**> J1MUS1WG
 
 w 
 
 c
 
 One of a ' Band_of Mercy.' see p. 281.
 
 WONDERFUL ANIMALS 
 
 WORKING, DOMESTIC, AND WILD. 
 
 ir Structure, $)abits, Cornea, anb Bee*. 
 
 DESCRIPTIVE, ANECDOTICAL, AND 
 AMUSING. 
 
 BY 
 
 VERNON S. MORWOOD, 
 
 AUTHOR OF 'FACTS AND PHASES OF ANIMAL LIFE,' 
 AND LECTURER TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. 
 
 ' So from the first eternal order ran, 
 And creature linked to creature, man to man." 
 
 POPE. 
 
 ' To me be Nature's volume broad displayed.' 
 
 THOMSON. 
 
 WITH EIGHTY-ONE WOOD ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 LONDON : 
 JOHN HOGG, PATERNOSTER ROW. 
 
 1883. 
 
 [All Rights Reserved.} 
 
 EFFINGHAM WILSON, 
 IX, ROYAI - c -
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 jjS this book is intended by the author to be a 
 companion volume to ' Facts and Phases of 
 Animal Life,' he has referred particularly, and 
 at some length, to the Working Domestic Animals, and 
 others not treated upon in his former volume. 
 
 In the present work the author has introduced very many 
 Amusing and Interesting Anecdotes never before printed, 
 which refer to the Instinct, Structure, Habits, Uses, In- 
 telligence, and other things characteristic of Our Animals, 
 both Wild and Tame. 
 
 An earnest endeavour has been made to guard both old 
 and young against the attendant evils and demoralizing 
 
 2090808
 
 vi Preface. 
 
 influences arising from an indulgence in Acts of Cruelty to 
 Animals, and to induce them to cultivate a Kindly Feeling 
 towards Our Dumb Companions. To treat animals humanely 
 will help to make them even more willingly useful as servants 
 of man, and be as the bright sunshine of their existence. 
 
 V. S. M.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 - xiii 
 
 GLOSSARY OF WORDS USED IN THIS VOLUME 
 
 INSECTS, FISH, BIRDS, AND QUADRUPEDS REFERRED TO - -vii 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Government among Animals Eccentric Crane Punished severely A 
 Snake Team An Amusing Spectacle A Tiger afraid of a Mouse 
 Walking Leaf Wonderfully Odd Dog and Portrait A Philosopher 
 on Birds and their Oddities Medicine as practised by Animals 
 Curious Comparisons Curious Facts Curious Coincidences - - 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Animalculse A Moss-covered Wall Life in old Spouts Rotifera, or 
 Wheel-Bearers The Eggs of Rotifera Amazing Fecundity Infusoria 
 Animalculse in Everything - - 32 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 gUlipttiivw (Sttbjwte of the Qnimzl ilittflb^m. 
 
 What is an Insect? Blood of Insects Senses of Insects Instinct of 
 Insects Bombardier Beetle An Ingenious Weaver An Ant's Nest 
 Mistakes of Instinct Swarms of Flies and Tainted Beef Fire-flies and 
 Bull-frogs What Kirby says Spinning Cocoons Insects gain Know- 
 ledge by Experience Old and New Honey-Gatherers Orders of 
 Insects Beauties of Insects Architects and Miners Habitats of- 
 Insects The Eyes of Insects Insect Duration Strength of Insects * 37
 
 via Contents. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Insect Armies, nnb hoto gkcvuitcb. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Woolly Aphis Ravagers of Forests A Kitchen Garden Caterpillars 
 and their Muscles Palms and Feet of Caterpillars Vibrating Flies 
 Tortoiseshell Butterfly, White Butterfly, etc. Where they Lay their 
 Eggs A Curious Process Butterflies, how they Work and what 
 they Teach Food of Butterflies Luminous Insects Pygolampus 
 Beetle of the Antilles Negresses and Creoles The Glow-worm Death 
 Watch Ant Lion Caddis Fly Saw Fly Crane Fly Aquatic Insects 
 
 The Mite Flea Scolopendra Silkworm Manufacture of Silk 
 Metamorphoses of Insects The Dutch Painter - . - i ~ . - 49 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 gtix Etiibcrgrottnb Citjj of pttU $topU. 
 
 Grass Mowers A Nest of Ants The Ant Family Carpenter Ants 
 Yellow Ants Fallow Ants Turf Ants Brown Ants Cities of Ants 
 Materials for Building The Queen Ant The Worker Ants Departure 
 from the Nest Ant Sentinels Antennae Bravery of Ants Ant-bearers 
 at a Cockroach Funeral Ants and the Caterpillar Ants on the March 
 
 The Widowed Ant Food of Ants Milch Kine of Ants Honey- 
 making Ants Ant Warriors Uses of Ants, etc. - 63 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A Glimpse at the Finny Tribes Fishes Oviparous Teeth of Fishes 
 Eyes of Fishes Fins of Fishes Food of Fishes Migration of Fishes 
 Intelligence of Fish Their Longevity Fish in Armour The Crusta- 
 cean Family Throwing off the Old Coat Voracious Appetites Great 
 Fighters Irritated by Jealousy Losing their Limbs Crabs of many 
 Kinds Crayfishes Lobsters Sagacity of a Lobster Prawns 
 Shrimps Molluscs Clam Shells and Holy Water Cockles Mussels 
 Pearl Mussels Oysters Where Found How Bred and Secured 
 Pearl Oysters Shah of Persia's Pear-shaped Pearl Scallops Curious 
 Structure Troops of them Sailing on the Sea - - 76 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 <dfwt Cousins, or mir JJitbs iit gJhich. 
 
 Plumage of Birds very Suggestive Rooks and Rookeries Rook Parlia- 
 ment How Lazy Rooks are Punished Forethought of Rooks Notice 
 to Quit The Gun and the Crutch The Lawyer's Rookery Sympathy 
 among Rooks Ravens of the Bible Domestic Ravens Their Cry an 
 
 - Evil Omen Cling to their Eggs Familiar Raven The Raven Rat- 
 catcher Raven and Gloves Three Funny Ravens Mrs. Grimalkin 
 Tongue-tied Dickens' Ravens Crows of Ceylon The Dog and his 
 Bone An unlooked-for Exposure Crows the Blessing of God Jack- 
 daws Conservative Jackdaws Carte-de-Visite The Jackdaw's Fail- 
 ingsDrunken Jackdaw Jack and the Ostler's Son Plea for our 
 ' Birds in Black ' - - 92
 
 Contents. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Jjeathercb dfccbcrs on \sl\, Jlcsh, nub 
 
 The Eagle : its Structure, Strength, and Voracity Longevity of Eagles- 
 Eagle's Nest How Eagles Teach their Young to Fly Eagle that 
 Carried off a Child Eagle and Salmon A Young Girl and her Pet 
 Eagle A Golden Eagle and a Decoy Uses of Eagles Kingfisher, 
 where and how it Feeds Fabulous Stories about it The Lapwing 
 and its Cunning Solomon and the Lapwing Owls and the Red 
 American Indians Superstition The Owl and Railway Porter An 
 Owl feigning Death The Ministers and the Owl How Owls are 
 Hatched Affection of the Owl Herons and their Powers of Flight- 
 How they Fish Voracity of Herons The Heron and Spaniel Heron- 
 ries and Heron-hawking Hawks - I0 9 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 $e;tfttl ^lommhs of the 
 
 The Swan Flight of Swans Whistling Swan Pairing for Life An 
 Enraged Swan Swan and Fox Swan-upping A Swan Feeding her 
 Young The Duck A Country Ramble^Food of Ducks Curious 
 Story of a Duck's Egg Wild Ducks, Mallards Decay Pools Bills of 
 Ducks Duck's Foot in an Ice Crack Wild Duck's Nest Sagacity of 
 Ducks The Goose Structure of the Goose Tame Geese, where,' 
 and on what they Feed Wild Geese, and how they Fly A Carnivorous 
 Goose A Grateful Gander As Silly as a Goose - 125 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 tenants of the 
 
 The Peacock His Colours and Conceit Peacocks Defending a Young 
 Thrush A Singular Fancy Foreign Relations of the Peacock The 
 Turkey, its Origin and Structure Antipathy to Red Affection of 
 Turkey Hens Remarkable Incident A Gallant Turkey-cock A 
 Strange Theft The Pintado Flesh and Eggs An African Princess 
 Pigeons and their Varieties Pairing, Egg-laying, Rearing their Young 
 Pigeon's Milk Fancy Pigeons Carrier Pigeons A Pigeon fond of 
 Music Turtle-dove - 142 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 forest ^Urobixts, JEittle ^tarauucrs, anb ^i^\i$ (Dbbities. 
 
 The Squirrel Structure of the Squirrel and its Home A Tame Squirrel 
 Nut-gatherers The Mouse and its Relations Their Nests and Food 
 Singing Mice A Mouse Companion Ingenuity of a Mouse The 
 Mouse and the Greenbacks Bats, both Home and Foreign The 
 Vampire Bat and the Jackass Superstitions about Bats Structure of 
 Bats Uses of Bats Hybernation, etc. - - - 158
 
 Contents. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 JfoIIt, .^fisher*, anb $x>achcrs. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Hares, their Structure and Locomotion Cowper's Hares Remarkable 
 Story The Hare that Loved Music Hazardous Venture of a Hare 
 A Battle between Two Hares Clever Hares An Amusing Colloquy 
 Rabbits Their Homes and Numbers Ostend Rabbits Quarrelsome 
 Rabbits Fancy Rabbits, and how to keep them Otters Their 
 Structure, Habits, and where Found Sea Otters Affection for their 
 Young The Weasel, its Voracity and Uses Ferret and Polecat How 
 Weasels Obtain Food The Farmer and the Weasel ' Come in, my 
 Pretty Wench' Weasel Sagacity - 166 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 gristljj $acltgbwm* SEilb anb ^xmt. 
 
 Wild Boars and their Characteristics Their Food and Lairs Varieties 
 of the Domestic Pig Enormous Pig Dwarf Pig Pigs not Epicures 
 Pigs and Egyptians Bristles and Skins of Pigs Intelligence of Pigs 
 Dog and Pig in a Storm at Sea A Noted Pig in Chelsea Pig 
 Found in a Sewer Pig with a Wooden Leg - - - 179 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 3\,mt0crac]j of Animals. 
 
 A Herd of Deer, and a Narrow Escape The Deer Family Peculiar Or- 
 ganization The Elk and Reindeer The Stag, Bold, Courageous, and 
 Affectionate Fallow Deer Male Deers 'Fighting Uses of the Flesh 
 and Skins of Deer The Lady and her Pet Fawn The Roebuck Deer- 
 Stealing Shakespeare and a Deer Story A Night's Surprise Freak of 
 a Stag - ... j8g 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 2ln Ancient dfamilj). 
 
 Sheep of different Kinds, and by what Names Known The Moufflon 
 Structure of Sheep Chewing the Cud Mother Sheep and their 
 Young Habits of Sheep Wool Great Utility of Sheep Curious Use 
 of Sheep A Woolly Audience The Philosopher and Shepherd Boy 
 A Sheep's Taste for Music A Tippling Lamb Odd Companions A 
 Sheep that Chewed Tobacco - - - 199 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 Ipotoinijs frxrm the Julb aitb <Shcb. 
 
 The Ox and Cow Structure of the Cow's Mouth Origin of our Oxen- 
 Wild Oxen Value of Cows Cows and Candles A Cow that Came to 
 the Rescue The Butcher and the Cow's Teeth Do Oxen Kneel on 
 Christmas Eve? The Cow and Moral Suasion What Kindness will 
 
 DO - - - - .... j, : - 2O7
 
 Contents. xi 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 or g)alf-jtitb-gjalf 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Mule and Jennet Mules at the Crimean War How Judges Used to 
 Ride to Court -Mule Show Towns Famous for Mules Powers of 
 Endurance Mules at New Orleans, Cairo, etc. Ferocious Courage of 
 a Mule A Mule Laden with Salt, and how he Profited by Experience 214 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 (Dur ^0ttkej)3 attb thdr 
 
 The Ass Asses of Ancient Times The Asses Mentioned in Scripture 
 Persian Asses and the Scythians Asses and Grand Festivals Origin of 
 the Ass, and its Wild Relations How /Asses Bray Peculiarities of 
 Structure Usefulness of Asses Alive and Dead Asses' Milk Young 
 Asses Hard Lines Norfolk Donkeys Donkey Barometers Donkeys 
 and Superstition The Ass and Drunkard The Ass and Bulldog A 
 Performing Ass A Gipsy's Ass A Wonderful Donkey Trotter A 
 Sensible Ass Donkey Show Character of the Ass - - 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 g'* <dffrienb. 
 
 The Horse, and what the Arabians Think of him Origin of the Horse 
 Parthians and their Horses South American Horses Wild Horses 
 and Birds of Prey Varieties of Horses Ponies A Curious and Mar- 
 vellous Calculation Structure of the Horse, his Foot, Eye, Ears, 
 Stomach, and Lungs Fifteen Useful Hints to those who have the Care 
 of Horses, etc. - - 233 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 of drbtrjjbflb"'* Jfronb. 
 
 Cavalry Horse and the Soldier The Horse and Drunken Farmer De- 
 cided by the Horse A Good Memory The Milkman's Horse The 
 Generous Horse A Noble Horse Intelligence of Horses The Horse 
 that Helped his Master Out of a Difficulty Sal, a Brood Mare, 
 ' Acting the Old Soldier ' Wonderful Sagacity of a Cart Horse - 245 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 of 
 
 Animals and the Sense of Feeling Different Kinds of Cruelty Committed 
 through Ignorance, Love of Gain, etc. Drink and Cruelty Sunday 
 Pleasure Van Horses Cruel Sports Pigeon Matches and Trap Pigeon 
 Shooting Bearing-Reins The Midland Railway Horses, London 
 Omnibus and Cab Horses, and the Four-in-Hand Club Testimony of 
 Lord Portsmouth, Cracknell, the Stage-Coach Driver, and Hundreds 
 of Veterinary Surgeons in London and the Country against the Use of 
 Bearing-ReinsNoble Example of some Bristol Carters - - 254
 
 Xll 
 
 Contents. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 ^frienbs of Jtnimnls. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Individual Friends Collective Friends Royal Society for the Prevention 
 of Cruelty to Animals Pigeon Matches Animals in Mines Humane 
 Slaughtering of Animals Anti-Vivisection Royal Patronage Dogs' 
 and Cats' Home Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough 
 Association The Brown Animal Sanatory Institution Juvenile Hu- 
 mane Societies Progress of Humanity Abroad Humanity and Public 
 Men Ministers of Religion Magistrates, etc. Legislators Teachers 
 in Private and Public Schools Parents and Guardians of Youth 
 Masters and Servants Cruelty is Bad Policy Demoralizes the Mind- 
 Roman Gentlewomen and Christian Bishops of Ancient Tunes The 
 Victoria Railway Station Cabman and his Horse Kindness Pays the 
 Best An Angel of Mercy Everybody's Duty to Animals An Appeal 
 Conclusion - - 267
 
 GLOSSARY 
 
 EXPLANATORY OF WORDS USED IN THIS VOLUME. 
 
 Accipitres Birds of prey. 
 
 Amphibious That which partakes of two natures, so as to live in air or water. 
 
 Animalculse Animals of the very smallest kind. 
 
 Anseres Web-footed or aquatic birds, as the goose. 
 
 Antennae The feelers of insects. 
 
 Apterous Insects without wings. 
 
 Aquatic Animals and plants that live and grow in water. 
 
 Articulated Having joints, but no internal skeleton, as lobsters, crabs, etc. 
 
 Biped Having two feet only, as men and birds. 
 
 Bivalve Animals having two shells to open and shut. 
 
 Bombyces Moths. 
 
 Bovidae Hollow-horned ruminating animals, as cows, oxen, etc. 
 
 Byssus A tuft of silky filaments which issue from the shell of some kinds 
 
 of mollusca 
 
 Carnivorous Feeding on flesh. 
 
 Cartilage A gristly substance, found in the noses of burrowing animals. 
 Caudal Belonging to the tail, especially in fish. 
 Cheiroptera Having wings like hands. 
 Chrysalids Pupae of butterflies. 
 Cocoon A soft covering spun by caterpillars. 
 Coleoptera Shield-winged insects. 
 Conirostres Birds having beaks of conical shape. 
 Cranium The skull. 
 
 Crustacea Some kinds of shell-fish, as shrimps, prawns, crabs, etc. 
 Crust The hoof, or outside covering of the horse's foot. 
 Cygnet A young swan. 
 Diptera Insects with two wings, and whose mouths are formed for suction 
 
 only. 
 Dorsal As the muscles on the back of the horse, and the fins on that of a 
 
 fish. 
 
 Edentata Being destitute of teeth. 
 Elytra The wing-sheaths of beetles. 
 Embryo A bud, or first rudiments of an animal. 
 Ephemera A short-lived insect ; an evening fly.
 
 xiv Glossary. 
 
 Equidae The horse family. 
 
 Felt, and Felting Cloth made of wool without weaving ; a compact sub- 
 
 stance of fur and wool rolled and pressed together in lees or size. 
 Fluviatlle Living in rivers, streams, or ponds. 
 Gallinaceae Birds resembling farmyard fowls. 
 
 Gallinae An order of birds including peacocks, pheasants, turkeys, etc. 
 Genus A class of animals including many species. 
 Glandular Having reference to the glands of animal bodies, which are 
 
 smooth fleshy substances. 
 Glires An order of animals comprising mice, field-mice, beavers, hares, rats, 
 
 jerboas, etc. 
 
 Gormand An animal that eats ravenously, as a pig. 
 Grallse Wading birds, as the avocet, etc. 
 Gyrations A circular motion, or whirling round. 
 Habitat The home, or place of resort, of an animal. 
 Halcyon Serene, quiet, peaceful, etc. 
 
 Haw A gristly substance growing under the nether eyelid and eye of a horse. 
 Hemiptera Insects with wings partly leathery and membranous. 
 Herbivorous Living upon herbs and vegetables. 
 Homoptera Insects with wings all alike. 
 Hybernate--To pass the winter in some secluded place, without leaving it to 
 
 seek either food or water ; as bats, hedgehogs, etc. 
 Hybrid Mongrel, produced by the mixture of two species. 
 Hymenoptera Insects with membranous wings. 
 Imago The last and perfect state of an insect. 
 Incubation Sitting upon eggs to hatch the young. 
 Infusoria Microscopic animalcules found in liquids of various kinds, and 
 
 even in rain, snow, and fog. 
 
 Insectivora Birds and quadrupeds that live on insects. 
 Instinct A psychical property with which all animals are endowed, prompt- 
 ing them to defend themselves, to procure food, and to perpetuate their 
 
 own kind. 
 
 Invertetorata Animals that have no backbone. 
 Lachrymal Generating tears. 
 Lamina A sensitive and soft substance lying between the coffin-bone and 
 
 the inside of a horse's hoof. 
 Larynx The upper part of the windpipe. 
 Larvae Insects in the caterpillar, or grub state. 
 Lateral Growing out on the side. 
 Lepidoptera Insects with scaly wings. 
 Lilliputian A person of very small size. 
 Ligament A substance which binds one bone to another. 
 Mallard The drake of the wild duck. 
 Mammalia Animals that suckle their young. 
 
 Mandible The upper or lower jaw. The instrument of manducation. 
 Membrane A thin, white, flexible skin which serves to cover some part of 
 
 the body. 
 
 Metamorphosis Change of shape, as of a chrysalis into a winged animal. 
 Migration The act of removing from one country to another. Many kinds 
 
 of birds are migratory. 
 Milt The soft roe of fishes. 
 
 Muzzle The mouth of anything, as of a dog or gun. 
 Natatory Enabling to swim. Having special reference to birds with webbed 
 
 feet. 
 
 Nervures The corneous divisions in the wings of insects. 
 Neuroptera Insects with four transparent wings containing many nerves.
 
 Glossary. xv 
 
 Nocturnal Animals that are concealed by day, but which come out by night 
 
 in search of food, etc. 
 
 Nymph Another name of chrysalis. The second stage of an insect's life. 
 Olfactory Pertaining to the sense of smelling. 
 Omnivorous All-devouring, or eating all kinds of food. 
 Organism Having reference to organs or natural instruments, as the tongue, 
 
 the organ of speech, etc. 
 Ornithology A minute description of birds. 
 Orthoptera Comprising straight-winged insects. 
 Oviparous Laying eggs. 
 
 Ovipositor The organ of insects by which eggs are deposited. 
 Ovis The genus to which sheep belong, etc. 
 Pachydermatous Animals having very thick skin, as the elephant, the 
 
 rhinoceros, and the pig. 
 
 Parasites Insects that live upon other animals. 
 Pectoral Pertaining to the breast, or to the fore-fins of a fish. 
 Phlebotomy To let blood from a vein. 
 Phosphorescent Shining with a faint light which emanates from phosphorus, 
 
 a substance of a yellowish colour. 
 Physiology The science which treats of the structure and constitution of 
 
 animal bodies. 
 
 Pupa The chrysalis, or quiescent state of an insect. 
 Raptorial Birds that are carnivorous and live upon other birds and small 
 
 quadrupeds. 
 
 Rodents Animals whose teeth are formed for gnawing. 
 Rotifera Wheel-bearers. 
 
 Ruminating Chewing the cud, as cows and sheep, etc. 
 Saliva An excretion from certain glands of the mouth which moistens the 
 
 food and assists digestion. 
 
 Sallender A rough horny patch situated in front of the hock of a horse. 
 Scansores Birds that are organized for climbing. 
 Scintillation The act of sparkling. 
 Serrated Notched on the edge like a saw. 
 Solidungnlate A mammal with a solid hoof on each foot, as the horse, 
 
 donkey, etc. 
 
 Spawn The eggs of fish and frogs. 
 
 Succedaneum A substitute, or that which is used as something else. 
 Tentacles Feelers, as in the sea anemone. 
 
 Thorax The middle part of an insect to which the wings are affixed. 
 Ungulata Animals that have hoofs. 
 Univalve Having but one shell 
 
 Vertebrata Animals that are furnished with backbones. 
 Viviparous Producing young from eggs while in the body, as in the viper. 
 Wattles A fleshy excrescence that grows under the throat of the male 
 
 farmyard fowl. 
 Zoophytes Forms of life being mediums between animals and vegetables.
 
 INSECTS, FISH, BIRDS, AND QUADRUPEDS 
 REFERRED TO IN THIS VOLUME. 
 
 Animalcule 
 Ants : - 
 
 Brown - 
 
 Carpenter 
 
 Fallow - 
 
 Garden - 
 
 Queen - 
 
 Red 
 
 Turf - 
 
 Winged 
 
 Worker 
 
 Yellow - 
 Ant-Lion - 
 Aphides - 
 Ass 
 
 Bats ' - 
 
 Bear 
 
 Beaver 
 
 Beetle of Antilles - 
 
 Birds of Paradise - 
 
 Boars, Wild 
 
 Bombardier Beetle 
 
 Bull 
 
 Butterflies 
 
 Caddis Fly 
 
 Calves 
 
 Cat 
 
 Caterpillars 
 
 Cockchafers 
 
 Cockroach 
 
 Cow 
 
 PAGE 
 
 
 3 2 
 
 Crane 
 
 - 6 5 
 
 Crane Flies 
 
 - 66 
 
 Crows 
 
 - 65 
 
 
 - 65 
 
 Death-watch 
 
 - 7i 
 
 Deer 
 
 - 67 
 
 Diver Beetle 
 
 - 73 
 
 Dog 
 
 - 66 
 
 Donkey, Norfolk 
 
 - 65 
 
 Dove 
 
 - 67 
 
 Duck (tame and wild) 
 
 - 65 
 
 Dung Beetle 
 
 - 56 
 
 
 72 
 
 Eagle 
 
 - 222 
 
 Eel 
 
 
 Elephant, Wild - 
 
 - l62 
 
 Ephemera (or May Fly) 
 
 - 30 
 
 
 - 3 1 
 
 Fallow Deer 
 
 - 55 
 
 Ferret 
 
 - 27 
 
 Flea 
 
 - 180 
 
 Fox 
 
 - 40 
 
 
 - 22 
 
 Gander 
 
 - 52 
 
 Glow-worm 
 
 
 Goose 
 
 - 57 
 
 Goshawk - 
 
 - 257 
 
 Gosling 
 
 - 3 
 
 Ground Dove 
 
 - 5i 
 
 Guinea Fowl 
 
 - 94 
 
 
 - 7 
 
 Hare 
 
 207, 2IO 
 
 Hawk 
 
 PAGE 
 
 - 22 
 
 - 58 
 
 - 103 
 
 - S 6 
 
 - igO 
 
 - 58 
 22, IO4, 277 
 
 227, 257 
 
 30, 155, 262 
 
 129, 130 
 
 - 43 
 
 - no 
 
 - 30 
 
 - 107 
 
 - 45 
 
 - 193 
 
 > 176 
 
 - 59 
 30, 128, 259 
 
 - 139 
 
 - 55 
 
 - 134 
 
 - 124 
 
 - 30 
 
 - 150 
 
 - 149 
 
 30, 167 
 
 - 30
 
 xviii Insects, Fish, Birds, and Quadrupeds rej erred to. 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 
 I'AGE 
 
 Heron 
 
 - 121 
 
 Hymenoptera con tin tied 
 
 
 Herring - 
 
 - 3 
 
 Ants - 
 
 - 45 
 
 Horse : 
 
 233, 264 
 
 Bees - 
 
 - 45 
 
 Coach - 
 
 - 2 37 
 
 Cuckoo Flies 
 
 - 45 
 
 Dray - 
 
 - 237 
 
 Saw Flies - - 
 
 - 45 
 
 Hack - 
 
 - 237 
 
 Wasps 
 
 - 45 
 
 Hunter - 
 
 - 238 
 
 7. Lepidoptera : - 
 
 - 45 
 
 Race - 
 
 - 238 
 
 Bombyces 
 
 - 45 
 
 Wild - 
 
 - 237 
 
 Butterflies 
 
 45 
 
 
 
 Death's Head Moth - 
 
 - 45 
 
 Infusory Animalcules 
 
 - 35 
 
 Feather Moth 
 
 - 45 
 
 Insects, Orders of : 
 
 
 Moths 
 
 - 45 
 
 i. Aptera: - 
 
 - 43 
 
 Pack Moth - v. 
 
 - 45 
 
 Chegoe 
 
 - 43 
 
 Silkworm 
 
 - 45 
 
 Flea - 
 
 - 43 
 
 8. Neuroptera: 
 
 - 45 
 
 Lice 
 
 - 43 
 
 Ant Lion 
 
 - 45 
 
 2. Coleoptera: 
 
 - 44 
 
 Caddis Fly - 
 
 - 45 
 
 Blister Beetle 
 
 - 44 
 
 Dragon Fly - 
 
 - 45 
 
 Bombardier Beetle - 
 
 - 44 
 
 May Fly 
 
 - 45 
 
 Carrion 
 
 - 44 
 
 Scorpion Fly - 
 
 45 
 
 Ground 
 
 - 44 
 
 Stone Fly 
 
 - 45 
 
 Rove 
 
 44 
 
 White Ants - 
 
 - 45 
 
 Scavenger 
 
 - 44 
 
 9. Orthoptera: 
 
 - 45 
 
 Sexton 
 
 - 44 
 
 Cockroaches - 
 
 - 45 
 
 Spring 
 
 - 44 
 
 Cricket 
 
 - 45 
 
 Tiger 
 
 - 44 
 
 Earwig 
 
 - 45 
 
 Water 
 
 - 44 
 
 Grasshopper - 
 
 - 45 
 
 3. Diptera : - 
 
 - 44 
 
 House Cricket 
 
 - 45 
 
 Chameleon Fly 
 
 - 44 
 
 Leaping Insects 
 
 - 45 
 
 Crane Fly 
 
 - 44 
 
 Locusts 
 
 - 45 
 
 Domestic Fly 
 
 - 44 
 
 Mole Cricket 
 
 - 45 
 
 Daddy Long Legs - 
 
 - 44 
 
 Jackals 
 
 - 31 
 
 Flesh Fly 
 Forest Fly - 
 
 - 44 
 - 44 
 
 Jackdaw - 
 Jennet 
 
 - 105 
 - 216 
 
 Gad Fly 
 
 - 44 
 
 
 
 Gnat 
 Mosquito 
 Spider 
 
 - 44 
 - 44 
 44 
 
 Kiang 
 Kingfisher 
 Kite 
 
 - 225 
 - 114 
 
 21 
 
 Wasp Flies - 
 Whame Fly - 
 
 - 44 
 - 44 
 
 Lamb 
 
 *"S 
 
 - 205 
 
 4. Hemiptera : 
 
 - 44 
 
 Lapwing - 
 
 - "5 
 
 Fly Bugs 
 
 - 44 
 
 Lion 
 
 - 220 
 
 Measurers, Water 
 Raspberry Grey Bugs 
 
 - 44 
 - 44 
 
 Magpie 
 Mallard - 
 
 26, 130 
 - 13 
 
 Red Cabbage Bugs - 
 
 - 44 
 
 Marmot - 
 
 - 31 
 
 Scorpion, Water 
 
 - 44 
 
 Mite 
 
 CO 
 
 Skip Jacks 
 
 - 44 
 
 Mole Cricket 
 
 jy 
 
 - 46 
 
 5. Homoptera: 
 
 - 44 
 
 Mole 
 
 3O 
 
 Aphides 
 
 - 44 
 
 Moths 
 
 - 4=i 
 
 Blight Insects 
 
 i - 44 
 
 Moufflon - 
 
 TO 
 
 - 2OI 
 
 Cochineal 
 Lantern Flies 
 
 44 
 - 44 
 
 Mouse 
 Mule 
 
 25. 159 
 
 - 216 
 
 Plant Lice 
 Tree Hoppers 
 
 - 44 
 - 44 
 
 Nightingale 
 
 - 31 
 
 6. Hymcnoptera : 
 
 - 45 
 
 Osprey 
 
 - 124
 
 Insects, Fish, Birds, and Quadrupeds referred to. xix 
 
 Otter 
 
 Owl 
 
 Ox 
 
 Oxen, Wild 
 
 Partridge 
 Peacock - 
 Pig:- - 
 
 African 
 
 Bedford 
 
 Berkshire 
 
 Cheshire 
 
 Chinese 
 
 Essex - 
 
 Gloucestershire 
 
 Hampshire 
 
 Herefordshire - 
 
 Irish Greyhound 
 
 Italian - 
 
 Lincolnshire 
 
 Neapolitan 
 
 Norfolk 
 
 Northamptonshire 
 
 Suffolk - 
 
 Sussex - 
 
 Wiltshire 
 
 Yorkshire 
 
 Pigeons : 
 
 Archangels 
 
 Barbes - 
 
 Carriers - 
 
 Dragoons 
 
 Fantails 
 
 Jacobins 
 
 Nuns 
 
 Owls - 
 
 Pouters - 
 
 Rock - 
 
 Tree 
 
 Trumpeter 
 
 Turbit - 
 
 Wood - 
 Pike 
 
 Pintado - 
 Pole-cat - 
 Ponies 
 Porpoise - 
 Pygolampis 
 
 Rabbit 
 Rat 
 Raven 
 Ring-dove 
 
 PAGE 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 - 174 
 
 Roebuck - 
 
 - 195 
 
 - "7 
 
 Rook 
 
 - 93 
 
 - 2O7 
 
 Rotifer - 
 
 - 35 
 
 - 209 
 
 
 
 
 Salmon 
 
 8O, 112 
 
 - 30 
 
 Saw Fly - 
 
 - 57 
 
 - 141 
 
 Scolopendra . - 
 
 - 59 
 
 - 181 
 
 Sheep : 
 
 - 199 
 
 - 181 
 
 Including Cheviots 
 
 - 2OI 
 
 - 183 
 
 Dorsets 
 
 - 199 
 
 - 181 
 
 Lincolns 
 
 - 2GI 
 
 - 183 
 
 New Leicesters 
 
 - 201 
 
 - 183 
 
 Shetland 
 
 - 2OI 
 
 - 183 
 
 Southdowns 
 
 - 2OI 
 
 - 183 
 
 Welsh 
 
 - 2OI 
 
 - 183 
 
 Shell-fish, including, 
 
 
 -183 
 
 i. Crustaceans : 
 
 - 80 
 
 - 181 
 
 Beckoning Crabs 
 
 - 8 4 
 
 - 181 
 
 Edible 
 
 - 8 4 
 
 - 183 
 
 Hermit 
 
 - 8 4 
 
 - 183 
 
 Racer 
 
 - 8 4 
 
 - 183 
 
 Shore 
 
 - 8 4 
 
 - 183 
 
 Spider 
 
 - 8 4 
 
 - 183 
 
 Swimming 
 
 - 8 4 
 
 -183 
 
 Cray-fishes - 
 
 - 8 5 
 
 - 183 
 
 Lobsters 
 
 - 8 S 
 
 - 183 
 
 Prawns 
 
 - 8 7 
 
 
 Shrimps 
 
 - 8 7 
 
 150, 160 
 
 2. Mollusca : 
 
 - 8 7 
 
 - 153 
 
 Clams 
 
 - 88 
 
 - iS3 
 
 Cockles 
 
 - 88 
 
 - 153 
 
 Mussels 
 
 - 89 
 
 - 153 
 
 Oysters 
 
 - 9 
 
 - iS3 
 
 - iS3 
 
 Oysters (Pearl) 
 Pearl Mussels 
 
 - 90 
 - 9i 
 
 - iS3 
 
 Scallops 
 
 - 9i 
 
 - iS3 
 
 Silkworm - 
 
 - 60 
 
 J 53 
 
 Snake 
 
 - 24 
 
 - 150 
 
 Spider 
 
 - 40 
 
 - 150 
 
 Squirrel - 
 
 - 157 
 
 - J 53 
 
 Stag - 
 
 - 192 
 
 - 153 
 
 Swan 
 
 126, 128 
 
 - 150 
 
 
 
 - 77 
 
 Tiger 
 
 - 25 
 
 - 149 
 
 Toad 
 
 - 30 
 
 - 176 
 
 Turkey 
 
 - 146 
 
 238, 257 
 
 Turtle-dove 
 
 - J 55 
 
 - 3 
 
 
 
 - 55 
 
 Water Beetles 
 
 - 58 
 
 
 Weasel 
 
 - 176 
 
 170, 173 
 
 Whale 
 
 - 77 
 
 - 3 
 
 Wolves 
 
 - 3i 
 
 96, 101 
 
 Woolly Aphis 
 
 - 50 
 
 - 150 
 

 
 WONDERFUL ANIMALS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 CURIOUS ODDS AND ENDS ABOUT ANIMALS. 
 
 Though birds, beasts, and fishes of every kind, 
 Are lower than man in the scale of creation, 
 
 Their habits all show the existence of mind, 
 Of will, love, and hate, and parental devotion. 
 
 N perusing the pages of history, especially those of 
 biography, we may find numerous proofs of the 
 correctness of the old saying, that 'Truth is 
 stranger than fiction.' This assertion is also 
 corroborated by many of the actions and life of 
 some of the members of the animal kingdom. 
 
 It is well known that many human beings indulge in very 
 singular habits, while their conduct generally is often both 
 irregular and strange. Without attempting to assign the par- 
 ticular causes of human eccentricities, we may confidently 
 state that, much as the lower animals are under the influences 
 of the law of instinct, there are instances in which they have 
 so far diverged from their ordinary course as to be considered, 
 if not in all cases eccentric in the true sense of the word, yet 
 so distinguished by certain peculiarities of structure, habits, 
 and social life as to deserve special attention, and as revealing 
 to us some interesting and wonderful phases of animal life. 
 The odds and ends to which we refer we will now introduce. 
 
 GOVERNMENT AMONG ANIMALS. ' A regularly constituted 
 form of government, elementary as it may appear, exists among 
 very many families of animals and insects. Reptiles are usually 
 solitary, exhibiting neither affection nor social feelings. A blind
 
 22 
 
 Odds and Ends about Animals. 
 
 buffalo on a Western prairie has been known to act as an 
 absolute sovereign over a vast herd, controlling their move- 
 ments as seemed to suit his own views of what was best for 
 the common good. Horses, too, in their wild state, wherever 
 found, invariably obey the behests of a powerful stallion, who 
 parades his forces, forms lines of defence, or suddenly gives 
 orders for a stampede, as circumstances require. 
 
 ' Dogs, left to themselves, establish an oligarchy, whether in 
 Asia, Africa, or any other continent. The supreme authority 
 
 is invested in certain 
 individuals, managing 
 a prescribed territory, 
 and woe to those tres- 
 passing upon their do- 
 main ! On concerted 
 occasions they all act 
 together like wolves 
 for the accomplish- 
 ment of a grand design. 
 Wolves separate as 
 soon as they have 
 accomplished their de- 
 sign ; but, unlike dogs, seem not to recognise a particular leader 
 on their foraging expeditions. 
 
 ' Grain-eating birds form associations. Wild geese have an . 
 admirably organized system of government. Migrating 
 feathered races associate in autumn for common safety in 
 their annual nights ; but carnivorous birds, as hawks, eagles, 
 etc., are unsocial and selfish. Domestic fowls divide into 
 families, at the head of which is a vigilant cock that watches 
 his charge with Argus eyes. Ants, honey-bees, and wasps 
 form regular sovereignties.' 
 
 ECCENTRIC CRANE. We have read of a male and female 
 crane which, having been procured when very young, were 
 taught to follow their owner wherever he went. They became 
 masters of the farmyard. Bulls, cows, and foals were subject 
 to their control, but they declined to interfere with the pigs. 
 When the female died, the male left the farmyard, and was 
 found in the neighbourhood two or three days afterwards in a 
 dejected condition. When he was brought back he made the 
 acquaintance of the bull, which he accompanied wherever he 
 
 The Wolf.
 
 Two Eccentric Birds, 
 
 The Crane. 
 
 went, and would keep off the flies while the animal grazed. 
 If the bull did not appear in time, the crane would fetch him. 
 
 When horses were put to the carriage, he would, ostler- 
 like, stand before them, and 
 by blows from his bill and 
 outspread wings, prevent them 
 from moving until they were 
 ready to start. He was fond 
 of the cook, who fed him, and 
 would never go to bed until 
 she took him under her arm 
 and conveyed him to his 
 sleeping-place. On one point, 
 though as a rule very fierce 
 and unforgiving, he was a bit 
 of a coward. He never could 
 endure the sight of any black 
 moving object, such as a 
 dog, a cat, or a crow, and his 
 greatest dread was the chimney- 
 sweeper. 
 
 THE KITE PUNISHED SEVERELY. ' When the brutes adopt 
 the vices of men, it seems that they must look to men for 
 protection from their kind. According to an Indian paper, a 
 sergeant's qua- 
 drille party lately 
 left, in their half- 
 emptied glasses, 
 an opportunity to 
 a kite for getting 
 drunk, and this 
 bird, the scavenger 
 of the feathered 
 world, appears to 
 have made free 
 with the " heel- 
 taps "of the gallant 
 party. In the 
 morning the kite Swallow-tailed Kite. 
 
 was found staggering about quite drunk; but after having been 
 allowed the shelter of the mess-room for an hour or two, " the
 
 24 Odds and Ends about Animals. 
 
 bird prepared for flight by hopping out through the door into 
 the open air ; but no sooner did it show itself than more than 
 a dozen other kites pounced upon the drunkard and gave it a 
 most unmerciful pecking, insomuch that it was glad to seek the 
 shelter of the mess-room once more, and would not go out again 
 either by force or persuasion." The conclusion of the story is 
 that " one of the sergeants took the bird home, and it is now 
 an inmate of his poultry-yard, well fed and fat, and evidently 
 fond of its present quarters." It has lost caste by drunken- 
 ness, and is apparently assumed by its fellows to" have passed 
 into slavery.' 
 
 A SNAKE TEAM.' Did you ever hear of anyone driving a 
 pair of snakes ? Mr. Frank Stockton, in his " Roundabout 
 
 Rambles," tells us that 
 boys and girls in 
 France sometimes 
 amuse themselves by 
 getting up a snake- 
 team. They tie strings 
 _ to the tails of two 
 
 common, harmless 
 Whip Snake. snakes, and then they 
 
 drive them about, using a whip (I hope gently) to make these 
 strange steeds keep together and go along lively. 
 K>. ' It is said that snakes which have been played with in this 
 way soon begin to like their new life, and will allow the chil- 
 dren to do what they please with them, showing all the time 
 the most amiable disposition. There is nothing very strange 
 in a trained snake. Toads, tortoises, spiders, and many other 
 unpromising animals have been known to show a capacity for 
 human companionship, and to become quite tame and friendly. 
 In fact, there are very few animals in the world that cannot be 
 tamed by man, if man is but kind enough and patient enough.' 
 AN AMUSING SPECTACLE. 'A curious scene was once wit- 
 nessed in one of the main thoroughfares of Bolton. A donkey, 
 drawing an empty cart, stumbled and fell down ; and the carter 
 being unable to make it get up, unharnessed it, and the cart 
 was taken into a side street. Still, neither blows nor caresses 
 had any effect on it ; and after a while about half a dozen men 
 lifted the donkey up, and carrying it to the cart, put it in the 
 shafts. Here again it lay down, and was as obstinate as before ;
 
 Some Strange Things. 35 
 
 and eventually it was placed inside the cart, and the carter, 
 taking his place in the shafts, wheeled it home. The donkey 
 was a remarkably large and fine-looking animal, and was to all 
 appearance entirely unhurt.' 
 
 A TIGER AFRAID OF A MOUSE. A tiger was confined in 
 a cage at the British Residency in Calcutta. To poke him 
 with a stick, or to tantalize him with shins of beef, did not 
 annoy him half so much as putting a mouse into his cage. 
 
 This mouse, tied by a string to the end of a pole, would be 
 pushed under the tiger's nose, when the great animal the 
 terror of nearly all other animals would leap- to the other 
 side of the cage, or jam himself up in a corner of it, where he 
 would tremble like an aspen leaf, and roar in an ecstasy of 
 fear. When the mouse was placed in the middle of the floor 
 of the cage, and the tiger was forced to cross it, he would, 
 instead of walking, leap over the mouse, and that so high, 
 that his back would nearly touch the top of the cage. 
 
 WALKING LEAF. This 
 curious insect, of which 
 there are several species, 
 is found in some parts of 
 South America and the 
 East Indies. In shape, 
 colour, texture of the 
 wings, the limbs spread 
 out like small twigs bear- 
 ing unfolding buds, the 
 whole appearance so 
 closely resembles a leaf, Walking Leaf, 
 
 that when hanging to a tree or bush they are not easily 
 distinguished. 
 
 WONDERFULLY ODD. The following information respect- 
 ing the eccentricities of different animals has been taken from 
 the Evening Standard : 
 
 ' It is well known that the females of many varieties of 
 animals have a mania for nursing the young of other species, 
 and a correspondent of a sporting contemporary records that 
 a Mr. Alex. Dale, of Abdie, near Newburgh, on the banks of 
 the Tay, in Fifeshire, is in possession of a dog which is nursing 
 a pig. Mr. Dale has a sow that had a litter of pigs ; one was 
 taken to the house, and at once the dog adopted the little
 
 26 Odds and Ends about Animals, 
 
 squeaker, and is rearing it with all the care, tenderness, and 
 affection of a mother. She will not allow any stranger or 
 animal to approach piggy. " About a year ago," the writer 
 continues, " the same dog nursed a kitten. I have known of 
 a dog nursing a rabbit, and of cats nursing rabbits, and one 
 case has come under my notice of a goat nursing a calf." 
 Hens will frequently hatch ducks' eggs, and experience the 
 greatest anguish when their adopted children take to the 
 water and display an accomplishment of which their foster 
 brothers and sisters are devoid. Perhaps the mania for adopt- 
 ing the young of other animals is nowhere so marked as in the 
 human race. The males and females of this species almost 
 habitually adopt and provide for the young of dogs, cats, birds, 
 and make pets of young horses, lambs, goats even in one or 
 two known cases of spiders ; while, on the contrary, two 
 ancient Romans if those who built Rome can be so termed 
 with propriety were cared for and partially educated by a wolf.' 
 
 DOG AND PORTRAIT. The following curious anecdote, 
 given by E. T. Evans, appears in Science Gossip : ' Some 
 years ago we had a Pomeranian (dog) who took a particular 
 dislike to a portrait of my grandfather, which hangs in the 
 dining-room ; sometimes she would jump up and bark at it 
 without any apparent reason, but if the wind made a noise in 
 the chimney, she would often jump on to the sideboard (over 
 which the portrait hangs) to get at it. Any noise whatever 
 that she did not understand, she used to refer to this picture, 
 and bark accordingly. I may mention that the eyes in the 
 portrait are very well done, and seem to look at you wherever 
 you stand ; -this may have something to do with it.' 
 
 A PHILOSOPHER ON BIRDS AND THEIR ODDITIES. 'A 
 philosopher, who has noted the wearisomely monotonous pro- 
 ceedings of the young of the human race about that period 
 of their existence when they begin to suffer from love's young 
 dream, has turned his attention to the love-making of the 
 young of other species. The results of his investigations he 
 is good enough to give to the world at considerable length, in 
 the columns of a foreign journal, and they are decidedly 
 interesting. Birds and beasts seem to be more constantly 
 sincere and less selfish than humanity, though it cannot be 
 denied that some creatures the North American grouse and 
 heron, for example are vain, and at times ridiculous, At
 
 Love's Young Dream. 
 
 certain periods of the year the grouse meet together at a given 
 spot, and go through a variety of performances that show their 
 activity and grace. They " run round a ring, now to the 
 right and now to the left, jumping into the air and then hopping 
 on one leg." Of the herons, Audubon records that "they stalk 
 up and down before the females " much as well-dressed men 
 appear in the Park " showing themselves off, and bidding 
 defiance to all rivals. In the midst of a dignified walk they 
 will stop and caress some particular female, and the next 
 moment will be knocked over by a larger rival who does not 
 intend to be ' cut out ; ' " and he certainly stands a better 
 chance with the " fair one," as the females prefer handsome 
 consorts. The wisest and most thoughtful of all appears to 
 be the satin-bower bird, which builds a beautiful residence, 
 and decorates it carefully and luxuriously. Into this he 
 invites the lady bird of his choice, and shows her what the 
 naturalist declares are " evident instances of design." Touched 
 by the consideration evinced on her behalf, she usually 
 consents to take up her residence with the accomplished 
 builder. " The courtship of the great English bustard is an 
 extremely interesting sight," we are told. " The love-making is 
 done entirely in the air. Now the male will sail around in 
 curves, dart up, and 
 hover over the female, 
 then drop almost to 
 the ground, only to 
 rise again and con- 
 tinue its odd and fan- 
 tastic 'love-making.' 
 Similar in its actions 
 is the Otisbengalensis, 
 an allied bustard. At 
 such periods he rises 
 perpendicularly into 
 the air with a hurried 
 flapping of his wings, 
 raising his crest, and 
 puffing out the 
 feathers of neck and breast, and then drops to the ground. 
 He repeats this manoeuvre several times successively, at the 
 same time humming in a peculiar tone. Such females as 
 
 Bird of Paradise.
 
 28 Odds and Ends about Animals. 
 
 happen to be near obey his enticing summons, and when they 
 approach, he trails his wings and spreads his tail like a 
 turkey.'" Birds of Paradise are extremely human in some 
 of their proceedings. The females always try to select the 
 most beautifully-coloured male birds. When in their best 
 plumage, long delicate feathers surround these creatures like 
 a golden halo, in the centre of which the bright green head 
 forms an emerald disc, and when the birds moult and lose 
 their feathers just as, sometimes, when husbands lose their 
 fortunes the wives desert them. The story of the devoted 
 attention paid to the infirm wife by a Guinea sparrow is a 
 noble example for humanity.' 
 
 MEDICINE AS PRACTISED BY ANIMALS. In the British 
 Medical Journal we read the following remarks on how animals 
 doctor themselves in sickness : 
 
 ' M. G. Delaunay, in a recent communication to the Bio- 
 logical Society, observed that medicine, as practised by animals, 
 is thoroughly empirical, but that the same may be said of that 
 practised by inferior human races, or, in other words, by the 
 majority of the human species. Animals instinctively choose 
 such food as is best suited to them. M. Delaunay maintains 
 that the human race also shows this instinct, and blames 
 medical men for not paying sufficient respect to the likes and 
 dislikes of the patients, which he believes to be a guide that 
 may be depended on. Women are more often hungry than 
 men, and they do not like the same kinds of food ; neverthe- 
 less, in asylums for aged poor, men and women are put on 
 precisely the same regimen. Infants scarcely weaned are given 
 a diet suitable to adults, meat and wine, which they dislike and 
 which disagrees with them. M. Delaunay investigated this 
 question in the different asylums of Paris, and ascertained that 
 children do not like meat before they are about five years old. 
 People who like salt, vinegar, etc., ought to be allowed to satisfy 
 their tastes. Lorain taught that, with regard to food, people's 
 likings are the best guide. A large number of animals wash 
 themselves and bathe, as elephants, stags, birds, and ants. . . . 
 In fact, man may take a lesson in hygiene from the lower 
 animals. Animals get rid of their parasites by using dust, 
 mud, clay, etc. Those suffering from fever restrict their diet, 
 keep quiet, seek darkness and airy places, drink water, and 
 sometimes even plunge into it. When a dog has lost its appe-
 
 How Animals Doctor Themselves. 29 
 
 tite it eats that species of grass known as dog's grass (chien- 
 dent\ which acts as an emetic and purgative. Cats also eat 
 grass. Sheep and cows, when ill, seek out certain herbs. 
 When dogs are constipated they eat fatty substances, such as 
 oil and butter, with avidity, until they are purged. The same 
 thing is observed in horses. An animal suffering from chronic 
 rheumatism always keeps as far as possible in the sun. The 
 warrior ants have regularly organized ambulances. Latreille 
 cut the antennae of an ant, and other ants came and covered 
 the wounded part with a transparent fluid secreted from their 
 mouths. If a chimpanzee be wounded, it stops the bleeding 
 by placing its hand on the wound, or dressing it with leaves 
 and grass. When an animal has a wounded leg or arm hanging 
 on, it completes the amputation by means of its teeth. A dog, 
 on being stung in the muzzle by a viper, was observed to 
 plunge its head repeatedly for several days into running water* 
 This animal eventually recovered. A sporting dog was run 
 over by a carriage. During three weeks in winter it remained 
 lying in a brook, where its food was taken to it ; the animal 
 recovered. A terrier dog hurt its right eye ; it remained lying 
 under a counter, avoiding light and heat, although habitually 
 it kept close to the fire. It adopted a general treatment, rest 
 and abstinence from food. The local treatment consisted in 
 licking the upper surface of the paw, which it applied to the 
 wounded eye, again licking the paw when it became dry. Cats 
 also, when hurt, treat themselves by this simple method of 
 continuous irrigation. M. Delaunay cites the case of a cat 
 which remained for some time lying on the bank of a river ; 
 also that of another cat which had the singular fortitude to 
 remain for forty-eight hours under a jet of cold water. Animals 
 suffering from traumatic fever treat themselves by the continued 
 application of cold, which M. Delaunay considers to be more 
 certain than any of the other methods. In view of these in- 
 teresting facts, we are, he thinks, forced to admit that hygiene 
 and therapeutics, as practised by animals, may, in the interests 
 of psychology, be studied with advantage. He could go even 
 further, and say that veterinary medicine, and perhaps human 
 medicine, could gather from them some useful indications, 
 precisely because they are prompted by instinct, which are 
 efficacious in the preservation or the restoration of health.' 
 CURIOUS COMPARISONS. How often the names of animals
 
 Odds and Ends about Animals, 
 
 are used to express opinions entertained of the virtues, vices, 
 habits, and dispositions of men. For instance, one man is 
 said to be ' as stupid as an ass,' another, ' as busy as a beef 
 or ' as savage as a bear] ' as nimble as a cat] ' as harmless as 
 ,.-.., a dove] ' as slippery as 
 
 an #?/,' 'as cunning as a 
 fox] 'as green as a gos- 
 ling] 'as sharp as a 
 hawk] 'as^ mad as a 
 March hare] ' as bold as 
 a lion] ' as poor as a 
 church mouse] 'as foolish 
 as a moth] ' as strong as 
 an ox] 'as plump as a 
 partridge] ' as fat as a porpoise] ' as dirty as a pig] ' as proud 
 as a peacock] to be '/*w-toed,' ' as weak as a rat] ' as silly 
 as a sheep] ' as fierce as a tiger] ' as full as a /;V,' ' as ugly as 
 a &<&/,' an <3 ' as keen as a wasp.' 
 
 A man who gets drunk is called ' a drunken dog] and said 
 to be ' as dry as a herring? A man with a bad temper is 
 called 'a snarling dog ;' one with a good temper, ' a jolly dog.' 
 A discontented man is ' a grumbling dog; those who are lack- 
 ing in good moral principles are said to be ' bad dogs; the man 
 who will not be convinced of error is considered to be ' pig- 
 headed,' or ' as blind as a bat' Ladies who talk fluently are 
 said to ' chatter like magpies] and the tongues of men who are 
 
 very loquacious are said to 
 ' wag like lambs' tails.' 
 
 CURIOUS FACTS. The 
 Building Neivs observes that 
 ' bees are geometricians. The 
 cells are so constructed as, 
 with the least quantity of 
 material, to have the largest- 
 sized spaces and the least 
 possible loss of interstice. 
 The mole is a meteoro- 
 logist. The bird called a nine-killer is an arithmetician ; as 
 also the crow, the wild turkey, and some other birds. The 
 torpedo, the ray, and the electric eel are electricians. The 
 nautilus is a navigator. He raises and lowers his sails, casts 
 
 Beaver.
 
 Curious Facts and Coincidences. 31 
 
 and weighs anchor, and performs other nautical acts. Whole 
 
 tribes of birds are musicians. The beaver is an architect, 
 
 builder, and wood-cutter. He cuts down trees, and erects 
 
 houses and dams. The marmot is a civil engineer. He not 
 
 only builds houses, but constructs aqueducts to drain and 
 
 keep them dry. The white ants maintain a regular army of 
 
 soldiers. Wasps are paper 
 
 manufacturers. Caterpillars are 
 
 silk spinners. The squirrel is 
 
 a ferryman. With a chip or 
 
 piece of bark for a boat, and 
 
 his tail for a sail, he crosses a 
 
 stream. Dogs, wolves, jackals, 
 
 and many others are hunters. 
 
 The white bear and the heron 
 
 are fishermen. The ants have jackal. 
 
 regular day labourers.' 
 
 CURIOUS COINCIDENCES. We have often noticed the appro- 
 priateness of the names of some commercial men to the trades 
 followed by them. For instance : 
 
 There's Steer, a well-known butcher ; 
 
 And Bull, a large cheese factor ; 
 There's Mr. Pike, the fishmonger ; 
 
 And Hare, the game contractor. 
 
 There's Mr. Duck, the poulterer ; 
 
 And Hide, by trade a skinner ; 
 A Mr. Lamb, who deals in wool ; 
 
 And Nightingale, the singer. 
 
 There's Fish, the herring-curer ; 
 
 One Roebuck makes horn handles ; 
 A Mr. Whale sells oil and fat, 
 
 Of which we make our candles. 
 
 There's Mr. Fox, the furrier ; 
 
 One Jay sells ostrich feathers ; 
 Swan deals in costly eider-down ; 
 
 Rabbits, in coloured leathers. 
 
 A Mr. Gosling sells quill pens ; 
 
 One Beaver is a hatter ; 
 John Peacock keeps all kinds of birds 
 
 Who twitter, sing, and chatter.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 PEEPS DOWN A MICROSCOPE. 
 
 Some animals are far too small 
 
 For any human eye to see 
 Unaided by a microscope : 
 
 Then come and peep down one with me. 
 
 ' All are but parts of one stupendous whole, 
 Whose body Nature is, and God the soul.' 
 
 POPE. 
 
 HERE is much that is wonderful in the organization, 
 not only of the largest, fleetest, strongest, and most 
 beautiful of our animals, but in that of the tiniest 
 form of life. The difficulty in manufacturing any 
 kind of machinery is, as a rule, in proportion to 
 its smallness. Great care, delicacy of touch, and exactness, as 
 well as marvellous mechanical genius, are more necessary in 
 making a minute piece of mechanism than in that of a large 
 and ponderous one. In the smallest members of the insect 
 world we may see as great a distinction between the different 
 parts of their microscopic bodies as in those of the elephant, 
 horse, lion, or a human being. Insignificant as insects may 
 appear to be, it should not be forgotten that what God has 
 condescended to create is worthy of the notice even of the 
 highest born of mortal beings, be he emperor, prince, or peer. 
 If in the warm summer-time we stand by the side of a pool 
 of stagnant water, we may see moving masses of a pale, or 
 deep-red, green, or yellow colour. These consist of num- 
 bers of 
 
 ANIMALCULE, which are so minute as not to be seen without 
 the aid of a microscope. It has been ascertained that a drop 
 of the scum, not much larger than a pin's head, taken from
 
 Drowned into fyfe. 33 
 
 stagnant water, often contains one hundred separate existences, 
 which move and frisk about with amazing rapidity, and have 
 been seen to represent several distinct and different species, all 
 as full of life as animals in the higher grades and of larger 
 magnitude. They twist about with surprising activity in search 
 of food, the larger kinds showing their voracious appetites by 
 devouring the smaller species. 
 
 It is stated that these minute creatures possess eyes, mouths, 
 and stomachs, as well as feet, nerves, and muscles, all covered 
 with bristles or a tegument of some kind, which serve not 
 only for protection, but for ornament. When we look at the 
 large number of these creatures dancing about in so con- 
 tracted a space, we must admit that the most finished specimen 
 of man's genius and work bears no comparison with them, 
 either in variety of form or in wonderful structure. 
 
 A MOSS-COVERED WALL, ETC. In the following experi- 
 ment we may, by the aid of the microscope, bring to light 
 one of the most wonderful and mysterious things in nature. 
 ' Take a handful of dry moss from an old wall, as dry as you 
 can get it Moisten it with distilled water, then squeeze it ; 
 the drops at first will be a little thick ... let these drops 
 lie on a piece of glass ; at first there may be no sign of life. 
 In a few minutes squeeze the moss again. Small yellow spots 
 of an irregular oval form will then appear on the glass. You 
 will then see these forms gradually lengthening, bulging out 
 at each end, and assuming the shape of a caterpillar, only 
 that one end will be more tapering than the other. Afterwards 
 this end will send out a fork which becomes firmly attached 
 to the glass, while the whole body sways from side to side. 
 The head will then be drawn in as if buried, when two tooth- 
 like wheels at once make their appearance, rotating rapidly ; 
 from this they are called "Rotifera" Thus there is a re- 
 suscitation from death, not from drowning, but from dryness.' 
 It may be said that this speck of animated matter has been 
 drowned into life. 
 
 The crowds of infusoria revealed by the microscope are, in 
 their forms, of the most marvellous kind, and may be seen 
 gliding past or sporting in a mazy dance ; but ever and anon 
 there comes rushing among their swarms, like a fierce tiger 
 through a flock of sheep, some monster of a different kind, 
 having on its head what appear to be great wheels, that con- 
 
 3
 
 34 Peeps Doivn a Microscope. 
 
 tinually spin round and round, and, like the paddles of a 
 steamboat, serve to move it through the water. The animals 
 in question, as before mentioned, are named 'rotifera,' or 
 'wheel-bearers.' In their size they much exceed the humbler 
 infusoria, over which they tyrannize. Their length may be 
 roughly estimated at about one-fiftieth to one-hundredth of an 
 inch terrific giants when compared with the small fry around 
 them, although themselves scarcely perceptible by unassisted 
 vision. 
 
 LIFE IN OLD SPOUTS. If we take a little of the red earth 
 found, in dry weather, in old spouts, or dried-up drains, we 
 may not perceive any sign of life in it. Even if we spread a 
 handful of this red earth upon a smooth surface, however 
 carefully we may look at it, nothing like moving life presents 
 itself ; it has, in all respects, the appearance of nothing more 
 than cold inanimate earth or sand, the grains of which are so 
 light and dry that a breath of wind may scatter them in all 
 directions. 
 
 Let this earth, however, be gathered up, and well moistened 
 with water. It will be seen, in the course of a little time, that 
 it has undergone a marvellous change. It now contains forms 
 of active life, so small that the keenest human vision cannot, 
 unassisted, detect them singly, a fact which renders it difficult 
 minutely to describe them. 
 
 According to Rymer Jones, the following curiously formed 
 living organisms were discovered, by the aid of the micro- 
 scope, on a piece of duckweed taken from a pond. ' Some of 
 these creatures were of a trumpet-shape, around whose gaping 
 mouths whirled the swarming atoms they had to swallow. 
 Others, like wine-glasses in miniature, stretched out the little 
 bells that constituted their bodies in search of food, and, when 
 alarmed, shrunk timidly from danger. Some had the shape of 
 rolling mulberries, that gently made their way through the 
 water. Others, formed like swans, glided up and down with 
 graceful elegance. Some shot about like meteors ; and many, 
 clad in shells, and armed with leg-like hooklets, skipped from 
 point to point like living scintillations.' 
 
 ' THE EGGS OF ROTIFERA form beautiful objects for micro- 
 scopic study. They are covered with a transparent shell, 
 through which the parts of the embryo, as they develop them- 
 selves, gradually become distinctly apparent, until at length
 
 Something Wonderful. 35 
 
 the cilia are seen performing their mimic rotation, though as 
 yet the imprisoning shell has not been broken. At last, by 
 the action of these organs, which every moment become more 
 energetic, the transparent membrane is ruptured, and the little 
 creature bursts forth, eager to enter upon its new existence, 
 and already possessing the form of its parent. The time from 
 the exclusion of the egg to the hatching is commonly about 
 twelve hours. Ehrenberg watched an individual through 
 eighteen successive days ; it was full-grown when he first 
 observed it, and it did not die of old age at last. Such an 
 individual he found to be capable of producing four eggs every 
 twenty-four hours, the progeny derived from which grow to 
 maturity and exclude their fertile ova in the same period ; a 
 single rotifer thus producing in ten days forty eggs, developed 
 with the rapidity just stated ; this rate, raised to the tenth 
 power, gives one million of individuals derived from one parent, 
 on the eleventh day four millions, on the twelfth day sixteen 
 millions, and so on. Well may our ponds and ditches swarm 
 with their multitudes, and countless creatures dependent on 
 such a supply rejoice at the abundance of food thus supplied 
 to them ! 
 
 ' All the rotifers have a marvellous fund of vitality, and sur- 
 vive under circumstances where animals less tenacious of life 
 would die a thousand deaths. They have been thoroughly 
 dried by means of chemical acid, wetted, and restored to life, 
 dried again, wetted again, and subjected to this treatment 
 through many successive alternations without perishing.' 
 
 'Microscopical investigation,' says Rhind, 'is continually 
 adding fresh wonders to our knowledge of these interesting 
 atoms (known as Infiisory Animalcules), and furnishing fresh 
 proofs of the amazing power and wisdom of Him who made 
 them all. These minute creatures are various indeed in 
 their shapes, structure, and habits ; some inhabit fresh water, 
 some the sea, some frequent the surface, some revel in the 
 lowest depths of the ocean. Many are protected by delicate 
 shells, others are otherwise cared for ; some inhabit the fluids 
 of animals, some are found in the cells of plants ; some are 
 provided with organs of motion, others remain attached to 
 fixed or floating objects. The propagation of some is by 
 eggs ; in others by division of the parent ; and in some by 
 sprouting buds. There can be little doubt that the air is 
 
 32
 
 36 Peeps Down a Microscope. 
 
 always carrying about numbers of the germs of animalcules ; 
 and that, when they fall into water in a state suitable for their 
 development, they vivify and reproduce.' 
 
 Our poet Thomson, in referring to this countless family, says : 
 
 ' Whence the pool 
 
 Stands mantled o'er with green invisible 
 Amid the floating verdure millions stray.' 
 
 How can we look upon the structure of these minute beings 
 without being humbled and lost in admiration of their Creator, 
 who sustains and notices them as well as He does worlds of 
 suns, and systems of stars and planets ? 
 
 ANIMALCULE IN EVERYTHING. But microscopic forms of 
 life not only invade earth, air, and water, but are found in the 
 interior of animals and plants. Even man cannot escape 
 them ; his mouth contains them in the tartar that loosens his 
 teeth. Legions of worms, imperceptible without scientific aid, 
 are found in our fleshy structure ; and as many as twenty-five 
 of [them have been counted in one of the muscles of the 
 ear which does not exceed a grain of millet in size. 
 
 Worms not larger than a pin's head accumulate in the 
 head of the sheep, causing staggers and ultimately death. 
 
 It has been admitted that man's ingenuity, all his inventions, 
 his precautions, his medicines, and scientific appliances have 
 failed to exterminate this microscopic life. Its dominion has 
 no bounds, ' it is immensity itself.'
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 LILLIPUTIAN SUBJECTS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 
 
 Though genius may deserve our praise, 
 And art may sculptured statues raise 
 
 Of animals and man ; 
 Insects are greater far than they : 
 Each moves, hears, sees, and has its day 
 
 Of life, though short its span. 
 
 O one who has a contemplative mind can look 
 on Nature without being impressed with the 
 grandeur, majesty, and beauty of all her works, 
 andconvinced thatinfinite power has created them, 
 that they are under the control of perfect laws, 
 which have emanated from infinite wisdom. According to the 
 character or magnitude of the object on which the eye may gaze, 
 so will be the impression and effect produced upon the mind. 
 Who can look upon the restless ocean, and not say with 
 the poet, 
 
 ' Beautiful, sublime, and glorious ! 
 Wild, majestic, foaming free ! 
 Over time itself victorious, 
 Image of eternity !' 
 
 or upon gigantic rocks, and not be reminded of the im- 
 mutability of the Creator ? Even the fruit of our fields and_ 
 orchards, blushing flowers, and rweet feathered singers will help 
 to make the heart respond in gratitude to their generous Giver. 
 There are, however, in these things, as well as in quadruped 
 and bird life, much hidden beauty, which the intellect of man is 
 too dull either to recognise, comprehend, or explain ; but in 
 nothing is this more prominently shown than in the existence 
 of the complex, multifarious, but minute creatures which
 
 38 Lilliputians of the Animal Kingdom. 
 
 constitute the subjects of the insect world. Here is enough 
 to fill the deepest thinker, the most learned philosopher, and 
 the most ardent lover of nature with amazement. 
 
 We shall now make a few general remarks on these 
 Lilliputian forms of life, and then refer to the orders in which 
 they are arranged, also to their beauty, and a few other 
 interesting particulars respecting them. 
 
 WHAT is AN INSECT ? Insects belong to the third class of 
 articulated animals, whose bodies are divided int(J three distinct 
 or principal portions, known as the head, which contains the 
 senses, the mouth, and antennae. The thorax, or middle 
 portion of the body, on which are six, and sometimes four, legs 
 and two wings. The abdomen, usually the largest part of the 
 body, contains the viscera, connected with nutrition and re- 
 production, but is without legs. 
 
 In the ' Treasury of Natural History,' we are informed that 
 ' Insects surpass in variety of structure and singularity of 
 appearance all the larger branches of the animal kingdom. 
 The general characters by which they are distinguished from 
 other animals are these : First, they are furnished with several 
 feet ; secondly, the muscles are affixed to the internal surface 
 of the skin, which, though hard, sometimes preserves a certain 
 degree of flexibility ; thirdly, they breathe, not like the 
 generality of larger animals, by lungs or gills, but by spiracles 
 or breathing-holes, distributed in a series or row on each side 
 the whole length of the abdomen, and communicating with 
 two long air-pipes within their bodies, and a number of 
 smaller ones to carry the air to every part. 
 
 ' Insects have a very small brain, and instead of a spinal 
 marrow a kind of knotted cord, extending from the brain to 
 the hinder extremity ; and numerous small whitish threads, 
 which are the nerves, spread from the brain and knots, in 
 various directions. The heart is a long tube, lying under the 
 skin of -the back, having little holes on each side for the 
 admission of the juices of the body, which are prevented from 
 escaping again by valves or clappers, formed to close the 
 holes within.' 
 
 Although the ancients entertained an idea that insects were 
 bloodless, this has been proved to be erroneous. ' It is said 
 that in the hearts of insects there are several chambers, 
 divided by transverse partitions, in each of which there is a
 
 Instinct and Reason. 39 
 
 hole shut by a valve, which allows the blood to flow only from 
 the hinder to the fore part of the heart, and prevents it from 
 passing in the contrary direction. 
 
 'The blood of insects differs from that of the larger animals 
 chiefly in colour, since in most insects it wants redness, being 
 generally of a clear and watery aspect, and sometimes of a 
 yellowish hue.' 
 
 Newman says : ' The senses of insects are seven love, 
 touch, taste, smell, hearing, sight, and the commanding 
 and governing sense called volition, mind, thought, or 
 instinct,' to the last of which we will briefly call attention. 
 
 INSTINCT OF INSECTS. ' What is instinct ?' was a question 
 we put to a friend a short time ago. The answer was, 'Reason 
 stereotyped.' As this may not be sufficiently definite to some 
 of our readers, we offer the following remarks, which may help 
 to elucidate the answer referred to. 
 
 Instinct is a psychical property with which animals are 
 endowed, that prompts them to perform certain acts under 
 the guidance of their senses, such acts tending to the well- 
 being of the individual and maintenance of the species. Many 
 instinctive actions are performed entirely without education 
 or experience, and some suppose without a knowledge of the 
 end to be attained. We think, however, the last sentence 
 requires considerable qualification, and that while admitting it 
 may be true in many cases, there are others in which it is the 
 contrary. 
 
 In the infantine stage of animal existence, when reason is 
 nil, and no knowledge has been gained by experience, the 
 impelling power of instinct may be seen in full force. A new- 
 born child adopts the right means to obtain from the mother 
 the sustenance it needs, but it does so without a knowledge 
 that it is to support its life, and to build up its structure. The 
 same remarks apply to the young of mammalia, and of all 
 other living creatures. 
 
 As animals reach maturity, instinct, though not destroyed, 
 appears to give place to developing reason ; and experience 
 becomes the prompter to many of the actions and habits of 
 the lower creatures, which they seem to know will produce the 
 results they desire to see. 
 
 Even admitting the white and tortoiseshell butterflies, which 
 deposit their eggs upon the cabbage and nettle, may have no
 
 4<D Lilliputians of the Animal Kingdom. 
 
 knowledge that those plants constitute the proper food for 
 their offspring, we can hardly suppose that birds build their 
 nests, or that foxes, badgers, moles, and other underground 
 animals make burrows in the earth, without knowing that these 
 are a necessity of their nature, and intended for their own 
 comfort, safety, and protection, and also for the benefit of 
 their future young. 
 
 It may be true that, unlike man, who learns and improves 
 by experience, these creatures may not do so to such an extent 
 either in their architecture or mining operations ; yet it is no 
 valid argument against our theory that the animals referred to 
 know that they are working, in mining and building, for a cer- 
 tain purpose. 
 
 It may be difficult to prove that these remarks apply with 
 equal force to insects, and yet we are not without reason for 
 supposing that even they know it is necessary under all circum- 
 stances to use those means placed in their power, and to have 
 recourse to various stratagems to defend themselves, and to 
 find support for their progeny. We have a proof of this 
 in the 
 
 BOMBARDIER BEETLE. It appears that these insects are 
 able to alarm their enemies by means of real artillery. 'These 
 Coleoptera, when threatened, suddenly expel from their intes- 
 tines a whitish acid vapour, the ex- 
 plosion of which, as it issues, produces 
 a certain sound, a slight detonation, 
 which carries disorder among the ag- 
 gressors. Hence, when one of these 
 insects is pursued by an enemy, it fires 
 off its artillery anew. At the sound of 
 a cannon-shot from one of them, all 
 the others fire at the same time ; there 
 is a running fire along the whole line.' 
 As these beetles fire in the way de- 
 scribed for self-defence, and in order to repel their pursuers, 
 who are other ^beetles of a larger kind, they must have some 
 notion, not only of danger, but of the necessity of using the 
 proper means to accomplish these objects, and must also be 
 conscious of the end to be attained by so doing, or why fire 
 at all ? 
 
 THE SPIDER must surely know the object for which it spins
 
 Stratagems of Insects. 41 
 
 its web, or why should it hide in ambush until some un- 
 fortunate fly is caught in the meshes this little weaver has so 
 ingeniously woven ? It waits patiently in expectation of a 
 meal, to be obtained by the plan it has adopted. To do one 
 thing to gain another seems to us to imply a knowledge of 
 both. When the spider discovers a part of its web is broken, 
 it at once proceeds to repair it, as if conscious that neglect 
 to do so would lessen its chances of ensnaring its victims. 
 The following fact is, we think, strongly in favour of our 
 theory. When 
 
 AN ANT'S NEST is disturbed, the occupants show the 
 greatest concern for the safety of their eggs, which they carry 
 down into the lower chambers of their dwelling. But why do 
 they do this if they have not an idea that their eggs will be 
 safer down below than if left exposed on the surface ? They 
 seem to know that this is the best plan to save their eggs, and 
 therefore wisely adopt it 
 
 MISTAKES OF INSTINCT. Whilst it is true that instinct 
 guides an animal to defend itself against its enemies, to use 
 the right means to obtain food, and to select that which is 
 the most suitable for its sustenance, there are no doubt 
 instances of what we may term mistakes of instinct, occurring 
 when it depends purely upon the information of the senses, 
 especially in those cases when two particular objects, strongly 
 resembling each other either in size, form, or colour, are pre- 
 sented before the animal. 
 
 It is said that ' some animals are deceived by artificial 
 resemblances; the trout and salmon rise at an artificial fly, 
 and the pike snaps greedily at the glittering metallic bait 
 The edible frog, which rejects dead food, seizes a dead mouse 
 if it be moved gently to give it the appearance of life. Many 
 animals mistake the representation of an object for the object 
 itself: the drawing for the original. A tame roller (the bird 
 Coracias Abyssinica), at large in a room, pecked at the draw- 
 ing of a locust for the actual insect. . . . 
 
