Mrs. Loudon's Entertaining Naturalist
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Title: Mrs. Loudon's Entertaining Naturalist
Author: Mrs. Loudon
Editor: W. S. Dallas
Release date: February 10, 2016 [eBook #51166]
Most recently updated: October 23, 2024
Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MRS. LOUDON'S ENTERTAINING NATURALIST ***
[Illustration: frontispiece]
MRS. LOUDON’S
ENTERTAINING NATURALIST,
BEING
POPULAR DESCRIPTIONS, TALES, AND
ANECDOTES
OF MORE THAN
FIVE HUNDRED ANIMALS.
_A NEW EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED_.
BY
W. S. DALLAS, F.L.S.
LONDON:
BELL & DALDY, 6, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN,
1867.
LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET
AND CHARING CROSS.
_PREFACE._
MRS. LOUDON’S _Entertaining Naturalist_ has been so deservedly popular
that the publishers, in preparing a new edition, have striven to render
it still more worthy of the reputation it has obtained. For this
purpose, it has been very thoroughly revised and enlarged by Mr. W. S.
Dallas, Member of the Zoological Society, and Curator of the Museum of
Natural History at York, and several illustrations have been added.
In its present form, it is not only a complete Popular Natural History
of an entertaining character, with an illustration of nearly every
animal mentioned, but its instructive introductions on the
Classification of Animals adapt it well for use as an elementary Manual
of the Natural History of the Animal Kingdom for the use of the Young.
INTRODUCTION.
ZOOLOGY is that branch of Natural History which treats of animals, and
embraces not only their structure and functions, their habits,
instincts, and utility, but their names and systematic arrangement.
Various systems have been proposed by different naturalists for the
scientific arrangement of the animal kingdom, but that of Cuvier, with
some modifications, is now thought the best, and a sketch of it will be
found under the head of the Modern System in this Introduction. As,
however, the System of Linnæus was formerly in general use, and is still
often referred to, it has been thought advisable to give a sketch of it
first; that the reader may be aware of the difference between the old
system and the new one.
_LINNÆAN SYSTEM._
According to the system of Linnæus, the objects comprehended within the
animal kingdom were divided into six classes: Mammalia or Mammiferous
Animals, Birds, Amphibia or Amphibious Animals, Fishes, Insects, and
Worms, which were thus distinguished:
CLASSES.
{ With vertebræ { Hot Blood { Viviparous I. MAMMALIA.
{ { { Oviparous II. BIRDS.
Body { { Cold red Blood { With lungs III. AMPHIBIA.
{ { With gills IV. FISHES.
{ Without vertebræ Cold white Blood { Having antennæ V. INSECTS.
{ Having tentacula VI. WORMS.
ORDERS OF MAMMALIA.
The first class, or Mammalia, consists of such animals as produce living
offspring, and nourish their young ones with milk supplied from their
own bodies; and it comprises both the quadrupeds and the cetacea.
This class was divided by Linnæus into seven Orders: viz. _primates_,
_bruta_, _feræ_, _glires_, _pecora_, _belluæ_, and _cetacea_ (this order
was called Cete by Linnæus) or whales. The characteristics of these were
founded, for the most part, on the number and arrangement of the teeth;
and on the form and construction of the feet, or of those parts in the
seals, manati, and cetacea, which supply the place of feet:
I. PRIMATES.--Having the upper front teeth, generally four in
number, wedge-shaped, and parallel; and two teats situated on the
breast, as the apes and monkeys.
II. BRUTA.--Having no front teeth in either jaw; and the feet armed
with strong hoof-like nails, as the elephant.
III. FERÆ.--Having in general six front teeth in each jaw; a single
canine tooth on each side in both jaws; and the grinders with conic
projections, as the dogs and cats.
IV. GLIRES.--Having in each jaw two long projecting front teeth,
which stand close together; and no canine teeth in either jaw, as
the rats and mice.
V. PECORA.--Having no front teeth in the upper jaw; six or eight in
the lower jaw, situated at a considerable distance from the
grinders; and the feet with hoofs, as cattle and sheep.
VI. BELLUÆ.--Having blunt wedge-shaped front teeth in both jaws;
and the feet with hoofs, as horses.
VII. CETACEA.--Having spiracles or breathing-holes on the head;
fins instead of fore feet; and a tail flattened horizontally,
instead of hind feet. This order consists of the narvals, whales,
cachalots, and dolphins.
ORDERS OF BIRDS.
The second class, or Birds, comprises all such animals as have their
bodies clad with feathers. Their jaws are elongated, and covered
externally with a horny substance, called a bill or beak, which is
divided into two parts called mandibles. Their eyes are furnished with a
thin, whitish, and somewhat transparent membrane, that can at pleasure
be drawn over the whole external surface like a curtain. Their organs of
motion are two wings and two legs; and they are destitute of external
ears, lips, and many other parts which are important to quadrupeds. That
part of Zoology which treats of Birds is called Ornithology.
Linnæus divided this class into six Orders:
1. _Land Birds._
I. RAPACIOUS BIRDS (_Accipitres_).--Having the upper mandible
hooked, and an angular projection on each side near the point, as
the eagles, hawks, and owls.
II. PIES (_Picæ_).--Having their bills sharp at the edge, somewhat
compressed at the sides, and convex on the top, as the crow.
III. PASSERINE BIRDS (_Passeres_).--Having the bill conical and
pointed, and the nostrils oval, open, and naked, as the sparrow and
linnet.
IV. GALLINACEOUS BIRDS (_Gallinæ_).--Having the upper mandible
arched, and covering the lower one at the edge, and the nostrils
arched over with a cartilaginous membrane, as the common poultry.
2. _Water Birds._
V. WADERS (_Grallæ_).--Having a roundish bill, a fleshy tongue, and
the legs naked above the knees, as the herons, plovers, and snipes.
VI. SWIMMERS (_Anseres_).--Having their bills broad at the top, and
covered with a soft skin, and the feet webbed, as ducks and geese.
ORDERS OF AMPHIBIA.
Under the third class, or Amphibia, Linnæus arranged such animals as
have a cold, and, generally, naked body, a lurid colour, and nauseous
smell. They respire chiefly by lungs, but they have the power of
suspending respiration for a long time. They are extremely tenacious of
life, and can repair certain parts of their bodies which have been lost.
They are also able to endure hunger, sometimes even for months, without
injury.
The bodies of some of them, as the turtles and tortoises, are protected
by a hard and horny shield or covering; those of others are clad with
scales, as the serpents, and some of the lizards; whilst others, as the
frogs, toads, and most of the water-lizards, are entirely naked, or have
their skin covered with warts. Many of the species shed their skins at
certain times of the year. Several of them are furnished with a poison,
which they eject into wounds that are made by their teeth. They chiefly
live in retired, watery, and marshy places; and, for the most part, feed
on other animals, though some of them eat water-plants, and many feed on
garbage and filth. None of these species chew their food; they swallow
it whole, and digest it very slowly.
The offspring of all these animals are produced from eggs, which, after
they have been deposited by the parent animals in a proper place, are
hatched by the heat of the sun. The eggs of some of the species are
covered with a shell; those of others have a soft and tough skin or
covering, not much unlike wet parchment; and the eggs of several are
perfectly gelatinous. In those few that produce their offspring alive,
as the vipers and some other serpents, the eggs are regularly formed,
but are hatched within the bodies of the females.
This class Linnæus divided into three Orders:
I. REPTILES.--Having four legs, and walking with a crawling pace,
as the tortoises, toads, and lizards.
II. SERPENTS.--Having no legs, but crawling on the body.
III. NANTES.--Living in the water, furnished with fins, and
breathing by means of gills. These are true Fishes, principally of
the group termed _Chondropterygii_, or Cartilaginous Fishes, by
Cuvier.
ORDERS OF FISHES.
Fishes constituted Linnæus’s fourth class of animals. They are all
inhabitants of the water, in which they move by certain organs called
fins. Those situated on the back are called dorsal fins; those on the
sides, behind the gills, pectoral fins; those below the body, near the
head, are ventral; those behind the vent are anal; and that which forms
the tail is called the caudal fin. Fishes breathe by gills, which, in
most species, are situated at the sides of the head. Fishes rise and
sink in the water, generally by a kind of bladder in the interior of the
body, called an air-bladder. Some of them do not possess this organ, and
consequently are seldom found but at the bottom of the sea, from which
they can only rise by an effort. The bodies of these animals are usually
covered with scales, which keep them from injury by the contact of the
water.
The fishes were divided by Linnæus into four Orders:
I. APODAL.--Having no ventral fins, as the eel.
II. JUGULAR.--Having the ventral fins situated in front of the
pectoral fins, as the cod, haddock, and whiting.
III. THORACIC.--Having the ventral fins situated directly under the
pectoral fins, as the perch and mackerel.
IV. ABDOMINAL.--Having the ventral fins on the lower part of the
body below the pectoral fins, as the salmon, herring, and carp.
ORDERS OF INSECTS.
The fifth class of Linnæus comprised the Insects; and the branch of
Zoology which treats of them is called Entomology. Nearly all insects go
through certain great changes at different periods of their existence.
From the egg is hatched the larva, which is a grub or caterpillar, and
destitute of wings; this afterwards changes to a pupa, or chrysalis,
wholly covered with a hard shell, or strong skin, from which the perfect
or winged insect bursts forth. Spiders and their allies, which were
included by Linnæus in the insects, issue from the egg in nearly a
perfect state.
Linnæus divided his class of insects into seven Orders:
I. COLEOPTEROUS.--Having elytra, or crustaceous cases covering the
wings; and which, when closed, meet in a straight line along the
middle of the back, as the cockchafer.
II. HEMIPTEROUS.--Having four wings, the upper ones partly
crustaceous, and partly membranous; not divided straight down the
middle of the back, but crossed, or incumbent on each other, as the
cockroach.
III. LEPIDOPTEROUS.--Having four wings covered with fine scales
almost like powder, as the butterflies and moths.
IV. NEUROPTEROUS.--Having four membranous and semi-transparent
wings, veined like network; and the tail without a sting, as the
dragon-fly and ephemera.
V. HYMENOPTEROUS.--Having four membranous and semi-transparent
wings, veined like network; and the tail armed with a sting, as the
wasp and bee.
VI. DIPTEROUS.--Having only two wings, as the common house-flies.
VII. APTEROUS.--Having no wings, as the spiders.
ORDERS OF VERMES, OR WORMS.
The sixth and last Linnæan class consisted of Worms, or Vermes. These
are slow of motion, and have soft and fleshy bodies. Some of them have
hard internal parts, and others have crustaceous coverings. In some of
the species, eyes and ears are very perceptible, whilst others appear to
enjoy only the senses of taste and touch. Many have no distinct head,
and most of them are destitute of feet. They are, in general, so
tenacious of life, that parts which have been destroyed will be
reproduced. These animals are principally distinguished from those of
the other classes by having tentacula, or feelers, and are divided by
Linnæus into five Orders:
I. INTESTINA.--Are simple and naked, without limbs; some of them
live within other animals, as the ascarides and tape-worms; others
in water, as the leeches; and a few in the earth, as the
earth-worm.
II. MOLLUSCA.--Are simple animals, without shells, and furnished
with limbs, as the cuttle-fish, medusa, star-fish, and sea-urchin.
III. TESTACEA.--Are animals similar to the last, but covered with
shells, as oysters, cockles, snails, and limpets.
IV. LITHOPHYTA.--Are composite Polyps, dwelling in cells in a
calcareous base which they produce, as corals and madrepores.
V. ZOOPHYTA.--Are usually composite animals, but do not reside in
stony cells. The coral, sponge, and polyps are instances of this
order, which also includes the Infusorial Animalcules.
_MODERN SYSTEM._
It will be found by reading the following sketch of the Modern System
that the greatest change has taken place in the latter two classes. The
others remain nearly the same in effect, though their distinctions are
different, and the classes are not arranged in the same order.
According to Cuvier, all animals are arranged in four great divisions,
which are subdivided into classes and orders, as follows:--
Divisions Classes No. of Orders
I. VERTEBRATA. } 1. Mammalia Nine.
Four Classes. Twenty-seven Orders. } 2. Aves Six.
} 3. Reptilia Four.
} 4. Pisces Eight.
II. MOLLUSCA. } 1. Cephalopoda One.
} 2. Pteropoda One.
Six Classes. Fifteen Orders. } 3. Gasteropoda Nine.
} 4. Acephala Two.
} 5. Brachiopoda One.
} 6. Cirrhopoda One.
III. ARTICULATA. } 1. Annelides Three.
} 2. Crustacea Seven.
Four Classes. Twenty-four Orders. } 3. Arachnida Two.
} 4. Insecta Twelve.
IV. RADIATA. } 1. Echinodermata Two.
} 2. Entozoa Two.
Five Classes. Eleven Orders. } 3. Acalephæ Two.
} 4. Polypi Three.
} 5. Infusoria Two.
THE VERTEBRATED ANIMALS
Have a backbone divided into vertebræ or joints, whence they take their
name. They have also separate senses for hearing, seeing, tasting,
smelling, and feeling; a distinct head, with a mouth opening by two
horizontal jaws; a muscular heart, and red blood. The four classes of
Vertebrata and their orders are as follow:--
I. THE MAMMALIA are all furnished with mammæ, or teats, through
which they give milk to their young, which they bring forth alive.
They have warm blood, which all circulates from the heart through
the lungs, and returns to the heart before it passes through the
body. Their skins are naked, or covered with wool or hair, and
their mouths are generally furnished with teeth. There are eleven
orders, which are thus distinguished:--
SECTION I.--_Unguiculated Animals, or Mammalia having Nails or Claws._
I. _Bimana_, or two-handed. This order contains only the human
species.
II. _Quadrumana_, or four-handed. This order contains the apes,
baboons, and monkeys, and the lemurs.
III. _Cheiroptera_, the bat family.
IV. _Carnivora_, or beasts of prey. This order is divided into the
following three tribes:--
1. _The Insectivora_, consisting of those animals which live upon
insects, as the hedgehog, the shrew, and the mole.
2. _The Carnivora proper_, consisting chiefly of the cat family,
including lions, tigers, and their allies; the bear family,
including the badger, the coati-mondi, the racoon, &c.; the dog
family, including the wolf and the fox; the weasel family; the
civet-cats; and the hyæna.
3. _The Amphibia_, consisting of the seals, and other allied
animals.
V. _Marsupialia_, including the opossums and the kangaroos.
VI. _Monothrema_, containing the Echidna and Ornithorhynchus of
Australia.
VII. _Rodentia_, or gnawing animals. The principal of these are the
squirrel family, mice and rats, hares and rabbits, the beaver, the
porcupine, and the guinea-pig.
VIII. _Edentata_, or toothless animals, that is, without front
teeth. The principal of these are the sloths, the armadillos, and
the ant-eaters.
SECTION II.--_Ungulated or Hoofed Mammalia._
IX. _Pachydermata_, or thick-skinned animals. The principal of
these are the elephant, the hippopotamus, the rhinoceros; the horse
family, including the ass, the mule, the zebra, and the quagga; the
wild boar family, and the tapir.
X. _Ruminantia_, or ruminating animals, the principal of which are
the camel family, the deer family, the giraffe, the antelope
family, the goat family, the sheep family, and the ox family.
SECTION III.--_Aquatic Mammalia, having no Hind Limbs, and the Fore
Limbs converted into Fins._
XI. _Cetacea_, or sea mammalia, the principal of which are the
whale family, the dolphin family, the manati, the porpoise family,
and the narwhal, or sea-unicorn.
THE AVES, OR BIRDS,
Lay eggs from which their young are hatched by what is called
incubation. Their skins are covered with feathers; and their jaws are
horny, without teeth. Their blood is warm, and circulates like that of
the mammalia. The six orders of Aves are as follow:--
1. _Raptores_, or birds of prey. These birds are distinguished by a
very strong and sharp bill more or less curved, but always hooked
at the extremity of the upper mandible, which is covered at the
base with a kind of skin called the cere. The nostrils are usually
open. The legs are very strong, the feet are large, and the toes,
which are four in number, are armed with very strong, sharp, curved
claws. The principal raptorial birds are the vultures, including
the condor; the falcon family, including the eagles, hawks, kites,
and buzzards; and the owls.
2. _Insessores_, or perching birds. These birds have all feet
formed for perching, the hind toe springing from the same place as
the other toes, which gives them great power of grasping. Their
legs are of moderate length, and their claws not sharply curved.
This order includes the thrushes, nightingales, and all the finest
songsters of our groves, with the robin-redbreast, the sparrow, and
other birds seen about dwellings, the swallows, the larks, the crow
family, the kingfishers, the birds of paradise, and the humming
birds.
3. _Scansores_, or climbers. These birds have two toes before and
two behind. This construction gives them such great power of
climbing, that they can ascend the perpendicular trunk of a tree.
The principal birds in this order are the parrots, the cuckoos, and
the woodpeckers.
4. _Rasores_, or gallinaceous birds. These birds have the head
small in proportion to the body. The bill is generally short, with
the upper mandible somewhat curved. The nostrils have usually a
protecting fleshy membrane. The tarsus, or lower part of the leg,
is long and bare, and there are four toes, those in front being
united by a slight membrane, while that behind is generally higher
up the leg, and smaller than the others. This order comprises most
of the birds used as food, and includes the peacock, the turkey,
the common cock and hen, the partridge, the pheasant, and the
pigeon family.
5. _Grallatores_, or Waders. These birds are characterised by their
long and slender legs, and by the thighs being more or less bare.
There are three anterior toes, more or less united at the base by a
membrane, or rudimentary web. The hind toe is wanting in some
members of the order. This order contains the ostrich family, the
bustards and plovers; the cranes, herons, and storks; and the
snipes and woodcocks.
6. _Palmipedes_, or web-footed birds. These birds have the legs and
feet short, and placed behind, with their fore toes united by a
thick and strong membrane. The neck is much longer than the legs,
and their bodies are covered with a dense layer of down beneath the
outer plumage, which is close, and imbued with an oily fluid that
repels the water. The principal birds in this order are the grebes,
the auks and penguins, the petrels, the pelican and cormorant and
the swans, ducks, and geese.
By many ornithologists the pigeons and ostriches are considered to
form distinct orders, called respectively _Columbæ_ and _Cursores_.
THE REPTILIA,
Or Reptiles, have neither hair, wool, nor feathers, and their bodies are
either naked, or covered with scales. Some lay eggs, and some bring
forth their young alive. Some have gills, and others lungs, but the
latter have only a portion of the blood passing through them; and thus
the blood of reptiles is cold, as it is respiration which gives the
blood heat. The senses of reptiles are dull, and their movements are
either slow or laborious. The following are the four orders into which
this class is divided:--
1. _Chelonian Reptiles._ These animals have four legs. The body is
enclosed in an upper buckler, called the carapace, and an under
one, called the plastron. They have lungs which are much expanded;
but they have no teeth, though they have hard horny jaws. The
females lay eggs covered with a hard shell. The principal animals
belonging to this division are the tortoises, which live on land or
in fresh waters, and the turtles, which inhabit the sea.
2. _The Saurian Reptiles._ These animals have also expanded lungs,
and generally four legs, but some have only two. Their bodies are
covered with scales, and their mouths filled with teeth. This order
includes all the crocodiles and lizards. The crocodiles have broad
flat tongues, attached throughout to the jaws, and the lizards have
long narrow tongues, which many of them can extend to a great
distance from the mouth.
3. _The Ophidian Reptiles_ are the snakes and serpents. The body is
covered with scales, but it is destitute of feet. The lungs are
generally well developed, only on one side. Serpents are frequently
furnished with poison-bags at the base of some of their teeth.
4. _The Batrachian Reptiles_ include the frogs and toads. The body
is naked. The greater part of these reptiles undergo a transition
from a fish-like tadpole furnished with gills to a four-legged
animal with lungs. Others never lose their gills, though they
acquire lungs, and of this kind are the siren and the proteus.
THE PISCES,
Or Fishes, are defined by Cuvier to be vertebrated animals with red
blood, breathing through the medium of water by means of their branchiæ
or gills. To this definition may be added, that fishes have no neck, and
that the body generally tapers from the head to the tail; that most of
the species are furnished with air-bladders which enable them to swim;
and that their bodies are generally covered with scales. The heart has
only one auricle, and the blood is cold. The gills require to be kept
moist to enable the fish to breathe, and as soon as they become dry, the
fish dies. Thus fishes with large gill openings die almost as soon as
they are taken out of the water; while those with very small openings,
like the eel, live a long time. Fishes have no feet, but are furnished
with fins. The scientific knowledge of Fishes is called Ichthyology.
