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THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA

PRESENTED BY

PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND
MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID

ANECDOTES

OF THE

HABITS AND INSTINCTS
OF ANIMALS.

BTf

MES. K. LEE

(FORMERLY MHS. T. BOWDICH),

A>ithor of 'Anecdotes of Birds, Fishes, and Reptiles,' ' The African Wanderers,
' Adventures in Australia,' ' Playing at Settlers,' eic.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY HARRISON WEIR.

GRIFFITH, FARRAN, OKEDEN & WELSH,

SUCCESSORS TO NEWBERY AND HARRIS,

WEST CORNER OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD, LONDON.
E. P. BUTTON & CO., NEW YORK.

The Rights of Translation and of Reproduction are Reserved.

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 considerable ampli-
fication; 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
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 over these re-
corded 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 commenced
have not been carried out, inasmuch as materials have
crowded upon me beyond all calculation; and although
a large portion has been rejected, the anecdotes related

M372154

iv PREFACE.

go no further 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 reception, 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 'scapes' from reptiles,
etc., some of which will, like those in the present
volume, be carefully selected from the works of tra-
vellers, 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 observing for
themselves, and to the still higher enjoyment of direct-
ing young minds to an elevating pursuit, the naturalist
adds a gratification even better than all, by making
known the hidden wonders of nature ; and leaving to
those who delight in argument, the ever-unsolved ques-
tion 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.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

THE pleasure of being so read as to require a second
edition of our works, is much increased, if we authors •
can in any way make that edition more worthy of the
public than the first.

I flatter myself that in the present instance I have
succeeded, by being able to add two or three anecdotes
of much interest, bearing the same stamp of authenti-
city as all the rest of the collection. The history of
the fire-dog is here ended, and a cat of remarkable
sagacity introduced ; the history of bears is also ampli-
fied ; and as nothing but the truth has been told, I hope
to receive the same kind reception as that which has
accompanied the first edition.

S. L.

\* The Third Edition of the Anecdotes of the Habits and
Instincts of Birds, FisJies, and Reptiles alluded to in the
Preface of the First Edition to this Work, may be had
uniform with this Volume, with Illustrations by HARRISON
WEIR, price 3s. 6d., or gilt edges 4s.

CONTENTS.

MONKEYS, ETC., 1

BATS, . 26

MOLES, 33

HEDGEHOGS, 33

BEARS, 41

BADGERS, ...... 53

WEASELS, 59

OTTERS, 63

DOGS, . 68

WOLVES, . 133

f°XES» . • . .... 143

HYENAS, ... -.... 148

LIONS .152

TIGERS, • •«.««. 174

LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ETC , ..... 182

CATS, ... loo

. • ll/O

SQUIRRELS, ... .... 204

RATS» 207

MICE» 217

ELEPHANTS, ....... 221

HIPPOPOTAMUS, • • . . . 239

HOGS, ... 242

viii CONTENTS.

PACH

RHINOCEROSES, , 250

HORSES, 254

ASSES, 271

CAMELS—DROMEDARIES, 276

LLAMAS, ETC., t 280

DEER, 282

GIRAFFES, . .' 288

ANTELOPES, 291

GOATS, 295

SHEEP, g00

OXEN, ;->o3

ANECDOTES OF
HABITS AND INSTINCTS 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 con-
stantly 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 approxi-
mation 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
troublesome, inquisitive, restless negro, pointing to a
black monkey, which much resembled him in character,
4 that is your brother.' Never shall I forget the malig-
nant scowl which passed over the man's features at
my heedless comparison. No apology, no kindness,
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 summoned him
from my vicinity, for I dreaded his revenge.

A

2 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

A few years after, I stood lost in admiration before
Sir Edwin Landseer's inimitable picture of Hhe 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. Ra-
poynda started into my recollection, and as I slowly
left the talented picture, I could not help smiling at
the common feeling between the savage and the gentle-
man, thereby proving its universality.

Never did any one start for a tropical climate with
a greater antipathy towards these ' wild men ' 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 conversion was effected. The
ship in which Mr. Bowdich and myself took a round-
about course to England was floating on 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 were 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 my shoulders from behind, and its tail encircled my
throat. I felt it was Jack, the cook's monkey, — the

THE MONKEY TRIDE. 3

mischievous, 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 protecting
monkeys. We had several on board the above-men-
tioned vessel, but Jack was the prince of them all.

Exclusively belonging to the cook, although a favour-
ite with the whole crew, my friend (a Cercopithecus
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 liberty was extended, till at last he was
allowed the whole range of the ship, with the exception
of the captain's and passengers' cabins. The occupa-
tions which he marked out for himself began at early
dawn, by overturning the steward's parrot-cage when-
ever 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 tail feathers; but the latter, by turning round
as fast as Jack turned, always faced him, and his beak
was too formidable to be encountered. I was frequently
awakened by the quick tramping of feet at this early
hour, and I knew it arose from a pursuit of Jack, ia

4 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

consequence of some mischief on his part. Like all
other nautical monkeys, he descended into the fore-
castle, 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 preparations for breakfast began, Jack took his
post in a corner near the grate, and when 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 parti-
cularly favoured. 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

THE MONKEY TRIBE. 5

ho suddenly stopped, and seemed to ask me to praise
the good-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 crea-
ture 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, how-
ever, 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 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 pretended to be dead. His drollest trick was
practised on a poor little black monkey; taking the
opportunity when a calm, similar to that spoken of

6 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

above, left him nearly the sole possessor of the deck. I
do 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 maintop, where he stood with his nose be-
tween 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 dropped suddenly into my lap,
looking so imploringly 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 months' companionship, and
never met again ; but I was told that he was much dis-
tressed at my absence, hunted for me all over the vessel
h the most disconsolate manner, even venturing into
r.iy cabin ; nor was he reconciled 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

THE MONKEY TRIBE. 7

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 a low bow.
4 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 showed 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.

Much more accomplished monkeys than those of
which I have spoken have been known to act plays,
and to assume the characters they have undertaken,
with a spirit and aptitude which might tempt us to
suppose that they were perfectly cognizant of every
bearing of their different parts ; and their stratagems
to procure food, and defend themselves, 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 Bombax, 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. I had seen

8 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

many at Cape Coast; bat 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 characterize 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 Naango, when
the most deafening screams were to be heard overhead,
mixed with squeaks and sundry strange noises. These
proceeded from red and grey parrots, which were pur-
sued to the tops of the tallest trees 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, how-
ever, 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, suck-
ing the quills till they were dry, when he started for a
fresh supply.

That monkeys enjoy movement, that they delight in
pilfering, in outwitting each other and their higher
brethren — men ; that they glory in tearing and destroy-
ing the works of art by which they are surrounded in a
domestic state ; that they lay the most artful plans to
effect their purpose, — is all perfectly true ; but the terms
mirthful and merry seem to me to be totally misapplied
in reference to their feeling 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 re-
pose: a slight rustling proves that companions are

THE MONKEY TRICE.

nenr. 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 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 show your discretion.

Watch the ape or monkey with whom 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 deter-
mining the value of a precious stone. Do you put food
before him, he tucks it into his mouth as fast as pos-
sible ; and when his cheek pouches are so full that they
cannot 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
enjoyed 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 and disappointed, and long do they retain the
recollection of an affront. I once annoyed a monkey in
the collection of the Jardin des Plautes, in Paris, by
preventing him from purloining 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 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 occasions,

10 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

the instant he heard my voice, he put himself in a pas-
sion ; 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, dragged 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 domi-
ciled in a family in Yorkshire to whom my mother was
paying a visit of some days. A large dinner-party was
given in honour 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 ques-
tioned, but they declared they were ignorant of the
cause ; and the wisest and politest proceeding was, to
send the tureen from table, and, serving the fish, make
no further comment. The mistress of the family, how-
ever, when the ladies left the dining-room, slipped away
from her friends, and summoning the cook to her pre-
sence, received an explanation of the mystery. The
woman said she had left the kitchen for one minute,
and when she returned, she saw the monkey standing
on the hob of the kitchen grate, with one fore-paw rest-
ing on the lid of the boiler which contained the soup.
4 O 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 put-
ting it on again after popping the kitten in, whose re-
mains were discovered at the bottom when the soup was
strained. The poor cook was so bewildered, that she

THE MONKEY TFJBE. 1 1

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,'
said she, 'that would prove you had ordered it. I
always thought the monkey would do the kitten a mis-
chief, he was so jealous of it, and hated it so because it
scratched him ; so he seized it when asleep.'

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 ascendency over him. He was very wretched
in London 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 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?'
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 recognition.

The most melancholy of all monkeys is, apparently,

12 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

the Chimpanzee ; and although he has perhaps evinced
more power of imitating man than any other, he per-
forms all he does with a sad look, frequently accom-
panied by petulance, and occasional bursts of fury.
One of the smaller species, such as those which at dif-
ferent times have been brought to England and Paris,
was offered to Mr. Bowdich for purchase, while our
ship lay in the river G aboon. His owner left him with
us for four weeks, during which time I had an oppor-
tunity of watching his habits. He would not associate
with any other of the tribe, not even the irresistible
Jack ; but was becoming reconciled to me, when one
unlucky day I checked his dawning partiality. He fol-
lowed me to the panther's cage, and I shall never forget
the fearful yell which he uttered. He fled as swiftly as
possible, overturning men and boys in his way, with a
strength 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 something to do
with the panther. 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, farther 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 joy-
fully away in his arms. Of those kept in the Zoological

THE MONKEY TRIBE. 13

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 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 powerful of all
the Quadrumana live, far exceeding the Oran Outang,
and even the Pongo of Borneo. Mr. Bovvdich and my-
self 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 walked constantly on their
hind feet, and never yet were taken alive; that 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 knowing 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 chim-
panzee, 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 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

14 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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
destroyed 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 for-
midable antagonist. There could not be anything much
more hideous than his appearance, 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, be-
tokening 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 enor-
mous teeth, that, as they are not flesh-eating animals,
these weapons must have been given to them as means
of defence against the most powerful enemies ; in fact,
against each other.

I now come from my own knowledge and personal
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

THE MONKEY TRIBE. 15

pouch ^vas 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,
i\ hollow bark when irritated, and when frightened or
angry he loudly called out 'Ra, ra, ra.' He was as
grave as the rest of bis tribe, but not equally mischievous1 ;
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
v?ho called him. The chief object of his attachment was
a Papuan child ; and he would sit with one of his long
aims 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. 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 impertinence, 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, ho
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,

1 () ANECDOTES OF ANDIAL5.

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 lRa, 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 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 allowing two
persons to use that familiarity, and particularly avoid-
ing large whiskers. He felt the cold extremely as he
proceeded on his voyage, was attacked with dysentery,
and died as he came iuto 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 unmusical. She
made a chirping cry in the morning, supposed to be the

THE MONKEY TRIBE. 1 7

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. 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 re-
liance on a man as she bestowed unsolicited on a woman.

Monkeys in India are more or less objects of super-
stitious reverence, and are consequently seldom 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,
Avhen 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 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
u

18 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 palar-
quin 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
themselves at full length close to the seated human
groups, with the most perfect freedom. This freedom
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 lan-
dar, and which took his station opposite to a sweetmeat
shop. He pretended to be asleep, but every now and
then softly raised his head to look at the tempting piles
and the owner of them, who sat smoking his pipe
without symptoms even of a doze. 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
mcrocls. He had, however, overlooked some hornets,

THE MONKEY TRIBE. 19

which were regaling themselves at the same lime. They
resented 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 crestfallen.

The traveller came in constant contact with monkeys
in his occupations of clearing land and planting, and at
first, as he lay still among the brushwood, they gam-
bolled 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 : —

4 Every beast of the field seemed leagued against this
devoted patch of sugar-cane. The wild elephants
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 outside, that even the wild elephant
did not deem it prudent to cross.

4 The wild hogs came and inspected the trench and
the palisades beyond. A bristly old tusker was ob-

20 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

served taking a survey of the defences ; but, after
mature deliberation, he gave two short grunts, tho
porcine (language), I imagined, for " No go," and took
himself off at a round trot, to pay a visit to my neigh-
bour Ram Chunder, and inquire 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 entrenchment to scorn.
Day after day was I doomed to behold my canes de-
voured 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.

' " I have, at much trouble and expense, cleared and
cultivated this jungle land," said I.

' " More fool you," said the monkeys.

4 " I have planted and watched over these sugar-
canes."

4 " Watched ! Ah, ah ! so have we, for the matter
of that."

1 " But surely I have a right to reap' what I sowed."

4 " Don't see it," said the monkeys ; "the jungle, by
rights prescriptive and indefeasible, is ours, and has
been so ever since the days of Ram Honumau of the
long tail. If you cultivate the jungle without our con-
sent, you must look to the consequences. If you don't
like our customs, you may get about your business.
We don't want you."

THE MONKEY TRIBE. 21

'I kept brooding over this mortifying view of the
matter, until one morning I hatched revenge in a prac-
ticable 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. A large pot
of ghow (treacle) was then 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 dis-
tressed 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 appearance. A more melan-
choly sight it was impossible to behold ; but so effica-
cious was this treatment, that for more than two years
I hardly ever saw a monkey in the neighbourhood.'

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 railroads are made in 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 which sailed in a ship with myself, 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 employee]

22 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 in 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, how-
ever, who appeared to be the chief of the tribe, came
forward, chattering and threatening in a furious manner.
Nothing short of 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 disappeared.
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.

THE MONKEY TRIEE. 23

Bowdieh 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 coming storm,
with their hideous choruses, and whose hollow and
enlarged tongue bone and expanded lower jaw enables
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 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 Linnaeus. It
is extremely sensitive to cold ; nevertheless, if plentifully
supplied with wool, cotton, and other warm materials,
will live for years in this climate. Dr. Neil of Edinburgh
— that most excellent protector and lover of animals —
brought one from Bahia, which he found great difficulty
in training. It even resisted those who fed it, not allow-
ing them to touch it, putting on an angry, suspicious
look, and being roused by even the slightest whisper.
During the voyage it ate corn and fruit, arid when these
became scarce, took to cockroaches, of which it cleared
the vessel. It would despatch twenty large, besides
smaller ones, three or four times in each day, nipping

24 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 ate with this
animal, but it never entirely lost its distrustful feelings.

Lieutenant Edwards, in his voyage up the Amazon,
mentions a domestic white monkey, which had con-
trived to get to the top of a house, and no persuasions
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 him-
self; and when no endeavours were made to get him
down, he came of his own accord. Captain Brown
mentions 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 favourite 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 for-
mation of the skull and teeth, must, from having four
hands, be placed among the Quadrumana. 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 in a cage together, one killed and ate his com-
panion, leaving nothing but the skin. Two of them are
remarkable for their slow, deliberate movements ; an.]

THE MONKEY TRIBE. 25

one of them, named the Lemur Tardigradus, was pro-
cured at Prince of Wales 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 sub-
sisted 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 i monkeys
can talk if they like, but they won't, for fear white men
should make them work.' It was related by the negroes
to each other with infinite humour ; the different voices
of the characters 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 separate dwelling.
They were married, and all the house he had for her
was the kitchen ; but she did not at first complain, be-
cause 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

26 . ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

her he would go to the bush (forest), and fetch wood
to build her a new house. He went away, and in a few
hours brought some wood. The next day his wife told
him to go and fetch some more. Again he went away,
stayed 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 stayed 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 unhappy. She cried very much, entreated
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.'