 'In the account of that singular parasitic flower, the Rafflesia 
 Arnoldi, it is mentioned that it smells like tainted beef, and 
 that swarms of flies have laid their eggs upon it' When the 
 fire-flies in Jamaica settle upon the ground, the bull-frog 
 devours them ; to these frogs red-hot pieces of charcoal have 
 been thrown at dusk, which have been immediately swallowed,
 
 42 Lilliputians of the Animal Kingdom. 
 
 causing death, the frogs mistaking them for fire-flies. But 
 human beings have been deceived in like manner. The 
 nutty flavour of cherry-laurel water and of prussic acid are so 
 much alike, that inexperienced people have been known to 
 take the latter for the former, and have died in consequence. 
 
 WHAT KIRBY SAYS. This writer observes, ' That the in- 
 stincts of a considerable number of insects are endowed with 
 an exquisiteness to which the higher animals can lay no claim. 
 What bird or fish, for example, catches its prey by means of 
 nets as artfully woven and as admirably adapted to their purpose 
 as any that ever fisherman or fowler fabricated ? Yet such nets 
 are constructed by the race of spiders. What beast of prey 
 thinks of digging a pitfall in the track of the animals which 
 serve it for food, and at the bottom of which it conceals itself, 
 patiently waiting until some unhappy victim is precipitated down 
 the sides of its cavern ? Yet this is done by the ant-lion and 
 another insect; and even the dwellings of the beaver, and the 
 hanging nest of the tailor-bird, exhibit less wonderful and 
 elaborate indications of instinct than a society of bees, with all 
 their peculiar arrangements for the future, and the good order 
 of a numerous society of different gradations of rank and utility.' 
 
 When about to spin their cocoons, insects select suitable 
 places for that purpose ; but if prevented in carrying out their 
 usual plan by being placed in unfavourable circumstances, they 
 will use the best means that may be in their power. A cater- 
 pillar was once isolated in a basket, the bottom of which was 
 not suitable for the insect to rest upon, and therefore it 
 refused to spin. But a leaf having been thrown in, it was at 
 once seized, then rolled into a hollow form, and otherwise so 
 disposed of by the caterpillar as to induce it to spin its cocoon. 
 This seems like a modification of instinct. 
 
 INSECTS GAIN KNOWLEDGE BY EXPERIENCE. In corrobo- 
 ration of this assertion, Kirby relates an instance on the 
 authority of Mr. Wailes, who says, ' He observed that all 
 the bees, on their first visit to the blossoms of a passion- 
 flower on the walls of his house, were for a considerable time 
 puzzled by the numerous overwrapping rays of the nectary, 
 and only after many trials, sometimes lasting two or three 
 minutes, succeeded in finding the shortest way to the honey 
 at the bottom of the calyx ; but experience having taught 
 them this knowledge, they afterwards constantly proceeded at
 
 Learn by Experience. 
 
 43 
 
 once to the most direct mode of obtaining the honey, so that 
 he could always distinguish bees that had been old visitors of 
 the flowers from new ones, the last being invariably at first 
 long at a loss, while the former flew at once to their object.' 
 
 Addison, in speaking of instinct, remarks, ' I look upon 
 instinct as upon the principle of gravitation in bodies, which 
 is not to be explained by any known qualities inherent in the 
 bodies themselves, nor from any laws of mechanism ; but, 
 according to the best notions of the greatest philosophers, is 
 an immediate impression from the first mover, and the Divine 
 energy acting in the creatures ; 
 
 ' " For reason raise o'er instinct as you can, 
 In this 'lis God directs, in that 'tis man." ' 
 
 ORDERS OF INSECTS. Although the different orders of 
 insects, as arranged by naturalists, are here referred to in 
 alphabetical order, we shall mention only the names of the 
 various kinds of insects under the appellation of the order to 
 which they respectively belong. Even this rudimentary infor- 
 mation is not only necessary, but an important step towards 
 attaining a knowledge of insect life. Indeed, we may venture 
 to say it is the foundation of real success in the study of this 
 vast but interesting subject 
 
 To students of natural history, and especially to those who 
 wish to have, in detail, 
 information respecting 
 the Lilliputian subjects of 
 the animal kingdom, we 
 recommend Rymer 
 Jones's volume, the 'Ani- 
 mal Creation,' and Louis 
 Figuier's 'Insect World.' 
 
 The orders of insects 
 are as follows : 
 
 i. Aptera. Which in- 
 cludes not only the com- 
 mon flea, but those of 
 every species, of which 
 
 there are many. Also the Tumble-dung Beetle. 
 
 chigoe, and lice of various kinds. These insects are wing- 
 less.
 
 44 
 
 Lilliputians of the Animal Kingdom. 
 
 Forest Fly. 
 
 2. Coleoptera. This order comprises a very numerous 
 family of what are termed shield-winged insects, including the 
 beetle tribes, such as tiger-beetles, ground-beetles, cockchafers, 
 bombardier-beetles, rove-beetles, spring-beetles, water-beetles, 
 tumble-dung beetles, carrion-beetles, sexton or burying-beetles 
 scavenger-beetles, blister-beetles, glow-worm, death-watch, and 
 many others. It is stated that in this 
 country alone there are nearly 4,000 dif- 
 ferent kinds of beetles. 
 
 3. Diptera. Insects included in this 
 order are two-winged ones, such as gnats, 
 mosquitoes, chameleon-flies, daddy-long-legs, 
 and others of the crane-fly family, iv/iame- 
 flies, domestic-fly, forest-fly, gad-flies, spider- 
 flies, wasp-flies, flesh-flies, rat-tailed larvce, 
 
 etc. 
 
 4. Hemiptera. Four-winged insects, 
 who fly quickly, but only for a short time. 
 
 The two sub-orders of Hemiptera include both land and 
 water bugs. The former comprises the red-cabbage bug, the rasp- 
 berry-grey bug, bed-bug, fly-bug ; and the latter, what are known 
 as skip-jacks, or water-measurers, seen in summer-time skim- 
 ming the surface of water in search of drowning or even dead 
 
 flies ; we may also add the 
 water-scorpion, which pro- 
 cures its food on the stems 
 of submerged plants, and 
 sometimes at the bottom 
 of the pond. 
 
 5. Homoptera. Hom- 
 opterous insects, or plant- 
 suckers, are furnished with 
 four wings, loosely veined 
 but very transparent. In 
 this family of Lilliputian 
 subjects of the animal 
 kingdom, we may reckon tree-hoppers, known by the noise 
 they make ; plant-lice or aphides, called the milch kine of the 
 ants ; also the cochineal insect, valuable for the rich colour 
 produced from its body, etc. In the same order we have 
 blight insects and lantern-flies. 
 
 Cochineal Insect.
 
 Armour and Beauty of Insects. 
 
 45 
 
 6. Hymenoptera. Although insects belonging to this order 
 have four transparent wings, these differ much in size. The 
 hind wings seem as if they were cut out of the front ones. 
 To this order belong saw-flies, cuckoo-flies, ants, wasps ; bees 
 such as the honey-bee, humble-bee, carpenter, and other bees, as 
 well as the parasitical insects with which they are sometimes 
 infested. 
 
 7. Lepidoptera. The light, elegant, beautiful members of 
 this order are also furnished with four ample wings, some of 
 which are of the most brilliant colours. Lepidopterous insects 
 are divided into three classes : (i) Those that fly by day. (2) 
 Those which are seen only during the morning or evening 
 twilight. (3) Those that are nocturnal in their habits and 
 general activity. This family of 
 
 ' little airy miracles ' comprises 
 butterflies of many kinds ; moths 
 of various sorts, among which 
 are the death's-head hawk moth, 
 the pack-moth, and feather-moth. 
 To the night Lepidoptera be- 
 longs the bombyces, from which 
 comes the silkworm. 
 
 8. Neuroptera. Insects in- 
 cluded in this order have wings 
 
 so marvellously thin and transparent, that they are known as 
 lace-winged insects. These are dragon-flies, may-flies, scorpion- 
 flies, ant-lions, stone- 
 flies, white-ants, and 
 caddis-fly. 
 
 9. Orthoptera. In 
 this order are insects 
 that possess cutting 
 mandibles. They are 
 earwigs, cockroaches, 
 house - cricket, grass- 
 hopper, locusts, and 
 
 mole - cricket, all of Locust, 
 
 which have straight wings. 
 
 BEAUTIES OF INSECTS. A popular writer on insects says : 
 'To these Nature has given her most delicate touch and 
 highest finish of her pencil. Numbers she has armed with 
 
 Silkworm Moth.
 
 46 
 
 Lilliputians of the Animal Kingdom. 
 
 Cricket. 
 
 glittering mail which reflects a lustre like that of burnished 
 metal; in others she lights up the dazzling radiance of 
 
 polished gems. Some she 
 has decked with what looks 
 like liquid drops of gold 
 and silver.' 
 
 ' In variegation, insects 
 exceed all other classes of 
 animated beings ; some appear as if they had painted on them 
 imitations of the clouds, rivers with their undulating waters, 
 while others are veined like beautiful marble, and many as if 
 
 they had a robe of the 
 finest network thrown 
 over their bodies. 
 Among insects there 
 are curiosities and 
 beauties exceeding 
 even the wildest fic- 
 tions of the most fertile 
 imaginations.' 
 
 Man boasts of his 
 inventions, but what 
 
 Mole Cricket. are they compared to 
 
 the perfect work of in- 
 sects? In architecture he cannot excel no, nor equal many 
 orders of insects which from time immemorial have built their 
 houses with compartments containing staircases, gigantic 
 arches, domes, colonnades, and the like. 
 
 Some of them have excavated tunnels so immense, com- 
 pared with their size, as to be twelve times bigger than the 
 Thames tunnel. Who, then, will not say that these animals 
 are wonderful in their structure and beauty ; that they have a 
 claim upon our notice, and that in them there is much to 
 excite our surprise and admiration, as exhibiting, in a mar- 
 vellous degree, not only the infinite power of the Creator, but 
 His wisdom and beneficence in their creation, their existence, 
 and sustenance ? 
 
 HABITATS OF INSECTS. Although insects exist in every 
 part of the world, they are variously distributed, and inhabit, 
 according to their tribes, those countries and particular 
 localities for which their structure is adapted, and where their
 
 Microscopic Discoveries. 
 
 47 
 
 needs may be the most effectually supplied. We read in 
 'Instinct Displayed:' 'As insects are endowed with the various 
 powers of creeping, flying, and swimming, the air, earth, and 
 water teem with them ; and so minute and numerous are 
 they, that scarcely any place is free from them. Trees, 
 shrubs, leaves, and flowers 
 are the favourite haunts of 
 many kinds; rocks, sands, 
 rivers, lakes, and standing 
 pools, of others ; whilst diffe- 
 rent tribes, being appointed 
 
 to clear our globe from all ^^^^^ \\ 
 
 offensive substances, resort -^^ * \ 
 
 to houses, dark cellars, damp 
 pits, rotten wood, subter- 
 ranean passages, putrid carcases, and the dung of animals. 
 These little creatures, so feeble, so diminutive, apparently so 
 insignificant, are, nevertheless, powerful agents to benefit or 
 injure mankind. . . . Some of them serve for food, others 
 for medicine ; some are important in the arts, and especially 
 to the dissecter. The great Ruysch surprised the anatomists 
 of his day by the nicety of his preparations, which far excelled 
 all those of his competitors. No one could imagine what 
 means he used for this purpose, till he acknowledged that the 
 flesh-maggot w r as the workman he employed, by suffering it 
 to devour the fleshy parts.' 
 
 To the above we may add a very suggestive and humbling 
 fact, that one of the richest materials worn even by those in 
 the highest ranks of life is produced by a simple worm. 
 
 THE EYES OF INSECTS. Although everything relating to 
 insects, especially the study 
 of their general structure, is 
 fraught with the greatest inte- 
 rest, it is on their eye's we wish 
 more particularly to give some 
 information. We are informed, 
 that Leuwenhoeck, by the aid 
 of a very powerful microscope, 
 
 Grasshopper. 
 
 used as a telescope, looked through the eye of a dragon-fly, 
 and viewed the steeple of a church, which was 299 feet high, 
 and 750 feet from the place where he stood. He could
 
 48 Lilliputians of the Animal Kingdom. 
 
 plainly see the steeple, though not apparently larger than the 
 point of a fine needle. He also viewed a house, and could 
 discern the front, distinguish the doors and windows, and 
 perceive whether they were open or shut. 
 
 The eyes of insects are formed of a set of lenses, not only 
 transparent, but so hard as not to require any covering as 
 a protection. They appear also to be made up of a number 
 of the smallest eyes or hemispheres, each of which, like the 
 circles in a prismatic mirror, receives the irnage of the same 
 object. The naturalist just referred to reckoned 12,544 lenses 
 in each eye of the dragon-fly : and Mr. Hook computed that 
 there were 14,000 lenses in the two eyes of a drone. If this 
 be the case, then to these insects everything they look upon 
 will appear to be multiplied thousands of times over. 
 
 How marvellous that in these minute forms of life there 
 should exist such wonders of structure ! How poor are the 
 most ingeniously contrived and highly finished specimens of 
 man's work compared with the perfect works of Nature, 
 especially as seen in the insect world ! 
 
 INSECT DURATION. Anderson says : ' The lives of some 
 insects are in proportion to the duration of a leaf, some to 
 that of a flower, and others to that of a plant. Earth-worms 
 live three years ; crickets, ten ; bees, seven ; scorpions, from 
 seven to twelve ; and toads have been known to arrive even 
 at thirty. Wasps and spiders, on the other hand, live but 
 one year ; an ephemeron, in a flying state, only one day. 
 But naturalists speak incorrectly when, on the authority of 
 Cicero and Aristotle, they say, that those which die at nine in 
 the morning expire in their youth ; those at noon, in their 
 manhood ; and those at sunset, in their old age. For, previous 
 to their winged state, they had existed for two, if not for three 
 years. The flying state is merely a transition which Nature 
 has decreed to them for the greater facility of ensuring a 
 succession.' 
 
 STRENGTH OF INSECTS. According to their size, insects 
 appear to be much stronger than other animals. It is said : 
 ' If you take a common chafer or dung-beetle in your hand, it 
 will make its way in spite of the pressure placed upon it. 
 Accounts have been given of the very great weights that even 
 a flea will easily move, as if a single man should draw a 
 waggon with forty or fifty hundredweight of hay.'
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 INSECT ARMIES, AND HOW RECRUITED. 
 
 Insects flying, running, leaping, 
 And some slowly onward creeping ; 
 Everywhere we see them rife : 
 In themselves a world of life : 
 Claiming as their rightful dowers 
 Corn and fruit, and sweetest flowers. 
 
 IMAGINATION, in the absence of ability to look 
 personally upon realities, may give at least a 
 certain amount of pleasure to our minds. The 
 power to see with the eye of the mind is, or 
 should be, always a great boon to man, and 
 especially a solace to those whose happiness may be marred 
 by isolation from beloved friends. 
 
 Availing ourselves of the advantages of imagination, we will 
 now by its aid take a stroll through our gardens, orchards, 
 and fields ; and while the pure fresh breeze is blowing over 
 mountain, vale, and stream, and we are inhaling the perfume 
 of the honeysuckle, wild rose, and other flowers, and looking 
 upon our orchards of blushing fruit, and on waving crops of 
 golden grain, let us not be unmindful of those tiny animals 
 which in great numbers everywhere abound, enjoying their 
 span of life in the warm sunshine, floating in its beams, bur- 
 rowing in the ground, or feeding upon the rich produce of our 
 gardens and fields. 
 
 Having in the previous chapter referred to the different 
 orders of insects, their wonderful structure, beauty, and in- 
 genuity, we will now particularize some of those which are in 
 our country remarkable for their numbers, their beautiful and 
 
 4
 
 5O Insect Armies. 
 
 curious organism, and the work in which, for good or evil, 
 they are actively engaged. The first we shall refer to is 
 
 THE WOOLLY APHIS. This singular insect often abounds 
 in our orchards. Although it may be at that season of the 
 year when nature has thrown over our apple, pear, and other 
 fruit trees a budding mantle of the purest and most delicate 
 white, fringed, perhaps, with blushing pink, we shall find on 
 the branches of some of these trees numerous excrescences re- 
 sembling tufts of white wool, but which envelop diminutive 
 insects called the Woolly Aphis, whose stings are so severe 
 that trees have been killed by them, and of course rendered 
 useless. 
 
 ' The apple-tree aphis fixes itself on the lower part of the 
 trunk of that tree, whence it propagates itself downwards as 
 far as the roots, underneath the graftings, etc. It also likes 
 to lodge in cracks of the trunk and large branches.' 
 
 Such are the weapons of destruction with which some very 
 small insects infesting our forests are furnished, that they have 
 been known to open out wide clearings in them more quickly 
 than the axe of the woodman. 
 
 It has often happened, in an incredibly short space of time, 
 that gooseberry bushes have been stripped by insects of their 
 foliage so completely as to leave only mere skeletons, the 
 branches and fibrous portions or ribs of the leaves. 
 
 The name of insects more or less destructive to our fruit 
 and other trees is Legion. Charles Muller says that the oak 
 supports upwards of 200 animals, which are united to it by 
 their parasitic existence. 
 
 Many insects live, eat, and work in our trees and forests 
 unseen at any rate, unnoticed : in some cases because of 
 their minuteness ; in others, because their colour is the same 
 as the bark or leaves on which they feed ; and more frequently 
 because they are hidden in deep crevices of the bark, or con- 
 cealed in some kind of covering, as in the case of the woolly 
 aphis. 
 
 A kitchen garden presents, during the warm summer months, 
 a very diversified and interesting scene of active animal life. 
 Flitting from herb to herb may be seen the white butterfly, 
 intent upon some special object or suitable place on which to 
 deposit her eggs. This is a plant of the cabbage tribe, which 
 her amazing instinct has led her to select as the only suitable
 
 Structure of Caterpillars. 51 
 
 food for her future progeny, the caterpillar. Soon after this 
 duty has been performed the mother dies. 
 
 CATERPILLARS. Microscopic examinations have revealed 
 something very marvellous in the structure of the caterpillar. 
 It is said there are only 
 370 fleshy muscles in 
 man, whilst Lyonet dis- 
 covered in a single cater- 
 pillar more than 4,000. 
 Pouchet states that 'in 
 certain caterpillars the 
 
 digestive power is so 
 
 . 1 , .. Caterpillar, 
 
 great that they swallow 
 
 every day three or four times their own weight of food. If 
 the elephant and rhinoceros were to feed on this scale, and 
 were as numerous as the others, they would require only a 
 very short time to devour all the vegetation on the globe.' 
 
 The motive parts of caterpillars consist of feet before and 
 behind, by which they are able to go step by step, to climb up 
 vegetables, and to reach from their boughs and stalks the food 
 they require. For this purpose their feet are well adapted. 
 Behind they have broad palms for adhering to the object : 
 these have round sharp nails, by. which they grasp what they 
 want to hold by. The fore-feet are hooked, and by these 
 they can draw leaves, etc., towards them, as well as hold the 
 fore-part of the body while the hinder-parts are brought up 
 thereto. These locomotive appliances are suitable and neces- 
 sary only for their nymph state, as will be seen in our remarks 
 on the butterfly. 
 
 The incredible numbers of caterpillars which have often 
 appeared, and with little warning, within a few days in our 
 vegetable gardens, have been not only a source of wonder, but 
 of fear that these marauders would so denude the garden of 
 cabbage vegetation as to leave nothing for our own consumption. 
 So prolific are butterflies that it no doubt would be so were 
 it not for the check put upon their increase or progeny by 
 what are known as 
 
 ICHNEUMONS, OR VIBRATING FLIES. Ichneumon fly is the 
 name of a large genus of insects distinguished for their prey- 
 ing upon other insects, and which, as far as caterpillars are 
 concerned, they do in the following manner : No sooner does 
 
 42
 
 52 Insect Armies. 
 
 Nature prompt the fly to deposit its eggs than it flies off in 
 search of a proper nidus for them. Lighting first upon one 
 leaf and then another, walking over them and under them, 
 she at last finds the very victim which seems to answer her 
 purpose, namely, a butterfly or moth caterpillar. Kirby says 
 ' that if she discovers she has been forestalled by some pre- 
 cursor of her own tribe . . . she leaves it, and proceeds in 
 search of some other yet unoccupied.' 
 
 Having succeeded in finding one, she begins her work by 
 piercing, with her sharp auger, the skin of the unfortunate 
 caterpillar, and then inserts her eggs, probably 100 or 150 in 
 number, underneath it. As soon as the young are hatched 
 they begin to feed upon the fat of the caterpillar. In the 
 course of time they attack the vital organs the victim dies 
 the larvae issue through openings and spin their cocoons on 
 the corpse. Wrapped up in these winding-sheets of silk, they 
 are often so numerous that the remains of the caterpillar are 
 concealed. 
 
 THE TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY lays its eggs upon the 
 leaf of the nettle, for the same reason as the white butterfly lays 
 hers on the cabbage namely, because the leaf of the nettle is 
 the only suitable food for its young ones as soon as they are 
 hatched. 
 
 THE GAD-FLY finds a future home for its offspring in the 
 stomach of the horse. By a glutinous substance it fastens its 
 eggs to the hair of the horse, but, we believe, on no part of 
 the body he cannot reach with his tongue. By the warmth 
 of the horse's body the eggs are soon hatched, and the young 
 grubs, by their movements and desires for food, produce irrita- 
 tion on the skin, which causes the animal to lick with his tongue 
 
 those parts thus irritated. 
 The young grubs and even 
 eggs are consequently taken 
 into the mouth, and then 
 pass into the stomach of the 
 horse. 
 
 BUTTERFLIES. Following 
 the caterpillar through its 
 Cabbage Butterfly. metamorphosis to its highest 
 
 or perfect state of development, we have the butterfly which 
 in the genial sunshine delights to flit from garden to garden
 
 Butterflies and Hoiv they Feed. 53 
 
 to gather the nectar of the sweetest flowers, and whose bright 
 colours, transparent wings, and aerial movements have ever 
 been the joy of infancy and childhood, and even the admira- 
 tion of old age. 
 
 In the mechanism of this feeble, frail, light, and shortlived 
 creature there is something sufficiently marvellous, not only 
 to captivate the eye, but to astonish the mind of the most 
 contemplative philosopher. 
 
 A German entomologist has calculated that a square inch 
 of the wing of a peacock butterfly, as seen through a micro- 
 scope, contains no less than 100,735 scales. 
 
 PAST AND FUTURE. What a magic charm appears to be 
 couched in the word ' butterfly !' How forcibly it reminds 
 one of days long since past, of the frolics and gambols of boy- 
 hood, when with cap in hand we have gone in pursuit of this 
 beautiful little fugitive, attracted by its brilliant colours and 
 gauzy wings ; and when we were just on the point of taking 
 it prisoner, and at that moment full of joy at the thought that 
 we should bear away the airy prize, it has eluded our grasp 
 and gone again in search of another flower, leaving us behind 
 staring in utter astonishment as it sailed in the air far away 
 out of our sight. 
 
 And how suggestive, too, is the word ' butterfly ' of reviving 
 Nature when she warms and moves into active life ! How it 
 tells us of the departure of cold chilling winds and nipping 
 frosts ; of spring, with its tender freshness, beauty, and plenty; 
 of summer, with its sunshine and genial weather ; of the fruit 
 and flowers of our orchards, fields, and gardens ; of the woods 
 and hedgerows echoing with the music of our birds, those 
 feathered choristers in Nature's vast cathedral ; and, in fact, 
 of all that is bright and beautiful in this wide world ; and it 
 even points to ' the sweet by-and-by,' when God's saints will 
 be clothed in robes of eternal beauty, light and glory, and which 
 will never fade away. As well as birds and bees, butterflies 
 are in the warm summer-time the very poetry of Nature. 
 
 FOOD OF BUTTERFLIES. As the food of the butterfly con- 
 sists of the nectar of flowers, which in some cases is hidden 
 deep down at the bottom of them, Nature has given to this 
 insect a long proboscis, so small and light that it can easily 
 reach the nectar without injuring, in the least degree, the 
 flower which contains it.
 
 54 Insect Armies. 
 
 The elegant and almost dazzling colours of butterflies are 
 owing to neat and beautifully made feathers, which are placed 
 in rows in the most systematic order. Pouchet eloquently 
 remarks, referring to a butterfly, ' When the new creature, 
 bursting its sepulchral laboratory, expands itself in the light, 
 its dazzling robe reflects the brightest sheen of metal or the 
 glitter of jewellery.' 
 
 LUMINOUS INSECTS. There have been but few benefits 
 conferred upon man by the aid of science greater than the 
 discovery made of the means of producing artificial light, and 
 especially in making it available for the many different purposes 
 for which it is at present used. Such a boon is of great value, 
 particularly during the long, dark, and dreary season of winter. 
 When the light of day is declining, and the mantle of darkness 
 is gradually spreading itself over the face of Nature, what a 
 surprising change may be seen in our large towns and cities, 
 which, as if by magic, are flooded, almost simultaneously, with 
 artificial light. 
 
 For private convenience we have now lamps of many kinds 
 varying from the argand, the moderator, etc., to the paraffine 
 and benzoline. These differ in mechanical construction, and 
 in materials for burning, as well as in the amount of light they 
 give. In fact, we have light in almost every degree, from that 
 which is so intense that the human eye can hardly endure its 
 brilliance, to the old-fashioned calm, quiet light of the long 
 twelve tallow dip and the farthing rushlight. 
 For what we have mentioned, man is de- 
 pendent on man, not only for the lights 
 referred to, but for the lamps in which to 
 burn them. 
 
 Nature, however, has her own lamps, 
 which owe nothing to man for the light 
 they give, or for the shining properties they 
 may possess. Some of these are very 
 wonderful, especially the moon, stars, and 
 planets, those night gems of the sky which, 
 as they roll onward in their respective 
 orbits, shed their mild but useful light on 
 our world, that without them would be 
 little less than a dismal chaos. 
 
 In the insect-world Nature has also other lamps, living and
 
 Natures Living Lamps. 55 
 
 moving ones; tiny insect bodies which supply their own 
 material, the light from which is often like the coruscations 
 which emanate from some jewelled crown. Of luminous in- 
 sects we may mention : 
 
 THE PYGOLAMPUS ITALICA. These winged female insects 
 are very common in Italy. Sir J. E. Smith tells us that the 
 beaux of Italy are accustomed in an evening to adorn the 
 heads of the ladies with these artificial diamonds by sticking 
 them into their hair. When a number of these earth stars 
 are seen to dart through the air on a dark night, the effect is 
 very beautiful. 
 
 BEETLE OF THE ANTILLES. In Cuba the women often en- 
 close some of these phosphorescent insects in little cages of 
 glass or wood, which they hang up in their rooms, and this 
 living lustre throws out sufficient light to serve to work by. 
 When travellers there find it difficult to see their way on a 
 dark night, they will sometimes fasten one of these beetles to 
 each of their feet. 
 
 The Creoles set them in the curls of their hair, where, like 
 resplendent jewels, they give a most fairy-like aspect to their 
 heads. The negresses at their nocturnal dances scatter these 
 brilliant insects over their robes of lace. In their rapid move- 
 ments they seem enveloped in a robe of fire. It is the con- 
 flagration of Dejanira without the horror. 
 
 It is said that when Sir T. Cavendish and Sir R. Dudley 
 first landed in the West Indies, and saw in the evening an 
 infinite number of moving lights in the woods, which were 
 merely these insects, they supposed the Spaniards were ad- 
 vancing upon them, and immediately betook themselves to 
 their ships. 
 
 THE GLOW-WORM (or Lampyris). Who has not seen on a 
 summer evening these star-eyes of earth 
 and diamonds of the night glittering 
 in the hedgerows or under the leaves of 
 flowering plants in our gardens, and 
 wondered how so small a thing should 
 throw around it such a beautiful radi- nr _- Glow-worm, 
 ance? 
 
 The glow-worm is the wingless female of a brown, softish 
 beetle, about three-quarters of an inch long. It is something 
 like a dark, flat caterpillar. The light, which is of a beautiful
 
 56 Insect Armies. 
 
 sulphur colour, proceeds from the three last rings of the body. 
 The light seems to be without heat, and in this particular 
 differs from sunlight or lamplight. There is, however, some 
 difficulty in ascertaining how this luminosity is occasioned. 
 ' This insect, during its grub state, feeds upon small slugs and 
 such-like aliment, and is rather voracious ; but as so'on as it 
 assumes its perfect form it eats only the tender leaves of 
 plants.' 
 
 The male of this insect having wings, and the female not, 
 a certain writer ventures to give his opinion as to the reason 
 why ; he says : ' It was necessary that some contrivance 
 should be had recourse to for directing the rambler to his 
 sedentary mate. What more beautiful, and at the same time 
 sufficient guide could be possibly contrived than this self- 
 lighted hymeneal torch ?' 
 
 THE DEATH-' WATCH.' This is a small beetle which lives 
 on decaying wood. It is a source of great alarm and fear to 
 superstitious people, who suppose that the ticking noise it 
 makes by tapping its head on the wood, and which faintly 
 resembles the tapping of the finger-nail on the table, is a sure 
 sign or token that some near relative or dear friend will soon 
 be taken from them by death. This noise is believed to be 
 the ticking of death's timepiece. 
 
 THE ANT-LION. As the description given of this insect by 
 the writer of ' Six Days of Creation ' is so clear and interest- 
 ing, we will quote in full what he says : ' The ant-lion is 
 curious for the pit formed by its larva. . . The perfect insect 
 is very much like a dragon-fly, only with broader wings ; but 
 the larva is a wingless creature, with a pair of formidable jaws. 
 It has little power of moving rapidly about, but it makes up 
 abundantly for this by its surprising cunning. This larva, 
 choosing a dry, sandy soil, constructs a pitfall with sloping 
 sides, about two or three inches deep ; and conceals itself at 
 the bottom. No sooner does a busy ant or small beetle ap- 
 proach the treacherous edge than the sand slips from under 
 its feet, and it begins to slide down the deadly slope. The 
 falling grains of sand apprise" the watching ant-lion of the 
 success of its snare, and in a moment it jerks up a little 
 shower of sand, the more to bewilder its hapless prey. There 
 is little hope after once the thoughtless creature has passed 
 the limit of firm ground ; its struggles may be more or less
 
 A Cunning Insect. 57 
 
 prolonged, but its progress is ever downward, and its end the 
 hungry jaws of its crafty destroyer.' 
 
 Pouchet, in referring to this insect and the ingenious plans 
 it adopts to secure its prey, says : ' If the ant-lion were to keep 
 the remains of its food near it, the snare would soon be con- 
 verted into an uninhabitable charnel-house ; it must therefore 
 get rid of them at any sacrifice. For this purpose, whenever 
 the larva has sucked an insect, it places the corpse on its 
 head, and then, by a vast effort, launches it into the air, and 
 sometimes a long way from the borders of its hole, in order 
 to obviate the suspicion which the corpses of its victims 
 might suggest to the imprudent travellers towards the fatal 
 refuge. In some observations which I made on the ant-lion, 
 I saw them in this way launch flies and large ants three inches 
 from their dwellings.' 
 
 THE CADDIS-FLY is very common about our rivers and 
 streams, and is much used by the fly-fisher. The larva makes 
 a curious house for its protection; it is, in fact, a sort of 
 tubular case made up very ingeniously of small stones, shells, 
 fragments of the stems of water-plants, and similar things; 
 these it fastens together by means of a glutinous silk, which 
 also lines the tube. Numbers of these cases may be seen at 
 the bottom of pebbly streams, out of the ends of which the 
 head and feet of the larva may often be seen protruding, and 
 moving about in an irregular way. 
 
 We are informed by Rymer Jones that when full-grown this 
 little creature creeps up the stem of some aquatic plant till 
 the mouth of its case just reaches the surface of the water ; it 
 then spins a net of silk across the entrance to its abode, and 
 goes into the pupa state. At the appointed time, the insect 
 tears its way easily through the silken grate, crawls a few 
 inches out of the water, throws off its pupa skin, and becomes 
 a winged caddis-fly. 
 
 THE SAW-FLY is so named because it is provided with a 
 very curious saw in its ovipositor, with which it slits the bark 
 of gooseberry and rose-trees, and there lays its eggs. The 
 larvfE (often called false caterpillars), soon after they are 
 hatched, enclose themselves in a cocoon, in which they remain 
 some months, then change into nymphs, and in a few days 
 into perfect saw-flies. In their caterpillar state they are so 
 voracious, and often so numerous on the same gooseberry-
 
 Insect Armies. 
 
 bush, that they have been known to strip it of every green 
 leaf in an incredibly short space of time. Attaining their full 
 growth in about ten days, and being very productive, they 
 constitute formidable enemies to the gardener, who, if it were 
 not for the services small birds render him in devouring mul- 
 titudes of these hungry creatures, would never be able effec- 
 tually to keep them in check. 
 
 CRANE-FLIES constitute a numerous race, in which are in- 
 cluded daddy-long- 
 legs. They are found 
 in meadows, and lay 
 their eggs on the 
 ground, where the 
 grubs feed on the 
 roots of plants. 
 
 AQUATIC INSECTS. 
 Some of these be- 
 long to the beetle 
 family, and may be 
 
 seen almost unceas- 
 Tipula (Water Spider). ingly swimming 
 
 about in circles in our ditches and ponds. Should they, in any 
 way, be alarmed when on or near the surface, they at once rush 
 down to the safer depths of the water. We remember seeing, 
 several years ago, great numbers of these aquatic insects in 
 some water-tanks at Covent Garden Market, where we watched 
 their active movements with great interest. The following 
 information given by Rhind is a true description of these 
 wonderful creatures : 
 
 ' Swimming on the surface of the water, the eyes with which 
 insects are ordinarily provided would only enable them to 
 perceive danger from above them ; but as there may arise 
 peril from beneath, they are provided with an extra pair of 
 eyes, two being above and two below the water, as they swim. 
 The great diver-beetle of our ponds has two powerful oar- 
 like legs, fringed with stiff hair. This beetle may often be 
 seen rising slowly, tail uppermost, with its oars stretched out 
 until it reaches the surface of .the water, where it will rest. 
 Then it may be seen that the tip of the tail repels the water, 
 which appears to be its mode of taking breath. 
 
 Insects, like whales, have to come to the surface to breathe,
 
 Sailor Insects. 59 
 
 or to obtain a globule of air to be consumed under the water, 
 which is the same thing. The breathing-tubes of insects open 
 by several apertures along the sides of their abdomen. 
 
 In the Divers^ the horny wings fit so close as to exclude 
 the water from coming between them and the abdomen, which 
 would suffocate the insect ; but at the end of the abdomen 
 and wings there is a beautiful contrivance for keeping out the 
 water while the beetle is under the surface, and for admitting 
 air when it floats to the top. Some of these beetles are an 
 inch and a half long, others not larger than hemp-seed, but 
 all very voracious, feeding on other beetles, tadpoles, etc. 
 Their state previous to assuming the beetle form is that of a 
 formidable grub, with long legs and horrible-looking jaws, 
 which swims about, the tyrant of the waters. 
 
 THE MITE. Mites are a numerous race. ' Some have six 
 legs, others eight ; each leg is furnished with two small claws 
 at the extremity, surrounded with hairs. Some of these are 
 parasitic.' 
 
 The cheese-mite is an infinitesimally small animal often 
 found in cheese which is of the best quality. Examined by a 
 microscope, it will be seen to be beautifully transparent. Its 
 eggs hatch in about twelve days, and produce, like the spider, 
 perfect insects, or, more properly speaking, animals, which 
 are very voracious, 
 and change their 
 skins several times 
 before they become 
 full grown. 
 
 THE FLEA. This 
 nocturnal disturber 
 of the peace of man 
 and animals lays its 
 eggs on blankets, in 
 the carpets of bed- 
 rooms, or such like 
 
 situations, and even Dlopendra. 
 
 on the hairs of animals ; the eggs change into maggots, then 
 into chrysalises, and in about twenty-two days the flea is 
 produced. 
 
 SCOLOPENDRA have bodies composed of about four-and- 
 twenty segments, to each of which are attached a pair of active
 
 60 Insect Annies. 
 
 legs. They are furnished with curved fangs, and can instil 
 poison into the wound they make. A small kind is found in 
 our gardens, under stones, rubbish, and lumber, and at night 
 sally forth in search of their prey. 
 
 THE SILKWORM (Bombyx mori\ As one of our valuable 
 articles of commerce is the produce of the silkworm, we think 
 
 Silkworm. 
 
 this insect well deserves special attention. In the ' Animal 
 Creation ' we find the following concise and interesting de- 
 scription of the worm alluded to. The author says : 
 
 ' Its caterpillar has a smooth body, and at its birth is 
 scarcely a line in length, but attains to even more than three 
 inches. In this form the silkworm lives about thirty-four days, 
 and during that period changes its skin four times. It feeds 
 on the leaves of the mulberry ; at the time of moulting it does 
 not eat, but after changing its skin its appetite is doubled. 
 When it is ready to change into a chrysalis, it becomes flaccid 
 and soft, and seeks a proper place where to make its cocoon, 
 in which it encloses itself; the first day is occupied in attach- 
 ing, in an irregular manner, threads of silk to neighbouring 
 objects to support it ; on the second day it begins to multiply 
 these threads, so as to envelop itself; and on the third day it 
 is completely enclosed in its cocoon. This nest is formed of 
 a single filament of silk wrapped around the animal, and its 
 turns are glued together by a kind of gum. It is estimated 
 that the length of the filament in an ordinary cocoon is 
 900 feet. The form of the cocoon is oval, and its colour 
 either yellow or white. 
 
 ' The bombyx remains in the chrysalis state in the interior 
 of its cocoon about twenty days, and when it has finished its 
 metamorphosis, disgorges upon its walls a peculiar liquid, 
 which softens it, and enables the animal to make a round hole
 
 Silkworms and Silk. 61 
 
 through which to escape. To obtain the silk produced by 
 these animals it is, therefore, necessary to kill them before 
 they pierce the cocoon, and then wind or reel off the thread 
 or filament of which it is composed. To unglue it, the 
 cocoons are soaked in warm water, then the filaments of three 
 or four are united into one thread. That part of the cocoon 
 which cannot be reeled off in this way is carded, and consti- 
 tutes floss silk.' 
 
 THE MANUFACTURE OF SILK. There are, we should ima- 
 gine, but few persons in any part of the civilized world who 
 do hot possess some article or other made of silk. It will, 
 therefore, be seen that an incalculable number of worms must 
 be almost constantly employed in producing it, and that many 
 thousands of human beings must also derive subsistence from 
 working it up for whatever purposes it may be required. 
 
 In a work on insect architecture it is said, ' that in ancient 
 times the manufacture of silk was confined to the East Indies 
 and China, where the insects that produce it are indigenous. 
 It was thence brought to Europe . . . then to Persia ; and 
 afterwards successfully cultivated in Greece, Arabia, Spain, Italy, 
 and France. In America the silkworm was introduced into Vir- 
 ginia in the time of James I., who himself composed a book 
 of instructions on the subject.' Nearly half a century ago, it 
 is said, a plantation of mulberry trees existed in the vicinity 
 of London with a view to the culture of silkworms, but with 
 little or no success. The manufacture of silk was introduced 
 into this country in 1718, at Derby, by Mr. John Lombe. 
 
 METAMORPHOSES OF INSECTS. Insects pass through four 
 stages of existence, and these are generally distinctly marked. 
 They are first contained in eggs, which are deposited by their 
 parents in suitable situations, and with a degree of instinctive 
 care which fills us with admiration ; they then become active 
 and rapacious, and are well-known by the names of grubs, 
 maggots, and caterpillars, according to the tribes to which 
 they belong. To this condition Linnaeus applied the term 
 larva (which means a mask), as if the perfect insect were 
 masked or concealed under the figure of the caterpillar. 
 The ravages of which the forester and gardener complain 
 result most generally from the voracity of insects in their larva 
 state. 
 
 They eat much, increase rapidly in size, change their skins
 
 62 Insect Armies. 
 
 several times, arid pass into another state, in which, in some 
 tribes, all appearance of vitality for a time is suspended. 
 During this time some may be suspended by threads, en- 
 veloped in silk, covered with leaves or entombed in the earth, 
 according to the habits of the species ; some of them, in this 
 state, appear like an infant wrapped up in swaddling-clothes, 
 hence the term/#/# (a baby) has been -given to them. After 
 a time they reach a perfect stage of existence, and are called 
 imago. 
 
 THE DUTCH PAINTER. After looking at the pomp, the 
 gold, and show of brilliant parties, and calling to mind the 
 pleasure he had derived during a period of twenty years in 
 watching the metamorphoses of insects, he has been heard to 
 exclaim: 'Ah ! let me rather see a butterfly born.'
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 AN UNDERGROUND CITY OF LITTLE PEOPLE. 
 
 Learn each small people's genius, policies : 
 The ants' republic and the realm of bees. 
 Mark what unvaried laws preserve each state, 
 Laws wise as nature, and as fix'd as fate. 
 
 OT only are animals frequently mentioned in the 
 Scriptures as agents appointed to carry out many 
 of the dispensations of Providence, whether for 
 the punishment of the wicked, or by way of 
 rewarding the faithful and obedient, but we are 
 invited, and even commanded, to go to them for instruction. 
 Job says, ' But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee ; 
 and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee ; or speak to 
 the earth, and it sliall teach thee ; and the fishes of the sea 
 shall declare unto thee.' 
 
 Many men think it derogatory to do so, because they regard 
 animals as being infinitely lower than themselves in mental 
 capacity ; but the fact remains that some men by an abuse of 
 their own faculties, their carelessness, bad habits, and indis- 
 cretion, render it indispensably necessary that they should have 
 teachers of some kind or other, not only to instruct them in 
 lessons of wisdom, but to reprove and to correct them for 
 their evil propensities. 
 
 It is remarkable, and may help to teach man humility, that 
 not only are we directed to go to the larger, nobler, and higher 
 classes of animals to learn useful lessons, but to some of the 
 smallest members of the insect world. The bee is presented 
 to us as an example of untiring industry in collecting a store 
 of honey, pollen, and propolis for future necessities. Solomon
 
 64 An Underground City. 
 
 says, ' Go to the ant, thou sluggard ; consider her ways, and 
 be wise : which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth 
 her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the 
 harvest.' 
 
 Let us suppose that the fertilizing showers and genial sun- 
 shine of spring have clothed our meadows with crops of grass, 
 now ripened and ready for cutting. We may see in one field 
 a group of mowers, whose scythes glisten in the sunlight, as 
 the men with arms strong and sinewy swing them backwards 
 and forwards, and lay the yielding swathes at their feet. 
 
 In a few hours the crop that before waved so gracefully as 
 it was kissed by the passing breeze, is laid low, dried by the 
 hot sun, and then carried away as a store of food for cattle in 
 the cold dead time of winter. 
 
 We cast our eyes over the now cleared field, and our 
 attention is arrested by numerous hillocks into many of which 
 the scythes of the mowers have no doubt entered, and, it may 
 be, accompanied with not ' very kind compliments ' to the 
 originators of these excrescent obstacles to the mower's pro- 
 gress, but which are full of animal life. If we put our spade 
 into the base of one of these hillocks, and gently lift it up, we 
 shall look upon a miniature town or city, compactly built, and 
 so ingeniously arranged as to contribute to the comfort of its 
 hundreds or thousands of inhabitants, a sight of whom may 
 well excite our wonder and admiration. We refer to 
 
 A NEST OR COLONY OF ANTS. If we watch them closely 
 we shall soon see that never did the inhabitants of any city 
 surrounded by an invading army, and threatened with death 
 and destruction, exhibit more excitement and concern for the 
 safety of their lives and property than may be seen in these 
 active and intelligent workers when thus disturbed in their 
 underground retreat. Their movements may seem to be all 
 confusion, for they run one over another, some up, some down, 
 backwards and forwards, and in every direction ; yet they are 
 all intent upon and equally active in trying to protect their 
 embryo young, as well as to avoid the personal danger with 
 which they themselves are threatened. 
 
 Before we examine the structure of these members of the 
 ant colony, or try to ascertain if in this, as well as in their 
 doings, order, government, instinct, and habits there is any- 
 thing to instruct or to interest us, we may notice that
 
 Varieties of Ants. 
 
 THE ANT FAMILY belong to the order Hymenoptera. There 
 are several varieties of them, and they differ in size and colour. 
 Some of them are of 
 a lightish brown, and 
 even yellow, while 
 others are almost 
 black. They are all, 
 however, of similar 
 habits, activity, and 
 intelligence. 
 
 A colony of ants, Winged Ant. 
 
 like a beehive, con- 
 tains three orders of occupants males, females, and workers. 
 The males have four wings; the females, larger than the males, 
 have wings at the pairing season only ; the workers are without 
 wings; indeed, at no stage of their existence have they ever been 
 known to possess any. As there are many varieties of ants, 
 we shall refer to some of them only. i. Carpenter Ants, 
 such as the emmet, or black carpenter ant, and the dusky 
 ants which cut their houses out of the wood of trees. 2. 
 Yellow Ants, which may be called masons, because they build 
 their houses with solid walls, often more than a foot high, and 
 several inches in diameter. 3. Fallow Ants, these are the 
 
 Fallow or Wood Ant (Female). Fallow or Wood Ant (N ? euter). 
 
 largest kind in England, and are found in great numbers in 
 the decayed stumps of trees. Their nests are curious structures, 
 the internal parts being composed of a heterogeneous collection 
 of leaves, twigs, grass, and straw. The interior arrangements 
 display considerable ingenuity and perseverance on the part 
 
 5
 
 66 An Underground City. 
 
 of these tiny builders. 4. Turf Ants : the mining capabilities 
 of these ants are extraordinary. They dig chambers and 
 galleries out of the ground from six to nine inches deep. 
 5. Brown Ants : these are the smallest of the ants, and are 
 very remarkable for the extreme finish of their work. They 
 are known as Formica brunnea, and it is to them and their 
 habitations we shall more particularly refer. 
 
 CITIES OR NESTS OF ANTS. Referring to the nest of the 
 last-named ants, Kirby says : ' It is composed of earth, and 
 consists of a great number of stories, sometimes not fewer than 
 forty, twenty below the level of the soil, and as many above, 
 which last, following the slope of the ant-hill, are concentric. 
 Each story has cavities in the shape of saloons, narrower 
 apartments, and long galleries which preserve the communica- 
 tion between both.' 
 
 The arched roofs are supported by thin walls, pillars, or 
 buttresses ; some having only one entrance from above, others 
 a second, communicating with the lower story. The main 
 galleries in some cases meet in one large saloon, communi- 
 cating with other subterranean passages which are often carried 
 to the distance of several feet from the hill. 
 
 MATERIALS FOR BUILDING. It is stated on good authority 
 that these ants work chiefly after sunset, and that in building 
 their nests they employ soft clay only, which, when sufficiently 
 moistened by a shower, far from injuring, consolidates and 
 strengthens their architecture. 'Having traced the plan of 
 their structure by placing here and there the foundations of 
 the pillars and partition walls, they add successively new 
 portions; and when the walls of a gallery, or apartment, 
 which are half a line thick, are elevated about one inch in 
 height, they join them by springing a flattish arch or roof 
 from one side to the other. . . . 
 
 ' Crowds of masons from all parts arrive with their particles 
 of mortar, and work with a regularity, harmony, and activity 
 which can never be admired enough. . . . They will com- 
 plete a story, with all its saloons, vaulted roofs, partitions, and 
 galleries, in seven or eight hours.' Considering the smallness 
 of these insects, their ingenuity and industry seem more 
 marvellous than those of bees. 
 
 Having described the structure of the ants' underground 
 city, we shall now refer to its inhabitants, to ascertain how far
 
 The Queen and lier Subjects. 67 
 
 they mutually contribute to the prosperity and comfort one of 
 another. We shall notice first : 
 
 THE QUEEN ANT. As in the case of bees, the queen ant 
 is the source of life to the future colony, and it may be re- 
 marked that soon after the pairing season is over the male 
 ants die, so that they are never favoured or gratified with the 
 society of their future offspring, who, it may be said, ' come 
 into the world fatherless. 1 The queens lay their eggs, which 
 are infinitesimally small, in half dozens, during which time 
 they are usually attended by a retinue of ants, who treat them 
 with very special respect, pay great attention to their wants, 
 which they gratify and supply to the extent of their ability. 
 The eggs of ants have been discovered to be of different 
 sizes, shades, and forms. The smallest to be white, opaque, 
 and cylindrical; the largest transparent, and slightly arched 
 at both ends ; those of a middle size semi-transparent. 
 
 THE WORKER ANTS, as their name implies, have the 
 arduous work of the colony to perform. Their first duty, 
 after the completion of their dwelling or nest, is to take care 
 of the eggs laid by the queen ant. These they collect in 
 heaps and place in separate apartments. When the larvas 
 appear, the workers show much thought and tenderness to- 
 wards them. They provide them with food, remove them, 
 when changes of the weather require it, to warmer or cooler 
 parts of the nest, and thus render the period of their transition 
 to a perfect state as pleasant to them as possible. 
 
 No sooner are the larvse full-grown than they begin to 
 weave for themselves winding-sheets or cocoons of silk, and 
 then become chrysalides. These grubs are often so weak that 
 they would remain hopeless prisoners in their silken gaols if 
 the workers were not to assist them in making their escape, 
 which they do very systematically, and with as much gentle- 
 ness and knowledge as could be shown by members belonging 
 to larger and higher orders of the animal kingdom. 
 
 Another duty performed by worker ants is to watch the 
 movements of female ants. The moment one is seen in the 
 vicinity of the nest she is at once surrounded and seized, 
 dragged into the nest, and there retained a prisoner until she 
 has laid her eggs. They appear also to show much concern 
 not only in securing a queen and taking care of the embryo 
 young, but also on the occasion of the 
 
 52
 
 68 An Underground City. 
 
 DEPARTURE OF MALES AND FEMALES FROM THE NEST. 
 Hubert says : ' Visit a meadow on a fine summer day, and 
 you may see males and females of the field-ant march to and 
 fro over the ant-hill. They then climb all the plants near 
 them, but the workers always attend them. They offer them 
 nourishment for the last time. Disorder and excitement 
 increase. The winged ants climb higher and higher. The 
 workers follow as far as possible, running from one male to 
 another, touching them with their antennae, and offering them 
 food. At length the whole winged tribes disappear. The 
 labourers return to the ant-hill, and when the weather is 
 favourable they make clear passages for those within that are 
 about to leave. They all take flight ; the workers re-enter the 
 nest and close the entrances.' 
 
 Pairing of the male and female takes place at the outside 
 of their nests. They then start off to form another colony, 
 and to build a city for their future residence. 
 
 ANT SENTINELS. Ants appear to pay due regard to the 
 safety of their underground cities, as some of them are placed 
 as sentinels at their entrances, and being watchful, as military 
 characters should be, always give notice of approaching danger. 
 
 If their nest is likely to be disturbed by the scythe of the 
 mower, by the upraised stick of some ignorant and mischie- 
 vous clown, or by the spade of the gamekeeper, whose inten- 
 tion is to support the life of his game by the death of the 
 ants, those that are on the surface will, with astonishing 
 rapidity, convey the alarm to those within, and then at once 
 commence to carry down the larva? and pupae to the very 
 lowest apartments of their subterranean abode. 
 
 In such a republic as that we have described, and in which 
 so much industry, order, government, system, and intelligence 
 may be seen, it is natural to suppose that this underground 
 people possess some means of understanding each other as 
 to their objects, plans, and operations. This is no doubt 
 effected by what are called their 
 
 ANTENNA, OR INSTRUMENTS OF SPEECH. The antennse 
 or horns, which project from the heads of crustaceans and 
 many kinds of insects, serve them in the sense of feeling and 
 seeing. They constitute also a most wonderful and curious 
 part of their structure, and appear to be of essential service to 
 members of the ant family in various ways.
 
 Telegraphic Messages. 69 
 
 One writer informs us that : ' Previous to the military ants 
 going out on their expeditions, they touch each other on the 
 trunk with their antennae and forehead. This is a signal for 
 marching, for as soon as they are touched they are in motion. 
 When a hungry ant wants to be fed, it moves its antennas in a 
 very rapid manner. 
 
 ' If some moistened sugar be placed near the nest of the 
 small black garden ant, a solitary straggler will soon accident- 
 ally discover it ; he imbibes his own load, and finds his way 
 to the nest with information; speedily, a number of others 
 emerge, make straight for the sugar, and continue to pass to 
 and fro in the most sedate and business-like manner, till the 
 whole of the provender is conveyed to the nest. 
 
 ' It is said that if a spadeful of earth, containing a number 
 of ants, be thrown down in the middle of an empty room, the 
 ants will be seen in a state of wild excitement running in all 
 directions, and even over one another, all intent upon finding 
 some opening in the floor by which to make their escape. 
 No sooner is one of the ants successful in finding such a 
 means of exit than telegraphic messages are despatched from 
 one to another, by the lucky discoverer touching with its 
 antennae the first ant it meets with, and then that one touch- 
 ing another, and so on, until the message has been conveyed 
 to every ant in the room, and so far understood by them that 
 in a few minutes they all disappear down the chink or aperture 
 so eagerly sought for.' 
 
 BRAVERY OF ANTS. The following well-authenticated story 
 will show that ants display a great amount of courage when 
 they or their habitations are threatened by danger. It appears 
 that some time ago a gentleman taking a stroll in the country 
 where there were some ant-hills lighted his cigar with a lucifer 
 match, which he threw, while yet burning, upon one of these 
 hills. This soon attracted the attention of the ants, who 
 crowded by scores round the ' blazing beam,' and then tried 
 simultaneously to thrust it from their city. Many of them 
 were burnt to death in their heroic endeavours to do so. 
 Nothing daunted, the survivors pressed over the writhing 
 bodies of their dead and dying companions, as if they were 
 conscious that danger threatened their city so long as the 
 burning match remained. Onward rushed the resolute fire- 
 men, who by this time had become very numerous, till at last
 
 70 An Underground City. 
 
 they rolled the match over and over and out of their pre-. 
 cincts, charred and blackened, and incapable of further 
 mischief. 
 
 ANT-BEARERS AT A COCKROACH FUNERAL. Ligon, re- 
 ferring to this subject, says : ' We sometimes kill a cockroach 
 and throw him on the ground, and mark what the ants will do 
 with him. Although the body is larger than many of theirs 
 put together, yet away they carry him, attended, by other ants, 
 to take the place of those that may tire. Some ants act as 
 officers, who lead the way and show the hole into which the 
 cockroach must pass. If his body is crosswise and cannot 
 pass into the hole, it is turned endwise about a foot before 
 they reach the hole.' Does not this imply, not only instinct, 
 but the existence, in some degree, of reasoning power ? 
 
 ANTS AND THE CATERPILLAR. A writer, who takes much 
 interest in the habits of ants, says : ' If a small caterpillar be 
 placed in their way, one or two ants will at once attack it ; 
 but if they find they are not strong enough to master it, one 
 will sometimes run away into the nest and give the alarm. 
 Numbers of ants will come rushing out to the rescue in great 
 anger and excitement, which subsides the moment the prey 
 is slaughtered, of which the majority take no further heed, 
 but leave only one or two to drag the carcase homewards.' 
 
 ANTS ON THE MARCH. The writer was sitting in his garden 
 one bright sunny morning when he observed a train of ants 
 following each other at almost equal distances, and forming a 
 complete line. They all appeared to come from the same 
 place, and to be making for the same destination, which the 
 author ascertained was, the case by tracking the line of ants 
 from the starting-point to the terminus, which was an aperture 
 in some loose soil in a not very distant part of the garden. 
 
 Part of the line of march extending over the surface of a 
 flat stone, the author crushed one of the little travellers on it 
 with his finger, and then drew the body about an inch across, 
 which left a little stain upon the stone. When the next ant 
 came up to the stain referred to, it suddenly stopped as if to 
 consider what it should do. A second and then a third ant 
 stopped in the same way as the first had done. After a little 
 deliberation they began to move, but not over the mark that 
 had been made by the bruised body of their comrade ; this 
 they refused to do, choosing rather to veer to the right hand
 
 The Food of tJie Population. 7 1 
 
 and to walk round the mark, keeping quite clear of it, and 
 then turning to the left until they reached the regular line 
 of march. For a considerable time the ants that followed 
 took the same course. These were the common garden ants, 
 which live under stones and make burrows in the soil. 
 
 THE WIDOWED ANT. The self-denial and devotion of ants 
 are worthy of special notice. We have before observed that 
 the female ant is furnished with a pair of wings. With these 
 she sails on the balmy air, and in the warm sunshine, with her 
 companions, and the sight of these 'aerial dancers' is a 
 curious and interesting one. 
 
 After the death of the male ant, the widowed bride strips 
 off her gauzy wings, as if her airy pleasures were too trivial to 
 be longer indulged in, and her wings too great an impediment 
 for the very important duties she has now to perform in help- 
 ing to construct her cell, laying her eggs, and cherishing her 
 future offspring. 
 
 FOOD OF ANTS. There has been some difficulty in ascer- 
 taining the kind of food on which ants mainly subsist. It was 
 at one time believed they hoarded up grains of corn as pro- 
 vision for the winter season. So far from this being the case, 
 no part of the ants' nest is constructed for this purpose, nor 
 even suitable for a store of grain, nor do ants really exhibit 
 any hoarding proclivities as they relate to corn or seeds of 
 any kind. 
 
 It is highly probable that the larvae found in ant-hills, 
 having much the appearance of grains of corn, have given 
 rise to the idea that these little colonists have sufficient fore- 
 thought to furnish themselves with magazines of grain so as 
 to enjoy the fruits of their industry through the dreary winter 
 months. 
 
 It is, however, we believe, well-known that ants are carni- 
 vorous, feeding upon any animal food or small insects that 
 may be accessible to them, and then conveying in their own 
 bodies supplies of both unchanged to the labourers in the 
 nest and other companions at home. 
 
 MILCH-KINK OF ANTS. Ants are very partial to an insect 
 called aphis, about one-eighth of an inch long, which extracts 
 the juices from young and tender shoots. The lime-tree aphis 
 ejects a viscid fluid called honey-dew, which is often found 
 on the leaves of trees. Ants take possession of these aphides
 
 72 An Underground City. 
 
 for the purpose of getting from them a supply of this honey. 
 ' They are in fact,' says Kirby, ' the milch-kine of the ants.' 
 
 The ants then convey these aphides to their nests, and 
 there furnish them with suitable green fodder, so that they 
 may yield all the more honey. They guard them with great 
 
 Aphis CEnotherae (Male). Aphis CEnotheroe( Female). 
 
 care, and will not allow the ants of another colony to visit 
 them, lest they should be robbed of these, their much-valued 
 milch-kine. 
 
 Much interesting and useful information, derived from ex- 
 periments, has, during the last few years, been given by Sir 
 John Lubbock on ants, of which the following, taken from a 
 London newspaper of Nov. 3, 1882, is remarkable and curious. 
 It says : ' Sir John Lubbock read to the members of the 
 Linnasan Society an account of his further observations on 
 the habits of insects made during the past year. The two 
 queen ants which have lived with him since 1874, and which 
 are therefore now not less than eight years old, are still alive, 
 and laid eggs last summer as usual.' 
 
 HONEY-MAKING ANTS. The following information, given 
 by the Evening Standard newspaper of Sept. 9, 1882, may be 
 read with interest as being something new in reference to the 
 ant-family : 
 
 'An American entomologist has furnished the Scientific 
 Academy of Philadelphia with some rather interesting par- 
 ticulars concerning the habits of an insect found in certain
 
 Honey-making Ants. 73 
 
 districts in America that goes by the name of the honey- 
 making ant, about which very little appears to have been 
 generally known. He started for New Mexico in pursuit of 
 his investigations, but halted in Colorado, where, in a spot 
 called the Garden of the Gods, he found himself in presence 
 of a honey-ants' nest. The Garden of the Gods so named 
 on account of the grotesquely shaped rocks crowning the 
 mountain-tops is upwards of six thousand feet above the 
 level of the sea, and covers a space of about two square miles. 
 The sloping sides of these mountains and their summits are 
 teeming with the honey-ants, whose homes were inspected by 
 the American traveller. The appearance presented by the 
 outside of the nests he describes as similar to a dyke or bank, 
 composed of fine gravel and sand. The largest of those he 
 visited measured thirty-two inches round its base, being about 
 three inches and a half high. The nest was entered by a 
 funnel-shaped passage, perforated in the centre of the dyke, 
 and leading to a series of galleries and chambers separated 
 into different floors. The queen ant's chamber, almost cir- 
 cular in form, measured four inches in diameter. The cavi- 
 ties of various sizes in which the ants lodge their honey are 
 generally oval, the roofs being arched. The result of the 
 explorer's observations in the Garden of the Gods leads him 
 to believe that the ants are nocturnal insects, and that they 
 gather their honey from the sweet sap of the gall-nut, storing 
 it in the lower portion of their bodies, which resemble in 
 shape and size a small grape. Their produce has an agree- 
 able but slightly acid taste, and is regarded by the Mexicans 
 and the Indians as a great delicacy. The former employ the 
 honey also to make a spirituous drink. As the American 
 entomologist states that it requires about nine hundred and 
 sixty ants to furnish a pound of honey, there is no danger of 
 their becoming rivals of the industrious bee. 
 
 ANT-WARRIORS AND SLAVE-MAKERS. Ants are subjects of 
 ardent passions ; they are jealous of rivals, and exhibit a great 
 thirst for booty, power, and pre-eminence, and are often en- 
 gaged in quarrels and making raids one upon another. They 
 fight with incredible fury, and display a great deal of strategy 
 in their movements. 
 
 The above remarks apply more especially to the RED OR 
 AMAZON ANTS, whose instinct for slave-making is marvellously
 
 74 An Underground City. 
 
 developed. It is generally at the decline of a warm summer 
 day that these ants, having made arrangements for a raid 
 upon some neighbouring colony, will array themselves in 
 serried columns, and start on their journey : their object 
 being to carry off the young ants, not yet fully developed, 
 and to make slaves of them ; in fact, to make them perform 
 the duties which these plunderers are too lazy to attend to 
 themselves. 
 
 When these invaders reach the entrance of the nest they 
 intend to spoliate, they meet with considerable opposition by 
 the workers. A sharp contest takes place between them 
 the one side bent upon plunder, the other determined not to 
 forego or lose either property or liberty, unless at the cost of 
 a well-sustained struggle. The amazons, being the stronger- 
 party, succeed in conquering their opposers, and at once enter 
 the nest, commence their explorations, then seize the larvae 
 and nymphs, which they carry off to mould to their own will. 
 The old ones of the nest they leave behind them, knowing, 
 no doubt, that it would be difficult to make them bend to 
 the yoke. 
 
 Every member of the invading party may be seen bearing 
 away the larvae to their own little kingdom. No sooner are the 
 grubs safely lodged in the nest than the slaves already there 
 pay every attention to them. They feed, cleanse, and warm 
 the bodies of the young ants. 
 
 In the course of time, however, ' a change comes o'er the 
 spirit of the dream ' of these pigmy warriors. Elated with 
 victory, flushed with success, and rendered careless and lazy 
 through the services or work done for them by the slaves, 
 they become indifferent to the changes which are gradually 
 taking place in the colony; and as they can neither build 
 their homes nor nourish their young, the whole scene changes, 
 their condition becomes a perilous one, they begin to feel 
 their own weakness, and that they are now dependent, for 
 future comfort, upon the very ants they had captured and 
 made slaves of. 
 
 These slaves, finding the nest too small, hit upon an emi- 
 gration scheme, which they carry into effect. They build a 
 larger nest, to which the amazons have to submit to be carried 
 by the mandibles of those who were once their captives, but 
 who are now their masters.
 
 Slave-holding Ants. 75 
 
 THE YELLOW ANTS are a match for the amazons ; as they 
 bid them defiance, frighten them by their mien, and their 
 courage supplies the want of strength. It is said that one colony 
 of ants will meet and fight with another near or midway 
 between their respective domains. The battleWield is but 
 small seldom more than a square yard, but it presents many 
 of the features of a human war. Great excitement prevails, 
 and a determined effort is made on both sides to become the 
 victors. Two and two will attack each other by their jaws. 
 They will lock themselves together by means of their man- 
 dibles, and roll one over the other in the dust. The scene of 
 the encounter is soon covered with the bodies of the dead 
 and dying. Some of the ants may be seen carrying off 
 prisoners to their nest ; and although at night the contending 
 armies beat a retreat, they often 'renew hostilities on the 
 following day.' But for what do they fight? It may be for 
 aphides, their milch-kine, or for the body of a beetle or fly, 
 which are as valuable to them as our flocks and herds are 
 to us. 
 
 Some ants having stings which they can use with consider- 
 able effect, and others having the power to send out from 
 their small bodies a most irritating fluid which will raise 
 blisters on the flesh it touches, they are not very desirable 
 companions at a picnic party. Nevertheless it is known that 
 
 ANTS HAVE THEIR USES. Rats, mice, and cockroaches 
 have been known to quit a house when ants have entered it. 
 Ants also teach useful lessons. Their affection for their 
 young teaches us to value and to promote the happiness of 
 posterity. Their obedience to their queen may teach us 
 loyalty; from their economy we may learn prudence, and 
 from their sagacity wisdom. 
 
 Dr. Gould says : ' A settlement of ants, the structure of 
 the common workers, the character of the queen, the changes 
 of the young, and the use they answer in the scale of beings, 
 may teach us to admire the majesty of God, who has arranged 
 the universe with so much beauty, and embellished each part 
 of it with such a scene of wonders.'
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 FISH IN ARMOUR. 
 
 ' Within the ever-rolling sea, 
 
 Gliding its green waves through, 
 Are finny tribes from sprats to whales ; 
 Smooth skinned, or clothed with shining scales ; 
 
 And fish in armour too.' 
 
 HEN the world was young, when mechanical 
 genius was in its infancy, and working appliances 
 were but few and of the rudest kind, it is natural 
 to suppose that articles manufactured by man at 
 that time would be coarse and defective com- 
 pared with those of modern times. 
 
 A peep into a watchmaker's shop, especially at the complex 
 mechanism of those very small watches, the turning round of 
 whose tiny hands corresponds to the course of the sun and 
 the rolling round of the planet in which we live, would almost 
 lead one to suppose that man's mechanical genius and his 
 taste for the delicate, the beautiful, and useful have nearly 
 reached perfection. True as this might be, the organism of 
 the many forms of life in the sea is far more wonderful than 
 anything ever made by man. 
 
 If what has been stated be true, that naturalists have dis- 
 covered more than 13,000 different kinds of fish, what a world 
 of varied life, beauty, and wonders the sea contains ! 
 
 A GLIMPSE AT THE FINNY TRIBES. We have no intention 
 to refer to the finny and vertebrated inhabitants of the deep, 
 except in a general way, as it may relate to the marvellous 
 adaptation of their organism to the element in which they 
 live. After we have done this we shall describe, as briefly as
 
 TJie Inhabitants of the Deep. 77 
 
 possible, some of the shell-fish commonly eaten in our own 
 country. How few people, comparatively, know anything of 
 the peculiar manner in which our shell-fish are brought into 
 existence, or of their singular structure, the changes they 
 undergo, the particular localities of the sea in which they are 
 found, or the way in which they are procured ! Hence our 
 reason for attempting the description which is to follow our 
 remarks on the finny tribes. 
 
 It may be observed, that although the ocean conjtains the 
 very largest as well as the very smallest of animals, they are 
 all so organized as not only to live in the watery element, but 
 no doubt to enjoy their existence in it. 
 
 In referring to the various and diversified inhabitants of the 
 great deep, Rymer Jones observes, ' Many fishes are adorned 
 by the hand of Nature with every kind of embellishment, 
 variety in their forms, elegance in their proportions, diversity 
 and vivacity in their colours ; nothing is wanted to attract the 
 attention of mankind.' 
 
 FISHES VIVIPAROUS. Although the large majority of fishes 
 are oviparous, there are some few whoproduce their young 
 alive and perfect in form. The whale is one of them. She 
 has one at a time, and, like animals of the mammalia family, 
 suckles it from her own teats. The males of other finny tribes 
 have the ;/////, and the females the roe. It is said, however, 
 that some of the cod and sturgeon tribes have both. The 
 spawn of some kinds of fish is deposited in sand or gravel, 
 and some attach their ova to seaweeds. The fecundity of 
 fish is supposed to be 
 far greater than that of 
 any other known race 
 of animals. 
 
 TEETH OF FISHES. 
 The teeth of fishes ^ 
 are very numerous, 
 generally sharp- 
 pointed, and firmly 
 fixed in their jaws. In 
 
 this respect the carp and pike are said to form an exception, 
 as their teeth are so movable as to appear to be attached to 
 the skin only. The pike, however, has teeth scarcely less 
 formidable in size and sharpness than those of a good-sized
 
 78 Fish in Armour. 
 
 dog. The tongue of fishes is in general motionless and obtuse. 
 Being furnished with nostrils and olfactory nerves, as stated 
 by some writers, fishes possess, in all probability, the sense of 
 smelling. Although some doubt that these natives of the sea 
 have the sense of hearing, it is asserted by Bingley ' that the 
 organ of hearing is placed at the sides of the skull. In its 
 structure this organ in fishes is by no means so complicated 
 as in quadrupeds and other animals that live in the air.' 
 
 EYES OF FISHES. As fishes have no eyelids, their eyes are 
 in general furnished with a transparent skin that covers the 
 rest of the head. This, with the cornea being flat, preserves 
 the eyes from injury, and prevents them from wearing away 
 in their quick passage through water. The eyes appear also 
 to be supplied with a muscle, which serves to lengthen or 
 flatten them as the animal may require. We believe it has 
 never been positively ascertained whether fishes have the 
 power to move their eyes in their sockets or not. Some fish, 
 as the sole, have their eyes placed on one side of their head 
 only. 
 
 FINS OF FISHES. Different tribes of fishes may be distin- 
 guished from each other by their fins, which differ in number 
 and in size. Some fins are vertical, and act as a keel or 
 rudder. Those on the back are known as dorsal fins ; those 
 under the tail as anals, and at the end of the tail as caudal 
 fins, which, being turned sideways, steer the fish as a rudder 
 does a ship. The air-bladder, with which most of them are 
 supplied, enables them to rise or sink in the water as they 
 may think proper, and gives them that easy kind of buoyancy 
 in the element they live in, which is not enjoyed by those who 
 are without air-bladders, and have consequently to remain 
 much at the bottom of the water. 
 
 FOOD OF FISHES. Those kinds of fish found in fresh water 
 live upon worms, the larvae of water insects, molluscs, or flies 
 that may alight on the surface. There can be no doubt that 
 in many instances they are truly the scavengers of the water, 
 and help as much in keeping it pure and sweet, as birds of 
 prey and other carnivorous animals do in keeping the air free 
 from the pernicious effluvia that would otherwise arise from 
 decaying animal matter. The marine kind prey upon each 
 other the larger devouring the less, these living upon others 
 less than themselves, and so on down to the smallest. It is
 
 Intelligence of Fish. 79 
 
 a remarkable, interesting, and well-known fact that the smaller 
 kinds of fish are not only more numerous and prolific than 
 the larger ones, but that they can find food in shallow water 
 near the shore, whither they cannot be followed by their pur- 
 suers, and so escape being devoured by them. 
 
 MIGRATION OF FISH. Just as regularly as spring, summer, 
 autumn, and winter come round, so ' shoals of herrings, sprats, 
 cod, and haddocks visit or come near our shores at a par- 
 ticular time of the year, and quit them with equal regularity, 
 without leaving a single one behind.' Just as regularly some 
 kinds of fish visit certain places in which to deposit their 
 spawn, and then, after so doing, return to the waters from 
 whence they had come. 
 
 INTELLIGENCE OF FISH. We have been informed by a 
 gentleman that some fish kept in a large pond on his father's 
 estate in Sussex have been taught to gather to any part of the 
 pond at which they hear the ringing of a bell for the purpose 
 of feeding. In this fact we have at least an indication of 
 memory. These fishes were in the habit of associating the 
 sound of the bell with the idea of satisfying their hunger. If 
 there is memory there is reflection, and who can separate 
 them from thinking ? If fishes remember that a certain sound 
 means to them a particular thing, must they not think? 
 
 While some people deny to fish the sense of hearing, others 
 say, as already stated, that they at least possess the organ of it. 
 It has been asserted that fish, possessing in a fair degree the 
 sense of feeling, are guided or affected by those vibrations that 
 are made by different sounds on the surface of water. Admitting 
 this to be the case, and that they cannot hear, it still shows that 
 fish not only possess intelligence, but enough of it to dis- 
 criminate between vibrations produced by various causes. It 
 may be reasonably supposed that had a pistol been fired about 
 the same time over the pond referred to, the fish would not 
 have collected as they did when the bell was rung, because 
 they would not associate either the sound of the pistol or the 
 vibrations caused thereby with a good feed of bread-crumbs 
 or other food which they invariably did with the ringing ot 
 the bell. If fish then remember and think, they must have 
 intelligence. 
 
 LONGEVITY OF FISH. It is supposed that fish live to a 
 very great age if not captured for food, or for any other
 
 8o Fish in Armour. 
 
 purpose. Instead of suffering, as human beings and land 
 animals do, from the effects of old age, their bodies seem 
 almost continually to increase with fresh supplies of food ; and 
 as the animal grows, the conduits of life furnish their stores in 
 greater abundance. It has been ascertained that some kinds 
 offish have arrived at 100, and even 150 years of age. This 
 knowledge, however, has reference to those only that have 
 
 been kept in private 
 ponds, in which the 
 numbers of these 
 creatures are but 
 small. 
 
 Although we some- 
 Salmon. times hear of disease 
 amongst salmon, and 
 
 of other kinds of fish being affected in various ways, it is 
 supposed that they are comparatively free from disease ; indeed, 
 much more so than those animals are that live on land. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. White, of Selborne, however, gives some 
 information as to the manner in which fishes die, showing that 
 in their native element they are sometimes attacked by 
 unknown causes which deprives them of life. White says : 
 ' As soon as a fish sickens, the head sinks lower and lower, 
 and the animal stands as it were upon it, till becoming weaker, 
 and losing all poise, the tail turns over, and at last it swims 
 on the surface of the water with its belly upwards, by which 
 time the life has ebbed out of it' 
 
 FISH IN ARMOUR. The reader will no doubt conclude that 
 by ' fish in armour ' we refer to those inhabitants of the deep 
 whose powers of locomotion are very feeble, but who are 
 furnished with shells, more or less thick and strong, as a 
 protection against the rapacious appetites of those larger and 
 finny tribes who would otherwise devour their rich and pulpy 
 bodies, and in time exterminate them from the world of 
 waters. 
 