Fishes are first divided into two great series, viz. the Bony Fishes,
and the Cartilaginous Fishes, and these are again subdivided into nine
orders, as follows:--
OSSEOUS OR BONY FISHES.
1. _Acanthopterygii_, or fishes with hard fins.
2. _Malacopterygii abdominales_, or soft-finned fishes, with the
ventral fins on the abdomen behind the pectorals.
3. _Malacopterygii sub-brachiati_, or soft-finned fishes, with the
ventral fins under the gills.
4. _Malacopterygii apodes_, or soft-finned fishes, without ventral
fins.
5. _Lophobranchii_, or fishes with tufted gills.
6. _Plectognathii_, or fishes with the upper jaw fixed.
CHONDROPTERYGII, OR CARTILAGINOUS FISHES.
7. _Cyclostomi_, or fishes with jaws fixed in an immovable ring,
and with holes for the gills.
8. _Selachii_, or fishes with movable jaws and holes for the gills.
9. _Sturiones_, with the branchiæ in the usual form.
Of the bony fishes the _Acanthopterygii_, or fishes with hard spiny
fins, are divided into fifteen families, the principal of which are the
perch family, the mailed cheek fishes, including the gurnards, the
flying fish of the Mediterranean, and the sticklebacks, or jack
banticles; the mackerel family, including the tunny, bonito, and
sword-fish; the pilot-fish, the dolphin of the Mediterranean, so
celebrated for the beauty of its dying tints, and the John Dory. Among
the _Malacopterygii abdominales_, or soft-finned fishes, that have their
ventral fins suspended from the abdomen, the most interesting are the
carp family, the pike family, the flying-fish of the ocean, the salmon
family, and the herring family, including the sprat, pilchard, and
anchovy.
_The Malacopterygii sub-brachiati_ are soft-finned fishes, with the
ventral fins beneath the pectorals; the principal of which are the cod
family, including the haddock, whiting, and ling; the flat-fish family,
including soles, turbots, plaice, and flounders; and the suckers or
lump-fish.
_The Malacopterygii apodes_ are confined to the eel family.
_The Lophobranchii_ include the pipe fish, and other fishes of similar
form.
_The Plectognathi_ comprise the very singular forms of the balloon-fish,
the sun-fish, and other similar fishes.
_The Chondropterygii, or Cartilaginous fishes_, are divided into three
orders, viz. _the Sturiones_, or sturgeon family; _the Selachi_, or
sharks and rays, including the torpedo; and _the Cyclostomi_, or lamprey
family. The last two orders were included by Cuvier in a single one.
THE MOLLUSCOUS ANIMALS
Have no bones except their shells. Their sense of feeling appears to be
very acute, but the organs for the other senses are either wanting or
very imperfect. The blood is cold and white, and the heart often
consists of only one ventricle; a few of them have imperfect lungs, but
the greater number breathe through gills. They have all the power of
remaining a long time in a state of rest, and their movements are either
slow or violently laborious. Some of them appear incapable of
locomotion. They produce their young from eggs, but some lay their eggs
on a part of their own body, where the young are hatched. The following
are Cuvier’s six classes:--
1. _Cephalopoda, or Head-footed Mollusca._ These animals are
furnished with long fleshy arms or feet, proceeding from the head,
which is not distinct from the body, and on which they crawl. There
is only one order, which includes the cuttle-fish, nautilus, and
belemnites.
2. _Pteropoda, or Wing-footed Mollusca._ These animals have two
membranous feet or arms, like wings, proceeding from the neck.
There is only one order, which contains six genera, the best known
of which is the Hyalæa, the shell of which is commonly called
Venus’s chariot.
3. _Gasteropoda, or Body-footed Mollusca._ All these animals crawl
with the flat part of the body, which acts as a kind of sucker.
There are nine orders in Cuvier’s system. The common snail will
give an idea of the habits of the class.
4. _Acephala, or Headless Mollusca._ These animals have no apparent
head, and breathe by means of branchiæ, which are generally
ribbon-shaped. Most of them are enclosed in a bivalve shell, but
some are naked; the former are the _Testacea_ of Cuvier, and the
_Conchifera_ of Lamarck; the latter are the _Tunicata_ of Lamarck.
They form two orders.
5. _Brachiopoda, or Arm-footed Mollusca._ These animals also have a
bivalve shell; but they have no true branchiæ, and their
respiration is effected by the agency of the mantle. They have two
spiral arms.
6. _Cirrhopoda, or Curled-footed Mollusca._ These are generally
attached, and enclosed in a shell of several pieces; they are
furnished with a mouth, armed with jaws, and with several pairs of
jointed and fringed organs, called cirri, by the protrusion and
retraction of which they capture their prey. Examples of this class
are the Barnacles and Acorn shells. These animals have long ceased
to be regarded as Mollusca, the investigations of modern
naturalists having proved them to be true articulated animals most
nearly related to the Crustacea.
THE ARTICULATED ANIMALS
Have no back-bone. The covering of the body is sometimes hard and
sometimes soft, but it is always divided into segments by a number of
transverse incisions. The limbs, when the body is provided with any, are
jointed; and they can be separated from the body without any serious
injury being sustained by the animal, new limbs being shortly after
formed to replace them. The senses of tasting and seeing are more
perfect than those of the Mollusca, though that of feeling seems much
less acute. In other respects the four classes differ considerably from
each other.
[_The Entozoa, or Intestinal Worms_, placed by Cuvier and others among
the Radiata, are now arranged amongst the lowest forms of articulated
animals, as are also those animalcules known as _Rotifera_.]
I. _The Annelida, or Red-blooded Worms_, have no heart, properly so
called, but have sometimes one or more fleshy ventricles. They
breathe through branchiæ. Their bodies are soft, and more or less
elongated, being divided into numerous rings or segments. The head,
which is at one extremity of the body, can scarcely be
distinguished from the tail, except by having a mouth. These
animals have no feet, properly so called, but they are furnished
with little fleshy projections, bearing tufts of hairs or bristles,
which enable them to move. They are generally of carnivorous
habits. They lay eggs, but the young are frequently hatched before
exclusion, and hence these creatures are said to be ovoviviparous.
Their study is called Helminthology. As examples of the three
orders of this class may be mentioned the serpulæ or worm-like
animals, often found on shells, the common earthworm, and the leech
family.
II. _The Crustacea_ comprise the shell-fish commonly called crabs,
lobsters, shrimps, and prawns. They have a distinct head, furnished
with antennæ, eyes, and mouth; and their bodies are covered with a
crust or shell, divided into segments by transverse incisions, the
segments being united by a strong membrane. Once a year the larger
species of these animals moult, throwing off their old crust or
shell, and forming a new one, the animal remaining in a naked and
greatly weakened state during the intermediate time. Many of the
Crustacea swim with great ease, but on land their motions are
generally cramped and awkward; and they are confined to crawling,
or leaping by means of the tail. When a limb is injured they
possess the extraordinary power of throwing it off, and forming a
new one. The Crustacea lay eggs, and the young of some of the
species undergo a transformation before they attain their full
size. The Crustacea were divided into two sections and seven orders
by Latreille, which are as follow:--
SECTION I. _Malacostraca._
Shell solid, legs ten or fourteen, foot-jaws six or ten, mandibles two,
maxillæ four; mouth with a labrum.
Sub-section I. _Podophthalma_, eyes on foot-stalks.
ORDER 1. _Decapoda_, legs ten.
Sub-order 1. _Brachyura_, the crabs.
Sub-order 2. _Macroura_, the lobsters.
ORDER 2. _Stomapoda_, legs more than ten.
Sub-section II. _Edriophthalma_, eyes not on foot-stalks.
ORDER 3. _Amphipoda_, body compressed; mandibles palpigerous.
ORDER 4. _Læmodipoda_, abdomen rudimental, with only the rudiments
of one or two pairs of appendages.
ORDER 5. _Isopoda_, body depressed; abdominal appendages flat;
mandibles not palpigerous.
SECTION II. _Entomostraca._
Shell not solid; legs variable in number; mouth variable.
ORDER 6. _Branchiopoda._ Integuments horny, branchiæ feathery,
forming part of the feet.
It is to this division of the Crustacea that the Cirrhopoda are now
referred.
ORDER 7. _Pæcilopoda_, mouth suctorial.
Sub-order 1. _Xiphosura_, or king-crabs.
Sub-order 2. _Siphonostoma_, or fish parasites.
III. _The Arachnida_ are defined by Lamarck to be oviparous
animals, provided with six or more articulated legs, not subject to
metamorphosis, and never acquiring any new kinds of organs. It is
now known, however, that some mites undergo a sort of
metamorphosis, having only six legs when first hatched, and passing
through a quiet pupa stage before acquiring their perfect form.
Their respiration is either by means of air-sacks, which serve for
lungs, or of a kind of tube with circular openings for the
admission of air. There is a rudimentary heart and circulation in
most of the species. There are two orders; those with lungs, and
those without.
ORDER I. _Pulmonariæ._ The Arachnides comprised in this division
have air-sacks, which serve for lungs, a heart with distinct
vessels, and from six to eight simple eyes. There are two distinct
families: viz. _Araneides_, comprising all the spiders and
spinners; and Pedipalpi, comprising the tarantula and scorpions.
ORDER II. _Tracheariæ._ These Arachnides are distinguished by their
respiratory organs, which consist of radiated or branched tracheæ,
receiving air by two circular openings. Their eyes vary from two to
four. The principal animals belonging to this division are the
long-legged spiders (_Phalangium_), and the mites (_Acarus_),
including the gardener’s pest, the little red spider (_Acarus
telarius_), the cheese mite (_Acarus Siro_), and the harvest bug
(_Acarus_ or _Leptus autumnalis_).
IV. _The Insecta_ form the fourth and last class of articulated
animals, and they derive their name from the Latin word _insectum_,
which signifies “cut into,” in allusion to the distinct divisions
of head, thorax, and abdomen in the true insects: and in
contradistinction to the Annelides, the bodies of which present no
such divisions. The true insects are defined as animals without
vertebræ, possessing six feet, with a distinct head furnished with
antennæ, and breathing through stigmatic openings, which lead to
interior tracheæ. The Myriapoda have, however, more feet. The
following are the twelve orders into which this class is divided.
SECTION I. _Insects undergoing Metamorphosis._
1. _Coleoptera_ (from two Greek words signifying sheathed wings).
These are the beetles, which are all furnished with membranous
wings, with which they fly, and which are protected by horny upper
wings, or wing-cases, called elytra. They are all masticators, and
are all provided with mandibles or projecting jaws, and maxillæ.
2. _Orthoptera_, or straight-winged insects. This order comprises
the crickets, grasshoppers, locusts, and similar insects. They have
their upper wings of the consistence of parchment, and have
mandibles and maxillæ.
3. _Hemiptera_, or half-winged insects, have frequently half the
upper wing membranous, like the under ones, while the other half is
leathery. To this division belong the bugs, the water-scorpions,
the cicadæ or froghoppers, and the aphides. These insects have
neither mandibles nor maxillæ, but in their place have a sheath and
sucker.
4. _Neuroptera_, or nerved-winged insects, such as the
dragon-flies, have both pairs of wings membranous, naked, and
finely reticulated. The mouth is adapted for mastication, and
furnished with mandibles and maxillæ.
5. _Hymenoptera_, membranous winged insects, such as bees, wasps,
ichneumon flies, &c. All the four wings are membranous, but they
have fewer nervures, and are not reticulated like those of the
preceding order. The mouth is furnished with mandibles and maxillæ,
and the abdomen is terminated either by an ovipositor or a sting.
6. _Lepidoptera_, or scaly-winged insects. These are the
butterflies and moths, which are characterised by the farinaceous
or scaly aspect of their wings, and the tubular or thread-like
extension of the parts of the mouth.
7. _Strepsiptera_ or _Rhipiptera_, with twisted wings. These
creatures resemble the ichneumon, in laying their eggs in the
bodies of other insects, though they generally attack wasps and
bees. The principal genera are Xenos and Stylops. They are
generally considered to be closely allied to the Beetles.
8. _Diptera_, or two-winged insects, including the flies. The mouth
is furnished with a proboscis, and there are two small wings called
_halteres_ placed behind the true wings, which act as balancers.
9. _Suctoria_, or sucking insects, such as the flea, which have no
wings, but are furnished with an apparatus for sucking blood.
SECTION II. _Insects not undergoing Metamorphosis._
10. _Thysanoura_, or spring-tail insects. These creatures are of
small size, and without wings; they are found in crevices of
woodwork, or under stones. The principal genera are Lepisma and
Podura.
11. _Parasita_, or parasitical insects, such as the louse. They are
also without wings.
12. _Myriapoda._ This order is made a separate class by many
naturalists, as the creatures contained in it are distinguished
from the true insects by the great number of their feet; by the
want of distinct divisions into thorax and abdomen; and by the
great number of segments into which the body is divided. The
principal insects in this order are included in the Linnæan genera
_Julus_ and _Scolopendra_, commonly called centipedes.
The term larva is applied to the young of all insects, included in the
first nine orders, when first hatched. The different kinds have,
however, other names; that is to say, the larva of a butterfly, or moth,
is called a caterpillar; that of a beetle, a grub; and that of a fly, a
maggot. The larva changes its skin several times, and at last goes into
the pupa state, when it is called a chrysalis, an aurelia, or a nymph.
Sometimes the pupa is wrapped up in a loose outer covering called a
cocoon. From the pupa in time bursts forth the imago, or perfect insect.
The Apterous, or wingless true insects, and the Myriapoda, which are
also without wings, do not undergo any metamorphosis.
THE RADIATED ANIMALS
Are so called because their organs of locomotion, and even their
internal viscera, are generally arranged in a circle round a centre, so
as to give a radiated appearance to the whole body. The animals included
in this class are the very lowest in the scale; they have scarcely any
external senses; their movements are slow, and almost their only sign of
life is a craving for food. Some of them, however, have a distinct mouth
and alimentary canal, with an anal orifice; others have a bag-like
stomach with a kind of mouth, through which they both take their food
and reject their excrements; while others have no mouth, and appear only
to absorb nourishment through pores. In the like manner, though some are
oviparous, others may be propagated by division into plants. Of these
Cuvier makes five classes:
I. _Echinodermata_, or sea-urchins. These animals have a leathery
or crustaceous skin or shell, commonly covered with numerous
tubercles. The mouth is generally in the centre of the animal, and
is often armed with five or more pieces of bone, which serve as
teeth; the stomach is a loose bag; the organs for respiration are
vascular; and the animals are oviparous. They are furnished with
tentacular tubes, which serve as arms or feet, and which they can
push out and draw back at pleasure; and they have yellowish or
orange-coloured blood, which appears to circulate. Cuvier divides
this class into those with feet, and those without; but Lamarck,
whose arrangement has been more generally followed, divides them
into three orders; viz.:
1. _The Fistuloides_, or _Holothurida_, which have cylindrical
bodies, leathery skins, and mouths surrounded by tentacula. These
creatures live in the sea, or in the sands on the sea-shore; the
trepang, or eatable worm of the Chinese, is one of them.
2. _The Echinides._ These are the sea-urchins, properly so called,
and the shells, when the animals are out of them, are called
sea-eggs. The Echinides live in the sea. They lay eggs, and the
roe, or imperfect eggs, occupy a large portion of the space within
the shell when the animal is still alive.
3. _The Stellerides_, or _Asterias_, are the star-fish. The mouth
in these creatures is in the middle of the lower surface, and it
has a membranous lip, capable of great dilation, but furnished with
angular projections for capturing its prey. The skin is soft, but
leathery, and it is covered on the back with spongeous tubercles,
or scales. The rays are hollow beneath, and furnished with
tentacula, by the aid of which the star-fish manages to crawl
backwards, forwards, or sideways, as the case may be, any of the
rays serving as a leader. These animals are found on the sea-shore,
forming large beds, which are washed over by the sea. _The
Crinoidea_, or stone-lilies, of which such curious fossil specimens
have been found, are nearly allied to the star-fish.
II. _The Intestina_, or _Entozoa_. The intestinal worms were
divided into two kinds by Cuvier, viz. the _Cavitaires_, including
the worms of children, and other cylindrical worms; and the
_Parenchymateux_, or flat worms; such as the fluke in sheep and the
tape-worm in human beings. The Entozoa are now universally regarded
as belonging to the Articulated or Annulose division of the animal
kingdom.
III. _Acalephæ_, or _Sea-Jellies_. These creatures are of a soft
and jelly-like substance, with a thin skin, and an unarmed mouth.
The Medusides are very numerous, and produce that beautiful
phosphorescent light noticed by voyagers in the Australian seas.
The most interesting of the Acalephes is the Portuguese man-of-war,
or Physalia.
IV. _Polyps_, or _Anthozoa_, according to Cuvier, were divided into
three orders; namely:
1. _Fleshy Polyps_ (Sea anemones);
2. _Gelatinous Polyps_ (_Hydra_); and
3. _Polyps with Polyparies_, the latter including all the various
compound zoophytes, with the Sponges. Of these the _Flustræ_, or
_Sea Mats_, and numerous allied species, have since been
recognised as belonging rather to the Mollusca, and the Sponges to
a distinct and lower group of animals than the Radiata; the
remainder have generally been divided into the following three
orders:--
1. _Helianthoida._ This order includes the actinia, or sea-anemone;
and the madrepores, sea-mushrooms, and brainstones, which live in
communities, and possess the power of secreting calcareous matters,
which they emit to form these stony substances.
2. _Asteroida._ Some of the animals belonging to this division are
called sea-pens, and others form some of the different kinds of
coral, particularly that used for necklaces, &c.
3. _Hydroida._ This order includes the fresh-water polypi, which,
it is well known, by the experiments that have been tried, may be
cut in pieces and even turned inside out without destroying life.
It must be observed that the contents of this group in Cuvier’s
system consisted of all those forms of animals which he could not,
in accordance with the knowledge possessed in his day, conveniently
place anywhere else. Within the last few years, however, great
progress has been made in the arrangement of the animals placed in
this group by Cuvier. One of the most important changes has been
the establishment of a fifth group of animals for the Infusoria and
Sponges, together with certain other creatures of very low
organisation. To these the name of PROTOZOA has been given. The
_Entozoa_ have been removed amongst the articulate animals, and
there is a growing conviction that the _Echinodermata_ will have to
be transferred to the same section. There remain, consequently, the
_Acalephæ_ and _Polyps_ of Cuvier, which form a group characterised
by their soft and generally gelatinous texture; by the existence of
peculiar cells, called thread cells, in the skin; and by their
possession of an alimentary cavity with only a single orifice. To
these the name of CŒLENTERATA has been given. They are divided
into two classes: I. The ANTHOZOA, or Polyps, including the orders
_Helianthoida_ and _Asteroida_; and II. The HYDROZOA, composed of
the Hydroid Polyps and Acalephæ, the connection between which, as
indicated in the text (p. 609), is very intimate.
V. _The Infusoria_, or _Animalcula_, are so small as to be
invisible to the naked eye, and they are all inhabitants of
liquids. Cuvier arranged them in two orders, one of which he called
_Les Rotifères_, and the other _Les Infusories homogènes_, but the
first of these divisions is now included among the Articulata. The
remainder of the Infusoria of Cuvier, with the exception of some
which are now known to be of vegetable nature, are arranged, with
the Sponges and some other animals, in a separate division, called
Protozoa, the classification of which is still in a somewhat
uncertain state. The three principal classes are those of the
_Infusoria_, the _Sponges_, and the _Rhizopoda_; but there are
other forms which will not admit of being brought under any of
these denominations. Nearly all the Protozoa are microscopic,
except when, as in the case of the Sponges, they form an
aggregation of individuals. They are very numerous, and, although
exceedingly simple in their structure, their history often
possesses much interest.
EXPLANATION
OF
TERMS USED IN NATURAL HISTORY.
_Abdomen._ The part of the body containing
the organs of digestion.
_Abdominal._ Pertaining to the abdomen.
_Amphibious._ Capable of living both on the land and in the water.
_Animalcules._ Small animals, visible only with
the assistance of the microscope.
_Annulated._ Marked with rings.
_Antennæ._ The horns or feelers of insects.
_Apex._ The top or summit of anything.
_Apical._ Situated at, or belonging to, the apex.
_Apodal._ Footless.
