xml version 1.0 encoding UTF-8
REPORT xmlns http:www.fcla.edudlsmddaitss xmlns:xsi http:www.w3.org2001XMLSchema-instance xsi:schemaLocation http:www.fcla.edudlsmddaitssdaitssReport.xsd
INGEST IEID EAH3Z45U4_RRASSJ INGEST_TIME 2016-12-02T23:33:42Z PACKAGE UF00002007_00001
AGREEMENT_INFO ACCOUNT UF PROJECT UFDC
FILES
Package Processing Log
Package Processing Log
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM Error Log for UF00002007_00001 processed at: 12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM cover1.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM cover1.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM cover2.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM cover2.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00001.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00001.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00002.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00002.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00003.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00003.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00004.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00004.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00005.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00005.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00006.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00006.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00007.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00007.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00008.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00008.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00009.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00009.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00010.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00010.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00011.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00011.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00012.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00012.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00013.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00013.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00014.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00014.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00015.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00015.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00016.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00016.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00017.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00017.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00018.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00018.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00019.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00019.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00020.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00020.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00021.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00021.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00022.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00022.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00023.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:23 PM 00023.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00024.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00024.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00025.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00025.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00026.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00026.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00027.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00027.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00028.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00028.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00029.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00029.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00030.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00030.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00031.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00031.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00032.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00032.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00033.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00033.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00034.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00034.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00035.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00035.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00036.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00036.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00037.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00037.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00038.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00038.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00039.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00039.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00040.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00040.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00041.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00041.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00042.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00042.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00043.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00043.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00044.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00044.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00045.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00045.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00046.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00046.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00047.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00047.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00048.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00048.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00049.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:24 PM 00049.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00050.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00050.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00051.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00051.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00052.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00052.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00053.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00053.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00054.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00054.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00055.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00055.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00056.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00056.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00057.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00057.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00058.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00058.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00059.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00059.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00060.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00060.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00061.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00061.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00062.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00062.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00063.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00063.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00064.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00064.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00065.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00065.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00066.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00066.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00068.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00068.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00069.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00069.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00070.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00070.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00071.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00071.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00072.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00072.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00073.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00073.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00074.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00074.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00075.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00075.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00076.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00076.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00077.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00077.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00078.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00078.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00079.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00079.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00080.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00080.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00081.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00081.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00082.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00082.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00083.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00083.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00084.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00084.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00085.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00085.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00086.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00086.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00087.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00087.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00088.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00088.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00089.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00089.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00090.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00090.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00091.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:25 PM 00091.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00092.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00092.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00093.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00093.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00094.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00094.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00095.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00095.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00096.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00096.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00097.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00097.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00098.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00098.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00099.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00099.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00100.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00100.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00101.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00101.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00102.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00102.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00103.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00103.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00104.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00104.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00105.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00105.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00106.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00106.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00107.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00107.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00108.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00108.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00109.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00109.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00110.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00110.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00111.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00111.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00112.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00112.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00113.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00113.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00114.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00114.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00115.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00115.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00116.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00116.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00118.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00118.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00119.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00119.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00120.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00120.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00121.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00121.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00122.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00122.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00123.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00123.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00124.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00124.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00125.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00125.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00126.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00126.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00127.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00127.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:26 PM 00128.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00128.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00129.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00129.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00130.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00130.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00131.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00131.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00132.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00132.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00133.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00133.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00134.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00134.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00135.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00135.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00136.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00136.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00137.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00137.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00138.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00138.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00139.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00139.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00140.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00140.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00141.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00141.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00142.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00142.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00143.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00143.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00144.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00144.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00145.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00145.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00146.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00146.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00147.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00147.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00148.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00148.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00149.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00149.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00150.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00150.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00151.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00151.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00152.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00152.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00153.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00153.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00154.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00154.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00155.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00155.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00156.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00156.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00157.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00157.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00158.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00158.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00159.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00159.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00160.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00160.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00161.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00161.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00162.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00162.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00163.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00163.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00164.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:27 PM 00164.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00165.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00165.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00166.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00166.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00167.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00167.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00168.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00168.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00169.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00169.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00170.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00170.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00171.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00171.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00172.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00172.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00173.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00173.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00174.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00174.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00175.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00175.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00176.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00176.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00177.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00177.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00178.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00178.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00179.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00179.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00180.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00180.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00181.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00181.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00182.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00182.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00183.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00183.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00184.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00184.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00185.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00185.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00186.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00186.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00187.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00187.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00188.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00188.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00189.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00189.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00190.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00190.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00191.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00191.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00194.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00194.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00196.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00196.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00197.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00197.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00198.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00198.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00199.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00199.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00200.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00200.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00201.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00201.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00202.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00202.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00203.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00203.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00204.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00204.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00205.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00205.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00206.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:28 PM 00206.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00207.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00207.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00208.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00208.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00209.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00209.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00210.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00210.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00211.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00211.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00212.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00212.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00213.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00213.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00214.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00214.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00215.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00215.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00216.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00216.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00217.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00217.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00218.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00218.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00219.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00219.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00220.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00220.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00221.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00221.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00222.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00222.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00223.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00223.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00224.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00224.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00225.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00225.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00226.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00226.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00227.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00227.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00228.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00228.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00229.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00229.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00230.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00230.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00231.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00231.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00232.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00232.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00233.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00233.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00234.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00234.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00235.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00235.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00236.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00236.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00237.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00237.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00238.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00238.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00239.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00239.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00240.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00240.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00241.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00241.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00242.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00242.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:29 PM 00243.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00243.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00244.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00244.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00245.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00245.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00246.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00246.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00247.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00247.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00248.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00248.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00249.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00249.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00250.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00250.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00251.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00251.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00252.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00252.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00253.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00253.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00254.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00254.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00255.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00255.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00256.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00256.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00257.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00257.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00258.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00258.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00259.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00259.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00260.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00260.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00261.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00261.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00262.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00262.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00263.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00263.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00264.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00264.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00265.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00265.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00266.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00266.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00267.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00267.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00268.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00268.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00269.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00269.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00270.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00270.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00271.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00271.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00272.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00272.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00273.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00273.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00274.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00274.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00275.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00275.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00276.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00276.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:30 PM 00277.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00277.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00278.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00278.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00279.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00279.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00281.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00281.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00282.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00282.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00283.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00283.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00284.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00284.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00285.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00285.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00286.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00286.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00287.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00287.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00288.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00288.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00289.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00289.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00290.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00290.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00291.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00291.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00292.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00292.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00293.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00293.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00294.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00294.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00295.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00295.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00296.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00296.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00297.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00297.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00298.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00298.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00299.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00299.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00300.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00300.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00301.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00301.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00302.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00302.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00303.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00303.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00304.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00304.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00305.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00305.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00306.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00306.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00307.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00307.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00308.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00308.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00309.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00309.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:31 PM 00310.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00310.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00311.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00311.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00312.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00312.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00313.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00313.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00314.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00314.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00315.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00315.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00316.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00316.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00317.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00317.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00318.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00318.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00319.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00319.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00320.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00320.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00321.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00321.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00322.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00322.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00323.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00323.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00324.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00324.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00325.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00325.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00326.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00326.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00327.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00327.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00328.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00328.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00329.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00329.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00330.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00330.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00331.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00331.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00332.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00332.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00333.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00333.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00334.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00334.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00335.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00335.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00336.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00336.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00337.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00337.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00338.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00338.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00339.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00339.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00340.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00340.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00341.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00341.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00342.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00342.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00343.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00343.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00344.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:32 PM 00344.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00345.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00345.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00346.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00346.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00347.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00347.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00348.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00348.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00349.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00349.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00350.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00350.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00351.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00351.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00352.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00352.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00354.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00354.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00355.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00355.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00356.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00356.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00357.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00357.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00358.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00358.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00359.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00359.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00360.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00360.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00361.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00361.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00362.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00362.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00363.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00363.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00364.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00364.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00365.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00365.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00366.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00366.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00367.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00367.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00368.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00368.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00369.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00369.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00370.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00370.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00371.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00371.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00372.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00372.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00373.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00373.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:33 PM 00374.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:34 PM 00374.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:34 PM 00375.jpg is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
12/15/2014 12:45:34 PM 00375.jp2 is specified in the METS file but not included in the submission package!
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ro eo tee
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ae he co
Retin rane F
RR or a NM
SESE
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eo
The Baldwin Library
THE MONKEY PAINTER
Page 7.
ANECDOTES
OF
THE HABITS AND INSTINCT
OF ANIMALS,
By MRS. R. LEE,
FORMERLY MRS. T, E BOWDICH,
AUTIIOR OF ‘‘ THE AFRICAN WANDERERS,†‘‘ ADVENTURES IN AUSTRALIA,â€
“MEMOIRS OF CUVIER,†ETC.
WITH
ILLUSTRATIONS BY HARRISON WEIR.
LONDON:
GRANT AND GRIFFITH,
SUCCESSORS TO J, HARRIS,
CORNER OF ST. PAUL’S CHURCHYARD.
M.DCCC.LII.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY J. WERTHEIMER AND CO.,
CIRCUS PLACE, FINSBURY.
PREFACE.
In making a selection of anecdotes, those have
been assembled which were supplied by me to other
works, and in most instances have received consi-
derable amplification; others have been given which
never before were printed — perhaps not even ©
written; while all which have been transferred
from other pages to mine have received the stamp
of authenticity. Besides those whose names are
already mentioned, I have to thank several friends
who have drawn from their private stores for my
advantage, and thus enabled me to offer much
that is perfectly new.
Dry details of science and classification have been
laid aside, but a certain order has been kept to
avoid confusion; and, although endeavours have
been made to throw as much interest as possible
IV PREFACE.
over these recorded habits and actions of the
brute creation; I love the latter too well to raise a
doubt by one word of embellishment, even if I did
not abstain from principle.
The intentions with which this work was com-
menced have not been carried out, inasmuch as
materials have crowded upon me beyond all calcu-
lation; and, although a large portion has been
rejected, the anecdotes related go no farther than
the Mammalia, while almost all animals were to
have been included.
With regard to the remaining orders—if the
present work should meet with a favourable recep-
tion, I shall hope next year to present the public with
touching and amusing proofs of the sagacity and
dispositions of birds, and of ‘ hair-breadth scapesâ€
from reptiles, etc., some of which will, like those in
the present volume, be carefully selected from the
works of travellers, from the resources of friends,
and from my own experience.
To the pleasing task of enlightening those,
who, shut up in close cities, have no opportunity of
PREFACE.
observing for themselves, and to the still higher
enjoyment of directing young minds to an elevat-
ing pursuit, the naturalist adds a gratification even
better than all, by making known the hidden
wonders of nature; and leaving to those who de-
light in argument, the ever unsolved question of
where instinct ends and reason begins, he sets forth
the love of the great Creator towards all His
creatures, and the ways He takes to show His
wisdom.
RoR
7 eer * y
CONTENTS.
PAGE
MONKEYS, ETC. . ; 1
Bats. : ; ; ; ;
MOLEs . : ; , , ; ; > ae
HEDGEHOGS ; ‘ ‘ “ae
BEARS . ‘ j ; ; 5 A
BADGERS . , ’ ;
WERASELS.. ; :, . ae
OTTERS : ; : : ; 2) an
Dogs ; ; ; ;
WOLVES ; ‘ , . 162
FOXES . j ; ; : ; ‘ . 174
Hy@Nnas. ‘ ' ; ‘ ; ; ; ~ 2a
LIons . ; ; ; ; , . 186
TIGERS ; , : ; ; ;
LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ETC. . . 224
Cats . ; ; ‘ : ; i
SQUIRRELS . . ; ‘ ‘ , ; . 250
Rats . ; ; ; ; ; ; . 254
Mice . ; ; ; ; . 266
ELEPHANTS . : ; ; : .
HIPpopoTAMUS . j ; . 294
Hoes . : ; : ; , . 27
VIII CONTENTS.
RHINOCEROSES
Horsks
Tue Ass .
CAMELS.—DROMEDARIES
LLAMAS, ETC.
DEER .
GIRAFFES
ANTELOPES .
GOATS
SHEEP
OXEN .
PAGE
307
312
333
339
344
347
354
358
363
368
373
ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
THE QUADRUMANA, OR MONKEY |
TRIBE.
FORMED like man, and practising similar gestures,
but with thumbs instead of great toes upon their feet,
and with so narrow a heel-bone, that even those
who constantly walk upright have not the firm and
dignified step of human beings; the Quadrumana
yet approximate so closely to us, that they demand
the first place in a book devoted principally to the
intellectual (whether it be reason or instinct) history
of animals. This approximation is a matter of
amusement to some; but to the larger portion of
mankind, I should say, it is a source of disgust.
‘‘ Rapoynda,†I exclaimed, one day, to a trouble-
some, inquisitive, restless negro, pointing to a black
monkey, which much resembled him in character,
‘that is your brother.†Never shall 1 forget the
malignant scowl which passed over the man’s features
B
2 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
at my heedless comparison. No apology, no kind-
ness, not even the gift of a smart waistcoat, which
he greatly coveted, ever restored me to his good
graces; and I was not sorry when his Chief sum-
moned him from my vicinity, for I dreaded his
revenge.
A few years after, I stood lost in admiration
before Sir Edwin Landseer’s inimitable picture of
‘the monkey who had seen the world,†in which
nature and truth lend their tone and force to the
highest efforts of art; when a voice exclaimed,
‘How can you waste your time looking at that
thing; such creatures ought never to have been
painted;†and although the speaker was a religious
man, he muttered to himself, “I am not sure they
ought ever to have been made.†The voice pro-
ceeded from one of the finest instances of manly
beauty; one famed also for talent and acquirement.
Rapoynda started into my recollection; and ag I
slowly left the talented picture, I could not help
smiling at the common feeling between the savage
and the gentleman, thereby proving its universality.
Never did any one start for a tropical climate
with a greater antipathy towards these « wild menâ€
than I did; I lived years in their vicinity and yet
contrived to avoid all contact with them, and it
was not till I was homeward-bound that my con-
version was effected. The ship in which Mr. Bow-
dich and myself took a round-about course to
THE MONKEY TRIBE. 3
England, was floating on a wide expanse of water,
disturbed only by the heavy swell, which forms the
sole motion in a calm; the watch on deck were
seated near the bows of the vessel, the passengers
and officers were almost all below, there was
only myself and the helmsman on the after-deck;
he stood’ listlessly by the binnacle, and I was wholly
occupied in reading. A noise between a squeak
and a chatter suddenly met my ears; and before I
could turn my head to see whence it proceeded, a
heavy, living creature jumped on to my shoulders
from behind, and its tail encircled my throat. I
felt it was Jack, the cook’s monkey; the mis-
chievous, malicious, mocking, but inimitable Jack,
whose pranks had often made me laugh against my
will, as I watched him from a distance, but with
whom I had never made the least acquaintance.
Whether from fear or presence of mind I do not
pretend to say, but I remained perfectly still, and
in a minute or two Jack put his head forward and
stared me in the face, uttering a sort of croak; he
then descended on to my knees, examined my
hands as if he were counting my fingers, tried to
take off my rings, and when I gave him some biscuit,
curled himself compactly into my lap. We were
friends from that moment. My aversion thus cured,
I have ever since felt indescribable interest and
entertainment in watching, studying, and protect-
ing monkeys. We had several on board the above-
4 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
mentioned vessel, but Jack was the prince of them
all.
Exclusively belonging to the cook, although a
favourite with the whole crew, my friend (a Cerco-
pithecus from Senegal) had been at first kept by
means of a cord, attached to the caboose; but, as he
became more and more tame, his hberty was ex-
tended, till at last he was allowed the whole range
of the ship, with the exception of the captain’s and
passengers’ cabins. The occupations which he
marked out for himself began at early dawn, by
overturning the steward’s parrot-cage whenever he
could get at it, in order to secure the lump of sugar
which then rolled out, or lick up the water which
ran from the upset cup; he evidently intended to
pull the parrot’s feathers, but the latter, by turning
round as fast as Jack turned, always faced him, and
his beak was too formidable to be encountered. J
was frequently awakened by the quick trampling of
feet at this early hour, and knew it arose from a
pursuit of Jack, in consequence of some mischief
on his part. Like all other nautical monkeys, he
descended into the forecastle, where he twisted off
the night-caps of the sailors as they lay in their
hammocks, stole their knives, tools, etc., and if
they were not very active in the pursuit, these
purloinings were thrown overboard.
When the preparations for breakfast began, Jack
took his post in a corner near the grate, and when
THE MONKEY TRIBE. 5
the cook’s back was turned, hooked out the pieces
of biscuit which were toasting between the bars for
the men, and snatched the bunches of dried herbs,
with which they tried to imitate tea, out of the tin
mugs. He sometimes scalded or burnt his fingers
by these tricks, which kept him quiet for a few
days; but no sooner was the pain gone than he
repeated the mischief.
Two days in each week, the pigs, which formed
part of our live stock, were allowed to run about
the deck for exercise, and then Jack was particularly
happy: hiding himself behind a cask, he would
suddenly spring on to the back of one of them, his
face to the tail, and away scampered his frightened
steed. Sometimes an obstacle would impede the
gallop, and then Jack, loosening the hold which
he had acquired by digging his nails into the skin
of the pig, industriously tried to uncurl its tail,
and if he were saluted by a laugh from some one
near by, he would look up with an assumed air of
wonder, as much as to say, What can you find to
laugh at? When the pigs were shut up, he thought
it his turn to give others a ride, and there were
three little monkeys, with red skins and blue faces,
whom he particularly favored: I frequently met
him with all of them on his back at the same
time, squeaking and huddling together, and with
difficulty preserving their seat; when he suddenly
stopped, and seemed to ask me to praise the good-
6 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
natured action which he was performing. He was,
however, jealous of all those of his brethren who
came in contact with me, and freed himself from
two of his rivals by throwing them into the sea.
One of them was a small Lion monkey, of great
beauty and extreme gentleness, and immediately
after I had been feeding him, Jack called him with
a coaxing, patronizing air; but as soon as he was
within reach, the perfidious creature seized him by
the nape of his neck, and, as quick as thought,
popped him over the side of the ship. We were
going at a brisk rate, and although a rope was
thrown out to him, the poor little screaming thing
was soon left behind, very much to my distress, for
his almost human agony of countenance was painful
to behold. For this, Jack was punished by being
shut up all day in the empty hen-coop, in which he
usually passed the night, and which he so hated,
_ that when bed-time came, he generally avoided the
clutches of the steward; he, however, committed
so much mischief when unwatched, that it had
become necessary to confine him at night, and I
was often obliged to perform the office of nurse-
maid. Jack’s principal punishment, however, was
to be taken in front of the cage in which a panther _
belonging to me was placed, in the fore part of the
deck. His alarm was intense; the panther set up
his back and growled, but Jack instantly closed his
eyes, and made himself perfectly rigid. I generally
THE MONKEY TRIBE. 7
held him up by the tail, and if I moved, he cautiously
opened one eye; but if he caught sight of even a
corner of the cage, he shut it fast, and again pre-
tended to be dead. His drollest trick was practised
on a poor little black monkey; taking the oppor-
tunity when a calm, similar to that spoken of above,
left him nearly the sole possessor of the deck. Ido
not know that he saw me, for I was sitting behind
the companion door. The men had been painting
the ship outside, and were putting a broad band of
white upon her, when they went to dinner below,
leaving their paint and brushes on the upper deck.
Jack enticed his victim to him, who meekly obeyed
the summons; and, seizing him with one hand, he,
with the other, took the brush, and covered him
with the white fluid from head to foot. The
laugh of the man at the helm called my attention
to the circumstance, and as soon as Jack perceived
he was discovered, he dropped his dripping brother,
and rapidly scampered up the rigging, till he gained
the main-top, where he stood with his nose between
the bars, looking at what was going on below. As
the other monkey began to lick himself, I called up
the steward, who washed him clean with turpentine,
and no harm ensued; but Jack was afraid to come
down, and only after three days passed in his
elevated place of refuge did hunger compel him to
descend. He chose the moment when I was sitting
on deck, and, swinging himself by a rope, he
8 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
dropped suddenly into my lap, looking so im-
ploringly at me for pardon, that I not only forgave
him myself, but procured his absolution from others.
Jack and I parted a little to the south of the
Scilly Islands, after five month’s companionship,
and never met again; but I was told that he was
much ‘distressed at my absence, hunted for me all
over the vessel in the most disconsolate manner,
even venturing into my cabin; nor was he recon-
ciled to the loss of me when the ship’s company
parted in the London docks,
Another monkey, of the same species as Jack, was
trained by a man in Paris to perform a multitude
of clever tricks. I met him one day suddenly as he
was coming up the drawing-room stairs. He made
way for me by standing in an angle, and when I
said, “‘ Good morning,†took off his cap, and made
me alow bow. “ Are you going away?†I asked;
“where is your passport?†Upon which he took
from the same cap a Square piece of paper which
he opened, and shewed to me. His master told
him my gown was dusty, and he instantly took a
small brush from his master’s pocket, raised the
hem of my dress, cleaned it, and then did the same
for my shoes. He was perfectly docile and obedient;
when we gave him something to eat, he did not
cram his pouches with it, but delicately and tidily
devoured it; and when we bestowed money on him,
he immediately put it into his master’s hands.
THE MONKEY TRIBE. 9
Much more accomplished monkeys than those
of which I have spoken, have been known to act
plays, and to assume the characters they have un-
dertaken, with a spirit and aptitude which might
tempt us to suppose that they were perfectly cogni-
zant of every bearing of their different parts; and.
their stratagems to procure food, and defend them-
selves, are only equalled by human beings.
Denizens of those mighty forests, which clothe
the earth between the tropics of both the Old and
New World, assembling by hundreds in those lands
where the Palm, the Banian, the Baobab, the Bom-
bax, and thousands of magnificent trees adorn the
soil; where the most delicious fruits are to be
procured, by merely stretching out the hand to
separate them from their parent stem; no wonder
that both apes and monkeys there congregate, and
strike the European, on his first arrival among
them, with astonishment. JI had seen many at
Cape Coast; but not till I advanced into the forest
up the windings of the river Gaboon, could I form
any idea of their multitude, or of the various habits
which characterise their savage lives. The first
time the reality burst upon me, was in going up a
creek of that river to reach the town of Naiingo
when the most deafening screams were to be heard
over head, mixed with squeaks and sundry strange
noises. These proceeded from red and grey parrots,
which were pursued to the tops of the tallest trees
10 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
by the monkeys. The birds were not frightened ;
on the contrary, they appeared to enjoy the fun,
and perching on slight twigs, which would not
bear the weight of their playfellows, they stretched
out their wings, and seemed vociferously to exclaim,
‘You can’t catch me!†Sometimes, however, they
were surprised, and then there was such a scuffle
and noise. The four-handed beast, however, plucked
the red feathers from the tail of the bird; and
careless of its anger, seated himself on a branch,
sucking the quills till they were dry, when he
started for a fresh supply.
That monkeys enjoy movement, that they de-
light in pilfering, in outwitting each other and
their higher brethren—men; that they glory in
tearing and destroying the works of art by which
they are surrounded in a domestic state; that they
lay the most artful plans to effect their purposes, is
all perfectly true; but the terms mirthful and
merry, seem to me to be totally misapplied, in
reference to their feelings and actions; for they do
all in solemnity and seriousness. Do you stand
under a tree, whose thick foliage completely screens
you from the sun, and you hope to enjoy perfect
shade and repose; a slight rustling proves that com-
panions are near: presently a broken twig drops
upon you, then another, you raise your eyes, and
find that hundreds of other eyes are staring at you.
In another minute you see the grotesque faces to
THE MONKEY TRIBE. ll
which those eyes belong, making grimaces, as you
suppose, but it is no such thing, they are solemnly
contemplating the intruder; they are not pelting
him in play, it is their business to drive him from
their domain. Raise your arm, the boughs shake,
the chattering begins, and the sooner you decamp;
the more you will shew your discretion.
Watch the ape or monkey with which you come
into closer contact; does he pick up a blade of
grass, he will examine it with as much attention as
if he were determining the value of a precious
stone. Do you put food before him, he tucks it
into his mouth as fast as possible, and when his
cheek pouches are so full that they canngt hold any
more, he looks at you as if he seriously asked your
approval of his laying up stores for the future. If
he destroy the most valuable piece of glass or china
in your possession, he does not look as if he en-
joyed the mischief, but either puts on an impudent
air, as much as to say, ‘‘I don’t care,†or calmly
tries to let you know he thought it his duty to
destroy your property. Savage, violent and noisy
are they when irritated or disappointed, and long
do they retain the recollection of an affront. I once
annoyed a monkey in the collection of the Jardin
des Plantes, in Paris, by preventing him from pur-
loining the food of one of his companions; in doing
which I gave him a knock upon his paws. It was
lucky that strong wires were between us, or he
12 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
would probably have hurt me severely in his rage;
he shook the cage, he rolled about and screamed,
and did not forget the offence. On future occa-
sions, the instant he heard my voice, he put him-
self into a passion : and several months after,
although I had been absent the whole time, he
seized on my gown while I incautiously stood too
near to him, dragoed a portion of it within the
bars, and bit a great piece out of it, although it
was made of a very strong material.
A monkey, of I know not what species, was
domiciled in a family in Yorkshire to whom my
mother was paying a visit of some days. A large
dinner-party was given in honor of the guest, the
master of the house helped the soup; but as he
was talking at the time, he did not observe its
appearance. Presently all to whom it had been
served, laid down their spoons, or sent their plates
away. This of course attracted attention, and on
inspection, the liquid was discovered to be full of
short hairs. The servants in attendance were
questioned, but they declared they were ignorant
of the cause; and the wisest and. politest proceeding
was, to send the tureen from the table, and, serving
the fish, make no further comment. The mistress
of the family, however, when the ladies left the
dining-room, slipped away from her friends, and
summoning the cook to her presence, received an
explanation of the mystery. The woman said, she
THE MONKEY TRIBE. 13
had left the kitehen only for one minute, and when
she returned, she saw the monkey standing on the
hob of the kitchen grate, with one fore-paw resting
on the lid of the boiler which contained the soup.
“Qh, Mr. Curiosity,†she exclaimed, “ that is too
much for you, you can’t lift that up.†To her
horror and amazement, however, he had lifted it up,
and was putting it on again after popping the
kitten in, whose remains were discovered at the
bottom when the soup was strained. The poor
cook was so bewildered, that she did not know what
to do: it was time for the dinner to be served, and
. She, therefore, for the look’s sake, thought it best to
send the soup in as it was, even if it were sent
out again immediately, ‘‘ because you know ma’am,â€
said she, ‘that would prove you had ordered it.
I always thought the monkey would do the kitten
a mischief, he was so jealous of it, and hated it so
because it scratched him, so he seized it when
asleep.â€
A much better disposed monkey belonged to my
eldest daughter; and we brought him to England
from the Gambia. He seemed to know that he
could master the child, and did not hesitate to bite
and scratch her whenever she pulled him a little
harder than he thought proper. I punished him
for each offence, yet fed and caressed him when
good; by which means I possessed an entire ascend-
ancy over him. He was very wretched in London
14 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
lodgings, where I was obliged to fasten him to the
bars of a stove, and where he had no fresh air; and
he was no sooner let loose than he tried to break
everything within his reach: so I persuaded his
young mistress to present him to the Jardin des
Plantes. I took him there; and during my stay
in that place paid him daily visits. When these
were discontinued, the keeper told me that he
incessantly watched for my return, and it was long
before he recovered his disappointment, and made
friends with his companions in the same cage. Two
years after, I again went to see him; and when I[
stood before him and said, ‘‘ Mac, do you know me?â€
he gave a scream of delight, put both his paws
beyond the bars, stretched them out to me, held
his head down to be caressed, uttering a low
murmur, and giving every sign of delighted recog-
nition.
The most melancholy of all monkeys is, appar-
ently, the Chimpanzee; and although he has
perhaps evinced more power of imitating man than
any other, he performs all he does with a sad look,
frequently accompanied by petulance, and occasional
bursts of fury. One of the smaller species, such as
those which at different times have been brought
to England and Paris, was offered to Mr. Bowdich
for purchase, while our ship lay in the river Gaboon.
His owner left him with us for four weeks, during
which time I had an opportunity of watching his
THE MONKEY TRIBE. 15
habits. He would not associate with any other of the
tribe, not even the irresistible Jack; but was be-
coming reconciled to me, when one unlucky day I
checked his dawning partiality. He followed me to
the Panther’s cage, and I shall never forget the fear-
ful yell which he uttered. He fled as swiftly as
possible, overturning men and boys in his way,
with astrength little to be expected from his size,
nor did he stop till he had thrust himself into a
boat sail on the after-deck, with which he entirely
covered himself, and which was thenceforward his
favourite abode. It was several days before I could
reinstate myself in his good opinion, for he evidently
thought I had had something to do with the pan-
ther. The latter had been in such a fury, that the
sailors thought he would have broken his cage; and
he continued restless and watchful for hours after-
wards, proving that the chimpanzee is found in his
country of Ashanti, further to the north than we
had imagined. We did not buy the animal, on
account of the exorbitant sum asked for him, and
the risk of his living during a long voyage. He
was always very sad, but very gentle; and his
attachment to his master was very great, clinging
to him like a child, and going. joyfully away in his
arms. Of those kept in the Zoological gardens of
England and Paris, many anecdotes have been
related, evincing great intelligence. One of the
latter used to sit in a chair, lock and unlock his
16 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS,
door, drink tea with a spoon, eat with a knife and |
fork, set out his own dinner, cry when left alone, |
and delight in being apparently considered one of
his keeper’s family.
It is in equatorial Africa that the most power-
ful of all the Quadrumana live, far exceeding the
Oran Qutang, and even the Pongo of Borneo.
Mr. Bowdich and myself were the first to revive
and confirm a long forgotten, and vague report of
the existence of such a creature, and many thought,
as we ourselves had not seen it, that we had
been deceived by the natives. They assured us
that these huge creatures walk constantly on their
hind feet, and never yet were taken alive; that
eel fa
they watch the actions of men, and imitate them as__
nearly as possible. Like the ivory hunters, they
pick up the fallen tusks of elephants, but not know-
ing where to deposit them, they carry their burthens
about till they themselves drop, and even die from
fatigue: that they build huts nearly in the shape
of those of men, but live on the outside; and that
when one of their children dies, the mother carries
it in her arms till it falls to pieces; that one blow
of their paw will kill a man, and that nothing can
exceed their ferocity.
A male and female, of an enormous species of
chimpanzee, were brought to Bristol by the master
of'a vessel coming from the river Gaboon, he had
been commissioned to bring them alive, but as this
- THE MONKEY TRIBE. 17
was impracticable, he put the male into a puncheon
of rum, and the female into a cask of strong brine,
after they had been shot. The person who had
ordered, refused to take them, and Professor Owen
secured them for the College of Surgeons. The
flesh of that in salt and water fell from the bones,
but it was possible to set the other up so as to
have his portrait taken, which likeness is now in
the museum of the college. The rum had so de-
stroyed the hair, that he could not be stuffed, he
was between four and five feet high, his enormous
nails, amounting to claws, were well adapted for
digging roots, and his huge, strong teeth, must have
made him a formidable antagonist. There could
not be any thing much more hideous than his ap-
pearance, even when allowances were made for the
disfiguring effects of the spirit in which he had
been preserved. He was entirely covered with
hair, and not wrinkled and bare in front like the
smaller Chimpanzee; and it was for some time
supposed, that this was the Ingheena reported by
Mr. Bowdich. Since then, however, some skulls
have been sent to England from the same locality,
of much larger proportions, betokening an almost
marvellous size and strength; and these probably,
belonged to the real Ingheena. They go about in
pairs; and it is evident from their enormous teeth,
that, as they are not flesh-eating animals, these
weapons must have been given to them as means
C
18 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
of defence against the most powerful enemies; in
fact, against each other.
I now come from my own knowledge and per-
sonal experience to those of others, and I cannot
begin with a more interesting account than that
given by Mr. Bennett of the Ungka Ape, or Gibbon
of Sumatra, the Simia Syndactyla of naturalists. He
stood two feet high when on his hind legs, and was
covered with black hair, except on the face, the
skin of which was also black; the legs were short in
proportion to the body and arms, the latter being
exceedingly long. His only pouch was under the
throat, the use of which was not apparent, for he
did not make it a reservoir for food. He uttered a
squeaking or chirping note when pleased, a hollow
bark when irritated, and when frightened or angry
he loudly called out‘ Ra, ra, ra.†He was as grave
as the rest of his tribe, but not equally mischievous;
he, however, frequently purloined the ink, sucking
the pens, and drinking the liquid whenever he
could get at it. He soon knew his name, and
readily went to those who called him. The chief.
object of his attachment was a Papuan child; and he
would sit with one of his long arms round her
neck, share his biscuit with her, run from or after
her in play, roll on the deck, entwining his arms
around her, pretend to bite, swing himself away
by means of a rope, and then drop suddenly upon
her, with many other frolics of a childish character.
THE MONKEY TRIBE. 19
If, however, she tried to make him play when he
was not inclined to do so, he would gently warn
her by a bite, that he would not suffer her to take
any liberties. He made advances to several small
monkeys, but they always drew themselves up into
an’ opposing force, and he, to punish their imperti-
nence, seized hold of their tails, and pulled them
till the squeaking owners contrived to escape, or
he dragged them along by these appendages up the
rigging, and then suddenly let them go, he all the
time preserving the utmost gravity.
When the hour came for the passengers’ dinner
he took his station near the table, and, if laughed
at while eating, barked, inflated his pouch, and
looked at those who ridiculed him in the most
serious manner till they had finished, when he
quietly resumed his own meal. This is often done
by others of his race, and some seem to inquire
what you see to laugh at, while others fly into a
passion when such an affront is offered.
Ungka greatly disliked being left alone, and when
-refused anything which he wished for, rolled upon
the deck, threw his arms and legs about, and
dashed every thing down which came within his
reach, incessantly uttering “ Ra, ra, ra.†He had
a great fancy for a certain piece of soap, but was
always scolded when he tried to take it away. One
day, when he thought Mr. Bennett was too busy to
observe him, he walked off with it, casting glances
20 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
round to see if he were observed. When he had
gone half the length of the cabin, Mr. Bennett gently
called him; and he was so conscience-stricken that
he immediately returned the soap to its place,
evidently knowing he had done wrong. He was
very fond of sweetmeats; but although good friends
with those who gave them to him, he would not
suffer them to take him in their arms, only allow-
ing two persons to use that familiarity, and par-
ticularly avoiding large whiskers. He felt the cold
extremely as he proceeded on his voyage, was
attacked with dysentery, and died as he came into
a northern latitude.
A female Gibbon was for some time exhibited
in London, whose rapid and enormous springs
verified the account given of her brethren by
M. Duvaueel, who said that he had seen one of
these animals clear a space of forty feet, receiving
an impetus by merely touching the branch of a
tree, and catching fruit as she sprang: the one in
England could stop herself in the most sudden
manner, and calculate her distances with surprising
accuracy. She uttered a cry of half tones, and
ended with a deafening shake, which was not un-
musical. She made a chirping cry in the morn-
Ing, supposed to be the call for her companions,
beginning slowly, and ending by two barks, which
sounded like the tenor E and its octave, at which
time the poor thing became evidently agitated.
THE MONKEY TRIBE. — 21
She was, generally speaking, very gentle, and much
preferred ladies to gentlemen; but if her confidence
had been once acquired, she seemed to place as
much reliance on a man as she bestowed unsolicited
on a woman.
Monkeys in India are more or less objects of
superstitious reverence, and are, consequently, sel-
dom, or ever destroyed. In some places they are
even fed, encouraged, and allowed to live on the
roofs of the houses. If a man wish to revenge
himself for any injury committed upon him, he has
only to sprinkle some rice or corn upon the top of
his enemy’s house, or granary, just before the rains
set in, and the monkeys will assemble upon it, eat
all they can find outside, and then pull off the tiles
to get at that which falls through the crevices.
This, of course, gives access to the torrents which
fall in such countries, and house, furniture, and
stores are all ruined.
The large Banian trees of the Old World are the
favourite resorts of monkeys and snakes; and the
former when they find one of the latter asleep, seize
it by the neck, scramble from their branch, and
dash the reptile’s head against a stone, all the time
grinning with rage. |
The Budeng of Java (Semnopithecus Maurus)
abounds in the forests of that island, and flies from
the presence of man, uttering the most fearful
screams, and using the most violent gestures ; but
22 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
this is not a frequent antipathy, and there is an
amusing account of the familiarity which monkeys
assume with men, written by a traveller, who,
probably, was not a naturalist, for he does not give
the technical appellation of any of the species with
which he meets in India. From what he says,
however, I should suppose some of his heroes to be
the same as the Macacus Rhesus. He expresses his
surprise, when he sees monkeys “ at home,†for the
first time, as being so different to the individuals
on the tops of organs, or in the menageries of
Europe. Their air of self-possession, comprehension,
and right to the soil on which they live is most
amusing. From thirty to forty seated themselves
to look at his advancing palanquin and bearers,
just as villagers watch the strange arrival going to
‘* the squire’s,†and mingled with the inhabitants,
jostling the naked children, and stretching them-
selves at full length close to the seated human
groups, with the most perfect freedom. This free-
dom often amounts to impudence; and they frequent
the tops of bazaars, in order to steal all they can lay
their hands upon below. The only way to keep
them off, is to cover the roof with a prickly shrub,
the thorns of which stick to the flesh like fish-
hooks. The above mentioned traveller watched
one, which he calls a bandar, and which took his
station opposite to a sweetmeat shop. He pretended
to be asleep, but every now and then softly raised
THE MONKEY TRIBE. 23
his head to look at the tempting piles and the
owner of them, who sat smoking his pipe without
symptoms even of a dose. In half an hour the
monkey got up, as if he were just awake, yawned,
stretched himself, and took another position a few
yards off, where he pretended to play with his tail,
occasionally looking over his shoulder at the coveted
delicacies. At length the shopman gave signs of
activity, and the bandar was on the alert; the man
went to his back room, the bandar cleared the
street at one bound, and in an instant stuffed his
pouches full of the delicious morsels. He had,
however, overlooked some hornets, which were
regaling themselves at the same time. They re-
sented his disturbance, and the tormented bandar,
in his hurry to escape, came upon a thorn-covered
roof, where he lay, stung, torn, and bleeding. He
spurted the stolen bon-bons from his pouches, and
barking hoarsely, looked the picture of misery.
The noise of the tiles which he had dislodged in
his retreat brought out the inhabitants, and among
them the vendor of sweets, with his turban unwound,
and streaming two yards behind him. All joined
in laughing at the wretched monkey; but their
religious reverence for him induced them to go to
his assistance; they picked out his thorns, and he
limped away to the woods quite crest fallen.
The traveller came in constant contact with
monkeys in his occupations of clearing land and
24 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
planting, and at first, as he lay still among the’
brushwood, they gambolled round him as they
would round the natives. This peaceable state of
things, however, did not last, when he established
a field of sugar-canes in the newly-cleared jungle.
He tells the story so well, that I must be allowed to
use his own expressions :—
“‘ Every beast of the field seemed leagued against
this devoted patch of sugar-cane. The wild ele-
phants came, and browzed in it ; the jungle hogs
rooted it up, and munched it at their leisure ; the
jackals gnawed the stalks into squash ; and the
wild deer ate the tops of the young plants. Against
all these marauders there was an obvious remedy—
to build a stout fence round the cane field. This
was done accordingly, and a deep trench dug out-
side, that even the wild elephant did not deem it
prudent to cross,
‘The wild hogs came and inspected the trench
and the pallisades beyond. A bristly old tusker
was observed taking a survey of the defences f bay
after mature deliberation, he gave two short grunts,
the porcine (language), I imagined, for ‘No go,’
and took himself off at a round trot, to pay a visit
to my neighbour Ram Chunder, and enquire how
his little plot of sweet yams was coming on. The
jackals sniffed at every crevice, and determined to
wait a bit; but the monkeys laughed the whole
intrenchment to scorn, Day after day was I
_ THE MONKEY TRIBE. — 25
doomed to behold my canes devoured, as fast as
they ripened, by troops of jubilant monkeys. It
was of no use attempting to drive them away.
When disturbed, they merely retreated to the
nearest tree, dragging whole stalks of sugar-cane
along with them, and then spurted the chewed
fragments in my face, as I looked up at them. This
was adding insult to injury, and I positively began
to grow blood-thirsty at the idea of being outwitted
by monkeys. The case between us might have
been stated in this way.
‘©¢ T have, at much trouble and expense, cleared
and cultivated this jungle land,’ said I.
‘¢* More fool you,’ said the monkeys.
‘¢ T have planted and watched over these sugar-
canes.’
‘¢¢ Watched! ah, ha! so have we for the matter
of that.’
‘“¢ But, surely I have a right to reap what I
sowed ?â€
‘©« Ton’t see it,’ said the monkeys; ‘ the jungle,
by rights prescriptive and indefensible, is ours, and
has been so ever since the days of Ram Honuman
of the long tail. Ifyou cultivate the jungle without
our consent you must look to the consequences. If
you don’t like our customs, you may get about your
business. We don’t want you.’
*¢ | kept brooding over this mortifying view of the
matter, until one morning I hatched revenge in a
26 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
practicable shape. A tree, with about a score of
monkeys on it, was cut down, and half-a-dozen of
the youngest were caught as they attempted to
escape.
mixed with as much tartar emetic as could be
spared from the medicine chest, and the young
hopefuls, after being carefully painted over with
the compound, were allowed to return to their
distressed relatives, who, as soon as they arrived,
gathered round them, and commenced licking them
with the greatest assiduity. The results I had
anticipated were not long in making their ap-
pearance. A more melancholy sight it was impos-
sible to behold ; but so efficacious was this treatment,
that for more than two years I hardly ever saw a
monkey in the neighbourhood.â€
When we read of the numbers, the intelligence,
and the audacity of monkeys in this part of the
world, it becomes a matter of curious speculation as
to how they will behave when the railroad is made
across India.
It has been frequently observed, that there is
nothing more distressing than to see a wounded or
suffering monkey. He lays his hand upon the part
affected, and looks up in your face, as if appealing
to your kindly feelings; and if blood flow, he
Views it with so frightened an expression, that he
seems to know his life is going from him. An
inquisitive monkey, among the numerous company
THE MONKEY TRIBE. 27
which sailed in a ship, always seemed desirous of
ascertaining the nature of everything around him,
and touched, tasted, and closely scrutinized every
object to which he had not been accustomed. A
pot of scalding pitch was in use for caulking the
seams of the upper deck, and when those who were
employed in laying it upon the planks turned their
heads from him, he dipped one paw into it, and
carrying it to his chin, rubbed himself with the
destructive substance. His yell of pain called the
attention of the sailors to him, and they did all
in their power to afford alleviation; the pitch
was taken off as well as it could be, his pouches
being entirely burnt away, his poor cheeks were
wrapped up with rags steeped in turpentine; and
his scalded hand was bandaged in the same manner.
He was a piteous sight, and seemed to look on all
who came near, as if asking for their commiseration.
He was very gentle and very sad, submitted to be
fed with sugar and water through a tube, but after a
few days he laid his head down and expired.
Mr. Forbes tells a story of a female monkey,
(the Semnopithecus Entellus), who was shot by a ©
friend of his, and carried to his tent. Forty or
fifty of her tribe advanced with menacing gestures,
but stood still when the gentleman presented his gun
at them. One, however, who appeared to be the
chief of the tribe, came forward, chattering and
threatening in a furious manner. Nothing short of
28 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
firing at him seemed likely to drive him away; but
at length he approached the tent door with every
sign of grief and supplication, as if he were begging
for the body. It was given to him, he took it in
his arms, carried it away, with actions expressive
of affection, to his companions, and with them dis-
appeared. It was not to be wondered at that the
sportsman vowed never to shoot another monkey.
Monkeys are eaten in some parts of the Old World,
and universally in South America. M. Bonpland
speaks of the flesh as lean, hard and dry; but that
which I tasted in Africa, was white, juicy, and like
chicken. Mr. Bowdich had monkeys served whole
before him at the table of the king of Ashanti,
having been roasted in a sitting posture, and he
said, nothing could be more horrid or repugnant
than their appearance, with the skin of the lips
dried, and the white teeth, giving an aspect of
grinning from pain.
The howling monkeys of South America, who
make the forests resound at night, or before a com-
ing storm, with their hideous choruses, and whose
hollow and enlarged tongue bone, and expanded
lower jaw enable them to utter those melancholy
and startling cries, are larger and fatter than many
others in the same country, and are constantly
sought for as food. They eat the thick, triangular
Brazil nuts (Bertholletia Excelsa), and break the
hard pod which contains them with a stone, laying
THE MONKEY TRIBE. 29
it on the bough of a tree, or some other stone.
They sometimes get their tail between the two,
of course the blow falls upon the tail, and the
monkey bounds away, howling in the most frightful
manner.
The prettiest of all monkeys is the Marmozet;
the Ouistiti of Buffon; the Simia Jacchus of Lin-
neus. It isextremely sensitive to cold; neverthe-
less, if plentifully supplied with wool, cotton, and
other warm materials, will live for years in this
climate. Dr. Neill of Edinburgh, that most excel-
lent protector and lover of animals, brought one
from Bahia, which he found great difficulty in
training. It even resisted those who fed it, not al-
lowing them to touch it, putting on an angry, suspi-
cious look, and being roused by even the slightest
whisper. During the voyage it ate corn and fruit,
and when these became scarce, took to cockroaches;
of which it cleared the vessel. It would dispatch
twenty large, besides smaller ones, three or four
times in each day, nipping off the head of the
former, and rejecting the viscera, legs, and hard
wing cases. Besides these, it fed on milk, sugar,
raisins, and bread-crumbs. It afterwards made
friends with a cat, and slept and eat with this
animal, but it never entirely lost its distrustful
feelings. |
Lieutenant Edwards, in his voyage up the Ama-
zon, mentions a domestic white monkey, which had
30 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
contrived to get to the top of a house, and no per-
suasions or threats could get him down again. He
ran over the roof, displaced the tiles, peeped into
the chambers below (for there are no ceilings in
that country), and when called, put his thumb up
to his nose. He was shot at with corn, but having
found a rag, he held it up before him, and so tried
to evade the shot; every now and then peeping
over the top. At last he was left to himself ; and
when no endeavours were made to get him down,
he came of his own accord. Captain Brown men-
tions a monkey, who, when he was troublesome in
the cabin of a ship, was fired at with gunpowder
and currant jelly; and in order to defend himself,
used to pick up the favorite monkey, and hold
him between the pistol and himself when it was
presented.
A race of animals exists in Madagascar, and
some of the Eastern islands, to which the name of
Maki has been given, and which, although differing
in the formation of the skull and teeth, must, from
having four hands, be placed among the Quadru-
mana. They are nocturnal in their habits, very
gentle and confiding, with apparently one exception,
which is called the Vari. M. Frederick Cuvier has
told us, that two of these being shut up ina cage
together, one killed and eat his companion, leaving
nothing but the skin. Two of them are remark-
able for their slow, deliberate movements; and one
THE MONKEY TRIBE. 31
of them, named the’ Lemur Tardigradus, was pro-
cured at Prince of Wales’s Island by Mr. Baird.
He tells us that his eyes shone brightly in the dark,
and that he moved his eyelids diagonally, instead
of up and down. He had two tongues, one rough
like that of a cat, the other narrow and sharp, and
both projected at the same time, unless he chose to
retain the latter. He generally slept rolled up like
a ball, with his arms over his head, taking hold of
his cage. He and a dog lived together in the same
cage, and a great attachment subsisted between
them; but nothing could reconcile him to a cat,
which constantly jumped over his back, thereby
causing him great annoyance.
I cannot better close this notice of Monkeys than
by giving a curious legend which is told in North-
western Africa, and which is more uncommon than
the belief, which is to be found in most countries,
that “‘monkeys can talk if they like, but they
won’t, for fear white men should make them work.â€
It was related by the negroes to each other with
infinite humour; the different voices of the charac-
ters were assumed, and the gestures and countenance
were in accordance with the tale.
‘There was once a big and a strong man, who
was a cook, and he married a woman who thought
herself very much above him, so she only accepted
him on condition that she should never be asked to
go into the cook-house (kitchen), but live in a
32 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
separate dwelling. They were married, and all the
house he had for her was the kitchen; but she did
not at first complain, because she was afraid to make
her husband unhappy. At last she became so tired
of her’life, that she began to find fault; but at first
was very gentle. At last she scolded incessantly,
and the man, to keep her quiet, told her he would
go to the bush (forest), and fetch wood to build her
a new house. He went away, and ina few hours
brought some wood. The next day his wife told
him to go and fetch some more. Again he went
away, staid all day, and only brought home a few
sticks, which made her so angry, that she took the
biggest and beat him with it. The man went away
a third time, and staid all night, not bringing home
any wood at all, saying that the trees which he had
cut down were so heavy that he could not bring
them all the way. Then he went and stayed two
days and nights, which made his wife very un-
happy. She cried very much, intreated him not to
leave her, promised not to scold or beat him any
more, and to live contentedly in the kitchen; but
he answered ‘No! you made me go to the bush,
now I like the bush very much, and I shall go and
stop there for ever.’ So saying, he rushed out of
the cook-house into the bush, where he turned into
a monkey, and from him came all other monkeys,â€
33
BATS.
A RACE of beings, to which the epithet mysterious
may be with some truth applied, affords more
interest from its peculiar habits, than from any
proof which can be given of its mental powers;
and its place in this work is due to the marvellous
histories which have been related concerning it,
and which have made it an object of superstitious
alarm.
Bats, or Cheiroptera, are particularly distinguished
from all other creatures which suckle their young,
by possessing the power of flight. A Lemur
Galeopithecus, which exists in the Eastern part of
the globe, takes long sweeps from tree to tree, and
owes this faculty to the extension of its skin be-
tween its fore and hind limbs, including the tail;
but it cannot be really said to fly. The Bats, then,
alone enjoy this privilege; and the prolongation of
what, in common parlance, we should call the arms
and fingers, constitutes the framework which sup-
ports the skin, or membrane forming the wings.
The thumbs, however, are left free, and serve as
hooks for various purposes. The legs, and tail
(when they have any), generally help to extend the
membrane of the wing; and the breast-bone is so
formed as to support the powerful muscles which
aid their locomotive peculiarities. They climb and
D
34 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
crawl with great dexterity, and some will run when
on the ground; but it is difficult for most of them
to move ona smooth, horizontal surface, and they
drag themselves along by their thumbs. A portion
of the Cheiroptera feeds on insects, and another
on fruits; one genus subsists chiefly on blood.
The first help to clear the atmosphere of those
insects which fly at twilight; the second are very
destructive to our gardens and orchards; the last
are especially the object of that superstitious fear
to which I have already alluded. They are all
nocturnal or crepuscular, and during the day remain
suspended by the sharp claws of their feet to the
under-branches of trees, the roofs of caves, sub-
terranean quarries, or old ruins, hanging with their
heads downwards; multitudes live in the tombs of
Egypt.
The appearance of Bats is always more or less
grotesque; but this term more aptly applies to those
which live on animal food, in consequence of the
additions made to the nose and ears, probably for
the sake of increasing their always acute senses of
smell and hearing. The ears are frequently of an
enormous size, and are joined together at the back
of the head; besides which they have leaf, or lance-
shaped appendages in front. A membrane of various
‘forms is also often attached to the nose, in one
species the shape of a horse-shoe. The bodies are
always covered with hair, but the wings consist of
BATS. 35
a leathery membrane. Another singularity in one
genus is the extremity of the spine being converted
into two jointed, horny pieces, covered with skin,
so as to form a box of two valves, each having an
independent motion. The large bats of the East
Indies measure five fect from the tip of one wing
to that of the other, and they emit a musky odour.
The skin of the Nycteris Geoffroyi is very loose
upon the body; and the animal draws air through
openings in the cheek pouches, head, and back, and
swells itself into a little balloon; the openings being
closed at pleasure by means of valves. The bite of
all is extremely sharp; and we seldom hear of an
instance of one being tamed. They try to shelter
themselves from chilly winds, and frequent sheltered
spots, abounding in masonry, rocks, trees, and small
streams.
About the Vampire, or the blood-sucker, there are
different opinions: that of the East is said to be
quite harmless; but it is asserted that the South
American species love to attach themselves to all
cattle, especially to horses with long manes, because
they can cling to the hair while they suck the
veins, and keep their victim quiet by flapping their
wings over its head; they also fasten themselves
upon the tail for the first reason, and a great loss
of blood frequently ensues. Fowls are frequently
killed by them as they roost upon their perches,
for so noiseless and gentle are they in their flight
36 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
and operations, that animals are not awakened out
of their sleep by their attacks. The teeth are so
disposed that they make a deep and triple puncture,
and one was taken by Mr. Darwin in the act of
sucking blood from the neck of a horse. This able
naturalist and accurate observer is of opinion, that
horses do not suffer from the quantity of blood
taken from them by the Vampire, but from the
inflammation of the wound which they make, and
which is increased if the saddle presses on it.
Horses, however, turned out to grass at night, are
frequently found the next morning with their necks
and haunches covered with blood; and it is known
that the bat fills and disgorges itself several times.
Dr. Carpenter is of the same opinion as Mr. Darwin,
and also disbelieves that these creatures soothe their
victims by fanning them with their wings.
Captain Stedman, who travelled in Guiana, from
1772 to 1777, published an account of his adven-
tures, and for several years afterwards, it was the
fashion to doubt the truth of his statements. In
fact, it was a general feeling, up to a much later
period than the above, that travellers were not to
be believed. As our knowledge, however, has
increased, and the works of God have been made
more manifest, the reputation of many a calumniated
traveller has been restored, and, among others, that
of Captain Stedman. I shall, therefore, unhesi-
tatingly quote his account of the bite of the vampire,
BATS. 37
“ On waking, about four o’clock this morning, in
my hammock, I was extremely alarmed at finding
myself weltering in congealed blood, and without
feeling any pain whatever. Having started up and
run to the surgeon, with a firebrand in one hand,
and all over besmeared with gore, the mystery was
found to be, that I had been bitten by the vampire
or spectre of Guiana, which is also called the flying
dog of New Spain. This is no other than a bat of
monstrous size, that sucks the blood from men and
cattle, sometimes even till they die; knowing, by
instinct, that the person they intend to attack is in
a sound slumber, they generally alight near the
feet, where, while the creature continues fanning
with his enormous wings, which keeps one cool, he
bites a piece out of the tip of the great toe, so very
small indeed, that the head of a pin could scarcely
be received into the wound, which is consequently
not painful; yet, through this orifice, he contrives
to suck the blood, until he is obliged to disgorge.
He then begins again, and thus continues sucking
and disgorging till he is scarcely able to fly, and
the sufferer has often been known to sleep from
time into eternity. Cattle they generally bite in
the ear, but always in those places where the blood
flows spontaneously. Having applied tobacco-
ashes as the best remedy, and washed the gore from
myself and my hammock, I observed several small
heaps of congealed blood all around the place where
38 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
I had lain, upon the ground; upon examining
which, the surgeon judged that I had lost at
least twelve or fourteen ounces during the night.
Having measured this creature (one of the bats), I
found it to be, between the tips of the wings, thirty-
two inches and a half; the colour was a dark
brown, nearly black, but lighter underneath.â€
Mr. Waterton, whom all the world recognizes as
a gentleman, and consequently a man of truth,
laboured at one time under the same stigma of
exaggeration as Captain Stedman, and many other
illustrious travellers; and he confirms the blood-
sucking in the following terms:—‘ Some years
ago, I went to the river Paumarau, with a Scotch
gentleman. We hung our hammocks in the thatched
loft of a planter’s house. Next morning I heard
this gentleman muttering in his hammock, and
now and then letting fall an imprecation or two,
‘ What is the matter, Sir,’ said I softly, ‘is anything
amiss?’ ‘What is the matter!’ answered he
surlily, ‘ why the vampires have been sucking me
to death.’ As soon as there was light enough, I
went to his hammock, and saw it much stained
with blood. ‘ There,’ said he, thrusting his foot
out of the hammock, ‘see how these imps have
been drawing my life’s blood.’. On examining his
foot, I found the vampire had tapped his great: toe.
There was a wound somewhat less than that made
by a leech. The blood was still oozin g from it, and
BATS. 39
I conjectured he might have lost from ten to twelve
ounces of blood.â€
Mr. Waterton further tells us, that a boy of ten
or eleven years of age was bitten by a vampire, and
a poor ass, belonging to the young gentleman’s
father, was dying by inches from the bites of the
larger kinds, while most of his fowls were killed by
the smaller bats.
The torpidity in which bats remain during the
winter, in climates similar to that of England, is well
known ; and, like other animals which undergo the
same suspension of powers, they have their histories
of long imprisonment in places which seem inimical
to life. There are two accounts of their being
found in trees, which are extremely curious, and
the more so, because the one corroborates the other.
In the beginning of November, 1821, a woodman, -
engaged in splitting timber for rail-posts, in the
woods close by the lake at Haining, a seat of Mr.
Pringle’s, in Selkirkshire, discovered, in the centre
of a large wild-cherry tree, a living bat, of a bright
scarlet colour, which, as soon as it was relieved
from its entombment, took to its wings and escaped.
In the tree there was a recess sufficiently large to
contain the animal; but all around, the wood was
perfectly sound, solid, and free from any fissure
through which the atmospheric air could reach the
animal.