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 re-
lated 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

BATS. 27

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 between 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 pro-
longation of what, in common parlance, we should call
the arm and fingers, constitutes the framework which
supports 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 peculi-
arities. They climb and crawl with great dexterity, and
some will run when on the ground ; but it is difficult for
most of them to move on a smooth horizontal surface,
and they drag themselves along by their thumbs. A por-
tion 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 clay re-
main suspended by the sharp claws of their feet to the
under branches of trees, the roofs of caves, subterranean
quarries, or old ruins, hanging with their heads down-
wards : 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 addi-
tions made to the nose and ears, probably for the sake

28 ANECD01ES OF ANIMALS.

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; be-
sides 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 a leathery membrane. An-
other 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 feet from the tip of ono
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 plea-
sure 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 Yampire or blood-sucker there are dif-
ferent 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 often
killed by them as they roost upon their perches ; for so

DATS. 29

noiseless and gentle are they in their flight and opera-
tions, 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 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 vampires, but from the in-
flammation of the wound which they make, and which is
increased if the saddle press 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 adventures, 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 unhesitatingly quote his ac-
count of the bite of the vampire : — ' On waking, about
four o'clock this morning, in my hammock, I was ex-
tremely 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,

30 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

or spectre of Guiana, which is also called the flying do'g
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 re-
ceived 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 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.'

Mr. Waterton, whom all the world recognises 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-suckiug in the following terms:
— ' Some years ago I went to the river Paumarau with
a Scotch gentleman. We hung our hammocks in the

15 ATS. 31

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 oozing from it, and I conjectured he
might have lost from ten to twelve ounces of blood.'

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, whilo
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 sus-
pension 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, be-
cause 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

32 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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, 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 character-
istic superstition of the inhabitants of that part of
Cheshire) that it was 4a being not of this world.'
The tree presented a small cavity in the centre, where
the bat was enclosed, but was perfectly 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 cer-
tain extent might perhaps be more frequently repeated,
if bats were objects of more general interest.

MOLES. 33

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 those crops which are neces-
sary 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 for
the 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 forma-
tion of its galleries, and which are thrown up as they
become loosened. 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 carti-
laginous 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.
c

34 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

The food of moles chiefly consists of worms and
the larvae or grubs of insects, of which they eat enor-
mous 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 confinement having a viper and a toad
given to it, both of which it killed and devoured. All
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 sur-
face 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 gene-
rally refuse these reptiles, probably from the acrid
humour which exudes from their skin. They, on these
occasions of open marauding, are often caught and de-
voured in their turn by owls at night and dogs by day.
They have a remarkable power of eating the roots of
the colchicum or meadow saffron, which takes such
powerful effect on other animals, and which they pro-
bably swallow for the sake of the larvae 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 Lecourt
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 dis-
trict in France; for he discovered that numbers of moles

MOLES. 35

had undermined the banks of a canal, and that unless
means were taken to prevent 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 occurrence 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 1500 or 2000 acres, they would not
do it as effectually as moles would do, if left to them-
selves.

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 possession of this
place. They are said to be dragged as beavers are
by their companions, who lay hold of their tails and
pall them along while they lie on their backs, em-
bracing a quantity of soil dug out in forming their
runs. The fur of the mole is very short, fine, and
close, and is as 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 them-
selves, 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

86 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 bottom of this
dormitory is another, which descends farther into the
earth, and joins this great or principal 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 en-
larges. 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.
If the 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 hunting-grounds.
If they 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 search-
ing 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

MOLES. S7

four or five young are born at the same time, which
begin to get their own food when they are half grown.

Like all voracious animals, moles require a large
quantity of water; consequently their run, or fortiess,
generally communicates with a ditch or pond. Should
these dry up, or the situation be without such resources,
the little architect sinks perpendicular wells, which re-
tain the water as it drains from the soil.

Moles shift their quarters according to circumstances,
and as they swim well, they migrate across rivers ; and
in a sudden inundation 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 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 the soil and climate :,
but they exist in other parts of Europe under similar
circumstances.

38 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

HEDGEHOGS.

HEDGEHOGS form one of the small groups of Insect-eat-
ing Mammalia, and are remarkable for being also able
to eat those substances which are destructive to others ;
for instance, they devour the wings of Spanish flies
(Cantharides)wiih 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 head and limbs within.
Such is the resistance and elasticity of these bristles,
that the owners of them may be thrown to great dis-
tances and remain unhurt, and they will even throw
themselves down steep places when they wish to re-
move from a particular 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 vociferate on such occa-
sions : the egg was consequently searched for, and
found upon the hedgehog's back.

HEDGEHOGS. 39

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 in-
fested, not only by them, but by a sort of degenerated
cockroach, descended from the better-conditioned Blatta?,
brought in my packages 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
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 ailk handker-
chief. At last a night-cap left on the dresser was gone;

40 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

and these abstractions were most mysterious. The next
day there was a general search in possible and impossible
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 hedgehog had purloined; most of them
were much torn, and it was supposed that the poor beast
had taken 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 un-
availing ; but I am told that hedgehogs are frequently
quite domesticated, and even show a degree of affection.
Dr. Buckland ascertained the manner in which hedge-
hogs 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
manoeuvre 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 with-
out 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 condition 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 turn-
spits in a kitchen; and from the facility with which they

BEAKS. 41

accommodate themselves to all sorts of food, they are
easily kept. They, however, when once accustomed to
animal diet, will attack young game ; and one was de
tected in the south of Scotland in the act of killing a
leveret.

BEARS.

AMONG the Carnivora, or flesh-eating animals, Bears
take the first place ; for their characters and habits
link them in some degree with the preceding order,
the Insectivora. Both principally live on fruit, grains,
and insects, and only eat flesh from necessity, 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 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 every lean and wasted, and the absorp-
tion of their generally large portion of fat contributes

42 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS,

to their nourishment. The story that they live by suck-
ing their paws is, as may be supposed, a fable ; when
well-fed they always lick their paws, very often accom-
panying 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 largo
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 excited. 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 certain spots, from the northern regions
of the world to the burning 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, is much prized for
various purposes. They afford much sport to those
inclined for such exercises ; but the cruel practice of
boar-baiting is discontinued. In an old edition of
Ihulibras, 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
organized fights or battues ; besides which there are
many ways of catching them in traps, pitfalls, etc.

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.

BEARS. 43

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 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 oi
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 forwards 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 ate them with great voracity. The sailors

44 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 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 returned 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;1 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 gentleniau

1 Captain Phipps' Voyage to the North Pule.

BEAKS. 45

returned home, his clothes torn in the struggle, and
very much exhausted by the encounter; he dropped into
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 sugar on the deck; h« called
Bruin, and pointed to it, who, after a moment's hesi-
tation, 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.

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

46 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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.1

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 be-
hind 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 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.2

Of all the bears, the Grizzly (Ursus firox) 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,
> L'Acadie. 2 Kuxton.

BEARS. 47

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 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 the claws
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 com-
panion, 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 miser-
able 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,

49 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 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.' 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 re-
covered 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, lie 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 claws of these bears make a cut like the stroke
of a chisel. They do not hug at first, but strike with

BEARS. 40

their terrible paws, singling out their victim, and seizing
it from the midst of many others, not heeding numbers.
They have a great propensity to bury bodies, and have
been known to cover hunters who have been asleep with
bark, grass, and leaves.

When the bears have retired to their caves, the
hunters make a large candle, light it, and put it down
into the cave ; then lie on their faces near it, with their
rifles in their hands ready for firing. Bruin's active
curiosity is excited, he gets up to examine the candle,
and is shot.

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, and even con-
structs huts, which he lines with moss. Both attain an
enormous size and 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 encumbered with the thick, saccharine matter, and
sometimes 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 ;
arid we are told by an Indian traveller, 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 ascend a scaffolding, for his own pleasure.
lie at first proceeded cautiously, examining the strength

D

50 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

of all the joists ; and at last readied 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.

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 de-
scended, 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 celebrated Martin, of Paris, \vhose dancing, climbing,

BEARS. 51

curtseying, tumbling, begging, and many other antics,
were the delight of every child in the metropolis, anct
of grown-up children also. It is true that the nurse-
maids endangered the lives of their charges by holding
them over the sides of the pit in which he was kept ;
but as none did fall, they continued to amuse themselves
and their nurselings 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 enjoyment in his countenance, which was in-
describable. 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 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 giddi-
ness, or whether Martin had shaken the ladder, no one
could say ; the animal was sitting quietly by his side

52 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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, fortunately 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 shutter,
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 fas-
tening, till some one else went to the other side to take
off the bear's attention, for the moment the shutter wag
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 Malay ensis) has a long
tongue, short smooth fur, very extensible 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 favourite
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.

BADGERS. 53

A black bear was brought up from a cub with an
antelope, and so great an affection existed between the
two animals that they even ate out of the same dish.
On one occasion, a fierce dog flew at the antelope, when
the bear rushed to its rescue, gave the dog a tremendous
blow, and sent him howling away.

The Bornean Bear ( Ursus Eui-yspilus) 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 it from 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.

Bears are very subject to that disease of the eye
called cataract, and have had it removed while under
the influence of chloroform.

BADGERS.

BADGERS belong to the same division of Carnivora as
bears, but differ from them, not only in size, but in
dentition. This, while they claim a sort 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

54 AXECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

when roused, are fierce. They have a glaiid under
the tail which secretes a liquid of a most disagreeable
odour, and causes them to pass into a sort of proverb.
They feed chiefly on roots, nuts, and other fruits ;
attack the nests of wasps, or wild bees, and devour
their larvae, 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 innermost 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 in holes dug on
purpose for its reception. The passages to the dwell-
ings 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 con-
sists of eggs. A partridge's nest affords them a de-
licious 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

BADGERS. 55

for making pistol cases ; and their fur is excellent for
painter's brushes. They are difficult to kill, and few
dogs have courage enough 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. 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. They often show great affection, an interesting
proof of which is given by Captain Brown in his Popular
Natural History, which I transcribe. 'Two 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 tho
commune gave a reward for every one which was de-
stroyed ; 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 pro-
ceeded 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,

56 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 be no other than a witch.'

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, the
author treats at some length of the badger. I select
the following passages from his pages : —

4 1 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 employed 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 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
ehowcr that was just over, and which had brought out

BADGERS. 57

nn 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 see 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
grunting gently. Preksently 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, followed by the whole
lot. I was soon joined 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 food 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 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 won-
derful, 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 inclination to bolt off the main path
whenever he passed any diverging road, all of which
were probably familiar haunts of the unlucky beast.

58 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

When at home, I put him into a paved court, where I
thought he could not possibly escape. The next morn-
ing, 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 surprising
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 trap him. Having more than once run narrow risks
of this nature, he has become so cunning that no one can
catch him. If a 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 excellent hams,
we in Britain despise him as food, though I see no
reason why he should not be quite as good as any pork.
4 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.

^TEASELS. 59

All badgers may be recognised by the broad black
band across their cheek. Those of India have longer
legs than those of Europe ; their snout is also pro-
longed like that of a hog ; and their tail resembles
that of the latter animal. They are very slow in
their movements ; and when affronted make a peculiar
grunting noise, and bristle up the hair of 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 com-
posed 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 them-
selves 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 disagreeable odour. They,
however, are not to be compared in this respect to the

60 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

skunk, which of all creatures is one of the most disagree-
able, in consequence of its fo3tid gland, which secretes
the offensive liquor sent forth when the animal is fright-
ened 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 Dum-
friesshire, 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 long
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 instance 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, consist-
ing of fifteen, who flew at him and bit him severely. A
gentleman came to his aid, and with his assistance
several of the assailants were killed ; the others ran into
the fissures of a neighbouring rock.

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 saga-
cious animals are more easily influenced than others.
The weasel and the stoat are so often mistaken for each

WEASELS. 61

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, rabbits, 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 let 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 field, in which several corn buntings
were flying about, or alighting on a thistle. The animal
disappeared 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 mischief, he stayed
to watch his movements. As soon as one of the birds
settled on the thistle, something sprang up as quick as
lightning, and then disappeared 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

62 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 pick-
ing it up, however, he found that it was a young weasel
unable to run, which its mother was endeavouring to
carry to a place of safety, her former hole in an adjoin-
ing 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 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, intimidated 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 dodging to avoid the stick, succeeded in obtain-
ing the object of her solicitude, and bore it off between
the legs of her tormentor.

Weasels sometimes fall a prey to hawks, and the
latter are occasionally overcome by them. I transcribe
the following account from the pages of Mr. Bell. ' As
a gentleman of the name of Finder was riding over his
grounds, he saw, at a short distance from him, a kite
pounce on some objects on the ground, and rise with it
in his talons. In a few moments, however, the kite be-
gan to show signs of great uneasiness, rising rapidly in
the air, or as quickly falling, and wheeling irregularly
round, whilst he was evidently endeavouring to free some

OTTERS. 63

obnoxious tiling from him with liis feet. After a short
but sharp contest, the kite fell suddenly to the earth,
not far from Mr. Finder. 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/

The nest composed by weasels, in which they will
bring forth four or five young ones, two or 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.

TJIE much-persecuted Otter presents himself to our
notice among the worm-bodied, digitigrade animals.
Their broad webbed feet show 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

64 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

in the water are particularly elegant ; they swim hori-
zontally, and rapidly dive after their victims, which they
eat ashore. It is said that they will collect a 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 one 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 othei
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 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.

OTTERS. 65

Thus trained, in process of time the otter becomes
useful and domesticated.

In their natural condition otters will wander to con-
siderable distances for their prey. Mr. St. John says,
4 1 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 couldna 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 honour !
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 beasties
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.

' It 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 to the same
bank or rock, and in seasons of plenty they only ate a
small piece out of the shoulder, leaving the rest un-
touched, and the cottagers, aware of this, searched
every morning for their leavings.'

4 Otters,' continues Mr. St. John, ' are very affec-
tionate 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.
It' one of a pair be killed, the one that is left will hunt
E

G6 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 run-
ning and splashing through the shallow water, and
suddenly stood still, sometimes whining, as if caught in
a trap, and then biting furiously at something 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 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, noiseless 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 follow-
ing 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,

OTTERS. H7

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 journey-
ing together, and probably they had left their former
abode from not finding a sufficiency of food.'

The beautiful otter in the museum of the Zoological
Gardens is 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.

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
Komish 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 great joy came creep-
ing to his master's feet, who was still seeking his
favourite,

68 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 impossible
with any certainty to trace these animals to their ori-
ginal type. The cleverest of naturalists have supposed
them to descend from wolves, from jackals, or from a
mixture of the two ; while others, 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 favour 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 claws are not retractile.
Their other external characters are so varied, that it is
impossible to give a general summary 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.

DOGS. G9

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 always marvellous.

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 remarkable 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 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 aver-
sion, and when alone, howling incessantly, especially if
the moon were shining. He became gradually recon-
ciled to those who fed him, but to no one else. He
never gave warning of the approach of strangers, and
never made an open attack. It is remarkable that
these doprs are not found in the closely neighbouring
island of Van Diemen's Land.

70 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

The wild dogs of India go under the names 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 vary-
ing according to climate ; and all animals are afraid of
them. They kill tigers and cheetahs, and the remains
of hogs and deer are to be found in their path. An
endeavour to tame one succeeded, and he was as affec-
tionate and intelligent as many other dogs.

In Java there is a large wild dog, and in Beloo-
chistan whole packs are to be found, which pull down
buffaloes with ease ; their footmarks are like those of
a hound ; and still farther 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.

The hunters of South Africa tell us that then* dogs
pull down the strongest antelopes ; they are very de-
structive to sheep, and mangle more than they devour.
They are extremely swift, and utter a short bark or
chattering cry, which calls the pack together, and is
very soft and melodious. The hatred between them and
tame dogs is unconquerable ; and in their appearance
they look like a link between the wolf and the hyaena.