 These slow and almost motionless creatures belong to a 
 class of articulated and invertebrated animals called Crustacea 
 and Mollusca. Although we propose making some remarks 
 on them, we do not intend to refer to all the numerous varieties 
 which are included in the above two classes or divisions of 
 shell-fish, but to those only which present great curiosities of
 
 Shell-fish Moulting. Si 
 
 structure, and especially those which are popular articles of 
 consumption in our own country. We shall first consider 
 those different kinds of shell-fish known as 
 
 CRUSTACEANS. These creatures, which constitute, according 
 to popular writers on natural history, the fifth class of articulated 
 animals, present many wonderful and interesting points of 
 structure, life, and habits. Jones remarks that ' Crustaceans 
 are all oviparous. The female, after having laid her eggs, 
 generally carries them about attached to the under part of her 
 body, or sometimes enclosed in a sort of pouch formed of 
 appendages variously modified ; sometimes the young undergo 
 a very remarkable metamorphosis, and not only completely 
 change their form during the earlier periods of their existence, 
 but in the progress of their growth acquire additional limbs.' 
 
 In selecting and obtaining their food it is supposed that 
 crustaceans are guided by some sense which answers to them 
 the same purposes as does that of smell to the higher order 
 of animals. There is some difficulty, however, in determining 
 where this peculiar sense of shell-fish exists, whether it is 
 connected with the first pair of antennae, or with any other 
 part of the body. 
 
 Although the sense of feeling is of the feeblest kind, yet 
 observation corroborates the theory that shell-fish are not 
 totally devoid of it. 'We have seen,' says a certain writer, 
 'a swimming crab hold its prey in one claw, while with 
 the other it picked off morsel by morsel of the flesh, and 
 conveyed it to its mouth in a manner which sufficiently 
 evidenced the sensation of touch in these organs.' 
 
 THROWING OFF THE OLD COAT. It is well known that 
 periodically and at certain seasons changes take place in the 
 coats and skins of most animal bodies. Horses and many 
 other quadrupeds have yearly new coats of hair, while the fur 
 of some of the smaller kind is of one colour in the summer 
 and of another in winter. Toads and snakes change their 
 skins ; birds moult, and new feathers replace the old ones ; 
 and these fish in armour periodically cast off their old coats, 
 or shells, and present themselves in armature perfectly new. 
 There is something very wonderful in this moulting or change 
 of shell in Crustaceans. The old one is not got rid of piece 
 by piece, but altogether and unbroken, so as to present a 
 counterpart of the perfect animal. We are informed that 
 
 6
 
 82 Fish in Armour. 
 
 every part of the integument is renewed ; nothing is wanting 
 in the cast-off skin, the antennae, the jaws, and eyes are all 
 there, every hair is represented by the case which enclosed it. 
 Even the shelly plates from which the muscles originate, the 
 tendons by which they are attached to the shell, the internal 
 skin of the stomach, and the teeth which are hidden there, are 
 found connected with the rejected shell ! 
 
 The pressure of the old shell being removed, the animal 
 suddenly increases in bulk, the new skin, as yet soft and 
 flexible, allowing at first of great expansion; but it rapidly 
 hardens, a stock of shelly matter having been for some time 
 accumulating in its stomach in the form of two hard balls com- 
 monly called ' crab's-eyes.' This substance is supposed to be 
 taken up and distributed to the surface, so that when the new 
 crust has again acquired consistence these concretions are no 
 longer found. The whole process occupies from one to three 
 days. The supposition that the moulting in these animals takes 
 place every year must probably be restricted to the period of 
 their growth, beyond which the change of shell would seem 
 to be unnecessary. 
 
 ' Crustaceans,' says Figuier, ' vary greatly in colour ; some 
 are of a dark iron-grey, with a dash of steel-blue, like metal 
 weapons forged for combat ; a few of them are red or reddish- 
 brown, others are of an earthy yellow or of a livid blue. . . . 
 They live on the sea-coast among the rocks and near the 
 shore. Some few of them frequent the deep waters, others 
 hide themselves in the sand or under stones, while the common 
 crab loves the shore almost as much as the salt water, and 
 establishes itself accordingly under some moist cliff over- 
 hanging the sea where it can enjoy both.' 
 
 Crustaceans are by no means epicures ; being carnivorous 
 animals, nothing comes amiss to their voracious appetites. 
 They can make a meal of any animal, living or dead, fresh or 
 in a state of decomposition, providing it be large enough to 
 satisfy their hunger. It may be their voracity has much to 
 do with their merciless encounters with other animals, as well 
 as with those of their own kind. 
 
 Some of these creatures are armed with powerful claws 
 which, when engaged in warfare, they use unsparingly, and 
 often with marvellous effect. They fight with each other 
 sometimes for prey, or for a female ; and it often happens that
 
 TJie Crab Family. 83 
 
 both combatants are much injured thereby, especially in 
 their antennae, feet, and tails. Although in the course of 
 time the mutilated members are replaced by new ones, the 
 latter are usually small and weak. It appears evident from 
 the above facts that if these subjects in armour show but 
 little platonic love in their general habits, they can be irritated 
 by jealousy, and also display in their fights with each other 
 a good deal of courage, and we may say of martial ardour 
 too. Indeed, do they not deserve the title of 'Naval 
 warriors ?' 
 Having made some remarks on crustaceans generally, as 
 
 Crab. 
 
 constituting a distinct class or family of inhabitants of our 
 seas, we shall now briefly refer to a few different kinds of 
 them, especially to those that are articles of food in common 
 use, and extensively identified with the commerce of this and 
 of other nations. We shall notice first 
 
 THE CRAB FAMILY. Crabs appear to belong to the section 
 of ten-legged, short-tailed crustaceans. They are covered by 
 a very strong calcareous shell. Although to superficial ob- 
 servers the organs of vision are not perceptible, it is said that 
 the sense of sight in most of the species is peculiarly acute, 
 and enables them to distinguish objects from a considerable 
 
 62
 
 84 Fish in Armour. 
 
 distance. But they are most remarkable for a complex and 
 elaborate apparatus for mastication. The mouth is furnished 
 at least with eight pieces or pairs of jaws, which pass the food 
 through an extremely short gullet into a membranous stomach 
 of considerable size. 
 
 There are many kinds of crabs, distinguished from each 
 other by peculiarities of structure and habits. The following 
 are included : 
 
 Swimming Crabs. These live at a distance from the shore, 
 and often make for the high sea, being aided in so doing by 
 having each foot furnished with a flat joint resembling a fin, 
 with which they propel themselves rapidly through the water. 
 
 Spider Crabs. These creatures, as their name implies, 
 have long legs, but they are slow in motion. They are usually 
 found amongst rocks and stones, covered with seaweeds, 
 over which they can stride with comparative ease. At times, 
 these crabs are covered with seaweeds, sponges, and other 
 marine productions. During the winter they become torpid, 
 and lie concealed in the crevices of rocks, or buried in the 
 soil. 
 
 Shore-Crabs are well adapted in their structure for walking; 
 that duty they perform by using their eight hind-legs only, 
 which they do with so much facility as to be able to walk 
 forwards, backwards, or sideways, just as they please. They 
 are also good climbers. 
 
 Racer Crabs. These are found on the coasts of Syria, Bar- 
 bary, and the West Indies. They derive their name from 
 the rapid pace at which they can travel, especially when 
 threatened by danger. 
 
 Beckoning or Calling Crabs are so named because of a 
 habit they have of flourishing one of their large claws about 
 as if beckoning to some one at a distance. They make bur- 
 rows in the seashore, where they remain a great deal of their 
 time, hardly ever leaving them except to visit the sea, in which 
 they deposit their eggs. 
 
 Hermit Crabs are so called because, being very defenceless, 
 they seek protection by getting under an empty shell of some 
 other kind of fish, which they carry about. 
 
 Edible Crabs are those commonly known at our tables. 
 They are nocturnal in their habits. They often visit the 
 shore in search of food, and seize on anything suitable to
 
 How Crabs are Cauglit. 8^ 
 
 their palate. Should they remain too long in their hunts after 
 food the waters may retreat, and thus leave them stranded, 
 exposed to danger, and subjected to considerable inconveni- 
 ence. They will, however, look out for a hole, or some corner 
 into which they will squat, and patiently wait for the return 
 of the tide. 
 
 'Crab-fishing,' says Jones, 'is usually conducted by two 
 men, in a boat provided with lines and creels, cruives, or 
 crab-pots, made of a kind of osier basket-work. They are 
 constructed upon the same principle as a wire mouse-trap, 
 but the aperture, instead of being on the side, is at the top. 
 The bait, which consists of stale fish, is fastened to the 
 bottom, and the creel is then sunk in a favourable situation 
 by stones of sufficient weight within it ; a line is fastened to 
 the creel, to the upper end of which a cork is attached. The 
 bait can readily be seen by the crabs, which on entering are 
 caught like rats in a trap ; the difficulty of egress being in- 
 creased by the aperture being overhead.' 
 
 We may here notice that the floats indicate to the crab- 
 fishermen the precise position of the crab-pots, which at 
 certain times the men visit, and which, if a sufficient number 
 of crabs is ascertained to be within, they haul up to their 
 boats, put them into well-boxes, and there keep them until 
 they are sold. 
 
 CRAY-FISHES. These inhabitants of the sea bear a resem- 
 blance to the common lobster, both in shape and flavour. 
 Their antennae are large and covered with spines. Their 
 shell is rough, and abounds with prickles. They prey upon 
 the smaller kinds of fish, and any marine production that may 
 be suitable for them. They live in very rocky places, where 
 fishing is rather difficult. In consequence of this, cray-fishes 
 pass an almost undisturbed life ; and it is said many of them 
 live to a great age, and others grow immensely large, even 
 three feet long. They are caught in wicker-baskets baited 
 with flesh. 
 
 LOBSTERS. Lobsters, like crabs, constitute a popular 
 article of diet not only in our own country but in many 
 others. They are abundant in the Mediterranean, through- 
 out the European Seas, and on the eastern coast of North 
 America. When alive they are of a dull, blue colour. It is 
 by boiling them that their shells become red. Many of the
 
 86 
 
 Fish 'in Armour, 
 
 Lobster. 
 
 lobsters consumed in England are brought from various parts 
 of our own coasts, and some from Norway. The females 
 produce an almost incalculable number of eggs. ' Upwards of 
 twelve thousand have been found under the tail of a single 
 individual. Lobsters periodically cast off their old shells 
 when they have become too small for the increasing size of 
 
 the internal body. 
 It is supposed by 
 some writers on shell- 
 fish that to accom- 
 plish this object 
 these animals ob- 
 serve in some quiet 
 place a season of 
 fasting, so that the 
 inside of the limbs 
 may shrink a little 
 to permit being drawn through the narrow joints. Be this 
 as it may, it is well-known that they do get rid of the old 
 shell, and that a new one appears in its place, which, being 
 of larger dimensions, fallows room for the growing body. By 
 a stroke of their tail lobsters can spring backwards twenty 
 or thirty feet. 
 
 SAGACITY OF A LOBSTER. We are informed by Nature 
 that 'A few days ago, at the Rothesay Aquarium, a tank 
 containing flat-fishes was emptied, and a flounder of eight 
 inches in length was inadvertently left buried in the shingle, 
 where it died. On refilling the tank it was tenanted by three 
 lobsters (Homarus marinus), one of which is an aged veteran 
 of unusual size, bearing an honourable array of barnacles ; 
 and he soon brought to light the hidden flounder, with which 
 he retired to a corner. In a short time it was noticed that 
 the flounder was non est. It was impossible the lobster could 
 have eaten it all in the interim, and the handle of a net re- 
 vealed the fact that, upon the approach of the two smaller 
 lobsters the larger one had buried the flounder beneath a 
 heap of shingle, on which he now mounted guard. Five 
 times within two hours was the fish unearthed, and as often 
 did the lobster shovel the gravel over it with his huge claws, 
 each time ascending the pile and turning his bold defensive 
 front to his companions.'
 
 A Lobster Sentinel. 87 
 
 This story seems to prove that lobsters possess, in some 
 degree, the sense of smell, or how could the one referred to 
 have known the dead fish was there, as it was hidden from 
 sight ? It is also evident the lobster showed great tact and 
 intelligence, for after feeding on the flounder, he not only re- 
 buried it, but, to make sure of not being robbed of it, acted as 
 sentinel over the larder he had made under the shingle. 
 
 PRAWNS. These marine Crustacea, during the summer- 
 time, exist in great numbers at the mouths of the rivers of 
 our own country, and are caught in nets formed like sacks 
 fastened on the ends of long poles. These are thrown out to 
 sea as far as possible, and then drawn to the shore, when 
 they are generally found to contain great numbers of these 
 small crustaceans. Like the other members of the same 
 family, prawns cast off their old coat or covering, which is to 
 give place to another more suitable for the requirements of 
 the animal, both as to room and to comfort During this 
 change of coat the prawn never feeds, but is uneasy, and 
 moves from place to place until it meets with a locality suit- 
 able for its purpose. 
 
 When this has been found, the prawn stretches out its legs, 
 then hooks its feet to some substance sufficiently firm to hold 
 by. It then sways its body backwards and forwards, by which 
 means it loosens the entire surface of the body from the cara- 
 pace ; by a little more swaying and gentle effort the animal 
 gets rid of its old covering. The prawn, thus liberated, rolls 
 itself on the ground, and there lies perfectly soft and helpless. 
 In time, however, a change takes place, the creature gains 
 strength, and assumes a fresh appearance, looks beautiful in 
 its new dress, and becomes as lively, bold, and active as ever. 
 
 SHRIMPS are allied to the lobster, and are not more than 
 two inches long. They are found in shallow waters along 
 our coasts, and are secured by dredge-nets. They have ten 
 feet each ; move about by leaps, and constitute food for other 
 fishes. 
 
 MOLLUSCS. These fish in armour comprise a very large 
 number of different kinds. They are arranged into seven 
 separate classes, some of which are divided into orders and 
 families. We shall, however, refer more particularly to those 
 included in the third class. 
 
 Speaking in general terms of this large division of inverte-
 
 88 Fish in Armour. 
 
 brate animals, we may state that they are without bones, have 
 no internal skeleton, and may be defined as soft, fleshy animals. 
 Some kinds live on land and breathe the air. They are found 
 in our gardens, fields, on the branches and trunks of trees, on 
 the banks of our hedges and in our plantations. Some live 
 in fresh water, others at the bottom of streams, and some are 
 amphibious. Vast numbers are found in the seas of almost 
 every part of the world. 
 
 According to 'Animal Creation,' the number of species 
 already in museums reaches from 8,000 to 10,000. There 
 are cabinets of marine shells, bivalve and univalve, which con- 
 tain from 5,000 to 6,000, and collections of land and fluviatic 
 shells which count as many as 2,000. The total number of 
 molluscs, therefore, probably exceeds 15,000 species. 
 
 From what we have stated, it will be seen that these crea- 
 tures constitute very wonderful links in the chain of being. 
 This will appear to be more so when we remember that many 
 of them are food for other animals than man, as well as sup- 
 plying valuable materials for the fine arts. 
 
 CLAMS. This family of shell-fish demands a short notice, 
 principally on account of their large size, and the novel uses 
 to which their shells are applied. Rymer Jones says they are 
 the giants of the bivalve race. They live, attached by their 
 byssus, to rocks, shells, and corals. The valve of a large indi- 
 vidual forms a very picturesque basin for catching the clear 
 falling water of a fountain, which flows prettily through its 
 deeply indented edges. In Roman Catholic countries the 
 valves of this huge shell are sometimes employed as benitiers, 
 or vessels for containing holy water. . . The byssus is so thick, 
 and its attachment to the rock so strong, that it is frequently 
 necessary to cut it with a hatchet in order to obtain the 
 animal. Clam-shells are sometimes more than two feet across, 
 being the largest known. 
 
 COCKLES, though small in size, are an important article of 
 food, and exist in great numbers on sandy shores. Their 
 organization is wonderful. Improbable as this may appear to 
 those not well acquainted with this kind of shell-fish, it never- 
 theless is provided with one foot of good size, compared with 
 the rest of its body, which it uses for burrowing. This foot 
 assumes different shapes, according to the use the cockle 
 wishes to make of it. When the animal desires to bury itself,
 
 Fish Weavers. 89 
 
 the foot is lengthened into a wedge, which it thrusts down 
 into the sand, and then, turning the end into the form of a 
 hook, pulls itself down into the hole made by its wedge-foot. 
 In this condition it will remain for some time, breathing all 
 the while through some projecting tubes which are just visible. 
 By bending the end of the foot, and pushing against the sand 
 with great force, the shell is again extruded. When in the 
 water, the cockle often moves rapidly along by pushing its foot 
 against the ground, just as a man would propel his boat along 
 by using his oars on the surface of the water. 
 
 MUSSELS. According to the 'Students' Natural History,' 
 mussels constitute a family of bivalve mollusca. They are 
 marine animals, and are found attached to rocks and stones 
 by a beard of stout fibres. They are common in this country, 
 and on the coasts of the Mediterranean and the North Sea. 
 They frequent mudbanks which are uncovered at low water, 
 and immense quantities are used for bait by fishermen. 
 About fifty species have been described distributed over all 
 the world. 
 
 The shell of the eatable mussel is of oblong shape, and of 
 a dark purple colour. Like the cockle, the mussel is furnished 
 with a kind of foot, capable of retraction and elongation, 
 which is enveloped in a sheath of fibres. By employing these 
 fibres the animal can weave a number of silky threads by 
 which it can fasten itself to the rock. Some people deem 
 mussels to be poisonous, as painful effects have been produced 
 by eating them. The precise cause, however, has never, we 
 believe, been satisfactorily explained. Some writers suppose 
 that as these animals are very indigestible, all persons who 
 have weak stomachs must of necessity suffer by consuming 
 them, especially if too freely. It has also been stated that the 
 poisonous effect is produced by certain small crabs, which 
 lodge themselves as parasites in the shell of the mussel. 
 
 The Pearl Mussel is worthy of special notice, as being the 
 producer of the 'mother-of-pearl' and pearls-. The cutting 
 and polishing of the shells of these animals gives employment 
 to great numbers of people, 'mother-of-pearl' produced thereby 
 being an important article of commerce ; and very valuable 
 chairs, tables, workboxes, trays, and other things are inlaid 
 with it. Pearls have also been found in these shells, differing, 
 however, in colour, form, size, and lustre, and also in value.
 
 90 Fish in Armour. 
 
 The most extensive pearl-fisheries are those of the Persian 
 Gulf and of the island of Ceylon. 
 
 OYSTERS. The oyster family embraces several genera. 
 Beard says, ' The best known, and perhaps the most important 
 species of the genus is the common oyster, ostrea edulis, form- 
 ing a considerable article of commerce. This mollusc is a 
 very abundant one on the British coasts, and- is generally 
 found in banks or beds, several fathoms under water, and 
 often extending to a considerable distance. The time of 
 spawning is in May and June, and the fry, which are called 
 ' spats,' are collected in vast numbers, and removed to arti- 
 ficial grounds or tanks where the water is shallow. These 
 oysters are called ' natives,' and require five or seven years to 
 attain their full size, while the ' sea-oysters ' become fully 
 grown in four years. 
 
 Oyster-fisheries are found along the coast of Essex and 
 Kent, and on the coast of the island of Jersey, at which great 
 numbers of men, women, and children are employed. From 
 these and other places tens of thousands of native and sea- 
 oysters are sent every year to the markets and shops of 
 London, and to those of other towns. 
 
 Oysters are secured by a dredge net, edged with a scraper 
 of iron which is drawn along the bottom by a rope attached 
 to the boat. These bivalves have many enemies which con- 
 stantly try to obtain them for food. They have, therefore, 
 to be watched and guarded with jealous care, especially against 
 star-fishes, which would otherwise be very destructive to them 
 during their breeding-season. 
 
 The value, or rather the price, of oysters, like that of other 
 kinds of animal food, has increased amazingly during the last 
 few years. They are at present about four times dearer than 
 they were forty years ago. The reason is no doubt owing to 
 the extension of oyster culture not keeping pace with the 
 increased demand of a rapidly growing human population. 
 
 PEARL-OYSTERS are contained in shells which are included 
 in what are known as 'pearl-shells.' Pearl oysters, like 
 mussels, produce mother-of-pearl, which is a beautiful sub- 
 stance, and much used in inlaying cabinet-work, making paper- 
 knives, and many ornamental articles. 
 
 In referring to these oysters Rhind says : ' Pearls are 
 roundish bodies found attached either to the inside of the
 
 A Pretty Sight. 91 
 
 shells of this species, or loose between the shells. Pearls the 
 size of a pea are worth about a guinea, and when of the size 
 of a peppercorn, about two shillings each. Small pearls are 
 called ' seed-pearls,' and are of much less value. The famous 
 pear-shaped pearl belonging to the Shah of Persia cost 
 PIO,OOO. 
 
 Pearl-oysters are obtained by men who dive for them, 
 often in about twelve fathoms of water. This work is very 
 arduous, unwholesome, and dangerous. It is well known that 
 every year very many men who follow this employment lose 
 their lives, in consequence of which many a widow is deprived 
 of her son, and many a wife and family of their only support. 
 Truly we may say, What mystery lies within our differing 
 fates ! 
 
 SCALLOPS. In some respects scallops resemble oysters, 
 especially in their external appearance, but they differ some- 
 what internally. They have a moderate-sized, hatchet-shaped 
 foot, which helps them to move about both by land and 
 water. When they have been left on the shore by the reced- 
 ing tide their singular style of locomotion in attempting to 
 regain the water is both amusing and interesting. They will 
 open their shells widely, and then, shutting them with a 
 sudden jerk, throw themselves forward, and so on until they 
 reach the sea. These creatures often assemble in troops 
 when the sea is calm, on the surface of which they glide 
 gracefully along, having the upper valve of their shells open, 
 which look like numbers of tiny sails moving on the water. 
 When they apprehend danger, they close their shells and 
 suddenly sink to the bottom. 
 
 It is said these bivalves have eyes which appear on the 
 margin of their mantle as so many bright spots. Although 
 there is some doubt about this, it is well-known that many of 
 the species have finely coloured handsome shells. The shell 
 is of considerable size, and Baird says : ' The deeper valve 
 was used formerly as a drinking-cup, and celebrated as such 
 in Ossian's ' Hall of Shells.' 
 
 ' The St James's shell, common in the Mediterranean and 
 nearly allied to the scallop, was worn by pilgrims to the Holy 
 Land, and became the badge of several orders of knight- 
 hood.'
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 FIRST COUSINS, OR OUR BIRDS IN BLACK. 
 
 First cousins are we all as black as a coal, 
 So we can't disagree on that matter at all ; 
 Although many think they've a right to abuse us ; 
 And wrongly assert that we haven't our uses : 
 This grave charge against us, allow us to say, 
 Is false, as we labour like slaves all the day 
 To pick up our living ; ' deny it who can.' 
 We also do good both to Nature and Man. 
 
 N the remote, dim ages of the past, animals con- 
 stituted themes for writers of both sacred and 
 profane history. Modern poets and painters 
 have so represented and popularized many of 
 them in verse and on canvas, that those who 
 study the characteristics of animals portrayed in the manner 
 referred to may learn many interesting, important, and useful 
 lessons therefrom. The raven and jackdaw have been im- 
 mortalized in song ; whilst the crow and the rook have formed 
 subjects of study both to natural historians, physiologists, and 
 psychologists in almost every age and country. Thus it is 
 that animals have been brought prominently into notice. 
 
 To what has already been written about animals we venture 
 to add a small amount of information on the structure, habits, 
 life, and uses of those animals we denominate ' First Cousins, 
 or Our Birds in Black.' 
 
 The colours of birds are often suggestive of certain customs 
 observed by mankind. When we see a swan, a white goose, 
 or duck, we think of the Chinese custom of wearing white 
 dresses at their funerals. Birds in brown or grey colours 
 remind one of the dress of our friends the Quakers ; and
 
 A Sociable Family. 
 
 93 
 
 without wishing to be invidious or irreverent, our ' birds in 
 black,' not in their habits, but in their colours, remind us 
 not only of the sombre aspect of our funerals, but of those 
 gentlemen who are our preachers and guides in matters of 
 morality and religion. 
 
 Quadruped, bird, and insect life help very materially to 
 render our landscapes charming, attractive, and really enjoy- 
 able. During the greater part of the year, Nature gives us 
 almost endless forms of life in our fields, woods, and hedge- 
 rows, in which we have bird-life wild, free, and happy, the 
 little winged workers of Nature ever chirping, chattering, or 
 singing, as they perform their daily task for self support, or 
 seek food for their young and helpless progeny. Two or 
 three representatives of bird-life will suffice for this chapter. 
 
 THE ROOK. This name is very suggestive of country 
 mansions, clusters of fine old elm-trees, of extensive parks, 
 and baronial estates. 
 Rooks claim relationship 
 with the conirostral tribe 
 of the Insissores. They 
 are gregarious, and live 
 all the year round in so- 
 cieties. They sometimes 
 keep company with jack- 
 daws and starlings. As 
 many as 20,000 rooks 
 have been known to live 
 in one rookery. It may 
 often have been a matter 
 of wonder that their nests 
 or cities built on high, with their black inhabitants, have not, 
 when the wind has blown violently, all tumbled down together. 
 But rooks, like other birds, not only know when and where to 
 build, but how to build to make their homes secure. 
 
 Although as a rule rooks constitute a happy family, now 
 and then their peace is interrupted, and discordant elements 
 are sometimes at work among them. They are very jealous 
 of strangers who may try to intrude themselves in a rookery 
 to which they do not belong. This appears to produce among 
 the old proprietors of the nests in such a rookery great] ex- 
 citement and indignation ; so much so, as some have stated, 
 
 Rook.
 
 94 Our Birds in Black. 
 
 that they assemble a rook parliament for consultation as to 
 the best mode of punishing the intruder. 
 
 Be this as it may, it is well known that if a rook is too lazy 
 to build a nest for itself, and takes possession of another, the 
 act is noticed by other members of the colony, especially by the 
 owners of the nest, who give it timely notice to quit. If this is 
 not done quietly and quickly, the invader is ejected by main 
 force, sometimes at the cost of his life. 
 
 Occasionally young members of the rook family attempt to 
 build nests outside the limits habitually established, on which 
 the other members of the republic destroy their handiwork as 
 soon as formed, and enforce conformity to ancient custom 
 and the will of the majority. White says, ' Some unhappy 
 pairs are not permitted to finish any nest till the rest have 
 completed their building, and that, sometimes they pull each 
 other's nests to pieces.' The same author informs us that 
 ' as soon as rooks have finished their nests, and before they 
 lay, the cocks begin to feed the hens, who receive that bounty 
 with a fondling tremulous voice and fluttering wings, and all 
 the little blandishments that are expressed by the young while 
 in a helpless state. This gallant deportment of the males is 
 continued through the whole season of incubation.' 
 
 Markwick states that ' After the first brood of rooks is 
 sufficiently fledged they all leave their nests in the daytime, 
 and resort to some distant place in search of food, but return 
 regularly every evening, in vast flights, to their nest-trees, 
 where, after flying round several times with much noise and 
 clamour till they are all assembled together, they take up their 
 abode for the night.' 
 
 Rooks are. furnished with bills well adapted in length, 
 strength, and shape for digging in the soil, in which they find 
 their food. Although they may consume newly sown seed or 
 ripening grain, they are useful to the farmer in checking the 
 too rapid increase of the grub of the cockchafer, red and white 
 wireworms, and other forms of destructive insect-life. 
 
 The rook has been confounded with the crow on account 
 of the similarity in their appearance. Rooks live in flocks 
 crows in pairs, and the latter also feed upon carrion and small 
 animals, which rooks are not known to interfere with. Rooks 
 exhibit considerable forethought in repairing their nests during 
 the autumn, as if they knew this was necessary to secure
 
 Tlie Rooks and the Bugle. 95 
 
 them against the high winds and storms of the coming winter. 
 These birds are, by Act of Parliament, protected during the 
 close, or breeding season. 
 
 NOTICE TO QUIT. Rooks are sagacious. Some very old 
 elm-trees, in which was a rookery, not far from London, were 
 condemned to be cut down and young ones planted in their 
 place. The oldest of the trees were first doomed, and a piece 
 of their bark taken off to indicate their fate. These trees were 
 soon forsaken by the rooks, and it was afterwards observed 
 that when the other elms were marked in a similar manner 
 the rooks at once forsook the trees, as if fully aware that the 
 removal of the bark was a notice to quit. 
 
 THE GUN AND THE CRUTCH. The rook has been known 
 to fly from a man carrying a crutch on his shoulder, and yet 
 to endure the approach of the same man when he walked 
 with a limping gait with the crutch under his arm. 
 
 THE LAWYER'S ROOKERY. About the commencement of 
 the Volunteer movement there existed a rookery in a part of 
 London much frequented by gentlemen learned in the law. 
 All went on very pleasantly with the rooks until permission 
 was granted to one of the Volunteer corps to drill in an open 
 space of ground contiguous to the rookery. The birds did 
 not object to the tramping, the manoeuvring, and other et- 
 ceteras of military training, but they were not disposed to 
 tolerate the sound of the bugle which called the men to drill, 
 so they forsook the locality entirely, and remained away for 
 some time. Their departure was so much regretted by the 
 property-holders and renters of chambers in the place referred 
 to, that at their request the drill was discontinued. At the 
 following season the rooks returned to their old quarters, 
 again occupied their nests, in which they reared their young, 
 and there they have remained ever since, no doubt well 
 pleased and grateful to those gentlemen who appreciated their 
 caws, and did not object to their company. 
 
 The poet Crabbe thus speaks of these birds : 
 
 ' Rooks unnumbered build their nests 
 Deliberate birds, and prudent all ; 
 Their notes, indeed, are harsh and rude, 
 But they're a social multitude.' 
 
 SYMPATHETIC FEELING OF ROOKS. The following singular 
 example of affecting sagacity and social feeling by which rooks
 
 f)6 Our Birds in Black. 
 
 are characterized is mentioned by Dr. Percival in his ' Disser- 
 tations ' : ' A large colony of rooks had subsisted many years 
 in a grove on the banks of the river Irwell, near Manchester. 
 One serene evening I placed myself within view of it, and 
 marked with attention the various labours, pastimes, and evo- 
 lutions of this crowded society. The idle members amused 
 themselves with chasing each other through endless mazes, 
 and in their flight they made the round with an infinitude of 
 discordant noises. In the midst of these playful exertions it 
 unfortunately happened that one rook, by a sudden turn, 
 struck his beak against the wing of another. The sufferer in- 
 stantly fell into the river. A general cry of distress ensued. 
 The birds hovered with every expression of anxiety over their 
 distressed companion. Animated by their sympathy, and 
 perhaps by the language of animals, known to themselves, he 
 sprang into the air, and by one strong effort reached the point 
 of a rock which projected into the river ; the joy became loud 
 and universal ; but alas ! it was soon changed into notes of 
 lamentation, for the poor wounded bird, in attempting to fly 
 towards his nest, dropped again into the river, and was 
 drowned, amid the moans of his whole fraternity.' 
 
 THE RAVEN. Although very many birds are mentioned 
 in the Scriptures, there are but few of them more prominently 
 referred to, or more intimately associated with many of the 
 important events recorded therein, than the raven; a fact 
 which invests the study of this bird with more than ordinary 
 interest. At the time of the Deluge Noah sent out of the 
 ark a raven, which went to and fro, until the waters were dried 
 up from the earth. When God commanded Elijah to hide 
 himself by the brook Cherith, He said : ' And it shall be that 
 thou shall drink of the brook ; and I have commanded the 
 ravens to feed thee there. . . . And the ravens brought him 
 bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the 
 evening; and he drank of the brook.' Ravens are specially 
 spoken of as being the objects of God's care : ' He giveth to 
 the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.' These 
 birds are also represented as agents employed to punish the 
 wicked : ' The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth 
 to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, 
 and the young eagles shall eat it.' 
 
 Ravens belong to the same family as the rook, and are
 
 Characteristics of the Raven. 97 
 
 found in almost every part of the world. Their general colour 
 is black, finely glossed with blue. 'They are bold, keen, 
 and sagacious.' As they live partly on carrion, fruit and 
 insects, their beaks are intermediate between that of the vul- 
 ture and woodpecker. Their bills are straight, so that they 
 can inflict a severe wound by thrusting; they are a little 
 hooked at the end, by which they can keep a firm hold on 
 anything and tear it to pieces. They defend their nests 
 against eagles and vultures in a very vigorous manner, but 
 not against man. 
 
 Many ravens are two feet long ; they usually mate for life, 
 and some of them live to be a hundred years old. They live 
 in pairs, and build their nests in high trees, sometimes in 
 rocks. They brave the rigour of an Arctic winter ; but some 
 of them travel southward when the weather is severe. Like 
 jackdaws, magpies, and parrots, ravens may be taught to arti- 
 culate words and short sentences, which they sometimes utter 
 with great distinctness and emphasis. Lee says : ' They speak 
 so plainly that they have more than once been known, by 
 uttering exclamations of surprise and alarm, to turn out a 
 guard of soldiers when placed in the neighbourhood.' 
 
 DOMESTIC RAVENS, when taken very young, become ex- 
 ceedingly amusing. Some of their characteristics are remark- 
 able and interesting. These birds are, however, generally 
 busy, inquisitive, and impudent ; they go where their fancy 
 leads them ; they affront and drive off the dogs, play pranks 
 on the poultry, and are particularly careful to ingratiate them- 
 selves into the favour of the cook, who with them is a much- 
 loved and valued friend. 
 
 RAVENS AS EVIL OMENS. In times of ignorance, these 
 birds were looked upon with apprehension. This, no doubt, 
 arose from their black colour, disagreeable croak, and fetid 
 odour. Linnaeus says, 'that in the southern provinces of 
 Sweden ravens have been seen soaring along amid a thunder- 
 storm and electric fires, which seemed to stream from their 
 bills, enough to terrify the ignorant and superstitious, and to 
 make them stamp these birds with the attributes of a demon.' 
 
 We are informed by Jesse that ' A sober hind at work in a 
 certain neighbourhood stated that his companion had been 
 warned of his approaching death in consequence of a raven 
 having always croaked when it flew over his head.' 
 
 7
 
 98 Our Birds in Black. 
 
 In Eastern countries the raven has been held in great vener- 
 ation as being the bird who fed the prophet in the wilderness. 
 Even the Romans, who thought the bird ominous, paid it, 
 from motives of fear, the most profound veneration. 
 
 How RAVENS CLING TO THEIR EGGS. If birds and other 
 animals are bold in defence of their offspring, which they 
 almost invariably are, they are equally tenacious in clinging 
 to their eggs during the time of incubation. We are 'informed 
 by one writer that he once lifted a hen blackbird off her 
 nest, but that she came back when he had removed a few 
 feet away. Referring to the devotion birds exhibit while 
 sitting on their eggs, White gives the following remarkable 
 instance. He says, 'that a small wood called Losels was 
 furnished with a set of oaks of peculiar growth and value. In 
 the centre stood a tree which, though stately and tall on the 
 whole, bulged out into a large excrescence about the middle 
 of the stem. On this oak a pair of ravens had fixed their 
 residence for such a series of years that the oak was distin- 
 guished by the title of the Raven Tree. 
 
 ' Many were the attempts of the neighbouring youth to get 
 at their eyrie ; the difficulty whetted their inclinations, and 
 each was ambitious of surmounting the arduous task. But 
 when they arrived at the swelling, it jutted out so in their 
 way, and was so far beyond their grasp, that the most daring 
 lads were awed, and acknowledged the undertaking to be too 
 hazardous ; so the ravens built on, nest upon nest, in perfect 
 security, till the fatal day arrived in which the wood was to be 
 levelled. * 
 
 ' It was in the month of February, when these birds usually 
 sit. The saw was applied to the butt, the wedges were 
 inserted into the opening, the woods echoed to the heavy 
 blow of the beetle, mall, or mallet, the tree nodded to its fall ; 
 but still the dam sat on. At last, when it gave way, the bird 
 was flung from her nest, and though her parental affection 
 deserved a better fate, was whipped down by the twigs, which 
 brought her dead to the ground.' 
 
 A FAMILIAR RAVEN. 'In October, 1822, there was in the 
 possession of Mr. James Weymess, the gamekeeper at Riddle- 
 
 * It appears that wood was required to repair the bridge at the Toy, 
 'near Hampton Court. Twenty of the finest trees were used for this 
 purpose.
 
 A Clever Ratcatcher. 99 
 
 ham Hope, the seat of Charles John Clavering, Esq., a young 
 raven, fifteen months old, which was taken from the nest when 
 very young, and brought up by the keeper with the dogs. It 
 was so completely domesticated that it would go out with the 
 keeper and the dogs, and when it took its flight farther than 
 usual, at the sound of the whistle it would return and perch 
 upon a tree or a wall and watch all their movements. It was 
 no uncommon thing for it to go to the moors with him, and 
 to return, a distance of ten or twelve miles. It would even 
 enter a village with the keeper, partake ' of the same refresh- 
 ment, and never leave him until he returned home a circum- 
 stance, perhaps, never yet recorded in the annals of natural 
 history.' 
 
 THE RAVEN RATCATCHER. 'A gentleman in Perthshire 
 brought up and kept a tame raven in his stables, which 
 proved of great use in destroying rats, and this he performed 
 with a degree of cunning and adroitness which could scarcely 
 be exceeded by human intelligence. The time he fixed on 
 for his work of destruction was generally in the forenoon, 
 when the servants were out airing the horses. On such 
 occasions Jacob (this was the raven's name) took care to pro- 
 vide himself with a bone on which there was some meat, and 
 this he placed opposite the rats' holes in front of the crib, and 
 then perched himself above, watching with a steady and clear 
 look the spot where the bone was laid. This bait seldom 
 failed to attract the scent of the rats when all was quiet, and 
 no sooner did they make their appearance than he darted 
 down on them, and seldom missed his aim ; and having seized 
 them, they were despatched in an instant. And what was 
 singular, he did not eat them when at first secured, for he 
 generally carried them to the sill of a window, returning to 
 the sport, in which he seemed to take great interest. And he 
 has been known to kidnap half a dozen in a forenoon. When 
 his sport was interrupted by the return of the horses, he 
 carried off his booty, one by one, to a neighbouring tree, 
 where there was an old crow's nest, in which he deposited the 
 spoil, and fed on them at his leisure.' 
 
 THE RAVEN AND GLOVES. ' Many years since a man in 
 Sunderland, being employed in hedging near to an old stone 
 quarry, went to eat his dinner in a deep excavation in order 
 to be sheltered from the weather, which was very stormy, and 
 
 72
 
 IOO Our Birds in Black. 
 
 as he went along, pulled off his hedging-gloves and threw 
 them down at some distance from each other. While at his 
 repast, he observed a raven pick up one of them, with which 
 it flew away, and very soon afterwards returned and carried 
 off the other. The man, being greatly surprised, rose to see 
 if he could trace where the bird had gone with his gloves. 
 He scarcely had cleared the quarry before he saw large frag- 
 ments fall down into the very place where he had been seated, 
 and where, if he had continued a minute longer, he must 
 inevitably have been crushed to pieces.' 
 
 THREE FUNNY RAVENS. 'A raven called the "Parson" 
 lived in a stable, and observed that when the groom tickled 
 his favourite horse behind the shoulder, the hind-legs of the 
 horse would go up, and the groom would frequently say to 
 the playful animal, " Ha, Jack ! go it, old fellow !" One day 
 the groom heard capers and noise in the stable, and approach- 
 ing the door, was astonished by the sound of his own voice 
 inside "Ha, Jack! go it, old fellow!" Upon entering the 
 stable, he found the raven perched on the horse's hind 
 quarters, pulling hairs out of Jack's tail, and responding 
 regularly to the horse's kicks with the groom's exclamation, 
 " Ha, Jack ! go it, old fellow !" 
 
 ' Another, addicted to peeping and listening from the porch 
 of a chapel during divine service, heard the minister say 
 repeatedly, " Let us pray." On the occasion of a tea-party at 
 the Squire's Hall, this animal was brought into the drawing- 
 room to amuse the assembled company with his tricks. Set 
 down, he looked about him, nothing abashed. Presently 
 kenning an old well-known antiquary, clad in a dark snuff- 
 coloured suit, whose head and shoulders only were visible 
 o'ver the top of a high-backed chair, on which the worthy 
 man happened at that very moment to be kneeling, our sable 
 hero, assuming a solemn attitude, gave out slowly, and in 
 pulpit tones, " Let us pray." Another, who set up his abode 
 at a posting-house in Yorkshire, guarded the yard with the 
 fidelity of a watch-dog, and upon the arrival of a traveller, 
 invariably demanded with a loud voice, "Ostler, come and 
 take the gentleman's horse !" ' 
 
 MRS. GRIMALKIN TONGUE-TIED. A writer in the Workmen's 
 Messenger says : ' Some years ago I was walking along a retired 
 street, when, hopping at some distance before me, I saw a
 
 The Raven and the Cat. 101 
 
 raven, which had evidently strayed from its owner. I ven- 
 tured, though with some misgivings, to stretch out my hand 
 to him ; immediately, with a hoarse croak, he jumped on my 
 wrist, and turned his head sideways to get a good look at me. 
 Having satisfied himself as to my respectability, he settled 
 himself on my wrist, murmuring his pleasure in a series of 
 jerking sounds. 
 
 ' The next day I took him out in the garden to give him a 
 walk. As he marched solemnly along before me, evidently 
 meditating on the changes of life, a large tabby cat, a great 
 pet of mine, sprang suddenly upon him. Being a town-bred 
 cat, she was under the mistake that he would be as easily dis- 
 posed of as a sparrow. What was her horror and dismay 
 when, adroitly thrusting his beak into her open mouth, Jack 
 seized her by the tongue ! Poor pussy ran along the path, 
 struggling to get free, while he hopped beside her, flapping 
 his wings exultingly, until I came to the rescue. Not pitying 
 Mrs. Grimalkin much for the fright she had got, I hoped it 
 would be a warning to her not to interfere with birds in future, 
 she having already, in her love for dainties, demolished several 
 of my pet canaries. 
 
 ' From this time Jack generally paid her a visit once a day, 
 much to her dislike, especially as she had a family of young 
 kittens. Jack would watch his opportunity, and when she 
 least expected it, his roguish eye and shining head would 
 suddenly appear before her startled gaze. 
 
 ' With a spring he would quickly poise himself on the edge 
 of the basket, and after apparently pausing to make a selec- 
 tion, with a sudden dive he would snatch up a kitten, hold 
 it suspended for a moment, and then let it fall back into 
 its place, enjoying with mischievous delight the agony of the 
 mother while he had possession of her offspring. 
 
 ' Jack was an inveterate thief, and hid quite a store of little 
 articles under the edge of the carpet, as a fruit-knife, a pair of 
 scissors, a thimble, etc.' 
 
 1\\& Animal World, referring to CHARLES DICKENS'S RAVENS, 
 says : ' It may not be out of place to copy, for the perusal 
 of our youthful readers, the first part of the preface to 
 " Barnaby Rudge," which gives us a glance at the interest 
 taken by the great author in one member of the great family 
 of "Our Feathered Companions." Who has not read of
 
 IO2 Our Birds in Black. 
 
 " Grip "? " As it is Mr. Waterton's opinion that ravens are 
 gradually becoming extinct in England, I offer a few words 
 here about mine. The raven in this story is a compound of 
 two great originals, of whom I have been, at different times, 
 the proud possessor. The first was in the bloom of his youth 
 when he was discovered in a modest retirement in London, 
 by a friend of mine, and given to me. He had from the first, 
 as Sir H. Evans says of Anne Page, ' good gifts,' which he 
 improved by study and attention in a most exemplary manner. 
 He slept in a stable generally on horseback and so terrified 
 a Newfoundland dog by his preternatural sagacity, that he has 
 been known, by the mere superiority of his genius, to walk off 
 unmolested with the dog's dinner from before his face. He 
 was rapidly rising in acquirements and virtues, when, in an evil 
 hour, his stable was newly painted. He observed the work- 
 men closely, saw that they were careful of the paint, and 
 immediately burned to possess it. On their going to dinner, 
 he ate up all they had left behind, consisting of a pound or 
 two of white lead ; and this youthful indiscretion terminated 
 in death. While I was yet inconsolable for his loss, another 
 friend of mine, in Yorkshire, discovered an older and more 
 gifted raven at a village public-house, which he prevailed upon 
 the landlord to part with for a consideration, and sent up to 
 me. The first act of this ' Sage ' was to administer to the 
 effects of his predecessor, by disinterring all the cheese and 
 halfpence he had buried in the garden a work of immense 
 labour and research to which he devoted all the energies of 
 his mind. When he had achieved this task, he applied him- 
 self to the acquisition of stable language, in which he soon 
 became such an adept, that he would perch outside my 
 window and drive imaginary horses with great skill all day. 
 Perhaps even I never saw him at his best, for his former 
 master sent his duty with him, ' and if I wished the bird to 
 come out very strong, would I be so good as to show him a 
 drunken man,' which I never did, having (unfortunately) none 
 but sober people at hand. But I could hardly have respected 
 him more, whatever the stimulating influences of this sight 
 might have been. He had not the least respect, I am sorry 
 to say, for me in return, or for anybody but the cook, to 
 whom he was attached ; but only, I fear, as a policeman 
 might have been. Once I met him unexpectedly, about half
 
 Charles Dick ens s Ravens. 103 
 
 a mile off, walking down the middle of the public street 
 attended by a pretty large crowd, and spontaneously exhibiting 
 the whole of his accomplishments. His gravity under those 
 trying circumstances I never can forget, nor the extraordinary 
 gallantry with which, refusing to be brought home, he defended 
 himself behind a pump, until overpowered by numbers. It 
 may have been that he was too bright a genius to live long, 
 or it may have been that he took some pernicious substance 
 into his bill, and thence into his maw, which is not improbable, 
 seeing that he new pointed the greater part of the garden-wall 
 by digging out the mortar, broke countless squares of glass by 
 scraping away the putty all round the frames, and tore up and 
 swallowed, in splinters, the greater part of a wooden staircase 
 of six steps and a landing ; but after some three years he too 
 was taken ill and died before the kitchen fire. He kept his 
 eye to the last upon the meat as it roasted, and suddenly 
 turned over on his back with a sepulchral cry of ' Cuckoo !' 
 Since then I have been ravenless." 
 
 ' The great author himself is now silent in death, but his 
 affection towards all living creatures, " man and bird and 
 beast," still lives and endears his memory to many thousands 
 of mankind ; for in this respect, like his own Barnaby, " he 
 was known to every bird and beast about the place, and had 
 a name for every one of them." But we are reminded also, 
 when we look upon the raven, of Southey, Byron, Longfellow, 
 and Poe, who have told us something of the pranks, virtuous 
 and vicious, of this clever bird ; and of Goldsmith also, who 
 says he " heard a raven sing the ' Black Joke ' with great 
 distinctness, truth, and humour." There can be no doubt 
 about the linguistic powers of our hero throughout all ages, 
 for he is at the head of talking birds.' 
 
 CROWS. These birds seldom associate in flocks, but for 
 the most part remain in pairs. The crow is very much like 
 the raven in form and habits, but much smaller. The bill 
 is more curved than the rook's, and its voice is hoarser. 
 They feed upon whatever comes in their way. Montagu 
 says that he saw one pursue a pigeon, on which it pounced 
 like a hawk, and another that knocked a pigeon dead from a 
 barn-floor. 
 
 There is a story told that seems almost incredible. A 
 crow, perceiving a brood of young chickens, fourteen in
 
 IO4 
 
 Our Birds in Black. 
 
 Crow. 
 
 number, under the care of a parent hen, picked up one of 
 them ; but a young lady, seeing what had happened, suddenly 
 
 pulled up the window, 
 and calling out loudly, the 
 plunderer dropped his 
 prey. In the course of 
 the day, however, the 
 audacious and calculating 
 robber, accompanied by 
 thirteen others, came to 
 the place" where the 
 chickens were, and each 
 seizing one, got clean off 
 with the whole brood at 
 once. Clearly they must 
 have a language by which 
 to carry out such a plot as this. That crow told all the rest. 
 
 As crows are found in nearly all countries, and as their 
 habits are similar, we will refer to the 
 
 CROWS OF CEYLON. Mr. Holman states that in Ceylon 
 these birds are so audacious, that when the natives are 
 returning home with baskets of provisions on their heads they 
 are often attacked by these voracious birds, who pounce upon 
 the contents and devour them. They will plunder children, 
 and even dogs. 
 
 THE DOG AND HIS BONE. It is amusing to see the art they 
 use to dispossess a dog of a bone. No sooner has the animal 
 laid himself down to enjoy his meal than a predatory covey 
 descend and hover over him. One, more daring than the 
 rest, alights, and advances towards him with the self-possession 
 of an invited guest, when the dog lets fall his bone, and 
 makes an indignant snap at the pertinacious intruder, which 
 dexterously eludes the bite ; while, at the instant the dog's 
 attention is diverted, another crow, who has been vigilantly 
 watching the opportunity, seizes the coveted treasure and 
 bears it off. 
 
 AN UNLOOKED-FOR EXPOSURE. Some years ago there was 
 a tame crow about the Manse of Hay, in Orkney, which 
 became so familiar as to visit all the apartments of the house, 
 whenever doors or windows were left open. Crows, as is well 
 known, are greatly addicted to pilfering, and our hero, not to
 
 TJie Crow and the Cards. 105 
 
 be unlike his neighbours, perpetrated several achievements of 
 this kind, of which the following is one of the more remark- 
 able. One day about noon, a pack of cards was left on a 
 table in the dining-room. The minister, who happened to go 
 out with a friend, on his return wished to lay up the cards, 
 but could not find them in any part of the house. Some time 
 after, one of the family looking out of the window, which had 
 been left open, saw all the cards arranged, face upward, on a 
 garden wall which extended in a right line from the window. 
 The mysterious disappearance of the cards was soon explained. 
 The crow, strolling into the room, and seeing the unseemly 
 sight of cards on a minister's table, had resolved to remove 
 them ; and to give as much publicity as possible to the affair, 
 laid them out one by one on the top of a wall. But little 
 perhaps did he imagine that his exploit would one day shine 
 in the annals of science, affording testimony to the sagacity of 
 the crows of Orkney, and the unorthodoxy of its ministers. 
 
 CROWS IN CONCLAVE. A lady resident at Dorking, in 
 Surrey, was very much surprised some months ago at seeing 
 about twenty crows sitting on a neighbouring tree, apparently 
 in solemn conclave. After an hour's deliberation they all 
 flew away, and shortly afterwards a crow, almost pecked to 
 death, was found at the foot of the tree. Stanley mentions 
 the same thing as occurring in Scotland and the Faroe Islands. 
 
 CROWS 'THE BLESSING OF GOD.' Crows are useful in de- 
 stroying caterpillars, which are often very destructive to wheat 
 crops. In Barbadoes the negroes call the common black 
 crow ' the blessing of God,' Because it destroys the cockroaches 
 which infest that place. Some years ago, in certain parts of 
 America, the crows were driven away by incessant firing, 
 through which the number of obnoxious insects so increased 
 that the farmers found to their sorrow they had made a mis- 
 take by driving these scavengers away, and so they all agreed 
 to stop the firing, and to suffer the persecuted crows to return 
 and occupy again their old quarters. 
 
 JACKDAWS are also birds in black, and are common in Eng- 
 land ; they live in flocks, and build their nests sometimes in 
 trees, but more generally in old ruins, towers, and church 
 steeples, where, dressed in their coats of glossy black, they 
 attend, if not to the sacred duties of a divine service, yet to 
 the parental obligations and pleasures of rearing their young
 
 106 Our Birds in Black. 
 
 broods. Could jackdaws learn the moral lesson which close 
 proximity to a church steeple, and the services which are con- 
 ducted in the nave below, should teach to all mankind, they 
 would no doubt become less inclined to appropriate to them- 
 selves what is really not legally their own, but the property of 
 other beings. 
 
 It is worthy of notice that the same jackdaws will year after 
 year hover round, perch upon, and make their homes in the 
 towers of our ancient cathedrals and churches. Why they 
 should do so may be difficult to explain, only that it is their 
 instinct to do so. Are they lovers of what is antiquated? 
 Do they find a charm in and admire the different orders of 
 architecture in those fine buildings? Or do they love the 
 chiming bells, the sound of which, mingling with their own 
 'Yak-yak,' they consider to be the sweetest of all music ? Our 
 poet Cowper, in playful humour, says of the jackdaw that 
 he is 
 
 ' A great frequenter of the church, 
 Where, bishop-like, he finds a perch, 
 And dormitory too.' 
 
 A SCHOLASTIC JACKDAW. ' Among my dumb companions,' 
 says W. F., 'my chief favourite has long been, and still is, a 
 tame jackdaw. Every morning he makes his way to the 
 school-room, where he remains until the dismissal of the 
 school ; he then leaves, and struts complacently forth among 
 the boys, with whom he is a great favourite, although at times 
 he is very mischievous. 
 
 ' I may mention that though liberated on Sundays as on 
 other days, he never attempts to make his way to the room, 
 which is unoccupied on that day. During the vacations, the 
 poor fellow approaches the school-door once every day at the 
 usual time, gives it a melancholy peck or two, and then 
 retreats to the barn, where he mopes most of his time away 
 till the return to school of his "dear boys."' 
 
 THE JACKDAW'S CARTE-DE-VISITE. The following carte-de- 
 visite is given by the author of 'British Birds.' He says: 
 'The jackdaw is a remarkably active, pert, and talkative 
 fellow, ever cheerful, always on the alert, and ready either for 
 business or frolic. He is more agreeable than the raven, and 
 withal extremely fond of society ; for, not content with having
 
 About Jackdaws. 107 
 
 a flock of his own folk about him, he often thrusts himself 
 into a gang of rooks, and in winter sometimes takes up his 
 entire abode with them. The rooks make him welcome. 
 How do we know what amusement they (with their stolid 
 gravity and solemn dignity) find in him, with all his fun and 
 loquacity ?' 
 
 Jackdaws, like rooks, are excellent weather prophets. If 
 they fly back to their roosts in the forenoon, or early in the 
 afternoon, a storm may be expected that evening, or early in 
 the morning. 
 
 THE JACKDAW'S FAILINGS. The Rev. J. G. Wood speaks 
 of one jackdaw which had learnt the art of kindling lucifer 
 matches, and thus became a very dangerous inmate, busying 
 himself in this way when the family was in bed, though fortu- 
 nately he seems to have done nothing worse than light the 
 kitchen fire, which had been laid ready for kindling over-night. 
 He frightened himself terribly at first by the explosion and 
 the sulphur fumes, and burned himself into the bargain. But 
 I do not find that, like the burnt child, he afterwards feared 
 the fire, and so discontinued j:he dangerous trick. 
 
 Jackdaws are so mischievous that, after a gardener has 
 planted cabbages or similar things, and has left his work, they 
 will descend from their watching-place and pluck up every plant 
 he has put in the ground. They will, when they have a 
 chance, turn over and tear leaves out of a book, and unwind 
 a ball of thread or worsted, etc. 
 
 DRUNKEN JACKDAW. A curious story is told of a tame 
 jackdaw which belonged to a publican living at Gilmerton, 
 near Edinburgh. It appears that half a glass of whisky was 
 left on the table, when Jackie flew up and began to drink the 
 spirits, which seemed to please his palate so much that he 
 drank a large quantity. He soon felt the effects his wings 
 dropped, and he half closed his eyes ; he staggered in his 
 walk, but managed to get to the edge of the table, from which 
 he wanted to fly, but he dared not venture. At last his eyes 
 closed, he fell on his back with his legs in the air, and looked 
 altogether like death. He was then rolled in a piece of flannel 
 and put in a box. Next morning the family expected to find 
 him defunct, but it was not so. He had got out of the flannel, 
 and when the door was opened, down he went into a court- 
 yard, where he drank water very copiously from a basin, used
 
 io8 Our Birds in Black. 
 
 by the fowls, several times during the day. Although he 
 appeared to be no worse for getting drunk, he never again 
 would taste whisky. 
 
 JACK AND THE OSTLER'S SON. The son of the ostler at 
 the Bush, at Staines, had a jackdaw, whose affection for him 
 was the wonder of all who knew them. Such confidence had 
 the owner in the jackdaw's devotion to him, that on one occa- 
 sion when he was setting off from Staines to Hounslow, on 
 horseback, he made a wager of two bowls of punch that the 
 bird would obey his call and follow his route. ^ He mounted, 
 and then saying, ' Come, Jack ; I'm going,' put his horse in 
 motion. In a short time the bird's wings were extended, and 
 he attended the progress and return of the ostler's son, leaving 
 not the shadow of a plea for the non-payment of the bet. 
 
 If the jackdaw has some objectionable traits of character 
 and this cannot be denied he has, nevertheless, some re- 
 deeming qualities. He is at all times sprightly, easily tamed, 
 and learns to pronounce words and sentences very quickly, 
 as well as to perform various tricks of the most amusing kinds. 
 Although this bird has been unjustly accused of sucking the 
 ' eggs of pigeons, doves, swallows, ducks, and fowls, he is vastly 
 fond of peas and cherries. When these are out of season he 
 visits gardens and fields for the purpose of feeding upon 
 insects, of which he devours large numbers. 
 
 From what has been said in this chapter, it will be seen 
 that our ' birds in black ' are important and useful links in 
 Nature's chain, and therefore, although sometimes destructive 
 and mischievous in their habits, should not be wantonly 
 destroyed. 
 
 Having said thus much for our birds in black, 
 
 We hope you will give them their due ; 
 Although they can't boast of much beauty or song, 
 
 They all have some duties to do. 
 They toil hard and long for themselves and young, 
 
 Are loving, attentive, and true ; 
 They stick to each other like Britons, I vow, 
 
 A hint both for me and for you.
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 FEATHERED FEEDERS ON FISH, FLESH, AND FOWL. 
 
 Whate'er the instincts of our birds may be, 
 We have no right to view them with disdain ; 
 
 For e'en the eagle, owl, and heron too, 
 Are useful links in Nature's endless chain. 
 
 S amongst human beings a wide difference exists 
 in their power, status, and influence in society, 
 so it is amongst the numerous members of the 
 animal kingdom. Superiority and inferiority 
 are inseparably connected with each other, while 
 supremacy seems to be an indispensable necessity to the 
 well-being, good order, and government of all living things. 
 
 The lion is usually denominated 'The King of the Forest.' 
 Bees are controlled and, in a great measure, guided by the 
 queen of the hive to which they belong. When the same 
 sheep travel or pass through a gap in the hedge from one 
 field to another, it is generally under the leadership of one of 
 their number who may be more intelligent and daring than 
 the rest. 
 
 Thomson says : ' Wild elephants march in troops, the 
 oldest keeping foremost, and the next in age bringing up the 
 rear, while the young and feeble occupy the middle ; but this 
 order is not observed except in perilous marches. In ordinary 
 cases the largest-tusked males put themselves at the head, 
 and if they come to a river are the first to pass it.' In the 
 feathered creation, the eagle is considered to be 'the king 
 of birds.'
 
 1 10 Feathered Feeders on Fish, Flesh, and Fowl. 
 
 THE EAGLE. This bird belongs to the order Accipitres, 
 and family Falconidse. There are many kinds of eagles, viz., 
 the bald eagle, the black eagle, the white eagle, the sea eagle, 
 and the golden eagle. 
 
 The structure of the eagle as a bird of prey is well adapted 
 for rapine and tearing of flesh, its bill being very strong and 
 curved at the top, and its talons sharp and powerful to hold 
 its food securely. This bird is fierce and voracious, and 
 seems to wage a war .of extermination against all other birds 
 and every animal it can overcome. It no doubt prefers the 
 flesh of the animal it has killed, but will not despise that 
 already dead. It has long sight and keen scent, which enable 
 it to find its food with considerable facility. 
 
 The eagle is considered to be very courageous and bold, 
 of great strength, and even to be magnanimous. Poets have 
 called it the ' king of birds,' and in heathen mythology it is 
 denominated the ' bird of Jove,' and regarded as the true 
 emblem of might and dignity. 
 
 The golden eagle is considered to be the noblest of the 
 family ; often measuring in the expansion of its wings seven 
 feet, and from the beak to the tail three feet. It is of a dark 
 brown colour, beautifully shaded, and has been known to weigh 
 sixteen pounds. 
 
 It has been frequently captured in the Highlands of Scot- 
 land, but it is becoming, like many more of our noble birds, 
 exceedingly rare. Instances have been known of eagles at- 
 taining the age of 80 and 100 years, arid a specimen is 
 recorded to have lived at Vienna in confinement for 104 
 years. 
 
 One marvellous feature in the organism of the eagle is to 
 be seen in its wings, which are very broad and concave in 
 their under surface, for the purpose of enabling it to take good 
 hold on the air, and to float in it with ease while its keen eye 
 is in quest of food, which it may see afar off. 
 
 EAGLE'S NEST. The eagle builds its nest of large twigs, 
 lined with layers of reeds, of a flat form, very strong, and 
 several feet in breadth, and always in a situation that is dry 
 and inaccessible to man, so that it may with its young be 
 undisturbed. The same nest has been used for a succession 
 of years. 
 
 Although the eagle is very rapacious it shows great tender-
 
 Young Eagles Learning to Fly. 1 1 1 
 
 ness and solicitude for its young, not only in procuring sus- 
 tenance for them, but in teaching them to fly, and in watching 
 their first feeble efforts to do so. 
 
 If the eaglets should falter for a moment and be in danger 
 of falling, the mother at once darts underneath them, and 
 catching them on her broad wings, bears them back in 
 safety to their nest. This is a beautiful illustration of the 
 fourth verse of the nineteenth chapter of Exodus, in which 
 God speaks of His dealings with His people Israel, ' I have 
 borne thee, saith the Lord, as on eagles' wings.' He had 
 preserved them, saved them from danger, and brought them 
 to a place of safety. 
 
 How EAGLES TEACH THEIR YOUNG TO FLY. This is 
 beautifully described by Humphry Davy, who once had an 
 opportunity of witnessing the proceedings of a pair of eagles 
 after they had left their eyrie. He says : ' I once saw a very 
 interesting sight above one of the crags of Ben Nevis, as I 
 was going in the pursuit of black game. Two parent eagles 
 were teaching their offspring, two young birds, the manoeuvres 
 of flight. They began by rising from the top of a mountain 
 in the eye of the sun. It was about mid-day, and bright for 
 this climate. They at first made small circles, and the young 
 birds imitated them. They paused on their wings, waiting till 
 they had made their first flight, and then took a second and 
 larger gyration, always rising towards the sun, and enlarging 
 their circle of flight, so as to make a gradually extending 
 spiral The young ones still slowly followed, apparently 
 flying better as they mounted ; and they continued this sub- 
 lime kind of exercise, always rising, till they became mere 
 points in the air, and the young ones were lost, and afterwards 
 their parents, to our aching sight' 
 
 The above description is very illustrative of the tender care 
 God has of His people, and of the methods He sometimes 
 adopts to teach them useful lessons. This will appear espe- 
 cially so if considered in connection with what is recorded 
 in Deut. xxxil n, 12, 'As an eagle stirreth up her nest, 
 fluttereth over her young, beareth them on her wings, so 
 the Lord did lead them.' 
 
 STRENGTH OF THE EAGLE. Impelled by the demands of 
 her own voracious appetite, and by maternal affection for her 
 young, the mother eagle has often attacked not only small
 
 112 Feathered Feeders on Fish, Flesh, and Fowl. 
 
 birds, but ducks, geese, and swans ; even hares, fawns, and 
 lambs have supplied this powerful bird of prey and her 
 progeny with many a savoury meal ; and instances are recorded 
 of children having been seized and carried away for the same 
 purpose. 
 
 The Universe contains the following story : ' The last known 
 fact of this kind took place in the Valais in 1838. <\ 
 little girl, five years old, called Marie Delex, was playing with 
 one of her companions on a mossy slope of the mountain, 
 when all at once an eagle swooped down upon- her, and carried 
 her away in spite of the cries and presence of her young friend. 
 Some peasants, hearing the screams, hastened to the spot, 
 but sought in vain for the child, for they found nothing but 
 one of her shoes on the edge of a precipice. The child, 
 however, was not carried to the eagle's nest, where only two 
 eaglets were seen, surrounded by heaps of sheep and goats' 
 bones. It was not till two months after this that a shepherd 
 discovered the corpse of Marie Delex frightfully mutilated, 
 and lying upon a rock half a league from where she had been 
 borne off.' 
 
 EAGLE AND SALMON. Eagles also love the delicacies of 
 our rivers, in which they indulge whenever they find an 
 opportunity of doing so. A salmon, or any other fish, is not, 
 according to their ideas, to be despised. A story is told of a 
 shepherd observing an eagle perched on a bank that over- 
 hung a pool. The bird was intently watching the water; 
 presently it darted down and seized a salmon. A terrible 
 struggle ensued, and the water began to fly in all directions. 
 When the man reached the spot he found both salmon and 
 eagle under the water; the latter was not able to extricate 
 itself, and the other was gasping for its life. So with one 
 blow he broke the eagle's pinion and secured both the bird 
 and its victim. The reason why birds of prey are drowned 
 in this way is that in striking the fish with their talons they 
 do so with very great force, driving them deep into the body 
 of the fish, which suddenly plunges still deeper ; and dragging 
 the bird, who is not able to extricate itself, with it, keeps it 
 under the water until life is extinct in both the one dying 
 from its wounds, the other for want of air. 
 
 A YOUNG GIRL AND HER EAGLE.- ' Pliny relates that there 
 was a wonderful example of the affection of an eagle at the
 
 A Marvellous Story. i r 3 
 
 city Sestos ; on which account that bird became afterwards 
 much honoured in the neighbouring country. A young girl 
 had brought up an eagle by hand. In return for this kind- 
 ness, the bird would go in search of prey, and always returned 
 with part of what it had procured to its nurse, to whom the 
 eagle was devotedly attached. When the eagle grew stronger, 
 she extended her depredations to wild beasts of the forest, and 
 continually provided her mistress with stores of venison. At 
 length the young woman took ill, and died, and when her 
 funeral pile was burning, the eagle flew into the midst of it, 
 and there was consumed to ashes with the corpse of the 
 virgin. In memorial of this extraordinary event, the in- 
 habitants of Sestos erected on the spot a stately monument, 
 which they call Heroum, because the eagle is a bird conse- 
 crated to God.' 
 
 To those who have but a superficial knowledge of animals 
 the above statements may appear to be incredible ; but we 
 may remark that by those who have closely noticed the great 
 affection which animals often show to those who treat them 
 kindly, the story may be believed as coming within the range 
 of probability. What Sir Walter Scott said of dogs, that 
 hardly anything could be told him about them that he could 
 not credit, may be applied to other animals not even except- 
 ing the rapacious eagle. 
 
 A GOLDEN EAGLE AND A DECOY. ' Whilst staying a few 
 days at Manhattan, a little town in Kansas, I spent some 
 hours in the office of a dentist, Dr. C. Blackley, who is also 
 an ornithologist, having stuffed a goodly number of the birds 
 of the State. He was then occupied with a fine specimen of 
 the common pelican ( Pelicanus communis\ one of a flock of 
 over a thousand that passed over the town in the month of 
 April, some of them alighting in the neighbouring marshes 
 These birds are not unfrequent visitors to these far inland 
 regions, and I have known them shot and brought to me from 
 the alkali lakes in Colorado, both regions from 600 to 800 
 miles from the sea. 
 
 ' The doctor told me an amusing incident of a day's wild- 
 goose shooting in the vicinity. He took with him to one of 
 the ponds frequented by wild geese, a stuffed specimen of the 
 Canadian goose to act as a decoy. Having firmly planted his 
 bird in the sand, with its wooden platform well covered over, 
 
 8
 
 1 14 Feathered Feeders on Fish, Flesh, and Fowl 
 
 he lay behind the bushes awaiting a shot. Suddenly there 
 was a rush of wings, and, like a flash of lightning, a golden 
 eagle swept down on the decoy, knocking the bird over, and 
 tearing out some of the stuffing. The eagle then sat down 
 near his prey, staring with amazement at its remarkably 
 quiescent character, as well as at the strange wooden appen- 
 dage attached to its claws. Deeming there was something 
 uncanny about such a goose, and that there might be danger 
 in the neighbourhood, he prudently flew away.' 
 
 Although birds of prey are not eaten by human beings at 
 least not in England they are of great service, especially in 
 hot countries, where these rapacious scavengers devour offal 
 and flesh, which might become putrid and produce pestilential 
 fevers or contagious diseases. 
 
 In our own country they are no doubt useful in destroying 
 vermin of various kinds. It is a great mistake to try to 
 exterminate them, which we fear will be the case unless 
 some check be placed upon the wanton and destructive pro- 
 clivities of those who are ambitious to be considered ' good 
 shots.' 
 
 It is only for a rare bird to make its appearance, and to 
 come within gun-shot, to be the marked victim of some incon- 
 siderate and ignorant man or boy who will try his best to de- 
 prive such a winged visitor of its life ; and then, should he 
 succeed in doing so, to carry it home in triumph as a trophy 
 of cleverness in the use of the gun. 
 
 The noble eagle forms 
 no exception to this fool- 
 ish practice. Within the 
 last few weeks a bird of 
 this tribe was seen flying 
 not far from Brighton, 
 and was shot by some 
 man who happened to be 
 out with his gun in search 
 of other birds. 
 
 THE KINGFISHER. 
 Of this bird there are 
 upwards of fifty species, 
 most of which are natives 
 are some European varieties, 
 
 Kingfisher. 
 
 of Asia and Africa. There
 
 Curious Use of Feathers. 1 1 5 
 
 -M 
 which of course include the one found in our own country. 
 
 Our English kingfisher has very beautiful plumage : colours 
 of nearly all kinds adorn its body, giving it a gay and brilliant 
 appearance. It has been very appropriately named, because 
 it feeds almost entirely on fish, which it procures in streams, 
 canals, and rivers. Its peculiar structure is remarkably well 
 adapted for securing its prey. Its bill is long, strong, and 
 sharp, and with it the bird can transfix a fish as with a 
 spear. 
 
 The feet of the kingfisher are small, fitted neither for wading, 
 standing, nor running, but perfectly suitable for perching on 
 small twigs which overhang the water, and on which it watches 
 and waits very patiently with its long beak directed down- 
 wards. The moment a small fish appears, the bird plunges 
 into the water, and soon rises to the surface with it between 
 its bills. It then perches on a tree ; and, after grasping the 
 fish firmly by the tail, beats its head against a branch to de- 
 prive it of what life remains, and then swallows it, or conveys 
 it to its nest to feed the young, which are very voracious, and 
 always ready to devour the meal the parent has provided for 
 them. 
 
 Baird informs us that ' this bird was known to the ancients 
 by the name of " Halcyon," and many fabulous stories are 
 told of it by the early writers. They supposed that it built its 
 nest upon the surface of the sea, amongst the foam of the 
 waves, and that it had the power of calming the troubled deep 
 during the time of incubation. They only sat on their floating 
 nest a few days, and during that short period, which was in 
 the depth of winter, the mariner might, they said, sail in per- 
 fect security. Those days were hence termed " Halcyon 
 days." The Tartars and Ostiacs amongst whom this bird, 
 or a nearly allied species, is found preserve its skin about 
 their persons in a purse, and reckon it a preservative against 
 every ill. The feathers are used by them as love amulets, and 
 they believe that if a woman is touched by a feather which 
 floats on water, she will be induced to fall in love with the 
 person who uses it.' 
 
 The kingfisher makes a home in the banks of rivers. 
 During the time of incubation the male bird is very affec- 
 tionate, working hard to supply the mother with food. 
 
 THE LAPWING. This bird, sometimes called peewit, belongs
 
 1 1 6 Feathered Feeders on Fish, Flesh, and Fowl. 
 
 Lapwing. 
 
 to the order Grallse, and is found in every part of our own 
 country, and especially in Scotland. It frequents open sea- 
 shores and wide moorland wastes. It has a peculiar cry, 
 
 which seems to be in har- 
 mony with the solitude of 
 those places. 
 
 Its plumage is very 
 handsome ; and on its 
 head is a long crest lying 
 backwards, which it can 
 erect and lower at plea- 
 sure. 
 
 Although living in the 
 midst of dreary wastes 
 and by the lone sea- 
 shore, it is a very lively, 
 interesting, and frolic- 
 some bird, and shows 
 very strong maternal instinct for its young, which are reared 
 in nests scooped out of heathy hillocks. 
 
 It is said the mother lapwing will, when her nest is likely 
 to be discovered, tumble over and over as if it could not 
 fly, or feign lameness to lure the sportsman away, which it 
 usually succeeds in doing. In the month of October lapwings 
 are considered excellent eating. Their eggs, which are sold 
 at a very high price, are reckoned to be great delicacies, and 
 are known as 'plover's eggs.' The plover belongs to the same 
 family. 
 
 As the lapwing is a bird well known in our own country, we 
 venture to give the following curious and somewhat romantic 
 information on the authority of an English translation of the 
 Koran, by G. Sale, p. 283 : 
 
 SOLOMON AND THE LAPWING. ' And Solomon was David's 
 heir, and he said, O man, we have been taught the speech of 
 birds, and have had all things bestowed on us ; this is mani- 
 fest excellence. And his armies were gathered together unto 
 Solomon, consisting of genii and men and birds; . . . and 
 Solomon viewed the birds, and said, What is the reason that 
 I see not the lapwing ? Is she absent ? Verily I will chastise 
 her with a severe chastisement, or I will put her to death, un- 
 less she bring me a just excuse.'
 
 How Olds are Regarded. 117 
 
 Commenting on the above statements, the Arab historians 
 tell us ' that Solomon, having finished the temple of Jerusalem, 
 went in pilgrimage to Mecca, where having stayed as long as 
 he pleased, he proceeded towards Yaman ; and leaving Mecca 
 in the morning, he arrived by noon at Sanaa, and, being ex- 
 tremely delighted with the country, rested there ; but wanting 
 water to make the ablution, he looked among the birds for the 
 lapwing, called by the Arabs " Al Hesdbud," whose business 
 it was to find it ; for it is pretended she was sagacious or 
 sharpsighted enough to discover water underground, which 
 the devils used to draw, after she had marked the place by 
 digging with her bill,' etc. 
 
 Referring to the chastisement threatened by Solomon to be 
 given to the lapwing, the above historians state it was to con- 
 sist in ' plucking off her feathers, and setting her in the sun to 
 be tormented by the insects, or by shutting her up in a cage,' 
 which, if the reader will make himself acquainted with the 
 cause of the lapwing's absence, as stated in the Koran, he will 
 see would not only have been too severe, but that even the 
 threat was altogether undeserved. 
 