A man engaged in splitting timber, near Kelsall,
40 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
in the beginning of December, 1826, discovered, in
the centre of a large pear-tree, a living bat, of a
bright scarlet colour, which he foolishly suffered to
escape, from fear, being fully persuaded (with the
characteristic superstition of the inhabitants of that
part of Cheshire), that it was “a being not of this
world.†The tree presented a small cavity in the
centre, where the bat was enclosed, but was per-
fectly sound and solid on each side. The scarlet
colour of each of these prisoners seems at present
to be inexplicable, and makes these statements
still more marvellous.
Professor Bell, in his admirable work on British
Quadrupeds speaks of a long-eared bat which fed
from the hand; and if an insect were held between
the lips, it would settle on its master’s cheek, and
take the fly from his mouth with great quietness.
So accustomed was it to this, that it would seek
his lips when he made a buzzing noise. It folded
its beautiful ears under its arm when it went to
sleep, and also during hibernation. Its cry was
acute and shrill, becoming more clear and piercing
when disturbed. It is most frequently seen in
towns and villages. This instance of taming to a
certain extent might, perhaps, be more frequently
repeated, if bats were objects of more general
interest.
41
MOLES.
THERE is a tribe of animals constantly around our
country habitations, of underground and nocturnal
habits, some of which become torpid in winter.
All are timid and unobtrusive, and yet have great
influence upon our welfare; for they check the
rapid increase of those worms and insects which
live and breed beneath the soil, and would destroy
the crops which are necessary to our existence.
There are certain and constant characters in their
formation, which bring them all under one group,
called Insectivora, or Insect-eating Mammalia, by
naturalists; but among them are smaller groups of
individuals, with peculiar characters, adapted to
their different habits.
The mole is an instance of one of these minor
groups; which, with one exception, has a portion of
sight in spite of its reputation for being blind. Its
smell and hearing, however, are so acute, that they
make up forthe deficiency in the other sense, a highly
developed organ for which, would be very much
in the way of an animal which makes its habitation
within the earth, and which rarely comes to the
surface in the day time. Its fore-feet are largest,
and powerful muscles enable it to dig up the soil and
roots which oppose the formation of its galleries,
and which are thrown up as they become loosened.
42 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
The nose, or snout, is furnished with a bone at the
end, with which it pierces the earth, and in one
genus this bone has twenty-two small, cartilaginous
points attached to it, which can be extended into
a star. A vein lies behind the ear of all, the
smallest puncture of which causes instant death.
The food of moles chiefly consists of worms, and
the larve, or grubs of insects, of which they eat
enormous quantities. They are extremely voracious,
and the slightest privation of food drives them to
frenzy, or kills them. They will all eat flesh, and
when shut up in a cage without nourishment, have
been known to devour each other, There is a
remarkable instance of a mole, when in confine-
ment, having a viper and a toad given to it, both of
which it killed and devoured. Al] squeeze out the
earthy matter which is inside worms, before eating
them, which they do with the most eager rapidity.
In June and July, they prowl upon the surface of
the ground, generally at night, but they have been
seen by day, and this is the time in which they
indulge in fleshy food, for then they catch small
birds, mice, frogs, lizards, and snails; but although
when in confinement one was known to eat a toad,
they generally refuse these reptiles, probably from
the acrid humour which exudes ‘from their skin.
They, on these occasions of open marauding, are
often caught and devoured in their turn by owls at
night, and dogs by day. They have a remarkable
MOLES. 43
power of eating the roots of the colchicum, or
meadow saffron, which takes such powerful effect
on other animals, and which they probably swallow
for the sake of the larve or worms upon them.
Such is their antipathy to garlic, that a few cloves
put into their runs, will cause their destruction.
A French naturalist, of the name of Henri Le-
court, devoted a great part of his life to the study
of the habits and structure of moles, and he tells
us, that they will run as fast as a horse will gallop.
By his observations he rendered essential service to
a large district in France, for he discovered that
numbers of moles had undermined the banks of
a canal, and that, unless means were taken to pre-
vent the catastrophe, these banks would give way,
and inundation would ensue. By his ingenious
contrivances and accurate knowledge of their habits,
he contrived to extirpate them before the occur-
rence of further mischief. Moles, however, are said
to be excellent drainers of land, and Mr. Hogg,
the Ettrick Shepherd, used to declare, that if a
hundred men and horses were employed to dress a
pasture farm of 1,500 or 2,000 acres, they would
not do it as effectually as moles would do if left to
themselves.
The late Earl of Derby possessed a small deserted
island, in the Loch of Clunie, 180 yards from the
main land, and as proof that moles swim well,
a number of them crossed the water, and took
44 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
possession of this place. They are said to be dragged,
as beavers are, by their companions, who lay hold
of their tail, and pull them along while they lie
on their backs, embracing a quantity of soil dug
out in forming their runs. The fur of the mole is
very short, fine, and close, and isas smooth and soft
as Genoa velvet.
Moles display a high degree of instinct in the
skilful construction of their subterranean fortresses,
Their site is not indicated by those little mounds
of loose earth, which we see raised up at night, and
which mark their hunting excursions, but under a
hillock reared by themselves, and protected by a
wall, bank, or roots of a tree. The earth is well
worked, so as to make it compact and hard, and
galleries are formed which communicate with each
other. A circular gallery is placed at the upper
part of the mound, and five descending passages
lead from this to a gallery below, which is of larger
circumference. Within this lower gallery is a
chamber, which communicates with the upper
gallery by three descending tunnels. This chamber
is, as it were, the citadel of the mole, in which it
sleeps.
A principal gallery goes from the lower gallery,
in a direct line to the utmost extent of the ground
through which the mole hunts, and from the bot-
tom of this dormitory is another, which descends
farther into the earth, and joins this great or prin-
MOLES. 45
cipal road. Eight or nine other tunnels run round
the hillock at irregular distances, leading from the
lower gallery, through which the mole hunts its
prey, and which it constantly enlarges. During
this process it throws up the hillocks which betray
its vicinity to us. The great road is of various
depths, according to the quality of the soil in which
it is excavated; it is generally five or six inches
below the surface, but if carried under a stream, or
pathway, it will be occasionally sunk a foot and a
half. Ifthe hillock be very extensive there will be
several high-roads, and they will serve for several
moles, but they never trespass on each other’s hunt-
ing grounds. Ifthey happen to meet in a road,
one is obliged to retreat, or they have a battle, in
which the weakest always comes off the worst. In
a barren soil, the searching galleries are the most
numerous, and those made in winter are the deepest,
because the worms penetrate beyond the line of
frost, and the mole is as active in winter as in warm
weather.
The females have a separate chamber made for
them, in which they bring forth their young. This
is situated at some distance from the citadel, and
placed where three or four galleries intersect each
other. There they have a bed made of dry grass,
or fibres of roots, and four or five young are born
at the same time, which begin to get their own food
when they are half grown.
46' ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS,
Like all voracious animals, moles require a large
quantity of water, consequently their run, or fort-
ress, generally communicates with a ditch or pond.
Should these dry up, or the situation be without
such resources, the little architect sinks perpendi-
cular wells, which retain the water as it drains from —
the soil.
Moles shift their quarters according to circum-
stances, and as they swim well, they migrate across
rivers; and in sudden inundations are able, not to
save themselves alone, but their young, to which
they are much attached. The stratagem and caution
which they practise in order to secure a bird are
highly curious: they approach without seeming to
do so, but as soon as they are within reach of their
prey, they rush upon it, tear open its body, thrust
their snout into the intestines, and revel in their
sanguinary feast. They then sleep for three or four
hours, and awake with renewed appetite.
All mole-catchers will bear testimony to the rapid
movements and consequent difficulty of catching
these animals. I have watched a gardener stand
for half an hour by one of the little hillocks of loose
earth, which, from its movement, showed that the —
mole was there at work, and remain motionless,
spade in hand, and when he saw the earth shake,
. dash his weapon into the heap. The mere uplifting
of his arm was sufficient, and before the spade could
reach the ground the mole was gone. He could
HEDGEHOGS. 47
scarcely reckon on securing his victim once out of
twenty efforts.
No moles are found in the north of Scotland, or
in Ireland, which some attribute to soil and climate;
but they exist in other parts of Europe under similar
circumstances.
HEDGEHOGS.
HepGEnoes form one of the small groups of in-
sect-eating mammalia, and are remarkable for being
also able to eat those substances which are destruc-
tive to others; for instance, they will devour the
wings of Spanish flies (Cantharides) with impunity,
which cause fearful torments to other animals, and
not the least to man, by raising blisters on his skin.
It would seem that the hedgehog is also externally
insensible to poison, for it fights with adders, and
is bitten about the lips and nose without receiving
any injury. An experiment has been made by
administering prussic acid to it, which took no
effect.
It is well known that hedgehogs are covered with
bristles, amounting to sharp prickles, and that they
roll themselves up into a ball. This is effected by
a peculiar set of muscles attached to the skin, by
which they pull themselves into this shape, and at
the same time set up every bristle, and drag their
48 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
head and limbs within. Such is the resistance and
elasticity of these bristles, that the owners of them
may be thrown to great distances and remain un-
hurt, and they will even throw themselves down
steep places when they wish to move from a parti-
cular spot.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, and frequent
woods, gardens, orchards, and thick hedge-rows.
It is in the latter that I have heard of one being
mistaken by a hen for a bush, in which she might
lay her egg in safety. The fact was announced by
the triumphant cackling which these birds voci-
ferate on such occasions: the egg was consequently |
searched for, and found upon the hedgehog’s back.
Hedgehogs feed on insects, slugs, frogs, eggs,
young birds in the nest, mice, fallen fruits, and the
roots of vegetables, especially the plantain, boring
into the ground to get at these substances. They
will clear a house of black beetles in a few weeks,
as I can attest from my own experience. My
kitchen was much infested, not only by them, but
by a sort of degenerated cockroach, descended from
the better conditioned Blatte, brought in my pack-
ages from a tropical country, and which had resisted
all efforts for their extermination, such as boiling
water, pepper, arsenic-wafers, mortar, etc. At last,
a friend, whose house had been cleared of beetles
by a hedgehog, made the animal over to me, very
much to the discomfort of my cook, to whom it
HEDGEHOGS. 49
was an object of terror. The first night of its
arrival a bed was made for it in a hamper, half full
of hay, and a saucer of milk was set within. The
next morning the hedgehog had disappeared, and
for several days the search made for it was fruitless,
That it was alive was proved by the milk being
drunk out of the saucer in which it was placed,
One night I purposely went into the kitchen after
the family had been for some time in bed, and, as
I opened the door, I saw the little creature slink
into a hole under the oven attached to the grate.
Fearing this would sometimes prove too hot for it,
I had some bricks put in to fill up the aperture;
The next night the bricks were pulled away, and
overturned, evincing a degree of strength which»
astonished us; but, after that, we left the animal to
its own care. The beetles and cockroaches visibly
disappeared, but as they disappeared other things
also vanished; kitchen cloths left to dry at night
were missing; then, a silk handkerchief. At last a
night-cap left on the dresser was gone; and these
abstractions were most mysterious. The next day
there was a general search in possible and im-
possible places, and the end of a muslin string was
seen in the oven-hole; it was seized on, and not
only was the night-cap dragged out, but all the
missing and not missing articles which the hedge-
hog had purloined; most of them were much torn,
and it was supposed that the poor beast had taken
E
50 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
possession of them to make a soft bed. I have not
seen such a propensity noticed elsewhere, and it
may be a useful hint to those who keep hedgehogs.
All endeavours to make this animal friendly were
unavailing; but I am told, that hedgehogs are fre
quently quite domesticated, and even shew a degree
of affection.
Dr. Buckland ascertained the manner in which
hedgehogs kill snakes; they make a sudden attack
on the reptile, give it a fierce bite, and then, with
the utmost dexterity, roll themselves up so as to
present nothing but spines when the snake retaliates.
They repeat this mancuvre several times, till the
back of the snake is broken in various places;
‘they then pass it through their jaws, cracking its
bones at short intervals; after which they eat it
all up, beginning at the tail. The old legend, that
hedgehogs suck the udders of cows as they lie on
the ground chewing the cud is, of course, wholly:
without foundation. They retreat to holes in trees,
or in the earth where they make a bed of leaves,
moss, etc., in which they roll themselves, and these
substances sticking to the spines make them look
like a bundle of vegetable matter. In this condi-
tion they pass the winter, in a state of torpidity;
but it should be mentioned, that one which was
‘tame, retained its activity the whole year. There
are instances of hedgehogs performing the office of
turnspits in a kitchen; and, from the facility with
- BEARS, 51
which they accommodate themselves to all sorts of
food, they are easily kept. They, however, when
once ascustomed to animal diet, will attack young
game; and one was detected in the south of Scot-
land in the act of killing a leveret.
BEARS.
AMmoNnG the Carnivora, or flesh-eating animals,
Bears take the first place; for their characters and
habits link them in some degree with the preced-
ing order, the Insectivora. Both principally live
on fruit, grains, and insects, and oniy eat flesh
from nectssity, or some peculiarity of life, such as
confinement, or education.
The Carnivora are divided by naturalists into
three tribes, the characters for which are taken from
their feet and manner of walking. Bears rank
among the Plantigrada, or those which put the
whole of their feet firmly upon the ground when
they walk. They are occasionally cunning and
ferocious, but often evince good humour, and a
great love of fun. In their wild state they are
solitary the greater part of their lives; they climb
trees with great facility, live in caverns, holes, and
hollow trees; and in cold countries, retire to some
secluded spot during the winter, where they remain
concealed, and bring forth their young. Some say
52 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
they are torpid; but this cannot be, for the female
bears come from their retreats with cubs which have
lived upon them, and it is not likely, that they can
have reared them and remained without food; they
are, however, often very lean and wasted, and the
absorption of their generally large portion of fat,
contributes to their nourishment. The story that
they live by sucking their paws is, as may be sup-
posed, a fable; when well-fed they always lick
their paws, very often accompanying the action
with a peculiar sort of mumbling noise. There
are a few which will never eat flesh, and all are able
to do without it. They are, generally speaking, -
large, clumsy and awkward, possessing large claws
for digging; and often walk on their hind-feet, a
facility afforded them by the peculiar formation of
their thigh-bone. They do not often attack in the
first instance, unless impelled by hunger or danger;
they are, however, formidable opponents when ex-
cited. In former times there were few parts of the
globe in which they were not to be found; but like
other wild animals, they have disappeared before
the advance of man. Still they are found in cer-
tain spots from the northern regions of the world,
to the bunring climes of Africa, Asia, and America.
The latest date of their appearance in Great Britain,
was in Scotland, during the year 1057.
Bears are always covered with thick fur; which,
notwithstanding its coarseness, 1s much prized for
BEARS. 53
various purposes, They afford much sport to those
inclined for such exercises; but the cruel practice
of bear-baiting is discontinued. In an old edition
of Hudibras, there is a curious note of a mode of
running at the devoted bears with wheelbarrows,
on which they vented their fury, and the baiters
thus had them at their mercy. At present the
hunts are regularly organised fights, or battues,
besides which there are many ways of catching
them in traps, pitfalls, ete.
The large polar bear (Ursus Maritimus), with its
white fur, its long, flattened head, and black claws,
may be seen in great perfection at the Zoological
Gardens. In its own country, during the winter,
it lives chiefly on seal’s flesh, but in the summer
eats berries, sea-weed, and marsh plants. It is one
of the most formidable of the race, and may be
seen climbing mountains of ice, and swimming
from floe to floe with the greatest rapidity. Captain
Lyon tells us,.that when a seal lies just ashore, the
bear gets quietly into the water and swims away
from him to leeward; he then takes short dives,
and manages so that the last: dive shall bring him
back close to the seal, which tries to escape by
rolling into the water, when he falls into the bear’s
paws; and if he should lie still, the bear springs
upon and devours him; its favourite food, however,
is the floating carcases of whales. The gait of all
bears is a sort of shuffle; but this one goes at such
54 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS
a rate, that its pace is equal to a horse’s gallop. It
is remarkably sagacious, and often defeats the
stratagems practised for its capture. A female with
two cubs was pursued across a field of ice by a
party of sailors; at first she urged the young ones
to increase their speed, by running in front of them,
turning round, and evincing, by gesture and voice,
great anxiety for their progress; but finding that
their pursuers gained upon them, she alternately
carried, pushed, or pitched them forwards, until she
effected their escape. The cubs seemed to arrange
themselves for the throw, and when thus sent for-
wards some yards in advance, ran on till she again
came up to them, when they alternately placed
themselves before her.
A she-bear and two large cubs, being attracted
by the scent of some blubber, proceeding from a sea-
horse, which had been set on fire, and was burning
on the ice, ran eagerly towards it, dragged some pieces
out of the flames, and eat them with great voracity.
The sailors threw them some lumps still left in
their possession, which the old bear took away and
laid before her cubs, reserving only a small piece
for herself. As they were eating the last piece, the
men shot the cubs, and wounded the mother. Her
distress was most painful to behold, and, though
wounded, she crawled to the spot where they lay,
tore the piece of flesh into pieces, and put some
before each. Finding they did not eat, she tried to
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BEARS. 55
raise them, making piteous moans all the time.
She then went to some distance, looked back and
moaned, and this failing to entice them, she re-
turned and licked their wounds. She did this a
second time, and still finding that the cubs did not
follow, she went round and pawed them with great
tenderness. Being at last convinced that they
were lifeless, she raised her head towards the ship,
and, by a growl, seemed to reproach their destroyers.
They returned this with a volley of musket balls;*
she fell between her cubs, and died licking their
wounds.
The black bear of Canada is a formidable creature,
and Dr. Richardson contradicts the assertion that it
is not swift of foot; he says that it soon outstrips
the swiftest runner, and adds, that it climbs as well,
if not better than a cat. It feeds on berries, eggs,
and roots; but although it does not seek flesh, it
does not refuse it when offered. A young bear of
this kind roughly handled a Canadian settler, who,
being a very large powerful man, returned hug for
hug, till the surprised bear let go its hold. It had
ventured into some young plantations, where it was
committing much mischief, and the settler had
endeavoured to frighten it away. A friend of mine
was in the house when the gentleman returned
home, his clothes torn in the struggle, and very
much exhausted by the encounter ; he dropped into
* Captain Phipps’ Voyage to the North Pole.
56 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
a chair, and nearly fainted, but a little brandy
revived him, though he was ill some days from the
pressure.
A young English officer, who was stationed at
a lone fortress in the same country, amused himself
by taming a bear of the above species. He taught
him to fetch and carry, to follow him like a dog,
and to wait patiently at meal time for his share. He
took the bear with him when he returned to England,
and he became a great favourite with the passengers
and the ship’s company. Bruin, however, especially
attached himself to a little girl, about four years
old, the daughter of one of the ladies on board, who
romped with him as she would with a dog. In one
of these games of play, he seized her with one fore
paw, and with the other clambered and clung to
the rigging, till he lodged her and himself in the
main top, where, regardless of her cries and the
agony of her mother, he tried to continue his romp.
It would not do to pursue the pair, for fear the bear
should drop the child; and his master, knowing
how fond he was of sugar, had some mattresses
placed round the mast, in case the child should fall,
and then strewed a quantity of the sugar on the
deck ; he called Bruin, and pointed to it, who,
after a moment’s hesitation, came down as he went
up, bringing the child in safety. He was, of course,
deprived of his liberty during the rest of his
voyage.
BEARS. 57
This same black bear of Canada, after it has hugged
its antagonists to death, tears them open with its hind
feet. It will ward off blows like an accomplished
boxer; for, as it would be of no use to strike him
on his thickly-covered body, the attacks are usually
made about the head. A man who wantonly
threw an axe at a male bear as he passed, wounded
him, whereupon the beast rushed at him, the man
fell backwards over a fallen tree, and, in so doing,
tore off a sharp-pointed knob of wood, which he
thrust down the bear’s throat, and so killed him;
not, however, before he had received his own
death wound from the hind foot. He walked
home holding in his intestines, and died a day or
two after.*
An old hunter, named Ruhe, having set his traps
to catch beavers, returned to the stream to ascertain
his success; he missed one of them, and, on looking
for it, saw signs of a bear having passed that way.
As he went on, he heard the noise of a heavy body
breaking through the bushes in the thicket. He
hid himself behind a rock, and saw a huge bear,
limping on three legs to a flat piece of rock, upon
which it seated itself, and on raising one of its fore
paws Ruhe discovered that it was encircled by the
lost trap. The bear lifted the iron glove towards
his face, examined it, turned his paw round and
round, bent his head from side to side, looked at
* L’Acadie,
58 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
the trap askance with the most puzzled air, felt
the encumbrance, tapped it on the rock, and
evidently knew not what to do. Then he began to
feel pain and licked it; but Ruhe soon put an end
to all his conjectures, by shooting him dead.*
Of all bears, the grizzly is said to be the most
formidable, both for size and ferocity, and Mr.
Ruxton tells the following anecdote, in which one
of them makes a conspicuous figure: —‘* A trapper,
named Glass, and a companion, were setting their
beaver traps in a stream to the north of the river
Platte, when they saw a large, grizzly bear turning
up the turf near by, and searching for roots and
pig-nuts. The two men crept to the thicket, and
fired at him; they wounded, but did not kill him;
the beast groaned, jumped all four legs from the
ground, and, snorting with pain and fury, charged
towards the place from whence came the smoke of
the rifles. The men rushed through the thicket,
where the underwood almost impeded their progress;
but the beast’s weight and strength carried him
along so fast, that he soon came up with them. A
steep bluff was situated a hundred yards off, with a
level plain of grass between it and the thicket ; the
hunters flew across the latter with the utmost
speed, the bear after them. When he reached
about half way, Glass stumbled over a stone and
fell. He rose, and the bear stood before him on his
* Ruxton.
BEARS. 59
hind legs. Glass called to his companion to fire,
and he himself sent the contents of his pistol into
the bear’s body. The furious animal, with the
blood streaming from his nose and mouth, knocked
the pistol away with one paw, while he stuck theclaws
of the other into the flesh of his antagonist, and rolled
with him on the ground. Glass managed to reach
his knife, and plunged it several times into the bear,
while the latter, with tooth and claw, tore his flesh.
At last, blinded with blood and exhaustion, the
knife fell from the trapper’s hand, and he became
insensible. His companion, who thought his turn
would come next, did not even think of reloading
his rifle, and fled to the camp, where others of his
party were resting, to tell the miserable fate of their
companion. Assistance was sent, and Glass still
breathed, but the bear lay across him quite dead,
from three bullets and twenty knife wounds; the
man’s flesh was torn away in slips, and lumps of
it lay upon the ground; his scalp hung bleeding
over his face, which was also torn. The men
took away the trapper’s hunting-shirt, mocassins,
and arms, dragged the bear off his body, and left
him, declaring, when they rejoined their party, that
they had completed his burial.
Although the bear no longer figures in the
story, I must be allowed to relate the sequel, as a
proof of what human nature can endure without
destruction. Months elapsed, and some of the
60 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
party of the above mentioned camp were on their
way to a trading port with their skins, when they
saw a horseman approach them, with a face so
scarred and disfigured that they could not distinguish
his features.
The stranger accosted that one of the party who
had been Glass’s companion, exclaiming, in a hollow
voice, ‘ Hurrah, Bill, my boy, you thought I was
gone under (killed) that time, did you? but hand
me over my horse and gun, lad. I’m not dead yet.â€
Astonishment and horror seized on the party, many
of whom believed he had been buried as well as
dead. However, there could be no mistake now,
and when they had sufficiently recovered from
their surprise to listen to Glass’s story, he told
them that he knew not how long he lay before he
recovered his senses; but when he did, and was
able to take nourishment, he was obliged to subsist
on the flesh of the bear. When he had strength to
crawl, he tore off as much of this as he could carry
in his weak state, and crept down to the river; he
had suffered tortures from cold, wounds, and
hunger, but he had reached the fort, which was
between eighty and ninety miles distant, living the
greater part of the way on roots and berries, but
there he had been taken care of and recovered.
- The brown bear much resembles the black in
size, habits and shape, and like it, lives in hollow
places; he, however, sometimes digs pits for himself,
BEARS. 61
and even constructs huts, which he lines with moss.
Both attain an enormous sizeand weight. All bears
are extremely fond of honey and sugar, and are
often taken when venturing too close to man to
procure these enticing substances. The settlers in
Canada, when they make maple sugar, catch them by
leaving a boiler full, into which they dip their paws,
or their head, and they fall an easy prey when encum-
bered with the thick, saccharine matter, and some-
times with the boiler also. Bruin’s attention is easily
diverted, and many have escaped by throwing a
bundle or knapsack down when he is in pursuit of
them, for while he stoops to examine it, they gain
time and distance. It is natural to him to play all
sorts of antics; and we are told by an Indian travel-
ler, that in one of his journeys, some bears kept in
front of his palanquin, tumbling and playing as if
they designed to afford him amusement. Climbing
is a great delight to them, and one was seen to as-
cend a scaffolding, for his own pleasure; he at first
proceeded cautiously, examining the strength of all
the joists, and at last reached the summit, which was
one hundred and twenty feet high. He looked
much pleased when he had completed this operation,
and the workmen treated him with great civility.
They were going to lower him in a bucket, but to
this he would not consent, and descended as he had
mounted, being so pleased with his prowess, that he
repeated his visit.
62 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
A Norwegian had tamed a bear so completely,
that he used to stand at the back of his master’s
sledge, where he kept so good a balance, that it
was impossible to upset him: if the sledge went on
one side, the bear threw his weight in the opposite
direction, and so kept up the equilibrium. One
day, however, his master, in sport, drove over the
worst ground he could find, hoping to throw the
bear off. This, however, only served to irritate him;
and he vented his ill humour by giving his master
a tremendous blow across the shoulders.
A countryman, in Russia, when seeking honey,
climbed a very high tree; the trunk of which was
hollow, and finding there was a large quantity of
comb in it, he descended, and stuck fast in the
tenacious substance there deposited. He was so far
distant from home, that his voice could not be
heard, and he remained two days in this situation,
relieving his hunger with the honey. He began
to despair of ever being extricated, when a bear
who, like himself, came for the sake of the honey,
slid down the hollow, hind part foremost. The man, in
spite of his alarm, seized hold of him, and the bear,
also in a great fright, clambered out as fast as he
could, dragging the man up with him, and when
clear of his tail-bearer, made off as fast as possible.
The drollest and most accomplished of all bears,
was the celebtated Martin, of Paris, whose dancing,
climbing, curtseying, tumbling, begging, and many
BEARS. 63
other antics, were the delight of every child in the
metropolis, and of many grown-up children also.
It is true, that the nursemaids endangéred the lives
of their charges, by holding them over the side of
the pit in which he was kept; but as none did fall,
they continued to amuse themselves and _ their
nurslings at the same risk. One morning early, he
very cleverly withdrew the bolts of his pit door,
and sallied forth on his hind-legs to take a walk.
The keepers of the garden had not risen; but the
dogs were on the alert, and surrounded Martin,
jumping and barking, half in play, and half in
earnest. This roused the men, who, rushing out
to see what was the matter, beheld the bear in the
midst of the canine troop, his tongue lolling out
of his mouth, and an expression of fun and enjoy-
ment in his countenance, which was indescribable.
Never was the malignant scowl, so often noticed in
bears, from pulling the nictitating membrane, or third
eyelid half over the eye, seen in poor Martin’s face;
yet he became unpopular from the cupidity of one
of the sentinels. This man fancied he saw a five-
franc piece lying in the bear’s pit, and determined
to go during the night, when he would be on duty,
and secure it. He accordingly provided himself
with a ladder, and when the guard was changed,
was found lying lifeless at the bottom, the coveted
piece in his hand, which proved to be nothing but
a large button. No marks of violence were to be
64 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
seen upon his body, but the contusions on his head
seemed to tell that he had fallen from the ladder
when near the top, and so met his death. Whether
he had been frightened, or seized with giddiness,
or whether Martin had shaken the ladder, no one
could say; the animal was sitting quietly by his
side when his fate was first made known. The
story fled like wildfire from one end of Paris to the
other, and in a short time, the populace were fully
convinced that Martin had killed him; and this,
combined with other exaggerations, induced them
to flock in multitudes to see the murderous bear.
Afterwards, two balls of arsenic, wrapped up in
some sweet substance, were found in the pit, for-
tunately before Martin had touched them; and the
authorities of the establishment thought it prudent
to remove him to a den in the menagerie. The front
of these dens was closed at night with a sliding shut-
ter, pulled down by inserting a hook at the end of
a long pole into a ring, which ring, when the
shutter was down, served to admit a bolt. This
did not at all please Martin, and the keeper never
could accomplish the fastening, till some one else
went to the other side to take off the bear’s atten-
tion; for the moment the shutter was down, Martin
inserted his claws and pushed it up again, and
this practice was continued as long as he existed.
The Malayan Sun bear (Ursus Malayensis) has a
long tongue, short smooth fur, very extensible,
BEARS. 65
flexible lips, and large claws. Sir Stamford Raffles
had one which was brought up in the nursery
with his children, and when he joined the party at
table, would only eat the choicest fruit, and drink
champagne, and even be out of humour when there
was none of the latter. He was very affectionate,
and never required to be chained or chastised.
This bear, a cat, a dog, and a lory from New Holland,
used to eat amicably out of the same dish. His
favorite playfellow, however, was the dog, although
he was teazed and worried by it incessantly. He
grew to be very powerful, and pulled plants and
trees up by the roots, the latter of which were
too large for him to embrace.
The Bornean bear (Ursus Euryspilus) is one
of the most amusing and playful of all bears; begs
in the most earnest manner, and when it has more
to eat than it can hold in its paws and mouth,
places the surplus on its hinder feet, as if to keep
itefrom being soiled; and when vexed or irritated,
will never be reconciled as long as the offender is
in its sight. It does much injury to cocoa-nut
trees, by biting off the top shoots, or tearing down
the fruit. |
66 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
BADGERS.
Baperrs belong to the same division of Carnivora
as Bears, but differ from them, not only in size,
but in dentition. This, while they claim asort of
miniature relationship, forms them into a separate
genus. They afford many a day of what is called
sport, to those who choose to hunt them, during
which they evince much sagacity in their efforts
to escape; but I am happy to say the custom of
tying them into an empty cask, and baiting them
with dogs, no longer exists. They are by nature
slothful and heavy, but are easily tamed, and when.
roused are fierce. ‘They have a gland under the
tail, which secretes a liquid of most disagreeable
odour, and causes them to pass into a sort of pro-
‘ verb. They feed chiefly on roots, nuts, and other
fruits; attack the nests of wasps, or wild bees, and
devour their larve, themselves, or their honey,
with a perfect indifference to their stings, which
cannot pierce through their tough hide. They prey
at night and live in the thickest parts of woods or
-coppices, where they rapidly dig deep holes, by
means of their sharp and powerful claws. These
holes are divided into several chambers, the inner-
most of which is round, and lined with hay or
grass. All are kept very clean, and every waste
remnant of food and species of filth is deposited
BADGERS, ) 67
in holes dug on purpose for its reception. The
passages to the dwellings frequently turn at sharp
angles, at which places the badgers make a stand
when attacked. Mr. St. John caused a badger’s
hole to be dug out, and he there found balls of’
grass, rolled up to the size of a man’s fist, evidently
intended for food. That gentleman also says, that
he has frequently found the bulb of the common
blue hyacinth lying near the hole. They devour,
besides all sorts of vegetables, small animals
whether alive or dead, snails and worms; but their
peculiar dainty consists of egos. A partridge’s
nest affords them a delicious feast, particularly if
they include the sitting hen.
Badgers have a peculiarly formed chest and jaw,
which give them great strength; their forehead is
so thick, in consequence of a ridge which runs
down the middle of it, that they are unhurt by a
blow in front which would kill an ox; while almost
a touch at the back of the head will cause their
destruction. Their thick skin, which lies loosely
upon them, is much used for making pistol cases,
and their fur is excellent for painter’s brushes.
They are difficult to kill, and few dogs have
courage enougl to attack them in their holes,
where they live in pairs. When thus pursued, they
constantly impede the progress of their enemies
by throwing the soil behind them, so as to fill up
the passages, while they escape to the surface.
68 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
They are rare animals, but are to be found in
various parts of the world. The Chinese eat them
in spite of their bad odour. When tamed they shew
great affection, an interesting proof of which is
given by Captain Brown in his popular Natural
History, which I transcribe. ‘‘’T'wo persons (in
France) went on a journey, and passing through a
hollow way, a dog which was with them, started
a badger, which he attacked, and pursued till he
took shelter in a burrow under a tree. With some
pains he was hunted out and killed. Being a few
miles from a village, called Chapelletiere, they
agreed to drag him thither, as the commune gave
a reward for every one which was destroyed;
besides which they proposed selling the skin. Not
having a rope, they twisted some twigs, and by
turns drew him along the road. -They had not
proceeded far when they heard the cry of an animal
in seeming distress, and stopped to listen, when
another badger approached them slowly. They
at first threw stones at it; notwithstanding which,
it drew near, came up to the dead animal, began to
lick it, and continued its mournful cry. The men,
surprised at this, desisted from offering any further
injury to it, and again drew the dead one along as
before; when the living badger, determined not
to quit its companion, lay down on it, taking it
gently by one ear, and in that manner was drawn
into the midst of the village; nor could dogs,
BADGERS. 69
boys, or men induce it to quit its situation, and
to their shame be it said, they had the inhumanity
to kill the poor animal, and afterwards to burn it,
declaring it could not be no other than a witch.â€
Professor Bell had a badger which followed him
like a dog, and which had been tamed when quite
young by some cottager’s children, with whom
he played like a puppy. As he grew in years,
he became too rough for them, but at Mr. Bell’s
was a universal favourite. He yelped with a
peculiar, sharp cry when excluded from his master’s
presence. He was fed at dinner-time, and took the
morsels in the most orderly manner. He was very
affectionate, good-tempered, and cleanly. He died
of a disease which affects many carnivorous animals
in confinement—a contraction of the lower opening of
the stomach, which prevents the food from passing.
In that most interesting book, written by Mr. St.
John, and called ‘* Wild Sports of the Highlands,â€
the author treats at some length of the badger. I
select the following passages from his pages:—
““T was just then startled from my reverie by a
kind of grunt close to me, and the apparition of a
small, waddling, grey animal, who was busily em-
ployed in hunting about the grass and stones at the
edge of the loch; presently another and another
appeared in a little grassy glade which ran down to
the water’s edge, till at last I saw seven of them
busily at work within a few yards of me, all
70 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
coming from one direction. It at first struck me
that they were some farmer’s pigs taking a distant
ramble ; but I shortly saw they were badgers, come
from their fastnesses rather earlier than usual,
tempted by the quiet evening, and by a heavy
summer shower that was just over, and which had
brought out an infinity of large black snails and
worms, on which the badgers were feeding with
good appetite. As I was dressed in grey, and
sitting on a grey rock, they did not sce me, but
waddled about, sometimes close to me, only now
and then, as they crossed my track, they showed
a slight uneasiness, smelling the ground, and grunt-
ing gently. Presently a very large one, which I
took to be the mother of the rest, stood motionless
for a moment, listening with great attention, and
then giving a loud grunt, which seemed perfectly
understood by the others; she scuttled away, fol-
lowed by the whole lot. I was soon jomed by my
attendant,. whose approach they had heard long
before my less acute ears gave me warning of his
coming. . . When caught in traps, they [badgers]
never leave part of their foot behind them and so
escape, as foxes and other vermin frequently do ;
but they display very great strength and dexterity
in drawing up the peg of the trap, and this done,
they will carry off the heaviest trap to an amazing
distance, over rock or heather. They never attempt
to enter their hole with a trap dangling to their
BADGERS. | | 71
foot, but generally lay up in some furze bush or
thicket.
‘* When first caught, their efforts to escape show
a degree of strength and ingenuity which is quite
wonderful, digging and tearing at their prison with
the strength of a rhinoceros. I one day found a
badger, not much hurt, in a trap. Tying a rope to
his hind leg, I drove him home before me, as a man
drives a pig, but with much less trouble, for he
made no attempts to escape, but trotted quietly
ahead, only occasionally showing a natural inclina-
tion to bolt off the main path, whenever he passed
any diverging road, all of which were probably
familiar haunts of the unlucky beast. When at
home, I put him into a paved court, where I thought
he could not possibly escape. The next morning,
however, he was gone, having displaced a stone
that I thought him quite incapable of moving, and
then digging under a wall. . . . Sometimes I have
known a badger leave the solitude of the woods and
take to some drain in the cultivated country, where
he becomes very bold and destructive to the crops,
cutting down wheat, and ravaging the gardens in a
most surprizing manner. One which I know to be
now living in this manner, derives great part of his
food during the spring from a rookery, under
which he nightly hunts, feeding on the young
rooks that fall from their nests, or on the old ones
that are shot. This badger eludes every attempt to
72 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
trap him. Having more than once run narrow risks
of this nature, he has become so cunning, that no
one can catch him. Ifa dozen baited traps are set,
he manages to carry off the baits, and spring every
trap, always with total impunity to himself. At
one time he was watched out to some distance from
his drain, and traps were then put in all directions
round it, but, by jumping over some and rolling
over others, he escaped all. In fact, though a
despised and maltreated animal, when he has once
acquired a certain experience in worldly matters,
few beasts show more address and cunning in keeping
out of scrapes. Though eaten in France, Germany,
and other countries, and pronounced to make ex-
cellent hams, we in Britain despise him as food,
though IJ see no reason why he should not be quite
as good as any pork.
“ The badger becomes immensely fat. Though
not a great eater, his quiet habits and his being a
great sleeper prevent his being lean.†That sleep
is taken in the day, for his habits are generally
nocturnal.
All badgers may be recognized vi the broad
black band across their cheeks. Those of India have
longer legs than those of Europe; their snout is
also prolonged, like that of a hog; and their tail
resembles that of the latter animal. They are very
slow in their movement, and when affronted make a
peculiar grunting noise, and bristle up the hair of
WEASELS. 73
their back. If still more roused, they stand on
their hind legs as bears do, have much power in
their fore legs, and are extremely savage when
provoked.
WEASELS.
THE second tribe of Carnivora walks upon its toes,
and is, consequently, called Digitigrada; it is chiefly
composed of a number of smaller animals, which
are very interesting from many of their habits, very
precious from the valuable fur which they afford,
and in many instances are so destructive, that they go
under the common name of Vermin. A numerous
genus bears the appellation of Vermiform, because
their bodies are long, and their legs are short, which
formation enables them to slide through small
apertures in worm-fashion, twisting themselves
through the winding passages, with their bodies
touching the ground. They destroy much game,
and, except when trained to kill rats and rabbits, are
objects of persecution and dislike. Among them
are weasels, polecats, ferrets, martens, skunks, and
others. The ermine and sable are included with
the martens; and the three first send forth a dis-
agreeable odour. They, however, are not to be
compared in this respect to the skunk, which of all
creatures is one of the most disagreeable, in con-
sequence of its fetid gland, which secretes the
74 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
offensive liquor sent forth when the animal is
frightened or irritated. Nothing will obliterate
this odour; no other scent overcomes it; no burying
in the earth, no washing will avail; even time does
not cure, and an article of dress put by for years,
is still unwearable.
It is to weasels and otters that I shall confine
myself in this work, for about their intellectual
powers do we know most. The first is a very
courageous beast, not fearing to attack animals
much larger than himself—even man. A labouring
peasant at Glencairn, in Dumfrieshire, was attacked
by six of them, who rushed upon him when he
was at work in a field. Being frightened at such
a furious onset, he fled, but they pursued him,
although he dealt some back-handed strokes with a
large horsewhip. He was on the point of being
seized by the throat, when he fortunately perceived
the fallen branch of a tree. He snatched it up,
and making a stand against his enemies, he killed
three, and put the others to flight. Another in-
stance is reported by Captain Brown, in his Popular
Natural history, where the affray commenced by a
person striking a weasel, which squeaked aloud.
This roused a whole colony, consisting of fifteen,
who flew at him and bit him severely. A gentle-
man came to his aid, and with his assistance, several
of the assailants were killed, the others ran into the
fissures of a neighbouring rock.
WEASELS. 75
. There are instances of weasels having been tamed;
but it is very difficult to make any impression on
their affections, although they are very sagacious,
and sagacious animals are more easily influenced
than others. The weasel and the stoat are so often
mistaken for each other, that it will be well to
point out the constant difference in each. The
stoat is brown above, dirty white underneath; his
tail is longer and more bushy than that of the
weasel, and always black at the tip. The weasel is
red above, and pure white underneath, and the
tail is red and uniform, being deprived of the
bushy tip. Mr. Bell, from whose pages I have
taken these characters, defends weasels from the
accusation of devouring poultry, game, hares, rab-
bits, and various small birds. He says, that when
driven by hunger, they may occasionally eat such
things; but that their general food consists of mice
and rats of every description, the field and water
vole, and moles; and that they ought rather to be
encouraged than exterminated, because they destroy
so much vermin. They generally approach with
the utmost caution and shyness, and when once
they have seized their prey, they never Jet go their
hold; they aim at the neck, below the ear, or drive
‘their teeth through the back of the head: they bound
and spring, and climb trees with the greatest facility,
and seem never to tire of hunting, whether they are
hungry or not. Mr. St: John saw one in a stubble
76 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
field, in which several corn buntings were flying
about, or alighting on a thistle. The animal dis-
appeared at the foot of this thistle, and the above
gentleman thought he had slunk into a hole, but
feeling sure by his manner he. intended some mis-
chief, he staid to watch his movements. As soon
as one of the birds settled on the thistle, something
sprang up as quick as lightning, and then disap-
peared with the bird; it was the weasel, who had
thus successfully concealed himself. The same
gentleman chased a weasel into a hollow tree, who
carried something in her mouth. He applied smoke
to the hole, and out she came again, carrying the
same burden. She ran towards a stone-wall, but
was met by a terrier, who killed her, catching her
with the greater facility in consequence of her
obstinacy in carrying away what Mr. St. John still
thought was her prey. On picking it up, however,
he found that it was a young weasel, unable to run,
which its mother was endeavouring to carry toa
place of safety, her former hole in an adjoining field
having been ploughed over. Another proof of the
weasel’s affection for her young, was witnessed by
a labourer, who, while standing on a foot-path close
to the hedge side, perceived a weasel with one of
her young ones in her mouth. He kicked her, and
she, dropping it, retreated into a hedge. He then
stood over the young one with a stick in his hand,
not intending to kill it, but merely to see how its
WEASELS. 77
mother would proceed. She soon peeped from her
covert, and made several feints to get at her charge,
but was obliged to run into the hedge again, in-
timidated by the stick which the man flourished
about. At last she summoned up all her resolution,
and in spite of everything, after a great deal of 7
dodging to avoid the stick, succeeded in obtaining
the object of her solicitude, and bore it off between
the legs of her tormentor.
Weasels sometimes fall a prey to hawks; and
I transcribe the following account from the pages
of Mr. Bell. “As a gentleman of the name of
Pinder, was riding over his grounds, he saw, at
a short distance from him, a kite pounce on
some object on the ground, and rise with it in
his talons. In a few moments, however, the kite
began to show signs of great uneasiness, rising
rapidly in the air, or as quickly falling, and wheel-
ing uregularly round, whilst he was evidently
endeavouring to free some obnoxious thing from
him with his feet. After a short but sharp contest,
the kite fell suddenly to the earth, not far from
Mr. Pinder. He instantly rode up to the spot,
when a weasel ran away from the kite, apparently
unhurt, leaving the bird dead, with a hole eaten
through the skin under the wing, and the large
blood vessels of the part torn through.â€
The nest composed by weasels, in which they
will bring forth four or five young ones, two or
78 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
three times a year, is of dry leaves and herbage, is
placed in a hole, in a bank, a dry ditch, or a hollow
tree, and if a dog come near it, the mother flies at
him, and fastens on his lips with great tenacity.
‘
OTTERS.
THE much persecuted otter presents himself to our
notice among the worm-bodied, digitigrade animals.
Their broad webbed feet shew that they frequent the
water, and in fact, they are not only found in rivers
and lakes of most European countries, but at sea.
Their elongated body is flattened horizontally, their
tail is broad and flat, and forms an excellent rudder
for their guidance when in the water. Their short
legs are so loosely jointed that they can be turned in
any direction when swimming, and their fur is soft,
fine, and close underneath, while a longer, coarser
set of hard shining hairs, are on the outside. Their
teeth are very pointed, and well adapted to hold
their slippery prey; their ears are very small, and
close to their head, and they have a nictitating
membrane, or third eyelid, for the protection of
their bright eyes. Their movements in the water
are particularly elegant, they swim horizontally,
and rapidly dive after their victims, which they
eat ashore. It is said, that they will collect a
OTTERS. i
number of trouts into a shoal, and drive them on
till, in their dread and alarm, many of the fishes
will throw themselves on to the land. They have
the power of remaining very long under water, at a
considerable depth, and the fierce manner in which
they keep dogs at bay, often wounding them severely
with their sharp bites; and the anxious watching
for their rise in the water when they have retreated,
all form a most exciting sport, so that we hear of
otter-hunting as a source of keen enjoyment; and
there is a hunt on record in which nine otters were
killed in one day.
Otters will certainly consume an immense quantity
of fish; and the owners of salmon or trout streams
have great spite against them. It is, however, very
possible to tame them so as to make them bring
the fish which they catch. This practice is much
more followed in other countries than in England;
they are purposely kept for it in Sweden, and at a
signal from the cook will go and fetch the fish for
dinner. Bishop Heber mentions, that he saw several
large and very beautiful otters fastened to bamboo
stakes by the side of the Matta Colly river, some of
which appeared to be at play, and uttered a shrill,
whistling noise. They wore straw collars and were
very tame and docile. They should be caught
quite young, and fed on small fish, then they are
allowed bread and milk at alternate meals; till at
last they entirely live upon this food. They are
i ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
taught to fetch and carry with artificial fishes made
of leather, and stuffed with wool. Then they are
made to bring dead fishes, and if they attempt to
tear them, they are severely punished. Thus trained,
in process of time, the otter becomes useful and.
domesticated.
In their natural condition, otters will wander to
considerable distances for their prey; Mr. St. John
says, “ I was rather amused at an old woman living
at Sluie on the Findhorn, who, complaining of the
hardness of the present times, when ‘a puir body
could n’a get a drop smuggled whisky, or shoot a
roe without his lordship’s sportsman finding it out,’
added to her list of grievances, that even the otters
were nearly all gone ‘ puir beasties. ‘ Well, but
what good could the otters do you?’ I asked her.
‘Good, your honor? why scarcely a morn came but
they left a bonny grilse (young salmon) on the scarp
down yonder, and the vennison was none the worse
of the bit the puir beasts ate themselves.’ The
people here (Morayshire) call every eatable animal,
fish, flesh, or fowl, venison, or as they pronounce
it, vennison. For instance, they tell you that the
snipes are good vennison, or that the trout are not
good vennison in the winter.
“Tt seems that a few years ago, before the otters
had been so much destroyed, the people in particular
parts of the river were never at a loss for salmon,
as the otters always took them ashore, generally
OTTERS. | 81
to the same bank or rock, and in seasons of plenty,
they only eat a small piece out of the shoulder,
leaving the rest untouched, and the cottagers,
aware of this, searched every morning for their
leavings.â€
“ Otters,†continues Mr. St. John, “are very
affectionate animals; the young anxiously seek
their mother, if she should be killed; and if the
young are injured, the parent hovers near them till
she is herself destroyed. If one of a pair be killed,
the one that is left will hunt for its mate with
untiring perseverance; and if one be caught in a
trap, its companion will run round and round,
endeavouring to set it free, on which occasions,
though so quiet at other times, they make a snorting
and blowing like a horse.’
A dog belonging to the above gentleman was
running and splashing through the shallow water,
and suddenly stood still, sometimes whining, as if
caught in a trap, and then biting furiously at some-
thing in the water. He was called by his master,
but as he did not obey, his master waded to him,
and found a large otter, holding on by his powerful.
jaws to the dog’s shoulder; and had he not had a
good covering of curly hair, he stood a chance of
having his leg broken, the bite was so severe.
The people in Scotland believe that the otters
have a king, or leader, which is larger than others,
and spotted with white. They also believe that
G
82 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
when these animals are killed, a man or another of
the brute kind dies suddenly at the same moment ;
that their skin possesses an antidote to infection,
preserves soldiers from wounds, and saves sailors
from disasters at sea. The darkness in which otters
delight, their watery habitations, their oily, noise-
less movements, and their dark fur, invest them with
mystery in the eyes of the peasantry in many parts
of England.
The emigration of otters is established by the
following fact:—‘ A labourer going to his work,
soon after five o’clock in the morning, saw a number
of animals coming towards him, and stood quietly
by the hedge till they came alongside of him. He
then perceived four old otters, probably dams, and
about twenty young ones. He took a stick out of
the hedge and killed one. Directly it began to
squeak, all the four old ones turned back, and stood
till the other young ones had escaped through the
hedge, and then went quietly themselves. Several
families were thus journeying together, and probably
they had left their former abode from not finding a
sufficiency of food.†:
The beautiful otter in the Museum of the Zoolo-
gical Gardens 1s from Ireland, and is by some
considered as a distinct species. It is chiefly found
on the coast of Antrim, living in the caverns
formed by the basaltic columns of that shore, and,
as it hunts the salmon, rewards are offered for its
destruction.
DOGS. 83
The flesh of all otters is extremely rank and
fishy; and because it cannot be called meat, it is
often allowed to be eaten on the meagre days
appointed by the Romish Church.
Captain Brown, in his Popular Natural History,
tells us of a person who kept a tame otter with
his dogs, which followed him in company with
them. He hunted fish with them, and they never
would hunt any other otter as long as he was with
them.
There was a tame otter in Northumberland, which
also followed his master wherever he went. He
caught his own food, and returned home when
satisfied. Once he refused to come to the usual
call when he was out, and was lost for some days.
At length, going back to the same place, he, with
with great joy, came creeping to his master's feet,
who was still seeking his favourite.
DOGS.
BARON CUVIER says that the most useful conquest
achieved by man, is the domestication of the dog—
a conquest so long completed, that it is now im-
possible, with any certainty, to trace these animals
to their original type. The cleverest of naturalists
have supposed them to descend from wolves, from
jackals, or from a mixture of the two; while others,
84 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
equally clever, assert that they proceeded from
different species of dogs. The latter maintain that
the Dingos of Australia, the Buansas of Nepal, or
Dholes of India, the Aguaras of South America,
and several other races, are original; and although
they may not have produced the dogs which attend
man, they prove that we may attribute the latter to
predecessors of the same kind, without having
recourse to other animals which they more or less
resemble. On the other hand again, some of our
first men are of opinion that there are now no
original dogs, but that all the packs called wild are
those which have made their escape from a state of
domesticity. This is not the place to examine the
merits of the different proofs brought in favor of
each argument; and I hasten to a brief notice
of some of those which subsist independently of
human assistance.
All dogs, wild or tame, walk upon their toes
with a firm, elastic gait, and their toes are not
retractile. Their other external characters are so
varied, that it is impossible to give a general sum-
mary of their colour or form; the largest on record
(a Suliot, belonging to the king of Naples), measured
four feet at the shoulders; the least would probably
give a height of as many inches. All the untamed
species are lank and gaunt, their muzzles are long
and slender, their eyes oblique, and their strength
and tenacity of life are almost marvellous.
DOGS. 85
The Dingo, or Australian dog, roams in packs
through that vast country; has a broad head, fierce,
oblique eyes, acute muzzle; short, pointed, erect
ears; tail bushy, and never raised to more than a
horizontal position. He does not bark, but howls
fearfully ; is extremely sagacious, and has a re-
markable power of bearing pain. When beaten so
severely as to be left for dead, he has been seen to
get up and run away. A man proceeded to skin
one, not doubting that life was extinct, and after
proceeding a little way with the operation, he left
the hut to sharpen his knife. When he returned,
the poor animal was sitting up, with the loose skin
hanging over one side of his face.
The Dingos worry the cattle of the settlers, and
will even eat pieces out of them as they lie upon the
the ground; the leg of a sheep has been frequently
gnawed off by them. Domesticated dogs will hunt
and kill them; but show signs of great disgust
afterwards, always, if they can, plunging themselves
into water, as if to get rid of the contamination
caused by such contact. One taken from his mother
at six weeks old was partially tamed; but at first he
crouched down in all the darkest corners he could
find, looking at every one with aversion, and when
alone howling incessantly, especially if the moon
were shining. He became gradually reconciled
to those who fed him, but to no one else. He
never gave warning of the approach of strangers,
86 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
and never made an open attack. It is remarkable
that these dogs are not found in the closely neigh-
bouring island of Van Diemen’s Land.
The wild dogs of India go under the name of
Buansa, Dhole, and Kolsun, are found in Nepal,
the Nilgiris, Coromandel, the Dekkan, etc., and
bear various names, according to their locality.
They prey night and day, have an acute smell, a
peculiar bark, not unlike that of a hound, and are
of a sandy or red colour. Their head is long; they
have an ill-natured look, oblique eyes; long, erect
ears; powerful limbs, bushy tail, fur varying ac-
cording to climate, and all animals are afraid of
them. They kill tigers and cheetahs, and the re-
mains of hogs and deer are to be found in their
path. An endeavour to tame one succeeded, and
he was as affectionate and intelligent as many other
dogs.
In Java there is a large, wild dog, and in
Beloochistan whole packs are to be found, which
pull down buffaloes with ease; their footmarks are
like those of a hound; and still further to the west
a much larger species is said to exist.
The Sheeb or Schib, of Syria, is wild, and is
probably the wolf-dog of Natolia. The Deeb of
Nubia would seem to be also a primitive species,
but not resembling the packs of wild dogs which
inhabit Congo and South Africa, etc., and live in
covers and burrows.
DOGS. 87
The hunters of South Africa tell us that they
pull down the strongest antelopes; they are very
destructive to sheep, and mangle more than they
devour. They are extremely swift, and utter a
sharp bark, or chattering cry, which calls the pack
together, and is very soft and melodious. The
hatred between them and tame dogsis unconquerable,
and in their appearance they look like a link between
the wolf and the hyzna.
A large group of dogs includes all the indigenous
canines of South America, under the name of
Aguaras, and resembles foxes. They are silent, if
not dumb, and appear to congregate in families
rather than packs. They have a peculiar propensity
to steal and secrete, without any apparent object for
so doing.
Colonel Hamilton Smith, the able writer on dogs,
does not acknowledge some of these wild races, but
thinks they are what he calls feral, or domestic
dogs which have regained their liberty, and have
subsisted for many generations on their own intel-
ligence. To these he refers the Natolians and
Aguaras; but there can be no doubt concerning the
feral nature of the dog of St. Domingo, which
descends from the hounds trained to hunt human
beings by the Spaniards, and which are supposed to
have regained their liberty in the woods of Haiti.
It is of these dogs the stories are told concerning run-
away negroes, and which were taught by means of
88 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
raw food, placed in stuffed representations of human
beings. They are very handsome creatures, carry-
ing their heads with an air of conscious superiority.
They follow a track rapidly, and in complete
silence; they, however, always seize their victims.
A contrast to the feral dog of St. Domingo, is
the Alco of Mexico, with its small head, short neck,
and very thick body. Those of the Pampas having
assumed the shapes of all the dogs transported from
Europe, have now settled into what may be called
curs. They are very bold, very sagacious, are not
inimical to men, but destructive to the young ani-
mals inherds. They live in burrows, and if brought
back to domesticity, are valuable for their courage
and highly developed senses.
In various cities exist herds of dogs, who do not
own any masters; who infest the streets in packs,
and who are at once the scavengers, the purifiers,
and the greatest nuisances. In beautiful Lisbon;
rising from the Tagus with her stately towers, her
gardens, her churches, her deep blue sky, and her
noble aqueduct, leading life’s beverage to her ex-
quisite fountains, these animals abound; their pre-
sence being easily accounted for by their owners
bringing and abandoning them there at the time of
the vintage. They eat so many grapes when ripe,
that they are sent away in self-defence. Woe to
the person who affronts one of them ; he is obliged
to run hard, or else to keep them at bay, by threaten-
DOGS. 89
ing to throw stones at them, and walking back-
wards; fortunately he can do this in the narrow
streets of this city, for he would be lost if surrounded
by them. They lodge by day in the holes of ruins,
which are so plentiful in Lisbon.
The same dogs, with regard to habits, are to be
met with in the cities of Russia, Turkey, and
Egypt; but they differ in size and appearance.
Those of Turkey are particularly audacious, and in
all cities, where cleanliness is not systematically
organised, they are doubtless of infinite service;
though I have read, in a pamphlet written by a
French savant, that those in Egypt are one means
of continuing the plague, for they uncover the
carelessly: buried bodies, and drag portions of flesh
and clothing into the houses of the living.
In some of the countries of Guinea, dogs are bred
for the table, and sit in circles in the market places
for sale. I do not know from what race they come;
they are not used for any other purpose, and are
small, extremely ugly, and variously marked with
brown, red, or black spots. The passion for dog’s
flesh is in these countries very strong, and no
European can keep an animal of this kind many
weeks. An officer arrived at Cape Coast Castle
when I was there, accompanied by three, not
imagining the temptation they would present to
the appetite of the natives. One disappeared in the
act of landing, and the two others were gone before
90 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
three weeks had elapsed. My uncle fancied that
his rank would secure a favourite sent to him from
Kurope. He one morning received a deputation
from the king of a native town, requesting a
palaver, or conference. It was granted, and his
sable majesty formally made proposals for Cesar to
figure as a roast at a grand feast, which he was
about to hold. My uncle indignantly refused; the
king increased the sum offered, till it amounted to
something considerable, and then the Englishman,
unable to control himself, left the room and sent
the customary refreshments, with a message, to
signify that the palaver was ended. Although
every precaution was taken to save the animal, he
was stolen that same night, and gratified the
palates of the African gourmands.
