 
 
RHINOCEROS. 135 
 
 moves machines and carries burthens to which th-w 
 strength of six horses is scarcely adequate ; and that 
 to this amazing force he joins courage, prudence, 
 magnanimity and gratitude for kind treatment, we 
 ^cannot hesitate to give him the first place in the scale 
 of animal beings; nor can we wonder that the ancients 
 considered the elephant as a prodigy, a miracle of 
 nature; and that men have in all ages set a high value 
 on this greatest of quadrupeds, 
 
 Flattering myself therefore that this epistle, al- 
 though long, will not appear tedious, I shall at last 
 conclude with assuring you, 
 
 I am most respectfully, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER XXIV. 
 
 " Canst them bind the unicorn with his band in the farrow? 
 Or will he harrow the valleys ailer thee?" 
 
 BOOK OF JOB. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 HAVING in my last entertained you with an ac- 
 count of the elephant, I shall now be happy to add to 
 your amusement as well as information, by giving 
 you some knowledge of a quadruped which is indeed 
 inferior to it in size, but in strength is surpassed by 
 no other animal. 
 
 THE RHINOCEROS 
 
 Is a native of the same countries, and inhabits the 
 same forests and deserts as the elephant. The length 
 of this animal from the muzzle to the insertion of the 
 tail, is generally about twelve feet, and the circum- 
 ference of its body nearly equal to the length. The 
 form of the head resembles that of a hog, except that 
 the ears are larger and stand erect. It nose is armed 
 with a formidable weapon peculiar to this animal, 
 being an exceeding hard and solid horn, which some- 
 times grows almost four feet in length, and renders it 
 a complete match for the fiercest adversary. Lik* 
 
136 LETTER XX IV. 
 
 the elephant, it is formidable to ferocious animals, but 
 perfectly inoffensive to those that offer it no injury 
 and give no provocation. 
 
 The body and limbs of this animal are covered 
 with a skin so hard and impenetrable, that it will turn 
 the edge of the sharpest scymetar, and (except on the 
 belly) will resist the force of a musket-ball. This 
 skin, which is of a blackish colour, forms itself into 
 divers folds by which the motions of the animal are 
 
 ' facilitated. 
 
 The body, thighs, legs, and feet, are every where 
 covered with tuberosi.ties, or knots, which some wri- 
 ters have denominated scales; but they are mere in- 
 durations of the skin, which in the creases between 
 the folds is not only penetrable, but quite soft and of 
 a light fiesh-colour. The belly of this animal is large, 
 
 -and its legs short, massy, and strong: its upper lip is 
 long, capable of great extension, and, like the probos- 
 cis of the elephant, serves to Jay hold of any thing 
 that it would convey to its mouth. 
 
 The strength of the rhinoceros is the most conspi- 
 cuous advantage conferred on it by nature. It seems 
 rather to partake of the stupidity of the hog, than of 
 the sagacity of the elephant, and, without being fe- 
 rocious, or even carnivorous, is totally untractable. 
 It is a solitary animal, loves moist and marshy 
 grounds, especially near the banks of riveifs; and r 
 like the "hog, delights to wallow in the mire. It seems 
 to be subject to sudden paroxysms of madness, which 
 are fiouieti-mes .attended with fatal effects. A rhino- 
 ceros, which Kintuiuf 1 !, kin^ of Portugal, sent as .a 
 present to the Pope A. D. 1M3, destroyed the ves .:.<. I 
 iu which it was embarked ; and some years ago.an- 
 ; r winch had been exhibited at Paris, was drown- 
 td in a similar manner in its passage to Italy. 
 
 The food of the rhinoceros is wholly of the vegeta- 
 ble kind : it seein.s to prefer the grossest herbs to the 
 iuost delicate pasturage; 'but yet it is very fond of the 
 . :ir-c;uie, and of a! I .kinds of grain. The hearing of 
 the animal is very acute, and iObu'ns \vith attention 
 
 to any 
 
 LiiM,! i:> >Ul y CrMM-SyJ ^ff*- 1 H-|*-ioi< iio >KLIA .*, ix v. i i i V^^A 
 
 kind of noise j but from the peculiar construe- 
 
RHINOCEROS. 137 
 
 tion of its eyes, its sight is defective, and can' be di- 
 rected only to objects immediately before it. The 
 -acuteness of its hearing, and impenetrability of its 
 skin, oblige the hunters to follow it at a distance and 
 watch it until it lies, down to sleep, when they ap- 
 proach with great precaution, and discharge theiv 
 'muskets ail at once into the lower parts of its belly. 
 
 A foetus of this animal, which had been extracted 
 from the mother, was sent from Java, and depo- 
 sited in the royal cabinet of Paris; and the memo- 
 'rial . which accompanied this present stated, that 
 -twenty-eight hunters had assembled to attack the fe- 
 male "rhinoceros, and followed her at a distance for 
 some days, observing carefully to reconnoitre her 
 progress; and that having by 'these means surprised 
 her when tskp, they approached so near P. to dis- 
 charge at one volley the contents of the tw&nty-eigbjt 
 muskets into the vulnerable pan of her belly. 
 
 Without being useful like the elephant, the rhino- 
 ceres is extremely hurtful, by the devastation that he 
 makes whenever he enters 'any cultivated grounds. 
 His consumption of victuals is exceedingly great. 
 
 In the year 1743, Dr. Parsons published a minute 
 description of one of these animals' that was brought 
 from Bengal into England. Though only two years 
 old, the expence of his food and voyage amounted to 
 near 10001. sterling. He consumed every day, at 
 three meals, seven pounds of rice mixed with three 
 pounds of sugar, besides a large quantity of hay and 
 green plants : he likewise drank a great deal of water. 
 In his disposition he was perfectly gentle, and would 
 sutler any part of his body to be touched, without 
 evincing " the least displeasure; but when hungry, 
 or struck by any person, he became fierce and mis- 
 chievous, and an immediate supply of food was the 
 only mean of pacifying him. 
 
 A rhinoceros brought from Akham, and exhibited 
 at Paris in 1748, is said to have been extremely tame, 
 and even caressing. He was fed chiefly on hay and 
 corn, but the attendants frequently gave him thorny 
 branches of trees and sharp and prickly plants, with 
 
LETTER "XXIV. 
 
 which he appeared much delighted, though 
 sometimes drew blood from his mouth and tongue. 
 
 The only two animals ef this species that have been 
 brought into England for a considerable number of 
 years, were both purchased for the menagerie, Exe- 
 ter 'Change, The first, of which the skin is still pre- 
 served, came from the East Indies; arriv*J in Eng- 
 land in the year 1790, when he was about five year& 
 old: and was soon afterward purchased by Mr. Pid- 
 cock, for seven hundred pounds. 
 
 His docility was equal to that of a tolerably trac- 
 table pig: he would obey his master's orders, walk 
 about the room to exhibit himself, and even allow his 
 visitants to pat him on the back or side. His 1 vole* 
 bore some resemblance to the bleating of a calf, and 
 was most commonly excited when he perceived any 
 person with fruit, or other favourite food in their 
 hands. 
 
 His food was invariably seized in "his projecting 
 upper lip, and by it conveyed to his mouth. He usu- 
 ally ate twenty-eight pounds of clover, the snmo 
 weight of ship-biscuit, and a prodigious quantity of 
 greens every day. He was likewise allowed five 
 pails of water twice or three times a day ; this was put 
 into a vessel containing about three pails, which was 
 filled up as he drank it, and he never ended his 
 draught till the water was exhausted. He was also 
 extremely fond of sweet wines, of which he would 
 sometimes drink three or four bottles in the course of 
 a few hours. 
 
 In the month of October, 1792, as this animal was 
 one day rising up suddenly, he dislocated the joint of 
 one of his fore legs, and this accident brought on an. 
 inflammation, which occasioned his death about nine 
 months afterwards. lie died in a caravan near Ports- 
 mouth, and the stench arising from his body was so 
 intolerable, that the Mayor ordered it to be immedi- 
 ately buried. However, about a fortnight afterwards, 
 it was privately dug up during the night, for the pur- 
 pose of preserving its skin, and some of the most Va- 
 luable of the bones, though the stench was so power- 
 
RHINOCEROS. 39 
 
 ful, that the persons employed found the greatest dif- 
 ficulty in performing their operations. 
 
 The other rhinoceros exhibited at Exeter 'Change, 
 >vas considerably smaller than the former. It vva 
 brought over in the year 1799, and was purchased by 
 an agent of the Emperor of Germany, for 10001. but 
 it died in a stable-yard, in Drury-lane, about twelve 
 months, after its arrival in this country* and two 
 nionths after it was sold by Mr. Pidcock. This ani- 
 mal is supposed to be the unicorn of the ancients. It 
 was known to the Romans at an early period, aiud 
 Augustus caused one to be exhibited in his triumph 
 over Cleopatra. 
 
 The flesh of the rhinoceros is esteemed excellent 
 by Indians and Tvegroes. Kolben says, that he ha? 
 often eaten it with pleasure; but the skin is the most 
 valuable part, as it makes the hardest and best leather 
 of any in the world. In the countries where the rhi- 
 noceros is found, its horn, and indeed almost every 
 part of its bodV, i-i esteemed an antidote against poi- 
 son, as well as a remedy against various diseases. 
 These virtues, however, are doubtless no more than 
 imaginary. The period of this animal's life is sup- 
 posed to be aSout eighty years; but this, and its time 
 of gestation are equally uncertain. 
 
 The double-horned rhinoceros is extremely rare, 
 and its existence was long considered as fabulous, or 
 at least, doubtful, until it was discovered at the Cape 
 of Good Hope, by Dr. Sparrman, who has published 
 a most exact anatomical account of this before-unde- 
 ' scried animal, which, however, does not appear ma- 
 terially to dilier from that of which I have just given 
 a description, except in the circumstance of having 
 two horns, and in the appearance of its skin, which, 
 instead of being covered .with armour like folds, has 
 merely a slight wrinkle across the shoulders, and on 
 the hinder parts. 
 
 Mr. Bruce's account of the manners of the two- 
 horned rhinoceros, is particularly worthy your atten- 
 tion. He observes, that " besides the trees capable 
 of most resistance, there are in the vast forests withia, 
 

 140 LETTER XXIV. 
 
 the rain}, trees of softer consistence, and of a vcrv 
 succuleut quality, which seem to be destined for the 
 
 ' principal food of this animal. For the purpose of 
 gaining rile highest branches of these, his upper lip is 
 capable of being lengthened out, so as to increase his 
 power of laying hold with it, in the same manner, as 
 the elephant does with his trunk. With this lip, and 
 
 'the assistance of his tongue, lie pulls down the upper 
 branches, which have most leaves, and these he de- 
 vours first.' Having stripped the tree of its branches, 
 ho ({<,--s not immediately abandon it; but, placing his 
 snout, as low in the trunks as he finds his horns will 
 enter, he rips up the body of the tree, sand reduces it to 
 thin pieces, like so many kuhs; and when he has thus 
 prepared it, he embraces as much of it as nr can in 
 his monstrous jaws, and twists it round with as much 
 ease as an ox would do a root of celiery, or any small 
 plant. 
 
 " When pursued and in fear lie possesses an asto- 
 nishing degree of swiftness, considering the uuvvieliii- 
 nes:-: of his body, his great weight before, and the 
 shortness of his legs. It is not true, that in a plain, 
 
 " he beats the hoive in swiftness j for though a horse 
 
 "can Very se.idoia come up, this is merely owing to hi* 
 cunning. lie makes constantly from wood to wood, 
 and forces himself into the thickest parts of them; the 
 trees that are dead or dry, are broken down as with a 
 cannon shot, and fall behind him and on his side, in 
 all directions; others that are more pliable, or fuller 
 of sap, are bent back by his weight and the velocity 
 of his motions ; and after he has passed, restoring 
 themselves, like a green branch, to their natural po- 
 sition, they often sweep the incautious pursuer and 
 his horse from the ground, and dash them in pieces 
 against the surrounding trees/' 
 
 In my next I shall endeavour to amuse you with 
 some new curiosity in nature, and in the mean time, 
 beg leave to assure you, that 
 
 I am, wifth upjefghefd affection, dear Sir,, 
 
 Your's, &;c. 
 
141 
 
 LETTER XXV. 
 
 " The flood disparts: behold ! in plaited mail, 
 "Behemoth rears his head. Glanc'd from his side, 
 The darted steel in idle shivers flies : 
 He fearless walks the plain, or seeks the hills; 
 Where, as he crops his varied fare, the herds, 
 In widening circles round, forget their food, 
 And at the harmless stranger wondering gaze." 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 Jt 4 OR the subject of our correspondence I have cho- 
 sen another of the wonderful works of the Creator, 
 more rare than the rhinoceros, and equally worthy 
 of attention. The peculiar habits and disposition of 
 the animal I am about to describe, concur with the 
 remoteness of those solitudes which afford it an asy- 
 lum in throwing 'difficulties in the way of its investi- 
 gation. 
 
 THE HIPPOPOTAMUS 
 
 Inhabits all the large rivers of Africa, from the Niger 
 to the Cape of Good Hope*. but is not found in any of 
 those which fall into the Mediterranean, except the 
 Kile, and exists in that part of it only which runs 
 through Upper Egypt, and the fens and lakes of Abys- 
 sinia and Nubia. 
 
 This amphibious animal has been celebrated from 
 the remotest antiquity, and is mentioned in the book 
 of Job under the name of Behemoth; but although its 
 figure is found engraven on Egyptian obelisks and 
 Roman medals, it was imperfectly known to ancient 
 naturalists. Pliny, instead of correcting, has copied, 
 and even multiplied the errors of Aristotle, and the 
 example has been imitated by succeeding writers. 
 
 As the hippopotamus mostly resides at the bottom 
 of great rivers, it is not easy to ascertain its size. M. 
 Vail Ian t informs us that one which he shot measured 
 from the muzzle to the insertion ot the tail tea feet 
 si-vvn inches, and eight feet in circumference, but 
 from the sumllness of its tusks be supposed it to be a 
 
LETTER XXV"., 
 
 young one. Dr. Goldsmith says, that an Italian sur- 
 geon having procured one- from the Nile, found it to 
 measure seventeen feet in length, and sixteen round 
 the body. Its height did not exceed seven feet, and 
 the jaws when extended were two feet wide. Ray- 
 says, that its upper jaw is moveable like that of the 
 crocodile. In each jaw is four cutting teeth; it has 
 also four large tusks: those of the under jaw,, which 
 are the largest, are sometimes above two feet long. 
 The canine teeth are said to be so hard as to emit 
 fire, when struck with steel : they are extremely 
 white, and for the purpose of making artificial teeth 
 are preferred to ivory. The grinders are square 
 or oblong, and weigh sometimes more than three 
 pounds. The skin is of a dusky colour, and although 
 less callous, is thicker than that of the rhinoceros, and 
 is manufactured into whips. The tail is about a foot 
 Jong, taper, and flatted at the end, which is thinly 
 planted with bristly hairs. The legs are so short that 
 its belly almost touches the ground, and the hoofs ara 
 divided into four parts unconnected by membranes. 
 Some writers represent the figure of this animal as an 
 intermediate form between the ox and the hog. The 
 hippopotamus, although little inferior in size to th 
 felephant, and of a figure calculated to inspire terror, 
 is formidable in appearance rather than in reality/ 
 Its disposition is mild and gentle, except when pro- 
 voked or wounded. When this happens in the water, 
 where its activity is equal to its courage, it will rise 
 and attack boats or canoes in the most furious and 
 fearless manner. Dampjer, says, that he has known 
 one of these animals sink a boat full of people, by 
 tearing a hole in the bottom with its tusks. On the 
 land, its movements are heavy; and the method of 
 taking it is by digging pits in those parts through 
 which it passes in its way to the river, when it return* 
 from feeding. 
 
 These animals seldom go far from the rivers, unless 
 their banks fail of affording them a sufficiency of food. 
 In that case, they sometimes stray into ^cultivated 
 ground, where, like the rhinoceros and tke 
 
HIPPOPOTAMUS. 
 
 143 
 
 tliev make dreadful havoc, as they not only devour 
 an immense quantity of vegetable produce, but de- 
 gtroy still more by their feet, which support so enor- 
 mous a ponderosity of body. 
 
 Professor Thunberg was informed by a respectable 
 person at the Cape of Good Hope, that as he and a 
 party were on a hunting expedition, they perceived 
 . female hippopotamus come out of one of the rivers, 
 and retire to a little distance, in order to calve. They 
 concealed themselves among some bushes till the calf 
 find its mother made their appearance, when one of 
 them fired and shot the latter dead on the spot. The 
 Hottentots, supposing they might now seize the calf 
 alive, immediately ran from their hiding-place; but 
 the young animal, though only just brought into the 
 world, eluded their pursuit, and plunged safely into 
 the river. This the professor justly observes, was a 
 singular instance of mire instinct, for the creature un- 
 hesitatingly ran to tne river, as its proper place of se- 
 curity, without having received any previous instruc- 
 tion from the actions of its parent. 
 
 It is said that these creatures are capable of being 
 tamed ; and Belon asserts that he has seen one so gen- 
 tle as to be let out of a stable, and led by its keeper, 
 without attempting to injure any one. 
 
 The flesh of the hippopotamus is tender and well 
 tasted, and by the colonists of the Cape settlement es- 
 teemed exceedingly wholesome. The gelatinous part 
 of the feet and the tongw, when dried, are considered 
 as great delicacies. 
 
 Thus, my dear Sir, you see that these sequestered 
 animals, although inhabiting the solitary recesses of 
 the largest rivers in the most unfrequented parts of 
 the globe, are not devoid of utility to man. 
 
 Thus far I have been occupied in performing a task 
 equally delightful to myself, and conducive to your 
 instruction and amusement. In surveying those nu- 
 merous tribes of animals, of which some are so per- 
 fectly adapted to afford us their assistance in labow, 
 or to supply us with food and clothing; and others EO 
 admirably calculated to gratify our curiosity and ex- 
 
144 LETTER XXV. 
 
 cite rational beings to contemplate the greatness and 
 goodness of the Author of Nature, who has created so 
 many subordinate beings endowed with qualities so 
 essential to our comfortable existence, that we cannot 
 but learn the divine lesson of gratitude to tile bounti- 
 ful giver of all good things. With a little reflection, 
 your own good sense, my dear Sir, will enable you to 
 perceive, that to treat with kindness the crearures 
 subject to our domination and committed to our charge, 
 is the most rational-and appropriate demonstration of 
 our gratitude to the Creator of the universe, and com- 
 mon parent of all, for his kind attention to our com- 
 forts and conveniences. 
 
 After exhibiting to your view the nature, the ha- 
 bits, and utility of these different kinds of animals, 
 which, being domesticated among us, and necessary 
 to our service and support, induce us to consider their 
 welfare as connected with our own, I have, my dear. 
 Sir, led you to range among the wilder inhabitants of 
 the forests, the mountains, and the deserts, which, al- 
 though less dependent on man, are frequently the ob- 
 jects of his pursuit and become subservient to his in- 
 terest. Having followed Nature to her most retired 
 recesses, and seen and admired the works of the Cre- 
 ator displayed in a variety of the most useful, the most 
 beautiful, and the most inoffensive animal forms, you 
 will now be engaged in a different pursuit, and pccu*- 
 pied with the contemplation of a new scene. 
 
 I shall leave you a few moments to enjoy the ex- 
 pectation of those new pleasures which you will assu- 
 redly derive from a farther review of animated na- 
 ture; and conclude, by repeating that with unfeigned 
 affection, 
 
 I am*. dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
LETTER XXtT. 
 
 Around in sympathetic mirtk 
 its tricks the kilten tries. 
 
 CTOLDSMITH. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 I RESUME the pen to fulfil m> promise of afford- 
 ing you new pleasure in exhibiting to your view a 
 novel and curious scene; and must call your attention 
 to a numerous, ferocious, and sanguinary tribe, en~ 
 gaged in unceasing hostilities against man, and against 
 all those animals that are in alliance with him, and 
 under his dominion and protection. This numerous 
 and ferocious race, which by most naturalists is deno- 
 minated 
 
 THE CAT KIND, . 
 
 Is distinguished by their formidable claws, which are 
 capable of being drawn in. or extended at. pleasure. 
 They lead a solitary life, prowling about for prey, 
 and, instead of uniting in herds like the herbivorous 
 kinds, they ramble about, alone in search of food, and 
 are generally enemies to one another. Although 
 greatly differing in size and in colour, they -all corre- 
 spond in form and indisposition: they are equally 
 fierce and rapacious, and all of them carnivorous; the 
 common cat, through habits of domestication, is brought 
 to eat farinaceous tbod, but never prefers it; and all 
 
 other animals of the cat kind refuse the aliment that 
 
 Ls not tinged with blood. 
 
 I shall, my dear Sir, begin my description of this 
 
 race with this common domestic animal the cat, the 
 
 only one of the tribe that has been taken under hu- 
 
 man protection. 
 
 THE CAT, 
 
 is, when young, of all animals the most sportive and 
 playful, but as its years increase, it begins to grow 
 more serious, and also more artful. 
 
 Any description of an animal so universally known; 
 tt 
 
LETTER XXVI. 
 
 :mul of which the habits and propensities are exposed 
 to daily observation, would be superfluous : we may, 
 however, observe, that although cats cannot absolute- 
 ly see in the dark, as is often asserted, yet they see 
 much better in the twilight, or when it is dusky, than 
 in the broad day-light. During the day the pupil of 
 this animal's eye is contracted, but in the dusk it re- 
 sumes its natural roundness. It then enjoys perfect 
 'vision, and takes advantage of it to discover and seize 
 its prey. 
 
 The nocturnal meetings of these creatures seem a 
 curious peculiarity. They call one another together 
 by loud cries, and sometimes meet in great numbers. 
 When they are met, they look at one another in a 
 menacing manner, writhe themselves in a thousand 
 threatening postures, and, without any apparent cause, 
 11 y upon one another with the most furious rage, with 
 teeth and claws indiscriminately wounding and lace- 
 rating one another. 
 
 These furious engagements never happen but in 
 the night: they sometimes continue several hours, 
 and the most horrid squalls accompany them through 
 the whole time of their duration. 
 
 The cat is fond of certain perfumes, and is particu- 
 larly attracted by the smell of valerian : it has a re- 
 markable aversion to uiire and water, and is a hand- 
 some, cleanly and agreeable creature. 
 
 The perseverance of the cat in watching its prey 
 is remarkable, and indeed extraordinary. This ani- 
 mal loves to bask in the sun-shine, and is exceedingly 
 tond of sitting by a warm fire, so that from these cir- 
 cumstances one might naturally suppose it, to be un- 
 able to bear the cold; and yet', in watching its prey, 
 it will frequently sit motionless several hours together 
 among snow in the severest weather. 
 
 Some naturalists have treated the cat somewhat 
 "hardly in their descriptions, and have represented it 
 as insensible of kindness, and incapable of attach- 
 ment, which is certaiidy a mistake. It is as much 
 attached to its master as any other animal, except the 
 dog, "d expresses its affections by the most engaging 
 
THE* CAT K1SD. 117 
 
 caresses, and the most agreeable purring. It is also 
 reproached with treachery and cruelty, but are not 
 the artifices which it uses the particular instinct* 
 which the all-wise Creator has given it in conformity 
 with the purposes for which it is designed ? Being 
 destined to prey upon so lively and active an animal 
 as the mouse, which possesses so many means of 
 escape, it is requisite that it should be artful ; and, in- 
 deed, the cat, when well observed, exhibits the most 
 evident proofs of a particular adaptation to a parti- 
 cular purpose, and the most striking example of a 
 peculiar instinct suited to its destination. 
 
 A celebrated writer says, that "the cat is one of 
 those animals which has made the least return to man 
 for his trouble by its services;" but it is certain that 
 it renders very essential services to man, and merits 
 well his kindness and protection. Authors seem to 
 delight in exaggerating the good qualities of the dog, 
 while they depreciate those of the cat : the latter, 
 however, is not less useful, and certainly less mis- 
 chievous than the former. The delight, however, 
 which this animal takes in sporting with the unfortu- 
 nate victim that falls under its power, in prolonging 
 its tortures, and putting it to a lingering death, it 
 must be confessed is not a very favorable trait of it* 
 character. 
 
 The cat is very much attached to the place where 
 it has been brought up, or long made its abode ; and 
 instances frequently occur of cats having returned to 
 the place from whence they had been carried, aU 
 though at several miles distance, and even acres-; 
 rivers, when it was impossible that they should have 
 uny knowledge of the road. 
 
 In former times this animal was held in so high es- 
 timation, that its preservation constituted, in some 
 countries, an object of public attention. In the reign 
 of Ilowel, the good king of Wales, who died A. D. 
 948, laws were made to fix the price of valuable ani- 
 mals, among which the cat was included, on account 
 of its utility and scarcity. The price of a kitten, be- 
 fore it could see, was fixed at. one pennv : after it<. 
 
148 LETTER XXVI. 
 
 eyes were open, which is in the space of eight or 
 nine days from its birth, it was advanced to two- 
 pence; and as soon as proof could be given of its 
 having caught a mouse, its value was, in consequence 
 of that exploit, rated at fourpence; a very consider- 
 able sum in those days when money \vas\so exceed- 
 ingly scarce, being at least equivalent to the price of" 
 a good sheep. 
 
 By the same laws, if any one should steal or de- 
 stroy a cat that guarded the prince's granary, he was 
 to expiate the crime by the. payment of as much 
 wheat as would form a heap high enough to cover the 
 cat's tail when it was suspended by it with the nose 
 touching the floor, or by the forfeiture of a good ewe, 
 with her fleece and lamb. It was likewise provided, 
 that when a cat was sold, its sight and hearing should 
 be perfect, and its claws whole, and if a female, a good 
 nurse to kittens: if any defect were found in regard 
 to these qualities, the seller was to forfeit to the 
 buyer one fourth part of the price. 
 
 From these circumstances it appears, that the cat 
 was not originally a native of these islands, and that 
 great pains were once taken to preserve and improve 
 the breed of an animal which is now grown so com- 
 mon, that it is held in less estimation than it deserves. 
 
 It is, mv dear Sir, a disagreeable but just observa- 
 tion, that in many cases the favors of Providence ex- 
 cite not only less admiration, but also less gratitude 
 from being liberally bestowed and plentifully dif- 
 fused. 
 
 The maternal affection of the cat is very remarka- 
 ble, and she has frequently been known to nurse the 
 young of other animals with the utmost care and ten- 
 derness. 
 
 In the Naturalist's Calendar, a very curious circum- 
 stance of this nature is stated: "A boy had taken 
 three young squirrels in their nest, put them under a 
 cat which had recently lost her kittens, and found 
 that she suckled them with the same aiiecticn as if 
 they had been her own progeny. Hut so many per- 
 sons flocked to see this phenomenon, that the foster- 
 
THE CATI 149 
 
 mother at length became alarmed for the safety of 
 her charge, and hid them over a ceiling, where one 
 died. 
 
 Mr. White, in his Natural History of Selborne, oh- 
 serves, that he had a little helpless leveret brought to 
 him, which was nourished by the servants, with milk 
 from a spoon ; and about the same time his cat kitten- 
 ed, and the young were dispatched. The leveret 
 was soon lost, and was supposed to have fallen a prey 
 to some cat or dog; but one evening, about a fortnight 
 afterwards, as Mr. White was sitting in the garden, 
 he observed his cat trotting towards him, and follow- 
 ed by the leveret, which she had nourished with thfc 
 utmost aii'ection. 
 
 When Mr. Baumgarten was at .Damascus, he saw 
 a large house which was solely used as a kind of hos- 
 pital for cats, and was said to be completely filled 
 with those creatures. On enquiring into the origin of 
 this curious institution, he was informed that Maho- 
 met, when he once resided there, kept a cat in the 
 sleeve of his gown, and fed it carefully with his own 
 hands; in consequence of which, his followers in this 
 place paid the most superstitious respect to these ani- 
 mals, and supported them in this manner by public 
 alms, which were very adequate to the purpose. 
 
 THE WILD CAT 
 
 is so intimately allied to the domestic kind, that they 
 evidently constitute the same species. The form h 
 the same in both, and they exhibit the same charac- 
 teristic propensities : the only observable distinction 
 is, that the wild cats are larger and stronger than thp 
 tame kind, and their fur is much longer, but very soft 
 and fine. 
 
 The province of Chorazin, in Persia, is famous for 
 a beautiful species of this animal : its size is about thji 
 same as that of our common cat ; its colour is of a 
 fine grey, and its fur cannot be exceeded in softness 
 and lustre : its tail is long, and covered with hair of 
 the length of five or six inches: it frequently turns it 
 upon its back like a squirrel, and it 
 jiJume of feathers* 
 
 H 3 
 
150 LETTER XXVI. 
 
 The cat of Angora is larger than the common \\ilrf 
 cat. Some of these creatures are white, and others 
 of a dun colour ; and all of them have a ruff of long 
 hair round the neck, which gives them the appear- 
 ance of small lions. 
 
 Wild, as well as tame cats, are found with very 
 little variety in almost every climate, and in almost 
 every country of the old and the new continent. 
 This animal is indeed extensively diffused, and ex- 
 isted in America before its discovery by the Eu- 
 ropeans. 
 
 In England the wild cat is not rery common, al- 
 though some of an enormous size have been taken : 
 one was killed in the county of Cumberland which 
 measured above five feet in length from the nose to 
 the end of the tail. 
 
 Wild cats always' inhabit mountainous and woody- 
 tracts; where they live in' trees, and hunt for birds 
 and small animals. They sometimes sally from their 
 retreats and make great havoc among poultry : they 
 will kill young lambs, kids and fawns, and are 
 exceedingly destructive, among rabbits in the war- 
 rens. 
 
 A tradition is extant of a serious conflict which 
 once took place at the village of Bamborough, in 
 Yorkshire, between a man and a wild cat. It is said 
 that the fight commenced in an adjacent wood, and 
 was continued from thence into the porch of the 
 church, where it ended fatally to both combatants, 
 for each died of their wounds. A rude painting in 
 the church commemorates the event, and some of the 
 stones are said to be tinged with bloody stains, which 
 the properties, of soap and water have never been 
 able to obliterate. In all probability, however, these 
 .stains are merely imaginary, as. the natural tinge o.}' 
 the stones may be of a red colour. 
 
 This short fetter on the habits and propensities as 
 well as the utility of an animal that is so common as 
 to be universally known, and every day seen, will, 1 
 flatter myself, afford you some amusement, and per- 
 haps inform you of some particulars with which you 
 
THE OCELOT l.'H 
 
 were unacquainted. The native goodness of your dk- 
 position renders it unnecessary that I should remon- 
 strate against the brutal cruelty of those who excite 
 dogs to lacerate and worry so useful a domestic ani- 
 mal as the tame cat, and feel a sottish pleasure in. 
 contemplating a spectacle worthy of being exhibited 
 only before a barbarian. 
 
 In my next I shall diversify the scene, by calling 
 your attention from a creature so generally known, 
 to others with which you are less acquainted, and 
 which w r ill therefore move forcibly excite your curio- 
 sity. In the mean while with sincere affection, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &f. 
 
 LETTER XXV IL 
 
 "There sublimM 
 
 To fearless lust of blond, the savage race 
 Roam, iicenc'd by the shading hour of guilt." 
 
 THOMSON. 
 
 DEAH SIR, 
 
 I AM now going to lead you forward in the survey 
 of this ferocious tribe of animals. We will begin our 
 ramble among the weaker sort of those which are 
 usually denominated the cat kind, and which, if" 
 through a deficiency of strength, they are less to be 
 dreaded than those of a larger size, possess the same 
 ferocity of disposition as the most formidable. Among 
 these you will indeed find some most beautiful form;-,, 
 but all characterized by the same propensity to car- 
 nage and blood. This observation you will, in the 
 first place, find verified in the 
 
 OCELOT. 
 
 This animal, when k has taken its prey, is said U> 
 prefer the blood before the flesh. A male and a fe- 
 male Ocelot, which had been taken very voting, 
 were some years ago brought to Paris. At the a>t* 
 of three months they became so strong and ticr'je 
 
 H 4 
 
LETTS 1 *.. XXV H, 
 
 as to kill a bitch that had been put to them as a nuir&e. 
 A live cat being thrown to th^ni, they immediately 
 killed it, and sucked the blood, but would not eat the 
 ilesh. The male never allowed the female' to par-take 
 oi iiis food until he had satisfied his own appetite. 
 
 One of these animals, exhibited at Newcastle, al- 
 though extremely old, shewed evident marks of un- 
 tameable ferocity. It was kept closely confined, and 
 would not admit of being caressed by its keeper, but 
 growled continually, and always appeared in motion, 
 
 The ocelot, especially the male, is extremely beau- 
 .tiful, and its fur is most elegantly variegated. Its ge- 
 neral colour is a bright tasvney : its forehead and legs 
 are spotted with black, and a stripe of the same co- 
 lour extends along the top of its back from head to 
 tail. Its shoulders, sides and rump are beautifully 
 marbled with long stripes of black, forming oval fi- 
 gures, filled in the middle with small black spots, 
 and its tail is irregularly marked with similar spots. 
 The colours of the female are less vivid, arid also less 
 beautifully arranged than those of the male. In 
 shape, this animal resembles the common cat, but is 
 much larger, being, according to Button, two feet 
 and an half high, and four feet in length. 
 
 The ocelot is a native of South America, and is 
 also found in America. It lives chiefly in the moun- 
 tains, and conceals itself in the leafy tops of trees, 
 from whence it darts upon such animals as come 
 within its reach. It sometimes stretches itself along 
 the branches, as if it were dead, till the monkeys, 
 prompted by their natural curiosity, come within its 
 reach, and experience the fatality of their mistake. 
 
 THE MARUAY 
 
 is smaller than the ocelot, being nearly of the size cf 
 the wild cat, which it resembles in its habits and cha- 
 racteristic propensities' It is sometimes called the 
 Cayenne cat* and is common in Brazil, and various 
 parts of South America. Several species of this ani- 
 mal are found in India, and in the southern parts of 
 Africa; but these in general have been so negligently 
 observed, or so injudiciously represented by travel- 
 
BLACK TYGER LYNX. 
 
 I5S 
 
 lers, as to render it impossible, from their relations, 
 to form any perfect description of this animal, which 
 constitutes* one of the many desiderata of natural his- 
 tory. Its colours vary, but in general it is tawney, 
 the' face and body marked with stripes and spots of 
 bhick, the breast and insides of the legs white, and 
 spotted with black, and the-tail long and alternately 
 spotted with grey, black and tawney. On the 
 whole, the margay is a most beautiful animal. In 
 some parts it is known by the name of the tyger cat. 
 
 THE BLACK. TYGER 
 
 differs from the last described animal chiefly in its 
 colour, which 'is dusky, and in some of the species 
 spotted with black. The inferior parts of the body 
 are of a palish cast, the upper lip white, and covered 
 with long whiskers. Above each eye it has "very 
 lo'rig hairs, and at the corner of the mouth a black 
 spot. It grows to the size of a heifer of a year old, 
 and has remarkable strength in its limbs. 
 
 M. de la Borde says, that these animals are excel- 
 lent swimmers, and that they frequent the sea shore, 
 and eat the eggs deposited there by the turtles. 
 They likewise destroy alligators, lizards and fish. In 
 order to oalch the alligators, they lie down on their 
 bellies at the edge of the river, and strike the water- 
 to make a noise. The alligator then raises its head 
 above water, in expectation or its prey, but they 
 dart their claws into its eyes, and drug it on shore, 
 where it falls a victim to the animal on which it intend- 
 ed to feast; like wicked men who frequently fall into 
 the snares which they have laid for others, an;l draw 
 upon themselves those calamities which they desigued 
 to inflict. 
 
 The black tyger inhabits Brazil and Guiana, where 
 it is much dreaded by the natives. It is indeed, a. 
 ravenous and ferocious animal, but fortunately tha 
 species is not numerous. 
 
 THE LYNX. 
 
 This name appears to have been given by the an- 
 cients to a creature which existed only in imagination,, 
 ami had no existence in the system of nature. To 
 n 5. 
 
LETTER XXVII. 
 
 this imaginary creature they attributed extraordinary 
 qualities, and in their fabulous descriptions, repre- 
 sented its sight so piercing, as to penetrate stone 
 walls, and every other opaque body. 
 
 The real iynx, however, which nature, and not 
 imagination has formed, is found bv naturalists to be 
 a very different animal from that which a poetical 
 fancy had created. It possesses none of those extra- 
 ordinary qualities attributed to it by the ancients. 
 Its eyes are indeed extremely brilliant, which, with, 
 the sprightliness of its air and aspect,, aided by a lit- 
 tle exaggeration, might furnish poetry with striking. 
 si-mi!ies and beautiful allusions. 
 
 The lynx differs considerably from every other 
 Animal of the cat kind. Its distinguishing character- 
 istic is the length and erect position of the ears,, 
 which are ornamented at the end with a tuft of long 
 black hair. The length of its body is upwards of 
 four feet, and that cf the tail not above six inches. 
 Its hair is long and soft, and marked with dusky spots, 
 which vary in colour according to its age. Its legs 
 inid feet are thick and strong, and its eyes of a pale 
 yellow. 
 
 . The fur of this animal is valuable for its warmth 
 and softness. Great quantities of it are imported 
 from the northern parts of Europe and America; and 
 the farther north the animals are taken, the more 
 beautiful is their fur, being whiter, and the spots 
 more distinct. It may also be observed, the winter 
 JTS are thicker, more glossy and beautiful than those 
 which are preserved in. the summer season. 
 
 In hunting for its prey, tlu 1 lynx frequently climbs- 
 to the tops of the highest trees; and neither weazles, 
 ermines, nor squirrels, are often able to escape it. It 
 watches for the fallow deer, the hare, and other ani- 
 mals; darts down from the branches where it lies con- 
 juculeJ, seizes them by the throat, and sucks their, 
 blood ; after which it leaves them and goes in search 
 of fresh game. It is consequently a very destructive 
 animal, as it is not easily satisfied with carnage, and. 
 nes makes great havoc among the flocks, 
 
 9 
 

CARACAL. OUNCE.---LEOPARD. 155 
 
 When attacked by a dog, it lies down on its back, 
 and defends itself desperately with its claws, and in 
 this posture frequently repels the assailant. 
 
 THE CARACAL 
 
 very much resembles the lynx, but yet appears to lie 
 of a different species, as it is never found in the coun- 
 tries which the former inhabits. It exists only in hot- 
 countries, where it generally attends the panther, the 
 ounce and the lion; especially the last, and lives al- 
 most entirely on the refuse of their prey. It is com- 
 monly called the lions' provider, and is supposed to 
 be employed by the lion to hunt for his prey by the 
 scent, which in this animal is exceedingly acute. 
 
 THE OUNCE 
 
 is also by some writers confounded with the panther, 
 to which, indeed, it bears no small resemblance in 
 the arrangement of its spots. It is, however, much 
 inferior in size, seldom exceeding three feet and a 
 half in length; its hair is longer than that of the pan- 
 ther, as is also its tail considered in proportion to its 
 size. Its colour is also somewhat different, being iv 
 Jight grey, tinged with a yellow cast. 
 
 This animal seems to be more generally diffused 
 than the panther; for it is common in Barbary, Per- 
 sia, and China, and is sometimes trained for hunting. 
 When accustomed to subjection it is exceedingly gen- 
 tle. The hunters carry it with them on horseback, 
 and have it as much under command as a setting dog; 
 when sent out it will return at a call, and jump up 
 behind its master. 
 
 The scent of this animal is inferior to that of the 
 dog. It hunts solely by the eye, and is not snfli- 
 ciently swift to overtake its prey in a long chace, 
 but it is exceedingly nimble in leaping. It frequently 
 climbs trees to place itself on the watch, and suddenly- 
 to dart upon such animals as it sees passing. 
 THE 'LEOPARD. 
 
 This beautiful, but ferocious animal, is an inhabi- 
 tant of the interior parts of Africa, where the specie* 
 most abounds; but it is also found in several parts of 
 India, China, and Arabia; and is bunted, for its flesh 
 H & 
 
156 
 
 LETTER XXVII. 
 
 as well as its skin, which is exceedingly beautiful, 
 being of a fine bright yellow, thickly diversified with 
 small black spots, disposed in clusters highly orna- 
 mental. When brought to Europe, the skins of these 
 animals are greatly esteemed. 
 
 Their flesh is said to be as white as veal, and well 
 tasted : it is much relished by the negroes, who fre- 
 quently take them in pit-falls, covered at the top. and 
 baited with a morsel of some kind of flesh. The fe- 
 male negroes make collars of their teeth, which they 
 xvear as charms, and to which their imagination, 
 clouded by ignorance, and influenced by superstition, 
 its natural concomitant, has induced them to attribute 
 extraordinary virtues. 
 
 When these animals cannot find a sufficient supply 
 of food in their native solitudes in the uncultivated 
 parts of Africa, they frequently come down in great 
 numbers into the lower Guinea, where they make 
 horrible devastations among the herds of cattle which 
 cover the plains of that fertile country, and spare no 
 living creature that has the misfortune to fall in their 
 \vuy. 
 
 The late Sir* Ashton Lever kept a leopard in a cage 
 at Leicester-house, where it because so tame as always 
 to appear gratified bv attention and caresses; testify- 
 ing its pleasure by purring, and rubbing itself against 
 the bars like a cat. Sir Ashton presented it to the 
 royal menagerie in the Tower, where a person previ- 
 ously acquainted with it, went, after an interval of 
 more than twelve months, and was greatly surprised 
 to find himself, recognized by the animal, which be- 
 gan to renew its usual caresses. 
 
 The general size of the African leopard is nearly 
 l-hat of a pretty large mastiff', arid few of them exceed 
 four fe<-t in length. 
 
 THE PANTHER 
 
 is equal in size to the largest of ow mastiff dogs, but 
 its legs are somewhat shorter, it is consequently larger 
 than the leopard, being frequently from five to six 
 feet long, whereas the latter, as already observed, sel- 
 dom exceeds four feet. It iukubks Africa from Baiv 
 
THE PANTHER. 157 
 
 bary to the remotest parts of Guinea: it is absolutely 
 untameable, and when kept under confinement, 
 growls almost continually. 
 
 The panther is extremely ferocious, but happily 
 prefers the flesh of brute animals to that of the human 
 species; although when pressed with hunger, it at- 
 tacks every living creature without distinction. It 
 takes its prey by surprise, either lurking in thickets, 
 or creeping on its belly until it come within its reach : 
 it will even climb trees in pursuit of monkies, and 
 other small animals, so that nothing is perfectly se- 
 cure from its attacks. 
 
 The colour of the panther is yellow, of a deep tint 
 on the back, but growing paler towards the belly, 
 which, together with the chest, is white : on the back, 
 sides, and flanks, it is beautifully marked with black 
 spots, disposed in circles of four or lire each, with a 
 single spot in the centre : its ears are short and point- 
 ed ; its eyes fierce and restless; and its whole aspect 
 is marked with the most untameable ferocity. 
 
 The ancients were well acquainted with the pan* 
 -iier; and the Romans obtained from the desarts oi* 
 Africa great numbers of these animals for their public 
 shews. Scaurus exhibited a hundred and fifty of 
 them atone time; Pompey, four hundred and ten ; 
 Augustus, four hundred and twenty. Panthers must 
 have been at that time extremely plentiful in the 
 northern parts of Africa, and they still swarm in the 
 tropical regions of that continent. 
 
 That I may not weary you with too long a letter, I 
 will refer to another opportunity a description of the 
 tyger and the lion, those sovereigns of the forest, and 
 tyrants of the animal world. For the present I shall 
 bid you adieu, professing myself with 'sincere affec- 
 tion, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c 
 
158 
 
 LETTER XXVIU. 
 
 " The tygcr darting fierce 
 Impeluous on the prey hib glance has dooin'd." 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 X'N our progressive view of ferocious quadrupeds, we 
 are now to proceed to the contemplation of the tygeiy 
 one of the most beautiful, but at the same time one of. 
 the. most rapacious and destructive of the whole ani- 
 mal race. Its propensities, however-, shew how little 
 a mischievous disposition can be compensated by a 
 beautiful form. 
 
 This animal has an insatiable thirst after blood ; 
 and even when satiated with food, is not satisfied with 
 slaughter, but displaying the genuine characteristics 
 of consummate and innate malignity, continues its ra- 
 vages until objects whereon it may exercise its fury* 
 can no longer be found. 
 
 . Happily for the rest of the animal race, as well as 
 for mankind, this destructive quadruped is not very 
 common, nor the species widely diffused; being con- 
 fined to the warm climates of the east, especially In- 
 dia and Siam, although some are found as far north as 
 China. No part of the world, however, is so much 
 infested with tygers as India, nor any part of India so 
 much as the province of Bengal, of which the 
 southern part towards the mouths of the Ganges, form- 
 ing a vast labyrinth of woody islands, called the Sun- 
 derbunds, may be called the great rendezvous of 
 those destructive animals. This extensive wilderness, 
 according to Major Rennel, is so covered with wood. 
 and infested with tygers, that no attempts have ever 
 been made to clear and settle it; and, indeed, an en- 
 terprise of this kind would, in the opinion of those 
 who are best acquainted with the country, be ex- 
 tremely dangerous, and almost impracticable. 
 
 The tyger generally grows to a larger size than the 
 
THE TIGER. 159 
 
 leopard or the panther, though somewhat more slen- 
 der in proportion to its height and length; and its 
 form so completely resembles that of a cat, as almost 
 to induce us to consider the latter animal as a tyger in- 
 miniature. The most striking difference which is ob- 
 served between the tyger and the other mottled ani- 
 mals of the cat kind, consists in the different marks on 
 the skin. The panther, the leopard, &c. are spotted,, 
 but the tyger is ornamented with long streaks quite 
 across its body, instead of spots. The ground colour 
 in those of the most beautiful kind is yellow, very 
 deep on the back, but growing lighter towards the 
 belly, where it softens to white, as also on the throat 
 and the insides of the legs. The bars which cross the 
 body perpendicularly from the back to the belly, are 
 of the same beautiful black; and the skin altogether 
 is so extremely fine and glossy, that it is much es- 
 teemed, and sold at a high price in all the eastern 
 countries, especially China. The mandarins cover 
 with it their seats of justice, and use it also for 1 
 cushions and pillows. 
 
 The tyger is said by some to prefer human flesh to 
 that, of any other animal : it is certain, however, that 
 it does not, like many other beasts of prey, shun the 
 presence of man, and far from dreading his opposi- 
 tion, frequently seizes him as his victim. These fero- 
 cious animals seldom pursue their prey, but lie in am- 
 bush and bound upon it with a surprising elasticity, 
 and from a distance almost incredible. The strength, 
 as well as the agility of this animal is wonderful: it 
 carries off a deer with the greatest ease, and will even 
 carry a buffalo. If left undisturbed, it plunges its 
 whole head up to the very eyes into the body of its 
 victim, to satiate itself with the blood. It attacks all 
 kinds of animals, except the elephant and rhinoceros: 
 furious combats sometimes happen between the tyger 
 and the lion, in which both sometimes perish. 
 
 The ferocity of the tyger can never be wholly sub- 
 dued : for neither gentleness nor restraint makes any 
 alteration in its disposition : it appears insensible of 
 the attention of its keeper, and would tear the hand 
 
160 LETTER XXVI 3 1. 
 
 that feeds it equally with that by which it is chas- 
 tised. 
 
 Father Fachard has favoured us with an account of 
 a combat between a tyger and two elephants at Siam, 
 of which he was a spectator. The heads and trunks 
 of the elephants were defended from the claws of the 
 tyger by a covering made for that purpose. They 
 were placed in the midst of a spacious inclosure. One 
 of them approached the tyger, which was confined 
 by cords, and received two or three heavy blows up- 
 on its back from the trunk of the elephant, which beat 
 it to the ground, where it lay for some time as if it 
 had been dead; but although that had much abated 
 its fury, it was 110 sooner untied, than with a horrible 
 roar it made a spring at the elephant's trunk, which 
 that animal dexterously avoided by drawing it up, 
 and receiving the tyger on its tusks, threw it up into 
 the air. The other elephant was then allowed to 
 come up, and, after giving the tyger some very heavy 
 blows, would undoubtedly have killed it, if an end 
 had not been put to the combat. 
 
 Notwithstanding the determined ferocity of this 
 creature, a sudden surprise has sometimes had an al- 
 most miraculous effect in preventing its attack. 
 
 Some ladies and gentlemen being on a party of 
 pleasure under a shade of trees on the banks of a river 
 in Bengal, were suddenly surprised by observing a 
 tyger placing himself in a posture for making the fa- 
 tal spring. One of the ladies, with amazing presence 
 of mind, seizing an umbrella, and unfurling it directly 
 in the monster's luce, it instantly retired. Another 
 party, however, had not the same good fortune, and 
 we cannot, without sorrow, record the melancholy 
 catastrophe. 
 
 On the 23d of December, 1792, Mr. Monro, an il- 
 lustrious character, and three other gentlemen, went 
 on shore on Sauger island, in the East-Indies, to shoot 
 deer. They saw several tracks of tygers, notwith- 
 standing they continued their sport for some hours, 
 and then sat down to re^t themselves, after taking the 
 usual precaution, of muKing a great fire, and fifing 
 G 
 
THE TYGER. 161 
 
 their pieces several times in the air, in order to terrify 
 und drive away any savage animals that might be 
 lurking around. They had but just commenced their 
 repast, when one of their attendants informed them 
 that a fine deer had approached within six yards. 
 The gentlemen instantly seized their guns, when a 
 tremendous roar like thunder was heard, and an enor*- 
 mous tyger sprang on the unfortunate Monro, and 
 carried him off through bushes and every other ob- 
 stacle, without any apparent difficulty ; every thing 
 yielding to his prodigious strength. 
 
 In this dreadful emergency, the other gentlemen 
 immediately fired at the beast, and, as it appeared, 
 not without effect, for in a few minutes Mr. Monro 
 rejoined them, covered with blood. They lost no 
 time in procuring medical assistance, but the unfortu- 
 nate gentleman's skull was so fractured by the teeth 
 of the monster, and his neck so torn by its claws, that 
 he survived but a short time. Thus fell a worthy and 
 gallant officer, who, had he not been cut of!' by this 
 unfortunate accident, would undoubtedly have ren- 
 dered the most essential services to his country. This 
 tyger appeared to be not less than four feet and a half 
 high, and nine long; and when he m?de the fatal 
 spring, his roar was terrible beyond description. 
 Fierce and tremendous as this animal is, the hunting 
 of him is a favorite diversion with some of the eastern 
 princes. 
 
 The tygress produces four or five young at a litter, 
 and when robbed of them, her fury rises to the most 
 ungovernable height: regardless Of danger, she pur- 
 sues the plunderers, who are generally-compelled to 
 release one of their captives, in order to retard her 
 progress : she has no sooner, however, taken it to the 
 nearest covert, than she renews the pursuit even to 
 the gates of buildings, or the edge of the sea; and 
 when her exertions prove unavailing, she expresses 
 her maternal agony by the rnost tremendous howl- 
 ings. 
 
102 
 
 LETTER. XXIX. 
 
 * What if the lion in his rage I meet ! 
 
 Oft in the dust I view his printed feet ; 
 
 By hunger roused lie scours the groaning plain,, 
 
 Grannt wolves and sullen tygers in his train, 
 
 Before them death with shrieks directs their way, 
 
 Fills the wild yell, and leads them to their prey." 
 
 COT.MNS-. 
 
 -&.FTER describing the beautiful form and ferocious 
 disposition of the tygeiy I shall now, my dear Siiv 
 proceed to a description of the lion, which is the no- 
 blest and most courageous of all the feline race. 
 
 THE UON 
 
 may justly be styled the lord of the forest : thei*e, in^ 
 deed, he ranges uncontroled; for his roar is so tre- 
 mendous, that, When reverberated by the woods or 
 mountains, it resembles thunder, and all the animal 
 creation flies before it. This roar is the lion's natural 
 nots ; for when enraged he has a different growl,, 
 which is short, broken, and reiterated. He then 
 lashes his sides with his tail, erects his mane till it 
 stands up like bristles, and his eyes seem to emit 
 sparks of fire. 
 
 The form of the lion is a perfect model of strength 
 combined with agility, and at the same time strik- 
 "ingly bold and majestic. His large and shaggy mane 
 encircling his awful front, his ample eye-brows and 
 fiery eyes, which, upon the least irritation, glow with- 
 a fierce and striking lustre, with the formidable ap- 
 pearance of his teeth, altogether form a picture of 
 terrific grandeur, unparalleled in any other species ot 
 the animal creation. 
 
 The face of the lion is very broad, and quite sur- 
 rounded with the mane; which gives it a singularly 
 majestic appearance; for the top of the head, the 
 temples, the cheeks, the under-jaw,. the neck, the 
 breast, the shoulders, the belly and the hinder- part 
 of the legs, are all furnished with long hair, but that 
 oil the rest of the body is very short:, his tongue is 
 
THE LluN. 163 
 
 exceeding rough and prickly, and by licking will 
 easily take off' the skin of a* man's hand; a circum- 
 stance which ought carefully to be guarded against 
 by those who keep lions, or amuse themselves with 
 them, although ever so well tamed; for if this animal 
 once either see or taste blood, his fury is beyond all 
 restraint, and he immediately destroys his victim. 
 Several instances of this kind have been known. 
 
 One gentleman in particular kept a lion which was 
 almost as tractable as a dog, and used to caress his 
 master in the same manner as that animal. The gen- 
 tleman often used to permit him to lick his hands, a 
 familiarity against which he was often cautioned by 
 an intelligent friend. Regardless, however, of this 
 warning, and confiding in the attachment of his favo- 
 rite, he continued the practice until one time the 
 prickly tongue of the lion fetched blood from his 
 hand, upon which the animal forgetting his former 
 affection, instantly flew upon his master and tore him 
 to pieces. 
 
 The general colour of the lion is a tawny yellow; 
 his height from four feet to four feet and a half, arid 
 his length eight or nine feet; but those we see exhi- 
 bited in this country are seldom so large. The for- 
 mation of the ej^e, in regard to the contraction and di- 
 latation of the pupil, is nearly the same in the lion as 
 in the cat: the former cannot, any move than the lat- 
 ter, bear a strong light, and consequently he seldom 
 appears abroad in the day, but prowls about chiefly 
 at night. As the sight of the lion, notwithstanding 
 the fierce sparkling of his eyes, is observed to be de- 
 fective; his smelling appears to be less acute ; and as 
 all living creatures avoid him, he is for the mosl part 
 obliged to have recourse to artifice to lake his prey. 
 Like the tyger, therefore, he bounds upon it from 
 some place of concealment, and on these occasions 
 easily makes springs of eighteen or twenty feet. 
 Sometimes he makes two or three of these bounds ; 
 but if he miss his object he gives up the pursuit, re- 
 turns to his place of ambush, and lies in wait for an- 
 other opportunity. The lion, as well as the ty 
 
J 0*4 LETTER XXIX. 
 
 commonly chuses his lurking place near a spring, or 
 on the brink of a river, where he may have an oppor- 
 tunity or surprising such animals as eome to quench 
 their thirst. 
 
 However, although the lion and the tyger have a 
 similar method of watching and seizing their prey, 
 they differ considerably in some of their other cha- 
 racteristics. 
 
 The natural disposition of the lion is universally al- 
 lowed to have more of magnanimity, and contempt 
 lor inferior enemies, than that of most other large and* 
 predatory animals. This has induced many persons 
 to relate wonderful, and, in some instances, altogether 
 incredible stories respecting this royal beast. " A 
 Jacobin monk of Versailles/' says the Pere Labat, 
 " being in slavery at Mequiaez, resolved, with a com- 
 panion, to attempt his escape. They got out of their 
 prison, and travelled during the night only, to a con- 
 siderable distance, resting in the woods by day, and 
 hiding themselves among the bushes. At the end of 
 the second night they came to a pond. This was the 
 first water they had seen since their escape, and of 
 course they approached it with great eagerness; but 
 when they* were at a little distance from the bank, 
 they observed a lion. After some consultation, they 
 agreed to go up to the animal, and submissively to 
 implore his pity; accordingly they kneeled before 
 the beast, and in a mournful tone related their mis- 
 fortunes and miseries. The lion, as they told the 
 fctory, seemed affected at the relation, and withdrew 
 to some distance from the water. This gave the bold- 
 est of the men an opportunity of going down to the 
 pond, and filling his vessels, while the other conti- 
 nued his lamentable oration. They afterwards both 
 passed on their way before the lion, which made n* 
 attempt whatever either to injure or molest them." 
 The story, as thus related by two superstitious old 
 monks, is too ridiculous to obtain any credit as to the 
 motives which induced the animal to such a mode of 
 conduct. It, however, may be considered to rest on 
 n better foundation, when it is observed that the lion 
 
 
T-HE LIO^. 165 
 
 re had his appetite feilly satisfied previously 
 to their appearance, and at that moment been too in- 
 dolent to attempt to injure them. His retiring at the 
 relation of their story, was, no doubt, to suit his own 
 convenience only thus interrupted as he was by the 
 wanderers. 
 
 Of the generosity of the lion many instances stand 
 on record. Every scholar is acquainted with the story" 
 of Androcles, the Roman slave, who, being ill-treated 
 by his master, the proconsul of Africa, escaped into 
 (he desert, where, exhausted with hunger and fatigue, 
 lie took up his lodging in a cavern, which, contrary" 
 to his expectation, proved to be a lion's den. He had 
 not remained long before an enormous lion entered. 
 Androcles found it impossible to escape, and gave 
 himself up for lost. The lion approached him, but 
 instead of devouring him, held up his foot, which was 
 wounded and bloody, and made a growling complaint 
 as if he craved the man's help. Androcles, consider- 
 ing that nothing could add to the danger of his situa- 
 tion, with a courage that despair excited, and un- 
 doubtedly with a trembling hand, laid hold of the 
 lion's foot, and drew out a large thorn which had been 
 the cause of his pain. The beast, finding himself 
 much eased, caressed the man who had rendered him 
 this service, then laid down and slept beside him. 
 The next night the lion went out asjain, found some 
 prey, brought it home and laid it at the feet of his be- 
 nefactor. A perfect familiarity commenced between 
 Androcles and the lion, and in this manner they lived 
 three years. 
 
 At the expiration of this period, the sluve knowing 
 that the term of his master's proronsulship in Africa 
 was expired, and supposing that he himself was for- 
 gotten, left the dt: u in the lion's absence, and made 
 his way to the Roman colony; but being unfortu- 
 nately recognized for a run-away slave, he was taken 
 and sent to Rome to his master. JJy the Roman lav, s 
 the master was invested with absolute power over h^ 
 slaves, and this unfeeling barbarian ordered Andro 
 cles to be thrown to the wild beasts in the a 
 
 
106 LETTER XXJX. 
 
 atre. No sooner was the poor slave placed in this dread- 
 ful situation, than he was approached by an enormous 
 lion, which, as both he himself, and the spectators of 
 this interesting scene supposed, was to bury him in 
 its voracious stomach. At the moment, however, 
 when the people expected to see the terrible creature 
 open his tremendous jaws to devour his victim, he, to 
 every one's surprise, fell down at the man's feet, and 
 began to fawn upon him like a spaniel. Androcles 
 then recognized him to be the identical lion w r ith 
 which he had lived so familiarly in Africa, which 
 having been unfortunate like himself, had been taken 
 and carried to Rome for the public shows. 
 
 This happened in the reign of Caligula, and that 
 emperor being informed of so extraordinary a circum- 
 stance, obliged the cruel master to liberate the slave. 
 By the emperor's order the lion was also given to 
 Androcles, who traversed the streets of Rome attend- 
 ed by his old friend. The lion would never leave 
 him ; but constantly accompanied him, and proved to 
 the man a source of wealth, by the emoluments which 
 it procured him for the gratification of public curio- 
 sity. 
 
 A remarkable instance of recollection and grateful 
 attachment is related, by Mr. Hope, of a lion belong- 
 ing to her grace the Duchess of Hamilton : " One 
 day" says our author, " I had the honor of dining with 
 the duchess. After dinner the company attended her 
 grace to see a lion fed which she kept in the courts 
 While we were admiring his fierceness, and teazing 
 him with sticks, to make him abandon his prey and 
 fly at us, the porter came and informed the duchess, 
 that a serjeant, with some recruits at the gate, begged 
 to see the lion. They were accordingly admitted at 
 the moment the lion was growling over his prey. 
 The serjeant, advancing to the cage, called ' Nero, 
 Nero, poor Nero, don't you know me ?' The animal 
 instantly turned his head to look at him ; then left his 
 prey, and came, wagging his tail, to the side of the 
 cage. The man put his hand upon him and patted 
 him; telling us at the same time that it was three 
 
THE LION. 
 
 167 
 
 v-ea'rs since they had seen each other; that the care 
 of the lion, on his passage from Gibraltar, had been 
 committed to him, and he was happy to see the poor 
 beast shew so much gratitude for his attention." 
 
 When the lion has become acquainted with human 
 superiority, his courage has become so degenerated, 
 that he has even been scared away with a shout; and 
 in a tame state, we have an instance of one of these 
 animals being overcome by a goat. Mr. Bruce, com- 
 mander-general of the Senegal company on the coast 
 of Africa, had near him a full grown tame lion, when 
 a flock of goats was brought that had been just pur- 
 chased. They were so terrified at this enormous, 
 animal, that all of them ran off except one; but he, 
 looking stedfastly at the lion, stamped with his foot on 
 the ground in a menacing attitude; then retreated 
 three steps, and, instantly returning, struck the lion's 
 forehead so forcibly with his horns, that the animal 
 was nearly stunned. The goat repeated his blow se- 
 veral times, and the lion was thrown into such confu- 
 sion, that he was at length obliged to conceal himself 
 behind his master. 
 
 The lion is sometimes held at bay a considerable 
 time by the buffalo; and it is not always that he 
 proves victorious over other animals, as will appear 
 irom the following anecdote : 
 
 A Florentine gentleman had a mule so exceedingly 
 viscious as to be altogether ungovernable, from its 
 kicking and biting every person that approached it. 
 lie ordered it to be turned into the court of his mena- 
 gerie, and a lion to be let loose upon it. The lion 
 roared aloud when he first observed the animal; but 
 the mule, without seeming at all alarmed, ran into a 
 corner of the court, and so placed herself that she 
 could only be attacked in the rear. In this situation 
 she waited the onset, at the same time watching with 
 the greatest attention all the motions of her adver- 
 sary. The lion, aware of the difficulty, used all his 
 art, but to no purpose, to throw her oft'her guard. At 
 last the mule, seizing a favourable opportunity, fijave 
 him such a salute in the face with her hind feet, as to 
 
168 LETTER XXIX. 
 
 beat out eight or ten oi his teeth : and to compel the 
 animal to. return to his lodge, without making any 
 further attempts to seize upon her, thus leaving her 
 in quiet possession of the field. 
 