 OWLS. Owls are nocturnal birds belonging to the order 
 Accipitres, and are very rapacious. 
 They live upon insects, birds, reptiles, 
 and small mammalia, which they hunt 
 for after nightfall, when they are less 
 likely to be noticed or disturbed. 
 They love seclusion, and during the 
 daytime hide themselves in thick ivy, 
 deep forests, old ruins, or the fissures 
 of rocks. Their eggs are white, and V 
 the young are covered with soft down, n 
 
 The antipathies of individuals and \ 
 of nations sometimes take very strange 
 directions, and often exist against 
 
 certain animals without their being able to give any really 
 satisfactory reason for those antipathies. In every age and in 
 every country superstitious notions have prevailed respecting 
 owls, as they have been regarded with grave suspicion by 
 some, and with horror as birds of ill-omen by others. 
 
 The Red Americans of the far West, although well ac- 
 quainted with the habits and uses of the birds of their wide
 
 1 1 8 FeatJtered Feeders on Fish, Flesh, and Fowl. 
 
 wild forests and prairies, look upon the owl as foreboding 
 some disaster to themselves, and therefore give it no welcome. 
 This is all the more remarkable because this bird is, in the 
 Scriptures, always associated with desolation. 
 
 On the other hand, we find both the Greeks and Romans 
 of ancient times always considered the owl as an emblem of 
 wisdom, and sacred to Minerva. In some of the remote and 
 less frequented districts of England, the owl's scream is re- 
 garded by the peasantry as ominous of ill-luck, sickness, or 
 death in their own family, or in their circle of friends. 
 
 THE TAWNY OWL. The screech of the tawny owl is cer- 
 tainly by no means melodious, nor calculated to inspire the 
 timid and fearful with courage, especially if it should proceed 
 from some ivy-mantled church, the ruins of some haunted 
 castle, or thick dark forest during the 
 
 ' Very witching time of night, 
 When churchyards yawn, and hell itself 
 Breathes out contagion to this world.' 
 
 And perhaps equally solemn and objectionable is its ' To- 
 whit too-whoo,' uttered as it passes a lonely cottage just at 
 the very moment when the inmates are falling into a state of 
 sweet and slumbering forgetfulness, or it may be as Morpheus 
 is conveying them into dreamland, there to enjoy ambrosial 
 sweets in Elysian fields. 
 
 The screech of the owl at such times may be very annoying 
 and particularly unmusical, but what it has to do with human 
 sickness, ill-fortune, or death, or why it should be considered 
 ominous of these things, it is difficult to say. 
 
 THE OWL AND THE RAILWAY PORTER. A railway porter 
 belonging to an intermediate station in Sussex was sent, late 
 in the evening, with a parcel to a gentleman's house some 
 distance off. On his return it was dark, and having to pass 
 through a wood, he took the wrong beaten path, which not only, 
 detained him, but so perplexed and troubled him that he 
 knew not how to extricate himself from his sad dilemma. 
 While pondering over what he should do, he was startled by 
 a sonorous ' To-whit to-whoo !' uttered just over his head. 
 
 ' Oh dear !' he said, ' who am I ? Why, I am Jemmy P , 
 
 porter at the station, and I've lost my way. Oh dear, oh dear ! 
 do help me out, and tell me the right road.' ' To-whit to- 
 whoo !' again fell upon his ears ; when poor Jemmy, now
 
 The Railway Porter's Dilemma. 119 
 
 confused as well as perplexed, repeated : ' I've told 'ee. I'm 
 porter at the railway station, and I'm lost, lost, lost !' The 
 terrified man got no answer but a third ' To-whit to-whoo !' 
 which nearly drove him to desperation. What his state of 
 mind might have become had he not heard the fluttering 
 of wings amongst the trees, which convinced him that he 
 had been answering the peculiar cry of some owl, it is very 
 difficult to tell. He had mistaken the 'To whit to-whoo!' for 
 the question, ' Who are you ?' hence the reason why he made 
 a revelation of his status at the station, so promptly gave his 
 name, and so beseechingly implored assistance in his dark 
 dilemma. We have been told that as long as Jemmy remained at 
 the station he was constantly teazed about this little adventure. 
 Pie was therefore compelled, in order to avoid the annoyance, 
 to take his departure to some other scene of employment. 
 
 The structure of the owl is deeply interesting. Being a 
 bird of the night, it has a very acute sense of smelling, which 
 helps considerably in guiding it to its prey. Like most other 
 animals that are nocturnal in their habits, the owl has large 
 and beautiful eyes, which are a necessity, because large eyes 
 can take in a wider range of view, and admit more light than 
 small ones. The eyes of fish that live deep in the water are 
 larger than those that live near the surface. 
 
 For the uses and other particulars respecting the owl we 
 refer the reader to our volume entitled ' Facts and Phases of 
 Animal Life.' 
 
 AN OWL FEIGNING DEATH. The following amusing story 
 appears in the Literary Miscellany : 'Mr. Wales, of Bellingham, 
 Massachusetts, relates a cunning trick of an owl caught poach- 
 ing upon his premises. It entered a pigeon-roost and com- 
 menced killing right and left. The outcry of the victims 
 arrested attention ; and on looking in, Mr. Owl stood motion- 
 less, like a sentry on guard. Mr. Wales took hold of him, 
 but he did not stir. He carried him to the house, the bird 
 being as rigid as if dead. He was laid on his back on the 
 table, but there was no movement. As the family stood look- 
 ing at him, he opened his big eyes, then turned upon his legs, 
 and was at once wide awake. Mr. Wales said he feigned 
 death, and did it to perfection, until convinced that he was 
 out of danger more ingenious than prudent.' 
 
 THE MINISTERS AND THE OWL. It is said that two cele-
 
 1 20 FeatJicred Feeders on Fish, Flesh, and F<nvt. 
 
 brated ministers, respectively named Jay and Fuller, were 
 taking a drive in the country when a bird flew across the road. 
 ' What bird was that was it not a jay ? asked Fuller. ' Oh 
 no, 1 said Jay. ' It is fuller in the eyes, fuller in the face, fuller 
 in the breast, fuller in the feathers, and///<?r all over.' The 
 bird referred to was a tawny owl 
 
 How OWLS ARE HATCHED. G. Manville Fenn says : ' It 
 is commonly known that owls have two or three sets of young 
 in the course of a season ; but, as far as I can make out, after 
 sitting upon the first egg or pair of eggs, and hatching the 
 birds, no further effort in incubation is made. Directly after 
 the owlets are out of the shell the hen-bird lays one or two 
 more beautiful white eggs, but does not sit, devoting herself 
 to feeding the insatiable little monsters she had started into 
 life, and the warmth of their bodies hatches the next owlet. 
 This one hatched, another egg is laid with the same result, 
 that it is vivified by the young ones' warmth, escapes from the 
 shell, and once more an egg or two occupy the nest, so that 
 in the same corner in a shallow downy spot may be seen an 
 owlet three-parts grown, another half-grown, another a few 
 hours old, and a couple of eggs four stages in all ; and, if 
 inspected by day, the three youngsters will be seen huddled 
 together in very good fellowship, one and all fast asleep, and 
 the eggs in the coldest place outside. The sight is not pleas- 
 ing, as may be supposed from the above description of the 
 young owls ; but if the eye be offended, what is to be said of 
 the nose? Take something in a bad state of putrefaction 
 and arithmetically square it ; the result will be an approach to 
 the foul odour of a nest of owls in hot weather. The reason 
 is not far to seek, when it is borne in mind that the owl is a 
 bird of prey ; but all the same, I have visited the nest earlier 
 in the season, and found the place quite scentless, and that 
 too at a time when ranged in a semicircle about the young 
 were no less than twenty-two young rats and full-grown mice, 
 so fresh that they must have been caught during the preceding 
 night, the larder being supplemented by a couple of young 
 rabbits. If, then, a pair of owls provide so many specimens of 
 mischievous vermin in a night, they certainly earn the title of 
 friends of man. It may be argued that, inhabiting a pigeon- 
 cote, the youngsters were the offspring of two or three pairs ; 
 but as far as I can make out, a single pair only occupy the
 
 'A Noble Lesson front an Ozul. 121 
 
 cote from year to year, the young birds seeking a home else- 
 where ; and I may say for certain that the old birds do not 
 come near their young and eggs by day, generally passing the 
 time in some ivy-shaded tree while the sun is above the 
 horizon, far away from the cote containing their sleeping 
 babes. When fully fledged and nearly ready to fly, if the 
 strong scent is risked and a visit paid, the birds start into 
 something approaching to wakefulness, and, huddling up to- 
 gether, will stare and hiss at the intruder, ready to resist hand- 
 ling with beak and claw and a clutch from a full-grown owl's 
 set of claws is no light matter ; for Nature has endowed them 
 with most powerful muscles, and an adaptability for their use 
 that is most striking. When hunting for food, the owl glides 
 along on silent wing beside some barn or stack, and woe be- 
 tide the cowering mouse or ratling that is busy on the grain ! 
 As the owl passes over, down goes one leg, and four sharp 
 claws have snatched the little quadruped from the ground, 
 the four points seeming to slope towards a common centre, so 
 that escape is impossible. Every seizure is performed with 
 the claws ; the beak being reserved for dividing the animal 
 when too large, and not degraded into forming an instrument 
 for seizure or carriage of the prey. I have had owls calmly 
 seated upon my hand, but for a very short time ; and I cannot 
 recommend ladies to try them for pets, for the sooner they 
 are perched elsewhere the more pleasant it is for the skin, 
 their claws being exquisitely sharp.' 
 
 AFFECTION AND GOOD SENSE OF AN OWL. 'A brown owl 
 had long been in the occupation of a convenient hole in a 
 hollow tree, and in it for several years had rejoiced over its 
 progeny, with hope of the pleasure to be enjoyed in excursions 
 of hunting in their company ; but through the persecutions of 
 some persons on the farm, who had watched the bird's pro- 
 ceedings, this hope had been repeatedly disappointed by the 
 plunder of the nest at the time when the young ones were 
 ready for flight. On the last occasion an individual was as- 
 cending to their retreat, to repeat the robbery, when the parent 
 bird, aware of the danger, grasped her only young one in her 
 claws and bore it away ; and never more was the nest placed 
 in the same situation.' 
 
 HERONS. These birds belong to a family of the order 
 Grallae, or wading birds. They are distinguished by long
 
 122 Feathered Feeders on Fish, Flesh, and Fowl. 
 
 Heron. 
 
 slender necks, hard bills, short tails, and very sharp claws. 
 They are formed for wading, frequenting marshy places, rivers, 
 and lakes in search of food, which mainly consists of fish, but 
 
 they do not object to reptiles, 
 nor even to small mammalia. 
 The heron family consists of 
 numerous species, some of 
 which are found in the North 
 of Europe and Asia, and even 
 in India, Syria, and Egypt. 
 
 The heron to which we 
 refer is a permanent inhabitant 
 of our own country and Scot- 
 land. It is of solitary habits, 
 and save in the breeding 
 season two of them are seldom 
 seen together. When the 
 water is low in the Severn 
 river, herons may be seen here 
 and there standing by the edge of the receding water, in- 
 tently watching for some unlucky fish, which, as soon as it 
 appears is pounced upon, dragged out of the water, and then 
 has to take an aerial voyage a considerable height and distance 
 in the bill or pouch of its captor. 
 
 The appearance of the heron just before and after it has 
 seized its prey presents a very wide contrast. While gazing 
 into the water it looks more like a motionless post just standing 
 out of the sand-bed, than a living creature in search of food. 
 No sooner, however, has it secured its victim than it stretches 
 its long neck, expands its broad and hollow wings, and by the 
 strong resisting power with which they are provided, the heron 
 sails away, though heavily, with its living load, to some far-off 
 place it has selected as its residence, or to its young family 
 that may be anxiously awaiting its return to their nest. 
 
 The instinct of the heron teaches it to attend to the duty 
 of seeking food by fishing just at the time and under circum- 
 stances the most suitable and favourable for that object. This 
 bird may be seen watching in the water or on the shores and 
 shallows when the fish come to them in search of insects, or 
 when the fish are actively disporting in their native element. 
 Cloudy days appear to be the most favourable to the fishing
 
 A Fatal Encounter. 
 
 123 
 
 pursuits of the heron, simply because its body does not cast 
 such a strong shadow in the water as it would do if the sun 
 was shining brightly, and therefore the fish are less likely to 
 be disturbed by the motion of the heron. 
 
 THE VORACITY OF THE HERON is very great, as this bird 
 has been known to swallow several carp at a time, and to 
 digest the whole in a very few hours, and then to go again 
 after more food. It has also been known to catch up an eel, 
 to hold it by the middle of the body, and then to fly away 
 with it ; not, however, without considerable inconvenience, as 
 the twisting of the body of the eel this way and then that 
 way very materially retards the flight of the bird. 
 
 THE HERON AND SPANIEL. When attacked the heron will 
 offer a fierce and determined resistance. ' A gentleman in 
 Bothwell fired at and wounded a heron, and then sent his 
 spaniel to fetch it out of the stream. As the dog approached 
 the heron drew back its head, and then with all the force it 
 could command stuck its beak into the dog's rib. The gentle- 
 man fired again and killed the heron, but had the mortifica- 
 tion of seeing both 
 the bird and the 
 dog floating dead 
 together down the 
 waterfall.' 
 
 As before ob- 
 served, herons will 
 convey the fish 
 they have captured 
 many miles to their 
 nests, as plaice and 
 other fish, several 
 inches long, have 
 been found under 
 the high trees in 
 
 which these birds build. Heronries were at one time common 
 in England, but since heron-hawking has been discontinued 
 they have become very scarce. A few, however, remain as 
 mementoes of times gone by. Instances are on record of herons 
 and rooks building their nests very near each other, and 
 living, as near neighbours should live, on good terms one 
 with another.
 
 1 24 Feathered Feeders on Fish, Flesh, and Fowl. 
 
 HAWKS. Of these there are many kinds widely distributed, 
 especially in northern latitudes. We will mention the Hobby. 
 
 This hawk is about 
 twelve inches long, 
 and has a prominent 
 hooked bill. It was 
 formerly used in 
 falconry, in catching 
 larks and other small 
 birds." The Goshaivk 
 is about twenty 
 inches long. It is 
 not much seen in 
 England, being 
 chiefly restricted to 
 
 Goshawk. 
 
 the Highlands of 
 Scotland. It is not 
 satisfied to prey only 
 on small birds, but attacks even hares, squirrels, mice, and the 
 larger ground birds. It is not a favourite of the gamekeeper, 
 
 as it is very de- 
 structive to game 
 of all kinds. The 
 Osprey, or Fish- 
 Hawk, is found 
 in every part of 
 Europe. It is 
 b , nearly two feet 
 in length, and 
 lives principally 
 _ on fish, on which 
 PI it darts with great 
 velocity and un- 
 erring aim. This 
 bird builds its 
 nest sometimes 
 among rocks and 
 Osprey - in fir trees, and 
 
 lays three or four eggs a little smaller than those laid by the 
 common fowl. It appears that both the male and female 
 birds attend to the duties of incubation alternately, and each 
 in turn goes in quest of food.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 PEACEFUL MONARCH3 OF THE LAKE, ETC. 
 
 On lakes and ponds may oft be seen 
 
 The swan, majestic as a queen ; 
 While ducks and geese, like maids of honour, 
 
 Are near, as if to wait upon her ; 
 They glide with ease, now here, now there, 
 All well-built lifeboats, I declare. 
 
 HE habit which some men have of expressing their 
 opinions of others by comparing their good or 
 bad qualities with those of different animals is by 
 no means uncommon. While this may be justi- 
 fiable in some cases, it is not so in all. In many 
 instances these comparisons are not only 'odious,' but, we 
 think, a libel upon the animals whose names they use. -Why 
 should a man be called ' a drunken dog T or, as ' senseless as 
 an ass ?' Dogs are not in the habit of getting drunk ; neither 
 is the ass naturally senseless or void of understanding, but is 
 as intellectual as many other animals which are credited with 
 great sagacity. 
 
 When a man is told he is ' as silly as a goose,' it is intended 
 to imply that he is considered to be defective in common- 
 sense and in power of intellect, or that he has acted indis- 
 creetly in something or other. We do not pretend to know 
 everything about geese, but we confess we are at a loss to 
 understand in what respects the ' goose is silly,' unless it is so 
 for the reason once assigned to us by an old man, who said 
 ' the goose was a silly bird because it was too much for one 
 man's dinner, but not enough for two.' 
 
 If nothing stronger than this can be adduced in justification
 
 126 
 
 Peacefid Monarch* of the Lake. 
 
 of the comparison, then it is evident the goose is libelled when- 
 ever the expression referred to is used. 
 
 In this chapter we shall refer to three kinds of birds only, 
 which may be included in those that are domesticated and 
 belonging to our farmyards and homesteads. The first we 
 shall refer to is 
 
 THE SWAN. Swans belong to the order of birds in the 
 
 system of Linnaeus 
 named Anseres, thus 
 named from Anser, 
 the type. It in- 
 cludes all the web- 
 footed water-fowls. 
 
 Tame, or, as they 
 are sometimes called, 
 mute swans, though 
 well known in Eng- 
 land, are by no 
 
 means common. 
 Swan. , , 
 
 They may be seen in 
 
 some parts of the different rivers of this country, on the 
 lakes of some of our large estates, and occasionally in the 
 ponds of our farmsteads. The male swan is called a cob, the 
 female a pen^ and the young cygnets. 
 
 We remember seeing, some years since, about a dozen 
 swans in a line, one behind the other, flying across one of the 
 marshes in Gloucestershire at no considerable elevation. It 
 was in the depth of a severe winter, and the birds were making 
 southwards. 
 
 A promised visit ' to see the swans ' constitutes a very great 
 prospective pleasure to ' little folks,' and perhaps not less so 
 to nursemaids, who in bright warm weather may be seen 
 watching them glide so gracefully on the ornamental waters 
 of our London parks. 
 
 Although in its general form the swan resembles the goose, 
 it is, as seen upon the water, much more majestic in appear- 
 ance than the goose, which may be owing to its greater size 
 and its long and beautifully arched neck. This neck is 
 nearly the length of the body, and consists of twenty-three 
 vertebrae. The eyes are small, and placed very near the 
 beak. The legs are short and bare, and the feet broadly
 
 Conjugal Fidelity of Swans. 127 
 
 webbed. It is in all respects well formed for the element in 
 which it delights to live. On land the swan is stupid and 
 awkward. It is noted for mischief and cruelty, especially in 
 pairing-time, when the males fight with terrible fury, and the 
 females, when attending their young, will attack anyone that 
 approaches them. 
 
 FLIGHT OF THE SWAN. ' Although these birds fly heavily, 
 they have been known, in a favourable gale, to fly 100 miles 
 an hour. Some of them have lived fifty and seventy years. 
 They subsist on aquatic insects, frogs, leeches, roots, leaves, and 
 seeds, and even small fish. They are, when young, delicate 
 eating, and if cooked with proper gravy, taste like goose and 
 hare, or something between the two.' 
 
 Being aquatic birds, their nests, which are large and com- 
 posed of grass, herbs, etc., are built close to their native 
 element that, is on the banks of the rivers, lakes, or ponds 
 where they abide. They seldom lay more than six or eight 
 eggs, which they have to sit upon about six weeks. 
 
 It is said that they are good prognosticators of n dry or wet 
 season. If heavy downfalls of rain are likely to take place, 
 swans build their nests much higher up the bank than when 
 the season is likely to be an ordinary or dry one. 
 
 THE WHISTLING SWAN. 'The wild swan, elk, hooper, 
 or whistling swan is a winter visitor to the British islands, but 
 its native haunts are the northern regions of Europe and 
 Asia.' 
 
 Swans generally pair for life, their whole behaviour offering 
 a beautiful example of conjugal fidelity. The two birds show 
 the greatest affection for each other, always swimming in 
 company, and caressing one another with their bills and necks 
 in the most interesting manner ; and should either be attacked, 
 the other will show fight in the most vigorous manner, though, 
 of course, the male is the more powerful and courageous. 
 The young when hatched are very thickly covered with down, 
 and are generally taken to the water by the mother when only 
 a day or two old. There they are watched over by both 
 parents with the greatest care until grown enough to provide 
 for themselves. Swans were formerly designated royal birds, 
 
 AN ENRAGED SWAN. Referring again to the pugnacious 
 disposition of swans, we have been informed by a friend that 
 a large number of these birds were kept, some years ago, in a
 
 128 Peaceful Monarchs of the Lake. 
 
 reservoir on an estate not far from Swansea in Wales, and that 
 on one occasion they were visited by some young people, who 
 fed them with biscuits, pieces of bun, etc. When these were 
 exhausted, they injudiciously tantalized the swans by throwing 
 small stones and sticks to them. At this treatment one of the 
 male swans became so enraged that he came out of the water, 
 attacked one of the females, and so severely injured her about 
 the neck and head, that she had to be taken at once to the 
 hospital, where she was under medical treatment about a 
 month. 
 
 A large scar remained on her temple as a memento of her 
 visit to the swans, and as a proof that these birds will not be 
 trifled with with impunity. 
 
 THE SWAN AND Fox. The following incident is related in 
 ' The Parlour Menagerie ' as having occurred at Pensy, Buck- 
 inghamshire. A female swan, while in the act of sitting, 
 observed a fox swimming towards her from the opposite shore. 
 She instantly darted into the water, and having kept him at 
 bay for a considerable time with her wings, at last succeeded 
 in drowning him ; after which, in the sight of several persons, 
 she returned in triumph. 
 
 According to reliable information, it appears that in 1841 
 there were 437 swans on the Thames; 232 belonging to the 
 Queen, 105 to the Company of the Dyers, and 100 to the 
 Company of Vintners. They are marked by a particular cut 
 or nick on the upper mandible ; and on the first Monday of 
 every August these marks are reviewed by the swan-uppers or 
 swan-hoppers, as they are generally called. 
 
 Although the practice mentioned is resorted to in order to 
 know to whom the different swans belong, it can hardly be 
 regarded as the most humane method that could be adopted. 
 We believe that in some parts of the Continent rings, suffi- 
 ciently large and properly adjusted on the necks of these 
 birds, are used, without inflicting suffering, or putting the 
 swans to any inconvenience. This plan seems to be much 
 more humane than that of cutting or nicking. 
 
 A SWAN FEEDING HER YOUNG. The Rev. F. O. Morris says : 
 ' On the Thames last summer I was amused by watching an 
 old swan feeding her young ones in what seemed to me a 
 novel and ingenious manner. Sitting on the water with her 
 breast against the bank, she gathered from it the grass as far
 
 Two Singular Ducks. 129 
 
 over as she could reach, and then, turning round her long 
 neck, threw it over her back to the cygnets, who seemed quite 
 up to the manoeuvre, and were waiting and scrambling for it 
 in the water behind her. My attention was called to it by 
 the fisherman who was with me, who, though he had lived 
 all his life by the banks of the Thames, said he had never 
 witnessed this before.' 
 
 THE DUCK. The duck belongs to the order Nafatores, 
 sometimes called by the name ' Palmapedes ;' the first being 
 from the word nato, to 
 swim, the latter from 
 'pa/ma, the flat front of 
 the hand, and pes, a foot, 
 implying that the birds 
 are palm, or web-footed^ 
 the toes of the feet being 
 connected by a web or 
 membrane.' 
 
 The tame or domesti- Duck, 
 
 cated duck is very com- 
 mon in England. A country ramble would be deprived 
 of much of its interest if ducks could not be seen floating 
 on our streams, rivers, and ponds. Their 'quack, quack,' 
 though not musical, is very suggestive of farmsteads, pure 
 fresh air, verdant meadows, fruitful fields, and the calm 
 quietude of a rustic life. 
 
 The duck is a very useful and valuable bird, contributing 
 materially in various ways to the sustenance and comfort of 
 man. 
 
 The duck is easily reared, being by no means an epicure. It 
 works assiduously to obtain its food, which consists of the refuse 
 of animal and vegetable substances, snails, worms, slugs, and it 
 does not object to a small frog, nor even to insects of various 
 kinds. The duck lays a great number of eggs, and the young 
 ones are reared without much difficulty and are easily fattened. 
 We are informed that on a farm near Jedburgh there was a 
 duck which in the spring laid black eggs. As the season 
 advanced, the blackness gradually went off, till at the end of 
 autumn the eggs were whiter than those of an ordinary duck. 
 This duck was rather beyond the usual size. On the same 
 farm there was another duck which laid two eggs a day. This 
 
 9
 
 130 Peaceful Monarch* of the Lake. 
 
 fact was proved by locking the bird up, when one egg was 
 found early in the morning, and another in the evening. 
 
 The common wild duck, or mallard, is no doubt the original 
 stock of our domesticated duck. It is supposed there was 
 considerable difficulty in weaning it from its former wild, free, 
 and half-savage way of life. Those eggs that were first taken 
 from the wild duck and set under an adopted mother produced 
 very shy birds, which seemed unsettled, much inclined to 
 roam, and very impatient to enjoy the unrestrained liberty of 
 their predecessors. Even now the domesticated duck exhibits 
 a propensity to go off in search of larger pools and marshy 
 places, where it can enjoy its life in following out more fully 
 the roving instinct with which it is endowed. 
 
 The strong proclivities of ducks in favour of watery places 
 are necessary to preserve their size, strength, and beauty, 
 which they do with frequent divings, washings, and sportings 
 in their native element, and by finding in these places the kind 
 of food suitable to their nature. 
 
 Although they are amphibious animals, if they were kept 
 always out of water they would deteriorate both in size and 
 value, and would be destitute of that flavour they possess 
 when reared in proper places. 
 
 Duck or mallard shooting was at one time a favourite 
 pastime in England. This method of securing them has 
 been superseded by what are called 
 
 DECOY POOLS. One -of these has been opened very near 
 the river Severn, in Gloucestershire. It is about two or three 
 acres in extent, and a few feet deep. On its banks and from 
 its bottom grow, here and there, reeds and rushes, and long 
 grass. It is entirely surrounded by trees, which afford a screen 
 from the burning sun of summer and a shelter from the cold 
 winds of winter. It is thoroughly secluded, and an almost 
 death-like stillness reigns over it, save when it is broken by 
 the hoarse quack of its feathery inhabitants. Running from 
 each of the four corners of the pool is an inlet about nine feet 
 wide and thirty or forty yards long. It is arched over by net- 
 work about six or eight feet high at the entrance, but gradu- 
 ally lowering to the extremity. To this is attached a circular 
 net running about nine feet farther on, and closing at the end. 
 By the side of the inlet are placed several screens of straw 
 and woodwork, which are so arranged that anyone may watch
 
 Capturing Wild D ticks. 131 
 
 the whole surface of the pool without being observed by the 
 ducks swimming thereon. When the proper season for catch- 
 ing wild ducks has arrived, the tame or decoy ducks are kept 
 in the pool, for the purpose of attracting thither their relatives 
 the mallards. When this has been done, they are further 
 secured and finally captured in the manner now to be de- 
 scribed. The keeper of the pool has a dog which he has 
 trained to move gently on the bank of the inlet to draw the 
 attention of the wild birds, which he invariably succeeds in 
 doing. As soon as they begin to move towards him the dog 
 disappears by passing through an opening among the screens; 
 he then runs a few yards forward, and again appears on the 
 bank. This is done several times, until the mallards have 
 passed the opening of the arch of netting, when the keeper, 
 who has been whistling for and watching the birds, and direct- 
 ing the movements of the dog, suddenly appears, lets down 
 a portion of the netting, and thus secures his victims, who are 
 now imprisoned in the inlet. They are then driven on and 
 forced into the circular net, the mouth of which is easily 
 closed by a mechanical contrivance. From this they cannot 
 escape unless by accident or at the will of the keeper. From 
 fifty to a hundred ducks have been caught in this way at one 
 time. The decoy-ducks are of course taken out of the net 
 and returned to the pool, while the remainder, that are deemed 
 worthy, are sent off to market, or are presented to the friends 
 and acquaintances of the possessor of the decoy-pool. 
 
 As the duck has to find and select its food more by the 
 sense of touch than by sight, its bill is admirably organized 
 for that purpose. It is abundantly furnished with nerves, and 
 with a very sensitive membrane, which enable the animal to 
 distinguish what is eatable from the mud, small stones, or 
 other substances with which its food may be mixed. 
 
 The power of instinct is shown by the duck at a very early 
 period of its existence, even as it relates to the food it eats. 
 It is said that if you throw to ducklings but a few hours old a 
 number of young flies they will greedily gobble them up ; but 
 if you throw before them young bees or wasps they will not 
 touch them, but turn away and leave them. 
 
 The duck is by no means deficient either in affection or 
 sagacity. If her little brood, which on the smooth silvery 
 surface of the lake or pond look like floating balls of gold, 
 
 92
 
 132 Peaceful Monarchs of the Lake. 
 
 should be in danger from some wanton schoolboy, or the 
 rapacious appetite of one of the feline race, how stoutly 
 will the mother resist the intruder and tormentor, and what 
 fluttering anxiety she will exhibit until the threatened danger 
 is past ! 
 
 A BRAVE DRAKE. The Children's Friend gives a story to 
 the following effect : ' Some years ago, on the breaking up of 
 the ice in Regent's Park, a duck got its foot fast in one of the 
 ice-cracks. It gave cries of distress, when, flying in haste to 
 the rescue, a fine drake was seen, who saw the difficulty at 
 once. He set to work by chipping with his beak the ice 
 around the imprisoned leg. It was soon freed, and several 
 loud "quacks," with wonderful wagging of tails and flapping 
 of wings, announced the release of the prisoner. A large 
 crowd of spectators joyfully united in their congratulations 
 over Master Drake's gallant rescue of his no doubt much 
 loved duck? 
 
 WILD DUCK'S NEST. 'Wild ducks,' says Johnson, 'are 
 very artful birds. They do not always build their nests close 
 to the water, but often at a good distance from it ; in which 
 case the female will take the young in her beak, or between 
 her legs, to the water. They have been known sometimes to 
 lay their eggs in a tree in a deserted magpie or crow's nest ; 
 and an instance has likewise been recorded of one being 
 found at Etchingham, in Sussex, sitting upon nine eggs, in 
 an oak, at the height of twenty-five feet from the ground ; the 
 eggs were supported by some small twigs, laid crossways.' 
 
 The keeper of the decoy-pool before referred to has in- 
 formed us that the mallards, or males of the wild-duck family, 
 usually select two, three, or four females each as companions, 
 over whom they keep special guard, and to whom they pay 
 the most assiduous and affectionate attention, while, at the 
 same time, the groups keep apart by occupying different parts 
 of the pool. Should one of these ducks leave her ' lord ' to 
 join another group, the mallard to which she belongs both 
 by selection and mutual consent will evince the greatest 
 jealousy and anger, and will chastise the delinquent duck for 
 leaving his protection, and for showing signs of preference for 
 another mallard or for the ducks he may have already under 
 his care. Sometimes severe encounters take place between 
 rival mallards before the matter relating to truant ducks can
 
 Ducks in Trouble. 133 
 
 be decided. The victorious mallard, however, usually takes 
 the duck under his protection, and seems to claim her by 
 right of conquest. 
 
 SAGACITY OF DUCKS. A correspondent of the Animal 
 World communicates the following : ' Having, with a friend, 
 been an eye-witness, I can vouch for the authenticity of what 
 doubtless to a great many would appear an almost incredu- 
 lous tale. When walking yesterday through Kensington 
 Gardens our attention was attracted to a knot of people round 
 an old tree, of which only the trunk remained, boughless and 
 leafless, having been sawn off at the top, probably fearing its 
 fall. We were told a duck had built her nest on, or rather 
 in, the top of this old tree. Now we know ducks seldom 
 build at any great height from the ground, so we waited to 
 see if such was really the case. The mother-duck was walk- 
 ing round about the tree in a state of great excitement, fear- 
 ing lest her young should be taken from her, and yet being 
 unable to get them out of the tree by herself, loudly quacking 
 as if asking help and a solution of her difficult problem. We 
 had not long to wait, for, to the surprise of all present, the 
 heads of two little ducklings appeared from a hole in the side 
 of the tree, and about a foot from the top. They answered 
 feebly to their mother's call, and then, after some deliberation, 
 one of them came to the front, looked down on the bystanders, 
 spread its tiny pinions (not being more than a week old and 
 covered only with down), and fell heavily into the ready 
 hands stretched out to receive it The second seemed some- 
 what horrified at his brother's quick descent, but not feeling 
 inclined to be left alone in his glory, plucked up all his courage 
 and followed the good example set him ; when both were 
 restored to the anxious and now delighted parent. Such an 
 instance of affection in ducks is, I think, most striking. The 
 mother heeded not the crowd, but continued her call, when 
 the little ones too, fearing nothing, replied in the manner 
 described. Happily for them, some one was nigh to catch 
 them as they fell, or I sadly fear the poor mother would have 
 seen them either crippled or killed ; for the tree was some 
 height from the ground. Poor thing ! very likely she may 
 have found it difficult to secure a quiet spot to build, in a 
 place so public as the Kensington Gardens, where the small 
 boys seem, I am sorry to say, only too pleased to chase the
 
 134 Peaceful Monarchs of the Lake. 
 
 ducks whenever an opportunity occurs, and thus this strange 
 home was found for her young, quite out of their reach or 
 sight. Probably she wished them to join her in the water, to 
 be admired by all, and begin their aquatic education. Her 
 puzzle was how to get them there, and so she continued to 
 quack until the attention of some passers-by was attracted to 
 the spot. I wish that I could better depict the scene the 
 anxious mother and her fearless, obedient children. I assure 
 you it was well worthy the pencil of some of our talented 
 artists, who at different times have so ably portrayed the 
 leading characteristics of the animal world, and endeared them 
 if possible still more to us all.' 
 
 A lady who keeps ducks also gives the following instance 
 of sagacity : ' Once, very late at night, just as we were passing 
 through the hall to go upstairs, we heard a great noise of 
 ducks. It so happened that my husband was carrying a large 
 paraffin lamp, and no sooner did the strong light appear in 
 the hall than the noise very much increased. I opened a 
 door which led into the garden, and no sooner had I done 
 so than a duck positively rushed into the hall close to my feet, 
 quacking most vociferously, her eyes glaring, and she beating 
 her wings and moving her head about in great agitation. My 
 husband turned out, and went into the garden, carrying the 
 large lamp, and immediately the duck followed him. Outside 
 she was joined by the rest of the ducks, young and old ; but 
 the old drake was nowhere to be found. The next morning 
 he was discovered amongst the bushes, alive, but somewhat 
 injured, having evidently been caught by a dog, who had 
 dropped him upon hearing the alarm and seeing the light 
 approaching.' 
 
 THE GOOSE. This tenant of the farmyard and pond is so 
 common, and its value, in various ways, so well understood, 
 that a description of it would seem to be hardly necessary. 
 Nevertheless, it claims, as well as the swan and the duck, at 
 least a little notice. The tame goose, as now bred in this 
 country, appears to owe its origin to the Anser ferus, the wild 
 or grey lag goose, which is perhaps the largest species of the 
 family, measuring five feet in extent of wings. Wild geese 
 are found in nearly every part of the world, but especially in 
 Northern countries, on the lakes, swamps, and marshes of 
 which they breed in immense numbers.
 
 Structure and Value of Geese. 135 
 
 As an article of food our tame geese are much esteemed ; 
 their quills are still extensively used as pens for writing, and 
 their feathers and down are of great importance, not only as 
 luxuries but in a com- 
 mercial point of view. 
 Very large numbers 
 are bred in England, 
 and, as in the case of 
 turkeys, the consump- 
 tion of them from 
 Michaelmas until after 
 Christmas is enormous. 
 
 In the fens of Lin- 
 colnshire geese are 
 kept in great numbers. Goose 
 
 Some owners of these 
 
 birds keep as many as a thousand breeders, not only to 
 furnish geese for eating, but mainly for their feathers, for 
 which they are plucked four or five times a year, and for 
 their quills once a year. It is recorded that in 1783 one 
 drove of geese consisting of 9000 in number was driven 
 through Chelmsford on its way from Suffolk to London. 
 Railway facilities have, however, rendered these tedious and 
 we should imagine painful journeys unnecessary, although we 
 fear the reprehensible practice often resorted to of packing 
 them so closely in crates renders their transit by rail not only 
 not easy, but even painful. Such a practice we must condemn 
 as exhibiting not only a parsimonious feeling, but a lack of 
 common humanity. On the authority of ' All About Country 
 Life ' we are glad to state that the unnatural and cruel practice 
 of plucking live geese is getting obsolete. We shall now de- 
 scribe at least some parts of the 
 
 STRUCTURE OF THE GOOSE, which are distinguishing 
 features or characters of all the different kinds of geese, 
 whether wild or tame. We are informed by 'Treasures of 
 Natural History ' that ' the bill is the first great distinction of 
 the goose kind from all the feathered tribes. In all other 
 birds it is round or wedge-shaped, or crooked at the end ; in 
 all the goose kind it is flat and broad, formed for the purpose 
 of skimming ponds and lakes of the mantling weeds which 
 grow on their surface, The bills of other birds are composed
 
 136 Peaceful M anarchs, of the Lake. 
 
 of a horny substance throughout, formed for piercing or 
 tearing ; but birds of this genus have their inoffensive beaks 
 sheathed with a skin which entirely covers them, and are 
 only adapted for shovelling up their food, which is chiefly 
 confined to vegetable productions; for though they do not 
 reject animal food when offered to them, they contentedly 
 subsist on vegetable, and seldom seek any other.' ' 
 
 We may add that the long necks of geese are of great 
 advantage to them when feeding in the way just described, 
 because while remaining in one spot on the surface of the 
 water they can throw out their long necks and so secure all 
 the food that may happen to be within the radius of the half- 
 circle they can so easily describe. 
 
 As feeders on vegetable productions, geese by no means 
 ignore tender blades of grass, which they seem to devour with 
 the greatest pleasure, and on which they thrive ; as well as 
 on the scattered grain they sometimes pick up in stubble-fields 
 after the harvest is gathered in. In many cases, however, 
 where large numbers are reared for the market they are fed 
 systematically by prepared food of various kinds, in order to 
 increase their weight and of course their value too. 
 
 It has been remarked that none of our domestic birds are 
 so apt to bring forth monstrous productions as geese a cir- 
 cumstance which has been attributed to the excessive fatness 
 to which they are liable. The liver of a fat goose is often 
 larger than all the other viscera, and was a dish in so great 
 reputation among the epicures of Rome, that Pliny thought it 
 deserved a serious discussion to whom the honour of invent- 
 ing so excellent a dish was due. 
 
 The feet of the goose being thoroughly webbed, afford con- 
 siderable facilities to it to pass easily and at considerable speed 
 through the water. Although our tame geese are under no 
 necessity of flying, and so have not to use their wings for that 
 purpose, there is great strength and powers of endurance in 
 them, especially in those of the wild kind, who often travel, at 
 a considerable elevation, many miles in search of food, and 
 return to their resting-places for the night. 
 
 In the autumnal season of the year we have often watched 
 with boyish glee the flight of great numbers of geese, arranged 
 one after the other in the shape of the letter V, flying across 
 the country from the river Humber to the Yorkshire wolds,
 
 A Critical Epoch in the Life of the Goose. 137 
 
 It would appear that wild geese are aware of the necessity 
 of using every precaution for their own safety while feeding in 
 a stubble-field, or in any other place. We have been informed 
 that, while they are thus engaged, one or two of their number 
 are appointed to act as sentinels, whose duty it is to look out 
 for an approaching enemy, whether man or quadruped, and 
 at once, when seen, to sound the note of alarm. When this 
 is heard, all the geese rise simultaneously to a great height, 
 form themselves into two lines as described, then follow their 
 leader, who constitutes the first link in this acute angle. 
 
 The tame goose lays from seven to twelve eggs, sometimes 
 beginning in January, but more commonly in February.* The 
 time of incubation lasts about thirty days. Having reared 
 her brood, it often happens that the same goose will com- 
 mence laying eggs again at harvest-time, and will sometimes 
 produce as many in autumn as in the spring. In egg-laying, 
 geese arrive at the greatest usefulness after they are three 
 years of age. The longevity of the goose is proverbial. Some 
 have been known to be thirty years old, and mention is made 
 of one who reached threescore years and ten. 
 
 The custom of eating geese at Michaelmas, it is said, 
 originated with Queen Elizabeth, who happened to be feeding 
 on roast goose when she received tidings of the destruction 
 of the Spanish Armada, and in commemoration thereof con- 
 tinued to dine on the same dish when the anniversary of the 
 day recurred. 
 
 The Evening Standard says, ' A critical epoch in the life of 
 the goose is the season which sets in on the zgth September. 
 Queen Elizabeth used to be accredited with the origin of the 
 custom of causing flocks of these noisy creatures that " gabble 
 o'er the pool," especially, according to Goldsmith, at that hour 
 when the noisy children are "just let loose from school " to 
 be on that particular day served up to table and form the 
 dish of honour, taking precedence of all other dishes. Recent 
 researches, however, have traced the custom back to a date 
 much more remote, and to countries on the Continent far 
 
 * It is said that if, after a goose has laid seven or eight eggs, one egg 
 per day be taken from the nest, the goose will continue to lay until she has 
 produced about thirty eggs, more or less. If none be taken from her, 
 when she finds about twelve or thirteen eggs under her she ceases laying, 
 and attends exclusively to incubation,
 
 38 Peaceful Monarchs of the Lake. 
 
 distant from our own. In the England of our own day the 
 goose, as a rule, is reserved for the hospitable dinner-tables of 
 Christmas and thereabouts. Then the stubble-fed bird is in 
 its primest condition, and its succulent flesh, when tempered 
 with apple sauce, is most palatable.' 
 
 A CARNIVOROUS GOOSE. The .following curious informa- 
 tion appeared in Nature, of April 19, 1879: 
 
 ' I enclose to you an account of a golden eagle, which I have 
 reason to know to be authentic. The possibility of a bird so 
 purely graminivorous as a goose being taught to eat flesh, 
 and acquiring the power of digesting it, is extremely curious. 
 It is well known," however, that cows are largely fed on fish 
 offal in Scandinavia, and I have heard of a Highland cow de- 
 vouring a salmon which an unwary angler had hid among 
 fern on the banks of a river in Sutherland. 
 
 ' ARGYLL. 
 
 ' Isola Bella, Cannes, April 7th.' 
 
 ' March, 1879 : There is in the possession of W. Pike, Esq., 
 at Glendarary, in the island of Achil, co. Mayo, a golden 
 eagle, now about twenty-five years old, which was taken from 
 the nest and brought up in confinement. This eagle, in the 
 spring of 1877, laid three eggs, which Mr. Pike took away, 
 replacing them with two goose eggs, upon which the eagle sat, 
 and in due time hatched two goslings. One of these died, 
 and was torn up by the eagle to feed the survivor, who, to the 
 great tribulation of its foster-parent, refused to touch it, to- 
 gether with the other flesh with which the eagle tried to feed 
 it, Mr. Pike providing it with proper food. The eagle, how- 
 ever, in course of time taught the goose to eat flesh, and (the 
 goose having free exit and ingress to the eagle's cage) always 
 calls it by a sharp bark whenever flesh is given to it, when 
 the goose hastens to the cage and greedily swallows all the 
 flesh, etc., which the eagle, tearing its prey to pieces, gives it 
 
 ' I saw them in May, 1878, when the goose, being a year 
 old, had made a nest in the eagle's cage, and laid eleven eggs, 
 and the two birds were sitting side by side on the nest. I 
 hear from Mr. Pike that he did not allow them to hatch out, 
 fearing that it might interfere with their attachment to one 
 another. 
 
 ' The eagle is very tame and fond of Mr. Pike ; he goes 
 into the cage, and it allows him to handle it as he likes, but
 
 'As Silly as a Goose' Disproved, 139 
 
 will not allow anyone else near it. It never attempts to get 
 out of the hole made for the goose to go in and out at.' 
 
 Geese feel so much concern for the safety of their young 
 that the gander will not only hiss defiance and displeasure at 
 an intruder, be it dog, pig, horse, or man, but has been known 
 to attack children so savagely as to inflict upon them serious 
 injury. These birds are, however, susceptible to kindness, as 
 the following anecdote will show, which we copy from the 
 ' Parlour Menagerie ': 
 
 A GRATEFUL GANDER. 'An old gander of a surly temper, in 
 the habit of attacking everyone that passed, chanced to wander 
 up a narrow drain, from which he was unable to extricate 
 himself. A labourer observed the awkward predicament into 
 which the bird had got, and at once pulled him out. As if 
 to show his gratitude, the gander was afterwards in the habit 
 of following his deliverer like a dog, and allowing himself to 
 be handled in any way the man chose. This freedom was 
 confined solely to his deliverer to all others he maintained 
 his former pugnacity.' 
 
 'As SILLY AS A GOOSE.' This expression, as before stated, 
 is often used to denote the want of good sense on the part of 
 some one who may have performed some absurd or foolish 
 act This libel on the goose is, however, very clearly dis- 
 proved by Mr. St. John, in 'Wild Sports of the Highlands.' 
 He says : ' Even a tame goose shows much instinct and 
 attachment ; and were its habits more closely observed, the 
 goose would be found to be by no means wanting in general 
 cleverness. Its watchfulness at night-time is proverbial ; and 
 it certainly is endowed with a strong organ of self-preservation. 
 You may drive over dog, cat, hen, or pig, but I defy you to 
 drive over a tame goose. As for wild geese, I know of no 
 animal, biped or quadruped, that is so difficult to deceive or 
 approach. Their senses of hearing, seeing, and smelling are 
 all extremely acute ; independently of which, they appear [to 
 act in so organized and cautious a manner, when feeding or 
 roosting, as to defy all danger. Many a time has my utmost 
 caution been of no avail in attempting to approach these 
 birds ; either a careless step on a piece of gravel, or an eddy 
 of wind, however light, or letting them perceive the slightest 
 portion of my person, has rendered useless whole hours of 
 manoeuvring.'
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 BIPED TENANTS OF THE FARMYARD. 
 
 One tenant of the yard and field 
 
 Is often heard to bellow ; 
 One crows a cock-a-doodle-do, 
 
 And one's a grunting fellow. 
 Pintados seem to say, ' ' Come back j" 
 
 But turkeys only gobble ; 
 The strutting peacock, finely drest, 
 
 Screams out as if in trouble. 
 
 F we were to form our opinion of the intrinsic 
 value of everything by its external appearance, 
 we should be very often in error. In nothing is 
 this more clearly seen than in nature, animate 
 and inanimate. The sunflower, towering six 
 feet high, with its golden boss turned to the sun, looks 
 beautiful and majestic, but it gives no fragrance grateful to 
 the olfactory nerves. The violet, blooming on a bank by the 
 wayside, and bending its head modestly downward, is often 
 hidden from sight, but from its tiny leaves comes a sweetness 
 which tells us at once it is there. It would be in vain to look 
 for a combination of all excellences in any one created thing, 
 but some may be found in all of them. Animals in their life 
 and surroundings particularly show the truth of this state- 
 ment. 
 
 If the peacock cannot sing, he shows in his variegated 
 feathers, in the brilliant purple and green colours of his head 
 and breast, the beauty of Nature, and the most delicate 
 touches of her pencil. If the turkey can claim no ability as 
 a feathered chorister, but on the other hand has a very unin- 
 telligible and disagreeable way of expressing himself, he is of
 
 A Finely Dressed Bird. 141 
 
 more use to man after death than would be the sweetest bird- 
 singer ever heard in our fields or woodlands. The pintado 
 cannot boast either of a commanding and graceful form of 
 body, or of splendid feathers; yet its eggs are good eating, 
 and its flesh, like that of the turkey, is esteemed a delicate 
 article of food. And so it is throughout animated nature : 
 every animal possesses some useful, valuable, and peculiar 
 property ; what it may lack in one way is made up in another. 
 
 Having in a previous volume ' Facts and Phases of 
 Animal Life ' devoted a chapter to the common fowl family, 
 we now propose making a few remarks on the following 
 feathered tenants of the farmyard : namely, the peacock, 
 turkey, the Guinea-fowl, or pintado, and the pigeon. 
 
 THE PEACOCK. This bird is, in many respects, the very 
 reverse of the owl. The latter avoids as much as possible all 
 contact with human beings, hides himself by day, and comes 
 stealthily out at nightfall to hunt for his living. He prefers 
 seclusion at all times, and, as we have shown, loves to linger 
 in old towers, ruins, and crevices of rocks. The peacock 
 lives in the society of man, and in the open light of day seeks 
 his food and attends to the duties his necessities impose upon 
 him. He appears to be fond of display, is very vain, and 
 loves to be admired. If you look over the wall of the farm- 
 yard you may see him quietly feeding with his family, while 
 his long tail or train lightly sweeps the ground on which he 
 walks. But the moment he is aware of your presence, he 
 greets you with a peculiar noise, spreads out his tail-coverts, 
 which are of the most dazzling colours : yellow gilded with 
 different shades, green running into blue and bright violet, 
 the centre being of a beautiful soft black, and all varying ac- 
 cording to its different positions. The tail is of a brownish 
 colour, and is hidden underneath the tail-coverts, or those 
 long graceful feathers sometimes called ' the peacock's train,' 
 and which, when elevated and spread out, resembles a large, 
 gorgeous fan. Whether the spreading out of this ' feathery 
 fan ' of the peacock depends more upon anger or pleasure it 
 may be difficult to determine. When not disturbed by in- 
 truders of any kind, the peacock may often be seen on an 
 eminence, a gate or wall, with his tail-feathers elevated and 
 opened out as wide as possible, as if to make his beauty all 
 the more conspicuous. The head of this bird is also of rare
 
 Peacock,
 
 Bravery of a Peacock. 143 
 
 beauty. It is adorned with feathers of a green colour, and 
 bordered with rich gold. From the head to the breast there 
 is a charming blue colour, mixed with green and gold. He 
 has a stout beak, strong legs, and rounded wings. The female, 
 or pea-hen, cannot boast of these rich colours, hers being alto- 
 gether of a sombre hue. 
 
 The peacock has, however, his seasons of humiliation. 
 When the leaf falls he loses his ' train of gorgeous feathers ;' 
 and will then creep into corners or anywhere out of the sight 
 of human beings until the return of spring, when he is fur- 
 nished again with a feathery plume. His cry or voice is most 
 discordant, and he is very voracious, which lessens his popu- 
 larity. 
 
 PEACOCKS DEFENDING A YOUNG THRUSH. ' Two summers 
 ago,' says a writer in the Animal World, ' I was staying in a 
 country house in Scotland, the happy home of various pets. 
 Among these was a fine cat called " Ben," and a pair of pea- 
 cocks. The three were on friendly terms, and might often be 
 seen in the garden ; the peacocks pacing with measured steps, 
 and the cat either scampering wildly up and down the trees, 
 or pretending to doze on the lawn, till the sweeping train of 
 the peacock came within reach, when a sudden clutch would 
 prove pussy not so unconscious as he looked, and quite unable 
 to resist a practical joke at the expense of his friend's dignity. 
 The windows of my room looked out on the garden, and I 
 often amused myself by watching Ben's sly pranks. One 
 morning I was startled by the shrill note of a bird evidently 
 in distress. On looking out, I saw the cat on the grassy bank 
 crouching over a dark object. While I watched, the two pea- 
 cocks hurried round the corner with ruffled feathers and out- 
 stretched necks. They had evidently heard the harsh outcry 
 of the captive, for to my surprise they both flew at the cat, 
 and with a few vigorous pecks made him drop a bird, which 
 hopped off into a bed of stocks; after which the peacocks 
 marched away. For a minute the cat stood still, then crept 
 round the flower-bed; another minute, and a loud squeak 
 announced the success of a rapid pounce. Again the pea- 
 cocks rushed into view, and again rescued the bird, a fine 
 young thrush. This time the cat was on the alert, and as the 
 bird hopped slowly off he stole after. The peacock, observing 
 this, swept quickly round, and facing the cat, put himself
 
 144 Biped Tenants of the Farmyard. 
 
 before the thrush, while his mate stood near. By this time I 
 felt a strong interest, and called my husband from the next 
 room to watch the end, ringing the bell at the same time 
 for my maid. Certainly two or three minutes must have 
 elapsed before she came upstairs at my request went down, 
 through the long drawing-rooms, and out of the glass door, 
 and all this time the peacocks defended the thrush in the 
 most spirited manner. The cat made most persistent efforts 
 to creep round and seize the poor young bird^ which was now 
 standing bewildered and silent behind his defenders. The 
 peacocks always fronted the foe, sweeping rapidly round as 
 often as the cat tried to get behind, and they did not relax 
 their vigilance till the maid arrived and carried off the cat. 
 The thrush then hopped merrily away into the shrubbery, 
 and the peacocks resumed their usual measured pace.' 
 
 A SINGULAR FANCY. It is said the peacock is not fond of 
 having his roost prescribed to him. A gentleman residing in 
 the suburbs of Edinburgh had a peacock which uniformly 
 went to roost at nightfall in the avenue of one of the public 
 parks of the city, where it was liable to be stolen and was fre- 
 quently annoyed. There were many large trees on the pro- 
 perty of the gentleman, but the stupid bird persisted in 
 visiting the avenue, where, as might have been expected, it 
 ultimately became the prey of thieves. 
 
 Referring again to the pea-hen, we quote the following 
 account of her nest as given by Brown. He says : ' In the 
 nest of a pea-hen which we lately examined, we observed 
 that the mother had taken care to choose a very sheltered 
 spot, the nest being overhung by a lovr branch of a spruce fir, 
 which was suspended over it like an umbrella, and completely 
 protected it from rain and dew. Another circumstance was 
 still more remarkable. It is well known that female birds, 
 for the most part, wear off a considerable portion of the 
 feathers from their breasts by their frequent movements in 
 turning their eggs. Now, as her eggs were placed on the bare 
 earth, no grass growing under the grip of the spruce branch, 
 the breast of our pea-hen must soon have been rubbed bare 
 of feathers. Foreseeing this event . . the careful creature 
 prepared a soft cushion of dry grass upon which her breast 
 might rest. This cushion was placed on the most exposed 
 side of the nest, but no part of it under the eggs themselves.'
 
 Origin of the Turkey. 145 
 
 The foreign relations of our peacock are those of Japan, 
 China, and Thibet. The painting of a Japan peacock was 
 sent by the Emperor of the former country to the Pope, since 
 which time it has been known in Europe. The date at which 
 the present was made is not stated. 
 
 THE TURKEY : ITS ORIGIN, ETC. This bird belongs to the 
 order Galling is very common in England, and constitutes in 
 some districts a very important article of commerce, especially 
 in Norfolk and Suffolk, whence they are sent in large numbers 
 to the London market. If we may judge from the immense 
 quantity of these birds which may be seen in our shops about 
 Christmas-tide, it is evident their flesh is highly esteemed as 
 food, quite as much so as that of the goose, and in some cases 
 even more so. 
 
 For some time an erroneous idea prevailed that this bird 
 was a native of Turkey, which in all probability arose from the 
 circumstance that about the time it was introduced into Eng- 
 land we were importing from that country many different 
 things which were regarded as great luxuries, and as the flesh 
 of this bird was deemed to be one, it was classed with the 
 others ; and so, without troubling to find out where it really 
 did come from, it was concluded that it was brought from 
 Turkey, and on this account received the name by which it is 
 known. 
 
 Baird states that the common turkey (M. gallopavd) is the 
 type of the genus. Mr. Gould has lately shown that this bird 
 is a native of Mexico, and is the true origin of our domestic 
 species. It appears to have been first imported into Europe 
 by the Spaniards in the year 1530. For many years, how- 
 ever, this species has been lost sight of; and another, closely 
 allied, a native of the United States of North America, has 
 been generally considered the origin of our well-known 
 domestic bird. In their wild state, turkeys attain a large size, 
 and birds of from twenty to thirty and even forty pounds' 
 weight are often met with. 
 
 STRUCTURE OF TURKEYS. Familiar as the personal appear- 
 ance of turkeys may be to most people, we may notice that in 
 a state of domestication they vary in colour : while some are 
 grey and almost black, others are white, and black and white. 
 When the males are about three years old they put out a tuft 
 of hair which hangs from the breast. From the head and 
 
 xo
 
 ' A Coxcomb among Birds' 147 
 
 neck, and from underneath the bill, hangs a fleshy dilatable 
 appendage, which, when the male bird is excited by fear, or 
 agitated with desire, enlarges, and becomes alternately red, 
 white, blue, and yellow. When thus agitated the male also 
 erects his tail, and spreads it like a fan, his wings droop and 
 trail on the ground, and he struts about with a solemn pace, 
 and assumes all the dignity of the most majestic of birds. 
 
 Although he may have a very high estimate of himself, he 
 is little less than a ' coxcomb among birds,' and, with all his 
 ostentatious display, whenever he essays to open his mouth 
 he utters a kind of gurgle which is unmusical and disagreeable. 
 The noise he makes may, however, not only please himself, 
 but may possess a great charm and power for the female turkeys. 
 
 The male bird has a great antipathy to everything that is of 
 a red colour, and has often been known to pursue children 
 and others wearing red dresses, particularly when they have 
 shown any fear of him. When these birds are being driven to 
 market, those who have the charge of them often carry a red 
 flag on the end of a long stick, by means of which the drivers 
 manage them with much greater facility than they would be 
 able to do without it, because the hatred these birds have to 
 a red colour urges them onward with greater speed. 
 
 AFFECTION OF TURKEY HENS. 'The turkey hen is a timid, 
 inoffensive bird, and greatly attached to her young.' Buffon 
 says, ' When the hen turkey appears at the head of her young, 
 she is sometimes heard to send forth a very mournful cry, the 
 cause and intention of which are unknown ; but the brood 
 immediately squat under bushes, or whatever presents itself 
 for their purpose, and entirely disappear ; or if they have not 
 a sufficient covering, they stretch themselves on the ground, 
 and lie as if they were dead, in which state they continue per- 
 haps a quarter of an hour, or longer. In the meantime, the 
 mother directs her view upwards with fear and confusion, and 
 repeats the cry that laid her young prostrate. 
 
 'Those who observe the commotion of the bird and her 
 anxious attention endeavour to trace the cause ; which is always 
 a bird of prey, floating in the clouds, and whose distance with- 
 draws him from our view, but who cannot escape the vigilance 
 or penetration of the active mother : this occasions her fears, 
 and alarms the whole tribe.' ' I have seen ' (says the Abbe 
 de la Pluche) ' one of these creatures continue in this agita- 
 
 10 2
 
 148 Biped Tenants of the Farmyard. 
 
 tion, and her young in a manner riveted to the ground for an 
 hour successively, while the bird whirled about, ascended, or 
 darted down over their heads. But if he at length disappear, 
 the mother changes her note, and utters another cry that re- 
 vives all her brood ; they run to her, flutter their wings, tender 
 her their caresses, and undoubtedly relate all the dangers to 
 which they have been exposed.' 
 
 REMARKABLE INCIDENT. The Rev. H. J. JSwale, of Ing- 
 field, is in possession of a turkey cock, the female of which 
 was recently set on a number of eggs. Whilst the hen was 
 so engaged, the cock, it appears, chanced to find a nest of 
 fourteen duck eggs not far off, on which it forthwith com- 
 menced to sit, and whilst the process of incubation was going 
 on it is said to have been a faithful sitter. It succeeded in 
 bringing out four fine ducklings, and the remainder of the 
 eggs were found to be rotten, which may be accounted for by 
 their probable long exposure to the weather before they were 
 found by the turkey. 
 
 A GALLANT TURKEY COCK. In ' Anecdotes of the Animal 
 Kingdom,' it is stated that ' a gentleman of New York re- 
 ceived, from a friend at a distance, a turkey cock and hen 
 and a pair of bantams, which he put into his yard with other 
 poultry. Some time after, as he was feeding them from the 
 barn-door, a large hawk suddenly made a pitch at the bantam 
 hen; she immediately gave the alarm by a noise which is 
 natural to her on such occasions ; when the turkey cock, who 
 was at the distance of about two yards, and no doubt under- 
 stood the intentions of the hawk, as well as the imminent 
 danger of his old acquaintance and companion, flew at the 
 marauder with such violence, and gave him so severe a stroke 
 with his spurs, when about to seize his prey, as to knock him 
 from the hen to a considerable distance ; and the timely aid 
 of this faithful auxiliary completely saved the bantam from 
 being devoured.' 
 
 A STRANGE THEFT. 'A jeweller of Manchester, being 
 away from home for two days, left in his shop a tame turkey. 
 This bird, urged by hunger, swallowed about ^5,000 worth 
 of cut diamonds, and flew through a window in search of 
 more substantial nourishment. Being caught, killed, and 
 cut up by a cook, he strangely puzzled his new possessor. But 
 the honest man lodged the diamonds in the hands of his
 
 Value of the Guinea Fowl. 
 
 149 
 
 attorney ; who restored them to the jeweller, when the news- 
 papers made known the loss he had sustained, which was 
 attributed to some very adroit thieves, as he never dreamt the 
 turkey had been the depredator.' 
 
 THE GUINEA FOWL, OR PINTADO. Guinea fowls, like 
 turkeys, belong to the order Gallince, and are natives of Africa, 
 but now domesticated in almost every part of Europe. Their 
 bodies are round, tails pendent, necks and legs short, heads 
 small, and their plumage a dark bluish-grey, sprinkled with 
 
 Guinea FowL 
 
 round white spots of different sizes. Their flesh is considered 
 to be, in flavour, nearly as excellent as that of the pheasant : 
 they lay many eggs, which are smaller than those of the 
 common barn-door fowls, but richer in quality. In egg-laying, 
 the guinea-hen exhibits great secretiveness as to the places in 
 which she deposits her eggs ; and it often happens that she 
 produces her young brood before the place where she has 
 hatched them has been discovered. It is on this account, 
 and the great difficulty in rearing them, that their numbers 
 are so small, compared with those of other feathered tenants 
 of the farmyard.
 
 Biped Tenants of the Farmyard. 
 
 Although these birds in most cases retain much of their 
 native wildness, and seem inclined to roam just as they list, 
 yet if taken when young and properly trained, they become 
 very tame. Mr. Bruce informs us that when he was on the 
 coast of Senegal, he received as a present from an African 
 princess two guinea-fowls. Both these birds were so familiar 
 that they would approach the table, and eat out of a plate. 
 When they had liberty to fly about the beach, they always re- 
 turned to the ship when the dinner or supper-bell rang. 
 
 PIGEONS. We give a place to pigeons in this chapter, 
 principally because they constitute a connecting link between 
 passerine birds and the poultry of our farmyards, and because 
 many of them are really domesticated. The pigeon family is 
 a large one, comprising many varieties, found in nearly every 
 part of the world, some even in the coldest latitudes. 
 
 'The pigeon family' (says Baird) 'may be divided into 
 three groups or sub-families : Treronince, or tree-pigeons ; 
 Columbines, the true pigeons ; and Gourince, the ground doves. 
 Of these there are several species, but as they are too nume- 
 rous to refer to in detail, we may state that the species of 
 
 Columbines not only exist 
 in great numbers, but 
 almost everywhere. This 
 genus comprises the 
 cushat, or ring-dove, which 
 is the largest of our 
 British pigeons, and 
 builds its nest in ,the 
 boughs of our trees. The 
 stock-dove, or wood-pigeon, 
 lives in hollow places in 
 decayed trees in Great 
 Britain, and was at one 
 time believed to be the 
 parent or stock of our domesticated pigeons hence the name. 
 ' The real parent, however, is now considered by ornitho- 
 logists to be the rock-pigeon ( C. livid} ; and from it are derived 
 not only the common pigeon, or inhabitant of the dovecot, 
 but all those numerous varieties of domesticated pigeons so 
 highly prized and fostered with such care and attention by the 
 amateur breeder or pigeon-fancier. . . .' 
 
 Wood Pigeon.
 
 Group of Pigeons.
 
 152 
 
 Biped Tenants of the Farmyard. 
 
 In the wild state, the rock-pigeon lives and breeds in holes 
 of rocks in this country, migrating southward in winter. 
 
 The principal food of pigeons is grain ; they drink much, 
 not like other birds at intervals, but by a continued draught 
 like quadrupeds. They pair in the season of love, and pay 
 court to each other with their bills. The female lays two 
 eggs, from which usually come a male and female. The 
 
 Rock Pigeon. 
 
 parent birds act on the mutual or co-operative system, as 
 during the time of incubation they sit on the eggs by turns, 
 and share in the duty of feeding their young. The domestic 
 pigeons breed every month, and their fecundity is immense. 
 It has been calculated that if two pigeons were to hatch nine 
 times a year, in four years they would be the progenitors of 
 14,760 young. 
 While other kinds of birds may feed and rear those fledglings
 
 Varieties of Pigeons. 153 
 
 that have been deprived of their parents, it is said that no 
 other birds can perform the same good offices to young 
 pigeons, only pigeons themselves. During the first few days 
 after the young are hatched they are fed by the mother with 
 a substance resembling thick milk a kind of food macerated 
 by her own digestive organs. It has been observed that 
 towards the latter part of the time of incubation the breast of 
 the hen pigeon enlarges, and is exceedingly prominent imme- 
 diately after her young are hatched. This is caused by the 
 milk-like fluid referred to, without which young pigeons could 
 not be reared. It would therefore appear that the once 
 common practice of making April fools of simple folks by 
 sending them for a pennyworth of ' pigeons' milk ' is based on 
 fact. 
 
 FANCY PIGEONS. Owing to cross-breeding, varieties of 
 pigeons have, during the last few years, considerably increased 
 in this and other countries. Some of these are known by 
 certain peculiarities of structure, habits, and capabilities ; 
 hence we have tumblers, pouters, jacobins, fantails, owls, trum- 
 peters, barbes, turbits, nuns, dragoons, and archangels. Pro- 
 bably the most prominent and useful pigeon is the one known 
 as the 
 
 CARRIER PIGEON, highly valued and immortalized by Ana- 
 creon and other poets, as the bearer of love-epistles, and by 
 historians as the messenger sent by beleaguered hosts to 
 friends at a distance. Of late years this kind of pigeon was 
 employed both in England and on the Continent by those 
 engaged on the racecourse or in the prize-ring, and in many 
 stock-jobbing transactions. The use of the electric wire at 
 the present time has rendered the services of these birds 
 less necessary than formerly. 
 
 It is a matter of surprise that carrier-pigeons taken a long 
 distance from home should, when let loose, so unerringly find 
 their way back. They appear, like migratory birds, to possess 
 either an additional sense or instinct of a very superior order. 
 We have been informed by a gentleman much interested in 
 pigeons, and particularly in carrier-pigeons, that the plan 
 adopted by the latter in their flight homewards is as follows : 
 first ascending and satisfying themselves as to the direction 
 they must take for home, they describe a circle, in doing 
 which their eyes take in the panorama of a large extent of
 
 154 Biped Tenants of the Farmyard. 
 
 country ; the next circle they describe is wider, and the next 
 still larger, and so on; the pigeons, however, moving all 
 the time in the direction of home. Being, as most birds are, 
 long-sighted, they soon, from their great altitude, discover on 
 the landscape objects which are familiar to them ; they then 
 take a direct course for the destination or home they wish to 
 reach, and which they usually do in an incredibly short space 
 of time. 
 
 Lithgow assures us that a carrier-pigeon" would carry a 
 
 Carrier Pigeon. 
 
 letter from Babylon to Aleppo (which to a man is usually 
 a thirty days' journey) in forty-eight hours. We have read 
 of a gentleman who, some years ago, on a trifling wager, 
 sent a carrier-pigeon from London by the coach to a friend 
 at Bury St. Edmunds, and along with it a note, desiring that 
 the pigeon, two days after its arrival there, might be thrown 
 up precisely when the town clock struck nine in the morning. 
 This was done ; and the pigeon arrived in London, and flew 
 into the Bull Inn, in Bishopsgate Street, at half an hour past 
 eleven o'clock, of the same morning, having flown eighty-eight 
 miles in two hours and a half. 
 
 A PIGEON FOND OF Music. It is recorded that Mr. John 
 Lockman, being in the house of Mr. Lee, who lived in
 
 TJie Voice of the Dove. 
 
 155 
 
 Cheshire, and whose daughter played the harpsichord, ob- 
 served a pigeon which, whenever the lady played the song of 
 ' Spera si ' in Handel's opera of ' Admetus,' would come from 
 the dove-house to the room window where she sat, and listen 
 to it apparently with the most pleasing emotions ; and when 
 the song was finished it always returned immediately to the 
 dove-house. 
 
 TURTLE DOVES. This species of dove belongs to the 
 Columbinae family. They are 
 migratory, and arrive in England 
 usually rather late in the spring, 
 and depart towards the end of 
 August. 'The turtle-dove is 
 about twelve inches long. Its 
 eyes are yellow, encompassed 
 with a crimson circle ; top of the 
 head ash-grey, mixed with olive ; 
 each side of the neck is marked 
 with a spot of black feathers 
 tipped with white. The back and 
 quill feathers vary in colour, 
 which, though quiet, harmonize very beautifully. This bird 
 builds in high trees and lays usually two eggs only. During 
 the short time they are here they mate, lay their eggs, and 
 rear their young. On account of their gentle and soothing 
 accents when cooing, and their general deportment, they are 
 considered to be perfect emblems of connubial attachment.' 
 
 Turtle Dove.
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 FOREST ACROBATS, LITTLE MARAUDERS, AND FLYING ODDITIES. 
 
 Thou lively little nimble thing, 
 
 Roam freely in thy native wood ; 
 Enjoy thy life in quiet there ; 
 
 / would not cage thee if I could. 
 
 How beats thy heart with fear when human foes 
 Thy young ones in their cosy nest disclose. 
 
 Though thou art but a link between 
 The mouse that runs, and birds who fly ; 
 
 A bat in nature has its use, 
 A fact 'twere foolish to deny. 
 
 MONG the numerous animals confined in small 
 cages and boxes in many of the low and crowded 
 streets of London and other large towns, may be 
 seen one, of a lively temperament, passing its 
 time by turning, with its little feet, a circular 
 part of a wired cage so rapidly that the wonder is the limbs 
 of this creature are not broken by the rotatory motion. 
 
 Although absence from its native woods and confinement 
 in so contracted a prison must of necessity lessen the pleasure 
 of its life, it affords by its surprising activity at least some 
 entertainment and instruction to those disposed to learn, but 
 who may never have seen this animal in its state of wild 
 freedom, in which, unrestrained by man, it can follow out its 
 instincts and indulge in its own peculiar habits and tastes. It 
 will at once be seen that we refer to 
 
 THE SQUIRREL. This remarkably light and active animal 
 belongs to the order Gliris, and is found in most of the 
 woods and forests of England. Although squirrels are widely 
 distributed over both the Eastern and Western hemispheres,
 
 Structure of Squirrels. 157 
 
 and present many points of similarity in structure, they differ 
 in others. Some are known as flying squirrels, having their 
 limbs invested in a skin or membrane, which they spread 
 out, and by which they are buoyed up and assisted in their 
 movements from one place to another in a manner similar to 
 the birds of the air when flying. Our squirrels have their 
 limbs perfectly free. Being more 
 of a climbing animal than a leap- 
 ing one, its fore-legs are a little 
 longer than the hind-legs, and have 
 in them a greater concentration 
 of muscular power. This structural 
 arrangement is a great advantage 
 to it in climbing and in laying 
 hold of the boughs of trees when 
 leaping from one to another. As 
 squirrels have to seek their food in 
 the deep shade of thick trees, they 
 
 are favoured with large prominent eyes the more easily to 
 discern it, and to make sure footing in their, leaps. Their 
 tails they can bring over the back part of their heads to serve 
 as a kind of shade, and they no doubt act as a balance to the 
 body while springing from tree to tree. 
 
 The English squirrel is not only a light, lively, beautiful and 
 active animal, but an exceedingly provident one. In summer- 
 time it feeds a great deal upon the young shoots of the pine, 
 of which it is particularly fond. During the autumn it labours 
 assiduously in collecting nuts and various seeds, and storing 
 them in the hollow of some tree as a provision for the 
 winter. 
 
 Although these little animals must be as a rule far happier 
 in the wild woods, their native home, than in a state of con- 
 finement, however well and kindly treated, they have been 
 known, when tamed, to show considerable attachment to their 
 owners, and to place great confidence in their protection, 
 as well as affording great amusement by their frolics and 
 gambols. 
 
 ANECDOTE OF A SQUIRREL. Captain Brown says : ' A 
 gentleman procured one from a nest, found at Woodhouselee, 
 near Edinburgh, which he reared and rendered extremely 
 docile. It was kept in a box below an aperture, where was
 
 158 Forest Acrobats and Little Marauders. 
 
 suspended a rope, by which the animal ascended and de- 
 scended. The little creature used to watch very narrowly all 
 its master's movements, and whenever he was preparing to go 
 out, it ran up his legs and entered his pockets, from whence 
 it would peep out at passengers as he walked along the streets, 
 never venturing, however, to go out. But no sooner would 
 he reach the outskirts of the city, than the squirrel leaped on 
 the ground, ran along the road, ascended to the tops of trees 
 and hedges with the quickness of lightning, and nibbled at 
 the leaves and bark ; and if he walked on, it would descend, 
 
 scamper after him, and again enter his pocket This 
 
 gentleman had a dog, between which and the squirrel a 
 certain enmity existed. Whenever the dog lay asleep, the 
 squirrel showed its teasing disposition by rapidly descending 
 from the box, scampering over the dog's body, and quickly 
 mounting its rope.' 
 
 Squirrels have sometimes been robbed of their young by 
 magpies, who have invaded their nests for that purpose. 
 
 SQUIRRELS AND NUT-GATHERING. We copy the following 
 interesting information from the December number of Nature, 
 1876: 'On the lawn before the window near which I am 
 writing is erected a tripod of three lofty poles, at the summit 
 of which is suspended a basket containing nuts and walnuts. 
 The squirrels, of which there are many in the shrubberies and 
 adjoining plantations, ascend these poles, extract a nut from 
 the basket, and quickly make their way down and across the 
 lawn, in various parts of which they bury their nuts, scratch- 
 ing a hole in the green turf, putting in a nut, filling up the 
 hole, and lastly, with much energy, patting the loose materials 
 with their feet till the filling-up is made firm and solid. This 
 morning for a considerable time only one squirrel was at work, 
 giving me a better opportunity of observing the mode of 
 operation. His journeys were made in all directions, and 
 varied from five feet to nearly two yards, never, so far as I 
 could observe, going twice to the same place, or even nearly 
 so. The squirrels, I am told, forget the spots where they 
 hide the nuts, and in the following spring the lawn, which is 
 very spacious, is dotted with the young plants of nuts and 
 walnuts. As the colours of flowers attracting bees and moths 
 promote fertilization, so the racy flavour of a nut, irresistible 
 to a squirrel, contributes to the distribution of its kind.'
 