I now come to what Colonel Smith calls ‘‘ The
Familiar Dogs,†where we find an amount of intel-
lect, which forbids us to say that they do not reason,
and where self-sacrifice, fidelity, courage, and affec-
tion, in many instances raise them far beyond more
gifted creatures. It will be advisable to follow the
series of some established work in treating of them,
and I have selected that of Colonel Hamilton Smith,
both for its extent and its ability. He begins with
those which are placed nearest to the Arctic Circle
of both hemispheres, and which form a group of
large, wolfish dogs, with tapering noses, pointed
ears, and, generally speaking, long, white and black
DOGS. 91
hair. They are fierce, broad, and often web-footed;
they swim well, hunt together or alone, and when
their owners turn them out to obtain their own
living, often fish with great dexterity. When they
quarrel they constantly destroy each other, for they
never will give up while they are alive. Among
them are the Siberian dogs, remarkable for the
instinct with which they return to their masters, after
weeks of absence and self-subsistence, to drag their
sleighs. This is the more curious, as they are then
always very ill fed, and ill treated. They utter
yells when about to be yoked, but, once in file, they
move silently and rapidly, sometimes, however,
trying to upset their drivers.
The tail of the Esquimaux dogs is bushy, and
curls very much over the back, which is covered
with long, waving hair. They are very patient and
faithful, rapid in their paces, skilful and courageous
when hunting, carry burdens, and are very good
tempered. They form a close attachment to their
masters ; and one which had been kept in confine-
ment in Edinburgh, being let loose, entered the
kitchen door, found his way through his owner’s
house, and, leaping on his bed, gave every sign of
affection. At another time, as his master was
walking in Princes Street Gardens, his foot slipped,
and he fell, upon which the dog tried to lift him
up by his coat. He was very cunning, and when
he ate, strewed his meat around him, to entice fowls
92 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
and rats. He then laid himself down, and pretended
to be asleep; no sooner, however, did they come,
than he pounced upon and killed them.
A pair of Esquimaux dogs lived in the Menagerie
of the Jardin des Plantes, where they were great
favourites ; but it was extremely painful to see the
poor creatures panting with heat, and almost unable
to move, during the hot weather, only feeling
happy when cold water was thrown over them. The
fondness of the Esquimaux dogs for oil never
ceases, and they do not like to drink water, unless
it tastes of this substance. Two of them are said to
have stood hour after hour before a candle-maker’s
workshop, evidently sniffing the fumes of the melted
tallow with great enjoyment. Their scent is parti-
cularly delicate, which renders them invaluable in
the chase of the reindeer. Nor are they, from
their resolution and ferocity, less useful in attacking
the bear, the very name of which beast, pronounced
in their hearing, excites their ardour. Even in the
sledge they dash after their prey, out of the track,
dragging their owner into the pursuit.
In order to test the strength of the Esquimaux
dogs, several experiments have been made, among
others by Captain Lyon, who found that three of them
could drag him, on a sledge weighing one hundred
pounds, at the rate of a mile in six minutes. With
heavy loads they are often induced to exert them-
selves by a woman walking before them, with a
| DOGS. 93
mitten in her hand. Having been accustomed to
receive food from her, they believe that in this
way she offers them meat. They are particularly
obedient and affectionate to women, because it is
from them that they receive the only kindnesses
bestowed upon them, and a word from a female will
excite them to exertion, when the blows and threats
of the men only make them obstinate.
The dog of the Hare Indians, or Mackenzie
river, was first described by-Dr. Richardson, and is
of a smaller size than the Esquimaux breed, but
with broad feet, which prevent him from sinking
into the snow. One of them, only seven months
old, ran beside this gentleman’s sledge for nine
hundred miles, frequently carrying one of his
master’s mittens in his mouth; all are very gentle,
and, like the Esquimaux dogs, do not bark.
The large, powerful, and handsome dogs which
go by the name of Newfoundland, are not the pure
breed of that country. The latter are more slender
in their make, have a sharper muzzle, a wilder look,
and are generally black in colour, with a rusty spot
over each eye, and a tawny muzzle. These are
called Labrador dogs, and it is supposed that they
and the Esquimaux have contributed to form the
commonly accepted breed. What the latter have
lost, however, in purity of blood, has been gained
on the side of beauty, and there is no animal of its
size which conveys a higher idea of intelligence
94 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
and dignity, than the so-called Newfoundland dog,
All are semi-palmate, and dive, swim, and keep
longer in the water than any others of their tribe.
One was picked up in the Bay of Biscay, out of
sight of any other vessel, fatigued and hungry, and
which, judging from the circumstances, must have
been there for many hours. Their fidelity, their
courage, their generosity, are proverbial, and yet it
is whispered that they are occasionally capricious.
and not to be trusted. - During long years of inter-
course with these animals, 1 never met with an
instance of this; and I have been told that it is
more apt to occur when they have been kept in
confinement.
A noble creature of the mixed breed, and of the
usual colour—black and white—belonged to me, and
his extreme good-nature, and endeavours to guard
everything belonging to the family, made him like
a confidential servant. The great defects in his
disposition were heedlessness, and an under estimate
of his own power ; he did not stop to think before
he acted, as many more cautious dogs will do; and
he forgot that his weight was so great as to spoil
and crush whatever he laid himself upon. As an
instance of the former, he one day fancied he saw
some one whom he knew in the street, and imme-
diately dashed through the window, smashing not
only the glass, but the frame work. Directly he had
done it he felt he had been wrong, and returning
DOGS. 95
through the shattered window, which was opened
for him, he hung his head and walked unbidden to
a recess in the room covered with matting, to which
place he was always banished when naughty, and
seated himself. The bell was rung for the house-
maid to come and clear away the broken glass, and
as the woman smiled when she passed Lion, I turned
my head towards him. There he sat, with a pair
of my slippers, accidentally left in the room, in his
mouth, as if he thought they would obtain his
pardon. My gravity was disturbed, and Lion,
seeing this, humbly came up to me, and rested his
chin on my knees. I then lectured him concerning
the mischief he had committed; and he so perfectly
understood, that for a long time, when any one
pointed to the window, he would hang his head
and tail, and look ashamed. During my absence
he constantly collected articles which belonged to
me, and slept upon them. One day, on returning
from church, he met me on the stairs, dragging a
new silk dress along with him by the sleeve, which
he must have contrived, by himself, to have ab-
stracted from a peg in a closet.
It must be owned that, clever as my Lion was,
Professor Owen was acquainted with a Lion who
surpassed him. This gentleman was walking with
a friend, the master of the dog, by the side of a
river, near its mouth, on the coast of Cornwall, and
picked up a small piece of sea-weed. It was covered
96 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
with minute animals, and Mr. Owen observed to
his companion, throwing the weed into the water,
“Tf this small piece afforded so many treasures,
how microscopically rich the whole plant would
be; I should much like to have one!†The gentle-
man walked on; but hearing a splashing in the
water, turned round, and saw it violently agitated.
‘It is Lion!†both exclaimed, “ What can he be
about? He was walking quietly enough by our
side a minute ago.†At one moment they saw his
tail above the water, then his head raised for a
breath of air, then the surrounding element shook
again, and at last he came ashore, panting from his
exertions, and laid a whole plant of the identical
weed at Mr. Owen’s feet. After this proof of intel-
ligence, it will not be wondered at, that when Lion
was joyfully expecting to accompany his master and
his guest on an excursion, and was told to go and
take care of and comfort Mrs. Owen, who was ill,
that he should immediately return to the drawing-
room, and lay himself by her side, which he never
left during the absence of his owner; his countenance
alone betraying his disappointment, and that only
for a few minutes.
Many instances are recorded of Newfoundland
dogs having saved the lives of those who have
fallen into the water, and among them was my
father; who, when he was one day missing, was
traced to a deep pond in his mother's garden. His
DOGS. 97
friend Trial was called; some of his young master’s
clothes were shewn to the dog, the pond was
pointed out, and Trial dashed in, shortly bringing
out the body. He watched all the endeavours
made to restore animation, and at last aided the
work by being allowed, when dry, to get into the
bed, and with the warmth of his body give heat
and circulation to the half-expiring child.
A very interesting anecdote is given of a person
who was travelling through Holland, accompanied
by a iarge Newfoundland dog. Walking one
evening on a high bank, by the side of a canal,
his foot slipped; he fell into the water, and being
unable to swim, soon became senseless. When he
recovered his recollection, he found himself in a
cottage, on the opposite side of the canal, surrounded
by peasants, who had been using all means for
restoring him to life. He was told, that one of them
returning home from his work, saw at a consider-
able distance, a large dog swimming in the water,
sometimes pushing, and sometimes dragging some-
thing which he appeared to have great difficulty
in supporting; but which he at length succeeded
in getting into a small creek. When there, the
animal pulled this object as far out of the water as
he was able, and the peasant discovered it to be the
body of a man. The dog shook himself, licked
the hands and face of his master; the peasant
obtained assistance, and the body was conveyed to
H
98 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
the house, where the endeavours used for resuscita-
tion proved successful. Two bruises, with marks
of teeth appeared, one on the shoulder, the other
on the nape of his neck, whence it was presumed,
that his preserver first seized him by the shoulder,
but that his sagacity prompted him to shift his
grasp to the neck; as by so doing he could keep
the head out of the water. He had continued to
do this for at least a quarter of a mile, and thus
preserved his owner, as much by his intelligence,
as by his affection.
The Newfoundland dog, like many others,
possesses a sense of time, and Mr. Bell relates an
instance of this, which occurred under his own
observation. He says, that a fine Newfoundland
dog, which was kept at an inn in Dorsetshire,
was accustomed every morning as the clock struck
eight, to take in his mouth a certain basket, placed
for the purpose, containing a few pence, and to
carry it across the street to a baker’s, who took out
the money, and replaced it by the proper number
of rolls. With these Neptune hastened back to the
kitchen, and safely deposited his trust; but what was
well worthy of remark, he never attempted totake the
basket, or even to approach it on Sunday mornings.
On one occasion, when returning with the rolls,
another dog made an attack upon the basket, for the
purpose of stealing its contents; when the trusty
Neptune placed the basket on the ground, severely
DOGS. 99
punished the intruder, and then bore off his charge
in triumph.
The proofs of intelligence which I have related,
are perhaps surpassed by those of Dandie, a New-
foundland dog belonging to Mr. M‘Intyre of
Edinburgh; but it must be recollected, that Dandie’s
education had been more carefully and con-
tinuously carried on, than that of his before
mentioned brethren. He selected his master’s hat
from a number of others, or a card chosen by
his master from a whole pack; picked his master’s
penknife from a heap of others, and any particular
article which he might have been told to find,
although he would have to search among a
multitude of others belonging to the same person,
proving that it was not smell which guided him,
but an understanding of what he was required to do.
One evening, a gentleman in company with others,
accidentally dropped a shilling on the floor, which,
after diligent search, could not be found. Dandie
had been sitting in the corner of the room, appa-
rently unconscious of what had been going on,
Mr. M‘Intyre then said to him. “Find us the
shilling, Dandie, and you shall have a_ biscuit,â€
the dog instantly jumped up, and laid the shilling
upon the table, which he had picked up unperceived
by the party. On his return home one evening after
the family had gone to rest, Mr. M‘Intyre could
not find his boot-jack; upon which he said,
“Dandie, I cannot find my boot-jack; search for
100 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
it.†The dog scratched at the room-door, his
master opened it, and going to a distant part of
the house Dandie returned with the boot-jack in
his mouth; where Mr. M‘Intyre recollected to
have left it under a sofa.
Several gentlemen were in the habit of giving
Dandie a penny a day, which he always took to a
baker’s, and exchanged for bread for himself. One
of them was accosted by the dog for his accustomed
present; but he said, “I have not a penny with
me to-day, though I have one at home.†Having
returned to his house, some time after he heard a
noise at the door; it was opened, and Dandie
sprang in for his penny. By way of frolic, the
gentleman gave him a bad one; the baker refused
to exchange the loaf for it; the dog returned to the
door, knocked, and when the servant opened it, laid
the penny at her feet, and walked away with an air
of contempt. He did not, however, always spend
all his money, and one Sunday, when it was very
unlikely that he could have received a present, he
was observed to bring home a loaf. Surprized at
this, Mr. M‘Intyre desired the servant to search the
room for money. Dandie seemed quite unconcerned
till she approached the bed, when he gently drew
her -from it. Mr. M‘Intyre secured him, for he
growled and struggled; and, continuing the search,
the woman found seven pence halfpenny under a
piece of cloth. From that time the dog could not
endure her, and henceforth hid his money in the
DOGS. 101
corner of a sawpit, under a heap of dust. He
constantly escorted Mr. M‘Intyre’s friends home,
when desired to do so, however considerable the
distance, and when they were safe, he returned to
his own quarters.
Mr. Jukes, in his ‘“‘ Excursions in and about
Newfoundland,†speaks of a dog which appeared to
be of the pure breed, and which he thought to be
more intelligent than the mixed race. This animal
caught his own fish, for which purpose he sat on a
projecting rock, beneath a fish stage, on which the
fish were laid to dry, watching the water, the depth
being from six to eight feet, and the bottom quite
white with fish-bones. On throwing a piece of cod-
fish into the water, three or four heavy, clumsy-
looking fish, called in Newfoundland scudpins,
would swim in to catch it. The instant one turned
its broadside towards him, he darted down, and
seldom came up without the fish in his mouth. He
regularly carried them as he caught them to a place
a few yards off, where he deposited them, sometimes
making a pile of fifty or sixty in the day. As he
never attempted to eat them, he appeared to fish for
his amusement.
Long, lanky, rough-haired, with drooping, bushy
tail; long ears, half erect; long, sharp muzzle;
black and fulvous in colour, often mingled with
brown and white, the Shepherd’s Dog yields to none
in fidelity and sagacity. In his own peculiar calling,
102 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
nothing can exceed his vigilance, his quick com-
prehension, and his intimate knowledge of every
individual entrusted to his care. Rushing into the
middle of his flock, he singles out any one member
of it, and brings it to his master. Fierce in the
defence of all, he keeps them together by incessantly
prowling round them, dragging the wanderers back
to their companions, and fiercely attacking those
who would offer them an injury. At night he
guides them to their fold; and if this should be in
an exposed situation, he throws himself across the
entrance, so that the intruding enemy will have to
pass over his body to commence his work of
destruction.
A ludicrous instance of the promptitude with
which he punishes offenders, is related by Colonel
Smith, in the following manner :—‘‘ We have
witnessed the care they take of their charge, and
with what readiness they chastise those that molest
them, in the case of a cur biting a sheep in the rear
of the flock, and unseen by the shepherd. This
assault was committed by a tailor’s dog, but not
unmarked by the other, who immediately seized
him, and dragging the delinquent into a puddie,
while holding his ear, kept dabbling him in the
mud with exemplary gravity; the cur yelled, the
tailor came slipshod with his goose to the rescue,
and having flung it at the sheep-dog, and missed
him, stood by gaping, not venturing to fetch it
KS. TAILOR
RIN
ry ve
fd
re J
kKD’S DOG AND CUR,
SHEPHE
7
4
THE
Page 102.
DOGS. 103
back until the castigation was over and the dog had
followed the flock.â€
As a proof of the comprehension of the shepherd’s
dog, I quote the description of Mr. St. John, in
his ‘‘ Highland Sports:’—-‘‘ A shepherd once, to
prove the quickness of his dog, who was lying
before the fire in the house where we were talking,
said to me, in the middle of a sentence concerning
something else, ‘I’m thinking, Sir, the cow is in
the potatoes.’ Though he purposely laid no stress on
these words, and said them in a quiet, unconcerned
tone of voice, the dog, who appeared to be asleep,
immediately jumped up, and leaping through the
open window, scrambled up the turf roof of the
house, from which he could see the potato field.
He then (not seeing the cow there) ran and looked
into the byre [farm-yard], where she was, and
finding that all was right, came back to the house.
After a short time the shepherd said the same words
again, and the dog repeated his look-out; but on
the false alarm being a third time given, the dog
got up, and wagging his tail, looked his master in
the face with so comical an expression of interroga-
tion, that we could not help laughing aloud at him,
on which, with a slight growl, he laid himself down
in his warm corner, with an offended air, as if
determined not to be made a fool of again.â€
Mr. Hogg, the Ettrick shepherd, is the person
of all others to give an adequate idea of the
104 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
shepherd’s dog, and I use very nearly his own
words. ‘“‘My dog Sirrah, was beyond all com-
parison the best dog I ever saw; he was of a
surly, unsocial temper; disdaining all flattery, he
refused to be caressed; but his attention to my
commands and interests will never again, perhaps,
be equalled by any of the canine race. I thought
I discovered a sort of sullen intelligence in his
countenance, notwithstanding his dejected and
forlorn appearance; I gave a drover a guinea for
him. He was scarcely a year old, and knew so
little of herding, that he had never turned a
sheep in his life; but as soon as he discovered
that it was his duty to do so, and that it obliged
me, I can never forget with what eagerness and
anxiety he learned his evolutions. He would
try every way deliberately, till he found out what
I wanted him to do, and when I once made him
understand a direction, he never forgot or mis-
took it again. Well as I knew him, he often
astonished me; for when pressed hard in accomp-
lishing the task that he was put to, he had
expedients of the moment, that bespoke a great
share of the reasoning faculty.
*¢ On one occasion, about 700 lambs, which were
under his care at weaning time, broke up at mid-
night, and scampered off, in three divisions,
across the neighbouring hills, in spite of all
that he and an assistant could do to keep them
DOGS. 105
together. The night was so dark, that we could
not see Sirrah; but the faithful animal heard his
master lament their absence in words which, of all
others, were sure to set him most on the alert; and
without more ado, he silently set off in quest of
the recreant flock. Meanwhile the shepherd and
his companion did not fail to do all in their power
to recover their lost charge; they spent the whole
. night in scouring the hills, for miles around, but of
neither the lambs nor Sirrah could they obtain the
slightest trace. They had nothing for it, day
having dawned, but to return to their master, and
inform him, that they had lost the whole flock of
lambs, and knew not what was become of one of
them. On our way home, however, we discovered
a lot of lambs at the bottom of a deep ravine, and the
indefatigable Sirrah standing in front of them, look-
ing round for some relief, but still true to his charge.
The sun was then up, and when we first came in
view, we concluded that it was one of the divisions
which Sirrah had been unable to manage until he
came to that commanding situation. But what was
our astonishment, when we discovered that not one
lamb of the whole flock was wanting. How he
had got all the divisions collected in the dark is
beyond my comprehension. The charge was left
to himself from midnight until the rising sun, and
if all the shepherds in the forest had been there to
_ assist him they could not have effected it with
greater propriety.â€
106 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
An exceedingly good shepherd’s dog appears
to concentrate all his powers in his own imme-
diate vocation; and in this does he exert and
exhaust his whole capacity. If he be suddenly
awoke, and hurriedly called, he rears himself up
to see what sheep are running away, and he is
so honourable, that he will lie among pails full
of milk, and neither touch them himself, or
suffer cat, rat, or any other creature to molest
the store. 3
The drovers’ dogs are somewhat larger, and more ~
rugged. They are as sagacious as the shepherd’s
dog, but they are trained to act with more cruelty
to their charges.
The original St. Bernard dog, which has for
years been the object of so much interest, resembles
the Newfoundland in form, hair, color and size.
Another race with close, short hair, is trained to
the same services; and one of the latter belonged to
me for some time, establishing himself in the good
graces of every one by his good temper and fidelity.
He must, however, with all his good qualities yield
to Bass, the property of Sir Thomas Dick Lauder,
who thus writes of him. ‘“ My St. Bernard was
brought home direct from the Great St. Bernard,
when he was a puppy of about four or five months.
His bark is tremendous; so loud, indeed, that I
have often distinguished it nearly a mile off. He
had been missing for some time; when, to my great
DOGS. 107
joy, one of the letter carriers brought him back;
and the man’s account was, that in going along a
certain street, he heard his bark from the inside of a
yard, and knew it immediately. He knocked at the
gate, and said to the owner of the premises ‘ You
have got Sir Thomas Lauder’s big dog.’ The man
denied it. ‘ But I know you have,’ continued the
letter carrier, ‘I can swear that I heard the bark of
Sir Thomas’s big dog; for there is no dog in, or
about all Edinburgh, that has such a bark.’ At
last, with great reluctance, the man gave up the
dog to the letter carrier, who brought him home
here. But though Bass’s bark is so terrific, he is
the best natured and most playful dog I ever saw;
so much so indeed, that the small King Charles’s
spaniel, Raith, used to tyrannise over him for many
months after he came here from abroad. I have
seen the little creature run furiously at the great
animal when gnawing a bone, who instantly turned
himself submissively over on his back, with all his
legs in the air, whilst Raith, seizing the bone,
would make the most absurd and unavailing
attempts to bestride the enormous head of his
subdued companion, with the most ludicrous affecta-
tion of the terrible growling, that might bespeak
the loftiest description of dog-indignation. When
a dog attacks Bass in the street or road, he runs
away rather than quarrel; but when compelled to
fight by any perseverance in the attacking party,
108 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
he throws his enemy down in a moment, and then,
without biting him, he lays his whole immense
bulk down upon him, till he nearly smothers him.
He took a particular fancy for one of the postmen
who deliver letters here, whose duty it was, besides
delivering letters, to carry a letter bag from one
receiving house to another, and this bag he used
to give Bass to carry. Bass always followed that
man through all the villas in this neighbourhood
where he had deliveries to make, and he invariably
parted with him opposite to the gate of the
Convent of St. Margaret’s, and returned home.
When our gate was shut here to prevent his follow-
ing the postman, the dog always leaped a high
wall to get after him. One day when the postman
was ill, or detained by some accidental circumstance,
he sent a man in his place. Bass went up to the
man, curiously scanning his. face, whilst the man
rather retired from the dog, by no means liking his
appearance. But as the man left the place, Bass
followed him, shewing strong symptoms that he was
determined to have the post-bag. The man did all
he could to keep possession of it. But at length
Bass, seeing that he had no chance of getting pos-
session of the bag by civil intreaty, raised himself
on his hind legs, and putting a great fore-paw on,
each of the man’s shoulders, he laid him flat on his
back in the road, and quietly picking up the bag,
he proceeded peaceably on his wonted way, The
DOGS. 109
man, much dismayed, arose and followed the dog,
making, every now and then, an ineffectual attempt
to coax him to give up the bag. At the first
house he came to, he told his fears, and the dilemma
he was in, but the people comforted him, by telling
him that the dog always carried the bag. Bass
walked with the man to all the houses at which he
delivered letters, and along the road till he came to
the gate of St. Margaret’s, where he dropped the
bag and returned home.â€
The peculiar services which the St. Bernard dog
is taught to perform, have made them the blessings
of the snow-covered regions in which they dwell;
their sense of smell is very acute, their large, full,
eye, is very expressive, and their intelligence has
saved many persons from death, when overtaken by
cold on the Alpine passes. One of these noble
creatures wore a medal, in commemoration of his
having preserved twenty-two lives, and he at last
lost his own in an avalanche, together with those
whom he was endeavouring to protect. They carry
food and wine with them; and followed by the
monks, who have vowed themselves to the task,
seek those who need assistance.
In passing over a number of dogs mentioned by
Colonel Smith, concerning which I have no data
for anecdotes, I pause for a moment at the drover,
or cattle-dog of Cuba, and Terra Firma, in America,
placed by him among the native dogs, (Canis
110 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
Laniarius), because they are 80 serviceable in
landing cattle from vessels. The oxen are hoisted
out by slings passed round the base of their horns;
and when they are allowed to fall into the water,
men generally swim and guide them by the horns.
This office, however, is often performed by one or
two dogs, who, catching the frightened animal by
the ears, force it to swim to the landing-place,
instantly releasing +t when it touches the shore, and
can walk to its destination. They are equal to
mastiffs in strength; and Colonel Smith considers
them as the feral dogs of St. Domingo, in continued
domesticity, and to have been taken from Spain to
the West.
Elegance of form, grace of movement, beauty of
countenance, extraordinary swiftness, and great
strength; are all combined in the Greyhound, as
recorded during the last three thousand years; and
continued at the present moment, in various degrees,
from the noble sporting dog, to the delicate pet of
the drawing-room. The narrow, sharp head, the
light, half hanging ears, the long neck, the
arched back, the slender yet sinewy limbs, the
deep chest, shewing the high development of
the breathing organs, and the elevated hind
quarters, all shadow forth the peculiar qualities
of these dogs. Their coat has been adapted to
the climate in which they originally lived: here
‘+ is smooth; but becomes more shaggy as they
DOGS. 111
are from colder regions. Still their Eastern
origin is always to be detected by the care which
they require during our winters; and (like the
Arab horses) those kept for coursing are
muffled up in cloths during our periods of cold
temperature. Their form, their clear, prominent
eyes, shew that they secure their prey by speed,
not by smell, and such is their power in this
respect, that they will run eight miles in twelve
minutes, and will run down the hare with fatigue,
while they themselves are comparatively fresh.
Colonel Smith fixes their earliest origin to the
westward of the Asiatic mountains, where the
Bactrian and Persian plains commence, and the
Scythian steppes stretch to the north. Thence
they have been spread over Europe, Asia, and part
of Africa, many have again become wild, and
others are the pampered dependents of amateur
sportsmen. Many Russian noblemen keep packs of
them in the Steppes.
The Scotch greyhound (Canis Scoticus), generally
white, with black clouds, is said to be the most
intellectual of all, and formerly to have had so good
a scent, as to be employed as a blood-hound. Maida,
whose name is immortalized as the favourite of Sir
Walter Scott, was a Scottish greyhound.
The Irish is the largest of all the western breeds,
and is supposed to owe this distinction to mingling
with the great Danish dog. To it Ireland owes the
112 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
extirpation of wolves, and itself now scarcely exists
but in name.
An instance is recorded of a black greyhound, in
Lancashire, who adopted a life of freedom, and
lived upon depredation. Many attempts were made
to shoot her, but she eluded them all; she was at
last ensnared in a barn, where she had placed her
puppies; they were destroyed, and she partially
reclaimed, so as to be useful in coursing; but she
always retained that wild look which told of her
frolic. A Mr. Kirkpatrick possessed a greyhound
which always took care of the meat in the kitchen,
and defended it from cats and other dogs.
The rough, large-boned, ill-looking Lurcher, is
said to have descended from the rough greyhound
and the shepherd’s dog. It is now rare, but there
are some of its sinister-looking mongrel progeny still
to beseen. They always bear the reputation of being
poachers’ dogs, and are deeply attached to their
owners. They have a fine scent; and a man con-
fessed to Mr. Bewick, that he could, with his pair
of lurchers, procure as many rabbits as he pleased.
They never give tongue, but set about their work
silently and cautiously, and hunt hares and par-
tridges, driving the latter into the nets of the
unlawful sportsmen. They will even pull down
deer.
There are still many English hearts which beat
quicker at the cry of the hound; there are some old
DOGS. 113
ones which throb at the recollection of the well
appointed field, when the bugle summoned them to
the chase, when gallant steeds carried them over
gate, hedge, ditch, and river; they even glory when
they refer to fearful tumbles, barely escaping with
life, and some meeting with a death next in
honour, according to their notions, to that of a
soldier in action. There are some young ones who
listen with entranced ears to the deeds of their fore.
fathers, and amidst the toil of the dark counting~
house, wish that such times could come for them,
They never will come again; railroads have been
invented, men’s minds have been diverted into other
channels; and fox-hunting, with its concomitant
evils and its attendant pleasures, is gradually dis-
appearing from fox-hunting England. Some, on
whom the spirit of Nimrod has descended with
such force, as to render them impatient under the
privation, go to distant lands, and there perform
feats worthy of the mighty hunter; but it is neither
with hawk nor hound, and before many generations
have passed, our beautiful race of hunting dogs will
exist but in name.
There are more varieties of these hounds than I
can here enumerate; but all possess a larger develop-
ment of brain than the greyhound; their nose is
broader, as well as their jaws; their ears are large
and hanging; their tail is raised and truncated, and
they have a firm, bold, and erect gait, an appearance
I
114 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
of strength, independence, and (if I may be allowed
to use the expression) candour, which is vainly
looked for in other dogs. They came to us from
the East, probably at a later period than those dogs
which more resemble the wolf.
The once-esteemed Blood-hound is now rare, and
I copy Mr. Bell’s description of the breed, in pos-
session of his namesake :—‘¢ They stand twenty-eight
inches high at the shoulder; the muzzle broad and
full, the upper lip large and pendulous, the vertex
of the head protuberant, the expression stern,
thoughtful, and noble; the breast broad ; the limbs
strong and muscular, and the original colour a deep
tan, with large black clouds. They are silent when
following their scent; and in this respect differ from
other hounds, who are generally gifted with fine,
deep voices. Numbers, under the name of sleuth-
hounds, used to be kept on the Borders, and kings
and troopers, perhaps equally marauders, have, in
olden times, found it difficult to evade them. The
noble Bruce had several narrow escapes from them,
and the only sure way to destroy their scent was to
spill blood upon the track. In all the common
routine of life they are good-natured and intelligent,
and make excellent watch-dogs. A story is related
of a nobleman, who, to make trial whether a young
hound was well instructed, desired one of his
servants to walk to a town four miles off, and then
to a market-town, three miles from thence. The
DOGS. 115
dog, without seeing the man he was to pursue,
followed him by the scent to the above mentioned
places, notwithstanding the multitude of market
people that went along the same road, and of
travellers that had occasion to come; and when the
blood-hound came to the cross market-town, he
passed through the streets without taking notice of
any of the people there, and ceased not till he had
gone to the house where the man he sought rested
himself, and where he found him in an upper room,
to the wonder of those who had accompanied him
in this pursuit.†*
The stately Stag-hound, with his steady, cautious
qualities, is little less valuable than the blood-hound
for following a scent. Marvellous feats are related
of his perseverance and strength in pursuit of his
game; but since the reign of George the Third, the
breed has not been kept up. That monarch was
particularly fond of this description of hunting; but
now, having fallen into disuse, it is not likely to be
revived. Stag-hounds are somewhat smaller than
the blood-hound ; rougher, with a wider nose,
shorter head, loose hanging ears, and a rush tail,
nearly erect. A most remarkable stag hunt: is
recorded as having taken place in Westmore-
land, which extended into Scotland. All the dogs
were thrown out except two, who followed their
quarry the whole way. The stag returned to the
* Boyle.
116. ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
park whence it started, where it leapt over the wall
and expired, having made a circuit of at least 120
miles. The hounds were found dead at a little
distance, having been unable to leap the wall.
The fox-hounds are still smaller than the stag-
hounds, are generally white in colour, with clouds
of black and tan. They have been known to run
at full speed for ten hours, during which the hunters
were obliged to change their horses three times, or
abandon the pursuit.
The Harrier and the Beagle are still smaller
varieties: as the name indicates, the former are used
exclusively for hunting the hare, and have nearly
superseded the beagle, which is chiefly valuable for
its very musical note. There was a fancy breed of
them in the time of Queen Elizabeth, so small, that
they could be carried in a man’s glove, and were
called singing dogs. They used to be conveyed to
the field in paniers.
Turnspits are descended from ill-made hounds,
which they resemble in body, but have very short,
and even crooked legs. They are rough or smooth.
They are said also to be derived from terriers, and
it seems to me that the perpetuation of malforma-
tion in several breeds will produce the turnspit.
They derive their name from having been used to
turn the kitchen spit, being put into an enclosed
wheel, placed at the end for the purpose. It is a
curious fact, that now the office is abolished, the race
DOGS. 117
has become nearly extinct. | extract the following
from Captain Brown’s “ Popular Natural History,†to
prove, that if turnspits had crooked legs, they had not
crooked wits:—“ I have had in my kitchen,†said
the Duke de Liancourt, to M. Descartes, ‘two
turnspits, which took their turns regularly every
other day in the wheel; one of them, not liking his
employment, hid himself on the day he should have
wrought, when his companion was forced to mount
the wheel in his stead; but crying and wagging his
tail, he intimated that those in attendance should
first follow him. He immediately conducted them
to a garret, where he dislodged the idle dog, and
killed him immediately.†The following occurs
rence at the Jesuit’s College at Fléche, shows that
others of the species have kept the turnspit to thig
disagreeable duty. When the cook had prepared
the meat for roasting, he found that the dog which
should have wrought the spit had disappeared. He
attempted toemploy another, butit bithis leg and fled;
Soon after, however, the refractory dog entered the
kitchen, driving before him the truant turnspit,
which immediately, of its own accord, went into the
wheel. A company of turnspits were assembled in
the Abbey Church of Bath, where they remained
very quietly. At one part of the service, however, the
word “spit†was pronounced, rather loudly. This
reminded the dogs of their duty, and they all rushed
out in a body, to go to their respective dwellings,
118 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
From the word “ Spanish†being often prefixed to
the name of the Pointer, it is supposed that these
dogs came to us from the Peninsula; but as all dogs
came from the East, their more ancient origin is to
be ascribed to the Phoenicians, who brought them,
not only to that country, but probably to England,
although many think they were not known here
before 1688.
In consequence of long training, the peculiar
faculty of pointing at game has become an innate
quality on their part; young dogs inherit it, and
they only require that discipline which is necessary
to make all puppies behave themselves. If we look
at a pointer, the first remark which naturally arises,
is that he is a large, indolent hound. He is how-
ever, extremely docile and affectionate. The black
are said to be the best, but they vary in color; their
fur is quite smooth, and they are considered very
valuable dogs. Mr. Gilpin speaks of a brace of
pointers, who stood an hour and a quarter without
moving. This, however, was exceeded by Clio, a dog
belonging to my father, who stood with her hind
legs upon a gate for more than two hours, with a
nest of partridges close to hernose. She must have
seen them as she jumped over the gate, and had
she moved an inch, they would have been frightened
away. My father went on, and having other dogs,
did not miss Clio for a long time; at length he
perceived she was not with the rest, and neither
DOGS. 119
came to his call or whistle; he went back to seek
her, and there she stood, just as she had got over
the gate. His coming up disturbed the birds, and
he shot some of them; but Clio when thus relieved,
was so stiff that she could not move, aud her master
sat down on the grass and rubbed her legs till she
could bend them again. She died of old age,
having been with us fourteen years from her birth;
there were no signs of illness: and she went out in
the morning with the shooting party. The first
question on the return of the sportsmen was, an
enquiry for Clio; search was made, and she was
found quite stiff in the stable, having apparently
come home to die,
Of the general intelligence of the pointer, the
following is a proof. A gentleman shooting in
Ireland, with a dog totally unused to fetch and
carry, killed a snipe. It fell in soft, boggy ground,
where he could not get to pick it up. After some
vain efforts to approach it, he hied on the pointer, by
saying, “ Fetch it, Fan! fetch it.†She seemed for a
moment puzzled at such an unusual proceeding, and
looked round inquisitively once or twice, as if to
say, What do you mean? Suddenly the sportsman’s
dilemma seemed to flash upon her, She walked
on, took the bird in her mouth quite gently, and
carried it to where the ground was firm; but not
one inch further would she bring it, despite all the
encouragement of her master, who now wished to
120 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
make her constantly retrieve. This, however, was
the first and last bird she ever lifted.
A favourite pointer was lent by a gentleman to
a friend; but after some years of trial, finding
the dog would not hunt with him, the friend requested
his master, then in Ireland, to receive him back.
He was conveyed in a packet from Bristol to Cork,
and his owner went to meet his dog. The vessel was
at some distance from the shore; but seeing him on
the deck, the gentleman hailed the sailors, and re-
quested he might be sent ina boat. No sooner,
however, did the dog hear his master’s voice,
than he leaped into the water, and with great
demonstrations of joy swam to him on the shore.
Such meetings have frequently been too much for
dogs, who have died from excessive joy at seeing
those they loved, after a long absence.
The sporting dog called the Setter, is distin-
guished by his long, silky hair, and has conse-
quently been considered as a large spaniel. The
head shews an unusual development of brain;
and his character for affection and intelligence
corresponds with this formation. He is very
handsome, is said to have come from Spain to this
country, and his original colour to have been deep
chestnut, or white. Heis now marked with brown,
or black, as well as having these colours.
A gentleman in Ireland received a present of a
beautiful black setter puppy, from an unknown
hand. He bred and cherished him, and the memory
ee ee ee ee ee ee oe
DOGS. 121
of Black York is still fresh in his country; not only
for his perfect symmetry, his silky, raven black
hair, but for his gentle, submissive disposition. He
was a nervous dog when young, for even a loud
word alarmed him, which, combined with his
mysterious arrival, and an involuntary affection,
induced his master to transfer him from the
kennel to the drawing-room. From that time
York acquired confidence, and lost his timidity; he
first walked out with the nursemaids and children,
and then accompanied his master. The latter went
one morning to a rushy field, to look at some
newly born foals; and there York pointed to a
snipe. The bird rose, and pitched some hundred
yards away, York’s nose detected him a second
time: he crept on a dozen paces, and couched
again. This circumstance betokened his natural
perfections; but with his temperament, the firing
a gun might be a dangerous trial. He was taken
day after day to mark the snipes, and praised for
his conduct. After this, his master took his gun
and an attendant, with orders to the latter, if York
should attempt to levant or run away, he was to
catch him in his arms. It occurred as he had
anticipated; poor York was dreadfully frightened;
every limb quivered, but he was soothed by
caresses, and encouraged to go where the dead
snipe was lying. In a moment he appeared to
comprehend the whole, He smelled the snipe,
122 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
looked at the gun, then in his master’s face, and
became bolder when he there saw approbation.
Another point, another shot, and another snipe;
and York and his master returned home; the
gun was put in the corner, and the snipes close
by, on the carpet. A dozen times, while his
master was drinking his wine, York stole quietly
to the corner, smelled the snipes, and examined
the gun. From that day he gave up walking with
the nursemaids, and became a matchless field dog.
York was never willingly separated from his
master, and was very unhappy at his absence; he
soon ascertained, that a carpet bag put into the gig,
was the signal for going away; and one day, he
secretly followed, and only shewed himself when
he thought he was at such a distance that he could
not be sent back again. He was taken into the
gig, and by this means escaped a sad death.
While he was away, a mad dog infected the
kennel, and nine setters, and two Skye terriers were
obliged to be killed, Black York alone remaining,
“From the moment,†says York’s master, ‘I took
him from the kennel to the parlour, he cut all low
connections; on the human race his affections seemed
to be concentrated, and on one occasion, he gave a
marked instance of his fidelity and intelligence.
His mistress had gone with her maid to the beach
to bathe, and a general permission had been given
to the servants to go to the neighbouring fair a mile
DOGS. 123
off. The young nurse, in the giddiness of girlhood,
left the baby in his cot. According to the then
existing custom, the hall-door was wide open
and, save the sleeping baby, Black York and cats,
no living thing held possession of the premises. A
strange priest arrived, to ask and receive hospitality.
He entered the hall, and the dog, otherwise quiet,
sprang forward and assailed him like a tiger. The
priest retreated, York’s back was ridged for battle,
and a mouthful of unquestionable teeth hinted to
his Reverence, that the canine customer would prove
an ugly one. He retreated accordingly, and York
sat down beside his sleeping charge. There he
remained on guard until the absent mother returned;
when she entered the drawing room, her four
legged representative laid his tongue gently across
the infant’s face, and without Opposition permitted
Father Malachi, to walk in.â€
Equally interesting is the biography of Mr. Bell’s
setter, Juno, who from a puppy was one of the best
dogs that ever entered a field. ‘She appeared to
be always on the watch, to evince her love and’
gratitude to those who were kind to her;†and she
had other than human _ friends. “A kitten,
which had been taken from its mother, shewed the
usual horror of cats at Juno’s approach. She how-
ever seemed determined to conquer the antipathy,
and by the most winning perseverance completely
attached the kitten to her; and as she had lately
124 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
lost her puppies, she became its foster-mother. Juno
also played with some tame rabbits, enticing them
by her kind manner; and so fond was she of
caressing the young of her own species, that when
a spaniel of my father’s had puppies, and all but one
were destroyed, Juno would take every opportunity
of stealing this from its mother, and lick and fondle
it with the greatest tenderness. When the poor
mother discovered the theft, she hastened to bring
back her little one; only to be stolen again at the
first opportunity, until at length, Juno and Busy
killed the poor puppy between them, from excess
of tenderness.†|
I close this account of the setter, by giving an
instance of the remarkable power of dogs to return
to their homes from a distance, so often cited, and
which was exemplified by my father’s setter Flush,
a dog of remarkable beauty and value. His master
drove him in his dog cart as far as London, a
distance of above fifty miles, being the first stage of
a shooting excursion in another county. The car-
riage was so constructed, that the opening to admit
air was above, and not at the sides, so that Flush
could not possibly have seen any part of the road.
On his arrival in town, the groom tied him up by a
cord, with access to a kennel in the yard of the inn
where my father stopped. He saw him the last
thing at night, but in the morning the rope had
been severed, and the dog was gone. All enquiries
DOGS. 125
proved fruitless, it was supposed the great value of
the dog had tempted some one to purloin him, and
in great trouble his master wrote home his lamenta-
tions. Late in the evening of the day in which he
was missed, my mother heard a scratching and
whining at the front door, as she passed through
the hall. Not supposing in any way it could relate
to her, she did not heed it. In about half an hour
a smothered bark met her ears, and then she ordered
a servant to open the hall door and ascertain the
cause. There was poor Flush—wet, dirty, hungry,
and weary; with the remainder of the rope hanging
to his neck. He had never been a house dog, and
that he should seek the dwelling-house rather than
the stable at some little distance, was another proof
of his sagacity; he knew he should be there more
immediately cared for, and so he was. My mother
fed him herself; and, stretched before the fire, he
forgot his troubles. The joyful news was conveyed
to my father, as fast as the post would take it, and
from that time Flush was a companion in the
drawing-room, as well as in the shooting excursion.
The infinite variety of spaniels almost precludes
a separate enumeration of each in a limited work,
I shall, therefore, confine myself to a few general
remarks. He may be called a small setter, as the
setter is called a large spaniel, having the same long
hair and ears; but the former is even more silken in
its texture. With some it curls more, and isa little
126 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
harsher, and these are fonder of the water than the
others. Their attachments are strong, their intelli-
gence great, and the beauty of some of them makes
them much sought as pets; they are, however,
generally useful to the sportsman. The only fault
which can be laid to their charge, and this perhaps
only extends to a few, is, that they are apt to love
strangers as well as friends. As an instance to the
contrary, was a beautiful little red and white
Blenheim, who was most unsociable, and whose
affections were most difficult to win. I, however,
succeeded, when on a visit to her mistress; and two
years after, when I repeated my visit, expected to
have the same difficulty. She, however, when the
first bark had been given, became silent, and she
did not favour me with a sly bite on the heel, as
she was in the habit of doing to strangers. Before
the evening was over, the recognition was complete,
and she jumped into my lap. Her mistress took
pains to prevent her from coming in contact with
vulgar dogs, always thought her possessed of the
most refined habits, and was sure she never would
be too fat, because she ate so delicately. One
evening, a small, social party of us were listening
to the music of Handel, executed by two of the
finest performers in the world, when through the
door, which stood a little way open, Fanny glided
in, with a large piece of fat and skin in her mouth,
I thought I was the only person who saw her, and
DOGS. 127
remained quite still; presently my eye caught that
of the gentleman of the house, who made a sign
that he also had discovered her, and our equanimity
was much disturbed. She crouched rather than
walked round the room, dragging her bonne bouche
over the rich folds of the delicately-tinted silk
damask curtains, as they lay upon the ground, till
she reached a very obscure corner under the piano,
where she proceeded to enjoy herself. As soon as
the glorious music was concluded, ‘“ Did you see
Fanny?†was the exclamation, and the delinquent
was dragged out before the last morsel was devoured;
so there was proof positive. The next morning the
cook told her mistress that she was in the habit of
stealing such morsels as I have described, and hiding
them, and that she only took them out to eat when
she [the cook] was gone to church. Poor Fanny’s
reputation for refinement was for ever clouded.
In the same house lived a larger spaniel, of the
variety which takes to the water, and named Flora.
She was an excellent house-dog, and, generally
speaking, under no restraint. Some alarm, how-
ever, occasioned by a real or reported accident,
caused the magistrate of the town in which her
master resided, to issue an order, that no dogs should
leave the premises of their owners without being
muzzled. Accordingly, Flora, when she went out
with the servant, had this instrument put on; she
hated it at first, tried all she could to get it off, but
128 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
at length appeared to become indifferent to the con-
finement which it produced. In consequence of
this, it was, perhaps, more carelessly buckled on,
and one day it came off, and the man stooped to
put it in its place; Flora, however, was too quick
for him, she took it up in her mouth, plunged with
it into a neighbouring pond, and when she reached
the deepest part, dropped the muzzle into it, and
swam back, with her countenance expressing de-
light.
All dogs enjoy the sport to which they are bred,
and M. Blase tells us, that he was once shooting
near Versailles, when his friend, M. Guilleman,
accompanied him, with permission to kill wild
ducks on the preserve. There was but one dog
between them, but at the first shot, a fine
spaniel ran up to them at full speed. He plunged
into the water, and caressing M. Guilleman, seemed
to say—‘* Here I am at your service; amuse me,
and I will amuse you.†‘The gentlemen pursued
their sport all day, and the dog proved excellent.
No one appeared to own him; but the sport over,
off he set at full gallop, and they saw him no more.
They spoke of him to the keeper of the water, who
informed them, that the dog belonged to a sports-
-man living two leagues distant, who was at that
time laid up with the gout. ‘* The dog knows,â€
added the keeper, ‘‘ that persons come to shoot here
every Sunday; and on that day, regularly makes
DOGS. 129
his appearance. Having done his duty for the
first sportsman whom he meets, he returns to his
master.
Mr. Martin, in his clever little treatise on dogs,
vouches for the truth of the following story :—“ One
morning, as a lady was lacing her boots, one of the
laces broke. She playfully said to her pet spaniel who
was standing by her, ‘ I wish you would find me
another boot lace,’ but having managed to use that
which was broken, she thought no more about it.
On the following morning, when she was again
lacing her boots, the dog ran up to her with a new
silken boot-lace in his mouth. This created general
amazement; for where the dog had obtained it no
one could tell. There was no doubt, however, that
he had purloined it from some one else.†_
A black and white spaniel, belonging to a friend
of mine, seemed to understand everything said to
him, and if his master whispered in his ear, ‘* Find
something for your master,†every loose article
which he could carry was sure to be laid at his
master's feet, and frequently the ladies of the family
were obliged to lock their work-boxes, to prevent
their contents from being carried off by Dash. If
one glove were missing, and the other were shown
to him, he did not rest till he had found it; and,
one day I saw him push a pile of music-books off a
What-not, and drag a glove out which had been
deemed irrecoverable. A countryman, charged with
K
130 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
a letter to be delivered to Dash's master, arrived at
the house while that gentleman was at breakfast.
The man was shown into a parlour, where he was
about to sit down, when a growl saluted his ears.
Turning round, he saw Dash lying in a chair near
the fire-place, who reared his head, and the ring of
the bell-pull hanging close by, he put his paw in it.
As often as the man attempted to sit, so often did
Dash growl; till at last the stranger's curiosity
being excited, as to what the dog would do if he
persevered, he sat down in a chair. Dash then
effectually pulled the bell; and the servant who an-
swered the summons, was much astonished when he
heard who had rung. He, however, was equally
pleased, for it explained a mystery which had long
puzzled him and his fellow servants. It seemed,
that whenever any of them sat up for their master
or mistress when they were out, the parlour bell
was sure to ring immediately after they had settled
themselves to sleep. Of course they had never
suspected the spaniel, although, when they after-
wards discussed the matter, they recollected that
when they awoke, he was not to be seen. There
was no doubt that directly he saw their eyes closed,
he went to the bell in order to rouse them to
watchfulness.
Even surpassing these histories of reason and
fidelity, is that which Mr. Bell relates, in nearly the
following terms:—‘ My friend was travelling on
DOGS, , 131
the continent, and his faithful dog was his com-
panion. One day, before he left his lodgings in the
morning, with the expectation of being absent till
the evening, he took out his purse in his room, for
the purpose of ascertaining whether he had taken
sufficient money for the day’s occupation, and then
went his way, leaving the dog behind. Having
dined at a coffee-house, he took out his purse, and
missing a louis d’or, searched for it diligently, but
to no purpose. Returning home late in the even-
ing, his servant let him in with a face of sorrow,
and told him that the poor dog was very ill, as she
had not eaten anything all day, and what appeared
very strange, she would not suffer him to take her
food away from before her, but had been lying with
her nose close to the vessel without attempting to
touch it. On my friend entering the room, she in-
stantly jumped upon hin, then laid a louis d’or at
his feet, and immediately began to devour her food
with great voracity. The truth was now apparent;
my friend had dropped the money in the morning,
when leaving the room, and the faithful creature
finding it, had held it in her mouth until his return
enabled her to restore it to his own hands; even
refusing to eat for a whole day, lest it should be
out of her custody.â€
All dogs trained for the service may become
Retrievers or finders of game, which they bring to
their master without injury. Spaniels, however,
132 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
are generally preferred. Mr. St. John had one
called Rover, a black water-spaniel, who noticed
everything that was spoken, and acted accordingly.
If at breakfast-time his master said, ‘‘ Rover must
stop at home to-day, I cannot take him out,†Rover
never offered to go: but if he said, I shall take
Rover with me to-day,†the moment breakfast was
over, he was on the alert, never Josing sight of his
master. Plans were frequently made for the ensuing
morning in the dog’s presence; and one day he was
not taken; ever after, when Rover heard over night
what was to take place, he started alone, very early,
and met the party, sitting in front of the road with
a peculiar kind of grin on his face, expressing a
doubt of being well received, in consequence of
coming without permission. Directly, however, he
saw he was well received, he threw off his affected
shyness, and jumped about with delight.
Though a most aristocratic dog in his usual
habits, when staying in England with Mr. St. John,
he struck up an acquaintance with a ratcatcher and
his curs, assisting them in their business, watching
at the rat-holes where the ferrets were in, and being
the best dog of all; for he never gave a false alarm,
or failed to give a true one. The moment he saw
his master, however, he cut his humble friends, and
declined their acquaintance in the most comical
manner.
A dark-brown retriever, named Sam, was in the
DOGS. 133
habit of going into a kennel of hounds, who always
crowded round and caressed him. When they
were in the field at exercise, Sam was told to go
and amuse them; he then went among them, jumped
Jim Crow, and played all sorts of antics, leaping
and tumbling about in the most laughable manner,
they looking at him most attentively. He went
with his master to call upon a lady; she patted him,
asked if he were the celebrated Sam, and hearing
he was, she invited him to stay with her. The
animal ran to his master, looked up, and seemed to
ask for his consent. He was told to return to the
lady, and take care of her, upon which he ran to
her, took her basket from her, and tried to express
his willingness to serve her. He remained with
her for some hours, and when his master arrived to
fetch him, the lady was so pleased, that she asked
for his company till the next day. Sam’s owner
petted and praised him, told him to be a good dog,
and stay with the lady until she had given him his
breakfast the next day. The dog was contented to
remain, ate his breakfast on the ensuing morning,
then looked up in the lady’s face, wagged his tail,
left the house, and ran home. He was in the habit
of fetching his master’s clothes, and of returning
them to their proper places; and he knew their
names. He satin achair at dinner with the family,
without making any confusion; or dined alone,
alternately taking a piece of bread and meat, and
134 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
then drinking a little milk; and if any one said,
‘““Give me a piece, Sam,†he instantly obeyed.
When all was gone, he cleared away the things.
He would fetch his master’s horse from the inn,
pay the ostler, and ride back upon the saddle.
In short, he seemed to comprehend every thing
that was said to him, and was a model of good
nature and obedience.
Wonderful as these stories are as matters of
reason, they are perhaps exceeded by some of the
tricks performed by the Poodle-Dogs, who are easily
distinguished by their crisply curling hair, their
large round head, and long ears, and to whom water
is as welcome and familiar as land. Two of them,
educated in Milan, exhibited their powers in Paris,
and I can vouch for the veracity of the following
statement:—The elder was named Fido, and the
younger Bianco. ‘The former was a serious, steady
dog, who walked about with much solemnity; but
Bianco was giddy and frolicsome. A word was
given to Fido from the Greek, Latin, Italian,
French, or English languages, and selected from a
book, where fifty words in each tongue were in-
scribed, which, altogether, made three hundred
combinations. He selected from the letters of the
alphabet those which composed the given word,
and laid them in order at the feet of his master,
On one occasion, the word heaven was told to him.
and he quickly placed the letters till he came to the
DOGS, 135
second e, when, after vainly searching for the letter
in his alphabet, he took it from the first syllable,
and inserted it in the second. He went through the
four first rules of arithmetic in the same way, with
extraordinary celerity, and arranged the double
cyphers in the same way as the double vowel in
heaven. Bianco, however, although so heedless,
was quicker than Fido, and when the latter made a
mistake, was called on to rectify it, but as quickly
dismissed, as he was wont to pull his companion’s
ears, to come and play with him.
One day Fido spelt the word Jupiter with a b,
but the younger savant being summoned to correct
the error, he carefully contemplated the word, and
pushing out the 4, replaced it with a p. A lady
held her repeating watch to the ear of Fido, and
made it strike eight and three quarters. Fido im-
mediately selected an 8, and then a 6, for the three-
quarters; the company present and the master in-
sisted upon his error, and he again looked among
his cyphers, but being unable to rectify it, he
coolly sat himself down in the middle and looked at
those around him. ‘The watch was again sounded,
and it was ascertained that it struck two for every
quarter, which quite exonerated Fido. Both dogs
would sit down to play ecarté, asking each other
for, or refusing cards, with the most important and
significant look, cutting at proper times, and never
mistaking one card for another. Bianco occasionally
136 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
won, and went to the cyphers to mark his points,
and when he was asked how many his adversary
had gained, he took out an 0 with his teeth. They
sometimes played at ecarté with one of the company
assembled to see them, when they evinced the same
correctness, and seemed to know all the terms of
the game. All this passed without the slightest
audible or visible sign between them and their
master.
There is a water dog at Hastings, belonging to
Page the boatman, who, on receiving a penny, 1m-
mediately takes it to a baker's shop for the purchase
of a roll, nor will he part with it till the person who
serves him has put the bread upon the counter; he
then lays it down, and walks off with his purchase
in his mouth. Another dog of this kind, also of
my acquaintance, was the family carrier; that is, she
carried books, work, etc., to any person or any
room pointed out to her; and as we rather en-
croached on her, she lost almost all her teeth
from the hard and heavy burthens with which she
was laden. We had only to say, ‘‘ Cora, take this to
so and so,†and if the good dog could not find the
person, she brought it back and stood before us.
At the same hour every afternoon, she, untold,
brought her master’s boot-jack and slippers into his
study, to be in readiness for his return.
Under the despised name of curs, Colonel Smith
classes the sharpest, the drollest, the most perti-
DOGS. 137
nacious, the most mischievous, and yet the most
useful terrier; together with several other small
dogs. Long-haired, rough-haired, long-eared, short-
eared, brush-tailed, smooth-tailed, long-legged, short-
legged, black-eyed, black-nosed; white, brown,
black, tan, sandy, mixed; every degree of pure or
mongrel blood; terriers of all kinds swarm around
us, playing all sorts of antics, evincing all kinds of
impertinences, catching all sorts of vermin, and
presenting themselves to us in every shape of beauty
or ugliness, of which their race is capable. :
The most ancient of this influential, if not
respectable tribe of dogs, indeed the most ancient
dog of Great Britain, is the Scotch Terrier, brought
to us, probably, from the north-west of Europe by
our primitive inhabitants. There are two varieties
of indigenous terriers—the one, smooth, usually
white or black in colour, with tan spots; sharp
muzzle ; bright and lively eyes; pointed or slightly
turned-down ears; and tail carried high. It is,
however, supposed that the Scottish race, with
a shorter and fuller muzzle, stouter limbs, hard,
shaggy fur, sometimes white in colour, but more
often sandy or ochry, is the oldest and most genuine
breed. One of these clever and excellent beasts,
named Peter, lived with my mother for some years,
and during the whole of that time evinced the
greatest sagacity and attachment. He constantly
understood the conversation, provided it related to
138 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
cats, rats, or himself; and often when we spoke of
him casually, without even knowing he was in the
room, or calling him by his name, he has laid his
head on our knees and wagged his tail, as much as
to say, ‘“‘ I understand.†He was a most inveterate
enemy to all rats, mice, and cats, nipping them in
the back of the neck, and throwing them over his
head at the rate of one in a minute. Before he
came into our family, he won a wager that he would
kill twelve rats in twelve minutes: the second rat
fastened on his lip, and hung there while he
despatched the other ten, and then, within the
given time, he finished that also. The inhu-
manity of such wagers did not rest with him. He
was stolen more than once, and brought back when
a reward was advertised; and, the first time, the signs
of suffering about him were very manifest. The
beard under the chin, the tufts of the ears, the
fringes of the legs, had been all cut off, and he had
been rubbed with red ochre to disguise him for sale.