 It is a vulgar error that the lion is alarmed at the 
 crowing of a cock. He is, however, said to be fright- 
 ened at the appearance of serpents near him. Some 
 of the Moors, induced by this notion, when they are 
 pursued by a lion, are said occasionally to loose their 
 turban entirely out, and wave about the twisted linen 
 so as to make it appear like a serpent. The Sieur 
 Frejus, in his Travels in Mauritania, informs us that 
 this will always have the desired effect of driving the 
 animals away. 
 
 The lion is a long-lived animal, although the pre- 
 cise period of its existence is perhaps unknown. By 
 Button, it is limited to twenty or twenty-two years; 
 but it is certain that its life is of much longer dura- 
 tion. The great lion called Pornpey, which died in 
 the Tower A. D. 1760, was known to have been there 
 above seventy years, and another brought from Af- 
 rica, died in the same place at the age of sixty-three. 
 
 The lioness goes five months with young, and pro- 
 duces three or four at a time. She is less than the 
 lion, and not so fierce, except in defence of her 
 whelps, or in procuring them food, in which cases she. 
 is not inferior to the lion in ferocity, nor less to be 
 dreaded. 
 
 Among the colonists at the Cape of Good Hope, 
 limiting the lion is a favourite diversion. In the day- 
 time, and on the open plain, twelve or fourteen dog>> 
 will master a huge Hon. Although the strength of 
 this animal is so great, that one of them has been 
 known to seize :.m heifer, carry it off with ease, and 
 even when holding it in his raouth, to leap over a 
 ditch apparently without any diiliculty, yet it is not 
 very ileet in running. In hunting, therefore, the 
 dogs soon come up with him: the lion then, with a 
 kind of sullen disdain, turns about and waits the at- 
 tack, shaking his mane, and roaring with a short and 
 broken growl. Tile dogs then rush on him 
 
THE LION. 169 
 
 side, and tear him to pieces. The flesh of the lion is 
 said to have a strong and disagreeable flavour, but, 
 however, it is frequently eaten by the negroes ; and 
 the grease, which is of a penetrating nature, is of use 
 for medical jmrposes. 
 
 The Moors use the skin of the lion as quilts for 
 their beds. It is said to have the remarkable pro- 
 perty of keeping rats or mice out of any room where 
 it is deposited, for a considerable length of time after 
 it is taken from the animal. 
 
 I have now, my dear Sir, conducted you in your 
 range through the deserts and the forests to survey 
 that ferocious tribe of animals, which are terrible 
 to man, as well as other creatures. In these, as in all 
 others, the power of the Creator is conspicuous, al- 
 thounh exhibited in forms of terror. This quc.snou 
 may here naturally arise : How is it consistent with 
 infinite goodness, that animals should devour one an- 
 other, siiul be supported at the expence of one an* 
 other's lives? To judge whether this system of pre- 
 rhice.ous violence among animals can oven, according 
 lo our limited view of the consequences, be deemed 
 a real evil, we onght to take the following cireum- 
 sta)X?es into consideration. 
 
 In the present, state of things immortality w out of 
 the question : the universal law of nature on'.ains, that 
 whatever lives must die; and it does not appear that 
 1 tie Alteration of this la\r could add to the happiness 
 of the animated creation. To man, the present lite, 
 in which evil is invariably mixed with good, is only 
 probationary, and preparatory to another and a hap- 
 pier state of existence, where <*vil shall be excluded, 
 and felicity be permanent and without alloy. To 
 oilier creatures life is a blessing, which they enjoy 
 for a lime without any apprehension of its termina- 
 tion, or any anxiety for future occurrences. The pre- 
 sent moment limits the sphere of their -pleasures and 
 their pains, as \\ell as the extent of their hopes and 
 their fears. The system of prey among animals, iik 
 the impulse of interest among men, is a spring of ac- 
 tivity and motion : pursuit forms the employment, and 
 i 
 
170 LETTEIl XXIX. 
 
 seems to constitute the pleasures of a considerable 
 part of the animal creation; defence, flight, or in- 
 stinctive precaution, is also the principal business of 
 another part ; and even in regard of the latter tribe, 
 \ve have no reason to suppose that their happiness is 
 much disturbed by their apprehensions. Their dan- 
 ger, it is true, continually exists, and nature has en- 
 dowed them with an instinctive sagacity, which ren- 
 ders them so far sensible of it as to provide against it 
 in the best manner they are able; but it is only when 
 the attack is actually made that they appear to suffer 
 from their situation. 
 
 To contemplate the insecurity of their condition 
 with anxiety and dread, requires a degree of reflec- 
 tion which the compassionate benevolence of the 
 Creator has kindly refused to them; thus graciously 
 providing that their present safety may not be dis- 
 turbed with the apprehensions of future danger, nor 
 their immediate enjoyments embittered by the con- 
 templation of distant calamity. The hare, notwith- 
 standing the number of its dangers and its enemies, is 
 as playful, and apparently as happy as any other ani- 
 mal, until the very moment that the hounds appear 
 in view. 
 
 To this sketch of the Divine wisdom and goodness 
 exhibited in the ceconomy of animal life, we may, 
 my dear Sir, add another consideration that edually 
 tends to develop the attributes of the Great Author of 
 Nature. 
 
 The three modes by which life is terminated are, 
 disease, decay, or violence. The brute creation, liv- 
 ing, according to the simple dictates of nature, is not 
 very subject to acute diseases; and this must certainly 
 be esteemed a happy circumstance of animal life. 
 But let us consider the state of suffering in which a 
 poor animal is placed when left to perish by age or 
 decay. Man, in his sicknesses and infirmities, has 
 the assistance of his fellow creatures, who, if they 
 cannot alleviate his pains, can at least minister to his 
 necessities, and supply the place of his own activity; 
 but the brute, in his natural state, does every thinjf 
 
THE DOG. 171 
 
 for himself. When, therefore, his strength, his speed, 
 or his senses fail, he is necessarily delivered up either 
 to absolute famine, or to the protracted misery of a 
 life slowly wasted by pain and scarcity of food. May 
 it not then be considered as a benevolent dispensation 
 of Providence, that in the present constitution of 
 things, animals generally either fall victims to one 
 another, or are slaughtered for the sustenance of man; 
 and few of them, either in a wild or domestic state, 
 suffer the miseries of helpless age and gradual decay. 
 I have, my dear Sir, expatiated somewhat more 
 largely on this subject, as the circumstance of animals 
 supporting life by devouring one another, forms the 
 chief, if not the only instance in the ceconomy of na- 
 ture, in which the marks of -design are evident, but 
 the character of utility obscure. The whole affords a 
 curious subject of contemplation; and although v,e 
 can only see a very small part in the comprehensive 
 system, impartial reasoning and serious reflection, 
 will render the view of things far diiierent from what 
 it appears to the eye of a superficial observer, and 
 oblige us to exclaim with the poet - 
 
 " Sec and confess, one truth must still arise, 
 3 Tis this, though man's a fool, jet God is wise." 
 
 I am, 
 
 Dear Sir, &c. 
 
 LETTER XXX. 
 
 "'Of. all the speechless friends of mau, 
 
 The fail hi ul dog I deem, 
 Deson ing from the human clan, 
 
 The tenderest esteem." 
 
 n AY LET. 
 
 DEAR SIR. 
 
 I COME now to a description of animals, carnivor- 
 ous indeed, but far less mischievous and 
 than those which we have lately contemplated. 
 1 shall present to you under the gemjral denomination 
 i 9' 
 
172 LETTER XXX. 
 
 of the dog kind, which is divided into a number of 
 species, and widely diffused. 
 
 THE 4>OG 
 
 is so well known, that although the race admits of 
 numberless varieties, its external form scarcely re- 
 quires any description; but its habits and propensities 
 form an interesting subject for the contemplation of 
 the naturalist. 
 
 This animal, equally remarkable for its docility, 
 fidelity, and attachment, seems to have been designed 
 by the Author of Nature as assistant and companion 
 to the human species. In order to accomplish the 
 subjection of the animal creation, it was necessary 
 that man should select some, of which he might make 
 use in the subjugation of the rest; and among all the 
 different orders of animated beings, none was so en- 
 tirely adapted to this purpose as the dog; for none so 
 bold and sagacious, so tractable and obedient. To 
 this day he assists man in the destruction of such ani- 
 mals as are hostile to his interests, and in conquering 
 such as contribute to his support or pleasure. The 
 dog, when taken into a participation of empire with 
 man, as if conscious of his own importance, exerts a 
 degree of superiority over all animals that require 
 human protection. The flock and the herd obey his 
 voice: he conducts and guards them, and considers 
 their enemies as his own ; and is equally useful when 
 the sound of the horn, or the voice of the huntsman 
 calls him to the field. 
 
 To describe, or even to enumerate all the different 
 kinds of dogs, or th=e discriminating marks by which 
 ?ach is distinguished, would be not only useless, but 
 impossible. The different breeds are not only innu- 
 merable, but, by constant intermixture, perpetually 
 varying; so that every individual displays something 
 peculiar to itself, in shape, colour, or character. No 
 animal in the creation is so susceptible of change* nor 
 si easily modified by climate, food, and education. I 
 have already observed, that those animals which have 
 bten long uridor human management, never preserve 
 the stamp of u.iturc in its original purity like those 
 
SHEPHERD'S DOG CUE DOG. 173 
 
 which enjoy their original dependence: as the dog is 
 the constant attendant on man, accompanies him into 
 different climates, and in his society adopts more dif- 
 ferent modes of living than any other creature, it is 
 not a matter of wonder that this animal should exhibit 
 a greater variety than any other; and that the influ- 
 ences .of so many different circumstances, with the in- 
 cessant intermixture of breeds, should preclude every 
 possibility of systematic arrangement. I shall there- 
 fore content myself with pointing out some of the 
 most striking varieties, and leave the rest to your own 
 Observations. 
 
 THE SHEPHERD'S DOG, 
 
 is generally considered as the parent stock of the 
 canine race" This faithful animal, ever attentive- to 
 his charge, reigns over the flock; and is of the utmost 
 importance in many parts of this country, where ex- 
 tensive tracts of land are solely appropriated to the 
 feeding of sheep and other cattle. This sagacious 
 animal is so obedient to the voice of the shepherd, and 
 and so ready to execute his commands; that in con- 
 ducting the flock from one place to another^ and pre- 
 venting the sheep from straggling, the sei vices of one 
 well-trained dog will be more effectual than all that 
 could be performed by two or three men, without 
 mentioning the attentive fidelity with which, in his 
 master's absence., he executes his off 4 ce of a guardian. 
 
 THE CUR DOG, 
 
 although not considered by naturalists as a distinct 
 race, is, notwithstanding, esteemed such in some parts 
 of this country; and its utility to the farmer and gra- 
 zier is so great, that in many places no small attention 
 is paid to the breed. They are extremely useful in 
 driving cattle, and exceed the shepherd's dog in size,, 
 fierceness, and strength. Some dogs of this kind pos- 
 sess an astonishing degree of sagacity : they know 
 their master's field, are attentive to the cattle that are 
 in them, go of their own accord their daily rounds, 
 and if any interlopers have got among the herd, will 
 quickly drive them out of the grounds. 
 
174 LETTER 
 
 THE GREENLAND DOG. 
 
 This race of dogs is generally white; some, 
 ever, are spotted, and others black. The Pomeranian, 
 Siberian, Lapland, and Iceland dogs, as well as those 
 which run wild in America, are all somewhat similar 
 to the Greenland dogs in the sharpness of their muz- 
 zles, their long shaggy hair, and bushy tails; and all 
 have some resemblance to the shepherd's dog, but are 
 of a larger size. The Greenlanders, sometimes eafc 
 the!flesh of their dogs. They make garments of their 
 skins, and use them for drawing sledges, to which 
 they yoke them four, five, or six together. 
 
 The dogs of Kamtschatka are nearly of the same 
 land : they are strong and active, and their colour i 
 commonly black and white. They are exceedingly 
 useful in drawing sledges, the only mode of travelling 
 in that country during the winter, and travel with 
 great expedition. Captain King relates, that during 
 his stay there, a courier with dispatches, performed in 
 a sledge drawn by dogs, a journey of 270 miles in less 
 than four days. According to Captain King's ac- 
 count, who gives a very interesting description of 
 these animals, they strongly resemble the Pomera- 
 nian, or wolf dog of Buftbn, except that they are 
 larger, and covered with coarser hair. That gentle- 
 man also says, that although they vary in colour, the 
 greatest number are of a light dun. 
 
 Of the fleetness of these dogs, Captain King gives 
 the following account, in addition to the instance al- 
 ready mentioned: "We were ourselves witnesses," 
 ays"he, " of the great expedition with which the 
 messenger, who had been dispatched to Bolcheretsk 
 with the news of our arrival, returned to the harbour 
 of St. Peter and St. Paul, though the snow was at that 
 time exceedingly soft; and I was informed by the 
 commander of Kamtschatka, that this journey wa 
 generally performed in two days and a half; and that 
 he had once received an express from that place in 
 twenty-four hours, although the distance be not less 
 than one hundred and thirty miles. 
 
 These useful animals are trained to this business of 
 
GREENLAND DOG. 174 
 
 drawing the sledge when they are only whelps; and 
 although the most general mode is to yoke fivfe of 
 them together, two and two, with a leader, yet devia- 
 tions from this method take place according to cir- 
 cumstances. Mr. Leessop informs us, that he and M. 
 Kaslof, governor of Kamtschatka, set out from Bol- 
 cheretsk, with their baggage, in thirty-five sledges, 
 drawn by three hundred dogs, and that his sledge was 
 drawn by thirty-seven, and M. Kaslof's by forty-five 
 of these animals. They arrived at Ponstarisk with no 
 more than twenty-seven out of the whole number, 
 having lost all the rest by the hardships of the jour- 
 ney. From which circumstance we may conclude, 
 that the sufferings of these useful animals are on these 
 occasions very great. Mr. Lessop describes this mode 
 of travelling as very expeditious, but extremely trou- 
 blesome. He says, the dogs are sometimes very re- 
 fractory; and that on long journies it is almost impos- 
 sible to enjoy any repose, by reason of the excessive 
 howling which they make in the night. 
 
 In the management of these dogs, great attention is 
 paid to the training of those that are designed for 
 leaders, which are valued in proportion to their stea- 
 diness and docility, and one of them is frequently sold 
 for forty rubles, or ten pounds sterling, a great sum 
 in that country. 
 
 , In driving these sledges, the reins are fastened to a 
 collar put round the neck of the leading dog, and 
 consequently are of little use in directing the rest. 
 The driver has a crooked stick, answering the purpose 
 both of whip and rein, with which, by striking on the 
 snow, he regulates the speed of his dogs, Sometimes 
 he animates them to proceed by his voice ; and when 
 they are inattentive to their duty, he chastises them 
 by throwing his stick at them; but at the same time 
 he shews great dexterity in regaining it, which is the 
 greatest difficulty attending his art; for if he happen 
 to lose this instrument the dogs immediately discover 
 the circumstance, and seldom fail to set off at full 
 speed, continuing to run till their strength is exhaust- 
 ed, or the carnage overturned and dashed to pieces. 
 i 4 
 
176 
 
 LETTER XXX. 
 
 Upon the whole, it appears from the relations of Mr, 
 Lcssop, and others, who have made the experiment, 
 that when many of these sledges travel together, and 
 are necessarily drawn by ii great number of dogs, 
 .hev form a very noisy and tumultuous canwnn. 
 
 When the summer approaches, the dogs are turned 
 out to provide for themselves, but they always return 
 to their masters when the cold weather commences, 
 when they are poorly fed with the oiluls of fish. In 
 this part of the world fish is a principal article of the 
 food not only of the dogs, but also of the inhabitants. 
 
 I shall now, my dear Sir, proceed in furnishing you 
 v. hh some remarks on the principal distinctions of the 
 canine race. 
 
 THE BULL DOG 
 
 is probably the most courageous animal that nature 
 has produced. It is not so large as many other kinds 
 of dogs, but very strong and muscular. Its nose is 
 short, and its aspect fierce. Its courage in attacking 
 the bull is well known, and to the disgrace of huma- 
 nity has been too often put to the trial. The perse- 
 vering resolution and ardour of these dogs, is exhi- 
 bited in an instance which happened some years ago 
 at a bull-baiting in the north of England : A person 
 confident of the courage of his dog, laid some trilling 
 wager, that he would, at separate times, cut olFits four 
 feet, and that, lifter every amputation, it would at- 
 tack the bull. The barbarous experiment was tried, 
 and the' dog continued to seize the bull in the same 
 manner as if he had been perfectly whole, exhibiting 
 at the same time a striking example of his ferocious 
 courage, and of the barbarity of his unfeeling owner. 
 The number of this species of dogs is very moth 
 diminished, and its total extinction would be a desir- 
 able circumstance; for as it always makes its attacks 
 without barking, it is a very dangerous animal, and 
 ought never to' be approached by strangers without 
 great caution. However, as the barbarous diversion 
 of bull-baiting is now almost entirely laid aside, the 
 breed of bull dogs will be little attended to, and pro- 
 
ENGLISH MASTIFF COACH DOG. 177 
 
 bably will be soon lost in the confusion of intermix- 
 tures. 
 
 The refinement of the last and the present age., has 
 produced a happy effect in abolishing those cruel di- 
 versions and savage customs which formerly disgraced 
 human nature. The bull fights in Spain, and the bull- 
 baitings of England, are no\v almost totally disused. 
 The former, however, exhibited a greater appearance 
 of magnanimity than the latter, as in them the ama- 
 teurs of the sport themselves attacked the bull; while 
 those who delighted in bull-baiting were only stupid 
 starers, whe employed their dogs to perform a busi- 
 ness which they themselves durst not undertake, and 
 to face an antagonist which they would have trembled 
 to approach. 
 
 THE ENGLISH M. \STIFF 
 
 was so famous in the time of the Roman emperors, 
 that an officer was appointed to breed and send to 
 Rome such of this species as might be deemed proper 
 for the combats of the amphitheatre. But the genuine 
 and unmixed breed of these dogs, although not abso- 
 lutely extinct, is now seldom rnet with; and most of 
 those distinguished by that name are a compound of 
 different breeds. 
 
 The masting conscious of the superiority of hi* 
 strength, has sometimes been known to chastise v.itli 
 great dignity the insults or impertinence of his infe- 
 riors. Ail animal of this- kind belonging to a gentle- 
 man near Newcastle, had been frequently tea zed and 
 molested by the barking of a little mongrel; but at 
 length, wearied with such impertinence, he took 1 up 
 the contemptible offender in his mouth, and compos- 
 edly dropped it over the quay into the river, without 
 offering it any further injury. 
 
 THE DALMAT! \.\> OR COACH DOU, 
 
 is very common at present 5a this country, and is es- 
 teemed an elegant attendant on a carriage. It is, 
 however, to be hoped that the progress of refinement 
 und good taste will abolish the custom of depriving 
 the poor animal of so useful and ornamental an ap- 
 pendage as its ears, which is so generally practised, 
 i 5 
 
178 LETTED XXX. 
 
 through the mistaken notion of increasing its beauty- 
 Are not the decorations which nature bestows on each 
 animal its greate'st ornaments, and is not an inherence 
 to her laws the perfection of taste ? 
 
 THE IRISH WOLF DOG 
 
 is the largest of the canine species, and its appearance 
 the most beautiful and majestic. It was peculiar to 
 Ireland, but is now almost extinct. This was, accord- 
 ing to Buffon, the famous Wolossian dog of antiquity. 
 Wolves are no longer to be met with in Ireland ; 
 and this kind of dog is unserviceable for hunting ei- 
 ther the stag, the fox, or the hare : we need not there- 
 fore be at a loss to discover the cause of the breed 
 being neglected : it would, however, be worth pre- 
 serving, as it is a beautiful animal, its aspect mild, 
 "and its disposition gentle. Although it never seek* 
 to quarrel with any other dogs, it is far superior in 
 combat both to the bull dog and mastiff^ exhibiting 
 those characteristic qualities so much to be admired 
 in rational, as well as irrational beings; strength 
 and courage combined with peaceableness of disposi- 
 tion. 
 
 THE HIGHLAND GREYHOUND 
 
 is a large, fierce, and powerful animal. It was for- 
 merly much esteemed by the chieftains of Scotland* 
 and used in their grand hunting parties, ^but is novr 
 become rare. 
 
 THE COMMON GREYHOUND 
 
 is the swiftest of all the canine race, but as it wants 
 the faculty of scenting its game, it pursues it by the 
 eye. M. Buffon supposes this to be a variety of the 
 Irish wolf dog, rendered more delicate by the differ- 
 ence of climate and management; and it must be 
 confessed that, both m its form and disposition, it 
 bears no small resemblance to that animal. 
 
 Greyhounds were formerly so much- esteemed, that 
 by the forest laws of King Canute, it was enacted that 
 mo person under the degree of a gentleman, should 
 keep any dog o* that kind. 
 
 THE BEAGLE 
 
 is the smallest o all the dogs kept for the chace,, anA 
 
HARRIER FOX-HOUND. 
 
 179 
 
 is used only in hunting the hare. It is far inferior in 
 speed to that animal, which is the principal object of 
 its pursuit; but by its exquisite scent it traces her 
 footsteps through all her turnings and windings with 
 the greatest exactness, and with wonderful persever- 
 ance, until she becomes at length exhausted, and un- 
 able any longer to continue her flight. 
 
 THE HARRIER 
 
 differs from the beagle in being somewhat larger, as 
 also more nimble and vigorous. It pursues the harje 
 with eager impetuosity, and scarcely gives her any- 
 time to breathe; and the most active sportsman finds 
 it sufficient exercise to keep up with the pack. These 
 hounds exert their voices with cheerfulness, and make 
 that lively harmony which has ever delighted the ears 
 of the true sportsman. 
 
 THE FOX-HOUND. 
 
 Great Britain excels all other countries in her breed 
 of fox- hounds, whether we consider their swiftness, 
 or their perseverance. The climate seems congenial 
 to their nature, for the race is said to degenerate when 
 transplanted into foreign countries; and it is certain 
 that in no part of the world is there so much attention 
 paid to their breeding and management. This, in- 
 deed, is not a matter of wonder ,vhen we consider 
 that the attachment of the English f .o the chase is so 
 remarkable, as to be reckoned a trait of the national 
 character. This propensity is so prevalent, v that 
 scarcely any price is thought too high for hounds of 
 approved excellence. 
 
 These dogs are also trained to hunt the stag; and 
 as a proof of their perseverance and spirit in support- 
 ing a long continuance of vigorous exertion, it is suffi- 
 cient to observe, that a large stag having been turned- 
 out of Whinfield park, in Westmorland, was pursued 
 until the whole pack was thrown out, except two 
 staunch dogs, whiph continued the chace. The stag 
 returned to the park, made his last effort in leaping 
 over the wall, and at the moment he had accomplish- 
 ed it, dropped down dead. The foremost of the two- 
 also reached the wall, but being too much" ex- 
 16 
 
r x 
 
 \ 
 
 l0 LETTER XXX. 
 
 hausted, it lay down and immediately expired: the 
 other, unable any longer to continue the pursuit, fell 
 down dead within a small distance of the place. This 
 is perhaps the longest chace recorded in the annals of 
 stag-hunting. They advanced as far Redkirk, near 
 Annan, in Scotland, distant from Whinfield park for- 
 ty-six miles by the post-road, so that the circuitous 
 route they might be supposed to take could scarcely 
 be less than a hundred and twenty miles. The horns 
 of this stag, which were the largest ever seen in that 
 part of the country, were affixed to a large tree in the 
 park, in commemoration of this extraordinary chace. 
 
 Many other kinds of dogs are used in the sports of 
 the field, and contribute to the innocent and healthful 
 amusements of country gentlemen. Of these we shall 
 observe 
 
 THE ENGLISH SETTER. 
 
 This is a handsome and active dog : its use and qua- 
 lities are well known. Its scent is exquisite, and it's 
 sagacity in discovering the various kinds of game, 
 with its caution in approaching them, exhibits a won- 
 derful specimen of animal instinct. 
 
 THE SPANISH POINTER 
 
 appears, from the etymology of its name, to have ori- 
 ginated from Spain, although it is now naturalized in 
 this, country, vsheri- the greatest attention has been 
 paid to preserve the purity of the breed. It is prin- 
 cipally employed in finding partridges, pheasants, 
 &c. either for "the, gun or the net, and is remarkable 
 for its docility, its aptness for receiving instruction 
 being such, that it may be said to be almost self- 
 taught. In this rqspect it greatly excels the English 
 pointer, which requires great care aiid attention in 
 training. A mixed breed between the Spanish and 
 English is now chiefly used by sportsmen, and these 
 are the setting dogs, which seem to be the most es- 
 teemed. 
 
 THE LARGE WATER SPANIEL 
 
 is chiefly used in discovering the haunts of wild ducks, 
 and other water fowl; it is fond of water, and swims 
 well. In its disposition it is docile and obedient : its 
 
COMFORTER, TURNSPIT, AND PUG DOG. 181 x 
 
 form is elegant; its hair beautifully curled ; its ear* 
 are long, and it? aspect is sagacious and pleasing. 
 These dogs are extreirely useful in finding birds that 
 have been shot, or disabled, and fetching them out 
 from places which the sportsman cannot conveniently 
 approach. The small water spaniel is of a less size, 
 but resembles the other in form, and is of similar ha- 
 bits and disposition. 
 
 THE SPRINGEft 
 
 is an indefatigable pursuer of its game, and exceed- 
 ingly active and expert in raising woodcocks and 
 snipes from their haunts in the woods and marshes 
 which they frequent. 
 
 Of this kind also seems to be that handsome little 
 animal, known by the appellation of King Charles's 
 dog, the favorite companion of that monarch, who is 
 said to have been generally attended by several of 
 that kind. 
 
 Somewhat similar to this, but much smaller, is the 
 shock dog, a diminutive creature, almost lost in the 
 great quantity of hair, which covers it from head to 
 foot. 
 
 Descending still farther, we have a variety of small 
 dogs, such as 
 
 THE COMFORTER, 
 
 an elegant, but snappish and noisy little animal, and 
 averse to the familiarity of strangers. It is chiefly 
 entertained as an attendant of the toilette, or the clraw*- 
 ing-room 
 
 THE TURNSPIT, 
 
 a vigilant and spirited little dog, is now but seldom 
 employed, although its services were of great utility 
 before the ingenuity of mechanical improvements 
 rendered them unnecessufv. Before the invention oi' 
 of a better method of wording the spit, it was curious 
 to observe the labors of this useful little animal. 
 
 THE PUG DOG, 
 
 is formed exactly in the same manner as the bull dog, 
 but much smaller, and its tail curls upon its back. It 
 was formerly very common in England, but. now the 
 breed begins to be scarce. Mrs. Piozzi informs us, 
 
182 LETTER XXX. 
 
 that she saw great numbers of them at Padua, and that 
 it still maintains its place in the favour of the ladies in 
 that city. 
 
 From the mixture of these, and other breeds, we 
 have messets, lap-dogs, dancers, waps, mongrels, and 
 an endless number of varieties and compounds, for 
 which it is difficult to find a name. I shall therefore 
 proceed to a brief description of those kinds which 
 are of greater note and utility. 
 
 THE ROUGH WATER DOG, 
 
 admits of two varieties, one of a larger, and the other 
 of a smaller size; hut they are both remarkable fo 
 their long shaggy hair, and their aptness to fetch any 
 thing, especially out of the water. They are web- 
 footed, and swim with great ease ; they are fond of 
 water, and are extremely useful in hunting ducks, and 
 other aquatic fowl. 
 
 THE NEW ZEALAND DOG,. 
 
 pretty much resembles the shepherd's cur, and is 
 common in the -Society Islands. In those countries 
 the flesh of their dogs constitutes the principal part 
 of the animal food used by the inhabitants. How- 
 ever disagreeable it may appear to us, dog's flesh was 
 a viand on which the Greeks and Romans did not dis- 
 dain to feed ; and Europeans, who have been able to 
 overcome their prejudices, have .tasted the flesh, of 
 these animals,, and found it not unpalatable. Preju- 
 dice, my dear Sir, in many cases, warps our minds 
 more ttyan we imagine, or perhaps are willing to be- 
 lieve. 
 
 THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG, 
 
 is one of-the largest, as well as the most sagacious and 
 useful animals of the canine race. The dimensions 
 '.of one now or lately kept at Eslington,. in North-um- 
 iberland, the seat of Sir H. G. Liddeil, Bart, were, ac- 
 cording to Mr. Bewick,, as follow: from the nose to- 
 the end of the tail, six feet two inches; the length of 
 .the tail, one foot ten inches; from one fore foot over 
 ithe shoulders to the other, five feet seven inches; 
 girt behind the shoulders, three feet two inches; and 
 .round the upper part of the fore leg, nine inches ami 
 
NEWFOUNDLAND DOC. 183 
 
 a half. It was very fond of fish, and would eat it raw 
 out of the nets. It was web-footed, could swim and 
 dive extremely well, and bring up anything from the 
 bottom of the water. The extraordinary sagacity of 
 these dogs, joined to their attachment to their mas- 
 ters, renders them, in certain situations, highly valu- 
 'able, as will appear from the two following well au- 
 thenticated anecdotes: 
 
 A ship belonging to Newcastle, being wrecked near 
 Yarmouth in a severe storm A. B. 1789, and all the 
 crew lost, a Newfoundland dog alone escaped to land, 
 bringing the captain's pocket-book in his mouth. He 
 landed amidst a crowd of people, many of whom, in 
 Tain, endeavoured to take it from him. The sagacious 
 animal, as if sensible of the importance of the charge, 
 which had probably been delivered to him by his pe- 
 rishing master, at length leaped fawningly against the 
 breast of a man who had attracted his notice among 
 the crowd, and delivered to him the book. The dog 
 immediately returned to the beach, and watched with 
 great attention for every thing that came a-shore from 
 the wrecked vessel, seizing every thing that came up, 
 and endeavouring to bring it safe to land. 
 
 As another instance, of the docility and sagacity of 
 these animals, Mr. Bewick relates, that a gentleman 
 walking by the side of the river Tyne, and observing 
 on the opposite side a ckiid fall into the water, gave 
 notice to his dog, which immediately jumped in, 
 swam over, and catching hold of the child with his 
 inouth, brought it safe to land. 
 
 In the country from whence these dogs originallj 
 were brought, and from which they derive their namtv, 
 they are extremely useful. Three or four of them 
 yoked to a sledge, will draw for several miles two or 
 three hundred weight of wood, without any driver or 
 conductor, and after delivering their loads, regularly 
 return. The Newfoundland dog is indeed a most va- 
 luable creature, and we cannot contemplate his asto- 
 nishing sagacity without admiring the wonderful 
 works of the Creator, displayed in the various rnodifr- 
 ations of animal instinct. 
 4 
 
184 LETTER XXX. 
 
 THE BLOOD HOUND 
 
 is, of all the canine race, the most beautifully formed, 
 and superior to almost every other kind in sagacity. 
 They are generally of a brown, or reddish colour, and 
 seldom bark. These dogs were formerly much used 
 in several parts of this country that were infested with 
 robbers and murderers, especially on the frontiers be- 
 tween England and Scotland; and their exquisite 
 scent and wonderful sagacity in tracing the delin- 
 quent, are finely depicted by Somerville. 
 
 " Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tail 
 Flourish'd in air, low bending plies around 
 His busy nose, the steaming vapour snuffs 
 Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried, 
 Till conscious of the recent stains, his heart 
 Beats quick: nis snufiing nose, his active tail, 
 Attest his joy : then with deep opening mouth,. 
 That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims 
 Th' audacious felon/' 
 
 For these purposes the blood hound is happily no 
 longer necessary; and as its present use is chiefly 
 confined to the recovery of deer, that have escaped, 
 after being wounded by a shot, the breed has become 
 much less numerous than it was in former times. 
 
 These considerations, while they excite our asto- 
 nishment at the wonderful instincts with which the 
 Creator has endowed the animal race, must at the 
 ;-;ime time inspire us with gratitude for the favors con- 
 ierred on us bv his gracious Providence in allotting 
 to us our period of existence in an age of civilization, 
 and in a country where a well-regulated government, 
 by the equitable administration of laws, provides for 
 individual security. 
 
 I cannot dismiss this subject, without mentioning a 
 custom established in se.veral convents situated among, 
 the Alpine mountains, which ,does honour to human 
 nature. In these sequestered and uninhabited tracks, 
 travellers inform us that a breed of dogs are trained. 
 
BLOOD HOUND. 185 
 
 to go in search of persons who have lost their way in 
 those unfrequented regions. They are every morn- 
 ing sent out with an apparatus fastened to their col- 
 lars, containing refreshments, and written directions 
 to the travellers to follow these sagacious animals to 
 the convent, where they are hospitably entertained. 
 By this singular and humane practice, we are assured 
 that many lives are frequently preserved. 
 
 In all the Mahometan countries, dogs are excluded 
 from the habitations of men; while cats, on the other 
 hand, are held in the highest esteem, and indulgently 
 treated in every family. The dogs, therefore, wan- 
 der about at random in the villages, or streets of great 
 cities, without any owner. The Mahometans, how- 
 ever, are remarkable for their humanity to the brute 
 creation 5 and if they have an abhorrence for these 
 animals, they at least refrain from doing them any in- 
 jury, and feed them with offals of victuals, which they 
 throw to them into the street. This humanity is, in- 
 deed, carried to. a very great height in some places, 
 especially in Egypt, where dogs are perhaps more 
 numerous than in any other part of the~ world, and ex- 
 ceedingly useful in destroying a variety of vermin, 
 and devouring the carrion which, in so sultry a cli- 
 mate, soon putrifies. A certain portion of provision 
 is sometimes given them at the public expence ; and 
 instances have been met with of wealthy individuals, 
 who have by will oequcathed a sum of money to b 
 appropriated to the support of these animals. 
 
 Although neither the utility nor agreeable qualifi- 
 cations of the dog can be called in question, it must 
 be acknowledged that, to the^ it unites some mis- 
 chievous propensities. If we consider the numberless 
 misfortunes caused by dogs in every part of this island, 
 and that there are many country villages through 
 which a person can scarcely either \\alk or ride in 
 safety, unless he take great care to avoid being lacer- 
 ated by their teeth, or thrown, from his horse in con- 
 sequence of their barking; as well as the dreadful 
 effects of canine madness, of which every year fur- 
 
LETTER XXXI. 
 
 nishcs fatal instances, we cannot but think that thsc 
 animals are somewhat too numerous. 
 
 I am, 
 
 Dear Sir, &c. 
 
 LETTER XXXI. 
 
 " By wintry famine rou.s'd, from .ill the track 
 Of horrid mountains, which the shining Alps 
 And weary Appenines and Pyrenees, 
 Branch out stupendous into distant lands; 
 Cruel as death and hungry as the grave, 
 Burning for blood ! honey, and gaunt and grim, 
 Assembling wolves in raging troops descend." 
 
 THOMSON. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 Jr ROM contemplating the varied utility of the dog, 
 his instinctive sagacity, his firm attachment and pleas- 
 ing qualities, which endear him to man, I must now 
 call your attention to an animal, which, in its exterior 
 form and internal structure, exactly resembles the ca- 
 nine race, but possesses none of its agreeable disposi- 
 tions, or useful propensities. 
 
 THE WOLF 
 
 has, in all ages, been much detested, and is univer- 
 sally considered as the most savage enemy of mankind 
 that exists in the animal creation. 
 
 The appetite of the wolf is excessively voracious. 
 Although naturally somewhat timid, it becomes, when 
 pressed with hunger, courageous from necessity, and 
 braves every danger. 
 
 In countries where wolves are numerous, whole 
 droves come down from the mountains, or out of the 
 woods, and join in the work of general devastation. 
 They attack the sheep-f Ads, enter the villages, and car- 
 ry oft' sheep, lambs, hogs, calves, and even dogs; for at 
 such times every kind of animal food is equally agree- 
 able. The horse and the ox, the only tame animals 
 that can make any resistance against these destroyers, 
 
WOLF. 187 
 
 are frequently overpowered by their numbers and 
 their incessant attacks. Even man himself, on these 
 occasions, falls a victim to their rapacity. They are 
 seldom driven back until many of them be killed; 
 and when obliged to retreat, soon return to the charge ; 
 for when their necessities are urgent they become in- 
 furiate, and instead of being intimidated by opposi- 
 tion, will rush upon certain destruction. They are 
 particularly fond pf human flesh, and if they were 
 sufficiently powerful, would probably eat no other. 
 Those that have once tasted it, ever after particularly 
 seek to attack mankind; and choose to fall on th 
 shepherd in preference to the flock. 
 
 About the year! 764, an animal of this kind com mm it- 
 ted the most dreadful ravages in some particular dis- 
 tricts of Languedoc, and soon became the terror of the 
 whole country. According to the accounts given in 
 the Paris Gazette, he was known to have killed twenty 
 persons, chiefly women and children. 
 
 The wolf is, of all animals, one of the most diffi- 
 cult to conquer in the chase; and in the forests of 
 Germany, and other countries where they are yes 
 numerous, the following are the methods of hunting 
 them. 
 
 In some sequestered -part they hang a piece of car- 
 rion on the branch of a tree, having previously laid 
 a train, by leaving at proper intervals small pieces of 
 putrid flesh which the wolves, having an exquisite 
 scent, can smell at a great distance. The hunters 
 then wait till it be dark, and with great circumspec- 
 tion approach the place, where they often find two or 
 three wolves assembled, leaping up and endeavouring 
 to catch the bait ; and while the animals are thus bu- 
 sily employed, they dispatch them with their fire- 
 arms. 
 
 Another method is to take them in strong nets, into 
 ' which they are driven by the hunters, who surround 
 a large tract of land, and with drams, horns, and other 
 instruments, accompanied with loud shouts from a 
 large company that is generally assembled oji the 
 occasion, drive them into the entrance of the nets,, 
 
J8S LETTER XXXI. 
 
 where they arc entangled and easily dispatched, 
 Sometimes they are taken in pit-falls, "being allured 
 by a bait. 
 
 It is remarkable, that as soon as the wolf finds hhn.- 
 self ensnared, and sees no possibility of escape, his 
 courage entirely forsakes him, and he is for some time 
 so stupificd with fear, that he may be either killed or 
 taken alive, without difficulty; and at that moment 
 one may muzzle him, and lead him along like a dog; 
 his consternation seeming to extinguish his ferocity 
 and resentment. 
 
 Wolves are found with some variety, in most coun- 
 tries of the old and the new continent. 
 
 I have already mentioned that the wolf and the dog, 
 although extremely opposite in disposition and habits, 
 resemble each other in form; it is also proper to ob- 
 serve, that in size there is not much difference, the 
 wolf being somewhat taller than the largest grey- 
 hound ; but he is so far superior in strength, as to be 
 able to carry away a sheep in his mouth. His breath 
 is very offensive, his bite difficult to cure, arid hit 
 aspect f e r o c i o a s . 
 
 Having endeavoured to entertain yon with a dis- 
 play of the habits and disposition of the most destruc- 
 tive of all animals of prey, I shall now, my dear 
 Sir, call your attention to those of a creature which 
 has always been as famous for his artifices, as the wolf 
 has been for his cruelty. 
 
 THE FOX 
 
 is an animal well known in most countries, and com- 
 mon in every part of Great Britain. All the keepers 
 of poultry are well acquainted with his depredations, 
 of which at one time or another he gives them a spe- 
 cimen; for he is not less artful in attacking the hen- 
 roost, than the wolf is determined in assaulting the 
 sheep-fold. 
 
 Hunting the fox is a healthful exercise, and consti- 
 tutes one of the favorite diversions of the gentlemen 
 of this kingdom. There is perhaps no part of the 
 world where it is pursued with equal ardour and in- 
 trepidity. Both our dogs and our horses are superior 
 
THE FOX. 189 
 
 to those of erery other country for this kind of chaee, 
 and yet they have sometimes, especially the latter, 
 fallen victims to the ardour and length of the pursuit, 
 which has in some instances continued from forty to 
 fifty miles without intermission, and sometimes at* full 
 speed. One of the most celebrated chaces recorded 
 in the annals of fox-hunting, is that of the noted old 
 fox Ctesar, started from Ayrcy holme, in the county 
 of Durham, by Mr. C. Turner's hounds. The length 
 of this chace was above fifty miles; and Mr. Bewick 
 says, that Mr: Turner tired three horses; and that ( no 
 moie than three dogs continued the pursuit when 'he 
 thought proper to call them off in the evening. 
 
 The moment that a fox finds himself pursued, he 
 flies toward some of his holes; but these bein^ always 
 stopped up before the chace begins, he has 110 other 
 resource than his speed and his cunning. He does 
 not double like the hare, but continues his course 
 straight forward, with great vigour and perseverance. 
 A constant chace has sometimes been thus kept up 
 for seven or eight hours together, or even for a longer 
 time. 
 
 The scent which the fox leaves behind him being 
 exceeding strong, he appears sensible of that circum- 
 stance, and uses every artifice to bewilder the dogs, 
 and throw them out of their track. He generally 
 takes advantage of the wind, and often crosses rivers, 
 swims down sniuU streams, or runs along the top of a 
 wall, or an artificial hedge, in order to interrupt the 
 continuity of the scent, and puzzle the dogs; and his 
 artful contrivances often succeed so well, as to ensure 
 its safety. His urine is so offensive to the dogs, that 
 it sometimes proves the means of facilitating his 
 escape. If ho finds himself, in spite of all his shifts, 
 at last overtaken, he defends himself with obstinacy 
 until he is torn in pieces. 
 
 The fox generally fixes his residence at the edge 
 of a wood not far removed from some villas or ham- 
 let, where he can listen, with rapture to the crowing 
 of a cock, the cackling of poultry, and the gabbling 
 of geese; all this i$ delightful music in his ears. He 
 
LETTER XXXI. 
 
 soon contrives an opportunity to pay them a visit, and 
 begins by levelling all without distinction. lie then 
 carries off a part of the spoil, hides it at some conve- 
 nient distance, and returns for another load. Taking 
 off another fowl in the same manner, he hides that also, 
 but seldom in the same place : and this method he pur- 
 sues until the approach of day, or the noise of the fa- 
 mily, warn him to retire. He puts in practice the 
 same arts when he finds birds entangled in springs 
 laid for them by the fowler, with whom he takes care 
 to be before-hand, he is equally active in seizing 
 young hares and rabbits, and in discovering the nest 
 of the quail, the partridge, and the pheasant. When 
 better food is deficient, he devours rats, mice, and al- 
 most every kind of vermin; and even the hedge-hog, 
 notwithstanding its prickles, is not secure against hi* 
 attacks. No creature, but such as are too strong for 
 him, can escape this universal glutton. His depre- 
 dations are not limited to the search of animal food; 
 vfor he attacks the wasp and the bee for the sake of 
 their honey; and, although the whole swarm some- 
 times flies out and fastens on him, he soon gets rid of 
 the assailants by rolling himself on the ground. IJe 
 then returns to the charge, and at the last, he carries 
 his point. Foxes are also extremely fond of grapes, 
 and do much damage in vineyards. 
 
 The black fox is valuable for his fur, which in Rus- 
 sia is esteemed superior to that of the finest sable. A 
 single skin is sold for the enormous price of four hun- 
 dred rubles,, or between seventy and eighty pounds 
 sterling. 
 
 Th,e cross fox, which derives its name from a black 
 murk which passes across the shoulders, and another 
 along the back to the tail, is a native of the cold 
 parts of both the old and the new continents; its 
 fur is very valuable, being extremely thick and soft. 
 Great numbers of these skins are imported from Ca- 
 nada. 
 
 The corsac fox is common in the deserts of Tartary 
 beyond the Yaick river. In summer its colour is a 
 pale yellow, except on the throat, which is white. In 
 
THE PI5JE WEASEL. 191 
 
 winter, it is grey, and the end of its tail is black. It 
 is smaller than the common fox, and its hair is soft 
 and downy. 
 
 It lives in holes in the ground and is hunted by the 
 Tartars with falcons and greyhounds. Forty or fifty 
 of these foxes are taken annually, and their skins sold 
 to the Russians, at the rate of forty copees, or about 
 twenty-pence each. Great numbers of them are sent 
 into Turkey. The natives use their skins instead of 
 money. 
 
 Thus, my dear Sir, you have in this, as well as in 
 .some other animals, an exhibition of its various ufses, 
 and a display of the multifarious wisdom of the Crea- 
 tor, who has not ordained it solely as a depredator, 
 nor confined its utility to the amusement of the hu- 
 man species, but also rendered it highly serviceable 
 to man as an article of commerce, and conducive to 
 the intercourse carried on between nations. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, c. 
 
 LETTER XXXII. 
 
 beneath the shining waste 
 
 The furry nations harbour ; tipt with jet, 
 Fair ermines, spotless as the snows they press; 
 Sables of glossy black; and dark embrown'd, 
 Or beauteous freak'd with many a mingled hue, 
 Thousands besides, the costly pride of courts." 
 
 THOJISOV. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 JL HE reflections on the wise and beneficent dispen- 
 sations of Providence, in accommodating the -animal 
 creation to the use of the human species, with which 
 the subject naturally led me to conclude my last let- 
 ter, induce me to continue the display of Divine wis- 
 dom und goodness, in giving you a concise descrip- 
 tion of a species of small, but exceedingly valuable 
 animals, which are in some countries of extraordinary 
 importance, wheii considered in a commercial point 
 
192 LETTER XXXII. 
 
 of view. These are principally the pine weasel, the 
 martin, the sable, and the ermine, which are all in- 
 cluded in the weasel kind, which I shall next de- 
 scribe. In the mean while you will not be displeased 
 to contemplate in one view those particular species 
 which are so distinguished by the richness of their 
 furs ; and while they contribute a valuable article of 
 commerce, furnish mankind with an opportunity of 
 observing the wisely adapted beneficence of the 
 Creator, in giving to these animals a covering, which, 
 after having protected them from the rigors of a north- 
 ern climate, serves as an article of utility, as well as 
 of ornament to man. 
 
 THE PINE WEASEL 
 
 is found in Great Britain, but the species is not very 
 numerous. It inhabits large forests, especially where, 
 the pine tree abounds, on the tops of which it chiefly 
 feeds. It is found in the greatest numbers in the 
 northern parts of the old and the new continent: 
 North America, especially abounds with these ani- 
 mals, and from thence prodigious numbers of their 
 skins are imported. The annual importation from 
 Canada has been known to amount to thirty thou*- 
 sand skins, and about half that number from Hudson's 
 Bay. 
 
 THE MARTIN* 
 
 is the most beautiful of the weasel kind, and more 
 common in England than the last described animal. 
 It lives in woods, and breeds in hollow trees, and pro- 
 duces five or six young at a time. 
 
 The martin, when taken young, is easily tamed, and 
 soon becomes exceedingly tractable and playful, but 
 is always ready to take advantage of any opportu- 
 nity to make its escape, and ilee to the woods, the 
 residence to which nature has given it the strongest 
 propensity. The food of this animal is the same of 
 all the weasel kind. It is extremely fond of honey, 
 and sometimes feeds on grain. 
 
 M. de Button informs us, that a martin which he 
 had tamed, sometimes slept two days successively, 
 and at other, tunes remained us long awake; and that 
 
THE ERMINE, OR STOAT. 193 
 
 in preparing for sleep, it always folded itself up in a 
 round form, and covered its tail with his head. It 
 made its escape two or three times, and returned of 
 its own accord, but at last entirely absconded. 
 
 The martin is about a foot and a halt' in length; the 
 body is covered with a thick fur, of a darkish brown 
 colour; its head is small, and elegantly formed, and 
 its eyes are lively; its tail is long, and bushy at the 
 end; its ears broad. Its throat and breast are white; 
 its bellv a pale brown ; its feet are broad, and its 
 claws large and sharp, being well adapted for climb- 
 ing trees. It is very active, and its motions are quick 
 and lively. The fur has an agreeable musky smell, 
 and is held in high estimation. 
 
 The difference between the martin and the phte 
 weasel consists ohieily m the colour, the breast of the 
 latter being yellow, and the body of a much darker 
 brown than that of the former. The fur of the pin 
 weasel is also superior in fineness, beauty, and value. 
 
 THE ERMINE, OR STOAT. 
 
 This animal, being brown in the summer, is called 
 the stoat. In the winter it becomes perfectly white, 
 except the end of the tail, which is black, and invari- 
 ably, retains that colour. In this season it acquires 
 the name of the ermine, and its fur is very valuable. 
 It abounds in Norway, Lapland, Russia, and Siberia, 
 and is also very common in Kamtschatka. In that 
 country and Siberia it, is generally taken in traps, 
 baited with flesh. The skins of the ermine are sold 
 in those countries from two to three pounds .-sterling 
 per hundred. 
 
 The natural history of this animal is nearly the 
 same as that of the weasel.. Its food is the same, and 
 it also possesses an equal degree of agility. The er- 
 mine begins to. change colour in November, &B 
 March it resumes its summer vesture. 
 
 THE SAl:L r : 
 
 is, of all the animals of the weasel kind, the inert 
 highly esteemed, and its fur is the most admired. A 
 single skin, alt h- nigh not more than four inches broad, 
 being sometimes >okl for fifteen pounds, a cl 
 
 K 
 
94 LETTER XXXII. 
 
 stance which would be incredible, were it not attested 
 by writers, who possessed every means of information 
 on the subject. The fur of the sable possesses this 
 peculiarity, that whatever way it is stroked it lies 
 equally smooth, whereas all others when stroked con- 
 trary to the grain, give a sensation of roughness : its 
 colour is a blackish brown, and the darkest are the most 
 admired. 
 
 The sable, resembles the martin in form, and nearly 
 in size. It seems to be particularly fond of the shade, 
 and inhabits the most impervious woods, where it 
 lives in holes in the earth by the banks of rivers, or 
 under the roots of trees: it possesses great agility, 
 and bounds with velocity from tree to tree. From 
 the singular closeness of its fur, *vhich is extremely 
 well calculated for resisting the water; and from being 
 frequently found in small islands, it is supposed by 
 many naturalists to be amphibious. 
 
 This small but valuable quadruped, is a native of 
 Siberia, Kamtschatka, and the islands which lie be- 
 tween that country and Japan ; but scarcely any are 
 found in European Russia, and still fewer in Lapland. 
 Siberia, however, is the. country where it most 
 abounds, and which furnishes the greatest part of 
 those valuable furs which constitute so lucrative a 
 branch of Russian commerce. It is therefore in the 
 immense forests of those desolate regions that the bu- 
 siness of sable hunting is chiefly carried on. .This is 
 the employment of soldiers sent thither from Russia 
 for that purpose, as well as of criminals sent into 
 exile. Both are obliged to furnish annually a cer- 
 tain quantity of furs, and for their encouragement 
 they are allowed to share among them all the skins 
 they can procure above the specified number, which, 
 in a fortunate hunting season, amount to a consider- 
 able value. 
 
 The hunters generally form themselves into small 
 troops, each being directed by a leader of their own 
 chusjng. They shoot with a single ball, in order to 
 injure the skin as little as possible; and frequently 
 take them in traps, or kill them with blunt arrows. 
 
THE SABLE. 
 
 The sable hunters frequently endure the utmost 
 extremity of cold, hunger, and fatigue. They pene- 
 trate into the inmost recesses of those immense woods 
 and wildernesses, with which the extensive and deso- 
 late regions of Siberia abound without any other 
 means of tracing back their way than by marking the 
 trots as they advance. Should they neglect this pre- 
 caution, or through any inattention deviate from their 
 track, they must inevitably be lost. Sometimes they 
 trace the sables on the new fallen snow, place their 
 nets at the entrance of their holes, and wait two or 
 three days for their coming out, during which time 
 they often suffer extremely from the inclemency of 
 the weather, or the too early consumption of their 
 provisions. In short, the hunting of sables is a serious 
 and perilous employment, carried on in a rigorous 
 climate, at an inclement season, and in the most deso- 
 late regions of the earth amidst an aggregate of hard- 
 ships, of which we can scarcely form any idea. You 
 had never, perhaps, my dear Sir, heard of the suffer- 
 ings of those, who being exposed to inclement skies, 
 explore the extremities of frozen regions, and procure 
 those elegant decorations which adorn the persons of 
 the opulent. 
 
 I have already observed the cross fox, and the cor- 
 sac fox, the skins of which constitute an important 
 article of trade, and especially the black fox, the skin 
 of which is esteemed the most valuable of all the furs 
 in use. There are also other animals in the northern 
 regions which contribute to the supply of the fur 
 trade, among which may be reckoned the fisher, a na- 
 tive of North America, which very much resembles 
 the sable, and abounds so much on that continent, that 
 sixteen hundred skins have been imported from thence 
 in one season. 
 
 In the furs of these animals; of which I have just 
 given you a brief description, Russia carries on an 
 important and lucrative trade with most of the coun- 
 tries of Europe and Asia, but most of all with Turkey 
 and China. Constantinople and Pekin may indeed 
 be considered as the tw.o central points of this traffic, 
 
196 LETTER XXXIII. 
 
 as the Turks and the Chinese are extremely fond of 
 this article of dress ; and in those two capitals of the 
 Turkish and Chinese empires, a greater quantity of 
 furs are used than in any other two cities of the world. 
 Thus, my dear Sir, you see that the skins of these 
 little quadrupeds constitute an important article in the 
 commerce of a great empire, and one of the sources 
 from which it derives a revenue that enables it to 
 maintain numerous armies, and to stand high in the 
 political scale of nations. This consideration will open 
 to your mind an ample field for reflection on the kar- 
 jnonious plan of nature and Providence. Here, there- 
 fore, I will leave you for a while to expatiate at lei- 
 sure, and conclude with subscribing myself most re- 
 spectfully, - 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &e. 
 
 LETTER XXIII. 
 
 " The artful, cruel, slender weazel, too, 
 
 Delights in blood. > " SMITH. 
 
 " Thus oft th' iclmtunuH on the banks of Nile, 
 Invades the deadly Aspsi by a wile." LUCAN. 
 
 DEAR SItt, 
 
 As the valuable little quadrupeds, which, in my last 
 letter were, from their commercial importance, consi- 
 dered as a distinct article of natural history, are ge- 
 nerally classed with the weazel kind; I shall resume 
 the subject, and endeavour to entertain you with as 
 brief a description as possible, of some other animals 
 of the same race; and shall, in order to bring the 
 subject into a closer view, preface it with an exhibi- 
 tion of a few general characteristics. 
 
 ANIMALS OF THE WEAZEL KIND 
 
 are distinguished from others of the ciirnivorous race 
 by the length, sleriderness, and the flexibility of their 
 bodies, qualities which enable them to wind into very 
 small crevices, in order to -follow their prey. Here, 
 
COMMON WEASEL. 197 
 
 therefore, as in alHhe other parts of the Creation, we 
 discover a sagacious design in the admirable adaptar 
 tion of the structure of these animals to their mode of 
 living and obtaining their food. 
 
 Another distinction belonging to this race of ani- 
 mals, consists in an unctuous matter, continually ex- 
 uding from glands placed near the anus, which hi 
 some, as the ferret, the weazel, and especially the 
 foumart and the pole-cat, emits an extremely offensive 
 smell; while, in the civet cat, martin, the pine wea- 
 zel, &c. it affords an agreeable perfume. 
 
 All animals of the weazel kind are -remarkable for 
 rapine and cruelty ; and although the shortness of 
 their legs renders them slow in pursuit of their prey, 
 they supply the deficiency of speed by assiduity and 
 cunning. They always suck the bloocl of every ani- 
 mal they kill before they eat the flesh. 
 
 These are the most striking peculiarities common 
 to the weazel kind ; the different species of which so 
 nearly resemble each other, that the view of One will 
 give a very just idea of the rest. The principal dif- 
 ierence is in size* They all subsist nearly in the 
 same manner, and on the same kind of food, and prey 
 indiscriminately on almost every quadruped, volatile 
 and reptile, that is weaker and less than themselves. 
 They are particularly destructive to poultry and rab- 
 bits, as well as to rats and mice, and are keen devour- 
 ers of eggs. 
 
 ^THE COMMON WEAZEL 
 
 does not exceed seven or eight inches in length, from 
 the nose to the tail, and the latter is not above three 
 inches long. The height of this animal is not more 
 than three inches. Notwithstanding it& diminutive 
 size, no animal of this class is more destructive in 
 warrens, and among poultry. It is also a great de- 
 stroyer of eggs, which it sucks with extreme avidity. 
 It is very common in this country, and is well known 
 on account of these kinds of depredations. It will at- 
 tack a hare, which is often terrified into such a state 
 of imbecility at the sight of this diminutive assailant, 
 as to give itself up to it without resistance. To rats 
 K 3 
 
19$ LETTER XXX1H. 
 
 ant! mice it is a more dreadful enemy even than the 
 cut, tor being slender, it pursues them into their holes. 
 It is, therefore, very useful to the farmer in out-house* 
 and granaries, which in winter it commonly frequents, 
 iind effectually clears of all sorts of vermin; hut it 
 often counter-balances these benefits by its destruc- 
 tion of eggs, and its depredations in the pigeon- 
 houses, where it creeps into the holes and devours 
 the young ones. It also catches by surprise sparrows, 
 arid all kinds of small birds, and always follows wher- 
 ever nits or mice abound. When it enters the poul- 
 try yard, it seldom attacks the cocks or the old hens, 
 but always aims at the young ones, and never fails to 
 suck, or at least to break all the eggs it can meet 
 with. The evening is the time when it commences 
 its depredations. 
 
 The weazel seems to have a strong predilection for 
 every thing of a putrid nature. It conveys its food to 
 its hiding place, and seldom eats it until it begins to 
 putrify. It is an un tractable little animal, and when 
 confined in a cage, appears in a continual state of 
 agitation. M. de Button asserted the impossibility of 
 taming the weazel, but his error has been corrected 
 by experiment: for in some instances it has been 
 rendered as familiar as a dog or a squirrel. 
 
 The bite of this diminutive animal is generally fa 
 tal, as it always seizes its prey near the head, and 
 fixes its teeth m a vital part. An eagle having seized 
 a weazel, and carried it up into the air, the little cap- 
 tive so far disengaged itself, as to bite its enemy in 
 the throat, which soon brought him to the 
 and thus effected its escape. 
 
 THE FOUMART 
 
 is an animal not uncommon in this country : in shape 
 it resembles the weazel, but far exceeds it in size, be- 
 ing not less than from fifteen to eighteen inches in 
 length, exclusive of the tail, which is about five or 
 six : it is generally of a deep chocolate colour. Its 
 habits are perfectly similar to those of the weazel, 
 raid its mode of living in every respect precisely the 
 same. It is exceedingly tierce and bold. When at- 
 
THE ICHNEUMON*. 
 
 tacked by a. dog, it fastens upon his nose with so keen 
 a bite, as often to compel him to desist; and when 
 unable to conquer, will at least defend itself to the 
 last extremity. 
 
 In regard to this animal's mode of procuring sub- 
 sistence, a curious circumstance was once observed : 
 
 During a severe storm, a foumart was traced in the 
 snow from the side of a rivulet to its hole, which was 
 at some distance- As some marks were observed in 
 the snow, for which it was not easy to account, curi- 
 osity suggested the expedient of examining the hole, 
 where eleven fine eels were found, which had beeii 
 the fruits of its nocturnal excursions to the rivulet ; 
 and the marks in the snow which had appeared so sin- 
 gular, were then discovered to have been made by 
 the writhings of the eels in the animal's mouth while 
 it was dragging them to its den. It would be a curi-i 
 ous subject of investigation to enquire by what means 
 this crafty animal can obtain a booty, the seizure of 
 which appears so difficult. 
 
 - Although the smell of this quadruped is in the 
 highest degree fcetid and disagreeable, yet the skin ii 
 used as other furs, and retains no offensive odour. It 
 is, however, far inferior in value to the fur of the sa- 
 ble, the ermine, and other natives of the northern re- 
 gions. The skins sell from eighteen-pence to half a 
 crown a piece. 
 
 THE ICHNEUMON 
 
 is an animal which has long attracted the attention of 
 naturalists, and given rise to a number of absurd and 
 ridiculous stories. It has from time immemorial been 
 domesticated in Egypt; where, for its services in dc- 1 
 stroyingthe eggs of the crocodile, aswell as its young,, 
 it was, like several other beneficial animals, worship- 
 ped as an emanation of the Deity. From the estima- 
 tion in which it \vas held in that country, it has ob- 
 tained the appellation of the rat of Pharoah. 
 
 The ichneumon is about the size of a cat, and in 
 
 Egypt is domesticated like that animal, and kept for 
 
 the same purposes of destroying rats and mice. la 
 
 shape, it nearly resembles the foumart, or pole-cat: 
 
 K 4 
 
200 
 
 LETTER XXXlll. 
 
 its fur displays a mixture of tints, white,T>rown, fawn 
 colour, and silver grey. The domestic is larger than 
 the wild kind, and its colours are more variegated- Its 
 eyes are small and sparkling: its claws arc long. 
 When it goes to sleep it rolls itself up 'like a ball, and 
 sleeps very sound. It frequently sits up like a squir- 
 rel, catches any thing that is thrown to it, and will 
 often lie as if dead until its prey come within its 
 reach. 
 
 This remarkable animal possesses all the strength 
 and agility of the cat, with a greater propensity to 
 carnage. It attacks the most deadly serpents, and 
 preys on every noxious reptile; it darts with the ve- 
 locity of an arrow on its object, and seizes it with in- 
 evitable certainty. To the crocodile it is a formida- 
 ble enemy, as it destroys the, eggs of that dreadful 
 reptile, and often kills great numbers of the young 
 immediately after their production. 
 
 .M. de Obsonville tells us of an ichneumon which 1 
 he had reared, and which was tamer than a cat, and 
 followed him wherever he went. One day he brought 
 to it a .small water serpent, being desirous of knowing 
 how far instinct would carry it against a creature with 
 which it was entirely unacquainted. Its first emotion 
 seemed to be a mixture of astonishment -and anger. 
 Its hair immediately stood erect: in an instant it slipr 
 peel behind the reptile, and with extraordinary agility 
 leaped upon its head, seized and crushed it with its 
 teeth. This first essay awakened its natural appetite 
 ibr blood. It became formidable to' the poultry, 
 which it took every opportunity to destroy : it sucked 
 their blood, and ate only a part of their flesh. 
 
 Another tribe of this race, is distinguished by the 
 agreeableness of their perfume. So prolific is nature, 
 and so various her operations, that imagination itself 
 cannot keep pace with the infinite diversity of her 
 productions. All th'fs variety is ordained for some 
 wise end, which, in a great measure, lies beyond the 
 reach of our investigation. Human research has dis- 
 covered and explained many of the wonders of na- 
 ture : future enquiries into her secrets will lead to new 
 
GENETCIVET. 201 
 
 discoveries; but all the recesses of the immense abyss 
 will never be explored: man will never be able to 
 comprehend the whole plan of infinite wisdom. 
 