_Apterous._ Wingless.
_Aquatic._ Living or growing in the water.
_Bicuspid._ Having two points.
_Bifid._ Divided into two parts.
_Bifurcated._ Divided into two prongs.
_Bisulcous._ Cloven-hoofed.
_Bivalve._ With two shells.
_Branchiæ._ Gills, or organs for aquatic respiration.
_Buccal._ Pertaining to the mouth.
_Byssus._ A tuft of silky filaments produced by some Mollusca.
_Callosity._ A hard lump, an excrescence.
_Campanulate._ Bell-shaped.
_Canine._ Of the dog kind.
_Carinated._ Keeled.
_Carnivorous._ Feeding on flesh.
_Caudal._ Pertaining to the tail.
_Cere._ A skin over the base of the bill of birds._Cervical._
Belonging to the neck.
_Cetaceous._ Of the whale kind.
_Cilia._ Microscopic filaments, which,
by their constant vibration,
either cause currents in the water,
or move the animals
possessing them.
_Cinereous._ Of the colour of ashes.
_Clavate._ Clubbed.
_Cordiform._ Heart-shaped.
_Coriaceous._ Leathery.
_Corneous._ Horny.
_Crustaceous._ Covered with a shell or crust; as lobsters, crabs, &c.
_Dentate._ Toothed like a saw.
_Dorsal._ Belonging to the back.
_Elytra._ The wing-cases of insects of the beetle tribe.
_Emarginate._ Notched.
_Entomology._ A description of insects.
_Exsanguineous._ Without red blood, as worms.
_Feline._ Belonging to the cat kind.
_Ferruginous._ Of an iron or rust colour.
_Filiform._ Thread-like.
_Foliaceous._ Leaf-like.
_Frugivorous._ Feeding on fruits.
_Furcated._ Forked.
_Fusiform._ Spindle-shaped.
_Gallinaceous._ Belonging to the hen kind.
_Gelatinous._ Like jelly.
_Gemmiparous._ Capable of propagating by buds.
_Geniculate._ Bent like a knee.
_Gestation._ The time of going with young.
_Granivorous._ Feeding on grain.
_Gregarious._ Associating together.
_Hastate._ Formed like an arrow-head.
_Haustellate._ Insects with a mouth adapted for suction.
_Herbivorous._ Feeding on grass.
_Hexapod._ Having six legs.
_Hyaline._ Glassy.
_Ichthyology._ A description of fishes.
_Imbricated._ Tiled, or lying over each other.
_Incubation._ The act of hatching eggs.
_Insectivorous._ Feeding on insects.
_Intestinal._ Pertaining to the digestive organs.
_Laminated._ Covered with or divided into plates or scales.
_Larva._ The young of insects.
_Lateral._ Belonging to the side, placed sideways.
_Loricated._ Covered with hard scales or plates like
armour._Lunate._
Crescent-shaped.
_Mandibles._ Upper and lower, the two divisions of
a bird’s beak, or
the projecting jaws of an insect.
_Migratory._ Coming and going at certain seasons.
_Multivalve._ With many shells or openings.
_Nacreous._ Resembling mother-of-pearl.
_Nictitating._ Winking; applied to a membrane with which birds cover
their eyes at pleasure.
_Olfactory._ Relating to smell.
_Operculum._ A shield or cover.
_Ornithology._ A description of birds.
_Oviparous._ That lays eggs.
_Palmated._ Webbed.
_Parasitic._ Attached to and dependent on some other living body.
_Parturition._ The act of bringing forth young.
_Passerine._ Belonging to the sparrow tribe.
_Pectinate._ Resembling a comb.
_Pectoral._ Belonging to the breast.
_Pendulous._ Hanging down.
_Piscivorous._ Feeding on fishes.
_Plicate._ Folded.
_Predaceous._ Formed to pursue prey.
_Prehensile._ Capable of grasping.
_Quadrifid._ Divided into four parts.
_Quadruped._ Four-footed.
_Ramose._ Branching.
_Reptiles._ Animals of the serpent tribe, with legs.
_Rudimentary._ Small; imperfectly developed.
_Ruminating._ Chewing the cud.
_Scabrous._ Rough.
_Scapulars._ Shoulders.
_Semilunar._ In the form of a half-moon.
_Serrated._ Notched like a saw.
_Sessile._ Attached without the intervention of a stalk.
_Setaceous._ Having bristles or strong hairs.
_Spiral._ Winding like a screw.
_Squamose._ Scaly.
_Striated._ Streaked or striped.
_Subulated._ Formed like an awl.
_Sulcated._ Furrowed.
_Suture._ The line of junction of two hind parts.
_Tentacula._ The feelers of snails and other mollusca.
_Testaceous._ Covered with a shell, as oysters.
_Trifurcated._ Three-forked.
_Truncated._ Appearing as if cut off._Tubicolar._
Inhabiting a tube.
_Univalve._ With one shell or opening.
_Ventral._ Belonging to the belly.
_Vertebrated._ Having a jointed spine-bone.
_Viscera._ The organs contained in the cavities of the body.
_Viviparous._ Bringing forth the young alive.
_Webbed._ Connected by a membrane, as the toes of aquatic birds.
_Xylophagous._ Wood-eating.
_Zoologists._ Writers on animated nature.
_Zoology._ The history of animated nature.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
BOOK I.
QUADRUPEDS, OR FOUR-FOOTED BEASTS.
POPULAR AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF THE ANIMALS DESCRIBED.
⁂ Where no synonyme is given, the Linnæan name is the only one in use;
and when the synonymes are seldom used, they are marked thus *. When no
Linnæan name is given, the animal was not described by Linnæus.
SECTION I.--CARNIVOROUS, OR FLESH-EATING ANIMALS.
English Name Linnæan Name Synonymes Page
LION Felis Leo *Leo vulgaris.--_Leach_ 1
LIONESS Ibid. 7
TIGER Felis Tigris 9
LEOPARD Felis Leopardus 12
PANTHER Felis Pardus 13
OUNCE Felis Uncia.--_Schreb._ 14
OCELOT Felis Pardalis 14
HUNTING LEOPARD,}
or CHEETAH } Felis jubata Cynailurus jubatus.--_Wag._ 15
JAGUAR Felis Onca 16
{Felis Puma.--_Trail_ }
PUMA Felis concolor {*Leo Americanus.--_Her._} 18
{*Puma concolor.--_Jard._}
COMMON LYNX Felis Lynx *Lyncus vulgaris.--_Gray_ 19
CANADIAN LYNX {Felis Canadensis.--_Geoff._} 19
{*Lyncus Canadensis.--_Gray_}
CARACAL Felis Caracal.--_Schreb._ 20
DOMESTIC CAT Felis domestica 20
WILD CAT Felis Catus 22
DOGS {Canis familiaris and} 23
{ var. }
SHEPHERD’S DOG 23
BLOODHOUND 25
FOXHOUND 27
POINTER 28
MASTIFF 29
BULLDOG 30
TERRIER 31
SPANIEL 32
WATER SPANIEL 33
NEWFOUNDLAND DOG 34
GREYHOUND 36
FOX Canis Vulpes Vulpes vulgaris.--_Briss._ 37
ARCTIC FOX Canis lagopus Vulpes lagopus 39
WOLF Canis Lupus *Lupus vulgaris 40
JACKAL Canis aureus 42
STRIPED HYÆNA Canis Hyæna Hyæna striata.--_Zimm._ 43
SPOTTED HYÆNA Hyæna Crocuta 44
BLACK BEAR Ursus Americanus 45
GRISLY BEAR Ursus ferox 46
BROWN BEAR Ursus Arctos 46
MALAYAN SUN BEAR Ursus Malayanus 48
POLAR BEAR Ursus maritimus.--_Gmel._ 50
RACOON Ursus Lotor Procyon Lotor.--_Cuv._ 51
BADGER Ursus Meles Meles Taxus.--_Blum._ 53
COATI-MONDI Viverra Nasua Nasua narica.--_F. Cuv._ 53
CIVET Viverra Civetta.--_Schreb._54
GENET Viverra Genetta Genetta vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 55
ORIENTAL CIVET Viverra Zibetha 56
ICHNEUMON, or } Viverra Ichneumon Herpestes Ichneumon 56
EGYPTIAN }
MANGOUSTE }
WEASEL Mustela vulgaris 58
FERRET Mustela furo *Viverra furo.--_Shaw_ 60
POLECAT Mustela putorius Putorius vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 61
ERMINE Mustela erminea 62
SKUNK Mustela or Mephitis Americana 63
SABLE {Mustela or Martes} 64
{ Zibellina }
MARTEN Mustela Martes Martes foina.--_Gray_ 65
OTTER Mustela Lutra Lutra vulgaris.--_Erxl._ 66
SEA OTTER Mustela Lutris Enhydra Lutris.--_Gray_ 68
SEAL Phoca vitulina {*Phoca variegata.--_Niel._ }
{Calocephalus vitulinus.--_Cuv._} 69
WALRUS Trichechus Rosmarus 72
SECTION II.--INSECT-EATING ANIMALS.
HEDGEHOG Erinaceus Europæus 74
MOLE Talpa Europæa Talpa vulgaris.--_Briss._ 76
SHREW Sorex araneus 78
WATER SHREW Sorex fodiens 79
SECTION III.--CHEIROPTEROUS ANIMALS.
BAT Vespertilio noctula 80
PIPISTRELLE Vespertilio Pipistrellus 81
LONG-EARED BAT Vespertilio auritus Plecotus auritus.--_Gray_ 81
VAMPYRE BAT Vespertilio spectrum Phyllostoma spectrum.--_Geoff._ 82
KALONG BAT Pteropus edulis.--_Péron._ 83
SECTION IV.--MARSUPIALIA, OR POUCH-BEARING ANIMALS.
KANGAROO {Macropus giganteus.--_Shaw_ and _Cuv._}
{ *Halmaturus.--_Illig._ } 84
{ and *Kangurus.--_Desm._ }
OPOSSUM Didelphis Virginiana 86
PHALANGER Phalangista vulpina.--_Desm._ 87
SECTION V.--RODENTIA, OR GNAWING ANIMALS.
BEAVER Castor Fiber 88
MUSK RAT {Fiber zibethicus.--_Des._ } 90
{ Ondatra zibethica.--_Lacep._}
HARE Lepus timidus 91
RABBIT (_Wild_) Lepus cuniculus 93
RABBIT (_Domestic_) 94
SQUIRREL Sciurus vulgaris 95
DORMOUSE Mus avellanarius Myoxus muscardinus.--_Schreb._ 96
MARMOT, or } Mus marmotta Arctomys Marmotta.--_Gmel._ 97
ALPINE RAT }
GUINEA-PIG Mus porcellus {Cavia cobaya.--_Pall._ }
{ Cavia aperea.--_Erxl._ }98
{ Hydrochœrus aperea.--_F. Cuv._}
MOUSE Mus musculus 99
RAT Mus decumanus 100
WATER RAT Mus amphibius {Mus aquaticus.--_Briss._ }
{*Lemmus aquaticus.--_F. Cuv._--Arvicola}
{ amphibia.--_Desm._ and _Jenyns._} 102
{ Arvicola aquatica.--_Flem._}
LEMMING Mus Lemmus Myodes Lemmus.--_Pall._ 103
JERBOA {Dipus Jerboa.--_Gmel._} 104
{ Mus sagitta.--_Pall._}
CHINCHILLA Chinchilla lanigera 105
PORCUPINE Hystrix cristata 106
COUENDOU Hystrix prehensilis Synetheres prehensilis.--_Cuv._ 106
SECTION VI.--EDENTATA, OR TOOTHLESS ANIMALS.
SLOTH Bradypus tridactylus 107
ARMADILLO Dasypus sexcinctus 109
ANT-EATER Myrmecophaga jubata 110
DUCK-BILLED } {Ornithorhynchus paradoxus.--_Blum._}111
PLATYPUS } {Platypus anatinus.--_Shaw._ }
SECTION VII.--PACHYDERMATA, OR THICK-SKINNED ANIMALS.
ELEPHANT Elephas Indicus 113
HIPPOPOTAMUS, } Hippopotamus amphibius 116
or RIVER HORSE}
RHINOCEROS Rhinoceros unicornis 117
HOG (_Domestic_) Sus scrofa 118
WILD BOAR Sus scrofa Sus aper.--_Briss._ 120
BABIROUSSA Sus Babyrussa Babirussa Alfurus.--_Less._ 122
PECCARY Dicotyles labiatus.--_Cuv._ 122
TAPIR Tapirus Americanus.--_Schreb._ 123
HORSE Equus caballus 124
ASS Equus Asinus Asinus vulgaris.--_Gray_ 127
MULE 130
KIANG Equus Hemionus.--_Pall._ 131
ZEBRA Equus Zebra 132
SECTION VIII.--RUMINATING ANIMALS.
BULL {Bos Taurus, var.} 134
{ domesticus }
COW 136
WILD BULL {Bos Taurus, var. } 137
{ Scoticus }
BUFFALO Bos Bubalus Bubalus Caffer 139
BISON Bos Bonasus Bison Bonasus 141
BRAHMIN BULL,} Bos Taurus, var.} 143
or ZEBU } Indicus }
SHEEP Ovis Aries *Capra ovis.--_Blum._ 144
RAM 146
WALLACHIAN RAM 146
ARGALI, or WILD} Ovis Ammon 147
SHEEP OF ASIA}
GOAT Capra Hircus 147
IBEX, or BOQUETIN Capra Ibex 148
ANTELOPE Capra Cervicapra Antilope Cervicapra.--_Pall._ 149
GAZELLE Capra Dorcas Antilope Dorcas--_Pall._ 150
CHAMOIS Capra rupicapra Antilope rupicapra.--_Pall._ 151
NYL GHAU Antilope picta.--_Pall._ 152
GNU Antilope Gnu.--_Gmel._ 154
STAG Cervus Elaphus 155
WAPITI {Cervus Canadensis.--_Gmel._ } 157
{*Cervus strongyloceros.--_Schres._}
ROEBUCK Cervus capreolus 158
FALLOW DEER Cervus Dama 159
ELK Cervus Alces 160
REINDEER Cervus Tarandus {*Cervus Rangifer.--_Ray._} 161
{ Rangifer Tarandus }
AXIS Cervus axis 163
MUSK DEER Moschus Moschiferus 163
GIRAFFE Cervus Camelopardalis Camelopardalis Giraffa.--_Gmel.]_164
CAMEL Camelus Bactrianus 168
DROMEDARY Camelus Dromedarius 170
LLAMA Camelus glama Auchenia glama.--_Illig._ 172
SECTION IX.--QUADRUMANA, OR FOUR-HANDED ANIMALS.
OURANG OUTAN Simia satyrus 173
CHIMPANZEE Troglodytes niger.--_Geoff._ 174
GORILLA Troglodytes Gorilla 176
BARBARY APE Simia inuus Inuus sylvanus.--_Cuv._ 177
BABOON {Cynocephalus porcarius.--_Desm._ } 174
{ and _Cuv._ }
PROBOSCIS MONKEY} Nasalis larvatus.--_Geoff._ 180
DIANA MONKEY Simia Diana Cercopithecus Diana.--_Geoff._ 180
CAPUCHIN MONKEY} Simia Capucina Cebus capucinus.--_Des._ 182
SPIDER MONKEY Simia Paniscus Ateles Paniscus.--_Geoff._ 182
OUISTIT or} Simia Jacchus Jacchus vulgaris.--_Geoff._ 183
MARMOZET}
MARIKINA Simia Rosalia Jacchus Rosalia 183
LEMUR Lemur Macaco 184
MONGOOS Lemur albifrons.--_Geoff._ 184
BOOK II.
INHABITANTS OF THE AIR.
SECTION I.--RAPTORES.--DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY.
GOLDEN EAGLE Falco chrysaëtos Aquila chrysaëtos 185
SEA EAGLE Falco albicilla Haliæetus albicilla.--_Sav._ 188
BALD EAGLE Falco leucocephalus Haliæetus leucocephalus.--_Sav._ 189
OSPREY or } Falco haliaëtus Pandion haliaëtus.--_Cuv._ 191
FISHING HAWK}
BLACK EAGLE Falco melanaëtos 194
VULTURE Vultur Papa Sarcorhampus Papa.--_Dum._ 195
CONDOR Vultur Gryphus Sarcorhampus Gryphus.--_Dum._ 196
BUZZARD Falco Buteo Buteo vulgaris.--_Bech._ 197
HONEY BUZZARD Falco apivorus Pernis apivorus.--_Cuv._ 199
GOSHAWK Falco palumbarius Astur palumbarius.--_Bech._ 200
SPARROW-HAWK Falco Nisus {Accipiter Nisus.--_Pall._ } 202
{ Nisus communis--_Cuv._ }
KITE Falco Milvus Milvus regalis.--_Cuv._ 203
JER FALCON Falco Gyrfalco Falco islandicus 204
PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus 205
MERLIN Falco æsalon Hypotriorchis æsalon.--_Gray_ 208
KESTREL Falco Tinnunculus Tinnunculus alaudarius.--_Gray_ 210
SECRETARY BIRD Serpentarius reptilivorus.--_Daud._ 211
HEN HARRIER Falco cyaneus Circus cyaneus--_Boié_ 213
SECTION II.--NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY.
HORNED OWL Strix Bubo Bubo maximus.--_Flem._ 214
HARFANG, or } Strix nyctea Surnia Nyctea--_Selby_ 215
SNOWY OWL }
BARN OWL Strix flammea 216
SECTION III.--INSESSORES, OR PERCHING BIRDS.
BUTCHER-BIRD, } Lanius excubitor 217
or SHRIKE }
WATER OUZEL, } {Turdus Cinclus.--_Lath._ }
or DIPPER } Sturnus Cinclus {Merula aquatica.--_Briss._ } 219
{Cinclus aquaticus.--_Bech._ }
BLACKBIRD Turdus Merula 220
MISSEL THRUSH Turdus viscivorus 221
REDWING Turdus iliacus 222
FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris 223
RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus 224
MOCKING BIRD Turdus polyglottus 225
REDBREAST Motacilla rubecula. {Sylvia rubecula.--_Lath._ } 226
{Erythacus rubecula }
{Sylvia luscinia.--_Lath._ }
NIGHTINGALE Motacilla luscinia {Curruca luscinia--_Bech._ } 228
{Philomela luscinia }
BLACKCAP Motacilla atricapilla {Sylvia.--_Lath._ and Curruca } 231
{ atricapilla--_Bech._ }
{Sylvia.--_Lath._ Troglodytes }
WREN Motacilla Troglodytes { Europæus.--_Cuv._ } 232
{ Troglodytes vulgaris.--_Flem._}
WILLOW WREN Motacilla trochilus {Silvia trochilus.--_Lath._ } 233
{Regulus trochilus.--_Cuv._ }
GOLDEN-CRESTED } Motacilla Regulus Regulus cristatus.--_Will._ 235
WREN }
GREY WATER } Motacilla boarula 236
WAGTAIL }
RED WAGTAILS 237
SWALLOW Hirundo rustica 238
MARTIN Hirundo urbica 241
SWIFT Hirundo apus Cypselus apus 243
GOATSUCKER Caprimulgus Europæus 244
SKYLARK Alauda arvensis 245
WOODLARK Alauda arborea 247
TITMOUSE Parus cœruleus 248
LONG-TAILED TIT Parus caudatus 248
YELLOW HAMMER Emberiza citrinella 249
WHEATEAR Motacilla Œnanthe {Silvia Œnanthe.--_Lath._ } 250
{Saxicola Œnanthe.--_Bech._ }
WHINCHAT Motacilla Rubetra Saxicola rubetra.--_Bech._ 250
SPARROW Fringilla domestica {*Pyrgita domestica.--_Cuv._ } 252
{ Passer domesticus.--_Ray._ }
LINNET Fringilla cannabina {Fringilla Linota.--_Gmel._ } 253
{Linaria Linota.--_Cuv._ }
CANARY BIRD Fringilla Canaria Carduelis Canaria 254
CHAFFINCH Fringilla cœlebs 256
BULLFINCH Loxia pyrrhula Pyrrhula vulgaris.--_Tem._ 258
GOLDFINCH Fringilla carduelis {Carduelis communis.--_Cuv._; } 259
{ Carduelis elegans.--_Steph._}
CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra 261
STARLING Sturnus vulgaris 262
SATIN BOWER } {Ptilonorhynchus Holosericeus.--_Kuhl_}
BIRD } { Kitta.--_Lesson._ } 263
{ Graucalus.--_Cuv._ }
RAVEN Corvus corax 265
CROW Corvus corone 268
ROOK Corvus frugilegus 269
JACKDAW Corvus monedula 271
MAGPIE Corvus pica Pica caudata 272
CHOUGH Corvus graculus {Pyrrhocorax graculus.--_Tem._ } 274
JAY Corvus glandarius {Garrulus glandarius.--_Briss._ } 275
{ and _Cuv._ }
ROLLER Coracias garrula 276
KINGFISHER Alcedo ispida 277
BIRD OF PARADISE Paradisea apoda 279
NUTHATCH Sitta Europæa 281
CREEPER Certhia familiaris 281
WALL CREEPER Tichodroma muraria 283
LYRE BIRD Menura superba 284
HUMMING-BIRD Trochilus colubris 287
HOOPOE Upupa epops 288
SECTION IV.--SCANSORES, OR CLIMBERS.