He was placed with many others in a cellar, ready
for shipping, and the dog-dealer, or rather dog-
stealer, who brought him to us, said he thought he
would have died of grief in a day or two, for he
refused to eat, and seemed to be insensible either to
kindness or anger. For three weeks he hung his
head and shrunk into corners, as if he felt himself
degraded; but at last our caresses and encourage-
ment brought back his usual bold and lively
bearing.
DOGS. 139
For the last three months of my mother’s exist-
ence, Peter was almost always on her bed, night
and day; and during the final four weeks, when
death was daily expected, he was sad and dull:
which was attributed to the change in the habits of
the family. Forty-eight hours before all was over,
Peter crept into a corner under the bed, which had
always been his place of refuge when in trouble;
and we with difficulty prevailed on him to quit it,
even when his mistress wished to see and say farewell
to him. On that occasion he hung his head, and
appeared to be so miserable, that apprehensions of
malady on hig part were entertained. He returned
to his corner, and was not thought of for some
time. At length all was quiet in the room, and I
was about to leave it, when I recollected Peter. He
was with difficulty prevailed on to leave his corner,
where he lay, curled up and trembling. I lifted
him up to take a last look of his beloved mistress,
but he laid his head on my shoulder, and was so
much distressed that I carried him away imme-
diately. On the following day, he accompanied me
up stairs, and when I passed my mother’s door, he
looked up in my face as much as to say, ‘‘ Are you
going in there?†but I replied ‘‘ No!†and he never
again asked for entrance. The coffin was soldered
down, and removed from the bed-room to the
dining-room; and thus had to pass the drawing-
room where all the family were assembled. On
140 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
ordinary occcasions, Peter was furious at the sound
of strange footsteps in the house, and even barked
loudly when any one knocked or rang at the street-
door. On this occasion, however, he suffered the men |
employed to pass and repass frequently, without
making the slightest noise; but that he was cons-
cious of some unusual occurrence was evident from
his jumping into my arms, where, as the coffin was
brought down, he sat with ears erect, and eyes fixed,
and panted and trembled in the most agitated man-
ner till all was quiet. As long as the body remained
in the house, he took every opportunity of walking
round it and lying under it, and when 4t was removed
at five o’clock one morning, to begin its journey to
the family vault, he was again much agitated, but
never offered to bark. On the following day, I
and others started to attend the funeral at a consider-
able distance, and my daughters were to arrive at
eight o'clock, to pass the day in the house of their
deceased grandmother. I took leave of Peter, placed
him ona mat in the hall, and said, ‘Stay there
till the girls come.†He laid himself down; and the
servants assured me, he never moved till the parties
arrived; when he met them with subdued looks,
and closely attached himself to them as long as they
were present. I returned two hours after midnight;
and the first sound which I heard, when the carriage
stopped at the door, was a noisy demonstration of
joy from Peter. He thenceforward resumed all his
DOGS. 141
usual habits, barking on all occasions; but he never
was quite the same in disposition. He grew indiffer-
ent to every one except my brother, never played
again; and four years after was found dead in his
corner of refuge.
But it is not ina mournful light alone that we
must view the Scotch, or indeed any other terrier;
for they are the most untiring playful beings under
the sun. I picked up a poor little expiring puppy
by the edge of a pond one day, recovered him,
brought him up, and there never was a more faith-
ful or amusing beast. He proved to be a shaggy
Scotch terrier; and his heedless youth had to
undergo many corrections before he became the
perfect model of obedience which his maturity
presented. One of his misdemeanours was, to
kill the young chickens. The woman who managed
the poultry could not imagine why these little
creatures died so fast, and at first suspected that
they picked up and swallowed something which
poisoned them. She, however, opened one, and did
not find anything in it which confirmed her suspi-
cions; but the feathers were ruffled on the back of
the neck, and she was then convinced that they
were destroyed by a much larger animal than
themselves. She watched for some days; and at
length saw Mr. Bruin, my dog, creep through a
little hole in the palings of the yard, and squat
himself down very gravely, as if he had not a
142 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
thought of mischief in him; presently a little
chicken ran past him, snap went Bruin at the back
of its neck, and giving it a toss over his head as he
would a rat, the little thing was dead. Another
was served in the same way; and I was then called
to inflict the punishment I thought most proper.
I was averse to beating him at first, so I pointed to
the chicken, and scolded him so much that he
appeared to be very sorry for what he had done,
But he was then young and giddy, and the impres-
sion made was but slight. In three days he
returned to his tricks, and I was obliged to chastise
him more severely. I tied a dead chicken round
his neck, beat him, and shut him up all day in
a tool-house, where I visited him several times,
pointed to the chicken, and repeated how naughty
he was. He was so ashamed that he could
not look me in the face, and in the evening,
when I released him, he could not eat. He
recovered his gaiety in a day or two because
he was entirely forgiven; but he never again
went into the poultry-yard, and if by chance he >
saw a chicken, he would hang his head and
tail, and walk round it at such a distance, that
he evidently recollected his former conduct.
- The great friend and playmate of Bruin, was
Pincher a very accomplished, smooth terrier, a
capital dog to go with the hounds, and to kill all
sorts of obnoxious animals, If the two appeared to
DOGS. 143
be asleep, and we exclaimed“ Cat!†or “ Rat!†in one
instant they were on their legs, seeking in every
direction for their game. They hunted on their own
account sometimes, and were often seen with a red
spaniel, trotting through the fields, no doubt con-
spiring together to have a feast. Both Bruin and
Pincher were perfectly aware when Sunday came
round; and although on other days, when they saw
us equipped for a walk, they were most vociferous
in their intreaties to go also, on Sunday they hid
themselves under the sofa, and never offered to
accompany us. ‘hey knew where we went, and
generally came to meet us on our return, sometimes
venturing as far as the gate of the church-yard,
which was a mile distant, but never went within
the enclosure.
One of my brothers, who was more peculiarly
Pincher’s master, had a great fancy to be a doctor,
as he called it; and he chipped various flint stones
into fancied instruments. With these he pretended
to perform operations on Pincher, who would lie per-:
fectly passive under his hands, to have his teeth
drawn, his limbs set, his wounds bandaged, his
veins opened. The grand finale used to be an
entire cutting up, which the boy copied from the
same process practised on pigs. The dog was laid
upon a table, with his legs stuck out which he
made as stiff as possible. His head was then cut off,
and as soon as the flint was passed across his throat,
144 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
the head fell on one side, and it might have been
thought that the dog fancied it was really off, so
entirely did he let it le without motion. The
flint was then passed round his legs, each of
which fell down without further movement, as
close to the body as he could pull them. At
last, when all was ended, my. brother said, “‘ Jump
up, good dog!†and Pincher bounding off the table
shook himself to life again.
A favourite terrier was in the habit of accom-
panying his master, who was a clergyman, to
church, where he was so perfectly quiet, that few
persons knew of his presence. On one occasion, he
went to a funeral, and when the procession left the
church, accompanied his master to the side of the
grave, where he mingled with the attendants. The
parties remained for some little time looking at the
coffin after it was lowered, and the clergyman
slipped away, unobserved even by his dog. An
hour after, as he sat at. dinner with his friends, his
sexton requested to speak with him. He was ad-
mitted into the room, when he said it was impossible
to close the grave, and that he did not know what
todo. ‘ Why?†asked the gentleman. ‘“ Because
Sir, your terrier stands there, and flies so fiercely at
us whenever we attempt to throw a spade full in,
that we dare not goon.†One of the house servants
was sent to the churchyard, and there saw the dog
in a perfect fury, defending the grave; she refused
DOGS. 145
to come to his call, so by main force he removed
her, and carried her to the drawing-room. There,
the moment she saw her master, her transport of
joy equalled her former fury;†and it is supposed
that, not seeing her master go away, and missing
him, she fancied he was in the grave, and thus
strove to protect him from i injury.
The same dog and a companion, equally faithful
and sagacious, attached themselves to their master’s
horse, and whenever they could, went out with it.
He rode out on it to dinner, the two dogs with him,
who went contentedly into the stable with their
friend. He ordered his horse when it was time to
go away; but as it was a long while coming to the
door, inquiries were made about the delay, upon
which the groom appeared, and said he dared not
take the horse out of the stable, for one of the
clergyman’s dogs was on its back, and the other by
its side, flying at every person who came near the
animal. The owner comprehended the mystery,
and going to the stable himself, brought forth the
steed: the groom was a stranger, and the dogs
dared not trust him with their master’s property.
A terrier, known to Professor Owen, was taught
to play at hide and seek with his master, who sum-
moned him, by saying ‘‘ Let us have a game,â€
upon which the dog immediately hid his eyes be-
tween his paws, in the most honourable manner,
and when the gentleman had placed a sixpence, or
L
146 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS,
a piece of cake in a most improbable place, he
started up and invariably found it. His powers
were equalled by what was called a Fox-terrier,
named Fop, who would hide his eyes, and suffer
those at play with him to conceal themselves before
he looked up. If his play-fellow hid himself behind
a window curtain, Fop would, for a certain time,
carefully pass that curtain, and look behind all the
others, behind doors, etc., and when he thought he
had looked long enough, seize the concealing cur-
tain and drag it aside in triumph. The drollest
thing, however, was to see him take his turn of
hiding; he would get under a chair, and fancy that
he was not seen; of course, those at play with him
pretended not to see him, and it was most amusing
to witness his agitation as they passed. When he
was ill he had been cured by some homeeopathic
globules, and ever after, if anything were the
matter with him, he would stand near the medicine
box, and hold his mouth open.
A black and tan terrier, belonging to a a
draper in Swindon, directly the shop was opened in
the morning, was in the habit of going to the post-
office with his master; the letter bag was put into
his mouth, and he carried it home. One morning
he took it into his head to precede his master, and
go alone. The post-master, on seeing him, felt so
certain his owner was at the door, that he delivered
the bag to him, with which he ran home while his
DOGS. 147
master was seeking him. From that time it became
his regular duty to fetch the letters daily.
Sir Walter Scott tells us of the remarkable com-
prehension of human language evinced by his Bull-
dog terrier, called Camp. He understood so many
words, that Sir Walter felt convinced an intercourse
with dumb animals might be enlarged. Camp once.
bit the baker, for which Sir Walter beat him, and,
at the same time, explained the enormity of the
offence; after which, to the last moment of his life,
he never heard the least allusion to the story, in
whatever voice or tone it might be mentioned,
without getting up and retiring into the darkest
corner of the room, with great appearance of dis-
tress. Then, if it were said that the baker had been
well paid, or that the baker was not hurt after all,
Camp came forward, capered, barked, and rejoiced.
When he was unable, towards the end of his life,
to attend his master in his rides, he watched for his
return, and the servant used to tell him Sir Walter
was coming down the hill, or through the moor.
Camp never mistook him, although he did not use
any gesture, but either went out at the front to
ascend the hills, or at the back to get at the moor
side.
These anecdotes, taken from many others con-
cerning Terriers, cannot be better ended than by
some concerning a Russian terrier. As I once was
acquainted with an inimitable monkey, named Jack,
148 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
so do 1 now know an inimitable dog of that name.
He is small, white, with some quaintly placed dark
brown spots on the body and head; his eyes are of
the most brilliant black, he is slightly and genteelly
made, and he has a quantity of curling hair on his
back only, which gives him a peculiar appearance.
He formerly resided in Ireland with the mother of
his present possessor, to whom he evinced that de-
voted attachment which ought to be named canine,
for there is nothing equal to it in any other animal.
This lady was ill for some years before her death,
and could only take exercise in an invalid chair.
When she was ready to go out, she would say, ‘‘ Now,
Jack, I am ready for the chair,†upon which he im-
mediately scampered off to the stables, placed him-
self in the vehicle, and was dragged to the door.
Then he got out till his mistress was placed comfort-
ably in it, when he seated himself at her feet. If they
went through the garden, the carriage was stopped
at Jack’s favourite beds of flowers, for he had a re-
markable fancy, like a cat, to enjoy their perfume;
miguonette being always a source of delight. On
one occasion, in Dublin, he was lost; sought for,
and met in the arms of a policeman, who was carry-
ing him home. The man said he had actually de-
livered himself up at the station, for he came into
the room where several men were seated, looked at
one of them, as he stood at his feet, and quietly
suffered his collar to be inspected and himself taken}
up and carried,
DOGS. 149
He entered the drawing-room where his two
mistresses were sitting, and made signs for one of
them to go to the door. She did not heed his
request; upon which he pulled her gown with his
teeth, and she, thinking he must have some extra-
ordinary reason for it, then followed him; the
instant she opened the door wide, he squatted him-
self in the middle of the mat placed there, thumping
the floor with his tail; before him lay six dead rats,
which he had killed and brought to be seen, they
being laid out, rat fashion, in due form, and he
displaying his prowess with great pleasure. Jack
went to Torquay with his young mistress, where he
was one day lying in the balcony, enjoying the sea
breezes. An Italian came past with his organ, and
a monkey; he stopped before Jack, and suffered his
monkey to climb the pillars which supported the
balcony and enter. Jack never tamely suffered the
intrusion of strangers; but such a stranger as this
was beyond all patience; he seized him, shook him;
the poor monkey squealed, the Italian bawled out
for his companion, and Jack’s mistress rushed to the
window and rescued the unfortunate creature, just
time enough to save him from Jack’s final gripe.
Some days after this, Jack was walking out with his
mistress’s brother, who was a great invalid, when
the sound of an organ saluted his ears. In one
moment he came up with it, seized the accompany-
ing monkey between his teeth, and dashed past his
150 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
astonished master, with the hind legs of the creature
hanging out on one side, and the feathered hat on
the other. In vain did the gentleman call; Jack
either did not hear or did not heed ; he took his
way to the stable where his master’s horse was kept,
and would have immolated the monkey, had not
the grooms there saved him from death. The
invalid and the owner of the monkey arrived at the
same moment, each delighted at the safety of the
poor victim. Jack, to this day, cannot endure an
organ or a monkey.
The Pariah dogs of India, when wild, occupy
the woods in numerous packs; they have long
backs, pointed ears, sharp noses, and. fringed tails.
Their fondness for human beings is very remark-
able; and they will attach themselves to a stranger,
and not suffer any ill-usage to keep them at a
distance. One was known to follow a gentleman
travelling in a palanquin till he dropped from
fatigue. There is a minute variety, white, with
long silky hair, like a lap dog, and this is trained
to carry flambeaux and lanterns. Bishop Heber
gives an account of a poor Pariah dog, who followed
him during a part of his journey through India.
He ordered the cook to give him some scraps, and
the animal strongly attached himself to the bishop.
When the party were obliged to cross a rapid river,
at rather a dangerous ford, the dog was so frightened
at the black roaring water, that he sat down by the
DOGS. 15L
side and howled piteously, as the bishop went over.
He, however, assumed courage to follow; but was
again distressed when one of the Sepoys was missing ;
he ran back to the spot, and howled, returned to the
bishop, then back to summon the defaulter, and
continued this till the man had rejoined his party.
The bishop relates a story of one of these dogs
who, being in search of water, thrust his head into an
earthen jar, and could not get it out again; he
rushed about in all directions, bellowing and howling
in the most fearful manner. The guard sprang to
their feet, and stood prepared to encounter an enemy,
whose approach they thought was announced by
the blast of a war-horn. Halters were broken, and
horses and mules pranced over the tent ropes; and it.
was some minutes before the cause of this confusion
was ascertained.
A massive form, arched skull, deep lower jaw,
strong legs and neck, semi-hanging ears, truncated
tail, and frequent presence of a fifth toe, distinguish
the noble Mastiff. They are silent, phlegmatic
dogs, conscious of their own strength, seem to
consider themselves more as companions than ser-
vants, are resolute, and face danger with the utmost
self-possession. A cold region, such as the highest
ranges of Central Asia, is best adapted to their
perfect development, and yet their only wild type
*s met with in Africa. They are old denizens of
Great Britain, and are said to have been brought
152 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
here before the Romans conquered the country. They
are not supposed to have come originally from Africa,
but from Thibet, through the north of Europe.
They have been known to conquer lions; and
yet, while they possess the most indomitable
strength and courage, they are the gentlest of
animals, suffering children to sit upon them, pull
them roughly, and small dogs to snap and snarl at
them. Confinement alone disturbs their temper.
They are excellent guardians, and such is their
deliberate coolness, that they have been known to
walk quietly by the side of a thief without doing
him an injury, merely preventing his escape. They
will, however, suffer the rogue to go away, if he
has not already purloined anything.
It is well known that dogs love to be in a crowd
of people, and this is frequently the temptation for
them to enter churches. A number of dogs, in
a village of Bohemia, had followed this practice,
including an English mastiff, belonging to a no-
bleman who lived there. A magistrate who pre-
sided at a Court, observed upon it, and said,
in an authoritative voice, ‘‘ No dogs shall be
allowed to go to church, let me not see one
there in future.†The mastiff was present, and
seemed to listen with attention, not without effect,
for on the ensuing Sunday, he, rising early, ran
barking at the village dogs, took his station near
the door of the church, killed the only dog that
DOGS. 153
ventured in, notwithstanding the prohibition; and
always posted himself as a sentinel on duty, before
the church, but without ever afterwards entering it.
An English gentleman, some time ago, went to
some public gardens, at St. Germain, with a large
mastiff, who was refused admittance, and the gen-
tleman left him in the care of the body-guards, who
were placed there. The Englishman, some time
after he had entered, returned to the gate, and
informed the guards that he had lost his watch,
telling the sergeant, that if he would permit him
to take in the dog, he would soon discover the
thief. His request being granted, the gentleman
made signs to the dog of what he had lost, who
immediately ran about among the company, and
traversed the gardens, till at last he laid hold of a
man. ‘The gentleman insisted that this person had
his watch; and, on being searched, not only his
watch, but six others, were discovered in his
pockets. What is more remarkable, the dog took
his master’s watch from the other six, and carried it
to him. This is rather an old story, but it is an
excellent example of the sagacity of the mastiff.
The following anecdote has been sent to me
while writing the above, by the gentleman who
witnessed the occurrence, and, as Glaucus was half
a mastiff, I insert it in this place:—
“ An Irish gentleman, possessed a couple of im-
mense dogs, male and female, half Newfoundland,
154 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
half mastiff, which were celebrated for their sagacity,
courage, and high-training. They were, in the
most comprehensive sense, amphibious, and their
home being near the sea, they spent many hours
daily in the water.
- “One day a young gentleman, related to the
owner of these dogs, and to whom the male, who
was called Glaucus, had attached himself with the
ardent affection so characteristic of his species, was
walking on the shore with him. It was nearly low
water, and a sand-bank, covered during high tide,
was visible at some hundred yards distance from
the shore. His attention was drawn to this object,
from the circumstance of the water being in a state
of commotion around it, while the sea elsewhere
was perfectly placid. On further examination, he
discovered that some large fish was chasing a shoal
of whiting, and in his eagerness to capture his Preys
he more than once ran on the sand-bank.
“‘ Directing the dog’s attention to these objects,
he was encouraged to swim to the sand-bank,
which he soon attained, and he had not been there
a minute, before the large fish made another dash
almost under his nose. The dog immediately pursued
the fish; and ere it had seethed the deep water
he pained it by the shoulders, and bore it to the
sand-bank. ‘The fish, however, remained far from
passive under such treatment, for as soon as it was
released, it opened its large jaws, and bit the dog so
DOGS. 155
fiercely as to cause his muzzle to be crimsoned with
blood.
“ A few struggles brought the fish again into his
own element, in which he quickly disappeared.
But the dog, though severely bitten, was not dis-
comfited. A cheering call from his young friend,
was followed by his dashing into the water after his
finny foe, and diving, he reappeared with the fish
trailing from his jaws. Again he bore him to the
sand-bank, and again the fish made good use of his
teeth.
- « But it was evident that the struggle could not
be much longer continued. Availing himself
of every opportunity, the dog used his powerful
tusks with terrible effect on the fish’s shoulders, and
at last, taking a good gripe of his prey, he set off
for the shore. When about half-way, the fish
managed to break loose, but Glaucus was too quick
for him, and once more seizing him, he landed his
prize with all the apparent triumph evinced by a
veteran angler, who secures a monster salmon after a
lengthy battle. The fish turned out to be a hake;
it weighed seventeen pounds, and when opened was
found completely filled with whitings.â€
The Bull-dog, with his truncated nose, his broad
mouth, red eyelids, large head, forehead sinking
between the eyes, nose rising, under-jaw projecting,
often showing the teeth, and thick make, has not
those outward characters which compose beauty.
156 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
Their heads have always black about them; but the
rest is brindled, buff, ochry, or white. They are said
to be less sagacious than other dogs, and less capable
of attachment; but their great strength, their courage,
and extreme pertinacity in keeping hold when they
have once taken a gripe, makes them most valuable
for completing the packs of hounds trained to hunt
boars, wolves, and still larger animals. When
excited they are terrific in appearance, and were
formerly used for bull-baiting in this country. Jn
Spain and Corsica, where this practice is still con-
tinued, they may be seen in all their strength and
power. I have been told they are gentle wher not
engayed in their cruel sport.
The Pug has been by some considered as a variety.
of the bull-dog, and others reject this opinion. His
round head, grotesquely abbreviated muzzle, and
small, tightly curled tail, they think, entitling him
to a place of his own among dogs. Authorities
state that he is a cross, ill-tempered little dog, but
my own experience contradicts this. The .two
with whom I have come in frequent contact, have
been remarkably playful and good-natured. One
was the pet of a lady; and his bringing up ought to
have made him gentlemanly; but he had several
low tricks in the eating way; such as stealing from
the scullery, which used to provoke his mistress.
His place for hiding the purloined dainties was
under the pillow of her bed, and frequently at her
DOGS. 157
nightly examination of the spot, she found, not
only bones, but dead mice.
Pug number two, was a very clever fellow, who
used to walk out by himself every day, and when
he wished to re-enter the house, he always rang
the door bell; either by shaking the wire with his
paw, or taking it between his teeth. He was clever
in fetching what was wanted from distant parts of
the house, but was very much afraid of being by
himself in the dark. He had formed a great friend-
ship with a kitten, and the two used to bask
together before the fire. If Pug were told to fetch
some article from the bed-room, after the house was
closed for the night, he insisted on having puss’s
companionship. If she were unwilling to move, he
dragged her along with his mouth, and frequently
mounted several stairs with her, before she gave
‘consent to the proceeding.
Multitudes of anecdotes exist, which have been
handed down to us, as relating to dogs, without
any information of the species of the principal actors,
as in the following instances.
The fire dog, only just dead, was to be seen at
almost every conflagration in London, either
mounted on the engine, or tearing along by its side,
seeming to think his presence necessary on all such
occasions. He was well known at all the engine
stations, though he did not belong to, or derive his
support from any individual. There is now a dog,
158 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
at the Temple, which belongs to the inn, and not
to any one person; he is a mongrel, is fed where-
ever he chooses to ask, and is to be seen everywhere
within the precincts of the place. Dogs have
frequently been known to attach themselves to
regiments, in the same manner. One named
Bataillon, belonged to the first regiment of Royal
Guards in France. Being always stationed at the
guard-house, he remained there. The frequent
change of masters was of no importance to him;
he did not even go to the barracks; and considered
himself as the property of twelve soldiers, two
corporals, a serjeant, and a drummer, whoever they
might happen to be; but if the regiment changed
garrison, he installed himself at the new guard-
house. He never took any notice of those who
did not wear the same uniform.
The histories of the smuggling dogs on the fron-
tiers of France, are well known, but these smugglers
are now almost all destroyed. The extent to which
this illicit commerce was carried, was enormous.
Dogs notions of property, however, are often very
scrupulous; a lady at Bath found her way impeded
as she walked by a dog, who had discovered the
loss of her veil, though she had not; the animal
had left his own master to seek it for her; he found
it, and then returned to his owner. They often
shew a presentiment of danger, and gave notice of
the earthquake at Gabaluasco in 1835, by leaving
DOGS. 159
the town, also at Concepcion, in the same
manner.
Some dogs have a great antipathy to music,
others only to certain tones, and I have known a
dog who always set up a howl at particular passages.
There was one who, before the great revolution in
France, used to march with the band at the
Thuileries because he liked it, and at night
frequented the opera and other theatres.
The most surprising histories told of dogs are
concerning their speech. Liebnitz reported to the
French Academy of Sciences, that a dog had
been taught to modulate his voice, so that he could
distinctly ask for coffee, tea, and chocolate. After
this we may believe that a dog was learning to
say Elizabeth. I have often watched for such
sounds, from energetic, clever dogs, who have
evidently tried vivd voce to make me acquainted
with some circumstance, but never heard any-
thing intelligible, and I cannot imagine that the
organs of speech are bestowed upon a favoured
few; without which the articulation of words
must be impossible. ,
Volumes might be filled with these anecdotes
of dogs, but I will here conclude my list with
the picture given by Mr. St. John of his pets,
pourtraying a happiness which contrasts strongly
with the miserable condition of many illused
animals, belonging to hard-hearted masters, who
160 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
perform valuable services, and are yet kicked,
spurned, or half-starved.
“ Opposite the window of the room I am in at
present,†says this gentleman, “ are a monkey and
five dogs basking in the sun, a bloodhound, a Skye
terrier, a setter, a Russian poodle, and a young
Newfoundland, who is being educated as a retriever.
They all live in great friendship with the monkey,
who is now in the most absurd manner searching
the poodle’s coat for fleas, lifting up curl by curl,
and examining the roots of the hair. Occasionally,
if she thinks that she has pulled the hair, or lifted
one of his legs rather too roughly, she looks the
dog in the face with an inquiring expression to see
ifhe be angry. The dog, however, seems rather to
enjoy the operation, and, showing no symptoms of
displeasure, the monkey continues her search ; and
when she sees a flea, catches it in the most active
manner, looks at it for a moment, and then eats it
with great relish. Having exhausted the game on
the poodle, she jumps on the back of the blood-
hound, and having looked into her face to see how
she will bear it, begins a new search, but, finding
nothing, goes off for a game at romps with the
Newfoundland dog. While the bloodhound, hear-
ing the voice of one of the children, to whom she
has taken a particular fancy, walks off to the
nursery. The setter lies dozing and dreaming of
grouse; while the \ittle terrier sits with ears pricked
DOGS. 161
up, listening to any sounds of dog or man that she
may hear; occasionally she trots off on three legs to
look at the back door of the house, for fear any rat-
‘hunt, or fun of that sort may take place without
her being invited. Why do Highland terriers so
often run on three legs, particularly when bent on
any mischief? Is it to keep one in reserve in case
of emergencies? I never had a Highland terrier
who did not hop along constantly on three legs,
keeping one of the hind legs up as if to give it rest.â€
A proor' of the sudden attachments which dogs
will form, is given by Mr. Murray, to whom the
_ dog of his guide took a fancy. Mr. Murray passed
the night in the house of his master, fed him, and
theanimal sat looking up in his face. The next morn-
ing the party started on foot to cross the Pyrenees,
and when the guide had fulfilled his agreement and
received his reward, he took his leave; the dog,
however, followed Mr. Murray, and no threats or
entreaties could prevail on him to turn back. He
proceeded to an inn with his new friend, and Mr.
Murray was making a bargain with the innkeeper
to send the dog to his owner, when a boy came
from the man, to claim the beast. He followed the
boy two or three times for a few yards, and in-
variably returned. A strong cord was then tied
round his neck, and the boy was told to lead him
with that; but at a little distance, finding that he
could not get rid of the cord, the dog leaped upon
M
162 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
the boy, threw him down, dragged the cord out of
his hand, and returned to Mr. Murray. After this
it seemed inevitable that they should travel together.
Mr. Murray sent for the master, bought the dog, and
eventually took him to Scotland, having a place se-
cured for him always in the diligence; and from the
moment he arrived, he became the pet of the family.
Another instance of the same feeling in dogs,
occurred to a sporting traveller in Norway (Mr.
Lloyd, if I mistake not) to whom the dog of a
peasant took the same sudden liking.
WOLVES.
STRONG, gaunt, ferocious, cunning, cowardly, and
sinister-looking, Wolves (Canis Lupus) still inhabit
the forest and mountainous districts of Europe,
Asia, and America; a few being occasionally met
with in plains. Happily they have been extirpated
from Great Britain and Ireland, but in many
parts of populous countries on the European Conti-
nent, an unusually severe winter brings them to
the habitations of man.
Their resemblance to dogs, internally and exter-
nally, has led to the supposition, that they were the
original parents of the latter; but I have elsewhere
alluded to this unsettled question.
The muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders of
wolves, are extremely powerful, and the snap with
WOLVES. 163
which they bite is never to be mistaken, being ap~
parently peculiar to them. They drink by suction,
and it is said, that if the offspring which they: have
by a dog, should lap, they take a dislike to it. The
cry which they make is not a regular bark, but a
hoarse, ugly noise, and the howl which they delight
in setting up at night, is one of the most melancholy
sounds possible. They vary much in colour, being
white, black, grey, brown, etc. Their digitigrade
walk, sharp muzzle, oblique eyes, and hanging tail,
in their wild state, are less conspicuous in domesti-
cation, and they then gradually assimilate them-
selves in appearance to our hounds.
Innumerable are the true histories which have
been transmitted to us concerning wolves. Their
nightly prowling, their quiet, untiring perseverance
in pursuit, their skulking disposition, their artful
stratagems, all impart a mystery to them which has
been heightened by fear, and the natural proneness
of man to magnify tales of horror.
Wolves are too suspicious to be often taken in
traps; and when pursued they run with their noses
almost touching the ground, their eyes glowing
like fire, the hair of their head and neck bristled up,
their tail drawn close to their legs. Their usual
height at the shoulders is about two feet and a half;
their young are born in caverns or gloomy recesses,
and the female wolf is furious in their defence.
They often fight with each other; and it is said, if'a
164 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
wounded wolf come among his fellows, he is imme-
diately torn in pieces and devoured.
Mr. Lloyd, in his “ Field Sports in the North of
Europe,†tells us of a peasant who, in the neigh-
bourhood of St. Petersburgh, met with the following
narrow escape:—‘‘ He was pursued by eleven of
these ferocious animals, while he was in his sledge.
At this time he was only about two miles from
home, towards which he urged his horse at the
very top of his speed. At the entrance of his
residence was a gate, which happened to be closed
at the time; but the horse dashed this open, and
thus his master and himself found refuge in the
court-yard. They were followed, however, by nine
out of the eleven wolves; but very fortunately, at
the very instant these had entered the enclosure,
the gate swung back on its hinges, and thus they
were caught as in a trap. From being the most
ferocious of animals, now that they found escape
impossible, they completely changed, and so far
from offering molestation to any one, they slunk
into holes and corners, and allowed themselves to
be slaughtered, almost without making resistance.â€
A more tragic occurrence happened to an unfor-
tunate woman, also in Russia, and is related by the
same gentleman:—‘‘ A woman, accompanied by
three of her children, was one day in a sledge, when
they were pursued by a number of wolves. She
put the horse into a gallop, and drove towards
WOLVES. _ 165
her home with the utmost speed. She was not
far from it; but the ferocious animals gained upon
her, and were on the point of rushing on to
the sledge. For the preservation of her own
life, and that of the remaining children, the poor,
frantic creature cast one of them to her blood-
thirsty pursuers. This stopped their career for a
moment; but, after devouring the poor child, they
renewed the pursuit, and a second time came up
with the vehicle. The mother, driven to despera-
tion, resorted to the same horrible expedient, and
threw another of her offspring to her ferocious
assailants. The third child was also sacrificed in
the same way, and soon after, the wretched being
reached her home in safety. Here she related what
had happened, and endeavoured to palliate her own
conduct, by describing the dreadful alternative to
which she had been reduced. A peasant, however,
who was among the bystanders, and heard the
recital, took up an axe, and with one blow cleft
her skull in two, saying, at the same time, ‘ that a
mother who could thus sacrifice her children for the
preservation of her own life, was no longer fit to
live.’ The man was committed to prison, but the
Emperor subsequently granted him a pardon.â€
The tame wolf at the Jardin des Plantes, is
described by M. Frederic Cuvier, in the following
manner :—‘“‘ T’his animal was brought up as a young
dog, became familiar with every person whom he
166 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
was in the habit of seeing, and in particular fol-
lowed his master everywhere, evincing chagrin at
his absence, obeying his voice, and showing a
degree of submission, scarcely differing in any
respect from that of the most thoroughly domesti-
cated dog. His master being obliged to be absent
for a time, presented his pet to the Jardin des
Plantes, where the animal, confined in a den, con-
tinued disconsolate, and would scarcely take his
food. At length, however, his health returned; he
became attached to his keepers, and appeared to
have forgotten all his former affection; when, after
eighteen months, his master returned. At the first
word he uttered, the wolf, who had not perceived
him among the crowd, recognised him, exhibited
the most lively joy, and, being set at liberty, lavished
on his old friend the most affectionate caresses.
A second separation and return was followed by
similar demonstrations of sorrow, which, however,
again yielded to time. Three years had passed, and
the wolf was living happily in company with a dog,
when his master again returned, and the still remem-
bered voice was instantly replied to by the most
impatient cries, which were redoubled as soon as the
poor fellow was at liberty, when, rushing to his
master, he threw his fore-feet on his shoulders,
licking his face with every mark of the most lively
joy, and menacing his keepers, who offered to remove
him, and towards whom, not a moment before, he
WOLVES. 167
had been showing every mark of fondness. A third
separation, however, seemed to be too much for
this faithful animal’s temper; he became gloomy,
desponding, refused his food, and for a long time
his life appeared to be in danger. His health,
however, returned; but he no longer suffered the
caresses of any but his keepers, and towards strangers
manifested the original savageness of his species.â€
There was another wolf at the same Menagerie,
who was very docile and affectionate, distinguishing
those whom he knew from strangers, and seeking
their caresses. We were very good friends, and I
often played with him, so that he knew my voice.
After an absence of two years, to my great surprise,
he recognised it, dashed to the bars of the den,
thrust his paws out to greet me, and gave every
sign of delight. It is probable, that this circum-
stance, combined with another, may have given
rise to the history related by Captain Brown, in his
‘‘ Popular Natural History,†of which I now beg to
give a correct version:—‘‘ Mme. Ducrest [then
Mile. Duvaucel] and I were going out at Baron
Cuvier’s front door, when a man, holding something
tied up in a handkerchief, asked if we belonged to
the house. On replying in the affirmative, he
offered his bundle; she shrank from it, as the same
thing had occurred to me a few days before, and
I received the dried and tatooed head of a New
Zealander; but he opened the handkerchief, and
168 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
displayed a beautiful little wolf puppy, covered with
silky black hair. She joyfully received it; we
carried it to the keepers of the Menagerie, and
orders were given that it might be fed on soup and
cooked meat. The wolf continued to be very
handsome, very playful, and very tame for about a
year, when she became a mother, and from that
time was savage and unsociable to human beings,
never recovering her former amiable disposition.
She was from the Pyrenees.
The following story is told by a gentleman who
was sporting in Hungary at the time the cireum-
stance occurred:—‘* About dusk, just as the last
sledge had arrived within a quarter of a mile of a
village on the way homeward, and had cleared the
corner of a wood which had bounded the road at a
few yards distance for a considerable length; the
owner, who was seated behind, with his back to the
horses, espied a wolf rush out of the angle of the
wood, and give chase to the sledge at the top of his
speed. The man shouted to the boy who was
driving, ‘ Farkas! farkas/’ (a wolf! a wolf l). Itze
het! itze het! (drive on),’ and the lad, looking
round in terror, beheld the animal just clearing the
gripe which ran along the road they had passed.
Quick as lightning, with shout and whip, and with
all his might, he urged the horses to gain the village.
Away they flew at their fullest stretch, as if sensible
of the danger behind them, conveyed to them by
WOLVES. 169
the exclamation of the lad, and the dreaded name
of the animal which he shouted in their ears. The
man turned his seat and urged the boy still more
energetically to lash the horses to their very utmost
speed. He did not need any further incentive, but
pushed on the nags with frantic exertion. The
sledge flew over the slippery road with fearful
speed; but the wolf urged yet more his utmost pace,
and gained fast upon it. The village was distant
about two hundred yards below the brow of the
hill; nothing but the wildest pace could save them,
and the man felt that the wolf would inevitably
spring upon them before they could get to the
bottom. Both shouted wildly as they pursued their
impetuous career, the sledge swerving frightfully
from one side of the road to the other, and threat-
ening every moment to turn over. The man then
drew his thick bunda (sheep-skin) over his head;
* he looked behind and saw the fierce, panting beast
within a few yards of him; he thought he felt his
hot breath in his face; he ensconced his head again
in his bunda, and, in another moment, the wolf
sprang upon his back, and gripped into the thick
sheep skin that covered his neck. With admirable
presence of mind the bold-hearted peasant now
threw up both his hands, and grasping the wolf's
head and neck with all his strength, hugged him
with an iron clutch to his shoulders. Tize het,’
now shouted the cool fellow, and holding his enemy
170 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
in a death grip, they swept into the village, dragging
the fierce brute after them, in spite of his frantic
efforts to disengage himself. The shouts of the
boy and man, with the mad speed and noise of the
horses, brought the villagers out to see what was
the matter. ‘ Farkas! farkas!’ shouted both, and
the peasants immediately seeing their perilous posi-
tion, gave chase with their axes, calling out to the
man to hold on bravely. At length the boy sue-
ceeded in slackening the speed of the animals, the
sledge stopped, and the peasants, rushing on, dis-
patched the ferocious creature upon the man’s back,
whose arms were so stiffened with the immense
muscular exertion he had go long maintained, that
he could hardly loose them from the neck of the
dead wolf.â€
An unfortunate clergyman, in the neighbourhood
of Eauxbonnes in the Basses Pyrenees, was not as
fortunate as the Slovack peasant; for, as he was re-
turning from visiting the sick in J anuary, 1830, he
was beset by hungry wolves, and torn to pieces by
them; the fragments which they left, and the blood
upon the snow, alone telling his fate.
The North American wolves are not as gaunt as
those of Europe, having shorter legs, thicker fur,
shorter muzzle, broader heads, more bushy tail, and
being altogether more compact. Their habits,
however, are much the same. A farmer in New
Hampshire was one night awakened by a noise in
WOLVES. ? 171
his hog-pen; on looking out he saw, what he sup-
posed to be a fox, on the low, sloping roof of the
sty. He went out, but found that the animal was
a grey wolf, which, instead of making off, fiercely
attacked him, rushing down the roof towards him;
and before the man had time to move back, the
wolf had bitten his arm three times, with his quick
and repeated snaps, lacerating it from the elbow to
the wrist; then, however, he leaped from the roof
to the ground, and by so doing lost his advantage;
for the man succeeded in seizing him on each side
of the neck with his hands, and held him firmly in
that position till his wife, whom he called out,
came up with a large butcher's knife, and cut the
beast’s throat. It was three months before the
man’s arm was healed; every incision, it was said,
piercing to the bone.*
A white wolf always attends the bull, called
buffalo, of Western America; besides which the
same country affords other varieties. Among them
are the Coyotes, or Medicine Wolves, of the Indians,
who show them great reverence. They are small,
sagacious, and cunning; assemble in packs, and
hunt in troops of from three to thirty, along the runs
of deer and antelopes, and run down their quarry.
When game has been killed by hunters, they sit
patiently at a short distance, while larger wolves
prowl around, pouncing on the pieces thrown to
* Gosse’s Canadian Naturalist.
172 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
them by the men, and which the small ones drop
instantly. They keep watch round a camp at night,
and gnaw the skin ropes of horses and cattle.
When the Coyotes, or small white wolves, of
Mexico, lose all hope of escape, they curl them-
selves up and await death. If impelled by hunger,
one snatches a piece from the hunter, while he cuts
up his game, the whole herd rush upon it, fight,
growl, and tear each other for it. Mr. Ryan, from
whose lively descriptions these notices are taken,
was for days followed by a large grey wolf, and
every evening when he encamped, the wolf squatted
himself down, and helped himself whenever he
could. Something, however, was generally left for
him; and he became so tame, that he stopped when
the party stopped, and when anything was killed,
walked round and round, licking his jaws in ex-
pectation of his share. No one ever molested him,
and, therefore, he continued quite harmless. This
sort of proceeding will sometimes take place with a
whole pack.
Mr. Ruxton one day killed an old buck, and left
it on the ground, where six small wolves were in
attendance. Ten minutes after he left his game,
the six wolves came up with him, one of which had
his nose and face besmeared with blood, and he
seemed to be almost bursting. Thinking it impos-
sible they should have devoured the buck in so
short a time, he had the curiosity to return and see
WOLVES. 173
what impression they had made upon it, and why
they had left it. To his astonishment, he found
only the bones and some of the hair remaining, the
flesh having been taken off as if it had been scraped
with a knife. They flourish their tails, snarl, bite,
squeak, and swallow the whole time of their meal ;
and if kindly treated, will come and warm them-
selves by the fires of the hunters when they are asleep,
and sit nodding their own heads with drowsiness.
The Esquimaux dogs, though very bold when
attacking bears, are so much afraid of wolves, that
they scarcely make any resistance when set upon
by them. Sir John Richardson tells us, that a
wolf, wounded by a musket-ball, returned after
dusk, and carried off a dog from among fifty others,
who howled piteously, but did not dare to try and
rescue their companion.
Several wolves will combine, and, forming a
semicircle, creep slowly towards a herd of deer, if
there be a precipice near, and hemming them in
gradually, so as not to alarm them suddenly, drive
them to the edge of the precipice ; then they all at
once set up the most terrific yells, and taking flight,
the poor deer leap over the precipice, where the
wolves follow them at their leisure by a safer path,
to feed on their mangled carcases,
On one occasion, a troop of nine white wolves
endeavoured to practise the same trick upon Sir
John Richardson, evidently intending to drive him
174 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
into the river. However, when he rose up they
halted, and on his advancing, made way for him to
go to the tents.
The lovers of tragic histories will find many of
the most fearful kind among the legends of all
countries where wolves abound; all probably founded
on fact, but mostly interwoven with romance. There
cannot be anything much more shocking than that
of the solitary traveller, galloping into a village
pursued by these beasts, and knocking at the doors,
earnestly intreating for refuge. The inhabitants
were mostly buried in sleep; some few heard and
did not move, others had a dim, confused notion
of what was passing, and also remained in their
beds; while others again did not hear anything.
The next morning the sad event was told by
finding the traveller’s cloak and a few bones.
FOXES.
STEALING along in the dark of evening, the cun-
ning and rapacious Fox (Canis Vulpes) leaves his
hole in the earth, and roams in search of his prey.
The poultry-yards, rabbit-warrens, and the haunts
of game, tell of his skilful depredations; but he is
not at all difficult in his appetite. To be sure,
when he can get ripe grapes, he has a feast. If
young turkeys and hares are not to be had, he puts
FOXES. 175
up with a young fawn, a wild duck, or even
weasels, mice, frogs, or insects. He will also walk
down to the sea-shore, and sup upon the remains
of fishes, or arrest the crabs and make them alter
their sidelong course so as to crawl down his throat.
Reynard also has an eye to the future; for he never
lets anything escape which comes within his sharp
bite, and as there must be a limit to the quantity
which any animal can contain, when he cannot pos-
sibly eat any more, he, in various spots, well marked
by himself, buries the remainder for the morrow’s
meal. With only his toes touching the earth, he
prowls about with noiseless steps; his nose and ears
alive to the faintest sound or odour; his cat-like
eyes, with linear pupil, gleaming like coals of fire,
and he suddenly springs upon his victims before
they are aware of his vicinity. His bushy tail is
the envied trophy of the huntsman, who calls it a
brush. His colours are white, black, red, yellow,
bluish, or variegated; and in cold climates he always
turns white in winter. The father takes no care of
his children; but the mother performs her duty with
the most exemplary devotion for four months.
The fox is generally a sclitary, suspicious animal;
even when’as much tamed as he can be, he seems
to think he is going to be deceived and ill-treated :
perhaps he judges of others by himself. He lives
very often in a burrow, called an earth, belong-
ing to somebody else, for he has very lax morals
176 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
concerning property, and a great idea that right is
established by possession. If he should be caught
and put in confinement, he is very ferocious, or dies
of ennui; but he is much too coy and clever to be
easily entrapped. His cry is a sort of yelp, which,
however, he is much too cautious to utter when he
is earning his living.
Occasionally the fox has been caught in a trap,
and there is the history of one who escaped and left
one Of his fore feet behind him. After a lapse of
time, his trail was to be seen in various places, and
was, of course, easily recognized. This continued
for two years, when he was chased by Mr. St. John
and easily killed. Another who was unearthed by
the dogs, instead of running after the usual fashion
of these beasts, turned suddenly upon each dog that
came up and jumped over him. This could not
last long, although it puzzled the dogs very much;
he was taken, and then only was the reason for his
mancuvre discovered by finding that he had only
three feet.
Mr. St. John relates the following history of the
cunning of a fox:—* Just after it was daylight, I
saw a large fox come very quietly along the edge
of the plantation; he looked with great care over
the tuff wall into the field, and seemed to long very
much to get hold of some of the hares that were
feeding in it, but apparently knew that he had no
chance of catching one by dint of running. After
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FOXES. 177
considering a short time, he seemed to have formed
his plans, examined the different gaps in the wall,
fixed upon one which appeared to be most fre-
quented, and laid himself down close to it, in an
attitude like that of a cat at a mouse hole.
In the meantime I watched all his plans; he
then with great care and silence scraped a small
hollow in the ground, throwing up the sand as a
kind of screen; every now and then, however, he
stopped to listen, and sometimes to take a most
cautious peep into the field. When he had done
this he laid himself down in a convenient posture
for springing on his prey, and remained perfectly
motionless, with the exception of an occasional re-
connoitre of the feeding hares. When the sun
began to rise, they came, one by one, from the field
to the plantation; three had already come without
passing by his ambush, one within twenty yards of
him, but he made no movement beyond crouching
still more flatly to the ground. Presently two came
directly towards him, and thou gh he did not venture
to look up, I saw, by an involuntary motion of his
ears, that those quick organs had already warned
him of their approach. The two hares came through
the gap together, and the fox, springing with the
quickness of lightning, caught one and killed her
immediately; he then lifted up his booty, and was
carrying it off, when my rifle-ball stopped his
course,†,
N
178 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
In Captain Brown's “ Popular Natural History,â€
I find the following :—‘ In the autumn of the year
1819, at a fox-chase in Galloway, a very strong fox
was hard run by the hounds. Finding himself in
great danger of being taken, Reynard made for a
high wall at a short distance, and springing over
it, crept close under the other side: the hounds
followed, but no sooner had they leaped the wall,
than he sprang back again over it, and by this
cunning device gave them the slip, and got safe
away from his pursuers.â€
An American gentleman of Pittsfield, accompa-
nied by two blood-hounds, found a fox, and pursued
him for nearly two hours, when suddenly the dogs
appeared at fault. Their master came up with them
near a large log of wood lying on the ground, and
felt much surprise at their making a circuit of a few
roods without any object in view, every trace of
the fox seeming to have been lost, while the dogs
still kept yelping. On looking about him the
gentleman saw the fox. stretched upon the log,
apparently lifeless. He made several unsuccessful
efforts to direct the attention of the dogs towards
the place, and at length he approached so near as
to see the animal breathe. Even then Reynard
- did not show any alarm; but his pursuer aimed
a blow at him with the branch of a tree, upon
which he leaped from his lurking-place, and was
taken.
FOXES. 179
One of the drollest incidents in fox-hunting was
that at Newry, in Ireland, when, being pnrsued very
hotly, the fox leaped on to the top of a turf-stack,
where he laid himself down quite flat. At last, one
of the hounds perceived him, and he was obliged
again to run. After this, he climbed up a stone
wall, whence he sprang on to the roof of a cabin
near by, and mounting to the chimney top, from
thence inspected his enemies. An old hound, how-
ever, followed him, and was on the point of seizing
him, when Reynard dropped down the chimney
into the lap of an old woman, who was smoking her
pipe at the corner. The hound did not dare to
follow, but the sportsmen came up, and entering the
cabin, found it in possession of the fox; the
frightened woman and children huddled into one
corner, and the fox (who was taken alive) grinning
at them.
In all ages of fable, the fox has been the principal
hero. The most ancient fables on record, those of
Lokman, the Arabian, from whom sop took most
of his, gives him a very conspicuous place among the
crafty courtiers of the lion. The chief phrase of
which the wily flatterer makes use, as he bows with
affected humility to his sovereign, is, “‘ Oh, Father
of Beauty,†by which indirect compliment he
generally gains his wishes. The early German
writers have also chosen him as the principal hero
of various histories, and the poem of ‘‘ Reynard, the
180 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
Fox,†will live as long as printers and illustrators
exercise their art and talent.
The Arctic fox is smaller than ours; even the
soles of his feet are covered with fur, like those of
the hare, and he is altogether more thickly clothed.
He has often been supposed to be pied in colour,
but this is only in process of turning to the hue of
winter. He is in these climates a much more
gregarious animal, and several families live in the
same earth. Bishop Heber mentions one in India,
which feeds chiefly on field-mice and white ants,
and this probably is the species of which the natives
say, that he can turn nine times within the space of
his own length. He is about half the size of the
European.
Much valuable fur is derived both from European
and American foxes, where there is a great variety
of colour, not depending on temperature.
In Ireland there is a small animal called a fox,
which does not eat flesh, but contents itself with
vegetables, and is so perfectly harmless, that it
roams about, unmolested even by dogs.
HY ANAS.
THERE cannot be a much more uninteresting
animal than the hard-hided, knock-kneed Hyena,
which is pre-eminently African, although he is
tl i is ee el) Le
HYENAS. 181
found in the East; having, according to the opinion
of some naturalists, migrated thither in the wake of
caravans. He has a ferocious, ill-natured look, yet
the first impression made by his appearance can
only be expressed by the word sneaking.†He is of
a tawny colour, more or less dusky till it approaches
black, and is generally spotted, or striped. He has
4 mane continued all along the spine; his ears are
long and erect; he is digitigrade, his claws are
strong, and not retractile: he possesses a gland
which sends forth a disagreeable odour, and his eyes
have a pupil which is contracted at the top, and
round at the bottom, which gives them a singular
expression.
The great peculiarity of form in the Hyena. is
the disproportionate smallness of his hind quarters;
besides which, the vertebre of his neck very often
become stiffened, in consequence of the strain put
upon them by the powerful muscles of that part,
and of the jaws. So firm is the hold which they
take, that nothing will make them leave what they
have once seized. They devour bones as well as
muscles, rejecting only hoofs, horns, and skull; and
this power must have existed in former ages, for in
the caves which they inhabited, and into which
they dragged their prey, their fossil remains are
found with those of gigantic mastodons, etc., on
which their teeth had made impression. This stiff-
182 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
ness of the neck has caused many to imagine that
it was composed of one joint only, and led the
Arabs to make Hyznas the symbols of obstinacy.
The habits of Hyznas accord with their outward |
appearance; they are nature’s scavengers, and feed
on everything, being, with the jackal and Genet cat,
the especial robbers of the cemetery. Many are the
stories told of their cruel depredations, such as their
stealing into the kraals of the Caffres and Hottentots,
and abstracting the sleeping infants from under the
kaross of its mother, who only becomes conscious
of her loss when she hears the cries of the victim.
Major Denham, in his travels, tells us of a village
stormed by them at night, when they carried off
asses and other animals.
My own impressions of the Hyzna are, that he is
a timid, cowardly animal. I always found them
shun my approach; and my uncle has told me, that
when he often encountered them during his com-
mand of the outpost of Tantum Querry, on the lee-
ward coast of Africa, they invariably turned from
him, and slunk out of sight with their dragging,
shuffling gait. I cannot say that they disturbed
the stillness of the night, because a tropical night
never is still; but their cry used suddenly to come
upon our ears, and | know not why, always seemed
to be close to us. The roar of a leopard or lion is
‘most grand, however terrific; but what is called
HY ANAS. 183
the laugh of the hyzna, is just like the triumphant
exultation of a fierce madman, when he reaches
his long-sought victim.
All the natives of the Gold Coast bear witness to
the powers of mimicry evinced by the hyena; they
say that he hides himself in the jungle, and imitates
the cries of other beasts till he allures them to his
side, when he falls upon and devours them. A
gentleman, who long commanded a fortress on the
Gold Coast, told me the following story, which
confirms the above assertion: — ‘‘ Some women
from the neighbouring village were accustomed to
pass the walls of the fort to fetch water after sunset,
at the dinner hour of this officer, and made so much
noise, that they disturbed him, so he ordered them
to take another path. The next evening the noise
recurred, and the same order was repeated the
next morning; on which the women protested they
had gone quite another way. On the third evening,
when the laughing and talking were apparently
recommencing, a serjeant sallied forth to bring the
delinquents into the fort; but to his surprise there
were only three hyzenas to be seen, whose imitation
of human sounds had deceived all those who had
heard them on the preceding occasions.
It was long supposed that the hyzena was incap-
able of attachment, but Mr. Burchell brought one
with him from South Africa to this country, which
evidently loved his master, and was jealous of other
184 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
animals. Colonel Sykes procured one in India who
followed him about like a dog, played with the
sailors on board ship with the greatest good humour,
and never forgot his first owner. He was placed in
the Zoological Gardens, where, although Colonel
Sykes paid him rare visits, he always recognized
him amidst the crowd. One day, when the hyena
was asleep, this gentleman suddenly called him by
his name; the poor beast as suddenly started on to
his legs, looked up, rubbed his head against the
bars of his cage, bounded about uttering short cries,
looked sorrowfully at Colonel Sykes when he went
away, and repeated these manifestations of joy when
he returned.
The Spotted Hyzna has been called the Hyzna
Capensis, from the belief that it only inhabited
South Africa; but it is found as frequently in
Guinea as the striped variety, and has just the
same propensities. Near the Cape, however, it does
more mischief, because colonists have settled them-
selves there, and their farms afford more valuable
prey. They are said to prefer making an attack
on strong, vigorous animals, because they run
away, and the hyenas can follow them; but the
weaker animals turn round and face their enemy,
which always intimidates them.
Mr. Steedman, a South African traveller, gives
an unmitigated bad character to the spotted hyzenas,
and says, that such is their preference for human
HY NAS. 185
flesh, that they will even pass by the cattle, and
seize on children as old as eight years.
The Straand Wolf of the Dutch, or the Villose
Hyena of Dr. Abel Smith, who has done so much
for the natural history of Southern Africa, is less
common than the other species; and often feeds on
the shore, from its preference for those dead animals
which are cast up by the sea. If, however, it
be pressed by hunger, it commits just as many
depredations as the others. It is extremely cunning,
conceals itself by day among the mountains, or
thick patches of forest, and preys at a great distance
from its habitation.
Mr. Pringle confirms Mr. Steedman’s accounts of
the terrible havoc occasioned by the hyenas of
South Africa, and says, that in the district of
Somerset, they destroyed seventy foals in one year,
belonging to the farmers; he, however, believes,
that they never attack human beings by night
or by day, and that they come in packs and play the
part of four-footed vultures, even devouring their
own kindred if they should chance to be killed;
but no other beast of prey will eat them, from the
offensive rankness of their flesh. The den of
a spotted hyena, that was kept in the Tower
about twenty years ago, required some repair. The
carpenter nailed a thick oaken plank upon the floor,
about seven feet long, putting at least a dozen
nails into it, each longer than his middle finger.
186 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
At one end of this piece of wood, there was a small
projection, and not having a proper chisel with him
by which he might remove it, the man returned
to his shop to fetch one. While he was absent,
some persons came to see the animals; and the
hyzna was let down by the keeper into the part of
the den in which the carpenter had been at work.
Directly the beast saw the projecting piece of wood,
he seized it with his teeth, tore the plank up, and
drew out every nail with the utmost ease; which
action will give a good idea of the muscular
strength of this creature.
It is impossible to say why there should be such
conflicting accounts of the hyzna, given by those
whose veracity is undoubted. No one dreads them
on the Gold Coast, but they seem to be the terror
of all the inhabitants at, and to the north of the
Cape, also in Abyssinia, where Bruce called them
‘the plagues of their lives,†and we can scarcely
forbear a smile, when we read that one of them
stood by his bed-side, with a purloined bunch of
candles in his mouth; having found his way to
him even through the streets of Gondar.
THE CAT TRIBE.—LIONS. |
I must be allowed to give a somewhat more
lengthened description than I have bestowed on
LIONS. 187
other animals, to the Felidx, or Cat-tribe, because
the same characters serve for all; size and colour
being almost the only difference among those of which
I shall treat. Grace and strength are their univer-
sal attributes, the latter lying chiefly in the fore parts
of their frames; such as their paws, legs, shoulders,
neck and jaws; the former in their arched and
rounded form, and the extreme suppleness of their
joints. Their muzzle is short and round, some of
their teeth are of enormous size and strength, their
sight is very acute both by night and day; their
eyes are set obliquely in the head, and always
glare in the dark; and sometimes by day when
they are in a rage. It is only in the smaller
tribes that the pupil is vertically linear, when the
full light causes it to contract. The ears are large,
and the sense of hearing much developed. Their
smell is not equally perfect, and the roughness of
their tongue shews, that their taste cannot be very
delicate. This roughness is caused by the horny
papille, or small projections, with points directed
backwards, which cover the tongue, and enable it to
lick the flesh from the bones of their food. They
have long bristles on each side of the mouth, which
form the most sensitive organs of touch; each
bristle being inserted in a bed of glands under the
skin, communicating with a nerve. The claws of
the Felids are extremely strong, sharp, and crooked;
and all four-feet are furnished with them, five before,
188 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
and four behind; and the most effective system of
muscular contrivance not only gives such force
to the fore-paws, that a blow from one of these
will fracture a man’s skull, but keeps these claws
from touching the ground, and enables the animal
to draw them back into a sheath. In aid of this,
the sole of the foot, and each of the toes, has a soft,
elastic pad, or cushion under it, on which they
walk, and as they never set the heel to the ground,
their footsteps are noiseless, unless they choose
them to be otherwise. It is with their formidable
claws, and still more formidable teeth, that they
tear their prey to pieces.
