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NATUML  HISTORY  OF  ANIMALS. 


CONTAINING 


BRIEF    DESCRIPTIONS   OF  THE   ANIMALS  FIGURED  ON  TENNEY'S 

NATURAL  HISTORY   TABLETS,  BUT    COMPLETE 

WITHOUT  THE  TABLETS. 


BY 

SANBOBB  TENNEY  AND  ABBY  A,  TENNEY. 


ILLUSTRATED  WITH  FIVE  HUNDRED  WOOD  ENGRAVINGS, 

CHIEFLY    OF   NORTH   AMERICAN  ANIMALS. 


NEW    YORK: 
CH'ARLES    SCRIBNER  &  CO.,  654  BROADWAY. 

1868. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1866,  by 

ABBY     A.      TENNEY, 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


TROW  &  SMITH  BOOK   MANUF'O  CO. 
46,  48,  Si  OREENE  ST.,  N.T. 


THIS   BRIEF   ACCOUNT 

OF 

THE     ANIMAL    KINGDOM 

IS     AFFECTIONATELY     DEDICATED 

TO    THE    YOUNG. 


PREFACE. 


THIS  little  volume  contains  a  brief  account  of  the 
Animal  Kingdom,  and  it  is  hoped  that  it  may  aid 
Parents  and  Teachers  in  interesting  the  young  in  the 
delightful  and  important  study  of  Natural  History. 
As  indicated  on  the  title-page,  it  serves  the  purpose 
of  a  key  to  the  Natural  History  Tablets,  but  is  also 
complete  in  itself  without  the  Tablets. 

It  is  proper  to  add,* that  the  engravings  are  the 
same,  with  few  exceptions,  as  those  in  Tenney's  "  Man- 
ual of  Zoology,"  and  that  those  of  the  Mammals  are 
mainly  from  Schinz.  Audubon  &  Bachman,  and  Rich- 
ardson ;  of  the  Birds,  mainly  from  Audubon  and 
Wilson ;  of  the  Reptiles  and  Batrachians,  mainly 
from  Holbrook ,  of  the  Fishes,  from  Storer,  Holbrook, 
DeKay,  and  from  nature ;  of  the  Insects,  from  Harris, 
Emmons,  Say,  Sanborn,  and  from  nature ;  of  the  Crus- 
taceans, mainly  from  nature  and  Reports ;  of  the  Mol- 
lusks,  from  Binney,  Woodward,  Gould,  Lea,  Conrad, 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

and  from  nature ;  of  the  Echinoderms,  from  nature, 
Agassiz,  and  Miiller ;  of  the  Acalephs,  from  Agassiz ; 
of  the  Polyps,  from  Dana,  Milne-Edwards,  Verrill, 
and  from  nature ;  and  of  the  Protozoans,  mainly  from 
Ehrenberg  and  Huxley.  » 

Both  this  volume,  and  the  "Elements  of  Zoology" 
already  announced  by  Messrs.  Scribner  &  Co.,  and 
which  will  combine  the  study  of  the  Anatomy  and 
Physiology  of  Animals  with  that  of  Descriptive  Zo- 
ology, are  intended  to  precede  the  Manual  mentioned 
above. 


VASSAR  COLLEGE,  POUGHKEEPSIE,  N. 
August,  1866. 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

A  GENEEAL  IDEA  OF  ANIMALS  ....  1 

VERTEBRATES,  OR  BACK-BONED  ANIMALS  .  .  8 

MAMMALS 11 

Man ,  11 

Monkeys,  or  Quadrumanes "12 

Flesh-Eaters,  or  Carnivores 16 

Plant-Eaters,  or  Herbivores 27 

Whales,  or  Cetaceans  • 38 

Bats,  or  Cheiropters 43 

Insect-Eaters,  or  Insectivores 44 

Rodents,  or  Gnawers 46 

Edentates,  or  Toothless  Animals 54 

Marsupials,  or  Pouched  Animals 55 

Duckbills,  or  Monotremes 57 

BIRDS  ,  58 

Birds  of  Prey,  or  Raptores 60 

Climbers,  or  Scansores 66 

Perchers,  or  Insessores 70 

Scratchers,  or  Rasores  ,  86 

Waders,  or  Grallatores 89 

Swimmers,  or  Natatores .  94 

REPTILES 100 

Turtles 100 

Lizards,  or  Saurians 103 

Serpents,  or  Snakes 104 

BATRACHIANS 106 

Frogs  and  Toads 107 

Salamanders,  Tritons,  &c -.  108 

FISHES 110 

Spine- Finned  Fishes .112 

Soft-Finned  Fishes 114 

Tuft-Gilled  Fishes 120 

Puffers,  &c 120 

Sturgeons 122 

Sharks,  or  Selachians 122 

Cyclostomes  .  .  .'  . 122 


X  CONTENTS. 

ARTICULATES,   OR  JOINTED   ANIMALS        .         .        .  125 

INSECTS .125 

Hymenopters,  or  Bees,  Wasps,  &c.           .         .         .         .  129 
Lepidopters,  or  Butterflies  and  Moths          .         .        *.         .138 

Dipters,  or  Flies,  &c 154 

Coleopters,  or. Beetles 159 

Hemipters,  or  Bugs,  Cicadas,  &e 167 

Orthopters,  or  Straight-Winged  Insects       .         .         .         .171 

Neuropters,  or  Net- Winged  Insects 175 

Spiders,  or  Arachnids 179 

Centipedes,  or  Myriapods 183 

CRUSTACEANS    .         .         .         .     , 183 

Ten-Footed  Crustaceans,  or  Crabs,  Lobsters,  &c.     .         .  183 
Fourteen-Footed  Crustaceans,  or  Sand-Fleas,  &c.        .         .187 

Barnacles  and  Horse-shoe  Crabs 187 

WORMS 189 

MOLLUSKS,   OR   SOFT-BODIED   ANIMALS     ...  190 
CEPHALOPODS,  OR  ARGONAUTS,  CUTTLE-FISH i-;s,  &c.    .        .192 

GASTEROPODS,  OR  SNAILS 197 

ACEPHALS,  OR  HEADLESS  MOLLUSKS 210 

Bivalves 210 

Tunicates 216 

Brachiopods 217 

Polyzoans 217 

RADIATES,   OR   STAR-SHAPED  ANIMALS    .        .        .  218 

ECHINODERMS 218 

Holothurians 218 

Sea-Urchins 219 

Star-Fishes 222 

Ophiurans 224 

Crinoids 226 

JELLY-FISHES,  OR  ACALEPHS 227 

Ctenophorag 229 

Discophorai  .  .  .  .  .  •  .  .  .  .  230 

Hydroids 232 

POLYPS .237 

Gorgonias,  &c. -  .  240 

Sea- Anemones 243 

Madrepores,  &c 244 

PROTOZOANS •  250 

CONCLUSION  .  253 


INDEX 257 


TENNEFS  NATURAL  HISTORY  TABLETS. 


THE  Natural  History  Tablets  referred  to  on  the  title-page  are  five  in 
number. 

No.  1.  MAMMALS. 

No.  2.  BIRDS. 

No.  3.  REPTILES  AND  FISHES. 

No.  4.  INSECTS,  CRUSTACEANS,  AND  WORMS. 

NO.    5.    MOLLUSKS    OR    SHELL- FlSH,     SEA-URCHINS,    STAR-FlSHES,   JEL- 

LY-FISHES,  SEA-ANEMONES,  AND  CORALS. 

These  Tablets  are  adapted  for  use  in  Schools  and  in  the  Family,  where 
it  is  believed  that  they  may  be  efficient  aids  in  interesting  and  instructing 
the  young  in  the  important  subjects  which  they  illustrate.  Both  the  popular 
and  the  scientific  names  are  generally  given  under  each  animal  figured.  The 
page  where  the  animal  is  described  in  this  book  may  be  readily  found  by  ref- 
erence to  the  Index. 

It  is  hoped  that  Teachers  who  desire  to  give  "  Object  Lessons"  in  Natural 
History  will  find  in  the  "  Tablets"  and  "Natural  History  of  Animals"  such 
helps  as  they  most  need. 


NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  A 


A   GENERAL   IDEA   OF   ANIMALS. 

ANIMALS  are  living  beings  which  feed  upon  plants, 
—  or,  in  many  cases,  upon  animals  whose  food  is 
plants,  —  and  which  have  the  sense  of  feeling  and 
the  power  of  motion.  The  kinds  of  animals  are  very 
numerous, — more  numerous -than  the  kinds  of  trees  in 
the  forest  and  the  flowers  of  the  meadows  and  fields ; 
and  they  are  of  all  sizes,  from  those  so  minute  that 
thousands  can  sport  in  a  drop  of  water,  to  those  of 
large  dimensions,  like  the  Horse  and  the  Ox,  the  Ele- 
phant and  the  Whale ;  and  their  forms  are  as  various 
as  their  sizes  and  kinds.  But  the  name  Animal  is 
given  to  them  all,  whatever  their  size  or  form,  and 
whether  they  swim,  creep,  fly,  walk,  or  run. 

Animals  are  most  interesting  objects  for  study,  and 
the  child  as  well  as  the  man  is  delighted  with  learning 
their  forms,  structure,  color,  habits,  and  names,  and 
soon  becomes  as  eager  as  a  naturalist  to  find  a  new 
Bird  or  a  new  Butterfly. 

Some  kinds  of  animals,  as  Man,  Cattle,  Deer,  Sheep, 
Beasts  of  Prey,  Birds,  Turtles,  Lizards,  Snakes,  Frogs, 
and  Fishes,  have  a  backbone  containing  a  spinal  cord, 
which  is  enlarged  at  the  forward  end  into  an  organ 


SOME    OF   THE   FORMS   OF   ANIMALS. 


^iir.  1 .  —  Deer  —  American  Elk. 


Fig.  2.  — Bird  —  x)uck, 


SOME    OF   THE  FORMS   OF   ANIMALS. 


called  the  brain ;  and  as  the  backbone  is  made  up  of 
parts  called  vertebrae,  these  animals  have  been  named 
VERTEBRATES.  See  Figures  1-6. 


Fig.  3.  — Turtle. 


Fig.  5.— Frog. 


Fig.  4.  —  Snake. 


Fig.  6. — Fish. 


Other  kinds  of  animals,  as  Bees,  Butterflies,  Flies, 
and  all  other  Insects,  together  with    Crabs,  Lobsters, 


SOME   OF   THE   FORMS    OF   ANIMALS. 


Fig.  7.  — Butterfly. 


Fig.  8. — Lobster. 


Fi°:.  9.  —  Worm. 


Shrimps,  and  Worms,  are  made  up  of  a  series  of  rings, 
or  joints,  and  hence  are  called  ARTICULATES,  from  a 
word  which  means  jointed.  See  Figures  7-9. 


SOME  OF  THE  FORMS  OF  ANIMALS. 


Fig.  10.  — Squid. 


Fig.  11.— Land  Snail. 


Fig.  12.  — Snail  Shell. 


Fig.  13.— Fresh- Water  Mussel. 


Other  kinds  of  animals,  as  Squids,  Snails,  Mussels, 
Clams,  and  Oysters,  have  neither  a  backbone  nor  a 
jointed  body ;  but  the  whole  body  is  soft,  sometimes 
with  a  shell  outside,  and  sometimes  without  a  shell, 
and  they  are  called  MOLLUSKS,  from  a  word  which 
means  soft.  See  Figures  10-13. 


6 


SOME   OF   THE   FORMS   OF   ANIMALS. 


Still   other  kinds  of  animals,  as   Sea-Urchins,  Sea- 
Stars,   Jelly-Fishes,   Sea-Anemones,   and   Coral-Polyps, 


Fig.  14.  —  Sea-Urchin. 


Fig.  15.  — Sea-Star  or  Star-Fish. 

are  star-shaped,  or  flower-shaped,  their  parts  radiating 
from  a  common  centre  or  axis,  and  hence  these  animals 
are  called  RADIATES.  See  Figures  14-19. 


SOME   OF   THE   FORMS   OF   ANIMALS. 


Fig.  16.—  Jelly-Fish, 


Fig.  18.  —  Coral-Polyps. 


Fig.  19.  — Coral-Polyps. 


VERTEBRATES,  OR  BACKBONED  ANIMALS. 


THE  Vertebrates,  as  stated  on  the  first  page,  have  a 

backbone  made  of  parts, 
each  one  of  which  is  called 
a  vertebra.  This  back- 
bone is  the  most  important 
portion  of  a  bony  frame- 
work called  a  skeleton. 
Upon  this  skeleton  is 
placed  the  flesh,  and  out- 
side of  the  whole  is  the 
skin,  which  is  naked,  or 
covered  with  hair,  fur, 
feathers,  or  scales,  accord- 
ing to  the  kind  of  ani- 
mal. Within  the  head  is 
a  wonderful  organ  called 
the  brain,  which  has  a 
branch  called  the  spinal 
cord,  extending  the  whole 
length  of  the  body,  and 
contained  in  a  tube  formed 
in  the  upper  part  of  the 
backbone.  From  the  spi- 
nal cord  there  are  little 
Fig.  20.  — Skeleton  of  the  highest  branches,  called  nerves, 

which  reach  to  all  parts 
of  the  body.  .  The  brain, 


Vertebrate  —  Man. 
b,  6,  backbone. 


A  single  vertebra,  the 
rotmd  white  space  show- 
ing the  place  of  the  spi- 
nal cord. 


Fig.  21. 


spinal  cord,  and  nerves 
are  called  the  Nervous 
System,  which  is  much 
the  same  in  its  general 


VERTEBRATES. 


character  in  all  vertebrates.     This  system  as  it  appears 

in  Man,  the  highest  vertebrate,  is  shown  in  Fig.  22. 

Besides     the     brain 

and  spinal  cord,  the 

skeleton  protects  the 

organs  for  breathing, 

digestion,  and  other 

organs    peculiar    to 

animals. 

As  the  brain  and 
spinal  cord  are  alike 
in  their  position  and 
general  outlines  in 
all  vertebrates,  only 
differing  in  extent 
and  in  degrees  of 
perfection,  so  also 
are  the  skeletons  of 
all  vertebrates  alike 
in  their  principal 
features.  The  back- 
bone of  one,  in  its 
position  and  general 
outlines,  corresponds 
to  that  of  all  the 
others ;  so  with  the 
head,  the  neck,  and 
limbs.  The  arm  of 
Man,  the  arm  of  a 
Monkey,  the  wing 
of  a  Bat,  the  leg  of  a  Mole,  the  leg  of  a  Dog,  the  paddle 
of  a  Seal,  the  leg  of  a  Sheep,  the  paddle  of  a  Whale, 
the  wing  of  a  Bird,  the  leg  of  a  Turtle,  and  the  fin  of  a 


Fig.  22.  —  Nervous  System  of  the  highest 
Vertebrate  —  Man. 

a,  principal  brain,  called  the  hemispheres  5  ft, 
smaller  brain  ;  c,  spinal  cord  giving  off  its  branches 
of  nerves. 


Arm  of  Man. 


Arm  of  Gorilla. 


Wing  of  Bat. 


Leg  of  Mole. 


Leg  of  Dog. 


Leg  of  Turtle. 


Fin  of  Fish. 


.  MAN.  11 

Fish,  correspond  to  one  another  in  their  most  important 
features,  each  being  modified  according  to  the  use  for 
which  it  was  made.  This  is  quite  plainly  seen  by  study- 
ing Figs.  23-33,  and  observing  that  the  corresponding 
parts  are  marked  with  the  same  letter. 

The  Vertebrates  are  divided  into  Mammals,  Birds, 
Reptiles,  Batrachians,  and  Fishes. 

MAMMALS. 

The  Mammals  are  vertebrates  which  bring  forth  liv- 
ing young  and  nourish  them  with  milk.  Man,  Mon- 
keys, Beasts  of  Prey,  Hoofed  Animals,  Whales,  Bats, 
Moles,  Squirrels  and  Rats,  Sloths,  Kangaroos  and  Opos- 
sums, and  Duckbills,  come  under  this  head.  They  all 
breathe  air  by  means  of  organs  called  lungs,  have  warm 
blood  which  is  sent  throughout  the  body  by  means  of  a 
heart  constructed  like  that  of  Man,  and  the  neck  has 
only  seven  vertebrae. 

MAN. 

Man  is  at  the  head  of  the  Animal  Kingdom.  He  is 
the  only  animal  to  whom  the  upright  position  is  nat- 
ural ;  the  only  one  which  has  a  perfect  hand ;  the  only 
one  whose  forward  extremities  —  arms  and  hands  —  are 
not  used  for  locomotion  ;  the  only  one  that  laughs  ;  the 
only  one  that  speaks  a  language  ;  and  his  brain  is  larger 
than  tkat  of  any  other  animal,*  and  he  can  live  in  all 
countries.  But  Man  is  also  far  more  than  an  animal. 
He  has  a  Mind  and  a  Soul.  He  can  learn  much  about 
the  things  which  God  has  made,  and  understand  the 
Bible  which  He  has  given. 

*  The  brain  of  the  Elephant  and  of  the  Whale  is  said  to  be  larger  than 
tit  at  of  Man. 


12 


VERTEBRATES :    MAMMALS. 


MONKEYS  OR  QUADRUMANA. 

Monkeys  are  animals  whose  four  feet  are  hand-like, 
and  hence  their  scientific  narile,  Quadrumana,  which 
means  four-handed.  But  though  these  hands  are  well 


Fig.  34.  —  Chimpanzee. 

adapted  for  grasping  and  climbing,  they  are  much  infe- 
rior to  the  perfect  hand  of  Man.  Some  kinds  can  stand 
upright,  but  not  firmly,  for  the  soles  of  their  feet  nearly 
face  each  other,  and  cannot  be  brought  flat  to  the  ground 


MONKEYS. 


13 


like  the  foot  of  Man.  About  eighty  kinds  of  Monkeys 
live  in  the  forests  of  the  warm  parts  of  Asia  and  Africa, 
and  even  more  kinds  in  South  America.  Those  of  Af- 
rica and  Asia  have  thirty-two  teeth,  their  nostrils  near  to- 
gether, and  their  tail,  even  when  present,  is  not  capable 


Fig.  35.  —  Orang-Outang. 

of  grasping  objects.  Most  of  the  Monkeys  of  America 
have  thirty-six  teeth,  the  nostrils  far  apart,  and  many 
of  them  have  the  tail  capable  of  grasping  objects,  and 
thus  of  being  used  in  climbing  and  in  picking  up  objects 


14 


VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 


which  cannot  be  reached  by  the  hand.  Monkeys  live 
mainly  on  the  trees,  and  feed  upon  fruits,  nuts,  eggs,  and 
insects.  They  are  selfish,  mischievous,  and  thievish. 

The  Chimpanzee  of  "Western  Africa  is  one  of  the 
monkeys  which  has  no  tail,  and  is  called  an  Ape,  and, 
of  all  its  tribe  is  thought  to  be  the  most  like  Man ;  but 
the  great  African  Ape,  called  the  Gorilla,  is  a  larger 
species.  Although  when  in  an  upright  position  the 
Chimpanzee  somewhat  resembles  a  human  being,  its 
long  muzzle  and  other  characters  separate  it  widely 
even  from  the  lowest  tribes  of  the  human  family.  The 
Orang-Outang  is  an  ape  which  inhabits  Borneo,  and 
much  resembles  the  Chimpanzee.  Each  of  these  is 
about  as  tall  as  a  man.  The  Kahau  of  India  is  about 

the  size  of  a  large  dog, 
and  is  named  from  its  pe- 
culiar cry.  The  Baboons, 
often  called.  Dog-headed 
Monkeys  and  Mandrills, 
have  a  very  long  muzzle, 

Fig.  36.-  Skull  of  Baboon.  like  that  Qf  a  dog?  ag  shown 


Fig.  37.  — Kahau.  Fig.  38.  —  Spider  Monkey. 

by  Fig.  36.     They  are  common  in  Africa,  and  some  of 


MONKEYS.  15 

them  are  very  large  and  ferocious,  and  in  appearance 
are  the  ugliest  of  all  the  Monkeys.  The  Spider-Monkey 
of  South  America  is  so  called  from  its  sprawling  legs. 
Its  long  tail  is  of  great  aid  in  climbing.  The  Marmosets 
of  Brazil  are  very  small  and  curious  monkeys,  with  long, 


Fig.  39.  —  Marmoset.  Fig.  40.  —  Lemur. 

soft,  and  beautifully  colored  fur.  The  Lemurs,  or 
Makis,  are  pretty  monkey-like  animals,  which  live  in 
Madagascar.  The  tail  is  quite  bushy,  and  in  many  re- 
spects they  much  resemble 
common  four-footed  animals. 

The  Aye-Aye  is  a  curious 
monkey-like  animal,  about 
as  large  as  a  cat,  which  lives 
in  Madagascar,  and  burrows 
in  the  ground.  Its  teeth 
resemble  in  some  respects 
those  of  the  Rodents  or 
Gnawers,  like  Squirrels, 
Rats,  <fec. 

Some   kinds  of  Monkeys  Fig.  4i7— 

imitate  the  actions  of  men, 


16  VERTEBRATES:    MAMMALS. 

and  their  efforts  of  this  sort  are  often  exceedingly  lu- 
dicrous. In  -  imitation  of  its  master  an  ape  has  sat  at 
table,  using  knife  and  fork,  and  drinking  wine.  It  is 
stated  that  an  ape  owned  by  a  French  priest  once  fol- 
lowed him  to  church  and  hid  upon  the  sounding-board, 
—  a  fixture  over  the  pulpit,  —  and,  when  the  sermon 
was  going  on,  advanced  to  the  edge  of  the  board,  and, 
observing  the  actions  of  the  preacher,  began  to  perform 
also,  and  his  imitations  were  so  perfect  that  the  whole 
congregation  were  unable  to  suppress  their  laughter. 
The  priest  was  shocked  and  indignant  at  such  levity, 
and  commenced  to  give  his  audience  severe  reproofs ; 
but  seeing  all  his  efforts  failing,  his  action  became  more 
violent  and  his  voice  louder;  but  his  violent  gestures 
were  taken  up  by  the  ape  with  no  less  animation  than 
that  shown  by  his  master,  and  at  this  apparent  compe- 
tition of  the  two  the  people  burst  into  laughter  louder 
than  before. 


FLESH-EATERS,   OR  CARNIVORES. 

These  animals  have  their  teeth  and  claws  very  sharp, 
and  they  capture  and  devour  other  animals  for  food. 

Their  back  teeth,  or  mo- 
lars, have  sharp  edges,  and 
those  in  the  two  jaws  shut 
by  each  other  like  the  blades 
of  scissors,  and  thus  cut 
the  flesh  into  pieces  fit 
for  swallowing.  Cats,  Hy- 
enas, Dogs,  Civets,  Wea- 

Fig.  42. -Teeth  of  a  Flesh-Eater.     sels>   Bears>   and    Seals    are 

the  principal  Carnivores. 


CARNIVORES:    CATS. 
CATS. 


17 


Of  all  the  Carnivores  the  Cats  have  the  keenest 
senses,  the  quickest  movements,  and  they  are  the  most 
rapacious.  Their  tread  is  noiseless,  —  the  bottoms  of 
their  feet  being  like  a  cushion ;  they  stealthily  ap- 
proach their  prey,  and  when  near  enough  seize  it  with 
a  sudden  spring.  The  name  Cat  is  not  only  given  to 


Fig.  43. — Puma. 

the  domestic  varieties  of  this  sort,  but  also  to  the  Lion, 
Tiger,  Panther,  Leopard,  Puma,  Lynx,  Jaguar,  and 
Wild-Cat.  The  Lion,  Panther,  and  Leopard  inhabit 
Africa  and  Southern  Asia,  and  the  Tiger  is  found  in 
India;  the  first  and  last  being  the  largest  of  all  the 
Cat  tribe.  The  Puma  is  found  from  Canada  to  Pata- 
gonia, and  is  larger  than  the  largest  dog,  and  preys 
upon  deer,  sheep,  hares,  and  sometimes  attacks  human 
beings.  It  climbs  trees,  and  often  lies  upon  a  limb  in 
wait  for  prey.  The  Jaguar  inhabits  Texas,  and  is  found 
as  far  south  as  Patagonia.  The  American  Wild-Cat 


18  VERTEBRATES:    MAMMALS. 

and  Canada  Lynx  much  resemble  each  other,  but  the 
Lynx  is  the  larger,  being  about  three  feet  long,  and  the 


Fig.  44.  —  Canada  Lynx. 

ears  are  tipped  with  long  black  hairs.  They  feed  upon 
small  quadrupeds  and  birds,  sometimes  pursuing  the 
latter  into  the  tops  of  trees. 

HYENAS. 

Hyenas  live  in  Africa  and  Asia,  and  are  about  the 
size  of  a  very  large  dog.  They  live  in  dens  and  caves, 
coming  forth  at  night  in  search  of  food,  feeding  mainly 
on  animals  which  they  find  dead.  They  are  ferocious 
and  greedy,  and  have  such  stout  teeth  and  powerful  jaws 
that  they  are  able  to  crush  the  bones  of  the  largest  prey ; 
and  they  swallow  the  fragments  without  masticating 
them. 

DOGS,   WOLVES,  AND  FOXES. 

The  Dog  is  the.  only  animal  that  has  followed  man  to 
all  parts  of  the  world.  The  varieties  are  numerous,  and 
differ  from  one  another  greatly  in  their  appearance  and 
habits.  Some  of  the  most  distinct  varieties  are  the 
Greyhound,  St.  Bernard,  Newfoundland,  Esquimaux, 


CARNIVORES:   DOGS,    WOLVES,   AND    FOXES.  19 

*• 

Shepherd's  Dog,  Fox-hound,  Stag-hound,  and  Blood- 
hound, Spaniel,  Setter,  Pointer,  Poodle,  Terrier,  Mas- 
tiff, &c.  The  Dog  is  noted  for  his  sagacity,  courage, 
and  faithfulness,  and  if  there  were  room  many  interest- 
ing stories  might  be  related  illustrating  these  qualities. 
Mrs.  Lee  tells  the  following  story  of  a  Pointer  belonging 
to  her  father :  "  Clio  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  lie  perceived  she  was  not  with  the  rest,  and 
neither  came  to  his  call  nor  his  whistle ;  he  went  back 
to  seek  her,  and  there  she  stood,  just  as  she  had  got 
over  the  gate.  His  coming  up  disturbed  the  birds  and 
he  shot  some  of  them ;  but  Clio,  when  thus  relieved, 
was  so  stiff  that  she  could  not  move." 

Wolves  are  ferocious  and  greedy  animals,  about  the 


Fig.  45.  —  American  White  and  Gray  Wolf. 

size  of  a  large  dog.  They  often  hunt  in  companies  or 
packs,  and  thus  are  able  to  kill  animals  which  singly 
they  could  not  master.  In  newly  settled  parts  of  the 


20  VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 

0 

country  they  destroy  sheep,  calves,  and  other  animals 
of  the  farm.  The  White  and  Gray  Wolf  is  found  in 
nearly  all  the  thinly  settled  regions  of  North  America. 
The  Prairie  Wolf  is  common  in  the  regions  west  of  the 
Mississippi  River. 

Foxes  are  distinguished  from  all  the  rest  of  the  Dog 
family  by  their  pointed  muzzle  and  large  bushy  tail. 
They  are  the  most  sly  and  crafty  of  all  animals,  contriv- 
ing to  steal  turkeys,  geese,  chickens,  and  whatever  they 
want  to  eat,  and  carry  them  away  to  their  lurking-places 
in  the  woods  and  thickets.  They  are  hunted  with 
hounds  which  go  in  swift  pursuit,  while  the  hunter, 
knowing  the  habits  of  the  animal,  conceals  himself  in 
some  valley  or  other  locality  where  the  fox  will  be  al- 
most sure  to  pass,  and  when  he  comes  near  enough 
shoots  him  down.  But  it  must  be  stated  that  in  many 
cases  the  shrewd  movements  of  the  fox  deceive  both  the 
hunter  and  the  dogs.  If  captured  alive,  which  rarely 
happens,  and  struck  while  it  is  in  a  situation  from  which 
it  cannot  escape,  the  fox  feigns  itself  dead,  though  un- 
hurt, and  when  its  captor  is  off  his  guard,  will  jump  up 
and  run  away. 

CIVETS. 

Civets  are  about  the  size  of  the  house  cat,  and  with 

one  exception  belong  to  the 
Old  World.  The  Civet-Cat 
of  Texas  and  California  is  of 
a  grayish  color,  its  tail  white 
with  black  rings.  It  lives 
upon  the  trees,  is  lively  and 
playful,  and,  though  shy,  is 
easily  tamed,  and  the  miners 

Fig.  46.  -  Civct-C.it. 


CARNIVORES:    MARTENS,    WEASELS,    ETC.  21 

FISHERS,   MARTENS   OR   SABLE,    WEASELS,   OTTERS,   &c. 

These  animals  have,  in  most  cases,  a  slender  body, 
long  soft  fur,  especially  in  winter,  and  they  are  very 
quick  and  graceful  in  their  movements,  and  exceed- 
ingly destructive  to  other  small  animals. 

The  American  Fisher  is  about  the  size  of  a  cat,  but 
with  a  much  more  slender  body,  and  is  nearly  black. 
The  American  Sable,  or  Pine  Marten,  of  the  Northern 


-~^ 
Fig.  47.  —  Weasel.  Fig.  48.  — American  Sable. 

States  and  Canada,  is  much  smaller  than  the  Fisher,  of 
a  blackish  brown  color,  and  is  celebrated  for  its  beau- 
tiful and  valuable  fur,  which  is  generally  called  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Sable.  The  fur  known  as  the  Russian 
Sable  comes  from  a  very  similar  animal  which  lives  in 
Siberia.  The  Pine  Marten  delights  in  dense  woods, 
where  it  pursues  and  captures  hares,  birds,  and  squir- 
rels, swiftly  following  the  latter  even  among  the  tree- 
tops.  Its  retreats,  especially  in  winter,  are  hollow 
trees,  and  it"  is  often  seen  by  the  hunter  sitting  with 
the  head  just  out  of  its  hole.  If  shot  while  in  this 
position,  it  falls  back  into  the  hole  and  is  lost ;  so  the 
hunter,  knowing  its  habits,  walks  slowly  around  the 
tree ;  the  sable  comes  out  to  gratify  its  curiosity  by  a 
look  at  the  hunter,  and  is  then  shot  and  falls  to  the 
ground.  More  than  a  hundred  thousand  skins  of 
this  animal  have  been  collected  in  Northern  North 
America  in  a  single  year. 

True  Weasels  vary  from  five  inches  to  a  foot  in  length, 


22 


VERTEBRATES:    MAMMALS. 


and  are  generally  brown  in  summer  and  white  in  win- 
ter, the  tail  tipped  with  black.  There  are  a  half-dozen 
kinds  in  North  America.  The  fur  known  as  Ermine 
is  furnished  by  the  Weasels,  the  most  valuable  coming 
from  Siberia.  Weasels  are  generally  bold,  courageous, 
and  extremely  bloodthirsty,  eagerly  attacking  animals 
much  larger  than  themselves.  They  destroy  rats  and 
birds,  and  commit  great  havoc  among  poultry,  a  single 
individual  having  been  known  to  kill  fifty  chickens  in 
one  night  and  the  evening  of  the  following  day ;  and 
to  kill  several  chickens  in  a  coop  m  near  which  a  man 
was  standing! 

Minks  are  about  a  foot  and 
a  half  long  to  the  tail,  and  are 
dark  brown  or  black.  They 
are  found  about  ponds  and 
streams,  and  their  fur  is  very 
beautiful,  and  is  often  sold 
under  the  name  of  American 

Fig.  49.  —  Mink. 

Sable. 
The   Wolverine,  found  in  the  Northern  States  and 


Fio\  50.  —  Wolverine. 


CARNIVORES:    OTTERS,    &c. 


23 


Canada,  and  in  the  northern  parts  of  Europe  and  Asia, 
is  about  three  feet  long,  of  a  dark  color,  and  is  very 
powerful  and  ferocious  when  attacked.  It  is  very  trou- 
blesome to  Sable  hunters,  breaking  down  their  wooden 
traps,  and  eating  the  bait  and  game.  It  is  so  shrewd 
that  it  scarcely  ever  enters  the  trap,  and  hence  one  is 
seldom  caught. 

Otters  live  in  and  about  the  water,  and  feed  upon  fish. 
They  are  sportive  in  their  disposition,  and  amuse  them- 


Fig.  51.  —  American  Ottei*. 

selves  by  "  sliding  down  hill."  Selecting  a  steep  bank 
of  a  river,  they  slide  head  foremost  into  the  water,  and 
repeat  the  operation  many  times,  apparently  with  great 
delight.  Otters  are  three  or  four  feet  long  from  the 
nose  to  the  tip  of  the  tail,  the  color  dark  brown,  and 
the  fur  is  of  two  kinds,  one  short,  fine,  and  thick,  the 
other  long,  coarse,  and  scattered.  When  taken  young, 
Otters  are  easily  tamed,  and  become  so  familiar  that 
they  will  lie  in  the  lap  like  a  cat. 


24 


VERTEBRATES :    MAMMALS. 


Fig.  52.  —  Skunk. 


Skunks  are  found  only  in 
America,  and  are  notorious  on 
account  of  their  disagreeable 
odor.  They  are  a  foot  and  a  half 
long  to  the  tail,  and  the  color  is 
black  and  white.  They  live  in 
burrows,  and  seek  their  food  at 
night,  eating  beetles  and  other 
small  insects,  and  eggs. 

The  Badger  of  Western  North 


America  is  about  two  feet  long,  with  a  stout  body  and 


vVi'. 


Fig.  53.  —  American  Badger. 

short  tail,  and  its  color  is  gray.  The  hair  is  long,  ex- 
tending on  the  hind  part  of  the  body  so  as  nearly  to 
conceal  the  tail.  Badgers  live  in  burrows,  and  dig  with 
astonishing  rapidity. 

BEARS  AND  KACCOONS. 

Bears  and  others  of  this  family  walk  on  the  whole 
sole  of  the  foot.  They  feed  upon  flesh,  berries,  and 
roots. 

The  Raccoon  of  the  United  States  is  about  as  large 
as  a  middle-sized  dog,  with  a  thick  body,  looking  some- 


CARNIVORES:   BEARS. 


25 


Fig.  54.  —  Grizzly  Bear. 


26  VERTEBRATES  :   MAMMALS. 

wliat  like  a  little  bear 
with  a  long  tail ;  the 
color  grayish,  and  the 
tail  ringed  with  black 
and  dingy  white. 

Bears  are  very  large. 
Fig.  55. -Raccoon.  The     Qrizz]y?     Of    tlie 

Rocky  Mountains,  is  six  or  eight  feet  in  length,  and 
weighs  in  some  cases  eighteen  hundred  pounds,  and 
the  nails  or  claws  are  six  inches  long!  It  is  the  most 
powerful  animal  in  America,  and  when  wounded  is 
very  dangerous  to  the  hunter.  It  has  been  seen  to 
drag  away  a  large  bison,  after  killing  it.  The  Black 
Bear  of  the  Northern  States  is  much  smaller  than 
the  Grizzly,  and  less  ferocious,  seldom  attacking  men 
when  not  molested ;  but  if  disturbed  when  accompa- 
nied by  its  young,  which  are  called  cubs,  it  fights  very 
savagely. 

SEALS  AND   THE  WALRUS. 

The  Seals  and  the  Walrus  live  in  the  sea,  but  often 
come  upon  the  rocks  and  ice-banks  to  lie  in  the  sun- 
shine. The  head  of  the  Seal  much  resembles  that  of 


Fig.  56.  — Seal. 

a  dog,  and  its  eyes  are  beautiful  and  intelligent  in  ap- 
pearance. When  taken  young,  seals  are  easily  tamed, 
and  become  attached  and  obedient  to  those  who  feed 


HERBIVORES,    OR   PLANT-EATERS.  27 

them,  coming  at  call,  and  performing  curious  feats  ac- 
cording to  their  master's  directions.  A  few  years  ago, 
in  a  large  tank  of  sea-water  in  the  Aquarial  Gardens 
at  Boston  were  two  Seals  called  "Ned"  and  ^Fanny," 
which  were  so  tame  that  they  would  come  to  the  keeper 
at  call,  and  allow  him  to  handle  them,  would  shoulder 
a  miniature  musket,  turn  the  crank  of  a  hand-organ, 
shake  hands  with  the  by-standers,  and  "Ned,"  especially, 
would  even  "throw  a  kiss"  to  the  ladies.  Seals  feed 
upon  fish,  and  always  eat  in  the  water.  They  are  from 
three  to  twenty  feet  long.  The  Walrus  has  a  body  as 
large  as  the  largest  ox,  and  is  covered  with  short  brown 
hair.  Two  of  its  upper  teeth,  the  canines,  or  eye-teeth, 
grow  to  be  tusks  two  feet  long.  These  tusks  assist  in 
climbing  upon  the  ice-banks,  and  serve  as  a  means  of 
defence,  and  to  aid  in  securing  food. 


HERBIVORES,   OR  PLANT-EATERS,   OR  HOOFED 
ANIMALS. 

These  are  mammals  which  feed  wholly  upon  vegeta- 
tion, and  which  have  hoofed  feet,  and  use  their  limbs 
only  for  standing,  walking,  and  running.  Some  of 
them,  as  the  Deer,  Antelopes,  Sheep  and  Goats,  and 
Oxen,  have  the  foot  divided  or  cleft,  forming  an  even 
number  of  toes ;  and  all  herbivores  of  this  sort  chew  the 
cud,  and  from  the  latter  fact  are  known  as  Ruminants, 
a  name  which  means  cud-chewers.  Others,  as  the  Horse 
and  Ass,  have  only  one  toe  to  each  foot,  and  are  hence 
called  Solipedes  or  Solid-hoofed  animals.  Others,  as 
Elephants  and  the  Mastodon,  have  five  toes,  and  a  long 
flexible  snout  or  proboscis,  and  from  the  latter  fact  are 
called  Proboscidians. 


28 


VERTEBRATES:    MAMMALS. 
DEER. 


The  Moose,  Reindeer,  Deer,  and  Elk  all  belong  to 
the  Deer  family.  The  males  have  solid  horns  called 
antlers,  which  they  shed  once  a  year ;  new  and  larger 
ones  growing  to  take  the  places  of  those  which  have 
been  shed. 

The  Moose  is  the  largest  of  all  the  Deer  kind,  being 
as  large  as  a  horse,  and  with  an  exceedingly  long  head, 


Fig.  57.  —  Moose. 

large  flattened  horns,  and  very  long  legs.     It  travels 
with  an  awkward  gait,  but  with  great  speed,  easily  mak- 


HERBIVORES:   DEER.  29 

ing  its  way  through  deep  snows,  bushes,  over  brush- 
heaps,  fallen  trees,  fences,  and  whatever  obstructions  lie 
in  its  path.  It  is  quite  common  in  some  parts  of  Maine, 
Northern  New  York,  and  Canada.  Color  grayish  brown. 
The  Reindeer  is  a  much  smaller  animal  than  the 
Moose,  being  about  five  feet  long  and  three  feet  high. 
It  has  become  celebrated  for  the  services  it  renders  the 
Laplanders,  who  keep  large  herds  of  Reindeer,  using 
them  for  beasts  of  burden  and  for  drawing  their  sledges, 
—  a  sort  of  sled,  —  their  milk  and  flesh  for  food,  and 
their  skins  for  clothing.  They  are  very  hardy  animals, 


Fig.  58.  —  American  Reindeer,  or  Caribou. 

and  subsist  on  the  coarsest  fare,  eating  the  tender  por- 
tions of  shrubs  in  summer,  and  in  winter  scraping  the 
snow  from  the  ground  and  feeding  upon  the  "  Reindeer- 
moss."  The  American  Reindeer,  or  Caribou,  of  Maine 
and  Canada,  and  other  northern  parts  of  North  Amer- 


30  VERTEBRATES:    MAMMALS. 

ica,  is  by  some  thought  to  be  of  the  same  kind  as  the 
one  found  in  Lapland.  Unlike  their  relatives,  both  the 
male  and  female  Reindeer  have  horns. 

The  American  Elk,  or  Wapiti,  is  another  kind  of 
Deer  which  lives  in  the  wooded  regions  of  the  northern 
parts  of  North  America,  and  which  is  about  as  large  as 
the  Moose,  and  has  horns  five  or  six  feet  long,  and  very 
much  branched. 


Fig.  59.  —  American  Elk,  or  Wapiti. 

The  Common  Deer,  of  the  wild  regions  of  the  United 
States,  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  graceful  of  all 
its  family.  It  is  very  timid,  and,  when  alarmed,  bounds 
swiftly  away.  It  is  about  the  size  of  a  sheep,  but  with 
a  much  more  slender  body  and  much  longer  legs.  It 


HERBIVORES:   DEER. 


31 


is  hunted  in  the  autumn  and  winter,  and  great  num- 
bers are  sent  to  the  markets.  Its  flesh  is  called  ven- 
ison, and  is  highly  prized  for  food. 


Fig.  60.  —  Common  or  Virginia  Deer. 


The  Musk  Deer  inhabits  Thi- 
bet, and  is  smaller  than  the 
Common  Deer,  and  has.  no 
horns.  In  each  side  of  the 
upper  jaw  are  long  canine  or 
eye  teeth,  like  tusks.  The 
musk  used  in  making  perfum- 
ery is  furnished  by  this  animal. 
It  is  contained  in  a  pouch,  or 
sack,  on  the  under  side  of  the 
body. 


Fig.  61.— Musk  Deer. 


ANTELOPES. 

Antelopes   are  found  in  Europe,  Asia,  Africa,   and 
North  America,  but  are  most  numerous  in  Southern 


32  VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 

Africa,  where  there  are  many  kinds,  and  where  herds 
of  ten  thousand  or  more  are  sometimes  seen  together. 
Their  horns  are  round,  variously  wrinkled  and  curved, 
and  black.  Antelopes  vary  in  size  from  those  as  small 
as  a  deer  to  those  as  large  as  a  horse.  The  large  kinds 
belong  to  Africa. 

The  Pronghorn  Antelope,  of  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
is  larger  than  a  sheep,  with  much  longer  neck  and  legs. 
Its  hair  is  coarse  and  thick.  It  gets  its  name  from  the 


Fig.  62.  —  Pronghorn  Antelope. 

prong,  or  branch,  on  each  horn.  This  animal  is  found 
at  times  in  large  numbers,  herds  of  a  thousand  and 
more  having  often  been  seen. 

The  Mountain  Goat,  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  is  an 
antelope,  and  not  a  true  goat,  as  one  would  suppose 
from  its  name.  It  is  entirely  white,  except  its  horns 
and  hoofs,  which  are  black.  Its  fleece  is  long  and  very 
fine,  being  equal  in  quality  to  that  of  the  celebrated 


HERBIVORES:   ANTELOPES. 


33 


Cashmere  Goat.      It  inhabits   the  lofty  peaks   of  the 
mountains,  frequenting  the  steepest  places. 


Fig.  63.  —  Rocky  Mountain  Goat. 

t" 

The  Gazelle,  of  Africa  and  Asia,  is  about  the  size  of  a 
small  deer,  and  is  celebrated  for  its  beautiful  and  grace- 


Fig.  64.  — Gazelle. 


Fig.  65.  —  Chamois. 


ful  form,  and  for  its  large,  dark,  and  lustrous  eyes. 
The  Orientals,  or  inhabitants  of  the  East,  compliment 
a  lady  by  comparing  her  eyes  to  those  of  the  Gazelle. 
When  taken  young,  though  wild  and  timid,  it  is  easily 


2* 


34 


VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 


tamed,  and  becomes  a  great  favorite.  The  Chamois, 
of  the  high  mountains  of  Western  Europe,  is  about 
the  size  of  a  goat,  of  a  dark  brown  color,  and  its  horns, 
towards  the  summit,  are  bent  backwards  like  a  hook. 
It  is  very  shy,  and  on  the  slightest  alarm  bounds 
swiftly  away  over  rocks,  glaciers,  along  dizzy  heights, 
up  and  down  precipices,  where  it  would  seem  no  ani- 
mal could  get  a  foothold,  often  leaping  upon  a  rock 
just  large  enough  to  receive  its  four  feet  placed  close 
together. 

SHEEP  AND   GOATS. 

Sheep  have  the  horns  angular    and  directed  back- 


Fig.  66.  —  Mountain  Sheep,  or  Big-Horn. 
ward,    then    spirally    curved    forward,   and    yellowish- 


HERBIVORES:   OXEN.  35 

brown  in  color,  instead  of  round  and  black,  as  in  Ante- 
lopes. The  Mountain  Sheep,  or  Big-Horn,  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  is  much  larger  than  the  domestic  sheep, 
and  with  very  large  horns.  The  hair  is  of  a  gray 
color  and  very  coarse.  The  hunters  say  that  this  ani- 
mal will  leap  from  a  height  of  fifty  feet  and  strike  upon 
the  tips  of  the  spiral  horns,  receiving  no  injury. 

Goats  have  the  horns  directed  upward  and  back- 
ward, and  the  chin  usually  has  a  long  beard.  The 
wild  kinds  live  upon  the  high  and  rugged  mountains 
of  Asia.  The  Wild  Goat  of  Persia  is  supposed  to  be 
the  parent  of  the  common  domestic  goat.  The  Cash- 
mere Goat  of  Thibet  is  celebrated  for  its  fine  wool.  Its 
hair  is  long  and  silky,  and  under  this  is  a  delicate 
gray  wool,  of  which  the  costly  Cashmere  shawls  are 
made.  Three  ounces  are  obtained  from  a  single  animal. 

OXEN. 

The  Musk  Ox,  of  Arctic  America,  is  of  the  size  of  a 
small  cow,  with  very  long  dark-brown  silky  hair.  It 


Fig-.  07.  —  Musk  Ox. 

feeds  upon  grass  in  the  mild  season,  and  in  winter  upon 


36  VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 

mosses  and  lichens,  which  it  gets  from  the  steep  sides 
of  hills  that  are  blown  bare  by  the  winds,  and  up  which 
it  climbs  with  the  agility  of  the  chamois. 

The  Bison,  or  Buffalo,  of  the  Western  plains,  is  the 
largest  quadruped  of  America,  being  of  the  size  of  a 
large  ox.  It  is  covered  with  a  thick  coat  of  dark  hair, 
that  about  the  head  and  shoulders  being  long  and 


Fig.  68.  —  Bison,  or  American  Buffalo. 

shaggy.  At  the  time  of  the  discovery  of  America  the 
Buffalo  was  found  even  to  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic, 
but  it  has  been  driven  back  until  it  is  now  found  only 
beyond  the  Missouri  and  the  head-waters  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi. Here  it  is  n$t  uncommon  to  see  the  prairies 
covered  with  Buffaloes  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach ;  and 
travellers  have  passed  through  herds  of  them  for  days 
and  days  in  succession,  with  scarcely  any  apparent  les- 
sening of  their  numbers.  Their  paths  resemble  trav- 
elled roads ;  and  as  their  routes,  in  most  cases,  extend 
in  a  straight  line  from  one  convenient  crossing-place 
of  a  river  or  ravine  to  another,  taking  springs  or 


HERBIVOKES:  CAMELS  AND  LLAMAS.         37 

streams  in  their  course,  they  frequently  serve  as  the 
highways  of  travel  across  the  prairies.  Though  nat- 
urally timid,  the  Buffalo,  when  wounded,  is  furious, 
and  dangerous  to  the  hunter.  It  is  estimated  that 
five  hundred  thousand  of  these  animals  are  killed  every 
year ;  many  being  slaughtered  merely  for  sport,  or  per- 
haps for  the  sake  of  the  tongue  alone,  but  most  of  them 
for  their  skins,  which  make  the  well-known  buffalo-robes. 

CAMELS  AND  LLAMAS. 

The  Camel  is  a  native  of  Central  and  Southern  Asia, 
and,  from  the  earliest  times,  has  rendered  such  impor- 


Fig.  69. — Llama. 

taut  services  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  East  in  carrying 
merchandise  across  the  deserts,  that  it  has  been  called 
the  "  Ship  of  the  Desert."  Its  feet  are  fitted  for  trav- 
elling in  the  sand,  its  strength  and  power  of  endurance 
are  very  great,  and  it  can  live  on  the  coarsest  and  most 
scanty  vegetation,  and  travel  for  days  without  drinking. 
It  can  carry  from  five  hundred  to  one  thousand  pounds, 
and  kneels  to  receive  and  to  be  relieved  of  its  load. 


38  VERTEBRATES:    MAMMALS. 

The  Camel  is  larger  than  the  horse,  and  stands  very 
high.  There  are  two  kinds, — one  with  two  large  humps 
upon  the  back,  and  the  other  with  only  one  hump. 

The  Llamas  inhabit  the  Andes  of  South  America,  and 
are  much  smaller  than  the  Camel,  being  only  four  or 
five  feet  high,  and  they  have  no  hump.  They  live  in 
herds,  and  are  tamed  and  used  as  beasts  of  burden. 
The  Alpaca  is  a  variety  of  Llama  with  long  woolly  hair, 
which  furnishes  material  for  valuable  fabrics. 

WHALES,   OR  CETACEANS. 

These  mammals  live  in  the  water,  have  their  limbs 
paddle-like  and  fitted  for  swimming,  and  their  whole 
appearance  is  fish-like ;  but  they  are  true  mammals, 
nourishing  their  young  with  milk,  breathing  air  for 
which  they  come  often  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  and 
their  blood  is  warm.  Most  of  them  are  large,  and  some 
of  them  are  the  largest  of  living  animals,  and  they  are 
covered  with  a  smooth  skin.  They  breathe  through  a 
hole,  or  holes,  on  the  top  of  the  back  part  of  the  head, 
and  through  these  some  kinds  blow  or  spout  water  to 
the  height  of  thirty,  and  sometimes  even  to  fifty  feet. 

RIGHT  AND   SPERM   WHALES. 

The  Greenland  or  Right  Whale  attains  the  length  of 
sixty  or  seventy  feet.  It  has 
no  real  teeth,  but  in  the  upper 
jaw  are  rows  of  upright  horny 
plates,  called  whalebone, 
which  are  fringed  on  their 
inner  edges.  Its  food  is  small 
marine  animals.  Swimming 
Fig.  70. —  Skull  of  the  Ki-ht  through  schools  of  these,  the 

Whale,  showing  the  whalebone.     Whale     takeg     millions     into 


CETACEANS:   RIGHT   WHALE. 


39 


I 

I 
s 

o 


40  VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 

his  mouth  at  once.  This  Whale  supplies  the  world 
with  whalebone,  and  also,  furnishes  more  oil  than  any 
other.  Its  home  is  in  cool  and  frigid  seas. 

The  Great  Sperm  Whale,  of  the  warm  parts  of  the 
ocean,  is  fully  equal  to  the  Right  Whale  in  size.  The 
upper  jaw  has  neither  teeth  nor  whalebone,  but  the 


Fig.  72.  —  Head  of  Sperm  Whale. 

lower  has  teeth.  In  the  upper  portion  of  the  head  there 
are  cavities  filled  with  oil  which  hardens  when  cool,  and 
is  known  as  spermaceti.  The  body  yields  sperm  oil. 
Ambergris,  a  substance  used  by  chemists  in  making 
perfumery,  is  found  in  the  intestines  of  this  whale. 

The  spouting,  or  blowing,  is  different  in  these  two 
whales ;  for  the  Right  Whale  has  two  blow-holes  on 
the  top  of  the  head,  and  spouts  water  as  well  as  the 
warm  moist  air  of  the  lungs ;  while  the  Sperm  Whale 
has  only  one  blow-hole,  and  spouts  only  the  moist  breath 
of  the  lungs,  which,  on  contact  with  the  air,  forms  a 
white  mist  that  instantly  vanishes. 

Through  the  kindness  of  Hon.  William  Mitchell. 
Mr.  Tenney  has  been  permitted  to  make  very  interest- 
ing extracts  from  letters  written  by  Captain  William 
Barney  of  Nantucket,  illustrating  the  habits  of  Whales. 
One  of  these  extracts  is  here  given,  which  shows  how 


RIGHT   AND    SPERM    WHALES.  41 

quickly  the  Sperm  Whales  find  out  when  their  compan- 
ions are  in  difficulty. 

"  I  have  been  looking  over  in  my  mind  some  of  my 
voyages  in  the  Pacific,  and  one  circumstance  is  now 
fresh  in  mind.  In  the  year  1824,  when  I  was  second 
mate  of  the  ship  Maria,  of  New  Bedford,  while  cruising 
near  the  Marquesas,  or  Washington  Islands,  the  look- 
out at  the  masthead  saw  a  large  Sperm  Whale  off  our 
lee  bow,  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  distant,  going 
with  moderate,  speed  the  same  course  the  ship  was  then 
steering.  There  was  no  other  whale  then  in  sight. 
The  ship  was  laid  aback,  the  boats  were  lowered,  and 
the  chief  mate  and  myself  went  in  pursuit.  The  whale 
went  down  before  we  reached  him ;  and  while  he  was 
down  a  signal  was  made  from  the  ship  that  another 
whale  was  in  sight,  two  miles  ahead  of  the  ship,  and 
going  the  same  course.  Soon  the  whale  which  we 
were  in  pursuit  of  came  up,  and  the  mate  pulled  on 
and  struck  him.  I  pulled  up  to  assist  the  mate,  when 
a  signal  was  made  from  the  ship  that  the  whale  ahead 
was  coming  towards  the  boats  and  the  struck  whale. 
I  left  the  fast  whale  with  the  mate,  and  prepared  to 
receive  the  other.  Soon  we  saw  him  coming  at  the  top 
of  his  speed,  or  <  eyes  out/  as  the  whalemen  say.  He 
came  directly  to  the  fast  whale,  lashing  the  water  with 
his  flukes,  and  floundering  around  violently.  I  soon 
got  an  opportunity,  and  struck  him,  whereupon  he 
turned  upon  my  boat  and  tried  to  stave  it  to  pieces, 
but  after  a  hard  struggle  I  succeeded  in  conquering 
him.  When  we  got  to  the  ship  we  found  that  the  in- 
stant, the  first  whale  was  struck  by  the  mate,  the  other 
whale  ahead  of  the  ship  struck  his  flukes  in  the  water 
and  disappeared,  but  in  a  few  moments  was  up  again, 


42  VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 

and  coming  with  great  speed  towards  the  fast  whale 
and  the  boats.  No  doubt  that  when  the  first  whale 
was  struck  he  perceived  it,  and  turned  from  his  course 
and  came  to  assist  or  defend  his  partner. 

"  Two  schools  of  whales  may  be  two  or  three  miles 
apart,  and  both  thrashing  the  water  with  their  tails, 
and  apparently  taking  no  notice  of  each  other ;  but  let 
one  of  either  school  be  struck,  and  those  of  the  other 
seem  to  know  it  instantly." 

DOLPHINS,  PORPOISES,    AND  WHITE    WHALE. 

These  animals  live  in  herds,  and  prey  upon  fishes. 
The  Common  Dolphin  is  about  eight  feet  long,  black 


Fig.  73.— Dolphin. 

above  and  white  below.  The  ancients  believed  this 
animal  to  be  very  docile  and  fond  of  music.  The 
White  Whale  lives  in  the  Northern  Seas,  and  is  from 


Fig.  74. —  White  Whale. 

ten  to  twenty  feet  long.     It  often  ascends  rivers,  and 
is  frequently  seen  in  the  St.  Lawrence.     One  of  these 


BATS,   OR   CHEIROPTERS.  43 

animals,  about  ten  feet  long,  was  kept  for  two  years  in 
the  Aquarial  Gardens  in  Boston.  He  was  quite  docile, 
knew  his  keeper,  and  would  come  and  take  food  from 
his  hand.  He  was  trained  to  a  harness,  and  drew  a 
young  lady  in  a  car  prepared  for  the  purpose. 

The  mammals  already  described  are  mostly  of  large 
size  ;  we  now  come  to  the  smaller  ones. 

BATS,   OR  CHEIROPTERS. 

Bats  are  animals  which  have  a  thin  skin  reaching 
from  the  neck  to  the  hind  legs,  and  extending  to  the 
ends  of  their  long  fingers.  By  means  of  this  skin  they 
can  fly  as  easily  as  birds,  and  their  flight  is  noiseless 


Fig.  75.  —  Hoary  Bat. 

and  rapid.  The  body  is  covered  with  soft  fur.  Their 
eyes  are  very  small,  ears  large,  and  the  thumb  has  a 
sharp  hook.  In  the  daytime  they  stay  in  caves,  hollow 
trees,  or  other  dark  places,  hanging  by  their  hooks,  or 
by  the  sharp  claws  of  their  hind  feet.  Bats  can  fly 
through  the  most  winding  and  crooked  passages  with- 
out harm,  even  after  their  eyes  have  been  destroyed. 
Some  of  the  larger  ones  of  the  East  Indies  eat  fruits 
and  birds,  but  most  kinds  feed  upon  insects,  which  they 
are  catching  when  we  see  them  flitting  and  turning 
hither  and  thither  in  the  dusk  of  evening.  The  Red, 
and  the  Hoary  Bat,  three  or  four  inches  long,  are  com- 
mon species  in  North  America. 