CUCKOO Cuculus canorus 290
WOODPECKER Picus viridis 294
WRYNECK Yunx torquilla 296
TOUCAN Ramphastos tucanus 297
GREY PARROT Psittacus erythacus 298
GREEN PARROT Psittacus Amazonicus 300
BLUE and YELLOW} Psittacus aracanga Macrocereus aracanga.--_Viell._ 300
MACAW }
RING PAROQUET Psittacus Alexandri Palæornis Alexandri.--_Vig._ 301
WARBLING GRASS} Melopsittacus undulatus 302
PAROQUET }
COCKATOO Psittacus galeritus Plyctolophus galeritus 302
SECTION V.--GALLINACEOUS BIRDS.
PEACOCK Pavo cristatus 304
TURKEY Meleagris Gallo-Pavo 306
GUINEA FOWL Numida Meleagris 308
MOUND BIRD Megapodius tumulus 310
PHEASANT Phasianus Colchicus 313
RED-LEGGED } Tetrao Rufus Perdix rufus 315
PARTRIDGE}
PARTRIDGE Tetrao Perdix Perdix cinerea.--_Lath._ 316
QUAIL Tetrao Coturnix {Coturnix major.--_Briss._ } 318
{ Coturnix vulgaris.--_Flem._ }
{ Coturnix Europæus.--_Wils._ }
{ Perdix Coturnix.--_Lath._ }
{ Coturnix dactylisonans.--_Gould_}
AMERICAN QUAIL Ortyx Virginianus 319
GROUSE, or MOOR } { Lagopus Scoticus.--_Lath._ } 320
FOWL } {*Bonasa Scotica.--_Briss._ }
PTARMIGAN Tetrao Lagopus { Lagopus vulgaris.--_Wils._ } 321
{ Tetrao rupestris.--_Gmel._ }
BLACK COCK Tetrao Tetrix *Uriogallis minor.--_Ray._ 322
CAPERCAILZIE Tetrao Urogallus 323
COCK Phasianus Gallus { Gallus domesticus.--_Wils._ } 324
{ Gallus Sonnerati }
BANKIVA, JAGO, } 326
SPANISH, and }
BANTAM COCKS }
DODO Didus ineptus 328
RINGDOVE Columba palumbus 330
STOCKDOVE Columba Œnas 331
ROCK DOVE Columba livia 332
TURTLEDOVE Columba turtur 335
SECTION VI.--GRALLATORES, OR WADERS.
OSTRICH Struthio Camelus 337
RHEA Struthio Rhea Rhea Americana 340
CASSOWARY Struthio Casuarius Casuarius galeatus.--_Viel._ 341
EMEU { Dromaius ater.--_Viel._ } 343
{ Dromaius Novæ Hollandiæ }
APTERYX Apteryx Australis.--_Shaw_ 344
BUSTARD Otis tarda 345
CRANE Ardea Grus Grus cinerea.--_Bech._ 347
BALEARIC CRANE Ardea pavonina { Anthropoides pavonina.--_Viel._ } 349
{ Balearica pavonina.--_Vig._ }
STORK Ardea Ciconia Ciconia alba.--_Cuv._ 350
ADJUTANT Leptoptilus argala 352
HERON Ardea cinerea 354
BITTERN Ardea stellaris Botaurus stellaris.--_Steph._ 356
SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia 358
IBIS Ibis religiosa.--_Sav._ 359
CURLEW Scolopax arquata Numenius arquatus.--_Lath._ 360
REDSHANK Scolopax calidris Totanus calidris.--_Bech._ 361
GODWIT Scolopax ægocephala Limosa melanura.--_Tem._ } 362
{ Limosa ægocephala }
RUFF and REEVE Tringa pugnax Machetes pugnax 363
SNIPE Scolopax Gallinago 365
WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola 366
KNOT Tringa Canutus Tringa cinerea.--_Gmel._ 367
GREY PLOVER { Tringa squatarola } Squatarola helvetica.--_Cuv._ }368
{ and T. helvetica } Squatarola cinerea }
GOLDEN PLOVER Charadrius pluvialis 369
DOTTREL Charadrius Morinellus 370
LAPWING or PEEWIT Tringa vanellus Vanellus cristatus.--_Mey._ 371
WATER HEN Fulica chloropus Gallinula chloropus 373
CORNCRAKE, or } Rallus crex { Crex pratensis.--_Bech._ } 374
LAND RAIL } { Ortygometra crex }
COOT Fulica atra 376
SECTION VII.--PALMIPEDES, OR WEB-FOOTED BIRDS.
PELICAN Pelicanus onocrotalus 377
CORMORANT Pelicanus Carbo { Carbo Cormoranus.--_Mey._ } 379
{ Phalacrocorax Carbo.--_Cuv._ }
CRESTED CORMORANT Pelicanus graculus Phalacrocorax graculus.--_Cuv._ 380
SOLAN GOOSE, or } Pelicanus Bassanus { Pelicanus maculatus.--_Gmel._ } 381
GANNET } { Anser bassanus.--_Ray._ }
{ Sula alba.--_Mey._ }
{ Sula bassana.--_Bris._ }
TAME SWAN Anas olor Cygnus olor.--_Ray._ 383
WILD SWAN Anas Cygnus Cygnus ferus.--_Ray._ 384
GOOSE Anas anser { Anser palustris.--_Flem._ } 386
{ Anser ferus.--_Wils._ }
{ Anser sylvestris.--_Briss._ }
DUCK Anas Boschas Anas fera.--_Briss._ 388
EIDER DUCK Anas mollissima Somateria mollissima.--_Leach._ 389
WIDGEON Anas Penelope { Mareca fistularis.-_Steph._ } 390
{ Anatra Mangiana.--_Stor._ }
TEAL Anas Crecca Querquedula Crecca.--_Steph._ 391
COMMON GULL Laruscanus 392
STORMY PETREL Procellaria pelagica Thalassidroma pelagica.--_Vigors_ 393
FULMAR Procellaria glacialis 395
ALBATROSS Diomedea exulans 396
GREAT NORTHERN } Colymbus glacialis 397
DIVER }
PUFFIN Alca arctica Fratercula arctica.--_Leach._ 398
GREAT AUK Alca impennis 399
PENGUIN 400
BOOK III.
INHABITANTS OF THE WATER.
SECTION I.--CETACEA, OR SEA MAMMALIA.
COMMON WHALE Balæna mysticetus 401
RORQUAL Balæna Boops Balænoptera Boops.--_Lacep._ 407
SPERMACETI WHALE Physeter macrocephalus 407
DOLPHIN Delphinus Delphis 409
WHITE WHALE { Beluga leucas.--_Gray._ } 410
{ Beluga arctica.--_Less._ }
{ Delphinapterus Beluga.--_Lacep._}
PORPOISE Delphinus Phocæna Phocæna vulgaris 412
SEA UNICORN Monodon monoceros 414
MANATEE Manatus Australis.--_Tiles._ 415
SECTION II.--CARTILAGINOUS FISHES.
STURGEON Acipenser sturio 416
SHARK Squalus Carcharias Carcharias vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 417
GREENLAND SHARK Salachus maximus 420
DOG-FISH 420
HAMMER-HEADED SHARK Zygoma malleus 421
THORNBACK Raia clavata 422
SKATE, or MAID Raia batis 424
TORPEDO Raia Torpedo Torpedo Narke.--_Risso_ 425
MONK FISH, or } Squalus squatina Squatina Angelus.--_Dum._ 426
ANGEL FISH }
SAW FISH Squalus Pristis Pristis antiquorum.--_Lath._ 427
LAMPREY Petromyzon marinus 427
HAG-FISH Myxine glutinosa Gastrobranchus cæcus.--_Bl._ 428
SECTION III.--BONY FISHES.
PILOT FISH Gasterosteus ductor Naucrates ductor.--_Cuv._ 429
REMORA or SUCKING } Echeneis Remora 430
FISH }
SEA WOLF Anarrhichas lupus 431
HORNED SILURE Silurus militaris Ageneiosis milit.--_Lacep._ 432
FATHER LASHER Cottus scorpius 433
SWORD FISH Xiphias gladius 433
FLYING SCORPION { Scorpæna volitans.--_Emel._ } 435
{ Pteroïs volitans.--_Cuv._ }
LUMP-SUCKER Cyclopterus lumpus 436
OCELLATED-SUCKER Lepadogaster cornubicus.--_Cuv._ 437
ANGLER Lophius piscatorius 438
FOUR-HORNED } Ostracion quadricornis 439
TRUNK FISH}
GLOBE FISH Tetraodon hispidus 440
SUN FISH Tetraodon Mola Orthagariscus Mola.--_Schn._ 441
SEA HORSE Syngnathus Hippocampus Hippocampus brevirostris.--_Cuv._ 442
FLYING FISH Exocætus volitans 443
GURNARD Trigla cuculus 444
JOHN DORY Zeus faber 446
BLEPHARIS Blepharis ciliaris.--_Bl._ 447
OPAH, or KING } Lampris guttatus.--_Retz._ 447
FISH }
COD FISH Gadus Morrhua Morrhua vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 448
HADDOCK Gadus Æglefinus Morrhua Æglefinus.--_Cuv._ 449
WHITING Gadus Merlangus Merlangus vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 451
LING Gadus molva { Lota molva.--_Cuv._ } 451
{ Asellus.--_Will._ }
{ Molva vulgaris.--_Flem._}
MACKEREL Scomber Scomber { Scomber Scombrus.--_Cuv._ } 453
{ Scomber vulgaris.--_Flem._}
GAR FISH Esox Belone Belone vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 454
HERRING Clupea Harengus 455
SPRAT Clupea Sprattus 456
PILCHARD Clupea pilchardus 457
WHITEBAIT Clupea alba.--_Yarrell_ 458
ANCHOVY Clupea encrasicolus { Engraulis encrasicolus.--_Flem._} 458
{ Engraulis vulgaris.--_Cuv._ }
TURBOT Pleuronectes maximus Rhombus maximus.--_Cuv._ 459
PLAICE Pleuronectes platessa Platessa vulgaris.--_Flem._ 460
FLOUNDER Pleuronectes flesus { Platessa flesus.--_Flem._ } 461
{ Pleuronectes fluviatilis.--_Will._}
SOLE Pleuronectes solea Solea vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 461
SALMON PINK 462
SALMON Salmo salar 463
SALMON TROUT Salmo trutta 465
TROUT Salmo fario 466
CHAR Salmo salvelinus Salmo alpoinus.--_Pen._ 469
GRAYLING Salmo thymallus Thymallus vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 470
SMELT Salmo eperlanus { Osmerus eperlanus.--_Flem._ } 471
{ Eperlanus Rondeletii.--_Will._ }
PIKE Esox lucius 472
PERCH Perca fluviatilis 474
POPE, or RUFFE Perca cernua Acerina cernua.--_Cuv._ 474
BASSE Perca labrax Labrax lupus.--_Cuv._ 475
CARP Cyprinus carpio 477
TENCH Cyprinus tinca Tinca vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 478
GOLD FISH Cyprinus auratus 479
GUDGEON Cyprinus gobio Gobio fluviatilis.--_Will._ 480
CHUB Cyprinus cephalus Leuciscus cephalus.--_Flem._ 481
BARBEL Cyprinus barbus Barbus vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 482
DACE Cyprinus leuciscus Leuciscus vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 482
ROACH Cyprinus rutilus Leuciscus rutilus.--_Cuv._ 483
BLEAK Cyprinus alburnus Leuciscus alburnus.--_Cuv._ 483
BREAM Cyprinus brama Abramis brama.--_Cuv._ 484
MINNOW Cyprinus phoxinus Leuciscus phoxinus.--_Cuv._ 485
LOACH Cobitis barbatula 486
BULLHEAD Cottus Gobio 486
STICKLEBACK Gasterosteus aculiatus 487
ELECTRICAL EEL Gymnotus electricus 488
EEL Muræna Anguilla Anguilla vulgaris.--_Thun._ 490
CONGER EEL Muræna conger Conger vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 492
BOOK IV.
REPTILES.
SECTION I.--SERPENTS, OR OPHIDIAN REPTILES.
VIPER, or ADDER Coluber Borus { Vipera Berus.--_Daud._ } 495
{ Pelias Berus.--_Merr._ }
HORNED VIPER Coluber cerastes { Vipera cerastes. Cerastes } 497
{ Hasselquistii}
RATTLE SNAKE Crotalus horridus 498
HAJE Coluber Haje Naja Haje.--_Groff._ 499
COBRA DI CAPELLO Coluber Naja Naja tripudians.--_Merr._ 500
SNAKE Coluber natrix Natrix torquata.--_Ray._ 501
BOA Boa constrictor 502
AMPHISBÆNA Amphisbæna fuliginosa 503
SECTION II.--BATRACHIAN REPTILES.
FROG Rana temporaria 505
TOAD Rana Bufo Bufo vulgaris.--_Laur._ 507
SURINAM TOAD Rana Pipa Pipa Americana.--_Laur._ 509
NEWT Lacerta aquatica Triton aquaticus 510
GREAT NEWT Triton balustris 511
SECTION III.--SAURIAN REPTILES.
LIZARD Lacerta vivipara { Lacerta agilis.--_Briss._ } 512
{ Zootoca vivipara.--_Wag._ }
IGUANA Lacerta Iguana Iguana tuberculata.--_Laur._ 513
FLYING LIZARD Draco volans 514
CHAMELEON Lacerta Chamæleon Chamæleo vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 515
CROCODILE Lacerta Crocodilus Crocodilus vulgaris.--_Cuv._ 517
ALLIGATOR, or CAYMAN Lacerta Alligator Alligator Lucius.--_Cuv._ 518
SECTION IV.-CHELONIAN REPTILES.
TORTOISE Testudo Græca 520
TURTLE Testudo midas Chelonia midas.--_Briss._ 521
HAWK’S BILL TURTLE Testudo imbricata Chelonia imbricata.--_Briss._ 523
LEATHERY TURTLE Testudo coriacea Sphargis coriacea 524
BOOK V.
MOLLUSCOUS ANIMALS.
SECTION I.--BIVALVES, OR THOSE HAVING TWO SHELLS.
PEARL OYSTER Mytilus Margaritiferus Avicula margaritifera.--_Lam._ 525
OYSTER Ostrea edulis 526
COCKLE Cardium edule Cardium fimbria 527
PHOLAS Pholas dactylus 528
MUSSEL Mytilus edulis 530
SECTION II.--UNIVALVES.
ADMIRAL Conus ammiralis 530
TIGER COWRY Cypræa Tigris 531
WHELK Buccinum undatum 531
SNIPE SHELL Murex haustellus 532
PERIWINKLE Littorina littorea 532
LIMPET Patella vulgata 532
SNAIL Helix aspersa 533
CUTTLEFISH Sepia officinalis 535
POULPE Sepia octopodia Octopus vulgaris.--_Lam._ 537
ARGONAUT Argonauta argo 537
NAUTILUS Nautilus Pompilius 538
BOOK VI.
ARTICULATED ANIMALS.
SECTION I.--ANNELIDA, OR RINGED ANIMALS.
EARTHWORMS Lumbricus terrestris 539
LEECH Hirudo medicinalis Sanguisuga officinalis 540
SECTION II.--CRUSTACEA.
LOBSTER Cancer gammarus Astacus marinus.--_Leach_ 542
CRAYFISH Cancer astacus { Astacus fluviatilis.--_Des._} 543
{ Potamobius.--_Leach_ }
CRAB Cancer Pagurus 543
LAND CRAB 544
SOLDIER CRAB Pagurus Bempardus 545
SHRIMP Cancer crangon Crangon vulgaris.--_Fab._ 546
PRAWN Palæmon serratus.--_Leach_ 546
SECTION III.--ARACHNIDA.
GARDEN SPIDER Aranea diadema Epeïra diadema.--_Walck._ 548
TARANTULA Aranea Tarantula Lycosa tarantula.--_Lat._ 550
CHEESE MITE Acarus siro 552
SECTION IV.--INSECTS.
ORDER I.--COLEOPTERA, OR BEETLES.
COCKCHAFER Scarabæus Melolontha Melolontha vulgaris.--_Fab._ 554
DOR BEETLE Scarabæus stercorarius Geotrupes stercorarius.--_Lat._555
STAG BEETLE Lucanus Cervus 556
ELEPHANT BEETLE Scarabæus elephas Dynastes elephas 557
MUSK BEETLE, or } Cerambyx moschatus Aromia moschata.--_Serv._ 558
GOAT CHAFFER }
GROUND BEETLE Carabus clathratus 558
GLOWWORM Lampyris noctiluca 559
DEATH WATCH Ptinus pertinax Anobium pertinax.--_Fab._ 560
SPANISH FLY Cantharis vesicatoria 561
CORN WEEVIL Curculio granarius Calandra granaria.--_Clairv._ 561
LADY BIRD Coccinella septempunctata 562
ORDER II.--ORTHOPTERA.
EARWIG Forficula auricularia 563
LEAF MANTIS Mantis gongylodes Empusa gongylodes--_Ill._ 564
WALKING LEAF Mantis siccifolia Phyllium siccifolium.--_Ill._ 565
GRASSHOPPER Locusta flavipes 566
LOCUST Gryllus migratorius Locusta migratoria 567
MOLE CRICKET Gryllus Gryllotalpa Gryllotalpa vulgaris.--_Lat._ 569
CRICKET Gryllus domesticus Acheta domestica 570
ORDER III.--HEMIPTERA.
LANTERN FLY Fulgora lanternaria 571
COCHINEAL INSECT Coccus cacti 571
GREEN FLY Aphis rosæ 572
ORDER IV.--NEUROPTERA.
ANT-LION Myrmeleon formicarium 574
DRAGON FLY Libellula grandis Æshna grandis._--Fab._ 576
ORDER V.--HYMENOPTERA.
BEE Apis mellifica 577
WASP Vespa vulgaris 579
ICHNEUMON Pimpla persuasoria 581
ANT Formica rufa 582
ORDER VI.--LEPIDOPTERA, MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
EMPEROR MOTH, } Phalœna } Saturnia.--_Schaank._ 583
with its CHRYSALIS} Pavonia minor}
and CATERPILLAR }
TORTOISE-SHELL } Papilio urticæ Vanessa urticæ.--_Fab._ 585
BUTTERFLY }
CABBAGE BUTTERFLY Papilio Brassicæ { Pieris Brassicæ.--_Lat._ } 586
{ Pontia Brassicæ.--_Fab._ }
MAGPIE MOTH Phalæna grossulariata Abraxas grossulariata.--_Leach_587
WINTER MOTH Phalæna brumata Hibernia brumata.--_Lat._ 588
SILKWORM Bombyx mori 589
CLOTHES MOTH Tinea pellionella 590
ORDER VII.--DIPTERA.
HOUSE FLY Musca domestica 592
GNAT Culex pipiens 592
ORDER VIII.--SUCTORIA.
FLEA Pulex irritans 594
BOOK VII.
RADIATA.
STAR FISH Asterias rubens Uraster rubens 595
SEA-URCHIN Echinus miliaris 596
RED CORAL Isis nobilis Gorgonia nobilis 597
STONY CORALS 600
SPONGE 603
POLYPS 604
SEA ANEMONES 607
JELLY FISH 609
APPENDIX.--FABULOUS ANIMALS 611
THE ENTERTAINING NATURALIST.
BOOK I.