 THE GENET 
 
 is one of those odoriferous animals which emits a per- 
 fume faintly resembling that of musk.. It is somewhat 
 longer than the martin, with a long and slender head, 
 a sharp muzzle, and ears a little pointed. Its hair is 
 soft, smooth -and shining, of a tawney red, spotted 
 with black. Along the back it has a mane of long 
 hair, which forms a black line from the head to the 
 tail. The spots on the sides are round and distinct, 
 those on the back nearly run together : its tail is long, 
 and marked with seven or eight rings of black. On 
 the whole it is a beautiful, cleanly creature; and al- 
 though active and persevering in pursuing its prey, is 
 of a mild and ^emse disposition. Its colours are 
 agreeably variegated, and its fur is held in great esti- 
 mation. The genus dots not appear to btfj extensively 
 diffused, being seldom seen any where except in Tur-' 
 key 'and Spain. At Constantinople they have genets 
 in their houses, which are as tame as cats, and eifec- 
 tualiy expel rats, mice, and ail other noxious vermin. 
 
 THE CIVET 
 
 produces a perfume of much stronger quality than 
 that of the genet, and -affords a far greater quantity : - 
 in size it is also superior to that animal. This is in- 
 deed the largest of all the weazel kind. Its teeth are 
 strong and sharp, but its 'claws somewhat weak. It is 
 active and nimble, leaps like a cat, and lives in the 
 same manner, and on the same kinds of food as the 
 weazel : like that, and most other carnivorous animals, v 
 it hunts -its prey chiefly in frhe dark. It is naturally 
 wild, and somewhat ferocious, but when tamed be- 
 comes tolerably tractable. 
 
 The civet is originally a native of warm countries, 
 but lives and thrives tolerably well in temperate, and 
 even in cold climates, if it be well protected from the' 
 weather; and in Holland many are kept for the sake 
 o their perfume, which is contained in a pouch near 
 K 5 
 
202 LETTER XXXIII. 
 
 the tail, whence it is drawn two or three -times a 
 week. 
 
 The very idea of animal perfumes appears offensive 
 to a delicate mind ; but although this in particular is 
 in the present age growing out of fashion, it was for- 
 merly very much esteemed, and sold as high as fifty 
 shillings per ounce. The quantity of perfume which 
 the civet yields depends principally on the health of 
 the animal, and the nutritious quality of its food. The 
 ancients were well acquainted with its perfume, and 
 ascribed to it certain fabulous powers; it is so strong, 
 that it is impossible to bear any considerable quantity 
 in a room; and no person could support the scent of 
 the animal in a place not admitting a free circulation 
 of air. This perfume, however, is generally esteem- 
 ed more agreeable than musk; arid industry, taking 
 advantage of the caprice of taste, has contrived to 
 make it a lucrative article t>f commerce. 
 
 Several other animals of the weazel kind have been 
 observed by travellers, and described by naturalists; 
 but as I would neither embarrass your memory by a 
 tedious detail of rninutire, nor exhaust your patience 
 by the length of my letter, I shall hasten to its con- 
 clusion, by giving you a brief description of the ra- 
 coon and the badger. 
 
 THE RACOON 
 
 is common in many warm countries, particularly in 
 several parts of the new continent. It also inhabits 
 the mountains of Jamaica, whence numbers descend 
 into the plantations, and make great havoc among the 
 sugar canes, of which they are remarkably fond. 
 They frequently do incredible mischief in one night's 
 excursion. The planters, devise various methods of 
 destroying them, but they are so numerous as to ren- 
 der their extirpation impossible, and it is exceedingly 
 difficult to prevent their depredations. 
 
 The racoon possesses great agility: by the help of 
 
 its claws, which are extremely sharp, it climbs trees 
 
 with great ease. When tamed, it is good-natured and 
 
 sportive, but busy and inquisitive as a monkey* It 
 
 .7 
 
Racoon, 
 
BADGER. 203 
 
 examines every thing with its paws, and makes use of 
 them as hands to lay hold of every thing that is given 
 it, as well as to carry victuals to its mouth. It sits up 
 to eat, and is extremely fond of sweet things; but still 
 more of strong liquors, with which, when it has an 
 opportunity, it will get completely intoxicated. It 
 has all the'cunning of the fox, is very destructive to 
 poultry, and will eat all sorts of grain, fruits, and; 
 roots. It delights in hunting spiders, devours all 
 kinds of insects, and, when left to range in a garden, 
 will eat grass-hoppers, snails, and worms. It opens 
 oysters with amazing dexterity, and has a peculiar 
 method of dipping in water every thing it intends to 
 eat. Indeed, it will seldom taste bread unless it be 
 well soaked. It is familiar and caressing, and leaps 
 upon those it is fond of, moving with great agility. 
 
 The head of the racoon resembles that of a fox, its 
 body is thick and short, covered with long hair, black 
 at the ends, but grey underneath. Its tail is long and 
 bushy, and marked with alternate rings of black and' 
 white: its skin is the most valuable part of this aiii-- 
 mal, and is reckoned next to the beaver for the ma.- 
 nufacture of hats. 
 
 THIS, BADGER 
 
 is a very inoffensive animal ; and although nature has 
 furnished it with offensive weapons of the most for- 
 midable kind, it never uses them but for the purposes 
 of defence. When attacked, however, it employs all 
 its powers of resistance, and defends itself with the 
 most desperate obstinacy. 
 
 The badger is about two feet and a half long from 
 the head to the insertion of the tail : it is of a dirty 
 grey colour; the legs, which are black, are very 
 thick, strong and short: it has five toes on each foot, 
 those on the fore foot are armed with sharp claws well 
 adapted for digging its subterraneous habitations. It 
 is a very cleanly creature, and never defiles its hole 
 with ordure. Its different parts are converted to va- 
 rious uses. Its flesh, although not delicious, is not an 
 unwholesome, nor even a ver^r unpalatable food ; and 
 the hind quarters,, especially when made into hams, 
 
c sl) LETTER XXXIV., 
 
 And well cured, are by some esteemed not inferior to 
 bacon. Its skin, however, is the most useful part, as 
 it is made into coarse furs, collars for do^s, horse 
 trappings, and divers other articles. Its hair is aiso 
 "used for making painters' brushes, so that the, cjitferent 
 parts of this little animal are convertible to a variety 
 of purposes, and serve to shew tho- comprehensive 
 plan and beneficial designs of the Author of Nature... 
 With every sentiment of affection, 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &G. 
 
 LETTER XXXIV. 
 
 "There through the pinv forest half absorpf, 
 Rough tenant of the shades, the shapeless bear, 
 With dandling ice alf horrid, stalks forlorn : 
 J^ow pacM, find sourer as the btorfns increase, 
 He makes his bed beneath th' inclement drift;. 
 And with item patience, scorning weak complaint 
 Hardens his heart against assailing, want. 
 
 THOMSON, 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 I x SHALL, in this epistle, entertain you with a view 
 ef a surly and formidable race of auimdls, which, _ 
 however "arranged by systematic writers, evidently:, 
 constitute a distinct species, being evidently distin- 
 guished both by their exterior conformation, and 
 many of their propensities and habits, from all other 
 quadrupeds of the carnivorous class. 
 
 THE BT:AR 
 
 is mammal generally known, and yet various differ- 
 ences and contradictions exist among the writers of 
 natural history concerning this subject, which can 
 have origiiiuted onlvxfrom the circumstance of not 
 rightly (a; u^uishitt the different species. 
 
 The three principal varieties of the bear kind, are 
 the brown, the blac^ arid .the white, or great polar 
 bear: the first is an inhabitant of almost every cli- 
 ; the black bf.r is chiefly fouiid in the extensive. 
 
THE BF.AK. 205 
 
 forests w.ith which the northern regions of Europe 
 and America abound. 
 
 The bear is a solitary, savage, and ferocious ani- 
 mal ; he chases his residence in the most unfrequent- 
 ed deserts, and makes his den in the most dangerous 
 and inaccessible precipices of mountains, where si- 
 lence and solitude reign. For this purpose, he com- 
 monly searches out some natural cavern, or some 
 hollow tree of an enormous size, which it is not very 
 difficult to find in the immense forests of the hyper- 
 borean regions. About the end of autumn, at which* 
 time the bear is exceedingly tat, he retires to this as- 
 sylum, and remains during some weoks in a state of 
 total inactivity and abstinence from food. This ani 
 mul is not, however, like some others, totally depriv- 
 ed of sensation during that interval, but seems to sub- 
 sist on the former exuberance of his flesh, without 
 feeling the calls of hunger until the superabundant 
 fat which he had acquired in the summer season be- 
 gin to Ixaconsiderably wasted. 
 
 In the spring the old bears come out from their re- 
 treats, lean, and almost famished with confinement 
 and abstinence. They then ransack every place for 
 food, climb trees, and devour the fruit. They de- 
 scend the highest, trees with surprising agility: with 
 one paw they hold themselves fast to the branches^ 
 and with the other they gather the fruit. They are 
 remarkably fond of honey,- for w r hich they seek with 
 gs'eat avidity and cunning, and will encounter any 
 difficulties to obtain it* 
 
 The bear is easily irritated, and his resentment is 
 always furious, and often capricious. When tame, 
 he appears mild and obedient, but never ought to be 
 too far trusted. He may be taught to walk upright, 
 to dance and play many curious pranks j and the 
 multitude are highly entertained with the clumsy 
 motions of this rugged and unwieldy creature. The 
 young bears shew a considerable degree of docility 
 in acquiring these accomplishments ; the old ones, 
 however, will' not submit to this kind of education, but- 
 jjiamfest the most ferocious resentment against any: 
 attempt to subject them to cfiscipline. 
 
205 LETTER XXXIV. 
 
 Bears are found in most countries \vhence an in- 
 creased population has not expelled them : but they 
 seem to prefer a cold, or at least a temperate climate. 
 The Romans exhibited numbers of them in their 
 public spectacles. They were once common in this 
 island, and were included in the ancient laws respect- 
 ing beasts of chace. Long after their extirpation they 
 were imported for the inhuman purpose of baiting 
 them, and it is much to be regretted that this cruel 
 diversion is still used in many parts of this enlight- 
 ened kingdom. It is much to be wished that every 
 exhibition of this kind were prohibited under severe 
 penalties, that so Englishmen might not be reproached 
 with delighting in amusements disgraceful to hnrnan 
 nature. 
 
 Every trait of humane and generous feeling dis- 
 played by illustrious characters, reflects honour not 
 only on themselves, but also on the nation which 
 their virtues serve to adorn. 
 
 A very fine bear having some years ago been pre- 
 sented to the Prince of Wales, was kept in the 
 Tower. By the carelessness of the servant, the door 
 of his den had been left open, and the keeper's wife- 
 happening to go across the room^ the animal flew out, 
 seized the woman, threw her clown, and fastened 
 on her neck, which he bit, and without offering any 
 further violence, lay upon her, sucking her blood. 
 Resistance being in vain, she must have inevitably 
 perished, had not her husband fortunately discovered 
 her situation. By a sudden and well aimed blow, he 
 obliged the bear to quit his hold and retive to his den, 
 which he did with great reluctance, and not with- 
 out making a second attempt to reach the wo- 
 man, who was almost dead with fear and the loss of 
 blood. It is remarkable, that whenever the animal 
 happened to see her afterwards, it growled, and made 
 violent etibrts to get to her. His royal highness,, 
 upon hearing of the circumstance, immediately or- 
 dered the bear to be killed. You will find this fact 
 related in Mr. Bewick's celebrated history of quad- 
 rupeds, and it reflects greater honor on his royal 
 
THE POLAR, OR GREAT WHITE BEAR. 207 
 
 highness's character than could ever be derived from 
 the sanguinary successes of a Genghis Khan, or a 
 Tamerlane. 
 
 If animals of the ferocious kind be cruel and san- 
 guinary, man, however, to the disgrace of his nature, 
 sometimes strives to surpass them in ferocity and 
 cruelty. Humanity must shudder at the excessive 
 barbarities too often exercised on the bear, in teach- 
 ing it to walk upright, and to regulate its motions to 
 the sound of certain instruments. Its eyes are some- 
 times put out, and an iron ring put through the carti-' 
 lage of its nose, to lead it by; with a variety of 
 other kkids of ill treatment. Some are taught to 
 dance, by having their feet placed on hot iron plates> 
 and playing to them while in that uneasy situation. 
 To every feeling mind it is shocking to reflect that 
 such cruelties should be exercised on the brute crea- 
 tion, for the sake of obtaining paltry contributions from 
 an unthinking crowd, which is gratified by such exhi- 
 bitions. Was it for this purpose that the benevolent 
 Author of Nature has created these animals, and en- 
 dowed them with life and sensation ? What account 
 shall man render to the Sovereign of the universe, 
 for this wanton and cruel abuse of those creature* 
 which his hands have made ? 
 
 THE POLAR, OR GREAT WHITE BEAR 
 
 is a species very different from the common bear, and 
 tar exceeds it in size, some of them being above thir- 
 teen-feet long, with limbs of a prodigious size and 
 strength. Its hair is of a yellowish white, long and 
 rough: its ears are short and round, and its teeth 
 large. 
 
 The ferocity and undaunted courage of this animal 
 has been remarked by all who have visited tJ ";e 
 frozen regions, where it makes its abode. 
 
 The crew of a boat belonging to a ship in the 
 whale fishery, shot at one of these creatures at some 
 distance, and wounded it. The bear, far from being 
 intimidated, set up the most dreadful yells, and ran 
 along the ice directly for the boat. Before it could 
 reach it, a second shot was fired, by which it was 
 
208 LETTER XXXIV. 
 
 again wounded. This served only to increase its fury. 
 It presently swam to the boat/ and, attempting to 
 board, reached its fore paw upon the gunnel ;*but one 
 of thex^rew having a hatchet, cut it off. The animal, 
 however, still continued to swim after them until they 
 arrived at the ship, although several shots were fired, 
 which also took effect. But on reaching the ship, it 
 immediately ascended the deck. The crew having 
 then fled into the shrouds, it was pursuing them thi- 
 ther, when a shot at last laid it dead. Such an in- 
 stance of ferocious resolution is not, perhaps, to be found 
 in any other of the quadruped race. It will not, in- 
 deed, hesitate to attack a party of armed men, and 
 has scarcely ever been known to retreat at the sight 
 of any cLngc-r. 
 
 The attachment of this animal to its young is pot 
 less remarkable than its determined courage. .The 
 white bear will rather die than desert its offspring. 
 When wounded and dying, it embraces its cubs to tHe 
 very last moment of its existence, and when by any' 
 means deprived of them, bemoans the loss with the 
 most piteous cries. 
 
 The sagacity evinced by these quadrupeds in- 
 searching for prey, is particularly worthy of atten- 
 tion. The. honorable Robert Boyle informs us, upon 
 the authority of a friend, that the smeil of the white 
 bears about Greenland, notwithstanding the sever-ity of 
 the climate, is extremely acute; and that sometimes 
 when the fishermen have left the carcase of a whale 
 floating on the sea, three or four leagues from the 
 shore, whence it could not be seen, these animals will 
 stand at the brink of the water, and, raising them- 
 selres on their hind logs, loudly snuff ui the air, and 
 ini.^it/as it were, against their snouts with their fore-, 
 paws, and when satisfied what point the odour comes 
 from, they will plunge into the sea, and swim direct- 
 ly towards the carcase. 
 
 The flesh of this animal is white, and tastes like 
 mutton: its fat is melted into train oil; and from the 
 feet an oil is extracted, which is found of considera- 
 ble use in medicine. Thus, my dear Sir, you see that' 
 
THE PORCUPINE. 209 
 
 Providence has onlaine.i that the white bear, although 
 placed in the icy soi-itudos of the polar regions, should 
 yield its tribute oi' utility to human industry and en- 
 terprise. 
 
 They feed on fish, seals, and the carcases of whales. 
 They sometimes attack the morse, with which they 
 have terrible ^conilic:*, but the large teeth of that 
 animal give it so great an advantage, that the bear is 
 often worsted. 
 
 THE PORCUPINE, 
 
 formidable in appearance, is, in disposition, perfectly 
 inoffensive; it lives on fruits, roots, and different 
 kinds of vegetables; sleeps in the day, and feeds in 
 the night. 
 
 Some naturalists have asserted, that the porcupine 
 discharges its quills against its assailants; but this 
 opinion is now universally known to be erroneous. 
 Although this animal does not possess, in regard to 
 offensive war, the extraordinary advantages which 
 error has supposed, it is suiliciently armed to resist 
 the attacks of animals much stronger than itself. 
 When irritated or alarmed, it raises its quills, which 
 form an effectual safeguard to its bo< T ly, so that few 
 animals are capable of injuring if. The largest of its* 
 quills are from ten to fifteen inches in length, thickish 
 in the middle, and extremely sharp at the point. 
 Between the quills there grows a kind of thin, black, 
 and bristly hair. The tail is covered with short quiils, 
 white and transparent. , 
 
 A porci'.pine was for some time kept by the late Sir 
 Ashtun Lever, which he frequently turned out on the 
 grass behind his house, to play with a tame hunting 
 leopard and a Newfoundland dog. These animals 
 always began to pursue the porcupine, as soon as 
 they were set at liberty ; but when the object of their 
 pursuit found it impossible to escape by flight, he 
 cunningly thrust his head into some corner, and 
 erected his quills, with which his enemies pricked 
 their noses, till at length they quarrelled between 
 themselves, and thus afforded him- an opportunity of 
 escaping. 
 
210 
 
 LETTER XXXIV. 
 
 THE HEDGE-HOG 
 
 appears to be the porcupine in miniature. It is so 
 generally known, that I shall not trouble you with 
 any description of it. I shall only remark, that it is 
 one of the most inoffensive of animals; and that al- 
 though nature has provided it with a spinous armour, 
 sufficient to protect it from the attacks of the weasel, 
 the foumart, and other beasts of prey of the smaller 
 kind; it cannot secure it from the cruelty of man, or 
 of dogs trained up to the sport of tearing it in pieces 
 merely to gratify the barbarous pleasure of seeing a 
 harmless creature endure with astonishing patience 
 the most wanton and unprovoked outrages. The 
 cruelties inflicted on this inoffensive animal for sa- 
 vage pastime, are ofcen such as must make sensibility 
 shudder. Shocking, indeed, must it be to consider 
 that man, weak and mortal himself, and, liable to a 
 thousand misfortunes, should find a barbarous plea- 
 sure in torturing with savage cruelty beings, which, 
 like himself, are endowed with life an I sensation, 
 and, like himself, are exposed to a variety of physi- 
 cal evils. Although inferior to him in the scale of 
 existence, the consideration of that inferiority ought 
 to excite his compassion, and not to excite him to 
 cruelty ; above all, it ought to stimulate his gratitude 
 to the bountiful Giver of art good, for that pre-emi- 
 nence over the brute creation with which he sees him- 
 self endowed. 
 
 During the winter these animals wrap themselves 
 up in a nest of moss, leaves, and dried grass; and is 
 sometimes so completely covered with herbage, that 
 it resembles a ball of dried leaves: in this situation it 
 remains perfectly torpid, till revived by the cheering 
 influence of spring. The female produces four or five 
 young ones at a .time, which are soon covered with 
 spines, though shorter and weaker than those of the 
 parent animal. It is said that these creatures may be 
 in some degree domesticated; and an instance once 
 occurred in Northumberland, of a hedge-hog per- 
 funning the duty of a turn-spit at a public -inti. 
 
ARMADILLO. 211 
 
 THE ARMADILLO 
 
 is a curious animal, and, like the tortoise, is covered 
 with a strong shell, or rather a mass of scaly incrusta- 
 tions. To give a minute description of the shells of 
 this quadruped, would be extremely difficult, or ra- 
 ther, impossible, as they are all composed of a num- 
 ber of parts differing greatly from each other in the 
 arrangement of the figures by which they are dis- 
 tinguished. In general, there are two large pieces of 
 shell which cover the shoulders and the rump, be- 
 tween which lie the bands, which are more or lesg 
 numerous in the different species. These bands, 
 which somewhat resemble those in the tail of a lob- 
 ster, being flexible, give way to the motions of the 
 animal. 
 
 The Indians hunt the armadillo with dogs trained 
 for the purpose. The moment it perceives itself at- 
 tacked, it flies to its hole, or makes a new one, which 
 it does with great expedition, by means of the strong 
 claws with which its fore feet are armed. If no other 
 chance of escape be left, it draws its head under its 
 shell like a snail, tucks its feet close to its belly, 
 unites the extremities of the head and tail, and, thus 
 closely rolled up, presents to its antagonist a callous 
 ball, on which no impression can be made. In this 
 posture it sometimes effects its escape, by rolling it- 
 self over the edge of an abrupt precipice, in which 
 case it generally falls to the bottom, unhurt. The 
 most successful method of catching armadillos, is by 
 snares laid for them in the places which they fre- 
 quent. They are hunted chiefly for the exquisite 
 delicacy of their flesh. They always burrow deep in 
 the ground, and seldom stir out except in the night, 
 while in search of their food, which consists of roots, 
 fruits, and other vegetables. They are harmless, in- 
 offensive animals and often grow very fat. 
 
 Of this kind of animal there are several varieties, 
 all of which are natives of South America, and no 
 species of it has ever been discovered in any part of 
 the old world, although it seems to bear without 
 
.'LETTER XXXIV. 
 
 uny apparent inconveniency, the severity of our cli- 
 mate. 
 
 THE SLOTH 
 
 is a native of South America; but one species of it, 
 called the unau, has been found in the island of Cey- 
 lon. The flesh of both is eaten by the natives of 
 those countries. It is said to belong to the class <A 
 ruminating animals. 
 
 The sloth lives chiefly in trees, and having as- 
 cended one with infinite labour and difficulty, it re- 
 mains there till it has entirely stripped it, leaving 
 neither fruit, blossom, nor leaf; after which, it is said 
 to devour even the bark. Being unable to descend, 
 it throws itself on the ground, and continues mo- 
 tionless until hunger .again compels it to renew its 
 exertions. 
 
 Though slow, and apparently almost incapable of 
 motion, the sloth is very strong, tenacious of life, and 
 patient of abstinence. The strength of its legs and 
 feet are so great, that having seized any thing, it is 
 next to impossible to compel it to quit its hold. One 
 of these animals having laid hold of a dog that was 
 let loose upon it, held him so fast at his feet till he 
 perished with hunger. 
 
 The sloth is about the size of a fox; it is covered 
 with coarse ill-set hair: its nose is very blunt, its 
 eyes black, its ears small, and its mouth extremely 
 wide, extending almost from ear to ear; its legs are 
 thick and clumsy. Itsjrnotions are so slow, that it 
 cannot advance above three yards in an hour : they 
 seem to be made with great efforts, and are always 
 accompanied with the most piteous cries. 
 
 Bufibn observes of this animal, that when kept in 
 a house it never sleeps on the ground, but always 
 climbs on some post or door, for that purpose, if a 
 pole be held out to it on the ground, it will immedi- 
 ately cling to it; and when the pole is elevated, it 
 will immediately climb to the top. The same natu- 
 ralist remarks, that the female sloth produces only 
 one young one at a birth, which she frequently car- 
 ries on her back. 
 
THE SLOTH 23 
 
 This appears to be almost the only animal to which 
 nature seems, according to our superficial observa- 
 tions and imperfect manner of judging, to have de- 
 nied a conformation of body and power of action 
 adapted to its wants ; but let us not make too hasty a 
 decision in estimating its happiness. A single tree 
 affords it sr.stinence for a considerable time, and con- 
 sequently it enjoys plenty without any long st arch : 
 arid as a creature of so imperfect a conformation 
 could not possibly procure water, indulgent nature 
 has kindly taken care that it should feel no inconve- 
 nience from the want of that article so necessary to 
 most other animals. Thus circumstance alone shews, 
 that the well-being of this crviture has not been 
 overlooked by the Creator in the immensity of his 
 works. Its plaintive moans, which we consider as 
 expressions of pain, may perhaps be a cry given for 
 its preservation, as all beasts of prey fly from the 
 sound. It may have enjoyments peculiar to itself; 
 \Vc cannot judge of the sensations of this or any other 
 animal; but we are- certain that the God of nature has 
 never made any creature for misery. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Y oar's, &c. 
 
 LETTER XXXV. 
 
 " Tis instinct that directs (lie timid hare 
 To chusc her soft abode. With step revers'd, 
 She forms the doubling maze : then, ere the morn 
 Peeps through the clouds, 'leaps to her close recess." 
 
 THOMSON. 
 WEAR SIR, 
 
 J. SHALL at present entertain you with a short letr- 
 ter descriptive of the hare and the rabbit, two gentle 
 and timid animals, which, although troublesome to 
 man, in- frequently destroying the fruits of his agri- 
 cultural labours, are not without their utility in fur- 
 "nishing an excellent viand for the table, as well as a 
 considerable, article of commerce. Both these emir- 
 
214 LETTER XXXV. 
 
 mals are destitute of every means of defence, and cm 
 every side surrounded with enemies; but the Great 
 Autlior and Preserver of all beings, has, in the wise 
 and good plan of his universal providence, given to 
 one such a variety of means of escape, and to the 
 other so amazing a fecundity, that neither is extir- 
 pated. 
 
 THE HARE 
 
 is an animal so generally known, that a minute de- 
 scription is unnecessary. It is proper, however, t* 
 remark, that being furnished with long ears, which 
 are readily moved and directed with facility to every 
 quarter, it is instantaneously warned of the approach 
 of danger; and the largeness and prominency of its 
 eyes, adapted to the perception of objects in every 
 direction, equally contribute to its safety. Its swift- 
 ness, also, is such, that it soon leaves its pursuers be- 
 hind; and its enemies can seize it only by surprise, 
 or by wearying it out with long and persevering pur- 
 suit. The hind legs of the hare being much longer 
 than those before, and very strong and muscular, give 
 it a singular facility of running up a hill, an advan- 
 tage of which, from an instinctive knowledge of it* 
 powers, it seldom fails to avail itself. 
 
 Thus formed for escape, apprehensive of every dan- 
 ger, and attentive to every alarm, this inoffensive ani- 
 mal might be supposed to live in a state of tolerable 
 security ; but every rapacious beast and bird is its ene- 
 my; and man, more formidable than all, makes use of 
 every artifice to obtain so delicious an article of food 
 for his table. 
 
 Were I to enumerate the various stratagems which 
 human ingenuity has invented for taking this timid 
 creature, I might also enter into along detail of its 
 contrivances for evading pursuit. The hare frequently 
 runs to a pool of water, and swims to a cluster of 
 rushes growing in the middle, where it conceals itself 
 from the view of* the dogs, or crosses a stream in or- 
 der to break their scent. It will sometimes run into 
 a sheep fold, and lie down among the sheep, or leap 
 upoa an old wall, and hide, itself among the ivy, or 
 
THE HARE. THE RABBIT. 215 
 
 weeds growing on the top; and Fouilloux says, that 
 he has seen a hare, which, after having run more 
 than two hours before the dogs, pushed another hare 
 from its seat, and took possession of it, thus concealing 
 itself at the other's risk. 
 
 The hare derives a considerable degree of safety 
 from its colour resembling that of stubble, or fallow 
 ground : in some of the northern regions it turns 
 white in winter, and is scarcely distinguishable frcm 
 the snow, which demonstrates the attention of the 
 Author of Nature to the preservation of his creatures. 
 
 Mr. Borlase, in his History of Cornwall, gives an 
 account of a hare which was so completely tamed, as 
 to lie quietly under a chair in a common sitting room, 
 feed from the hand, and, after occasionally regaling 
 in the garden, return to the house, as its proper ha- 
 bitation : its evenings were always spent with a spaniel 
 and a greyhound, which slept quietly on the same 
 hearth, and even permitted the little creature to rest 
 upon their bodies, though both of these animals w ere 
 remarkably fond of hare-hunting. 
 
 The hare is found in most parts of the world. Its 
 flesh was forbidden to the Jews, but was esteemed a 
 great delicacy among the Romans, as it is now at our 
 tables. Among the ancient Britons this animal was 
 held sacred : at this day it is reckoned unclean by the 
 Mahometans. The fur of the hare is of great use in 
 the manufacturing of hats; and many thousands of 
 their skins are annually imported from Russia for this 
 purpose. 
 
 The hare is very prolific. The female goes thirty 
 days with young, and produces three or four at a lit- 
 ter, three or four times a year. 
 
 THE RABBIT 
 
 is an animal so common, and so well known in every 
 part of this kingdom, that any description of its form 
 would be superfluous; it may not, however, be amiss 
 to observe, that although the tame kind assume a va- 
 riety of colours, the wild are invariably brown. 
 
 Notwithstanding the general resemblance which 
 exists between tliis animal and the hare, their habits 
 
' LETTER XXXV. 
 
 and propensities are very different, as well as their 
 fecundity, and several other distinguishing character- 
 istics ; and they also seem to have a natural aversion 
 for each ether. 
 
 The rabbit lives to the age of nine or ten years. It 
 prefers a warm climate; and in Sweden, and other 
 northern regions, it cannot be reared but in houses. 
 It is common, however, ill all the temperate countries 
 of Europe. In Spain they had once become so nu- 
 merous, and were found so destructive to vegetation, 
 that the inhabitants were obliged to introduce ferrets 
 from Africa, in order to diminish their numbers. 
 
 They abound in every part of Great Britain, espe- 
 cially in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire, 
 and on the wolds of Yorkshire ; but in many of these 
 parts several warrens are lately converted into sheep 
 pasture, or tillage, and the number of rabbits is con- 
 sequently diminishing. 
 
 The fecundity of the rabbit is astonishing, and ex- 
 hibits a curious article in the history of animated na- 
 ture. This little quadruped breeds seven times in 
 the year, and generally produces seven or eight 
 young at a time; whence may be calculated the 
 wonderful and almost incredible increase of which a 
 single pair might in a few years be capable; but as 
 their propagation. is rapid, their enemies are also nu- 
 merous. Foxes, foumarts, and almost all animals of 
 f iu; weasel kind, make them their prey, without reck- 
 oning the immense numbers taken for the use of man* 
 Indeed, if a considerable reduction did not by va- 
 rious means take place, there is every reason to be- 
 lieve that their numbers would exceed the means of 
 support, and totally consume the whole vegetable 
 produce of the country. In this animal, therefore, as 
 well as in many others, \ve discover a striking dis- 
 play of the wisdom of the Creator, in so exactly pro- 
 portioning the measure of fecundity and destruction. 
 
 The rabbit is not 'miong the indigenous animals of 
 America; but in many of the West-India islands there 
 'are great numbers, which have originated from a stock 
 carried thither from the old continent. 
 4 
 
THE RABBIT* 217 
 
 One striking dissimilarity between the habits of 
 tliU quadruped, and those of the hare, to which, al- 
 though inferior in size, it bears so visible a resem- 
 blance, rs, that the former burrows in holes in the 
 ground, while the latter depends on speed for its se- 
 curity. The flesh of the rabbit, as well as that of the 
 hare, is esteemed unclean by the Jews, and the Ma- 
 hometans, but is considered as a delicacy among 
 Christians; and the fur of the one as well as of the 
 other, constitutes a considerable article in the manu- 
 facture of hats. The skins of the rabbits, indeed, 
 constitute no small part of the profits of those who 
 keep warrens. Thus, my dear Sir, you see how won- 
 derfully the Creator has multiplied his blessings, tind 
 how much he has rendered this prolific little animal 
 conducive to our coriveniency and comfort. 
 
 Leaving you for a while to the enjoyment of re- 
 flections so pleasing, and so we'll adapted to excite in 
 your mind sentiments of gratitude to the Author of 
 good, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &X. 
 
 JLLTTER XXXVL 
 
 rv Her chariot ii an empty hnzol nut, 
 Made by tliejoiiier squirrel, or old grr.b, 
 Time out ut mind the lairiws' couch -maker*/ 1 
 
 DEAR SIH, 
 
 .A>S tlve objects which natural history present? are s^ 
 exceedingly numerous, and your other pursuits pre- 
 vent ymir 'application entirely to this branch of know- 
 ledge, and <;sp<ecialiy as it is not my design to impose 
 on your memory a burdensome task, which might 1 " 
 terfere with the studies necessary for your pro*'-" 
 but rather to lead you by the way of an 
 amusement to the delightful contempl;- 
 wisdom, power, and beneficence of the 
 
LETTER XXXVI. 
 
 played in his works, I shall, in pursuance of my ori- 
 ginal plan, without descending to minutiae, carry you 
 forward to some of .the most striking objects of the; 
 animal creation; and, in this undertaking, I hope I 
 shall be able to season instruction with pleasure. 
 
 I might, indeed, take up your time with elaborate 
 descriptions of the Guinea pig, an animal of diminu- 
 tive size and inconsiderable utility in comparison of 
 many others; and which, as it is often domesticated 
 among us, you will probably one time or other have 
 an opportunity of observing ; as also of the spotted 
 cavy, the agouti, and many others too numerous to 
 examine in detail, most of them natives of South 
 America, or other distant regions, and seldom seen in 
 these parts of the world.; but knowing well the value 
 of your time, and the importance of your studies, i 
 shall endeavour to exhibit such objects as are more 
 particularly interesting. I cannot, however, omit to 
 take notice of 
 
 THE SQUIRREL, 
 
 a beautiful little animal, equally remarkable for the 
 elegance of its form, the liveliness of its disposition, 
 and the agility of its motions. It is gentle and harm- 
 less : though naturally wild, it is easily domesticated; 
 and although excessively timid, it soon becomes fa- 
 miliar. 
 
 The head, body, tail, and legs, of this elegant little 
 quadruped, are of a bright brown colour; the belly 
 and breast are white, its eyes black, large, and full of 
 vivacity; but its tail, which is long and umbrageous,, 
 constitutes its greatest singularity, rve well as its prin- 
 cipal ornament. It is also not less useful than orna- 
 mental; for being, sufficiently large and bushy to co- 
 ver the whole body, it serves as an excellent defence 
 against the inclemencies of the weather, It also 
 greatly assists it in clinging and adhering to trees \ 
 and Linnaeus, as well as other naturalists, assures us, 
 that in crossing a river, -the squirrel places itself upon 
 a piece of bark, and erecting its tail, in order to catch 
 the wind, uses it as a sail, and thus commits itself to 
 the mercy of the waves. It would certainly be both 
 
THE 
 
 and interesting to be an eye-witness of one of 
 their voyages, and a benevolent heart could not for- 
 bear wishing safety and success to the little naviga- 
 tors. The fact, indeed, would appear incredible, 
 were it not attested by such respectable evidence. 
 If, however, it be true, it exhibits a striking specimen' 
 of animal instinct, although not more wonderful than- 
 many others which are displayed in the brute crea- 
 tion. 
 
 The squirrel lives in woods and groves, and makes 
 its nest of dry leaves in the hollows of trees: if sel- 
 dom descends to the ground, but leaps from tree to- 
 tree with astonishing agility. It sits up to eat, and 
 feeds itself with its fore paws. Its food consists of 
 fruits, nuts, acorns, &c. of which it accumulates a? 
 plentiful store for its winter provision. In the spring 
 it feeds on young shoots and buds, and is extremely 
 fond of the cones of the fir tree. This beautiful little> 
 animal, by its sportive bounds from tree to tree, enli- 
 vens the sylvan scene, and merits the benevolent 
 protection of man on account of its docility and inno- 
 cence. Being naturally fond of warmth, it will> 
 when domesticated, creep into a person's pocket> 
 sleeve, or bosom* with the most perfect confidence* 
 and familiarity. 
 
 Of this animal zoologists have enumerated a variety 
 of species, some of which are to be met with in almost 
 * t?verv country* Among these, are the grey squirrel, 
 the f x ur of which is very valuable ; the black squirrel 
 of Mexico; the Barbary and the palm squirrel; ths 
 fat squirrel, which, among the Romans, was esteemed 
 u great delicacy tot the table, and which they kept 
 and fed in places constructed for that purpose, and 
 distinguished by the name of gliraria, and many 
 others. In conformity* however, to the conciseness 
 of my plan, I shall only observe the 
 
 FLYING SCtUIRRSL, 
 
 which is peculiarly distinguished by a membranous 
 continuation of the skin or' the sides and belly extend- 
 ing from the fore, to the hind feet. By this appen- 
 dage ii is $u muck assisted in making; "bounds from 
 
 L 2 
 
220 
 
 LETTER XXXVI. 
 
 tree to tree, that it frequently springs to the distance 
 of twenty or thirty yards. Its skin is remarkably 
 fine and soft, being covered with a beautiful fur, of a 
 dark colour in some parts, and a lighter in others. Its 
 head is small and elegant. It is mil(j[ in its disposi- 
 tion; but, although easily tamed, it is difficult to re- 
 tain in a state of domestication, and seizes the first op- 
 portunity of making its escape. It is less than the 
 common squirrel: it lives in trees, sleeps in the day, 
 but exhibits its activity in the night. 
 
 The membranous appendage connecting its legs, 
 being stretched out in the act of leaping, extends the 
 surface of the body, by which it is better supported 
 "by the air and the acceleration of its fall is retarded. 
 This gives it the appearance of flying, from which its 
 name has originated. 
 
 THE JERBOA 
 
 merits particular attention, on account of the allusions 
 made to it in the Scriptures, it being the Damon Is-- 
 rael, or Lamb of Israel of the Arabs, and is supposed 
 to be the coney of holy writ which was classed among 
 the unclean beasts; our rabbit or coney being un- 
 known in Palestine. It is also the mouse mentioned 
 in the book of the Prophet Isaiah, chap. hi. verse 17. 
 It is." a lively and harmless animal; it lives on vegeta- 
 bles, and burrows in the ground like the rabbit. 
 
 The Jerboa is remarkable tor the singular construc- 
 tion of its legs, the fore ones being not more than one 
 inch in length, and used not for walking but for con- 
 veying victuals to its mouth. The hind legs are nak- 
 ed and like those of a bird, .with only three toes on 
 each foot. Its hair is long and soft, reddish on the 
 back, and white on the belly and the breast, with a 
 large black band across the thighs, in the form of a 
 crescent. Its tail is longer than its body and termi- 
 nates in a black tuft, tipt with white. Its head, very 
 much re&embies that of a rabbit; but in size tins ani- 
 mal is somewhat less than a rat. 
 
 This singular quadruped is chiefly found in Bar- 
 bary, Egypt and Palestine: there are also some spe- 
 cies" of it iii Siberia, Tartavy, and some other parts of 
 
THE KANGAROO* 
 
 Asia. It makes its nest of the finest herbage, rolls it- 
 self up with its head between its thighs, and during 
 the winter remains in a torpid state without taking 
 any food. When pursued it springs with such agility 
 that its feet scarcely seem to touch the ground. It 
 is easily tamed, appears fond of warmth., and, by wrap- 
 ping itself up close with hay, it seems to be sensible 
 of the approach of cold weather. 
 
 THE KANGAROO 
 
 is an animal unknown to .the naturalists of former age?, 
 and for the knowledge of which we are indebted to 
 the improvement of navigation, and the discoveries of 
 modern times. It is a native of New Holland, where 
 it was hrst discovered by Sir Joseph Banks. Its head, 
 neck and shoulders are small, the lower parts of the 
 body much thicker, especially towards the rump, its 
 ears are large and erect, the end of the nose black, 
 tvith whiskers on both the upper and lower jaws. Its 
 tail is long and taper, being very thick near th 
 rump, and narrowing to a point. But the most re- 
 markable singularity in this animal is the construction 
 of its legs, iii which it resembles the Jerboa. The 
 fore legs are extremely short, and only used for dig- 
 ging in the ground, or carrying its food to its mouth. 
 It moves entirely on its hind legs, ,\vhich are nearly 
 as long as its whole body. On these it springs with 
 such strength and rapidity as to outstrip the fleetest 
 greyhound, making successive bounds of ten or 
 twelve feet. It leaps from rock to rock in an asto- 
 nishing manner, and over bushes seven or eight feet 
 high, without apparent eiibrr. 
 
 The Kangaroo is generally of an ash colour: it 
 feeds entirely on vegetables and its flesh is whole- 
 some and palatable food. There are two kinds, a 
 larger and a smaller; the largest that has been shot 
 weighed HOlb. and measured in length, from the 
 point of the nose to the rump, four feet, and its tail 
 two feet one inch: the length of the fore legs was one 
 foot, and that of the hind legs two feet eight inches. 
 The smaller kind seldom weighs above GOlb. 
 
 This animal is furnished with a pouch in which its 
 
LJETtEK XXXV 11. 
 
 young are fostered; but its astonishing agility under 
 such seeming 'disadvantages is the most striking cir- 
 cumstance by. which it is distinguished and which de- 
 monstrates that the Author of Nature can communi- 
 cate activity and vigor to any conformation of parts. 
 
 THli KANGAROO RAT 
 
 is a native of the same country and may be regarded 
 us an epitome of the above described uninml which it 
 exactly resembles in its construction, and diifcra fn.'tn 
 it only in size, being no bigger than a rabbit: it lives 
 on vegetables and burrcws in the ground. 
 
 It h worthy of observation that the Kangaroo is the 
 only quadruped that is good For food yet discovered 
 in the country of which it is a native; this circum- 
 stance, however, may lead us to observe that such H 
 the diffusive goodness of the Creator, and such his 
 providential care in providing for the support of man, 
 that every country yet known produces some supply 
 of animal as well as vegetable sustenance, 
 
 As I would that every circumstance adapted to ex- 
 .cite sentiments of gratitude to the Giver of all good 
 thkiga-ihoutcl make a deep hftprieMftfti'On yourtniiul, 
 
 1 shui! conclude by recommending to voiu 1 
 
 this important consideration, and at toe same time 
 
 subscribe myself, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, -&c. 
 
 LETTER XXXVII. 
 
 The savage rat 
 
 When tam'd and taught, to gazing crowds- is shewn." 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 I SHALL now make a transition from. fin agreeable 
 and inoffensive species of animals to another of more 
 noxious propensities, which, notwithstanding their di- 
 minutive size, are capable of giving us much trouble, 
 and serve to shew that the Author of Nature can pro- 
 duce inconveniencies as well as benefits to mankind 
 by the slenderest means. OF this truth we may ihul 
 
THE GREAT IUT. 
 
 demonstrations in taking a view of the Rat 
 kind. * 
 
 THE GREAT lAT 
 
 is an animal well known in England/' althougb sup- 
 posed to have come originally from Norway. From 
 .whatever country it came, or by whatever means it 
 was introduced, it has been found impossible to expel 
 this formidable invader. Before the arrival of this 
 troublesome stranger this country was infected with 
 the black rat, which was much less injurious than ils 
 rival; but the species is now almost extinct, being 
 nearly extirpated by the Norway Rat, which is much 
 superior in strength, Voraciousness and ferocity. The 
 latter which is now universally diiuised throughout 
 the country, is about nine inches -long, of a grey co- 
 lour, and the. throat and belly of a dirty white : its tail 
 is as long as its body, and nearly destitute of hair. 
 
 Though small, weak, and contemptible in its ap- 
 pearance, it is a more formidable enemy to mankind 
 than those that possess the greatest strength. No art 
 t.v.n ''oanteruct its various powers of annoyance, and 
 force is ineffectually opposed to an adversary possess- 
 ing sweh a variety of moans to battle Us c -Dirts* 
 
 The rat is a bold imU fierce animal ; Us bite i* Von, 
 and the wound it inflicts puinfui and diincu.lt to heal. 
 Its rapacity has no bounds, for it preys on every crea- 
 ture which it is able to subdue, and does incalculable 
 mischief among grain and fruits. It refuses scarcely 
 any article of food, and few places are secure from 
 its depredations. 
 
 A numerous host of enemies combine for the de- 
 struction of this noxious quadruped. Several kinds 
 of dogs pursue rats with eagerness and kill them, al- 
 though none will eat their flesh. The cat is also one 
 of their formidable adversaries; but the weazel is 
 their most determined enemy, and hunts them with 
 unceasing avidity. The ferret is also employed in 
 the same business: and mankind have employed the 
 various means of traps and poison in order to destroy 
 these troublesome intruders; but no method hitherto 
 discovered has been able to effect their extirpation. 
 
 L4 
 
224 LETTER XXXV If. 
 
 The sagacity of these animals in avoiding the traps 
 ami snares laid for them is astonishing and well 
 Known; and their various means of eluding danger, 
 together with their amazing fecundity, producing 
 from twelve to eighteen young at one time, render 
 ineffectual the united efforts of such a multitude of 
 enemies as combine for their destruction. Their 
 numbers would indeed increase beyond all power ot 
 re.-urv.nt, but that insatiable voraciousness impels them 
 V) devour one another, and the weaker invariably fall 
 a prey to the stronger. 
 
 M. St. Pierre informs ns that in the Isle of France 
 rats are so extremely numerous tluit at sun set they 
 may be seen running about in all directions, and fre- 
 quently destroy a whole crop of covn in a single 
 night. In some of the houses they s\va.rm so prodi- 
 giously, that thirty thousand have been killed in a 
 year; they have also subterraneous magazines of 
 corn and fruit, and even climb the trees to devour th 
 young birds. 
 
 Kaempfcr asserts that the Japanese have a method 
 of taming these rats, and cf teaching them a variety 
 of entertaining tricks, which are occasionally exhibit- 
 ed for the amusement of the populace. 
 
 It is a singular .circumstance in the history of the&e 
 animals that the skins of such as have been found de- 
 voured in their holes have been curiously turned in- 
 side out, every part, even to the ends of the toes, be- 
 ing completely inverted. 
 
 THE LEMING, OR LAPLAND MARMOT* 
 
 This animal presents one of these singular plueno- 
 mena which to the curious observer of nature, have 
 always appeared particularly striking, and is distin- 
 guished from all other quadrupeds by habits peculiar 
 to itself, and for which it pusjzles philosophy to ac- 
 count. It is found only in the northern parts of our 
 continent, where immense numbers of these little ani- 
 mals sometimes overspread large tracts of country, 
 especially in Lapland, Sweden, and Norway. Their 
 appearance happens at uncertain periods, but, fortu- 
 nately for the inhabitants of these countries, not ot- 
 
THE LEMING, OR LAPLAND MARMOT. 925 
 
 tener than once or twice in twenty years. As the 
 source from whence they originate in such astonishing 
 numbers is yet unexplored by the naturalist, it is no 
 wonder that the ignorant Laplander should seriously 
 believe they are rained from the clouds. 
 
 This creature is somewhat less than a rat, and runs 
 Tery swiftly, although its legs are short and slender. 
 Its head is of a pointed form ; and in each jaw it has 
 two cutting teeth, with which it bites very keenly ; 
 its eyes are small and its ears short : its fore legs are 
 shorter than the hind ones. The colour of its body 
 and head is tawny, and variegated with large black 
 spots, irregularly arranged; and the belly is white 
 tinged with yeUow. 
 
 The Leming must be prolific beyond conception^ 
 but the most astonishing circumstance of the natural 
 history of these animals is their destructive migra- 
 tions. Myriads pour down from the mountains, and 
 form an overwhelming troop, which nothing can re- 
 sist. The disposition of their march is generally in 
 lines, about three feet asunder,, and exactly parallel. 
 In this order they advance with as much regularity 
 as a well disciplined army; and it is remarked that 
 their course is always from the N. W, or S. E. They 
 frequently cover the extent of a square mile, travel- 
 ling in the night. They always halt in the day, and 
 in the evening resume their, march. No opposition 
 can stop them, and whatever way their course is di- 
 rected, neither fire nor water can turn them out oi 
 their road. If a lake or a river happen to intercept 
 their progress they instantly take the water, and swim 
 across- or perish in the attempt. It seems,, indeed, 
 as if they were impelled by some secret impulse 
 which prevents them from ever deviating from their 
 direct route.; for if a fire interrupt their course they 
 instantly plunge into the flames; if a well, they Uatt 
 down into it; if a hay-rick, be in their road they eat 
 through it: if a house, they, climb over it, aud nevor 
 turn an inch out of their way. If thousands perish, 
 thousands still supply their place, until the whole co- 
 kuuu be destroyed. Happily for mankind they eat 
 L. o 
 
LETTER XXXVII. 
 
 nothing that is prepared for human subsistence ; and 
 if they force their passage through a house they will 
 not touch any thing except such roots or vegetables 
 as they may happen to find in it. If a man or any 
 animal should chance to fall in their way, the little 
 animals are no way discouraged by any disproportion 
 of strength; but fly furiously at their opponent, with 
 a barking noise like that of a young whelp, and no- 
 thing- can induce them to relinquish the attack. 
 
 Wherever they pass they destroy every trace of 
 vegetation, and when subsistence fails, they are said 
 to divide into two different armies, which engage 
 with the most deadly hostility, and continue fighting 
 and devouring each other till they are all entirely de- 
 stroyed : such myriads of them have been found lying 
 dead, that the air has been infected, and sometimes 
 caused malignant distempers : numbers of them are 
 also destroyed by foxes, weazels, &c. which follow 
 them in their march, so that from what place soever 
 they come, none ever return from their migrations^ 
 Contemplate, my dear sir, the singular history of this 
 animal, and then say whether the God of Nature be 
 not wonderful in his works. 
 
 THE MOUSE 
 
 is an animal which is diffused throughout almost every 
 part of the world : it seems to be a constant attendant 
 on man, and is seldom found but near his dwelling. 
 When viewed without that prejudice which most peo- 
 ple entertain against this creature, it is a pretty little 
 animal. In its general formation, as well as its colour, 
 it resembles a rat, but without that aspect of ferocity 
 by which the latter is distinguished. Its skin i& sleek 
 and soft, its eyes lively, all its limbs are formed with 
 delicacy, and its motions are quick and active. In 
 this animal, as well as in the rat, the long naked tail 
 has the most disgusting appearance. 
 
 The mouse produces young several times in the 
 year, and has generally ten or a dozen at a litter ; and 
 in fifteen days the young ones are able to provide for 
 themselves. Aristotle says, that having shut up a 
 mouse big with young in a vessel and provided plen- 
 
THE MOUSE. 227 
 
 ty of grain for their support, he found shortly after an. 
 hundred and twenty mice, all produced from this ma- 
 ternal stock. Indeed, as the enemies of this animal 
 are numerous and formidable, nothing but this amaz- 
 ing fecundity can save it from utter destruction. 
 
 In contemplating the prolific nature of these dimi- 
 nutive animals, the mouse and the rat, some reflections 
 on the wonderful plan of creative wisdom will readily 
 occur to your mind. These I have already suggested 
 to you in the general view of the animal world, and 
 future observations will often recal them to your con- 
 sideration. We have already observed that mankind 
 use every art, and contrive every possible method for 
 the extirpation of the rat and mouse ; and that not 
 only the cat but every animal of the weazel kind, as 
 well as a multitude of others, are their implacable 
 enemies, persecute them with unceasing hostility, and 
 combine with man for their destruction. Infinite 
 wisdom, however, has, in bestowing on these crea- 
 tures an extraordinary fecunditjr, counteracted all the 
 efforts used for their extermination. Their depreda- 
 tions in our houses, our barns, and our granaries, in- 
 duce us to esteem them noxious and troublesome ani- 
 mals; but are we sure that they answer no beneficial 
 purpose ? Are we certain that they do not prevent 
 the propagation of some other creature more noxio.us 
 than themselves? This, my dear Sir, although yet 
 undiscovered, is not impossible. Our short-sightedness 
 floes not permit us to penetrate the all-wise designs of 
 the Creator. On reviewing his work, he "saw that it 
 was good," Gen. chap. i. And as he created every 
 species of animal life for some wise purpose he has 
 with equal wisdom taken measures to prevent their 
 extinction. 
 
 There are several varieties of the mouse, which for 
 brevity's sake we shall omit, and proceed to some- 
 thing more interesting. They have all a pretty near 
 resemblance: The principal difference is in the 
 Fhrew-mouse, which with a body of the same shape 
 and colour, and nearly of the same size as that of the 
 rest of the kind, has the head and nose shaped like 
 L 
 
LETTER XXXVII. 
 
 those of the swine, and is in some places called the-, 
 pig-mouse. 
 
 THE MOLE 
 
 is an animal which merits in no .small degree the at- 
 tention of the naturalist; for being destined to a sub- 
 terraneous life, its conformation is admirably adapted 
 to its peculiar mode of providing subsistence. It pos- 
 sesses in an eminent degree, the senses of hearing and 
 smelling; of which the former gives it notice of the 
 approach of danger, and the latter enables it to find 
 its prey in the obscurity of its dwellings under the 
 surface of the ground. It is not destitute of sight as- 
 has formerly been supposed : its eyes indeed are ex- 
 tremely small ; but it is more than probable that they 
 are so formed as to admit distinct images of the dimi- 
 nutive objects of its pursuit. The wisdom of the Cre- 
 ator is evidently and invariably displayed in the 
 adaptation of each creature to its'particular mode of liv- 
 ing, of which we have in this curious little quadru 
 ped a remarkable instance. While the mole enjoys 
 that perfection of hearing and smelling, so necessary 
 to its peculiar mode of living, its optics appear per- 
 fectly adapted to its contracted sphere of vision. The 
 piercing eye of the eagle would, to this animal, be 
 not only useless but manifestly inconvenient. 
 
 The whole form of its body, but particularly the 
 construction of its fore feet, are admirably adapted to 
 the purpose of inaking its way in the earth with faci- 
 lity; They are destitute of hair, and have a broad 
 palm, almost resembling a hand ; but they are fixed, 
 so close to the body that the animal can scarcely be 
 said to have any legs. It remains almost incessantly 
 under ground, and if it happen to be surprised on the 
 surface, it burrows in an instant. 
 
 The skin of the mole is remarkable for its beauty, 
 and if converted to a proper use, would probably be 
 not less estimable for its value. We are indted in- 
 formed that an ingenious gentleman of Newcastle has 
 discovered a method whereby the exquisitely fine fur 
 of this hitherto despised anhnal may possibly become 
 ef great importance to the public. Being incorporal- 
 
THR MOLfc. 
 
 cJ with other materials, it forms a stamen of peculiar 
 strength and beauty for the purpose of making hats, 
 Superior to any hitherto used in that valuable branch 
 of manufacture. Mr. Bewick adds, that the gentleman 
 has obtained a patent for this useful discovery. 
 
 The colour of the mole is generally black, but some 
 have been found with white spots, and others per- 
 fectly white. Its fur is very short, close set, softer 
 than the finest velvet, or perhaps than the fur of any 
 other animal; and, although it lives in the earth, it is 
 always exceedingly clean and glossy. It is somewhat 
 singular, that while the ermine and sable are sought 
 in the recesses of their immense solitudes in the ri- 
 gorous climates arid desolate regions of the north, no 
 use has been made of a fur, which in beauty is scarcely 
 inferior to any that Siberia can furnish. 
 
 This animal is exceedingly prolific : it breeds un- 
 der ground, where it forms a commodious nest of moss 
 or fine herbage. It makes its subterraneous tracks 
 in various directions, and throws up here and there 
 large heaps of mould, which are vary prejudicial, and 
 consequently render its destruction an object of atten- 
 tion to the farmer. 
 
 The desolation which these animals commit in gar- 
 dens and cultivated grounds, are indeed much greater 
 than the generality of people would suppose possible. 
 M. de BufFon informs us that, in the year 1740, he 
 planted about sixteen acres of land whh acorns, of 
 which the quarter part was carried off by the moles ; 
 and in many of their subterraneous retreats were 
 found half a bushel, and in some a bushel. After dis- 
 covering this circumstance, our author caused a num- 
 ber of iron traps to be constructed, by which he 
 caught about thirteen hundred moles in less than three 
 weeks. 
 
 Nature* which in every part of the animal creation 
 displays her diversifying energy, has formed several 
 varieties of this animal. One species found in Sibe- 
 ria is of a beautiful green and gold colour, which va- 
 ries with the light. The yellow mole of North Ame- 
 rica is larger than that of Europe, and, like the latter, 
 8 
 
LETTER XXXVII. 
 
 is covered with a fur exquisitely fine, soft, and glossy; 
 nnd another kind is found in Virginia, of a black co- 
 lour, variegated with purple. 
 
 THE OPOSSUM 
 
 is an animal of which nature has formed several va- 
 rieties; but all of them distinguished from every 
 other quadruped, except the kangaroo, by having a. 
 pouch under th'e belly, in which the female deposits 
 her young immediately after they are brought forth, 
 and nourishes them until they be able to provide for 
 themselves. 
 
 This animal is nearly as large as a cat; but its ge- 
 neral figure resembles that of a fox. Its legs are 
 short, and its feet, or rather hands, are not unlike 
 those of a monkey. The construction of legs and 
 hands indicates its incapability of speed; but this dis- 
 advantage is counterbalanced by the facility and ex- 
 pedition with which it climbs trees, where it conceals 
 itself in the branches, and surprises the birds that 
 come within its reach. 
 
 The opossum is remarkable for possessing the fa- 
 culty of suspending itself by the tail, and continuing 
 for hours in that situation, from whirh it darts on its 
 prey with surprising agility and unerring aim. By 
 means of its tail, it can also fling itself from one tree 
 to another. It is easily domesticated, but is not a 
 very agreeable inmate, on account of a rank and dis- 
 gusting odour that exhales from its skin. Its flesh is 
 eaten by the Indians, and in taste is said to resemble 
 that of a young pig. The Indians also dye its hair, 
 and weave it into garters, and various other articles. 
 This animal was, by M. de Baffon, supposed to be- 
 long peculiarly to America; but it, is now found to 
 exist in several of the Oriental and South Sea islands* 
 
 THE FLYING OPOSSUM 
 
 cannot be overlooked among the uncommon varieties 
 of this singular animal. Its ears are large and erect, 
 and it is furnished with a membranous appendage 
 connecting the legs, similar to that of the flying squir- 
 rel, and of which it makes use in the same manner to 
 fly from tree to tree. - Can we refrain to admire the 
 
THE MONKEY KIND. 1 
 
 power and wisdom of the Creator, which we see so 
 conspicuously displayed in the various forms of ani- 
 mated nature. 
 
 This animal is also remarkable for the exquisite 
 fineness of its fur, which is more delicate, and of a 
 finer texture, than that of most other animals. It is 
 of a beautiful dark colour, mixed with grey, and is- 
 extremely smooth and glossy : on the throat and 
 belly it is white, and each hip is adorned with a 
 tawney-coloured spot. 
 
 It is now, my dear Sir, when we are drawing to- 
 wards the- conclusion of our survey of the first great 
 division of animated nature, that you are to prepare 
 for the contemplation of objects still more curious 
 and striking than those you have yet met with. 
 Leaving you, therefore, a short time in this expecta- 
 tion, I shall for the present conclude with assuring 
 you, that, with every sentiment of sincere affection, 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER XXXV11L 
 
 " There roam the ape, the monlcey, and baboon, 
 Fearless and fierce amid their native woods." 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 I HASTEN to resume our correspondence, in order 
 to gratify the expectation which I am sensible the 
 conclusion of my last letter has raised, by announcing 
 the exhibition of some of the most curious piec.es of 
 Nature's workmanship. 
 
 The objects of curiosity which I am now going to 
 bring forward to your view, are some of the most re- 
 markable and interesting 
 
 ANIMALS OF THE MONKEY KIND. 
 
 These are a race which consists of a greater varie- 
 ty of kinds, and makes nearer approaches to the hu>- 
 man species, both in form and action than any other 
 class of animal beings. 
 
232 LETTER XXXV 1 11. 
 
 Monkies of different kinds have been brought i 
 Europe, and exhibited for the amusement of those 
 who delight in contemplating the wonders of the cre- 
 ation ; but they are natives only of the warmest parts 
 of the globe, and abound chiefly in the torrid zone, 
 where they entertain with their frolics, and annoy 
 with their mischievous pranks, the inhabitants of the 
 tropical regions. 
 
 In those countries, indeed, they are sometimes- 
 amusing, but oftenei* troublesome neighbours, for their 
 restless activity can be equalled only by their mis- 
 chievous ingenuity. 
 
 In the woods of Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia, 
 on the east, and the Cape of Good Hope on the south, 
 monkies are exceedingly numerouss. They also 
 abound in all parts of India, and the Oriental islands, 
 as also in Japan, and the southern provinces of China; 
 and they are likewise found in great numbers in every 
 part of South America, from the isthmus of Barien, to 
 the river La Plata. 
 
 The numbers and various species of these animals-, 
 have induced naturalists to distinguish them by three 
 grand divisions, viz. Apes, or such as have no tails ; 
 Baboons, which have short tails; and Monkies, which 
 have long tails. 
 
 In the ape kind, we see the whole external struc- 
 ture impressed with a striking resemblance of the hu- 
 man figure, and endowed with the capability of simi- 
 lar exertions. They walk erect, and the conformation 
 of their hands and feet exactly resembles that of ours. 
 The baboon exhibits a less striking likeness of the hu- 
 man form- He generally walks upon all four, and 
 seldom erect, except through the influence of instruc- 
 tion and constraint.. These animals have short tails,. 
 long faces, and ey.es deeply sunk in their sockets : 
 they are extremely ugly, and their disposition is cha- 
 racterized by the most brutal fierceness. Sor.ie ba- 
 boons are in stature as tali as a man, and far superior 
 ia strength. 
 
 The monkev kind is much less than the formes^ 
 and appears slill further removed from, the human 
 
 
species. They are an active, lively, and mischievous 
 race of animals, full of grimace and frolicsome gam- 
 bols, fond of imitating human actions, prying and in- 
 quisitive, restless and troublesome, and exceedingly 
 addicted to thieving. They sit upon their posteriors, 
 but never walk erect 
 
 THFOURANG-OLTANG, OR WILD MAN OF THE WOODS, 
 
 is found in the interior parts of Africa, in Madagas- 
 car, and in some parts of the East-Indies; but the isle 
 of Borneo is the place where it chiefly abounds. It 
 avoids mankind, and resides only in the most solitary 
 deserts. As this animal is the largest of all the ape 
 kind, it also bears the nearest resemblance to the hu- 
 man form. Some of this species are said to exceed 
 six feet in height. They are active, strong, and in- 
 trepid. They live wholly on fruits, nuts, and other 
 spontaneous productions of the warm countries which 
 they inhabit. 
 
 Several of these animals have been brought to Eu- 
 rope; but having been taken very young, it is proba- 
 ble that the coolness of the climate both softens their 
 fierceness, and obstructs their growth, and none have 
 been seen in these parts of (ho world which exceeded 
 five feet in height. Dr. Tyson, a learned physician 
 and naturalist, gives an accurate description of onu of 
 the species which was brought from Angola into this 
 country; and in order to enable you to form an idea 
 of this extraordinary animal, I shall delineate it in 
 the words of that gentleman: 
 
 " The body was entirely covered with hair, the 
 colour of which was perfectly black, and the texture 
 of it bore a greater resemblance to the human than to 
 that of the brute : that which grew upon the head and 
 the chin was considerably longer than the rest. The 
 face was like that of a man, the forehead longer, and 
 the head round : the upper and lower jaws were not 
 BO prominent as in monkies but flat like that of the 
 human race : the ears and teeth had, likewise, a 
 greater similitude to the man than the brute: the 
 bending of the arms and legs were the same : and iu 
 t|ic whole figure of the animal an affinity might be 
 
LETTER XXXV 111. 
 
 traced. The face, bands, and soles of the feet 
 without hair: and in the palms of the hands it had si- 
 milar lines t<- ;<>osc of the human race. The internal 
 conformation* was equally similar, except that it had 
 thirteen instead of twelve ribs. In its passage to 
 England, it had made many friends on board, towards 
 whom it would shew evident marks of tenderness, and 
 Used frequently to embrace them with the greatest 
 affection. Moukies of a lower species it seemed to 
 hold in absolute aversion, and would avoid that part 
 of the vessel where they Mere confined. As soon as 
 it was accustomed to the use of clothes, it became 
 .very fond of them, and would dress itself in part with- 
 out any assistance, and carry the remaining to some 
 of its friends, and make signs for them to complete 
 the ornament. It would lie in a bed, place its head 
 Upon a pillow, and then pull up the bed clothes to its 
 neck, id the same manner as human beings are accus- 
 tomed to do." 
 