44 


VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 


INSECT-EATERS,   OR  INSECTIVORES. 

The  Insect-Eaters  include  the   Shrews,  Moles,   and 
Hedgehogs.     Many  naturalists  also  place  here  the  Gale- 


Fig.  77.  — Teeth  of  an  Insect- 
Eater. 


Fig.  76.  —  Galeopithecus. 

opithecus,  a  curious  bat-like  animal  found  on  trees  in 
the  Indian  Archipelago.  Insectivores  sleep  during  the 
day,  and  go  forth  at  night  in  search  of  food.  In  cool 
regions,  many  of  them  sleep  all  winter. 

SHREWS. 

Shrews  are  little  mouse-like  animals,  —  but  smaller 
than  the  smallest  mice,  —  with  a  long  and  tapering 
head  and  soft  silky  fur.  They  live  under  rubbish,  and 


Fig.  78.  —  Thompson's  Shrew.  Fig.  79.  —  Water  Shrew. 

in  holes  which  they  dig  in  the  ground.  They  are  very 
quarrelsome ;  and  if  two  are  confined  together  theVeak- 
er  is  soon  killed.  There  are  more  than  a  dozen  kinds 
in  North  America. 


INSECTIVORES:   MOLES   AND   HEDGEHOGS. 


45 


MOLES. 

Moles  have  a  stout,  thick  body,  short,  strong  legs, 
short  tail,  and  very  large  fore  feet  fitted  for  digging. 
Their  eyes  are  very  small,  and  their  fur  is  soft,  thick, 
and  velvet-like.  The  Shrew  Mole  of  North  America  is 
of  the  size  of  a  very  large 
mouse,  and  its  eyes  are  so 
small  that  many  suppose 
it  to  be  blind.  The  hole 
for  the  eye  is  only  about 
the  size  of  a  liair,  and  the 


Fig.  80.  —  Shrew  Mole. 


eyeballs  are  smaller  than  a  mustard  seed.  It  is  said 
that  this  mole  comes  to  the  surface  of  the  ground  every 
day  at  noon.  The  Star-nosed  Mole  is  about  the  size  of 


Fig.  81 .  —  Nose  of  Star-nosed 
Mole. 


Fig.  82.  —  Skull  of  Star-nosed 
Mole. 


the  Shrew  Mole,  and  is  so  named  from  the  form  of 
the  end  of  the  nose,  which  is  star-shaped. 

HEDGEHOGS. 

These  animals  are  short  and  thick,  and  the  back  is 


Fig.  83.  —  Madagascar  Hedgehog,  or  Tenrec. 

covered  with  spines.      When  alarmed,  they  take   the 
form  of  a  ball,  presenting  the  spines  in  every  direction, 


46 


VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 


to  ward  off  attacks.     They  sleep  during  the  day  in  con- 
cealed places,  and  come  forth  at  night  to  feed  upon  in- 


Fig.  84. — European  Hedgehog. 

sects,  fruits,  and  roots.  In  cold  climates  they  sleep  all 
winter.  They  live  in  the  Old  World.  They  are  all 
small,  the  European  Hedgehog  being  only  nine  or  ten 
inches  long.  The  animal  in  America  which  is  called 
Hedgehog  is  a  Porcupine. 

RODENTS,   OR  GNAWERS. 

The  Rodents  are  readily  known  by  their  teeth.     Tn 
each  jaw  they  have  the  two  front  ones  chisel-shaped, 
and    between   these   and   the  grinders 
there  is  a  wide  space  without  teeth. 
The  front  teeth  wear  in  such  a  man- 
ner that  the  more  they  are  used  the 
sharper  they  become,  and  they  grow 
Fig.  85.  — Skull  of    at  the  base  as  fast  as  they  wear  away 

a  Rodent.  ftt   ^    top        ^-Qre    tjian    g«x    hun(Jre(J 

kinds  of  Rodents  are  known,  most  of  which  are  small ; 
the  Beaver,  with  one  exception,  being  the  largest. 

The  Rodents  include  the  Squirrels,  Gophers,  Wood- 
chucks,  Rats  and  Mice,  Porcupines,  Hares,  &c. 


RODENTS:   SQUIRRELS. 


47 


SQUIRRELS. 

Squirrels  are  small  and  very  pretty  animals,  with 
large  bright  eyes,  long  ears,  divided  upper  lip,  and  long 
bushy  tail.  They  are  lightly  built,  agile,  and  live  upon 
trees,  and  feed  upon  fruits  and  nuts.  There  are  about 
fifty  kinds  in  America,  and  twelve  or  more  in  the  United 
States.  The  most  prominent  kinds  are  the  large  Fox 
Squirrels  of  the  Middle,  Southern,  and  Western  States, 
and  the  well-known  Gray,  the  Red,  and  the  Flying  Squir- 
rels found  over  a  large  part  of  the  United  States.  Gray 
Squirrels  are  noted  for  their 
occasional  extensive  migra- 
tions. Assembling  in  large 
numbers,  they  make  their 
way  across  the  country,  swim- 
ming rivers,  and  turning  aside 
for  no  obstacle.  Gray  squir- 
rels occur  of  every  shade  from 
gray  to  jet  black. 

The  Red  Squirrel  is  seen  at 
all  seasons  and  in  all  weath- 
ers. In  the  Northern  forests 
the  deepest  snows  of  winter 
are  soon  covered  with  its 
tracks,  and  penetrated  by 
holes  bored  to  find  the  cones 
of  spruce  and  pine,  and  the  nuts  scattered  beneath,  or 
hidden  the  previous  autumn.  It  often  sits  for.  hours 
upon  a  stump  or  limb  of  a  tree  close  to  the  trunk,  and, 
holding  a  cone  or  nut  in  its  fore  paws,  gnaws  it  briskly 
till  it  gets  all  the  food  it  contains.  If  disturbed  while 
upon  the  ground,  this  squirrel  runs  up  the  nearest  tree, 
leaping  from  branch  to  branch,  and  from  these  to  an- 


Fig.  86.  —  Gray  Squirrel. 


48 


VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 


other  tree,  and  soon  passes  out  of  sight.  Sometimes, 
when  startled,  it  commences  chattering  with  great  fury, 
and  leaping  about  as  if  in  defiance  of  the  intruder. 

The  Flying  Squirrels  have  a  thin  skin,  or  membrane, 
covered  with  fur,  which  extends  along  the  sides  of  the 
body  between  the  fore  and  hind  legs,  and  which,  when 
spread  out,  serves  as  a  support  in  leaping  from  tree  to 
tree,  and  enables  them  to  perform  a  sort  of  flight.  They 
are  nocturnal,  and  therefore  not  often  seen.  Their  nests 
are  made  in  the  hollows  of  trees, 
where*  large  companies  often  live 
together.  The  Common  Flying 
Squirrel  of  the  United  States  is 
about  five  inches  long,  and  the  fur 
is  soft,  silky,  and  yellowish  brown. 
It  is  quite  easily  tamed,  and,  being 
gentle  and  very  beautiful,  makes 
a  pleasant  pet. 

The  Striped  Squirrels  have  cheek-pouches,  in  which 
they  carry  grain  and  niits  to  their  holes,  and  they  have 
a  shorter  and  less  bushy  tail  than  the  others.  The 


Fig.  87.  — Flying  Squirrel. 


Fig.  88.  —  Striped  Squirrel,  or  Chipmunk. 

Common  Striped  Squirrel,  or  Chipmunk,  is  about  five 
inches  long  to  the  tail,  and  the  color  is  yellowish  gray, 
with  five  black  stripes  on  the  back  and  sides.  In  au- 
tumn the  Chipmunks  may  be  seen  with  their  cheek- 


RODENTS:    SQUIRRELS.  49 

pouches  full  of  nuts  or  grain,  which  they  store  up  for 
their  food  in  winter,  at  which  time  they  always  remain 
in  their  holes. 

The  Striped  Gopher,  of  Michigan  and  southward,  is  a 
very  beautiful  animal,  about  the  size  of  the  Red  Squir- 
rel, of  a  dark  brown  color,  with  light  lines  and  rows  of 
light  spots.  It  lives  in  burrows,  and  when  alarmed  pops 
into  its  hole  with  a  chirp.  The  Prairie  Dog  is  larger 


Fig.  89.  —  Striped  Gopher.  Fig.  90.  —  Prairie  Dog. 

than  the  Striped  Gopher,  appearing  somewhat  like  a 
small  woodchuck.  It  utters  a  sharp  chirp,  called  bark- 
ing, and  hence  its  name.  It  lives  in  burrows,  and  large 
numbers  are  found  in  the  same  locality,  forming  com- 
munities called  "Dogtowns."  Before  each  hole  is* a 
little  hill  of  earth,  upon  which  is  almost  always  a  Prai- 
rie Dog  on  the  lookout  for  -intruders,  and  upon  the 
slightest  alarm  it  dives  into  its  hole,  but  soon  appears 
again.  Their  holes  are  also  the  home  of  the  Burrowing 
Owls  and  of  Rattlesnakes. 

Beavers  are  about  three  feet  long  to  the  tail,  and  are 
the  largest  of  the  Rodents,  excepting  an  animal  called 
the  Capybara  which  lives  about  the  rivers  of  South 


50  .VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 

America.  Beavers  have  a  flat,  scaly  tail,  and  are  wholly 
aquatic  in  their  habits,  and  their  food  is  chiefly  bark 
and  aquatic  plants.  Their  teeth  are  very  sharp  and 


Fig.  91.  —  American  Beaver. 

powerful,  enabling  them  to  gnaw  down  trees  of  the 
hardest  wood.  Beavers  prefer  running  water,  in  order 
that  the  wood  which  they  cut  may  be  carried  to  the 
spot  where  it  is  to  be  used.  They  keep  the  water  at  a 
given  height  by  dams,  which  they  build  of  trees  and 
branches  mixed  with  stones  and  mud ;  and  they  build 
winter  houses  with  the  same  materials.  Each  house 
consists  of  two  stories ;  the  upper  story  is  above  water 
and  dry,  and  serves  as  a  shelter ;  .the  lower  is  beneath 
the  water,  and  contains  their  stores  of  bark  and  roots. 
The  only  opening  to  the  hut  is  beneath  the  surface  of 
the  water.  The  color  of  the  beaver  is  reddish-brown, 
and  the  fur  is  soft  and  fine.  It  lives  in  the  unsettled 
parts  of  North  America. 

The  Pocket  Gopher,  Pouched  Rat,  or  Geomys,  of  the 
prairies  of  the  Western  States,  is  nine  or  ten  inches 


RODENTS:    RATS    AND   MICE.  51 

long,  with  large  front  teeth,  strong  fore  feet,  and  short 
tail.     Opening  on  the  outside  of  the  mouth  are  large 


Fig.  92.  — Pocket  Gopher. 

cheek-pouches,  which  reach  back  even  to  the  shoulders; 
and  these  pouches  are  lined  with  fur,  and  are  entirely 
different  from  the  much  smaller  cheek-pouches  of  the 
Striped  Gopher,  which  open  within  the  mouth.  The, 
Pocket  Gopher  throws  up  a  mound  of  earth  which,  in 
some  .instances,  is  ten  feet  in  diameter,  and  two  feet 
high ;  and  within  this  mound  is  its  nest,  where  it  rears 
its  young ;  and  from  the  mound  it  digs  numerous  gal- 
leries in  different  directions,  one  or  two  feet  below  the 
surface  of  the  ground.  It  uses  its  curious  pouches  for 
carrying  food,  and  for  carrying  away  the  earth  which 
it  removes  in  digging  its  galleries.  Coming  to  the  sur- 
face with  its  pouches  full  of  earth,  it  empties  them  so 
quickly  as  to  puzzle  the  looker  on,  and  instantly  re- 
treats into  its  hole.  Pocket  Gophers  feed  mainly  upon 
the  roots  of  plants.  They  fight  savagely  with  one  an- 
other, and  offer  battle  when  met  by  man.  If  two  are 
placed  together,  they  instantly  attack  each  other,  and 
the  stronger  eats  up  the  weaker. 

RATS  AND  MICE. 

There  are  more  than  three  hundred  kinds  of  these 
animals,  all  of  which  are  small.  More  than  fifty  kinds 
inhabit  North  America.  They  devour  all  sorts  of  edi- 


52  VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 

ble  substances,  animal  as  well  as  vegetable,  and  some 
even  attack  living  animals. 

The  largest,  except  the  Muskrat,  is  the  Norway, 
Brown,  or  Wharf  Rat,  originally  from  Asia,  but  now 
exceedingly  abundant  in  Europe  and  in  this  country. 
The  Black  Rat,  which  was  introduced  into  this  coun- 
try from  Europe  more  than  three  hundred  years  ago, 
is  nearly  as  large  as  the  Brown,  and  was  formerly  the 
most  common  large  rat  in  stores,  houses,  barns,  and 
other  buildings,  but  is  now  rapidly  disappearing  before 
its  more  powerful  rival,  the  Brown  Rat,  which  pursues 
it,  captures  it,  and  even  devours  it.  If  the  two  kinds 
be  placed  together  in  a  cage,  the  brown  rats  are  sure 
to  feast  upon  their  darker  companions.  If  one  of  their 
own  number  gets  wounded,  instead  of  aiding  him,1  they 
fall  upon  and  devour  him.  The  Roof  Rat,  of  the 
Southern  States,  originally  from  Egypt,  where  it  lives 
in  the  thatched  roofs  of  the  houses,  the  House  Mouse, 
originally  from  Asia,  but  now  found  in  all  countries, 


Fig.  93.  —  White-footed  Mouse. 

the  Harvest  Mice,  the  White-footed  Mice,  the  Field  Mice, 
and  the  Jumping  Mice,  are  other  kinds  which  are  found 
in  the  United  States,  but  which  cannot  be  described 
here  for  want  of  room.  For  further  description,  see 
Tenney's  Manual  of  Zoology.  The  Jumping  Mouse, 
however,  is  too  interesting  to  be  omitted.  It  is  found 
over  a  large  part  of  North  America,  and  is  about  three 
inches  long  to  the  tail,  which  in  some  instances  is  even 


RODENTS:    PORCUPINES.  53 

six  inches  in  length ;  and  the  color  yellowish-brown, 
lined  with   black,  the   lower   parts   white.      It  moves 


Fig.  94.  —  American  Jumping  Mouse. 

by  very  long  and  rapid-  leaps.     It  is  found  in  the  mead- 
ows and  grain-fields. 

The  Muskrat,  mentioned  above,  is  very  common  about 
ponds,  rivers,  and  brooks  in  North  America.  It  is  a 
foot  long,  besides  the  tail,  which  is  about  as  long  as  the 
body,  and  the  color  is  dark  brown  above  and  rusty  brown 
below.  The  fur  is  now  sold  under  the  name  of  River 
Sable,  and  is  much  used  for  collars  and  muffs.  Musk- 
rats  build  winter  hquses  of  mud,  sticks,  and  grass,  the 
entrance  being  beneath  the  water,  and  leading  to  a  dry 
apartment  above. 

PORCUPINES. 

Porcupines  are  distinguished  from  all  other  Rodents 
by  their  spines,  or  quills,  which  are  very  sharp.  The 
North  American  Porcupine  is  about  two  feet  long,  the 
color  brown  with  long  white-tipped  hairs,  and  the  tail 
and  upper  parts  are  covered  with  white  spines.  It  lives 
in  hollow  trees  and  in  holes  among  the  rocks,  and  read- 
ily climbs  trees.  It  eats  bark,  leaves,  and  green  corn. 
It  is  often  called  the  Hedgehog.  See  Figure  95.  The 
Crested  Porcupine,  of  Southern  Europe,  has  quills 
nearly  a  foot  long.  These  ouills  are  used  for  pen- 
holders. 


54  VERTEBRATES:    MAMMALS. 


Fig.  95. — American  Porcupine. 
HARES. 

Hares  are  found  in  nearly  all  countries.  In  America 
there  are  about  twenty  kinds.  They  are  timid,  and 
have  a  habit  of  stamping  with  the  hind  feet  when 
alarmed.  The  Common  Hare,  or  White  Rabbit,  about 
twenty  inches  long,  is  brown  in  summer,  and  white  in 
winter.  It  lives  in  the  thick  swamps,  rarely  enters 
holes  when  pursued,  but  depends  for  safety  upon  its 
fleetness.  It  follows  the  same  paths  year  after  year, 
both  in  winter  and  summer.  The  Gray  Rabbit  is  a 
smaller  kind,  which  does  not  turn  white  in  winter. 

EDENTATES. 

The  Edentates  are  Sloths,  Armadillos,  and  Ant-eaters. 
Some  of  these  animals  have  no  teeth,  and  others  are 
only  destitute  of  front  teeth.  Many  of  them  have  a 
bony  or  scaly  covering.  They  live  in  warm  countries. 


MARSUPIALS.  55 

ARMADILLOS. 

The  word  Armadillo  means  clad  in  armor,  and  is 
given  "to  these  animals  on  account  of  their  bony  or 
horny  covering.  They  live  in  the  warm  and  hot  parts 


Fig.  96.  —  Nine-banded  Armadillo. 

of  America,  dig  burrows,  and  feed  upon  vegetables,  in- 
sects, and  worms.  The  Nine-banded  Armadillo  is  about 
two  feet  long,  and  is  found  as  far  north  as  Texas. 

MARSUPIALS. 

The  Marsupials  have  a  pouch,  or  sack,  beneath  the 
body,  in  which  the  young  are  kept  for  a  time  after  they 
are  born,  and  even  after  they  are  able  to  walk  they  re- 
sort to  the  pouch  of  the  mother  when  danger  is  near. 
With  the  exception  of  the  Opossums  of  America,  all  the 
Marsupials  are  found  in  Australia. 

OPOSSUMS. 

Opossums  are  small  animals,  the 
largest  being  scarcely  larger  than  the 
common  cat,  and  the  smallest  but 
little  larger  than  a  mouse.  They 
feed  upon  birds,  bird's  eggs,  insects, 
and  other  small  animals.  The  tail 
is  long  and  is  capable  of  being 
twisted  around  objects,  thus  aiding 
in  climbing.  The  Opossum  of  the 
United  States  is  about  the  size  of  a 
cat,  the  hair  whitish  with  brown  tips.  rig.  97.  — Opossum. 


56 


VERTEBRATES:   MAMMALS. 


It  often  lies  motionless  for  hours  in  the  warm  sunshine. 
When  slightly  wounded  it  has  the  habit  of  feigning 
itself  dead,  or  "  playing  possum,"  and  in  that  way 
often  escapes  from  the  inexperienced  hunter. 

KANGAROOS. 

Kangaroos  are  marsupials  which  are  remarkable  for 
the  great  development  of  their  hinder  parts,  —  the  hind 


Fig.  98.  —  Kangaroo. 

legs  and  tail  being  very  long  and  powerful,  and  the  fore 
legs  very  short,  weak,  and  but  little  used  in  locomotion, 
which  is  accomplished  by  leaps  of  enormous  extent. 
They  live  in  troops,  feed  upon  vegetation,  and  are  harm- 
less and  easily  tamed.  They  vary  in  size  from  that  of  a 
rabbit  to  that  of  a  deer. 


Tig.  99.  —  Wombat.  Fig.  100.  —  Skull  of  Wombat. 

The  Wombat  is  a  very  curious  animal  of  Australia, 


DUCKBILLS.  57 

about  the  size  of  a  woodchuck,  and  which,  in  its  struct- 
ure, resembles  both  the  Rodents  and  the  Marsupials. 
Its  body  is  thin,  legs  short,  and  the  tail  is  wanting. 
The  Wombat  feeds  upon  grass,  and  burrows  in  the 
ground. 

DUCKBILLS,   OR  MONOTREMES. 

These  are  animals  which  vary  much  .from  all  other 
mammals,  having  their  organic  structure  in  some  re- 
spects much  like  that  of  Birds.  They  belong  to  Aus- 
tralia. One  of  the  most  interesting  kinds  is  called  the 


Fig.  101. — Duckbill,  or  Platypus. 

Duckbill,  or  sometimes  Platypus.  Its  muzzle  is  flat 
and  appears  very  much  like  that  of  a  Duck,  its  legs 
short,  feet  webbed,  and  its  body  is  covered  with  short 
brown  fur.  It  is  less  than  two  feet  long,  lives  about 
ponds  and  streams,  and  digs  burrows  in  the  banks.  . 


3* 


58 


VEKTEBRATES:   BIRDS. 


BIRDS. 

Of  all  animals  perhaps  none  are  more  interesting  to 
both  young  and  old  than  Birds.  Their  presence  in  the 
fields  and  hedges,  in  the  groves  and  forests,  their  beau- 
tiful, and,  in  many  kinds,  splendid  colors,  their  sweet 
songs,  and  their  curious  and  wonderful  habits,  charm 
and  delight  every  one. 

Birds  are  vertebrates  which  are  covered  with  feathers, 
furnished  with  a  bill,  and  fitted  for'  flight,  —  their  form 
as  well  as  their  structure  being  adapted  for  easy  and 
rapid  movement  through  the  air ;  even  their  bones  are 


Occiput- 
Ear  region 
Nape, 


••  Crown. 
•  Forehead. 
.-Nostril. 

Man  di- 
bble. 

Throat. 


-Fore  neck. 


Interior  toe. 
Middle     " 
Exterior  " 


Fig.  102.  —  Showing  the  names  of  some  of  the  principal  parts  of  a  Bird. 

hollow,  hence  very  light  in  proportion  to  their  size. 
The  general  'form  of  a  Bird,  and  the  names  of  some  of 
the  principal  external  parts,  are  shown  in  Figure  102. 
The  skeleton  and  the  names  of  the  principal  parts  are 
shown  in  Figure  103.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  the 
form  and  the  skeleton  of  a  Bird  suggested  the  right  way 


BIRDS.  59 

in  which  to  build  a  ship  in  order  to  combine  strength 
with  swiftness.  » 

Although  the  body  of  Birds  is  covered  with  feathers, 
these  do  not  grow  from  the  whole  surface,  but  are  ar- 
ranged in  rows  and  patches,  with  bare  spaces  between. 
Feathers  are  made  up  of  a  hard  central  portion  or  shaft, 
and  a  vane,  the  latter  being  the  broad  portion  which  con- 


Fig.  103.  —  Skeleton  of  a  Bird. 

h,  head  ;  nu,  neck  vertebras  •,  c,  wrist  •,  th,  thumb  ;  me,  metacarpus,  or  hand  ;  ph, 
phalanges,  or  fingers  ;  r,  radius  ;  M,  ulna  ;  A,  humerus  ;  sc,  scapula,  or  shoulder-blade  ; 
cd,  corocoid  bone  5  c/,  clavicle,  or  "  wish-bone  "  •,  st,  breast  bone,  or  sternum  ;  /c,  femur, 
or  thigh  bone  ;  p,  pelvis  ;  ft,  fibula  and  tibia  united  ;  i,  tibia,  or  leg  ;  ts,  tarsus,  or  in- 
step ;  /?s,  phalanges,  or  toes. 

sists  of  delicate  plates  that  are  united  by  minute  barbs 
along  their  edges,  and  thus  made  firm,  —  the  plates  not 
separating  from  one  another  when  pressed  against  the 
air,  as  in  flying.  There  are,  however,  downy  feathers 


60  VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 

on  every  bird,  or  such  as  do  not  have  the  plates  united. 
The  pjumage  of  Birds  is  made  water-proof  by  the  oil 
with  which  they  dress  their  feathers,  and  which  is  ob; 
tained  from  a  gland  situated  on'  the  tail.  They  shed 
their  feathers  twice  a  year,  and  in  many  kinds  the  win- 
ter plumage  differs  in  color  from  that  of  the  summer. 
In  most  birds  the  colors  of  the  male  are  much  more 
brilliant  than  those  of  the 'female. 

Birds  swallow  their  food  without  chewing  it,  and  it  is 
first  received  into  a  sack  called  the  crop ;  then  it  passes 
into  another  sack,  where  it  is  moistened  and  softened ; 
then  it  passes  to  the  gizzard,  where  it  is  digested.  The 
gizzard  generally  contains  gravel  and  other  hard  sub- 
stances, which  these  aninjals  swallow  to  aid  digestion. 

Birds  lay  eggs  and  sit  upon  them  to  hatch  them,  and 
most  birds  build  nests  in  which  to  rear  their  young, 
those  of  the  same  kind  building  alike.  The  young  bird 
in  the  egg  has  a  horny  point  at  the  end  of  the  bill,  with 
which  it  breaks  the  shell.  This  point  is  plainly  seen 
on  the  bill  of  the  newly-hatched  chicken  ;  in  a  few  days 
it  falls  off. 

The  number  of  kinds  of  Birds  is  ten  or  twelve  thou- 
sand, and  there  are  about  seven  hundred  kinds  in  North 
America.  Birds  of  Prey,  the  Climbers,  the  Perchers, 
the  Scratchers,  the  Suntiers,  the  Waders,  and  the  Swim- 
mers are  the  large  groups  into  which  Birds  are  divided. 

BIRDS   OF   PREY,   OR  RAPTORES. 

These  are  the  Vultures,  Eagles,  Hawks,  Falcons,  and 
Owls.  Most  of  them  capture  birds  and  other  animals 
for  food.  They  are  mostly  of  large  size,  and  have  a 
f-trong  hooked  bill,  sharp  claws,  great  spread  of  wing, 
aiid  very  powerful  muscles,  and  the  females  are  gener- 


BIRDS   OF   PREY:   VULTURES. 


61 


ally  larger  than   the  males.     They  live  in  pairs,  and 
choose  their  mates  for  life. 

VULTURES. 

Vultures  have  the  head  nearly  naked  or  thinly  cov- 


Fig.  104.  —  California  Vulture. 

ered  with  feathers,  and,  unlike  the  other  rapacious  birds, 
seldom  capture  prey,  but  feed  upon  dead  and  decaying 


62  VERTEBRATES:   BIRDS. 

animals,  which  they  trace  by  sight  or  scent  at  great  dis- 
tances. They  make  no  nest,  but  deposit  .their  eggs  on 
the  ground  or  naked  rock.  There  are  three  or  four 
kinds  in  the  United  States.  The  celebrated  Condor 
of  the  Andes,  and  the  Lammergeyer  of  the  Alps,  are 
vultures  of  the  largest  kind.  The  latter  attacks  lambs, 
goats,  and  the  chamois.  The  California  Vulture  is  the 
largest  bird  of  prey  in  North  America,  being  as  large 
as  the  largest  Turkey ;  the  color  is  black,  the  head 

orange  and  red.     See  Figure  104. 

1 

FALCONS,  HAWKS,  AND  EAGLES. 

% 

These  birds  have  the  head  clothed  with  feathers,  and 
their  talons  are  very  sharp.  Their  flight  is  rapid,  and 
they  attack  their  prey  with  great  ferocity,  capturing 
chickens,  ducks,  grouse,  quails,  hares,  rabbits,  squir- 
rels, and  other  small  animals.  The  species  are  numer- 
ous, about  seventy  kinds  of  Eagles  being  known  in  all 
countries ;  and  more  than  thirty  kinds  of  Falcons  and 
Hawks  inhabit  North  America.  The  true  Falcons  have 
a  distinct  tooth  in  the  upper  mandible,  as  seen  in  Fig- 
ure 105. 


Fig.  105.  —  American  Peregrine  Falcon,  or  Duck  Hawk. 

The   Duck   Hawk,   or   Peregrine   Falcon,   of   North 
America,  pursues  its   prey   with   almost   inconceivable 


BIRDS   OF   PREY:    EAGLES. 


63 


.SP 
- 


64  VERTEBRATES:   BIRDS. 

velocity  through  all  its  turnings  and  windings,  and 
when  within  a  few  feet,"  protrudes  its  talons,  grasps  the 
prize,  and  bears  it  away*  to  some  secluded  place  and 
devours  it.  Sometimes  it  sweeps  over  the  water  and 
catches  up  ducks  and  other  swimming  birds.  This 
falcon  is  about  a  foot  and  a  half  in  length.  The  Pere- 
grine Falcon  of  Europe,  very  much  like  this  species, 
was  formerly  much  used  in  falconry,  a  fashionable 
sport  of  kings,  nobles,  and  fair  ladies. 

The  Sparrow  Hawk,  of  Amer- 
ica, is  the  smallest  of  the  hawks, 
being  but  little  larger  than  the 
common  robin.  It  preys  upon 
small  birds,  mice,  and  insects. 
*  It  becomes  attached  to  a  partic- 
ular locality,  and  may  be  seen 
day  after  day  on  the  same  tree 
or  stump  watching  for  prey. 
-  The  Bald,  or  White-headed* 

Fig.  107.-Sparrow  Hawk. 


found  along  the  sea-coasts,  lakes,  and  rivers,  and  usu- 
ally makes  its  nest  on  some  tall  tree.  Although  called 
Bald,  its  head  is  clothed  with  white  featluers.  Its  prin- 
cipal food  is  fish,  which  it  obtains  mainly  by  robbing 
the  Osprey,  or  Fish-Hawk.  Seated  on  a  dead  limb  of 
a  large  tree  that  commands  a  view  of  the  waters,  it 
watches  the  Fish-Hawk  as  he  descends  and  plunges  into 
the  deep,  and,  as  he  emerges  with  his  prey  and  rises  into 
the  air,  the  Eagle  gives  chase  ;  each  moves  with  its  ut- 
most speed,  but  the  Eagle  rapidly  gains,  and  as  it  is 
about  to  reach  the  Hawk,  the  latter  drops  the  fish  ;  the 
Eagle  sweeps  downward,  snatches  it  before  it  reaches 
the  water,  and  bears  it  away  to  the  woods. 


BIRDS    OF   PREY:     OWLS. 
OWLS. 


65 


Owls  are  birds  of  prey  which,  in  most  cases,  are  ac- 
tive by  night,  and  rest  during  the  day.  Their  large 
head,  and  large  staring  eyes,  and  the  tufts  of  feathers 
resembling  ears,  which  many  of  them  have,  give  to  the 
face  a  strange,  cat-like  expression.  Their  plumage  is 
soft  and  loose,  and  their  flight  is  almost  noiseless. 


Fig.  108.  — Great  Horned  Owl. 

They  prey  upon  birds,  hares,  squirrels,  mice,  and  in- 
sects. There  are  about  forty  kinds  of  Owls  in  Amer- 
ica, varying  from  the  size  of  a  robin  to  that  of  a  small 
turkey.  The  Great  Horned  Owl  has  large  ear-tufts 
standing  up  like  horns ;  the  Screech  Owl  is  small,  and 
is  noted  for  its  tremulous,  doleful  notes ;  the  Long- 


66 


VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 


eared  Owl  has  very  long  ear-tufts,  and  its  cry  is  pro- 
longed and  plaintive,  consisting  of  two  or  three  notes 
repeated  at  intervals ;  the  Gray  Owls  are  very  large ; 
the  Saw  Whet  Owl  is  small,  and  its  notes  sound  like 
the  noise  made  in  filing  a  saw ;  the  Burrowing  Owls 
are  very  small,  and  live  in  the  burrows  of  the  Prairie 
Dog ;  and  the  Snowy  Owl  is  large,  and,  unlike  the  pre- 


Fig.  109.  — Snowy  Owl. 

ceding  ones,  hunts  in  the  daytime  as  well  as  at  twilight. 
It  lives  in  the  cold  regions,  and  is  seen  in  the  United 
States  only  in  winter. 

CLIMBERS,   OR  SCANSORES. 

These  birds  have  the  toes  in  pairs,  two  in  front  and 
two  behind.  Parrote,  Cuckoos,  and  Woodpeckers  are 
the  principal  kinds. 


CLIMBERS:    CUCKOOS. 
PARROTS. 


67 


Parrots  have  a  stout,  thick  bill,  hooked  at  the  tip. 
Many  of  them  are  adorned  with  the  most  gorgeous- 
colored  plumage  ;  and  this,  together  with  the  ease  with 
which  they  are  trained  to  speak,  has  made  them  objects 
of  great  .interest.  They  live  in  the  warm  regions, 
where  the  trees  are  always  green,  and  fruits  and  seeds 
never  fail  them. 


Fig.  110.  —  Carolina  Parrot 


The  Carolina  Parrot  of  the  Southern  States,  about  as 
large  as  a  dove,  is  our  only  species. 

CUCKOOS. 

The  Cuckoos  of  the  United  States  are  about  a  foot 
long,  with  the  upper  parts  of  a  metallic  olive  green 
color,  and  the  under  parts  white.  They  are  shy,  con- 
cealing themselves  in  the  thick  foliage  of  trees,  where 


68 


VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 


they  sit  for  hours  uttering  their  unpleasant  notes,  which 
sound  like  cow-cow,  eight  or  ten  times  repeated.     They 


Eig.  111.  —  Cuckoo. 

feed  upon  insects,  and  also  eggs,  which  they  steal  from 
the  nests  of  other  birds. 

WOODPECKERS. 

These  birds  have  a  straight,  sharp  bill,  with  which 
they  cut  into  bark  or  wood  in 
search  of  insects.  The  tongue  is 
very  long  and  capable  of  being 
greatly  extended,  and  is  armed 
towards  the  tip  with  barbs.  By 
means  of  this  instrument  they 
pierce  and  drag  forth  insects 
from  their  hiding-places.  Twenty 
or  thirty  kinds  are  found  in  North 
America,  varying  in  size  from  the 
sparrow  to  that  of  a  crow.  They 
build  their  nests  in  holes,  which 
they  make  with  their  bills  in 
trunks  or  branches  of  trees. 


Fig.  112.— Red-headed 
Woodpecker. 


CLIMBERS:    WOODPECKERS.  69 

The  Ivory-billed  Woodpecker,  of  the  Southern  States, 
is  the  largest,  and  has  the  body  black,  with  white  upon 
the  wings  and  neck,  the  crest  scarlet,  and  the  bill  ivory 
white.  The  Black  Woodcock,  of  the  Northern  States, 
is  smaller,  greenish-black  in  color,  with  a  scarlet  crest. 
The  Hairy  and  Downy  Woodpeckers,  or  Sapsuckers,  are 
small,  and  black  and  white.  The  Red-headed  Wood- 
pecker has -the  head  and  neck  crimson,  the  back,  pri- 
maries, and  tail  black,  the  rump  and  a  band  on  the 
wings  white.  The  Golden-winged  Woodpecker  is  larger 


Fig.  113.  —  Golden-winged  Woodpecker. 

than  a  robin,  and  is  one  of  our  most  beautiful  birds. 
On  the  first  sunny  days  of  spring  the  Woodpeckers  of 
this  species  appear  on  the  tops  of  decayed  trees,  and 
as  they  hop  about,  striking  with  their  bills  here  and 
there,  make  the  woods  resound  with  their  loud,  clear 
notes.  Soon  they  pair,  and  both  male  and  female  begin 


70  VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 

to  make  a  hole  in  a  tree  for  the  nest.  The  female  lays 
from  four  to  six  beautiful  white  eggs  for  each  brood, 
and  two  broods  are  reared  in  a  season. 


PERCHERS,   OR  INSESSORES. 

These  make  up  a  large  part  of  the  most  'common 
birds,  as  Humming-Birds,  Nighthawks,  Kingfishers,  Fly- 
catchers, Thrushes,  Warblers,  Creepers,  Titmice,  Spar- 
rows, Grosbeaks,  Larks,  Blackbirds,  Jays,  Crows,  &c. 

HUMMING-BIRDS. 

These  are  birds  of  the  smallest  size  and  of  the  most 
gorgeous  plumage  to  be  found  in  the  feathered  race. 
The  beauty  of  their  colors  defies  description ;  and  from 
their  brilliancy  they  are  often  called  "flying  gems.'5 


Figs.  114  and  115.  —  Ruby-throated  Humming-Bird  and  Nest. 

There  are  about  four  hundred  kinds,  and  they  all  be- 
long to  the  continent  and  islands  of  America,  and  are 
most  numerous  in  the  warm  regions.  Their  feet  are 
very  small,  their  wings  long,  and  their  power  of  flight 
very  great ;  and  they  can  balance  themselves  in  the 
air,  or  beside  a  flower,  with  perfect  ease.  Their  food 
consists  of  insects  and  the  honey  of  flowers.  Their 
nests  are  usually  made  of  cotton,  thistle-down,  delicate 
fibres,  and  other  soft  materials,  woven  into  a  cup-shaped 
cradle,  and  placed  on  a  branch  of  a  tree  not  many  feet 
from  the  ground ;  and  the  outside  is  covered  with  lich- 


PERCHERS:    WHIPPOOR WILLS   AND   NIGHTHAWKS. 


71 


ens  in  such  a  manner  as  to  make  the  nest  appear  like 
a  natural  growth/    The  eggs  are  pure  white. 

WHIPPOORWILLS  AND   NIGHTHAWKS. 

The   Chuck-will's  Widow,  whose   curious  notes  are 
heard  in  the  evening  and  in  the  early  morning  in  the 


Fig.  116.  —  Whippoorwill. 

Southern  States,  and  the  Whippoorwill  and  Nighthawk 


Fig.  1 1 7.  —  Nighthawk. 

of  the  United  States  generally,  are  closely  related  to 


72  VERTEBRATES:   BIRDS. 

each  other.  The  last  two  are  each  about  ten  inches 
long,  and  of  a  dark  color  marked  with  white.  The 
Chuck-will's  Widow  gets  its  name  from  its  notes,  which 
sound  like  the  words  chuck-will's  widow,  and  the  Whip- 
poorwill  its  name  from  a  resemblance  of  its  notes  to 
the  syllables  whip-poor-will,  which  are  also  uttered  in 
the  evening  and  at  early  dawn.  They  make  no  nest, 
but  lay  their  eggs  on  the  ground,  or  on  a  flat  rock. 

KINGFISHERS. 

These  birds  feed  upon  fish,  and  make  their  nests  in 
holes  which  they  dig  in  the  banks  of  ponds  and  streams. 
They  have  a  long,  straight  bill,  and  short  legs.  The 
Belted  Kingfisher,  of  North  America,  is  nearly  as  large 


Fig.  118.— Belted  Kingfisher. 

as  a  small  dove,  the  head  crested,  the  color  blue  above 
and  white  below,  with  a  blue  belt.     Sitting  on  a  branch 


PERCHERS:    FLYCATCHERS.  73 

or  decayed  tree  near  the  water,  it  watches  intently  for 
fish ;  and  at  the  proper  moment  it  plunges  into  the 
water,  seizes  its  victim,  flies  to  the  nearest  tree,  swal- 
lows the  fish,  and  is  immediately  on  the  lookout  for 
another. 

FLYCATCHERS. 

There  are  about  thirty  kinds  of  these  birds  in  North 
America.  The  bill  is  broad  and  bent  down  at  the  tip, 
and  the  sides  of  the  mouth  have  stiff  bristles.  The 
Kingbird,  Pewees,  and  Great-crested  Flycatcher  are 
some  of  the  most  common  and  best  known  species.  The 
Kingbird  is  somewhat  smaller  than  a  robin,  and  is  dark 


Fig.  119.  —  Kingbird. 

above  and  white  below,  with  a  hidden  crest  of  orange, 
vermilion,  and  white.  It  is  common  in  open  fields 
and  orchards,  where  it  is  seen  perched  upon  a  stake, 
tall  weed,  or  low  tree,  watching  for  insects,  which  it 
darts  down  upon  with  sure  aim.  It  is  very  courageous, 
eagerly  attacking  crows,  hawks,  and  other  large  birds. 
The  Pewee,  or  Phoebe  Bird,  is  smaller  than  the  King- 
bird, and  its  color  is  dark  above  and  yellowish  below. 


74  VERTEBRATES:   BIRDS. 

It  lingers  around  bridges,  old  buildings,  and  caves. 
Here  in  some  secure  spot  it  builds  its  nest  of  mud, 
grass,  and  moss,  with  a  soft  lining  within  for  the  eggs, 
which  are  pure  white  with  reddish  spots  near  the 
larger  end.  The  Wood  Pewee  is  rather  smaller  than 
the  Phoebe,  and  is  found  in  the  quiet  retreats  of  the 
forest. 

THKTJSHES. 

The  Wood  Thrush,  Hermit  Thrush,  Wilson's  Thrush, 
Robin,  Robin  Redbreast,  &c.,  come  under  this  head. 

The  Wood  Thrush  is  smaller  than  a  robin,  brownish 
above,  white  below,  marked  with  triangular  black  spots. 


Fig.  121.  — Kuby-crowned 
Wren. 


Fig.  r20.  —  Wood  Thrush. 


It  is  found  in  groves  and  woods,  and  its  sweet  singing 
has  made  it  celebrated  among  all  lovers  of  birds.  Its 
nest  and  eggs  much  resemble  those  of  the  robin. 

The  Hermit  Thrush  is  smaller  than  the  Wood  Thrush, 
which  it  somewhat  resembles,  but  it  is  rather  darker 
above,  and  its  breast  is  yellowish-white,  and  the  dark 
spots  beneath  are  less  distinct  than  in  the  latter;  and 
its  soft,  liquid,  plaintive  notes  excel  in  sweetness  those 
of  any  other  American  bird.  It  is  heard  in  shady  glens 
and  deep  woods. 


PERCHERS."  THRUSHES.  75 

The  American  Robin  is  one  of  the  most  common  of 
the  Thrushes,  and  its  song  in  the  early  morning  and 
at  the  close  of  the  day  is  one  of  the  pleasaiitest  sounds 
that  come  from  our  groves  and  orchards. 

The  Robin  Redbreast,  of  Europe,  is  about  half  as 
large  as  our  robin,  of  a  brown  color,  with  a  red  breast. 
It  loves  to  be  near  man,  and  often  enters  his  dwelling. 
It  is  easily  tamed,  and  is  a  great  favorite.  In  severe 
weather  it  comes  into  the  house,  and,  selecting  a  perch, 
warbles  its  song  when  the  day  is  clear  or  when  the  fire 
burns  brightly. 

The  American  Bluebird  is  sky-blue  above,  and  the 
breast  chestnut-colored.  Its  nest  is  usually  made  in  a 
hollow  tree  or  post,  and  its  eggs  are  from  four  to  six, 
pale  blue.  It  is  a  loving,  gentle  bird,  and  its  soft  war- 
ble is  very  pleasing.  The  Ruby-crowned  Wren,  which 
is  now  placed  with  the  Thrushes,  is  scarcely  more  than 
four  inches  long,  and  is  known  by  a  patch  of  scarlet 
feathers  on  the  crown.  Its  song  is  clear  and  sweet. 
The  Water  Ouzel,  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  is  smaller 


Fig.  122.  —  Ouzel.  Fig.  123.  —  Nightingale. 

than  the  robin,  and  of  a  dark  lead-color.  This  curious 
Thrush  frequents  mountain  streams,  into  which  it  walks 
or  dives,  and  moves  about  beneath  the  water  in  search 
of  insects  and  other  small  animals  upon  which  it  feeds. 


76  VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 

WARBLERS. 

Warblers  are  among  the  smallest,  most  beautiful,  and 
interesting  of  singing  birds.  Many  kinds  are  generally 
found  in  the  same  locality,  and  may  be  seen  gliding 
among  the  thick  foliage,  busily  engaged  in  catching 
minute  insects  which  hide  beneath  the  leaves  and  -in 
the  buds  and  blossoms,  and  which  often  escape  the 
sight  of  other  and  larger  birds.  Some  of  the  Warblers 
are  the  sweetest  of  songsters,  as  the  celebrated  Nightin- 
gale, of  Europe,  shown  in  Figure  123.  More  than  fifty 
kinds  are  found  in  the  United  States;  and  their  very 
names  are  beautiful,  and  give  us  some  idea  of  the  ap- 
pearance of  these  charming  little  creatures.  Some  of 
the  more  common  are  the  Maryland  Yellow-throat,  the 


Fig.  1 24.  —  Maryland  Yellow-  Fig.  125.  —  Blackburnian 

throat.  Warbler. 

Blue-winged  Yellow  Warbler,  the  Golden-winged  War- 
bler, the  Orange-crowned  Warbler,  the  Golden-crowned 
Warbler  or  Thrush,  the  Black-throated  Green  Warbler, 
the  Yellow-rump  Warbler,  the  Bay-breasted  Warbler, 
the  Chestnut-sided  Warbler,  the  Blue  Warbler,  the 
Black  Poll  Warbler,-the  Yellow  Warbler,  the  Black  and 
Yellow  Warbler,  the  Yellow  Red  Poll,  the  Yellow-throat- 
ed Warbler,  the  Blackburnian  Warbler,  &c. 

SWALLOWS. 

These  beautiful  birds  have  long  wings,  short  legs, 
and  short,  wide  bill,  and  they  spend  much  of  their  time 


PERCHERS:    SHRIKES   AND    VIREOS.  77 

upon  the  wing,  skimming  over  fields  and  ponds,  catch- 
ing small  insects,  which  constitute  their  food.  One 
kind  builds  its  nest  upon  the  rafters  in  the  barn,  and 
is  called  the  Barn  Swallow ;  another  builds  its  nest 
under  the  eaves,  and  is  called  the  Eave  Swallow ;  an- 
other under  cliffs,  and  is  called  the  Cliff  Swallow ;  an- 
other digs  a  hole  in  a  sandbank  .for  its  nest,  and  is 
called  the  Bank  Swallow ;  and  the  Purple  Martin  comes 
and  makes  its  nest  in  the  Martin-houses  which  we  place 
for  it  near  our  dwellings.  Some  persons  suppose  that 
these  birds,  which  require  air  and  sunshine  as  much  as 
we  do,  spend  the  winter  in  the  mud  at  the  bottoms  of 
ponds ! 

SHRIKES  AND   VIREOS. 

The  Shrike,  or  Butcher-Bird,  is  about  as  large  as  a 
robin,  of  a  bluish  color,  with  black  wings  and  tail. 
Although  belonging  to  the  song-birds,  it  is  a  hawk  in 


Fig.  126.  —  Shrike,  or  Butcher-Bird. 

its  disposition,  preying  upon  sparrows,  warblers,  and 
other  small  birds,  as  well  as  upon  insects.  It  often 
imitates  the  cries  of  other  birds,  perhaps  to  call  them 
from  the  trees  and  bushes,  that  it  may  get  a  chance 
to  seize  one  of  their  number.  It  is  called  Butcher- 
Bird  from  its  habit  of  impaling  or  hanging  up  its  prey 


78  VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 

upon  thorns  and  other  sharp  points,  as  a  butcher  hangs 
up  his  meats  upon  sharp  hooks  in  his  stall.  It  builds 
a  large  nest  of  twigs,  grass,  and  moss,  in  the  forks 
of  a  tree. 

The  Vireos  are  much  smaller 
than  the  Shrike,  and  mostly 
olive-green  above  and  light 
below.  The  Red-eyed  Vi- 
reo  has  the  iris  of  the  eye 
red.  Its  loud,  clear  notes 
are  heard  in  the  tree-tops 

f  .          ,.,,    ,.        .  Fig.  127.  — Warbling  Vireo. 

from  spring   till   late    in    au 

tumn.     The  White-eyed  and  the  Warbling  Vireo  are 

small  species,  and  their  notes  are  very  pleasant. 

MOCKING-BIRDS,  &c. 

These  birds  are  closely  related  to  the  Thrushes,  and 
are  very  sweet  singers.  The  Mocking-Bird,  of  the 
Southern  States,  is  about  the  size  of  the  robin,  with  a 


Fig.  128.  —  Mocking-Bird. 

very  long  tail,  and  the  color  is  ashy.  It  sings  with 
great  sweetness,  and  readily  imitates  the  songs  of  all 
the  birds  which  it  hears.  It  is  a  very  common  pet  in 
cages. 


PERCHERS:    CREEPERS,   NUTHATCHES,   &c.  79 

The  Cat-Bird,  of  the  Northern  States,  is  smaller  than 
the  robin,  and  of  a  dark  color,  and  in  spring  and  the 
early  part  of  summer  its  song  is  very  mellow  and  sweet. 
Like  its  relative,  it  easily  imitates  the  notes  of  other 
birds,  and  may  be  properly  called  the  Mocking-Bird  of 
the  North.  President  Hill,  of  Harvard  College,  states 
that,  having  whistled  a  strain  of  Yankee  Doodle  two 
or  three  times  in  the  presence  of  this  bird,  it  imitated 
him  perfectly.  In  the  latter  part  of  summer  its  notes 
are  very  harsh  and  disagreeable,  sounding  like  the  yawl 
of  a  cat. 

Wrens  are  small  birds,  about  the  size  of  the  War- 
blers. The  Carolina  Wren  is  one 
of  the  largest.  It  is  reddish- 
brown.  The  House  Wren  de- 
lights in  being  near  the  habita- 
tions of  man,  and  often  makes  its 
nest  in  a  hole  in  the  timbers  or 
walls.  The  Winter  Wren  is  one 
of  the  smallest,  and  of  a  brownish 
color.  It  is  very  active,  and  may  *«• '^.-Winter  Wren, 
be  seen  in  twenty  attitudes  in  the  course  of  a  minute. 

CREEPERS,  NUTHATCHES,  AND   CHICKADEES. 

Creepers  and  Nuthatches  are  very  small  birds,  which 
may  be  seen  in  North  America  at  all  seasons  of  the 
year,  running  along  the  trunks  and  branches  of  trees, 
and  looking,  at  a  little  distance,  much  like  little  Wood- 
peckers. The  American  Creeper  is  light  brown,  with 
lighter  streaks.  The  White-bellied  Nuthatch  is  blue, 
with  the  under  parts  white,  and  the  top  of  the  head  and 
neck  black.  The  Red-bellied  Nuthatch  is  a  smaller  spe- 
cies, and  has  the  under  parts  red.  Both  kinds  attach 


80 


VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 


their  feet  to  the  bark,  and  sleep  with  their  heads  down- 
ward.  The  Chickadee  is  one  of  our  smallest  birds,  and 
sings  its  simple  chickadee-dee-dee  in  winter  as  well  as  in 


Fig.  131.— Chick- 
adee, or  Titmouse. 


Fig.  132.—  White-bellied  Nut- 
hatch. 


Fig.  130. — Amer- 
ican Creeper. 

summer,  and  in  all  sorts  of  weather.  Its  color  is  ashy 
above,  whitish  below,  and  the  top  of  the  head  and  throat 
black. 

SKYLARKS. 

The  Skylark,  or  Shore  Lark,  is  the  only  bird  of  its 


Fig.  133.  —  American  Skylark. 

family  in  North  America.     It  is  smaller  than  the  robin, 


PERCHERS:     FINCHES,    CROSSBILLS,   AND   SPARROWS.      81 

and  sings  sweetly  while  on  the  wing,  but  its  song  is 
short.  The  Skylark  of  Europe  is  almost  as  celebrated 
for  its  song  as  the  Nightingale.  It  often  rises  vertically 
to  a  great  height,  and  when  rising  or  falling  it  sings  its 
varied  and  powerful  song. 

FINCHES,   CROSSBILLS,   BUNTINGS,   SPARROWS,   AND 
GROSBEAKS. 

The  Purple  Pinch  is  about  as  large  as  the  Bluebird, 
and  of  a  beautiful  crimson  color ;  the  female  brown 
above  and  white  below  streaked  with  brown.  The  nest 
is  built  in  a  tree  close  to  the  ground,  and  the  eggs  are 
four,  of  a  rich  green  color.  The  Yellow  Bird,  or  Amer- 


Fig.  134.  — Purple  Finch.  Fig.  135.  —White-winged  Crossbill. 

ican  Goldfinch,  is  of  a  beautiful  yellow,  the  crown  and 
wings  black,  tail  and  wings  marked  with  white.  The 
nest  is  very  handsome,  made  of  lichens,  and  fastened 
to  a  twig ;  eggs  white,  with  a  bluish  tinge,  and  spotted 
with  brown  at  the  larger  end. 

Crossbills  have  the  points  of  the  bill  much  curved 
and  crossing  each  other.  By  means  of  this  curious 
instrument  they  can  open  the  cones  of  pine  and  spruce 
with  great  facility,  and  thus  secure  the  seeds,  upon 

4*  F 


82 


VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 


which  they  feed.  Crossbills  are  about  as  large  as  the 
Bluebird ;  and  there  are  two  species  in  North  America, 
—  the  Red  Crossbill  and  the  White-winged  Crossbill, 
the  latter  having  white  bands  upon  the  wings. 

Sparrows  are  plain-colored 
birds,  generally  dull  brown, 
variously  striped  and  marked, 
and  are  the  most  common 
in  open  fields,  orchards,  and 
about  low  bushes.  There 
are  many  kinds  in  North 
America,  all  of  which  are 
small,  the  largest  scarcely  ong  Sparrow, 

equalling  the  common  Bluebird  in  size.  Some  of  the 
principal  kinds  are  the  Bay-winged  Bunting,  the  Yel- 
low-winged Sparrow,  the  White-crowned  Sparrow,  the 
White-throated  Sparrow,  the  Black  Snow-Bird,  the 
Tree  Sparrow,  the  Chipping  Sparrow,  the  Song  Spar- 
row, the  Swamp  Sparrow,  the  Fox-colored  Sparrow,  &c. 
The  Grosbeaks  have  the  bill 
very  large,  and  hence  their  name, 
which  means  great  beak.  The 
Rose-breasted  Grosbeak  is  one  of 
the  most  beautiful  of  the  North 
American  birds.  It  is  smaller  than 
a  robin,  and  the  color  is  black  and 
white,  the  breast  a  rich  carmine. 
The  female  has  no  black  or  car- 
mine. The  song  is  loud,  clear, 
and  sweet. 

The  Ground  Robin,  Towhe  Bunt- 
ing,   or    Chewink,    is    about    two 
Fig.  137.— Rose-breasted    thirds   as   large   as    a    robin,    the- 
Grosbeak.  coior  black  and  white.      The  fc- 


PERCHERS:  BLACKBIRDS,  LARKS,  &c.         83 

male  is  brown  and  white.     It   is   seen   almost   every- 
where, in  low  bushes,  in  fields,  or  by  the  wayside,  and 


Fig.  138.  —  Chewink. 

is  easily  found  out  by  its  sweet  chewink,  which  it  utters 
every  few  moments.  Often  near  the  close  of  day  in 
spring  it  mounts  the  topmost  twig  of  a  small  tree,  and 
sings  with  a  sweetness  that  charms  all  who  listen  to  it. 
It  makes  its  nest  upon  the  ground,  and  lays  from  four 
to  six  eggs  of  a  light  color  with  dark  spots. 

\. 

BLACKBIRDS,  LARKS,   &c. 

The   Bobolink,    Cow-Bird,    Blackbirds,    Larks,    and 


Fig.  139.— Bobolink. 

Orioles  all  belong  to  one  family.      The  Bobolink,   or 


84  VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 

Rice-Bird,  is  larger  than  a  Bluebird,  of  a  black  and 
cream  color,  the  female  yellowish  brown.  It  is  seen  in 
meadows  during  the  summer;  and  its  jingling  song,  ut- 
tered from  a  low  tree,  or  bush,  or  tall  weed,  or  upon  the 
wing,  is  familiar  to  all  who  live  in  the  country.  Late 
in  the  summer  they  fly  southward,  and  are  seen"  in 
immense  flocks  around  grain-fields  and  along  the  mar- 
gins of  creeks  and  rivers,  where  the  tops  of  the  reeds 
are  bent  with  ripe  seeds.  Thousands  are  shot  by  the 
hunters  and  sold  in  the  markets,  where  they  are  called 
Reed-Birds. 

The  Cow-Bird  is  larger  than  the  Bobolink,  and,  in 
respect  to  its  habits,  is  the  most  singular  bird  in  North 
America.  For  some  reason  which  is  not  understood 
it  never  makes  a  nest,  but,  like  the  European  Cuckoo, 
stealthily  lays  its  eggs,  only  one  in  a  place,  in  the  nests 
of  Warblers,  Flycatchers,  Bluebirds,  Sparrows,  and  the 
Golden-crowned  Thrush.  The  egg  is  grayish  blue, 
marked  with  brown  dots  and  short  streaks.  And  it  is 
a  curious  fact  that  this  egg  hatches  before  the  eggs  of 
the  bird  in  whose  nest  it  is  laid.  Just  as  soon  as  the 
young  Cow-Bird  is  hatched,  the  foster-parents  leave 
their  own  eggs  and  fly  off  to  get  food  for  it,  and  hence 
the  young  in  their  eggs  die,  and  the  eggs  are  soon 
thrown  from  the  nest.  Then  the  young  Cow-Bird  re- 
ceives the  whole  attention  of  those  that  have  been 
compelled  to  adopt  it,  and  they  feed  it  till  long  after  it 
can  fly,  and  until  it  is  larger  than  the  foster-parents 
themselves.  The  head  and  neck  of  the  Cow-Bird  is  of 
a  chocolate  color,  the  rest  of  the  body  lustrous  black ; 
the  female  is  light  brown. 