None of the Feline tribe will eat vegetables,
unless domesticated, even then but rarely; and .
in their wild state, unless pressed by hunger,
they will only eat what they themselves have killed.
They have an abhorrence of anything which is
decomposed. The fur, with the exception of the
Lion’s mane, and that of the cat, is short, close, and
soft; capable, when dressed, of receiving a high
polish. Many are striped and spotted with black,
and the larger kinds, are generally of a warm,
fulvous colour. The domestic cat is, however, often
white, black, gray, and brindled; some leopards
are black, and there isa small, beautiful wild cat,
marked like the panther. All are very wary and
cunning, and seldom face their foes. They lie in
ambush for them, and suddenly spring upon them,
LIONS. 189
seeming to take a pleasure in prolonging their
torments. They are very sensible to caresses
and affection, but a blow, or angry word, rouses
them to fury. They are certainly capricious,
and sometimes without any apparent cause burst
into fits of ill temper, therefore are by no means
to be trusted, even in the midst of love and
docility. |
The backward carriage of his head, his majestic
stride, and the deliberate manner in which he looks
at his enemy, have caused the Lion to be called the
king of beasts. He is only occasionally seen in the
forests, and inhabits plains, where rocks, or low
jungle, afford him a shelter. He, however, retreats
before the advance of men, and has now deserted
many of those regions where he was once undispu-
ted lord of the country. The Lion of America is
altogether different; therefore it may be said, that
only Central Asia, and almost all Africa are traver-
sed by him. Formerly the eastern boundary of
Europe scarcely formed a limit to his presence; the
Arabian literature is full of allusions to him, and
the Holy Scriptures constantly attest his presence
in Syria, during the times in which they were
written.
The beauty of the Lion’s mane is well known.
According to Mr. Gordon Cumming, its colour
varies with age, being fulvous and bright when
young, black when the animal is in his full strength,
ti; ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
and grisly with old age. There has been, however,
a species recently discovered in Guzerat, which has
but little or no mane, it also has shorter limbs
and tail, the latter having a larger brush at the
end. It is bold, commits great havoc among
the cattle; and is supposed to have been driven out
of Cutch, by the practice adopted by the natives, of
burning their grass. A nail or prickle at the end of
a lion’s tail is often found, but has nothing to do
with the caudal vertebre. It is probably a
hardened piece of skin, or a mass of agglutinated
hairs, in the manner of horn; it comes off with only
a slight touch.
Lions come to their full strength at five years,
but live a long time; for instance, one from the
Gambia was proved to be sixty-three years of age.
They sleep by day, and feed by night, lap their
drink, and delight in coming forth in the midst of
furious storms, when they add their mighty roars
to those of the elements. Seldom does a tempest
rage in tropical Africa, but its fearful sounds are
increased by the din of wild animals; that of the
lion being heard above all others. Countless are
the historics of his depredations, and numerous are
the daring and gallant exploits performed by
Europeans against this noble game; the following is
an abridgement of a narrative, from the pen of the
Marchioness of Hastings; and published in the
Miscellany of Natural History; herself being the
heroine of the chase,
LIONS. 191
‘‘ The field was taken in quest of three lions,
supposed to be lurking near the tents. The ground
was flat and ploughed. When we came to the
edye of the jungle, we halted a little; the people
came round in crowds, and, in a few minutes, the
trees were covered with men, placed there by
Fraser for observation. When we were sent for,
we found Fraser by the side of the great canal—he
had received intelligence of both a lion and a tiger,
and he desired Barton and myself to go down upon
an elephant, watch the bed of the canal, and move
slowly to the south, while he advanced in a con-
trary direction. The rest of the party were to beat
the jungle above, which was too thick to admit the
passage of an elephant through it. We fell in with
Fraser where the canal was a little wider, and
neither of us had been successful, though we had
searched every bush with our eyes, in passing along.
He desired us to wait till he had mounted the bank
to look after the rest of the elephants. He had
hardly gone away before a lioness crossed the
narrow neck of the canal, just before us, and
clambered up the opposite bank. I fired, but missed
her, and she ran along the bank to the westward.
We turned round and had the mortification of
seeing her again go through the water, at which
our elephant became refractory, wheeled about, and
was so unsteady as to prevent us from firmg. We
followed her up to the thicket, put the elephant’s .
192 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
head into it, and we heard the lioness growling
close to us. Just as we were expecting her charge
and had prepared our guns, round wheeled the
elephant again, and became perfectly unmanageable.
During the scuffle between the elephant and his
driver, we heard the cry that the lioness was again
off. She again crossed the Nullah, and just as we
had got our elephant to go well in, the lioness ran
back, and crouched under a thicket on our left,
where she had been originally started. All this
happened in less than a minute. Fraser then called
to us to come round the bush, as the lioness being
on a line with us, we prevented him from firing.
Just as we got out of his reach, he fired, and when
the elephant stopped | did the same. Both shots
took effect, and the lioness lay and growled in a
hollow, mellow tone. After a few discharges she
tried to sally forth, but her loins were cut to pieces,
which was fortunate for us, as her fore parts seemed
strong and unhurt. She reared herself upon them,
and cast towards us a look that bespoke revenge,
complaint, and dignity. Her head, half averted
from us, was turned back as if ready to start at us,
sf the wounds in her loins had not disabled her.
As it was now a mercy to put an end to her suffer-
ings, I took a steady aim, and shot her through the
head. She fell dead at once, and her lower jaw
was carried away; she was drawn up the bank and
pronounced to be two years old. She had thrown
LIONS. 193
one man down, and got him completely under her
with his turban in her mouth, when a shot grazed
her side. She immediately left her hold and crossed
the canal, where we first perceived her.
There used to be, and perhaps is still, a lion in
the menagerie of Brussels, whose cell requiring
some repairs, his keeper desired a carpenter to set
about them; but when he saw the lion, he drew
back with terror. The keeper entered the cell, and
then led the animal to the upper part of it, where
he amused himself by playing with him, and then
fell asleep. The carpenter, fully trusting to the
vigilance of the keeper, pursued his work, and when
he had finished, called to him to inspect what he
had done. The man made no answer; the car-
penter called again and again, but to no purpose,
and, being alarmed, went to the upper part of the
den, and looked through the railing. Seeing the
lion and his keeper sleeping side by side, he uttered
aloud cry. The lion suddenly awakened, started
up, looked furiously at the carpenter, and placing
his paw on the breast of his keeper, lay down to
sleep again. The carpenter was dreadfully fright-
ened, and ran out, telling what he had seen. Some
of the attendants went and opened the door which
the carpenter had secured with several bars, and con-
trived to wake the keeper; who, on opening his
eyes, did not appear to be in the least frightened at
his situation. He took the paw of the lion, shook
O
194 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
it, and quietly led him down to the lower part of
his residence.
It is from Mr. Pringle and Mr. Gordon Cumming
that we derive the most stirring adventures with
lions; and I profit by the advantage afforded me by
their pages. The first was a relation of mine by
marriage, and I have enjoyed frequent conversations
with him concerning his travels; rendered the more
extraordinary by his lameness, which proved the
energy of that mind which could thus surmount
bodily infirmity.
Mr. Cumming still lives to tell his own tales; and
no one can hear or read his words without seeing
that he has one of those ardent spirits which loves
danger for the sake of danger, and that his indomi-
table courage and hardihood, from his early years,
when he killed the deer on his father’s domains,
prepared him to be what he now is, the most
successful of all men in his warfare with wild
animals. :
In a note to the “ Poetical Remains of Mr.
Pringle,†I find the following remarkable escape :—
‘¢ Lucas Van Buren usually carried a huge elephant
gun, as long and unwieldy as himself; but left it at
home one day when he had most need of it. He was
riding across the open plains, near the Little Fish
river, one morning about day break, when observing
a lion ata distance, he endeavoured to avoid him
by making a circuit. There were thousands of
LIONS. 195
spring-boks scattered over the extensive flats; but
from the open nature of the country, the lion had
probably been unsuccessful in his hunting. Lucas
soon perceived that he was not disposed to let him
pass without further parlance, and that he was
rapidly approaching to the encounter. Being with-
out his gun, the farmer, little inclined to cultivate
his acquaintance, turned his horse off at a right
angle, and galloped for life. But it was too late;
the horse was fagged, and bore a heavy man upon
his back; the lion was fresh, furious with hunger,
and came down upon him like a thunder-bolt. In
a few minutes he brought man and horse to the
ground. Luckily, the man was not hurt, and the
lion was too much occupied with the horse to pay
any attention to him. Hardly knowing how he
escaped, he contrived to do so, and reached the
nearest house. His remarks, when he related his
adventure, were concerning the audacity of the
lion in attacking a Christian man; but his chief
vexation was about the saddle. He returned
to the spot the next day, and found the horse’s
bones picked clean, lion and saddle having both
disappeared. Lucas said he could excuse the beast
for killing the horse, as he had allowed himself to
escape; but the abstraction of the saddle, for which,
he added, the lion could not possibly have any use,
raised his spleen, and called down a shower of abuse
whenever he related the story.
196 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
“We had,†says Mr. Pringle, “ been to tea with
Captain Cameron’s family, to whom, as we were
only three miles distant, we considered ourselves
next-door neighbours; and as the weather was
fine, we rode home by moonlight, jesting all the
way about wild beasts and Caffres, and not at all
suspecting that a lion was dogging us through the
bushes the whole way home.
About midnight I was awakened by an unusual
noise in the cattle-fold, and looking out, saw all our
horned cattle spring over the high thorn fence, and
scamper round the place. Fancying that a hyena,
which I had heard howling when I went to bed,
had alarmed the animals, I sallied forth to have a
shot at it. I, however, could not find any cause for
the disturbance, and calling a Hottentot to drive
back the cattle, and shut them in, I again went to
bed. The next morning Captain Cameron rode over
to say, his herdsman had discovered that a large
lion had followed us up the valley, and then, on
further inspection, we found he had visited the fold,
and carried off a sheep. He appeared to have
retreated to the mountains, and we did not pursue
him.
“'The lion, however, was not disposed to let us off
so easily. He returned that night, and killed my
favourite riding-horse, a little more than a hundred
yards from my door; I then considered it right to
take measures for defence, and called forth a party
LIONS. 197
for his pursuit, the Hottentots saying that as he had
only eaten a small part of the horse he would be in
the vicinity. Seventeen horsemen, Mulattoes and
Hottentots, and a number of strong hounds, soon
assembled.
‘* The Hottentots traced the lion on foot, discover-
ing his spoor, or track, with surprising dexterity,
and found him in a large thicket about a mile
distant. The dogs failed to dislodge him, the Mu-
lattoes rode round the jungle, and fired into it, but
without effect. At last three Scotchmen determined
to march in, provided the Mulattoes would support
their fire. Regardless of the warnings of more
prudent men, they went in, and, as they thought,
found the lion crouched among the roots of a large
evergreen bush, glaring at them from under the
foliage. They fired and struck, not the lion, but a
great block of sand-stone, which they had mistaken
for him; but beyond which he was actually lying.
With a furious growl he bolted from the bush; the
Mulattoes fled helter-skelter, leaving the Scots
with empty guns, tumbling over each other in their
haste to escape. Ina twinkling he was upon them,
with one stroke of his paw dashed John Rennie
to the ground, and with one foot upon him, looked
round upon his assailants in conscious power and
pride, and with the most noble and imposing port
that could be conceived. It was the most magni-
ficent thing I ever witnessed; but the danger of
198 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
our friends was too great to enjoy the picture.
We expected every minute to see one oF more of
them torn to pieces; and yet in their position, one
lying under the lion's paw, and the others scrambling
towards us, we dared not fire. Fortunately, how-
ever, the lion, after steadily surveying us, turned
calmly away, drove off the hounds with his heels,
as if they had been rats, and bounded over the
adjoining thicket like a cat, clearing bushes twelve
or fifteen feet high, as if they had been tufts of
grass.
‘Our comrade had sustained no other injury than
a scratch upon the back, and a severe bruise, and
we renewed the chase. We found the enemy
standing at bay under a mimosa tree. The dogs
barked round him, but were afraid to approach; for
he growled fiercely, and brandished his tail in a
manner that showed he meditated mischief. The
Hottentots, by taking a circuit, reached a precipice
above him, another party of us occupied a position
on the other side of the glen, so that the lion was
between two fires; he became confused, we battered
away at him, and he fell, pierced with many wounds.
He appeared to be full grown, and six years old,
measuring eleven feet from the nose to the tip of
the tail. His fore leg, below the knee, was so
thick, that I could not span it with both hands; his
head was almost as large as that of an ordinary Ox.
His flesh, which I had the curiosity to taste, resem-
LIONS. 199
bled very white, coarse beef, and was insipid rather
than disagreeable.â€
The ensuing histories are from Mr. Gordon Cum-
ming’s pen:—‘‘ A buffalo was wounded, and two
hunters in pursuit of him were joined by three
lions, who also gave chase, and getting before the
gentlemen sprang upon the buffalo. The latter,
being very large, struggled much ; the hunters fired
upon the lions, and as each ball struck, the latter
seemed to think the blood which flowed came from
the buffalo’s bones; consequently, two were easily
secured, but the third had the sense to walk away.
‘‘The Oryx sometimes fights the lion, and is
victorious; but the bodies have been seen lying
close together, the lion having been pierced through
by the horns of the gemsbok, and as he could not
draw them out again, each died from the mortal
blow inflicted by, at least, one of them.
‘¢ Hendrick and Ruyter lay on one side of the fire
under one blanket, and John Stefolus on the other;
the fire was very small, and the night was pitch
dark and windy. Suddenly the appalling and mur-
derous voice of an angry, blood-thirsty lion burst
upon my ear, within a few yards of us, followed by
the shrieking of the Hottentots. Again and again
the terrific roar of attack was repeated. We heard
John and Ruyter shriek, ‘The lion! the lion!’
Still, for a few minutes, all thought he was only
chasing one of the dogs round the kraal; but the
200 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
next instant John Stofolus rushed into the midst of
us almost speechless with fear, his eyes bursting
from their sockets, and shrieked out, ‘The lion!
the lion! he has got Hendrick; he dragged him
away from the fire; I struck him with the burning
brand upon his head, but he would not let go his
hold. Hendrick is dead! Let us take fire and look
for him!’ The rest of my people rushed about,
shrieking and yelling as if they were mad. I was
angry with them for their folly, and told them if
they did not stand still and keep quiet, the lion
would have another of us; most likely there was a
troop of them. The dogs were let loose, and the
fire increased. Hendrick’s name was shouted; but
all was then still. I told the men he was dead, and
had everything brought within the cattle-fold,
lighted a fire, and closed the entrance as well as we
could. We sat with our guns in our hands till day-
light, expecting a lion every moment; the dogs
fought one another, then got scent of the lion, and
barked at him till day broke, he now and then
driving them back; and he lay all the night within
forty yards of the party, having dragged the man
into a little hollow at the back of the bush. He
had grappled him with his claws, and bitten him
in the breast and shoulder, all the while feeling for
his neck, and when he got hold of that dragged
him into the shade. The poor man cried, ‘ Help
me, help me, oh God! Men, help me!’ then all
LIONS. 201
was still, except that his comrades heard the cracking
of his bones. The beast did not heed the beating
about the head with the burning wood. The lion
dragged the remains of him away the next morning,
but in the hollow was found one of poor Hendrick’s
legs, the shoe still on the foot, with fragments of
his coat. The next day came the lion’s turn; for
the party, by killing him, avenged the death of
poor Hendrick.â€
It has often been said that the human voice has
great power over the fiercest animals; and I do not
think a stronger proof of it can be met with, than
in this adventure of Mr. Gordon Cumming’s:—‘ I
fired at the nearest lioness, having only one shot in
my rifle. The ball told badly; the lioness at which
I had fired wheeled right round, and came on,
lashing her tail, showing her teeth, and making
that horrid, murderous, deep growl, which an angry
lion generally utters. Her comrade hastily retreated.
The instant the lioness came on, I stood up to my
full height, holding my rifle, and my arms extended
high above my head. This checked her in her
course, but on looking round, and missing her
comrade, and observing Ruyter slowly advancing,
she was still more exasperated, and fancying that
she was neat being surrounded, she made another
forward movement, growling terribly. This was
a moment of great danger, I felt that my only
chance of safety was extreme steadiness, so, stand:
202 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
ing motionless as a rock, with my eyes firmly fixed
upon her, I called in a clear, commanding voice,
‘* Holloa, old girl! What's the hurry? take it easy!
Holloa! holloa!Չۉ۪ She once more halted and seemed
perplexed, looking round for her comrade. I then
thought it prudent to beat a retreat, which I very
slowly did, talking to the lioness all the time. She
seemed undecided as to her future movements, and
was gazing after me, and snuffing the ground,
when I last beheld her.â€
I copy the ensuing anecdote from Mr. Campbell’s
second journey to Africa. ‘ A lion had been near
to a bushman’s hut the whole night, waiting, it
was supposed for the arrival of his companions, to
assist in attacking the family; and if they had made
the attack in conjunction with each other, it is
probable they would have met with success. Two
Bootchuana herdsmen, attending near the place
next morning, saw him and ran to inform the
people. On their way they met six Griquas coming
to attack the formidable creature, having already
heard he was there. Advancing towards him, they
fired, and wounded, but did not disable him. En-
raged by pain, he advanced to take revenge on his
assailants. On seeing him approach, the Griquas
leaped from their horses, formed them into a close
line with their tails towards the lion, and took their
stand at the horse’s heads. The enraged animal
flew upon a Bootchuana who was not protected by
LIONS. 203
the horses, and who tried to defend himself with
his kaross, or skin cloak. The lion, however, caught
him by the arm, threw him on the ground; and
while the poor man still tried to defend himself, by
keeping the kaross round him, the lion got under
it, and gnawed part of his thigh. His Bootchuana
companion at that time threw his assagai, which
entered the lion’s back. The Griquas would have
fired, but were afraid of shooting the man; in order
then to drive him away, they made a great noise,
and threw some stones. ‘The lion then left the man,
and rushed on them, when they again checked
his attack by turning the horses round. He next
crept under the belly of a mare, and seized her
by the fore legs, but with a powerful kick she
made him let go his hold. In revenge, and by one
stroke of his paw, he tore open the body of the
mare, and retired. After this, he tried to get round
the horses to the men, but when on the point
of making a spring, he was happily killed by a
musket ball, the ball penetrating behind the ear.â€
It is singular, says Mr. Sparrman in his African
travels, that the lion is reported frequently,
although provoked, to content himself with some-
times only wounding the human species, or at
least to wait some time before he gives the fatal
blow to the unhappy victim he has got under
him. A farmer had the misfortune to see a lion
seize two of his oxen, at the very instant he had
204 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
taken them out of the waggon, but they fell down
dead, having had their backs broken.’ A father
and two sons were in search of a lion, when he
rushed upon them, threw one of them under his
feet, but he received no great hurt, for the two
others shot him dead upon the spot. Another
farmer had lain some time under a lion, received
several bruises from the beast, and was a good deal
bitten by him in one arm, but the noble animal, as
it were, gave him his life: nevertheless, others say,
that if a lion once taste human blood, he for ever
after thirsts for it. So strong is this opinion in
India, that an officer who was asleep with his left
hand out of bed, was awoke by his pet lion
licking him. Of course the rough tongue brought
blood, and he tried to withdraw his hand. The
lion gave a slight growl, upon which the officer
took a loaded pistol from under his pillow, and
shot him dead, feeling convinced if he escaped then,
he should never again be safe.
I might multiply my stories of destruction and
escapes, till they alone would form a volume, but I
would rather give a few instances of the gratitude
of this magnificent creature. ‘‘One day,†relates
Mr. Hope, ‘‘the company attended the Duchess of
Hamilton to see her lion fed; and while they were
teazing and provoking him, the porter came and
said, that a sergeant with some recruits at the gate
begged to see the lion. Her grace afforded permis-
LIONS. 205
sion; the lion was growling over his prey, the
sergeant advanced to the cage, called ‘ Nero,
Nero, don’t you know me,†and the animal
instantly raised his head; rose, left his food, and
wagging his tail went to the bars of hiscage. The
man patted him, and then said it was three years
since they had seen each other, that he had taken
charge of the lion from Gibraltar, and he was
glad to see the poor beast shew so much gratitude.
The lion, indeed, seemed to be perfectly pleased,
went to and fro, rubbing himself against the place
where his old friend stood, and licked the sergeant’s
hand as he held it out to him.â€
A lion, which, for its extreme beauty, was to be
sent to Paris from Senegal, fell sick before the de-
parture ‘of the vessel, and was let loose to die on an
open space of ground. A traveller there, as he
returned home from a hunting excursion, found
him in a very exhausted state, and compassionately
poured a quantity of milk down his throat. Thus
refreshed, the poor beast recovered. From that
time he became so tame, and was so attached to
his benefaetor, that he afterwards ate from his
hand and followed him like a dog, with only a
string tied round his neck.
M. Felix, one of the keepers of the animals.of
the Menagerie in Paris, became so ill, that another
person was obliged to perform his duty. A male
lion, whom, with a female, he himself had brought
206 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
to the place, remained constantly at one end of his
cage, and refused to eat anything given him by the
stranger, at whom he often roared. He even dis-
liked the company of the female, and paid no
attention to her. The animal was supposed to be
ill, and yet no one dared to approach him. At
length M. Felix recovered, and intending to surprise
the lion, showed his face between the bars. In a
moment the beast made a bound, leaped against
the bars, caressed him with his paws, licked his face,
and trembled with pleasure. The female also ran
to him; but the lion drove her back, as if she were
not to snatch any of the favours from Felix, and he
was about to quarrel with her. The keeper then
entered the cage, and caressed them by turns, and
after that often went to them, and had complete
control over them. They would obey all his com-
mands, and all their recompense was to lick his
hand.
A curious circumstance took place at New Orleans
in the year 1832, when a bear was let down into the
cage of an old African lion, supposing it would be
torn to pieces. As many people were assembled to
see the barbarous exhibition, the bear placed himself
in a fighting posture, and flew at the lion; but, to
the great disappointment of all present, the lion
placed his paw upon the bear’s head, as if to express
his pity, and tried to make friends with him. He
took the bear under his protection, suffered no one
LIONS. 207
to approach close to the cage, and did not sleep till
he was exhausted, so closely did he watch over his
new friend. He suffered the bear to eat, but long
refused food for himself, and when the last accounts
were received, continued to guard the bear as
jealously as possible.
The lioness has no mane; is smaller, and more
slender in her proportions than the male; she carries
her head even with the line of her back, and wants
the majestic courage of the lion, but she is more
agile. Her temper is more irritable, and Mr.
Gordon Cumming says:—‘‘ She is more dangerous
before she has been a mother; yet every
vestige of tameness or docility vanishes when she is
a mother, and she.is then in a constant state of
excitement, getting into the most violent fury if
any one should attempt to touch her cubs.†The
story of the lioness which one night attacked one
of the horses of the Exeter mail has been told SO
many different ways, that I am glad to copy the
correct account from Captain Brown’s « Popular
Natural History â€:—* She had made her escape from
a travelling Menagerie, on its way to Salisbury fair,
and suddenly seized one of the leading hogses. This,
of course, produced great alarm and confusion, which
was not lessened by perceiving what the enemy was;
and two inside passengers took refuge in a house.
A large mastiff attacked the intruder, upon which
she quitted the horse, and turned upon him; he
208 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
fled, but she pursued and killed him, after running
forty yards. On the alarm being given, her keepers
went after her, till she took refuge under a granary,
with the dog still within her teeth. They barri-
caded her there to prevent her escape, and she
roared there so loudly, that she was heard half a
mile off. She was afterwards secured and taken to
her den; and of course her adventure increased the
celebrity of the menagerie to which she belonged.
Before this happened, she was considered as very
tame, and never had given any signs of ferocity;
she therefore affords another example, that it 1s not
safe to trust these animals: of course the poor
horse was dreadfully torn, and the expressions of his
agony were most affecting; the lioness, however, had
missed. the vital parts. |
The Puma or Couagar, of North and South
America, is generally called a lion, but he has no
mane, or tufted tail, and when young, his pale,
fawn coat, is striped with blackish brown. These
marks however, disappear with age. He is the
largest of the feline tribe on that continent, and is
very destructive to smaller animals. He rarely
attacks man, and on some occasions evinces as much
courage as the true lion, and a curious observation
has been made by travellers, that he becomes less
bold as he approaches to the north. One given to
Professor Jamieson of Edinburgh, seemed to delight
in playing with a tub of water, he also played with
LIONS. 209
dogs and monkeys without the slightest interruption
to their good understanding; but if a goat or a
fowl came in sight, they were snapped up immedi-
ately. He made his escape one night in London;
and offered no resistance when caught by a watch-
man. He is hunted on the Pampas by dogs, and
the Indians secure him with the bolas or the lasso.
He climbs trees with great facility; his skin makes
excellent gloves; and many persons consider his
flesh to be dainty food.
Mr. Waterton, in one of his essays, makes some
remarks, and relates a story which ought to be
inserted in every book which treats of feline
animals; therefore, although many others have
quoted them, I do not apologise for inserting an
abridgment of them here. He says, all animals of
the dog tribe must be combated with might and
main, and with unceasing exertion, in their attacks
upon man; for from the moment they obtain the
mastery, they worry and tear'their victim as long
as life remains in it. On the contrary, animals
of the cat tribe, having once overcome thejr prey,
cease for a certain time to inflict further injury
upon it. Thus, during the momentous intervals,
from the stroke which has laid a man beneath a
lion, to the time when the lion shall begin to devour
him, the man may have it in his power to rise again;
either by his own exertions, or by the fortunate
ntervention of an armed friend. But then all
P
210 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
depends upon quiet on the part of the man, until
he plunges his dagger into the heart of the animal;
for if he tries to resist, he is sure to feel the force of
his adversary’s claws and teeth with redoubled
vengeance. Many years ago, Colonel Duff, in
India, was laid low by the stroke of a Bengal tiger.
On coming to himself, he found the animal stand-
ing over him. Recollecting that he had his dirk
by his side, he drew it out of the case, in the most
cautious manner possible, and by one happy thrust
quite through the heart, he laid the tiger dead at
his side.
The particular instance, however, to which
Mr. Waterton alludes, and which was told him
by the parties themselves, I now briefly give:—
The weather was intolerably sultry. After vainly
spending a considerable time in creeping through
the grass and bushes, with the hope of discover-
ing the place of the lion’s retreat, they (the party)
concluded that he had passed quite through the
jungle, and gone off in an opposite direction.
Resolved not to let their game escape, Lieutenants
Delamain and Lang returned to the elephant, and
immediately proceeded round the jungle, expecting
to discover the route which they conjectured the
lion had taken. Captain Woodhouse, however,
remained in the thicket, and as he could discern the
print of the animal’s foot on the ground, he boldly
resolved to follow up the track at all hazards. The
LIONS. 211
Indian game-finder who continued with his com-
mander, at last espied the lion in the covert, and
pointed him out to the Captain, who fired, but
unfortunately missed his mark. There was now no
alternative left but to retreat and load his rifle.
Having retired to a distance he was joined by
Lieutenant Delamain, who had dismounted from his
elephant on hearing the report of the gun. This un-
expected meeting increased the Captain’s hopes of
ultimate success. He pointed out to the Lieutenant
the place where he would probably find the lion, and
said he would be up with him in a moment or two.
Lieutenant Delamain on going eight or ten paces
down, got a sight of the lion and discharged his
rifle at him. This irritated the mighty king, and
he rushed towards him. Captain Woodhouse now
found himself placed in an awkward situation. He
was aware that if he retraced his steps in order to
put himself in a better position for attack he would
just get to the point to which the lion was making,
wherefore he instantly resolved to stand still, in the
hopes that the lion would pass by at a distance of
four yards or so, without perceiving him, as the
intervening cover was thick and strong. In this,
however, he was deceived; for the enraged lion saw
him as he passed, and flew at him with a dreadful
roar. In an instant, as though it had been done
by a stroke of lightning, the rifle was broken
and thrown out of the Captain’s hand, his left
212 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
leg at the same moment being seized by the
claws, and his right arm by the teeth, of his
desperate antagonist. Lieutenant Delamain ran up
and discharged his piece full at the lion; and this
caused the lion and the Captain to come to the >
ground together, whilst the Lieutenant hastened —
out of the jungle to re-load his gun. The lion now
began to crunch the Captain’s arm ; but the brave
fellow, notwithstandiug the pain, had the cool deter-
mined resolution to lie still. The lordly savage let
the arm drop out of his mouth, and quietly placed
himself in a couching position, with both his paws
upon the thigh of his fallen foe. While things were
in this untoward situation, the Captain unthinkingly,
raised his hand to support his head, which had got
placed ill at ease in the fall. No sooner, however,
had he moved it, than the lion seized the lacerated
arm asecond time; crunched it as before, and frac-
tured the bone still higher up. This additional me-
mento mori from the lion was not lost on Captain
Woodhouse; it immediately put him in mind that
he had committed an act of imprudence in stirring.
The motionless state in which he persevered after
this broad hint, shewed that he had learnt to profit
by the painful lesson.
The two Lieutenants were now hastening to his
assistance, and he heard the welcome sound of feet
approaching; but unfortunately they were in a
wrong direction, as the lion was betwixt them and
TIGERS. 213
him. Aware that if his friends fired, the balls
would hit him, after they had passed through the
lion’s body, Captain Woodhouse quietly pronounced,
in a low and subdued tone, ‘‘ to the other side! to
the other side!†Hearing the voice, they looked in
the direction from whence it proceeded, and to their
horror saw their brave comrade in his utmost need.
Having made a circuit, they cautiously came up on
the other side; and Lieutenant Delamain, whose
coolness in encounters with wild beasts had always
been conspicuous, from a distance of about a dozen
yards, fired at the lion over the person of the pros-
trate warrior. The lion merely quivered; his head
dropped upon the ground, and in an instant he lay
dead on his side, close to his intended victim.
TIGERS.
THE Tiger is exclusively an Asiatic animal, and
his range extends, not only over the more southern
part of that continent, but to the larger islands of
the Archipelago, where he is particularly destruc-
tive. He is as tall as the lion, but not quite so
powerful; he is, however, more agile, more graceful,
and more insidious. He crouches, and mostly
springs in the same manner as the lion and other
feline animals; he is more ferocious, and will even
fight with the lion. He seems to delight in blood
itself, for he will kill several victims, suck their
:
214 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
blood, and leave their carcasses to be devoured at
another opportunity.
The colour of the tiger is a bright orange tawny,
white underneath, and broad biack stripes on the
back, sides and tail. His head is rounder than that
of the lion, and he takes the most enormous leaps;
he is to be tamed to a certain extent, but never
trusted. He prowls both night and day; and in some
places, the devastation he has caused is terrific.
Nothing can exceed the tragic tales which are told
of him, in the countries where he exists in numbers;
and in one part of India, it is said that at least
three hundred lives were taken every year, within
a district containing seven villages, independent of
an enormous number of sheep, goats, and cattle.
Horses will not stand in his presence with any
steadiness; and the elephant is restless when in his
vicinity. This sagacious animal often manages to
shake him off; and if he have taken hold of his
trunk, he tramples on him with his fore-feet and so
destroys him. If he cannot dislodge him from his
body, he lies down upon him, and attempts to kill
him by rolling his ponderous weight upon him.
Seldom, however, is the tiger the aggressor, unless
he be driven to it by hunger, or maddened by pain
and despair, and then he struggles till hedies. He
hides himself with such caution and skill, that
travellers are laid hold of without being aware of
his vicinity. The bride has been snatched from her
TIGERS. 215
camel, the sportsman from his elephant, and the
child from its mother. |
Tigers are much more easily caught in traps than
lions; and those most used, are made so as to fall
upon them when they seize the bait. In Sumatra
the natives poison the carcasses which are left for
them, or they fasten these baits to a stake, or tree,
and place a vessel filled with arsenic and water near
by, of which the tiger invariably drinks, after ma
king a full meal.
A tiger is easily started by a sudden noise, as
the well-known story of Mrs. Day and her umbrella
will prove; but I have another and more recent
instance of this, which occurred to my brother. He
was one evening on his return to his own house,
from that of a brother officer with whom he had
been dining, and he was met by his servants, who in-
treated of him to make haste home, for there was. a
tiger prowling round; and, in fact, a jackal was close
to him, who so often accompanies the tiger when
seeking his prey. My brother had been two or
three years in India, and yet had never seen one of
these animals, so he told his men they might re-
turn, but he should stay, for he much wished to see
a tiger. They in vain tried to dissuade him; but,
fancying the beast was close by, they all ran away,
and left him to his fate. He sat down quietly by
the bank of his garden, and had not been there long
when the tiger actually appeared. He stopped,
|
'
216 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
looked very grand, and seemed doubtful whether
he should make an attack on the motionless person
before him, and there never was a more beautiful
animal than he appeared to be. He uttered a sort
of growl, and crouched down, as the cat often does
when tormenting a mouse; and my brother almost
gave himself up for lost. He fancied that he had
been hidden, and that the tiger could not perceive
him as he passed; but he took off his grenadier cap,
which was large, and covered with bear’s skin, and
putting it before his face roared in it as loudly as
he could; the noise and the action so surprised the
tiger, that he turned round, and leaped into the
neighbouring thicket. My brother hastened away,
and met his servants, who, now the danger was
over, were coming to protect their master with
drums and torches.
The tiger has been known to snatch without
springing, of which the following anecdote, told me
by a friend, is a confirmation. He was going up
one of the rivers in Assam, at the time when our
troops took possession of that country, in a covered
boat, and his principal servant retired on to the roof
of the covering, to smoke at his ease. The river
was narrow, the banks were high, and they were
going at a leisurely pace, when my friend heard a
slight scuffle over his head, then a scream, followed
by the cries of his party. On enquiring the cause,
the latter told him that a tiger had crept on to the
TIGERS. 217
top of the boat, put out his paw, laid hold of the
man as the boat passed, and dragged him into the
jungle.
The history of an unfortunate guide is an instance
of the immediate mischief which ensues from the
first blow of one of these powerful creatures, The
poor man remonstrated with the officer, whose .
party he was conducting, on the imprudence of
marching before daylight; but the officer, supposing
it to be laziness, threatened to punish him if he did
not goon. The man took his shield and sword,
and walked along the narrow path, bordered on
each side by high grass and bamboo. After going
five miles, the officer heard a tremendous roar, and
a large tiger passed him, so close, that he nearly
brushed his horse, and sprang upon the guide.
The latter lifted up his shield, but he was down in
an instant, and under the tiger’s paws, who seized
him with his teeth, growled, and looked at the
officer. The tiger was attacked, and so severely
wounded that he dropped his victim; but it was
all over with the poor guide, the first blow had
literally smashed his head in pieces.
In a plain near the Narbudda river, a party were
hunting a tiger; but the beast did not seem inclined
to come to a battle with his antagonists. He trot-
ted across the plain, and as he passed an unfortunate
cow, he raised his paw, gave her a blow on the
shoulder, and she fell. He went on, and when
218 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
the hunters examined the cow, she was dead, he
having left the print of every toe, and, in fact,
every part of his paw upon the shoulder blade,
without making the smallest wound.
The following anecdotes have been obtained from
various sources, and some of the narrators were actors
in the scenes described. A tiger had sprung upon the
shoulder of Lieutenant Colnett’s elephant, who in
this situation fired at him, and he fell. Conceiving
him to be disabled, the Lieutenant descended from
the elephant for the purpose of despatching him with
his pistols; but in alighting, he came in contact with
the tiger, who had only crouched for a second spring,
and who, catching hold of him by the thigh, drag-
ged him some distance along the ground. Having
succeeded in drawing one of a brace of pistols from
his belt, Lieutenant Colnett fired, and lodged a ball
in the body of the tiger, when the beast became
enraged, shook him violently without letting go his
hold, and made off towards the thickest part of the
jungle with his prey. In the struggle to disengage
himself from the clutches of the animal, the Lieuten-
ant caught hold of the tiger by both his ears, and
succeeded, after some time, in throwing the beast
on his side, when he availed himself of his momen-
tary release to draw forth the remaining pistol, and
placing the muzzle at the breast of the tiger, shot
him through the heart. He then returned to his
elephant, which he mounted without assistance,
TIGERS. 219
feeling at the moment little pain from his wounds,
although he received no fewer than thirty-five, from
the effects of which he long afterwards continued
to suffer.
A very large Royal tiger descended from some
heights. After he had settled himself, a party
advanced, and he seemed anxious to charge, but
showed great reluctance to quit the spot where he
had rested. Several balls struck him in the flanks,
and a musket ball having pierced his side obliquely,
passed through his liver, and he did not rise again.
His skin measured ten feet four inches and a half,
and he was ten years of age; for he had ten lobes to
his liver, and it is by the appearance of the tiger's
liver that the natives ascertain the age.
I have quoted the above anecdote, not to prove
the truth of the circumstance as regards the tiger’s
liver, but as a tradition among the inhabitants.
The people of Chittagong were alarmed by the
appearance of a tigress, who was first discovered
among some cattle that were grazing at the mouth
of the river. On the first alarm, the natives of the
vicinity assembled with all speed and advanced
against her. Irritated by this, she sprang furiously
on the person nearest to her,and wounded him se-
verely. The immediate attack of the crowd, however,
was successful in rescuing the man from her grasp.
On this the tigress, finding herself hemmed in on all
sides, and seeing no way of avoiding the multitude,
220 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
except by the river, took to the water, and swam
about five miles, closely pursued by the natives in
their boats, until she landed under a tree in a
dockyard. Here she laid herself down, apparently
much fatigued; but before the people in the yard
could get their fire arms ready, she had, in a great
degree, recovered her strength. Several shots were
fired at her, and two of them penetrated her body,
one of which lamed her. Rendered desperate by
this, she advanced against her new opponents, and
singling out a European gentleman in the yard,
who was provided with a cutlass, she sprang upon him
before he could make use of his weapon; knocked
him down with her fore paw, seized his head in her
mouth, bit off a considerable part of the skin of his
forehead, and wounded him in several places. After
this, she sprang upon a native, fractured his skull,
and otherwise lacerated him so dreadfully that he
died next day. She then entered a thicket close
by, where she was allowed to remain unmolested,
On the morning of the following day, she had got
about a mile further from the water side, and near
to a sepoy village. Here she was surrounded
by about a thousand natives, when, although she
was very lame, she sprang furiously on several of
them, and wounded one poor woman so dreadfully,
as to occasion her death. A fortunate shot, how-
ever, laid the animal prostrate.
There is an account of a tame tiger which
TIGERS. 221
was brought from China in the Pitt East Indiaman,
‘who was so far domesticated as to admit of every
kind of familiarity from the people on board. He
seemed to be quite harmless andas playful as a kitten,
He frequently slept with the sailors in their ham-
mocks, and would suffer two or three of them to re-
pose their heads on his back, as upon a pillow, while
he lay stretched upon the deck. In return for this,
he would, however, now and then steal their meat.
Having one day carried off a piece of beef from the
carpenter, the man followed the animal, took it out of
his mouth, and beat him severely for the theft, which
punishment he suffered with all the patience of a
dog. He would frequently run out upon the bow-
sprit, climb about like a cat, and perform a number
of tricks, with astonishing agility. There was a dog
on board, with whom he often played in the most
amusing manner; he was only a month or six
weeks old when he was taken on board, and arrived
in England before he had completed a year.â€
The tiger is not as fond of his children as the
lion is, and often abandons the female while she is
rearing her young. The tigress will destroy her
offspring as the cat does; but the following is an
instance of her affection, taken from Captain Wil-
liamson’s “ Oriental Field Sports.†This officer had
two tiger cubs brought to him, which had been dis-
covered, with two more, by some villagers while
their mother had been in quest of prey. The
+ ory pr ee ee, hee
i i i I i a i i i i
I
222 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS,
captain put them into a stable where they were very
noisy during the night. A few days having elapsed,
their mother at length discovered where they were,
came to relieve them, and replied to their cries by
tremendous howlings, which induced their keeper
to set the cubs at liberty, lest the dam should
break in. She had carried them off to an adjoming
jungle before morning.
Bishop Heber happily compares the slight move-
ment of the long grass of the jungle, which betrays
the presence of the tiger, to the bubbles which rise
to the surface of water, and show the lurking place
of the otter.
The immense strength of the tiger is frequently
shown by the manner in which he throws his prey
over his shoulder, and conveys it to his lair to be
devoured. One is said to have carried a buffalo in
this manner, which weighed a thousand pounds.
Captain Brown gives the following account of the
innate love of flesh displayed by the tiger:—‘* A
party of gentlemen from Bombay, one day visiting
the stupendous temple of Elephanta, discovered a
tiger’s whelp in one of the obscure recesses. Desirous
of kidnapping the cub, without encountering the
fury of its dam, they took it up hastily and cau-
tiously retreated. Being left entirely at liberty,
and extremely well fed, the tiger grew rapidly,
appeared tame, and in every respect domesticated.
At length, when it had attained a great size, and,
TIGERS. 223
notwithstanding its apparent gentleness, began to in-
spire terror by its tremendous powers of doing mis-
chief. A piece of raw meat, dripping with blood,
fell in its way. Hitherto it had been studiously
kept from animal food; but the instant it had dipped
its tongue in blood, something like madness seemed
to have seized upon the animal. A destructive prin-
ciple, hitherto dormant, was awakened; it darted
fiercely and with glaring eyes upon its prey, tore it
to pieces with fury, and roaring in the most fearful
manner, rushed at once into the jungle.â€
I am not sorry to end this account of the tiger
with an old story, which places the fierce beast of
prey in rather a more amiable light than most of
the previous histories. “A tigress of great beauty,
from Bengal, being extremely docile on her passage
home from Calcutta, was allowed to run about the
vessel, and became exceedingly familiar with the
sailors. On her arrival in the Thames, however, her
temper became very irascible, and even dangerous.
She was placed in the Tower, where she for some
time continued to exhibit a sulky and savage dis-
position. One day, the person who had charge ot
her on board the ship, visited the Tower, and begged
permission of the keeper to be allowed to enter her
den, to which he at last agreed, though with much
reluctance. No sooner did the tigress recognise
her old friend, than she fawned upon him, licked,
and caressed him, exhibiting the most extravagant
224 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
signs of pleasure; and when he left her, she whined
and cried the whole day afterwards.
LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ero,
THE Felis Leopardus and the Felis Pardus of authors,
represent the Leopard and Panther; but it has been
impossible to establish any characters which mark
the difference between them. Size, colour, form,
and position of spots have been resorted to, but
age and locality have set all rules aside, and, there-
fore, in treating of them, I shail use the term indis-
criminately. Their extreme beauty, and their
greater docility, make them more interesting than
the tiger; nevertheless, they, like others of the
feline tribe, should not be treated too unreservedly.
Their internal anatomy and dentition agree with
those of the tiger, but they are of smaller and
slighter make, are natives of the East, but parti-
cularly abundant in most parts of Africa. They
are exceedingly active and graceful; swim, climb
trees, or slide along the ground like a snake, and
are very apt to spring upon their victims from the
branches of trees. Their coat is of that beautiful
shade of tawny, which forms so good a contrast
with their black rosettes, or spots.
My first personal acquaintance with leopards and
panthers was made on the leeward coast of Africa,
LEOPARDS. 225
and one of the latter brought by Mr. Bowdich
and myself in a living state to this country, at first
delighted the men of science, because, in his remark-
ably beautiful coat, they hoped to find characters
which would mark the difference between these
two animals; but as we produced skin after skin,
they began again to doubt, and the problem still re-
mains unsolved. My history of the Ashanti panther
has been so often repeated in various works, that I
should hesitate to introduce it here, had it not
more than once been presented to the public, in a
form which did not originate with myself. The
only other account from my own pen was supplied
to Mr. Loudon, for his Magazine of Natural His-
tory, to which I now make a few additions.
The panther to which I allude, was one of two
cubs, found in one of the forests of the kingdom of
Ashanti. They were both taken to the king, and
when Mr. Hutchison (the resident left in Kumasi
by Mr. Bowdich) came to head-quarters, his Majes-
ty desired this one to be presented to the Governor,
He had suffocated his brother in a fit of romping,
being much the larger of the two, but he was ex-
tremely docile and good-tempered, and was led by
a chain only, being let loose when eating was
going forward, on which occasions he received his
share; but he helped himself to a fowl once or twice,
and as he always gave it up to his master, he was
occasionally employed to secure provisions when the
Q
226 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
natives surlily refused a supply. He was one day
sitting behind Mr. Hutchison, with his chin on the
latter’s shoulder, when this gentleman refreshed
himself by pouring some lavender water on his
handkerchief. In an instant, this panther tore it
out of his hand, as if in a state of ecstasy, nor ceased
to roll over it till the cambric was in fragments.
The day after his arrival at Cape Coast, he was led
into the hall where we were all dining; and he re-
ceived our salutations with apparent pleasure. On
one occasion he stood on his hind legs, and put his
fore paws on the shoulders of an officer, who hastily
retreated, and it was amusing to see the unconquer-
able dread of him which assailed men who were
undaunted where men only were concerned. We
named the panther ‘“ Sai†after the king, and he was
kept in a small court; his claws and teeth were filed,
and no live food was given to him. A boy was ap-
pointed to watch him. He was perfectly harmless;
and the only violence he evinced, was when a servant
pulled his food from him, and he then tore a piece
out of the man’s leg. Once he escaped, and dashed
on to the ramparts, where he caused a scene of con-
fusion which was quite laughable; the sentinels
fled, the officers closed their doors, the castle gates
were shut; but when he was tired of his scamper,
the playful beast quietly laid himself down under a
gun carriage, and suffered his attendant to lead him
away. At last he was allowed to roam at large,
LEOPARDS. 227
orders being given to prevent his going beyond the
gates; and the boy was desired not to leave him.
He, however, often fell asleep, on which occasions
Sal would come stealthily behind him as he sat
upright, and knock him over with a blow from his
paw, when he wagged his tail with delight. His
principal amusement was to stand on his hind legs,
his fore paws resting on the sill of one of the win-
dows, his chin between them, and there contem-
plate all that was going on in the town below. But
this was also a favourite pastime with my uncle’s
children; and there ‘was not always room for all, so
they often pulled him down by the tail, and took
his place, without exciting his anger. His attach-
ment to my uncle was very great, and he chiefly
lived in his room. He missed him one day when
he was holding a great palaver in the hall, and
wandered about in search of him. The multitude
prevented the panther from seein g his friend, and he
wandered to other parts of the castle, among others
to my room, where he laid himself down with a
disconsolate look. The palaver over, the Governor
returned to his room to write, and the door being
open, heheard Sai coming slowly up the stairs. The
panther started when he saw the object of his search,
and as he made one bound across the room, my
uncle gave himself up for lost; but the affectionate
creature nestled his head into his master’s shoulder,
tubbed his cheek against him, and only tried by.
228 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
caresses to evince his happiness. He was very fond
of hiding himself under one of the sofas in the hall,
where a rustling noise, a protruding paw, or an
occasional peep from behind the cover, alone be-
trayed his presence. The Governor was once enter-
taining some officers from Elmina, when, in the
midst of an animated discussion, they both turned
pale, and stopped speaking. Their host looked up—
‘‘T beg your pardon,†said one of them, “‘ but are you
aware what animal is now lying under that sofa?â€
‘‘ Sai,†said my uncle, ‘ come and speak to these
gentlemen.†The panther walked up to them, and
both darted behind the Governor, nor did they feel
comfortable when Sai was ordered back to his
hiding-place. I bantered one of them about his
fears when I met him at dinner; and he confessed
that he had never been more frightened. One of
the drollest circumstances attending Sai’s presence
at the castle, occurred to a woman who swept the
floor of the great hall every day before dinner was
laid, with a little hand-broom, called a prah-prah.
She was engaged in her usual occupation, without
knowing that Sai was there, and stooping almost on
all fours; when with a sudden impulse of fun, the
panther jumped upon her back, and stood there,
wagging his tail. Naturally supposing she was
going to be devoured, the poor prah-prah woman
screamed so violently as to bring the other servants,
whereupon they being of the same opinion as
LEOPARDS. 229
herself, and thinking their turn might come next,
ran away; nor was she released till the governor,
hearing the noise, came to her assistance.
Before Sai was put on board the vessel in which
we were to sail together, we had become the best
friends possible; and I and my uncle coaxed him
into the cage made for his accommodation, He
was put into a canoe, the men belonging to
which were so alarmed when he moved, that they
upset the canoe, and the poor animal was plunged
into the sea. We were watching him from a window
in the castle, and gave him up for lost; but some of
the sailors of the vessel, seeing the disaster, stepped
into a boat, and rescued him. He was so subdued
by his ducking, and the uncomfortable dampness of
his cage, for no one dared to open it to wipe it out,
that he rolled himself up in the corner, and only,
after an interval of some days, was roused by my
voice. When I first spoke he raised his head, held
it first on one side then on the other, and when I
came fully into view, jumped upon his legs, and
appeared frantic with joy; he rolled himself over
and over, howled, opened his enormous jaws, and
seemed as if he could tear his cage to pieces, in
order to get close to me. Gradually, however, his
violence subsided; he was amply caressed; and from
that time, ate everything which was offered to him:
perhaps he had suffered from sea-sickness. I in-
dulged him twice a week with some lavender water
230 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
put into a cup made of stiff paper, but never allowed
him to have it when his claws were pushed forth;
so that he learned to retract them at my bidding.
While we lay for weeks in the river Gaboon, he
was never suffered to leave his cage, because the
deck was constantly filled with black persons, to
whom he always manifested a decided aversion. I
have already mentioned his rage at seeing a chim-
panzee and monkeys, and only secondary to this
was the approach of pigs, whom he seemed to
long to devour.
On the voyage to England direct, I thought he
would have been starved to death; for we were
boarded by pirates, who took almost all our provi-
sions away, of course including our live stock, and
if it had not been for the numerous parrots in the
vessel, Sai must have met with a melancholy death.
Some died daily as we came into colder climates,
and he was allowed one each day. It was just
enough to keep him from starving, and this some-
times made him seize it so ravenously, that he did
not give himself time to pluck off the feathers; these
in process of time formed a hard substance within
the intestines, which made him very ill, he refused
even his small portion of food, and I thought would
have died; but I made some pills of calomel,
butter, and flour, and put them very far down his
throat, while his particular attendant, one of the
cabin boys, held his jaws open. The boy slept in
LEOPARDS. 231
the cage with him all night; and the next morning,
I administered a further dose, which effected his
cure.
Having, after a long absence from England, no
accommodation for such an inmate, we, as speedily
as possible, sought a home for him. He was pre-
sented to the duchess of York, who boarded him
at Exeter Change, till she herself was going to
Oatlands. I visited him more than once; and it
was only by stratagem that I could get away
without his following me.- One morning the
duchess called and played with him, when he ap-
peared to be in perfect health. In the evening,
when her coachman went to fetch him, he was dead,
and his malady said to be inflammation of the
lungs.
The Panther is considered as a sacred animal on
the Gold Coast; and the priests demand a fine for
each one that is killed; consequently, they and
leopards (if there be any difference) are numerous,
and occasionally commit much mischief. They
leap over high walls, or stockades, and take away
the sheep and goats kept within, leaping back with
them in their mouths. They come into the streets
of the towns or villages at night, where I have
often seen them jumping about, and chasing each
other. Our chief surgeon had a house on the out-
skirts of the forest, that he might enjoy more room
than he could have in barracks ; and one night,
232 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
. while sleeping there, he thought he heard his
servant boys (who generaJly remained all night in
the verandah) dancing outside his bed-room door.
He called to them to be quiet, and for a minute or
two the noise ceased; as this happened several times,
he rose, took a large stick, opened his door a little
way, in order to punish them, when, instead of his
sable attendants, he saw two large panthers perform-
ing their own dance; and itis scarcely necessary to
say, that he quickly closed his door, and tolerated
the nuisance.
A woman at Annamaboo was very much scarred
on one arm and shoulder, in consequence of a
panther having sprung upon her when her child
was at her back, and she was carrying a pitcher of
water. The pitcher fell, and she made so vigorous
an attack upon his eyes, that he became bewildered,
and retreated. This is not the only instance I have
heard of wild and ferocious animals being driven
away by blows on this part.
A little girl of fourteen, who was to have been my
maid as soon as she was old enough, was not as
fortunate as her neighbour; she being attacked by
a panther who sprang upon her through an open
window, in a room where she was sleeping by her-
self. Her cries brought her family round her, and
the beast made his escape as he had entered, but
having once tasted blood there, he was sure to
return, and a trap was made which caught him the
LEOPARDS. 233
ensuing night; the fine was paid, and the skin was
given tome. The poor child hada piece of her
scalp taken off, a triangular morsel had been bitten
from her shoulder; and her throat had a gash on
each side of her windpipe. All these wounds
appeared as if they had been cut with a knife; none
of them were mortal, but she had not strength to
encounter the weakness they engendered. Her father
brought her in a canoe to head-quarters for the
attendance of an English surgeon, but she expired
as she was carried ashore.
A party of us had gone to St. Mary’s near the
mouth of the river Gambia; and in the evening a
bright moonlight induced us to take a walk. It
was not very prudent; but we started, the com-
mandant, a quaker lady and myself, to the out-
skirts of the forest. My female companion after
we had advanced some distance, began to think of
danger, and I, in mischief, rustled among the
branches of the thicket in order to alarm her
still more. We proceeded as far as a spring under
a huge Baobab, where we stood for some time, till
the monkeys began to pelt us from the tree over
our heads. A slight movement in the bushes also
. Seemed to say it was time to depart; and then, ex-
patiating on our own fool-hardiness, we went on,
and reached home in safety. The next morning we
were informed, that an enormous leopard had been
caught in a trap close to the spring, half an hour
234 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
after we had been there, and his footsteps had been
traced upon mine in the sand. We never could
understand, humanly speaking, what saved us,
unless it were the long white plumes which waved
from the hat of the commandant. These traps are
generally pit-falls, baited, too often, with a live
kid, whose cries entice the beast of prey.
The Jaguar is the leopard of America, and is also
very destructive at times; hunger, however, is the
prompter; and Baron Humboldt relates a story of a
native woman, whose children used to play daily
with one which came from the forest close by. She
discovered it in consequence of the cry of one of
the children, who received a scratch in play from
their companion, who was a little too rough. Had
he required a supper, the wound would probably
have been more than a scratch. D’Azara, how-
ever, says, he is a very ferocious animal; causing
great destruction among horses and asses. He
is extremely fond of eggs, and goes to the shores
frequented by turtles, and digs them out of the
sand.
Two of the early settlers in the western states
of America, a man and his wife closed their
wooden hut, and went to pay a visit at a dis-
tance, leaving a freshly killed piece of venison
hanging inside.
The gable end of this house was not boarded up
as high as the roof, but a large aperture was left
LEOPARDS, 235
for light and air. By taking an enormous leap, a
hungry jaguar, attracted by the smell of the veni-
son, had entered the hut, and devoured part of it;
he was disturbed by the return of the owners, and
took his departure. The venison was removed: the
husband went away the night after to a distance,
and left his wife alone in the hut. She had not
been long in bed before she heard the jaguar leap
in at the open gable; there was no door between
her room and that in which he had entered, and
she knew not how to protect herself. She, however,
screamed as loudly as she could, and made all the
violent noises she could think of, which served to
frighten him away at that time; but she knew he
would come again, and she must be prepared for
him. She tried to make a large fire; but the wood
was expended. She thought of rolling herself up in
the bed clothes; but these would be torn off. The
idea of getting under the low bedstead suggested
itself, but she felt sure a paw would be stretched
forth which would drag her out: her husband had
taken all their fire-arms. At last, as she heard
the jaguar this time scrambling up the end of
the house, she, in despair, got into a large store
chest, the lid of which closed with a spring.
Scarcely was she within it, and had dragged the
lid down, inserting her fingers between it and
the side of the chest, when the jaguar discovered
where she was; he smelt round the chest, tried
236 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
to get his head in through the crack, but fortu-
nately he could not raise the lid; he found her
fingers and began to lick them; she felt them
bleed, but did not dare to move them, for fear
she should be suffocated. At length the jaguar
leaped on to the lid, and his weight, pressing down
the lid, fractured these fingers. Still she could
not move, he smelt round again, he pulled, he
leaped on and off, till, at last, getting tired of
his vain efforts, he went away. The poor woman
lay there till daybreak, and then only, feeling
safe from her enemy, she went as fast as her strength
would let her to the nearest neighbour’s, a distance
of two miles, where she procured help for her
wounded fingers, which were long getting well.
On his return, her husband found a male and female
jaguar in the forest close by, with their cubs; and
all were destroyed.