 M. de Buffon says, that he saw one of these singu- 
 lar -animals sit at table, wipe its mouth with a lU'nUo 
 niter drinking; pour the \vihb into its glass; use a 
 i'urk and spoon to carry the victuals to HB mouth;, put 
 sugar into iucuu; poJir aul ih.' tea, HIK! kuv** it to 
 rooij and, in short, so exactly imitate human actions, 
 that it was astonishing to see how completely in- 
 stinctive sagacity was in this creature substituted for 
 reason. 
 
 From these anecdotes, it appears that the ourang- 
 outang, at least the less and milder kind, may, when 
 taken young, be easily tamed and rendered extremely 
 docile and tractable; but a very indifferent picture 
 is exhibited by travellers, of those which are found 
 in the immense solitudes of Africa, as well as in some 
 parts of the east, and especially in Borneo. They 
 are not only exceedingly swift, but so strong, that 
 one of them could overcome several men. It is there- 
 fore impossible to take them alive, especially as they 
 generally go in companies, armed with thick clubs, 
 with which they will not hesitate to attack the strong- 
 est and fiercest animals, not t-xcvpting even the ele- 
 
pbant. And it is worthy of remark, that this is th# 
 only animal that makes use of any -other weapons 
 than such as are natural, in the island -of Borneo, 
 where the ourang-outang chiefly abounds, it is hunt- 
 ed by the inhabitants in the same manner -as the liori 
 and the elephant, and.even.the king and his courtiers 
 Folloxv the chase of this animal with great eagerness ; 
 for although its resemblance t.o the human form lol^ht 
 be supposed to procure it pity and protect i ">>:, we, 
 shall scarcely wonder that it should not meet with ei- 
 ther, when we Consider the fierceness of its disposi- 
 tion, and its formidable hostility to maru 
 
 This singular animal has been described by seve- 
 ral naturalists aru-l travellers, particularly by Batte'l 
 Bosnian, Schouten, M. LaBrosse, M. Grose ami Py- 
 rard. Their descriptions are all interesting, but too 
 long for insertion in this letter, especially as yotl 
 know, my dear Sir", that my design is rather to give 
 you that gtmeral knowledge of nature, which every 
 gentleman ought to possess than to direct your at- 
 tention to those minutiee which arc more p'ariU'Vlarly 
 guitud to tlU3 investigations of siu'h as luake these 
 t mlies thyir p^euliuv pr^eMUmi 1 Mimll t&\] 
 tiiat all these uccouiUs of the ourang'-outuug, dithough 
 they somewhat differ in certain minute particulars, 
 agree upon the whole, and the differences discover- 
 able in the relation of~ travellers, are only such as 
 may reasonably be supposed to exist between differ- 
 ent individuals of the same species in the endless di- 
 versity of nature's ever-varying form* 
 
 I have, my dear Sir, been somewhat particular in 
 exhibiting the external structure and characteristic 
 disposition of this extraordinary creature ; since it 
 must be considered as one of the wonders of nature, 
 which shews how nearly the animal may approach 
 to the human form, and how much instinct may, in 
 some respects, imitate intellect, in the latter com- 
 parison, however, we cannot but perceive an immense 
 disproportion. The ourang-outang soon attains to the 
 perfection of its imitative operations, and arrives at a 
 |>oitnaary which it cannot pass. Instinctive sagacity 
 
S36 LETTER XXXV III. 
 
 it appears to possess in an eminent degree, but exhi- 
 bits no marks of intellectual Operation, no traces of 
 reason; between matter and mind there will always 
 be an immense interval. The near approach of this 
 animal to the human form, without possessing any of 
 the faculties of the human mind, will undoubtedly 
 excite pur gratitude to the beneficent Creator, for the 
 high prerogatives accorded to us in the inestimable 
 gift of intellect. 
 
 THE LONG- ARM ED APE, 
 
 is the animal which, next to the ourang-outang, bearc 
 the nearest resemblance to the human form : it has no 
 tail, and walks erect. Its ordinary stature is from 
 three to four feet: its visage is flat, of a tawny colour, 
 and encircled with grey teiir : its eyes are large and. 
 sunk; and, on the whole, it has a remarkable singu- 
 larity of aspect. But the most striking distinction of 
 this animal is, the extraordinary length of its arms, 
 which reach to the ground when it stands in an up- 
 right posture. It feeds on the fruits, leaves, and bark 
 of trees; is of a mild and tractable disposition; and, 
 like all the ape and monkey race, is fond of imitation. 
 It is a native of India, and several of the Oriental 
 islands. 
 
 THE BAHOON 
 
 differs from most animals of the ape kind, not only in 
 external formation, but in its disposition, whicn is 
 fierce and untractable. There are several varieties 
 of this animal, which altogether constitute a fierce 
 and formidable race. The baboon is exceedingly 
 strong; its body and limbs are thick; it tail is about 
 eight inches long; its height, when standing upright, 
 from four to five feet. Its head is large; audits 
 shoulders, which are of an amazing thickness, indi- 
 dicate its prodigious strength : its eyes are small and 
 deeply sunk; its teeth are large and formidable; and 
 in each cheek it has a pouch, into which, when sa- 
 tiated with eating, it puts the remainder of its food. 
 Its body is covered with hair, of a light reddish brown, 
 that on the head is long; the buttocks are generally 
 of u rud colour, and naked. 
 
. 
 
THE DOG BABOON. 
 
 237 
 
 Tiiis animal is of so ferocious a disposition, that 
 neither art nor caresses can render it docile or tract- 
 able : it is not, however, carnivorous, but feeds en- 
 tirely on roots, fruits, and other vegetables. It inha- 
 bits, the hottest parts of Africa; and numerous troops 
 sometimes enter the cultivated parts, and plunder the 
 gardens and fields. 
 
 One of these animals seen by Mr. Pennant, at 
 Chester, was of surprising strength, and extremely 
 fierce: it went on all fours, and never stood erect, 
 unless compelled by its keeper, but would frequently 
 sit on its rump in a crouching attitude, with its arms 
 crossed before the belly. It was particularly fond of 
 cheese and wheat; and whenever any ears of the lat- 
 ter were given to it, it dexterously picked out the 
 grains with its teeth, and ate them. Its voice was a 
 ilnrl of roar, somewhat like that of a lion, except that 
 it was low, and rather inward. This species is re- 
 markably fond of eggs; and one of them has been 
 known to put eight into his pouches at once ; then 
 taking them out singly, he broke them at the end, 
 and swallowed- their contents in the most deliberate 
 manner. 
 
 THE DOG BABOON 
 
 is distinguished by a longer tail than the rest of this 
 numerous tribe, and seems to form the connecting 
 link between the baboon and the monkey kind. It 
 inhabits the hottest regions of Africa and A^ia. It is 
 above five feet high, and exceedingly strong, vicious, 
 nd impudent. These animals herd together in 
 troops, and commit great depredations. Such, in- 
 deed, are the general propensities of all the ape, ba- 
 boon, and monkey kinds, which are all of tj;em ac- 
 tive, cunning and mischievous creatures, and trouble- 
 some neighbours. 
 
 From the baboon race, we shall, my dear Sir, pro- 
 ceed to take a slight view of the monkey species, a 
 class of animals weaker and less formidable than the 
 former-, but equally, dexterous, crafty, and mischiev- 
 ous. 
 
 The varieties of the monkey tribe are so numerous, 
 
S38 LETTER XXXVIII, 
 
 that it is difficult to describe the different species, or 
 even to enumerate their characteristic distinctions. 
 Every country of the torrid zone swarms with these 
 restless, petulant, and troublesome animals; and every 
 forest is enlivened by their restless activity and frq- 
 licsome gambols. The inhabitants of the tropical re- 
 gions regard monkies as one of their greatest pests, 
 as they often do incredible damage among their fields 
 of Indian corn and rice, and indeed are not less de- 
 structive to fruit. Their method of plundering resem- 
 bles that of the baboons, and is conducted with equal 
 dexterity, sagacity, and caution. They are also very 
 troublesome to travellers, by pelting them with stones, 
 dirt and branches of trees. 
 
 Monkies have an extraordinary attachment to their 
 young. This is, indeed, the most laudable trait in 
 their disposition. Both the male and female alter- 
 nately fondle the little cub in their arms, and endea- 
 vour to instruct it in all their own sagacious arts and 
 frolicsome pranks. If the bantling appear disinclin- 
 ed to profit by their example, or refuse to imitate 
 their actions, the parents overcome its obstinacy by 
 well applied chastisement. 
 
 The general food of this tribe of animals is fruit, 
 buds of trees, or succulent roots and plants. Their 
 method of managing an oyster is curious, and ver^ 
 entertaining to those who have an opportunity of 
 witnessing their dexterity. The moment that the 
 mo.nkey sees the shells of the oysters a little open, the' 
 ratty little creature slips a stone between them to 
 prevent them from closing again, and then with its 
 barid liiktis out the fish. 
 
 Of m' 'ikies, naturalists have discovered above fifty 
 dillerent species; you will, therefore, my dear Sir, 
 naturally expect that I shall mention only a few of 
 tht; mosi remarkable. I shall begin with the 
 
 THE MACAQUE, OR HAIR-LIPPED MONKEV. 
 
 This animal is a native of Guinea, Congo, and th* 
 more southern parts of Africa. In size and strength 
 it nearly resembles the baboon : its nostrils are divid- 
 ed like those of the hare: its visage is naked, ugly. 
 
PATAS, CATITRIX, MON'A, AND MJCO. 
 
 239 
 
 :md wrinkled; and its aspect ferocious and disgusting. 
 This kind is subdivided into several varieties, dider- 
 oiit both in size and colour. They are all, however, 
 equally destructive in cultivated grounds, for being 
 extremely nice in their choice, they do more damage 
 by pulling up what dees not please them, than by 
 the quantity which they devour. 
 
 THE FAT AS, OR RED MONKEY. 
 
 is nearly of the same size with the macaque, and is a 
 native of the same country, but much less frightful 
 in its appearance ; its aspect being more agreeable, 
 and its hair of a bright red. These plunder planta- 
 tions and corn fields, like the former, and use the 
 same precautions of placing centinels, which most af 
 the ape, baboon, -and monkey tribes adopt. 
 
 THE CATITRIX, OR GREEN MONKEY,, 
 
 is a beautiful animal. On the back and tail it is of a 
 tine green colour, and the throat and belly are of an 
 elegant silver white. It is common in the Cape de 
 Verd islands, in the north of Africa, and in many 
 parts of the East Indies, 
 
 THE MONA, OR VARIED MONKEY, 
 
 is a native of Arabia, Persia, and the northern parts 
 of Africa, and : is the best known in Europe of all the 
 monkey tribe. Its back and sides art* of a deep, 
 brown colour, with black freckles; the legs, feet, and 
 tail* are black: the inside of the thighs of a pale blue j 
 and on each side of the tail there is usually a large 
 white 'spot: the top of the head is yellow, freckled 
 with black; -its nose is short; its face of a dark lead 
 colour, with the beard on each side long, and of a 
 greenish yellow. When tamed, it will feed on all 
 kinds of victuals, but is particularly fond of fruit, 
 
 Of all the different species of this kind of animals 
 which either continent produces, 
 
 THE MICO, OR FAIR MONKEY, 
 
 is the most beautiful : its body is covered with hair of 
 a silver white: its head is small and round: its face 
 and ears of so lively a verrnillion, that it might be 
 supposed the effect of art; but Nature, in the. variety 
 of her colourings, every where shews that her paint- 
 
340 iETTER XXXVIII. 
 
 ings x:an receive no addition from the efforts of the 
 pencil. The tail of this animal is long, and of a shining 
 deep chesnut colour, and the whole assemblage of its 
 colours and formation gives it an air of uncommon 
 elegance. 
 
 Having now, my dear Sir, laid before you a few of 
 the most remarkable and best known varieties of this 
 numerous, frolicsome, mischievous, and singular race, 
 you will observe, that I have only very slightly 
 touched on this subject of Nature's diversity. Natu- 
 ralists have enumerated, and travellers have observ- 
 ed an almost endless variety of this little bustling 
 class of animals ; and there is scarcely any reason to 
 doubt that the immense woods of the tropical regions 
 contain a number of species which have escaped the 
 eye of every European observer. Although man has 
 so many ages been occupied in examining the ope- 
 rations of Nature in the world of matter and of lite, a 
 great part of the immense abyss yet remains unex- 
 plored ; and perhaps all his genius and industry will 
 never be able to investigate that boundless diversity 
 which the Omnipotent Creator has stamped on his 
 works. If, however, we cannot comprehend th<* 
 depths of his counsels, nor trace all the varieties of 
 his productions, we can so far penetrate the great dc* 
 signs of his plan, as to perceive that our happiness 
 is its object; and explore the wonders of creation suf- 
 ficiently to discover that wisdom, power, and good- 
 ness, are every where conspicuously displayed. 
 
 l)ear Sir, 
 
 Yours, &Q, 
 

 211 
 LETTER XXXIX. 
 
 " Domesticated otters, too, 
 Employ their skill for man." 
 
 DEAR SIR. 
 
 THERE now remains only one more ramification of 
 the quadruped race, which I purpose to exhibit to 
 your vie\v. This is essentially distinguished from the 
 rest of that, class, by the faculty of living equally in 
 the water and on the land, for which reason animals 
 of this kind are usually denominated amphibious, as 
 being inhabitants of two different elements. In the.se 
 T flatter myself you will perceive the attributes of 
 tire Deity not less conspicuously displayed than in 
 all the other classes of animated nature. 
 
 All quadrupeds of this nature have this character- 
 istic distinction, that although they are covered 
 with hair, like the generality of their kind, they 
 are furnished with membranes between their toes, 
 which enable them to swim with facility. Some 
 more nearly resemble the constant inhabitants of the 
 deep, by having their hind foot joined to the body 
 like -fins. 
 
 Tiiii OTTER 
 
 may be said to constitute the first step of this grada- 
 tion between terrestrial and aquatic animctls, the for- 
 mer of which it resembles in exterior appearance arid 
 internal conformation, and the latter in its ability to 
 swim, as Well as in its habit, and mode of subsistance. 
 The usual length of the otter is about, two feet from 
 the tip of the nose to the insertion of the tail, 
 the head and nose is broad and flat, the mouth 
 is formed like that of a fish: the neck is thick 
 und -short, the eyes are small, the tail is long, broad 
 near the body, and gradually tapering to the point: 
 the legs are short, but the joints are extremely pliant. 
 The fur of this animal is of a deep brown, with two 
 small spots on each side of the nose and another un- 
 der the chin. 
 
349 LETTER XXXIX. 
 
 The otter destroys great quantities of fish, of 
 which it is remarkably fond, and which indeed con- 
 stitutes its principal food. In pursuing its prey it 
 commonly swims against the current. 
 
 Otters afe often taken in traps; and the hunting of 
 them is with some a favorite diversion ; the old otter 
 will in this case defend itself against the dogs to the 
 last extremity. They bite keenly, and it is not easy 
 to make them quit their hold. An old otter will 
 never leave its hold but with the loss of life, nor ever 
 make any complaint for the severest wounds. 
 
 When taken young, these animals may be easily 
 tamed, and many instances of the fact have been wit- 
 nessed. Being accustomed in youth to obedience and 
 restraint, they become perfectly domesticated, follow 
 their masters, and employ for his service, their ta- 
 lents in fishing. 
 
 A person who lived near Inverness procured a 
 young otter, which he brought up tame : it would 
 follow him any where, and when called by its name, 
 was always obedient. When apprehensive of dan- 
 ger from dogs, it always sought his protection, and 
 would fly into his arms for safety. It was frequently 
 employed in fishing, and sometimes caught seven or 
 eight salmon in a day. When tired it always refused 
 to fish any longer, and then was rewarded with as 
 much fish as it could eat. When its hunger was sa- 
 tisfied, it always curled itself up quite round, and 
 fell asleep, in which state it was generally carried 
 home. This animal fished in the sea as well as in a 
 river, and often took great numbers of codlings and 
 other fish. Its food was generally fresh fish, it was 
 also very fond of milk. It is indeed remarkable that 
 notwithstanding the otter's avidity for fish, it will not 
 eat it unless it be quite fresh. When it cannot be 
 had in that state, these animals, if kept tame, must 
 be fed with milk, pudding, &c. 
 
 The small otter of Poland, and the north of Eu- 
 rope, is much less than the common kind. Its colour 
 is a dusky brown ; its fur, however, is very valuable, 
 being in beauty esteemed next to that of the sable. 
 
THfi SEA OTTER BEAVER. 24S 
 
 Indeed the fur of all this tribe of animals is more or 
 less raluable, so that although nature has assigned 
 their abode in the solitary recesses of deep rivers and 
 extensive morasses, they are still subservient to the 
 use of man. In none of the species, however, is thi* 
 utility so conspicuous as in that of 
 
 THE SEA OTTER. 
 
 This is an animal of extraordinary importance in 
 the commercial system of two of the greatest and 
 most powerful empires on the face of the globe ; for 
 their skins are sold by the Russians to the Chinese, 
 at the rate of eighty, and even sometimes a hundred 
 rubles a piece. In return for this particular article 
 of export the Russians receive some of the most va- 
 luable cemmodities of China, and thus the skins of 
 these animals, together with a variety of others, 
 which furnish to the fur trade an inexhaustible sup- 
 ply, constitute, as already observed,, a lucrative 
 branch of commerce. 
 
 The fur of the sea otter is long and thick set, ge- 
 nerally of a beautiful glossy black, but in some of a fine 
 shining silver colour. Its legs are thick and short, and 
 the toes joined by a web. Its length from nose to 
 tail is about four feet or something more. The largest 
 of these animals weigh eighty pounds. 
 
 The flesh of the young otter is reckoned very de- 
 licate, and is scarcely distinguishable from lamb. 
 
 Kamtschatka, and the opposite coasts of America, 
 with the numerous islands which lie between the two 
 continents, are the countries where the sea otter prin- 
 cipally abounds, and which, with the rest of the furry 
 tribes, render these barren and remote regions in the 
 eastern extremity of Asia, of great importance to the 
 Russian Empire. 
 
 THE BEAVER 
 
 is an animal in which the power of instinct appears 
 in an eminent degree, and indeed exhibits itself in a 
 form of which few traces can be found in the brute 
 creation. Of all quadrupeds it is the most industri- 
 ous; and its labours seem to be the result of a social 
 compact formed for mutual preservation, support, arid 
 
 M 2 
 
LETTER XXXIX. 
 
 conveniency. If we contemplate this animal in its 
 solitary state, we shall not find it distinguished by any 
 superiority of instinctive sagacity above the rest of 
 the quadruped race. It is by viewing it in his social 
 condition that we shall find its pre-eminence. 
 
 In the month of June, or at the latest in July, the 
 beavers begin to assemble, in order to form a society, 
 which continues the greatest ptirt of the year. A com- 
 pany of two or three hundred is immediately collect- 
 ed. These arrive from diiierent parts, and seem to 
 be directed by an irresistible impulse, to one particu- 
 lar place, where they fix their abode. This is always 
 by the siile of some river or lake. If it be a fanning 
 stream, of which the waters are liable to rise and fail 
 their first undertaking is to construct a pier or dam 
 quite across, so as to. form a dead water above and be- 
 low. In some situations the length of this dam is not 
 less than a hundred feet, and frequently ten or twelve 
 feet thick at the base. If we compare the magnitude 
 of the work with the powers of the architect, it Mill 
 appear enormous, but the solidity with which it is 
 constructed is still more astonishing. That part 01 
 the river where the water is the shallowest is com- 
 monly chosen, especially if there be a large tree 
 growing on its. bank. This tree they immediately set 
 .about gnawing down with their teeth, which is per- 
 formed with astonishing speed and dexterity. Other 
 trees are then cut down in the same manner, higher 
 up the stream, which they float down by water to the 
 dam, where having, with their teeth, cut oil' the 
 branches, they place them upright against the large 
 tree, which constitutes the foundation of the whole 
 work. While some are thus busied in fixing the 
 stakes, others are employed in collecting twigs, inter- 
 weaving and twisting them into the jetty work, and a 
 numerous party is occupied in collecting, large quan- 
 tities of earth, stones, clay and other solid, materials, 
 which they place on that side of the piles next th<> 
 stream. By these joint efforts they construct a 
 mouud .of great strength and capable of supporting 
 the pressure of a considerable weight of water. 
 
THE liEAYl-.Il. 245 
 
 \Vhcn there is a lake conveniently situated for their 
 purpose, this Herculean work of constructing a 
 *n<iind is unnecessary, and they never fail of chusing 
 Mich a situation if the face of the country afford them 
 an opportunity. 
 
 The mole being completed, their next care is the 
 erection of their houses. These are built on pile* 
 close to the edge, of the water, and are generally of 
 a form either circular or oval. They mostly consist 
 of three stories, of which the first is below the level 
 iff tin- (Uivn, and consequently full of water. The 
 asmrtiiients are about four or five feet in diameter, 
 and the walls about U\o feet thick, neatly plastered 
 on the inside with day. At the top the building is 
 i liki! an oven, and tesemblcs a dome. These 
 i-'Jiiiees arc constructed with such solidity as to be 
 impenetrable to the heaviest rains, and to defy the 
 force of the most impetuous winds. Each house has 
 two openings, one for an excursion by land, the other 
 for a ready entrance into the water, .in order at once 
 to render convenient the procuring of subsistence and 
 to facilitate the means of escape in case of surprise. 
 The number of houses in one of their settlements, is 
 usually from fifteen to twenty-five. Each family h;is 
 its own district, its own magazines, and its own habi- 
 tation ; and no strangers are ever suffered to intrude. 
 3::.ch beaver has its own bed of moss, and each family 
 its own hoard of winter provision, which consists 
 principally of the bark and boughs of trees. The 
 latter they pile up with great regularity, and use it 
 as their wants require. In the front of their house?, 
 facing the water, they leave au opening, which serves 
 as a window, and at the same time as a balcony, 
 where they can sit and enjoy the fresh air. They 
 spend a groat part of the day in bathing, -uid almost 
 always retain in the water an upright posture, their 
 head and fore parts not being often immersed. 
 
 No predaceous animals daxe attack the united re- 
 public of beavers in their fortified settlements. Man 
 is the only enemy they have to fear. Aiinmg them- 
 
LETTER XXXIX. 
 
 selves a profound peace always subsists, however nu- 
 merous may be the inhabitants of their colony, which 
 sometimes amount to three or four hundred. A com- 
 mon series of toil strengthens their union: the convc- 
 niencies which their joint efforts have procured, and 
 the abundance of provisions which they have amass- 
 ed, render them easy and happy in their respective 
 families. Having moderate appetites, and entertain- 
 ing an aversion to blood and carnage, th'ey have nei- 
 ther inducements nor inclination to hostility and ra- 
 pine; but enjoy a tranquillity which it is a pity that 
 human rapaciousness should ever disturb. This, how- 
 ever, is frequently done for the sake of their skins, 
 and the drug called castorum, which is produced from 
 this animal, and is found in a liquid state, in bags of 
 skin about the size of an egg. This matter, when 
 dried, is capable of pulverization. It is of an oily 
 nature, of a pungent bitter taste, and of a disagree- 
 able smell, but of considerable use and efficacy in 
 medicine. 
 
 The skins of these animals vary in colour : in ge- 
 neral they are of a chesnut brown, more or less dark> 
 h*U- the most valuable are black. These furs consti- 
 tute a valuable article of commerce. Many thou- 
 sands are annually imported into Europe from Ame- 
 rica. In 1763, the Hudson-bay Company sold 
 M, 670 beaver skins at one sale. 
 
 The Indian hunters, lured by European commodi- 
 ties, explore the inmost recesses of the American con- 
 tinent in order to discover the retreats of these ino'f- 
 fensive animals, and procure as great a number of 
 skins as possible, which they barter chiefly for the 
 noxious articles of spirituous liquors and tobacco. 
 
 Commerce, my dear Sir, like every thing else in 
 this world, is productive of a mixture of good and 
 evil. This is the case with ail things here below. 
 The ways of Divine Providence are inscrutable; 
 but, in all probability, this mysterious dispensa- 
 tion is designed to teach us that our present life is no 
 more than a state of probation, and to prevent our too 
 ardent attachment to its temporary comforts and 
 pleasures. 
 
THE BEAVER. 
 
 The wonderful animal of which I have just been 
 displaying the disposition and habits, is remarkable 
 for th size and strength of its cutting teeth, which 
 enable it to gnaw down trees of great magnitude, 
 with incredible facility and dispatch. It does not 
 bear in its aspect any striking impression of superior 
 sagacity; its ears are short and its nose blunt j its fore 
 feet are small, but its hind feet large and strong, with 
 membranes connecting the toes. Its length from 
 nose to tail is generally about three feet: the tail is 
 about eleven inches long .and three broad, being 
 nearly of an oval form, flat, and covered with scales. 
 This tail, so different from that of other quadruped?, 
 serves not only as a rudder to direct its motions in the 
 water, but as a most useful instrument for laying oil 
 the clay in constructing and plastering its habitations. 
 The senses of the beaver are extremely acute, its 
 smelling in particular is so delicate that it will not 
 suffer any filth, or any thing of a disagreeable scent, 
 to remain in or near its apartments. 
 
 There are at present in the Menagerie at Exeter 
 'Change, two male beavers, which are very tame, and 
 will even suffer strangers to handle them. They fre- 
 quently sit upright, to eat or look about them, and 
 often play with each other in a gay and frolicsome 
 manner. If any thing moveable be put into their 
 small apartment, they appear highly pleased, and 
 drag it about, but have never been known to carry 
 any thing about on their tails. They subsist princi- 
 pally on the bark of trees and bread ; but such is 
 their propensity to gnaw timber, that they would 
 soon eat their way out, if allowed the full range 
 of a room. 
 
 I have, my dear Sir, been somewhat particular in 
 giving you a description of this extraordinary animal 
 and its astonishing works, stupendous fabrics indeed 
 they may be called when we reflect on the simplicity 
 of the means employed, and consider that their teeth, 
 their feet, and their tails, are all the instruments which 
 they use for the accomplishment of such great under- 
 takings. The beaver, indeed, is a subject on which all 
 M* 
 
LETTf.K XXXIX. 
 
 zoologists have expatiated, and which exhibits a re- 
 markable display of instinctive -sagacity, worthy the 
 r.tlenticn'of every mind ihat delights in contemplat- 
 ing the wonders of creation: especially when we 
 consider the regularity with which their works arc 
 carried on, and the order and discipline which per- 
 vade their societies. 
 
 v\n overseer is always chosen among them, whose 
 onlvrs are punctually "l.-ycd; and a smart slr<k 
 wiih his tail upon the water is his word of command, 
 whenever the united force of numbers is necessary to 
 be applied. The same signal is also used on, the ap- 
 proach of an enemy, to warn the society of its dan- 
 j.-t'r. On such occasions each beaver, -as he thinks it 
 rxpediciU, either conceals himself hi hid habitation, 
 or plunges into the water, and immediately disap- 
 pears. 
 
 You will be ready to ask, by what secret cpunsels 
 are these animals moved to unanimity of design, , by 
 v>'h.-t pcv/cr impelled to vuilformity oi' action? They 
 ure guided, my dear Sir, by that Being who has regu- 
 lated the propensities, the instincts, and operations of 
 all animal existence; the God of nature is their un- 
 erring director. 
 
 THE WALRUS OR SEA-HORSE 
 
 is an animal perfectly amphibious, and far more at- 
 tached to the watery element than the beaver. In 
 its habits, .indeed, it seems to approach nearer to the 
 nature of fishes than to that of quadrupeds, although 
 naturalists have generally included it in the latter de- 
 nomination. 
 
 The sea-horse- grows to a large size, and has some- 
 times been found eighteen feet in length, and twelve 
 in circumference at the thickest part. Its upper jaw 
 is armed with two large tusks, sometimes above two 
 feet in length, and weighing from twelve to twenty 
 pounds. These, teeth together with its fat, are what 
 stamps a value on tnis animal, as they are equal to 
 th'-'-t: of the elephant in beauty and dun.bilily, and 
 the /at of a well grown sea horse is said to yield half 
 a ton of oil, eqau] in goodness to that of the whale.. 
 
THE WALRUS, OR SEA-HORSE. 249 
 
 The skin of this animal is thick, and wrinkled, 
 with a covering of short brownish hair. Its legs are 
 short, and its toes, 'which are five on each foot, are 
 connected by membranous webs, the hind feet are 
 very broad; it throws up water with its nostrils like a 
 whale. 
 
 The sea-horse is chiefly found in the northern, 
 seas. 
 
 Great herds of them are sometimes seen basking 
 on the shore, or sleeping on a field of ice. \V hen- 
 alarmed they throw themselves into the water with 
 extreme precipitation. If wounded, they become 
 bold and furious, ami unite for their own defence. 
 On these occasions they will attack a boat and at- 
 tempt to sink it, by striking their teeth into its sides, 
 bellowing at the same time in a most hideous man- 
 ner. 
 
 The following anecdote related in " Hearne's Jour- 
 ney to the Northern Ocean," may perhaps be deem- 
 ed "worthy your attention. " In the year 1766, 
 
 some of the crew of a sloop sailing to trade with t-he 
 Esquimaux, were attacked in their boat by a great 
 number of walrusses; and notwithstanding every at- 
 tempt to keep them oif, a small one got in over the stern, 
 and after looking at the men some time, again plung- 
 ed into the water. Another of an enormous size then- 
 attempted to get in over the bow; and every other 
 means proving inetlectual to prevent such an intru- 
 sion, the bowman put the muzzle-of a loaded gun into- 
 the animal's mouth, and' shot him dead. II .e imme- 
 diately sunk, and the people, reached their vessel just 
 before his enraged companions were ready to make 
 u fresh attack. 
 
 Tins animal feeds on sea-weeds, and small fish. In 
 climbing upon the rocks, and pieces of ice, it makes 
 use of its teeth as hooks to secure its-hold, and then: 
 draws up its unwieldy body. 
 
 The white bear is an implacable enemy to the sea-- 
 ; and dreadful conflicts are said to happen some- 
 's between them, in which the formidable tusks of- 
 latter generally render it victorious, ' 
 J 
 
250 LETTER XXXIX. 
 
 THE SEAL 
 
 is another amphibious animal, which seem,* to consti- 
 tute one of the last steps of gradation between the 
 race of quadrupeds and fishes, and which, although 
 generally classed by naturalists among the former, ap- 
 pears to partake in a greater degree of the nature and 
 habits of the latter. It is found, with some variation 
 of species, in almost every quarter of the globe; but 
 chiefly abounds in the northern seas of Europe, Asia, 
 and America, and in the unfrequented regions to- 
 wards the south pole. 
 
 The usual length of this animal is five or six feet. 
 It is covered with short hair of various colours, 
 smooth, shining. It has five toes on each foot, which 
 are armed with strong sharp claws, whereby it is en- 
 abled to climb the rocks on which it delights to bask 
 in the sun. On the unpeopled shores, of the icy 
 seas under the arctic and antarctic circles, and still 
 nearer to the poles, these animals may be seen by 
 thousands on the rocks, or on the sandy beach. The 
 female sits on her hind legs while she suckles her 
 young. The growth of seals is amazingly rapid, and 
 the dam, after bringing them forth on the land, soon 
 carries them "with her into the sea, and learns them 
 to swim; when they are weary she places them on- 
 her back. The old ones are very attentive to their 
 young, which in their turn are docile and obedient. 
 
 The flesh of the seal was formerly esteemed a deli- 
 cacy, although now but seldom eaten. That it was 
 once admitted to the tables of the great is evident, 
 from its constituting an article in the bill of fare of 
 .ihat sumptuous entertainment given by Archbishop 
 Neville, in the reign of Edward IV. though perhaps 
 scarcely a peasant in the kingdom would, at this day, 
 be willing to make it a part of his dinner. Such is the 
 change uf manners, such the influence of custom. 
 
 If the flesh of this animal be fallen into disrepute, 
 the oil produced by its fat is perhaps held in higher 
 estimation, and sought with greater avidity than at 
 the period alluded to, or in any of the preceding ages : 
 a ycwng seal yields above eight gallons of this oil. 
 
THE SEAL. 
 
 Their skins are also very valuable, and are made into 
 a beautiful sort of leather used for shoes, and various 
 other purposes, so that if the seal be no longer consi- 
 dered as a delicacy of the table, it forms an important 
 article of trade. 
 
 When taken young these animals are capable of 
 being tamed, and will even answer to a name, and 
 follow their masters like a dog. A seal was exhibit- 
 ed in London, in the year 1750, which would answer 
 to its keeper's call, take food from his hand, stretch 
 out its neck as if to salute him, and crawl in and out 
 of the water at command. Another animal of the 
 same species was so far domesticated, that though 
 taken out to sea every day, and thrown in from a 
 boat, it invariably swam after its master, and allowed 
 itself to be retaken without any attempt to escape. 
 When at home it was generally kept in a vessel of 
 salt water, but sometimes crawled about the house, 
 and even approached the fire. 
 
 There are, as already observed, several varieties of 
 this animal, of which the most remarkable. are the 
 Leonine and Ursine Seal ; but these I shall, for bre- 
 vity sake, omit, especially as their general character- 
 istics and commercial importance are nearly the 
 same. I shall therefore pass forward to the last tribe 
 of quadrupeds, which I wish to recommend to your 
 notice. Leaving you therefore to reflect on the ef- 
 fects of human ingenuity and industry in deriving so 
 great advantages from the inferior creatures, and es- 
 pecially on the beniticence of the Creator, in render- 
 ing the animal race so eminently subservient to the 
 benefit of man, I shall conclude, by assuring you that 
 I am, with sincere affection, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
252 
 
 LETTER XL. 
 
 " Now all isliush'd, save where the weak-eyed bat. 
 With short shrill shrieks, flits by on leathern wing " 
 
 COI L1NS. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 the last described class of animals seems to con- 
 nect the animal inhabitants of the earth -with those of 
 the seas, the tribe which I am now going to present 
 to your view appears to join, in a similar manner, the 
 former with the people of the air, so that between 
 quadrupeds, fishes, and volatiles, there is no distinct 
 interval, no chasm in the long gradation of animal 
 life. 
 
 THE BAT 
 
 is distinguished from every other quadruped by being 
 furnished with wings; for which reason it is, by the 
 peasants, generally ranked among volatiles, and some 
 naturalists seem doubtful in what class of animal ex- 
 istence its station ought to be assigned. However, as 
 it has all the characteristics of quadrupeds, Linneus 
 refers it to that class, to which indeed it is allied by 
 its external and internal structure, while its resem- 
 blance to the volatile race consists solely in the facul- 
 ty of flying. 
 
 THE COMMON BAT 
 
 is well known, and ikcjently seen in this country, 
 us well as in almost every part of Europe. It is 
 somewhat less than a mouse, and the extent of the 
 wings is seven or eight inches. These are only mem- 
 branous webs, resemolthg thin leather, and extending 
 from the fore i\:et to the rail : the hind feet have each 
 live toes armed with claws; the body is covered with 
 a very short anil soft fur; the eyes are very snm!J, 
 and the ears like those of a mouse, to which animal 
 it bears no small resemblance hi its general asr/eer, 
 but is somewhat darker in colour: it has four ctHting 
 teeth in the upper and six in the under jaw. 
 About the end of summer this creature relires to 
 
THE GREAT BAT THE YAMPYRE. 253 
 
 caves, old buildings, and hollow trees, where it re- 
 mains during winter in a state of torpidity. Some of 
 them cover themselves close with their wings, and 
 suspend themselves by their hind feet, and others 
 stick fast to old walls. 
 
 All the bats known in Europe are perfectly inoffen- 
 sive; but in the tropical climates, they not only grow 
 to a large size, but are of a more formidable nature. 
 I shall give you a concise description of two of the 
 most remarkable species. 
 
 THE GREAT DAT OF TERNATE AND MADAGASCAR 
 
 is about a foot long, and four feet in breadth, when its 
 wings are expanded. It has large canine teeth, and 
 the tongue pointed : its nose is sharp, and its ears 
 large and naked. It has five toes on the hind feet 
 armed with strong hooked claws: it has no tail, and 
 its general colour is a dusky brown. 
 
 These formidable -creatures are extremely voraci- 
 ous, and sometimes assemble in such prodigious flocks 
 as to darken the air; devouring indiscriminately 
 every kind both of vegetable and animal food that 
 lies in their way. Butt'.m imagines that the ancients 
 borrowed from these creatures, their ideas of the har- 
 pies, and it nfust be acknowledged that they corre- 
 spond almost exactly with the description given by 
 the poets of those fabulous monsters; but that the an- 
 cients were acquainted with these animals or with the 
 countries where they are found, is extremely pro- 
 blematical. Like the fabulous harpies, their figure is 
 uncouth, and their disposition fierce und voracious. A 
 hundred or two of tlu-a; may sometimes be seen hang- 
 ing on r, tree, with their heads downward -and theit 
 wings folded, in which manner they repose during 
 the day; but in the u'.ght they make a horrible noise 
 in the forests. When young they are eaten by tlu: 
 inhabitants of the countries where ihey are found, 
 and are esteemed excellent food. 
 
 THE VAMPYUE, OR -SPECTRE BAT OF S, AMERICA 
 
 is a most formidable and dangerous creature, and, al- 
 though not remarkable either for size or strength, is 
 the common pest of men and animals in those parts 
 
 
 
LETTER XL. 
 
 where it abounds; for it destroys every thing that has 
 life which it finds asleep and exposed to its attack. It 
 sleeps in the day, and, according to Ulloa, comes 
 abroad in the evening, when such multitudes make 
 their appearance as to cover the towns and villages 
 with a widely extended canopy. 
 
 The vampyre is the most terrible and dexterous 
 phlebotomist in nature. Its nose is long, and has at 
 the end a membrane of a conical form, somewhat re- 
 sembling a horn, but flexible, which not only gives it 
 a hideous disgusting aspect, but also furnishes it with a 
 formidable and dangerous weapon, which it insinuates 
 with inconceivable dexterity into the veins of any crea- 
 ture it finds asleep, without giving it sufficient pain 
 to awake it. It is therefore extremely dangerous to 
 sleep abroad in the countries where the vampyre is 
 common, as it sucks the blood with such avidity that 
 persons attacked by it frequently pass from a sound 
 sleep to an eternal repose. 
 
 Captain Stedman, during his stay in Surinam, was 
 attacked in his sleep by a vampyre bat, as appears in 
 the following extract from his narrative. "-I cannot 
 forbear" says the captain, " relating a singular cir- 
 cumstance respecting myself, viz. that on waking 
 about four o'clock one morning in my hammock, I 
 was extremely alarmed at finding myself weltering in 
 congealed blood, without feeling any pain whatever. 
 Having started up, I rang for the surgeon. The mys- 
 tery, however, was that I had been bitten by the 
 vampyre, or spectre of Guiana. Having applied to- 
 bacco ashes as the best remedy, and washed the gore 
 from myself and my hammock, I observed several 
 small heaps of congealed blood a.15 round the place 
 where I had lain, upon tht> ground ; on examining 
 which the surgeon judged that I had lost twelve or 
 fourteen ounces during the night." 
 
 The vampyre is equally destructive to animals as 
 to the human race; for according to M. de Conda- 
 mine, it has in many parts of South America, destroy- 
 ed all the cattle introduced into the country by the 
 settlers from Europe. 
 
STltUCTURE OF BIRDS. 
 
 355 
 
 I have now, my dear Sir, exhibited to your view 
 the most remarkable varieties of this curious species, 
 which seem to link the quadruped with the volatile 
 part of the creation. It would be useless, perhaps 
 even impossible, to display all the distinguishing cha- 
 racteristics of the various tribes, which exist in every 
 country, and are all discriminated from one another 
 by some peculiarity of form or disposition. We have 
 already seen that of several kinds of animals,, espe- 
 cially those that are \videlv diffused, the varieties 
 produced by difference of soik,and climate, in con- 
 junction with other circumstances, are innumerable, 
 and baffle every effort of research. By this time, 
 however, I am fully persuaded you have learned to 
 observe that amidst the infinitely diversified produc- 
 tions of creative power, various degrees of utility arc 
 not less conspicuous than variety of form and differ- 
 ence of faculties: composing one general and uniform 
 plan, in every part of which wisdom, order, and fit- 
 ness are eminently displayed. 
 
 With every wish for your health, prosperity and 
 intellectual improvement, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER XLL 
 
 Ye birds, 
 
 That singing up to heaven-gatt'S ascend, 
 
 liear on your win^s, and in your notes His praise '' 
 
 MI l.TOV, 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 HAVING led you through the interesting range cf 
 the first grand division of animated nature, the se- 
 cond now presents itself to your view, and claims in 
 an eminent degree your attention. 
 
 The volatile race constitutes this division, as that of 
 quadrupeds composes the first; and the power, the 
 wisdom, and the goodness of the Creator, ure display- 
 
&5G LETTER XLI. 
 
 ed equally in both. We have observed the different 
 kinds of quadrupeds, distinguished by the various 
 characteristics of beauty, strength, and utility, and 
 shall now contemplate in the feathered tribes, the 
 same creative energy of nature, or to speak with 
 greater precision, of the God of nature, whose plastic 
 hand has embellished them with so great a variety of 
 colours, given them such a diversity of instincts, suit- 
 able to their modes of lite ; and furnished them in so 
 admirable a manner, with a conformation of body 
 perfectly corresponding with their habits and disposi- 
 tions. 
 
 Quadrupeds, living on the earth like man, and, in a 
 great measure on the same kinds of food, bear a con- 
 siderable resemblance to him in their general confor- 
 mation; but the structure of birds is totally different 
 from both. Instead of those characteristics of strength, 
 observable in the-formation of the generality of qua- 
 drupeds, the volatile tribes seem peculiarly calculated 
 for escape, and every part of their organization, ana- 
 tomically considered, proves the completeness of 
 their mechanism. Their whole frame is wisely cal- 
 culated to facilitate their motion through the yielding 
 air. Every part is formed for lightness ami buoy- 
 ancy. The position of their feathers all lying one- 
 way, and generally pointing backwards, and folding 
 over one another in exact and regular order, not only 
 causes them to glide easily through the air, but, toge- 
 ther with the soft down next their bodies, protects 
 them from the piercing cold of ihe atmosphere, to 
 which they would, without this fence, be more than 
 any other creatures exposed. 
 
 Their wings are constructed in the most wonderful 
 manner, and, although made of the lightest materials, 
 are furnished with such a degree of power as to imp*: 1 
 their bodies forward with astonishing rapidity. In 
 some birds the strength of wing is almost inconceiv- 
 able, and, were it not verified by observation and ex- 
 periment, would appear incredible. The swan, with 
 a flap of his wing, is able to break a man's leg, and it 
 is said that a similar stroke from an eagle has been 
 
CAN1VOKOUS BIRDS. 
 
 kitown to kill a man instantaneously. The method 
 which nature has provided for the preservation of this 
 curnfus texture of feathers with which the volatile 
 part of the creation is clothed, will merit our atten- 
 tion. 
 
 Lest they should be damaged by their violent attri- 
 tion against the air, or by imbibing the moisture of 
 the atmosphere, birds are furnished with a gland, si- 
 tuated on the rump, containing an oil, which they can 
 press out with the bill, and with which they anoint 
 their Feathers. In water-fowls this oil is so plentiful 
 that by it their plumage is rendered completely wa- 
 ter-proof. 
 
 In all birds the rye is peculiarly calculated for dis- 
 tant vision, and the ear for accurate and quick per- 
 ception; and their sense of smelling is exceedingly 
 acute. Their legs and feet are admirably adapted to 
 the diiTbront purposes for which they are design* d, 
 being light, compact, and bony. In water-fowl the 
 toes are joined by a ligament of tough skin, to facili- 
 tate their swimming, and render them fit for the ele- 
 ment in which nature has destined them chiefly to 
 live, while in others they are constructed for their se- 
 curity in perching upon trees. 
 
 Carnivorous birds, like carnivorous beasts, have but 
 one stomach, and their intestines are much shorter 
 than those of such as are granivorous. The latter 
 have, in addition to the crop, or stomach, where their 
 food is moistened, a second stomach, called the gizzard, 
 in which the digestion is completed. This is com- 
 posed of two hard and strong muscular substances, 
 and its extraordinary powers in comminuting the 
 food, would exceed the bounds of credibility, were 
 they not attested by incontrovertible facts, the result 
 of experiments made by Spalanzani, who proved that 
 the stomachs of turkeys and common poultry, had 
 the power of breaking to pieces and digesting glass, 
 tin, and iron. Some of the experiments of this natu- 
 ralist, however, seem to be of too cruel a nature to be 
 proposed for imitation; and it does not appear con- 
 histent with the will of the Great Author of Nature, 
 
LETTER XLI. 
 
 that we should indulge our curiosity, or acquire, at the 
 best, an useless knowledge, by tortures inflicted on 
 any of his creatures; especially as without such 
 means, the multifarious variety displayed both in the 
 physical and moral world, is sufficient to exercise the 
 greatest genius, and the most indefatigable research. 
 
 It is remarkable, that birds of the granivorous kind 
 frequently swallow a number of small stones, which 
 are often found in their stomachs, and which assist di- 
 gestion, by grinding down the grain, and separating 
 its parts. 
 
 Between carnivorous birds and carnivorous quadru- 
 peds, there seems to be a visible analogy both in their 
 structure and disposition. Both are provided with 
 weapons of rapine and destruction : their manners are 
 fierce and unsocial, and they seldom herd together 
 like those of the granivorous class. Rapacious birds 
 retire to the tops of sequestered rocks, or the depths 
 of extensive deserts, where, like the predaceous qua- 
 drupeds, they conceal themselves in gloomy solitude. 
 The granivorous tribes, on the contrary, like those 
 quadrupeds which feed on herbage, are gentle, in- 
 offensive, and social ; and may, for the most part, be 
 easily domesticated. Man has in consequence availed 
 himself of this tractable disposition, and judiciously 
 selected from the numbers which on every side sur- 
 round him, such as were likely to be the most useful ; 
 among which the hen, the goose, the turkey, the. 
 duck, and the pigeon, are the principal, and furnish 
 us with a store of nutritious and palatable food. 
 
 To enter into a minute history of the feathered part 
 of the creation, is, my dear Sir, incompatible with our 
 present purpose : one particular circumstance, how- 
 ever, has been so long the subject of remark and in- 
 vestigation, that it cannot be suffered to pass unno- 
 ticed. 
 
 The annual migrations of those, which from that 
 circumstance are denominated birds of passage, have 
 exercised the speculation of all ornithologists, and 
 given rise to a variety of conjectures among writers 
 on that subject. Most birds are, in some measure. 
 
MIGRATION OF BlflDS. 259 
 
 birds of passage ; for although they do not migrate to 
 distant regions, the greatest part of them make fre- 
 quent removals from one neighbouring district to an- 
 other, or from the interior of the country to the sea- 
 coast. The causes f these migrations, although en- 
 veloped in obscurity, appear, according to the most 
 probable conjectures, to arise from the failure of their 
 accustomed food, or the change of the seasons. 
 
 The manner of performing the long flights, which 
 many of those birds take across immense tracts of wa- 
 ter before they arrive at any place of rest, throws for- 
 midable difficulties in the way of investigation; but 
 we ought, my dear Sir, to consider, that being accus- 
 tomed to measure distance, with relation to time, by 
 the speed of those animals, with which we are well 
 acquainted, we are apt to overlook the superior velo- 
 city of birds, and the ease with which they continue 
 their exertions. 
 
 Our swiftest horses are supposed to go at the rate of 
 half a mile in somewhat less than one minute ; but 
 such a degree of exertion soon produces debility, and 
 cannot be long continued. With birds, the case is 
 very different; their motions are not impeded by si- 
 milar causes. They glide through the air with a ve- 
 locity superior to that of the fleetest quadruped, and 
 can for a great length of time continue their motion. 
 If we suppose a bird to proceed at the rate of no 
 more than a mile in two minutes for the space of 
 twenty-four hours, it will, in that time, have passed 
 over an extent of more than seven hundred miles; 
 and, if aided by a favourable current of air, there is 
 reason to suppose that the same may be performed in 
 a much shorter space of time. 
 
 If it be asked how they know the time when to 
 commence their migrations, and in what manner to 
 direct their course, it may with great propriety be 
 answered, that the same All-ruling Power which be- 
 stowed reason on us has given instinct to them : the 
 changes in the atmosphere may indicate the proper 
 time of removal; and it is also to be observed, that 
 their course is determined rather by the weather. 
 
'2 JO LETTEIt XL!. 
 
 than the situation of countries; and that they remove 
 from a colder to a warmer climate, or the reverse, as 
 the state of the air and their own feelings give the 
 impulse and direction. 
 
 The migrations of the. swallow and the cnckoo, 
 have been particularly noticed by every writer on 
 ornithology, and various opinions have been formed 
 respecting their disappearance, and the state in which 
 they subsist (hiring that interval. 
 
 However, after all the enquiries of naturalists into 
 this mysterious branch of animal oeconomy, the sub- 
 ject remains involved in no small degree of obscurity ; 
 and, after all our researches, we are not yet certain 
 into what regions of the globe these birds emigrate. 
 You will not, therefore, be displeased, if I close the 
 subject with these beautiful Ymvs of the poet: 
 
 " Amusive birds say where your hid retreat, 
 When the frost rages and the tempests beat ; 
 Whence your return by such nice instinct led, 
 When spring, sweet season ! lifts her bloomy head ? 
 Such baffled searches mock mail's prying pride j 
 The God of Nature is your secret guide." 
 
 Leaving you for a while in expectation of the en- 
 tertainment you will find in contemplating so beauti- 
 ful and so curious a branch of animated nature as the 
 leathered part of the creation, I shall for the present 
 conclude, with assuring you, that with every senti- 
 ment of affectionate respect, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &e; 
 
LETTER XLIL 
 
 f! Gavest thou tlie goodly wings with the peacock, 
 Or wili^js and feathers with the at rich?" 
 
 BOOK OF JOB. 
 BEAR SIR, 
 
 JLN fulfilling my promise of giving you a sketch of 
 some of the most remarkable of the winged inhabit- 
 ants of the air, which, by the vivacity of their mo- 
 tions, the beauty of their plumage, or the melody of 
 their notes, enliven the general picture of nature; I 
 shall, for the sake of methodical arrangement, endea- 
 vour to follow the divisions which most naturalists 
 have adopted, and class them under the following 
 heads, viz. the rapacious kind, the poultry kind, the 
 pie kind, the sparrow kind, the crane kind, and the 
 aquatic kind; but not, perhaps, without indulging ill 
 some partial deviations. 
 
 I shall, in the first place, my dear Sir, make another 
 division, which some ornithologists have adopted, and 
 others neglected, and consider in a distinct view a 
 few of the feathered tribes which^do not seem proper- 
 Iv to come under any of the above-mentioned deno- 
 minations. 
 
 Among volatiles, each genius is not only distin- 
 guished by its appropriate characteristics of size, co^ 
 jour, and conformation, but also by the difference f 
 their notes, and the various modes of flight, which, to 
 the practical ornithologist, ail'ord, at a distance, the 
 surest means of discrimination. From the bold and 
 lofty soaring of the eagle, to the short and sudden 
 Sittings, of the wren, there is an ample Reid for the 
 curious investigator of nature, in which thu Jtnind niay 
 expatiate with deiight, in contemplating thv various 
 movements of the winged"- nations*, soaring or. flutter- 
 ing around on every side. A certain class, however, 
 does not possess the faculty of Hying; and as we have 
 already observed, in- speaking of the baty these seem 
 
2G2 LETTER XLII. 
 
 to form one of the connecting links in the great chain 
 of animal life. 
 
 As the bat seems to be the last in the class of qua- 
 drupeds, and to make the nearest approach to that of 
 volatiles, so the ostrich, the emu, the cassowary, and 
 the dodo, appear the least removed from the former, 
 and may be considered as constituting the first gra- 
 dation of the latter class. 
 
 THE OSTRICH 
 
 has been noticed from the remotest antiquity, for we 
 find it included by Moses among the birds which 
 were accounted unclean: that it was well known to 
 the Israelites and Egyptians at so early a period is 
 not indeed surprising, as it inhabits scarcely any other 
 countries than the sandy deserts bordering on Egypt 
 and Palestine. It appears, indeed, perfectly adapted 
 to those arid regions, where eternal sterility reigns. 
 It delights to range in those immense solitudes, 
 where, if nature, parched with almost perpetual 
 drought, produce but few vegetables, and still less 
 water, its appetite requires but little selection to gra- 
 tify it; and its powers of digestion are inconceivable. 
 Its voracity is such, that it feeds not only on every 
 thing that is edible, but voraciously devours leather, 
 glass, iron, and stones. When an ostrich is killed, its 
 stomach is found crammed with such an assemblage 
 of incongruous substances, as appears astonishing; 
 and were not the fact well known, would be abso- 
 lutely incredible. It is asserted that this bird never 
 drinks; and the aridity of the deserts which it inha- 
 bits, gives a sanction to this opinion. 
 
 The ostrich, in its general figure, resembles the ca- 
 mel, and might at a distance be mistaken for that ani- 
 mal. It is undoubtedly the largest of all birds, being 
 nearly as hrgh as a man on horseback. It measures 
 seven feet from the top of the head to the feet, but 
 from the back only four ; its neck is consequently 
 three feet long. When the neck is stretched out, it 
 measures six feet from the head to the rump. Each 
 wing with the feathers is about three feat in length, 
 and about hali as long without them. 
 

THE OSTRICH. 
 
 The plumage is that which causes the ostrich to be 
 the most highly esteemed. It is almost every where 
 considered as an elegant article of personal decora- 
 tion. In most of the species its colour is a mixture of 
 black and white, but in some it is said to be grey. 
 The feathers of the tail and wings are held in such 
 high estimation, as to constitute, in some countries, 
 no inconsiderable article of commerce ; and the bird 
 is hunted merely for their sake. All the other parts 
 of its body and thighs are bare, the latter are ex- 
 tremely large and fleshy : the legs are covered with 
 large scales : the end of the foot is cloven, and has 
 two very large toes, one near seven, and the other 
 about four inches long. 
 
 This bird has been erroneously represented as de- 
 void of natural aftection; but far from leaving its eggs 
 to be hatched by the sun, as it has often been assert- 
 ed, it never remains long absent from them ; and in a 
 country where the heat is so iritense, constant incuba- 
 tion is unnecessary. The young ones for some days 
 after they are hatched, can neither walk nor stand, 
 and during that period of helplessness, the old ones 
 attend them with the most anxious solicitude. The 
 eggs of this bird generally weigh from twelve to fif- 
 teen pounds. 
 
 The Arabs train up their fleetest horses for the pur- 
 pose of hunting the ostrich, which, although a very la- 
 borious, is esteemed a very entertaining amusement. 
 Of all creatures, the ostrich is certainly that which runs 
 with the greatest speed, its wings, as well as its legs, 
 keeping in motion, serve as oars to waft it along; and 
 did it press forward in a direct line, instead of a circular 
 course, it would undoubtedly bid defiance to every 
 mode of pursuit. In order to take them with less 
 trouble, another method has sometimes been used, 
 which is both singular and curious. A person having 
 clothed^ himself with the skin of an ostrich, and put- 
 ting one of his arms through the neck, has imitated 
 all the motions of that bird, so as to approach a flock 
 of these creature?, and catch some of them without 
 difficulty. 
 
264 LETTER XLII. 
 
 Although the ostrich inhabits the most solitary de- 
 serts, ft does not seem an unsocial creature. In those 
 horrid regions, large flocks of them are seen together, 
 which, at a distance, appear like a regiment of ca- 
 valry; and being mistaken for a troop of plundering 
 Arabs, have, on some occasions, given the alarm to a 
 whole caravan that was crossing the deserts. 
 
 I have, my dear Sir, expatiated somewhat largely 
 on the ostrich, as it has been noticed from time imme- 
 morial, and is often mentioned by authors both sacred 
 and profane. In regard to the other birds of the stru- 
 thious order, I shall endeavour to describe them in a 
 manner more concise. 
 
 THE CASSOWARY 
 
 is a bird not far inferior in size to the ostrich, being 
 about five feet and a half in height; and although its 
 neck be shorter, its body is as bulky as that of the 
 former; its neck and legs also, being thicker- and 
 stronger in proportion, this conformation gives it an 
 air of strength and compactness, while the fierceness 
 and singularity of its aspect conspire to give it a for- 
 midable appearance. 
 
 The head of the cassowary, although small, like 
 that of the ostrich, seems calculated to inspire some 
 degree of terror, being destitute of feathers, and al- 
 most wholly covered with a helmet of a horny sub- 
 stance. To the peculiar singularity of this natural 
 armour, may be added the colour of the eye of this 
 bird, which is of a bright fiery yellow, and the globe- 
 being above an inch and a half in diameter, gives it 
 an ah* equally fierce and extraordinary: The skin 
 which covers the breast is callous, and without tea?* 
 thers; the thighs and legs are feathered, and exceed- 
 ingly strong and thick. . . 
 
 This bird has been said to have the 'head of a war- 
 rior, the. eye of a lion, the armour of a porcupine, and 
 the fleetness of a horse. It seen^sj. -indeed,. , so per- 
 fectly formed for a life of hostilit\vboth-o|rensive and 
 defensive, for terrifying o'hcrs, and protecting, itself, 
 that, the cassowary might, from its external appear- 
 ance, be thought one of the fiercest and most terrible 
 
THE DODO. 2JO 
 
 )eings of the creation : but although nature has given 
 t so terrific an aspect, and such formidable weapons, 
 its disposition is timid to excess. It never attacks, and 
 rhen assaulted, depends on its flcetness more than its 
 strength j and it runs with such amazing velocity, 
 hat the swiftest race- horse would soon be left far be- 
 lind. 
 
 The same voraciousness which distinguishes the os- 
 trich prevail equally in the cassowary. The eggs 
 also of the latter, although not so large as those of 
 the former, are of a prodigious size, measuring fifteen 
 inches round the longest, and twelve the shortest 
 way: they are of an ash-colour, inclining to green. 
 The Molucca islands, with those of Java, Sumatra, 
 and Kanda, and the opposite parts of the continent, 
 are the native country of the cassowary; nor has it 
 ever yet been found in any other part of the globe. 
 
 THE nono 
 
 is a native of the isle of France. Unwieldy in form, 
 and deficient in strength, its body is missive, and 
 almost round; its legs resemble two thick clumsy 
 pillars. I shall not trouble you with a further de- 
 scription of its conformation or habits, than merely" 
 observing, Uiat it seems to be among birds what the 
 sloth is among quadrupeds. We are too little ac- 
 quainted with it to know its instincts, its sensations, or 
 its utility in the general system. Of this only we are 
 certain, that the Omni -potent and All-wise Creator has 
 uindt- nothing but for some bcneiicial purpose, and 
 that every thing hus its place assigned, and its use 
 deie-rmincd in the universal plaa. Leaving vou with 
 this important truth impressed on your mind, 
 
 I uni, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &( 
 
LETTER XLIII. 
 
 " High from the summit of a crnggy cliff, 
 Hung o'er the deep, such as amazing frown* 
 On utmost Kilda's shore, wfcose lonely race 
 
 Resign the setting son to Indian worlds, 
 
 The royal eagle draws his vigorous young, 
 Strong-pounc'd, and ardent with paternal fire; 
 Now, fit to raise a kingdon of their own, 
 He drives them from his fort, the towering scat, 
 For ages, ot his empire." 
 
 THOMSON. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 X SHALT, now proceed to give you a view of the 
 rapacious tribe of birds which reign masters of the 
 airy regions, in the same manner as the beasts of prey 
 among quadrupeds domineer over the other animals 
 that inhabit the forest, and no doubt but you will be 
 well pleased to contemplate the powers and faculties 
 of the eagie, vviiich, under the denomination of the 
 bird of Jove, has so frequently been introduced by 
 poets for the illustration or embellishment of their 
 subjects, 
 
 THE GOLDEN EAGLE * 
 
 i? the largest and noblest of all the feathered tyrants 
 or' this race; and has obtained among birds the same 
 pre-eminence which the lion is allowed to possess 
 among the quadruped tribes. From the point of the 
 till to the extremity of the tail, it measures more 
 than three feet, and about eight feet in breadth, when 
 its wings are extended. The weight of the female is 
 from sixteen to eighteen pounds; but the male is 
 smaller, and does not commonly exceed twelve 
 pounds. The eagle possesses in an eminent degree 
 the faculty of vision: its eye is remarkably keen 
 and penetrating, although deep sunk and covered 
 by a projecting brow; and the iris, being of a fine 
 bright yellow, shines with extraordinary lustre. Its 
 general colour is a deep brown, mixed with tawny 
 on the head and neck. The tail is black, and spot- 
 
THt GOLDEN' EAGLE. 
 
 267 
 
 ted with ash colour : the legs are yellow, and feather- 
 ed down to the toes; and the claws are remarkably 
 large, the middle one being two inches in length. 
 
 Eagles are seldom found but in mountainous and 
 thinly peopled countries, where they breed among 
 the loftiest clilFs, and in tlie places which 'are most 
 remote from man. 
 
 Of all the feathered race, the eagle soars to the 
 greatest height, and for this reason has obtained 
 among the ancients the appellation of the bird of Ju- 
 piter. As he has not much suppleness in the joints 
 of his legs, he rises slowly from the ground; .but his 
 strength of wing is so great, that he is able to carry 
 off geese, hares, lambs, kids, and even infants them- 
 selves have fallen victims to his rapacity; a circum- 
 stance which might possibly give rise to the fable of 
 Ganymede. An instance is recorded of two children 
 in Scotland having been carried off by two eagles, 
 which being discovered and pursued, had only just 
 time to lodge them in their nest before they were 
 overtaken, and by that means the two little innocents 
 were restored to their terrified parents without hav- 
 ing received any harm. 
 
 Smith, in his history of the County of Kerry, re- 
 lates, that during a summer when the scarcity of pro- 
 visions amounted almost to a famine, a poor man got 
 a comfortable subsistence for his family out of an 
 eagle's nest, by regularly robbing the young eagles 
 of part of the food provided for them by the old ones ; 
 having luckily hit on the expedient of protracting 
 their assiduity beyond the usual time, by clipping 
 the wings, and thus retarding the flight of the voung, 
 and having perhaps still more luckily escaped" being 
 surprised by the old ones in committing those depre- 
 dations on their premises. How fatal the conse- 
 quences of such a surprise might have been, may be 
 easily conjectured, from a circumstance which hap- 
 pened some years ago in the same county. A pea- 
 sant resolved to rob the nest of an eagle that had 
 built in a small island in the beautiful lake of Killar- 
 ney. He therefore stripped and swam to the island 
 
268 LTJTT.ER XLIII. 
 
 while the old ones were absent. Having robbed the 
 nest of its young, he was preparing to swim back 
 with the eaglets tied in a siring, but when he was up 
 to his chin in the water, the old eagles returned, fell 
 upon the plunderer, and in spite of his resistance, ne- 
 ver desisted till they dispatched him with their beaks 
 and their claws. 
 