 Different Kinds of Mice. 159 
 
 THE MOUSE. This well-known animal belongs to the same 
 family and order as the rat. There are several species of this 
 animal. 
 
 1. There is the wood-mouse, which lives in fields and 
 gardens, and is found in every part of Europe. They commit 
 terrible ravages, and are great enemies to the farmer, the 
 florist, and nurseryman. Baird 
 
 says : ' They form large magazines 
 of acorns, grain, nuts, etc., for 
 their winter provision ; and the 
 mischief done to the farmer by 
 hogs rooting up the ground is said 
 to be caused by their searching for 
 these subterranean treasures.' 
 
 2. There is the harvest-mouse, Mouse. 
 a tiny creature not more than 
 
 about two inches long from the nose to the root ot the 
 tail, which is two inches more. Their little, cosy, warm nests 
 are usually built amidst standing corn, a little way from the 
 ground, and sometimes in large thistles, which position reminds 
 us of the nests of reed-warblers, which are suspended among 
 reeds in a similar manner. The harvest-mouse is often, with 
 his family, carried to the barn or to the rick, where they 
 multiply to an alarming extent, and commit such devastations 
 that the computed value of the corn is very much less than 
 the farmer expected. 
 
 3. There is the house or common mouse, which is found in 
 nearly every place where man is found. They breed rapidly, 
 and cause great destruction of whatever food they may find 
 accessible. They are great invaders of granaries, cheese- 
 mongers' stores, pantries, and larders. They are partial to 
 tallow-chandlers' shops, and whenever practicable visit libraries 
 and book-shops. It is said that a small number of mice are 
 useful in a house that is infested with black beetles, which the 
 mice destroy. 
 
 The common mouse is not only a lively interesting animal, 
 but possesses a fair share of intelligence, and has been known 
 to become very familiar with those who have treated it kindly 
 and gently. Drummond says ' that Baron Frederick Trenck, 
 during his long rigid confinement in the fortress of Magdeburg, 
 found a companion in a mouse, which he had rendered so
 
 160 Forest Acrobats and Little Marauders. 
 
 familiar that it would play round him and eat from his mouth. 
 " In this small animal," says he, " I have discovered proofs of 
 intelligence too great to easily gain belief; were I to write 
 them . . . such philosophers as suppose man alone endowed 
 with the power of thought, allowing nothing but what they 
 call instinct to animals, would proclaim me a fabulous writer, 
 and my opinions heterodox to what they suppose sound 
 philosophy." ' 
 
 This intelligent mouse, which was wont to come at his 
 whistle, jump on his shoulder, and caper on a trencher, was 
 barbarously taken from him, presented to a lady, and put into 
 a cage, where it pined, refused sustenance, and ultimately 
 died, the cause being, no doubt, its separation from the man to 
 whom it had become so ardently attached. 
 
 INGENUITY OF A MOUSE TO EXTRICATE HER YOUNG. 
 We quote the following from the Animal World: ' Being 
 troubled with mice, I purchased two traps; one on the 
 spring principle, fastened down by thread, on cutting which, to 
 get at the tempting bit of cheese, poor mousy would be caught 
 and soon put an end to. But after one or two being caught, 
 it was a most difficult thing to tempt any more of the fraternity 
 to go to the same place. They appeared to have a thorough 
 knowledge for along time of its nature and purpose. Noticing 
 this, I purchased a second trap, made of wire, nearly round, 
 with a flat wooden bottom, at the sides of which are placed 
 two or three holes, through which mousy has to push 
 to reach her coveted morsel ; but once through, the points of 
 the wires would close upon her to prevent her return. Poor 
 mousy appears to discover her retreat cut off before touching 
 her prize, because it was generally left untouched, unless there 
 were two or more in at the same time, which appears to lessen 
 their trouble of mind and timidity at being imprisoned. I 
 have found on one or two occasions that one being alone, 
 although caught in the night, died before morning through 
 fear or some cause which I could not account for ; but they 
 were evidently young ones. Now for the hero-mouse of my 
 paper. The trap was placed in a kitchen cupboard where it 
 could be seen when the door was open, which happened to 
 be so when this interesting event was witnessed. A tiny young 
 mouse was seen in the trap, which did all it could to get 
 away, but at every attempt failed I was just about to take
 
 A Curious Singer. 161 
 
 pity on the youngster and let it escape, when, lo ! an older 
 one appeared on the scene, evidently the parent. She appeared 
 to examine the trap all over, and seemed to try to coax her 
 offspring after her, but to no purpose. At last she left, giving 
 up her little one, as I thought, for lost ; but no, she soon 
 returned from amongst the rubbish in the cupboard with a 
 piece of string in her mouth. One end of this she deliberately 
 pushed between the wires into the cage, and soon made 
 the prisoner understand what it was to do. Whether the 
 young one really understood itself, or whether the old one 
 made it understand by a certain language of their own, I 
 cannot say; but however, the youngster soon took hold of 
 the end of the string, and the moment the old one saw she 
 had a good hold she pulled away with a will, and got her out 
 almost in a second. The wire at this particular part was a 
 little more open than in any other part of the cage ; whether 
 this was seen by the old one, or was an accident, is another 
 problem. 
 
 SINGING MICE. Much has been said about singing mice. 
 Whether this gift or power arises from a peculiar organization, 
 or from a functional derangement of their throat or larynx, 
 may be difficult to tell In referring to this subject a London 
 veterinary surgeon says : ' I am sorry to spoil the interest 
 naturally aroused by such a phenomenon, but I think I have 
 somewhere seen a similar case, the cause of which was disease 
 of the air passages, producing constriction, and a consequent 
 shrill sound with the breathing.' 
 
 That instances of mice singing have been known cannot 
 be doubted, to which we may add the following account taken 
 from the Animal World, in which the writer says : 
 
 'A curious case of a singing mouse has lately come under 
 my own immediate knowledge, and as I think it will be of 
 interest to you and the numerous readers of your publication, 
 I hasten to make it known to you. 
 
 ' About a fortnight ago, the wife of a builder living in Great 
 College Street, Monte Video Place, Kentish Town, was 
 startled one evening by seeing a mouse come out of a hole 
 near the fireplace and run about, singing as it went. The 
 woman was so alarmed that she fled from the house into that 
 of her next-door neighbour, who went back with her, saw the 
 mouse, and informed her it was a most unlucky thing to have 
 
 ii
 
 1 62 Forest Acrobats and Little Marauders. 
 
 in the house, being a sign of sickness and death. The poor 
 animal was, therefore, poisoned, and thus fell a victim to 
 ignorance and superstition. The woman described the singing 
 as resembling that of a canary.' 
 
 THE MOUSE AND THE 'GREENBACKS.' We give the follow- 
 ing curious information of the delinquencies of a mouse on 
 the authority of the Pall Mall Gazette newspaper, in which it 
 appeared a short time since. It says : 
 
 ' There has been a terrible robbery in Ohio, United States. 
 A quantity of " greenbacks " have been stolen by a mouse, 
 who was imprudent enough to eat of them, and died from the 
 effects of the arsenic contained in the green colouring of the 
 money. It seems from the account given of the affair in the 
 Cleveland Plain Dealer of the 22nd ult, that Misses Gunson 
 and Middleton are dressmakers and milliners, doing a pros- 
 perous business ; indeed, so successful has been their business 
 that they have been enabled in a few months to save 200 
 dollars to pay the last instalment of the purchase-money 
 of their establishment. This money they stowed away in 
 an old satchel, which they kept under the counter of their 
 shop. The other day, as the time for payment was approach- 
 ing, one of the ladies looked into the satchel to see if the 
 money was safe. To her horror the satchel was found empty. 
 Suspicion at once attached to a mouse who had lately been 
 seen prowling about the shop. By carefully scrutinizing the 
 floor, the course of the diminutive burglar was tracked by bits 
 of greenbacks to a hole in the wall. The hole was at once 
 searched, and there was found the mouse lying dead in a nest 
 of greenbacks to the amount of 200 dollars. The bills and 
 scrip had been torn to fragments, so that not a cent, could be 
 saved. Much sympathy is felt for the Misses Gunson and 
 Middleton under this misfortune, but none for the mouse, 
 who, although it was neither aware of the mischief it was 
 effecting nor of the danger of greenbacks as an article of diet, 
 is considered to have met with a just retaliation for its incon- 
 siderate conduct.' 
 
 BATS, OR FLYING ODDITIES. These nocturnal animals 
 belong to the class Mammalia, Order III. Canaria, Sub-order 
 I. Cheiroptera, which signifies wing and Jtand, or wing-handed. 
 The bat family is widely distributed over the earth. The 
 flying fox-bats are natives of Java, where they are very
 
 Nocturnal Visitors. 
 
 163 
 
 numerous. They measure nearly five feet in expanse of 
 wing. They are, during the day, comparatively motionless, 
 hanging in such a manner from the trees in which they lodge, 
 that anyone not particularly observant might take them for 
 fruit. 
 
 No sooner, however, does the sun go down than they show 
 signs of life and activity by flying direct to villages, orchards, 
 and plantations, and committing considerable mischief to 
 fruit of various kinds. Their flesh is white and delicate, and 
 has a strong smell of musk. It is very probable that at some 
 remote period this species of bat existed in England, as fossil 
 remains of it have been found in our caves. 
 
 THE VAMPIRE BAT. The vampire bat is a native of 
 
 Vampire Bat. 
 
 South America, and according to accounts given of it by 
 travellers in that country, is a bloodthirsty, troublesome, and 
 dangerous animal. It has been known to attack fowls, quad- 
 rupeds, and human beings, and to suck their blood until they 
 have become so weakened as to be scarcely able to stand or 
 to walk, and in some cases until they have died. Waterton 
 says : ' That an unfortunate jackass, attacked by one of these 
 bats, died by inches, and looked very much like misery steeped 
 in vinegar.' They will attack men by biting their toes while 
 asleep, and, without waking them, gorge themselves with 
 their blood. They are, however, capricious, as they will often 
 night after night fall upon the same persons, never attempting 
 to molest others who may be sleeping in the same place. 
 The bats, natives of Great Britain, are known as the large and 
 small horseshoe bats. Like their relations in other countries, 
 they remain, in warm weather, hidden in some quiet place 
 
 II 2
 
 : _ Forest Acrobats mxd Lttt& Marauders. 
 
 Ae day , and come act about dnsk, flying hither and 
 
 m 2 MEIJ enatlC DOt taped JIMIJUeC. They XtC ^T* 1 ^ 
 :- :.-:_.- :__".-., :> ; : : .' . -_-_- . :" ; _ .:.-_: ;:. :/_;_;'-. : .: ;- 
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 bats are jyu^^l by sopostitiaas 
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 Ac minds of tmnd people 
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 c 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 FEEBLE FOLK, FISHERS, AND POACHERS. 
 
 ' She flies, she leaps, and bounces to deceive, 
 Till fainting, breathless, spent, at last she drops, 
 On some fresh verdant turf, or thymy bank, 
 Once the gay scene of her nocturnal sports.' i 
 
 T is interesting to note that animals differ in their 
 habits, tempers, and dispositions according to 
 the nature of the food on which they subsist. 
 Carnivorous animals who feed only on flesh are 
 more fierce, dangerous, and destructive than all 
 others, especially when overtaken by hunger. To meet a lion 
 or a pack of wolves at such a time would imperil the life of 
 the bravest man. 
 
 Farmyard fowls, pigs, and other omnivorous animals, who 
 will eat flesh, worms, seeds, and vegetables, or almost any- 
 thing that is eatable, are less savage than lions and tigers. 
 Grain-eating birds are not so bold or fierce as eagles and 
 vultures, whose food is the flesh of other animals, and who 
 have been known to attack and carry them alive to their 
 eyries to be devoured at their leisure. 
 
 Herbivorous animals, such as horses, oxen, sheep, and we 
 may add hares and rabbits, and others belonging to the same 
 family, are comparatively harmless ; at least they are not 
 aggressive on other forms of life for food, and only when 
 necessary place themselves on the defensive against their 
 tormenters, or those animals that might attempt to destroy 
 them. 
 
 ' Feeble folk,' included in the group of animals we have 
 selected as subjects of this chapter, will first have brief attention.
 
 Strange Companions. 
 
 167 
 
 Hare. 
 
 HARES AND RABBITS. These animals are so well known 
 as to require but a short description. They are rodent animals 
 belonging to the class Mammalia, have sharp cutting teeth, 
 large eyes, and long ears, varying, however, according to the 
 species. 
 
 Referring to hares, Baird says : ' They are gentle, timid 
 animals, easily frightened at the least noise, and are possessed 
 of remarkably quick hearing. Their mode of progression is 
 by leaping, and when 
 alarmed their flight is 
 very rapid.' They are 
 very prolific, and would 
 become very mis- 
 chievous if they were 
 not kept in check by nu- 
 merous enemies, such 
 as weasels, foxes, and 
 similar canaria. The 
 hare does not burrow, 
 but simply hides under 
 a bush or in a furrow, 
 and such place is called its form. The young are born with 
 their eyes open. Hares constitute an important article of 
 food in this country, although both the Mahometan and 
 Jewish religions prohibit their followers from eating them. 
 
 Coursing or hunting such a small, timid, and defenceless 
 animal as the hare may afford pastime and sport to man, but 
 it certainly does not add to his dignity or show either courage 
 or heroism. Probably lion or tiger hunting might do so. 
 
 COWPER'S HARES. Wild as hares are in their natural con- 
 dition, they are capable of being sufficiently tamed so as to 
 become interesting and attached companions of those who 
 treat them kindly. The affection of Cowper the poet for 
 his three tame hares, Bess, Tiny, and Puss, is well known. 
 Puss became more attached to his master than to his own 
 species. On fine days he was always anxious for his master 
 to go into the garden, and would give signs of his wish by 
 pulling the poet by the skirts of his coat, drumming on his 
 knee until he had fairly got him out. Of Tiny, Cowper gives 
 the following account : ' He was very entertaining in his way ; 
 even his surliness was matter of mirth, and, in his play, he
 
 1 68 Feeble Folk, FisJiers, and Poachers. 
 
 preserved such an air of gravity, and performed his feats with 
 such a solemnity of manner, that in him, too, I had an agree- 
 able companion.' Bess was the comedian and acrobat of the 
 company : ' A hare of great humour and drollery.' Puss was 
 tamed by kindness. Tiny refused to be tamed at all. But 
 Bess 'had a courage and confidence that made him tame 
 from the beginning.' The poet used to treat his pets to a 
 'carpet-dance' in the lonely evenings, on which occasions, 
 'Bess being remarkabably strong and fearless, was always 
 superior to the rest, and proved himself the Vestris of the 
 party.' Bess was cut off in the prime of life. Tiny lived to 
 be nine years old, and Puss survived him two years. 
 
 REMARKABLE STORY OF A TAMED HARE. 'We are in- 
 formed,' says the author of ' Anecdotes of the Animal King- 
 dom,' ' by Borlase, in his " Natural History of Cornwall," that 
 he had a hare so completely tamed as to feed from the hand ; 
 it always lay under a chair in the ordinary sitting-room, and 
 was as much domesticated as a cat. It was permitted to take 
 exercise and food in the garden, but always returned to the 
 house to" repose. Its usual companions were a greyhound 
 and a spaniel, with whom it spent its evenings. The whole 
 three seemed much attached, and frequently sported together, 
 and at night they were to be seen stretched together on the 
 hearth. What is remarkable, both the greyhound and spaniel 
 were often employed in sporting, and used secretly to go in 
 pursuit of hares by themselves, yet they never offered the 
 least violence to their timid friend at home.' 
 
 THE HARE THAT LOVED Music. The same author says : 
 'There is an anecdote related of five choristers, who, while 
 singing an anthem by the banks of the Mersey, in Cheshire, 
 attracted the notice of a hare ; when they ceased she made 
 off, but on their again commencing she returned quickly, and 
 stood about twenty yards distant in the open field. When 
 they finished she again bent her way to a neighbouring wood.' 
 
 HAZARDOUS VENTURE BY A HARE. Fouilloux says he 
 saw a hare start from its form at the sound of the hunter's 
 horn, run towards a pool of water at a considerable distance, 
 plunge in, and swim to some rushes in the middle, where it 
 lay down and concealed itself from the pursuit of the dogs. 
 
 A BATTLE BETWEEN TWO HARES. Mr. Waterton, in his 
 ' Essays on Natural History,' says : ' One Easter Sunday, in
 
 Two Hare Combatants. 169 
 
 the afternoon, as I was proceeding with my brother-in-law, 
 Mr. Carr, to look at a wild-duck's nest in an adjacent wood, 
 we saw two hares fighting with inconceivable fury, on the open 
 ground about 150 yards distant from us. They stood on their 
 hinder legs like two bull-dogs, resolutely bent on destruction. 
 Having watched them for about a quarter of an hour, we then 
 entered the wood ; I observing to Mr. Carr that we should 
 find them engaged on our return. We stayed in the wood 
 some ten minutes, and on leaving it saw the hares still in 
 desperate battle. They had moved along the hillside, and 
 the grass was strongly marked with their down for a space of 
 twenty yards. At last one of the sylvan warriors fell on its 
 side, and never got upon its legs again. Its antagonist then 
 retreated for a yard or so, stood still for a minute, as if in 
 contemplation, and then rushed vengefully on the fallen foe. 
 This retreat and advance was performed many times; the 
 conqueror striking its prostrate adversary with its fore-feet, 
 and clearing off great portions of down with them. In the 
 meantime the vanquished hare rolled over and over again, 
 but could not recover the use of its legs, although it made 
 several attempts to do so. Its movements put you in mind 
 of a drunken man trying to get up from the ground after a 
 hard night in the alehouse. It now lay still on the ground, 
 effectually subdued, while the other continued its attacks upon 
 it with the fury of a little demon. Seeing that the fight was 
 over, we approached the scene of action ; the conqueror hare 
 retiring as we drew near. I took up the fallen combatant 
 just as it was breathing its last. Both its sides had been 
 completely bared of fur, and large patches of down had been 
 torn from its back and belly. It was a well-conditioned buck- 
 hare, weighing, I should suppose, from seven to eight pounds.' 
 
 Although the conduct of the two hares referred to in the 
 above anecdote appears to be altogether inconsistent with the 
 natural gentleness and timidity of these creatures, it is never- 
 theless true that they, and other tribes of animals, as well as 
 human beings, are not only capable of feeling the passion of 
 love, but even of jealousy one towards another. 
 
 Thompson says: 'The males of deer and cattle are ex- 
 tremely tenacious of their rights, and engage in instant battle 
 with the trespasser.' 
 
 It may be reasonably assumed that both the hare com-
 
 170 Feeble Folk, Fishers, and Poachers. 
 
 batants spoken of were males, and that the cause of the 
 quarrel between them was an attempted undue interference 
 by one of them with the connubial rights of the other. Or it 
 may have arisen from the one having invaded what the other 
 considered to be its own exclusive domain, and that the latter 
 animal, to punish the offender, acted on the same principle as 
 that adopted by the scavenger dogs of Constantinople, who 
 summarily castigate a strange dog who may attempt to pick 
 up a living in the same street or locality. Whatever the real 
 cause may have been, we have in this battle of the two hares 
 a very marvellous phase of animal life. 
 
 CLEVER HARES. In addition to the proofs furnished in 
 the interesting account given of Cowper's hares that these 
 animals are capable of education, we give the following in- 
 formation. It appears that at one time a hare was exhibited 
 in England which not only danced to measure, but, to the 
 astonishment of beholders, played with its fore-feet upon a 
 tabaret, and observed a correct number of strokes. After- 
 wards the hare fought with a dog (no doubt instructed for 
 the purpose), when it bit with its teeth and beat forcibly with 
 its feet. Another hare, many years ago, was taught to beat a 
 drum with its fore-feet while a person carried it round the 
 stage. 
 
 AN AMUSING COLLOQUY. If village boys are not as a 
 rule as quick and confident in their answers to interrogations 
 as town boys may be, there are many exceptions to this rule, 
 as some have been known to show much shrewdness, and 
 quafatness too, in the replies they have given to certain ques- 
 tions, of which we have a proof in the following amusing story, 
 contained in the ' Parlour Menagerie ' : ' A sportsman cours- 
 ing having lost his hare, thus hastily accosted a shepherd's 
 boy: <f Boy, did you see a hare run by here?" "A hare, 
 sir ?" " Yes, fool !" " What, a hare, sir ?" " Yes !" " What, 
 a thing that runs fast, with long ears ?" " Yes." " That goes 
 lopperty, lopperty lop ?" " Yes, yes, my good fellow !" " What, 
 very long ears ?" " Yes, dolt !" " Ah, then," said the boy, 
 " I didn't see it." ' 
 
 RABBITS. Rabbits differ in their habits from hares, inas- 
 much as they are essentially burrowing animals, and live in 
 companies of hundreds and sometimes thousands in the same 
 wood or warren, while hares are comparatively isolated, and
 
 About Ostend Rabbits. 
 
 171 
 
 content themselves with v the surface of the earth. Rabbit- 
 burrows are often very long and irregular. Into these they 
 run in times of danger, but even there they are not always 
 safe, as they have been followed into them by stoats, weasels, 
 and ferrets, and there destroyed. Foxes and hedgehogs often 
 indulge their carnivorous appetites with a rabbit, and birds of 
 prey have been known to pounce upon them and to carry 
 them off. They are truly a 'feeble folk.' They have no 
 means of defence to ward off the rapacious animals just men- 
 tioned. 
 
 Rabbits are not without ingenuity, as they have been known 
 to watch a terrier dog into a burrow, then to fill up the en- 
 trance with earth, so that the invader could not escape, but 
 has perished miserably 
 underground. They 
 breed seven times a 
 year, so that a single 
 pair in four years may 
 become the progenitors 
 of 1,274,840 descend- 
 ants. A military force 
 from Rome had to 
 suppress the numbers 
 of these animals, which 
 overran the islands of 
 Majorca and Minorca. 
 
 The following information, taken from the Evening Standard 
 newspaper of the pth October, 1882, may be interesting to our 
 readers, especially to those of them who take an interest in the 
 animals to which reference is made : 
 
 ' It has generally been supposed that the rabbits brought 
 over in such enormous quantities to this country from Ostend 
 are wild rabbits, or, rather, rabbits bred in vast numbers in 
 great warrens. Attempts have been made here, with more or 
 less success, to breed rabbits on a large scale in the same 
 manner ; but the success which has attended these efforts has 
 certainly not been sufficiently marked to produce a supply 
 which can compete, in either number or cheapness, with the 
 rabbits shipped from Ostend. The Provisioner states that, 
 with a view to find out how so cheap and plentiful a supply 
 was raised, it has investigated the rabbit question upon the 
 
 Rabbit.
 
 1/2 Feeble Folk, Fishers, and Poachers. 
 
 spot, and finds that the popular idea is a wholly mistaken one. 
 The rabbits are neither wild nor raised in warrens, but are of 
 the ordinary domestic description with which all of us are 
 familiar, and are bred by the farmers and labourers in the 
 agricultural districts of Belgium and France. They can 
 hardly be said to form an item in the various occupations 
 which are engaged in by farmers for profit, since, although 
 they are bred with the ultimate intention of selling them, they 
 are nowhere cultivated in such numbers or with that careful 
 attention which characterize other pursuits forming a staple 
 industry. It is even a common thing for them to be bred in 
 twos and threes by young children. The rabbits are collected 
 periodically by higglers, who go round from place to place in 
 vehicles, and buy such as are then in a condition for killing. 
 Rabbits, in fact, are raised on a small scale in Belgium, as are 
 eggs in France, as a sort of by-product, and it is, under these 
 circumstances, astonishing indeed that such an enormous 
 number of these creatures can be sent to England at so cheap 
 a price. The magnitude of the trade may be inferred from 
 the fact that in many days of what is known as " the season," 
 extending from October to March, as many as two thousand 
 boxes are shipped from Ostend alone. As each box contains 
 on an average ten dozen rabbits, this gives a total of nearly 
 a quarter of a million at one shipment. Surely what is done 
 in Belgium might be done in England. If all our cottagers 
 could but be persuaded to keep a few hens and a few rabbits, 
 they might materially add to their earnings, and the country 
 would save the very large sum which she yearly pays to her 
 neighbours for provisions which might be profitably raised at 
 home.' 
 
 Rabbits have their tempers, which they have a curious way 
 sometimes of showing. In a domesticated state they are easily 
 offended, and often give way to sudden starts of rage by 
 thumping loudly on the ground with their hind-feet. 
 
 ' It may be observed,' says Brown, ' that the rabbit, like the 
 other tribes of the hare, though so harmless to other animals, 
 frequently fights with its own kind. Two males, confined in 
 the same place with the other rabbits, will be sure to fight, 
 and the stronger will bite and persecute the weaker incessantly. 
 The effect may often be seen in wounds, extending over the 
 back of the animal. The rabbit will also, when offended,
 
 Boys and Tame Rabbits. 173 
 
 bite the hand or leg of the person nearest it with its sharp 
 front teeth. It may be noticed, too, that the male rabbit has 
 a great propensity for destroying the young ; to prevent which, 
 the female carefully covers up the nest each time she goes out 
 to feed, and when domesticated, seeks a place of concealment 
 from the male.' 
 
 From ' All about Country Life ' we select the following in- 
 formation, which may be useful to 
 
 BOYS WHO KEEP TAME RABBITS. ' Tame rabbits are often 
 kept for profit or amusement in hutches or houses built on 
 purpose for them. There are many sorts of common tame 
 rabbits, of great variety in size, colour, r and appearance. Some 
 are entirely black ; others white with red eyes ; there is also 
 the silver-grey or ash-coloured rabbit, and many sorts of varie- 
 gated colours. Then there are the fancy rabbits, of which 
 the most celebrated are the "dew-lop," the "oar-lop," the "flat- 
 lop," the " half-lop," and the French rabbit. Fancy rabbits are 
 usually of large size, and a fine one will weigh twelve pounds. 
 They were originally brought from the East, and require more 
 warmth than common English domestic rabbits. 
 
 ' Perfect cleanliness and suitable food regularly given form 
 the essential conditions for success in rabbit-keeping. Half 
 of the diseases of tame rabbits arise from not keeping their 
 hutches cleaned out sufficiently often, and a large proportion 
 of the other half from injudicious feeding. If fed exclusively 
 on green, succulent food, they are apt to get pot-bellied. No 
 vegetables should be given them in a wet state. The mistake 
 must not be made, however, of feeding with too much corn 
 or other dry food. Too many oats will kill rabbits faster than 
 too large a quantity of grains. The true secret of good keep- 
 ing lies in a varied diet. Carrots and hay are extremely useful 
 in winter, and in summer many wayside and garden weeds are 
 peculiarly wholesome. Among them the sow-thistle, the 
 dandelion, the plantain, and groundsel recommend them- 
 selves, while parsley, endive, celery-tops, lettuce and cabbage- 
 leaves may be gathered from garden plants, and the various 
 cultivated grasses from the field. The stalks and leaves of 
 chicory are said to be excellent for rabbits.' 
 
 To the above directions we would offer a suggestion which, 
 if adopted, would no doubt help to ameliorate the monotony 
 of what is after all a life of imprisonment to these animals.
 
 174 
 
 Feeble Folk, Fishers, and Poachers. 
 
 We refer to the necessity of giving them more room in their 
 hutches or houses than is usually allotted to them. The 
 young of tame rabbits, as well as those of other animals, are 
 fond of play, which they would be able to indulge in in pro- 
 portion as they have space to exercise themselves, and which 
 would really be promotive of their pleasure, health, and 
 growth. 
 
 OTTERS. These animals are found in almost every part of 
 Europe, and at one time were common in England, especially 
 in the northern part of Yorkshire; but their numbers have 
 
 Otter. 
 
 been so decimated by otter hunts, that they are now but 
 rarely met with. 
 
 The otter belongs to the class Mammalia, family Felidse. 
 It is an aquatic and amphibious animal, and is found princi- 
 pally on or near rivers and streams where fish abound, and 
 on which it mainly subsists. It is quite an epicure, as it has 
 been known to eat the middle of the back of a fish, and to 
 reject the head and tail parts, which have been picked up by 
 hungry peasants, taken home, washed, and eaten. The body 
 of the otter is long, its legs are short, and its feet are webbed, 
 tail flat, and physiognomy very remarkable. Its structure is
 
 Characteristics of the Otter. 175 
 
 well adapted for its aquatic life, but it has an awkward gait on 
 land. Its toes are united with membranes in the same way 
 as the feet of ducks and geese. When its feet go forward the 
 toes are closed, but when thrown backward they spread out in 
 order to get well hold of the water, and so propel the animal 
 onward. As fish always when feeding direct their heads up 
 the water, otters go against the stream, so that they may 
 come on the fish unawares. In returning to their burrows 
 with the fish, they can the more easily convey it down the 
 stream than against it. 
 
 The home or nest of the otter is a bed of rushes or similar 
 material under hollow banks by the river's edge, where they 
 produce their young. The English otter usually hunts for its 
 prey by night, and if not disposed to take to the water, feeds 
 upon snails and worms, which come out at the same time. 
 This animal may be considered as the link between the seal 
 and the quadruped. Its skin is very valuable, and is much 
 used by furriers. In some continental countries its flesh may 
 be eaten in the time of Lent. 
 
 SEA OTTERS. The sea otter is much esteemed on account 
 of its fur. The American otter is about five feet long, with 
 fur of a glossy brown. 'About 8,000 skins of this species 
 are imported into England every year. The South American 
 otters live in troops, rise to the surface of the water, and bark 
 like dogs in a menacing and snapping manner.' 
 
 Although otters are as a rule very untractable, they have 
 been tamed, and rendered, while living, useful to man. A 
 writer in Heber's Journal says : ' We passed ten beautiful 
 otters, tethered with straw collars and strings to bamboo 
 stakes, on the banks of the Matter Colly ; some swimming, 
 some half out of the water, some basking in the sun, and 
 making noises as if in play. Fishermen keep them to drive 
 shoals of fish into their nets. Sometimes they would bring 
 the largest fish with their teeth the same as dogs.' 
 
 Otters show strong affection for their young. Lieutenant 
 Wood, in his journey to discover the source of the Oxus, dis- 
 turbed a colony of otters and secured two young ones, which 
 were put into a sack. Their cries brought the old otters round 
 the boat all night. They followed the boat ten miles, and 
 even attempted to get in. So strong was their affection, that 
 they were altogether fearless of danger.
 
 I 
 176 Feeble Folk, Fishers, and Poachers. 
 
 It is said that the otter and seal have a faculty in the eye, 
 by means of which they are able to elongate or shorten 
 the axis of the organ at pleasure, and by that means to see 
 equally well in two media of very different density ; namely, 
 water and air. 
 
 THE WEASEL. In the habits and dispositions of many 
 animals, we have true types of the moral and even general 
 character of some human beings. The fidelity and attach- 
 ment of the dog remind us of those men whose sense of 
 honour and duty is an incentive to an open, straightforward, 
 and honest course of life ; while the habits of the sly, stealthy, 
 and voracious weasel kind remind us of men whose love of 
 self, want of good principle, and evil dispositions, would 
 sacrifice the rights of others, and rob them of any benefit or 
 advantage they could, simply to accomplish their own objects, 
 and to promote their individual pleasure and interest. 
 
 But what is the true character of the weasel ? Voracious 
 and cunning though he may be, he is not an ' unmitigated 
 villain,' but has some good traits of character, and is of some 
 use, to recommend him to our notice. 
 
 The weasel tribe belongs to the order Feres, and comprises 
 several kinds. There is the striated weasel of America, noted 
 for the very disagreeable odour it has the power of emitting 
 when irritated. The honey weasel, so called because of its 
 fondness for honey, is found in Southern Africa. This animal 
 looks out for the bee returning to its hive, and should he find 
 one within his reach he at once attacks it. It has no fear of 
 
 the sting of the bee, be- 
 cause its skin is too tough 
 for the sting to perforate 
 it. The ichneumon be- 
 longs to the same tribe, 
 and is also found at the 
 Cape of Good Hope, in 
 Barbary, and Egypt. 
 
 FERRET AND POLE- 
 CAT. The ferret is also 
 Ferret - a native of Africa, and is 
 
 much used in England by gamekeepers and ratcatchers for 
 catching rabbits and rats. It emits a very offensive smell, 
 particularly when angry. It has red eyes. The polecat, or
 
 The Weasel, and how he Feeds. 177 
 
 foumart, is not uncommon in our own country. Its skin, when 
 taken in winter, is esteemed very valuable. 
 
 The stoat, or ermine, is also an inhabitant of England, and 
 is a little longer than the common rat. In summer its coat is 
 brown ; in winter, white. It is then, on that account, usually 
 taken. Its fur is so highly esteemed that it has been from 
 remote times and to the present worn by royalty. 
 
 This animal is particularly fierce and determined in its 
 efforts to secure its prey. They pounce upon rabbits with 
 amazing quickness, suck their blood, and devour their bodies 
 at leisure. We have read of a gentleman releasing a rabbit 
 from the clutches of a stoat, which unwillingly gave up its prey, 
 as it followed the gentleman, and sprang at the rabbit while 
 he was carrying it by the legs. 
 
 The common weasel is about six or seven inches long, and 
 is found in places near the habitations of man. It has a 
 smallish head, bright quick eyes, short legs, and a long neck. 
 It is exceedingly agile, and can twist its body about as lithely 
 as one could a thin strap of leather. Its leaping powers are 
 considerable, as it can bound several feet when alarmed by an 
 intruder ; and it can spring from branch to branch, and from 
 tree to tree, with the nimbleness of a squirrel. 
 
 This little animal is thoroughly carnivorous, and is as much 
 a beast of prey as the lion or tiger. It lives upon moles, rats, 
 field-mice, and birds. When pressed by hunger it will attack 
 animals twice its own size, which it seldom fails to kill. It is 
 useful to the farmers in killing mice and rats which infest their 
 cornricks and granaries. Like the stoat, the weasel will spring 
 upon a hare or rabbit when asleep, fasten upon their neck, 
 and drink their blood while they are running until they drop 
 down dead from sheer exhaustion. 
 
 THE WEASEL AND FARMER. We once saw a weasel 
 stealthily creep up to a young farmer who was soundly sleep- 
 ing in an old shed in one of the fields. The weather being 
 very hot, the young man was lying with his neck and throat 
 quite uncovered. The nose of the weasel was close to the 
 side of the neck, and he was no doubt just going to commence 
 his practice of phlebotomy, or blood-letting, when we fright- 
 ened him off, and no doubt deprived him of an anticipated san- 
 guinary meal. 
 WEASEL WORSHIP. We learn from Sonnini that the Turks 
 
 12
 
 178 Feeble Folk, Fishers, and Poachers. 
 
 as well as the Greeks pay great respect to the weasel. It was 
 formerly worshipped in the Thebais. ' The Greek women 
 carry their attention so far as not to disturb it ; and they even 
 treat it with a politeness truly whimsical. '''Welcome" say 
 they, when they perceive a weasel in their house ; " come in, 
 my pretty wench ; no harm shall happen to you here ; you 
 are quite at home ; pray make free," etc. They affirm that, 
 sensible of these civilities, the weasel does, no mischief; 
 whereas everything would be devoured, add they, if they did 
 not behave to this animal in a courteous manner.' 
 
 WEASEL SAGACITY. 'The workmen in the engine-house 
 of the New Haven Railroad were greatly amused by the 
 movements of a weasel that had killed a rat, nearly as large 
 as himself, in one of the engine-pits. The side of the pit 
 being perpendicular, and the rat too heavy for the weasel 
 to carry up in his teeth, the question arose how he should get 
 him out. It looked like a difficult task, but the weasel was 
 equal to the emergency. After several unsuccessful attempts 
 to shoulder the rat and climb up the side, he laid him down 
 and went about to the different corners of the pit on a tour of 
 inspection. Finally selecting one in which sufficient dirt had 
 accumulated to make an elevation of several inches, he went 
 back, dragged the rat to the corner, and stood him upon his 
 hind legs. He then clambered out of the pit, and, going to 
 the corner where he had left the rat, let himself down by his 
 hind-feet from above, clasped the rat round the neck with his 
 fore-paws, pulled him up, and trotted off with him to his hole. 
 The weasel is one which made his appearance at the shops 
 some time ago, and which, by being unmolested, has become 
 quite tame.'
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 BRISTLY PACHYDERMS, WILD AND TAME. 
 
 The pig is ugly, some suppose, 
 Because of his long ears and nose ; 
 They like him, too, or I'm mistaken, 
 For such folks eat both pork and bacon. 
 
 OING back in our own country's history long before 
 our mountains were tunnelled, our valleys in- 
 vaded, our fields and woods cut through, or our 
 rivers crossed to make way for railway trains ; 
 when the towns and villages of England were 
 neither so numerous nor thickly populated as they are now ; 
 when the silence of rural districts was broken only by singing 
 and chirping birds, or the peculiar noises of the wild quad- 
 rupeds which roamed at pleasure ; when there were no tele- 
 graphic appliances, and no penny postage for the transmission 
 of newspapers, or of letter correspondence, such as we are 
 favoured with at the present time ; when travelling facilities 
 were confined to stage coaches going at the rate of thirty or 
 forty miles a day, we find it was then that in our numerous, 
 thick, and extensive forests wild swine found homes in which 
 to live, to breed, and rear their young, and the hunting of 
 which afforded popular sport and pastime to many of our 
 countrymen who lived during that remote period. 
 
 Whether that custom was a commendable one or not, or 
 even a necessity to keep down the too rapid increase of wild 
 boars, we will not presume to say. One thing is certain, how- 
 ever, that hunting these animals exposed the hunters to much 
 more danger than does the hunting of the smaller and much
 
 180 Bristly Pachyderms. 
 
 less formidable animals, the fox and the hare, both of which 
 seem to be, at the present time, the substitutes, in this respect, 
 for the now extinct wild boars of our native land. 
 
 THE WILD BOAR. Before referring in detail to one of our 
 most useful animals, the domestic pig, we may notice that its 
 origin is no doubt identified with the wild animals to which 
 reference has already been made. Of this we think there can 
 be no question. In fact, it is quite as easy, if- not more so, 
 to prove that this is the case, than to trace the parent stock 
 of the domestic dog or cat. 
 
 Speaking of wild boars, Baird says : ' The wild boar no 
 longer exists in Britain, though in former times it was common 
 enough. It is found in many parts of Europe, however, as 
 well as in India, harbouring in the most solitary places in re- 
 tired forests. His lair is generally in some wild and remote 
 spot, not far from water, and commanding by some devious 
 path access to the open country. As a beast of chase, the 
 wild boar is still held in high repute in some parts of Europe, 
 and in India hog-hunting forms one of the most exciting wild 
 sports that is known.' 
 
 The following interesting description of the wild boar is 
 given in the Animal World: ' The wild boar is a fierce, 
 hardy animal, which comes to maturity in five or six years ; 
 but it sometimes lives twenty-five years, and increases in size, 
 passive strength, and hardihood of character during that time. 
 The young of this wild race are not only attached to their 
 mother, but to one another; and this attachment does not 
 cease when the mother's protection is no longer needed, but 
 is communicated to every fresh litter, till the produce of one 
 mother forms a little colony, the members of which appear 
 capable of recognising one another even after they have been 
 separated for some time. It is possible that most herds of 
 social animals are originally formed on this principle. Herds 
 of wild swine are always under the leadership of a male. 
 They assemble and sally forth from the forests, and do no 
 small damage to cultivated fields, both by rooting up and by 
 trampling down. There is an allusion to this in the 8oth 
 Psalm : " The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the 
 wild beast of the field doth devour it." This is finely true 
 to nature, even in the contrast of the mischief done by 
 the two.'
 
 Structure and Food of Pigs. 181 
 
 FOOD OF WILD HOGS. 'The food of the wild hog consists 
 chiefly of roots and vegetables, and, that he may the more 
 easily obtain these, his nose is furnished with a powerful 
 muscular and cartilaginous apparatus. Worms, acorns, 
 beechmast, chestnuts, etc., are greedily sought after and 
 devoured. The position of his tusks defends the eyes in 
 rushing through the underwood. The habits of the wild 
 boar are nocturnal, and, unless aroused by hunters, he will 
 not quit by day the clean dry lair he always forms for himself 
 in the forest ; nor will he, if unmolested, attack man, though 
 when provoked his defence is most resolute. A horse that 
 has been once wounded by a boar can never again be induced 
 to approach him. Yet when reduced to captivity, the wild 
 boar becomes comparatively gentle and manageable.' 
 
 Hogs are pachydermatous animals, belonging to the order 
 Ungulata. They have four toes to each foot; two in the 
 front, shod with stout hoofs, and two behind, or lateral toes, 
 which scarcely touch the ground when the animal is walking. 
 
 As the domestic pig is partial to roots and vegetables, like 
 the wild boar, he is supplied with a prolonged cartilaginous 
 nose, strengthened at the end by two bones, which enable 
 him to turn up the soil with comparative ease ; he has also a 
 very strong muscular neck, which is of essential service to him 
 in his rooting operations. 
 
 VARIETIES OF THE DOMESTIC PIG. The species are not 
 very numerous, but they have been arranged in four or five 
 genera. ' It has been asserted,' says the Animal World, 
 1 that there exist only three actual varieties of the domesticated 
 hog : the " Berkshire," " Chinese," and " Highland ;" but we 
 are really indebted for our numerous varieties not only to these 
 three well-known races, but also to the " African," " Spanish," 
 " Portuguese," and " Italian ;" chiefly, however, to the wild 
 boar of the European forests.' 
 
 From the above periodical we gather the following informa- 
 tion respecting the many kinds of hogs well known in Eng- 
 land, which are distinguished from each other by a difference 
 in size, the quality and length of their hair or bristles, and 
 by peculiarities of colours, or mixtures of colours. That journal 
 says : ' The Berkshire hog is of large size, of reddish-brown 
 colour, with black spots or patches. The Irish " Greyhound 
 pigs " were a tall, long-legged, bony race, their throats furnished
 
 Group of Domestic Pigs.
 
 Different Breeds of Swine. 183 
 
 with pendulous wattles. These gaunt creatures are now 
 seldom seen out of Galway. The Suffolk were formerly a 
 small, delicate breed; now the breed is notable for great 
 length and small limbs, etc. The Cheshire breed is white, 
 black and white (in large patches), or grey in colour. It is 
 chiefly remarkable for gigantic size. Hampshire pigs are 
 usually dark spotted, sometimes black or white. They have 
 been known to weigh forty stones each. The Yorkshire 
 breed were formerly large, coarse, heavy animals ; now their 
 value consists in symmetry, fatness, and early maturity. . . . 
 The peculiarities of the improved race are small bone, head, 
 and face, deep capacious chest and throat, and neck rising 
 roundly behind the ears, shoulders thick and round, and hams 
 square down to the elbow. Bedford swine become enormously 
 fat, grow rapidly, and fatten fast in proportion to the food 
 given. The original Shropshire and Wiltshire breeds were 
 inferior, but crossings with Berkshire, Chinese, and Neapolitan 
 breeds have resulted in a race compact in form and excellent 
 in quality. Herefordshire and Gloucestershire are good store 
 pigs ; the latter are white, with wattles hanging from each jaw ; 
 they are hardy, and more profitable for pork than for bacon. 
 The Northamptonshire pig is of light colour and handsome 
 shape; he is a profitable porker and good store pig. The 
 best Norfolk swine are white; they are short, compact, ex- 
 cellent porkers. A spotted variety of larger size is inferior in 
 point of delicacy. The Lincolnshire breed is white, with fine 
 skins, sparingly covered with slender bristles, ears erect and 
 pointed, body long, straight, and round. The recent improve- 
 ment in the Essex breed is due to a cross with the Neapolitan. 
 It is almost bare of hair, and deep jet black in colour ; a very 
 quick feeder, with small bones and great fattening power. 
 The Essex half blacks are smaller, and make excellent meat 
 Sussex hogs are generally black and white in large patches ; 
 they seldom exceed twenty stone in weight, but the flesh is 
 very good. The original Old English breed was heavy and 
 bony, but is now, except perhaps in Cornwall, extinct. 
 
 'A very peculiar breed of swine exists in the Orkney 
 Islands, Hebrides, and Shetland Islands. The hog has been 
 described as a " little, ugly, brindled monster, an epitome of 
 the wild boar, yet hardly larger than an English terrier." 
 These little swine are uncared for by their owners, have no
 
 184 Bristly Pachyderms. 
 
 shelter but such as they can find under bank or bush, and 
 depend for food on what their own ingenuity enables them to 
 secure ; but ranging about undisturbed, gain sufficient susten- 
 ance from roots, worms, potatoes, plovers' and curlews' eggs, 
 an occasional lamb, etc., to keep themselves in good condition. 
 If put up to feed they fatten on inexpensive food with great 
 rapidity, and increase astonishingly in actual size. These pigs 
 are generally converted into pork, and form no -trifling article 
 of commerce between the islanders and coasters. The average 
 weight of these animals is from sixty to seventy pounds. The 
 ropes used to suspend over the cliffs the adventurers who 
 make a livelihood by taking sea-birds' eggs are made from the 
 bristles of these swine ; they are found less liable to cut from 
 friction at the edges of the rocks than ropes made of hemp.' 
 
 GIANT AND DWARF PIGS. Formerly it was a common 
 thing to see at our fairs a caravan with a painting at the out- 
 side representing a fat pig weighing fifty, sixty, and even 
 seventy stone. One was exhibited, some years since, in a 
 northern town, and stated by the proprietor to weigh eighty 
 stone. Mr. Knell, near Maidstone, once possessed a dwarf- 
 pig seven inches long from snout to tail, five inches and a 
 half round the body, three inches and three quarters high, and 
 weighing only fourteen ounces. It was one of a litter, all the 
 rest of which were the ordinary size ; it was in good health, 
 squeaked loud, and ran fast. 
 
 PIGS NOT EPICURES. Nothing in the shape of food comes 
 amiss to the domestic hog. He has an appetite for the most 
 impure things, and has been known to devour his own pro- 
 geny. He has a stomach of enormous size, which no doubt 
 accounts for his great voracity and constant craving for food. 
 His rough, wiry hair, thick fat, and hard skin render him less 
 susceptible to pain from a blow than many other animals are. 
 We are told that mice have been known to lodge upon a 
 hog's back, to eat his skin and his fat, without his showing 
 any signs of sensibility. 
 
 Although we often hear it said of men and women who are 
 not cleanly in their habits that they are as ' dirty as pigs,' it 
 must not be supposed that swine do not enjoy a clean, com- 
 fortable habitation as well as other animals. They not only 
 do so, but thrive much better when kept dry and clean than 
 when neglected and deprived of the comforts referred to.
 
 Notions About Pigs. 185 
 
 We well remember a gentleman purchasing a small pig 
 weighing about five stone of a neighbour ; putting it into a 
 properly constructed sty with a sloping floor, giving it plenty 
 of clean straw, and feeding it well during twelve weeks. It was 
 then killed, and the carcase weighed seventeen stone, having 
 gained two pounds of flesh per day during the time he had it. 
 
 HOGS AND EGYPTIANS. We are informed by Smellic that 
 ' the hog has been noticed from the earliest antiquity ; one 
 nation has ever considered it as an object of the greatest de- 
 testation, while others have ranked its flesh among their prin- 
 cipal delicacies. It is well known that the Mosaic law forbids 
 the use of swine's flesh, and such is the abhorrence in which 
 these animals are held by the Jews, that profane writers have 
 rallied them on the subject. The Egyptians were allowed to eat 
 pork but once a year ; this was on a festive day, dedicated to 
 the moon, when great numbers were sacrificed to that satellite. 
 If at any other time an Egyptian was unfortunate enough to 
 touch a hog, however slightly, it was necessary for him to 
 plunge into the Nile with all his clothes about him, in order 
 to purify himself from the abomination. Those who kept 
 hogs were rejected by society ; they were not allowed to enter 
 the temples, nor even to form any alliance with other families. 
 This aversion to hogs has been transmitted to the modern 
 Egyptians. In the island of Crete pigs were held sacred, and 
 in Rome the swine-feeder spared no pains to make them de- 
 licious meat.' 
 
 The religion of Mahomet forbids the use of swine's flesh 
 because it was considered unclean, and there can be no doubt 
 that it was on this account the Chinese objected to Maho- 
 metanism, they being extremely fond of pork and great 
 breeders of hogs. 
 
 THEIR USES : BRISTLES AND SKINS OF HOGS. Domestic 
 hogs are exceedingly useful animals. The females usually 
 produce two litters a year, each numbering from seven to 
 fourteen young ones ; this they would, if permitted, continue 
 to do during fourteen or fifteen years. 
 
 The males have been compared to the miser, who is use- 
 less and rapacious during his life, but whose death becomes 
 a public service. To a nation like Britain the flesh of these 
 animals is a great boon, because it takes salt more easily 
 than any other, is more effectually preserved, can be kept
 
 1 86 Bristly Pachyderms. 
 
 almost any length of time, and eaten in any latitude of the 
 world. To the crews of our navy and merchant ships bacon 
 is of the greatest importance. Hog-skins, when properly 
 dressed, are useful for making slippers and the seats of 
 saddles, and are also employed by various artificers. The 
 bristles are extensively used by brushmakers and shoemakers, 
 as well as by saddlers. A great trade in bristles is carried on 
 between Russia and this country. 
 
 Pigs may be considered to be essentially the poor man's 
 friend, particularly in Ireland, where they are fed in great 
 numbers with a view to double duty namely, for home con- 
 sumption and for sale, \.Q pay the rent. 
 
 INTELLIGENCE OF PIGS. Hogs are not altogether desti- 
 tute of sagacity, nor is their sense of smell particularly defec- 
 tive. We have read of one having been taught to perform 
 the duty of a pointer in hunting, and to do it almost as 
 steadily and effectively as a well-bred dog. This animal be- 
 longed to Sir Henry Mildmay, and was trained by his game- 
 keeper. 
 
 ANECDOTE OF A PIG AND A DOG. If the following story 
 (which we quote from that excellent work 'Our Dumb Animals') 
 be authentic it would appear that even hogs possess some 
 degree of reasoning powers : ' A pig and dog on board a ship 
 on the voyage from India to London were very good friends ; 
 they ate out of the same plate, walked about the decks to- 
 gether, and would lie down side by side under the bulwarks 
 in the sun. The only thing they quarrelled about was their 
 lodging. Toby, the dog, had a very nice kennel; the pig 
 had nothing of the sort. Now piggy did not see why Toby 
 should be better housed of a night than he. So every night 
 there was a struggle to see who should get into the kennel 
 first If the dog got in he showed his teeth, and the other 
 had to look out for other lodgings ; if the pig gained posses- 
 sion the dog could not turn him out, but waited for revenge 
 next time. One evening it was very boisterous, the sea was 
 running high, and it was raining very hard. The pig was 
 slipping and tumbling about the decks ; at length it was so 
 unpleasant that he thought the best thing he could do was to 
 go and secure his berth for the night, though it yet wanted a 
 good time to dusk. But when he came to the kennel there 
 was Toby safely housed ; he had had the same idea as to the
 
 Dog Toby and tJie Pig. 187 
 
 state of the weather as the pig. "Umph! umph !" grunted 
 the pig, as he looked up to the black sky; but Toby did not 
 offer to move. At last the pig seemed to give it up, and took 
 a turn as if to see where he might find a warm corner for the 
 night. Presently he went to that part of the vessel where the 
 tin plate was lying that they ate their victuals off. He took 
 the plate in his mouth, and carried it to a part of the deck 
 where the dog could see it, but some distance from the 
 kennel; then, turning his tail toward the dog, he began to 
 make a noise as if he was eating out of the plate. " What !" 
 thinks Toby ; " has the pig got some potatoes there ?" and he 
 pricked up his ears, and looked hard toward the plate. 
 " Champ ! champ !" goes the pig, and down goes his mouth 
 to the plate again. Toby could stand this no longer vic- 
 tuals ! and he not there ! Out he ran, and, thrusting the pig 
 on one side, pushed his cold nose into the empty plate. The 
 pig turned tail in a twinkling, and before Toby knew whether 
 there was any meat on the plate or not, piggy was snug in the 
 kennel. Of which we may add, he no doubt kept possession 
 all the night.' 
 
 Although the word ' gourmand ' is appropriately applied to 
 the hog because of his voracious appetite, we hope the fore- 
 going remarks conclusively prove that he is a useful 'gour- 
 mand' Pigs are by no means devoid of intelligence, and 
 they may, like many other animals, become not only domesti- 
 cated, but, by kindness and humanity, familiar companions 
 of man. 
 
 A NOTED PIG IN CHELSEA. Two summers ago we fre- 
 quently saw, in the King's Road, Chelsea, a small pig with a 
 blue ribbon frill round its neck and a half kind of jacket on 
 its body, and accompanied by a young man, its master. This 
 pig would thread its way among the foot-passengers as easily 
 and unconcernedly as a human being could do. By a sub- 
 dued grunt he answered to his name and to the whistle of 
 his owner. Before crossing the road he would look to the 
 right and then to the left to see if it was sufficiently clear of 
 cabs and other vehicles for him to cross in safety. If so, he 
 would scamper over to the opposite pavement, and then with 
 a half toss of his head, and many wags of his curly tail, give 
 a grunt of satisfaction at having performed the feat so cleverly. 
 The pig had been taken home by his master when very young,
 
 1 88 Bristly Pachyderms. 
 
 fed by hand, allowed to run about the room like a child, and 
 taught to follow him, etc., in the way we have described. 
 
 PIG FOUND IN A SEWER. Many stories have been told of 
 the large numbers of ferocious rats infesting the common 
 sewers of London ; but, strange as they appear to be, the fol- 
 lowing one is even more so. We have been informed on 
 good authority that about thirty years ago a sewer-man, in 
 examining the sewer in the neighbourhood Of Gray's Inn 
 Road, found a black and white pig, of the Hertford breed, 
 and about half-grown, fast asleep in a recess at the side. How 
 it came there, or how long it had been in this dark subter- 
 raneous place, were matters which did not much concern the 
 man at the moment. Seeing, however, a porky prize, and 
 one well worth having, as the animal was in good condition, 
 he forthwith seized it with a view to introduce it to far higher, 
 lighter, and purer regions than it had been accustomed to for 
 some time. The pig behaved with all seeming gravity when 
 being carried along, and by passive submission and silence 
 paid due respect to his captor, until they began to ascend the 
 man-hole, when he commenced to kick and squall, as if a ring 
 was being put through his cartilaginous extremity ; and it was 
 not until after considerable difficulty that the sewer-man suc- 
 ceeded in landing his prize in open daylight, and fairly on 
 terra firma. The pig appears to have survived this change 
 in his condition from dark obscurity to light popularity, as he 
 was exhibited, during six months, in a show by his captor, 
 who charged so much admission for a sight of this sewer- 
 prodigy, by which he made a great amount of money. How 
 long the pig lived, or how he fared after absorbing so much 
 public attention, and exciting so much curiosity about his 
 antecedents, our informant knew not, but vouches for the 
 truth of the tale as far as it goes. 
 
 'A HOG WITH A WOODEN LEG must be indeed,' as the 
 writer of the following story says, ' a touching and picturesque 
 object. It appears the cow-catcher at Dunleith took off the 
 hind-leg of Mr. Smith's hog, and his benevolent owner made 
 a wooden succedaneum and strapped it to the stump. The 
 creature shows its gratitude by accumulating fat with great 
 rapidity, the only drawback being that when killing and 
 curing-time comes round, one of the hams will have no 
 handle.'
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 ARISTOCRACY OF ANIMALS. 
 
 Bold stag, with antlers large and strong, 
 
 Thou art a noble creature ; 
 And one more so we scarce could find 
 
 Throughout the world of nature. 
 
 F all the various races of men constitute one uni- 
 versal brotherhood, and if ' a man's a man for a' 
 that,' there are nevertheless amongst them dif- 
 ferences of size and complexion, and of habits 
 and life, which render them very distinguishable 
 one from the other. Even in the social position and mental 
 attainments of those who are of the same race and nation, 
 there are also wide differences. 
 
 Some are of noble descent, are wealthy, have refined 
 manners, move in the higher spheres of life, and have, in 
 many cases, great influence over their fellow-men ; and are, 
 on account of these things, considered to comprise what is 
 called the aristocracy of society. 
 
 The animals to which we are about to refer may, for more 
 reasons than one, be reckoned amongst the higher order, or 
 the aristocracy, of animals ; certainly more so than the pig, 
 and many other quadrupeds, whose habits of life are very 
 suggestive of the vulgar manners and vitiated tastes of many 
 who belong to the ' lower classes ' of human beings. 
 It was on a bright and genial morning in May, that 
 
 ' Sweet month 
 If not ihejirst, the fairest of the year,'
 
 : ;<: Aristocracy cf Animals. 
 
 when white and pink may-blossoms ^W 1 *^ with 
 green bLdguums and hawthorn bushes, lint vc liiili'iil an 
 extensroe park in one of die c&lciii omul BBS of England, 
 which VMS aJhfflffl Oft one wlr with a pbintation of larch, 
 gfrjQirli fr t and other trees, fine old clm^ here and there, 
 : r.ir ; i i _;_.:. ^ :..; _.:= - ; - - - ; ::;:=! _ .: : i - :. ~. : :.: :_.: - . ; 
 oaks spread oat their gjgantic limbs, affording a cooling shade 
 
 JO A^ f^ffV Irnan tii^ fjqf 3tyS qfflie MMMHMMT gm- 
 
 Ax QU> lf*einBBL Tn ^ig &JMM- stood a fine tnainii^fc 
 
 alone in is own solitary giandenr, which, by its ancient 
 style of architecture, seemed to point to mediaeval times. 
 Siefldy but BonBtakafaif it fold its tale of departed ancestral 
 g^xy and greatness, and of the long since gone ones whose 
 
 T_ '. ~~.l- T i . i " : r . . " " . ~-'. '. _ . '. . ; _ .".1 .". Z_T 1 " . 1 ~. 1 1 " ". .". i 
 
 same time it was painfully snggestrre of the changes, Ac 
 
 ~ t-i".-" ;:E=. :.~ - u " :.tr~_L_.' :/ :: .._mji ..;t. 
 
 In die midst of these idprlions we were aroosed by per- 
 cerfing a mnneroos herd of deer manly coming tow suds us. 
 "t ii^w movements i^^pM'aipo so o^**^f ii^ a liiiiiiffscu that we 
 were at once seized with alarm. The deer were not more 
 Dban a. inndod jmik off when a warning moke bade us make 
 baste. We did so, and soon found onudtc* within an en- 
 ^'HTrHff^B ^nmji^Mmiy ffifff^fytnis ^^Mxry ff^u 2 ortisiffcv tlhc icst* 
 dence of one of the narar-Juernmt 
 
 ' Yoofre had a narrow escape, sir,' he said, as we entered, 
 
 'Are uie animals dangerous 7 we monired, 
 
 e lTby, sir, not always,' he replied; * but they are at certain 
 seasons, Tom are, IMMHH!!; quite safe here, and m see they 
 do yon no harm when yon leave/ He was as good as his 
 
 '. ." '-. 
 
 The """ * referred to baring produced in us a strong 
 interest in die deer tribes, we shall now endeavour 
 
 DEOL The deer family belong to Order IX of the das 
 Mammalia, usually named RMMtmtmtm. The word is derived 
 from rmmttto, from the Latin, name*, the cud. Animals of 
 this order when feeding swallow their food without- masticating 
 it, or but in a small degree; when at rest, they can bring k up 
 again add grind it properly, which is termed 'chewing die 
 end.' _ 
 
 .M.O SUft mCDBSDSUBE 2DBODSU5 ffT T^*f^* p ^RTH* Sl3f (DOES flttntDCHDCOl
 
 Family. 
 
 191 
 
 B M&EMEBQUly f * M* ULJ *^, Itflcamw -while ieecinr iher 
 be uwtyocl EJICXQ Iby frhpnr dcrnrroroiis cnsnncfi, "which ETC 
 powerful and mnmerons. Thej . --jfore pr:~ : . : 
 
 V'.l". : " \ ~__~_+~, '. ~ .: '_'.', " .1.1 t 1 " 
 
 : :" ::<:>i _i i : ;_ it rii'.t. 
 _ :_.-. ^; .;:::. _:.^:^i:ri 
 
 5 it 5s 
 
 should be of such 
 flhe fcod or to ir^t-rant from it every 
 
 . i Ott JBCJiOHE> 
 
 We aae toll Aaft Oe fiet atoaaA emntCTK lie food as it is 
 
 - '. . .'.'_ 
 
 :: 
 f ; ; ; - i r : : - i :;i ; : 
 
 OK 
 
 :,-;- _^- ;; - - 
 
 Ac !! it yicMb torn brth 
 
 - - - "...*. .., ^ . ^*T-3 
 
 >_;...; .. . .... . ^_ . _- _" ^ v _">; ."." J 
 
 ; ::.- 1-.-;- v ; .. i := - ;- ;:::;.: ;- :; ;:-;.-- ::.:.:-. i.--. :
 
 1 92 Aristocracy of Animals. 
 
 tion of the palm and orange groves of Italy would be to the 
 natives of that sunny clime. 
 
 'The reindeer draws the Laplander in his sledge over dreary 
 wastes of snow. It gives him wholesome and nutritious milk, 
 of which he makes cheese ; and when dead its skin supplies 
 him with warm clothing, its flesh with food, and even its 
 tendons are used, when split, as threads, and when whole as 
 strings for his bows. If in England a man's riches are 
 reckoned by the number of pounds he may be worth, a Lap- 
 lander's are valued by the number of reindeer he has in his 
 possession. 
 
 THE STAG, or male of the red deer, is a noble-looking 
 
 animal, and was at one time 
 much more numerous in this 
 country than it is now. It 
 is common to all the northern 
 parts of Europe, and in the 
 Highlands of Scotland it is 
 found in great numbers in its 
 wild state. 
 
 ' The red deer,' says Baird, 
 ' is an ancient denizen of the 
 forests of this country, and 
 is intimately blended with the 
 old oppressive forest laws, 
 and with some of our legends 
 of deadly feud, such as "Chevy 
 Chase," etc. Its flesh is highly 
 stag, or Red Deer. esteemed as an article of 
 
 food In winter they'go together in large herds. The stag 
 sheds its horns annually, from the shavings of which we obtain 
 hartshorn. He is very bold and courageous in time of danger, 
 and will defend himself in a very fierce and determined 
 manner. 
 
 We have heard of a tiger being put into an enclosure with 
 a stag, which made such a stout resistance that the tiger was 
 feign to fly. A few weeks since, a stag was so closely pressed 
 by the huntsmen, that he turned at bay, closed in upon one 
 of his pursuers, and ran his antler into the chest of the horse, 
 which died a few minutes afterwards. This occurred in 
 Ireland
 
 Deer have a Deep Sense of Wrong. :i: 
 
 AFFECTIOX or THE STAG. The stag is not only a bold and 
 noble animal, but is very affectionate towards those of its own 
 kind, and particularly when they are in pain or suffering. He 
 has been known to lick the wounds of his companions that 
 have been shot at but not kffled, and in this way to administer 
 relief 
 
 Animals of the deer tribe seem to have a deep sense of any 
 wrong done to any member belonging to diem, and to show a 
 determined disposition to avenge that wrong at the first oppor- 
 tunity. Captain Brown states that, ' At Wonersh, near Guild* 
 ford, the seat of Lord Grandey, a fawn was drinking in die 
 lake, when one of the swans suddenly flew upon it and polled 
 it into the water, where it held it under until it was drowned. 
 This act of atrocity was noticed by the other deer in the 
 park, and they took care to revenge it the fast opportunity. 
 
 A few days after, this swan, happening to be on land, was 
 surrounded and attacked by the whole herd, and presently 
 killed. Before this time they were never known to attack die 
 swans.' 
 
 Blending with the majestic appearance of the stag is a kind 
 of plaintive, half melancholy, and pathetic look of his beauti- 
 ful eyes. It has been said that he sheds tears. To this 
 Shakespeare &$** where he says 
 
 * The big round tens 
 
 Coursed one another down his innocent cose 
 In piteous chase.' 
 
 We are informed dial this weeping aspect of the deer tribe 
 * depends on a remarkable glandular sinus, or tear-pit, silmtp 
 at the inner angle of each eye, dose to the nose, without 
 having any communication with the eyes, or without what are 
 termed the lachrymal passages.' 
 
 THE FALLOW DEER has long been domesticated in this 
 country. It resembles Ac stag in many particulars, but is 
 much less in size, and much more gentle. The horns inrftn* 
 slightly forwards, and have small branches behind diem. It 
 was originally brought from Persia, and is now found in ewer/ 
 part of Europe. In England we have one variety of fallow- 
 deer distinguished by a dappled skin, and another by a 
 brownish-bay colour, more or less beautifully spotted, and by 
 a tolerably long tafl. This last variety was brought from 
 Norway by King James L The skin of die fallow-deer is 
 
 13
 
 194 
 
 Aristocracy of Animals. 
 
 remarkably soft and durable, and its flesh, called venison, is 
 very rich and delicate. The female produces one, and some- 
 times two, young at a birth. This species go in large numbers, 
 but often will, in the same park, be divided into two parties, 
 which frequently contend, in thorough aggressive fashion, for 
 some favourite or particular part of their domain or pasture- 
 ground. Of course one of the males (for they are the males 
 
 that fight) becomes master of the field, and with his own 
 party of females and subordinate males takes possession of 
 the coveted part of the park. The vanquished one has also 
 his party, to which he acts as leader. The leaders are 
 usually, if not always the oldest, the strongest males of the 
 two herds. 
 
 Fawns, the young of the fallow-deer, have a light, graceful, 
 and beautiful appearance. They look like paragons of sim- 
 plicity, innocence, and gentleness, and are, when kindly 
 treated, so amiable and sociable in disposition, and so in- 
 teresting in their little frolics, that we need not wonder that 
 tender and loving children and humane people should become 
 ardently attached to them.
 
 Remarkable Organisation of Deer. 195 
 
 A PET FAWN. A very intimate friend of the author told 
 him that she once took to her home a very young fawn that 
 had been deprived of its maternal parent, wrapped it in 
 flannel, put it in a basket by the fire, and carefully attended 
 to its wants. This little animal soon became sufficiently 
 familiar with its humane friend as to drink milk and to eat 
 food out of her hand. It would frisk about as gaily as a lamb 
 in a sunny field, and follow her from room to room, into the 
 yard, garden, road, or wherever she went. When the lady 
 was absent it would make a whining noise until she returned. 
 When she did so it would show the most unbounded pleasure. 
 As time passed on the fawn increased in size and strength, 
 and when the weather became warm and genial it was turned 
 into the park with the rest of the deer, amongst whom it no 
 doubt felt perfectly happy. 
 
 The plaintive cry of the fawn is generally an indication of 
 distress arising either from fear, pain, want, or a sense of the 
 absence of the parent and the other deer ; and it seems to 
 arouse, in an eminent degree, the affectionate concern of the 
 older animals. We have been told that the cry of the roe 
 when deprived of her young is one of extreme agony. 
 
 Deer are furnished with additional nostrils, or rather breath- 
 ing-places, which are of great advantage, by giving them a 
 fuller and freer respiration, specially needed by them in the 
 chase. The additional nostrils are considerably above the 
 ordinary ones, and are situated a little below the eyes. They 
 are composed of folds of the skin which the animal can open 
 and close at pleasure. This remarkable organization enables 
 the deer to plunge their noses very deep into the water with- 
 out suffering any inconvenience in breathing. This is a great 
 boon to the animals, especially when the weather is hot, and 
 when they have been made thirsty by the chase. 
 
 THE ROEBUCK. The roebuck also belongs to the deer 
 family. It is not more than about two feet high and three 
 feet long, but it is an exceedingly graceful and nimble animal, 
 and has been known to foil repeated efforts to capture it. In 
 summer-time its coat is smooth and of a reddish colour, but 
 in winter grey. The horns are much used for making knife- 
 handles, etc. The horns of the roebuck differ from those of 
 the stag and the fallow-deer, inasmuch as they have no basal 
 snag, but rise straight from the forehead, throwing out one 
 
 132
 
 196 
 
 Aristocracy of Animals. 
 
 antler in front and one or two behind. The horn, from its 
 base, is covered with wrinkles. 
 
 These animals go in pairs only, and usually show great 
 affection for each other. They are specially tender and careful 
 over their young, for which they provide until they are old 
 and strong enough to do so for themselves. They were at 
 one time common in our woods, but are now seldom seen 
 except in the Highlands of Scotland. Some are found in 
 Italy, France, Sweden, Norway, and Siberia. While fallow- 
 
 " -r ' - -3 
 
 Roebuck. 
 
 deer seek the plains, the roebuck prefers higher grounds. It 
 feeds upon the tender shoots of underwood as well as upon 
 herbage. When properly killed its flesh is very delicate for 
 food. 
 
 DEER-STEALING. When the forests in England were more 
 numerous and extensive than they are now, deer-stealing was 
 a very common offence, and became at last of such a daring 
 character that laws had to be passed to put a stop to it, or at 
 least to check it. Any person found disguised and in arms 
 in any forest or park, and killing red or fallow deer, was 
 deemed a felon without benefit of the clergy.
 
 Shakespeare and Deer- Stealing. 197 
 
 It is recorded of Shakespeare that in early life he fell into 
 bad company, amongst whom were some that followed deer- 
 stealing, with whom he was more than once engaged in rob- 
 bing Charlecote Park, near Stratford-on-Avon, belonging to 
 Sir Thomas Lucy ; for this he was prosecuted, and in order 
 to be revenged wrote a ballad against that gentleman, which 
 incensed him to such a degree as to cause him to com- 
 mence a criminal prosecution against Shakespeare, who was 
 in consequence compelled to flee to London for shelter and 
 protection. 
 
 This apparent piece of ill-fortune appears to have been the 
 first stepping-stone to that far-famed notoriety which Shake- 
 speare afterwards attained as a writer. It is said that in the 
 time of Queen Elizabeth it was a common practice for per- 
 sons to ride to the London theatres on horseback. During 
 the performance the horses of those who had no servants were 
 usually given in charge of anyone who might be waiting for 
 such employment. Shakespeare became a popular favourite 
 as a caretaker of horses, then was introduced as a servant in 
 one of the theatres ; afterwards he became a performer, and 
 finally one of the most powerful dramatic writers of his day. 
 
 A NIGHT'S SURPRISE. Once upon a time in the autumnal 
 season of the year we were walking by the side of an exten- 
 sive park bounded by a high wall overhung with trees. It was 
 late at night, the weather rather squally, and the rain, which 
 had fallen during the day, had rendered the road so soft that 
 we could hardly hear the sound of our own footfall. It was 
 very dark. There was no moon, and the stars were hidden 
 by inky clouds. Suddenly we heard a most distressing, half- 
 moaning voice, which seemed to say, ' Oh dear ! oh dear !' 
 proceeding from some one apparently close by. 
 
 We immediately stopped and looked timidly round to as- 
 certain where the strange noise came from. But there was no 
 sign of life or movement to throw any light on the mystery. 
 After a dead silence of a minute or so the same cry was re- 
 peated, rendering our perplexity and the mystery all the 
 greater. We then hurried with rapid steps from the place, 
 and in about half an hour were relieved by seeing some lights 
 in the houses which here and there stood by the high-road side. 
 
 We told this little adventure to our host at whose house we 
 were staying for a short time. With mischief lurking in his
 
 198 Aristocracy of Animals. 
 
 small but quick eyes he stated that just about the spot where 
 we had heard the mysterious noise a man some years before 
 had been found murdered, and that it was reported by super- 
 stitious people to be haunted by his ghost, where it had often 
 been heard to utter a sound resembling ' Oh dear ! oh dear !' 
 as if in great agony. 
 
 ' But, sir,' he said, ' your mystery is easily solved. I have 
 no doubt that at the other side of the wall a herd of deer were 
 .sleeping, and, as they are very quick of hearing, you may 
 have disturbed them when you were walking past. The noise 
 which alarmed you was very likely the cry of a fawn which 
 wanted its mother, and which cry sounds much like the utter- 
 ance of " Oh dear ! oh dear !" ' Was not this a dark and deer 
 adventure ? 
 
 FREAK OF A STAG. A correspondent of an illustrated 
 paper gives the following interesting account of a very 
 sociable deer. The writer was quietly seated in a railway 
 carriage at Wimbledon Station, when a face appeared at the 
 window, and, looking up, he saw that it was a stag. The 
 animal regarded him placidly, and seemed inclined to enter 
 the carriage, but on second thoughts turned away. There 
 were a lot of people on the platform, and crowds outside the 
 station shouting, but the stag did not seem at all startled ; on 
 the contrary, he coolly walked off, and, seeing an opening be- 
 tween two carriages, walked up to it, contemplated it for a 
 moment, evidently concluding that it was not a fair sporting 
 fence. He then crossed the rails, and sprang on to the up- 
 platform, where he gave a kick and a jump or rather a jump 
 and a kick at a cabby who tried to stop him, bolted through 
 the station, and up the bank, over which he disappeared ; but 
 evidently having a fancy for the railway, he recrossed the line 
 a little lower down, ran about amongst the fitters' and car- 
 penters' shops, and was captured by some workmen. Two 
 couple of hounds cast up just as the stag returned to the rails, 
 and immediately afterwards the 2.30 West of England express 
 rushed through the station, fortunately without doing any 
 damage. That a stag should come upon a busy railway plat- 
 form when a train was in the station seems to be curious.
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 AN ANCIENT FAMILY. 
 
 ' That sheep-cot, which in yonder vale you see 
 
 (Beset with groves, and those sweet springs hard by) 
 I rather would my palace wish to be 
 Than any roof of proudest majesty.' DANIEL. 
 