I. QUADRUPEDS, OR FOUR-FOOTED BEASTS.
§ I. _Carnivorous, or Flesh-eating Animals._
[Illustration: THE LION. (_Felis Leo._)]
THE LION is called the king of beasts, not only from his grave and
majestic appearance, but from his prodigious strength. Zoologists
describe him as an animal of the cat kind, distinguished from the other
species of the genus by the uniformity of his colour, the mane which
decorates the male, and a tuft of hair at the tip of the tail, which
conceals a small prickle or claw.
Lions were formerly found in all the hot and warmer temperate parts of
the whole world; but they are now confined to Africa, and some parts of
Asia. The African Lion stands four or five feet high, and his body is
from seven to nine feet long. The mane is thick, and somewhat curly; and
the colour varies in different parts of Africa, but it is generally of a
clear dark brown, deepening in some cases almost into black. The Asiatic
Lions are smaller than those of Africa, and their colour paler. The
Bengal Lion is of a light brown, with a long flowing mane; the Persian
Lion is of a sort of cream-colour, with a short thick mane; and the Lion
of Guzerat is of a reddish brown, without any mane. These varieties have
been considered as distinct species by some naturalists.
All the varieties agree in their habits; they lie hid in jungles in the
long grass, and when aroused either walk quietly and majestically away,
or turn and look steadily at their pursuers. Their roar is terrific: and
in a wild state, the animal generally roars with his mouth close to the
ground, which produces a low rumbling noise, like that of an earthquake.
The effect is described by those who have heard it, as making the
stoutest heart quail; and the feebler animals, when they hear it, fly in
dismay, often in their terror falling in the way of their enemy, instead
of avoiding him. Serpents, and some of the larger animals, will,
however, fight with Lions, and occasionally kill them; and Lions, when
pursued by man, are sometimes hunted with dogs, but are oftener shot, or
speared. Those which are exhibited in menageries have generally been
caught in pits. The pit is dug where traces have been discovered of a
Lion’s path; and it is then covered with sticks and turf. He is deceived
by the appearance of solidity presented by the turf, and attempts to
walk over it; but the moment he sets his foot upon the covering of the
trap, it breaks beneath his weight, and he falls into the pit. He is
then kept without food for several days, shaking the ground with hisroaring,
and fatiguing himself by vainly attempting to escape; till, at
last, he becomes exhausted, and so tame as to permit his captors to put
ropes round him, and drag him out. He is then put into a cage, and
removed in a kind of waggon, wherever his captors may wish to take him.
The generosity of the Lion has been much extolled; but the tales related
of it appear to have had no other foundation than the fact, that, like
many other beasts, when gorged with food he will not attack a man. A
great amount of courage has also been so generally ascribed to him that
the expression “as brave as a Lion,” has become proverbial, and he has
been regarded as a sort of symbol of that quality. For this respectable
character, the Lion is no doubt mainly indebted to his possession of a
mane, and to the boldness of appearance produced by his carrying his
head elevated; for in all other respects he is a genuine cat, with
neither more nor less courage than belongs to the cats in general. As
the Lion belongs to the cat tribe, his eyes are incapable of bearing a
strong light; it is therefore generally in the night that he prowls
about for prey, and when the sun shines in his face, he becomes confused
and almost blinded. Lion hunters are aware of this fact. In the day-time
they always consider themselves safe, so long as they have the sun on
their backs. In the night, a fire has nearly the same effect; and
travellers in Africa and the deserts of Arabia can generally protect
themselves from Lions and Tigers by making a large fire near their
sleeping-place. The strength of the African species is so great that he
has been known to carry away a young heifer, and leap a ditch with it in
his mouth. The power that man may acquire over this animal has been
often shown in the exhibitions of Van Amburgh, Carter, and others; but
the attachment which Lions sometimes form for their keepers, was never
more strongly exemplified than in the following anecdote.
M. Felix, the keeper of the animals in Paris, some years ago, brought
two Lions, a male and female, to the national menagerie. About the
beginning of the following June he was taken ill, and could no longer
attend them; and another person was under the necessity of performing
this duty. The male, sad and solitary, remained from that moment
constantly seated at the end of his cage, and refused to take food from
the stranger, whose presence was hateful to him, and whom he often
menaced by bellowing. The company even of the female seemed now to
displease him, and he paid no attention to her. The uneasiness of the
animal led to a belief that he was really ill; but no one dared to
approach him. At length Felix recovered, and, with an intention to
surprise the Lion, crawled softly to the cage, and showed his face
between the bars: the Lion, in a moment, made a bound, leaped against
the bars, patted him with his paws, licked his hands and face, and
trembled with pleasure. The female also ran to him; but the Lion drove
her back, and seemed angry, and fearful lest she should snatch any
favours from Felix; a quarrel was about to take place, but Felix entered
the cage to pacify them. He caressed them by turns; and was afterwards
frequently seen between them. He had so great a command over these
animals, that, whenever he wished them to separate and retire to their
cages, he had only to give the order: when he wished them to lie down,
and show strangers their paws or throats, they would throw themselves on
their backs on the least sign, hold up their paws one after another,
open their jaws, and, as a recompense, obtain the favour of licking his
hand.
The Lion, like all animals of the cat kind, does not devour his prey the
moment he has seized it. When those in cages are fed, they generally
hide their food under them for a minute or two, before they eat it. Thus
an instance is known of a man, who was struck down by a Lion, having
time to draw his hunting-knife and stab the ferocious beast, who was
growling over him, to the heart, before it had seriously injured him.
The Lion also resembles a cat in his mode of stealing after, and
watching his prey, a long time before seizing it.
Dr. Sparrman mentions a singular instance of the animal’s habits in this
respect. A Hottentot perceiving that he was followed by a Lion, and
concluding that the creature only waited the approach of night to make
him his prey, began to consider what was the best mode of providing for
his safety, and at length adopted the following:--Observing a piece of
broken ground with a precipitate descent on one side, he sat down by the
edge of it; and found, to his great joy, that the Lion also made a halt,
and kept at a distance behind him. As soon as it grew dark, the man,
sliding gently forward, let himself down a little below the edge of the
steep, and held up his cloak and hat on his stick, at the same time
gently moving them backward and forward. The Lion, after a while, came
creeping towards the object; and mistaking the cloak for the man
himself, made a spring at it, and fell headlong down the precipice.
Many interesting anecdotes of Lions and Lion-hunting may be found in the
accounts of their travels published by Gordon Cumming, Andersson, and
Dr. Livingstone. From the latter we may extract the following account of
an escape literally from the very jaws of death:--“Being about thirty
yards off,” says the doctor, “I took a good aim at his body through the
bush, and fired both barrels into it. The men then called out, ‘He is
shot, he is shot!’ Others cried, ‘He has been shot by another man too;
let us go to him!’ I did not see any one else shoot at him, but I saw
the Lion’s tail erected in anger behind the bush, and turning to the
people, said, ‘Stop a little till I load again.’ When in the act of
ramming down the bullets I heard a shout. Starting and looking half
round, I saw the Lion just in the act of springing upon me. I was upon a
little height; he caught my shoulder as he sprang, and we both came to
the ground below together. Growling horribly close to my ear, he shook
me as a terrier-dog does a rat. The shock produced a stupor similar to
that which seems to be felt by a mouse after the first shake of the cat.
It caused a sort of dreaminess, in which there was no sense of pain nor
feeling of terror, though quite conscious of all that was happening. It
was like what patients partially under the influence of chloroform
describe, who see all the operation, but feel not the knife. This
singular condition was not the result of any mental process. The shake
annihilated fear, and allowed no sense of horror in looking round at the
beast. This peculiar state is probably produced in all animals killed by
the carnivora; and if so, is a merciful provision by our benevolent
Creator for lessening the pain of death. Turning round to relieve myself
of the weight, as he had one paw on the back of my head, I saw his eyes
directed to Mebalwe, who was trying to shoot him at a distance of ten or
fifteen yards. His gun, a flint one, missed fire in both barrels; the
Lion immediately left me, and, attacking Mebalwe, bit his thigh. Another
man, whose life I had saved before, after he had been tossed by a
buffalo, attempted to spear the Lion while he was biting Mebalwe. He
left Mebalwe, and caught this man by the shoulder; but at that moment
the bullets he had received took effect, and he fell down dead. The
whole was the work of a few moments, and must have been his paroxysm of
dying rage.” The interesting nature of this narrative of a most
hair-breadth escape must be our excuse for its length.
Lions have been sometimes known to attain a great age; thus Pompey, a
large male Lion that died, in 1760, in the Tower of London, was upwards
of seventy years old. The usual period, however, seldom exceeds twenty
years. The Lion is generally represented as the companion of Britannia,
as a national symbol of strength, courage, and generosity. In ancient
gems, paintings, and statuary, his skin is the attribute of Hercules. In
Scriptural compositions, he is painted at the side of the evangelist St.
Mark; and holds the fifth place among the signs of the zodiac, answering
to the months of July and August.
In the various sculptured Lions discovered by Mr. Layard at Nineveh in
1848, the claw in the Lion’s tail is distinctly marked, and is
represented as being of large size. It is, however, really a very small,
dark, horny prickle at the tip of the fleshy part of the tail, and
entirely hidden by the hair.
[Illustration: THE LIONESS AND CUBS.]
THE LIONESS is in all her dimensions about one-third less than the male,
and has no mane. She has generally from two to four cubs at a time,
which are born blind, like kittens, which they greatly resemble, though
they are as large as a pug-dog, when born. When quite young they are
striped and spotted, but these marks soon disappear; they also at first
mew like a cat, and do not begin to roar till they are about eighteen
months old. About the same time the mane begins to appear on the males,
and soon after the tuft of hair on the tail, though the animal is
generally five or six years before it attains its full size.
The Lioness, though naturally less strong, less courageous, and less
mischievous than the Lion, becomes terrible as soon as she has young
ones to provide for. The ferocity of her disposition then appears with
tenfold vigour; and woe be to the wretched intruder, whether man or
beast, who should unwarily approach the precincts of her sanctuary. She
makes incursions for food for her young with even more intrepidity than
the Lion himself; throws herself indiscriminately among men and other
animals; destroys without distinction; loads herself with the spoil, and
brings it home reeking to her cubs. She usually brings forth her young
in the most retired and inaccessible places; and when she fears the
discovery of her retreat, often hides her track, by running back over
the ground, or by brushing it out with her tail. She sometimes also,
when her apprehensions are great, transports her young from one place to
another, like a cat; and if obstructed, defends them with determined
courage, and fights to the last.
Mr. Fennel, in his _History of Quadrupeds_, relates an interesting
anecdote of a Lioness kept at the Tower in 1773. This creature had
become “greatly attached to a little dog, which was her constant
companion. When the Lioness was about to whelp, the dog was removed; but
shortly after her accouchement had taken place, the dog contrived to
enter the den, and approached the Lioness with his usual fondness. She,
alarmed for her cubs, immediately seized him, and seemed about to kill
him; but, as if suddenly recollecting their former friendship, she
carried him to the door of her den, and allowed him to escape unhurt.”
Mr. Fennel also tells us, that the first Lioness ever brought to
England, died in the Tower in 1773, after having attained a great age.
Another Lioness, which was kept at the Tower in 1806, became extremely
attached to a little dog, and whenever he attempted to pass through the
bars of the den, would draw him back by the hinder parts, and place her
paw gently upon his body, as if entreating him not to leave her.
[Illustration: THE TIGER. (_Felis Tigris._)]
THOUGH very inferior to the lion in majesty of appearance and
deportment, this ferocious animal nearly equals him in size and
strength. The Tiger is another of the feline species, and may be
compared to an enormous cat, the whiskers and the tail being exactly
similar; and both the Tiger and the lion resemble the cat in the form of
their feet, and the power they possess of drawing in their claws. The
Tiger, however, bears the strongest resemblance, and when pleased, purrs
and curves up his back as he rubs himself against the nearest object.
When enraged, he growls rather than roars; and springs up to a great
height before he pounces on his prey.
The Tiger has a smaller and rounder head than the lion; he has no mane;
his tail is without any tuft at the extremity, and his body much more
slender and flexible. His colour is yellowish on the back and sides,
becoming white beneath, with numerous lines of a very dark rich brown,
or glossy black, sloping from the centre of the back down the sides, and
over the head, and continued down the tail in the form of rings. Tigers
are only found wild in Asia; but they are very abundant and very
destructive in the East Indies, as from their enormous strength they can
carry off a bullock with the greatest ease.
The attack of one of these animals upon Mr. Monro, son of Sir Hector
Monro, was attended with the most tragical consequences. “We went,” says
an eye-witness, “on shore on Sawgar Island, to shoot deer, of which we
saw innumerable tracks, as well as of Tigers. We continued our diversion
till near three o’clock, when sitting down by the side of a jungle to
refresh ourselves, a roar like thunder was heard, and an immense Tiger
seized our unfortunate friend, and rushed again into the jungle,
dragging him through the thickest bushes and trees, everything giving
way to his monstrous strength. All we could do was to fire on the Tiger;
and our shots took effect, as in a few moments our unfortunate friend
came up to us bathed in blood. Every medical assistance was vain, and he
expired in the space of twenty-four hours, having received such deep
wounds from the teeth and claws of the animal as rendered his recovery
hopeless. A large fire, consisting of ten or twelve whole trees, was
blazing near us at the time this accident took place; and ten or more of
the natives were with us. The human mind can scarcely form any idea of
this scene of horror.”
Tiger-hunting, though very dangerous, is a very favourite sport in
India. The hunters are mounted in carriages called howdahs, on the backs
of elephants, well armed. The first indication is generally given by the
elephants, who scent their enemy at some distance, and commencing a
peculiar kind of snorting, become greatly agitated. As soon as the
motion of the Tiger through the jungle is perceived, the nearest
elephant is halted, and the hunter fires instantly. Should the Tiger be
wounded, he will, in all probability, spring up with a hideous roar, and
rush at the nearest elephant, his mouth open, his tail erect, or lashing
his sides, and his whole fur bristled up. Sometimes, however, he
endeavours to sneak away, artfully diminishing his size by drawing in
his breath and creeping along the ground, and often with such success
as to enable him to escape to ravines where it would be madness to
attempt pursuit.
The Tiger is, however, such a formidable neighbour, that, apart from the
excitement of hunting him, the natives of the countries which he
inhabits have recourse to various modes of killing him. In Persia a
large and strong wooden cage is often fastened firmly down to the
ground, in the vicinity of the Tiger’s haunts, and in this a man,
accompanied by a dog or goat, to warn him of the approach of the Tiger,
takes up his quarters at night. He is provided with a few strong spears,
and when the Tiger comes, and in endeavouring to reach the enclosed prey
rears himself against the cage, the man takes the opportunity of
stabbing him in a mortal part. In Oude the peasants sometimes strew
leaves smeared with birdlime in the Tiger’s path, in order that as the
animal walks on them they may adhere to his feet; in his efforts to
disengage himself from these encumbrances he usually smears face and
eyes with the sticky material, or rolls himself among the treacherous
leaves, until finally becoming blinded and very uncomfortable he gives
vent to his dissatisfaction in the most dismal howlings, which speedily
bring his enemies about him, when taking advantage of his helpless
condition they dispatch him without difficulty. The destruction of a
Tiger is handsomely rewarded by the Indian governments, and many of the
people make a regular trade of shooting them.
[Illustration: THE LEOPARD, (_Felis Leopardus_,)]
DIFFERS from the tiger in being smaller, and in having the skin spotted
instead of striped. His length from nose to tail is about four feet, the
colour of the body is a lively yellow, and the spots of his skin are
composed of four or five black dots arranged in a circle, and not
imperfectly representing the print left by the animal’s foot upon the
sand. It is found in the southern parts of Asia, and almost all over
Africa. The panther is a variety of the Leopard.
Like all animals of the cat tribe, Leopards are a compound of ferocity
and cunning; they prey upon the smaller animals, such as antelopes,
sheep, and monkeys; and are enabled to secure their food with great
success, from the extraordinary flexibility of their bodies. Kolben
informs us that, in the year 1708, two of these animals, a male and
female, with three young ones, broke into a sheepfold at the Cape of
Good Hope. They killed nearly a hundred sheep, and regaled themselves
with the blood; after which they tore a carcass into three pieces, one
of which they gave to each of their offspring; they then took each a
whole sheep, and, thus laden, began to retire; but having been observed,
they were waylaid on their return, and the female and young ones killed,
while the male effected his escape. They appear afraid of man, and never
attack him unless driven by hunger, when they spring upon him from
behind. The Leopard is sometimes called the Tree-tiger from the ease
with which he climbs trees.
[Illustration: THE PANTHER. (_Felis pardus._)]
ALTHOUGH the Panther is generally savage, and always very uncertain in
its disposition, instances have been known of its exhibiting a certain
amount of gentleness and even playfulness in confinement. This was the
case with a specimen which Mrs. Bowditch brought over with her from
Africa. This animal was called Sai. One day, at Cape Coast Castle, he
found the servant appointed to attend on him sitting asleep, resting
his back against a door; Sai instantly lifted up his paw, and gave the
sleeper a tap on the side of the cheek, which knocked him over, and when
the man awaked, he found Sai wagging his tail, and seeming to enjoy the
fun. Another day, when a woman was scrubbing the floor, he jumped on her
back; and when the woman screamed with fright, he sprang off, and began
rolling over and over like a kitten. When put on board ship, he was
first confined in a cage; and the greatest pleasure he had was when Mrs.
Bowditch gave him a little twisted cup or cornet of stiff paper with
some lavender-water in it, and with this he was so delighted, that he
would roll himself over and over, and rub his paws against his face. At
first he used to put his claws out when he attempted to snatch anything;
but as Mrs. Bowditch would never give him any lavender-water when this
was the case, he soon learnt to keep his claws in. This Panther died
soon after it reached England.
[Illustration: THE OUNCE. (_Felis Uncia_).]
THE OUNCE is a species of cat very nearly related to the Leopard, with
which it agrees in size and in its general habits. It differs
principally in the thickness of its fur, its greyish colour, the
irregular form of the spots, and the great length of its tail, which,
from being clothed with a long thick fur, corresponding with that of the
body, appears to be also of great thickness. This thick and somewhat
woolly-looking coat is rendered necessary by the coldness of the
districts inhabited by the Ounce, which is found in Thibet and other
mountainous regions of Asia.
[Illustration: THE OCELOT. (_Felis pardalis_).]
THIS species, which is often called the _Tiger Cat_, is described by
Buffon as the most beautiful of the animals of its tribe, and it must be
confessed that the great French naturalist had some reason for so
speaking of it. It measures about three feet in length, exclusive of the
tail; the colour of the upper parts and sides is a tawny grey,
beautifully marked with irregular streaks and spots of black, and the
whole lower parts are nearly white. The Ocelot is a native of the
forests of tropical America, where it climbs the trees with great
agility in pursuit of monkeys and birds.
[Illustration: THE CHEETAH, OR HUNTING LEOPARD.
(_Felis jubata._)]
THE HUNTING LEOPARD seems to form the connecting link between the cat
and the dog tribes; as it has the long tail and flexible body of the
cat, with the sharp nose and elongated limbs of the dog. Its claws also
are not capable of being so completely drawn back into the toes as they
can in other animals of the cat kind. The Cheetah is easily tamed, and
Cuvier describes one which was accustomed to go at large in a park, and
associated with the children and domestic animals, purring like a cat
when pleased, and mewing when he wished to call attention to his wants.
In the East the Cheetah is used in hunting, and is carried in a
carriage, or chained on a pad behind the saddle of a horseman, with a
hood over his eyes: when a herd of antelopes is found, the hood is taken
off the Cheetah, who is let loose, and as soon as he sees the antelopes,
steals cautiously along, till he comes within reach, when he springs
suddenly upon them; making several bounds with the greatest rapidity,
till he has killed his victim, when he begins instantly to suck its
blood. The keeper then approaches, and throwing the Cheetah some pieces
of raw meat, contrives to hoodwink and chain him again to his pad behind
the saddle, on which he crouches like a dog. If the Cheetah is not
successful in catching an antelope before the herd takes flight, he
never pursues them, but returns to his keeper with a discontented and
sullen air.
[Illustration: THE JAGUAR. (_Felis Onca._)]
THE JAGUAR is a native of the New World, and is sometimes called the
American Tiger. He is generally larger and stronger than the leopard,
which he resembles in colour; but the black ring-like marks have always
a spot in the centre, which is not the case with those of the leopard.