 The eagle is certainly at all times a formidable 
 neighbour, but particularly when bringing up its 
 young. It is then that both the male and the female 
 exert all their force and industry for the supply of their 
 offspring* Their nest is commonly built in the most 
 inaccessible cliff of the rock, and often shielded from 
 the weather by some projecting crag which overhangs 
 it. 
 
 This noble bird 'is found in various parts of Europe ; 
 but it abounds chiefly in the warmer regions. It com- 
 monly breeds in the mountainous parts of Ireland. It 
 lays three, and sometimes four eggs, of which it sel- 
 dom happens that more than two are prolific. Mr. 
 Pennant says, that there are instances, though rare, 
 of their having bred in Snowden hills, in Wales. Mr. 
 Wallis, in his Natural History of Northumberland, 
 says, " It formerly had its aerie in the highest and 
 steepest parts of Cheviot/' In the month of January, 
 17-35, a very large eagle was shot, near \Vark\vorth, 
 which measured from point to point of its wings ele- 
 ven feet and a quarter. 
 
 This formidable tribe of birds admits of many va- 
 rieties. In the rear of that which is here described, fol- 
 low the ring-tailed eagle, the common eagle, the bald 
 eagle, the white eagle, the rough-footed eagle, the 
 black eagie, the osprcy, the sea eagle, and the crown- 
 ed eagle. These, and divers others, form difl'erent 
 ku.!e< in this ferocious family ; but a particular de- 
 sciiption of them is unnecessary, as they have all th<" 
 same general form, the same rapacity, and the same 
 habits, and are alt remarked for their longevity. The 
 .".iL^ic has often b-cn known to live a hundred years; 
 it is said that jt docs not even then die of old age or 
 dftiility, but from iho beak's turning inward on the 
 
 
THE CONDOR OF AMERICA. 209 
 
 Miuler mandible, which prevents it from taking any 
 food. Its longevity is not, however, more remarkable 
 than its power of supporting long abstinence. An 
 eagle, in the possession of Mr. O. Holland, remained, 
 thiough the carelessness of servants, the space of 
 twenty-one davs without any kind of sustenance- 
 But even this is less extraordinary than an instance 
 related by M. Button, who was assm;ed, by a person 
 of veracity, that one or' these birds being caught in a 
 fox trap, "lived five weeks without any kind of ali- 
 ment. It shewed no symptoms of languor till the 
 last eight days; and it -was at last killed in order to 
 terminate its sufferings. When circumstances of this 
 kind happen accidentally, they are worthy of re- 
 mark; but to ascertain by experiment how much 
 any animal is able to suiier, would be shocking to 
 humanity. 
 
 I have been a little particular in describing the ha- 
 bits and propensities of this chief of the feathered na- 
 tions; but that I may not encroach too much on your 
 time, I shall endeavour to compensate my prolixity 
 on this interesting subject, by consulting brevity in 
 some of less importance. However, I was sure that 
 you would be pleased to see a just delineation of a 
 bird which has furnished poets and moralists with so 
 many and so beautiful allusions, and which so strik- 
 ingly shews what powers the Great Creator can be- 
 stow on different orders of animal existence. 
 
 THE, CONDOR OF AMERICA 
 
 is universally allowed to be the largest of all the 
 birds that are endowed with the power of flight; and 
 it also possesses in the highest degree all the qualities 
 that can render it formidable. The wings, when ex- 
 tended, reach eighteen teet from one extremity to the 
 other. Its beak is so strong as to pierce the "hide of 
 any horned cattle; and it is said that two of these 
 birds is able to devour an ox. When stimulated by 
 hunger, the condor does not hesitate to attack man- 
 kind; but fortunately there are noi many of the spe- 
 cies; if they were numerous their depredations would 
 be dreadful. The Indians assert, that this rapacious. 
 
. LETTER XLIH. 
 
 bird will carry off a deer or a calf, as an eagle docs a 
 hare or a lamb. M. de Condarnine says, he has fre- 
 quently seen them in the mountainous parts of Quito, 
 hovering over a flock of sheep, and imagines that 
 tljoy would have attempted to carry some of them oft; 
 had they not been prevented by the shepherds. This 
 bird is of a brown colour, with a white ruiF round the 
 neck, and oh the head a brown comb, but not indent- 
 ed like that of a cock. Some naturalists have classed 
 it among the vultures, because its neck and head are 
 bare of feathers; but. in fierceness and courage, as 
 well as in all its habits and disposition, it seems ra- 
 ther to resemble the eagle. The condor, requiring 
 a wide space for the expansion of its wings, seldom 
 frequents the forests, but chiefly resides in the moun- 
 tains, whence it occasionally descends into the plains 
 near the sea-shore, in search of supplies. 
 
 THE VULTURE, 
 
 as well as the condor, is allowed to hold only the se- 
 cond rank in the class of rapacious birds, and is placed 
 after the eagle, not from any inferiority in size and 
 strength, but from being less generous and bold. 
 The vulture may be easily distinguished from all 
 birds of the eagle kind, by the nakedness of its head 
 and neck, which are covered only with a very slight 
 down and a few scattered hairs. Its eyes are more 
 prominent than those of the eagle: its claws are short 
 and less hooked : its attitude less upright, and its 
 flight more heavy. 
 
 If, however, the vulture be thus distinguished from 
 the eagle by its conformation, it differs still more 
 from that noble bird in its habits and disposition. 
 The eagle, unless violently pressed by hunger, ne- 
 ver stoops to carrion, nor devours any thing but what 
 is obtained by its own pursuit; the vulture, on the con- 
 trary, is indelicately an-.l indiscriminately voracious. 
 Jt seldom attacks living animals when it can obtain a 
 supply from those that are dead; and seems to delight 
 in carrion and putridity. It is frequently kndftvn to 
 root up newly made graves, and devour the dead car- 
 cases they contain. The sense of smelling is in these 
 
THE VULTURE. 
 
 birds exceedingly acute; and they can scent any car- 
 rion at a very great distance. 
 
 Of the vulture, as well as of the eagle, there are 
 many varieties. The golden vulture measures four 
 feet and a half in length. The neck, belly, and breast 
 are red : but toward the tail the colour becomes more 
 faint; the back is black, and the wings are of a yel- 
 lowish brown. This species, together with the brown 
 and ash-coloured, are natives of Europe. The spot- 
 ted and black are the most common in Egypt; but 
 the bearded, the Brasilian, and the king of the vul- 
 tures, are peculiar to America. Many other varie- 
 ties might be added, which it would be unnecessary 
 to describe, and even tedious to enumerate. You 
 have, my dear Sir, already observed, in your survey 
 of the quadruped tribes, that nature is infinitely di- 
 versified, and in taking a view of the volatile race, 
 you will find that diversity not less visible and strik- 
 ing. 
 
 Of all living creatures, no two are more at enmity 
 than the vulture of Brasil and the crocodile. This ter- 
 rible amphibious animal, which in the rivers of South 
 America grows to the monstrous size of twenty-seven 
 feet in length, lays it eggs to the number of a hun- 
 dred, or two hundred, in the sands on the side of a^ri- 
 ver, where they are hatched by the heat of the cli- 
 mate, and at the same time takes every precaution to 
 hide from all other animals the place where she depo- 
 sits her burden. In the mean while numbers of vul- 
 tures sit silent and unseen. in some neighbouring forest, 
 and view the operations of the crocodile, in the pleas- 
 ing expectation of plunder. They patiently wait till 
 she laid the whole number of her eggs, and, after 
 having covered them with sand, is retired to a consi- 
 venient distance. Then, encouraging one another 
 with ferocious cries, they pour down altogether, hook 
 up the ground in a moment lay the eggs bare, and 
 devour the whole breed. 
 
 To the eye of superficial observation the vulture 
 would appear one of the most noxious and disgusting 
 auiaials in nature; but a close inspection will discover 
 N 4 
 
LETTER XL11I. 
 
 its great utility, and add to the number of proofs that 
 creative wisdom has made nothing without an appro- 
 priate design. 
 
 .This bird, although totally unknown in England, 
 abounds in many countries of Asia and Africa, espe- 
 cially in Arabia and Egypt. In these countries, par- 
 ticularly the last, they are of great public benefit; 
 and numerous flocks of them are always hovering in 
 the neighbourhood of Grand Cairo, where it is not 
 permitted to destroy them. The .service \\hich they 
 render to the inhabitants, consists in devouring all 
 the carrion and filth of that great city, which, in that 
 sultry climate, would otherwise soon putrify and cor- 
 rupt the air. In all countries, indeed, which tbt-y 
 ir. ['^-nt, they are of singular service, not only in de*- 
 v '.,.i ring- all the carrion, but also in destroying an in- 
 calculable number of crocodiles, serpents, and other 
 noxious reptiles, that in hot climates are extremely 
 prolific. The inside down cf the vulture's wings is 
 also exceedingly fine, and is converted into a warm 
 and comfortable kind of fur, which is often sold in the 
 Asiatic markets. Thus, my dear Sir, you may per- 
 ceive that this bird, which is so rapacious and so in- 
 delicate, tills a station of great utility in the created 
 system. 
 
 THE FALCON, 
 
 so little noticed at the present day, was, among our. 
 ancestors, held iu so high estimation, that in old paint- 
 ings it is the criterion of nobility, and a person of 
 rank seldom stirred out without his hawk on his hand. 
 So lately as the reign of James I. Sir Thomas Allen- 
 sou is said to have given a thousand pounds for a cast 
 of hawks; .and such was in general their value, that 
 in the reign of Edward III. it was felony to steal a 
 hawk. To take its eggs even in a person's own 
 ground, was imprisonment for a year and a day, to- 
 gether with a line at the king's pleasure. The ex- 
 pence which attended the sport of hawking was very 
 great, and every thing relating to it was considered of 
 great importance. Among the old Welch princes, 
 the king's falconer was the fourth great officer in the 
 
THE GREY FALCON, KITE, AND BUZZARD. 273 
 
 state; but, notwithstanding his honours and emolu- 
 ments, he was forbidden to take more thair three 
 draughts of beer from his horn, lest intoxication should 
 cause a neglect of his duty. 
 
 Of the different kinds of hawks used for this diver- 
 sion, we npw know little more than the names, but 
 the 
 
 GREY FALCON 
 
 was that which in elegance and size excelled all the 
 rest. Its tlrroat is of a delicate white, and the ground 
 colour of its whole plumage is the same, but variegat- 
 ed with dusky hues, spots and bars. This eleganfe 
 bird is an inhabitant of the northern districts of Scot- 
 land, and when falconry was fashionable, it was held 
 in high estimation. In this, as well as the other tribes, 
 of animated nature, a number of varieties exist. 
 
 THE KITE 
 
 is a bird of the rapacious kind, for which the good' 
 house-wives and breeders of poultry have an impla- 
 cable dislike. He flies round and round to reconnoi- 
 tre a breed of chickens, and then on a sudden darts, 
 like lightning on one of the unresisting little crea- 
 tures, and in a moment carries it oft, in spite of the 
 cries of the hen, which has not a power of wing suffi- 
 cient to enable her to mount into the air and pursue 
 the plunderer. The kite may be easily distinguished 
 from all other birds of prey, by his forked tail, as 
 well as by his slow and equable motion on the wing. 
 Its length is about twenty-seven inches, and the ex- 
 pansion of its wings nearly five feet. It usually builds 
 it* nest, in woods, especially in mountainous countries. 
 The high soaring of the kite is considered as a prog- 
 nostic of dry weather, and Lord Bacon's authority 
 sanctions the opinion. 
 
 THE BUZZARD. 
 
 in its habits and disposition, resembles the kite, and is 
 not much inferior in si/.e; its length being about 
 twenty-two inches, and the full expansion of its wings, 
 about five feet. This bird is sluggish and inactive. 
 It feeds on birds, rabbits, moles, and mice. In sum- 
 mer he lives chiefly by robbing the nests of oth**. 
 
274 LETTER XLIII. 
 
 birds and sucking their eggs; and the indolence of 
 liis disposition causes him, in general, to prefer ac- 
 quisitions that are easily made, before what must be 
 carried by laborious pursuit. 
 
 Of the buzzard, kite, and hawk kind, above seventy 
 species, more or less diffused in different countries, 
 have been enumerated by naturalists; but their gene- 
 ral propensities being nearly the same, preclude the 
 necessity of a particular delineation; and I have men- 
 tioned the great number of varieties, merely as an 
 additional instance of the endless diversity of Nature's 
 works. 
 
 I shall now lead you to a view of a different kind 
 of rapacious birds, which, although of propensities si- 
 milar to those of the last described class, have differ- 
 ent habits and a different mode of living. These are 
 the owl kind, a sort of nocturnal robbers that are 
 scarcely ever seen in the day, but prowl about in the 
 night, and take their prey by surprise during the 
 hours of rest and seeming security. 
 
 All birds of the owl kind have one common mark 
 by which they are distinguished from all others. 
 Their eyes like those of tygers, cats, and the rest of 
 that kind of quadrupeds, are formed for nocturnal vi- 
 sion. Their sight is dazzled by the glare of day ; but 
 they do not see best when it is totally dark, as some 
 have imagined. The dusk of the evening, or the 
 mild glimmering of moon-shine, afford them the 
 greatest facility of distinguishing their prey, and such 
 are the seasons when they make the most successful 
 depredations. 
 
 Naturalists commonly distinguish birds of the owl 
 kind, by disposing them into two grand divisions, 
 those with horns, and those without. These horns are 
 nothing more than a few feathers standing upright on 
 ach side of the head : among these, the great horned 
 owl is entitled to the pre-eminence. It appears at 
 first view scarcely inferior to the eagle in size, but 
 on a closer inspection is found to be much less. In- 
 deed, all sorts of owls are enveloped in so great a 
 mass of feathers, as to appear much larger than they 
 
THE WHITE OWL IVY OWL. 275 
 
 are. The eyes of the great horned owl are large and 
 transparent, and encircled with an orange-coloured 
 iris: its ears are large and open: its plumage is of a 
 reddish brown, marked on the back with black and 
 yellow spots, and with yellow ones alone on the 
 belly. This bird has sometimes been seen in Scot- 
 land, and also in Yorkshire; but it is not common in 
 any part of England. It inhabits inaccessible rocks 
 and deserted places, such as ruinous castles and un- 
 frequented caverns; and preys upon hares, rabbits, 
 and all kinds of feathered game. 
 
 Next in size is the common horned owl, which, 
 like the former, appears much larger than it is, on ac- 
 count of the fulness of its plumage. When its wings 
 are expanded, their extent from one extremity to the 
 other is about three feet, and its horns are composed 
 of six feathers on each side, of about an inch in 
 length. Its colour is a reddish brown, with a mix- 
 ture of white, and their legs are feathered down to the 
 toes. These birds seldom take the trouble of making 
 a nest, but generally take possession of some deserted 
 one, which has been occupied by the magpye, or the 
 buzzard. They lay four or five eggs. The young 
 are at first quite white, but come to their colour in 
 about fifteen days. This kind of owl is common in 
 France and England. There are several other varie- 
 ties of the horned owl, which I shall omit, and briefly 
 mention two or three of the tribe which are without 
 horns. 
 
 THE WHITE, OR COMMON BARN OWL, 
 
 is the most generally known of any of this kind, as it 
 may be said to be almost domesticated. It seldom 
 lioots, but often screams tremendously. It generally 
 haunts barns and granaries, where it renders great 
 services to mankind, by clearing those places of the 
 mice, and other vermin which resort thither, and are 
 so destructive among grain. 
 
 THE IVY, OR, SCREECH OWL, 
 
 is that to which the gloomy apprehensions of mankind 
 have attributed the power of presaging death or cala- 
 mity; and the writers of poetry and roraaoces, in or.- 
 N 6 
 
' LETTER XLlir. 
 
 der to render their scenery more impressive, have, in 
 conformity to popular superstition, frequently intro- 
 duced it into their descriptive representations, when 
 some melancholy scene was to be displayed. The 
 circumstance which has caused this bird to be ac- 
 counted ominous, appears to he that of its screaming 
 in fi tremendous manner, together with its natural 
 propensity of approaching toward a window, where 
 it sees a light at a late hour. As lights are generally 
 kept continually burning in the chambers of the sick, 
 and the screech owl prowls about in the dead time of 
 the night, it is no wonder, that in places where they 
 are numerous, they may sometimes have been at- 
 tracted by the light, and have approached the house 
 or the windows, and uttered those screams which are 
 natural to it, in consequence of fright or surprise. 
 Such a circumstance would be very apt to terrify a ti- 
 mid invalid, or an ignorant nurse, and from this source 
 might easily be derived all the absurd notions which 
 have prevailed concerning the ominous nature of the 
 screech owl. 
 
 Mr. Pennant, in his Arctic Zoology, observes, that 
 the Mogul and Kalmuc Tartars pay almost divine ho- 
 nours to this bird; as attributing to it the preservation 
 of Jenghis Khan, the founder of the empire. This 
 prince having been surprised and ppt to ilight by his 
 enemies, was compelled to shelter himself in a cop- 
 pice; and a screech owl settled on the bush under 
 which he was hidden. His pursuers, judging that a 
 bird of that species would not perch where a man 
 was concealed, passed the spot, and thus suffered the 
 prince to escape. His countrymen thenceforth held 
 the owl sacred; and to the present day the Kalmucs 
 adorn their heads with plume 01 its feathers on all 
 solemn festivals. 
 
 This bird, which is nearly of the same size as the 
 white, or common barn owl, is distinguished from the 
 latter species, by scarcely any other mark than the 
 colour of its plumage, which is a kind of mixture of 
 iron grey and tawney ; and my principal reason for 
 introducing it to your notice, "was to induce you to 
 
THE POULTRY KIND. 277 
 
 observe and despise the absurd ideas of weak and ig- 
 norant minds. Indeed, I believe you are, notwith- 
 standing your juvenile years, already sufficiently en- 
 lightened to laugh at the tales of superstition. I can 
 also assure you, that the screech owl is -a very harm- 
 less bird : it preys solely on small birds, mice, or 
 reptiles: and never either procured or foretold the 
 death or disaster of any human beings, whatever 
 nurses and gossips may think of the matter. 
 
 I shall here leave you awhile to laugh at the no- 
 tions of old women, or of men whose minds are as 
 weak and as ignorant as theirs, while I prepare some- 
 thing new for your entertainment, and most ailec- 
 tionately remain, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER XLIV. 
 
 " The careful hen 
 
 Calls all her chirping family around, 
 Fed and defended by the tearless cock ; 
 Whose breast with ardour flmues, as on he walks 
 Graceful, and crows defiance." 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 A AM now going to call your attention to a subject 
 of great importance >;. "ie economy of civilized life, 
 and present to your view a class of objects in the ani- 
 mal system equally curious and useful. 
 
 From the most rapacious class of birds, we are now, 
 my dear Sir, making a transition to those which are 
 the tamest, and which not only contribute to the deli- 
 cacies of the table, but furnish articles of commerce, 
 and are consequently of great advantage to human 
 society. 
 
 It is obvious that birds of the 
 
 GALLINACEOUS, OR POULTRY RIND, 
 
 exhibit a complete contrast to those which we have 
 "been hitherto occupied in contemplating. 
 
 6 
 
278 LETTER XL1V. 
 
 Amidst the immensity of nature's works, and the 
 endless varieties, displayed in the world of life, there 
 is not perhaps, my dear Sir, a more evident proof of 
 design, or a more conspicuous display of infinite Wis- 
 dom, in the adaptation of means to ends, and of ani- 
 mal mechanism to a specific purpose, than is exhi- 
 bited in the internal and external conformation of the 
 last described class of birds, and of those whom we 
 are now about to survey. In order to raise our minds 
 to the admiration of the great Creator, whose works 
 are the index of his attributes, let us, my dear Sir, for 
 a moment indulge a laudable curiosity in the exami- 
 nation of this interesting subject. 
 
 In our general remarks on the volatile race, we 
 have already observed the wonderful coincidence be- 
 tween their conformation and the mode of life to 
 which they are destined. In birds of the rapacious 
 kind we have seen that the form and strength of their 
 beaks and claws, their fiercener.s of disposition, and 
 all their ferocious propensities, evidently pointed out 
 their destination; arid in the gallinaceous, or poultry 
 kind, we shall discover ihe same exhibition of an all- 
 wise design. These are without the hooked bills and 
 formidable talons of the bird of prey, and their inter- 
 nal conformation admits of a still more curious and 
 important distinction. In the rapacious kind, diges- 
 tion is carried on by means of a liquid in the stomach, 
 \vhich dissolve the aliment. In those which feed on 
 grain the gizzard is the principal inurnment that 
 grinds and reduces it to pulp. The wings of the 
 poultry kind are short and not calculated for a long 
 flight, which prevents them from wandering, and im- 
 pels them to seek for happiness at home. Their bills, 
 which are incapable of annoyance or destruction,' are 
 perfectly adapted to their manner of feeding. Their 
 toes are made for scratching up seeds or grain, but not 
 for tearing to pieces animal food. As the predaceous 
 tribes are formed for war and depredation, these arc 
 equally fitted for peace, accordingly their contentions 
 are trivial, and, excepting the cock, we seldom find 
 -them engaged in violent disputes. They art 1 also 
 
THE COCK. 279 
 
 without that unconquerable propensity to liberty 
 which in birds is so general. The poultry kind, if 
 well fed, seldom desire to range, and from the first 
 moment of their confinement, seem satisfied if .their 
 supply of food be plentiful. Their increased plump- 
 ness in such situations, shews their contentment, 
 while tlie wilder species when cooped up in cages, 
 unless inured to it when very young, fall into languor, 
 and sometimes pine to death amidst the greatest pro- 
 fusion of the most delicate food. These circumstances, 
 my dear Sir, evidently display the infinite wisdom of 
 the Author of Nature, in adapting every creature to 
 its particular destination. 
 
 / THE COCK 
 
 perhaps exhibits a greater number of varieties than 
 any. other animal of the feathered race; for scarcely 
 any two birds of this tribe exactly resemble each 
 other in plumage and shape. This may probably 
 proceed from the effects of domestication, as of all the 
 different kinds of birds the cock seems to be that 
 which was first reclaimed from the forest, and taken 
 to supply the luzuries of the table. 
 
 The time when the cock was first domesticatecj in 
 Europe is not ascertained; but he is supposed to have 
 been introduced from Persia. In the island of Tinian, 
 and many others of the Indian ocean, this bird is 
 found in his native state. In those islands, and in the 
 woods of Malabar, his plumage was black and yel- 
 low, and his comb and wattles are yellow and purple. 
 In those of the Indian woods, there is also another pe- 
 culiaritv,---their bones when boiled are as black as 
 ebony ; those of the European cock, on the contrary, 
 are white. 
 
 No animal whatever displays greater courage than 
 the cock; and in every part of the world, from which 
 it is not yet banished by refinement and polished 
 manners, cock-fighting constitutes one of the most 
 popular diversions. In China, India, and the Phillip- 
 pine islands, it is one of the principal amusements of 
 the great; and in all parts of the East the highest 
 ranks participate in an enjoyment which casts upou 
 
2-SO LETTER XLIV. 
 
 humanity an indelible stain. In this country it was 
 once a favourite pastime; but to the credit of the pre- 
 sent age, it is very much on the decline, and it is to 
 be hajied that the period is not far distant when it will 
 be exploded even among the vulgar. 
 
 The hen, if well supplied with food and water, is 
 said to lay about two hundred eggs in a year, which 
 shews the importance of this bird in domestic econo- 
 my. . As a parent she excites admiration; for her af- 
 fection towards her offspring, divests her of her na- 
 tural timidity> and gives her both courage and 
 strength. For the protection of her chicken she will 
 venture to attack the horse, the hog, or the mastiff, 
 and will not hesitate to fly at the fox. 
 
 It is a curious circumstance in the history of this 
 bird, that at Grand Cairo they have a method of 
 hatching eggs by an artificial heat, and thus produce 
 six or seven thousand at a time. Being brought forth 
 in a mild spring, which is warmer than our summer, 
 the chickens thrive very well. It does not however 
 appear that this could be carried into effect with suc- 
 cess in our cold and variable climate, where although 
 the little animals might be hatched without much dil- 
 ficulty, the greatest part of them would, in all proba- 
 bility, perish soon after their exclusion from the shell. 
 
 THE TURKEY 
 
 is one of the most remarkable birds in the poultry 
 yard, on account of the singular appearance of its 
 head, as well as of some habits almost peculiar to 
 itself. 
 
 In this country the turkey when young is exceed- 
 ing tender, and is reared with great difficulty ; yet in 
 its wild state it abounds in the forests of Canada, 
 where the ground is covered with snow almost three 
 parts of the year. In lh-ir native woods they are also 
 much larger as well as mere hardy than in a state oi 
 domestication. ]'u ber-mtv also they far excel the Eu- 
 ropean breed. Their leathers, which are of a dark 
 grey, and bordered at the edge with a bright gold co- 
 lour, are woven by the savages of the country 
 cloaks for the ornament of theic persons. 
 
THE PEACOCK. 281 
 
 Turkeys do not seem to possess, either in their wild 
 or domesticated state, any very great degree of in- 
 stinct. They may, however, be ranked among the 
 most useful fowls of the farm yard; for, notwithstand- 
 ing the tenderness of their constitution when young, 
 they are hardy when grown up, and feed themselves 
 with little trouble or expense to the fanner. Some of 
 them, especially those of Norfolk, which are reckon- 
 ed the finest in this kingdom, frequently weigh from 
 twenty to thirty pounds, and constitute an excellent 
 article of food. 
 
 THE PEACOCK, 
 
 when its tail is expanded, exhibits a spectacle of 
 which no description can possibly give a just idea; to 
 form an accurate conception of the beauty of its ap- 
 pearance the living object must ho contemplated, 
 However, although the form of this bird be complete- 
 ly elegant, and its plumage adorned with the most 
 brilliant colours, as well as diversified with an endless 
 variety of tints and shades, its voice is extremely 
 harsh and disagreeable. Its insatiable gluttony also 
 Serves to counterbalance the only merit it can claim, 
 its incomparable beauty; and it is actuated more than 
 any other of the gallinaceous species by a spirit of 
 depredation. 
 
 Like the rest of the poultry kind, the peacock 
 feeds chiefly on grain, and has a strong predilection 
 for barley. It eagerly seeks for insects and tender 
 plants, and if it does not find sufficient supply of its 
 favorite food, it will lay waste the labours of the gar- 
 dener, and destroy, in one day, the work of many 
 months. 
 
 The peacock, or the peahen, has in some countries 
 been esteemed as an article of luxury for the table; 
 and although its flesh be not at this time considered 
 as a delicacy, it is certainly far from being disagree- 
 able, and is said to resist putrefaction longer than any 
 other animal. In the time of Francis I. king of 
 France, it was a custom to serve up a peacock at the 
 tables of the great, not for food but for ornament. 
 The skin was first carefully stripped oi\' } and the bo- 
 
LETTER XLIV. 
 
 dy, being prepared with the hottest spices, was 'again 
 covered with it; thus retaining all its plumage in full 
 display, uninjured by the preparation. The bird thus 
 prepared was often preserved for several years with- 
 out putrefaction, and served to add splendor to succes- 
 sive entertainments. 
 
 The peacock is a native of India and the other ori- 
 ental countries of Asia, where it is yet found in its na- 
 tural state ; and numerous flocks of them are still to 
 be seen wild in the islands of Java and Ceylon. So 
 beautiful a bird was not, however, suffered long to re- 
 main concealed in its native retreats; and we find 
 that so early as the time of Solomon it was made an 
 article of commerce, and is numbered among those 
 which were imported by his fleets. That prince was 
 probably the first who introduced the peacock into 
 Judea; and the Tyrians, his partners in trade, un- 
 doubtedly imported it into their country; but it is 
 probable that it had been already brought to- Tyre, 
 and 110 doubt to Egypt also, previous to that period. 
 The Greeks also shewed a strong predilection for this 
 bird, and we are told that the first exhibition of a pea- 
 cock at Athens induced many persons to travel from 
 Lacedemon to that, city, to gratify their curiosity with 
 the sight of so beauiif n an object. Such a curiosity 
 indeed, my cleir Sir, wa^ lau/iuble ; for so njagnificent 
 a display of the work of the Civitor, especially when 
 accompanied with the sra'r. s ri?e cf npvefty, certainly 
 merited the contemplation of a , v '<r.soph.er. 
 
 Of this curious bird there are stVerai varieties, but 
 the peacock of Thibet is universally allowed to be r.he 
 most beautiful of all the feathered race. Its colours 
 are blue, yellow, red, and green; all blended with 
 the most artificial exactness, and forming the most 
 pleasing combinations, in which nature seems to have 
 exerted all her skill, and exhibited all her beauties. 
 
 THE PHEASANT, 
 
 next to the peacock, holds the second rank in the 
 gradation of beauty amsng the feathered tribes. To 
 make a minute comparison betvreen the most beauti- 
 ful ,of each species, the admirer of nature's works, 
 
THE PHEASANT. 283 
 
 wonld be puzzled to determine which of the two has 
 the greatest claim to pre-eminence. Nothing, in- 
 deed, can satisfy the eye with a greater variety and 
 richness of ornament than the plumage of the phea- 
 sant, whether we regard the dazzling brilliancy of itB 
 colours, or their elegant mixture. It far surpasses all 
 the efforts of the pencil to exhibit tints so glossy and 
 so bright, or points so finely blended. 
 
 Every scholar is acquainted with the story of Solon 
 the 'Greek philosopher and Croesus, king of Lydia. 
 We are told that the monarch being seated on his 
 throne, adorned with all the appendages of terrestrial 
 grandeur, asked Solon if he had ever seen so magnifi- 
 cent a spectacle ? The philosopher, nothing moved 
 by the pomp and pageantry with which he \vas sur- 
 rounded, coolly answered that " after having seen the 
 plumage of the pheasant he could not be astonished at 
 the sight of any other finery." This answer of the 
 Grecian sage is worthy of being recorded : it was 
 well calculated to remind that powerful and opulent 
 monarch of the inferiority of all artificial ornaments, 
 when compared with the magnificence of nature, and 
 of the insignificancy of all human greatness and splen- 
 dor before the Creator and Sovereign of the universe. 
 You will, my dear Sir, also remember that a far 
 greater personage than the Greek philosopher has 
 taught us the same important lesson, in saying that 
 all the magnificence of Solomon was not equal to the 
 splendor of the lilies. 
 
 The beautiful bird which thus displays the energies 
 of nature merits a particular description. Its eyes 
 are surrounded with a ring of scarlet, sprinkled with, 
 sin all specks of black, and the iris yellow. The fore 
 part of the head is clothed with blackish feathers, 
 mixed with a shining purple; the top of the head and 
 the upper part .of the neck are tinged with a darkish 
 green, which bears a silky gloss. In some the top of 
 the head is of a shining blue, and the upper part of 
 the neck appears sometimes blue and sometimes 
 green, as it is differently placed to the eye of the 
 spectator. The feathers of the breast, the shoulders, 
 
284 LETTER XI.IV. 
 
 the middle of the back, and the sides under the wings, 
 have a blackish ground, and their edges tire tinged 
 with a colour exquisitely beautiful, which appears 
 .sometimes black and sometimes purple, according to 
 the different reflections of the light: under the purple 
 there is a transverse streak of gold colour. The tail 
 is about eighteen inches long. The legs, feet, and 
 toes are of the colour of horn, and two of the toes are 
 connected with a membrane : the legs are furnished 
 with spurs of a black colour, and shorter than those of 
 the cock. The male is far more beautiful than the 
 female. 
 
 The beauty of the pheasant is not its only excel- 
 li-ney. Its tlcsh is one of the greatest dainties, and its 
 Avhoiesomeness is equal to its delicacy. When full 
 grown it scum* to feed indiscriminately on every thing 
 that falls in its way, and such is its voracity that it it 
 said to devour insects and reptiles, as well as seeds 
 and grain. In the Woods the hen lays eighteen or 
 twenty eggs in a season, but not above ten in a do- 
 mestic state. 
 
 Of this bird, as of most others, there are many va- 
 rieties; but among all these the golden pheasant of 
 China excels in beauty. It is somewhat less than the 
 common pheasant, being not more than two feet nine 
 inches in length. The general colour of its plumage 
 is crimson, and its head is adorned with a splendid 
 yellow crest, the feathers of which have the appear- 
 ance of glossy silk. The back ami rump are of a fine 
 gold colour; the scapulars are blue, and the quills 
 brown, marked with yellow. The tail is twenty-three 
 inches long, and its colour chesnut speckled with 
 black. The hen is far inferior in beauty, the general 
 colour of her plumage being brown. It appears to 
 be a hardy bird, and will live and propagate in our 
 climate. 
 
 The Argus pheasant is also a magnificent bird. It 
 derives its name from its quills being ornamented with 
 ryes resembling those of the peacock's train. This 
 bird, as well as the former, and also the superb phca^ 
 
THE BUSTARD. 285 
 
 sant, the predominant colour of which is a beautiful 
 green, are all natives of China. 
 
 There is another beautiful bird, a native of South 
 America, which some naturalists class with the phea- 
 sant. It is called the trumpeter. The individuals of 
 this species vary in colour. It is very familiar, and 
 will follow a person about like a spaniel. It feeds on 
 bread, fish, or flesh, and is reckoned as delicious food 
 as the common pheasant. 
 
 The curassow which comprehends five or six va- 
 rieties, bears a strong resemblance to the pheasant 
 althongh most naturalists agree in considering it a 
 distinct genus. In Peru and Mexico this kind is 
 very numerous both in a wild and domestic state. 
 
 The pheasant was originally brought into Europe 
 from the banks of the Phasis, a river of Colchis, in 
 Asia Minor, and thence has derived ks name. 
 Though removed from its natal soil, it thrives well in 
 our climate, where, still retaining its attachment to 
 freedom, it lives wild in our forests and parks, of 
 which it constitutes an enlivening ornament. It la- 
 bours however, under one disadvantage, which pre- 
 vents its multiplication in such a degree as might 
 otherwise be expected. The slowness of its rising, 
 from the ground, caused in a great measure by the 
 length of its tail, renders it extremely liable to be de- 
 stroyed by the weazle, the foumart, and other animals 
 of th'at kind. 
 
 It the increase of our Pheasants were not pre- 
 vented by their depredations, it might have been ex- 
 pected, from the numbers introduced into some parts 
 of the country, that our forests would have glittered 
 with the dazzling brilliancy of their plumage. 
 
 THE BUSTARD 
 
 is the largest land bird that is a native of Creat Bri- 
 tain, or even of Europe. Its weight varies consider- 
 ably : some have been found of not more than ten 
 pounds, others weigh from twenty to thirty. This 
 Kpccies appears t> have been pretty generally dif- 
 fused for according to Plutarch it is found in Lybia, 
 in the environs of Alexandria, in Syria, in Greece, 
 
286 LETTER XLIV. 
 
 and in Spain. It also abounds in some parts of 
 France. In England their principal places of rendez- 
 vous are Salisbury plain, the heaths of Sussex and 
 Cambridgeshire, and the Dorsetshire uplands. In 
 those extensive plains, where there are neither woods 
 nor hedges to screen the sportsman, the bustards en- 
 joy security, and are often seen in flocks of fifty or 
 more together. It is in vain that the fowler creeps 
 along to surprise them, they have always centinels 
 stationed in proper places to warn them of the first 
 appearance of danger. But although they can sel- 
 dom be shot, they are sometimes hunted and taken 
 by dogs, when they are grown so fat as to be unable 
 to fly without great preparation. This bird was once 
 far more plentiful than at present. The increased 
 cultivation of the country, and the deliciousness of its 
 flesh have greatly contributed to thin the species; 
 and it would, perhaps have been long since extir- 
 pated, had it not derived so great a degree of secu- 
 rity from inhabiting only the most extensive plains, 
 where its food is abundant, and where every enemy 
 may be discovered at a distance. 
 
 The bustard appears much larger than a turkey ; 
 but its wings are not adapted to a perfect flight, their 
 expansion not reaching above four feet; and though 
 it can elevate itself in the air, it flies with some difli- 
 culty. Its head and neck are ash-coloured ; the back 
 is tranversely barred with black feruginous stripes ; 
 the belly is white, and the tail marked with broad 
 bars of red and black. The female is not more than 
 half as large as the male. The top ef her head is of 
 a deep orange colour, crossed with black lines. 
 
 THE GROUSE 
 
 comprehends about seventeen species, of all w r hich 
 the characteristic mark that distinguishes them from 
 the rest of the poultry kind, is a scarlet skin above 
 the eye. The firry forests and the barren heath are 
 their favorite retreats; and since cultivation is so 
 much improved and extended in these countries, they 
 are only to be found on the moors of Yorkshire and 
 
THE COCK OF THE VVOOD THE PARTRIDGE. 287 
 
 Westmoreland, the highlands of Scotland, and other 
 extensive wastes. 
 
 THE COCK OF THE WOOD 
 
 is in size and importance the first of this tribe : it is 
 nearly as large as a turkey, and frequently weighs 
 above fourteen pounds; but the female 'is much 
 smaller. The head and neck are ash-coloured, and 
 crossed with black lines : the body and wings are of 
 a chesnut colour, and the breast is of a blackish 
 glossy green. The female is different in colour, be- 
 ing red about the throat, with the head, neck, and 
 back crossed with red and black bars: the belly is 
 strij. e d citssvn.se with orange and black, and the tips 
 of the feathers are white. The black cock is about 
 the size of a common hen, and when full grown weighs 
 about four pounds. The moor fowl or red game, 
 which is peculiar to the British islands, weighs about 
 nineteen ounces. All birds of the grouse kind, 
 among which the white game or ptarmagan must be 
 included) delight in the most barren heaths, the high- 
 est hills, or the thickest forests. Their food, is moun- 
 tain-berries and the tops of the heath plants; and 
 their tlesh is exquisitely delicate. 
 
 THE PARTRIDGE 
 
 is a bird that is every where well known, being com- 
 mon in every climate and in every country: in the 
 hyperborean regions, as in the torrid-zone. It seems 
 to adapt itself to *ach climate where it resides, lu 
 the countries within the arctic circle it is brown in 
 summer, but in winter changes its colour to white, 
 and it acquires a new covering of soft warm down, 
 which at that season grows underneath its feathers. 
 The wisdom and goodness of the Author of nature 
 aje exceedingly conspicuous in this particular, that in 
 the polar regions all animals acquire a covering per- 
 fectly adapted to the rigours of the climate, a circum- 
 stance which shews that the providential care of the 
 the Creator extends to all his creatures in every situ- 
 ation. 
 
 Of partridges there are more than twenty species; 
 all of which may, however, be arranged in two grand 
 
LETTER XLIV. 
 
 divisions, the red and the grey : the former is the 
 largest, and often perches on trees, the latter, which, 
 in this country is the most common, always sits on 
 the ground. To give any description of a bird so ge- 
 nerally known would be .superfluous, and no one is 
 ignorant of the excellency of the food which its flesh 
 affords. 
 
 THE QUAIL 
 
 is much smaller than any other of the gallinaceous 
 tribes, being not more than half so large as the par- 
 tridge, although much resembling its shape. Its head 
 is black with a mixture of dusky brown ; the breast 
 is of a pale yellow, with a reddish cast and spotted 
 with black, and the back is marked with lines of pale 
 yellow. 
 
 Quails are exceedingly quarrelsome, and often 
 have obstinate contests among themselves. Quail 
 fighting was once a favorite diversion among the 
 Athenians, and we cannot but lament that so cruel a 
 pastime was encouraged among so polished a people. 
 Its flesh, however, was by them esteemed unwhole- 
 some, and consequently not used for focd ; but they 
 reared great numbers of them for the pleasure of see- 
 ing them fight. Modern manners have in this respect 
 entirely reversed the sentiments of mankind. The 
 courage of the quail is now disregarded, while its 
 flesh is esteemed an exquisite delicacy. 
 
 Having conducted you through the pleasing survev 
 of a class of the feathered creation that enlivens our 
 f(. rests and heaths, or embellishes the farm yard, yon 
 wili undoubtedly confess that the view is delightful; , 
 but when you consider the exquisite. food with which 
 they furnish our tables, your gratitude will be excited 
 towards the Author of Nature, for his parental good- 
 ness and indulgent munificence. 
 
 I c.umot make a more appropriate conclusion, thali 
 in recommending to you the habit of making siach 
 reflection^ assuring you at the same time, that, with 
 unfeigned afiyciion, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
LETTER XLV, 
 
 "Hark ! 'tis the raren's dismal croalf, 
 
 My boding breast is filled with fear ; 
 Yet once beneath that spreading oak, 
 
 The bud of woe I smil'd to hear." 
 
 WHS. ROBTNSOK. 
 
 "Oft havf I lav'd to mark the rook's slow course, 
 And hear his hollow croak.' 1 
 
 SOUTHlY, 
 DAER SIR, 
 
 X SHALL now proceed to review a class of volatiles, 
 different from each of the former, but partaking in 
 some degree of the nature of both. 
 
 THE PJE KIND 
 
 is that race of birds which are generally considered 
 as the least beneficial to man. Few of them, except 
 the pigeon, contribute to furnish us with food, while 
 numbers make free with the fruits of our industry. 
 We cannot, however, see through the vast and com- 
 plicated plan of Divine wisdom, and perhaps we are 
 more indebted to this noisy, restless, chattering tribe 
 than we imagine, and derive from them benefits of 
 which we are ignorant. 
 
 THE RAVEN, THE ROOK, AND THE CARRION CROW 
 
 are so generally known that any description of them, 
 would be superfluous, and tend rather to obscure than 
 improve our ideas. The raven is the largest of ths 
 three, and is distinguished from both the others by 
 Jlis bill being more hooked. As for the rook and 'the 
 carrion crow, they so nearly resemble each other as 
 not to be easily discriminated. The rook often suf- 
 fers on that account, and is frequently destroyed in- 
 stead of the other, to Tvhich he is in size and coltftir, 
 so nearly similar. 
 
 The raven is a strong, hardy* and active bird,, im- 
 influenced by any change of weather, and capable o|' 
 supporting the rigors of every climate, He ss not 
 by the sultry heats of th torrid zone, s^ 
 o 
 
LKTTR XLV. 
 
 benumbed by the intense cold f the polar regions; 
 although, like many other animals in those parts, he 
 changes his colour and acquires a whiter plumage. 
 That a bird which is so little affected by nny incon- 
 veniences of climate should be universally diffused, 
 is nothing wonderful ; and accordingly we find the 
 raven an inhabitant of every region of the globe. 
 The sagacity of this bird is equal to his strength and 
 wigor; and when tamed he is capable of receiving in- 
 struction in a wonderful manner, and of performing 
 things almost incredible. He may be trained to fowl- 
 ing like a hawk, taught to fetch and carry like a dog, 
 to speak like a parrot, and what is still more extraor- 
 dinary, to imitate any vocal music. A modern author 
 of great repute says he has heard a raven sing a song 
 with great distinctness, truth and humour. 
 
 The raven, when entertained as a domestic, has in- 
 deed many amusing qualities. Being inquisitive and 
 impudent, he visits every corner, affronts the dogs, 
 drives the cats from one place to another, plays his 
 pranks among the poultry, teazes every animal around 
 him, and is a constant attendant on the cook-maid* 
 She indeed is his principal favorite, and to her his at- 
 tachment is unalterable; although he does not hesi- 
 tate to incur her displeasure by snatching from her a 
 delicate morsel. When wild the raven is a voracious 
 plunderer, when domesticated he is by nature a glut- 
 ton, and by habit a thief; he purloins every thing to 
 gratify his appetite, and even hoards what he cannot 
 convert to any use; for tea-spoons, rings, and 
 pieces of money are often found in his secret treasury. 
 
 The longevity of the raven is equal to that of any 
 of the feathered race, or perhaps of any other animal; 
 for birds are in general supposed to live longer than 
 quadrupeds; the raven has been known to live more 
 than a hundred years, and, indeed, as it is endowed 
 with a robust constitution, a good appetite, and great 
 activity, it seems to possess all the qualities conducive 
 to long life, 
 
 From the remotest antiquity a number of supersti- 
 tious notions respecting this bird hare prevailed, 
 

THE MAGGIE. ZWl 
 
 wnTch, notwithstanding the general improvement o'f 
 the human mind and the diffusion of knowledge, are 
 yet to be found ainong the ignorant populace of 
 most countries ; but I snail w>t, my dear Sir, amuse 
 you with the tales of old women, which I know you 
 have good sense enough to despise. Some suppose 
 that the respect paid to it in Sweden, where it is held! 
 sacred and no one offers to molest it, i founded oil 
 the circumstance of its being selected for the purpose 
 of feeding the prophet Elijah. 
 
 The Romans, however, who paid no regard to our 
 Scriptures, had also their prejudices in regard to the 
 raven, as they accounted it ominous, and merely from 
 motives of fear held it in the greatest veneration. 
 The origin of these absurdities is wholly unknown; 
 for it is impossible to trace the progress of supersti- 
 tion, and the excentricities of its operations on weak 
 and uncultivated minds. 
 
 Of the carrion crow and the rook I shall say but- 
 little, as they are both universally known, and shall 
 only observe that the former lives on carrion, but the 
 iatter on see-ds and grain. 
 
 The rook delights to be near the habitations of 
 men, and their bustle and cawing enlivens the rum! 
 scene, for which reason many country gentlemen 
 would not wish to banish them from tb-e vicinity of 
 their habitations. 
 
 THE MAGPIE 
 
 is universally known in this country, and it would 
 only be a waste of time to describe a bird with which 
 every school-boy and -every milk-maid is perfectly 
 acquainted. It will therefore, my dear Sir, be sufii- 
 cient to remark a few of its most general propensities. 
 In all its habits it discovers a degree of instinct su- 
 perior to most other birds ; and even the globular con- 
 struction ol its nest displays extraordinary sagacity. 
 Th magpitt is noisy, cunniag, mischievous and inso- 
 lent : it preys upon animals which are unable to make 
 resistance, and teazes such as are larger and stronger 
 than itself. It is extremely voracious, and particu- 
 larly addicted to the devouring of eggs, Those of 
 & % 
 
293 
 
 T LETTER XI/r. 
 
 domestic fowl and of small birds which build in the. 
 hedges, very frequently fall a prey to this cunning 
 depredator. In its domestic state it preserves its na- 
 tural character without' any alteration, and the same 
 propensities attend it in the cage that distinguish it in 
 the woods; Being one of the most cunning, it is also 
 one of the most docile of birds. Those who teach it 
 to speak hav.e a custom of slitting its tongue, whicU 
 is equally cruel and absurd, as it causes the poor 
 creature to suffer pain without in the least improving 
 its speech. It sometimes learns to speak very dis- 
 tinctly, but its sounds are too shrill to be an exact 
 imitation of the human voice, which the raven and 
 the parrot can more perfectly counterfeit. 
 
 THE JAY 
 
 may be reckoned among the most beautiful birds of 
 the British isles. Its forehead is white, streaked with 
 black, and its head is covered with long feathers, 
 which it can ?.t its pleasure erect into a crest. The 
 whole neck, back, belly, and breast are of a faint 
 purple dashed with grey. The wings are most ele- 
 gantly barred v/ith blue, black, and white, and the 
 tail is generally quite black. Like the magpie it 
 feeds on small birds or -fruits, is extremely docile, 
 and learns to speak with facility. 
 
 Mr. Bewick informs us'that a jay kept by a person 
 in the north of England, had been taught at the ap- 
 proach of cattle, to set a cur dog upon them, by 
 ^whistling and calling him by name. One winter, 
 during a severe frost, -he excited the dog to attack a 
 cow which w r as big with calf, when the poor animal 
 fell on the ice, .and was much. hurt. In conse- 
 quence of this accident, the jay was complained of 
 as a nuisance, and its owner was compelled to de- 
 stroy it. 
 
 This bird., as well as the magpie, being extensively 
 diii'used, admits of a number of varieties, which, na- 
 ^utalists have enumerated, and perhaps still more with, 
 which they are unacquainted. It is impossible to &1-: 
 'low Nature through all her varieties, which, in every 
 
THE KINTG FISHER THE CUCKOO. 
 
 -pccies of animal life,- proclaim the plastic hand of 
 Nature's God. 
 
 THE KING FfSHEU, OR HALCYON, 
 
 Is well known in this country, and is one of the most 
 beautiful birds of these northern climates. It is not 
 much larger than a swallow: its legs are, according 
 to our superficial notions of elegance, too small, and 
 MS beak too long in proportion to its body; but both 
 ti*e perfectly adapted to its mode of living and pro- 
 curing its food. The brilliant colours of its plumage, 
 iiowever, are sufficient, even in our partial estimation, 
 >o atone for whatever caprice may deem inelegant jn 
 its form. The. crown of the head and the outside ol 
 the wings are of a deep blackish green, with bright 
 azure spots; the back and the tail are of the most re- 
 .plenclnt azure :' tlie under part of the body is 
 orang'j-coloured : and a broad mark of the 'same puss*- 
 ing from the bill reaches 'beyond the eyes. In view- 
 ing the beautiful plumage, the slender legs, and dimi- 
 nutive size of this bird, you would scarcely, my dear 
 Sir, suppose it to be one of the most rapacious little 
 creatur.es that nature produces. This, however, is 
 in reality, the case. It is almost continually on th$ 
 wing, hovering over the rivers and lakes, where it 
 catches small tishes in surprising quantities, by darV- 
 ing down upon them with inevitable certainty. 
 While it remains suspended in the air in a sun-shiny 
 day, its plumage exhibits a beautiful variety of the 
 most dazzling colours. 
 
 Of this bird, our own and foreign countries exhibit 
 not less than thirty-six varieties. 
 THE CUCKOO 
 
 is one of the most noted of the feathered race; and* 
 although it cannot boast any great variety or beauty 
 of plumage, is remarkable for the elegance of its 
 form and the peculiarity of its habits. It is somewhat 
 less than a pigeon, but in its form resembles a hawk, 
 and its colour is a greyish blue. Its note is univer- 
 sally known; and as it announces the approach of 
 summer, is always listened to with pleasure : but the 
 particulars of its history are involved in obscurity, 
 a 3 
 
294 lE'ftET X1.T*. 
 
 and the country to which it jnigrates is yet nn- 
 known. 
 
 The cuckoo appears to be a bird of the rapacious 
 kind : Reaumur, who brought up several, found them 
 to be carnivorous ; for flesh and insects constituted 
 their favorite aliment, and they would not feed cither 
 on bread er fruit. The voracity of the cuckoo is not. 
 indeed, to be wondered at, when we consider the ca- 
 paciousness of its stomach, which is -enormous, and 
 reaches from the breast bone to the vent. 
 
 The female cuckoo makes no nest of her own, but 
 invading that of some other bird, very often of the 
 wagtail or the sparrow, destroys the eggs, and substi- 
 tutes her ov/n in the place. She seldom lays more 
 than one, which is speckled, and similar to that of 
 the blackbird in size. The bird, on its vetum, not 
 discovering the cheat, nurses the egg of her insi- 
 dious invader with the same assiduity as if it were 
 her own, and when the changeling is excluded from 
 the shell, continues to feed it with parental tender- 
 ness, ignorant that she is nursing an enemy to her 
 race, and a destroyer of her future progeny. 
 
 When the young cuckoo is fledged, it quits its sup- 
 positious parent, and follows its native propensities. 
 What becomes of this tribe in the winter season is 
 wholly unknown. Some assert that it takes refuge in, 
 the clefts of rocks, hollow trees, and other similar re- 
 treats, where it remains in a torpid state until the re- 
 turn of spring. Willoughby relates a curious story 
 of some logs of willow being laid on the fire, when a, 
 cuckoo, being revived by the sensation of heat, began 
 to utter its notes, to the astonishment of all who were 
 present, A number of similar stones have been re- 
 lated, and as it is frequently the case, the same tale has 
 been often travestied, exaggerated, and multiplied 
 into a number, through the love of the marvellous, or 
 for the support of a favorite opinion. The most ge- 
 neral, hV)\vever, as well as the most probable supposi- 
 tion, is, that on the approach of winter, the cuckoo, 
 as well as the swallow, migrates to wanner climates. 
 
 THE WOODPECKER 
 
 exhibits the most irrefragable proof of an All-wise 
 
THE WOODPECKER. 2Q3- 
 
 aigjgn in the adaptation of means to ends, and of ani- 
 uiul construction to particular purposes, which- is in- 
 deed visible in every part of the created system. Bt- 
 rug destined to live chiefly on the insects whirl* 
 lodge in the trunks of trees, nature has furnished this 
 bird with a bill of extraordinary hardness, sharpness, 
 and strength. Its tongue also being of a great length, 
 and terminating in a sharp, stilii and bony point, 
 dentated on each side, is peculiarly fitted for striking 
 ants and insects, when forced from their cells. Its 
 legs, being short and strong, are exceedingly well 
 adapted to the purposes of climbing; and the toes 
 standing two forward and two backward, arc equally 
 serviceable in holding fast to the upright trunks of 
 trees. This bird, being destined to feed solely oiv 
 insects, wants that intestine which anatomists call the 
 coocum, a circumstance peculiar to the woodpecker 
 tribe. 
 
 When this bird discovers a tree that is likely to 
 contain its favorite food, or appears fit for a habita- 
 tion, wherein to lay its eggs and nurture its young, 
 it immediately begins to make a round hole in the 
 trunk, of about two inches in diameter. This is not 
 performed by boring with its beak as with a gimlet, 
 as some have asserted, but by constant and laborious 
 picking, of which every one may be convinced who 
 frequents the woods and forests where it resides, and 
 sees its operations, or hears the noise which it makes 
 in battering the trees. This bird very frequently at- 
 tacks the ant-hill, and devours the industrious little 
 insects, which have there formed a colony, aid are 
 Tar from apprehending so formidable an invasion. 
 
 Of this kind, naturalists have enumerated more 
 than fifty different species, each of those admitting 
 <>f a number of varieties, greatly differing in size, co- 
 lour, and appearance, but agreeing in the character- 
 istic marks already mentioned, and in the habits re- 
 sulting from so peculiar a conformation. The wood- 
 pecker, which is the most common in this country, is 
 about the size of a magpie : its throat, breast/ and 
 belly, are of a pale green; and the back, wings an^ 
 o 4 
 
293 LETTER XLVI 
 
 -tail are of a deeper green, and mottled with a variety 
 of colours. 
 
 As I am apprehensive of tiring ^ou with the length 
 of my letter, I shall, out of the immense variety 
 which nature displays, endeavour to select a few 
 choice subjects to enliven our future correspondence, 
 and for the present conclude, with subscribing my- 
 self, 
 
 I)ear Sir, 
 
 Your's, fee. 
 
 LETTER XLVL 
 
 " The parrot learns to emulate onr speech/' 
 Hark ! the hoarse pigeon tunes his notes 10 love," 
 
 JEAR SIR, 
 
 It- HE objects which lam now going to present, to 
 your view, are some of the most curious which thp 
 feathered part of the ereatitm affords. They will irre- 
 sistibly attract your attention, and excite your admi- 
 ration of the splendor of nature's works, 
 
 THE PARROT, 
 
 is, of nil foreign birds, the best known in this eotm* 
 try; and has always been held in estimation by th$ 
 Curious, as it possesses the singular advantage of unit- 
 ing transcendent beauty with superiority of instinct 
 and astonishing docility. 
 
 The facility with which this bird learns not only to 
 speak, but to retain arid repeat a great number of 
 words, is surprising. We are assured that a parrot 
 lias been taught to rehearse a whole sonnet from Pe- 
 trafr.li. 
 
 Many wonderful stories have been related of this 
 creature's sagacity and loquaciousness, among-which 
 I shall, for your amusement, select one, which appears 
 so singular, that it would never have obtained credit, 
 had it not been sanctioned by respectable authority. 
 
 Willoughby tells us> that a parrot belonging to 
 
THE PARROT, 2S7 
 
 King Henry the Seventh, \vho then resided in his pa- 
 lace at Westminster, had learned many words and 
 phrases from the passengers who took the water near 
 that place. Sporting one day on his perch, the poor 
 bird had the misfortune to fall into the Thames. He 
 immediately called out as loud as he was able, " A 
 boat, twenty pounds for a boat !" A waterman, hear- 
 ing the parrot's liberal offer, made to the place where 
 the parrot was floating, and. took him up. The man, 
 kaovring the bird to be a favorite, insisted on the full 
 reward it had promised, and agreed, that the matter 
 should be left to its decision; which the parrot hear- 
 .ing, cried out " Give the knave a groat." 
 
 Linnaeus makes forty-seven, and Latham near a 
 -hundred arid fifty species of this beautiful and sagaci- 
 ous bird; but probably no naturalist has enumerated 
 'One half of its varieties. The distinguishing charac- 
 teristics, however, of the whole tribe, are, that the 
 beak is hooked, and the upper, as well as the lower 
 mandible, moveable; the nostrils placed at the bot- 
 tom of the beak; the tongue fleshy and obtuse; and 
 the feet furnished with two toes before, and two be- 
 hind, calculated for the purpose of climbing and 
 clinging to trees. 
 
 Notwithstanding the endless varieties found in this 
 numerous tribe of birds, they are generally divided 
 into four classes; the macaw, which is considerably 
 the largest, and nearly equal to the raven in size; the 
 -parrot, properly so called; the lories, which are less 
 than the parrot; and, lastly* the parroquet, which ^is 
 the least of all, and of which some varieties are not 
 larger than the common sparrow. Between these 
 species the difference is rather in size than conforma- 
 tion; and they have all the same general habits:. 
 
 In the tropical climates they are exceeding numer- 
 ous. The forests swarm with their different varieties-.; 
 and the vivid colours of their plumage are an addi- 
 tional ornament to the luxuriance of vegetation under 
 these genial skies-, and. give an air of vivacity to the 
 scene. Nothing in nature, indeed, can have a more 
 .-beautiful appearance than forests of lofty trees, cloth- 
 c 5 
 
S98 LETTER XLVI. 
 
 ed with the most luxuriant foliage of an endless va- 
 riety of forma and colours, swarming with parrots, 
 and glittering with the brilliancy of their plumage. 
 
 THE BIRD OF PARADISE, 
 
 which has undoubtedly derived its name from its 
 beauty, is a native of the Molucca islands, and, being 
 confined to those remote regions of the east, has been 
 tery imperfectly known to the best European orni- 
 thologists, until Sonnerat, in his voyage to New Gui- 
 nea, somewhat elucidated the subject. Of this bird, 
 there are eight different species; but that which i.i 
 best known, is the greater bird of paradise. This 
 beautiful volatile, from the fulness of its plumage, ap- 
 pears to the eye nearly the size of a pigeon, although 
 its body is not in reality much larger than that of. a 
 thrush. Its- body and its tail are each, about six 
 inches long; and the wings are large in proportion to 
 its other dimenensio-ns. The head, the throat, and 
 the nec.k, are of a pale gold colour. The base of the 
 bill, as also the head, is covered with tine black fea- 
 thers, soft and glossy as velvet, and varying in co- 
 lour with the different shade? of light. The hind part 
 of the head is of a shining green, mixed with gold 
 colour. The body and wings are covered with beauti- 
 ful brown purple and gold coloured feathers. The up- 
 per part of the tail is a pale yellow, and the undermost 
 feathers are white, and Longer than those above; but 
 the appendage which chieiiy excites curiosity, con- 
 sists of two long naked feathers which, spring from the 
 upper part of the rump above the tail, and are gene=- 
 rally about two feet in length. These aye bearded only 
 at the beginning and the end, the whole shaft for above 
 one foot nine laches, being of a deep black; while 
 the feathered extremity is of a colour which changes 
 with the various reflections of the light. 
 
 In the Oriental islands which they inhabit, these 
 birds arc seen in large flocks fluttering through the 
 aromatic 'groves. They are sometimes called the 
 swuliows of Ternate, from tbe rapidity of. their flight,, 
 and their being constantly on the wing, in pursuit of 
 flies and insect^ which are their usual food. 
 
THE BIRD OF PARADISE. 
 
 The beauty and the rarity of this bird, has given 
 rise to a number of tietitious tales, and a mass of fabu- 
 lous description. The natives of the countries where 
 they are found, observing the avidity with which Eu- 
 ropeans purchased these birds when stuffed, .having 
 adopted the custom of cutting off their legs, asserted, 
 that nature had not furnished them with those mem- 
 bers, as they were inhabitants solely of the air, and 
 nourished entirely by the dew of heaven. And what 
 is astonishing, all these absurdities were for a long 
 time believed. 
 
 The Malayans,, who make a trade of killing, stuff- 
 ing, and selling these birds to the curious Europeans, 
 generally conceal themselves in the trees, where 
 they resort, and shoot them with arrows made of 
 reeds, in order to damage as little as possible their 
 neautiftil plumage. When they have killed a rram- 
 toer of these birds, they take out every part of thvir 
 entrails, and run a hot iron up their bodies, which 
 dries up the juices. They then stuff them with salts 
 and aromatic spices, and offer them for sale. 
 
 Among the many different species of this bird, that 
 called the king bird of paradise, is difficult to recog- 
 nize in the variety of description-,, and the confusion 
 of^names. Buffon distinguishes two species, by the 
 appellations of the king bird, and the magnificent 
 bird of paradise ; but, as they are both described of 
 the size of a black-bird, it is probable that they arc 
 the name, and that the difference is only nominal or 
 imaginary. The description, accompanied with a 
 coloured plate, given in " The Young Gentleman 
 and Lady's Magazine for March, 1799," represents 
 the greatest part of the plumage of the king bird of 
 paradise, as being of a beautiful and vivid carmine, all 
 his colours of a soft .and- silky appearance, having the 
 gloss of polished metal, The two shafts proceeding 
 from the rump, are blackish-, a;xi not beard ci,, and 
 extend very far below the tail and wings. Near the 
 extremities, these singular appendages become beard- 
 ed, and by an elegant convolution, form a pretty 
 o 6, 
 
300 LETTER XLYI. 
 
 large circle of a bright emerald colour, varying ac- 
 cording to the shade in which it is viewed. 
 
 I have, rny dear Sir, endeavoured to give you, from 
 the best authorities, as accurate a delineation as pos- 
 sible of this singular bird, which has so long excited 
 the curiosity of this part of the world,- and afforded a 
 puzzling enigma to European ornithologists. ,. Having 
 exhibited to your view the most striking display of 
 the beauties of nature in the pie tribe, I shall close 
 my. description of that class, by calling your attention 
 to a species, in which utility is joined to elegance of 
 form and plumage, and which is therefore adapted to 
 excite our admiration of the created system, and our 
 gratitude towards the All-wise and bountiful Creator. 
 
 THE PIGEON 
 
 is so universally known, that any description of it 
 would be a waste of time both to the writer and the 
 reader; and indeed the variety of plumage which the 
 tame kind displays, is so great, that it would exhaust 
 the labours of the pen or penqil. 
 