 HERE are some men who congratulate themselves 
 on being able, by the aid of family records, to 
 look back on a long line of predecessors, distin- 
 guished in their time for great wealth, influence, 
 and philanthropy. The Jews are proud of tracing 
 to a very remote period the origin of their race. The gipsies, 
 in many cases, boast of being the descendants of the Shepherd 
 Kings, whose invading proclivities were much dreaded by some 
 of the monarchs of that distant period. Modern Rechabites 
 claim the honour of being members of the same kind of order 
 spoken of by one of the Old Testament prophets ; and one 
 religious denomination justifies its observance of the rite of 
 baptism by the example of the forerunner of Jesus Christ. 
 
 Without intending to be at all invidious in identifying 
 animals with human beings, we may observe that the ancestors 
 of the subject of this chapter are mentioned in the Scriptures 
 at a very early date. In Genesis iv. we read, ' And Abel was 
 a keeper of sheep? This fact is, we think, a good reason for 
 selecting the title we have given ' An Ancient Family.' 
 
 We shall now give some interesting particulars of the struc- 
 ture, commercial value, and peculiar characteristics of this 
 well-known and useful animal. 
 
 THE SHEEP FAMILY. Sheep belong to the genus Ovis, and 
 are a sub-family of the large family Bovidce, or hollow T horned 
 ruminants. There are very many varieties of them. Those 
 in England are known as ' White Dorsets ;' ' Old Norfolks ;'
 
 Structure and Character of Sheep. 201 
 
 ' South Downs f New Leicesters ;'' ' Cheviots and black-faced 
 Scots,' common in the North ; and the ' Lincolns.' Small 
 black-legged sheep abound in Wales, where they live on the 
 scanty herbage growing on the sides of precipices, which are 
 often so deep and look so dangerous that a person is apt to 
 turn giddy by gazing at them. The smallest breed are the 
 Shetlands, and their wool is the finest produced in Great 
 Britain. 
 
 These different breeds may be distinguished by slight pecu- 
 liarities of size, colour, and the length and quality of their 
 wool, but they do in reality merge into one. There is some 
 difficulty in tracing the origin of our sheep, and the country 
 from which it was im- 
 ported. Some naturalists 
 believe the moufflon, an 
 animal about the size of 
 a small fallow-deer, in- 
 habiting parts of Corsica, 
 Sardinia, and Greece, to 
 be the progenitor of the 
 common sheep. 
 
 , . , - Moufflon. 
 
 The precise period of 
 
 its introduction into England is also involved in obscurity. 
 We are told, however, that the ancient Britons used to wear 
 felted cloth more than 2,000 years ago. The sheep, being 
 a ruminant animal, chews the cud the same as the ox. It 
 has no teeth in the upper jaw, but has, in their stead, a hard, 
 firm, but somewhat elastic pad, between which and the teeth 
 of the lower jaw the herbage is secured, and this, by a sudden 
 jerk, half-biting and half-tearing action, is separated from the 
 stalks and roots and passed into the stomach, in which it 
 remains until remastication takes place. 
 
 If the sheep is defective in courage, its social instinct is re- 
 markably strong. They feed and travel together in flocks if 
 left to themselves, and should one of their number jump a 
 fence or find its way through a gap in the hedge into another 
 field, the rest will be sure to follow. 
 
 It is no doubt on account of this faculty of imitation in 
 sheep that butchers will sometimes lay hold on one of a 
 number of them, and force it into the building or slaughter- 
 house he may desire, knowing that the others will follow.
 
 2O2 An Ancient Family. 
 
 * 
 
 This plan is usually successful. There are but few animals 
 that appear to be more happy and contented when living to- 
 gether in numbers than sheep ; and yet so great is their dread 
 of isolation, that if one of them is separated from its com- 
 panions it refuses food, pines, and very soon dies. 
 
 MOTHER SHEEP AND THEIR YOUNG. Innocence and im- 
 plicit obedience to the will of the shepherd are commendable 
 traits in the character of these animals. They are also re- 
 markably affectionate to their young. Hogg, * the Ettrick 
 shepherd, says : ' The harder the times, the greater the kind- 
 ness of the ewe to her young. Once I herded for two years 
 in a wild and bare farm, called " Willenslee," on the border 
 of Midlothian ; and of all the sheep I ever saw, these were 
 the kindest and most affectionate to their young. We had 
 one very bad winter, so that our sheep grew lean in the spring, 
 and disease came in among them and carried off many. Often 
 have I seen these victims, when fallen down to rise no more, 
 and even when unable to lift their heads from the ground, 
 holding up the leg to invite their starving lambs to the miserable 
 pittance that the udder could still supply.' 
 
 If a mother sheep lose her lamb, what a bleat of desolation 
 she will give ! and how, with all the affectionate concern of a 
 mother, will she look and run hither and thither among those 
 of her own kind until she finds the lost one. This maternal 
 feeling is, however, exhibited in a more prominent and affect- 
 Ing manner when her young one dies. If it is not removed 
 she will cling to its decaying remains until they disappear by 
 mixing with the soil. 
 
 Not only is the flesh of the sheep very nutritious and 
 commonly eaten in this and other temperate and northern 
 countries, but these animals constitute, in various ways, very 
 profitable speculations in our commercial enterprise. It is 
 said that a few years since the flocks of sheep in several of 
 the European kingdoms numbered 140,000,000 head. 
 
 An observer of the habits of sheep has informed us that 
 these animals usually begin to feed in the summer-time about 
 five or six o'clock in the morning, but if it is likely to rain 
 soon after this time they will not stir, but remain in the same 
 places they have occupied during the night, simply because if 
 they did not do so, and the rain were to fall while they were 
 feeding, they would have no dry places to lie down upon.
 
 Sheep as Beasts of Burden. 203 
 
 Although this animal is much exposed to cold and wet 
 weather, it is provided with protection against both. We 
 must condemn, as a cruel act, the custom of shearing sheep 
 too early in the spring, which often brings on suffering, and 
 deteriorates the value of the animals. 
 
 THE WOOL OF SHEEP. It would be difficult to ascertain 
 the vast amount of money paid in combing, dressing, spinning, 
 and dyeing the wool of sheep, and then weaving it into cloth 
 afterwards, to say nothing about the cost of machinery and 
 looms, etc., etc. In addition to this, we may see in our large 
 manufacturing towns, as well as in those of other countries, 
 thousands of men, women, and children employed, and 
 deriving their livelihood by working in some way or other on 
 the wool of these useful animals. 
 
 If we examine a single hair of sheep's wool through a 
 powerful lens, we shall discover a number of serrations, which 
 resolve themselves into a series of notched ridges, which 
 surround the hair closely. By means of these serrations the 
 hairs interlock with each other in what is called ' felting,' 
 which is increased by water. It is this that renders it neces- 
 sary to have cloth well shrunk before making it up into 
 garments, coats, or trousers, as the first drenching by rain will 
 make them too small for the wearer. The reason this shrink- 
 ing does not take place when the wool is soaked with water 
 while on the sheep's back is, ' that the fleece is imbued with 
 a secretion from the skin, called the "yoke," which repels the 
 action of the water.' 
 
 From what we have stated, it will be seen that if sheep lack 
 the size and strength of oxen, and the fleetness of horses, and 
 if they are less bold, intelligent, and courageous than many 
 other animals, they are not, on the whole, less useful, but 
 have in many cases some claim on priority in contributing so 
 largely to the general comfort and convenience of mankind. 
 
 CURIOUS USE OF SHEEP. ' In the " Colonies and India," ' 
 says Nature, ' we find a note respecting the employment of 
 sheep as beasts of burden. In eastern Turkistan and Thibet, 
 for instance, borax is borne on the backs of sheep over the 
 mountains of Seh, Kangra, and Rampur, on the Sutlej. 
 Borax is found at Rudok, in Changthan, of such excellent 
 quality, that only 25 per cent, is lost in the process of refining. 
 The Rudok borax is carried on sheep to Rampur, which
 
 2O4 An Ancient Family. 
 
 travel at the rate of two miles a day; but notwithstanding 
 the superior quality and the demand for it in Europe, the 
 expenses attending its transport seriously hamper the trade, 
 which, but for the sheep, would hardly exist at all. 
 
 A WOOLLY AUDIENCE. Six hundred years ago a certain 
 shepherd boy watched his flock on the hills that look down 
 upon Florence, and spent his leisure in piping to the sheep, 
 and making sketches of a favourite ewe or lamb ' with a stone 
 slightly pointed upon a smooth, clean piece of rock.' This 
 little boy, Giotto Bondone, became one of the greatest of 
 Italian painters, and ever took delight in portraying the gentle 
 creatures in whose company he had passed his boyhood. 
 Sheep are very fond of music. ' Joseph Haydn, when a boy, 
 went on a tour with some companions through the Apennines. 
 One of the party carried his flute with him, and one day, as 
 he sat on a hillside and played for the amusement of the 
 others, the sheep came crowding round him. If the time was 
 slow and mournful, the sheep would droop their heads ; but 
 when he played a lively strain, they drew close to his side, 
 and rubbed their necks against his legs to show their delight.' 
 
 THE PHILOSOPHER AND SHEPHERD BOY. According to a 
 story told of Sir Isaac Newton and a shepherd boy, sheep are 
 good indicators of coming weather. It appears that the great 
 philosopher was on one occasion riding across Salisbury 
 Plain, where he met with a boy tending sheep. Whether 
 there was any sign or not of rain we cannot say, but Sir Isaac, 
 after sundry interrogations, asked the boy ' what he thought 
 of the weather ?' To which the boy replied ' it was going to 
 rain,' and advised the traveller not to proceed on his journey. 
 His advice was unheeded. The philosopher had not pro- 
 ceeded far on his journey before the boy's answer occurred 
 with great force to his mind, and so curious did he become to 
 know why the boy should give him such a reply, that he re- 
 solved to retrace his steps and ask him. He did so. 
 
 ' How do you know it is going to rain ?' he asked the boy ; 
 ' and what is it makes you so certain about it ?' 
 
 ' Just this,' answered the unsophisticated lad, pointing to 
 an old ram ; ' whenever he turns his tail towards the wind, I 
 knows it will rain afore long. It al'a's does, sir, and that be 
 true, sir ; and his tail has been in that direction pretty nigh 
 all the morning, it has, sir.'
 
 Effect of Music on Sheep. 205 
 
 We do not know whether the philosophers faith was suffi- 
 ciently great to believe in the barometrical qualifications of 
 the old ram, or in the assertions of this untutored lad, to 
 induce him to give up his journey or not, but he no doubt 
 thought it was a subject worthy of his attention, study, and 
 reflection. 
 
 Sheep have been known repeatedly to seek the shelter of a 
 hedge, an embankment, and the side of a hill, a considerable 
 time before a storm or rain has come on, and even when 
 there has been no indication of either. 
 
 A SHEEP'S TASTE FOR Music. The Rev. T. Jackson says, 
 in referring to sheep being fond of, and variously affected by, 
 music, that the Highland breed of sheep carry off the palm 
 for cleverness and for their partiality to sweet sounds. He 
 knew one of them that would jump and skip about with con- 
 siderable pleasure whenever a lively, quick tune was played ; 
 but the moment it heard the National Anthem, it would hang 
 down its head, appear to be very sullen, annoyed, and much 
 displeased until the music ceased. 
 
 A TIPPLING LAMB. There can be no doubt that when 
 animals are not controlled by man, they seldom, if ever, 
 acquire a fondness for anything in the shape of food or drink 
 but what they are prompted to take by the law of instinct. 
 We, however, once knew a lamb whose parents died pre- 
 maturely, that was taken home by its owner, who kept a way- 
 side inn in the county of Gloucester. This lamb was fed 
 with milk from the cow, on which it thrived amazingly well. 
 As it grew older, it became very familiar with the domestics, 
 as well as with the customers in the tap-room. Keeping this 
 kind of company, singular as it may appear, it acquired a 
 taste for malt liquors, of which, the landlord told us, it had a 
 glass regularly every day, and that immediately afterwards it 
 would frolic and jump about in the most lively manner, show- 
 ing that beer had the same effect on the brain of this animal 
 as it usually has on those of human beings. 
 
 ODD COMPANIONS. In ' Records of Animal Sagacity ' 
 appears the following account of a singular attachment which 
 two animals of different tribes formed for each other. It 
 seems that ' In December, 1825, Thomas Ray, blacksmith, 
 Handhills, parish of Brittle, purchased a lamb of the black- 
 faced breed from an individual passing with a large flock. It
 
 2o6 An Ancient Family, 
 
 was so extremely wild, that it was with great difficulty separated 
 from its fleecy companions. He put it into his field in com- 
 pany with a cow and a little white galloway. It never seemed 
 to mind the cow, but soon exhibited manifest indications of 
 fondness for the pony, which, not insensible to such tender 
 approaches, amply demonstrated the attachment to be re- 
 ciprocal. They were now to be seen in company in all cir- 
 cumstances, whether the pony was used for riding or drawing. 
 . . . When likely to be too closely beset, the lamb would 
 seek an asylum beneath the pony, and pop out its head 
 betwixt the fore or hind legs, with looks of conscious security. 
 At night it invariably repaired to the stable, and reposed 
 under the manger, before the head of its favourite. When 
 separate, the lamb would raise the most plaintive bleatings, 
 and the pony a responsive neighing. On one occasion they 
 both strayed into an adjoining field, in which was a flock of 
 sheep ; the lamb joined the flock at a short distance from the 
 pony, but as soon as the owner removed him, it quickly 
 followed, without the least regard to its own species.' 
 
 A SHEEP THAT CHEWED TOBACCO. In volume xxii., and 
 on page 329, of Nature appears the following, which we copy, 
 as being something very curious and uncommon : 
 
 ' The subject of a depraved taste in animals is an interest- 
 ing one, which has not been studied as much, perhaps, as it 
 might. In human beings it would seem to depend on ill- 
 health of either body or mind ; but in animals it would seem 
 as if it might be present and the animal enjoy good health. 
 One remarkable instance in an herbivorous animal we can 
 vouch for. It occurred in a sheep that had been shipped on 
 board one of the P. and O. steamers to help to supply the 
 kitchen on board; but while fattening, it developed an in- 
 ordinate taste for tobacco, which it would eat in any quantity 
 that was given to it. It did not much care for cigars, and 
 altogether objected to burnt ends; but it would greedily 
 devour the half-chewed quid of a sailor, or a handfull of roll 
 tobacco. While chewing, there was apparently no undue 
 flow of saliva, and its taste was so peculiar, that most of the 
 passengers on board amused themselves by feeding it, to see 
 for themselves if it were really so. As a consequence, though 
 in fair condition, the cook was afraid to kill the sheep, be- 
 lieving that the mutton would have a flavour of tobacco.'
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 LOWINGS FROM THE FIELD AND SHED. 
 
 The bellowing ox and lowing kine 
 Are treasures worth e'en a golden mine ; 
 
 These pictures of life, in fields of green, 
 Can vie with the richest ever seen. 
 
 MERE cursory view of the life of various kinds 
 of animals may lead us to suppose that there is a 
 very wide difference in their utility to man. Ad- 
 mitting that it may be so to a certain degree, yet 
 if we look carefully into their positions in nature, 
 and the habits and services of each tribe, we shall find the 
 difference referred to is not so great as we may imagine. One 
 kind of animal may in some particular thing be much more 
 useful than another kind, but at the same time may be very 
 inferior to the latter in something else. 
 
 If the horse is the fleetest, the strongest, and most useful 
 of our domestic animals as a worker, he produces no material 
 to compete with the wool of the sheep, neither is he of such 
 use to man after death as the latter animal is. If cows are 
 not so useful as the horse as workers, or if they are not wool- 
 producers like the sheep, yet in the milk they give we have 
 an incalculable blessing enjoyed by man in nearly every part 
 of the world. We should look at the nature or quality, as 
 well as to the extent, of the advantages we derive from animals, 
 in order to form a proper estimate of their real value to man. 
 We shall now give a brief sketch of 
 
 THE Ox AND Cow. These animals belong to the order 
 Ruminantia, class Mammalia. Many varieties of them are 
 found in Europe, India, Africa, and in North America, some
 
 208 Lowings from the Field and Shed. 
 
 of them domesticated, but most of them living a wild life,, 
 The species belonging to England are characterized by flat 
 foreheads, wide muzzles, heavy bodies, and strong legs. The 
 horns of some of them are long and curved, others are short, 
 and a few are without them ; but all these animals contribute 
 in an eminent degree to the wants and comfort of man. 
 
 What sight can be more beautiful and interesting, or more 
 suggestive of prosperity and enjoyment, than herds of these 
 noble creatures grazing on the mountain-side, or in verdant 
 fields, where cowslips and buttercups gleam in the sunlight 
 like vast sheets of the purest gold ? We in England may well 
 be proud of our oxen, and should be grateful for them too, 
 because they not only give life and animation to our land- 
 scapes, but they afford to man a number of blessings he 
 would have to look for in vain in many other animals. 
 
 Let us stand in imagination for a short time in a field where 
 a number of them are feeding, and watch their movements ; 
 we shall find them peculiar, interesting, and amusing, and we 
 may learn something at the same time. 
 
 STRUCTURE OF THE Cow's MOUTH. We shall see that 
 these animals, when grazing, throw their tongues round several 
 blades of grass or herbage, which they gather together in the 
 same manner as the reaper does stalks of corn by his sickle ; 
 they then grip them firmly between the teeth of the lower 
 jaw and the pad of the upper one ; then give a sudden jerk, 
 which separates the stalks from the roots. 
 
 The reason why cows and oxen use their tongues in this 
 manner, is that their upper lip is not prehensile like that of 
 the horse. Their inability to seize anything by their upper 
 lip is therefore supplied by the movement of their tongues as 
 before described. As they require a great deal of food, it 
 takes a long time before they obtain a sufficient supply ; and 
 as they are during this time exposed to the hot sun, and to a 
 thousand winged tormentors, nature has generously furnished 
 them with long tails to ward them off, or at any rate to lessen 
 the misery which they would otherwise have to endure if it 
 were not for this useful appendage. 
 
 ORIGIN OF OUR OXEN. Naturalists are divided in opinion 
 as to the origin of our oxen, and the time of their intro- 
 duction into Great Britain. Some think they came from 
 some part of Asia, and that the Romans brought them hither.
 
 Power of Man over Animals. 209 
 
 Those who believe they are derived from wild oxen, which 
 thousands of years since existed in England, have in their 
 favour the fact that fossil bones, resembling the bones of our 
 domestic ox, have been found in our rocks and caves. 
 
 WILD OXEN. The ' Student's Natural History ' states : 
 ' The cattle which anciently inhabited the great Caledonian 
 forest, roaming wild and free, was a small kind, and the breed 
 is still preserved, though they are restricted now to a very few 
 places, such as Cadzow Park, near Hamilton, and Chillingham 
 Park, in Northumberland.' 
 
 In order to show the superior power and influence of man 
 over the lower animals, and the wide difference which exists 
 between animals of the same genus in a wild and domesticated 
 state, a description of the herds referred to may be both 
 interesting and useful. It is given by a gentleman named 
 Culley, who visited Chillingham Park some years since, and 
 who describes them in the following language : ' Their colour 
 is of a creamy white, muzzle black. At the first appear- 
 ance of any person, they set off in full gallop, and at the 
 distance of two or three hundred yards make a wheel round 
 and come boldly up, tossing their heads in a menacing 
 manner. On a sudden they make a full stop, at the distance 
 of forty or fifty yards, looking wildly at the object of their 
 surprise; but upon the least motion being made, they all 
 again turn round and fly off with equal speed, but not to the 
 same distance. Forming a shorter circle, and again returning 
 with a bolder and more threatening aspect than before, they 
 approach much nearer, probably within thirty yards, when 
 they make another stand and again fly off. This they do 
 several times, shortening their distance and advancing nearer, 
 till they come within ten yards, when most people think it 
 prudent to leave them, for there is little doubt but in two or 
 three turns more they would make an attack.' These animals, 
 like many other wild ones, gore to death those that are 
 wounded, feeble, or aged among them. 
 
 Admitting that the progenitors of our present race of cows 
 and oxen were wild as those described, we cannot fail to see 
 what a subduing and controlling power man has over brute 
 beasts, and how willingly subservient these creatures become 
 to his will, especially when treated kindly and humanely 
 by him. 
 
 14
 
 210 Lowings from the Field and Shed. 
 
 VALUE OF Cows. In whatever country these animals are 
 found, they are pre-eminently useful to the inhabitants of it, 
 as the following calculation will show. Taking for granted 
 that on an average cows produce 24 pints of milk per day 
 each, that would amount to 168 pints per week. Supposing 
 that 3,000,000 people in London drink each a pint of milk 
 per week, then 17,857 cows are required to supply this 
 quantity, which at twopence per pint would amount to 
 25,000 weekly. If the above number of cows, after giving 
 milk for some years, be sold to butchers at 15 each, they 
 would realize in money value 267,855. 
 
 Assuming the number of cows in England to be only 
 
 Yorkshire Cow. 
 
 178,570, these sold at 15 each would realize ,2,678,550. 
 If to these milk-producers we add the same number of oxen 
 at the same price, then we have in these animals together the 
 worth of 5,357,100. We must also consider that the amounts 
 stated are greatly increased by the retail prices paid by con- 
 sumers of the flesh of these animals, and also by the sale of 
 calves, of which many thousands are slaughtered in one 
 year. 
 
 In addition to the flesh of these animals, other parts of their 
 bodies are of great service to man. Out of their horns drink- 
 ing-vessels are made ; glue, so- useful to the mechanic, is made
 
 Uses of Cows, and Artificial Light. 211 
 
 from their feet and ears ; their hides, tanned into leather, give 
 employment to thousands of men, and, when cut up into shoes 
 and boots, protect the feet of millions of people ; and their 
 hair is mixed with mortar for the ceilings of our rooms ; so 
 that, living or dead, they may be regarded as the most useful 
 animals that were ever brought under the control of man. 
 
 Cows AND CANDLES. Before gas, and many other artificial 
 lights now in use, were introduced, the common tallow candles 
 were much more valued than they are at the present time. 
 Although the poorer class of our ancestors were compelled to 
 pass the long and dreary winter evenings comparatively in 
 semi-darkness, the old-fashioned candles were nevertheless re- 
 garded as a great boon. 
 
 The following curious statements, which appeared in a 
 London newspaper, may not only surprise the reader, but will, 
 we venture to think, in a great measure enhance, in his estima- 
 tion, the value of the ox and cow, whose fat, as well as that of 
 similar animals, constitutes the principal ingredient in the 
 manufacture of candles. It appears that, some time since, 
 240 tons of candles were sent out from a factory in Lambeth. 
 This number of tons represents about 5,000,000 of candles, 
 reckoning a little more than eight to the pound weight. The 
 paragraph referred to goes on to say that : ' If these candles 
 had to burn one at a time, they would last 3,368 years ; or, if 
 the first candle had been lighted when Saul ascended the 
 Jewish throne, and had been burning, one at a time, ever 
 since, there would be a sufficient supply left for 112 years to 
 come.' 
 
 Even admitting that this calculation is not strictly, or abso- 
 lutely, accurate, it is a near approximation to the truth, and 
 shows how much, even now, we owe to the ox and cow for 
 contributing in so great a degree to what may still be regarded 
 as the blessing of candle-light. 
 
 A Cow THAT CAME TO THE RESCUE. We remember read- 
 ing a simple story of a cow that was grazing in a field with a 
 number of sheep, one of which was lying upon its back, unable 
 to turn upon its feet. It was surrounded by several of its 
 companions, who, however much they pitied its helpless con- 
 dition, seemed quite unable to render the assistance it re- 
 quired, or perhaps lacked the sense to do so. Their bleatings 
 of regret arrested the attention of the cow, who, looking up, 
 
 142
 
 2 1 2 Lowings from the Field and Shed. 
 
 comprehended the difficulty they were in, pushed forward to 
 the struggling sheep, put her horns gently under its body, and 
 with an upward motion brought the animal again on its feet. 
 The rescued one and the rest of the sheep bleated their best 
 thanks to the cow, which she acknowledged with sundry 
 switches of her tail, and forthwith resumed her feeding. 
 
 The affection of the cow for her young is at first exceed- 
 ingly strong, but not so enduring as that of many other 
 animals. When the calf is taken away hef bellowings are 
 very mournful, and even distressing, but they soon cease. 
 Hence, no doubt, the saying, ' The bellowing cow the soonest 
 forgets her calf.' 
 
 THE BUTCHER AND THE Cow's TEETH. Referring again 
 to the structure of the cow's mouth, the following incident may 
 not be uninteresting. Some time since we were passing a 
 butcher's shop in London, at the door of which stood a young 
 man, of whom we made some inquiries relating to cows. 
 ' Are you a butcher ?' we asked. ' Yes, sir,' was the reply : 
 'I've been one about eleven years.' ' Have you ever helped 
 to slaughter any cows or oxen ?' ' Oh yes ; hundreds of 
 them.' ' Then you are well acquainted with the internal as 
 well as the external structure of these animals ?' ' No man 
 more so, I should think.' ' Do you know if the cow has as 
 many teeth in the front of her upper jaw as she has in her 
 lower one, or if there is any difference ?' ' To be sure I do,' 
 he said, smiling at the remark. He, however, hesitated in 
 giving us the information we wanted. He said at last, how- 
 ever, ' There is, I believe, about the same number.' ' Indeed !' 
 we said ; ' are you not aware that the cow has no teeth at all 
 in the front of the upper jaw ?' ' Nonsense,' said he ; ' you 
 are joking, or speaking of some old cow that has lost her 
 teeth.' Calling his attention to a cow's head hanging close 
 by, we said, ' Open the mouth of it, and let it speak for itself.' 
 He did so, and his own too ; and then exclaimed with great 
 astonishment, 'Well, I never knew such a thing in all my 
 born days. I always thought that cows had teeth at the top 
 and bottom the same as I have.' 
 
 A man in Gravesend assured us that although he had been 
 a cowherd thirty years he never knew before that the front of 
 the cow's upper jaw was deficient of teeth. 
 
 The above shows that we may be in the daily habit ot
 
 Superstition about Oxen. 213 
 
 looking at things, and yet not see them so as to understand 
 what they really are. 
 
 Do OXEN KNEEL ON CHRISTMAS EVE ? We will now quote 
 an extract from the ' Book of Christmas,' by T. K. Hervey, 
 referring to a notion that ' oxen kneel on Christmas Day.' 
 ' In the south-west of England there exists a superstitious 
 notion that the oxen are to be found kneeling in their stalls 
 at midnight of this vigil, as if in adoration of the Nativity : an 
 idea which Brand, no doubt correctly, supposes to have 
 originated from the representation by early painters of the 
 event itself.' That writer mentions a Cornish peasant, who 
 told him (1790) of his having, with some others, watched 
 several oxen in their stalls on the eve of old Christmas Day. 
 At twelve o'clock at night they observed the two oldest oxen 
 fall upon their knees, and, as he expressed it in the idiom of 
 the country, ' make a cruel moan like Christian creatures.' 
 To those who regard the analogies of the human mind, who 
 mark the progress of tradition, who study the diffusion of cer- 
 tain fancies, and their influence upon mankind, an anecdote 
 related by Mr. Howison in his ' Sketches of Upper Canada ' 
 is full of comparative interest. He mentions meeting an 
 Indian at midnight, creeping cautiously along, in the stillness 
 of a beautiful Christmas Eve. The Indian made signals to 
 him to be silent, and when questioned as to his reason, re- 
 plied : ' We watch to see the deer kneel ; this is Christmas 
 night, and all the deer fall upon their knees to the Great Spirit, 
 and look up.' 
 
 THE Cow AND MORAL SUASION. Cows, like other animals, 
 have their tempers, which they sometimes exhibit when about 
 to be milked. On these occasions we have seen them peremp- 
 torily refuse to have the shackles put on their hind-legs, which 
 in many cases is done to prevent them from walking and from 
 lifting up either leg, by which they might upset the milk-pail. 
 A good cudgelling with the milk-stool, which cows often get 
 for not quietly submitting to be thus manacled, has never, that 
 we can remember, produced any beneficial results, but has, in 
 many cases, increased the animal's objection to the shackles 
 referred to. From the following anecdote it is evident that, 
 obtuse as the intellect of cows is considered to be, these 
 animals are susceptible to gentle treatment, which, as a rule, 
 proves far more efficacious in soothing any irritability of
 
 214 Lowings from the Field and Shed. 
 
 temper than rough usage could possibly do. Mr. E. Powell 
 writes suggestively to the Rural New Yorker of a ' spoiled ' 
 cow reformed by moral suasion : 
 
 ' Coming home to farm on a vacation, after nearly a year's 
 absence, my " man " said to me, " You will have to sell that 
 pet Ayrshire heifer. She is a terrible creature; we can do 
 nothing with her." At milking-time I found they had her with 
 a rope around her horns, in between close bars, and then stout 
 pins before and behind her hind-legs. One switched off flies, 
 while another milked. She made it lively, however, in spite of 
 bars, pins, pegs, ropes, and men. It looked like a bad case. 
 Her eyes were full of mischief. The next day I had her led 
 out on the lawn of nice grass for a good meal. The next day 
 she was let loose in the yard, when I took a rope to the gate, 
 held it up, and caused her to come and let me put it on, pro- 
 mising her a good time on the lawn. It was at least a half- 
 hour's work of quiet, persistent waiting and talking. But she 
 was slowly coming to the point of yielding. At last she held 
 her head quietly down close in front of me, and not till then 
 did I yield one inch to her. She must submit before she 
 could have the coveted grass. Then I led her out at once 
 and gave her a good time. The result was that in three weeks 
 she could be milked anywhere on the lawn without the least 
 danger.'
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 FOUR-FOOTED HYBRIDS, OR HALF-AND-HALF RELATIONS. 
 
 A Mule art thou ; in breed not pure, 
 
 But hybrid in thy nature ; 
 And yet good qualities we see, 
 Of horse and ass, unite in thee ; 
 
 Thou hardy, useful creature. 
 
 >HERE are, we should imagine, but few readers 
 advanced in life who cannot call to mind the 
 time when, as boys or girls, they derived almost 
 infinite pleasure from old ysop's most wonderful 
 and interesting fables, as well as in the useful 
 morals they were intended to teach. It may not be an inap- 
 propriate introduction to the subject of this chapter, if we 
 refer to one of these fables, entitled ' The Boasting Mule,' and 
 then, after giving a description of the temper, habits, and uses 
 of this hybrid animal, leave our readers to form their own 
 opinion of his merits, or demerits, as the case may be. It is 
 said : ' There was once a favourite mule who was constantly 
 boasting of his family and ancestors. " My father," said he, 
 " was a famous courser, and I myself take after him." He 
 had no sooner spoken the words than he was put to the trial 
 of his speed, and proved a failure. At that moment, also, his 
 father began braying, which at once betrayed the secret of his 
 descent ; and the whole field made sport of the boaster when 
 they found he was only the son of an ass.' 
 
 CRUELTY TO DONKEYS. That the estimate formed of any 
 tribe of animals in any particular country is no test of their 
 intrinsic value and importance, may be seen in our remarks, 
 in the eighteenth chapter, on the donkey. As we have there
 
 216 Four-footed Hybrids. 
 
 shown, its lot in England is often of the lowest and most de- 
 grading kind ; and that, in the majority of cases, he is the 
 abused slave of some of the most ignorant, mean-spirited, 
 selfish, and brutish men that ever lived, who know not his 
 worth, and who care less for his claims on proper treatment. 
 And yet we find that the same animal in ancient times, and in 
 Eastern countries, has always been held in the highest estima- 
 tion, much valued for his utility, honoured with the most noble 
 and aristocratic associations, and favoured wkh the most dig- 
 nified employment. 
 
 The same remarks, in many respects, may apply to the half 
 relative of the ass, the hybrid animal who forms the subject 
 of this chapter. The mule has been rendered conspicuous by 
 the absence of reference to him in many works on natural 
 history. Whatever reason may be assigned for this, whether 
 it be the paucity of the numbers of this animal, or that he is 
 not of pure descent, and that his associations are therefore 
 considered to be objectionable, we are not prepared to say. 
 We have, however, one of the best of all precedents for intro- 
 ducing the mule to the notice of the reader. Like the ass, he 
 is spoken of in the Scriptures, and identified with persons and 
 circumstances which stamp him as an animal highly valued 
 and esteemed during the prophetic and early ages of the world. 
 He is mentioned in the Book of Genesis. King David and 
 his nobles rode upon mules ; and it is said these animals are 
 mentioned by the early heathen writers ; that in the time of 
 Homer mules ploughed the plains of Greece ; that they were 
 often employed in the chariot-race; that they dragged the 
 combustibles to the funeral pile of Patroclus, and the chariot 
 of Priam to the tent of Achilles. 
 
 We shall now give a description of the structure and general 
 character of this hybrid animal. 
 
 THE MULE AND JENNET. The mule is the offspring of two 
 animals of distinct tribes, the male ass and the mare, or female 
 horse. The jennet, of the horse and female ass. Although they 
 are nearly related, they differ considerably in size and strength, 
 and therefore, in many respects, in utility. The jennet is much 
 smaller than the mule, but stronger and more enduring than 
 the pony. The mule is considerably larger than the jennet, is 
 very hardy, and, when well treated, may live to be forty years 
 old. The natural disposition of the mule may be inferior to
 
 The Value of Mules. 
 
 217 
 
 ^ the horse, but he is not less useful. In mountainous districts 
 rfe is highly valued because of his sure-footedness, his strong 
 constitution, and great physical power, which enable him to 
 carry heavy loads and to bear with safety ladies and others 
 through dangerous Alpine passes. Mules, because of their 
 hardy nature, rendered essential service during the Crimean 
 war, as they survived the hardships and the cold which caused 
 the death of very many horses. 
 
 ' Very fine mules were formerly imported into England for 
 the use of prelates of the Church of Rome.' 
 
 The Mule. 
 
 We are informed that in Spain mules are numerous, and are 
 often employed to draw persons of very great distinction. 
 Great care is taken to improve the breed of them ; they are, 
 therefore, very fine, beautiful animals, and frequently sell for 
 fifty, seventy, and even one hundred pounds each. 
 
 JUDGES ON MULES. Pennant says that in old times the 
 judges rode to court on mules, but in the reign of Queen 
 Mary they changed those restive animals for easy pads, a 
 justice of the Court of Queen's Bench, first setting the example. 
 
 The mule has been accused of possessing a bad temper, of 
 being obstinate and self-willed, of having a strong inclination 
 to do as he pleases, without regard to words, to menaces, or to
 
 218 Four-footed Hybrids. 
 
 blows, and that if he condescends to do a thing it is only when 
 he thinks proper to do it that it is done. Much of this may 
 arise from ill-usage. We cannot, therefore, altogether condemn 
 him under these circumstances. The results referred to are 
 very similar to those that would follow unkind treatment of a 
 human being, because, after all, human nature and animal 
 nature are very much alike in this respect. 
 
 There can be no doubt that kind treatment,. with proper care 
 and attention to the breeding of mules, tend very materially 
 to increase and to improve their physical power, general 
 appearance, and utility. 
 
 MULE SHOW. The following account of a mule show, held 
 at the Crystal Palace in May, 1875, which appeared in the 
 Standard newspaper, will be read with interest, if not with 
 surprise : ' It is probably within the mark to say that many 
 English farmers never have seen a mule, while the acquaint- 
 ance of those who do not 'come within this category is pro- 
 bably confined to having seen the diminutive animals, generally 
 crosses with a pony, which little exceed in size their immediate 
 asinine progenitors. The simple statement that in Class First 
 of the present show, for mules of fourteen hands and upwards, 
 for farming and heavy draught work, the six entries are animals 
 varying from fifteen hands three inches to seventeen hands 
 high, and of the weight of average farm horses, ought to exer- 
 cise the agricultural mind considerably, when it is considered 
 in relation to the undoubted facts that such mules, in propor- 
 tion to their weight, are much stronger than horses ; that they 
 will live and thrive on food that no horse would look at ; that 
 they are rarely sick, are vastly more intelligent than the horse, 
 and do good service up to forty years of age. Mr. C. L. S. 
 exhibits four of these splendid brutes, and Mr. C. A. R. H. 
 two, all imported from Poitou, and, of course, all picked speci- 
 mens, costing there from eighty pounds to one hundred pounds 
 each. 
 
 ' In this district of France mule-breeding has been for gene- 
 rations a speciality four hundred pounds, and even five hundred 
 pounds, being asked by the owners for the powerful jackasses 
 used for stud purposes. The department of Deux-Sevres has 
 long enjoyed a high reputation for its large mules, many of the 
 fine animals used in Spain and Italy, for carriages, coming 
 from this district ; while La Vendee and Charente furnish the
 
 Intelligence of Mules. 219 
 
 powerful, sure-footed pack animals used for transporting mer- 
 chandise over the steep passes of the Alps and the Pyrenees.' 
 
 It would appear from the above description, that not only to 
 the farmer, in agricultural work, but in field artillery, mules 
 would be a very useful acquisition, because their capacity for 
 enduring exposure and bad feeding is much greater than that 
 of horses. 
 
 THE MULE'S POWER OF ENDURANCE. ' Some idea of the 
 mule's capacity for work may be gathered from a statement 
 annexed to the winner of the second prize, Mr. J. C.'s " Polly," 
 which is thirteen years old. In August, 1870, Polly, bred 
 between a common donkey and an Exmoor pony, was 
 driven from Weargifford, in North Devon, to Berkeley Square, 
 a distance of two hundred and twenty miles, in forty-two hours, 
 including all stoppages. In the first day one hundred and 
 thirty miles were covered, and the remaining ninety miles in 
 part of the next day, the last ten miles being done in an hour. 
 This same 'little animal, with her sister Betsy, two years 
 younger, which is exhibited with her, made a journey of two 
 hundred and twenty miles in forty-eight hours, in April, 1873, 
 conveying four persons with luggage.' 
 
 ' The mule,' says Brown, ' possesses some of the best quali- 
 ties of the two useful animals from which it springs. It is, 
 indeed, inferior to the horse in strength, and to the ass in 
 patience, but it retains somewhat of the agility and beauty of 
 motion which we admire in the one, and is sure-footed like the 
 other. It has a spirited look like the horse it toughly en- 
 dures labour like the ass ; the external resemblance to both its 
 parents is wonderfully preserved throughout every part of its 
 body.' 
 
 Instances of the great intelligence of mules have been given 
 by travellers on the Continent, especially in Spain, and we 
 may add in Egypt, particularly in Cairo, where, as well as 
 donkeys, they are very numerous, and may be seen standing 
 in the squares for hire. Not only will they answer to their own 
 names, and obey the word of command when being driven, 
 but in Spain, when two are yoked together, if the words, 
 'Aquella otra ' (meaning, ' You other also') are used, they know 
 the words equally apply to both, and therefore they have the 
 effect of stimulating them to renewed exertions and additional 
 speed.
 
 220 Four-footed Hybrids. 
 
 On the levee in New Orleans, harnessed in drays, mules 
 may be seen who understand the French, English, Spanish, 
 and German languages. 
 
 FEROCIOUS COURAGE OF A MULE. Mr. Arnauld, in his 
 ( History of Animals,' relates the following incident of ferocious 
 courage in a mule : ' This animal belonged to a gentleman in 
 Florence, and became so vicious and refractory that he not 
 only refused to submit to any kind of labour, but actually 
 attacked with his heels and teeth those who attempted to 
 compel him. Wearied with such conduct, his master resolved 
 to make away with him by exposing him to the wild beasts in 
 the menagerie of the Grand Duke. For this purpose he was 
 first placed in the dens of the hyenas and tigers, all of whom 
 he would have soon destroyed had he not been speedily 
 removed. At last he was handed over to the lion ; but the 
 mule, instead of exhibiting any symptoms of alarm, quietly 
 receded to a corner, keeping his front opposed to his adversary. 
 Once planted in the corner he resolutely kept his place, eye- 
 ing every movement of the lion, which was preparing to spring 
 upon him. The lion, however, perceiving the difficulty of an 
 attack, practised all his wiles to throw the mule off his guard, 
 but in vain. At length the latter, perceiving an opportunity, 
 made a sudden rush upon the lion, and in an instant broke 
 several of his teeth by the stroke of his fore-feet. The " king 
 of the animals," as he had been called, finding that he had got 
 quite enough of the combat, slunk grumbling to his cage, and 
 left the hardy mule master of the battle.' 
 
 The author of a work, ' The Passions of Animals,' cites 
 some very curious instances in proof of the assertion that the 
 lower animals do, in many cases, use their experience in 
 reference to things from which they have suffered pain and 
 annoyance. He says, ' The dog which has been punished 
 once for a fault will either slink away or hide itself if it finds 
 itself detected in the repetition of it. The well-known 
 story, recorded by Plutarch, proves the application of accident- 
 ally acquired experience. He says that, 
 
 ' " A MULE LADEN WITH SALT fell into a stream, and having 
 perceived that its load became thereby sensibly lightened, 
 adopted the same contrivance afterwards purposely, and that 
 to cure it of the trick its panniers were filled with sponge, 
 under which, when fully saturated, it could barely stagger." '
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 OUR DONKEYS AND THEIR KINDRED. 
 
 Though thou art but an ass, we plainly see 
 That something good is really found in thee ; 
 
 For thou art patient, sometimes even brave, 
 A cheap, contented, uncomplaining slave. 
 
 j HAT the same object is differently estimated and 
 appreciated by different people is as true as that 
 the hills are old. In nothing is this more clearly 
 seen than in the fact that the same animal which 
 is disliked and badly treated by one person, may 
 be highly valued, well looked after, and admired by another. 
 We were forcibly struck with the truth of what we have just 
 said when passing one day through a West-end part of London. 
 It was early morning time. Many dealers in vegetables 
 were returning with laden barrows and carts from Covent 
 Garden Market. Amongst them was a repulsive-looking 
 fellow, whose donkey was very poor, and, as Waterton says, 
 looked like ' Misery steeped in vinegar,' and which at intervals 
 received a curse, or a whack from a heavy stick, because his 
 speed of locomotion did not please his brutal driver. ' Poor 
 Neddy,' said we, ' yours is a hard fate.' 
 
 Soon after this we encountered another man and his donkey, 
 who presented, in all respects, a widely different aspect. The 
 man's face beamed with good-nature, kindness, and intelli- 
 gence ; his donkey was in first-rate condition, and appeared to 
 enjoy a happy existence, and as it stepped cheerfully along 
 received, not curses and blows, but a few encouraging words. 
 
 What we have described gave rise to a train of thought as 
 to the real cause of the difference in the lot of these two 
 donkeys ; and we wondered whether it was traceable to the
 
 222 Our Donkeys. 
 
 men or to the animals. That there was a cause for it was 
 certain. We therefore resolved to study, more than we had 
 done, the habits and qualities of the donkey family, so that 
 we might arrive, if possible, at a right solution of this some- 
 what difficult problem. We will now refer to the history, 
 structure, and uses of 
 
 THE Ass. This animal, though common, is not, as he 
 ought to be, properly understood. Ignorant people have attri- 
 buted to him a number of bad qualities he does not inherently 
 
 The'Ass. 
 
 possess. No domestic animal in England has been more ill- 
 used than the donkey ; and yet we have no animal, taken 
 altogether, that is of more real service to man, especially the 
 poor one, than he is, or might be if he had his rights, and 
 humane treatment extended to him, which, we may assert, 
 would produce in this animal the most beneficial results. 
 
 The ass belongs to the order Solidungula, of the class Mam- 
 malia. An animal belonging to this order has hoofs which are 
 entire that is, externally whole, and not divided in two like 
 the hoofs of the ox, the sheep, and the pig. The word ' Soli- 
 dungula ' is derived from the Latin solidus, solid, and ungula, 
 a hoof. To the same order belong the wild ass, the zebra, 
 the quagga, the wild and domesticated horse. All animals 
 with this form of foot are most commonly found on level plains,
 
 High Estimate of Asses. 223 
 
 or on the margin of great sandy deserts, for which their feet 
 are the best adapted. 
 
 ASSES OF ANCIENT TIMES. In the Scriptures mention is 
 made of the ass at a much earlier date than of the horse. A 
 member of this despised race was the only quadruped ever 
 honoured with the gift of speech, which was given to him, 
 although only momentarily, to rebuke Balaam, his master, for 
 cruelty. In ancient times, in Oriental countries, a man's riches 
 were often estimated by the number of asses he possessed. 
 We read in the Book of Job, xlii. 12, 'So the Lord blessed the 
 latter end of Job more than his beginning : for he had fourteen 
 thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke 
 of oxen, and a thousand she asses.' 
 
 It is also stated in the Book of Genesis, that when Jacob 
 sent his sons into Egypt to buy corn they took their asses with 
 them. In the Book of Samuel we are told that Kish, the 
 father of Saul, possessed numbers of these animals. In the 
 Book of Judges, v. 10, Deborah, in her song, says, ' Speak, ye 
 that ride on white asses,' etc. In the same book, x. 3, 4, 
 ' Jair, a Gileadite, judged Israel twenty and two years. And 
 he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts,' etc. 
 
 In the First Book of Samuel, xxv., Abigail is represented as 
 having laden a number of asses with presents for David, and 
 herself as riding upon an ass to meet him. The prophet 
 Isaiah, in rebuking the Israelites for their ignorance and in- 
 difference, says, ' The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his 
 master's crib : but Israel doth not know, my people doth not 
 consider.' The prophet Zechariah, ix. 9, under divine inspi- 
 ration, portrays the promised Redeemer of the world as riding 
 into Jerusalem ' upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an 
 ass.' According to Luke xix. 35-40 this prophecy was literally 
 fulfilled. It was then that 
 
 A member of this poor and long time-honoured race 
 Did bear upon his back the Lord of life and grace. 
 
 ' This was not necessarily an act of humility, but a peaceful 
 and triumphal entry.' The above quotations prove that the 
 ass in ancient times was by no means considered to be a. 
 despicable animal. 
 
 PERSIAN ASSES AND THE SCYTHIANS. The ass, for various 
 reasons, has been differently estimated, valued, and treated by
 
 224 Our Donkeys. 
 
 different nations in all ages. Baird says : 'The ancient Egyp- 
 tians held the ass in great horror, but the moderns make much 
 use of them, take great care of them, and rear them fine 
 animals. The Indians looked upon them as unclean animals, 
 and held in great contempt those who used them ; whilst the 
 Persians and Arabians made much use of them, as did also the 
 Hebrews. The ass is capable of attachment to his master ; 
 has good eyes, a quick scent, good hearing, and is very sure- 
 footed. Its cry is peculiar, very prolonged, and discordant. 
 In the expedition of King Darius against the Scythians, it is 
 recorded that the cry of the Persian asses belonging to the 
 king's army frightened the cavalry of the Scythians (among 
 whom that animal was unknown), and made them recoil from 
 the charge.' 
 
 f Asses are rare in Sweden and the extreme north of Europe, 
 and though they were introduced to the United States by 
 Washington, they are unknown in the Southern States of the 
 Union.' 
 
 ASSES AND GRAND FESTIVALS. Captain Brown says : ' The 
 ass was anciently unknown in the countries of northern 
 Europe. In Greece and Rome, however, it was held in much 
 estimation, and honoured in their mythology and festivals. 
 By its braying it was said to have discomfited, severally, the 
 deities who warred against the liberty of Jupiter and the chas- 
 tity of Vesta, and the Ides of June were celebrated in Rome 
 as the festival of the ass. On that occasion banquets were set 
 forth at the doors of the citizens, the millstones were decked 
 with garlands, the asses, which on work-days turned them, 
 were led in holiday triumph, covered with 'wreaths of flowers, 
 and the grateful ladies of Rome walked before them in the pro- 
 cession, barefoot, to the temple of the goddess whose honour 
 the braying of the ass had saved. The Church of Rome, 
 many of whose festivals were an accommodation of Pagan 
 rites to a supposed subservience to Christianity, formed of the 
 festival of Vesta the Feast of Asses, which, during the dark 
 ages, was held with particular hilarity in Britain.' 
 
 On the origin of the domestic ass, Asinus vulgaris, authors 
 are not agreed; while some are of opinion that it is a de- 
 scendant of the wild ass of Asia, others assert that it is 
 doubtful if this species has ever been found in a truly wild 
 state, the wild asses being distinct species.
 
 Peculiarities of Asses. 22$ 
 
 WILD RELATIONS OF THE Ass. The following characteris- 
 tics of the different species of wild asses and the domestic ass 
 are worthy of notice, as tending to show the physical differ- 
 ences existing between them. 
 
 The domestic donkey is generally of a grey colour, and 
 has always a longitudinal dorsal streak of a darker hue, with 
 another across the shoulders ; and the ears are long and acute. 
 In wild asses the streak is not so prominent, and the ears are 
 shorter and rounder. A species of wild ass found in Thibet, 
 and known as ' kiang,' usually run in troops of about a dozen, 
 more or less, and generally allow themselves to be controlled 
 in their movements by a male. They are exceedingly fleet of 
 foot, and it is said they can outstrip the Arabian steed. 
 Animals of this species neigh like a horse ; the domestic ass 
 brays, a noise produced by two small and peculiar cavities at 
 the bottom of the windpipe, which are not found in the wind- 
 pipe of the 'kiang.' 
 
 ' The peechi (Asinus BurcJiellii) is a fine animal, inhabiting 
 the plains beyond the Orange River, and, in the ears and tail, 
 resembles the horse. It is finely marked, possessing much of 
 the graceful symmetry of the horse, and combines comeliness 
 of figure with solidity of form. Its voice is a shrill abrupt 
 neigh, and has no analogy to the braying of the ass. The senses 
 of smell, sight, and hearing are extremely delicate. When 
 these animals are menaced by an attack from either man or 
 beast, they combine in a compact body, and with their heads 
 placed together in a close circular band, they present their 
 heels to the enemy, and deal out kicks in equal force and 
 abundance.' 
 
 ASSES NOT DEGENERATED HORSES. Nearly as the horse 
 may be considered to be related to- the ass, there are in them 
 physical differences. The tail of the horse is covered with 
 long hair to the base ; that of the ass has long hair at the end 
 of the tail only. The mane of the horse is usually very long, 
 hanging over at one side of the neck ; that of the ass is short 
 and erect. The horse has all four legs furnished with warts, 
 or sallenders, while they are found only on the fore-legs of 
 the ass. 
 
 It has been asserted that, of all animals covered with hair, 
 the. ass is the least subject to vermin ; the reason being, ac- 
 cording to an old writer, that one of his ancestors carried the 
 
 15
 
 226 Our Donkeys. 
 
 Saviour on his back. The skin is hard and elastic, and is 
 in request for a variety of purposes. The milk of the ass is 
 considered to be very nutritious, and is much used by invalids. 
 It is more easily digested than cow's milk, because it contains 
 less butter and more saccharine matter. 
 
 THE USES OF ASSES. That the domestic ass is a useful 
 animal needs no argument to prove. Many a poor man, both 
 in town and country, would be much poorer than he is if it 
 were not for his donkey. These animals live upon very inex- 
 pensive food, and when turned into the fields and lanes, will 
 feed upon thistles and like produce, which the horse and other 
 animals reject. They are hardy and enduring, and, though 
 slow in their movements, are patient in toil. A French writer 
 says that if one horse does twice as much work as one ass, he 
 eats four times more, so that the economical importance of 
 the two animals is not so different as many suppose. 
 
 Much as has been said about the stupidity of the ass, he is 
 not devoid of merit, nor entirely without interesting traits of 
 character, which we shall now endeavour to point out, as well 
 as to show that much of the obloquy which ignorant and cruel 
 men have heaped upon him, has been undeserved. 
 
 YOUNG ASSES. There is a charm about the young life of all 
 animals. The babyhood of the donkey is a particularly in- 
 teresting period of its existence. The animal is then a lively, 
 pleasant fellow, full of fun and mischief. The sight of these 
 creatures brings back to memory the frolics which, in early life, 
 many a boy has had with members of this race in the green 
 lanes of his native home; with what hilarity, after school duties 
 were over, Ned and Tom have mounted the back of the sage 
 old mother, and Frank the back of the infant donkey, for the 
 luxury of a ride without payment, or any thought of the law of 
 humanity which renders overloading an act of cruelty, and 
 amenable to law ; and how these animals have, with their 
 noses between their fore-legs, and their hind ones thrown up, 
 landed the would-be equestrians on the hard rough road, and 
 then galloped off, leaving them to bemoan the shaking, the 
 stunning, the bruises and cuts they have deservedly received 
 for their temerity in invading the quietude, ^the rights, and 
 privileges of donkeydom. 
 
 The lives and lot of these animals differ very widely. At 
 one time we may see them the obedient servants of coster-
 
 Ancestors of our Donkeys. 227 
 
 mongers, at another the willing slaves of country hawkers; 
 now, the companions of wandering gipsies, and then, it may 
 be, in costly panniers and trappings, carrying the children of 
 the high-born and wealthy. But, however and wherever seen, 
 they always appear to be worthy of our notice and admiration. 
 
 NORFOLK DONKEYS. Our finest donkeys are those on the 
 coast of Norfolk, where they are more humanely cared for than 
 is the usual lot of these animals. It is said that the ancestors 
 of the Norfolk donkeys were captured from the Spanish 
 Armada. Be this as it may, kind treatment improves the 
 donkey race in every particular. 
 
 It is much to be regretted that, notwithstanding all that has 
 been said and written in favour of the domestic ass, there is no 
 animal more subjected to ill-treatment than he is. His appa- 
 rent dulness, slowness of movement, his hardy nature, and 
 thick ragged coat, seem to furnish to some men a reason for 
 treating him unkindly, not only in neglecting to groom him 
 and to give him a proper supply of food, but in belabouring 
 him with stout cudgels heavy enough to break his bones. 
 
 A man or boy will be willing to do his best for a good 
 master, but will be indifferent to the interests of a bad one. 
 Ill-use a donkey, and he may become vicious ; treat him 
 kindly, his intellect will expand, all the good qualities of his 
 nature will be brought out, and he will become one of the 
 most sagacious of animals. 
 
 DONKEY BAROMETERS. Strange as it may appear, it is 
 nevertheless true that donkeys may be regarded as good, 
 living, walking barometers. They seem to be in some 
 peculiar way affected by changes in the atmosphere. They 
 shake their ears and bray before rain, and are particularly 
 disturbed in showery weather. There is no doubt that the 
 electric state of the air before wet produces in some animals 
 a peculiar sensation, which makes the peacock squall, the 
 pintado call 'Come back,' and the ass to bray. An old adage 
 says : 
 
 ' When that the ass begins to bray, 
 Be sure we shall have rain that day.' 
 
 It may be well, therefore, in hay-making and harvest-time to 
 observe the proverb : 
 
 ' Be sure to cock your hay and corn 
 When the old donkey blows his horn.' 
 
 IS 2
 
 228 Our Donkeys. 
 
 DONKEYS AND SUPERSTITION. As with many other animals, 
 so with the donkey, ignorance has associated some foolish and 
 superstitious notions entertained until very recently, if they are 
 not so even now, in remote places both in our own and other 
 countries. 
 
 Referring to the origin of the streak down the donkey's back 
 and shoulders, Brown, in his ' Vulgar Errors,' says, that from 
 whatever cause it may have arisen, it is certain that the hairs 
 taken from the animal so marked are held in high estimation 
 as a cure for hooping-cough. In the metropolis, as lately as 
 1842, an elderly lady advised a friend who had a child danger- 
 ously ill of that complaint, to procure three such hairs and 
 hang them round the neck of the sufferer in a muslin bag. It 
 was added, that the animal from whom the hairs are taken for 
 this purpose is never worth anything afterwards, and con- 
 sequently great difficulty would be experienced in procuring 
 them ; and further, that it was essential to the charm that the 
 sex of the animal from whom the hairs were to be procured, 
 should be contrary to that of the person to be cured. 
 
 A Monmouthshire paper, some time since, gave the follow- 
 ing instance of superstitious belief: ' A patient ass stood near 
 a house, under whose body and over his back a father passed 
 his little son a certain number of times with as much solemnity 
 as if he had been performing a sacred duty. This done, the 
 father took a piece of bread cut from an untasted loaf which 
 he offered the animal to bite at ; nothing loath, the donkey laid 
 hold of the bread with his teeth, and instantly the father 
 severed the outer portion of the slice from that in the donkey's 
 mouth. He next clipt some hairs from the neck of the animal, 
 cut them into minute particles, mixed them with the bread, 
 which he gave to the boy to eat. The donkey was then, 
 removed. One of the bystanders was, however, curious to know 
 what the ceremony meant. The father stared at him, and 
 then in a half-contemptuous, condescending tone informed him, 
 that "It was to cure his poor son's hooping-cough, to be sure.'" 
 
 Quiet and insensible as these animals are considered to be, 
 they have been known to avenge insults by the infliction of 
 serious injuries upon those who have tormented them. 
 
 THE Ass AND DRUNKARD. Some time ago a raving 
 drunkard attacked a poor ass in the stable through sheer 
 malignity, and kicked her so furiously in the stomach that she
 
 Anecdotes of Donkeys. 229 
 
 turned upon him, and bit off his entire upper lip, and left upon 
 the face of this wretch a ghastly memento for life. 
 
 THE Ass AND BULL-DOG. We have read of an ass attacked 
 by a bull-dog seizing his adversary with his teeth in a part of 
 the dog's body which prevented him from retaliating ; the ass 
 deliberately carried him to the river Derwent, plunged him 
 deep into the water, and then lay down upon the dog until 
 life was quite extinct. 
 
 A PERFORMING Ass. We know a poor man in Westminster 
 who possesses a donkey of remarkable intelligence. This 
 animal in his younger days (for he is now twenty-six years old) 
 was employed in two of the London theatres to take his part in 
 certain plays which required, and were rendered all the more 
 interesting by, the presence of 'a real live donkey.' He knew 
 the time for appearing before the audience, the precise position 
 he had to take, the particular movements he had to make in 
 advancing, receding, and when to leave the stage. This 
 donkey was not only intelligent but reflective, and must have 
 had a capital memory. His owner told us that he had made 
 twenty-four shillings per week by letting out his donkey in this 
 way, besides what he earned during the daytime. 
 
 A GIPSY'S Ass. One of the best fed, lively, and intelligent 
 members of the ass family we ever saw is one belonging to a 
 gipsy scissors-grinder, who resides in Somerstown. This man 
 is also a mender of kettles and saucepans, and does an 
 extensive trade in the north of London. He goes a certain 
 round each day in the week, which the donkey knows as well 
 as his master. When they leave home in the morning, ' Old 
 Jack ' will, without being guided or driven, always take the 
 right direction. ' Jack ' seems to have a very commendable 
 idea of the value of time, as he is in the habit of giving his 
 master a hint of the flight of it when he stops to gossip with 
 anyone in his rounds. This hint consists in a side-long look 
 and a subdued noise, half resembling the grunt of a pig. If 
 the gipsy doesn't take this hint, then 'Jack ' begins to shake, not 
 only his harness, but the whole of the kettle-mending and 
 scissors-grinding paraphernalia, and to paw with his fore-feet, as 
 much as to say, ' If you don't come I shall be off.'" A gentle 
 word from the humane gipsy soothes ' Old Jack's ' perturbed 
 spirit, and he jogs on, evidently much more satisfied in doing so 
 than in waiting for idle gossip and doing no business.
 
 230 Our Donkeys. 
 
 A WONDERFUL Ass. There are but few animals whose 
 powers of endurance are greater than those of the ass, of which 
 we have an example in the following anecdote: 'In 1826 a 
 clothier of Ipswich undertook to drive his ass in a light gig 
 to London and back, a distance of 140 miles, in two days. 
 He did so, having travelled at the rate of seven miles an hour. 
 The animal was in no way distressed, and he performed the 
 journey without the use of the whip. He was twelve and a 
 half hands high, and half-bred Spanish and English.' 
 
 A SENSIBLE Ass. In a by-lane, not far from a large town 
 in the West of England, two dogs had a terrible fight, in which 
 they were urged on by some fellows of depraved habits and 
 brutal instincts. One of the dogs seized the other and retained 
 his grip so firmly that the poor victim could not shake him off; 
 a donkey, browsing hard by, hearing the cry of the dog, 
 pricked up his ears, rushed forward, and, breaking the circle of 
 biped spectators, seized with his teeth the tail of the other dog, 
 held him up, and then gave him such a shaking that he was 
 compelled to relinquish his hold. The ass then resumed his 
 feeding. The dogs tried to escape, but were again set on to 
 fight. That the ass showed better sense than did these so- 
 called ' lords of creation ' is beyond all dispute. 
 
 DONKEY SHOW. A most interesting exhibition of donkeys 
 took place in the Crystal Palace in May, 1875, respecting 
 which a London newspaper said : ' Though a strong man could 
 pick up any one of them and carry it off without any very great 
 exertion, most of them are credited with being able ' to draw 
 one ton.' Another phase of the donkey's character is given in 
 the Animal World, which refers to the same exhibition : 
 ' Some of the animals looked extremely mischievous when 
 approached by strangers ; but upon the arrival of the owner, 
 reciprocates were exchanged which argued well for the genera 
 treatment and care bestowed upon them. Even if any 
 member of the owner's family appeared on the scene, the 
 donkey, upon recognising him, appeared quite sure that every- 
 thing was right. In one stall a donkey had been apparently 
 frightened, and its excitement was causing some amusement to 
 the mischievous, as well as terror to the timid, when two little 
 children ran up to the animal. Everyone anticipated broken 
 bones ; but to our great surprise the excited animal immedi- 
 ately showed signs of recognition, and permitted the children
 
 At a Donkey Show. 231 
 
 to fondle it, its fright being immediately transformed into 
 clumsy, but tender, playfulness. The owner then came up to 
 the stall, and upon his attention being called to what appeared 
 the dangerous proximity of the children to the donkey, he 
 replied, " Ah, he knows the children as well as he does me ; 
 he won't hurt 'em !" ' 
 
 CHARACTER OF THE Ass. The following eloquent descrip- 
 tion of the character of the ass is given by Buffon : ' He is 
 naturally as humble, patient, and quiet as the horse is proud, 
 ardent, and impetuous ; he suffers with constancy, and perhaps 
 with courage, chastisement and blows ; he is moderate both 
 in the quantity and quality of his food ; he is contented with 
 the hardest and most disagreeable herbs, which the horse and 
 other animals will leave with disdain. The ass has, like all 
 other animals, his family, his species, and his rank ; his blood 
 is pure, and, although his nobility is less illustrious, it is equally 
 good equally ancient with that of the horse.' 
 
 In affection, not only for its master but for its own progeny, 
 the ass is not wanting. Pliny says : ' That when the young is 
 separated from the mother she will pass through flames to 
 rejoin it.' M. Bourguin says : ' The donkey is a model of 
 sobriety, meekness, and resignation ; he asks for nothing, 
 abuses no privileges, but lightens the heavy burdens of weary 
 life by his own patience.' 
 
 If, as we have stated, the ass is so prominently mentioned 
 in the Scriptures if his structure is so wonderful, and his uses 
 so great if he has so many good qualities, and strong affec- 
 tion, as well as being man's cheap and willing slave, 
 
 ' Why should this creature be ill-housed, ill-fed, 
 That for so many thousand homes wins bread ? 
 Treat the ass well, and merrily he'll go ; 
 A gentle pat is better than a blow.'
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 EVERYBODY'S FRIEND. 
 
 Thy graceful form, thy strength and speed, 
 Thy fine dark eyes, and flowing mane, 
 
 Thy uses too, tell man thou art 
 A noble prize for him to gain. 
 
 j HERE are but few things accomplished by man in 
 which he has shown his intellectual power more 
 fully than in his success in subjugating animals of 
 almost every kind, and making them subservient 
 to his own purposes. 
 The most savage carnivora powerful elephants, huge 
 amphibia, and many other forms of life whose native homes 
 are the wild woods and rolling rivers of Asia and Africa are, 
 as we see in our Zoological Gardens, imprisoned, and there 
 remain under man's control and at his pleasure. Even the 
 mighty leviathan of the deep seas is captured and utilized by 
 him in various ways. 
 
 But there is no animal conquered by man, which, taken 
 altogether, has ever been rendered so useful to him as the 
 horse, who is directly or indirectly everybody's friend, as there 
 is but little business transacted or pleasure taken that is not in 
 some degree identified with this noble animal, whose struc- 
 ture, habits, and intelligence are alike very wonderful. 
 
 THE HORSE. The reader may ask, ' What more can be 
 said about the horse than has already been written ? Is not 
 man's acquaintance with him of very ancient date, and is he 
 not common in almost every country in the world, and in the 
 possession of the richest, the poorest, the highest, the lowest, 
 the most refined, and untutored of the human race ; and is he
 
 234 Everybody's Friend. 
 
 not closely identified with the life, business, and pleasures of 
 man everywhere, and at all times ? 
 
 All this we admit, and would observe that we do not aspire 
 to any new discoveries, either as to the structure, instincts, 
 habits, or uses of this animal. Our object is to give, in as 
 concise and popular a form as possible, some information 
 respecting him, with the hope that a feeling of interest may be 
 awakened on his behalf, and that we may be induced to place 
 a proper value upon him as one of the greatest friends of 
 man. 
 
 While it is true that many animals excel the horse in size, 
 strength, and herculean proportions, he stands unrivalled for 
 symmetrical form and beauty, majestic appearance, high- 
 spiritedness, fleetness, nobility of character, general utility, 
 and as combining in his organism some of the greatest marvels 
 of animal life, which we now propose to describe. 
 
 THE HORSE AND HIS ORIGIN. The Horse belongs to the 
 class Mammalia, order Ungulata, family Eqnidce. The genus 
 Equus is the type of the family, and till lately constituted the 
 only genus belonging to it. 
 
 There is some difficulty in determining the native country 
 of this useful animal. Some writers think we are indebted to 
 Arabia for the horse, but it has been observed that our earliest 
 accounts of the horse are from Egypt, and that we have no 
 mention of it by historians as being in Arabia till after the 
 time of Mahomet the prophet. 
 
 Be this as it may, it is well known that no people on the 
 face of the earth treat their horses with more care, kindness, 
 and affection than do the Arabians. Two reasons may be 
 assigned for this ; the first is a recognition of the great utility 
 of the horse to them in their peculiar circumstances, and pre- 
 dilections in favour of a wandering mode of life ; and the 
 second, and no doubt the stronger reason, may be the notion 
 they entertain of the origin of their much-loved animals. 
 
 The following information bearing upon the last reason 
 referred to, with which we have been favoured on good 
 authority, may be read with interest. 
 
 General Danmas having addressed a letter to Abdel Kader 
 to know his opinion of the origin of the Arab horse, received 
 the following statements in reply : 
 
 ' God created the horse out of the winds, as he created man
 
 Abdel Kader on the Origin of the Arab Horse. 235 
 
 out of the dust. Many prophets have proclaimed that when 
 God would create a horse He said to the south wind, " I will 
 bring out of thee a creature, be thou therefore condensed." 
 Then the angel Gabriel taking a handful of the matter pre- 
 sented it to God, who formed therewith a brown-bay horse 
 and said, " I name thee Horse, and create thee Arab, and give 
 thee a bay colour. I attach blessing on the forelock ; thou 
 shalt be lord of all animals. Thou shalt fly without wings, 
 and from thy back shall proceed riches." Then marked 
 He him with a star in the forehead, the sign of glory and 
 blessing.' 
 
 AFFECTION or HORSES. That love and affection beget 
 the same feelings in those on whom they are bestowed is 
 generally as true as that light comes from the sun. It is said 
 that a wandering Ishmaelite, who treated his horse as if he 
 had been a child, found, when he was a captive, that his faith- 
 ful steed bore him by his teeth to a place of safety and freedom, 
 and then died a willing martyr at his feet. With such an 
 exhibition of generosity, devotedness, nobility and faithfulness 
 on the part of the horse, we need not wonder that the Arabians 
 should love this animal. 
 
 A celebrated historian informs us that ' Among the wander- 
 ing tribes of the predatory nations of antiquity, the services of 
 the horse were indispensable. These lived in the open air, 
 subsisting on the coarsest food, performing long journeys 
 through uncultivated or hostile countries, generally on horse- 
 back ; their wives and children followed in waggons dragged 
 by horses. They seldom dismounted, but eat and slept on 
 horseback. The horse was still further serviceable to the bar- 
 barous Samaritans ; they ate its flesh and drank its blood mixed 
 with the milk of sheep. Yet these horses were carefully 
 reared, of an excellent breed, and, as Pliny says, capable of 
 performing a journey of one hundred and fifty miles on a 
 stretch.' 
 
 PARTHIANS AND THEIR HORSES. ' Of all the nations of 
 antiquity the Parthians are the most commonly celebrated for 
 their superior skill in the management of the horse. They 
 cultivated with great attention the breed which was noted for 
 the lightness of the colour of the eyes, and for having the one 
 eye generally differing from the other. The horse was trained 
 to obey the slightest motion of the rein, and to change with 
 the utmost rapidity from one direction to another
 
 236 Everybody's Friend. 
 
 As the Parthians employed the horse in war, so the licen- 
 tious Sybarites associated it with their pleasures ; they taught 
 their horses to dance to the sound of pipes, and introduced 
 them as an amusement at their common feasts.' It appears 
 that the Crotonians in a war with the Sybarites sounded the 
 strains to which the horses had been accustomed, which 
 caused them to dance, threw them into confusion, and brought 
 about the defeat of the Sybarite army. 
 
 We are informed that the true birthplace of the horse is the 
 high central plateau of Asia, in the north-east chain of the 
 Caucasus. It is very probable that those herds of wild horses 
 now found in America are the descendants of some horses 
 that were taken to that country from Europe about 1537, 
 which, being deserted, ran wild, and lived in troops, which 
 were usually guided by a male. They now exist in large 
 numbers, and occupy an immense tract of country extending 
 from Buenos Ayres to the Strait of Magalhaens. 
 
 WILD HORSES. In an interesting work on the quadrupeds 
 of Paraguay, D'Azara, referring to wild horses, says they 
 are very numerous in South America ; he assures us that it is 
 not uncommon to meet with troops of thousands of them. 
 They are both troublesome and destructive, because they not 
 only consume the best of the pasture, but attract the tame 
 horses that approach by their neighing and caresses ; and 
 when once a horse has joined them, he is lost for ever. On 
 this account, travellers are obliged to be on their guard, that 
 they may not lose their horses ; and, therefore, whenever they 
 perceive a troop of these wild animals, they attempt by every 
 means to frighten and force them away. 
 
 When they advance, it is not in line of battle, but one of 
 the foremost is despatched, and the rest follow, forming a 
 column without any interval, and which nothing can break. 
 Sometimes they make several circuits round those who attempt 
 to frighten them, and sometimes only one, before they set off 
 and disappear. 
 
 Baird informs us that 'On the Pampas, the Guachos, a 
 semi-civilized race of men, live amidst these horses, and their 
 method of capturing and breaking them in is very curious. It 
 is said they can secure and break in one of these young horses 
 in the course of an hour.' 
 
 According to Herodotus white savage" horses were, in his
 
 Different Kinds of Horses. 237 
 
 time, to be found in Scythia ; and he adds that beyond the 
 Danube there were wild horses covered with hair five inches 
 long. Other ancient writers speak of wild horses in Syria, 
 Spain, and the Alps ; on the island of Cyprus, the Cape de 
 Verde, as well as in the deserts of Africa and Arabia. 
 
 WILD HORSES AND BIRDS OF PREY. Half a century ago 
 birds of prey were employed to hunt wild horses in the country 
 bordering on the Caspian Sea. These birds would alight on 
 the horses' necks, and by clinging to them and tormenting 
 them compel the animals to run until they were exhausted, 
 and so making the capture of them an easy matter. Wild 
 horses are defective of that symmetry and beauty which 
 characterize many breeds of the domestic horse. The former 
 have long shaggy hair, are somewhat ill-formed, have large 
 heads, and are by no means well-proportioned animals. 
 
 Of domestic horses there are many kinds, differing materi- 
 ally in size, strength, and colour. In cold regions they are 
 small and rough-haired ; but in southern climates large and 
 sleek. We have also many varieties of them produced by 
 the mixture of breeds. 
 
 THE DRAY OR DRAUGHT HORSE. These horses are usually 
 of enormous size and great strength, and are employed by 
 large brewers, distillers, coal merchants, railway companies, 
 and carriers. Some of them are capable of drawing, with 
 comparative ease, on a good, level road, two tons each. 
 They are the produce of the old English draught-horse mixed 
 with the Flanders breed. 
 
 THE COACH HORSE. These horses derive their origin 
 from the hunter and a common mare. Some of them stand 
 very high, are of great muscular power, and tolerably fleet of 
 foot. When well fed they are very high-spirited, but gentle 
 when properly treated. 
 
 THE HACK. This horse is used for the saddle and common 
 road work. The Suffolk sorrels, and the bays from Durham 
 and Yorkshire, are esteemed the best. The pack-horses in the 
 latter county were at one time extensively used in conveying 
 manufactures to remote parts of the kingdom, often over the 
 highest hills of the north, as well as on level roads. Their use, 
 however, in this particular, has been superseded by our rail- 
 ways and other more recent means which have been adopted 
 for the transit of both passengers and goods.
 
 238 Everybody's Friend. 
 
 THE HUNTER. This horse is related on the one side to the 
 pure blood racer, and on the other to the female of the last- 
 mentioned hack, or roadster. Hunters are much fleeter than 
 the hack, and much stronger and able to bear more fatigue 
 than the racer. The powerful muscles and the elastic tendons 
 of this animal are in all respects not only required but ad- 
 mirably adapted for the exciting chase over^ hills and dales, 
 hedges and ditches. 
 
 THE RACEHORSE. This is the highest bred of the horse 
 family, and may boast of the purest blood, at least of those in 
 our own country. The racehorse owes much of its fleetness 
 and endurance to a mixture of the Arabian blood, which is 
 supposed to have first taken place some time after the Crusades. 
 Many racehorses in England have distinguished themselves by 
 winning immense sums of money, plate, and other things, 
 sometimes to the value of ; 10,000, and even 15,000 guineas. 
 
 PONIES. These are horses of a smaller breed than the 
 before- mentioned ones. Some of them are scarcely larger 
 than a Newfoundland dog. The most diminutive is the Shet- 
 land pony. There are also the Forest of Dean and Welsh 
 ponies, rather larger than the Shetland breed, and much used 
 for drawing very light traps and carrying children. Great 
 numbers of these ponies are sold by gipsies at the fairs in the 
 western counties of England. They are quick, half wild, and 
 usually have long matted hair. They, however, become, by 
 proper care and kind treatment, very gentle, docile, and hand- 
 some creatures. 
 
 Horses, of every breed, are the most useful animals man can 
 possess. In life they serve every purpose, both in labour, profit, 
 and pleasure; and even after death their hoofs, hair, and skin 
 are articles of commerce. 
 