The tail is also shorter, and the head larger and rounder. The Jaguar
has great strength, and will kill a horse or an antelope, and carry it
off. He is, however, a cowardly animal, always springing upon his prey
from behind, and attacking in preference the hindmost of a herd. He
fastens upon its neck, placing one paw upon the head, which he twists
round with the other, and thus instantly deprives it of life. His
principal haunt is the long grass on the banks of a river, where he
often feeds upon turtles; turning them on their backs, and then
insinuating his paw between the shells so as to scoop out the flesh. He
climbs trees and swims with great facility.
[Illustration: THE PUMA. (_Felis concolor._)]
THE PUMA, or American Lion, is smaller than the jaguar, and has a shrill
hissing cry, very different from that of other animals of the cat kind.
The fur is of a silvery fawn-colour, nearly white below, but becoming
black at the head; the animal has no mane, and its tail is without any
tuft at the tip. The cubs are spotted when young. The habits of the Puma
are somewhat peculiar; when attacked, he climbs the nearest tree for
safety, and there is generally shot by his hunters. When hunted with
dogs, however, and cut off from all retreat, he stands at bay and fights
furiously. The flesh is eaten by the Indians, and is said to be much
prized by them. The Puma flies from the sight of man, and seldom attacks
any animal larger than a sheep; but when he can surprise a flock of
sheep, he kills as many as he can, only sucking the blood of each. He
never devours the whole of his prey at once, carefully covering with
leaves what he cannot eat: but if these should be removed, he will not
touch the food again. In former times the Puma inhabited nearly the
whole American continent, from Canada to Patagonia, but it is now
extirpated in many places, especially in North America. It was formerly
supposed that the Puma could not be tamed; but this is incorrect, as the
late Edmund Kean, the tragedian, had one which followed him about like a
dog, and was often permitted to come, at perfect liberty, into the
drawing-room when it was full of company.
[Illustration: THE COMMON LYNX. (_Felis Lynx._)]
THERE are several species of Cats to which the common name of Lynxes is
applied; they have short tails and small tufts or pencils of hairs at
the tips of the ears. The Common Lynx is found in various parts of
Europe and also in the north of Asia. It is about three feet long
without the tail, which is six inches in length. The colour is reddish
grey above, nearly white beneath. A very similar species, the CANADIAN
LYNX (_Felis Canadensis_), is found in North America, and its skin is
exported in great quantities from the Hudson’s Bay territories. The
habits of both these species are very much alike; they swim and climb
well, and prey upon small quadrupeds, such as hares, and upon birds.
THE CARACAL. (_Felis Caracal._)
THE CARACAL is generally supposed to be the Lynx of the ancients, which
was so celebrated for the keenness of its sight. The name of Caracal is
derived from two Turkish words, signifying black-ears, and the animal
is, in fact, remarkable for the blackness of the tips of its ears. He is
somewhat larger and stronger than the fox; his body of a reddish brown,
becoming white below, and the tail rather short, being only about eight
or nine inches in length. The Caracal is both irritable and sulky in
confinement, and is very seldom tamed; indeed, on the slightest
irritation, it expresses its anger by a sort of snarl, like what is
called swearing in a cat, but much louder, and sometimes ending in a
scream.
When left to its own resources for support, it preys upon hares,
rabbits, and birds; and will pursue the latter, of which it is
immoderately fond, with remarkable activity, to the tops of the tallest
trees. It is a native of Asia and Africa.
[Illustration: THE CAT. (_Felis domestica._)]
“Grimalkin, to domestic vermin sworn
An everlasting foe, with watchful eye
Lies nightly brooding o’er a chinkey gap,
Protending her fell claws, to thoughtless mice
Sure ruin.”
JOHN PHILIPS.
IT was formerly supposed that the common domestic Cat was nothing more
than the wild Cat of the woods, rendered tame by education. This
opinion is, however, now doubted, on the ground that the tail of the
wild Cat is thick and bushy, like that of a fox, while that of the
domestic Cat tapers to the point. The Cat of the Egyptians, of which so
many mummies have been found, differed still more in this respect, as
its tail was long and slender, ending in a kind of tuft. There are four
or five distinct varieties of the domestic Cat: the tabby, the
tortoise-shell, the Chartreuse, and the Angora. Of these the tabby bears
most resemblance to the wild Cat, and the black Cats are from this
breed: the tortoise-shell is said to have been brought from Spain, the
females of this race being generally of a pure tortoise-shell, and the
males buff, with stripes of a darker hue. All the white and whitish Cats
are descended from the Chartreuse breed; they have all a blue tinge in
their fur, and reddish eyelids: the tailless Cats of Cornwall and the
Isle of Man belong to this race. The Angoras are quite distinct, and are
well known by their long silky hair. Cats are fond of warmth, and are
generally affected by changes in the weather. They are very
affectionate, purring at the sight of those who are kind to them; and
will curve up their backs and rub themselves against a door when it is
opened for them, as if to thank the kind friend who has done them this
service, before they take advantage of it. The female Cat has generally
five or six kittens at a time, which she carries about in her mouth, and
hides, when she thinks them in danger. When a Cat is enraged, its hair
stands erect, and its tail swells to an enormous size. Cats fight
savagely, and often tear the skin off each other’s necks: when two are
about to fight, they stand for some time looking at each other,
growling, and then dart at each other with the greatest fury, yelling
with rage.
Most Cats are good mousers, and some bring everything they kill to their
master or mistress, displaying their mice and rats with as much pride as
a sportsman would his game. They are very fond of catmint and valerian,
rolling themselves in a kind of ecstacy when they smell the latter
plant. They are very cleanly, often sitting stroking their faces with
their paws, as if washing themselves.
In the eye of the Cat, the pupil is perpendicularly oval, extending from
above downwards, and when contracted appears like a straight line. This
conformation is suited to the habits of these animals, for they are not
content with prowling along the ground, but occasionally spring to great
heights, their heads being directed upwards, and their eyes placed in
front and more nearly parallel. This structure of the eyes occurs in all
the Cat tribe.
[Illustration: THE WILD CAT. (_Felis Catus._)]
THE WILD CAT is a native of the forests of Europe, and was formerly
abundant in Britain, but is now confined to some of the wilder parts of
this country. It is a stouter and more powerful animal than the domestic
Cat, and is of a greyish colour with black stripes, something like an
ordinary tabby. It is a fierce creature, and is very destructive to
birds and small quadrupeds.
THE DOG. (_Canis familiaris._)
TO no animal is mankind so much indebted for its services and affection
as to the Dog. Among all the various orders of brute creatures, none
have hitherto been found so entirely adapted to our use, and even to our
protection, as this. There are many countries, both of the old and new
continent, in which, if man were deprived of this faithful ally, he
would unsuccessfully resist the foes that surround him, seeking
opportunities to encroach upon his property, destroy his labour, and
attack his person. His own vigilance, in many situations, could not
secure him, on the one hand, against their rapacity, nor, on the other,
against their speed. The Dog, more tractable than any other animal,
conforms himself to the movements and habits of his master. His
diligence, his ardour, and his obedience are inexhaustible; and his
disposition is so friendly, that, unlike every other animal, he seems to
remember only the benefits he receives: he soon forgets our blows; and
instead of discovering resentment while we chastise him, exposes himself
to torture, and even licks the hand from which it proceeds.
Dogs, even of the dullest kind, seek the company of other animals; and
by instinct take to the care of flocks and herds.
THE SHEPHERD’S DOG.
THE SHEPHERD’S DOG has been considered the primitive stock, from whence
all others are derived. This animal still continues nearly in its
original state among the poor in temperate climates: being transported
into the colder regions, it becomes smaller, and covered with a shaggy
coat. Whatever differences there may be among the Dogs of these cold
countries, they are not very considerable, as they all have straight
ears, long and thick hair, a savage aspect, and do not bark either so
often or so loud as Dogs of the more cultivated kind. The Shepherd’s
Dog, transported into temperate climates, and among people entirely
civilized, such as into England, France, and Germany, will be divested
of his savage air, his pricked ears, his rough, long, and thick hair;
though he will still retain his large skull, abundant brain, and
consequent great sagacity.
[Illustration]
Many interesting anecdotes are told of the shepherd’s tyke or colley, as
this kind of Dog is frequently called, particularly of its sagacity in
rescuing sheep from snowdrifts. When sheep are missing in a snow-storm,
as is frequently the case in Scotland and the North of England, the
shepherd arms himself with a spade, and watching the motions of his
faithful Dog, digs into the snow wherever the Dog begins to scratch it
away, and is thus sure to find his lost sheep.
This valuable boon to the shepherd is the least voracious of his kind,
and endures fatigue and hunger with patience.
[Illustration: [Chasseur and Cuba Bloodhounds.]
THE BLOODHOUND.]
“---- Conscious of the recent stains, his heart
Beats quick; his snuffling nose, his active tail,
Attest his joy: then with deep opening mouth,
That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims
Th’ audacious felon.----”
THE BLOODHOUND is taller than the old English hound, most beautifully
formed, and superior to every other kind in activity, speed, and
sagacity. It is commonly of a reddish or brown colour, with long ears.
It seldom barks, except in the chase: and never leaves its game until it
has caught and killed it.
Bloodhounds were formerly used in certain districts lying between
England and Scotland, which were much infested by robbers and murderers;
and a tax was laid upon the inhabitants for keeping and maintaining a
certain number of them. But as the arm of justice is now extended over
every part of the country, and there are no secret recesses where
villany may lie concealed, these services are no longer necessary. In
former times these Dogs were used to hunt runaway negroes and others in
the Spanish West Indies, and many surprising anecdotes are told of their
wonderful sagacity and power of scent.
In Dallas’s “History of the Maroons,” an anecdote is given of the extent
of their accomplishments in this way, which seems truly marvellous. A
ship, attached to a fleet under convoy to England, was manned chiefly by
Spanish sailors, who, as they passed Cuba, took the opportunity of
running the vessel on shore, when they murdered the officers, and other
Englishmen on board, and carried off all the available plunder into the
mountains of the interior. The place was wild and unfrequented, and they
fully expected to elude all pursuit. The moment, however, the news
reached Havanna, a detachment of twelve chasseurs, with their Dogs, was
sent off. The result was, that in a few days the whole of the murderers
were brought in and executed, not a man having been injured by the Dogs
in the capture.
The old English Hound, the original stock of this island, and used by
the ancient Britons in the chase, is a most valuable Dog; though the
breed has been gradually declining, and the size studiously diminished
by a mixture of other kinds, in order to increase their speed. It seems
to have been accurately described by Shakspeare in the following
lines:--
“My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind,
So flew’d, so sanded; and their heads are hung
With ears that sweep away the morning dew;
Crook-kneed and dew-lapped, like Thessalian bulls;
Slow in pursuit; but match’d in mouth like bells
Each under each.”
[Illustration: THE FOXHOUND.]
THIS most valuable of all the Dogs of the chase, is smaller than the
staghound, its average height being from twenty to twenty-two inches. No
country in Europe can boast of Foxhounds equal in fleetness, strength,
and perseverance to those of Britain, where the utmost attention is paid
to their breeding, education, and food. The climate also seems congenial
to their nature, for when taken to France or Spain, and other southern
countries of Europe, they quickly degenerate, and lose all the admirable
qualities they possess in this country.
Our predilection for fox-hunting appears to have descended from our
forefathers, and to have gone on increasing in ardour. Certainly, no
other country can boast of such splendid establishments for this
valuable breed: the Duke of Richmond’s Kennel at Goodwood, cost no less
than £19,000.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE POINTER]
IS docile in its disposition, and when trained, is of the greatest
service to the sportsman who delights in shooting. It is astonishing to
see to what a degree of obedience these animals may be brought. Their
sight is equally acute with their scent, and they are enabled to
perceive at a distance the smallest sign from their master. So admirably
have they been trained, that their acquired propensities seem as
inherent as a natural instinct, and appear to be transmitted from parent
to progeny. When they scent their game, they fix themselves like
statues, in the very attitude in which they happen to be at the moment.
If one of their fore feet is not on the ground when they first scent, it
remains suspended, lest, by putting it to the ground, the game might be
too soon alarmed by the noise. In this position they remain, until the
sportsman comes near enough, and is prepared to take his shot; when he
gives the word, and the dog immediately springs the game. This attitude
has often been selected by the artist.
[Illustration: THE MASTIFF.]
IS the largest of the whole species: he is a strong and fierce animal,
with short pendent ears and a large head, large and thick lips hanging
on each side, and a noble countenance; he is a faithful guardian, and a
powerful defender of the house.
A curious account is given by Stow, of an engagement between three
Mastiffs and a lion, in the presence of James the First. “One of the
Dogs being put into the den, was soon disabled by the lion, which took
him by the head and neck, and dragged him about: another Dog was then
let loose, and served in the same manner: but the third, being put in,
immediately seized the lion by the lip, and held him for a considerable
time; till, being severely torn by his claws, the Dog was obliged to
quit his hold; and the lion, greatly exhausted in the conflict, refused
to renew the engagement; but, taking a sudden leap over the Dogs, fled
into the interior part of the den. Two of the Dogs soon died of their
wounds; the last survived, and was taken great care of by the king’s
son, who said, ‘He that had fought with the king of the beasts, should
never after fight with any inferior creature.’”
The following anecdote will show that the Mastiff, conscious of its
superior strength, knows how to chastise the impertinence of an
inferior:--A large Dog of this kind, belonging to a gentleman near
Newcastle, being frequently molested by a mongrel, and teased by its
continual barking, at last took it up in his mouth, by the back, and,
with great composure, dropped it over the quay into the river, without
doing any further injury to an enemy so much its inferior.
[Illustration: THE BULLDOG]
IS much less than the mastiff, but the fiercest of all the Dog kind, and
is probably the most courageous creature in the world. His short neck
adds to his strength. Those of a brindled colour are accounted the best
of the kind: they will run at and seize the fiercest bull without
barking, making directly at his head, sometimes catch hold of his nose,
pin the animal to the ground, and make him roar in a most tremendous
manner, nor can they without difficulty, be made to quit their hold.
Whenever a Bull-dog attacks in any of the extremities of the body, it is
invariably considered a mark of his degeneracy from the original purity
of blood.
Some years since, at a bull-baiting in the north of England, when this
barbarous custom was very common, a young man, confident of the spirit
of his Dog, laid a wager that he would, at separate times, cut off all
the animal’s feet, and that he would continue to attack the bull after
each amputation. The experiment was tried, and the brutal wretch won his
wager.
[Illustration: THE TERRIER.]
THE TERRIER is a small variety of the Dog, but is of high value, from
the pertinacity and courage with which he attacks rats and other vermin.
His name of Terrier is evidently given to him on account of his habit of
digging into the earth, which he does with great rapidity when in
pursuit of any animal. The English Terrier is a smooth-haired dog, and
the best are of a black colour, with tan-coloured legs, and spots on the
eyebrows; the Scotch Terrier is covered with rough, wiry hair, which in
the Skye Terriers becomes very long.
[Illustration: THE SPANIEL.]
OF this elegant animal, said to be of Spanish extraction, there are
several varieties in this country; but it is more than probable that the
English Spaniel, the most common and useful breed, is indigenous. It has
received from nature a very keen smell, good understanding, and uncommon
docility, and is employed in setting for partridges, pheasants, quails,
&c. His steadiness in the field, his caution in approaching game, his
patience in keeping the bird at bay till the fowler discharges his
piece, are objects worthy of admiration. Many sportsmen prefer him to
the pointer; and if water is plentiful he is more useful, for his feet
are much better defended against the sharp cutting of the heath than
those of the pointer, as he has a great deal of hair growing between the
toes and round the ball of the feet, of which the pointer is almost
destitute. He also ranges much faster, and can endure more fatigue.
“When milder autumn summer’s heat succeeds,
And in the new-shorn field the partridge feeds,
Before his lord the ready spaniel bounds;
Panting with hope, he tries the furrow’d grounds;
But when the tainted gales the game betray,
Couch’d close he lies and meditates the prey;
Secure they trust th’ unfaithful field beset,
Till hovering o’er them sweeps the swelling net.”
POPE’S WINDSOR FOREST
[Illustration: THE WATER-SPANIEL]
IS excellent for hunting otters, wild ducks and other game whose retreat
is among the rushes and reeds which cover the banks of rivers, the fens,
and the ponds. He is very sagacious, and perhaps the most docile and
tractable of all the canine tribe.
The _Water-Spaniel_ will fetch and carry whatever he is bid, and often
dives to the bottom of deep water in search of a piece of money, which
he brings up in his mouth, and lays at the feet of whoever sent him. The
best breed has black curly hair and long ears.
The beautiful breed of Spaniels known as King Charles’s, are highly
prized for their diminutive size and length of ears. They are found of
all colours, but those which are black, with tanned cheeks and legs, are
considered the purest breed.
They derive their name from King Charles the Second, who, as Evelyn
tells us, “took great delight in having a number of little spaniels
follow him and lie in his bedchamber.”
[Illustration: THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG.]
THIS animal was originally brought into Europe from Newfoundland, whence
it derives its name, and where it is extremely useful to the settlers,
almost supplying the place of a horse. There are several varieties,
differing slightly in size and appearance, but the full size is about
six feet and a half from the nose to the tip of the tail, the length of
which is two feet. He is noble in appearance, and covered with long
shaggy hair of a black and white colour, in which the latter generally
predominates.
The Newfoundland Dog is affectionate, sagacious, and docile beyond all
others; and being web-footed is excellently adapted for the water; and
there are innumerable instances of his rescuing man from a watery grave.
The anecdotes which illustrate the affection and sagacity of this animal
would fill a volume, but we select one relating to the water, as that
appears his noblest scene of action.
Some time ago a young woman was nursing an infant on one of the quays
on the Liffey, when it made a sudden spring from her arms, and fell into
the water. The screaming nurse and anxious spectators saw the child
sink, as they thought, to rise no more; when at the very instant a
Newfoundland Dog, which was accidentally passing, rushed to the spot,
and at the sight of the child, who at that moment re-appeared, sprang
into the water. The child again sunk, and the faithful animal was seen
anxiously swimming round the spot. Once more the child rose, and the Dog
gently, but firmly, seized him and bore him to land. Meanwhile a
gentleman arrived who appeared to take much interest in the affair, and
on the person who had the child turning to show it him, he recognised
the well-known features of his own son. A mixed sensation of horror,
joy, and surprise struck him mute. When he recovered himself he lavished
a thousand caresses on the faithful animal, and offered his master five
hundred guineas for him; but the latter felt too much affection for the
noble animal to part with him on any consideration whatever. We also
subjoin another equally interesting.
A native of Germany, fond of travelling, was pursuing his course through
Holland, accompanied by a large Newfoundland Dog. Walking one evening on
a high bank, which formed one side of a dike, or canal, so common in
that country, his foot slipped, and he was precipitated into the water,
and being unable to swim he soon became senseless. When he recovered his
recollection he found himself in a cottage on the other side of the
dike, surrounded by peasants, who had been using means to restore
suspended animation. The account given by them was, that one of them,
returning home from his labour, observed at a considerable distance a
large Dog in the water swimming, and dragging the body of a man into a
small creek on the opposite side to which the men were.
The Dog having shaken himself, began industriously to lick the hands and
face of his master, while the rustic hastened across; and, having
obtained assistance, the body was conveyed to a neighbouring house,
where the usual means of resuscitation soon restored him to sense and
recollection. Two very considerable bruises, with the marks of teeth,
appeared, one on his shoulder and the other on the nape of his neck;
whence it was presumed that the faithful animal first seized his master
by the shoulder, and swam with him in this manner some time; but that
his sagacity had prompted him to let go this hold, and shift his grasp
to the neck, by which he had been enabled to support the head out of
water. It was in the latter position that the peasant observed the Dog
making his way along the dike, which it appeared he had done for the
distance of nearly a quarter of a mile.
[Illustration: THE GREYHOUND]
IS well known, and was formerly held in such estimation, that he was the
especial companion of a gentleman, who, in ancient times, was
distinguished by his horse, his hawk, and his Greyhound, and it was
penal for any person of inferior rank to keep one. He is the fleetest of
all Dogs, and can outrun every animal of the chase. He has a long body,
and is of an elegant shape; his head is neat and sharp, with a full eye,
a good mouth, sharp and very white teeth; his tail is long, and curls
round above his hind part. There are several varieties; as the Italian
Greyhound, the Oriental Greyhound, and the Irish Greyhound, or Wolf-dog.
They are used for coursing; that is, hunting by sight instead of scent;
and are principally employed in chasing hares. Daniel, in his _Rural
Sports_, tells us, that a brace of Greyhounds have been known to course
a hare four miles in twelve minutes; turning it several times, till the
poor creature dropped at last quite dead from fatigue.