The  Red-winged  Blackbird  is  about  as  large  as  the 
robin,  shining  black,  with  the  shoulder  and  a  part  of  the 


PERCHERS:  CROWS,  JAYS,  &c.  85 

wing  bright  crimson.  The  female  is  of  a  dusky  color. 
It  is  common  about  ponds  and  marshes,  and  builds  its 
nest  in  low  bushes  or  tufts  of  sedges. 

The  Meadow  Lark  is  rather  larger  than  the  robin ; 
the  upper  parts  brown  and  brownish  white,  the  under 


Fig.  140.  —  Meadow  Lark. 

parts  yellow,  with  a  black  crescent  upon  the  breast. 
The  nest  is  built  at  the  foot  of  a  tuft  of  grass,  and  is 
covered  over,  except  an  entrance  just  large  enough  to 
admit  the  owners. 

The  Baltimore  Oriole,  or  Hangbird,  is  about  as  large 
as  a  sparrow,  the  color  black  and  orange  red,  and  is 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  birds  in  the  United  States. 
Its  song  is  loud,  full,  and  mellow.  Its  hanging  nest 
is  woven  to  the  outer-drooping  twigs  of  the  elm  and 
other  trees.  It  is  made  of  fibres  from  the  silkweed. 

CROWS,  RAVENS,  JAYS,  AND  MAGPIES. 

These  are  rather  large  birds.  The  Raven  is  the 
largest.  It  is  seldom  seen  east  of  the  Mississippi  River. 
The  Crow  is  known  to  all,  and  farmers  regard  it  as 
their  enemy,  because  it  pulls  up  the  young  corn ;  but 
it  does  much  more  good  than  harm,  by  destroying  a 


86  VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 

great  number  of  grubs,  which  would  injure  the  crops. 
The  Blue-Jay  is  a  bird  of  wonderful  beauty,  but  its 
notes  are  harsh,  and  it  eats  the  eggs  of  other  birds,  and 
even  destroys  young  birds,  swallowing  them  as  greed- 
ily as  would  a  hawk.  The  Magpie  is  about  as  large 


Fig.  141.  — Magpie. 

as  a  dove,  black  and  white,  and  the  tail  is  very  long. 
There  are  two  kinds  in  North  America,  and  one  in 
Europe. 

SCRATCHERS,   OR  RASORES. 

Doves,  Wild  Pigeons,  Turkeys,  Hens,  Grouse,  Pheas- 
ants, and  Quails  are  the  principal  Easores.      Most  of 


SCRATCHERS:   PIGEONS   AND   GROUSE.  87 

them  live  mainly  upon  the  ground,  and  all  feed  upon 
seeds,  grain,  nuts,  and  berries.  The  Rasores  are  very 
important  to  man,  their  flesh  furnishing  him  with  some 
of  his  choicest  food.  Excepting  the  Doves  and  Pigeons, 
they  are  able  to  run  as  soon  as  hatched. 

PIGEONS. 

The  Wild  Pigeon,  of  North  America,  is  about  as  large 
as  a  dove,  with  a  very  long  tail,  and  the  color  above  is 


Fig.  142.  — Wild  Pigeon. 

blue,  under  parts  reddish,  and  the  neck  glossy  golden 
violet.  It  flies  very  rapidly,  and  sometimes  millions 
move  together,  darkening  the  air  like  a  cloud,  and,  on 
alighting,  fill  forests,  and  even  break  down  large  trees 
by  their  weight. 

GROUSE. 

The   Prairie    Chicken,   Ruffed    Grouse,   Ptarmigans, 
&c.  come  under  this  head. 

The  Prairie  Chicken,  as  large  as  a  common  hen,  has 


88  VERTEBRATES:   BIRDS. 

an  air-sack  on  each  side  of  the  neck  by  which  it  is 
able  to  produce  a  loud  booming  sound,  which  can  be 
heard  a  mile.  It  is  abundant  on  the  Western  prairies. 
It  is  easily  tamed.  Audubon  once  caught  sixty  iij  the 
autumn,  and,  having  clipped  the  tips  of  their  wings, 
put  them  in  a  field.  Within  a  week  they  became  so 
tame  that  they  were  not  afraid  when  he  came  near 
them,  and  before  winter  was  over  would  eat  from  the 
hand.  The  Ruffed  Grouse,  or  Partridge,  of  the  United 
States,  is  about  the  size  of  the  Prairie  Chicken,  with 
beautifully  barred  and  spotted  plumage. 

QUAILS. 

These  birds  are  much  smaller  than  the  Grouse,  and 
about  forty  kinds  are  found  in  America.     The  Quail 


Fig.  143.  — Quail. 

has  a  body  about  as  large  as  a  pigeon,  and  its  color  is 
reddish  brown.  In  Pennsylvania  and  southward  it  is 
called  the  Partridge.  Its  notes  are  a  sort  of  whistle. 


WADERS,    OR   GRALLATORES.  89 

The  nest  is  built  near  a  tuft  of  grass,  and  the  eggs  are 
from  ten  to  eighteen,  pure  white. 


Fig.  144.  —  Mountain  Quail. 

The  Mountain  Quail  is  found  in  Oregon  and  Cali- 
fornia. 

WADERS,   OR   GRALLATORES. 

The  Waders  have  a  long  bill,  long  neck,  and  long  legs. 
They  are  the  Qranes,  Herons,  Ibises,  Plovers,  Turn- 
stones, Stilts,  Woodcocks,  Snipes,  Yellow-Legs,  Godwits, 
Curlews,  Rails,  and  Gallinules.  They  live  mainly  in 
wet  places,  or  upon  marshes  or  shores,  and  are  adapted 
by  their  long  legs  for  wading  in  shallow  waters.  They 
feed  upon  worms,  sliell-fish,  and  other  aquatic  animals. 
Figures  145-157  show  some  of  the  common  kinds. 

HEEONS. 

The  Great  Blue  Heron,  of  North  America,  frequents 
ponds  and  creeks,  where  it  may  be  seen  standing  for 
hours,  upon  a  rock  or  stump,  watching  for  fish.  When 


90 


VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 


wounded  it  is  dangerous  to  approach  it,  as  it  strikes 
with  its  bill,   and   generally  aims  at  the   eye.      This 


Fig.  145.  —  Great  Blue  Heron. 


Heron  is  three  feet  and  a  half  long.     It  builds  its  nest 
on  a  large  tree,  in  a  dense  swamp. 


WADERS:   HERONS   AND   IBISES.  91 

The  Bittern,  or  Stake-Driver,  and  the  Night  Heron, 


Fig.  146.  —  Bittern,  or  Stake-Driver. 

with  its  long,  white  plumes,  are  much  smaller  species. 

IBISES. 

The  Wood  Ibis  is  nearly  as  large  as  the  Great  Blue 


Fig.  147.  — Wood  Ibis. 


92 


VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 


Fig.  148.— Plover. 


Fig.  149.  —  Turnstone. 


Fig.  1 50.  —  Yellow-Legs.  Fig.  151.—  American  Woodcock. 


Fig.  152.  — Wilson's  Snipe. 


Fig.  153.  — Stilt. 


WADERS:    PLOVER,    TURNSTONE,    YELLOW-LEGS,    &c.      93 


Fig.  154.  — Godwit. 


Fig.  155.  — Curlew. 


Fig.  156.— Kail.  *  Fig.  157.  — Gallinule. 


94  VERTEBRATES:    BIRDS. 

Heron,  and  lives  in  the  swamps  of  the  Southern  States. 
In  order  to  obtain  food,  it  moves  about  in  the  shallow 
waters  until  these  become  muddy;,  when  the  fishes  rise 
to  the  surface,  and  are  struck  and  killed  by  fts  bill. 

SWIMMERS,   OR  NATATORES. 

These  birds  are  fitted  to  live  in  and  about  the  water. 
Their  feet  are  webbed,  and  the  plumage  is  thick  and 
made  water-proof  by  the  oil  with  which  they  dress  it. 
They  swim  with  great  ease,  and  most  of  them  are  ex- 
pert divers.  Swans,  Geese,  Ducks,  Pelicans,  Petrels, 
Gulls,  Divers,  Auks,  and  their  relatives,  belong  in  this 
group. 

SWANS,  GEESE,  AND  DUCKS. 

The  Swans  have  the  neck  very  long,  and  they  are 
much  larger  than  the  largest  goose.  There  are  two 
species  in  North  America,  —  the  American  Swan  and 
the  Trumpeter,  both  pure  white. 

The  Wild  Goose  is  larger  than  the  common  goose, 
of  a  brownish  color,  with  black  head,  neck,  bill,  feet, 
and  tail.  Wild  Geese  are  seen  in  early  spring  in  large 
flocks,  moving  northward,  where  they  rear  their  young, 
returning  south  in  autumn.  The  peculiar  noise  made 
by  a  flock  as  they  pass  over  is  familiar  to  all.  They 
are  sometimes  tamed,  but.  often  manifest  a  desire  to 
join  the  migrating  flocks.  Wilson  says  a  wild  goose 
was  captured  by  a  farmer  on  Long  Island,  and  kept 
all  winter  with  a  flock  of  common  geese.  The  follow- 
ing spring  it  joined  a  party  of  its  own  kind  which  was 
passing  over.  The  next  autumn,  as  a.  flock  of  wild 
geese  was  returning  southward,  and  passing  directly 
over  this  man's  farm,  throve  of  the  number  separated 


SWIMMERS:   DUCKS. 


95 


from  the  others  and  alighted  in  the  yard.  They  proved 
to  be  the  long-lost  goose  and  two  of  her  young. 

The  Mallard,  or  Greenhead,  is  about  two  feet  long, 
and  has  the  plumage  of  the  head  bright  green ;  there 
is  a  white  ring  around  the  neck,  and  the  general  color 
of  the  body  is  brownish.  This  is  the  parent  of  the 
domestic  duck. 

The  Wood  Duck  is  smaller  than  the  Greenhead,  and 
its  plumage  excels  in  beauty  that  of  all  other  ducks. 


Fig.  158.— Wood  Duck. 

It  builds  its  nest  in  a  hollow  tree  or  limb ;  and  if  the 
nest  is  over  water,  the  young,  as  soon  as  hatched,  drop 
into  it ;  if  not,  they  fall  to  the  ground,  and  are  led 
or  carried  to  the  water  by  the  parent. 

The  Canvas-Back  is  about  the  size  of  the  Wood 
Duck,  with  a  chestnut-colored  head,  and  the  other  parts 
white  and  black. 

The  Eider  Duck  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  Ducks ; 
colors  black  and  white.  It  lives  in  the  cold  regions  of 


96  VERTEBRATES:   BIRDS. 

the  North.     Eider-down  is  obtained  from  the  nests  of 


Fig.  159.  —  Canvas-Back. 

Eider  Ducks,  the  birds  having  plucked  it  from  their 
breasts  to  place  around  their  eggs. 

ALBATROSSES   AND  PETRELS. 

The  Albatrosses  are  the  largest  of  web-footed  birds ; 


Fig.  160.  — Sooty  Albatross. 


SWIMMERS:  GULLS  AND  TERNS. 


97 


the  Petrels,  in  many  cases,  are  very  small.  Both  live 
on  the  ocean,  but  come  on  shore  to  rear  their  young. 
The  voice  of  the  Albatross  is  as  loud  as  that  of  an  Ass. 

The  Stormy  Petrels,  or 
"Mother  Carey's  Chick- 
ens," are  the  smallest 
of  web-footed  birds ;  but 
they  are  able  to  fly  about 
during  the  most  terrific 
storms.  While  flying 
close  to  the  water  they 
extend  their  legs,  and 
thus  appear  to  walk. upon 


Fig.  161.  —  Stormy  Petrel. 


its  surface.     The  word  Petrel  means  little  Peter. 

GULLS  AND   TERNS. 

The  Gulls  and  Terns  have  long  and  pointed  wings, 
and  are  common  upon  the  shores  of  all  countries,  and 


Fig.  162.  — Tern. 

also  on  the  larger  rivers  and  lakes.     They  swim  well, 
but  do  not  dive.     The  Gulls  are  generally  light-colored, 


98  VERTEBRATES:   BIRDS. 

and  they  vary  in  size  from  that  of  a  dove  to  that  of  a 
goose.  The  Terns  have  the  tail  very  long  and  forked. 
They  are  generally  light  below,  black,  and  bluish  above. 
They  are  of  the  size  of  a  dove  and  smaller,  some  being 
no  larger  than  a  robin.  They  feed  upon  small  marine 
animals. 

DIVERS. 

The  Great  Northern  Diver,  or  Loon,  is  almost  as  large 


Fig.  163.  —  Great  Northern  Diver,  or  Loon. 

as  a  goose,  black  above,  beautifully 
spotted  with  white,  and  white  be- 
low. It  is  exceedingly  keen-sighted 
and  wary,  and  it  dives  so  quickly 
that,  seeing  the  flash  of  the  gun,  it 
is  often  under  water  before  the  shot 
reaches  it. 

Grebes  are '  divers  which  are 
smaller  than  the  Loon,  and  in  the 
spring  have  the  head  ornamented 
with  tufts  of  feathers.  When 
alarmed,  they  remain  beneath  the 
surface  of  the  water,  exposing  only 

Fig.  1 64.  —  Crested  Grebe.  , ,      ,  . , , 

the  bill. 


SWIMMERS:   AUKS,   PUFFINS,   AND   PENGUINS.  99 

AUKS,  PUFFINS,  AND  PENGUINS. 

These  belong  to  the  cold  regions,  and  the  Penguins 
to  the  Southern  Hemisphere.  The  Great  Penguin  of 
Patagonia  is  larger  than  a  goose.  Its  wings  are  so 


Fig.  165. — Patagonian  Penguin. 

small  that  it  cannot  fly,  and  it  stays  in  the  water,  ex- 
cept when  it  crawls  on  shore  to  lay  its  eggs  and  rear 
its  young.  Penguins  hatch  their  eggs  by  holding  them 
between  their  thighs,  and  move  away  with  them  if  dis- 
turbed when  sitting. 


100  VERTEBRATES:   REPTILES. 

The  Great  Auk  of  the 
Arctic  regions  is  as  large  as 
the  Penguin.  Other  kinds 
are  much  smaller,  and  those 
called  Puffins  are  not  larger 
than  a  dove.  Puffins  make 
their  nests  in  burrows  in 
the  ground,  and  each  bird 

lays  but  one  egg  in   a   sea- 
Fig.  166.  — Puffin.  son> 


REPTILES. 

Reptiles  are  vertebrates  which  have  cold  blood,  and 
are  covered  with  hard  plates,  called  scales,  and  which 
lay  eggs  in  holes  that  they  dig  in  the  ground ;  these 
eggs  hatch  without  being  brooded  by  the  parent,  and 
the  young,  as  soon  as  hatched,  look  just  like  the  par- 
ents, only  smaller.  Reptiles  are  such  as  Turtles  or 
Tortoises,  Lizards,  and  Serpents  or  Snakes. 

TURTLES. 

Turtles,  or  Tortoises,  are  reptiles  which  have  a  shell 
into  which  they  can  more  or  less  completely  withdraw 
their  head,  legs,  and  tail.  Some  of  them  live  wholly 
upon  the  land,  like  those  called  Gophers  in  the  South- 
ern States,  which  dig  burrows  in  the  ground  that  are 
dangerous  pitfalls  for  horsemen,  and  the  Box  Turtles, 
which  live  in  the  woods,  and  which  can  shut  their  shell 
so  tightly  as  to  entirely  hide  their  extremities,  as  seen 
in  Figure  169.  Others,  like  the  Painted  Turtle,  with 
its  colors  of  black,  yellow,  and  red,  the  Wood  Tortoise, 
with  its  beautifully  carved  scales,  the  Speckled  Tortoise, 


TURTLES. 


101 


with  its  black  shell  ornamented  with  orange-colored 
dots,  and  the  Snapping  Tur- 
tle, live  in  fresh-water  ponds 
and  streams,  coming  at  times 
upon  the  land.  Others,  like 
the  Salt-water  Terrapin,  so 
much  prized  for  food,  live 
in  salt-water  creeks.  Oth- 
ers, like  the  Hawk-bill  Tur- 
tle, the  Green  Turtles,  and 
the  Soft-shelled  Sphargis, 
live  in  the  ocean,  and  only 
come  on  shore  to  lay  their 
eggs.  The  land  and  fresh 
water  turtles  of  North  Amer- 
ica have  the  shell  from  four 


Fig.  167.  —  Skeleton  of  a  Turtle. 


to  six  or  eight  inches  long ;  excepting  the  Gophers  and 
Snappers,  which  are  much  larger,  having  the  shell  a 
foot  and  a  half  or  more  in  length,  and,  in  some  cases, 
the  Snapping  Turtle  is  four  feet  long  from  the  nose  to 
the  tip  of  the  tail.  This  turtle  has  the  head  and  neck 
very  large,  and  the  jaws  strongly  hooked,  and  it  is 
exceedingly  powerful,  and  very  voracious,  devouring 
smaller  reptiles,  fishes,  young  ducks,  and  other  small 
animals.  When  molested  it  raises  itself  on  its  legs, 
opens  its  mouth  wide,  and,  throwing  the  body  forward, 
snaps  its  jaws  upon  its  enemy  with  fearful  power.  See 
Figure  170. 

The  Hawk-bill  Turtle,  Figure  171,  lives  in  the  warm 
parts  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  and  weighs  about  two  hun- 
dred pounds,  and  its  scales  furnish  the  material  for  the 
beautiful  and  costly  tortoise-shell  ornaments. 

The   Green    Turtles    weigh   two   or  three   hundred 


102 


VERTEBRATES:   REPTILES. 


Fig.  168.  — Wood  Tortoise. 


Fig.  169.— Box  Turtle,  shut 
up  and  on  its  back. 


Fig.  170.  —  Snapping  Turtle. 


Fig.  171.  — Hawk-bill  Turtle. 

pounds,  or  more,  and  are  caught  at  night  when  they 
come  on  shore  to  lay  their  eggs. 


LIZARDS,   OR   SAURIANS.  103 

The  Sphargis,  or  Soft-shelled  Sea  Turtle,  lives  in  the 
Atlantic  Ocean  and  in  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  and  is 
the  largest  of  all  the  turtles;  sometimes  weighing  two 
thousand  pounds!  It  is  covered  with  a  thick  leather- 
like  skin  instead  of  a  hard  shell. 

LIZARDS,   OR  SAURIANS. 

Lizards  have  a  long  body,  long  tail,  no  shell,  and  the 
mouth  is  large  and  armed  with  teeth.  Enormous  liz- 
ards, thirty  feet  long,  live  in  the  river  Nile,  and  are 
called  Crocodiles.  The  Alligators,  of  the  Southern 


Fig.  172.— Alligator. 

States,  are  lizards  which  are  five,  ten,  or  fifteen  feet 
long,  and  which  have  a  head  shaped  something  like 
that  of  a  pickerel.  They  are  numerous  in  the  creeks 
and  sluggish  streams,  and  devour  all  kinds  of  small 
animals  which  come  in  their  way. 

The  Six-lined  Lizard,  of  the  Southern  States,  is  only 
nine  or  ten  inches  long,  with  six  yellow  lines  along  its 
sides  and  back.  It  is  harmless,  runs  rapidly,  and  feeds 
upon  insects.  The  Green  Lizard,  of  the  Southern 
States,  is  a  smaller  species  which  is  common  abou 


104 


VERTEBRATES:    REPTILES. 


gardens  and  buildings,  often  entering  houses,  and  mov- 
ing over  the   furniture,  up  and  down  the  walls   and 


Fig.  173. —  Six-lined  Lizard. 

window-panes,  and  along  the  ceilings,  in  its  search  for 

flies,  upon  which  it  likes  to  feed. 

The  Horned  Toads  are  Lizards  found  in  the  south- 
ern and  western  parts 
of  North  America. 
They  have  the  head 
armed  with  spines, 
and  the  body  cov- 
ered with  tubercles. 
The  Horned  Toad, 

Fig.  174.  —Horned  Toad. 

of  Texas,  is  less  than 

five  inches  long,  and  is  lively  in  its  movements.     It  is 
sluggish  when  kept  in  a  cage. 

SERPENTS,  OR  SNAKES. 

Serpents  are  reptiles  which  are  exceedingly  long  in 
proportion  to  their  size,  and  which  have  no  feet,  yet 
they  glide  over  the  ground  with  very  great  speed. 
Their  mouth,  throat,  and  body  are  capable  of  being 
greatly  distended,  and  hence  they  are  able  to  swallow 
animals  whose  bodies  are  much  greater  in  diameter 
than  their  own.  They  do  not  masticate  their  food, 
and  hence  their  teeth  are  suited  only  for  seizing,  kill- 


SERPENTS,    OR    SNAKES.  105 

ing,  and  retaining  prey.  The  tongue  is  long,  and 
capable  of  being  run  out  much  beyond  the  mouth,  and 
it  can  be  concealed  within  a  sheath  at  its  roots.  They 
shed  their  skins  every  year,  and  most  of  them  lay  eggs 
from  which  the  young  are  hatched.  There  are  more 
than  a  thousand  kinds  of  snakes,  and  more  than  a 
hundred  kinds  in  North  America.  Some  of  the  largest 


Fig.  175.— Black  Snake. 

in  the  Tropical  regions,  as  the  Boas  and  Anacondas 
of  South  America,  and  the  Pythons  of  Africa  and  In- 
dia, are  thirty  or  forty  feet  long,  and  are  able  to  swal- 
low dogs,  deer,  and  even  oxen  after  they  have  crushed 
them  in  their  powerful  folds. 

The  Black  Snake  and  the  Striped   Snakes  are  the 
most  common  kinds  in  North  America.      The  former 

5* 


loe 


VERTEBRATES:   BATRACHIANS. 


is  from  three  to  five  feet  long,  and  lustrous  black.  It 
runs  very  fast,  and  climbs  trees  and  bushes  with  great 
ease,  where  it  seeks  bird's  nests  and  devours  the  young. 
It  is  feared  by  most  persons,  but  it  is  harmless. 

The  Rattlesnake,  of  North  America,  is  found  on 
rocky  hills  and  mountains,  and  its  bite  is  almost  al- 
ways fatal  to  men  and  animals.  It  has  two  very  sharp 
fangs  in  the  Cupper  jaw,  and  these  fangs  are  hollow  or 
grooved,  and  connected  with  a  bag  of  poison,  so  that 
when  the  snake  strikes  them  into  an  animal,  the  poison 
is  forced  into  the  wound. 


BATRACHIANS,  OR  FROGS,  TOADS,  SALAMAN- 
DERS, &c. 

These  are  reptiles  which  have  no  scales,  and  which 
lay  their  eggs  in  the- water,  and  the  young  resemble 


Fig.  177. 


Fig.  178. 


Fig.  176. 


Fig.  179.  Fig.  180.  Fig.  181. 

Figs.  176-181.  —  Changes  in  the  form  of  a  Frog  from  the  time  of 
Hatching. 

fishes  more  than  they  do  their  parents.  The  young 
breathe  by  means  of  gills,  like  fishes,  but  the  adults 
breathe  by  lungs,  like  those  reptiles  which  have  scales. 
For  example,  the  young  frog  or  tadpole,  when  first 


FROGS  AND   TOADS.  107 

hatched,  appears  as  in  Figure  176,  with  the  gills  in 
tufts  on  the  two  sides  of  the  neck ;  later,  it  appears  as 
in  Figure  177,  where  the  gills  are  concealed;  later,  it 
appears  as  in  Figure  178,  where  it  has  hind  legs ;  later, 
as  in  Figure  179,  with  four  legs ;  later  still,  as  in  Fig- 
ure 180,  where  the  tail  has  mostly  disappeared;  and 
later  still,  it  becomes  a  perfect  frog. 

FROGS   AND  TOADS. 

These  have  the  body  short  and  thick,  and  the  tongue 
is  long  and  fixed  to  the  fore  part  of  the  jaw,  and  its  tip 
is  turned  backward  into  the  mouth,  from  which  it  can 
be  darted  forth  quicker  than  a  glance  of  the  eye ;  and 
it  is  by  means  of  the  tongue  that  frogs  and  toads  snap 
up  insects  and  worms,  which  form  their  principal  food. 
The  Bull-frog  is  our  largest  kind,  and  is  well  known  by 
its  croakings,  which  may  be  heard  a  mile.  The  Green 


Fig.  182.  —  Leopard  Frog. 

Frog,  Leopard  Frog,  Pickerel  Frog,  are  other  kinds  that 
are  found  about  ponds  and  streams.  The  Wood-frog 
is  found  in  the  woods,  and  goes  to  the  water  only  in 
spring,  when  it  lays  its  eggs.  The  Tree-frogs,  often 
called  Tree-toads,  have  the  toes  so  formed  that  they 


108 


VERTEBRATES:   BATRACHIANS. 


are  able  to  move  along  the  trunks,  branches,  and  leaves 
of  »trees.  Here  they  live,  except  when  they  go  into  the 
water  to  lay  their  eggs.  One  of  the  tiny  Tree-frogs, 
named  Pickering's  Hylodes,  makes  the 
high  piping  note,  which  in  spring  is 
heard  in  New  England  and  in  the 
Middle  States  throughout  the  night. 
It  is  found  upon  plants  near  to  stag- 
Fig.  1 83.— Picker-  nant  pools,  and  in  woods. 

ing's  Hylodes.  The    American    Toad    is    famiHar    tO 

all.     It  is  very  useful  to  the  farmer  and  gardener,  de- 
stroying great  numbers  of  insects. 

SALAMANDERS,   TRITONS,   SIRENS,   &c. 

Salamanders  are  batrachians  which  have  a  long  body 
and  long  tail,  and  which  live  upon  the  land,  except 
when  they  go  to  the  water  to  lay  their  eggs.  There 


Fig.  184.  —  Salamander. 

are  many  kinds  in  North  America,  varying  from  three 
to  twelve  inches  long.     They  are  found  mostly  under 


Fig.  185.  — Triton. 

stones,  fallen  trees,  and  rubbish.  Tritons  have  nearly 
the  same  form,  but  live  in  the  water.  Both  cor- 
respond in  form  to  the  Lizards  among  the  true  Rep- 
tiles. Tritons  have  the  most  wonderful  power  to 


SALAMANDERS,   TRITONS,    SIRENS,   &c. 


109 


repair  or  renew  injured  or  lost  parts.  The  legs  may- 
be cut  off,  and  in  less  than  a  year  they  will  grow  again ; 
and  the  limbs  thus  formed  may  also  be  cut  off,  and  oth- 
ers will  grow  in  their  places ;  and  even  if  the  eye  be 
destroyed  another  will  grow  to  supply  the  loss  !  In  the 
Southern  States  is  found 
the  Congo  Snake,  an  ani- 
mal which  is  related  to  the 
Salamanders  and  Tritons. 
It  is  about  two  feet  long, 
and  lives  in  muddy  waters. 
The  Sirens  have  the  gills 
in  tufts,  as  in  Figures  187, 
188;  thus  even  in  the  adult 
state  they  are  like  the  young  of  Frogs  and  Toads. 


Fig.  187.  — Menobranchus,  or  Mud  Puppy. 

They  live  in  the  water.     The  Menobranchus,  or  Mud 


Tig.  188.— Axolotl. 

Puppy,  of  our  Northern  Lakes,  the  Siren,  of  the  South- 
ern States,  and  the  Axolotl,  of  Mexico,  are  of  this  kind. 
The  two  last  are  six  to  twelve  inches  long. 


110  VERTEBRATES:   FISHES. 

FISHES. 

Fishes  are  vertebrates  which  have  cool  blood,  and 
live  wholly  in  the  water,  and  breathe  by  means  of  gills. 
Most  of  them  are  scaly,  but  some  are  covered  with  a 
smooth  skin,  others  have  spines,  and  others  still  are  cov- 
ered with  bony  plates.  The  jaws  are  generally  armed 
with  teeth,  and,  in  many  cases,  all  parts  of  the  month 
also,  and  even  the  gullet.  Their  movements  are  gen- 
erally rapid,  and  their  forward  motion  is  mainly  pro- 
duced by  the  movements  of  the  tail.  The  parts  which 
correspond  to  the  arms  and  legs  of  quadrupeds  are  very 
short,  and  are  called  fins;  and  their  use  is  mainly  to 
balance  and  direct.  The  flesh  is  light-colored  or  white. 
In  general,  the  eye  of  Fishes  has  no  motion,  and  the 
pupil  is  always  of  the  same  size,  both  in  light  and  dark- 
ness ;  and  the  ear  is  wholly  enclosed  by  the  bones  of  the 
head,  and  hence  it  is  generally  believed  that  they  hear 
only  the  loudest  sounds.  They  are  very  voracious,  feed- 
ing mainly  upon  smaller  fishes,  and  other  small  animals, 
which  they  usually  swallow  whole.  Those  which  feed 
on  shell-fish  crush  their  food  by  means  of  the  teeth  in 
the  gullet.  Most  fishes  lay  eggs ;  a  few  kinds  bring 
forth  living  young.  Nearly  all  seem  to  have  no  care 
for  their  young,  but  eat  them  as  greedily  as  they  do 
other  food.  The  number  of  eggs  laid  by  a  single  fish 
in  one  season  is  often  very  great,  —  the  Salmon  some- 
times laying  twenty  thousand,  and  the  Cod  more  than 
nine  millions!  The  colors  of  Fishes  are  very  beauti- 
ful, exhibiting  a  lustre  like  that  of  the  metals,  and  the 
brilliancy  of  precious  stones,  and  the  delicate  tints  of 
flowers ;  they  are  indeed  the  gems  of  the  waters,  as  the 
humming-birds  are  the  gems  of  the  air.  The  wonder- 


SPINE-FINNED  FISHES. 


Ill 


Fig.  189.  —  Yellow  Perch. 


Fig.  190.— Bream. 


Fig.  191.  — Striped  Bass. 


Fig.  192.  —  Star-Gazer.  Fig.  193.  —  Sea  Robin. 


Fig.  194.  —  Stickleback. 


Fig.  195.  —  Darter.  Fig.  1 96.  —  Sea-Raven. 


112  VERTEBRATES:    FISHES. 

fid  power  and  swift  motion  of  some,  the  wholesome 
and  delicious  food  furnished  by  many,  and  the  exciting 
sport  of  their  capture,  combine  to  render  Fishes  objects 
of  great  interest  to  almost  every  one.  The  number  of 
known  kinds  is  about  ten  thousand. 


SPINE-FINNED  FISHES. 

Spine-finned  Fishes  have  spines  in  the  back  or  dorsal 
fin,  and  often  in  the  lower  fins.  The  Perch,  Sea-Bass, 
Pond-Fish  or  Bream,  Star-Gazers,  Sculpins,  Stickle- 
backs, Porgees,  Mackerel,  Sword-Fishes,  and  a  host  of 
others  belong  to  this  group ;  for  it  is  the  largest  of  all 
the  groups  of  Fishes. 

The  American  Yellow  Perch,  of  our  ponds  and  rivers, 
is  known  to  every  boy.  The  Striped  Bass  is  caught  in 
the  sea  near  the  shore,  and  the  largest  weigh  seventy- 
five  pounds  each.  The  Pond-Fish  or  Bream  is  found  in 
every  pond,  and  the  round  cavities,  which  it  makes  for 
its  nest,  may  be  seen  in  great  numbers  near  the  shore. 
The  Star-Gazers  live  in  the  sea,  and  have  the  eyes  on 
top  of  the  head,  so  that  they  appear  as  though  look- 
ing at  the  heavens.  The  Sculpins  live  in  the  sea,  and 
are  often  called  Sea  Robins,  Sea  Ravens,  &c.  The 
Sticklebacks  are  very  small  fishes  which  inhabit  both 
the  sea  and  streams,  and  are  very  active  and  greedy, 
a  single  one  having  devoured  seventy-five  young  fish  in 
less  than  half  a  day!  They  construct  very  curious 
nests.  The  Weak  Fish  and  Porgees  live  in  the  Atlan- 
tic Ocean,  and  are  caught  for  food.  The  Mackerel  lives 
in  the  sea,  and  is  caught  on  the  coast  of  New  England 
in  immense  numbers.  The  Sword  Fish  has  the  upper 
jaw  very  much  extended,  forming  a  powerful  and  dari- 


SPINE-FINNED  FISHES. 


113 


Fig.  203.— Blue  Fish. 


114  VERTEBRATES:    FISHES. 

gerous  weapon,  with  which  it  attacks  Whales  and  other 
large  animals  of  the  sea.  The  Blue  Fish  is  found  in 
nearly  all  seas,  and  makes  excellent  food.  The  Dolphin 
lives  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  in  the  Atlantic,  and  is 
celebrated  for  its  beautiful  colors,  and  for  the  brilliant 
tints  which  it  Has  when  dying.  The  Surgeon  has  a 
sharp  spine  or  lancet  on  the  side  of  its  tail ;  it  lives  in 
the  sea.  Mullets  are  small  fishes  which  live  in  the  sea, 
and  in  fresh  waters.  Eel-Pouts  are  long,  somewhat  eel- 
shaped  fishes,  which  the  fishermen  catch  when  fishing 
for  cod.  The  Goose  Fish,  of  the  Atlantic,  is  large,  some- 
times weighing  seventy  pounds,  and  with  such  a  big 
mouth  that  it  swallows  fishes  almost  as  large  as  itself. 
Gulls  and  other  sea-birds  are  often  found  whole  in  its 
stomach!  The  Toad  Fish,  of  the  Atlantic,  is  about  a 


Fig.  204.  —  Toad  Fish.  Fig.  205.  —  Conner. 

foot  long,  and  seems  to  care  for  its  young.  The  Conner 
is  very  abundant  on  the  coast  of  New  England,  and  is 
caught  in  great  numbers  both  with  the  hook  and  net. 

&OFT-FINNED  FISHES. 

These  Fishes  have  no  spines  in  their  fins.  They  are 
the  Carp,  Dace,  Shiners,  Suckers,  Pike,  and  Pickerel, 
Gar-Fishes  of  the  Sea,  Flying-Fishes,  Salmon,  Herring, 
Cod,  Eels,  &c. 

The  Common  Shiner,  found  in  most  ponds,  lakes,  and 
rivers,  is  from  three  to  six  inches  long,  and  of  a  golden 
color.  The  Pickerel,  so  well  known  in  the  fresh  waters, 


SPINE-FINNED   FISHES. 


115 


Fig.  206.  —  Blunt-nosed 
Shiner. 


Fig.  209.  — Dolphin. 


Fig.  210.— Eel-Pout. 


Fig.  211. — Angler,  or  Goose  Fish. 


116  VERTEBRATES:   FISHES. 

is  a  handsome  fish,  of  fine  flavor,  and  the  sport  of  its 
capture  is  very  exciting.  The  Gar-Fish  lives  in  the 
sea,  and  has  an  extremely  long  head  and  body ;  the 
jaws  are  pointed,  and  armed  with  many  small  teeth, 
and  its  bones  are  green.  Flying  Fishes  have  the  fins, 
which  are  directly  behind  the  gills,  so  large  that  they 
are  able  to  sustain  themselves  in  the  air  for  a  few  mo- 
ments, thus  appearing  to  fly.  They  live  in  all  warm 
and  temperate  seas,  and  are  from  three  inches  to  a  foot 
in  length.  The  Blind  Fish  is  found  in  the  waters  of 
the  Mammoth  Cave,  Kentucky,  and  is  about  three 
inches  long.  Its  eyes  are  under  the  skin,  so  that  the 
fish  is  perfectly  blind,  and  thus  adapted  to  the  dark 
waters  of  the  cave.  The  Horned  Pout,  from  six  to  ten 
inches  long,  and  common  in  ponds  and  sluggish  streams, 
has  the  head  armed  with  sharp  spines,  which  inflict  a 
smarting  wound  on  the  hand  of  the  careless  fisherman. 
The  Salmon  is  a  most  beautiful  fish,  whose  home  is 
in  the  Arctic  seas,  but  it  comes  southward  and  as- 
cends rivers  for  the  purpose  of  laying  its  eggs,  and  is 
caught  in  large  numbers.  Its  flesh  is  delicious,  and  it 
weighs  from  ten  to  thirty  pounds  or  more.  The  Lake 
Trout  inhabits  our  Northern  lakes,  and  is  from  two 
to  five  feet  long,  of  a  gray  color  with  lighter  spots.  It 
is  sometimes  called  the  Longe.  The  Brook,  or  Speckled 
Trout,  is  found  in  most  of  the  clear  streams  of  the  tem- 
perate parts  of  North  America,  and  is  very  beautiful, 
being  dark  above,  silvery  below,  and  the  sides  dotted 
with  red  and  yellow.  Its  flesh  is  delicate.  It  is  very 
shy,  and  its  capture  often  requires  much  skill.  The 
Herring  lives  in  the  Arctic  seas,  and  comes  southward 
in  spring  to  lay  its  eggs.  It  is  about  a  foot  long.  The 
Gar-Pike  has  a  long  body  and  long  jaws,  which  have 


SOFT-FINNED    FISHES. 


117 


Fig.  212.  —  Pickerel.  Fig.  213.  —  Shiner. 


Fig.  214.  —Flying  Fish.  Fig.  215.  —  Gar-Fish. 


Fig.  216.  — Blind  Fish. 


Fig.  217.  —Horned  Pout. 


Fig.  218.  — Salmon. 


Fig,  219.  —  Herring.  Fig.  220.  —  Speckled  Trout. 


118  VERTEBRATES:   FISHES. 

teeth  over  their  whole  inner  surface,  and  a  row  of  long, 
pointed  teeth  on  their  edges.  It  is  found  in  the  North- 
ern lakes  and  in  the  Western  and  Southern  rivers. 


Fig.  221.  — Gar-Pike. 

The  Cod  inhabits  the  North  Atlantic,  and  attains  a 
weight  of  even  a  hundred  pounds  in  some  cases.  It 
is  taken  in  immense  numbers  on  the  Banks  of  New- 
foundland, and  when  salted  and  dried  is  carried  to  all 
parts  of  the  world.  The  Flounders  are  marine  fishes 
which  have  the  body  flattened  on  the  sides,  and  both 
eyes  are  on  the  same  side  of  the  head,  and  the  side 
upon  which  the  eyes  are  placed  is  always  uppermost, 
and  is  dark  colored,  while  the  opposite  side  is  white. 
They  swim,  therefore,  on  one  side,  and  they  keep  close 
to  the  bottom.  Flounders  are  from  six  inches  to  two 
feet  long,  and  are  caught  in  great  numbers,  even  from 
the  wharves.  Halibuts  are  shaped  like  the  Floun- 
ders, and  in  some  cases  weigh  six  hundred  pounds. 
The  Flounders  and  the  Halibuts  are  the  only  back- 
boned animals  which  have  the  right  and  left  sides 
unlike.  The  Lump  Fishes  are  those  whose  ventral 
fins  are  so  joined  as  to  form  a  sort  of  cup,  by  which 
they  are  able  to  attach  themselves  firmly  to  rocks  or 
other  objects.  Pennant,  the  naturalist,  says  that  he 
put  one  into  a  pail  of  water,  and  it  adhered  so  tightly 
to  the  bottom  that  he  lifted  the  whole  pailful  by  taking 
hold  of  the  fish  by  the  tail.  It  lives  in  the  North  At- 


SOFT-FINNED   FISHES. 


119 


Fig.  222. — American  Cod. 


Fig.  223.  — Flounder. 


Fig.  224.— Burbot. 


Fig.  226. — Lump  Fish. 


Fig.  225.— Eel. 


Fig.  227.  — Top  of 
Head  of  Kemora. 


Fig.  228.  —  Remora. 


120  VERTEBRATES:    FISHES. 

lantic.  The  Remora  has  a  flattened  head,  so  constructed 
that  it  is  able  to  attach  itself  by  this  part  to  other 
marine  animals.  It  is  a  foot  or  more  in  length.  Eels 
have  a  long,  round  body,  which  is  covered  with  a  thick, 
soft  skin.  They  live  in  both  fresh  and  salt  waters,  and 
keep  near  the  bottom,  often  lying  concealed  in  the  mud. 

TUFT-GILLED  FISHES. 

These  fishes  have  their  gills  in  tufts,  and  are  known 
as  Pipe-Fishes  and  Sea-Horses,  on  account  of  their  sin- 
gular forms.  Pipe-Fishes  have  a  very  long  and  slender 
body  covered  with  hard  plates,  and  long  snout  with  the 
mouth  at  the  end.  They  live  in  the  warm  seas.  After 
the  eggs  are  laid,  the  male  takes  them  in  a  sort  of  sack 
and  carries  them  about  with  him  till  they  are  hatched. 
Sea-Horses  have  a  short  body,  which  is  covered  with 
spiny  plates,  a  tail  adapted  for  grasping  small  objects, 
and  the  head  and  neck  have  some  resemblance  to  those 
of  a  horse.  They  are  from  three  to  six  inches  long, 
and  live  in  the  sea. 

PUFFERS,  TRUNK-FISHES,  &c.,  OR  PLECTOGNATHS. 

Puffers  have  the  body  covered  with  spines,  and  can 
swell  themselves  like  a  balloon  by  swallowing  air.  The 
Common  Puffer  lives  in  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  and  is  about 
a  foot  long. 

The  Sun-Fish,  of  the  Atlantic,  grows  to  the  length 
of  four  feet,  and  weighs  five  hundred  pounds. 

The  Trunk-Fish  has  the  head  and  body  covered  with 
bony  plates,  so  firmly  attached  to  each  other  that  they 
form  a  shield,  and  the  mouth,  tail,  and  fins  are  the 
only  movable  parts.  Two  or  three  kinds  are  found  on 
the  Atlantic  coast  of  the  United  States. 


TUFT-GILLED   FISHES   AND   PUFFERS,   &c.  121 


Fig.  229.  —  Sea-Horse. 


Fig.  231.  — Puffer. 


Fig.  230.  — Pipe-Fish. 


Fig.  232.  —  Trunk-Fish. 


Fig.  233.  —  Sun-Fish. 


Fig.  234.  —  Sturgeon. 


122  VERTEBRATES:   FISHES. 

STURGEONS. 

Sturgeon's  are  fishes  whose  skeleton  is  a  sort  of  carti- 
lage, instead  of  being  bony,  as  in  those  already  described. 
They  are  also  covered  with  bony  plates  placed  in  rows 
along  the  whole  length  of  the  body,  and  the  mouth  is 
under  the  snout,  and  can  be  much  protruded.  They 
inhabit  lakes  and  the  ocean,  and  ascend  rivers.  They 
are  from  three  to  ten  feet  long.  See  Figure  234. 

SHARKS,   OR   SELACHIANS. 

These  are  marine  fishes  which  have  the  skeleton 
cartilaginous,  and  which,  in  many  cases,  are  very  large, 
and  in  most  cases  very  ferocious.  The  different  kinds 
vary  from  four  to  thirty  feet  in  length,  and  their  teeth 
are  very  numerous,  sharp  as  lancets,  and  inflict  the 
severest  wounds.  The  smaller  marine  animals  and 
even  men  fall  a  prey  to  them. 

The  Rays,  or  Skates,  have  the  body  broad  and  flat, 
and  are  from  two  to  six  feet  or  more  in  length,  and  as 
wide  or  wider  than  the  length.  Those  called  Vampires 
are  sometimes  sixteen  feet  wide,  and  weigh  several  tons! 
One  kind  of  Ray,  called  Torpedo,  gives  violent  electrical 
shocks  when  touched.  See  Figures  242  and  243. 

SUCKERS,  OR  CYCLOSTOMES. 
The  true  Suckers  are  the  least  perfect  or  lowest  of  all 
the  fishes,  and  their  tongue  moves  forwards  and  back- 
wards like  the  piston  in  a  pump,  enabling  them  to  pro- 
duce a  vacuum,  and  thus  to  fix  themselves  to  other 
fishes.  The  Sea  Lamprey,  two  or  three  feet  long,  the 
Hag  or  Myxine,  six  or  eight  inches  long,  and  the  Am- 
phioxus,  or  Lancelot,  are  of  this  kind.  The  last  two 
also  live  in  the  sea,  and  are^  seldom  seen.  The  Lam- 
prey ascends  rivers,  and  piles  up  heaps  of  stones,  among 
which  it  lays  its  eggs.  See  Figures  244  —  246, 


SHARKS. 


Fig.  237.— Dog-Fish  Shark. 


Fig.  238.  —  Head  of  Mackerel 
Shark. 


Fig.  239.  — Head 
of  Hammer-head. 


Fig.  240.  —  Hammer-head  Shark. 


124 


VERTEBRATES:   FISHES. 


Fig.  241.  —  Saw-Fish.     A  Shark. 


Fig.  243.  —  Torpedo. 


Fig.  242.  —  Ray,  or  Skate.  Fig.  244. — Lamprey. 


Fig.  245.  —  Hag  or  Myxine.  Fig.  246.  —  Amphioxus. 


ARTICULATES:   INSECTS.  125 


ARTICULATES,   OR  JOINTED  ANIMALS. 

THESE  are  animals  which  have  no  internal  skeleton, 
nor  backbone,  but  whose  hard  parts,  when  these  exist, 
are  upon  the  outside,  and  whose  body  is  made  up  of  a 
series  of  similar  rings.  Articulates  include  the  In- 
sects,—  Bees,  Butterflies,  Flies,  Beetles,  Bugs,  Grass- 
hoppers, Darning-Needles,  <fcc., — Lobsters  and  Shrimps, 
and  Worms. 

INSECTS. 

Insects  are  articulates  which  breathe  by  means  of 
air-holes  along  the  sides  of  the  body ;  and  these  air- 
holes are  the  openings  of  air-tubes  which  branch 
throughout  the  body  and  carry  air  to  every  part.  The 
term  Insect  comes  from  a  Latin  word  which  means 
cut  into,  and  is  given  to  these  animals  because  they 
seem  to  be  cut  into,  or  notched.  True  Insects,  Spi- 
ders, and  Centipedes  are  of  this  kind. 

True  Insects  have  the  body  divided  into  three  parts, 
—  the  head,  middle  body  or  thorax,  and  hind  body 
or  abdomen.  Upon  the  head,  and  near  to  the  eyes, 
are  placed  two  jointed  members,  called  antennae,  which 
it  is  supposed  are  connected  with  the  sen'se  of  hearing, 
or  of  touch,  or  of  both  of  these  senses ;  to  the  middle 
body  or  thorax  are  attached  the  legs  and  wings ;  and 
the  hind  body  contains  the  organs  of  digestion,  and  to 
this  part  belongs  also  an  organ  called  the  sting,  or 
piercer.  Insects  either  bite  their  food  or  suck  it. 
Those  which  bite  their  food  have  an  under  and  upper 
lip,  between  which  are  two  pairs  of  jaws  which  move 
sidewise,  and  four  to  six  little  feelers,  which  they  use 


126  ARTICULATES:    INSECTS. 

to  touch  and  examine  the  food.  Those  insects  which 
suck  their  food  have  either  a  long  tube,  as  Butterflies 
and  Moths ;  a  piercing  sucker,  as  Mosquitoes ;  a  softer 
one,  used  for  lapping,  as  Flies ;  or  a  jointed  one, 
which  is  doubled  under  the  breast  when  not  in  use, 
as  Bees.  The  eyes  of  insects  appear  to  be  only  two 
in  number,  but  each  is  composed  of  many  single  eyes 
—  often  thousands,  and  in  some  cases  the  astonishing 
number  of  twenty-five  thousand — closely  united.  Many 
winged  insects  have  also  one,  two,  or  three  single  eyes 
on  the  crown  of  the  head.  The  legs  are  six  in  num- 
ber, and  are  attached  to  the  under  side  of  the  thorax ; 
the  wings  are  two  or  four,  and  vary  greatly  in  form 
and  thickness,  in  veinings,  and  in  the  manner  of  fold- 
ing when  at  rest.  The  hind  body  is  the  largest  por- 
tion, and  the  air-holes  are  found  on  this  part.  Insects 
are  produced  from  eggs.  A  very  few  do  not  lay  their 
eggs,  but  retain  them  in  the  body  till  hatched ;  others 
always  lay  their  eggs  where  the  young  will  find  a  plen- 
tiful supply  of  food.  Most  insects  undergo  great  and 
wonderful  changes  in  form  and  habits;  so  great,  that 
the  same  insect,  at  different  ages,  might  be  taken  for 
as  many  different  animals.  For  example :  a  caterpil- 
lar, after  feeding  upon  leaves  until  it  is  fully  grown, 
casts  off  its  skin,  and  appears  as  a  much  smaller,  oval 
body,  which  neither  moves  about  nor  takes  food.  After 
remaining  awhile  in  this  state,  there  is  motion  within, 
the  skin  bursts  open,  and  there  comes  forth  a  butterfly, 
or  a  moth,  whose  wings  expand,  and  harden,  and  are 
soon  able  to  bear  it  away  in  search  of  flowers,  upon 
whose  honey  it  feeds,  fin  its  first  state  it  is  called  a 
larva, —  a  word  which  means  a  mask, — because  its 
future  form  is  masked,  or  concealed;  in  the  second 


ARTICULATES:    INSECTS. 


127 


Fig.  247.— Larva. 


Fig.  248.  — Pupa  of 
Fig.  247. 


Fig.  249.— Imago  of  Figs.  247,  248. 


Fig.  250.  —  Larva. 


Fig.  251.  — Pupa  of  Fig.  250. 


Fig.  252.  —Imago  of  Figs.  250,  251. 


128  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

state  it  is  called  a  pupa, —  a  word  meaning  infant, — 
from  a  slight  resemblance  that  some  insects  in  this  state 
bear  to  an  infant  clothed  with  bandages,  according  to  a 
custom  among  the  Romans ;  and  it  is  also  often  called 
a  chrysalis,  from  a  Greek  word  which  means  gold,  be- 
cause some  of  the  pupa3  are  adorned  with  golden  spots ; 
in  the  third  state  it  is  called  a  perfect  insect,  or  imago, 
from  a  word  which  means  image,  because  the  image 
concealed  in  the  skin  of  the  pupa  has  come  forth. 
These  different  states  are  plainly  shown  on  page  127. 
Some  caterpillars  spin  a  silken  covering,  which  is 
called  a  cocoon,  from  a  word  which 
means  a  shell ;  all  the  silk  of  the 
world  comes  from  the  cocoons  of 
these  little  creatures.  Insects 
which  pass  through  the  changes 

Fig.  253. -Cocoon.         ^  degcribed  are  gaid  to  undergO 

a  complete  transformation ;  but  there  are  some  insects 
which  do  not  change  their  form  so  completely.  Grass- 
hoppers, for  instance,  are  active  during  their  whole 
lives,  never  passing  through  an  inactive  pupa  state. 
When  hatched  from  the  egg  they  have  legs,  but  no 
wings ;  later  their  wings  begin  to  grow,  and  at  length, 
having  shed  their  skin  several  times,  each  time  appear- 
ing with  longer  legs  and  more  perfect  wings,  they  reach 
their  full  growth,  shed  the  skin  for  the  last  time,  and 
appear  as  perfect,  or  adult  grasshoppers.  Such  insects 
undergo  only  a  partial  transformation. 

Insects  are  the  most  numerous  of  all  the  classes  of 
animals,  there  being  several  hundred  thousand  kinds. 
And  the  study  of  Insects  is  one  of  the  most  interest- 
ing and  fascinating  in  which  one  can  engage.  The 
study  of  Insects  is  also  very  important,  that  we  may 


HYMENOPTERS:   BEES.  129 

know  which  are  injurious  to  the  farm,  orchard,  and 
garden,  and  to  the  granary  and  closets,  and  by  know- 
ing their  habits  be  able  to  resist  their  attacks  ;  and  that 
we  may  know  which  are  of  use  to  man  ;  for  God  has 
so  made  the  Bee  that  it  gives  us  delicious  honey,  and 
some  of  the  Beetles,  so  that  they  are  of  use  to  the  sick, 
some  of  the  little  Bark-Lice,  as  the  Cochineal,  so  that 
they  yield  the  richest  dyes,  and  some  of  the  Caterpil- 
lars, so  that  they  may  furnish  all  the  world  with  silk. 

BEES,  WASPS,  ICHNEUMONS,  &c.,   OR  HYMENOPTERS. 

These  insects  have  four  wings  which  are  more  or 
less  transparent,  the  hind  pair  being  the  smaller,  and 
all  with  a  few  branching  veins.  They  have  two  pairs 
of  jaws,  —  the  upper  pair  fitted  for  biting,  and  the  lower 
pair  with  the  lower  lip  adapted  for  collecting  honey. 
The  females  have  either  a  sting  or  a  piercer.  They 
surpass  all  other  insects  in  the  number  and  variety  of 
their  instincts.  The  word  Hymenopter  means  mem- 


BEES. 

Bees  have  a  hairy  body,  and  their  mouth  is  length- 
ened into  a  sort  of  proboscis,  which  is  jointed  and  can 
be  folded  under  the  head,  and  the  first  joint  of  the 
hind  legs  is  often  very  large,  and  fitted  for  collecting 
and  carrying  the  pollen  of  flowers. 

The  Hive  or  Honey  Bee  is  originally  from  Asia,  but 
has  now  spread  over  Europe  and  America.  It  is  seen 
almost  everywhere  in  hives,  and  it  is  also  quite  com- 
mon in  a  wild  state,  and  often  far  from  human  dwell- 
ings. In  a  wild  state.  Bees  of  this  kind  have  their 
home  in  hollow  trees  and  in  clefts  of  rocks.  In  every 
nest  or  hive  there  are  three  kinds,  a  female  or  queen, 

6*  I 


130  ARTICULATES:  INSECTS. 

males  or  drones,  and  workers.  In-  a  well-stocked  hive 
there  are  two  thousand  males,  fifty  thousand  workers, 
but  only  one  queen.  The  workers  are  the  smallest; 


Fig.  254.  —  Queen.        Fig.  255.  —  Worker.  Fig.  256. — Drone. 

Hive  Bee. 

they  fly  over  the  surrounding  country  and  collect  all 
the  materials  to  form  the  structure  called  the  comb ; 
they  build  the  cells  and  store  them  with  honey ;  they 
feed  and  protect  the  young ;  they  wait  upon  the  queen ; 
they  do  all  the  work  of  the  hive.  The  males  or 
drones  have  a  thicker  body,  and  no  sting;  they  per- 
form no  labor,  but  are  siipported  by  the  workers.  The 
queen  is  much  larger  than  the  others,  has  a  sting>  and 
is  the  sole  mistress  of  the  hive.  She  lays  all  the  eggs, 
and  seldom  goes  out  except  to  lead  a  swarm.  The 
honey-comb  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  insect 
structures,  and  is  arranged  in  the  hive  in  the  most 
regular  manner.  The  cells  are  six-sided,  and  are  built 
in  just  the  shape  to  save  all  the  room,  and  to  be  the 
strongest,  and  to  contain  the  greatest  amount  of  honey, 
and  iii  the  shape  which  requires  the  least  amount  of 
wax  in  their  construction. 

There  are  certain  cells  in  which  the  queen  lays  her 
eggs,  depositing  one  in  each  cell ;  and  when  the  eggs 
are  laid,  the  workers  fill  the  cells  with  the  pollen  of 
flowers  mixed  with  water  and  honey,  —  this  is  food  for 


HYMENOPTERS:    BEES.  131 

the  larvae.  In  about  two  days  the  eggs  hatch  into  small 
white  larvae,  and  in  five  or  six  days  these  begin  to  spin 
a  cocoon,  and  soon  go  into  the  pupa  state.  A  queen 
comes  forth  from  this  state  in  sixteen  days,  workers  in 
twenty  days,  and  drones  in  twenty-four  days.  As  only 
one  queen  can  live  in  a  hive,  whenever  a  young  queen 
is  hatched  she  is  carefully  guarded  from  the  old  one  by 
the  workers,  till  it  is  settled  whether  the  old  queen  will 
be  wanted  to  lead  forth  a  swarm.  If  a  new  swarm  is 
not  to  go  forth,  the  old  queen  is  allowed  to  approach 
the  young  queen  and  royal  cells,  and  destroy  the  brood, 
which  she  does  by  stinging  them.  If  the  old  queen 
leaves  with  a  swarm,  the  young  queen  immediately  en- 
deavors to  destroy  her  sisters,  but  is  prevented  by  a 
guard  of  workers,  while  there  is  a  prospect  of  another 
swarming ;  if  she  departs  with  a  swarm,  another  queen 
is  set  free,  and  so  on  till  further  swarming  is  impossi- 
ble ;  then  the  young  queen  is  allowed  to  kill  all  her 
sisters.  If  two  queens  hatch  at  the  same  time,  they 
instantly  engage  in  conflict,  the  other  bees  favoring  the 
battle,  and  when  one  is  killed,  the  survivor  is  recog- 
nized as  queen.  When  a  hive  loses  its  queen,  there  is 
the  greatest  confusion ;  after  several  hours  they  be- 
come quiet,  and  if  there  are  no  eggs  or  larvae  in  the 
cells  from  which  a  new  queen  may  be  hatched,  they  be- 
come discouraged,  cease  to  labor,  and  the  whole  colony 
soon  dies.  If  there  be  eggs  or  larvae  in  the  cells,  the 
bees  select  one,  —  the  larva  of  a  worker, —  and  destroy- 
ing the  cells  adjoining,  so  as  to  make  a  royal  cell,  they 
supply  the  grub  with  the  sort  of  food  prepared  for 
queens,  and  in  this  way  soon  raise  another  queen. 