 HORSES IN BRITAIN. About a dozen years since there were 
 in Great Britain about 2,000,000 of horses. If we reckon 
 these to be worth, on an average, 20 each, then we have in 
 horseflesh the value of ^40,000,000 sterling. If these horses 
 bring in only three shillings per day each, then, during 300 
 days in the year, they would earn ^90,000,000. Of course a 
 considerable amount of money must be allowed for expenses, 
 say ten shillings per week for each horse (^52,000,000); there 
 would then be, by the work of these animals, a clear profit of 
 nearly ^40,000,000. But if, instead of earning only three
 
 Value of Horses Curious Calculation. 239 
 
 shillings per day each, they were to bring in six shillings per 
 day, the clear profit would be nearly ^"80,000,000. 
 
 If each of this number of sovereigns could be beaten out to 
 cover one square foot, then all of them, so beaten out, would 
 spread over 80,000,000 square feet, which are equal to 
 nearly 1,837 acres in extent. Cut this sheet of gold into a 
 ribbon one inch wide, it would be long enough to go four 
 times round the world at the equator, and three times round 
 it north and south, and 386 miles of ribbon left to make a 
 rosette for John Bull's best button-hole. 
 
 The above calculations apply to our own horses only. To 
 say nothing of the millions of horses in continental countries, 
 how immense is the value of these animals, and how much we 
 owe them in various ways ! Some of our successful race- 
 horses have been sold at almost fabulous prices, even as high 
 as ; 1 0,000, and sometimes more. 
 
 Should the above illustrations and curious calculations be 
 considered unnecessary and useless, so far as a description of 
 the horse is concerned, they show at least that the great num- 
 bers of this animal prove their necessity, and that this neces- 
 sity cannot be dispensed with in our present state of civilization. 
 
 From a valuable work on ' The Horse,' published by the 
 Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, we 
 gather the following interesting and useful information on the 
 foot, eye, ear, and stomach of the horse : 
 
 ' THE FOOT. To most persons the foot of the horse appears 
 to be only a roundish hard lump of horn, on which an iron 
 shoe is nailed to prevent its being worn away by the roads. 
 Such persons may perhaps hear with astonishment that it is a 
 complete and elaborate instrument, perfectly adapted to the 
 work it is intended to perform. . . . The real foot of the horse 
 is enclosed in a horny case called the hoof, the outside rim of 
 this casing forms what is called the crust, or wall. ... In the 
 hinder part of the foot is an elastic substance called the frog, 
 which forms a soft and yielding cushion on which the horse's 
 foot partly rests, being thus relieved from the shock of the 
 hard hoof on the ground. . . . 
 
 ' If the foot were an unyielding mass, the danger of slipping 
 would be great. But, instead of this, it has a prominent edge 
 all round, which takes a firm hold -of the ground and obviates 
 the difficulty. This hoof is elastic, and, on the weight of the
 
 240 Everybody's Friend. 
 
 horse being fully thrown on it, allows the inner soft cushion, or 
 frog, to descend and press firmly and tightly on the earth. 
 Thus two ends are attained firmness in the tread, ensuring 
 the horse's safety, and a regularity of pressure which obviates 
 the jarring that would be so painful and prejudicial. 
 
 ' When the animal is in a state of nature, its hoof is strong 
 enough to need no artificial protection, but on the hard and 
 stony roads common in all civilized countries, it has been 
 found necessary to fit something to the foot to protect it from 
 the great wear and tear which it unavoidably incurred. For 
 this purpose nothing has been found so effectual as what is 
 termed shoeing, or affixing a thin plate of iron round the outer 
 hard and horny edge of the hoof a practice known in Britain 
 during the time of the Romans. When done with judgment, 
 the proper action of the foot goes on nearly as usual ; but, if 
 injudiciously performed, the action of the horse is impeded, 
 lameness is caused, and temporary or permanent diseases are 
 brought on.' 
 
 Although we do not presume to point out to the farrier the 
 rules to be observed in horse-shoeing, yet taking into conside- 
 ration the delicate organism of the horse's foot, it is of vital 
 importance to the comfort and utility of the animal, as well as 
 to the interest of his owner, that special care should be taken 
 in the matter of shoeing. Many a valuable horse has been 
 ruined by men, who, through ignorance of the structure and 
 requirements of the horse's foot, have by cutting, paring, and 
 unnecessary rasping, destroyed the provision nature has made 
 for the use and comfort of the animal, often rendered him 
 comparatively useless, lessened his value, and inflicted upon 
 , him unnecessary suffering. 
 
 If a connoisseur in painting were to ask his man-servant to 
 recommend to him a person to clean and restore an old family 
 picture worth a hundred pounds, and the man were to tell him 
 of a common signboard painter, the master would no doubt 
 ask him if he thought he was mad, or a lunatic, to allow so 
 valuable a picture to go into the hands of the person he had 
 recommended ? And yet it is by no means unlikely that the 
 same gentleman would be less thoughtful in the matter of 
 horse-shoeing, and might, without one word of inquiry as to 
 the competency or qualification of the farrier, commit to his 
 .care, to be shod, a horse worth three or four times more than
 
 Foot and Eye of the Horse, 241 
 
 the picture referred to ; and if asked his reason for so doing, 
 would simply say, because the farrier selected lived near, and 
 it was more convenient to send his horse there than a greater 
 distance off. When it is remembered that the utility of the 
 horse depends entirely upon the health, good order, and sound- 
 ness of his feet, the question of good shoeing becomes of 
 paramount importance. 
 
 THE EYE. On the eye of the horse, the work before referred 
 to says : ' The eye of the horse differs in some points from the 
 eye of man, and it has some appendages not possessed by the 
 latter, which are required by the configuration and habits of 
 the animal. 
 
 ' The horse has no eyebrows, and his eyelashes are arranged 
 in a peculiar manner, the longest hairs being on the upper lid, 
 probably that the eye may be defended from excess of light 
 and from insects, which would naturally endeavour to annoy 
 the horse in that unprotected part. . . . 
 
 ' On the lower lid of the eye are some long projecting hairs 
 or bristles, which are supposed to be useless by ignorant per- 
 sons, and are sometimes cut away. Are they, however, use- 
 less ? Far from it ! They are intended to let the animal know 
 the presence of anything that may approach the eye too closely. 
 If the reader will touch one of these hairs, and observe the 
 sudden twitch and closing of the eye, he will be able to appre- 
 ciate the importance of these supposed useless and superfluous 
 excrescences. 
 
 ' The horse has no hands wherewith to rub his eyes when 
 they are irritated by dust or similar substances. A continual 
 drying of the liquids which moisten that part is constantly 
 going on, more especially when moving quickly along ; and 
 the Almighty has, therefore, in His wisdom, provided an 
 efficient substitute for so necessary a purpose. Just inside the 
 upper lid is a little organ called the lachrymal gland, which is 
 continually sending out a liquid to flow over the eye, and wash 
 away all lesser impurities. Besides this provision there is a 
 thin cartilage or membrane concealed in one corner of the 
 eye, vulgarly called the haw, and this, whenever the animal 
 wishes, can be pushed out along the surface of the eyeball. 
 The dust, or the insect that may be the cause of the irritation, 
 wet with the tears, is swept up by this membrane, and imme- 
 diately carried away.' 
 
 16
 
 242 Everybody s Friend. 
 
 The EARS of the horse are easily turned to the front or the 
 back of him, and he has the facility of reversing them by 
 pointing one of them forwards and the other backwards at the 
 same moment. His eyes are placed at the sides of his head, 
 so that he can easily perceive objects approaching him even 
 from behind. His upper and lower lips are furnished with 
 long hairs, which serve as whisks to brush away flies and other 
 insects which are apt to tease him while feeding. 
 
 The STOMACH of the horse is very small in^proportion to his 
 size, and much less in proportion than man's ; he cannot, there- 
 fore, take much food at once, but requires often feeding. The 
 lungs and stomach of this animal are separated by a partition 
 of thin wide muscle, and both lungs are much larger when in 
 use. As the lungs occupy much more room when the horse 
 is moving about, the space they occupy is then so filled that 
 only one of them can be distended at a time. The horse can 
 distend his lungs and breathe hard, trot, or gallop fast, provided 
 his stomach be empty ; he can fill the latter with safety when 
 at rest, or nearly so, till the food is digested. But if they (the 
 lungs and stomach) are both full the greatest danger is to be 
 apprehended ; the horse is sure to be ' blown ' almost immedi- 
 ately, because he has no room to breathe, and rupture of the 
 stomach may cause the animal to drop dead in a minute. 
 
 The horse possesses no gall-bladder, because the process of 
 digestion is almost incessant, and the bile passes off as rapidly 
 as it is formed. 
 
 USEFUL HINTS TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE CARE OF HORSES. 
 
 1. Make yourselves acquainted with the structure, physical 
 powers, utility, intelligence, and moral characteristics of your 
 horses. 
 
 2. In feeding your horses take care that the food given to 
 them is sweet, and varied according to their tastes and powers 
 of mastication ; but do not run or work them hard immediately 
 after feeding, or apoplexy may follow. Remember the rhyme : 
 
 1 Full feed, then rest ; 
 Often feed does best.' 
 
 Fotlr half-pails of water per day are considered to be sufficient 
 for one horse.
 
 Hoiv Horses should be Treated. 243 
 
 3. Let your stables be dry, well ventilated and light, because 
 a sudden transition from a dark stable to a strong light some- 
 times affects the eyesight very seriously. 
 
 4. Do not keep the fodder in a loft over the stable, because 
 the effluvia arising from the latter place, and passing upwards 
 to the loft, may so impregnate the food as to render it 
 unwholesome, if not injurious. 
 
 5. Do not place the hay-rack so high as to compel your 
 horses to reach up at neck-length to pull the hay down, 
 because by doing so dust may get into their eyes and cause 
 inflammation and great pain, and because this system of feed- 
 ing is also productive of roaring. Horses naturally feed upon 
 the ground, therefore so place the hay that your horses may 
 pick it up, not pull it down. 
 
 6. Never allow hen-roosts to be in, or near, your stables, 
 because fleas, by which fowls are usually infested, are apt to 
 lodge also in the hair of horses, to cause great irritation in 
 their skins, and, as a natural consequence, to make the 
 animals so uneasy that they can get neither rest nor sleep, 
 which unfits them for work. 
 
 7. If, when on a journey with a load of any kind, you stop 
 at some wayside inn or other place to refresh yourselves, attend 
 to the needs of your horses as well as to your own ; and while 
 they are standing waiting for you let the rest-stick be down to 
 support the shafts of your cart, so that the backs of your 
 animals may be relieved from the weight of the load behind 
 them. Take care also that the wheels of your cart or waggon 
 be well greased ; this will lessen the labour of your horses, and 
 help them to do their work with greater ease. Never, on any 
 account, overload your horses. 
 
 8. Avoid that bad habit, in which many young drivers 
 indulge, of giving their horses a cut with the whip when they 
 are walking or trotting along at a proper pace, and then the 
 moment they answer to it pull them violently up by the reins, 
 thereby often hurting their mouths, needlessly exciting and 
 worrying them, as well as helping to spoil their tempers. How 
 can horses be expected to understand what they are to do, or 
 to be obedient, if treated in such a cruel and insane manner ? 
 They can be taught to obey a word as well as to answer to 
 the whip. 
 
 9. When you wash the legs of your horses rub them until 
 
 16 2
 
 244 Everybody s Friend. 
 
 they are dry, or grease and sore heels may be the consequence. 
 Do not put tar on tbeir hoofs, because it will stop up the pores 
 and prevent humours, generated in the foot, from escaping, 
 and then inflammation may take place and lameness ensue. 
 
 10. Do not groom your horses in the stalls where they feed, 
 because the 'dust, etc., from their bodies may foul their cribs 
 and food, which horses have been known to refuse and to turn 
 away from on that account. 
 
 11. See that the harness of your horses fits properly, 
 especially the collars and saddles ; and when these get wet see 
 they are well dried before they are put on again, because when 
 put on wet they are apt to break the skin and to produce 
 sores. Take care that the surface of the collars and saddles 
 is smooth ; lumps in either give great pain to the wearers. 
 
 12. Never allow the farrier, when shoeing your horses, to 
 cut away more of the frog and the bars than the ragged pro- 
 jecting pieces, because the frog is the elastic cushion for their 
 bodies to rest upon, and nature intended it for the comfort 
 of your horses. Although iron shoes are indispensable to 
 working-horses, the calkins of them should not project more 
 than half an inch, because the higher they are the more they 
 interfere with the proper action of the tendons, bones, and 
 joints of the feet and legs, and may, by throwing them into an 
 unnatural position, bring on weakness and lameness. 
 
 13. Never flog your horses for shying; they often do so 
 because, seeing some object but imperfectly, they do not 
 understand it, and therefore get nervous and frightened. To 
 the use of blinkers many cases of shying are to be attributed. 
 
 14. Never, if you can avoid it, attach to your cart a fore- 
 horse lower in stature than the thill, or shaft horse, because, 
 when the former pulls, he brings down a greater weight on 
 the back of the latter, whose labour is made all the greater by 
 this foolish plan. If you. must have a little horse in the front, 
 then let his traces be long enough to hook on to the hind part 
 of the shafts, which will throw them more in a horizontal line 
 with the fore-horse's collar, and so avoid the evil referred to. 
 
 15. Do not bawl at your horses, it has a bad effect on them ; 
 speak gently, it pays best ; and remember that the pleasure 
 and profit to be derived from them will be just in proportion 
 as they are properly treated by you. Horses well know who 
 are their friends.
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 ANECDOTES OF EVERYBODY'S FRIEND. 
 
 Old 'Sorrel' and 'Blossom,' 'Jet,' 'Smiler,' and ' Dan,' 
 Were five as good horses as e'er drew a van ; 
 They all were good tempered, quick, willing, and free j 
 In fact better horses there never could be. 
 
 AVING briefly described the wonderful structure 
 of the horse, who is par excellence man's best 
 servant, because he contributes so largely, and in 
 so great a variety of ways, to his pleasure, con- 
 venience, and profit, we shall now say something 
 respecting his higher nature. Writers on natural history and 
 others differ in opinion as to the mental capacities of the first 
 order of vertebrated animals. While in all cases the horse is 
 admitted to be very intelligent, some think he is less so than 
 elephants and dogs, and even than cats and foxes. Be this as 
 it may, it is well known that the horse has a large brain, a good 
 memory, and both imitative and reasoning powers. 
 
 Youatt, speaking of this animal, says : ' The horse, with all 
 his noble faculties, and powers, and inclinations, is perfect in 
 the situation in which he is placed.' We think the following 
 anecdotes show clearly that the mental capacities of the horse 
 are of no mean order, and that we have not given him credit 
 for more than he deserves. 
 
 THE CAVALRY HORSE AND THE SOLDIER. A German 
 cavalry soldier and his horse were captured in the fight at La 
 Bourget, and taken off with other prisoners. Three days after 
 the fight they halted for the night in a village. The poor 
 fellow was sitting near the window thinking how he might 
 escape, while his noisy captors around the fireplace were
 
 Two Extraordinary Horses. 247 
 
 lulling themselves with wine ; suddenly he hears in the streets 
 the neighing of a horse. His soul is trembling, and his blood 
 stops for a moment. No doubt it is his brave steed that had 
 broken loose from a shed where she had been placed and is in 
 search of her master. One of the panes of the window was 
 replaced by paper. Boring with his finger a hole in it, he lays 
 his mouth to the opening, calling cautiously and coaxingly, 
 ' Lizzie ! Lizzie !' A joyous neigh is the reply, and Lizzie is 
 close to the window. In a moment the whole frame of the 
 casement is smashed, and before the tipplers know what is the 
 matter he is outside and on the bare back of his faithful mare. 
 It seems that the sagacious mare knew that the life of her 
 master was at stake, for she runs off like a whirlwind ; and yet 
 she is not urged on by spurs or bridle, for the captors have 
 taken the boots of the rider, and the bridle is hanging by the 
 saddle in the shed. Shots are fired after them, and bullets 
 fly past their ears without stopping the horse. The hussar 
 does not know the way, but Lizzie remembers it ; and after 
 thirty-five hours both arrive at the outposts of La Bourget, 
 happy to be again among their comrades. 
 
 THE HORSE AND THE DRUNKEN FARMER. Mr. Morris 
 says : ' A farmer who lives in the neighbourhood of Bedford, 
 and regularly attends the markets there, was returning home 
 one evening many years ago, and being somewhat tipsy, rolled 
 off his saddle into the road. His horse stood still ; but after 
 remaining patiently for some time, and not observing any 
 disposition in its rider to get up and proceed farther, he took 
 him by the collar and shook him. This had little or no 
 effect, for the farmer only gave a grumble of dissatisfaction at 
 having his repose disturbed. The animal was not to be put 
 off with any such evasion, and so applied his mouth to one of 
 his master's coat-laps, and after several attempts, by dragging 
 at it, to raise him upon his feet, the coat-lap gave way. Three 
 individuals who witnessed this extraordinary proceeding then 
 went up and assisted him in mounting his horse, putting the 
 one coat-lap into the pocket of the other, when he trotted off 
 and safely reached home.' 
 
 DECIDED BY THE HORSE. A gentleman, known to the 
 writer, and a friend had a journey of seven or eight miles to 
 perform along a high-road to a town which both had, with the 
 same horse, travelled to many years before. They had not
 
 248 Anecdotes of Everybody's Friend. 
 
 proceeded far when it became quite dark, and the difficulty of 
 the journey to them was increased by the recollection that 
 farther on the road divided, one road to the right and the 
 other to the left, and running for some distance collaterally 
 with each other. ' We must take the left-hand road,' said the 
 one. ' No,' replied the other ; ' we must take the right-hand 
 road, or we shall get many miles out of our way.' A warm 
 dispute arose on account of this difference- of opinion, and 
 neither of the men felt inclined to give way to the other. 
 That both could not be right was certain. As they met no 
 one of whom they could obtain the needed information to 
 decide the dispute they were in a great dilemma, and knew 
 not how to act. They, however, at last agreed to let the horse 
 take whichever road he pleased. So slackening the reins, 
 and without attempting in any way to control the animal, they 
 went on ; the horse took the left-hand road, and in about half 
 an hour the travellers found themselves in the town they 
 wished to reach. 
 
 A GOOD MEMORY. We well remember an old horse named 
 ' Sharper ' going a journey of about thirty miles to a watering- 
 place, with a cart-load of household requisites for a family who 
 intended to spend the summer season by the seaside. Old 
 ' Sharper ' was driven by a man who, although not a drunkard 
 in the common acceptation of the term, was by no means a 
 member of the temperance society. He had a very high 
 opinion of 'John Barleycorn,' and strongly believed in the 
 virtue of a ' drop d yal ' that is, good home-brewed ale. The 
 driver and ' Sharper,' however, returned home all right, and 
 neither the worse for the journey. Twelve months afterwards 
 the same family went again to their seaside residence, and old 
 ' Sharper ' the second time took to it a similar load to that he 
 had done before, but in the care of another driver. In this 
 journey the animal positively, of his own accord, halted at 
 every inn by the road-side where the first driver had taken his 
 glass or two of ale ; and it was not until after some minutes 
 had elapsed that he could be induced to move on. When 
 the first driver was told of this he admitted that he had stopped 
 at all the inns mentioned ; that ' Old Sharper ' was quite 
 correct, and that he evidently possessed a very good memory. 
 
 THE MILKMAN'S HORSE. The following story is also illus- 
 trative of the sagacity and memory of this animal : ' Mr. Jones,
 
 An Eventful Drive. 249 
 
 who intended taking his wife out for a drive one day, asked 
 his milkman (who had a very spirited horse) for the loan of 
 the same, which request was granted. However, Mr. Jones 
 was not a good driver, and had great difficulty in managing 
 the horse, which at last became ungovernable, and, to the 
 great horror of Mrs. Jones, bolted with them. Mr. Jones did 
 not know what to do, and a serious accident seemed unavoid- 
 able, when, all of a sudden, Mr. Jones, remembering the 
 capacity for which the horse was used, called out with a 
 stentorian voice, ' Milk oh ! milk oh !' the horse stopped 
 instantly, to their great joy, at this familiar cry, and Mr. and 
 Mrs. Jones got home safely without any further incident, save 
 that when they returned home in the evening, on passing a 
 pump in the neighbourhood the horse would not stir an inch 
 until Mr. Jones got down and worked the pump-handle a 
 dozen times, after which operation it moved on directly ; and, 
 to finish off the day's pleasure, it stopped at all the customers 
 of the milkman in the road where Mr. Jones lives, his house 
 being at the farther end.' 
 
 THE GENEROUS HORSE. 'A horse belonging to M. 
 Frederic Cuvier being only allowed to eat straw, on account 
 of some malady, his companions, feeding at the same manger, 
 pushed some of their hay to him every time they received a 
 supply, and the same horse was one day detected in pulling 
 hay out of his rack in order to feed a goat in the same stable 
 as himself. He was as fond of sugar as many bipeds are, and 
 when his master was pleased with him he would give him some ; 
 often did the cunning animal play the same tricks over again, 
 and stand still between each, in expectation of the accustomed 
 reward, turning his head round to see if it were coming. M. 
 F. Cuvier generally provided himself with some lumps of 
 sugar when he took the horse out ; but if he neglected this, 
 stopped at one of the small inns by the roadside, where he 
 procured the reward for his steed, and never again did the 
 latter pass these houses without asking for more.' 
 
 A NOBLE HORSE. If noble deeds deserve a noble title, 
 then we award it to the animal referred to in the following 
 short story : ' A horse was dragging a load of coal down a 
 narrow lane in the neighbourhood of New York ; the driver 
 was behind chatting with a neighbour ; the horse, walking 
 slowly along, came to a child sitting in the middle of the road,
 
 250 Anecdotes of Everybody's Friend. 
 
 and then suddenly stopped; not feeling inclined to injure 
 the child the horse waited, and seemed to cogitate as to what 
 was to be done ; his sagacity came to the rescue. As there 
 was no room for him to turn aside, he gathered up the child's 
 frock between his teeth, lifted him gently up, and placed him 
 just at the outside of the wheel-track, and then went on, leav- 
 ing the child uninjured.' 
 
 INTELLIGENCE OF HORSES. In 'Records of Animal 
 Sagacity,' the author of that work gives the following informa- 
 tion : ' A gentleman had a horse which, after being kept 
 shut up in the stable for some time, and turned out into a 
 field where there was a pump well supplied with water, regu- 
 larly obtained a quantity therefrom by his own dexterity. For 
 this purpose the animal was observed to take the handle into 
 his mouth and work it with the head, in a way exactly similar 
 to that done by the hand of man, until a sufficiency was pro- 
 cured.' 
 
 THE HORSE THAT HELPED HIS MASTER OUT OF A DIF- 
 FICULTY. At the time when excitement ran high respecting 
 the Australian gold-fields, a gentleman with whom we are 
 acquainted was induced, partly by curiosity and a wish to im- 
 prove his health, to visit that country, where he remained several 
 months. Having plenty of money, he could indulge in many 
 luxuries which gold-diggers and other classes of working-folks 
 were not able to obtain. One of these luxuries was a saddle- 
 horse, on which he would make short excursions into the 
 country, always returning home before nightfall. 
 
 One charmingly fine day, however, he wandered farther 
 away than usual, being attracted by the beauty of the scenery 
 and various productions of nature which were entirely new 
 to him, and by two or three small groups of natives, whose 
 appearance and habits so arrested his attention that he was 
 quite heedless of the swift flight of time ; in fact, so pleasantly 
 had it sped on with him, that when he thought of returning 
 he found it was much later than he expected, for daylight was 
 already declining, and he knew that darkness ere long would 
 come rapidly upon him. 
 
 He also knew he was several miles from home, but had not 
 the remotest idea as to the direction he should take to reach 
 it. ' Never,' he said to us, ' shall I forget the feeling of isola- 
 lation and the fearful forebodings which seized me as I sat on
 
 An Adventure in Australia. 251 
 
 the back of my horse, not knowing which way I should go. 
 Everything at that moment seemed to be to me a blank dark, 
 dismal and hopeless. Being ignorant of my whereabouts, and 
 knowing there were natives in close proximity who might be 
 no more scrupulous about taking my life than that of a 
 kangaroo, I felt almost driven to desperation and to mad- 
 ness. 
 
 ' To make matters still worse, I remembered there was really 
 no proper road or track of any kind in those parts over which 
 I had travelled ; and as I had not in my outward journey 
 marked any object to assist me on my return, I found myself 
 in a terrible predicament. 
 
 f Just as I had reached the climax of misery, and was about 
 to give myself up, not only for lost, but as the helpless victim 
 of a stern and cruel fate, like a cheering ray of light came the 
 recollection that horses, possessing marvellous powers of 
 memory and of recognition, have been known to extricate their 
 riders and themselves out of circumstances of extreme peril 
 and difficulty. 
 
 'So, throwing the reins on the neck of my horse, and giving 
 him a few gentle pats and kind words, I said at last, " Now 
 then, old fellow, do your best in finding your way home." 
 We started, and, strange to say, my guide never once hesitated, 
 but went on and on, carefully picking his way, being, not long 
 after we began our journey, assisted in so doing by the pale 
 light of the glimmering stars. Two hours of uncertainty and 
 fear had passed away when to my great relief I discovered we 
 were near home, which, in less than another half-hour, we 
 both reached in perfect safety. Not to me, but to my noble, 
 faithful, sagacious horse is due the credit and the praise of my 
 getting out of the difficulties I have just narrated.' 
 
 It is almost needless to say that horses who are so useful 
 and intelligent should be kindly treated, and every effort made 
 to remove the causes of their sufferings. 
 
 ACTING THE OLD SOLDIER. A few years since a kind- 
 hearted man living in the north of England had a brood mare, 
 commonly called ' Old Sal,' who was subject to those griping 
 pains with which horses are now and then afflicted. When 
 ' Sal ' had these attacks her owner had recourse to the usual 
 remedies, which always produced the desired effect. On one 
 occasion, however, ' Sal ' and her master were a long distance
 
 252 Anecdotes of Everybody's Friend. 
 
 from home when unfortunately the former was seized with her 
 old complaint, which was more severe than usual, as the mare 
 trembled and seemed to be in great agony. Her^humane 
 master feared she would die on the spot ; and as he had 
 nothing with him to administer to her as on former occasions, 
 he allowed an eye-witness of these sufferings, who had obtained 
 half a pint of gin at a village inn, to give it to the mare. The 
 effect appears to have been almost marvellous. ' Old Sal ' 
 became easy, and in a little time she and her master resumed 
 their journey homewards. On many subsequent occasions, 
 when the mare was attacked as described, gin was given to her, 
 always with the same results as before. It was soon, however, 
 observed that these attacks had become unusually frequent, 
 and that the gin-doctor was getting very expensive. ' It was 
 evident,' said ' Sal's ' master, ' that she had acquired a liking 
 for this stimulant, and that she feigned illness to get it when 
 there was little or nothing of a serious nature the matter with 
 her.' In fact, he had so many reasons for entertaining this 
 idea that he often accused ' Sal ' of ' acting the old soldier.' 
 
 SAGACITY OF A CART HORSE. A writer in the Animal 
 World says : ' Directly opposite my residence a church is 
 being erected, and during its progress temporary sheds have 
 been put up for the use of the workmen, and one as a stable 
 for a very fine cart-horse, the property of the builder. The 
 extreme docility of this animal attracted my attention to him, 
 and since that some of his manoeuvres appear to me to border 
 strongly on the sense and the powers of reflection. His stable 
 was erected at one end of the church ; on one occasion two 
 poles had been fastened across his usual road to it, in order 
 to strengthen the scaffolding ; he went up, tried the strength 
 of these first, then finding that he could neither get over nor 
 under, he turned round, and, at a full trot, made the circuit 
 of the church, and got to the other side of the poles by 
 another path. Here was no straying about, and at last find- 
 ing his way, he resolved to go round as if an idea had at once 
 flashed across his mind. Another day, a waggon had been 
 left standing in the narrowest part of his road to the stable ; 
 he looked and tried each side, but found there was not space 
 enough for him to pass ; he took very little time for considera- 
 tion, but put his breast against the back part of the waggon, 
 and shoved it on to a wider part of the road, then deliberately
 
 Wonderful Sagacity of a Horse. 253 
 
 passed on one side to his stable. Could human wisdom have 
 done better ? But to crown all his manoeuvres, I mention the 
 following as being, I consider, very extraordinary : During 
 the winter a large wide drain had been made, and over this 
 strong planks had been placed for our friend, the cart-horse, 
 to pass over to his stable. It had snowed during the night, 
 and froze very hard in the morning. How he passed over 
 the planks on going out to work I know not, but on being 
 turned loose from the cart at breakfast, he came up to them 
 and I saw his fore-feet slip ; he drew back immediately, and 
 seemed for a moment at a loss how to get on. Close to these 
 planks a cart-load of sand had been placed ; he put his fore- 
 feet on this, and looked wistfully to the other side of the drain. 
 The boy who attends this horse, and who had gone round by 
 another path, seeing him stand there, called him. The horse 
 immediately turned round, and set about scraping the sand 
 most vigorously, first with one foot then the other. The boy, 
 perhaps wondering what he would be at, waited to see. When 
 the planks were completely covered with sand, the horse 
 turned round again, and unhesitatingly walked over, and 
 trotted up to his stable and driver.'
 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 
 FOES OF ANIMALS. 
 
 ' Oh ! 'tis excellent 
 
 To have a giant's strength ; but it is tyrannous 
 To use it like a giant." SHAKESPEARE. 
 
 ' Yet pity for a horse o'erdriven, 
 
 And love to which my hound has part 
 Can hang no weight upon my heart 
 In its assumption up to heaven.' 
 
 In Memoriam. 
 
 FTER the description we have given in the preced- 
 ing chapters of the life, wonderful structure, 
 intelligence, and uses of animals, we regret that 
 necessity and duty compel us to show that in- 
 creased and unceasing efforts are necessary to 
 ameliorate the condition of those animals who suffer from 
 man's cruelty, as well as to encourage the exercise of humanity 
 towards them. 
 
 Although we have mentioned many different kinds of 
 animals, from the tiny insect to our noble and valuable friend 
 the horse, there is hardly a tribe of them but what is in some 
 form and degree exposed to cruel treatment by man, who 
 proudly considers himself to be not only their superior, but 
 ' lord of the creatures.' 
 
 Eloquently and strongly as the claims of animals have been 
 enforced by different writers and speakers, men's hearts, in 
 many cases, are still vicious and unfeeling towards the brute 
 creation, and humanity has to continue to wage an unceasing 
 war against every form of cruelty. 
 
 As it would occupy too much space to define the multifa-
 
 Animals Sensible to Pain. 255 
 
 rious forms of cruelty to animals, we may remark that it con- 
 sists in the infliction of agony and pain for its own sake, sheer 
 mischief and wickedness, without one iota of benefit to be 
 derived therefrom. Cruelty to any form of animal life, whether 
 it be for gain, amusement, the gratification of the appetite, the 
 promotion of science, or even the support of human life, is the 
 needless infliction of pain. 
 
 As we have already, in a previous volume, referred to a 
 defective education in humanity and thoughtlessness being 
 prolific causes of cruelty, we may now add another, namely, 
 the too common idea entertained by ignorant people that 
 animals cannot feel so acutely as human beings do, and that 
 there is neither harm nor cruelty in treating them roughly. 
 We need not say that this is nothing less than a wicked error. 
 It has been justly observed that, more or less, all animals give 
 forth signs of suffering, not only of a physical, but of a mental 
 kind. If the dog that is kicked gives a proof of bodily sensi- 
 bility by a terrific yell, the lion, the tiger, and the panther, 
 robbed of their young, will give a proof of their mental agony 
 by making the woods and wilds echo and re-echo with their 
 frightful roaring. In some way or other all animals show their 
 sensibility to pain. 
 
 DIFFERENT KINDS OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. There can 
 be no doubt that horses, elephants, bears, monkeys, dogs, cats, 
 birds, and other animals that are trained to perform in various 
 places, undergo, previous to the public exhibition of them, a 
 rigid discipline and tortures of a greater or less degree. 
 
 Whether the practices we are about to allude to are trace- 
 able to ignorance or wilful intention, those who indulge in 
 them are the foes of animals. The practices we refer to are 
 
 Puffing crabs and lobsters into cold water, in which they 
 have to remain until it boils. Skinning eels, and cleaning the 
 insides of fish before life is extinct. 
 
 Hobbling donkeys when exhausted by labour, and, thus 
 manacled, turning them out to graze, which they do with the 
 greatest difficulty. 
 
 Shearing sheep too early, and exposing them to the bitter 
 weather of a late winter, by which they often suffer severely. 
 
 Plucking fowls alive ; tying the legs of several of them to- 
 gether, and in this way carrying them to market, often head 
 downwards ; crowding ducks and poultry into crates or baskets,
 
 256 Foes of A n imals. 
 
 so that they are sometimes found dead at the end of a railway 
 journey. 
 
 Cropping the tails and ears of dogs for fashion's sake ; 
 muzzling them in hot weather, and keeping them always 
 chained to the kennel. 
 
 Leaving cats in empty houses, and so thereby not only de- 
 priving them of liberty, but of food and water. 
 
 Turning animals into fields that yield but little and inferior 
 food, and leaving them there during the cold nights of winter, 
 without a shed or sufficient shelter of any kind to screen them ; 
 and also, when stabled, neglecting to provide them with a suffi- 
 cient allowance of proper food, merely from mercenary motives. 
 
 Overstocking cows intended for sale, so that their enlarged 
 udders may induce buyers to offer higher prices for these 
 animals, with an idea that they are good milkers. 
 
 Overcrowding vessels and railway trucks used for the transit 
 of animals, to save expense. 
 
 The continuous confinement of horses in mines, by which 
 their eyesight is often seriously injured, and sometimes entirely 
 destroyed. 
 
 Goading animals when driving them along the road, and 
 striking them with heavy cudgels across their legs and horns, 
 to increase their speed. 
 
 Tormenting hedgehogs by throwing them, rolled up like a 
 ball, into water, in order to see them open their bodies and 
 swim to save their lives. 
 
 Setting toothed steel traps to catch hares, rabbits, or other 
 animals by their legs, and often subjecting them, during a long 
 cold winter night, to the severest suffering. ' It is a matter for 
 regret with all humane persons that some measures cannot be 
 taken to prevent the cruelties inflicted in the trapping of hares 
 and rabbits. The aggregate of suffering thus caused is no 
 doubt much greater than the pain which arises from pigeon- 
 shooting, coursing, hunting with harriers, and all questionable 
 sports put together.' 
 
 Shooting parent birds during the breeding season, by which 
 their young suffer starvation and die a lingering death. 
 
 Never giving to caged birds the liberty of flying now and 
 then round the room, so that they may enjoy the luxury of 
 using their wings, given them by nature for that purpose, and 
 which is their instinct and impulse to do.
 
 Various Forms of Cruelty to Animals. 257 
 
 When fishing with rod and line, hooking one living animal 
 to catch another, which custom inflicts a twofold cruelty, by a 
 deliberate crucifixion of the bait, and sometimes tearing out 
 the gullet of the other victim. Such a system is cruelty inten- 
 sified vivisection of the worst kind ; and also a wanton de- 
 struction and prodigal waste, in many cases, of the living 
 treasures of our lakes, rivers, and streams. 
 
 Hiring donkeys and ponies, often in very poor condition, 
 at places much frequented at holiday times, for so much 
 the half-hour or the hour, conditionally that they are made to 
 go as fast as possible, which, in addition to often being over- 
 laden, involves much cudgelling and ill-treatment in other 
 ways, in order that the promised payment may be secured. 
 In this matter the owners are not always exclusively to blame. 
 
 Exposing the same kind of animals and goats, at our watering- 
 places, for many consecutive hours to the intense rays of the 
 sun, without shelter, and often without a proper supply of food 
 and water. Loading the carriages drawn by goats to such an 
 extent, that in toiling on and on these animals often fall down 
 exhausted, then are cruelly beaten because they have failed in 
 their task. We fear many of the visitors to our watering- 
 places, of whom more humanity and kindly feeling might be 
 expected, are guilty, if not intentionally, of adding to the 
 miseries of the animals referred to. 
 
 Slowly killing calves by bleeding them at intervals, so that 
 their flesh, being thereby made white, may appear more 
 tempting to the appetite, and a greater delicacy at the table. 
 
 Opening, for the same reasons, a vein under the tongues of 
 turkeys and other poultry, then hanging them up by the legs 
 so that their life may ebb out of them by degrees, or drop by 
 drop, which often requires many hours of suffering to accom- 
 plish. 
 
 Employing men sometimes possessing the most brutal in- 
 stincts, without proper training, wholly ignorant and unscien- 
 tific, as slaughterers, some of whom often subject the animals 
 they are employed to kill to much unnecessary pain, simply 
 because, by their bungling use of the poleaxe, they have to 
 give several heavy blows when one, or at most two, should 
 suffice, if properly directed. 
 
 Cutting off the horns of cattle is a reprehensible practice, 
 and has been pronounced by eminent veterinary surgeons to
 
 258 Foes of Animals. 
 
 be a cruel one, and a source of great pain to the animals thus 
 mutilated. 
 
 DRINK AND CRUELTY. There can be no doubt that much 
 cruelty is inflicted upon animals when those who have the care 
 of them are excited by strong drink. If a man has not been 
 properly educated in his duty to the lower animals, although 
 in his sober moments he may treat them kindly enough, yet 
 when his passions are inflamed by drink he Incomes, in many 
 cases, cruel to the brute under his charge ; he cares neither 
 for the law, the expostulations of the humane, nor for the 
 punishment which may overtake him for his brutality. 
 
 These remarks apply specially to certain classes of men. In 
 many instances, too, dealers and small jobbers, who in twos, 
 threes, and fours may be seen in carts each drawn by a half- 
 starved horse, going miles out of town on business, and who, 
 when it is over, repair to some public-house to indulge in 
 ' beer and 'bacca,' where they often remain until a late hour, 
 and then whip and drive the poor animal at such a rate that, 
 before the journey home is finished, he is ready to drop 
 through sheer exhaustion ; and we fear that in many cases, 
 when he reaches home, the poor jaded brute receives but scant 
 food and attention to compensate him for his long and toil- 
 some journey. 
 
 We are glad, however, in being able to state that, against 
 this dark picture, we can place a bright one. There are many 
 dealers who are not only kind-hearted, but have become noted 
 for their humanity to the animals of which they have the 
 charge. 
 
 SUNDAY PLEASURE-VANS. That cruelty should be inflicted 
 upon horses employed in Sunday pleasure-vans is much to be 
 deplored, for more reasons than one. It is well known that 
 the animals referred to are engaged in dragging crowded vans 
 of pleasure-seekers, who leave London and other large towns 
 in hundreds on the morning of the Sabbath, for journeys of 
 ten, fifteen, and even twenty miles into the country. 
 
 In many, if not in all these cases, the horses so employed 
 are those who have been toiling hard all the week, many of 
 them already weary and exhausted, and by no means either 
 well fed or properly cared for. 
 
 The journeys out are often performed under a burning sun, 
 and but little rest and refreshment are allowed to the animals
 
 Hunting for mere Sport. 259 
 
 until the destinations are reached. After a few hours they 
 have to return home. The vans are now laden with men and 
 women often noisy and excited when they start, and who 
 become more so by stopping to drink at the public-houses by 
 the way. To make up for time thus wasted, the poor animals 
 are, in many instances, severely flogged and made to go at a 
 greatly increased speed, and often at a late hour reach home 
 almost out of breath, their bodies steaming with sweat, and all 
 but worn-out with the heat and toil of the long journeys they 
 have performed. We fear God has a reckoning to make with 
 all such Sabbath desecrators, who obtain money and pleasure 
 at the cost of so much animal suffering. 
 
 CRUEL SPORTS. We should imagine that all students of the 
 rights of animals, and all those whose hearts have within 
 them anything like humanity, will readily endorse the following 
 quotation : 
 
 ' Detested sport, 
 That owes its pleasure to another's pain.' 
 
 That man has a right to hunt and to capture animals to 
 supply the needs of his physical nature, may be admitted, but 
 his right to hunt them for mere sport \s> very doubtful. We fear 
 the love of sport is a very prolific cause of animal suffering. 
 Hunting the fox, the stag, or the hare may be a very agreeable 
 and healthy pastime for those gentlemen who indulge in it, but 
 it is a widely different thing to the animals that are pursued. 
 
 Cunning as the fox may be, and much as he is disposed to 
 appropriate to himself food in the shape of game and farm- 
 yard luxuries to which some would say he has no moral right, 
 he is nevertheless an intelligent animal, and possesses those 
 emotional qualities which are more or less characteristic of all 
 animals, especially of quadrupeds. 
 
 In being hunted the fox has only his own speed, strength, 
 and stratagems to depend upon to ward off a premature and 
 cruel death. It is a poor justification of this sport for the 
 lovers of it to say that the animal has a wide range of country 
 in which to run, or that it is necessary such destructive 
 animals should be destroyed so that they may not become too 
 numerous. 
 
 But is nothing to be said for the terror which must seize 
 a fox when he hears behind him a pack of hungry dogs, who 
 in a few minutes may tear his body to pieces while yet alive ? 
 
 17 2
 
 260 Foes of Animals. 
 
 Neither speed nor cunning can ward off the terror which the 
 sounding horn, the cry of ' Tally-ho !' and the yelping of the 
 hounds will produce. These remarks are equally applicable 
 to the stag and the hare, who are hunted in a similar manner. 
 What is there manly or courageous in a number of men, on as 
 many horses, and assisted by a pack of hounds, following such 
 little, defenceless, and comparatively powerkss animals as a 
 fox or a hare, and then, when the chase is over, to stand and 
 deliberately witness the tearing and devouring of the body 
 which had to succumb to superior strength and speed ? One 
 writer, referring to this cruel pastime, says : ' Manly, forsooth ! 
 Call it a wild passion, a brutal propensity, or anything that 
 indicates its nature ; but to give it any connection with reason 
 is like making an union between black and white.' 
 
 PIGEON MATCHES. The love of sport is insatiable. It finds 
 victims among animals more defenceless than those already 
 referred to. For mere wanton sport many a human savage 
 has waited and watched for hours together, gun in hand, in 
 order to bring down a swallow on the wing, a lark rising 
 heavenwards, a thrush, a blackbird, or a linnet, probably hard 
 at work in gathering materials for their nests or food for their 
 young. 
 
 ' Pigeon-shooting] says Professor Wilson, ' in which half a 
 hundred, or half a thousand, pigeons are killed merely to show 
 the dexterity of some " crack shot," and to make money by 
 wagers on the numbers knocked dead or mutilated, is at once 
 scandalous to a civilized country and totally repulsive to 
 humanity.' 
 
 It is well-known that many of the pigeons shot at during 
 these shooting matches are mutilated only, not killed at once : 
 it may be a leg or a wing is broken, or partially disabled, but 
 not sufficiently to prevent the wounded creatures from flying 
 beyond reach, when they fall in some place where they cannot 
 be found, and so have to remain in a suffering and helpless 
 condition until death ends their lives. Nor is this all. In 
 many of the preliminary preparations for pigeon-shooting 
 matches the most atrocious cruelties are practised upon the 
 poor birds, which are supposed, by placing them in dis- 
 advantageous circumstances, to be for the success and benefit 
 of those who are interested in the slaughter of these feathered 
 victims.
 
 Cruel Treatment of Pigeons. 261 
 
 In corroboration of our assertions we quote the following 
 from the Evening Standard newspaper, of February 16, 1883 : 
 A publican, named Ludlam, and a trapper, named Rogers, 
 were brought up at the Belper Petty Sessions yesterday on a 
 charge of barbarity at a pigeon match. The story would be 
 sufficient to secure the passage of Mr. Anderson's Bill had 
 any doubt previously existed on the subject. At a match held 
 at Crich, in Derbyshire, these ruffians were observed to handle 
 the birds in a peculiar way, and it was afterwards found that 
 they had damaged the eyes of their victims, either with acid or 
 with some sharp instrument, and had thrust pins into the flesh 
 of the birds under the tail feathers. They were found guilty 
 of torturing three pigeons, and most properly committed to 
 prison for two months with hard labour, without the option of 
 a fine. Such proceedings at pigeon matches are exceptional, 
 if only because the opponents of the competitor so favoured 
 would see and object ; but that such things should ever be 
 done strengthens the plea for the abolition of the ' sport' 
 
 If sport of this kind is wicked, cruel, and unmanly, is it not 
 particularly unwomanly and degrading to the female character 
 to take any part in such pastimes ? To those who do so we 
 would say : 
 
 ' If the rougher sex by their fierce sports 
 Are hurried wild, let not such horrid joy 
 E'er stain the bosom of the British fair.' 
 
 Can anything be more degrading to any being boasting of 
 reasoning powers of birth, education, and position, than making 
 amusement out of the agonies and death of any animal, 
 especially out of those of a poor defenceless pigeon ? We do 
 not hesitate to say that the patrons, patronesses, and supporters 
 of pigeon-shooting clubs are guilty of the meanest, most 
 despicable and worst kind of cruelty ; that they are setting an 
 example calculated to demoralize, not only themselves, but 
 society at large, and at the same time give a licence to men of 
 brutal passions to indulge in the worst species of cruelty and 
 crime. 
 
 While many persons seek pleasure in only witnessing these 
 sports, their presence is nothing less than a tacit approval and 
 encouragement of them. There can be no doubt that 
 gambling or money-making has more to do with the practice 
 than the aim and ambition to excel as good shots. This
 
 262 Foes of Animals. 
 
 practice had its rise among Londoners, who, it is said, began 
 with the sparrow, and now take the pigeon. The practice, 
 to say the least of it, is a cowardly pastime. Fancy taking 
 doves even for this sport ; a bird that is the emblem of peace, 
 and of all other birds the mildest and most affectionate ; the 
 bird that is the symbol of simplicity, innocence, and fidelity ; 
 the bearer of the olive-branch ; the herald of safety when the 
 waters began to recede after the deluge, and in the form of 
 which the Spirit of God alighted on the Saviour. To make 
 this bird the object of cruel sport is unmanly, inhuman, and 
 unchristian. 
 
 In addition to what we have already said on pigeon matches 
 we give the following graphic description of the cruelties of 
 trap pigeon-shooting which appears in the Animal World for 
 March, 1883. It will not only be perused with painful interest, 
 but will show how ready the editor of the above journal is to 
 lend his aid in suppressing such a cruel and ignoble pastime 
 as that of 
 
 TRAP PIGEON SHOOTING. The editor says, We have asked 
 Mr. Harrison Weir to supply us, for the twentieth time, with 
 an illustration against this ignoble sport, and as one of the 
 men best acquainted with birds, to make a few remarks on the 
 subject. Mr. Weir commences as follows : ' I appeal to the 
 Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to all 
 humane persons, to all who hate wanton cruelty in any form, 
 to do their utmost to stop the wickedness of the sport of 
 pigeon-shooting from the trap.' As far as we are concerned 
 his appeal will not be in vain ; for our columns every year 
 have been charged with uncompromising denunciations against 
 that dastardly and demoralizing pastime, and we have no 
 intention to give up the crusade. Nothing can exceed our 
 detestation of trap-shooting, for which reason we are anxious 
 above all things to attack it on fair issues. Without this care 
 the battle will be lost. Its intrinsic unmanliness, its mockery 
 of all that real sportsmen hold dear, its gambling associations, 
 its levity as regards animal destruction, and its tendency to 
 make human hearts callous to sympathy with the beautiful 
 creatures, its victims, should be never absent from our thoughts 
 when attacking the vice. Mr. H. Weir continues as follows : 
 ' Hit yes, grievously hit ! and yet the poor pigeon struggles, 
 on and on, away o'er green fields, and anon o'er houses, with
 
 Living Feathered Targets. 263 
 
 happy children in the gardens at play, who look up, wonder- 
 ing why the beautiful bird flies so slowly ; yet on and on it 
 goes, till at last, faint, hungry, and weary, it sinks to rest and 
 to suffer no one near to note its mute agony. Again it strives 
 to rise : it is too weak, it is cold, it is hungry ; it struggles 
 feebly, it dies. Then it is a poor jaded thing : torn flesh, 
 broken bones, and ruffled feathers a useless dead thing, a 
 victim of sport. Is it manly sport ? Not so very long ago a 
 wounded bird joined my own a mangled creature, with a 
 broken leg and with its tail pulled out And now another has 
 come " grievously hit" Yes, grievously ! shot-marks along its 
 back. Shot has torn off the feathers and laid the back bare 
 and bleeding. Its tail, too, like the former, is pulled out (not 
 cut off), so that the sporting man may find the more difficulty 
 in the killing it at so many yards' rise from his gun. Fine 
 sport this for men for civilized men, educated men ! Fine 
 sport truly, it must be delightful sport ! And yet, and so 
 'tis thus the sport goes on day by day. Beautiful, bright, 
 innocent pigeons are conveyed in baskets and brought out as 
 living targets for sport. Let every humane person help to stay 
 and stop these hideous pastimes. Other countries are moving 
 in the matter, are we to be the last ? Are we less civilized than 
 they ? Are we less tender-hearted, or are we more brutal ? 
 Why is it ? Why is such a wicked, cruel sport made of a live 
 plaything? W T hy must the target be alive? a suffering, 
 quivering, agonized thing if hit. Will anyone tell me why this 
 is necessary ? I ask everybody to endeavour to stop these 
 cruel butcheries.' These remarks are true enough, only they 
 apply to all shooting at birds, whether from traps or otherwise. 
 It is a pity that Mr. Weir does not see that the real point 
 against trap-shooting is not touched by referring to the suffer- 
 ings of a wounded bird. Our antagonists are far too clever 
 not to retort on us that equal tortures are caused in the field 
 indeed, with greater probability; because at Hurlingham, 
 should the bird be missed as it rises from the trap, twenty 
 guns of outsiders discharge at it, and few wounded birds 
 escape, while thousands every day die a lingering death, 
 during late autumn, which have been wounded, but not killed, 
 by field sportsmen. 
 
 BEARING REINS. The pride and love of display have caused 
 many persons to be the foes of animals. The evils and use
 
 264 
 
 Foes of Animals. 
 
 of the bearing-rein on horses are, at the present time, occupy 
 ing much public attention, and exciting considerable interest. 
 That the bearing-rein is not, as now used on some carriage- 
 horses, in any way an advantage to them, but an injury, there 
 can be no doubt. This is so clearly proved by papers on 
 this subject, issued by the Royal Society for the Prevention 
 of Cruelty to Animals ; in a work written by G. Fleming, 
 M.R.C.V.S. ; and also in a pamphlet by E. F. Flower, 
 on ' Bits and Bearing-reins,' that further argument on this 
 subject seems almost unnecessary. 
 
 The Wrong Way. 
 
 We may, however, observe that the head and tail are 
 important working powers of the horse, and that anything 
 which hinders, or restricts the freedom of their action, produces 
 consequences of the most injurious kind. The bit, to which 
 is attached a rein tightly drawn up, puts an unnecessary 
 pressure upon the sides of the mouth, thereby causing, if not 
 sores, a painful tenderness in those parts, and the head and 
 neck of the horse are thrown into an unnatural position. 
 
 In the course of time the larynx of the horse becomes
 
 On Tight Bearing-Reins. 
 
 26$ 
 
 affected, inflamed, and partially diseased, and finally the 
 animal becomes a 'roarer.' He cannot properly inflate his 
 lungs with atmospheric air because the air-passages are con- 
 tracted, which no doubt affects the circulation of the blood, 
 and, in some cases, produces apoplexy. His eyes grow dim, 
 his sight fails, his health is affected, his usefulness is lessened, 
 and in many instances his days are shortened. 
 
 That extreme gagging or reining up of a horse's head must 
 be a source of pain to him is evident from his restlessness and 
 
 The Right Way. 
 
 fruitless efforts to stretch out his head sufficiently to obtain 
 relief. A man can walk much more easily with his arms 
 swinging to and fro than he could if they were fastened to his 
 sides. To fasten a horse's head to his tail to keep him from 
 stumbling seems to be a great absurdity. 
 
 That tight bearing-reins are not necessary is seen in the fact 
 that our omnibus and cab horses do their work better with- 
 out them than they used to do with them. The rejection of 
 these vile instruments of cruelty by many private families and 
 by some of the drivers of the ' four-in-hand ' club shows that
 
 266 Foes of Animals. 
 
 they are not only not necessary, but that they believe their use 
 interferes both with the strength and comfort of their animals. 
 
 To the above we may add, that hundreds of veterinary 
 surgeons condemn the use of the tight bearing-rein as being 
 not only unnecessary but injurious in the particulars we have 
 stated. 
 
 Lord Portsmouth once said, c I never allow a bearing-rein 
 to be used in my establishment, nor did my father before me ; 
 I am sure they are both useless and cruel.' 
 
 Cracknell, the four-in-hand driver, would not use a bearing- 
 rein, although he often drove from London to Oxford in one 
 day and back the next, including stoppages, at the rate of ten 
 miles an hour, and was always exact to time. 
 
 SOME BRISTOL CARTERS AND THEIR HORSES. A few 
 years since, we delivered a lecture in Bristol on kindness to 
 animals to an audience mainly composed of about 500 
 men who had the care of horses. The men were apparently 
 interested, and paid great attention to what was said. Twelve 
 months afterwards we gave a second lecture in the same town, 
 and had about an equal number of listeners as on the first 
 occasion. A novel and unexpected sight presented itself to 
 our notice. Just before the platform several seats were occu- 
 pied by not less than fifty men, all dressed in their Sunday 
 suits ; each man wearing a rosette in the buttonhole of his 
 coat? 
 
 ' What does this mean ?' we inquired of one of the lady 
 promoters of the meeting. ' Oh,' she replied, ' you will be 
 gratified to hear that these men were convinced by your 
 remarks last year on the evils of bearing-reins that they were 
 doing wrong in using them, and so, like sensible men, they 
 determined to give them up. They have done so, and theif 
 testimony is that their horses now do their work and draw 
 heavy loads with far greater ease than they did when tightly 
 reined up.' 
 
 These men who, in spite of much opposition and jeers from 
 other carters, discontinued to use tight reins on their horses 
 deserve great commendation, while what they did teaches a 
 humane lesson, and gives considerable force to every argu- 
 ment advanced against bearing-reins, which in all cases, or 
 nearly so, are needless, and in very many instances cause 
 great suffering to our noble friend the horse.
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 FRIENDS OF ANIMALS. 
 
 ' Old Martin loved his dogs as though 
 
 They had his children been ; 
 And they loved him ; for love can make 
 E'en man and beast akin.' 
 
 LTHOUGH, as already stated, many animals are 
 subjected to much cruelty in order to afford sport 
 and pastime to those who pay no regard to the 
 laws of humanity, there are, nevertheless, signs 
 that better and happier times are in store for 
 them, which may well give encouragement to those who are 
 the friends of the brute creation. 
 
 Taking into consideration the gradual change now taking 
 place in the feelings of the public toward animals, and in their 
 views as to the rights and claims of these dumb creatures, we 
 may confidently look forward to the time when kindness will 
 prevail, and shelter beneath her outspread wings every member 
 of the animal kingdom. 
 
 These changes for the better in the general condition of 
 animals are not, however, to be regarded as favours conferred 
 upon them by man, but as their own chartered rights, given to 
 them by their beneficent Creator. 
 
 INDIVIDUAL FRIENDS. 
 
 Amongst the friends of animals may be reckoned all 
 those who have made, and are making, in their own way, 
 individual efforts to protect them from ill-usage, and to 
 contribute to the pleasure of their lives. Although half a 
 century ago the idea of legislating for animals, or organizing 
 any efforts to protect them, was ridiculed and laughed at
 
 268 Friends of Animals. 
 
 as absurd and Utopian, a galaxy of humane men and women 
 have denounced cruelty to animals as a disgrace to human 
 nature, to civilization and Christianity. 
 
 Going no farther back than 1809, and coming on to later 
 years, we have the names of Erskine, Burdett, Buxton, Martin, 
 Wilberforce, Fry, Gurney, Lushington, Broome, and a host of 
 others who were pioneers in the cause of humanity, and who, 
 through much opposition, nobly advocated the claims and 
 rights of animals. 
 
 Although as time has rolled on death has removed one by 
 one these noble friends, others have arisen to supply their 
 places, to do their work ; and animals are still favoured with a 
 succession of sincere and zealous friends. 
 
 Without attempting to enumerate the many and different 
 acts of cruelty which are committed, we may notice that some 
 humane people regard one particular kind of cruelty as being 
 more atrocious than any other, and therefore make special in- 
 dividual efforts to put a stop to it. For instance, as before 
 intimated, one friend particularly notices the cruelties of the 
 gag bearing-rein, and makes strenuous efforts to abolish its 
 use. Others, who are lovers of horses, seek to effect a more 
 rational and humane method of shoeing these, our useful, 
 hardworking animals. This being the case, we may clearly 
 see that this is to the great advantage of animals, especially 
 in those places where there is no society established, or 
 organized means in operation for the suppression of cruelty. 
 
 COLLECTIVE FRIENDS. 
 
 These refer more especially to the public agencies and 
 societies which exist for, and are employed in, the great work 
 of humanity to the lower animals. First, we may mention 
 the ' Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,' 
 which claims priority, and whose influence has always been of 
 the most wonderful kind. 
 
 The following conveys much useful information respecting 
 the origin, work, objects, and progress of the Society to 1872. 
 
 ' Prior to the enactment of the statute intituled " An Act 
 to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle " 
 (July, 1822), introduced by the late highly esteemed Mr. Martin, 
 the management of animals in this country was inhuman. 
 Whether from ignorance, thoughtlessness, heedlessness or
 
 2/o Friends of Animals. 
 
 wanton brutality, they were subjected to extreme pain and 
 torture, and their condition failed to excite the commiseration 
 of the public. The most reckless and savage punishment, 
 and the most disgusting disregard to the bodily sufferings of 
 animals, were exhibited unconcealed in the highways and 
 streets daily ; festering sores, discharging wounds, excruciating 
 lameness, and tottering infirmity, called not forth modern 
 devices to evade public reprobation, and without disguise the 
 lash and goad worked their bloody inflictions. The uncom- 
 bined efforts of a few benevolent individuals were no check to 
 these evils; and hence it became necessary to establish a 
 society which should assemble and unite the friends of dumb 
 animal creatures. 
 
 'The founders of this Society met on the i6th of June, 1824, 
 and inaugurated the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 
 Animals, appointed a committee, and conceived the following 
 plan of operations : 
 
 ' i. The circulation of suitable tracts gratuitously, or by 
 cheap sale, particularly among persons intrusted with cattle, 
 such as coachmen, carters, and drovers. 
 
 ' 2. The introduction into schools of books calculated to 
 impress on youth the duty of humanity to inferior animals. 
 
 ' 3. Frequent appeals to the public, through the press, 
 awakening more general attention to a subject so interesting, 
 though too much neglected. 
 
 ' 4. The periodical delivery of discourses from the pulpit. 
 
 ' 5. The employment of constables in the markets and 
 streets ; and 
 
 ' 6. The prosecution of persons guilty of flagrant acts of 
 cruelty, with publicity to the proceedings, and announcement 
 of results. 
 
 ' Steadily working by the above means, bravely bearing con- 
 tumely, and overcoming difficulties, the founders became 
 stronger year after year ; subscribers and co-workers gradually 
 joined the ranks, and a marked improvement slowly manifested 
 itself in the treatment of animals. Then followed the dis- 
 tinguished patronage of Her Most Gracious Majesty the 
 Queen, Her Royal Highness the late Duchess of Kent, the 
 nobility, and many distinguished members of both Houses of 
 Parliament ; and in 1840, by command of Her Majesty, the 
 Society was honoured with the prefix of " Royal." Since that
 
 Progress of Humanity. 27 1 
 
 period its progress has been regular, and its achievements en- 
 couraging, and now it is regarded as a permanently established 
 institution, which has outlived ridicule, and secured for its 
 founders the esteem of good and practical men of this and 
 succeeding generations. 
 
 ' Branch and sister societies are in active operation in many 
 of the largest towns in England, Ireland, and Scotland ; and 
 more than sixty well-constituted and energetic associations of 
 a like character are labouring in various parts of Europe, 
 America, the Colonies, and distant parts of the globe. 
 
 ' During many years the committee advocated the removal 
 or enlargement of Smithfield Market. To the co-operation of 
 conductors of daily journals the committee are indebted for 
 their ultimate triumph over long-cherished prejudices and 
 vested interests. Owing to its agency, bull-baiting, bull- 
 running, cock-fighting, badger-baiting, and other wicked sports 
 of a barbarous age have been prohibited by legal enactments. 
 In 1835 th e Society obtained an amendment of Martin's 
 Act ; in 1845 an amendment of the law for regulating 
 Knackers' Yards ; in 1849 a new and much improved Act for 
 the more effectual Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ; and in 
 1854 an Act prohibiting the use of dogs as beasts of draught 
 or burden throughout England. Thus, the whole police force 
 is enlisted for the protection of domestic animals.' 
 
 To show the progress of this great work since 1872, we may 
 state that the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 
 Animals is extending its operations by forming new branches 
 and employing men as officers stationed at them. Every year 
 very many thousands of tracts on humane literature are dis- 
 tributed broadcast. Its own monthly organs, the Animal World 
 and Band of Mercy^ are widely circulated. A small book, 
 containing a digest of Acts of Parliament passed in favour of 
 animals, and many useful suggestions, is supplied gratuitously 
 to policemen and to others who may apply for it, while 
 sermons and lectures on the claims of animals are now given 
 in every part of the kingdom. 
 
 It has also succeeded in obtaining a law for the protection 
 of all wild birds during the close season, and is now actively 
 trying to secure legal protection to ALL wild animals, not 
 only for a part of the year, but continuously. 
 
 Independently of the assistance it renders to the police and
 
 272 Friends of Animals. 
 
 private individuals who take proceedings against those guilty 
 of acts of cruelty they may have witnessed, the number of 
 convictions obtained by its own inspectors increases every 
 year, so that the Society is becoming more and more the 
 defender of animals and the advocate of their rights. 
 
 To be successful in obtaining convictions against all cases 
 taken into court, thorough acquaintance with the law, a care- 
 ful analysis of evidence, and great vigilance are required. We 
 may here state that so much attention is paid by the Council 
 and Secretary to the points above mentioned that notwith- 
 standing the opposition often given to the Society's preventive 
 measures, it does not lose, on an average, more than three per 
 cent of the cases taken before and tried by our magistrates. 
 
 Although the moiety of costs legally belongs to the Society, 
 it never takes it, but the same is left in the hands of the pre- 
 siding magistrate, to be given by him to some local charity or 
 other object he may think proper. This being the case, the 
 Society cannot be charged with taking cases of cruelty into 
 court as a pretext for getting money ; on the contrary, it will 
 be seen that the object is one in favour of and for the benefit 
 of poor defenceless animals. 
 
 All officers employed by the Society are forbidden, under 
 pain of dismissal, from taking any gratuity whatever, either 
 from plaintiffs or defendants, without the sanction of the 
 Secretary, so that in collecting evidence respecting any cases 
 of cruelty there may be no inducement for them to act un- 
 fairly, but justly and entirely in the interest of animals that 
 may be the victims of ill-usage. 
 
 From personal knowledge of the way in which the Society 
 carries out its great objects we are bound to repudiate the un- 
 founded assertion some of its enemies have made, ' that it 
 connives at cruelty committed by the wealthy, while the poorer 
 classes are vindictively punished for the most trivial acts of 
 cruelty that may be committed by them.' This is not so ; and if 
 anyone will carefully note the reports which appear in our 
 daily and weekly newspapers respecting charges of cruelty pre- 
 ferred by the Society, they must, we think, be convinced that 
 it is no ' respecter of persons,' and that it is not at all affected 
 in its action by any difference in the social position or influence 
 of those who may be guilty of cruelty in whatever form it may 
 be committed.
 
 The Treatment of Animals Underground. 273 
 
 The following extracts from the last annual report of the 
 Society fully corroborate our assertions. In referring to what 
 is chiefly an aristocratic sport, namely, that of 
 
 PIGEON MATCHES, it says : ' Thirteen convictions were ob- 
 tained for cruelty to pigeons at or in connection with pigeon- 
 shooting matches. Public opinion, now so often expressed 
 against this sport, has during late years made considerable 
 progress in this country, and still more so in the United States, 
 owing in great measure to the protests and attacks directed 
 against it by your Society ; and your committee therefore feel 
 that the time has now arrived when they may make a step 
 forward by attempting to bring the practice of shooting pigeons 
 from traps within the purview of the statutes made for the pro- 
 tection of animals. 
 
 ' Setting dogs to worry cats, mentioned in your committee's 
 last report, continues to be a prevalent offence. Nineteen 
 persons, principally young men of good social position, were 
 convicted for this scandalous misconduct, and that number 
 would have been increased tenfold but for the difficulty of ob- 
 taining evidence against offenders of this class, whose misdeeds 
 are frequently reported to the Society ; and, when the evidence 
 is obtained, of securing a conviction.' 
 
 ANIMALS IN MINES. ' On many past occasions your com- 
 mittee have directed your serious consideration to the tendency 
 to ill-treat horses, ponies, and donkeys working in mines, away 
 from the observation of the public eye. During the past year 
 upwards of twenty convictions were obtained against persons 
 for this kind of cruelty. Various measures have been directed 
 by your executive to encourage a better sense of humanity in 
 the minds of persons having charge of animals underground, 
 it is hoped with success. Recently the Baroness Burdett 
 Coutts took part in an important movement, the May-day pro- 
 cession of horses at Newcastle-on-Tyne, designed in part to 
 accomplish this object. Considering the difficulty of detecting 
 offenders engaged below the surface of the earth, your com- 
 mittee strongly recommend the bestowal of rewards (which 
 may be done by private individuals on the nomination of 
 managers and owners of mines), on drivers and horse-keepers 
 who have distinguished themselves by the kindly treatment of 
 animals committed to their care. 
 
 ' During the year 1881, 4,132 convictions were obtained by 
 
 18
 
 274 Friends of Animals. 
 
 your Society, consisting of 2,526 for ill-treatment to horses, 142 
 to mules and donkeys, 122 to cattle, 19 to calves, 3 6 to sheep, 
 20 to pigs, 12 to goats, 88 to dogs, 64 to cats, 42 to fowls, 9 to 
 ducks, 3 to geese, 16 to pigeons, and the remainder to various 
 other animals. 
 
 ' This large number of convictions will be regarded as evi- 
 dence of the Society's activity rather than as proving an increase 
 of cruelty ; a remark that is strengthened by the circumstance 
 (than which nothing can better exhibit the extended operations 
 of your Society) that the foregoing convictions were obtained 
 in 355 distinct courts of summary jurisdiction through England 
 and Wales.' 
 
 HUMANE SLAUGHTERING OF ANIMALS. 
 
 ' Your committee rejoice to be able to direct your attention 
 to the formation of a society for improving the present methods 
 of slaughtering animals intended for human food, for opposing 
 the licensing of private slaughter-houses, and for the erection 
 of a model slaughter-house, with a better system of drainage 
 and a more perfect method of removing and destroying offal. 
 Your committee have rendered hearty assistance to the new 
 society, whose object is regarded as of the first value. . . . The 
 following extract is made from the society's prospectus : 
 " The objects of this society are, briefly (a) to move Parlia- 
 ment to establish public slaughter-houses, such as exist in the 
 Continental capitals, and in some English and Scotch cities, 
 as Manchester, Bradford, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Glasgow ; 
 (b) to abolish private slaughter-houses; (c) to erect in the 
 neighbourhood of the metropolis a ' model abattoir,' where all 
 the arrangements shall be as perfect as modern science can 
 make them, where animals shall be killed painlessly, and proper 
 precautions taken to ensure the healthiness of the meat sup- 
 plied; (*/)to make the inspection and superintendence of private 
 slaughter-houses, as long as they are allowed to exist, really 
 effectual. Already the Royal Society for the Prevention of 
 Cruelty to Animals has done much good in the direction.of call- 
 ing attention to the cruelty practised in private slaughter-houses. 
 It is felt that an association on a special basis is now needed, 
 to embrace not only considerations of cruelty to animals, but 
 the claims of the public health as well, and to devote itself 
 exclusively to the whole of this large and important subject" '
 
 TJie Working of tJic Vivisection Act. 275 
 
 ANTI-VIVISECTION. 
 
 The reader will see in the following quotation, taken from 
 one of the publications of the Royal Society for the Preven- 
 tion of Cruelty to Animals, what it has done and intends to 
 do in the question of vivisection. In referring to the pro- 
 visions of a certain bill bearing on this practice, it says : 
 ' The country has a right to know what it is doing both as 
 regards the number of animals it permits to be tortured for 
 scientific purposes, and the character of the suffering caused 
 in the administration of this statute, which gives to certificated 
 persons immunities in the performance of painful experiments 
 for purposes, whether justifiable or not, the enlightened public 
 opinion of the nation has now no opportunity of determining. 
 In the draft of a bill prepared by your committee for the pre- 
 vention of all cruelty committed under the name of vivisec- 
 tion, and submitted by them to the Royal Commission, this 
 publicity of the results of experimentation was provided for 
 solely to fix on operators the responsibility of their operations ; 
 and your committee cannot but regret that in the latest and 
 all previous returns the wise check suggested by them has 
 apparently been designedly prevented. . . . 
 
 ' Your committee are earnestly determined to pursue their 
 endeavours to obtain more accurate information in reference 
 to operations performed under this Act. They invite you to 
 assist them in unveiling the dark recesses of vivisection, and 
 detecting unlawful operations. Besides the public eye and 
 private informers, there are several societies established solely 
 and purposely to prevent vivisections, who may be able pos- 
 sibly, by proper organization, to detect offenders. To the 
 members of these associations, as well as to the public, your 
 committee give assurances on the present occasion, that, while 
 engaged in many other fields of important labour for the pro- 
 tection of animals from the manifold causes of suffering to 
 which they are liable, their endeavours by all legitimate means 
 to overtake alleged and punish real offenders, whether they 
 belong to the professional physiologists or any other class, shall 
 not be relaxed. They call on all persons opposed to vivisection 
 to join them, not only in applying the provisions of the statute, 
 but in obtaining repeal of its defects by which painful operations 
 are performed in secret without effectual supervision and check.' 
 
 18 2 -
 
 276 Friends of Animals. 
 
 It is a matter for congratulation that not only her Majesty 
 the Queen, but other members of the Royal family, have 
 evinced the warmest interest in the work and success of this 
 Society, and that many of the nobility, aristocracy, bishops, 
 clergymen, members of Parliament and of the legal profession, 
 medical men, officers of every grade, both" in the army and 
 navy, tutors in our universities, colleges, public and private 
 schools, editors of magazines and of newspapers, merchants 
 and others, both ladies and gentlemen, in almost every position 
 of life, are its supporters, active co-workers, and earnest friends. 
 
 The introduction to the fifty-eighth report will, we think, 
 show conclusively that we have not overdrawn the picture as 
 to the great interest taken in the Society's work. It says : 
 ' The fifty-eighth anniversary meeting was held on Thursday, 
 June apth, 1882, in St. James's Hall, the noble President, 
 Lord Aberdare, being in the chair. The hall was crowded 
 with members and their friends, and the galleries were filled 
 with teachers and pupils of metropolitan schools. Her Royal 
 Highness the Princess Beatrice, having kindly and graciously 
 accepted the invitation of the committee to attend on this 
 occasion, was present for the purpose of presenting about fifty 
 principal rewards earned by scholars and teachers who had 
 composed essays on the duty of mankind towards their lower 
 fellow-creatures. On learning the nature and object of the 
 competition, her Royal Highness expressed her great interest 
 in the movement, particularly as it comprehended all schools, 
 without regard to social or sectarian characteristics, within a 
 radius of twelve miles of Charing Cross, and contained awards 
 given only to writers of manuscripts who had maintained 
 ascendency in two different successive contests namely, 
 within the schools respectively where the essays were written, 
 and afterwards in a competition of school against school. As 
 this is the first occasion on which her Royal Highness has 
 appeared in public, the members of the R.S.P.C.A. entertain 
 a deep sense of the honour conferred on their cause by the 
 Princess Beatrice, which they desire to acknowledge with 
 grateful thanks. Earl Sydney (Lord Steward of her Majesty's 
 Household), the Baroness and Mr. Burdett-Coutts, Countess 
 of Desart, Marquis of Hertford, Lady Augusta Powlett, Lady 
 Burdett, Lady Wolseley, Sir Lewis and Lady Pelly, Lady 
 Garvah, Lady Burghley, Lady Peel, Lady Keppel, the Hon.
 
 Our Dogs Cared for. 277 
 
 Miss Bruce, the Hon. Miss Sugden, Lady Vincent, General 
 Eyre, Lady Henderson, General Mills, Bishop of Gloucester 
 and Bristol, and Mrs. and Miss Ellicott, Cardinal Manning, 
 Rev. Canon Duckworth, Rev. Canon Barry, Sir Walter Ster- 
 ling, Bart., Right Hon. W. E. Forster, M.P., and many other 
 influential ladies and gentlemen, occupied the platform.' 
 
 We may now observe that in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales 
 similar efforts to those referred to have been made, although 
 in a more limited degree. In these countries are societies and 
 branches with committees of ladies and gentlemen, and other 
 co-helpers, all alike engaged in this work of humanity. Mem- 
 bers of the different anti-vivisection organizations may justly 
 be reckoned as friends of animals, as their object is not only 
 to lessen the sufferings of these creatures, but to prevent the 
 infliction of pain, which, in the practice of vivisection, they 
 believe is unavoidably given. 
 
 From the parent Society in London kindred ones have 
 sprung up, each doing its quota of good, especially to our 
 domestic animals. We may mention, first, 
 
 THE DOG'S HOME, 
 
 established for the avowed object of lessening the sufferings 
 of lost, starving, and homeless dogs, many thousands of 
 which have had in this home protection, proper food, and, 
 in all other respects, humane treatment. In hundreds of 
 cases lost dogs have been restored to their old homes, 
 friends, and owners, while in many instances those un- 
 claimed, if diseased, have been mercifully destroyed, and their 
 bodies interred in a place selected for that purpose, twenty 
 miles from London. Recently a meeting was held to consider 
 the desirability of establishing, in connection with the Dog's 
 Home, one for lost and starving cats, to be conducted on the 
 same plan as the former. An appeal has been made to the 
 benevolent towards this object, to which some have already 
 responded. All those who are acquainted with the neglect 
 and ill-treatment to which cats are often subjected, will, we 
 think, not only approve of this laudable intention, but will give 
 it all the support they possibly can. 
 