[Illustration: THE FOX. (_Canis Vulpes._)]
THIS well-known animal, which is found in most countries of Europe, is
of a reddish-brown colour, with the tip of his bushy tail white. His
abode is generally on the skirt of a wood, as near a farm-yard as
possible, in a hole, of which some other animal has been dispossessed or
which it has voluntarily deserted. Thence he issues at night, and
cautiously approaching the poultry, kills all that he can find,
conveying them one by one to different hiding places, which he visits
when hungry. He will continue his depredations till day-break, or until
he is alarmed, often depopulating a whole poultry-yard in one night.
When, however, his choice food, the chicken, is not accessible, he
devours animal food of every description; and if his habitation be near
the water he will even content himself with shell-fish. In France and
Italy he does much damage to the vineyards, being very fond of grapes,
and spoiling many for the sake of one bunch.
His name has passed into a proverb for cunning and deceitfulness; and,
unlike the dog tribe to which he belongs, he is totally unsusceptible of
any sentiment of gratitude.
His bite is tenacious and dangerous, as the severest blows cannot make
him quit his hold; his eye is most significant, and expressive of almost
every passion. He generally lives about twelve or fifteen years.
The female produces but once a year, and seldom has more than four or
five cubs at a litter. The first year the young is called a Cub, the
second year a Fox, and the third year an Old Fox. The tail is very
bushy, and is called the brush.
[Illustration]
In this country he is hunted with horses and hounds, and no animal
affords greater diversion and occupation to the sportsman. When pursued
he usually makes for his hole; but should his retreat be cut off, his
stratagems and shifts to escape are singularly acute. He seeks woodyand uneven parts of the country, preferring the path, the most
embarrassed by thorns and briars, and running in a straight line before
the hounds, at no great distance from them; and, when overtaken, he
turns on his assailants, and fighting with obstinate despair, dies in
silence.
[Illustration: THE ARCTIC FOX, (_Canis lagopus_,)]
IS a smaller species than the common Fox, and has a much longer fur to
fit him for the severe cold which he necessarily experiences in the
Polar regions which he inhabits. The colour of the fur is frequently a
bluish leaden gray, from which circumstance it is sometimes called the
Blue Fox; some specimens are brownish, others nearly black. The fur
becomes pure white in the winter, and in this state the Arctic Fox is an
exceedingly pretty animal. This species is captured for the sake of its
skin, the bluish specimens being preferred. He is usually taken in
pitfalls or traps, of which he is not nearly so suspicious as his sly
English relative. The flesh of the young is said to be very good.
[Illustration: THE WOLF, (_Canis Lupus_,)]
WHEN hungry, is an undaunted and most ferocious inhabitant of the woods,
but a coward when the stimulus of appetite is no longer in action. He
delights to roam in mountainous countries, and is a great enemy to sheep
and goats; the watchfulness of dogs can hardly prevent his depredations,
and he often dares to visit the haunts of men, howling at the gates of
cities and towns. His head and neck are of a cinereous colour, and the
rest of a pale yellowish brown. He commonly lives to the age of fifteen
or twenty years. He possesses a most exquisite power of smelling his
prey at a great distance. Wolves are found nearly everywhere, except in
the British islands, where this noxious race has been entirely
extirpated. King Edgar first attempted to effect this by remitting the
punishment of certain crimes on producing a number of Wolves’ tongues;
and in Wales, the tax of gold and silver was commuted for an annual
tribute of Wolves’ heads. In the reign of Athelstan, Wolves abounded somuch in Yorkshire, that a retreat was built at Flixton, to defend
passengers from their attacks. They infested Ireland many centuries
after their extinction in England: the last presentment for killing
Wolves was made in the county of Cork about the year 1710. They abound
in the immense forests of Germany, and they are also found in
considerable numbers in the South of France. Everywhere that they are
wild, so great is the general detestation of this destructive creature,
that all other animals endeavour to avoid it. In a state of captivity,
however, the Wolf is remarkably anxious to attract the attention of man,
and rubs itself against the bars of its cage when noticed. Indeed, the
Wolf is by no means so untractable as is frequently supposed; but his
temper is rather uncertain, and his destructive habits render him a
dangerous pet. A curious instance of combined docility and
destructiveness is related by Mr. Lloyd, which, as it also illustrates
the cunning of this animal, we adduce here. Mr. Lloyd says--“I once had
serious thoughts of training a fine female Wolf in my possession as a
pointer; but was deterred, owing to the _penchant_ she exhibited for the
neighbours’ pigs. She was chained in a little enclosure, just in front
of my window, into which those animals, when the gate happened to be
left open, ordinarily found their way. The devices the Wolf employed to
get them in her power, were very amusing. When she saw a pig in the
vicinity of her kennel, she, evidently with the purpose of putting him
off his guard, would throw herself on her side or back, wag her tail
most lovingly, and look innocence personified. And this amiable
demeanour would continue until the grunter was beguiled within the
length of her tether, when, in the twinkling of an eye, the prey was
clutched.” The Wolf is sometimes affected with madness, in symptoms and
consequences exactly similar to that which affects the dog; but this
disease, as it generally happens in the depth of winter, cannot be
attributed to the great heat of the dog-days. In the northern parts of
the world, wolves are said, frequently, in the spring, to get upon the
fields of ice adjoining the sea, for the purpose of preying upon the
young seals, which they there find asleep; but vast pieces of the ice
occasionally detaching themselves from the mass, they are carried with
them to a great distance from the land, where they perish amidst the
most hideous and dreadful howling. The language of the poet is
beautifully descriptive of this creature’s insatiable fury:--
“By wintry famine roused, from all the tract
Of horrid mountains, which the shining Alps,
And wavy Apennine, and Pyrenees,
Branch out, stupendous, into distant lands,
Cruel as death! and hungry as the grave!
Burning for blood! bony, and gaunt, and grim!
Assembling Wolves, in raging troops, descend;
And, pouring o’er the country, bear along,
Keen as the north wind sweeps the glossy snow:
All is their prize.”
[Illustration: THE JACKAL, (_Canis Aureus_,)]
COMMONLY called _the lion’s provider_, is not much larger than the fox,
which he resembles in the appearance of the fore part of his body. His
skin is of a bright yellowish colour. The Jackals often unite to attack
their prey, and make a most hideous noise, which, rousing the king of
the forest from his slumbers, brings him to the place of food and
plunder: at his arrival, the petty thieves, awed by the greater
strength of their new messmate, retire to a distance; and hence the
fabulous story of their attendance on the lion, to provide for his
food.--These animals are always seen in large flocks of forty or fifty;
and hunt, like hounds in full cry, from evening till morning. In the
absence of other food they drag the dead out of their tombs, and feed
greedily on putrid corpses; but, notwithstanding their natural ferocity,
it is said that, when taken young, they may be easily tamed, and, like
dogs, they love to be fondled, wag their tails, and show a considerable
degree of attachment to their masters. They are common in many parts of
the East: and as they act as scavengers, the people do not annoy them in
their nocturnal visits.
[Illustration: THE STRIPED HYÆNA. (_Hyæna Striata_.)]
THIS animal was long supposed to be the most savage and untractable of
all quadrupeds: but it is now found that he may be tamed. He is covered
with long, coarse, and rough ash-coloured hair, marked with long black
stripes, from the back downwards; the tail is very hairy. His teeth and
jaws are so constructed as to enable him to crush the largest bones
with ease; and his tongue is as rough as a coarse file. Like the jackal,
he attacks the flocks and herds, caring little for the watchfulness or
strength of dogs, and when pressed with hunger, comes and howls at the
gates of towns, and violates the repositories of the dead, tearing up
the bodies from the graves, and devouring them. He is now only found
wild in Asia and Africa, but is supposed to have formerly inhabited
Europe. When receiving his food, the eyes of this fierce animal glisten,
the bristles of his back stand erect, he grins fearfully, and utters a
snarling growl.
[Illustration: THE SPOTTED HYÆNA. (_Hyæna Crocuta._)]
THIS is another species which is common in Southern Africa; it is known
amongst the colonists at the Cape of Good Hope, as the _Tiger-Wolf_. He
has none of the mane-like hair on his back, which distinguishes the
Striped Hyæna, and his skin is marked with spots instead of stripes. He
is a ferocious beast, and is exceedingly destructive to sheep and
cattle; and also frequently attacks and carries off children from the
huts of the natives, sometimes even stealing them from their sleeping
mothers.
[Illustration: AMERICAN BLACK BEAR. (_Ursus Americanus._)]
THIS animal inhabits the Northern districts of America, where it is
found in considerable numbers. It is somewhat smaller than the Brown or
European Bear; its colour of an uniform and glossy black. Its food
consists chiefly of fruits, the young shoots, and roots of vegetables
and grain. In quest of these it occasionally emigrates from the northern
to the more southern regions. Their retreats, during the period of
gestation, are so impenetrable, that although immense numbers of Bears
are annually killed in America, a female is rarely found among them. In
autumn, when they are become exceedingly fat by feeding on acorns and
other similar food, their flesh is extremely delicate, the hams in
particular are highly esteemed, and the fat is remarkably white and
sweet. At this time and during the winter, they are hunted, and killed
in great numbers by the American Indians.
[Illustration: THE GRISLY BEAR, (_Ursus Ferox_,)]
WHICH is also an inhabitant of North America, is a creature of enormous
size and strength; a specimen has been measured and found to be nine
feet in length; and it is capable of carrying the carcass of a bison,
weighing probably about a thousand pounds. His ferocity corresponds with
his powers of destruction; and he is altogether one of the most
formidable of quadrupeds.
[Illustration: THE BROWN EUROPEAN BEAR, (_Ursus Arctos_,)]
IS a native of the North of Europe, and also of the mountainous parts of
the South of that continent. He is a great sleeper, and passes the whole
winter in his den, without any particular food: but if we consider his
being at rest, losing little by perspiration, and never retiring to his
winter quarters before he is properly fattened, his abstinence will
cease to be wonderful. When tamed, this animal appears mild and obedient
to his master; he may be taught to walk upright, to dance, to lay hold
of a pole with his paws, and perform various tricks to entertain the
multitude, who are highly pleased to see the awkward movements of this
rugged creature, which it seems to suit to the sound of an instrument,
or to the voice of its leader. The discipline Bears undergo in teaching
them to dance is so severe, that they never forget it; and an amusing
story is told of a gentleman who was pursued by a Bear, and who, when in
despair he turned and raised his stick against his assailant, was
astonished to see the Bear rear itself on its hind legs, and begin to
dance. It had escaped from captivity, and had been taught to dance when
a stick was held up by its keeper. But to give the Bear this kind of
education, it must be taken when young, and accustomed early to
restraint and discipline, as an old Bear will not suffer constraint
without discovering the most furious resentment: neither the voice nor
the menaces of his keeper have any effect upon him; he growls equally at
the hand that is held out to feed, and that which is raised to correct
him. The female Bears bring forth two or three young, and are very
careful of their offspring. The fat of the Bear is reckoned very useful
in rheumatic complaints, and for anointing the hair: his fur affords
comfort to the inhabitants of cold climates, and ornaments to those of
warm. It was anciently supposed, that the young Bear, when first brought
forth, was merely an unformed mass, till its mother licked it into
shape; and hence the expression, “he wants licking into shape,” was
frequently employed by the old dramatists, when speaking of an awkward,
clownish man.
The Brown Bear was at one time common in the British islands. “Many
years ago it has been swept away so completely, that we find it imported
for baiting, a sport in which our nobility, as well as the commonalty,of the olden time--nay, even royalty itself--delighted. A bear-bait was
one of the recreations offered to Elizabeth at Kenilworth, and in the
Earl of Northumberland’s Household Book we read of twenty shillings for
his bearward. In Southwark there was a regular bear-garden, that
disputed popularity with the Globe and Swan theatres, on the same side
of the water. Now, however, so much do tastes alter, (in this instance
certainly for the better) such barbarous sports are banished from the
metropolis.”
The Bear is a flat-footed animal, and can stand easily upon its broad
hind feet, but is extremely awkward and sluggish in its movements. He
possesses, however, the faculty of climbing to an extraordinary degree;
and, in his native country frequently ascends lofty trees in pursuit of
honey, of which he is excessively fond. Bears swim well, and will cross
not only broad rivers, but sometimes even an arm of the sea.
[Illustration: THE MALAYAN SUN-BEAR. (_Ursus Malayanus._)]
IN this Bear the hair is short and black, except on the breast, where
there is a large triangular or heart-shaped spot of white or tawny. He
is very easily tamed when taken young, and becomes rather an amusing
pet. An individual in Sir Stamford Raffles’ possession, was so tame,
that he would play with children, and could be admitted to the
dinner-table, when he gave proof of the soundness of his judgment as an
epicure, by refusing to eat any fruit but mangosteens, or to drink any
wine but champagne. The only time that he was known to be out of humour
was, when there was no champagne for him. In a wild state, this Bear
feeds on vegetables and honey. It is a native of Malacca and the eastern
islands.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE POLAR, OR GREAT WHITE BEAR
(_Ursus maritimus._)]
THE POLAR BEAR is generally from six to eight feet long. The fur is long
and white, with a tinge of yellow, which becomes darker as the animal
advances in age; the ears are small and round, and the head long. It
inhabits the Arctic shores of both hemispheres. It walks heavily, and is
very clumsy in all its motions; its senses of hearing and seeing appear
very dull, but its smell is very acute; and it does not appear destitute
of some degree of understanding, or at least of cunning. Captain King,
who visited the shores of the Arctic Ocean in 1835, relates a curious
instance of the cunning of this animal: “On one occasion a Polar bear
was seen to swim cautiously to a large piece of ice, on which two female
walruses were lying asleep with their cubs. The Bear crept up some
hummocks behind them, and with his fore feet loosened a large block of
ice, which, with the help of his nose and paws, he rolled and carried
till it was immediately over the heads of the sleepers, when he let it
fall on one of the old animals, which was instantly killed. The other
walrus, with its cubs, rolled into the water, but the young one of the
murdered female remained by its dam, and on this helpless creature the
Bear rushed, thus killing two animals at once.”
The ferocity of this kind of Bear is equal to its cunning. A few years
since, the crew of a boat belonging to a ship in the whale-fishery, shot
at a Bear at a short distance and wounded it. The animal immediately set
up the most dreadful yells, and ran along the ice towards the boat.
Before it reached it, a second shot was fired, and hit it. This served
to increase its fury. It presently swam to the boat; and in attempting
to get on board, placed its fore foot upon the gunwale; but one of the
crew having a hatchet, cut it off. The animal still, however, continued
to swim after them till they arrived at the ship, and several shots were
fired at it, which also took effect; but on reaching the ship it
immediately ascended the deck, and the crew having fled into the
shrouds, it was pursuing them thither, when a shot from one of them laid
it dead on the deck.
[Illustration: THE RACOON. (_Procyon lotor._)]
THIS animal is a native of America, of the bear tribe: in Jamaica they
are very numerous, and do incredible mischief to the plantations of
sugar-cane and Indian corn, especially to the latter while it is young.
The Racoon is less than the fox in size, and has a sharp-pointed nose.
His fore legs are shorter than the others. The colour of his body is
grey, with two broad rings of black round the eyes, and a dusky line
running down the middle of the face. In the wild state the Racoon is
savage and sanguinary, committing great destruction among both wild and
domesticated birds, without consuming any part of them except the head,
or the blood which flows from their wounds. It is a good climber, the
form of its claws enabling it to adhere to the branches of trees with
great tenacity. Racoons are easily domesticated, and then become very
amusing animals. They are as mischievous as a monkey, seldom at rest,
and extremely sensible of ill treatment, which they never forgive. They
have great antipathy to sharp and harsh sounds, such as the bark of a
dog, and the cry of a child. They eat of everything that is given them,
and, like the cat, are good providers, hunting after eggs, fruit, corn,
insects, snails, and worms; and generally dip their food in water before
devouring it. A peculiarity which few other animals are found to possess
is, that they drink as well by lapping like the dog, as by sucking like
the horse. These animals are hunted for the sake of their fur, which is
used by the hatters, and is considered next in value to that of the
beaver; it is used also in linings for garments. The skins, when
properly dressed, are made into gloves and upper-leathers for shoes. The
negroes frequently eat the flesh of the Racoon, and are very fond of it,
though it has a very disagreeable and rank smell. The American hunters
pique themselves on their skill in shooting Racoons; which from the
extraordinary vigilance and cunning of the animals, is by no means an
easy task.
When eating they support themselves on their hind feet, and carry their
food to the mouth with their fore paws. Some of them are very fond of
oysters and other shell-fish, and show great dexterity in keeping the
shells open, while they extract the contents. Their most remarkable
peculiarity, however, is that already mentioned, of dipping their food
in water when there is any within their reach; though when there is not,
they seem quite contented to eat it dry.
[Illustration: THE BADGER. (_Meles Taxus._)]
THIS animal inhabits most parts of Europe and Asia. The length of the
body is about two feet six inches from the nose to the insertion of the
tail, which is short, and black like the throat, breast, and belly; the
hair of the other part of the body is long and rough, of a yellowish
white at the roots, black in the middle, and greyish at the point: the
toes are much enveloped in the skin, and the long claws of the fore feet
enable the animal to dig with great effect: under the tail there is a
receptacle, in which is secreted a white fetid substance, that
constantly exudes through the orifice, and thus gives the body a most
unpleasant smell. Being a solitary animal, it digs a hole for itself, at
the bottom of which it remains in perfect security: it feeds upon young
rabbits, birds and their eggs, and honey. The female has generally three
or four young ones at a time.
[Illustration: THE COATI-MONDI. (_Nasua Narica._)]
THIS creature is a native of South America, not unlike the Racoon in the
general form of the body, and, like that animal, frequently sits up on
the hinder legs, and in this position, with both paws carries its food
to its mouth. Even in a state of tameness, it will pursue poultry, and
destroy every living thing that it has strength to conquer. When it
sleeps it rolls itself into a ball, and remains immovable for fifteen
hours together. Its eyes are small, but full of life; and, when
domesticated, it is very playful and amusing. A great peculiarity
belonging to this animal is the length of its snout, which is movable in
every direction. The ears are round, and like those of a rat; the fore
feet have five toes each. The hair on the back is short and rough and of
a blackish hue; the tail marked with rings of black, like the wild cat;
the rest of the body is a mixture of black and red. This animal is very
apt to eat its own tail, which is very long; but this strange appetite
is not peculiar to the Coati alone; the mococo and some of the monkey
tribe do the same, and seem to feel no pain in wounding a part of the
body so remote from the centre of circulation.
[Illustration: THE CIVET, (_Viverra Civetta_,)]
IS found in Northern Africa and Guinea, and is famous for producing the
perfume called _civet_. He is kept for the sake of this perfume, and fed
with a kind of soup made of millet, or rice, with a little fish or flesh
boiled with it in water. The civet is found in a large double glandular
receptacle, situated at a little distance beneath the tail. When a
sufficient time for the secretion has been allowed, one of these animals
is put into a long wooden cage, so narrow that it cannot turn itself
round. The cage being opened by a door behind, a small spoon is
introduced through the orifice of the pouch, which is carefully scraped;
this is done twice or thrice a week, and the animal is said always to
produce the most civet after being irritated. The Civet, although a
native of the warmest climates, is yet found to live in temperate, and
even cold countries, provided it be defended carefully from the injuries
of the air. In a wild state, the Civet lives entirely on birds and small
quadrupeds; and at any time a small quantity of salt is said to poison
it.
[Illustration: THE GENET. (_Viverra Genetta._)]
THIS animal is about the size of a small cat. The skin is spotted and
beautiful, of a reddish grey colour. The spots on the sides are round
and distinct, those on the back almost close; its tail is long, and
marked with seven or eight rings of black. From an orifice beneath its
tail it yields a kind of perfume, which smells faintly of musk. This
little animal is meek and gentle, except when provoked, and is easily
domesticated. In Constantinople it strays from house to house like our
cat, and keeps whatever house it is in perfectly free from mice and
rats, which cannot endure its smell. It is found wild in various parts
of the south of Europe, and also throughout the continent of Africa. Its
fur is beautiful and soft, and valuable as an article of commerce. The
eyes of the Genet contract when exposed to the light, like those of the
cat; and it can draw in its claws in nearly the same manner.