The  Humble  Bees  are  larger  than  the  Hive  Bees, 
and  their  bodies  are  very  hairy.     There  are  more  than 


132  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

forty  kinds  in  North  America.  They  build  nests  in 
the  ground,  or  under  stones,  or  in  deserted  mouse-nests, 
and  their  cells  are  large  and  egg-shaped.  Sometimes 
there  are  four  hundred  bees  in  a  community,  the  de- 
scendants of  one  female  bee  which  lived  -through  the 
winter  and  founded  the  colony  in  the  spring.  The  Car- 
penter Bees  are  also  large,  and  they  cut  tubular  holes 
in  posts  and  stumps,  and  lay  their  eggs  there,  arrang- 
ing them  in  layers  of  the  pollen  of  flowers.  The  Ma- 
son Bees  make  their  nests  of  sand,  in  crevices. 

WASPS. 

Wasps  usually  live  in  colonies  composed  of  males, 
females,  and  workers.  Unlike  Bees,  they  prey  upon 
other  insects.  They  build  nests  under  ground,  or  in 
holes,  or  attach  them  to  bushes,  trees,  fences,  or  build- 
ings. The  nest  is  usually  made  of  a  substance  which 
they  gnaw  from  wood,  and  which,  by  the  action  of  their 


Fig.  257.  — Wasp. 

jaws,  they  reduce  to  a  pulp,  which  hardens  into  a  sort 
of  paper.  The  Wasps  were  the  first  paper-makers,  and 
they  were  the  first  to  show  that  paper  can  be  made  of 
wood.  The  combs  lie  horizontally  in  the  nest,  and  are 
made  of  the  same  paper-like  material  as  the  nest,  and 


HYMENOPTERS:   WASPS.  133 

each  is  attached  to  the  one  below  it  by  a  sort  of  pillar. 
The  cells  contain  no  honey,  but  are  built  for  places  in 
which  to  rear  the  young.  The  colony  is  dissolved  on 
the  approach  of  winter,  the  males  die,  and  the  females 
seek  a  sheltered  winter  retreat.  Each  female  that  sur- 
vives the  cold  founds  a  new  colony  in  the  spring,  builds 
a  few  cells,  lays  her  eggs,  from  which  are  hatched  only 
workers,  which  assist  the  parent,  and  at  length,  in  au- 
tumn, three  generations  have  been  produced,  the  last 
composed  of  males  and  females,  and  the  nest  has  grown 
from  a  few  cells  to  one  containing  thousands.  The 
Hornet  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  wasps,  and  was 
brought  to  this  country  from  Europe. 

Some  kinds  of  wasps  build  an  open  nest  of  a  few 
cells,  and  attach  it  to  some  object  by  a  short  stem. 
Other  kinds  build  their  nests  of  mud,  and  store  them 
with  insects  for  the  food  of  the  larvae ;  these  are  the 
Mud- Wasps.  They  have  the  hind  body  joined  to  the 
thorax  by  a  long  stem  or  pedicel,  and  their  color  is 
shining  blue,  or  black,  or  black  and  orange,  or  brown 
and  red.  One  of  the  black  and  orange  Mud- Wasps 
has  just  built  two  beautiful  mud-cells  in  the  corner  of 
my  room.  She  worked  very  industriously  and  rapidly, 
building  a  cell  in  a  few  hours.  Flying  in  at  the  open 
window,  with  a  ball  of  mud  in  her  mouth,  she  moved 
quickly  around  the  room,  then  flew  up  to  the  spot 
where  she  was  building,  and,  depositing  her  mud, 
shaped  it  with  her  jaws  with  all  the  care  and  regular- 
ity of  a  perfect  mason.  The  day  after  she  finished 
the  first  cell,  she  filled  it  with  spiders  and  sealed  it 
over  with  mud.  On  opening  it  to  examine  the  insects 
stored  within,  quite  a  large  hole  was  accidentally  made; 
this  she  very  soon  discovered,  and  began  to  repair  it, 


134  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

and  in  about  five  minutes  she  had  completely  closed 
it.     The  second  cell  was  soon  finished,  and  sealed  like 
the  first.     Here  is  a  sketch  of  them, 
as  they  appeared  before  the  second 
was  filled  with  spiders  and  closed. 
One  very  large  wasp,  the  Stizus, 
an  inch  and  a  half  long,  and  of  a 
black  and  yellow  color,  makes  its 
nest  in  the  ground,  and  stores  it 
Fig.  258.— Mud- Wasp's     with  insects.      One  of  these,  now 
nest.  in    the    Zoological    Collection    of 

Vassar  College,  was  caught  by  S.  M.  Buckingham,  Esq., 
in  his  garden,  while  carrying  into  its  hole  the  Dog-day 
Cicada  or  Harvest-Fly,  Figure  317. 

ANTS. 

Ants  live  together  in  colonies,  which  are  often  very 
large,  and  made  up  of  males,  females,  and  workers. 
The  workers  have  no  wings,  but  the  males  and  females 
have  wings,  and  the  females  have  the  power  of  throw- 
ing them  off.  Some  kinds  of  ants  make  their  nests  in 
the  ground ;  others  raise  large  ant-hills ;  and  others 
live  in  stumps  and  trunks  of  trees.  The  workers  have 
the  care  of  the  nest  and  of  rearing  the  young,  they  go 
abroad  in  search  of  food,  communicate  with  and  assist 
each  other,  feed  the  larvae,  and  take  them  into  the  sun- 
shine in  fair  weather,  and  back  again  on  the  approach 
of  a  storm,  or  at  night,  and  watch  over  them  earnestly 
and  faithfully.  Ants  are  fond  of  sweet  things,  and 
make  pets  of  Aphides,  or  Plant-lice,  —  little  insects 
which  live  upon  the  juices  of  plants,  and  yield  a  honey- 
like  fluid.  Some  kinds  of  ants  collect  large  numbers 
of  aphides  and  keep  them  that  they  may  eat  the  sweets 


HYMENOPTERS:   ICHNEUMONS.  135 

which  they  produce.  There  is  generally  but  one  kind 
of  ant  in  each  nest,  but  in  some  cases  the  workers  pro- 
cure help  by  visiting  the  hills  of  other  species,  and  for- 
cibly taking  the  larvae  and  pupae,  and  bringing  them 
back,  where  they  are  tended  and  reared  by  workers  of 
the  same  kind  which  have  before  been  stolen  in  the 
same  way.  Ants  are  very  warlike,  and  engage  in 
pitched  battles,  after  which  the  ground  is  strewn  with 
the  dead. 

ICHNEUMONS. 

These  insects  have  a  long,  hard,  slender  body,  long 
antennae,  and  the  ovipositor  is  usually  long ;  the  lat- 


Fig.  260.— Ich- 
neumon. 


Fig.  259.  —  Ichneumon  laying  her  eggs  in  holes 
bored  by  the  Boring  Saw-Fly,  Figure  262. 

ter  is  sometimes  two  or  three  times  the  length  of  the 
body.  They  lay  their  eggs  in  the  eggs,  larvae,  and 
pupae  of  other  insects,  and  thus  destroy  great  numbers 
of  them.  Sometimes  the  eggs  are  laid  upon  the  outside, 
but  usually  inside.  When  laid  on  the  outside  of  the 
pupae,  the  ichneumon,  as  soon  as  hatched,  eats  its  way 
into  its  victim ;  when  laid  inside,  the  young  ichneumon 


136  ARTICULATES:  INSECTS. 

feeds  upon  the  substance  of  the  body,  but  attacks  no 
vital  part,  so  that  the  insect  does  not  die  till  the  ich- 
neumon is  ready  to  enter  upon  the  pupa  state. 

GALL-FLIES. 

These  are  very  small  insects,  and  the  females  have 
a  long,  slender  ovipositor,  with  which  they  insert  their 
eggs  into  leaves  and  other  parts  of  plants.  These  punc- 
tures cause  outgrowths  called  galls,  which  vary  in  size, 
form,  and  solidity,  according  to  the  nature  or  part  of 
the  plant  that  is  wounded,  and  ac- 
cording to  the  kind  of  gall-fly  that 
makes  the  wound.  Some  are  shaped 
like  an  apple,  as  the  gall  of  the  oak  ; 
some  like  a  bunch  of  currants  ;  some 
are  almost  as  hard  as  iron  ;  and  some 


length  the  eggs  hatch,  and  the  larvae 
feed  upon  the  vegetable  matter  which  surrounds  them. 
Some  galls  have  only  one  tenant,  others  contain  many, 
and  usually  these  insects  undergo  all  their  changes 
within  the  galls,  and,  gnawing  through  the  shell,  fly 
away  ;  but  some  kinds  gnaw  through  at  the  end  of 
their  larval  life,  and  enter  the  ground  to  go  into  the 
pupa  state.  Some  produce  no  galls  themselves,  but 
live  in  galls  made  by  others,  and  are  called  Guest 
Gall-Flies.  The  nut-galls  used  in  making  ink,  in  col- 
oring, and  in  medicine,  are  caused  by  an  insect  which 
punctures  a  species  of  oak  common  in  Western  Asia. 
The  Rose-bush  Gall-Fly  punctures  the  stems  of  rose- 
bushes, producing  excrescences,  or  woody  galls,  upon 
them.  One  of  the  largest  species  is-  the  Willow  Gall- 
Fly  ;  its  galls  are  found  at  the  ends  of  the  twigs  of  the 
basket-  willow. 


HYMENOPTERS:    SAW-FLIES.  137 

BORING  SAW-FLIES. 

The  Boring  Saw-Flies  have  a  long  body,  and  the 
hind  body  is  blunt,  and  ends  in  a  horny  point.  Ex- 
tending from  beneath  the  hind  body  is  a  long,  saw- 


Fig.  262.  —Boring  Saw-Fly,  or  Pigeon  Tremex. 

like,  and  powerful  borer,  which  is  used  to  make  holes 
in  trees,  in  which  to  lay  their  eggs.  In  the  larva  state, 
they  live  in  the  trunks  of  trees. 

TRUE   SAW-FLIES. 

The  females  of  the  true  Saw-Flies  have  an  ovipositor 
composed   of  two   saws,  enclosed   between   two  horny 
pieces,  which  serve  as  a  sheath.     These  saws  are  pro- 
jected  and   withdrawn  when 
the  insect  is  cutting  a  place 
for  her  eggs  ;  but  not  togeth- 
er, for  while  one  is   pushed 
forward,   the   other   is   with- 
drawn.     When   the  hole   is 
cut  deep  enough,  the  egg  is      rig  263._rir.tre;  Saw.FIy> 
deposited  within.      Saw-Flies  enlarged. 


138  ARTiCULATES:   INSECTS. 

are  sluggish,  and  fly  only  in  the  warmest  days.  The 
larvae  are  found  together  in  large  numbers  on  the 
leaves  of  the  birch  and  alder.  When  disturbed,  they 
take  very  curious  attitudes,  appearing  to  stand  upon 
the  head,  or  they  curl  into  the  form  of  an  S,  or  coil 
themselves  up  with  the  head  in  the  centre,  and  look 
somewhat  like  a  snail-shell. 

BUTTERFLIES   AND  MOTHS,   OR  LEPIDOPTERS. 

The  word  Lepidopter  means  scaly-winged,  and  is 
given  to  these  insects  because  their  wings  are  covered 
on  both  sides  with  minute  scales.  These  are  removed 
by  the  slightest  touch,  and  to  the  naked  eye  look  like 
a  mealy  powder;  but  when  seen  under  a  microscope, 
they  are  found  to  be  little  scales  attached  to  the  skin 
by  a  short  stem.  The  tongue  is  long,  and  adapted  for 
suction ;  when  not  in  use  it  is  rolled  up  like  a  watch- 
spring  beneath  the  head,  and  partly  concealed  on  each 
side  by  a  little  feeler.  They  have  six  legs,  the  first 
pair  being  short,  and,  in  some  cases,  folded  under  the 
breast ;  and  the  feet  end  in  a  pair  of  claws.  The 
young  of  Butterflies  and  Moths  are  called  caterpillars, 
and  these  have  from  ten  to  sixteen  legs.  Most  cater- 
pillars feed  upon  the  leaves  of  plants.  Some  eat  buds, 
blossoms,  seeds,  and  roots,  and  others  eat  the  solid 
wood.  Some  eat  woollens,  others  furs,  others  meat, 
.lard,  wax,  and  flour.  Some  kinds  herd  together  in 
great  numbers,  and  build  nests  in  which  they  live,  or 
to  which  they  retire  for  shelter ;  others  live  in  solitude, 
either  in  the  light  and  air,  or  sheltered  in  leaves  folded 
over  them,  or  in  silken  sheaths  which  they  make ;  and 
some  conceal  themselves  in  the  ground,  coming  forth 
only  to  eat.  In  the  middle  of  the  lower  lip  there  is 


LEPIDOPTERS:    BUTTERFLIES. 


139 


a  little  tube,  from  which  the  caterpillar  spins  silken 
threads.  Two  long  slender  bags  within  the  body, 
ending  in  the  spinning  tube,  contain  the  material  from 
which  the  silk  is  made;  this  is  a  sticky  fluid,  which 


£• 


hardens  into  a  thread  as  soon  as  it  comes  to  the  air. 
Some  caterpillars  spin  but  little  silk,  others  produce 
it  in  abundance.  Caterpillars  change  their  skins  about 
four  times  in  coming  to  their  full  growth  as  caterpil- 


140  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

lars  ;  and  when  about  to  change  into  the  pupa  or  chrys- 
alis state,  they  cease  eating,  and  many  of  them  spin 
around  their  body  a  silken  covering  called  a  cocoon, 
others  suspend  themselves  by  silken  threads,  without 
making  a  cocoon,  and  others  enter  the  ground.  When 
the  caterpillar  is  prepared  for  the  change,  it  bursts  the 
skin  on  the  back,  draws  out  the  forward  part  of  its 
body,  and  works  the  skin  backward  until  it  throws  it 
off;  and  now  it  is  a  chrysalis,  shorter  than  the  cater- 
pillar, and  at  first  sight  it  appears  destitute  of  head 
and  limbs ;  but  on  looking  more  carefully  we  perceive 
traces  of  head,  tongue,  antennae,  wings,  and  legs. 
Some  chrysalides  are  angular,  but  most  of  them  are 
smooth,  rounded  at  one  end,  and  tapering  at  the 
other ;  they  remain  motionless,  or  only  move  the  hind 
part  of  "the  body  when  touched.  At  length  the  en- 
closed insect  is  ready  to  come  forth,  and  by  many 
movements  it  bursts  the  skin  of  the  back,  and  the 
Butterfly  or  Moth  appears.  At  first  it  is  soft,  weak, 
and  moist,  with  small  and  shrivelled  wings ;  but  soon 
the  moisture  passes  off,  the  limbs  become  firm,  the 
wings  expand,  and  the  perfect  and  beautiful  insect 
goes  forth  to  feed  upon  water  and  the  honey  of  flow- 
ers. Butterflies  and  Moths  do  not  increase  in  size ; 
they  are  full  grown  when  they  emerge  from  the  pupa 
skin;  and  after  having  laid  their  eggs,  they  soon. die. 
Butterflies  fly  in  the  daytime,  have  their  wings  erect 
when  at  rest,  and  their  antennae  are  thread-like,  with 
a  little  knob  at  the  end,  and  their  larvae  do  not  spin 
cocoons.  Moths  fly  mainly  at  night,  have  their  wings 
when  at  rest  more  or  less  sloping  like  a  roof,  and  their 
antennae  are  variously  formed,  but  never  knobbed  at 
the  end. 


LEPIDOPTERS:   BUTTERFLIES. 


141 


PAPILIO  BUTTERFLIES. 

The  Turnus  Butterfly  is  one  of  the  largest  in  North 
America.  Its  color  is  a  beautiful  yellow,  with  black 
markings,  and  the  hind  wings  are  tailed.  The  cater- 
pillar feeds  upon  the  leaves  of  the  apple  and  wild- 
cherry  trees,  folding  them  up  so  as  to  make  a  case  for 
itself.  When  fully  grown,  it  is  about  two  inches  long, 
green  above,  with  rows  of  blue  dots,  and  yellow  and 
black  marks,  and  its  head  and  legs  are  pink.  It  be- 
comes a  chrysalis  early  in  August,  and  comes  out  a 
butterfly  the  next  summer.  See  Figure  264. 


Fig.  265.  —  Asterias  Butterfly,— Larva. 


Fig.  266.  — Pupa  of  Fig.  265. 


Fig.  267.— Asterias  Butterfly. 

The  Asterias  Butterfly  is  black,  with  two  rows  of 


142  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

yellow  dots  on  the  back,  and  two  rows  of  yellow  spots 
across  the  wings;  the  hind  wings  are  tailed,  and  have 
seven  blue  spots  between  the  two  rows  of  yellow  ones, 
and  an  eye-like  spot  of  an  orange  color  with  a  black 
centre.  The  female  is  much  larger,  and  has  fewer 
yellow  spots  on  the  upper  surface.  The  caterpillar 
lives  upon  such  plants  as  the  carrot,  parsnip,  celery, 
and  anise.  It  is"  green,  with  a  band  made  up  of  yel- 
low and  black  spots  on  each  ring.  When  touched,  it 
thrusts  out  from  the  head  a  pair  of  soft,  orange-col- 
ored horns,  which  have  a  disagreeable  odor.  In  July 
it  reaches  its  full  growth  as  a  caterpillar ;  then  it  seeks 
a  sheltered  spot  on  the  side  of  a  building  or  fence, 
spins  a  tuft  of  silk,  fixes  its  hind  feet  in  it,  then  makes 
a  loop  of  silk,  and,  passing  its  body  through  it,  rests 
upon  it  as  a  support ;  soon  it  casts  its  caterpillar  skin 
and  becomes  a  pupa  or  chrysalis,  Figure  266.  In  about 
a  fortnight  the  chrysalis  bursts  open,  and  the  perfect 
butterfly,  Figure  267,  appears. 

WHITE,  AND   YELLOW  BUTTERFLIES. 

The  Philodice,  or  Yellow  Butterfly,  expands  about 
two  inches,  and  is  common  in  fields  and  by  roadsides 
throughout  the  summer.  The  White  Butterfly,  or 
Pieris,  is  of  about  the  same  size,  and  is  also  common. 

NYMPHALIS   BUTTERFLIES. 

These  butterflies  are  remarkable  for  their  beautiful 
colors.  The  Misippus  Butterfly  has  the  wings  tawny 
yellow,  veined  with  black,  and  a  black  border  spotted 
with  white,  and  the  fore  wings  have  near  their  tips  a 
black  patch  spotted  with  white,  and  on  the  hind  wings 
there  is  a  curved  black  band.  The  caterpillar  lives  on 


LEPIDOPTERS:    BUTTERFLIES. 


143 


the  poplar  and  willow ;  its  color  is  pale  brown,  marked 
with  white  on  the  sides,  and  on  the  second  ring  are 


Fig.  268.  —  Misippus  Butterfly. 

two  blackish  horns.     The  butterfly  is  seen  in  June  and 
September. 

Other  North  American  Butterflies  are  the  Arthemis, 
Archippus,  Idalia,  Aphrodite:  Bellona,  Myrina,  Phae- 
ton, Tharos,  Thistle,  Hunter's,  Atlanta,  Lavinia,  An- 
tiopa,  White- J,  Milbert's,  Semicolon,  Comma,  &c.,  each 
of  which  is  beautiful,  and  has  an  interesting  story,  but 
which  must  be  omitted  here  for  want  of  room. 

SATYRUS  BUTTERFLIES. 

These  have  their  wings  broad 
and  rounded,  and  those  called  Hip- 
parchiaris  have  the  wings  of  a  deli- 
cate brown  color,  with  beautiful 
eye-spots.  They  are  very  com- 
mon in  groves  and  about  bushes 
late  in  the  summer.  Closely  re- 
lated to  these  is  the  Mountain 
Butterfly,  which  is  found  only  on 
Mount  Washington,  in  New  Hamp- 
shire. 


Fig.  269.  —  Mountain 
Butterfly. 


144  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

SKIPPERS. 

Skippers  are  butterflies  which  have  a  short  body, 
large  head,  and  large  eyes ;  and  the  antennae  have  the 
knob  at  the  end  either  curved  like  a 
hook  or  ending  in  a  little  point  bent 
to  one  side.  They  are  called  Skippers 
because  they  fly  with  a  jerking  mo- 
tion. They  are  generally  of  a  rich 
Fig.  270. -Skipper,  brown  color,  marked  with  spots  of 
yellow,  and  expand  from  an  inch  and  a  half  to  two 
inches  and  a  half. 

The  Tityrus  Skipper  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most 
beautiful  species.  Its  wings  are  brown,  and  the  for- 
ward ones  have  a  yellow  band  across  the  middle  and 
yellow  spots  near  the  tips,  and  the  hind  wings  have  a 
broad,  silver-colored  band  across  the  middle  of  the 
under  side.  It  is  found  about  clover  and  other  flow- 
ers in  June  and  July.  The  females  lay  their  eggs  on 
the  leaves  of  the  locust-trees.  The  caterpillar*,  when 
full  grown,  is  about  two  inches  long,  of  a  pale  green 
color,  with  cross  streaks  of  darker  green ;  the  head  and 
neck  are  red,  with  a  yellow  spot  on  each  side  of  the 
mouth. 

AZURE  AND   COPPER   BUTTERFLIES. 

These  are  small,  expanding  only  an  inch.  The 
Azure  Butterflies  are  blue  or  brown ;  and  the  Copper 
Butterflies  red,  spotted  with  black. 

HAWK-MOTHS,   OR   SPHINGES. 

These  moths  are  large,  and  have  the  antenna  thick- 
est in  the  middle  and  usually  hooked  at  the  tip,  and 
the  wings  long  and  narrow.  During  the  morning  and 
evening  twilight,  they  may  be  seen  flying  from  flower 


LEPIDOPTERS:    HAWK-MOTHS.  145 

to  flower  with  great  swiftness,  and  are  easily  mistaken 


for  humming-birds.     A  few   kinds  fly  by  day  and  in 

7  j 


146 


ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 


bright  sunshine.  The  caterpillars  are  very  large,  and 
are  remarkable  for  their  curious  attitudes,  which  re- 
minded Linnaeus  of  the  Sphinx,  a  sculptured  monster 
of  the  Egyptians. 

The  Five-spotted  Sphinx  expands  about  five  inches, 
and  is  of  a  mixed  grayish  and  blackish  color,  and  on 
each  side  of  the  body  there  are  five  orange-colored 
spots  surrounded  by  black.  Its  tongue,  when  fully 
unrolled,  is  five  or  six  inches  long,  but  when  not  in 
use  is  coiled  up  nearly  out  of  sight.  The  caterpillar 
is  known  as  the  potato-worm,  and  is  green,  with  ob- 
lique whitish  stripes  on  the  sides,  and  a  thorn-like  pro- 
jection on  the  tail.  It  attains  its  full  length,  three 
inches  or  more,  in  August,  and  then  buries  itself  in 


Fig.  272.  — Larva  of  Five-spotted  Sphinx. 

the  ground.      Here,  in  a  few  days,  it  throws  off  its 
skin  and  becomes  a  chrysalis,  of  a  bright  brown  color, 


Fig.  273.  —  Chrysalis  of  Five-spotted  Sphinx. 

with  a  long  tongue-case  bent  over  from  the  head,  its 
end  touching  the  breast,  and  somewhat  resembling  the 


LEPIDOPTERS:   MOTHS. 


147 


handle  of  a  pitcher.  It  remains  in  the  ground  all 
winter,  and  in  the  following  summer  the  large  moth 
crawls  out  of  it,  comes  to  the  surface,  mounts  a  plant, 
and  waits  till  the  approach  of  evening,  when  it  flies 
away  in  search  of  food. 

CLEAR-WINGED   SPHINGES,  OB  SESIAS. 

These   are   known   by  their   transparent  wings   and 


Fig.  274.  —  Clear-winged  Sesia. 

broad  tails.  They  are  seen  in  the  daytime  hovering 
over  flowers,  like  humming-birds.  They  are  very  beau- 
tiful. 

PEACH-TREE  BORERS. 

The  Peach-tree  Borer,  in  its  winged  form,  resembles 
a  wasp.     The  general  color  is  steel-blue,  with  yellow 
markings,  and   the   male  has   all  the 
wings  transparent ;  but  the  female  has 
the  fore  wings  blue  and  opaque.     The 
eggs  are  laid  upon  the  trunk  of  the  tree, 
near  the  roots.      When  hatched,  the 
Iarva3  bore  into  and  devour  the  inner    Fig.  275.— Peach- 
bark   and   sap-wood.      When  about  a 
year  old  they  make  their  cocoons,  become  chrysalides, 
and  come  forth  as  moths  from  June  to  October. 


148 


ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 
SILK-WORM  MOTHS. 


These  moths  have  the  head  small,  antennae  generally 
feathered  or  toothed,  tongue  short,  thorax  woolly,  and 
the  fore  legs  hairy.  Most  of  the  caterpillars  spin  co- 
coons. Some  of  these  moths  are  small,  and  others  are 
the  largest  of  the  Lepidopters. 

One  of  the  most  elegant  kinds  is  the  Beautiful  De'i- 
opeia.  Its  fore  wings  are  yellow,  crossed  by  white 


Fig.  276.— Beautiful  De'iopeia. 

bands,  on  each  of  which  is  a  row  of  black  dots,  and  the 
hind  wings  are  scarlet  with  an  irregular  black  border. 

The  Salt-marsh  Moth  expands  about  two  inches ;  the 
fore  wings  are  white,  hind  wings  and  hind  body  yellow, 


Fig.  277.  —  Salt-marsh  Moth,  —  Larva. 


Fig.  278.  —  Salt-marsh  Moth,  — 
Pupa. 


Fig.  279.  —  Salt-marsh  Moth. 


and  the  wings  spotted  with  black,  and  the  hind  body 
has  a  row  of  black  spots  above,  a  row  below,  and  two 


LEPIDOPTERS:   MOTHS.  149 

rows   on   each  side.      The  female  has   all  the   wings 
white,  or  all  light  gray,  with  the  black  spots. 

The  common  Silk-Worm  is  celebrated  as  the  insect 
which  produces  the  greater  part  of  all  the  silk  used  in 
the  world.  It  is  the  larva  or  caterpillar  of  a  moth, 
— Bombyx  mori,  —  which  expands  about  two  inches, 
and  which  is  of  a-  light  color,  with  two  or  three  obscure 
streaks,  and  a  spot  on  the  upper  wings.  It  feeds  upon 
the  leaves  of  the  mulberry-tree,  and  spins  a  cocoon 
about  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  of  a  yellow  color,  and 
which  contains  about  one  thousand  feet  of  silk.  -  This 
silk-worm  is  a  native  of  China,  but  is  now  raised  ex- 
tensively in  Europe,  and,  to  some  extent,  in  this 
country.  The  larvae  of  several  other  moths,  most^of 
them  of  large  size,  are  now  raised,  not  only  in  Asia, 
but  also  in  Europe  and  in  the  United  States,  for  the 
purpose  of  producing  silk. 

The  Cecropia  Moth,  the  Prornethea  Moth,  the  Luna 
Moth,  and  the  Polyphemus  Moth  are  all  large  and 
magnificent  species,  —  the  largest  in  North  America. 
They  have  the  antennae  broadly  feathered  on  both  sides, 
and  beautiful  eye-like  spots  on  the  wings.  All  but  the 
Promethea  expand  five  or  six  inches,  and  the  latter 
expands  about  four  inches.  They  appear  in  June. 
The  Cecropia  is  dusky 
brown,  and  near  the  mid- 
dle of  each  wing  is  a  dull 
red  spot  with  a  white  cen- 
tre and  a  narrow  black 
edging,  and  beyond  the 

Spot   a   dull    red    band    bor-      ^- 280.- Chrysalis  of  Cecropia, 

cocoon  removed. 

dered   on   the  inside   with 

white,  and  near  the  tips  of  the  fore  wings  is  an,  eye- 


150 


ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 


like  black  spot.  The  caterpillar  is  light  green,  with 
red  and  yellow  warts  covered  with  short  bristles.  The 
cocoon  is  very  large,  three  inches  long,  and  fastened 
to  the  side  of  a  twig;  the  outer  coat  looks  like  strong 
brown  paper,  and  inside  of  this  is  loose  strong  silk  sur- 
rounding an  inner  cocoon,  which  contains  the  chrysalis. 


The  Promethea  is  brown  with  a  wavy  whitish  line 
near  the  middle,  and  with  a  wide  clay-colored  border, 


LEPIDOPTERS:   MOTHS.  151 

marked  by  a  wavy  reddish  line,  and  near  the  tips  of 
the  fore  wings  there  is  an  eye-like  spot.  The  caterpil- 
lar feeds  upon  the  sassafras-tree.  Before  making  its 
cocoon,  it  fastens  to  the  twig,  with  silken  threads,  the 
leaf  that  is  to  cover  its  cocoon,  so  that  it  shall  not  fall 
in  autumn ;  then  it  spins  its  cocoon  on  the  leaf,  bend- 
ing over  the  edges  to  cover  it. 

The  Luna,  or  "  Pale  Empress  of  the  Night,"  is  of  a 
delicate  light  green  color,  and  the  hind  wings  are  pro- 
longed into  a  tail,  and  each  wing  has  an  eye-spot,  which 
is  transparent  in  the  centre  and  surrounded  by  rings 
of  white,  red,  yellow,  and  black.  The  caterpillar  lives 
on  the  walnut  and  hickory,  and  is  bluish  green,  with 
a  yellow  stripe  on  each  side,  and  yellow  stripes  across 
the  body.  It  draws  together  two  or  three  leaves  and 
spins  its  cocoon  inside  of  them.  The  cocoon  falls  with 
the  leaves  in  autumn,  and  the  next  June  the  beautiful 
Luna  appears. 

The  Polyphemus  Moth  is  reddish  yellow,  with  a  trans- 
parent eye-spot,  divided  by  a  slender,  line  and  encir- 
cled by  yellow  and  black,  on  each  wing,  and  on  the 
hind  wings  adjoining  the  eye-spot  is  a  large  blue  spot 
shading  into  black. 

The    American    Tent-Caterpillar    Moth   expands    an 


Fig.  282.  —  Tent-Caterpillar  Moth.  Fig.  283.  —  Cocoon  of  Fig.  282. 

inch  and  a  half,  and  is  reddish  brown,  the  fore  wings 
crossed  by  two  oblique  whitish  lines.     The  caterpillars 


152  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

abound  in  neglected  orchards  and  upon  wild-cherry 
trees.  The  eggs  from  which  they  hatch  are  placed  in 
a  cluster  on  the  smaller  branches,  and  are  covered  with 
a  water-proof  varnish.  *  They  hatch  about  the  time  the 
leaves  unfold.  The  little  caterpillars  immediately  form 
a  small  tent  between  the  forks  of  the  branches.  As 
they  grow,  they  enlarge  the  tent,  surrounding  it  with 
new  layers.  They  feed  at  stated  times,  and  return  to 
their  tents  when  they  have  finished  eating.  In  crawl- 
ing from  one  twig  to  another  they  spin  a  silken  thread, 
which  serves  to  guide  them  on  their  way  back.  They 
rest  in  their  webs  at  noon  and  in  stormy  weather. 
When  full  grown,  which  is  about  the  middle  of  June, 
they  leave  the  trees,  separate,  wander  about  for  a  time, 
and  at  length,  in  some  sheltered  place,  spin  their  co- 
coons, which  are  oval  and  loosely  woven,  and  the  meshes 
are  filled  with  a  thin  paste,  which,  on  drying,  becomes 
a  yellow  powder.  They  remain  chrysalides  about  fif- 
teen days. 

GEOMETERS,  OR    SPAN-WORMS. 

The  Geometers  are  moths  whose  caterpillars  seem  to 
measure  the  surfaces  over  which  they  pass.     They  are 
obliged  to  move  in  this  way,  because 
they  usually  have  only  ten  legs,  six 
true  legs  on  the  fore   part  of  the 
body,  and  four  prop  legs  at  the  hind 
Fig.  284.  —  Geometer,    extremity.      Geometers    live    upon 

or  Span- Worm.  11^  i 

trees,  and  let  themselves  down  to 
to  the  ground  by  a  silken  thread  which'  they  spin  from 
the  mouth  while  descending.  When  not  eating,  many 
of  them  stand  on  the  hind  legs,  with  the  body  extended, 
and  in  this  attitude  may  easily  be  mistaken  for  a  twig. 


LEPIDOPTERS:   MOTHS.  153 

Often  when  disturbed,  they  let  themselves  down,  hang 
till  the  danger  is  past,  and  then  climb  up  by  the  same 
thread. 

The  Canker-worm  Moth  expands  about  an  inch  and 
a  quarter,  and  the  wings  are  large,  thin,  and  silky. 
The  females  have  no  wings.  The  larvae,  called  Canker- 
worms,  the  most  destructive  of  insects,  make  their  ap- 
pearance about  the  time  the  leaves  of  the  apple-tree 
begin  to  start  from  the  bud.  They  hatch  from  clusters 
of  eggs  which  have  been  placed  upon  the  fruit  and 
shade  trees  at  various  time^  in  and  since  the  autumn 
before.  They  immediately  commence  to  eat.  They 
first  pierce  the  leaves  with  small  holes,  but  as  they 
grow  they  enlarge  -these  holes,  and  by  and  by  little 
more  is  left  than  the  midrib  and  veins.  When  not 
eating,  they  lie  stretched  at  full  length  beneath  the 
leaves.  When  about  four  weeks  old  they  reach  their 
full  size,  about  an  inch  long.  They  now  quit  eating, 
descend  to  the  ground,  and,  entering  to  the  depth  of 
a  few  inches,  each  makes  a  little  cavity,  and  soon  passes 
into  the  chrysalis  state.  Here  they  remain  till  after  the 
first  frosts  of  autumn,  when  they  begin  to  come  forth 
in  the  moth  state,  and  continue  to  do  so,  whenever  the 
weather  is  mild  enough,  throughout  the  remainder  of 
the  autumn  and  the  winter.  They  rise  in  the  great- 
est numbers,  however,  in  the  spring.  They  come  out 
of  the  ground  mainly  in  the  night.  The  females  crawl 
up  the  nearest .  trees,  where  they  are  joined  by  the 
males,  and  soon  begin  to  lay  their  eggs,  which  they 
place  in  rows,  forming  separate  clusters  of  sixty  to  a 
hundred  or  more,  each  cluster  being  the  product  of  a 
single  female. 


J54  ARTICULATES:  INSECTS. 

LEAF-ROLLERS.  „ 

The  Leaf-Rollers  are  moths  which,  in  the  caterpillar 
state,  roll  up  the  edges  of  leaves,  fasten- 
ing them  with  threads  of  silk,  and  leav- 
ing the  ends  of  the  roll  open.    The  moths 
are   small,   with  the  fore  wings  prettily 
Fig  285  —Leaf-    banded,    an(l    sometimes    adorned    with 
Roller.          golden  spots. 

TINEANS. 

These  moths,  in  the  larva  state,  gnaw  winding  pas- 
sages in  the  substances  upon  which  they  feed.  They 
devour  some  of  the  fragments,  and  fasten  together  oth- 
ers with  silken  threads,  thus  making  a  covering  for 
their  tender  bodies.  They  are  the  smallest  of  the  Lepi- 
dopters,  and  are  generally  very  beau- 
tiful. They  enter  through  the  cracks 
into  closets,  drawers,  and  chests,  they 

Fig.286.-Tinean.     get   under    the    edgeg    of   carpetS)    and 

into  the  folds  of  curtains  and  garments,  and  here  de- 
posit their  eggs.  In  about  fifteen  days  the  eggs  hatch, 
and  4he  larvaB  immediately  begin  to  gnaw  whatever  is 
within  reach,  covering  themselves  with  the  fragments, 
and  shaping  them  into  hollow  rolls,  and  lining  them 
with  silk.  They  generally  live  in  these  rolls  through 
the  summer,  but  become  torpid  in  autumn,  change  to 
chrysalides  in  spring,  and  in  twenty  days  come  forth 
winged  moths. 

TWO-WINGED   INSECTS,    OR  DIPTERS. 

Flies,  Mosquitoes,  the  Hessian  Fly,  Bee-Flies,  Horse- 
Flies,  and  all  their  numerous  relatives,  have  only  two 
wings,  the  place  of  the  hind  wings  being  occupied  by 


DIPTERS:    FLIES. 


155 


two  small  knobbed  threads,  called  balancers.  Mosqui- 
toes have  a  long  bill  composed  of  bristles  sharper  than 
the  sharpest  needles,  with  which  they  pierce  the  flesh 
of  men  and  animals,  and  secure  the  blood  upon  which 
they  so  much  delight  to  feed.  The  female  lays  her 


Fig.  287.  —  Horse-Fly. 


^Fig.  288.— Bee-Fly. 


Fig.  289.  —  Asilus-Fly. 


Fig.  290.— Bot-Fly. 


eggs  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  the  larvae  may 
be  seen  in  great  numbers,  throughout  the  summer,  in 
all  stagnant  pools.  They  are  very  lively,  and  move 
with  a  wriggling  motion.  They  rest  with  the  head 
downward,  and  with  the  hind  extremity  of  the  body  — 
through  which  they  breathe  —  at  the  surface  of  the 
water.  At  length  they  shed  their  skins  and  enter  upon 
the  pupa  state,  in  which  they  live  at  the  surface  of  the 
water,  and  breathe  through  two  tubes  on  the  thorax. 
In  a  few  days  the  skin  splits  on  the  back,  the  winged 
insect  appears,  and,  after  resting  awhile  on  its  empty 
skin  as  it  floats  upon  the  water,  spreads  its  wings,  and, 
humming  its  war-note,  flies  away  in  search  of  a  vic- 


tim whom  it  may  pierce  for  blood. 


-7T 


156  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

HESSIAN  FLY  AND  WHEAT  FLY. 

The  Hessian  Fly  expands  only  about  one  fourth  of 
an  inch,  and  has  the  head,  antennae, 
f  and  thorax  black,  the  wings  black- 

I    \      \l    I  ish   and  fringed  with   short  hairs. 

The  hind  body  is  tawny,  with  black 
on  each  ring,  the  legs  brownish,  and 
feet  black.  Two  broods  appear  in  a 
year,  —  one  in  spring  and  one  in  au- 
tumn. The  females  lay  their  eggs 
on  the  young  blades  of  wheat,  both 
Fig.  29i.— Hessian  Fly.  jn  spring  and  fall.  The  eggs  are 
only  about  one  fiftieth  of  an  inch  in  length,  pale  red, 
and  they  hatch  in  about  four  days,  producing  pale  red 
maggots.  The  larvae  immediately  crawl  down  the  leaf 
till  they  come  to  a  joint.  Here  they  rest  a  little  below 
the  surface  of  the  ground  till  they  have  undergone  their 
transformations.  They  injure  the  plant  by  sucking  its 
sap.  The  larvae  reach  their  growth  in  five  or  six  weeks, 
and  are  then  covered  with  a  hardening  brown  or  chest- 
nut-colored skin,  and  the  insect  is  then  said  to  be  in  the 
flax-seed  state,  from  its  resemblance  to  a  flax-seed.  In 
April  and  May  they  complete  their  transformations,  and 
come  forth  in  the  winged  state,  and  soon  begin  to  lay 
their  eggs  iipon  the  spring  wheat,  and  upon  that  sown 
the  autumn  before.  The  maggots  hatched  from  these 
eggs  pass  down  the  stem  as  before  stated,  take  the  flax- 
seed  form  in  June  or  July,  and  in  autumn  most  of  them 
are  transformed  into  winged  insects;  others  remain 
through  the  winter,  and  are  transformed  in  the  spring, 
as  before  stated.  These  flies  sometimes  move  in  im- 
mense swarms  in  search  of  fields  of  their  favorite  grain 
where  they  may  lay  their  eggs.  The  Hessian  Fly  re- 


DIPTERS:   FLIES.  157 

ceived  its  name  from  the  belief  that  it  was  brought  to 
this  country  in  straw  by  the  Hessian  troops  under  the 
command  of  Sir  William  Howe. 

The  American  Wheat  Fly  is  about  one  tenth  of  an 
inch  long,  orange-colored,  wings  transparent,  eyes  black 
and  prominent ;  antennae  long  and  blackish,  those  of 
the  male  being  twice  as  long  as  the  body,  and  con- 
sisting of  twenty-four  joints,  and  those  of  the  female 
about  as  long  as  the  body,  and  consisting  of  twelve 
joints.  The  wheat  insects,  in  their  perfect  form,  ap- 
pear between  the  first  of  June  and  the  last  of  August. 
They  often  move  in  immense  swarms,  taking  wing  in 
the  morning  and  evening,  and  in  cloudy  weather,  at 
which  times  they  lay  their  eggs  in  the  opening  flowers 
of  the  grain,  of  barley,  rye,  and  oats,  as  well  as  wheat. 
The  eggs  hatch  in  about  eight  days,  producing  little 
yellow  maggots,  which  are  found  within  the  chaffy 
scales  of  the  grain.  The  eggs  are  laid  at  different 
times,  so  that  all  do  not  come  to  maturity  together; 
but  they  appear  to  come  to  their  growth  in  about  four- 
teen days.  They  prey  upon  wheat  in  blossom  and  in 
the  milk,  and  do  not  touch  the  kernel  after  it  has  be- 
come hard.  At  length  they  cease  eating,  and  soon  after 
shed  their  skins,  after  which  they  become  active  again, 
and  in*  a  few  days  descend  to  the  ground.  Here  they 
burrow,  remain  through  the  winter  in  the  larva  form, 
pass  into  the  pupa  state  in  early  summer,  and  in  a  few 
days  afterwards  come  forth  in  the  winged  state. 

HORSE-FLIES. 

These  are  generally  large  flies,  having  a  proboscis 
enclosing  very  sharp  lancets,  with  which  they  readily 
pierce  the  flesh  of  horses  and  cattle,  in  order  to  suck 


158  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

their  blood.  They  have  very  large  eyes,  occupying 
nearly  the  whole  head.  There  are  several  species, 
and  some  of  the  largest  are  nearly  an  inch  long.  The 
larvae  live  in  the  ground.  Figure  287. 

ASILUS-FLIES. 

These  are  very  long-bodied  flies,  and  are  covered 
with  stiff  hairs.  They  are  very  rapacious,  seizing  and 
bearing  away  other  insects.  In  the  larva  state  they 
live  in  the  roots  of  plants.  One  kind  feeds  upon  the 
roots  of  the  Pie  Plant,  or  Rhubarb,  of  the  gardens. 
Figure  289  shows  a  common  kind  of  Asilus. 

BEE-FLIES. 

These  flies  are  so  named  from  their  general  resem- 
blance to  bees.  They  have  a  very  long  proboscis. 
They  frequent  sunny  places  in  the  woods,  in  the  spring, 
and  fly  swiftly,  but  stop  every  little  while  and  balance 
themselves  in  one  place  in  the  air. 

BOT-FLIES. 

These  flies,  in  the  larva  state,  live  in  various  parts 
of  the  body  of  the  ox,  horse,  and  sheep,  and  occasion 
great  suffering,  and  sometimes  death,  to  these  useful 
animals.  One  kind  of  Bot-Fly  lays  her  eggs  "on  the 
fore  legs  of  the  horse,  another  upon  the  lips,  another 
upon  the  neck ;  by  biting  the  parts,  the  horse  gets  the 
eggs  into  *his  mouth,  swallows  them,  and  the  young 
hatch  and  cling  to  the  walls  of  the  stomach.  The  Ox 
Bot-Fly  lays  its  eggs  on  the  backs  of  cattle,  and  the 
larvae  live  in  burrows  in  the  skin.  The  Sheep  Bot- 
Fly  lays  its  eggs  in  the  nostrils  of  the  sheep,  and  the 
larvae  crawl  into  the  head,  and  often  cause  the  death 
of  the  animal.  Figure  290  is  the  Horse  Bot-Fly. 


BEETLES.  159 

BEETLES,  OR  COLEOPTERS. 

Beetles  are  insects  whose  forward  or  upper  wings  are 
hard  and  horn-like,  and  meet  in  a  straight  line  along 
the  top  of  the  back ;  and  there  is  generally  a  little  tri- 
angular piece  between  the  bases  of  the  wings,  called  the 
scutellum.  The  hind,  or  under  wings,  are  thin,  and 
when  the  insect  is  not  flying  are  folded  and  concealed 
by  the  horn-like  upper  wings.  The  colors  of  beetles 
are  -often  exceedingly  beautiful  and  brilliant,  rivalling 
even  those  of  precious  stones  and  the  plumage  of  birds. 

Beetles  have  two  pairs  of  jaws,  which  move  sidewise, 
by  means  of  which  they  bite  their  food,  which  in  some 
cases  consists  of  other  insects,  in  others  of  leaves  or 
other  parts  of  plants.  In  the  larva  state  beetles  are 
called  grubs.  The  kinds  are  very  numerous,  probably 
not  less  than  a  hundred  thousand  in  all. 

TIGER  BEETLES. 

These  are  very  common  in  warm  sandy  places,  and 
may  be  seen  in  the  roads  in  the  country  every  pleas- 


Fig.  293.  —  Tiger 

Beetle,  larva. 

V  Fig.  294.  —  Hairy-necked 

Fig.  292.  -  Common  Ti       B    fl 

Tiger  Beetle. 

ant  day.      They  are,  very  beautifully  and  often  splen- 
didly colored,  and  have  a  large  head  and  large  eyes, 


160  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

and  toothed  jaws.  They  run  rapidly,  and  fly  when 
approached,  but  soon  alight  again.  They  devour  great 
numbers  of  other  insects  for  food,  thus  benefiting  the 
farmer  and  gardener.  The  larvae,  or  grubs,  are  soft, 
white,  and  are  furnished  with  jaws  like  the  adults ; 
and,  like  the  latter,  feed  on  other  insects,  which  they 
secure  by  digging  holes  in  the  ground,  in  which  they 
remain,  the  head  just  closing  the  opening  of  the  hole ; 
and  when  some  insect  comes  near  enough,  they  seize 
it,  draw  it  into  the  hole,  and  devour  it. 

GROUND  BEETLES,   OR   CARABIDS. 

These  also  prey  upon  other  insects,  and  the  kinds 
are  very  numerous.  They  have  the  jaws  very  long 
and  hooked,  and  very  long  legs.  •  Some  of  them  have 
no  under  wings.  One  kind  is  called  the  Caterpillar 


Fig.  295.  —  Caterpillar  Hunter. 

Hunter,  because  it  destroys  so  many  larvae  of  other  in- 
sects. It  eats  great  numbers  of  the  canker-worm,  the 
most  destructive  insect  which  has  appeared  upon  our 
beautiful  fruit  and  shade  trees,  and  which  is  described 


BEETLES. 


161 


on  page  153.  It  appears  about  the  time  the  canker- 
worms  leave  the  trees  and  come  to  the  ground.  The 
Glowing  Caterpillar  Hunter  is  a  smaller  kind,  and  is 
black,  with  six  rows  of  sunken  brilliant  red  spots. 

WATER  BEETLES. 

These  beetles  live  in  the  water,  and 
their  long  hind  legs  are  well  fitted  for 
swimming,  being  fringed  on  their  inner 
side.  They  are  very  voracious,  and  de- 
vour other  insects,  and,  in  some  cases, 
young  fishes.  Some  of  the  species  are 

Fig.  296.  — Water     more   tnan  an  incn  l°ng-      The  Whirli- 

Beetie.  gig  Beetles  which    are   found   on   the 

surface  of  still  wafers,  where  they  look  like  brilliant 
spots  gliding  in  all  sorts  of  curves,  are  much  smaller, 
and  belong  to  another  family. 

CARRION  BEETLES. 

.Carrion  Beetles  live  together  in   great  numbers  in 
the  bodies  of  decaying  animals.     Some  kinds  have  the 
habit  of  burying  the    small  animals  which  they  find 
dead,  and  it  is  remarkable  how  quickly 
they  find  out  where  such  animals  are. 
If  a  dead  frog,  or  mouse,  or  bird  be 
placed  upon  the  ground,  these  beetles 
will  be  seen  about  it  in  a  few  hours ; 
and  beginning  to  dig  beneath  it,  they 
soon  sink  it  out  of  sight.     The  females 
then  lay  their  eggs  in  it,  so  that  when 
the  young  hatch  they  find  themselves 
amidst  a  supply  of  suitable  food. 


Fig.  297.  —  Carrion 
Beetle. 


162 


ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 


ROVE  BEETLES. 

These  are  long  and  narrow,  with  stout 
jaws,  and  the  hind  body  much  longer 
than  the  wing-covers.  When  they  run 
they  raise  the  hind  body  and  move  it  in 
different  directions.  They  are  found 
about  decaying  substances.  The  larvae  Fig.  298.— Rove 
closely  resemble  the  perfect  insect. 


Beetle. 


HORN-BUGS. 

Horn-Bugs  are  beetles  which  have  the  body  very 
hard  and  oblong,  the  thorax  and  head  very  large,  and 
the  upper  jaws  large  and  often  curved  and  branched. 


Fig.  299.  — Horn-Bug. 

They  keep  in  their  hiding-places  in  the  daytime,  and 
fly  about  at  night.  In  the  adult  state  they  eat  the 
leaves  of  trees;  but  the  grubs  live  in  the  trunks  and 
roots  of  trees,  and  some  kinds  thus  live  in  the  larva 
state  for  six  years  before  they  become  perfect  beetles. 

SCARAB^EIANS. 

The  beetles  known  as  Scarabaeians  have  the  antennae 
ending  in  a  knob,  which  is  made  up  of  three  or  more 


BEETLES.  163 

leaf-shaped  pieces,  and  they  have  a  sort  of  plate  which 
extends  forward  over  the  face  like  the  visor  of  a  boy's 
cap,  and  their  legs  are  toothed  on  the  outer  sides,  and 
thus  fitted  for  cogging.  Some  live  on  the  ground  and 
are  called  Ground-Beetles ;  others  live  upon  trees, 
whose  leaves  they  eat,  and  are  called  Tree-Beetles ; 
others  feed  upon  the  sweets  of  flowers,  and  are  called 
Flower-Beetles.  '  Some  kinds  are  very  large,  as  the 


Fig.  300.  —  Goldsmith  Beetle.  Fig.  301 .  —  Phanasus. 

Hercules  Beetles  of  South  America,  which  are  five  inches 
long.  Many  are  brilliantly  colored,  and  the  Phanaeus 
has  a  horn-like  projection  on  the  head.  The  May-Bee- 
tles are  brown-colored  Scarabaeians,  which,  attracted  by 
the  light,  fly  into  our  rooms  in  the  early  part  of  sum- 
mer ;  in  the  grub  state  they  live  in  the  ground,  and 
are  white,  with  a  brownish  head.  The  Goldsmith  Bee- 
tle is  of  a  beautiful  golden  color  above,  and  copper  color, 
with  whitish  wool,  below.  It  feeds  upon  leaves,  among 
which  it  hides  by  day,  flying  in  the  morning  and  even- 
ing twilight.  The  Spotted  Pelidnota  is  found  on  the 
grape-vine  in  July  and  August.  It  is  about  an  inch 
long,  brownish  yellow  above,  with  three  black  dots  on 
each  wing-cover,  and  one  on  each  side  of  the  thorax. 
Many  of  these  beetles  not  only  injure  the  foliage  of 


164 


ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 


shrubs  and  trees,  but  in  their  grub  or  larva  state  they 
devour  the  roots  of  grasses  and  other  plants,  and  thus 
do  immense  injury  to  the  crops.  Fortunately,  how- 
ever, they  are  kept  in  check  by  thescrow  and  many 
other  animals,  which  eagerly  devour  them. 

BUPRESTIANS. 

These  beetles,  in  the  larva  state,  live  in  the  trunks  of 
trees,  eating  holes  in  all  directions, 
much  to  the  injury  of  the  tree. 
Some  kinds  bore  the  peach,  others 
the  plum,  others  the  oak,  and  others 
the  pine.  The  perfect  beetles  are 
long  and  very  solid,  with  a  sunken 
head,  and  often  with  metallic  colors. 

Fig.  302. — Buprestis. 

SPRING  OR   SNAP  BEETLES,   OR  ELATERS. 

When  placed  upon  the  back,  these  beetles  at  once, 
with  a  snap  and  a  jerk,  throw 
themselves  upwards ;  and  they  re- 
peat the  operation  till  they  come 
down  right  side  up.  They  per- 
form this  feat  by  means  of  a  spine- 
like  organ  situated  on  tlje  under 
side  of  the  breast.  Snap-Beetles 
vary  from  half  an  inch  to  two 
inches  in  length,  and  the  head  is 
almost  concealed  in  the  thorax. 
One  of  the  most  curious  kinds  has 

Fig.  303.— Eyed  Spring    two  eye-like  spots   on  the  thorax, 

as  seen  in  Figure  303. 
Some  of  the  Elaters,  and  others  closely  related   to 

them,  give  out  a  brilliant  light  at  night,  and  are  known 


BEETLES. 


165 


as  Fire-Flies.  They  are  common  in  meadows  in  sum- 
mer. Some  of  the  tropical  kinds  emit  such  a  brilliant 
phosphorescence  —  as  their  light  is  called  —  that  a  few 
of  them  placed  in  a  glass  vessel  give  light  enough  for 
a  person  to  read  by. 

CURCULIOS,  OR  WEEVILS. 

These  beetles  are  hard,  generally  rather  small,  some 
being  minute,  and  in  most  cases  they  have  a  long, 
slender  snout.  In  some,  however,  the  fore  part  of  the 
head  is  broad.  They  feign  death  when  disturbed,  and, 


Fig.  304.— Plum 
Weevil. 


Fig.  305.  — Rice 
Weevil. 


Fig.  306.  — Pea 
Weevil. 


Fig.  307.  —  White-Pine  Weevil.      Fig.  308.  —Long-snouted  Nut  Weevil. 

if  upon  a  tree,  fall  to  the  ground  and  remain  motion- 
less till  all  is  quiet.  The  Pea  Weevil  lays  its  eggs  on 
the  pea  blossoms,  and  the  grub  enters  the  pea  through 
the  green  pod,  and  remains  there  till  the  next  spring, 
when  it  comes  out  as  a  perfect  beetle  or  weevil.  The 
Baltimore  Oriole  splits  open  the  pods  for  the  sake  of 
obtaining  the  grubs  contained  in  the  peas.  •  The  White- 


166  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

Pine  Weevil,  in  the  larva  state,  lives  in  the  trunk  of 
the  pine,  in  which  it  cuts  passages  in  various  direc- 
tions. The  Long-snouted  Nut  Weevil,  in  the  larva  state, 
lives  in  nuts.  The  Plum  Weevil,  when  shaken  from 
the  tree,  looks  like  a  dried  bud.  This  weevil  makes  a 
crescent-shaped  wound  on  the  surface  of  the  plum,  in 
which  it  lays  an  egg  ;  from  the  egg  there  hatches  a 
whitish  grub,  which  burrows  into  the  plum,  even  to 
the  stone.  The  Rice  Weevil  feeds  upon  rice,  wheat, 
and  Indian  corn.  It  is  about  one  tenth  of  an  inch 
long,  with  two  red  spots  on  each  wing-cover. 

LONG-HORN,   OR   CAPRICORN  BEETLES. 

These  beetles  have  very  long  and  generally  curved 
antennae.     When  we  catch  them  they  make  a  squeaking 


Fig.  309.  —  Painted        Fig.  310. — Apple-tree        Fig.  311.— Apple-tree 
Clytus.  Borer,  larva.  Borer,  adult. 

sound,  by  rubbing  together  the  joints  of  the  thorax 
and  hind  body.  In  the  larva  state  they  live  in  the 
trunks  of  trees  and  in  timber,  and  are  called  borers. 
As  they  eat  their  way  in  the  timber  they  fill  the  pas- 
sages behind  them  with  their  cuttings,  which  the  car- 
penters call  powder-post.  Some,  however,  as  the  Ap- 
ple-tree Borer,  keep  the  end  of  their  burrow  open, 
out  of  which  they  cast  their  chips.  They  remain  in 
the  larva  state  from  one  to  three  years. 