A large group of dogs include all the indigenous
canines of South America, under the name of Aguaras,

DOGS. 71

and resemble 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 wi!d 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 intelligence. 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 concern-
ing runaway negroes, and which were taught by means
of raw food, placed in stuffed representations of human
beings. They are very handsome creatures, carrying
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 animals in herds. They
live in burrows, and if brought back to domesticity, arc
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

72 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 exquisite fountains, these animals
abound, their presence being easily accounted for by
their owners bringing and abandoning them there at
the time of 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 threatening
to throw stones at them, and walking backwards.
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
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 organized, they are
doubtless of infinite service, though I have read in a
pamphlet written by a French savant, that those of
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, ex-
tremely 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
f.nimal of this kind many weeks. An officer arrived at

DOGS. 73

Cupe 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
three weeks had elapsed. My uncle fancied that his
rank would secure a favourite sent to him from Europe.
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 pro-
posals for Caesar 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 c The
Familiar Dogs,' where we find an amount of intellect
which forbids us to say that they do not reason ; and
where self-sacrifice, fidelity, courage, and affection, 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 hair. They are fierce, broad and
often web-footed; they swim well, hunt together or

74 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 ab-
sence 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. The^
form a close attachment to their masters ; and one
which had been kept in confinement 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 and rats. He then laid himself down, and pre-
tended 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

DOGS. 75

vras thrown over them. The fondness of the Esqui-
maux 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 candlemaker's workshop, evidently sniffing the fumes
of the melted tallow with great enjoyment. Their scent
is particularly 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 hear-
ing, 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 themselves by a woman
walking before them with a mitten in her hand. Having
been accustomed to receive food from her, they believe
that in this way she offers them meat. They are par-
ticularly 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 them from sinking into the snow.
One of them, only seven months old, ran beside this
gentleman's sledge for nine hundred miles* frequently

7G ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 contri-
buted 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 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 cir-
cumstances, must have been there for many hours. Their
fidelity, their courage, their generosity, are proverbial ;
and yet it is whispered that they are occasionally capri-
cious, and not to be trusted. During long years of
intercourse with these animals I never met with an in-
stance 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 ex-
treme good nature, and endeavours to guard everything
belonging to the family, made him like a confidential
servant. The great defects in his disposition were heed-
lessness, and an under-estimate of his own power ; he
did not stop to think before he acted, as many more

DOGS. W

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 immediately dashed through the window, smashing
not only the glass, but the framework. Directly he
had done it he felt he had been wrong ; and returning
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 housemaid 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 under-
stood, 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
abstracted from a peg in a closet.

It must be owned that, clever as my Lion was,
Professor Owen was acquainted with a Lion who sur-
passed 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 with minute animals ;

78 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

and Mr. Owen observed to his companion, throwing the
weed into the water, 4 If this small piece afforded so
many treasures, how microscopically rich the whole plant
would be ! I should much like to have one.' The gentle-
men walked on, but hearing a splashing in the water,
turned round, and saw it violently agitated. ; It is
Lion!' both exclaimed; lwhat 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 iden-
tical weed at Mr. Owen's feet. After this proof of in-
telligence, 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, he should
immediately return to the drawing-room and lay him-
self by her side, which he never left during the absence
of his owner, his countenance alone betraying his dis-
appointment, and that only for a few minutes.

Many instances are recorded of Newfoundland dogs
having saved the lives of those who have fallen in 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 friend Trial was called. Some
of his young master's clothes were shown 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

DOGS. 79

was travelling through Holland, accompanied by a large
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 considerable distance a
large dog swimming in the water, sometimes pushing
and sometimes dragging something 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 as-
sistance, and the body was conveyed to the house, where
the endeavours used for resuscitation 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,

80 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 to take 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 punished the in-
truder, and then bore off his charge in triumph.

The proofs of intelligence which I have related are
perhaps surpassed by those of Dandie, a Newfoundland
dog belonging to Mr. M'Intyre of Edinburgh ; but it
must be recollected that Dandie's education had beei\
more carefully and continuously 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,
apparently 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.' The dog instantly
jumped up and laid the shilling upon the table, which

DOGS. 81

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 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. Surprised 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 con-
tinuing the search, the woman found sevenpence half-
penny under a piece of cloth. From that time the dog
could not endure her, and henceforth hid his money in
the corner of a sawpit, under a heap of dust. He con-
w

82 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

stantly escorted Mr. M'Intyre's friends home, when de-
sired 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 Newfound-
land, 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 codfish into the water, three or
four heavy, clumsy-looking fish, called in Newfound-
land sculpins, 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, some-
times 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 nothing can
exceed his vigilance, his quick comprehension, 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 wan-
derers back to their companions, and fiercely attacking

DOGS. 83

tliose 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 puddle
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 back until the castigation was
over and the dog had followed the flock.'

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

84 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 lookout ; 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 interrogation, 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.'

Mr. Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, is the person of all
others to give an adequate idea of the shepherd's dog,
and I use very nearly his own words. ' My dog Sirrah
was beyond all comparison 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 dis-
covered 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 accomplishing the task
that he was put to, he had expedients of the moment,
that bespoke a great share of the reasoning faculty.

DOGS. 85

'On one occasion, about 700 lambs, which were under
his care at weaning time, broke up at midnight, and
scampered off in three divisions across the neighbouring
hills, in spite of all that he and an assistant could do to
keep them 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 then- master,
and inform him that they had lost the whole flock of
lambs, and knew not what had 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, looking 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.'

An exceedingly good shepherd's dog appears to con-
centrate all his powers in his own immediate vocation ;

86 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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, nor suffer cat,
rat, or any other creature to molest the store.

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 New-
foundland in form, hair, colour, 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 bji
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 : — c 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
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 Lander'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

DOGS. 87

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 tyrannize 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 un-
availing attempts to bestride the enormous head of his
subdued companion, with the most ludicrous affectation
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, 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 de-
livering 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
following 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

88 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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, showing
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 possession of the bag by civil entreaty, raised
himself up on his hind-legs, and putting a great fore-
paw on each of the man's shoulders, he laid him flat oil
his back in the road, and quietly picking up the bag,
he proceeded peaceably on his wonted way. The 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.'

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 ex-
pressive; 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, to-
gether 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.

DOGS. 89

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 Laniarius), because
they are so 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, in-
stantly releasing it 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 coun-
tenance, 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, showing 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 it is smooth ; but becomes
more shaggy as they are from colder regions. Still
their Eastern origin is always to be detected by the
care which they require during our winters ; and (like

90 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

the Arab horses) those kept for coursing are muffled
up in cloths during our periods of cold temperature.
Their form, their clear, prominent eyes, show 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 de-
pendants of amateur sportsmen. Many Russian noble-
men keep packs of them in the steppes.

The Scotch Greyhound (Canis Scoticus), generally
white, with black clouds, is said to be the most intel-
lectual of all, and formerly to have had so good a scent
as to be employed as a bloodhound. 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 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 was partially reclaimed, so as
to be useful in coursing ; but she always retained that
wild look which told of her frolic. A Mr. Kirkpatrick

DOGS. 91

possessed a greyhound which always took care of thQ
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 be seen.
They always bear the reputation of being poachers' dogs,
and are deeply attached to their owners. They have a
fine scent ; and a man confessed to Mr. Bewick, that he
could, with a 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
partridges, driving the latter into the nets of the un-
lawful 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
ones which throb at the recollection of the well-ap-
pointed 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 forefathers, and, amidst the toil of the
dark counting-house, wish that such times would 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 disap-
pearing from fox-hunting England. Some, on whom
the spirit of Nimrod has descended with such force as

92 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 beauti-
ful 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 development
of brain than the greyhound ; their nose is broader as
well as the jaws ; their ears are large and hanging ;
their tail is raised and truncated ; and they have a firm,
bold, and erect gait, an appearance of strength, inde-
pendence, and (if I may be allowed to use the expres-
sion) candour, which is vainly looked for in other dogs.
They came to us from the East, probably at a late*
period than those dogs which more resemble the wolf.

The once esteemed Bloodhound is now rare ; and I
copy Mr. Bell's description of the breed, and who is in
possession 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 tunes 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

DOGS. 93

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 dog, with-
out seeing the man he was to pursue, followed him by
the scent to the above-mentioned places, notwithstand-
ing the multitude of market-people that went along the
same road, and of travellers that had occasion to come ;
and when the bloodhound came to the 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.' l

The stately Staghound, with his steady, cautious
qualities, is little less valuable than the bloodhound
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 bloodhound;
rougher, with a wider nose, shorter head, loose hang-
ing ears, and a rush tail, nearly erect. A most re-
markable stag hunt is recorded as having taken place
in Westmoreland, which extended into Scotland. All
the dogs were thrown out except two, who followed
their quarry the whole way. The stag returned to the
park whence it started, where it leapt over the wall
and expired, having made a circuit of at least 120
1 Boyle.

94 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

miles. The hounds were found dead at a little dis-
tance, having been unable to leap the wall.

The Foxhounds are still smaller than the staghounds,
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 one could be carried
in a man's glove, and they were called singing dogs.
They used to be conveyed to the field in panniers.

Turnspits are descended from ill-made hounds, which
they resemble in body, but have very short, and eveu
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 malformation 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 has become nearly extinct. I
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 Liancort 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

DOGS. 95

wlieel 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 im-
mediately.' The following occurrence at the Jesuits'
College at Fleche, shows that others of the species have
kept the turnspit to this disagreeable duty. When the
cook had prepared the meat for roasting, he found that
the dog which should have wrought the spit had dis-
appeared. He attempted to employ another, but it bit
his 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 assem-
bled 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 re-
minded the dogs of their duty ; and they all rushed out
in a body, to go to their respective dwellings.

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 as-
cribed to the Phoanicians, 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, however, extremely docile and

96 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

affectionate. The black are said to be the best, but
they vary in colour ; 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 her nose. 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 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 corning up dis-
turbed the birds, and he shot some of them ; but Clio,
when thus relieved, was so stiff that she could not move,
and 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 inquiry 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 follow-
ing 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 un-
usual proceeding, and looked round inquisitively once

DOGS. 97

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 farther would she bring it, despite all the encour-
agement of her master, who now wished to 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 requested he might
be sent in a 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 distinguished
by his long, silky hair, and has consequently been con-
sidered as a large spaniel. The head shows 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. He is 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.

98 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

lie bred and cherished him ; and the memory of Black
York is still fresh in his county, not only for his per-
fect 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 involun-
tary 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 beto-
kened 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, 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,

DOGS. &3

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 ascer-
tained that a carpet-bag put into the gig was the
signal for going away ; and one day he secretly fol-
lowed, and only showed 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. 4 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 concen-
trated ; 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 off. The young nurse, in the
giddiness of girlhood, left the baby in his cot. Accord-
ing 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
ngly one. He retreated accordingly, and York sat

ICO ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 with-
out opposition permitted Father Malachi to walk in.'

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, showed the usual horror of cats at Juno's
approach. She, however, seemed determined to con-
quer the antipathy, and the most winning perseverance
completely attached the kitten to her ; and as she had
lately 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 de-
stroyed, 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 be-
tween them, from excess of tenderness.'

I close this account of the setter by giving an in-
stance 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 remark-
able beauty and value. His master drove him in his dog-
cart as far as London, a distance of above fifty miles,

DOGS. 101

being the first stage of a shooting excursion in another
county. The carriage 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 inquiries 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 lamentations. 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 shoot-
ing 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

102 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 is a little harsher ; and these are
fonder of the water than the others. Their attachments
are strong, their intelligence 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, how-
ever, 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 would never 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 sldn in her mouth. I
thought I was the only person who saw her, and re-
mained 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

DOGS. 103

disturbed. She crouched rather than walked round the
room, dragging her bonne louche 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 her-
self. As soon as the glorious music was concluded,
4 Did you see Fanny f ' was the exclamation ; and the
delinquent was dragged out before the last morsel
was devoured ; so there was proof positive. The next
mor^iing 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, however, 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 with-
out 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 at
length appeared to become indifferent to the confinement
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 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 delight.

104 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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. Guillenian, 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, 4 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 sportsman living two leagues dis-
tant, who was at that time laid up with the gout. ' The
dog knows,' added the keeper, ' that persons come to
shoot here every Sunday ; and on that day regularly
makes 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 : — i 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

DOGS. 105

if his master whispered in his ear, 4 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 out a glove which had been deemed
irrecoverable. A countryman, charged with 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 afterwards 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.

106 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

Even surpassing these histories of reason and fidelity,
is that which Mr. Bell relates, in nearly the following
terms : — ' My friend was travelling on the Continent, and
his faithful dog was his companion. One day, before
lie 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 evening, 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 instantly jumped upon him, then laid a
louis d'or at his feet, and immediately began to devour
her food with great voracity. The truth was now appa-
rent : 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.'

All dogs trained for the service may become Retrievers
or finders of game, which they bring to then* master
without injury. Spaniels, however, are generally pre-
ferred. 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

DOGS. 107

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 losing 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, as-
sisting 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 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 atten-
tively. He went with his master to call upon a lady ;
she patted him, asked if he were the celebrated Sam,
and hearing that 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

108 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 ensu-
ing 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 sat in a chair at dinner with the family, without
making any confusion ; or dined alone, alternately tak-
ing a piece of bread and meat, and then drinking a little
milk ; and if any one said, l 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 everything that was
said to him, and was a model of good nature and obe-
dience.

Wonderful as these stories are as matters of reason,
they are perhaps exceeded by some of the tricks per-
formed by the Poodle-dogs, who are easily distin-
guished by their crispy 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

DOGS. 109

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 inscribed, which,
altogether, made three hundred combinations. He se-
lected from the letters of the alphabet those which com-
posed 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 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
£, replaced it with a/>. A lady held her repeating watch
to the ear of Fido, and made it strike eight and three-
quarters. Fido immediately selected an 8, and then a
6 for the three-quarters. The company present and the
master insisted on his error, and he again looked among
his cyphers ; but being unable to rectify it, he coolly sat
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 exon-
erated Fido. Both dogs would sit down to play ecarte,
asking each other for, or refusing cards, with the most

110 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

important and significant look, cutting at proper timest
and never mistaking one card for another. Bianco
occasionally won, and went to the cyphers to mark his
points ; and when he was asked how many his adversary
had gained, he took out a 0 with his teeth. They
sometimes played at e'carte 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, immediately
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
encroached 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 pertinacious,
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 ;

DOGS. Ill

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 hither, probably,
from the north-west of Europe by the primitive inhabit-
ants. 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 ochrey, 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 attach-
ment. He constantly understood the conversation, pro-
vided it related to 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 hns
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
men, within the given time, he finished that also. The

^

112 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

inhumanity 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 all been 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 shrank into corners, as if he felt himself
degraded ; but at last our caresses and encouragement
brought back his usual bold and lively bearing.

For the last three months of my mother's existence,
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 one occasion he hung his head
and appeared to be so miserable, that apprehensions of
malady on his 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 diffi-
culty 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

\

DOGS. 113

on my shoulder, and was so much distressed that I
(tarried him away immediately. 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,
4 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 ordinary occasions,
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 fre-
quently, without making the slightest noise ; but that he
was conscious 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 manner
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 it 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 considerable 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 on a 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;
IT

114 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 usual
habits, barking on all occasions ; but he never was quite
the same in disposition. He grew indifferent to every
one except my brother, never played again, and four
years after was found dead in his corner of refuge.

A Scotch terrier and a very great pet, named Dandy,
belonged to a lady who was a widow, but who was about
to enter a second time into the bonds of marriage.
Dandy discovered the attachment of the suitor long
before others were aware of it, and took the most
inveterate dislike to him, thereby entirely acting con-
trary to his usual habits of love and gentleness. His
mistress was obliged to leave home a short time before
the ceremony took place, as she was to be married in
London. Dandy took possession of the rug under her
writing-table during all the packing and preparations,
and nothing could persuade him to leave it, even for a
walk with those whom he loved; and the morning his mis-
tress left him, he still lay there; he would not even raise
his head, but lifted up one paw, and looked wretched.

After the lady was gone, Dandy disappeared, and a
vain search was made for him ; at length he was dis-
covered in a remote corner of the park quite dead, and
lying on a heap of leaves. A veterinary surgeon was
sent for, who, after a careful examination, said there was
no apparent cause for his death, and it could not be
age, for he was comparatively a young dog. We may
therefore be justified in supposing that he died of grief.