 All the beautiful varieties of the pigeon are said to 
 derive their origin from the stock dove, or wood pi- 
 geon, which is invariably of a beautiful ash colour, 
 and the breast dashed with a fine changeable green 
 and purple. These are the colours of the pigeon in 
 its natural state; and from these simple but beautiful 
 tints, the effects of domestication have produced a va- 
 riety that words cannot describe, nor ven fancy it- 
 self suggest. 
 
 The most distinguished varieties of the pigeon tribe, 
 are the stock dove, the colours of which are already 
 described, and which in size considerably exceeds the 
 lame pigeon: and the ring dove, which is still larger, 
 and receives its appellation from a beautiful white 
 circle round the neck, above and below which, the 
 contiguous parts are delightfully variegated with 
 changeable colours. These almost always fly in 
 large flocks, and are so wild, that all attempts to re- 
 claim them have been ineffectual. 
 
 The turtle dove is the most celebrated of the whole 
 race: it is considerably smaller than the common .pi- 
 8 
 
THE PIGEON. 301 
 
 geon; and its amiable inofFensiv^ness and inviolable 
 fidelity to its mate, has furnished sentimental writers 
 with the most beautiful allusions. 
 
 One of the most remarkable traits in the history of 
 this kind of birds, is the custom which has sometimes 
 prevailed, of employing the pigeon in c?rrying letters 
 from place to place in time of war, and in case of 
 sieges, when all means of communication were inter- 
 cepted by the enemy. This was performed by a 
 timely interchange of the birds, which, being let fly, , 
 immediately returned to their former abode. You 
 will find in history several instances of this communi- 
 cation by carrier pigeons, which, however, are now 
 rendered useless through the general adoption of fire 
 arms. They are, however, the most expeditions car- 
 riers in the world, and have been known to perform a 
 journey of forty miles in an hour and a half. They 
 are still used in the east; and The-venot says, that 
 they commonly travel from Aleppo to Alexandria in 
 Syria, in six hours, which is a distance of eighty-eight 
 miles. The letters are generally fastened under their 
 wings. 
 
 In order to ascertain with some degree of accuracy, 
 the speed of these curious birds, a gentleman, some 
 years ago, sent a carrier pigeon from London to a 
 friend at Bury St. Edmund's, and along with it a let- 
 ter, requesting that the pigeon, two days after its ar- 
 rival, might be thrown up precisely at nine o'clock in 
 the morning. This was attended to; and the pigeon 
 returned to the Bull Inn, Bishopsgate-street, about half 
 past eleven o'clock of the same morning; having tra- 
 velled seventy-two miles in two hours and a half. 
 
 So great is the fecundity of this bird in its domestic 
 -state, that from a single pair, near fifteen thousand 
 Ttiay be produced in the space of four years; a cir- 
 cumstance which, joined to the excellency of its flesh, 
 .shews its importance to man, and how well it repays 
 his care and attention. 
 
 I am, most respectfully, dear Sir, 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
303 
 LETTER XLV1L 
 
 And wood-lark, e'er the kind contending thren* 
 Superior heard, run thro' the sweetest length 
 Of notes j when list'ning PhilomeJa deigns 
 To lei them joy, and purposes in thought 
 Elate, to make her night excel their day. 
 The blackbird whistles from the thorn}' brake; 
 The radio* btvlfinch answers from the grove." 
 
 THOM80N. 
 
 fcEAR SIR, 
 
 I NOW beg leave to call your attention to a class of 
 the feathered creation of which the different species 
 are innumerable, and distinguished with endless va- 
 riety. Of these some appear formed to delight us. 
 with the beauty of their plumage, others with the 
 melody of their notes, and all contribute to enliven 
 the rural scene and exhilerate the mind. 
 
 Amidst so unbounded a variety of objects, all pleas- 
 ing, all interesting, the mind might expatiate with 
 ceaseless activity, unwearied in the contemplation of 
 the works of Him at whose almighty fiat,. Cceation,> 
 with all its various forms, burst into existence*. 
 
 In order, however, my dear Sir,, to direct your at- 
 tention to some fixed points in the boundless immen- 
 sity of the prospect before you, I will endeavour to- 
 make a selection of some of the most striking objects, 
 and entertain you with a description of a few of the- 
 most famed of these winged inhabitants of the woods,, 
 the groves, and the fields,. which, enliven the face of 
 nature. 
 
 THE THRUSH 
 
 is extensively diffused, and admits of not less than' 
 130 diilerent species; of which the most remarkable 
 at least in this country, are the missel-thrush, the 
 throstle, or song-thr.uh, the field-fare, the red-wing, 
 and the black-bird^ 
 
 The missel and the throstle differ chiefly in size. 
 The former, indeed, is the largest of the.genusj being 
 
T&F. BLACKBIRD THE BULFINCH. 303 
 
 about eleven inches in length, and of the weight of 
 nearly five ounces. The latter is considerably less, 
 and the speckles on its breast are of smaller dimen- 
 sions, and more intimately blended. 
 
 The thrush is of a dusky-brown on the body and 
 wings, and the speckled plumage of its throat is a 
 mixture of brown and yellow. It is one of the sweet- 
 est songsters of the groves, and its deep-toned notes 
 are equally remarkable for their variety, long con- 
 tinuance, and melodious inflection. It pours its de- 
 lightful strains from the top of some high tree ; but 
 descends to the lowly bush or the hawthorn hedge to 
 construct its nest. 
 
 THE BLACK-BIRD 
 
 is universally known in this country for hs- deep- 
 toned melody, and the variety of its sonorous inflec- 
 tions. This bird, indeed, when heard at a proper 
 distance, excels, perhaps, any of the inhabitants of 
 the groves, unless the nightingale be admitted as an 
 exception. The black-bird may be taught to whistle 
 any tune, and even to imitate the human voice. 
 
 THE BULFINCH, 
 
 although small, is a beautiful objeci. IB the male 
 the head, wings, and tail are principally black : the 
 throat and breast, a deep, crimson. The colours of 
 the female are much fainter, and she is considerably 
 inferior in beauty. This bird is common in most 
 parts of the European continent, but is somewhat 
 scarce in this island. In the countries where it 
 abounds, it frequents orchards and gardens for the 
 sake of the insects which feed upon the foliage of 
 trees and plants, and thereby renders an. essential ser- 
 yice to the proprietors. 
 
 The bulfinch is not remarkable for the agreeable- 
 ness or the variety of its natural notes, but when tam- 
 ed is wonderfully docile,, and possesses so eminent a 
 talent tor imitation, that it may be taught to whistle 
 any tune with the greatest exactness. 
 
 " I know a curioug person," says the authou of the 
 ^donologie, " who having whistled some aips quite 
 glaiu to a, bujfinch, was surprised to hear the bird 
 
 t 
 
304 LETTER XLVII. 
 
 add such graceful tones, that the master- could scarcely 
 recognize his own music, and: acknowledge that the 
 scholar excelled him. 
 
 THE ORTOLAN 
 
 is a bird which has acquired an extraordinary degree 
 of celebrity, from the delicacy of its flesh. The 
 -plumage, on the upper part, is of a chesnut colour, 
 mixed with black-; the under parts are of a dusky white. 
 These birds are common in France and Italy, and are 
 found in most countries of Europe, except Great 
 Britain. In their migrations i\\nn one country to an- 
 other, numbers are caught, and fattened for the table. 1 
 When 'thoroughly fed it weighs sometimes three 
 ounces, and is accounted the most delicious morsel 
 which the culinary art can prepare; but it would not 
 perhaps be equally agreeable to every one's taste, a* 
 it is little else than an entire lump of fat 
 
 The birds commonly distinguished by the appella-' 
 tion of the finch kind, are divided into above a hun- 
 dred well known species, and undoubtedly there arc 
 many others unknown to our ornithologists. Of these 
 the goldfinch is one of the most beautiful, the most 
 docile, and the most harmonious. This charming 
 little songster is too well known to require any de- 
 scription. This species is widely diffused, for we 
 jmd it an inhabitant of almost every quarter of the 
 old continent, although it abounds principally in Eu- 
 rope. 
 
 The finch genus comprehends a great variety of fo- 
 reign birds, some of which are remarkable -for the 
 -beauty of their plumage, and others for their har- 
 mony. Among these the canary bird is universally 
 known and esteemed. Its name indicates its origin, 
 whrch is from the Canary island*, although we have 
 them now from Germany, where they are -bred up 
 tame in great numbers, and sold into different parts 
 of Europe. In a wild state it cannot bear the severity 
 of our climate ; but kept in a cage it will live ten or 
 fifteen years. 
 
 In its native islands, which are rendered delightful 
 &y the beauty of their landscapes, and the harmony. 
 
THE LARK. 
 
 of their groves, the canary bird is of ft dusky grey 
 rolour, and so different from those stfen in Europe, 
 that sonic have doubted whether it be of the same 
 species. So conspicuous are the effects of domesti- 
 cation and change of climate, in this bird, as well as 
 in many other animals, both quadrupeds and volatiles. 
 The canary bird in its tame as well as in its natural 
 state, is highly valued for the harmony of its song and 
 the great variety of its long and piercing notes. 
 Being unwilling to weary you with the length of my 
 letter, although the subject be extremely agreeable, 
 I will leave you for a few moments to muse amidst 
 the feathered songsters, and conclude by subscribing 
 myself, most affectionately. 
 
 Bear Sir, 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 LETTER XLVKL 
 
 Up iprlng* ihe 
 
 " Shrill voie'd and loud, the messenger of morn i" 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 JL BEG leave at present, to recommend to your notice 
 a bird which contributes in an eminent degree to en- 
 liven the rural scenery of our island, for instead of 
 retiring to the recesses of the forest, or the solitary 
 retreats of sequestered groves, it hovers over the 
 meadows and the fields; and accompanies the plough* 
 man and the reaper; and, by its melodious strains, 
 gladdens the heart of th-e peasant, and sweetens hia 
 toil. 
 
 THE LARK 
 
 is in this, and most countries of Europe, universally 
 known, and, being considered as the harbinger of 
 spring, and the herald of the morn, it may be said to 
 lead the general chorus among " the tuneful nations." 
 With the singing of the lark so many delectable ideas 
 are indeed associated, ihatofall the winged songsters. 
 
806 LETTER XLV11I. 
 
 no one contributes more to the pleasure of the human 
 species. 
 
 The lark genus includes twenty-eight different 
 species. Of these the sky-lark, and next to that the 
 wood-lark, are the most common in this country : but 
 the tit-lark and the field-lark are also British bird^ 
 All the lark genus is musical ; but to enjoy their mu- 
 sic in perfection we must leave them in possession of 
 their native liberty. The song of any bird in capti- 
 vity produces unpleasant sensations in a feeling heart. 
 It is the landscape, the grove, the golden-eyed morn, 
 the fluttering from branch to branch, the soaring in 
 the air, the answering of the young, that gives true 
 relish to the enrapturing strain. These united im- 
 prove each other, and exhrleratc the mind that is en- 
 dowed with sensibility and refinement. Th whole 
 ecenery of nature scarcely aflbrd any thing more pleas- 
 ing than to see the lark warbling on the wing, and 
 hear it raising its notes as it soars aloft, and bv de- 
 grees becomes invisible : it seems, indeed, to excite 
 in the mind an idea of something celestial, when the 
 most melodious strains continue to charm the ear 
 while the musician is lost in the immense heights 
 above. 
 
 The sky-lark and the wood-lark are larger than the 
 sparrow, but not so large as the thrush. They have 
 nothing particularly ornamental in their plumage, 
 the colour of 5 which is a sort of unvarying dappled 
 grey. Their delightful music, however, entitles 
 them to the second, if not to the first, rank among the 
 feathered choristers. Two species of larks are re- 
 marked as the only birds that chaunt while on the 
 
 THE NIGHTINGALE 
 
 is the most famous of all the songsters of the groves, 
 and has so long been celebrated rbr the charms of its 
 music, that the idea of harmony seems to be associat- 
 ed with its name. This charming bird was so admired 
 by the ancients, that every allusion to it was consi- 
 dered as an embellishment to poetical description. 
 7'he melody of the nightingale cannot be better dc- 
 
THE NIGHTINGALE. 
 
 scribed than in the words of the ingenious author of 
 
 J/IIistoire des Oiseaux. " The leader of the ver- 
 
 )\al chorus begins with a low and timid voice, and 
 prepares the hymn to nature, by essaying his powers 
 and attuning his organs; by degrees the sound opens 
 and swells, it bursts with loud and vivid flashes, it 
 ilows with volubility, it faints and murmurs, it shakes 
 with rapid and violent articulations; the soft breath- 
 ings of love and joy are poured from his inmost soul 
 und ever}' heart beats unison and melts with delici- 
 ous languor. But this continued richness might sa- 
 tiate the ear. The strains are at times relieved by 
 pauses, which bestow dignity and elevation. The 
 mild silence of evening heightens the general effect j 
 and not a rival interrupts the solemn scene." 
 
 Nothing can be added to this animated description 
 of the nightingale's song. It is, however, my deaf 
 Sir, much to be lamented that the delightfulness or 
 the fame of its music has too often been an induce- 
 ment to abridge the musician of its liberty, in order 
 to secure the enjoyment of its harmony. The organs 
 of this, as well as of all other songsters of the forests 
 and the fields are 
 
 -Too delicately formed 
 
 To brook the harsh confinement ol the cage." 
 Perhaps it is a fortunate circumstance for Philomel 
 that its external beauty does not correspond with the 
 sweetness of its music, and that it charms the most 
 when unseen. Possessing in so eminent a degree the 
 powers of melody, it has no need of the brilliant 
 plumage of the pheasant, the bird of Paradise, or the 
 humming bird, to render it more captivating; and 
 perhaps such additional attraction would subject it 
 still more to the tyranny of man. 
 
 Its head and back are of a pale tawny colour dash- 
 ed with olive ; the throat, breast, and upper part of 
 the belly are of a light glossy ash colour, and the 
 lower part of the belly is almost white. The outside 
 webs of the quills are of a reddish brown ; the tail is 
 of a deep tawny red, and the eyes are remarkably 
 large and animated. 
 
08 LETTER XLVIH. 
 
 This most i'amons of the feather&l tribe visits 
 Jand in the beginning of April, and leaves it in the 
 beginning of August, It is found in. some of thtf 
 southern parts of this island, but is totally unknown 
 Sn Scotland, Ireland, and North Wales. It frequents 
 thick hedges and low coppices, and generally lurks 
 in the middle of the bush, so that it is rarely see'n-. 
 The nightingale begins its song in the evening, and 
 often continues it during the whole night. Its attach- 
 ment to a particular place is remarkable. During se- 
 veral weeks together it will, if undisturbed, perch on 
 the same tree, and from thence every evening pchvr 
 4ts fascinating melody. 
 
 THE RED-BREAST 
 
 is a little bird which is celebrated for its affection to 
 mankind rather than for its song. This bird, h<*-. 
 ever, has the sweetest note of any in our climate, mid 
 makes every hedge vocal. The notes of other birds 
 ^se louder and their inflection:* more sonorous ; Lut 
 the red-breast's voice is soft, tender, and melodious. 
 The confidence which this little bird appears to place 
 in man, together with its inoffensive disposition, 
 claims and obtains his pity and protection. Such in- 
 deed is the universal prejudice in its favor, from what- 
 ever cause it may originate, that scarcely any one 
 will offer it an injury: happy and beneficial preju- 
 dice, that excites benevolence and prevents the abuse 
 of any of God's creatures! 
 
 THE SWALLOW 
 
 with its varieties is too well known to require any 
 description. I shall therefore finish this survey of so 
 beautiful and so curious a department of nature by 
 the exhibition of one more of these creatures, which 
 are singular and striking objects in a view cf the ani- 
 mal creation, and have always attracted the curiosity 
 of those who delight to contemplate the God of Na- 
 ture in his works. 
 
 THE HUMMING BIRD, 
 
 from its diminutive size, and the resplendency of its 
 colours, is not less an object of curiosity than the 
 mock-bird, from the endless variety of its notes. Tin* 
 
BI-RB, 309 
 
 beautiful little creature admits of six or seven varie- 
 ties, distinguished by successive gradations, from the, 
 size of the wren to that of the humble-bee.. It is, 
 however, furnished with a bill, with wings, and all' 
 the other ordinary appendages of the larger species. 
 
 The smallest of this species is not larger than a 
 hazel nut. Its wings and tail are black; but the fea- 
 thers under the wings arc of a greenish brown, with a 
 fnie red cast, and bear a gloss which no silk or velvet 
 can equal. On its head it has a small golden crest, 
 which sparkles in the sun with all the brilliancy of a 
 star: the bill is straight and slender, and about the 
 length of a small sized pin. The large humming 
 bird is not half so big as our wren. It is not adorned 
 with a gilded crest; but from the throat half way 
 down the belly its crimson-coloured feathers are 
 beautiful beyond conception, and vary according to 
 the reflections of the light. The head of the hum-, 
 mjng biid is exceedingly small, and its round eyes 
 are as black as ebony. 
 
 Imagination can scarcely conceive how much the 
 numerous tribes of this diminutive species enliven 
 and embellish a transatlantic landscape. As soon as 
 the >sun appears above the horizon, humming birds of 
 different kinds and various sizes are seen, fluttering 
 incessantly about the flowers' which the country pro- 
 duces in abundance. The rapid motion of their wings 
 renders it impossible to distinguish their colours, 
 which seem blended in one general effulgence, and 
 produce a kind of humming sound, from which their 
 name is derived.- Their sole food appears to be the 
 honey which they extract from the flowers; and for 
 the purpose of procuring this kind of aliment, Nature 
 has provided them with forked tongues, completely 
 formed for entering the cups, and drawing forth th 
 jpectareous juices. 
 
 The nes^s of these birds are, like themselves, a na- 
 tural curiosity. They are curiously suspended from, 
 the very point of a twig, and are thus secure from 
 the assaults of the monkey or the snake. They are 
 fomied of the fine fibres oi vegetables carefully com- 
 
LETTEKXLVIM, 
 
 bined with cotton and moss, and in shape and size rr> 
 semble half a hen's egg. Tke eggs of the humming- 
 bird are of a clear white, wkh a few yellow specks, 
 arid of the size of a small pea. The male and the fe- 
 male alternately*, perform the office of incubation. 
 The voting when first hatched are entirely naked, but 
 in a tew days a fine down appears, which is gradually- 
 converted into that beautiful clothing which renders 
 this bird an object of admiration. 
 
 The humming bird was formerly in high esteerm 
 among the Indians, for the ornament which its plum- 
 age added to their dress. The mode of taking these 
 birds is chiefly by bird-lime daubed in the places 
 where they haunt; and they are now caught chiefly 
 for the purpose of selling them to Europeans as curio- 
 sities. 
 
 Having now, my dear Sir, exhibited tx> your view 
 a selection of the most curious objects that are found 
 among this smaller race of volatiles, of which the dis- 
 tinctions are too numerous for the examination of the 
 most accurate and indefatigable ornithologist. I am 
 certain that in contemplating the musical powers of 
 the nightingale, the lark, and the thrush, and the 
 beautiful plumage of the goldfinch, the bulfinch, and 
 the humming bird, besides the wonders displayed in 
 an endless variety of others; you will feel your mind 
 deeply impressed with a sense of the diversifying 
 energy of nature, communicated to it by its Divine 
 Author. Permit me therefore to conclude, by ex- 
 pressing the esteem with which 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &. 
 
Stl 
 
 LETTER XLIX. 
 
 ** So steers the prudent crane 
 Her annual Yovage, borne on wiuds." 
 
 scare* 
 
 The bittern knows his time, with bill ingulph'd 
 To shake the sounding marsh." 
 
 THOMSON*. 
 EAE SIR, 
 
 JL AM now about to entertain you with a glance of a 
 species of birds different from the preceding, both in 
 formation and habits, which are destined by the Au- 
 thor of Nature to a different mode of living, and fur- 
 nished with such qualifications as are suitable to their 
 wants and propensities. 
 
 WATER FOWL 
 
 may, with propriety, be divided into two different 
 classes. The cloven-footed, and those which are 
 web-footed. The first of these are denominated the 
 crane kind. These, like the rest of the animals which 
 nature produces with endless diversity, admit of too 
 many distinctions to be brought forward with enu- 
 merative exactness. I shall therefore select a few 
 out of the immense variety presented to our view. 
 
 THE CRANE KIND 
 
 being destined to live and procure their food among 
 waters, but not to swim, Creative Wisdom is here, as 
 every where else, displayed in their peculiar forma- 
 tion. The legs are of an extraordinary length, by 
 which they are enabled to wade to a considerable 
 depth. The bill is also calculated with the same 
 adaptation to its particular use, being in general much 
 longer than that of other birds, a circumstance that 
 enables them to fetch up their food from the bottom 
 of muddy quagmires and shallow waters. 
 
 THE COMMON CRANK 
 
 is a tall slender bird; its body is about the size of the 
 hen turkey, usually weighing about ten pounds, mea- 
 curing about three feet and a quarter in length, and 
 
three feet in height, with a neck proportioned to the 
 length of its legs.. Its head is covered with a black 
 bristly crest; and the back part, which is without 
 feathers, and appears of a red colour, distinguishes it 
 from the stork, to which it bears, in other respects, a 
 considerable resemblance. The general colour of its 
 plumage is ash-coloured; and from the pinion of each 
 wing grow two large tufts of -feathers, which the bird 
 can at pleasure erect and depress, and which, in an- 
 cient times, were often set in gold, and worn as orna- v 
 ments on the heads of persons of distinction. 
 
 The arctic regions are the favorite abode of these 
 birds; for although they are found in every country 
 of Europe except Great Britain, they may be consi- 
 dered as visitants rather than inhabitants, as they mi- 
 grate from one part to another, and seem to follow 
 tlie seasons. They still continue to be held in a kind 
 of veneration by the vulgar of every country, and 
 the ancient prejudices appear to operate fortunately 
 in their favour. , 
 
 Of this bird there are several varieties of which 
 the principal seems to be the Numidian crane, re- 
 markable for the singularity of its -habits and gestures, 
 J3y the French it is called the damoiselle, from the 
 supposed elegance and gracefulness of its motions. 
 Sometimes it stoops, then rises, lifts up first one wing 
 and then the other, sails forward and returns, and in- 
 cessantly exhibits, a variety of gesticulations. This ig 
 a very scarce bird. Its plumage is mostly of a leaden; 
 grey "colour; but from the back of the head spring 
 beautiful white feathers, which bend downwards, and 
 are about four inches in length; while the fore part 
 of the neck is adorned with black feathers, composed 
 of very fine filaments, w^hich fall down on the breast^ 
 arid give an air of elegance to its appearance. 
 
 THE HEBON 
 
 is remarkable for the .two opposite qualities which are 
 blended in its character, excessive timidity, and ex- 
 treme rapacity. This bird is remarkably light in prq- 
 portioiTto its' size, seldom weighing more than three 
 pounds and a half, although it expands a breadtfc of 
 

 
THE HERON. 
 
 \vingof not less than five feet: and although other 
 animals mostly grow fat bv a plentiful supply of food, 
 this continues constantly fean, notwithstanding its in- 
 satiate, voracity. Its bill is not less than five inches 
 long from the base to the point; and its claws are 
 long, sharp, and formidable : but although it appears 
 thus completely armed not only for defensive, but 
 offensive war, it flies at the approach of the sparrow 
 hawk. Of all birds, however, this commits the 
 greatest depredations in fresh water; and there i* 
 scarcely a fish, however large soever it may be, that 
 it will not strike at and wound, although it be unable 
 to carry it away ; but it subsists chiefly on the smaller 
 fry. The heron wades into the water as far as it can, 
 and then carefully watches for its victims, and will, it 
 is said, destroy more fish in a week than an otter will 
 do in three months. 
 
 ? " I have seen," says Willoughby, tf an heron shot 
 that had seventeen carps in his belly, all which he is 
 able, to digest in six or seven hours. I have also 
 seen/' continues the same author, "' a carp of nine 
 inches and a half long, taken out of the belly of a he- 
 ron." Several gentlemen who kept tame -herons to 
 try what quantity one of them could cat in a day, 
 have put small roach and dace into a tub, and they 
 have found one heron eat fifty in a day, one day with 
 another. In this manner a single heron will destroy 
 fifteen thousand carp in a single half year. 
 
 After this relation, we are not to wonder that the 
 heron is considered as so terrible a depredator in fish- 
 ponds. It is now generally destroyed as a nuisance, 
 although it was once killed for its flesh, which was 
 formerly considered as a delicacy, and is indeed very 
 good food, although not at present held in any great 
 estimation. 
 
 If we might be permitted to judge of the inscruta- 
 ble designs of the Creator in forming this insatiable 
 bird, existence seems to be given it fur the purpose of 
 counterbalancing by its voracity the supei abundant 
 fecundity of some species of fishes, and preventing 
 >hir excessive multiplication. 
 r 
 
314 LETTER XLIX. 
 
 The heron is said to be a very long-lived bird. Mr. 
 Keyster asserts, that it lives to the age of sixty years; 
 and a recent instance which occurred in Holland, 
 confirms this account of its longevity. A heron was 
 found in that country which had a silver plate fasten- 
 ed to its leg, with an inscription, importing that it had 
 been struck by the Elector of Cologne's hawk thirty- 
 five years before. 
 
 THE BITTERN 
 
 is a bird of the heron kind, distinguished by the dis- 
 mal hollow sound which it emits, and whkh resem- 
 bles the interrupted bellowings of a bull, but is much 
 louder, and heard at a greater distance. 
 
 The bittern is of a pale yellow cdlour, spotted and 
 barred with black. It lays seven or eight eggs of an 
 -ash-green, colour, and in three days after hatching 
 leads its young ones out to their food. The flesh of 
 this bird is esteemed a great dainty. 
 
 THE STORK. 
 
 Tsears so great a resemblance to the crane, that it is 
 no wonder that oae should often be mistaken for the 
 other. Their conformation, indeed, appears to be 
 
 exactly the same, the difference consists in the colour, 
 disposition and habits. The colours of the crane are 
 cinereous and black, those of the stork white and 
 brown. The voice of the former is loud and piercing, 
 while the latter is always silent. The former prefer,-? 
 grain to every other aliment, the latter lives wholly 
 on frogs, serpents, small birds and fish. And while 
 the crane delights to conceal itself far from the habi- 
 tations of men, the stork generally fixes its residence 
 
 near the most populous places. 
 
 Storks, like cranes, are migratory, but, as they al- 
 ways travel by night, their flight is concealed. When 
 they leave Europe they all assemble on a certain day, 
 and not one of the party is ever left behind. They 
 generally make their appearance in this part of the 
 globe about the middle of March, and build their 
 nests on the tops of chimnies, or of high towers, pin- 
 nacles of lofty buildings, and sometimes on the tops 
 of high trees. The stork lays from two to four eggs, 
 
THE FLAMINGO.. 315 
 
 resembling in colour and size those of a goose. The 
 time of incubation is one month; and after the exclu- 
 iion of the young, the parent bird is extremely soli- 
 citous for their safety, which, however, is seldom en- 
 dangered, being universally protected by popular 
 prejudice, which indeed is seldom so well founded as 
 in relation to this bird; for as it destroys great num- 
 bers of noxious reptiles, it is almost everywhere held 
 in esteem. 
 
 There are few towns on the continent, at least 
 where the situation is low and marshy, that have not 
 the stork as an inmate, and every where it is a favorite 
 of the people. There is certainly something amiable 
 in prejudices which inspire the breast with sentiments 
 of humanity. 
 
 I shall now proceed to the second class, in.to which 
 I have, according to general custom, divided the pro- 
 digious variety of aquatic birds which frequent the 
 shores of the ocean, ,and those of river.s and lakes, or 
 enliven the dreary solitude of bogs and morassed. 
 
 With every wish for your health and happiness, 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Yonr's, &c. 
 
 LETTER L. 
 
 " From man retir'd, amid the lonely marsh, 
 Flamingoes build and tend their curious nests." 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 JL SHALL now select for your entertainment and in- 
 struction, the most remarkable of those water fowl, 
 which are commonly denominated the goose kind, 
 and of which the distinguishing characteristic -is a' 
 membranous web, connecting the toes^ which greatly 
 facilitates their swimming. Here we cannot but ob- 
 serve the curious adaptation of their mechanism to 
 the mode of life for which they are designed. Their 
 toes, thus joined, serve them as oars; and their legs, 
 being short, are not less judiciously constructed for 
 
316 
 
 LETTER L. 
 
 striking with facility in the water, and assisting their 
 progress in that element for which they would be 
 wholly unfit, were they as long as those of most of 
 the kind last described. It is impossible, my dear 
 Sir, to examine the conformation of these two kinds 
 of aquatic fowl, of which one is destined to wade, and 
 the other to swim, without discovering unequivocal 
 proofs of an all-wise design : the same may be ob- 
 served of their plumage, which is peculiarly warm, 
 thick set, and unguineous, and every way calculated 
 to resist the attrition of the water, and prevent its pe- 
 netration to their skins. 
 
 Before we proceed in our survey of this numerous 
 and useful class, it may not, vny dear Sir, be amiss to 
 remind you, that there are two or three species, among 
 which may be reckoned the coot, and the water-hen, 
 birds, too well known to need a particular description, 
 and which have neither the long legs of the crane 
 kind, nor the web-foot of the duck kind ; but are dis- 
 tinguished by their pinnated or finned feet, which are 
 furnished with jagged membranes, in order to assist 
 them in swimming, although not so perfectly adapted 
 to that purpose as the web-foot of the goose or the 
 duck. These appear to be an intermediate race be- 
 tween the long-legged and the web-footed classes. 
 
 Nature, my clear Sir, in the immense variety of her 
 works, proceeds by regular gradations, thereby pro- 
 ducing that infinite diversity of forms and colours 
 which variegate her scenery, and excite our admira- 
 tion. 
 
 THE FLAMINGO 
 
 is one of the most remarkable of all water fowl* it is 
 one of the tallest and most beautiful. Its body, which 
 is at>6ut the size of that of the swan, is covered with 
 a plumage of the most brilliant scarlet colour. Its 
 legs and^neck are of so extraordinary a length, that 
 when it stands erect, it is between six and seven feet 
 high. Its wings, when expanded, reach about five 
 feet and a half: the bill, which is formed like a bow, 
 is partly red, and partly black, and not less than se- 
 ven inches in length. * The legs and thighs, which 
 
THE PELICAN OF AFRICA* 3l7 
 
 are not much thicker than a man's finger, are about 
 two feet and three quarters long, and its neck more 
 than three feet, and the toes are united with a web 
 like those of a goose. 
 
 This extraordinary fowl, although once well known 
 in Europe, is now found only on the African and 
 American coasts. Its beauty, its size, and the pecu- 
 liar delicacy of its flesh and tongue, have been such 
 temptations to its destruction or capture, that it has 
 long since deserted the shores frequented by men, 
 and taken refuge in those that yet are but thinly peo- 
 pled. 
 
 The tongue of this bird was once thought the 
 .greatest of delicacies. The Romans considered it as 
 the most elegant dish; and history informs us, that 
 one of their emperors had fifteen hundred of them 
 served up at one of his feasts. 
 
 The flamingo builds its nest in extensive marshes, 
 where there is no danger of surprise ; and the fabric 
 is as* great a curiosity as the architect. It is raised 
 about a foot and a half above the surface of the pool, 
 and is formed of mud which is hardened in the sun 
 It resembles the frustrum of a cone, or one of those 
 pots which are commonly placed upon chimnies. On. 
 the top it is hollowed out to the shape of the bird, 
 and in that cavity the female deposits her eggs, 
 which never exceeds two in number. The young 
 ones are a long time before they can fly ; but they 
 run with amazing speed. When taken young, they 
 are tractable and easily tamed. 
 
 THE PELICAN OF AFRICA 
 
 is a bird which merits, and has indeed in all ages at- 
 tracted the attention of the naturalist. It is frequent- 
 ly mentioned in the allusions of eastern writers, and 
 often introduced in the sacred writings, as the emblem 
 of solitude, of silence and sorrow. In colour and 
 shape it resembles the swan, but far exceeds it in size. 
 The singularity which peculiarly distinguishes this 
 bird, consists in the great pouch under its bill, which 
 merits x a particular description, especially as it has 
 givea rise to a variety of 4'ables. 
 3 
 
S13 LETTER L. 
 
 The enormous bill of the pelican is fifteen inches 
 long, from the point to the opening of the mouth, 
 which is a good way behind the eyes; its base is 
 greenish, but it varies towards th,e end, which is of a 
 reddish blue. At the lower edge of the under chap 
 hangs the pouch, or bag, which is capable of contain- 
 ing fifteen quarts of water, and reaches the whole 
 length of the bill as far as the neck. The bird has 
 the power of wrinkling up this bag into the hollow of 
 the under jaw: it is not covered with feathery, but 
 with a very smooth ;;iul soft down, and when empty, 
 is scarcely perceptible; arid Tertre assures us, that 
 when filled, it is ca pah! e of containing as much fish 
 as would suffice sixty : ii-n to dinner. Such is the 
 wonderful conformation of this extraordinary bird. 
 
 The pelican was once known all over Europe, al- 
 though it now seems to have deserted our coasts. In 
 the island of Manilla, the bird is of a rose colour; but 
 in America, ash-coloured; and in Africa, whit*-;. 
 They are all torpid and inactive. It is only from the 
 imp'.ilse of hunger that they are excited to action, and 
 without that irresistible stimulus, they would always 
 continue in fixed repose. 
 
 The pelican is a bird remarkable for its longevity : 
 and Gesner tells us, that the Ernperor Maximilian had * 
 # tame one w ? hich lived above eighty years, and al- 
 ways accompanied his army on its march. 
 
 THE FRIGATE PELICAN 
 
 is cm'efly met with between the tropics: it is about 
 the size of a large fowl. It is often found above a 
 hundred, or sometimes two hundred leagues from 
 land ; and sometimes settles on the masts of ships. Its 
 extraordinary expansion of wing, which is not less 
 than fourteen feet, enables it to take those immense 
 flights. When it is unsuccessful in fishing, it attacks 
 the gulls, and other water fowl, and by compelling 
 them to disgorge the fish they have taken, indemni- 
 fies itself for its own ill success. 
 
 THE CORMORANT 
 
 is another species of the pelican, about the size of a 
 Muscovy duck. It is chiuily remarkable for its hide- 
 
THE SOLAND GOOSE. 319 
 
 t'atigable nature, and its dexterity in catching fish, 
 for which purpose it is in some countries, and parti- 
 cularly in many parts of China, brought up taine,, 
 and regularly employed. " It is very pleasant/' say* 
 a judicious writer, " to befiold with what sagacity 
 they portion out the lake or the canal where they are 
 on 'duty. When they have found their prey, they 
 seize it by the middle with their beak, and carry it 
 without fail to their master. When the fish is too 
 large, they give each other mutual assistance : one 
 seizes it by the head, and another by the tail, and in 
 this manner they carry it together to the boat. They 
 have always, while they fish, a string fastened round 
 their throats, to hinder them from devouring their 
 prey. There are some other species of the pelican, 
 which, for brevity's sake, I shall omit: those describ- 
 ed being the most remarkable. 
 
 THE SOLAND GOOSE 
 
 is about the size of a tame goose, but its wings are 
 much longer, their expansion being not less than six 
 feet. Its colour is chiefly white, and it has a pouch 
 resembling that of the pelican, and of a size sufficient 
 to contain five or six herrings, which, in the breeding 
 season, it carries at once to its mate, or its young. 
 
 These birds, subsisting entirely on fish, always re- 
 sort to those unfrequented shores or unknown islands, 
 where they can find abundance of food without being 
 disturbed by the intrusion of man. The islands on 
 the coasts of Scotland, Ireland, and Norway, appear 
 to be the great rendezvous of these birds. On the 
 Bass island, in the P'rith of Edinburgh, they swarm in 
 such abundance, that, according to a modern author, 
 " it is scarcely possible to walk without treading on 
 them: the flocks on the wing are so numerous, as to 
 darken the air like a cloud ; and their noise is such, 
 that one cannot without difficulty be heard by the 
 person who is next to him." And we find, by the 
 accounts of navigators, that they are scarcely less nu- 
 merous in many other parts of the world. 
 
 The soland goose is migratory, but does not remove 
 to countries far remote; and its migration appears to 
 p 4 
 
320 LETTER U 
 
 be determined by the course of the annual sheals of 
 herrings, rather than by any circumstances of climate. 
 It lays but one egg; and its young is reckoned a great 
 delicacy, aud sold at a high price. 
 
 THE ALBATROSS 
 
 is an inhabitant of the tropical climates, and also be- 
 yond as far as the Straits of Magellan, and even to 
 Cape Horn, where it abounds, as well as about the 
 Cape of Good Hope. Its body is larger than that of 
 the swan, and its wings have ten feet of expansion. 
 The bill, which is six inches long, is yellow, and ter- 
 minates in a crooked point: the top of the head is of 
 a bright brown, but the back is much darker; and 
 under the belly and wings it is perfectly white. 
 
 This bird, which is reckoned the first and the prin- 
 cipal of the gull kind, not only eats fish, but also de- 
 vours such small water fowl as it can take by surprise. 
 Like all of the same kind, it preys on the wing, and 
 frequently pursues the flying fish which has been 
 forced out of the sea by the dolphin. If we except 
 the frigate pelican, there is perhaps no other bird that 
 is capable of supporting itself for such a length of 
 time on the wing as the albatross. Except during 
 the season of incubation, it seldom approaches the 
 land, but continues night and day hovering in the air 
 in search of its prey, stimulated by hunger, and ap- 
 parently insensible of fatigue. 
 
 This feathered tyrant of the deep, which is not only 
 one of the largest of the African and American birds, 
 bat also one of the most formidable of all those that 
 prey upon the waters, seems to have a peculiar affec- 
 tion for the penguin, and a pleasure in its society. 
 They always chuse the same situation for their nests, 
 which is in some distant and uninhabited island. In 
 those places their nests are built in close vicinity, as 
 if it were for mutual assistance and protection; and 
 their friendship does not appear to be ever interrupt- 
 ed. The albatross admits of several varieties, all of 
 them of a less size than the species here described, 
 but they have in general the same propensities, and 
 inhabit the same climates, 
 
THE GULL, THE PETREL, AND THE TERN. 321 
 
 When you read the relations of voyagers who have 
 visited the tropical seas, and those which extend to 
 still more southern latitudes, you will no doubt ob- 
 serve that scene of continued warfare among birds 
 and fishes, alternately pursuing and pursued, which, 
 as well as among animals on the land, every where 
 presents itself; and in order to reconcile this system 
 of incessant hostility which appears to agitate, and at 
 the same time to animate the world of life, I shall re- 
 fer you to the observations made on this subject in a 
 preceding letter. When the circumstances are fully 
 investigated, I am persuaded that you will perceive 
 the whole system of animal warfare, and their contri- 
 bution to each other's support, to be perfectly consist- 
 ent with the wisdom and goodness of the Author of 
 Nature, whose counsels are far beyond the reach of 
 superficial enquiry. 
 
 That the length of my letter may not seem tedi- 
 ous, I will for the present conclude, with subscribing 
 myself, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Ycur's, &c. 
 
 LETTER LI. 
 
 41 There o'er his head the cliffs tremendous frown, 
 The cordage cracks, the stones come rattling down, 
 While far and wide old Ocean rolls beneath !" 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 As I concluded my last with a description of the al- 
 batross of the southern parts of the world, which is 
 the first of the gull kind, I cannot proceed in a more 
 regular and uniform manner than in giving you at 
 least a transient glance at that numerous race which is 
 divided into about twenty species. 
 
 THE GULL, THE PETREL, AND THE TERN, 
 
 are so well known, at least to all who live within any 
 
 reasonable distance of the coast, that I shall spare you 
 
 a particular description, which among so great a va-> 
 
 p 5 
 
323 
 
 LETTER t.l. 
 
 riety of species would indeed be tiresome. They 
 have most of them a fishy taste, and their flesh is 
 coarse and unpalatable. 'The poor inhabitants of our 
 northern islands, however, esteem it a banquet, and 
 indeed it may well be thought excellent by those who 
 seldom taste any better. The gull, the petrel, -the 
 tern, and indeed most birds of this genus have nearly 
 the same nature and habits, frequent the same place, 
 and are caught in the same manner, and by risking 
 the same dangers. 
 
 In order, my dear Sir, to add to the multitude of 
 examples of the connection of animal life with human 
 economy, which the history of nature on every side 
 presents to our view; and to impress on your mind 
 Ha idea of a most dangerous and adventurous scene 
 with which you are unacquainted, and of which, with- 
 out an exact account you could not form any concep- 
 tion, I shall amuse yon, a few moments with a de- 
 scription of the sport of catching sea-fowl and taking 
 their eggs on the stupendous rocks which in some 
 places are found on the northern coasts of this island 
 and appear as a bulwark to oppose the assaults of the 
 ocean. To these s.hpres the gull, the petrel, and in- 
 numerable other sea-fowl resort, and breed in the ca- 
 vities of these* rocky cliffs. Of the tremendous subli- 
 mity of those immense elevations it is not easy to form 
 an idea. The stupendous works of art, the highest 
 towers, the noblest domes, are mere ant-hills when 
 put in the scale of comparison, and a single cavity in 
 one of those rocks often exhibits a canopy more lofty 
 than the ceilirig of a Gothic cathedral. What would 
 you think, my dear Sir, were you placed on the rock 
 of St. Kiltfa, elevated above three quarters of a miie, 
 er more than fourteen times the height of St. Paul's 
 fa- liedral above the surface of the sea, and overhang- 
 ing it in a most terrific manner? With what awe 
 would you approach that impending height and look 
 clown on the immense abyss below? The waves that 
 swell like mountains in an ocean three thousand miles 
 wide are scarcely seen to curl on the ,.irface, and 
 thsic tremendous roar can scarcely be heard from that 
 
CATCHING SEA-FOWL. 
 
 323 
 
 stupendous elevation. Nothing, my dear Sir, could 
 be better calculated than such a view to excite the 
 most sublime ideas of the magnificence of nature and 
 of the awful grandeur and majesty of nature's God. 
 
 in those seemingly hraccesiible mansions within 
 the sides of these rocks, fortified by dreadful preci- 
 pices above and below, myriads of sea-fowl are seen 
 sporting and flitting from fragment to fragment. To 
 the spectator from above those that are larger than 
 the eagle appear less than the swallow. Here they 
 might seem in perfect security from the arts and acti- 
 vity of man; but want, the impulse of which is irre- 
 sistible, obliges the peasant k> encounter the most 
 formidable dangers, and excites him to exertions al- 
 most beyond the force of human resolution. When . 
 the precipice is to be assailed from below, the fowlers 
 provide poles of five or six ells in length, with a hook 
 ;d the end ; and fixing one of these iui the girdle of 
 the person who is to ascend, his companions, in a-boaf 
 or on a projection of the cliff*, assist him until he has 
 procured a firm .footing : when, this is accomplished,., 
 he draws up the others with a rope, and another man < 
 is. again forwarded by means of the pole to a higher 
 statipn. Frequently the person in the highest situa- 
 tuoii holds another suspended by a rope, and directs 
 his course to the place where the birds have placed 
 j.cir nests. It unfortunately too often happens that 
 the person who holds the rope has not a footing sutli- 
 luently secure, and in that case both of them-iiievita- 
 bly perish. 
 
 Many precipices, however, are so abrupt as not to 
 be accessible from below. In this case a rope of 
 eighty or a hundred fathoms long is provided, which . 
 cue of the fowlers fastens round his waist and between . 
 his legs in such a manner as to support him in a sit- 
 ting posture. The rope is held by five or six persons 
 at the top, arid it slides upon a piece of wood laid so 
 as to project beyond the precipice.- By means of this 
 apparatus the man is gradually let down until he can 
 attack with success the habitations of the feathered 
 tribes. This operation, however, is not without- its 
 p 6 
 
354 LETTER LI. 
 
 attendant dangers. The descent and friction of the 
 rope often causes the loose stones to tumble down on 
 every side. To defend himself against them the fowler 
 covers his head with a kind of helmet or some other 
 safeguard; but many are notwithstanding killed by 
 this kind of accident. Those who are unskilled in or 
 unaccustomed to this business are very often seized 
 with a giddiness on seeing themselves suspended from 
 these tremendous heights; but the skilful practitioner 
 swings himself about with amazing dexterity, directs 
 his attack to that part of the rock which seems to pro- 
 mise the greatest success, strikes with his fowling-stafT 
 the game as it comes out of the holes, occasionally 
 disengages himself from the rope by which he was 
 suspended, roams through the cavities of the rocks, 
 and, when he has procured a sufficient booty, gives 
 the signal to his companions, and is again drawn up ; 
 when a good supper of the coarse flesh of the sea-gull 
 compensates to these poor and hardy adventurers the 
 clangers and: fatigues of the day. 
 
 I have given you, my dear sir, this account of the 
 manner of taking these birds in the northern and wes- 
 tern islands, as an interesting exhibition of a grand 
 and awful scene. I have in some of my preceding 
 letters given you an account of the hunting of the 
 elephant ami the lion, the chamois-, the wild boar, and 
 many other animals of .which the- chace requires dex- 
 terity, and is attended with danger: the manner of 
 taking sea-fowl here described, however, is beyond 
 comparison more dangerous, and demands far greater 
 resolution and activity. Although the exertions of 
 men in a state of poverty and obscurity pass unno- 
 ticed, these fowling enterprises of the northern pea- 
 sants would perhaps have tried the resolution of some 
 of the heroes of history. 
 
 We have now, my dear Sir, taken a cursory view 
 ff a numerous class of aquatic birds, and in this slight 
 glance you cannot but have observed the exact con- 
 formity between their construction and their destina- 
 tion, which every where strikes the eye, and pro- 
 claims the wisdom ef Him who has so admirably t*i- 
 
THE GOOSE KfNfc. 
 
 dowed every being with corresponding instincts and 
 powers, indicated to them their proper food, and as- 
 signed them the place of their abode. I purpose in 
 my next to offer to your contemplation another class, 
 which, in its turn, cannot fail of exciting appropriate 
 and interesting reflections, and for the present beg 
 leave to assure you that, with every wish' for your 
 welfare, and with every sentiment of unfeigned af- 
 fection, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Yours, &c_ 
 
 LETTER LIT. 
 
 " The stately swarr 
 
 Gives out his snovvv plumage to the gale; 
 f And, arching proud his neck, with oary feet 
 
 Bends forward fierce, and guards his ozier isle, 
 Protective of his young." 
 
 THOMSON, 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 A HE class of volatiles to which I am now about to 
 call your attention is of the most interesting kind. 
 Intimately connected with domestic economy, and 
 producing a number of our conveniences and com- 
 forts, this part of the feathered world affords a wide 
 field for observation; of which, however, I shall at 
 present content myself with giving you a glance; and 
 suggesting at the same time to your mind a few lead- 
 ing reflections, which you will extend and multiply 
 into a variety of pleasing- combinations. 
 
 THE GOOSE KIND 
 
 constitutes an useful class of volatiles, some of which 
 have from time immemorial been reclaimed from a 
 state of nature, and seem pleased with their depend- 
 ence on man, whose care for their support and protec- 
 tion they amply repay. At the head of this import- 
 ant class stand the swan, the goose, and the duck, of 
 which the first is not less admirable for its elegance 
 4 
 
LETTER UI. 
 
 than the two latter are estimable oa accouat of their 
 utility. 
 
 THE SWAN 
 
 is the largest of British birds, and the most i^a/.'stic 
 and picturesque of all those tli.A sv\ l:a in the u 
 When it exhibits itself smoothly sailing along the 
 stream, displaying its graceful ving 
 
 forward without the smallest eilort, a more beautiful 
 figure can scarcely be found within ttu. range of ani^ 
 mated nature* This elegant bird admits of two varieties, 
 the wild and the tame swan ; the former has a loud cry, 
 which may be heard to a great distance; but the iat- 
 tes seldom emits any sound. The wild swan is less 
 by about one-fourth, than the tame kind, and also of a 
 different colour, its back and the tips of its wings 
 being ash-coloured; while the .tarn? swan is remark- 
 able tor the delicate and uniform whiteness of its 
 whole pluniTge. In Cumberland county, in New- 
 Holland, black swans are very common, and three 
 of the species are now exhibited (181)6) at Exeter, 
 'Change, London. 
 
 The wild swan is a native of the arctic regions, and 
 visits our more temperate climates only when com- 
 pelled by the severity of the cold. Daring the sum- 
 mer season they frequent the lakes of Lap'land in ; 
 common with the numerous flocks of other aquatic 
 fowl; there, also -it breeds and rears its young. Of 
 the tame swan any minute description is unneces- 
 sary : to give some idea of its size it is sufficient to . 
 say that it grows to the weight of upwards of twenty 
 pounds. Its majestic appearance has been already- 
 noticed; and it is not less reinarkable for the delicacy 
 of its appetite than the elegance of its form: its 
 food consists of corn, with Kerbs and roots that grow 
 in the water, or are .found near the margin... It pre- - 
 pares its nest, in some retired part of the bank or in 
 some islet in the stream, and lays seven or eight eggs, . 
 white, and much longer than those of the goose. It 
 sits two months, and the young, when first excluded, . 
 are ash-coloured, and are some months befoi;e they , 
 
THE GOOSE. 327 
 
 acquire that delicate whiteness for which this magni- 
 ficent bird is so much admired. 
 
 Ai\ the stages of this bird's approach to maturity 
 are slow, and seem indicative of its longevity. It is 
 two months in hatching : several months in acquiring 
 its colour, and a whole year in growing to its full 
 size. Willoughby seems to think the swan may live 
 three hundred years, but although this appears very 
 doubtful, if not absolutely incredible, ife is universally 
 allowed that it reaches the age of a hundred. 
 
 THE GOOSE 
 
 in its domestic state, is so universally known as to 
 preclude the necessity of any description. It exhi- 
 bits indeed a variety of colours, while the wild-goose> 
 which is considerably less in size, always retains the 
 same marks; the whole plumage of its upper parts 
 being of a dark ash-colour, and the breast and belly 
 of a dusky white. 
 
 The wild-goose is supposed to breed in the north- 
 ern countries of Europe : in the beginning of the win- 
 ter it descends into more temperate climates. Wild- 
 geese are often seen flying, at a very great elevation, 
 in flocks of from fifty to a hundred together, disposed 
 in the most regular order, and generally forming ei- 
 ther a direct line, or two lines joining in an angle. 
 When they alight in the day time, which seldom 
 happens, they range themselves in a line, like cranes, 
 and seem to have descended rather for rest than for 
 feeding; for the latter business is chiefly performed 
 in the night. When they have sat in this manner 
 reposing themselves for,an hour or two, one of them 
 sounds a kind of charge, to which the whole flock 
 pay the strictest attention. Every goose is instantly 
 on the wing :. their ranks are immediately formed in 
 the air, and they pursue their route with renewed ala- 
 crity. This well-known bird admits of several varie- 
 ties, for besides the tame and the common wild-goose, 
 there is the bean-goose, a bird of passage, which ar- 
 rives in Lincolnshire in the autumn, and de-parts in 
 the month of May. This bird resembles the wild- 
 goose in colour, and weighs about six pounds. 
 
LETTER Lit. 
 THE DUCK, 
 
 like the goose, may be viewed in two grand divisions/ 
 the tame and the wild kind; and each admits of a 
 number of varieties. The wild-duck, or mallard, dif- 
 fers in many respects from the tame, and exhibits a 
 still greater variety of species. These I shall not, 
 my dear Sir, trouble myself or you with describing, 
 nor shall I even burden your memory with enume- 
 rating the varieties which different countries afford; 
 for the multiplying of names will tend but little to 
 increase the sphere of your knowledge. The duck 
 in its domestic state is "universally known, and the 
 most obvious distinction between the wild-duck arid 
 the tame consists in the colour of their feet; those 
 of the former being yellow, and those of the latter 
 black. 
 
 They all live nearly in the same manner, and wild 
 as well as tame all on the same kind of food. They 
 prefer corn, grass, and other vegetables where they 
 are plentiful ; but their appetites are far from being 
 delicate, and they will greedily devour frogs, toads, 
 lizards, or any other kind of reptiles or insects that 
 come in their way. 
 
 As ducks possess the faculties both of swimming 
 and flying, they are well adapted for migration, and 
 the wild are in general birds of passage; and it is not 
 improbable that they perform their passage across 
 the ocean alternately in the water and in the air. 
 As soon as they arrive in this country they are seen 
 flying in flocks, and appearing to take a survey of the 
 lakes where they intend to make their winter's abode. 
 In the choice of these they have two objects in view, 
 freedom from disturbance, and the facility of procur- 
 ing food. 
 
 Various methods of taking these birds have been 
 tried, but none used in this country has succeeded so 
 well as the decoy, in places where the situation is 
 favorable. This is principally where there is a pond 
 nearly surrounded by a wood, and beyond that a 
 marshy and uncultivated ground. When a proper 
 place is chosen, the pool is planted round with wil- 
 
DECOY DUCKS* 
 
 lows, unless it be shaded on every side. On the north 
 Had on the south there ought to be three or four 
 ditches, broad towards the pool, and growing gradu- 
 ally narrower till they end in a point. These ditches 
 are covered over with nets, supported by curved 
 sticks, fastened jon each side, and terminated by a 
 tunnel net. The whole apparatus must be carefully 
 concealed by a hedge of rushes or reeds, running 
 along the margin of the pool, behind which the fowler 
 manages his operations, which would be totally frus- 
 trated if the ducks should discover him. The places 
 being fitted in this manner, the fowler is provided 
 with a number of wild ducks rendered tame, and 
 trained to the business. These are always fed at the 
 mouth of the pipe, and accustomed to come at a 
 whistle. They are called decoy-ducks, and without 
 them the business could not be transacted. As soon 
 as the evening is set in the wild-fowl begin to feed; 
 and the fowler, when he finds a fit opportunity, and 
 sees the decoy covered with ducks, throws upon the 
 water handfuls of hemp-seed, or any other seed that 
 will float; and whistling to the decoy-ducks, easily 
 allures them to, their accustomed regale at the mouth 
 of the pipe. These are readily followed by the wild- 
 ducks, which are ignorant of the snare laid to trepan 
 them, and push forward till they discover that the di- 
 mensions of the pipe continually decrease, and then 
 they begin, too late, to suspect some concealed dan- 
 ger. Their retreat, however, is prevented by a per- 
 son placed at the entrance. They are consequently 
 compelled to push forward to the end of the funnel, 
 where they are without any difficulty secured. When 
 the wild-ducks are too drowsy and sluggish to pay 
 attention to the enticements of the decoy-ducks, which 
 sometimes happens to be the case, a little dog trained 
 up for the purpose is made use of to drive them into 
 the snare ; but this method is not so certain nor so ef- 
 fectual as the former |node of proceeding. Of 
 all the counties in England, Lincolnshire is one of the 
 most famous for its decoys. They are let for consider- 
 ' annual sums, and from them the" London markets 
 
LETTER LI1. 
 
 are chiefly supplied with this delicate fowl. It is 
 said that upwards of thirty thousand clucks, widgeon, 
 and teal, have been sent up to the metropolis from 
 the ctacoys in the vicinity of Wainfleet; a circum- 
 stance that evidently proves the great importance of 
 this valuable fowl, which furnish.es our tables with so 
 excellent an article of food, and shews how profusely 
 heaven has provided for our support and comfortable 
 subsistence. 
 
 To this manner of taking wild ducks in England I 
 will, my dear Sir, for your entertainment, subjoin an 
 account of another still more extraordinary, which is 
 practised in China, and is so exceedingly curious that 
 it deserves to be mentioned. 
 
 As soon as the fowler sees a number of ducks 
 settled on a particular piece of shallow water, he 
 scn.ds among them a number o gourds, which resem- 
 ble our pumkins. These, having the insides scooped 
 out, easily swim, and sometimes twenty or thirty of 
 them are seen floating in one pool. The birds are at 
 first fearful of approaching them; but by degrees 
 their shyness wears ofij they become familiarized to 
 the sight* gather about them, and rub their bills 
 against them in sportive playfulness. As soon as the 
 fowler perceives them perfectly fearless of the gourds, 
 he prepares to deceive them. He hollows out a 
 gourd large enough to contain his head, makes holes 
 in it, to see and breathe through, and then puts it on 
 like a cap. Being thus accoutred, he wades slowly 
 into the water, stooping and creeping where it is 
 shallow, and always taking care that nothing but his 
 head shall appear above the surface. In this manner 
 moving unperceived towards the unsuspecting birds, 
 he gets in among them, while they, having been al- 
 ready accustomed to the sight of the gourds, appre- 
 hend no danger when the enemy is in the very midst 
 of them. He then begins his operations by seizing 
 a duck by the legs, and instantly drawing it under 
 the water before it has time to cry or give the alarm 
 to the rest; he fastens it to his girdle, and approach- 
 ing another serves it in the same manner, and thus^ 
 
SWANS AND GEESE. 381 
 
 proceeds until he has gotten a sufficient load. Having 
 procured his quantity he slowly moves off again. All 
 ihis the Chinese fowlers perform with such dexterity 
 by keeping their bedies Always concealed in the wa- 
 ter, that they never alarm the flock, and the ducks, 
 ignorant of what is transacting among them, neither 
 suspect the unseen danger, nor notice the instan- 
 taneous disappearance of their companions. By the 
 ingenuity of this method, and their dexterity in prac- 
 tising it, the Chinese obtain great quantities of the 
 excellent food w^hich the flesh of the duck is known 
 to afford. 
 
 The duck, in a state of domestication, is extremely 
 beneficial to mankind; and ajs it subsists on waste 
 corn, worms, snails, and other insects, or reptiles, it 
 is maintained with little expence. Tame ducks lay 
 a great number of eggs every year, produce many 
 young, and are easily and expeditiously fatted for 
 the table. 
 
 Perhaps, my dear Sir, } r ou have not reflected on a 
 subject of more extraordinary importance than 'the 
 history of these tribes of the feathered race which I 
 have been presenting to your view. One of our prin- 
 cipal luxuries, a luxury indeed, which may reason- 
 ably be reckoned a conveniency, and which refine- 
 ment and habit has rendered an absolute necessary of 
 life, is derived from the duck and the goose. The 
 beds on which we so comfortably repose are filled 
 with their feathers, arid if these were wanting it woulci 
 be difficult to find any thing that could be conve- 
 niently substituted in their place. The quill of the 
 goose* is also an article of inestimable value, to the 
 use of which we are in a great measure indebted for 
 those literary and scientific compositions, from which 
 the mind derive improvement, and indeed, without 
 this important instrument business would be carried 
 n with great difficulty. 
 
 From these various considerations we cannot but 
 rank the goose among those creatures which are most 
 useful to mankind. 
 
 Having finished this sketch of the feathered tribe** 
 
LETTER LIII. 
 
 I am certain, my dear Sir, you will feel some regret 
 losing sight of so charming a part of the creation. 
 These beautiful inhabitants of the air, indeed, possess 
 all those qualities that can amuse the fancy and ex- 
 hilerate the mind, and many of them contribute to 
 our benefit as much as to our pleasure. Some charm 
 us with their melody, while others fascinate by their 
 beauty. The variety of their notes, the elegance ot 
 their forms, and the brilliancy of their colours, all 
 concur to exhibit a magnificent display of nature's 
 plastic energy, and irresistibly draw us to the con<- 
 templation of Him who is the essential source of all 
 beauty, splendor, and harmony. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &e. 
 
 LETTER LIII. 
 
 Let us read 
 
 The living page, whose ev'ry character 
 Delights, and gives u.> wisdom." 
 
 HURDI3. 
 DEAR SIR. 
 
 HAVING proceeded thus far in our survey of ani- 
 mated nature, permit me to bring forward some gene- 
 ral observations relative to the evident display of an 
 all-wise design which in every part of animal me- 
 chanism, shews itself so clearly, as not to admit of 
 any doubt, and must indeed on the slightest reflec- 
 tion put atheism to the blush. 
 
 Some of these demonstrations of an all-wise intelli- 
 gence manifested in his works, are so obvious, as to 
 strike even the most superficial observer. If it suited 
 our present purpose to enter into a minute survey of 
 the human, or any animal body, this alone would an- 
 swer all enquiries on the subject; but in conformity 
 to the plan on which we are proceeding, I shall con- 
 tent myself with offering to your consideration a few 
 
ANIMAL M&CHANISM. 33$ 
 
 of the most striking correspondences of animal or- 
 ganization, with its destined purposes. 
 
 Every animal frame, considered as a mass, exhibits 
 a number of properties which scepticism itself could 
 scarcely forbear to acknowledge as indubitable evi- 
 dences, not only of a regular plan, but of consummate 
 accuracy in carrying it into execution. 
 
 In the first place, my dear Sir, consider the exact 
 correspondency of the two sides of each animal. You 
 see the right side answering to the left, eye to eye, 
 leg to leg/wing to wing, one side of the face to the 
 othV.r, with a precision which human art finds ex- 
 ceedingly difficult to imitate. The exact resemblance 
 of the two eyes of each individual, considering the 
 curious and compound structure of this organ, with 
 the various and delicate shades of colour, with which 
 the iris is tinged, is a circumstance in the construc- 
 tion of animal bodies, which can never he too much 
 admired, and which is rendered still more wonderful 
 by the difference observable, not only in the differ- 
 ent species, but also between particulars of the same 
 species: often thousand eyes, it is questionable whe- 
 ther one could be matched except by that which is 
 placed on the opposite side of the same head,, or whe- 
 ther it would be possible to dispose them in suitable 
 pairs by any other collection or arrangement than 
 that which actually prevails. 
 
 The genera! disposition of the external and inter- 
 nal parts, which constitute the animal frame, is a 
 proof of its being the work -of an infinitely W";SP 
 Being, You know, my dear Sir, that the internal 
 parts are tender, soft, intricate, and pliable, so that 
 their constant action which is necessary to life, may 
 not, by any obstruction or rigidity, be impeded. All 
 th.o internal operations are going on with regularity, 
 while the body itself, the external case, which holds 
 together the whole complex machinery, is tossed and 
 jolted about in every manner, and with every degree 
 of agitation. Observe this, my dear Sir, and then 
 consider how well every part must be secured, hew 
 carefully, surrounded with safeguards, how well pack- 
 
LETTER LIII. 
 
 ed together, that notwithstanding the frequent and of- 
 ten sudden and violent agitations and contortions of the 
 body, the interior machanism remains uninjured, and 
 even its nicer motions unimpeded. 
 
 If your leisure permitted you to investigate, and 
 your age enabled you to comprehend the intricacies 
 of anatomical science, I should point out to you all 
 the curious construction and well adapted situation of 
 the brain, the heart, the lungs, the liver, the bladder, 
 the intestines, and other organs of life ; but it suits our 
 present purpose to generalize, rather than to descend 
 to particulars, which would burden the memory with- 
 out illuminating your mind. However, when you 
 contemplate an animal body, you can perfectly com- 
 prehend, and will not forget to notice, the numerous 
 instruments which are put together, and often within 
 a very narrow compass. In the single ounce of mat- 
 ter which composes tke body of a sparrow, we see all 
 the instruments necessary for eating, for digestion, 
 for respiration, for seeing, for hearing, for smelling, 
 for walking, for flying, for the performance of every 
 animal function and of every motion. All the parts 
 of the complicated machine are perfectly appropri- 
 ate, completely adapted to their respective uses, and 
 all disposed with the most exact organization. 
 