BUGS,   CICADAS,   AND   TREE-HOPPERS.  167 


Fig.  312. — Broad-necked  Prionus,  a  Capricorn  Beetle. 
CHRYSOMELANS  AND  LADY-BIRDS. 

These   are   either  egg-shaped  or  hemispherical,   and 
are  remarkable  for  their  beautiful  colors.     The  first  are 


Fig.  313.  —Ladder       Fig.  314.  —  Cucumber  Bee-         Fig.  315. — Lady- 
Chrysomelan.  tie,  a  Chrysomelan.  Bird. 

blue,  green,  or  golden ;  the  latter  are  black,  red,  or 
;^llow,  with  dark  spots.  The  Lady-Birds  devour  plant- 
lice,  and  are  thus  of  great  benefit  to  the  gardener. 

BUGS,   CICADAS,  AND  TREE-HOPPERS,   OR 
HEMIPTERS. 

These  insects  have  a  slender,  horny  beak,  which, 
when  not  in  use,  is  bent  under  the  body  and  lies  upon 
the  breast. 

CICADAS,   OR  HARVEST  FLIES. 

The  Cicadas,  or  Harvest  Flies,  have  a  very  large 
head,  large  eyes,  and  three  minute  eyes  on  the  top  of 
the  head,  and  their  wings  are  large,  thin,  and  very 


168 


ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 


distinctly  veined.  The  males  make  a  very  loud  buz- 
zing sound  by  means  of  curious  organs  resembling 
kettle-drums,  one  being  placed  on  each  side  of  the 
hind  body  near  the  thorax.  The  ancient  Greeks  loved 
to  hear  the  buzzing  of  the  Cicadas,  and  kept  them  in 
cages  that  they  might  enjoy  their  rude  music.  These 
people  also  ate  Cicadas.  The  females  have  a  very 
curious  piercer  for  making  holes  in  trees,  in  which  to 
lay  their  eggs.  This  piercer  consists  of  three  pieces, 
the  two  outer  ones  grooved  on  the  inside  and  toothed 
on  the  outside  like  a  saw,  and  a  central  borer  which 
plays  in  the  groove  formed  by  the  other  two. 


Fig.  316.  —  Seventeen-year  Cicada. 

The   Seventeen-year  Cicada  is  about  an  inch   long, 
the  general  color  black,  with  the  eyes,  larger  veins,  and 


Fig.  317.— Dog-day  Cicada,  or  Harvest  Fly. 

forward  edges   of  the  wings   red.      This  is  generally 


HEMIPTERS:  TREE-HOPPERS.  169 

called  the  Seventeen-year  Locust,  but  it  is  in  no  sense 
a  Locust,  and  should  not  be  called  by  this  name.  The 
name  "  Seventeen-year  "  is  given  to  it  from  the  belief 
that  it  appears  in  the  same  place  only  once  in  seven- 
teen years. 

The  Dog-day  Harvest  Fly  is  over  an  inch  long,  the 
body  black  above,  marked  with  green,  and  the  under 
side  covered  with  a  white  substance  resembling  flour. 
It  appears  at  the  beginning  of  dog-days,  and  its  sing- 
ing may  be  heard  among  the  trees  through  the  middle 
of  the  day.  The  pupa3  of  this  species  and  of  the  Sev- 
enteen-year Cicada,  as  they  come  out  of  the  ground 
and  crawl  up  the  trees,  look  like  beetles.  Soon  the 
pupa-skin  splits  on  the  top  of  the  back,  and  from  the 
opening  thus  made  the  perfect  Cicada  comes  forth, 
leaving  the  brown  pupa-skin  attached  firmly  to  the 
tree,  and  at  a  little  distance  looking  as  when  alive. 

TREE-HOPPERS. 

These  insects  are  remarkable  for  their  curious  and 


Fig.  318.  —  Tree-Hopper.  Fig.  319.  —  Same  enlarged. 

often  grotesque  shapes.  They  live  on  the  sap  of  trees 
and  herbs,  and  imbibe  it  in  such  quantities  that  it 
oozes  out  of  the  body,  often  concealing  the  insect  in  a 
mass  of  frothy  matter  or  foam.  Figure  318  shows  one 
of  the  common  kinds,  as  seen  when  looking  upon  its 
back,  and  Figure  319  is  the  same  in  profile,  and  con- 
siderably enlarged. 


170  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

APHIDES,   OR  PLANT-LICE. 

These  insects  have  the  body  short,  and  at  the  hind 
extremity  there  are  two  little  tubes,  from  which  come 
minute  drops  of  a  very  sweet  fluid.  Aphides  inhabit 
all  kinds  of  plants,  the  leaves  and  softer  portions  being 
often  completely  covered  with  them. 
The  young  are  hatched  in  the  spring, 
and  soon  come  to  maturity,  and,  what 
is  remarkable,  the  whole  brood  consists 
Fig.  320. -Aphis.  of  wingless  females;  and  what  is  still 

more  remarkable,  these  females  bring  forth  living 
young,  each  female  producing  fifteen  or  twenty  in  a 
day.  These  young  are  also  wingless  females,  and  at 
maturity  bring  forth  living  young,  which  are  also  all 
wingless  females,  and  in  their  turn  bring  forth  living 
young ;  and  in  this  way  brood  after  brood  is  produced, 
even  to  the  fourteenth  generation,  in  a  single  season. 
But  the  last  brood  in  autumn  contains  both  males  and 
females,  which  stock  the  plants  with  eggs,  and  then 
perish.  Reaumur,  a  celebrated  naturalist,  has  proved 
that  a  single  aphis,  in  five  generations,  may  have  about 
six  thousand  millions  of  descendants  !  Wherever  plant- 
lice  abound,  ants  collect  to  feed  upon  the  honey-like 
fluid  produced  by  them ;  and  the  most  friendly  rela- 
tions exist  between  these  two  kinds  of  insects.  An 
aphis  has  been  known  to  give  in  succession  a  drop 
of  the  fluid  to  each  of  a  number  of  ants  waiting  to 
receive  it! 

SCORPION  BUGS. 

These  bugs  live  in  the  water,  and  can  sting  severely. 
They  devour  other  insects,  which  they  seize  with  their 
fore  legs,  which  act  as  pincers. 


ORTHOPTERS:   EARWIGS. 


171 


Fig.  321.  —  Scorpion  Bug,  or  Nepa. 


Fig.  322.  —  Squash  Bug. 


SQUASH  BUGS. 

The  Squash  Bug  passes  the  winter  in  a  torpid  state, 
and  when  the  leaves  of  the  squash  appear  it  lays  its 
eggs  in  clusters  on  the  under  side  of  them. 

STRAIGHT-WINGED  INSECTS,   OR*  ORTHOPTERS. 

These  insects  have  wings  which  lie  straight  along 
the  top  or  sides  of  the  back.  They  do  not  pass  through 
the  marked  stages  of  larva  and  pupa  in  coming  to  the 
adult  state ;  but  the  young  are  constantly  active,  feed- 
ing and  growing,  and  .differ  from  the  adults  only  in 
size,  and  in  having  only  rudiments  of  wings,  and  in 
frequently  changing  their  skins.  After  having  shed 
their  skins  six  times,  they  come  forth  perfect  insects. 

EARWIGS. 

These  insects  have  a  pair  of  sharp-pointed  nippers 


Fig.  323.  —  Earwig.  Fig.  324.  —  Cockroach. 

at  the  hind  part  of  the  body,  which  they  can  open  and 


172  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

shut  like  a  pair  of  scissors.  They  are  foftnd  under 
stones,  and  under  the  bark  of  old  trees,  and  fly  only 
at  night.  They  are  believed  by  some  to  crawl  into 
people's  ears,  but  there  is  probably  no  good  reason  for 
this  belief. 

COCKROACHES. 

Cockroaches  are  found  in  forests,  and  some  species 
infest  kitchens,  store-rooms,  and  closets,  devouring  all 
kinds  of  food,  and  even  clothes.  Figure  324  shows  one 
of  the  kinds  common  in  this  country,  although  it  origi- 
nated in  Asia. 

WALKING-STICKS  AND   WALKING-LEAVES. 

The  Walking-Sticks  are  insects  which  look  like  dry 
twigs ;  and  the  Walking-Leaves  have  wings  that  look 
almost  precisely  like  leaves.  They  belong  mostly  to 


Fig.  325.  — Walking-Stick. 

the  warm  parts  of  the  globe,  but  several  kinds  of  Walk- 
ing-Sticks are  found  in  the  United  States.  They  are 
from  three  or  four  inches  to  a  foot  long.  Figure  325 
shows  one  of  our  most  common  species,  about  one  half 
its  natural  size. 

MANTES. 

The  Mantels  are  grasshopper-like  insects  which  have 
the  fore  legs  suited  for  seizing  and  holding  prey.     They 


ORTHOPTERS:    CRICKETS. 


173 


are  found  upon  plants  and  trees,  where  they  sit  for 
hours,  holding  up  their  fore  legs,  ready  to  seize  any 


Fig.  326. — American  Mantis. 

insect  which  comes  within  reach.  Some  of  the  super- 
stitious inhabitants  of  the  East  believe  that  at  such 
times  the  Mantis  is  engaged  in  religious  devotions. 
Figure  326  represents  the  only  kind  found  in  the 
United  States. 

CRICKETS. 

Crickets  have  a  flattened  body,  long  antenna,  and 
long  appendages  behind.  The  males  chirrup  to  at- 
tract their  mates,  and  this  familiar 
sound  is  often  heard  throughout  the 
night.  It  is  produced  by  rubbing  the 
wings  against  one  another.  The  most 
common  crickets  of  the  fields  are  dark- 
colored,  but  some,  like  the  Climbing 
Crickets,  are  white.  The  Mole  Crick- 
ets have  fore  feet  resembling  those  of 
the  Mole,  and  well  adapted  for  digging. 
They  burrow  in  the  ground,  and  prey 
upon  other  insects.  Some  kinds  of  crickets  take  up 
their  abode  in  houses,  and  the  sound  of  "  the  cricket 
on  the  hearth "  is  a  familiar  one  to  people  who  live 
in  the  country. 


Fig.  327.  —  White 
Climbing  Cricket. 


174 


ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 


Fig.  328.  —  Mole  Cricket. 
LOCUSTS. 

These  are  grasshopper-like  insects  which  have  very 
long   antennae,  a  long   ovipositor,  and  many  of  them 


Fig.  329.  — Katydid. 

produce  a  grating  noise  by  rubbing  their  wing-covers 
together.  They  are  known  as  Katydids,  Leaf-winged 
Grasshoppers,  Sword-bearers,  and  Meadow  Grasshop- 
pers. None  are  more  interesting  than  the  Katydids, 
whose  curious  notes  are  heard  at  early  twilight  or  on 
moonlight  evenings,  and  in  cloudy  days,  throughout 


NEUROPTERS.    OR   NET-WINGED   INSECTS.  175 

the  autumn.  These  insects  are  about  an  inch  and  a 
half  long,  and  the  wings  shut  around  the  body  like  the 
two  valves  of  a  pea-pod.  They  produce  sounds  resem- 
bling the  words  "  Katy  did."  These  are  made  by 
means  of  a  thin  membrane. stretched  in  a  strong  frame 
which  is  situated  in  the  overlapping  portion  of  each 
wing-cover.  The  rubbing  of  the  frames  against  each 
other,  as  the  insect  opens  and  shuts  its  wings,  makes 
the  sounds. 

MIGRATOKY  LOCUSTS. 

These  are  grasshopper-like  insects  which  have  the 
antenna?  short,  and  no  long  organ  for  laying  eggs. 
The  kinds  are  many,  and  some  of  the  tropical  ones  are 


Fig.  330.  —  Clouded  Locust, 

three  or  four  inches  long.  The  most  common  grass- 
hoppers of  the  United  States  belong  in  this  group,  and 
are  familiarly  known  as  the  Red-legged  Locust,  Caro- 
lina Locust,  Coral-winged  Locust,  Yellow-winged  Lo- 
cust, and  Clouded  Locust. 

NET-WINGED  INSECTS,  OR  NEUROPTERS. 

These  insects  have  four  thin,  finely  net-veined  wings, 
stout  jaws,  and  no  sting.  In  the  larva  state  they  live 
in  the  water.  The  Stone-Flies,  Figure  331,  and  Ephem- 
eras, Figure  332,  have  long  appendages  at  the  hind 
part  of  the  body. 


176 


ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 
MAY-FLIES,   OR  EPHEMERAS. 


Though  these  insects  live  only  for  a  few  hours  or  a 
day  in  the  perfect  state,  their  existence  in  the  larva 
and  semi-pupa  state  extends  through  two  or  three  years, 


Fig.  331. —  Stone-Fly,  half  natural  size. 


Fig.  332.  —  May-Fly. 


and  all  this  time  they  live  in  the  water.  When  about 
to  go  through  their  final  changes,  the  pupae  crawl  to 
the  surface,  cast  off  the  pupa-skin,  and  appear  at  first 
to  be  fully  developed ;  this  is  the  sub-imago  state ;  they 
then  fly  with  difficulty  to  the  shore,  affix  themselves  to 
plants  and  trees,  and  cast  off  a  very  delicate  covering. 
After  this  the  wings  are  brighter,  and  the  tails  greatly 
increase  in  length.  May-Flies  appear  in  such  im- 
mense swarms  in  some  parts  of  Europe,  that  the  peo- 
ple collect  their  dead  bodies  into  heaps  to  enrich  the 
land.  They  are  common  in  this  country.  One  of  our 
species  is  shown  in  Figure  332. 

DRAGON-FLIES,  OR  DARNING-NEEDLES. 

These  insects  have  a  long  body,  large,  lustrous,  gauze- 
like  wings,  large  head,  and  very  large  eyes.  They  at 
once  arrest  our  attention  by  their  large  size,  light  and 


NEUROPTERS:   DRAtfON-FLIKS.  177 

graceful  form,  variegated  colors,  and  the  great  velocity 
with  which  they  speed  their  way  over  fields  and  mead- 
ows, or  skim  the  surfaces  of  the  pools  or  ponds  in 


Fig.  333.— Dragon-Fly. 

search  of  flies,  mosquitoes,  and  other  insects,  upon 
which  they  feed.  In  the  larva  and  pupa  states  they 
live  in  the  water,  and  are  rather  long,  broad,  and  flat, 
with  long  sprawling  legs,  and  they  crawl  about,  or  pro- 
pel themselves  by  ejecting  water  from  a  cavity  situated 
at  the  hind  part  of  their  body.  They  are  very  vora- 
cious, devouring  other  insects  and  even  one  another. 
When  the  time  comes  for  the  last  change,  they  crawl 
up  the  stems  of  plants,  and,  having  withdrawn  from 
the  pupa-skin,  which  remains  clinging  to  the  plant, 
and  dried  themselves  a  little,  they  spread  their  wings 
and  dart  swiftly  away.  Though  they  bite  quite  fiercely 
with  their  jaws,  they  are  without  any  sort  of  sting, 
and  are  perfectly  harmless  to  man. 

CORYDALIS. 

The   Horned   Corydalis  expands  five  or  six  inches, 
and  the  male  has  two  long,  horn-like  pincers. 


178 


ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 


Fig.  334.         .  Fig.  335. 

Larva  and  Perfect  Insect  of  Horned  Corydalis,  one  half  the  natural  size. 

LACE-WINGS,  OK  ANT-LIONS. 

The  Ant-Lion  is  so  called  because,  in  the  larva  state, 
it  preys  upon  ants  and  other  insects,  which  it  secures 
in  the  following  manner:  it  makes  a  pitfall,  or  cavity, 


Fig.  336.  —  Ant-Lion. 


Fig.  337.  —  Larva  of  Ant-Lion, 
enlarged. 


Fig.  338.  —  Pitfall  of  Ant-Lion. 


Figure  338,  at  the  bottom  of  which  it  conceals  itself, 
excepting  its  jaws,  and  there  awaits  its  prey.  When- 
ever an  insect  falls  into  the  pit,  the  ant-lion  rushes 
it  and  devours  it. 


SPIDERS.   *  179 

CADDICE-FLIES. 

On  account  of  their  curious  appearance  and  habits, 
these  insects  are  the  most  interesting  while  in  the  larva 
state.  They  live  at  the  bottom  of  ponds  and  streams, 


Fig.  339.  —  Caddice-Fly. 

in  cases  which  they  construct  of  bits  of  wood,  or  grasses, 
or  of  grains  of  sand,  or  of  fragments  of  broken  shells, 
and  which  are  lined  with  silk,  which  they  spin  from 
their  mouths.  They  sometimes  load  one  side  of  the 
case  with  heavier  pieces,  in  order  to  keep  that  side 
downward. 

SPIDERS,   OR  ARACHNIDS. 

Spiders  have  the  body  divided  into  only  two  well- 
marked  portions,  —  the  head  and  the  hind  body.  They 
have  eight  legs,  and  two  palpi  or  feelers  resembling 
legs,  but  no  wings,  and  they  do  not  change  their  form 
in  passing  from  the  young  to  the  adult  state.  Most 
kinds  feed  upon  insects. 

True  Spiders  have,  at  the  hind  part  of  their  body,  a 
most  wonderful  organ,  called  the  spinneret,  by  which 
the  delicate  threads  of  the  spider-web  are  spun.  It 
consists  of  four  to  six  knobs,  with  a  thousand  or  more 
holes  in  each  knob.  Through  these  the  invisible  silken 
threads  pass  out,  —  more  than  four  thousand  at  a  time, 
—  and  at  a  little  distance  from  the  knobs  all  these 


180  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

unite  into  one,  forming  the  single  line  of  spider-web 
which  all  are  so  familiar  with.  As  the  threads  issue 
from  the  knobs  they  are  a  sticky  fluid,  —  which  has 


Fig.  340.  —  Spider  —  Lycosa. 

been  secreted  in  little  bags  in  the  abdomen:  but  this 
hardens  into  silk  as  soon  as  it  comes  to  the  air.  The 
length  of  the  line  which  a  spider  is  able  to  produce  is 
truly  wonderful.  Dr.  Wilder  wound  nearly  two  miles 
of  silk,  in  less  than  a  day,  from  his  celebrated  Nephila 
plumipes, —  a  spider  which  he  discovered  in  South  Car- 
olina. The  kinds  of  Spider  are  very  numerous,  and 
most  of  them  spin  some  sort  of  a  net-like  web,  in  or 
near  which  they  live,  and  by  means  of  which  they  cap- 
ture insects  for  food.  The  House  Spider  spreads  a  flat 
net  in  the  corners  of  rooms.  The  Geometric  Spider 
spreads  a  vertical  net,  which  is  made  in  the  most  beau- 
tiful manner,  radiating  lines  running  from  the  centre, 
like  the  spokes  of  a  wheel,  and  these  connected  by  a 
spiral  line,  which  at  a  little  distance  gives  the  appear- 
ance of  lines  arranged  in  circles  from  the  centre  out- 


SPIDERS.  181 

wards.  Some  kinds  of  Spider  have,  near  the  princi- 
pal web,  a  silken  retreat,  or  den,  where  the  owner 
hides  till  the  quivering  spider-lines  which  run  into  its 
office  telegraph  the  fact  that  a  fly  has  become  entan- 
gled ;  instantly  the  spider  rushes  out  of  its  retreat, 
pounces  upon  the  victim,  and  bites  it,  if  possible,  put- 
ting into  the  wound  a  fatal  poison.  If  the  insect  be 
too  powerful  for  the  spider,  the  latter  waits  till  the 
insect  gets  more  entangled,  and  finally  exhausted,  by 
its  efforts  to  escape,  then  binds  it  with  silken  bands,  and 
begins  to  devour  it.  The  bite  of  an  ordinary  spider 
will  kill  a  fly ;  the  bite  of  some  of  the  large  kinds  in 
South  America  kills  the  humming-bird ;  and  some- 
times men  are  killed  by  a  spider's  bite.  The  female 
spiders  lay  eggs  and  enclose  them  in  silken  sacs.  Some 
kinds  carry  the  egg-sac  about  with  them ;  others  spin 
it  in  a  safe  place,  and,  in  some  instances,  stay  near  to 
guard  it,  and  to  tear  open  the  egg-sac  as  soon  as  the 
young  are  hatched,  that  they  may  escape.  One  of  the 
most  curious  of  these  egg-sacs  is  that  shown  in  Figure 
341,  and  which  was  made  by  some  spider  which  we  do 


Fig.  341.— Egg-case  of  a  Spider,  — the  Vase-Maker. 

not  yet  know,  but  which  may  properly  be  called  the  Vase- 
Maker.  Two  "  vases,"  like  the  one  in  the  woodcut, 
were  found  standing  about  a  foot  apart  on  the  stem 
of  a  grape-vine.  The  outside  of  the  vase  looks  like 
brown  paper,  or  it  is  in  appearance  and  in  tough- 


182  ARTICULATES:   INSECTS. 

ness  like  the  outside  of  the  cocoon  of  the  Cecropia 
Moth,  and  the  vase  is  fastened  on  to  the  vine  by  a  vast 
number  of  threads  of  silk  passing  from  one  side  of  the 
vase  to  the  other  around  the  vine ;  and  the  threads 
ar*e  so  nicely  arranged  that  the  vase  cannot  turn  nor 
slip  from  its  place.  On  opening  this  curious  structure, 
it  was  found  to  be  filled  with  the  finest  silk  and  a  great 
number  of  newly-hatched  spiders.  This  rare  and  won- 
derful specimen  of  spider-building  and  of  spider-case 
for  its  young  was  presented  to  the  Zoological  Cabinet 
of  Vassar  College  by  S.  M.  Buckingham,  Esq.,  of  Pough- 
keepsie,  New  York. 

SCORPIONS. 

The  Scorpions  are  confined  to  warm  regions,  and  live 
among  ruins  of  buildings,  under  rubbish,  and  some- 
times in  houses.  They  have  a  long  body  ending  in  a 


Fig.  342.  —  Scorpion. 

curved,  sharp  sting,  with  which  they  inflict  dangerous 
and  sometimes  fatal  wounds.  They  can  run  quite  rap- 
idly, and  can  bend  the  hind  body  or  tail  in  any  direc- 
tion, and  use  it  both  for  attack  and  defence.  The  one 
here  figured  is  found  in  Texas. 


CRUSTACEANS.  183 

CENTIPEDES,   OR  MYRIAPODS. 

These  are  very  long  and  worm-like,  and  divided  into 
very  numerous  rings  or  joints,  each  one  of  which  gen- 
erally bears  two  pairs  of  feet.  In  the  temperate  parts 
of  the  globe  the  kinds  are  not  more  than  two  or  three 


Fig.  343.  — American  Myriapod,  Fig-.  344.  —  American  Earwig, 

or  Galley- Worm.  or  Lithobius. 

inches  long ;  but  tropical  species  are  a  foot  long  in 
some  instances,  and  the  bite  of  these  is  often  very  poi- 
sonous. All  prey  upon  insects. 

$ 
CRUSTACEANS. 

These  articulates  have  a  crust  or  shell,  the  head  and 
thorax  united  into  one  piece,  and  they  live  in  the 
water  and  breathe  by  means  of  gills.  Some  kinds, 
however,  live  upon  the  land.  They  feed  upon  all 
sorts  of  animal  food,  and  shed  and  renew  their  shell 
many  times. 

TEN-FOOTED   CRUSTACEANS,   OR   CRABS,  LOB- 
STERS,  AND   SHRIMPS. 

Crabs  can  walk  forward,  backward,  and  sidewise. 
The  tail,  or  hind  body,  is  small,  and  is  doubled  under 
the  forward  part  of  the  body,  where  it  fits  into  a  groove. 
The  kinds  of  Crab  are  very  numerous,  and  some  are 
found  on  every  sea-coast.  They  vary  in  size  from  that 
of  a  penny  to  those  which,  with  the  legs  outspread, 
cover  a  space  a  yard  square.  Some  kinds  are  very 


184 


ARTICULATES:  CRUSTACEANS. 


much  prized  for  food ;  the  one  shown  in  Figure  347 
is  sold  in  great  numbers  in  the  markets  of  New 
York  and  Philadelphia.  Hermit  Crabs  have  the  hind 


Fig.  345.— Fiddler  Crab. 


Fig.  346  —  Bait  Shrimp. 


Fig.  347.  —  American  Edible  Crab. 

part  of  the  body  long,  soft,  and  tapering,  and  they 
take  up  their  abode  in  empty  univalve"  shells,  which 
they  drag  about  with  them  wherever  they  go,  and 
they  look  as  though  they  were  the  real  and  original 
owners  of  the  houses  which  they  live  in.  When  a 
Hermit  Crab  becomes  too  large  for  the  shell  which  it 


LOBSTERS,  &c.  185 

has  chosen  for  its  home,  it  abandons  it,  and  begins  its 
search  for  a  new  one,  inserting  itself  backwards  into 
one  shell  after  another  till  one  is  found  which  suits  it. 
When  not  moving  about,  or  when  alarmed,  it  retreats 
as  far  as  possible  into  the  shell,  and  closes  the  opening 
with  its  larger  claw. 

Lobsters  and  Shrimps  have  the  hind  body,  often 
called  the  tail,  large  and  long,  and  generally  turned 
forward,  as  seen  in  Figure  348.  The  American  Lob- 
ster is  from  one  to  two  feet  long,  and-  weighs  from 
three  to  ten  pounds  or  more.  It  is  very  abundant  on 
the  coast  of  New  England,  and  great  numbers  are 
caught  in  lobster-pots  baited  with  fish,  and  are  sold  in 
the  markets  of  Boston,  New  York,  and  other  cities. 

Two  of  the  forward  leg-like  appendages  of  lobsters 
are  greatly  enlarged,  and  end  in  powerful  claws  or 
pincers.  One  of  these  is  provided  with  blunt  teeth, 
or  tubercles,  suited  for  crushing  shells,  and  the  other 
with  exceedingly  sharp  teeth  suited  for  biting.  So 
powerful  are  these  organs  that  with  them  a  lobster 
can  easily  bite  off  a  man's  finger;  and  if  one  were  to 
get  hold  of  your  hand,  you  could  release  it  only  by 
breaking  off  the  lobster's  claw.  The  fisherman,  well 
knowing  their  biting  powers  and  habits,  puts  a  wooden 
plug  into  the  joints  of  their  pincers,  so  that  they  can- 
not open  them ;  if  this  were  not  done,  the  lobsters, 
when  confined  in  the  lobster-car,  —  a  large  box  in  the 
water  where  lobsters  are  kept  after  they  are  caught,  — 
would  bite  off  the  limbs  of  one  another.  In  crawling 
the  lobster  moves  rather  slowly,  but  sometimes,  by  a 
single  stroke  of  its  powerful  tail  or  hind  body,  it  darts 
through  the  water,  backwards,  a  distance  of  fifteen  or 
twenty  feet,  with  the  swiftness  of  an  arrow.  When  a 


186 


ARTICULATES:  CRUSTACEANS. 


lobster  or  other  crustacean  loses  a  leg  or  other  organ, 
another  like  it  grows  to  supply  its  place.  But  one  of 
the  most  remarkable  facts  about  lobsters  and  other 
crustaceans  is,  that  from  time  to  time  they  shed  the 
shell  in  one  piece,  so  that  the  cast-off  shell  looks  ex- 
actly like  the  perfect  animal,  —  antennas,  eyes,  jaws, 
legs,  paddles,  and  even  every  hair,  are  all  just  as  they 
were  when  they  covered  the  live  lobster !  The  lobster 


Fig  348.  —  American  Lobster. 

comes  out  of  its  shell  through  a  rent  on  the  back,  and 
is. at  first  very  soft;  it  at  once  increases  in  size,  and 
in  a  few  days  its  skin  becomes  as  hard  as  the  shell 
which  it  cast  off.  This  shedding  of  the  shell  is  neces- 
sary for  the  growth  of  these  animals,  for  while  the 
shell  remains  the  lobster  or  other  crustacean  can  grow 
only  just  large  enough  to  completely  fill  it.  When  a 
lobster  is  ready  to  shed  its  shell,  there  are  two  hard, 
stone-like  bodies  at  the  sides  of  the  stomach,  and  it  is 
supposed  that  these  furnish  a  part  of  the  solid  matter 


SAND-FLEAS,   &o. 


187 


for  the  new  shell ;  for  they  immediately  begin  to  grow 
smaller  after  the  moulting,  and  soon  entirely  disappear. 
The  Craw-Fish,  or  Fresh-water  Lobster,  much  re- 
sembles the  American  Lobster,  but  is  only  three  or 
four  inches  long,  and  lives  in  brooks.  One  kind  is 
common  on  the  Western  prairies,  where  it  lives  in 
holes  which  it  digs  in  the  ground  deep  enough  to  find 
water. 


SAND-FLEAS,  &c.,  OR  FOURTEEN-FOOTED  CRUS- 
TACEANS. 

Beach-  or   Sand-Fleas   are  little   shrimp-like   crusta- 
ceans which  are  very  common  on  the  sea-beach.     They 


Fig.  349.  —  Sand  Flea. 


Fig.  350.  —  Trilobite. 


have  seven  pairs  of  feet.  Closely  related  to  these  are 
the  curious  Trilobites,  found  imbedded  in  the  solid 
rock,  and  which  lived  and  died  ages  ago. 

BARNACLES   AND   HORSE-SHOE   CRABS. 

The  Barnacles  are  of  many  kinds.  Some  resemble 
bivalve  shells,  and  grow  in  clusters,  attached  by  stems, 
as  seen  in  Figure  351 ;  others,  as  in  Figure  352,  are 
acorn-shaped,  and  are  fixed  directly  upon  the  rocks, 
shells,  lobsters,  or  ship-bottoms.  They  are  all  provided 


188 


ARTICULATES:  CRUSTACEANS. 


with  feather-like  arms  or  feet,  which  they  regularly 
protrude  and  withdraw,  —  a  sort  of  grasping  motion  as 
though  they  would  secure  any  little  animals  or  parti- 
cles of  food  that  might  be  within  their  reach.  Some 
kinds  of  Acorn-Barnacle  completely  cover  the  rocks 
between  high  and  low  water  mark;  others  delight  in 
deep  water.  In  long  voyages  barnacles  sometimes  be- 
come so  numerous  on  the  bottom  of  a  vessel  as  to  seri- 
ously hinder  its  progress.  Although  in  the  adult  state 
Barnacles  or  Cirripeds  are  fixed  and  stationary,  the 
young  swim  freely  about. 


Fig.  35 1 . — Duck  Barnacle.  Fig.  353.  —  Horse-shoe  Crab. 

The  Horse-shoe  Crab  is  found  in  all  seas.  Some  are 
two  feet  in  length,  and  in  all  cases  the  body  ends  in  a 
sharp  spine,  which  some  of  the  savage  tribes  use  for 
spear-points.  This  curious  crab  walks  and  eats  with 
the  same  organs !  —  the  lower  part  of  the  first  six 
pairs  of  legs  being  used  for  walking,  and  the  upper 
parts  of  the  same  legs  being  provided  with  teeth-like 
organs,  and  used  for  jaws. 


WORMS.  189 


WORMS. 

Worms  are  long  animals,  which  are  made  up  of 
many  similar  rings.  The  nerves  are  distributed  in 
knots  or  clusters  throughout  the  whole  length  of  the 
animal,  and  hence  worms  are  not  killed  when  cut  in 
pieces ;  and  in  some  cases  the  several  pieces  become 
distinct  worms.  The  kinds  of  worm  are  very  numer- 
ous, but  they  are  most  abundant  in  the  sea  and  in  fresh 
waters.  Most  of  the  animals  which  look  like  worms 
are  butterflies,  or  moths,  in  the  larva 
state,  and  are  caterpillars  instead  of 
worms.  One  of  the  most  common 
kinds  of  sea-worm  is  the  Serpula, 
which  lives  in  tubes  that  are  found 
incrusting  stones  and  other  bodies. 
The  breathing  organs  are  in  tufts 
near  the  head,  and  there  is  a  little 
round  body,  shown  in  the  cut,  which 
serves  to  shut  the  animal  in  when  it 
withdraws  itself  into  the  tube.  The 
Angle-  or  Earth-Worm,  common  in  ^ig.  354.  -  Serpula. 
rich  soils,  is  well  known  to  all  boys,  and  is  used  as 
good  bait  for  trout  and  other  fishes.  One  of  the  most 


Fig.  355.  —  Earth- Worm. 

common  of  the  fresh-water  worms  is  the  Gordius,  or 
Hair- Worm.  It  is  called  by  the  last  name  because 
many  persons,  ignorant  of  its  history,  have  supposed 
that  it  is  a  horse-hair  which  has  been  transformed  into 


190 


MOLLUSKS. 


MOLLUSKS. 

THE  term  Mollusk  comes  from  a  word  which  means 
soft;  and  these  animals  have  a  soft  body  with  no  back- 
bone nor  internal  skeleton ;  nor  is  the  body  divided 
into  rings  or  joints,  as  in  the  Articulates.  Most  of 
them  have  a  hard  covering  called  a  shell,  and  are  of- 
ten called  Shell-Fish;  but  they  are  in  no  way  related 
to  Fishes.  The  shells  are  the  parts  which  we  oftenest 
see ;  for  when  the  animal  is  dead,  the  soft  parts  soon 
disappear,  and  only  the  shell  remains.  Curious  and 
wonderful  as  the  shells  are,  they  often  give  only  the 
faintest  idea  of  the  appearance  of  the  animals  when 
alive.  See  the  differences  between  Figures  356  and 


Fig.  356.  —  Helix,  —  alive. 

<>57,  where  the  first  represents  the  shell  alive  ^,nd  the 
animal  expanded,  the  second  the  shell  as  when  dead, 
or  when  the  animal  is  concealed 
in  the  shell.  It  is  important  to 
know  that  the  shell  is  a  part  of 
the  animal,  and  not  a  mere  house 
which  it  enters  arid  leaves  at 
pleasure ;  although  it  readily  ex- 
pands much  beyond  the  limits  of 
the  shell,  and  withdraws  itself  wholly  within  the  same 


Fig.  357.  — Helix,  — dead. 


MOLLUSKS.  191 

again.  Mollusks  have,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  the 
senses  of  the  higher  animals,  though  they  greatly 
differ  among  themselves  in  this  respect. 

The  kinds  of  mollusk  are  very  numerous,  —  not  less 
than  fifteen  or  twenty  thousand.  They  abound  in  the 
sea,  on  the  marshes,  in  pools,  streams,  ponds,  and  lakes, 
and  on  the  land ;  and  they  are  full  of  interest  when 
we  study  them,  and  all  serve  some  important  purpose. 
They  are  the  food  of  many  other  animals.  The  Right 
Whale  feeds  upon  small  kinds  which  swim  freely  in  the 
open  sea ;  the  Cod  and  Haddock  and  many  other  use- 
ful fishes  fatten  upon  those  gathered  near  or  on  the 
bottom ;  and  sea-birds  feast  upon  those  left  bare  by 
the  tide.  Man  reckons  the  Oyster,  Clam,  and  Scallop 
among  his  choicest  dishes ;  and  in  seasons  of  scarcity 
the  poor  inhabitants  on  many  a  sea-coast  depend  upon 
mollusks  for  a  large  part  of  their  daily  food.  These 
animals  also  furnish  the  bait  for  all  the  extensive  fish- 
eries of  the  North  Atlantic.  Some  of  them  yield  rich 
dyes.  The  celebrated  Tyrian  purple  of  the  ancients 
was  obtained  from  shell-fish. 

The  shells  of  mollusks  are  limestone,  or  carbonate  of 
lime.  Pearly  within,  and  even  without  when  polished, 
and  of  soft  and  delicate  colors,  they  are  often  exceed- 
ingly beautiful,  and  are  eagerly  sought  for.  The  child 
gathers  them  for  toys,  and  thinks  he  hears  the  roaring 
of  the  sea  as  he  puts  them  to  his  ear ;  the  savage 
wears  them  as  ornaments,  and  some  of  them  as  marks 
of  chieftainship ;  some  kinds  are  gathered  by  civilized 
nations  and  used  instead  of  money  in  trading  with  bar- 
barous tribes ;  other  kinds  are  gathered  and  wrought 
by  skilful  hands  into  almost  numberless  articles  of  use 
and  luxury;  and  the  true  naturalist,  more  enthusiastic 


192  MOLLUSKS:    CEPHALOPODS. 

than  all  others,  traverses  sea  and  land,  and  cheerfully 
endures  hunger,  thirst,  and  fatigue,  that  his  collection 
of  shells  may  lack  neither  "Argonaut"  nor  "Nauti- 
lus," "Cone,"  "Cowry,"  nor  "  Wentle-trap,"  "Helix" 
nor  "Limnaeid,"  "Pecten,"  "  Mother-of-Pearl,"  nor 
"  Unio,"  nor  any  other  which  will  enable  him  to  un- 
derstand more  clearly  this  department  of  the  animal 
kingdom,  and  the  works  of  God  as  revealed  in  these 
wonderful  objects. 

ARGONAUTS,   CUTTLE-FISHES,   SQUIDS,   AND 
NAUTILI,   OR   CEPHALOPODS. 

These  animals  all  live  in  the  ocean,  have  a  mouth 
armed  with  a  stout  beak,  resembling  that  of  a  par- 
rot, a  large  eye  on  each  side  of  the  head,  and  sur- 
rounding the  mouth  are  long,  muscular  arms,  or  ten- 
tacles, covered  with  cup-like  suckers,  by  means  of  which 
they  cling  with  the  greatest  firmness  to  whatever  they 
lay  hold  of,  —  it  being  easier  to  tear  away  an  arm  than 
to  release  it  from  its  hold.  They  have  within  the 
body  a  sac  containing  an  ink-like  fluid,  with  which  they 
cloud  the  water,  and  thus  conceal  themselves  whenever 
they  wish  to  escape  from  an  enemy.  The  word  Cephal- 
opod  means  head-footed,  and  is  given  to  these  mollusks 
because  their  locomotive  organs  are  attached  to  the 
head,  as  just  described.  Cephalopods  vary  from  a  few 
inches  to  several  feet  in  length,  according  to  the  kinds. 
They  have  a  most  wonderful  power  of  changing  their 
colors,  —  their  hues  varying  almost  every  moment. 
They  swim  by  means  of  their  arms,  or  with  them  crawl 
on  the  bottom  with  the  head  downwards.  They  are 
very  voracious,  eagerly  devouring  fishes  and  other  ani- 
mals, whose  flesh  they  readily  tear  in  pieces  by  their 
stout  hooked  beaks. 


PAPER-SAILORS,   OCTOPUS,   AND   SQUIDS.  193 


Fig.  358.  —  Argonaut,  or  Paper-Sailor.    Much  reduced. 
Warm  Seas. 


Fig.  359.  —  Octopus,  or  Poulpe.     Much  reduced. 
•  Mediterranean. 


Fig.  360.  —  Squid  or  Loligo.     Much  reduced. 

Atlantic  Coast  of  United  States. 
9  M 


194  MOLLUSKS:  CEPHALOPODS. 

If  all  accounts  of  them  are  true,  cephalopods  some- 
times reach  an  enormous  size.  Aristotle  tells  us  of 
one  which  was  five  fathoms  in  length !  In.  1853  a 
cuttle-fish,  whose  tentacles  were  five  or  six  inches  in 
diameter,  was  cast  upon  the  shores  of  Jutland.  In 
1861  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  French  steamer  Alec- 
ton  saw  one,  forty  leagues  northeast  of  TenerhTe,  which 
was  estimated  to  be  at  least  fifteen  feet  in  length,  with 
arms  five  or  six  feet  long,  and  a  beak  a  foot  across. 

PAPER-SAILORS. 

The  Argonauts,  or  Paper-Sailors,  Figure  358,  have 
a  very  delicate  and  beautiful  shell,  and  they  swim  by 
placing  two  of  their  arms,  which  are  webbed,  close  to 
the  sides  of  the  shell,  and  the  others  close  together, 
and  then  ejecting  water  from  the  funnel  seen  just  be- 
low the  eye.  The  Argonaut  is  often  called  Nautilus, 
—  the  true  Nautilus  is  another  animal,  —  and  it  has 
frequently  been  stated  that  it  sails  on  the  sea  by  spread- 
ing its  sail-shaped  arms  to  the  breeze ;  a  pleasant 
story,  but  one  which  naturalists  no  longer  believe. 

OCTOPUS. 

The  Octopus,  or  Poulpe,  Figure  359,  has  no  outside 
shell,  and  the  arms  are  united  at  the  base  by  a  web. 
It  varies  from  one  or  two  inches  to  two  feet  in  length, 
and  has  only  eight  arms. 

SQUIDS,   OR  LOLIGOS,  AND   CUTTLE-FISHES. 

Squids  have  a  long  body,  and  broad,  fin-like  organs 
at  the*  hind  extremity,  and  they  have  a  long  and  slen- 
der internal  shell  which,  from  its  shape,  is  called  a 
"pen."  They  are  from  one  to  two  feet  and  a  half 


SPIRULAS.   NAUTILI,   AND   AMMONITES. 


195 


long,  and,  like  cuttle-fishes,  have  ten  arms,  two  of  which 
are  longer  than  the  others.     By  filling  their  body  with 


Fig.  361.  —  Ammonite. 


Fig.  362.  —  Spirula. 


Fig.  363.  —  Pearly  Nautilus.     Much  reduced. 
Pacific  and  Indian  Oceans. 

water,  and  then  forcibly  ejecting  it,  they  send  them- 
selves backwards  through  the  water  with  the  swiftness 


196  MOLLUSKS:    CEPHALOPODS. 

of  an  arrow.     Immense  numbers  are  used  for  bait  in 
the  cod-fishery.  ^J&~ 

Cuttle-Fishes  resemble  Squids,  but  have  two  of  the 
arms  or  tentacles  much  lengthened  and  expanded  at 
their  tips ;  and  they  have  a  broad,  internal  shell,  called 
cuttle-bone.  This  is  the  "  cuttle-bone  "  which  is  given 
to  canary-birds.  On  the  coasts  of  the  Eastern  Mediter- 
ranean cuttle-fishes  are  so  abundant  that  the  cuttle- 
bones  are  thrown  up  by  the  waves  into  ridges  miles  in 
length.  Like  other  cephalopods,  cuttle-fishes  have  the 
power  of  clouding  the  water  by  ejecting  an  inky  fluid 
into  it  when  they  wish  to  escape.  This  ink,  when  dried 
and  prepared,  is  the  "sepia"  used  in  painting. 

SPIRULAS. 

The  Spirulas  resemble  those  just  described,  but  have 
a  coiled  shell  inside,  Figure  362,  and  the  shell  is  di- 
vided by  partitions  into  chambers. 

NAUTILI  AND  AMMONITES. 

The  Nautilus  is  the  only  living  Cephalopod  which  has 
an  external  chambered  shell.  Figure  363  stows  the 
Nautilus  as  it  appears  when  cut  open ;  the  animal  is 
in  the  outer  chamber,  which  communicates  with  all 
the  others  by  means  of  a  tube  called  the  siphuncle. 
The  animal  has  occupied  each  chamber  in  turn,  mov- 
ing forward,  and  making  a  partition  behind  as  often 
as  it  outgrew  its  old  home. 

Ammonites,  Figure  361,  are  chambered-shelled  Ceph- 
alopods that  lived  in  the  seas  ages  ago ;  hundreds  of 
kinds  of  these ;  from  an  inch  to  a  yard  in  diameter, 
are  found  imbedded  in  the  rocks  of  this  and  other 
countries. 


SNAILS,   OR   GASTEROPODS. 


197 


SNAILS,   OR   GASTEROPODS. 

The  term  Gasteropod  means  stomach-footed,  and  is 
given  to  these  animals  because  the  lower  side  serves 
them  as  a  sort  of  foot,  by  means  of  which  they  creep 
along.  But  this  "  foot  "  is  in  no  way  related  to  the 
feet  of  the  backboned  animals.  Most  of  the  Gastero- 
pods  have  a  shell  ;  and  as  this  is  made  of  only  one 
piece,  or  valve,  they  are  often  called  Univalves.  Some, 
however,  have  no  shell  in  the  adult  state,  though  all 
have  a  shell  when  first  hatched.  Most  Gasteropods 
have  a  lid  or  door,  called  the  operculwm,  with  which 
they  close  the  opening  to  the  shell  when  they  withdraw 
within.  It  is  a  horny  plate,  sometimes  strengthened 
by  shelly  matter.  Their  eyes  are  two,  and  generally 
on  long  stalks,  as  seen  in  Figure  356  ;  they  perceive  light, 


Spire.    W,  whorls. 


Umbilicus 


Columella. 

Outer  lip. 

-Aperture. 


Canal. 


Fig.  364.  —  Names  of  the  parts  of  a  Gasteropod  Shell. 

but  probably  cannot  distinguish  objects.  Many  of  the 
Gasteropods  have  horny  jaws ;  but  one  of  the  most 
curious  parts  of  these  animals  is  the  tongue,  or  lingual 
ribbon,  which  is  a  band  armed  with  a  great  number  of 


198  MOLLUSKS:  GASTEROPODS. 

glossy  silicious  teeth,  which  are  arranged  in  rows  in 
the  most  regular  manner,  and  differently  in  different 
kinds.  The  tongue  of  some  kinds  contains  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  rows  of  teeth,  and  one  hundred  and 
eighty  teeth  in  each  row,  or  more  than  twenty-eight 
thousand  in  all! 

Many  of  the  Gasteropods  feed  upon  vegetable  sub- 
stances, and  these  have  the  aperture  of  the  shell  en- 
tire. The  others  feed  upon  animal  substances,  and 
have  the  aperture  notched,  or  drawn  out  into  a  canal, 
as  in  Figures  365-377.  Some  of  these  feed  upon  dead 
animals  which  they  find ;  others  attack  living  mollusks ; 
and  though  the  latter  are  shut  tightly  within  their 
shells,  the  hungry  Gasteropod,  with  its  rasp-like  tongue, 
files  a  neat  round  hole  through  the  shell,  and  then 
leisurely  feasts  upon  its  contents.  Thus  clams  and 
other  large  mollusks  fall  a  prey  even  to  some  of  the 
very  small  carnivorous  gasteropods. 

The  Gasteropods  are  divided  into  Air-breathers  or 
Pulmonifers,  as  Land-Snails,  and  the  Water-breathers 
or  Branchifers,  as  the  Sea-Snails  and  River-Snails.  The 
first  look  like  the  parents,  only  smaller,  as  soon  as  they 
are  born ;  the  young  of  the  latter  differ  from  their  par- 
ents, and,  instead  of  creeping,  swim  with  a  pair  of  fins 
springing  from  the  sides  of  the  head. 

STROMBS,  CONCHS,  OR  WING-SHELLS,  &c. 

These  are  large  marine  shells,  some  of  them  the 
largest  of  the  Gasteropods.  One  kind,  called 'the  Foun- 
tain Shell,  is  extensively  used  for  making  shell-cameos ; 
three  hundred  thousand  of  this  kind  were  carried  from 
the  West  Indies  to  Liverpool  in  a  single  year.  The 
interior  of  the  conch  is  of  the  richest  rosy  hue. 


STROMBS   AND   MUREX   SHELLS. 
MUREX  SHELLS. 


199 


Murex  and  its  relatives  are  marine,  and  prey  upon 
other  mollusks.  The  Spiny  Murex  of  the  Moluccas, 
the  Pyrula  and  Tritonium  of  the  coast  of  the  United 


Fig.  365.  —  Scorpion  Shell,  or  Pteroceras.    Much  reduced. 
Chinese  Seas. 


Fig.  367.  —  Stromb,  or  Conch. 
Much  reduced.     West  Indies. 


Fig.  366. — Aporrhais. 
Coast  of  New  England. 


States,  and  the  Frog  Shell  of  Australia,  are  some  of 
the  principal  ones.  The  ancients  obtained  the  Tyrian 
purple  dye  from  the  Murex  gasteropods. 


200 


MOLLUSKS:    GASTEROPODS. 


Fig.  369.  —  Pyrula.     Much  reduced. 
Coast  of  United  States. 


Fig.  368.  —  Murex.     Much 
reduced.    Molucca. 


Fig.  370.  —  Tritonium.     Coast 
of  New  England. 


Fig.  371.  —Frog  Shell,  or  Kanella. 
Reduced.     Australia. 


WHELKS. 

The  Whelk  is  one  of  the  most  common  of  the  Gas- 
teropods.  Figure  372  shows  one  species  as  it  appears 
when  crawling  up  the  glass  sides  of  the  aquarium 
with  the  foot  towards  you.  The  Fusus,  of  the  coast 
of  the  United  States,  may  be  found  upon  the  shore 
after  storms.  The  Harp  Shell,  of  the  Pacific,  is  always 


WHELKS,   &c. 


201 


Fig.  372.  —  Whelk,  or  Buccinum. 
North  Atlantic. 


Fig.  373.  —  Harp  Shell. 
Reduced.     Mauritius. 


Fig.  374.  —  Oliva.    Beduced. 
Panama. 


Fig.  375.  —  Fusus.    United  States. 


Fig.  376.  —  Cone  Shell.    Reduced. 

China. 
9* 


Fig.  377.  —  Ricinula. 


202  MOLLUSKS:    GASTEROPODS. 

admired  for  its  beautiful  form  and  its  delicate  colors. 
The  Olive  Shell,  of  Panama,  is  very  beautiful,  and  is 
taken  alive  by  bait  attached  to  lines. 

CONES. 

There  are  nearly  a  thousand  kinds  of  these  Gastero- 
pods,  which  are  shaped  like  a  cone  with  the  top  down- 
wards. 

VOLUTES. 

The  Volutes,  Mitre-Shell,  and  Marginella  belong  un- 
der this  head.  Figures  378-380. 

COWRIES. 

The  Cowries  are  abundant  in  the  warm  seas,  and 
are  found  on  reefs  and  under  rocks.  The  shell  has  a 
shining  enamelled  surface,  and  many  kinds  are  beau- 
tifully spotted  and  clouded.  The  Asiatic  islanders  use 
them  to  adorn  their  clothing,  and  for  sinkers  to  their 
fishing-nets,  and  in  trading.  One  kind,  called  the 
Money-Cowry,  is  brought  in  immense  quantities  from 
the  Pacific  to  England,  and  then  carried  to  Western 
Africa,  where  it  is  used  for  money  in  trading  with  the 
natives.  This  is  a  small  kind  scarcely  an  inch  long. 
The  Egg-Cowry  and  the  Cyprsea  of  the  Indian  Ocean 
show  the  general  form  of  these  shells.  Figures  381- 
383. 

NATICAS,  PYRAMID-SHELLS,   CERITHIUMS,  &c. 

The  Naticas  are  sea-snails  which  have  the  shell  some- 
what globe-shaped.  The  Pyramid-Shells  are  so  named 
from  their  shape.  The  Cerithiums  are  named  from  a 
word  which  means  a  horn.  The  Melanias  are  fresh- 
water shells,  common  in  the  Western  and  Southern 
States. 


VOLUTES,   COWRIES,  &c. 


203 


Fig.  379.  —  Marginella. 
Reduced.     W.  Africa. 


Fig.  378.  —  Volute.     Much 
reduced.     West  Indies. 


Fig.  380.  — Mitre  Shell. 
Much  reduced.     Ceylon. 


Fig.  382.  — Trivia. 
Britain. 


Fig.  381.  —  Cowry,  or  Cy- 

prsea.     Much  reduced. 

Indian  Ocean. 


Fig.  383.— Egg  Cowry, 

Much  reduced.     New 

Guinea. 


Fig.  384.  —  Sigaretus. 
West  Indies. 


Fig.  385.— Natica. 
Coast  of  N.  England. 


Fig.  386.—  Fig.  387.— 
Pyramid-        Pyramid- 
Shell.  Re-          Shell, 
duced.  Britain.     W.  Indies. 


204 


MOLLUSKS:   GASTEROPODS. 


Fig.  388.  —  Cerithiura. 
Much  reduced.  Molucca. 


Fig.  389.  —  Melania. 
Western  States. 


Fig.  390.  — lo. 
Southern  States. 


Fig.  391.  — Tower- 
Shell,  or  Turritella. 
West  Indies. 


Fig.  392.  —  Wentle-trap. 
Reduced.     China. 


Fig.  393.  —  Worm- 
Shell,  or  Vermetus. 
West  Indies. 


Fig.  394.  —     Fig.  395.  — 
Periwinkle,          Lacuna, 
or  Litorina. 


Fig.  396.  — 
Valvata. 
IT.  States. 


Fig.  397.  — River  Snail-Shell, 
or  Paludina.     United  States. 


WENTLE-TRAPS,   &c.  205 

WENTLE-TRAPS,   &c. 

The  Tower-Shell  and  the  Worm-Shell  of  the  West 
Indies,  and  the  true  Wentle-traps  of  the  tropical  and 
temperate  seas,  belong  in  this  group.  The  Royal 
Staircase,  or  Wentle-trap,  Figure  392,  was  formerly 
very  valuable.  A  specimen  has  been  sold  for  a  hun- 
dred pounds  sterling,  although  it  is  now  worth  only  a 
few  dollars. 

PERIWINKLES. 

Periwinkles  live  in  the  sea  near  the  shore.  Two 
species  are  shown  in  Figures  394  and  395.  They  feed 
on  algae,  —  marine  plants. 

RIVER  SNAILS. 

These  live  in  fresh  waters,  and  have  the  shell  cov- 
ered with  a  green  akin.  They  bring  forth  their  young 
alive,  and  the  little  embryo  snails,  even  before  they 
are  born,  and  when  so  small  that  they  can  scarcely  be 
seen  without  a  microscope,  have  a  perfectly  formed 
shell,  a  "  foot "  and  operculum,  delicate  tentacles,  and 
distinct  black  eyes. 

VIOLET-SNAILS. 

The  Violet-Snails  live  together  in  large  numbers,  in 
the  open  sea,  where  they  float  by  means  of  many  air- 
vessels,  which  form  a  raft,  a,  Figure  404.  The  shell 
is  thin,  the  base  deep  violet  color,  and  the  spire  almost 
white.  They  yield  a  violet  dye. 

LIMPETS. 

Limpets  are  found  clinging  tightly  to  stones  and 
other  shells,  and  move  about  but  little  or  not  at  all. 


206  MOLLUSKS:    GASTEROPODS. 

They  are  all  marine.  On  the  coast  of  England  the 
Limpet  is  much  used  by  fishermen  for  bait,  and  on 
the  coast  of  Berwickshire  twelve  millions  have  been 
collected'  yearly  for  this  purpose.  In  the  north  of  Ire- 
land the  people  collect  it  for  food.  On  the  western 
coast  of  South  America  there  is  a  kind  of  Limpet  which 
is  a  foot  across,  and  the  natives  use  its  shell  for  a 
basin. 

LAND-SNAILS. 

Land-Snails  are  very  numerous,  more  than  four  thou- 
sand kinds  being  already  known.  Figures  409-414. 
They  all  feed  upon  decaying  plants.  One  of  the 
largest  and  one  of  the  most  common  is  the  Helix  albo- 
labris,  Figure  409.  It  is  easily  found  by  searching 
under  old  logs,  stumps,  and  leaves.  In  warm,  damp 
weather,  snails  of  this  and  similar  kinds  come  out 
of  their  hiding-places,  and  may  be  seen  crawling  over 
the  leaves  and  up  the  trunks  of  trees.  In  early  sum- 
mer they  lay  their  eggs  in  the  loose  soil  beside  logs 
or  stones,  and  in  twenty  or  thirty  days  the  young 
hatch.  When  the  cold  weather  of  autumn  comes  they 
seek  a  sheltered  spot,  close  the  mouth  of  the  shell  with 
a  thin  membrane  which  they  secrete,  and  at  length 
become  torpid,  and  remain  in  that  condition  till  the 
warm  days  of  the  following  spring. 

POND-SNAILS,   OR  LIMNJEIDS. 

These  live  in  fresh  waters,  and  lay  their  eggs  in 
transparent  masses  on  aquatic  plants  and  on  stones. 
They  have  a  thin  and  horn-like  shell.  Figures  415- 
417.  They  feed  on  plants,  and  glide  along  the  sur- 
face of  the  water  shell  downwards.  They  thrive  well 
in  an  aquarium,  where  they  are  also  very  useful,  as 


LIMPETS,    VIOLET-SNAILS,   &c. 


207 


Fig.  398.  —  Neri-    Fig.  399.  —  Nerita.      Fig.  400.  —  Trochus.    Britain, 
tina.     Pacific.  Scinde. 


Fig.  401 .  —  Ear-Shell,  or      Fig.  402.  —  Cup-and-      Fig.  403.  —  Key-hole 
Haliotis.     Reduced.  Saucer  Limpet.  Limpet.     West 

Britain.  Philippines.  Indies. 