Another Scotch terrier belonged to a lady in Bel-
gravia, and two days before her death seemed to possess
that consciousness of what was approaching, which

DOGS. 115

many other dogs have evinced. The remarkable part
of his history is, that he went into the garden at the
back of his house and scratched two large holes, and
when his mistress did die, he returned to the garden
and laid himself down in one of them.

Another dog, but of what species I do not know,
was left at Hastings with servants, while his mistress
paid a visit to Brighton. One evening he went into her
room, jumped upon her bed, moaned and rolled himself
m the bed-clothes, till those around him thought him
mad. The next morning the post brought a letter to
say that his mistress had died at the time he was
showing those signs of distress.

But it is not in a 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 faithful 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
suspicions ; 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

116 AMECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

yard, and squat himself down very gravely, as if he had
not a 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 pun-
ishment 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 impression 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 for-
given ; 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 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 conspiring together to have a feast. Both
Bruin and Pincher were perfectly aware when Sunday

DOGS. 117

came round ; and although on other days, when they
saw us equipped for a walk, they were most vociferous
in their entreaties to go also, on Sunday they hid them-
selves under the sofa, and never offered to accompany
us. They knew where we went, and generally came to
meet us on our return, sometimes venturing as far as
the gate of the churchyard, 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
lie 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, 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 lie 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 accompanying
his master, who was a clergyman, to church, where ho
was so perfectly quiet that few persons knew of his
presence. On one occasion he went to a funeral, and

1 1 8 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 admitted
into the room, when he said it was impossible to close
the grave, and that he did not know what to do.
'Why?' asked the gentleman. 'Because, sir, your
terrier stands there, and flies so fiercely at us whenever
we attempt to throw a spadeful in, that we dare not
go on/ One of the house servants was sent to the
churchyard, and there saw the dog in a perfect fury,
defending the grave ; he refused to come to his call, so
by main force he removed him, and carried him to the
drawing-room. There, the moment he saw his master,
4 his transport of joy equalled his former fury ;' and it
is supposed that, not seeing his master go away, and
missing him, he fancied he was in the grave, and thus
strove to protect him from 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 camo
near the animal, The owner comprehended the mystery,

DOGS. 119

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 summoned
him by saying ' Let us have a game,' upon which the
dog immediately hid his eyes between his paws in the
most honourable manner ; and when the gentleman had
placed a sixpence or a piece of cake in a most im-
probable 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 playfellow hid himself behind a
window-curtain, Fop would for a certain time care-
fully pass that curtain, and look behind all the others,
behind doors, etc., and when he thought he had looked
long enough, seize the concealing curtain 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 homeo-
pathic 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 linendraper in
Swindon, directly the shop was opened in the morning,
was in the habit of groing 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,

120 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 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 compre-
hension of human language evinced by his bull-clog
terrier, called Camp. He understood so many word?,
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
distress. 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 tho
hills, or at the back to get at the moor side.

These anecdotes, taken from many others concerning
terriers, cannot be better ended than by some concern-
ing a Russian terrier. As I once was acquainted with
an inimitable monkey, named Jack, so do I 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

DOGS. 121

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 devoted 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
his death, and could only take exercise in an invalid
chair. When she was ready to go out, she would say,
1 Now, Jack, I am ready for the chair,' upon which ho
immediately scampered off to the stables, placed himself
in the vehicle, and was dragged to the door. Then he
got out till his mistress was placed comfortably in it,
when he seated himself at her feet. If they went
through the garden, the carriage was stopped at Jack's
favourite bed of flowers, for he had a remarkable fancy,
like a cat, to enjoy their perfume, mignonette 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 carrying him home. The man
said he had actually delivered 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.

One day Jack 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 extraordinary reason for
it, then followed him. The instant she opened the door
wide, he squatted himself 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

u

122 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 bal-
cony, and enter. Jack never tamely suffered the intru-
sion 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 aftef
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 accompanying monkey between his teeth, and
dashed past his 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 remarkable ; and they will attach
themselves to strangers, and not suffer any ill-usage to

DOGS. 123

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, or rather a dangerous ford, the dog
was so frightened at the black roaring water that he sat
clown by the 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. Mastiffs are silent, phlegmatic dogs, conscious
of their own strength, seem to consider themselves more
as companions than servants, are resolute, and face

124 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 is met with in Africa. They are old
denizens of Great Britain, and are said to have been
brought here before the Romans conquered the country.
They are not supposed to have originally come 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 with-
out 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 nobleman who lived
there. A magistrate who presided at a court ob-
served upon it, and said, in an authoritative voice,
4 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 ventured in, notwith-
standing the prohibition ; and always posted himself as

DOGS. 125

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 gentleman 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 tra-
versed 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 oW
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 : —

4 An Irish gentleman possessed a couple of immense
dogs, male and female, half Newfoundland, 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.

4 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

126 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 cap-
ture his prey, he more than once ran on the sand-bank.

1 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 reached the deep water he seized it by the
shoulders and bore it to the sand-bank. The fish, how-
ever, remained far from passive under such treatment ;
for as soon as it was released, it opened its large jaws,
and bit the dog so 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 discomfited. 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 op-
portunity, the dog used his powerful tusks with terrible
effect on the fish's shoulders, and at last, taking a gooc]

DOGS. 127

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.'

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 show-
ing the teeth, and thick made, has not those outward
characters which compose beauty. The head has always
black about it ; but the body is brindled, buff, ochrey,
or white. Bull-dogs 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,
make 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.
In 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 when not
engaged in their cruel sport.

The Pug has been by some considered as a variety of
the bull-dog ; but 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 contra-
dicts this. The two with whom I have come in frequent

128 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

coutact, 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 nightly examina-
tion 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 different parts of the house, but was very
much afraid of being by himself in the dark. He had
formed a great friendship 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 con-
sent to the proceeding.

Multitudes of anecdotes exist, which have been
handed down to us, as relating to dogs, without any
information concerning the species of the principal
actors, as in the following instances.

The Fire-dog was to be seen at almost every con-
flagration 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. At last the

DOGS. 129

poor beast was killed by an engine going over him. The
officers of the fire brigade had him stuffed, and he was
for some time carefully preserved in a glass case, at the
headquarters in Watling Street.

Not very long ago the superintendent of the fire-
engine in Chandos Street misbehaved, and consequently
his rank and wages were both diminished. This de-
gradation so preyed upon him, that in a fit of despond-
ency he jumped off Waterloo Bridge, and was drowned.
His companions felt so much for his widow and children
that they petitioned the directors to allow the fire-dog
to be put up for a raffle, the proceeds of which were to
be devoted to them. Consent was given ; one hundred
pounds were realized ; and the dog may now be seen at
the house of an innkeeper in Chandos Street, who won
him at the said raffle.

There is a dog at the Temple, which belongs to the
Inn, and not to any one person ; he is a mongrel, is fed
wherever 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, but 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 frontier
of France are well known, but these smugglers are now
i

130 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 show a presentiment of danger, and
gave notice of the earthquake at Gabaluasco in 1835, by
leaving 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 inarch with the band at the Tuileries because
he liked it, and at night frequent the opera and other
theatres.

The most surprising histories told of dogs are con-
cerning 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 viva voce to make me ac-
quainted with some circumstance, but never heard any-
thing intelligible, and cannot imagine that the organs
of speech are bestowed upon a favoured few, without
which the articulation of words must be impossible.

Yolumes 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, portraying a happiness
which contrasts strongly with the miserable condition

DOGS. 131

of many ill-nsed animals, belonging to hard-hearted
masters, who 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 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 if he be angry. The dog, however, seems rather
*o 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 bloodhound, 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 blood-
hound, hearing 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 little terrier sits with ears pricked up, listening to
any sound of dog or man that she may hear ; occasion-
ally 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

132 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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, keep-
ing one of the hind-legs up as if to give it rest.'

A proof 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 the animal sat
looking up in his face. The next morning 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 invariably 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 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 secured 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. 133

WOLTES.

STRONG, gaunt, ferocious, cunning, cowardly, and
sinister-looking, Wolves (Ccmis 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 continent, an unusually severe winter
brings them to the habitations of man.

Their resemblance to dogs internally and externally
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 which they
bite is never to be mistaken, being apparently 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 domestication ; and they 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

134 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 furi-
ous in their defence. They often fight with each other ;
and it is said if a wounded wolf come among his
fellows, he is immediately torn in pieces and devoured.

Mr. Lloyd, in his Field Sports in the North of Europe,
tells us of a peasant who in the neighbourhood of St.
Petersburgh met with the following narrow escape : —
1 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 molestations to any one, they slunk
into holes and corners, and allowed themselves to be
slaughtered, almost without making resistance.'

A more tragic occurrence happened to an unfortunate

WOLVES. 135

woman, also in Russia, and is related by the same
gentleman. 4 A woman, accompanied by three of her
children, was one day in a sledge, when they were pur-
sued by a number of wolves. She put the horse into a
gallop, and drove towards 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 rush-
ing 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 bloodthirsty pursuers.
This stopped their career for a moment ; but, after de-
vouring the poor child, they renewed the pursuit, and
a second time came up with the vehicle. The mother,
driven to desperation, 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 sacri-
fice 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.'

The tame wolf at the Jardin des Plantes is described
by M. Frederic Cuvier in the following manner: —
' This animal was brought up as a young dog, became
familiar with every person whom he was in the habit of
seeing, and in particular followed his master everywhere,

136 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 domesticated
dog. His master being obliged to be absent for a time,
presented his pet to the Jar din des Plantes, where the
animal, confined in a den, continued 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 per-
ceived 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 remembered 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 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.'

WOLVES. 137

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
circumstance, 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 : — ' Mine. Ducrest [then Mile. Duvauce]
and I were going out at Baron Cuvier's front door,,
when a man, holding something tied up in a handker-
chief, 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 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 folio-wing story is told by a gentleman who was
sporting in Hungary at the time the circumstance
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

138 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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!) —
" 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 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 threatening 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

WOLVES. 139

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 wolfs head and neck with all
his strength, hugged him with an iron clutch to his
shoulders. " Itze het ! " now shouted the cool fellow, and
holding his enemy 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 position,
gave chase with their axes, calling out to the man to
hold on bravely. At length the boy succeeded in
slackening the speed of the animals, the sledge stopped,
and the peasants rushing on, dispatched the ferocious
creature upon the man's back, whose arms were so
stiffened with the immense muscular exertion he had so
long maintained, that he could hardly loose them from
the neck of the dead wolf.'

A clergyman in the neighbourhood of Eauxbonnes,
in the Basses Pyrenees, was not as fortunate as the
Slovack peasant ; for as he was returning from visiting
the sick in January 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 so gaunt as
those of Europe, having shorter legs, thicker fur,
shorter muzzles, broader heads, more bushy tails, and
being altogether more compact. Their habits, how-
ever, are much the same. A farmer in New Hampshire

1 4(>' ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

was one night awakened by a noise in his hog-pen.
On looking out he saw what he supposed 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 ad-
vantage ; for the man succeeded in seizing him on
each side of tne 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.1

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 cun-
ning ; 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 dis-
tance, while larger wolves prowl around, pouncing on
the pieces thrown to 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

1 Grosse's Canadian Naturalist-

WOLVE8. 141

lose all hope of escape, they curl themselves 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 description
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 when-
ever 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 expectation 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 be-
smeared with blood, and he seemed to be almost burst-
ing. Thinking it impossible they should have devoured
the buck in so short a time, he had the curiosity to. re-
turn and see 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 themselves 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 attack-
ing bears, are so much afraid of wolves that they scarcely

142 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 semi-
circle, 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
into the river. However, when he rose up they halted,
and on his advancing, made way for him to go to
the tent.

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 any-
thing much more shocking than that of the solitary
traveller galloping into a village pursued by these
beasts, and knocking at the doors, earnestly entreating
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. 143

FOXES.

STEALING along in the dark of evening, the cunning 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 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 side-
long course so as to crawl down his throat. Reynard
also has an eye to the future, for he never lets anything
escape which conies within his sharp bite ; and as there
must be a limit to the quantity which any animal can
contain, when he cannot possibly eat any more, he in
various spots, well marked by himself, buries the remain-
der 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 solitary, suspicious animal ;

144 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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, belonging to
somebody else, for he has very lax morals 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 en-
trapped. 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 recognised. This continued for two years, when
he was chased by Mr. St. John and easily killed. An-
other who was unearthed by the dogs, instead of run-
ning 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 manoeuvre discovered by finding that he
had only three feet. .

Mr. St. John relates the following history of the
cunning of a fox : — i 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 turf
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 considering a short time, he

FOXES. 145

seemed to have formed his plans, examined the dif-
ferent gaps in the wall, fixed upon one which appeared
to be most frequented, 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 con-
venient posture for springing on his prey, and remained
perfectly motionless, with the exception of an occasional
reconnoitre 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 though he did not venture to look up, I saw,
by an involuntary motion of his ear, 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.'

In Captain Brown's Popular Natural History 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 Lad
K

146 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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.'

An American gentleman of Pittsfield, accompanied
by two bloodhounds, found a fox and pursued him for
nearly two hours, when suddenly the dogs appeared at
fault. Their master came up to 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 seemed 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.

One of the drollest incidents in fox-hunting was that
at Newry, in Ireland, when, being pursued 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,
however, 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 chil-

FOXES. 147

drcii 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 JEsop 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, c 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 Fox ' will live as long as printers
and illustrators exercise their art and talent.

The Arctic Fox is smaller than ours ; even the sole?
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 vegetable,
and is so perfectly harmless that it roams about un-
molested even by dogs.

I 48 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

HYAENAS.

THERE cannot be a much more uninteresting animal
than the hard-hided, knock-kneed Hyaena, which is pre-
eminently African, although he is 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
4 sneaking.' He is of a tawny colour, more or less dusky
till it approaches black, and is generally spotted or
striped. He has a 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 hyaena is the
disproportionate smallness about his hind quarters ; be-
sides which the vertebrae 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 stiffness of the
neck has caused many to imagine that it was composed
of one joint only, and led the Arabs to make hyaenas
the symbols of obstinacy.

HYAENAS. 140

The habits of hyaenas accord with their outward ap-
pearance. 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 ab-
stracting the sleeping infant 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 hyaena 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 command of the outpost of
Tantum Querry, on the leeward 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, I 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 the laugh of
the hyaena 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 hyaena. 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 : —
1 Some women from the neighbouring village were ac-

150 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

custonied 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 recommenc-
ing, a serjeant sallied forth to bring the delinquents
into the fort; but, to his surprise, there were only
three hyaenas 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 hyaena was incapable
of attachment ; but Mr. Burchell brought one with
him from South Africa to this country, which loved
his master, and was jealous of other 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 recognised him amidst the crowd. One day
when the hyaena was asleep, this gentleman suddenly
called him by his name. The poor beast as suddenly
started to his legs, looked up, rubbed his head against
the bars of his cage, bounded about uttering short
cries, looked sorrowful at Colonel Sykes when he went
away, and repeated these manifestations of joy when
he returned.

The Spotted Hyama has been called the llycena
Capensis from the belief that it only inhabited Sout h
Africa; but it is found as frequently in Guinea as the

HYENAS. 151

striped variety, and has just the same propensities.
Near the Cape, however, it does more mischief, because
colonists have settled themselves 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 hyamas 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 hyenas, and
says that such is their preference for human 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
Hysena of Dr. Andrew Smith, who has done so much
for the natural history of Southern Africa, is less com-
mon 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 hyaenas 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 beasts of prey will eat them,
from the offensive rankness of their flesh.

152 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

The den of a spotted hyaena 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. At
one end of this piece of wood there was a small projec-
tion, 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 hyaena 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 project-
ing 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 muscu-
lar strength of this creature.