 You will, my dear sir, readily confess, that this ge- 
 neral view of the animal frame is sufficient to demon- 
 strate the agency of an All-wise and Almighty me- 
 chanist in its formation. I shall, therefore, in confor- 
 mity to my original design, limit myself chiefly to 
 this general exhibition, and only mention two or three 
 particulars which might possibly escape your atten- 
 tion, although too important to be left unnoticed. 
 
 Of the covering of animals, both quadrupeds and 
 T/olatiles, you have by this time had an opportunity of 
 contemplating the perfect adaptation to their various 
 circumstances of living. I shall therefore only re- 
 mind you, that the furs of all animals are known to 
 grow thicker and warmer in winter than in summer, 
 and in cold than in hot climates. Animals also which, 
 constantly live on dry land, such as bears, foxes, 
 
ANIMAL MECHANISM. 335 
 
 hares, &c. have the hair closer set on the back than 
 the belly, an arrangement admirably well adapted to 
 fortify them against the rains and storms from above; 
 while the fur of the beaver, and the feathers of water 
 fowl are thicker and warmer on the belly, and pecu- 
 liarly contrived for resisting the attrition and pene- 
 tration of the cold ancj watery fluid to which they are 
 so much exposed ; and yu will soon have an oppor- 
 tunity of perceiving that the covering of fishes is 
 equally well calculated for their situation. The most 
 unequivocal marks of an all-wise and benevolent 
 design are obvious through, the whole of this arrange- 
 ment. 
 
 If, my dear Sir, you have ever been in a butcher's 
 shop, and seen the heart of a dead animal, you will 
 acknowledge that the wisdom of the Creator is there 
 displayed beyond all the powers of human compre- 
 hension. From the softness and extreme delicacy of 
 the heart, and the complexity of its mechanism, you 
 would suppose it liable to frequent derangements, 
 and to be injured by the slightest causes; and, in fine, 
 you would from its texture conclude, that its regular 
 and uniform motion could not long continue. This 
 wonderful machine, however, goes with greater regu- 
 larity than any watch, at the rate of about four thou- 
 sand one hundred and fifty strokes every hour, night 
 and day, for eighty or ninety years' together in man, 
 and much longer in some animals, and continues for 
 this length of time its action without disorder or in- 
 terruption. 
 
 The examination of the eye might alone convince 
 the infidel and the sceptic of the existence of a Su- 
 preme Intelligencer, and of his indubitable agency 
 in the system of nature. This is evident, from the 
 exquisite mechanism of its structure, the existence of 
 its powers, its commanding situation, so suited to its 
 exercise, and the manner in which it is placed in a 
 deep bony socket for its preservation. The contem- 
 plative mind must be struck with astonishment in re- 
 flecting on the correctness of the picture formed at 
 the bottom of the retina. In viewing a distant 
 
LETTER LIU. '. 
 
 scape, with its whole assemblage of constituent ob- 
 jects, hills, dales, forests, groves, rivers, fields, and 
 buildings; variously intermixed, which compose the 
 scenery, did you ever, mv dear Sir, consider, that all 
 this multitudinors groupe, covering tracts of country 
 to the extent often, fifteen, or perhaps twenty square 
 miles, was brought within the compass of a sixpence 
 in your eye, and yet all exactly delineated? When 
 you reflect on this wonderful circumstance, you will 
 find the fact incontestible, and the means by which it 
 is produced, calculated equally to excite our admira- 
 tion of the wisdom of the Creator, and our gratitude 
 for his ineffable goodness. 
 
 The subject now under consideration would require 
 a ponderous folio, rather than a short epistle, for 
 every animal body is a complicated machine, com- 
 posed of a number scarcely less complex. Every or- 
 gan of sensation, and every instrument of action, .ex- 
 hibits an all-wise contrivance: the smallest appen- 
 'dages display the most exquisite workmanship: 
 every feather of a bird, every quill of its wing, is a 
 mechanical wonder. From these considerations, you 
 cannot but perceive the absurdity of the doctrine of 
 blind chance., when every part of creation evidently 
 appears the effect of intelligence and design, and ir- 
 resistibly leads us to the contemplation of that Being, 
 from whose infinite wisdom alone such harmony could 
 result. 
 
 While I prepare to render still more extensive your 
 survey of the world of life, I flatter myself that I shall 
 leave your mind strongly impressed with these im- 
 portant reflections, and with sincere affection and 
 esteem, 
 
 I am, my dear Sir, 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
337 
 
 LETTER LIV. 
 
 ' From icy oceans, where the whales 
 Toss isi foam their lashing tails ; 
 Where the snorting sea-horse shows 
 His ivory teeth in grinning rows." 
 
 MISS AtKIN. 
 BEAR SIR, 
 
 FROM the inhabitants of the earth and the air I shall 
 now attend you in taking a cursory view of the na- 
 tives of the deep, and endeavour to exhibit to your 
 inspection a few of the most striking and interesting 
 objects among those numerous tribes of fishes which 
 constitute the third great division of animated nature. 
 
 Of these, the ocean is the grand receptacle, al- 
 though the rivers and streams produce, or contain 
 great numbers of different kinds; and hence arises 
 tiie general distinction between fresh water and salt 
 water fish. 
 
 Of this numerous and prolific race, Limueus 
 reckons upwards of four hundred different species ; 
 but it is extremely probable that numbers are con- 
 cealed in the vast extent and profundity of the ocean, 
 which have never yet been exposed to human obser- 
 vation. The wants or the luxury of mankind, Lave 
 drawn numbers from their watery abodes, and ma'ie 
 us acquainted with their formation, but their history 
 is, for the most part, little known, their migrations, 
 their pursuits, and their pleasures are, in a great 
 measure, concealed by that element which affords 
 them a residence. As far, however, as we can make 
 probable conjectures on the history of animals so 
 little exposed to our observation, the whole circle of 
 th>ir pursuits is confined to the preservation of their 
 existence and the propagation of their species ; and 
 an incessant desire of food appears to be their domi- 
 neering impulse. Their digestive faculties also seem 
 extraordinary, for their stomachs can soften the most 
 callous substances. The larger of the species subsist- 
 
338 
 
 LETTER LIV. 
 
 by devouring the smaller; and their whole lives are 
 passed in a state of depredation. 
 
 In this circumstance "we seem to discover the reason 
 why the predatory system exists among animals. 
 You will, my dear Sir, recollect the observations 
 made on this subject in the former part of our corres- 
 pondence, relative to the ferocious quadrupeds of the 
 feline genus, the arguments their adduced to reconcile 
 Die state of incessant hostility subsisting in the brute 
 creation,withthe paternal beneficence of the Author of 
 -Sature, will be abundantly illustrated, by contemplat- 
 ing the same system, and reflecting on its necessary 
 existence among the inhabitants of the deep. The sea 
 does not, like the land, afford a profusion of vegetable 
 food for the support of animal life, and consequently 
 without some other supply, the immense regions of 
 water must have remained uninhabited, and have pre- 
 senter! nothing more than one vast extent of inanimate 
 matter. This immense vacuum in the system of ani- 
 mated nature, infinite wisdom and goodness has pre- 
 vented, by ordaining that the natives of the deep 
 should support one another's existence in a situation 
 which produces no other aliment. Here we plainly 
 perceive the wonderful ceconomy of nature, and how 
 justly creative wisdom has balanced circumstances, 
 and provided against all possible consequences. 
 
 The greatest part of quadrupeds and volatiles are 
 supported by those vegetable aliments which the 
 earth abundantly produces: the rest prey upon those 
 that might multiply to a nuisance, and as we have, in 
 the place alluded to, already observed the fecundity 
 of each species is, with an udjnirable justness and cal- 
 culation, proportioned to its exposure to destruction. 
 Among the finny inhabitants of the ocean, this 
 system, which seems so mysterious among land ani- 
 mals, appears far more luminous, far more easy to 
 comprehend, and perfectly reconcileabk 7 with the 
 beneficence of the Universal Parent. Fishes, being 
 destitute of those resources which quadrupeds and 
 volatiles possess, have no other means of subsistence' 
 than that of devouring one another, and consequently 
 
FISHES. 339 
 
 are all pred'aceous : the larger devour the smaller, 
 snd the smallest of all support themselves by the spawn 
 which the others produce. For the supply of this 
 continual demand, Nature has rendered the finny 
 tribes extremely prolific, so that, among them propa- 
 gation and destruction keep as nearly as possible an 
 equal pace, and counterbalance each other. 
 
 By this wonderful arrangement, which, on strict 
 examination, will appear both wise and beneficent, 
 myriads of creatures which could not otherwise hav$ 
 had a place -in the scale -of existence, enjoy for a 
 season their portion of life with a degree, of happiness 
 suited to their faculties, and then serve for the support 
 of others; and in this manner the blessings of exist- 
 ence i* {Iferpetnated in the deep recesses, of the ocean, 
 which, without this wise regulation, must have afford- 
 ed no means of subsistence to any kind of living in- 
 habitants. Thils, my dear Sir, you will perceive, that 
 a disposition which seems, on a superficial view, 'in- 
 compatible with our confined ideas of the" goodness of 
 the Author of Nature, appears, after a more accurate 
 examination, to be nothing less than a grand display 
 of his infinite wisdom and extensive beneficence. 
 
 Creative wisdom has endowed every creature with 
 faculties suitable to its place in the scale of being, 
 and fishes undoubtedly possess a share of happiness 
 corresponding with their nature and situation. They 
 appear, it is true, inferior to beasts and birds, in acute- 
 ness of sensation etiul instinctive sagacity; and their 
 brain is found to be exceedingly small in pro- 
 portion to their '" size, when compared with the 
 same organ in the two former classes of animal life. 
 These deficiencies are, however, in some degree cora- 
 , pensated by their astonishing longevity, several spe- . 
 cies being known to live more than a hundred years; 
 and if the inhabitants of the ocean be capable of 
 tower enjoyments than those of the earth arid the air, 
 they arc, by residing in an element that is liable to little 
 variation, far less exposed to the inconveniences re- 
 sulting from the 'changes of the atmosphere,, and the> 
 Inclemencies of the weather. 
 
LETTER LIV. 
 
 The longevity of fishes, however, is less astonish- 
 ing than their singular fecundity. A single cod fish 
 is said to produce at a birth, if they escaped depreda- 
 tion, no fewer than nine millions of young, a number 
 equal to that of the inhabitants of all England. The 
 flounder produces at once above a million, and the 
 mackarel not less than five hundred thousand. From 
 this abundant fecundity, as it has been already ob- 
 served, the predatory system of fishes is supported, 
 and their aliment supplied. 
 
 Fishes arc generally divided into the cetaceous, or 
 whale kind; the cartilaginous, or gristly kind; the 
 spinous fishes, so called from the resemblance which 
 their bones have to sharp thorns ; and the testaceous 
 kind, which are distinguished by being covered with 
 shells instead of scales. 
 
 It is not my intention, my dear Sir, to trouble you 
 with a nomenclature of a race of animals far remote 
 from general observation, and with most of which 
 you will, in all probability, never have an opportunity 
 of being acquainted. I shail, on the contrary, select 
 for your contemplation, such as are of the greatest 
 importance in commerce, and of the greatest utility 
 to man, or by reason .of some remarkable property 
 peculiarly interesting. 
 
 THE WHALE 
 
 may, with propriety, be reckoned one of the most in- 
 teresting of those animals which have their residence 
 in the deep. If we consider its stupendous size, it 
 must be regarded as one of the greatest curiosities of 
 animated nature; and if its commercial importance be 
 justly appreciated, it will be esteemed an -object wor- 
 thy of the attention and examination both of the na- 
 turalist, the politician, and the merchant. 
 
 Of tiie whale kind their are seven species, of which 
 the great grcenland 'wh'die, and the spermaceti whale, 
 or cachaloi, are the most important in commerce, 
 iuid to tins country are even a national concern. 
 
 THE G a E A T G 11 E E N L A N I ) \V II ALE 
 
 is that fish, for the catching of which such vast pre- 
 parations are made in different parts of Europe, and 
 
 G 
 
THE GREENLAND WHALE. &41 
 
 particularly in Great Britain. This is, beyond dis- 
 pute, the largest animal in the creation, of which we 
 have any certain account. It is indeed of so enor- 
 mous a size, that it usually measures from .sixty to se- 
 venty feet in length, and its head constitutes a third 
 part of its bulk. The fins on each side are from live 
 to eight feet in lengtii, composed of bones vand mus- 
 cles sufficiently strong to give to this great mass of 
 body icctivitv of speed. The tail is about twenty-four 
 feet broad, and when the whale lies on one side, its 
 stroke is tremendous. The skin of this fish is smooth 
 and black, and in some places marbled with white 
 and yellow, which, running over its surface, has a 
 beautiful eiiect. Thu outward or scarf skin of the 
 whole, is no thicker than parchment; but underneath 
 nn-other appears about an inch thick, covering the fat 
 or blubber, which lies beneaih to the thickness often 
 or twelve inches, and when the fish is in health, is of 
 a beautiful yellowcolour. The cleft of the mouth is 
 about twenty feet Jong, which, in general, is about a 
 third part of the animal's length; and the upper jaw 
 16 furnished with barbs, which lie like the pipes of an 
 organ, the greatest in the middle, and the smallest on 
 the sides. These compose the whalebone, the, long- 
 est spars of which are found to be not less than eight- 
 een feet. The tongue seems but one great lump of 
 fat, and produces several hogsheads of blubber. The 
 eyes are not larger than those of an ox: they are 
 placed towards the back part of the head, the most 
 convenient situation for enabling them to see before 
 and behind, as well as above, where their food is 
 principally found. They are guarded with eye-lids 
 and lashes like those of quadrupeds, and seem to pos- 
 sess great acute ness of sight. Their hearing also ap- 
 pears to be no less perfect; and they perceive at % 
 great distance any danger that is preparing against 
 them. 
 
 It has been already remarked, that the substanc* 
 called whalebone, is taken from the upper jaw of thfc 
 animal, and is very different from its real bone.-;, 
 which are hard like those of large quadrupeds, ami 
 
342 
 
 LETTER LIY. 
 
 full of marrow. Two enormous bones sustain the un- 
 der lip, placed against each other in the ibrm of a 
 crescent. These bones are very commonly not less 
 than twenty feet long, They are often seen standing 
 as ornaments in gardens, and are generally mistaken 
 for the whale's ribs. 
 
 After nine or ten months of gestation, this huge 
 fish brings forth its young, which it suckles during a 
 whole y^ar, in the same manner as quadrupeds! The 
 food of the whale consists chiefly ofa small black in- 
 sect, 'about the si/:e of a bean, which is seen floating 
 us ciu.iterson the surface of the waters. 
 
 Tltis enovmous fish, however, notwithstanding its 
 ;ious bulk ami strength, meets with a number of 
 enemies which if, cannot resist. There is a small 
 shell-fish called the water louse, which sticks to iltf 
 body, insinuates itself under the skin, and feeds upon 
 its fat. The s<,vor.a-fish is also its inveterate, and '? 
 of its most .tcrrihlt! euomits. "At, the night at* UiU 
 littie animal/' says Anderson, " the whale appears 
 agitated in an extraordinary manner, Wherever it 
 appears, the whale perceives it at^u distance, and ilie.s 
 from it in an opposite direction. "I have been my- 
 self," continues he, "a spectator of their terrible en- 
 counters. The whale has no instrument of defence 
 except its tail; with that it endeavours to strike the 
 enemy, which a single blow taking place, would effec- 
 tually destroy; but the sword fish, which is as active 
 as the other is strong, avoids the stroke. Then 
 bounding into the air, it falls upon its enemy, and en- 
 deavours not to pierce him with its pointed beak, but 
 to cut him with its toothed edges. The sea all around, 
 is immediately dyed with the blood proceeding from 
 the wounds of the whale, while the enormous animal 
 endeavours in vain to reach its assailant, and strikes 
 with its tail against the surface of the vyater, making 
 a report at each blow louder than that of a cannon.'' jjj 
 
 There is also another, and a still more formidabl 
 enemy, called by the New England fishermen, the 
 killer. It is said that a number of these fishes sur- 
 round the whale like as many dogs baiting a bull* 
 
THE GREENLAND WHALE, 
 
 Some attack him before, others behind, until at las!, 
 being lacerated in every part by their teeth, he is to- 
 tally subdued, and becomes their victim. 
 
 Against its adversaries of the deep, however, the 
 whale might often prevail by force, or escape them 
 by cunning; but man is a more dextemis and terrible 
 assailant than all its other enemies; and destroys more 
 of the species in one year, than all the ru-vSt in a 
 v.holc century. That his assiduous- and successful 
 hostility has considerably diminished their numbers 
 ii> that part of the world where the) are chiefly 
 sought, or at least expelled them in seme measure 
 from their ancient retreats, is evident from several 
 circumstances; for at the first discovery of Greenland, 
 when they were unaccustomed to molestation and 
 pursuit, they came frequently into the bays, and were, 
 killed close to the shores; so that the blubber, being 
 cut up, was immediately boiled into oil on the .spot. 
 !iip;i ttt that tiuu- !<(i?k hi only du, 1 V'.mv oil and 
 the whalebone, ind ail the business w-ad coast".; new iy 
 executed in the country; by which mode of proceed- 
 ing a ship could bring home the produce of a far 
 greater number of whales than it is possible to do in 
 the present method of conducting the trade. Since 
 that time, however, such numbers of ships arriving 
 from Holland, Denmark, and several other parts, the 
 \vhales took the alarm, and, as other fish, as w r ell as 
 birds and quadrupeds often do, began to forsake their 
 accustomed haunts, and to seek more secure and 
 peaceable retreats. They are now seldom found near 
 the shores, but chiefly in the open spaces among the 
 fields of ice in deep water, and at a considerable dis- 
 tance from land. 
 
 The whale fishery begins in May, continues all the. 
 month of June, and a part or the whole of July, ac- 
 cording to their good or ill success; but whatever 
 may be the case in that respect, the ships must de- 
 part and get clear of the ice before the end of Au- 
 gust. The latest may therefore be expected in Sep- 
 tember, but those that have been speedily successful, 
 jnay return in June, or early in July. 
 
n 
 
 LETTER 
 
 The advantages derived from the whale fishery by 
 several European nations, and particularly Great Bri- 
 tain,, are so well known, as to -preclude the necessity 
 c.f expatiating on the subject. I shall only desire 
 v-mi to observe, that near three hundred vessels sail 
 Tn>m tin's country annually to Greenland and Davis's 
 Sirai'*-, in this trade, and for the most part make pro- 
 fitable voyages. 
 
 r I,T,c catching of whales in the Greenland seas, 
 among immense masses of ice, presents one of the 
 most curious scenes that are any where displayed in 
 the whole circle of the transactions of mankind W 7 ith 
 the animal creation. These fields, pr fragments of 
 ice> which are as old as the world, are frequently 
 more than a mile long, and above a hundred feet in 
 Thickness; and when they are first set in motion by a 
 storrn, nothing in nature can exhibit a more terriiic 
 appearance. No less than thirteen Dutch ships were 
 in one season crushed to pieces among those ponder- 
 ous masses. Perhaps the voyages made to those ri- 
 gorous climates and frozen seas, for the purpose of 
 catching whales, may be reckoned among the boldest 
 and most arduous enterprises of man. 
 
 Every ship employed in this business is provided 
 wifh six boats, to each of which six men are appoint- 
 ed tor rowing, and a harpobner for striking the whale. 
 Two of these boats are constantly kept on the watch 
 at some distance from the ship. As soon as a whale 
 is discovered, both the boats set out in pursuit of it, 
 and if either of them can come up before the fish de- 
 scends, which is known by his throwing up his tail, 
 the harpooner darts his harpoon at him. As soon as 
 he is struck, the men make a signal to the ship, and 
 the watchman alarms all the rest with the cry of 
 '< fail ! fall!" when all the other boats are immedi- 
 ately sent out to the assistance of the first. The 
 whale, as soon as he finds himself wounded, runs oft' 
 with amazing rapidity and violence. Sometimes he 
 descends perpendicularly, and sometimes goes oil' in 
 an horizontal direction, at a small depth below the 
 surface. The rope that is fastened to the harpoon, it* 
 
THE GREENLAND WHALE. 345 
 
 about two hundred fathoms long, and properly coiled 
 up that it may be given out as fast as is requisite, 
 otherwise the whale would immediately sink the 
 boat. At first, the velocity with which the line runs 
 over the side of the boat, is so great, that it is con- 
 stantly wetted 'to prevent its taking fire; but in a 
 short time the strength of the whale begins to dimi- 
 nish, and the men, instead of letting out more rope, 
 strive as much as possible to pull back that which is, 
 already given out. If the whole line belonging to 
 one boat be run out, that of another is immediately 
 fastened to it. This is repeated as necessity requires-; 
 and instances have been met with, where all the rope 
 belonging to the six boats has been necessary, al- 
 though half the quantity is generally sufficient* 
 
 When the whale descends and has run some hun- 
 dred fathom deep, he is obliged to come up for air, 
 and then makes so dreadful a noise with his spouting, 
 that some have compared it to the firing of artillery. 
 As soon as he appears on the surface of the water, 
 some of the harpooners fix another harpoon in him, 
 upon which he plunges again into the deep; and on 
 his coming up a second time, they pierce him wiib 
 spears, till he spouts out streams of blood instead of 
 water, beating the waves with his fins and his tail, till 
 the sea is all as a foam. He is then known to be near 
 death, and the boats continue to follow him till he has 
 totally lost his strength. When dying, he turns him- 
 self oa his back, and is drawn on shore, or to the ship, 
 if at a distance from land. He is then cut up, and his 
 flesh or blubber generally put in barrels, and brought 
 home, although formerly, as already observed, the oij 
 was extracted in that country. 
 
 Every .whale is computed to yield, on an average, 
 from sixty to a hundred barrels of oil, of the value of 
 about four pounds sterling per barrel, which, with the 
 whalebone,, is sufficient to prove the great importance 
 qf this fish considered in a commercial point of view. 
 
 The flesh of the \\liale is, among some nations, 
 
 reckoned a d.aiaty : and the inhabitants of Greenland 
 
 urs ibnd qf it. tp excess. They not on! v eat the 
 
 Q -3 
 
Lit. 
 
 but drink the oil, which they consider as one of their 
 first rate delicacies. The finding of a dead whale is a 
 circumstance which they rank among the fortunate 
 events of their lives. A number of them make their 
 abode near it, and seldom remove until they have 
 picked the bones. You will here, my dear Sir, re- 
 ilect on the blessings of civilization; and in contem- 
 plating the wretched condition of men little advanced 
 beyond a state of nature, be thankful to Divine Provi- 
 dence for having placed you in a country where plen- 
 ty is procured by industry, and protected by judici- 
 ous and equitable laws. 
 
 A skeleton of a whale about sixty feet long, is pre- 
 served in the exhibition rooms at Exeter 'Change. It 
 has twenty-two ribs, eleveh on each side, and fifty- 
 four vertebra, or joints, in the back-bone. 
 
 THE NAKWALE, Oil SEA UNICORN, 
 
 is less than the whale, not being more than sixty feet 
 long: its shape is also more slender, and its fat less- 
 abundant. It is distinguished from all the other inha- 
 bitants of the deep by its tooth, which stands pointing' 
 cut directly forward/ and resembles a horn, being 
 from ten to fourteen feet long. Of all the variety of 
 weapons with which nature has armed the different 
 tribes of animals, no other so large and so formidable 
 is found. This tooth, or horn, as it is sometimes call- 
 ed, is as straight as an arrow, as thick as a man's leg, 
 and wreathed, as we sometimes see twisted bars oiT 
 iron. It tapers to a sharp point, and is Whiter, hea- 
 Tier, and harder than ivory. 
 
 Notwithstanding its accoutrements for combat, its 
 long ami pointed tusk?, prodigious strength, and ex- 
 traordinary celerity, the norw'hale is one of the most 
 harmless of animals. It is seen peaceably sporting 
 among the other gretvt monsters of the deep, no way 
 attempting to injure them, but apparently pleased iu 
 their company; and these powerful fishes, although/ 
 furnished with such terrible weapons of destruction, 
 are as inoffensive as a drove of oxen. They are much 
 swifter than the whale, and would never be taken, if 
 their escape were nol prevented by those very 
 
THE SPERMACETI WHALE. .347 
 
 Which seem to be their principal defence. Being of 
 a gregarious and social disposition, they are always 
 found in herds of several together; and whenever 
 they are attacked, they crowd so closely, that they 
 are embarrassed by the entanglement of their horns, 
 and prevented from descending towards the bottom. 
 The fishermen, in consequence, seldom fail cf making 
 sure of one or two of the hindmost. 
 
 THE SPERMACETI WHALE, OR CACHALOT, 
 
 is not so large as the whale, and consequently does 
 not afford so great a quantity of oil. The head is so 
 disproportioned to the body, that it constitutes the 
 half of its bulk; and the throat is so formidably capa- 
 cious, tbat it is supposed to be capable of swallowing 
 an ox. Its appetite is at the same time so voracious, 
 that it often devours a shoal of fishes at once. This 
 may, with propriety,, be called the tyrant of the deep, 
 and Linnaeus informs us, that dolphins and porpoises 
 are frequently driven ashore by this devouring mon- 
 ster. 
 
 But although this vomcious fish be so terrible to 
 the other inhabitants of the ocean, mankind consider 
 it as. a most valuable animal, on account of the excel- 
 lent drugs it ailbrds. These are spermaceti and am- 
 bergris, which are so universally used as articles of 
 luxury or medicine, that distant and dangerous voy- 
 ages are undertaken solely for the purpose of taking 
 this fish ; and its capture is esteemed a sufficient com- 
 pensation for ail the expence and risk attending the 
 enterprise 
 
 The genuine spermaceti which is naturally produc- 
 ed^ is nothing' but the brain 'of thisiish; and rue of 
 them will yield about sixteen barrels of this valuable 
 commodity. By a simple process lately 'invented, all 
 the oil which it prod-ices may be converted into sper- 
 maceti. Thi* is said to be performed by boiling' it 
 with a lye of pot-ash, and hardening it like soap. Of 
 this substance candles are made, and it is found t be 
 an excellent, as-well as a cheap substitute for wax.' 
 The ambergris is found where the seminal vessels are 
 usually placed in other animals. It is found in bag* 
 0,6 
 
LETTER LIV. 
 
 of three or four feet long, in round lumps of from one 
 to fifteen pounds \yeight. The largest ever seen of 
 these weighed twenty pounds. This substance is not 
 found in all parts of this species, but only in the oldest 
 and the strongest. The evident utility of the former, 
 and the real or imaginary virtues of the latter of these 
 drugs, have rendered the spermaceti whale an object 
 of considerable importance in the commercial sys- 
 tem. 
 
 THE GRAMPUS, THE D0LPHIN, AND THE PORPOISE, 
 
 seem all to belong to the same genus; for their cha- 
 racteristic distinctions are not very considerable, and 
 their 'general history appears to be the same. The 
 grampus, which is the largest of the three, seldom ex- 
 ceeds twenty feet in length, and its head is remarka- 
 bly flat. The porpoise very much resembles the for- 
 mer in shape, except that its snout is more like that 
 of a hog, and the whole length of. this fish seldom ex- 
 ceeds eight feet. The dolphin likewise bears a strik- 
 ing similitude to both, except that its snout is longer 
 and more pointed. All these fishes have dorsal fins, 
 and large heads, and they seem perfectly to agree in 
 their appetites and habits, being equally voracious 
 and active. 
 
 The extraordinary agility of these animals renders 
 their capture extremely difficult. They seldom re- 
 main a moment-above water; bu( their rapacious spi- 
 rit of depredation sometimes exposes them to danger, 
 and a shoal of herrings often allures them out of their 
 depth. In these cases the voracious animal continues 
 to flounce about in the shallows until the returning 
 tide comes to its relief. All this tribe, and particu- 
 larly the dolphin, aie not less swift than destructive; 
 and no iish whatever ;_ juld escape them, but from the 
 awkward position of the mouth, which is placed al- 
 most under the head. With this disadvantage, their 
 Depredations are so great, that they have justly been 
 sailed the plunderers of the ocean. \Ve have, how- 
 ever, already observed, that the tyranny which they 
 exercise over a great part 4>f the inhabitants of the 
 
CARTILAGINOUS FISHES, 349 
 
 deep, is compensated by that which they themselves 
 experience from the cachalot, or spermaceti whale. 
 
 I will now leave you to reflect on the wondrous 
 works of the Creator, displayed in the cetaceous 
 fishes, and on their utility to mankind, while I employ 
 myself in selecting for your observation a few of the 
 most remarkable of the cartilaginous kiud. For the 
 present I shall therefore beg leave to subscribe my- 
 self, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER LV. 
 
 " Hisjaws horrific armed with three-fold fate, 
 Here dwells the direful shark." 
 
 VV E have often observed that nature proceeds fey 
 successive gradations, and you must in perusing my 
 last letter haye perceived, that the cetaceous fishes, 
 descend only one step downwards from the quadru- 
 ped race. You will now/find that the cartilaginous 
 kind is still farther removed from that class of ani- 
 mals. 
 
 The leading characteristic that distinguishes this 
 kind of fish is their having gristles instead of bones, 
 and from their pliancy they bcem to have no bounds' 
 set to their dimensions, but are supposed to increase 
 in size as long as they live. 
 
 Cartilaginous iishes seem to constitute the connect- 
 ing link between the cetaceous and the^spi'^us kinds, 
 and to unite some of the principal propertic of both 
 in their conformation. Like the former they have 
 organs of hearing and hm^, and like the latter they 
 have gills, and a heart without a partition. This dcu- 
 ble capacity of breathing is one of the most remark- 
 able features in the history of animated nature, 
 
 They may be in general divided into fut classes, 
 ^rst those of the shark kind, with a body growing less 
 
$50 LETTER LV. 
 
 towards the tail, a rough skin, the mouth placed far 
 beneath the end of the nose, and five apertures on the 
 side, of the neck for breathing. The next division is 
 that of the flat-fish, which may by its form be easily 
 distinguished. The third division is the slender 
 snake-shaped kind, the fourth that of the sturgeon; 
 and in the fifth may be comprised the sun-fish, the 
 sea-snail, the fishing frog, and a number of other va- 
 rieties, each of which has something peculiar in its 
 form that distinguishes it from the rest. The devour- 
 ing fish, of which I am now going to describe the 
 terrific appearancq and rapacious habits, is too dread- 
 fully remarkable to fail of attracting your attention. 
 
 THE SHARK 
 
 is of all the inhabitants of the deep the fiercest, the 
 most formidable, and the most voracious. It com- 
 prises several varieties; and the smallest of the kind 
 are formidable to fishes very far superior in size. The 
 white shark, may sometimes almost rank among the 
 smaller whales, in respect of magnitude ; as it is often 
 seen from twenty to thirty feet in length. Some as- 
 sert that this fish has been found to weigh not less 
 than four thousand pounds, and we are told of one in 
 particular, that had a whole human corpse in his 
 belly. The head of the shark is large and somewhat 
 flatted, the snout long, and the eyes fierce, large, and 
 fiery. The mouth and throat is enormously capaci- 
 ous, so that it is capable of swallowing a man without 
 difficulty. Its furniture of teeth, however, is still 
 more terrible, and e hibits a most formidable appara- 
 tus of destruction. These are set in six rows, and ar*e 
 said to amount to a hundred and forty-four in number. 
 With these both the upper and under jaws appear 
 planted ail over; and what is extremely singular, the 
 fish has the power of erecting and depressing them at 
 pleasure: when it is at rest they lie rial m its mouth, 
 but the moment that it prepares to seize its victim, 
 these dreadful instruments of destruction, are erected 
 in rows. 
 
 The sharjv is indisputably .the fiercest depredator 
 that swims in the ocean; for neither the dolphin, the 
 

 'f HE SHAtlKe 
 
 grampus, nor even the spermaceti whale can, hire- 
 gard to ferocity, boldness and indefatigable activity, 
 bear any comparison with this terrible devourer. No 
 other fish cjan swim so fast: hisTigility is such that he 
 outstrips, with ease, t,he fastest sailing vessels. 
 
 Such amazing powers united with such appetites 
 for destruction would depopulate the ocean had not 
 creative wisdom ordained a conformation of the jaws 
 of this fish, which serves in some measure to counter- 
 act its insatiable voracity. The upper jaw projects so 
 far over the lower that the shark is obliged to turn on 
 one side to seize his prey, and as this takes some 
 small time in the performance, the animal pursued 
 often takes that opportunity to make its escape, 
 
 Notwithstanding this disadvantage the ravages of 
 the shark, however, are dreadful. He is the dread of 
 sailors in all hot climates, where he generally attend* 
 the ships in expectation of what may drop overboard. 
 A man who happens to fall intrf the sea at such a time, 
 meets certain destruction. A sailor who was bathing 
 in the Mediterranean near Antibes, in the year 1744, 
 perceiving one of those terrible monsters approaching 
 him, from the extension of its jaws, anticipating his 
 fate, called out in an agony of terror to his compa- 
 nions to throw out a rope. The rope was immediate- 
 ly thrown, and in eager haste secured his hold ; but 
 in trie very moment when his comrades were drawing 
 him up to a place of safety, the shark sprang upon 
 him, and at one snap snatched off one of his legs. 
 This ferocious and formidable fish has been known to 
 bite a person asunder in the middle, and indeed werrf 
 I to mention all the dreadful instances of its voracity r 
 it would spin out this article to an immoderate! 
 length. It is, however, to be observed, that bathing 
 in the sea, which in hot climates is so delightful and 
 salutary, ^s attended with great danger in those parts 
 where the shark abounds; for his approach is sudden* 
 and often imperceived, his spring instantaneous, his 
 aim certain, and his bite fatal. 
 
 Divine wisdom, however, has not permitted that 
 'one creature should, with yncoutrolable despotism; 
 
352 LETTER LV. 
 
 tyrannize over the rest. The shark, so formidable on- 
 the empire of the ocean, has, exclusive of man, other 
 enemies to fear. The remora follows him every 
 where. This little fish has the power of adhering to 
 any thing on which it fixes, in the same manner as a 
 cupping-glass sticks to the body. From this adver- 
 sary, the shark, with all his powers of annoyance and 
 defence, is not able to disengage himself. It fixes it- 
 self upon his body, sticks immoveably to it, sucks 
 away its moisture, and produces a gradual decay. 
 
 Of the shark there are many varieties; but they 
 appear all to have the same ferocious propensities, 
 and in proportion to their strength and size, to be 
 equally formidable both to man and to their fellow in- 
 habitants of the deep; and all are said to have a pre- 
 dilection for human flesh. 
 
 One very curious circumstance has been observed 
 relative to the shark. The young of this fish will, on 
 the appearance of danger, take refuge in the belly of " 
 the mother, by swimming down her throat. This has 
 been supposed peculiar to the blue shark, but Mr. 
 Pennant thinks it common to the whole genus. 
 
 I shall now, my dear Sir, say something of the 
 
 RAY KIND, 
 
 of which the different species bear to each other so 
 strong a resemblance, as not to be easily distinguish- 
 able; and a stranger to this tribe may imagine that 
 he is going to handle a skait, when he is instantane- 
 ously paralyzed by the torpedo, or suppose that he 
 has caught a thornback, until he finds himself stung 
 ipy the lire-flare. 
 
 " Of all the larger fishes of the ocean, this kind is 
 the most numerous; a circumstance which they owe, 
 in a great measure, to their size; for, except the 
 great white shark, and the spermaceti whale, no other 
 rapacious fi.sh has a throat sufficiently capacious to 
 swallow them; and their prickly spines redder them 
 a still more dangerous morsel. The size of some of 
 them is indeed so large, that even the shark is not 
 j^ble to devour them. Those caught on the British 
 coasts have sometimes been found to wei;U two h.un- 
 
THE FIREFLARE THE TORPEDO. 353 
 
 lred pounds, which is nothing in comparison of their 
 enormous bulk in some other seas. 
 
 It is chiefly during the winter season that our fish- 
 ermen take the ray; but the Dutch, who are indefa- 
 tigable, begin earlier, and fish with greater success. 
 The value of their capture generally rewards them 
 well for their assiduity, as the thornbr.ck and the skait 
 are very good food, and weigh from eight or ten, to 
 two hundred pounds; but sometimes their lines are 
 visited by the very rough ray, the tire-flare, or the 
 torpedo, which are very unwelcome intruders. 
 
 The rough ray inflicts only slight wounds with the 
 prickles that cover its whole body, of which there in 
 not "a single part that is not armed with spines. Ot 
 these the puncture cannot be otherwise avoided than 
 by seizing the fish by the iittle fin at the extremity 
 of the tail. 
 
 THE FIREFLARE, OR STING RAV, 
 
 is a very singular species, and seems to be the terror 
 of every fisherman. It is armed with a barbed dart, 
 or sting, about five inches long, which is fixed in th 
 tail. Concerning the formidable powers of this in- 
 strument, a number of fables have been invented and 
 handed down from ancient to modern times. - It is 
 certain that the fish is capable of inflicting, with this 
 weapon, a deep and dangerous wound. Modern na- 
 turalists, however, do not suppose that it possesses the 
 poisonous qualities ascribed to it by the ancients, as 
 well as by many in later times. The sting of this 
 animal, which is so terrible to the apprehension of all 
 fishermen, appears to be only an instrument, which 
 the Author of Nature has, in his universal bounty, 
 given it for its own preservation. 
 
 THE TORPEDO, OR ELECTRIC RAY, 
 
 is singular both in its conformation and its qualities. 
 Its bodv is almost circular, and thicker than that of 
 any other of the ray kind. The skin is of a yellow- 
 ish colour, soft and smooth, and marked with large 
 annular spots: the eyes are small, the tail tapers to a 
 point, and the weight of the fish varies from one to 
 pounds. 
 
^ LETTER LV. 
 
 Although this wonderful creature does not, on in- 
 spection, appear to be furnished with any extraordi- 
 nary qualities although it has no, muscles formed for 
 great exertions, nor an internal conformation percep- 
 tibly differing from the rest of the ray kind; yet it 
 possesses the unaccountable power of jbienurftbing, 
 the instant that it is touched, not only the hand and 
 the arm, but sometimes even the whole body. The 
 shock which it gives greatly resembles that of an 
 electrical machine, instantaneous, tingling, and pain- 
 ful. According to Kempfer's relation of 'his ovvii e$- 
 permients. scarcely any difference can be discovered, 
 between the shock produced by electricity, and that 
 giviwi by the torpedo, except that the latter is accom- 
 panied by some deleterious symptoms, such as ans 
 universal tremor, a sickness of the stomach, a general 
 convulsion, and a total suspension of the mental fa* 
 cullies. 
 
 nature of that prmt;iplu which in thr tm'j ; r,tx> 
 produces these extraordmary effects, are, aud pro-* 
 bubly will for ever remain a mystery ; but we have 
 farts sufficient to ascei tum the manner in which this 
 fish exerts its paralysing powers, 
 
 We cannot here, my dear Sir, restrain our admira* 
 tion, when we consider how wonderfully infinite wis- 
 dom has, by a hidden and mysterious quality; enabled 
 the torpedo to set at defiance the attacks of creatures 
 endowed with the most formidable powers. 
 
 There are two other species of the rav, which, on 
 account of their singularity, merit attention. 
 
 THE SEA DEVIL 
 
 nas its snout divided as it were into two horns, and its 
 sides are terminated by the fins. It "grows sometimes 
 to the length of seven feet. 
 
 THE STURGEON 
 
 constitutes another distinct class. It is long, penta- 
 gonal, and covered with five rows of large bony 
 knobs, one on the back, and two on each side, with a 
 number of fins to promote its velocity in swimming, 
 Though the sturgeon be nearly as large as the shark, 
 ajid its figure almost as terrible, it is notwithstanding, 
 
THE STUKGEON, ' 333 
 
 exceedingly inoffensive. Of this fish there arc three 
 distinct kinds, the common sturgeon, the caviar, and 
 tire isinglass fish. 
 
 About the beginning of summed the sturgeons 
 comr up the rivers to deposit their "spawn. They vi- 
 sit in this manner every country of Europe; hat the 
 inhabitants along the banks of the Po, the Danube, 
 and the Wolga, are those who derive the greatest ad- 
 vantage from the sturgeon fishery. At Pillau, the 
 shores are formed into districts allotted to- companies 
 of fishermen, at the annual rent of about three hun~ 
 ilred pounds for each distinct fishery. 
 
 The sturgeon, when pickled, is well known, and 
 greatly esteemed throughout all Europe. A very 
 considerable trade is also carried on with the roe of 
 the caviar, preserved in a particular manner; it is also 
 made from the roe of the common sturgeon; but ag it 
 is chiefly prepared front the former, it derive* from 
 that pfecioi thu gtmeml uatne of caviar. " This, how* 
 ever, is more' in request in the other countries of Eu- 
 rope than in England, It is one of those high-relish- 
 ed viands, to which the appetite must be formed by 
 degrees., and which, although formerly esteemed at 
 the most elegant tables in this country, is now but 
 little in use among us. It is, however, still a consi- 
 derable article of Merchandise among the Turks, 
 Greeks, and Venetians^. It somewhat resembles soft 
 soap in consistency: biit.is of a brown colour, ,and is 
 frequently eaten with bre^d instead ofchce.se. 
 
 The isinglas fish, the third species of the sturgeon 
 kind, furnishes the still inWe valuable commodity 
 which derives from it its nan^e. This fish is caught 
 in great quantities in the Danube, and some other 
 large rivers, from the month of October to that of Ja- 
 nuary. It is sometimes found of the weight of four 
 .hundred pounds, and seldom under fifty. Its flesh is 
 soft and flabby, and not held in great esteem ; but it 
 is chie/ly sought for the commodity which it fur- 
 nishes. 
 
 To this description of a race of fishes so interesting^ 
 
LETTER LV. 
 
 by reason of the .profits and conveniences derived 
 from them, I shall subjoin a short- account of one, 
 which, from the singularity of its conformation, is 
 scarcely less curious tiian the former are interesting. 
 
 THE FISHING-FROG 
 
 in shape very much resembles a tad-pole, its head be- 
 ing equal in size to all the rest of its bulk. It grows 
 to the length of five feet; and Mr. Pennant mentions 
 one taken near Scarborough, the mouth of which was 
 not less than a yard wide. The under jaw of this ani- 
 mal is much longer than the upper. The eyes are 
 placed en. the top of the head, and encompassed with 
 prickles. The colour of the upper part of the body is 
 dusky, but the belly is white, and the skin smooth. 
 The fishermen in general have a great regard for this 
 monster, as it is known to be an inveterate enemy to 
 the dog-fish : the body of these voracious creautres. 
 being often found in its stomach * on this account, 
 therefore, whenever they catch the fish ing- frog, they 
 generally set it al liberty; and it must be considered 
 as a lucky circumstance in its favor, that it has thus 
 conciliated their friendship. 
 
 THE SEA PORCUPINE, 
 
 from its extraordinary figure, deserves to be mention- 
 ed. Like the land porcupine, it is covered with long 
 prickles, which point every way ; and when it is en- 
 raged, it can blow up its body as round as a bladder. 
 These frightful fishes consist of several different spe- 
 cies, and are of various sizes, some not larger than a 
 foot-ball, and others as large as a bushel. Their bo- 
 dies are almost round, with the mouth like that of a 
 toad, and enormously wide. When caught with a 
 bait, the spines, which Before laid flat, are immedi- 
 ately erected, and the animal appears armed at all 
 points, so that it is impossible to lay hold of it in any 
 part. It must, therefore, be dragged by the lin,e to 
 the shore, where it soon expires. 
 
 Having exhibited a slight view of some of the won- 
 derous works of the Creator, displayed in this class of 
 fishes, I shall prepare to diversify the subject, by a 
 
FISHES. 357 
 
 concise description of a few of the next class, and re- 
 main with every sentiment of respect, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER LVI. 
 
 " Thus the niail'd tortoise aiul the wand'ring ret, 
 Oft to the neighb'ring beach with silence steal." 
 
 OPPIAN. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 J HAVE already informed you that the third grand 
 division of fishes is that of the spinous, or bony kind. 
 These are obviously distinguished, by having a bony 
 covering to their gills; by being furnished with no 
 other instrument of respiration than gills; by their 
 .bones, which are sharp and thorny ; and by their tails, 
 which are placed in a situation perpendicular to the 
 body. 
 
 The bones of this order of fishes are exceedingly 
 numerous and sharp pointed; and, as in quadrupeds, 
 so in these, they are the props or stays to which the 
 muscles, which move the different parts of the body, 
 are fixed. The history of any one of this order in its 
 general feature, includes that of all the rest. They 
 breathe air and water through the gills, and live by 
 rapine, each devouring such animals as it is able to 
 swallow. They propagate not like the cetaceous 
 tribes, which bring forth their young alive, nor by 
 distinct eggs, like most of the cartilaginous tribes, 
 but by spawn, producing hundreds of thousands at 
 one time. 
 
 It is difficult to account for the different operations 
 of the same element upon animals that appear to 
 have the same conformation. To some fishes bred in 
 the sea, fresh water is immediate destruction; and, on 
 the other hand, some that live in our lakes and ponds 
 cannot bear the salt water. Philosophy may form 
 plausible hypotheses, but these can go no farther 
 than probability, nor claim any higher merit than 
 
358 LETTER LVI. 
 
 Jhat of ingenious cpnjecture. Of the real history of 
 fish but. little is yet known; and man has not the 
 means of accurately observing the manner and habits 
 of animals which pass their lives in the immense 
 abyss of the waters. Some tribes, however, are 
 known to spend part of their time in the rivers, and 
 part in the ocean, We have already mentioned thig 
 circumstance in speaking of the sturgeon, but that is 
 not the only fish of this migrating character. The 
 salmon, the shad, the smelt, and the flounder, annually 
 forsake the ocean, and ascend the rivers to deposit 
 their, spawn. This, indeed, seems the important bu- 
 siness of their lives; and there is no danger which 
 they will not encounter, to find a proper place for 
 the deposition of their future offspring. The salmon 
 is, upon these occasions, known to ascend rivers to 
 the distance of five hundred miles from their mouths, 
 .and not only to brave- the dangers arising from vari- 
 ous enemies, but also to spring up cataracts of an amaz- 
 ing height. The length of the voyages taken by 
 these fishes is short in comparison of the annual mi- 
 grations of some tribes, of which the residence is con- 
 tinually in the ocean. Of this kind are the cod, the had- 
 dock, the mackarel, the herring, the pilchard, and a 
 variety of others. The fecundity of these creatures 
 exceeds our conception, and would in a short time 
 outstrip all calculation. A herring, if suffered to mul- 
 tiply unmolested, and its offspring to remain undi- 
 minished during the space of twenty years, would 
 shew a progeny many times greater in bulk than the. 
 whole earth. 'This extraordinary and incalculable 
 fecundity, as already observed, in our general re- 
 mark on fishes, is the basis of support to the nume- 
 rous inhabitants of the ocean, and exhibits in the 
 clearest light, and the most striking point of view, 
 the all-Wise and comprehensive plan of the great 
 Creator. Although spinous fishes in general produce 
 by spawn, yet there are some, as the eel and the 
 blenny, that bring forth their young alive. In re- 
 gard to the growth of fishes, it appears that they are 
 
THE COMMON EEL THE CONGER E*EL. 359 
 
 slow in attaining to their full size, that they. are. a" 
 longtime liable. to become a prey to others before 
 it come to their tarn to be destroyers. 
 
 The fishes of this order are exceedingly numerous, 
 various methods of classing them have been invented 
 Jby naturalists. . As your design, my clear Sir, is to 
 study Nature only in its general appearances and 
 most striking particulars, without enteririg into those 
 minute investigations, which are compatible only with 
 a life of leisure; I have in my exhibitions of her va- 
 rious forms, endeavoured to avoid embarrassing you 
 with the multiplied distinctions of systematical writers. 
 Here, however, where the varieties of -animal life are 
 so numerous, some kind of classification is necessary, 
 in order to form distinct ideas. The simplest, as well 
 as the most luminous, seems to be that of Lirmgeus, 
 who ranks ffhem in four grand divisions, according to 
 the position of their fins. 
 
 The first division consists of those which that cele- 
 brated naturalist denominates 
 
 APODES 
 
 of which the principal distinctive character is, that 
 they have no ventral fins. 
 
 THE COMMON EEL 
 
 is the first genus in this order, and includes a variety 
 of species. It may be considered as the most univer- 
 sal of all fishes, and is so generally known, that any 
 description of it is unnecessary. It frequents the 
 fresh waters, the ponds* ditches, and rivers of almost 
 every country, yet it is scarcely ever found in the 
 Danube, although it abounds in the lakes and rivers in 
 Upper Austria. It is a singular fish in regard to ma- 
 ny particulars of its natural history, and in some re- 
 spects bears a great resemblance to the serpent tribe. 
 
 THE COXGER EEL 
 
 differs in many respects from the common eel, as it 
 lives in the ocean, or at the mouth of great river?, 
 and grows to an enormous size. Some have been 
 taken which measured ten feet and a half in length, 
 and eighteen inches in circumference. The ilei ; h of 
 
LETTER LVI. 
 
 the young ones, which are commonly called elves, is 
 exceedingly delicious. 
 
 THE ELECTRICAL EEL 
 
 is not only the most remarkable fish of this kind, but 
 one of the most extraordinary creatures that nature, 
 in her incalculable variety, has produced. It is a 
 fresh water fish, found in the river of Surinam. 
 
 For the most important particulars relative to the 
 description and history of this natural phenomenon, 
 we are indebted to Mr. Bancroff and Dr. Gordon, of 
 South Carolina. 
 
 The electrical eel gives to any person, or number 
 of persons joining hands, that touch! it, a most violent 
 shock, which, like that of electricity, may be com- 
 municated through a metallic conductor. This shock- 
 is indeed attended with all the phenomena and 
 effects of that produced b}^ the electrical machine, so 
 far as experiment has hitherto enabled us to discover. 
 A power so extraordinary has undoubtedly been 
 given to this fish, as well as to the torpedo, by the 
 all-wise and beneficent Creator, as a means of defence 
 against enemies beyond comparison superior in 
 strength and agility. 
 
 The second grand division by which Ljnnaeus dis.- 
 tinguishes fishes of the spinous kind, is the 
 
 JUGULARES, 
 
 of which the general characteristic consists in the po- 
 sition of the ventral before the pectoral fins; it con- 
 tains five genera, and about thirty-five species. 
 
 Consistent with the brevity of my plan, 1 shall, my 
 dear Sir, particularize only two of this order, one the 
 most conspicuous by its beauty, and the other the 
 most remarkable for its importance and extensive uti- 
 lity. 
 
 THE DRAGONET, 
 
 which is about ten or twelve inches long, with a 
 large head, and a body slender, round, and smooth, 
 is one of the most beautiful of the inhabitants of the 
 deep. The colours of this fish are amazingly resplen- 
 dent, exhibiting a delightful variety of white, blue, 
 
THE COt>. 36 
 
 and yellow. The blue in particular is inconceivably 
 beautiful, and shines with all the lustre of the sap- 
 phire. The throat is black, and the membranes of its 
 fms are delicately thin. Pontoppidan calls this spe- 
 cies the flying fish; but whether it makes use of its 
 fins as the means of elevating itself in the air, is a cir- 
 cumstance which has not yet been ascertained. This 
 fish is found in all the different latitudes from Spitz- 
 bergen to the Mediterranean, and is not uncommon 
 on the Yorkshire coast. 
 
 From this exhibition of brilliancy^ in a tribe of the 
 puny race, I shall now, my dear Sir, as I have al- 
 ready hinted, call your attention to a display of com- 
 mercial utility existing in another^ of this numerous 
 class. 
 
 i THE COD 
 
 is a most extensive genus, including a variety of well- 
 known and useful fishes; and is so commonly seen in 
 our markets, that little need be said of it" by way of 
 description. It is short in proportion to its bulk. Its 
 colour cinerous on the back, and white on the belly. 
 There are, however, in this fish, many varieties, in 
 regard to colour as well as size; but all are distin- 
 guished by an unfurcated tail, three soil fins on the 
 back, the'ventral fins slender and pointed, and a sort 
 of small beard at the extremity of the lower jaw. 
 
 The famous fishing banks of Newfoundland, and 
 those which He olVCape Breton, appear to be the tops' 
 of vast chains of submarine mountains, extending 
 above five hundred miles in length, and surrounded 
 with deep seas. These extensive shallows are, by 
 the resort of the cod fish, rendered, if not intrinsi- 
 cally* at least ultimately, of more value to Great Bri-* 
 tain than the mines of Potosi are to Spain. Previous 
 to the discovery of the banks of Newfoundland, the 
 seas of Iceland, and those which surround the He- 
 brides, contained the principal, ruid almost the only 
 cod fisheries, and were in consequence the grand re- 
 sort of ships from most commercial countries. 
 
 The fishing season on the banks of Newfoundland 
 cfommences about February, and eudsinMay; th. 
 
LETTER LVI. 
 
 fish being then in the highest perfection, and the state 
 of the atmosphere the most proper for its curing. 
 The method of taking them is by the hook and line, 
 and the fishermen dra\v them in as fast as they can 
 throw out for them. Stages are erected along the 
 shore for salting raid drying the lish ; and the num- 
 bers caught would be sufficient to exterminate the 
 species, had not the wisdom of Providence bountifully 
 ordained that the fecundity of this fish, so beneficial 
 to mankind, should keep pace with the annual de- 
 predations. This astonishing fecundity would surpass 
 conception, as well as belief, were it not ascertained 
 by experiment. Leewenhoeck counted nine millions 
 three hundred a^nd eighty-four thousand eggs in a cod 
 fish of a moderate size. The fact exhibits a grand 
 display of creative wisdom, in thus proportioning the 
 measure of propagation and destruction in the system 
 of animal existence.. 
 
 The greatest part of the cod taken on the banks of 
 Newfoundland, is disposed of in the Catholic countries 
 of Europe during the time of Lent. Considerable 
 numbers, indeed, are used in our own island; but 
 these are mostly caught on our own coasts, and gene- 
 rally eaten fresh. The cod is also found in tolerable 
 plenty on the coasts of Norway, in the Baltic, and in 
 most parts of the British seas. More southward they 
 are less plentiful, and are never seen further towards 
 that quarter than the Straits of Gibraltar. 
 
 Thus, my dear Sir, you see in this lish an important 
 object of attention, not only to the naturalist, but also 
 to the merchant and the politician. If you consider 
 the number of ships, and consequently of shipwrights, 
 with other mechanics concerned in the dhTerent de- 
 partments of. ship-building, and also of sailors and 
 fishermen employed in this trade, as well as in the 
 herring and whale fishery, you will perceive what 
 numbers of the human species derive their subsistence, 
 ffiom these inhabitants of the ocean, of which the as- 
 tonishing fecundity is to several nations, and particu- 
 larly to Great Britain, an inexhaustible source oi 
 wealth. 
 
THE CILT HEAD THE DORADO. 3f)S 
 
 Leaving you .therefore a while to contemplate a 
 picture so interesting and so pleasing, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER LVIL 
 
 *' Here the dorado and the gilt head glide, 
 With spots enamell'd, burnished too like gold." 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 continuing our survey of the various tribes that 
 inhabit the watery element, we now come to the 
 third order of the Liunrcan division, distinguished by 
 the appellation of 
 
 THORAICI, 
 
 of which the position of the ventral beneath the pec- 
 toral fins, is the discriminative characteristic. In this 
 order are comprehended seventeen genera, and up- 
 wards of two hundred and twenty species, a very few 
 of which the conciseness of my plan will permit me 
 to delineate. 
 
 THE GILT HEAD 
 
 derives its name from its predominant colour, the 
 head being of a fine gold colour, and the sides of the 
 same, but somewhat tinged with a brownish cast. It 
 has only one back fin, which reaches the whole 
 length of the body. Some of this species grow to the 
 weight of ten pounds. It subsists chiefly on shell fish, 
 and is found in deep waters, and near bold and rocky 
 shores. 
 
 THE DORADO, 
 
 which in some degree resembles the preceding r>ut 
 tar exceeds it in the splendor of its golden tints; is nn 
 inhabitant of the tropical climates, and at cnce the 
 nuist active and the most beautiful of the fh:nv r c u c. 
 li is about six feet long; its back is all over enamel- 
 led with spots of a bluish green and silver colour; its 
 tail and fins are of a golden hue; aud ail have a bril- 
 
364 
 
 LETTER LVir. 
 
 liancy to which nothing but nature's pencil can* at- 
 tain. The eyes are large, beautiful, and surrounded 
 with ' shining circles of gold colour. In the seas 
 where they abound, these fishes are always in motion, 
 playing round the ships. They are continually in a 
 state of active warfare, pursuing or pursued, defend- 
 ing themselves against the shark, or darting after the 
 small fishes. 
 
 Above all others, the flying fish most abound* in 
 these seas; and as it is a small animal, only of the 
 size of a herring, it is chiefly-, sought by the dorado. 
 
 THE FLYING FISH 
 
 properly belongs to the fourth order, that of abdomi* 
 naies, to be spoken of hereafter; but to render in this 
 place the picture more complete, I shall anticipate 
 its history, and exhibit it in the same view with the 
 dorado. 
 
 The head of the flying fish is scaly; its belly is an- 
 gular; the pectoral fins being the instruments of 
 flight, are very large, and by their means it can, when 
 pursued by any other fish, raise itself out of the wa- 
 ter, and support itself in the air until they become 
 diy; but as soon as their moisture is exhausted, it 
 drops down again into its native element. 
 
 As to the depredations carried on by the dorado 
 against this fish, the curious observer will perceive 
 that nature has, in an eminent degree, furnished each 
 of them respectively with the powers of pursuit and 
 evasion. The dorado, being above six feet long, and 
 not thicker than a salmon, cuts its way through the 
 water with amazing vapidity: on the other hand, the fly- 
 ing fish being furnished with fins longer than its body, 
 and these being moved by a set of muscles exceed- 
 ingly strong, this equality of power furnishes one of 
 the most animated scenes which those remote seas can 
 exhibit. The efforts of pursuit on one side, and the 
 arts of escape on the other, present a spectacle per- 
 fectly amusing. The dorado is, on these occasions, 
 seen darting after its prey, which will not leave the 
 water while it can ensure its safety by swimming ; 
 but, like a, hunted hare, being at last wearied, it then 
 
THE FLYING FISH. 305 
 
 &as, recourse to another expedient. The long fins 
 which began to, grow useless in the water, are now 
 employed in a different manner; for, by means of 
 these instruments, the affrighted little creature rises 
 out of the water,, and flutters over its surface for the 
 space of two or three hundred yards, till the moisture 
 of its finny wings is exhausted, or the muscles which 
 moved them are enfeebled by this extraordinary 
 mode of exertion. During this time the animal has 
 acquired a fresh power of renewing its efforts in the 
 water, and is capable of swimming with a consider- 
 able degree of velocity. The active and persevering 
 enemy, however, still keeps it in view, and again 
 drives it from the deep, till at length, the poor little 
 fish, quite wearied out, is observed to dart to shorter 
 distances, to flutter with greater effort, and at last to 
 drop down into the mouth of its pursuer. 
 
 The dorado, however, although one of the most for- 
 midable enemies, is not the only one that the flying 
 fish has to dread. AH the predaceous fishes that' swim 
 in the ocean, and ail the birds of prey that range its 
 surface, seem to be combined against it; for when it 
 has escaped from its enemies of the deep, the tropic 
 bird, and the albatross, ever upon the wing, are fre- 
 quently ready to seize it. In the tropical climates 
 these fishes, when hotly pursued, are seen springing by 
 hundreds out of the water, and sometimes they throw 
 themselves on board of ships, in order to escape their 
 various assailants. We cannot, however, my dear 
 Sir, but remark, that the all-wise and beneficent Au- 
 thor of Nature, in destining this fish to be exposed to 
 the assaults of such a variety of enemies, has endowed 
 it with double powers of escape. 
 
 To this third order of fishes belong the plaice and 
 the flounder, the sole and the turbot, the perch and 
 the tunny ; all furnishing a delicious supply to our 
 tables, and exhibiting, at the same time, a grand dis- 
 play of nature's prolific energy, and of the benefi- 
 cence of the Creator, in thus amply providing for the 
 Comfortable subsistence of the human species. 
 
 To these, and a great number of others of the. same 
 
LETTER LVil. 
 
 description, may be added, the surmuler, so highly 
 valued among the Roman epicures, as \ve learn both 
 from Horace and Juvenal. In this class, also, must 
 be reckoned the mackarel, so much esteemed in the 
 British metropolis, on account of the rich and whole- 
 some nutriment which it affords. 
 
 THE MACKAREL, 
 
 is, when alive, a beautiful fish, and all its colours arc 
 brilliant; but their lustre fades as soon as it is drawn 
 out of its native element. This fish furnished the 
 precious ganmi of the Romans, a sort of pickle, which 
 gave a high relish to sauces, and was likfwi.se suppos- 
 ed to possess some .medicinal power.-. Among 
 then*, therefore, the fish that produced it was held in 
 high estimation. N 
 
 Mackarel visit the British coasts in numerous shoals 
 daring the summer season. They are easily caught 
 with a bait; and a bit of white paper, or red rag, will 
 answer that purpose. Although they cannot be pre- 
 served fresh in distant carriage, they furnish a sup- 
 ply of food to those who can have them by a ready 
 conveyance. In Cornwall they are salted, and luid 
 up for winter/ provision. 
 
 THE ABDOMINALES, OR FOURTH ORDER 
 
 cf spinous fishes, have the ventral fins placed behind 
 the pectoral, in the abdomen; and from this charac- 
 teristic the appellation is derived. This division in- 
 cludes seventeen genera, and about loO species. 
 
 To this numerous class belong the carp, the roach, 
 the tench, and a variety of others, which furnish co~ 
 pious supplies of excellent food, among which may- 
 be numbered the anchovy, so plentiful in the Medi- 
 terranean, and, when pickled, so highly esteemed in 
 sauces. The pike also, one of the most active and vo- 
 racious of all the finny race, is comprehended in this 
 order. 
 
 THE SALMON 
 
 is. a fish that may stand in the first rank in regard to 
 utility, and is too well known to need uny description. 
 It appears to be chiefly, or perhaps wholly confined 
 to the northern climates, for it is unknown in the Me- 
 diterranean, although it is diffused as far north as 
 
THE HERRING. 
 
 367 
 
 Greenland, and is also found on the coasts of Kamts- 
 chatka. 
 