Fig.  404.  —  Violet-Snail.    Atlantic.  Fig.  405.  — 

a,  raft ;  b,  egg  capsules  ;  c,  gills  ;  d,  tentacles  and  eye-stalks.       Chiton.   Coast 

of  N.  England. 


Fig.  406.  — Rock  Limpet, 

or  Patella. 
Coast  of  New  England. 


Fig.  407.  — Tooth-Shell. 


Fig.  408.  —  Crepidula.     New  England. 


208 


MOLLUSKS:    GASTEROPODS. 


Fig.  409.  —  Helix. 


Fig.  411. —  Chrysalis 
Shell  or  Pupa. 

Florida. 


Fig.  410.  — Buli-       Fig.  412.  —  Sing,  or 
mus.     California.      Liinax.     N.  England. 


Fig.416.  — Planorbis. 
United  States. 


Fig.  415.— Physa. 
United  States. 


Fig.  413.  —  Succinea. 
Western  States. 


Fig.  414.— Helix.   North- 
ern States. 


Fig.  417. — Limnaea. 
United  States 


they  eagerly  devour  the  green  confervas  that  grow  on 
the  sides  of  the  glass. 


SEA-SLUGS,   HETEROPODS  AND   PTEROPODS. 


209 


Fig.  418.  — Heli- 
cina.     U.  States. 


Fig.  422.— Bui- 
la.    U.  States. 


Fig.  420.— 

Acicula. 

Fig.  419.—      Britain.     Fig.  421.— 
Clyclostoma.  Tornatella. 

United  States.  Britain. 


SEA-SLUGS. 

These  have  no  shells,  and  many  of  them  only  slightly 
resemble  the  Gasteropoda  before  described.  See  Fig- 
ures 423-426. 


Fig.  425.  —  Elysia. 
Britain. 


Fig.  423.  —  Eolis. 
Britain. 


Fig.  427.  —  At- 
lanta.    South 
Atlantic. 

Fig.  426.  —  Tritonia. 
Britain. 


HETEROPODS  AND  PTEROPODS. 

These  live  in  the  open  sea.  Some  of  them  move  in 
immense  swarms,  miles  in  extent.  Figures  428-430. 
They  much  resemble  the  young  of  ordinary  sea-snails. 
They  form  the  principal  food  of  the  Right  Whale.  One 
kind,  the  Clio,  Figure  430,  is  said  to  have  upon  the 
head  three  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  suckers! 


210 


MOLLUSKS:   ACEPHALS. 


Fig.  428.  —  Hylea. 
Atlantic. 


Fig.  429.  —  Limacina. 
South  Polar  Seas. 


Fig.  430.  —  Clio. 
Arctic. 


ACEPHALS,   OR   HEADLESS   MOLLUSKS. 

These  mollusks  seem  to  have  no  head,  this  part  of 
the  body  being  concealed  within,  and  only  faintly 
shown,  as  in  Clams,  Oysters,  Mussels,  <fcc. 

BIVALVES. 
These  are  acephals  which  have  a  shell  composed  of 


Fig.  431.  —  One  valve  of  a  Bivalve  Shell,  showing  the  names  of  the  parts. 

a,  anterior  retractor  muscle  ;  d,  posterior  retractor  -,  t,  lateral  teeth  ;   c,  cardinal  tooth  ; 
/,  lunale  ;  «,  umbo  ;  A,  hinge  ligament ;  s,  retractor  of  siphons  5  #,  pallial  impression. 

two  pieces,  or  valves,  joined  together  on  one  side  by  a 
hinge,  and  held  tightly  together  by  one  or  two  strong 


BIVALVES.  211 

muscles  which  pass  from  one  valve  to  the  other  on  the 
inside.  When  the  animal  relaxes  these  muscles  the 
shell  is  forced  open  by  an  elastic  body  called  a  liga- 
ment, situated  at  the  hinge.  Some  kinds  live  in  the 
sea,  others  in  brooks,  rivers,  ponds,  and  lakes.  Some 
idea  of  them  all  may  be  gained  by  studying  the  com- 
mon mussel,  Figure  437,  of  the  brooks,  or  the  common 
clam,  Figure  452,  of  the  sea-coast-  Take  the  clam: 
place  it  in  a  large  basin  of  sea-water,  and  soon  it  will 
begin  to  put  out  a  dark-colored  organ  as  long  as  the 
shell,  —  it  can  stretch  it  out  two  or  three  times  the 
length  of  the  shell.  This  is  supposed  by  most  persons 
to  be  the  head,  but  it  is  not ;  the  head  is  within  the 
shell  and  at  the  opposite  end.  At  .the  end  of  the  dark 
organ  are  two  holes,  —  one  larger  than  the  other, — 
these  being  the  openings  of  two  tubes  which  are  en- 
closed in  the  dark-colored  sheath ;  and  around  each 
opening  there  is  a  row  of  fringes  or  tentacles.  A  cur- 
rent of  water  is  all  the  time  flowing  into  the  larger 
opening,  and  another  current  flowing  out  of  the  smaller 
opening.  The  first  carries  in  pure  water  to  supply  air 
to  the  gills,  and  minute  plants  and  animals  to  supply 
the  mouth  and  stomach  with  food,  and  the  outgoing 
current  bears  away  the  impure  water  together  with 
the  waste  particles  which  the  animal  throws  off.  The 
currents  are  caused  by  a  vast  number  of  hair-like 
fringes  which  cover  the  gills  within  the  mollusk,  and 
which  are  constantly  in  motion.  T^ie  position  and 
appearance  of  the  siphonal  tubes  in  fresh-water  mus- 
sels are  seen  in  Figure  437. 

Though  mainly  small,  or  of  ordinary  size,  a  few  bi- 
valves are  very  large.  In  the  church  of  St.  Sulpice, 
in  Paris,  the  valves  of  a  Tridacna  weighing  five  him- 


212 


MOLLUSKS:    ACEPHALS. 


dred  pounds,  and  two  feet  across,  are  used  as  vessels 
for  the  holy  water.  The  Tridacna  lives  in  the  Pa- 
cific and  Indian  Oceans. 


Fig.  432.  — Pecten.    From  Cape  Ann 
southward. 


Fig.  433.  —  Mytilus.     Both 
shores  of  the  Atlantic. 


Fig.  434.  —  Avicula.        Fig.  435.  —  Leda. 
Reduced.  Mediterranean.   New  England. 


Fig.  436.  —  Cardicum. 
Reduced.     New  England. 


OYSTERS,  PECTENS,  MUSSELS,  PEARL-OYSTERS,  &c. 

Oysters  are  more  highly  prized  for  food  than  any 
other  mollusks.  They  occur  in  the  greatest  quanti- 
ties on  the  coast  of  the  Middle  States,  especially  in 
Delaware  and  Chesapeake  Bay. 

Pectens,  or  Scallops,  Figure  432,  are  also  prized  for 


BIVALVES:   UNIOS. 


213 


Fig.  440. 

Figs.  437  - 441 .  —  Unios.     Reduced.     United  States. 


214  MOLLUSKS:  ACEPHALS. 

food.  Their  beautiful  shells  are  known  to  almost 
every  one ;  for  they  are  much  used  in  making  card- 
holders, pin-cushions,  and  other  little  articles  both 
useful  and  pleasant  to  see.  The  pecten  swims  rapidly 
by  opening  and  shutting  its  valves. 

Sea-Mussels,  Figure  433,  inhabit  mud-banks  which 
are  uncovered  at  low  water.  They  multiply  rapidly, 
and  grow  to  their  full  size  in  one  year.  By  means  of 
a  collection  of  horny  threads,  called  a  tyssus,  they  at- 
tach themselves  to  rocks,  or  to  the  ground. 

Pearl-Oysters,  or  Aviculas,  Figure  434,  have  shells 
which  make  the  beautiful  material  called  "Mother-of- 
Pearl,"  which  is  extensively  used  for  ornamenting  fine 
cabinet-work,  and  for  making  knife-handles,  paper-cut- 
ters, buttons,  and  a  great  number  of  other  useful  and 
beautiful  articles.  They  also  yield  the  Oriental  pearls. 

UNIOS,   OR   RIVER-MUSSELS. 

These  mollusks  abound  in  brooks,  rivers,  ponds,  and 
fresh-water  lakes.  They  are  sometimes  called  Na'ides, 
and  there  are  very  many  kinds.  It  would  take  sev- 
eral books  larger  than  this  one  to  describe  all  the 
kinds  found  in  the  United  States.  A  few  of  the  forms 
of  Unios  are  shown  in  Figures  437-441.  Sometimes 
beautiful  and  valuable  pearls  are  found  in  these  mol- 
lusks. One  of  the  pearls  in  the  Royal  Crown  of  Eng- 
land came  from  a  river-mussel. 

RAZOR-SHELLS,   CLAMS,  &c. 

The  Razor-Shells  are  very  long  and  smooth.  They 
burrow  in  the  sand,  and  are  good  for  food.  The  Com- 
mon Clam  burrows  in  sand  and  mud,  and  is  exten- 
sively used  for  food,  and  for  bait  for  cod. 


BIVALVES:   PHOLADS  AND   SHIP-WORMS. 


215 


Fig.  443.  — 

Sphaerium. 

Northern 

States. 


Fig.  442.  —  Astarte. 
Coast  of  New  England. 


Fig.  446.  —  Cytherea.     Reduced. 
West  Indies. 


Fig.  444.  — 
Thyasira. 
Coast  of 

N.  England. 


Fig.  445. —  Sphagnum. 
Northern  States. 


Fig.  447.  —  Mactra.    Britain. 


Fig.  449.  —  Tel- 
lina.    Our  coast. 


Fig.  450.  —  Tellina. 
Our  coast. 


Fig.  448.  — Tellina.     Britain. 


Fig.  451.  —  Razor-Shell,  or  Solen.      Much  reduced.     Both  shores  of  the 

Atlantic. 


PHOLADS  AND   SHIP-WORMS. 

Pholads  have  the  shell  very  hard  and  rough,  like  a 
rasp,  and  they  burrow  in  all  sorts  of  substances,  even 
in  stone.  Ship -Worm?  are  long  mollusks,  looking  like 


216 


MOLLUSKS:   ACEPHALS. 


worms.  The  common  kinds  are  about  a  foot  long,  but 
one  kind  is  three  feet  in  length.  They  bore  into  the 
timber  of  ships  and  ^wharves. 


Fig.  452.  —  Common  Clam.     Re- 
duced.    Coast  of  New  England. 


Fig.  453.  — Pandora. 


Fig.  454.  —  Gastrochsena. 
Galway. 


Fig.  455.  —  Watering-pot  Shell, 
reduced. 


Much 


Fig.  456.  —  Pholas.     Reduced. 
*    India. 


Fig.  457.  — Pholas.     New 
England  and  eastward. 


Fig.  458.  —  Tunicate. 


TUNICATES. 

• 
These  are  mollusks  which  have  no 

shell,  but  are  covered  with  a  tough 
tunic,  or  skin.  Sometimes  they  grow 
in  clusters,  attached  by  a  stem  to  sea- 
weed, rocks,  or  floating  timber.  They 
vary  from  the  size  of  a  pea  to  an 
inch  or  more  in  diameter.  They 
are  sometimes  called  Ascidians,  from 
a  word  which  means  a  leather  bag. 


BKACHIOPODS   AND   POLYZOANS. 
BRACHIOPODS. 


217 


These  mollusks  have*  the  twp  valves  of  unequal  size, 
and  in  one  of  them  there  is  a  hole  through  which  passes 


Figs.  459.  —  Terebratula,  —  a  Brachiopod.  Fig.  460.  —  Brachiopod. 


.461.  —  Lingula,  —  a  Brachiopod.     Reduced.     Philippines. 


a  fleshy  stalk,  by  which  the  shell  is  attached  to  the 
rocks.  The  word  Brachiopod  means  arm-footed,  and  is 
given  to  these  animals  on  account  of  the  long,  fringed 
arms  growing  from  the  sides  of  the  mouth,  and  by 
means  of  which  they  make  currents  in  the  water  and 
thus  secure  their  food. 

POLYZOANS. 

These  are  very  small  or  minute  mollusks,  growing 
in  clusters  upon  shells,  rocks,  and  other  objects,  both 
in.  the  sea  and  in  fresh  waters,  and  which  look  very 
much  like  Polyps.  They  are  often  called  Bryozoans. 

Dr.   Leidy  and   Captain  Hyatt   have   described  and 
beautifully  figured  many  of  our  fresh-water  kinds,  and 
we  hope  you  will  some  time  see  and  read  their  inter- 
esting and  instructive  papers. 
10 


218  RADIATES:  ECHINODERMS. 

RADIATES. 

• 

THESE  animals  are  s6  constructed  that  their  parts 
radiate  from  a  centre  or  central  axis.  In  most  of 
them  the  radiation  is  very  plain.  They  all  live  in  the 
water,  and  nearly  all  live  in  the  sea,  and  are  known 
as  Echinoderms,  Jelly-Fishes,  and  Polyps. 

ECHINODERMS. 

The  word  Echinoderm  means  hedgehog-skin,  and  is 
given  to  these  animals  because  many  of  them  have  the 
outside  covered  with  spines ;  thus  reminding  us  of  the 
hedgehog  of  the  fields,  which  was  described  on  page 
45.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  in  the  Radiates  the 
parts  are  generally  arranged  according  to  what  is  called 
a  reigning  number;  in  Echinoderms  this  number  is 
generally  five;  that  is,  the  parts  of  each  kind  are  five, 
or  some  multiple  of  five. 

HOLOTHURIANS. 
The  Holothurians,  or  Sea-Cucumbers,  have  no  spines, 


Fig.  462.  —  Holothurian,  or  Sen-Cucumber. 

but  are  covered  with  a  tough  skin  capable  of  great  ex- 


SEA-URCHINS.  219 

pansion  and  contraction,  and  containing  particles  of 
limestone.  There  are  many  kinds,  varying  from  an 
inch  to  a  foot  in  length.  They  live  in  the  sea  and  are 
exceedingly  interesting,  and  very  beautiful  when  the 
long  and  delicate  fringes  around  the  mouth  are  ex- 
panded. When  taken  from  the  water  they  shrink  and 
lose  their  beauty  of  form  and  color.  They  must  be 
seen  in  the  ocean,  or  in  the  aquarium,  in  order  to  get 
a  good  idea  of  them.  Figure  462  shows  one  kind 
which  is  very  common  at  Grand  Menan,  and  Eastport, 
and  other  places  in  the  North  Atlantic.  The  Chinese 
call  these  animals  Trepang,  and  use  them  for  food. 

SEA-URCHINS,   OR  ECHINOIDS. 

True  Sea-Urchins  are  hemispherical,  or  flattened, 
and  have  a  hard  shell  composed  of  plates  which  are 
regular  in  form  and  firmly  bound  together.  Upon 


Fig.  463.  —  Sea-Urchin. 

these  plates  are  tubercles,  and  on  these  tubercles  hard 
spines.  In  certain  plates  there  are  rows  of  holes 
through  which  pass  fleshy  organs  called  suckers,  or 
ambulacra,  with  the  end  slightly  expanded.  By  means 
of  these  suckers,  which  can  be  extended  much  beyond 
the  spines,  these  animals  can  cling  firmly  to  other 
bodies,  and  thus  move  about  over  the  rocks,  even  up 
and  down  their  smooth  sides,  as  well  as  on  level  sur- 


220  RADIATES:  ECHINODERMS. 

faces.  So  much  can  these  suckers  be  extended  that  a 
Sea-Urchin  has  been  seen  to  put  them  forth  from  the 
top,  and,  bending  them  downwards,  cling  to  the  bot- 
tom of  the  basin  in  which  the  animal  was  lying !  Fig- 
ure 463  shows  a  common  kind  of  Sea-Urchin  as  it  ap- 
pears when  alive.  When  the  animal  dies,  the  skin, 
which  covers  the  shell  and  holds  the  spines  in  their 


Fig.  464.  —  Top  View  of  Sea-Urchin.      Spines  removed. 

places,  dries  up,  and  the  spines  fall  off,  and  then  the 
shell,  with  all  its  beautiful  structure  and  markings,  is 
plainly  seen.  In  the  one  represented  in  Figure  464 
we  find  ten  double  rows  of  plates  which  run  along  the 
curved  surface  from  the  bottom  to  the  top  of  the  shell. 
In  five  of  these  double  rows  the  plates  are  large,  with- 
out holes,  and  are  covered  with  large  tubercles.  Al- 
ternating with  the  double  rows  of  large  plates  are  five 
double,  rows  of  smaller  ones,  bearing  few  and  small 
tubercles,  and  each  plate  is  perforated  with  the  holes 
for  the  suckers.  The  plates  which  bear  the  holes  are 
called  the  ambulacra!  plates, — from  a  Latin  word  which 
means  a  walk,  or  alley ;  and  the  large  plates  without 
holes  are  called  the  interambulacral  plates.  At  the 
termination  of  each  of  the  five  belts  or  zones  of  ambu- 
lacral  plates  there  is  a  little  triangular  plate  with  a 


SEA-URCHINS. 


221 


minute  opening  which  marks  the  place  of  the  eye. 
Alternating  with  these  ocular  plates,  so  called,  are  five 
larger  plates,  each  being  perforated  with  a  larger  hole 
through  which  the  eggs  are  laid.  One  of  these  plates 
is  much  larger  than  the  others,  and  is  filled  with  very 
minute  holes,  and  is  called  by  naturalists  the  madre- 
poric  body.  It  is  believed  to  serve  as  a  filter  or 
strainer  to  the  water  which  passes  through  it  into  the 
body  of  the  animal.  The  mouth,  at  the  under  side, 
is  armed  with  five  strong  pointed  and  polished  teeth, 
which  form  the  outer  part  of  a  remarkable  dental 
apparatus,  which  is  called  Aristotle's  lantern.  In  a 
sea-urchin  of  ordinary  size  there  are  five  or  six  hun- 
dred plates,  all  fitting  together  in  the  most  perfect 
manner,  and  bearing  more  than  four  thousand  spines ; 
and  the  suckers  number  nearly  two  thousand ! 

Besides  the  spines  and  the  suckers,  there  are  scat- 
tered over  the  body  and  around  the  mouths  of  Sea- 
Urchins  a  great  number  of  curious  little  organs  called 
Pedicillarice.  They  look  like  a  stem  ending  in  a  knob, 
but  the  knob  is  com- 
posed of  three  pieces  or 
blades,  which  open  and 
shut  tightly,  thus  form- 
ing a  sort  of  pincers. 
The  uses  of  these  or- 
gans are  not  well  un- 
derstood.- 

The  number  of  kinds 
of  Sea-Urchins  is  quite 
large,  and  they  vary  in 

Size  from  an  inch  to  Fig.  465._Echinarachnius.  Northeast 
three  or  four  inches  .  coast  of  North  America. 


222 


RADIATES:  ECHINODERMS. 


Fig.  466.  —  Mellita.     Southeast  coast  of  United  States. 

in  diameter,  and  have 
spines  from  a  quarter 
of  an  inch  long  to 
three  or  four  inches 
in  length.  Some  of 
them  are  capable  of 
making  holes  in  hard 
substances,  even  in 
limestone  and  granite. 
Other  kinds,  like 
Figures  465,  466,  467, 
burrow  in  the  sand. 
These  are  much  flat- 
tened. 

STAR-FISHES,   OR  SEA-STARS, 

Star-Fishes  are  common  on  all  rocky  coasts.  They 
are  readily  found  by  looking  under  the  sea-weed  in 
pools  that  have  been  left -by  the  tide.  They  are  so 
named  from  their  star-like  form,  the  disk  or  central 


Fig.  467.  —  Rotula.     Coast  of  Africa. 


STAR-FISHES. 


223 


portion  gradually  merging  into  the  rays.  Beneath 
each  ray  there  is  a  large  number  of  locomotive  suck- 
ers, like  those  of  the  sea-urchins  already  described. 
These  tubes  are  seen  in  Figure  468,  where  the  upper 


Fig.  468.  —  Star-Fish. 

part  of  the  Star-Fish  is  towards  you,  and  three  of 
the  rays  slightly  turned  backward.  The  mouth  is 
on  the  under  side  in  the  centre,  and  there  is  an  eye, 
or  eye-spot,  at  the  end  of  each  ray.  By  means  of 
the  ambulacral  tubes  Star-Fishes  move  slowly  but 
surely  over  the  rocks  and  all  kinds  of  surfaces,  and 
they  can  cling  to  the  rocks  so  firmly  that  they  are  often 
removed  with  difficulty,  and  will  sometimes  even  allow 
their  ambulacra  to  be  pulled  off  rather  than  let  go 


224  RADIATES:  ECHINODERMS. 

their  hold.  Their  covering  is  not  solid  as  in  the  Sea- 
Urchins,  but  is  composed  of  movable  plates,  so  that 
these  animals  are  able  to  bend  themselves  in  every  di- 
rection, and  .thus  work  their  way  into  lioles  and  fis- 
sures in  rocks  where  we  should  hardly  expect  to  find 
them.  Star-Pishes  feed  upon  mollusks  and  other  ma- 
rine animals,  and  when  they  feed  they  turn  the  stom- 
ach out  of  the  mouth  and  over  the  food  to  be  devoured. 
A  curious  spot  is  seen  on  the  back  near  the  junction 
of  two  of  the  arms.  This  is  the  madreporic  body  de- 
scribed in  speaking  of  the  Sea-Urchins.  It  is  a  sort  of 
minute  sieve,  and  forms  an  entrance  to  a  series  of  in- 
ternal water-tubes,  some  of  them  connecting  with  the 
locomotive  suckers  and  supplying  them  with  water. 
Water  is  also  admitted  into  the  body  through  minute 
pores  which  cover  the  whole  surface  of  the  animal. 
Star-Fishes  often  lose  one  or  more  of  their  arms,  or 
rays,  by  being  dashed  against  the  rocks  by  the  waves, 
or  the  arm  is  bitten  off  by  a  fish.  In  all  such  cases  a 
new  one  sprouts  out  in  the  place  of  the  old  one,  and 
specimens  may  be  found  showing  such  new  rays  in  all 
stages,  from  those  that  have  just  begun  to  sprout  to 
those  that  have  nearly  reached  their  full  growth. 

OPHIURANS,   OR   SERPENT-STARS. 

The  Serpent-Stars,  or  Ophiurans,  are  so  called  from 
the  resemblance  of  their  long  slender  rays  to  a  snake's 
tail.  They  are  found  on  nearly  all  coasts,  and  are  at 
once  distinguished  by  a  small  disk  or  central  portion 
from  which  the  rays  start  off  very  abruptly,  instead  of 
the  gradual  passage  of  the  central  part  into  the  arms, 
as  seen  in  the  true  Star-Fishes.  They  move  about 
mainly  by  means  of  their  spines.  Nearly  all  have  the 


SERPENT-STARS.  225 

arms  simple,  as  seen  in  Figure  469,  but  some  have  the 


Fig.  469.  —  Serpent-Star,  or  Ophiuran 


Fig.  470.  —  Basket-Fish,  or  Astrophy ton. 

arms  much  branched,  as  in  the  beautiful  Astrophyton, 
Figure  470. 

10*  o 


226  RADIATES:    ECHINODERMS. 

CRINOIDS. 

The  word  Crinoid  means  lily-like  in  form,  and  is 
given  to  a  large  number  of  echinoderms  on  account 
of  their  lily-like  or  plant-like  appearance.  Only  a 
small  number  of  these  animals  is  now  living,  and 
of  the  few  living  ones  only  one  kind  has  a  stem  in 
the  adult  state,  and  this  is  the  Pentacrinus  caput-me- 
dusce,  of  the  West  Indies,  Figure  471.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  this  one,  the  living  Crinoids  much  resemble 


Fig.  471.  — Living  Crinoid. 

the  Star-Fishes  and  Ophiurans;  but  in  the  rocks,  in 
various  parts  of  the  United  States  and  in  other  coun- 
tries, the  stemmed  kinds  are  exceedingly  abundant, 
showing  us  that  these  animals  lived  in  profusion  in 
the  old  ocean  which  ages  ago  covered  a  large  part 


ACALEPHS,   OR  JELLY-FISHES.  227 

of  our  country.  And  the  fossil  ones — as  those  found 
in  the  rocks  are  called  —  are  so  various  in  form,  and 
so  beautiful  in  patterns  and  markings,  that  no  words 
can  fitly  describe  them.  The  workman  in  the  quarry 
stops  to  admire  them,  and  the  learned  naturalist  is 
fascinated  by  their  beauty,  and  never  grows  weary 
of  studying  them.  They  are  the  "  gems "  of  the 
geological  collection,  and  their  pictures  are  among  the 
prettiest  to  be  found  in  the  Geological  Reports.  May 
every  reader  of  these  pages  see  at  least  one  good  col- 
lection of  fossil  Crinoids. 

Of  the  living  free  Crinoids,  —  that  is,  those  without 
a  stem,  —  one  of  the  best  known  is  called  the  Coma- 
tula,  or  Feather-Star.  When  young  this  too  has  a 
stem,  and  looks  not  very  unlike  the  Medusa's  head, 
Figure  471 ;  but  as  it  grows  older  it  drops  from  the 
stem,  and  lives  a  free  life. 


JELLY-FISHES,   OR  ACALEPHS. 

Of  all  animals  of  the  sea,  perhaps  none  are  more 
wonderful  than  these.  Their  jelly-like  bodies,  curious 
forms  and  structure,  their  beautiful  colors  of  claret, 
rose,  and  pink,  their  varied  and  almost  magical  move- 
ments, as  varied  and  graceful  as  those  of  the  birds 
arid  insects  of  the  air,  their  phosphorescence  by  night, 
causing  them  to  be  called  the  "Lamps  of  the  Sea," 
and  their  curious  changes  in  passing  from  the  young 
to  the  adult  state,  have  interested  all  intelligent  visit- 
ors to  the  seaside,  and  have  caused  these  animals  to 
be  carefully  studied  by  some  of  the  most  eminent  nat- 
uralists of  Europe  and  America.  The  word  Acaleph 
means  nettle,  and  is  given  to  these  animals  because 


228  RADIATES:    JELLY-FISHES. 

some  of  them  cause  a  stinging  sensation  when  they 
touch  our  flesh ;  hence  they  are  often  called  Sea-Net- 
tles. They  are  also  as  often  called  Medusae.  Their 


Fig.  472.—  Jelly-Fish. 

common  name,  Jelly-Fishes,  was  given  on  account  of 
their  jelly-like  appearance  and  substance. 

If  we  examine  the  structure  of  Acalephs,  we  find 
a  cavity,  which  is  the  stomach,  hollowed  out  of  the 
mass  of  the  body,  and  this  cavity  has  an  opening 
which  serves  as  a  mouth ;  the  edges  of  this  opening 
are  turned  outwards  and  prolonged  into  delicate  fringes. 
And  there  are  tubes  which  radiate  from  the  centre  of 
the  body  and  unite  with  a  tube  at  the  circumference. 

The  kinds  of  Jelly-Fishes  are  numerous,  and  they 
vary  in  size  from  those  scarcely  visible  to  those  which 


BEROID   MEDUSAE,    OR   CTENOPHOR^E.  229 

a"re  one  or  two  yards  in  diameter,  and  with  tentacles 
thirty  or  forty  feet  long ;  and  Mrs.  Agassiz,  in  her 
beautiful  book,  "  Seaside  Studies,"  mentions  one  which 
measured  about  seven  feet  in  diameter,  and  had  ten- 
tacles more  than  a  hundred  feet  in  length ! 

Jelly-Fishes  are  a  hungry  race,  and  feed  upon  their 
own  kind,  and  other  marine  animals,  which  they  se- 
cure by  means  of  their  tentacles  and  lassos.  On  the 
tentacles  of  Jelly-Fishes,  and  of  Polyps  too,  there  are 
numerous  lasso-cells,  —  too  small  to  be  seen  without 
the  microscope,  —  each  containing  a  long,  spirally-coiled 
thread  or  lasso,  which  can  be  instantly  darted  forth 
and  fastened  upon  the  little  shrimp  or  other  animal 
which  is  desired  for  food. 

BEROID  MEDUSA,. OR  CTENOPHOR^ 

The  Beroid  Medusae  are  more  or  less  spherical,  or 
egg-shaped,  with  eight  rows  of  locomotive  fringes  divid- 
ing the  surface  of  the  body  as  the  ribs  divide  the  surface 
of  a  melon.  Pleurobrachia  is  one  of  the  most  common 
kinds  on  the  northeast  coast  of  the  Uniteo1  States,  and 
in  its  movements  and  curious  appendages  is  one  of  the 
most  wonderful  of  all  the  Medusas.  It  is  transparent, 
and  besides  the  eight  rows  of  fringes  mentioned  above, 
it  has  two  most  extraordinary  tentacles,  one  on  either 
side  of  the  body ;  and  no  form  of  expansion  or  con- 
traction, or  curve  or  spiral,  can  be  conceived  of  which 
these  tentacles  may  not  assume. 

Bolina  and  Idyia  are  other  ctenophorae  common  on 
the  northeast  coast  of  the  United  States.  The  Rose- 
colored  Idyia  is  three  or  four  inches  long,  and  shaped 
somewhat  like  a  melon  with  one  end  cut  off.  The 
mouth  occupies  the  whole  of  the  cut-off  end,  and  the 


230 


RADIATES:   JELLY-FISHES. 


digestive  cavity,  or  stomach,  occupies  a  large  part 
of  the  interior  of  the  animal.  In  summer  it  some- 
times appears  in  such  swarms  as  to  tinge  large  patches 


Fig.  473. — Pleurobrachia. 

of  the  sea  with  a  delicate  rosy  hue.  It  is  very  vora- 
cious, and  feeds  mainly  on  other  jelly-fishes,  sometimes 
capturing  those  nearly  as  large  as  itself. 

TRUE  MEDUSAE,  OR  DISCOPHOR^E. 

These  have  the  body  in  the  form  of  a  hemispheric 
disk,  more  or  less  flattened.     Of  these  disk-shaped  ine-a 


TEUE  MEDUSA,   OR  DISCOPHORiE. 


231 


dusae  none  are  more  beautiful  in  their  appearance  or 
interesting  in  their  history  than  the  Aurelia,  or  "  Sun- 
Fish,"  represented  in  Figure  477.  This  Jelly-Fish  is 


Fig.  475.  —  Scyphos- 
toma  of  Aurelia. 


Fig.  474.  —  Strobila 
of  Aurelia.  Magnified. 


Fig.  476.  —  Strobila  of  Aurelia. 
Much  magnified. 


Fig.  477.  —  Sun-Fish,  or  Aurelia. 

common  on  the  coast  of  New  England,  and  is  about  a 
foot  across,  in  the  larger  specimens,  and  it  lives  but  a 
single  year.  In  the  spring  it  is  about  a  quarter  of  an 
inch  in  diameter,  and  on  pleasant  days  moves  in  large 


232  RADIATES:   JELLY-FISHES. 

swarms  near  the  surface  of  the  water.  About  the 
middle  of  summer  they  become  full  grown.  Towards 
the  close  of  summer  they  lay  their  eggs,  and  in  the 
autumn  .they  perish.  At  length  the  eggs  hatch,  and 
the  little  planulce,  as  the  newly  hatched  jelly-fishes  are 
called,  swim  about  in  the  water  by  means  of  little  ap- 
pendages which  naturalists  call  vibratile  cilia.  Soon 
each  becomes  attached  to  a  rock,  shell,  or  sea-weed, 
and  is  then  called  Scyphostoma,  Figure  475.  Then 
the  body  begins  to  divide  by  horizontal  constrictions, 
and  soon  appears  as  in  Figures  474  and  476,  and  is 
then  called  Strobila.  At  length  the  segments  become 
more  and  more  separated,  and  the  uppermost  one 
drops  off,  then  the  next  one,  then  the  next,  and  so  on 
till  each  in  turn  has  separated  from  the  one  below  it- 
self. Each  disk,  as  it  separates,  turns  over  and  floats 
away,  and  is  known  as  Ephyra.  Soon  each  Ephyra 
assumes  the  form  of  a  perfect  jelly-fish,  as  shown  in 
Figure  477.  Thus  one  scyphostoma  which  comes  from 
a  single  egg  becomes  a  strobila,  and  this  strobila  di- 
vides into  numerous  parts,*  each  of  which  becomes  a 
jelly-fish. 

HYDROIDS. 

The  Hydroids  are  jelly-fishes  which  are  almost  more 
wonderful  in  their  mode  of  development  than  those 
already  described.  Occurring,  as  they  do  in  many 
cases,  in  their  early  stages  of  existence,  as  mere  dis- 
colored patches  on  sea-weeds,  stones,  or  shells,  or  in 
appearance  like  little  tufts  of  moss,  or  miniature  shrubs, 
the  untrained  eye  might  well  mistake  the  fact  that 
they  are  animals.  But  naturalists  have  shown  that 
these  plant-like  forms  produce  medusa3-buds,  which 


HYDROIDS. 


233 


expand  into  genuine  medusae  or  jelly-fishes.  Figure 
478  shows  a  little  cluster  of  Hydroids  attached  to  sea- 
weed, and  Figure  479  shows  a  single  individual  of  the 


Fig.  478.  —  Coryne.     Cluster  of  Hydras  grow- 
ing on  sea- weed. 


Fig.  480.  —  Coryne.     Adult. 


Fig.  479.  —  Single  individual  of  Fig.  478, 
enlarged,  showing  a  and  b  just  ready  to 
drop  off  and  become  free  medusas,  like  Fig. 
480 ;  c,  a  younger  bud. 

same  very  much  magnified,  with  two  of  the  buds  much 
enlarged,  and  a  third  quite  prominent.  Soon  each  bud 
becomes  detached,  and  floats  away  as  a  free  jelly-fish, 
like  Figure  480,  and  is  then  known  as  Coryne,  or,  as 


234 


RADIATES:   JELLY-FISHES. 


it  was  formerly  called,  Sarsia,  so  named  from  Sars,  a 
Norwegian  naturalist,  who  was  one  of  the  first  investi- 
gators of  these  curious  kinds  of  jelly-fishes. 

Nothing  can  excel  the  delicacy  of  Coryne.  Soft  as 
the  softest  jelly,  almost  as  transparent  as  the  dew-drop, 
yet  it  performs  varied  and  rapid  movements,  contracts 
and  expands  its  tentacles,  catches  and  devours  other 
medusae,  and  other  marine  animals,  and  to  all  appear- 


Fig.  482.  —  Tiaropsis.    Northeast 
coast  of  North  America. 


Fig.  483.  —  Campanularian.  The  hydro-medu- 
sae in  the  bell-shaped  cups  drop  out  and  be- 
come free  medusa?,  similar  to  Fig.  482. 

Fig.  481.  — Tubularia. 
Massachusetts  Bay. 

m,  medusae  ;  c<,  coronal  ten- 
tacle  ;  p,  proboscis. 

ances  jdelights  in  life  as  much  as  higher  animals  do. 
They  are  abundant  in  the  spring.  In  the  middle  of 
summer  they  lay  their  eggs  and  perish.  But  the  eggs 


HYDROIDS.  235 

do  not  hatch  medusae  like  the  parent,  but  each  hatches  a 
little  hydroid  which  is  first  free,  then  afterwards  becomes 
attached  to  a  shell,  sea-weed,  or  stone,  and  from  this 


Fig.  484.— Portuguese  Man-of-War. 

little  hydroid  others  branch  till  a  little  community  of 
hydroids  has  grown  up,  as  in  Figure  478.  From  these 
hydroids  bud  again  the  Coryne,  Figure  479. 

In  some  kinds,  as  Tubularia,  Figure  481,  the  hydroid 


236  RADIATES:   JELLY-FISHES. 

has  a  wreath  of  coronal  tentacles,  as  they  are  called, 
a  projecting  part  called  a  proboscis,  and  the  medusae 
grow  in  clusters  from  just  above  the  coronal  tentacles. 
In  those  called  Sertularians  and  Campanularians, 
Figure  483,  the  hydra  has  a  stem  which  is  covered  by 
a  horny  sheath,  forming  a  cup  around  the  head.  In 
a  fertile  cup  there  are  a  dozen  or  more  hydro-medusae, 
which  at  length  drop  out  and  become  free  medusae 
similar  to  Tiaropsis,  Figure  482. 

In  those  called  Siphonophorae,  the  hydroid  acalephs 
exist  as  free  moving  communities,  each  community 
being  made  up  of  individuals  of  different  kinds,  yet  all 
so  combined  as  to  give  the  appearance  of  one  animal. 
The  Portuguese  Man-of-War,  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  is 
one  of  the  most  remarkable  and  best  known  of  this 
sort.  It  consists  of  a  pear-shaped  and  elegantly  crested 
air-sac,  floating  lightly  upon  the  water,  and  giving  off 
from  its  under  surface  numerous  long  and  varied  ap- 
pendages. These  are  the  different  members  of  the 
community,  and  fill  different  offices ;  some  of  them  eat 
for  the  whole,  others  produce  medusa-buds,  and  oth- 
ers are  the  locomotive  or  swimming  members,  and 
have  tentacles  that  stretch  out  behind  the  floating  com- 
munity to  the  length  of  twenty  or  thirty  feet. 

It  has  recently  been  discovered  by 
Professor  Agassiz,  that  there  are  some 
kinds  of  Acalephs  which  produce  cor- 
al similar  to  that  formed  by  Polyps, 
described  in  the  following  pages,  but 
unlike  the  latter  in  having,  in  the 

cells,    a    horizontal    floor    extending 
Fig.  484 a.  —  Acale-      ,,  „    , 

phian  Coral.  fr°m   Wal1  to   WalL 


SEA- ANEMONES  AND   CORAL   ANIMALS. 


23T 


SEA-ANEMONES   AND   CORAL  ANIMALS,  OR 
POLYPS. 

These  are  marine  radiates  which  have  a  sack-like  or 


Fig.  485.  —  Polyp.    A  Sea-Anemone. 


Fig.  486.  —  Cluster  of  Coral  Polyps  in  various  stages  of  expansion. 

tubular  body,  with  a  circular  top,  in  the  centre  of  which 


238  RADIATES:   POLYPS. 

is  an  opening  called  the  mouth,  and  around  the  mouth 
are  one  or  more  rows  of  hollow  feelers,  or  tentacles. 
The  mouth  opens  directly  into  an  inner  sack,  which  is 
the  stomach,  and  this  stomach  opens  at  the  bottom  into 
the  main  body.  The  main  body  is  divided  by  parti- 
tions, which  run  from  the  bottom  to  the  top,  and  from 
the  outer  wall  to  the  stomach.  Through  the  opening 
at  the  bottom  of  the  stomach  there  is  free  communi- 
cation with  all  the  chambers  formed  by  the  partitions, 
and  these  chambers  connect  with  the  tentacles  ;  so  that 
the  food,  after  being  digested,  passes  into  the  main 
body,  and  thence  into  the  tentacles,  thus  nourishing 
every  part.  The  food  of  polyps  consists  of  small  ma- 
rine animals  of  various  kinds,  which  are  secured  by 
means  of  the  tentacles  and  the  curious  and  wonderful 
lassos  situated  on  the  tentacles,  and  the  nature  of  which 
has  already  been  described  on  page  229.  The  word 
Polyp  means  many-footed,  and  is  given  to  these  ani- 
mals on  account  of  their  numerous  tentacles ;  but  it 
must  not  be  supposed  that  the  latter  are  feet  in  any 
true  sense.  Most  kinds  of  polyps  are  attached  to  the 
rocks,  shells,  or  other  bodies  beneath  the  waves.  Some 
live  singly,  others  in  communities  whose  numbers  are 
often  far  more  numerous  than  the  leaves  upon  the 
trees.  Polyps  increase  by  means  of  eggs,  by  budding 
in  a  manner  much  like  that  of  trees  and  shrubs,  and 
by  division  of  one  animal  into  two  or  more,  so  that  the 
largest  communities  arise  from  a  single  animal.  The 
eggs  are  formed  on  the  vertical  partitions,  and  pass 
out,  through  the  mouth,  into  the  water.  When  first 
hatched  the  young  do  not  look  like  the  parent,  but  are 
little  oval  bodies  which  move  freely  about  by  means  of 
the  fringe-like  appendages,  called  vibratile  cilia,  with 


POLYPS.  239 

which  they  are  covered.  At  length  each  becomes  at- 
tached to  a  rock,  or  shell,  or  sea-weed,  and  soon  as- 
sumes the  form  of  the  parent.  If  it  be  a  kind  which 
buds,  there  soon  grow  from  its  sides  or  base  others 
exactly  like  itself,  and  from  these,  in  turn,  bud  other 
polyps  of  the  same  kind,  and  thus  the  community 
goes  on  growing  till  it  has  reached  its  limits  of  in- 
crease. If  it  be  a  kind  which  increases  by  division,  it 
widens  as  it  grows  upward,  and  at  length  the  walls  in 
two  opposite  places  begin  to  approach  each  other,  and 
soon  the  polyp  is  divided  into  two,  so  that  there  are 
two  mouths,  and  two  circular  disks  surrounded  by  ten- 
tacles, instead  of  one  as  before  the  division ;  and  the 
polyps  thus  formed  divide  in  the.  same  way,  and  this 
process  is  continued  till  from  a  single  polyp  there  is 
formed  a  large  and  beautiful  cluster. 

Polyps  readily  reproduce  lost  parts,  and  even  if  cut 
in  pieces,  each  fragment  will,  in  some  cases,  become 
a  perfect  animal.  Polyps  vary  in  size  from  extreme 
minuteness  to  those  that  are  more  than  a  foot  across. 
Some,  like  the  Sea- Anemones,  Figure  485,  are  wholly 
soft ;  others  secrete  a  more  or  less  solid  framework, 
which  is  called  Coral;  and  those  which  secrete  coral 
are  called  Coral-Polyps,  or  Coral  Animals.  Some  per- 
sons suppose  that  coral  is  something  that  is  built  by  an 
insect,  as  the  bee  builds  comb,  or  the  wasp  its  nest, 
and  the  industry  of  this  supposed  insect  is  often  spoken 
of.  But  it  is  not  proper  to  give  the  name  insect  to  the 
Coral-Polyps,  for  they  are  in  no  way  related  to  insects, 
either  in  appearance,  structure,  or  habits.  Coral  is 
not  something  which  is  built,  but  something  which 
grows.  It  is  the  skeleton,  or  many  united  skeletons, 
of  polyps,  and  these  animals  exhibit  no  industry  in 


240  RADIATES:   POLYPS. 

forming  it,  any  more  than  do  other  animals  in  form- 
ing their  own  bones.  Coral  is  not  a  house  in  which 
the  animal  lives ;  on  the  contrary,  the  coral  is  wholly 
inside  of  the  animals,  and  it  is  only  when  the  polyps 
die,  wither,  and  disappear  that  we  see  the  solid  coral 
itself.  Polyps  grow  in  various  and  most  wonderful 
and  beautiful  forms,  imitating  almost  all  kinds  of  veg- 
etation, as  lichens,  fungi,  mosses,  ferns,  grasses,  herbs, 
shrubs,  and  trees.  A  hundred  years  ago,  or  more, 
they  were  thought  to  be  plants,  and  even  the  great 
naturalist,  Linnaeus,  regarded  them  as  plant-animals, 
that  is,  partaking  of  the  character  of  both  plants  and 
animals;  but  naturalists  now  regard  them  as  true  ani- 
mals, although  they  are  often  called  Zoophytes,  a  word 
.which  means  Animal-Plants.  The  colors  of  these  won- 
derful animals  of  the  sea  are  as  beautiful  and  almost 
as  varied  as  their  forms;  and  some  of  the  polyp  com- 
munities equal,  in  splendor  of  colors,  the  most  beauti- 
ful flower-gardens  of  the  land ;  even  beds  of  daisies, 
pinks,  and  asters  have  their  rivals  beneath  the  waves 
of  the  sea. 

SEA-PENS,  GORGONIAS,  &c.,  OR  ALCYONARIANS. 

These  are  polyps  which  have  eight  long  fringed  or 
lobed  tentacles,  around  a  narrow  disk,  —  Figures  487- 
489.  —  and  which  form  compound  clusters  or  commu- 
nities by  budding.  The  Sea-Pens,  Verritillums,  and 
Renillas  are  polyps  which  are  arranged  on  a  more  or 
less  expanded  disk,  which  is  connected  with  a  sort  of 
stem  or  peduncle,  by  means  of  which  the  community 
may  move  about  or  fix  itself  in  the  sand  or  mud. 
The  Sea-Pens  are  so  called  from  their  resemblance  to 
a  quill.  The  Renilla,  Figure  487,  found  on  the  coast 


SEA-PENS,   GORGONIAS,   &c. 


Fig.  488.  —  Single 

Polyp  of  Renilla, 

enlarged. 


Fig.  490.  —  Sea-Fan. 

Fig.  489.  —  Bed  Coral.     Portion  of  large  frond. 
Single  Polyp,  enlarged. 


Fig.  491.  — Verrucella. 


Fig.  492.  —  Red  Coral.     Fig.  493.  —  Primnoa.       Fig.  494.  —  Organ-pipe. 
11  p 


242  RADIATES:    POLYPS. 

of  the  Southern  States  and  of  South  America,  looks 
like  a  broad  leaf  attached  to  its  leaf-stalk ;  and  when 
the  purple  disk  is  covered  with  the  expanded  polyps,  as 
seen  in  the  cut,  it  is  a  very  beautiful  object.  The  exact 
form  of  the  separate  polyps  is  shown  in  Figure  488. 

The  Gorgonias  abound  in  tropical  seas,  but  some 
kinds  are  also  found  in  temperate  regions.  The  forms 
are  exceedingly  various,  Figures  489-494,  and  many 
of  them  are  very  delicate  and  beautiful,  often  bearing 
a  very  close  resemblance  to  plants  ;  in  all,  however,  the 
polyps  are  short,  and  secrete  a  solid  central  axis  of 
coral.  This  axis  is  plainly  shown  in  Figures  491  and 
493.  One  of  the  most  common  and  striking  forms  of 
the  Gorgonias  is  the  Sea-Fans,  which  are  more  or  less 
broad  and  fan-shaped,  the  branches  in  many  cases  run- 
ning together  so  as  to  form  a  network,  Figure  490. 
One  form  of  the  Gorgonias,  the  Primnoa,  Figure  493, 
is  found  even  as  far  north  as  St.  George's  Banks  and 
the  Bay  of  Fundy.  But  the  one  which  has  the  great- 
est popular  interest  is  the  Red  Coral,  Corallium  rubrum. 
It  is  obtained  mainly  in  the  Mediterranean.  The  coral 
fishers  go  out  in  boats,  and  are  provided  with  a  large 
wooden  cross,  which  is  loaded  with  stone  in  the  centre, 
and  has  hempen  nets  attached  to  each  of  its  arms. 
While  one  man  is  constantly  raising  and  letting  fall 
this  machine  upon  the  coral  beds,  others  row  the  boat 
so  that  the  branches  broken  off  are  caught  up  by  the 
nets.  From  time  to  time  the  cross  and  nets  are  raised, 
and  the  branches  of  coral  which  have  been  entangled 
in  the  meshes  are  secured. 

Closely  related  to  the  Gorgonias  are  the  Alcyonacea, 
of  which  the  Organ-pipe  Coral,  Figure  494,  is  one  of 
the  most  interesting  examples.  It  is  of  a  beautiful 


SEA-ANEMONES. 


243 


red  color,  and  gets  its  name  from  the  fact  that  the 
tubes  of  the  coral  somewhat  resemble  the  pipes  of  an 
organ. 

SEA-ANEMONES,   OB  ACTINAKIANS. 

These  polyps  are  wholly  soft,  only  a  few  secreting 
from  the  base  a  horn-like  substance.  They  are  com- 
mon on  nearly  all  coasts,  and  vary  from  a  quarter  of 


Fig.  495.  —  Same  as  Fig.  498. 
Closed. 


Fig.  496.  —  Same  as  Fig.  498. 
Just  opening. 


g.  497.  —  Sea- Anemone. 
Bunodes. 


Fig.  498.  —  Sea-Anemone,  or  Fringed 
Actinia. 


an  inch  to  a  foot  or  more  in  diameter,  as  seen  in  some 
of  the  tropical  species.     Our  species  seldom  exceed  two 


244  RADIATES:   POLYPS. 

or  three  inches  in  diameter,  and  most  of  them  are  much 
smaller,  although  some  are  six  inches  high.  The  Bu- 
nodes,  Figure  497,  is  found  among  the  rocks  on  the 
coast  of  Maine.  The  most  common  kind  on  the  north- 
east coast  of  North  America  is  the  Fringed  Actinia,  or 
Metridium,  Figures  495,  496,  498.  When  fully  ex- 
panded, it  is  about  four  inches  high  and  three  inches 
across  the  disk,  and  is  a  most  interesting  object  for  study. 

MADREPORES,  PORITES,  M^EANDRINAS,  ASTHMAS, 
&c.,    OR  MADREPORARIANS. 

These  polyps  are  simple  or  compound,  often  exces- 
sively branching,  and  they  form  coral  in  their  walls,  or 
outer  parts,  in  their  radiating  partitions,  and  often  at 
their  base.  The  forms  which  the  communities  assume 
are  very  beautiful  and  exceedingly  various,  and  are 
among  the  most  beautiful  objects  in  zoological  cabinets. 

The  great  group  of  Madrepores  contains  polyps  which 
have  a  definite  number  of  tentacles,  twelve  or  more ; 
those  called  Porites,  Figure  500,  have  the  cells  shal- 
low, and  not  more  than  one  twelfth  of  an  inch  in  di- 
ameter, and  the  coral  in  some  cases  branching,  in  oth- 
ers massive,  and  always  very  solid.  Massive  specimens 
of  Porites  are  sometimes  fifteen  feet  in  diameter.  In 
the  true  Madrepores,  Figure  499,  the  polyps  do  not 
secrete  coral  at  the  base,  and  hence  the  cells  of  the 
coral  are  very  deep,  and  these  corals  spread  and 
branch  into  the  most  beautiful  and  varied  forms,  and 
the  polyp  at  the  end  of  a  branch,  Figure  499,  is  al- 
ways larger  than  the  others. 

In  the  great  group  of  the  Astraeans  the  tentacles  oc- 
cur in  multiples  of  six.  Those  of  this  group,  called 
Brain  Corals,  or  Maeandrinas,  have  the  surface  covered 


MADREPORP:S,  PORITES,  &c. 


245 


Fig.  499.  —  Madrepore.     Eight-hand  branches  alive. 


Fig.  502.  — Astroides.     Coral  Polyps  in 
various  stages  of  expansion. 


Fig.  503.  — Dry  Coral. 
Same  as  Fig.  502. 


246  RADIATES:   POLYPS. 

with  winding  trenches,  Figure  504,  on  each  side  of 
which  there  is  a  row  of  tentacles.  The  form  of  the 
Mseandrinas  is  generally  that  of  a  hemisphere,  and 
some  of  these  masses  are  twelve  feet,  in  diameter. 
The  true  Astrseans,  or  Star-Corals,  Figure  506,  have 
the  cells  in  the  form  of  concave  pits,  and  the  common 
forms  of  this  coral  are  hemispherical  or  dome-shaped 
masses,  some  of  which  are  twenty  feet  in  diameter; 
and  ihe  polyps  themselves  are  often  an  inch  in  diam- 
eter. Most  of  them,  however,  are  very  much  smaller. 
One  beautiful  little  Astraean,  Dana's  Astrangia,  has  its 
home  in  Long  Island  Sound,  where  it  occurs  in  little 
clusters  upon  the  stones  and  shells,  from  just  below 
low-water  mark  even  down  to  ten  fathoms  in  depth. 
It  thrives  well  in  the  aquarium,  and  eats  little  mol- 
lusks  and  other  small  animals  with  a  good  relish.  In 
those  coral  polyps  called  Oculinas,  the  coral  when 
young  spreads  so  as  to  form  a  broad  base ;  later  beau- 
tiful tufts  and  tree-like  branches  arise  from  this  base. 
A  portion  of  one  of  these  is  shown  in  Figure  508. 

In  the  great  group  of  Fungus  Corals,  the  coral  is 
broad  and  flat,  looking  like  a  toad-stool  without  a 
stem,  as  in  Figure  509.  Polyps  of  this  kind  have 
short  lobe-like  tentacles  in  multiples  of  six.  Each 
specimen,  like  Figure  509,  is  the  secretion  of  a  single 
polyp,  and  similar  specimens  are  sometimes  a  foot  or 
more  in  diameter. 

But  some  of  the  most  interesting  facts  about  coral 
polyps  remain  to  be  told.  Hundreds  of  the  islands  and 
.reefs  in  the  ocean  are  made  of  coral,  —  the  skeletons 
of  Polyps.  These  islands  and  reefs  are  most  abundant 
and  most  extensive  in  the  Pacific  and  Indian  Oceans, 


M^EANDRINAS,    STAR-CORAL,   &c.  247 


Fig.  504.  —  Masandrina. 


Fig.  505.  —  Cladocera.  Fig.  506.  —  Star-Coral,  or  Astraea. 


Fig.  507.  — Merulina. 


Fig.  508.— Oculina 


Fig.  509.  —  Fungus  Coral. 


248  RADIATES:    POLYPS. 

but  the  islands  which  skirt  the  coast  of  Florida  —  the 
Keys  —  are  also  of  coral  formation,  and  according  to 
Agassiz  a  large  part  of  Florida  itself  is  made  of  coral. 
Some  reefs  are  small  and  have  made  only  a  little  pro- 
gress upward  towards  the  surface  of  the  water ;  others 
are  miles  in  length  and  breadth,  and  come  so  near  the 
surface  of 'the  water  that  it  is  dangerous  for  vessels  to 
sail  over  them ;  and  others  still  rise  above  the  surface 
of  the  water  forming  islands  which,  in  some  cases,  are 
covered  with  coral  sand,  and  in  others  with  a  more  or 
less  luxuriant  growth  of  tropical  vegetation.  Reefs 
stretch  north  and  south  near  New  Caledonia  for  the 
distance  of  four  hundred  miles,  and  along  the  north- 
eastern coast  of  Australia  for  a  thousand  miles.  When 
a  reef  or  bank  of  coral  is  near  the  shore,  it  is  called  a 
Fringing  Reef;  when  at  a  distance  from  the  shore,  a 
Barrier  Reef ;  and  when  it  surrounds  a  body  of  water, 
as  is  often  the  case  in  the  Pacific,  an  Atoll  or  Coral 
Island.  The  corals  which  form  the  principal  part  of 
the  reefs  and  islands  are  Madrepores,  Porites,  Maean- 
drinas,  and  Astraeas ;  the  frailer  corals,  such  as  the 
Sea-Fans  and  other  Gorgonias,  adorn  the  reef  as  it 
nears  the  surface  of  the  water,  but  do  not  contribute 
much  to  its  growth. 

From  what  has  already  been  said,  it  is  hoped  that 
it  will  be  understood  that  the  reefs  and  islands  are  not 
something  which  the  coral  animals  build,  as  a  mason 
builds  a  house,  or  as  a  bee  or  wasp  builds  her  nest  or 
comb,  but  that  the  reefs  and  islands  are  made  up  of 
the  hard  parts  or  skeletons  of  polyps  that  lived  and 
died  where  the  reef  or  island  now  stands. 

Only  about  an  inch  of  a  growing  coral  mass  or  reef 
is  alive,  all  the  rest  within  is  dead ;  death  goes  on  be- 


CORAL  REEFS,  &c.  249 

low  as  fast  as  growth  goes  on  above.  When  the  reef 
at  last  grows  up  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  the  polyps 
die ;  for  they  cannot  live  out  of  water.  The  winds 
and  waves  do  the  rest ;  they  break  fragments  from  the 
sides  of  the  reef  and  pile  them  nearer  the  centre ;  they 
bring  sea-weeds  and  other  floating  materials,  and  cast 
them  over  the  whole ;  plants  at  length  spring  up,  and 
in  the  course  of  years  the  island  —  except  its  broad 
beaches  of  coral  sand  —  is  clothed  with  verdure,  and 
man,  perhaps,  comes  there  and  makes  his  home.  These 
little  polyps,  then,  are  increasing  the  amount  of  dry 
land  on  the  surface  of  the  globe ;  and  in  this  and 
in  other  ways  God  makes  their  lives  serve  great  and 
important  ends. 