It is impossible to say why there should be such con-
flicting accounts of the hyaena 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 other animals to
the Felidae, or Cat tribe, because the same characters

LIONS. 153

serve for all ; size and colour being almost the only
difference among those of which I shall treat. Grace
and strength are their universal 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 the tongue shows that their taste
cannot be very delicate. This roughness is caused by
the horny papillae, 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 Felidae are extremely
strong, sharp, and crooked ; and all four feet are fur-
nished with them — five before 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

154 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 formid-
able teeth, that they tear their prey to pieces.

None of the feline tribe will eat vegetables unless
domesticated, and 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 ab-
horrence 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, grey, and brindled ; some leopards
are black; and there is a 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, 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 capri-
cious, 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 undisputed lord of the country. The Lion

LIONS. 155

of America is altogether different ; therefore, it may be
said that only Central Asia and almost all Africa are
traversed by him. Formerly the eastern boundary of
Europe scarcely formed a limit to his presence. The
Arabian literature is full of allu^ons 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. Ac-
cording to Mr. Gordon Gumming, its colour varies with
age, being fulvous and bright when young, black when
the animal is in his full strength, and grisly with old
age. There has been, however, a species recently dis-
covered 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 vertebrae. 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 Gambi'u
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 storm, 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 histories of his depredations, and numerous are
the daring and gallant exploits performed by Europeans

15G ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

against this noble game. The following is an abridg-
ment 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 : —

' 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 edge 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 Eraser 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 contrary 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 success-
ful, 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 firing. We followed her up to the thicket, put the
elephant's head into it, and we heard the lioness growl-
ing close to us. Just as we were expecting her charge
and had prepared our guns, round wheeled the elephant

LIOXS. 157

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. Eraser 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 I 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, if the wounds in her loins had not disabled her.
As it was now a mercy to put an end to her sufferings,
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 one man down,
and got him completely under her with his turban in
her mouth, when a shot grazed her side. She immedi-
ately 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

158 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS,

upper part of it, where lie 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

lie had done. The man made no answer. The carpenter

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 a loud 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 frightened, 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 contrived 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 it, ami

quietly led him down to the lower part of his residence.

It is from Mr. Pr ingle and Mr. Gordon Gumming

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. Gumming 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 indomitable courage
and hardihood, from his early years, when he killed the
deer on his father's domains, prepared him to be what

LIOXS. 159

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 Yan
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 daybreak, when observing a lion at a distance,
he endeavoured to avoid him by making a circuit.
There were thousands of springboks 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 dis-
posed to let him pass without further parlance, and that
he was rapidly approaching to the encounter. Being
without his gun, the farmer, little disposed to cultivate
his acquaintance, turned his horse off at 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 thunderbolt. 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 re-
lated 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 j but the abstraction of

160 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

the saddle, for wliich, 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.'

'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 all the 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 hya3na,
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 tli3
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.

4 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 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.

LIONS. 161

c The Hottentots traced the lion on foot, discovering
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 mulattoes 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 sandstone, 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. In
a 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 con-
scious power and pride, and with the most noble and
imposing port that could be conceived. It was the
most magnificent thing I ever witnessed; but the danger
of our friends was too great to enjoy the picture. We
expected every minute to see one or 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, however, 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.

4 Our comrade had sustained no other injury than a

L

1 G2 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

scratch upon the back and a severe bruise, and we re-
newed 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 that
he meditated mischief. The Hottentots by taking a
circuit reached a precipice above him, another party of
as occupied a position on the other side of the glen, so
that the lion was between two fires. He became con-
fused, 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, resembled
rery white, coarse beef, and was insipid rather than
disagreeable.'

The ensuing histories are from Mr. Gordon Curmning's
pen. 4A 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 camo
from the buffalo's bones ; consequently two were easily
secured, but the third had the sense to walk away.

4 The oryx sometimes fights the lion, and is victori-
ous ; 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.

LIONS. 163

'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 murderous voice of
an angry, bloodthirsty 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 next instant John Stefolus rushed into the midst of
us almost speechless with fear, his eyes bursting from
their sockets, and shrieked out, " The lion ! the lion ! he
lias 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 tho
entrance as well as we could. We sat with our guns in
our hands till daylight, 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 littlo
hollow at the back of the bush. He had grappled him
with his claws, and bitten him in the breast and shoulder,

1G4 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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, 0 God ! Men, help me ! "
Then all 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.'

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
near 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, standing 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 ! " She once more halted

LIONS. 165

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.'

I copy the ensuing anecdote from Mr. Campbell's
Second Journey to Africa. l 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 conjunc-
tion with each other, it is probable they would have
met with success. Two Bootchuana herdsmen, attend-
ing 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. Enraged
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 to-
wards the lion, and took their stand at the horses' heads.
The enraged animal flew upon a Bootchuana who was
not protected by the horses, and who tried to defend
himself with his kaross or skin cloak. The lion, how-
ever, 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 com-
panion 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.

1G6 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

The lion tlieii 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 b) one
stroke of his paw, he tore open the body of the mare,
and retired. After this he tried to get round the horses
o the men ; but when on the point of making a spring,
he was happily killed by a musket ball, the ball pene-
trating behind the ear.'

* It is singular,' says Mr. Span-man in his African
Travels, ' that the lion is reported frequently, although
provoked, to content himself with sometimes only wound-
ing 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 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 on 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 tastes 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

LIONS. 167

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, 4 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
permission. 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 if
the bars of his cage. 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 show 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 ser-
geant's hand as he held it out to him.'

A lion, which for its extreme beauty was to be sent
to Paris from Senegal, fell sick before the departure 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 benefactor, that he afterwards ate from his hand
and followed him like a dog, with only a string tied
round his neck.

1G8 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 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 disliked 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 commands, and all their recompense
was to lick his hands.

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. 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 to approach close to the
cage, and did not sleep till he was exhausted, so closely
(lid he watch over his new friend. He suffered the

LIONS. 1G9

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 Gumming 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 excite-
ment, 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 : — ' She had made her escape
from a travelling menagerie, on its way to Salisbury
fair, and suddenly seized one of the leading horses.
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 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 barricaded 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,

170 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

and never had given any signs of ferocity. She therefore
affords another example that it is 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 witli
age. He is the largest of the feline tribe on that con-
tinent, 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 observa-
tion 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 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 immediately. He made
his escape one night in London, and offered no resist-
ance when caught by a watchman. 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 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,
and although many others have quoted them, I do not
apologize 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

LIONS, 171

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 their prey, cease
for a 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 a 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 intervention of an armed friend. But
then all 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 him-
self, he found the animal standing over him. Recol-
lecting 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 par-
ties themselves, I now briefly give. The weather was
intolerably sultry. After vainly spending a consider-
able time in creeping through the grass and bushes,
with the hope of discovering 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, Lieu-
tenants Delamain and Lang returned to the elephant,
and immediately proceeded round the jungle, expecting
to discover the route which they conjectured the lion

1 72 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

had taken. Captain Woodhouse, however, remained
in the thicket, and as he could discern tho print of the
animal's foot on the ground, he boldly resolved to
follow up the track at all hazards. The Indian game-
finder, who continued with his commander, at first espied
the lion in the covert, and pointed him out to the Cap-
tain, 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 unexpected 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 re-
solved to stand still, in the hope 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 leg at the same moment being
seized by the claws, and his right arm by the teeth, of
liis desperate antagonist. Lifuteuant Delamain ran up

LIONS. 173

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
reload his gun. The lion now began to crunch the
Captain's arm ; but the brave fellow, notwithstanding
the pain, had the cool determined 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, un-
thinkingly, raised his hand to support his head, which
had got placed ill at ease in the fall. No sooner, how-
ever, had he moved it, than the lion seized the lacerated
arm a second time, crunched it as before, and fractured
the bone still higher up. This additional memento 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 showed 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 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, 4 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 cau-
tiously came up on the other side; and Lieutenant
Delamain, whose coolness in encounters with wild

174 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

beasts had always been conspicuous, from a distance
of about a dozen yards fired at the lion over the per-
son of the prostrate 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 liia
range extends not only over the more southern part of
that continent, but to the larger islands of the Archi-
pelago, where he is particularly destructive. 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 blood, and leave their carcases to be devoured at
another opportunity.

The colour of the tiger is a bright orange tawny,
white underneath, and broad black 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 de-
vastation 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,

TIGERS. 175

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 he dies. 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 camel, the sportsman from his elephant, and
the child from its mother. There is a tradition in
India, however, that when tigers have fed on human
flesh they become mangy.

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 carcases 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 making a full meal.

A tiger is easily startled by a sudden noise, as tho
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 entreated 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

176 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 return,
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, 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 coining 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 very high, and
they were going on at a leisurely pace, when my friend
heard a slight scuffle over his head, then a scream,

TIGERS. 177

followed by the cries of his party. On inquiring the
cause, the latter told him that a tiger had crept on
to the 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 go on. 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 closely 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 to pieces.

In a plain near the Narbudda river, a party were
hunting a tiger ; but the beast did not seem inclined to
come to battle with his antagonists. He trotted 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 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.
M

178 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 pistol ; 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, dragged 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
Lieutenant 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 momentary
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, feeling at the moment little
pain from his wounds, although he received no fewer
than thirty-five, from the effects of which he long after-
wards 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

TIGERS. 179

inches and a half, and lie 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.

1 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 ap-
pearance 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 severely. 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 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 firearms 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

180 AXECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

next day. She then entered a thicket close by, where
she was allowed to remain unmolested. On the morning
of the following clay she had got about a mile farther
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, however, laid the animal prostrate.

There is an account of a tame tiger which 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 and as playful as a kitten. He fre-
quently slept with the sailors in their hammocks, and
would suffer two or three of them to repose their heads
upon 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 bowsprit, 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.'

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,

TIGERS. 181

taken from Captain Williamson's Oriental Field Sports.
This officer had two tiger cubs brought to him, which
had been discovered, with two more, by some villagers,
while their mother had been in quest of prey. The
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, camo
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 adjoining jungle before morning.

Bishop Heber happily compares the slight movement
of the long grass of the jungle, which betrays the pre-
sence of the tiger, to the bubbles which rise to the sur-
face 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. Cap-
tain Brown gives the following account of the innate
love of flesh displayed by the tiger: — CA party of
gentlemen from Bombay, one day visiting the stupen-
dous temple of Elephanta, discovered a tiger's whelp
in one of the obscure recesses. Desirous of kidnap-
ping the cub without encountering the fury of its dam,
they took it up hastily and cautiously 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, notwithstanding its apparent gentle-
ness, began to inspire terror by its tremendous powers
of doing mischief, a piece of raw meat, dripping with

182 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 principle
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.'

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 Cal-
cutta, was allowed to run about the vessel, and she
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 disposition. One day the
person who had charge of 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 signs of pleasure ; and when he left her,
ehe whined and cried the whole day afterwards.

LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ETC.

THE Felis Leopardus and the Felis Pardus of author?,
represent the Leopard and Panther ; but it has been

LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ETC. 183

impossible to establish any characters which mark the
difference between them. Size, colour, form, and posi-
tion of spots have been resorted to, but age and locality
have set all rules aside ; and therefore, in treating of
them, I shall use the term indiscriminately. 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 un-
reservedly. 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 particularly
abundant in most parts of Africa. They are exceed-
ingly 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 ; 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 remarkably 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 remains unsolved. My history
of the Ashanti panther has been so often repeated iu
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 History, to
which I now make a few additions.

184 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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. Hut-
chison (the resident left in Kumasi by Mr. Bowdich)
came to headquarters, his Majesty 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 extremely 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
natives surlily refused a supply. He was one day sit-
ting 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 the 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 received
our salutations with apparent pleasure. On one occa-
sion 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 unconquerable dread of him
which assailed men who were undaunted where men only
were conQerned. 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 appointed 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

LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ETC. 185

piece out of the man's leg. Once he escaped, and dashed
on to the ramparts, where he caused a scene of confusion
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, 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
Sai 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
tlia sill of one of the windows, his chin between them,
and there contemplate 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 attachment 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 seeing his
friend, and he wandered to other parts of the castle,
among others to my room, where he laid himself down
witL a disconsolate look. The palaver over, the G overnor
returned to his room to write, and the door being open,
he heard 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 bis
head into his master's shoulder, rubbed his cheek againsi

186 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

him, and only tried by 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
betrayed 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. ' I beg your
pardon,' said one of them, ' but are you aware what
animal is now lying under that sofa T ' Sai,' said my
uncle, ' come and speak to these gentlemen.' The pan-
ther 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 Sa'i'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 en-
gaged 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 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

LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ETC. 187

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 sub-
dued 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 a 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 in 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 indulged
him twice a week with some lavender water 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 men-
tioned his rage at seeing a chimpanzee 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

183 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

pirates, who took almost all our provisions 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 sometimes made him seize it so ravenously,
that he did not give himself time to pluck off tho
feathers. These in process of time formed a hard sub-
stance 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 the cage
with him all night ; and the next morning I adminis-
tered 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 presented 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 morn-
ing the Duchess called and played with him, when he
appeared 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 tho
Gold Coasts, and the priests demand a fine for each ono
that is killed ; consequently, they and leopards (if there
be any difference) are numerous, and occasionally commit
nuch mischief. They leap over high walls or stockades,

LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ETC. 189

nnd 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 outskirts of the
forest, that he might enjoy more room than he could
have in barracks ; and one night, while sleeping there,
he thought he heard his servant-boys (who generally
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
Feveral 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 per-
forming their own dance ; and it is 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 hav-
ing 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 fortu-
nate 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 herself. 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

190 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

caught him the ensuing night. The fine was paid, and
the skin was given to me. The poor child had a 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 headquarters 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 m the evening a bright moon-
light induced us to take a walk. It was not very pru-
dent ; but we started, the commandant, a Quaker lady,
and myself, to the outskirts 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 move-
ment in the bushes also seemed to say it was time to
depart ; and then, expatiating on our own foolharcli-
ness, 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 after we had been there, and his footsteps
had traced upon mine on 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.

LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ETC. 191

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 dis-
covered it in consequence of the cry of one of the
children, who received a scratch in play from their com-
panion, who was a little too rough. Had he required a
supper, the wound would probably have been more than
a scratch. D'Azara, however, says he is a very fero-
cious 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 distance, 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 for light and air. By
taking an enormous leap, a hungry jaguar, attracted
by the smell of the venison, 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

192 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 bed-
stead suggested itself, but she felt sure a paw would be
stretched forth which would drag her out. Her hus-
band had taken all their firearms. 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 to get his head in through the crack, but
fortunately he could not raise the lid. He found hel
fingers and began to lick them ; she felt them bleed, but
did not dare to move them for fear she should be suffo-
cated. 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 get-
ting 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 her nearest neighbour's, a distance of
two miles, where she procured help for her wounded
fingers, which were long in getting well. On his re-
turn, her husband found a male and female jaguar in the
forest close by, with their cubs, and all were destroyed.
As a 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 dis-
tance of ten paces. At first he was extremely puzzled

CATS. 193

to know what to do, but a sudden impulse prompted
him to take off his broad-brimmed 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 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 plea-
sure if we went into his vicinity.

The Cheetah is gentle and affectionate, and success-
fully trained for hunting.

CATS.

CATS are diminutive 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, suppleness, and insidious-
ness. 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

N

194 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 stand-
ing up. He cut a good-sized stick ; and three Skye
terriers gave chase till she took refuge in a corner, spit-
ting and growling. On trying to dislodge her, she flew
at Mr. St. John's face, over the dogs' heads ; but he
struck her while in the air, and she fell among the dogs.
who soon despatched 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, as-
semble round the body of their relative.