THE ORIENTAL CIVET, (_Viverra Zibetha_,)
IS an inhabitant of the south of Asia and of the islands of the Indian
Archipelago. It is rather smaller than the African Civet, but is very
sanguinary in its habits, causing a great destruction of poultry and
even of lambs and young pigs. The perfume furnished by this species is
highly esteemed by the natives of eastern countries.
[Illustration: THE ICHNEUMON, OR EGYPTIAN MANGOUSTE, OR PHARAOH’S RAT.
(_Herpestes Ichneumon._)]
THIS animal bears a close resemblance to the weasel tribe, both in form
and habits. From the tip of the nose to the root of the tail, it is
about eighteen inches in length. At the base, the tail is very thick,
tapering gradually towards the point, which is slightly tufted. It has a
long, active body, short legs, lively and piercing eyes, and a pointed
nose; the hair is rough and bristly, of a pale reddish grey.
The Ichneumon is celebrated in the mythology of ancient Egypt, where it
has long been domesticated, and where it was ranked amongst the
divinities, on account of its great utility in destroying serpents,
snakes, rats, mice, and other vermin: it is also fond of crocodiles’
eggs, which it digs out of the sand where they have been deposited. It
is a very fierce, though small animal, and will fight with dogs, foxes,
and even jackals, with great fury. It will not breed in confinement, but
may be easily tamed when taken young.
The following particulars are related by M. D’Obsonville, in his Essays
on the Nature of various foreign Animals:--“I had an Ichneumon very
young, which I brought up. I fed it at first with milk, and afterward
with baked meat mixed with rice. It soon became even tamer than a cat;
for it came when called, and followed me, though at liberty, in the
country. One day I brought this animal a small water-serpent alive,
being desirous to know how far his instinct would carry him against a
being with which he was as yet totally unacquainted. His first emotion
seemed to be astonishment mixed with anger, for his hair became erect;
but in an instant he slipped behind the reptile, and with remarkable
swiftness and agility leaped upon its head, seized it, and crushed it
between his teeth. This essay, and new food, seemed to have awakened in
him his innate and destructive voracity, which till then had given way
to the gentleness he had acquired from education. I had about my house
several curious kinds of fowls, among which he had been brought up, and
which, till then, he had suffered to go and come unmolested and
unregarded: but a few days after, when he found himself alone, he
strangled them every one, ate a little, and, as it appeared, drank the
blood of two.”
The MOONGUS (_Herpestes griseus_) and the GARANGAN (_Herpestes
Javanicus_) are eastern species of Ichneumons; the former inhabits
India, and the latter the island of Java. Like the Egyptian Ichneumon,
they are great enemies of snakes and other reptiles, and also destroyrats, but unfortunately they often commit great havoc among poultry.
The mode in which the Ichneumon seizes a serpent is thus described by
Lucan in his _Pharsalia_:--
“Thus oft the Ichneumon, on the banks of Nile,
Invades the deadly aspic by a wile;
While artfully his slender tail is played,
The serpent darts upon the dancing shade,
Then turning on the foe with swift surprise,
Full on the throat the nimble traitor flies,
And in his grasp the panting serpent dies.”
[Illustration: THE WEASEL. (_Mustela vulgaris_.)]
THE animals belonging to this genus, notwithstanding their small size,
are all carnivorous, and from their slender and lengthened bodies, short
legs, and the very free motion in every direction, permitted by the
loose articulations of the spine, are well formed for pursuing their
prey into the deepest recesses. Constituted by nature to subsist on
animals, many of which have great strength and courage, they possess an
undaunted and ferocious disposition. The Weasel has a long and thin
body; its length, with its tail, is ten inches, and its height not more
than an inch and a half. In the northern parts of Europe they are very
numerous. Mice of every description, the field and the water-vole, rats,
moles, and small birds, are their ordinary food, and occasionally
rabbits and partridges. When driven by hunger, it will boldly attack the
poultry-yard. The Weasel, when it enters a hen roost, never meddles with
the cocks or old hens, but makes choice of the pullets and young
chickens; these it kills with a single stroke on the head, and carries
away one after the other. It sucks the eggs with avidity, making a small
hole at one end, through which it draws out the yolk. In winter it
resides in granaries and hay-lofts, and in summer chooses the low lands
about the mills and streams, where it hides among the bushes, and in the
hollows of old trees.
It was formerly supposed that the Weasel was untamable; but Buffon, in a
supplementary volume, corrects this error, and from a letter of a female
correspondent, shows that it may be rendered as familiar as a cat or a
lapdog. It frequently eat from his correspondent’s hand, and seemed
fonder of milk and fresh meat than of any other food. “If I present my
hands,” says this lady, “at the distance of three feet, it jumps into
them without ever missing. It shows a great deal of address and cunning,
in order to accomplish its ends, and seems to disobey certain
prohibitions merely through caprice. During all its actions it seems
solicitous to divert and be noticed, looking at every jump and at every
turn to see whether it be observed or not. If no notice be taken of its
gambols, it ceases them immediately, and betakes itself to sleep; and
when awaked from the soundest sleep, it instantly resumes its gaiety,
and frolics about in as sprightly a manner as before. It never shows any
ill humour, unless when confined or too much teased, in which case it
expresses its displeasure by a sort of murmur, very different from that
which it utters when pleased.”
Weasels and ferrets are used by rat-catchers to drive the rats out of
their holes; and they kill a great many, the habit of the Weasel being
to kill its prey by biting the head, so that the teeth penetrate the
brain, and then to throw the body aside, or hide it till a future
period.
[Illustration: THE FERRET, (_Mustela furo_,)]
IS a small, yet bold animal, and an enemy to all others but those of his
own kind. He closely resembles the Polecat, and is considered by many
naturalists, to be merely a domesticated variety of that animal. His
eyes are remarkably fiery. He is much used to drive rabbits from their
holes, and for this purpose is always muzzled, as otherwise he would
feast upon the blood of the first rabbit he met with, and then quietly
lay himself down in the burrow to sleep. He is such an inveterate enemy
to the rabbit, that if a dead one be presented to a young Ferret, he
instantly bites it with an appearance of rapacity; or, if it be living,
the Ferret seizes it by the neck, winds himself round it, and continues
to suck its blood till he be satiated; indeed, his appetite for blood is
so strong, that he has been known to attack and kill children in the
cradle. He is very soon irritated; and his bite is very difficult to be
cured.
Our figure is full large, as the length of the animal is usually about
thirteen inches, exclusive of the tail, which is about five.
[Illustration: THE POLECAT. (_Mustela putorius._)]
THE strong and disagreeable smell of this animal is proverbial; its skin
is stiff, hard, and rugged, and when well prepared, is very desirable as
clothing. It is about seventeen inches in length, exclusive of the tail,
which is about six inches. The breast, tail, and legs are of a blackish
colour, but the belly and sides yellowish. It sometimes conceals itself
in secret corners about houses, and is then a disastrous pest to the
poultry-yard. These animals usually frequent the woods and destroy a
great quantity of game; and some, forsaking the haunts of man, retire to
the rocks and crevices of the cliffs on the sea shore, preferring a
meagre and scanty diet with security, to the daintiness of chicken-flesh
and eggs, attended with trouble and fear. Rabbits seem to be their
favourite prey, and a single Polecat is often sufficient to destroy a
whole warren; for with that insatiable thirst for blood which is natural
to all the weasel tribe, it kills much more than it can devour; and
twenty rabbits have been found dead, which one Polecat had destroyed by
a wound hardly perceptible. The _Polecat_ is the same with the _Fitchet_
or _Foumart_, the hair of which is made into fine brushes and pencils
for the use of painters. This small animal is fierce and bold. When
attacked by a dog, it will defend itself with great spirit, attack him
in turn, fastening upon the nose of its enemy with so keen a bite, as
frequently to oblige him to desist. When heated or enraged, the smell it
emits is absolutely intolerable.
[Illustration: THE ERMINE. (_Mustela erminea._)]
THIS, which is also called the STOAT, is a smaller species than the
Polecat, and is less common in England than the latter, although in
Scotland it is tolerably abundant. Its colour in summer, is reddish
brown on the back and white underneath; but in winter the whole of the
fur becomes pure white, except on the tail, which is always black, and
it is in this state that the fur of the Ermine is so highly esteemed. In
the North of Europe, Siberia, and the most northern parts of America,
Ermines are found in immense numbers, and great quantities of them are
killed for the sake of their skins, of which several hundred thousand
are annually exported from those inclement northern regions, to serve
for the adornment of ladies dress, and of the state robes of peers and
other high dignitaries, in more civilized countries. The pure white skin
adorned with the jet black tails of the little animals, is indeed one of
the most elegant of all furs; but from the immense quantities in which
the skins are imported, they have become so cheap that ermine can no
longer be regarded as a fashionable fur, and it is chiefly employed for
those purposes to which custom has, in a manner, consecrated its use.
Like the Polecat, and others of its kind, the Ermine is a bloodthirsty
little creature, and so bold that it will attack animals much larger
than itself. It is very destructive to poultry and game, and even
pursues hares with success; those animals, although so fleet of foot
appearing to be so fascinated by the approach of their little enemy,
that they do not betake themselves to flight, but hop slowly along,
until the fangs of the destroyer are fixed in the throat of its victim,
when all efforts to shake him off are unavailing. The Ermine is also one
of the great enemies of the water-rat, which it will follow into the
water. The dwelling-place of the Ermine is a narrow burrow, usually in
the midst of a thicket, or furze-bush; it sometimes takes up its abode
in a rabbit burrow. In this country the female produces four or five
young at a birth; but in North America the litter is said to consist of
ten or twelve little ones.
[Illustration: THE SKUNK, (_Mustela_, or _Mephitis Americana_,)]
WHICH is found in most parts of North America, is curiously marked with
a pair of white stripes running down the sides of the back. It feeds
upon mice and other small quadrupeds, and also in summer upon frogs. The
Skunk is of a stout and rather heavy form, and runs but slowly, so that
when pursued it would have but a small chance of making its escape, but
for a singular provision with which it has been endowed by nature. This
consists of a yellow fluid of the most horrible odour, contained in a
small bag or pouch under the root of the tail; which the creature is
enabled to discharge to a distance of more than four feet, so that even
if the noisome discharge does not actually reach and smother the
animal’s pursuers, it forms between them and their intended victim, a
sort of invisible barrier, which few noses are able to pass. The smell
is so strong that it has been known to produce sickness at a distance of
a hundred yards, and so persistent, that the spot where a Skunk has been
killed, will retain the taint for many days. The flesh of this animal
is, however, considered excellent food by the Indians.
[Illustration: THE SABLE. (_Mustela_, or _Martes Zibellina_.)]
THIS animal is a native of Siberia, Kamtschatka, and Asiatic Russia, and
it frequents the banks of rivers, and the thickest parts of the woods.
It lives in holes under the ground, and especially under the roots of
trees; but sometimes makes its nest, like the squirrel, in the hollows
of trees. The skin of the Sable is more valuable than that of any other
animal of equal size. One of these skins, not more than four inches
broad, has sometimes been valued at as high a rate as fifteen pounds;
but the general price is from one to ten pounds, according to the
quality. The Sable’s fur is different from all others, its peculiarity
being, that the hair turns with equal ease either way; on which account
fur dealers sometimes blow the fur of any article they may be selling,
to show that it is really Sable. The tails are sold by the hundred, at
from four to eight pounds.
The AMERICAN SABLE (_M. leucopus_) is considered to be a distinct
species.
[Illustration: BEECH MARTIN]
The common, or BEECH MARTEN, (_Mustela Martes_ or _Martes foina_,) like
the Sable, boasts the honour of adorning with his fur the rich and the
beautiful; as princes, ladies, and opulent people of all nations, pride
themselves in wearing his spoils. He is about as big as a cat, but his
body is much longer proportionately, and the legs shorter. His skin is
of a light brown, with white under the throat. The fur of the Marten
fetches a good price, and is much used in European countries, though
very far inferior to that of the Sable: the best, which is called Stone
Marten fur by the furriers, is imported from Sweden and Russia.
[Illustration: YELLOW-BREASTED MARTEN]
The Pine, or YELLOW-BREASTED MARTEN (_M. Abietum_), is another species,
the fur of which is nearly equal to that of the Sable, though it is much
cheaper.
THE OTTER. (_Lutra vulgaris._)
“Forth from his den the Otter drew,--
Grayling and trout their tyrant knew,
As between reed and sedge he peers,
With fierce round snout and sharpened ears,
Or, prowling by the moonbeam cool,
Watches the stream or swims the pool.”
SCOTT.
AS the Otter lives principally on fish, the formation of his body is
such as will enable him to swim with the greatest facility. His body is
flattened horizontally; his tail is flat and broad; his legs are short,
and his toes webbed. His teeth are very strong and sharp; and his body,
besides its fur, has an outer covering of coarse shining hair. The Otter
is a perfect epicure in his food; he seldom eats an entire fish, but
beginning at the head, eats that, and about half the body, always
rejecting the tail. When the rivers and ponds are frozen so that the
Otter can get no fish, he will visit the neighbouring farm-yards, where
he will attack the poultry, sucking-pigs, and even lambs. An Otter may
be tamed, and taught to catch fish enough to sustain not only himself,
but a whole family. Goldsmith states, that he saw an Otter go to a
gentleman’s pond at the word of command, drive the fish into a corner,
and seize upon the largest of the whole, bring it off, and give it to
his master.
Bewick, in his History of Quadrupeds, states, that a person of the name
of Collins, who lived at Kilmerston, near Wooler, in Northumberland, had
a tame Otter, which followed him wherever he went. He frequently took it
to fish in the river; and, when satiated, it never failed to return to
him. One day, in the absence of Collins, the Otter, being taken out to
fish by his son, instead of returning as usual, refused to come at the
accustomed call, and was lost. The father tried every means in his power
to recover the animal; and, after several days’ search, being near the
place where his son had lost it, and calling it by name, to his
inexpressible joy it came creeping to his feet, and showed many marks of
affection and attachment.
[Illustration]
The female Otter produces four or five young ones at a birth, and these
in the spring of the year. Where there have been ponds near a
gentleman’s house, instances have occurred of their littering in cellars
or drains. The male utters no noise when taken, but the females
sometimes emit a shrill squeak.
Otters are generally caught in traps placed near their landing-places,
and carefully concealed in the sand. When hunted by dogs, the old ones
defend themselves with great obstinacy. They bite severely, and do not
readily quit their hold. Otter-hunting is a favourite sport in many
parts of Great Britain; particularly in the midland counties of England,
and in Wales.
[Illustration: THE SEA OTTER. (_Lutra_ or _Enhdyralutris_.)]
THE common Otter sometimes takes to the sea; but, on the eastern coasts
of Northern Asia and the opposite shores of North America, true Sea
Otters are met with, chiefly about the numerous rocky islands which
fringe those coasts. The Sea Otter in its habits resembles the seals
more than the common species; it is about three feet long without the
tail, and is covered with a thick, rich, dark brown, or nearly black
fur, which is so highly prized that single fine skins have been known to
sell for a sum equivalent to twenty pounds, and the animals have, in
consequence, been pursued with such avidity, that their numbers are
greatly reduced.
[Illustration: THE COMMON SEAL. (_Phoca vitulina._)]
THE amphibious flesh-eating animals, though nearly allied to the otter
in their habits, are very different in the construction of their bodies.
Their feet are so short and so enveloped in skin, that they are of
scarcely any use in assisting the animal on dry land; so that the Seal’s
progress on solid ground is only effected by a sort of half tumbling,
jumping, and shuffling motion, excessively ridiculous to a looker-on.
The feet, however, which are furnished with strong claws, are of use in
enabling the animal to climb out of the water over a rocky shore. For
swimming, the Seal is admirably adapted; its long flexible body is
shaped like that of a fish, tapering to the tail; and it is furnished
with strong webs between the toes, so as to make the fore feet act as
oars, and the hind feet, which the animal generally drags behind it like
a tail, to serve as a rudder. The Common Seal lives generally in the
water, and feeds entirely on fish; only coming to shore occasionally to
bask on the sands, and to lie there to suckle its young. The usual
length of a Seal is four or five feet. The head is large and round; the
neck small and short; and on each side of the mouth there are several
strong bristles. From the shoulders the body tapers to the tail, which
is very short. The eyes are large: there are no external ears; and the
tongue is cleft or forked at the end. The body is covered with short
thick-set hair, which in the common species is generally grey, but
sometimes brown or blackish. There are, however, several species; and
one of them, which is called the sea-leopard, has the fur spotted with
white or yellow.
Seals are hunted by the Greenlanders for the sake of their oil, and also
for their skins, which are used for making waistcoats and other articles
of clothing, and are much prized by the fishermen for their great
warmth. The oil, of which a full grown specimen yields four or five
gallons, is very clear and transparent, and destitute of the unpleasant
odour and taste of whale-oil. When attacked, they fight with great fury;
but when taken young, are capable of being tamed; they will follow their
master like a dog, and come to him when called by the name given to
them. Some years ago a young Seal was thus domesticated. It was taken at
a little distance from the sea, and was generally kept in a vessel full
of salt water: but sometimes it was allowed to crawl about the house,
and even to approach the fire. Its natural food was regularly procured
for it; and it was carried to the sea every day, and thrown in from a
boat. It used to swim after the boat, and always allowed itself to be
taken back. It lived thus for several weeks, and probably would have
lived much longer, had it not been sometimes too roughly handled. The
females in this climate bring forth in winter, and rear their young upon
some sand-bank, rock, or desolate island, at some distance from the main
land. When they suckle their young, they sit up on their hinder legs,
while the little Seals, which are at first white, with woolly hair,
cling to the teats, which are four in number. In this manner the young
continue in the place where they are brought forth for twelve or fifteen
days; after which the dam brings them down to the water, and accustoms
them to swim and get their food by their own industry.
In Newfoundland the Seal-fishery forms an important source of wealth,
and numerous ships are sent out every season among the ice in search of
Seals. One ship has been known to catch five thousand Seals, but about
half that number is the usual quantity taken. As soon as the Seal is
killed, it is skinned, and the pelt, as the skin and blubber together is
called, being preserved, the body of the Seal is either eaten by the
sailors, or left on the ice for the polar bears.
The aboriginal inhabitants of the northern regions have several strange
superstitions about Seals. They believe that Seals delight in
thunder-storms; and say, that during these times they will sit on the
rocks, and contemplate, with apparent pleasure and gratification, the
convulsion of the elements. The Icelanders, in particular, are said to
believe that these animals are the offspring of _Pharaoh_ and his host,
who were converted into Seals when they were overwhelmed in the _Red
Sea_.
Several species of Seals are distinguished by curious appendages to the
head, sometimes in the form of a hood, sometimes in that of a projection
from the nose. One of the most singular is the Sea Elephant (_Morunga
proboscidea_), an inhabitant of the shores of the numerous islands
scattered over the great Southern Ocean. In this curious animal, which
often measures twenty-four feet in length, the nose of the male forms a
proboscis about a foot long and capable of considerable distension. The
female has no such appendage. The young of the Sea Elephant, when just
born, is said to be as large as a full grown seal of the common species.
The skin in the old animals is very thick, and forms an excellent
leather for harness.
[Illustration: THE WALRUS, MORSE, OR SEA-COW.
(_Trichechus Rosmarus._)]
THIS very curious animal is nearly allied to the Seal, but is of much
greater size, being frequently eighteen feet in length, and from ten to
twelve feet in girth. The head is round, the eyes are small and
brilliant, and the upper lip, which is enormously thick, is covered with
pellucid bristles, as large as a straw. The nostrils are very large, and
there are no external ears. The most remarkable part of the Walrus is,
however, his two large tusks in the upper jaw; they are inverted, the
points nearly uniting, and sometimes exceed twenty-four inches in
length! the use which the animal makes of them is not easily explained,
unless they help him to climb up the rocks and mountains of ice among
which he takes up his abode, as the parrot employs his beak to get upon
his perch. The tusks of the Walrus are superior in durability and
whiteness to those of the elephant, and, as they keep their colour much
longer, are preferred by dentists to any other substance for making
artificial teeth.
The Walrus is common in some of the northern seas, and will sometimes
attack a boat full of men. They are gregarious animals, usually found in
herds of from fifty to one hundred or more, sleeping and snoring on the
icy shores; but when alarmed they precipitate themselves into the water
with great bustle and trepidation, and swim with such rapidity, that it
is difficult to overtake them with a boat. One of their number always
keeps watch while the others sleep. They feed on shell-fish
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