But  a  history  of  the  polyps  would  be  unfinished  if 
we  should  not  mention  their  connection  with  some  of 
the  rocks  of  the  globe,  —  the  limestones.  It  is  a  very 
interesting  fact  that  reef  corals  and  limestone,  or  marble, 
have  essentially  the  same  chemical  composition ;  and 
it  is  well  known  that  some  of  the  coral  reefs  of  the  Pa- 
cific, which  have  been  lifted  out  of  water  by  volcanic 
forces,  are  nearly  or  quite  as  solid  as  ordinary  marble. 
From  these  facts,  and  many  others,  geologists  believe 
that  a  large  part  of  the  limestones  of  the  globe  are 
made  out  of  the  coral  reefs  that  grew  in  the  old  oceans, 
which  long  before  the  creation  of  man  covered  the 
countries  where  marble  is  now  found.  If  this  be  true, 
many  of  the  rocks  which  underlie  vast  countries,  the 
marble  temples  and  palaces  of  the  East,  the  marble 
monuments  and  public  buildings  of  our  own  country, 
the  mortar  upon  the  walls  and  ceilings  of  our  houses, 
and  the  marble  tables  and  mantel-pieces  so  highly 
11* 


250  PROTOZOANS. 

prized,  have  all  come  from  the  skeletons  of  these  little 
flower-like  animals  of  the  sea.  Their  skeletons  have 
furnished  even  the  blocks  of  marble  which  the  sculp- 
tor chisels,  and  are  thus  inseparably  linked  with  the 
highest  department  of  culture  and  of  art  in  which  the 
mind  and  hand  of  man  can  engage. 


PROTOZOANS. 

THERE  is  a  vast  number  of  beings  which  are  so 
simple  in  their  structure  that  naturalists  are  in  doubt, 
in  many  cases,  whether  to  call  them  Plants  or  Ani- 
mals. These  are  now  called  Protozoans,  a  word  which 
means  first  or  simplest  animals.  A  few  of  the  forms 
are  shown  in  Figures  510-520,  —  all  much  enlarged, 
except  Figures  518,  519,  520.  In  most  cases  they 
have  neither  mouth  nor  stomach,  and,  excepting  the 
Sponges  and  some  others,  are  exceedingly  minute  and 
mostly  microscopic.  They  are  doubtless  more  numerous 
than  all  the  other  animals  of  the  globe,  for  they  live 
in  immense  numbers  in  every  ditch  and  pool,  every 
stream,  pond,  and  lake,  and  in  almost  every  part  of  the 
sea.  There  is  scarcely  a  drop  of  water  that  is  not  in- 
habited by  some  of  them.  They  were  also  exceed- 
ingly abundant  in  the  past  ages  of  the  world  ;  for  their 
skeletons,  or  hard  parts,  fill  the  rocks  in  many  places, 
and  rocky  strata  hundreds  of  feet  in  thickness  are 
wholly  made  up  of  their  remains. 

One  group  of  the  Protozoans  is  called  Infusoria, 
from  having  first  been  found  in  vegetable  infusions, 
that  is,  in  liquids  in  which  plants  have  been  immersed ; 
of  these,  Vorticella,  Figure  510,  is  a  well-known  kind. 

There  is  another  group  called  Rhizopods  —  a  word 


PROTOZOANS. 


251 


Fig.  511.  — Gre- 

garina.  Fig.  512.—     Fig.  513.  — Portion  of 

Fig.  510.  — Vorti-  Sphaerozoum.     Fig.  512,  magnified, 

cella. 


Fig.  514.  — Podocyrtis. 


Fig,  515. — Lagena. 


Fig.  51 6.  —  Amoeba.  Fig.  518.—  Nummulite. 

Fig.  517.  —  Polystomella. 


Fig.  519.  —  Sponge,  alive.  Fig.  520.  —  Sponge. 

Protozoans. 


252  PROTOZOANS. 

meaning  root-feet  —  because  they  throw  out  fibre  or 
root-like  appendages,  as  in  Figures  516,  517.  Most  of 
these  have  a  shell,  and  are  often  called  Foraminifers, 
from  the  pores  or  foramens  in  the  shell,  through  which 
the  appendages  just  mentioned  are  thrust  out.  The 
vast  chalk-beds  of  Europe  are  almost  wholly  made  of 
the  shells  of  Rhizopods,  which  are  so  minute  that  a 
million  are  contained  in  a  cubic  inch  of  the  chalk. 
The  Nummulite,  Figure  518,  is  one  of  the  Rhizopods 
or  Foraminifers,  which  has  a  shell  half  an  inch  or 
more  in  diameter,  in  some  cases,  and  divided  into 
chambers  which  resemble  those  of  a  Nautilus  or  Am- 
monite. Extensive  beds  of  limestone  are  made  of 
Nunimulites;  that  of  which  the  Pyramids  of  Egypt 
are  built  is  filled  with  shells  of  this  sort.  The  Amoeba, 
Figure  516,  is  a  Rhizopod  which  has  no  shell.  It  is  a 
simple,  almost  fluid  mass,  seen  only  by  the  aid  of  a 
microscope,  and  it  changes  its  form  almost  every  mo- 
ment. It  has  neither  mouth  nor  stomach,  yet  on 
coming  to  a  particle  of  food  it  readily  closes  around 
it,  and  digests  it,  any  part  of  the  body  being  formed 
into  mouth,  stomach,  or  tentacles,  as  the  occasion  re- 
quires ! 

Sponges  are  protozoans  which  have  been  regarded 
by  many  as  plants,  but  are  now  generally  considered 
to  be  compound  animals.  They  are  common  in  ponds 
and  lakes,  as  well  as  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  sea,  and 
their  forms  are  exceedingly  various  and  often  ex- 
tremely beautiful.  Some  cover  the  rocks  like  a  carpet 
of  mosses ;  others  grow  in  massive  clusters ;  others 
branch  like  trees  and  shrubs ;  and  others  still  take  the 
form  of  the  most  elegant  cups,  goblets,  and  vases. 


CONCLUSION.  253 


CONCLUSION. 

IN  these  few  pages  we  have  endeavored  to  make 
you  acquainted  with  some  of  the  principal  forms  in 
which  animals  have  been  created,  and  thus  give  you 
some  idea  of  the  Animal  Kingdom.  Although  only  a 
few  kinds  out  of  the  many  thousands  now  living  have 
beer^  mentioned,  you  have  learned  that  all  the  Ani- 
mals upon  our  globe  may  be  divided  into  four,  or  at 
most  five,  great  groups,  —  the  Vertebrates  or  Back- 
boned Animals,  the  Articulates  or  Jointed  Animals, 
the  Mollusks  or  -Soft-bodied  Animals,  the  Radiates  or 
Star-shaped  Animals,  and  perhaps  a  fifth  group  called 
the  Protozoans ;  and  it  may  be  added  that  geologists 
tell  us  that  all  the  animals  of  past  ages,  which  are 
now  known  only  by  their  remains,  but  which  were 
so  numerous  that  in  many  places  they  fill  the  rocks 
to  the  depth  of  miles,  also  belong  to  either  one  or 
the  other  of  these  five  groups.  Naturalists  call  these 
groups  Branches.  You  have  learned  that  the  Ver- 
tebrates are  divided  into  Mammals,  Birds,  Reptiles, 
Batrachians,  and  Fishes;  that  the  Articulates  are  di- 
vided into  Insects,  Crustaceans,  and  Worms*,  that 
the  Mollusks  are  divided  into  Cephalopods,  Gastero- 
pods,  and  Acephals ;  and  that  tfce  Radiates  are  di- 
vided into  Echinoderms,  Acalephs,  and  Polyps.  Nat- 
uralists call  these  groups  Classes.  You  have  learned 
that  the '  Mammals  are  divided  into  Man,  Monkeys, 
Carnivores  or  Beasts  of  Prey,-  Herbivores  or  Plant- 
eaters,  Cetaceans  or  Whales,  Bats,  Insect-eaters,  Ro- 
dents or  Gnawers,  Edentates  and  Marsupials  ;  that  the 
Birds  are  divided  into  Birds  of  Prey,  Climbers,  Perch- 


254  CONCLUSION. 

ers,  Scratchers,  Runners,  and  Swimmers ;  and  that  the 
Reptiles,  Batrachians,  and  Fishes,  the  Insects,  Crusta- 
ceans, and  Worms,  the  Cephalopods,  Gasteropods,  and 
Acephals,  and  the  Echinoderms,  Acalephs,  and  Polyps, 
are  also  similarly  divided  into  groups.  Naturalists 
call  these  groups  Orders.  The  Orders  are  divided 
into  Families,  —  for  example,  the  Order  of  Birds  of 
Prey  is  divided  into  the  Family  of  Vultures,  the 
Family  of  Falcons  and  Eagles,  and  the  Family  of 
Owls.  Families  are  divided  into  Genera,  —  for  ex- 
ample, the  Family  of  Falcons  is  divided  into  true  Fal- 
cons, Hawks,  Eagles,  &c.  Genera  are  divided  into 
Species,  —  for  example,  the  Genus  of  true  Falcons  is 
divided  into  the  Peregrine  Falcons  or  Duck  Hawks, 
Pigeon  Falcons  or  Pigeon  Hawks,  Sparrow  Falcons  or 
Sparrow  Hawks,  &c. 

You  have  gained  some  idea  of  the  way  in  which 
animals  are  distributed  over  the  surface  of  the  globe. 
Each  zone  of  the  earth's  surface,  each  zone  of  height, 
each  hemisphere,  each  grand  division  of  the  earth,  has 
its  own  kinds  of  animals ;  even  each  of  the  different 
parts  of  every  country  has  animals  peculiar  to  itself. 
And  it  is  so  in  the  waters ;  each  ocean  and  sea,  each 
gulf  aad  bay,  and  each  zone  of  depth,  has  its  own  ani- 
mal forms,  such  as  are  found  nowhere  else. 

But  the  words  of  a  book  cannot  fitly  describe  the 
living  beings  of  our  globe.  We  need  to  open  our 
eyes  and  study  them  in  the  world  about  us.  We  may 
find  them  everywhere,  —  in  forest  and  field,  on  the 
mountain  and  in  the  sea,  in  every  stream,  pond,  and 
lake,  in  every  pool  and  ditch  and  bog,  and  in  every 
glass  of  water  from  the  spring.  Every  summer's  day 
brings  scores  of  beautiful  winged  forms,  and  on  every 


CONCLUSION.  255 

summer's  night  other  not  less  beautiful  forms  flit 
about  our  lamps,  or  look  in  at  our  windows,  tempting 
us  to  study  and  admire  them.  And  how  full  of  in- 
terest is  every  one  of  them,  whether  it  be  the  Deer 
bounding  through  the  forest  or  over  the  plain,  the 
Eagle  soaring  above  our  heads  until  lost  amid  the 
clouds,  the  Butterfly  flitting  from  flower  to  flower, 
the  Mussel  plowing  its  way  in  the  river's  sand,  or 
the  little  Polyp  beneath  the  ocean  wave.  And  they 
are  interesting  not  merely  on  account  of  their  varied 
and  beautiful  forms  and  colors,  wonderful  structure, 
and  often  marvellous  instincts  and  habits,  and  great 
variety  of  uses,  but  because  they  are  the  works  of 
God,  —  His  thoughts  expressed  in  visible  forms.  If 
we  study  these  wonderful  objects  in  the  right  spirit, 
we  shall  learn  more  of  Him  who  made  them*,  and  who 
careth  for  them, — suffering  not  even  a  sparrow  to  fall 
without  His  notice. 


INDEX. 


A.     . 

Bald-headed  Eagle,  63,  64.     ;  Canker-worm  Moth,  153. 

Baltimore  Oriole,  85.                 Canvas-Back  Duck,  95,  96. 

Acalephs,  227. 

Barnacles,  187.                           Capricorn  Beetles,  166. 

Acephals,  210. 

Basket-Fish,  225. 

Carabids,  160. 

Acorn  Barnacle,  188. 

Bass,  111,  112. 

Caribou,  29. 

Actinarians,  243. 

Batrachians,  106. 

Carrion  Beetles,  161. 

Albatrosses,  96,  97. 

Bats,  43. 

Carolina  Parrot,  67. 

Alcyonarians,  240. 

Bears,  24. 

Carnivores,  16. 

Alligators,  103. 

Beavers,  49,  50. 

Cats,  17. 

Alpaca,  38. 

Beautiful  DeYopeia,  148. 

Cat-Birds,  79. 

American  Creeper,  80. 

Bees,  129. 

Caterpillar  Hunter,  160. 

American  Earwig,  183. 

Bee-Flies,  158. 

Cecropia  Moth,  149. 

American  Mantis,  173. 

Beetles,  159. 

Centipedes,  183. 

American  Myriapod,  183. 

Belted  Kingfisher,  72. 

Cephalopods,  192. 

American  Toad,  108. 

Beroid  Medusa;,  229. 

Cerithiums,  202. 

American      Tent-Caterpillar 

Big-Horn,  34. 

Cetaceans,  38. 

Moth,  151. 

Birds,  58. 

Chamois,  33,  34. 

American  Swan,  94. 

Birds  of  Prey,  60. 

Cheiropters,  43. 

American  Woodcock,  89,  92. 

Bison,  36. 

Chewink,  82,  83. 

Ammonites,  196. 
Amphioxus,  122,  124. 

Bittern,  91. 
Bivalves,  210. 

Chickadees,  79,  80. 
Chimpanzee,  12. 

Anacondas,  105. 

Black  Rat,  52. 

Chipmunk,  48. 

Angler,  114,  115. 

Blackbirds,  83. 

Chrysalis,  128. 

Angle-worm,  189. 

Blackburnian  Warbler,  76. 

Chrysomelaus,  167. 

Anc-Eaters,  54. 

Black  Snake,  105. 

Chuck-will's  Widow,  71. 

Antelopes,  31. 

Blind  Fish,  116,  117- 

Cicadas,  167  -  169. 

Ant-Lions,  178. 

Bluebird,  75. 

Civets,  20 

Ants,  134. 

Blue-Fish,  113,  114. 

Clams,  214. 

Aphides,  170. 

Blue  Jay,  86. 

Clear-winged  Sphinges,  147. 

Aphis,  170. 

Boas,  105. 

Climbers,  66. 

Aporrhais,  199. 
Apple-tree  Borer,  166. 
Arachnids,  179. 

Bobolink,  83,  84. 
Bombyx,  149. 
Boring  Saw-Flies,  137. 

Clio,  209,  210. 
Clouded  Locust,  175. 
Cocoon,  128. 

Argonauts,  192,  194.                  Bot-Fly,  158. 

Cockroach,  171,  172. 

Armadillos,  55. 

Box-Turtle,  100,  102. 

Cod,  118,  119. 

Articulates,  4,  125. 

Brachiopods,  217. 

Coleopters,  159. 

Ascidians,  216. 

Bream,  111,  112 

Conchs,  198. 

Asilus-Flies,  158. 

Broad-necked  Prionus,  167. 

Cones,  202. 

Ass,  27. 
Asterias  Butterfly,  141. 

Brook-Trout,  116,  117. 
Brown  Rat,  52. 

Congo  Snake,  109. 
Conner,  114. 

Astrseas,  244.  247. 

Bryozoans,  217. 

Copper  Butterflies,  144. 

Astrophyton,  225. 

Buffalo,  36. 

Coral,  239. 

Astroides,  245. 
Auks,  99. 

Bugs,  167. 
Bull-frog,  107. 

Coral-  Animals,  237. 
Coral  Reefs  and  Islands,  246. 

Aurelia,  231. 

Buprestians,  164. 

Corydalis,  177,  178. 

Aviculas,  214. 

Burrowing  Owls,  66. 

Coryne,  233. 

Axolotl,  109. 

Butcher-Bird,  77.                       Cow-Bird,  84. 

Aye-Aye,  15.                            !  Butterflies.  138.                          Cowries,  202. 

Azure  Butterflies,  144. 

Crabs.  183. 

Craw-Fish,  187. 

C. 

Creepers,  79. 

B. 

Crested  Grebe,  98- 

* 

Caddice-Flies,  179.                    Crickets,  173. 

Baboons,  14. 

Camels,  37. 

Crinoids,  226. 

Badger,  24.                                 Canada  Lynx,  18. 

Crocodiles,  103. 

Q 

258 


INDEX. 


Crossbills,  81. 

Flycatchers,  73. 

Hawks,  62. 

Crows,  85. 

Flying  Fishes,  116,  117. 

Hawk-bill  Turtle,  101,  102. 

Crustaceans,  183. 

Flying  Squirrel,  48. 

Hawk-Moths,  144. 

Ctenophofce,  229. 

Foxes,  20. 

Hedgehogs,  45. 

Cuckoos,  67. 

Fountain  Shell,  198. 

Helix,  206. 

Cucumber  Beetle,  167. 

Fringed  Actinia,  243. 

Hemipters,  167. 

Curculios,  165. 

Frogs,  106-108. 

Herbivores,  27. 

Curlew,  93. 
Cuttle-Fishes,  192,  194. 

Fungus  Coral,  246. 
Fusus,  200. 

Hercules  Beetles,  163. 
Hermit  Crab,  184. 

Cyclostomes,  122. 

Hermit  Thrush,  74. 

G. 

Herons,  89. 

Herring,  116,  117. 

D. 

Galeopithecus,  44. 

Hessian  Fly,  156. 

Darning-needles,  176. 

Gall-Flies,  136. 
Gallinue,  93. 

Heteropods,  209. 
Hipparchians,  143. 

Darter,  111. 

Gar-Fish,  116,  117. 

Hive  Bee,  129. 

Deer,  28. 

Gar-Pike,  116,  118.    . 

Holothurians,  218. 

Deiopeia,  148. 

Gasteropods,  197. 

Honey  Bee,  129. 

Dipters,  154. 

Gazelle,  33. 

Hoofed-Animals,  27. 

Discophorae.  230. 
Divers,  98.  ' 
Dog-day   Harvest-Fly,    168, 

Geese,  94. 
Geometers,  152. 
Geometric  Spider,  180. 

Horn-Bugs,  162. 
Horned  Corydalis,  177. 
Horned  Pout,  116,  117. 

169. 

Geomys,  50. 

Horned  Toad,  104. 

Dog-Fish  Shark,  123. 

Gnawers,  46. 

Hornet,  133. 

Dogs,  18. 

Goats,  35. 

Horse,  27. 

Dolphin,  42,  114,  115. 

Godwit,  93. 

Horse-Flies,  157. 

Doves,  86. 
Dragon-Flies,  176,  177. 

Golden-  winged  Woodpecker, 
69. 

Horse  -shoe  Crab,  187,  188. 
Hounds,  19. 

Drone,  130. 

Goldsmith  Beetle,  163. 

House  Mouse,  52. 

Ducks,  94. 
Duck  Barnacle,  188. 

Goose  Fish,  114,  115. 
Gopher,  49. 

House  Spider,  180. 
Humble  Bees,  131. 

Duckbills,  57. 
Duck  Hawk,  62. 

Gophers,  100. 
Gordius,  189. 

Humming  Birds,  70. 
Hydroids,  232. 

Gorgonias,  240. 

Hyenas,  18. 

Gorilla,  14. 

Hymenopters,  129. 

E. 

Grallatores,  89. 

Grasshoppers,  174. 

Eagles,  62. 

Gray  Owls,  66. 

I. 

Earth-worm,  189. 

Gray  Squirrel,  47. 

TU:aaa      Q-l 

Earwigs,  171. 
Echinarachnius,  221. 

Great  Horned  Owl,  65. 
Great  Blue  Heron,  89,  90. 

JLDlSGSj  oJ.. 

Ichneumons,  129,  135. 

Echinoderms,  218. 

Great  Northern  Diver,  98. 

Imago,  128. 

Echinoids,  219. 
Edentates,  54. 
Eels,  119,  120. 
Eel-Pouts,  114,  115. 

Grebe,  98. 
Greenhead,  95. 
Green  Frog,  107. 
Green  Lizard,  103. 

Insects,  125. 
Insect-Eaters,  44. 
Insectivores,  44. 
Insessores,  70. 

Eider  Duck,  95. 
Elaters,  164. 

Green  Turtles,  101. 
Grizzly  Bear,  25. 

Elephants,  27. 

Grosbeaks,  82. 

• 

Elk,  30. 

Ground  Beetles,  160. 

Jaguar,  17. 

Ephemeras,  175,  176. 

Ground  Robin,  82. 

Jay,  86. 

Grouse,  87. 

Jelly-Fishes,  227. 

Guest  Gall-Flies,  136. 

Jumping  Mouse,  52. 

F. 

Gulls,  97. 

Falcons,  62. 

K. 

Finches,  81. 

H. 

Kahau   14. 

Fire-flies,  164,  165. 
Fir-tree  Saw-fly,  137. 
Fishes,  110.     * 
Fishers,  21. 
Fish-Hawk,  64. 

Hag,  122,  124. 
Halibut,  118. 
Hair-  Worm,  189. 
Hammer-head  Shark,  123. 

Kangaroo,  56. 
Katydid,  174. 
Kingbird,  73. 
Kingfishers,  72. 

Five-spotted    Sphinx,    145, 

Hangbird,  85. 

146. 

Hares,  54. 

L. 

Flesh-Eaters,  16. 

Harp  Shell,  200. 

Flies,  154. 

Harvest-Flies,  167. 

Lace-  Wings,  178. 

Flounders,  118,  119. 

Harvest-Mice,  52. 

Lady-Birds,  167. 

INDEX. 


259 


Lake  Trout,  116. 

Mountain  Butterfly,  143. 

Petrels,  96. 

Lancelot,  122,  124. 

Mountain  Goat,  32. 

Pewee,  73. 

Land-Snails,  206. 

Mountain  Sheep,  34,  35. 

Phanseus,  163. 

Larks,  83. 

Mountain  Quail,  89. 

Phoebe  Bird,  73. 

Larva,  126. 

Mud  Puppy,  109. 

Pholads,  215. 

Leaf-Rollers,  154. 

Mud-Wasps,  133. 

Pickerel,  114,  117. 

Lemurs,  15. 
Leopard,  17. 

Mullets,  114,  115. 
Murex,  199. 

Pickerel  Frog,  107. 
Pickering's  Hylodes,  108. 

Leopard  Frog,  107. 
Lepidopters,  138. 

Musk  Deer,  3t. 
Musk  Ox,  35. 

Pigeons,  87. 
Pigeon  Tremex,  137. 

Limnseids,  206. 

Muskrat,  53. 

Pilot-Fish,  113. 

Limpets,  205. 

Mussels,  212. 

Pine  Marten,  21. 

Lion,  17. 

Myriapods,  183. 

Pipe-Fishes,  120,  121. 

Lithobius,  183. 

Myxine,  122,  124. 

Plant-Eaters,  27. 

Lizards,  103. 

Plant-lice,  170. 

Llamas,  37. 

Platypus,  57. 

Lobsters,  183,  185. 

N. 

Plectognaths,  120. 

Locusts,  174. 
Long-horn  Beetles,  166. 
Long-snouted    Nut    Weevil, 
165,  166. 
Loligos,  194. 
Loon,  98. 
Lump  Fish,  118,  119. 
Luna  Moth,  149,  161. 
Lycosa,  180. 
Lynx,  18. 

M. 

Natatores,  94. 
Naticas,  202. 
Nautili,  192,  196. 
Nepa,  171. 
Nephila,  180. 
Net-winged  Insects,  175. 
Neuropters,  175. 
Night-hawk,  71. 
Night-Heron,  91. 
Nightingale,  75,  76. 
Norway  Rat,  52. 
Nuthatches,  79. 

Pleurobrachia,  229,  230. 
Plover,  92. 
Plum  Weevil,  165,  166. 
Pocket  Gopher,  50. 
Pointer,  19. 
Polyphemus  Moth,  149,  151. 
Polyps,  237. 
Polyzoans,  217. 
Pond-Fish,  112. 
Pond-Snails,  206. 
Porcupines,  53,  54. 
Porgees,  112,  113. 

Mackerel,  112,  113. 

Nymphalis  Butterflies,  142. 

Porites,  244. 
Porpoises,  42. 

Mackerel  Shark,  122,  123. 

Portuguese  Man-of-War,  235, 

Madrepores,  244. 

236. 

Macandruros,  244. 

* 

Pouched  Rat,  50. 

Magpie,  86. 

Octopus,  194. 

Prairie  Chicken,  87. 

Mallard,  95. 

Operculum,  197. 

Prairie  Dog,  49. 

Mammals,  11. 

Ophiurans,  224. 

Prionus,  167. 

Man,  11. 
Mandrills,  14. 

Opossums,  55. 
Orang-Outang,  13,  14. 

Proboscidians,  27. 
Promethea  Moth,  149,  150. 

Mantes,  172. 

Organ-pipe  Coral,  241,  242. 

Pronghorn  Antelope,  32. 

Marmosets,  15. 

Orthopters,  171. 

Protozoans,  250. 

Marsupials.  55. 

Otters,  23. 

Pteropods,  209. 

Maryland  Yellow-throat,  76. 

Ouzel,  75. 

Puffers,  120,  121. 

Mastodon,  27. 

Owls,  65. 

Puffins,  99,  100. 

May-Beetles,  163. 

Oxen,  35. 

Puma,  17. 

May-Fly,  176. 

Oysters,  212. 

Pupa,  128. 

Meadow  Lark,  85. 

Purple  Finch,  81. 

Meandrinas  244. 

Pteroceras,  199. 

Medusae,  228. 

P. 

Pyramid-Shell,  202. 

Melanias,  202. 

Pythons.  105. 

Mellita,  222. 

Painted  Clytus,  166. 

Menobranchus,  109. 

Painted  Turtle,  100. 

Mice,  51. 

Panther,  17. 

Q- 

Migratory  Locusts,  175. 
Mink,  22. 

Paper-Sailors,  193,  194. 
Papilio  Butterflies,  141. 

Quadrumana,  12. 

Missippiis  Butterfly,  142,143. 
Mocking-Birds,  78. 

Parrots,  67. 
Partridge,  88. 

Quails,  88. 
Queen,  130,  131. 

Moles,  45 

Patagonian  Penguin,  99. 

Mole  Cricket,  173,  174. 

Pea  Weevil,  165,  166. 

Mollusks,  5,  190. 

Peach-tree  Borer,  147. 

R. 

Monkeys,  12. 

Pearl-Oysters,  212,  214. 

Monotremes,  57. 

Pectens,  212. 

Rabbit,  54. 

Moose,  28. 
Mosquitoes,  155. 

Penguins,  99. 
Pentacrinus  226. 

Raccoon,  24. 
Radiates,  6,  218. 

Moths,  138. 

Perchers,  70. 

Rail,  93. 

"Mother  Carey's  Chicken," 

Peregrine  Falcon,  62,  64. 

Raptores,  60. 

97. 

Periwinkles,  205.                      '  Rasores,  «(5- 

260 


INDEX. 


Rats,  51. 

Sea-Robin,  111,  112. 

Striped  Squirrels,  48. 

Rattlesnake,  106. 

Sea-Slugs,  20  .). 

Strombs,  198. 

Ravens,  85. 

Sea-Stars,  222. 

Stormy  Petrels,  97. 

Rays,  122,  124. 
Razor-shells,  214. 

Sea-Urchins,  219. 
Seals,  26. 

Sturgeon,  121,  122. 
Suckers,  122. 

Red-Coral,  241,  242. 

Selachians,  122. 

Sun  Fish,  120,  121,  231. 

Red-headed  Woodpecker,  68. 

Serpents,  104-106. 

Surgeon,  114,  115. 

Red  Squirrel,  47. 

Serpent-stars,  224. 

Swallows,  76. 

Red-winged  Blackbird,  84. 

Serpula,  189. 

Swans,  94. 

Reed-Bird,  84. 

Sesias,  147. 

Swimmers,  94. 

Reindeer,  29. 

Seventeen-year  Cicada,  168. 

Sword  Fish,  112,  113. 

Remora,  119,  120. 

Sharks,  122,  123. 

Renilla,  240. 

Sheep,  34 

Reptiles,  100. 

Shell-Fish  190. 

T 

Rhizopods,  250,  252. 
Rice-Bird,  84 

Shiner,  114,  117. 
Ship-Worms,  215. 

Tenrec,  45. 

Rice-  Weevil,  165,  166. 

Shore  Lark,  80. 

Tent-Caterpillar  Moth,  151. 

Right  Whale,  38. 

Shrews,  44. 

Terns,  97,  98. 

River-Mussels,  214. 

Shrikes,  77. 

Thresher  Shark,  123. 

River  Snails,  205. 

Shrimps.  183. 

Thrushes,  74. 

Robin,  75. 

Silk-worm  Moths,  148. 

Tiger,  17. 

Robin  Red-breast,  75. 

Sirens,  108. 

Tiger  Beetles,  159. 

Rocky  Mountain  Goat,  33. 

Six-lined  Lizard,  103,  104. 

Tineans,  154. 

Rodents,  46- 

Skates,  122,  124. 

Toads,  106  -  10'8. 

Roof  Rat,  52. 

Skippers,  144. 

Toad  Fish,  114. 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak,  82. 

Skunks,  24. 

Torpedo,  122,  124. 

Rose-bush  Gall-Fly,  136. 

Skylark,  80. 

Tortoises,  100 

Rotula,  222. 

Sloths,  54. 

Tower-Shell,  205. 

Rove  Beetles,  162. 

Snails,  197. 

Towhe  Bunting,  82. 

Ruby-crowned  Wren,  74  75. 

Snakes,  104-106 

Tree-Frogs,  107. 

Ruby  -  throated    Humming- 

Siap-Beetles,  164. 

Tree-Hoppers,  167,  169. 

Bird,  70. 

Snapping  Turtle,  101,  102 

Tree-Toads,  107. 

Ruffed  Grouse,  88. 

Snowy  Owl,  66. 

Trilobites,  187. 

Ruminants,  27 

Soft-finned  Fishes,  114. 

Tritons   103,109. 

Soft-shelled    Sphargis,    101, 

Trout,  116,  117. 

103. 

Trumpeter.  94. 

s. 

Solipedes,  27. 

Trunk  Fishes,  120. 

Sable,  21. 

Song  Sparrow,  82. 

True  Me.lusae,  230. 

Salamanders,  106,  109. 

Sooty  Albatross,  96. 

Tubularia,  234,  235. 

Salmon,  116,  117. 

Span-  Worms,  152. 

Tuft-gilled  Fishes,  120. 

Salt-Marsh  Moth,  148 

Sparrows,  82. 

Tunicates,  216. 

Salt-water  Terrapin,  101. 

Sparrow  Hawk,  64. 

Turnstone,  92. 

Sand-Fleas,  187. 

Speckled  Tortoise,  100. 

Turnus  Butterfly,  139,  141. 

Satyrus  Butterflies,  143. 
Saurians,  103. 

Speckled  Trout,  116,  117. 
Sperm  Whale,  40  -  42. 

Turtles,  100. 
Two-winged  Insects,  154. 

Saw-Flies,  137. 

Sphinges,  144. 

Saw-Fish,  124. 

Spiders,  179. 

Saw-whet  Owl,  66. 

Spider  Monkey,  14. 

U. 

Scollops,  212. 

Spine-finned  Fishes,  112. 

Unios,  214. 

Scansores,  66. 
Scarabseians,  163. 

Spirulas,  196. 
Spotted  Pelidnota,  163. 

Scorpions,  182. 

Spring  Beetles,  164. 

. 

Scorpion  Bugs,  170. 
Scorpion  Shell,  199. 
Scratches,  86. 

Sponges,  252 
Squash  Bug,  171. 
Squids,  192,  194. 

Vampires,  122. 
Vase-Maker,  181. 
Vertebrates  3  8. 

Screech-Owl,  65. 
Sculpins,  112,  113. 
Scupaug,  113. 
Sea-  Anemones,  237,  243. 
Sea-Cucumbers,  218. 

Squirrels,  47. 
Stake-Driver,  91. 
Star-Fishes,  222. 
Star-Gazer,  111,  112. 
Sticklebacks,  111,  112. 

Violet-Snails,  205 
Virginia  D  er,  31. 
Vireos,  77. 
Volutes,  202. 
Vorticella  250. 

Sea-Fans,  242. 

Stilt,  92. 

Vultures  61  . 

Sea-Horses,  120,  121. 

Stizus,  134. 

Sea-Lamprey,  122,  124. 

Stone-Flies,  175. 

Sea-Mussels,  214. 

Straight-winged  Insects,  171. 

W. 

Sea-Nettles,  228. 

Striped  Bass,  111,  112. 

Sea-Pens,  240 
Sea-Raven,  111,  112. 

Striped  Gopher,  49. 
Striped  Snakes,  105. 

Waders,  89. 
Walking-Leaves,  172. 

INDEX. 


261 


Walking-Sticks,  172. 
Walrus,  26. 

White-footed  Mouse,  52. 
White-Pine  Weevil,  165,  166. 

Wood  Pewee,  74. 
Wood  Thrush,  74. 

Wapiti,  30. 

White  Whale,  42. 

Wood  Tortoise,  100,  102. 

Warblers,  76.                             White-Winged  Crossbill,  81 

Worker,  130 

Warbling  Vireo,  78.                 :  Wild-Cat,  17. 
Wasps,  129,  132.                     i  Wild  Goat,  35. 

Worms,  189. 
Worm-Shell,  205. 

Water  Beetles,  161. 

Wild  Goose,  94. 

Wrens,  79. 

Water  Ouzel,  75.                      j  Wild  Pigeon,  87. 

Weak-Fish,  112,  113.              |  Willow  Gall-Fly,  136. 

Weasels,  21. 

Wilson's  Snipe,  92. 

Y. 

Weevils,  165. 

Wing-Shells,  198. 

Wentle-traps,  205. 

Winter  Wren,  79. 

Yellow-Bird,  81. 

Whales,  38. 

Wombat,  56. 

Yellow  Butterflies,  142. 

Wharf  Rat,  52 

Wolves,  19. 

Yellow-Legs,  92. 

Wheat  Fly,  156,  157. 

Wolverine,  22. 

Yellow  Perch,  111,  112 

Whelks,  200. 

Woodcock,  92. 

Whippoonvills,  71. 

Wood  Duck,  95. 

White  Butterflies,  142. 

Wood  Ibis,  91. 

Z. 

White-bellied  Nuthatch,  80. 

Wood  Frog,  107- 

White  Climbing  Cricket,  173. 

Woodpeckers,  68. 

Zoophytes,  240. 

THE  END. 


Cambridge  :  Electrotyped  and  Printed  by  Welch,  Bigelow,  &  Co. 


APPENDIX. 


THOSE  who  desire  to  learn  to  mount  and  preserve  Mammals,  Birds, 
and  other  animals  will  do  well  to  procure  "  THE  TAXIDERMIST'S 
MANUAL/'  by  S.  H.  Sylvester,  Middleboro,  Mass. 

Artificial  eyes  of  all  sizes  and  colors  can  be  obtained  of  C.  F.  A. 
Hinrichs,  Broadway,  New  York. 


CLASSIFICATION   OF   ANIMALS. 


THE  BRANCH  OF  VERTEBRATA,  OR  VERTEBRATES. 
THE   CLASS   OF   MAMMALIA,   OR  MAMMALS. 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


HIM  AN  A 
or  MAN. 

HUMAN 
FAMILY. 

Homo 

or  Man. 

QUADRUMANA  or  MONKEYS. 

SIMIAD^E 
or 
OLD  WORLD 
MONKEYS. 

Troglodytes 
Simla 
Hijlobates 
Semnopithecus 
Presbytis 
Cercopithecus 
Colobus 
Macacus 
Inuus 
Cynocephalus 

or  Chimpanzee  &  Gorilla. 
"    Orang-Outang. 
"    Gibbons. 
"   Solemn  Apes. 
"   Tailed  Gibbons. 
"    Guenons. 
"   Thumbless  Apes. 
"   Macacos. 
"   Barbary  Ape. 
"    Baboons. 

CEBID^E 
or 
NEW  WORLD 
MONKEYS. 

Mycetes 
Aides 
Lagothrix 
Ctbm 
Pitheda 
CaUithrix 
Nyctipithecus 
Jacchus  and  Midas 

or  Howlers. 
"   Spider  Monkeys. 
"   Glutton       " 
"   Weepers. 
"  Fox-tailed  Monkeys. 
"   Squirrel           "     ' 
"  Night               " 
"   Marmosets. 

LEMURID.E 
or 
LEMURS. 

Lemur 
Indris 
Loris 
Galago 
Tarsius 
Chiromys 

or  true  Lemurs  or  Makis. 
"  Indri. 
"   Lorises. 
"   Galagos. 
"   Tarsiers. 
"   Aye-Aye. 

CARNIVORA  or  FLESH-EATERS. 

FELID.E 
or 
CAT  FAMILY. 

Felis 
Lynx 

or  Lions,  Tigers,  Panthers, 
Leopards,  Puma,  Cat. 
"   Wild  Cats,  Lynx,  &c. 

HYENAD.K 

Hyena 

or  Hyenas. 

CANID.E. 

Canis 
Vulpes 

or  Wolves,  Jackals,  Dogs. 
"   Foxes. 

VIVERRUXE 
or 
CIVET  FAMILY. 

Bassaris 
Viverra 
Herpesles 

or  Civet  Cat. 
"   Civets  and  Genet. 
"   Ichneumons. 

MUSTELIDJE 

or 
WEASEL  FAMILY. 

Mustela 
Putorius 
Gulo 
Lutra 
Mephitis 
Taxidea 

or  Martens  or  Sable. 
"   WTeasels  and  Minks. 
"   Wolverines. 
"    Otters.' 
"    Skunks. 
"   Badgers. 

URSID^E 
or 
BEAR  FAMILY. 

Procyon 
Ailurus 
Ursus 

or  Raccoons. 
"   Panda. 
"   Bears. 

PHOCID.-E  or 
SEAL  FAMILY.* 

Phoca,  $c. 
Rosmarus 

or  Seals. 
"   Walrus  or  Morse. 

*  According  to  Professor  Gill,  the  old  family  Phocidae  really  comprises  three  families  : 
PHOCID^E  proper,  including  Phorn,  Pagomys,  Pagophilus,  Erignathus,  ffaltc/Kprus, 
Monachus,  Cystophora,  Mncrorkmus,  Lobofion,  Stenorhynchus,  Lfptonyx  and  Ommcf 
tophoca;  OTARIIB^E,  including  Otaria,  Callorkinus,  Eumetopias,  Zalophus,  and  Arcto- 
cepkalus ;  and  ROSMABID^:,  including  Rosmarus. 


ORDERS. 


VERTEBRATES  :    MAMMALS  —  Continued. 
FAMILIES.  Genera. 


ELEPHANTID/E 
or  ELEPHANT 
FAMILY. 

Elephas 
Mastodon 

or  Elephants. 
(Fossil.) 

RHINOCEROTID.K 

Rhinoceros 

or  Rhinoceroses. 

TAPIKID^  or 
TAPIR  FAMILY. 

Tapirus 

or  Tapirs. 

HYRACID^E. 

Hyrax 

or  Damans. 

O2 

SUHXE 
or 
HOG  FAMILY. 

Sus 
Phacocli&rus 
Dicotyles 

or  Wild  Boar,  &c. 
"   Wart-bearing  Hogs. 
"   Peccaries. 

M 

1 

HIPPOPOTAMID^E 

Hippopotamus 

or  "  River  Horse." 

W 

H 
B 

<1 

EQUID.K. 

Equus 

or  Horse,  Ass,  Zebra,  &c. 

J 

AH 

§ 

•< 
M 

CERVIDvE 

or 
DEEK  FAMILY. 

Alee 
Rangifer 
Cervus 

or  Moose  &  European  Elk. 
"    Reindeer  &  Caribou. 
"    Common  Deer,  Wapiti, 
Stag,  &c. 

HERBIVO 

ANTILOPID^E 
or 

lOLLOW-HORNED 

RUMINANT 
FAMILY. 

Antilope 
Antilocapra 
Aplocerus 
Cctpra 
Ovis 
Oribos 
Bos 

or  Antelopes. 
Pronghorn. 
Rocky  Mountain  Goat. 
Goats. 
Sheep. 
Musk  Ox. 
Oxen,  Buffaloes,  &c. 

CAMELOPARDAL- 

ID.B. 

Camelopardalis 

or  Giraffe. 

CAMELID^E. 

Camelus 
Auchenia 

or  Camels. 
"   Llamas. 

MOSCHID.E. 

Moschus 

or  Musk  Deer. 

• 

SIRENID^E. 

Manntus 
Balicore, 
Rytina 

or  Sea-Cows. 
"    Dusrong. 
"   Stellers. 

Ill 


[VERTEBRATES  :  MAMMALS  —  Continued.] 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


1 

MUTILATA  or  CETACEA  or 
WHALES,  &c. 

BAL.ENIIXE  or 
RIGHT  WHALE 
FAMILY. 

Balcena 
Balcenoptera 

or    Greenland      Whale,    or 
Right  Whale. 
"    Rorquals  or  Finners. 

PHYSETERID.E 
or 
CATODONTIDJE. 

Physter,  or  I 
Catodon       j 

or   Sperm  Whales. 

DELPHINID.E 
or 
DOLPHIN 
FAMILY. 

Beluya 

Globicephalus 
Plioccena 
Ddphinus 
Delphinorhyndtus 
Ddphinajptt/-us 
Soosoo 
Jnia 

or   White  Whale  or  White 
Grampus. 
"   Bottleheads. 
"    Porpoises  &  Grampuses. 
"    Dolphins. 
"   Beaked  Dolphins. 
"    Peron's  Dolphin. 
"   Soosoos  of  the  Ganges. 

MONODONTID^E. 

Monodon 

or  Narwhal. 

CHEIROPTERA  or  BATS, 

PTEROPODID.E  Or 

FRUGIVOROUS 
BAT  FAMILY. 

Pteropus 

or    Rousettes. 

MEGADERM- 
ATID.E  or 
HORSE-SHOE 
BAT-  FAMILY. 

Rhinowphus 
Meyadtrma 
Macrotus 
cfc. 

or   Horse-shoe  Bats. 
"  Megaderins. 

PHYLLOSTOM- 

ATID.E. 

PJiyllostoma 

or    Vampire  Bats. 

NOCTILIONID.E. 

Nyctinomus,  cf  c. 

or    Noctilios,  &c. 

VESPERTIL- 

IONID.E 

or 
COMMON  BAT 
FAMILY. 

Nycticejus 
Lasiurus 
Scolophilus 
Vespertilio 
Synotus 
Antrozous 

or  Red  and  Hoary  Bats. 
"    Carolina  Bat,  &c. 
"    Little  Brown  Bat,  &c. 
"   Big-eared  Bats. 
"   Pale  Bat. 

INSECTIVORA  or  INSECT- 
EATERS. 

DERMOPTERA. 

Galeopithecus 

or    Galeopithecus. 

SCANDENTIA. 

Cladubates,  $c. 

or    Banxrings. 

SORICID.E  or 
SHREW  FAMILY. 

Neowrex  &  Sorex  or    S]irew«. 
Blarina                    "    Mole  Shrews. 

TALPID.E 

or 
MOLE  FAMILY. 

Scalops 
Condylura 
Tdlpa 
Urotrichiis 
Chrysochloris 

or  Shrew  Moles.        - 
"   Star-nosed  Moles. 
"   European  Mole. 
"   Bulb-nosed  Mole. 
"   Golden-green  Moles. 

ACULEATA  or 
HEDGEHOG 
FAMILY. 

Erinnceus 
Centetes 

or    Hedgehogs. 
"    Teurecs. 

IV 


[VERTEBRATES  :  MAMMALS  —  Continued.} 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


SCIURID^E 

or 
SQUIRREL 
FAMILY. 

Sciwus                   or  True  Squirrels. 
Pteromys                 "   Flying  Squirrels. 
Tamias                     "    Striped  Squirrels. 
Spemwphilus           "    Spermophiles  or  Gophers. 
t'ynomys                   "    Prairie  Dogs. 
Arctomys                  "   Woodchucks  &  Marmots. 
Myoxus                    "    Dormice. 
Castor                       "    Beavers. 
Aplodantia                "   Sewellel. 

OS 

05 
W 

hi. 

SACCOMYIDJE  or 
POUCHED 
GOPHER 
FAMILY. 

nZf4fj          «    Pouched  Gopher, 
Dipodomys                "   Kangaroo  Rats. 
Peroynathus            "    Tuft-tailed  Mice. 

EODENTIA  or  GNAV 

MURID^E 
or 
RAT  FAMILY. 

Dipus                      or  Jerboas. 
Jaculus                    "   Ainer.  Jumping  Mouse. 
Gerbillus                 "   Gerbils. 
Jl/ws                         "   Rats. 
Cricelus                   "    Hamsters. 
Reithrodon              "   Harvest  Mice. 
Hesperomys              "    White-footed  Mice. 
Neotoma                  "   Wood  Rats. 
Sigmodon                 "    Cotton  Rats. 
Arvicola                   "   Field  Mice. 
Myodes                     "   Lemmings. 
Fi6er                        "    Muskrat. 

HYSTRICID^E 
or 
PORCUPINE 
FAMILY. 

Erelhizon&Hystrix  or  Porcupines. 
Dasyprocta,              "   Agoutis. 
Dolichotis                "   Putagonian  Cavies. 
Chinchilla                "   Chinchillas. 
C'at-irt                       "   Guinea  Pigs. 
Myopotamos             "   Couia. 
Hydrochcerus           "    Capybara. 

LEPORID^E. 

Lepus                      or  Hares  and  Rabbits. 
Lagomys                  "   Pikas. 

&<     £% 

BRADYPODA. 

Bradypus                or  Sloths. 
Megatherium,  Megalonyx,  <$•  Mylodon.    Extinct. 

Q<  CG'<; 
WH      WH 

EFFODIEXTA. 

Dasypus,  cfc.           or  Armadillos,  &c. 
Glyptodon                      (Extinct.) 
Myrmecnphaqa,  cfo."    Ant-eaters,  &c. 

,           3 

PHALANGISTIDJE. 

Phalangista,  <f  c.     or  Phalangers,  &c. 

s     3 

DASYURID.E. 

Dnsyurus,  <fc.          or  Bear  Opossums,  &c. 

£3  o3 

MACROPODID^E. 

Macrajjus,  cfc.          or  Kangaroos,  &c. 

5S«!    co 

•**         M 

PERAMELID^E. 

Peramtleso              or  Bandicots,  &c. 

S        <; 

DlDELPHID^E. 

Didelphys,  tfc.         or  Opossums,  &c. 

IS 

PlIASCOLOAIY- 

<c 

ID^:. 

Phascolomys            or  Wombat. 

MONO- 
TREMAT 

PLATYPUS  or 
DUCKBILL 
FAMILY. 

0°;?srtoi  «"  D«""x''- 

Echidna                    "    Porcupine  Ant-eater. 

THE   CLASS   OF  BIRDS. 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


VULTURID.E  OF 

Vultur 

or  Condor,  &c 

VULTURE 

Gypcetos 

"    Lgemmergver. 

FAMILY. 

Cathartes 

"   Korth  Amer.  Vultures,    j 

Fako 

or    Falcons. 

Astur 

"    Goshawk,  »Scc. 

Accipiler 

"   Cooper's  Hawk,  &c. 

Buteo 

"    Buzzards. 

^ 

Archibuteo 

"   Kough-legged  Hawk. 

« 

Asturina 

&H 

Nauclerus 

"    Swallow-tailed  Hawk. 

fei 

FALCONID/E 

Elanus 

"   White-tailed  Hawk. 

0 
t/2 

or 
FALCON  FAMILY. 

Ictinia 
Rostrhamus 

"    Mississippi  Kite. 
"    Black  Kite. 

Q 

Circus 

«'   Marsh  Hawk. 

M 

Aquila 

"   Golden  Eagle. 

s 

Halietus 

"    White-headed  and    Sea 

g 

Eagles. 

Pnndion 

"    Fish  Hawks. 

t/2 

w 

Polyborus 

"    Caracara  Eagle. 

PH 

o 

Craxirex 

H 

Strix 

or  Barn  Owls. 

<^ 

Bubo 

u   Great.  Horned  Owls. 

M 

Scops 

u    Screech  Owls. 

STRIGID.E 

Otus 
Bracliyotus 

"    Long-eared  Owls. 
"   Short-eared  Owls. 

or 
OWL  FAMILY. 

Syrnium 
Nyctale 

"    Gray  Owls. 
"    Sparrow  Owls. 

A  thene 

"    Burrowing  Owls. 

Glaucidium 

"    Pigmy  Owls. 

Surnia 

"    Da}'  Owls. 

PSITTACID.E. 

Conurus;  &c. 

or  Parrots. 

RHAMPHASTID.E. 

Rhamphastos 

or  Toucans. 

<g 

TROGONID^E. 

Trogon 

or  Trogons. 

w 

w 

CUCULID.E 

Crotophaga 

or  Black  Parrot  and  Ani. 

OQ 

or 

Geococcyx 

"   Road  Runner. 

£3 
J 

CUCKOO  FAMILY. 

Coccygiis 

"   Cuckoos. 

0 

y-t 

Campepkilus 

or  Ivory-billed    Woodpeck- 

0 

ers. 

in 

Picus 

"    Hairy  and  downy  Wood- 

a 

CV* 

peckers. 

PH 

o 
OQ 

PICID^E 

Picoides 

"    Three-toed     Woodpeck- 
ers. 

K 
< 

0 
co 

or 
WOODPECKER 
FAMILY. 

Sphyrapicus 
Hylatomus 

"   Yellow-bellied       Wood- 
pecker, &c. 
"    Black  Woodcock. 

Centurus 

"  Red-billed  Wood  p.,  &c. 

" 

Melanerpes 

"   Red-headed    Woodpeck- 

ers. 

1 

Colaptes 

"   Golden-winged  Wood  p. 

VI 


[VERTEBRATES:   BIRDS—  Continued.] 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


CO 

TROCHILID^E. 

Trocltilus,  $c. 

or    Humming-Birds. 

w 

P3 

CYPSELID^E. 

Qicetura,  tfc. 

or    Chimney  Swallows  and 

O 

Swifts. 

CO 

53 

Antrostomus 

or    Chuckwill's  Widow  and 

PH 

1^ 

CAPRIMULGID^E. 

Whippoorwills. 

Cfl 

Choi'deiles 

"   Night-Hawks. 

ALCEDINID.E. 

Ceryle 

or  King-fishers. 

PRIOXITID^E. 

Momotus 

or    Saw-Bills. 

co 

Pachyrhamplius 

or   Rose-throated  Flycatch- 

td 

ers. 

pa 

Milvulus 

"   Forked-tailed  Flycatch- 

o 

H 
^ 
" 

COLOPTERID^E 

Tyrannus 

ers. 
"   King-birds,  &c. 

or 
FLYCATCHER 

Myiarchus 

"   Great-crested  Flycatch- 
_   P  _ 

«1 
*3 

FAMILY. 

Sayornis 

ers,  &c. 
"  Phoebe  Bird  or  Pewee,&c 

O 

Contopus 

"   Wood  PeAvee,  &c. 

Empidonax 

"   Least  Flycatcher,  &c. 

Pyrocephalus 

"   Red  Flycatcher. 

CO 

Turdus 

or   Wood  &  Hermit  Thrush- 

C"H 

W 

es,  Robin,  &c. 

a 

TURDHXE 

Saocicola 

"   Stone  Chats. 

0 

g 

or 
THRUSH  FAMILY. 

Erythaca 
Sialia 

"   Robin  Redbreast. 
"   Blue-Birds. 

g 
g 

Reyulus 
Hydrobata 

"   Rubv-crowned  Wren,&c. 
"   Water  Ouzels. 

CO 

Philomela 

or  Nightingales. 

H 

Anthus 

"   Tit  Larks. 

H 

Neocorys 

"   Missouri  Skvlark. 

CO 

Mniotilla 

"   Black  &  White  Creepers. 

CO 

Parula 

"   Blue  Yellow-backed 

w 
CO 

Warblers. 

g 

Protonolaria 
Geothlypis 

"   Prothonotary  Warblers. 
"  Maryland  Yellow-throat, 
&c. 

g 

SYLVICOLID^E 

Oporornis 

"   Connecticut  Warbler,&c. 

£3 

or 

Icleria 

"   Chats. 

to 

WARBLER 

Helmitherus 

"    Worm-eating     Warbler, 

o 

FAMILY. 

&c. 

Hf  Iminihopliaga, 
Stiurm 

"   Golden-winged  Warbler. 
"   Golden-crowned  Thrush, 

&c. 

Dendroica 

"   Yellow-rumped  Warbler, 

Blackburn  ian,  &c. 

Myiodioctes 
Cardellina 

"   Hooded  Warbler,  &c. 
"   Vermilion  Flycatcher. 

Setophnga 

"   Redstarts. 

Pyranga 

"   Tanagers. 

HlRUNDINID.E   Or 

Hirundo 

or    Swallows. 

SWALLOW 

Cotyle 

"    Bank  Swallows. 

FAMILY. 

Profjne 

"   Purple  Martins. 

BOMBYCILLIDyE. 

Ampdis 
Myiadesles 

or  Wax-wings. 
"   Towrsend's  Flycatcher,  j 

VII 


[VERTEBRATES  :   BIRDS  —  Continued.] 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


1 

LANID^E. 

Collyrio 
Vireo 

"    Shrikes. 
"   Vireos. 

Mimus,  $c. 

or  Mocking  and  Cat  Birds. 

LlOTRICHID^E 

Harporhynchus 
Catherpes 

"   Brown  Thrushes. 
"   White-throated  Wren. 

or 
MOCKING-BIRD 
FAMILY. 

Salpinctes 
Thryothorus 
Cistothorus 

"   Rock  Wren. 
"   Gt.  Carolina  &  Bewick's. 
"   Long-billed  Marsh  Wren. 

Troglodytes 

"   House  Wren,  &c. 

CERTHIAD.E. 

Certliia 
Sitta 

or  Creepers. 
"  Nuthatches. 

PARID^E. 

Polioptila 
Lophophanes 

or  Blue  Gray  Flycatcher. 
"  Tufted  Titmice. 

Parus,  (f  c. 

"   Titmice. 

DACNIDIDJE. 

Certhiola 

or  Yellow-rumped  Creeper. 

ALAUDID^E. 

Eremophila 

or  Skylarks. 

^ 

Hesperiphona 

or  Evening  Grosbeaks. 

s 

Pinicola 

"   Pine  Grosbeaks. 

••s 

Carpodacus 

"   Purple  Finches. 

1 

Clirysomitris 

"   Goldfinches. 

>o 

Curvirostra 

"   Crossbills. 

1      ^ 

^Egiothus 

"   Red  Polls. 

CO        3 
M      •§ 

Leucosticte 

"    Gray-crowned  Finch. 

w    if 

ffi     r§ 

Plectrophanes,  cf  c 
Passerculus 

"    Snow  Buntings,  &c. 
"   Savannah  Sparrow,  &c. 

O 
C£         \ 

Pooecetes 

"   Grass  Finch. 

%  8 

FRINGILLIDJS 

Coturniculus 
Ammodromus 

"  Yellow-winged  Sparrow. 
"   Seaside  Finch,  &c. 

o     § 

or 

Chondestes 

"   Lark  Finch. 

co     3 

w    <« 

FINCH  and 
SPARROW 

Zonotrichia 
Junco 

"   White-crowned  Sparrow. 
"   Snow  Birds. 

«     0 

FAMILY. 

Poospiza 

"   Black-throated  Sparrow. 

o 

CO 

Spizella 

'   Tree  Sparrow,  &c. 

i 

CO 

Melospiza 
Peucaca 

"    Song  Sparrow,  &c. 
"   Bachman's  Finch,  &c. 

g 

Embernagra 

"   Texas  Finch. 

1—1 

Passerella 

"   Fox-colored  Sparrow, 

Calamospiza 

"   Lark  Bunting. 

Euspiza 

"  Black-throated  Bunting. 

Guiraca 

"    Grosbeaks. 

Cyanospiza,  tfc. 
Cardinalis.  cf  c. 

"   Indigo  Birds,  &c. 
"    Cardinal  Birds. 

Pipilo 

"    Ground  Robins. 

Dolichonyx 

or  Bobolinks. 

ICTERID.E 

Moloihrus 

"   Cow  Birds. 

or 

Agelaius,  $c. 

"   Blackbirds. 

BLACKBIRD 

Sturnella 

"   Larks. 

FAMILY. 

Icterus 

"   Orioles. 

Quiscalus 

"   Grakles. 

STURNID^E. 

Sturnus 

or  Starlings. 

CORVID^E 

Corvus,  $c. 

or  Ravens  and  Crows. 

or 

Pica 

"  Magpies. 

. 

CROW  FAMILY. 

Cynnura,  $c. 

«  Jays. 

vin 


[VERTEBRATES  :   BIRDS  —  Continued.] 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


COLUMBjE. 

COLUMBID^E 

or 
DOVE  FAMILY. 

Columba 
Ectopistes 
Ztnaida 
Melopelia 
Zenaidura 
Scardafella 
Chamcepelia 
Oreopeleia 
Starnoenas 

or  Doves. 
'   Wild  Pigeon. 
'    Zenaida  Dove. 
'    White-  winged  Dove. 
'    Carolina  Dove. 
'    Scaly  Dove. 
'    Ground  Dove. 
'   Key  West  Dove. 
"   Blue-headed  Pigeon. 

CO 

GOURID^E. 