Domestic cats often run away to the woods and sub-
sist 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. Pro-
fessor 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 Abys-
sinia they form part of a marriage dowry, for fear the

CATS. 195

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 irreclaimable, and do in-
credible 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 wood-cock ; 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 lightly, raise their back, bristle up their
hair, and swell up their tail when angry. Those which
have been domesticated are very inquisitive 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 imme-
diately reject it. They will sit hour after hour watch-
ing at the mouth of a hole ; and after seizing their prey,
bring it to their favourites in the house to show their
prowess, and strut about with a great air of self-satis-
faction. They generally have a great dislike to water ;
but they have been known to surmount 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 centuries cats

196 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

have been connected with superstition and sorcery. Thoy
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 rea-
son his men out of so absurd a notion was perfectly
useless, he offered to sacrifice this object of his regard,
and have her thrown overboard. This, however, far
from creating any satisfaction, only alarmed the men
still more. They were 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 England in safety/

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 no-

CATS. 197

glected this precaution ran the risk of seeing their cat
scampering through the fields, with a witch on its back,
on the high road to Norway. A black cat was com-
monly 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 cat and bury it alive is in the Irish Highlands
considered as a specific for a disorder in cattle termed
* black-legs,' which otherwise proves fatal.

There is yet another peculiar feeling respecting cats,
namely, the strange antipathy which some persons en-
tertain towards them, and is equally unassailable with
that of superstition. Of course, in many instances ill-
ness and weak indulgence have greatly increased it ;
but in some cases it has been unconsciously harboured,
and in most is unconquerable. 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
entreated 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 unavail-
ing ; 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

198 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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.
This gentleman's daughter inherited the same antipathy ;
and neither the tenderest feelings towards other c dumb
creatures/ nor the strongest efforts of a mind of unusual
strength, could subdue the uncomfortable and distress-
ing 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
in 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 de-
fensive 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 overlooked
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 conversazioni;
and I presume that my cats were particularly amiable,
for often, if the drawing-room window had been left
open during our absence, we found a select few, per-
haps five or six, sitting within its precincts, as if ia
friendly talk.

CATS. 109

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
showing 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 instance 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 learu
all sorts of antics, and form all sorts of contradictory
attachments ; young birds, puppies, rats, and mice, fre-
quently being the objects. My mother-in-law had both
a favourite canary and an equally beloved 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, however, 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 evidently delighted. After that there

200 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 capture. 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 bringing it
to the cook, appearing to ask her to dress it ; and yet
it was perfectly her own suggestion.

A brother of mine had a favourite tortoise-shell cat,
named Monkey, who always sat on his shoulder when
he was shaving, and evinced every sign of deep attach-
ment. 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 ex-
treme 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,

CATS. 201

when she saw him prepare his razor. Such attachments
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
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 immediately entered the apartment.

202 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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/

The following anecdote almost places the cat on a
level with the dog : — l A physician of Lyons was
requested to inquire into a murder that had been
committed on a woman of that city. In consequence 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 sta-
tion and attitude ; and when the room was filled with
officers of justice, neither the clattering of the soldiers'
arms, nor the loud conversation of the company, could
in the least dogree divert his attention. As soon, how-
ever, 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 preci-
pitately retreated under the bed. The countenances
of the assassins were disconcerted, and they were
now, for the first time, abandoned by their audacious
effrontery.'

There are several instances on record of cats finding
their way back to their former abodes under circum-
stances of great difficulty ; and the following appears to

CATS. 203

me to be one of the most striking of them, and quoted
from a letter : — c When living at 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 canvas bag, and carried by a
man on horseback. 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 Eour 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 ford where
the horse came through with her, or did she ascend the
banks for a considerable distance, in search of a more
shallow place, and where the stream was less powerful I
At all events she must have crossed the rivers, in
opposition to her natural habits.'

The following anecdote has been forwarded to me,
and supplied by a lady who, to my regret, will not
allow me to publish her name : —

An old woman of the village has a pet cat, who is
affirmed to be ; as sensible as a Christian ' by her ad-
miring mistress. One night the old lady felt very ill,
and left the candle burning to enable her to take a
certain medicine, if necessary. She was awake, and
saw her cat fidget about the candle, as if she thought
it wrong that it should be left alight ; and at last, not

204 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

being able to bear it any longer, she converted her paw
into an extinguisher, and then quietly took up her
abode on the old lady's pillow by her side.

A singular malformation in the cat has been per-
petuated, 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 atti-
tudes of the cat's tail, or more expressive of its feelings
of joy or anger.

SQUIRRELS.

A PECULIAR formation of the incisors, or front teeth,
groups 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 habitual 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 exclusively
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

SQUIRRELS. 205

among tlicm that we find the high intellectual develop-
ment with which many other animals are gifted.

Squirrels are some of the most beautiful of the Ro-
dentia, and chiefly live in trees. The fur of some of
the species is extremely beautiful and valuable. 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 own 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 caressed 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 spread 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 in winter
they often assume a greyish 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 occasionally they are black. They always live in
pairs, and sometimes are gregarious, inhabiting burrows.
They lay up stores of provisions in different places ;
but they sleep the greater part of the cold months,
their tails turned over them to keep them warm, having

206 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

beforehand made a very elaborate nest of moss, leaves,
and interlacing fibres, in the hole of a tree or the fork
of two branches. They exclusively eat vegetable food,
and are occasionally 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 sputtered 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 passionate 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
showing his teeth, on 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 wa<?
about to commit an act of sheer revenge on a courageous
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 chir-
ruping there was an intonation of sound which seemed
like contempt. What business had I there, trespassing
on his domain and frightening his wife and little family,
for whom he was ready to lay down his life t There he

RATS. 207

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.'

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 in an aperture, where was suspended a
rope by whieh 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 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 teasing disposition
by rapidly descending from its box, scampering over
the dog's body, and then quickly mounting its rope.'

RATS.

SOME persons profess to think that the Rodents called
Rats are beautiful animals ; and I presume that, pre-

208 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

judice 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 anything 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 frightful.
On a visit to Sierra Leone, I was all day at the Govern-
ment 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, uninitiated as I then was (it being on my
first journey to Africa), I was perfectly appalled, and
most thankful 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 returned to
port she was sunk for a time, as the only means of
getting rid of them. Between these creatures and the
cockroaches, I thought my poor child and myself must
be devoured.

There is a facility given to the human mind to ac-
commodate 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 re-
conciled to those animated creatures which at first seemed
to be the bane of my existence. When living in Cape
Coast Castle, I used to see the rats come in troops past
my door, walking over my black boys as they lay there,

RATS. 209

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 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 rust-
ling and movement all around me. To 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, however, 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 bedstead, but I kept possession of my shoe. Weary
with watching, I closed my eyes, but was awakened by a
tremendous flash of lightning, immediately followed by
awful thunder and a tumultuous rush of 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
passim? away of the storm allowed me to sleep in peace.

210 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 surrounded 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 de-
voured, 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 Norway rat. It
came from India, Persia, etc., and is said to have ap-
peared in Europe after a great earthquake hi 1727.
All are so eminently carnivorous that they do not make
the least ceremony of devouring each other in times of
scarcity ; so 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 un-

RATS. 211

settled, 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, I am told,
where they are innumerable, they perch on the top of a
chair or screen, and sit there till something 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, 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 something breathing close to me.
There was no other person in the chamber except 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 laugh-
ing at his cool impudence, 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,

212 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

called the servants. It was supposed that there were
nests of rats in the chimney, — for that Government
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 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 enclosed, and their
necks were wrung in a moment. After this hunt was
ended, they were thrown over the verandah into the
garden, to the number of at least fifty. In the morn-
ing, however, they were all gone, but the footmarks of
the Gener cats told how they had been removed. Some
squeaks the next day in the chimney betrayed the pre-
sence 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 neces-
sary 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 feeling towards that part of creation
became 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.

RATS. 213

One afternoon the commandant of Bathurst was
quietly reading, when he heard a violent squeaking and
hissing in the room below him, 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 with-
drawn.

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 of the other end of it, and thus conducted his blind
companion.'

The amount of destructive force possessed by rats

214 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 objection being
the disastrous consequences which might accrue to the
inhabitants of the neighbourhood, if these voracious
creatures were suddenly deprived of their usual suste-
nance. 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 incalculable 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, belonging to the establish-
ment, 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 workmen, 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
which it was not necessary to take aim, for wherever
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 2650. And yet this cannot
give an entirely adequate idea of their number, for the
yard in question did uot cover more than a twentieth

EATS. 2 1 5

part of the space allotted to killing horses. The rats
in this place have made burrows for themselves, like
catacombs ; 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 cunning to
stay there during tli9 day-time, when they might be
more easily caught. So they in the morning cross the
canal to the opposite shore, and return in the evening
to commit their depredations.

The Water-rats, or Yoles, eat fishes, frogs, and toad?,
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 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 kinds, is a piece of roast beef ; of which they
are so fond, that they have been known to kill a com-
panion who had 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 stationed 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 companions to
lick them afterwards, is a well-known story.

216 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

Hats 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 4th of September
1829, when the river Tyne was at its height, a number
of people were assembled on its margin. A swan ap-
peared 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
object, 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/

Two ladies, friends of a near relative of my own, from
whom I received an account of the circumstance, 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 repeated 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
persuaded. 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 unusual movements, which
rather alarmed the fair purchasers. At last, to their
great dismay, the new dog ran squeaking up one of

MICE. 217

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 penknife, cut off its covering, and displayed a large
rat to their astonished eyes, and of course to its own
destruction.

MICE.

THE round, 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 de-
structive propensities, assembles in vast numbers, and
is equally carnivorous ; but with all these, it is a more
tameable and lovable 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 plantations,
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 thou-
sand were destroyed 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

218 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 re-
mained 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 turn them back when they reached the end ;
but they soon learned to turn of their own accord, and
performed 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 weeks' duration, mice were
to me a source both of amusement and annoyance ; the
former certainly predominated. 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
us the head of my curtainless bed was close to it, they
so frequently diverged on to my face, that I was obliged
to have it drawn at least a yard from the wall. Some-
times also they dragged away my pocket-handkerchief,
which, from not being immediately missed, was not re-
covered till sundry holes had been nibbled in it. A
small table stood by my bed- side, having on it a basin
fall of cold tea, which formed my night beverage. Ou
one occasion my light was extinguished, and I heard a

MICE. 219

scratching against the legs of the table. I guessed the
cause, and tried to frighten the climber away ; but I
suspect he mounted by the bed-clothes, for I presently
heard something flop into the tea. All was silent, and
[ 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 holding 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 headquarters of my mice seemed to be a large
closet in one corner of the room, from which they con-
stantly 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
deliberations commenced. They were carried on in a
language between a squeak and a chatter, and occasion-
ally 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
BO indulgent to them. It was no less than gnawing

220 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

holes in some valuable antelope, monkey, and leopard
skins, which were to have been sent to niy 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 excessively droll ; but as fast as they
clambered an inch or two up the sides, the slippery
metal caused them to slide down again; and they
thought if they could but get to the top of the cover,
they should succeed. So they mounted upon each other's
shoulders and accomplished the feat, but not their pur-
pose,— 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 in-
serted 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 mortification. After
this they so far abandoned the attempt that only one
would be occasionally seen walking round, as if, by
reconnoitering 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 overpowering
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

ELEPHANTS. 221

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 suffer it to continue
its singular actions unmolested. Its exertions appeared
to be greater every moment. It shook its head, leapt
about, and exhibited signs of the most exquisite 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 astonish-
ment 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 distinguishes
certain animals has induced naturalists to group them
together and call them Pachydermata. This group is
again divided according to the still further peculiarities
which some of them possess ; and in the first sub-
division 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, how-
ever, a strong inclination in many to give the dog the
highest place next to man with regard to intellect.

222 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

The trunk, of which I have just spoken, is formed
of numberless muscular fibres, amounting to at least
40,000, which take various directions, and cross each
other in so many ways that the whole forms one of the
most flexible organs that can be conceived. It can be
contracted, raised, depressed, curbed, 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 as a feeler. This
trunk serves as a reservoir for holding liquid, which can
be put in 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 whirh 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 remarkable proceeds 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 morning with her nurse before it was open to
the public. It constantly happened that she and the
elephant would meet together ; and not only was his care
to avoid trampling upon her most excessive, 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 taken by
these animals to guard their trunks from injury; and
they constantly raise them as high in the air as they

ELEPHANTS. 223

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 dimi-
nished 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 con-
sist of only one large grinder on each side and in each
jaw, which looks like a bundle of smaller teeth fastened
together by intervening and surrounding 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 attribute, and be
entirely wanting in grace. One of these tusks, sold
at Amsterdam, weighed 350 pounds ; and with such

224 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 transfix 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 show a
hoof, but sometimes the skin envelopes and conceals
them. The sole is nearly round ; and the skin of a foot
exhibited by Mr. Gordon Gumming is so large, that
a child of three years of age could easily seat itself
within it. The tail is small in circumference, flattened
tit 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.
Petersburg!!, is sixteen and a half, and there are records
of elephants attaining the enormous height of twenty
feet. When we think of the mountainous animals, as I

ELEPHANTS. 225

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
accomplish. His enormous stride, however, gives him
the advantage over lighter animals ; and we have heard
of a fast-galloping horse finding it difficult 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 ex-
ception 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,
lie guides the animals by occasionally touching their
ears, pressing his legs to the sides of their necks, prick-
ing them with a pointed instrument, or knocking them
with the handle. Often, however, they are so docile
that a mere word will 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 captivity bathing
seems to be a necessary condition of his existence. This
propensity reminds me of the often-repeated trick of the
before-mentioned elephant of the Jar din 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 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 ; elephant's
p

226 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 trans-
parent bonnets, and gentlemen 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 di-
rected 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 moment the water
rose from his trunk his beholders ran away, which he
also seemed to enjoy exceedingly, 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 were afterwards hung up in his stable,
to the great delight of the younger visitants to the
Jardin, who often went express'y to see the elephant's
boots. When he and his guide stopped for the night, a
mattress 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 pretence of sharing
the accommodation, at length nightly pushed Auguste
off, and stretched his own huge carcase upon the mat-
tress.

Constant differences between the Asiatic and African

ELEPHANTS. 227

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. Con-
nected with this, I was once much amused by the pro-
posal, 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 hesitation submit
to our dominion. This came from a learned king's
counsel, and was seriously uttered to one of his Ma-
jesty's Government without exciting surprise in any
but my experienced self. In our human impatience we
are apt to think the progress we so 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 separation 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 misdeeds. 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. \i

228 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

lie 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 the forest, whither the hunters prudently
do not again go to effect his capture. Some female
elephants arc also used to decoy wild males into en-
closures, where they are secured ; and there is a whole-
sale method of surrounding a herd by a number of
men, who, by means of various noises, musketry, fire-
works, drums, and trumpets, drive the elephants into
pens 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 enclosures might give way to their over-
powering strength, sentinels are placed all round, who
light fire?, 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

ELEPHANTS. 229

in transporting artillery and heavy baggage ; and their
docility and obedient performance of their duties, even
when left 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 trappings of gold and silver,
frontlets of jewels, gold and silver chains, and bells, etc.
Travellers generally 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 dex-
terously catch these animals upon their tusks if the
attack be made in front. But the tiger will sometimes
seize them in the flank ; when, if they cannot roll upon
him, the elephants rush forward, and the tiger is gene-
rally shot. The assertion that the elephant and rhino-
ceros 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 sometimes the other have gained the victory.

The quantity of food daily consumed by an elephant
in captivity is calculated at 200 lb., 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 of dainties from visitors. I never could
enter the rotunda in the Paris menagerie without being
furnished with bread or carrots for its inhabitants.
The instant the Indian elephant caught sight 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

230 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

into it. The attitude was so 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 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 thou-
sands 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 amount-
ing to three hundred, march after in single file, and the
way thus made is as smooth as a gravel walk. They
often carry branches of 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 husband'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 dangerous to encounter them, the in-
habitants did not go out, although they heard them
making a terrible bellowing and uproar. It appeared

ELEPHAKTS. 231

(lie 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 kneel-
ing and some standing, and that thus he had been
hoisted up.