 Another society which has been of vast service to animals, 
 not only in London, but in many provincial towns, is the
 
 A Group of Water Drinkers. 279 
 
 METROPOLITAN DRINKING FOUNTAIN AND CATTLE 
 TROUGH ASSOCIATION, 
 
 whose object is not only praiseworthy and humane, but which 
 deserves the sympathies and support of everyone, especially 
 of those who own animals and are more directly benefitted 
 by their services. Let any person try to realize the great 
 pain occasioned by extreme thirst, especially during the intense 
 heat of summer ; he will then see what a boon the vast 
 number of troughs and fountains, erected by this association, 
 must be to the hundreds of horses, sheep, oxen, and dogs, 
 who drink from them in the course of one day. 
 
 We have often watched animals heated by the summer sun 
 and parched with thirst drinking at these troughs, and as 
 frequently noticed a kind of grateful expression of feeling of 
 all of them after taking the cooling draught so much needed 
 but so refreshing ; and they have seemed practically to repeat 
 a verse of a poem we wrote on water many years ago : 
 
 Not one gift of Nature 
 
 Water can excel : 
 Nature is its brewer, 
 
 And she brews it well. 
 
 This association has been the means of erecting, during its 
 twenty-three years' existence, 497 fountains for human beings, 
 and 502 troughs for animals ; at which it is estimated that there 
 are more than 250,000,000 drinkers annually. And yet there 
 is need for more. 
 
 THE BROWN ANIMAL SANATORY INSTITUTION. 
 
 Among the friends of animals we may justly include the 
 founder of the above institution, respecting which we gather 
 the following information from the ' Parlour Menagerie :' 'The 
 buildings denominated the "Brown Institution," situated 
 close to the Vauxhall Station of the South Western Railway, 
 were opened on December 2nd, 1871, and accommodation is 
 provided for horses, horned cattle, sheep, dogs, etc., besides 
 pens for poultry, and an aviary for birds. The institution had 
 its origin in the benevolence of the late Thomas Brown, of 
 Dublin, who, about twenty years previously, bequeathed the 
 residue of his personal estate to the Senate of the University 
 of London, for the founding, establishing, and upholding an
 
 280 Friends of Animals. 
 
 institution for investigating, studying, and, without charge 
 beyond immediate expenses, endeavouring to cure maladies, 
 distempers, and injuries any quadrupeds or birds useful to 
 man may be found subject to, such institution to be under the 
 direction of the senate ; a professor, or superintendent, to be 
 appointed by the senate, with a residence and salary, who 
 shall give at least five lectures annually free to the public. The 
 testator further expressed the desire that kindness to the 
 animals received should be a general principle of the institu- 
 tion. He also directed, that, in order to render the endow- 
 ment sufficient, the interest of the sum bequeathed should 
 accumulate and be added to the principal during a period of 
 fifteen years. The will being contested, a considerable period 
 was spent in litigation; but in 1858 it was ultimately decided 
 that the bequest and its accumulations, then amounting to 
 nearly ^23,000, should be transferred to the management of 
 the University of London. After this decision, however, it 
 was discovered that it was illegal to devote any part of the 
 fund to the purchase of a freehold, while on such a site alone 
 could the institution be legally founded. Various schemes 
 were proposed to get over this, but without success. At 
 length all difficulties were surmounted through the liberality of 
 a gentleman, who purchased for nearly ^3,000 a site with 
 buildings attached. By the time the institution was opened 
 Mr. Brown's bequest had accumulated to upwards of ^30,000, 
 the interest of which is available for the maintenance of the 
 institution.' 
 
 ' The number of animals brought to the Brown Institution 
 for advice and treatment during 1882 amounted to 2,803. 
 This total comprised, 1,448 horses, 64 donkeys and mules, 
 14 goats, 169 cats, 665 dogs, 443 chickens, and various 
 smaller animals. Many of the cases were seen several times, 
 so that the total number of visits for treatment has been 4,588. 
 The patients admitted into the hospital of the institution 
 numbered 172 comprising 44 horses, 106 dogs, 20 cats, and 
 2 goats. Of these 121 were discharged cured or convalescent ; 
 while of the remainder, 9 were relieved, 24 died, and 14 were 
 destroyed, or discharged as incurable.' 
 
 We hardly need say that such an institution fully deserves 
 the approval and encouragement of all lovers of animals, and 
 especially of those who are the owners of them.
 
 Bands of Mercy. 281 
 
 JUVENILE HUMANE SOCIETIES 
 
 are also everywhere springing up, whose little members pledge 
 themselves not only to refrain from cruelty, and to be kind 
 to animals, but to prevail upon others as far as they can to 
 follow their example. We may particularly mention the 'Band 
 of Mercy ' movement, ' Little Folks Humane Society,' ' Guilds 
 of Humanity,' 'Dicky Bird' societies, etc., which already exist 
 in great numbers both in London and the country, as well as 
 on the Continent, and one recently established in Syria, where 
 an English lady, devoted to the cause of animals, worked 
 energetically for this purpose. 
 
 The thousands of little folks who compose these numerous 
 organizations are severally under the care of ladies and gentle- 
 men, who are deeply interested in the proper treatment of 
 animals. Short addresses and lectures having special reference 
 to the principles of humanity are given to them at their 
 periodical meetings ; and other educational means are used to 
 instruct them in their duties to everything that has life, while, 
 at the same time, they are encouraged in various ways in the 
 practice of kindness. 
 
 Surely we may see in the efforts and agencies we have 
 mentioned the true friends of animals ; and in the shining 
 forth of the light of humanity a sure precursor of happiness to 
 all God's creatures. 
 
 PROGRESS OF HUMANITY ABROAD. 
 
 Although the cause of humanity, as we have already shown, 
 was, during its infancy, scorned and laughed at by its enemies, 
 it has outlived all opposition ; and, if we may use a figure of 
 speech, it has now become a great tree deeply rooted, whose 
 branches, like those of the banyan tree, are spreading far and 
 wide into other lands, there taking root, and again throwing 
 out in all directions other branches, under which animals may 
 find shelter and protection against every form of cruelty. 
 
 Using another metaphor, Humanity, as a winged messenger, 
 is in every quarter of the wide world lifting up her voice, to 
 which people of almost every nation, kindred, and tongue lend 
 a listening ear, and are responding to her pleadings for gentle- 
 ness and kindness to be extended to all God's dumb creatures. 
 
 France, land of the witty, the warlike, and gay, has heard
 
 282 Friends of Animals. 
 
 this voice, which, passing over the snow-clad summits of the 
 Pyrenees, has found an echo down amongst the Spaniards, 
 whose natural characteristics are a curious mixture of pride, 
 suspicion, and generosity. 
 
 This voice has also travelled to Portugal, the land of buried 
 cities ; and to Switzerland, where the Alps rear their heads to 
 heaven, where glaciers glisten in the sunshine like seas of ice, 
 the land of dashing torrents and quiet lakes, rugged rocks and 
 beautiful valleys, where live a people or simple manners, 
 cleanly habits, of liberal thoughts, fair in their dealings, affec- 
 tionate one to another, moral and religious, lovers of song, 
 devoted to their country the home of Tell, Lavater, Zimmer- 
 mann, Rousseau, and Calvin. 
 
 In Italy, the land of beauty, music, sculpture, paintings, 
 poetry, and song, this voice has been raised, and has rever- 
 berated amongst the fine old buildings of Rome, Florence, 
 Turin, Milan, and of other towns where individual and 
 organized efforts are being successfully made to introduce a 
 new era of humanity to animals. 
 
 Austria and Germany have also given a welcome to this 
 voice of mercy, and in many important towns it has been heard 
 with marvellous effect ; laws have been passed for the special 
 protection and benefit of animals, many preventive measures 
 have been adopted, and several moral and educational agencies 
 are now in operation for the same object, and in every way to 
 improve their condition. 
 
 Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Holland, famed not only 
 for timber, dykes, and mills, but for fine, wild, rugged, grand 
 and majestic scenery, can boast of men and women who are 
 waging a war with the demon cruelty, and by constant progress 
 in their merciful efforts are proving themselves to be the true 
 friends of animals. 
 
 Russia, with its masses of ice and snow, with its crysta 
 palaces not made with hands, has given heed to humanity's 
 voice. St. Petersburg, with its grand buildings, quays, streets, 
 and statues ; and Moscow, with its far-famed bells and 
 churches, her towers and temples, both contain people of all 
 climes, many of whom are not unmindful of the claims of 
 animals. Amongst them are those of tender hearts and com- 
 passionate feelings, who, amid all the strife political, social, 
 and religious existing there, and convulsing the empire from
 
 Progress of Humanity Abroad. 283 
 
 its centre to its circumference, are devoting their energies, 
 time, money, and influence on behalf of dumb animals. 
 
 Egypt, with its many spots of hallowed ground, with its in- 
 teresting and historical associations, with its giant pyramids, 
 its buried cities, and the ever-flowing Nile, has, in some 
 measure, responded to the appeals for mercy and kindness 
 made to them by animals. Now, this country, so great in 
 ancient times, encourages education, learning, commerce, and 
 many useful branches of industry. In Alexandria and Cairo 
 are many whose hearts are in sympathy with suffering animals, 
 and who are quietly but perseveringly working to protect 
 them from ill usage. 
 
 The voice of humanity is extending wider and wider. It 
 has reached the Cape of Good 'Hope ; it is heard in India, 
 the land of sacred temples and rivers, of jewels and diamonds 
 rare. It has crossed the great deep to Australia, Tasmania, 
 New Zealand, and some of the islands of the sea, where it has 
 been effectually heard, and numbers of noble hearts are obey- 
 ing its dictates. 
 
 In the many states of America, from New York to distant 
 California, societies have been formed to advocate the claims 
 and to defend the rights of animals. Laws have been passed 
 for this object, and are rigidly enforced by these societies and 
 the friends of animals generally. Where Christianity lifts up 
 her voice, humanity must be heard and practised. Past 
 progress augurs well for the future welfare, and more humane 
 treatment, shall we say, of animals the wide world over. 
 
 HUMANITY AND PUBLIC MEN. 
 
 It has been well observed that mercy is as much a lesson 
 to be learned as any other maxim in moral philosophy. 
 Children and savages are often cruel because they do not 
 understand cruelty when they see it. 
 
 As human beings rank higher in the scale of creation and 
 intelligence than animals do, they are bound, on this account, 
 to treat them humanely, and to act as their protectors against 
 ill-usage in whatever form it may present itself. Animals are 
 given to man as a sacred trust which he can no more violate 
 with impunity than darkness can come from the sun. 
 Humanity to animals is every man's duty to practise indi-
 
 284 Friends of Animals. 
 
 vidually, while the advocacy of it is more particularly the duty 
 of public men. Of these we shall first refer to 
 
 MINISTERS OF RELIGION. 
 
 As Christianity and Humanity may be regarded as mother 
 and daughter, ministers of religion are therefore morally bound 
 by the principles they profess to hold and teach, to plead the 
 cause of the brute creation. In referring to man's duty to the 
 lower animals, and the under-current of kindness manifesting 
 itself towards them, the Rev. Thos. Jackson says in one of 
 his sermons on this subject : 
 
 ' It might be expected that a sentiment so deeply rooted in 
 the human breast, and so variously operating in all ages would 
 be amply illustrated, and its proper limits clearly defined in 
 the Holy Bible. Nor is that natural expectation disappointed. 
 The eloquent language of Scripture everywhere melts with 
 tenderness and compassion towards the dumb and brute 
 creation. The mind that does not recognise the truth will 
 miss the meaning and force of some of the most suggestive 
 parables and delicate analogies of revelation. The miraculous 
 speaking of Balaam's ass, for instance, " rebuked " more than 
 one sort of " madness " in the prophet. It was an additional 
 reason for sparing Nineveh, that doomed capital "wherein 
 were more than six score thousands who could not discern 
 their right hand from their left," that there were also in the 
 city " much cattle." Our blessed Saviour proved that it was 
 lawful to do a greater good on the Sabbath day, by reminding 
 His accusers that they themselves did a lesser, but still a real 
 good, when He said unto them, " What man shall there be 
 among you that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on 
 the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out ? 
 How much then is a man better than a sheep ?" Does he 
 wish to teach the blessed doctrine of the special Providence 
 of our Heavenly Father ? - He illustrates it by asserting that 
 not a sparrow droops its wing without His notice. " Are not 
 two sparrows sold for a farthing ? and one of them shall not 
 fall to the ground without your Father's knowledge." His un- 
 wearied watchfulness and infinite goodness were shown in the 
 care He bestowed on the meanest creatures, and would be 
 displayed far more conspicuously in the direction, the control, 
 the present and final salvation of them that love Him.'
 
 Appeal on BeJialf of Animals. 285 
 
 The inference to be deduced from the above remarks is 
 that as the teachings of Holy Writ, and especially those of 
 the Saviour, are characterized by the spirit of humanity, it is 
 the duty of all Christian ministers to enforce on their hearers 
 the practice of kindness to the lower animals. 
 
 MAGISTRATES, AND OTHERS. 
 
 Magistrates, and those armed with the power of the law, are 
 expected to be ' a terror to evil-doers, and a praise to those that 
 do well,' also to be dispensers of justice, upholders of right, and 
 the protectors of the helpless and innocent. If in these 
 things they fall short of their duty, they are not worthy either 
 of the honour or the power with which they are invested. 
 
 LEGISLATORS. 
 
 The laws passed for the good government of a country 
 should not only provide for the protection of the lives and 
 property of human beings, but for the defence of animals 
 too, because while those laws help to stem the torrent of 
 cruelty, which has always a demoralizing effect, they would 
 also aid all religious and humane efforts, and help to foster 
 morality, to bring peace, and to produce a higher, nobler, and 
 more refined feeling throughout society generally, especially 
 amongst those who may have the care of animals. Such 
 laws would act in many cases as a deterrent to those who 
 might be inclined to treat animals cruelly. 
 
 TEACHERS IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 Tutors in schools and in private families should remember 
 that 
 
 1 As the twig is bent the tree is inclined,' 
 
 and that as the minds and hearts of the young are more im- 
 pressible than those of riper years, they are bound not only to 
 impart useful knowledge to the youth committed to their care, 
 but to prune their hearts of evil propensities, and to ingraft in 
 them true generosity, tenderness and compassionate feeling, 
 and kindness to all living things. The necessity of attending 
 to what we have just stated will be seen in the following 
 extract from one of the tracts of the R.S.P.C to Animals: 
 ' When children grow up to be boys or lads they have 
 special need to be guarded against habits of cruelty, as many 
 of their amusements have that tendency ; such as birds-nesting,
 
 286 Friends of Animals. 
 
 cock-throwing, and the like. As an antidote to these habits 
 we should instil into young minds the domestic habits of 
 these creatures, their affection for their offspring, their attach- 
 ment to man when treated with gentleness, and the uses and 
 comforts to be derived from them.' 
 
 PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF YOUTH 
 will do well to consider the following remarks taken from a 
 tract entitled ' Humanity to Animals Recommended.' It says : 
 
 ' Not only is cruelty unnatural and abhorrent to the original 
 constitution of human nature, but it is peculiarly criminal in 
 man, considered as a sinner, whose very preservation in ex- 
 istence is only owing to the mercy of his Creator. Yet, 
 strange as it may appear, this monument of mercy, from the 
 cradle to the grave, is in innumerable instances prone to 
 tyrannize over all the subjects in his power. 
 
 ' Scarcely does the child possess the use of his fingers but 
 he begins to torment the fly that buzzes and plays around him, 
 and to deprive it of a leg or wing, in order to amuse himself 
 with its lameness or its misery. When the little hero grows 
 somewhat older, he sticks a pin through the cockchafer, and 
 is delighted with its agonies ; and there are parents so de- 
 praved that they encourage these cruelties, as if they did not 
 know that cruelty to animals is the direct road to cruelty to 
 our fellow-creatures, and to its final reward the gallows. 
 
 ' Children that are not checked in one cruel diversion will 
 naturally go to another. Sometimes it is shocking to see with 
 what barbarity the kitten or puppy is treated by the little 
 tyrants of the family. But children should be taught that 
 animals have feelings as well as men ; and that a blow on the 
 head or legs of these causes as much pain as we ourselves 
 would receive from the like violence. And perhaps in some 
 creatures of small and delicate contexture the pain may be 
 exquisite in proportion as the frame is tender. 
 
 1 " The poor beetle that we tread upon, 
 In corp'ral suff'ring feels a pang as great 
 As when a giant dies." SHAKESPEARE. 
 
 < An error very common among young people is that animals 
 are to be treated according to their beauty or deformity ; so 
 that the pretty robin is caressed with gentleness and tender- 
 ness, while the toad, though equally innocent, is pursued to
 
 Debasing Character of Cruelty. 287 
 
 death with relentless cruelty. But if the same spirit were to 
 grow with us in life, how lamentable would be its effects 1' 
 
 MASTERS AND SERVANTS. 
 
 As 'example is stronger than precept,' those who own 
 animals and wish them to be properly treated, should carry 
 out the law of kindness themselves as an inducement to others 
 to do the same. 
 
 CONSEQUENCE OF CRUELTY. 
 
 If indulged and delighted in, how it will grow and harden 
 the feelings ! Like every other sin, it is impossible to say to 
 what it may lead. In this way, perhaps, the murderer may ' 
 at first have given loose to the violence of his feelings, and, 
 by reason of not checking them, been led on in the current 
 of unsubdued passion to an awful end. Cruelty should there- 
 fore be curbed in the beginning, before the character and 
 habit become fixed. 
 
 ROUGH USAGE AND KIND TREATMENT. 
 We observed one day, when at the Victoria railway station, 
 a good-natured-looking cabman standing by his horse. Having 
 expressed our pleasure in seeing the animal in such good 
 condition, the owner said : ' Yes, sir, I flatter myself he is much 
 better cared for than he used to be. At one time he belonged 
 to a man who used him roughly, and that so spoiled his temper 
 that he became a regular jibber, and the man could do nothing 
 with him. The horse was then neglected, and became so poor 
 that he seemed to be worth little or nothing. So he asked me 
 to buy him. I did so, for seven pounds. I knew the horse only 
 required proper treatment in feeding,' grooming, and working 
 him. He has had it, and there he is, sir, as good, useful, and 
 willing a horse as ever comes into this station. He never jibs 
 now. I wouldn't take thirtypounds of any man's money for him, 
 if I had the chance to do so. So you see, sir, that after all, 
 
 ' KINDNESS PAYS THE BEST. 
 
 In the first place,' continued the cabman, ' a man who treats 
 his horse properly, has less trouble in making him go, while 
 it renders the animal all the more ready and able to do his 
 work \ so that there is a benefit on both sides. You may 
 depend upon it, sir, that horses are sensible enough to know
 
 288 Friends of Animals. 
 
 when they are treated as they ought to be, and, just like our- 
 selves, are affected accordingly. Then, on the other hand, 
 it's mean, base, and cowardly for a man to be cruel to a poor 
 brute that hasn't the chance of defending himself. What I've 
 got to say is : Treat your horse well, and you'll do well ; treat 
 him badly, and you'll do badly? 
 
 If animals have their vices they are seldom cured of them by 
 rough usage. Horses and other animals may require correction, 
 but it should be tempered with mercy, and administered, not 
 in anger, but calmly, firmly, and with judgment. This will do 
 more in making animals willingly subserve our purposes than 
 all the severity and cruelty in the world could ever effect. 
 
 Kindness is an angel of mercy who spreads her sheltering 
 wings to stay the savage blow, and to lessen the tortures in- 
 flicted by the demon Cruelty. She opens the mouth of 
 humanity for dumb animals ; is the advocate of their rights, 
 and her heaven-born mission is one of light, health, and 
 happiness to all living creatures. 
 
 As man never appears more noble and dignified than when 
 he sympathizes with those in suffering, and tries to soften the 
 sorrows and to relieve the pains of others, be they human 
 beings or the lower animals, we would say to our readers : 
 
 ' Ever let your hearts be tender, 
 
 For the dumb and helpless plead ; 
 Pitying leads to prompt relieving, 
 Kindly thought to kindly deed.' 
 
 Everything on the earth, in the heavens, in the air, and in 
 the deep blue sea bears the impress of God's love and kind- 
 ness, and they say to us in ten thousand ways, ' Be ye therefore 
 merciful, as your Father also is merciful.' Unnumbered 
 testimonies in favour of kindness and gentleness come now 
 from our lunatic asylums, our factories, our mines, our uni- 
 versities, our schools, our homes, and from every living thing 
 in the animal kingdom ; and we may hear them in one loud, 
 grand, and universal voice, proclaiming to the wide earth that 
 
 ' KINDNESS HATH ITS VICTORIES, 
 GREATER THAN THOSE OF WAR. 1 
 
 THE END. 
 
 tILLING AND SONS, PRINTERS, GU1LDFORD AND LONDON.
 
 NEW, POPULAR, 
 
 AND 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BOOKS, 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 LIBRARY, PRESENTATION, &c. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 \l 
 
 /I 
 
 THOMAS BEWICK. 
 
 yi: TIATHXR or 
 
 HODHHNWOOD IflGRAVIHC. 
 
 13, Paternoster Row, 
 
 LONDON, E.G. 
 
 EDITION DE LUXE. 
 
 WITH STOTHARD'S ILLUSTRATIONS, ENGRAVED BY HEATH. 
 In one volume, demy 8vo., cloth, 155. ; half morocco extra, gilt edges, 255. 
 
 The Life and Adventures of Robinson 
 
 Crusoe, with a Sketch of De Foe, by HENRY J. NICOLL. (Printed 
 from a new fount of old-faced type.) 
 
 NOTE. This is a complete, unabridged edition of De Foe's masterpiece, with all the twenty- 
 two beautiful Illustrations from the Drawings by THOMAS STOTHARD, R.A., 
 engraved by CHARLES HEATH. These Illustrations are now printed from the 
 Original Copper Plates, which were produced at great cost, and are still in perfect con- 
 dition, having been steel-faced to preserve them. Copies of the Original Edition 
 containing these plates, published by Messrs. Cadell and Davies in 1820, now fetch 
 a high price in the auction rooms. 
 
 Manuals of Self-Culture for Young 
 
 Men and Women. 
 
 1. The Secret of Success. See page 6. 
 
 2. Plain Living and High Thinking. Seepages. 
 
 3. Woman's Work and Worth. See page 4. 
 
 4. Hood's Guide to English Versification. See page 13. 
 
 5. Landmarks of English Literature. See page 4.
 
 2 NEW, POPULAR, AND ILLUSTRATED BOOKS 
 
 WITH SEVENTY-FIVE WOOD ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 Small crown 8vo., 288 pp., cloth, price 2s. 6d. j gilt edges, 33. 
 
 Facts and Phases of Animal Life, and 
 
 the Claims of Animals to Humane Treatment. Interspersed with 
 Original and Amusing Anecdotes. By VERNON S. MORWOOD, 
 Lecturer to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 
 Animals. 
 
 CONTENTS : 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 1. WONDERFUL FACTS ABOUT ANIMALS. 
 
 2. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. [PONDS. 
 
 3. A HUNT IN OUR DITCHES AND HORSE- 
 
 4. BUZZINGS FROM A BEEHIVE. 
 
 . 5. SPINNERS AND WEAVERS. [GERS. 
 
 6. BLACK LODGERS AND MINIATURE SCAVEN- 
 
 7. INSECTS IN LIVERY, AND TINY BOAT- 
 
 BUILDERS. 
 
 8. OUR BIRDS OF FREEDOM. 
 
 9. OUR FEATHERED LABOURERS ', THEIR 
 
 WORK AND WAGES. 
 
 10. IN THE BUILDING LINE ; OR, BIRD 
 
 HOMES AND FAMILY TIES. 
 
 11. BIRD SINGERS IN NATURE'S TEMPLE. 
 
 12. CHANTICLEER AND HIS FAMILY. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 13. MINERS OF THE SOIL. 
 
 14. ACTIVE WORKERS, WITH LONG TAILS AND 
 
 PRICKLY COATS. [OUT. 
 
 IS- NOCTURNAL RAMBLERS ON THE LOOK- 
 
 16. QUAINT NEIGHBOURS AND THEIR SHAGGY 
 
 RELATIONS. [TORS. 
 
 17. OUR FURRY FRIENDS AND THEIR ANCES- 
 
 18. OUR CANINE COMPANIONS AND TENANTS 
 
 OF THE KENNEL. 
 
 19. RELATIONSHIP OF MAN AND ANIMALS. 
 
 20. CAN ANIMALS TALK AND REASON? 
 
 21. USEFUL LINKS IN NATURE'S CHAIN. 
 
 22. CLIENTS WORTH PLEADING FOR. 
 CLASSIFICATION OF ANIMALS, GLOSSARY, 
 
 AND INDEX. 
 
 " We have read parts of this work with great pleasure, and intend to go through it page by 
 page for our own personal delectation. Two-and-sixpence will be well spent upon a book 
 which teaches humanity to animals while it amuses the youthful reader." Sword and Trowel. 
 
 " It would serve well for a gift-hook." Guardian. 
 
 " The peculiarities of nearly two hundred animals to be found in this country are described 
 in a manner which is throughout entertaining." Dundee Advertiser. 
 
 " This copiously illustrated little volume is crowded with useful facts and interesting anec- 
 dotes." Echo. 
 
 "A decided improvement on the general run of natural histories for young people." Daily 
 Chronicle. 
 
 " Young people with a taste for natural history will be delighted with its pages, and we can 
 strongly recommend it for either a prize or an addition to the school library." School Nevis- 
 paper. 
 
 An excellent little book." Daily News. 
 
 " A capital natural histor> book." Graphic. 
 
 " Crammed with good stories. " Sheffield Independent. 
 
 WITH SEVENTY-EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Small crown 8vo., 288 pp., cloth, price 2s. 6d. ; gilt edges, 33. 
 
 Far-Famed Tales from the Arabian 
 
 Nights' Entertainments. Illustrated with Seventy-eight wood 
 Engravings, and carefully revised for Young Readers. 
 CONTENTS : 
 
 THE FISHERMAN AND THE GENIE> 
 
 THE GREEK KING AND DAUBAN THE PHYSICIAN. 
 
 THE VIZIER WHO WAS PUNISHED. 
 
 THE STORY OF THE KING OF THE BLACK.ISLES. 
 
 THE STORY OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR ', OR, 
 
 THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA. 
 THE SLEEPER AWAKENED. 
 
 THE STORY OF ALADDIN ; OR, THE WONDER- 
 FUL LAMP. 
 
 THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALIPH HAROUN 
 ALRASCHID. 
 
 THE STORY OF BABA ABDALLA. 
 
 THE STORY OF COGIA HASSAN ALHABBAL. 
 
 ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Row, E.G.
 
 FOR THE LIBRARY, PRESENTATION, &c. 
 
 WITH EIGHTY-ONE ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Small crown 8vo., 288 pp., cloth, price 2s. 6d. 5 gilt edges, 35. 
 
 Wonderful Animals: Working, 
 
 Domestic, and Wild. Their Structure, Habits, Homes, and Uses 
 Descriptive, Anecdotical, and Amusing. By VERNON S. MOR- 
 WOOD, Author of "Facts and Phases of Animal Life," and 
 Lecturer to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 
 
 Animals. 
 
 CONTENTS : 
 
 AND ENDS ABOUT 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 1. CUBIOUS ODDS 
 
 ANIMALS. 
 
 2. PEEPS DOWN A MICROSCOPE. 
 
 3. LILLIPUTIAN SUBJECTS OF THE ANIMAL 
 
 KINGDOM. 
 
 4. INSECT ABMIES, AND HOW BECBUITED. 
 
 5. AN UNDEBGBOUND CITY OF LITTLE 
 
 PEOPLE. 
 
 6. FISH IN ABMOUB. 
 
 7. FIBST COUSINS, OB OUB BIBDS IN BLACK. 
 
 8. FEATHEKED FEEDEBS ON FISH, FLESH, 
 
 AND FOWL. 
 
 Q. PEACEFUL MONABCHS OF THE LAKE. 
 IO. BIPED TENANTS OF THE FABM YABD. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 11. FOBEST ACBOBATS, LITTLE MABAUDERS, 
 
 AND FLYING ODDITIES. 
 
 12. FEEBLE FOLK, FISHEBS, AND POACHERS. 
 
 13. BBISTLY PACHYDEBMS, WILD AND TAME. 
 
 14. ABISTOCBACY OF ANIMALS. 
 
 15. AN ANCIENT FAMILY. 
 
 16. LOWINGS FBOM THE FIELD AND SHED. 
 
 17. FOUB-FOOTED HYBBIDS, OB HALF-AND- 
 
 HALF BELATIONS. 
 
 18. OUB DONKEYS AND THEIB K1NDKED. 
 
 19. EVERYBODY'S FRIEND. 
 
 20. ANECDOTES OF EVERYBODY'S FRIEND. 
 
 21. FOES OF ANIMALS. 
 
 22. FEIENDS OF ANIMALS. 
 
 WITH TWENTY-EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Small crown 8vo., 288 pp., cloth, price 2s. 6d. ; gilt edges, 35. 
 
 The Shoes of Fortune, and other 
 
 Fairy Tales. By HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN. With a Bio- 
 graphical Sketch of the Author, a Portrait, and Twenty-seven 
 Illustrations by OTTO SPECKTER and others. 
 
 CONTENTS : 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH : HANS CHBISTIAN 
 
 ANDERSEN, HIS LIFE AND GENIUS. 
 THE SHOES OF FORTUNE ; 
 I. A BEGINNING. 
 II. WHAT BEFELL THE COUNCILLOR. 
 
 in. THE WATCHMAN'S ADVENTURE. 
 
 IV. A MOMENT OF HEAD IMPOBTANCE. 
 
 AN EVENING'S "DBAMATIC READ- 
 INGS." A MOST STRANGE JOUBNEY. 
 
 V. THE METAMORPHOSIS OF THE COPY- 
 
 ING CLERK. 
 VI. THE BEST THAT THE GOLOSHES GAVE. 
 
 THE FIB-TBEE. 
 
 FIVE FROM A POD. 
 
 THE STEADY TIN SOLDIER, 
 
 TWELVE BY THE POST. 
 
 THE FEARSOME UGLY DUCKLING, THAT 
 TURNED OUT TO BE A SWAN. 
 
 THE SHEPHERDESS AND THE CHIMNEY- 
 SWEEP. 
 
 THE SNOW-QUEEN, IN SEVEN STORIES : 
 
 I. WHICH TBEATS OF A MIBBOR AND 
 
 OF THE SPLINTERS. 
 II. A LITTLE BOY AND A LITTLE GIRL. 
 
 III. THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 
 
 IV. THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS. 
 V. THE LITTLE ROBBER-MAIDEN. 
 
 VI. THE LAPLAND WOMAN AND THE 
 
 FINLAND WOMAN. 
 
 VII. IN THE PALACE OF THE SNOW- 
 QUEEN, AND WHAT HAPPENED 
 AFTERWARD. 
 
 THE LITTLE OCEAN-MAID. 
 
 THE ELFIN MOUND. 
 
 OLD WINK, WINK, WINK. 
 
 THE LEAP-FROG. 
 
 'THE ELDER BUSH. 
 
 THE BELL. 
 
 HOLGER DANSKE. 
 
 THE EMPEROR FREDERICK BARBAROSSA. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Eow, E.G.
 
 OUR FIRST GREAT NOVELISTS. 
 
 JOHNSON AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES. 
 
 THE NEW ERA IN POETRY. 
 
 SIR WALTER SCOTT ANF THE PROSE LITERA- 
 TURE OF THE EARLY PART OF THE NINE- 
 TEENTH CENTURY. 
 
 OUR OWN TIMES. 
 
 PERIODICALS, REVIEWS, AND ENCYCLOPEDIAS. 
 
 4 NEW, POPULAR, AND ILLUSTRATED BOOKS 
 
 Small crown 8vo., 472 pp., cloth, price 6s. 
 
 Landmarks of English Literature. 
 
 By HENRY J. NICOLL, Author of " Great Movements," &c. 
 
 CONTENTS : 
 
 INTRODUCTION : Explains the Plan of the 
 Book, and gives some Hints on the Study 
 of Literature. 
 
 THE DAWN OP ENGLISH LITERATURE. 
 THE ELIZABETHAN ERA. 
 
 THE SUCCESSORS OF THE ELIZABETHANS. 
 THE LITERATURE OF THE RESTORATION. 
 THE WITS OF QUEEN ANNE'S TIME. 
 
 " We can warmly commend this excellent manual. Mr. Nicoll is a fair and sensible critic 
 himself, and knows how to use with skill and judgment the opinions of other critics. His 
 book has many competitors to contend with, but will be found to hold its own with the best of 
 them." St. yamess Gazette. 
 
 " Mr. Nicoll's facts are commendably accurate, and his style is perfectly devoid of pre- 
 tentiousness, tawdriness, and mannerism, for which relief in the present day an author always 
 deserves much thanks from his critics." Saturday Review. 
 
 " Mr. Nicoll has performed his task with great tact, much literary skill, and with great 
 critical insight. No better book could be put into the hands of one who wishes to know some- 
 thing of our great writers, but who has not time to read their works himself ; and no better 
 guide to the man of leisure who desires to know the best works of our best writers and to study 
 these in a thorough manner. Mr. Nicoll's literary estimates are judicious, wise, and just in 
 an eminent degree." Edinburgh Daily Review. 
 
 " Mr. Nicoll's well-arranged volume will be of service to the student and interesting to the 
 general reader. Biography and history are combined with criticism, so that the men are seen 
 
 as well as their works The copious and careful table of chronology gives a distinct 
 
 value to the book as a work of reference. The volume is without pretension, and deserves 
 praise for simplicity of purpose, as well as for careful workmanship." Spectator. 
 
 Crown 8vo., 576 pp., cloth, price 6s. 6d. ; gilt edges, 73. 
 
 Woman's Work and Worth in Girl- 
 hood, Maidenhood, and Wifehood. With Hints on Self-Culture 
 and Chapters on the Higher Education and Employment of 
 Women. By W. H. DAVENPORT ADAMS. 
 
 "It is a small thing to say that it is excellent, and it is only justice to add that this all-im 
 pottant subject is dealt with in a style at once masterly, erudite, charming." Social Notes. 
 
 "As an aid and incitement to self-culture in girls, and pure and unexceptionable in tone, 
 this book may be very thoroughly recommended, and deserves a wide circulation." English- 
 woman's Review. 
 
 " It is a noble record of the work of women and one of the very best books which 
 
 can be placed in the hands of a girl." Scholastic World. 
 
 WITH EIGHT PORTRAITS, 464 pp., crown 8vo., cloth, price 6s. 
 
 Great Movements and those who 
 
 Achieved Them. By HENRY J. NICOLL, Author of " Landmarks 
 of English Literature," &c. 
 
 " A useful book Such work .... should always find its reward in an age too busy 
 
 or too careless to search out for itself the sources of the great streams of modern civilization." 
 Times. 
 
 " An excellent series of biographies It has the merit of bespeaking our sympathies, 
 
 not as books of this class are rather apt to do, on the ground of mere success, but rather on the. 
 higher plea of adherence to a lofty standard of duty." Daily News. 
 
 ' Immense .benefit might be done by adopting it as a prize book for young people in the 
 upper classes of most sorts of schools." School Board Chronicle. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Row, E.C
 
 FOR THE LIBRARY, PRESENTATION, &c. 5 
 
 NEW VOLUMES OF STORIES BY MR. HOPE. 
 WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS ON TONED PAPER. 
 
 Small crown 8vo., 352 pp., cloth, price 33. 6d. ; gilt edges, 43. 
 
 Our Homemade Stories. By Ascott 
 
 R. HOPE, Author of" Stories of Young Adventurers," &c. 
 CONTENTS : 
 
 Introduction .... Spinning a Story. 
 
 1. PLATING THE FOOL - - - A Story of a Lady's School. 
 
 2. My DESERT ISLAND - - - A Story of the Canadian Backwoods. 
 
 3. THE BLACK BOOK - A Story of a Juvenile Cause Cettbre. 
 
 4. CROSSING THE LINE A Story of Sea Life. 
 
 5. CAUGHT OUT A Story told in a Train. 
 
 6. A SCENE FROM HISTORY - - A Story of a French Revolution. 
 
 7. THE GUISARDS A Story of Scotland. 
 
 8. THE SECRET SOCIETY - - - A Story of School Life. 
 
 9. AT THE MASTHEAD - - - A Story of a Storm on Shore, 
 ib. A NIGHT IN THE BLACK FOREST A Story of Strange Adventure. 
 it. BABY BOY .... A Story of the Latin Grammar. 
 12. THE BANSHEE A Story of Ireland. 
 
 " Mr. Hope throws himself instinctively into his most dramatic incidents from the boys' 
 point of view, and is humorous within the limits of their easy appreciation. We own to 
 having laughed aloud over some of his drolkries ; nor can anything be much better in this 
 way than the dialogue in My Desert Island." Times. 
 
 " Mr. Hope understands boy nature through and through, and can get hold of their atten- 
 tion in a way entirely his own All manner of adventures at school, at home, and at 
 
 sea, are narrated with equal vivacity and good sense." Bookseller. 
 
 " There is great variety in this volume, .... and the heroes are not model characters, but 
 real boys There is a pleasant vein of humour running through the book that is unfor- 
 tunately rare in tales for the young of the present day." Manchester Examiner. 
 
 " All the stories are capitally told, the interest is varied and equally maintained, and it is 
 difficult to say which is the most delightful." St. James's Gazette. 
 
 " Happily hits boyish taste." Graphic. 
 
 "Romances of the kind which boys yes, and girls too will greatly enjoy." Post. 
 
 " The stories are of precisely the kind to hold boys spell-bound, and are entirely free of 
 goodiness ; full of exciting interest, humour, and sound sense ; and withal so high in tone, that 
 no boy can help being the better for reading them." Christian World. 
 
 WITH NINETEEN ILLUSTRATIONS BY GORDON BROWNE. 
 
 Small crown 8vo., 352 pp., cloth, price 35. 6d. ; gilt edges, 45. 
 
 Evenings away from Home : A 
 
 Modern Miscellany of Entertainment for Young Masters and 
 Misses. By ASCOTT R. HOPE, Author of "Our Homemade 
 Stories," etc. 
 CONTAINING, AMONG OTHER ENTERTAINING AND INSTRUCTIVE ARTICLES : 
 
 The Astonishing Adventures of Jack Robinson. 
 
 Remarkable Travels in Undiscovered Regions. 
 
 The Holiday Task, a First-class Magazine written by Juveniles for Juveniles. 
 
 The Champion Charades of the Universe. 
 
 The Trials and Travels of an Ancient Adventurer. 
 
 Sketches of Manners and Customs in Monkey Land. 
 
 Three Ghost Stories, with Moonlight and Gooseflesh Effects. 
 
 A Tale of Horror in the best style of the Penny Dreadfuls. 
 
 Early Efforts of Promising Poets. 
 
 The Knight of the Woods, a Thrilling Romance of Chivalry. 
 
 Stories of School Life, etc., by the Nine Muses. 
 
 Tales about Giants, Princesses, Pirates, Indians, Enchanters, Smugglers, etc., etc. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Row, E.O.
 
 6 NEW, POPULAR, AND ILLUSTRATED BOOKS 
 
 WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS ON TONED PAPER. 
 
 Fourth edition, small crown 8vo., 384 pp., cloth, price 33 . 6d. ; gilt edges, 45. 
 
 The Secret of Success ; or, How to 
 
 Get on in the World. With some Remarks upon True and False 
 Success, and the Art of making the Best Use of Life. Inter- 
 spersed with Numerous Examples and Anecdotes. By W. H. 
 DAVENPORT ADAMS, Author of " Plain Living and. High Think- 
 ing," etc. 
 
 " Mr. Adams's work is in some respects more practical than Mr. Smiles's. He takes his 
 illustrations more from the world of business and commerce, and their application is unmis- 
 takeable .... There is much originality and power displayed in the manner in which he 
 impresses his advice on his readers." Aberdeen Journal. 
 
 " There is a healthy, honest ring in its advice, and a wise discrimination between true and 
 
 false success Many a story of success and failure helps to point its moral." Bradford 
 
 Observer. 
 
 " The field which Mr. Adams traverses is so rich, extensive, and interesting, that his book 
 is calculated to impart much sound moral philosophy of a kind and in a form that will be 
 
 appreciated by a large number of readers The book is otherwise a mine of anecdote 
 
 relating to men who have not only got on in the world, but whose names are illustrious as 
 benefactors to their kind." Dundee Advertiser. 
 
 WITH TWO COLOURED PLATES AND EIGHT PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Third edition, small crown 8vo., 400 pp., cloth, price 33. 6d. ; gilt edges, 43. 
 
 Our Redcoats and Bluejackets : War 
 
 Pictures on Land and Sea. Forming a Continuous Narrative of 
 the Naval and Military History of England from the year 1793 to 
 the Present Time, including the Afghan and Zulu Campaigns, 
 Interspersed with Anecdotes and Accounts of Personal Service. 
 By HENRY STEWART, Author of " Highland Regiments and their 
 Battles," " The Romance of the Sea," etc. With a Chronological 
 List of England's Naval and Military Engagements. 
 
 "A capital collection of graphic sketches of p_lucky and brilliant achievements afloat and 
 ashore, and has, moreover, the advantage of being a succinct narrative of historical events. 
 It is, in fact, the naval and military history of England told in a series of effective tableaux." 
 The World. 
 
 11 It is not a mere collection of scraps and anecdotes about our soldiers and sailors, but a 
 history of their principal achievements since the beginning of the war in 1793. The book has 
 charms for others than lads." Scotsman. 
 
 " Besides beinga work of thrilling interest as a mere story-book, it will also be most valuable as 
 a historical work for the young, who are far more likely to remember such interesting historical 
 
 pictures than the dry lists of dates and battles which they find in their school-books 
 
 Possesses such a genuine interest as no work of fiction could surpass." Aberdeen Journal. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Row, E.G.
 
 FOR THE LIBRARY, PRESENTATION, &c. 7 
 
 WITH UPWARDS OF 300 ENGRAVINGS BY BEWICK AND OTHERS. 
 
 FOURTH AND CHEAP EDITION. 
 
 Large crown 8vo., 520 pp., cloth, price 33. 6d. ; gilt edges, 45. 
 
 The Parlour Menagerie : Wherein 
 
 are exhibited, in a Descriptive and 
 Anecdotical form, the Habits,Resources, 
 and Mysterious Instincts of the more 
 Interesting Portions of the Animal 
 Creation. Dedicated by permission 
 to the Right Hon. the Baroness 
 Burdett-Coutts (President) and the 
 Members of the Ladies' Committee 
 of the Royal Society for the Preven- 
 tion of Cruelty to Animals. 
 
 From Professor OWEN, C.B., F.R.S., &c. 
 
 (Director, Natural History Depart., B. Museum). 
 
 To the Editor of the Parlour Menagerie. 
 
 " The early love of Nature, especially as manifes- 
 ted by the Habits and Instincts of Animals to which WHITE EYELID MANGABEY. 
 you refer, in your own case, is so common to a Specimen of the 66 Wood En- 
 healthy boy's nature, that the Parlour Menagerie, a growings by Thomas Bewick 
 work so singularly full of interesting examples culled ** the "Parlour Menagerie." 
 from so wide a range of Zoology, and so fully and beautifully illustrated cannot 
 fail.,to be a favourite with the rising generation and many succeeding ones of 
 Juvenile Naturalists. When I recall the ' Description of 300 Animals ' (including 
 the Cockatrice and all Pliny's monsters) which fed my early appetite for Natural 
 History, I can congratulate my grandchildren on being provided with so much 
 more wholesome food through your persevering and discriminating labours. 
 
 "RICHARD OWEN." 
 
 From the Right Hon. JOHN BRIGHT, M.P. 
 To the Editor, Parlour Menagerie. 
 
 " I doubt not the Parlour Menagerie will prove very interesting, as indeed it has 
 already been found to be by those of my family who have read it. I hope one of 
 the effects of our better public education will be to create among our population 
 a more humane disposition towards what we call the inferior animals. Much may 
 be done by impressing on the minds of children the duty of kindness in their treat- 
 ment of animals, and I hope this will not be neglected by the teachers of our 
 
 schools I feel sure what you have done will bear good fruit. 
 
 "JOHN BRIGHT." 
 
 ' ' The Parlour Menagerie is well named. Full as an egg of information and most 
 agreeable reading and engravings, where before was there such a menagerie ?" 
 Animal World. 
 
 "We have never seen a better collection of anecdotes and descriptions of animals 
 than this, and it has the great advantage of numerous and admirable woodcuts. 
 Pictorial illustrations form an important and valuable addition to any such collection. 
 Those in the book before us are of remarkable excellence We highly com- 
 mend the spirit which pervades the book, a spirit intensely alien to cruelty of every 
 kind. A great deal of care and trouble has evidently been devoted to the compi- 
 lation of this book. On the whole, it is one of the very best of its kind, and we 
 warrant both its usefulness and acceptability." Literary World. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Row, E.C.
 
 8 NEW, POPULAR, AND ILLUSTRATED BOOKS 
 
 WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS ON TONED PAPER. 
 Second edition, small crown 8vo., 352 pp., cloth, price 35. 6d. ; gilt edges, 45. 
 
 Boys and their Ways : A Book for and 
 
 about Boys. By ONE WHO KNOWS THEM. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Chaps, i. The Boy at Home. 2. The Boy at School. 3. The Boy in the Play- 
 ground. 4. The Boy in his Leisure Hours. 5. Bad Boys. 6. Friendships of 
 Boys. 7. The Boy in the Country. 8. How and What to Read. 9. Boy- 
 hood of Famous Men. 10. The Ideal Boy. 
 
 " The table of contents gives such a bill of fare as will render the boy into whose hands 
 this book falls eager to enjoy the feast prepared for him. . . . We venture to predict for this 
 charming book a popularity equal to 'Self-Help.' . . . No better gift could be put into a boy's 
 hands, and it will become a standard work for the school library." Scholastic World. 
 
 "Who the author of this book is, has been kept a secret, and the anonymity we regret, 
 because the work is one with which no writer need be ashamed to identify his name and stake 
 his reputation." Edinburgh Daily Review. 
 
 " It is a boy's book of the best style." Aberdeen Journal. 
 
 WITH EIGHT PORTRAITS ON TONED PAPER. 
 
 Dedicated by permission to the Rt. Hon. W. E. GLADSTONE, M.P., &>c. 
 Third edition, small crown 8vo., 384 pp., cloth, price 33. 6d.; gilt edges, 45. 
 
 Plain Living and High Thinking; or, 
 
 Practical Self-Culture : Moral, Mental, and Physical. By W. H. 
 DAVENPORT ADAMS, Author of " The Secret of Success, &c. 
 
 PART I. MORAL SELF-CULTURE. 
 Chap. I. At Home. I Chap. 3. Character. 
 
 ,, 2. Life Abroad. 4. Conduct. 
 
 PART II. MENTAL SELF-CULTURE. 
 
 Chap. i. How to Read. 
 
 Chaps. 2 to 9. Courses of Reading in English Poetry, History, Biography, Fiction, 
 Travel and Discovery, Theology, Philosophy and Metaphysics, Miscellaneous 
 Science and Scientific Text Books. Chap. 10. How to write : English Com- 
 position. 
 
 PART III. PHYSICAL SELF-CULTURE. 
 " Mens sana in corpore sano." 
 
 We like the thorough way in which Mr. Adams deals with ' Self-Culture : Moral, Mental 
 ' 
 
 e e te toroug way n wc r. ams eas wt e-uture : Mora, Mental 
 
 and Physical.' His chapter on the courtesies of home life, and the true relation between 
 
 parent and child, is specially valuable nowadays. . . He certainly answers the question, 
 
 Is life worth living ?' in a most triumphant affirmative." Graphic. 
 
 " Books for young men are constantly appearing some of them genuine, earnest, and 
 
 ng i 
 
 this most valuable volume." Sword and Trowel. 
 " 
 
 ts most vauae voume. wor an rowe. 
 
 " A better book of the class in all respects we have seldom had the pleasure to notice. . . . 
 We cannot too strongly recommend it to young men." young Men's Christian Association 
 
 Mmttklv TJntf>s. 
 
 Monthly Notes. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Row, E.G.
 
 FOR THE LIBRARY, PRESENTATION, &c. 
 
 : The best book of the kind." ) rr ., ~ ... , , r . 
 
 , . . . ^ , j- > Vide Critical Notices. 
 A complete Society Encyclopedia. 
 
 With Frontispiece, small crown 8vo., 352 pp., handsomely bound in cloth, 
 price 3s. 6d. ; gilt edges, 45. 
 
 The Glass of Fashion : A Universal 
 
 Handbook of Social Etiquette and Home Culture for Ladies 
 and Gentlemen. With Copious and Practical Hints upon the 
 Manners and Ceremonies of every Relation in Life at Home, 
 in Society, and at Court. Interspersed with Numerous Anecdotes. 
 By the LOUNGER IN SOCIETY. 
 
 CONTENTS : 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 1. AT HOME. 
 
 2. ABROAD. 
 
 3. THB PHILOSOPHY OF DINNERS. 
 
 4. THE BALL. 
 
 5. THE PHILOSOPHY OF DRESS. 
 
 6. THE ART OF CONVERSATION. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 7. THE ETIQUETTE OF WEDDINGS. 
 
 8. AT COURT. 
 
 9. HINTS ABOUT TITLES. 
 
 10. A HEALTHY LIFE. 
 
 11. TWO CENTURIES OF MAXIMS UPON HANKERS. 
 
 12. THE HOUSEHOLD. 
 
 " The most sensible book on etiquette that we remember to have seen." Pall Mall Gazette. 
 
 " This book may be considered a new departure in the class of works to which it belongs. 
 1 1 treats etiquette 'from a liberal point of view,' and amply fulfils its purpose. " Casselfs Papers. 
 
 " Useful, sensibly written, and full of amusing illustrative anecdotes." Morning Post. 
 
 " Creditable to the good sense and taste, as well as to the special information of its author." 
 Telegraph. 
 
 " The book is the best of the kind yet produced, and no purchaser of it will regret his invest- 
 ment." Bristol Mercury. 
 
 "Those who live in dread lest they should not do the ' correct thing * should procure the 
 book, which is a complete society encyclopaedia. " Glasgow News. 
 
 ^ WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS ON TONED PAPER. 
 
 Second edition, small crown 8vo., 352 pp., cloth, price 35. 6d. ; gilt edges, 43. 
 
 Girls and their Ways : A Book for and 
 
 about Girls. By ONE WHO KNOWS THEM. 
 CONTENTS : 
 
 CHAP. | CHAP. 
 
 I. THE GIRL AT HOME. DAB, ; OR, ALL THE YEAR ROUND IN 
 
 2. THE GIRL IN HER LEISURE HOURS. 
 
 3. THE GIRL AT SCHOOL THE GIRL AND HER 
 
 FRIENDS. 
 
 4. THE GIRL ABROAD: CHARACTER SKETCHES. 
 
 5. A GIRL'S GARDEN : IN PROSE AND 
 
 POETRY. 
 
 THE GIRL S GARDEN. 
 
 7. THE GIRL'S LIBRARY WHAT TO READ. 
 
 8. THE GIRWN THE COUNTRY PASTIME FOR 
 
 LEISURE HOURS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. 
 
 9. WHAT THE GIRL MIGHT AND SHOULD BE : 
 
 EXAMPLES OF NOBLE GIRLS FROM THE 
 
 6. THE GIRL'S AMATEUR GARDENER'S CALEN- LIVES OF NOBLE WOMEN. 
 
 " It aims high, and it hits the mark." Literary World. 
 
 " Books prepared for girls are too often so weak and twaddly as to be an insult to the intel- 
 lect of girlhood. This new work is an exception." Daily Review (Edinburgh). 
 
 "Worthy of a somewhat longer analysis than we shall be able to give it Parents 
 
 will be benefited by its perusal as well as their daughters. .... the more so that it is not 
 written in a dry homiletic style, but with a living kindness and sympathy." Queen. 
 
 " A long list of books is given both for study and amusement. This list is selected with care 
 and without prejudice, and should prove a great assistance to girls in doubt what to read. 
 .... It is a sensible and well-written book, full of information and wholesome thoughts for 
 and about girls. " St. James's Budget. 
 
 "Home duties, amusement, social claims and appropriate literature, are subjects succes- 
 sively treated, and treated with both knowledge and sound judgment." Pall Mall Gazette. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Bow, E.C.
 
 io NEW, POPULAR, AND ILLUSTRATED BOOKS 
 
 Southey's Edition, with Life of Bunyan, &c. 
 
 Illustrated with the Original Wood Blocks by W HARVEY. 
 
 Large crown 8vo., 402 pp., cloth, price 33. 6d. ; gilt edges, 43. 
 
 The Pilgrim's Progress. In Two 
 
 Parts. By JOHN BUNYAN. With Bibliographical Notes, and a 
 Life of the Author, by ROBERT SOUTHEY ; Portrait and Auto- 
 graph of BUNYAN, and Thirty Wood Engravings by W. HARVEY, 
 from the Original Blocks. The Text in large type (Small Pica). 
 This is a reprint (with additional notes) of the deservedly admired 
 edition of Bunyan's Immortal Allegory, published by John Major, 
 London, 1830, at 2 is., which was highly eulogized by Sir Walter 
 Scott and Lord Macaulay. 
 
 "This reprint, at a very moderate price, may be regarded as a popular boon." Daily 
 Telegraph. 
 
 " An excellent edition of the great allegory. It contains Southey's ' Life,' which certainly 
 stands first for literary merit." Pall Mall Gazette. 
 
 " Costlier editions are on sale, but none produced with more taste than this one." Dispatch. 
 
 "A real service has been rendered for those who want a thoroughly readable copy of ' The 
 Pilgrim's Progress.'" Literary World. 
 
 'The whole book is reproduced in excellent fashion." Scotsman. 
 
 " This edition has exceptional claims upon public favour. The late poet laureate's biography 
 is in his best manner, while Harvey's effective woodcuts are in themselves a feature of very 
 considerable interest to lovers of British art. In the matter of typography and general get-up 
 the reprint is in every respect superior to the original edition, and the low price at which the 
 book is published should tempt many to obtain a copy. The binding and decorations are very 
 effective, and the volume is fitted to grace any drawing-room table." Oxford Times. 
 
 Second Edition, with Eight Engravings after Celebrated Painters. 
 Small crown 8vo., 392 pp., cloth, price 33. 6d. ; gilt edges, 45. 
 
 The Church Seasons, Historically 
 
 and Poetically Illustrated. By ALEXANDER H. GRANT, M.A., 
 
 Author of " Half-Hours with our Sacred Poets." 
 
 IS* The aim has been to trace the origin and history of the Festivals and Fasts of 
 the Ecclesiastical Year, and to illustrate in poetry the circumstances under 
 which they began and continue to be celebrated, and the principal ideas and 
 doctrines which they severally incorporate. 
 
 " Our festival year is a bulwark of orthodoxy as real as our confessions of faith." PRO- 
 FESSOR ARCHER BUTLER. 
 
 " Mr. Grant's scholarship is endorsed by authorities ; his method is good, his style clear, 
 and his treatment so impartial that his work is praised alike by Church Times, Record, 
 Watchman, Freeman, and Nonconformist. No words of ours could better prove the catho- 
 licity of a most instructive and valuable work." Peterborough Advertiser. 
 
 " The work shows very plainly that much care and judgment has been used in its compila- 
 tion The intrinsic worth of its contents and their lasting usefulness admirably adapt 
 
 it for a present. The eight engravings have been chosen so as to give examples of the highest 
 samples of sacred art." Oxford Times. 
 
 " A very delightful volume for Sunday reading, the devotional character of the hymns giving 
 an especial charm to the work. The historical information will be proved full of interest to 
 young Churchmen, and young ladies especially will find the work to be one well adapted to 
 inform the mind and gladden the heart. Bible Christian Magazine. 
 
 " Mr. Grant's volume is worthy of high praise, alike for its careful research and its dis- 
 criminative quotations. There is so much religious literature which is below the level of 
 criticism, that we cannot but welcome a volume which commends itself to a cultivated Christian 
 audience." Echo. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Bow, E.C.
 
 FOR THE LIBRARY, PRESENTATION, &c. u 
 
 WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS OX TONED PAPER. 
 
 Small crown 8vo., 384 pp., cloth, price 33. 6d. ; gilt edges, 43. 
 
 Stories of Young Adventurers. By 
 
 ASCOTT R. HOPE, Author of "Stories of Whitminster," "A Book 
 of Boyhoods," &c., &c. 
 
 CONTENTS : 
 
 YOCTNG TURK. 
 
 WHITE INDIAN. 
 
 SLAVE BOY'S STORY. 
 
 SOLDIER BOY'S STORY. 
 
 SAILOR BOY'S STORY. 
 
 YOUNG YANKEE ON THE WAR PATH. 
 FOUR SONS OP ALBION. 
 
 GIRL'S STORY. 
 
 N ADVENTURER AT THE ANTIPODES. 
 AN ADVENTURER AT HOME. 
 
 '_' Mr. Hope is one of the best of living writers of boys' books, and we do not think we over- 
 estimate the merits of the book before us if we say it is one of his best. The idea is a happy 
 
 one The result is altogether as successful as the idea is happy. This ought to be one 
 
 of the most popular boys' books of the season." Birmingham Daily Post. 
 
 "Good, wholesome, stirring reading for boys of all ages. The scenes of these adventures 
 are laid in every quarter of the globe, and they include every variety of peril." World. 
 
 " Mr. Ascott Hope has hit upon a really excellent idea in his 'Stories of Young Adven- 
 turers,' and carried it out with admirable success It would be difficult to pick out a 
 
 better book of its kind ; young readers will hang over every page with an absorbing interest, 
 and all the time will be imbibing some useful historical information. We should like to think 
 that so thoroughly good a book will be in the hands of a great many boyish readers." 
 Guardian. 
 
 " Mr. Ascott Hope has won an enviable reputation as an author of books for boys. In the 
 present volume he surpasses all his former achievements in this line." Literary World. 
 
 " The book contains a great deal of good reading of a kind far superior to that which is 
 
 ordinarily found in similar books It is well got up, and will be prized by boys." 
 
 Scotsman. 
 
 " Sure to'make the eyes of our boys gleam The tone is healthy and robust, and for 
 
 its kind the book is one of the best we know." Sword and Trowel. 
 
 " A debt of gratitude is due to Mr. Hope The work is as good as the design." 
 
 Atheneeum. 
 
 WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS ON TONED PAPER. 
 
 Small crown 8vo., 384 pp., cloth, price 33. 6d. ; gilt edges, 43. 
 
 Exemplary Women : A Record of 
 
 Feminine Virtues and Achievements (abridged from " Woman's 
 Work and Worth "). By W. H. DAVENPORT ADAMS. 
 
 CONTENTS : 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 I. WOMAN AS MOTHER. 
 II. WOMAN AS WIFE. 
 
 III. WOMAN AS MAIDEN. 
 
 IV. WOMAN IN THE WORM) OF LETTERS. 
 V. WOMAN IN THE WORLD OF ART. 
 
 VI. WOMAN A3 THE HEROINE, ENTHUSIAST, AND SOCIAL REFORMER. 
 
 "The qualifications and influence of women in different spheres of life are detailed and 
 illustrated by notices of the lives of many who have been distinguished in various positions." 
 Bazaar. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Row. E.C.
 
 12 NEW, POPULAR, AND ILLUSTRATED BOOKS 
 
 WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS ON TONED PAPER. 
 
 Small crown 8vo., 384 pp., cloth, price 35. 6d. ; gilt edges, 45. 
 
 A Book of Boyhoods. By Ascott R. 
 
 HOPE, Author of " Stories of Whitminster," " Our Homemade 
 Stories," etc. 
 
 A NEW ENGLAND BOY. 
 
 A BRAVE BOY. 
 
 A FRENCH SCHOOLBOY. 
 
 A SCHOOLBOY OF THE OLDEN TIME. 
 A BLUECOAT BOY. 
 A STABLE BOY. 
 
 A REBEL BOY. 
 
 A MYSTERIOUS BOY. 
 
 A BLIND BOY. 
 
 " Well planned, well written, and well named. . . . Mr. Hope has told these stories with 
 much dramatic power and effect, and has produced a book which will delight all healthy- 
 minded lads." Scotsman. 
 
 " Stories of all sorts of boys, who in different countries and circumstances, in peace or in 
 war, at school or at work, at home or out in the world, by land or by sea, have gone through 
 experiences worth relating. . . . The work is just such a volume as we would like to see in 
 the hands of our schoolboys, and of those who are emerging into the busy haunts of business 
 and anxiety." Yorkshire Gazette. 
 
 " Mr. Ascott R. Hope now occupies the foremost place as a writer of fiction for the school 
 boy, and as he never produces a weak book, and never disappoints his clients, his name on the 
 title-page of a new book is always a sufficient passport. . . . The account of these young 
 heroes is related in the happiest vein in a style that is in itself a wholesome form of culture 
 to the young reader. But the crowning merit of the book is that it is always interesting, and 
 never for a moment dull." School Board Chronicle. 
 
 " Essentially of an attractive character to the youthful reader, and is, perhaps, as likely to 
 interest the sisters as the brothers." Bedford Mercury. 
 
 " Ascott R. Hope has the talent for writing books which will interest boys. The volume is 
 got up with great taste, as all Mr. Hogg's books are, and is well illustrated. A better present 
 could not be given to a boy than this book." Dundee Courier. 
 
 WITH TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS BY THOMAS STOTHARD, R.A., 
 AND A PORTRAIT OF DEFOE. 
 
 In one volume, 512 pp., large crown 8vo., cloth, price 35. 6d. ; gilt edges, 43. 
 
 The Life and Adventures of Robinson 
 
 Crusoe, of York, Mariner. With an Account of his Travels 
 round Three Parts of the Globe. 
 
 1$^ A Complete, unabridged Edition of both Parts, with no curtailment of the 
 "Farther Adventures." 
 
 WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS ON TONED PAPER. 
 
 Small crown 8vo., 384 pp., cloth, price 33. 6d. ; gilt edges, 43. 
 
 The Ocean Wave : Narratives of some 
 
 of the Greatest Voyages, Seamen, Discoveries, Shipwrecks, and 
 Mutinies of the World. By HENRY STEWART, Author of " Our 
 Redcoats and Bluejackets," etc. 
 
 CONTENTS : 
 
 CHAP. l 
 
 1. THE GREAT DISCOVERERS. 
 
 2. THE OLD ENGLISH SEA-KINGS. 
 
 3. THE BUCCANEERS AND THE PIRATES. 
 
 4. COMMODORE ANSON'S VOYAGE ROUND THE 
 
 WORLD. 
 5- ADVENTURES AT SEA. 
 
 6. CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES. 
 
 7. MUTINIES OF THE BRITISH NAVY. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 8. ANECDOTES OF ENGLISH ADMIRALS FROM 
 
 BLAKE TO NELSON. 
 
 9. LORD COCHRANE'S EXPLOITS. 
 
 10. STIRRING EPISODES IN THE AMERICAN 
 
 CIVIL WAR, 
 
 11. ARCTIC EXPLORATION. 
 
 12. SHIPWRECKS OF RECENT TIMES. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Row, E.G.
 
 FOR THE LIBRARY, PRESENTATION, &c. 13 
 
 A HANDBOOK OF REFERENCE AND QUOTATION. 
 Second edition, fcap. 8vo., cloth, price 2s. 6d. 
 
 Mottoes and Aphorisms from Shake- 
 speare : Alphabetically arranged ; with a Copious Index of 9,000 
 References to the infinitively varied Words and Ideas of the 
 Mottoes. Any word or idea can be traced at once, and the correct 
 quotation (with name of play, act, and scene) had without going 
 further. 
 
 " The collection is, we believe, unique of its kind It solves in a moment 
 
 the often difficult question of where a proverb, or aphorism, or quotation from 
 Shakespeare can be found." Oxford Times. 
 
 "Asjneat a casket of Shakespearian gems as we ever remember having met 
 with." Public Opinion. 
 
 " The writer who delights now and then to embellish his productions by some 
 of the well-pointed and telling mottoes and aphorisms from Shakespeare has here a 
 
 most valuable book of reference The work has been carefully executed, and 
 
 must have entailed a very large amount of assiduous labour." Yorkshire Gazette. 
 
 " Everything, in these cases, depends on the index, and the index here seems to 
 have been carefully made."- Sheffield Independent. 
 
 New and enlarged edition, fcap. 8vo., cloth, price 2s. 6d. 
 
 A Practical Guide to English Versifi- 
 cation, with a Compendious Dictionary of Rhymes, an Examina- 
 tion of Classical Measures, and Comments upon Burlesque and 
 Comic Verse, Vers de Socie'te', and Song Writing. By TOM 
 HOOD. A new and enlarged edition, to which are added Bysshe's 
 RULES FOR MAKING ENGLISH VERSE," etc. 
 
 "We do not hesitate to say, that Mr. Hood's volume is deserving of a place on 
 the shelves of all who take an interest in the structure of verse." Daily News. 
 
 " The book is compiled with great care, and will serve the purpose for which it is 
 
 designed We may add that it contains a good deal of information which 
 
 will be useful to students who have no wish to be numbered amongst verse-makers." 
 Pall Mall Gazette. 
 
 " A dainty little book on English verse-making. The Dictionary of Rhymes will 
 be found one of the most complete and practical in our language. " Freeman. 
 
 " Alike to the tyro in versifying, the student of literature, and the general reader, 
 this guide can be confidently recommended." Scotsman. 
 
 Crown 8vo., cloth extra, bevelled boards, price "js. 6d. 
 
 The Manuale Clericorum : A Guide 
 
 for the Reverent and Decent Celebration of Divine Service, 
 the Holy Sacraments, and other Offices, according to the Rites, 
 Ceremonies, and Ancient Use of the United Church of England 
 and Ireland. Abridged from the " Directorium Anglicanum." 
 With Additions of Special Value in the Practical Rendering of 
 the Services of the Church. Edited by the Rev. F. G. LEE, 
 D.C.L., F.S.A., Vicar of All Saints', Lambeth. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Row, B.C.
 
 14 WORKS ON FREEMASONRY. 
 
 Demy 8vo., 792 pages, price 155. 
 Dedicated by permission to the late JOHN HER VE Y, Esq., Grand Secretary. 
 
 The Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia of 
 
 History, Rites, Symbolism, and Biography. Containing upwards 
 of 3,000 Subjects, together with numerous Original Articles on 
 Archaeological and other Topics. Edited by KENNETH R. H. 
 MACKENZIE, IX. 
 
 " The work is marked by extreme learning and moderation." Public Opinion, 
 
 " We welcome this laborious work very sincerely." Freemason. 
 
 " A really valuable and instructive work, alike interesting to the Masonic Student and 
 general reader, and to the curious it will prove to be an inexhaustible mine of wealth, 
 particulars being afforded of numerous strange subjects. . . . Deserves a large circulation, 
 a - id cannot fail to be a most welcome work in every Masonic library." Keystone. 
 
 " The most valuable work of reference on all matters relating to the Craft that has yet been 
 published." British Mercantile Gazette. 
 
 "The task has been admirably performed One of the most important additions 
 
 to Masonic Literature during the last quarter of a century, and deserves an honoured place in 
 the library of every Masonic Student." Freemason's Chronicle. 
 
 " The Editor has lavished much reading and labour on his subject." Sunday Times. 
 
 Crown 8vo., cloth, with diagrams, price 43. 6d. 
 
 The Discrepancies of Freemasonry; 
 
 Examined during a Week's Gossip with the late celebrated Bro. 
 Gilkes, and other Eminent Masons. By the late Rev. G. 
 OLIVER, D.D. 
 
 " It is difficult to imagine a more charming book, or one more calculated to inspire the 
 Masonic Student with enthusiasm for the Royal Art. The pen of a practical as well as a 
 ready writer is needed in writing dialogues, and .... the late Sir Arthur Helps is the 
 only man of eminence who could possibly have infused more interest into such a work." 
 Freemason's Chronicle. 
 
 " A most amusing and curious book." Standard. 
 
 Crown 8vo., cloth, with diagrams, price 43. 6d. 
 
 The Pythagorean Triangle ; or, the 
 
 Science of Numbers. By the late Rev. G. OLIVER, D.D. 
 
 " In addition to all its stores of curious and varied learning, as connected with the Craft, 
 the Rev. Doctor's treatise contains many sage remarks on a host of other interesting topics, 
 which will please all curious readers." Standard. 
 
 " In handling his subject, the author has shown even more than his usual skill and inge- 
 nuity. " Freemason's Chronicle. 
 
 "We have derived both information and entertainment from this volume." Literary 
 World. 
 
 " From first chapter to last it will be impossible to read a more interesting book, illustrative 
 of the symbolism of Freemasonry." British Mail. 
 
 Second edition, demy 8vo., 56 pages, price 8d. 
 
 Freemasonry: Its History, Principles, 
 
 and Objects. 
 
 " We most cordially recommend this little work to the serious perusal, not only of those 
 who are already numbered amongst the Craft, but also of all who may meditate on entering 
 the ranks of Freemasonry. It is a vade mecum of very convenient form, and although consist- 
 ing of only fifty-six pages, the amount of Masonic lore therein contained is really astonish- 
 ing." Sunday Times. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Row, E.O.
 
 WORKS ON FREEMASONRY, &c. 15 
 
 Pocket size, cloth, gilt edges, price 2s. 6d. each. 
 
 Masonic Directories. A Series of 
 
 Four Handbooks of Practical Directions for the Efficient Con- 
 duct of the Work throughout the Three Degrees of Craft 
 Masonry. By KENNETH R. H. MACKENZIE, IX ("Cryptonymus"), 
 Author of " The Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia," etc. 
 
 I. The Deacons' Work. 
 
 II. The Wardens' Work. 
 
 III. The Secretary's and Treasurer's Work. 
 IV. The W. Master's Work. 
 
 WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THE " MASONIC DIRECTORIES." 
 
 The following spontaneous expression of opinion from one of the Craft, who 
 had ordered the " Directories," is indicative of the favourable reception which 
 the books have met with on all hands : 
 
 " It is simply impossible to speak too highly of these little books, being well 
 put together, simple, perfect, and yet within the reach of all. The four Direc- 
 tories supply a want long felt. Every Master of a Lodge should order a supply 
 of these Directories, and bring them seriously to the notice of the Officers for 
 whom they are intended. If this were done, I have no doubt that the great 
 drawback which exists in very many Lodges, resulting from the fact of Dea- 
 cons, Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, and I regret to say occasionally the W.M., 
 not being well up in their duties, might be remedied. The Author of the 
 ' Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia ' is deservingly entitled to the grateful thanks 
 of every true Mason for his labours in Masonic writing." 
 
 And as representative of Press Criticism, what the Yorkshire Gazette said 
 the other day may be cited : " We do not hesitate to recommend them to 
 members of the Craft. They are very reliable, and are printed in a neat and 
 handy form. We suspect that there are few working members of our Order 
 who would not be benefitted by the results of Brother Mackenzie's observations 
 and experience." 
 
 THIRD AND CHEAPER EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED. 
 
 Crown 8vo., cloth, with 14 illustrations, price 7s. 6d. 
 
 The Freemason's Manual; or, Illus- 
 trations of Masonry. By JEREMIAH How, K.T., 30, P.M., 
 P.Z., etc. 
 
 Imperial i6mo., with a frontispiece, cloth, marbled edges, price 7s. 6d. 
 
 The Complete Manual of Oddfellow- 
 ship : Being a Practical Guide to its History, Principles, Cere- 
 monies, and Symbolism. 
 
 The Ritual is printed in a form intelligible only to the Order. 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Row, E.G.
 
 CLASSIFIED CONTENTS OF CATALOGUE. 
 
 @ 20. 6*r. Paor 
 
 Page 
 
 Facts and Phases of Animal Life 2 
 
 Andersen's Shoes of Fortune, and other Fairy Tales 3 
 
 Far-famed Tales from the Arabian Nights 2 
 
 Wonderful Animals : Working, Domestic, and Wild 3 
 
 Mottoes and Aphorisms from Shakespeare 13 
 
 Hood's Guide to English Versification 13 
 
 @ 30. 6fr. 
 
 The Secret of Success ; or, How to get on in the World 6 
 
 Our Redcoats and Bluejackets : War Pictures on Land and Sea 
 
 The Parlour Menagerie. Woodcuts by Bewick and others .... 
 
 Boys and their Ways : A Book for and about Boys 
 
 Plain Living and High Thinking ; or, Practical Self-Culture .... 
 
 The Glass of Fashion. Etiquette and Home Culture 
 
 Girls and their Ways : A Book for and about Girls 
 
 The Pilgrim's Progress. Life by Southey, and Harvey's Illustrations 
 The Church Seasons, Historically and Poetically Illustrated .... 
 Exemplary Women : Feminine Virtues and Achievements .... 
 The Ocean Wave : Voyages, Seamen, Discoveries, Shipwrecks, & Mutinies 
 
 The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe 
 
 Stories of Young Adventurers ~) . 
 
 A Book of Boyhoods . . I By ASCOTT R . HOPE .... 
 Our Homemade Stories . I .... 5 
 
 Evenings away from Home J . -J; 
 
 Sxwfeg @ 60., 60. 6tr., anJr 70. 6tr. 
 
 Landmarks of English Literature -4 
 
 Great Movements, and Those who Achieved Them 4 
 
 Woman's Work and Worth in Girlhood, Maidenhood, and Wifehood . . 4 
 
 The Manuale Clericorum. Abridged from " The Directorium Anglicanum " . 13 
 
 U?OOllJt XJfJt 
 
 The Masonic Directories : 
 
 I. The Deacons' Work. 
 
 II. The Wardens' Work. 
 
 III. The Secretary's and Treasurer's Work. 
 IV. The W. Master's Work. 
 
 The Discrepancies of Freemasonry 
 
 The Pythagorean Triangle : or, the Science of Numbers . 
 Freemasonry : Its History, Principles, and Objects . 
 
 The Freemason's Manual 
 
 The Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia 
 
 The Complete Manual of Oddfellowship 
 
 Ctriium t>e Cuxe. 
 
 Robinson Crusoe. Stothard's Illustrations, engraved by Heath 
 
 London : John Hogg, 13, Paternoster Row, E.9.