 In Iceland and Norway,, in the Baltic, at Coleraine 
 in Ireland, at Berwick upon Tweed, at Aberdeen, and 
 in various other places in Great Britain, stationary 
 salmon fisheries are established ; which are extremely 
 productive, and enrich the occupiers, after paying 
 very considerable rents to the proprietors. In soi'ie 
 places, indeed, the salmon constitutes one of the prin- 
 cipal resources of the inhabitants, as an article of food 
 and commerce. The general weight of these fishes is 
 from twenty to thirty, or sometimes even to forty 
 pounds, although we have heard of some being caught, 
 that weighed seventy; but instances of this kind 
 are rarely met with. About the time of spawning, 
 the salmon becomes insipid, and loses miach of its 
 beautiful rose colour, with which its flesh is at other 
 times tinged. 
 
 Although the salmon inhabits the ocean, it ascends 
 the river to deposit its spawn in security, at a great 
 distance from their efflux. These fishes are often 
 taken in the Rhine, as high as Basle, and even ascend 
 to the sources of the rapid rivers of Lapland. 
 
 From this short sketch of the salmon, you will, my 
 dear Sir, easily form a conception of its importance 
 in commerce, and of the copious supply of palatable, 
 wholesome, and nutritious food, which it furnishes for 
 our tables. I shall now direct your attention to an- 
 other fish, interior indeed to the salmon in regard to 
 the quality of the aliment which it furnishes; but 
 equal, or even superior, in regard to its commercial 
 importance. 
 
 THE HERRING 
 
 is universally known; but although any description 
 of its conformation, would, on that account, be totally 
 useless, its history is exceedingly interesting. The 
 high northern latitudes appear to be its native regions : 
 it is there in the greatest abundance; and the frozen 
 ocean which surrounds the pole seems to be the cradle 
 of the species. In those navigable seas, bound up 
 with ice the greatest part of the year, the herring and 
 R 4 
 
S68 JITTER LV'H. 
 
 the pilchard find a secqre and peaceful retreat , equal- 
 ly inaccessible to man, and to their numerous enemies 
 .of the deep. In those sequestered abodes, iheir hi- 
 .crease is beyond conception ; and it seems i hat the 
 consequent deficiency of insect food, on which they 
 subsist, is the cause of their annual migrations. About 
 the niiddle of winter the great colony sets out from 
 the polar seas, composed of such numbers, that if alt 
 the horses in the world were loaded with herrings, 
 they could not carry the thousandth part of them. 
 However, .they no sooner leave their peaceful abode, 
 than they enter into a world of warfare and depreda- 
 tion; and numerous enemies appear to thin their 
 squadrons. The cachalot swallows thousands in an 
 instant; the porpoise, the grampus, the shark, and the 
 dolphin, with- the whole tribe of dog fish,. suspend 
 iheir mutual hostilities, and unite against the easy 
 prey. The numerous flocks of sea fowl that inhabit 
 'he northern regions, also watch the outset of the 
 dangerous migration, and spread destruction among 
 their defenceless shoals, 
 
 After proceeding about as far as the northern extre- 
 mity of Europe, the colony separates into two great 
 bodies, one of which directs its course westward, and 
 pours along the coast of America as far southward 
 as Carolina, which seems to be the utmost limits of 
 their progress towards that quarter. In the bay of 
 Chesapeak, the annual inundation of herrings is so 
 great, that they cover the shores and become a nui- 
 sance. That body which moves towards Europe, first 
 approaches the coast of Iceland, in the beginning of 
 March. Upon their arrival in that coast, their pha- 
 lanx already considerably diminished, is still of a 
 prodigious extent, depth, and closeness, covering 
 an extent as large as the island itself. -The whole sea 
 seems alive to avast distance; and imagination can 
 scarcely conceive any limit to the numbers which co- 
 ver the watery surface. 
 
 The shoal which arrives on our coasts begins to ap- 
 pear off the Shetland islands in April. These are thf 
 forerunners -of the grand shoal, which descends in. 
 
THE" PILCHARD. 360 
 
 , June, and of which the arrival is also announced by 
 the swarms of its greedy attendants, the gannet, the 
 gull, the shark, the porpoise, and numbers besides of 
 the same predaceous race. When the main body 
 approaches, its extent and depth is such, as to make 
 a visible alteration in the appearance of the ocean. 
 It is generally divided into distinct columns of five or 
 six miles in length, and three or four in breadth; the 
 water curls up before them as if forced out of its bed. 
 Sometimes the whole column sinks for the space of 
 ten or fifteen minutes, then rises again to the surface r 
 and in bright weather reflects a variety of resplend- 
 ent colours, resembling a field bespangled with 
 flowers of purple, golden and azure tints. On their 
 arrival, the fishermen are ready for their reception, 
 and, with nets made for the occasion, sometimes take 
 two thousand barrels at one draught. 
 
 Perhaps, my dear Sir, you had not before formed 
 any conception of the 'importance of the herring- 
 fishery ; and I have expatiated a little on the subject, 
 in order to give you a comprehensive view of so inte- 
 resting a portion of natural history. You will now per- 
 ceive that the herring is an important article in the 
 commercial, as welt us a curious one in the natural 
 system. The advantages that may be drawn/ from 
 this small fish, are indeed incalculable, for the her- 
 ring trade can be limited only by the consumption of 
 the commodity, and tile-number of hands employed 
 in the business. The article itself is absolutely inex- 
 haustible. 
 
 THE PILCHARD 
 
 bears so great a resemblance to the herring, that it 
 appears only to be a different species of the same 
 fish. Its history is also as nearly as possible the same. 
 Instead therefore of entering into any detail on the 
 subject, I shall, my dear Sir, only offer to your at- 
 tention a circumstance, which, by shewing what asto- 
 irishing numbers are sometimes taken on thfe coast of 
 Cornwall at one single shooting of the nets, will give 
 you an idea of the immense profits resulting fron* 
 these fisheries. 
 
 R 5 
 
5vU LETTER LVII. 
 
 Mr. Pennant was assured by Dr. Borlase, that cm 
 the th of October, 17-7, there was atone time en- 
 closed, and caught in St. Anne's Bay, seven thou- 
 sand hogsheads of pilchards, each hogshead contain- 
 ing thirty -tire thousand fishes. This circumstance is 
 we! 1 worth notice: it tends to shew the vast import- 
 ance of those animals of the deep in the system of 
 economy and commerce, to develope the vast and 
 complicated plan of the Author of Nature, and to dis- 
 play his infinite wisdom and diffusive goodness, in 
 causing both land and sea to contribute to the support 
 of animal existence, and'the comforts of human life. 
 
 As 1 haye now been entertaining you with an im- 
 portant view of matters of extensive utility, I will, 
 my dear Sir, conclude this article with an exhibition 
 of an interesting object of curiosity. In the various 
 departments of Nature, we see usefulness and beauty 
 blended with endless diversity, and forming innumer- 
 able combinatioris. 
 
 THE GOLDEN FISH 
 
 is a native of China, but is now completely naturalia- 
 ed in Erigkncl, where it thrives and breeds as well as 
 if it were indigenous. These beautiful fishes were 
 little known in this island previous to A. I). 1788, 
 when a number of them were imported and circulat- 
 ed in the vicinity of London, from whence they 'have 
 been disseminated into every part of the kingdom. 
 
 The fiold fish grows to the length of eight inches, 
 and in its form greatly resembles the carp. The co- 
 lours vary considerably in the individuals of this spe- 
 cies. Some are marked wilh fine blue, brown, or sil- 
 ver; but a resplendent gold colour is generally pre- 
 dominant; and their motions are as lively as their 
 tints are beautiful. In China they are every where 
 kept in porcelain vessels, for the amusement of the 
 opulent, and as ornaments to thefr palaces and gar- 
 den 1 ?. It is said that they will live several months in 
 a vessel without food, provided that the water be fre- 
 quently changed; but it would be cruel to make the 
 experiment. .Every kind of suffering unnecessarily 
 
THE SHELL FISH. 
 
 371 
 
 imposed m the animal creation, is shocking to huma- 
 nity, anc a horrid offence against the Creator. 
 
 Leavirg you to reflect on the attributes of the 
 Deity, manifested in the various animals of the wa- 
 tery elenent, I purpose, in my next, to give you a 
 glance it a class of creatures less beautiful it is true>. 
 and by reason of our ignorance, seeming to us less in- 
 terestirg, but which are perhaps of not less intrinsic 
 utility mcl importance in the scale of existence. 
 
 Witl every wish for your health, your prosperity, 
 and you- mental improvement, and with every senti- 
 ment o' esteem, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 LETTER LVIIL 
 
 " In shelly armour wrapt, the lobsters seek 
 Sate shelter in some bay, or winding creek; 
 To rocky cliasms the dusky natives cleave, 
 Tenacious hold, nor will the dwelling leave." 
 
 0?PIAX. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 ALTHOUGH, in describing the inhabitants of the 
 waters, a race of animals presents itself, to which, 
 from the place of their residence, custom has given 
 the appellation of fishes; yet s'.ome naturalists setm to 
 doubt whether they ought ta be included in that class. 
 These are the shell-fish,, which might, perhaps, with 
 propriety, be considered as a distinct order of crea- 
 tures, forming that link in the great chain of being 
 which connects the piscine with the reptile race. 
 They are, in tact, the reptiles of the deep ; never 
 swimming upon its surface, but creeping along the 
 shore?, and lodging at the bottom of the waters. 
 
 TJtiese animals, however, considered as fish, are dis- 
 tinguished into two kinds, the crusta.ceous and the 
 testaceous ; the former, such us the crab and t 
 lobster, have a shell that is not (yilteof a bony s 
 
 15 6 
 
LETEER LVII1. 
 
 1 
 
 stance, but rather resembling a strong crult, while 
 that of the latter is of a bony hardness. 
 
 Of this kind of animals, the lobster and thecrab ar 
 the most generally known, and of the grcates] utility 
 to man, to whom they furnish an excellent aticle of 
 food, wholesome and nutritious. 
 
 THE LOBSTER AND THE CRAB \ 
 
 being so frequently seen in our markets, itw^uldbe 
 useless to describe their form, and, indeed, nolverbal 
 description could exhibit an accurate representation 
 of either. Nothing but the sight of the anima could 
 give a just idea>of so singular a conformation. I 
 
 Although the lobster and the crab are exceedingly 
 'different in figure, their propensities and habit have 
 a great similarity; both kinds annually cast! their 
 shells. After losing the old shell, and before 4 new 
 one is formed, the animal is in a very uncomfortable 
 and dangerous situation, exposed to the dogfish, and 
 a multitude of other depredators. In this distressful 
 situation, however, they do not continue long, for the 
 new covering is formed, and completely hardened in 
 little more than forty-eight hours. These creatures 
 are extremely fierce and voracious; but it is a singu- 
 lar circumstance in their nature, that when they 
 chance to lose a limb in their frequent combats, it is 
 completely renewed in the course of about three 
 weeks. 
 
 THE LAND CRAB 
 
 is a very singular animal: it is found in some of the 
 warmer countries of Europe, and abounds in the tro- 
 pical climates. This animal comprises a variety of 
 species, some of which are excellent food, while" 
 others are unpalatable, and even poisonous. Some 
 are -. foot in -breadth, and others not above an inch. 
 They admit also of great variety in their colours; but 
 the violet crab of the Caribbee islands has obtained 
 the pre-eminence over the whole tribe. 
 
 This animal somewhat resembles two bands cut 
 through the middle and joined together; for each 
 aide has the appearance of four fingers, and the two 
 ciavvs or nippers resemble the thumbs. All the rest 
 
THE LAND CRAB. 873 
 
 of the body is covered with a shell as thick as a man's 
 hand, and bunched in the middle, on the fore part of 
 which are two eyes of the form of a grain of barley* 
 transparent as crystal, and' hard as horn. A little be- 
 low is the mouth, which contains two broad and sharp 
 teeth, of an ivory 'whiteness, and placed not, as in 
 other animals, crosswise, but in an opposite direction, 
 resembling a pair of scissars. With these teeth they 
 can easily cut leaves, fruits, and rotten wood, which 
 constitute their usual food. This singular creature 
 takes so firm a hold with its nippers, that it w T ill lose 
 its limb rather than its grasp; and it is often seen 
 .scampering away after leaving its claw still holding 
 fast to its enemy. In fact, the loss of a- leg or an 
 tirm, is a trifling matter to the land crab; for a new 
 one soon grows in its place, and the animal is as per- 
 fect as before. 
 
 This circumstance, however extraordinary it may 
 appear, is not the most wonderful part of the history 
 of these singular creatures. They reside in the 
 mountainous parts of the country, where they live in 
 a kind of regulated society, in .this respect resembling 
 the beaver. From these inland recesses they descend 
 once a year in regular bodies, containing millions at 
 a time, for the purpose of depositing their spawn upon 
 the shore. As they multiply in astonishing numbers, 
 they choose the month of April or May for commenc- 
 ing their expedition, when they issue by thousands 
 from the trunks of hollow trees, or the clefts of rocks., 
 and pursue their march with all the order and regu- 
 larity of the best disciplined army. They generally 
 form themselves into three columns, arid hold a direct 
 course, without ever suffering any obstacles to im- 
 pede their journey, except such as are absolutely in- 
 surmountable; and it is only when steep precipices, 
 or largq rivers, oppose their progress, that they are 
 obliged to turn out of their way, and regulate their 
 ?oute by" the situation of the country. They gene- 
 rally halt in the day, and in the evening resume their 
 march. As soon as they arrive at the coast, th 
 whole body crawls into the sea^, where they all re- 
 
374 LETTER LVIII. 
 
 main for some minutes to let the waves pass over 
 their shells. After this they leave the margin of the 
 ocean, in search of some retired situation on land, 
 where they remain a few days, and again return to 
 the sea shore, where they deposit their spawn, the 
 greatest part of which is devoured by different fish, 
 while the eggs that escape are hatched under the 
 sand. 
 
 The strength of the old ones being by this time al- 
 most exhausted, they make holes in the ground, in 
 which they hide themselves while they cast their 
 shells, remaining for five or six days in a state of tor- 
 pidity i During that period they grow very fat, and 
 are then in the highest perfection. In some countries 
 the slaves are entirely fed with them; and by many 
 people they are considered as delicious food. The 
 whole time of performing their expedition, from the 
 moment of their outset to that of their return to their 
 inland retreats, is sometimes not more than six or se- 
 ven weeks; but when great obstacles impede their 
 march, it often requires more than three months. 
 
 CRUST ACEOUS FISHES OF THE TORTOISE KIND, 
 
 form also a curious subject of natural history. Ani- 
 mals of this nature are divided into two classes, one 
 residing on land and the other in the water; and in 
 this respect they resemble the crab genus. The two 
 species are distinguished by the names of the tortois-e 
 and the turtle, the former being an inhabitant of the 
 land, and the other of the sea. In their internal con- 
 formation they bear a strong resemblance to each 
 other, but they differ very much in size. 
 
 The land tortoise is found from one to four or five 
 feet in length, and from five to eighteen inches across 
 the back. The head, which it can, at pleasure, pro- 
 tend beyond, or draw within the shell, resembles that 
 of the serpent kind, The. tail is long and scaly? and 
 the exterior covering of the animal is composed of se- 
 veral pieces of shell joined together in the firmest 
 m st compact manner, and somewhat resembling* 
 
 the tiling of a house. 
 
 This animal., which isiof the ntost pacific disposir 
 
THE SEA TURTLE. 375 
 
 tion, is admirably armed for defence. It is also re- 
 markable for longevity ; and although it is difficult to 
 ascertain the precise duration of its life, there is a 
 well authenticated instance recorded of one kept in 
 the gardens of Lambeth Palace, which was known to 
 have lived above a hundred and twenty years. The 
 tortoise is, indeed, so tenacious of life, that it cannot, 
 without difficulty, be destroyed: it even, in some 
 measure, seems calculated for immortality; for it is 
 said that it retains the vital principle a considerable 
 time .after the loss of its brain, and even of its head. 
 Experiments, shocking to humanity, have sometimes 
 been made, in order to see how far this animal is ca- 
 pable of enduring pain; but I flatter myself, my dear 
 Sir, that you will agree with me, that all knowledge 
 gained by so flagrant an offence against the Creator 
 of the universe, as this infliction of torments on his 
 unoffending creatures, had better remain for even 
 concealed. 
 
 THE SEA TURTLE 
 
 comprehends a variety of species, some of which are 
 neither palatable nor wholesome; while others are 
 celebrated in the annals of epicurism. Of the former 
 class is the great turtle of the Mediterranean, which 
 is the largest of the vvhV.e race, but its flesh is coarse 
 and unwholesome. One species called the hawksbill, 
 is valued fur its shell, of which all our tortofse-shell 
 snuffboxes, and other trinkets, are made. The green 
 turtle is that which is held in such high esteem for 
 the table. This, indeed, is both a wholesome and an 
 exquisitely delicious food, and also a valuable article 
 of commerce; for our ships are^ now generally fur- 
 nished with conveniences for importing this animal 
 alive from the West-Indies. It is said, however, that 
 the flesh of the turtle has the full perfection of its fla- 
 ir or no where but on its native shores. 
 
 A common green turtle weighs about two hundred 
 weight, and some have been found that weighed 
 above eight hundred. This animal seldom quits the 
 sea, except to deposit its eggs, which, in about twen- 
 ty-live days, are hatched by the heat of the sun. The 
 
o7G LETTER LVIIT. 
 
 young ones, '-as soon as they burst from tlie sand, di- 
 rected by instinct, run immediately towards the sea, 
 which Providence has designed for their abode. Tur- 
 tles have sometimes, although seldom, been caught x 
 on the British shores. 
 
 TESTACEOUS FISHES 
 
 admit of so great a diversity both in the form and co- 
 lour of their shells, that the study of them has been 
 the principal employment of the itves of some natu- 
 ralists; and collections of them have been made at aa 
 expence difficult to estimate, or even to conceive. 
 
 Of the bivalvular kind, the oyster is the most esti- 
 mable, both us excellent and nutritious food, and as a 
 valuable article of commerce. A species of these, 
 called rock oysters, are frequently seen as lar ^ as a 
 plate; and those which are caught on t.he coast of Co- 
 rom'andel, are said to be of so great a size, that one of 
 them will serve several men for a meal ; but they 
 have not so delicate a flavor as those of the smaller 
 kinds. 
 
 All oysters, and many other shell fish, are known 
 sometimes to contain pearls; but thai which particu- 
 larly obtains the name of the peavi oyster, has a 
 large, strong, whitish shell, rough and hard on the 
 outside, 'but smooth and polished within. From this 
 is taken the substance called mother-of-pearl, <;f 
 which so many beautiful trinkets are made. This is- 
 nothing more than the internal coats of the shell, 
 which resemble the pearl in colour and consistence, 
 There are many pearl fisheries in Asia and America; 
 but the principal are those in the Persian Gulf. The 
 pearls there produced are the most beautiful, and 
 consequently fetches the highest prices. 
 
 The pearl fishery is one of the most destructive 
 employments in which any of the human species can 
 be occupied. It is said that*the best divers will con- 
 tinue three quarters of an .hour under water, but many 
 find that fifteen minutes quite exhaust their strength. 
 Every diver descends perfectly naked, except a net 
 fastened to his neck, for the purpose of containing the 
 oysters, and is let down by a rope/ with a stone ct 
 
TESTACEOUS FISHES. 
 
 forty or fifty pounds weight fastened to it to keep him 
 down to the bottom. 
 
 The wretched people who attend those fisheries are 
 generally slaves, and are mostly cut off' in the prime 
 of life; for the pressure of the air upon the lungs at 
 the bottom of the water, is too great for the human 
 frame to sustain; and a consumption is almost always 
 the consequence. Thus an insignificant glittering 
 gem is obtained at the expence of a number of human 
 Jives. 
 
 Shell fish of the multivalve kind are too numerous 
 to admit of investigation in this place; and of so ma- 
 ny various species, that a naturalist would be baffled 
 to make a judicious selection. Every one is ah object 
 of curiosity; all of them claim the diversity of na- 
 ture's works, and the wonders of creative wisdom. 
 
 I shall now, my dear Sir, leave you to reflect on 
 the immense variety displayed in those numerous 
 tribes, and beg leave to assure you, that, with un- 
 feigned affection, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Yours, &. 
 
 LETTER LIX. 
 
 " Some say the lark and loathed toad change eyes." 
 
 v SHAKSFEAKE. 
 
 *' Like a fall'n cedar, far diffus'd his train, 
 Cas'd in green scales, the crocodile extends." 
 
 THOMSON. 
 
 BEAR SIR, 
 
 i SHALL now give you a glance at a race not less 
 numerous, and scarcely les^s various, than that oa 
 which I last treated. This is the reptile race, of 
 which the almost innumerable tribes may be compre- 
 hended under the frog, toad, lizard, and serpent 
 kinds. However uninteresting many of these may 
 appear, or however disgusting their figure may seem 
 
^378 
 
 LETTER Ll'X. 
 
 to fastidious delicacy, the great Author of Nature has 
 undoubtedly created them for a wise and good pur- 
 pose. We are too. little acquainted with their habits, 
 propensities, and general economy, to be fully able 
 to estimate their utility; but their importance in thfc 
 scale of being is well known to him who has made- 
 nothing in vain. 
 
 The frog and the toad are universally known; and 
 the frequent opportunities which evory one has of 
 viewing them, preclude the necessity of description. 
 Their history, however, is sufficiently curious, if the 
 conciseness of our plan would admit of minute inves- 
 tigation. 
 
 In their figure, these two animals have a consider- 
 able resemblance, but custom and prejudice have 
 taught us to make a very different estimate of their 
 properties : the first is considered as perfectly harm- 
 less, while the latter is supposed to be, poisonous. In 
 this respect, the toad has been treated with great in- 
 justice. It is a torpid harmless animal, that parses 
 the greatest part of the winter in sleep. 
 
 The erroneous opinion of toads containing and 
 ejecting poison, has caused many cruelties to be ex- 
 ercised upon this harmless, and undoubtedly useful 
 tribe. Toads have been inhumanly treated, merely 
 because they are ugly ; and frogs hare been abused 
 because they are like them. But, my dear Sir, we 
 are to observe, that our ideas of beauty and deformity, 
 of which some arise from natural antipathies im plank- 
 ed in us for wise and good purposes, and others from. 
 custom and caprice, are of a relative nature, and pe- 
 culiar to ourselves. None of these relative distinc- 
 tions of great and small, beautiful or ugly, exist 
 in the all-comprising view of the Creator of the uni- 
 verse : in his eyes the toad is as pleasing an-object as 
 the canary-bird or the bull-finch. 
 
 THJ? CROCODILE 
 
 is one of the most terrible and mischievous anini:\K 
 not only of the lizard kind, but also of all those which 
 nature has produced ; fortunately for us, however, it 
 is placed at a happy distance from Europe, an] only 
 
THE CROCODILE. 379 
 
 confined to those regions where men are scarce, and 
 the art of civilization in a great measure unknown. 
 
 To observe this formidable creature vested with all 
 its natural terrors, grown to an enormous size, and 
 propagated in surprising numbers, we must visit the 
 uninhabited regions of Africa and America. In those 
 vast rivers, which roll through extensive and desolate 
 countries, where cultivation and commerce have never 
 exerted their beneficial influence, and the most pow- 
 erful and ferocious animals exercise their strength and 
 rapacity uncontrolled by man, the crocodile reigns in 
 perfect security, terrible to every living creature that 
 enters the water, or approaches its margin. 
 
 Although this animal admits of' several varieties, of 
 which the crocodile, properly so called, and the cay- 
 man, or alligator, appear to' be the principal; yet 
 these distinctions seem to be made rather by travel- 
 lers than by nature. The crocodile is, by them, con- 
 fined chiefly to the old, and the alligator to the new 
 continent; but the distinction of form and colour is 
 very trifling. All the animals of this tribe agree in 
 strength, size, and ferocity, and are justly considered 
 as objects of terror wherever they are found. 
 
 Of this ferocious and formidable creature so often 
 mentioned by travellers, you will, my dear Sir, pro- 
 bably expect a description. 
 
 The crocodile frequently grows to the size of twen- 
 ty feet in length, and live feet in circumference. 
 ome, it is said, have been found of the length of thir- 
 ty feet. The fore legs have the same parts and con- 
 formation as that of a man, each paw having five fin- 
 gers. The hind legs, including the thigh and the 
 foot, are about two feet two incites long. The hind. 
 paw is about nine inches long, divided into four toes, 
 united by a membrane or web, like those of a duck, 
 and armed with large -claws.- The head is long .arid 
 flat, and the eyes are very small.. You will, my dear 
 Sir, observe, that the dimensions here given,* are 
 taken from one of these animals which was dissected 
 by the Jesuits at Siam, and which was not one of the 
 very largest size, as its whole length did not exceed 
 
880 LETTER LIX. 
 
 eighteen feet, and yet its jaws opened to the terrible 
 width of fifteen inches and a half; so that it was com- 
 pletely able to swallow a man. The Jesuits, by this 
 dissection, made the important discovery, that the ac- 
 counts we often hear of the crocodile being unable to 
 turn itself readily, or to pursue its prey otherwise 
 than by a direct course, are not to be depended on for 
 their accuracy; for they found no less than sixty-two 
 joints in the back-bone, which, though very closely 
 united, seemed to have sufficient play to enable the 
 animal to bend like a bow to either side, and conse- 
 quently to wheel round without any great difficulty. 
 The skin is defended by a suit of armour, composed 
 of large scales, disposed like parallel girdles, and al- 
 most impenetrable to a musket ball, so that the belly 
 is the most vulnerable part. The general colour of 
 the crocodile is a dark ash-coloured brown on the up- 
 per part, and a whitish citron on the belly ; the sides 
 being speckled with large spots of both these colours. 
 
 Such is the figure and conformation of this terrible 
 animal, which, under the name of the crocodile* or 
 the alligator, abounds in the Nile, the Niger, the 
 Ganges, and other great rivers of Africa, and the 
 warmer parts of Asia and America. In upper tEgypt, 
 and in the Niger, they are extremely destructive, ly- 
 ing in wait whole hours, and even days, at the edge 
 of the water, quite motionless, resembling the trunk 
 of an old tree, until some animal come to drink. 
 
 This formidable creature spares neither man, nor 
 the fiercest quadruped that comes within its reach. 
 It seizes its victim with a spring, and instantly drags 
 it into the water, and if the captive happen to escape, 
 it pursues with greater celerity than might be ex- 
 pected from its conformation. The strength of the 
 crocodile is amazingly great, and, as its scaly coat of 
 mail is impenetrable; its offensive arms are irresisti- 
 ble; and escape, rather than contest, can alone afford 
 security against its attacks. 
 
 Frequent combats happen between this creature 
 and the tyger, one of the fiercest and most terrible of 
 fill quadrupeds. Tygers frequently go down to the 
 
THE SALAMANDER. 881 
 
 rivers to drink, and, upon these occasions, the croco- 
 dile, if near, never tails to seize them. The ferocious 
 beast, however, seldom falls unrevenged; for the in- 
 stant he finds himself seized, he .turns with great agi- 
 lity and fierceness on his enemy, and endeavours to 
 strike his claws into the crocodile's eyes, while the 
 latter drags him into the water, where they continue 
 to struggle until the tyger be drowned, and his tri- 
 umphant antagonist feasts upon his carcase. Not- 
 withstanding the formidable teeth and claws- of the 
 crocodile, its tail is an instrument of destruction 
 scarcely less formidable; for with a single stroke of 
 it this animal has frequently been known to overturn 
 a canoe, and then devour the poor savage, its con* 
 ductor. 
 
 THE SALAMANDER 
 
 is an animal of the lizard kind, concerning which a 
 number of fables have been invented, and propagated 
 from age to age, and from country to country. The 
 ancients have described it as engendered by heat, 
 living in flames, and feeding on fire as its proper nu* 
 triment. This fictitious picture of an animal that ne^- 
 ver existed, has vanished before modern investigation, 
 and the salamander, divested of its fabulous proper- 
 ties, is found to be no more than a particular kind of 
 lizard, about seven or eight inches long, and gene- 
 rally of a black colour, spotted with yellow. When 
 touched, it feels extremely cold to the hand; and it 
 is not improbable that this circumstance may have 
 contributed somewhat to the fabulous descriptions of 
 which it has been the subject. When thrown into 
 the fire it bursts, and by ejecting its fluids, may seem 
 to have power in regard to extinguishing a small 
 flame; but it immediately loses its life, and conse- 
 quently the experiment must be condemned as a re- 
 proach to humanity. 
 
 In forming an idea of the figure of a salamander, 
 we ou;ht to suppose the tail of a lizard joined to the 
 body of a frog, and then we shall not be far short oi % 
 precision. It differs also from the rest of the lizard 
 
383 LETTER LIX. 
 
 kind, in being viviparous, whereas all the others are 
 oviparous. 
 
 THE CHAMELEON 
 
 is an animal of which the head is about two, the body 
 four, and the tail five inches long. In form, it. not a 
 little resembles the crocodile; but the thickness of its 
 body varies considerably at different times, as it pos- 
 sesses the faculty of blowing itself up from one inch to 
 two in depth; and this power of inflation and con- 
 traction is not confined to the body, but also extends 
 to the legs and the tail. 
 
 The colour of this animal is its most remarkable pe- 
 culiarity. The salamander has not been a more dis- 
 tinguished subject of ignorant misrepresentation, than 
 the chameleon has been of philosophical enquiry. 
 The surface of its skin is unequal, but soft; and when 
 the creature is at rest in the shade, the eminences ap- 
 pear of a blueish grey, and the intermediate spaces of 
 a pale red and yellow. When viewed in different 
 lights, it assumes every tint that can possibly be ima- 
 gined ; and no two spectators could ever agree con- 
 cerning its true colour. From this circumstance it 
 derives its celebrity, and on this account has, in all 
 ages, been introduced by moral writers as the emblem 
 of a fickle and inconstant mind. 
 
 There are several species wf lizards in Great Bri- 
 tain; that which is the most common is the eft, in 
 some provinces called the newt, and. in others the 
 askar. The same prejudices are entertained against 
 this animal as against the toad; but -both are equally 
 inoffensive; and however disgusting their figure may 
 appear to us>, the ail-wise Creator has undoubtedly, 
 for some wise and good purpose* given them a place 
 in the system of animated nuture. 
 
 I am, most respectfully, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c. 
 
583 
 
 LETTER LX. 
 
 ef Lo ! the green serpent, from l;i# dark abode. 
 Which ev'n imagination fears la tread ; 
 At noon forth issuing, gathers up his train 
 la orbs immense; 
 
 . . . . . . with threatening tongue 
 
 And deatnfol jaws erect, the monster curls 
 His flaming crest." 
 
 THOMSON. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 AFTER continuing our range for so long a time 
 among the various tribes of animal life, we now come' 
 to a class, which, above all others, has excited terror 
 in man, as well as in almost every other creature. 
 This is the serpent race, of which the view always 
 excites sensations of horror. 
 
 The distinguishing characteristic of serpents arc, 
 that they breathe, through the mouth, and have nei- 
 ther legs, ears, nor fins. The serpent tribe are not 
 in any of the European countries sufficiently nume- 
 rous or formidable to be truly objects of terror. There 
 are not above three or four kinds that are dangerous, 
 and the poison of all operates "in the same manner. 
 A burning pain, easily removed by timely applica- 
 tion, is the worst consequence that is to be appre- 
 hended from the bite of any of the serpents of this 
 quarter of the globe. However, although Europe be 
 happily delivered from these dangerous reptiles, in 
 the tropical regions where the climate is sultry, the 
 forests thic.k, and the inhabitants few in number, ser- 
 pents multiply in proportion. Along the swampy 
 banks of the great rivers of Africa and America, par- 
 ticularly the Niger and Oroonoko, they are seen 
 clinging in amazing numbers to the branches of trees ; 
 and in those parts they carry on unceasing hostilities 
 against all the other animals in their vicinity. In 
 those wana and fertile countries, the serpent tribes 
 
384 LETTER LX, 
 
 grow to an enormous size, and are objects of terror 
 rather than that of curiosity. 
 
 THE BOA, OR LI BOY A, 
 
 of the torrid zene, is frequently found in the island of 
 Java, and several other parts of the East-Indies ; as 
 also in Brasil, and some other countries of South 
 America. 
 
 This enormous reptile, which includes several spe- 
 cies, nil of them terrible from their magnitude and 
 strength, but destitute of venom, is generally of thirty 
 feet long, and of a proportionable thickness : its co- 
 lour is of a dusky white, variously spotted. The scales 
 are round, small, and smooth. 
 
 These formidable serpents lie hid in thickets, 
 whence they sally out unawares, and, raising them- 
 selves upright on their tails, attack both man and 
 every animal without distinction. In a letter printed 
 in the German Ephemerides, we have an account of 
 the seizure of a buflalo by one of these enormous 
 reptiles. The serpent had been waiting seme time 
 near the brink of a pool, in expectation of its prey, 
 when a buffalo was the first victim that presented it- 
 self. Having darted upon the animal, it instantly 
 began to wrap round it with its voluminous twistings; 
 and at- every twist the bones of the buffalo were heard 
 to crack. The poor animal struggled and bellowed ; 
 but its terrible enemy encircled it too closely to suf- 
 fer it to get free, till at length all its bones being 
 crushed to pieces, and the whole body reduced to an 
 uniform mass, the serpent untwined its folds in order 
 to swallow it at leisure. i To prepare for this, it was 
 seen to lick the body all over, and thus cover it with 
 its mucus, to make it slip down more readily. It their 
 began to swallow the buffalo; and its body dilating 
 itself to receive it, the monstrous serpent took it in at 
 one morsel, a creature three times as thick as itself, 
 These terrible reptiles are sometimes found with 
 the body of a stag in their gullet, and the horns, 
 which they are not able to swallow, sticking out of 
 their mouth. When the serpent has thus swallowed 
 a, stag> a tyger, or any other large animal., it is for 
 
THE RATTLE-SNAKE. 385 
 
 some time unable to move for repletion, and may then 
 be without clanger approached and destroyed. Le- 
 guat assures us, that in Java, he saw one of these ser- 
 pents that was titty feet long. Carli mentions their 
 growing to the length of forty feet, and these accounts 
 are corroborated by~the concurrent testimony of tra- 
 vellers. 
 
 THE RATTLE SNAKE 
 
 is a native of the American continent. It is .some- 
 times found as thick as a man's leg, and more than 
 six feet in length. It resembles the viper in the 
 shape of its head and neck, as well as in its colors. 
 This dreadfully poisonous reptile, however, is chiefly 
 distinguished for the fatality of its bite and the rattle 
 in its' tail, "with which it makes a loud noise on the 
 least motion. 
 
 This instrument appears to have been given it. by 
 the wise and gracious Providence of the author of na- 
 ture, for the purpose of warning other creatures of it* 
 approach, and thus giving them an opportunity < <f 
 avoiding the danger. In effect, no sooner does the 
 rattle begin its harsh and alarming sound, than all the 
 other tribes of animated nature testily their fear by a. 
 precipitate retreat; and the universal terror which 
 this dangerous serpent inspires, creates a solitude 
 around its haunts. This rattle is composed of several 
 ihin, hard, and hollow bones, linked together. It has 
 generally been supposed that the serpent acquires 
 every year an additional bone; and this opinion ap- 
 pears probable, from the circumstance of the youii 
 being wholly destitute of this appendage. 
 
 For the bite of this animal various antidotes have 
 been recommended; bar -whether any of them can. be 
 depended on, appears somewhat doubtful, Some few 
 instances have occurred of persons who have recover- 
 ed, but whether this was owing to vigor of constitu- 
 tion, the slightness of the wound, the power of medica- 
 ments, or the combination of all these, in concurrence 
 perhaps with a variety of other adventitious circum- 
 stances, seems difficult to decide. It is certain that 
 cases of recovery are rare; for such -is the extreufc 
 
886 LETTET LX. 
 
 malignity of the venom, that the pain soon grows in- 
 supportable. Some have expired under it in five or 
 six hours; and those whose vigor of constitution en- 
 ables them to survive a little longer*, are usually qar- 
 ried oft' by a mortification, which rapidly dift'uses it- 
 self through the whole frame. 
 
 Of the serpent kind there are a great number and 
 variety of species, which it would at this time be te>* 
 dious to describe, and useless to enumerate. The 
 only species of the venomous kind which is with cer- 
 tainly known to exist in Great Britain is the viper. 
 The common snake, the largest of British serpents, is 
 perfectly innoxious. It feeds on insects, worms, and 
 mice,and deposits its eggs very frequently in dung-hills, 
 where the natural heat promotes the exclusion of the 
 young; or in dry sandy banks, where the heat of the 
 sun answers the same purpose. 
 
 The slow, or blind worm, is the smallest of the ser- 
 pent race that is found in this country, and, like the 
 snake is perfectly harmless. 
 
 I cannot, my dear Sir, conclude this article without 
 some general remarks on certain properties which 
 are perhaps peculiar to the serpent tribe. From the 
 width of their mouths, the conformation of their jaws, 
 and the yielding texture of their whole bodies, ser- 
 pents are capable of swallowing animals much more 
 bulky than themselves. It is, however, not a little 
 remarkable, that although they are voracious to ex- 
 cess, and although the liboya, the largest of the race, 
 will swallow without chewing a larger morsel than 
 the whale itself can take in, no other animal whatever 
 can so long support abstinence. 
 
 The long forked tongue of the serpent has some- 
 times been supposed to be the instrument with which 
 it inflicts the poisonous wound; but this weapon is 
 perfectly harmless, and is, indeed, too soft to make 
 any puncture. The poison lodges in a bag under the 
 teeth, and is communicated by the bite. It is, how- 
 ever, a happy circumstance, that none of th'e venom- 
 ous race ever attack mankind. The rattle-snake itself 
 t 
 
T~HE KATTLE SNAKR. 387 
 
 never becomes the assailant, and only acts on the de- 
 fensive, when trodden upon or attacked. 
 
 I have now, my dear Sir, given you a view of an 
 order of animals different from all others in their con- 
 formation; and, by a peculiar mechanism, exhibiting 
 u new and singular display of the wonderful works of 
 the Creator of the universe. Without either legs, 
 wings, or fins, they are notwithstanding locomotive, 
 and tolerably swift in their movements. The want of 
 feet is wonderfully compensated by the disposition of 
 the muscles and fibres of their bodies, and shews that 
 the author of nature has a multiplicity of means for 
 accomplishing every purpose. 
 
 You may perhaps be inclined to doubt the utility 
 of the serpent race, but you must, my dear Sir, re- 
 member that we, who only see by parts, cannot com- 
 prehend the whole complicated plan of infinite wis- 
 dom. We can discover the use of many of the rep- 
 tile race, and serpents, no doubt, have u part assigned 
 them to act in the general system for the purpose of 
 contributing to its perfection. In regard to their for- 
 midable qualities, they are rather terrific than hurtful 
 to the human species. Not a tenth part of them are 
 venomous, and, these, as already observed, act only 
 on the defensive. Their figure excites horror and 
 djsgust, and this antipathy against the serpent, 
 and most of the reptile race, has undoubtedly been 
 implanted in our nature, in order to secure us from 
 fehe danger of rashly approaching the noxious, which 
 we may not always be able to distinguish from the 
 harmless kinds. With every sentiment of affection 
 and esteem, I am, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &c.. 
 
383 
 
 LETTER LXL 
 
 <t .. Each crawling insert holds a ra.k 
 
 Important in the plan of Him who fram'd . 
 This scale of beings; holds a rank, which lost 
 Would break the chain, and leave a gap, 
 That Nature's self would rue." 
 
 PEAR SIR, 
 
 1>Y a gradual progress in our survey of animafrct 
 nature, we are at las.t come to a part which can never. 
 bt 1 fully investigated. The different species of insects 
 are too numerous, and many of them too much con- 
 cealed from our view, to* permit us to be acquainted 
 with their history. The larger and more conspicuous 
 objects of creation whether animate or inanimate., ad- 
 mit of obvious distinctions; but when we descend to 
 the inferior classes and more minute parts of the ani- 
 mal and vegetable kingdoms, the variety multiplies so 
 fast as to preclude aU possibility of describing in de-, 
 tail. 
 
 BufTon divides the whole tribe of insects into four 
 classes, and ' Linnieus into seven, of which, as I know 
 the value of your time and the importance of your 
 studies, I shall not trouble you with the enumeration. 
 I shall therefore only mention two or three specie.-*, 
 winch are particularly interesting to man,, on account 
 o-f the incouveniencies or benefits of which they art; 
 productive, or from being frequently alluded to by 
 -ancient writers. 
 
 THE SCORPION 
 
 ii an insect of this description, and is frequently men- 
 tioned in the scripture but scarcely ever without he- 
 iiiir associated with misrepresentations of malevolence 
 and mischief. Among all the insect tribe, the scor- 
 pion, indeed, is the most terrible: its figure is hide- 
 ous, and its sting generally fatal. This creature* 
 which, of all the insects without wings, is the largest 
 n.n well as the most formidable, somewhat resembles u 
 lobster in shape, although beyond, comparison more- 
 
THE SILK-WORM. 
 
 horrible. Of this dangerous insect nine different sph- 
 eres have been enumerated, and all of them reraania- 
 ble for their malignity. Indeed there are few ani- 
 mals more dreadfully mischievous than the scorpion. 
 As it frequently takes refuge in houses, it is found to 
 be 2t dangerous inmate, and often stings those among 
 whom it resides. 
 
 The malevolent disposition of the Scorpion ha* 
 been proved by a number of experiments which shew 
 that no animal in creation is endued with so irrascible 
 a nature. Its fierceness is dangerous not only to all 
 other creatures that approach it, but also to its own 
 species; for scorpions are the most cruel enemies to- 
 one another, which is a happy means of preventing 
 the too great increase of their numbers, as whenever 
 two of them meet, a combat immediately commences, 
 and they never cease fighting till one of them be de- 
 stroyed. Maupertius put a hundred of them together 
 in a vessel, and they scarcely came into contact be- 
 fore they began to exert their ra^e in mutual destruc- 
 tion. Nothing was to be seen but universal carnage ; 
 and in a few days there remained only fourteen which 
 had killed and devoured all the rest. He also enclos- 
 ed in a glass vessel a female scorpion big with young/ 
 and she was observed to devour them as soon as they 
 were brought forth : only one of the number escaped 
 the general destruction by taking refuge on the back 
 of the old one; and this parricidal ofLspriivg of an un- 
 natural mother soon avenged the cause of its brethren 
 by killing its cruel parent. These observations de- 
 monstrate the propriety of the scriptural metaphors, 
 which exhibit the- scorpion as the lively emblem of 
 finished malignity. 
 
 THE SILK- WORM 
 
 is as beneficial as the .scorpion is noxious, and produces 
 an article of ornament and commerce universally 
 known and admired. This insect is of the caterpillar 
 genus, of a whitish: colour, 'with twelve feet, arid at 
 last produces a butterfly of the moth kind, ft is a 
 native of China and the easternmost parts of Asia,, 
 and has been gradually introduced into various pacts 
 s 3 " 
 
LETTT.R IAi. 
 
 of the world. Silk was anciently brought in small'- 
 quantities to Rome; but it was so scarce as to be sold 
 there lor its weight in gold. 
 
 As the silk-worm has but a short time to live, it 
 makes use of every moment, and is almost constantly 
 spinning,, except at those intervals, when it change 
 irs skin. The cone or ball of silk in which it eiive- 
 l<~>|s$s itself, and which nature has taught it to iY>r;n 
 with such exquisite art, is spun from two little kmgish 
 bags, placed above the intestines, and filled with a 
 gummy fluid of a marigold colour* This is the sub- 
 .-4ance of which the threads are formed; and the little 
 animal is furnished with a wonderful apparatus for 
 spanning it out. to the degree of fineness, which its ; 
 occasions may require. This instrument in some 
 measure resembles a wire-drawer's machine, in which* 
 gold or silver threads are drawn to any degree of mi- 
 nuteness. The whole length of thread- composing 
 one of the cones will,, if measured, be found to be 
 about three hundred yards, and it is so very fine that 
 eight or ton threads afe generally rolled off into one 
 by the manufacturers. The cone appears to be o 
 the size; of a pigeon's- egg. When this is completed' 
 and tlw worm appears ready to burst cut, the manu- 
 facturers generally take care to kill the aurelia, bv 
 exposing it either to the sun or ty an artificial heat ^ 
 because its bursting through the cone destroys, or at 
 least exceedingly damages the sHk.- This being done, 
 they throw the cones into warm water,, and stir them. 
 about until the co'.umencement of the first thread fur- 
 nishes them a clue for winding. They generally 
 take eight of the silken threads together, the cones 
 being still kept in water till a proper, quantity be 
 wound of, but they do not: take all, as the last parts 
 grow weak ami are of a bad colour. At the last a 
 paper-like substance remains, which some stain* wit It 
 a variety of colours for the purpose of making artifi- 
 cial flowers, and others let lie in the water till tUc 
 glutinous matter which cements be dissolved: it is 
 then carded like wool, spun with a wheel, and con- 
 verted into silk stuffs of an ijjferior kind. 
 
THE- BEE. 
 
 391 
 
 I have here, my dear Sir, given yon a slight view 
 of the history of the silk-worm, its operations and va- 
 luable productions. This glance, however, is sufti- 
 cicnt to make you regard it as a singular phaenome- 
 non of Nature and 'Providence, exhibiting in a won* 
 tlerfui manner the wisdom and goodness of the Crea- 
 tor -in the various operations of animal instinct, and 
 the exertions of human ingenuity forming those rela- 
 tions which enable man to derive the most important 
 benefits. The subject would, indeed, have admitted 
 of a more detailed description; but this will suffice to 
 give you a general and tolerably just idea of this ex- 
 traordinary insect r so distinguished in^ the history of 
 commerce and fashion. 
 
 THE REE 
 
 k, of all the classes of winged insects> the most bcnc- 
 firial to man, and certainly one of the most wonderful. 
 J$ees are common in most countries; but although na- 
 turalists have for ages considered them as an import- 
 ant subject of enquiry ; and large volumes have been, 
 written in order to elucidate their history, it is yet 
 but imperfectly known. 
 
 In some countries bees are an object of great 
 attention to the peasant, a-nd their honey and wax are 
 considerable articles of trade. In many of the fo- 
 rests of Russia and Poland, holes are raade in the 
 trunks of trees for the reception of bees, which 
 abound in those parts. By this method the country 
 people obtain a great quantity of honey and wax, 
 and derive no small profit from those valuable com- 
 modities.. 
 
 "Here their delicious task the fervent bees' 
 
 In s\\ arming millions tend : around, athwart, 
 
 Thro' the *v/ift air the busy nations fl.y, 
 
 Cling ro the bud, and with inserted tube, 
 
 Suck its pure essence, its ethereal soul. 
 
 And ofl with bolder wing., they soaring dare 
 
 The purple heath, or where the wild tbyme grows, 
 
 And yellow load them with the luscious spoils." 
 
 Instead of entering into any particulars on so copious 
 a subject, which might aftbrd matter of almost endless 
 
LETTER LXJ. 
 
 investigation, I shall only in general terms observe, 
 that in contemplating the commonwealth of bees, 
 and viewing the exactness of their police, the regu- 
 larity of their civil and domestic ceconomy, the ac- 
 tivity and assiduity of their industrious exertions, and, 
 abovt^ all, the geometrical exactness with which 
 they fabricate the honey-comb, and construct their 
 cells, scepticism itself can scarcely avoid discovering 
 the agency of an Almighty hand in directing their 
 various and wonderful operations. 
 
 Among the innumerable tribes of insects that 
 swarm in the earth and the air, I shall only mention- 
 one more in particular, which, from its being so fre- 
 quently the subject of scriptural allusion, I cannot en- 
 tirely omit. This is the locust, of which the sacred 
 writings give such terrific descriptions. 
 
 The scriptures being written in a country where 
 the locusts made a distinguished figure in the picture 
 of nature, have exhibited striking views of multitudi- 
 nous numbers, and dreadful rapacity. In the Old 
 Testament, an invading army, whose multitudes ap- 
 pear innumerable, and every where carry terror and 
 desolation, is generally compared to a swarm of lo- 
 custs; and these destructive insects are often repre- 
 sented as the instruments of Divine vengeance. 
 
 This winged insect, of which their devastating- 
 voracity has in many countries been too often experi- 
 enced, is a larger species of the grasshopper genus. 
 It is about three inches long, and has two horns or 
 feelers of about one inch. The head and horns are 
 of a brownish colour: it is blue about the mouth, and 
 on the inside of the larger legs. The shield that co- 
 vers the back is greenish; the upper side of the body 
 brown, spotted with black, and the underside purple. 
 The upper wings are of a dusky brown,, the under 
 wings of a lighter brown, and tinctured with green, 
 and more transparent, with a cloud of dark spots near 
 the tips. No animal in the creation multiplies so ra- 
 jgidly as these in a warm climate and a dry soil; for 
 there its eggs are safely deposited, and speedily 
 hatched by the heat of the sum 
 
THE LOCUST. 
 
 When the locusts make their destructive invasions, 
 they appear at a distance like a black cloud gathering 
 in the horizon, which, as it approaches, almost hides 
 the face of day. Sometimes the husbandman sees- 
 this iminent danger pass over his head without doing 
 him any mischief; and the whole swarm proceeds for- 
 ward to settle upon some less fortunate country j and 
 wretched is the place where they alight. Every 
 trace of vegetation immediately disappears; the visi- 
 tation of a tew minutes destroys the expectations of 
 a year; every thing that grows is immediately de- 
 voured, and nothing but barren desolation left behind 
 them. But if they be noxious when living, they arc 
 mill more so when dead ; for wherever they die, they 
 infect the air in such a manner that the smell is insup- 
 portable.. 
 
 These desolating insects are seldom seen in Eng- 
 land; although in the year 1748, a few of them made 
 their appearance here, from which dreadful conse- 
 quences were apprehended; but happily they were 
 not followed by any numerous swarms. The annals, 
 however, of most countries, are marked with the de- 
 vastations made by their devouring multitudes; and al- 
 though they do not visit Europe in such destructive 
 swarms as formerly, yet, in some of the southern coun- 
 tries they are still formidable. Those which at uncer- 
 tain intervals have visited this quarter wf the globe, are 
 generally supposed to. have come from Afriqa. 
 
 In several countries the inhabitants turn this pest 
 in some measure to their advantage. Locusts are cut en 
 ,by the natives in many of the eastern countries, being 
 caught iu small nets provided for that purpose. They 
 parch them over the fire in an earthen pan, and when 
 their legs and wings are fallen of}', they turn reddi.-li 
 like, boiled shrimps. Dampier, who had eaten them 
 thus prepared, describes them as a tolerable dish. 
 They appear to have constituted a considerable arti- 
 cle of food among the ancient anchorites; and John 
 the Baptist is represented as living, in a great mea- 
 sure, on locusts and wild honey. Such is the history 
 o-f this destructive insect, which, in scriptural Ian- 
 
194 LETTER LXf. 
 
 guage, is so frequently made the emblem of invading 
 armies, and, of extensive desolation. 
 
 The hydra, or fresh water polypus, which was first 
 noticed by Mr. Tremblay, A. 1). 1741, may serve, 
 my dear Sir, to give you a general idea of zoophytes ; 
 an order of compound animals furnished with a kind 
 of flowers, and having a vegetable root and stem. 
 This order, which naturalists have divided into fifteen 
 genera, seems to form that link in the chain of being 
 which connects the animal and vegetable kingdoms. 
 
 The hydra was at iir.st considered as a mere plant ; 
 but it was soon discovered to be a sensitive being, 
 and yet capable of propagation by slips. Of this ge- 
 nus various species are found in different situations, 
 in ditches and pools of stagnant water ; but all of 
 them possess the property of reproduction in what- 
 ever manner they are divided. If cut into three 
 parts, each puts out a head from one, and a tail from 
 the other, so as to become three distinct animals, all 
 performing the functions of their species, and exhi- 
 biting perfect copies of their original. Although the 
 different genera and species of insects which our eyes 
 can discover, are, as already observed, numerous be- 
 yond calculation ; and in their formation, their co- 
 lours, and their habits, various beyond all that fancy 
 itself could conceive, yet there are multitudes of 
 others which cannot be perceived without the aid of 
 the microscope. There is also not the least reason to 
 doubt but there are gradations of existence below the 
 smallest animalcules, which our nicest instruments 
 have not brought to light. We have already been 
 able to discover myriads of living creatures in the 
 least drop of the purest water; and it seems to be a 
 rational presumption to infer, that he who has filled 
 the immensity of space with habitable matter, .with 
 suns and worlds innumerable, has also peopled every 
 part of that matter with appropriate inhabitants, 
 although too minute to be perceived by any appara- 
 tus yet invented. The supposition is not unworthy of 
 the Creator of the Universe, and all the analogic* 
 
CONCLUDING REFLECTONS. 395 
 
 that can be drawn from our observations of the system 
 of nature render it probable. 
 
 u Full nature swarms with life one wond'rous mass 
 Of animals or atoms organized 
 Waiting the vital breath, when parent heaven 
 Shall bid his spirit blow. 
 
 - Nor is the stream 
 
 Of purest crystal, nor the lucid airs 
 
 Tho' one transparent vacancy it seem, 
 
 Void of their unseen people. These conccaVd 
 
 By the kind art of forming heaven, escape 
 
 The grosser eye of man/' 
 
 THOMSOV, 
 
 With unfeigned esteem and affection, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's, &e. 
 
 LXII. 
 
 ** Hail ! source of Being ! universal soul 
 Of heaven and earth! Essential presence hail ! 
 To thee I bend the I; nee: to thee my thoughts 
 Continual climb: who with a master-hand 
 Hast the grat whole into perfection touch'd !" 
 
 THOMSON, 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 are now come to the conclusion of our survey 
 of the wondrous works of the Deity displayed in the 
 stupendous system of nature; and I am fully per* 
 suaded that you, as well as myself, will reluctantly 
 take leave of so beautiful, so variegated, and so mag- 
 nificent a view. At the close of our excursions, 
 however, let us not have to reproach ourselves with 
 having uselessly rambled through the immense fielJs 
 of creation. The object of all physical research ought 
 to be moral arid intellectual improvement; and indeed 
 the study of nature, exalting our admiration, is pecu- 
 liarly adapted to enflame onr love for the architect of 
 
39G IETTE1X LXII. 
 
 the universe, the self-existent author of all existence. 
 Our love of the Creator, cannot, however, be more 
 appropriately displayed than by the exercise of uni- 
 versal benevolence towards his creatures. This im- 
 portant moral truth I have every where endeavoured 
 to inculcate; and let it, my dear Sir, be impressed on 
 your mind, and kept in your memory, that 
 
 " the poor beetle that we tread upon 
 
 In corporal suffering feels a pang as grtat 
 As when a giant dies." 
 
 This effusion of poetry speaks no other language 
 than that of accurate philosophy ; for there is every 
 reason to believe that the sensations of many of the 
 most diminutive insects are as exquisite, and conse- 
 quently, their sufferings as acute as those of larger 
 animals. The writhings of the poor wcrm, on which 
 ' we aecidently tread, evidently shew the pangs which 
 it feels, shock the heart that is endowed with sensibi- 
 lity and force it to lament the step which fortuitously 
 caused these sufferings. Horrible, however, to relate, 
 parents too frequently indulge their children in the 
 wanton sport of torturing poor insects in a manner Jit 
 which humanity must shudder, 
 
 "What more advance can mortals make in sin, 
 So near perfection who with blood begin ? " 
 
 DRYDEV, 
 
 The supreme court of judicature at Athens, to its 
 eternal credit, punished' a boy for putting out the 
 yes of a poor bird that unfortunately fell into his sa- 
 vage hands; and parents arul masters should never 
 overlook an act of cruelty towards any thing that is en- 
 dowed with lite and sensation, however mean and con- 
 temptible it may seem. No creature is mean or 'insig- 
 nificant in the eyes of the universal Parent, the Cre- 
 ator of all beings : 
 
 "With him no hi^h nor low, no great nor small, 
 He 1111s, he bounds, connects and equals all." 
 
 Yes, my dear Sir, great and little, important and 
 mean, are relative terms, and distinctions of 'our own, 
 
CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS. 
 
 397 
 
 which have no existence in the all-comprising view 
 of the Creator and governor of the universe. 
 
 The consideration that all the felicity of animals 13 
 confined to the short period of the present life, with- 
 out any hope or compensation in a future state of ex- 
 istence, ought to be an aditional inducement to treat 
 them with compassion. We ought to imagine every 
 inoliensive animal which our wanton cruelty would 
 deprive of existence, addressing us in the mouse's afcv 
 feeling petition : 
 
 "But if this transient gleam of light 
 Be all of Hie we share, 
 Let pity plead within thy breast, 
 This little all to spare." 
 
 These moral sentiments, so strongly inculcated by 
 reason, are decidedly corroborated by religion, sanc- 
 tified by scripture, and impressed by the discourses 
 of Him from whom all scripture derives its authority, 
 and all true religion its origin. The Redeemer of 
 mankind reminds us that his Heavenly Father takes 
 care to feed the ravens, and that the sparrows are not 
 overlooked in the universality of his providence; 
 which is sufficient to convince us that we cannot, 
 without offering a gross insult to the Creator and -So- 
 vereign of the world wantonly ill-treat any of his 
 creatures, all of which are objects of his parental soli- 
 citude. 
 
 In the system of nature, it is ordained by an ar- 
 rangement, for which yon will recollect the reasons 
 already assigned, that animals should be conducive to 
 the support of one another, and that all of them 
 should be subservient to the interests of man, or at 
 least subject to his reasonable will, although not to his 
 wanton cruelty. When, therefore, we are obliged to 
 kill any of them for our food, or to destroy for our 
 safety such as are noxious, we ought to dispatch them 
 expeditiously, and to render the pang of death ^s 
 short and easy as possible. 
 
 In contemplating the immensity of the universe, 
 and the regularity of its architecture, we have ob* 
 served the ponderous magnitude and uniform motion* 
 T 
 
398 LET -f En LXII. 
 
 of the celestial bodies; and cannot but easily per- 
 ceive that nothing less than Divine power could have 
 created and suspended in the regions of infinite space, 
 those massy orbs, and that Divine Wisdom alone 
 could have regulated their courses. In descending 
 to the earth we have clearly discovered the same 
 traces qf an Almighty hand. We have seen his glory 
 exhibited in the variegated scenes of vegetation, in 
 the colouring and structure of trees, herbs and flow- 
 ers, and his beneficence displayed in their extensive 
 utility. From thence proceeding to a view of ani- 
 mated nature, wonders still burst upon our eyes, in 
 the formation of the different animal beings which 
 bronze the herb or range the forest, which flutter in 
 the air, or swim in the ocean, we see a perfect adap- 
 tation to the circumstances of their existence. The 
 feathered clothing of the birds, the hair of beasts, the 
 scaly covering of fishes, are all admirably suited to 
 the element in which each order is placed. Their 
 instincts, also, exactly correspond with their destina- 
 tion, and operate in a similar manner in every indi- 
 vidual of the same species. Every owl and every cat 
 has a natural propensity to catch mice; every bee has 
 H talent for making honey, and every silk-worm pos- 
 sesses the art of spinning silk. All the birds of the 
 same kind build their nests in the same manner ; and 
 every animal of the same species, if left in its natural 
 state, chuses the same kind of food. This uniformity 
 of instinct in each particular species of animals, which 
 is so conspicuous in these and a thousand other in- 
 stances, merits in an iminent degree the attention of 
 the student of nature ; as it exhibits the most unequi- 
 vocal proof of a regular design and determinate plan, 
 in their formation, and evidently shews that the 
 whole created system is the production of an intelli- 
 gent and all powerful Being. 
 
 ' ____. Who spake the word; 
 
 And Nature mov'd complete." 
 
 Besides the subserviency of the animal creation, to 
 *u> there can be o doubt that tbe happiness of the 
 
CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS. 399 
 
 creatures themselves constituted a principal object in 
 the view of the Author of Nature. It must, however, 
 be acknowledged that many animals exist of which 
 we cannot perceive the utility. Many of them ap- 
 pear useless, arid several of them noxious to man. 
 Not a few of them likewise, especially among the 
 reptile and insect kinds, seem destitute of enjoyment, 
 and incapable of happiness. But, are we, my dear 
 Sir, able to penetrate into the secret recesses of na- 
 ture, to investigate the actions of every creature, to 
 examine their consequences, and calculate how far 
 they may be, if not directly and immediately, at least 
 indirectly and ultimately beneficial to our species ? 
 Or, are *we able exactly to estimate the felicity of 
 animals, or to explore the whole circle of their plea- 
 sures ? Hither our inquiries cannot reach. 
 
 <t Here the cloud 
 
 So with eternal Providence, sits deep 
 Enough for DJ to know thai this dark state 
 In wayward |>as s ion lost, and vain pursuits, 
 This infancy of Being cannot prove 
 The final issue of the works of God." 
 
 In this present state of existence, my clear Sir, the 
 limitation of our faculties prevents us from fully com- 
 prehending the wonders of the creation; this grand 
 prerogative, this sublime enjoyment is certainly re- 
 served for rational beings in a future and more happy 
 state, when the mind, invigorated and expanded, 
 having all its pow ; ers renovated and improved, shall 
 be capable of boundless excursions, and of seeing 
 the image of the Deity clearly reflected from his 
 works. 
 
 In our present state of being, in which we see the 
 mysteries of Nature and of Providence as it were but 
 dhmy through the veil that hangs before our eyes> 
 Reason, that 'inestimable gift of the Divinity, is 'suffi- 
 ciently illuminating to convince us that we ran only 
 see by parts, and those parts but imperfectly; while 
 the supreme intellect embraces in one comprehensive 
 view the whole system of Creation, and that what- 
 ever is the work Q infinite Wisdom is destined to 
 
400 LETTER LXII. 
 
 some useful and beneficial end. If we examine a 
 complex piece of mechanism, and observe the regu- 
 larity of its operations and movements, although we 
 may not perhaps comprehend the utility of each part, 
 and the particular action of each wheel or spring, 
 yet in considering that from the motions of the whole 
 machine some great effect is produced, we shall 
 readily conclude that none of its parts are useless. 
 
 These observations, my dear Sir, and a number of 
 others which naturally result from a survey of the 
 creation, have an evident tendency to improve the 
 mind and ameliorate the heart. They all concur to 
 illuminate the understanding, and to inspire the most 
 exalted sentiments of morality and religion ; to in- 
 struct the ignorant, to check presumption, and con- 
 found Atheism. 
 
 The volume of Nature, my dear Sir, is the Book of 
 God, ever open to the eyes of mankind. 
 
 In contemplating " the whole magnificence of Hea- 
 ven and Earth," with all the numerous and varied as- 
 semblage of beings that people the immense and su- 
 perb mansion, we every where view the reflection of 
 his glory. All things, animate and inanimate, in per- 
 fect unison, and in language more emphatical tha 
 that of words proclaim, 
 
 END. 
 
 JtAMJfS CUNUEE, 
 LOKDOH. 
 
RETURN TO: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 
 198 Main Stacks 
 
 LOAN PERIOD 1 
 Home Use 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS. 
 
 Renewals and Recharges may be made 4 days prior to the due 
 date. Books may be renewed by calling 642-3405. 
 
 DUE AS STAMPED BELOW. 
 
 OCT 1 1 2006 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 FORM NO. DD6 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKEL 
 50 M 1-06 Berkeley, California 94720-6C 
 

 
 . 
 
 
 
 ;