The remarkable escape of Lieut. Moo die 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 iii
the jungle, he did not overtake them till they had driven
the elephants from their first station. On leaving the
jungle, he was 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
observe him. They, however, rapidly pursued him. Ho
reserved his fire as a last resource, and turning off at a
right angle, made for the banks of the river, 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.
lie turned upon them, and fired at the head cf the

232 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 instant, 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 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 tinder its weight. He did not lose his re-
collection, 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 touch-
ing 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

ELEPHANTS. 233

himself upon any surface which is not perfectly firm
and steady. Therefore the well-authenticated 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,
arid 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 performances attheCoburg 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
propriety. 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, entwined 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 course the confidence of the baby elephant
was not 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 are quite ex-
traordinary. A favourite mode of execution 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

204 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

one of these elephant executioners. The word of com-
mand, ' 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 wMth his trunk in the air. He was
ordered to complete 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 trum-
pet-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 ribs. He must have been killed if the
hole had been large enough to give the elephant room
to exercise his whole 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, teasing,
or unkindness is ever forgotten or forgiven by them,
and they are sure to take an opportunity 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 elephant, carried to him bread, apples,

ELEPHANTS. 235

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
feelings, 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 attach-
ment of elephants to each other, a proof was given by
two in the Jardin des Plantes, who had been with diffi-
culty separated during their journey thither from Hol-
land. 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 then rushed into the other room. The joy
of the two 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 holding 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 apartment, 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 retalia-
tion will take most effect without inflicting so serious a
reproof.

An artist in Paris was anxious to draw one of tho

236 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 in ani-
mals of greatest intelligence that we find the greatest
affection and gratitude. Elephants have somethne.3
refused to eat, and have pined to death when separated
from their favourite keepers, and they are never oblite-
rated from their memory. Their humanity is also
frequently conspicuous ; 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 mon 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 elephant 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 dread-
ful 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 ;

ELEPHANTS. 237

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 animal had not only
literally trampled Krieger's body to pieces, but did not
feel its vengeance satisfied 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.'

M. Frederick Cuvier, in his admirable essay on the
Domestication of Animals, writes as follows concerning
on 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 remained
with his owner, and the young man, his son, had con-
stantly 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
disposition of the elephant began to alter, and he was
thought to be ill ; he was still obedient, but his exercise
no longer gave him pleasure. He now and then ap-
peared to be impatient, but tried to repress his feelings ;
the struggle, however, changed him so much, that his

238 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

keeper became still more dissatisfied 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 became 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 previous 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 Recreation.^
tells us of an elephant which was shown, among other
wild beasts, at a fair in the West of England. One
of the spectators gratified the elephant by some excel-
lent 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 pound?,
which the 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 ! ' said his
tormentor, ; those nuts were a trifle hot, old fellow, I
guess/ * You had better be off,' exclaimed the keeper,
' unless you want the bucket at your head ; and serve
you right too.' The elephant drank the sixth bucket-
ful, and then hurled the empty vessel at the head of

HIPPOPOTAMUS. 239

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. These
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 the owner.

We must not omit to mention the remarkable par-
tiality of the elephant for brandy, rum, or arrack, either
of which will tempt him to make extraordinary exer-
tions, and which seem 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
this animal. Nevertheless, in spite of research into old
and new books, into private reminiscences and personal
recollections, I find it difficult to raise him to the intel-
lectual place of those which have been or will be treated

240 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

of in my pages. When I heard praises so lavishly be-
stowed 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 therefore 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 pro-
duce in the minds of men ; throwing beauty and inte-
rest over the most ungainly form and good-natured
stupidity. 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 is 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 sur-
face, 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 tremendous
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

HIPPOPOTAMUS. 241

that is full-grown almost reaches the ground, and some-
times 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 is
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 as a great delicacy for the table.
The male is the largest ; and itwo species are said to exist.
The exploits of Mr. Gordon Gumming give us a lively
picture of their habits ; but there is nothing iii his work
which affords the slightest interest in their mental facul-
ties. The following account from the pen of Captain
Owen, who explored 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 sud-
denly 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 shore, they (the crew) succeeded
in reaching it before she sank. The keel in all proba-
bility had touched the back of the animal, which irri-
Q

242 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

tatirig him, occasioned tins 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 steering, was thrown over-
board, but fortunately rescued before the irritated
animal could seize him.'

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 arid the tamo
Hog with the same characters, that no hesitation arises
in pronouncing the former to be the stock from whence
we have the latter. In common, however, with all other
free and domesticated 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
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 un-
tamed brother does, and therefore the parts most used
for these purposes are not equally developed. Both,
however, possess very powerful muscles of the neck and
shoulders, to give movement 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

HOGS. 243

strong hoofs. Their snout looks as if it had been sud-
denly chopped off, as if to expose the nostrils, which are
pierced in this truncated portion. Their triangular,
canine teeth, or tusks, project beyond the mouth ; those
of both jaws curve upwards. They make very formid-
able weapons, as many a dog and huntsman has known
to his cost. Wild hogs are covered with stiff, dark
brown hair, which gets grizzly 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 ; corning forth in the
evening to procure his food, which is chiefly of a vege-
table nature. It is only when pressed by hunger that
wild hogs will eat animal substances. The females herd
together, and their young 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
themselves 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. Sparr-
man, 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 owes disappeared,
nor could he explain the mystery till aware of this sin-
gular fact.

The hunting of wild boars has, from the most ancient

244 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

times, been reckoned a noble sport; for it not only
called for dexterity and courage, but was attended with
considerable danger, from the extreme savageness of
these animals when at bay, and the facility with which
they rip open the body of their antagonist with their
tusks. They were in former times considered as royal
game, and fines were imposed on those who killed them
without having the privilege 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
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 number
of ancient coats of arms in which they are found, and
the names of old places derived from them, attest their
numerous presence here : for instance, Brandon, which
is braivn'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 protuberances
under the eyes, which prevent them from seeing any-
thing underneath them. They live in subterranean holes ;
and one which had been for some time kept in confine-
ment, 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.

HOGS. 245

When the natives of Africa spear or entrap one, they
tie his fore-feet 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 hard. The
impossibility of keeping meat in that country till it be-
comes 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
huntsman 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, and the men came up and cut his throat. At
another point of the wood, a sow weighing three hundred
pounds, and followed by her young, was wounded, and
furiously pursued a hunter, whom she surprised in a
narrow pass between two rocks. He waited her ap-

246 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

proaeh 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. By am relates the following adven-
ture with these renegades : — c 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, I let fly the ball, and
tumbled him over. He gave a fierce grunt or two as ha
lay ; and a large herd of boars and sows rushed out of
some thick underwood 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 tree by a dozen of pigs ; but it
soon turned out no laughing matter, for their patience
was not, as I expected, soon exhausted ; and they settled
round the tree about twenty yards distant, and kept
looking 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 in a more
abridged form, though by so doing I feel that I deprive
the story of some of its zest : — Having made up his
mind to a regular siege, he examined his resources, and

HOGS. 247

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, a 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
minutes, 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
distance of about twenty feet, went into the boar's face,
who then turned round and ran away, makiug a horrible
noise. The rest of the party charged altogether up to
the foot of the tree, but the outcry of the old boar drew
them away ; and the whole herd went after him, mak-
ing 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 Egyptians
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 scavengers of them ; for, in
a, domestic state, they are omnivorous. The dislike of
the latter to them was once very serviceable to ine ; for

248 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

when we were bivouacking close to a Mohammedan
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 mysterious
distribution of swine all over the face of the earth ;
and much astonishment was created in the minds of tha
discoverers of the South Sea Islands by finding them
in those far-off specks of earth. Perhaps there had
been earlier navigators there than ourselves.

Pork, fresh or cured, forms the principal food of our
sailors 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
always much 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 to 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

HOGS. 249

the former ; but when they dropped their ears and tail,
and sank upon their knees, nor rose till the birds had
already risen, they feasted on ' lumps o' pudding.'

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 the 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, stat-
ing, among other reasons, that when called, she came
like a dog. ; Jean ! Jean ! ' exclaimed the captain, and
she bounced along, tripping up the officer of the watch.

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,

250 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

knowing she must die soon, and then be thrown over-
board. Jack, however, had no inclination 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 projection, 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 surface 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.1

RHINOCEROSES.

Wrni quite as little personal beauty as the Pachy-
dermata, of which I have hitherto treated, the Rhi-
noceros 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 fore-
most is the largest. All are curved and polished, and
appear to be formed of hairs, aggregated into a solid
mass. The bones of the nose are remarkably thickened
and developed iuto 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 prolonged, and capable of such extension
that it becomes prehensile. It protrudes this lip, lowers
its horn or horns, so as to lean forwards, and rushes at

1 The source whence I obtained this anecdote has escaped me,
bui I think it is from the pen of Captain Basil Hall.

RHINOCEROSES. 251

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, including 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 rhinoceroses have enormous folds
of skin hanging upon the shoulders, haunches, neck,
and thighs, 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, when they are in pursuit of an
enemy, be avoided by slipping on one side.

The Javanese and Sumatran species are smaller,
lighter, and consequently less ferocious and powerful
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 arc sensibly acted on by

252 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 hundred years ; and when
young, their skin has a pink tinge. All eat the young
branches of trees, and shrubs, and grass.

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 re-
main 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 also
be the case in India, but I have only seen it recorded
of Africa.

I should suppose that the loud, blowing noise attri-
buted 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 out-
rageous in them ; and they have been seen to attack

RHINOCEROSES. 253

the bashes 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 a finer flavour. They go about
singly or in pairs, are very 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 other. 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 kept 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), met with a
small band of seven (rhinoceroses). These were led by
«. larger and more powerful animal than the rest. When

254 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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' 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.

HORSES.

ALTHOUGH slill lingering among the Pachydermata, 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, represent 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 in
Horses. Their elegantly-shaped head, with its long-
pointed cars 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 cars 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

HORSES. 255

are listening to sounds which their rider cannot hear ;
and when they are pointed forward, they rejoice in the
affectionate 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 melan-
choly look when they take their departure. Those nos-
trils 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 proportions, 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 attachment to the females,
and protect them and their offspring to the death, often
fighting with their fore-feet. 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 heightened, 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 train-
ing. 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

256 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 show 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 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, ancUthe two out-
side, called the corner teeth, at seven and a half and
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

HORSES. 257

surrounded the dental substance, 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 favourites, if they are attended
to as they ought to be, after long and 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 ser-
vice 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 speculation, 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 dispute, 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

258 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

to be opened to us, and J suspect we shall find that the
Egyptians derived their horses, as well as everything
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 personal experience. Before
I do this, however, it may be as well to make a few
observations concerning 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 passionately fond of
sugar. M. Frederic Cuvier taught one he constantly
rode to play certain tricks, rewarding him for them
with sugar ; and if the provision contained in his pocket
were not sufficient, he would stop at a roadside inn and
procure some more for the horse. Accordingly, when
the sagacious animal came again to these houses, he
would perform the same antics which had before pro-
cured 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 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 con-
cerned at what they thought his inferior fare, that they
pushed their hay to him.

HOUSES. 259

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 uncontrollable. 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 domestication 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. 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 perfectly 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 tabuntshik
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

2 GO ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

lash froin fifteen to eighteen feet long. Then he must
have a sling, with which he takes unerring aim at each
individual 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, lie 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, notwithstanding which he steals them
himself.

4 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 pos-
session of the shed, and the rest stand outside huddled
together. In severe winters sickness and death over-
take them, and those who survive walk about like
spectres. But when they eat the young grass, which
appears when the snow is 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. Some-
times one stallion will have affronted the rest, and all
combine to turn him out; and then he will be seen
opart from them, with a few mares attending him.1
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.

4 In the spring come the wolves, being very fond of

1 This seems to confirm the opinion of tlie Indians concerning
the solitary elephants.

HORSES. 2C1

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 tho
wolves in front, tearing them with their teeth, and
trampling them with their fore-feet, always using the
latter, and not their 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 avenge 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.

4 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

262 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

horses at a time are driven into the enclosure. They
are terrified by the crackling straw and the noise of the
whip over their heads, and the more frantic they are,
the sooner is the corn threshed.'

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 in-
dignation 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 through England, has produced so much im-
provement 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 at her. 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
square 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 everywhere 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 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

HORSES. 263

and round, till it seemed to me that all the tricks
taught by Ducrow, the waltzing and quadrilling ex-
cepted, must have been suggested by watching the
movements of wild horses. A curious adventure hap-
pened 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 alternative but to shoot him : however,
a native suggested 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 hands
along the parts 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 bo and the
rest with cords. Among the latter was the chief Abou
el Marek, who was carried to Acre, and, bound hand

2G4 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

and foot, laid at the entrance of their tent during tho
night. The pain of his wounds kept him awake, and
he heard his own horse neigh, who was picketed at a
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 be a 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 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 constantly
in the mouths of the Arabs of Jericho.

The Arabs have five noble races, among which that

HORSES. 2 G5

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 general officer, and I never
heard what became of her after that. The following is
a short pedigree of one of these valuable creatures : —
4 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 con-
cerning 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

2C6 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

hitherto described. The mare, of a reddish brown, had
been some time domesticated, and was docile and well
behaved ; neither of them possessing sufficient character
to be referred to the Barb, the Dongola, or the Nubian
breeds. They were undersized, and not handsome. The
male, who had not been long from his native forests,
was the best looking, carried his head well, was strong
and compactly made, especially about the shoulders,
and there was much fire about the head, which, how-
ever, was far from handsome. His legs were slender
and well-shaped. The peculiar circumstances 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 on, 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 manifested itself rather awkwardly when a party
of us started to go 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 while fording a creek
which we had crossed in a canoe the day before, one of
our party forgot my horse's peculiarity, and came up to
ine. He darted fairly out to sea, and not until he found

HORSES. 267

himself off his legs 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 surpass 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 re-
corded 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 belonged 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 accomplished 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 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

2G8 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 table ; but as
the seats were pushed under, they only added to the
height. My father mounted and said, ; Over, Nannie.'
The docile creature poised herself on her hind-legs,
stretched out her neck, as if to measure the distance,
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 being 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.
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 occasion she came home,
neighed at the door of the dwelling, and did not offer
to go to the stable. The 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
Lis fall ; while she was more than ever loved. She was
a chestnut 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,

HORSES. 269

been able to picture to myself 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 ad-
ministered 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, accom-
modated herself to every fancy, and with her 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 exclaimed, Hhat 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

270 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 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
we]l, 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 horso
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 nowhere
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 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 break-
fast, he came up to them, and I saw his fore- feet slip.

ASSES. 271

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 ot 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 won-
dering 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.'

ASSES.

ALTHOUGH far from equalling the horse in grace or
beauty, the Ass, in his wild condition, is a handsome,
swift, and powerful animal ; so different to the degene-
rated, ill-used, and scrubby creatures of this country,
that they would scarcely be recognised as belonging to
the same stock, if placed side by 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 com-
mon, asses seem to have fallen into disrepute ; and we

272 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 showing 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 Ethel-
red; but they are supposed to have become extinct,
and to have been re-introduced in the reign of Queen
Mary, in consequence 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 fcr
carrying burthens. The former are very strong, lift
their legs well, and are broken in as horses are. But
the best are said to be natives of Arabia. They are
not all larger than ours, a smaller variety being fre-
quently met with; nor have they all the dark streak
across the shoulders. They are of a pale yellow, silvery
grey, brown, and reddish colours. The celebrated white
asses are albinos. All have a short black mane, a
dark streak upon the back ; and their tail, which so
particularly distinguishes them from horses, is covered
with short hair, except at the tip, which is adorned
with a tuft, generally dark in colour. Their peculiar
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 rheuma-
tism. Their flesh is much esteemed as food among the
Persians and Tartars. They are fond of congregating
near Lake An?l in the summer, but go farther to tho

ASSES. 273

south in winter. Vast hordes exist in Tartary, each
headed by a chief. 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 and the
as? i? scarcely to be explained, and has been often over-
come. Nevertheless, it always more or less exists ; and
many instances are on record in which it has caused in-
convenience. One of these I can supply, which occurred
when I was in Portugal. I started on a donkey to make
a drawing 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 neighbour-
ing 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 him-
self 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 power
and courage. He then tried to turn round and kick the
object of his indignation, who was by no means disposed

274 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 soft ground.
The horse, 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 suddenly 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
portrays a different disposition. He says, l It was a
noble wild ass from Cutch, as high as a well-grown
Galloway; a beautiful animal, admirably 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 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

ASSES. 275

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 per-
pendicular 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 showing them to be fond of the fine arts.
Therefore the account of one at Chartres must enter into
this work. 4 He used to go to the Chateau d' Ouarvillc,
to hear the music that was often performed there. The
owner of the chateau was a lady, who had an excellent
voice ; and whenever 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 ceremony 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/

276 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 animal
in yielding sand, and protect it on harder ground.