Goura 

or  Crown  Pigeons. 

w 

53 

PENELOPID.E. 

Ortalida 

or  Chiacalacca. 

0 

H 

MEGAPODID^E. 

or  Mound  Birds. 

< 

M 
0 
(X! 

g 

CO        ,? 

PHASIANHXE 
or 
PHEASANT 
FAMILY. 

Meleagris 
Pavo 
Numida 
Gallus 
Phasianus 

or  WTild  Turkeys. 
"   Peacocks. 
"   Guinea  Fowl. 
"   Domestic  Cock,  &c. 
"   Pheasants. 

RASORE 
GALLING 

TETRAONIDvE 

or 
GROUSE  FAMILY. 

Tetrao 
Centrocercus 
Pediocetes 
Citpidonia 
Bonasa 
Logopus 

or  Spruce  Partridge,  &c. 
"   Cock  of  the  Plains. 
"    Sharp-tailed  Grouse. 
"   Prairie  Chicken. 
"   Ruffed  Grouse. 
"   Ptarmigans. 

PERDICHXE 
or 
PARTRIDGE 
FAMILY. 

Ortyx 
Oreortyx 
Lophortyx 
Callipepla 
Cyrtonyx 
Perdix 
Coturnix 

or  Partridge  or  Quail. 
"   Plumed  Partridge. 
"    California  Quail. 
"   Blue  Partridge. 
"   Massena  Partridge. 
"   Europ'n  Gray  Partridge. 
"   European  Quail. 

1  CO 

ww 

DM 

oo 

co 

STRUTHIONID^E 
or 
OSTRICH 
FAMILY. 

Struthio 
Rhea 
Casuarius 
Apteryx 

or  Ostriches. 
41   South  American  Ostrich. 
"   Cassowaries. 

OTIDvE. 

Otis 

or  Bustards. 

co 

GRUID^E. 

Grus 

or  Cranes. 

W 

AKAMID.E. 

Aramus 

or  Courlans. 

RALLATORES  or  WAL 
HERODIONES. 

ARDEID^E 
or 
HERON  FAMILY. 

Demigretta 
Garzetta 
Herodias 
Ardea 
Audubonia 
Florida 
Ardetta 
Botaurus 
Butorides 
Nyctiardea 
Nyciherodius 

or  Egrets. 
'*   Snowy  Herons. 
"    White  Herons. 
"   Great  Blue  Herons. 
"   Great  White  Herons. 
"   Blue  Herons. 
"   Least  Bittern. 
"   Stake  Drivers. 
"   Green  Heron. 
"   Night  Heron. 
"   Yellow-crowned  Heron. 

O 

CANCROMID^E. 

Cancroma 

or  Boat-Bills. 

IX 


ORDERS. 


[VERTEBRATES :   BIRDS  —  Continued.] 
FAMILIES.  Genera. 


)            *s 

1 

ClNCONID.-K. 

Clnconia 
Jabiru 

or  Storks. 

1 

TAJS-TALID^E. 

Tantalus 
Ibis 

or  Ibises. 
k'    Scarlet  Ibis,  &c. 

O 

PLATALEID^E. 

Plataha 

or  Spoonbills. 

O 
1 

PHCENICOP- 

TERID^E. 

Phoenicopterus 

or  Flamingo. 

CHARADRID^E 

Charadrius 

or  Golden  Plover. 

or 

sEyialitis 

"   Kill-deer,  &c. 

>d 

PLOVER  FAMILY. 

Squatarola 

"  Black-bellied  Plover. 

1 

HJEMATOPOD- 

Hcematopus 

or  Oyster-catchers. 

| 

ID^E. 

Strepsilas 

"   Turnstones, 

6 

I 

RECURVIROS- 

Recurvirostra 

or  Avosets. 

8 

w 

TRID.E. 

Himantopus 

"   Stilts. 

p 

•< 

PHALAROPID/E. 

Phalaropus 

or  Phalaropes. 

b 

O 

Philoliela 

or  Woodcocks. 

W 

Gallinago 

"   Snipes. 

M 

Macrorhamphus 

u        i< 

O 

Tringa 

"   Sandpipers. 

H 

Catidris 

"   Sanderling. 

J      (3 

Ereuntes 

"   Semi-palmated  Sandpip 

<3      J 
PH       J 

0     <J 

SCOLOPACID^5 

Micropalma 
Symphemia 

ers. 
"   Stilt  Sandpipers. 
"   Willets. 

M 

or 

G'lotlis 

"   Greenshanks. 

O 

SNIPE  FAMILY. 

Gambetta 

"   Yellow-legs. 

Rhyacophilus 
Heteroscelus 
Tringoides 
Philomachus 

"   Solitary  Sandpiper. 
44    Wandering  Tatler. 
"   Spotted  Sandpiper. 
"   Ruff. 

Actiturus 

"   Field  Plover. 

Tryngites 
Limosa 

"   Buff-breasted  Sandpiper. 
"    Godwits. 

Numenius 

"   Curlews. 

Ralhis 

or  Rails. 

RALLIIXK 

Porzana 

"   Sora  Rails. 

or 

Crex 

"    Corn  Crakes. 

RAIL  FAMILY.  ;J 

Fulica 

"   Coots. 

Gallinula 

"   Gallinules. 

[VERTEBRATES  :   BIRDS—  Continued.] 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


Cygnus 

or  Swans. 

Anser 

"   White-fronted  Goose. 

Bernicla,  cf  c. 

"   Wild  Goose,  &c. 

Anas 

"   Mallard,  &c. 

Dafila 

"  Pintail. 

Nettion 
Querquedula 

"   Green-winged  Teals, 
"   Blue-winged  Teals,  &c. 

Spatula 

"   Shoveller. 

Chaulelasmus 

"   Gadwall. 

Mareca 

"   Widgeons. 

CO 

Aix 

"   Wood  Duck. 

ANATID.E 

Fulix 
Ay  thy  a 

"   Scaup  Ducks. 
"   Canvas-Back  and   Red- 

CO 

1 

DUCK  FAMILY. 

BucepTiala 
Histrionicus 

Head. 
"    Golden-eye  and  Dipper. 
"   Harlequin  Duck. 

Harelda 

"    Longtail. 

Camptolcemus 

"   Labrador  Ducks. 

Melanetta 
Pelionetta 

"    White-winged  Coot. 
"   Sea  Coot. 

CO 

Oidemia 

"   Scoter. 

M 

Somateria,  $c. 

"   Eider  Ducks. 

*s 

Erismatura 

"   Ruddy  Ducks. 

H 

Mergus 

"   Sheldrakes. 

5 

Lophodytes 
Mergellus 

"  Hooded  Merganser. 
"   Smew. 

g 

PELECANID^E. 

Pelecanw 

or  Pelicans. 

CO 

SULID-E. 

Sula 

or  Gannets. 

1 

TACHYPETID^E. 

Tachyjjetes 

or  Man  of-  War-Bird. 

H 

PHALACROCOR- 

Graculus 

or  Cormorants. 

H 

ACID^E. 

PLOTID.E. 

Plotus 

or  Snake-Bird. 

PH^TONID^:. 

Phceton 

or  Tropic  Bird. 

M 

PROCELLARID^E 

Diomedea 
Procellaria 

or  Albatrosses. 
"   Fulmar  Petrels. 

O' 

or 
PETREL  FAMILY. 

Thalia  sidroma 
Puffinus 

"    Stormy  Petrels. 
"   Shearwaters. 

LARID^E 

Stercorarius 
Larus,  $c. 

or  Jagers  or  Skua  Gulls. 
"   Gulls. 

GULL  FAMILY. 

Sterna,  $c. 
Rhynchops 

"   Terns. 
"   Black  Skimmers. 

Colymbus 

or  Divers. 

COLYMBID^E. 

Podiceps 

"    Grebes. 

Podylimbus 

"   Pied  Grebe. 

Aka 

or  Auks. 

ALCID^E 

Aplenoclytes 

-"   Penguins. 

or 

Mormon 

"   Puffins. 

AUK  FAMILY. 

Uria 

•'   Guillemots. 

Mergulus 

"   Sea-Dove  or  Dove-Kie. 

XI 


THE   CLASS   OF  REPTILIA  OR  REPTILES. 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


TESTUDINATA  or  T.UBTLES. 

CHELO-IAMYDJS  or  FRESH-  WATER  AND  LAND  TURTLES. 
Nil. 

TESTUDIXINA  or 
LAND  TORTOISE 
FAMILY. 

Xerobates 
Testudo 

or  Gophers. 
"  Galapago  Tortoise,  and 
European  Tortoise. 

EMYDOID^E 
or 
TERRAPIN  FAM- 
ILY. 

Plychemys 
Trachemys 
Graptemys 
Mala  coclemmys 
Chrysemys 
Deirochdys 
Emys 
Nanemys 
Calemys 
Glyptemys 
Actinemys 
Cistudo 

or  Red-bellied  Terrapin. 

Map  Turtles. 
Salt-water  Terrapins. 
Painted  Turtles. 
Reticulated  Turtles. 
Blanding's  Tortoise. 
Speckled 
Miihlenberg's  Tortoise. 
Wood 

"  Box  Turtles. 

ClNOSTERNOID^E. 

Aromochelys  or    ; 
Ozotheca               J 
Tliyrosternum 

or  Musk  Tortoise.        r,   . 
"  Cinosternum  or  Mud  Tor- 

CHELYDROID^E. 

Macroclemmys 
Chelydra 

or  Alligator  Turtle. 
"  Snapping     " 

HYDRASPID^. 

Hydraspis 

of  South  America. 

CHELYOID/E. 

Chelys 

or  Matamata,  of  S.  America. 

TRIONYCHID^E. 

Platypellis 
Amyda  and  Aspid* 

or  Soft-shelled  Turtles. 
ynectes. 

CHELONIOIIXE  or 
LOGGERHEAD 
FAMILY. 

Chelonia 
Eretmochelys 
Thallassochelys 

or  Green  Turtles. 
"  Hawk-bill  Turtles. 
"  Loggerheads. 

SPHARGIDID.*:. 

Sphargis 

or  Leather-backed  Turtles. 

ii 

B| 

Iguanodon 
Hylceosaurus 
Megalosaurus 

(Fossil.) 

6§ 

0<5 
«      %3 

§  §s 

Alligator 
Crocodilus 
Gavialis 
Cetiosaurus 
Teleosaurus 

or  Alligators. 
"  Crocodiles. 
"  Gavials. 
(Fossil.) 

u 

SAURIA  or  SAURI 

ENALIO-!  LACER- 
SAURS.  |  TIANS. 

Thecodontosaurus,  Palceosaurus,  Proterosaurus, 
and  Mososaurus  (all  Fossil). 
Ameiva                   or  Striped  Lizards. 
Iguana,  tfc.             "  Iguanas,  Monitors,  Green 
Lizards,  Horned  Toads, 
Geckos,      Chameleons, 
Skinks,  &c. 

Ichthyosaurus 
Plesiosaurus 

(Fossil.) 

O05 

M« 

wt> 

H-< 

d-Cfl 

Pterodactyl 

(Fossil.) 

XII 


[VERTEBRATES :  REPTILES  —  Continued.} 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


BOID.E. 

Boa 
Python 

or  Boas  and  Anacondas. 
"  Pythons. 

Eutania 

or  Striped  Snakes. 

Nerodia 

"  Water         " 

Reyina 

Heterodon 

4'  Hog-nose    " 

Pituophis 

"  Pine           " 

Scotoplds 

Ophiobolus 

44  Chain  Snakes  and  Chick- 

CO 

COLUBRIDvE 

en  Snakes. 

H 

or 

Georgia 

44  Indigo  Snakes. 

W 

COLUBER 

Bascanion 

44  Black         " 

P5 

FAMILY. 

Masticophis 
Leptojmt 

44  Coach-whip  Snakes. 
44  Southern  Green   *' 

CO 

Chlorosoma 

44  Northern  Green  *' 

o 

• 

Diadophis 
Rhinostoma 

44  Ring-necked        44 
41  Scarlet                 44 

3 

Rhinocheilus 

Q 

Haldea  ^ 

44  Brown                  " 

3 

Farancia,  $c. 

41  Horn                      44      &c. 

0 

CROTALID^E 

C'rotalus 

or  Rattlesnakes. 

or 

Crotalophorus 

44  Prairie  Rattlesnakes. 

RATTLESNAKE 

Ancistrodon 

44  Copperheads. 

FAMILY. 

Toxicopbis 

14  Water  Moccasins. 

VIPERID.E. 

Viptra 

or  Vipers  of  the  Old  World. 

ELAPID^E.* 

Elaps 
Naia 

or  Harlequin  Snakes. 
44  Cobra,  Haje,  &c. 

HYDROPHID.E. 

Hydrophis 

or  Venomous  Water  Snakes 
of  the  Old  World. 

THE  CLASS  OF  BATEACHIA  OR  BATRACHIAXS. 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


°^i 

ccK 

-<wo  • 
&»!<'£. 
^d«5 

O^H^3 
^^ 
<~    CQ 

RANID^E  or 
FROG  FAMILY. 

Rana 

or  Frogs  proper. 

HYLOID^E. 

Hiila 
Hylodes 

or  Tree-Frogs  or  Tree-Toads. 
"  Cricket-Frogs. 

BUFONID-E   Or 

TOAD  FAMILY. 

Bufo 
Scaphiophus 

or  Toads. 
"  Toad  -Frog. 

URODOLA 
or 
TAILED  BA- 
TRACH1ANS. 

SALAMAXDRIU.E 
or   SALAMANDER 
FAMILY. 

Salamandra    and 
many  other  genera 

or  Salamanders  &  Tritons. 

AMPHUMID.B. 

Ampliiuma 
Menopoma 

or  Congo  Snake. 
"  Hell-bender. 

SlRENID.E 

or 
SIREN  FAMILY. 

Siren 
Menobranchus 
Siredon 
Proteus 

or  Sirens. 
"  Mud-Puppies. 
"  Axolotl. 

A  POD  A  or 
FOOTLESS 
RATRA- 
CHIAXS. 

C^ECILIID^E. 

Ccedlia           \ 

or  Csecilians,  Blind-worms. 

XIII 


THE   CLASS   OF  FISHES.* 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


SELACHI  or  SELACHIANS  or  PLAGIOSTOMI. 

SQUALI  or  SHARKS.  RALE  or  RAYS  or 
SKATES. 

[  CEPHALOPTER- 
ID,E. 

Cephaloptera,  $c. 

or  Vampires,  &c. 

MYLIOBATID.E. 

Myliobates,  $c. 

or  Sea-Eagles,  &c. 

TBTOOHID^B. 

Trygon,  $c. 

or  Sting  Rays,  &c. 

RAIID^E. 

Raia,  $c. 

or  Rays  or  Skates  proper. 

TORPEDINID^E. 

Torpedo,  cf  c. 

or  Electric  Rays. 

RHINOBATID^E. 

Rhinobatus,  <fc. 

or  Rhinobats. 

PRISTID/E. 

Pristis 

or  Saw-Fish. 

ZYG^ENID^E. 

Zygcena 

or  Hammerhead  Shark." 

SQUATISID^E. 

Squalina 

or  Monk  Fish. 

SCYMNID^E. 

Scymnus,  cfc. 

or  Nurse  or  Sleeper,  &c. 

SPINACID.E. 

Acanthias,  cj"-c. 

or  Spined  Dog-Fish,  &c. 

NOTIDANID.E. 

Hexanchus,  tf-c. 

RHINODCXNTIDxE. 

Rhinodon 

CESTRACION- 

TIDJE. 

Cestracion 

or  Cestracionts. 

ALOPECIIP.E. 

Alopecias 

or  Thresher  Shark. 

LAMNID^E. 

Lamna 
Selachug 

or  Mackerel  Shark. 
"  Basking     or     Elephant 
Shark. 

GALEID.E. 

Mustelus,  $c. 

or  Topes  and  Hounds. 

CHARCARID.E. 

Carcharias 

or  White       Shark,       Gray 
Shark,  &c. 

SCYLLIDJE. 

Scyllium 

or  Dog-Fishes. 

t 

GANOIDEIor 
GANOIDS. 

STURIONIDvE. 

Accipenser,  fyc. 

or  Sturgeons. 

AMIID.B. 

Amia 

or  Mud-Fishes. 

POLYPTBUID^E. 

Polypterus 

or  Polypterus  of  the  Nile. 

LEPIDOSTEID^E. 

Lepidosteus 

or  Gar-Pikes. 

.     °£~ 
S££S« 
-33*° 

SYGNATHID^;. 

Si/gnathus,  cfc. 
Hippocampus,  c/c. 

or  Pipe-Fishes,  &c. 
"  Sea-Horses,  &c. 

P  EG  A  SID  /E. 

Pegasus 

or  Flying-Horses. 

TELEOS' 
BONY  FI 

PLECTO- 
GNATHI. 

DlODONTID.-E. 

Diodon 
Tetraodon 
Orihayoriscus 

or  Puffers. 

it        a 

"  Sun-Fish. 

OSTRACIONID.E.  !  Osfrctcion,  $c. 

or  Trunk-Fish,  &c. 

BALISTID.K.         Balisfes,  <fc. 

or  File-Fishes. 

*  The  classification  here  adopted  is  essentially  that  of  Miiller,  as  modified  by  Owen, 
and  is  taken  from  the  Encyclopaedia  Britannica. 

t  Owen  places  here  Chimaeridas  and  Sirenidae,  the  latter  represented  by  the  Lepido- 
siren. 


XIV 


^VERTEBRATES :  FISHES—  Continued.] 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


TELEOSTEI  or  BONY  FISHES—  Continued. 

ACANTHOPTERI  or  SPINE-FINNED  FISHES. 

. 

LOPHIID^E. 

Lophius 
Ckeironectes 
Batrachus 

or  Angler. 
"  Hand  Fishes. 
"  Toad       " 

BLENNIID.E. 

Blennius 
Zoarces 
Anai'richas,  cfc. 

or  Blennies. 
"  Eel-Pout. 
"  Wolf-Fish,  &c. 

GOBIID^E. 

Gobius,  cfc. 
Cyclopterus 

or  Gobies,  &c. 
"  Lump-Fish. 

AULOSTOMID^E. 

Fistularia,  (j-c. 

or  Flute-mouths. 

TEUTHYDID^E. 

Acanthurus,  (fc. 

or  Lancet-Fish,  &c. 

T^ENIID^. 

Trachypterus,  $t 

.  or  Ribbon-Fish. 

CH^ETODONTID^E. 

Chcetodon,  cfc. 

or  Chgetodonts. 

ZEID.E. 

Zeus,  $c. 

or  Dories,  &c. 

SCOMBRID.E 
or 
MACKEREL  FAM- 
ILY. 

Scomber 
Thynnus 
Xiphias 
Pelamys 
Naucrates 
Temnodon 
Gn^yphcena,  cfc. 

or  Mackerels  proper. 
"  Tunnies. 
"  Sword-Fish. 
"  Skip-Jack. 
"  Pilot-Fish. 
"  Blue-Fish. 
"  Dolphins,  &c. 

ATHERINID^E. 

Atherina 

or  Silversides. 

MUGILIIXE. 

Mugil,  c/c. 

or  Mullets. 

LABYRYNTHI- 
BRANCHID.E. 

Andbas,  c/c. 

or  Climbing  Perch,  &c. 

SPARID^E. 

Sargus 
Pagrus,  $c. 

or  Sheepshead. 
"  Scupaug  or  Porgee,  &c. 

— 

Otolithus,  c/-c. 
Corvina 
Umbrina 
Pogonias,  cfc. 

or  Weak-Fish. 
"  LakQ  Sheepshead. 
41  King-Fish. 
"  Drums,  &c. 

TRIG  LID.  E  or 

SCLEROGEN- 

ID^E,  &c.  or 
SCULPIN  FAM- 
ILY, &c. 

Trigla 
Prlonotus 
Dactylopterus 
Cottus 
Hemitripterus 
Scorpcena 
Gasterosteus,  cfc. 

or  Gurnards. 
"  Sea-Robins. 
"  Sea-Swallows. 
"  Sculpins. 
"  Sea-Raven. 
"  Sea-Scorpion. 
"  Sticklebacks,  &c. 

MULLID.E. 

Mullus,  cfc. 

or  Surmullets. 

POLYNKMID^E. 

Polynemus,  <fc. 

or  Paradise  Fish,  &c. 

THERAPONID^E. 

Pomotis 
Boleosoma,  cfc. 

or  Breams. 
"  Darters,  &c. 

PERCID.E. 

Perca 
Lo.brox,  cfc. 

or  Perch  proper. 
"  Bass,  &c. 

URANOSCOPID.E. 

Uranoscopus,  cfc. 

or  Star-  Gazers,  &c. 

XV 


ORDERS. 


[VERTEBRATES  :  FISHES  -  Continued.] 
FAMILIES.  Genera. 


& 

P  LE  URON  E  CTID^E. 

Platessa 
ffippoglossus 
Rhombus  <$•  I 
Solea,  $c.     / 

or  Flounders. 
"  Halibuts. 

"  Turbots  and  Soles,  &c. 

w 

ECHENEIDID  35. 

Echeneis 

or  Remora. 

ANACAN1 

GADID^E 

or 
COD  FAMILY. 

Morrhua 
Merlangus 
Merluccius 
Lota 
Brosmius 
Phycis.  $c. 

or  Cods  and  Haddock. 
'  Pollack. 
'  Whiting. 
'  Burbot. 
'  Cusk. 
'  Hake,  &c. 

OPHIDID^E. 

Ophidia 

or  Serpent-form  Fishes. 

Q 

AMBIOTOCID.E. 

Ambiotoca 

*        §§ 

§   £^ 

LABKID^E. 

Ctenolabrus 
Tautoga,  tfc. 

or  Conners. 
or  Tautog,  &c. 

•1   ^S 

a  ^° 
i 

SCOMBEKESO- 
CID.E. 

Belone 
Scomberesox,  cfc. 
Exoccetus 

or  Gar-Fishes. 
"  Bill-Fishes,  &c. 
"  Flying-Fishes. 

03 

GONIODONTID.E. 

Goniodontes 

or  Goniodonts. 

W 

w 

0a 

SlLURID/E. 

Silurus,  tfc. 
Pimelodus,  $c. 

or  Silurus,  &c. 
"  Cat-Fishes. 

N 
>* 

CYPRINID^E. 

Cyprinus,  (fc. 
Leudscus,  $c. 

or  Carps  proper,  &c. 
u  Dace,  Shiners,  &c. 

K 
O 

CATOSTOMID.E. 

Catostomus 

or  Suckers. 

PQ 

ESQCIDzE. 

Esox 

or  Pike  and  Pickerel. 

8 

3 

CYPRINODON- 

TID.E. 

Fundulus  cf 
ffydrargyra.tfc. 

or  Mummachogs,  &c. 

H 

C/2 

MORMYRID.E. 

Mormyrus. 

g  s 

ELOPID.E. 

Elops 

or  Silver-Fish. 

1      H 

CLUPESOCID.E. 

Notopterus,  t}c. 

or  Herring-Pikes. 

g       OH 
r-1      Q 

SCOPELID.E. 

Scopelus,  $c. 

0 

CHARACINID.E. 

Salminus,  $c. 

or  Salmon-like  Fishes. 

•«5 
ij 

SALMONID^B. 

Salmo,  (j-c. 

or  Salmon,  Trout,Smelts,&c. 

< 
X 

CLUPEID^E. 

Clupea 
Alausa,  tfc. 

or  Herring*  Pilchards,  &c. 
"  Shad,  Alewives,  &c. 

APH  RODEIRID.E. 

or  L.  Ponchartrain  Fishes. 

HETEROPYGII. 

Amblyopsis 

or  Blind-Fish. 

GYMNOTin.E. 

Gymnotus,  $c. 

or  Electric  Eels. 

OPHISURID.E. 

Ophisurtts,  cfc 

or  Snake-tailed  Eels. 

COXGERID^E. 

Conger 

or  Conger  Eels. 

ANGUILLID.E. 

Anguilla 

or  Common  Eels. 

MUR.ENIU.E. 

Murcena,  cfc. 

or  Roman  Muraena. 

SYNBRANCHID.E. 

or  Eel-like  Fishes. 

XVI 


ORDERS. 


[VERTEBRATES  :  FISHES  —  Continued.] 
FAMILIES.  Genera. 


DERMOPTERI. 

LEPTOCEPHALID.E. 

Leptocephalus 

or  Slender-heads. 

PETROMYZONT- 

ID.E. 

Petromyzon 

or  Lampreys. 

MYXINID.E. 

Myxine 

or  Hag. 

AMJMOC.ETID.E. 

Ammoc&tes 

or  Mud-Lampreys. 

AMPHIOXID^E. 

Branch  iostoma 

or  Amphioxus. 

THE  BRANCH   OF   ARTICULATA,   OR  ARTICULATES. 
THE   CLASS   OF  INSECTA,  OR  INSECTS. 


INSECTS  PROPER. 

LEPIDOPTERA  or  1  HYMENOPTERA  or  BEES,  WASPS,  &c. 
BUTTERFLIES  and  MOTHS.  | 

APIAKIE 
or 
APID/E. 

Apis 
Bombus 
Xylocopha,  <fc. 

or  Hive  Bee. 
"  Humble-Bees. 
"  Carpenter  Bees,  &c. 

VESPARI.E  or 
VESPID.E. 

Vespa 
Polisies,  $c. 

or  Wasps  and  Hornets. 
"  Wasps. 

CRABROSID.E. 

Crabro,  $c. 

or  Wood-  Wasps,  &c. 

BEMBECID.E. 

Bembex,  $c. 

SPHEGID.-E. 

Sphex,  $c. 

or  Mud  Wasps. 

SCOLIET^E. 

Scolia,  cf  c. 

FORMICARI.E. 

Formica,  <$*c. 

or  Ants. 

CHRYSIDID.E. 

Chrysis,  cfc. 

or  Golden  Wasps. 

P  RO  CTOTRUPID.E. 

Platygaster,  $c. 

or  Egg-Parasites. 

CHALCIDID-E. 

Chalets,  $c. 

ICHNEUMONID^E. 

Ichneumon 

or  Ichneumons. 

EVANIALES. 

Evania,  $c. 

CYNIPSERA. 

Cynips,  cf  c. 

or  Gall  Flies. 

UROCERATA. 

Tremex,  cf  c. 

or  Boring-Siuv  Flies. 

TENTHREDI- 

NET^E. 

Selandria,     1 
Cimbex,  cf  c.  ) 

or  Rose  &  Elm  Saw-Flies,  &c. 

PAPILIONID.E. 

Papilio,  cf  c. 

or  Papilio  Butterflies,  &c. 

PIERID.E. 

Pieris 

Colias 

or  White  Butterfly. 
"  Yellow         " 

NYMPHALID.E. 

Limenitis,  Danais, 

Argynnis,  cfc. 

SATYRID^E. 

Satyrus,  cfc. 

or  Hipparchians,  &c. 

LYC.ENID.E. 

C  hrysopkanus,  cf  c. 

or  Copper  Butterflies,  &c. 

HESPERID.E,  &c. 

Hesperia,  cf  c. 

or  Skipper  Butterflies. 

SPHINGID.E. 

Sphinx,  cf  c. 

or  Hawk-Moths,  &c. 

^EGERID^:. 

Trochilium,  cf  c. 

or  Peach-tree  Borers,  &c. 

ZYG^ENID^E. 
BOMBYCID.E. 

Eudryas,  cf  c. 

or  Wood  Nymphs,  &c. 

Bombyx,Telen,tfc.or  Silk-  Worm  Moths. 

NoCTUELIT.E. 

Ayroiis,  cfc. 

or  Dart-Moths,  &c. 

PHAL.ENID.E. 

Geometra,  cfc. 

or  Geometers,  Canker- 
worms,  &c. 

PYRALID.E.  « 

Pyralis,  cfc. 

or  Meal-Moth,  &c. 

TORTRICID.E. 

Penlhina,  cfc. 

or  Apple-worm  Moth,  &c. 

TlNElD.E. 

Tinea,  cfc. 

or  Clothes  Moths,  &c. 

PTEROPHORII. 

Pterophoms 

or  Fen-ther-winged  Moths 

XVII 


[ARTICULATES:  INSECTS  —  Continued.} 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


DIPTERA  or  FLIES,  &c. 

CULICID.E 

Culex,  cfc. 

or  Gnats,  Mosquitoes,  &c. 

TIPULARLE. 

Ceidomyia,  i 
Tipula,  $c.  \ 

or  Hessian  Fly,  &c. 

TABANID.E. 

Tabanus 

or  Horse  Flies. 

ASILICI. 

Asilus 

or  Asilus  Flies. 

BOMBYLIARII. 

Bombylius 

or  Bee  Flies. 

SYRPHID.E. 

Syrphus,  cfc. 

or  Syrphus  Flies. 

DOLICHOPID.E. 

Dolichopus 

or  Long-legged  Flies. 

(ESTRnXE. 

Gasterophilus,  \ 
(Estrus,  cfc.    J 

or  Bot  Flies. 

MUSCID.E. 

il/wsca,  c/c. 

or  House  Flies,  &c. 

HIPPOBOSCID.E. 

Hippobosca,  cfc. 

or  Spider  Flies. 

PULICID^E. 

Pulex 

or  Fleas. 

INSECTS  PROPER  —  Continued. 
COLEOPTERA  or  BEETLES. 

ClCINDELID.E. 

Cicindela 

or  Tiger  Beetles. 

CARABID.E. 

Calasoma,  cfc. 

or  Caterpillar  Hunters. 

DYTICHXE. 

Dyiicus 

or  Water  Beetles. 

GYRINID.E. 

Gyrinus 

or  Whirligig  Beetles. 

HYDROPHILID.E. 

Hydrophilus 

or  Water-loving  Beetles. 

SILPHID.E. 

Silplia 

or  Carrion  Beetles. 

STAPHYLIXID.E. 

Staphylinus 

or  Rove  Beetles. 

HISTERID.E. 

Hister 

or  Mimic  Beetles. 

DERMESTID.E. 

Dermestes 

or  Skin  Beetles. 

BYRRHID.E. 

Byrrhus 

LUCANID.E. 

Liicanus 

or  Horn-Bugs. 

SCARABJEID^E. 

Copris 
Geotrupes 
Macrodactylus 
Lachrtosterna,  cf 

or  Tumble  Beetles. 
"  Earth-borers. 
"  Rose-chafers. 
?.  "  May  Beetles,  &c. 

BUPRESTID^E. 

Buprestis 

or  Buprestians. 

ELATERID^E. 

Elater 

or  Snap  or  Spring  Beetles. 

LAMPYRID.E. 

Lampyris 

or  Fire-Flies  or  Glow-worms. 

MALACHHXE. 

CLERHXE. 

Clerus 

or  Bee-destroyers. 

LYMEXII.LID.E. 

Lymexylon 

or  Wood-destroyers. 

PTIXID.E. 

Anobius,  cfc. 

or  Death-  Watches,  &c. 

TENEBRIONHXE. 

Tenebrio 

or  Meal-worms. 

MORDELLID^;. 

Mordella 

MELOID.E. 

Canlhctris,  cfc. 

or  Cantharides. 

STYLOPID.E. 

Stylops,  cfc. 

or  Bee-Parasites. 

CURCULIONID.E. 

Curculio,  cfc. 

or  Curculios  or  Weevils. 

CERAMBYCID.E. 

Prionus,  cfc. 

or  Capricorn  Beef|p=. 

CHRYSOMELID.E. 
COCCINELMD.E. 

Chrysomela,  cfc. 

or  Chrysomelans,  &c. 

Cocdnella 

or  Lady-Birds. 

XVIII 


[ARTICULATES:  INSECTS—  Continued.] 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


2MIPTERA  or 
DAS,  BUGS,  &c. 

ClCADARI^E. 

Cicada 

or  Cicadas  or  Harvest  Flies. 

FULGORID.E. 

Fulyora 

or  Lantern-Flies. 

CERCOPID^E. 

Membracis 

or  Tree-Hoppers. 

APHID  M. 

Aphis 

or  Plant-Lice. 

COCCID^E. 

Coccus 

or  Bark  -Lice,  Cochineal,  &c. 

NOTONECTID^E. 

Notonecta 

or  Boat  Flies. 

NEPID.E. 

Nepa 

or  Scorpion-Bugs. 

HYDROMETRID^E. 

Gerris 

or  Water-Measurers. 

INSECTS  PROPER—  Continued. 

ORTHOPTERA  or  1  II] 
GRASSHOPPERS,  &c.  |  CICA 

COREID^E. 

Coreus,  $c. 

or  Squash-Bug,  &c. 

THRIPSID^E. 

Tiirips 

ClMICID^E. 

Cimex 

or  Bed-  Bug. 

PEDICULID^E. 

Ptdiculus,  $c. 

or  Lice. 

FORFICULID.E. 

Forficula 

or  Earwigs. 

BLATTARI.E. 

Blatta 

or  Cockroaches. 

PHASMIDA. 

Diaphomera,  $c. 

or  Walking-stick,  &c. 

MANTIDJS. 

Mantis 

or  Mantis. 

GRYLLIDES. 

Gryllus,  cf  c. 

or  Field  Crickets,  &c. 

LOCUSTARLE. 

Cyrtophyllus,  cfc. 

or  Katydid,  &c. 

ACRYDII. 

Caloptenus,  <$c. 

or  Red-legged  Locust,  &c. 

THYSANOURA. 

Lepisma,  cfc. 

or  Spring-tails. 

NEUROPTERA  or 
DRAGON-FLIES,  &c. 

TERMITID^S. 

Termites 

or  Termites. 

PSOCID^E. 

Atropos 

or  Book-Louse,  &c. 

PERLARI^E. 

Perla,  $c. 

or  Stone-Flies. 

EPHEMERID^E. 

Ephemera 

or  May-Flies. 

ODONATA. 

Agrion,           \ 
jfcschna,  $c.  j 

or  Dragon-Flies. 

SlALID^E. 

Coi-ydalis,  $c. 

or  Corydalis,  &c. 

HEMEROBINI. 

Hemerobius,  <fc. 

or  Lace-wings. 

PHRYGA^IDJE. 

Neuronia,  cf  c. 

or  Caddice  Flies. 

ARACHNIDA 

or 
SPIDERS,  &c. 

ARANEID^E. 

Lycosa,  tfc. 

or  True  Spiders. 

PKDIPALPI. 

Buthus,  c/c. 

or  Scorpions. 

PSEUDO- 
SCO  RPIONES. 

Chelifer,  cf  c. 

or  Book  Spiders,  &c. 

PHALANGITA. 

or  Daddy-long-legs. 

ACARINA. 

Trombidium,  c/c. 

or  Velvet-red  Mites,  &c. 

MYRIAPODA 
or 
CENTIPEDES. 

GLOMERIDJE. 

Glomeris 

JULID^E. 

Julus 

or  Galley-  Worm. 

POLYDESMID.E 

Polydesmus. 

LlTHOBIID^E. 

Lithobius 

or  Earwigs. 

SCOLOPKNDKID^E. 

Scolopendra 

or  Centepedes. 

GEOPHILID^:. 

Geophilus 

THE  CLASS  OF  CRUSTACEA  OR  CRUSTACEANS. 

ORDERS.  FAMILIES.  Genera. 


DECAPODA  or  TEN-FOOTED  CRUSTACEANS. 

GASTRURANS  or  STOMAPODSI  MACRURANS  or  1  BRACHYURANS  (including  ANOMURANS)  or  CRABS, 
or  SHRIMPS,  &c.  |  LOBSTERS,  &c.  | 

MAIID^E  or 
SEA-SPIDER 
FAMILY.* 

Maia,  cfc. 

or  Sea-Spiders,  &c. 

CANCRID^E  or 
EDIBLE  CRAB 
FAMILY. 

Cancer,  cfc. 

or  Edible  Crab  of  Europe,  &c. 

PORTUNIDJE  or 
EDIBLE  CRAB 
FAMILY. 

Lupa,  fc. 

or  Edible  Crab  of  U.  S.,  &c. 

GECARCINID.E  or 
LAND   CRAB 
FAMILY. 

Gecarcinus,  cfc. 

or  Land  Crabs. 

GELASMID<E  or 
FIDDLER  CRAB 
FAMILY. 

Gelasmus,  cfc. 

or  Fiddler  Crabs. 

PAGURID.E  or 
HERMIT  CRAB 
FAMILY. 

Pagurus,  tfc. 

or  Hermit  Crabs. 

PALINURIDJE  or 
SPINY  LOBSTER 
FAMILY. 

Palinurus,  cfc. 

or  Spiny  Lobsters. 

ASTICID.E  or 
COMMON  LOB- 
STER FAMILY. 

ffomarus 
Astacus,  (f  c. 

or  Common  Lobsters. 
"  Cray-Fishes. 

CRANGONID.E  or 
SHRIMP  FAMILY. 

Crangon,  cfc. 

or  Shrimps. 

PALEMONID^E  or 
PRAWN  FAMILY. 

Pqlemon,  cfc. 

or  Prawns. 

SQUILLID^E  or 
SEA  MANTIS 
FAMILY. 

Squilla,  $c. 

or  Sea  Mantes. 

MYSID^E  or 
OPOSSUMSHRIMP 
FAMILY. 

Mysis,  cfc. 

or  Opossum  Shrimps. 

*  Only  the  more  common  Families  and  Genera  of  Crustaceans  are  here  given.     The 
same  is  true  in  regard  to  Worms,  on  page  xxi. 


XX 


[ARTICULATES:  CRUSTACEANS—  Continued.] 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


APODA  or  FOURTEEN-FOOTED 
CRUSTACEANS. 

HIPODS  (including  IISOPODS  (inclucl- 
EMIDOPODS).  |ing  ANISOPODS). 

ONISCIDJE  or 
WOOD  LOUSE 
FAMILY. 

Oniscus 

or  Wood  Louse. 

ARMADILLID.E 
or  PILL-BUG 
FAMILY. 

Armadillo 

or  Pill  Bugs. 

CYMOTHOID.E. 

Cymathoa 

or  Parasites. 

BOPYRID.E. 

Bopyrus 

or  Parasites. 

ORCHESTID.E    or 
SAND-  HOPPER 
FAMILY. 

Orchestia 

or  Sand-Hoppers  or  Beach- 
Fleas. 

GAMMARID/E  or 
FRESH-WATER 
SHRIMP  FAMILY. 

Gemmarus 

or  Fresh-water  Shrimps. 

CAPRELLID^E    or 
MEASURER 
FAMILY. 

CapreUa 

or  Measurers. 

1  r 

CYAMID.E  or 
WHALE-LOUSE 
FAMILY. 

Cyaimts 

or  Whale-Lice. 

Mil 

iCANS. 
CARCNOIDS 
(including 
SIPHONOS- 
TOMES.) 

CYCLOPID^E  or 
CYCLOPS 
FAMILY. 

Cyclops 

ARGULID^E. 

Arguhis 

CALIGID^E. 

Caligus 

^  or  ENTOMOSTRj! 

OSTRACOIDS 
(including 
CIRRIPEDS). 

CYPRID^E  or 
CYPRIS  FAMILY. 

Cypris 

DAPHNIAD/E  or 
MONOCULUS 
FAMILY. 

Daphnia 

or  Mouoculus. 

LlMNADIAD^E. 

Limnadia 

LEPADID^E. 

Analifa 

or  Gee?e  Barnacles. 

BALANID^E. 

Bnlanus 

or  Acorn  Barnacles. 

111 

V2        ^.J 

LIMULID^E. 

Limulus 

or  Horse-shoe  Crab. 

ENTOMC 
ROTIFER  A. 

XXI 


ORDERS. 


THE   CLASS   OF  WORMS. 

FAMILIES.  Genera. 


m 

0<< 

to  a»~ 
§._« 

ARENICOLID^E  or 
SAND-WORM 
FAMILY 

Arenicola                or  Sand-Worms  or  Lob- 
Worms. 

ANNELID 

TERRI-  TUBI- 
COL.E.  COL^E. 

SERPULID,E  or 
SEHPULA 
FAMILY. 

Serpula                  or  Serpulse. 

LuMBRicnxE  or 
EARTH-WORM 
FAMILY. 

Lumbricus              or  Earth-  Worms. 

'%< 

?i 

HIRUNDINID.E  or 
LEECH  FAMILY. 

SH 

S  -3   C/2 

gS  M^ 

HS  Hg 

CESTOIDS  or 
TAPE-WORM 
FAMILY. 

Ttznia                     or  Tape-  Worms. 

§ 

la§§ 

^O    W    H 

Z;H  W  o 

GORDIID.E  or 
HAIR-WORM 
FAMILY. 

Gordfut                   or  Hair-  Worms. 

THE  BRANCH   OF  MOLLUSCA   OR  MOLLUSKS. 

THE   CLASS   OF   CEPHALOPODA  OR   CEPHALOPODS. 
ORDERS.  FAMILIES.  Genera. 


DIBRANCHIATA  or  TWO- 
GILLED  CEPHALOPODS. 

ARGONAUTID.E 
or  PAPER  SAILOR 
FAMILY. 

Argonauta 

or  Argonaut  or  Paper  Sailor. 

OCTOPODID.E  or 
POULPE  FAMILY. 

Octopus 

or  Poulpes. 

TEUTHID.E  or 
SQUID  FAMILY. 

Loligo 

or  Squids. 

BELEMNITID/E 
or  BELEMNITE 
FAMILY. 

(Fossil.) 

SEPIAD.E  or 

CUTTLE-FlSH 

FAMILY. 

Sepia 

or  Cuttle-Fishes. 

SPIRULID.E. 

Spirilla. 

or  Spirulas. 

TETRABRANCHIATA 
or  FOUR-GILLED 
CEPHALOPODS. 

NAUTILID.E  or 
NAUTILUS 
FAMILY. 

Nautilus 

or  Pearly  Nautilus. 

ORTHOCERAT- 
ID.-E  or 
ORTHOCERAS 
FAMILY. 
(Fossil.) 

• 

AMMONITID/E  or 
AMMONITE 
FAMILY. 

(Fossil.) 

XXII 
THE 

ORDERS. 


CLASS   OF  GASTEROPODA 

FAMILIES. 


OR  GASTEROPODS. 

Genera. 


GASTEROPODA  or  GASTEROPODS  PROPER. 

STROM  BID/E  or 
STROM  ii 
FAMILY. 

Strombus 
Pteroceras,  (.fc. 

or  Shombs. 
44  Scorpion  Shells,  &c. 

MURICID.E  or 
MUREX  FAMILY. 

Murex 
Pyrula,  $c. 

or  Thorny  Woodcock. 
"  Pyrulas,  &c. 

BUCCINID.E  or 
WHELK  FAMILY. 

Buccinum 
ffarpa,  $c. 

or  Whelks. 
"  Harp-Shells,  &c. 

CONID^E  or 
CONE  FAMILY. 

Cunus,  $c. 

or  Cones,  &c. 

VOLUTID^E  or 
VOLUTE  FAMILY. 

Valuta 
Mitra,  $c. 

or  Volutes. 
"  Mitre-Shells,  &c. 

CYPR^EIDJE  or 
COWRY  FAMILY. 

Cyprcea 
Ovulum,  cfc. 

or  Cowries. 
"  Egg-Cowries,  &c. 

NATICID^E  or 
NATICA  FAMILY. 

Natica 
Sigareius,  tfc. 

or  Naticas. 

PYRAMIDELLID^E 
or 
PYRAMID  SHELL 
FAMILY. 

Pyramidella,  tfc. 

or  Pyramid  Shells,  &c. 

CERITHIAD.E  or 
CERITHIUM 
FAMILY. 

Cerithium,  $c. 

or  Cerithiums. 

MELANIADJE  or 
MELANIA 
FAMILY. 

Melania,  cfc. 

or  Melanias. 

TURRITELLID^E 

or  WENTLE-TRAP 
FAMILY. 

Turritella 
Scalaria,  c/c. 

or  Tower-Shells. 
"  Wentle-traps,  &c. 

LITORINID^E  or 
PERIWINKLE 
FAMILY. 

Litorina,  <fc. 

or  Periwinkles,  &c. 

PALUDINID^E  or 
RIVER-SNAIL 
FAMILY. 

Paludina,  c/c. 

or  River  Snails,  «&;c. 

NERITIDJR  or 
NERITE  FAMILY. 

Nerita,  $c. 

or  Nerites,  &c. 

TURBINID.E  or 
TOP-SHELL 
FAMILY. 

Trochus,  cj-c. 

or  Top-  Shells,  &c. 

HALIOTID.E  or 
EAR-  SHELL, 
FAMILY. 

Haliotis 

or  Ear-Shells. 

xxm 


OEDEE& 


IMOLLUSK3;  GASTEROPODS-  GtmMnwtt.l 

FAMILIES. 


GASTEROPODS  PROPER—  Continued. 

JANTHINID^E  or 
VIOLET-SNAIL 
FAMILY. 

Janthina 

or  Violet  Snails. 

FISSURELLID.E 
or  KEY-HOLE 
^IMPET  FAMILY. 

Fissurella,  $c. 

or  Key-hole  Limpets. 

CAYLYPTRYEID^E 

or  BONNET  LIM- 
PET FAMILY. 

Calyptrcea,  cfc. 

or  Bonnet  Limpets. 

PATELLID.E  or 
LIMPET  FAMILY. 

Patella,  $c. 

or  Limpets. 

DENTALID.E  or 
TOOTH-SHELL 
FAMILY. 

Dentalium 

or  Tooth-Shells. 

CHITONID^E  or 
CHITON  FAMILY. 

Chiton 

or  Chitons. 

HELICID.E  or 
LAND-SNAIL 
FAMILY. 

Helix,  $c. 

or  Land-Snails. 

LIMACID^E  or 
SLUG  FAMILY. 

Umax,  $c. 

or  Slugs. 

LIMN^EID^E  or 
POND-SNAIL 
FAMILY. 

Limncea 
Physa 
Planorbis,  $c. 

AURICULID.E. 

Auricula,  cfc. 

or  Little-Ear  Shells. 

CYCLOSTOMID,E. 

Cyclostoma,  cfc. 

or  Round-Mouths. 

ACICULID^E. 

Acicula,  tf-c. 

or  Needle-Shells. 

TORNATELLID/E. 

Tornatetta.  $c. 

BULLION. 

Bulla,  $c. 

or  Bubble-Shells. 

APLYSIAD.E. 

Aptysia.  c/  c. 

or  Sea-Hares. 

DORID.E. 

Doris,  (j-c. 

or  Sea-Lemons. 

TRITONIAD^E. 

Tritonia,  cfc. 

jEoLID.E. 

JEolis,  cfc. 

ELYSIAD^E. 

Elysict,  cfc. 

igi  . 

ps     MM 
W^JWQ 

HQHO 

wowtx, 

KpnW 

FIROLID^E. 

Firola,  cfc. 

ATLANTID^E. 

Atlanta,  cfc. 

PTEROPODA 
or 
PTEROPODS. 

HYALEID.E. 

Hyalea,  cfc. 

LIMACINID^B. 

Limacina,  $c. 

CLIIDJE. 

Clio,  $c. 

XXIV 

THE   CLASS   OF  ACEPHALA  OR  ACEPHALS. 
ORDERS.  FAMILIES.  Genera. 


LAMELLIBRANCHIATA  or  LAMELLIBRANCHIATES. 

OSTREID^E  Or 

OYSTER  FAMILY. 

Ostrea,  cfc.             or  Oysters. 
Pecten,  $c.             "  Pectens  or  Scallops. 

AVICULID^E  or 
PEARL-OYSTER 
FAMILY. 

Avicula,  $c.           or  Pearl-Oysters,  &c. 

MYTILID^E  or 
SEA-MUSSEL, 
FAMILY. 

Mytilus,  <SfC.           or  Sea-Mussels. 

ARCADE. 

Area 
Leda,  $c. 

TRIGONID^E  or 
TRIGONIA 
FAMILY. 

Trigonia,  $c. 

UNIONID^:  or 
POND  &  RIVER 
MUSSEL  FAMILY. 

Unio 
Anodon,  $c. 

CHAMIETS;. 

Chama,  cfc. 

TRIDACNID^E  or 
TRIDACNA 
FAMILY. 

Tridacna 
Eippopus 

) 

CARDIAD^S  or 
COCKLE  FAMILY. 

Cardia,  <f  c. 

LUCINID^E. 

Lucina,  $c. 

CYCLADID^E. 

Cyclas,  $c. 

CTPRINIIXE. 

Cyprina 
Astarte,  cfc. 

VENERIIXE  or 
VENUS-  SHELL 
FAMILY. 

Venus 
Cytherea,  cf-c. 

XXV 


ORDERS. 


[MOLLUSKS:  ACEPHALS  —  Continued.} 
FAMILIES.  Genera. 


LAMELLIBRANCHIATES  —  Continued. 

MACTRID^E. 

Mactara,  cfc. 

TELLINID^E. 

Tellina,  cfc. 

SOLENID.E  Or 

RAZOR-  SHELL 
FAMILY. 

Solen,  fc. 

or  Razor-Shells,  &c. 

MYACID^E  or 
CLAM  FAMILY. 

Mya,  fc. 

or  Clams,  &c. 

ANATINID^E  or 
LANTERN-SHELL 
FAMILY. 

Pandora,  cfc. 

G  ASTRO  CH.  EN- 
ID ^E  or  WATER- 
ING-POT-SHELL 
FAMILY. 

Aspergillum,  cfc. 

or  Watering-pot  Shells,  &c. 

PHOLAUID^E  or 
SHIP-WORM 
FAMILY. 

Pholas 
Teredo 

or  Pholads. 
"  Ship-  Worms. 

THE  CLASS  OF  BRACHIOPODA  OR  BRACHIOPODS. 


TERREBRATUL- 

ID^E. 

Terebratula,  cf  c. 

RHYNCHONELLI- 

DvE. 

Rliynchonella. 

C  RANI  AD  jE. 

Crania. 

DlSCINID^E. 

Disclna. 

LlNGULIDJE. 

Lingula. 

THE  CLASS  OF  TUNICATA  OR  TUNICATES. 


ASCIDIAD/E. 

Ascidium 

or  Simple  Ascidians. 

CLAVELLINID^E. 

Clavettina,  cf  c. 

or  Social  Ascidians. 

BOTRYLLID^E. 

Botryllus,  cf  c. 

or  Compound  Ascidians. 

PYROSOMID^Z. 

Pyrosoma 

or  Fire-bodies. 

SALPID^E. 

Salpa 

or  Salps. 

THE  CLASS  OF  POLYZOA  OR  POLYZOANS. 


XXVI 

THE  BRANCH  OF  RADIATA  OR  RADIATES. 
THE  CLASS  OF  ECHINODERMATA  OR  ECHINODERMS. 

ORDERS.  FAMILIES.  Genera. 


2      M 

§    § 

HOLOTHt 
or 
SEA-CUCI 

02 

ij 

0       «gj 

W         M 

02 

ASTERIOIDS 
or 
STAR-FISHES. 

02 
02       W 

ft       < 

|  s 

a    w 

S    « 
w    w 

GO 

O 

S 

XX  VU 

THE   CLASS   OF  ACALEPHA  OR  JELLY-FISHES.* 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


, 

BOLINID^E,  «ScC. 

Bolina,  <fc. 

s^i 

OCYROE^E. 

Ocyroe,  $c. 

i^gs 

MERTENSID^E. 

Mertensia,  c/c. 

£§§5 

CYDIPPIDJS. 

Plturobrachia,  $c. 

B     s 

BEROID^E. 

Beroe,  $c. 

RHIZOSTOMID^K. 

Rhizostoma,  $c. 

POLYCLONID.E. 

Polyclonia,  $c. 

w 

0) 

AURELIAD^E. 

Aurelia,  $c. 

0-72 

STHENONI.E. 

Sthenio,  $c. 

^W 

CYANEID  E. 

Cyanea,  $c. 

rvq  ^ 

PELAGID^E. 

Pelagia,  cfc. 

«S 
§* 

THALLASAN- 

THE.E. 

Foveolia,  $c. 

Id 

TRACHYNEMID.E. 

Trachynema,  cfc. 

83 

LEUCKARTID^E. 

Liriope,  $c. 

QQ 

Q 

CLEISTOCAR- 

PID.E. 

Manama,  tfc. 

ELEUTHEROCAR- 

PID^E. 

Lucernaria,  <fc. 

OCEANID^E. 

Oceania,  $c. 

EUCOPID^E. 

Eucope,  $c. 

J£QUORID.E. 

Rhegmatodes,  cfc. 

GERYONOPSID.E. 

Tima,  $c. 

POLYORCHID.E. 

Polyorchis,  cfc. 

LAODICEID^E. 

Lafcea,  $c. 

MELICERTID.E 

Melicertum,  cfc. 

PLUMULARID/E. 

Plumularia,  cfc. 

CO 

g 

SERTULARID.E. 

Sertularia,  cfc. 

o 

NEMOPSID.E. 

Nemopsis,  cfc. 

M 

Q 

BOUGAINVILLE.E. 

Bougainvillia,  cfc. 

>H 

NUCLEIFER.E. 

Turris,  cfc. 

A 

WILLIAD.E. 

Willia,  cfc. 

0 

SARSIAD^B. 

Coryne,  cfc. 

^ 

Q 

ORTHOCORYN- 

ID.E 

Corynitis,  cfc. 

O 
M 

PENNARID.E. 

Pennaria,  cfc. 

Q 

TUEULARID/E. 

Tubularia,  cfc. 

W 

HYDRAID.^. 

Hydra,  cfc. 

HYDRACTINID^E. 

Hydractinia,  cfc. 

DIPHYID.E. 

Eudoxla,  cfc. 

AGALMID^:. 

Nanomia,  cfc. 

PHYSALID^E. 

Physalia,  cfc. 

VELELLID^E. 

FeZefta,  cfc. 

PORPITID^E. 

Porpita,  cfc. 

MlLLEPORIDJE. 

MiUepora,  cfc. 

*  According  to  Agassiz. 


XXVIII 


THE  CLASS  OF  POLYPI  OR  POLYPS  * 


ORDERS. 


FAMILIES. 


Genera. 


PENNATULID^E 
or    SEA-PEN 
FAMILY. 

Pennatula,  $0. 

PAVONARID.E. 

Pavonaria,  cfc. 

VERETILLID^E. 

Veretillum,  $c. 

CO 

RENILLID^E. 

Renilla,  $c. 

Jz; 
< 

GORGONID^E 

or    SEA-^'AN 
FAMILY. 

Gorgonia,  tfc. 

g 

PLEXAURID^E. 

Muricea,  $c. 

1 

PRIMNOID^E. 

Primnoa,  $c. 

< 
g 

GORGONELLID^E 

Verrucella,  $c. 

w 

ISID^;. 

Isis,  $c. 

M 

i 

CORALLID^E 

or  RED  CORAL 
FAMILY. 

Corallium,  $c. 

H 

o 

_5 

BRIARID^E. 

<3 

ALCYONIDyE. 

Alcyonium,  $c. 

XENID/E. 

CORNULARID^;. 

TUBIPORID^E 

or  ORGAN-PIPE 
CORAL  FAMILY. 

Tubipora,  $c. 

CO 

£2; 

ACTINID^E  or 
SEA-ANEMONE 
FAMILY. 

Metridium,  $c. 

3 

« 
<j 

THALLASSIAN- 
THID^:. 

K 

H 

MINYID.E. 

0 

<5 

ILLYANTHID^E. 

S 

CERIANTHID^E. 

-< 
04 

ANTIPATHID^:. 

g 

GERARDID/E. 

H 

o 
<5 

ZOANTHID.<B. 

BERGID^B. 

According  to  Verrill. 


XXIX 


ORDERS. 


[RADIATES:  POLYPS  —  Continued.] 
FAMILIES.  Genera. 


MADREPORARIA  or  MADREPORARIANS. 

1 

EUPSAMMID^E. 

Astroides,  $c. 

GEMMIPORID^E. 

PORITID^E 

or  PORITES 
FAMILY. 

Porites,  $c. 

MADREPORID,E 
or  MADREPORE 
FAMILY. 

Madrepore,  $c. 

LlTHOPHYLLID^E 

M^EANDRINAD^E 

or  MEANDRINA 
FAMILY. 

Mceandrina,  <£c. 

EUSMILLID^E. 

CARYOPHYLL- 

ID^E. 

Caryophyllia,  $c. 

STYLINID.E. 

ASTR.EID.E 

or   STAR  CORAL 
FAMILY. 

Aslrcea,  $c. 

OCULINID.E 
or    OCULINA 
FAMILY. 

Oculina,  $c. 

STYLOPHORID^;. 

CYCLOCLITID^E. 

LOPHOSERID^;. 

FUNGIBLE 
or  FUNGUS 
CORAL   FAMILY. 

Fungia,  $c.                                      « 

MERULINID^?. 

Merv2ina,  tf-c. 

THE  BRANCH  OF  PROTOZOA  OR  PROTOZOANS. 


THE  END. 


'