As proof that these animals are as soon startled
as the tiger, we are told of an Indian, who saw a
fierce-looking jaguar standing directly in his path,
at a distance of ten paces. At first he was extreme-
ly puzzled to know what to do: but a sudden
impulse prompted him to take off his broad brim-
med hat, make a low bow, and say, ‘‘ A very good
morning to you, Sir;†and to his surprise, the jaguar
turned round, and walked leisurely away.
A very beautiful Ounce lived in the menagerie of
the Jardin des Plantes, in Paris, which became
> eee†SP. _ - FF eR eee hes ee a OS, ee : “4 r
CATS. 237
extremely tame; and Mdlle. Cuvier and I used very
often to go and take him a walk, leading him from
his den to a small space surrounded by high stakes:
he required no other confinement to ensure his
obedience, than twisting our hands in the loose
skin of his neck, and he never failed at all times to
recognise us with pleasure if we went into his
vicinity.
The Cheetah is gentle and affectionate, and suc-
cessfully trained for hunting.
CATS.
Cats are diminished examples of the feline race;
but their fur is longer than that of others, and they
bear a greater resemblance to leopards than to lions.
The idea of majesty is not connected with them,
but they are celebrated for grace, elegance, supple-
ness, and insidiousness. There is yet a wild species
in existence, which inhabits the mountainous and »
wooded districts of the northern part of England,
and also Scotland, where it used formerly to be
very abundant. It is scarcely necessary to give a
description, even of the untamed species, so well
known are the general characters of these animals.
It will be quite sufficient to say, that the head of
the latter is triangular, the soles of the feet of the
238 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
male are always black, their tails are bushy, they
spring furiously upon whoever approaches, and
utter unearthly cries. Mr. St. John, when walking
up to his knees in heather, over broken ground,
came suddenly upon a wild cat. She rushed out
between his legs, every hair standing up. He cut
a good sized stick; and three Skye terriers gave
chase till she took refuge in a corner, spitting and
growling. On trying to dislodge her, she flew at
Mr. St. John’s face, over the dog’s heads; but he
struck her while in the air, and she fell among the
dogs, who soon dispatched her, even though they
say, that a wild-cat has twelve instead of nine lives.
If one be taken, those in the neighbourhood are
sure to be also secured, as they will all, in the
manner of foxes, assemble round the body of their
relation.
Domestic cats often run away to the woods and
subsist on their own hunting; but these are
not to be taken for the real wild cat. The female
of the latter is the smaller of the two, and retires
into the fissures of rocks, or takes possession of some
large bird’s nest, when she is about to have young
ones. They are found all through Germany, Russia,
Hungary, and the North of Asia, where their fur
is much more valued than it is here, probably on
account of the length and quality of the hair.
Our house cats are, by most naturalists, supposed
not to have descended from the above wild species..
CATS. 239
Professor Temminck ascribes their origin to the
Nubian cat, found in that country by M. Riippell,
but Mr. Bell differs from him.
Cats were numerous in Egypt, where they were
much prized, and honoured with being embalmed.
In Abyssinia they form part of a marriage dowry,
for fear the mice should eat up the other portions.
Nevertheless, it will be perhaps more like the truth
if we give our cats an Asiatic origin. When they
run wild, Mr. St. John says, they are often irre.
claimable, and do incredible mischief. There are
instances, however, of their returning to their
homes bringing game with them. One known to
the above gentleman, used every winter evening to
bring in a woodcock; another brought back rabbits
and hares; the latter was constantly caught in traps,
which accident did not cure him of his wanderings,
and he never struggled, but sat quietly till some
one came and effected his release.
All cats sleep slightly, raise their back, bristle up
their hair, and swell up their tail when angry.
Those which have been domesticated are very in-
quisitive concerning things rather than persons;
smell, and inspect a new piece of furniture several
times; are attached to houses, and are extremely
fond of scents, especially certain kinds emanating
from plants. They seldom eat the rats which they
kill, although they devour mice. If they should
swallow a shrew, which is very rare, they almost
240 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
immediately reject it. They will sit hour after hour
watching at the mouth of a hole, and after selzing |
their prey, bring it to their favourites in the house
to show their prowess, and strut about with a great
air of self-satisfaction. They generally have a great
dislike to water; but they have been known to sur-
mount this when they could catch a fish, for which
species of food they have a great preference. The
accusation that they play with you one minute, and
scratch you the next, is too true: the change is not
an act of treachery, but arises from excitement.
I know not whence it is derived; but for cen-
turies cats have beon connected with superstition
and sorcery. They have always been regarded as
attendants upon witches; and witches themselves
have been said to borrow their shapes when on
their mysterious expeditions. I was once told, that
Lord Cochrane was accompanied by a favourite
black cat in a cruise through the northern seas.
The weather had been most unpropitious; no day
had passed without some untoward circumstance,
and the sailors were not slow in attributing the
whole to the influence of the black cat on board.
This came to Lord Cochrane’s ears, and knowing
that any attempt to reason his men out of so absurd
a notion was perfectly useless, he offered to sacrifice
this object of his regard, and have her thrown over-
board. This, however, far from creating any satis-
faction, only alarmed the men still more; they were
CATS. : 241
sure that the tempests she would then raise would
be much worse than any they had yet encountered;
and they implored his lordship to let her remain
unmolested. ‘“ There was no help, and they could
only hope, if she were not affronted, they might, at
the end of their time, reach Iingland in safety.â€
Black cats were always more especially connected
with superstitious feelings, and I was once accosted
by a peasant’s wife, who, with a phial in her hand
to contain it, requested I would give her a few
drops of blood from the tail of my black kitten;
not only to bring luck to her hearth, but to keep
pestilence from her doors. Even lately, a working
woman told me not to turn a stray black cat from
my house; for, if I did, I should never have any
prosperity afterwards. Captain Brown tells us that
on Hallowe'en, it was usual in Scotland for families
to tie up their cat, in order to preserve it from
being used as a pony by the witches that night.
Those who neglected this precaution, ran the risk
of seeing their cat scampering through the fields,
with a witch on its back, on the high road to Nor-
way. A black cat was commonly sacrificed by the
ancients to Hecate, or among the Scandinavians to
Frea, the northern Hecate. A black cat, sent with
a prayer-book and a bag of sand into a new house,
So as to precede the proprietor in possession, was
formerly deemed essential to ensure prosperity to
the person changing his abode. To steal a black
R
242 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
cat, and bury it alive, is in the Irish Highlands,
considered as a specific for a disorder in cattle,
termed ‘ blacklegs,†which otherwise proves fatal.
There is yet another peculiar feeling respecting
cats—namely, the strange antipathy which some
persons entertain towards them, and is equally un-
assailable with that of superstition. Of course, in
many instances, illness and weak indulgence, have
greatly increased it, but in some cases, it has been
unconsciously harboured, and in others unconquer-
able. A friend of mine told me, that through life
this feeling had accompanied him, in spite of every
endeavour made to eradicate it. When a little boy
he awoke one night, with that trembling and cold
perspiration which always assailed him when a cat
was in his vicinity; and, screaming for help, he in-
treated the servant who entered to take away the
cat which was in the room. The man searched,
but found no traces of puss. His young master still
persisted she was there, but a renewed search proved
equally unavailing, nor could he compose himself to
rest unless the servant remained in the room till he
was asleep. This accomplished, the man left him,
and a second time my friend awoke in the same
manner, with the same appeals for assistance. They
were obeyed; he himself joined in the search, and
he dragged. out a cat from the close stove (for it
was in Germany) which had taken refuge there,
and been wholly unperceived by the man servant.
CATS. 243
This gentleman’s daughter inherited the same anti-
pathy, and neither the tenderest feelings towards
other ‘‘ dumb creatures,†or the strongest efforts of
a mind of unusual strength, could subdue the un-
comfortable and distressing sensation which thrilled
through her when a cat was in her presence.
Where every house has a cat, many two, where
every female cat, at least twice in each year, brings
forth a litter of from three to five kittens, which
are not all drowned, some idea may be formed of
the untellable number of cats in London; but it is
only the dwellers what is called a quiet out-of-
the-way street in the metropolis, who can form any
notion of the noise and caterwaulings of this part of
the population. All cats, on first taking possession
with their owners, of a house, are obliged to enter
into an alliance, offensive and defensive, with the
older inhabitants of the neighbourhood. In some
instances the amicable arrangements, though less
noisy, are the most troublesome, of which I was
convinced in one of my dwellings. The back over-
looked a number of gardens, some of which were
large, and to enjoy these sufficiently, a small, leaded
terrace was thrown out from the back drawing-room
window. Here all the cats of all the gardens, the
street, and the opposite square, used to hold their
conversazione ; and I presume, that my cats were
particularly amiable, for often, if the drawing-room
window had been left open during our absence, we
244 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
found a select few, perhaps five or six, sitting within
_its precincts, as if in friendly talk.
Every cat that comes to a new area in London,
appears to me to be obliged to fight till he gains
undisturbed possession of it; at least so it has been
the case with my cats. A very fine, bold, powerful
tabby, did this twice with perfect success; but after
repeated combats, although victorious, the struggle
made him fierce and occasionally sullen. Another
who was a very beautiful creature, but much weaker,
used to come in with his handsome ears slit, his
cheeks swollen, his fur torn. off, his frolic and
vivacity gone; and he sat crouching by the fire all
day. At night he was roused by the fierce defiance
of his enemies; and the contest continued till he
died from his exertions.
One cat belonging to me had a curious manner
of shewing her disappointment or anger, whichever
it might be; for the instant she was affronted, she
walked away and seated herself with her back to
the offending parties. A child of hers was an in-
stance of the effect of judicious education, for fair
and gentle treatment transformed her, from a violent,
outrageous kitten, to a well behaved cat, and it was
curious to see the instantaneous effect which the
voice of his preceptress produced. Cats will learn
all sorts of antics, and form all sorts of contradictory
attachments; young birds, puppies, rats and mice
frequently being the objects. My mother-in-
CATS. 245
law had both a favourite canary and an equally be-
loved cat; the former lived in her bed room; and
when alone, she suffered him to fly about the room,
for she could there exclude the latter. Chance, how-
ever, discovered that puss was as fond of the canary
as she was; and, to her surprise, on raising her head
from her work one morning, she saw the bird perched
upon the cat's body, without fear, and the cat evident-
ly delighted. After that there was no further restraint,
and the two pets were daily companions. Their
mistress, however, received another fright; for Puss
gave a slight growl, and seizing the bird in her
mouth, leaped on to the bed; her tail swelled out,
her hair erect, and her eyes as big as four. The
bird was of course given up for lost: but the door
being accidentally left open, a strange cat had come
in; and it was for the preservation of the bird, that
the cat had seized him, and as soon as the intruder
was driven away, she set the prisoner at liberty.
Cats have often been trained to act as game-finders,
without offering the slightest damage to their cap-
ture; they have given the alarm when thieves have
been breaking in; and manifested great proofs of
reflection and thought, which may be called reason,
without degrading this act of the intellect. One
belonging to my sister invariably goes to her room
when she rings her bell; but does not offer to stir
when any other bell in the house is sounded.
Another, in the service of a friend, was in the habit
of going into the garden, catching a bird, and —
246 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
bringing it to the cook, appearing to ask her to
dress it; and yet it was perfectly her own sug-
gestion.
A brother of mine had a favourite tortoise-shell
cat, named Monkey, who always sat on his shoul-
der when he was shaving, and evinced every sign
of deep attachment. He left her under the care of
some friends when he went abroad; and, two years
after, these ladies were surprised the evening he
was expected home, at the extreme restlessness of
the animal. She heard the arrival of the carriage
at the garden gate before they did; and ere the
bell was rung, she was furious to be let out to meet
him. Her joy was indescribable; and the next
morning she took her place on his shoulder as usual,
when she saw him prepare his razor. Such attach-
ments have been known to continue after death; and
cats have died of grief on their master’s grave.
I have already noticed a great friendship between
a pug dog and a cat; and the following proof of
a similar strength of love is taken from the pages of
M. Wenzel, in his ‘‘ Observations on the Language
of Brutes.†‘I had a cat and a dog, which became
so attached to each other, that they would never
willingly be asunder. Whenever the dog got any
choice morsel of food, he was sure to divide it
with his whiskered friend. They always ate
socially out of one plate, slept in the same bed, and
daily walked out together. Wishing to put this
CATS. 247
apparently sincere friendship to the proof, I one day,
took the cat by herself into my room, while I had the
dog kept in another apartment. I entertained the
cat in a most sumptuous manner; being desirous to
see what sort of meal she would make without her
friend, who had been hitherto her constant table
companion. The cat enjoyed the treat, and seemed
entirely to have forgotten the dog. I had had a
partridge for dinner, half of which I intended to
keep for supper. My wife covered it with a plate,
and put it into a cupboard, the door of which she
did not lock. The cat left the room, and I walked
out on business; my wife meanwhile sat at work in
an adjoining apartment. When I returned home,
she related to me the following circumstances :—The
cat having hastily left the dining-room, went to
the dog,and mewed unusually loudly, and in different
tones; which the dog, from time to time, answered
with a short bark. They went together to the door
of the room where the cat had dined, and waited
till it was opened. The two friends then imme-
diately entered the apartment. My wife rose from
her seat, went softly to the door which stood ajar,
to observe what was going on. The cat led the
dog to the cupboard which contained the partridge,
pushed off the plate which covered it, and taking
out my intended supper, laid it before her canine
friend, who devoured it quickly.â€
The following anecdote almost places the cat on
248 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
a level with the dog:—* A physician of Lyons was
requested to inquire into a murder that had been
committed on a woman of that city. In conse-
quence of this request, he went to the habitation of
the deceased, where he found her extended lifeless
on the floor, weltering in her blood. A large white
cat was mounted on the cornice of a cupboard, at
the far end of the apartment, where he seemed to
have taken refuge. He sat motionless with his
eyes fixed on the corpse, and his attitude and looks
expressing horror and affright. The following
morning he was found in the same station and
attitude, and when the room was filled with officers
of justice, neither the clattering of the soldier’s
arms, nor the loud conversation of the company,
could in the least degree divert his attention. As
soon, however, as the suspected persons were brought
in, his eyes glared with increased fury, his hair
bristled, he darted into the middle of the apartment,
where he stopped for a moment to gaze at them,
and then precipitately retreated under the bed.
The countenances of the assassins were disconcerted,
and they were now, for the first time, abandoned
by their audacious atrocity.â€
There are several instances on record of cats
finding their way back to their former abodes under
circumstances of great difficulty, and the following
appears to me to be one of the most striking of
them, and quoted from a letter:—‘* When living at
CATS. 249
Four Paths, Clarendon, Jamaica, I wanted a cat, and
had one given to me, which was nearly full grown;
it was brought from Morgan’s Valley Estate, where
it was bred, and had never been removed from that
place before. The distance was five miles. It was put
into a canvass bag, and carried by a man on horse-
back. Between the two places there are two rivers,
one of them about eighty feet broad and two feet
and a half deep, running strong; the other is wider
and more rapid, but less deep; over these rivers are
no bridges. The cat was shut up at Four Paths
for some days, and when considered to be reconciled
to her new dwelling, she was allowed to go about
the house. The day after obtaining her liberty, she
was missing; and, upon my next visiting the estate
she was brought from, I was quite amazed to learn
that the cat had come back again. Did she swim
over the rivers at the fords where the horse came
through with her, or did she ascend the banks fora
considerable distance, in search of a more shallow
place, and where the stream was less powerful ?
At all events she must have crossed the rivers, in
opposition to her natural habits.â€
A singular malformation in the cat has been
perpetuated, till a race of tailless cats is now in
existence, and which is certainly no improvement
on the original stock; for nothing can be more
graceful than the attitudes of the cat’s tail, or more
expressive of its feelings of joy or anger.
250 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
SQUIRRELS.
A PECULIAR formation of the incisors, or front
teeth, groupes a number of smaller animals together
under the name of Rodentia, from the Latin word
rodens, which signifies gnawing. These teeth act
as files, so that the food on which their owners
principally live is reduced by friction to a state
which fits it for digestion. As the edges of these
teeth become worn by constant use, they incessantly
grow from the root. If one be broken, that opposite
to it, in the other jaw, being deprived of its habi-
tual wear and tear, grows so fast that it not only
annoys its owner, but has caused his destruction by
effectually closing the mouth. Their lower jaws
can only move backwards and forwards; some ex-
clusively eat vegetables, others eat all things, and
others again prefer flesh. Some carry their food to
their mouths with their paws, and climb trees; and,
in many, the hinder limbs are so much longer than
those in front, that they leap instead of walk. They
are widely and numerously spread on the surface of
the earth, and therefore bear strongly on its history;
but it is not among them that we find the high
intellectual development with which many other
animals are gifted.
Squirrels are some of the most beautiful of the
SQUIRRELS. 251
Rodentia, and chiefly live in trees. The fur of
some of the species is extremely beautiful and valu-
able; they are very active, elegant little creatures,
and easily tamed, when they become very playful
and affectionate. A friend of mine was deprived
of her only daughter, and the lost one’s pet
squirrel was of course cherished and loved; the
little creature used to run up the lady’s arm,
and seat itself on her shoulder, caress her with
its head, nestle itself into her neck, and drink
her tears. As long as it lived, it was never ca-
ressed by the mother without first looking in her
face for the drops, which it had been accustomed
to remove.
These animals have a large bushy tail, the
hair of which spreads out on each side like a
feather; and by it they are guided and supported
when they leap. The flying squirrels, as they
are called, have an expansion of the skin of the
sides, which extends between the hind and fore
legs, by which they are suspended in the air when
passing from tree to tree, and by it are enabled
to go to greater distances without being actually
able to fly, as their name would imply. The
general colour of the English squirrel is red in
summer; but im winter they often assume a grey-
ish tint, at which time they have long pencils of
hair at the top of their ears, This grey becomes
more decided in more northern climates; and
252 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
occasionally they are black. They always live in
pairs, and sometimes are gregarious, inhabiting
burrows. They lay up stores of provisions in dif-
ferent places; but they sleep the greater part of
the cold months, their tail turned over them to
keep them warm, having beforehand made a very
elaborate nest of moss, leaves, and interlacing fibres
in the hole ofa tree, or the fork of two branches.
They exclusively eat vegetable food, and are occa-
sionally themselves eaten by the larger birds of
prey.
Sir Francis Head gives us the following account
of his meeting with a squirrel in Canada. “I was
waiting the approach of a large flock of wild fowl;
but a little villain of a squirrel on the bough of a
tree close to me, seemed to have determined that
even now I should not rest in quiet; for he sput-
tered and chattered with so much vehemence, that
he attracted the attention of my dog. This was
truly mortifying; for he kept his eyes fixed on the
squirrel. With my hand I threatened the little
beast; but he actually set up his back and defied
me, becoming even more pastionate than before;
till, all of a sudden, as if purposely to alarm the
game, he dropped plump within a couple of yards
of Rover's nose. This was too much for the latter
to bear, so he gave a bounce and sprang upon the
impertinent squirrel; who, in a second, was out of
his reach, cocking his tail and shewing his teeth, on
SQUIRRELS. 253
the identical bough where he had sat before.
Away flew all the wild fowl, and my sport was
completely marred. My gun went involuntarily to
my shoulder to shoot the squirrel; but I felt I was
about to commit an act of sheer revenge on a cou-
rageous little animal, which deserved a better fate.
As if aware of my hesitation, he nodded his head
with rage, and stamped his fore paws on the tree;
while in his chirruping, there was an intonation of
sound, which seemed like contempt. What busi-
ness had I there trespassing on his domain, and
frightening his wife and little family, for whom he
was ready to lay down his life? There he would
sit in spite of me, and make my ears ring with the
sound of his woo-whoop, till the spring of life
should cease to bubble in his little heart.â€
It is from Captain Brown’s pages that I extract
the following. ‘A gentleman procured a squirrel
from a nest, found at Woodhouse, near Edinburgh,
which he reared and rendered extremely docile. It
was kept in a box below an aperture, where was
suspended a rope, by which the animal ascended
and descended. ‘The little creature used to watch
very narrowly all its master’s movements; and,
whenever he was preparing to go out, it ran up
his legs, and entered his pocket, from whence it
would peep out at passengers as he walked along
the streets, never venturing however to go out.
‘‘ But no sooner would he reach the outskirts of
254 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
the city, than the squirrel leaped on the ground, ran
along the road, ascended to the tops of trees and
hedges with the quickness of lightning, and nibbled
at the leaves and bark; and, if the gentleman walked
on, it would descend, scamper after him, and again
enter his pocket. Whenever it heard a carriage or
cart, it became much alarmed, and always hid itself
till they had passed by. This gentleman had a dog,
between which and the squirrel, a certain enmity
existed. Whenever the dog lay asleep, the squirrel
showed its teazing disposition by rapidly descend-
ing from its box, scampering over the dog’s body,
and then quickly mounting its rope.â€
RATS.
SOME persons profess to think that the Rodents
called Rats are beautiful animals; and I presume
that, prejudice apart, the sleek skin, the sharp head,
the long, slender tail, and the keen look of their
bright black eyes, ought to be attractions; but
those who have been annoyed with these animals
as I have been, can scarcely regard them with any-
thing but dislike. Overspreading the whole world
as they do, it is no wonder, where they are not
vigorously checked, and where food is abundant,
their numbers should amount to something fright-
ful. On a visit to Sierra Leone, I was all day at
RATS. 255
the Government House, and going to an upper
room to make my toilette, I heard a pattering of
little feet close to me, and turning my head I saw
between the floor and the shrunken door of the next
apartment, a whole army of rats on a peregrination,
and giving such an idea of number, that, unini-
tiated as I then was (it being on my first journey
to Africa), I was perfectly appalled, and most thank-
ful that I returned that night to sleep in my safer
cabin on board ship. This, however, was but the
beginning; and, in the next vessel which I entered,
they were so numerous, that the next time she re-
turned to port, she was sunk for a time, as the only
means of getting rid of them. Between these
creatures and the cock-roaches, I thought my poor
child and myself must be devoured.
There is a facility given to the human mind to
accommodate itself to all circumstances, for which
perhaps we are not sufficiently thankful; and it
never was more strongly manifested than in my
own case, for both fear and apprehension vanished
with habit, and I became fearless of those animated
creatures which at first seemed to be the bane of
my existence. When living in Cape Coast Castle,
T used to see the rats come in troops past my door,
walking over my black boys as they lay there, and
who only turned themselves over to present the
other sides of their faces and bodies, when the rats
returned — and thought it a good joke. The
256 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
fiercest encounter which I ever had with them was
during one of those terrific storms, which are more
furious between the tropics than elsewhere. I was
then, however, under the Equator, in a native hut,
and heard an exceeding rustling and movement all
around me. ‘lo my terror, I perceived that these
proceeded from a number of rats running up and
down the sides of the room in which I was to pass
the night, and who shortly began to run over me;
they being disturbed by the torrents of rain which
were then falling. The only weapon I could find |
was a shoe, and curling myself into a large arm-
chair, taken out of a French vessel, and covered
with blue satin damask, I sat prepared for my
enemies, whom I dreaded much more than the
lightning, which was flashing across the iron bars
laid upon the floor. I felt that the silk of my place
of refuge was some sort of protection against this;
but my own arm could alone save me from my four-
footed foes. Presently my husband came in, and
saluted me with a shout of laughter, which, how-
ever, abated when he saw my antagonists. The
storm lulled for a while, and the rats retreated: we
then crept within the curtains of bamboo cloth,
which encircled a rude imitation of a four-post bed-
stead, but I kept possessionof my shoe. Weary with
watching, I closed my eyes, but was awakened by
a tremendous flash of lightning, immediately fol-
lowed by awful thunder and a tumultous rush of
RATS. 257
rats. Some of them scrambled up the outside of
the curtains; but arms in hand I sat up, and directed
by the noise, I hurled the invaders to the ground,
till at length resistance, and the passing away of
the storm allowed me to sleep in peace.
These were the brown rats which infest every
part of the world, but very much increased in size
by their residence in a hot climate.
Besides these brown rats, a bush rat, as it is called,
infests the forests, and is about as large as a young
pig. When I first saw this, and felt myself sur-
rounded as it were, by familiar animals increased to
such magnitude, by multitudes previously unknown
to me, and others of which I had only heard, and yet
none of us were devoured, I could not but feel with
tenfold depth the Creator's command, that man
should have the dominion over them all. His own
strength alone could never enable him to walk
among them unharmed.
The principal characters which distinguish the
rat remain in all countries, but there are several
species. The black rat is that which first inhabited
this island; but it has been nearly driven out by
the brown, which is, Without any foundation, termed
the N. orway rat. It came from India, Persia, ete.,
and is said to have appeared in Europe after a great
earthquake in 1727. All are so eminently carni-
vorous, that they do not make the least ceremony
of devouring each other in times of scarcity; so
8
258 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
that on one occasion, already spoken of, when I
and my companions stood a chance of being starved
ourselves, we felt sure that the violent screams and
struggles we heard going on among the rats behind
the planks, arose from the meals which the strong
were making upon their more feeble brethren.
Rats are nocturnal in their habits, and like to
live in subterranean, or mysterious abodes. They
are found in islands lying in the midst of the ocean,
till the moment of their discovery to us, supposed not
to have been visited by man, and yet the question
still remains unsettled, whether the differences
which exist in rats were caused by locality, or
whether they were so from the beginning. There
is now no known spot free from the Norway rat,
and the greater the number, of course the more
impudent they become. In Ceylon, 1 am told,
where they are innumerable, they perch on the
top of a chair, or screen, and sit there till some-
thing is thrown at them, at which they slowly
retreat. A noise is heard'in the verandah close by
you, and you see a party of rats, disputing with a
dog for the possession of some object. A traveller
in Ceylon saw his dogs set upon a rat, and making
them relinquish it, he took it up by the tail,‘the
dogs leaping after it the whole time; he carried it
into his dining-room, to examine it there by the
light of the lamp, during the whole of which
period it remained as if it were dead; limbs hanging,
RATS. 259
and not a muscle moving. After five minutes he
threw it among the dogs, who were still in a state
of great excitement; and to the astonishment of all
present, it suddenly jumped upon its legs, and
ran away so fast that it baffled all its pursuers.
One evening, when at Bathurst, St. Mary’s, I was
sitting at work in an upper room, and in the midst
of the stillness, heard somewhat breathing close to
me. ‘There was no other person in the chamber ex-
cept my child, who was asleep in bed. Although
startled, I did not move, but casting my eyes
round I saw a huge rat, sitting upon the table at
my elbow, watching every movement of my fingers.
I could scarcely help laughing at his cool impu-
dence, and suppose I had been too much absorbed
by thought, or employment, to notice his approach.
I gradually laid down my work, and slipping quietly
out of the room, as if I had not perceived him,
called the servants. It was supposed that there
were nests of rats in the chimney; for that Govern-
ment House had been wisely provided with the
possibility of having fires in the rooms during the
rainy season; and the hunt began. I jumped
on to the bed, not only to be out of the way, but
to keep the rats from the place where my child
was. Two of the men, furnished with sticks,
routed the enemy from their hiding-places, and
four others squatted at the corners of the room,
holding a cloth spread between their hands. They
See eters ere
Rong eerreeseeen
260 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
said it was most likely the rats would run round
the walls, and they should therefore catch them
in the open cloth. The event proved them to be
right; the frightened animals rushed to them,
were immediately inclosed, and their necks were
wrung in a moment. After the hunt was ended,
they were thrown over the verandah into the
garden, to the number of at least fifty. In the
morning, however, they were all gone, but the
foot-marks of the Genet cats told how they had
been removed. Some squeaks the next day in
the chimney betrayed the presence of some very
young ones, and a fire of damp grass being lighted,
their destruction was completed by suffocation.
This was perhaps cruel, but it was necessary in
self-defence; and I shuddered to think of how I
and my daughter might, in our sleep, have been
attacked by these animals. It is not to be wondered
at, when surrounded by myriads of obnoxious
animals, how any tender feelings towards that
part of creation become blunted. At the moment
of which I speak, valuable books, dried plants,
papers containing the data of scientific observations,
concerning the survey of the river Gambia to a
considerable distance, were destroyed during the
illness of the observer, by rats and insects.
One afternoon, the commandant of Bathurst
was quietly reading, when he heard a violent
squeaking and hissing in the room below him,
Ai Mie
“ph Ye
A Ad “
AM Py
; ,
LEADING THE BLIND KAT,
Pace 26].
RATS, 261
which was even with the ground, and contained
stores. He took the key, and followed by his
servants armed with sticks, went to ascertain the
cause. On opening the door they beheld a rat
and a venomous serpent engaged in mortal combat.
Nothing could be more beautiful than the action
of both animals; the rat had retreated for a moment,
and stood with flashing eyes; the head of the
serpent was reared to receive a fresh attack; again
and again they closed and separated, but the
reptile, although much bitten, gained the victory ;
the rat fell, foamed at the mouth, swelled to a
great size, and died in a very few minutes, The
serpent glided away, but was afterwards discovered
in her nest with several young ones, in a crack of the
store-room wall, close to a staircase, which we were
in the habit of descending daily, and where, in
fact, I had often seen the serpents’ heads peeping
out, and had waited till they were withdrawn.
Of the brown rat Mr. Jesse tells the following
story:—‘ The Rev. Mr. Ferryman, walking out
in some meadows one evening, observed a great
number of rats in the act of migrating from one
place to another, which it is known, they are in
the habit of doing occasionally. He stood perfectly
still, and the whole assemblage passed close to him.
His astonishment, however, was great, when he
saw an old blind rat, which held a piece of stick at
one end in its mouth, while another rat had hold
262 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
of the other end of it, and thus conducted his blind
companion.â€
The amount of destructive force possessed by rats,
cannot be better exemplified than in the report given
to the French Government, relating to the removal of
the horse slaughter-houses, situated at Montfaucon,
to a greater distance from Paris; one great objec-
tion being the disastrous consequences which might
accrue to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, if
these voracious creatures were suddenly deprived of
their usual sustenance. It is well known, that the
mischief which they occasion is not confined to
what they eat; but they undermine houses, burrow
through dams, destroy drains, and commit incalcu-
lable havoc, in every place and in every thing.
The report states, that the carcases of horses
killed one day, and amounting to thirty-five, would
be found the next morning with the bones picked
clean. A person of the name of Dusaussois, belong-
ing to the establishment, made this experiment.
A part of his yard was enclosed by solid walls, at
the foot of which, several holes were made for the
entrance and exit of the rats. Into this enclosure
he put the bodies of three horses, and in the middle
of the night he stopped up all the holes as quietly
as he could; he then summoned several of his work-
men, and each, armed with a torch and a stick,
entered the yard, and carefully closed the door.
They then commenced a general massacre; in doing
RATS. 263
which, it was not necessary to take aim, for where-
ever the blow fell, it was sure to knock over a rat,
none being allowed to escape by climbing over the
walls. This experiment was repeated at intervals of
a few days, and at the end of a month, 16,050 rats
had been destroyed. In one night they killed
2,650; and yet this cannot give an entirely ade-
quate idea of their number, for the yard in question
did not cover more than a twentieth part of the
space allotted to killing horses. The rats in this
place have made burrows for themselves, like cata-
combs; and so great is their number, that they have
not found room close by the slaughter-houses.
They have gone farther; and the paths to and
from their dwellings may be traced across the
neighbouring fields.
The Zoological Gardens in the Regent’s Park,
are greatly infested by rats; but they are too cun-
ning to stay there during the day time, when they
might be more easily caught; so they in the morn-
ing cross the canal to the opposite shore, and
return in the evening to commit their depredations.
The Water-rats, or Voles, eat fishes, frogs, and
toads, besides other food, and do infinite mischief
to banks and dams, which they undermine. Their
smell is so acute, that they will not approach a trap
over which a hand has been passed; and they are
particularly abundant in all places where herrings
are cured, leaving them when the season is over.
The thing of all others which attracts rats of all
264 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
kinds, is a piece of roast beef; of which they
are so fond, that they have been known to kill
a companion who has eaten some, that they
might devour the contents of his stomach.
Dr. Carpenter was told by a trustworthy eye-
witness, that she saw a number of rats safely
convey some eggs down a flight of stairs, from a
store room, to their own dwellings. They sta-
tioned themselves on each stair, and each egg,
held in the fore paws, was handed from one rat
to another the whole way. The rats who dipped
their tails into a jar of treacle, into which they
could not dip their paws, and suffered their com-
panions to lick them afterwards, is a well known
story.
Rats have often attacked children who have
been left in a room by themselves; and infants
have even lost their lives from the blood which
their bites have caused to flow.
The following instance of sagacity deserves to
be recorded. “During the great flood of the 4th
of September, 1829, when the river Tyne was at
it height, a number of people were assembled on
its margin. A swan appeared with a black spot
upon its plumage, which on its nearer approach
proved to be a live rat. It is probable, that the
latter had been borne into the water by some ob-
ject, and observing the swan, had taken refuge on
its back for safety. As soon as the swan reached
the land, the rat leaped off and ran away.â€
PO ee ee eee
RATS. 265
Two ladies, friends of a near relative of my own,
from whom I received an account of the circum.
stance, were walking in Regent-street, and were
accosted by a man who requested them to buy a
beautiful little dog, covered with long, white hair,
which he carried in his arms. Such things are not
uncommon in that part of London, and the ladies
passed on without heeding him. He followed, and
tepeated his entreaties, stating, that as it was the last
he had to sell, they should have it at a reasonable
price. They looked at the animal; it was really an
exquisite little creature, and they were at last per-
suaded. The man took it home for them, received
his money, and left the dog in the arms of one of
the ladies. A short time elapsed, and the dog,
which had been very quiet, in spite of a restless,
bright eye, began to show symptoms of uneasiness,
and as he ran about the room, exhibited some un-
usual movements, which rather alarmed the fair
purchasers. At last, to their oreat dismay, the new
dog ran squeaking up one of the window curtains,
so that when the gentleman of the house returned
home a few minutes after, he found the ladies in
consternation, and right glad to have his assistance,
_ He vigorously seized the animal, took out his pen-
knife, cut off its covering, and displayed a large rat
to their astonished eyes, and, of course to its own
destruction.
266 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
MICE.
THE round, yet delicate form of the Mouse, and the
better expression of its countenance, make it an
object much more worthy of admiration than the
rat, of which it is but a diminished representative.
It has the same destructive propensities, assembles
also in vast numbers, and is equally carnivorous;
but with all these, it is a more tameable and love-
able animal. There is a white variety which is
often nurtured as a pet. Mr. Darwin says, that
with other small Rodents, numbers live together in
nearly desert places, as long as there are a few
blades of vegetation left; and that they swarm on
the borders of salt-lakes, where not a drop of fresh
water can be procured. Some of them lay up stores
of food, especially those which inhabit northern
countries.
Field mice do an infinity of harm to young plan-
tations, by nibbling off the young shoots, and, in
order to catch them, pits from eighteen to twenty
inches deep, are sunk in the soil, which are wider
at the bottom than the top, so that they cannot
easily get out. One hundred thousand were de-
stroyed in this manner in the Forest of Dean, and
about the same number in the New Forest. They
make very beautiful round nests, of curiously
MICE. 267
plaited blades of wheat, split into narrow strips
with their teeth, and in them will often be found
nine little mice. These nests are suspended to
some stalks, or thistles.
I can bear witness to the possibility of taming
mice, for I kept six in a box for several months,
which were so well fed, that they did not attempt
to gnaw their dwelling. I had a sort of little cart
constructed for them, with bone buttons for wheels,
and a packthread harness; and on being taken out
of the box, they remained perfectly quiet till the
harness was put upon them, and when that was
done, they started at full gallop along the top of a
square piano. Of course, care was taken to tum
them back when they reached the end; but they
soon learned to turn of their own accord, and per-
formed their journey with as much regularity as
well-trained horses. Death deprived me of my
steeds; but I suspect it was in consequence of the
injudicious cramming which I bestowed upon my
favourites.
During an illness of some week’s duration, mice
were to me a source both of amusement and annoy-
ance; the former certainly predominating. A
wainscot ledge ran round the room in which I lay,
and it was their delight to scamper after one another
upon this projection; but as the head of my curtain-
less bed was close to it, they so frequently diverged
on to my face, that I was obliged to have it drawn
268 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
at least a yard from the wall. Sometimes also, they
dragged away my pocket handkerchief, which,
from not being immediately missed, was not reco-
vered till sundry holes had been nibbled in it. A
small table stood by my bed-side; having on it a
bason full of cold tea, which formed my night be-
verage. On one occasion, my light was extin-
guished, and I heard a scratching against the legs
of the table. I guessed the cause, and tried to
frighten the climber away; but I suspect he mount-
ed by the bed clothes, for I presently heard some-
thing flop into the tea. All was silent; and I
concluded the intruder was drowned; but of course,
whatever my thirst, I did not attempt to drink.
When daylight came, there sat a poor mouse, hold-
ing up his little chin just above the liquid. Had
he moved he must have been suffocated; and he
had been all those hours in this position. It was
impossible to take away a life so hardly earned,
and he was allowed to rejoin his companions.
The head-quarters of my mice seemed to be a
large closet in one corner of the room, from which
they constantly issued, and to which they retreated
on the least alarm, for it was always accessible,
in consequence of the door not closing properly.
They often. appeared to me to hold a council,
for they would sally forth in a body; not giddily,
and as if by chance, but with all the gravity of
diplomatic characters, and form a circle, when
MICE. 269
deliberations commenced. They were carried on
in a language between a squeak and a chatter,
and occasionally one would rise, and place himself
in another part of the circle. I would have given
a great deal to have understood what was going
on; but as I could not, I occasionally disturbed
them by laughing, when they huddled back to
the closet; and when I grew stronger, I sometimes
dashed a pillow in among them, which made the
poor senators breathless with agitation, and scuffle
under the furniture, till they thought they might
gain the closet in safety. I little imagined the
deeds committed in that domicile, or I might not
have been so indulgent to them; it was no less
than gnawing holes in some valuable antelope,
monkey, and leopard skins, which were to have
been sent to my friends by the next departing
vessel.
When I was allowed to eat, My appetite was
kindly tempted by dainties sent to me by friends,
and which were placed under tin covers, on the
top of a chest of drawers. The endeavours of my
rodent companions to get at these were exces-
sively droll; but as fast as they clambered an inch
or two up the sides, the slippery metal caused
them to slide down again; then they thought if
they could but get to the top of the cover, they
should succeed; so they mounted upon each others’
shoulders, and accomplished the feat, but not
270 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
their purpose; instead of getting inside, down
they came ‘in a body again, but they became so
used to my laughter, that they did not mind it,
Many of them combined together to push the cover
off the dish; but it was too firmly retained by the
rim to be moved. One day they thought they
had triumphed, for the cover was not quite put
down in one place. A summons was evidently
given, and presently a number of little paws were
inserted to raise it still higher; but instead of doing
this, the cover slipped on to their paws, and it
was very ludicrous to see their pain and mortifica-
tion. After this they so far abandoned the attempt
that only one would be occasionally seen walking
round, as if by reconnoitring the fortress again,
his genius would suggest a successful termination
to the enterprise.
In an American scientific journal, there is a well-
authenticated account of a strange and overpower-
ing sensibility to music, as evinced by a mouse.
It says, “that one evening, as a few officers on
board a British man-of-war, in the harbour of
Portsmouth, were seated round the fire, one of
them began to play a plaintive air upon the violin.
He had scarcely performed ten minutes, when a
mouse, apparently frantic, made its appearance in
the centre of the floor. The strange gestures of
the little animal strongly excited the attention of
the officers, who, with one consent, resolved to
MICE, 271
suffer it to continue its singular actions unmolested.
Its exertions appeared to be greater every mo-
ment; it shook its head, leapt about, and exhj-
bited signs of the most ecstatic delight. It was
observed that in proportion to the gradations of
the tones to the soft point, the feelings of the
animal appeared to be increased. After performing
actions, which an animal so diminutive would, at
first sight, seem incapable of, the little creature,
to the astonishment of the delighted spectators,
suddenly ceased to move, fell down, and expired
without evincing any symptoms of pain.
ELEPHANTS.
THE extraordinary thickness of skin which dis-
tinguishes certain animals, has induced naturalists
to group them together, and call them Pachy-
dermata. This group is again divided according
to the still further peculiarities which some of them
possess; and in the first subdivision are elephants;
distinguished by an enormous prolongation of the
upper lip and nose, into what is termed a trunk,
or proboscis. The largest animals in the world
are to be found among them; and according to
some, they are the most sagacious. There is,
however, a strong inclination in many to give the
272 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
dog the highest place next to man, with regard to
intellect.
The trunk of which I have just spoken, is
formed of numbers of muscular fibres, amounting
to at least 40,000, which take various directions,
and cross each other in go many ways, that the
whole forms one of the most flexible organs that
can be conceived. It can be contracted, raised,
depressed, curved, turned, or twisted round any
object at the will of its possessor; and can lay hold
of, and pick up the most minute and the thinnest
substance, aided in such instances by the pro-
longation of its upper edge into what is called
a finger, which protects the nostrils, and acts asa
feeler. This trunk serves as a reservoir for holding
liquid, which can be put into the mouth at pleasure,
by inserting the end between the jaws; or for
retaining it as long as may be wished, when it is
discharged over any object which the elephant
desires to inundate. He occasionally pours it upon
his own body, thereby not only cooling and re-
freshing himself, but getting rid of the numerous
insects which lodge themselves in his hide. The
trumpet-like noise, for which elephants are remark-
able, Pengade from their trunk, and it serves in
other ways'to express their feelings, for with it they
bestow their caresses. A tame elephant, in the
Jardin des Plantes, took a great fancy to a little
girl, who used to walk in the menagerie every
ELEPHANTS, 273
morning with her nurse, before it was open to the
public. It constantly happened that she and the
elephant would be met together, and not only was
his care to avoid trampling upon her most exces-
sive, but if she were going the same way, he would
gently insinuate the end of his proboscis under
her arm, lovingly rest it there, and walk by her
side. Great pains are always taken by these
animals to guard their trunks from injury; and
they constantly raise them as high in the air as they
can, to prevent their coming in contact with any
hurtful substance. With them food is procured and
conveyed to the mouth; and they pull down, not
only branches of trees, but, in many instances, the
trees themselves.
The immense skull and neck, and in fact, the
size of the body, required to sustain the weight of
this ponderous organ, and the tusks with which
they are provided, give elephants a clumsy, heavy
look. The proportions of the head cause the
eyes to look small; the weight of the head itself
is, however, much diminished by the hollow
cavities in front, which make it almost a vain
attempt to try to kill an elephant by shooting
him in the forehead; for the balls lodge in these
cells: they so protect the brain, which is the
seat of feeling, that fearful buttings are practised
with impunity by these animals.
The teeth of elephants are remarkable; for they
7, -
274 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
consist of only one large grinder cn each side, and
in each jaw, which looks like a bundle of smaller
teeth, fastened together by intervening and sur-
rounding plates of enamel. These grinders change
frequently during the life of the animal, perhaps
even six or eight times, as long as the jaw grows;
and the new arrivals do not come from below, but
are formed behind the old one, and push it out.
There are no other teeth, properly so called, but
in the upper jaw are two tusks, which supply the
ivory of commerce, and which are changed once
during the life of the animal. Their enormous
weight and size are almost fabulous, and combined
with the trunk, make us cease to wonder that the
whole body should have strength alone as its attri-
bute, and be entirely wanting in grace. One of
these tusks, sold at Amsterdam, weighed 350
pounds, and with such weapons as these, aptly
called defenses by the French, they are able to
uproot enormous trees, and catching their heaviest
foes upon them, hurl them to the ground, or trans-
fix them so as never to rise again. The ears are
large, and hang flapping over the shoulders, and
are very sensible to the touch; the hearing seems
to be much more alive to grave than to acute
sounds.
Four ungraceful, stiff columns, for legs, support
the clumsy body. On each fore foot there are five
toes, and on each hind foot four; each toe should
ELEPHANTS. 275
shew a hoof, but sometimes the skin envelops
and conceals them. ‘The sole is nearly round; and
the skin of a foot exhibited by Mr. Gordon
Cumming, is so large, that a child of three years
of age could easily seat itself within it. The tail
is small in circumference, flattened at the end, and
has thick, stiff bristles at the extremity. These tails
are sometimes used as whips, and at the court of
Ashanti, when decorated with gold; they form part
of the insignia of the Court. The skin is generally
dark-coloured, and rough, having a few scattered
hairs upon it; proofs, however, have been found,
that a race of elephants thickly covered with hair,
once existed. White elephants are occasionally
met with, and it has been asserted, that they are
worshipped. Others have contradicted this, and
declare, that they are only kept as a piece of royal
state.
The usual height of elephants is from nine to
ten feet; but many have been known to attain
fourteen; the skeleton of that sent to the Czar
Peter, by the king of Persia, and which is seen in
the museum at St. Petersburgh, is sixteen and a
half, and there are records of elephants attaining the
enormous height of twenty feet. When we think
of the mountainous animal, as I have described the
elephant to:be, it seems inconsistent to say, that he
is swift in his paces: in truth, he is not; a heavy
trot being the fastest movement which he can
276 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
accomplish. His enormous stride, however, gives
him the advantage over lighter animals; and we
have heard of a fast-galloping horse finding it diffi-
cult to escape from an elephant, even when urged
to his utmost speed. The gait is most fatiguing
and uncomfortable to those who ride him for the
first few times, because he moves the two feet on
the same side at once; and the larger the elephant,
the more uncomfortable the movement. Bishop
Heber, however, seems to have formed an exception
in this respect, for he says, it was far from being
disagreeable, and appeared to him to resemble
being carried on men’s shoulders. It is supposed
that the neck, where the driver places himself, is the
easiest seat. He guides the animals by occasionally
touching their ears, pressing his legs to the sides of
their necks, pricking them with a pointed instru-
ment, or knocking them with the handle; often,
however, they are so docile, that a mere word wil]
be sufficient.
The favourite habitation of the elephant is the
forest, or green plain, near which is a river, or lake:
water he must have, for both in freedom and cap-
tivity, bathing seems to be a necessary condition of
his existence. This propensity reminds me of the
often-repeated trick of the before-mentioned ele-
phant of the Jardin des Plantes. His stable opened
into a small enclosure, in the midst of which was a
pond. in this pond he constantly laid himself, and
ELEPHANTS. 277
was so hidden by the water, that nothing of him
appeared, except the end of his proboscis, which it
required an experienced eye to detect. The crowd
often assembled round the enclosure of the “ele-
phant’s park,†as it was called, supposing they
should see him issue from his stable. All at once,
however, a copious shower would assail them, and
ladies with their transparent bonnets, and gentle-
men with their shining hats, were forced to seek
shelter under the neighbouring trees, where they
looked up at the cloudless sky, and wondered from
whence the shower could come. When they directed
their eyes towards the elephant’s pond, they saw
him standing in the midst, evincing an awkward
joy at the trick he had played. In process of time
his pastime became generally known, and the mo-
ment the water rose from his trunk, his beholders
ran away, which he also seemed to enjoy exceed-
ingly, getting up as fast as he could to behold the
bustle he had created. This same elephant had
been landed from the vessel, which brought him
from the East Indies, at Bordeaux, and the sailor
lad, who had taken charge of him during the
voyage, was appointed to conduct him through
France to Paris. The rough, and sometimes paved
roads, cut the poor animal’s feet, and a shoemaker
was employed to make him four boots. There
was not much skill required, as no shape was
necessary; but they answered the purpose, and
278 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
were afterwards. hung up in his stable to the great
delight of the younger visitants to the Jardin, who
often went expressly to see the elephant’s boots.
When he and his guide stopped for the night, a
mattrass used to be thrown down on the floor for
the latter; but, after a few nights, the elephant
discovered how comfortable it was, and under pre-
tence of sharing the accommodation, at length
nightly pushed Auguste off, and stretched his own |
huge carcass upon the mattrass.
Constant differences between the Asiatic and
African elephants have established them into
separate species. ‘The enamel of the grinders is so
placed in the latter, as to form lozenges; and in
the former, parallel-fluted ribbons. The ears of
the African animal are much larger, and the shape
of his forehead is more convex. Although it was
from this country that the Romans obtained all
their clever, well-trained elephants, the natives now
never think of making them useful. Connected with
this, I was once much amused by the proposal,
seriously suggested, that if we English would go
among the savage tribes of Africa, and tame some
of their elephants, they would be so convinced of
our superiority, that they would, without hesj-
tation, submit to our dominion. This came from
a learned king’s counsel, and was seriously uttered
to one of his Majesty’s government, without
exciting surprise in any but my experienced self.
ELEPHANTS. 279
In our human impatience we are apt to think
the progress we 80 much desire, comes slowly;
but could such an idea be now entertained?
A curious propensity in the Indian elephant
has been repeatedly noticed. I mean the sepa-
ration of a male elephant from all his companions,
in order to lead a solitary existence. I am rather
of opinion with some of the natives, that he
has been turned away by them for his own mis-
deeds; but I know not if this will equally apply
to the racoon, the only other animal, I believe,
concerning whom the same habit is recorded.
At all events, the hermit elephant is particularly
fierce and mischievous; and it becomes a matter
of policy, or even necessity, to catch him. The
Indians hunt him down, accompanied by two
trained female elephants, who draw near to him as
if unconscious of his presence, and begin to eat
the surrounding food as a matter of course. If he
join them, they lavish their caresses upon him,
and while he is returning their blandishments,
the hunters creep softly to his feet, and having
tied them together, fasten him to a tree, or let him
go loose, with merely the shackles round all his
legs. Of course he is in a dreadful rage, especially
when the females desert him; but hunger, thirst,
and ineffectual struggles, at last subdue him; he is
led away, and generally trained; but if his violent
efforts should effect his liberation, he plunges into
280 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
the forests, whither the hunters prudently do not
again go to effect his capture. Some female
elephants are also used to decoy wild males into
inclosures, where they are secured; and there is a
wholesale method of surrounding a herd by a
number of men, who, by means of various noises,
musquetry, fire-works, drums and trumpets, drive
the elephants into péns constructed for the purpose,
and supplied with water; where the poor creatures
are made to stay some time. The elephants become
very furious; and as the strongest inclosures might
give way to their overpowering strength, sentinels
are placed all round, who light fires and make all
the noises which the prisoners most dread, till they
again become quiet.
Elephants, after being domesticated for years,
will return to the forests, and resume their wild
habits; but they never forget their education.
Their former keepers have recognised them among
their untamed companions, called them, and without
hesitation, they have walked from the midst of their
brethren, and quietly returned to their former habits,
after a lapse of ten years. All are extremely sensible
to the praises and caresses of those who attend to
them, for whose sake they will make the most
wonderful exertions. They are useful in trans-
porting artillery and heavy baggage, and their doci-
lity and obedient performance of their duties, even
ELEPHANTS. 281
when léft to themselves, is perfect. They are not
now used in war, except by some of the native
princes; but they largely enter into the state
processions, decked out with the most costly trap-
pings of gold and silver, frontlets of jewels, gold
and silver chains, and bells, etc. Travellers gene-
rally place a kind of canopy on their backs, in
which two or three persons can sit; but the saddle
is most used when hunting tigers. They dexter-
ously catch these animals upon their tusks, if the
attack be made in front, but the tiger will some-
times seize them in the flank, when if they cannot
roll upon him, the elephants rush forward, and the
tiger is generally shot. The assertion that the
elephant and rhinoceros will fight a duel for the
pleasure of the thing, does not seem to be borne
out by experience; but combats have been seen
between them, in which sometimes one, and some-
times the other, have gained the victory.
The quantity of food daily consumed by an
elephant in captivity is calculated at 200 lbs; besides
thirty-six pails of water. It consists of turnips,
rice, chaff, bran, hay, and sea biscuit. Straw is
allowed for his bed, which is generally consumed
before morning; besides which, when they are in
menageries they receive no small quantity ot
dainties from visitors. I never could enter the
Rotunda in the Paris menagerie, without being
furnished with bread or carrots for its imhabitants:
282 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
the instant the Indian elephant caught sightt of me,
he used to sit down, get up again, make what was
called a curtsey, and play other antics; and the
instant I came before him, squat down again; his
trunk raised, and his enormous mouth wide open
to receive what I threw into it; the attitude was
80 grotesque and imploring, that it was impossible
to deny him. In their native condition, elephants
eat the young juicy roots, and branches of trees;
the latter of which, they beat two or three times
before they take them, and they then tuck them
into the left side of their mouths; they also devour
grass, and bulbous roots, which they pull up with
their proboscis. The vast numbers in which the
herds assemble, give some idea of the extent of the
vegetable riches which can support such colossal
eaters from generation to generation; the weight of
an ordinary one will be 7000 Ibs, and the mind
becomes bewildered, in thinking of the quantity
required for the daily sustenance of thousands of
such animals. They open paths through forests
which would be impenetrable to others; and
seem to exercise much judgment in choosing
their route, the large bull elephants taking the lead,
crushing the jungle, tearing down the branches,
and uprooting the trees; the females and the young
sometimes amounting to three hundred, march after
in single file, and the way thus made is as smooth
asa gravel walk. They often carry branches of
ELEPHANTS. 283
trees, with which they flap the insects from their
bodies as they walk along.
A settler’s wife complained to Mr. Pringle very
bitterly, of the destruction occasioned to her hus-
band’s crops by the elephants; which she, with
reason, said were too big to wrestle with, and they
occasionally seemed to commit mischief from mere
wantonness. In the same place, a troop came down
one dark and rainy night to the outskirts of the
village; but knowing that it was sometimes dan-
gerous to encounter them, the inhabitants did not
go out; although they heard them making a ter-
rible bellowing and uproar. It appeared the next
morning, that one of the elephants had fallen
into an unfinished trench, which had no water
in it, and did not know how to get out again.
It is supposed, that his companions had pulled him
out with their trunks; for there were clearly defined
marks of their having stationed themselves on each
side; some kneeling, and some standing, and that
thus he had been hoisted up.
The remarkable escape of Lieut. Moodie is one of
the most extraordinary encounters on record. A
servant informed him that a large troop of elephants
was in the vicinity, and that a party had gone out
to attack them, so he started to join in the hunt;
but losing his way in the jungle, he did not over-
take them till they had driven the elephants from
their first station. On leaving the jungle, he was
284. ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
going through a meadow on the banks of the
Gualana, to the spot where the firing had begun,
when he was suddenly warned of some danger, by
the cry of ‘ Take care†both in Dutch and English.
He heard a crackling behind him, occasioned by
the elephants breaking through the wood, which
was accompanied by their screams, A large female
elephant, and three of a smaller size, departed from
the rest, and came towards him; but not being in
a good position for firing, Mr. Moodie retreated
from their direct path, to get a better place from
which to take aim, and hoped they would not ob.
serve him. They, however, rapidly pursued him;
he reserved his fire as a last resource, and turning
off at a right angle, made for the banks of theriver,
intending to take refuge among the rocks on the
other side. Before this, however, they were close
upon him, screaming so tremendously that he was
almost stunned by their noise. He turned upon
them, and fired at the head of the largest; the
powder had become damp, the gun hung fire, till
he was in the act of taking it from his shoulder,
when it went off, and the ball grazed the side of.
the large elephant’s head. She stopped for an in-
stant, and then rushed furiously forward: whether
struck down or not, he could never say; but Lieut.
Moodie fell. The animal had only one tusk,
which missed him as she rushed upon him ; but it
ploughed up the earth within an inch or two of
ELEPHANTS. 285
his body; she then caught him by the middle with
her trunk, threw him between her fore feet, and
battered him with them for a short time; one
of these huge feet once pressed him so much, that
his bones bent under its weight. He did not
lose his recollection, and he constantly was able to
twitch himself on one side, and so avoid several
blows. Two of his party came up and fired at her;
one bullet alone touching her in the shoulder; her
young ones then retreated, and she left her victim,
finally knocking him with her hind feet as she went
off. He got up, picked up his gun, and staggered
away as fast as he could. She turned round,
looked after him; and he then lay down in the long
grass, and so eluded her observation.
A soldier of the Royal African Corps did not
escape as Mr. Moodie did, for an elephant caught
him with his trunk, carried him some distance,
threw him down, brought his four feet together and
trod and stamped upon him till he was dead. He
left the body, then returned to it, knelt down upon,
crushed and kneaded it once more; then he seized
it with his trunk, bore it to the jungle, and threw
it among the bushes.
One of the strongest instincts of the elephant is
to try the strength of everything before he ventures
upon it, and it is almost impossible to induce him
to trust himself upon any surface which is not per-
fectly firm and steady. Therefore the well-authen-
286 ANECDOTES or ANIMALS.
ticated story is the more extraordinary of a rope-
dancing, or rather walking elephant, who not only
walked forwards, but backwards upon a suspended
rope.
A female elephant, seven years old, on being
brought to the Adelphi, first ascertained the safety
of the stage, and then began to rehearse the parts
she used to play in Paris, Having succeeded so well
in this place, she took a higher walk of perform-
ances at the Coburg theatre, where she rehearsed
for three weeks, then distinguished the actors,
learnt to place the crown on the head of the lawful
king, and feasted at his banquet with perfect pro-
priety. All this was taught her by kindness,
A poor little calf elephant hovered about the
body of its mother after she had been killed, making
the most mournful noises; the herd had deserted
them, and they had passed the night in the forest,
The poor thing, when the hunters came up, en-
twined its little proboscis about their legs, showed
its delight at their approach by many ungainly
antics, then went to the body of its mother, scaring
away the vultures; ran round it with every mark
of grief, and tried to raise it with its trunk. Of
abused, though its wishes for aid towards its mother,
could not be gratified.