After they have taken their food, these Ruminantia,
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 because 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 4 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

CAMELS. 277

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 4 to chew over/

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 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 commodity, 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 be-
fore me, are confined 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 appearance 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 eyelashes ;
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

278 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

in patches. That long upper lip, however, when tlio
hot blast of the desert almost 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 supply them
with nourishment if, during their long journeys, there
is a scarcity of provisions. One of their most invalu-
able 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 intoler-
able 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 upon their
fore-legs they throw him back, so as to endanger his
spine. Then* 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

CAMELS. 279

tliey 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 and sick-
ness, 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
BO faithfully ; the vultures already hovering over them,
ready to pick their bones as soon as they have sent
forth their last breath. Their spine, 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 Ibs., and their
usual pace nearly three miles an hour ; but at this 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 dromedary coming from
Arabia and Africa, the camel from the middle of Asia,
to the north of the Himalaya mountains. They are
said to harbour revenge, but if^ this be once gratified,
they soon return to good humour.

280 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

LLAMAS, ETC.

LLA.MAS arc called the camels of the New World ; and
under this common name are included more than one
species. They live 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 Ibs., 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 under-
neath, 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 descents which they en-
counter in x travelling to and from the mines, in which
journeys they carry 100 Ibs. of metal over the rugged
mountain passes, and perform a distance of about twelve
miles during the day. At one time 300,000 were em-
ployed by the Potosi mines alone. In one respect they
imitate 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, and we
require a most intimate knowledge of them before we
can separate them from each other. The domestic
animals are certainly Llamas ; then there are the
G uanacos, which are also called Huanacos. They live

LLAMAS, ETC. 281

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 ap-
proaching, neigh something like a horse to warn them
of danger, then descend into the valley, and drive their
charge before them.

Besides these two, are the Vicunas (spelt also
Yicunhas and Vicugnas), who are of a tawny red
colour, and live in the bleak cold parts of mountains,
preferring frost and snow. They are remarkably swift
and timid, and their wool is very fine and silky.

To these must be added the Paco or Alpaca and
the Taruga, who are larger and even swifter than the
vicuiias, 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 alpaca ; and the
vicuna. I am desirous of dwelling thus much on
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 rushy grass
on which they love to feed, never require any drink ;
but they have no cells in their stomachs for the
secretion of water. They are particularly 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

282 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

they fly from him ; but Mr. Darwin says lie has not
only known them neigh and squeak when men ap-
proach, 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 have favourite
spots to which they go to die, and which are perfectly
white with their bones ; this has been observed close
to the river Gallego, and elsewhere.

Manufactures from their hair more resemble silk than
woollen stuffs, and some of those made of the alpaca
fleece are quite black, without having 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 antelopes. They leave the higher mountains
to goats, live on moderate elevations, but delight most
in wide, open countries; The fissures, or what are called
lachrymals, exist in most of them : they are clefts below

DEER. 283

their 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 com-
municate with the nose, nor are they in any way con-
nected with respiration. 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 so when
they are under excitement of any kind.

The muzzles of some deer are nearly flat, and desti-
tute 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 skin, that it deserves,
and has received, the name of velvet. When the antlers
have attained their yearly size, the arteries begin to de-
posit a rough ring of bone round the edges of the pad,
which increases till it stops their passage ; so that, de-
prived of their natural nourishment, the velvet shrivels
up, dries, and peels off ; a process which the deer hastens
by rubbing his antlers against trees. The antlers are

284 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 under-
stood 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 everything which
is no longer a part of itself, they obey the rule. Ab-
sorption takes place beneath the bony ring ; particle
after particle disappears, and down go the antlers, either
from their own weight or some accidental touch ; the
part where they stood is quickly covered with skin til]
spring returns, when a new growth commences, and a
larger pan- ensues. The common stag loses his antlers
early in the spring ; and they sprout forth again very
soon after.

There is no part of the game laws of various countries
more stringent than that which relates to the killing
of deer, or then* management. Whatever concerned
Yenerie, as it was called, was a necessary part of a noble-
man's or a 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 infringe-
ment ; 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

DEER. 285

they are common, and those which frequent cold
countries have the antlers much flattened, as if to shovel
away the snow. They will sometimes weigh sixty Ibs.
These annuals are everywhere tenacious of life, and will
run a long way after being hit in a mortal part.

Rein-deer, which form the wealth of the Laplanders,
serve them for food and clothing, draw them over path-
less fields of snow in safety, and are the only species
really domesticated. They eat a lichen, which they find
under the snow, during the winter, and live together in
large herds. They are the least handsome of the whole
tribe, are perfectly obedient, and one man sometimes
possesses as many as two thousand. Their joints crack
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 Ibs. ; but they
require good driving, and sometimes dash on, perfectly
regardless of the comfort 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 (oestrus 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 overhang the coasts, where their foes
are much less numerous. They are so terrified at their
approach, 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 deer

286 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

do. His companion follows exactly in his footsteps,
holding the guns of both in a horizontal 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 foremost a strip of the same round
each wrist. They gradually approach the herd, raise
their legs very slowly, and put them down again sud-
denly, 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 suspicion ; 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 them-
selves 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 42 d High-
landers, 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 Newfoundland behind him, who from that
moment would not follow any one who did not wear
the uniform of his friends. The soldiers subscribed,

DEER. 287

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 recreation
Peter was first in and the last out of the water, the
cook joined the others of his corps ; and Peter, know-
ing his power in his own element, pulled him down,
and would have drowned him had not the soldiers
come to his rescue.

Both the 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 became very irritable ;
and if a stranger passed between the band and the
regiment, he attacked him with his antlers. He was
grazing one day, when a cat 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 snarled
at an officer who had often ill-used him, and the un-
feeling 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 tea

288 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 ; but if 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 Yaillant 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

GIRAFFES. 289

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 lies in possessing
a very short body and very long legs, which formation
involves a multitude of awkward movements : for in-
stance, 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 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 fore-
head ; 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
T

290 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 enthusiastic acclamations, which
accompanied them all the way to the metropolis. A
deputation from each large town through which sho
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 triumphal march. * La giraffe,' however, did not
appreciate these honours, and she was often impatient
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'Aus-
terlitz alone ; and as the public curiosity did not 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 recog-
nising 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

ANTELOPES. 291

carrots in my hand, with 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 voy-
age, I began to give some to them. Without moving
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 subdivided into
sections, which depend on the shape of their horns, but
into which classification the present work does not
enter. The exquisite Gazelle, the type of Eastern
beauty, the poet's theme, with her slight and graceful
shape, her slender limbs, and her full dark eyes, of tea

292 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 pre-
ferred larger and more fleshy game, but, like true
epicures, the high flavour of the gazelle is preferred to
size. The falcon is often used by men for catching
them, as even the swift greyhound cannot overtake
them ; they are also driven into traps by surrounding
them in the manner of a battue. Their skin is also
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 inwards, 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 I 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 the
goat's milk which had been provided for his own use,
and took infinite pains to shelter them from cold or
accident. He succeeded 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

ANTELOPES. 293

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
always 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 immense
numbers in South Africa, where the species are most
varied and powerful, by reading the following quota-
tions from Mr. Pringle and Mr. Gordon Cu mining.
The former says : ' We pursued our journey over ex-
tensive 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 these herds that they literally
speckled the face of the country as far as the eye could
reach, insomuch that we calculated we had sometimes
within view not less than 20,000 of these beautiful
animals. As we galloped on, they bounded off con-
tinually on either side, with the velocity from which
they derive their colonial appellation. They were pro-
bably part of one of the great migratory swarms which,
after long-continued droughts, sometimes inundate the
colony from the northern wastes.'

Mr. Gumming informs us that, ' when pursued, the
springboks jump up into the air ten or twelve feet, for
which they curve their loins, rise perpendicularly, and
the long white hair on their haunches and back floats
about ; they pass over a space of twelve or fifteen
feet, come down, then rise again ; and, after doing this
several times, they bound off, arch their necks, then

294 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 thing, 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 stayed 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, march-
ing 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.'

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 the 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 main, a long tail, and are like a horse, with the
head and hoof of an antelope. The 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.'

The fierce Gnoo, Gnu, or Blue Wilde Beest of the
colonists to the Cape of Good Hope, are not as
numerous as the springboks, and are easily distin-
guished by their large curving horns and the downward
carriage of their head, for they can never look up.

GOATS. 295

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.

GOATS.

THIS 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 commu-
nicate with the skull. The two first, Goats and Sheep,
so closely resemble each other, that in 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 or been born in a tropical country by
the side of the goat, we shall scarcely be able to dis-
tinguish one from the other. The wool gradually un-
curls, lengthens, and becomes harsh and glossy ; and
were not the goats' horns directed upward and then
inclined backwards, those of the sheep direct 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 concave or
flat forehead, and the sheep mostly a convex one, — wo

296 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

shouM 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 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, climb-
ing to the highest summits and displaying the most
daring agility. In the winter it comes down just below
the regions of perpetual snow, for the sake of nourish-
ing. Its smell, sight, and hearing are very acute ; and
it will detect the approach of a hunter at the distance
of half a league. When frightened, it bounds from
rock to rock, making a strange hissing sound ; dashes
itself across the most fearful chasms, and throws it-
self 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. It may be
domesticated with goats, and will go to pasture and
return with them. If, however, it should be called by
one of its own kind, although to all appearance quite
reconciled to its companions, it abandons them all and
rushes off to the mountains, never to come back.

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 iu

GOATS. 297

the intestines of goats, was greatly valued as a cnre for
most disorders. It was called the bezoar stone, and
was a concretion chiefly of resinous bile and magnesia,
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 belong-
ing to it. Bezoars are now found in oxen, sheep, horses,
porcupines, and even the human subject, slightly vary-
ing in their construction, 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 manufac-
tures ; 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
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 scrip-
tural 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 moun-
tainous parts of our island, and throughout Europe
and Western Asia. There is always much attachment
between them and horses, 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 companionship, delights in their vivacity. They
vigorously defend their young, as the following anecdote

298 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

will show : — l 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
daybreak the watchers looked for the missing animal,
and saw her on a pointed rock at some distance. Dur-
ing 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 direc-
tions. The younger boy went to procure assistance,
and the elder holloaed 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 supposed, 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.)

A goat and her kids frequented a square in which I
once lived, and were often fed by myself and 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 un-
heeded ; and to our great astonishment, one day the area
bell used by the tradespeople, and the wire of which
passed by the side of one of the railings, was sounded.
The cook answered it, but no one was there save the
goat and kids, with their heads bent down towards the
kitchen window. It was thought that some boy had

GOATS. 299

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 precipice. 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 appetita
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 : — c 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 intruder, 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.'

300 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

SHEEP.

IT is but little necessary to descant here on the dif-
ferent fleeces and various flavours of mutton which the
numerous breeds of Sheep afford. The least reflection
and observation teach us their unspeakable value as
sources of food, clothing, and other purposes ; my task,
therefore, lies with their dispositions and comprehen-
sions. The last anecdote related shows that they have
more patience, but less courage and resource, than the
more lively companions with whom they are so fre-
quently associated, and whom they so much resemble.
In many instances, however, maternal instinct has called
forth their powers to a degree which has caused sur-
prise ; and they have been known to traverse consider-
able 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 placo,
Captain Brown gives a very remarkable instance: — 4 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 did 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

SHEEP 301

at the dogs which she encountered. She came to a
toll-bar, the keeper of which stopped 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.'

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 High-
lands, 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 to a cairn at a considerable
distance from the road, where he found a lamb, com-
pletely wedged in betwixt two large stones, and strug-
gling 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 Popular Natural History.)

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,

302 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 snowdrift, 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 prevent the flock
from scampering away was impossible, 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 yersts, 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.

4 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 shepherd fell sick, and we
thought that night would have been the last for us all

OXEN. 303

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 assistance.
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 had
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.'

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 comparatively short
legs and heavy massive bodies. The perfection of
domestic oxen is said to be a resemblance to a box
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

304 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

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 absolutely
nothing, for they are spoken of as domesticated 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 they are with their
present characters, or whether all ars modifications of
one pair, according to circumstances. The most con-
spicuous 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 certain
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, however, 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 pastrycooks* and
fruiterers' 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 Archi-
pelago, Madagascar, and several parts of Africa. They
are distinguished by a hump of fat between their

OXEN* 305

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. 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 agree-
able, 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 feed-
ing 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 pre-
ceding ; 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 large mass of glossy coarse
hair, quite white, and from eighteen to twenty inches
long. The horns are small, pointed, and curve for-
wards. The animal is saicl to be very wild and mis-
u

306 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

chievous, but it can be tamed. The tails were used by
the Mongols and Tartars as standards, and through-
out 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 grunting
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 ascer-
tain 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 some-
times 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 ; 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 he 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

OXEN. 307

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
overtaken in a high grass jungle four miles farther 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, carrying the spears sticking in his back and
sides for several hundred yards. Lieut. White, of the
15th N. L, 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 before the
buffalo turned about and charged with such vigour,
that both horse and rider were overthrown, and lay
many yards distant. Fortunately the Lieutenant re-
ceived 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 for-
ward, 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

308 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

horse. The bu3alo 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 ven-
geance, pursued him to a considerable distance. The
buffalo was now rendered quite furious, and attacked
everything within his reach, such as cows and dogs.
Unfortunately 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 to renew
the attack, and the buffaloes, having gained a victory,
continued their course without further molestation.'
(Capt. Brown's Popular Natural History)

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 provoked, will attack any man who
strays near his haunts, skulking in the jungle when he
sees them approach, and then suddenly rushing out
npon them. If he kills 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.

4 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

OXEN. 309

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 passable for man, would not support the
weight of a heavy quadruped. They advanced accord-
ingly, and, under a 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. Thinking him mortally
wounded, the foremost of the huntsmen issued from the
covert, and began reloading 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 quag-
mire ; 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. Bound-
ing 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, dreadfully mangled, into a cleft of the tree. The
buffalo ran round the tree 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, recovering from their confusion, then came up
and despatched him, though too late to save their

310 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

comrade, whose body was hanging in the tree quite
dead.'

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, some-
times 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 tcmed ; detest the
common bull ; and their only attachment to human
beings is 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, is irresistible ;
destroys everything over which it passes ; numbers
hundreds of thousands ; and rushes like a cataract over
the plains, with a noise resembling that of thunder.
They are very dangerous animals to attack ; hence the
sport they afford is more exciting. For graphic pic-
tures 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 grizzly bear, who

OXEN. 311

frequently brings them down ; and they have no anti-
pathy 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
resemble 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 they
are born, and are at all times dangerous to approach.

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 mis-
chievous 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 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.'

In Mr. Byam's Central America I find this interesting

312 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.

bistory, 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 pre-
vent 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 evidently 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 re-
mained so fierce that his horns were obliged to be
re-blunted.'

TUB END.

MORRISON AND OTBB, EDINBURGH,
PRINTERS TO HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE

1 M. V. 6.11.86.

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