The elephants of Ceylon have always been
reckoned the best: and instances of their memory
ELEPHANTS. 287
are quite extraordinary. A favourite mode of exe-
cution among the Candians, when they were
masters of the island, was to make the elephants
trample upon the criminals, so as to crush their
limbs first, and by avoiding the vital parts prolong
their agony. When Mr. Sirr was there, he saw
one of these elephant executioners. The word of
command, “ Slay the wretch!†was given to him;
upon which he raised his trunk, pretended to twist
it round a body, then slowly raised one of his fore
feet, and placed it where the limbs of the victim |
would have been; then he stood motionless with
his trunk in the air. He was ordered to com-
plete his work, and he placed one foot as if on the
man’s abdomen, and another as if on his head, with
apparently sufficient force to destroy life. The
elephant had not done this for thirty-five years, and
yet recollected the whole. They attain a great age,
and have been known to live more than a hundred
years.
Major Rogers, who had killed one thousand four
hundred elephants, shot one on whom the ball only
made a flesh wound; the creature, in a fury, uttered
its trumpet-like shriek, seized the Major with his
trunk, carried him to a deep hole, dashed him into
it, and trampled upon him, breaking his right arm
in two places, and several of his mbs. He must
have been killed if the hole had been large enough
to give the elephant room to exercise his whole
288 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
strength. He became senseless; but when he came
to himself, found the elephant gone, and friends
about him: he knew what had happened, and said
he had always made up his mind, in case of such
an accident, to remain quite passive, as affording
the best chance of escape—and his plan answered.
Nothing done to elephants by way of insult,
teazing, or unkindness, is ever forgotten or for-
given by them, and they are sure to take an oppor-
tunity of revenging themselves. On the other hand,
kindness is equally remembered and appreciated ;
an awkward proof of which occurred to a lady,
who, when she frequently went to see a male ele-
phant, carried to him bread, apples, and brandy.
To show his gratitude for these, he took her up
with his trunk one day, and seated her on his back.
As she could not enjoy this testimonial of his feel-
ings, she uttered the most piercing shrieks, and
implored the assistance of those around. His
keepers, however, advised her not to stir, and there
she was obliged to wait till he again encircled her
with his trunk, and put her on the ground in safety.
Of the attachment of elephants to each other, a
proof was given by two in the Jardin des Plantes,
who had been with difficulty separated during
their journey thither from Holland. They were
placed in two apartments, divided by a portcullis.
The male soon found out that this was fastened only
by a perpendicular bolt, which he soon raised, and
ELEPHANTS. 289
then rushed into the other room. The joy of the
two at meeting can scarcely be described: their
cries of joy shook the whole building, and they
blew air from their trunks resembling the blasts
from smiths’ bellows. The female moved her ears
with great rapidity, and entwined her trunk round
the body of the male; she kept the end motionless
for a long time close to his ear, and after kolding it
again round his body, applied it to her own mouth.
The male encircled her with his trunk, and shed
tears. They were afterwards kept in the same apart-
ment; and their attachment was never interrupted.
The indignation of elephants at being laughed at
or deceived, has been manifested very often; and
sometimes they punish the offenders with death; at
others, they seem perfectly to understand in what
way their retaliation will take most effect, without
inflicting so serious a reproof.
An artist in Paris was anxious to draw one of
the elephants of the menagerie there; with his
trunk in the air, and his mouth wide open. After
throwing fruit and vegetables in for some time,
to make him repeat the attitude, his keeper only
pretended to do so, fearing to give him too much
food. The elephant at last became irritated, and
perfectly understood that the artist was the cause
of his annoyance; he, therefore, turned round
upon him, and dashed a quantity of water over
the paper on which he was drawing. It is chiefly
U
290 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
in animals of greatest intelligence that we find
the greatest affection and gratitude; elephants
have sometimes refused to eat, and have pined
to death when separated from their favourite
keepers, and they are never obliterated from their
memory. Their humanity is also frequently con-
spicuous; and we are told of one who, on being .
ordered to walk over the bodies of some sick
persons, at first refused to advance; and then on
being goaded by his driver, gently took the poor
men up with his trunk, and laid them on one side,
so that he could not do them any injury.
The following is another fearful instance of their
power and vengeance, related by Mr. Burchell, a
South African traveller. ‘Carl Krieger was a
fearless hunter, and being an excellent marksman,
often ventured into the most dangerous situations.
One day, having with his party pursued an ele-
phant which he had wounded, the irritated animal
suddenly turned round, and singling out from the
rest the person by: whom he had been injured,
seized him with his trunk, and lifting his wretched
victim high in the air, dashed him with dreadful
force to the ground. His companions, struck with
horror, fled precipitately from the fatal scene,
unable to look back upon the rest of the dreadful
tragedy; but on the following day, they repaired
to the spot, where they collected the few bones that
could be found, and buried them. The enraged
ELEPHANTS. 291
animal had not only literally trampled Krieger's
body to pieces, but did not feel its vengeance satis-
fied till it had pounded the very flesh and bones
into the dust, so that nothing of the unfortunate
man remained excepting a few of the latter, which
made most resistance from their size.â€
M. Frederic Cuvier, in his admirable essay on the
‘“ Domestication of Animals,†writes as follows, con~
cerning an elephant in the menagerie of the Jardin
des Plantes. The care of this animal had been
confided, when he was only three or four years old,
to a young person, who taught him a number of
those tricks which amuse the public. . The animal
loved him so much, as not only to be perfectly
obedient to all his commands, but to be unhappy
out of his presence. He rejected the kindness of
every one else, and even was with difficulty per-
suaded to eat the food presented to him.
During a certain period, the elephant had re-
mained with his owner, and the young man, his —
son, had constantly evinced the greatest kindness
towards the animal; but he was at length sold to
the government, and his keeper hired to take care
of him; deprived of all restraint, and his family
no longer present to watch over him, the latter
neglected his charge, and when intoxicated, even
struck his favourite, for he abandoned himself to
the worst habits. The naturally cheerful dispo-
sition of the elephant began to alter, and he was
292 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
thought to be ill; he was still obedient, but his
exercises no longer gave him pleasure. He now and
then appeared to be impatient, but tried to repress
his feelings; the struggle, however, changed him
so much, that his keeper became still more dis-
satisfied with him. Orders had been given to the
young man never to beat the elephant, but in vain.
Mortified at losing his influence, which daily be-
came less, his own irritability increased; and one day
being more unreasonable than ever, he struck the
elephant with such brutality, that the beast uttered
a furious cry. The frightened keeper fled, and it
was well he did so, for from that moment the
elephant could not endure the sight of him,
becoming violent the moment he appeared; and
nothing ever restored the poor animal to his pre-
vious good conduct: hatred had succeeded to love,
indocility to obedience, and as long as the animal
lived these two latter feelings predominated.
Mr. Broderip, in his delightful Zoological Re-
creations, tells us of an elephant which was shewn,
among other wild beasts, at a fair in the West of
England. One of the spectators gratified the ele-
phant by some excellent gingerbread nuts, in return
for which, the animal, unsolicited, performed his
tricks. The donor, however, was a practical joker,
and when he had gained the confidence of the
good-tempered beast, presented him with a large
parcel, weighing two or three pounds, which the
ELEPHANTS. 293
elephant took unsuspectingly, all at once. He had
scarcely swallowed it, however, than he set up a
loud roar, and seemed to suffer exceedingly; he
gave the bucket to his keeper, as if to ask for water,
which was supplied to him most plentifully. ‘‘ Ho r
said his tormentor, “‘ Those nuts were a trifle hot,
old fellow, I guess.†‘* You had better be off,â€
exclaimed the keeper, ‘‘ unless you want the bucket
at your head; and serve you right, too.†The
elephant drank the sixth bucket full, and then
hurled the empty vessel at the head of the man,
just as he cleared the entrance of the show, or most
probably he would have lost his life. A year after,
at the same place, the joker again went.to see the
elephant, with one pocket full of good nuts, and the
other with nuts of pepper. He gave the animal
some of the first, and then presented him with
one that was hot. The moment the elephant tasted
it, he seized the coat tails of the man, and lifted
him from the ground, when the cloth giving way,
he dropped down, half dead with fright; and his
coat reduced to a jacket. The elephant retained
the skirts, inserted his trunk into the pockets, and
devoured the good nuts in the most leisurely
manner, after due examination. Those done, he
trampled upon the others, till he had reduced them
to a mash, then tore the coat skirts to rags, and
threw them to their owner.â€
We must not omit to mention the remarkable
294 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
partiality of the elephant for brandy, rum, or
arrack, either of which will tempt him to make
extraordinary exertions, and which seems almost
unnatural in so simple a feeder.
HIPPOPOTAMUS.
WHEN all London, and half England, have been
to see the Hippopotamus, at the Zoological Gardens,
I feel as if a work on animals, written at the
present moment, would be incomplete unless it
contained some notice of thisanimal. N evertheless,
in spite of research into old and new books, into
private reminiscences, and personal recollections, I
find it difficult to raise him to the intellectual place
of those which have been, or will be treated of in my
pages. When I heard praises so lavishly bestowed
upon him, when I became even reproached for not
having been to see him, I began to think I had
been mistaken, and that my former acquaintance
with his brethren must have been made under
circumstances which had caused prejudice; I there-
fore paid him a visit, spent some little time in
watching and observing him, and came away,
more than ever astonished at the marvellous effects
which novelty and variety will produce in the
minds of men; throwing beauty and interest over
the most ungainly form and good-natured stu-
HIPPOPOTAMUS. | 295
pidity. He certainly looks to greater advantage
in this country than he does in his own; for here
a rose-coloured blush tinges his skin, and there he
is too often covered with mud, to wear any other
appearance than that of a dirty brown.
The hippopotamus 1s exclusively a denizen of
Africa; and perfectly harmless when unprovoked;
except that he sometimes gets into the plantations
in the vicinity of his haunts, and crushes and
devours a crop of maize, or, millet. He would
rather avoid fighting or quarrelling; but, like all
other brute creatures, can retaliate an injury with
_a fury, which is rendered frightful by his enormous
weight. He looks best when walking in the
shallow part of a lake or river, just under the
water, with his eyes open; but if there should be a
boat, or canoe on the surface, the sooner it bears
its freight to the shore the better; for he is sure at
least to try and upset it with his huge back; not
that he has any murderous intentions, but he
probably thinks it is an intrusion on his peculiar
domains.
The hide of the hippopotamus, of which tre-
mendous whips are made, is at least two inches
thick, and has no hair upon it; his legs are so short,
that the body of one that is full grown, almost
reaches the ground, and sometimes measures five
feet across; his tail is very short and insignificant,
and his eyes and ears are very small. They live
:
together in small numbers, feed chiefly on grass
and aquatic plants, and come forth at night. Each
foot has four toes, and each toe a separate hoof; the
nostrils open on the top of the muzzle; their flesh ig
thought to be very good to eat, and to resemble pork,
A thick layer of fat lies Just under the skin, which
the Africans look upon asa great delicacy for the
table. The male is the largest; and two species are
said to exist. The exploits of Mr. Gordon Cumming
give us a lively picture of their habits; but there ig
nothing in his work which affords the slightest
interest in their mental faculties. The following
account from the pen of Captain Owen who ex-
plored so large a portion of the African shores, is
the only instance I have met with which wears the
semblance of almost unprovoked anger on the part
of a hippopotamus :— While examining a branch of
the Temby river, in Delagoa Bay, a violent shock
was suddenly felt from underneath the boat, and in
another moment, a monstrous hippopotamus reared
itself up from the water, and in a most ferocious
and menacing attitude rushed open-mouthed at the
boat; with one grasp of its tremendous jaws it seized
and tore seven planks from her side; the creature
disappeared for a few seconds, and then rose again,
apparently intending to repeat the attack, but was
fortunately deterred by the contents of a musket
discharged in its face. The boat rapidly filled; but,
as she was not more than an oar’s length from the
296 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
HOGS. 297
shore, they (the crew) succeeded in reaching it
before she sank. The keel, in all probability, had
touched the back of the animal, which, irritating
him, occasioned this furious attack; and had he got
his upper jaw above the gunwale, the whole broad-
side must have been torn out. The force of the
shock from beneath, previously to the attack, was
so violent, that her stern was almost lifted out of
the water, and Mr. Tambs, the midshipman steer-
ing, was thrown overboard, but fortunately rescued
before the irritated animal could seize him.â€
The hippopotamus, with his shy and secluded
habits, may be easily passed as he lies concealed
among the reeds which grow by the side of the
river, but if once he gets into the water, he is
always to be detected by the blowing noise which
he makes.
HOGS.
Nature has so strongly marked the wild and the
tame Hog with the same characters, that no hesita-
tion arises in pronouncing the former to be the
stock from whence we have derived the latter. In
common, however, with all other free and domesti-
cated animals, there is a prolongation of muzzle in
the wild species, which is not to be found in those
of our styes. The tusks also are larger; in this
298 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
instance, as in all others, showing how bountifully
the Great Creator provides for all. The domestic hog
is not required to seek his food and dig roots as his
untamed brother does, and, therefore, the parts
most used for these purposes are not equally de-
veloped. Both, however, possess very powerful
muscles of the neck and shoulder, to give move-
ment to their large and strong jaws. They all have
four toes on each foot; the two in the middle being
much the largest and armed with strong hoofs, —
Their snout looks as if it had _ been suddenly
chopped off, as if to expose the nostrils, which
are pierced in this truncated portion. Their tri-
angular, canine teeth, or tusks, project beyond
the mouth; those of both jaws curve upwards,
They make very formidable weapons, as many
a dog and huntsman has known to his cost.
Wild hogs are covered with stiff, dark brown
hair, which gets grizly with age, and is more
upright along the back. The tail is short; and
in many varieties of the domestic pig, it curls
very tightly.
The male wild boar only associates with the
female for a short period, and at other times lives
alone, in the thickest parts of dense forests; coming
forth in the evening to procure his food, which is
chiefly of a vegetable nature, It is only when
pressed by hunger, that wild hogs will eat animal sub-
stances. The females herd together, and their young
HOGS. 299
remain with them till they are two or three years
old. When they are about to be born, the mothers
retreat as far as possible from the fathers, as the
latter have a most longing desire always to devour
their offspring. The females, left to defend them-
selves and their children, place the latter behind
them, and expose themselves in a line to the attacks
of an enemy, or they form a circle round them, and
evince an extraordinary amount of fury and courage.
Sparrman, the South African traveller asserts, that
the species of wild sow in those regions, when so
closely pursued that it is impossible for them to
make off, take the young pigs in their mouths. To
his astonishment, one day, when pursuing a herd,
all the young ones disappeared, nor could he ex-
plain the mystery till aware of this singular fact.
The hunting of wild boars has, from the most
ancient times, been reckoned a noble sport; for it
not only called for dexterity and courage, but was
attended with considerable danger, from the ex-
treme savageness of these animals when at bay, and
the facility with which they mip open their anta-
gonists with their tusks. They were in former times
considered as royal game, and fines were imposed.
on those who killed them without having the pri-
vilege of doing so. The time of their extirpation
in England is uncertain; but we know that in the
reign of Charles the First, orders were given for
some domestic hogs to be turned into the New
300 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
Forest, that they might become wild; but they
were all destroyed in the time of Cromwell. Some
still exist in the large European forests, and a
variety of hounds are still trained to hunt them.
Horses are particularly alarmed at them, and in the
history of boar-hunts, we constantly read of the
sportsmen being forced to alight from their steeds
to take a steady aim. The numbers of antient
arms in which they are found, and the names of old
places derived from them, attest their numerous
presence here; for instance, Brandon, which jis
brawn’s den; brawn being the old term for boar
Their skin is so thick as frequently to deaden the
force of bullets, which, after death, have been found
lying between it and the flesh.
The wild boars of Africa have a broader snout
than their European brethren, and possess two protu-
berances under the eyes, which prevent them from
seeing anything underneath them. They live in
subterranean holes; and one which had been for
some time kept in. confinement, was accidentally
left loose in a small court near his cage, upon which
he tore up the pavement, and had already made a
deep pit when his keeper returned. When the
natives of Africa spear or entrap one, they tie his
forefeet together, sling him on a pole, decorate
him and themselves with creeping plants, and return
to their huts with triumphant shouts and rejoicing.
The flesh of these is very close-grained, white and
HOGS. 301
hard. The impossibility of keeping meat in that
country till it becomes tender, makes wild boar
flesh almost useless to Europeans, unless their teeth
vie with those of negroes.
Some idea of the sort of sport which attends
the chase of wild boars, may be formed from the
following account of one which took place in a
forest in Luxembourg. At a battue, several of
these animals were driven together, and they came
rushing on like a squadron of heavy dragoons,
breaking through the underwood. Several shots
were fired, and they tried to disperse. One hunts-
man got out of the line, and a boar came rushing
upon him; but a fresh shot broke one of his legs ;
which, however, though it made him more savage,
caused him to turn into the forest. The well-
trained dogs, and the huntsmen pursued him; and
when they came up with him, found him terrifically
savage. One of the hounds, more daring than the
rest, made a dart at the beast, seized him by one
ear, and bounded over him to the opposite side.
They ran off together, the boar’s head almost
turned upside down; but, with a sudden jerk, the
dog was shaken off, and the boar tearing him open,
tossed him several feet in the air. The pack then
gathered so thickly round, that the boar’s progress
was stayed; the men then came up and cut his
throat. At another point of the wood, a sow,
weighing three hundred pounds, and followed by
302 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
her young, was wounded, and furiously pursued a
hunter, whom she surprised in a narrow pass be-
tween two rocks. |He waited her approach and
fired, or rather tried to do so, but his gun missed; |
he then, in an instant, fell on his face and hands,
and the sow ran over his body. Rising, and
loading his gun, he provoked the sow again by his
cries. The foaming creature, with flashing eyes,
turned upon him; but this time she received the
charge in her head and fell.
Wild hogs are easily domesticated, and as easily
resume their uncivilised habits; but they seem then
to keep in packs. Mr. Byam relates the following
adventure with these renegades:—“ I was one day
hunting alone, on foot, in a rather open wood,
when a large boar made his appearance about sixty
yards off, and not seeing any of his companions, |
let fly the ball, and tumbled him over. He gave a
fierce grunt or two as he lay; and a large herd of
boars and sows rushed out of some thick under-
wood behind him, and, after looking at the fallen
beast for a few seconds, made a dash at me: but
they were a trifle too late, for on catching sight of
them, I ran to a tree, ‘ cut up’ it for life, and had
only just scrambled into some diverging branches,
about ten feet from the ground, when the whole
herd arrived; grunting and squeaking, at the foot
of the tree. I could not help laughing at the
ridiculous figure I must have made, chased up a
?
HOGS. 303
tree by a dozen of pigs; but it soon turned out no
laughing matter, for their patience was not, as ]
expected, soon exhausted; and they settled round
the tree about twenty yards distant, and kept look-
ing at me with their little twinkling eyes, as much
as to say, ‘ We'll have you yet. †So far are Mr.
Byam’s own words; and I now give the sequel ina_
more abridged form, though, by so doing, I feel
that I deprive the story of some of its zest:—
Having made up his mind toa regular siege, he
examined his resources, and found them to be a
double-barrelled gun, a flask of powder (nearly
full), plenty of copper caps; a few charges of shot;
only two balls; a knife, flint, and steel; a piece of
hard, dried tongue; a small flask of spirits and
water; and a good bundle of cigars. He could
not expect relief, a sally was out of the question;
so he made himself as comfortable as he could.
Hour after hour passed, the pigs never stirred,
except when one or two returned to look at their
dead comrade, as if to sharpen their revenge. At
length the imprisoned hunter thought of firing off
some powder every few minntes, shouting at the
same time. One barrel of his gun was still loaded
with shot, and he aimed at an old boar; who, on
returning from his deceased friend, had looked up
at him and grunted. The whole charge, at a dis-
tance of about twenty feet, went into the boar’s
face, who then turned round and ran away, making
304 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
a horrible noise. The rest of the party charged
altogether up to the foot of the tree, but. the out-
cry of the old boar drew them away; and the whole
herd went after him, making such a noise as never?
before had saluted Mr. Byam’s ears. He remained
in the tree a short time; and, when all was quiet, he
slipped down, and ran away as fast as he could, in
a contrary direction.
Hogs are not equally prized by all nations. The
detestation in which they were held by the Egyp-
tians, was continued by the Israelites; not only
from living with those people, but because they
were unclean animals. They are still viewed in
that light by Brahmins and Mussulmans, who only
rear them to sell to Christians, or to make sca-
vengers of them, for, in a domestic state, they are
omnivorous. ‘The dislike of the latter to them was
once very serviceable to me; for when we were
bivouacking close to a Mahommedan village, the
people, and the priests thronged around us, so as
to be extremely troublesome; and the only way in
which we could keep them at a distance, without
force, was by tying pieces of ham over the different
entrances of the building in which we were.
Somewhat like rats, there seems to be a mys-
terious distribution of swine all over the face of
the earth; and much astonishment was created in
the minds of the discoverers of the South Sea
Islands, by finding them in those far-off specks of
- ‘HOGS. 305
the earth. Perhaps there had been earlier navi-
gators there than ourselves.
Pork, fresh or cured, forms the principal food of
- oursailors and peasantry ; and most precious is the pig
to the poor man. It is often the pet of the younger
branches of his family, and returns their affection
with interest.
Of course, it is an idle fable that pigs can see and
smell the wind; but it is perfectly true that they are
alwaysmuch agitated when a storm is approaching.
Considering the stupid way in which they run
when they are frightened, the manner in which
they squeak on all occasions, and the obstinacy
which they evince, very often when an endeavour
is made to add to their relief or comfort, it is not
surprising that a low estimate of their intelligence
should have been formed. Nevertheless, they have
been trained to point out letters and spell words,
till they have acquired the appellation of “‘ learned
pigs.†What, however, is more useful, they draw
the plough in the south of France—they are
taught to hunt the truffles, which are hidden under
the soil—they even stand at game like the most
accomplished pointers. The latter instruction was
conveyed by means of stones and pudding; if they
failed in their duty, they received the former; but
when they drooped their ears and tail, and sank
upon their knees, nor rose till the birds had already
risen, they feasted on “lumps o’ pudding.â€
x
306 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
Of the voracity of pigs, there are many stories,
all more or less disagreeable; and none more so
than when they have killed and partially eaten
children, and utterly devoured their young keepers.
Such stories have been too well authenticated to be
doubted; but they are exceptions to the general
history of the animal. It is much more pleasing to
refer to the life, death, and burial of poor Jean,
who was saved out of a litter of six (born on board
ship) from the butcher’s knife. She was brought
up as a pet, and suffered to run about deck, among
sheep and goats. Most of the live stock was washed
off, but Jean remained because she had been stowed
away in the long boat. In warm latitudes the men
took their meals on deck, and she was always one
of the mess, poking her nose into every bread bag,
and scalding it in the soup. The sailors poured
grog down her throat, and twice made her tipsy;
and she behaved as most individuals do on such
occasions.
In consequence of the scarcity of fresh provisions
in the Chinese seas, Jean was ordered to be killed,
her fry to be eaten one day, her head made into
turtle soup the next, and after that, her legs, etc.,
roasted; but the ship’s company pleaded that she
might be spared, stating, among other reasons, that
when called, she came like adog. ‘Jean! Jean!â€
exclaimed the captain, and she bounced along,
tripping up the officer of the watch.
HOGS, 307
Like most pets, Jean became intolerably fat and
lazy, in which condition she was an object of great
attraction to the Chinese; they longed for her,
wanted to buy her, begged for her, and watched
for her, knowing she must die soon, and then be
thrown overboard. Jack, however, had no inclina-
tion to gratify the Chinamen, and when poor Jean
breathed her last, two masses of ballast iron were
placed, one on each cheek, and lashed to her neck
and shoulders in such a manner, that by their pro-
jection they made a long, sharp snout, which would
penetrate into the mud. She was lowered over the
ship’s side, head foremost, and when below the sur-
face of the water, the rope was cast off, and her
well-loaded carcase went down too deep, even for
the search of the cunning Chinese.*
RHINOCEROSES.
WITH quite as little personal beauty as the Pachy-
dermata of which I have hitherto treated, the
Rhinoceros takes his place among the powerful of
the earth. He has no tusks, but bears one or two
horns upon his nose. Of these, when there are
two, the foremost is the largest, all are curved and
* The source whence I obtained this anecdote has escaped me;
but I think it is from the pen of Captain Basil Hall.
308 ANECDOTES.OF ANIMALS.
polished, and appear to be formed of hairs, agore=
gated into a solid mass. The bones of the nose are
remarkably thickened and developed into that form
which is best adapted to resist a shock—namely,
the arch; and by this, not only is the animal able
to carry its horn high, but to bear the tremendous
resistance with which it meets when it uses that
horn. In all but one species the upper lip is pro-
longed, and capable of such extension that it be«
comes prehensile; it protrudes this lip, lowers its
horn or horns, so as to lean forwards, and rushes at
the object of its anger or dislike with almost incon-
ceivable fury. I have already contradicted the
assertion, that it seeks the elephant for the purpose
of giving him battle, on which occasion it was said
to sharpen its horn against a stone just before the
engagement: according to Mr. Gordon Cumming’s
account, they inhabit the same neighbourhood
without exhibiting any particular enmity towards
each other.
As far as we know at present, there are six
species, all of which inhabit Africa and India, in-
cluding Java and Sumatra; they have three toes on
each foot covered with a hoof. The sides of their
body project in a remarkable degree; their skin is
enormously thick, knotty in its surface, and has but
a few hairs scattered over it. The Indian rhino-
ceroses have enormous folds of this skin, hanging
upon the shoulders, haunches, neck and thighs,
RHINOCEROSES. 309
looking as if each fold covered a thick rope; the
ears of all are erect, the eyes small and near the
nose; the tail short; they carry their heads so low
that they almost touch the earth; they plough up
the ground with their horn, scattering stones and
soil without any apparent motive, and few things
can resist the impetuous force which they put forth,
when they rush upon an object which has excited
their fury. Their smell and hearing are extremely
acute, so that it is difficult to approach them; but as
their sight is very limited, they may be avoided by
slipping on one side when they are in pursuit of an
enemy.
The Javanese and Sumatran species are smaller,
lighter, and consequently less ferocious and power-
ful than the others. Both in Africa and India
there is a superstition with regard to the horns of
all the species, which the natives declare are sen-
sibly acted on by poison. It is the custom to make
cups of them, and in India it is said, that liquid
poison poured into them, effervesces in such a
manner that it overflows the cup. In Africa, the
inhabitants assure you, that the cup will turn black
from the same cause; and that water drunk from
them possesses medicinal properties, especially
if stirred with iron. The folds on the skin of
the African species are much less than those of
the Indian, and amount to scarcely more than
wrinkles. The latter have been known to live a
310 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
hundred years, and when young, their skin has a
pink tinge. All eat the young branches of trees,
and shrubs, and grass, ae
It has been observed, that the skin of the African
rhinoceros is so full of insects, that birds are in the
habit of perching upon them, for the purpose of
feeding on these insects. They suffer their winged
friends to remain undisturbed, thinking, that as
long as they stay, no enemy is near; but if they
fly off, some danger is approaching, for which they
immediately look out. These birds are not unlike
the missel thrush, and remain by their friends
till they are forced to leave them. When the latter
are shot, they fly away, uttering a harsh cry, and
return to their positions when all is quiet, even
adhering to them all night. This may be also the
case in India; but I have only seen it recorded of
Africa,
I should suppose that the loud blowing noise
attributed to the African rhinoceros, holds good with
all. The black variety is the most dangerous; they
ramble about at night, and go to the river to drink,
between the hours of nine and twelve. Those
sudden fits of frenzy, to which all are liable, are
particularly outrageous in them; and they have
been seen to attack the bushes around them for
hours at a time; uttering a strange noise, something’
like the combination of a grunt and a whistle,
Their flesh is rather like beef, perhaps having even
’
RHINOCEROSES. 311
a finer flavour. They go about singly or in pairs,
are much the most active, and pursue any object
which attracts them with a perseverance which is
quite ludicrous. According to Major Harris, much
of the brain lies under the horns, and he saw them
sometimes assemble in herds of thirty-two. The
best place to aim at, when it is desirable to kill
them, is behind the shoulder. Before they charge,
they stand rolling their body from side to side.
They become furious at the sight of fire, and in
order to get at it, they dash forward with mad fury,
nor rest till they have scattered and extinguished
all the burning wood.
The White Rhinoceroses have a longer neck
than the others. Their muzzle is shorter, and more
square, resembling that of the ox.
Most of the rhinoceroses brought to Europe have
been remarkably good-tempered and docile; but
one which was lodged in Exeter Change,. was only
kept in order by the whip; no kindness having
any effect upon him, especially in his sudden fits of
fury, which were of the most frightful violence.
Mr. Burchell’s measurement of a rhinoceros,
made him eleven feet from the tip of the nose to
the insertion of the tail, and the girth of the body
was eight feet four inches.
‘‘ Some years ago,†says Captain Brown, “a party
of Europeans, with their native attendants and
elephants (of course this must have been in India)
312 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
met with a small band of seven (rhinoceroses),
These were led by a larger, and more powerful
animal than the rest. When this large leader
charged the hunters, the first elephants, in place of
using their tusks as weapons, wheeled round, and
received the blow of the rhinoceros’s horn on their
hind quarters; and so powerful was the concussion,
that it brought them instantly to the ground with
their riders; and as soon as they could get on their
feet again, the brute was ready to repeat the attack,
and was certain to produce another fall; and in
this manner did the contest continue, until four of
the seven were killed, when the rest made good
their retreat.â€
HORSES.
ALTHOUGH, still lingering among the Pachyder-
mata, I have now left behind me the ponderous and
unwieldy forms which inhabit the wild and wooded
tracts of the earth’s surface, and come to the group
called Solipeda, from the one round and horny hoof
which encircles all the feet; one toe is apparent;
and two points on each side, under the skin, repre-
sent lateral toes; besides which there is, underneath,
a soft pad, or what is generally termed the frog, which
touches the ground when the animal walks.
Strength, beauty, and activity, are all combined
HORSES. 313
in horses; their elegantly shaped head, with its
long pointed ears, and large eyes, is carried high
or thrown back; and while they rapidly glance
into the horizon, to look for friends or foes, their
well defined nostrils sniff fresh vigour from the
passing breeze; but this is not all—these same ears
laid flat back upon their head tell you that they
have been affronted, and mean to be revenged for
the insult; when they are upright they are listening
to sounds, which their rider cannot hear, and when
they are pointed forward they rejoice in the affec-
tionate voices of those whom they love. Those
full, hazel eyes denote passions of various kinds, are
often turned full of parental love on the offspring
which gambols by their side, or of gratitude upon
their kind masters, following their benefactors with
a melancholy look, when they take their departure.
Those nostrils are dilated sometimes with anger,
at others with the pleasures of the chase ; and the
arched neck, the broad muscular chest, the graceful,
curving lines of the body, the well-shaped, sinewy
limbs, sometimes slender and delicate in their pro-
portions, bear these beautiful creatures over hill and
dale almost with the swiftness of a bird; while their
long mane and tail float in the air, as if the creature
whom they adorn were about to soar to heaven.
In a state of freedom, horses are swift, fierce,
and inquisitive; they herd together in large
numbers, The males evince the most faithful
314 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
attachment to the females, and protect them and
their offspring to the death. The latter are fond
and devoted mothers. »
In activity, there is no animal which more
decidedly takes its character from its early masters
or instructors; their admirable qualities are height.
ened; their fierceness becomes courage; their wild
actions are turned into play, and their attachment and
sagacity are only surpassed by those of the dog. On
the other hand, most of what are called their vices
may be traced to their early training. Allowances
must, of course, be made for natural disposition,
which varies as much in the brute creation as it
does in man; and I have met with ill-tempered
horses, which have been so from the moment they
were taken from their native forests; but generally
speaking, the horse becomes the protector, the
companion, the friend, of his possessor. When
dead, every part of him is useful; and when living,
all his energies make him one of the greatest
blessings which a beneficent Creator has bestowed
on the earthly lord of all.
Horses’ teeth are so important a part of their
history, that although this book does not profess to
treat of science, it would be incomplete if I did not
briefly point out how distinctly they shew the age
of the animal. First of all, however, it should be
known, that the mouth seems to have been expressly
formed for the bit, by which man controls this
HORSES. : 315
admirable creature; for, corresponding with each
angle of the mouth is a space between the teeth, in
which it lodges with the greatest convenience. The
front teeth, or incisors, begin to appear when the
horse is fifteen days old, and amount to six in
number in each jaw. All, from the first, are at
the top, or crown, hollowed into a groove. The
two in the middle are shed and replaced at three
years and a half, the two next at four and a half,
and the two outside, called the corner teeth, at
seven and a half, or eight. The grooves on the
crowns, become effaced, and the tops of the teeth are
more triangular as age ‘increases. The females
have no canine teeth; but the males always have
two small ones in the upper jaw, and sometimes
two in the lower; the former appear when they
are four years old, the latter at three and a half;
they remain pointed till the horse has attained six
years, and when he is ten they begin to grow loose,
and expose their roots. They have six grinders in
each side of each jaw, with flat crowns, and the
plates of enamel which surround the dental sub-
stance, appear in them like four crescents. The
life of horses generally lasts about thirty years;
but they have frequently been known to exceed
that age. Then, however, mastication has become
difficult, they get lean, or what is called
out of condition; and old favorites, if they are
attended to as they ought to be, after long and
316 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
faithful services, have their food bruised, and even
cooked for them. It is surprising to see what
entire rest frequently does for them, even at an
advanced age; and I have seen them, in consequence
of it, again taken into a degree of service when they
have been supposed past all work.
The origin of horses is involved in so much
obscurity, that it has given rise to frequent specu-
lation; not as in the dog, with regard to the type
of the race, but the quarter of the globe where
they were first located. It appears to me, that the
greatest mass of opinion is in favour of Tartary, or
Central Asia, where it is supposed that the only
existing wild race now lives, all the rest in a
state of freedom, being feral, or descended from
domesticated pairs, which have again become wild.
Some of these are also on the steppes of Tartary;
but immense numbers inhabit the extensive plains
of South America, which are supposed to be the
descendants of the Spanish horses, and to have
escaped from the conquerors of that continent,
Large herds also run about in various parts of
North America and Africa; and smaller numbers
in England, where they have dwindled to ponies.
Mr. Bell, whose authority few would dare to dis
pute, thinks that the Egyptians were the first people
who brought the horse into subjection, and that
Africa contained the original race; but the ancient
mysteries of the East are only now beginning to be
HORSES. 317
opened to us; and, I suspect, we shall find that the
Egyptians derived their horses, as well as every-
thing else, from the still older Asiatics,
It would be in vain to attempt, in a work of this
kind, to describe the different species and varieties
of horses; I shall, therefore, quickly pass on to a
small selection from the numerous anecdotes placed
before me, a few of which are the results of per-
sonal experience. Before I do this, however, it
may be as well to make a few observations concern-
ing their food. They are eminently vegetable
feeders; grains and dried grasses,,such as hay and
straw, also clover, being preferred when they are
in constant service. The more valuable sorts are
seldom much used while they are feeding entirely
on green grass. ‘They are extremely fond of the
niceties which are so often bestowed on pets, such
as bread, apples, cakes, etc.; and some are passion-
ately fond of sugar. M. Frederic Cuvier taught
one he constantly rode, to play certain tricks, re-
warding him for them with sugar; and, if the
provision contained in his pocket were not sufficient,
he would stop at a road-side inn, and procure some
more for the horse. Accordingly, when the saga-
cious animal came again to these houses, he would
perform the same antics which had before procured
him the sugar, and then stand still, as if again to
receive his reward. While speaking of this creature,
I may as well mention, that he delighted in pulling
318 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
down his own hay, and feeding the goats, which
lived on the other side of his palings, with it; and
once, when he was fed with straw, on account of
some malady, his companions, who ate at the same
manger, were so concerned at what they thought
his inferior fare, that they pushed their hay to him.
Horses have not the least objection to animal
food; and it has been often given to them when
they have been obliged to perform immense
journeys, or to undergo any very great exertion,
It, however, excites them very much, and, if not
judiciously bestowed, makes them fierce and uncon-
trollable. Stories are told of poor men, who, when
the despots of the East have ordered them to give
up their favourite horses, have fed them on flesh,
and rendered them so unmanageable, that the
tyrants have no longer desired what they once
thought a prize. Horses will also drink strong ale,
etc., with the greatest relish; and oat gruel, mixed
with it, has often proved an excellent restorative
for them after an unusual strain upon their powers.
They will not refuse even spirits or wine, administered
in the same manner; but it is very questionable if
these are equally efficacious. There is no telling,
however, what strange inconsistencies domestica-
tion will produce in the matter of food; for cats
have been known to refuse everything for boiled
greens, when they were to be had.
The following account is abridged from Mr.
HORSES. 319:
Kohl’s description of those Asiatic horses, which
are bred in the steppes, and are private property,
although he calls them quite wild.—‘‘ Only in
the heart of Tartary can the horse be found per-
fectly in a wild state. One herd in the steppe
will consist of 1000 horses; but the keepers of herds
will have several. Dressed in leather, with a girdle
which contains the implements of his veterinary art;
a black lambskin cap on his head, the ¢abuntshik,
or herdsman, eats, drinks, and sleeps in his saddle;
has no shelter, and dare not even turn his back
upon a storm, as the creatures do for whom he is
responsible. In his hand he holds a whip, with a
thick, short handle, and a lash from fifteen to
eighteen feet long. Then he must have a sling,
with which he takes unerring aim at each indivi-
dual of his straggling herd; then a wolf-stick, with
a knob of iron at the end, hangs from his saddle;
and a cask of water, a bag of bread, and a bottle
of brandy are necessary parts of his equipment.
He pays for every horse that is lost; in ten years
he is worn out, yet is unfit for any other life; he
lives in constant dread of horse-stealers, notwith-
standing which he steals them himself.
‘‘From Easter to October the herds graze day
and night in the steppes. In the winter they are
sheltered at night by mounds of earth, and a sort
of roof, from the north. The stallions and stronger
horses take possession of the shed, and the rest stand
320 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS,
outside, huddled together. In severe winters, sick.
ness and death overtake them, and those who sur-
vive, walk about like spectres. But when they eat
the young grass, which appears when the snow js _
melted, they are as wild and mischievous as ever.
The stallions seem to consider themselves as the
chiefs of the herd; and one of these, by right of
strength, is the chief par excellence. Sometimes
one stallion will have affronted the rest, and all
combine to turn him out; and then he will be
seen apart from them, with a few mares attending
him.* Occasionally two herds will fight for right of
pasture; the mares and foals keep aloof, the stallions
flourish their tails, erect their manes, rattle their
hoofs together, and fasten on each other with their
teeth ; the victorious party carrying off several mares,
‘‘ In the spring come the wolves, being very fond
of young foals; so they constantly prowl round
the herds, never attacking them by day if they are
numerous; but come at night, and if they are
scattered, they make a rush upon their victims.
The stallions, however, charge at them; and they
take flight only, however, to return and secure a
straggling foal, to whose rescue the mother comes,
and herself perishes. When this is found out, a
terrible battle ensues; the foals are placed in the
centre, the mares encircle them, charging the
* This seems to confirm the opinion of the Indians concerning
the solitary elephants,
HORSES. 321
wolves in front; tearing them with their teeth, and
trampling them with their fore-feet, always using
the latter, and not the hind feet; the stallions rush
about, and often kill a wolf with one blow; they
then pick up the body with their teeth, and throw
it to the mares, who trample upon it till its original
form is utterly destroyed. If eight or ten hungry
wolves should pull down a stallion, the whole herd
will revenge him, and almost always destroy the
wolves; who, however, generally try to avoid these
great battles, and chase a mare or foal separated
from the rest, creep up to them, imitating a watch-
dog, and wagging their tails, spring at the throat of
the mare; and then the foal is carried off. Even
this will not always succeed, and if the mare give
alarm, the wolf is pursued by herd and keeper, and
his only chance of escape is to throw himself head-
foremost down the steep sides of a ravine.
‘‘ The horses suffer more from thirst in summer
than from famine in winter; the heat is intolerable,
there is no shade, and each horse tries to protect
itself by its neighbour’s body. In the autumn the
owners of the herd call them in to thresh corn; the
turf is removed, the ground beaten till it is very
hard, and a railing placed round it; the corn is
spread, and five hundred horses at a time are driven
into the inclosure; they are terrified by the crackling
straw and the noise of the whip over their heads,
=
322 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
and the more frantic they are the sooner is the corn
threshed.â€
The attachment of Arabs to their horses, the
extreme beauty of these animals, which form part
of the family, and are sometimes more precious to
their owners than wives or children, have become
proverbial. They are managed by kindness; and
nothing can exceed the indignation of the owners
when they behold any attempt to manage a horse
of any kind by means of the whip. It is the
Arabian which, imported through Spain, or direct
to England, has produced so much improvement
in the European stock. An Arab mare of pure
descent, had, by means of the Moors, found her
way to the north western coast of Africa, where
she was purchased by an English officer. At first
I was a little disappointed in her appearance, for
she was thin; but as her foal became independent of
her, and learned to eat, she recovered her condition,
and I was never tired of looking ather. To all who
delight in admiring wild, unrestrained action, there
could not be a much greater treat than to have the
gates of the Government-House spur closed, and
turn her and her child loose into it, while we stood
upon the verandah to watch them. At no time
did she ever walk; but went every where with
a light, dancing step. And on these occasions
the frolics, the gestures, were past all description;
standing at one corner, her fore feet stretched
HORSES: ‘323
out, she would appear to wait for the pretty
little son who trotted up to her; when,†in a
moment, almost so as to elude sight, she would
bound completely over him, and take her stand
at another corner; then back again, and round and
round, till it seemed to me that all the tricks taught
by Ducrow, the waltzing and quadrilling excepted,
must have been suggested by watching the move-
ments of wild horses. A curious adventure
happened to that little foal, which is worthy of
record. A year or two after this, the groom took
him to the river to wash his legs, and as he turned
to come out again, a crocodile bit him; he struggled
for a moment and fell; this frightened the crocodile
away, and the poor young horse was dragged from
the water’s edge; the formidable teeth of the reptile
had nearly separated the foot from the leg, and it
hung by one tendon. There seemed to be no alter-
native but to shoot him; however, a native sug-
gested to his owner, that there was a famous
Moorish doctor then in the place, and if any one
could cure the horse, he could; at any rate it was
worth the trial: the man came, was very quiet,
did not promise anything, but united the parts,
bandaged them together, had the patient fastened
down in the position in which he chose him to lie,
and after some weeks of careful tending, the animal
was restored to his master even without blemish.
It was only by passing the hand along the parts
324 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
which had been severed, that the scar could be
detected ; and he was afterwards sold for a handsome
sum. ?
M. de Lamartine tells an interesting story of
an Arab chief and his horse, which is highly
characteristic. They, and the tribe to which they
belonged, attacked a caravan in the night, and were
returning with their plunder, when some horsemen,
belonging to the Pasha of Acre, surrounded them,
killed several, and bound the rest with cords.
Among the latter was the chief, Abou el Marek,
who was carried to Acre, and, bound hand and
foot, laid at the entrance of their tent during the
night. The pain of his wounds kept him awake,
and he heard his own horse neigh, who was
picketed at a little distance from him. Wishing to
caress him, perhaps for the last time, he dragged
himself up to him, and said—* Poor friend! what
will you do among the Turks? You will be shut
up under the roof of a Khan, with the horses of a
Pasha or an Aga; no longer will the women and
children of the tent bring you barley, camel’s milk,
or dhourra, in the hollow of their hands; no longer
will you gallop free as the wind in the desert; no
longer will you cleave the waters with your breast,
and lave your sides, as pure as the foam from your
lips. If I am to bea slave, at least you may go
free. Return to our tent, tell my wife that Abou
el Marek will return no more; but put your head
HORSES. 325.
still into the folds of the tent, and lick the hands
of my beloved children.†With these words, as
his hands were tied, the chief, with his teeth, undid
the fetters which held the courser bound, and set
him at liberty; but the noble animal, on recovering
his freedom, instead of galloping away to the desert,
bent his head over his master, and seeing him in
fetters, and on the ground, took his clothes gently
between his teeth, lifted him up and set off at full
speed towards home. Without resting he made
straight for the distant, but well-known tent in the
mountains of Arabia. He arrived there in safety,
laid his master down at the feet of his wife and
children, and immediately dropped down dead with
fatigue. The whole tribe mourned him, the poets
celebrated his fidelity; and his name is still con-
stantly in the mouths of the Arabs of Jericho.
The Arabs have five noble races, among which
that of Kohlan is the most celebrated for its
beauty, temper, courage, memory, and almost
human intelligence.
The value which the Arabs themselves set upon
their horses may, perhaps, be exemplified, when I
say, that the before-mentioned mare (Cora) had been
brought to the coast in some secret manner; and as
soon as it transpired where she was, a comparatively
insignificant Sultan of the interior, sent to offer
goods for her to the value of three hundred pounds.
When her master left Africa, he sold her to a
326 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
general officer, and I never heard what became of
her after that. The following is a short pedigree of
one of these valuable creatures:—“ In the name of
God, the merciful! The cause of the present writing
is, that we witness that the grey horse Derrish, of
Mahomet Bey, is of the first breed of Nedgdee
horses, whose mother is the grey mare, Hadha
the famous, and whose father is the bay horse,
Dahrouge, of the horses of the tribe Benihaled.
We testify on our conscience and fortune, that he
is the breed concerning which the prophet said,
‘the true runners, when they run, strike fire; they
grant prosperity until the day of judgment.’ We
have testified what is known, and God knows who
are true witnesses.†Six signatures verified this
pedigree.
I had marked out a selection of quotations as
proofs of the high qualities of the noble horse; but
I must now be as brief as possible, and not profit
too much by the interesting labours of others. I
therefore continue my own observations. When
staying on the borders of the river Gambia, I saw
two of the native horses which belonged to the
stud of the Commandant there; they had been
brought from the interior, and taken from a wild
herd; but they were totally unlike the races
hitherto described. The mare, of a reddish brown,
had been some time domesticated, and was docile
and well behaved; neither of them possessing
HORSES. 327
sufficient character to be referred to the Barb, the
Dongola, or the Nubian breeds. They were under-
sized, and not handsome; the male, who had not
been long from his native forests, was the best
looking; carried his head well, was strongly and
compactly made, especially about the shoulders,
and there was much fire about the head, which,
however, was far from handsome; his legs were
slender and well-shaped. The peculiar circum-
stances in which I was placed, rendered it necessary
that I should, for the sake of health, take horse-
exercise. There was nothing which could carry me
except this little grey horse; for I could not persuade
those around me to let me mount Cora, because they
said she had so hard a mouth: so a side-saddle was
put o., and a man with a skirt tried the grey once or
twice; he was tolerably quiet, and without much
disturbance, he went pretty well for a few weeks;
the only trouble being to get upon his back. He,
however, had one great peculiarity, which mani-
fested itself rather awkwardly, when a party of us
started to go to a distance. He could not endure
strangers, and would not suffer any of his own kind
to approach him who did not live in the same
stable as himself. This was great affectation in a
horse just wild from the woods, but so it was; the
instant my companions approached me, he made a
bolt, his heels went into the air, and it was in vain
to resist his fancy. We returned the next day, and
a
Â¥ '
oe
while fording a creek, which we had crossed in g
canoe the day before, one of our party forgot my
horse’speculiarity and came uptome; he darted fairly
outto sea, and not till he found himself off hislegs was
he frightened ; fortunately alarm made him tractable,
and I easily turned his head and landed in safety,
Wishing however, to punish him, I galloped him
home, four miles through loose sand, which was
over his fetlocks; far, however, from being subdued,
when I had dismounted and went to pat his cheek,
he tried to bite me.
The beauty and excellence of English horses,
taken as a whole, have been acknowledged to sur-
pass those of the rest of the world; their speed,
their enormous leaps, their long journeys, their
strength, have been frequent themes of admiration;
and I regret that I cannot fill more pages, with the
histories that are recorded of them; but there are
many excellent books on that subject alone, which
may be read with great advantage; and I pass on
to a very clever hunter, called Nannie, who be-
longed to my father, and who performed a feat,
thought, in my childhood, to be unique, but which
I have of late seen mentioned in the papers, as ac-
complished by other horses. In those days, gentle-
men seldom retired from the dinner table, without
being at least elated; and, on an occasion of this
sort, my father, by way of summing up his
favourite’s wonderful abilities, said, “he was sure
328 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS,
‘HORSES. : 329
she would, at his bidding, jump over the supper
table,†which was then set out for about twenty
persons. Being an only daughter, I was often
allowed to exceed the hours at which children are
usually sent to bed; and I was therefore present
during the whole scene. Doubts were expressed,
bets were laid, the parties became excited; and
Nannie was: ordered from her stable, bridled and
saddled, as if for her master’s riding. She was led
into the room; the gentlemen were all assembled,
the table was glittering with lights, glass, and
silver; the room was also brilliant; and at first,
Nannie was a little surprised. The chairs were set
on each side of the room; but, as the seats were
pushed under, they only added to the height; my
my father mounted, and said, ‘‘ Over, Nannieâ€: the
docile creature poised herself on her hind legs,
stretched out her neck, as if to measure the dis-
tance, and cleared the whole; the only ill effect
arising from which, was, that the marks of her
hoofs were left in the carpet. This clever mare
constantly opened the door of her stable, and went
to warm herself at the fire in the harness-room ;
but her affection for her master had more than once
preserved his life. On one occasion, it is supposed,
he had slipped off her, and been unable to get on
again; when, overcome with sleep, he folded his
arms, rested them against her side, and laying his
head upon them, remained there in a sound slumber,
a
Â¥
It was presumed they had been in this posture
a long time; and, had she moved, his life would —
probably have been endangered by the fall, for ‘
they were close to a steep declivity. On another ¢
oceasion she came home, neighed at the door of the
dwelling, and did not offer to go to the stable; the q
family were aroused, servants rose, she trotted back,
and stood by her master, who was lying senseless —
by the side of the road. They must have fallen |
together, as on his chest was the mark of one of
her feet, probably made in getting up again. He
was only stunned, and in a few days recovered from
his fall, while she was more than ever loved. She
was a chesnut mare, with a white star; and very
like her, was another, called Peggy, which, from
having belonged especially to our mother, we, as
children, claimed as ours also; and I have always,
when recollecting her, been able to picture to my-
self the intimacy between horses and human beings
in an Arab family. We crawled over her, we
seated ourselves upon her without bridle or saddle,
we clung to her neck when she had no room for us
on her back, and we sat upon her as she herself lay
in her stall. When she was ill, we administered
the medicine, almost quarrelling as to who should
take the gruel to her; when she heard our voices, —
whatever pain she was in, she saluted us with a
neigh; she was patient under every infliction, ac-
commodated herself to every fancy, and, with her —
330 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
er
WOLVES,
Page 330.
HORSES. 331
prudence and good temper, was often instrumental
to our safety. Although she had been a hunter,
and was a lady’s horse, she went well in harness,
and used to run in a curricle, with all the fiery
spirits whom my father chose to drive; and we
must have been dashed to pieces more than once,
but for her steadiness and forbearance. At last,
we were obliged to part with her; that is, we were
going to live where we could not keep her; and a
friend took her into his park, where she was to
remain free all the rest of her life. Five years
after, I was sitting at an open window, in the
neighbourhood of the metropolis, and a sound met
my ear. “If ever I heard Peggy's step,†I ex-
claimed, ‘that is it; she is now coming along the
road.†I was disbelieved; but in one minute after,
the still beautiful creature, though thirty-three
years old, was at the gate: we rushed to her; we
called her; she answered us; she danced about; she
rubbed her face against ours; she looked for the
same caresses, the same niceties which she used to
get from us—and half an hour quickly passed in
mutual caresses. The gentleman in whose park
she had been living, had found her so fresh, that
he had ridden her by easy journeys, to London,
and during his few days’ visit, sent her to see us—
she lived two years after that, and died of old age,
without a struggle.
A friend told me the other day, that a horse
332 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
had been in the habit of going ‘with ‘his master a
certain road, and stopping at the same inn, where
those who fed him always threw some beans into
the corn put before him. After a time, he and his
master went from that part of the country, and
remained away for two years, then the same habits
were resumed, and the same inn frequented; the
latter, however, had changed its owners. While
enjoying his dinner, the rider was informed, that
his horse would not eat, that he appeared to be
perfectly well, but there was something wrong
about the corn, which they knew not how to
rectify, for it was the very best. The gentleman
went to the stable, the horse neighed, looked at
him, and then at the manger, and it struck him
suddenly, that the animal missed the food he had
been accustomed to receive there, and no where
else. ‘‘ Throw some beans in,†he said to the
ostler; he was obeyed; and the horse looked at
him as if to express his thanks, and took his meal
contentedly.
I terminate these anecdotes with one concerning
a cart horse, which I never saw in print, but once.
He had frequently given proofs of great sagacity;
but the chief was the following:—‘ During the
winter, a large wide drain had been made, and
over this, strong planks had been placed for our
friend, the cart horse, to pass over to his stable. It
had snowed during the night, and had frozen very
HORSES. 333
hard in the morning. How he passed over the
planks on going out to work, I know not; but, on
being turned loose from the cart at breakfast, he
came up to them, and I saw his fore feet slip: he
drew back immediately, and seemed for a moment
at a loss how to get on. Close to these planks a
cart load of sand had been placed: he put his fore
feet on this, and looked wistfully to the other side
of the drain.
The boy who attended this horse, and who had
gone round by another path, seeing him stand
there, called him. The horse immediately turned
round, and set about scraping the sand most
vigorously, first with one hind foot, then with
the other. The boy, perhaps wondering what he
was going to do, waited to see. When the planks
were completely covered with sand, the horse
turned round again, unhesitatingly walked over,
and trotted up to his stable and driver.â€
THE ASS.
ALTHOUGH far from equalling the horse in grace
or beauty, the ass, in his wild condition, is a hand-
some, swift, and powerful animal, so different to
the degenerated, ill-used, and scrubby creatures of
this country, that they would scarcely be recognised
as belonging to the same stock, if placed side by
’
|
i f
3
334 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
side. In Spain, and other parts of Southern Europe,
and the Cape de Verde Islands, they are very
superior; but they are even surpassed by those of
the East. All acquainted with Scripture know
the importance formerly attached to them, when
the wisest and best of the land rode in state upon
white asses. It will also be recollected, that the
Israelites were at first forbidden to use horses, and
the places of the latter were then supplied by asses.
From the time, however, that the finer animals
became common, asses seem to have fallen into
disrepute; and we read that the greatest of all beings,
when performing His Divine Mission upon earth,
and was about to give himself up as a sacrifice for
us, rode into Jerusalem upon an ass, thereby shew-
ing his humility.
Asses are eminently creatures of a warm climate,
where they have a smooth, sleek coat, well-made
legs, and elevated carriage of the head. They
were introduced into Great Britain at an early
period; for we hear of twelve shillings being paid
for one in the time of Ethelred; but they are
supposed to have become extinct, and to have been
re-introduced in the reign of Queen Mary, in con-
sequence of our then intercourse with Spain. They
are still in great perfection in Persia, where there
are two varieties, one kept for riding, and the
other for carrying burthens. The former are very
strong, lift their legs well, and are broken in as
ASSES. 335
horses are; but the best are said to be natives of
Arabia. They are not all larger than ours, a
smaller variety being frequently met wita, nor
have they all the dark streak across the shoulders.
They are of a pale yellow, silvery grey, brown and
reddish colors. The celebrated white asses are
Albinos. All have a short black mane, a dark
streak upon the back, and their tail, which so par-
ticularly distinguishes them from horses, is covered
with short hair, except at the tip, which is adorned
with a tuft, generally dark in color. Their pecu-
liar cry or bray, is produced by two small cavities
in their windpipes; their hoofs are, in Damascus,
made into rings, which the lower classes wear
under their armpits, or round their thumbs, to save
them from the rheumatism; their flesh is much
esteemed as food among the Persians and Tartars.
They are fond of congregating near Lake Aral
in the summer, but go further to the south in
winter. Vast hordes exist in Tartary, each headed
by achief. They are also numerous in America,
having probably been left there by the Spaniards.
Mr. Bell describes an ass which belonged to his
grandfather, who was so swift, that matches were
made against him by the possessors of the fastest
asses which could be found; but he beat them all,
and even followed the hounds, coming up in gallant
style, at the death of the fox.
The well-known antipathy between the horse
336 - ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
and the ass is scarcely to be explained, and has
been often overcome; nevertheless, it always more
or less exists, and many instances are on record
in which it has caused inconvenience. One of
these I can supply, which occurred when I was in
Portugal. I started on a donkey to make a draw-
ing of the great aqueduct which supplies Lisbon
with its delicious water, and just as I had chosen
my position, and established myself, my husband
rode up on a beautiful and valuable horse, belonging
to a friend. He wished to procure some specimens
of the neighbouring rocks, and not liking to take
a borrowed animal among them, he desired my
donkey guide to hold his steed as well as mine.
The boy obeyed; and Mr. Bowdich soon disappeared
among the hollows. For a few minutes the horse
stood quietly enough; but from the beginning he
gave very significant glances at the companion
forced upon him. At last he worked himself
into a complete passion; snorted, pranced, reared,
tossed his head, dilated his nostrils, and tried to
reach the ass with his fore feet. He was prevented
from doing this by the boy, who opposed him with
much temper and courage; he then tried to turn
round and kick the object of his indignation, who
was by no means disposed to take the insult quietly.
The boy let go the ass, who gave one fling at the
horse, and then went very quietly to nibble the grass,
lying in patches on the rough ground. The horse,
ASSES. : 337
however, now tried to get at the donkey; broke
his bridle, pursued him, and both scampered off,
the former doing just the very thing Mr. Bowdich
wished to avoid. I was obliged to start up sud-
denly to get out of their way; my pencils and paper
all made independent excursions, and the only thing
to be done, was for me to catch the donkey, and the
boy to catch the horse. Mine was much the easiest
task; but both being accomplished, we kept them
apart, the ass standing quietly enough, but the
horse refusing to behave himself unless the boy
mounted on his back, and rode him up and down
on the smoothest path he could find. At length
Mr. Bowdich returned, and thought all that had
passed a good joke, in which I could not agree
with him. He rode away; and I quietly finished
my sketch.
Bishop Heber gives the following description of
an ass which he saw in a paddock, near Bombay,
and which pourtrays a different disposition. He
says, “ it was a noble wild ass from Cutch, as high as
a well grown Galloway, a beautiful animal, admi-
rably formed for fleetness and power, apparently
very gentle and fond of horses, and by no means
disliked by them; in which respect. the asses of
India differ from all others of which I have heard.
The same fact has been told me of the wild ass in
Rajpootana.†.
. Of the power of the ass to bear fatigue, the
Z
338 ANECDOTES OF’. ANIMALS.
history of Mr. Wilson is an instance. He drove one
which was his own property, in a light gig, from
Ipswich to London, and back again, a distance of
140 miles, in two days. The ass went at a pace
little short of that of a good gig horse, and fed well
at different stages. On his return, he came in
without the aid of a whip, at the rate of seven
miles an hour, and performed the whole journey
with ease; he was twelve hands and a half high,
and half bred Spanish and English.
_ Asses, although they do credit to good feeding,
can live on very little, and that little of inferior
quality. They have a decided manner of refusing
to move when they are overloaded; and they are
often seized with an immoveable fit without having
any apparent reason for it. In steep places they
are invaluable, and their feet more sure than those
‘of men would be. I have seen them put both
their fore feet out together, and let them slip, then
drag their hind feet up to them, and repeat this
process on descending the vitrified, and almost
perpendicular roads of Madeira, taking a zigzag
direction across the road each time. Mules do the
same, and perhaps derive the faculty from their
asinine blood.
_ There cannot be a better proof of the intellect of
asses, than by shewing them to be fond of the fine
arts: therefore the account of one at Chartres, must
enter into this work. ‘“ He used to go ta the
‘ASSES. PSEA 339
Chateau d’ Ouarville, to hear the music that was
often performed there. The owner of the Chateau
was a lady, who had an excellent voice; and when-
ever she began to sing, he never failed to draw
nearer the window, and listen very attentively.
Once, when a piece was performed, which no doubt
pleased him better than any he had heard before,
he left his ordinary post, walked without cere-
mony into the music-room; and in order to add
to the concert, what he thought perhaps might
be an improvement, he began to bray with all
his might.†)
CAMELS.—DROMEDARIES.
A PECULIARITY in the digestive organs of some
animals causes all those who possess it to be thrown
together into one large order, by naturalists. They
have no front teeth, except in the, lower jaw, and
in place of them, the upper jaw is provided with a
bony pad. A very few have canine teeth, and
their grinders are marked with double crescents.
They have two hoofs, but as the inside edge of
these is flattened, they look as if they had only
one cleft down the middle, the foot underneath is
provided with elastic pads, connecting the toes
together, and extruding beyond them at the sides.
These cushions at each step expand, support the =
340 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS,
animal in yielding sand, and protect it on harder
ground. |
After they have taken their food, these Rumi-
nantia, as they are called, lie down, and remain in
a state of complete repose, in order to chew it a
second time; and the process is thus accomplished:
they have four stomachs, the first is called the
paunch, and is the largest of all; into it descend the
grass, herbs, and leaves, when first cropped and
imperfectly masticated. Thence the mass goes into
the second stomach, or honeycomb, so named, be-
cause its structure gives it the appearance of that
substance: it is small and globular, and by means
of its cells, squeezes the food into little balls, which
are thrown up into the mouth of the animal, to
receive a second mastication, called ‘chewing the
cud.†After this has been effected, it descends
into the third stomach, or the feck, which looks
something like the several leaves of a book; lastly
it goes into the fourth stomach, which is merely
wrinkled. It is in this that real digestion takes
place; all the previous labour having been but a
mere preparation for it, and indicated by the name
of the order, taken from a Latin word, signifying
‘to chew over.â€
It would seem impossible for any animals to be
more useful to man than the dog or the horse, yet
these Ruminantia are still more precious to him, for
while they serve him as beasts of burden, or
CAMELS. 341
transport, they perform agricultural labours and
supply him generally with a variety of food. Milk,
butter, cheese, the very best meat, the strongest yet
most delicate leather, that most valuable com-
modity wool, hair, horn, and a long list of utilities,
all proceeding from them; while the extreme
beauty of many of the genera, and the sport they
afford, contribute to his mere pleasure, as well as
his comfort.
The Camels and Dromedaries, which come first
before me, are confined but to a small portion
of the earth’s surface; they, however, in their
more confined sphere afford incalculable benefits.
Without them we should not be able to traverse those
large plains of sand, which lie between the different
countries of Africa, and also of south-western Asia.
Their gaunt and angular form does not class them
among the beauties to which I have alluded; and
the only pretensions which their outward appear-
ance can present for praise, is their admirable
adaptation for the offices which they have to perform.
Their full, upper lip is cleft, their neck is long, their
eyes prominent and shaded with eye-lashes, their
nostrils are like slits, which they can close at
pleasure; their body has one or two humps on it,
their legs have callous pads upon them, their feet
are large and spreading, and their hair hangs loosely
upon them in patches. That long, upper lip,
however, when the hot blast of the desert almost
342 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
dries their mouth, plunges into the sand and finds
momentary relief by getting below the surface;
that long ungainly neck raises the head so that the
prominent eyes may see objects in the far distance;
those nostrils are apertures to the most acute organs
of smell, by which they can even ascertain that
water is near; those callous pads enable them to
kneel when they are to be laden, or mounted, and
those ugly humps are provisions of fat, which sup-
ply them with nourishment, if, during their long
journeys, there is a scarcity of provisions. One of
their most invaluable properties is the length of
time which they can go without drinking, owing
to the large secretion of water in their honeycomb
stomach, while in times of intolerable privation, -—
they may be killed, and so save their masters from
starvation.
The camel has two humps, the dromedary one;
the last is the lightest and the swiftest, and is
generally chosen for riding, while the former carries
the burdens. High saddles are placed on their
backs; and it requires either to be used to them,
or to be particularly careful not to be half killed at
starting. The rider places himself in the saddle
while the animals are kneeling; and, when they
raise their hind legs, which they do first of all, they
send the unprepared traveller forwards, and his
breath is almost taken out of him by the blow
which he receives upon his.chest;. then as they get
‘CAMELS. | 343
ripon' their fore legs they throw him back, so as to
endanger his spine. Their pace is at first very
disagreeable, being. so long and slouching; but,
generally speaking, they are extremely docile and
affectionate; they, however, will not: stir if they
think they are overloaded, and if they are made
angry, they are furious, especially against each
other, quarrelling much more frequently with their
own species than they do with man. . Their owners
are always very careful to see that their humps are
in good condition before they set off on a journey,
and some varieties are preferred to others on
account of their being able to bear a longer period
of drought. They are generally decorated with
bells, the sounds of which, in their desert journeys,
are said to be very agreeable to them. If once
they fall from fatigue or sickness they seldom rise
again; but, as a whole party, particularly when
every day's provision of water is measured, cannot
be stopped for one, they are left alone to die; their
eyes following the masters who are obliged to
abandon them, and whom they have served so
faithfully; the vultures, already hovering over
them, ready to pick their bones as soon as they
have sent forth their last breath. Their spme,
when again found, is often raised upon a pole, as a
charm against the withering spell of the evil eye. ;
The load of a camel is about 800 lbs., and their
usual pace nearly three miles an hour; but at this
344 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
rate they continue for nine or ten hours. Their
colour is chiefly a reddish brown, or grey, rarely
black; and occasionally white. They are natives
of the countries which they inhabit; the drome-
dary coming from Arabia and Africa, the camel
from the middle of Asia, to the north of the Hima-
laya mountains. They are said to harbour revenge;
but, if this be once gratified, they soon return to
good humour.
LLAMAS, Ere.
Luamas are called the camels of the New World,
and under this common name are included more
than one species. They exist in large herds, and
are much more sightly than the animals to which
they are compared; their backs are straighter, their
heads very handsome, and their fleeces are thick
and equal. They will carry a load of 150 lbs., and
were the only beasts of burthen found among the
Peruvians, when these people were conquered by
the Spaniards. Their feet differ from those of the
camel, but are equally adapted to the soil which
they have to traverse; they are formed of two
springy toes, each of which has a rough cushion
underneath, and a strong, short hoof on the tip,
pointed and hooked, like a claw. These take firm
hold of the rapid and precipitous ascents and
LLAMAS, ETC. 345
descents, which they encounter in travelling to and
from the mines; in which journeys they carry
100 lbs. of metal over the rugged mountain passes,
and perform a distance of about twelve miles during
the day. At one time 300,000 were employed by
the Potosi mines alone. In one respect they imi-
tate camels by lying down, and refusing to stir
when they are overloaded, and they never go
beyond their usual pace. They spit in the face of
their riders when tied up, or made to lie down;
which is particularly disagreeable, from the nature
of their saliva.
The different species are not clearly defined, wel
we require a more intimate knowledge of them
before we can separate them from each other: the
domestic animals are certainly Llamas; then there
are the Guanacos, which are also called Huanacos.
They live on mountains, but frequently pasture in
the plains; and when the females do this, the males
watch from a more elevated position; and if they
see men approaching, neigh something like a horse;
to warn them of their danger, then descend into
the valley, and drive their charge before them.
Besides these two, are the Vicufias (spelt also
Vicunhas), and Vicugnas, who are of a tawny red
colour, and live in the bleak, cold parts of moun-
tains, preferring frost and snow. They are remark-
ably swift and timid, and their wool is very fine
and silky.
346 ANECDOTES. OF ANIMALS.
To these must be added the Paco, or Alpaca, and
the Taruga, who are larger, and even swifter than
the Vicufias, and wander about singly, among
steep and rocky places. M. Frederic Cuvier thinks
there are but three species; the Guanaco, which, in
a domestic state, is the Llama; the Paco, or Al-
paca; and the Vicufia. Iam desirous of dwelling
thus much upon these divisions, because the readers
of South American travels are often much puzzled
by the manner in which they are mentioned.
The Guanacos, when they have plenty of the
rushy grass, on which they love to feed, never
require any drink, but they have no cells in their
stomach for the secretion of water: they are par-
ticularly active in throwing out their saliva at the
least offence. They give very severe blows with
their fore feet: and I have often, with the above
gentleman, watched them fight with a fury which
was at first laughable, tearing large mouthfuls of
hair from each other, and at last obliged to be
separated, from the injuries they were likely to give
and receive. |
The great enemy of these animals is the Puma,
and they fly from him; but Mr. Darwin says he has
often known them not only neigh and squeak when
men approach, but dance and leap about in the
most absurd manner. They are easily caught, for
they get quite bewildered, when pursued; but they
are much bolder when in captivity. They.appear to
DEER. 347
have favourite spots to which they go to die, and
and which are perfectly white with their bones;
this has been observed close to the river Gallego,
and elsewhere. 1
Manufactures from their hair more resemble
silk than woollen stuffs, and some of those made
of the Alpaca fleece, are quite black, without hav-
ing been dyed. It has’ been a matter of surprise to
many, that they are not naturalized in this country,
as the climate would not be an obstacle to success,
The demand, however, for their produce so much
increases, that it is very probable they may at some
future time become denizens of our mountainous
districts.
DEER.
THE elegant animals included under the name of
Deer, afford the highest sport to the hunter, the
most precious skins, and delicious food. Considering
their size, they are matchless in speed and vigour,
and are as beautiful as they are swift. They are
spread all over the globe, except Australia, and
Central and Southern Africa; their place in the
latter continent being supplied by giraffes and an-
telopes. They leave the higher mountains to goats,
live on moderate elevations, but delight most in
wide, open countries. The fissures, or what are
348 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
called lachrymals, exist in most of them; they are
clefts below the eyes, which bear the name of tear-
ducts, but their use is not yet understood. They
would not be so much developed as they are in
many, unless they bore strongly upon the animal’s
economy; but they do not communicate with the
nose, nor are they, in any way, connected with respi-
ration. They are certainly in relation with glands,
because they secrete a greasy fluid, more abundant
at, some times than at others, when the edges are
much swollen; and the animals often touch objects
with them, stretching them wide open, doing s0,
when they are under excitement of any kind.
The muzzles of some deer are nearly flat, and
destitute of hair; in others, they are covered with
hair, and the upper lip is prehensile.
Only the male deer have horns, or antlers, as
they are called, which they shed every year; and,
up to a certain age, at every renewal, they increase
in size and number of branches. They are placed
on a bony pad upon the forehead, which is covered
with skin; and in the second year of their age,
this skin swells; blood rushes towards the pads,
their arteries increase, and rapidly deposit bony
matter, the antlers begin to form, the skin increases
with them, and continues to cover them, and the
large arteries which it carries with it make furrows
upon the bony matter, which always remain. So
thick and soft is the pile of hair which protects the
DEER. 7 349
skin, that it deserves, and has received, the name of
velvet. When the antlers have attained their yearly
size, the arteries begin to deposit a rough ring of
bone round the edges of the pad, which increases
till it stops their passage; so that, deprived of its
natural nourishment, the velvet shrivels up, dries,
and peels off ; a process which the deer hastens
by rubbing his antlers against trees. The latter
are then hard and serviceable, for had they been
used and wounded, when their covering was so full
of blood, the shock would have sent a rush of it
back to the brain, and probably have killed the
deer. Before I understood this arrangement, I
have seen these animals with wounded horns, and
have wondered much at the large flow of blood
which issued from them, and others have probably
done the same. When the skin is gone, the antlers
remain, as it were mechanically, and as it is one of
the great laws of life to throw off every thing which
is no longer a part of itself, they obey the rule.
Absorption takes place beneath the bony ring, par-
ticle after particle disappears, and down go the
antlers, either from their own weight, or some
accidental touch; the part where they stood ig
quickly covered with skin till spring returns, when
a new growth commences, and a larger pair ensues,
The common stag loses his antlers early in the
spring; and they sprout forth again very soon
after.
350 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
There is no part of the game laws of various
countries more stringent, than that which relates
to the killing of deer, or their management:
Whatever concerned Venerie, as it was called, was
a necessary part of a nobleman’s or gentleman’s
education. The private histories of kings are very
much mixed up with the deer laws, and also some
of the public transactions; for many a fine has
been paid, many a worthy person sent into exile,
and many a life lost, in consequence of their in-
fringement; and the technicalities with which the
science and the laws were loaded, appear in the
present times most absurd and tiresome.
Deer are still to be found wild in Scotland, but
most rarely in England; in the north of Europe
and America they are common, and those which
frequent cold countries have the antlers much flat-
tened, as if to shovel away the snow; they will
sometimes weigh 60 lbs. These animals are every
where tenacious of life, and will run a long way
after being hit in a mortal part.
Rein-deer, which form the wealth of the Lap-
landers, serve them for food and clothing, draw
them over pathless fields of snow in safety, and
are the only species really domesticated. They
eat a lichen which they find under the snow, du
ring the winter, and live together in large herds.
They are the least handsome of the whole tribe;
are perfectly obedient, and one man sometimes
' DEER. 41 351
possesses as many as two thousand. Their joints
erack as they move, and they are extremely fond
of salt; even taking it from the hands of strangers,
They usually run at the rate of ten English miles the
hour, but have gone nineteen, and draw a weight
of 300 lbs; but they require good driving, and
sometimes dash on, perfectly regardless of the com-
fort of those in the sledge. Their smell is very
acute; and by it they are enabled to come up with
their party, if they should have been left behind.
They suffer intensely from insects, especially from
a large species (wstrus tarandi), which deposits its
eggs in the hole made by its bite. In order to
avoid these pests, the rein-deer are driven during
the summer months to the mountains which over-
hang the coasts, where their foes are much less
numerous. They are so terrified at their oe
that the sight of one will make them furious.
Mr. Wentzel says that the Dog-rib Indians go in
pairs to kill rein-deer, the foremost, carrying in one
hand the horns and part of the skin of a head of
the deer, and in the other, a small bundle of twigs,
against which he, from time to time, rubs the horns,
as the deers do. His companion follows exactly in
his footsteps, holding the guns of both in a hori-
zontal position; so that the muzzle of each projects
under the arm of the first. Both have a fillet
of white skin round their foreheads, and the fore-
most a strip of the same round each wrist. They
352 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS,
gradually approach the herd, raise their legs very
slowly, and put them down again suddenly, in
the manner of deer.
If any of the herd see them, they stop, and the
head is made to play its part by copying their
movements. By these means the hunters get into
the very centre of the herd without exciting sus-
picion; the hindmost man then pushes forward his
comrade’s gun, and both fire nearly at the same
instant. The deer scamper off, the hunters trot
after them; the poor animals soon halt to see what
alarmed them; their enemies have reloaded their
guns as they proceeded, and give them a second
discharge. The consternation of the deer increases,
they run about in the utmost confusion, and the
greater number are frequently thus destroyed.
I have already spoken of dogs which attach
themselves to communities, and now I have a
similar instance of a deer to offer, in combination,
however, with a dog, who attached himself to the
42nd Highlanders, having been presented to that
regiment by a friend of one of the officers. The
dog had belonged to a captain in the navy, who
dined at the mess, while the regiment was stationed
in Malta, and so attached himself to that community,
that nothing would induce him to leave it; so his
master was forced to leave his favourite Newfound-
land behind him; who, from that moment, would
never follow any one who did not. wear the uniform
DEER. } 353°
of his friends. The soldiers subscribed, and gave
him a collar with the name of the regiment on it,
and called him Peter. A mutual attachment soon
took place between the deer and the dog; and they
regularly appeared on parade together. The latter
frequented the cook-house, where the cook ill-
treated him, which was not forgotten, and one day
when the bathing time was come, at which re-
creation Peter was the first in and the last out of
the water; the cook joined the others of his corps;
and Peter, knowing his power in his own element,
pulled him down, and would have drowned him,
had not the soldiers come to his rescue.
Both dog and deer marched with the band, and
remained with it when in quarters. The latter was
very fond of biscuit; but if it had been breathed:
upon he would not touch it, and although many
ways of cheating him were tried, he invariably
detected the contamination. At one time he be-
came very irritable; and if a stranger passed between:
the band and the main body of the regiment, he
attacked him with his antlers. He was grazing:
one day when acat from the neighbourhood bristled.
up her hair, and set up her back at him; and the
poor deer, seized with a sudden and unaccountable
panic, sprang over a precipice two hundred feet high,
and was killed on the spot. Peter being close by,
rushed to the battlements, and barked and yelled
most piteously. His own end was a tragic one; he
AA
354 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
snarled at an officer who had often ill-used him,
and the unfeeling man ordered the poor dog to be
shot by those who loved him, and lamented him as
long as they lived.
The smallest of the deer species lives in Ceylon;
a lovely, delicate little creature, with lustrous eyes,
and of exquisite form. When full grown it is only
ten inches high, fourteen long, and weighs about
five pounds. Its throat, head, and neck, are all
white; its body is grey, striped with black, and
spotted at equal distances with yellow. Although
very timid, it is to be tamed; butif angry, it kicks
out its little hind legs, and slender pointed hoofs,
with great violence. One which was domesticated
was placed on a dinner-table, where it ran about
and nibbled fruit from the dishes; answered to its
name, and returned the caresses which were bestowed
upon it. Its terror of dogs was at first very great;
but at last it allowed a small terrier to come close
to it; and heard the bark of others without being
uneasy. A pair were brought to England, but
soon died from inflammation of the lungs; the
common and fatal disease which attacks almost all
tropical animals in this climate.
GIRAFFES.
Some years ago, Giraffes were thought to be
fabulous animals; and the ill-treated Le Vaillant
GIRAFFES. 355
was supposed to have invented them, in spite of the
description which the Romans left of them. He
was a little poetical in his style of writing, which
John Bull is not fond of when facts are narrated,
so John Bull begged to doubt his assertions. He
lived, however, to see his veracity established,
which the kind old man, a year or two before his
death, assured me was a great happiness to him.
Lord Caledon brought a skin home from the Cape,
and badly as it was stuffed, it began to dawn on
the minds of the Europeans, that such an animal
really existed. Then a live one was brought to
Paris, and another to His Majesty George the
Fourth, who petted his till it died. Now there
are several living in our Zoological Gardens; some
of whom were born in the Menagerie.
The great peculiarity of the giraffes les in
possessing a very short body, and very long
legs; which formation involves a multitude of
awkward movements; for instance, when they
walk fast there is a jerking in the pace, as if it
were not easy to them; and when they gallop,
the hind feet often project beyond the fore
feet. Their very long neck is not arched, but
bends obliquely from the shoulders, so that when
they wish to drink from the ground, they are
obliged to hold their fore legs very widely apart.
They look best when going slowly, at which time
their step is very stately, and their beautiful head
356 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
is borne loftily above other animals; they have
two short, bony horns covered with skin, and a
prominence of bone on the top of the forehead;
they have large, full eyes, with which, owing to
their convex form, they can see immense distances
in all directions; their ears are long and flexible,
and they have a long, black, prehensile tongue; with
this they drag down the branches of the trees on
which they browse. Their upper lip is very flexible
and projects over the under, which greatly assists
them in procuring their food; their tail is long,
and has a tuft at the end; their skin is very glossy,
is covered with large angular spots, and is often an
inch and a half thick. Their great enemy is the lion,
who springs upon them when they are drinking,
and the affrighted giraffes start with all the speed of
a swift courser, their enemy on their back, nor stop
till they fall from exhaustion or loss of blood. They
were never heard to utter a sound, and therefore are
supposed to be perfectly mute, even when wild.
I was living in Paris when the giraffe, sent
to that country, arrived. She and her keeper,
Ati, landed at Bordeaux, amidst most enthu-
siastic acclamations, which accompanied them all
the way to the metropolis. A deputation from
each large town through which she passed, formed
of the municipal authorities, met her, and one of
the most learned savants, went all the way from the
Jardin des Plantes, and accompanied her on her
GIRAFFES. 357
triumphal march. ‘‘ La giraffe,†however, did not
appreciate these honours, and she was often impa-
tient under the etiquette imposed on her. On one
occasion she broke loose from her cavalcade, Ati
and all, and dashing among the horsemen, scattered
them right and left, some on and some off their
steeds; a dignified mayor lay in the dust, and by
his side rolled the pains-taking savant who performed
so long a journey in her service. The enthusiasm
did not abate when she reached her destination.
Thirteen thousand more than the usual weekly
number passed over the Pont d’ Austerlitz alone,
and as the public curiosity did but increase for six
weeks, steps were obliged to be taken to prevent
the multitude from pressing upon her. There
were several natives of the [East at that time in the
French capital; and they went among others to see
her. The moment she beheld their turbans, she
stretched her neck out and licked their foreheads,
no doubt recognizing their head-dresses. Her love
for roses was very great; and she eagerly snatched
them from those who carried or wore them, to their
great astonishment; for few could calculate on the
distance which she could reach. I went one day
into her park, holding some carrots in my hand,
with some of which I fed her, then turning to the
cows, lying at some distance, who had come with
her to afford a supply of milk for her on the voyage,
I began to give some to them. Without moving
358 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
her legs from the place where I had left her, she
stretched her long neck and head over my head,
and hooking the carrots up with her tongue,
surprised me not a little, for I could not tell what
shadow was coming over me. She was as fond of
onions as of carrots; and this is not surprising, for
they are very sweet and mild in her native country.
Her Darfur attendant, Ati, slept in a gallery at the
top of her stables, and there was very little repose
for him after daylight; she routed him up with her
nose; and seemed to think because she was stirring
he ought also to be on the alert. This was rather
against his ideas on the subject, as he was apt to
stay out late at the dances in the neighbouring
guinguettes; and he used to complain, all the time
loving her very dearly.
ANTELOPES.
THE many characters which antelopes possess in
common with deer, seem to place them together;
but naturalists have ranked them among those
Ruminantia who have hollow horns. They are
some of the most beautiful animals in the world,
and are sub-divided into sections, which depend on
the shape of their horns, but into which classifica-
tion the present work does not enter. The exqui-
site Gazelle, the type of Eastern beauty, the poet’s
theme, with her slight and graceful shape, her
ANTELOPES. 359
slender limbs, and her full, dark eyes, often meets
with a fate which has no poetry in it; for she is
the favourite morsel of the lion and the leopard.
It might have been thought, that they would have
preferred larger and more fleshy game, but, like
true epicures, the high flavour of the gazelle is pre-
ferred to size. The falcon is often used by men for
catching them, as even the swift greyhound cannot
overtake them; they arealso driven into traps, by sur-
rounding them, in the manner of a battue. Their
skin is used in making a peculiar sort of drum.
The pigmy antelope inhabits some parts of
Africa, and, in size, corresponds with the small
deer of Ceylon. I never saw so beautiful a little
creature, appearing more like a fable than a reality.
Their tiny black horns are but slightly curved in-
wards, their legs are not thicker than the quill with
which I am now writing; and yet all the characters
of the antelope are strongly marked. The first I
saw had been brought to my uncle; and as [ entered
his room, I stood quite still at the door, with surprise
at this exquisite, tiny creature, who remained with
one leg up, ready to dart away with the speed of
lightning from the intruder, for whose approach he
was listening. I feared to move, lest the vision
should disappear; but death soon made it fade away
altogether. Captain Fisher, of the Navy, tried to take
a pair of these fairy-like creatures to England; they
were kept in his own cabin, he gave them all
360 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
the goat’s milk which had been provided for his
own use, and took infinite pains to shelter them
from cold or accident; he suceeeded in getting
them as far as the Channel, where they ate some
pieces of cork which had been dropped on the
floor, and died. I was equally unfortunate with a
beautiful, spotted antelope, which was brought to
me; and which never could stand in the house. It
had not been hurt; but the instant it was put upon
its legs, it slipped about, and I was told this species al-
ways did so. I fed it, carried it about, and it was very
gentle, and began to know me, though still wild. It
died at the end of a fortnight, in strong convulsions.
Antelopes are exclusively inhabitants of the Old
‘World; and some idea may be formed of their im-
mense numbers in South Africa, where the species
are most varied and powerful, by reading the fol-
lowing quotations from Mr. Pringle, and Mr. Gordon
Cumming. The former says—‘‘ We pursued our
journey over extensive plains, still parched by
severe drought, and undulating heights clothed
with a brown and scanty herbage, and sprinkled
over with numerous herds of springbok. Near the
banks of the Little Fish river, so numerous were
those herds, that they literally speckled the face of
the country, as far as the eye could reach; inso-
much that we calculated we had sometimes within
view not less than 20,000 of these beautiful ani-
mals. As we galloped on, they bounded off con-
ANTELOPES. ) 361
tinually, on either side, with the velocity from which
they derive their colonial appellation. They were
probably part of one of the great migratory swarms
which, after long-continued droughts, sometimes
inundate the colony from the Northern wastes.â€
Mr. Cumming informs us, that, “ When pursued,
the springbok jumps up into the air ten or twelve
feet, for which they curve their loins, rise perpen-
dicularly, and the long white hair on their haunches
and back floats about; they pass over a space of
twelve to fifteen feet, come down, then rise again;
and after doing this several times, they bound off,
arch their necks, then halt, and face their enemy.
If they come to a place over which men or lions
have walked, they jump across it. They can only
be compared to locusts; for they eat up every green
thmg, and always return to their haunts by a
different road to that which they had previously
passed. Their herds consist of tens of thousands;
and where they have staid for some time, thousands
of skulls strew the plain.†In another part of his
book, the same author tells us, that the ground was
literally covered with them, forming a dense, living
mass, marching slowly, and pouring like a great
river for hours: hundreds of thousands scarcely
tell their number. “I give you my word,†said a
boer, ‘‘ that I have ridden a long day’s journey,
over a succession of flats covered with them as far
as I could see, as thick as sheep standing in a fold.â€
362 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
Among the Antelopes of the same part of the
world is the Oryx, or Gemsbok, a very beautiful
animal, which has been supposed to give rise to
the Unicorn of Sacred writings; ‘for its long,
straight horns, always so exactly cover one another,
when viewing them from a distance, that they
look like one. They have an erect mane, a long
tail, and are like a horse, with the head and hoof
of an Antelope. Their bearing is most noble, they
are the size of an ass, have black bands about the
head, looking like a stall collar. They live in
almost barren regions, never want water, are very
swift, and only to be caught by riding down.â€
The fierce Gnoo, Gnu, or Blue Wilde Beest of the
colonists to the north of the Cape of Good Hope,
are not as numerous as the spring-boks; and are
easily distinguished by their large, curving horns,
and the downward carriage of their head; for they
never can look up. One was found with a fore leg
caught over his horn, and so was easily secured;
for he could not, of course, run, and had probably
got himself into that attitude when fighting. They
have a shaggy head, long hair or mane upon the
chest, a long white tail, and wild red eyes. They
utter fearful snorts, and kick and leap about in the
most grotesque and fantastic manner. If a red ©
handkerchief be held before them, it produces the
most violent excitement.
363
GOATS.
Tue three last genera of which I shall treat are all
Ruminantia, and are distinguished by their horns,
which are divided into cells; and which cells com-
municate with the skull. The two first, Goats
and Sheep, so closely resemble each other, that im
many instances the one appears to be a mere variety
of the other. If we look at the Merino breed, with
its closely curled, soft, white wool, and then turn
to a grave-looking goat, with its long beard and
hair, we shall not be conscious of their resemblance;
but if we place a sheep that has long resided in, or
been born in a tropical country, by the side of the
goat, we shall scarcely be able to distinguish one
from the other. The wool gradually uncurls,
lengthens, and becomes harsh and glossy; and were
not the goat’s horns directed upward, and then in-
clined backwards, those of the sheep directed back-
wards and returned to the front in a spiral form;
had not the goats, generally speaking, a long beard,
and the sheep none, and had not the goats a con-
cave or flat forehead, and the sheep mostly a con-
vex one, we should not be able to separate them;
and even these characters—if not well defined—are
not very conspicuous, unless to a practised, or
careful observer.
The Chamois, which is classed by many among
364 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
goats, in some degree approaches the antelopes. Its
horns shoot straight. up, and then at the tips turn
suddenly back, like a fish hook; it frequents all the
mountain chains of Europe and western Asia; in
summer climbing to the highest summits, and dis-
playing the most daring agility. In the winter it
comes down just below the regions of perpetual
snow, for the sake of nourishment. Its smell, sight,
and hearing, are very acute, and it will detect the
approach of a hunter at the distance of halfa league.
When frightened, it bounds from rock to rock,
making a strange hissing sound; dashes itself across
the most fearful chasms, and throws itself down -
precipices of thirty feet. It feeds on herbs and
flowers, and the young shoots of shrubs; seldom
drinks, and is extremely fond of salt. As some of
the rocks of the Alps contain saltpetre, the chamois
has worn holes in them by constant licking.
As with other domesticated animals, there are
‘many disputes as to the original country of Goats;
‘but most naturalists seem inclined to think that the
first stock was placed in Persia; but it is a question
involved in much obscurity. In very far-off times,
when superstition and medicine went hand in hand,
and charms were deemed more efficacious than
drugs, a hard substance found in the intestines of
goats, was greatly valued as a cure for most dis-
orders. It was called the bezoar stone, and was a
concretion chiefly of resinous bile and magnesia,
GOATS. 365
and the rest inert vegetable matter. It was sold
for ten times its weight in gold, and was said to
come from some unknown animal, to increase the
mystery belonging to it. Bezoars are now found
im oxen, sheep, horses, porcupines, and even the
human subject, slightly varying in their construc-
tion, and are often balls of hair, which has been
licked off the animal’s own coat.
The Angora and Cappadocian Goats are famed
for their long, silky hair, which yields beautiful
manufactures; but they are far surpassed by the
goats of Thibet, the under wool of which is combed
off, and made into those shawls which have for
years been so famous and so costly. It takes the
produce of ten goats to make a shawl a yard and a
half square; the wool is bleached with rice flour,
and the heavy taxes levied upon them, makes these
unequalled shawls keep up their high price. From
the earliest times we read of goat’s hair being woven
into cloth of varied quality, especially in scriptural
writings; and their skins have always afforded
valuable leather. That of the kid is of the finest
quality. |
All goats are hardy and wandering in their
habits, and frequent those places where no other
animal could gain a footing. They exist in a feral
state in the mountainous parts of our island,.and |
throughout Europe and Western Asia. There is
always much attachment between them and horses,
q
366 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
when domesticated. Some say it is in consequence
of the strong odour which is emitted by goats;
and others because the horse, who so loves com-
panionship, delights in their vivacity. They vigo-
rously defend their young, as the following anecdote
will shew. ‘A person having missed one of his goats,
when the flock returned at night, desired two boys
to watch all night, that she should not get into
his young plantation, and nibble off the tops of the
trees. At day-break the watchers looked for the
missing animal, and saw her on a pointed rock at
some distance. During the night she had given
birth to a kid, and was then defending it from a
fox. The latter went round and round, but she
turned her horns upon him in all directions. The
younger boy went to procure assistance, and the
elder hollowed and threw stones to frighten away
the marauder. Reynard looked at him, saw he
was not strong enough to master him, and suddenly
tried to seize the kid. All three disappeared; and
were found at the bottom of a precipice; the goat’s
horns were stuck into the fox, the kid lay stretched
beside her, with a lacerated throat, and it was sup-
posed, when the death-wound was inflicted by the
poor mother, the fox staggered, and dragged her
and her child with him in his fall. (Capt. Brown’s
_ “ Popular Natural History.â€)
A goat and her kids frequented a square in which
I once lived, and were often fed by myself and
GOATS. 367
servants; a circumstance which would have made
no impression, had I not heard a thumping at the
hall door, which arose from the buttings of the
goat when the food was not forthcoming, and whose
example was followed by the two little things. After
a time this remained unheeded, and to our great as-
tonishment, one day, the area bell used by the trades-
people, and the wire of which passed by the side of
one of the railings, was sounded. The cook an-
swered it; but no one was there save the goat and
kids, with their heads bent down towards the kit-
chen window. It was thought that some boy had
rung for them; but they were watched, and the old
goat was seen to hook one of her horns into the
wire, and pull it. ‘This is too much like reason to
be ascribed to mere instinct.
The Caucasian Ibex, is a goat which affords as
much dangerous and exciting sport as the chamois,
but is more savage; and has been known to turn
round on its pursuer, and hurl him down a pre-
cipice. It has a remarkable way of throwing
itself down these steep places, head foremost, so as
to light upon its horns; which being elastic, bear
the shock, and save the animal from injury. They
pasture in the valleys at night, and return during
the day to the mountains.
In countries where bulls and cows will not live,
goats are invaluable. Their flesh is like bad mutton;
but long absence from South downs, makes the
368 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
appetite less dainty, and their kids are very delicate,
However, it is chiefly for their good, nourishing
milk that they are to be prized. The horns of
goats are often used by Mussulmans, as an antidote
to the evil eye.
Bishop Heber relates the following anecdote,
‘* A monkey came down from a tree to steal the
breakfast of a shepherd, who was resting under it
with his flock of sheep and goats. He drove the
monkey away, who, in his hurry, upset a bee’s nest,
The insects flew out, and attacked not only the in-
truder, but the goats and sheep underneath. The
curious part was to watch the different behaviour
of the two species. The sheep crowded together,
buried their noses in the sand, and did not attempt
to resist, but bleated piteously. The goats all ran as
fast as they could to an encamping party close by,
seeking the assistance of man, as dogs would have
done.â€
SHEEP.
IT is but little necessary to descant here on the
different fleeces, and various flavours of mutton
which the numerous breeds of sheep afford. The
least reflection and observation, teach us their un-
speakable value as sources of food, clothing, and
other purposes; my task therefore lies with their
SHEEP. 369
dispositions and comprehensions. The last anec-
dote related shews, that they have more patience,
but less courage and resource, than the more lively
companions with whom they are so frequently
associated, and whom they so much resemble. In
many instances, however, maternal instinct hag
called forth their powers to a degree which has
caused surprise; and they have been known to
traverse considerable distances to seek the assistance
of their own kind, or of their shepherd, when
their lambs have been in danger. Moreover, a
ram is sometimes a formidable enemy, when he
thinks any mischief is intended towards the flock
of which he is the proud leader.
Of the attachment of sheep to their native place,
Captain Brown gives a very remarkable instance.
“A ewe made a journey of nine days’ length to
return to her native place, with her lamb; and was
tracked so completely, as to make her owners
acquainted with her adventures. Nothing turned
her back, and whenever her lamb lagged behind,
she urged him on with her impatient bleating.
When she reached Stirling, it was the day of an
annual fair, and she dared not venture into the
crowd; she, therefore, laid herself down by the
road side, with her lamb, outside the town, and
the next morning early, stole through the streets,
only terrified at the dogs which she encountered.
She came to a toll-bar, the keeper of which stopped
BB
370 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
her, supposing she was a stray animal, and would
shortly be claimed. She frequently tried to get
through the gate, but was as often prevented, and
‘she patiently turned back. At last she found some
means of eluding the obstacle, for on the ninth day
she reached her destination with her lamb, where
she was repurchased, and remained till she died of
old age in her seventeenth year.â€
Sheep have been known, when seized with an
epidemic disorder, to absent themselves from the
rest of the flock, and hide themselves; and many
touching stories are told of the artifices of necessity
practised to wean them from their dead offspring,
and make them adopt others; also of the manner
in which they remain, and watch the inanimate
objects of their affection.
A gentleman travelling in a lonely part of the
Highlands, received a strong proof of sagacity in a
ewe, who came piteously bleating to meet him.
When near, she redoubled her cries, and looked up
in his face, as if to ask his assistance. He alighted |
from his gig, and followed her. She led him toa
cairn at a considerable distance from the road,
where he found a lamb, completely wedged in
betwixt two large stones, and struggling with its
legs uppermost. He extricated the sufferer, and
placed it on the green sward; and the mother
poured forth her thanks in a long and continued
bleat. (Capt. Brown’s Pop. Nat. Hist.)
°° SREP, yD 371
. The following history was related by one of the
shepherds to whom the circumstance occurred,
‘‘ We were seven of us, grazing the sheep of a rich
Bulgarian, on the steppe of Atkeshoff, and had a
flock of 2000 sheep, and 150 goats. It was the
month of March, and they were just driven out;
the weather was mild, and the grass had appeared,
but the wind was bitterly cold in the evening, and
it began to rain. The rain soon turned to snow,
and our wet cloaks were frozen as hard as boards.
A few hours after, came a Siberian viuga, or snow-
drift, from the north-east, whistling about our ears
till seeing or hearing was impossible. We tried to
find our way home, from which we were not far
distant; but the sheep would not face the wind,
and even the goats, who will face anything but
a viuga, began to run before the storm. To pre-
vent the flock from scampering away was impos-
sible, and all that could be done was to keep them,
together. We had to race all night, and in the
morning there was nothing but snow all round us.
The viuga raged all that day, and the poor sheep
were even more wild and frightened than in the
night. Sometimes we gave up all as lost, but
roused ourselves again, and ran with the screaming,
bleating flock, while the oxen trotted after with
the waggon, and the dogs came howling behind,
The poor goats were all lost, or frozen to death the
first day, in which we ran at least fifty or sixty
372 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
versts, leaving a track of dead sheep behind us.
In the evening the poor beasts were less wild, being
exhausted by hunger and fatigue. Two of our
party reported themselves sick, and crept under
the mats and skins in the waggon, and the rest
had only time to take a little bread and snow to
save life.
“Night came, no house was near, and this was
worse than the preceding. The storm was driving
us upon the coast, and we expected to be blown
with our stupid cattle into the sea. Another shep-
herd fell sick, and we thought that night would have
been the last for us all. In the morning the wind
shifted, and drove us towards some houses, which
we saw through the drifting snow, but though they
were not more than thirty feet away, it was quite
impossible to make the foolish sheep turn aside,
On they went before the wind, in spite of all we
could do, and we soon lost sight of the houses,
Their inhabitants, however, had heard the howling
of the dogs, and about twenty came to our assist-
ance. We then managed to turn the sheep, and
drive them under sheds, and into houses. All the
goats and five hundred sheep were lost. Many
died after they got under shelter, for in their
fright, they crowded so close, together, that they
were smothered. Half a verst farther, and we
should have come to the coast, rising twenty-five
fathoms above the sea.’
‘SHEEP, 373
- The above gives a lively picture of sufferings
which are unknown to us, and in which the dogs
seem to have been less efficacious than our own
excellent breed.
OXEN.
THE widely distributed genus Bos, has horns in
both sexes, and in it we find the largest of the
Ruminantia. They, generally speaking, have com-
paratively short legs, and heavy massive bodies.
The perfection of domestic oxen is said to be a re-
semblance to a box set upon four posts; but in some
of the wilder species, an arched back is certainly a
beauty. Their foreheads are very wide, and mostly
flat; their ears large, and projecting from the sides
of the head; their muzzle broad, destitute of hair,
and always moist. A long ridge passes across the
top of the forehead, from which proceed two horns,
more or less curved, sometimes of great length, |
always tapering to a point, and having a bony core.
Their neck is thick,-and from it hangs a dewlap,
which passes between the fore legs. The hoofs are
cleft. |
Of the origin of these Ruminants we know abso-
lutely nothing, for they are spoken of as domesti-
cated animals from the earliest times; and although
there are such things as wild tribes now existing,
we are not sure whether they were placed where
374 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
they are with their present characters, or whether
all are modifications of one pair, according to cir-
cumstances. The most conspicuous among them
are the Zebu, the Buffalo, the Bison, and the bulls
of various parts of the Old World. Those cattle
which roam about in a free state in South America,
New Zealand, and Australia, have not very long
escaped from the dominion of man.
In India some of the heathen natives make a cer-
tain ox a sacred animal; the Brahmins worship it ;
and it is a distinct variety from the common working
oxen, who are by no means treated kindly. The
cherished sorts are very sleek and tame, and even
voluntarily go up to strangers who have grass in
their hands, and eat it from them. They are, how-
ever, troublesome, as all pets are, and no one will
dare to check them, for they must not be struck.
Near Calcutta, they often break into gardens, put
their noses into pastrycook’s and fruiterer’s shops,
and have not the least hesitation, when they are
affronted, in going up to the offenders and giving
them a poke with their horns.
The Zebus are spread over India, China, the
Archipelago, Madagascar, and several parts of Africa,
They are distinguished by a hump of fat between
their shoulders, and they are as good for the saddle
as for draught. They are more active and agile
than we can imagine them to be, accustomed as we
are to the slow, heavy pace of others of the tribe;
OXEN, 375
they go with ease at the rate of six miles an hour{
and travel for fifteen or sixteen hours in the
day. Their paces are very agreeable, being wholly
without the circular motion of the hind legs,
which makes ours so tiring to ride. They will
go over a five-barred gate, as well as the best
hunter; are equally good for the plough, or for
threshing corn, and the white are the most
esteemed.
The Gayal affords the richest milk, and prefers
feeding on trees. It also comes from India; it is
gentle even in its wild state, and runs away from,
but never faces man.
The Gours are much more formidable than the
preceding; and the Indians say the tiger has no
chance with them when full grown. They also eat
trees and grass, and will not live in captivity. They
grow to an immense size; their back is arched, and
a very thick ridge rises upon it, which subsides
towards the tail.
The Yak has narrow nostrils, the ears small and
pointed, the forehead covered with black curling
hair, that on the back is smooth, and of a dark
brown or black colour, with one white stripe on the
withers, and another on the croup. The shoulders,
sides, inside of thighs, and under part of the body,
are covered with a mane of hair which almost
reaches the ground and is of a grizzled black with a
central line of white along the belly. -The tail is a
376 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
large mass of glossy, coarse hair; quite white, and
from eighteen to twenty inches long. The horns
are small, pointed, and curve forwards. The animal
is said to be very wild and mischievous; but it can
be tamed. The tails were used by the Mongols
and Tartars as standards, and throughout the East
are now fitted into ivory handles, and form brushes
for driving away the flies. The Yaks are dull-
looking animals, and make a low, grunting noise,
causing them to be known in Europe as the grunt-
ing cow. They are very useful when domesticated,
and yield an abundance of milk. Not many years
ago, they were objects of mystery, and those who
travelled to collect the curiosities of nature, were
ordered to ascertain their attributes, almost their
existence, the tails alone having reached Europe.
Buffaloes are heavier and clumsier animals than
the ox, and are covered with coarser hair; they are
very wild and savage, rush upon the tiger, crush,
and trample him to death. They delight in those
steaming marshes which are pestilential to other
beings, and wallow in stagnant water. Their hide
is particularly tough, their flesh hard, and their
milk delicious. They are sometimes trained to be
very useful, especially where rivers are apt to be
swollen; for they do not fear to breast any torrent,
however violent it may be in its course. They are
spread over India, China, and various parts of
Africa, have been introduced into Spain and Italy,
| OXEN. | 377
and wherever they live, malaria is sure to exist
The Cape Buffalo is said to be more than a match
for the lion, who only overcomes him by some
cunning stratagem, or springs upon him when hé
is drinking. If, however, others of the herd come
' to his assistance, the lion is either vanquished, or
obliged to decamp.
' A herd consisting of seven wild buffaloes, with
one calf, was discovered in Hindostan, and four
gentlemen proceeded to hunt them. After having
- followed them for three miles, the young one
separated from the herd and joined some tame
cattle belonging to a neighbouring village. It was
killed by the party, who afterwards continued
the pursuit of the old ones, and they were over-
taken in a high grass jungle four miles further off.
They were quickly driven from this place, and
closely followed for more than six miles over a
plain. At length the party succeeded in separating
one buffalo from the herd. Here the encounter
began. After receiving several wounds, he still
continued his flight; he suddenly halted, and kept
his pursuers at bay; after a short interval he again
fled, was pursued, and wounded as before, carry-
ing the spears sticking in his back and sides for
several hundred yards. Lieut. White of the 15th
N.I., rode up very close to him, threw his spear,
and wounded the animal in the loins. His horse
being much exhausted, was unable to wheel round
378 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
before the buffalo turned about and charged with
such vigour, that both horse and rider were over-
thrown, and lay many yards distant. Fortunately
the lieutenant received no injury, and when the
animal approached, he had the presence of mind to
lie flat on his back. The beast approached, but
stood at his feet without offering any violence.
The other sportsmen called repeatedly to their
companion to arise and escape. For some time,
however, he disregarded their advice, fearful of the
consequences. At length, in compliance with their
entreaty, he arose. The buffalo instantly rushed
forward, but Mr. White escaped by again throwing
himself down; while the enraged beast, missing his
aim, fell on the ground, his horns grazing Mr.
White’s back, as he passed over him. After this
lucky escape, he seized the favourable opportunity,
and regained his horse. The buffalo then took
refuge in a tank; and when his former opponent
joined his companions, who were standing on the
bank, the animal issued forth, and selecting Lieut.
White for the object of his vengeance, pursued him
to a considerable distance. The buffalo was now
rendered quite furious, and attacked every thing
within his reach, such as cows and dogs. Un-
fortunately an old woman passed, and became the
victim of his rage; she was taken up without any
appearance of life, having her arms broken, and
many wounds. The horsemen were too fatigued
OXEN. 379
to renew the attack, and the buffaloes, having
gained a victory, continued their course without
further molestation.†(Capt. Brown’s Pop. Nat. Hist.)
Mr. Pringle describes the Cape Buffalo to be “a
very formidable and powerful animal, considerably
larger than the domestic ox; the bony pad on his
forehead making a complete helmet, and it is
impossible to pierce him with bullets which have
not been hardened by tin. He is said to be fierce,
treacherous, and savage, and even when not pro-
voked, will attack any man who strays near his
haunts; skulking in the jungle when he sees then
approach, and then suddenly rushing out upon
them. If he kill a man, he stands over him for
some time, trampling on him with his hoofs,
crushing him with his knees, mangling him with
his horns, and stripping off his skin with his rough
and prickly tongue. He goes away and returns
again and again, as if he could not sufficiently glut
his vengeance.
“A party of boers had gone out to hunt a herd
of buffaloes which were grazing on a piece of marshy
ground. As they could not get within shot of the
game without crossing part of the marsh which
was not safe for the horses, they agreed to leave
them in charge of the Hottentots, and advance on
foot, thinking that if any of the buffaloes should
turn upon them, it would be easy to escape by
retreating across the quagmire, which, though
380 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
passable for man, would not support the weight
of a heavy quadruped. They advanced accordingly,
and, under covert of the bushes, approached the
game with such advantage, that the first volley
brought down three of the fattest of the herd, and
so severely wounded the great bull leader, that he
dropped on his knees, bellowing furiously. Think-
ing him mortally wounded, the foremost of the
huntsmen issued from the covert, and began re-
loading his musket as he advanced, to give him a
finishing shot. But no sooner did the infuriated
animal see his foe in front of him, than he sprang
up and rushed headlong upon him. The man,
throwing down his heavy gun, fled towards the
quagmire, but the beast was so close upon him,
that he despaired of escaping in that direction,
and turning suddenly round a clump of copsewood,
began to climb an old mimosa tree which stood at
one side of it. The raging beast, however, was
too quick for him. Bounding forward with a roar,
which my informant described as being one of the
most frightful sounds he ever heard, he caught the
unfortunate man with his terrible horns, just as he
had nearly escaped his reach, and tossed him into
the air with such force, that the body fell dread-
fully mangled into a cleft of the tree. The buffalo
ran round thetree once or twice, apparently looking
for the man, until weakened with loss of blood, he
again sank on his knees. The rest of the party,
OXEN. 381
recovering from their confusion, then came up and
despatched him, though too late to save their
comrade, whose body was hanging in the tree quite
dead.â€
The Aurochs is the European Bison, and is one of
the largest and noblest of the genus. He stands six
feet high at the shoulders, has two sorts of hair, one
short, soft and woolly, and the other long, rough,
and covering the upper part and sides of the head;
the chest, neck and shoulders, forming an enormous
mane, sometimes a foot long. The tongue, lips
and palate have a bluish tint, the eyes are small,
and piercing; an odour resembling both musk and
violets exudes from the skin, especially that part
which covers the convex forehead, and which may
be smelt at a distance of a hundred yards. ‘Their
flesh is much esteemed, they live in thickets near
swamps, come out at night to eat the bark of
young trees, lichens, and young shoots, carry their
head low, are never completely tamed, detest the
common bull, and their only attachment to human
beings 1s bestowed on their keepers. They are now
rare. A few are found in Lithuanian Poland; but
they used to inhabit all the European forests.
The American Bison, now familiarly called a
Buffalo, exists in vast herds in the prairies of the
New World. A mob of them, as a herd is called,
ss irresistible; destroys everything over which it
passes; numbers hundreds of thousands, and rushes
382 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
like a cataract over the plains, with a noise re-
sembling that of thunder. They are very danger-
ous animals to attack, hence the sport they afford
is more exciting. For graphic pictures of it, I
would advise my readers to peruse the pages of Mr.
Catlin. They delight in salt springs and morasses;
the bulls sometimes fight furiously with each other;
their greatest enemy is the grizly bear, who fre-
quently brings them down; and they have no
antipathy to the common ox, like their European
brethren. Mr. Bryan shot one; and the bullet
passed completely through him, almost cutting his
heart in two, and yet he ran half a mile before he
fell.
The Musk Oxen live in the high latitudes of
North America, are very small, but look larger
than they are, from the quantity of long, woolly
hair with which they are covered, and which often
reaches the ground. Their flesh smells strongly of
musk; and they are easily irritated. Some stockings
made from their long fleece, have been said to equal
those manufactured with silk.
The Chillingham Park Cattle are very handsome,
being white with red ears, and black muzzle; their
horns are also white with black tips, and greatly re-
semble our Devonshire breed, which is thought to
approach nearer than any other to the Welsh wild
cattle of ancient times. They are fleet, bold, and
active, hide their calves for the first week after
OXEN. ; 383
they are born, and are at all times dangerous to
approach.
Like the sheep, there are so many breeds of oxen
in this country, that the plan of my work cannot
embrace them. They are a most important item in
the riches of England; and few are insensible to the
merits of our cheese and roast beef. We are not
exactly on the same terms with our oxen as the
Swiss are with theirs, with whom they form a part
of the family, and where they are adorned with
gay trappings and expensive bells; but our cows
are familiar friends, coming when they are called,
of themselves returning to the farm at milking
time, and evincing great affection. I have not seen
it stated elsewhere; but I have been told many times,
that it is necessary to milk the cow always on the
same side, or she kicks and rebels. Our bulls are
sometimes fierce, but are much under the influence
of voice and gesture. Both sexes will give notice
of approaching rain after a drought, and are very
inquisitive.
Mr. Bell gives us the following anecdote which
was witnessed by one of his near relatives: —" A
cow which was feeding tranquilly in a pasture, the
gate of which was open to the road, was much
annoyed by a mischievous boy, who amused himself
by throwing stones at the peaceful animal; who,
after bearing with his impertinence for some time,
at length went up to him, hooked the end of her
384 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.
horn into his clothes, and lifting him from the
ground, carried him out of the field, and laid him
down in the road. She then calmly returned to
her pasture, leaving him quit with a severe fright
and a torn garment.â€
In Mr. Byam’s “ Central America†I find this
interesting history, with which I conclude the
present series of anecdotes:—‘ A bull had gored
so many cattle that he was lassoed, and his horns
blunted at the tips, to prevent further mischief. A
few weeks after, a panther (jaguar) killed a cow, and
from the torn condition of the bull’s head and neck,
and the trampled state of the ground, he had evi-
dently done battle for the cow. He was secured, his
wounds plaistered up, his horns made sharp again,
and turned out into the Savannah. The wild dogs
and vultures having been kept from the body of
the cow during the day, the panther returned to
his feast at night, and a furious engagement took
place between him and the bull; for the former was
found dead, close by the cow, the next morning,
pierced through and through. The bull returned
again and again to him with fury, and was himself
again wounded; but his gashes were sown up, and
he remained so fierce, that his horns were obliged
to be reblunted.â€
THE END.
J. Wertheimer & Co., Printers, Finsbury Circus.
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tage from studying its simple truths.â€â€”Church and State Gazette.
‘ Written in plain and unaffected, but elegant language. The design of the
author is worked out by means of an interesting story.†—Morning Chronicle.
SUCCESSORS TO NEWBERY AND HARRIS. il
eerste Te
WORKS BY THE AUTHOR OF MAMMA’S BIBLE STORIES.
FANNY AND HER MAMMA;
or, Easy Lessons FOR CHILDREN. In which it is attempted
to bring Scriptural Principles into daily Practice ; with Hints on
Nursery Discipline. Illustrated by J. GupErt. 16mo. price
3s. Gd. cloth. 4s. 6d. coloured, gilt edges.
‘A little book in beautiful large clear type, to suit the capacity of infant
readers, which we can with pleasure recommend.â€â€”Christian Lady’s Maga-
zine.
SHORT AND SIMPLE PRAYERS,
FOR THE Use oF YOUNG CHILDREN, WITH Hymns. Second
Edition. Square 16mo. Price ls. 6d. cloth.
‘Well adapted to the capacities of children,—beginning with the simplest
forms which the youngest child may lisp at its mother’s knee, and proceed-
ing with those suited to its gradually advancing age. Special prayers, de-
signed for particular circumstances and occasions, are added. We cordially
recommend the book.†— Christian Guardian.
MAMMA’S BIBLE STORIES,
FOR HER LirrLE Boys AND GIRLS, adapted to the capacities of
very young children. Eighth Edition, with 12 Engravings,
Price 3s. 6d. cloth.
A SEQUEL TO MAMMA’S BIBLE STORIES.
Third Edition. With 12 Illustrations. Price 3s. 6d. cloth.
BIBLE SCENES;
or, SuNDAY EMPLOYMENT FOR Very YounG CHILDREN.
Consisting of Twelve Coloured Illustrations on Cards, and the
History written in Simple Language. In a neat Box. Price
3s. 6d; or dissected as a Puzzle, price 6s. 6d.
First Serres: HISTORY OF JOSEPH.
Seconp Sertes: HISTORY OF OUR SAVIOUR.
Turrp Serres: HISTORY OF MOSES.
Fourtu Series: THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST.
‘* It is hoped that these ‘ Scenes’ may form a useful and interesting addition
to the Sabbath occupations of the Nursery. From their very earliest infancy
little children will listen with interest and delight to stories brought thus pal-
pably before their eyes by means of illustration.’’—Preface.
ARITHMETIC FOR YOUNG CHILDREN,
in a Series of Exercises, exhibiting the manner in which it should
be taught, by H. Grant, Author of “ Drawing for Young
Children,†&c. New Edition, price 1s. 6d. cloth.
‘¢ This work wil] be found effectual for its purpose, and interesting to chil-
dren.’â€â€”Educational Times. i
« The plan is admirably conceived, and we have tested its efficacy.†—Church
of England Qua